Music in Park 2025

By: Paul de Barros, Normandy Park Arts Commission

A remarkable array of musical cultures make their home in the Pacific Northwest. For this summer’s Music in Park, the Normandy Park Arts Commission has reached out to a rich range of communities for a series we hope you all will enjoy. The shows take place at Marvista Park every Sunday in July and August from 5-6:30 p.m., except for the jazz grand finale on August 24, which starts at 3 p.m.

The series gets underway with an ebullient group led by Brazilian master guitarist and vocalist Eduardo Mendonça, whose company, Show Brazil!, has been delighting crowds in the area for decades. Prepare to let your feet take the lead as Eduardo delivers his infectious mix of samba, bossa nova, Brazilian jazz and MPB (Musica Popular Brasileira).

A rare and tasty duo follows, comprised of old-time fiddler Ben Hunter, with Joe Seamons on guitar, banjo and harmonica. Ben and Joe explore the roots of Americana, including the blues, folk songs, rags, hokum and field recordings that document America’s mysterious and haunting musical roots.

Back in the 1960s, Dumi Maraire, from Zimbabwe, started teaching music at the University of Washington and ignited a local craze for the deeply resonant sound and percolating rhythms of African marimbas. Sheree Seretse leads one of the oldest and best groups, the Anzanga Marimba Ensemble, which plays July 20.

Rounding out July we are lucky to host a performance of William Shakespeare’s whimsical, cross-dressing romp in the woods, As You Like It, presented by Wooden O. Be one of the first to see a show by the newly merged ACT Theatre and Seattle Shakespeare Company.

Last summer, the taiko drum ensemble Chikiri drew the biggest, most enthusiastic crowd, especially kids. Why not have them back? Chikiri kicks off August with a literal bang! Chikiri’s performance will be followed by a block printing art lesson titled Build-a-Beast block printing with artists and instructor Brian Lane.

After Chikiri comes the high lonesome sound of Dysfunction Junction, a first class bluegrass outfit that formed in Seattle in 2005. The classic fivesome has performed thousands of shows around the Pacific Northwest, including a major fundraiser for the victims of the 2014 Oso landslide. This is a special but very high energy one-hour long show, so we will follow this event with a unique and fun Build-a-Beast block printing craft lead by artist Brian Lane after the performance by Chikiri.

Jewish musicians in Eastern Europe began to forge the festive popular style called klezmer as early as the 16th century, but it wasn’t until the last century that jazz, particularly the sound of a “laughing” clarinet, crept into the music. The Klein Party, which plays July 17, is one of our region’s most popular klezmer bands.

The 2024 jazz finale was so popular we decided to expand the program to three bands. The mini festival kicks off with longtime local mainstay Michael Powers, whose funky, contemporary guitar has been compared to that of Earl Klugh. Inventive pianist Tim Kennedy follows, with a dynamite, all-star quintet playing straight-ahead jazz standards and originals. To end the season, we have the Pony Boy All-Star Big Band, featuring the sizzling arrangements of leader (and kickin’ drummer) Greg Williamson.

These bands feature some of Northwest’s finest musicians. Come on out and enjoy the fun! Posters – designed by Normandy Park resident and Seattle Times Art Director Dina Skeels (@dina_s) – go up soon!

July we are lucky to host a performance of William Shakespeare’s whimsical…