Grab your lawn chair or beach blanket and get ready to listen and dance, if you're so inclined, to the music at outdoor venues throughout the Erie area this summer.
Starting in June, the area calendar is packed with bands performing under the sun and stars. The increase in the number of outdoor shows this year resembles a pre-pandemic schedule as many events were postponed or scaled back the past two summers.
There are numerous outdoor music performances scheduled, with most of the band lineups yet to be announced. Here is a sampling of some of them hitting an open-air stage near you:
Presque Isle Sunset Music Series
Head to the peninsula on Wednesdays this summer to catch a run of six shows for the UPMC Presque Isle Sunset Music Series at Beach 11. The series begins June 22 and continues every Wednesday through July 27 from 5:30 to 8:30 p.m.
The free fun in the sand features two live bands, extended swimming hours and a weekly raffle. Food and beverages will be available for purchase from the beach concession stand.
According to organizers, selected bands for this year's series will be notified by Friday and announced later this spring. Last year's bands included Key West Express and The Breeze Band, among others.
The final run in the 2022 series will coincide with Discover Presque Isle week, which runs July 25-31.
For information, call 814-838-5138 or visit bit.ly/pisunsetmusic.
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8 Great Tuesdays
The ErieBank 8 Great Tuesdays summer concerts on the bayfront return as a local favorite outdoor event. The free, eight-week series starts July 5 and runs for eight consecutive Tuesdays, through Aug. 23, from 6:30 to 9:30 p.m. at the Highmark Amphitheater at Liberty Park.
Last year's event included several area acts as headliners, including The Pop Rockets, Chris Higbee, The Earthquakers, the Erie All Stars band and more.
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The 2022 8 Great Tuesdays lineup likely will be announced before Memorial Day — or possibly earlier — according to Brenda Sandberg, executive director of the Erie-Western Pennsylvania Port Authority.
The 8 Great events also will feature numerous local vendors. For information, call 814-455-7557 or visit porterie.org/8greattuesdays.
30th annual Erie Blues and Jazz Festival
The Blues and Jazz Fest returns to August dates after being held in late September last year.
The free three-day music, nature and arts festival is set for Aug. 5-7 at Lake Erie Arboretum at Frontier Park, 1501 W. Sixth St. The bands, schedule and list of events will be announced at a later date. Last year's event, which included the nature-based LEAF Festival, had the Larry McCray Blues Band, King Solomon Hicks and Kahil El’Zabar's Quartet among the headliners.
John Vanco, artistic director of the Erie Blues & Jazz Festival, said in an email the festival will include the same array of programming as last year, but "even more of it."
"We are working to bring in great headliners for the main stage, an array of dance performances and workshops, visual arts, poetry, environmental organizations, an electric vehicle show (and more)," Vanco said.
CelebrateErie 2022
The annual festival will return to downtown Erie on Aug. 19-21 after cancelations in 2020 and 2021 because of the COVID-19 pandemic.
The multi-day festival, free and open to the public, typically brings more than 200,000 people to downtown Erie, according to organizers.
Aaron Loncki, the city of Erie's marketing strategist, said the festival will again include Erie-area vendors, musicians, performers and chalk artists, as well as nationally-known musical acts. There also will be interactive drum circles and "jam sesh" areas where festivalgoers can participate in impromptu performance spaces.
CelebrateErie mainstage headliners will be announced later this spring. The last time the event was held, in 2019, country music star Scotty McCreery was the closing night headliner. For more information, visit www.celebrateerie.com.
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Tall Ships Erie 2022
The Tall Ships Erie festival, which takes place every three years and last occurred in 2019, showcases a fleet of international ships at Erie's Presque Isle Bay.The festival will run from Aug. 25-28 and will feature the U.S. Brig Niagara.
Ticket prices range from $10 for a single-day pass to $199 for a VIP pass. Single-day general admission tickets and weekend passes are available. Both offer access to festival sites, dockside viewing of the ships, access to live music and entertainment to be announced, local refreshment vendors, the Maritime Marketplace and more, according to a news release from the Flagship Niagara League.
William Sabatini, executive director and fleet captain for the Flagship Niagara League, said he expects roughly 10 ships in the festival. For information, call 833-365-7245 or visit tallshipserie.org.
Sailing back to the bay:Ticket sales, first ships announced for Tall Ships Erie 2022 festival
Other events
- Chautauqua Institution summer series: Music icon Sheryl Crow and the critically acclaimed group The Avett Brothers are scheduled to appear at the Chautauqua Institution Amphitheater, 1 Ames Ave.,Chautauqua, New York, as part of the institute's summer schedule of performers. Crow is scheduled to perform July 12, while The Avett Brothers have an Aug. 24 date. See details on all events, ticket prices, on-sale dates and information atchq.org. Call 716-357-6250or visit tickets.chq.org for tickets.
Chautauqua Institution:Sheryl Crow, Jay Leno, The Avett Brothers among acts in summer lineup
- Monday Music in the Woods: Mondays, 6-8 p.m. (2022 dates to be announced);Celebration Garden at the Andrew J.Conner Nature Center at Asbury Woods, 4105 Asbury Road; listen to live music and enjoy a meal from a food truck or pack a picnic; bring folding chairs or blankets; center open 9 a.m.-8 p.m. on music nights. Cost: Free but pre-registration is required. Tickets will be available the Tuesday before each Monday concert. Info: 835-5356. asburywoods.org.
- Highmark Art After Dark: First Thursday of each month (schedule to be announced), 6-8 pm. Erie Art Museum, 20 E. Fifth St. More details on lineups to be announced. Info: erieartmuseum.org.
- Whitford Park Summer Concerts: Wednesdays, 7 p.m., beginning June 8; Whitford Park, 5400 Iroquois Ave., Harborcreek Township; bring a folding chair or blanket. Cost: Free. Info: harborcreektownship.org.
