Jovino Santos Neto photo by Daniel Sheehan.
Summer at SAM: Art of Jazz
Olympic Sculpture Park, 2901 Western Ave
For the summer months, the Art of Jazz series moves to the Seattle Art Museum’s Olympic Sculpture Park. August 8, local chanteuse and soul powerhouse Whitney Mongé will showcase her lush vocals and minimal blend of rhythm and blues rock from 6:30-8pm. The Art of Jazz series is sponsored by KNKX 88.5 & Earshot Jazz and is part of the Summer at SAM events schedule. Admission is free.
Downtown Summer Sounds
Downtown Seattle
Formerly known as the Out to Lunch concert series, Downtown Summer Sounds brings free local music to downtown Seattle throughout the summer. Produced by the Downtown Seattle Association and presented by Virginia Mason, this series continues a 42-year tradition of supporting free live music for Seattle workers, residents, and visitors. The shows begin at noon and run from August 1-23. The line-up includes Rosso Viti (August 2, Occidental Square), Evan Flory-Barnes (August 8, King Street Station), the Passenger String Quartet (August 9, Freeway Park), Warren Dunes (August 21, Union Square), the Totem Star Showcase (August 22, King Street Station), and more. A full schedule of acts is available at downtownseattle.org.
Dancing til Dusk
Hing Hay, Westlake, Freeway, and Occidental Parks
Dancing til Dusk is back again offering a smorgasbord of free outdoor dancing, music, and dance lessons on Tuesdays and Thursdays around Seattle parks. Offerings in August include salsa musicians Mambo Cadillac (August 8, Freeway Park), vintage swing revivalists Birch Pereira & the Gin Joints (August 15, Freeway Park), country western music from The Buckaroosters (August 13, Westlake Park), a Ball Rouge where all are encouraged to wear red to dance alongside Swingin’In the Rain w/Dina Blade (August 22, Freeway Park), among many others. Dancing begins at 6pm, with a free lesson during the first hour. Full schedule information is available at danceforjoy.biz.
Summer Concerts at Ballard Locks
3015 NW 54th St
This long-running series on the grounds of the 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 at 2pm, all shows are free to the public. The 2019 series includes: Pacific Cascade Big Band, Batucada, Professor Gadget Sax Quintet, The Tempos, Michael Clune & Moondance, and many more acts encompassing old-time swing, blues, jazz, samba and marching band music. Full lineup at ballardlocks.org.
ZooTunes at Woodland Park Zoo
5500 Phinney Ave N
Trademark Seattle summer tradition BECU ZooTunes, the concert series in Woodland Park Zoo, returns this year with a wide range of musicians from various genres, including jazz, folk, country, rock and blues. August artists include crooner Feist and Rhye (August 11), classic blues performers Taj Mahal & Marc Cohn featuring the Blind Boys of Alabama (August 15), The Wood Brothers with Colter Wall (August 25) as well as Lost 80’s Live (August 28). Ticket prices vary and are available online, along with full schedule and more information, at zoo.org/zootunes.
Cornish@Amazon Summer Concert Series
Van Vorst Plaza
426 Terry Ave N
The collaboration between Cornish College’s music department and Amazon continues this year. Coming up on Thursday August 15, Cornish@amazon presents Ocheami, a celebration of West African music and dance featuring Cornish faculty member Kofi Anang and Amma Anang. Next month brings celebrated Cornish faculty member and pianist Jovino Santos Neto and his ensemble (September 19). As a bonus, there’ll be a farmer’s market and food trucks galore. This free summer music series happens at noon. For more details visit Cornish Music’s Facebook page @CornishMusic.
