Micky Dolenz of The Monkees, acclaimed singer-songwriters Patty Griffin and James McMurtry, and an all-star Pittsburgh tribute to David Bowie are among the highlights of this year’s free Allegheny County summer concert series at South Park Amphitheater and Hartwood Acres.
The 28 shows, featuring both local and nationally touring acts, were announced Tuesday by County Executive Sara Innamorato.
The South Park shows begin May 31 with River City Brass. They also include Chicago blues legend Lil’ Ed and the Blues Imperials; the Pittsburgh Symphony; fan-favorite oldies cover band Summer of Love; emerging country star Brittney Spencer; Soul to Soul, with local legends the Billy Price Band and Bill Toms & Hard Rain; and Pittsburgh-based rock band Gene the Werewolf. All shows except the PSO’s are on Fridays.
At Hartwood Acres, the 14 Sunday evening shows begin with the Pittsburgh Opera on June 2. They also include local favorites Meeting of Important People and Jim Donovan & the Sun King Warriors; the PSO; funk legends the Bar-Kays; singer-songwriter Paula Cole; and jazz pianist Matthew Whitaker.
The series concludes Sept. 1 at Hartwood Acres with the 24th Allegheny County Music Festival, with two-time Tony Award-winner Michael Cerveris performing an evening of Bowies’s music backed by a 10-piece band featuring members of The Clarks.
Almost all the concerts begin at 7:30 p.m. The lone exceptions are the two PSO shows, which start at 8:15 p.m.
A complete list follows:
South Park:
May 31: River City Brass
June 7: Joe Wodarek & 51 South (country)
June 14: Lil’ Ed & The Blues Imperials
June 21: Django Festival Allstars (Django Reinhardt tribute)
June 29: PSO
July 5: Summer of Love
July 12: Soul to Soul
July 19: Brittney Spencer
July 26: Vertical Horizon (rock)
Aug. 2: Micky Dolenz
Aug. 9: The Dip (R&B/soul)
Aug. 16: James McMurtry
Aug. 23: Gene the Werewolf
Aug. 30: Tamburitzans
Hartwood Acres:
June 2: Pittsburgh Opera
June 9: Honky-Tonk Jukebox (local roots country)
June 16: Jeff Jimerson & Airborne (rock)
June 23: Meeting of Important People w/ Jim Donovan & The Sun King Warriors
June 30: PSO
July 7: The Bar-Kays
July 14: Patty Griffin
July 21: Paula Cole (singer-songwriter)
July 28: James Hunter (R&B/soul)
Aug. 4: Anees (R&B/hip hop)
Aug. 11: Matthew Whitaker
Aug. 18: MAGIC! (reggae)
Aug. 25: Pittsburgh Ballet
Sept. 1: Allegheny County Music Festival
