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Live Wire: Two Northampton music series return in time for summer
As the weather gets warmer and the days get longer, we continue to look at places where outdoor music goes into full bloom.
This week, we highlight two relatively newer opportunities to experience live music alfresco, but both have definitely solidified into annual programs that many people look forward to.
Occurring just about two blocks away from each other, Northampton's Summer on Strong music series and its sister Bands on Brewster series have become mainstays of the city's vibrant summer music scene.
Summer on Strong is held on Strong Avenue, which gets closed off to regular traffic during the summer season. This creates a pedestrian-only outdoor café area where guests can purchase food and drink from vendors such as Progression Brewing, Familiars, Eastside Grill, Mulino's and Homestead. Other nearby venues include Fitzwilly's, The Dirty Truth, The Tunnel Bar, Moshi Moshi and Local Burger.
The idea for the series began in 2021 and grew out of the lack of indoor options during the pandemic. The series runs Thursday through Sunday each week. Here is a rundown of what to expect this month:
On June 12, Vernon David and Rob Fontana take the stage, with Ryan Hollander playing on June 13. The Dan Thomas Trio provides June 14's entertainment, with the Green Street Trio winding up the week on June 15, as they do each Sunday of the series. Tobey Sol Laroche kicks off the following week on June 19, followed by Bailey Hayes on June 20 and the Ian Behrstock Trio on June 21.
The month ends with Nate Martel on June 26, Tom Walz on June 27, and the Jimmy Gavagan Trio on June 28. All shows run from 5-8 p.m,
Just a few blocks away on the west side of town, Bands on Brewster is a series where bands play in the little courtyard set up between the Northampton Brewery and the E. John Gare Parking Garage. Shows run each Thursday from 6-8 p.m. This series began in 2023 and continues to be successful.
The schedule this summer runs as follows: June 12: Norma Dream; June 19: Wallace Field and Brittany Brideau; June 26: Avery Joi; July 3: The Greys; July 10: Simple Friend, Ribboncandy and King Radio; July 17: Hannah Mohan and Stefan Weiner; July 24: Lucia Dostal; July 31: The Hendersons; Aug. 7: Temporary Friends, Jeff Coyne; Aug 14: Gold Dust Aug. 21: Ruby Lou; and Aug. 28: Prewn.
All shows are weather dependent. For updates on rain delays or cancellations, follow @nohoarts on Instagram — updates will be posted by 10 a.m. the day of each show.
Read the original article on MassLive.
