In today's GO! cover story, we've given you an extensive preview of all the big-name concert events scheduled in Pantagraphland between now and summer's end.

Here, we're going to take a look at the many regularly scheduled summer concert series featuring area musicians performing in parks, pavilions, lawns, downtown squares and other open-air spaces.

Most of these events, we're happy to report, are free.

All you need to bring is a lawn chair, a blanket or a bottom that doesn't mind making direct contact with terra firma.

Bloomington-Normal

• Downtown Lunchtime Concert Series: Downtown Bloomington's free noon-hour concert series is being displaced from its traditional courthouse square digs to Withers Park a block to the east. That's per the ongoing McLean County Museum of History renovations.

Performances are still every Wednesday from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m., now through Aug. 13.

Scheduled: David Berchtold (blues), June 4; Prairieland Dixie Band (Dixieland jazz), June 11; The Dynamics (variety), June 18; Jim Park & The Starlighters (big band), June 25; The Aristocrats (big band), July 2; Jason Gordon (country), July 9; Inland Island (island music), July 16; Jim Markum New Vintage Band (variety), July 23; The Colleagues (big band), July 30; Fourte (vocals), Aug. 6; Brian Choban Quintet (jazz), Aug. 13.

• Music Under the Stars: The venerable Miller Park Bandstand concert series returns with its free weekly lineup, beginning June 17 and continuing every Tuesday thereafter, through July 29. The new angle this year: instead of 8 p.m., which has been the start time for years, the shows have been bumped up a half-hour to 7:30 p.m. this summer.

Scheduled: Decatur Park Singers (show choir), June 17; Jim Markum Swing Band (swing), June 24; Bloomsday (Irish), July 1; Modern Cowboyz (country), July 8; Heartland Jazz Orchestra (jazz), July 15; Central Illinois Banjo Band (old-time music), July 22; Brass Band of Central Illinois (variety), July 29

• Franklin Park Thursday Night Concert Series: Another longstanding summer concert tradition returns to Bloomington's historic Franklin Park with weekly ice cream socials and pops performances by the Community Concert Band.

This year's socials and concerts are set for June 19 and 26; and July 3, 10, 17 and 24. The socials begin at 6 p.m., followed by the concerts at 7 p.m.

• Music at McGraw: Among the newer summer music traditions at B-N parks is this concert series in Bloomington's McGraw Park, similar to the Music Under the Stars series at Miller Park, but with several exceptions: there are just two.

Each free show begins at 6:30 p.m. On tap: Hip Pocket (R&B), June 15; The Bygones (nostalgic rock), July 20.

• Connie Link Outdoor Amphitheater Concert Series: Debuting this summer, via the Town of Normal's new outdoor venue off Linden Street in Normal, is a series of free music-oriented events to supplement the High School Summer Theater and non-musical offerings. Times vary; additional events may be added as the season progresses.

On tap thus far: Kevin Hart & The Vibe Tribe (jazz), 4 p.m. June 6; Adam Larson Quartet (jazz), 6:30 p.m. June 12; 33rd Illinois Volunteer Regiment Band (Civil War-era music), 4 p.m. July 13; Denise LaGrasse (jazz), 4:30 p.m. Aug. 3; Simon Burke (jazz), 4:30 p.m. Aug. 24.

• Rhythm Around Town: Also debuting this season is yet another Bloomington Parks & Recreation Department-sponsored music series, this one with an R&B motif. The once-a-month sessions are described as "gazebo-type" solo concerts. They are also moveable musical feasts, moving from park to park.

Each free show starts at 6:30 p.m., with artist lineups TBA. Locations are: Bittner Park Gazebo, June 21; Clearwater Park Gazebo, July 19; Miller Park Shelter, Aug. 2.

Clinton

• Under the Prairie Stars Concert Series: Free evening concerts will be performed under the stars on Mr. Lincoln's Square in downtown Clinton the second Thursday of each month, from June through August.

