Listen up for the concerts of summer '09

Congratulations. You've endured a seemingly endless winter, watched your 401(k) shrink or even your job disappear, avoided any pirate attacks and most likely dodged the swine flu. You should be really proud of yourself. You most definitely deserve to treat yourself to a concert this summer. Or two. Or five.

We've taken some of the guesswork out of scheduling your summer music fun by compiling a list of the main shows that are coming this way.

The summer of 2009 presents can't-miss options for just about every taste. Santigold and No Doubt for alternative fans. Classic rock fans get ZZ Top and Def Leppard. Like hip-hop and R&B? How about Snoop Dogg, Keyshia Cole or India.Arie? There's much more, including the Mother of All Concerts: Bob Dylan, Willie Nelson and John Mellencamp in July.

Despite the recession, the summer concert biz remains steady. Give or take a few, there are just about as many shows, and just about as many big names as last year (even if they aren't all the ones you wanted). Even ticket prices are level.

"Everything seems about the same," said Bill Reid, one of the owners of The NorVa. Every venue has different pricing strategies, and the business reaction remains to be seen, he said, but for the most part, the downturn hasn't knocked concerts down at all.

Keep in mind that dates may change and prices listed may not include additional charges, so for more information, call ahead.

THE SUMMER '09 LINE UP  (Find more updates on HamptonRoads.com Local Events. ):

May 11

Ralph Stanley and the Clinch Mountain Boys, with Elizabeth LaPrelle. 7:30 p.m. TCC Roper Performing Arts Center, Norfolk. $35-$45. (800) 982-2787. www.vafest.org.

May 12

Snoop Dogg, hip-hop. 8 p.m. The NorVa, Norfolk. $32.50 in advance. (800) 745-3000.

May 13

Esperanza Spalding, bass/vocalist. 7:30 p.m. Attucks Theatre, Norfolk. $20. (800) 982-2787. www.vafest.org.

May 15

The Wailers, reggae (8 p.m. May 15), The Smithereens, rock (7:30 p.m. May 16) and Little Big Town, rock (4 p.m. May 17), Chesapeake Jubilee at Chesapeake City Park. 482-4848, www.chesapeakejubilee.org.

ZZ Top, rock. 8 p.m. nTelos Wireless Pavilion, Portsmouth. $25-$45.75. (800) 745-3000.

Evelyn Glennie, percussionist. 8 p.m. Sandler Center for the Performing Arts, Virginia Beach. $27-$57. (888) 326-9849.

May 16

Joe Locke, on vibraphone, jazz. 8 p.m. Attucks Jazz Club, Norfolk. $20. (800) 982-2787.

Oak Ridge Boys, country. 7 p.m. May 16-17. Busch Gardens, Williamsburg. (800) 343-7946.

May 17

Third Eye Blind, alternative. 8 p.m. The NorVa, 317 Monticello Ave., Norfolk. $25.50 in advance. (800) 745-3000.

May 20

Coldplay, rock. 7:30 p.m. Verizon Wireless Virginia Beach Amphitheater. $44.50-$113.25. (877) 598-8698.

May 22

Steve Azar, country (9:30 p.m. May 22), Roomful of Blues, blues (9:15 p.m. May 22), Elvin Bishop, blues (9:15 p.m. May 23), Jason Michael Carroll, country (9:30 p.m. May 24) and Marcia Ball, blues (9:15 p.m. May 24), Great American Backyard BBQ at 17th, 24th and 31st Street Park, Virginia Beach Oceanfront. Free. 491-7866, www.beachstreetusa.com.

May 23

Tinsley Ellis, blues. 9 p.m. The Jewish Mother, Virginia Beach. $15. 422-5430.

Frankie Avalon, pop/rock. 8 p.m. May 23-24. Busch Gardens, Williamsburg. Concert included with park admission. (800) 343-7946.

May 24

Patti Lupone in "Coulda, Woulda, Shoulda," Broadway music. In the Virginia Room. 5:30 and 7:30 p.m. Williamsburg Lodge, $45-$65. (800) 982-2787.

