The Rochester, New York area has summer concert events ranging from jazz and blues to jam bands and folk music. Some of these events are organized into festivals of consecutive concerts and workshops, as with the renowned Rochester International Jazz Festival; Rochester also features concerts around the downtown area, featuring weekly performances during summer months, some of which are free.
Party in the Park is Rochester's Premier free concert series, drawing top local, national and international acts to its downtown stage. In the summer of 2010, free concerts were held every Thursday from 5 p.m to 10 p.m.; 2010 concerts included Rusted Root, War, Cyril Neville as well as Giant Panda Guerilla Dub Squad. Patrons may not bring food, beverages or recording devices onto the festival grounds, with the exception of one bottled water.
The Springut Group Inc.
97 Park Avenue, Suite C
Rochester, NY 14607
585-473-4482
partyintheparkroc.com
Bands on the Bricks is a free concert series in the downtown Public Market space, where farmers and artisans from all over the Greater Rochester Area come to sell a variety of produce and craft goods. The music begins at 5 p.m. and some food vendors are still open, including a local wine and beer garden. Acts are mostly local and regional, including folk, cajun and country performances as well as a special Latin/reggae night, as of summer 2010.
Rochester Public Market
280 North Union St. (Front Gate)
Rochester, NY 14609
585-428-6907
cityofrochester.gov/publicmarket/
The Rochester International Jazz Festival is perhaps the biggest city festival of the year, featuring workshops, open jams and a variety of concerts in both public spaces and private venues. The wide scope of the festival encompasses everything from local high school jazz band performances to international legends. Past performances include James Brown, Herbie Hancock, Tony Bennett, Ravi Coltrane and Sonny Rollins. The featured concerts are held at Kilbourn Hall of the Eastman Theater, located beside the Eastman School of Music. There are also free performances throughout the downtown area.
RIJF LLC Office
14 Franklin St, Suite 808
Rochester, New York 14604
585-454-2060
rochesterjazz.com
The Turtle Hill Folk Festival is an annual Rochester festival for folk singers and songwriters as well as some bluegrass, old time and traditional Irish music thrown into the mix. The event is organized by the Golden Link Folk Singing Society; the summer 2010 festival featured Stacey Earle with Mark Stewart, Cliff Eberhardt and Red Rooster. There are also workshops and jam sessions throughout the festival.
Golden Link Folk Singing Society
P.O. Box 92398
Rochester, NY 14692.
585-234-5044
goldenlink.org
