Going to concerts can be quite expensive.
Yet, it doesn’t have to be — at least not this time of the year.
Just pack a picnic, round up the family/friends and enjoy one of the many free concerts going on in the Bay Area this summer. There are dozens of options, ranging from rock and pop to Latin jazz and classical to blues and beyond.
Here is our annual look at the some of the Bay Area’s best free music series:
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Stern Grove Festival:
When: 2 p.m. Sundays, June 14-Aug. 16
Where: Stern Grove, 19th Ave. and Sloat Blvd., S.F.; www.sterngrove.org
Highlights:
Randy Newman (June 28): The Rock and Roll Hall of Famer is one of the most accomplished songwriters of all time, having scored six Grammys, three Emmys and two Academy Awards during his brilliant career. Hot Club of San Francisco, the celebrated “gypsy jazz” outfit, opens the show.
Mary Chapin Carpenter (Aug. 2): Her Grammy-winning, platinum-selling catalog is packed with such country hits as “Passionate Kisses,” “He Thinks He’ll Keep Her” and “I Feel Lucky.” Sri Lankan-American folk-rocker Bhi Bhiman is also on the bill.
Talib Kweli (Aug. 16): The talented Brooklyn rapper is known for such fine solo efforts as 2007’s “Eardrum” as well as collaborations with Mos Def and other hip-hop heros. Bay Area soul/Afro-beat/hip-hop artist Zakiya Harris opens.
Jazz on the Plazz
When: 6:30 p.m. Wednesdays, June 24-Aug. 26
Where: Los Gatos Town Plaza, West Main Street and Santa Cruz Avenue; www.jazzontheplazz.com
Highlights:
The International String Trio (June 24): The acclaimed trio, consisting of guitarist Slava Tolstoy, bassist Ippei Ichimaru and violinist Ben Powell, opens Jazz on the Plazz’s summer-long celebration of Frank Sinatra.
Mads Tolling with Clairdee (July 15): Tollings is a violin virtuoso and two-time Grammy Award winner. Clairdee is an amazing vocalist and a charismatic entertainer. They are both Bay Area treasures.
Giacomo Gates (July 22): The award-winning vocalist is known for such works as “Miles Tones — Giacomo Gates Sings the Music of Miles Davis” and “The Songs of Gil Scott-Heron.”
Free Friday Night Bands on the Beach
When: 6:30 and 8:30 p.m. Fridays, June 19-Sept. 4
Where: Beach Boardwalk, Santa Cruz; www.beachboardwalk.com
Highlights:
Macy Gray (July 10): The R&B vocalist rocketed to fame with her 1999 debut, “On How Life Is,” which sold over 6 million copies.
Y&T (Aug. 7): The Oakland hard-rock troupe is led by powerhouse vocalist-guitarist Dave Meniketti.
Smash Mouth (Aug. 28): The San Jose band reached platinum-plus heights in the late ’90s and early 2000s, thanks to such smash singles as “Walkin’ on the Sun” and “All Star.”
Music and Market Series Thursday evenings
When: 6:30 p.m. Thursdays, May 21-Sept. 17
Where: Todos Santos Plaza, between Mt. Diablo and Grant streets, Concord; www.cityofconcord.org
Highlights:
James Garner’s Johnny Cash Tribute (July 16): Should be a good time for fans of “The Man in Black.”
Aja Vu (July 30): The San Francisco act pays tribute to the music of Steely Dan.
Foreverland (Aug. 20): Should be a real “Thriller” when this Michael Jackson tribute act takes the stage.
Yerba Buena Gardens Festival
When: Various dates and times, through Oct. 31
Where: Yerba Buena Gardens, Fourth and Mission streets, S.F.; www.ybgfestival.org
Highlights:
Latin Jazz Youth Ensemble (July 2): The ensemble is under the direction of John Calloway, who has been a part of the Bay Area’s Latin music scene since the 1970s.
Marcus Shelby (Sept. 27): The acclaimed Bay Area composer-bandleader-bassist is premiering his “Beyond the Blues: A Prison Oratorio.”
