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Best Free Concerts In Minnesota

Outdoor concerts, the low-hanging fruits of summer, are everywhere. Many of them are free. Learn how you can attend free concerts every day this summer in Minneapolis or St. Paul by reading Best Free Summer Music Events In Minnesota. Take your pick among these, and many more, free concerts coming in the summer of 2014.
10/17 - 2 broke girls - cheap diners - Pizza Luce via Pizza Luce
Photo Credit: Pizza Luce

Pizza Luce Block Party 2014
Pizza Lucé Downtown
119 N. 4th St.
Minneapolis, MN 55401
(612) 333-7359
www.pizzaluce.com

Date: Aug. 9, 2014 from 12 p.m. to 10 p.m.

One of last year's best free rock concerts returns with 10 new acts every hour on the hour. Look for the Pizza Lucé Block Party across the street from the restaurant. GRRRL PRTY caps off the evening, preceded by Mark Mallman, Heiruspecs, Dem Atlas, Black Market Brass, plus a fistful of other powerful performers.
 

Centennial Lakes Park
Maetzold Amphitheater
7499 France Ave. S.
Edina, MN 55435
(952) 833-9580
www.edinamn.gov

Date: Through Aug. 2014

Sundays see local bands such as Hopkins Community Band, St. Louis Park Community Band and Northern Winds Concert Band at the bandshell. Crowd favorite, Edina's John Phillip Sousa Memorial Band plays stirring marches once every month. Mondays see an eclectic mix of music from Minneapolis Commodores Barbershop Chorus to Jazz on the Prairie to Tango Lessons. On Tuesdays, gather along the walkway near the Hughes Pavilion to hear Sidewalk Café Duo or Vintage Piano with Jim Shannon. Wednesdays feature different music each week including big bands. On Tuesday and Thursdays at noon, kids can see 45 minutes of storytelling, music making and other types of entertainment. Call or pick up a schedule at the park.

Sundays in Stillwater
Music In The Meadow
Gasthaus Bavarian Hunter
8390 Lofton Ave.
Stillwater, MN 55082
(651) 439-7128
www.gasthausbavarianhunter.com

Date: Sundays in Aug. from 3 p.m. to 6 p.m.

Bring your chairs and blankets to the Gasthaus lawn for Timbre Creek on August 3. Get pumped up by the New Orleans Louisiana Creole Cajun Zydeco Everette Smithson Band on August 10. Hear Dan Lund sing Country on August 17. Resonate to Paul Mayesich rhythm and blues played with feeling on August 24. There's no music the following Sunday, but on Monday, September 1, 2014, The Artie Schaefer Band will get a jump on October Fest with polka music at a joyous Labor Day Festival.

Como Park Zoo & Conservatory
(credit: City of St. Paul)

Wednesdays In The Garden
Groovin' In The Garden
Como Park Zoo & Conservatory
Visitor Center Lawn
1225 Estabrook Drive
Saint Paul, MN 55103
(651) 487-8201
www.comozooconservatory.org

Date: Aug. 1 - Sept. 5, 2014

Show up every Wednesday at closing time (6 p.m.) at Como Park Zoo & Conservatory and bring a blanket. Let the kids unwind with the climbing wall, bouncy house and lawn games. Snacks, treats, beer and wine are available for purchase. Latin American and Caribbean band Malamanya performs July 16. The R&B soul troupe, Southside Desire from South Minneapolis, will be on stage July 23. Rock and indie group, The Melvilles, will perform original songs and covers from REM and other contemporaries on July 30. Rock, reggae, funk out and folk jam with The Limns on August 6.

Related: Best Cover Bands In Minnesota

Thursdays at the Shoppes
Summer Faire Concert Series in Arbor Park
The Shoppes at Arbor Lakes
12459 Elm Creek Blvd. N.
Maple Grove, MN 55369
(763) 424-0504
www.shoppesatarborlakes.com

Date: Through Aug. 21, 2014

Stop by Arbor Park every Thursday from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. now through August 21. First, The Arcades, a Minnesota-based, family-friendly cover band, will play music from the 50s and 60s on Thursday, July 17. The Belfast Cowboys give tribute to Van Morrison and others on Thursday, July 24. The dynamic, professional and hard-working Davina and the Vagabonds are invited back on Thursday, July 31. Keri Noble, co-host of "The Morning Show" on Cities 97 and a Minnesota-based professional singer/songwriter should draw the crowds on Thursday, Aug. 7. Mick Sterling performs soul and R&B with The Irresistibles on Thursday, Aug. 14. Boogie Wonderland relives the 70s on Thursday, Aug. 21. Arbor Park is the central courtyard area in The Shoppes at Arbor Lakes.
 

Leinie Lodge, Minnesota State Fair
(credit: CBS)

Big Name Talent
Minnesota State Fair 2014
1265 Snelling Ave. N.
St. Paul, MN 55108-3099
www.mnstatefair.org

Date: Aug. 21 - Sept. 1, 2014

See more than 100 free entertainment acts for the price of entry to the 2014 State Fair. Social media sites are buzzing about many big names are scheduled, such as Grammy Award winner and prolific singer/songwriter Scott Stapp. Many remember Creed's "With Arms Wide Open" from the late 1990s and are spreading the news about his coming to Minnesota to perform at the Leinie Lodge Bandshell Monday, Aug. 25 and Tuesday, Aug. 26 at 8:30 p.m.

See Dr. Dog at the Leinie Lodge Bandshell the following two nights at 8:30 p.m. – Wednesday, Aug. 27 and Thursday, Aug. 28. This indie rock band is gaining popularity and should draw a large crowd.

Then on Friday, Aug. 29 and Saturday, Aug. 30 at 7:30 p.m. and 8:45 p.m. on the International Bazaar Stage, see Sonny Knight & The Lakers. The Current listeners know his R&B/funk LP "I'm Still Here" grabs you as cheeky and genuine.

On the last two days of the fair at 1 p.m. and 2:30 p.m., go to the Leinie Lodge Bandshell to see Home Free. This Minnesota country vocal group is coming off a win on NBC's "The Sing-Off" and should generate a lot of buzz.

Related: Best Summer Outdoor Music Festivals In The Twin Cities

Robin Johnson was born in Annandale, Minn. and graduated from Richfield High School and then the University of Minnesota where he studied Political Science, Business and Industrial Relations. A writer for Examiner.com, he also consults with a variety of organizations and individuals helping them develop and grow. His work can be found at Examiner.com.

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