Three series of free concerts are being offered in downtown Austin this summer…

1. “Concerts in the Park” are performed by musicians from the Austin Symphony. So far I’ve heard a brass quintet and a string ensemble on the terrace outside the Long Center.

These concerts start at 7:30 PM on Sunday evenings. By this time the temperature has cooled off to a balmy 98 degrees. It’s tough to decide where to sit. The Long Center terrace has a nice view looking out to downtown but the concrete is still radiating heat and the performers face the other way. The grass in front is cooler but slopes down away from the terrace. In either case, shade is a must.

2. “Blues on the Green” is held twice a month on Wednesday evenings in Zilker Park. A large ACL-like stage is set up on the lawn near the Zilker Rock Garden. The grass here is an extremely hardy variety that was planted especially for the Austin City Limits Music Festival. These concerts also start at 7:30 PM but somehow the late-day heat seems  bearable on that lush lawn.

Local blues-ish musicians perform for fairly large crowds. Over 12,000 people attended the opening night concert by Bob Schneider. I missed that one but have heard Suzanna Choffel and Marcia Ball in recent weeks.

3. “Music under the Star” is held on Friday evenings in July. Unfortunately I will probably not get to one of these concerts this month. I’ve either had conflicts or just haven’t been motivated to walk up to the Bob Bullock Texas State History Museum at 6 PM…the hottest part of the day here.