‘Tis the season for live outdoor shows, and the Northampton Arts Council is kicking off its 2016 Summer Concert Series on the Hampshire County Courthouse lawn — smack dab in the middle of downtown — Friday at 6 p.m.
The series of free, double-bill concerts begins with young Pioneer Valley singer/songwriter Izy Coffey (pictured at left) and quirky Boston-based rock band The Blue Ribbons (when specifying which instruments each member plays, the list includes things like howls, kung fu, Lithuanian voodoo and alien abduction). (Pictured below)
The remaining shows feature one of the Valley’s all-time top groups, Ray Mason Band, along with heavy psychedelic jam band Outer Stylie on July 29; a night of Hadley-based acts starring Carinae and Wocky on Aug. 5; pop group The Fawns and Boston’s Cocek! Brass Band on Aug. 12; and Drunk Stuntmen (fronted by Arts Council events producer Steve Sanderson) and Brooklyn band House of Waters (featuring Max ZT, aka “the Jimi Hendrix of the hammered dulcimer”) on Aug. 19.
If rainstorms are brewing, the concerts will be held inside the World War II Club on Conz Street.
Amherst has its own “Downtown Beats” summer concert series currently in progress, with free shows held Thursday nights at the town’s Kendrick Park, at 5:30 p.m.
Next Thursday features indie rockers Spirit Ghost, and the series goes out with a big party on Aug. 4 — a benefit for Not Bread Alone — starring the twangy smartly dressed country-pop of Salvation Alley String Band and the fun supergroup Llama Lasagne.
Tang Sauce is John Manselle-Young, a hip-hop artist from Hartford, Connecticut, and he’ll perform at the youth-run TreeCat Café at the Treehouse Community at Easthampton Meadows Friday at 6:30 p.m.
Vocalist/songwriter Mary Fahl has been a regular visitor to the Valley ever since her days as the lead singer of October Project in the 1990s. She’ll appear at the Iron Horse in Northampton Friday at 7 p.m. Gregory Douglass opens.
Amherst band Mist Covered Mountains plays originals and traditional tunes with American and Celtic origins, revolving around the core trio of vocalists Molly Hebert-Wilson and mom Donna Hebert (who also plays the fiddle) and Max Cohen on harmonies and guitar. They play the 1794 Meetinghouse in New Salem Saturday at 7:30 p.m.
The Jeff Holmes Big Band, featuring Dawning Holmes on vocals, brings its big sound to the 121 Club in Easthampton Monday at 7 p.m.
Texas vocalist/songwriter/guitarist Joe Ely has been wowing folks since the early ’70s when he was part of The Flatlanders with Jimmie Dale Gilmore and Butch Hancock. He’s currently on tour for his latest solo album, “Panhandle Rambler,” and will play the Iron Horse Tuesday at 7 p.m. Greg Hall opens.
Trumpet man Cicci Santucci and saxophonist Dann Friedman will pay tribute to the music of Freddie Hubbard when they guest with the house trio at the Northampton Jazz Workshop at City Sports Grille at Spare Time Northampton Tuesday at 7:30 p.m. Stick around for the post-show jazz jam starting at 8:30 p.m.
Local pianist Miro Sprague brings his ensemble of saxophonist Michael Zsoldos, bassist George Kay, drummer Claire Arenius and special guests to the 121 Club Thursday at 7 p.m.