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Catch free live music on four Saturday evenings this summer on the lawn at 40th and Walnut in West Philadelphia. (Photo courtesy University City District)

University City District ups the cool factor to combat the summer heat with the return of the 40th Street Summer Series, four free outdoor concerts on Saturdays throughout the summer.

Check out the lineup:

• Saturday, June 23, 6 p.m.: Slavic Soul Party. This Brooklyn group has created an acoustic mash-up of Balkan and Gypsy sounds, weaving the gospel, techno, funk, dub, jazz and Latin influences of New York’s neighborhoods seamlessly into a Balkan brass setting.

• Saturday, July 28, 6 p.m.: Sun Ra Arkestra. The Sun Ra Arkestra returns for their third Summer Series appearance with another very rare hometown performance. Founded in 1958 under the leadership of Sun Ra, the Arkestra pioneered a unique brand of afro-futurism, exploring outer space and Egyptian mythology. It sounds far out but it’s incredibly awesome.

• Saturday, August 25, 6 p.m.: Adventuredrum. This new dance band is a Philadelphia-based project that brings together a who’s who of local musicians exploring rhythms constructed from sampled sound, exotic percussion, synthesizers and drum kits.

• Saturday, September 22, 6 p.m.: Warriors of the Wonderful Sound feat. Dave Liebman and Odean Pope. West Philadelphia’s Bobby Zankel is now one of the leading lights of the local jazz community. His most influential work has been his ten years of composing for his long-standing big band Warriors of the Wonderful Sound, which features many of Philadelphia’s best musicians. For this very special performance, he is joined by two sax masters: Odean Pope, best known for his two decades with the Max Roach Quartet; and Dave Liebman, who performed and recorded with Miles Davis from 1970-1974. In celebration of Coltrane’s birthday, the Warriors and these specials guests revisit his seminal 1964 recording, A Love Supreme, which they will play in its entirety.

2012 40th Street Summer Series
When: Saturdays, June 23, July 28, August 25, September 22, all 6 p.m.
Where: 40th and Walnut Streets
Cost: Free
More info: www.universitycity.org