Sounds of summer: Free concerts galore in and near Waterbury
June 9, 2025 | By Waterbury Roundabout
Music in the Alley concerts this summer move to the larger, newly refurbished Jack’s Alley on Stowe Street. File photo by Gordon Miller
For many, summertime in Vermont means outdoor concerts, and Waterbury’s calendar is filling up with dates for multiple free live shows in the coming weeks.
We’ve compiled the listings so far for Waterbury Rotary’s weekly Concerts in the Park on Thursdays and the three monthly Music in the Alley shows that TURNmusic and Blackback Pub are moving to Jack’s Alley on Stowe Street this summer.
Also below is a link to check out the twice-weekly music offerings at Camp Meade over in Middlesex. And we will update this post with the Waterbury Community Band’s schedule as soon as we receive it.
Rotary Concerts in the Park
This Thursday, the Waterbury Rotary Club’s summer Concerts in the Park begin in Rusty Parker Memorial Park. The series of free concerts will run from June 12 through Aug. 14 every Thursday from 6-8:30 p.m.
The Rotary concerts will continue without the familiar presence of Waterbury’s Farmers Market, which has ended its run this year. Food vendors are welcome to set up during concert times, however. Rotary organizers say any such arrangements would be up to individual operators to get local permits. So far, the Udder Guys ice cream trike is confirmed with plans to be at the Rotary concerts, scooping Adirondack Creamery hard ice cream.
Rotarian Tami Bass puts the summer lineup together. The weekly schedule is posted on the Rotary Club’s website. Should concert plans change due to weather or other circumstances, Bass said the call will be made by 2 p.m. on Thursdays. Information will be posted on the concert schedule page and shared with WDEV, the Waterbury Roundabout, and on social media.
Below is the schedule for the Thursday Concerts in the Park
Jacob Green leads off Waterbury Rotary's summer concert lineup. Courtesy photo
June 12: Jacob Green Band - Described as “foot-stompin’ soulful blues seasoned in swamp roots,” Jacob Green is a one-man band and folk musician. Hailing from Island Pond, Green frequently collaborates with other musicians from around Vermont. His music has been called both energetic and captivating to audiences. See more on his website.
June 19: Hardscrabble - This Vermont acoustic bluegrass band is characterized by their tight vocal harmonies and instrumental solos. Formed in 2009, Hardscrabble is Stacy Raphael (guitar and lead vocals), Dave Riley (vocals, dobro, banjo, guitar, ukulele, harmonica), David Goodrich (vocals, fiddle, guitar), Allen Gratton (vocals, mandolin), and Andrew Albright (vocals, upright bass). Find their music here.
Hardscrabble plays in Waterbury June 19. Courtesy photo
Stilll Kickin’ is a Waterbury hometown favorite band. Courtesy photo
June 26: Still Kickin’ - From R&B to classic rock, Latin, and even country with some hip-hop tones, Still Kickin’ is ready to never go out of style. A hometown favorite of Vermont musicians, the band has a passion for diverse musical styles that is combined with their love of live performing. See more at on their Facebook page here.
July 3: Moonbird - Self-described as “bringing the life to your party,” Moonbird covers songs from Motown to modern day. The band has powerful vocalist Frankie Napolitano up front and a group of seasoned veterans from the Burlington music scene backing the singer. Find them on Facebook here.
Moonbird plays Waterbury's Rusty Parker Park on July 3. Courtesy photo
Raised by Hippies heads to Waterbury July 10. Photo courtesy of Loose Leaf Talent Agency
July 10: Raised by Hippies - Raised by Hippies plays deep cuts by the seminal bands of the 60s and 70s as well as newer bands that carry the same vibe. Founded in 2017 by John Kitonis and Chris Mazur, the band consists of a collection of musicians who want to keep rock and roll alive in the Green Mountain State. Raised by Hippies is John Kitonis (lead vocals, guitar), Chris Mazur (bass), Ean Briere (vocals, lead guitar), and Bob Greenlese (drums). Find them on their Facebook page.
July 17: John Lackard Blues Band - Danceable, rockin’ blues and grooves with a Memphis or Chicago sound. John Lackard is joined by Al Montgomery and Skip McNamara. Look them up on YouTube and Facebook.
The John Lackard Blues Band brings their Memphis and Chicago sounds to Waterbury in July. Screenshot
July 24: Pointe Noir Cajun Band - This Montpelier-based band brings exciting and uplifting Cajun dance music to Waterbury. Pointe Noir Cajun Band shares the rhythm of Southwest Louisiana, an area where much of the band studied and learned Cajun music. Find more at online here.
