Departments » Rochester Public Music

About Rochester Public Music

Print
Share & Bookmark, Press Enter to show all options, press Tab go to next option
Font Size: + -

Rochester Public Music brings people together through concerts, cultural programs, and music education. Our events are free and public by design.

We turn parks into concert venues, bring artists into classrooms, and share music across neighborhoods. Our work is rooted in shared experience, local connection, and the belief that music belongs to everyone.

Music with Purpose.

Rochester Public Music is a department of the City of Rochester.

Our Programs

  • FORWARD Park Concerts: Free summer concerts in Rochester parks. Local bands, local food, and space for everyone to gather.
  • Riverside Music Series: Live music. Big names. No tickets. Large-scale concerts featuring chart-topping acts and rising stars.
  • Sound School: In-school residencies where students explore rhythm, movement, and musical identity — from hip hop and taiko drumming to close-harmony singing.
  • Passport Sessions: Free outdoor concerts during Thursdays Downtown, celebrating culture and connection through sound.

Mae Simpson

forWARD Park Concert

FW_FB_MAE Current_oval 2020

 

The free, Wednesday evening forWARD Park Concerts are live music events showcasing local bands and regional emerging headliners. Concerts are held in six different walkable, pet friendly, and bike trail connected parks, one in each city ward.

Local food trucks, craft beer, and family-friendly fun with the Rochester Public Library's Bookmobile and Rochester Park & Rec’s Go! Play! Explore! Mobile Rec Trailer, round out these must-attend community events.

Vendor List: Thesis Beer Project, Taco Lab, Minne'sno'da Shave Ice, Café Steam

More about forWARD here.

CLICK HERE to access CART captioning services. CART (Communication Access Realtime Translation) services sponsored by Mayo Clinic. 

 

About the Artists

 

5:30 PM Opener - JoJo Green - Indie fusion quintet JoJo Green is a well-oiled machine that boasts a big, energetic, uniquely authentic face-smacking sound. With strong influences from Motown, Muscle Shoals, and The Summer of Love, JoJo Green gives a nostalgic feeling to a fresh sound, easy on the ears, and exciting to the body. Listeners are mesmerized by JoJo Green's powerhouse vocals mixed with agile woodwinds, shredding guitars, funky bass, and driving drums: a surefire crowd pleaser! 


6:30 PM Headliner - MAE SIMPSON - Mae Simpson has been shaking up the Minneapolis music scene ever since her band formed in 2017, performing on larger and larger stages to a growing base of loyal fans across the Midwest. Led by her powerful vocals, the seven-piece band brings audiences to their feet with driving horns and a drum and percussion duo. The Minneapolis-based singer songwriter weaves elements of funk, soul, pop, rock and country into her sound.


Sponsored by Mayo Clinic & The Current

Return to full list >>
Catch It Live or Catch It Later
Stay Connected