Entertainment & Lifestyle

The Lock 3 concert series will take place on the stage at Downtown Akron’s Lock 3 Park, shown above during last year’s National Hamburger Festival. The series kicks off May 23.

File photo

DOWNTOWN AKRON — Lock 3 Park is heading into its sixth season with an earlier start and a schedule packed with concerts and festivals, many of which offer free admission.

The outdoor park, located between the Akron Civic Theatre and the O’Neil’s building on South Main Street, features a seasonal covered stage that hosts dozens of acts during the summer months. This year the stage will host a range of performers, from 1980s hitmakers Loverboy to local favorites like the Akron Symphony Pops Orchestra with Helen Welch.

The music begins Memorial Day weekend. Free Friday night concerts, part of the Rock the Lock series, will begin May 23. Saturday night concerts and other special events, which will begin in late June, often require a $5 entrance fee.

As in previous years, the free Friday night shows will feature a mix of regional acts and tribute bands. Gates will open at 6:30 p.m. and shows begin at 7.

Here’s the schedule for Rock the Lock events on Fridays through the summer:

• May 23 — The Nightmare, a tribute to Alice Cooper, and Mr. Speed, a tribute to Kiss
• May 30 — Buffalo Rose Band and Second Helping, a tribute to Lynyrd Skynyrd
• June 6 — Cletus Black and Mojo Risin’, a tribute to the Doors
• June 13 — 11 After R and Rumours, a tribute to Fleetwood Mac
• June 20 — University of Akron Steel Drum Band and Gypsies in the Palace, a tribute to Jimmy Buffett
• June 27 — Sonny Robertson and the Howard Street Blues Band and Supernatural, The Ultimate Tribute to Carlos Santana
• July 11 — Wanda Hunt Band and Simply the Best Tribute to Tina Turner
• July 18 — Breathless and Separate Ways, a tribute to Journey
• July 25 — The Jimiller Band and Bad Medicine, a tribute to Bon Jovi
• Aug. 1 — Lock 4 and The Fortunate Son, a tribute to Creedence Clearwater Revival
• Aug. 8 — Half Cocked and Kashmir, a tribute to Led Zeppelin
• Aug. 15 — Tragic Magic and Vertigo, a tribute to U2
• Aug. 22 — Cold Blue Steel and Draw The Line, The Endorsed Aerosmith Tribute
• Aug. 29 — Denzon and the Road Dogs and The System, a tribute to Bob Seger

Special events scheduled at Lock 3 this season are:

• June 28 — Old School Soul Night starts at 6 p.m. with Rumplestiltskin, One Way featuring Al Hudson and the SOS Band. Admission is $5.
• July 3-5 — Rib, White and Blue Food Festival will feature a Thursday Rock the Lock performance July 3 at 6 p.m. with Cats on Holiday and OHIO, a tribute to Crosby, Stills, Nash and Young. Admission is free. On July 4, music will begin at 3 p.m. with the Zydeco Kings, Mo’ Mojo and headliner the Dirty Dozen Brass Band at 7 p.m. Admission is $5. On July 5, music will begin at 3 p.m. with Rare Blend, Horns and Things and headliner Kevin Eubanks (“The Tonight Show with Jay Leno” bandleader) and His Band at 9 p.m. Admission is $5.
• July 6 — Akron Symphony Pops Orchestra will play at 7:30 p.m. with vocalist Helen Welch (rain location: Akron Civic Theatre). Admission is free.
• July 12 — Super Satellite and Loverboy will play at 7 p.m. Admission is $5.
• July 19-20 — The National Hamburger Festival is scheduled for this weekend. On July 19, music will be performed by Red House and the Stone Pony Band. Admission is $5. On July 20, Off the Record will appear. Admission is free.
• July 26 — Colin John Band and Dave Mason will play at 7 p.m. Admission is $5.
• Aug. 2 — The Ronny Jordan Trio and Ledisi will perform at 7 p.m. Admission is $5.
• Aug. 9 — Vienna Teng and Arlo Guthrie, with special guests Abe and Krishna Guthrie, will play at 7 p.m. Admission is $5.
• Aug. 16 — Jeremy Fisher and Great Big Sea are scheduled for 7 p.m. Admission is $5.
• Aug. 23 — Gospelfest will begin at 4 p.m. with music from Cleveland’s Men of Song, Generation of Praise, Mark Jackson and Final Call and Joshua’s Troop. Admission is $5.
• Aug. 30 — Herman’s Hermits starring Peter Noone will play at 7 p.m. Admission is $5.
• Sept. 6 — Akron Hip Hop Showcase will feature demonstrations of break dancing, graffiti art and educating young people about the true values and positive elements of hip hop culture. Details to be announced.

For more information about events, call (330) 375-2877 or go to www.lock3live.com.