Cape & Islands - Sounds of Summer!

Baseball, hot dogs, ice cream, sunscreen, kids frolicking in the water: these are the sights, tastes, smells and sounds of an American summer. The Cape & Islands add another sound to this mix: outdoor live music!

One of our nation’s finest and best-loved musical ensembles, the Boston Pops Esplanade Orchestra, takes the stage on the Hyannis Village Green. Mark your calendar for the 27th Annual TD Bank Pops by the Sea concert on Sunday, August 12, 2012! Legendary Cape Cod jazz musician Lou Colombo has been named Honorary Chair, posthumously.

This year’s performance features Tony-nominated performer Ann Hampton Callaway and famous Hollywood comic actor Jim Belushi as guest conductor. Tickets start as low as $15.00 and should be purchased in advance to avoid long lines or disappointment the day of the show. Please visit artsfoundation.org for ticket information. Don’t miss out on this fantastic event!

Cape Cod & Martha’s Vineyard are home to 3 'a cappella' groups, comprised of talented college students from all over the nation who come together to sing from June through mid August (while enjoying the Cape Cod summer...). Cape Harmony is Cape Cod's premiere all-female a cappella group; hear them weekly Tuesdays, Wednesdays, Thursdays and Fridays. The Hyannis Sound, Cape Cod’s all male group since 1994, have weekly gigs on Mondays, Tuesdays, Thursdays and Fridays. Last, but certainly not least, Vineyard Sound, an all male college group now in its 20th season, performs weekly shows around Martha's Vineyard on Mondays, Tuesdays, Thursdays and Fridays. These a cappella groups perform primarily indoors at churches, but do perform at some outdoor venues. In addition to regularly scheduled weekly performances, there are many special appearances. Visit their websites for complete performance schedules.

Several Cape Cod towns host weekly summer band concerts, offering an evening of music that includes Broadway tunes, jazz, big band, classical, pop, and more from Town Bands and other invited performers. Most, if not all, are outdoors in parks, schools or waterfront settings, and are open to the general public. Pack a picnic basket, toss some folding chairs or a blanket in the car, and join your family and friends for an evening of toe-tapping fun at any of these free summer concerts.

Summer Thursdays are “Cool Jazz Nights” on Main Street, sponsored by The Hyannis Main Street Business Improvement District. Stroll along Main Street and listen to the Hyannis Jazz Ensemble Quartet from 7:00 to 9:00 PM every Thursday in July and August. No need to bring your own chair or blanket, as free seating is provided outside on the lawn in front of Palio Pizzeria. Also, as an added attraction, the Hyannis Jazz Ensemble Trio will perform outside the Beech Tree Cantina during the month of August.

Prefer the beat of a different drummer? Check out Cape Cod African Dance & Drum’s outdoor summer dance class, Mondays 7:00 PM at the band shell on the Hyannis Village Green. Join the dancers or just sit, watch, and enjoy the rhythm of the live drummers.

Thanks to sponsors like Citizens Bank, TD Bank, our local businesses, recreation departments and chambers of commerce, there is family friendly live music almost every night of the week!