LIVE
from 3rd St!
LIVE from 3rd St! brings professional musicians into public and community spaces for open, joy-filled jam sessions where everyone is invited to listen, participate, and connect—no experience required.
The Vibe isOpen.
“Participation is always optional—presence is enough.”
What you might do
Clap, sing, play provided instruments, improvise, or simply listen and soak in the energy.
What you don’t need
No musical training. No pressure to perform. No sign-up required (unless required for certain partner sites).
The Details
Sessions typically run 60–90 minutes. We activate both indoor spaces and outdoor environments.
Community & Impact
LIVE from 3rd St! is rooted in the belief that music is a powerful connector—one that belongs to everyone. As a p(ART)icipate experience, this traveling jam session series is designed to meet people where they are, transforming familiar community spaces into welcoming environments for creative expression, shared joy, and authentic human connection.
By centering accessibility, collaboration, and trauma-responsive engagement, LIVE from 3rd St! removes common barriers to arts participation. No prior musical experience is required—just curiosity and a willingness to be present. Participants are invited to listen, engage, and co-create at their own pace, fostering moments of belonging that strengthen community bonds across age, background, and ability.
At its core, LIVE from 3rd St! advances Phoenix Center for the Arts’ commitment to equitable access to the arts. Through pop-up, interactive performances, the program nurtures social connection, emotional well-being, and collective creativity—reminding us that art isn’t something we simply consume, but something we make together.
Meet the Musicians
Professional artists dedicated to making rhythm and sound accessible to everyone.
Mario Garcia
COMPOSER & LIVE SOUND ENGINEER
Mario Garcia is a Phoenix, Arizona–born musician, composer, and live sound engineer raised in a deeply musical family. Surrounded by singers and instrumentalists from a young age, and motivated by his grandfather’s 65+ years as a working musician in the valley, he developed his craft independently, teaching himself piano at 12 and guitar at 13. Rooted in jazz, funk, soul, and R&B, Mario approaches music as a composer first, guided by feel, intention, and the influence of the pioneers who shaped modern sound.
Since 2019, he has performed professionally across Arizona while also building a strong presence in live sound engineering, working with artists and bands to bring their ideas to life both on stage and behind the scenes. With additional experience producing concerts, festivals, and community events through venue management, Mario’s work is grounded in service; creating meaningful sonic experiences, sharing joy through music, and helping others connect to the true feel of sound.
Deon Brown
COMPOSER & LIVE SOUND ENGINEER
Deon Brown is a drummer and live music production instructor whose passion for rhythm has been a lifelong journey, dating back to childhood photos of him with drumsticks in hand. A professional musician since 2015, Deon has toured nationally and internationally, performing with artists such as Michael Minelli and Phoenix-based group The Color 8.
Deon is sponsored by the Los Angeles–based streetwear brand LASTONELEFT. He is also part of the collective ITSS RADIO, created alongside his mentors Chris Bailey, founder of LASTONELEFT, and Rob Rigolfi, owner of Echo Coffee in Scottsdale. The collective debuted its self-titled project at Sony Music’s immersive 360 audio experience, delivering a series of intimate performances for industry executives and creators. The project was later selected as a featured demo for the immersive 360 audio platform, underscoring its artistic and technical impact.
Beyond the stage, Deon spent nine years in the caregiving industry, earning multiple community service awards for his dedication and impact. This experience deeply shapes his approach to teaching, where empathy, encouragement, and connection are at the forefront. Known for his fun, relatable energy, Deon is passionate about helping others unlock their creative potential. His mission is simple: to show that anything is possible with faith, consistency, and the willingness to put in the work.
Host a Jam Session
Bring LIVE from 3rd St! Phoenix Center for the Arts provides professional musicians, facilitation, and necessary equipment, working closely with each host to tailor the experience to the space and the people it serves. Sessions are designed to be welcoming, trauma‑responsive, and adaptable to a wide range of settings, whether indoors or outdoors, structured or informal.
IDEAL HOSTS INCLUDE:
Partners gain more than a performance—they help foster connection, well‑being, and a sense of belonging through shared creative experience. Together, we make room for artistry to show up where life is already happening.
Interested in hosting LIVE from 3rd St!?
We’d love to collaborate. Reach out to start a conversation about bringing a jam session to your community.