All concerts are free and open to the public and seating for concerts on The Greens is first-come, first-served. Concert goers may bring their own chairs, blankets, food and drink. Some food trucks (mostly sweets) are available. Bringing dogs is discouraged but not prohibited.

The Samples

Sean Kelly moved to Boulder in 1987 looking to escape a particularly gloomy winter in Vermont. His decision proved to be a good one. Kelly and a few friends formed The Samples, a band that went on to sell more than a million records. The reggae-tinged rock group has recorded songs about nature, the ups and downs of life and even had one of its tunes, Could It Be Another Change, featured on the soundtrack to the 2012 coming-of-age film The Perks of Being a Wallflower. 

“The Samples are kind of like a room full of amazingly cool stuff that has only been explored with a flashlight,” says Kelly, who writes most of the group’s songs. “The things that people see in the little spot of light illuminated by the beam, like our well-known tunes, are great. But if you turn on an overhead light and look at all the stuff in the room, it’s a gold mine. We have a lot of incredible music that has never even been mentioned in the press. It’s my life’s work to make sure people discover all that we have to offer.”

Kelly has played in Stapleton once before at a private garden party. The MoJaBlu performance at Conservatory Green on August 4 marks the band’s first public performance in Stapleton.

Aurora Symphony

Classical music is on the bill when the Aurora Symphony returns to Founders Green on Aug. 6 with acclaimed music director Norman Gamboa leading the ensemble. Gamboa says to expect an exciting program of music from celebrated movies including Chicago (2002), The Apartment (1960), Dances with Wolves (1990), Sea Hawk (1940), Harry Potter (2001) and Jurassic Park (1993).

Gamboa’s impressive résumé includes annual performances of Tchaikovsky’s The Nutcracker ballet with the Santa Rosa Dance Theater in California, and several fully staged operas with the Topeka Opera Society. He is considered one of the most exciting up-and-coming Latin American conductors of the new generation and his approach to symphonic music is all-inclusive.

“Some people think that classical music is highbrow and for snobs only,” the director says. “Once patronized by only the upper echelon of society, classical music has given the impression that it’s only meant for rich people who wear expensive gowns, shiny pearls and tuxedos when attending a concert. Nowadays the dress code is more casual and in Stapleton it’s completely free and people are encouraged to relax in camp chairs or just sit on the grass and enjoy the music in the company of friends and family.”

MoJaBlu Concerts at Conservatory Green

The weekly MoJaBlu series (Motown, jazz and blues) at Conservatory Green in North Stapleton features bands sponsored by the downtown Denver jazz club Jazz at Jack’s. The shows are held on Thursday evenings at Conservatory Green in North Stapleton between 6:30 and 8:30pm at 49th Place and Valentia St.

July 7 – Hot Lunch Band (R&B, funk, soul)
July 14 – Dotsero (contemporary jazz)
July 28 – SuCh (contemporary soul)
Aug. 4 – The Samples (Reggae-inflected rock)

Concerts at the 29th Ave Green

Concerts start at 7pm at Founders Green, 29th Ave. at Roslyn. Founders Green concerts include:

July 2 – Forever Dangerous (Michael Jackson tribute)

July 16 – Taylor Scott (soul- and blues-based
singer-songwriter at the Stapleton Beer Festival)

July 16 – Chris Daniels & The Kings (roots rock,
blues and funk at the Stapleton Beer Festival)

Aug. 6 – Aurora Symphony (Classical)

Sept. 3 – Funkiphino (funk and R&B)