188 free Central Jersey summer and fall concerts, music festivals

What do you think is the best way to spend your tax dollars?

Investing in schools and infrastructure? Feeding the hungry? Tax breaks for different groups?

Well, if you're a big music fan, you must love living in Central Jersey because there are nearly 200 free municipal and county concerts and festivals happening into the fall.

Hunterdon, Middlesex, Somerset and Union counties present their own concert series in their parks. Hunterdon also has a concert series going on in their Flemington and Clinton libraries.

READ: Hub City Sounds, Live at the Ferry Slip offer families world music

READ: 54 free summer concerts in Woodbridge

READ: 36 family carnivals, festivals and fairs this summer in Central Jersey

"For 50 years, residents of Somerset County and the surrounding communities have been winding down their weekends by attending the Summer Concert Series in Duke Island Park," said Cindie Sullivan, deputy director of Somerset County Parks.

"The series has a long-standing tradition of providing performances in a variety of musical styles ranging from oldies, country, jazz, big band, folk, polka, reggae, classical, and zydeco. … Attendance averages 3,000 each performance, and popular performances can bring 5,000 to the park. It’s a wonderful tradition."

Hunterdon County Parks and Recreation spokeswoman Margaret Conroy added, "(We) enjoy having people come to Deer Path Park to spend a stress-free evening with family and friends. Our 'Music Under the Stars' free concert series turns 41 this year. We hope the music, the beautiful vista and the setting sun will provide everyone with two hours of priceless enjoyment. They can sing, dance, meet new friends, even catch a glimpse of some wildlife."

More than a dozen municipalities also will present free concerts, including Clinton, Flemington, Carteret, East Brunswick, New Brunswick, Perth Amboy, Piscataway, Plainfield, Woodbridge, Somerville, Linden, Rahway and Westfield.  

Woodbridge offers the most with 54, more than one-quarter of all that's happening in Central Jersey. And Perth Amboy has three concert series going on along its waterfront: Mayor's Summer Concert Series and Garden State Symphony Orchestra in Bayview Park, as well as Live at the Ferry Slip at the city's historic maritime museum.  

"We instituted an arts program a couple years back," Mayor Wilda Diaz said. "We're trying to attract not only visitors but residents to come to Bayview Park to see our beautiful waterfront and encourage shopping and dining. We also are giving local artists an opportunity to showcase their talent. Perth Amboy is the place to visit this summer because we have a lot going on, especially in the area of the arts.

"Live at the Ferry Slip hosted by Perth Amboy Artworks' Caroline Torres has done a fantastic job," Diaz continued. "And I have to congratulate Garden State Symphonic Band on the 110 years that they are celebrating performing on the Perth Amboy waterfront. They have such a wonderful program that's such a tradition!"  

What you can do 

Enjoy the following free municipal and county concert series and festivals into the fall throughout Central Jersey. Bring lawn chairs and picnic baskets to all events. Food will be sold at some.

Hunterdon County

Clinton’s Come Together 2017 Friday Night Music Festivals, 7 to 9 p.m. through Sept. 29, plus 1 to 3 p.m. Saturdays from Sept. 8 to 30, downtown Clinton, www.clintonguild.com/

• July 21, Simon & Garfunkel tribute with Excellent Adventure, Tom Vicario, Fred’s Landing, and Tom & Ed
• July 28, Justin Dermin, Arturo, Mark Cook, and Raritan Valley Recovery
• Aug. 4, Beatles Fest with Fred’s Landing, Tom Vicario and Jager Soprano
• Aug. 11, ’70s Night with Grasping at Straws, Arturo, Mark Crook, and Steven Clar
• Aug. 18, ’50s & ’60s Night with Tom Vicario (Elvis Presley and Johnny Cash), Thomas Johnston, Excellent Adventure
• Aug. 25, Fred’s Landing, Arturo, Mark Cook and Steven Clar
• Sept. 1, Phil Swanson, Jager Soprano, Old School and Raritan Valley Recovery
• Sept. 8, Tom Vicaro, Arturo, Mark Cook and Steven Clar
• Sept. 9, Thomas Johnston, Phillip Swanson, and The Community
• Sept. 15, Jay, Steve & Owen, Sweet & Sassy and Craig Sailer Band
• Sept. 22, Arturo, Mark Cook and Tom Vicario
• Sept. 23, Donna & Pat, plus “Meet a Disney Princess”
• Sept. 29, Before I Wake, Jager Soprano and more
• Sept. 30, Billy Joel Tribute with Phillip Swanson, Excellent Adventure and Way May Be Right

