The 3rdThursday Story

3rdThursday Cal Ave is a free, monthly, year-round music festival held on the third Thursday of each month from 6 to 9 p.m. along the pedestrian-only stretch of California Avenue in Palo Alto, California. Launched in May 2023, the event was founded to help revitalize California Avenue through live music and community engagement. With support from the City of Palo Alto, the Palo Alto Chamber of Commerce, The Palo Alto Chamber Foundation, and local businesses, 3rdThursday has become a vibrant monthly celebration of music, art, and local culture.

Each 3rdThursday event features performances by 1 to 3 music groups, offering a diverse range of genres from jazz and blues to rock and classical. The festival also includes community art sharing, photo booths, poetry readings, and family-friendly activities like dance and crafts. Local businesses participate to help create a lively atmosphere that encourages attendees to shop and dine locally.

Over the past two years, 3rdThursday has evolved to the noted artists such as Mike Annuzzi, Anthony Arya, Tebo's Experience, The Dennis Dove Band, and the Rasquache Liberation Front. The car-free nature of California Avenue during the event provides a safe and welcoming environment for attendees of all ages to enjoy live music and community activities.

As 3rdThursday continues to grow, it remains a testament to the power of grassroots community efforts in fostering local culture and economic vitality. With ongoing support from sponsors like Stanford Research Park and the Palo Alto Chamber Foundation , the festival aims to sustain its mission of bringing joy and connection through live music and community engagement. For more information on upcoming events and how to get involved, visit 3rdthursday.fun.

The Team

Carol Garsten

Carol Garsten Carol has been a community organizer/connector, jewelry designer, gallery owner, photographer, and filmmaker. She has served as chair of the BOD of Peninsula Health Care Connection. Carol is the co-chair of Downtown Los Altos First Friday and the founder & Event Producer of 3rd Thursday Cal Ave. Carol balances out her high-energy personality with gardening, qigong, traveling, cooking, hiking, and brushing her feline-best-friend Petra.

Jamie Jarvis

Jamie Jarvis is the Programs Director for Stanford Research Park where she and her team coordinate hundreds of learning, wellness, cultural, social, and giving back opportunities each year for individuals who work in the Research Park. Jamie enjoys meeting community members each month at 3rdThursday and is pleased to sponsor an all-ages craft activity and photo booth for attendees.

Jamie Lucia

Jamie Jarvis Dr. Jamie Lucia grew up in the restaurant and entertainment business. She is the founder of Dogma, human and canine chiropractic fitness studios located in Los Altos and Carmel. She is chair of Los Altos First Friday, the popular monthly music event featuring 15 bands in downtown Los Altos. Dr. Jamie is passionate about bringing vibrancy to her community each and every month. She is also excited to be part of the 3rdThursday team curating the perfect blend of music for the monthly event on car-free Cal Ave.

Ananya

Ananya Ananya is a high school student at Gunn in Palo Alto. As 3rdThursday Team Lead of Youth and Community Engagement, she coordinates outreach, collaborates with local nonprofits, and helps create inclusive spaces where young artists and community voices are celebrated. A dedicated violinist in her school orchestra, she is deeply interested in the role of music as a force for connection, storytelling, and social change.