Bye-bye July: Free outdoor concerts this weekend

Frugal doesn’t always mean free, but when it is, why fight? Take advantage of the outdoors. Remember January of 2010? Okay, then, get your blanket, some water and get moving to one of these venues for some mellow sounds.

c
FORT DUPONT SUMMER CONCERT SERIES

8:00 p.m., Saturdays, July and August Randle Circle & Minnesota Avenue, S.E., Washington, D.C.

The Fort Dupont Summer Concert Series is held each year in Fort Dupont Park, an area of 376 rolling, wooded acres located east of the Anacostia River. Shows begin promptly at 8:00 p.m. and are held rain or shine. We encourage music lovers to come out, bring your lawn chairs and blankets, and enjoy some of the finest rhythm & blues music in the Washington, D.C. metropolitan area. . For a list of performers and additional information call 202-426-7723. All shows are FREE and open to the public. The first concert is scheduled for July 17, 2010. Performances are subject to change.

July 31 WPFW Night w/ HAROLD MELVIN'S BLUE NOTES, Motown Philly Fantasy, H.A.L.O.


THE NATIONAL HARBOR, IN MARYLAND

Free concerts are held on Fridays from 5 - 7 p.m. and Saturdays from 2 - 4 p.m.

July 30 - Roosevelt Smith Duo (Pop/Adult Contemporary)

July 31 - Savoir Faire (Cajun)

ALSO- at Gaylord National Resort on Friday, July 30, 2010, join their Tasting event where you can sample food in all their restaurants, including beer and wine, for only $15.



FORT HUNT SUMMER CONCERT SERIES

7:00 -8:00 p.m., Sundays, June 6 –August 29
The park is located approximately 6 miles south of Old Town Alexandria in Virginia along the George Washington Memorial Parkway. Exit at the sign marked “Fort Hunt Road/Fort Hunt Park.”

Come out and relax to the sounds of jazz, the rhythm of rock, or folk. Enjoy community bands at Fort Hunt Park. Concerts are FREE and open to the public. Parking is available inside the park. For a listing of concerts call 202-439-7325. For the most up to date concert listing visit www.nps.gov/gwmp/planyourvisit


THE NATIONAL GALLERY OF ART

Free “ Jazz in the Garden” at outdoor café every Friday evening, 5 to 8:30 PM, through September 10, 2010. Visitors can enjoy cocktails and a light dinner while listening to great music in a natural, beautiful environment. Concerts are held inside the Pavilion Café during bad weather. National Gallery of Art Sculpture Garden, 7th and Constitution NW, Washington, DC. The nearest Metro stations are Archives/Navy Memorial, Smithsonian and Judiciary Square. You may bring your own picnic or purchase food from the Pavilion Cafe. See the menu. Phone: (202) 289-3360

July 30 - John Jensen (jazz trombonist)



BALTIMORE HARBOR

Through Labor Day, Harborplace at the Inner Harbor offers performances at the amphitheater near Pratt and Light streets on Saturdays at 8 PM and Sundays at 5 PM



"FRIDAY EVENING PARADES"

8:45 p.m., Friday evenings, May 7 –August 27

Marine Barracks, 8th & I Streets SE, Washington, D.C.



The Evening Parade, held Friday evening during the summer. Come out to enjoy a concert by the U.S. Marine Band, Silent Drill Team &Bugle Corps. Reservations must be made in writing three weeks in advance to: The adjutant, Marine Barracks, 8th & Eye Streets, SE, Washington, D.C. 20390-5000. (Unclaimed seating will be available at 8:15 p.m. for non-tickets holders). General public seating is available starting at 8 p.m. Guests may park at Maritime Plaza, where a free shuttle service is provided to and from the Barracks. There are no public parking spaces available at the Barracks. For additional information call (202) 433-4073 or 202-433-6060.

Military Band Performances

Through August 26 8 p.m. Sylvan Theatre (a unit of National Mall and Memorial Parks)

National Mall, monument grounds



Thursday-----------U.S. Marine Band (there will be no concert on July 1)



Weekdays Through August 31

8 p.m.

U.S. Capitol (West Front)

Monday-----------U.S. Navy Band

Tuesday-----------U.S. Air Force Band

Wednesday------U.S. Marine Band

Thursday----------NO CONCERTS

Friday--------------U.S. Army Band

For information Army Band (703)-696-3718, Marine Band (202) 433-4011, Navy Band (202)433-2525, Air Force Band (202)767-5658. Weather cancellation, “Listen to WTOP Radio.”

BeBe and CeCe Winans + All Star Lineup this Saturday at the National Harbor

BROTHER AND SISTER GOSPEL GREATS BEBE & CECE WINANS

HEADLINING SUMMER CONCERT

“LIVE on THE PLATEAU @ National Harbor®” ON SATURDAY, JULY 24th

Special guests include Byron Cage, Take 6 and Kirk Whalum

For a few FRUGAL SOCIALITE SUGGESTIONS, SCROLL TO THE END OF THIS EMAIL!

The sun won't be the only hot fuel source Saturday night...all these greats under the covered stage at the National Harbor. Sharing the stage with BeBe & CeCe Winans will be celebrated gospel singer Byron Cage, also known as the “Prince of Praise”, 8-Time Grammy nominated jazz saxophonist Kirk Whalum and the Award-winning a capella sextet, Take 6.



Schedule breakdown: Saturday, July 24, 2010

12:00 PM: Box Office Opens for Will Call

4:00 PM: Parking lot Opens

6:00 PM: Doors Open for Seating

7:00 PM: Concert



TICKET COSTS: Ticket prices range from $45 - $68 and are available through www.TACConcerts.com, by calling (800) 514-3849 or at the UPS store located - 145 Fleet Street, National Harbor, MD 20745. “LIVE on THE PLATEAU at National Harbor®” is produced by Prince Georges County-based TAC Productions, a subsidiary of The TAC Companies, LLC. Additional information is available at www.TACConcerts.com.



FRUGAL SOCIALITE'S SUGGESTIONS:

Avoid traffic and sail into the concert

Begin and end with a glorious spirit by one upping all the drivers in line for parking. Take the Water Taxi from Old Town, Alexandria. Park on a side street in Alexandria or a garage. Hop on the boat for a relaxing, scenic ride straight into the Harbor with no stress. For a complete schedule and to purchase your ticket online, please visit www.potomacriverboatco.com.



Hungry?

Park early and then make your way down to the main Harbor area for a meal. Food is easy to grab and get out, with a quality meal at : Elevation Burger, Gaylord's National Pastimes Sports Bar (yes, it's a bar, but without the "bar" atmosphere. It's very suited for non-drinkers and extremely entertaining for kids), Aloft's XYZ bar for a quick cold beverage of your likings and the downstairs area of the Westin, Sauciety Restaurant.



Kids and no sitter for the house? The Harbor and Gaylord have provided countless hours of entertainment for my toddler and many young people I've watched. This time, bring someone along, give them $20 for snacks and you're set! While you are in the concert, the kids can watch the free water shows at The Gaylord, catch the Children's Museum before it closes, climb and jump around the Awakening and make a game out of walking around the entire Harbor. Trust me, from experience, this will entertain young ones for hours.