Beach Fests

There’s nothing quite like putting on your bathing suit, packing up a towel and some sunscreen, and heading down to the beach. Add some tunes into the mix, and you have the recipe for a perfect day . . . at least until you get sand in your iPod. The solution? Waterside live music.

On Coney Island, thousands of music lovers wash up on the shore once every summer.

The Siren Music Festival packs Coney Island’s seaside amusement park with indie rocking hipsters.

Here’s a look at some great concerts around the country that will lead you straight to the water.

Contestant’s Wharf Summer Concert Series
Where: Suffolk, VA
When: Every Friday through August 25

After spending the day on the white sands of Virginia Beach, head over to Contestant’s Wharf Park for some live music. (Details can be found at Virginia.org). The types of music at this free summer concert series range from country to blues to pop, but for an extra beachy experience, check out B2B, a Jimmy Buffett cover band that’s playing on July 14th. Besides playing “parrot head” favorites, they also do original tunes, including one all about Viagra. Call ahead and reserve a slip in the marina and enjoy the tunes from the deck of a boat.

Siren Music Festival
Where: Brooklyn, NY
When: July 15

For the past six summers, this outdoor music festival has packed Coney Island’s seaside amusement park with indie rocking hipsters, who will flock this year to see acts like Philadelphia’s quirky quintet Man Man and the 70’s revivalist Scissor Sisters from New York City. Two beachside stages will host 9 hours of live music, but there’s so much else happening at Coney Island, you might just be tempted to eat your weight in Nathan’s hot dogs and ride the Cyclone roller coaster . . . although it’s probably wisest not to do them in that order.

North Beach Jazz Fest
Where: San Francisco, CA
When: July 26-30

This gem of a festival almost fell into oblivion when faced with zoning problems, but thanks to public support and the help of Mayor Gavin Newsom, the North Beach Jazz Fest is about to embark on its 12th year. For 5 days, jazz will take over this neighborhood on San Francisco Bay, with almost every venue hosting local and national jazz musicians. John Cleary and the Stooges Brass Band will add a little New Orleans flair with their Saturday night performance.

Lake Tahoe Summer Music Festival
Where: Truckee, CA
When: July 20-Aug.12

If freshwater is more your style, head over to the northern shores of Lake Tahoe for a festival that was founded by the conductor of the San Francisco Orchestra in 1983. This diverse festival features everything from performances by the Festival Orchestra to the bluegrass music of The Greencards to veteran rockers Sha Na Na. This year’s opening gala features fifteen-year-old Jacek Mysinski of Poland, who’s said to be one of the most outstanding pianists of his generation. Alas, the opening gala is invite only, so either call ahead or get Jacek to put you on his MySpace page, stat.

Capriccio 2006 Where: Ogunquit, ME When: Sept. 4-9 Just after Labor Day weekend, explore the performing arts in the scenic seaside village of Ogunquit, ME. The entire town takes part in this festival, which celebrates art, music, poetry, dance, and theatre. After catching chamber music at the Barn Gallery, cuddle up with your loved one at a cozy B&B and enjoy views of marinas and lighthouses. This event ends with the Festival of Kites, where colorful kites of every size fill the sky above Ogunquit Beach.

Posted on July 03, 2006