Summer events

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Music and Movies Music in the Parks, Mears Lunchtime Series

- Free concerts are held noon-1 p.m. at Mears Park every Tuesday and Wednesday, June 6-Aug. 16. No shows are held June 21, or July 3-4. The lineup features Matt Hannah, June

6; Trevor McSpadden, June

7; The Jugsluggers, June 13; Handsome Midnight, June

14; Old Guys Play the Blues, June 20; Sweet Rhubarb, June 27; Stevens Family Band, June 28; Barlow with Bionik & Eric Mayson, July 11; My Cousin Dallas, July 12; Cassandra Cole, July 18; Rosie Rossi, July 19; St. Suburbia, July 25; Qlivia, July 26; Mellifera, Aug. 1; Joan of Profile, Aug. 2; Capital City Wind Ensemble, Aug. 8; Dale & Kathleen, Aug. 9; TBD, Aug. 15; and The Fairlanes, Aug. 16.

Lowertown Sounds is a free concert series presented on Thursday nights in Mears Park, 221 5th St. E. Concerts run 6-9:30 p.m., and guests are invited to bring blankets and lawn chairs to enjoy the show. The lineup features Good Morning Bedlam, June 1; Turn Turn Turn, June 8; Kiss the Tiger, June 15; Nur-D, June 22; The New Standards, July 13; Craig Clark Band, July 20; Molly Maher & Her Disbelievers, July 27; Jaedyn James, Aug. 3; Salsa Del Soul, Aug. 10; Run Westy Run, Aug. 17; and Flamin’ Oh’s, Aug. 24. Food trucks will be onsite at each performance. For more information, visit www.lowertownsounds.com.

Bands on the Boulevard is a free, outdoor concert series featuring Minnesota musicians at the Minnesota History Center, 345 W. Kellogg Blvd. Concerts will be held 7-8:30 p.m. Tuesdays in June and July. Attendees are encouraged to bring a lawn chair and arrive early for pre-show dancing, activities and food from various food trucks. Activities and crafts will begin at 6:30 p.m. The lineup features Ecuador Manta, June 20; Dred I Dread, June 27; NUNNABOVE, July 11; Barbaro, July 18; and The Northerly Gales, July 25. For more information, visit www.mnhs. org or call 651-259-3000.

Summer Nights in Rice are free concerts held 5-7 p.m. on select Thursdays in Rice Park, 109 W. 4th St. This year’s lineup features Twin Cities Latin Band, June 22; International Reggae All-Stars, July 13; Moonlight Serenaders, July 27; Pete Whitman Quartet, Aug. 10; Natania & Ticket to Brasil, Aug. 24; and Jimmy “Primetime” Smith Blues Band, Sept. 7. Groovin’ in the Garden free concerts are held 6-8 p.m. every Wednesday, June 7-July 26 at Como Park

Zoo & Conservatory, 1225

Estabrook Dr. The lineup is Innocent Reggae Band, June 7; 13 Arrows, June 14; Ty Pow & The Holy North, June 21; Red Eye Ruby, June 28; Flowtus, July 5; Mubbla Buggs, July 12; Eleganza, July 19; and Flamin’ Oh’s, July 26. Food and beverages will be available for purchase. Guests are invited to bring blankets and lawn chairs.

Minnesota Sinfonia will hold a Family Pops concert at 7 p.m., Thursday, June 22, at Como Park, and

7 p.m., Tuesday, June 27, at Roseville Central Park Amphitheatre.

The City of Mendota Heights presents free concerts at 6 p.m. at Market Square Park, 720 Main St. The lineup includes Timeless, May 31; KidsDance, June 14; Tiger Ries, June 28; Cole Allen and Sena Erhardt, July 12; The M & M Show, July 26; Helium for Liftoff trio, Aug. 9; Matt Graunke and the Crow River Rebellion, Aug. 23; and Skippin’ Stones, Sept. 6. Revved UP performs 6:30

Summer Market Now Open!

Fun

p.m., Aug. 11, at Mendakota Park, 2111 Dodd Rd.

