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Music On The Green

Music on the Green is the free weekly concert series in Downtown Saranac Lake that traditionally showcases talented artists in folk, funk, bluegrass, indie and other musical genres. The series typically runs from July through to August in Riverside Park on Wednesday evenings, with concerts from 7pm - 9pm.

2025 Summer Line Up!

Wed July 23: Live Music: Fenimore Blues- 7 to 9 pm. Music on the Green in Riverside Park, Saranac Lake.

A mainstay of the summer concert circuit throughout upstate New York for more than 10 years, Fenimore Blues is an eclectic mix of blues, rock and R&B.

Wed July 30: Live Music: Darkside Skinny Dippers- 7 to 9 pm. Music on the Green in  Riverside Park, Saranac Lake.

Diverse Rock And Roll With Attitude From Upstate NY (Way Up!) and winners of NYS Music’s 10th Annual March Madness band competition!

Wed Aug 6: Live Music: The Brass Machine- 7 to 9 pm. Music on the Green in Riverside Park, Saranac Lake.

The Brass Machine is one of the hottest acts on the live music circuit today, laying down an infectious brand of brass “gumbo” that weaves together funk, jazz, R&B, and more. The band features a rotating cast of musicians featuring a huge variety of horns, guitars, keys, drums, and more - so no two shows are ever the same!

Wed Aug 13: Live Music: Ursa and the Major Key- 7 to 9 pm. Music on the Green in Riverside Park, Saranac Lake.

An indie/psychedelic rock band from Plattsburgh, NY, blends 60s and 70s-inspired soul, folk, roots, and psychedelic rock influences, from Curtis Mayfield and The Byrds to Jefferson Airplane and Pink Floyd, with contemporary indie sounds, jazz- and jam-band-informed improvisation, and literary lyricism, showcased in their latest single All I Want Is Your Love and their eclectic debut album Daytime/Nighttime, both out now on Cricket Records.

The Riverside Park location is intended to be a rain or shine venue for all concerts. 

If that is a concern to potential future performers, please contact the Music on the Green Committee. 

MOTG Contacts:

Laura Cunningham: [email protected]

Bayle Reichert: [email protected]  

Katrina Glynn: [email protected]

This project is made possible with funds from the Statewide Community Regrants Program, a regrant program of the New York State Council on the Arts with the support of the Office of the Governor and the New York State Legislature and administered by the Adirondack Lakes Center for the Arts. 

History 
In 2014, the Village of Saranac Lake established the Downtown Advisory Board (DAB), a group comprised of downtown business and property owners, downtown event representatives, and downtown residents who volunteer their time to make recommendations to the Saranac Lake Village Board of Trustees. One of the first actions of DAB was to form a committee to breathe new energy into the downtown concert series in Saranac Lake and help to establish the village as a cultural hub. This is how Music on the Green (MOTG) was born. The MOTG Summer Concert Series provides free weekly concerts during the summer thanks to volunteer support, business sponsorships, and grants. In the past, Berkeley Green in Downtown Saranac Lake served as the venue, while today, the bandshell in Riverside Park is the MOTG stage. Over the past 5 years, the series has grown to be a much-anticipated village event that attracts locals and visitors alike. Attendees of all ages come to enjoy the music and entertainment provided by our visual artists.

 

Overview 
Performers are recruited that showcase local, regional, and national talent as well as the diversity within the music scene. For each concert, the performers are expected to play a minimum of two 45-minute sets with one set-break. Set up for each concert will take place at the waterfront bandshell in Riverside Park, up to 4 hours prior to showtime. Sound production is provided. These shows are rain or shine, with a possibility of an alternate venue if weather is torrential. Groups are welcome to bring merchandise to sell, a table and EZ up tent can be provided if requested. Any other at concert amenities are limited, but can be discussed at time of contract. Groups are welcome to share logos, photos, and other graphics that they would like to see used for promotion. Each concert is free, family friendly, and attracts anywhere from 50 to 200+ people.  


This is an annual series, so please get in touch for the following year if it does not work out for this upcoming season!   

 

Series Sponsor

Concert Sponsors

  • I.B. Hunt Agency
  • Adirondack Health
  • Lake Flower Goats & Friends
  • Stewart's Shop

Friends of Music on the Green

  • Community Bank
  • Hyde Fuel
  • Rice Furniture
  • Rusty Nail
  • Sara-Placid Inn
  • Best Western
  • Hotel Saranac