Summer Music Edition

It’s official. This Friday through Sunday will be the first full weekend of summer.

This time of year makes me want to play my music a little louder and sit back to enjoy a cold drink. Thankfully, the weekend promises to be filled with lots of great music events, a place to snag that drink and even fun activities for the kids.

Whether you are staying close to home or are heading down the Shore, Gloucester Township Patch is here to help you plan the first official weekend of the summer season.

Music in the Park, Voorhees

• Where/When: Connolly Park, Centennial Blvd., Voorhees; tonight and Friday, 7:30 p.m.
• What’s Going On: Voorhees Township presents its Summer Twilight Series.Tonight, listen to the sounds of Parrotbeach, a Jimmy Buffet tribute band. Friday night, come back and hear Cocktail Party Phenomena, whose performance will include a full horn section and a talented mini-choir. Make sure to bring your chairs or a blanket for both musical events on the lawn.
• Pricing: Free

Wawa Welcome America! Taste of Philadelphia & Fireworks

• Where/When: Great Plaza at Penn's Landing, Columbus Boulevard at Chestnut Street, Philadelphia; Friday, 5-9 p.m., Saturday, 11 a.m.-11 p.m. and Sunday, 11 a.m.-6 p.m.
• What’s Going On: This free event is the start of Philadelphia’s free, 11-day July 4th festival, presented by Wawa Welcome America! For three days, attendees will enjoy live entertainment and have a chance to sample food from Philadelphia restaurants. Saturday, at 8 p.m., special guest R&B singer Aaron Neville is the featured performer. Fireworks will take place around 9 p.m. Saturday. Sunday ends the Taste of Philadelphia event, with performances by the finalists of the Wawa Welcome America! singer/songwriter contest and local gospel choirs.
• Pricing: Free to attend (food additional)

A Shore Thing

• Where/When: Garden State Discovery Museum, 2040 Springdale Rd., Cherry Hill; Saturday and Sunday, 9:30 a.m.-5:30 p.m. 
• What’s Going On: This venue is just as excited about summer as we are. The kids can create summer-themed crafts, play games and more this weekend.
• Pricing: Adults and children 12 months and older, $10.95; Seniors, $9.95

Jellyroll

• Where/When: , Riverwinds Drive & Eagle Point Road, Thorofare; Friday, 8 p.m.
• What’s Going On: This is another bring-your-chairs-and-blanket event. This free concert will showcase the sounds of Jellyroll, a dance-party band. Food and drinks are available for sale (BYOB and coolers are not accepted).
• Pricing: Free

Def Leppard

• Where/When: Susquehanna Bank Center, 1 Market St., Camden; Sunday, 7:30 p.m.
• What’s Going On: Remember the hit “Pour Some Sugar on Me?" This weekend, you’ll have a chance to sing along to that hit and many others at the Def Leppard concert. This metal/rock band is set to perform with Heart, a female duo, as their opening act.
• Pricing: $25.50 to $143.50, plus any applicable fees

Music in the Park, Sewell

• Where/When: Washington Lake Park Amphitheater, 626 Hurfville Cross Keys Rd., Sewell; Sunday, 7 p.m.
• What’s Going On: This Sunday, Washington Township brings Right Turn at 40 to the park. Sit back, breathe in some fresh air and listen to this classic-rock band. Yes, this is another chairs-and-blanket event.
• Pricing: Free 

SHORE FUN

Chefs at the Shore

• Where/When: Gardner's Basin, 800 North New Hampshire Ave., Atlantic City; today, 5:30-9 p.m.
• What’s Going On: Great food is showcased at this annual benefit which will raise money for the Atlantic City Aquarium and the Professional Chefs Association of South Jersey. Attendees will be able to enjoy the chefs' fresh dishes, live cooking demonstrations, and musical entertainment.
• Pricing: $50 per ticket

Rock the Boards 3 Concert

• Where/When: Music Pier, Moorlyn Terrace and Boardwalk, Ocean City; Friday, 7 p.m.
• What’s Going On: This concert is an event for all ages. Friday night, hear rock band Bound By Nothing, as well as musical acts Airways, Robin Renee, Sezhu, End November and Stolen Rhodes. The best part? This event will cost you nothing to attend. Seating is limited, though, so be sure to arrive early.
• Pricing: Free

Antique Auto Show

• Where/When: Tabernacle Grounds, 6th Street and Asbury Ave., Ocean City; Saturday, 9 a.m.-2 p.m.
• What’s Going On: This Saturday, Shore-bound auto lovers can check out more than 300 vintage cars in OC. There will be a boardwalk parade after 2 p.m.
• Pricing: Free

Dave Matthews Band Festival

• Where/When: Bader Field, Bernie Robbins Stadium, 545 N. Albany Ave., Atlantic City; Friday through Sunday, festival starts at 11 a.m. each day
• What’s Going On: End your music-filled weekend down the Shore with a laid-back concert. Or go one of the other two days. Or go all three days. Your call. The Grammy Award-winning Dave Matthews Band (DMB) has an easy-going rock sound and are best known for hits like "Crash into Me" and "You and Me." This event is the only local stop in their Summer Caravan Tour. Make sure to look up the many artists slated to join DMB during this three-day festival. 
• Pricing: $85 to $210, plus any applicable fees