Parks and Recreation Links
Arts in the Parks
Arts in the Parks includes not only musical performances from classical to 80s, but also offers everything from moonlight movies to exploding fireworks. All of our programs are completely free of charge and open to the public.
You can check the status of Arts in the Parks events during inclement weather by calling 952-563-8878 or visiting the Parks and Recreation Facebook page.
Wake up to Mondays at Moir Park.* Bring your families and friends to Moir Park beginning at 10:30 a.m. on Monday mornings, June 7 - August 9, 2021 (no show July 5) to enjoy music, dancing, and lots of fun!
* - August 2 and 9 performances are at Bryant Park.
June 7: Acme Magic Factory
- Come to Moir and enjoy the performance that has been called the perfect combination of magic, comedy and audience interaction.
- More details
June 14: Wonder Weavers Storytellers
- Kids of all ages will be captivated by these amazing storytellers.
- More details.
June 21: Wiggle, Jiggle, and Jam
- Family fun that puts the “move” in music!
- More details.
June 28: Bob the Beachcomber
- Enjoy classic music from legendary artists like the Beach Boys and Jimmy Buffet!
- More details.
July 12: Kid Power with Rachael Kroog
- Be ready to have fun and dance along with Rachael Kroog and her original songs.
- More details.
July 19: Kidsdance
- Kids will have a blast dancing and moving to this high energy Kidsdance DJ performance.
- More details.
July 26: Jolly Pops
- Great kids music and fun.
- More details.
August 2: Dazzling Dave at Bryant Park
- Check out the amazing talents of yo-yo master Dave, and try your hand at yo-yo tricks.
- This event takes place at Bryant Park, 1001 W. 85th Street.
- More details.
August 9: Alpha Bits at Bryant Park
- Fun and interactive kids variety band.
- This event takes place at Bryant Park, 1001 W. 85th Street.
- More details
Sponsored by Family Achievement Center: Physical Therapy, Occupational Therapy and Speech Therapy Services for Pediatrics and Adults.
On select Tuesdays this summer see music and dance performances featuring the Bloomington Fine Arts Council organizations and other local artists. Series runs June 8 - August 10, 2021 at Normandale Lake Bandshell, 84th Street and Chalet Road. Performances begin at 7 p.m.
June 8: NOTEable Singers
- Quarantine was tough, but we’re tougher! Come see what the NOTEable Singers were able to accomplish digitally this year featuring song and dance favorites chosen by our own singers! Tuesday, June 8, 7 p.m., Normandale Lake Bandshell.
- More details.
July 13: Medalist Concert Band
- Since its founding in 1968, the Medalist Concert Band has given countless performances including summer concerts-in-the-park. It has distinguished itself through a wide variety of invitational appearances and is proud to have earned a reputation as “one of foremost community bands in the nation,” as described by the National Band Association.
- The band was the 1996 recipient of the John Philip Sousa Foundation’s Sudler Silver Scroll Award, which is given annually to the top two community bands in the United States.
- More details.
July 20: Continental Ballet
- Continental Ballet Company’s mission is to enrich the community by preserving the art of classical ballet through professional performances, dance development, and educational programs.
- More details.
August 10: Angelica Cantanti Singers
- ACYC, founded as the Bloomington Childrens Choir in 1980, continues to offer sequential, high-quality musical instruction to young choral musicians, enabling them to develop self-confidence and achieve excellence in choral performance.
- The choirs are conducted by local professional musicians who embrace a diverse and challenging repertoire.
- More details.
On Wednesday evenings in the summer, this is the perfect blending of the Bloomington Farmers Market and Arts in the Parks. Taking place in the same location as the Saturday Farmers Market (east lot of Bloomington Civic Plaza, 1800 W. Old Shakopee Road), and featuring live music, a mini market, food trucks, lawn games, and beer, it's an ideal after work destination. Series runs July 7-August 18, 2021. Market, food and beer sales open from 4-8 p.m. Music performances take place 5:30-7:30 pm.
July 7: Steve Clarke and the Working Stiffs
- Classic big band and crooner sounds are the specialty of this group, headlined by the 6-time Minnesota Music Award Horn Player of the Year!
- Food vendor: Heavy Metal Grill
- Beer vendor: Northstar Tavern (cash only)
- More details.
July 14: Everett Smithson Band (*canceled due to inclement weather*)
- The Everett Smithson Band can really lay down some tasteful grooves and red hot instrumentals. They play an interesting variety of music including standards with a unique spin and many delightful originals. Always a crowd pleaser!
