Rochester, MN
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201 4th St. SE
Suite 170
Rochester, MN 55901
Phone: 507-328-2200
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Mon-Fri: 8 a.m. - 4:30 p.m.
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About Rochester Public Music
Rochester Public Music brings people together through concerts, cultural programs, and music education. Our events are free and public by design.
We turn parks into concert venues, bring artists into classrooms, and share music across neighborhoods. Our work is rooted in shared experience, local connection, and the belief that music belongs to everyone.
Music with Purpose.
Rochester Public Music is a department of the City of Rochester.
Our Programs
- FORWARD Park Concerts: Free summer concerts in Rochester parks. Local bands, local food, and space for everyone to gather.
- Riverside Music Series: Live music. Big names. No tickets. Large-scale concerts featuring chart-topping acts and rising stars.
- Sound School: In-school residencies where students explore rhythm, movement, and musical identity — from hip hop and taiko drumming to close-harmony singing.
- Passport Sessions: Free outdoor concerts during Thursdays Downtown, celebrating culture and connection through sound.
Avey Grouws Band
@John Withers Sports Complex
- Date: 08/13/2025 5:30 PM - 8:00 PM
- Location: John Withers Sports Complex
2021 Mayowood Road SW
Rochester, Minnesota 55902
Local Music. Local Parks.
FORWARD is a free summer concert series that brings live music, food trucks, and creative activities to parks across Rochester. Each event features two bands and a welcoming, all-ages atmosphere.
Concerts rotate through every ward and are co-hosted by City Councilmembers. Whether you live nearby or are exploring a new part of town, you’re invited to bring a blanket, grab a bite, and enjoy an evening of local music in the park.
FORWARD is always free and open to everyone.
Schedule
5:00 p.m. | Get ready!
Come early to grab dinner and settle in. Food and drink vendors begin serving at 5:00 p.m. The music starts at 5:30. Lawn chairs, blankets, coolers, and picnics are welcome.
5:30 p.m. | Jake La Botz
Rooted in blues and storytelling, Jake La Botz draws on years spent playing in churches, bars, and tattoo parlors across the U.S. His music is gritty and cinematic, shaped by time in New Orleans, the Delta, and his native Chicago.
6:30 p.m. | Avey Grouws Band
With powerhouse vocals, soulful guitar, and a driving rhythm section, Avey Grouws Band rock delivers blues-infused energy and heart. Come ready to move.
About the series
Each FORWARD show features two bands, food trucks, and free activities for all ages. The Rochester Public Library Bookmobile, Parks & Recreation’s Mobile Rec trailer, and the Art Stop will all be on-site during the concert with books, games, and creative fun for kids and families.
Bring a blanket, invite your neighbors, and enjoy the evening together.
Live captioning is available on your phone or tablet at streamtext.net/player.
More about FORWARD here