Recycle, edit, add, repeat ... here ya go ... I have collected a bit of info about live and outdoor music you can catch in and around Portland this summer - in the parks, plazas, and other outdoor venues. It's already started and will begin to pick up a full head of steam in the next week. As I've said in the past (in fact, using some of this exact wording as in years past!), when it comes to live music outdoors in summer, we really do have an amazing number of choices, so there's no excuse for not catching some great music outdoors throughout the summer.
There is free music and ticketed shows ... but let's begin with ...
The Free (much of it paid for by generous sponsorships of local businesses who you should thank and support)
The Free (much of it paid for by generous sponsorships of local businesses who you should thank and support)
Portland Parks and Recreation's Summer Concerts in the Parks: A dozen or so city parks, including Washington Park, will have evening concerts throughout the summer. These concerts kickoff on July 6th at Fernhill Park and are one of those summertime treasures around town. Grab a picnic dinner (or patronize the food vendor/sponsors), bring a blanket or chairs, and enjoy. Nothing better on a summer's eve. I've been a part of organizing the Sellwood Riverfront Park shows that will run four consecutive Mondays, beginning on July 9th. That series kicks off with the Patrick Lamb Band, and will be outstanding every week. Hope to see you there!
For all of you who are downtown in Portland for your work week (or if you just like slacking downtown), there a some fine musical opportunities ...
Music on Main is a great Wednesday series that begins July 11th on Main Street between the Schnitz and the Performing Arts Center. As usual, it has a fine lineups of bands this summer.
Pioneer Square has another year of Noon Tunes - every Tuesday and Thursday beginning on July 10th.
And not to leave out those lunching on the east side - there's noon Lunchbox Concerts in the Oregon Square Courtyard (Lloyd District) every Wednesday until the end of August.
In its second year is the Sundown@Ecotrust Concerts (721 NW 9th) - on five consecutive Thursdays beginning July 5th at 5:30 pm.
A new one on the eastside this year is Plaza Palooza in the Oregon Convention Center Plaza on Thursday evenings at 5 pm, beginning on July 12th and running through the end of August.
A new one on the eastside this year is Plaza Palooza in the Oregon Convention Center Plaza on Thursday evenings at 5 pm, beginning on July 12th and running through the end of August.
Then there are street fairs - for instance, Mississippi Street Fair (Saturday, July 14th), the Alberta Street Fair (Saturday, August 11th), and the Hawthorne Street Fair (Sunday, Aug 26th) ...
There's the annual Cathedral Park Jazz Festival - three days of great music ... free in St John's - July 20th - 22nd.
Speaking of St John's, there also NoFest the weekend of June 30th.
There's the annual Cathedral Park Jazz Festival - three days of great music ... free in St John's - July 20th - 22nd.
Speaking of St John's, there also NoFest the weekend of June 30th.
But Portland isn't the only city in the area that has an abundance of free music ... check out these summer concert schedules:
Lake Oswego has four concert series at Millennium Plaza Park, Foothills Park, and Westlake Park.
Hillsboro has music every Tuesday night at the Hillsboro Marketplace starting at 5:30 pm.
Tualatin has two series of parks concerts on Thursdays and Saturdays, including Los Lobos (yes, Los Lobos!) for free on Saturday, Aug. 11th.
West Linn's has a Thursday night series at Tanner Creek Park.
Vancouver has an evening and a noon series downtown in Esther Short Park.
Ticketed shows:
Of course starting Wednesday, July 4th, its the 25th Annual Safeway Waterfront Blues Festival - once more with an outstanding lineup of national headliners, regional acts, and locals tearing it up for five days in Waterfront Park. Stay tuned to a post devoted to the festival and a few acts not to be missed.
Head to Kruger's Farm Market on Sauvie Island for Farm Tunes - excellent bands every Thursday at 6:30 pm through September 1st. $10 per car and shows kick off this coming Thursday.
Check out the lineup at The Oregon Zoo summer concerts ... always a fun venue with solid acts.
Then there's the McMenamin's Edgefield Concerts on the Lawn, which include some of the bigger national touring acts this summer - Bonnie Raitt, My Morning Jacket, Norah Jones, Ringo Starr, The Avett Brothers, and more.
There's also the Maryhill Winery's summer shows that will have some of the other big summer acts that will be out and about including Chris Isaak, and Alison Krauss. And it's in a beautiful setting on the Washington side of the Columbia River.
The annual Bite of Oregon (Aug 10-12) in Waterfront Park has a very solid local music lineup.
OMSI gets into the act this year with their After Dark program adding music - last Wednesday of the month.
OMSI gets into the act this year with their After Dark program adding music - last Wednesday of the month.
There's a couple of music festivals within minutes of the city ... complete with camping and a feel-good vibe that's hard to resist. The first weekend of August (3rd-5th) brings the annual Pickathon out at Pendarvis Farm ... combining an eclectic mix of touring and local artists - roots music, folk, bluegrass, and indie pop in a beautiful setting just outside of Portland. Then there's the annual Northwest String Summit at Horning's Hideout in North Plains the following week (August 9th - 12th).
I'll bet someone could go to live music outdoors every day this summer! No, it isn't going to be me ... but I'll do my share ... and I'm sure you'll do yours! See ya out and about ....
.... and be sure to add other events you know about via the Comments or email them directly to me.
1 comment:
What, no beer breakfasts?
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