ROCK OUT IN THE GREAT OUTDOORS:
THE SUMMER CONCERT SEASON IN DENVER
Summertime in Denver is all about the outdoors. Denverites spend these months doing their best to enjoy the plentiful sunshine and copious fresh air -- hiking, biking, sunbathing, and of course, enjoying a host of live music extravaganzas. The city and surrounding areas are packed with places to see a wide array of musical talents under the sun and stars. As you'll see below, 2011 is the Mile High City's biggest year yet for rocking out in the great outdoors.
Red Rocks Summer Concert Series
www.redrocksonline.com
May through September
No summer in Denver is complete without at least one -- or two or five -- trips out to the awe-inspiring Red Rocks Amphitheatre, just 15 miles from downtown Denver. 70 million years in the making, the 9,450-seat venue is flanked by enormous 300-foot red sandstone rock formations and always boasts a star-studded musical schedule. Check the website for the schedule and tickets.
5 Points Jazz Festival
http://www.denvergov.org/fivepointsjazz
May 21
The 5 Points Jazz Festival celebrates the music, culture and history of Denver’s Historic Five Points neighborhood, with performances highlighting many of Denver’s finest jazz musicians, food and arts booths. The headliner this year is legendary trombonist Curtis Fuller, who has played with John Coltrane, Cannonball Adderley and Art Blakey. This year's fest takes place on Saturday, May 21 from 1 to 8 p.m. along the Welton Street corridor. Spend the afternoon and evening swinging in 5 Points!
Denver Day of Rock
www.denverdayofrock.com
May 28
Denver, get ready to rock! Downtown Denver will be transformed into a massive free rock concert when 20 bands take to four stages for the second annual Denver Day of Rock. The Gin Blossoms, best known for their infectious hit "Hey Jealousy," are headlining. Chubby Carrier and the Bayou Swamp Band, John Common, The Heyday, Bop Skizzum and Alicia Witt are just a few of the other acts that have been announced, with plenty more to come. The performance areas will be along the 16th Street Mall, Denver's mile-long pedestrian promenade, making it easy to roam from act to act. Food and beer booths will be set up throughout downtown for the event (which benefits Concerts For Kids, a great local charity), with free music rocking the city.
Elitch Gardens Summer Concerts
www.elitchgardens.com
June 4 - August 13
Elitch Gardens Theme and Water Park is not only a great, family friendly attraction with roller coasters, water slides and more -- it also offers an excellent concert series. This year's schedule includes Mike Posner (June 4), Third Day (July 16) and Miranda Cosgrove (Aug. 13). All concerts are free with admission to the park.
Westword Music Showcase
www.westword.com
June 18
Spread across ten stages in the Golden Triangle Museum District, the Westword Music Showcase is a favorite among locals who want to dig dozens of the latest Denver rock stars, along with some of the hippest national acts. This year's headliners on the outdoor stage include Chromeo, indie stalwarts Yo La Tengo, and Del tha Funky Homosapien.
Denver Botanic Gardens Summer Concert Series
http://concerts.botanicgardens.org/
June through August
The Denver Botanic Gardens is a lush oasis located in the heart of the Mile High City, with hundreds of rare and lovely species of plants populating the grounds. But its also home to a stellar summer concert series. This year's lineup includes Sharon Jones & the Dap Kings (June 1), Chris Isaak (July 8), Rosanne Cash (July 29) and B.B. King (Aug. 21). The lawns surrounding the stage are general admission -- bring a blanket or lawn chair along with a bottle of wine and a picnic dinner and enjoy the great music in an unparalleled setting. A word to the wise: virtually all Botanic Gardens concerts sell out -- so get your tickets early!
City Park Jazz
www.cityparkjazz.org
Every Sunday night, June 5 through August 7, starting at 6 p.m.
Every Sunday night in June and July, the City Park Bandstand and Pavilion turns into a swinging, open-air jazz club as music lovers of all ages congregate for City Park Jazz. Bring a blanket or folding chair -- but be prepared to spend plenty of time on your feet, too. City Park Jazz encourages dancing! Did we mention these concerts are free?
Skyline Park Summer Concert Series
www.downtowndenver.com
June through August
As you check out the shopping and dining options on the 16th Street Mall, you may hear the sound of live music emanating from the adjacent Skyline Park. If so, you've stumbled upon the Audio Picnic, a free lunch-hour concert series held every Friday June through August around noon. It's a perfect way to enjoy a sunny summer afternoon in Downtown Denver. Check the Web site for a list of performers.
Live from Elway's Backyard
www.elways.com
Cherry Creek location at 2500 E. 1st Ave., Denver, CO
Fridays, June through August
The "backyard" patio next to Elway's Cherry Creek location transforms into a hip and happening open-air music venue every Friday night in the summer. Great food, fun drinks and a lively crowd are all guaranteed. The backyard opens at 5 p.m. and the bands play from 6:30 p.m. until 9 p.m. Mix, mingle and rock out!
Denver Post Underground Music Showcase (UMS)
www.theums.com
July 21-24
It's a block party that rocks. Denver's very own version of Austin's South By Southwest Music Festival takes over the streets of S. Broadway for a multi-night extravaganza of the cream of Denver's underground music scene. Celebrating its tenth anniversary this year, the UMS promises to be bigger, better and more fun than ever in 2010. Stroll from venue to venue, from stage to stage, knowing that you're catching the city's rising stars before the rest of the world hears about them. Passes are a steal at just $25 (until May 31). Grab yours now!
Confluence Concerts
www.greenwayfoundation.org
Thursdays in July
Nothing beats a cool summer evening kicking back in Confluence Park with some great free live music as the soundtrack. Every Thursday in July at 6:30 p.m., some of the Mile High City's best musicians set up shop along the banks of the river and jam the night away.
Rock Bottom Brewery Patio Concerts
www.rockbottom.com
Fridays, May through August
The Rock Bottom Brewery is located right on the 16th Street Mall (between Champa and Lawrence Sts.) and offers a weekly happy hour concert series on its sunny patio. Sit back with one of the brewery's famed handcrafted ales and enjoy some great live music!