Free outdoor concert lineups: Bands, schedules set for live Erie-area summer shows

Summer fun is here, including outdoor concerts in the Erie area.

Band lineups for various free concert series have filled up with event organizers making announcements already. Many of the series are underway but some events have yet to start, such as CelebrateErie and the Blues & Jazz Festival, which just released its festival poster on July 14.

Here's a look at who's playing when:

Blues & Jazz Festival

The festival will run Aug. 5-7 at locations throughout Erie's Frontier Park, 1501 W. Sixth St. Friday will feature a limited performance lineup and food vendor list while Saturday will be dedicated to bands that play the blues and Sunday will feature jazz performances with demonstrations by local artists throughout the weekend. More information is to come on artist demos and Sunday dance performances.

The lineup:

Aug. 5

• 7 p.m., Drum Circle led by Lynn Johnson for Erie Dance Consortium

• 8:30 p.m., Film Society of Northwestern Pennsylvania presents "St. Louis Blues," by W.C. Handy, 1929, starring Bessie Smith and "Deep Blues," by Robert Mugge, 1992, starring Robert Palmer and a host of north Mississippi blues musicians including Junior Kimbrough and R.L. Burnside.

Aug. 6

• Noon–1:30 p.m., Phunkademic (Mainstage)

• Noon–6 p.m., Artists at Work (The Village)

• 1-4 p.m., Electric Vehicle Show (Elm Allée Lawn near West Sixth Street)

• 1-6 p.m., Celebrate the Earth with L.E.A.F., Audubon Society, Erie County Recycling, Sierra Club, Master Watershed Stewards and others (The Village)

• 1:30–2:30 p.m., Djapo Drum Workshop (McCain Amphitheater)

• 2-3:30 p.m., Matt “Broke” Boland’s Blues Batch (Mainstage)

• 2:30–3 p.m., Erie Bhutanese Youth Dance Club (McCain Amphitheater)

• 3-3:30 p.m., Dafmark Dance Theater (McCain Amphitheater)

• 3:30–4 p.m., Djapo Dance Workshop (McCain Amphitheater)

• 4–5:30 p.m., One World Tribe with West Indian Revelation (Mainstage)

• 4:30-5 p.m., Seiche Dance Collective (McCain Amphitheater)

• 5–5:30, Djapo African Dance Performance (McCain Amphitheater)

• 6-7:30 p.m., Davy Knowles (Mainstage)

• 6:30–7 p.m., 100 Thousand Poets for Change (McCain Amphitheater)

• 7– 8:30 p.m., Express Yourself on the Mic with Miss Mabeline (McCain Amphitheater)

• 8–9:30 p.m., Grady Champion (Mainstage)

• 9-9:30 p.m., Fire Dance with Jennifer Dennehy and Samantha Cyparski (Mainstage field)

Aug. 7

• 1–6 p.m., Artists at Work (The Village)

• 1–6 p.m., Celebrate the Earth (The Village)

• 2–3:30 p.m., Cat’s A Bear (Mainstage)

• 2:30–3 p.m., Dance Performance (McCain Amphitheater)

• 3-3:30 p.m., Dance Performance (McCain Amphitheater)

• 3:30–4 p.m., Dance Performance (McCain Amphitheater)

• 4- 4:30 p.m., Dance Performance (McCain Amphitheater)

• 4–5:30 p.m., Stephen Trohoske’s ElectroHOPE Ensemble(Mainstage)

• 6–7:30 p.m., Sol Y Sombra (Mainstage)

• 8-9:30 p.m., Person 2 Person featuring Eric Person and Houston Person (Mainstage)

For information, visit eriebluesandjazz.com.

CelebrateErie

A diverse lineup of nationally-known musical acts will perform as headliners on the Northwest Bank Mainstage at CelebrateErie on Aug. 19-21.

The lineup:

• Aug. 19: X Ambassadors, 8 p.m.

• Aug. 20: Mýa, 7:15 p.m., and Ja Rule, 8:30 p.m.

• Aug. 21, Jimmie Allen, 8 p.m.

CelebrateErie:Music acts Ja Rule, Mýa, Jimmie Allen, X Ambassadors to headline main stage

For information, visit www.celebrateerie.com.

UPMC Sunset Music Series

Although starting later in the season than past versions, this year's Sunset Music Series will feature six nights of songs beginning June 22 on the shore at Presque Isle State Park's Beach 11. All concerts open at 5:30 p.m. with the main acts starting at 7.

