As veteran Pacific Northwesterners know, the true sunny summer season here is very short-it usually starts soon after the Independence Day holiday and gives way to fall showers by September.
Highline recreation departments and arts organizations are taking full advantage of this short window of opportunity by presenting a ton of outdoor concerts, movies and plays in local parks for the next two months.
Not only is Burien offering its usual concert series at Lake Burien School Park but also the city has added another concert venue in newly annexed North Burien. Lunchtime concerts are also set for Tuesdays at Town Square Park.
Music concerts are also on tap in Normandy Park, Des Moines, SeaTac and Tukwila, including-- not one but two-- Neil Diamond tribute performances.
Outdoor movies will be start in August when dusk starts arriving a little earlier.
For a dash of culture, Shakespeare plays will performed at parks in Burien, Des Moines and SeaTac.
And best of all, the family entertainment is free.
Below is a list of outdoor summer events in the parks. Be sure to check our Times/News Calendar section for updates:
Music
Burien Concerts in the Park-Thursday nights, 6:30- 8 p.m., Lake Burien School Park, S.W. 148th St. & 16th Ave. S.W. July 7, "Lulu LaFever," jazz, swing & blues. July 14, Family Fiesta featuring "Sambatugue," bring your family and friends and enjoy food, music, dancing, kids' activities, free Samba lessons at 6 p.m. July 21, "85th Street Big Band," free swing dance lessons at 6 p.m. July 28. "The Seatles, Beatles tribute band. Aug. 4, "The Diamond Experience," Neil Diamond tribute. Aug. 11, "Boomerang Summer, " a revival of rock and soul." Free. In case of rain, call 206-988-3700 after 5 p.m. to learn if concert has been relocated. 206-988-3700 or www.BurienParks.net.
Burien Lunchtime Concerts-Tuesdays, July 12-Aug. 9. Noon- 2 p.m. Burien Town Square Park, S.W. 152nd St. & 5th Pl. S.W. Free. Presented by Discover Burien. 206-433-2882, www.discoverburien.com.
Des Moines Summer Concert Series- 7 p.m., Beach Park. July 20, "Red Hot Sisters." July 27, Tallboys," opening act Ali Marcus. July 27, "Tallboys." Aug. 3, "Leroy Thomas & the Zydeco Road Runners. Aug. 10, "Cherry Cherry-a tribute to Neil Diamond.www.destinationdesmoineswa.org.
Normandy Park Music in the Park-Sundays, 5-6:30 p.m., Marvista Park, 20000 4th Ave. S.W. July 17, Erin McNamee, Celtic ballads, jigs, reels. July 24, "Ranger & the ReArrangers, gypsy jazz. July 31, "Island Bound," island reggae. Aug. 7, "Abby Mae & the Homeschool Boys," alternative and Appalachian Folk. Aug. 14, "Makani E, traditional Hawaiian. Aug. 21, CADCADA with David Correa," Latin guitar world music. Aug. 28, "Casper Babypants," sweet, simple and incredibly smart music for kids, and "Te Fare O Tamatoa," Tahitian dance and drumming. www.ci.normandy-park.wa.us.
North Burien Summer Outdoor Concerts-New this summer. Hilltop School Grounds, 12250 24th Ave. S. Wednesday nights, 6:30- 8 p.m. July 13, "Banda Vagos," traditional Mexican music. July 20, "Global Heat World, hip hop with a twist of R&B. July 27, "The Camano Cadillac Band," country music. In case of rain, concert moves inside Hilltop gym. Free. 206-988-3700 or www.BurienParks.net.
SeaTac Music in the Park-Sundays, 5-6:30 p.m. Angle Lake Park, 19408 International Blvd. July 10, "Kris Orlowski Band," guitar, rock, pop, folk music. July 17, "Kevin Jones band," roots electric & acoustic rock. Rod Cook, Seattle area guitarist, soulful and melodic. July 31, "Harmonius Funk Band. Aug. 7, "Kleer Kut, Latin, rock, jazz, top 40. 206-973-4680. www.ci.seatac.wa.us.
Tukwila Peanut Butter & Jam Family Concert Series-Tukwila Community Center Spray Park, 12424 42nd Ave. S. Noon- 1 p.m. July 29, "The Bryan Waite Band." Aug. 5, "The Not-Its." Aug. 12, "Casper Babypants." Aug. 19, "Harmonica Pocket." 206-768-2822. www.tukwilawa.gov.us.
Theater
Burien Shakespeare in the Park--"The Tempest," July 23, 7 p.m. "Anthony and Cleopatra," July 30, 7 p.m. Dottie Harper Park, 421 S.W. 146th St. Free. 206-244-7808 or www.burienarts.org.
Des Moines Shakespeare in the Park-- "The Comedy of Errors." July 30. Des Moines Beach Park, 22030 Cliff Ave. S. 7 p.m. Free. www.seattleshakespeare.org
SeaTac Shakespeare in the Park-- "The Comedy of Errors." July 22, Angle Lake Park, 19408 International Blvd. 7 p.m. Free. www.seattleshakespeare.org
Movies
Burien Friday Night Movies-- Thursday nights, 6:30- 8 p.m., Lake Burien School Park, S.W. 148th St. & 16th Ave. S.W. Aug. 19, "Toy Story 3." Aug. 26, "Despicable Me." Free. In case of rain, call 206-988-3700 after 5 p.m. to learn if the movie has been relocated. 206-988-3700 or www.BurienParks.net.
Tukwila Summer Outdoor Cinema Series--Friday nights, July 29-Aug. 19. Tukwila Community Center, 12424 42nd Ave. S. Lawn opens at 7:30 p.m. July 29, "Shrek Forever After." Aug. 5, "Tangled." Aug. 12, "Yogi Bear." Aug. 19, "Alpha and Omega." Free but donations accepted for Tukwila Food Pantry. 206-768-2822. www.ci.tukwila.wa.us.
