If it’s July 4, it’s the start of Summer Days

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It’s the Fourth of July, a day for family picnics, swimming pool antics, hikes and bike rides — all topped off by evening fireworks.

It’s also another one of those unofficial first days of summer, like Memorial Day and the last day of school.

Maybe you’re going on vacation this summer, maybe you’ve got the kids at home, or out-of-town relatives visiting. Maybe you’re just planning some day trips to break up the workweeks, or an evening outing on a hot, moonlit night.

There’s plenty to do. And in our “Summer Days” series, which runs daily through Labor Day, we’ll help you with ideas and destinations.

This area is rich in scenery and adventure, history and art, night spots and family places. If the outdoors calls you, there are tot-friendly nature trails — including Albany’s Pine Bush and Saratoga’s Bog Meadow — or the Adirondack High Peaks for hardened hikers. If you want your nature hanging on the walls, don’t miss the Van Gogh exhibit at The Clark in Williamstown, or Winslow Homer at The Hyde in Glens Falls.

If you’re looking for music, you’ll find arena shows at SPAC and the TU Center; intimate jazz and folk at The Van Dyck and Caffe Lena; and punk, rock and metal at clubs and venues all over the area.

And because it’s summer, there are free concerts in parks all over the area, almost every day of the week.

Today, for instance. There’s a 4th of July festival at Albany’s Empire State Plaza, starting at 3 with a naturalization ceremony. There will be craft and food vendors, kids’ activities and a ton of live music, including Southside Johnny and the

Asbury Jukes at 8 p.m., playing for free. Then at 9:15, it’s time for the biggest fireworks display in the area.

If you want a smaller venue, check out Riverlink Park in Amsterdam, where “Saturday Night Live’s” Christine Ohlman will sing with her own band, Rebel Montez, tonight at 7:30. There’s a bandstand and dance floor, and it’s free.

More free music this week:

SUNDAY

•Cello Voce, Freedom Park, Scotia. 7 p.m.

Monday

• The Misty Jazz Project, outside on the lawn of the Rotterdam Senior Citizens Center. 7 p.m.

Tuesday

•Blues with Slat Six at 6:30 p.m. at the amphitheater in Colonie’s Cook Park.

Wednesday

•Saxophonist Kim Waters, at the Empire State Plaza. Alex Bugnon opens at 5.

•Washington County Line, Freedom Park, Scotia. 7 p.m.

•Local bands Super 400 and Blue Hand Luke, Green Island Bridge parking lot at 5 p.m.

•Fritz’s Polka Band in the Chalybeate Park Pavilion on Main Street, Sharon Springs. 7 p.m.

•Honky-tonk piano player Marcia Ball plays the bandstand in Lake George’s Shepard Park. 7:30 p.m.

Thursday

•Michael Benedict’s Bopitude, Jay Street, Schenectady, at noon

• Yonder Mountain String Band, with The Blind Owl Band, Jennings Landing in the Corning Preserve, Albany. 5 p.m.

• Scotia-Glenville Community Band, Freedom Park, Scotia. 7 p.m.

• High Peaks Band, Wiswall Park, Ballston Spa. 6 p.m.

•The Georgie Wonders Orchestra (big band), at the Crossings, Colonie, 6:30 p.m.

• Bluz House Rockers, Tawasentha Park, Guilderland. 7:30 p.m.

Friday

• Bryan Thomas, on the roof of Skidmore’s Tang Museum, Saratoga Springs. 7 p.m.

•John Eisenhart, Shepard Park, Lake George. 4 p.m.

Saturday, July 11

• Alex Torres & His Latin Orchestra, Freedom Park, Scotia. 7 p.m.

Sunday, July 12

•The Rymanowski Brothers Orchestra, Freedom Park, Scotia. 7 p.m.

• Red Baraat, with the Hot Tamle Brass Band at Music Haven in Schenectady’s Central Park. 7 p.m.

When there’s outdoor music in the park, you might as well get there early for a picnic.

After all, it’s summer.

Share your ideas for “Summer Days” at www.dailygazette.com/summerdays or at [email protected]

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Categories: Life and Arts, Schenectady County