Concerts in the Park on Vashon Island, Washington
The Vashon Park District is proud to present Concerts in the Park once again this year in partnership with Vashon Events. Concerts will be held every Thursday night in August from 7:00pm - 9:00pm. This year, we’ll be adding one date in July for a total of five wonderful concerts!
Concerts in the Park is a family friendly series of events that bring the community together to enjoy free outdoor music concerts. Taking place at Ober Park, which is located between the Vashon Public Library and the Vashon Park District, the park features grassy berms that make perfect amphitheater seating. You are invited to bring a blanket or lawn chair to enjoy the music.
And guess what? These concerts are all FREE! That’s right, you heard me correctly…there is no cost to attend these wonderful summertime shows!
However, your blanket or chair may not get much use because each concert features a different music genre that will keep you dancing. Each concert presents something new to experience! The lineup includes:
July 30th: Reposado (Latin Funk Afro Soul)
August 6th: John Roberts Y Pan Blanco (Latin)
August 13th: Bowie/Rex & His Boogie Army (1970’s Glam Rock)
August 20th: Edridge Gravy & The Court Supreme (Funk)
August 27th: High Step Society (EDM-infused Big Band Dance Party)
Opening for each band this year is a fresh Vashon Events program, “New Voices,” an opportunity to hear the latest musical addition to the Vashon music scene. Performing solo each Thursday to warm up the audience, this year’s New Voices is a wonderful way to showcase these musicians. Openers will perform at 7pm and the headlining band will begin at 7:30pm and play a 90 minute set.
Sound equipment and lighting will be provided by Laird Gonter of Bandstand Music, and Martin Feveyear of Feveyear Master Mix will be dialing in the sound. Enjoy live music performing against one of Vashon's most beautiful outdoor backdrops and bring the family. There's plenty of grass and natural berms to spread out those picnic blankets and enjoy some wonderful music on a warm summer night. Families can come relax comfortably and enjoy the entertainment at these summer events. Please remember that there are no dogs allowed at Ober Park. Alcohol and smoking are also not permitted.
The Concerts in the Park series is presented by the Vashon Park District and curated by Vashon Events. ————————————————————————————————
Thursday, July 30th: Reposado
With frontman Jean-Paul Builes as Creative Director, their TequilaFunk stirs up a rich batch of culture, music, and dance. Their rhythm-driven and dynamic landscapes pull from the Caribbean, West Africa, Queens, and JP’s new home base in Seattle. REPOSADO is a collective dedicated to using the power of music to connect and transcend. Channeling the musical stylings of Fela Kuti, Fania All-Stars, Curtis Mayfield, and James Brown, they create a modern bilingual activation. Bringing heart and inspiring all to get on their feet, this is music to honor the past, present, and future with hope, respect, and celebration.
Connection is an essential part of the Human Experience. Culture is born, Traditions are formed, and at the center is the music. Artists have a duty to bridge the gaps and provide perspective. Awaken your soul, find the rhythm, and let it guide you. Passed on for centuries and designed to move us and bring us together. Music is a gift meant to be shared. As Creative Warriors, our purpose is not just to play music, but use it as our weapon against Fear & Isolation. It will be the source of our connection.
Opening for Reposado will be Connor Olsen.
Thursday, August 6th: John Roberts Y Pan Blanco
John Roberts y Pan Blanco is an original ensemble of energetic musicians that inspires the audience to dance and enjoy life! Many years of international touring on 6 continents and all 50 United States, recording and performing experiences with Funk, Soul, Salsa, Orchestral, West African and Jazz ensembles have led to this project. With vocals in Spanish, English and Portuguese, this group is melding high-energy Funk, African and Latin grooves with soulful instrumental solos, aimed at sharing musical and cultural diversity with the audience. The family-friendly band is continuously performing and booking for festivals, concerts, club dates and educational clinics. Two albums "Soul y Pimienta" and "Soul Ain't Got No Color" are getting airplay in Los Angeles, Hungary, Colombia, Austria, Miami, Argentina and more. Musicians from LA, Montana, Africa, Argentina, and Puerto Rico are featured.
From a rural background in Montana, John began playing piano and trombone at a young age. After graduating from Montana State University Billings with a BA in Music Performance, John moved to Los Angeles to earn his Master of Fine Arts from California Institute of the Arts.
Focusing on vocals, trombone and keyboards, John has been touring, recording, and performing in Los Angeles, the U.S. and around the world, including: Mexico, India, Asia, Europe, Canada, the Caribbean, Australia and Africa. Tours include Ricardo Lemvo and Makina Loca (Congolese/Cuban), Bobby Womack (Soul). Los Pinquos (Argentina), The Temptations and The New Orleans Jazz Orchestra. Other performances and recordings include multiple Grammy and Emmy events, LA hilharmonic, Fallout Boy, Chris Botti, Feist, Sting, Dr. Dre, Mariah Carey, Lady Gaga, Frank Sinatra Jr., Chaka Khan, Burt Bacharach, The Ojays, Christina Aguilera, NPR, PBS, Disney. Roberts also works as a music professor at MSU Billings and as a clinician at jazz festivals, public schools and other outreach venues. John Roberts y Pan Blanco
Opening for John Roberts Y Pan Blanco will be
Thursday, August 13th: Bowie/Rez & His Boogie Army
Born from the ashes of the popular Bowie-Idol project, Vashon based Record Producer & Mixing Engineer, Martin Feveyear, has formed a brand new 8-piece rock & roll group "Bowie/Rex & His Boogie Army".
