MDN File Photo An audience enjoys a concert in Citizens Alley last summer. The alley is preparing for larger crowds this summer at a series of free Levitt AMP concerts with local, national and international artists.

Concert and art lovers will find even more to enjoy this summer with enhanced Thursday and Sunday events in downtown Minot and Oak Park.

“It’s going to be a great summer,” said Myles Barcomb, co-executive director for Minot Area Council of the Arts.

MACA is partnering with Citizens Alley, which was successful in becoming a Levitt AMP community through a grant competition and in landing a summer of free concerts. The Levitt AMP Minot Music Series in Citizens Alley will coincide with what has been MACA’s Thursdays Downtown. Weekly concerts begin Thursday, June 4.

Meanwhile, Sundays in the Park also will see changes.

“We are happy to be expanding the Sundays in the Park and bringing more music, more acts, more bands,” Barcomb said. “We saw an uptick in attendance at the park last year, having more food trucks and vendors.”

To create more of a festival feel, a third concert has been added on four of the Sundays, which will keep the activity going throughout the afternoon while showcasing more talent, Barcomb said. A beer garden will be open on the evenings featuring three concerts.

Each Sunday event will include art activities, art-related vendors and food trucks, including an ice cream truck. Vendor applications still are being accepted, Barcomb said.

MACA, which is helping support the local opening acts for Levitt performers, will have featured artists and children’s activities at each downtown event as well.

In anticipation of bigger crowds than in the past due, Citizens Alley will be dedicated as a concert venue. Vendors, food trucks and other activities will utilize Central Avenue.

Jessica Ackerman, executive director of Local Motives, which operates Citizens Alley, said people may see some different touches giving the alley more of a live music venue feel. Citizens Alley headliners will bring local, national and international artists to the stage.

“We are bringing in some really incredible talent,” Ackerman said.

Artists were selected by a local planning team based on Levitt requirements that headliners be professional musicians creating original material.

Dakotah Faye, a local hip hop/pop artist who is making waves nationally, headlines on Thursday, June 4, with opening act Kit Pines, a folk rock singer-songwriter from Bismarck.

OBI Original & The Black Atlantics will bring an Afro beat to Citizens Alley on June 11. Opening act, The Shaky Calls of Bismarck, will add its brand of lofi spaghetti rock.

Bluegrass band Barleyjacks takes the stage on June 18, preceded by the International Music Camp Brass Quintet.

Vanity Plate, a Minot pop/rock group, headlines on June 25 following The Girls Take the Stage Showcase. The showcase is sponsored by the Minot Area Community Foundation’s NWND Fund for Girls, which seeks to build character and confidence through music.

On July 9, another local band, Wild Hands, headlines. Opening for Wild Hands will be It Was Her Idea, offering folk/Americana music. On July 16, Cecilia brings celtic/Quebecois music to Citizens Alley. Opening will be Minot jazz/funk rock group Blue House. On July 30, Ohio-based Lung will perform its operatic cello punk rock, while opener Avantide, of Bismarck, provides alternative rock.

August kicks off with celtic folk pop from Raynes on Aug. 6. Raynes has two North Dakota natives in its three-member band, including a connection to Minot through band member Mat Charley. Opener Liam Keeney brings acoustic alternative rock.

Aug. 13 features country music with Watford City’s Jessie Veeder headlining and Minot’s Chris Basden opening. On Aug. 20, it will be folk/country/blues band Emily Woods & The Red Pine Ramblers. Opening will be country artist Lila Bea from Maxbass.

Ackerman said Citizens Alley has some seating, but people are welcome to bring their camp chairs or blankets and dancing is encouraged.

Sundays in the Park concerts begin on June 7 with Voices of Note at 4 p.m., The Chokecherries at 5:30 p.m. and The Missing Lynx at 7 p.m. Making its first appearance at Sundays in the Park, The Chokecherries is a talented all-female band from Minot High School and an example of local youth bands that MACA hopes to encourage more of, Barcomb said.

Another newcomer is Risha Bergstrom, a music teacher at John Hoeven Elementary and former Ward County Teacher of the Year. Her performance on June 28 at 4 p.m. will be geared to the children but will be fun for all ages to enjoy, Barcomb said. Also that Sunday will be Beat Beethoven 5K at 5:35 p.m., and Chris Basden (full band) performs at 7 p.m.

Also new is The Drewbie Brothers, a local country and classic rock duo, and the Darryl Hicks Trio, which features former Soulshine singer Hicks.

The Drewbie Brothers perform July 26 at 5:30 p.m., following Jared Schumaier at 4 p.m. and ahead of Little Chicago Funk at 7 p.m.

The Darryl Hicks Trio performs Aug. 2 at 7 p.m., capping off an evening that features Daniel Starks at 4 p.m. and Andrew Emmel at 5:30 p.m.

The Minot City Band performs concerts at 4 and 7 p.m., on three Sundays – June 14, July 5 and July 12. July 16 will be the band’s Sousa Concert at 7 p.m.

Jerry Schlag & Friends at 4 p.m. and The Swing Band of Minot at 7 p.m. on July 19 fill out the Arts in the Park schedule.

Barcomb said MACA welcomes volunteers for each of the performances. Help is needed in areas from making popcorn and handing out programs to setting up for events and assisting with the children’s activities. Prospective volunteers can email their interest to MACA at info@minotarts.org.

People also are encouraged to bring lawn chairs. In event of inclement weather, people can find updates on MACA’s social media. Citizen Alley events will move to Mouse River Players Theatre if unable to host events outdoors.

Concerts and activities are free but free-will donations are accepted.

“It helps support the events and it makes a difference for us,” Barcomb said.

The final event of the season will be another Silobration downtown, similar to an event held last year to celebrate the completion of the downtown grain elevator mural. Details on that event still are being developed.