Is there anything better on a beautiful summer evening than enjoying live music al fresco with neighbors and friends, surrounded by excellent restaurants and fantastic ice cream? Probably not. And this isn’t just a nice idea—it’s an event that happens every Friday night in Edina, beginning June 10. The Performances on the Plaza music series started last summer, and after a tremendous first season, it’s back at Nolan Mains this summer.
This event showcases an array of singers of all ages and experience levels at the Plaza at Nolan Mains. It’s curated by Katy Vernon, a local singer-songwriter and the longtime host and curator of Morningside after Dark, a music and storytelling series.
Vernon’s aim is to celebrate community by featuring a diverse lineup of artists, including prominent Twin Cities musicians alongside emerging young talent. Irene Weinhagen, a high school sophomore, performed last year and is on the schedule again this summer. She is energized by “bringing joy to the community” with her public performance.
“Music brings people into spaces and helps build community. This is what we saw in action last summer,” Vernon says.
Performances on the Plaza starts June 10 and runs for nine consecutive weeks, every Friday from 5–8 p.m. It’s free and open to the public. Each performance starts with an hour of music from a well-known musician, then a performance from a high school artist, followed by a second set by the initial musician or another professional group.
