We’re now past the halfway point of July, which means, for all intents and purposes, we’ve also passed the halfway point of the summer season. Let us not bemoan that summer is half over, but rather embrace all that lies ahead. And looking forward, what lies ahead is music, lots of great music.

The Houghton Summer Slam concert series, organized by Good Times music, continues to draw big crowds with an eclectic collection of local performers. Still to come through Aug. 20 are evenings of jazz, country rock, bluegrass and more.

The Calumet Theatre’s Summer Concert Series holds concerts outside, weather permitting, next to the theater at 7:30 p.m. Wednesdays, concluding with Almost Elvis on Aug. 20.

Across the Portage Canal from Houghton, the city of Hancock’s Friday night concert series Canal Rock has indeed been rocking and will continue to do so through Aug. 8.

Laurium’s Daniell Park concerts will be held on Thursdays through Sept. 11. Upcoming concerts feature, jazz, blues, rock, country and more.

Also on Thursdays and a bit further north, Copper Harbor’s Performances in the Park from 7-9 p.m. features a wide array of musical offerings and run through Aug. 26.

The L’Anse Waterfront Concert series adds to the challenge of deciding what to do on Thursdays, with upcoming concerts featuring pop standards, bluegrass, Western swing, country rock, Celtic sounds and more.

All of the above weekly concerts are free and open to the public.

A fitting end to a super summer of music is the Porcupine Mountains Music Festival on Aug. 22-23 at the Porcupine Mountains Wilderness State Park. Among the performers will be Buckwheat Zydeco Jr., the Slambovian Circus of Dreams, Erik Koskinen, Charlie Parr and more. Tickets and more information can be found at porkiesfestival.org.

We think we’ve made our point. Each summer proves the Keweenaw is brimming with outstanding musicians and many chances to experience them.

Enjoy!

— Daily Mining Gazette, Houghton