Cool off with concerts

COMPILED BY CLAY NARRON WITH JENNIFER HEWETT

Beat the heat this July with some great concerts happening all over Georgia. Most are free and for some, all you have to do is bring a blanket or chair, kick back, and listen to some great tunes.

For gospel and bluegrass lovers, visit the Saturday Evening Music Concerts on July 1, 8, 15, 22 and 29 at Unicoi State Park and Lodge in Helen, (800) 573-9659, ext. 305, or the 4th Annual God & Country Jamboree on July 15 at Sprewell Bluff State Park in Thomaston, (478) 862-2992.

If symphonies or jazz suits you more, the Atlanta Symphony plays July 7 at the Georgia National Fairgrounds & Agricenter in Perry, (478) 987-3247. Or catch the Jazz on the Lawn Concert Series at Callanwolde on July 7 with Tammy Allen and the Colors of Jazz and on July 28 with the world music of International Groove Conspiracy. www.callanwolde.org. (404) 872-5338.

The Star 94 Star Fest is also bringing music to midtown Atlanta. This one-day, two-stage, outdoor festival, held July 22 at Atlantic Station, features Train, Nickel Creek, Pink, Aqualung, Mat Kearney and The Whigs. For more information, visit www.star94.com or call (404) 261-2970.

Here are a few more events sure to enliven those hot days and cool nights:

• Pops Concert, July 1, Glover Park, Marietta. Nostalgic favorite movie and TV themes and patriotic classics. (770) 426-1509.
• The East Cobb Avenue Summer Concerts, July 1, 8, 15, 22 and 29, The Avenue, Marietta. Panorama Steel Band performances. www.theavenuealist.com. (770) 971-9945.
• 10th Annual Concerts by the Springs, July 2, Sandy Springs Historic Site and Park. Celebrate in patriotic style with the 116th U.S. Army Band. www.heritagesandysprings.org. (404) 851-1328.
• The Peachtree City Avenue Summer Concert, July 13, The Avenue, Peachtree City. Hear a free concert by Second Time Around featuring rock from the ’50s to the ’90s. www.theavenuealist.com. (770) 486-6587.
• SunTrust Concert in the Garden, July 21, Atlanta Botanical Garden. See Jerry Jeff Walker, Texas singer, songwriter and storyteller. www.atlantabotanicalgarden.org. (404) 876-5859.
• 2006 Sam Chapman’s Talbot State Bank Summer Concert, July 22, Villages Amphitheater, Fayetteville. Presenting Blood Sweat & Tears with Chuck Negron. www.villagesamphitheater.com. (770) 461-6029.
• Music in the Park, July 22, Memorial Park, Stockbridge. Listen to music under the stars. (770) 389-7900.

—Clay Narron