Music returns to The Dalles City Park for a free summer concert series, starting Saturday, June 21. Shows start at 6 p.m. and feature regional bands with all types of family-friendly music. June 21 Misty River (folk, bluegrass); July 5 Acoustic Guitar Summit; July 19 Foghorn Stringband (oldtime acoustic); Aug. 2 Three Leg Torso (jazz, eclectic); Aug. 16 Moe Dixon (singer-songwriter); Aug. 30 Mary Flower (blues guitar) with Reggie Houston (vocalist and saxophone).

The Second Saturday Country Dance will be at Rockford Grange on Saturday, June 14, starting at 7 p.m. The dance caller will be Rick Meyers and the band will be the Mill Creek String Band from the Columbia Gorge. All ages are welcome and no partner is required. The event is family- friendly and all dances are walked through the first time. Enjoy an evening of country squares, contras, circle dances and a few waltzes. Admission is $5 for members, $6 for non-members, $1 for youth 16 and under. Please bring snack treats for break time. Call Keith Harding at 352-7550 for further information.

Tony Smiley, also known as the one-man loop riot ninja, will be playing Saturday, June 13, at the River City Saloon. He truly is a one-man band; he plays guitar, bass, drums and keyboard — creating multi-layered songs with a loop pedal. River City Saloon is at 205 Cascade Ave., in Hood River. Call 387-BLUES for more information.

The Horse and Hound Pub in Hood River will host a Tuesday night acoustic music jam, beginning at 7 p.m. Bring an instrument and be ready to share a song or two. On Saturday, June 14, local singer-songwriter Scott Sparks will perform. Music starts at 8 p.m.

The Tess Barr Blues Band will be playing at Dixie's Southern Grub in Hood River on Saturday, June 14, from 7 to 10 p.m. on the patio, weather permitting. A Crawfish Boil is planned, and there is no cover charge. Dixie’s Southern Grub, 1302 13th St., Hood River; 387-6667.

On Wednesday, June 11, local musician Ben Bonham will be “Unplugged and Unhinged” at Solstice Cafe in Bingen for a free all-ages show, from 6-8 p.m. Catch him there every second Wednesday at Solstice. Solstice Wood Fire Cafe, 415 W. Steuben, Bingen, Wash.; (509) 493-4006.

Stephen Ashbrook, currently on tour promoting his new CD, “White Balloons,” makes a stop in Hood River at the CEBU Lounge on Thursday, June 12, from 8-11 p.m. This highly anticipated album was produced by Northwest musician Pete Droge. Best Western Hood River Inn, 1108 E. Marina Way, 386-2200.

The Apple Valley Country Store announces that its summer jam season will kick off on the first and third Sundays, from 3-6 p.m. All styles of folk, country, blues, or bluegrass musicians are welcome to bring instruments and songs to share. Apple Valley Country Store, 2363 Tucker Road, Hood River; 386-1971.

Encore Performing Arts and Columbia River Bank present “Free Plays in the Park,” with audience participation versions of “Rumpelstiltskin” and “The Little Mermaid.” Performances are June 14 and July 12 at The Dalles City Park and June 28 at Jackson Park in Hood River. The plays begin at 11 a.m. and lunch will be available between shows. For more information visit www.encoreperformingarts.us.

“Crazy Sexy Cancer,” an irreverent and uplifting documentary about Kris Carr, a young woman looking for a cure and finding her life, will be shown at the Skylight Theatre in Hood River on Wednesday, June 11, at 6:30 p.m. This screening is a fund-raiser for the Columbia Gorge Relay For Life. Tickets are $10 and all proceeds go to the American Cancer Society.

The Columbia Gorge Hotel hosts live music on Thursday nights with Inoke Baravilala in the Valentino Lounge. Check out the half-price menu from 5-7 p.m., Monday through Thursday. Columbia Gorge Hotel, 4000 Westcliff Dr., Hood River, 386-5566.

Music continues in June at the Ratskeller in Government Camp. On June 6, it’s the Quick ‘n Easy Boys with blues, funk and more. On June 13, it’s house D.J. Matty Mo. On June 20, it’s local hip-hop band The Salmon River Project celebrating the summer solstice. On June 21, it’s singer songwriter Tom Franklin (a.k.a. Fingers T). Finally on June 28, it’s “Portland’s finest D.J. party” with William Hawkins. All shows start at 9:30 p.m. The Ratskeller, 88335 E. Government Camp Loop Road, Government Camp, (503) 272-3635.

This summer Maryhill Winery hosts weekend concerts on the arbor from 1-5 p.m. Concerts are free and feature Northwest regional bands. June 8, Johanna and Rob Richter (singer/ songwriter); June 14, Carlyle (folk, classic rock); June 15, Jill Trenholm (singer/songwriter); June 21, Mitch Lies Duo (pop, rock); June 22, Strawberry Roan (alt-country); June 28, Beth Willis (acoustic); June 29, Acoustic Minds (blues, rock). Maryhill Winery, 9774 Hwy. 14, Goldendale, Wash. Call (877) 627-9445 for more information.

The Columbia Gorge’s newest “old” theater, The Golden Garter, announces a Hood River County Resident Appreciation Weekend. All Hood River County residents can enjoy a family-friendly comedy show for $5 per person this weekend — Friday, June 6 and Saturday, June 7. Both performances begin at 8 p.m. Hood River residents must present proof of residency. “A Magical Melodrama” is a live, wild-west comedy show that combines amazing magical illusions with the popular comedy entertainment of 100 years ago. Show schedule and ticket information can be obtained at www.GoldenGarter.com.