Put your dancing shoes on and get ready to enjoy the summer’s outdoor entertainment because it’s officially concert season in Deep River and Essex. Sponsored by the towns’ Park and Recreation Department are weekly concerts featuring a variety of bands playing in outdoor settings.

Deep River Digs Live Music

Essex Savings Bank, Deep River/Chester Lions club, and the Deep River Rotary Club also sponsor the Deep River’s Sounds of Summer concert series. Music lovers can join the fun every Thursday at 6:30 p.m. at a different local destination, through Aug. 16.

“It [the concerts] have always been in different places,” said Miriam Morrissey of Deep River Parks and Recreation. “We have a combination of new bands and old bands, and we try to circulate...bands which are local and have a connection to Deep River.”

As well as live music, the event features food by local restaurants including the Whistlestop Cafe, the Ivory Restaurant and Pub, and Deep River Pizza.

“We’ve been doing the music and a meal for a long time now and vendors just come and sell food,” said Morrissey.

In the event of rain, all concerts will be relocated to the Town Hall Auditorium, 174 Main Street. For a complete list of dates, music, location, and food offerings, visit deepriverct.us.

Enjoy Free Concerts in Essex

The Essex summer series features free concerts in Main Street, Essex and on the Ivoryton Town Green, through Aug. 15.

“We have a lot of returning favorites, and a couple new ones,” said Essex Park and Recreation Director Mary Ellen Barnes. “The Meadow Brothers come to mind immediately; we’re very excited to have them back.”

The Meadow Brother make their appearance on Main Street, Essex on Wednesday, Aug. 1. Other returning bands include River of Dreams, Southern Voice, and Blues on the Rocks; with new talent including the Leaf Jumpers on the Ivoryton Green on Tuesday, July 10.

While the schedule has been posted and is available at essexct.gov, it is subject to change as a few bands last year were rained out.

“The weather is my enemy,” said Barnes. “If it’s a little sprinkle, we’re durable New Englanders, we can handle that. It’s the deluge and the thunder and lightning that we have to worry about.”