Outdoor concerts announced for Symphony, The Lawn

Get out your summer calendars, start blocking out concert days, and throw that old blanket in the washer. The Indianapolis Symphony Orchestra's Symphony on the Prairie season and The Lawn at White River State Park's summer concert series have both been announced.

Here's what's in store.

The ISO launches June 25 with "American Landscapes," celebrating the music of Copland, Gershwin, Barber and more with pianist Jiwon Park. After the familiar Fourth of July "Star-Spangled Symphony" program, Christopher Cross joins the ISO for pops concerts on July 8-9.  Then Steve Lippia covers the Chairman of the Board for a July 15-16 "Sinatra Songbook" program.

Then comes the one I'm most looking forward to: a weekend with folk great Arlo Guthrie and Time for Three. (Frankly, I'm hoping that he skips "Alice's Restaurant." It's fun, but it would take up half the show. I'd rather hear more songs.)  

Lest you think the ISO has forgotten its core mission, the July 29-30 concert features pianist Grace Fong in an evening of Viennese masters including Strauss, Mozart and Brahms.

In August, it's back to pops with a celebration of the music of Billy Joel and Elton John with "Movin' Out" star Michael Cavanaugh, followed quickly by a return of the "Classical Mystery Tour" Beatles tribute.

The ISO players get a break as the Conner Prairie summer winds down with shows by the Glenn Miller Orchestra, Lee Ann Womack, Flash Cadillac, and Big Bad Voodoo Daddy.

Meanwhile, the summer on the Lawn at White River State Park launches in spring with Arcade Fire April 27. The season proper gets rolling with back-to-back shows from Alison Krauss & Union Station on June 9 and The Black Keys on June 10. June 14 brings Ray Lamontagne & the Prairie Dogs with Brandi Carlile. Notre Dame-birthed Umphrey's McGee returns on June 25, followed by Florence + the Machine on July 4. Expect fireworks.

August acts are The Decemberists on the 5th and Ke$ha (man, that dollar sign is annoying) on the 23rd.

As if that's not enough, The Avett Brothers sneak in for a hope-the-weather-holds show on Oct. 1.

So what do you think of the offerings?