Flemington Thursday Night Lights on Stangl with local music artists, craft beer, Thirdwave Coffee, fast casual cuisine, and comedy, 6 to 10 p.m. July 27 and Aug. 10 and 24, Blue Fish Grill, Factory Fuel Co., and Lone Eagle Brewing, Stangl Road. www.flemington.rocks/thursday-night-lights/

Lone Eagle Brewing:

• July 27, Nancy Belford (soul music)
• Aug. 10, Mother’s Recovery
• Aug. 24, Back Porch Jug Band

Blue Fish Grill:

• July 27, Tyler McManus
• Aug. 10, Donna Milcarek
• Aug. 24, Thomas Johnston

Factory Fuel Co.:

• July 27, Ed Jankiewicz
• Aug. 10, Nancy Belford
• Aug. 24, Al Griggs

Central Jersey Jazz Festival at Flemington with Willie Martinez, Jazz House Kids, Lezlie Harrison, Jeff “Train” Watts, 6 to 10 p.m. Sept. 15, Historic Court House, Main Street. www.centraljerseyjazzfestival.com/

Hunterdon County Parks’ 41st “Music Under the Stars,” 7 to 9 p.m. Thursdays through Aug. 17, Deer Path Park, 120 W. Woodschurch Road, Readington, www.co.hunterdon.nj.us, 908-782- 7275

• July 20, Jim Barone, Elvis tribute
• July 27, Captain Jack, Billy Joel tribute
• Aug. 3, Tramps Like Us, Bruce Springsteen tribute
• Aug. 10, The Whiptones, doo wop quartet
• Aug. 17, Amish Outlaws, cover band

Hunterdon County Library Outdoor Concerts, 6:30 p.m. Wednesdays through Aug. 16, www.hclibrary.us, 908-788-1423

• July 19, The Dan Butera Swing Band, Hunterdon County Library, 314 Route 12, Raritan Township
• July 26, Long Hill String Band, North County Branch Library, 65 Halstead St., Clinton
• Aug. 2, The Blawenburg Band, Hunterdon County Library, Raritan Township
• Aug. 9, SummerSwing Orchestra, North County Branch, Clinton
• Aug. 16, The British Invasion Years, Hunterdon County Library, Raritan Township

Middlesex County

Carteret Summer Concert Series with Concerts in the Park, 7 p.m. Fridays through Aug. 25, Carteret Park, Cypress Street and Carteret Avenue, and the Concerts by the Bay, 7 p.m. Sundays through Aug. 27, Waterfront Park, 200 Middlesex Ave. Rain location: Thomas J. Deverin Community Center, 100 Cooke Ave. www.carteret.net/concerts, 732-541-3817

Concerts by the Bay:

• July 16, Beginnings, Chicago tribute
• July 23, The Infernos, classic rock
• July 30, Joe Arminio & the Family, American Bandstand revue
• Aug. 6, Total Soul
• Aug. 13, Van Martin & the Big Band
• Aug. 20, Jersey & the Cliff Hangers
• Aug. 27, Radio Nashville

Concerts in the Park:

• July 7, Remember When, ’70s disco and classic rock
• July 14, Party of Five, doo wop, Motown, southern and classic rock
• July 21, Memphis Rain, classic rock
• July 28, Jerry Fleming & the Mike Duffy Band
• Aug. 4, Strictly ’60s Band
• Aug. 11, Jersey Shore Roustabouts
• Aug. 18, The Crosstones
• Aug. 25. Karickter, jazz, R&B, Motown and contemporary

East Brunswick Summer Series, 7 p.m. Community Arts Center, Cranbury and Dunhams Corner roads, www.eastbrunswick.org, 732-390-6797

• July 27, Strictly ’60s Band
• Aug. 17, Tequila Rose, new and classic country rock

Middlesex County Music-in-the-Parks Summer Series, 6 to 7:30 p.m. Sundays, Spring Lake Park Gazebo, Maple Avenue, South Plainfield; 2 to 3:30 p.m. Wednesdays, Thompson Park Gazebo, Forsgate Drive, Jamesburg, and 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. Wednesdays, Raritan Bay Waterfront Park, O’Leary Boulevard, South Amboy (rain location: South Amboy Middle/High School Auditorium). www.middlesexcountynj.gov

