Michiana comes alive with outdoor concerts offering a smorgasbord of musical genres
Each summer, the South Bend region comes alive with the sound of music — blues, classical, folk, jazz, rock, showtunes and more. Somewhere someone's playing your song at some point this summer. Here's a list of upcoming concerts and concert series for 2023.
JUNE
• Fridays by the Fountain
11:45 a.m. to 1:15 p.m. │Free;
June 2: Kennedy's Kitchen
June 9: Terry & the Heartbeats
June 16: High Life
June 23: Van Dyke Revue
June 30: Hey Annie
July 7: Southside Denny
July 14: Memphis Underground
July 21: International Jugglers Association
July 28: RockDogs
Aug. 4: Whistle Pigs
Aug. 11: Jerry O’Fonics
Aug. 18: PT & The Cruisers
Aug. 25: Resurrection Blues Band
Bring a lunch or purchase from vendors; bring chairs or blankets. Jon R. Hunt Plaza, Morris Performing Arts Center, 211 N. Michigan St., South Bend; morriscenter.org.
Festival fun: A list of South Bend area festivals to keep you busy summer, fall and even into winter
• Potawatomi Concert Series
6:30 to 8 p.m. Sundays │Free;
June 4: Playback
June 11: 80/90 Duo
June 18: Van Dyke Revue
June 25: Left Side of the Dial
July 2: Jazz Assemblage
July 9: Matt Kotinek Band
July 16: Hipposonics
July 23: Mr. Z
July 30: Shelly Cowling Quintet
Aug. 6: PT & The Cruisers
Aug. 13: Joe Baughman and The Righteous Few
Aug. 20: Flat Water
Aug. 27: Little Something Band
Sept. 3: Los Hermanos Bueno
Sept. 10: Lakebed
Sept. 17: Tattletale Band
Sept. 24: Rain Date
Bring lawn chairs/blankets; Chris Wilson Pavilion at Potawatomi Park, 500 S. Greenlawn Ave., South Bend.
• Monday Musical Club Concert Series
7 to 8:30 p.m. June 5 │ Free;
Chorus and member performances. First Congregational Church, 2100 Niles Ave., St. Joseph.
• 2023 Mishawaka Summer Concert Series
Battell Park Bandshell
7 to 8 p.m. Mondays │ Free;
June 5: Jazz Assemblage
June 12: Flatwater
June 19: Valleyaires
June 26: Elvis Tribute: Tim Dudley
July 10: Playback
July 17: PT & The Cruisers
July 24: Gemini
July 31: The Smooth Tones
Aug. 7: The Sound Gypsies
Aug. 14: Smith & Richards Band
Aug. 21: “Summer Dance Event”
Aug. 28: Michiana Concert Band
301 W. Mishawaka Ave., Mishawaka.
Ball-Band Biergarten
6:30 to 8 p.m. Wednesdays │Free;
June 7: The Erly
June 14: Deacon Blues
June 21: 80/90 Duo
June 28: Lakebed
July 5: The Whateverly Brothers
July 12: The Hillsiders
July 26: Paul Erdman
Aug. 2: StarHeart
Aug. 9: Tanya Zickefoose
Aug. 16: Abbie Thomas
Aug. 23: Raquel & The Wildflowers
230 Ironworks Ave., Mishawaka.
Central Park
6 to 8 p.m. Thursdays │Free;
June 8: Zero
June 15: Van Dyke Revue
June 22: High 5
June 29: The Hideous Business Band
July 6: Alligator Blackbird
July 13: The Hipposonics
July 20: Lalo Cura
July 27: The Saturday June Band
Aug. 3: Top Secret
Aug. 10: Memphis Underground
Aug. 17: The Tentakills
Aug. 24: MR Z
295 E. Mishawaka Ave., Mishawaka.
Mishawaka Parks and Recreation; featuring local artists, family-friendly, no smoking, dogs must be leashed, alcohol in designated area only.
