Sounds of summer

If you’re looking for free activities for the family this summer, start in your own backyard — or rather, your local park — where several local performing arts series’ are based. Pack a picnic, a blanket or lawn chairs, and a jacket and check out the music, theater, dance and performance art scheduled throughout July and August.

Edmonds Concerts in the Park

The Edmonds Arts Commission presents this free family series from 3-4 p.m. Sundays, July 12 through Aug. 30, in City Park, 3rd &Pine, downtown Edmonds. Concerts will be cancelled at 2:30 p.m. if it rains. Concerts are accessible to persons with disabilities. For more information, call 425-771-0228.

• July 12: Toucans, steel drums.

• July 19: “Taming of the Shrew”, Seattle Shakespeare Company’s Wooden O Productions (2 hour show).

• July 26: Grupo Amoroso, Bossa Nova &Brazilian pop.

• Aug 2: Reilly &Maloney, folk.

• Aug 9: Dented Trucks, blues.

• Aug 16: Portage Bay Big Band, big band jazz.

• Aug 23: Back Burner, bluegrass &swing.

• Aug 30: Ballard Sedentary Sousa Band, marches.

Lynnwood Shakespeare in the Park

Lynnwood Parks &Rec also presents this series of free outdoor performances at 7 p.m. Wednesdays &Thursdays, July 15 through Aug. 6, at the Lynndale Park Amphitheater, 18927 72nd Ave. W., Lynnwood. Arrive early for good seats, bring a blanket or chair; bring a picnic or try the concession stand. If it rains, performances may be cancelled. Call 425-670-5732 after 4 p.m. on the day of show for cancellation information.

• July 15 &16: Wooden O Theatre’s “Taming of The Shrew.”

• July 22 &23: Wooden O Theatre’s “Richard III.”

• July 30: GreenStage’s “King John.”

• Aug. 6: GreenStage’s “Comedy of Errors.”

Lynnwood WonderStage Performances

The Lynnwood Parks &Recreation department presents this free series for kids ages 5-10 and their families at noon Wednesdays, through Aug. 12, at the Lynndale Park Amphitheater, 18927 72nd Ave. W., Lynnwood. In case of rain, performances move to Lynndale Elementary School Gym, 7200 191st St. SW; call 425-771-4030 after 10:30 a.m. on day of show to see where performance is being held.

• July 8: School of Acrobatics &New Circus Arts, kids performing acrobatics and aerial tricks.

• July 15: Zambini Brothers present “Wonderland Tea Party,” theatre music, comedy mayhem.

• July 22: Reptile Man, the wonderful world of reptiles.

• July 29: Bakra Bata, drums and dance from the Caribbean.

• Aug. 5: Tears of Joy Theatre presents “Stellaluna” puppet show.

• Aug. 12: Steve The Pretty Good, magic &illusions.

Shoreline Concerts in the Parks

The Shoreline-Lake Forest Park Arts Council hosts this free series at various locations in Shoreline and Lake Forest Park, at 7 p.m. Wednesdays. For more information, call 206-417-4645 or visit www.shorelinearts.net.

• July 8: Savani Latin Jazz Quartet, Animal Acres Park, NE 178th St. &Brookside Blvd.

• July 15: Becky Sue and her Big Rockin’ Daddies, Richmond Beach Community Park, 2201 NW 197th St.

• July 19: Richard the III by Wooden O Shakespeare Company, Animal Acres Park, NE 178th St. &Brookside Blvd.

• July 22: Swingin’ Summer Eve, featuring the Pop Offs in concert, Paramount School Park, 15300 8th Ave. NE.

• Aug. 5: The Kellee Bradley Band, pop/folk, Animal Acres Park, NE 178th St. &Brookside Blvd.

• Aug. 11: August Arts Summer Jazz Camp student and faculty ensembles (as part of the North City Jazz Walk), 17739 15th Ave. NE.

• Aug. 19: Type A, funk/soul, Richmond Beach Community Park, 2201 NW 197th St.

Shoreline Lunchtime performance series

The City of Shoreline Parks, Recreation and Cultural Services hosts these stage performances at various local parks at noon Tuesdays, through Aug. 11. For more information, call 206-801-2600 or visit www.shorelinewa.gov/parks.

