If you are looking for things to do this summer, local live music heats up in June as temperatures inch upward. Whether it’s enjoyed outside or indoors, live music’s calling is as strong as ever. Check out our local live music scene below, at venues in Benicia and around the Bay, where options are plentiful. There are myriad genres to peruse, from rock to blues, acoustic folk tunes to open mic, and even symphony performances.

June also kicks off the 50th anniversary of the Summer of Love, an iconic 1960s moment that drew hundreds of thousands of youth to San Francisco’s Haight-Ashbury for music, peace and love. Vallejo’s Empress Theatre pays special tribute to that social phenomenon with its own festival that even features Big Brother and the Holding Company, sans the late Janis Joplin, of course. This is a band that grew out of the 60s SF folk scene that is still rocking.

Here’s a selection of what’s playing in Benicia, Vallejo and neighboring communities this month. Check the venue for last minute changes, additions and new bookings.

Empress Theatre
330 Virginia Street, Vallejo
707.552.2400

Lorin Rowan’s Deep Blue Jam

Summer of Love 50th Anniversary Celebration—5 Days of Music, Film & Love, June 6-10.

Film “The Sunshine Makers,” June 6, 5:30pm. Event includes live music and discussions. Doors open 4:30pm. Reception music with Shakey Zimmerman and Jennifer Mydland.
Wednesday Night Live “Roots-Blues-Rock&Roll Show,” June 7, 8pm. Show includes Blyss Gould, Miz Dee, Dave Shul, Eamonn Flynn, Riki & Jenny Hendrix and Mike Skinner. Doors open 7pm.
Bluegrass Jam, June 8, 8pm. Show includes Lorin Rowan’s Deep Blue Jam & Grateful Bluegrass Boys. Doors open at 7pm.
Concert with 60s rock bands, June 9, 8pm. Show includes Big Brother & The Holding Company and Quicksilver Messenger Service, Doors open 7pm.
Concert with Barry “The Fish” Melton Band & Friends Nick Gravenites, Pete Albin, Ray Blumefneld, David Bennett Cohen, Joli Valenti, David Aguilar and Lester Chamber, June 10, 8pm. Doors open7pm.

Tickets: 5-Day Festival Pass: $75. Single Day Pass: $25. Film is free for Empress Theatre Film Club members.

Fairfield Center for Creative Arts Downtown Theatre
1035 West Texas Street, Fairfield
707.940.0700, ext. 1

USAF Band of the Golden West Clarinet Quartet, June 7, 7:30pm
Tommy Castro & the Painkillers with Alvon Johnson June 10, 8pm

Vacaville Performing Arts Theatre
1010 Ulatis Drive, Vacaville
707.469.4013

Black Tie Annual Gala Concert with SMC Symphony Orchestra, June 4, 5pm
Alina’s Music Studio Invites Friends benefit for Waldorf-inspired school. Featured soloist Amy Rich, June 11, 2pm

Uptown Theatre
1350 Third Street, Napa
707.259.0123