Forget the heat. Bring on the beat.

This year's summer concert series will be held in Central Parklet free of charge starting tonight and will feature The Cast of Beatlemania, The Coasters and Still Surfin' over the next two days.

"This is our fourth year, and every year people will call to see if we're bringing The Cast back. They are very popular," said Teresa Sparacino, executive director of the State College Downtown Improvement District (DID).

The Cast of Beatlemania, playing tonight from 7 to 9, will follow the music and altering style of The Beatles with three different costume changes.

"With The Cast, we had close to 3,500 people, which is pretty large for Central Parklet," Sparacino said. "People just keep streaming in."

Though not the original band featuring Carl Gardner, The Coasters, playing tomorrow night from 7 to 9, will recreate tunes from the '50s and '60s, while Still Surfin' will play the classics of The Beach Boys on Thursday from 6 to 8 p.m.

"Beach Boys music is unbelievably challenging," said Matthew Grose, guitarist and keyboardist for Still Surfin'. "Most musicians who try to play it will realize that it is very difficult. This music was way ahead of its time."

Musical selection for the series was based on responses from concerts past.

"We try to choose bands that have a good following with the concert series," Sparacino said. "In past years we have chosen The Drifters and The Platters, all of whom have performed nationally."

Sponsored by the DID and the State College Spikes, the series will provide a cost-free event for all ages.

"We have families there. We also have a lot of senior citizens," Sparacino said. "It's just not one single age. It's a pretty diverse group of people that attend."

Accompanying this year's concerts, free movies will be shown at Memorial Field on a large, inflatable screen.

"We thought we'd do something different," Sparacino said. "We've had such a great response from the concerts. We tried to follow the music theme by having Jaws show right after Still Surfin'."

Grease and Madagascar follow Jaws in the movie series.

"Madagascar is such a great film that appeals to all ages," Sparacino said. "It's a nice way to wrap up Summer Fun Fest."

Vendors from the State College Lions Club, Qdoba, Fraser Street Deli and Roly Poly will be present throughout the event.

"It's an enjoyable evening. It's amazing how many people come back year after year," Sparacino said. "It's free. Just grab a blanket and a chair and sit down, relax and enjoy the music -- unless it rains."

A theme of the concert series, Grose emphasizes the timelessness of music, especially within Still Surfin'.

"I've been to concerts and seen four generations of a family singing the lyrics to the same song," he said. "It's a part of America. It's the sound of summer."

Parking is on the street and lots surrounding Central Parklet and Memorial Field. For more information, visit downtownstatecollege.com or call 238-7004.