By the time June rolls around next week, all of the free summer concert series in the major downtown outdoor spaces will be in full swing. Once again, this summer brings a wealth of free musical events, drawing largely from Greater Cincinnati’s deep talent pool, but also showcasing many national/touring artists. Here’s a quick and easy calendar; print it, laminate it and stick it on your fridge, and get ready to enjoy some wallet-friendly musical fun in the city’s center this summer.
Wednesdays
Reggae Wednesdays (7 p.m.)
May 31: Taj Weekes
June 7: Griffiths & Traxx
June 14: Gizzae
June 21: Elementree Livity
June 28: Johnny Payne & The True Believers
July 5: The Ark Band
July 12: EarthKry
July 19: The Anthem Band
July 26: The Flex Crew
Aug. 2: Ras Bonghi Allstars
Aug. 9: Talking Dreads
Aug. 16 :Milton Blake & The River Nile Band
Aug. 23: Lungu Vybz
Aug. 30: The Cliftones
Thursdays
Salsa on the Square (7 p.m.)
June 1: Óscar Salamanca & La Fórmula
June 8: Son Del Caribe
June 15: Latin Beat Project
June 22: Kandela
June 29: Afincao (Chicago)
July 6: The Amador Sisters
July 13: Son Del Caribe
July 20: Kandela
July 27: Afincao
Aug. 3: Óscar Salamanca & La Fórmula
Aug. 10 :Grupo Tumbao
Aug. 17: Zumba
Aug. 24: The Amador Sisters
Aug. 31: Tropicoso
Sept. 7: Son Del Caribe
Sept. 14: Latin Beat Project
Sept. 21: Óscar Salamanca & La Fórmula
Sept. 28: Tropicoso
Fridays
Indie Vol. 2017 (7 p.m.)
June 2: Swear and Shake, Young Heirlooms, Common Center
June 9: Hippo Campus, Pluto Revolts, Modern Aquatic
June 16: Jeremy Enigk, Son Little, Korey Dane
June 23: Family & Friends, Edward & Jane, Jim Trace & The Makers
June 30: Mod Sun, Trademark Aaron, Raised x Wolves
July 7: The Bright Light Social Hour, Current Events, Jettison
July 14: Angelica Garcia, Mad Anthony, Wonky Tonk
July 21: Clap Your Hands Say Yeah, Motherfolk, Bucko
July 28: Band of Heathens, The Perfect Children, Michael Moeller
Aug. 4: Jacob Banks, Krystal Peterson & The Queen City Band, Freedom Nicole Moore
Aug. 11: Delta Rae, Liz Longley, Nicholas and the Pessimistics
Aug. 18: Stop Light Observations, Daniel In Stereo
Aug. 25: Com Truise, Moonbeau
Sept. 1: Eric Nally
Saturdays
FSQ Live (7 p.m.)
June 3: The Cincy Brass
June 10: School of Rock
June 17: Naked Karate Girls
June 24: The Classic Rock Experience
July 1: 2nd Wind
July 8: Soul Pocket
July 15: All White and Wine: A New Orleans style Bayou Affair with Lando
July 22: The Cliftones and The Ark Band
July 29: TBA
August 5: TBA
August 12: WEBN Fireworks Countdown Kickoff Party with Thunderstruck
August 19: The Leroy Ellington Band
August 26: Strutter (KISS Tribute)
September 2: The Menus
Thursdays
Bandstand Bluegrass (7 p.m.)
June 1: Ben Knight
June 8: Rabbit Hash String Band
June 15: Hickory Robot
June 22: Warrick & Lowell and Casey Campbell & His Band
June 29: Krystal Peterson & The Queen City Band
July 6: Honey & Houston
July 13: Part Time Gentlemen Band
July 20: Joe’s Truck Stop and Arlo McKinley
July 27: Maria Carrelli and Missy Raines & The New Hip
Aug. 3: Whiskey Bent Valley Boys
Aug. 10: Buffalo Wabs & The Price Hill Hustle
Aug. 17: Willow Tree Carolers
Aug. 24: Comet Bluegrass All Stars
Aug. 31: The Harmed Brothers
Fridays
Friday Flow (7 p.m.)
June 2: Cheryl Pepsii Riley
June 9: Keith Washington
June 16: BlackGirl
June 30: Howard Hewett
July 7: Shauni Maque & The Package
July 14: Adina Howard
July 21: Calvin Richardson
Aug. 4: Rude Boys
Aug. 11: Love Street & Rondell
Aug. 18: Urban Mystic
Sept. 1: Troop
Thursdays
Cocktails and Crown Jewels (6:30 p.m. at the Schmiddlap Event Lawn)
June 1: Blue Wisp Big Band with Delfeayo Marsalis
June 15: Vanessa Rubin & Her Organ Trio
June 22: Brent Gallaher & Five Little Bears
July 6: Mike Wade & BOSEDE
July 13: Soul Pocket
July 27: Tim Warfield Quartet
Aug. 3: Trilogy - Nancy James, Dixie Karas and Pam Mallory featuring Julie Spangler
Aug. 17: Kathy Wade with Bill Cunliffe Trio featuring Harvey Mason
Sept. 7: Russell Malone Quartet
