SF downtown street party gets new philanthropic boost from billionaire elite
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Downtown First Thursday in San Francisco crowds. Courtesy: Civic Space Foundation.
San Francisco's biggest free, monthly outdoor block party will continue to be a fixture in downtown through the end of the year thanks to a $1.75 million surge of new funding from the city's billionaire elite.
State of play: Downtown First Thursdays was scheduled to end in April. But organizers on Thursday announced its extension along with a new speaker series beginning this summer and a western theme dubbed "Downtown Hoedown" from May through October.
Follow the money: Crypto billionaire Chris Larsen, the Crankstart Foundation — funded by billionaire venture capitalist Michael Moritz — and former Gap chairman Bob Fisher and his wife Randi, who have supported the event with a $1 million annual endowment, are among the biggest donors.
- Levi Strauss & Co., Salesforce and JPMorgan Chase are also helping fund the expansion.
What they're saying: "Downtown First Thursdays has already brought joy to thousands and delivered a major boost to our local economy. I'm thrilled to see it expand so we can keep building momentum," Mayor Daniel Lurie said in a statement.
Catch up quick: The monthly event, which features live music, vendors, food trucks and art, was launched last May in an effort to break the post-pandemic "doom loop" by boosting downtown's economy, increasing foot traffic and reviving the city's nightlife scene.
- Since then, it has helped rake in nearly $12 million in revenue and drawn more than 160,000 attendees to lively parties that have included street performers, local DJs, drag shows and art installations, according to the event organizers.
Between the lines: The new speaker series, called the "Symposium at DFT" will run from June to October at Salesforce Park Amphitheater from 5-9pm.
- KQED will be among the partners to present programming on the lineup of speakers, which will include various entrepreneurs, artists, authors and more. Space will be limited to first-come, first-served, with free tickets provided via RSVP required for entry.
- The new western-themed street party will have live country and bluegrass performances, line dancing and mechanical bull rides.
What's next: The art coalition behind the event, which includes the event production company Into The Streets and the nonprofit Civic Joy Fund, hope to continue securing ongoing investments to make Downtown First Thursdays "a tradition for years to come."
If you go: The all ages event from 5-10pm every first Thursday on 2nd Street between Market and Howard is free with RSVP.