From Alaska to Rhode Island, this month’s Levitt Community Spotlight Series continues with eight towns and cities that have enhanced their cultural offerings—giving locals the chance to spend summer afternoons and evenings listening to music including Polynesian-Hawaiian reggae, Celtic rock, indie pop, and much more. Audiences across the country experience an array of cultural flavors at free, outdoor Levitt concerts that offer something for everyone! 

 

LEVITT AMP SOLDOTNA
Soldotna Creek Park
June 4–August 13, 2025 

Soldotna Creek Park sits on the Kenai River, providing a beautiful scene for both salmon fishing and enjoying free, live music. Photo courtesy of Levitt AMP Soldotna.

What began as a post-World War II homesteading community, Soldotna, Alaska currently has a population of just over 4,000 and is a service and retail hub for the Central Peninsula. The Kenai River, which flows through the town, has long been a destination for salmon fishing, and the current world-record king salmon—a whopping 97.25 pounds—was caught right there.  

With restrictions in place protecting the king salmon population, the city has shifted to becoming a hub for year-round recreation and celebrations of local culture. It’s in that spirit that this season’s Levitt AMP Soldotna Music Series, which launched in 2019, aims to foster a joyous experience bringing local residents together. 

“The music series has had a profound and multifaceted impact,” says Mary McCubbins, Special Projects Head of series presenter Vision Soldotna. “Each week, we see between 500 and 3,000 people gather in the heart of our town to enjoy live music and connect with neighbors. These events have become a powerful means of building relationships and cultivating a strong sense of belonging in our community.” 

As with previous years, the Levitt AMP Soldotna Music Series has partnered with Drunken Forest Tie Dye to provide a fun artmaking event on the lawn. The series also collaborates with local campground Diamond M Ranch Resort: Artists who have performed on the Levitt stage sometimes give campers a unique surprise, showing up by the campfire to perform in an even more intimate way. 

This year’s roster includes a roundup of diverse acts. “Culturally, the series has become a platform for diversity and inclusion,” says McCubbins. “We have intentionally created space for a wide range of artists and musical genres, encouraging residents to explore cultures and sounds beyond what’s typically available locally. The response from the audience has been overwhelmingly positive.”  

On tap for this season are trumpet-infused EDM purveyors Wave Magnetik, Polynesian-Hawaiian reggae band H3, and the Celtic-rock styling of Young Dubliners. 

Levitt AMP Soldotna Music Series runs every Wednesday through August 13. 

 

LEVITT AMP STEVENS POINT
Pfiffner Pioneer Park
June 5–August 21, 2025 

This year, the Levitt AMP Stevens Point series will introduce Kid’s Nights in partnership with Big Brothers Big Sisters, making the concerts even more fun for music lovers of all ages. Photo by Tori Jennings.

Originally named after resident George Stevens—the owner of an early, colonial-era grocery and supply business on the Wisconsin River, where loggers floated logs downstream to market—Stevens Point, Wisconsin grew to become a thriving, multicultural, art-loving community. 

Today, Stevens Point benefits from its diversity and the vibrance brought by the University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point and Mid-State Technical College, as well as a vibrant craft brewery scene. The Levitt AMP Stevens Point Music Series also become a vital part of the local community and economy since it launched in 2017.  

“We designed Levitt AMP Stevens Point to reflect our local vibe,” says Ryan Branwell, Community Engagement Manager for CREATE Portage County. “We proudly showcase local craft breweries like Point Brewery and Central Waters at our Beer Tent. The concerts take place in a green, central space that residents already adore, making Levitt AMP a true community gathering spot. Surrounded by galleries, theater groups, and public art, Levitt AMP becomes more than a concert series—it’s a celebration of the creativity, inclusivity, and resilience that make Stevens Point special.” 

New this season, Stevens Point has partnered with Midstate Independent Living Choices (MILC), a local organization that supports individuals with disabilities. MILC is onsite providing valuable resources, information, and tools to help attendees with accessibility needs navigate the concert space more comfortably and confidently. CREATE is also partnering with nonprofit Big Brothers Big Sisters for special children’s performances. “We’re especially pumped to introduce these dedicated Kid’s Nights, complete with fun activities designed to make the Levitt experience even more family-friendly, and give parents a bit of a breather,” says Branwell. “It’s all about making sure everyone has a chance to join the fun.” 

This year’s concert lineup features a wonderful variety of top-notch musical talent. Artists include New Orleans-inspired, female-led horn group the Brass Queens, Irish folk trio Socks in the Frying Pan, Ghanaian Afro-fusion drummer Paa Kow, and more.  

The Levitt AMP Stevens Point Music Series runs Thursdays through August 21. 

 

LEVITT AMP GALVA
Wiley Park
June 7–August 3, 2025 

Galva is a rural community of 2,400 residents, with a mighty passion for all the ways #MusicMoves them, highlighted in the energetic letter cutouts created by individuals in custody and local partners. Photo courtesy of Levitt AMP Galva on Facebook.

Originally a railroad town, Galva, Illinois was named by its large, original Scandinavian immigrant population in homage to sister city Gävle, Sweden. 

