Whether you’re into country line dancing, swinging to the blues or tapping your toes to local favorites, music lovers can find anything under the sun – and we do mean outside in the sunshine – this summer. Check out our lineup of outdoor concerts and more in Berks.
Berks Arts Council Summer Bandshell Concert Series
Reading City Park
Constitution Boulevard, Reading
Berksarts.org
Fridays at 7pm
The Berks Arts Council has been providing county residents with the chance to “take a risk” on new music for 25 years. The Summer Bandshell Concert Series at the Volunteer Fireman’s Memorial Bandshell in City Park is in full swing, and according to Karen Haver at the Arts Council, “The goal of this series is to showcase a wide variety of music that is accessible to anyone within the community and is not readily heard at other venues.” This year's performers include The Reading Pops, jazz/funk group Breakwater, female-fronted band Sweet Leda, indie folk rockers Jake Lewis & the Clergy, and blues greats The Kinsey Report. Bring your lawn chairs and dancing shoes and prepare to spend the night listening to great music in a natural setting.
Red, White & Blues Party and Concert at the Reading Public Museum
Reading Public Museum
Stone Terrace Tent
500 Museum Rd., Reading
610.371.5850
readingpublicmuseum.org
July 4, 7-9pm
Looking for a fun and festive way to celebrate this Independence Day? Do it under the tent at the Reading Public Museum’s Red, White and Blues Party! Spend the day in the sun in the beautiful Wyomissing Park System, then head to the Stone Terrace Tent for a free concert from the Paul Michael Band. Enjoy a unique blend of modern, electric and blues-based original music by the band along with food and drinks by ViVÁ Bistro and Lounge. They are offering a cash bar and a $12 dinner buffet. After the concert, walk over to the West Reading Playground to watch the fireworks. Doors open at 6pm; admission and parking is free. RSVP for the event with Lindsay Crist, 610.371.5850, ext. 230.
Bethany Children’s Home Summer Concert Series
1863 Bethany Rd., Womelsdorf
610.589.4501
bethanyhome.org
Friday nights at 7pm, July 10 – Aug. 14
Bethany Children’s Home is a 150-year-old ministry that provides safety and community to the families in its care. This summer its campus will be filled with the twang of country music, the cool base lines of blues guitar, and the distinctive sounds of Americana rock. Bethany’s first-ever summer concert series kicks off on July 10 with country singer Stephanie Grace and continues every Friday evening at 7pm throughout the summer. The lineup includes: The Dave Mell Band, the Wallace Brothers Band, Caroline Reese and Cloud Party. The series ends Aug. 14 with the 152nd Annual Community Festival, featuring Burning House, Matt Miskie, Haley Sheeler and the Keystone Band. Bring a blanket or chair for lawn seating. Concessions and vendors are available on site. The concerts are free, but Bethany is accepting free will offerings.
Summer Concert Series at the Stone House
1216 Parkside Drive N., Wyomissing
610.373.5919
wyomissingpa.org
What could be better than lounging by a pond in the park listening to live music? If you can’t think of anything, then don’t miss this year’s concert series at the Stone House in Wyomissing. If strings are your thing, catch the Reading Pops Orchestra on July 12 at 6:30pm as they perform popular classics and classic pop tunes. Is brass more your style? The Ringgold Band will play Broadway classics, marches and contemporary works by talented composers at 7pm before the Children’s Lantern Parade on July 29. The Uptown Band featuring Erich Cawalla and Jennifer Kinder will close out the series on Aug. 9 from 6:30 to 8pm. The band offers up a synergy of jazz, pop, funk and R&B that is sure to have you dancing. All Stone House events are free and open to the public. Street parking and light refreshments are available.
South Mountain Jam Outdoor Concert Series at Galen Hall
Galen Hall Country Club & Restaurant
645 N. Galen Hall Rd., Wernersville
610.678.9535
galenhallgc.com
Fridays 6-9pm
Select Saturdays starting at 7pm
If you like live music, then you will love Galen Hall. The golf club, nestled in picturesque South Mountain, hosts live music on the PAR-TEE deck at the Grill House and Pub every Friday night from 6 to 9pm. The club also packs the Patio 19 Outdoor Pavilion for concerts, craft brew tastings and food during their South Mountain Jam outdoor concerts. Head up the mountain on July 10 for La Overtoner or save the date for the Good Loving Jam Band (July 25), Hyjynx (Aug. 1), dueling pianos (Aug. 8) and the Neo Trio Band (Aug. 21). Craft beer tastings featuring local and regional microbrews begin at 6pm before the music starts at 7pm. A full-service bar and outdoor grill is available throughout the evening. Table seating is available, and guests are also welcome to bring lawn chairs. There is a $5 cover for most events.
Wyebrook Farm Live Bluegrass, Folk & Americana Series
150 Wyebrook Rd., Honey Brook
610.942.7481
wyebrookfarm.com
Saturdays Noon-3pm
Spend an afternoon on the farm with live music and fresh food at Wyebrook Farm. Diners at the café can enjoy organic and sustainably harvested menu items and take in “farm friendly” bluegrass, folk and Americana on a stage overlooking scenic pastures of grazing cattle. Work up an appetite with yoga by Linda’s Power Yoga before the concerts begin, then grab a seat for lunch and unwind with live music every Saturday from Noon to 3pm. The lineup this summer includes sets from Couple Days, the Manatawny Creek Ramblers, The Youngers and the Frog Holler Blue Grass Band. The BYOB café is open for lunch from 11am to 3pm, and the butcher shop is open for light snacks throughout the day, so bring a blanket and your appetite for a fun day out on the farm. Learn more about Wyebrook Farm in our Dining Out feature on page 44.
