Contributed by Five Points Association

Columbia’s trendiest business district is gearing up for the 8th Annual Five Points After Five Spring 2005 Concert Series. The series started April 7 and takes place every Thursday from 6:30 until 10 pm at the Plaza Fountain in Five Points.

The opening band for Thursday, April 7 was A Robert Newton & James Beresford Student Showcase. These two men are Five Points guitar instructors who presented selected students to play.

“This is a great opportunity for these outstanding students to be recognized in a concert environment, and for the Five Points Association to continue in their commitment to supporting up and coming local musicians,” said Debbie Parker, executive director of the Five Points Association.

Headlining the evenings entertainment was Abbey Road–A Tribute to the Beatles. The Beatles Abbey Road is often cited as one of the finest rock albums ever recorded. Thirty–five years after the original album was released, Beatles fans had the chance to hear it performed live, start to finish, by Abbey Road. This musical group is made up of four all–star musicians from the infamous Athens, GA music scene.

Musical stylings for this year’s series range from rock to dance hall, latin to funk, reggae to bluegrass, jazz to folk, and country to party tunes. Special promotions and door prizes are available weekly for a chance to win dinner at a local restaurant or gift certificates for Five Points businesses!

This year’s Five Points After Five Schedule is

4/7 Abbey Road - A Tribute to Beatles

4/14 Tootie & The Jones w/ Calvin & Friends

4/21 Angie Aparo and the Infedels w/ I Nine

4/28 Stillhouse w/ The Jones

5/5 Sabor

5/12 Accoustic Syndicate w/ Harmony Grove

5/19Pause For Effect w/ Honestly

5/26 King Hippo w/ Capitol Funk

For more information log onto

www.fivepointscolumbia.com.