FREE Summer Concerts In Southeast Michigan 2014

I absolutely LOVE live music. Unfortunately, being on a budget and having young kids makes it nearly impossible to attend concerts on a regular basis. Instead of shelling out $100 for nosebleed seats, I love supporting our local music scene, and summer is the perfect time to do so. Additionally, outdoor concerts are kid-friendly {what kid doesn’t like to boogie to some tunes?} AND you can sneak in your own wine if you are stealthy. {Don’t tell anyone I told you to do that!}

I searched around and found some great FREE 2014 summer concerts around Ann Arbor, Detroit, Flint, Lansing and the surrounding suburbs. Be sure to head out and support local music, and of course, support the local shops and restaurants while you’re there, too!

NOTE: Cities are in alphabetical order.

FREE SUMMER CONCERTS IN SOUTHEAST MICHIGAN – 2014

ANN ARBOR – Sonic Lunch Series

Thursdays at Noon in Liberty Park Plaza. Partner restaurants will be on-site selling food as well.

• June 5 – Stepdad
• June 12 – Eric Hutchinson
• June 19 – Joe Hertler & The Rainbow Seekers
• June 26 – The Wild Feathers
• July 10 – ZZ Ward
• July 24 – Appleseed Collective
• July 31 – Vance Joy w/Keri Lynn Roche
• August 7 – Laith Al-Saadi
• August 14 – The Ragbirds
• August 21 – Michelle Chamuel w/Theo Katzman
• August 28 – The Alternate Routes

Other Ann Arbor concerts: Concerts in the Park at Burns Park and free concerts with the Ann Arbor Civic Band at the West Park Band Shell. {Thanks for the tips and links, Ann Arbor With Kids!}

AUBURN HILLS – Friday Night Music Series

Fridays, 7 p.m. – 8:30 p.m. in Riverside Park.

• June 6 – Steve King & The Dittlies {Rock & Roll}
• June 13 – Terrie Lea & The Mustangs {Country}
• June 20/21 – Summerfest {Live music both days}
• June 27 – Sound Proof {Top 40}
• July 11 – Dr. Pocket {Blues, Jazz, R&B}
• July 18 – Nobody’s Business {Rockabilly}
• July 25 – The Crutches {Rock, Pop & Funk}
• August 1 – SPACECAT {Variety}
• August 8 – Chautauqua Express {Family}
• August 15 – The Bel Airs {50’s & 60’s}
• August 22 – The Sun Messengers {Dance Band}

BIRMINGHAM – In The Park Summer Concerts

Wednesday nights in Shain Park at 7 p.m.

• June 13 – Band Jam
• June 18 – Antekes – Classic Rock & Roll
• June 25 – Matthew Ball – Ragtime, Blues & Boogie-Woogie pianist
• July 2 – The Invasion
• July 9 – Gratitude Steel Band
• July 16 – The Flutter and Wow
• July 23 – Steve Acho – Pop/Rock
• July 30 – Mainstreet Soul – Pop, Rock & Soul
• August 6 – Sun Messenger
• August 13 – Legend The Band

BRIGHTON – Free Concerts at 2|42 Community Church {No links. Info provided by reader Sara!}

On Thursdays, enjoy food and live music on the patio.

• July 10 – Jason Harper
• July 17 – Cole Garlack
• July 24 – Matt Kiel
• July 31 – Jason Harper

CANTON – Thursday Night Concert Series

Thursdays, 7:30-9 p.m. at Heritage Park.

• June 19 – Trilogy Variety Band {Variety of Genres}
• June 26 – The Backbeats {Beatles Tribute Band}
• July 3 – Midwest Dueling Pianos {Covers of your favorite hits}
• July 10 – Motor City Soul {High Energy Dance and Show Band}
• July 17 – Dale Hicks {Classic Rock}
• July 24 – Persuasion {Motown, Disco, Top 40, Rock & more}
• July 31 – Moose & Da Sharks {50’s and 60’s}
• August 7 – Shark Week Special Movie Night featuring “Soul Surfer”

CANTON – Color Tour Jazz Series

Fridays, 7-9 p.m. Various locations as shown below.

• July 11 – Phil Denny  {JCPenny}
• July 18 – Kimmie Horne {IKEA}
• July 25 – Demetrius Nabors {Kohl’s}
• August 1 – John E. Lawerence {Willow Creek}
• August 8 – Tim Bowman {Home Depot}
• August 15 – Alexander Zonjic {Sam’s Club}
• August 22 – Randy Scott {Super Bowl}

DETROIT ZOO — ROYAL OAK – Wild Summer Nights at the Zoo

Wednesdays, 6:30-8 p.m. OK, technically not 100% free, but free with entry to the zoo {only $6 after 6 p.m.} and free for members.

