What a ride we've had in the very merry month of May for music this year and as we finish out the weekend and roll into June, the run continues unabashedly unabated. Come with me and let's go see what fun we can find for now.

Dedicated readers know we like to start with the Thursday news, and this week on through July the top story must be the Levitt AMP concert series is back for 2025. By now you should be aware of the origin and purpose of these shows, but if not, please go to levitt.org and learn more about the generosity and ingenuity behind the plan. Beyond the concept comes what's most important, and that's live music with the energy and excitement it creates.

This week on the grassy area north of the Governor's Mansion, behold a concert featuring Janet Evra, an international jazz vocalist, bassist and bandleader from England now based in the U.S. Janet, an artist in residence at the Sheldon in St. Louis, has garnered millions of Spotify and YouTube streams (that's the measure of success these days) and sings in English, Spanish, Portuguese and French (a success on any day).

The night begins at 6 p.m. with local participation per Levitt AMP ideals and includes Kayla Simon and Sydney Williams singing the anthem performances, Janet Cripe's Dance Creations Dance Studio taking the kid kickoff spot and the Adrian Russo Quartet delivering in the official opening music slot. Enjoy the free (to you) shows of a different touring artist paired with community members every Thursday through July 31. There are plenty of other things going on on Thursdays, so you've got decisions to make, scheduling to develop and plenty of live entertainment to devour.

A time-honored, Springfield music tradition begins again on Friday, this one a decades-long, homegrown event once known as Artist on the Plaza that headed north to Union Park to become Artist in the Park. Every Friday now through Aug. 1, expect live music, poetry readings and dance performances from local artists (12-1 p.m.) with food trucks dishing out the goodies starting at 11 a.m. Our inaugural performer is singer, songwriter and guitarist Kevin Aldrich. And remember, all this is brought to you by the Springfield Area Arts Council, in partnership with the Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library and Museum and Downtown Springfield, Inc.

We're spending extra time explaining these weekly events so you'll know how they work all summer long and I'll just be able to pop in the performers' names later. Now let's visit a couple of long-running outdoor fests happening this weekend to report on the accompanying live music.

Little Flower Parish on the south side of town hosts its 20th annual Heritage Days Summerfest, and along with fun fair things, it includes music by Captain Geech on Friday (7-10 p.m.), The Longmeyer Band (3-6 p.m.) and Brushville (8-11 p.m.) on Saturday and JackAsh (12-4 p.m.) on Sunday.

Down south, Pawnee presents its Prairie Days homecoming with plenty of festival activities along with music by Kevin Roberts on Thursday (8-10 p.m.), Jason McKenzie (6-8 p.m.) and Midwest Revival (8:30-11:30 p.m.) on Friday and a full day on Saturday of Rod Grant in the BBQ Brawl tent (11 a.m.-1 p.m.) followed by Afternoon Delight (1:30-4 p.m.), while the main stage has The River Ramblers (1-3 p.m.), Stefan Huffman Band (6-8 p.m.) and Deja Voodoo (9 p.m.-midnight). Woo-hoo!

Making the jump to Sunday, we head to the Blue Grouch for a special show (1-5 p.m.) by The Shenanigans & Friends along with The Deep Hollow for a Cancer Sucks benefit, because, well, indeed it does.

That's it for me, until next week.