Related Content
More About
Summer is traditionally a season of sensory overload: the electric jolt of blue sky, the smell of suntan lotion and charcoal briquettes, the tang of lemonade, the sound of that one inescapable radio hit. In Seattle, the land of oppressive cloud cover, it's no surprise that summer, that short few weeks when the sun finally drops its coy pose, means spending as much time as possible outside. Local music fans, thrilled to have finally packed away their sweaters, tend to be up for pretty much anything. This forgiving attitude helps explain the less-than-adventurous musical programming of most Northwest outdoor venues. It's the summer reading/blockbuster mentality applied to music. While some of the season's concerts have yet to be announced, the schedule so far is lackluster —lots of repeat performers and old, old, old standbys. Frankly, aside from the return of WOMAD, there aren't many enticements to leave your lounge chair. But if you do decide to make the effort, here's what you can expect.
Pier 62/63
With its picturesque waterfront location, picnic facilities, and plenty of bathrooms, this venue is ideal for families. It also has great sound —but you already know this if you've ever walked around downtown while a concert's going on there.
Seattle Center
A place of extremes: On the one hand, there's the criminally crowded Bumbershoot, which can turn even the most kind-hearted individual into a seething misanthrope; on the other, there's artsEdge, a grassroots experimental-performance spree.
Not only is Vancouver soooo European, according to every single person who's ever visited, it's also home to the du Maurier Jazz Festival, which makes a nice treat for the Seattle magazine subscriber in your life.
This being a winery and quite a nice one at that, it's a good idea to designate a driver. Better yet, skip the concert altogether and come for a tasting. That way the easy-listening sounds won't distract from your enjoyment of the grape.
Marymoor Park, Redmond
Seattle's Festival of the World, Music, Arts, and Dance (WOMAD), now in its second year, is held here. The park is beautiful, with plenty of room for big crowds, and the stages are imaginatively decorated. Most importantly, the diverse musical offerings are truly world-class.
The Gorge, George, Wa
Use this handy formula to decide if the trip's really worth it: Number of acts on the bill x their irony value or legendary status (on a scale of 1 to 10) number of times you've seen them previously + number of drivers in your car �> amount of money you'd be willing to spend on a hotel room or campsite since there's no way in hell you're going to want to drive all the way back to Seattle in the dark after spending an hour getting out of the parking lot.
HEAR, THERE, EVERYWHERE . . .
artsEdge
Seattle Center, Fri-Sun 6/25-27, 684-7200
A celebration of Seattle's experimental art scene, presenting all kinds (and qualities) of music, dance, and theater. Schedule TBA.
Bumbershoot
Seattle Center, Fri-Mon 9/3-6, 281-8111
Indigo Girls, Violent Femmes, Steve Winwood, Africa Fete featuring Baaba Maal, Lo'Jo, Son Volt, Sonic Youth, Cry Cry, Tab Benoit, Alejandro Escovedo, Janis Ian, Rocket from the Crypt, Junio Brown, Beau Soleil, Loudon Wainwright III, Kate and Anna McGarrigle. Complete lineup announced 7/15, when tickets become available exclusively on the Web at www.bumbershoot.org. Tickets at Starbucks and Ticketmaster beginning 8/2. $10 adv/$14 door. Two-day pass $18; four-day pass $32. Kids 12 and under free.
Pike Street between Broadway and 11th, Sat 7/17 from noon to 10
Now in its third year, the party will benefit Hero Sisters, a fledgling local mentor organization. Expect all the usual carnival fun and food, plus a beer garden and 10 bands, including Madigan, Maktub, and Matchless.
Fort Warden State Park Conference Center, Port Townsend, Thu-Sun 7/22-25, 360-385-3102
This annual jazz festival takes over a converted military base for a weekend. This year's lineup includes the Heath Brothers, Jessica Williams, Ingrid Jensen, Bud Shank Quartet, Bill Holman and the Festival All-Star Big Band, Central Avenue Reunion Quintet, and the George Cables Trio. The concurrent Jazz in the Clubs festival features Joanne Brackeen Trio, Nick Brignola Quartet, Kelley Johnson and the Marriott Jazz Quintet, Mother of Pearl, and the Dave Peck Trio.
Chateau Ste. Michelle Winery
Woodinville, 425-488-3300
The series that puts the 'milque' in milquetoast kicks off with the ex-Mrs. Andrew Lloyd Weber Sarah Brightman (Sat 6/12 at 7); then its laid-back guitarist Ottmar Liebert (Sun 6/20 at 7); comedian Bill Cosby (Thu 6/24 at 8); country juggernaut Wynonna (Sun 6/27 at 7); the Bellevue Philharmonic Orchestra and fireworks! (Sun 7/4 at 7:30); swingin' Manhattan Transfer (Fri 7/16 at 7); jazzy song stylists Diana Krall and Kevin Mahogany (Sat 7/17 at 7); famous daughter Natalie Cole (Sat 7/24 at 7); early sixties (and '60s) folkies Peter, Paul, and Mary (Sat 7/31 at 7); ivory tinkler Bruce Hornsby (Fri 8/6 at 7); the 98.9 Smooth Jazz Festival (Sat-Sun 8/7-8 at 3); guitar hero B.B. King returns with his Blues Festival, also featuring Kenny Wayne Shepherd, Tower of Power, and Indigenous (Sun 8/15 at 5); oldies circuit regulars Chicago (Fri-Sat 9/3-4 at 7); and kitschy Welsh pop star Tom Jones (Sun 9/5 at 7).
du Maurier Jazz Festival
