Marysville’s series of summer concerts kick off Friday night with Whiskey Fever, who recently performed at Spur Festival, Darrington’s country music festival.
The Sedro-Woolley group describes itself as performers of rocky-tonk-n-roll, with songs such as “Wouldn’t Want to Miss This,” and “Skin and Bones.”
“Really a fun, high-energy, four-piece band,” said Lauren Woodmansee, the city’s cultural arts supervisor. Their newest CD is entitled “Ocean of Trouble.”
Cascadia Weekly named Whiskey Fever the Bellingham area’s “Best Band” for three years, and last year they were the winners of the #TourPossible Seattle music competition.
The concerts, which continue through Aug.10, begin at 7 p.m. at Jennings Memorial Park. In past years, the concerts have attracted crowds of up to 500 people. “It’s a great family opportunity,” Woodmansee said.
Another Skagit County band, Gin Gypsy, is scheduled for July 20. The four-piece group has a swing and rockabilly vibe, Woodmansee said, mixing original songs with covers from groups like the Stray Cats and Chuck Berry.
On July 27 there’s the opportunity to hear the Cajun, zydeco soul and swamp blues style of Filé Gumbo, a Snohomish County band with a southern Louisiana sound, Woodmansee said.
Ranger and the Re-Arrangers are scheduled for Aug. 3, a Gypsy jazz group that says they evoke the spirit of a Paris cafe and the raucous energy of a Gypsy campsite. Expect high energy swing and snappy tunes, Woodmansee said.
The series concludes with Old Town Tonic on Aug. 10. The Anacortes group performs rock and country, with songs like “Be in Love.”
There are two more free summer concerts, these for kids, scheduled at noon Wednesdays at Jennings Park.
On July 25, Harmonica Pocket will perform, mixing acoustic instruments with hula hoops and spinning flags. “They come highly recommended,” Woodmansee said.
Seattle’s Recess Monkey, a trio of current and former elementary school teachers, is scheduled for the Aug. 8 concert. It’s a return visit for the group, who performed in Marysville two years ago. “Three guys who are super funny and super talented,” Woodmansee said. “Always a crowd favorite.”
Sharon Salyer: 425-339-3486 or salyer@heraldnet.com.
If you go
Marysville’s Friday evening free summer concert series is scheduled from 7 to 8:30 p.m. July 13 to Aug. 10 at Lions Centennial Pavilion, Jennings Memorial Park, 6915 Armar Road.
July 13: Whiskey Fever, “rocky tonk”
July 20: Gin Gypsy, rockabilly
July 27: Filé Gumbo, zydeco soul
Aug. 3: Ranger and the Re-Arrangers, Gypsy jazz
Aug. 10: Old Town Tonic, classic rock and country
Free children’s concerts are scheduled at noon Wednesdays on July 25 and Aug. 8 at Jennings Memorial Park.
July 25: Harmonica Pocket, swinging acoustic with hula hoops and dance
Aug. 8: Recess Monkey, kids rock