Point Richmond Music’s Summer Concert Season
When: Fridays, June 12, July 10, Aug. 14, Sept. 11 and 25. Two concerts held each of those nights — the first runs 5:30-6:30 p.m., the second goes 6:45-7:45 p.m.
Where: Corner of Park Place and Washington Avenue in downtown Point Richmond; www.pointrichmondmusic.com
Highlights (opening act listed first):
Howell Devine/Big Cat Tolefree (July 10): It’s a double dose of Bay Area blues.
Rusty String Express/Dennis Johnson and the Mississippi Ramblers (Sept. 11): Kick off the evening with some adventurous string band music, followed by a set of slide-guitar heroics.
SFJAZZ Summerfest
When: 6 p.m. Thursdays, June 18-Aug. 20
Where: Stanford Shopping Center, 180 El Camino Real, Palo Alto; www.sfjazz.org.
Highlights:
Pamela Rose (July 9): The San Francisco jazz and blues vocalist is an amazing entertainer, who has thrilled fans at many prestigious festivals and venues.
Erik Jekabson Quintet (July 23): The Bay Area trumpeter has showcased his talent on a number of albums, including on last year’s “Erik Jekabson Quartet and John Santos: Live at the Hillside Club.”
Los Gatos’ Music in the Park
When: 5 p.m. Sundays, June 21-Aug. 30 (no concert Aug. 10)
Where: Los Gatos Civic Center (front lawn area), Main Street and Fiesta Way; www.lgmip.com
Highlights:
Tempest (July 12): The band is one of the leading lights on the Bay Area Celtic rock scene, having released some 15 records and played over 2,000 gigs during its lengthy career.
Caravanserai (Aug. 23): Here’s a Santana tribute act that performs both the classic hits and the more recent material.
Music on the Square
When: 6 p.m. Fridays, May 29-Sept. 4
Where: Courthouse Square, 2200 Broadway, Redwood City; www.redwoodcity.org
Highlights:
Livewire (June 27): The Bay Area band covers a wide range of artists, from Journey to The Jackson 5 to Rihanna.
The Sun Kings (July 18): It’s always Fab when this Beatles tribute act takes the stage.
Concert in the Park
When: 7 p.m., Fridays, June 5-Aug. 28
Where: Lions Wayside Park, corner of First and Neal streets, Pleasanton; www.pleasantondowntown.net
Highlights:
West Grand Boulevard (July 10): Here’s your chance to hear classic Motown, R&B and soul cuts.
The Banned (July 24): The Country Costa County act plays hard rock from the ’80s
Sunset by the Lake Summer Concerts
When: 6 p.m. Sundays, May 24, June 7, 21, July 5, 19, Aug. 2, 16, 30, Sept. 6
Where: Pleasant Hill City Hall, 100 Gregory Lane; www.pleasanthillconcerts.com
Highlights:
Extra Large (July 5): This Santa Cruz County sextet melds funk, Latin music, reggae and others styles during its fun sets.
Fast Times (July 19): Get ready to groove to top dance hits from the ’80s.
Tuesday Night Blues
When: 6:30 p.m., Tuesdays, July 7-Aug. 11
Where: Todos Santos Plaza, Concord; www.cityofconcord.org
Highlights:
Delta Wires (July 7): The Oakland troupe was inducted into the California Blues Hall of Fame in 2012.
Annie Sampson (Aug. 11): The Bay Area blues vocalist has recorded with such top talents as Elvin Bishop, Taj Mahal, Buddy Miles, Maria Muldaur and Eddie Money.
Music in the Park
When: 6 p.m. Wednesdays, June 24-Aug. 19
Where: Stafford Park, King Street and Hopkins Avenue, Redwood City, www.redwoodcity.org
Highlights:
Hibbity Dibbity (June 25): Local jam band should appeal to Grateful Dead/Allman Brothers fans.
Mighty Mississippi (July 23): Spend the evening listening to this talented acoustic-blues trio.
Follow Jim Harrington at twitter.com/jimthecritic and www.facebook.com/jim.bayareanews.