The City of West St. Paul outdoor movies schedule features “DC League of Superpets,” 9 p.m., July 14, at Harmon Park, 230 Bernard St. W.; and TBD (community vote), 8:30 p.m., Aug. 25, at the West St. Paul Sports Complex, 1650 Oakdale Ave. For more information, call 651-552-4100.

Union Depot Drive-in movies will be held in Lot D, located near Kellogg Boulevard, on Friday, June 23 and Friday, Aug. 25. The title in

June is “Jaws” and in August, “The Incredibles.” Each event features a chance to win a prize basket. Concessions will be available. Tickets are $15 per vehicle. To purchase tickets or for more information, visit uniondepot.org/ depotdrivein.

Fairs and Festivals

The Flint Hills International Family Festival is held 6-10 p.m., June 2, and 9 a.m.-4 p.m., June 3, at the Ordway Center for Performing Arts, 345 Washington St., and surrounding areas.

Friday, June 2 is Strings and Salsa Night and includes performances by The String Queens, Rene Thompson and Salsa del Soul. Saturday is Family Arts and Culture Day and will feature $5 performances by Lightwire Theatre and The REMINDers. Koo Koo Kanga Roo perform a free closing concert outside at 3:15 p.m. School week is held May 30-June 2. Free Metro Transit passes to the festival are available for download. For more information, visit ordway.org/festival.

Union Depot Train Days will take place 10 a.m.-4 p.m., June 3-4 at Union Depot, 214 4th St. E. The free event includes a new exhibit featuring photos of steam locomotives, train equipment tours, model trains, familyfriendly activities and more. For more information, visit uniondepot.org/traindays.

WaterFest is held 11 a.m.-4 p.m., June 3 at Lake Phalen Park, 1600 Phalen Dr. This free, family festival offers an opportunity to learn about the importance of water management, wildlife habitat, and the unique ecological features of the region’s watershed. Experience activities on and around the water with Voyageur canoe and sailboat rides; paddleboats, canoes and kayaks for checkout, fishing lessons, a fishing contest with prizes, water games, climbing walls, a jump castle, arts and crafts, face painting and lawn games, a water bar featuring water flights, the Passport Odyssey with prizes, performers, food trucks and more. For more information, visit www.rwmwd. org/get-involved/waterfest or call 651-792-7950.

Twin Cities Jazz Festival returns to Mears Park June 23-24 for its 25th anniversary. The mainstage lineup is Camille Thurman with the Darrell Green Quartet, 6 p.m., June 23; Paquito D’Rivera and the Dizzy Gillespie Afro-Latin Experience, 8:30 p.m., June 23; Davina & the Vagabonds, 6 p.m., June 24; and Christian McBride, 8:30 p.m., June 24. TPT Stage performances include Nabate Isles, 5:30 p.m., June 24; and Tribute to Butch Thompson, 8:30 p.m., June 24. For more information, visit www.twincitiesjazzfestival.com.

Midtown Blues & Funk Fest, formerly the Lowertown Blues & Funk Fest, will be held noon-10 p.m., Saturday, July 22 at Dual Citizen Brewing, 725 Raymond Ave. Concerts are free and the lineup features Walter Trout, Corey Stevens, Mick Sterling and the Stud Brothers, The Jellybean Johnson Experience, Kendra Glenn and Lisa Wenger. For more information, visit www.lowertownbluesfestival.com.

The Dakota County Fair takes place Aug. 7-13 at the Fairgrounds, 4008 W. 220th St., Farmington. Highlights include musical entertainment, demolition derby, midway rides, talent contests, grandstand shows, car and livestock shows, historic village and food. For more information, visit www.dakotacountyfair.org or call 651-463-8818.

Minnesota State Fair takes place Aug. 24-Sept. 4 at the State Fairgrounds, 1265 N. Snelling Ave. The Fair showcases Minnesota’s finest in agriculture, art and industry, hundreds of concession stands, a giant Midway, Grandstand concerts, giveaways, animal and product demonstrations, parades and much more. Grandstand concerts include: The Black Keys with special guest The Velveteers, 7 p.m., Aug. 24 Summer Events / Page 8