Sunshine, moonlight and music
With longer days, warmer temperatures and most of us wanting to shake the doldrums of winter, spring is the ideal time to take in a little day and night music outdoors. Throughout DeKalb County, there are numerous places inviting the public to gather with blankets, lawn chairs and picnic baskets of food.
Here’s a listing of several venues where music under the sun and stars will be highlighted:
Chamblee Summer Concert Series
Downtown Chamblee is music central for Chamblee’s Summer Concert Series in front of City Hall, 5468 Peachtree Road in Chamblee. Music lovers can bring blankets and lawn chairs or reserve a VIP table for $200 with seating for eight. Coolers are allowed but must fit under a chair.
Those set to perform are:
• May 4 – Willie Ziavino & The C.O.T. Band, trova/jazz/Caribbean & Brazilian
• June 1 – Departure, a Journey tribute band
• July 4 – Bogey and the Viceroy (takes place at Keswick Park)
• Aug. 10 – Gin Blossom with special guest The Rembrandts
Parking available at Chamblee High School, 3688 Chamblee Dunwoody Drive. A shuttle between downtown Chamblee and the high school run from 6:30 to 11 p.m.
Concerts on the Square/Blue Sky Concerts
The Decatur Business Association wants everyone to have an opportunity to enjoy music in the fresh air. In May, it’s Blue Sky Concerts are held at noon on Wednesdays, while the Concerts on the Square are scheduled for 7 p.m. on Saturdays. Both events are held on the square in downtown Decatur. The lineup is as follows:
Blue Sky Concerts
• May 9 – Dusty Roads, bluegrass
• May 23 – Ol’ Matt Donald’s Farm, blues/folk/Americana
Concerts on the Square
• May 5 – Joe Gransden Quintet, jazz
• May 12 – The Maxfield Trio, rock
• May 19 – Deep Blue Sun, rock/ jam
• May 26 – Ike Stubblefield, Motown/New Orleans funk
Music in the Garden
Music at Woodlands Garden takes place throughout the year in the screened-in pavilion. Performances are free and take place rain or shine. Music in the Garden takes place on Sundays between 2 and 4 pm. Performers are mostly local musicians. Woodlands Gardens is located at 932 Scott Boulevard, Decatur. For more information, go to http://www.woodlandsgarden.org/music-in-the-garden/
Scheduled are:
• April 22 – Earth Day celebration includes numerous performers with the event beginning at 1 p.m. Various activities will be held.
• April 29 – Radio Ramblers, country blues/Piedmont style music/Chicago blues
Jazz on the Lawn
Callanwolde Fine Arts Center opens it grounds again this summer for Jazz on the Lawn. The event showcases Atlanta artists performing a mix of classic and contemporary jazz, swing, salsa, fusion, smooth and blues at the Callanwolde Amphitheater. Concerts begin at 7:30 p.m. The venue is located at 980 Briarcliff Road in Atlanta.
Performers who are scheduled are:
• June 15 – Gwen Hughes
• June 29 – Diane Durrett
• July 13 – Joe Gransden
• July 27 – Bradford Rogers
• August 10 – Bob Baldwin
Oakhurst Jazz Nights
It’s the 15th season for Oakhurst Jazz Nights, held at 7 p.m. on Thursdays on the front lawn of The Solarium, 321 W. Hill St. in the Oakhurst neighborhood of Decatur. In case of rain, the free concerts move inside the Solarium. (Blankets only, no lawn chairs.)
• April 19 – Eileen Howard
• April 26 – Bonaventure Quartet with Amy Pike
Summer Concert Series
Dunwoody Nature Center is offering a mix of local and up-and-coming national acts. The expanded series, sponsored by the city of Dunwoody, kicks off on May 12 with Dunwoody’s own Sunset Ride. Shows will be held every other Saturday through July 21. With the addition of the North Woods Pavilion building (expected to be open in time for the June shows), concerts will be held rain or shine. For adult guests, a rotating selection of craft beers are offered. Admission is $5 for non-member adults, $3 for non-member students, and free to children 3 and younger and members. Concerts begin at 7 p.m. The Nature Center is located at 5343 Roberts Road, Dunwoody and the website at http://dunwoodynature.org/2018-summer-concert-series/
