Summer Series Returns to Riverside Gardens

A season of free outdoor entertainment returns to this year with Red Bank's Summer Series.

The Parks and Recreation Department's annual collection of entertainment options includes a number of concerts, including jazz and a songwriters series, as well as free movies in the park and even Zumba classes for those looking to get fit while having fun.

The Summer Series kicks off this Thursday with Jazz in the Park. Keith Marks debuts the jazz series when he performs at around 7:30 p.m. — concerts typically start as the sun begins to set beyond the picturesque Navesink River.

On Friday, the songwriters series kicks off The Mastersons, same time.

As always, all of the summer park series events are free. Those in the know bring lawn chairs and blankets to sit on the park's grassy knoll, savoring the concerts and sunsets in comfort. Visitors are welcomed to bring snacks and beverages, but littering is against the law, so don't.

A complete schedule of Summer in the Park Series concerts and events:

Jazz in the Park - Every Thursday at 7:30 p.m.

• July 12 - Keith Marks
• July 19 - Sherri Pie
• July 26 - Hollie Baines
• Aug. 2 - David Cendeno 
• Aug. 9 - Darwin B. Oden Quartet Feat. Barbara Sharpe
• Aug. 16 - The Voodudes
• Aug. 23 - Funktion 11
• Aug. 30 - Rain Date

Songswriters in the Park - Every Thursday at 7:30 p.m.

• July 13 - The Mastersons with opening act Diego Garcia
• July 20 - Mindy Smith with opening act Emily Grove
• July 27 - Scars on 45 with opening act The Dunwells
• Aug. 3 - Jukebox the Ghost with opening act Lightning Jar
• Aug. 10 - Willie Nile with opening act Bruce Tunkel
• Aug. 17 - River City Extension with opening act Accidental Seabirds Red
• Aug. 24 - Wanting Blue with opening act Rick Barry
• Aug. 31 - Rain Date

Comedy in the Park

Aug. 1 at 8 p.m. - Eric Jackson of Comedy Central, the Ellen Degeneres Show and NBC's Last Comic Standing

Movies the Park - Movies being at dusk

• July 24 - Back to the Future
• July 31 - The Brady Bunch Movie
• Aug. 7 - Spiderman
• Aug. 14 - The Muppets
• Aug. 21 - Bowfinger
• Aug. 28 - Some Like it Hot

Zumba in the Park - Wednesday's 7:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m.

• Aug. 1
• Aug. 8 
• Aug. 15
• Aug. 22
• Aug. 29