Summer Park Festivals and Concerts

At last summer is here, and I'm committed to enjoying the summer, as it is short and before you know it, we'll be dealing with the cold weather again. One of the things that I'm committed to is using the warm weather as leverage to stay motivated around health and fitness. I'm also committed to playing golf at LEAST once per month, and to just having "fun" and being "free."

This blog is dedicated to the idea of summer festivals and concerts. They are an awesome way to enjoy the outdoors, and for those who have a love and passion for artistic express, a way to induldge in the arts.

I've done a little research for my readers, and have collected some information on some of the different offerings in or around the tri-state area, but before sharing them, here are some tips to ensure that whichever of these events you plan to attend, you will be prepared and have a great time.

1 - Find out about the rules and restrictions: At many of these events, attendees are allowed to bring alcohol, but I encourage you to go to the links I'm providing here to find out what will be allowed.

2 - Bring snacks...such as cheese, chips, fruit salad. This way you won't spend a fortune or be too hungry to enjoy the event.

3 - Bring bottled water..and if you're an aspiring wine connosior like me, you will want to bring a good bottle of wine (if permitted).

4 - Be sure to bring a blanket or picnic chair to sit on for comfort and to avoid grass stains.

5 - Don't forget a few paper cups, small paper plates and/or napkins.

The following are events that I've found that are happening this summer, and I'm sure there are many, many more, but these are a few of my favorites:

1) New York Metropolitan Opera House's Summer Series: this series is normally available in both New York and New Jersey, but this year I was only able to find info on the New York locations. They will be performing throughout the month of July, in all five boroughs. The performances are free! Here is the link for more info: http://www.metoperafamily.org/metopera/news/features/detail.aspx?id=8590

2) The CareFusion Newport Jazz Festival in Newport, Rhode Island. This festival runs from August 6th through August 8th this year, which is a Friday, Saturday and Sunday. Ticketmaster has tickets starting at $75 (you may be able to get tickets at a better price but that's how I usually get mine). The link to the festival is: http://www.newportjazzfest.net/

3) The Montreal Jazz Festival in Canada. This festival will run from June 25th through July 6th. Tickets start at about $52.00, and the link to the website is: http://www.montrealjazzfest.com/default-en.aspx

4) New York also offers a ton of free summer concerts in Central Park (and other locations throughout New York). The website to access the calendar of these free events is: http://www.freesummerconcerts.com/

5) Philadelphia offers a series of free summer concerts as well, the website for Philly's events is: http://www.visitphilly.com/events/philadelphia/summer-concert-series-at-penns-landing

So I don't know about you folks, but I'm definitely hitting a few of these events over the summer, especially the ones that are free :-). Those of us that work hard, should also play hard.....I hope to see you around this summer at some of these events!