This Sunday, June 12th, is the first of the free Summer Sunday Concerts at the Les Schwab Amphitheater in the Old Mill District: almost every Sunday through the summer features a free concert starting at 2:30. I’m reprinting the press release—which includes the summer schedule—here:

The St. Charles FREE Summer Sunday Concerts at the Les Schwab Amphitheater in Bend, Oregon’s Old Mill District start on Sunday June 12. Title sponsor St. Charles Health System strives to provide better care at a lower cost and improve the overall health of the community. For a third year in a row, it was recognized by Thompson Reuters as one of the top performing health systems in the country.

Running most Sunday afternoons from June 12 through August 14, the free Summer Sunday Concerts have become a staple of the season in Central Oregon. Concerts feature world-class artists in a family, pet and picnic friendly environment. This year, each concert will be coupled with a highlight of one or more of St. Charles’ service lines to help educate the community about health options and the preventative screenings it has to offer.

Free Summer Sundays Concert Schedule:

• Sunday, June 12 The Chapmans
  Featured: AirLink Critical Care Transport and Women and Children’s Services
• Sunday, June 19 Blaine Larsen
  Featured: St. Charles Community Education and Sage View at St. Charles Bend (Behavioral and Mental Health Services)
• Sunday, June 26 234^th Army Band
  Featured: St. Charles Cancer Center and Kids@Heart
• Sunday, July 3 MOsley WOtta
  Featured: St. Charles Emergency Department and St. Charles Immediate Care Center
• Sunday, July 17 The Greencards
  Featured: St. Charles Sleep Center and St. Charles Home Health Services
• Sunday, July 24 Franchot Tone
  Featured: St. Charles Laboratory Services and St. Charles Sleep Center
• Sunday, July 31 The David Mayfield Parade
  Featured: Total Joint, Stroke and Adult Rehabilitation
• Sunday, August 14 Uncle Lucius
  Featured: St. Charles Pharmacy and St. Charles Nutrition and Diabetic Team

Live music and health-information services will be rounded out by many other family-oriented activities, such as bouncy houses and water toys. Tumalo Creek Kayak will have stand-up paddle boards and boats for rent during concerts, and Rock’n Wall will have a mobile climbing wall set up for concert goers (cost involved). Gates open each Sunday at 1p.m. and the shows run from 2:30-4:30 p.m. Food and libations available at the event include; Boneyard Beer, Café Yumm!, Rico’s Tacos, Pono Farm and Fine Meats, and Ben & Jerry’s Scoop Shop.

St. Charles is sponsoring this event series to underscore the importance of music, family, community and relaxation as part of a healthy life balance. Visit www.bendconcerts.com or www.theoldmill.com for more information.