Ellington

All the beauty provided by the stylish brickwork and elegant street lighting of downtown's Congress Street goes mostly unappreciated, laments Downtown Jackson Partners Executive Director John Lawrence.

"I can't compare that spot to anything. This is one of the most intimate and urban streets in the city of Jackson. Congress Street is one of those places where, when you're standing on it, you feel like you're in a big city. The street's brick, you have a fabulous view of the Capitol to the North, the street is enclosed by buildings, and it's a really exciting atmosphere that's different from most places you encounter downtown," Lawrence said.

It's for this reason that Lawrence joined forces with Roy Adkins and local artists and musicians in assembling Hit the Bricks, a celebration of the scenic spot near State Street, where local architecture has created one of the most picturesque urban views the city of Jackson has to offer.

Hit the Bricks will be taking over the section of Jackson's Congress Street between Capitol Street and Pearl Street this Saturday, from 5 p.m. until 9 p.m.

The event will feature a street-length art show, in which artists such as Ellen Langford, Elli Williams, Jerri Sherer, Joseph Williams, Natalie Bancroft, Rachel Misenar, Ron Blaylock, Tony DiFatta, Dianne Richardson and many more will practice and demonstrate their trade in the street to the accompaniment of local musical acts. These bands and musicians include Eric Stracener, Jamie Weems, Buddy Fish, Skip Coon, Matthew Magee and others.

"I very selfishly want to get more use out of that street," Lawrence says. "It's such a wonderful atmosphere. It's a great neighborhood street. We want to start using it for different things. We wanted to have artists actually creating art on this street, so you'll have activity that's different from what you see during the 9 to 5 with your briefcase.

"What's fun about it is the artists will actually be working. They'll be sculpting and painting and all the fun things you do as an artist. There'll also be some dancers and live music."

The event will feature beers from both Miller and Mississippi's own Lazy Magnolia Brewing Company. Food will be provided by local vendors like Steve's Downtown Deli and Fanatics, which normally occupy the downtown lunch hour.

Visitors wanting to come down and see what Jackson's spectacular art scene has to offer will pay no cover charge. The beer isn't free, of course, but you can soak up all the sunshine and conversation you can handle at no cost.

Lawrence says he hopes visitors will find a place to relax and have a good time on an easy weekend.

"If you just want to come down and wander around and bring your dog, just come on by," he says.