The following is a listing of major 2009 events in downtown Greensboro. For a more detailed listing of weekly activities downtown, visit This Week Downtown or see our Weekly E-Newsletter.     1-2-09 to 12-04-09 First Friday First Friday is an exciting evening escape in the heart of Greensboro. Join in First Friday of each month in 2009 for a fun-filled exploration of Greensboro’s creative Downtown. Enjoy a self-guided tour of local art galleries and studios, retail shops, and alternative arts venues will host special events, demonstrations and give visitors an opportunity to meet featured artists. The event is free and open to the public and is held on the First Friday of every month from 6-9pm. www.downtownfridays.com     5-6-09 through 10-21-09 Tunes @ Noon at Center City Park Tunes at Noon every Wednesday at Center City Park from May 6 to October 21 from 11:45am–1:15pm.  Enjoy fountain and lunch time entertainment, bring lunch and a colleague and leave the office behind.  For musical entertainment and band schedule, click here.     6-25-09  BB&T Beach Music Beach music series Thursday evenings 5:30-8:30pm at Festival Park.  Take a trip to the beach downtown at Festival Park, admission fee to benefit the Children's Home Society of North Carolina.  Lawn chairs, blankets and dancing shoes are welcome.  Parking accessible in surrounding streets and City parking decks. For additional information, click here or visit www.chsnc.org   *(6/04/09: Concert has been MOVED from Festival Park to The Empire Room, lower level)   5-14-09 The Attraction 5-21-09 Band of Oz 5-28-09 Craig Woolard Band 6-04-09 The Embers* 6-11-09 Billy Scott and the Prophets 6-18-09 Chairman of the Board 6-25-09 Maurice Williams & The Zodiacs     5-31-09 ongoing thru 10-25-09 Sundays in the Park at Center City Park Sundays in the Park are held from 2-5pm on the last Sunday of each month from May through October. In addition to bands, crafts, and children's activites, the 2009 Sundays in the Park at Center City Park will spotlight selected community resources - bringing a new dimension to the family-friendly events. Sundays in the Park will be held on 5/31, 6/28, 7/26, 8/30, 9/17, and 10/25.  For entertainment, click here.     Carolina Classic Films The Carolina Theatre kicks off 2009 with Classic Film series featuring newly equipped Dolby® Digital Surround EX™ processor. Enjoy a movie with a friend or date in historical grandeur. Tickets $5 and can be purchased in advanced, show time at 7:30 pm. For a schedule of movies this week, click here.     4-09-09 to 8-31-09   Greensboro Grasshoppers America’s favorite pastime, enjoy a day with the Greensboro Grasshoppers at NewBridge Bank Park. The Grasshoppers are becoming the only Class A team in the history of Minor League Baseball to draw over 400,000 fans and grow its attendance for four straight years in a new ballpark and proud recipients of both the South Atlantic League’s Club Merit Award and the General Manager of the Year Award for the past four years.  The Season Opener is Thursday, April 9, 2009.  Be sure to check schedule for Giveaways and Promotional Nights | Schedule | More Info:   Tue Time Warner Cable Tuesdays Thu Natty Greene Thirsty Thursdays Fri Lincoln Financial Fireworks Fridays Sat Wrangler Skyrocket Saturdays Sun Moses Cone Health System Family Day Sundays        6-27-09 to 8-01-09 Eastern Music Festival Fringe The Eastern Music Festival (EMF) & School program brings together a cross-section of America's most sought-after artists with pre-professional students in a five-week schedule of 100 concerts and music-related events. EMF's 2009 summer season runs from June 27 through August 1, 2009 and showcases alternative programming featuring everything from Americana to alt country, blues, jazz, world music and gospel. In addition to the 5-week summer festival and school, EMF offers programming such as its Fall Fringe series, the spring Piedmont Blues and Jazz Festival, EMFkids concerts and camps, and other events throughout the year.  Sponsors include the United Arts Council of Greater Greensboro, North Carolina Arts Council, WFDD Triad Arts Station, Greensboro's News and Record, and Piedmont Music Center (Steinway Pianos).  For more information about EMF or its programs, visit www.EasternMusicFestival.org.     6-27-09 to 07-04-09     Fun Fourth Fun Fourth festivities are ratcheting up to start July 2008.  Make plans to venture downtown for the lots of festivities, fun, and entertainment for everyone. For additional information/schedule:   6/27/09 Fun Fourth Festival, Freedom Run & Walk 7/03/09 Fun Fourth Festival, Kick-off Block Party 7/04/09 Fun Fourth Festival, Independence Day Parade & Street Festival         Antiques & Art on Elm Antiques & Art on Elm is the new name of the previously known Antiques and Art Festival. This event is tentative and may be subject to change.     9-06-09 thru 9-27-09 Bluegrass at Blandwood Mark your calendar for Sunday’s in September for Bluegrass at Blandwood “Music That's Making History” from 2pm-5pm. Bring your chair or a blanket and sit on the shady backyard as you listen to nationally recognized Bluegrass music.  Sunday’s in September (9/6, 9/13, 9/20, and 9/27) tickets at door, admission $5, children 12 free. For additional information click here.   9-06-09 TBA 9-13-09 TBA 9-20-09 TBA 9-27-09 TBA     Date TBA       Art & Vine NEW wine and art festival downtown features local vineyards such as Allison Oaks Vineyards, Bannerman Vineyard, Childress Vineyards, Creek Side Winery, Grove Winery, Hinnant Family Vineyards, Stonefield Cellars, and Weathervane Winery. This festival will bring live jazz and bluegrass music, sampling from local restaurants, and art from local galleries. Event will be held on Saturday, October 11 from 11:00am to 6:00pm. For more information visit www.artandvine.net      Date TBA Goulash! The Greensboro Youth Council will host their 22nd annual Ghoulash! Halloween Festival in the Downtown Cultural District. This is a safe and fun event for all of the family and it’s FREE.  There will also be lots of other activities, various fundraising game booths, tons of great festival food and loads of FREE CANDY. This event will be held at Downtown Greensboro Cultural District on Church and Davie Streets (Festival Park area).     Date TBA Festival of Lights Take a stroll down Elm Street to see the winter wonderland, decorated windows with the annual Festival of Lights celebration from 6-9pm with a musical stroll on Elm Street with children's activities and community tree lighting. Many shops have extended hours for this event.  There's something for EVERYONE downtown.     Date TBA Holiday Parade Saturday in December brings the Holiday Parade downtown at noon with Santa, giant balloons, holiday floats, and lots of fun for kids of ALL ages. Date to be determined.