PORT ANGELES — A highlight of North Olympic Peninsula summers — free concerts surrounded by outdoor beauty — begins when Buck Ellard performs country music at City Pier in Port Angeles from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. tonight.
Port Angeles’ City Pier concerts will continue each Wednesday through Sept. 4, Sequim’s outdoor concerts begin next week, and Port Townsend’s begin next month.
In all venues, audience members are encouraged to pack up picnic dinners and bring blankets or chairs to the informal, family-friendly performances.
The Port Angeles Regional Chamber of Commerce’s Concert on the Pier series is presented against a backdrop of the Port Angeles Harbor in one direction and the Olympic Mountains in the other. Vendors will sell food.
If heavy wind or bad weather is expected, the performances may be moved to The Gateway pavilion at Lincoln and Front streets.
The series is sponsored by KeyBank, Elwha River Casino, Extendicare, Brown & Caldwell and Peninsula Daily News.
No smoking or alcohol is allowed on the pier during the concerts.
Sequim, Port Townsend
Free weekly outdoor concerts start in Sequim on Tuesday, with the Dukes of Dabob playing Dixeland jazz from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. in the James Center for the Performing Arts at the Reuse Demonstration Site, 563 N. Rhodefer Road just north of Carrie Blake Park.
Music will be presented every Tuesday through Aug. 27, when a karaoke contest is scheduled.
The presenting sponsor for the city of Sequim’s Music in the Park series is Nelson Boyd PLLC.
The Port Townsend Concerts on the Dock series will begin July 11 with The Better Half playing R&B, soul and funk-rock from 4:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. at the Pope Marine Plaza in Port Townsend.
The Port Townsend Main Street series will continue through Aug. 29.
The concerts are for all ages. A wine, beer and cider garden also is available.
Schedules
Here are the schedules for upcoming performances in the three cities.
PA schedule:
■ Today — Buck Ellard, country.
■ June 26 — Old Sidekicks, country and bluegrass.
■ July 3 — Ranger and the Re-Arrangers, gypsy jazz.
■ July 10 — The Dukes of Dabob, Dixieland jazz.
■ July 17 — Fat Chance Band, rock ‘n’ roll.
■ July 24 — The Cody Rentas Band, rock ‘n’ roll.
■ July 31 — Witherow, folk, rock.
■ Aug. 7 — The Retro Guys, rock ‘n’ roll.
■ Aug. 14 — Wally’s Boys, swing.
■ Aug. 21 — Twisted Roots, folk, rock.
■ Aug. 28 — Sequimarimba, marimba.
■ Sept. 4 — SuperTrees, rock ‘n’ roll.
Sequim schedule:
■ Tuesday — Dukes of Dabob, Dixieland jazz.
■ July 2 — Joy Mills Band, country.
■ July 9 — Locos Only, rock and blues.
■ July 16 — Young Fiddlers, fiddle music.
■ July 23 — Cascada, gypsy jazz.
■ July 30 — Soul Ducks, rockabilly and blues.
■ Aug. 6 — Twisted Roots, folk.
■ Aug. 13 — Stardust Big Band, big band swing.
■ Aug. 20 — Porto Alegre, Latin jazz.
■ Aug. 27 — Sequim’s Karaoke Idol.
Port Townsend schedule:
■ July 11 — The Better Half, R&B, soul and funk-rock.
■ July 18 — Aardvark and The Solvents, classic rock
■ July 25 — Locust Street Taxi, original music.
■ Aug. 1 — Buck Ellard with The Humbuckers, county.
■ Aug. 8 — Ranger and The Re-Arrangers, gypsy jazz.
■ Aug. 15 — Toolshed Trio, rock.
■ Aug. 22 — Off the Hook, R&B and soul.
■ Aug. 29 — Youth bands with a DJ party.
For more information about free concerts and other events, consult the North Olympic Peninsula Events Calendar at www.peninsuladailynews.com.
