We’re in the final stretch of summer festivals and outdoor concerts, so make sure you get your ya ya’s out before the sun goes down on you!.

The East End Festival’s “Last Hot Night of Summer” kicks off at 5pm on Friday, August 15th, and is chockfull of great music. Hear all your favorites, and a couple national headliners as well, making for 12 bands total performing on five stages in the coveted East End district.

Over at Frontier Field, the Flour City Brewers’ Fest will be offering up some tasty hops on Friday, August 15th (6-10pm), and cool tunes too from the likes of Flour City Rockers, Kid Kurry, Boogie Men and Virgil Cain.

The “14 Friday Nights” continues its stellar run of music at the Village Gate (6-8pm), featuring Fred Vine & Friends on August 15th and The Squeaky Chair Trio on August 22nd.

Tipsy McStaggers’ hosts its 7th annual outdoor festival on Saturday, August 23rd, which they’re calling Kegstock 2008. Benefiting “Autism Speaks,” the all-day affair kicks off at 2:30pm with music from Tabula Rasa, The Barry Hasson Band and Back in the Day.

A South Wedge staple, Echo-Tone Music hosts the 1st annual “Punk Rock Party” on Sunday, August 24th (12-8pm) in their parking lot, with proceeds going towards Catholic Family Center’s homeless shelters for women and children. Echo-Tone owner, Kurt Wilmarth, is going for “a lower east side feel” at the event, the place where true punk originated, with music provided by The Quitters, The Grinders, Brokedown, Andy Smash, Triglactigon, White Devils and more.

The 13th Annual Clarissa Street Reunion, always a popular stop for fans of jazz, gospel and R&B, will entertain audiences with 3 stages of continuous music on Saturday, August 16th. Artists like Gap Mangione, Nancy Kelly, Nate Rawls, Todd East, Joe Beard, Joe Likely, Darnell Pope and more will be on hand from noon-11pm.

The annual CURE Childhood Cancer Poker Run is always a good time for a great cause, and continues its fine purpose again this year at Rush Creekside Bar & Grill on Sunday, August 24th. Bands lending their talents include Riverside Drive and Flint Creek, with all proceeds going to CURE Childhood Cancer Association.

The Fairport Music & Food Festival is another one for the kids, as it benefits the Golisano Children’s Hospital at Strong. Taking place in downtown Fairport, Saturday, August 23, this is a huge event, with over 20 bands scheduled to appear, including Big Eyed Phish, Brass Taxi, Bill Tiberio, Download, Joey T & the Formula, Waxmen, Northside Johnny, Small Town, Uncle Plum and more. Show your support!

The third annual community and neighborhood event, The Vineyard Festival, plays host to jazz musician, Jimmie Highsmith, on Saturday, August 16th (noon-8pm), on the pesticide-free farm at 126 Sander St. Not just about the music, guests are welcome to tour the farm, gardens and agricultural center here, on the northeast side of the City.

Do you have what it takes for the 27th Annual Colgate Country Showdown? Considered America’s largest country music talent search, the competition takes place in Rochester at the Public Market on Friday, August 22nd with lots of cash prizes up for grabs. Interested parties should call Big Dog Country (482-9667) for entry forms.

The House of Guitars hosts its Gibson Guitar Summer Sale and Bluegrass Festival on Saturday, August 16th, featuring two Gibson trailers filled with one-of-a-kind Gibson acoustics. Players are welcome down to perform and jam at this all-day event.

Fans of the heavier ilk should head over to the Penny Arcade on Wednesday, August 20th as local greats Psyopus shoot a new music video and live DVD.

Nationally revered grindcore band, Brutal Truth is currently featuring Rochester guitarist Erik Burke of Sulaco, Lethargy, Girdle and Mungbean Demon fame. The band comes to the Bug Jar on Friday, August 15th.

Southern tier rockers, Navar sent us their new CD, Swallowed By the Wolf, an impressive outing that showcases complex stories within catchy melodies, accented by nasty guitar riffs. The 15-song opus is complete with mythology about things like Jeff Buckley’s death and a mysterious hotel. Led by the powerful vocals of Patrick Barry, Navar is a band to keep an eye on, and you can start with their gig at Montage Music Hall on Saturday, August 16th, joined by 3-piece alt-rock outfit, Anna May.

Finally, please check FREETIME.com’s “Performance Reviews” section for extensive coverage of recent shows from the Foo Fighters, Sheryl Crow and John Fogerty. Live reviews always appear the day after the event.

Send band updates my way, to freetime@frontiernet.net, or drop off a package @ 850 University Ave., Rochester, NY 14607.