✖ venue | ◣ festival | ◉ music district | ⬛ music heritage attraction | ✱ local music hero
Denver, Colorado
The Denver music scene is scorching. On any given night, you’ll find local and national artists playing a vast array of genres in clubs throughout the metro area. Music lovers travel to the Mile High City to attend some of the best concerts and music festivals in the state.
✖ Red Rocks Park & Amphitheatre A naturally formed, perfectly acoustic amphitheater hosts an outdoor summer concert series May through October
⬛ Colorado Music Hall of Fame Located at Red Rocks Park & Amphitheatre—honors Colorado musicians
◣ Velorama and Colorado Classic Colorado Classic bike race and three-day Velorama music festival—August
✖ Dazzle Authentic jazz club experience in the heart of downtown Denver
◉ Colfax Avenue Eclectic mix of eateries, bars, shops and music venues
✖ Ophelia’s Electric Soap Box Former brothel turned restaurant and live music venue
◣ Denver Day of Rock Free rock concerts on five Denver stages every Memorial Day weekend
✖ Nocturne Hip jazz venue in the RiNo (River North) Art District
⬛ Performers’ Hall of Fame Recognizes every musical act who has ever played at Red Rocks
✱ The Fray Contemporary rock band—debut album, “How to Save a Life,” went double platinum
✱ John Denver Singer-songwriter, born Henry John Deutschendorf Jr.
Alberta
From covert toe-tappers to head bangers and flower children, everyone comes together as one big, lip-synching family during Alberta’s music festival season. Summer music events are so full of warm vibes, it almost doesn’t matter who’s playing. Pull up some lawn or throw down a tarp and meet your new favorite band.
✖ Ears to Edmonton (the hottest spots in town) Rogers Stadium in the new Ice District, The Oasis Centre, Sugar Swing Ballroom, Yardbird Suite
✖ Calgary Chords Studio Bell, Saddledome, Stampede Corral, King Eddie Hotel, The Blues Can, Garry Theatre
✖ Beats in Banff/Lake Louise The Banff Centre & Shaw Amphitheatre, Hoodoo Lounge, Dancing Sasquatch
✖ Jivin’ in Jasper Fairmont Jasper Park Lodge, The Stand Easy Lounge, Athabasca Hotel (The Atha-B)
◣ Edmonton Folk Music Festival More than 60 performers in a broad musical mandate—August
◉ Calgary’s Music Mile Vibrant stretch of live music venues in the heart of the city
◣ Beaumont Blues and Roots Festival World-class entertainment from Canadian artists—June
◣ Country Thunder Top country acts, such as 2019 headliner Jason Aldean, storm into Calgary—August
◣ Banff Summer Concert Series Artists and performers from around the world—June through August
◣ Tongue on the Post Festival A full week of folk music in Medicine Hat—January
✱ Brett Kissel Flat Lake native named 2017 Male Artist of the Year by the Canadian Country Music Association
✱ Tegan and Sara The indie-rock duo, twins born in Calgary, scored three Juno Awards
in 2014
Germany’s Frankfurt Rhine-Main Region
What do you associate with Germany? Maybe you think of enjoying good food, wine and beer at a traditional festival. Or visiting stately castles and monasteries surrounded by beautiful nature. Along with all that, the Frankfurt Rhine-Main Region offers magical music experiences in unique and historical venues.
