Elway’s Cherry Creek summer concerts: The most fun you can have on a patio

It’s so much more than a series of summer concerts.

If you want to see and be seen, enter the fashion competition, flirt, groove to tunes, dig into a steak and sides and hang with the cool kids, Elway’s Cherry Creek is the place to be Wednesday nights beginning mid-June.

The people-watching alone is the worth the price of admission, which is free.

Elway’s Cherry Creek summer concerts return for the 10th year with live music, cocktails, their signature menu and Colorado evenings in the Elway’s backyard beginning June 18.  These popular outdoor concerts play each Wednesday night through late August kicking off the anniversary year with the return of the Railbenders, with their outlaw country sound, on opening night.

A combination of last year’s favorite bands and a few new acts are on this year’s lineup. Colorado legends, The Samples, return on July 16. Several tribute bands hit the stage this year including The Police cover band Message in a Bottle; Forever in Blue Jeans, channeling Neil Diamond standards; Under a Blood Red Sky who rock out U2 hits and The Long Run, Colorado’s tribute to The Eagles. Newcomers Great American Taxi and The Congress bring Americana jam and Colorado’s answer to The Black Keys. Fans of funk will enjoy Funkiphino while That Eighties Band promise their namesake rock.

Elway’s Backyard is the courtyard behind Elway’s offering specialty cocktails and a patio menu for concertgoers seated in front of the tented performers. Courtyard seating is first come, first served. Patrons can also make reservations to sit on the covered Elway’s patio and enjoy the music as they dine from the full menu. Elway’s welcomes patio seating for dinner and private parties for 20-100 during the concerts. Contact erin@elways.com for reservations.

Elway’s Backyard opens at 5 p.m. Bands play from 6:30 to 9 p.m.

Here’s the full schedule:

* June 18 – Railbenders

* June 25 – The Long Run

* July 2  – Funkiphino

* July 9 – Message in a Bottle

*July 16 – The Samples

* July 23 – That Eighties Band

* July 30 – Forever in Blue Jeans

* Aug. 6 – Under a Blood Red Sky

* Aug. 13 – Great American Taxi

* Aug. 20 – The Congress

For more information, call 303-399-5353 or visit www.elways.com.