Summer 2014 outdoor music in and around Portland!

So this is the 2014 version about the many summer music options we have .... and, those opportunities are plenty! Something I truly love about Portland in the summer is that there's music in the parks, plazas, and other outdoor venues all over town and the surrounding communities. It's already started and will begin to pick up a full head of steam in the next weeks.

First, here are two excellent resource links that detail more than I have time for. They have schedules and links to the sites of many festivals, concerts, etc., etc ... keep them handy!

Portland Monthly's Guide to 2014 Summer Concerts and Festivals

PDX Pipeline's Ultimate 2014 Portland Summer Events Calendar: Festivals, Concerts, Movies, Street Fairs, Farmers Market, & More

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 throughout the summer.

I'd like to note some of the free music out and about in the region ... and, as nothing is really free,remember  most of it is paid for by generous sponsorships of local businesses who you should thank and support, and in many cases your generous contributions at the shows.

Portland Parks and Recreation's Summer Free for All: Concerts in the Parks:  A dozen or so city parks, including Washington Park, will have evening concerts throughout the summer. These concerts kickoff on Monday, July 7th at Sellwood Riverfront Park with The Quick & Easy Boys.  I've had a ton of fun being one of the organizers of this particular park series that runs for five consecutive Mondays. These are community events that are a blast. So, find your local park, grab a picnic dinner (or patronize the food vendor/sponsors), bring a blanket or chairs, and enjoy. Nothing better on a summer's eve! Also note that there is music before each of the scheduled Movies in the Park - almost 50 more nights to catch music (and a film) for free in a Portland park this summer.

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 9th 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 July 15th with Jeremy Wilson.

In its 4th year is the Sundown@Ecotrust Concerts (721 NW 9th) - on four consecutive Thursdays beginning July 10th at 5:30 pm.

On the eastside for a 3rd year is Plaza Palooza in the Oregon Convention Center Plaza on Thursday evenings at 5 pm, beginning on July 10th and running through the end of August.

Then there are street fairs - for instance, Mississippi Street Fair (Saturday, July 12th), the Alberta Street Fair (Saturday, August 9th), and the Hawthorne Street Fair (Sunday, Aug 17th) ...

There's the annual Cathedral Park Jazz Festival - three days of great music ... free in St John's - July 18th - 20th.

But Portland isn't the only city in the area that has an abundance of free music ... check out these summer concert schedules:

Milwaukie has noon concerts on Wednesdays in Scott Park, across from the Ledding Library.

Lake Oswego hosts sixteen concerts spread among Millennium Plaza Park, Foothills Park, and Westlake Park through the summer - Wednesday nights and Sunday nights.

Hillsboro has music every Tuesday night at the Hillsboro Marketplace starting at 5:30 pm.

Tualatin spreads music around a number of parks on Thursdays.

West Linn has a Thursday night series at Tanner Creek Park beginning on July 24th.

Vancouver has a Thursday evening and a Wednesday noon series downtown in Esther Short Park.

There are a ton of ticketed outdoor music shows that bring top acts to the region all summer. A few of the highlights for me are:
Edgefield Concerts on the Lawn - Steve Winwood, Michael Franti & Spearhead (both this weekend), Lyle Lovett, and Beck
Oregon Zoo Concerts - Carolina Chocolate Drops/Sallie Ford, Charles Bradley, John Hiatt, Trombone Shorty/Galactic

Festivals:
Waterfront Blues Festival
Pickathon
Sisters Folk Festival

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, enjoy your summer!