For over two years, San Francisco’s otherwise somewhat sleepy downtown corridor has transformed once a month into the city’s biggest party. This month, Downtown First Thursdays, thrown by the Civic Joy Fund and Into the Streets, was set to have what may have been its biggest headlining act yet. However, the event announced a change in programming on Tuesday.
Janelle Monae, the multi-hyphenate musician, DJ and actor, will no longer perform due to an unexpected scheduling conflict. Known for high-concept albums that comment on gender, sexuality, race and humanity in general, Monae, who identifies as nonbinary, was booked to DJ as part of the block party’s Pride kickoff event. She last performed in San Francisco in 2023, playing both Outside Lands and the Bill Graham Civic Auditorium.
In her place, Grace Towers is set to host a Discoteca takeover, with performances by local legend David Harness, Program Audio co-founder Erika, plus a ballroom set from Good Vbz and Oakland To All, with drag performances throughout the night. Dad SF is scheduled to perform in Jessie Alley, and Brazilian tunes from BoomBoom Party is scheduled for the Natoma Cabana Dance Hall.
The event takes place from 5 to 10 p.m. primarily along Second Street, spilling over into the adjacent blocks on Natoma, Minna and Jessie streets. There are multiple stages of music, food and drink vendors, curbside karaoke and a symposium with speakers. It is sponsored by Ripple co-founder Chris Larsen, Bob and Randi Fisher and the Pisces Foundation. The block party regularly draws upwards of 10,000 people, attracting over 300,000 attendees in its first two years of operation and sparking $27.9 million in spending to neighboring businesses, according to Downtown First Thursdays.