Akron’s Summer Concert Series kicks off this week and runs through Aug. 14. 

The first week and the last week will feature a “Bicentennial festival” before the music starts, with yard games, face painting and food. The festivals begin at 6 p.m., followed by the free concert from 7 to 9 p.m.

In the event of bad weather, Akron Recreation and Parks will post cancellations on its Facebook page. You can also call 311 for cancellation information. 

Mondays at Hardesty Park, 1615 W. Market St.

  • Monday, June 9, Michael Eric Schirch* (Bicentennial festival day, begins at 6 p.m.)
  • Monday, June 16, The Silk Band
  • Monday, June 23, Peggy Coyle & the Mostly Blues Band
  • Monday, June 30, Eric Everett Jazz: Elation!
  • Monday, July 7, The Cover Band
  • Monday, July 14, Lil Eddy and the Boilermakers
  • Monday, July 28, Delta Hand
  • Monday, Aug. 4, Time Machine

Tuesdays at Firestone Park Community Center, 1480 Girard St. 

  • June 10, Van Sailin’* (Bicentennial festival day, begins at 6 p.m.)
  • June 17, The Mick & Rick Band
  • June 24, The Cats on Holiday
  • July 1, Cold Blue Steele
  • July 8, Funkology
  • July 15, Akron Big Band
  • July 29, Off the Record
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Wednesdays at Shadyside Park, 1240 Kenmore Blvd.

  • June 11, 45RPM* (Bicentennial festival day, begins at 6 p.m.)
  • June 18, The Gray Beard Band
  • June 25, Magnificent Goat Brothers
  • July 2, Jim & Beth Miller
  • July 9, The Lees Brothers Band
  • July 16, Instant Replay
  • July 30, Fillmore East Band
  • Aug. 6, Hip to That

Thursdays at Lawton Street Community Center, 1225 Lawton St. 

  • June 12, Eric Everett Jazz: Elation!* (Bicentennial festival day, begins at 6 p.m.)
  • June 19, No concert
  • June 26, Red Rose Panic
  • July 3, Jul Big Green

Fridays at Ellet Community Center, 2449 Wedgewood Dr.

  • June 13, American Steal* (Bicentennial festival day, begins at 6 p.m.)
  • June 20, Back to Eden
  • June 27, 80’s Ladies
  • July 4, No concert

Thursdays at Patterson Park Community Center, 800 Patterson Ave.

  • July 10, Silk
  • July 17, No Way Out
  • July 31, Blue Lunch
  • Aug. 7, Dirty Lookz* (Bicentennial festival day, begins at 6 p.m.)

Triangle Park, 1435 Goodyear Blvd.

  • July 11, One Fine Day
  • July 18, Backstreet Blues Band
  • Aug. 1, Xcetera
  • Aug. 8, Bridge Live!* (Bicentennial festival day, begins at 6 p.m.)

Firestone Stadium, 1575 Firestone Parkway

  • Tuesday, Aug. 5, Lil Eddy and the Boilermakers

Ed Davis Community Center, 730 Perkins Park Dr.  

  • Monday, Aug. 11, Silk Band* (Bicentennial festival day, begins at 6 p.m.)

Joy Park Community Center, 825 Fuller St.

  • Tuesday, Aug. 12, Erin Nicole’s Centric Soul* (Bicentennial festival day, begins at 6 p.m.)

Mason Park Community Center, 700 E. Exchange St.

  • Wednesday, Aug. 13, Red Rose Panic* (Bicentennial festival day, begins at 6 p.m.)

Summit Lake Community Center, 380 W. Crosier St.

  • Thursday, Aug. 14, Realiztik Soul* (Bicentennial festival day, begins at 6 p.m.)

Editor-in-Chief (she/her)
Zake has deep roots in Northeast Ohio journalism. She was the managing editor for multimedia and special projects at the Akron Beacon Journal, where she began work as a staff photographer in 1986. Over a 20-year career, Zake worked in a variety of roles across departments that all help inform her current role as Signal Akron's editor in chief. Most recently, she was a journalism professor and student media adviser at Kent State University, where she worked with the next generation of journalists to understand public policy, environmental reporting, data and solutions reporting. Among her accomplishments was the launch of the Kent State NewsLab, an experiential and collaborative news commons that connects student reporters with outside professional partners.