- Food vendor: Muddy Tiger (Indian street food)
- Beer vendor: Northstar Tavern (cash only)
- More details.
July 21: Galactic Cowboy Orchestra
- Musically compared to King Crimson, Mahavishnu Orchestra, Dixie Dregs and Bela Fleck and the Flecktones. Need we say more?!?
- Food vendors: Heavy Metal Grill and Muddy Tiger
- Beer vendor: Northstar Tavern (cash only)
- More details.
July 28: Lehto & Wright
UPDATE 7/28/21, 12 P.M. - Due to weather and heat concerns, this event has been canceled.
- A tight, seasoned yet compact sound, offering a fresh blast of inventive British Isles and American Folk, Folk Rock and Progressive Rock.
- Food vendors: Potter's Pasties and Muddy Tiger
- Beer vendor: Northstar Tavern (cash only)
- More details.
August 4: Blue Groove Bluegrass
- Blue Groove is a multiple award-winning Twin Cities bluegrass band that covers a number of past and current contemporary bluegrass artists, and presents a few originals as well.
- Food vendors: Heavy Metal Grill and Muddy Tiger
- Beer vendor: Northstar Tavern (cash only)
- More details.
August 11: Gypsy Mania
- Featuring spontaneous, vivid performances by some of Minnesota’s most stellar gypsy-jazz artists, Gypsy Mania plays in the Django Reinhardt French swing tradition of the 1930’s, with an exceptional stylistic dimension and prodigious improvisation. It's a group not to be missed.
- Food vendor: Muddy Tiger
- Beer vendor: Northstar Tavern (cash only)
- More details.
August 18: The Tuxedo Band
- The Tuxedo Band is the Twin Cities longest-running cover band of classic and contemporary rock, pop and country music.
- Food vendor: Muddy Tiger
- Beer vendor: Northstar Tavern (cash only), featuring the lagerbeir Klar & Krispy from Bloomington's own Nine Mile Brewing Company, as well as beer from Dual Citizen Brewing Company.
- More details.
- SCHEDULING NOTE: Due to unforeseen circumstances, Alma Andina is unable to perform at this event and has been replaced by The Tuxedo Band.
The Thursday Blockbuster 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 new this year, beer sales at each show! Series runs June 10-August 5, 2021. Food and beer service begin at 6:30 p.m. Music begins at 7 p.m.
June 10: British Invasion, featuring Rubber Soul
- Rubber Soul The Tribute features the entire Beatles history in one night! From early hits to the psychedelic era of Sgt Pepper/Magical Mystery Tour and all the way through the White Album, Abbey Road and Let It Be. Mix in some of John, Paul, George and Ringo's solo hits and all the costumes and gear and it's timeless showcase of the world’s most famous band!
- More details.
Food vendor: Potter's Pasties
Beer Vendor: Northstar Tavern (cash only)
June 17: Minnesota Legends, featuring Rockin’ Hollywoods
- The Rockin’ Hollywoods are a legendary local group playing the best of the 50’s and 60’s.
- More details.
Food vendor: Heavy Metal Grill
Beer Vendor: Northstar Tavern (cash only)
June 24: Latin Music Night, featuring Salsa Del Soul
- 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 to provide great dance music for Twin Cities Salsa fans.
- More details.
Food vendor: Heavy Metal Grill
Beer Vendor: Northstar Tavern (cash only)
July 8: Thank You First Responders, Healthcare Staff and Educators, featuring The Tuxedo Band
- The Tuxedo Band is the Twin Cities longest-running cover band of classic and contemporary rock, pop and country music.
- Join them as they pay tribute to first responders, health care staff and educators!
- More details.
Food vendor: Heavy Metal Grill
Beer Vendor: Northstar Tavern (cash only)
July 15: Country Night, featuring Hitchville
- Hitchville's trademark harmonies, down home personalities, and kinetic stage energy leads to an unforgettable live show.
- More details.
Food vendor: Market Bar-B-Que
Beer Vendor: Northstar Tavern (cash only)
July 22: 90s Revisited, featuring Flannel
- If it was popular in the 90s, Flannel does it. All the hits from all the genres that made the final decade of the 20th century so great, including Nirvana, Alanis Morrisette, Montell Williams and more!
- More details.
