Music in the Park is back again this summer and celebrating 17 years of music.
The event takes place every Wednesday evening in July and August from 6:30-8 p.m. and features many local and basin musicians.
The first evening is July 2 with Shirley Weatherhead and her Karaoke machine. Shirley has been providing Karaoke in the community for several years and it is always a fun evening. People don’t have to get up and sing, as they are just as welcome to come out, watch and enjoy. However, the real fun is the participation aspect.
July 9 brings Darlene Ketchum Quartet – Darlene Ketchum (vocals) and her husband Kelvin (keys) along with Gerry Teichrob (bass) and Allayne McGowan (drums) perform a selection of classic jazz, soul, R&B and gospel tunes as well as some originals. Influenced by the soul/gospel and funk singers of the 1970s, Darlene’s warm and clear vocals find their home in melodic freedom supported by rich chords and laid-back groove.
On July 16, the area’s very own 23 North performs and it is an evening that is full of great songs that will definitely get people up and dancing. Where else, but Nakusp, can you find your local plumber strumming a guitar and singing along with an auto parts guy (or whatever he’s doing these days).
Mountain Station is a new band for us and they play blue grass, roots, folk and country. They will stir your spirit with their soulful ballads and toe tapping rhythms. They perform on July 23.
July 25 is the Kootenay Savings Children’s Night with family entertainer Mat Duffus. Rue the Clown will be there with her costumes and there will be books and stuffed toys to take home. Goodies and lots of fun will be the theme of the evening.
Aug. 6, our band teacher Patrick MacGibbon and friends will be performing some jazz numbers for us and then the all girls band Formal Chaos will play the second half of the program with a music mix. You don’t want to miss this evening.
Darryl & Saskia are back with their folk and roots music on August 13. Their voices blend beautifully together and they have played here many times. Back by popular demand, they are always a crowd favourite.
Steve Palmer will be performing his country roots music on August 20 and has been performing for us for over 10 years. Steve is a superb guitar player and has a resonant voice that soothes the soul. He sings his own original music as well as many cover songs.
The summer program ends with a group called Dirty Laundry. They are a local band and you need to turn up to see who they are. They will perform a mix of music to bring to a close a great summer of music.
We will be at the gazebo in the park unless it rains or storms and then you need to look for us in the Arena. The program is free and Kathy will be making and selling juice and collecting donations to help cover program costs.
This year’s sponsors are Rec. Commission #4, Columbia Basin Trust Community Initiatives Funding (thanks for voting for us); Kootenay Savings Credit Union, K2 Rotor Lodge (they provide the rooms for the entertainers), Overwaitea Foods and Hamling Lakes Contracting.
See you Wednesday evenings – rain or shine!