May 29

Gary Allan, country and Zac Brown Band, country (7 p.m. May 29) and David Cook, rock and Matt Nathanson, rock (7 p.m. May 30). Patriotic Festival at the 5th Street Stage, Virginia Beach Oceanfront. Free, but VIP seating for sale at www.ticketmaster.com. 491-7866, www.patrioticfestival.com.

Wayne Newton, variety/show tunes. 8 p.m. Sandler Center for the Performing Arts, Virginia Beach. $38-$78. (800) 326-9849.

May 30

Keyshia Cole, with The Dream, Keri Hilson, Bobby V, R&B. 8 p.m. nTelos Wireless Pavilion, Portsmouth. $21-$61. (800) 745-3000.

"Three Girls and Their Buddy," starring Emmylou Harris, Patty Griffin, Shawn Colvin and Buddy Miller. 8 p.m. Ferguson Center for the Arts, Newport News. $39-$62. (800) 982-2787.

May 31

U.S. Army Field Band and Soldiers' Chorus, 4 p.m. nTelos Wireless Pavilion, Portsmouth. (800) 982-2787.

June 5

New Kids on the Block, pop. 7:30 p.m. Verizon Wireless Virginia Beach Amphitheater. $20-$75. (877) 598-8698.

June 6

A Virginia Moment... An Evening of Stars Gospel Concert, with Peggy Britt, Maggie Ingram, Earl Bynum and more. 5 p.m. Attucks Theatre, Norfolk. $5 day of show. 622-4763.

June 7

Celtic Woman, Irish music, more. 8 p.m. nTelos Wireless Pavilion, Portsmouth. $27-$54. (800) 745-3000.

MercyMe, Sanctus Real, Stellar Kart, contemporary Christian. 4 p.m. Busch Gardens, Williamsburg. Concert included with general park admission. (800) 343-7946.

Santigold, with Trouble Andrew and Amanda Blank, alternative. 8 p.m. The NorVa, Norfolk. $20 in advance. (800) 745-3000.

June 10

No Doubt, with Paramore and The Sounds, pop. 7 p.m. Verizon Wireless Virginia Beach Amphitheater. $10-$80. (877) 598-8698.

Band of Horses, with Arbouretum, alternative. 8 p.m. The NorVa, $22 in advance. (800) 745-3000.

June 12

George Strait, with Blake Shelton, Julianne Hough, country. 7:30 p.m. Verizon Wireless Virginia Beach Amphitheater. $39.25-$84.25. (877) 598-8698.

June 13

Jane's Addiction, funk/metal/punk. 8 p.m. nTelos Wireless Pavilion, Portsmouth. $21-$45.75. (800) 745-3000.

June 14

Third Day, Needtobreathe, Revive, contemporary Christian. 4 p.m. Busch Gardens, Williamsburg. Glory at the Gardens., Concert included with general park admission. (800) 343-7946.

The Fray, with Jack's Mannequin, rock. 7 p.m. Verizon Wireless Virginia Beach Amphitheater. $20-$35. (877) 598-8698.

June 19

Lifehouse, rock 7 p.m. Fleet Recreation Park, Norfolk. Free. 838-1960, etc. 306.

Keith Anderson, country. 7:30 p.m. The NorVa, Norfolk. Radio station WGH 97.3 has the tickets.

June 20

Picnic at the Pavilion, with Israel Houghton, Maurette Brown-Clark,The Williams Brothers, more, gospel. 3 p.m. nTelos Wireless Pavilion, Portsmouth. $15 in advance. (800) 745-3000.

June 21

newsboys, DecembeRadio, KJ-52, SevenGlory, contemporary Christian. 4 p.m. Busch Gardens, Williamsburg. Glory at the Gardens. Concert included with park admission. (800) 343-7946.

Diana Krall, jazz. 8 p.m. nTelos Wireless Pavilion, Portsmouth. $21-$71. (800) 745-3000.

June 24

Bad Company and The Doobie Brothers, rock. 7:30 p.m. Verizon Wireless Virginia Beach Amphitheater. $31-$61. (877) 598-8698.

