Free Summer Concerts
Monday, June 28, 2010
There are few things better than a summer concert, whether at a bandstand in a community park, or in downtown Providence on a sultry summer night. And what's the best thing of all? FREE summer concerts. Here, for your budgetary and musical pleasure, is the best guide ever to free concerts all summer long. Save your dollars for the Del's.
WEEKLY CONCERTS
TUESDAYS
Wickford: Tuesday Summer Concert Series
Great for pulling up via boat, kayak, or on foot, these concerts take sponsored by the North Kingstown Arts Council place right at the Wickford Town Dock (for more
July 6: The Driftwoods
July 13: Bandstand Review/Sounds of the 50s
July 20: White Eyed Lizard Band
July 27: Brass Attack (left)
Aug 3: Occidental Gypsy Jazz
Aug 10: Ten Rod Ramblers
WEDNESDAYS
Providence: Noon Tunes Series
What a way to break up the work week... free music from jazz and classical to Celtic and folk, by the fountain at Burnside Park, Kennedy Plaza. All shows noon-1pm, 331-5544, check here for the week's lineup.
Cranston: Garden City Center Concerts
Family-friendly, open-air concerts at the gazebo in the center of Garden City's shopping center, 6-8pm. For more information go here.
July 7: The Paul Borrelli Band
July 14: Rhythm Room
July 21: World Premier Band
July 28: Reminisce
Aug 4: Greg Abate & Mike Renzi
Aug 11: Rebel Riders
Aug 18: Xiles
THURSDAYS
Providence: Beer Garden Music Series
Check out cool bands and DJs from all over New England in this perfect (and free!) way to get your Thursday night started. 4:30-7:30pm, live music from 5:30-6:30pm, Burnside Park, Kennedy Plaza, 331-5544. This Thursday, WBRU presents Sean P Rogan; for upcoming performances, check here.
Providence: Thursday Nights Live Series
The 3rd Annual series of outdoor concerts at American Locomotive Works on Valley Street is bigger and better than ever, with 10 concerts this year, rain or shine. 7pm, 555 Valley St, 751-3630, www.everymanri.com.
July 1: Magnolia
July 8: Superchief Trio
July 15: Big Nazo
July 22: The Gnomes
July 29: The Benedictions
Aug 5: Pumpkin Head Ted
Aug 12: The Agents
Aug 19: Boo City
Aug 26: The Bourbon Boys
Sep 2: Ameranouche (right)
Pawtucket: Slater Park Concert Series
Concerts every Thursday night in Slater Park, at 8pm, beginning July 1 and running through August 19. Contact Pawtucket Parks and Recreation for schedule and more information, 728-0500 x251.
Cranston: "Music Around the Town" Concert Series
Keep a piece of small-town Rhode Island alive with these local concerts at the community locations, beginning July 5 through August 2, 6:30-8pm. The July 12
and 19 concerts will be given at Knightsville Gazebo, Phenix Ave; all other concerts will take place at the William Hall Library on Broad St. Enjoy groups like the Mel Tones and the Navy Band Northeast. Sponsored by the Cranston Parks and Recreation Department.
Wickford: Thursday Family Concert Series
It's technically free, but this family-friendly series at North Kingstown Town Beach suggests a $3 donation per family, which feels like a very reasonable amount for great kid-friendly entertainment by quality live bands. 6:30pm, North Kingstown Town Beach, Wickford, for more information go here.
July 8: Vic and Sticks
July 15: Jon Nelson's Rockin' Kids Revue
July 22: Toe Jam Puppet Band
July 29: Bob Bloom & Drumming About You
FRIDAYS
Providence: The Free WBRU Dunkin' Donuts Summer Concert Series Shows
These big shows are everything summer in the city, and the line-up culminates in early August with viral video sensations OK Go (left). All shows 7:30 pm, Waterplace Park, Providence, 421-7740, for more go here.
July 2: Fairhaven with Johnny Lingo Band
July 9: Constellations
July 16: Santa Mamba
July 23: The Wandas
July 30: Sarah Potenza and the Tall Boys
August 6: OK Go
Narragansett: 2010 Summer Concert Series
Old-fashioned fun at the gazebo near the famous Towers, for more information contact Narragansett Parks and Recreation, 782-0658 or go here.
