T.G.I.F. (Thank God It’s Free-day)

Peter Joseph Krch

4 years ago

Free Friday night concerts, Fourth of July fireworks, and more—coming in July to an amphitheater near you.

You don’t need to spend money on tickets to shows, gas to get you to faraway venues, or streaming services with free trials you know you’ll forget to cancel. In fact, you don’t need to spend money on anything except for a few dollars in the parking meter to enjoy some quality entertainment in Morgantown this summer.

In the month ahead, the Ruby Amphitheater will host several concerts and special events, including a live theater performance, an Independence Day fireworks display, and four Friday evening concerts. The best part? Free admission for all.

Kicking off July with a concert on Friday the 1st, the Hobb Sisters—a twin sister country duo from Nashville—will take the stage at 6:30. They’re followed by ’90s country star Jo Dee Messina at 8.
The City of Morgantown’s 4th of July Celebration is next on the calendar. Live music and dance performances from the Tim Litvin Band, the Motown Strutters, and the Edge will begin at 6:30 p.m. Face painting, food trucks, and fireworks over the Mon River starting at 10 p.m. will make this evening fun for the whole family.
Beginning at 7 p.m. on Friday, July 8, the Ruby Amphitheater will host Shakespeare in the Park, a lively performance of Love’s Labour’s Lost presented by the Rustic Mechanicals, our state’s only professional Shakespeare troupe.
On July 15, West Virginia–native rock band Ducain will open up for the popular ’90s band the Kentucky Headhunters. The show starts at 6:30, and the Kentucky Headhunters are set to come on at 8.
Earth, Wind & Fire tribute band Let’s Groove Tonight will headline the July 22 concert at the Amphitheater. They’ll take the stage at 8, but the show will open with big band music from the Morgantown Jazz Orchestra at 6:30.
Starting at 6:30 on July 29, two up-and-coming West Virginia–native singer-songwriters—Mercer County native Grace Campbell and Jackson County native Luke Sedecky—will open for award-winning ’80s/’90s country artist, Kathy Mattea, who will perform at 8.

Looking ahead, the Ruby Summer Concert Series has shows lined up every Friday through September 2. So, even if you have a full calendar this July, you’ll still have time to catch a free concert or two before school’s back in session.