Point Noir Cajun Band brings the sounds of Southwest Louisiana to Waterbury on July 24. Courtesy photo
July 31: Jon McBride’s Big Easy - Expect a seasoned and fiery edge to New Orleans roots music, blues, gospel, and Caribbean-style songs from Jon McBride’s Big Easy. The band is rooted in blues and jazz traditions but has drawn on varied experiences and eclectic tastes to create their own unique mix. See more at https://www.jonmcbridemusic.com/about
Jon McBride’s Big Easy shows off their blend of New Orleans sounds on July 31 at Rusty Parker Park. Screenshot
Native Tongue mixes original tracks and covers. Courtesy photo
Aug. 7: Native Tongue - A six-piece band playing original music and classic rock covers. Native Tongue regularly tours and plays around Vermont. Find them on Facebook here.
8/14: Silvan Pulse - Formerly known as The Steppes, this Central Vermont band plays rock fusion originals as well as a range of unique covers with their fans saying “their show will enliven your body and mind.” The band consists of Chris Steller (vocals and percussion), Matt Payne (vocals, keys, trombone, percussion), Jonas Eno Van Fleet (guitar), and Tom Sabo (bass). See the band’s Facebook at facebook.com/silvanpulse.
Helen Gillet performs in Jack’s Alley on Aug. 15. Courtesy photo
Music in the Alley
TURNmusic will be hosting its annual Music in the Alley series for three Friday nights of summer music and fun. This year, the free concerts move to Jack’s Alley -- the refurbished alley space next to Stowe Street Emporium, which underwent a major facelift last year. Now complete with a brick walkway, art, plantings, benches and lighting on the way, Jack’s Alley will hold a larger crowd compared its original venue at the other end of the block. Blackback Pub co-sponsors and will have beverages and food for purchase.
The performances are scheduled for June 27, July 25, and August 15, from 6 to 9 p.m. More information is online at Turnmusic.org.
Devonian Hot Club is the summer's first Music In the Alley performance on June 27. Courtesy photo
June 27: The Devonian Hot Club
The Devonian Hot Club plays the music of Django Reindhardt and Stephane Grappelli -- a vibrant jazz manouche sound that was born from the marriage of Louis Armstrong's trumpet, Romany violin, and the fire of flamenco guitar. The band’s rhythmic energy and swing music make for a fun night of dancing. Band members and their other musical projects are: D. Davis on guitar and vocals (Red Hot Juba), Roland Clark on violin (Beg, Steal or Borrow), Carrie Cook playing upright bass and kazoo and delivering vocals (Steady Betty), and Greg Hayes on guitar and vocals (The Dorado Collective)
The Noah Young Trio brings their sound to Jack's Alley on July 25. Courtesy photo
July 25: The Noah Young Trio
Formed in New Orleans in 2015, The Noah Young Trio is already making an impact in the local and national scenes with their high-energy performances. Drawing from the past while blazing a trail forward, the group blends the earthy funk music with Young’s lofty and ambitious compositional style. This originality has created a sound both familiar and fresh to fans of contemporary groove-oriented jazz. The trio is Noah Young on bass, Max Bronstein on guitar, Andy Gagnon on drums.
August 15: Hellen Gillet
Belgian-born Hellen Gillet is a singer-songwriter focusing on the worlds of electronic sound and acoustic cello. Throughout her career, she has developed an eclectic palette of experimental, jazz, folk, funk, pop and classical music. Additionally, she has self-produced 14 albums to date. Gillet’s solo performance, known for its enigmatic quality as each song is performed with a mastery of live looping technology, has been shared with audiences worldwide, including her annual acclaimed performance at the New Orleans Jazz and Heritage Festival.
Camp Meade hosts Concert on the Green
Camp Meade in Middlesex has already begun its summer Concert on the Green series with 23 shows lined up for every Friday (5-8 p.m.) and Sunday (3-6 p.m.) through Aug. 29.
Concert-goers can expect multiple food and drink options, including BBQ from JDK Catering, burgers from Peaceburger, pizza and creemees from Red Hen Baking Co., tacos and burritos from Chico’s Tacos, beer and wine from The Local: Wine & Beer.
Find the full concert schedule online at campmeade.today/events/summer-concert-series, and more about Camp Meade at campmeade.today. Learn more about each of the bands and artists on the schedule on Camp Meade’s Facebook page.
Waterbury Community Band
The Waterbury Community Band continues its summer concerts under the direction of Nick Allen on Tuesdays, starting June 17 at Rusty Parker Park at 7 p.m.
Its other June dates are Tuesday, June 24, at Rusty Parker, also at 7 p.m. and performing in the Not Quite Independence Day parade on Saturday, June 28.
In July, the band has three concerts at the Center Green park in Waterbury Center, across from the Grange Hall Cultural Center on Howard Avenue. Those concerts are also at 7 p.m. on July 8, 15 and 22. The band also heads to Barre on Saturday, July 26, for the Barre Heritage Festival parade at 1 p.m.
In August, the band heads to Stowe on Tuesday, Aug. 5, for a 6 p.m. concert. Its final Tuesday shows are Aug. 12 and 19 at Rusty Parker Park, both at 7 p.m.
On Monday, Sept. 1, the band will participate in the Northfield Labor Day parade, starting at 10 a.m.