Top 10 Best Outdoor Performance Venues on the East Coast

There's nothing like seeing a concert or other musical performance in a park-like setting. For some reason, everything looks and sounds better. It feels wonderful to gather with other like-minded souls for a daytime or evening performance outside in the sun or shade, or under the stars. Outdoor venues abound on the East Coast. It's probably because the weather along the Eastern seaboard is rather cooperative, and provides mostly clear skies, hot days and cool nights, all summer long.

Ready for a great outdoor, concert experience this summer? Looking for a quality performance in an outdoor performance venue? Saratoga Performing Arts Center on beautiful Lake George is probably the most lauded outdoor performance venue on the East Coast. Looking for others? Check out these Top 10 Best Outdoor Performance Venues on the East Coast. Some draw huge crowds while others provide a more intimate setting. In any event, these are among my favorite venues in some of America's top cities for performing arts and culture.

Bandshell in Bellevue State Park
Bellevue State Park, Wilmington, Delaware
Website: www.destateparks.com/summer-concerts
Description: Each year, Bellevue State Park in one of our nation's smallest states features a summer concert series at this great outdoor performance venue. Check out the Bandshell for country, folk, and so much more. Truly, a special, outdoor performance venue in Delaware.

The Bethel Woods Performing Arts Center Pavilion
Bethel, New York
Website: www.bethelwoodscenter.org
Description: Bethel Woods is a beautiful, $100 million state-of-the-arts sound stage and outdoor performance venue in Bethel, New York. Bethel Woods accommodates up to 15,000 ticket holders, under cover and on the lawn. Check out what the original Woodstock concert promoters saw in Bethel this summer. A jaw-dropping, outdoor concert and performance venue.

Carter Barron Amphitheatre
Rock Creek Park, Washington, DC
Website: www.nps.gov/rocr/cbarron
Description: Groove to reggae, Latin, and classical performances all summer long in the Nation's Capital. Check out Carter Barron's jazz, new age, theater, and dance line ups this year. Something for everyone in this 50's historical and classic outdoor performance venue.

Central Park SummerStage
Central Park, New York, New York
Website: www.summerstage.org
Description: SummerStage celebrates its 25^th in 2010 with 33 free concerts and 8 benefit shows. Check out what New Yorkers have long known as a great outdoor concert venue. Concerts and other performances in Central Park just can't be beat.

DCR Hatch Shell
Boston Esplanade, Boston, Massachusetts
Website: www.hatchshell.com
Description: Check out Boston's legendary outdoor venue for awesome, world-class performances and open-air events. The scenery and sound is fantastic, so you won't be disappointed. Constructed in 1941 for under $300,000, the Hatch underwent a $4.1 million renovation in 1991. Check out the Hatch on the 4^th of July when the Boston Pops thrill the crowds with Tchaikovsky's 1812 Overture against a dazzling display of fireworks over the Charles River.

Filene Center
Wolf Trap Center for the Performing Arts, Reston, Virginia
Website: www.wolf-trap.org
Description: Check out Wolf Trap for an awesome line up of world-class concert, musical and opera performances in a great outdoor venue. Filene Center's season runs from May to the beginning of September with an average of 90 performances each year. Performers absolutely love coming to Wolftrap's Filene Center and so will you.

Mann Center for the Performing Arts
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Website: www.manncenter.org
Description: Founded in 1935, "the Dell" was THE outdoor concert destination for many years. Renamed in 1978 after Frederic R. Mann, a Philadelphia art patron, the Mann is still a great place to see a concert or other performance. What makes Mann super special and certainly unique among East Coast outdoor venues? Mann releases 50,000 complimentary tickets distributed through Philly non-profits, making the arts accessible to all.

Governors Island
Governors Island, New York, New York
Website: www.govisland.com
Description: Easily accessible by ferry from Manhattan or Brooklyn, this venue is located on Governors Island and features spectacular views of beautiful Downtown Manhattan and New York City harbor. Ready for some sun, sand and barbecue? Governors Island is the place for you. A great venue with an awesome line up of artists throughout the summer months.

Concerts Under the Elms/ Lawn of the John Brown House Museum
Providence, Rhode Island
Website: www.rihs.org
Description: For classical, folk and other performances, there's nothing quite like Concerts Under the Elms, sponsored by the Rhode Island Historical Society. Concerts are held several times a month at $8 per ticket and free for children under $12. The price and atmosphere can't be beat. A peaceful setting for some wonderful summer fun.

The Salvation Army Seaside Pavilion
Old Orchard Beach, Maine
Website: www.seasidepavillion.org
Description: Maine hardly comes to mind when you think about great outdoor venues, but you must check out Seaside Pavilion during your concert tour this year. Built in 1998, there's not a bad seat in the house. A great outdoor performance venue, showcasing Maine's seaside and pine forest charms.

RESOURCES

International Festival Events Association
www.ifea.com

North American Performing Arts Managers and Agents
www.napama.org

International Society for the Performing Arts
www.ispa.org

American Association of Community Theaters
www.aact.org

US Commission of Fine Arts
www.cfa.gov