1. Hot Summer Nights

Local talent headlines the 25th year of downtown music on Friday nights with Hot Summer Nights, which begins June 1 and ends July 27.

“Hot Summer Nights is an important way for community members to come to downtown and enjoy an evening of free music, good food and fellowship,” Randy Ham, executive director of Odessa Arts, said via email.

“In all my years of attending (and now producing) this concert series, there has never been a concert where I didn’t meet someone new. I love that it gives everyone a break from the day to day routine of life, and also encourages people to enjoy arts and culture with members of our community, many of whom we wouldn’t meet or converse with otherwise.”

Haley Howey, events coordinator for Downtown Odessa, Inc. said the event started as a concert series 25 years ago but, has turned into a block party, with a children’s play area, games and food.

“Downtown Odessa, Inc. is proud of how this staple of downtown has grown,” Howey said.

Along with musical acts that are the hallmark of the free outdoor concert series, Howey said this year will again see the addition of food trucks, preferred seating and swag for Odessa Arts members and Downtown Odessa, Inc. sponsors. Volunteers from First United Methodist Church will also shuttle attendees from parking areas to the concert via golf cart. The concerts will start sundown and will be located in Noël Plaza, next to the Ector County Library. In the event of inclement weather, shows will be moved to Deaderick Auditorium at Odessa College.

Ham said he is thrilled to celebrate this year’s 25th anniversary. “Odessa has always been a thriving cultural community, and the record number of Hot Summer Nights attendees proves it.”

Hot Summer Nights is made possible by Odessa Arts, Downtown Odessa, Inc., The City of Odessa, The City of Odessa: Parks & Recreation, Creative Marketing Nerds, First Basin Credit Union, and First United Methodist Church.

For more information, visit:

For more information call 432-337-1492.

If You Go
  • What: Hot Summer Nights.
  • When: 8 to 10 p.m. Fridays June 1 to July 27.
  • Where: Noël Plaza, next to the Ector County Library.
  • What else: Events are free and lawnchairs and coolers are welcome but not alcohol. Food trucks will be on site for all concerts. Bad weather? Not a problem, concerts will move to Deaderick Auditorium on the Odessa College Campus.
The lineup
  • June 1 – Steven Silva Quintet.
  • June 8 – Permian Playhouse.
  • June 15 – True Lite.
  • June 22 – Basin Brass Band.
  • July 6 – The Geezerz.
  • July 13 – Current Nine.
  • July 20 – Mariachi Armonia.
  • July 27 – Free Spirit.

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