Classical Actors Ensemble performs the plays of the English Renaissance as they were originally intended--as popular entertainment for everyone.

2026 Show
For its 12th summer of Shakespeare in the Parks, CAE presents The Tempest. After 12 years in exile on a deserted island, a scholarly mage shipwrecks his enemies in his magical domain, putting them at his mercy. Having now the upper hand, he must choose between a path of revenge or redemption.

Featured Players
Nadya Bluvshtein, Anastasia Brown, Dominic DeLong-Rodgers, John Goodrich, Justin Hooper, Robert McComas-Wood, Zakary Morton, Ross Petras, Peter Simmons, Connor Smith, Alan Tilson, Angelina Vu, and Eli Zimmerman

Cool Treats
Purchase ice cream from the Udder Buddies food truck while you enjoy the show!  

The Sunday Funday series features live, family-friendly music and theater performances 6 - 8 p.m. (unless otherwise noted). Look for a show at a neighborhood park near you!

The bandshell performance venue is a natural grass amphitheater with no permanent seating. Please consider bringing a blanket or lawn chair for your comfort and convenience while enjoying the event. 

Visit the Arts in the Parks web page to see other fun events in summer 2026! 

Follow Bloomington Parks and Recreation on Facebook.

The dynamic Paul Holland Blues Band, featuring Minnesota Music Award winners, plays classic blues and R&B like Stevie Ray Vaughan and Aretha Franklin. 

The Sunday Funday series features live, family-friendly music and theater performances 6 - 8 p.m. (unless otherwise noted). Look for a show at a neighborhood park near you! 

The East Lawn Amphitheater has no permanent seating. Please consider bringing a blanket or lawn chair for your comfort and convenience while enjoying the event. 

Visit the Arts in the Parks web page to see other fun events in summer 2026!

Follow Bloomington Parks and Recreation on Facebook. 

Bring a lawn chair or blanket to the historic Pond House inside Pond Dakota Mission Park and enjoy listening to the John Philip Sousa Memorial Band playing all the classic Sousa marches you know and love. 

Enjoy an Ice Cream Social presented by the Bloomington Historical Society. 

The Sunday Funday series features live, family-friendly music and theater performances 6 - 8 p.m. (unless otherwise noted). Look for a show at a neighborhood park near you! 

The Pond House performance space has no permanent seating. Please consider bringing a blanket or lawn chair for your comfort and convenience while enjoying the event. 

Visit the Arts in the Parks web page to see other fun events in summer 2026!

Follow Bloomington Parks and Recreation on Facebook. 

Do you know about the historic Pond House in Bloomington? Come experience a little bit of the Pond House fun by stepping back in time to try your hand at three different pioneer activities:

• Spin a length of rope.
• Write with a quill pen.
• Make a button and string puzzle.

Information will also be shared about the weekly hands-on history programs hosted at the Pond House and how you can get involved through volunteering. 

REGISTRATION

• Fee: Free
• Participant Limit: 30
  • For adults 50 years of age and above.
• Registration is required online at Webtrac. 

For more information or questions, contact us at 952-563-4944, MN Relay 711, or parksrec@bloomingtonmn.gov. 

Good for Gary is a premier Twin Cities-based cover band specializing in high-energy dance, pop and R&B hits that keep the crowd moving!

Check out this "ridiculously entertaining" band on its YouTube Channel for a preview of what awaits! 

• Food vendors: Eggroll Queen, Samurai Teppanyaki, Pawpaw's Snoballs
• Beer vendor: NorthStar Tavern

The Thursday Blockbusters Series provides the very best in free outdoor entertainment on Thursdays throughout the summer at Normandale Lake Bandshell. It features top quality musical performances, food trucks and beer sales at each show!

• Food and beverage service begins at 6:30 p.m.
• Music begins at 7 p.m.   

The bandshell performance venue is a natural grass amphitheater with no permanent seating. Please consider bringing a blanket or lawn chair for your comfort and convenience while enjoying the event. 

Visit the Arts in the Parks web page to see other fun events in summer 2026!

Follow Bloomington Parks and Recreation on Facebook.

Salsa del Soul is a nine-piece orchestra performing various styles of dance music from the Spanish-speaking regions of the Caribbean. Salsa del Soul was formed with the purpose of providing great dance music for Twin Cities Salsa fans. 

