ANDOVER — The Andover Summer Concert Series will hold its first performance of the year at 6 p.m. Friday, June 3, at the Town Common.
The series, which is being held for the third year, is presented every other Friday throughout the summer and early fall for free. People are invited to watch regional musicians perform in a variety of genres.
Pete Coolidge, who owns Pete’s Hardware with his wife, Wanda, said the idea for a free concert series stemmed from monthly jam sessions with his friends.
“The idea just kind of evolved over the years,” Coolidge said. “I get together with some friends a few times every month to play music, and at some point, we started talking about possibly doing a free concert for people in Andover.
“I’ve done a couple of benefits for people over the years, so I thought it would be neat to do something like this for the town,” he said. “We’ve never really had anything like (this) in Andover.”
Resident Ross Swain said the first performance of the season will be “Pete Coolidge and the Acoustipalians,” formerly known as “Pete Coolidge and Friends.”
“They’ve been the keystone of this series since its debut,” Swain said. “Their show will be a mix of original ballads, bluegrass standards, and some ’70s classics. Instrumentation may include six- and 12-string guitars, dobro, bass guitar, fiddle, mandolin, electric lead guitar, cajon and harmonica.”
Other dates that have been scheduled throughout the summer include:
• Swain and Coolidge, July 15;
• The Robinsons, July 29;
• Jim Gallant, Aug. 12;
• David Mallett, Aug. 26; and
• Brad Hooper, Sept. 23.
Swain said several other dates have yet to be scheduled.
Residents are invited to bring chairs and blankets, and to leave their dogs at home, unless they are service dogs.
“There are no food concessions on site, but there are two convenience stores, one restaurant and an ice cream shop within easy walking distance,” Swain said.
For more information, visit the Andover Summer Concert Series on Facebook at www.facebook.com/groups/218332791870784.
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