Michael Prucinsky and Safe Sax perform Thursday at both Out to Lunch in Iron Mountain and Music in the Park in downtown Norway.

NORWAY — As May gives way to June, thoughts turn once again to live music in Dickinson County, and the summer’s first concerts.

To kick things off, both Norway’s Music in the Park summer concert series and Iron Mountain’s Out to Lunch midday concert series will feature Michael Prucinsky and Safe Sax, a popular and talented group, for the first performances of the 2022 seasons.

The free summertime music series will get underway Thursday from 11 a.m. to 1:15 p.m. in downtown Iron Mountain and at 7 p.m. at the bandshell in downtown Norway

While Prusinsky’s group will have some familiar faces, new ones have been added to the group as well. The band includes Michael Prusinsky on saxophone and vocals, Carmen Nickerson on guitar and vocals, Kostia Efimov on piano and Jeremy Seelig on drums.

“We thought this group would be perfect to open up our 21st year,” said Mindy Wittock, Iron Mountain Downtown Development Authority director and Out to Lunch organizer. “They have such an awesome variety of music that no matter what you love, there will be something for you, and something that you can relate to. It’s also perfect because they will not only be playing at Out to Lunch but at Music in the Park as well, so it’s a really great start to both our seasons.”

Carol Sundstrom, event coordinator for Music in the Park in Norway, agreed. “We hope folks that come into Iron Mountain for Out to Lunch with Michael and his outstanding band will enjoy the afternoon, have a nice dinner in the area and come on down to the beautiful band shell park for a ‘second helping,'” she said.

Some seating is available at the bandshell but those taking in the performances can bring lawn chairs and blankets to enjoy the music. Again this year: Main Street from Eighth to Ninth streets will be blocked off for more seating space. Restrooms will be available in the lower level of the Norway City Hall, which will be open for each performance.

For additional information, see Music in the Park on Facebook at: www.facebook.com/Norway-Music-In-The-Park. In case of inclement weather, concerts will be at the Crossroads Church on Odill Drive, behind the Norway Historical Museum on the east edge of Norway.

Music in the Park is grateful for the financial support the series has received from several organizations, businesses and individuals this year, without whom these concert would not be possible. Major underwriters include: the law office of Steven Tinti, Norway-Vulcan Senior Center, Dickinson County Office of Veterans Affairs, Evergreen Meadows of Norway, Norway Area Preservation Society, Jim’s Music of Iron Mountain, The Curtis J. Brackett Memorial Foundation, Larry and Kathy Bourdeau, Bill and Darlene Asselin, Vicki and Bill Pipp, and numerous individual and anonymous sponsors.

Upcoming Music in the Park performances include:

— June 16: Iron Daisy Acoustic;

— June 23: Norton and Chartier;

— June 30: Next Myle;

— July 7: Luke Warm and the Not-So-Hots*;

— July 14: Kind of Blues*;

— July 21: The Derrell Syria Project;

— July 28: Chris Charboneau;

— Aug. 4: The Community Jazz Ensemble of Marinette/Menominee;

— Aug. 11: The DayDreamers*.

*Denotes “double header” concert with Iron Mountain’s Out to Lunch series.