It was the beginning of summer when I moved to Maine. Having been here just a few weeks, I knew nothing of the big little music scene we have. Leaving the office in search of coffee, I stopped dead in my stride, looking at a huge stage set up in Monument Square. People were everywhere and ... holy crap! Is that Big Bad Voodoo Daddy?

I was confused and delighted that I could walk outside my office and watch a band I loved play live — and for free! Maine really is the way life should be, I told myself.

After a few conversations with the natives about this revelation, I found out there were free outdoor concerts all over Southern Maine. I learned that just down a few blocks from my apartment I could enjoy the Sunset Folk Series every Wednesday on the Western Prom. It was too good to be true.

The next week I found a concert going on there with people all over the place. They were sitting in folding chairs, in the grass, in the tree, biking past. I parked my bike and stayed awhile. It didn’t even matter that I’m not much for folk music. It was so nice to be outside in the evening, listening to local music and being part of what felt oddly like, well ... like a community.

Before I get all sappy on you, I should point out that it’s not all roses at outdoor concerts. If you want a front row seat at the L.L. Bean shows, you’ve got to park your chairs (or your butt) there early to save your spot. And getting a beer from the beer tent at the Alive at Five series can sometimes take three songs worth of time. But with a few concert-going tips, you can experience the wonderment of Maine outdoor concerts.

L.L. Bean concerts require some prep, depending on who’s performing. You’ve got to show up early so you can park in the satellite lot and shuttle over. Alcohol is not allowed, and it’s hard to be sneaky with people packed in so tightly. I’ve been told the best spot for concert viewing is on the tiny slope of the grassy area in front of the stage. I’ll find out when I’m there this Saturday for none other than Big Bad Voodoo Daddy!

Alive at Five concerts in Monument Square are usually packed. This year is particularly exciting since the line-ups include a lot more local bands. Getting a beer is tough, but there are no bathrooms around anyway. People dance on the Our Lady of Victories statue and all over the square. Most people stand, so don’t bother with a lawn chair. And watch out for those US Cellular people, who are always handing out promotional stuff.

The other outdoor concerts are a mystery to me — with the exception of the Sunset Folk Series. But I’ll definitely check out Truth About Daisies at Deering Oaks Park and a few of those concerts in Scarborough. See you there — I’ll be the one with the beer in a paper bag, jumping through the fountain or dancing on Our Lady of Victories.

Where to get your groove on

Alive at Five Concerts | Monument Square in Portland
Thursdays 5-7:30 pm | www.portlandmaine.com
July 10: Pete Kilpatrick + As Fast As
July 17: Danielia Cotton + Darien Brahms
July 24: Bio Ritmo + Grupo Esperanza
July 31: Trumystic + Sly-Chi
Aug 7: The Brew + Roy Davis & the Dregs

L.L. Bean Summer Concert Series | Discovery Park in Freeport
All concerts 7:30 pm | www.llbean.com
June 21: Big Bad Voodoo Daddy
June 28: Martin Sexton
July 4: Toby Lightman
July 5: Daryl Hall
July 12: Kathy Mattea
July 19: Portland Symphony Orchestra
July 26: Buddy Holly’s Original Crickets
Aug 2: Brandi Carlile + Jason Spooner
Aug 9: Richie Havens
Aug 23: John Hiatt and the Ageless Beauties
Aug 30: Lonestar
Aug 31: Keb’ Mo’

Falmouth Summer Concerts | Village Park Gazebo (behind Wal-Mart)
Various days at 6:30 pm
June 30: Victory Swing Band
July 14: Cool Water
July 28: Mom’s Home Cookin’
Aug 11: Joan Kennedy Trio
Aug 25: Sizzlin’ Suzin & Flaymin’ Raymin’

Summer Concerts at Memorial Park | Oak Hill in Scarborough
Thursdays at 6:30 pm
July 3: The Guv’nors
July 10: Don Campbell Band
July 17: Motor Booty Affair
July 24: Yankee Brass Band
July 31: Coos Canyon
Aug 7: Tony Boffa Band

Deering Oaks Tuesday Concerts | Deeing Oaks Park in Portland
Tuesdays at 7 pm
July 8: !zing
July 15: Delta Knights
July 22: Italian Heritage Center Band
July 29: Cattle Call
Aug 5: Casco Bay Tummlers
Aug 12: Truth About Daisies

Sunset Folk Series | Western Prom in Portland
Wednesdays at 7:30 pm
July 9: Tree by Leaf
July 16: Jim Gallant
July 23: Vanessa Torres & Touching Ground
July 30: Jon Call Trio
Aug 6: Darien Brahms
Aug 13: Will Gattis

Nostalgia Nights | Fort Allen Park on Eastern Prom in Portland
Thursdays at 7:15 pm
July 10: Chandler’s Concert Band
July 17: The Lighthouse Jubilees
July 24: Chandler’s Concert Band

Mill Creek Concert Series | Mill Creek Park in South Portland
Wednesdays from 6:30-8 pm | www.southportland.org
July 2: Don Campbell Band
July 16: Downeast Brass
July 23: Inanna
July 30: Delta Knights
Aug. 13: Bob Charest Band

New England Sound Summer Concert Series | Thomas Night Park in South Portland
Saturdays from 11:30 am-1:30 pm | www.ne-sound.com/summerconcertseries
June 28: Meantone and The Nerve
July 5: