Every other Wednesday evening from late May to early August, thousands of Austinites head over to Zilker Park for Blues on the Green. This free concert series is sponsored by local radio station KGSR 93.3. The bands start around 7:30 PM and play about two hours. Some people bring lawn chairs, but most just sit on blankets or on the grass.

With close to 10,000 people attending these concerts, parking in the area can be a problem. But for me and Bill, Zilker Park is an easy and scenic two-mile walk from downtown along the Hike-and-Bike Trail. And we have plenty of company walking back along the trail after dark.

We like to be up near the stage for these concerts. The sound system is pretty good, but it’s hard to appreciate the music when you’re a half-mile away surrounded by thousands of talkers. This summer we’ve enjoyed close-up views of Alpha Rev, Shakey Graves, and The Gourds. The season ends on August 7 with a preview of October’s Austin City Limits Music Festival featuring White Denim, My Jerusalem, and The Preservation.