◣ Rheingau Music Festival Summer concerts focus on classical music, but include jazz and cabaret
✖ Johannisburg Castle Magical surroundings for all kinds of events, located in Bavaria
◣ Brothers Grimm Festival The fairytales of Jacob and Wilhelm Grimm come to life each summer in Hanau, birthplace of the Brothers Grimm
✖ Old Opera House Majestic building in the city center of Frankfurt—a joy for the eye
◣ Michaelismesse (St. Michael’s Fair) Late summer folk festival, nestled between Miltenberg’s medieval city center and the banks of the Main
✖ Orangerie The focal point of social life in Bad Homburg since the mid-19th century
◣ International Elvis Festival Celebrated each summer in Bad Nauheim, where the King of Rock ’n’ Roll lived during his military service—August
⬛ Siegfried’s Mechanical Music Cabinet Charming museum in Rüdesheim holds the world’s largest collection of self-playing instruments
◣ Bingen Swingt International jazz festival in Bingen brings funky beats to this Rhine River city—June
◣ Burgfestspiele in Dreieichenhain/Offenbach Concerts throughout the summer on an open-air stage surrounded by the medieval walls of Hayner Castle
✖ Centralstation Built as Darmstadt’s first electricity plant, it’s now a top event venue
◣ Aschaffenburg Guitar Festival Now in its fourth decade, Guitar Festival strums up everything from chamber music ensembles to flamenco concerts—Feb. 22–March 17
◣ Frankfurt Apple Wine Festival Local bands provide music to sip along with as patrons enjoy a variety of apple wines, blends and cocktails—Aug. 9–18
Logan, Utah
Play your way in Logan, Utah. Endless outdoor adventures await, plus fantastic music and performing arts, self-guided foodie treks and hands-on heritage experiences. Drive Logan Canyon National Scenic Byway to the breathtaking turquoise waters of Bear Lake. Explore Logan—less than a day’s drive from Yellowstone National Park Jackson and Utah’s five national parks.
◣ Utah Festival Opera and Musical Theatre Company Operas, American musicals and concerts with performers from around the world—from late June to early August
◣ American Festival Chorus & Orchestra More than 200 singers and a 65-member orchestra offer a vibrant musical repertoire throughout the year
✖ Lyric Repertory Company Musicals, dramas, mysteries, farces, comedies and classics performed by professional and student actors
◣ Cache Valley Cowboy Rendezvous Three-day event with Western musicians, cowboy poets, artisans, concerts and cowboy church—March
✖ Utah Theatre Concerts and performances, as well as silent movies with live organ accompaniment, in a 1924 Art Deco theater
✖ 1923 Ellen Eccles Theatre Hosts local, regional and national touring productions—one of three venues in the newly designated Logan Theatre District
✖ Logan Tabernacle Built by Mormon pioneers, offers free concerts at noon weekdays from June through early August
◣ Summerfest Arts Faire Juried arts festival with great food, entertainment and headliner concerts—Father’s Day weekend
✖ Utah State University Live music and theater performances year-round—plus summertime music camps and courses. And enjoy famous Aggie Ice Cream while on campus
◣ Celebrate America Show Fast-paced Broadway-style show that takes you back to the big band era of the 1940s—September
✖ Cherry Peak Resort Summer Concert Series Brings popular musicians (the 2018 lineup included Clint Black, Restless Heart and Phillip Phillips) to perform live outdoor concerts in a beautiful mountain setting
✖ Cache Valley Gardeners Market Live music, arts and crafts and local produce—Saturday mornings, mid-May to mid-October
Texas
Texas is a state that breeds talent, and it’s the home of legends like Stevie, Janis and Buddy. Every night you’ll find the same passion alive and kicking in every dancehall, nightclub, festival and lounge across the state. There’s something for every music lover here, from techno to Tejano and every style in between!
✖ Billy Bobs Amazing live music and live bull riding in an authentic Texas atmosphere (Fort Worth)
◣ Austin City Limits Music Festival Different genres of live music and entertainment in the Live Music Capital of the World—October
⬛ Buddy Holly Museum Memorabilia from the iconic Texas singer’s life includes stage clothing, fan letters, postcards and audio-visual graphics (Lubbock)
✖ Gruene Hall Built in 1878, Texas’ oldest continually operating—and most famous—dance hall (Gruene)
◣ Old Settler’s Music Festival Classic festival with a taste of great music, food and drinks and event camping around the area—April (Tilmon)
◉ Toyota Music Factory New—opened in 2017—but still considered the soul of the DFW Metroplex with diverse music, food and movies (Irving)
⬛ Selena Museum A remembrance of the short but impactful life of singer Selena Quintanilla Perez (Corpus Christi)
◉ Sixth Street Austin’s historical entertainment district, home to live music, food trucks and iconic bars where you can dance the night away
⬛ Roy Orbison Museum Features memorabilia from the singer’s boyhood and his musical career, including record albums and Orbison’s trademark sunglasses (Wink)
◣ Round Top Festival Institute Students from around the world join distinguished artists in summertime performances of orchestral, chamber and solo music. (Round Top)
✱ Willie Nelson One of the most recognized artists in country music, born in Abbott
✱ Beyoncé Singer and actress, has sold more than 160 million albums worldwide (solo and with Destiny’s Child), from Houston
✱ Janis Joplin Among the most widely known rock, soul and blues singers and songwriters of the late ’60s, born in Port Arthur
Nashville, Tennessee
From its very beginnings, Nashville grew from a foundation built on music. Music is the universal language, and it is the common thread connecting the life and soul of the city and people.
