Affordable Fun--Summer Concerts

Affordable Fun–Summer Concerts

Throughout the summer, we’ll bring you ideas for “Affordable Fun”

—things you can do that won’t break the bank or, better yet, are free.

Stay tuned to NRFGP to be entertained all summer long!

By: Mary Fran Bontempo

Something about summer makes me want to break into song.

Lucky for you, I won’t, but the sentiment seems to be shared by many, given the number and variety of outdoor concerts being presented on area stages and outdoor venues throughout the summer months.

And one of the best things about these musical treats is the price: they’re free.

The City of Brotherly Love offers its Summer Concert Series at Penn’s Landing, on the shore of the Delaware River. Here, the stage plays host to events ranging from a family-friendly concert helmed by former Hannah Montana star Emily Osmet, to jazz, gospel and multi-cultural events starting in May and continuing through mid- September. Located within walking distance of Old City, Penn’s Landing is a great place to take in music on a summer night.

A short distance away, in the city’s Northern Liberties section, The Piazza at Schmidt’s is a prime location for station 104.5’s Summer Block Parties. Featuring a wide variety of indie acts, the Piazza offers concert-goers an opportunity to explore a part of town rich with great shops, restaurants and a friendly neighborhood vibe while listening to unique musical talent.

If a more bucolic venue is your preference, check out the Summer Wine Concerts at Delaware Valley College. From early May through the end of August, the school offers a variety of musical talents, pairing the concerts with locally made wine, lite refreshments and fresh grown produce for sale every Friday evening throughout the summer from 6-9 PM.

Although the offerings in the Philly area are plentiful, cities and towns throughout the country take advantage of balmy summer evenings to let the music play. Check out the events above or do a little digging and discover the musical delicacies available for free in your town.

And if you want to sing along, go ahead. That’s what carefree summer nights are for.

About the Author: Mary Fran Bontempo

MARY FRAN BONTEMPO is a speaker, author and humorist who teaches audiences to control their most powerful influence: Self-Talk. Author of The Woman’s Book of Dirty Words, and Not Ready for Granny Panties, Mary Fran proves small changes in self-talk yield big life changes, allowing individuals to redefine their lives both professionally and personally in a rapidly changing world. A Huffington Post and Thrive Global contributor, and regular columnist for Women’s Voices Magazine and Best Kept Self, Mary Fran inspires and motivates readers and listeners to tame the self-talk beast, leading them to personal and professional renewal and success. After thirty years’ experience as owner of a full-service recruiting firm, and finding herself in the middle of a perfect life storm—turning 50, a crashing economy, and most devastating, a son with serious addiction issues—Mary Fran created the blog, Not Ready for Granny Panties, authoring two books in the series and developing a life-affirming brand full of practical wisdom and wit. A frequent media guest and speaker, audiences delight in her empowering and entertaining message.