Since it’s August, it’s time to review your Minnesota summer Bingo card and see what you haven’t hit. You checked off eating fresh sweet corn…watching fireworks…and going barefoot.
But have you experienced a summer evening of great music in your Minneapolis Parks? Get a blanket and lawn chairs, a picnic, your dog (on a leash) and your crew. That’s what you need to bring in order to enjoy a night of live local music in your Minneapolis Parks.
Notice: nothing said about cash or credit cards. That’s because these nightly summer concerts are all free.
“Everyone has a ball at our events,” said Darren Turner, sound tech for the Music and Movies Series sponsored by the Minneapolis Park and Recreation Board. “The atmosphere is fun, friendly and family-oriented. It’s in the parks so there’s lots of land so everyone can have their own space and spread out. It’s about bringing community together."
The tradition of live music in the Minneapolis Parks is an old one. The concerts have been a summer staple since 1892. This year free concerts are scheduled in parks throughout the city, including Bryant Square Park, The Commons, the Lake Harriet Bandshell, the Minnehaha Bandshell, Nicollet Island Park, Water Works, Father Hennepin Bluffs and Boring Park.
“Every day there is a show, from Memorial Day to Labor Day. That’s 90-plus days of free entertainment,” Turner said.
As the number of summer evenings wind down, the August calendar is full of nightly music from some up-and-comers on the verge of making it big to old favorites as well, curated by the Minneapolis Park and Recreation Board.
“At the beginning of December we sent out an e-mail inviting performers to apply for the upcoming season. From there we have a panel of people and we go through the applicants, listen to their music, read their bios and we choose from there,” Turner explained.
One show that’s already earning some buzz is the upcoming concert by Tre Aaron on Monday, Sept 4 at the Lake Harriet Bandshell. With music described as “300% groove,” Tre Aaron will start the Labor Day music at 5:30 pm.
Check out the schedule of the live music and free movies coming up as the summer winds down and check “a night of live music” off your summer Bingo card.
Concerts will be cancelled in the event of rain. Cancellations will be noted on the Minneapolis Music and Movies in the Park Facebook Page.
Alcohol is prohibited in Minneapolis Parks other than that which is sold by concession vendors.