Music to fill Valley area on upcoming summer nights

Gloria Gaynor and the Little River Band will be performing for free in Hamden and NRBQ will do the same at Ansonia’s Nolan Field on July 28 during this year’s summer concert series.

But music from familiar local groups and singers like the Bernadettes, The Alpaca Gnomes and Fools on the Hill will also be filling summer nights in Ansonia, Derby, Huntington and Shelton.

The summer tradition of outdoor concerts continues with a slate worthy of a hot star-filled night under the stars. Grab a chair, a blanket or a passel of pillows and enjoy a concert on the local green or downtown center.

During the July 3 DerbyShelton fireworks extravaganza, Parrotbeach, a Jimmy Buffet tribute band, will play on the slab in downtown Shelton while Shameless will perform at the Derby Green from 7 to 9 p.m. The two cities will explode fireworks alternately.

Beginning July 10 and running every Tuesday night at 7 with a Wednesday rain date, Derby’s Green has the following scheduled:

⏩ July 10, Fools on the Hill;

⏩ July 17, DJ Sammy B;

⏩ July 24, Timmy Maia;

⏩ July 31, Larry Ayce with Doreen Marie;

⏩ Aug. 7, Frank Porto Band;

⏩ Aug. 14, Illiguri;

⏩ Aug., 21 Riverjack;

⏩ Aug., 28 FB Lilly.

Huntington Center will feature the following beginning at 7 p.m. with a next day rain date:

⏩ July 11, The Alpaca Gnomes;

⏩ July 18, The Bernadettes;

⏩ July 25, Mia and the Riff;

⏩ Aug. 1, Highland Rovers;

⏩ Aug., 8 Gunsmoke;

⏩ Aug. 15, Terrapin;

⏩ Aug. 29, Little Big Band.

In downtown Shelton on Canal Street, the following concerts can be heard:

⏩ July 20, The Alpaca Gnomes and Cabin Fever;

⏩ July 27, Wool Hats String Band and Hubinger Street;

⏩ Aug. 3, Kazoo Crew Family Band and Sammy Rae and The Friends.

Ansonia ‘s concerts start at 7 p.m. in Veterans’ Memorial Park next to City Hall. The lineup lists:

⏩ July 11, Ryan White;

⏩ July 18, Mark Lanzieri;

⏩ July 25, 102nd Army Reserve Band;

⏩ Aug. 1, Bad Moon Rising;

⏩ Aug. 8, Sumo Sidecar;

⏩ Aug. 15, Backstreet;

⏩ Aug. 23, Fools on the Hill.

On July 28, NRBQ will headline Banko’s Music Foundation’s Rock the Valley for Music Education at Nolan Field. The free concert also features Deep Banana Blackout and ECA third generation jazz band. Gates open at 4 p.m. ECA will take the stage at 5 p.m.

Also on hand will be The New Haven Symphony Orchestra, which will host an instrument petting zoo for adults and children interested in trying out a variety of musical tools.

Hamden’s free concert series will feature Gloria Gaynor on July 6 and the Little River Band on July 27. In between will be Myke Ross and Tym N Motion on July 13 and Third World on July 20. Those concerts begin at 7:30 p.m. on the town green at 2761 Dixwell Ave.

Brian A. Pounds / Hearst Connecticut Media The Alpaca Gnomes, known for wearing pointy gnome hats, will perform July 11 on the Huntington Green and July 20 on Canal Street in downtown Shelton.

Invision / AP Gloria Gaynor, seen at the 2017 Angel Ball, will perform on the Hamden Town Center Park, 2761 Dixwell Avenue on July 6.