What is considered the world's premier reggae band, The Wailers, will take over the Civic Plaza stage and liven up the crowd during Downtown Summerfest 2016. Held on Civic Plaza, this free event on Saturday, August 6th begins at 5pm with live music, lots of food and drink, the popular Artisan Market, fun for kids-and just a great summer evening.

For those who know that Bob Marley was the undisputed King of Reggae, you have the opportunity to hear the band that keeps his legacy alive. Together with Marley, The Wailers have sold over 250 million albums, have played in front of about 24 million people worldwide, and performed about 200 dates a year, making them among the most successful groups in music history. Their authentic sound captures hearts and causes bodies to move to the reggae beat-just try and sit still while they are onstage!

Prior to The Wailers, who perform from 9-10:30pm, the Civic Plaza stage will be alive with music from talented local bands that will definitely get the crowd going and energize people of every age.

The evening begins with Suavecito from 5-6pm which will warm up the crowd with their variety of tunes that include country, oldies, R&B, Top 40 and old-time Rock 'n Roll, plus New Mexico Spanish music-something for every musical taste.

Following them from 6:15-7:15pm is Cactus Slim & The Goatheads, a trio fairly new to the New Mexico music scene. This fun east mountain boogie band goes from Cowboy Funk to Soulful Blues, and back again.

Then, from 7:30-8:30pm The Big Spank brings what they describe as their "Funky-Latin-Punkish-Ska-Pop" sounds that are full of fun. Known for their humorous stage antics and high energy, they are sure to acquire a lot of new fans.

All of that moving around and dancing will make you hungry and thirsty, so check out the food court where more than 15 of Albuquerque's favorite food trucks and vendors will offer such tasty fare as roasted corn dripping with butter, a wide variety of sandwich offerings, hot and gooey pizza, and much more to tempt your taste buds. And to slake that thirst, visit the Microbrew Garden where you will find a variety of craft beers and other beverages.

A little shopping is in order at the Artisan Market, where handcrafted jewelry, baked goods, bath products and much more await at the more 20 booths: A great place to purchase gifts or find special treats for yourself.

Never for a moment forgetting the children in attendance, Downtown Summerfest offers face painting, inflatables for getting rid of all that pent-up energy, and rock wall-climbing to test strength and skills, as well as other fun activities.

Getting to Downtown Summerfest is a breeze. Public transportation takes you to a stop just a couple of blocks away. Paid parking under Civic Plaza or at the Convention Center brings you close to the action, and there are numerous other parking lots in the area. Or, you can avoid traffic and ride your bike; there will be a free Bike Valet located on the north side of Civic Plaza managed courtesy of Esperanza Bike Shop.

Downtown Summerfest will take place rain or shine. Limited seating is provided, but you are welcome to bring lawn chairs or blankets. Glass and alcohol will not be permitted.

Join us for an evening of free family fun and a lot of great entertainment. You can even bring your well-behaved, leashed family dog along to enjoy the fun.

Things I see on my way to work:

(3) APD Cars, two going to the same destination, and quickly.

(1) Santa Fe Police Car, attracting disdainful looks.

(1) Back bumper of a Ford Mazda. Bumper sticker reads ‘If you can see this you’re too close’.

(1) Shattered brake light, presumably from the same car.

(1) Shattered headlight, presumably from the tailgating asshole.

(2) People dressed nicely, a man and a woman separately. Life has treated them well, they tell themselves as they scream into their cell phones.

(5) People dressed casually, half wait for the bus, the others walk. The ones with company don’t seem to mind as much the time of day and the bitter cold.

(3) People dressed in many layers of tattered clothing. One sleeps in a slouched position, one waits for the bus, and one walks seemingly aimlessly.

(3) Very large murals painted on the walls of city buildings. People from different cities would wonder how vandalists are able to create such intricate pieces without anyone stopping them.

(2) City buses, struggling to turn the tight corners of small downtown streets.

(4) Pieces of actual graffiti. Two are small tags with gang names and the others are aborted works of art not commissioned by the government.

(1) Puddle of indeterminable nature. It hasn’t rained in a week, and the puddle smells like a pit to hell.

With the help of skilled drivers, a few dozen homosapiens on the West coast of North America transported small metal statuettes back to their lavish dwellings in elongated automobiles.

Why was Joan Rivers left out of the 'In Memorium' montage of The Oscars?

How do they pick the Oscar Winners?

11 students at Wesleyan were hospitalized after overdosing on MDMA, also known as 'Molly.'

A driver crashed into an electrical pole that knocked out the power to Tingley Coliseum right before the Monster Truck Jam. The intentional crashes of the spectacle were unaffected.

Why were these weird food patents unsuccessful?

The already questionable reputation of Downtown Albuquerque is being tarnished by late-night brawls.

Poor little spaceport.

If anyone knows what will destroy human civilization, it’s Stephen Hawking.

Are You More Like Jennifer Lawrence Or Emma Stone? Take the quiz!

Peter Fonda turns 75 today!