• Ruthmere Spring Concert Series
7 p.m. │ $50-$30;
June 8: The Lute Song Trio of the Baltimore Consort
June 22: Jeremy Kahn
Ruthmere, 302 E. Beardsley Ave., Elkhart, 574-264-0330; Ruthmere.org/Spring-Concert-Series.
• Dowagiac’s Music in the Park
7 to 8:30 p.m., June 8-Aug. 24 Thursdays │ Free;
Dowagiac District Library Event Pavilion, 206 Main St., Dowagiac; dowagiacchamber.com.
Outdoor Adventures: New owner grows Fluid Fun kayak options. And East Race whitewater fest, rafting return.
• The Common Concert Series
7 to 9 p.m. │ Free;
June 8: Dean Ulrich Trio
June 22: Shreddy Tendergrass
June 24: David Gerald — Stevie Ray Vaughn Tribute
June 29: Blue Water Ramblers
July 6: River Rats
July 8: Greta Pope’s Motown Pride of The Motor City
July 13: Hey Annie
July 20: Stiff
July 22: Little Something
Aug. 2: Sam Grisman Project
Aug. 11-12: Chippewapalooza
Aug. 24: Ben Traverse
Aug. 26: Shakedown Saturday presented by Happy Campers
Aug. 31: Quite Frank Lee
The Common, South Oak Street, Buchanan.
• SMSO PopUp! Concerts
4 p.m. June 8 and 15: Maud Preston Palenske Memorial Library, 500 Market St., St. Joseph
5:30 p.m. Jun 29: Lions Pavilion Park, 101 Marquette Dr., New Buffalo
6 p.m. Aug. 3, 10, and 17: Krasl Art Center, 707 Lake Blvd., St. Joseph
6 p.m. Aug. 24: Dwight P. Mitchell City Park, 100 E. Main St., Benton Harbor
6 p.m. Aug. 31: The GhostLight Theatre, 101 Hinkley St., Benton Harbor
Free outdoor events bring a blanket or lawn chair, family friendly. Southwest Michigan Symphony Orchestra; smso.org/event/pop-up-concert-series.
• Outdoor Live Music Series
5 to 8 p.m. Fridays │Free;
June 9: Dan Geib
June 16: Leanne & Meghan
June 23: Dan Geib
June 30: Brian McClure
July 7: Tierra Gibson
July 14: Dave Johnson
July 21: Brian McClure
July 28: Dan Geib
Aug. 4: Aaron Wright
Aug. 11: Dan Savoie
Aug. 18: Matt Gabriel
Aug. 25: Reeds & Steel
Food trucks available; Lemon Creek Winery, 533 E. Lemon Creek Road, Berrien Springs; lemoncreekwinery.com.
• 43rd Annual Rhapsody Arts and Music Festival
5 to 10 p.m. June 9; 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. June 10 │ Free;
Local musicians, crafters, artists, food, family friendly. Island Park, 200 E. Sycamore St., Elkhart; 574-295-7275.
• Coffee on the Piazza
10 a.m. to noon Saturdays │ $10-$4;
June 10: Mykayla Cynthia
June 17: Marty Miles
June 24: Sentimental Journeys
July 1: Cool Change Band
July 8: Sambo Moore
July 15: Michael Harding
July 22: Natalie Gaza
July 29: The Rust Show
Aug. 5: Pinter Whitnick
Aug. 12: StarHeart
Aug. 19: Mel Williams
Aug. 26: Jeff Colin
Complimentary coffee, Rise n’ Roll doughnuts for purchase, local acoustic music. Ruthmere, 302 E. Beardsley Ave., Elkhart; 574-264-0330, ext. 107; ruthmere.org.
