It’s that time of year again andamp;#8212; time to throw together a picnic, grab some low-backed chairs and head over to the Truckee River Regional Park Amphitheater for the first free Wednesday evening concert in the park. Opening the series this year is the band with the best stage setup hands down andamp;#8212; The Deckheads.The Deckheads got their name from playing on the decks at local ski resorts about 12 years ago. Their music is a combination of country rock, alternative rock, Jimmy Buffett and originals. The band was founded by Pete Nevin, whose musical singing and songwriting roots go back to Texas in the 1970s. Band members include Norm Garand, Ray Scott, Randy Humphreys, Ed Platt, Robert Bousquet and Matt Gerdin.The Deckheads are known for their stage presentation with a andamp;#8220;country Caribbeanandamp;#8221; theme. The show at the park includes an active volcano, the Deckhead cantina, palm trees, Tiki Gods and more. Come dressed in your finest Hawaiian shirts and dresses, and include plenty of Margaritas with your picnic. The music starts at 6:30 p.m.Tahoe City Heart andamp; Solstice FestivalThis summer kick-off the season with a trip back to North Lake Tahoe for Tahoe City’s annual Heart andamp; Solstice Festival on June 18-21. This unique event brings together four days of family events, activities and good old fashion free fun on the lake.The Festivities begin on Thursday, June 18, with the Tahoe City Farmer’s Market at Commons Beach. The market will be open for all ages and tastes from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. For a full event schedule, activity listings and to purchase tickets in advance click to http://www.VisitTahoeCity.com or call the Tahoe City Downtown Association at (530) 583-3348.The Waybacks headed to the Red Room ThursdayThey draw freely from the old school and the old world, but The Waybacks are no throwback. They’ve been erroneously pigeonholed as a bluegrass band and celebrated as purveyors of andamp;#8220;acoustic mayhem.andamp;#8221; They are as uninhibited and unpredictable as the eclectic San Francisco Bay area that claims them, and for nearly a decade, their experiments have always proven sharp-witted and musically dazzling. Check them out for free in the Red Room inside the Crystal Bay Club at 10 p.m.

Wednesday, June 17The Jason Spooner Trio and Purple Curtain will play the Bar of America at 9:30 p.m.DJ One Truest – Rock Steady will spin reggae at Moody’s at 9 p.m.Jason and James Murtagh will play outside in The Grotto at The Lodge in Tahoe Donner at 6 p.m.The Deckheads will play the free Wednesday concert in the Truckee River Regional Park Amphitheater at 6:30 p.m.Thursday, June 18The Waybacks will play the Crystal Bay Casino at 9 p.m.Kiva Blue will play Moody’s at 8 p.m.Bias and Dunn will play Cottonwood’s deck (weather permitting) at 6 p.m.Friday, June 19Dusty Rhodes andamp; the River Band will play the Crystal Bay Casino at 10 p.m.The George Souza Trio will play Moody’s at 9 p.m.Jackie Landrum will play Baxter’s in Northstar at 9 p.m.Del Castillo will play outdoors on the River Ranch patio at 9 p.m.Robben Ford will play the River Ranch Lodge at 9 p.m.Bias and Dunn will play the Bar of America t 9:30 p.m.Dan Copeland will play Cottonwood’s deck (weather permitting) at 6 p.m.Emily Tessmer will play the Watson Cabin Centennial Mixer in Tahoe City at 5 p.m.Ben Fuller (acoustic guitar) will play FiftyFifty Brewing Company at 8:30 p.m.Saturday, June 20The Mother Hips with Red Cortez will play the Crystal Bay Casino at 9 p.m.John Gray (Spanish and South American guitar influences) and friends will play Tuff Beanz Coffeehouse in Truckee at 7:30 p.m.The Rev B. Wright and the Red Devil Rhythm Section will play Moody’s at 9 p.m.The Bruce Kelly Trio will play Baxter’s in Northstar at 9 p.m.King Sunny Ade will play the Truckee River Regional Park Amphitheater at 7 p.m.The Mark Castro Band will play Cutthoat’s Saloon in the Hyatt Regency at 10 p.m.Drop Theory will play the Pastime Club at 10 p.m.