Nightlife & Entertainment: Summer nighttime is the right time

Summer nights are a time for sun-kissed shoulders, leisurely bicycle rides and weekly visits to a variety of outdoor concerts in some of the area’s best parks. From May through September, places like McKinley Park, Cesar Chavez Plaza and Roseville’s Town Square welcome thousands of music lovers to hear a variety of rock, hip-hop, funk and R&B just as the Delta breeze kicks in. With the summer concert season in full swing, SN&R found a few good spots to check out live music in the open air.

The funky bunch

Since 1991, Pops in the Park has used its summer concert series not only as a way to entertain east Sacramento, but also as a means to raise money for its underfunded area parks. With the help of live musical performances courtesy of the city’s funkiest bands, the Glenn Hall Pool received a new waterslide and the McKinley Park pond was restored. McKinley Park also received funds for a new wooden playground following a 2012 fire. This year, every Saturday in June, acts including Joy & Madness, Mumbo Gumbo, the Unsupervised, and the John Skinner Band will perform soul, funk and big-band-era music at different neighborhood parks including McKinley Park, East Portal Park and Bertha Henschel Park. Music starts at 6 p.m., and although no outside alcohol is allowed, a beer and wine garden will keep attendees’ thirst quenched with what’s on tap from Bogle Vineyards and Hoppy Brewing Co. What’s more, Sacramento Area Bicycle Advocates encourage all attendees to leave cars at home and dust off those bicycles because free valet parking will be available. A complete schedule is available online.

www.eastsacpopsinthepark.com.

Rock the suburbs

For those looking for entertainment in the ’burbs, the Town Square Concert Series happens in Roseville every third Saturday until September. On June 17, Mania! a Beatles tribute group, will perform hits from the Fab Four. July and August pay their respects to the ’80s in all its hair-metal and new-wave glory with appearances by the 80z Allstars and Skid Roses. September is a little bit country with Bubba & the Boys closing out the season with its renditions of the genre’s latest hits. Gates open at 6:30 p.m. and music start at 7:30 p.m. for all events. Also, leave the booze and furry friends at home. Instead, enjoy the music from the beer garden.

311 Vernon Street in Roseville, http://roseville.ca.us/
events/concerts_on_the_square.asp.

Weekend starter kit

Every Friday night Cesar Chavez Plaza welcomes thousands of attendees with its array of funk, rock, hip-hop and local deejays spinning in between performances. The series kicked off in early May and runs through July 21 with headliners that include Del the Funky Homosapien and Cemetery Sun. Local acts like Another Damn Disappointment, Hobo Johnson & the Lovemakers and Destroy Boys are also slated to entertain. Kiss the work week goodbye with live music, cold beer and tasty food truck fare under a canopy of tall buildings.

910 I Street, https://godowntownsac.com/events/
signature-events/concerts-in-the-park.