On the water: Canoe and kayak rentals return to Baugo Creek in time for Memorial Day weekend
• Brews & Beats
6 to 9 p.m. June 10: Reggae Express
6 to 9 p.m. June 23: Paulie & The Shakers
7 to 10 p.m. July 3: Memphis Underground
6 to 9 p.m. July 28: The BBQ’s (DJ)
7:30 to 10 p.m. Aug. 5: Pablo’s Great Revenge
6 to 9 p.m. Aug. 25: The Resurrection Blues Band
6 to 9 p.m. Sept. 22: The J R Clark Band
6 to 9 p.m. Sept. 29: Die Kellerknaben
Oct. 7: TBD
The Beer Garden at Public House, 9151 First St., Baroda; roundbarn.com/pubhouse/beergarden.
• Potato Creek State Park Concerts
Saturdays │ Free after gate entry fee of $9-$7;
June 10, 6:30 to 8 p.m.: Riely O’Connor and Molly B. Moon
July 1, 3 to 5 p.m.: The Hillsiders
July 22, 6:30 to 8 p.m.: Blue Holler Band
Aug. 26, 6:30 to 8 p.m.: PT & The Cruisers
Sept. 3, 6:30 to 8 p.m.: Valerie Ingle Band
Beach concession area, concerts may be cancelled in inclement weather. Potato Creek State Park, 25601 Indiana 4, North Liberty.
• 2023 Music in the Park
6:30 to 8 p.m. Saturdays │ Free;
June 10: Southshore Concert Band
June 17: The Skeletones
June 24: Corky Siegel
July 1: Blue Water Ramblers
July 8: PT and The Cruisers
July 15: Don Savoie
July 22: The Scamp Band
July 29: Sypian Family Band
Aug. 5: Funky Mojo Daddy
Aug. 12: The Bergamot
Aug. 19: Edgar Wilbury Experience
Aug. 26: Callaloo
Sept. 2: The Newport Blues Project
Dewey Cannon Park, downtown Three Oaks; harborarts.com.
• Niles Summer Concert Series
6 p.m. Sundays │ Free;
June 11 – Sept. 10
Sept. 17: Raindate
Niles Music and More, Riverfront Amphitheater on the St. Joseph River, Water and Sycamore Streets, Niles; nilesmi.org.
• Courtyard Concert Series
2 to 5 p.m. Sundays │ Free;
June 11: Hunter Wainscott
June 18: Keith Scott Blues
June 25: Barrelhouse Acoustic Blues
July 2: David O’Leary
July 16: Tim. Just Tim.
Aug. 13: Dave Johnson
Sister Lakes Brewing Company, 92500 County Road 690, Dowagiac; sisterlakesbrewing.com.
• Bridgman Courtyard Concerts
2 to 5 p.m. Sundays │ Free;
June 11: Lexi Adams
June 18: Zack Taylor & The Redfield Flyers
June 25: Marco Villareal
July 2: Kris Huntley
July 9: Abbie Thomas Trio
July 16: O’Brother
July 23: John Derado
July 30: Paul Erdman
Aug. 6: Jim St. James
Aug. 13: Ronn Barany
Aug. 20: LeAnn Stutler
Aug. 27: Chris Behre
Bridgman Courtyard downtown Bridgman; bridgman.org/calendar.
• Weko Beach Summer Concert Series
7 to 9 p.m. Sundays Bi-weekly│ Free;
June 11: Sean Miller
June 25: The Third Degree
July 9: Blue Shoes
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July 23: Van Dyke Revue
Aug. 6: Kyle Brown & the Human Condition
Aug. 20: Saturday June Band
Sept. 3: Whateverly Brothers
Weko Beach & Campground, 5239 Lake St., Bridgman; bridgman.org/calendar.
