Free summer concerts, movie nights coming to New Bedford in July, August

Mayor Jon Mitchell announced that the City will host the annual series of summer concerts on the New Bedford waterfront during July and August of this year. The Summer Sound Series will feature live musical entertainment on Pier 3 in Downtown New Bedford’s Seaport Cultural District. Residents and visitors will dance to live music, enjoy beverages available for purchase and relax along New Bedford’s beautiful working waterfront.

The City will also sponsor a free summer movie night at Custom House Square.

Summer Sound Series will consist of seven waterfront concerts, weather permitting. The first concert of the series will be Friday, July 5 from 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. Remaining concert dates, also Fridays from 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m., are: July 12, July 19, July 26, August 2 and August 9.

“Our summer concerts have become more and more popular since we launched them in 2013, attracting hundreds of area residents to the waterfront on Friday evenings,’’ said Mayor Jon Mitchell. “The concerts are a great way to spend time with family and friends in downtown New Bedford, enjoy the dining and culture of our city and enjoy great music for free. We invite everyone to the New Bedford waterfront for this year’s concert series.’’

Parking is available at Elm Street Garage within walking distance of City Pier 3.

Supporting Sponsors include Freitas Package Store, Miller Lite, Colonial Wholesale Beverage, Cape Air, Canned Heat Craft Beer Co., Manny and Diane Pina and Empire Ford of New Bedford.

The public is invited to bring chairs and enjoy front row seating to performances by the following bands:

July 5: Word Premier Band (90s and today’s funk, dance, originals, R&B)
July 12: Beat Salad (Funk, blues, soul and rock)
July 19: Harmony (Cape Verdean/Creole and American music)
July 26: Perfect Example (Old-school soul and R&B)
August 2: Home Brewed (Classic, new country, Americana, rock & roll, oldies)
August 9: Hipshot (Dance music, then and now)
The city will also host an end-of-summer movie night of “see-worthy’’ family fun Friday, Aug. 23 at Custom House Square in downtown New Bedford.

Bring your own chair or blanket. Snacks will be available for purchase.

Two films will be shown:

At 7:30 p.m., “Hotel Transylvania 3- Family Vacation’’
At 9:30 p.m., “Instant Family’’

This is just a small sampling of fun events scheduled this summer. Destination New Bedford has compiled a new 2019 summer events digital guide with a comprehensive look at summer happenings. For more information, visit www.destinationnewbedford.org.