NORTHAMPTON — With summer almost upon us, the city is opening stages and streets for a wide range of free music at a number of downtown locations.
Starting this week, free concerts will be held in the Masonic Street parking lot annex near the Iconica Social Club, on the Brewster Court walkway near Northampton Brewery, and on Strong Avenue, which is now closed to vehicle traffic until Oct. 10.
In addition, live music and salsa dancing will return to Pulaski Park starting in August and running into early September.
These summer shows have been put together by a number of different groups, including the Northampton Arts Council, local businesses, the city’s Economic Development Department, and others.
The “Summer on Strong” program, now in its third season, offers outdoor dining for a number of nearby restaurants such as Eastside Grill and a music stage and public seating.
Music is staged Wednesday through Saturday each week from 5-8 p.m., with a range of different sounds. This week features country music with Rosie Porter (June 1), Spanish guitar with Tony Silva (June 2), and the work of Big Yellow Taxi (June 3), which covers the songs of Joni Mitchell.
At the Masonic Street site, live music will be offered every Friday from 6 to 8 p.m. This Friday, June 2, singer-songwriter and rock guitarist Peter Weitzman performs, and on June 9 veteran rocker Ray Mason takes the stage.
In addition, salsa dancing workshops will be held on Sundays from 4-6 p.m. at the Masonic Street locale.
Meantime, the Northampton Brewery and the city will stage music every Thursday from 6-8 p.m. between the EJ Gare Parking Garage and the back entrance of the Brewery. The series starts this Thursday with Topsy (a solo project by Hannah Mohan from And the Kids) and bassist/singer Mal Devisa.
Music for the latter two series runs through August, while music for the “Summer on Strong” program will run into early fall.
The Pulaski Park music series, held Friday evenings from 6-8 p.m., begins Aug. 4 with This Love (Lord Russ solo), followed Aug. 11 by singer-songwriter Peter Mulvey. The four following “Salsa in the Park” sessions will take place with both live music and DJ-supplied sounds.
For a more detailed schedule for these upcoming concerts can be found at northamptonartscouncil.org.