June 25

Kenny Chesney, with Miranda Lambert, Lady Antebellum, country. 7:30 p.m. Verizon Wireless Virginia Beach Amphitheater. $39.50-$80. (877) 598-8698.

June 26

Hampton Jazz Festival, various performers throughout the festival including Kenny "Babyface" Edmonds, The O'Jays, Patti LaBelle, others. 7:30 p.m. June 26; 7 p.m. June 27; 2 p.m. June 28. Hampton Coliseum. $52.50 per day. (800) 745-3000. www.hamptonjazzfestival.com.

Sandstock - A Blast from the Past, featuring Johnny Winter. Along the Virginia Beach Oceanfront at 17th Street park, 24th Street park, 31st Street park. June 26-28. 491-7866. www.beachstreetusa.com.

June 28

tobyMac, Mandisa, Brandon Heath, contemporary Christian. 4 p.m. Busch Gardens, Williamsburg. Glory at the Gardens. Concert included with general park admission. (800) 343-7946.

July 1

311, with Ziggy Marley, rock/reggae. 7 p.m. Verizon Wireless Virginia Beach Amphitheater. $31-$45. (877) 598-8698.

July 3

Collective Soul, rock (8:30 p.m. July 3), The Spinners, R&B (3:15 p.m. July 4), Livingston Taylor, acoustic (6:45 p.m. July 4), Lee Greenwood, country (8 p.m. July 4), Percy Sledge, R&B (12:45 p.m. July 5) and Joe Nichols, country (6:15 p.m. July 5) Harborfest & July 4th Celebration at Town Point Park, Norfolk. Free. 441-2345, www.festevents.org.

Leann Rimes, country. 7 p.m. Fleet Recreation Park, Norfolk. Free. 838-1960, etc. 306.

July 5

Aerosmith, with ZZ Top, rock. 7:30 p.m. Verizon Wireless Virginia Beach Amphitheater. $41-$181. (877) 598-8698.

July 10

Toby Keith, with Trace Adkins, country. 7:30 p.m. Verizon Wireless Virginia Beach Amphitheater. $33.75-$73.75. (877) 598-8698.

July 11

Def Leppard, with Poison and Cheap Trick, rock. 7 p.m. Verizon Wireless Virginia Beach Amphitheater. $35.50-$131. (877) 598-8698.

Better Than Ezra, modern rock. 9 p.m. The NorVa, Norfolk. $18 in advance. (800) 745-3000.

Josh Turner, country. 7 p.m. Little Creek Naval Amphibious Base, Norfolk. Free. 838-1960, ext.. 306.

Kansas, progressive rock. 8 p.m. July 11-12. Busch Gardens, Williamsburg. Concert included with park admission. (800) 343-7946.

July 14

John Legend, with India.Arie, Vaughn Anthony, R&B. 7:30 p.m. nTelos Wireless Pavilion, Portsmouth. $21-$49.75. (800) 745-3000.

July 18

The Commodores, funk/soul. 8 p.m. July 18-19. Busch Gardens, Williamsburg. Concert included with park admission. (800) 343-7946.

July 22

Vans Warped Tour, with Bad Religion, Bouncing Souls, Less Than Jake, others. noon. Verizon Wireless Virginia Beach Amphitheater. $31.83 in advance, $40 day of show. (877) 598-8698.

July 24

Brad Paisley, with Dierks Bentley, country. Verizon Wireless Virginia Beach Amphitheater. (877) 598-8698. www.megaticket.com.

Neko Case, alternative country. 8:30 p.m. The NorVa, Norfolk. $22.50 in advance. (800) 745-3000.

Norfolk Jazz Festival, with Lonnie Liston Smith, Jean Carne, others. 5-11 p.m. July 24-25. Town Point Park, Norfolk. 441-2345.

July 25

Bob Dylan & His Band, John Mellencamp, Willie Nelson, rock. 5:30 p.m. Harbor Park, Norfolk. $67.50. (800) 745-3000.

Kid Rock and Lynyrd Skynyrd, with Black Stone Cherry, rock. 6:30 p.m. Verizon Wireless Virginia Beach Amphitheater. $26-$76. (877) 598-8698.

