May 2018

21 Years of Music

Don’t you love heading downtown or putting off your commute home to spread out a picnic blanket and take in a summer concert under the stars? For the past two decades, the Party in the Park concert series has infused Rochester’s Thursday evenings with excitement and eclectic entertainment. The 21st installment should be one for the record books thanks to a lineup that includes blues, funk, rock, reggae, and classic rock — plus some big names — and an array of fun new features. As usual, Party in the Park will be held at Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial Parkspan nine summer weeks, kicking off June 7th and wrapping on August 2nd. General admission tickets are $5, and children 12 and under get in free. The MVP Family Zone will be returning with fun activities for the family.

Names & Dates

• June 7: Turkuaz
• June 14: Anders Osborne with special guests Parsonsfield
• June 21: Get the Led Out – The American Led Zeppelin
• June 28: Pigeons Playing Ping Pong
• July 5: Giant Panda Guerilla Dub Squad
• July 12: G. Love & Special Sauce with special guests Chuck Prophet and the Mission Express
• July 19: The Original Wailers with special guests Ginkgoa
• July 26: Devon Allman Project with special guest Duane Betts
• Aug. 2: Almost Queen 

Fresh New Features

This year, Party in the Park will delight concertgoers in a variety of new ways. First, there’s the VIP Ultra Lounge experience, which gives a limited number of pass holders access to an exclusive lounge with cash bar, table service, and private restrooms — as well as to the front of the stage. A new attraction that everyone can access is Bazaar in the Park, a showcase of local businesses and craftspeople focused on art, crafts, fashion, and discovery. Those who enjoy brews will want to head over to the Craft Beer Garden with rotating taps, while those who prefer things light and airy will get a kick out of the bubbly bar, which sells only champagne, prosecco, and sparkling wine. Should the summer nights turn sweltering, the sangria slushies will be sure to sell out. In the case of a summer shower, on the other hand, the shows will take shelter at ANTHOLOGY.

A Little Bit of Logistics

The 22nd annual Party in the Park concert series will take place every Thursday from June 7 to Aug. 2 from 5 to 10 p.m. Music starts at 5:30 p.m. Tickets are $5 (children 12 and under are free).Tickets and VIP passes can be purchased at the gate, through Ticketmaster, or at the Blue Cross Arena at the War Memorial box office, 100 Exchange Blvd.Patrons may bring one sealed bottle of water into the Party in the Park concerts. Lawn chairs, bicycles, skateboards, in-line skates, and pets will not be allowed in.

Parking

• Washington Square Garage, 111 Woodbury Boulevard
• Court Street Garage, corner of South Avenue and Court Street
• East End Garage, 475 E. Main Street
• HSBC Garage, 100 Chestnut Street (enter on Broad Street side)
• Strong Museum Parking Lot ($7 after 4:30; enter from Woodbury or Pitkin; no overnight parking)