Music in the Park back in 2026!

Article by: Paul de Barros, Normandy Park Arts Commission

Music in the Park 2026

Okay, it’s raining, but hey, it’s never too early to start thinking about Music in the Park, those sunny summer Sundays when the Normandy Park Arts Commission hosts eight great performances on the rolling green expanse of Marvista Park. We’re starting a little later this year, July 12, so you’ll have plenty of time to recover from fireworks, and ending again with the popular jazz festival finale on August 30, a week before Labor Day weekend. Along the way, we’ll offer a refreshing draught of Shakespeare, The Winter’s Tale, brought to you by Greenstage Shakespeare in the Park.

Last year, the Normandy Park Arts Commission asked community members to weigh in on Music in the Park with an online survey. Though ever-increasing crowds (400 for one show last summer!) suggest we’re on the right track, we were curious about what folks had to say. Most said they really liked the diversity of the programming – music from around the world – but a few also added that they wouldn’t mind hearing something a little more familiar.

That’s the mix we’re dishing up. This summer, we’re bringing in the infectious Afro-Cuban beats of Sonando, Adriana Giordano’s lively Brazilian forró group, Foleada, and the Po’okela Street Band’s inimitable Hawaiian take on Jamaican reggae, affectionately known as “Jawaiian” music. A touch of Americana, by Seattle-based string-meisters Old Coast, rounds out the world tour.

Along the way, we’re also presenting the fabulous new wave power pop band of Seattle’s pre-grunge era, The Heats (remember “I Don’t Like Your Face”?) and the sweet and soulful songs of internationally known songwriter Leroy Bell (“Mama Can’t Buy You Love,” by Elton John, for one), with his group Leroy Bell and His Only Friends.

To cap off the season, we’ll present another jazz festival, with – count’em, three – first-rate Seattle ensembles. (Please note on your calendar that this concert begins at 3 p.m., not the usual 5 p.m.). Susan Pascal’s mellifluous vibraphone quartet kicks off the festival, followed by the all-star Seattle quartet The Wellstone Conspiracy – John Bishop (drums), Brent Jensen (saxophone), Bill Anschell (piano) and Jeff Johnson (bass) – plus a rare performance by the Pete Christlieb 10-piece Tall and Small Band. Tenor saxophone giant Christlieb played in The Tonight Show with Johnny Carson band for 20 years, never mind recording with everyone under the sun on hundreds of albums. His group features some of the best jazz players in the area.

As always, the ice cream truck will be in the parking lot to whet your whistle when the music and the weather are too hot to handle.

Here’s the full lineup, below. All concerts begin at 5 p.m., except the jazz finale, which begins at 3 p.m. See you there!

July 12        Sonando
July 19        Old Coast
July 26        Foleada
August 2    Greenstage Shakespeare in the Park
presents The Winter’s Tale
August 9      Po’okela Street Band
August 16    Leroy Bell and His Only Friends
August 23    The Heats
August 30   Jazz Finale
3 p.m. Susan Pascal Quartet     
4:30 p.m. The Wellstone Conspiracy
6 p.m. Pete Christlieb’s Tall and Small Band

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!

This project is supported, in part, by a grant from 4Culture.

We’ll offer a refreshing draught of Shakespeare, The Winter’s Tale…