Summer nights are not meant to be spent indoors, and with all the available art and culture waiting to be consumed there is no reason to stay home.
As if live music wasn’t already accessible as it is in Long Beach, during the summer, concerts can almost become hard to avoid.
Concerts at the Beach
Concerts at the Beach is a series of performances happening on campus in the Legacy Courtyard at the Kinesiology Building. Concerts are hosted by Cal State Long Beach Alumni Association. Tickets are $35, but audience members will have a chance to win accommodations at fine hotels, gift certificates to acclaimed restaurants, wine tastings and tickets to theatre events. Proceeds go to the Alumni Association, which supports students through programs such as alumni grants. Genres will change over the weeks as different artists are performing every Saturday.
July 9 – Stone Soul
July 16 – Tommy Tassi and the Authentics
August 6 – The Emperors
August 13 – Mo50
Gates open at 6:30 p.m. for picnic dining.
Concert begins at 7:30 p.m.
Shoreline Symphonic Winds Concerts
The cities Concerts in the Park are also going to continue all summer long. There are a variety of shows scattered in parks all across town. Shoreline Symphonic Winds will be having concerts before the showing of feature films outdoors as part of the city’s “Movies in the Park” program. The following concerts begin at 7 p.m. before the films roll.
June 27 at Cherry Park
July 13 at King Park
July 22 at Stearns Champions Park
August 5 at Wardlow Park
August 12 at Houghton Park
August 24 at Pan American Park
Summer Concert Series at El Dorado Nature Center
El Dorado Nature Center hosts concerts that only cost a $3 donation to Friends of El Dorado Nature Center. Gates open at 6:30 p.m. with concerts beginning at 7 p.m. You’ll want to bring low-backed chairs and picnic supplies to really do it right.
7550 E. Spring St.
June 23 – Steele Parade (Steel Drums/Calypso)
June 30 – Sligo Rags (Celtic Rock)
July 7 – The Salty Suites (Bluegrass)
July 14 – Adam Topol Trio (Soft Rock/Reggae)
Voices on the Veranda
The Aquarium of the Pacific is hosting the third annual “Voices on the Veranda” summer concert series on Wednesday nights at 6:30 p.m. Concerts cost $20, but there are a variety of different styles represented and a view of Rainbow Harbor at sunset.
100 Aquarium Way,
July 6 – Paris Chansons – L.A.’s premier French band known for renditions of Brel, Piaf and Montand
July 13 – Iliana Incandela – A powerful soul singer in English, Spanish and Italian
July 20 – Crimson Apple – All-girl, pop-alternative band from Hawaii
July 27 – Katia Moreas & Brazilian Hearts – Singer Katia Moreas has performed and recorded with top Brazilian acts, including Sergio Mendes, Airto Moreira and Rita Lee
August 3 – Leftover Cuties – Timeless prohibition era jazz sound, with sultry vocals
August 10 – Craic in the Stone – Celtic folk rock band named after the Irish expression for fun times
August 17 – The Americans – Original rock and roll with roots in traditional American music
August 24 – Quetzal Guerrero – Multi-instrumentalist and performer expressing passions for love, life and dance with his voice, violin, guitar and percussion
Long Beach Municipal Band Concerts
Lastly, Long Beach Municipal Band is in its 107th year. Each week they change the music line up and genre, with themes like “spirit of America,” “all that jazz” and “fiesta de la musica.” Concerts begin at 6:30 p.m. and are free through August 5. The municipal band works steadily during the summer, going to a different park every night. Tuesdays will be at Bluff Park, Wednesdays at Los Cerritos Park, Thursdays at Marine Stadium and Fridays at El Dorado Park West.
The music available may not always be the most sought after styles or genres for college students, but it is available and there is a large variety of music to introduce yourself to. So get out, take a breath of summer night air and enjoy the tunes.