One group of local businesses has come together to create a different kind of music venue.

Earlier this month, the Handle District, a collection of 25 business establishments in a two-block area between 17th and 19th streets and L Street and Capitol, created the Midtown Music Walk.

Thursday, the district will continue the weekly event, which premiered Oct. 1. It will feature five bands and one jam session outdoors in buildings and on patios.

Though the name "Handle District" was coined several years ago (it looks like a handle for the Capitol), the idea for the music walk only came to fruition recently. It came up during a meeting between Yogurtagogo owner Eric Heffel and owners of Zocalo and Paesano's on how to bring more business during a recession, Heffel said.

"We figured that Thursdays were a good night given they (are) furlough (days)," Heffel said. "Then we expanded it to nearly all of the Handle District."

Most of the music is outside, but some venues, such as Zocalo and Barber's Alfa Romeo Shop have music indoors, Heffel said. Some of the bands even play in stairwells.

"We have everything from a (full) band to an acoustic band, not busking, but on the street or tucked away in a few buildings that are good acoustically," said Mike Blanchard, one of the music walk's organizers and partner with Barber's Alfa Romeo Shop.

Blanchard, a four-time Sammie-Award-winning musician with the Tattooed Love Dogs, will bring his new band, the Whispering Chingaderos, to Barber's on Thursday, he said.

Businesses agreed the event has brought in more than just commerce.

"For (Barber's) it's more of an advertising opportunity rather than a business opportunity," Blanchard said. "We're in a different situation (because) we're not a bar, but for us it gets people to come into the shop and we can plug our business and cars. On the other side of the coin, it's a great low-stress opportunity (for people) to do something with their family and kids."

Blanchard said families can get a chance to hang out and see music outside the normal club and bar scene and it's also a great chance for local bands to play and get exposure.

"The (Handle) District has been in existence for the last few years, but now we're starting to come together," said Zocalo manager Zoe Hernandez. "These are hard times and we're better off working together to brand the area. It's a win-win situation."

Heffel said the music walk will continue for as long as weather permits and will restart next Spring. However, they will hold a modified music walk during the holiday season.

"We'll be doing Christmas and holiday music throughout December, (and the district will feature) really nice decorations," Heffel said. "It's a place people can come after going to the ice rink at the MARRS complex."

The Midtown Music Walk is a free event and takes place from 6 - 9 p.m. Bands include:

Mike Blanchard and the Whispering Chingaderos, folk and bluegrass, at Barber's Alfa Romeo Shop, between K and L streets on 18th Street.

Jim Goodman, acoustic originals and covers from the 1960s and '70s, Yogurtagogo, corner of 19th & L streets.

Sacrament, soft rock ballads on guitar & fiddle, Chipotle, 19th and Capitol streets.

Sea of Bees and Dead Western, indie and folk, Bows and Arrows, between 17th and 18th streets on L Street.

Taxi de Amor, Latin fusion, Zocalo, 18th and Capitol streets.

Javalounge's "Music Night" players, led by Kim Alexander, will be holding an acoustic jam session on the steps of the 1801 L Lofts on L Street between the lofts and Ginger Elizabeth Chocolates.