Frugal Family Summer Entertainment

One of my favorite things about summertime in our local community is enjoying simple pleasures, like going to the movies and listening to great music. Knowing that there are so many opportunities to do both for free (or nearly free) with my family makes these summer movie and music deals all that more sweet.

Free Family Movies:

1. Moonlight Movies presented by the Town of Danville

Where: Town Green in front of the , 400 Front Street, in Danville.

When: Movies start at approximately 8:15 p.m. Craft and activities start at 6:30 p.m.

Schedule:

• June 3: How to Train Your Dragon
• June 17: Akeelah and the Bee
• July 1: The Legend of the Guardians: the Owls of Ga’Hoole
• July 15: Free Willy
• August 12: Despicable Me

For more information call the Town of Danville at (925) 314-3400.

2. 2011 Movies Under the Stars in Alamo

Where: , 100 Wilson Avenue, in Alamo.

When: Gates open at 8 p.m.

Schedule:

• June 10: Despicable Me
• July 22: Iron Man 2
• August 19: The Social Network

For more information call Alamo Parks and Recreation at (925) 313-2272.

3. Summer Movie Matinees in San Ramon

Where: , 17017 Bollinger Canyon Rd., and , 100 Montgomery St., in San Ramon.

When: Wednesdays at 2 p.m. at the Dougherty Station Library; and Thursdays at 3 p.m. at the San Ramon Library.

Schedule: The same film will be shown at each library weekly. Call the library for movie title and rating information details.

4. Movies on the Lawn in San Ramon

Where: Dougherty Station Library, 17017 Bollinger Canyon Rd., in San Ramon.

Schedule:

• July 15: Ferris Bueller’s Day Off (starts at 8:30 p.m.)
• August 19: Toy Story 3 (starts at 8 p.m.)

Other Free Movies Nearby:

• City of Dublin Family Movies Under the Stars at Emerald Glen Park
• City of Lafayette Market and Movie at Lafayette Plaza
• Baseball Movie Nights at Todos Santos Plaza in Concord

 Nearly Free Family Movies:

• Regal Entertainment Summer Movie Express at ($1 family movies on Tuesdays and Wednesdays at 10 a.m.).
• Cinemark Summer Movie Clubhouse at Century Walnut Creek Downtown 14 ($1 family movies on Tuesdays and Wednesdays at 10 a.m. If you purchase in advance, you can see 10 movies for $5 when purchased in advance. Tip: sign up for their weekly email, and you will receive a concession coupon weekly.)

Free Community Concerts:

1. Music in the Park in Danville

Where: , 3005 Stone Valley Road, in Danville.

When: Concerts start at 6-8 p.m.

Schedule:

• July 9: La Ventana
• July 23: Evolution—A Tribute to Journey
• August 6: Colour My World
• August 20: Whiskey Dawn

For more information call the Town of Danville (925) 314-3400.

2. Blackhawk Plaza 2011 Summer Concert Series

Where: In the Rotunda at

When: 6-8 p.m. each Friday, starting in July.

Schedule:

• July 8: Sun Kings
• July 15: Foreverland
• July 22: Petty Theft
• July 29: Cheeseballs
• August 5: Tainted Love
• August 12: Evolution
• August 19: Bump City
• August 26: Department of Rock

For more information, visit the Blackhawk Plaza website and click on “Center Events” tab under “Events.”

3. 2011 Summer Concert Series in Alamo

Where:

When: 6-8 p.m.

Schedule:

• June 24: Moonalice
• July 15: Diablo Rd.
• July 29: Billy London and the Lucky Dice
• August 12: The Sun Kings

For more information call Alamo Parks at Recreation at (925) 313-2272.

4. Summer Concerts in the Park presented by the City of San Ramon

Where: , 12501 Alcosta Park, in San Ramon.

When: Sundays in July at 5:30 p.m.

Schedule: To be announced, check the website for details.

Other Free Community Concerts Nearby:

• Broadway Plaza Summer Jazz Concert
• Sunset by the Lake Summer Concerts in Pleasant Hill
• Music and Market Series in Concord at Todos Santos Plaza