Performing Arts in the Park
Gring’s Mill Amphitheater
2083 Tulpehocken Rd., Reading
610.374.2944
countyofberks.com/parks
Select Fridays & Sundays, 6-8pm
From swing to country, R&B to jazz, there is something for everyone at the Gring’s Mill Amphitheater this summer. This year’s Performing Arts in the Park concert series is already in full swing. Pack chairs and a picnic and enjoy a performance on the lawn overlooking the Tulpehocken River. This summer’s schedule includes: ragtime trio My Sweet Patootie, boogie blues and swing groups the RockaFillys and RockaFellas, and the eclectic sounds of the Joshua David Loop Group. For the series finale on Aug. 30, come early to attend a country dancing workshop with the Louise Lamar Dance Studio at 4:30pm, and then put your new skills to the test with Crow Hill! Dancers can enter a contest to win free dance lessons. Admission to the concerts is free, but the park is collecting a $5 donation to park. Light refreshments are available for purchase.
Kids’ Summer Series at Gring’s Mill
Gring’s Mill Amphitheater
2083 Tulpehocken Rd., Reading
610.374.2944
countyofberks.com/parks
Select Fridays and Sundays at 4pm (preceding Performing Arts in the Parks events)
Planning to catch a concert at Gring’s Mill this summer? Make it a full-day family affair! Come early on select dates for a Kids’ Summer Series performance. See the Seussification of Romeo and Juliet or bring your young princesses and knights for “Princesses in the Park” by Ever After. Join Dave Fry for songwriting and storytelling or have a close-up encounter with educator and reptile extraordinaire Phil Whitman at “Snakes and Scales and Turtle Tales.” Close out the summer with fun music and scavenger hunts. These events precede concerts at the amphitheater. A $2 parking donation is requested for each event.
Union Jack’s Inn on the Manatawny
546 Manatawny Rd., Oley
610.589.0189
unionjacksmanatawny.com
Thursday: 7-10pm, Sunday 6-9pm
Scenic grove on the banks of the Manatawny? Check. English pub fare and an extensive craft beer list? Check. Full schedule of great acoustic entertainment and summer concerts? Double check. No matter what your tastes in beer or music are, Union Jack’s Inn has something for you. Relax with live acoustic sets “on the back porch” every Thursday evening from 7 to 10pm when local eclectic favorites including the Manatawny Creek Ramblers, New Trio and the Griz Band perform under the gazebo. Union Jack’s also has a full schedule of summer concerts highlighted by performances from Frog Holler, the Good Lovin’ Jam Band and Vuja De. Visit their website for a full concert schedule and spend your Sunday nights grooving on the banks of the Manatawny.
Fleetwood Blues Festival
Kutztown Park
East Main Street, Kutztown
Facebook.com/FleetwoodBluesFestival
Aug. 16, Noon-8pm
This year marks the 10th anniversary of the local blues festival, but it will be the first in a new location and run in partnership with local non-profit organization Second Story Blues Alliance. Despite the change in venue, fans of the festival can still expect a jam-packed lineup of local blues and root rock artists along with a park full of great vendors and concessions offering a variety of hot food, drinks, sweet treats and more. The schedule includes Friars Point, the Blues City Blues Band, the Sterling Koch Blues Band, Scoville Blues, the Blue Plate Specials, the James Supra Blues Band, Rockman Blues Band and the Pawnshop Band. Admission to the festival is free, but the Blues Alliance is collecting a donation for parking. All proceeds will be used to help fund future community outreach programs in the area.
Muhlenberg Township International Festival
Jim Dietrich Park
4899 Stoudts Ferry Bridge Rd., Reading
610.929.4727
Muhlenbergtwp.com
Aug. 29, 11am-6pm
Immerse yourself in international culture at the annual Muhlenberg International Festival. Spend the day sampling ethnic cuisine from the varied vendors and concessions and take in live steel drum, polka and mariachi performances. Get in touch with your German roots with a visit to the beer garden, or take the family to the giant inflatable. Admission and parking is free. Whether you are looking to try new ethnic cuisine or spend the afternoon taking in live performances in the beautiful Jim Dietrich Park, this festival is for you!
Want a side of Music With your Meal?
Check out these restaurants offering live music experiences.
Jimmy G’s Beverly Hills Tavern
710 Old Fritztown Rd., Sinking Spring
610.777.4516
beverlyhillstavern.biz
Wednesday & Thursday: 5-8pm
Sunday: 2-5pm
Jimmy G’s Railroad House Sports Bar
152 Woodrow Ave., Sinking Spring
610.678.1177
railroadhouse.net
Thursday: 5-8pm
Saturday: 10pm – midnight
Plein Air Garden Café
30 S. 4th St., Reading
610.374.8511
judysoncherry.com
Friday: 7-10pm
The Hitching Post
2747 Bernville Rd., Leesport
484.671.2347
thehitchingpost.com
Thursday: 5:30-8:30pm
Saturday: 8:30-11pm
The Knight’s Pub at Stokesay Castle
141 Stokesay Castle Lane, Reading
610.375.6100
theknightspub.com
Saturday: 9pm-midnight
Reading Country Club Castle Grille
5311 Perkiomen Avenue, Reading
610.779.1000
readingcountryclub.com
