Summer Music Series

After a year hiatus due to public health concerns, Long’s Park Amphitheater Foundation is pleased to announce that the Summer Music Series will be back at Long’s Park beginning July 11, 2021. This year’s series features a diversity of genres and talent including blues, reggae, southern rock, country and a tribute to the world’s biggest charity concert, Live Aid. The community is invited to join us on Sunday nights at 7:30 for the following concerts:

July 11: Bakithi Kumalo's Graceland Experience
A joyful musical journey from the roots and rhythms of South Africa presented by legendary bassist Bakithi Kumalo, who performed on Paul Simon’s classic Grammy-winning “Graceland” album.

July 18: Maggie Rose
Maggie Rose is a Nashville-based singer/songwriter whose eclectic, yet force-of-nature, sound is a powerful mix of rock-and-roll, soul, folk, funk and R&B. Rose opened for Heart and Joan Jett & the Blackhearts, toured with Kelly Clarkson, and shared the Cayamo Cruise bill with Emmylou Harris and Jason Isbell. Rose, who joined the Foundation for our first-ever virtual concert experience last summer, just released her third album, “Have a Seat.”

July 25: Thornetta Davis

Also known as “Detroit’s Queen of the Blues,” the multi-talented Thornetta Davis is the winner of more than 30 Detroit Music Awards including “Outstanding Blues Vocalist” in 2021. Also a songwriter, Davis tells stories through song, commanding the stage with her strong, melodic and smooth voice. Davis has opened for music legends Ray Charles, Gladys Knight, Smokey Robinson, Etta James and Bonnie Raitt.

August 1: The Big Takeover

The Big Takeover is a seven-piece reggae band from New York. They perform original music rooted in and reverent toward Jamaican Pop including reggae, rocksteady and ska. Their big hooks connect with the spirit of Motown and the uptown sophistication of the 21st century retro soul and R&B revival scene. The Big Takeover has appeared live in studio on several NPR stations, while their latest single “Rainboots” is in rotation on all of them.

August 8: Paul Thorn

Paul Thorn is an American Southern rock, country, Americana, and blues singer-songwriter, whose style is a mix of blues, country, and rock. Thorn has opened for Huey Lewis & the News, Sting, Bonnie Raitt and Toby Keith.

August 15: Vanessa Collier

Vanessa Collier is a singer, songwriter and musician who weaves funk, soul, rock, and blues into every performance. Her soulful voice, searing saxophone, and impressive songwriting has earned her a number of distinctions including two Blues Music Awards for “Horn Player of the Year,” and seven Blues Music Award nominations.

August 22: Kenny Rogers Band

The band that backed Kenny Rogers for more than 40 years felt there was still a tremendous demand for Kenny’s music, so they’re honoring his legacy by continuing to play the songs he made famous with their show “Through the Years.” The band is led by Don Gatlin, a singer/songwriter whose songs “I Won’t Forget” and “Something’s Wrong in Vegas” were recorded on Kenny’s 50th anniversary album.

August 29: Live Aid Tribute

Featuring talented local musicians, the Live Aid Tribute concert will celebrate one of the world’s biggest concerts in history. The famous 1985 benefit concert raised millions of dollars for famine relief in Ethiopia and featured dozens of artists including Elton John, David Bowie, Queen, U2, Madonna and more. The Live Aid Tribute will be produced and organized by Phil Kresge, who put together the Woodstock Anniversary Celebration for the 2019 Summer Music Series.

PLEASE NOTE: There will NOT be a Patriotic Concert or fireworks during this year’s Summer Music Series.

For nearly 60 years, the Summer Music Series has been a top musical entertainment event in Lancaster and named one of the best outdoor venues in Central PA. These free concerts, typically held Sundays during the summer, are made possible through the support of corporate sponsors, generosity of individuals, and proceeds from the annual Long’s Park Art Festival.

If you missed last summer's Virtual Concert Series, check out our YouTube channel.