Summertime Blues
Enjoy a world of music in some of your favorite cities this summer.
By Ashley Breeding
Aspen
Among the many musical festivals that flood this tourist destination in the Rockies during the summer months is the Aspen Musical Festival (June 28 – Aug. 19), hosted by the Aspen Music School. This year’s theme, Made in America, features the music of three renowned groups of composers; three operas: Mozart’s “The Magic Flute,” Stephen Sondheim’s “Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street,” and John Harbison’s “The Great Gatsby”; and an array of orchestra artists playing the music of Beethoven, Stravinsky and Tchaikovsky. Another hallmark of the festival is a wide variety of lectures and enrichment events, as well as collaborations with organizations such as the Aspen Santa Fe Ballet, Jazz Aspen Snowmass and the Anderson Ranch Arts Center. (aspenmusicfestival.com).
Atlanta
Named “Best Outdoor Concert Series” by Atlanta Magazine, the 10th annual Concerts in the Garden series (through Sept. 14), held at Atlanta Botanical Garden, fills the Midtown air—amidst the aroma of flowers—with the sweet sound of music. Merle Haggard, Mary Chapin Carpenter and the Indigo Girls are among an array of outstanding performers to take the stage. (atlantabotanicalgarden.org)
Houston
Tune into more than 50 performances by classical music’s rising stars at the 23rd annual Texas Musical Festival, held through July 1 at a variety of venues throughout Houston including Texas A&M University in College Station. Hosted by the University of Houston Moores School of Music, the festival features orchestral masterworks, chamber music, jazz, guitar, voice and piano by distinguished conductors, faculty artists and student musicians. (tmf.uh.edu)
San Francisco
Bring a blanket and your appetite for this year’s Outside Lands Music and Arts Festival (Aug. 10 -12), held at Golden Gate Park’s Polo Field and the lovely Lindley Meadow. Boasting a beautiful backdrop, array of fine food and wine tastings, and an eclectic and exciting lineup of live music entertainment on a half- dozen stages, from Stevie Wonder to Alabama Shakes, the event is not to be missed if you’re visiting (or live) in the Golden City. Be sure to check out the Eco and Farm Lands, where you can get useful lessons in sustainability and sink your teeth into some delicious farm-fresh fare. (sfoutsidelands.com)
New York
You’re guaranteed a spinning good time at The Governors Ball Music Festival (June 23 – 24) at Randall’s Island, which features a lineup of famous acts including Beck, Modest Mouse and Explosions in the Sky, as well as a disco special with Walk the Moon, The Jezebels and Cage the Elephant, among many others. What pairs better with great music than great food? In addition to discovering great artists, feast on fabulous fare served by some of New York City’s finest restaurants and food trucks. (governorsballmusicfestival.com)
Orange County, Calif.
Enjoy five consecutive evenings under the stars at Pacific Symphony’s 24th annual Summer Festival, which kicks off with a 4th of July celebration of The Eagles’ music and fireworks display, followed by an eclectic lineup of music, including an evening of “Broadway magic,” Beethoven’s greatest hits and a Tchaikovsky Spectacular. The series concludes with Disney Live in Concert, showcasing a symphony performance of the “Pirates of the Caribbean: The Curse of the Black Pearl” soundtrack. (pacificsymphony.org)
Miami
Escape the Southeast heat at one of the city’s indoor music celebrations this summer. From July 13 – Aug. 12, Studio 54 comes to the Ziff Ballet Opera House, where popup ’70s club “The Donkey Show” presents a “crazy fun house of disco mirror balls and feathered divas, roller skaters and hustle queens, enchanted by an ever-so-light sprinkling of Shakespearean magic.” (arshtcenter.org)
