Discovery Green's New Outdoor Concert Series

This summer, Discovery Green, in part with UH Downtown, is hosting a summer concert series with free concerts at the park all summer long. I recently attended one of these concerts, where one of my favorite artists, Joe Ely, performed. 

The concert area is easy to spot - right next to the large pavilion by the big stage where ice skating is set up during the winter. The viewing area is divided into several parts: half of the grassy area is for chairs and seats, and the other half is for blankets. The front paved section by the stage is open for anyone who wants to stand close to the performer. The nearby pavilion is open for food and drinks, as is a pop-up bar close to the grassy area. 

I think these outdoor events perfectly capture values that Houston is proud of. The crowd, although mostly older, was fun, interactive and consisted of people of all ages. The music was great, and went back to Texas country and rock roots. The concert, although located in the middle of a beautiful green park, was surrounded by tall skyscrapers, each reflecting the sunset as the concert began and the sun dropped. There was a friendly, welcoming environment with raffle prizes and an intimate concert setting that allowed for Texas rock legend Joe Ely to interact directly with his audience. 

Although the weather in Houston is HOT, the late start time of the show (8 p.m.) made it such that the temps had cooled off and it was pleasant to be outside. Joe had an opening act that began at 7, and the concert ran until about 9:30. The staging and lighting for the concert were great, and definitely more professional than expected for a simple free concert series. 

Although Joe Ely is my favorite, other great acts are set to perform in the same location later this summer. On June 8, Leyla McCalla and the Chubby Knuckle Choir will be performing; on June 15, Jesse Dayton and the Octanes are performing; on June 22, Rosie Flores with Sparky Parker perform; and on June 29, Ian Moore (Austin-born rocker who toured with the Rolling Stones, ZZ Top, Bob Dylan, and Joe Ely) performs with Tony Vega. 

In addition to concerts, Discovery Green is also hosting yoga, art exhibitions, workout classes like Zumba, meditation, and writing classes all for free this summer. Check out their website if you're looking for family fun that is easy on your wallet. 

See Haley's roundup of live music happening in Houston this June and our calendar for more upcoming events.