New Bedford's Rhythm

Sean McCarthy

If music sounds best in the summer, the South Coast has multiple opportunities for you to enjoy the best live performances of the year, including an array of outdoor concerts and events.

The Summer Sound Series will take place every other Friday evening at two different downtown New Bedford locations: Lower Union Street and Purchase Street. From 6:30 to 8:30 p.m., this block party event will combine music and beverages from local establishments, live art, and offerings from local nonprofits. It is free and open to the public.

Lower Union Street performances will take place on July 7 (Neal McCarthy Problem), August 4 (Mo Bounce), and September 1 (Kabu Jazz Ensemble featuring Candida Rose).

Purchase Street performances will take place on July 21 (Funky White Honkies), August 8 (JAMMIN: A Tribute to Bob Marley), and September 15 (East Coast Soul).

Custom House Square concerts will take place on Thursday evenings downtown in conjunction with the New Bedford Whaling National Historic Park. Free and open to the public, the shows will be held from 6 to 8 p.m. Performances will take place on July 20 (Monsta Country Rock Band), July 27 (Route 18), August 10 (Back In The Day), August 17 (Felix Brown Band), and August 24 (Real Deal). The Rain Date will be August 31.

PLAY Arcade, located at 34 Union Street in downtown New Bedford, will have both indoor and open-air rooftop concerts on Sunday evenings throughout the summer. Their lineup includes shows on June 18 (Autumn Drive), June 25 (Shane Fitzgerald), July 9 (Frank Puopolo), July 30 (Ghost Mojo), August 13 (Beautifully Human), August 27 (Jiva Suara acoustic duo), and September 24 (Somethin’ Else).

The Heron’s Summer Solstice Music Festival will take place on Saturday, June 24 and Sunday, June 25. On each day there will be 12 musicians performing in the round from 1 to 4 p.m. on Saturday and from 1:30 to 4:30 p.m on Sunday. Saturday will include a headliner show from 6 to 8 p.m. featuring Tim Hause with opening acts Molly O’Leary and Jessye DeSilva. The Heron is located at 333 Sanford Road in Westport. The event will be held rain or shine.

The New Bedford Art Museum at 608 Pleasant Street will continue its First FriYAY’s concert series with free shows monthly from 5 to 7 p.m. On June 2 they will have Rowan & Beautifully Human, and on July 7 they will feature Sarah Donner. The Art Museum will also host a show by Candida Rose and Lori Gomes on Thursday, July 13 from 6 to 8 p.m.

The New Bedford Whaling Museum at 18 Johnny Cake Hill downtown will host three music-related events this summer, all of which are 21-plus. On June 2 they will offer “West African Fusion & Fun” at 6 p.m. The event will feature internationally renowned djembefola player Sidy Maiga and kora player Yacouba Diabate. After the performance, they will be teaching guests drumbeats. On Friday, July 7 they will offer “Summer Sounds from South of the Equator,” a concert that will be followed by dance instruction. On August 4, the museum will present “Celebrating the Celtic Nations.” Each event is $10 to members and $20 to non-members.

Gallery X at 169 William Street in downtown New Bedford will have concerts throughout the summer, including shows on July 8 (Felix Rentschler & Neal), July 13 (Jackson Neves), September 9 (Annette Almeida and Roots Run Wild), and September 14 (J Kelley).

The Stove Boat Concert Series will continue this summer with a show on Sunday, August 13 with a performance at Interwoven maker space at 634 Pleasant Street, featuring Greg Klyma from 4 to 6 p.m.

New Moon Dance Party will be celebrating the summer with three outdoor dance parties at Riverside Park in New Bedford’s North End. On three Sundays they will offer house, disco, funk, techno, and more from 4 to 8 p.m. Dates for the events are July 16, August 4 and September 3.

New Moon Dance Party will also be hosting their first-ever outdoor Roller Dance Party at Buttonwood Park on August 12 from 3 to 8 p.m. Guests are invited to bring their own quad and inline skates to roll to the music of a variety of deejays.

Sean McCarthy has been a freelance journalist for 35 years. He lives in New Bedford.