TEMECULA -- Hot Summer Nights, which offers weekly entertainment in Old Town, will begin Thursday with the Temecula International Jazz Festival and close Sept. 1 with the Theater Foundation's Temecula OnStage.

Hot Summer Nights will continue Friday nights from 6 to 9 p.m. through Aug. 31.

Bluegrass bands will perform from 7 to 9 p.m. in the Mercantile at the Old Town Temecula Theater. The lineup includes: Bladerunners on July 20, Temeku Bluegrass July 27, Grassbackwards Aug. 3, Scott Gates and Vintage Aug. 10, Andy Rau Band Aug. 17, Sligo Rags Au. 24, and Silverado Bluegrass Band Aug. 31.

Others performers July 20 will include Viento Libre, an Andean Pan Flute band, Older than Dirt and the Two of Us Plus 1 in various locations along Old Town Front Street.

Dynamite Dave, the balloon-creating clown, will make balloon hats most Friday nights. Children's games will be conducted at J Gordon Specialties each week and the Temecula Children's Museum will provide free popcorn on the porch and a $2 admission rate from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m.

For a schedule, call 694-6412 or visit www.Temeculacalifornia.com.