✖ The Bluebird Café Up-and-comers, along with hit songwriters, perform in an intimate setting—more than 70,000 visitors annually
◣ CMA Music Festival The ultimate country music fan experience, hosted by the Country Music Association—June
⬛ Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum The world’s largest popular music museum, showcasing country legends and today’s stars
✖ “Grand Ole Opry” The world’s longest-running broadcast, with more than 90 years of history
◉ Printer’s Alley Where musicians once gathered at a day’s end to play jazz and rock ’n’ roll—music that’s still heard today
✖ Ryman Auditorium The “Mother Church of Country Music”
⬛ Historic RCA Studio B Famous studio where Elvis recorded more than 250 songs
◣ Tin Pan South Songwriters Festival The largest festival of its kind in the world—April
⬛ Patsy Cline Museum Celebrates the life of the legendary songstress and her indelible mark on country music
✖ Exit/In Decades-old club that makes room for alternatives to country music: “rockers, rappers, punks, DJs, metalheads, etc.”
⬛ Musicians Hall of Fame Honors performers from all genres of music—home to The Grammy Museum Gallery
◣ Jack Daniel’s Music City Midnight New Year’s Eve live music, fireworks and a Music Note Drop at midnight to ring in the new year
⬛ Johnny Cash Museum Featuring the most comprehensive collection of Johnny Cash artifacts and memorabilia
◣ Jefferson Street Jazz & Blues Festival Builds cultural awareness and commemorates the historical corridor with jazz, blues, funk, gospel, soul and R&B
◣ Let Freedom Sing! Music City July 4th Free live music and family fun, including one of the country’s largest firework shows
◉ Honky Tonk Highway The hub of entertainment, where Music City was defined
✖ The Station Inn Headquarters for bluegrass music
◉ Midtown Where locals go for the restaurants and bars, live performances and karaoke
◉ Music Valley Known for outstanding entertainment, fun activities and great shopping
✖ The Listening Room Several singer/songwriters play in-the-round and share the stories behind their songs
⬛ George Jones Museum Offers a thorough and intimate look into the life and career of the musical icon
✱ Elvis Presley Recorded more than half of his catalogue of songs in Nashville, including his first hit, “Heartbreak Hotel,” in 1956
✱ Dolly Parton One of the most honored female country performers of all time
✱ Fisk Jubilee Singers Touring in England in 1873, the group played for Queen Victoria, who stated they must have come from “Music City”
Mix Tape
The hits just keep on coming at NTA-member music venues—including these four:
The Palace Theater A year-round performing arts dinner theater in Wisconsin Dells
Kortnee Carroll | dellspalace.com
American Music Theatre Concerts and Broadway-quality shows in Pennsylvania Dutch Country
Alyssa Keshel | amtshows.com
The Stratford Festival Musicals, dramas, classic works and new plays—April to November in Ontario
Heather Martin | stratfordfestival.ca
Carnegie Hall Breakthrough artists and veteran singers perform in this New York City landmark
Rayna Bourke | carnegiehall.org/events/group-sales
Top photo ©Brad/Adobe Stock
Support for Courier articles provided by:
Chicago The Musical-National Artists Management Company
Country Music Hall of Fame
Graceland & Guest House at Graceland
