If you're planning out your stops for the upcoming Second Saturday Art Walk, head for the alley in the center of 18th and 19th Streets and I and J.

From 6 -10 p.m., BridgetoArt.com, KLSC Studios and Doolittle Properties are packing a musical and art overload into the open space.

The idea for the festival was first conceived when longtime high school friends Kevin Santos-Coy of Bridge to Art and KLSC and Jeffrey Doolitte of Doolittle Properties met at Weatherstone Coffee about a year and a half ago. The conversation turned to the congestion of the streets and how nice it would be to have an open area for artists to perform.

Inspired, Doolittle immediately offered up his own back lot. After Doolittle reassured Santos-Coy that he knew what he was getting into, he went to work planning the first Alley Arts Festival, held in May 2008.

"After looking at it, and envisioning the 'field of dreams,' I realized that we could have it all.., a comfortable space for artists to self-represent themselves, some installation art, performance art, a live paint wall and live music stage," Santos-Coy said.

The first festival, held in May 2008, was a sort of practice run, and Santos-Coy kept it small due to permits and prohibitions.

Since then, musical artists from all genres and skill levels have rocked the alley. Santos-Coy has hosted Reggae group Double Lion Band, solo rock guitarist Ruben Lopez, folk rock singer Brian Ballentine and spoken-word group FuhShang! among many others.

Santos-Coy, who is also the music coordinator for Midtown's Jasmine Cafe, gives all artists a chance to voice their artistic messages through whichever medium they choose. One recent artist he invited is Ana Candioti, an Argentinean who has been hired by governments to document nomadic native people while living among them. Other past artists have included aerosol artist "Fondle" and the OD Brothers, who brought their 1960 army truck that's been converted into a large boom box and painted like a love bug.

Saturday's live-music guest of honor will be Sacramento's Stereo Earth, a group Santos-Coy likens to a marriage between Bob Marley and Red Hot Chili Peppers. Also performing will be Sonata Malay singing her "super sexy and sultry Motown-sounding" originals and guitarist Ruben Lopez.

While the musicians take the stage, art-lovers can peruse and purchase works from 12 different artists.

"By meeting the artist at Alley Art's 'pop mart,' collectors are able to meet, greet and deal directly with the artist. I believe this process, although unconventional, provides the highest level of empowerment to esteem and create confidence in the artist’s development in a casual, fun environment ," Santos-Coy explained.

If that's not enough art and music, The Sacramento Drum Circle will be putting on a free two-hour performance. If onlookers are inspired to join the beat themselves, the group gathers every Sunday at McKinley Park.

The Alley Arts Festival will be held monthly and continue until October, culminating with a final altar installation exhibition honoring ancestors.

The festival is free and all ages are welcome to attend.

Santos-Coy described his goal for Sacramento. "My charge is to have Sacramento compete with Paris, New York, L.A. and S.F. when it comes to the arts"