The longest-running free outdoor concert series in Philadelphia returns June 19 marking 75 years of presenting a vibrant array of musical performances amid the backdrop of Chestnut Hill’s majestic park.

The Pastorius Park Summer Concert is set to delight the community with its 2024 lineup of talented musicians who will perform everything from classical to jazz music on Wednesday evenings from June 19 to July 31.

The concert series, presented by the Chestnut Hill Community Association and sponsored by Temple Health-Chestnut Hill Hospital, will kick off at 6:30 p.m. Wednesday with a performance by Ants on a Log, a Philadelphia-based trio known for engaging and inclusive music. Elementary science teacher Anya Rose and music therapists Julie Be and Miles Crabtree create smart, creative, and joyful music, making their shows a hit with both children and adults. 

The opening concert is a milestone for the series which for more than seven decades has been an event for people of all ages and backgrounds to join together and share a love of music while appreciating the beauty of nature. Pastorius Park with its pond, walking paths, and an outdoor amphitheater serves as the centerpiece for the summer evenings when families can spread out blankets and picnic baskets, catch up with friends and enjoy music under the evening sky.

The Ants on a Log performance has a kid-friendly early start time of 6:30 p.m., but families can come even earlier at 5:30 p.m. for a special children’s crafting session with artist Ginger Mimmo Rohlfing who will guide participants as they create before the concert. Bring your artistic spirit, clapping hands, and dancing feet to this show for the young and the young at heart.

Ants on a Log has produced four albums, two musicals, and numerous singles and music videos. They have received national acclaim for their work, including the groundbreaking “Trans & Nonbinary Kids Mix” album. Their musical “Curious: Think Outside the Pipeline!” won a Parent’s Choice Award and comes with a music video, companion worksheet, and curriculum guide for teachers. 

The band’s newest album, "Rainbow Seekers," was released just in time for Pride Month. The recording is a jubilant ode to self-expression, inviting children of all backgrounds to celebrate identity, queer families, and inclusion. “Rainbow Seekers'' is also an interactive musical, which won a fan favorite award at the 2023 Philadelphia Fringe Festival. Ants on a Log’s music is catchy and fun, and has the vibe of early “Sesame Street” when Jim Henson made the point that every child is welcomed and loved.

Mark your calendars for June 19 and join the community at Pastorius Park. Arrive early for the kids' craft session at 5:30 p.m. and stay for the concert at 6:30 p.m. All remaining concerts in the series will begin at 7:30 pm.

 (To learn more about this summer’s lineup and for directions to Pastorius Park via Septa visit chestnuthill.org.)