Your Best - Philly, Free, Summer, Concert Guide

Update from the author: - I've fixed the links to the concert venues that were not working as of June 2011. The locations of various concert schedule links do change from time to time. If you have a problem with any link, please try shortening the web address in your browser. That usually works.

Philly has been known as a music town for at least 50 years, since the days when John Coltrane, and Dizzy Gillespie lived here, and a young DJ named Ed Sciaky, recorded the newly discovered Joni Mitchell at the 2nd Fret. This Summer is no Exception. There are many free concert series in Philly and South Jersey. When you can see great talent for free, what's not to like. The free concerts usually occur during the week. If you can drag your body out of it's after work, catatonic state into party mode, you'll be rewarded. Some of the venues offer a few kid's shows. So, join the fun if you have some young children.

Before heading off to a concert it's a good idea to first sample audio tracks from any unfamiliar bands that are scheduled to play. That will save you from the unpleasant task of watching a band you don't like. Fortunately most of the websites listed in this article provide internet links where you can sample audio files from the scheduled bands. Many bands have free audio files on MySpace. If you can't find audio files on the band's website, or through search engines. - go to Amazon.com-Music, search for the artist, and then sample the CD selections that are for sale.

Camden County Free Concerts '" or (ccparks.com) in your browser)

The Camden County concerts are put on by the Camden County Freeholders, the Jersey equivalent of Philly's city council. Camden County encompasses a large swath of territory and includes such prosperous areas as Cherry Hill, and Vorhees. The page provides links to all 5 concert series. Camden County also offers kid's shows and family friendly entertainment at a few of the venues. Lindenwold Park has movies, a magic show, and a puppet theater, this summer 2011. If you're driving here from Philly fill your gas tank up in Jersey. Gas is about 20 cents a gallon cheaper.

Wiggen's Park - Sunset Jazz Series . - June 28 to Sept. 4, 2011

2011 headliners include Jazz great Ramsey Lewis, and the Urban Guerilla Orchestra.

The Sunset Jazz Concerts are in Wiggins Park by the Delaware River, waterfront. It's the same place where the N.J. Aquarium and the Tweeter Center - now called Susquehanna Bank Center is. The concerts never get too crowded and the acoustics are fine View the downtown Philly skylight, and enjoy the evening's river front breezes, while you sample some great jazz.

If you have a brand new car you might want to pay the $7 parking fee. This is Camden. I park just off Martin Luther King Boulevard for free. If you follow the chair carrying crowd walking down the boulevard, in and out of the park, you won't be hassled. . That's if you don't mind walking a few blocks, like the certified cheapskate I am. Bring chairs and some eats.

In recent years headliners included Spyro Gyro and Average White Band. 2011 headliners include jazz great Ramsey Lewis with his electric band. UGO - the Urban Guerilla Orchestra doing their tribute to Rick James and Teena Marie, and local bassist extraordinaire - Gerald Veasley's Electric Mingus Project, featuring Carol Riddick. I saw Gerald Veasley once with Grover Washington Jr. and he tore up the stage. He's one of the best bassists out there playing jazz funk and electric music. The Mingus Project might be more of a traditional style.

The Camden Waterfront Backyard BBQ on Sept. 4 is a great way to celebrate Labor Day, with continuous music from 2PM to 10, featuring Big Sam's Funky Nation, and many more unannounced acts. Last year's festivities featured Big Sam and some great New Orleans acts like the Radiators and piano legend Marcia Ball.

If you're like me and you want to avoid the traffic associated with Philly's Penn's Landing - Independence Day fireworks, check out the Independence Day Celebration Concert & Fireworks on July 2^nd. featuring the Air National Guard Band of the Mid-Atlantic. It's the same fireworks as the Philly side of the Delaware, in a more relaxed setting.

Haddon Lake - Sundown Series - through the end of August 2011

2011 headliners include the Ben Vaughn Quintet and longtime blues folkie Chris Smithers. Haddon Lakes Sundown Concerts are located in a clearing in the woods, in a well to do, suburban setting, with great acoustics, in Haddon Heights. Join host WXPN and WMGK- (Magic), DJ - Michael Tearson. WXPN is the main sponsor and the lineup usually consists of some XPN local and national favorites, mostly of the folk and blues variety.

It's a pretty tame crowd with baby carriages and other trappings of suburbia. There's usually plenty of stadium seats for everybody. However there is no lake - Go figure?

Jack Curtis Stadium - Twilight Series - Starts June through August 2011-also referred to as Cooper River Park

There is water here (Cooper River), and ducks, and a restaurant,

It appears that this venue has been downsized somewhat in 2011, with the big July 4^th fireworks and concert not occurring this year. Headliners are Jay and the Amerians and the Carmen Dee Orchestra. I saw the pop country band Pure Prairie League, Judy Collins, and Southside Johnny and the Asbury Jukes, in recent years, so this year's lineup is a bit of a disappointment.

Bring chairs, or a blanket. Sit on the grass - enjoy the park setting.