The lineup:

• June 22: Eric Brewer & Friends. Opening: Rodger Montgomery Blues Band

• June 29: Chautauqua Jazz Revival. Opening: Perez Project

• July 6: Danny & the Daddios. Opening: Lori Burke

• July 13: Smilo & the Ghost. Opening: Tommy Link

• July 20: SIRSY. Opening: The Islers

• July 27: Crush. Opening: Psych Patrol

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Visit discoverpi.com/events for information.

814 Concert Series

The new, six-show concert series presented by UPMC Health Plan will have an Erie band performing at various parks each Sunday at 6 p.m., starting July 10. All concerts follow a 4 p.m. drum circle session by One World Tribe.

The lineup:

• July 10: The Islers at Bayview Park, West Second and Cherry streets

• July 17: The Breeze Band at Franklin Park, East Seventh Street and Marne Road

• July 24: The Division Street Machine at Washington Park, West 24th and Raspberry streets

• July 31: The Groove at Wayne Park, East Sixth Street and East Avenue

• Aug. 7: Mambo at Baldwin Park, West 25th Street and Berst Avenue

• Aug. 14: Eric Brewer & Friends at Baker Field, East 32nd and Holland streets

For information, visit 814concerts.com.

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Sounds of Summer series

Sounds of Summer features one local band for six Mondays at 7 p.m. starting July 11. Concerts take place at senior living communities throughout the city.

The lineup:

• July 11: The Rooftop Project at Mercy Terrace Apartments, 430 E. Grandview Blvd.

• July 18: Bayfront Dixieland Band, location to be determined

• July 25: Band to be determined at Ostrow Apartments, 4220 Davison Ave.

• Aug. 1: Presque Isle Little Big Band at Pennsylvania Soldiers’ and Sailors’ Home, 560 E. Third St.

• Aug. 8: Presque Isle Saxophone Quartet at Nightingale Nursing and Rehab Center, formerly Saint Mary’s East, 607 E. 26th St.

• Aug. 15: Gem City Jazz Ensemble at Curry Schell Apartments, 3909 Schaper Ave.

For information, visit 814concerts.com.

ErieBank 8 Great Tuesdays

The popular series at the bayfront runs for eight consecutive Tuesdays from 6:30 to 9:30 p.m., starting July 5, at Liberty Park’s Highmark Amphitheater.

The lineup:

• July 5: Erie All Stars. No opener

• July 12: Zac Brown Tribute Band. Opening: Reignmaker

• July 19: King Solomon Hicks. Opening: The Pierce Dipner Band

• July 26: Concrete Castles. Opening: The Polkamaniacs, Patrick Lah

First album tour:Concrete Castles (Erie's First to Eleven) touring with 1st album of originals, writing 2nd

• Aug. 2: The Town Pants. Opening: The Probables

• Aug. 9: Latin Fusion. No opener

• Aug. 16: Buffalo Rose. Opening: The Ron Yarosz Power Organ Trio

• Aug. 23: Bruce in the USA. Opening: Jack Stevenson & The Buried Treasure Band

For information, call 814-455-7557 or visit porterie.org.

Concerts, festivals, fireworks, tours: Erie's waterfront has plenty to offer this summer

Other music event lineups

• Monday Music in the Woods: Mondays, June 6 through July 25 except July 4, 6-8 p.m., Asbury Woods, 4105 Asbury Road. Outdoor concerts in the Celebration Garden with local acts performing folk, bluegrass, classic rock, more. Performers: June 6, Erika Kuhn and Jesse Smith; June 13, The Collective; June 20, Stephen Gutting; June 27, Rankin and Schell; July 11, Mike and Marie Miller; July 18, Katie and Jack; and July 25, Jesse James Weston. Take a chair or blanket. Food and beverages available for purchase. Pre-registration required. Free. 814-835-5356. Info: www.asburywoods.org/events/monday-music-in-the-woods.

• Whitford Park Summer Concerts: Wednesdays, June 8-Aug. 31, 7 p.m.; Whitford Park, 5400 Iroquois Ave., Harborcreek Township; take a folding chair or blanket. Performers: June 8, Country Blue; June 15, Generic Grass; June 22, The Mountain Thyme Ramblers; June 29, Abbey Road; July 6, The Loose Change Band; July 13, Shady Side; July 20, Acoustic Ear Candy; July 27, Mike and Marie Acoustics; Aug. 3, Nicely Done; Aug. 10, Polka Relations; Aug. 17, Kurt Novakowski (Elvis impersonator); Aug. 24, David Julius; and Aug. 31, Gem City Band. Cost: Free. Info: harborcreektownship.org.

