Live music on a summer’s night is a longstanding tradition around the area with multiple concert series in full swing as May heads into June
From Hopelands Gardens in Aiken to the Appleby Branch Library in Augusta, there’s a performance almost every evening of the week and many of them are free.
The 51st annual Hopelands series began in April, and there’s a wide array of music planned for June including Keely and Megan on June 2.
A mezzo soprano, Keely Jean Rhodes is an assistant professor of music and the coordinator of vocal studies at the University of South Carolina Aiken and Megan Rich is an Instructor of music and head of piano studies at USCA. Rhodes received a Grammy Award with the ensemble, Conspirare.
On June 9, the Aiken Brass Band, a six-member brass band, will play followed by the Josh Martin Band on June 15. The Josh Martin Band has members who have performed across the U.S. in cities such as Memphis, Tenn. Las Vegas and Nashville.
Chris Ndeti, an acoustic rock/soul performer will be joined by fellow artists James Heath, Mike West, and Dave Mercer on June 23. The series culminates with the Parris Island Marine Band on June 30, “a long-time Hopelands Concert Series favorite, performing patriotic classics like ‘Stars and Stripes Forever,’” according to the city of Aiken website.
Performances are held on the Roland H. Windham Performing Arts Stage at 6:30 p.m. In case of rain, they are moved to the Odell Weeks Center.
The area’s longest-running outdoor summer series is the Evenings in the Appleby Garden Concert Series, which kicks off its 71st season June 3 with JaVonne Jones; The Dulcimer Guy is scheduled for June 10, Magnolia Honey on June 17, and AE the Cool on June 24.
The free concerts begin at 8 p.m. at the Appleby Branch Library, 2260 Walton Way.
At 7 p.m. on Thursdays, the North Augusta Cultural Arts Council offers Music in the Park at Maude Edenfield Park.
The Over the Hill Gang will present 60s and 70s music on June 5; The Experiment and I-20 Horns. mix of old school and modern dance music, will be June 12; the Gift of Dance will be June 19; and the Savannah River Brass Works will bring patriotic favorites on June 26.
On Fridays in the spring and fall, take tours on the Augusta Canal via a Peterburg boat to the sounds of local performers.
The moonlight cruises, in their 20th year, are from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. Double “D” will present classic rock hits on May 30; Gwen Hughes is scheduled for June 6: Chris Ndeti will play June 13; Rae’s Creek Revival will perform June 20 and Tom Reed will be featured June 27.
Tickets are $25 for adultsand $23 for senior 60 years old and older, military and students. Call (706) 823-0440 ext. 502.
The 2025 Candlelight Music Series continues through August on Sundays at the Augusta Common with local and regional artists and food vendors.
June’s lineup includes Phaze 360 on June 1; G Clef and The Playlist, on June 8; E Que and the Crew on June 15; Krystal Mindingall and Vibe Theory, June 22; and Lady and the Gents, June 29.
Concerts begin at 7:30 p.m.
Tickets are $10 for adults and children 13 and younger are free; tickets are available at the gate with cash or credit/debit card only.
Charmain Z. Brackett, the publisher of Augusta Good News and Inspiring: Women of Augusta, has covered Augusta’s news for more than 35 years. She’s a Georgia Press Association winner and the recipient of the 2018 Greater Augusta Arts Council’s media award. Reach her at charmain@augustagoodnews.com. Sign up for the newsletter here.