Scheduled dates are June 12, July 10 and Aug. 14. Call (217) 935-3364 for more details.

Danvers

• Danvers Town Band Summer Concert Series: Free outdoor pops concerts return July 6 to the Danvers Municipal Park Bandstand downtown, with the traditional ice cream social at 5 p.m., followed by the Danvers Town Band performance at 7 p.m.

The hot-weather ritual continues same time, same place, July 13, 20 and 27.

Metamora

• Concerts in the Park: Metamora's long-running concert series on the downtown park bandstand returns at 7:30 p.m. June 6, along with its unbeatable combination of ice cream socials and weekly guest performers.

The combination continues every Friday night thereafter, through Labor Day weekend. If rain threatens, notices posted in the park will direct concertgoers to the designated rain location.

This year's lineup: Jim Markum Swing Band (Dixieland jazz), June 6 and Aug. 1; Caterpillar Employees Big Band (big band jazz), June 13 and Aug. 22; Gus Gustafson Concert Band (pops), June 27 and Aug. 29; The Aristocrats (big band), July 11; Jim Park & The Starlighters (big band), July 18; Metamora Community Band (pops), July 25; Glenn Reader & The Countrymen (country), Aug. 8; Jim Hardesty (big band), Aug. 15.

Peoria

• Peoria Municipal Band Summer Concerts: Free outdoor pops concerts return to the Glen Oak Park Amphitheater at 7:30 p.m. Sundays and Wednesdays. The dates: June 4, 8, 11, 15, 18, 22, 25 and 29; July 6, 9, 13, 16, 20, 23, 27 and 30; and Aug. 3, 6, 10, 13 and 17.

• Dancing Under the Stars: Al fresco big band and country dances are also part of the Glen Oak Park Amphitheater summer regimen at 7 p.m. Thursdays. Admission is free.

Scheduled: Bill Hardesty Band, June 12; The Aristocrats, June 19; Jim Markum Swing Band, June 26; Jim Park & The Starlighters, July 10; Glenn Reader, July 24; Nancy West, July 31.

• Gigs in the Garden: Peoria's Luthy Botanical Garden in Glen Oak Park will host a monthly summer concert series, bringing plenty of fauna to the floral setting.

Scheduled: Bogside Zukes (Celtic folk), June 8; Barry Cloyd (folk), July 13; Joe Couri (folk-pop), Aug. 10. All performances begin at 5 p.m. There is an admission charge of $5, with kids 12 and under admitted free.

• Riverfront Festival Park Concerts: Per summer tradition, the Park's CEFCU Stage will play host to a full slate of concerts on the waterfront. The big-ticket ones like Cheap Trick are mentioned in today's cover story.

Here are the rest, ranging in price from free to $7: Dave Matthews Tribute Band (like the name says …), June 7; Bottle of Justus (B-N rockers), June 20; JammSammich (party rock), June 21 and Aug. 2; Change Up (jazz), June 26; Todd Kelly Quintet (jazz), July 10; Too White Crew (hip-hop), July 11; Boat Drunks (Jimmy Buffett tribute), July 12 and Aug. 15; and Kevin Hart & The Vibe Tribe (jazz), July 17.

Also: Billy Cook Quartet (jazz), July 24; WaterStreet (rock), July 25; Ed Kaiser Quartet (jazz), July 31; Sixteen Candles ('80s tribute), Aug. 1; Swing Daddies (jazz), Aug. 7; Jim Markum Swing Band (swing), Aug. 14; and David Hoffman Quartet (jazz), Aug. 21.

Pontiac

• Pontiac Municipal Band Summer Concerts: Per summer tradition, Pontiac's civic band takes over the south side of the downtown square at 7 p.m. Fridays on June 6, 13, 20 and 27, and July 4, 11, 18 and 25.

The free pops concerts feature not only the band but some special guest performers to be announced. Bring blankets or chairs; if it rains, ditch the chairs and blankets and head to the First United Methodist Church Fellowship Hall nearby.