Today, the Levitt AMP Galva Music Series, which kicked off in 2018, encourages attendees to bring friends and family for a free, relaxed, picnic-style concert experience at Wiley Park—and has also served as inspiration for local residents.  

“The Levitt AMP Galva Music Series has brought the community together in a number of ways,” says John Taylor, Levitt AMP Galva President. “With this, a sense of optimism has developed, as people have begun to feel empowered to make a difference in the community. Small acts of kindness and giving for the greater good are like a snowball in the momentum that they build, and I hope to see more people becoming involved.”  

These acts of kindness have involved residents contributing to help make the event series possible. “[Volunteer] Carlin Follis, who handles all the food vendors and helps in the green room, hosts many of the artists in her home,” says Taylor. The Illinois Department of Corrections and the Kewanee Life Skills Re-Entry Center led individuals in custody in cutting, painting, and sealing the letters of a #MUSICMOVES sign, and a local business volunteered to make custom stakes to hold the sign in place. The event series includes free arts and crafts projects for kids as well as face painting and henna tattoos, and many of the other improvements in Wiley Park were also paid for by private donations.  

This year’s roster includes the vocal harmony folk band Windborne, Americana infused indie rock band Emerson Woolf & The Wishbones, female-led brass band Brass Queens, and more. 

Levitt AMP Galva Music Series runs Sundays through August 3. 

 

LEVITT AMP GALLUP
Courthouse Plaza
June 7–August 9, 2025 

In 2024, Bandits on the Run rocked the Levitt AMP Gallup stage among local opening acts and established touring artists across all genres, nurturing the community’s strong musical talent and tradition. Photo courtesy of Levitt AMP Gallup.

Gallup, New Mexico is steeped in Native American culture. Known as a center for Native art, the city’s population is over one-third Native American and sits on the border of the Navajo Nation. The area has also long been used as a filming location for Hollywood productions because of the arid terrain. 

And even though the city is already a huge source of culture, the music series, which began in 2020, has brought even more diversity, opportunity, and sheer fun to the community.  

“The Levitt AMP Gallup Music Series has been a huge benefit for Gallup,” says Michael Bulloch, Executive Director at Gallup Main Street, which presents the Levitt AMP Gallup Music Series. “We have hosted nationally and internationally touring bands in a wide range of genres, from Americana, Afro-pop, hip-hop, funk, jazz, and metal, to Zydeco and everything in between.” 

Bulloch adds that the series, which features nationally-recognized Native artists, has also become a great source of pride for the community—which the series also uplifts by supporting local acts as openers. “Gallup has a strong musical tradition, and supporting local artists as opening acts is valuable because it gives them the opportunity to perform on the same stage as more established artists.” 

Some of those established artists whom local acts will have a chance to share the stage with include Sage Cornelius, who combines classical violin with heavy metal, Seattle-based hip-hop artist Travis Thompson, pop/folk/American act Bandits on the Run, and more.  

The Levitt AMP Gallup Music Series is presented in partnership with the city of Gallup and Visit Gallup, and runs Saturdays through August 9. 

 

LEVITT AMP WOONSOCKET
River Island Art Park
June 13–August 22, 2025 

With immense local support and a brand new stage, the Levitt AMP Woonsocket series returns in 2025 to provide a place to forge even more connections, joyful memories, and community pride. Photo by Paul White.

The Levitt AMP Woonsocket Music Series, which began in this small Rhode Island city in 2018, has become so popular and successful in its community that the local government committed funds to building a permanent stage in River Island Art Park, where the series takes place.  

“Levitt is universally loved,” says Meg Rego, Director of Resource Development & Communications at NeighborWorks Blackstone River Valley. “Every season the City Council unanimously approves the use of the park for the Levitt concerts, and they recently agreed to dedicate funds to build a permanent stage that’s state-of-the-art and designed to reflect the city. It’s built of steel and concrete, reminiscent of our old industrial days.” 

This year’s stellar lineup includes salsa sensation EhShawnee, a Woonsocket resident who tops the charts in her native Dominican Republic. Providence-born R&B/soul singer-songwriter Alexus Lee, Cuban rock band Sweet Lizzy Project, and Grammy-Award winning Zydeco artist Terrance Simien are also on the bill.  

Community gatherings are held in tandem with the concerts, such as an alumni night for AmeriCorps members, and local summer camps that host their family night in the park.   

“We’re a community that really cares about one another,” says Rego. “It’s definitely a point of pride for residents. The online voting process showed that our residents had a voice in what came to their community. We’ve seen relationships forged on the green. People come back every year to see their summer Levitt families.”  

The Levitt AMP Woonsocket Music Series takes place on Fridays through August 22. 

 

LEVITT VIBE CHICAGO
Gage Park, La Villita Park, Riis Park, and Rainbow Beach Park
June 14–August 16, 2025

Levitt AMP Chicago’s debut 2024 season showcased world renowned artists like Guatemalan singer-songwriter Sara Curruchich, and will follow in 2025 with even more international artistic powerhouses. Photo by James Klein.

