provides nine free community concerts on Sunday and Thursday evenings from 7 to 8:30 p.m. in July and August each summer. Each concert is an hour and a half in length and all performances are held in under the Veteran's Pergola.
The MMIP program is brought to you by the and the Mercer Island Parks and Recreation Department.
Helen Martin, Chair of the MMIP committee of the MIAC, said that this year has been tougher than previous years for hosting a music series, and a downturn in sponsorship money. “Our budget for bands was $13,200, and then last year it went down to $8,400 and this year I booked all our bands for $7,000, and we still didn’t break even,” Martin said. “The city saved us from the ax by giving us 1 percent for the arts, but we’re going to have to do some fundraising at the concerts this year by holding a raffle of locally-donated prizes so that we can have the concert series in 2012.”
Martin noted that there are several stand-outs among the bands this year, from the Cajun, creole and zydeco stylings of “Swamp Soul,” a Mercer Island-based band who volunteered as music coordinators of the , to local cover band the “Shrinking Heads” who play popular music from the 60s to the 90s. “We’re excited about them because they’re local,” said Martin, “But we’re also excited about “Handful of Luvin’” who have a younger style and play original Celtic, alternative and world music at venues all over Seattle.” Martin noted that the Mach One Jazz Orchestra is also bound to be a big hit, because they’re dressed to the nines and take up the whole stage with their big brass sound.
The concerts are sponsored by a large group of local residents, retailers and community groups, including: The Law Office of William Hochberg, , , , , Kimberly's Old Rugs, ., , , Mercer Island Community Fund, , 4 Culture —King County, , TK Chocolates and the .
2011 Mostly Music in the Park CONCERT LINE-UP
- Sunday, July 17
Swamp Soul
Cajun, Creole & Zydeco dance music - Thursday, July 21
Mach One Jazz Orchestra
17-piece big band - Sunday, July 24
Handful of Luvin'
World, roots & rock - Thursday, July 28
Duwamish Dixieland Jazz Band
Dixieland jazz - Sunday, July 31
Orchestra Zarabanda
Hot Cuban salsa - Thursday, August 4
Shrinking Heads
Rhythm & blues cover tunes - Sunday, August 7
Back Burner
Bluegrass, swing, country & blues - Thursday, August 11
Black River Blues
Classic electric rocking blues - Sunday, August 14
85th Street Big Band
Big Band oldies but goodies
