The Cincinnati Symphony Orchestra has performed occasionally in area parks for over 60 years.

But in mid-June, the CSO launched a new outdoor concert series, taking the orchestra even deeper into the heart of Cincinnati’s neighborhoods. The Andrew J. Brady Neighborhood Concert Series is named after Andrew J. Brady, who led a musical ensemble for more than 30 years at Western Hills High School.

There’s something particularly fitting about naming the five-concert series after Brady, who fronted his own jazz band in hundreds of famous appearances at area parks.

John Morris Russell, who recently celebrated his 10th anniversary as leader of the Cincinnati Pops, will lead four of the five concerts. Enrico Lopez-Yañez, principal pop conductor of the Nashville Symphony Orchestra, will conduct the fifth.

“With concerts like these, we’re helping to make orchestral music a part of people’s lives,” Russell said. “Some people will have heard us many times before. But for others, it may be their first experience with us. Either way, we’re here to be the voice of the people. The music we play is music for everyone.

The musicians’ performances are just part of the larger celebrations that will include music labs, food trucks, arts and crafts exhibits. As details are finalized, a full list of vendors and activities will be available on the CSO website, https://bit.ly/3lAE1zT.

The venues and guest artists are:

June 19, 7 p.m.

• Maple Ridge Lodge, 3040 Westwood Northern Blvd., Westwood.
• John Morris Russell, conductor
• Guest artists: Charles Morey (violin), Lauren Eylise (singer), John Lomax (special guest)
• Schedule: Juneteenth/Father’s Day lineup includes soul, spirituals, jazz, R&B and John Williams film scores.

June 26, 7 p.m.

• Dunham Recreation Center Complex, 4356 Dunham Le., Price Hill
• Enrico Lopez-Yañez, conductor
• Guest artists: Charles Morey (violin), Ciara Harper (singer)
• Program: A Latin-influenced program with music from Argentina, Brazil, Mexico and Puerto Rico, as well as hits from Isley Brothers and Aretha Franklin and film music by John Williams.

July 14, 6:30 p.m.

• Corinthian Baptist Church, 1920 Tennessee Avenue, Bond Hill
• John Morris Russell, conductor
• Guest artists: Diane Monroe (violin), Kathy Wade (singer)
• On the program: Works by Mary Lou Williams, Duke Ellington, Billy Strayhorn and Maurice Ravel.

July 16, 7 p.m.

• Laurel Park, 500 Ezzard Charles Drive, West End
• John Morris Russell, conductor
• On the program: Charles Morey (violin), Ciara Harper, Tia Toles-Seay and Noël Walton (singers), dancers from the Q-KIDZ Dance Studio.
• On the program: Selections from Duke Ellington, James Brown, the Isley Brothers and a tribute to boxing icon “Cincinnati Cobra” Ezzard Charles.

August 6, 7 p.m.

• Owl’s Nest Park, 1984 Madison Rd., Evanston.
• John Morris Russell, conductor
• Guest artists: Charlies Morey (violin), Victoria Ellington, Ciara Harper, Tia Toles-Seay, Noël Walton (singers).
• On the program: A tribute to King Records, with music by James Brown, Bill Doggett, Hank Ballard and a selection of “Fierce” from the Cincinnati Opera by composer William Menefield and librettist Sheila Williams.

Even MORE outdoor shows

As we plan our summer arts schedules, we should be sure to include the Cincinnati Shakespeare Company.

After facing numerous cancellations over the past two summers, CincyShakes is back with an aggressive 39-performance touring schedule spanning Portsmouth and Springfield to Richmond, Indiana. And, of course, they’ll be performing at many, many local parks, opening July 15 at Eden Park and ending September 2 at the Colerain Park Amphitheater. Be sure to keep checking the schedule, as it’s likely more will be added.

Unlike previous tours, where the company presented different repertory shows, this summer will focus on a single production of Shakespeare’s “Twelfth Night.” The production will be directed by the company’s associate artistic director and frequent actor, Cristian Wiltshire.

You can find the tour schedule online at https://cincyshakes.com/event/park/.

OTR Museum News

Very slowly we have seen progress on the Over-the-Rhine Museum’s major plans for its home at 3. W. McMicken St. The museum itself is not yet open. But as work progresses inside the building, the museum is launching tours and sponsoring a variety of events that tell stories about the neighborhood that was the first port of call for so many arriving in Cincinnati.

Last week, the project received a big financial and emotional boost when the National Endowment for the Humanities awarded the museum a $75,000 Historic Places Planning Grant. It was just one of four sites to receive the grant to support the museum’s interpretive planning process.