Thu 7/9 @ 6:30-8:30PM
It’s the 42nd year for the Akron Art Museum’s Downtown@Dusk series, one of the longest running, if not THE longest running, free outdoor summer concert series in the area, taking place in its Bud and Susie Rogers Garden.
It’s got four shows on the calendar this year, taking place on Thursdays throughout July, and showcasing some of the best of what the Akron area has to offer across a range of music genres.
It starts this week with a newish face on the series, Akron’s seven-piece roots-rock ensemble Wishgarden, who debuted on the series last year. Incorporating instruments such as flute, sax, trombone and even djembe, the entertaining group performs a mix of its own tunes and some classic covers (Dylan, Buffett, Cat Stevens, which it arranges in its own style, incorporating soul, folk and pop influences. They perform this week Thursday July 9.
The Shootouts, who perform on July 16, are a newcomer in this series, although not new to Northeast Ohioans: their honkytonk-influenced alt country sound has already earned them a lot of success outside the area with national tours, Americana chart-topping albums, and multiple appearances on the Grand Ole Opry. And band leader Ryan Humbert has been a mover & shaker in the local Akron music scene for a couple of decades.
The last two groups in the series are well known from frequent past Downtown@Dusk appearances: woman-fronted reggae ensemble Umojah Nation on July 23, and the legendary Numbers Band (15 60 75), regulars at Downtown@Dusk, who are now in their 56th year of performing their distinctively frenetic blues/jazz/rock sound. They play on July 30.
You can bring a chair or blanket, and there will be snacks and beverages available for purchase at the bar and the Museum Gift Shop. The series is all free, but registration is requested. Go here to register and to get more information.