The City of Santa Clarita has been hosting events on Thursdays in Old Town Newhall as part of the Thursdays @ Newhall campaign since July 2011. In the last year, thousands of residents have come out to enjoy the Farmers Market, SENSES, and Art Walk and this summer, the events continue with the addition of eight weeks of Thursday JAM Sessions added to the lineup, courtesy of the Los Angeles County Arts Commission, the City of Santa Clarita, and College of the Canyons.
“Thursdays @ Newhall is the place to be in Santa Clarita,” said City of Santa Clarita Mayor Frank Ferry. “The events are diverse and offer a little something for everyone with consistently great food, live music, entertainment and activities for all ages.”
This summer’s Thursdays @ Newhall event lineup consists of the weekly Farmers Market, which is under new management, Art Walk on the first Thursday of the month, SENSES on the third Thursday of the month, and an eight week series of JAM Sessions.
The weekly Farmers Market is back and under new management and the perfect place to grab fresh, seasonal fruits, produce, and specialty food items. The popular, street-fair style event takes place every Thursday from 4:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. on Main Street. Coastal Pacific, which is known as one of Southern California’s best market operators, manages the weekly event and brings a variety of new and returning vendors to Santa Clarita each week.
Art Walk exposes residents to new forms of art from local and regional artists every first Thursday of the month from 4:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. The event celebrates music, fashion, food, and beauty and always includes live music and food trucks.
Every third Thursday of the month, SENSES transforms Main Street into a themed block party from 7:00 p.m. to 11:00 p.m. The event is free and always includes live music, food trucks, street performers, and themed activities. Summer SENSES events include Beach Party on July 19, Rockabilly night on August 16, and Pirates on September 20. Guaranteed to deliver one of the best sensory experiences in the Santa Clarita Valley, SENSES is the summer party that should not be missed.
Finally, the Los Angeles County Arts Commission has partnered with the City of Santa Clarita and the Santa Clarita Performing Arts Center at College of the Canyons to bring residents free, interactive, musical movement J.A.M. Sessions for eight consecutive weeks. Upcoming J.A.M. Sessions include Pacific Island Dance and Song on July 12; Salsa/Rueda on July 19; Samba on July 26; Bluegrass on August 2; Hip-Hop on August 9; Swing on August 16; and Bollywood on August 23. To learn more about J.A.M. Sessions, visit http://fordjamsessions.org.
Since the launch of Thursdays @ Newhall, which kicked off in June 2011 with a 1980s themed SENSES party, the weekly free events have added new life, energy and visitors to the area. Art Walk, SENSES, and Farmers Market have drawn thousands of people to Old Town Newhall, introduced new audiences to its restaurants, theaters and shops, and established the region as a unique local hot spot.
For more information about other Thursdays @ Newhall events, please contact the City’s Arts and Events Office at (661) 250-3787 or visit arts.santa-clarita.com.