• July 2 – Julianne Ankley {Country}
• July 9 – The Sun Messengers {Motown and R&B}
• July 16 – Mr. Seley and the Troublemakers {Children’s}
• July 23 – The Verve Pipe {Children’s}
• July 30 – Jill Jack {Folk}
• Aug. 6 – Billy Brandt and the Sugarees {Americana}
• Aug. 13 – The Ragbirds {Folk Rock}
• Aug. 20 – Candy Band {Children’s}
• Aug. 27 – The Joe Reilly Band {Children’s}

DETROIT – Campus Martius Park

There are several musical events in the park that are all FREE! Impossible to list them all. Visit here to view the many musical events that will be taking place this summer.

DETROIT – Java and Jazz, sponsored by Comerica Bank

Every third Tuesday at 6 p.m. at the Detroit Public Library’s Friends Auditorium located at 5201 Woodward Ave. Remaining concerts:

• June 17 – Marcus & Joan Belgrave Jazz Ensemble
• July 15 – Pathe Jassi

DETROIT – New Center Park Thursday Night Music Series

Thursday nights. Doors open at 6 p.m. Performances Start at 7 p.m.

• June 5 – Thornetta Davis
• June 12 – Nessa
• June 19 – Mix 92.3’s SummerSolstice featuring JOE
• June 26 – Sky Covington
• July 10 – Jazz Off’s Allstar Band
• July 17 – Audra Kubat
• July 24 – Motown Legend’s Gospel Choir
• July 31 – The Ebony Hillbillies
• August 7 – Brock McGuire Band and Corktown Popes
• August 14 – Breathe Owl Breathe
• August 21 – Black Violin
• August 28 – The Infatuations

CLINTON TOWNSHIP – Summer Sounds

The Mall at Partridge Creek will host music acts ALL summer long at various times. Way too many musicians to list here, so be sure to check out the entire schedule here. {Thanks Metro Detroit Mommy for the heads up!}

DETROIT – Rockin’ on the Riverfront

Fridays, 7:30-10 p.m. on Riverfront Plaza

• July 11 – The Guess Who {One of my personal favorites!!!}
• July 18 -Leon Russell
• July 25 – Starship
• Aug. 1 – April Wine and The Rockets
• Aug. 8 – TBA
• Aug. 15 – America

EAST LANSING –Summer Concert Series

Concerts take place on Fridays and Saturdays at Ann Street Plaza in downtown East Lansing; music begins at 7 p.m.

• June 13 – John Latini And The Flying Latini Brothers
• June 14 – Sea Cruisers
• June 20-21 – Summer Solstice Jazz Festival
• June 27 – The Appleseed Collective
• June 28 – Rob Klajda’s Hopening Quartet
• July 11 – Elden Kelly & The Next Step
• July 12 – Time2Play
• July 18 – Stella!
• July 19 – Gifts or Creatures
• July 25 – Kathleen and the Bridge Street Band
• July 26 – The Further Adventures of FatBoy and JiveTurkey
• August 1 – Dave Menzo and the Cave of Wonders
• August 2 –  Adrian + Meredith
• August 8-10 – Great Lakes Folk Festival

FARMINGTON HILLS – Stars In The Park

All concerts take place in Heritage Park’s grassy amphitheatre, beginning at 7 p.m. Bring a blanket or lawn chair; picnic dinner is welcome. In case of inclement weather, most concerts will be relocated to the Costick Center.

Fridays at 7 p.m. on the Howell Courthouse lawn

• July 4 – The Premier Big Band {Howell’s Own Big Band}
• July 11 – Lookin’ Back {Bob Segar Tribute}
• July 18 – Steve King and the Dittilies {Detroit’s Club Band}
• July 25 – Air Margaritaville {Jimmy Buffett Tribute}
• August 1 – Rusty Wright Blues Band {Midwest’s Best Blues Band}
• August 8 – The Magic Bus {Woodstock Tribute}
• August 15 – The Saints of Soul {Soul and R&B}
• August 22 – The Saline Fiddlers {Bluesgrass Show Band}
• August 29 – Toppermost {Beatles Tribute}

MILFORD – Summer Concert Series

Thursdays 7-9 p.m. in Central Park

• June 5 – The Paisley Fogg {60’s and 70’s Rock}
• June 12 – The Craine Wives {Indie/Folk}
• June 19 – Steve King and the Ditties {Nostalgic Rock}
• June 26 – Persuasion {Variety Hits}
• July 3 – The Farmington Concert Band {Patriotic}
• July 10 – Annabelle Road {Country}
• July 17 – The FCB Big Band {Big Band}
• July 24 – The Randy Brock Group {Blues Rock}
• July 31 – David Gerald {Blues}
• August 14 – TBD