Celebrate a Music-Filled Summer With Concerts

Sometimes there's just not enough days in the week, but every Wednesday we'll give you an idea of something to do to relax, spend time with family and just take some time for yourself.

Summer is almost officially here, the weather is on and off sunny and that can only mean one thing—the Somerset County 2013 Summer Concert Series is returning to Bridgewater, as of July 4.

Sponsored by the Somerset County Park Commission, the weekly event that lasts through July and August features different kinds of musicians each Sunday. Guests are invited to bring out their lawn chairs and snacks, and park themselves on the lawn at Duke Island Park to listen to the music and dance with the festivities.

The first concert will actually be held at North Branch Park in conjunction with the county’s July 4th festivities, but all others will be held at Duke Island Park.

Here are the planned performers for the entire summer:

• Verdict and Dancin’ Machine—Kicking off the series will be this reggae band, which will be performing at North Branch Park July 4 between 5 p.m. and 11 p.m.
• Ruthie Foster—The series moves back to Duke Island Park with this blues and folk music singer-songwriter, performing July 7 from 7 p.m. to 8:30 p.m.
• Louis Prima, Jr. and the Witnesses—On July 14, this band best known for following in the footsteps of Louis Prima, the “King of Swing,” will perform from 7 p.m. to 8:30 p.m.
• Ken Navarro—This jazz guitarist, who has performed in the series before, will take to the stage July 21 from 7 p.m. to 8:30 p.m.
• The Duprees—Best known for their romantic interpretations of love songs, will return to Bridgewater to perform at Duke Island Park July 28 from 7 p.m. to 8:30 p.m.
• Tusk—On Aug. 4, this band covering the hits of Fleetwood Mac will head to Duke Island Park from 7 p.m. to 8:30 p.m.
• The Voodudes/Beau Soleil—The Voodudes will kick off the Aug. 11 Bayou Fest at Duke Island Park with the event from 5:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. After that, Beau Soleil, best known for its Cajun and Zydeco music, will continue the series from 7 p.m. to 8:30 p.m.
• The B Street Band, the Original Bruce Springsteen Tribute Band—True to their name, this Asbury Park-based band, which performs Springsteen favorites among other songs, will head to Duke Island Park Aug. 18 from 7 p.m. to 8:30 p.m.
• The Smithereens—The concert series concludes Aug. 25 with a performance by this rock band from 7 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. at Duke Island Park.