Save this: Free concerts in the park this summer start Wednesday in Lake Forest Park

Shoreline - Lake Forest Park Arts Council announces: FREE Concerts in the Park set to rock Shoreline and Lake Forest Park this summer.

Oh baby, this is going to be one great summer! We’re full of nothing but energy as we barrel towards a GREAT Concerts in the Park season hand-picked just for you. Below you'll get a taste of each upcoming concert, so mark up your calendars, put these in your phone, write them on your arm, but just don't miss these shows!

The first Concert in the series, featuring Cover Band Ko Ko Jo, is taking place this Wednesday at Pfingst Animal Acres Park. See the full list, along with other summer awesomeness, on the new Arts Events Calendar. Park addresses are listed below.

All concerts are free and start at 7pm on Wednesdays (unless noted) rain or shine. Bring a chair or blanket and come out and enjoy some music and festivities with your neighbors! For more information, call the Shoreline-Lake Forest Park Arts Council 206-417-4645 or visit the webpage. 

Ko Ko Jo at Animal Acres Wednesday

July 9 Ko Ko Jo – Pop/Rock Cover Band - Pfingst Animal Acres Park

Together for over six years with the same four guys, Ko Ko Jo is one of the most active bands from the Olympia area. Every year they are busy on the Western Washington festival circuit from north Seattle and Port Townsend to the Long Beach peninsula. With solid vocals and well-balanced instrumentation they play a wide variety of energetic rock and country covers as well as their own original compositions that have been well received on their two CD releases, Miles and Miles and Delphi Road.

Shakespeare in the Park July 16

July 16 Shakespeare in the Park - Seattle Shakespeare Co./Wooden O productions presents: “Two Gentlemen of Verona” - Richmond Beach Library Park

By William Shakespeare. Directed by David Quicksall

Best pals Valentine and Proteus find themselves rivals for the affections of the beautiful Silvia while Julia, Proteus’ forgotten gal, hatches a plan to win back her man. As the two gents play out their foolish ideas of love, their servants Speed and Launce create a comic contest of their own in a hilarious battle of wits. This mid-century take on the impulsive nature of romance will win your heart.

Cherry Cherry Band - Neil Diamond tribute band
at Swingin Summer Eve

July 23 Cherry Cherry Band – Neil Diamond Tribute Band - City of Shoreline’s Swingin’ Summer Eve - 5:30pm-8:30pm - Cromwell Park

A Neil Diamond Cover Band, Cherry Cherry Band believes Neil Diamond’s music is timeless and ageless. His classic songs evoke memories that every crowd will enjoy. Steve Kelly will entertains audiences young and old alike.

Aaron Crawford in Lake Forest Park July 30

July 30 Aaron Crawford – Americana/Country – Pfingst Animal Acres Park

Aaron Crawford is an Americana /Country artist who calls the Pacific Northwest home. Raised in a musical home, many of his first experiences happened playing and singing in the church alongside his parents. Out of high school, Aaron formed and fronted several bands, writing and recording multiple independent albums. In 2011, he co-founded the duo, Crawford and James. After recording their first album, and touring nonstop, Aaron launched his solo career.

Drawing inspiration from nearly every genre, he continues to write music that is occasionally hard to categorize, but speaks to each listener. Combined with his love of performance and high energy shows, Aaron brings a performance that is not to be missed. Having played shows with Little Big Town, Montgomery Gentry, and Craig Campbell, his live shows are making a name for him. Touring both acoustically, and with his full band, he is filling his calendar, spreading his unique sound.

Bluegrass on August 6 at Richmond Beach Library Park

August 6 The Weavils – 6 Piece Bluegrass Band - Richmond Beach Library Park

The Weavils are a Seattle based Bluegrass /Americana band. Not happy with a single genre our set includes Bluegrass, Folk, Country, Cajun, and even a few Hawaiian tunes. They do a mix of covers and original music.

2013 Jazz Camp performance
Photo by Steven H. Robinson

August 12 (TUESDAY) North City Jazz Walk – Shoreline Jazz Camp 

The mission of the Shoreline Jazz Camp is to provide young musicians the opportunity to learn and play with some of the regions most accomplished teachers and performers. The program creates a safe and structured learning environment, in which students of varying skill levels are able share in the joy of playing Jazz. The camp includes instruction in large and small ensembles, and a series of master classes that are designed to refine the individual's skills and understanding of Jazz. Sign your child up now to become part of the performance! 

The camp will showcase the students' hard work in two performances on August 13th. The first will be an 11am lunch concert and the second will be at 7pm at the Shoreline North City Jazz Walk. Questions? Email the Arts Council.

Massy Ferguson Aug 20 at Cromwell Park

August 20 Massy Ferguson – American Rock with a bit of Country - Cromwell Park

Massy Ferguson is a bar band in the best sense — not a band relegated to bars because it will never rise higher, but a band that plays music perfectly suited to dark, crowded rooms in which there’s at least a possibility of a beer glass smashing against a wall.

The songs, filled with barflies, broken hearts and doomed late-night romance, would sound pretty good anywhere, though. Singer-bassist Ethan Anderson says the sound is Americana that leans more toward rock than country, and that’s a pretty good description. Think Drive-By Truckers or some combination of Son Volt and The Hold Steady. Think Springsteen’s “Greetings From Asbury Park” or “Nebraska.” Those are all influences, as is 1970s Southern rock and good-time classic rock bands like Thin Lizzy.

If that means Massy Ferguson is derivative, well, that’s partly true. It doesn’t really matter, though, because the songs, if not particularly groundbreaking, are just plain good. And the lyrics are full of enough detail and imagery that you start to forget any objections.

August 27 Michael Stegner and Friends - Jazz Piano and more

Shoreline City Hall Courtyard - Piano Time Finale

Sponsored by the City of Shoreline

Straight from the Triple Door to Shoreline, the Michael Stegner and Friends band will be playing in the City Hall courtyard on Wednesday, August 27th at 7:00pm. It’s the Piano Time 2014 grand finale with Stegner on the Shoreline Rocks grand piano. For this free final “concert in the park” the Stegner Trio will entertain and delight you with a mix of jazz, alt country, pop and the best of Ray Charles. With lots of room for the band and you they will be sure to play some tunes that will get you up on your feet and dancing.

Michael Stegner’s critically acclaimed debut songwriting album, Fascination Nation, has drawn comparisons to early Tom Waits, Willie Nelson, Randy Newman, David Byrne, Nick Cave, and Leon Russell. This native Kentuckian’s unique storytelling pulls no punches and takes the listener on a beautiful journey through the emotional spectrum.

Concert venues

• Pfingst Animal Acres Park: 17411 Brookside Blvd. NE in Lake Forest Park
• Cromwell Park: 18030 Meridian Ave. N. in Shoreline
• North City Jazz Walk Performance: 175th St. and 15th Ave. NE in Shoreline
• Richmond Beach Library Park: 2201 NW 197th St. in Shoreline
• Shoreline City Hall Courtyard: 17500 Midvale Ave. N in Shoreline

For more information, call the Shoreline-Lake Forest Park Arts Council 206-417-4645 or visit the website 

The Shoreline-Lake Forest Park Arts Council is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization whose mission is to nurture all of the arts in the community through programs and events, arts education, advocacy, and support for artists and arts organizations.