BANGOR EVENINGS

The complaint that there’s nothing to do in Bangor after working hours has been answered again this summer. Outdoor concerts are returning to the city, but in a new location near the center of downtown. Weather permitting, browsing at the artisans’ market and listening to music in Pickering Square would make for a good Thursday night.

After a decade on the waterfront, the city’s outdoor concerts are moving to Pickering Square, which offers several advantages. If it rains, the concerts can go on as scheduled in the city’s parking garage, which also offers lots of parking and public restrooms. The acoustics of the square, which is the focus of revitalization efforts, are better, too. Moving the concerts closer to downtown businesses and restaurants should give them a boost. Putting the new artisans’ market and concerts together also makes sense.

Events get under way at 4 p.m. Thursdays when the artisans’ market opens along the banks of the Kenduskeag Stream. Paintings, jewelry, pottery, clothing and other items made by Maine artists will be on display and for sale. The market, which will be held every Thursday through July 20, is open until 8 p.m. Food vendors will also be selling a quick bite before the music starts at 7 p.m.

The Cool Sounds Concerts kicked off last week with the Queen City Big Band, the city’s community band. This week’s concert features the Aurora Jazz Project followed next week by One Five One, a female vocalist backed up by a five-piece band.

The July 6 concert features the 195th Maine Army National Guard Band. The group Evergreen, which blends bluegrass, folk, blues, old-time country, swing and jazz, plays on July 13. The final concert, on July 20, features country musician Dave Wooley.

The concerts and market are sponsored by Camden National Bank and UnitedKingfield Bank. Sea Dog Brewing Co. provides funds to support the concerts and the flowers that enliven the Kenduskeag corridor.

If the music inspires you to spend more time in Bangor, come back on Friday nights for outdoor movies in Pickering Square, put on by River City Cinema Society. The series, which feature films set around the world, starts June 30 with “Casablanca.” Future Fridays feature “Roman Holiday” and “Murder on the Orient Express.” Show up after dark and bring your lawn chair.

For more information,visit www.downtownbangor.com.