Two curated stages and a wealth of food choices offer what three local businesses hope is a good excuse to discover west Hillsborough this weekend. Kicking off Friday evening and lasting through Saturday afternoon, the Nash Street Block Party is a collaboration of The Depot, Mystery Brewing and Hillsborough BBQ.

Festivities get started Friday night at The Depot with the music of Scarlett Rider and Megan Jean & the KFB. Saturday, the party starts at 3 p.m., with T.A. James, The Stringbeans, Dr. Bacon and Redโ€™s Rhythm appearing at The Depotโ€™s General Store music stage. Meanwhile, Mystery Brewingโ€™s new Taproom will present sets by local indie and roots acts Jeff Debonzo, The Debonzo Brothers, The Revolutionary Sweethearts and Jack the Radio.

Itโ€™s a concerted push for three relatively young business in a tucked-away corner of Nash Street, a few blocks west of Hillsboroughโ€™s Churton Street hub and adjacent to the Gold Park recreational complex. The Depot and Hillsborough BBQ are each about two-and-a-half years old; Mystery celebrated its first anniversary in February.

โ€œWest Hillsborough wants to be very collaborative,โ€ says Meleah Gabhart of The Depot. Though this event is special, the spirit along Nash Street is ongoing, agrees Adam Ledford, general manager of Mystery Brewing. โ€œAll the businesses along this strip feel like thereโ€™s value in sticking together and being great neighbors,โ€ he says. โ€œThis block-party concept is just one of the ways to illustrate what a strength of community we have.โ€

This weekendโ€™s event is designed to have โ€œkind of a fun little artsy vibe,โ€ Ledford says. โ€œWith the pub, the barbecue and The Depot covering your food and beer and music, itโ€™s that nice place to go in Hillsborough where thereโ€™s actually parking.โ€

Bio: Ashley Melzer is a writer, photographer and filmmaker living in Carrboro.Twitter: http://twitter.com/ashleymelzer