LAMORINDA WEEKLY | Outdoor summer concerts and events return to Lamorinda


The band Sausalito performs June 2 at Rock the Plaza in downtown Lafayette. Photo Jeff Heyman

Summer has come to Lamorinda. The dismal weather of Memorial Day weekend behind us, and with temperatures flirting with the 80-degree mark, Lafayette kicked off the real start of summer: the Rock the Plaza series of concerts. The family-fun event is held annually in the city's beloved Park Plaza, the community's gathering place at the corner of Mt. Diablo Boulevard and Moraga Road in Lafayette.

Hundreds of Lamorindans gathered in the plaza on Friday, June 2, for the first of the Friday-nights-in-June concert series and were greeted by the classic and soulful tunes of the Oakland-based band Sausalito. Families from Lafayette, Moraga and Orinda brought full-course dinners - some complete with tables atop their picnic blankets - or ordered takeout from Lafayette's prized restaurants. The varied cuisines were washed down with glasses of white, rose and red wine and an astonishing assortment of craft beers.

Couples - both young and old - smooched as children danced among them. Youngsters and oldsters alike joined the dance as Sausalito's singers belted out familiar songs that truly rocked the plaza. R&B, soft rock and soul filled Plaza Park as the warm sun set behind our majestic western ridgeline.

You won't want to miss the concert series which continues through June on Fridays, from 6 to 8 p.m. Coming up: The (925) Band on June 9, Hot Dog Chicken June 16, and Lamorinda Idol on June 23.

You can also catch concerts in Orinda and Moraga this summer.

The Moraga Summer Concert Series is a beloved community tradition put on by the Moraga Park Foundation. Concerts are held Thursday nights from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. at Moraga Commons Park throughout the summer. Food is available for purchase from on-site food trucks and vendors. Picnics are welcome.

Orinda's Community Center Park will feature concerts from 6 to 8 p.m., including: June 8, Three Day Weekend; June 22, Opera in the Park; July 13, Lamorinda Idol; July 27, Grateful Bluegrass Boys; Aug. 3, Kate Burkart Bank; Aug. 24, Vintage Jukebox; Sept. 7, Hipster Cocktail Party; and Sept. 21, Patron Latin Rhythms. Outdoor movies will also be featured at the Community Park this summer from 8 to 10 p.m., including: July 7, "Minions: The Rise of Gru;" July 14, "Night at the Museum;" Aug. 18, "Puss in Boots: The Last Wish;" Aug. 25, "Encanto;" and Oct. 6 "The Super Mario Bros. Movie."

Remember to bring your lawn chairs and blankets, and have your air guitars ready to rock.

Sora O'Doherty contributed to this article.