Some people's countdown to summer revolves around vacation time and PTO forms. For students, the pain and pressure of finals week also marks the beginning of three and a half months of sunshine and summertime.

But for me, the countdown to summer will end this Friday – and I couldn't be happier.

Once again, it's time for great music, cold beer, and a spot on the grassy knoll that is Brown's Island for Venture Richmond's free summer concert series, Friday Cheers.

Back in high school, I remember (let's not say lying, shall we? Let's just call it fabricating the truth a bit) saying to my parents that I was going to hang out a friend's house. I can say I fabricated the truth because, go to a friend's house I did. We just didn't stay there long. Guess that cat's out of the bag now.

We would instead make our way down to Friday Cheers where the bands were hot and the atmosphere was hotter. Young professionals were everywhere, having rushed out of the office and leaving the stress of the work week behind as soon as they crossed the bridge that connected reality with start of weekend freedom.

Families could be spotted picnicking on large blankets before the concert and found with little ones on shoulders during. The stage, which was and is always filled with great local, independent and a few bigger name acts, is surrounded by music-thriving Richmonders.

The first of the eight concerts in the series is happening tonight, and even if you can't make it out for this one, we want to give you reason to make it out to at least one this summer.

Below, find your Richmond.com guide to Friday Cheers – who will be taking the stage, when, and what you can expect when you step foot into Richmond's summer concert oasis.

Friday Cheers Music Line-Up

May 9 – Easy Star All-Stars with Trumystic
Both based out of New York City, openers Trumystic are labeled as the next heavyweight reggae dub band. Partner their basic roots style with headliners Easy Star All-Stars broad approach to reggae with the use of modern roots productions, innovative dancehall riddims and reissues of rare recordings that influenced both of these styles, you have one jammin' evening of music.

May 16 – Carbon Leaf with Moossa
Chances are if you're from Richmond, you've at least heard something about each of these bands before. Both based out of our very own River City, Moossa mixes their jam-band style with influences from funk, folk, reggae, blues and rock music. Carbon Leaf, a multi-influenced, Richmond rock-band favorite for some time now, is sure to rock the stage and have you begging for more.

May 23 - Sam Bush and The Whiskey Rebellion

With a little twang, a little folk and some rock and roll, The Whiskey Rebellion goes far beyond the title of bluegrass and will hit the stage with their own mix of original tunes, bluegrass standards and cover songs. Headliner Sam Bush became known as the "King of Newgrass" as founder and leader of the progressive bluegrass band, New Grass Revival. Since the group split up in 1989 however, Bush has continued to push the envelope of the acoustic music scene.