- Goodell Summer Music Series: Select Fridays (June 10, June 24, July 8, July 22, Aug. 5, Aug. 12, ), 7-9 p.m. (gates open at 6:45 p.m.); Goodell Gardens & Homestead, 221 Waterford St., Edinboro; June 10 opener features Slim & Red; bring a folding chair or blanket; concessions available for sale. Cost: Free. Info: goodellgardens.org.
- Thursday in the Park: Every Thursday, June 9-Aug. 25, 7-9 p.m.; City Park Gazebo, intersection of North Center and East Smith streets, Corry; 31st annual concert series; Gypsy Heart kicks off the series June 9; Open to all, bring a folding chair or blanket; bring your own picnic basket or stop and bring a bite from a local eatery; Cost: Free admission. Info: corryareaartscouncil.com.
- Gazebo Concerts: Thursdays (June 16, July 21, Aug. 18), 7-9 p.m.; gazebo in Beute Park, between Iroquois and Silliman avenues and Morse Street, Lawrence Park; bring a folding chair or blanket. Cost: Free. Info: lawrenceparktwp.org.
- WQLN Sounds Around Town: Fridays (July 8, 15, 22, 29), 7:30 p.m.; wooded performance pavilion near WQLN Studios, 8425 Peach St.; bring blankets or folding chairs to sit on; in case of rain, concerts will move indoors; all concerts will be recorded and aired later on WQLN-TV and WQLN-FM/91.3. Bands to be determined. Cost: Free. Info: wqln.org.
- Gears-N-Grub: July 16, 11 a.m.-9 p.m.; July 17, 11 a.m.-6 p.m.; Millcreek Mall parking lot, 5800 Peach St. Event features music, car show, Queen of Gem City pin-up contest, crafts, food trucks, corn hole tournament, games, kids activities and more. Benefits Second Harvest Food Bank. Bands to be determined. All the bands July 17 will be fronted by female artists as a special Erie's Women Of Rock day. Cost: Free. Info: gears-n-grub.com.
Erie international festivals
- Panegyri Greek Festival: July 8-12. Assumption Greek Orthodox Church, 4376 West Lake Road. Info: 814-838-8808, bit.ly/eriegreek
- St. Paul's Italian Festival: Aug. 12-14. St. PaulCatholic Church, 1617 Walnut St. Free to attend. Info: 814-456-6256, stpaulrcerie.org
- Zabawa Polish Festival: Aug. 26-28. Holy Trinity Catholic Church, 2220 Reed St. Info: 814-456-0671,holytrinityrc.org
- German Heritage Festival: Sept. 4, 11 a.m.-8 p.m.; and Sept. 5, 11 a.m.-6:30 p.m., St. Nick's Grove, 5131 Old French Road. $5, or $8 for a two-day pass; free for children younger than 12. Info: 814-456-9598,dank-erie.org
- Edinboro Highland Games & Scottish Festival:Sept. 9, 5:30-8 p.m.; Sept. 10, 9 a.m.-9p.m. 219 Meadville St., Edinboro. Music acts to be announced. Most events are free. Info: 814-732-2000,edinboro.edu/events/highland-games/index.php
- Erie Irish Festival: Sept. 16-18. St. Patrick Church, 130 E. Fourth St. Free to attend. Info: 814-454-8085, erieirishfestival.com/new.
Erie-area fairs
- Cochranton Community Fair: Aug. 1-6, 141 River St. Ext., Cochranton. Live nightly music to be announced. Free admission.Info: 814-573-4286,cochrantonfair.org
- Jefferson Township Fair: Aug. 9-13,7409 Lamor Road,Mercer. Features live music to be announced.Free admission; fees for grandstand events. Info: 724-301-2194 or724-662-4734,jeffersontwpfair.com
- Warren County Fair: Aug. 9-13, 371 Barton Run, Pittsfield. Music acts and entry prices to be announced in May. Info: 814-563-9386, warrencountyfair.net
- Crawford County Fair: Aug. 21-27, 10 a.m.-10 p.m. daily, 20939 Hamilton Road, Meadville. Concerts by Darci Lynne and others to be announced.Ticket prices vary. Single-day admission prices are free, $5 or $8 depending on day and time. Info: 814-833-7465,crawfordcountyfairpa.comorfacebook.com/officialcrawfordcountyfairpa
- Erie County Fair at Wattsburg: Aug. 29-Sept. 3, 13993 Route 8 & 89, Wattsburg. Features live music to be announced. $8 for general gate admission, $10 for weekly button, free for age 5 and younger and for military; additional fees for some grandstand events.Info: 814-739-2232,wattsburgfair.com/index.phporfacebook.com/wattsburgfair
- Spartansburg Community Fair: Sept. 4-10.231 Jefferson St., Spartansburg. Features Radioactive, Concord Station and more. $4 for daily admission, free for age 12 and younger; $9 for weekly; additional fees for some events.Info: 814-654-7608,spartansburgcommunityfair.comorfacebook.com/SpartaFairPA
- Waterford Community Fair: Sept. 5-10, 13012 Route 19 S, Waterford. Features live music to be announced. $4 for daily admission, free for age 8 and younger; $10 for weekly button; $20 for ride-a-rama, $15 in advance.Info: 814-796-6923,814-651-3586,waterfordfair.org
- Albion Area Fair: Sept. 13-17, 35 E. State St., Albion. Features live music to be announced. $5 for daily admission for age 12 and older, $10 for week; additional fee for rides.Info: 814-756-3911,albionfair.com/orfacebook.com/albion.fair.16401
If you know of an outdoor music event for summer 2022 not listed, please email tbattaglia@timesnews.com or call 814-870-1892.
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