The Salem Summer Concert Series Committee is excited to welcome the Salem community to the Orashan Memorial Civic Center at Waterworth Memorial Park for 14 nights of free concerts as part of the beloved Salem Summer Concert Series, as it enters its first year under the guidance of the Parks & Recreation Department. Shown, from left are Parks Director Shane Franks and Salem Summer Concert Series Committee members Melissa Costa, BJ Abrams, Joy Cable, and John Panezott. (Photo by Morgan Ahart)

The full schedule for this Salem Summer Concert Series is:

7 p.m. June 2: Salem Quaker City Band, “Around the World in 80 Minutes”

6 p.m. June 4: Brass Band of the Western Reserve, a vibrant brass sound performing a wide variety of music

6 p.m. June 11: Manhattan, dance music from the 60s to the present

6 p.m. June 18: Backbeat with John Reese, local favorite performing oldies, Motown and pop music

6 p.m. June 25: Salem Quaker City Band, “An American Celebration”

6 p.m. July 9: Aftermath “Experience the Sixties,” recreating the sights and sounds of the 1960s

6 p.m. July 16: The Chardon Polka Band, a modern polka band for a new generation

6 p.m. July 23: 2nd Avenue Project, classy jazz, soul, Latin, and light rock

7 p.m. July 28: Salem Quaker City Band, “Adventures atw the Movies”

6 p.m. July 30: The Ovation Band, music from the 1940s to today’s pop and dance favorites

6 p.m. Aug 6: The Wrangler Band, country and classic rock band from western Pennsylvania

6 p.m. Aug 13: Salem High School Alumni Night with Jimmy and the Soul Blazers, a high energy show of Motown music

6 p.m. Aug 20: Boilermaker Jazz Band, classic jazz and popular music from the 1920s to the 1940s

6 p.m. Aug 27: Out of Eden and Just One Look, an evening of Eagles and Linda Ronstadt’s legendary music.

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SALEM — The Salem Summer Concert Series will make its return to provide community members with quality entertainment and live music experiences this summer according to a press release.

This year’s program will be under the management of the parks department and is guided by the efforts of The Salem Summer Concert Series Committee comprised of Parks Director Shane Franks, Parks Commission President John Panezott, and committee members Melissa Costa, BJ Abrams and Joy Cable.

This year will see a series of 14 concerts with artists ranging across several genres, including a mixture of returning favorites and exciting new groups beginning 7 p.m. June 2, with the Salem Quaker City Band performing music from “Around the World in 80 Minutes” under the direction of Robert Barnett.

The Quaker City Band will return for two more concerts this season with a patriotic concert 6 p.m. June 25, and to take concertgoers on an “Adventures at the Movies,” 7 p.m. July 28.

All concerts this season will be at the Orashan Memorial Civic Center, affectionately known as the “Band Shell,” at 6 p.m. An exception will be the two Friday night concerts which will be at 7 p.m. Concerts are free to the pblic, courtesy of the generosity of local business, individuals, and cultural grants from Salem Community Foundation’s Charles F. Fox Memorial Fund, the Pearce Foundation, City of Salem, Tourism Advisory Board of Salem, and Perry Township. Donors will be listed in the weekly programs and concertgoers are encouraged to show them their support and “thank them for providing our community with fine entertainment.”

Anyone interested in supporting this annual program may donate in person at any concert or can be addressed to Salem Community Foundation, P.O. Box 553, Salem, Ohio 44460 with “Summer Concerts” on the memo line.

“The Summer Concert Committee is extremely grateful for all the generous individuals and businesses which help sponsor the concerts and provide donations for the weekly gift basket drawing,” said Costa.

Each of this year’s concerts will feature tickets sales for a 50/50 drawing and baskets raffle with baskets donated by local businesses. Deborah Cappa’s concession trailer will also be on site for concertgoers to purchase sandwiches and soft drinks, including the ever-popular DiRusso’s Real Italian Sausage sandwiches with peppers and onions.

Parking is available off of Sunset Boulevard, accessible from North Lincoln Avenue, and also by entering Waterworth Memorial Park at Superior Avenue where there is limited handicapped-accessible parking. Attendees are reminded to bring their own lawn chairs and pick their spot in the grass for a relaxing evening.

Information about the bands and their music will be published weekly in the Salem News and Morning Journal, and those looking to learn more can follow the “Salem Ohio Concerts” Facebook page.