• Acorn Music Festival
5 p.m. June 16 and 2 p.m. June 17 and 18 | $100 per day
June 16: The Bergamot, Buddy Pearson 3, Nikki Morgan, and headliners Alejandro Escovedo and Shemekia Copeland
June 17: Aaron Lee Tasjan, May Erlewine, Anne Harris & Dave Herrero, Nora O'Connor with Steve Dawson, Michele McGuire, The Backups, Brad Cole, The Erly and headliner Cracker
June 18: The Crane Wives, Mario Abney & The Abney Effect, Daniel Villarreal, Grace Thiesen Trio, The Sypian Family Band, Jack Whittle Trio, Down Home, The Resurrection Blues Band and headliner Son Volt
The Acorn Theater, 107 Generations Drive, Three Oaks, 269-756-3879; acornlive.org.
• Acorn Concert Series
7 p.m. CDT │ $25-$20;
June 16: Radio Gaga, opener Lauren Dukes
July 15: Red Not Chili Peppers, opener Positive Vibe Technicians
Aug. 4: Echoes of Pompeii
Aug. 25: The Ron Burgundys, opener Phantom Zone
Sept. 22: The Linda Ronstadt Experience, opener Lomax Station
Food vendors, family-friendly, bring lawn chair, gates open at 6 p.m. CDT, rain or shine. Gabis Arboretum at Purdue Northwest, 450 W. 100 N., Valparaiso; tickets at pnw.edu/gabis-concerts.
• Summer Chill Concert Series
7 to 9 p.m. │Free;
June 16: Big Daddy Dupree’s Broke & Hungry Blues Band
July 21: The Hipposonics
Aug. 18: Unfinished Business
Sept. 15: The Incredible Johnsons
Food vendors, splash pad, no alcohol permitted. NIBCO Water & Ice Park, 301 Nibco Parkway, Elkhart.
• Mishawaka Retrofest!
4 to 11 p.m. June 17 │ $10;
Turn back time and listen to bands, including Playback, The 1985 and Fool House, playing favorite music from decades past. Children under 12 are free with paid adult. Retro video arcade, food trucks, family friendly. Ironworks Plaza, 235 Ironworks Ave., Mishawaka; seetickets.us/event/Mishawaka-RetroFest/547826.
• Groovin’ in the Gardens 2023
7 p.m. Thursdays │ $104-$40 season; $13-$5 individual; under 3 free with paid adult;
June 22: Emma Hedrick Quintet and Blair Clark
June 29: Hipposonics
July 6: Mr. Z
July 13: Whistle Pigs – 30th Anniversary
July 20: Q Sonics
July 27: Darryl Buchanan
Aug. 3: Small Paul & The Remnants
Aug. 10: Whateverly Brothers
Aug. 17: Memphis Underground
Aug. 24: Melody Angel
Bring lawn chairs/blanket; food and drink vendors. Wellfield Botanic Gardens, 1011 N. Main St., Elkhart; 574-266-2006; https://wellfieldgardens.org/groovin-in-the-gardens-2023/.
• Elkhart Jazz Festival
June 22-25 │ Admission;
Downtown Elkhart; to see musical line-up and schedule and to purchase tickets go to elkhartjazzfestival.com or https://www.facebook.com/ElkhartJazzFestival/.
• Taco Tunesday
6 to 9 p.m. │ Free;
June 27: Jonny Love
July 25: A Guy and A Girl
Aug. 22: Adam Cates
Enjoy something from the food truck and some tunes. Stone Lake Beach, Lake Street, Cassopolis; cassopolismainstreet.com.
• Lerner on the Lawn
6 p.m. │ Free;
June 29: The Menus
July 27: Dave Bennett
Aug. 31: Mi Gente Live
Sept. 28: Hooked Like Helen
Oct. 26: ❜90s Fool House
Bring a chair. The Lerner, Central Green Stage, 300 S. Main St., Elkhart, 574-293-4469; TheLerner.com.