Raritan Bay Waterfront Park:

• July 19, Guthrie Brothers, “Sing Best of The Everly Brothers”
• July 26, Jersey Polka Stars
• Aug. 2, Perry Brothers Irish Band
• Aug. 9, Sandy Sasso’s Swingin’ Big Band
• Aug. 16, Zydeco-A-Go-Go
• Aug. 23, Danny V’s 52nd Street Band, Billy Joel tribute
• Aug. 30, British Invasion Tribute

Spring Lake Park Gazebo:

• July 16, Sandy Sasso’s Swingin’ Big Band
• July 23, Carnaby Street, ‘60s pop and rock tribute
• July 30, George Krauss Memorial Band
• Aug. 6, Jersey Polka Stars
• Aug. 13, Broadway Pops Big Band
• Aug. 20, New York State of Mind, Billy Joel tribute
• Aug. 27, Garden State Symphonic Band

Thompson Park Gazebo:

• July 19, Marimba player Greg Giannascoli
• July 26, Jersey Polka Stars
• Aug. 2, Rave On Band, Buddy Holly/Roy Orbison tribute
• Aug. 9, Broadway Pops Big Band
• Aug. 16, Zydeco-A-Go-Go
• Aug. 23, Perry Brothers Irish Band
• Aug. 30, Garden State Symphonic Band

New Brunswick Cultural Center's Hub City Sounds, various times July 23 through Oct. 8 in Boyd Park, Memorial Parkway at Commercial Avenue, unless otherwise indicated. www.newbrunswickarts.org/2017-hub-city-sounds-festival

• Guelaguetza, 1 to 6 p.m. July 23, featuring the beautiful music, cultural dances, healing traditions, and heritage of Oaxaca, Mexico
• Second annual Indo-American Festival, 1 to 6 p.m. Aug. 12
• Second annual Caribbean Festival, noon to 6 p.m. Aug. 26
• Fourth annual ROCK New Brunswick, Sept. 8 to 10 throughout Hub City with five music media-curated events dedicated to the local music scene, three of which are free, including a festival noon to 6 p.m. in Boyd Park with eight bands, 40 DIY Market vendors, five food trucks, community workshops, aerialist acrobats and a DJ
• New Brunswick Jazz Project’s fifth annual Central Jersey Jazz Festival, 1 to 6 p.m. Sept. 16, Livingston Avenue at George Street, with Cocomama, Hub City Brass Band, Lucian Barbarian Septet, and Jimmy Cobb Trio with Matt Chertkoff
• 3rd Annual Corazon Latino Festival, 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 8, Joyce Kilmer Park, 143 Joyce Kilmer Ave., as part of New Brunswick Ciclovia, a citywide event mainly produced by the New Brunswick Tomorrow nonprofit dedicated to health, wellness and the arts.

New Brunswick’s 38th annual Raritan River Festival, 11 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Sept. 24, Boyd Park, with live music, vendors, new Brunswick Community Farmers market, children’s activities, cardboard canoe race, and the Beez Foundation’s annual Rubber Ducky Race with prizes for winners. www.raritanriverfestival.net/

(Perth Amboy) Mayor’s Summer Concert Series, 6:30 to 8 p.m. Thursdays through Aug. 24, Bayview Park, Front and Market streets. http://ci.perthamboy.nj.us/

• July 20, Brandywine Road, party rock
• July 27, Shaman, Santana tribute
• Aug. 3, Victor Quezada & His Latin Jazz Band
• Aug. 10, Princesa, Latin
• Aug. 17, Cathedral International Gospel Singers
• Aug. 24, Karaoke Night

Perth Amboy Artworks' Live at the Ferry Slip, 7 to 9 p.m. Aug. 5, Sept. 9, and Oct. 7, Ferry Slip Museum, 300 Front St. www.perthamboyartworks.org/

• Aug. 5, San Simón (Afro-Caribbean) and GMJ Groove (funk, jazz, reggae, R&B)
• Sept. 9, Proper (Cuban folk, Afro beat, rock, salsa) and Joseph Frame (Brazilian jazz, classical, gypsy jazz, Great American Songbook)
• Oct. 7, Segunda Quimbamba (Puerto Rican bombo and plena) and United States of Boogaloo (boogaloo, punk, salsa, rockabilly, samba, bomba, plena)

