From Motown and pop to rock and Celtic tunes, the Tri-Cities’ summer weekends are brimming with sound.
And luckily for music lovers on a tight budget, many of the concerts will be free so grab a lawn chair, blanket and snacks — and your dance shoes — to boogie to the beats.
Here’s a look at the song series to pencil into your calendar:
SUMMER CONCERTS
The city of Coquitlam brings back its free concerts on Fridays at the TD Community Plaza at Town Centre Park (1299 Pinetree Way, Coquitlam) from 7 to 9 p.m., offering three genres from six bands: For rock night, there’s Oliver and the Elements and Quickness (July 12); on pop night, Emma Currie and Trijolay (Aug. 2); and on R&B night, Tonye Aganaba and R&B Allstars (Sept. 6). Food trucks will be on site and pets on leash are welcome.
Info: coquitlam.ca/summerconcerts
MUSIC IN THE PARK
The city of Port Coquitlam moves its Music in the Square program back to Lions Park (2300 Lions Way) for free Saturday performances from 1 to 4 p.m. Taylor Meers and Les Finnigan launch the series Saturday, followed by Barry Wilson and Bob Richard (July 13); The Radnecks and Gabriel Palatchi (July 20); Allie McDonald and Jessica Barbour (July 27); William Clements and Aaron Hardie (Aug. 3); Alicja Moniatowicz and Ben Cottrill (Aug. 10); Western Jaguar and Matt Storm (Aug. 17); Skyline Park and Bruce Coughlan (Aug. 24); and Groove Terminal and Jesse Walderman (Aug. 31).
Info: portcoquitlam.ca/leighsquare
SUMMER SUNDAYS
Sponsored in part by The Tri-City News, Port Moody’s annual Summer Sundays series has more bands for this year’s run, which starts Sunday at Rocky Point Park (2800-block of Murray Street)with a tribute to Stevie Ray Vaughan by Russell Marsland and Lovestruck. The concerts, from 2 to 4 p.m., are free but organizers will accept donations for the Crossroads Hospice Society. As well, the entertainment is included in the Port Moody Rotary RibFest, which runs July 19 to 21. Besides the Vaughan show July 7, the Legendary R&B Allstars are on at 4:30 p.m., followed by Incognito and Mr. Boogie Woogie (July 14); Dawn Pemberton (July 28); Mojo Stars and The Rain City 6 (Aug. 4); Al Foreman Band and R&B Conspiracy (Aug. 11); Shannon Gaye, Kristian Alexandrov and Britt and Carly McKillip (Aug. 18); Tom Lavin and the Legendary Powder Blues (Aug. 25); and the Hitsville USA (Sept. 1).
Info: summersundays.ca
KALEIDOSCOPE
The indie band Current Swell headlines the city of Coquitlam’s fourth annual Kaleidoscope Arts Festival Aug. 10 — a free showcase at TD Community Plaza at Town Centre Park (1299 Pinetree Way, Coquitlam) from 2 to 9 p.m. Royal Canoe, Terra Lightfoot, Blink Acro, Disco Funeral, Hip Hop Hoop and DJ Emilita also perform.
Info: coquitlam.ca/kaleidoscope
MUSIC ON THE GRILL
Harpdog Brown and the Uptown Blues Band launch Coquitlam’s annual Music on the Grill run with Blue Moon Marquee at the Evergreen Cultural Centre (1205 Pinetree Way) on July 13. Tickets for the dinner and concert package are already sold out but tickets are available for the theatre show for $39 a seat. On July 27, Birch Pereira and the Gin Joints are joined by Sundae and Mr. Goessl for a blues night while, Aug. 17, the fiddle sensation Kiérah closes Grill.
Info: evergreenculturalcentre.ca
ASYLUM LOUNGE
For guests 19 and older, VanHattan Entertainment has scheduled dance bands for the Asylum Lounge in the Hard Rock Casino Vancouver (2080 United Blvd., Coquitlam) with Dr. Strangelove leading the pack on Friday and Saturday followed by Pop Junkies (July 12 and 13); Mostly Marley (July 19); BANG! (July 20); The Collective (July 26 and 27); Perfectly Petty (Aug. 2); Rhythm Method (Aug. 3); Trilojay (Aug. 9 and 10); The Rain City 6 (Aug. 16 and 17); Sister Sister featuring Donna Benedicto (Aug. 23 and 24); and Tainted Lovers (Aug. 30 and 31).
Info: hardrockcasinovancouver.com
