For many North Bay music lovers, summer is a smorgasbord of outdoor concerts and community gatherings. Last summer, all the popular concert programs were forced to cancel their plans due to the pandemic, though this summer is heating up with free live music in July and August.
This week, the St. Helena Chamber of Commerce’s Summer Concert Series opens four weeks of fun in Lyman Park. Live music, local restaurant partners and lots of wine are on hand each Thursday in July, from 6–8pm. The free series opens with Dirty Cello on July 8, and features Planet Groove on July 15. sthelena.com
Also in Napa Valley, Calistoga’s Concerts in the Park returns for a summertime schedule of music, wine and picnics at Pioneer Park. The series opens on July 22, from 6:30–8:30pm, with Arkansas-based indie-folk duo National Park Radio. visitcalisotga.com
Dynamic wine country marketplace Cornerstone Sonoma is currently hosting its Summer Music Series every Saturday and most Sundays; gathering local musicians, organic wine country cuisine, local wines and craft cocktails.
On Saturday, July 10, the Cornerstone’s Summer Music Series features singer-songwriter Sean Patrick Garvey’s solo Americana project Obsidian Son, performing 11am to 3pm. Future dates bring out local rockers the Henry Coopers on July 17 and the Steve Pile Band on July 18. cornerstonesonoma.com
In Sebastopol, the long-running Peacetown concert series is moving from Ives Park to the Barlow for an expanded weekly event that encompasses four stages of local music running each Wednesday through Sept. 8.
On July 14, the Peacetown concert series hosts the Pulsators at the Barlow’s main stage, Free Peoples on the Crooked Goat Brewing stage, Mundo Rio on the Woodfour and Fern Bar stage, James Patrick Regan at Community Market and Kevin Russell’s Americana showcase with 3 Acre Hollar at nearby HopMonk Tavern. The music starts at 4:30pm at the Barlow and 5:30pm at HopMonk. peacetown.org
In Marin County, the City of Sausalito Parks and Recreation Department once again presents its annual summer concert series Jazz and Blues by the Bay. Concerts take place at Gabrielson Park in Downtown Sausalito every Friday, 6:30–8pm, through Aug. 27.
Jazz and Blues by the Bay’s local lineup of live music includes West Coast Cool on July 9 and Andre Theirry on July 16. Attendees can reserve table seating for the concerts, and free lawn seating will be available as well. In addition to the music, local nonprofits will be selling food and beverages again this year at each concert. jazzandbluesbythebay.com
Local bands and musicians are also appearing weekly at Town Center Corte Madera for the center’s Summer Music Series, running on select Saturdays and every Sunday, 1–3pm, through Sept. 19.
The family-friendly shows will highlight the region’s array of talented musicians while also shining a light on the Town Center’s variety of food, shopping and other delights. The series will feature popular acts like Z & the Benders on July 11 and Brian Francis Baudoin on July 18. shoptowncenter.com
This article was updated on July 7, 2021.
