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.
Introduction: Laser 101.7 will sponsor Classic Rock Night - Sunday, Aug. 12 (Week #6 - Season Finale) at 7PM in Mayo Park, featuring JEFFERSON STARSHIP w/ Rochester's own THE CHUBS at the Think Bank Down by the Riverside FREE Outdoor Concert Series in Rochester, MN.
Intro Text
Laser 101.7 will sponsor Classic Rock Night - Sunday, Aug. 12 (Week #6 - Season Finale) at 7PM in Mayo Park, featuring JEFFERSON STARSHIP w/ Rochester's own THE CHUBS at the Think Bank Down by the Riverside FREE Outdoor Concert Series in Rochester, MN.
JEFFERSON STARSHIP (Headliner): Jefferson Starship rose from the ashes of another legendary San Francisco band, Rock and Roll Hall of Fame Inductees, Jefferson Airplane. Founder Paul Kantner (who died in January 2016 at age 74) knew that combining powerful creative forces, personalities and talents could create something far greater than the sum of its parts.
Between 1974 and 1984, Jefferson Starship released eight gold and platinum albums, twenty hit singles, sold out concerts worldwide and lived out legendary rock and roll escapades.
“Jefferson Starship was my creation…and it has this nice fluidity about it that allows any number of people to come in and do things with whatever Jefferson Starship is.” – Paul Kantner
Today’s Jefferson Starship remains dedicated to breathing new life into the living catalog of the Jeffersonian legacy, going to the edge, pushing the sonic boundaries and staying true to the original spirit of the music.
Featuring original and historic members David Freiberg (also a founder of San Francisco luminaries Quicksilver Messenger Service) and drummer Donny Baldwin, along with longtime members Chris Smith on keyboards and synth bass, Jude Gold on lead guitar and GRAMMY nominee Cathy Richardson anchoring the female lead vocal spot made famous by the inimitable Grace Slick (who invited her to sing in her place as Jefferson Airplane accepted their Lifetime Achievement Award at the GRAMMY Merit Awards Concert.)
The band keeps a hectic touring schedule bolstered by several recent television appearances including My Music: 60s Pop, Rock and Soul on PBS and Live with the Contemporary Youth Orchestra on AXS Network. The Freiberg-penned 1979 hit "Jane" is the theme song for the Netflix Original Series, Wet, Hot American Summer. In 2014-15, the band played a series of free concerts for America’s Veterans and was awarded a Certificate of Appreciation from the US Department of Defense. Jefferson Starship has traveled the world playing in 20 countries across the globe in the last 3 years alone.
The music that defined a generation and spanned decades is alive and well and more relevant than ever in pop culture- songs such as "Volunteers", "White Rabbit", "Wooden Ships", "Somebody to Love", "Today", "Miracles", "Count on Me", "Fast Buck Freddie", "Jane" and "Find Your Way Back" continue to reverberate throughout the collective consciousness today. For more information visit: http://www.jeffersonstarship.com/index.html
THE CHUBS (Opener): Premier variety cover band spanning their services across Southeast MN, Western WI, and Northern IA with the ability to cater to everyone's preferences. Classic & Current Rock, Blues, Funk and Country variety covers done right. For more information visit: https://www.facebook.com/The-Chubs-369230703101905/
Missed a show? Want to rewatch a favorite moment? Explore our growing collection of concert videos and behind-the-scenes footage on our YouTube channel.
From festival highlights to full-length performances, you can enjoy select Rochester Public Music events anytime, anywhere — part of our commitment to access and inclusion.
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