• Food vendor: Taqueria el Patron, Kosharina Egyptian Cuisine, Kona Ice Twin Cities
• Beer vendor: Northstar Tavern

The Thursday Blockbusters Series provides the very best in free outdoor entertainment on Thursdays throughout the summer at Normandale Lake Bandshell. It features top quality musical performances, food trucks and beer sales at each show!

• Food and beverage service begins at 6:30 p.m.
• Music begins at 7 p.m.   

The bandshell performance venue is a natural grass amphitheater with no permanent seating. Please consider bringing a blanket or lawn chair for your comfort and convenience while enjoying the event. 

Visit the Arts in the Parks web page to see other fun events in summer 2026!

Follow Bloomington Parks and Recreation on Facebook.

The Jimmys are an award-winning, high-energy, six-piece funky blues band with touring experience throughout the US, the Caribbean and Europe.

• Food vendor: Smokestack Express, Sizzling Wagon, Minne Tea
• Beer vendor: Northstar Tavern

The Thursday Blockbusters Series provides the very best in free outdoor entertainment on Thursdays throughout the summer at Normandale Lake Bandshell. It features top quality musical performances, food trucks and beer sales at each show!

• Food and beverage service begins at 6:30 p.m.  
• Music begins at 7 p.m.   

The bandshell performance venue is a natural grass amphitheater with no permanent seating. Please consider bringing a blanket or lawn chair for your comfort and convenience while enjoying the event. 

Visit the Arts in the Parks web page to see other fun events in summer 2026!

Follow Bloomington Parks and Recreation on Facebook.

One of the top country acts in the region, Hitchville combines signature harmonies and great stage energy. Led by vocalists Heidi Owens and Mattew Kneefe, Hitchville plays the best in country music in an unforgettable live show.

• Food vendor: Russell's Traveling Kitchen, Muddy Tiger Indian Street Food, Kurbside Ice Company
• Beer vendor: Northstar Tavern

The Thursday Blockbusters Series provides the very best in free outdoor entertainment on Thursdays throughout the summer at Normandale Lake Bandshell. It features top quality musical performances, food trucks and beer sales at each show!

• Food and beverage service begins at 6:30 p.m.  
• Music begins at 7 p.m.   

The bandshell performance venue is a natural grass amphitheater with no permanent seating. Please consider bringing a blanket or lawn chair for your comfort and convenience while enjoying the event. 

Visit the Arts in the Parks web page to see other fun events in summer 2026!

Follow Bloomington Parks and Recreation on Facebook.

Rhino is a four-member, high energy Twin Cities band playing an array of modern, alternative, 80's, and classic rock, with twists of country and other surprises splashed in. 

• Food vendor: I & E Treats, Momo Express, Pawpaw's Snoballs
• Beer vendor: Northstar Tavern

The Thursday Blockbusters Series provides the very best in free outdoor entertainment on Thursdays throughout the summer at Normandale Lake Bandshell. It features top quality musical performances, food trucks and beer sales at each show!

• Food and beverage service begins at 6:30 p.m.  
• Music begins at 7 p.m.   

The bandshell performance venue is a natural grass amphitheater with no permanent seating. Please consider bringing a blanket or lawn chair for your comfort and convenience while enjoying the event. 

Visit the Arts in the Parks web page to see other fun events in summer 2026!

Follow Bloomington Parks and Recreation on Facebook.

Enjoy an incendiary set that combusts with memorable original songs written by the alluring lead vocalist, her three band mates and occasionally the Minnesota-based singer’s mother and band manager. Whether you characterize them as country, rock, country-rock, retro rock, or just rock, The Devon Worley Band will take you on a shape-shifting musical ride you won't soon forget! 

• Food vendor: Thai Boat 89, Philicious Phillys, Udder Buddies
• Beer vendor: Northstar Tavern

The Thursday Blockbusters Series provides the very best in free outdoor entertainment on Thursdays throughout the summer at Normandale Lake Bandshell. It features top quality musical performances, food trucks and beer sales at each show!

• Food and beverage service begins at 6:30 p.m.
• Music begins at 7 p.m.   

The bandshell performance venue is a natural grass amphitheater with no permanent seating. Please consider bringing a blanket or lawn chair for your comfort and convenience while enjoying the event. 

Visit the Arts in the Parks web page to see other fun events in summer 2026!

Follow Bloomington Parks and Recreation on Facebook.