Music, dance and plays — all for free at Edmonds’ summer events

Published 1:30 am Thursday, July 11, 2019

It’s hard to beat this lineup: 17 summer concerts, one comedy and juggling act and one theatrical performance — Shakespeare’s “Twelfth Night” — all free events in Edmonds.

The shows, at three venues, include performances of gypsy jazz, a Sousa-style marching band, storytelling, bluegrass, a cappella, Brazilian music, and West African music and dance.

The performances kick off July 14 in City Park, with the Gypsy jazz band Ranger and the “Re-Arrangers.” The well-known Northwest group has performed at previous Edmonds summer concerts and most recently was in the city for the Edmonds Arts Festival.

“Gypsy jazz is always a ton of fun,” said Laurie Rose, Edmonds’ arts program specialist.

Next up, on July 21, is The Seattle Shakespeare Co.’s production of “Twelfth Night.” The group returns to Edmonds each summer for performances of Shakespeare’s plays.

Eric Tingstad and Nancy Rumbel, the duo known by their last names and who have been performing together for 34 years, will perform on July 28.

West African Gasango Music & Dance is scheduled on Aug. 11, performing traditional African music and contemporary choreography.

Latin-style jazz is featured on Aug. 18, performed by Correo Aereo, making a return trip to the City Park stage.

Tuesday midday concerts and Thursday evening concerts begin next week, both at Hazel Miller Plaza.

Tuesday events are from 12:30 to 1:30 p.m., Thursday’s from 5 to 6:30 p.m.

The Tuesday concerts begin with an unusual musical pairing, Miho and Diego Sounds of Japan and Latin America.

“They were kind of doing their separate things, but crossed paths, kept comparing notes and concluded the two cultural sounds could blend well together,” Rose said. “People love it.”

Miho Takekawa primarily plays the marimba and Diego Coy plays the quena, an Andean flute.

Other performances include Katrina Ji and Culture Shakti performing folk dances on July 23; comedy, juggling and stunts provided by Roberto the Magnificent on July 30; and bluegrass, Americana and gospel music performed by Roosevelt Road on Aug. 20.

The a cappella group 20/20 kicks off the Thursday evening series. The group’s four male and one female singers are making a return appearance to Edmonds on July 18. They last performed in Edmonds in 2017 at the Hazel Miller Plaza.

“People adored them,” Rose said.

If you’re looking for a change-up in musical styles, check out Santa Poco on Aug. 8, a five-piece country music band with a debut album called “The Way It Goes.”

Maiah Wynne, who competed in NPR’s Tiny Desk competition, wraps up the series on Aug. 22.

Wynne, a multi instrumentalist, has made appearances at the South by Southwest festival.

Sharon Salyer: 425-339-3486 or salyer@heraldnet.com.

City Park shows

Free summer concerts in City Park, Third Avenue S. and Pine Street, July 14 to Aug. 3, Sundays at 4 p.m. unless otherwise noted. Concerts canceled at 2:30 p.m. in case of rain. More at www.edmondswa.gov/summer-concerts.html.

Sunday

July 14: Ranger and the “Re-Arrangers,” Gypsy jazz band

July 21: “Twelfth Night,” Seattle Shakespeare Co./Wooden O, 3 to 4:30 p.m.

July 28: Tingstad & Rumbel, contemporary instrumental

Aug. 4: The Ballard Sedentary Sousa Band

Aug. 11: Gasango, West African music and dance

Aug. 18: Correo Aereo, Latin jazz

Aug. 25: Dmitri Matheny, The urt Bacharach Songbook

Hazel Miller Plaza shows

Free summer concerts at Hazel Miller Plaza, Fifth Avenue S. and Maple Street, Tuesdays 12:30 to 1:30 p.m. and Thursdays 5 to 6:30 p.m. in July and August. Concerts take place rain or shine. More at www.edmondswa.gov/summer-concerts.html.

Tuesday

July 16: Miho & Diego, sounds of Japan and Latin America

July 23: Katrina Ji & Culture Shakti, Rajasthani folk dance

July 30: Roberto the Magnificent, comedy, juggling, stunts

Aug. 6: Imagination Band, music and storytelling

Aug. 13: The Side Project, acoustic indie and pop covers

Aug. 20: Roosevelt Road, bluegrass, Americana, gospel

Thursday

July 18: 20/20, a cappella

July 25: The Bylines, jazz-inspired pop

Aug. 1: Jovino Santo Neto Trio, Brazillian music

Aug. 8: Santa Poco, country

Aug. 15: Sundae + Mr. Goessl, contemporary and vintage jazz

Aug. 22: Maiah Wynne, indie, pop, folk