AUBURN/LEWISTON – L/A Arts’ Music in the Parks series Tuesday, July 6, will feature blues guitarist Ernie Hawkins in Auburn’s Festival Plaza.

Thursday, July 8, Americana folk artist Elizabeth Ross will perform in the Courthouse Plaza in Lewiston.

Music in the Parks concerts are at noon.

As a teenager, Hawkins was enthusiastic about old ragtime guitar and country blues.

His respected finger picking is evident in his first solo album of ragtime guitar, “Ragtime Signatures” and his second CD, “Blues Advice,” dedicated to the memory of his teacher, Reverend Gary Davis, on the occasion of the centennial of his birth.

Hawkins’ third CD, “Bluesified,” received worldwide rave reviews.

It regularly plays in the preemie unit of a Pittsburgh hospital where the soulful guitar is considered an integral part of the healing process.

A successful music career has enabled Hawkins to play with such musicians as the Blue Bombers, one of Pittsburgh’s favorite R & B bands with whom he played for 10 years. He appeared on Maria Muldaur’s Grammy- and Handy-nominated CD.

Ross’ sophomore album, “Alabama Blood,” was released in 2002 and has been gaining attention.

A blend of alternative country, gospel and folk, her rich voice and stories evoke hot days on a Louisiana back porch.

“It’s a strong step into my roots,” says Ross, who has been working with Portland roots and country musician Haakon Kalwiet from the Piners.

Tuesday concerts are held in Festival Plaza on Main Street, Auburn; Thursday concerts are in Courthouse Plaza on Lisbon Street, Lewiston.

For more information about the free noontime concerts, contact L/A Arts at 782-7228 or (1-800-639-2919); or go online to www.laarts.org.