Perth Amboy Concerts by the Bay with the Garden State Symphonic Band, 3 to 5 p.m. Sundays through Aug. 27, Bayview Park. Rain location: Wilentz School, 51 1st St., Perth Amboy. gssband.com

Piscataway Cultural Arts Commission’s 2017 Summer Concert in the Park Series, 7 p.m. Thursdays through Aug. 31, Columbus Park Extension Gazebo, Lakeview Avenue and New Market Road. Rain location: Piscataway Senior Center 700 Buena Vista Drive (behind Kennedy Library). Weather hotline: 732-562-2389. Concert info: 732-563-4117

• July 6, The Guthrie Brothers “Sing the Best of Simon & Garfunkel”
• July 13, The VooDUDES, Gulf Coast roots, Caribbean vibes, and New Orleans funk and R&B
• July 20, Shaman, Santana tribute
• July 27, The British Invasion
• Aug. 3, Tequila Rose
• Aug. 10, The Jimmie ’80s Flashback Band
• Aug. 17, Human Wheels, classic rock
• Aug. 24, Verdict, Caribbean
• Aug. 31, The Dimensions with Valerie Adams, Motown, R&B, classic rock, dance and singalongs

(Woodbridge) Mayor’s Summer Concert Series: “Golden Oldies Monday” and Tuesday Tribute Bands, 7:30 p.m., grass behind Woodbridge High School, 1 Samuel Lupo Place; “Woodbridge Wednesday,” 7:30 p.m., and “Country Sunday,” 6 p.m., both Parker Press Park, 400 Rahway Ave.; “Local Band Thursday,” 7:30 p.m. Tanzman Park, across from the downtown train station on Pearl Street and East Park Avenue; “Second Friday Jazz,” 7:30 p.m. Frank Pelzman Park, end of West Park Avenue on Tappen Street, Avenel section. www.twp.woodbridge.nj.us/DocumentCenter/View/3725

Golden Oldies Monday:

• June 26: The Duprees
• July 10: The Beginnings
• July 17: Emil Stucchio & the Classics
• July 24: New York BeeGees
• July 31: Mahoney Bros. Jukebox Heroes Live!
• Aug. 7: Shadows of the ’60s, Motown
• Aug. 14: Capris with Larry Chance & the Earls
• Aug. 21: Brit Pack Beatles Tribute
• Aug. 28: The Infernos

Tuesday Tribute Bands:

• July 18, Eaglemania, Eagles tribute
• July 25, British Invasion
• Aug. 1, Broken Arrow, Neil Young tribute
• Aug. 8, Back to the Garden, Woodstock tribute
• Aug. 15, Glimmer Twins, Rolling Stones tribute
• Aug. 22, Green River, Creedence Clearwater Revival tribute
• Aug. 29, B Street Band, Bruce Springsteen tribute

Woodbridge Wednesday:

• July 19, John Fullbright
• July 26, Femina
• Aug. 2, Ari Hest, Chrissi Poland, and Matt Nakoa & The Honey Dewdrops
• Aug. 9, Alsarah & the Nubatones
• Aug. 16, The Dustbowl Revival
• Aug. 23, Ellen Jewel Band
• Aug. 30, Harpeth Rising
• Sept. 6, Iain Matthews and Lipbone Redding

Local Band Thursday:

• July 20, Smokehouse
• July 27, Blame It on Richie
• Aug. 3, Seven Stone
• Aug. 10, Smoke & Mirrors
• Aug. 17, 9South
• Aug. 24, Brandywine Road
• Aug. 31, Marty & the Martians
• Sept. 7, Love Revolution

Second Friday Jazz:

• July 14: Stephane Wremble
• Aug. 11: Duchess
• Sept. 8: The Huntertones

Country Sunday:

• July 16, Truck Stop Troubadours, outlaw country
• July 23, The Chapin Sisters, plus The Farmer and Adele
• July 30, Radney Foster
• Aug. 6, ZBTB, Zac Brown tribute
• Aug. 13, Gibson Brothers
• Aug. 20, Yarn
• Aug. 27, John Jorgenson Bluegrass Band

Somerset County

Somerset County Park Commission’s 2017 Free Summer Concert Series, 7 to 8:30 p.m. Sundays (unless indicated) through Aug. 6, Duke Island Park band shell, Old York Road, Bridgewater, www.somersetcountyparks.org, 908-722-1200

