Like a lot of things about this year, the outdoor concert landscape is a good news/not-as-bad news situation.
Here’s what we mean: some of the mainstays are back, although in different formats and with limits on seating, spacing and the usual pandemic-driven precautions. Some are virtual while others are simply canceled.
Adding to the confusion, free, community concert schedules are updated nearly weekly as organizers negotiate staffing and safety demands. Your best bet is to check with your favorite outdoor music venue as summer draws closer, keep an open mind about restrictions and last-minute changes, and remember that whatever happens, music-wise, is better than last summer’s shutdown.
We’ll provide concert updates at NortheastOhioBoomer.com. Here’s what we know as of press time:
The Cleveland Orchestra
Blossom Music Center is the Orchestra’s summer home with 11 concerts (and counting) planned for the season that runs from the Fourth of July through Labor Day weekends. Limited capacity, social distancing, masks are among the safety protocols.
Lakeview Park Summer Concert Series/Lorain County Metroparks
This free concert series resumes from 6-8 p.m. every Thursday in July featuring country, rock, jazz, polka and other lively music.
The park is at 1800 West Erie Ave. in Lorain.
loraincountymetroparks.com/whats-happening#summer-music
Vermilion River Reservation Summer Concert Series/Lorain County Metroparks
A wooded amphitheater is the setting for these Sunday summer evening concerts. Performances are weekly from 6:30-8 p.m., June 13-Aug. 22. No concert July 4.
The reservation is at 51211 North Ridge Rd., Vermilion.
LorainCountyMetroParks.com/whats-happening
LakewoodAlive’s 2021 Virtual Front Porch Concert Series
Tune in to nine live musical performances hosted virtually via LakewoodAlive’s Facebook page at 7 p.m. Fridays from June 4-July 30.
Carlos Jones and the P.L.U.S. Band, Apostle Jones, Diana Chittester and other favorites will keep the music flowing in Lakewood this summer.
lakewoodAlive.org/FrontPorchConcerts
Chagrin Falls Riverside Park July 4 Concert
Join Stephen A. Eva and the Chagrin Falls Studio Orchestra for a free public band concert celebrating America’s birthday. You’ll hear patriotic music, movie favorites, and other popular music from 2-4 p.m. at Riverside Park, 34 E. Orange St., Chagrin Falls.
Cleveland Opera Theater
Ohio Regional Music Arts and Cultural Outreach (ORMACO) continues its summer concert series with Opera under the Stars as members of the Cleveland Opera Theater return for the sixth season. Enjoy some of your favorite opera tunes, as well as lesser-known works, at this free concert, 7 p.m. Sat., June 19, Uptown Park, 217 E. Liberty St., Medina.
ormaco.org/z-opera-under-the-stars-2021
The FEST 2021
Plans are underway for both a virtual and in-person Christian-oriented concert festival on Sunday, Aug. 8 at 28700 Euclid Ave., Wickliffe. The lineup is still being determined.
Live at the Lake, Berea
Friday nights at Coe Lake Park will be the place to listen to free, live music. The first is during the city’s Grindstone Festival Sat., July 3. From then on, the concerts will be from 8-10 p.m. each Friday and feature food trucks, beer and wine sales. cityofberea.org/226/Live-at-the-lake
BAYarts Summer Concert Series, Bay Village
This free, popular Sunday concert series returns June 20-Aug. 15. Bring the kids, blankets, dogs and lawn chairs to the grassy area in front of Fuller House, Huntington Playhouse Drive, 7-9 p.m.
bayarts.net
Westlake 2021 Summer Concert Series
The 2021 Summer Concert Series is every Sunday at 6:30 p.m., starting June 13 and running through Aug. 8 at the Westlake Recreation Center and featuring Northeast Ohio-based musical acts. Look for food trucks at each free performance.
cityofwestlake.org
Beachwood Summer Concerts
The dates are June 15, 22, 29 and July 6, 13, 20, 27. Look for more details soon.
beachwoodohio.com
Chardon Concerts in the Park
Free concerts every Friday from June 4-Aug.13, 7-9 p.m. on the Square in historic Chardon. Grab a chair and a blanket and enjoy the setting and the music as you ease into the weekend.
chardonevents.com
Mentor Tunes at the Lagoons
Mentor Lagoons Nature Preserve & Marina on Harbor Drive is the site for twice-monthly, free Saturday night concerts. The dates are June 2 & 26, July 17 & 31 and Aug. 14 & 28 from 7-9 p.m. Look for food trucks and sales of beer and wine.
cityofmentor.com
Party in the Park, Avon Lake
The free concerts rotate among four locations: Bleser Road Park, Weiss Park, Miller Road Park Gazebo and Veteran’s Memorial Park Gazebo from June 13-Aug. 26 from 6-8 p.m. Specific days vary.
avonlakeoh.myrec.com
Not Happening
Cleveland Metroparks has canceled its summer concert series Edgewater LIVE and Euclid Beach LIVE.
Waiting to Hear
WOW! Wade Oval Wednesdays
Wade Oval, 10820 East Boulevard, University Circle
Universitycircle.org
Marie Elium’s first outdoor concert was John Denver performing at Blossom Music Center (on the lawn, of course) in 1973.
