FOND DU LAC – Local and visiting musicians will perform across Fond du Lac County this summer.
A variety of sounds appeal to audiences each week and weekend, whether on a park lawn or the patio of a local business. Many community concerts are free to attend, though free-will offerings help keep them going.
Here are some musical performances and concerts in the Fond du Lac area this summer.
THELMA Thursdays
THELMA Thursdays kicked off at the beginning of June outside the Thelma Sadoff Center for the Arts, 51 Sheboygan St., with each concert beginning at 7 p.m.
A $5 suggested donation goes toward the series, and the cash bar opens at 6 p.m. before each show. According to the THELMA, lawn chairs are welcome, and dancing is encouraged.
Remaining acts this month are reggae band KOJO June 11, folk band Listening Party June 18, and rock band The Kingfish Band June 25.
July’s lineup kicks off with Liquid Courage, followed by Dan Rodriguez, The Whiskeybelles and 5 Card Studs.
The four August acts are The MilBillies, The Britins, Joyann Parker Band and Dancing Queen.
Buttermilk Festival
The Buttermilk Festival free concert series starts June 17 with the Fond du Lac Symphonic Band’s “America 250” concert at the Wifler Performance Center in Buttermilk Creek Park, 801 S. Park Ave.
The next symphonic band concerts are July 8, July 22, Aug. 5 and Aug. 19. Each concert starts at 7 p.m., and while limited plastic lawn chairs will be available for seating, organizers recommend bringing lawn chairs or blankets.
Visiting performers in the Wednesday night series include Dorf Kapelle, Pocket Kings, the Fond du Lac High School summer band, Kids From Wisconsin and Isthmus Brass.
In the event of rain, concerts may be moved to the Fond du Lac County Fairgrounds. More information will be available ahead of each concert on the Fond du Lac Symphonic Band Facebook page.
The Monday night concert series at Buttermilk Creek Park, Music Under the Stars, starts June 8 and continues through August. Performances start at 7 p.m., featuring acts including Good Time Dutchmen, Ryan Kautzer Band, The Thelen Sisters, Liquid Courage and Remington’s Ride.
Waupun concerts in West End Park
Concerts at West End Park, 200 Beaver Dam St. in Waupun, kick off July 2 with My So Called Band starting at 6 p.m.
Following acts include Del Ray’s July 9, The Country Renegades July 16, Cajun Strangers July 23 and Scotty Meyer Trio July 30.
Concessions open at 5:30 p.m., and organizers Waupun Fine Arts recommend bringing a lawn chair or blanket. The rain location is Community Ice Arena, 510 E. Spring St.
Ripon Summer Concert Series
Rising Phoenix opens the Horicon Bank Ripon Summer Concert Series June 5, and free concerts will return to the Village Green at 7 p.m. Fridays through August.
This year’s artists are Smart Mouth, Cherry Pie, Bad Habitz, Flannel Revival, Star Six Nine, American Platinum, Road Trip, Rebel Grace, Madison County, Doozey, The Glam Band, The 308s and Ask Your Mother.
Additionally, Red Jumpsuit Apparatus is coming to the Village Green for a bonus concert Aug. 15.
Beverage refreshments will be available to purchase, and because these sales help cover the entertainment expenses, alcohol carry-ins will not be allowed. Food is permitted, but organizers also recommend checking out some of the dining establishments in the area.
The Passenger Lounge
Upcoming acts at The Passenger Lounge, 105 S. Brooke St., include southern rock band Sunset Saints June 19, rockabilly band Deke Dickerson and the Ecco-Fonics June 25, and country band Twang June 27.
The Thursday jazz and blues season ended for the summer in May, but Junction Jam continues each Sunday, welcoming budding and seasoned musicians to play with the band in a format similar to an open jam. Signing up ahead of time is encouraged, but walk-ins are taken on a first-come, first-served basis.
The calendar is available at thepassengerlounge.com.
18 Hands Ale Haus
18 Hands Ale Haus, 18 E. Division St., has been finishing up a new outdoor stage as part of its biergarten expansion, getting ready for this summer’s live music acts.
Upcoming June musicians include Barefoot Americans, Country! Brady Luke, The Lonely Sidekick, Free Time, Phase II and Jeremiah Jams Band.
Ledgerock Distillery
Ledgerock Distillery, N5287 Grandview Road, hosts Music on the Ledge, including Slim and Turner June 20, Sam Cruz June 27, Sam Rodewald July 4 and Andy Braun July 25.
Jim & Linda’s Lakeview Supper Club
Live music on the patio at Jim & Linda’s Lakeview Supper Club, W3496 County Road W, includes JJ and the Nickster June 12, Francesca and The Night Sky June 13, Tailwind June 19, Elvis Impersonator John Hardginski June 20, Sly Joe June 21, Mathew Haeffel Duo June 26 and Rings June 27.
Ziegler Winery
Ziegler Winery, W3953 Winnebago Heights Road in Malone, hosts weekend music on the patio, including Austin Skalecki June 12, David Freeborg June 13 and 7000 Apart June 14.
More acts this month include Zakk Abitz, Daddio, Jesse Bauman Duo, Mark Croft Duo, Rob Anthony and D. Willy & The Souvenirs.
Concerts are open to ages 21 and older only, and there is no cover charge — though a two-drink minimum supports the concerts. Performance times vary.
Daphne Lemke is the Streetwise reporter for the Fond du Lac Reporter. Contact her at dlemke@usatodayco.com.
This article originally appeared on Fond du Lac Reporter: 8 Fond du Lac-area summer concerts and music series to catch
Reporting by Daphne Lemke, Fond du Lac Reporter / Fond du Lac Reporter
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By Daphne Lemke, Fond du Lac Reporter | USA TODAY Network
