Lafayette Band’s summer concerts begin June 25

Another summer of live music will begin on Wednesday, June 25, when the Lafayette Band performs the first of seven weekly concerts scheduled at various spots in North Kingstown.

The band and music director Charles Johnson will welcome the Rhode Island Wind Ensemble, whose repertoire consists of light orchestral and operatic music; traditional, ethnic, and contemporary band selections; and jazz, Broadway musicals, and movie scores. The joint concert will begin at 7 p.m. at the bandshell next to the North Kingstown Town Beach.

The highlight of the Lafayette Band schedule is, as always, the annual Independence Day celebration at the town beach, set for Thursday, July 3. The concert will begin at 7 p.m. and be followed by the town’s professional fireworks display after dark over Wickford Harbor.

All Lafayette Band performances are free, and all ages are welcome. Audience members should bring lawn chairs or blankets to relax and enjoy the music.

Lafayette Band 2025 Summer Schedule

• Summer Opening Night, Wed., June 25, 7 p.m., Lafayette Band Stand, North Kingstown Town Beach, Beach St., Wickford – Joint concert with R.I. Wind Ensemble
• Independence Day Celebration (Concert sponsored by Dave’s Fresh Marketplace), Thurs., July 3, 7 p.m., Lafayette Band Stand, N.K. Town Beach – Fireworks after dark, approximately 9 p.m. (Rain date: Monday, July 7)
• Concert and Ice Cream, Wed., July 9, 7 p.m., St. John the Divine, Church Way & Willett Rd., Saunderstown – Ice Cream Social following concert
• Joint Concert, Wed., July 16, 7 p.m., Lafayette Band Stand, N.K. Town Beach – Performing with the N.K. Community Chorus
• Concert, Wed., July 23, 7 p.m., Lafayette Band Stand, N.K. Town Beach – Sponsored by Center for Mediation Rhode Island
• Concert, Wed., July 30, 7 p.m., Lafayette Band Stand, N.K. Town Beach
• Closing Night, Wed., Aug. 6, 6:30 p.m., North Kingstown Free Library, 100 Boone St., Wickford – Band will play indoors

In case of rain, any concert held at the Town Beach (except Independence Day) will be moved inside the adjacent Community Center, if possible. Schedule updates can be found on the Lafayette Band website, www.lafayettebandri.org, or Facebook page, www.facebook.com/LafayetteBand.RI.

Founded more than 140 years ago, the Lafayette Band is one of the oldest musical groups in Rhode Island. It is a nonprofit community concert band with a mission to strengthen North Kingstown and surrounding communities through music. Though based in North Kingstown, the band’s members reside in many communities in Southeast New England.