Strong Lineup Announced for Kirkland Summer Concert Series' 35th Year

The 2012 Kirkland Summer Concert Series will kick off its 35th year on July 10 and 12 -- a Tuesday kids show followed by a Thursday show for grownups -- with a strong, almost all-local lineup.

“I am even more excited than last year, because I think we’re learning what Kirkland really likes,” said Karen Story, chair of the Kirkland Downtown Association’s summer concert committee. “I think these bands are even stronger than last year and a better fit.”

This is the third year the concerts have been organized by the all-volunteer KDA committee, which took on the task in 2010 after the city of Kirkland bowed out due to budget cuts.

All of the shows are free and at Marina Park downtown, with Tuesday morning kids shows at 10 and Thursday evening shows for all at 7. One change this year is that the evening shows will end at 8:30, the bands playing a straight 1.5-hour set. In past years they ended at 9 p.m., with most bands taking a break and playing two sets.

“Last year by 9 o’clock people were drooping and it was getting dark,” said Story. “It was too long.”

Story, singer in a bluegrass band herself, said the lineup of acts is strong this year, all based in this region except Canadian Jayme Stone on Aug. 9, a highly regarded multi-genre banjo player who is also playing at the Kirkland Performance Center on Aug. 10 (and in September at Bumbershoot in Seattle).

“We were able to get him because we could promise two nights,” she said. “He’s an award-winning songwriter who plays all over the world and plays music from many different cultures.”

The lineup includes veteran soul and jazz singer Emily McIntosh of Woodinville. “She just knocks everybody’s socks off. She’s got this huge repertoire and can sing like nobody’s business,” says Story.

Last year’s hit Clinton Fearon and the Boogie Brown Band out of Seattle will be back. Bluesman Mark Dufresne, also from Seattle and the former lead singer with Austin, Texas-based Roomful of Blues, will sing his sad songs Aug. 23.

“He is a phenomenal singer (and harmonica player), so that should be a big hit,” said Story.

Creme Tangerine, featuring Kirkland’s Jeff Lockhart on drums, will play not only its usual Beatles covers, but also a mix of classic rock, on Aug. 16.

For the full lineup and list of dates, see http://kirklandsummerconcerts.org/. The committee is also looking for volunteers to hang posters in May and staff the concerts this summer. If you can help, email KirklandSummerConcerts@gmail.com.