Summer concerts return to Western Massachusetts venues
Northampton's Florence neighborhood and downtown plaza host free concerts weekly throughout the summer, with dance series also returning to local parks.
Reminder Publishing has compiled a list of summer concerts across Western Massachusetts, featuring performances at parks and outdoor venues throughout June, July, August, and September.
Northampton offers multiple concert series. The Florence Free Summer Concert Series takes place Thursdays at 6:30 p.m. at the Florence Civic Center, with a different food truck featured each week. The series runs from June 25 through September 10, with performers including Lisa Bastoni, the Expandable Brass Band, Miss Paula and the Twangbusters, and others.
Bands on Brewster presents Thursday evening concerts from 6 to 8 p.m. in the plaza between the E.J. Gare parking garage and Northampton Brewery, running July 9 through August 27. The series is weather dependent; the public will be informed by 10 a.m. on concert days through @nohoarts on Instagram if conditions are questionable.
Salsa dancing returns to Northampton with two weekly programs. Salsa in the Plaza occurs Monday nights from 7 to 9 p.m. through August 31 at EJ Garge Plaza. Salsa in the Park offers free dance evenings at Pulaski Park from 6 to 8 p.m. on August 1, August 28, and September 5. More information is available at northamptonartscouncil.org.
Surrounding communities also host summer concert series. East Longmeadow's 40th Annual Rotary Summer Concert Series features free Wednesday evening performances at 7 p.m. at Mapleshade Elementary School, with a concession stand opening at 6 p.m. South Hadley's Village Commons Summer Concert Series runs Thursdays from 6:30 to 8 p.m. at the Town Common, with a rain date of the following Sunday.
Easthampton's Arts in the Park Series presents six free summer concerts on Friday evenings at Nonotuck Park beginning at 6:30 p.m. in July and August. Enfield's Summer Concert Series takes place Tuesday evenings at 7 p.m. at the bandshell at Higgins Park, behind Enfield Town Hall. South Hadley also offers the Buttery Brook Summer Concert Series with Friday night performances at 5 p.m. at the Bandshell in Buttery Brook Park.
Agawam's SummerFest features Wednesday night concerts at 7 p.m. at School Street Park, with the Parks and Recreation Department available at 821-0513 after 2 p.m. on concert days for cancellation information. Chicopee hosts the Aldenville Summer Concerts at 6:30 p.m. at the Aldenville Commons on Grattan Street, co-sponsored by the Chicopee Parks and Recreation Department, Chicopee Cultural Council, the Massachusetts Cultural Council, and the Viola Klaus concert fund.