The Casino Reinvestment Development Authority started its summer lineup of free concerts Saturday.

Three distinct series are planned, including Mardi Gras AC Series and the Chicken Bone Beach Jazz Concert Series all held at Kennedy Plaza throughout the summer.

Gardner's Basin kicks things off June 21, with a 6½-hour celebration from 1 to 7:30 p.m., hosted by Maurice "The Voice Watts."

But the talk of social media was the return of Fish Heads to Gardner's Basin. 

Owner Gregory "Dredgie" Wood lost his spot at there in 2022, amid what he claims was personal but the mayor said was a Green Acres issue.

Regardless, Wood's much-loved cuisine will be back for a day, feeding those who will be entertained by a lineup that includes Joe Bataan, Meli’Sa Morgan, Full Force, The System, Lillo Thomas, Jeff Redd, First Choice, Allure, Helen Bruner & Terry Jones & Kyle McCarty. Opening acts include The Ty Turner Band, The Cason Express Show Band with SiSi Dash, and Judah Dorrington & Paradise. 

A second concert at Gardner's Basin is set for Saturday, July 26, also running from 1 to 7:30 p.m.

It will feature Russell Thompkins Jr. & The New Stylistics, GQ, Wilbert Hart of the original Delfonics, Blue Magic, Black Ivory, The Ritchie Family, Dennis Taylor, and Charlene Holloway. Local opening acts include Chris-N-Teeb, Village Bridge, Special Occasion, Shawn Rock, and DJ Howie D.

Those attending the Gardner’s Basin Concerts are encouraged to bring coolers, lawn chairs and umbrellas.

    Mardi Gras AC and the Chicken Bone Beach Jazz Concert Series return to Kennedy Plaza.
  

Mardi Gras AC 

The Mardi Gras AC series produced by Tony Mart Presents includes a total of 11 concerts beginning at 7 p.m. every Wednesday beginning June 25 at Kennedy Plaza across from Jim Whelan Boardwalk Hall. 

In case of inclement weather, the Claridge Hotel will host that day's concert.

• June 25: Jammin’ Jersey Nola Funk Fest featuring Ocean Avenue Stompers, Soul Project NOLA, and Jimmy Law and Jerry Kaplan from Dogs in a Pile
• July 2: Sam Morrow and Will Power, a ’70s Funk and Soul Tribute Band
• July 9: Third World Band and SensaMotion delivering reggae vibes
• July 16: Shemekia Copeland, a five-time Grammy-nominated Chicago blues queen, and Jimmy Carpenter, a Grammy-winning saxophonist
• July 23: Gary U.S. Bonds, The Roadhouse Rockers, and The Billy Walton Band 
• July 30: Ivan Neville and Dumpstaphunk, a funk and rock band from New Orleans
• Aug. 6: Galactic, an American funk band from New Orlean
• Aug, 13: Dave Damiani’s No Vacancy Orchestra and Beginnings: A Celebration of the  Music of Chicago
• Aug. 20: Devon Allman’s Blues Summit featuring Wet Willie’s Jimmy Hall, Larry McCray, and Sierra Green
• Aug. 27: Dead-Zep, premier Led Zeppelin and Grateful Dead mashup experience
• Sept. 3: Classic Pop Star Finale featuring The Cowsills and The Weeklings starring Glen Burtnik from Styx, Electric Light Orchestra, and Max Weinberg’s Jukebox

Chicken Bone Beach Jazz

The popular Chicken Bone Beach Jazz Concert Series returns to Kennedy Plaza at 7 p.m. every Thursday starting July 3.

• July 3: Chief Adjuad (formerly Christian Scott) and Tony Day featuring Across the Globe Music Group
• July 10: Special EFX featuring Chieli Minucci and Dahi Divine
• July 17: Arturo O’Farrill & The Afro Latin Jazz Orchestra (ALJO) and Gina Roche Quintet
• July 24: Keyon Harrold and Eddie Morgan & Rek’D 4 Jazz
• July 31: Vijay Iyer Trio, Adam O’Farrill, and Soundever
• Aug. 7: Isaiah Collier and Keith Hollis Quartet
• Aug. 14: Marel Hidalgo Organ Trio featuring Roger Humphries and Pat Bianchi with IDEA Youth Music Collective
• Aug. 21: Gabrielle Cavassa and Kevin Valentine
• Aug. 28: The Papo Vazquez Band with Dwain Davis and Friends
• Sept. 4: Helen Sung’s “Big Band and Beyond” with Bert Harris Afro-Jazz Collective

All concerts are free and open to the public. For complete schedules and additional summer entertainment information, visit www.visitatlanticcity.com or contact the Atlantic City Visitor Information Center at 609-449-7100