With summer Ames having arrived, the city’s live music series have also returned. Several long-running outdoor events begin in the coming days and the performances span from rock to country and jazz to pop.
If we missed a series you’d like to see here, please let us know — [email protected].
Ames on the Half Shell
When: 5 p.m. Fridays
Location: Bandshell Park, 6th Street and Duff Avenue
The annual Ames on the Half Shell always has an assortment of party and cover bands. The proceeds from the series support the Ames Jaycees and various community improvement projects. ($5, season passes available)
May 29 — Burnin’ Sensations
June 5 — Midnight Radio (rock ‘n roll)
June 12 — BitterSweet Nation (blues, jazz, soft rock)
June 19 — Recoil Rocks Iowa (classic rock, pop rock)
June 26 — Cover That (rock, pop)
Ames Main Street Farmers’ Market
When: Saturday mornings
Location: Main Street
While the Main Street Farmers’ Market has been going since May and will continue into the fall, that doesn’t exclude it from being a summer showcase of live music. (Free)
May 30 — Miles Morgan
June 6 — Dixie Slicks
June 13 — Patricia Holly
June 20 — Asphalt & Stained Glass
June 27 — Elizabeth Zimmerman
July 11 — Denise Forney
July 18 — Casey Joe Collins
July 25 — Miles Morgan
Aug. 1 — Dixie Slicks
Aug. 8 — Asphalt & Stained Glass
Aug. 15 — Redzband
Aug. 22 — Heartland Sky
Aug. 29 — Shirley by the Sea
Sept. 5 — Doomed Pioneers
Sept. 12 — Redzband
Sept. 19 — Boone Fiddler
Sept. 26 — Patricia Holly
Oct. 3 — Jake Doty
Oct. 10 — To be announced
Oct. 17 — Denise Forney
Ames Municipal Band
When: 8 p.m. Thursdays
Location: Bandshell Park
Conducted by Michael Golemo, the weekly Ames Municipal Band concerts features a different concert featuring popular music, light classical, hymns, marches and music from Broadway and films. The musicians in the 52-members band range from high school age to in their 80s. Concertgoers are encouraged to bring lawn chairs or blankets.
June 4 — Opening Concert with vocal soloist Aaron Lott
June 11 — Ames City Council Night with Ames Choral Society
June 18 — Children’s Concert featuring Annika Baker as “Ms. Rachel”
June 25 — with vocal soloist Chad Sonka
July 2 — Patriotic Concert and Veteran’s Recognition with vocal soloist Miles Morgan
July 9 — with vocal soloist Chris Johnson and Caleb Polashek
July 16 — with vocal soloist Katharine Hensley
July 23 — with vocal soloist Dean Landhuis
July 30 — Final Concert with vocal soloist Sophia Pike
The Goldfinch Room Songwriter Showcase
When: 6 p.m. select Tuesdays
Location: Reiman Gardens’ Catalpa Courtyard
Stephens Auditorium’s Goldfinch Room Songwriter Showcase goes outdoors and to Reiman Gardens. Performers will tell the stories behind their songs in an intimate setting. ($12 in advance, $15 at the door, season passes available)
June 2 — BreAnne Stone (indie folk, rock)
June 16 — Casey Joe and The Foxes (folk)
July 14 — The Bone People (acoustic rock, jazz, R&B)
July 28 — Beggars’ Bargain (indie folk)
Aug. 18 — Society of Broken Souls (American roots)
Roosevelt Summer Sundays
When: 7 p.m. Sundays
Location: Roosevelt Park, 905 9th St.
Entering its 23rd year, Roosevelt Summer Sundays hosts free outdoor concerts at Roosevelt Park with an assortment of local and regional artists. Bring the family, along with a blanket and/or a few lawn chairs. (Free)
June 7 — Weary Ramblers (folk, Americana)
June 14 — Dickie (indie rock)
June 21 — Great Caesar’s Goat (rock, Americana)
June 28 — Mariachi Los Aguilares
July 5 — Bob Pace & The Dangerous Band with special guest Steve E George (classic rock and blues)
July 12 — Jeni Grouws (rock, blues)
July 19 — The Swampland Jewels (Cajun, Creole, Tex-Mex)
July 26 — Jason Danielson & Friends (jazz)
Aug. 2 — James Tutson (power blues)
Aug. 9 — Matt Terronez Band (funkified jazz, rock)
Aug. 16 — The Get Down (Motown, soul)
Aug. 23 — June Bugs (covers)
Aug. 30 — Southbound, a tribute to the Allman Brothers Band
Sunday Music at Prairie Moon
When: 3 p.m. Sundays
Location: Prairie Moon Winery
At the annual Sunday Music, enjoy live music from local and regional artists while overlooking Prairie Moon’s vineyard. Don’t forget a lawn chair. ($5 for ages 21+, free under 21)
June 7 — Vinyl Five
June 14 — Burnin’ Sensations
June 21 — Opus Taylor
June 28 — Silversonic
July 12 — Ryne Doughty
July 19 — Midnight Radio
July 26 — Stranger Than Fiction
Aug. 2 — Fred Love
Aug. 9 — Danny Grause
Aug. 16 — Indigo Monks
Aug. 23 — Jesse & the Medicine Men
Aug. 30 — Opus Taylor
Sept. 6 — Stranger Than Fiction
Tiny Deck Concerts
When: 6 p.m. Fridays
Location: Wheatsfield Cooperative, 413 Northwestern Ave.
The community-owned grocers summer music series Tiny Deck Concerts returns for 11 weeks this summer. The concerts are free and open to all. Just remember to bring a lawn chair or blanket. (Free)
June 26 — Fred Love & The Bakersfield Brawl
July 3 — Roamin’ John
July 10 — Bleujack
July 17 — Casey Joe Collins
July 24 — Ben Schrag & the Cautionaries
July 31 — Day Ashworth
Aug. 7 — Todd Partridge
Aug. 14 — Perfect Strangers
Aug. 21 — Coffee Shop Romance
Aug. 28 — Doomed Pioneers
Sep. 4 — Central Iowa Jazz Trio
Correction: The start time for Roosevelt Summer Sundays concerts has been corrected to 7 p.m. It previously stated a 6 p.m. start time.
Addition: Ames Municipal Band and Tiny Deck Concerts have been added.
