Music to the ear: Free summer concert series set for Staunton's Gypsy Hill Park bandstand

STAUNTON — With summer now here, the bandstand at Staunton's Gypsy Hill Park is the place to be for area music lovers. Jazz in the Park and Bluegrass in the Park are preparing to kick off their seasons, joining the Stonewall Brigade Band and Praise in the Park for free music Mondays through Thursdays.

Jazz in the Park

This is the 36th year for Jazz in the Park, the annual series that takes place Thursdays through the first week of September. The series kicks off Thursday, July 11 and is free and open to the public. Performances start at 7 p.m. Concessions are available and those attending are welcome to bring a lawn chair or blanket.

• July 11 — Just Jazzin’ Big Band

• July 18 — David Pope Quartet

• July 25 — Beleza Quartet

• Aug. 1 — David Bach Consort

• Aug. 8 — Johnny’s Blue Locomotive

• Aug. 15 — Kurt Crandall & True Story

• Aug. 22 — Jay Ware Quartet

• Aug. 29 — John D’earth Quintet

• Sept. 5 — Rob Maletick Band

Bluegrass in the Park

Bluegrass music returns to Gypsy Hill Park Wednesday, July 10. Wednesday Night Bluegrass is a free concert series hosted by Staunton Parks and Recreation and features local and regional bluegrass talent.

Performances begin at 7 p.m. on Wednesdays at the Gypsy Hill Park bandstand. Concerts are held rain or shine. Bring a lawn chair or blanket.

• July 10 — 7 p.m. Last Minute Band; 8 p.m. Danny Paisley and Southern Grass

• July 17 — 7 p.m. Page County Ramblers; 8 p.m. Mark Templeton Band

• July 24 — 7 p.m. Blue Range Bluegrass; 8 p.m. Kevin Prater Band

• July 31 — 7 p.m. Southern Rail Express; 8 p.m. Little Roy and Lizzy Show

• Aug. 7 — 7 p.m. Westwind Bluegrass Band; 8 p.m. Caleb Bailey and Paine's Run

• Aug. 14 — 7 p.m. Dark Hollow Bluegrass Band; 8 p.m. Larry Stephenson Band

• Aug. 21 — 7 p.m. Kentucky Just US; 8 p.m. Nothin Fancy

• Aug. 28— 7 p.m. Westwind Bluegrass Band; 8 p.m. Blue Ridge Thunder

Stonewall Brigade Band

The Stonewall Brigade Band's annual summer concert series is underway with the band performing Mondays at the bandstand at Gypsy Hill Park.

Selections include music from all genres, such as marches, rock and pop, Broadway musicals, sacred, jazz, symphonic, and more. Performances begin at 7:30 p.m. Bring a lawn chair or blanket.

• July 24 — Classic Concert Band featuring music from three composers who have connections with this area and/or the Stonewall Brigade Band.

• July 1 — Celebrate America

• July 8 — Let's March and Dance

• July 15 — Variety (concert band genre)

• July 22 — A Celebration of Robert W. Smith and Christmas in July

• July 29 — Variety (featuring assistant directors)

• Aug. 5 — The 1960s

• Aug. 12 — Parks

• Aug. 19 — German and Austrian Classics

• Aug. 26 — A Spooky, Spooktacular Evening

Praise in the Park

Praise in the Park is a privately sponsored, annual summer concert series. Concerts are free and hosted by Linden Heights Baptist Church in Staunton. Performances begin at 7 p.m. on Tuesdays at the Gypsy Hill Park bandstand. Concessions are available. Bring a lawn chair or blanket.

• July 2 — “PRAISE” CELEBRATES AMERICA (Note early start time at 5:45 p.m.): The Crawford Brothers Quartet; Saint James Gospel Choir, Waynesboro; Heaven’s Mountain Band, Mt. Solon

• July 9 — One Family Band, Waynesboro; Brian Buchanan, Middlebrook

• July 16 — Jason Lovins Band, Kentucky; Host Calvary Baptist

• July 23 — Spirit Led, Churchville; One Voice Band, Staunton

• July 30 — Bridge Youth Band, Fishersville; Bridge Church Collective Band

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— Patrick Hite is a reporter at The News Leader. Story ideas and tips always welcome. Contact Patrick (he/him/his) at phite@newsleader.com and follow him on Instagram @hitepatrick. Subscribe to us at newsleader.com

This article originally appeared on Staunton News Leader: Summer bandstand schedules for Staunton's Gypsy Hill Park