Performing a mix of music from David Bowie, Marc Bolan & T-Rex, Roxy Music, The Cars, The Kinks, Talking Heads, Joy Division and more, “Bowie/Rex & His Boogie Army” features some of the region’s finest musicians.
With Dave Dederer (Presidents of the USA, Duff McKagan’s Loaded) and Tim Dijulio (Lazy Suzan, Flight to Mars) on guitars, Michael Musburger (The Posies, The Fastbacks) on drums, Billy Stover (Dusty 45’s, Victoria Contreras) on keyboards and Jeremy Lightfoot (Danny Newcomb, Elvez) on bass, the band is rounded out by front-man Martin Feveyear (Producer of Brandi Carlisle, Presidents of the USA, Duff McKagan of Guns n Roses, and Islanders St Ophelia, Kat Eggleston & Gregg Curry) and backing singers “The Suffragette Sisters (Rhiannon Walther, Sarah Howard & Melissa Feveyear).
Martin reflects: “Marc Bolan, David Bowie, and the Glam music of the early 70’s was the music of my childhood. My mother playing and singing along to the 45 of Sorrow, is one of my fondest preschool memories. At the age of 5, I had a poster on my wall of the magical and mysterious Ziggy Stardust. The Music of that time, Bowie’s music especially, has had a huge impact on me, he’s been there during every decade of my life. Losing him in 2016 was very hard to swallow. I suppose being in this band, is a blatant way of reconnecting with that music and his loss?”
Martin fronted a band in the UK for almost 10 years from the age of 15 but transitioned from performing into the producing, writing, recording and mixing side of the industry. After moving to Seattle in the early 90s, Martin has performed publicly a few times here and there, and thanks to the encouragement of new friends on the Island, more so since moving to Vashon.
Martin is honored to be joined by this caliber of musicians to play their favorite songs. He still can't believe they are all on board. Not only are they incredible players but also the sweetest people.
Opening for Bowie/Rex & His Boogie Army will be
Thursday, August 20th: Eldridge Gravy & The Court Supreme
Eldridge Gravy & The Court Supreme is a funk juggernaut. Backed by the hot, gritty orchestration of the 12 member Court Supreme, front man Eldridge Gravy easily works dance floors to a fever pitch with his full-bore performance and smooth rapport with the audience.
In 2024, the group released their fifth studio album titled ALWAYS NEVER NOT A GOOD TIME. The ten tracks here run the gamut from funk to disco-funk to down-n-dirty funk, and provide all the necessary raw materials for getting down. Recorded at the Funk Castle, mixed by Floyd Reitsma at Studio Litho.
Over the past few years EG&tCS have headlined practically every prestigious venue in Seattle and Portland, including Crocodile, Neumos, Tractor Tavern, Showbox, Doug Fir Lounge, and Star Theater. They have also ruthlessly funked thousands of festivalgoers at Bumbershoot, the Waterfront Blues Festival in Portland, July 4th at Gasworks Park, and Summer Meltdown.
Opening for Eldridge Gravy & The Court Supreme will be
Thursday, August 27th: High Step Society
High Step Society is a high-flying, beat-dropping, big band dance party with an ear to the past, and both feet on the gas. Sultry and effervescent, low-down, dirty and mean, this dynamic EDM-infused seven-piece band is bringing jazz back to the dance floor where it belongs.
Based out of Portland, OR, and New Orleans, LA, High Step Society has been a favorite of the US festival scene since it’s creation in 2015, touring year-round and sharing stages with a wide range of acts from Beats Antique and The Polish Ambassador to Zion I and Dirtwire. Their fusion of hard-hitting beats with seductive vocals and horns has made them a top performance choice for dancers and burlesque and circus artists worldwide. Capturing the spirit of the Jazz Age and launching it a century forward, this band breaks down the divisions between us and replaces them with the irresistible urge to dance together.
High stepping is a state of mind, and a society to be a part of. Dress yourself up nice, jump on the dance floor and lift your best foot towards the sky. Let’s ride this wave together towards better times.
Opening for High Step Society will be
**********************************************************************************
Vashon Events is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization dedicated to building community and supporting artists-musicians on Vashon Island, WA. Our mission is to create, provide, and expand positive life experiences through music and art for all. We provide an information hub for Vashon Island including a business directory, information about events and classes happening on the island, and programs that support arts and local music. We believe that keeping Vashon Island vibrant means supporting our local businesses and artists. A big warm thank you to the Vashon Park District for allowing us to work with them and curate the music for this wonderful community event every August.
Reposado
Reposado
John Roberts Y Pan Blanco
John Roberts Y Pan Blanco
Bowie/Rex & His Boogie Army
Bowie/Rex & His Boogie Army
Eldridge Gravy & The Court Supreme
High Step Society
High Step Society