The Minnesota History Center’s “First Avenue: Stories of Minnesota’s Mainroom” exhibit does a great job of recreating the look and feel of the famous Minneapolis nightclub, from the neon-under-plexiglas dance floor of the disco era to a recreation of former manager Steve McClellan’s office complete with a vintage booking calendar and other historical touches.

Each Tuesday night in July, MHC is adding the one thing missing from the exhibit — live music. The outdoor Bands on the Boulevard series offers free concerts featuring local musicians who’ve played the real First Avenue. St. Paul hip-hop band Heiruspecs performs Tuesday, followed by garage rocker Monica LaPlante on July 16, rootsy singer/songwriter Lena Elizabeth on July 23 and soul and funk band Nooky Jones on July 30.

Concertgoers are invited to bring a lawn chair and pack a picnic. There will also be food available for purchase. The concerts start at 6:30 p.m., but those who haven’t seen the exhibit yet, or want to check it out again, can take advantage of free admission from 3 to 9 p.m. each Tuesday.

Free hip-hop festival Saturday in Mears Park

Heiruspecs will also headline the fifth annual For the Love Project from noon to 10 p.m. Saturday in Mears Park in Lowertown. The free event focuses on the four elements of hip-hop: emcees, DJs, dancing and visual arts. Think of it as a smaller version of Soundset, with a focus on shining light on local artists and offering a safe space for LGBTQ people.

New Black City and the Sampson Bros. will offer special dance performances and Medusa and Phalse will create graffiti art live on site. DJ Just Nine, DJ Sarah White and DJ Frank Castle are booked to spin throughout the event, while other musical acts on the bill include Haphduzn, Lady Midnight and Dwynell Roland. More than 100 homegrown performers have participated in past festivals.

Irish Fair’s floating fundraiser

Next month, Aug. 9-11, the 40th annual Irish Fair of Minnesota will be held on Harriet Island Regional Park in St. Paul, its home since 2001. It typically attracts about 100,000 people each year ready to celebrate Irish heritage with music, dance and family activities. And organizers like to remind folks it’s the largest free Irish festival in the country.

Related Articles Here’s the pitch: Minnesota Opera brings arias to CHS Field

Fall Arts Guide: Stadium concerts are out, but still plenty of musical options

Medina Entertainment Center to offer live indoor concerts in October with reduced capacity

Live entertainment? Theater, opera, dance, comedy take it outside

Here’s what it’s like to see a live indoor concert during the pandemic To help keep it free, the Irish Fair is hosting a floating fundraiser July 11. The Irish Fair Boat Cruise will set sail on the Mississippi River for a 2 1/2-hour cruise featuring music from two local bands that will also perform at the Irish Fair, the Inland Seas and Sweet Colleens. Attendees will also get the chance to be the first to taste a new exclusive stout brewed for the Irish Fair by Minneapolis brewery Finnegans Brew Co.

Tickets are $30 in advance and $40 at the door. See irishfair.com for details.