• July 14: Shumba Youth Marimba Ensemble, Paramount School Park, 15300 8th Ave. NE.

• July 21: Eric Haines, comedian &juggler, Richmond Beach Saltwater Park, 2021 NW 190th St.

• July 28: Panduo, steel drum ensemble, Paramount School Park, 15300 8th Ave. NE.

• Aug. 4: Halau Hula O’ Napualani, Pacific Island dance, Richmond Beach Saltwater Park, 2021 NW 190th St.

• Aug. 11: Duwamish Dixieland Jazz Band, Paramount School Park, 15300 8th Ave. NE.

Mill Creek Children’s Concerts

The Mill Creek Parks &Recreation department presents these free family-oriented performances at noon Wednesdays, July 22 through Aug. 26, in Library Park, 15429 Bothell-Everett Hwy., Mill Creek. For more information call 425-745-1891.

• July 22: Cyndi Soup and the Critter Choir, puppets.

• July 29: Alleyoops’ Musical Games.

• Aug. 5: Nancy Stewart.

• Aug 12: Buck and Elizabeth.

• Aug 19: Eric Herman and the Invisible Band.

• Aug 26: Valentine’s Pigs, performing pigs.

Mill Creek Summer Concerts

The Snohomish Artist Guild and the City of Mill Creek co-host these free concerts at 7 p.m. Thursdays, July 23 to Aug. 20, at the Creekside Village Forum, Mill Creek Town Center, 151st SE and Main St. For more information call Cliff Verhoeff, 425-303-1848 or email sagpro@hotmail.com.

• July 23: Cherry Cherry, Neil Diamond tribute band.

• July 30: Boulder Acoustic Society, “new grass” modern bluegrass.

• Aug. 6: The Paper Boys, eclectic folk rock quintet.

• Aug. 13: Handfull of Lovin, vocals, violin, rhythm.

• Aug. 20: The Kim Archer Band, heavy soul &groove.

Bothell Music in the Park Concerts

This 23rd annual series, from 6:30-8 p.m. Fridays, July 10 through Aug. 28, takes place at the Park at Bothell Landing Amphitheater, 9919 NE 180th St. Performances are free and for all ages. Shows are rain or shine. For more information visit www.ci.bothell.wa.us.

• July 10: Swing Set, Big Band with sounds of the ’30s and ’40s

• July 17: Dead Edsels, ’50s and ’60s

• July 24: Jonathan Harris, country

• July 31: Shambala, a 3 Dog Night revue

• Aug. 7: That ’80s Show

• Aug. 14: Alex Duncan; reggae, dance hall and soca

• Aug. 21: The Coats, an a-capella performance

• Aug. 28: The Machine, everything from the Beatles to Green Day, This final concert of the summer starts at 7 p.m. and ends with a fireworks display to help mark Bothell’s centennial.

Bothell Farmers Market Music Series

The Farmers Market at Country Village, 23718 Bothell-Everett Hwy, Bothell presents free concerts between 4-6 p.m. Fridays through Sept. 25, unless otherwise noted. For more information, visit www.countryvillagebothell.com/farmersmarket or call 425-483-2250.

• July 10: Fae Wiedenhoeft, Celtic/folk/acoustic, 1:30-3:30 p.m.

• July 10: JD Hobson, traditional blues and Americana, 4-6 p.m.

• July 17: JD Hobson, traditional blues and Americana.

• July 24: Fae Wiedenhoeft, Celtic/folk/acoustic, 1:30-3:30 p.m.

• July 24: Beth Whitney, acoustic/folk/indie, 4-6 p.m.

• July 31: Beth Whitney, acoustic/folk/indie.

• Aug. 7: Diego Coy, Andean/South American.

• Aug. 14: Charlie Spring, acoustic guitar.

• Aug. 21: Charlie Spring, acoustic guitar.

• Aug. 28: Kris Orlowski, rock/pop/Flamenco.

• Sept. 4: Diego Coy, Andean/South American.

• Sept. 11: Eric Miller, acoustic/folk rock/indie.