Unwind with an evening concert in Arlington
Published 10:14 pm Tuesday, August 5, 2008
ARLINGTON — Mike Zachman can’t think of a better way to spend an August evening.
A member of Arlington’s parks, arts and recreation commission, Zachman is in charge of the city’s Music in the Park series.
The free series, which begins Thursday downtown at Legion Park, is part of a string of summer events offered by the city, including movies and plays in the parks.
The concerts are a nice way to unwind, Zachman said.
“In our hurry-up world, it’s a great way to relax and enjoy the peacefulness of Arlington,” he said.
Zachman, who is the pastor of The Point church in Arlington, has rallied volunteers from his congregation to set up and run a portable sound system that helps him produce the concert series.
Audiences bring along lawn chairs and blankets, and activities for children such as face painting and bubble blowing are scheduled, he said.
An organization called The Lord’s Little Cooker serves hot food during the concerts. Proceeds from the sales of hot dogs and other fare go to help feed homeless people in downtown Everett, Zachman said.
A musician himself, Zachman serves as the master of ceremonies for the concert series. He works to find a variety of music for the concert series, which he has been arranging for the past four years, he said.
This summer, Zachman has lined up a Heart tribute band, playing rock ‘n’ roll; a classical concert band; a local country singer; and a special group called Voices of the Village, which opens the series on Thursday.
Voices of the Village is a performance ensemble, playing pop rock, that showcases the talents and enthusiasm of people with developmental disabilities. The group is sponsored by Village Community Services, an Arlington-based nonprofit organization that provides about 150 disabled clients with residential help, career training and job placement.
“The concerts are part of the way of life in Arlington,” Zachman said. “You can just leave your house, stroll down to the park, eat a bite, sit next to your neighbors and enjoy the music.”
Reporter Gale Fiege: 425-339-3427 or gfiege@heraldnet.com.