Unlike last year, when it took place exclusively at Riis Park, the Levitt VIBE Chicago Music Series is taking place at four different parks this season: Riis Park, Gage Park, La Villita Park, and Rainbow Beach Park—all on the West and South sides of Chicago, which are neighborhoods with little or no cultural programming. Many residents are part of immigrant communities with Mexican, Venezuelan, and Puerto Rican heritage.  

“The series is important because it reaches out to different Latino communities in areas that are in dire need of cultural activation,” says Mateo Mulcahy, Deputy Executive Director at International Latino Cultural Center of Chicago. “This series reaches out to these communities and the few cultural organizations that are in these neighborhoods.” The Levitt VIBE Chicago Music Series and the International Latino Cultural Center also work closely with the park advisory committees and the local aldermanic offices and representatives for the four wards (local political districts covering a certain section of the city) where the parks reside, adds Mulcahy.  

This year’s lineup features diverse styles of music from week to week. Artists include Dominican Afropop guitarist Yasser Tejeda, Chicago-based Latin alternative band The Braided Janes, and visionary Venezuelan group Los Crema Paraiso, who combine traditional Venezuelan folk music known as joropo with modern rock. “The strategy has been to create a mix of local, national, and national acts to bring in people from the immediate area and to attract people from neighboring communities to create a welcoming gathering place and an alternative to the predominantly sports activities in the parks,” says Mulcahy.  

The Levitt VIBE Chicago Music Series takes place Saturdays through August 16. 

 

LEVITT AMP COLUSA
Veterans Memorial Park
June 19– August 21, 2025 

Signage and lawn activations bring Veterans Memorial Park to life with the unmistakable whimsy and welcoming nature of Levitt AMP Colusa. Photo courtesy of Levitt AMP Colusa.

Originally founded by Charles D. Semple in 1850, Colusa thrived due to its proximity to the Southern Pacific Railroad. In modern times, this Northern California community is best known for its agricultural ties as a major producer of rice, almonds, tomatoes, and walnuts for the Golden State and beyond.  

The city has also been home to the Levitt AMP Colusa Music Series since it began in 2023, and through an inclusive approach to programming, aims to boost social and commercial activity in the local community.  

“The series has become a cornerstone of community life each summer,” says Sadie Ash, Board Member of Colusa County Arts Council, which presents the Levitt AMP program. “It’s helped breathe new energy into Veterans Memorial Park and the surrounding downtown area—bringing together families, friends, neighbors, and visitors for weekly music, food, and connection.”  

The lineup for this year’s series includes a wide array of artists including Sacramento-based funk/soul collective Ideateam, all-female Mexican American band The Mexican Standoff, the upbeat garage pop of Red Light Cameras, and more. “Culturally, the series has introduced audiences to genres and artists they may not have otherwise encountered…Looking ahead, we hope to deepen that impact by continuing to showcase diverse performers, support small businesses, and create an inclusive space where everyone feels welcome,” says Ash. 

The Levitt AMP Colusa Music Series also has aimed to empower local youth through volunteer programs. “This year we introduced and invited groups to join us as a featured ‘Bucket Challenge’ group,” says Ash. “We have four civic and youth groups helping us before and after the show, and during the show they raise funds with root beer float booths and passing a bucket for donations. We felt the difference in planning this year, when we made our call for community partners and every group showed up to be a part of the amazing free music series. These partnerships not only support the events—they help create a stronger, more connected Colusa.” 

The Levitt AMP Colusa Music Series runs Thursdays through August 21. 

 

LEVITT AMP CARSON CITY
Brewery Arts Center Campus
June 21–August 23, 2025 

Through partnerships like Connections Central and a diverse lineup of musical talent, Levitt AMP Carson City leverages the power of storytelling and free live music to bring community members together. Photo by Tony Dellacioppa.

Once a center of silver and gold mining and the famed home of the historic Virginia and Truckee Railroad, Carson City is the capital of Nevada and has been the location of the Levitt AMP Carson City Music Series since 2016, serving as a meeting ground for people from the local area. 

“The impact has been tremendous on our community,” says Spike McGuire, Executive Director of series presenter Brewery Arts Center. “We are fully in line with Levitt’s philosophy that music is the great uniter and we see that every week. Around 2,000 people gather in shared joy for each concert we host, and they come from every background you can imagine. There is no other event in Carson City that draws such a diverse cross-section.” 

The artists in this year’s lineup reflect that inclusive spirit. Attendees can enjoy San Francisco blues-rock band Wreckless Strangers, Sudanese-American artist Sinkane, who combines progressive rock, electronica, free jazz and funk into a vibrant sonic stew, and New Orleans band Bon Bon Vivant, who blend Americana, funk and indie dance rock. “Something about the mix of genres creates the perfect summer vibe,” says McGuire. 

The event series is put on in connection with presenting partner Connections Central, a Nevada-based organization that uses storytelling to help bring communities together. Other partners include The Boys and Girls Club of Western Nevada and the Carson City Children’s Museum, which will help expand the kids’ zone on site and offer more activities and fun games. 

The Levitt AMP Carson City Music Series runs Sundays through August 23.