Downtown Plano businesses and artists are getting ready for the arts district’s first block party starting at 6 p.m. this Saturday, Sept. 26. A portion of the money collected from ticket sales will go toward the Assistance Center of Collin County. Dallas-based alternative band Northern National will take the stage at the intersection of K Avenue and 16th Street, along with singer/songwriter Kirk Thurmond. Now that downtown Plano is a designated arts district, live music and art displays are a major attraction for this year’s block party, Ringel said. “We often have festivals on 15th Street, but this one is on 16th Street to make sure people know that it is all a part of downtown Plano,” said Mona Lisa Ringel, Historic Downtown Plano Association executive director. Nearby art galleries like Rail Station Studios and the Plano Art Association will remain open to showcase works and an art market. Rail Station Studios owner Gene Dillard will exhibit his portraits as well as landscape watercolors by local artist and cousin Don Dillard. “I will be painting live for a person who will be sitting for me as the subject of the portrait,” Gene Dillard said. In addition, Plano Art Association will host its outdoor art market at the entrance of the gallery, said Mike Korman, Plano Art Association vice president. “Our members are going to go out of the gallery and offer their work for sale,” he said. “Art patrons can buy art right from the artists.” General admission tickets are $15 each. VIP tickets are also available for $50 each and include two drinks and appetizers from Shinola Plano’s Asian garden. For more information, visit www.visitdowntownplano.com.