Little River Band, rock. 8 p.m. July 25-26. Busch Gardens, Williamsburg. Concert included with general park admission. (800) 343-7946.

July 28

Nickelback, with Papa Roach, Saving Abel, rock. 6 p.m. Verizon Wireless Virginia Beach Amphitheater. $35-$79.50. (877) 598-8698.

July 31

Marc Broussard, Cajun (8:30 p.m. July 31). Dr. John, funk/R&B (8:30 p.m. Aug. 1) and Little Feat, rock (4:30 p.m. Aug. 2), Bayou Boogaloo at Town Point Park, Norfolk. Admission: $10 daily; $20 weekend. 441-2345, www.festevents.org.

Aug. 1

Foreigner, hard rock. 8 p.m. Aug. 1-2. Busch Gardens, Williamsburg. Concert included with park admission. (800) 343-7946.

Aug. 6

Marilyn Manson and Slayer, others, metal. 2:15 p.m. Verizon Wireless Virginia Beach Amphitheater. $20-$60.70. (877) 598-8698.

Aug. 7

Jason Aldean, country. 7 p.m. Little Creek Naval Amphibious Base, Norfolk. Free. 838-1960, ext. 306.

Dave Matthews Band, with Donavon Frankenreiter, rock. 7 p.m. Verizon Wireless Virginia Beach Amphitheater. $40-$70. (877) 598-8698.

Aug. 8

Loverboy, rock. 8 p.m. Aug. 8-9. Busch Gardens, Williamsburg. Concert included with general park admission. (800) 343-7946.

Aug. 11

Incubus, The Duke Spirit, alternative rock. 7:30 p.m. Verizon Wireless Virginia Beach Amphitheater. 25-$45. (877) 598-8698.

Aug. 14

Steve Miller Band, rock. 8 p.m. nTelos Wireless Pavilion, Portsmouth. $21-$55.75. (800) 745-3000.

Aug. 15

Crosby, Stills & Nash, country. 8 p.m. nTelos Wireless Pavilion, Portsmouth. (800) 745-3000.

Aug. 21

Gretchen Wilson, country, 7 p.m. Little Creek Naval Amphibious Base, Norfolk. Free. 838-1960, etc. 306.

Motley Crue, with Godsmack, Theory of a Deadman, others. 5 p.m. Verizon Wireless Virginia Beach Amphitheater. $35.50-$101. (877) 598-8698.

Aug. 22

Creed, rock. Verizon Wireless Virginia Beach Amphitheater. (877) 598-8698. Tickets go on sale May 9.

Aug. 23

Rod Stewart, pop. 8 p.m. Verizon Wireless Virginia Beach Amphitheater. $29.50-$105. (877) 598-8698.

Aug. 25

Loggins & Messina, with The Gabe Dixon Band, classic rock/pop. 8 p.m. nTelos Wireless Pavilion, Portsmouth. $21-$55. (800) 745-3000.

Sept. 4

American Music Festival, along the Virginia Beach Oceanfront at 17th Street park, 24th Street park, 31st Street park, and on the beach between 5th and 7th streets. Acts to be announced. Sept. 4-6. 491-7866. www.beachstreetusa.com.

Sept. 10

Rascal Flatts, with Darius Rucker, country. Verizon Wireless Virginia Beach Amphitheater. (877) 598-8698. www.megaticket.com.

Sept. 11

Blues at the Beach, various artists at various times. Sept. 11-13. 17th Street park, at the Virginia Beach Oceanfront. 491-7866. www.beachstreetusa.com.

Sept. 12

Ricky Skaggs with Kentucky Thunder and Bruce Hornsby, (6 p.m.) and Bruce Hornsby & the Noise Makers, (8 p.m.), Hampton Bay Days in downtown Hampton. Free. 727-1641, www.baydays.com.

Sept. 26

Miranda Lambert, country 7 p.m. Oceana Naval Air Station, Virginia Beach. Free. 838-1960, ext.. 306.

Malcolm Venable, (757) 446-2662, malcolm.venable@pilotonline.com