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, beginning on July 31st and ending on August 28th from 7:00pm - 9:00pm.
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.
Sound equipment and lighting will be provided by Laird Gonter of Bandstand Music Inc, 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.
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!
First up, on July 31st is a band called Object Heavy that you might have seen before at Hedy's amazing Sugar Shack venue. Object Heavy is Humboldt County’s hardest hitting soul sensation. The band is led by the nuanced and powerful voice of Richard Love, alongside explosive, tasteful keyboardist Brian Swislow, masterful guitarist Leo Plummer, and the man holding down the low end, bassist Bobby Amirkhanian. You might find rock steady drummer Dan Weiss in the loop. Fresh off the release of their new record, 'Love & Gravity' (Produced by Kelly Finnigan of Monophonics), and 5th win as North Coast Journal’s “Best Original Band Of Humboldt” in the past 8 years nominated, they have garnered stellar reviews from an international audience and were promoted as a featured artist on Apple Music's Soul and RnB carousel. They were also featured on several of Apple Music's top playlists within their genre field. Object Heavy has spent the last few years establishing themselves as a stand out live experience in touring the greater western United States and sharing the stage with diverse talent such as Orgone, Galactic, The Motet, Rebirth Brass Band, Polyrhythmics, Turkuaz, Lyrics Born, and Chali 2na. Object Heavy’s magnetic blend of classic Cadillac soul, effortlessly contagious dance grooves, vocal harmonies and blazing musicianship is a must see live experience.
Come on out to the Park and get your groove on!
Opening for Object Heavy will be Madeleine Wolczko, a hometown favorite. Madeleine Wolczko is a Vashon Island-based musician whose voice and artistry have become local treasures. A merchant mariner by trade, Madeleine works as a navigator aboard massive containerships, guiding vessels across oceans while crafting music in her cabin between shifts. Her life at sea fuels her creativity—she’s known to record and produce music onboard, turning her quarters into a floating studio.
Back on land, Madeleine lives aboard a red sailboat named IKI in Quartermaster Harbor, where she continues to write and perform. Her musical style spans electronic production and acoustic sound, and she’s recognized as one of the island’s most captivating vocalists. Whether singing solo or collaborating with fellow island artists, Madeleine brings emotional depth and a sense of adventure to every note.
She’s performed in intimate settings like Tinyboatsession, where her rendition of “Big White Gate” showcased her raw talent and connection to place. Madeleine’s journey also includes mentoring and performing alongside other Vashon youth in community-driven events like Sharing the Stage, where she’s helped bridge generations of island musicians.
With a life split between the open ocean and the close-knit shores of Vashon, Madeleine Wolczko is a rare kind of artist—one who navigates both the literal and metaphorical currents of creativity.
Where to eat: https://www.vashonevents.org/dining
Where to stay: https://www.vashonevents.org/wheretostay