• Croonin’ at the Courthouse
6:30 to 8 p.m. │Free;
June 30: Van Dyke Review
July 28: The Grace Scott Band
Aug. 25: Blue Shoes Jazz
Sept. 29: Martha Cares
Bring lawn chairs/blankets, picnic baskets. Refreshments available for purchase. Adverse weather, concerts will move into the 1839 Courthouse. Courthouse Square Grounds, 313 N. Cass St., Berrien Springs.
• Red Wine and Brew Local Heroes Benefit Concert
3 to 10 p.m. CDT June 30-July 1 and 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. CDT July 2 │ $250-$10;
This annual benefit supports and recognizes first responders and features country musicians, beer and wine tasting, kids fun zone, food, and more. The Summit, 2110 N. 500 West, LaPorte; bethanyevents.ticketspice.com/red-wine-and-brew-2023.
JULY
• A Salute to America
8:30 p.m. July 3 │ $35-Free;
Mixture of patriotic favorites, food trucks, fireworks display, gates open 7:30 p.m. Rain location – St. Joseph High School Auditorium, 2521 Stadium Drive, St. Joseph. Southwest Michigan Symphony Orchestra, Shadowland Pavilion at Silver Beach, 101 Broad St., St. Joseph; smso.org/event/a-salute-to-america.
• Howard Park Summer Concert Series
7 to 8:30 p.m. │ Free;
July 7: Alligator Blackbird
Aug. 4: The Happy Campers
Sept. 1: Motown Machine
Bring a picnic, some chairs/blankets, and friends. Inovateus Solar Event Lawn, Howard Park, 219 S. St. Louis Blvd., South Bend; www.sbvpa.org/things-to-do.
• Brown Bag Concert Series
Noon to 1 p.m. Wednesdays │ Free;
July 12, 19, 26; August 2, 9, 16, 23, 30;
Bring a lunch and enjoy live music. John E.N. Howard Bandshell, 550 Port St., St. Joseph; stjoetoday.com/events.
• Friday Night Concert Series
7 to 8 p.m. July 14 – Sept. 1│Free;
Enjoy jazz, big band, classic hits and more. John E.N. Howard Bandshell, 550 Port St., St. Joseph; stjoetoday.com/fridaynightconcerts.
• Ella & Gershwin on the Shore
6:30 p.m. July 15 │ $35-Free;
Lisa Williamson, vocalist with United States Coast Guard Band, sings familiar favorites from American songbook, food trucks, gates open 5:30 p.m. Rain location: St. Joseph High School Auditorium, 2521 Stadium Drive, St. Joseph. Southwest Michigan Symphony Orchestra, Shadowland Pavilion at Silver Beach, 101 Broad St., St. Joseph; smso.org/event/ella-gershwin-on-the-shore.
• Beyond the Beach Music Fest
11 a.m. to 11 p.m. CDT, July 15 │$150-$40;
George Porter Jr. and the Runnin Pardners featuring Joe Marcinek; Hyryder; Fresh Hops; Lunar Ticks; Beat the Meatles; Davey and The Midnights. Artisan market, food trucks, and Joyfull Bubbles. Family friendly event. Children 11 and younger, free. Guy Foreman Amphitheater, 115 Lake Shore Drive, Michigan City; tickets at beyondthebeachmusicfest.com.
• Rock the Block Summer Concert Series
5 to 11 p.m. │ Free;
July 15: Top Secret and The 1985
Aug. 12: Head Honchos and Mr. Z
Sept. 9: The Roosters and Memphis Underground
Oct. 7: Dart Board Compromise and PS Dump Your Boyfriend
Food trucks and beer garden. July-Sept. concerts held at Stone Lake Beach, 400 S. Broadway St., Cassopolis; October concert held at Cass County Fairgrounds, 590 N. O’Keefe St., Cassopolis; cassopolismainstreet.com.
• Blues & Brews
11 a.m. July 16 │$5 cover;
Relax and enjoy the smooth rhythmic beats of classic blues music while sipping on your favorite brew. 1 to 3 p.m. Amays & Blue; 3:30 to 5:30 p.m. Kev Nichols & Blue Tuesday. Must be 21 or older. Round Barn Winery & Estate, 10983 Hills Road, Baroda.
