Grace Love photo by Michael Porter
Summer at SAM: Art of Jazz
Olympic Sculpture Park, 2901 Western Ave
This summer the Art of Jazz Series at the Seattle Art Museum’s Olympic Sculpture Park kicks off July 14 with the Grace Love Band. The 2015 Golden Ear NW Vocalist nominee brings some hot summer funk with powerful vocals and an agile band. The series continues August 11 with electro-coustic, groove-soul jazz-hop, courtesy of Theoretics. The Art of Jazz series is sponsored by KPLU 88.5 & Earshot Jazz and is part of the Summer at SAM events schedule. Concerts begin at 6pm. Admission is free.
Cornish @ Amazon
Van Vorst Plaza, 410 Terry Ave N
The Cornish @ Amazon series presents free concerts between 12-1pm all summer long. Running from June through September 29, the series features Cornish College of the Arts students, graduates, and faculty in outdoor performances. Upcoming shows feature the 2015 Golden Ear Acoustic Jazz Ensemble Jovino Santos Neto Quinteto (September 8) and multi-instrumentalist Matt Sircely, of Hot Club Sandwich (September 8). Full schedule available at cornish.edu/calendar/visitingartists.
Out to Lunch Series
Downtown
Downtown Seattle Association’s Out to Lunch Series offers an exciting change to the midday lunch break. Starting July 7 and carrying through September 2, every Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday will feature an outdoor performance from 12-1:30pm at downtown locales such as City Hall, Occidental Square, and Union Bank. The series presents local favorites including SWOJO (July 14, City Hall Plaza), Happy Orchestra (August 5, Waterfront), and Polyrhythmics (August 26, Freeway Park). All shows are free; full schedule of acts is available at downtownseattle.com/Summer/otl.
Dancing til Dusk
Westlake, Freeway, Occidental & Bell Street Parks
Enjoy dancing outdoors in Seattle parks this summer as part of the Dancing til Dusk series, now celebrating its 10th season. Expanding to four downtown parks this year, the series presents 14 summer evenings of free music, dance lessons, and dancing. Free dance lessons will be offered before the main events. The series kicks off with ‘20s and ‘30s-era swing from the Barrelhouse Jive Cats on July 5 and Greg Ruby & the Scofflaw Quintet on July 12 in Occidental Park. Dancing begins at 6pm. Full schedule information is available at danceforjoy.biz.
Interbay Golf Center BBQ Jazz
2501 15th Ave W
Every Monday from mid-July to mid-August brings BBQ and jazz to Interbay Golf Center. Starting July 18 with the captivating vocal stylings of Leah Natale & Ambience, this summer’s BBQ jazz calendar also boasts the bluesy Stickshift Annie (August 1) and more local treasures. Concert seating starts at 5pm, music at 5:30pm. No charge, no reservations, first come, first served. More at premiergc.com/-bbq-jazz.
Jazz on the Lawn at Cedarbrook Lodge
18525 36th Ave S
For a fifth consecutive year, the luxury, award-winning Cedarbrook Lodge presents Jazz on the Lawn on August 12, a single-night summer concert event suited for jazz and culinary aficionados alike. The evening opens with Kaffeine, followed by the exceptional Forman-Finley Band and headlined by the renowned Pearl Django. Copperleaf Restaurant will feature small plates and appetizers and local/regional sips from the vine, along with craft cocktails and beer. Doors open at 5:30pm; concert runs 6-9:30pm. Admission is $25 in advance, $30 at the door. More info & tickets available at cedarbrooklodge.com.
Summer Concerts at Ballard Locks
3015 NW 54th St
This long-running series on the grounds of the beautiful botanical gardens and bustling Ballard Locks features an eclectic mix of performances ranging from big band and blues to Brazilian samba and Latin-funk fusion. Happening every Saturday and Sunday in July and August, all shows are 2pm matinees, and free to the public. Full line-up at blog.friendsoftheballardlocks.org.
