Concerts in the Park closes out its 2014 season Friday, July 25, at 5 p.m. with performances from the Brodys, Jeremy Briggs, the Kimberly Trip, PointDexter, and DJ Oasis with drummer InkdUp. But if you don’t want Friday’s free show at Cesar Chavez Plaza (910 I Street) to be your last outdoor-concert experience of the season, don’t fret. There are plenty of other opportunities to get sunburns, dance with Kenny “The Dancing Man” Buchanan and maybe listen to some good music, too.
To start off with, there’s the Hot Lunch Concert Series (www.facebook.com/hotlunchconcertseries), with noon performances every Thursday through August 28. The free concerts start at 11:30 a.m. at Fremont Park (1515 Q Street). Bellygunner performs on Thursday, July 31.
Last month, Cesar Chavez Plaza’s other concert series, Fiesta en la Calle (www.fiestaenlacalle.com) kicked off. This Saturday, July 26, the free show features the music of Buyepongo, La Noche Oskura and Q-Vo. Fiesta en la Calle shows happen every Saturday from 5 p.m. to 9 p.m. through August 2.
Or, if you don’t mind a short trek out of town to Lincoln, Thunder Valley Casino Resort’s Summer Concert Series (1200 Athens Avenue, www.thundervalleyresort.com/entertainment) is already underway as well. This weekend, its outdoor amphitheater is hosting the contrasting sounds of metal band Anthrax (on Friday, July 25, at 6:30 p.m.) and smooth-jazz guitarist George Benson (Saturday, July 26, at 7 p.m.).
Lastly, down in wine country, Bogle Vineyards (37783 County Road 144 in Clarksburg, www.boglewinery.com) runs an outdoor concert series called Friday Alfresco. This Friday, July 25, the performer is Celtic rock group One Eyed Reilly, and food will be served by Mama Kim Cooks. Tickets are $10 per show, and proceeds go to a different charitable organization every week (this week, it’s Project RIDE, which provides “therapeutic recreational horseback riding”). The series runs through August 29.
And, here’s some Kenny to get you pumped: