The Arts Council of Princeton, in partnership with the Princeton Shopping Center, is celebrating summer with the free 2017 Summer Courtyard Concert Series set for 6 to 8 p.m. every Thursday from June 22 through August 24.
The series in its 32nd summer starts cooking on June 22, with C’est Bon Cajun Dance Band, a New York-based group noted for its “hard-rockin, foot-stompin, girl-powered Cajun dancehall music.”
The “don’t forget your lawn chair” series continues as follows:
June 29: The celebrated and venerated Blawenburg Band celebrates 127 years of performing with a presentation of an Independence Day-themed concert of patriotic American tunes.
July 6: Trinidelphia from Philadelphia arrives to bring its fusion of Latin, Caribbean, and American top-40 to Princeton.
July 13: Grammy nominated Cheick Hamala Diabate arrives to present an evening mixing West African storytelling and music.
July 20: Jazz pianist and composer — and recent New Jersey resident — Shamie Royston is on hand to share what one critic called her “uncompromising” artistry.
July 27: Octavia Blues, the lead vocalist, harmonicist, guitarist, and composer of the Lancaster, Pennsylvania, based Octavia Blues Band performs traditional “blues music” R&B, and rock to Princeton.
August 3: Philly native singer/songwriter Ryan Tennis appears to perform music ranging from soulful acoustic guitar to reggae to funk.
August 10: Fresh Fire, an alternative-inspirational band based in South Jersey, appears to share its spirited music, energetic vocals, intricate guitar work, and punchy synthesizers.
August 17: The West Philadelphia Orchestra blends the night with a lively and dance-provoking mixture of jazz, classical, and even Balkan.
August 24: The Baltimore-based Michael Austin — a musician wrongly incarcerated for half his life — arrives with the Theljon Allen Band brings their “Charm City” jazz sound and story of hope to New Jersey.
The Arts Council of Princeton Summer Concert series, Princeton Shopping Center, 301 North Harrison Street, Princeton. Thursdays, June 22 to August 24, 6 to 8 p.m. Free. www.artscouncilofprinceton.org or 609-924-8777.
