Know Your Neighbors series continues Nov. 7

Concert encourages students to meet Downtown Phoenix neighbors

This Friday night, Nov. 7, a crowd of enthusiastic Arizona State University students will gather in downtown Phoenix to hear live music and become further acquainted with local business owners and residents.

They’ll take part in the final concert of the “Know Your Neighbors” series, featuring a free performance by Arizona band Try Me Bicycle at 7:30 p.m. at the Paisley Violin, 1030 N.W. Grand Ave. The event coincides with the First Friday artwalk.

The seven-part concert series aims to promote integration of the students and staff at ASU’s Downtown Phoenix campus with the community in the surrounding metropolitan area.

“Community involvement and partnerships are incredibly important to the students, faculty and staff at the downtown campus,” said Deb Gullett, associate vice president and dean at the ASU College of Public Programs at the Downtown Phoenix campus. “Our academic programs are structured to involve students directly in applying their growing knowledge and faculty-led research to make a difference in the city’s neighborhoods.”

During the event, the School of Social Work Student Organization will hold a fundraiser for the Neighborhood Ministries' Parent Volunteers Christmas program, which allows parents in need to volunteer community service hours in exchange for vouchers to buy gifts in its Christmas Parent Store.

Formed in the fall of 1995, Try Me Bicycle features Andrew Naylor on vocals and guitar; Jay Novak on bass; Jacob Koller on piano and synthesizer and Nathan Geer on drums.

The group blends modern folk, jazz and piano to create “quiet, organic music that evokes the feeling of day-tripping and long drives at twilight -- the recollective course of the vagabond on holiday,” according to lead singer Andy Naylor.

For information, contact Malissa Geer at mgeer@mainex1.asu.edu or Kirsten Martin at Kirsten.martin@asu.edu.