• Thursday in the Park: Thursdays, June 9-Aug. 25, 7-9 p.m.; City Park Gazebo, intersection of North Center and East Smith streets, Corry; 31st annual concert series. Performers: June 9, Gypsy Heart; June 16, Dennis Ford; June 23, Mayflower Hill; June 30, Lucky Dog; July 7, Revolving Again; July 14, House of Rhythm; July 21, The Erie Philharmonic performing "Tubby the Tuba" (6 p.m. start time instead of 7); July 28, Knuckle Down; Aug. 4, Slim and Red; Aug. 11, Diana Evans (children's music); Aug. 18, Happy Days; and Aug. 25, Radioactive. Open to all, take a folding chair or blanket; take your own picnic basket or stop and bring a bite from a local eatery. Cost: Free. Info: corryareaartscouncil.com.

• Goodell Summer Music Series: Select Fridays (June 10, June 24, July 8, July 22, Aug. 5, Aug. 12), 7-9 p.m. (gates open at 6:45 p.m.); Goodell Gardens & Homestead, 221 Waterford St., Edinboro. Performers: June 10, Slim & Red; June 24, Salmon Frank; July 8, Tiger Maple String Band; July 22, House of Rhythm; Aug. 5, Patchouli & Terra Guitarra; and Aug. 12, Jess Royer & Nick Warren. Take a folding chair or blanket; concessions available for sale. Cost: Free tickets. Info: goodellgardens.org.

• Music in the Park: Wednesdays, June 15-Aug. 31, 7 p.m. to sunset; Lake Erie Community Park, 10192 West Lake Road, Lake City. Girard concert series with food trucks and refreshment tents. Performers: June 15, Steppin Pappy; June 22, Shoreline; June 29, South of 90; July 6, The Breeze Band; July 13, Riffriders; July 20, Tiger Maple String Band; July 27, Fugitives; Aug. 3, Matty & the Pickles; Aug. 10, Jim Madden & Friends; Aug. 17, Rodger Montgomery Blues Band; Aug. 24, Erie Philharmonic Brass Ensemble; and Aug. 31, West County Rangers. Cost: Free. Info: 814-774-4738.

• Gazebo Concerts: Thursdays (June 16, July 21, Aug. 18), 7-9 p.m.; gazebo in Beute Park, between Iroquois and Silliman avenues and Morse Street, Lawrence Park Township. Performers: June 16, Erie Heights Brass Ensemble; July 21, The Kokomo Time Band; and Aug. 18, Chris & Julie Moore from Tennessee Back Porch. Take a folding chair or blanket. Cost: Free. Info: lawrenceparktwp.org.

• WQLN Sounds Around Town: Fridays (July 8, 15, 22, 29), 7:30 p.m.; wooded performance pavilion near WQLN Studios, 8425 Peach St. Take blankets or folding chairs to sit on; in case of rain, concerts will move indoors; all concerts will be recorded and aired later on WQLN-TV and WQLN-FM/91.3. Performers: July 8, The Rooftop Project; July 15, Cosmic Debris; July 22, Brooke Surgener; and July 29, Rankin and Schell. Cost: Free. Info: wqln.org.

• Gears-N-Grub: July 16, 11 a.m.-9 p.m.; July 17, 11 a.m.-6 p.m.; Millcreek Mall parking lot, 5800 Peach St. Event features music, car show, Queen of Gem City pin-up contest, crafts, food trucks, corn hole tournament, games, kids activities and more. Benefits Second Harvest Food Bank. Some bands to be determined. All the bands July 17 will be fronted by female artists as a special Erie's Women Of Rock day. Performers: The Remixx, 11 a.m.-12:15 p.m.; Hooligans Holidays, 12:45-2 p.m.; Phoenix Rising, 2:15-3:30 p.m.; and Honey Echo, 3:45-5:30 p.m. Cost: Free. Info: gears-n-grub.com.

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This article originally appeared on Erie Times-News: Outdoor summer concerts: Bands, schedules set for Erie, PA shows