Downtown Gainesville will transform into an outdoor block party Sunday, with an electronic soundtrack and live art.
Over Easy Creative, a Gainesville company specializing in immersive music and art events, is teaming up with The Atlantic and Arcade Bar to take over the corner of University Avenue and Main Street for the first Over Easy Block Party.
Les Voss, the owner of Over Easy Creative, said the block party idea has been a long time coming.
“We’ve loved The Atlantic and Arcade Bar for a long time, and things finally lined up with the management and owners to make this a reality,” he said. “In the future we are aiming to do an even bigger block party, adding in the other venues owned by the Top as well. We are huge fans of their vision for Gainesville and their eclectic touch on all of their spaces.”
There will be three performance stages for the event, which will feature more than 10 musicians, mostly electronic artists, from throughout the Southeast. Each stage will have a different vibe, from disco with live percussion to traditional house music to bass house music, Voss said. Big names performing at the block party include Ancient Deep, B2Six, Jai Biotic and True Vine.
“My personal favorite part of the transformation is the alleyway, which has always felt like it had untapped potential, connecting The Atlantic and Arcade Bar,” he said. “The transformation will feature a canopy of lasers hitting a disco ball, plants and a beautifully painted brick wall, along with the DJs playing overhead.”
Live art and installations will be on display, with artists showcasing past work and painting live. There will also be wall projections and three-dimensional art pieces. Over Easy Creative has worked with Arcade Bar to create signature cocktails for the event.
“If you are unfamiliar with Arcade Bar, it’s a lovely place to casually play some classics, and during our block party you can take a break from the action to play pinball or ski-ball and enjoy a cocktail — try the Earl Grey gin specialty drink, seriously,” Voss said. “Everyone involved treats their work as an art, from the bartenders to the musicians and painters. Creativity is everywhere.”
The event starts at 9 p.m., and tickets will be sold at the party, starting at $10.
