Nothing goes better with a picnic and a frosty beverage than some al fresco live music, especially when it’s free. Here’s our guide to free live music on your lunch breaks, evenings, and weekends this summer, during Jazz Fest and beyond.
The Halifax Jazz Festival kicks off with a free opening show July 10 at 830pm (doors open at 730), at their Waterfront Stage. It features the Halifax All-Star Jazz Revue, and JUNO award winner Molly Johnson.
More free Jazz Fest daytime shows at the Waterfront Stage, at 12pm, 1:15pm, 2:30pm and 4pm. Kids are welcome, and so is Fido, as long as he’s on a leash.
July 11 – Jah’Mila, Doris Mason, Emie Roussel Trio, Jessie Brown
July 12 – Keonte Beals, Nathalie Renault, Willem Paynter, Andru Branch
July 13 – Open Borders, StFX Faculty Quintet, The Blue Lane, MAJE
July 14 – Chebucto Big Band, Daniel Macneil Quartet, Chelsea McBride Socialist Night School, Brendan Melchin
July 15 -Big Valley Swing Orchestra, Back Alley Big Band, Benjamin Deschamps Quintet, Tuesday Night Band
Free Jazz Fest weekend concerts at Hydrostone Park and the Dartmouth Peace Pavilion. Hydrostone has shows on Saturday the 14th and Sunday the 15th, at 1, 2, 3 and 4pm. The Peace Pavilion shows are Saturday only, at 10 and 11am, 12 and 1pm.
Hydrostone:
July 14 – Kitty & The Katz, Mike Cowie & The 902, Rebecca Thomas, Ced, Marty & Dave
July 15 – Elise Besler, Alan Syliboy & The Thundermakers, Sam Wilson Quartet, Easley/Arsenault/Stevenson
Peace Pavilion:
July 14 – HMC Youth Combo, Global Centric Brass Band, Jody Upshaw, Son Latino
Now in its 11th year, Tunes at Noon is a free summer concert series on Wednesdays, Thursdays and Fridays from 12 Noon to 1 pm in Grand Parade. Grab your packed lunch and find a bench in the sun!
July 6 – Maura Whitman
July 11 – BROTHERS
July 13 – Leona Burkey
July 18 – Tyler Messick
July 19 – Mary Beth Carty
July 20 – Corey Isenor
July 25 – John Gracie
July 26 – Marcel Amores & Plan Ashé
Aug 1 – Owen Meany’s Batting Stance
Aug 2 – Shay Pitts
Aug 3 – Matt Steele & The Corvette Sunset
Aug 8 – The Koconut Kings
Aug 9 – CAMERON
Aug 10 – Tin Pan Darlings
Aug 15 – Maxim Cormier & Ben Marmen
Aug 16 – Doris Mason
Aug 17 – The Bombadils
Aug 22 – Alycia Putnam
Bring a lawnchair or blanket and picnic lunch to the Sullivan’s Pond Concerts, every Sunday at 2pm. Concerts may need to be cancelled in the event of rainy weather, so check ahead.
July 8 – Aviators
July 15 – Morgan Davis
July 22 – Farm Team
July 29 – Alan Syliboy
August 5 – Jen Miller
August 12 – Dartmouth Concert Band
August 26 – Ced Marty & Dave
September 2 – Jazz Drive
September 9 – Global Centric
September 16 – Marcell Symods as Slick & Slide
The Public Gardens is hosting its annual Summer Concert Series every Sunday through September, at the bandstand from 2-4 pm. Dancing is encouraged!
July 8 – Frank MacKay
July 15 – John Alphonse
July 22 – Solarocity
July 29 – Shirley Jackson & Her Good Rockin’ Daddys
August 5 – Doris Mason
August 12 – Opus 1
August 19 – Papillo – Rose Nadiro
August 26 – Nadia Moore
September 2 – Back Alley Big Band
September 9 – Trombone Summit
September 16 – Port City Concert Band
September 23 – Linda Brooks
The small outdoor courtyard of the Maritime Museum of the Atlantic, on the Halifax waterfront, is the venue for Tuesday Night Tunes at 7pm. The free concerts will move into the museum’s Small Craft Gallery if it rains.
July 10 – David Bradshaw
July 17 – Dan McKinnon
July 31 – John Christopher
August 7 – The Yarmouth Shantymen
August 14 – The Haltown Stompers
August 21 – The Brogue Saxophone Quartet
August 28 – Vince Morash, James Crouse and Ann Fearon
