The summer music scene in Ames is in full swing! If you’re not taking advantage of the free concerts happening right here in town, you’re missing out.

Bookends at the Bandshell is one of the many concert series in downtown Ames this summer.

For 14 years and counting, Ames Parks and Recreation and Ames Public Library have teamed up to create some of the most fun outdoor concerts around. Each concert features a different local (and occasionally not-so-local) band playing on the stage of the bandshell. They hit a diverse range of genres, including everything from alternative rock to jazz to country to folk music.

The weekly Bookends at the Bandshell concerts go from 11:30 a.m. until 1:30 p.m. every Friday from the last week in June through the end of July. They’re perfect for packing a picnic and enjoying some music over the lunch hour. There’s even a great playground right there to keep the whole family entertained!

In addition to weekly Friday concerts, the season begins and ends with a Sunday evening concert [They put the “bookends” in “Bookends at the Bandshell”]. This year, the season will extend beyond the usual end date of the last Sunday in July. We’ll get two bonus “overdue” bookends on Friday, July 31!

One of the best things about a Bookends concert is the casual atmosphere. People bring their lawn chairs, picnic blankets, families, dogs and love of music. They come and go as they like, dance if the mood strikes them, lounge in the shade or soak up the sun.

For the second year in a row, the Wildlife Care Clinic is bringing another element to the Bookends experience, too. You might just have the chance to meet an owl or other amazing animal up close during the show.

Free music by excellent local musicians in a beautiful park with a great bunch of people…it’s a no-brainer! Grab your calendar and block out these times:

The Ed Kaizer Trio: Friday, July 10, 11:30 a.m.-1:30 p.m.

The Ed Kaizer Trio’s jazz music is a returning favorite at Bookends.

Jazzy Lads: Friday, July 17, 11:30 a.m.-1:30 p.m. 

This Ames group plays jazz standards and some not so standard jams.

Studio 728: Friday, July 24, 11:30 a.m.-1:30 p.m.

Studio 728’s music ranges from old country/folk tunes to popular melodies to original compositions.

The Craig Swalwell Band: Sunday, July 26, 6-8 p.m.

Join Craig and his group for an evening of blues and classic rock.

Barn Owl Band: Friday, July 31, 11:30 a.m.-1:30 p.m.