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Famous4’s Mill Valley Community Block Party features, at top left, The Last Call Troubadours, at top right, The Kenneth Brian Band (photo by Tamarind Free Jones), middle from left: Greg Loiacono (photo by Jay Blakesberg Photography), Tim Bluhm, (Photo by Andrew Quist Photography), Jason Crosby ((photo by Jay Blakesberg Photography), Jackie Greene (Photo by Greb Vorobiov), John Hofer (courtesy The Mother Hips), as well as a fashion show (Photo by Eliot Karlan Photography).

Larry “the Hat” Lautzker created the Mill Valley Community Block Party 20 years ago as a grand opening celebration for his Famous4 downtown clothing shop in downtown. The longtime music promoter has outdone himself to celebrate the event’s 20th anniversary on Oct. 1, lining up an all-star list of musicians to rock the stage.

Set for 1pm-5:30pm on a closed-off Throckmorton Ave. between Bernard Street and Corte Madera avenues, the event is headlined by Jason Crosby & Friends, an all-star band fronted by the multi-instrumental virtuoso who has toured and recorded with a who’s who of legendary artists, including Eric Clapton, Carlos Santana, Pete Seeger, Dave Matthews, The Blind Boys of Alabama, Robert Randolph, and Susan Tedeschi among others.

Crosby will be joined by a cast of musical stalwarts with vast reputations in Mill Valley and well beyond, including Jackie Greene on bass and a trio of members of the Mother HipsTim Bluhm on guitar, Greg Loiacono on guitar and John Hofer on drums, along with a slew of special guests. Marin-based Americana rock band, Last Call Troubadours featuring Mill Valley favorite Daniel Patrick, kick off the event at 1pm, followed by Kenneth Brian Band featuring drummer Stephen Ferrone of Tom Petty & the Heartbreakers.

The event is a benefit for Kiddo!, which raises upwards of $3 million annually for programs and teachers in the arts, elementary physical education, classroom and library aides, technology and innovative teaching grants from transitional kindergarten through 8th grade in the Mill Valley School District.

As always, the Block Party features a Fashion Show (3:20pm), Beer Garden, food for sale from the likes of Boo Koo, Sweetwater Music Hall, Piazza D’Angelo and more, and kids’ games.

The 411: The Mill Valley Community Block Party is Sunday October 1, 1-5:30pm at Lytton Square, 96 Throckmorton Ave. Mill Valley. MORE INFO.

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