Appearing on stage with Jon Bindley of Bindley Hardware Company, County Executive Rich Fitzgerald today announced the line-up for the 2023 Summer Concert Series during the county’s annual Take Your Kids to Work Day. The annual series will kick off the first weekend of June with performances by the Pittsburgh Opera in South Park on June 2 and Pittsburgh’s own Chris Jamison on June 4 in Hartwood Acres, with opener Grace Elliott.
"I love our concert series and hear from so many residents who look forward to these performances each year," said Fitzgerald. "While there are always so many events in our parks, there’s something special about the Summer Concert Series and how it brings people together with their friends and family to enjoy the experience of live music outdoors."
The 2023 lineup includes perennial favorites including the Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra, Pittsburgh Ballet Theatre, and Pittsburgh Opera, but also welcomes some familiar names to South Park and Hartwood Acres.
South Park Amphitheater will again host 14 free performances this season. With one exception, shows will be on Fridays at 7:30 p.m. The Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra performance is being held on Saturday, July 1 and will begin at 8:15 p.m.
Performer Jon Bindley joined the County Executive for today’s announcement. The June 23 Honky-Tonk Jukebox will feature Jon’s Bindley Hardware Co. in its performance.
Fan-favorite Summer of Love is back on July 7. The Dazz Band, which won a Grammy for the smash hit "Let It Whip" will headline on July 21. On July 28, Fastball is performing. The Austin, Texas band’s song "The Way" topped the American rock charts for seven weeks and was featured prominently in a recent episode of the show Ted Lasso.
August offerings are just as exciting. On August 11, JD McPherson and his band take a break from their summer tour with Robert Plant of Led Zeppelin. And on August 18, the county will host singer-songwriter Edwin McCain who the New York Times calls "The Great American Romantic." His songs have been staples in weddings and romantic comedies for the last two decades.
The Hartwood Acres Park Amphitheater also has an amazing line-up of talent. The site will also host 14 free performances on Sunday evenings with shows at 7:30 p.m., again with one exception. The Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra performance will begin at 8:15 p.m. on July 2. The June 18 Father’s Day Car Cruise at Hartwood will be followed by a concert featuring The Jaggerz.
In July, Hartwood hosts Marty Stuart and his Fabulous Superlatives on July 9. The group is considered by many to be the best traditional country act touring today. Marty is a 5-time Grammy Award winner and a member of the Country Music Hall of Fame. July 16 marks a show by multi-platinum-selling band WAR as they bring their infectious mix of funk, rock, Latin and soul music. Everyone will be singing along to songs like "Low Rider," "Why Can’t We Be Friends," "Cisco Kid," and "Summer Time."
Fitz and the Tantrums will headline the July 23 performance. The group has more than 3 billion streams from hits including "Hand Clap" and "The Walker." The month rounds out with Hometown Night at Hartwood, as the series welcomes local talent to the stage.
In August, Jazz guitar pioneer and 2-time Grammy Award winner John Scofield will perform at Hartwood with the Jason Kush Quartet opening.
As has been the tradition, the 2023 Summer Concert Series will close out with the 23rd Annual Allegheny County Music Festival. This year, the event will be 80-s themed and headlined by Men Without Hats whose song "Safety Dance" is known and loved by people all over the world. The September 3 event benefits children and youth receiving services. A $20 per vehicle requested donation supports requests made through the county Department of Human Services or the Juvenile Section of the Family Division of the Court of Common Pleas. Since 2000, the County Music Festival has raised nearly $550,000. To learn more about the Allegheny County Music Festival Fund, visit www.alleghenycounty.us/Human-Services/ACMFF.
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"When I first took office 12 years ago, I asked Parks and Special Events to work to provide something in our parks every day for residents. They’ve exceeded that goal and this year’s concert series schedule reflects that," Fitzgerald continued. "Not only is there something for everyone – blues, oldies, country rock, funk, jazz, Indie pop, and rhythm and blues – but this summer also includes the return of Movies in the Park, Park in the Park car cruises, and a new Acoustics series that kicked off last week and continues tonight at the Cascades in South Park. My summer schedule is going to be full."
The 2023 Summer Movie Series kicks off on June 22 in South Park at the 100 Acre House with movies starting at dusk. First up, "Encanto." Bring blankets and lawn chairs out for these free movies that start at dusk, between 8:50 and 9:15 p.m.
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Park in the Park, the car cruise series, kicks off on Sunday, May 7 at the South Park VIP Parking Lot at 2 PM. The schedule includes four events at four parks through September. The cruises will welcome music, food trucks and plenty of cars. Mike Fraser from 3WS will also be on hand and the first 100 cruise cars will receive dash plaques.
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To get free notifications about concerts and other activities in the parks, sign up for Allegheny Alerts. Once you have created an account, you can choose the topics you want and how you want to receive the information (email, text, voice) and where you want to receive it (home, work, cell). You can change the information and topics at any time by logging into your account and modifying your choices. It’s a great way to keep up to date with changes due to weather or other considerations as well. Summer concert information will also be posted on the County Parks Facebook page at www.faceboook.com/AlleghenyCountyParks.
The complete schedules for the Summer Concert Series, Movies in the Park, and Park in the Park are available online at www.alleghenycounty.us/special-events/. The page also contains links and information on additional summer events including Acoustics, Food Truck Fridays, and will be updated with other events, including the Wine & Spirits Festival in the coming weeks. The full 2023 Summer Program Guide with even more activities will be added to the page in May.