• 2023 Community Foundation Performing Arts Series
7 p.m. Saturdays │Free;
July 22: Art 4 — musical theater favorites
July 29: South Bend Civic Theatre — an evening of Shakespeare; and Fischoff National Chamber Music Association
Aug. 5: Southold Dance Theater — ballet and modern dance
Aug. 12: UZIMA! Drum and Dance — movement and rhythms of African dance
Aug. 19: South Bend Symphony Orchestra — animal-themed music (rain location: Adams High School Auditorium)
Aug. 26: South Bend Symphonic Choir and Elkhart Community Chorus — “United in Purpose” a celebration of the 60th anniversary of The Rev. Martin Luther King Jr.’s “I Have a Dream” speech
Bring a lawn chair or blanket, limited seating near stage, rain updates at website. Chris Wilson Pavilion, Potawatomi Park, 500 S. Greenlawn Ave., South Bend; www.cfsjc.org; 574-232-0041.
• Annual Vintage Blues Bash
Noon to 7 p.m. July 23 │ Cover charge;
Lemon Creek Winery, 533 E. Lemon Creek Road, Berrien Springs; lemoncreekwinery.com.
• Music in the Gardens
5 to 9 p.m. July 28 │$10-$5 (members until July 21);
Music provided by The Whistle Pigs. Bring a lawn chair or blanket, food and drinks available, no carry-in or coolers. The History Museum, 808 W. Washington St., South Bend; historymuseumSB.org.
• The Sound of Music
6:30 p.m. July 28 – 29 │$35-Free;
Live performance with SMSO and local cast curated by The GhostLight Theatre, food trucks, gates open 5:30 p.m. Rain location: Mendel Center, Lake Michigan College, 1100 Yore Ave., Benton Harbor. Southwest Michigan Symphony Orchestra, Shadowland Pavilion, 101 Broad St., St. Joseph; smso.org/event/the-sound-of-music.
• Fool House — Ultimate ❜90s Dance Party Live!
8:30 p.m. CDT │$39.96-$15 (additional fees apply)
Live musical event paying homage to era of boy bands, pop stars, hip hop and pop punk, doors open at 7 p.m. CDT. Live at the Lakefront, 1 Franklin St., Michigan City; Tickets: https://tinyurl.com/yc65y648.
AUGUST
• Michiana Music Festival
7:30 p.m. Aug. 12 │ $15 + $2 ticket fee;
Smash Mouth will no longer be appearing at the Michiana Music Festival. Suave Entertainment presents The 1985: Totally 80's Music Tribute" with special guests LFO and Ryan Cabrera. Gates open at 6 p.m. Four Winds Field at Coveleski Stadium, 501 W. South St., South Bend; tickets at the box office or SouthBendCubs.com. (If you have purchased tickets to see Smash Mouth the difference will be refunded. If you want a full refund you must call the South Bend Cubs box office at 574-235-9988).
• LaPorte County Blues Festival
Noon to 10 p.m. CDT, Aug. 12 │$12; (12 and younger-free);
Music, food, drinks and fun! Park opens at noon, music begins at 2 p.m. No coolers allowed. 2 p.m. Shake ‘n’ Chill; 4 p.m. Stefan Hillesheim; 6 p.m. The Mike Wheeler Band; 8 p.m. Joanna Connor Band. Amphitheater at Fox Park, Truesdell Ave., LaPorte; laporteblues.org.
SEPTEMBER
• Island of Blues
12 to 9 p.m. Sept. 16 │ Free;
Live blues music, BBQ and dessert vendors, more. Island Park, 200 E. Sycamore St., Elkhart; 574-295-7275.
This article originally appeared on South Bend Tribune: Outdoor concerts can be heard all summer in Michiana