July 2: Zee's Country Band
July 16: Avenue A
July 30: Nightlife Orchestra (right)
Aug 6: New York Minute
Aug 13: Rockin' Soul Horns
Aug 20: Black Tie Band
FREE MONTHLY CONCERTS
THURSDAYS
Warwick: Music On a Summer Night
Monthly on the third Thursday of July and August, free concerts on the steps of Warwick City Hall, featuring Uncle Chubby on July 15 and The Ten Rod Ramblers on August 19. Sponsored by the Apponaug Area Improvement Association (AAIA), 6:30pm, 3275 Post Rd, Warwick.
FREE CONCERT SERIES
Providence: Hunter Music Series at the Governor Henry Lippitt House Museum, 199 Hope St, 453-0688.
July 31: Toe Jam Puppet Band, kid-pleasing music, 3pm, on the lawn (bring blankets and late afternoon picnics)
Aug 15: Grammy-award-winning artist Bill Harley, 4pm on the lawn
Various locations: RI Philharmonic Pops Concerts
Fantastic full concerts of light classics, music from Broadway shows, patriotic songs and traditional favorites, featuring some of the finest classical musicians in RI and Francisco Noya conducting.
July 4, 7-10pm, India Point Park, Providence, for more info go here.
July 9, 8-10pm, Town Beach, Narragansett, for more info go here.
Sept 3: 8:15pm, Eldredge Field, First Avenue, East Greenwich.
Sept 5: 7pm, Independence Park, Wood Street, Bristol.
North Smithfield: Concerts in the Courtyard
Open to the public, hosted by the Saint Antoine Residence in partnership with North Smithfield Parks and Recreation, the Villa at Saint Antoine, 400 Mendon Ave, North Smithfield, call 767-2574 for more information, or go here.
July 13: The Providence Brigade Band
July 27: Frank Castle & The Dixie Kings
Aug 10: The Deluxe Quality Band
Aug 24: Avenue A
North Kingstown: Lafayette Band Concert Series
Classical, show tunes, marches, novelty numbers. All performances are at 7 pm, in the Band Shell, North Kingstown Town Beach, off Route 1A, Wickford, unless otherwise noted. In case of rain, concerts will be held inside the Community Center Building at the Town Beach.
July 4: Independence Day Concert
July 7, 21, 28: Summer Concert
July 14: Summer Concert with the North Kingstown Community Chorus
Aug. 4: Season Finale, North Kingstown Free Library, 100 Boone St, North Kingstown
FREE FESTIVALS
JULY 18-24
Providence: Sound Session '10
The week-long, genre-defying festival sponsored by the City of Providence and the Providence Black Rep, offers many free concerts at venues throughout the city. For more information about acts, venues, and schedule, go to www.providencesoundsession.com/, or follow them on Facebook and Twitter.
FREE INDIVIDUAL EVENTS
JUNE 30
Chepachet: Rhode Island Wind Ensemble
A dymanic performing group of more than 40 skilled professional amateur wind musicians, performing a wide repertoire from opera and symphonic pieces to contemporary and traditional band repertoire, 6:30-8pm, Union Church, 1138 Putnam Pike, Chepachet. For more go here.
JULY 8
Newport: Mark Quinn and Friends
The Berklee College of Music graduate, poet and Newporter will play originals plus covers ranging from the Beatles to Led Zeplin with other Newport musicians. Seating is on the grass--bring a blanket or lawn chair and arrive 15 minutes prior to the performance to ensure a place to park and time to make your way down to the quarry meadow. 6:30-8pm, Ballard Park, Hazard Rd, Newport, 619-3377, www.ballardpark.org
JULY 18
Warwick: Harmony in the Park
Barbershop takes center stage at this afternoon concert featuring the Ocean State Chorus, three other choruses, and a few more barbershop quartets, at 3pm at the Carousel Arts Bldg at Goddard State Park, 1095 Ives Rd, Warwick, for more go here.
JULY 21
Johnston: Erik Narwhal and the Manatees
Family performance featuring rock and roll/comedy for all ages, on the lawn of the Marian J. Mohr Memorial Library, 6:30pm, 1 Memorial Ave, Johnston, 231-4980, or go here.
JULY 22
Newport: The Toe Jam Puppet Band
A special kind of hands-on children's entertainment. 10-11am, Ballard Park, Hazard Rd, Newport, 619-3377, www.ballardpark.org
JULY 22
Newport: The Foreverly Brothers
Popular house band at The Clarke Cooke House in Newport. 8pm, Ballard Park, Hazard Rd, Newport, 619-3377, www.ballardpark.org
Related Articles
- Best Food and Drinks Deals
- Best Places For Live Music
- 7 Great Things To Do With The Kids
- Your Saturday and Sunday: 10 Under $20
- 10 (More!) Under $20: Local Fun on a Budget
