Summer Kids Solutions: Free concerts

CLEVELAND - We love our warm months and have learned to appreciate each and every nice day - knowing that the season is short.

And what better way to spend a warm night than with good music under the stars? Cleveland’s open-air concerts are often free and always fabulous. No matter what kind of music gets you going, you’ll likely find a summer concert that’ll make you sing.

The Cuyahoga Valley National Park is the backdrop for several summer concerts. Grab a blanket and a picnic and plan to spend the evening at one of the park’s live music events, which include games, crafts and other family activities. For more information about dates and locations visit http://www.conservancyforcvnp.org/experience/arts-culture/concerts.

Rockin on the River is Northeast Ohio’s longest running outdoor concert series. All Friday night concerts in Cuyahoga Falls are free. Three giant screens offer everyone a front row seat. And this year, they’re adding a street fair! The 2012 season gets underway with its first concert on May 25. Get the entire concert list and sign up for Rockin’s newsletter.

Akron's already preparing for Lock 3' s summer concert season, Main Street next to the Akron Civic Theatre.  It begins with the free "Rock the Lock" series starting May 25. Old School Soul returns June 30. Lock 3 will celebrate its Tenth Anniversary Season this year on Saturday, September 1 with the return of Akron-favorite Herman’s Hermits Starring Peter Noone. 

Cain Park, located east of downtown Cleveland in the suburb of Cleveland Heights, is a summer performing arts park surrounded by 22 acres of woodland. For the 2012 summer concert schedule, http://www.cainpark.com/index.aspx?page=11