Mattie Kelly Arts Foundation presents nine wonderful ways to simultaneously celebrate friends and family, the great outdoors and … music under the summer sky.

This year the Foundarion presents the 22nd annual installation of the nine-week Concerts in the Village series every Thursday from May 4 through June 29 at the Mattie Kelly Cultural Arts Village.

Entertaining local, regional and national touring artists will hit the Dugas Pavilion stage to perform everything from Motown to modern rock and from Caribbean rhythms to beachy blues and from folk to funk.

This year’s rocking roster includes two talented bands paying tribute to the timeless classic music of The Eagles as well as rock legend Joe Cocker.

The 2017 season schedule opens on May 4, Emerald Gold (Motown revue); May 11, Flow Tribe (Cuban-Caribbean with R&B);May 18, Fountain City Players (Motown oldies and classic rock); May 25, Alter Eagles (Eagles tribute band); June 1, The Embers (beach music); June 8, The Maxx (classic oldies and pop tunes); June 15, Tyler Kinchen & the Right Pieces (R&B and funk); June 22 Triggerproof (popular pop, rock & Top 40) and The Joe Band (tribute to rock legend Joe Cocker).

“We invite everyone to come dance and sing your way into the summer season! If you haven’t come to the Concerts in the Village or haven’t been in a while, we invite you to gather with us among family and friends for a true summertime celebration of music, food and fun,” said Mattie Kelly Arts Foundation CEO Marcia Hull.

Gates open at 6 p.m. and concerts start at 7 p.m. for this come-as-you-are family-friendly outdoor concert series. Purchase tickets on-site; proceeds benefit the Foundarion’s community outreach programs.

There will be LIVE draws for nearly a dozen exciting prize packages during intermission.

Bring a lawn chair, picnic and wine or purchase soft drinks and dinner prepared by a featured restaurant or food trucks on site. Admission is $15 for adults; children (12 and under) and MKAF members are free. Children under 17 must be accompanied by parent or guardian. All sales are final, sorry, no refunds. Pets, tables larger than two feet and drones are not permitted.

“No question about it, the arts are integral to having a whole community. All of MKAF’s signature cultural events go a long way towards funding empowering arts programming for children, youth and adults with special needs, and emerging therapeutic programs for our local disabled veterans,” said Hull. “We are so proud that our stellar outreach programs serve all kinds of deserving populations with impactful arts experiences.”

Altogether the 2017 Concerts in the Village series includes 15 concerts that span from spring through fall. The family-friendly series continues with the 9th Annual Labor Day Weekend Concert (Sunday, Sept. 3) and new this year a four-concert Fall Series on Thursdays from Sept. 14 through Oct. 5.

After the Concert in the Village series ends, the 2017 season of cultural arts continues with the 22nd Annual Festival of the Arts (Oct. 28-29) and the 22nd annual holiday offering, Sounds of the Season (Dec. 1) at Village Baptist Church in Destin.

The 2017 LINE UP IS AS FOLLOWS:

May 4: Emerald Gold, Niceville, Florida

Lead vocalist, Rodney Wilson, performs his popular Motown Revue, including other genres of R&B, classic rock and blues.

May 11: Flow Tribe, New Orleans, Louisiana 
This group of rising artists performs second line brass and Cuban-Caribbean rhythms meld with R&B, soul, rock, and hip-hop beats in a high-energy performance.

May 18: Fountain City Players, Columbus, Georgia 
This top-notch group of musicians perform a wide range of music from Motown, Top 40, Pop, classic rock, oldies to variety songs.

May 25: Alter Eagles, Largo, Florida
The best of The Eagles! As one instant fan noted, “These guys sounded so close to the original band it was scary.”

June 1: The Embers featuring Craig Woolard, Raleigh, North Carolina
Known as the heart and soul of beach music, their showmanship and musical chops have earned them multiple industry awards, including Inductee in South Carolina Beach Music Hall of Fame and North Carolina’s Official Ambassador of Music.

June 8: The Maxx, Atlanta, Georgia
This amazing group brings the audience to their feet! Energetic choreography and eclectic sound with classic oldies to today’s pop music that is just infectious.

June 15: Tyler Kinchen and the Right Pieces, Ponchatoula, Louisiana
This emerging and dynamic group of musicians are making their mark with their energetic style of R&B and Funk, but also tap into Jazz, Soul, World, Pop, Latin, Blues and Folk.

June 22: Triggerproof, Gulfport, Mississippi
Back by popular demand, this talented cover band puts pop, rock, dance and Top 40 through the musical blender to recreate both popular and classic hits that appeal to everyone.

June 29: The Joe Band – Joe Cocker Tribute, Ann Harbor, Michigan
A powerhouse tribute to Joe Cocker – one of the greatest Rock icons of all time with favorite hits like “With a Little Help From My Friends.”

The Concerts in the Village series is made possible by the generous support of local individuals, businesses and media partners.

For more info,visit Mattie Kelly Arts Foundation or call 850-650-2226.