B B King Concert Dates

Summer Fun Guide: Fairs, fests, family events, concerts and more

Memorial Day weekend is right around the corner. Schools are winding down. And a new "Pirates of the Caribbean" movie is in theaters. Yes, summer is here. And naturally, venues throughout New Jersey are making preparations for their big summer happenings. Here's a rundown of some of the most notable festivals, concerts, plays and family-entertainment events -- as well as some big movie openings -- from now through Labor Day weekend.

MAY

21 -- For the second year in a row, country-pop hit makers Sugarland kick off the summer season of the PNC Bank Arts Center in Holmdel. (800) 745-3000, livenation.com .

21 -- Kim Wilson brings his long-running blues-rock band the Fabulous Thunderbirds to the Bourbon Street Blues Fest at Memorial Park in Lebanon Township. bourbonstreetbluesfest.com .

26 -- How much more trouble could the guys from "The Hangover" get into? Well, they could go to Thailand, for " The Hangover Part II ," and keep that party going. And yes, there will be a monkey involved. hangoverpart2.warnerbros.com .

27-30 -- The sky will be filled with color at the Wildwoods International Kite Festival, with both indoor and outdoor competitions as well as exhibits, workshops and an auction. (732) 822-4884, skyfestivals.com .

28-29 -- Cast your vote for Munchmobile Top Dog honors at the Munchmobile Hot Dog Showdown at Monmouth Park in Oceanport. Enjoy burgers, brats and beer along with the thoroughbred racing. (732) 222-5100, monmouthpark.com .

28-29 -- One of the Garden State's underpublicized strengths, winemaking, will be in the spotlight at the annual Blues and Wine Festival at Natirar Park in Peapack-Gladstone. Twenty-five New Jersey wineries will showcase their products, and blues bands Shadetree Mechanics and Mike Dugan & the Blues Mission will perform. (609) 588-0085, newjerseywines.com .

29 -- Six Flags Great Adventure in Jackson will present a Comic Book Convention , with dozens of vendors, appearances by writers and artists, and a costume contest. (732) 928-1821, sixflags.com .

31-June 1 -- The guys in Phish may be from Vermont, but they can't stay away from the Garden State. The popular jam band played its annual Halloween extravaganza in Atlantic City last year. This year, it will be back at the PNC Bank Arts Center in Holmdel for two nights, and the Susquehanna Bank Center in Camden for another show on June 10. (800) 745-3000, livenation.com .

Boston Music Spotlight - Your Source for Music News and Concert ...

Summer is almost here and organizers for the Lowell Summer Music Series have revealed the final set of acts set to play Boarding House Park this year. Highlighting final batch of shows are Gregg Allman and Warren Haynes. The Fabulous Thunderbirds, John Hammond and Duke Robillard, Eileen Ivers were also recently added to the lineup. Tickets for all of the shows are now on sale through the series’ official website, which is also hosting a special sale for season passes.

The Lowell Summer Music Series is so excited to bring Allman to town that they are hosting a rare Tuesday night show. The frontman for classic rock legends The Allman Brothers Band will play Boarding House Park on Tuesday, August 30. Allman is back on the road to promote his brand new album, Low Country Blues . The new album, his first solo release in 14 years, was produced by T Bone Burnett. It is comprised of twelve songs by some of the blues giants whose work has long influenced his own, from Muddy Waters and BB King to Buddy Guy and Magic Sam. Low Country Blues features Dr. John on piano, guitarist Doyle Bramhall II,  bassist Dennis Crouch and drummer Jay Bellerose. Tickets are available in advance for $39.