ValleyCast, the arts and culture arm of Open Sky Community Services, announces the return of its free summer concert series featuring local (and not so local) bands and a wide variety of popular music.

Now in its thirteenth year, the concert series is one of ValleyCast’s most popular events at Alternatives’ Whitin Mill complex, 50 Douglas Road, Whitinsville.

This year’s kickoff is scheduled for Thursday, June 30th. Two bands will play back-to-back on the Dennis H. Rice Community Plaza to coincide with the opening of the new “Beyond Zentangle” exhibit in the Spaulding R. Aldrich Heritage Gallery. Samuel Bowen will perform from 5:30 to 6:30 p.m., followed by the Blackstone Valley Community Concert Band from 6:30 to 8:00 p.m.

The series continues Thursdays on the plaza from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. through September 1st. In case of inclement weather, the shows move inside to the Singh Performance Center.

Cristi Collari, director of community outreach for OSCS, said “this is a wonderful way for people of all ages and abilities to gather together in the plaza and dance or just relax and enjoy a summer event of music by talented musicians while watching the sun set over the Mumford River.

In addition to Opening Night on June 30, here are the other dates for 2022.

July 7: Chuck & Mud and the Hole in the Dam Band.

July 14: Blackstone Valley Bluegrass.

July 21: Country Wild Heart Band.

July 28: Michelle Canning.

August 4: Ash & Eric (formerly The Promise is Hope).

August 11: Claflin Hill Symphony Orchestra’s Summer Winds.

August 18: Le’Mixx Band.

August 25: Grayson Ty.

September 1: The Eagles Experience.

The summer concert series is sponsored by Weirsma Insurance Agency, UniBank, Lampin Corp., Open Sky Community Services, ValleyCast and with a special grant from the Northbridge Cultural Council which is funded by the Massachusetts Cultural Council.