With the stifling Tucson heat, staying motivated to go outside can be tough. There needs to be a good reason to leave the house.
The Tucson Racquet and Fitness Club’s Friday Night Barbecue Series is one of those activities.
Running Fridays through Sept. 26, the music series offers a casual listening experience, where guests can sit on blankets or chairs and enjoy live acts.
The family-friendly concerts spotlight bands from a variety of genres, including blues, Americana, soul, reggae, Latin, country, R&B and rock. Newbies The Excelerators and the blues rock group Znora are among those scheduled.
Brian Lopez’s new psychedelic act Bolero Jonze hits the stage on July 18.
“They love playing it, especially the ones that have never played there before,” said Jim Travis of Vibz Arizona, who has been curating the series for the past few years.
“It’s a really cool place to be. It’s a really cool place to be a member. It’s nice to bring in people who have never been to this place.”
The series features themed buffets each week, along with traditional barbecue dishes such as hamburgers and hot dogs.
Attendees can grab alcoholic or soft drinks at one of the onsite bars.
Travis has also booked music for the Mount Lemmon Lodge and the Tucson Jazz Festival. He is on the board for the Southern Arizona Blues Heritage Foundation.
Travis, who has worked in the music business for decades, is a longtime Tucson resident. He said the concert series’ attendance has been increasing.
He said he approached booking talent differently than last year.
“I was given more ability to book bands that I know would bring more people there,” Travis said.
“I have a list of 400 musicians in this town, if not more than that. So, I was able to go through it, pick out the musicians and work with them to get them on the Friday nights. It’s becoming more of a theme night, which is very cool.”
Travis said he hopes the series’ diverse lineup will introduce audiences to the club and the bands.
Travis said although the event is outside, it is a more comfortable listening experience than most people would expect.
“There’s a platform for the musicians where they can set up,” Travis said.
“It’s right in front of the gazebos, which have shade. There’s always shade on the side. If you get there early, you can set up on the side. As the sun’s going down, the whole place actually cools down because it’s on grass, and a lot of times there’s a little wind going through there.”
Guests have other ways to cool down. Members can step inside to play racquetball, handball, pickleball, paddleball or tennis before or after the concerts.
“The pool is normally for people with families and kids,” Travis said.
“People who come for the music will go in the pool to cool off a little bit and then come back and enjoy the music.”
Tucson Racquet and Fitness Club Friday Night Barbecues
WHEN: 5:30 p.m. barbecue buffet; 6 to 9 p.m. concerts Fridays through Sept. 26
WHERE: Tucson Racquet and Fitness Club, 4001 N. Country Club Road, Tucson
COST: Free for members and accompanied guest, $8 per person for non-members, additional costs for food
INFO: tucsonracquetclub.com/parties-events
Summer concert lineup
July 11: The Xcelerators
July 18: Bolero Jonze
July 25: A1 Reggae
Aug. 1: Miss Olivia & the Interlopers
Aug. 8: Chalako the Band
Aug. 15: Cochise County All-Stars
Aug. 22: Znora
Aug. 29: Eric Schaffer & the Other Troublemakers
Sept. 5: Greyhound Soul
Sept. 12: Bad News Blues Band
Sept. 19: Craig Green Band
Sept. 26: Soul Essential
This article appears in Jul 3-10, 2025.