Local bands to play at Ballinger Outdoor Movie Night August 27

The Cajun Jamsters will play at Outdoor Movie Night

Two local bands are set to provide the pre-event entertainment at this year's Outdoor Movie Night showing of Toy Story 3 on Saturday, August 27 at Aldercrest Athletic Field off Ballinger Way and 25th Ave NE. Gates open at 7:30pm.

Grab your dancing shoes as the Cajun Jamsters get the night started with the lively music of the Cajun people. Drums and basses give their mostly accordion, fiddle, and guitar mix more beat for dancing. The Jamsters began when a couple of guys playing together on Tuesday nights started inviting others to join them. Twelve to twenty people now regularly jam. Though the music has roots in southern Louisiana, Cajun history goes back to ancestors forced out of Canada's Acadia region during the time of the French and Indian War. Cajun music made its debut in Seattle nearly 40 years ago at Folklife. The Seattle Zydeco Network has more information on area dances and bands.

Catywhompus String Band will play at Outdoor Movie Night

Rounding out the pre-event entertainment will be the Catywhompus String Band. The Peterkas formed their family band four years ago. They especially enjoy playing Old Time Music. This is the type of music many seniors remember from their childhoods. 

The band consists of Zeth (11) on guitar and washboard, Devon (14) on fiddle and mandolin, Meghan on fiddle and washboard, and Brian on guitar and harmonica. The family lives on their “urban farm” in Shoreline where they homeschool their two children, raise chickens and bees, and grow a wide variety of vegetables, fruits, and berries. Without a TV, evenings are often spent playing music together and learning new tunes. They often play at local farmers' markets and community events though you can also find them performing at local music festivals and square dances, including the Northwest Folklife Festival and the Phinney Ridge Community Center Family Dance.

Outdoor Movie Night is a joint endeavor between the Ballinger and North City Neighborhood Associations and is funded in part with a mini-grant from the City of Shoreline. In addition to the pre-movie musical entertainment, there'll be kids' crafts, carnival games, activities for teens and tweens and a raffle. 

Admission is FREE and anyone can attend. Inexpensive concessions will be for sale but guests are permitted to bring their own food and non-alcoholic beverages. Bring a blanket or lawn chair and a flashlight and stake out your spot. Dress appropriately for the weather. Walk in or carpool. Movie starts at dusk.