One of the great pleasures of the summer is experiencing an outdoor concert. Gathering with fellow music lovers (often on your own chairs) in a gorgeous setting to share in the language of the soul often makes for memorable experiences. And with the variety of locales offering a series of concerts over the next few months throughout the Toledo area, it truly is an embarrassment of riches for Glass City music fans. (All concerts listed here are free unless noted.)
Brown Bag Concert
North Lawn at Toledo Public Main Library
Every Wednesday at 12:15pm, through July 26.
An eclectic and awesome selection of music greets attendees to the Toledo Library’s Brown Bag Concert series, held every Wednesday afternoon. Acts as varied as Fu5ion, The Zac Kreuz Band, the Oehlers and many more await those looking for a lunchtime escape from those mid-week blahs. Attendees are encouraged to bring their own chair or blanket, and a sack lunch, of course. In case of inclement weather, the festivities will be moved inside to the Wintergarden.
It’s Friday!
Toledo Museum of Art Grounds
Every Friday at 6:30pm, through August 25.
As part of its “It’s Friday!” event celebrating the weekend with later hours and special events, the Toledo Museum of Art holds a weekly concert series featuring an impressive selection of acts to kick attendees’ weekends off right. July will see performances by Alright Ghandi, Old State Line, Ramona Collins and the Grape Smugglers. Attendees will also be treated to cool beverages and small plate foods, and festivities will be moved inside in case of bad weather.
Jazz in the Garden
Toledo Botanical Garden
Every Thursday at 6:30pm, from July 13 through August 31.
The revered Toledo Jazz Orchestra’s show on July 13 kicks off a new year of the Toledo Botanical Garden’s popular Jazz in the Garden performances. Other groups such as the Kelly Broadway Quintet and Soul Hustle fill out what is sure to be a memorable season of music in a gorgeous setting. General admission is $10, with Botanical Garden members getting in for $5 and children under 12 admitted free. Season passes are also available, and attendees are encouraged to bring their own chairs.
Lunch at Levis Square
Corner of Madison and St. Clair
Every Thursday at 11:30am, through September 28.
This year’s series of noontime concerts at Levis Square got off to a rousing start with a performance from members of Cirque Du Soleil on June 1, and the afternoon festivities have not calmed down since. Attendees of this downtown delight will get to see acts such as Katie’s Randy Cat, Andrew Ellis, The Last Born Sons and more rock the corner of Madison and St. Clair, along with food trucks so attendees can grab some grub while enriching their souls.
Music at the Market
Commodore Schoolyard in Perrysburg
Every Thursday at 7pm, through August 31
Another wonderfully varied selection of musical artists can be found every Thursday at the Music at the Market concert series in Perrysburg. The season has already seen performances by groups like the Toledo Polish American Concert Band and the Last Born Sons, and acts like the Ruth Nichols Trio, the Hepcat Revival and Rodney Parker & Liberty Beach are scheduled to wow audiences for the rest of the summer. Attendees should bring their own chairs and blankets, and in case of bad weather the concerts will be held indoors at the Juliet Beck Auditorium.
Music by the River
Maumee Branch Library lawn
Tuesdays at 7pm: July 11 and August 8.
For nearly 40 years the Maumee Community Band, currently conducted by Kevin Heidbreder, has brought music to life for attendees at events all summer long. This year, the band once again is holding regular performances on the lawn of the Maumee Branch of the Toledo Public Library, a stone’s throw away from the Maumee River. Attendees are encouraged to bring their own chair or blanket, and performances will not be rescheduled in case of rain.
Music Under the Stars
Toledo Zoo Amphitheatre
Sundays at 7:30pm: July 9, 16, 23 and 30.
A longstanding summer tradition returns to the Toledo Zoo Amphitheatre as the Toledo Symphony concert band, headed up by conductor Bruce Moss, performs an evening of music almost every Sunday throughout the month of July. Each performance is set to a theme, from “Hooray for the Red, White and Blue” to “World Tour 2017,” making each week’s concert a unique and fun experience for all ages. Doors open to the amphitheater each week at 6:30.
*NEW* ProMedica Summer Concert Series
Promenade Park
Fridays at 7:30pm: July 21, August 25, September 15.
ProMedica celebrates their move downtown with three free summer concerts in the renovated Promenade Park. The Toledo Symphony Orchestra will join for each free show. First, Ottawa County-native Crystal Bowersox and Caly Bevier, of Grand Rapids, OH and America’s Got Talent fame. Next, Grammy Award-winning producer and vocalist Steve Tyrell. Finally, A Symphonic Tribute to the Music of Prince, featuring a tribute made up of former members of Prince’s New Power Generation.
Rhythm on the River
The Wright Pavilion in Grand Rapids, along the Maumee River
July 16, 23 & 30, August 6 and 27, September 10 and October 1 at 4 pm
A beautiful outdoor setting and wide variety of acts are part of the charm of Rhythm on the River, held on scheduled Sundays from now until October 1. The first show of the season saw 50 Shades of Saxophone charm the assembled masses, and upcoming events will include performances by Blue Moon, Old State Line, the Lake Plains Barbershop Chorus and the Otsego Show Choir and High School Band. Attendees are encouraged to bring a chair or blanket of their own, and events are moved indoors to the fire station in the event of bad weather.