• July 16, Darlene Love
• July 23, Boy Band Project
• July 30, Blues Fest with Bob Lanza Blues Band and Tyrone Stackhouse Group, 5 to 8:30 p.m.
• Aug. 6, Third annual Food Truck Fest with The Duprees

Downtown Somerville Alliance’s Summer Stage Concerts, 7 to 9 p.m. Saturdays through Aug. 19, Division Street. www.downtownsomerville.com/

• July 8, Moggy Hill, bluegrass
• July 15, Walnut Street, classic rock
• July 22, Mama’s Stew, party favorites
• July 29, Banshee Brothers, classic rock
• Aug. 5, Kyle and the Crooked Hearts, indie, punk rock
• Aug. 12, The Rollbacks, rock, Latin, jazz, salsa
• Aug. 19, Busse and the Vibes, jam band

Central Jersey Jazz Festival at Somerville with Jazz House Kids, Marion Crownings, Claire Daly, and Davell Crawford, 1 to 6 p.m. Sept. 17, Somerset County Court House Green, East Main and Grove streets. www.centraljerseyjazzfestival.com/

Union County

Linden Summer 2017 Concert Series, 7:30 p.m. (Comedy Nights, 7 p.m.), Raymond Wood Bauer Promenade, 400 N. Wood Ave. www.linden-nj.org

• July 18, Van Martin and the Big Band
• July 20, Comedy Night
• July 21, 7 Stone Band, classic rock
• July 23, Shakespeare Theatre of New Jersey: “Taming of the Shrew”
• July 25, Human Wheels, classic and modern rock
• July 27, Comedy Night
• Aug. 1, National Night Out, 4 to 7 p.m., and Rob Paparozzi Band, blues, 7:30 p.m.
• Aug. 3, Comedy Night
• Aug. 4, Dara & Frank, classic pop and rock
• Aug. 8, Route 80’s Band
• Aug. 10, Comedy Night
• Aug. 15, 100 Proof Band, southern rock
• Aug. 17, Comedy Night
• Aug. 18, Billy the Kid, classic rock, blues
• Aug. 22, The Best of The Eagles
• Aug. 29, Epic Soul
• Sept. 5, Alders Band, polka

Plainfield Outdoor Concerts, 7 p.m. Thursdays, Aug. 3 to 24, Watchung Avenue at East 5th Street. http://plainfieldnj.gov/

• Aug. 3, FLAVUH Band, R&B
• Aug. 10, Brick City Soul Collective
• Aug. 17, Cocomama, world music
• Aug. 24, Rhythm Review, local DJs spinning ’60s to ’80s

(Rahway) Mayor’s Summer Concert Series 2017, 7:30 p.m. Thursdays Aug. 3 to 17, plus Friday, Aug. 25, Irving Street in front of the Union County Performing Arts Center, Rahway. Rain location: arts center. www.facebook.com/events/126276051307358/?ti=cl&__mref=mb

• Aug. 3, Almost Queen and Annie Minogue Band
• Aug. 10, Riff
• Aug. 17, Larger Than Life and Mike Schiavo
• Aug. 25, Foodstock 2017 with Sugar Ray and Miss Ohio

Union County’s 57th annual Summer Arts Festival Concert Series, 7:30 p.m. Wednesdays through July 26, Echo Lake Park, Springfield Avenue, Mountainside, and 7:30 p.m. Wednesdays from Aug. 2 to 23, Oak Ridge Park, 136 Old Ridge Road, Clark. http://ucnj.org/calendar/

Echo Lake Park:

• July 19, The Vinny's, old-time rock ‘n’ roll
• July 26, Hudson River Rats

Oak Ridge Park:

• Aug. 2, Dead Space, Grateful Dead Experience
• Aug. 9, American Rapture, rock ‘n’ soul revue
• Aug. 16, Black Dog, Led Zeppelin tribute
• Aug. 23, New York State of Mind, Billy Joel tribute

Westfield Community Concert Band’s 105th annual Summer Concert Series, 7:30 p.m. July 20, Mindowaskin Park, East Broad Street. westfieldcommunityband.com

Staff Writer Bob Makin: 732-565-7319; bmakin@gannett.com

For more about New Brunswick Cultural Arts Center's Hub City Sounds and Perth Amboy Artworks' Live at the Ferry Slip concert series, visit http://mycj.co/2uoEyfA