A marketplace of colorful stalls will take over one of Sacramento's busiest corners Saturday.

Like an oasis in a concrete desert, a new public market called the Midtown Bazaar will spring up on a parking lot at 16th and J streets — across from the Memorial Auditorium and P.F. Chang's China Bistro — and flow through an alley into a cavernous old building for a few hours each week.

At least 75 local vendors offering art and other goods have already signed up for the grand opening, to be held from 7 a.m. to 1 p.m. With an indoor location measuring 25,600 feet, the market will be held year-round. The old garage at 1630 I St. sports old timber trusses, a mezzanine and roll-up doors in back that will be open to allow the crowd to move between the two market spaces.

Organizer Sabrina Berhane, who has a background in marketing and special event planning, is partnering with entrepreneur Aaron Zeff to create the event. Zeff is president of Priority Parking Inc., and he owns the parking lot and garage where the bazaar will be located.

Hosting a public market there will offer artisans a place to sell their wares in the heart of the central city, in a way that doesn't require any capital, Zeff said.

"The creative class — to me, that's what will make Sacramento become a great city," Zeff said. "We've got to energize and nurture these people."

All proceeds from $1 admission fees will be donated to WEAVE, a local nonprofit fighting domestic violence. The cost of vendor space will be low to keep the market affordable. For the first month, all 10 x 10 spaces will cost $10 every Saturday. Spaces will be $15 to $25 starting July 17, Berhane said.

The event will grow to fit the community. Its name reflects the fun and energy an evolving public market can create in Sacramento, like bazaars selling gold, silk and spices in the old world, she said.

"When I think of a bazaar, I think of an outdoor market somewhere overseas — something exotic and fresh," she said.

Booths will carry art ranging from paintings, sculptures and photos to jewelry and hand-painted jewelry boxes, as well as handmade children's furniture, clothing, pet accessories and even Tempur-Pedic pillows. Half a dozen people will use their spaces for mini-garage sales.

She has a long-term vision that includes a farmers' market, flower stalls and organic, gourmet food sellers offering such things as artisan cheeses and olive oil.

Area farmers who regularly sell at other local farmer's markets have said they would like to be involved. But they have been hesitant to try something new. United Coffeehouse will sell hand-pressed organic coffee, while others will sell jerky and carnitas on Saturday. Flowers, honey and olive oil will be for sale the second weekend, Berhane said.

On Saturday, music will flow from a Sacramento cover band called the Connie Bryan Power Trio, which will play 1960s to '80s rock, and from radio station KBZC 106.5 FM. Berhane is still searching for a few good restaurants and musicians who would like to participate.

The alley will not be closed for the event. But if the Midtown Bazaar expands down the road, the Sacramento City Council's approval for such a closure may be sought, said Zeff, who has put on hold plans to open a restaurant row on that alley.

Sacramento has seen a growing interest in farmer's markets, the Second Saturday Art Walk and other organized events for local artists. A Thursday night farmer's market became popular on K Street Mall in the 1990s, until growing violence led it to be shut down.

The new public market is being established in Midtown within view of the Memorial Auditorium because the spot has a "cool, historic vibe" and can be reached easily by neighbors on foot or on bike, said Zeff, outgoing president of the Midtown Business Association.

"It's where the creative class lives, works and plays," Zeff said. "I'd like to have something here that the creative class wants, and I think we're going to deliver that."

For more information, contact Sabrina Berhane at 320-0366 or info@midtownbazaar.com.

Photos by Suzanne Hurt, a staff reporter for The Sacramento Press.