The Carter Barron Amphitheatre and Reston Town Center summer concert schedules, which were not announced in time for the Washington City Paper’s Summer Music Guide, are now available. For many local residents who are fans of nonrock styles, there’s nothing better than a night under the stars and among the trees of Rock Creek Park in Carter Barron’s outdoor seating off of 16th Street NW. Carter Barron’s 2010 schedule includes four free shows sponsored by the Washington Post, the sixth annual free Poetry in the Park event on August 27 that this year features the Last Poets, and a number of ticketed old-school soul, neo-soul, and funk gigs.  Highlights include ConFunkShun, ZAPP, and Slave on July 10, and Jerry “the Ice Man” Butler, the Impressions, and the Jewels on July 17.  Sadly, the Shakespeare Theatre Company’s Free For All, which took up residence at Carter Barron for several weeks every summer until 2009, is not returning.  It will take place like last year inside Sidney Harman Hall on F Street NW beginning in August.

Per tradition, the Carter Barron schedule closes with the D.C. Blues Society’s free festival. This year’s 22nd annual event on Sept. 4 features Bryan Lee & the Blues Power Band, Dianna Greenleaf & the Blue Mercy Band, Cheryl Renee with Them Bones Blues Band, Doug MacLeod, and the Big Boy Little Band.

Reston Town Center’s free Saturday night summer concert schedule consists mostly of local bands, but it will also feature Louisiana’s C.J. Chenier and the Red-Hot Louisiana Band on June 19 and Irish-American band Solas on July 24.  At least on one night a week, the Town Center will offer more than movies and gelato.

Carter Barron Amphitheatre, 4850 Colorado Avenue Northwest, Washington, DC 20011 (202) 426-0486.

Reston Town Center, 1760 Reston Parkway, Reston, VA 20190
(703) 689-4699.