Best Outdoor Music Events

Around here, musicheads make the most of a short summer concert season, cramming into area parks and parking lots to partake in as many outdoor music events as possible. There’s enough to keep a listener nourished all summer—all you have to decide is when and where to go, and how much fun you’ll allow yourself to have. 

Every year, for one glorious Sunday in June, the St. Paul Chamber of Commerce effects Grand Old Day by sealing off Grand Avenue to traffic and letting Twin Citians run amok in the streets, dancing up a storm to music by some of the best bands in town. This year’s June 7 event will be no different. Grand Ave., St. Paul

Some of the best music of the summer happens in an amphitheater at the Minnesota Zoo, in the evening, just when the caribou are starting to doze. At least 20 acts will play during this summer’s Music in the Zoo series, starting with The Derek Trucks Band on June 12. 13000 Zoo Blvd., Apple Valley

Famous Dave Anderson throws a party that smells as good as it sounds at the Famous Dave’s BBQ & Blues Festival. While you’re picking those pork ribs clean, the main stage will feature Georgia guitar-slinger Tinsley Ellis, Chicago bluesman Bernard Allison (son of guitar great Luther Allison), and gal guitar-shredder Ana Popovic. On the smaller Juke Joint stage, check out the acoustic set by Corey Stevens, a favorite at Dave’s Calhoun Square digs whenever he makes it to town. June 13. Peavey Plaza, 1100 Nicollet Mall, Mpls., 952-294-1299

Strategically scheduled on the longest day of the year, Rock the Garden (brought to you by the good folks at Walker Art Center and The Current) officially kicks off the summer concert season on June 20. Headlining this year are indie-rock darlings The Decemberists. They’ll be joined by the hot Southwest band Calexico and Yeasayer, a Brooklyn-based group that calls its music “Middle Eastern– psych-pop-snap-gospel.” But no matter who is playing, sunset over the Minneapolis Sculpture Garden never fails to imbue this early summer evening with a little magic. Minneapolis Sculpture Garden, 612- 375-7600

The Taste of Minnesota has been taken over by new owners who are promising better bands and less mayhem than in years past. The latter will be accomplished (we can only hope) by a $10 cover charge that buys the concertgoer 10 bucks worth of grub once he or she is inside. As for the owners’ former goal, that may have to wait—the first announced headliners are Judas Priest and Whitesnake, two bands that have seen better days but still have some nostalgia value. July 2–5. Harriet Island, St. Paul

The big news at this year’s Basilica Block Party is something for which Twin Citians have been praying a long time: a reunion concert by The Jayhawks. Frontmen Gary Louris and Mark Olson have been playing together since patching up their differences and releasing a duo album, Ready for the Flood, in January. The rest of the band—Marc Perlman on bass, Norm Rogers on drums—will join them for this special event. In addition to the ’hawks, Cities 97 has put together its strongest lineup of acts in many a year, including The Black Crowes, Mat Kearney, Counting Crows, The Hold Steady, and Matt Nathanson. July 10–12. Basilica of St. Mary, 88 N. 17th St., Mpls.

By the skin of their teeth, organizers of the Twin Cities Jazz Festival were able to secure enough sponsors to sustain the event, which has been an unqualified success over the past 10 years. However, this year’s Jazz Fest is scaled way back: It’s been condensed from 10 days to a 3-day weekend and will take place solely in St. Paul—at Mears Park and such clubs as the Artists’ Quarter, the Hat Trick Lounge, and The Bulldog. June 18–20. Various locations, St. Paul

All summer long, on almost every night, you can set out your lawn chairs and listen to music for free at the Lake Harriet Bandshell. The acts are eclectic—classical, folk, rock, Irish, jazz, world, et cetera—and the setting is ideal, except when it isn’t. Tip: Consult Weather.com before leaving the house. Lake Harriet Bandshell, 4135 Lake Harriet Pkwy., Mpls.

No summer would be complete without the strains of Mozart, Mendelssohn, Gershwin, and Strauss drifting out of Orchestra Hall and spilling onto Peavey Plaza. Finances have forced a few cutbacks to this year’s Sommerfest schedule, but longtime conductor/impresario Andrew Litton will return to serve as host—and serve up a host of favorites, including Rhapsody in Blue and Vivaldi’s Four Seasons. July 18–31. Orchestra Hall and Peavey Plaza, 1111 Nicollet Mall, 612-371-5656

Everyone’s favorite camp-for-four-days- get-sunburned-and- listen-to-a-bunch- of-jam-bands festival, otherwise known as the 10,000 Lakes Music Festival, has put together another strong lineup of artists this year, including The Dave Matthews Band, Widespread Panic, Wilco, Mason Jennings, Cloud Cult, and dozens of others. July 22–25. Soo Pass Ranch, Detroit Lakes