Food vendor: Heavy Metal Grill
Beer Vendor: Northstar Tavern (cash only)
July 29: Blues and Bar-B-Que, featuring Paul Holland Blues Band
- This dynamic group featuring Minnesota Music Award winners, plays classic blues and R&B like Stevie Ray Vaughan and Aretha Franklin.
- More details.
Food vendor: Market Bar-B-Que
Beer Vendor: Northstar Tavern (cash only)
August 5: Classical Music, featuring: Bloomington Symphony Orchestra
** Due to weather concerns, this performance has been canceled.**
- The Bloomington Symphony Orchestra (BSO) is a community orchestra made up of volunteer adult amateur, semi-professional and professional musicians from all around the Twin Cities metro area.
- More details.
Food Vendor: Muddy Tiger (Indian Street Food)
Beer Vendor: Northstar Tavern (cash only)
New for 2021, Arts in the Parks is pleased to introduce Friday Night Live! This series will feature live music, theatre and moonlight movies at Normandale Lake Bandshell (except as noted). Series runs June 11-August 6, 2021 (No show July 2). Most shows start at 6:30, but check back here for specific show times.
NOTE: The August 13 Chaska Valley Family Theater performance of Tuck Everlasting listed in the June edition of the Bloomington Briefing was canceled. We apologize for not alerting you to this cancellation earlier and hope to see you again next year for more fun and unique Friday Night Live! performances.
June 11: Other Country Ensemble World Folk Music
- Other Country Ensemble takes you on musical explorations, respecting and paying tribute to folk music from various regions around the world -- and often from other planets.
- More details.
June 18: Chaska Valley Family Theatre Cabaret
- Members of the long-running Chaska Valley Family Theatre perform a variety of cabaret numbers.
- More details.
June 25: Shakespeare in the Park with the Classical Actors Ensemble
- Experience the Classical Actors Ensemble’s performance of “A Midsummer Night’s Dream.”
- Classical Actors Ensemble performs the plays of the English Renaissance as they were originally intended: as popular entertainment for everyone.
- More details.
July 9: Alma Andina Traditional South American Music
- Alma Andina combines traditional instruments from South America with Latin rhythms such as Cumbia, Salsa, Guajira, Reggaeton, Reggae, and other danceable styles.
- More details.
July 16: Moonlight Movie in the Park
- Disney's Raya and the Last Dragon
- Showtime 9 p.m.
- More details
- Watch Trailer
July 23: Laura and the Lasses Celtic Music at its best @ Pond House
- Laura and The Lasses will perform traditional Celtic selections overlooking the beautiful Minnesota River Valley.
- This event takes place at Pond Dakota Mission Park, 401 E. 104th Street.
- More details.
July 30: Jam Factory and its legendary old-school soul and R&B
- Enjoy Jam Factory playing legendary old-school Soul and R&B that will make you get up and dance.
- More details.
Food Vendor: KCM Egg Rolls
Beer Vendor: Northstar Tavern (cash only)
August 6: Alive & Kickin
- The Twin Cities' premier senior ensemble. These seniors rock!
- More details.
For events taking place at Normandale Lake Bandshell, click below to view the parking map.
Other Arts in the Parks events
Other events will be listed here if/when scheduled.
Become a sponsor!
This year we are presenting many great ways to become a part of the Arts in the Parks programs! With your sponsorship you will be thanked in the following ways:
Monday Morning Kids Series: $500/show
- Your organization will be promoted in press releases, prominent signage, on City Web and through email blasts and social media.
- Your organization will be thanked for your support at the event and throughout the event
- Your organization's name/logo will be display on a banner at the event.
- Booth space near the stage will be provided for promoting your organization
- See website for show listings here!
Thursday Blockbuster Series: $1,000/show
- Primary Sponsor Banner placed prominently on bandshell stage for selected Blockbuster show
- Reserved prime seating area
- Booth space near stage for promoting your organization
- Your organization will be promoted in press releases, prominent signage, on City Web and through email blasts and social media.
- See website for show listings here!
Friday Night Live!: $1,000/show
- Primary Sponsor Banner placed prominently on bandshell stage for selected Blockbuster show
- Reserved prime seating area
- Booth space near stage for promoting your organization
- Your organization will be promoted in press releases, prominent signage, on City Web and through email blasts and social media.
- See website for show listings here!
For more information or to reserve your sponsorship opportunity, call Arts in the Parks at 952-563-8693.