Downtown’s Fourth Street Mall could be a nice place. It’s landscaped. It’s a pedestrian thoroughfare between bars, restaurants, hotels and even museums. Every time I stroll down it though, rather than enjoying the trees or the faint scent of Italian spices, I’m panhandled and/or sexually harassed by idle loiterers around the mall. What are the scores of them doing there at 2 p.m. on a Thursday? Why won’t they leave me alone when I’m trying to get a sandwich?

When the Downtown residents of Albuquerque complain about quality of life, groceries tend to come up. As you might know, Downtown has only one grocer. While that store, Lowe’s at Twelfth Street and Lomas, offers a charming little selection of basics (mostly of the General Mills, Kraft, ConAgra genetically modified large food corporation variety), it’s not a place where you can purchase gourmet items, organics, bulk, anything that would cater to a restrictive diet, natural body products or green cleaning supplies. And shoppers can’t even pick up a bottle of wine there (though the store would like to sell alcohol—it’s not allowed to). With its existing historic neighborhoods prospering, and scores and scores of new loft developments Downtown, why is this our reality? It’s not as though there’s a lack of space either—empty lots, abandoned buildings and storefronts blight all of downtown, and some of these spaces would make cute little bodegas, others could hold a Whole Foods.

Recently this ongoing frustration took shape as a group on Facebook. Read some choice comments on the matter after the jump.

“Alas most of the development that goes on Downtown (or anywhere in New Mexico) is centered first on the interests of the developer, then maybe later on the needs/interests of the community/neighborhood in which the development takes place. In the Huning Highlands neighborhood a few years ago it was shortsighted neighborhood association members that hobbled Rob Dixon when he was trying to get a decent grocery store near the ABQ High lofts. The BCCP/Edo interests at least had some regard for the needs of the neighborhood ... ”

“Yeah, I find it so ridiculous that lofts keep coming up and yet no worthy market exists in the downtown area—sorry Lowe's your canned goods don't meet my needs. There is talk about developing the old Barelas rail yards!!! Contact people in the Barelas Neighborhood Coalition .... they are actively involved, but not sure where the plans are going - except for YES, more fucking lofts!!”

“Who and what do we need to do to get this going? There is a nice spot ont the corner of 3rd and Central. Developers? Investors?”

“What about a REAL Farmers' Market downtown, like Pike Place Market in Seattle or Reading Terminal Market in Philadelphia or any number of other great markets??? Anyone interested in a permanent farmers' market?”

“co-op #3!!!! we don't need no liquor for one to open. ... that can be worked on. A STORE!!!”

So, Albuquerque, what’s the hold-up?

The Downtown Action Team and Travel Guide New Mexico have teamed up to produce a video promoting downtown Albuquerque as a tourist destination. Nice job, DAT! It’s slick and professional. I only wonder at the decision to gloss over Downtown’s nightlife, mentioned only in passing, when it was responsible for the lion’s share of Downtown revitalization. At any rate, it’s a nice video and Brian Morris could have a future in television.

Mark your calendar for Wednesday, July 29. The old Wild Oats store at Academy and San Mateo is becoming a Sunflower, thus concentrating even more grocery stores in the Far Northeast Heights.

Because Downtown is so overserved by specialty grocers. Any grocers. Please—no more! We’re all full up down here. Vend your organic mangoes elsewhere, thank you.

Albuquerque, N.M., – Sunflower Farmers Markets, a rapidly growing organic and natural foods supermarket chain, is set to open its third store in Albuquerque, N.M., and bring 100 new jobs to the local economy.

The Wednesday, July 29, 2009 grand opening will kick off at 6:30 a.m. in front of the new store, at 6300-A San Mateo Blvd. NE, at Academy. The grand opening celebration will feature complimentary breakfast items and a special Sunflower garland-cutting ceremony with Mike Gilliland, Sunflower’s founder and CEO.

Doors will open immediately after the garland cutting at 7:00 a.m. The first 200 customers on opening day will receive a FREE reusable shopping bag filled with Sunflower’s healthy groceries, valued at over $50.00, with any in-store purchase. Customers are encouraged to arrive early, as the line typically forms hours before the store opens.

Free samples from virtually every Sunflower department will be given away all day, and guests can enjoy complimentary chair massages to relieve their tired muscles. From 11:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m., the grill will sizzle for an on-site barbeque, featuring free samples of all-natural Harris Ranch beef. A kids’ activities tent will feature cooking classes, crafts and games for kids.

The market will also feature special grand opening in-store deals and savings throughout the day.

“We are eager to expand our ‘Serious Food at Silly Prices’ grocery store concept in Albuquerque, as this is where our success first started. New Mexico residents are aware of the benefits of eating quality food, yet are savvy enough to look for good values, especially during these challenging economic times,” Gilliland said.

Albuquerque was home to the very first store in the Sunflower chain, and is presently home to two locations: 10701 Corrales Rd. and 5112 Lomas Blvd. Two new markets are planned for Santa Fe, N.M., as well as a fourth market for Albuquerque in 2010.