Poco, Pure Prairie League Appear at Free Concert Series

Classic soft rock acts Poco and Pure Prairie League help the Levitt Pavilion at SteelStacks officially launch its annual free summer concert series this Memorial Day Holiday weekend in South Bethlehem.

The bandshell by the blast furnace will host more than 50 free shows between tonight and Sept. 21. And that’s not even counting the 10-day period during Musikfest when the Levitt Pavilion temporarily becomes Americaplatz.

Whether you love rock, blues, folk, jazz or Latin music, there will be something for everyone during the course of the summer.

The series begins Friday night with regional rock cover band The Sofa Kings taking the stage. Poco and Pure Prairie League are scheduled to appear on Saturday. Indie rock band Lake Street Drive is scheduled Sunday.

The Nighthawks, a legendary blues and roots band that has been touring together for more than 40 years, is scheduled to appear on Monday, wrapping up a day of activities at SteelStacks that pay tribute to veterans.

Other highlights of the season include a Latin dance night presented by HOLA! Radio on June 21; America’s Got Talent sensation Alice Tan Ridley on July 5, and Pittsburgh rock 'n’ roll legend (and Bruce Springsteen collaborator) Joe Grushecky & the Houserockers on July 12.

Part of the Levitt Pavilion's network of free outdoor music venues, Levitt Pavilion SteelStacks is made possible through the support of the Mortimer Levitt Foundation and numerous community-focused partners.

The venue, located at 789 E. First St., is operated by Friends of Levitt Pavilion SteelStacks, a nonprofit whose mission is to build community through music by presenting 50 high-quality free concerts and performances to the diverse Lehigh Valley community.

Guests are invited to bring their blankets and lawn chairs, relax on the spacious Levitt Pavilion lawn and enjoy great, free music under the stars all summer long. A variety of food and beverages is also available at the Levitt’s Mack Truck Stop, a concession stand that features a real-life Titan by Mack.

All shows begin at 7 p.m.

2013 Levitt Pavilion SteelStacks Summer Concert Series

MAY

May 24 – Sofa Kings (Rock)

May 25 – Poco & Pure Prairie League (Soft Rock)

May 26 – Lake Street Dive (Indie Rock)

May 27 – The Nighthawks (Blues)

May 30 – Marrakesh Express (CSNY Tribute)

May 31 – Girls Guns & Glory (Americana/Rock)

JUNE

June 1 – Mountain Heart (Bluegrass/Americana)

June 6 – Amy Lynn and the Gunshow (Soul/Rock)

June 7 – Los Straitjackets (Surf Rock)

June 8 – Billy Haley Jr. & The Comets (Oldies/Rock ’n’ Roll)

June 13 – Cassie and Maggie MacDonald (Celtic)

June 14 – Mad Dog & the Blues Night Out (Blues)

June 15 – Jump City Jazz Orchestra (Jazz/Swing)

June 20 – Santa Mamba (Latin)

June 21 – HOLA! Radio Night (Latin)

June 21 – Luisito Rosario Orchesta (Latin)

June 27 – The Deadfields (Rock/Americana)

June 28 – Blackwater (Celtic)

June 29 – No BS! Brass Band (Brass Band)

JULY

July 4 – Allentown Band (Patriotic)

July 5 – Alice Tan Ridley (Gospel/R&B)

July 6 – Craig Thatcher Band (Rock/Blues)

July 11 – Matuo (World)

July 12 – Joe Grushecky and the House Rockers (Rock)

July 13 – Jesse Garron’s Elvis Tribute (Elvis Tribute)

July 18 – Oliver Mtukudzi and the Black Spirits (World)

July 19 – Paul McKenna Band (Folk)

July 20 – Flow Tribe (Folk)

July 25 – Ben Dumm & the Deviants (Rock)

July 26 – Sir Rod (Rod Stewart Tribute)

July 27 – Rubix Kube (’80s Tribute)

AUGUST

Aug. 15 – Nora Jane Struthers and Party Line (Americana)

Aug. 16 – Sultans of String (World)

Aug. 17 – The Drifters (Motown)

Aug. 22 – Stooges Brass Band (Brass Band)

Aug. 23 – The Mickey Fins (Celtic)

Aug. 24 – TBA

Aug. 29 – Cedric Watson & Bijou Creole (Zydeco)

Aug. 30 – Dandy Wellington & His Band (Jazz/Swing)

Aug. 31 – Real Diamond (Tribute/Rock)

SEPTEMBER

Sept. 1 – Hector Rosado y su Orchestra (Latin)

Sept. 5 – The Lustre Kings (Rockabilly)

Sept. 6 – Tee Dee Young (Blues/Soul)

Sept. 7 – Experience Janis (Rock Tribute)

Sept. 12 – Kenyatta Hill (Reggae)

Sept. 13 – Cello Fury (Rock/Classical)

Sept. 14 – The Brothers Comatose (Bluegrass/Americana)

Sept 19 – Spuyten Duyvil (Americana)

Sept. 20 – Hadden Sayers (Blues)

Sept. 21 –Alexis P. Suter Band (Blues)