Philly Area Concerts

Pennypack Park Concerts -Until Sept.16, 2009 - (Northeast Philly)

http://www.pennypackpark.com/

The Northeast Philly, Pennypack Concerts are located in a wooded meadow, in Pennypack Park at the bandshell. The crowd are three generations of the same fun loving, beer swilling, proletariats, that attended Lincoln High with me. (Lincoln High is just down the road) You can park in what we used to refer to as lover's lane, on Rhawn St, a few blocks east of Roosevelt Blvd. You will see the entrance to the park on the right when heading east on Rhawn. Bring chairs or a blanket.

For the past few years mostly Philly area tribute bands have performed here. On the bill in 2011 are tributes to David Bowie, Bruce Springsteen, the Rolling Stones, Tina Turner, and more. During intermission an Ike Turner imitator beats Tina up. July 20, is Irish night. Check out A.J. Slick, the Stevie Ray Vaughn dude - he's awesome. The concerts are every Wed thru Sept 14.

Pastorius Park Concerts - Chestnut Hill, Philadelphia - Now thru July 27

Pastorius Park is a few blocks off of Germantown Ave. in Chestnut Hill. If you're new to Philly you'll want to check out Chestnut Hill. There are plenty of art galleries, and restaurants along with historic buildings dating back to Revolutionary times. An American Revolutionary battle was fought in the neighborhood. Some of the restaurants can be pricey - they add the coolness factor to the check.

Pastorious Park Concerts 2011,headliners include Philly singer/songwriter - Jeffrey Gaines, June 15, and electric blues guitarist Deb Callahan with her band. It's probably a testament to the type of perennial, local talent mismanagement that occurs here that Jeffrey Gaines hasn't risen to the national prominence he deserves.

The wooded area provides a respite from the summer heat, as well as great acoustics, and view.

Smooth Jazz Summer Nights - Friday nights from Aug to Sept - 2011 '"Great Plaza, Columbus Boulevard at Chestnut Street - Penn's Landing

http://www.delawareriverwaterfrontcorp.com/index.php?module=events_popup&id=497

Various jazz artists. - Check out other free activities at Penn's Landing -

http://www.delawareriverwaterfrontcorp.com/index.php?module=calendar&month=7&year=2009

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Philadelphia Weekly Concerts in the Park '" (Rittenhouse Square) 2011 not yet announced. Concerts usually occur in late July or Aug.

They haven't announced the schedule yet. '" Last year readers voted for the opening band.

Rittenhouse Square in center city Philadelphia, is everybody's favorite place to hang out. Where else can you see the millionaires who live in luxury high rises across the street, sharing a bench with a certified crazy, homeless person? The Rittenhouse Square concerts have been going on here, forever. I saw the American Dream performing, Can't Get To Heaven on the Frankford El, here, when I was a lad. The American Dream's Nick Jameson went on to play with Foghat. Why can't you get to heaven on the Frankford El? - Because The Frankford El Goes Straight to Frankford.

AbingtonArtsCenter Concerts- Now until Aug. 2011

Located in the Abington, Jenkintown PA area.

http://abingtonartcenter.org/events/

Bands for 2011 include folk, rock, and reggae

Curtis Arboretum - 2011 Summer Concerts in the Park - Cheltenham Township PA

Near Township Line Rd (Cottman Ave) & Old York Rd.

2011 headliners include long time local jazz artists - Odean PopeTrio, and Deb Callahan blues band

The Cheltenham Concerts in the Park are held on Sundays at 5:00 p.m. at the beautiful, 45-acre Curtis Arboretum, located at Church Rd. & Greenwood Ave. in Wyncote. (See website for directions) http://www.cheltenhamtownship.org/citp/index.htm

There is a good mix of genres here - In case of rain concerts are held indoors in Curtis Hall

2011 Rose Tree Summer Festival- Rose Tree Park - Media PA

This is a gem of a festival with concerts occurring almost every day thru Aug 2011

Everything from rock to steel drums, ballet, folk, kids shows, orchestras. 2011's lineup include Beatlemania Now, Grease Band, guitar great '" Charlie Gracie, and much more. My buddy, the versatile local guitarist, Greg Snyder will be performing with the New Orleans style blues band- James Day and the Fish Fry on June 22. Unfortunately yours truly - Philly boy, doesn't get out to Delaware County too often to take in these festivities. Boo hoo!

More info on Rose Tree Park - http://www.yelp.com/biz/rose-tree-park-media

I know there's a few free concert series in the Philly area that haven't been mentioned. Some are small venues, many don't get publicized because they are free. These are most of the larger ones. If you know of any please send the internet links, or the name and location, to my email address- schu3@comcast.net and I'll mention them at a later date. If you've had a particularly memorable experience at a Philly area, free summer concert, email me about it. The most memorable ones for me was seeing Ray Charles, and The Tokens at Robin Hood Dell East, when I was a kid. Some memorable Rittenhouse Square concerts were, Tom Paxton, Brewer and Shipley, and The American Dream doing Chuck Berry's duck walk during a performance of Johnny B Goode.

I encourage all coherent comments. - please scroll to the bottom of the article to comment.

Check out my other articles at this site by clicking on my name just underneath the article title, at the top of this page. Other Philly articles are: The World's Best Stores for Bargains, which is a local guide that will help save you some money on things like groceries and produce, and an article about Ben Franklin called, Happy Birthday Ben Franklin, This page automatically updates when I write new articles.

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