Free summer concerts are a great way to break up your routine with an evening outdoors, enjoying an art form that frankly doesn’t require too much concentration, a commodity often in short supply in hot weather.
Fortunately for Boston residents the month of July is brimming with options no matter what your musical taste.
Probably the most anticipated event happening within Dorchester itself is the Thurs., July 29, appearance by The Joshua Tree at Dorchester Park, an event co-sponsored by the city and the Dorchester Park Association. This U2 cover band was wildly applauded as the final act at the first-ever Adams Corner Irish Heritage Festival, held on the Sunday of the Columbus Day weekend last year.
As Boston’s premier tribute to U2, The Joshua Tree sees itself going “to great lengths to reproduce the distinct sound of one of the world’s most popular rock bands. Unique to The Joshua Tree is their dedication to the entire U2 songbook; the band covers all phases of U2’s career from their first album ‘Boy’ to the most recent, ‘No Line on the Horizon.’ ”
For those who prefer their music mas caliente, the Tito Puente Latin Music Series, now in its sixth year, is a co-production of Berklee College of Music, Villa Victoria Center for the Arts, and Goya. Look for the following groups at the O’Day Playground in the South End Thursdays later this month: July 15, Son de Madre; July 22, Fausto Cuevas y su Orquestra la Moderna; July 29 William Cepeda.
A similar series, one with a broader world music roster, is running at another South End location, Titus Sparrow Park: July 14 PanNeubean Steel, relaxing reggae, calypso, and soul rhythms; July 21 Manguito, Latin jazz; and July 28 Homegrown String Band, Roots.
The long-running Dorothy Curran series on Wednesday nights at City Hall Plaza has given way to a more modest three-concert offering now known as Mayor Menino’s Wednesday Night Concert Series, but the opening show is really something special. On July 21 at 7 p.m., the Boston Pops Swing Band, under the direction of Bill Elliott, will play the kind of Big Band music that the senior-pleasing Curran series was known for. More info is available at 617-635-4505.
For classical music aficionados, the Boston Landmarks Orchestra, which made history yesterday with their “Home Run” performance at Fenway Park, will be doing their “Let’s Dance” program with a Sun., July 26, 6 p.m. concert at the Pinebank, Jamaica Pond. The evening features Beethoven’s Symphony No. 8 and Weber’s “Invitation to the Dance.” Remember, too, that the BLO, under the direction of Charles Ansbacher, is the now the “house” classical orchestra at the Hatch Shell. This summer season is dedicated to Beethoven and runs every Wednesday night at 7 until September 1. Details about program and guest artists at landmarksorchestra.org.
Finally the Hatch Shell on Saturday nights is hosting a couple of blasts from the past. WODS- 103.3 is presenting Eddie Money with special guests John Cafferty and the Beaver Brown Band on July 17; then Peter Cetera with special guests Ernie and the Automatics on July 31.
Because all these summer concerts are weather-dependent, please check online or by phone to make sure they’re happening before heading out.
