The CHQ Chamber is working with Jamestown Renaissance Corporation and the Gebbie Foundation to present Jumpstart to Third Thursday.

The pre-event to the monthly Third Thursday concert series will run from 4:30 to 6:30 p.m. featuring additional entertainment and special events at downtown Jamestown businesses.

Starting this Thursday, May 15, several downtown businesses are participating in Jumpstart to Third Thursday. Art Cloth & Craft on East Third Street will be hosting a pop-up event by the Roger Tory Peterson Institute. CHQ Plus on West Third Street will be open extended hours, as will Chautauqua Art Gallery and Lifted Dispensary on North Main Street. Chautauqua Art Gallery and Pearl City Clay House will be doing special art opening events at 5 p.m. Thursday to open the 2025 Artscape banner season. The Pine Cone Creamery on Pine Street will also participate. There may be additional street performances as well at a variety of venues along Third Street.

The Third Thursday entertainment scheduled for Winter Garden Plaza on North Main Street is Madness Most Discreet, with two theatrical performances at 6 p.m. and 8 p.m. In addition, the troupe will do a 5 p.m. preview pop-up presentation under the marquis at the Reg Lenna Center for the Arts. Madness Most Discreet is four actors presenting a unique approach to Shakespearean performance. Each actor learns the entire script and then roles are assigned on the spot before the performance. Their work for this week will be Moonlight Revels, an adaptation of A Midsummer Night’s Dream.

“As a local business association, the CHQ Chamber is focused on boosting business in a variety of ways,” said Dan Heitzenrater, CHQ Chamber president and CEO. “Our mission is to build vital connections, provide professional resources, and champion our local businesses in Chautauqua County. Jumpstart to Third Thursday is one way we can do that by helping to build off an established and innovative program. We hope to see people enjoying downtown Jamestown in a variety of ways before the main stage Third Thursday event. Enjoy some shopping and some dinner in downtown Jamestown and then stay for the show.”