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Listen to the Music: Summer Concert Roundup

“There is nothing like music to relieve the soul and uplift it,” said Mickey Hart, drummer in The Grateful Dead. And a little fresh air and sunshine never hurt either. So, grab a lawn chair—maybe a few friends—and nurture your soul at some local outdoor concerts. Whether you like rock or pop, country or funk, there are plenty of places to get your groove on this summer, and many of them are free and family-friendly, too.

El Dorado Hills Town Center’s Live on the Boulevard will have you out of your seat dancing. The series kicks off June 15 with Peace Frog, a tribute to Jim Morrison and The Doors, and continues Thursday nights through September 7 (no show July 6). Concerts are held from 7-9 p.m. at the Steven Young Amphitheater edhtowncenter.com/upcoming-events

Live on the Boulevard

 


The El Dorado Hills Community Services District brings good vibes and good eats to EDH Community Park with its Summer Concert Series on June 23, July 14, and August 11 from 7-9:30 p.m. Food will be available for purchase from local vendors. The fun wraps up on September 16 at EDH Summer Fest, with activities starting at 4 p.m. eldoradohillscsd.org/programs___activities/special_events/summer_concert_series.php

Summer Concert Series

 


Folsom Parks & Recreation’s Summer of Music concert series roars into Folsom City Lions Park on June 9 with the band, Pumping Irony, alongside additional concerts June 23, July 14, and July 28. folsom.ca.us/government/parks-recreation/recreation/special-events

Summer of Music

 


Roseville’s Downtown Tuesday Nights returns with weekly music, classic cars, and family fun from June 6-July 25 (except July 4). The event, featuring live bands and local vendors, takes over Vernon Street Town Square from 5:30-9 p.m. with music starting at 7 p.m. downtownrosevilleevents.com

Roseville’s Concerts on the Square is back with a lively lineup of tribute bands. The series kicks off June 17 with Motley 2 and continues every third Saturday through September. Concerts are held at Vernon Street Town Square starting at 7:30 p.m. roseville.ca.us/residents/city_events/concerts_on_the_square

Concerts on the Square

 


The Folsom Historic District kicks off its Twilight Concert Series with The Wayside on June 1 and welcomes a different band every Thursday night through August. Shows are held from 7:30-9:30 p.m. at the Zittel Family Amphitheater. historicfolsom.org/events-schedule

Twilight Concert Series

 


A Roseville tradition for three decades, Music in the Park returns to Royer Park on June 11 with Turn the Page, a Bob Seger tribute band, and continues the second Sunday of each month through September from 6-8 p.m. rosevillemusicinthepark.com

In Rocklin, the quarry will be rockin’—with music, that is. The 2023 Concerts at the Quarry season is underway at the Quarry Park Amphitheater, and Yachtley Crew, the self-proclaimed titans of soft rock, will be sailing into town on June 18. Tickets must be purchased in advance. rocklin.ca.us/concerts-quarry

The Palladio in Folsom hosts its Summer Concert Series on the third Wednesday of each month through September, with an eclectic mix of bands playing country, hip-hop, and high-energy dance tunes. Shows are held 7-9 p.m. To conclude the series, don't miss out on the September 20 finale, which will include a Live DJ Glow Party from 8-10 p.m. gopalladio.com

Summer Concert Series

 


Enjoy Sunday evenings under a canopy of oak trees at Auburn’s Summer Concert Series. The fun starts June 11 with folk-rock band Dellow featuring Joe Craven and continues weekly through July 9. Concerts are held from 7-8:30 p.m. at School Park Preserve’s Cooper Amphitheater. auburnca.art/auburn-summer-concert-series

If you’re up for a scenic drive, Amador County Arts Council is celebrating its 25th annual T.G.I.F. Summer Music Series on Fridays from 6-8 p.m. The series starts June 9 with Matt Axton & Co. at Laughton Ranch in Jackson and continues through August 18 (no show July 28) at different parks throughout the county. amadorarts.org/summer-concerts

In addition to these community concerts, some area wineries host their own summer concert series. Check winery websites for cost and other details.

Saureel Summer Nights (kiltandcork.com/saureel-summer-nights) returns to Saureel Vineyards in Placerville for the dog days of summer, with U2 tribute band L.A.vation on July 8, Queen tribute band The Kings of Queen on July 22, and a show paying homage to both Prince and Michael Jackson on August 5. Various food trucks and a full bar will be available at all shows. Individual tickets and season passes are available. Save the date for the Gold Hill Country Music Festival (goldhillmusicfestival.com), which takes over the winery on September 9 and is an all-day celebration of country music, cold beer, and food trucks.

Saureel Summer Nights

 


Sierra Vista Vineyards & Winery in Placerville offers music with a view most Saturdays through September from 5:30-8 p.m., with food available for purchase from local food trucks. On June 3, Old West Trio will entertain with “Western music in the silver screen cowboy tradition” while Blue Stone Pizza serves up the grub. sierravistawinery.com/upcoming-events

Sierra Vista Vineyards & Winery

 


Music in the Park returns to Perry Creek Winery in Fair Play on Saturdays beginning June 17 (Spanish guitar with Jesse Hendricks) and August 5 (country music with Shauna Lea) from 1-4 p.m. perrycreek.com/events

Lava Cap Winery brings live music to its vineyard on June 3 with Frank Zappa tribute band, The Bongo Furys, from 5-8 p.m., as well as June 10 (Late4Dinner) and June 24 (The Neon Moon Band). Betty’s Balls food truck will be at each show serving up tapas for vegans and meat lovers alike. lavacap.com/events

Lava Cap Winery

 


For a Saturday night concert series under the wide-open sky, try the Summer Concert Series at Cielo Estate Winery in Shingle Springs. This winery hosts a different band and food truck from 6-9 p.m. every other Saturday through September. The series kicks off June 3 with Red Dirt Ruckus, a band that describes itself as “a healthy dose of bluegrass, a sprinkle of reggae, and a spoonful of funk.” Pacific Coast Pasta will be serving up Italian fare, too. cieloestate.com/upcoming-events

Looking for something more mellow? Try Friday Nights on the Patio at Casque Wines in Loomis for a relaxing evening of wine, food, and live music. Expect a different band and food truck each Friday from 5:30-8:30 p.m. casquewines.com/fridays 

Friday Nights on the Patio

 


by  Jennifer Maragoni
Gold Hill Music Festival photo by Mitchell Weitzman. Other photos courtesy of their respective companies or organizations.