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Rocket Club kicks off the weekly Music in Mears series

Nothing beats a Minnesota summer. The weather is amazing, of course, but we should count ourselves lucky for all the free outdoor concerts and movies in the Twin Cities’ various parks.

For the past five years, Mears Park has been home to St. Paul’s premier music-in-the-park event, Music in Mears. The 12-week concert series runs until August 27, with a different band and food vendor every Thursday (except July 2). Beginning July 23, a movie will also be screened at dusk. It kicks off tonight with music from local country rockers Rocket Club and food from Lowertown’s newly-opened Bulldog. (6-9 p.m. 221 E. 5th St. 651-291-9128.)

Upcoming musical acts include cover band Hookers and Blow (June 11), soul singer Chastity Brown (June 18), glam rockers The Melismatics (July 16), popsters The Hopefuls (July 23), folk singer Dan Israel (July 30) hip-hop band Maria Isa (August 20) and singer-songwriter Jeremy Messersmith (August 27). Films include Cool Hand Luke (July 30), Sixteen Candles (August 6), and American Graffiti (August 13) with food vendors including The Bulldog, Barrio, Senor Wong, and Station 4. Check out www.MusicInMears.com for additional information.