Bloglander

Sorry to be a downer, but summer is already more than halfway over, which may be news to those who haven't bothered to keep track. There are less than six short weeks from now until Labor Day weekend, the unofficial end of the season. What have you done so far to enjoy the warm weather, outdoors and summer living in the Inland Northwest? Don't forget that our big Summer Guide issue has lots of suggestions for exploring the outdoors, arts, music, theater and food scenes, as well as lots of events for families to enjoy.

Yet if you've been too busy to flip through the Inlander's online or weekly print edition of the community events calendar, there's a chance you've missed listings for the many local, outdoor concert and film series (most listed here are free). There's no better time to enjoy what's otherwise an indoor activity — here's a round-up of what we know of happening around the region.

MUSIC

Manito Park Bench Cafe | The quaint, seasonal cafe hosts free, live music every Friday night, from 6-8 pm, through Aug. 22. It's all ages but those of age can enjoy a beer/wine garden serving No-Li brews. 

Riverfront Park Fountain Cafe | The park's newest food stop hosts free, live music every Wednesday night, from 6-8 pm, through Aug. 20. 

Sandpoint Summer Sounds | The Park Place stage in downtown Sandpoint hosts free, live music for the annual Summer Sounds concert series on Saturdays, from 4-6 pm, through Aug. 30. 

Rock the Nest | The return of Kendall Yards' outdoor, summer concert series on Wednesday nights is set for July 30, at 7 pm, and live local bands perform weekly through Aug. 20. 

Browne's Addition Summer Concerts | This annual outdoor series is on Thursday nights, from 6-8 pm, through Aug. 28, at the Coeur d'Alene Park gazebo.


Summer Concerts at Riverstone | The Coeur d'Alene Arts & Culture Alliance host a free, Thursday night concert series in Riverstone Park, from 6:30-8 pm, through Aug. 28. 

Performers on the Patio | Enjoy live music and the scenic vistas of Arbor Crest Winery's Cliff House Estate grounds, during two ongoing, summer concert series. Thursday's Performers on the Patio concerts, from 5:30-7:30 pm, offer free admission, and run weekly through Sept. 25. Saturday's Concerts on the Cliff series are $8/person, with music from 5:30 pm to dusk, through Sept. 28. Remember, because it's at a winery, these shows are only open to ages 21 and up. 

Outdoor music this summer isn't limited to these series. There's also concerts at the Gorge Amphitheater, the upcoming Festival at Sandpoint, Northern Quest's outdoor summer concerts, the Spokane Symphony's special summer concerts, Schweitzer's Fall Fest during Labor Day weekend and several other local festivals. For the most updated info, make sure to keep up with the Inlander's weekly print and online music listings.

FILM

Spokane Valley Summer Movies in the Park | Outdoor screening at dusk, with free crafts and activities in Mirabeau Meadows Park starting an hour before the show. July 25, Despicable Me 2; and Aug. 22, Frozen.

South Perry Summer Theater | Bring your lawn chairs and blankets for The Shop's annual (free) summer tradition of projecting movies from its parking lot onto the side of Casper Fry restaurant. Movies start at dusk, every Saturday through Aug. 23. July 26, The Lego Movie; Aug. 2, Raiders of the Lost Ark; Aug. 9, The Hobbit: The Desolation of Smaug; Aug. 16, Bill & Ted's Excellent Adventure; Aug. 23, Frozen.

Friends of Pavillion Park Movies in the Park | All screenings (free) start at dusk and are free to the public. Pavillion Park movies: July 26, Turbo; Aug. 2, The Princess Bride; Aug. 9, Star Trek Into Darkness; Aug. 29, Brave. Half Moon Park movies: July 25, How to Train Your Dragon; Aug. 16, The Croods. 

Airway Heights Moonlight Movie Series | Screenings (free) start at dusk in the outfield of Martella Ball Field at Sunset Park. July 25, National Treasure; Aug. 8, Cloudy With a Chance of Meatballs 2; Aug. 29, Free Willy.

Spokane County Parks Swim and a Movie | The Northside and Southside Family Aquatics Facilities host a two-hour evening swim, followed by a family film screening. Gates open at 6 pm; movies start at dusk. $2-$3. Aug. 2, The Lego Movie; Aug. 16, Cloudy With a Chance of Meatballs 2.

THEATER

Tomato Plant Girl | An outdoor theater performance on the lawn of the University of Idaho's Hartung Theater, featuring a script geared toward younger audiences. Picnic meals are welcome and encouraged. Showing July 24-26, and July 31-Aug. 2 at 7 pm. $5/youth ages 16 and under; $15/adults. (208-885-6465)  

Shakespeare in the Park | Montana-based Shakespeare in the Park travels around the Western U.S. every summer, performing free plays to the public. This year's Spokane stop is a performance of "As You Like It," on Sat, Aug. 23, at 5 pm, in Liberty Lake's Pavillion Park.