Patch Picks: Summer Music Starts Now

Sunny skies call for outdoor entertainment and the area is plenty coming up soon.

The 7th Annual Mountain Jam is a four-day event (June 2-5), featuring more than 50 bands on 4 stages at Hunter Mountain. This year's lineup includes Gov’t. Mule, Michael Franti & Spearhead, The Avett Brothers, My Morning Jacket, Grace Potter & the Nocturnals, Electric Hot Tuna and more.

The festival has an acoustic stage in the Awareness Village, exhibits from not-for-profit organizations, entertainment for kids, art and a beer and wine garden. Mountain Jam offsets all carbon emissions via wind-power (with help from Hudson Valley Clean Energy) amongst other green practices. Single and multi-day tickets, with and without camping, available. Details here.

Clearwater's Great Hudson River Revival gets under way at Croton Point Park on Father's Day weekend (June 18-19th). This year's theme is Clearwater Generations " inspired by Pete Seeger’s vision and Clearwater’s mission - to inspire, educate, and activate the next generation of environmental leaders." All of the stages are powered with sustainable energy, including solar, bio-diesel and wind.

A veritable whose who folk and world roots music including Pete Seeger, Janis Ian, David Bromberg, Arlo Guthrie, Hope Machine, Dar William and Eshu Bumpus, will be featured on seven performance stages during the course of this two-day festival.

The festival launched more than 35 years ago celebrating environmental consciousness also hosts a Green Living Expo, Artisinal Food and Farm Market, a juried crafts and arts exhibit, food court and an area for 50 activist groups.

Discounted tickets can be purchased in advance here.

Caramoor: A Garden of Great Music, has an eclectic musical repertoire presented in their sumptuous gardens, outdoor and indoor stages. The breathtaking grounds beckon visitors year round.

This summers' performances include HMS Pinafore (June 25), Music at Thomas Jefferson's Monticello, the American Roots Music Festival (July 2), the Chamber music of Mozart (July 8), Rossinis' William Tell, (July 9)  and the International Jazz Festival (August 5, 6 and 7). You can order tickets here.

The annual Music Fest & Fireworks on Sunday, July 3, at Kensico Dam Plaza, in Valhalla is free. Patriotic music provided by The Wanderers (6 p.m.) and The Gerard Carelli Orchestra (8 p.m.) is followed by spectacular fireworks. Bring chairs and blankets for seating. Parking is limited and carpooling is recommended.

The 7th Annual Pleasantville Music Festival,  presented by 107.1 The PEAK, (July 9) at on Marble Avenue has grown is size and stature. of 20 acts on three stages includes Marc Cohn, Augustana, Nicole Atkins & the Black Sea, slide guitar virtuoso (and Pleasantville native) Geoff Hartwell and Patti Rothberg.

More than 50 vendors offer, food, crafts, boutique items and information on a variety of charitable causes. Pleasantville's and sell refreshments in the Beer & Wine Garden. Tickets avaialable online here.