Bainbridge welcomes the ‘sounds of summer’

Musical lineup for summer concerts runs the gamut.

The sun is up and school is out, but it’s going to take something a little more in vogue than Julie Andrews to make these hills come alive with the sound of summer.

Luckily, live music lovers have a variety of venue choices, offering music to please any ear, when it comes to season concert offerings on Bainbridge Island this summer. From the ultramodern to the time honored and traditional, island concert events abound this year with promises of variety and fun.

For those on the cutting edge, the latest otherworldly personas to touch down on the Bainbridge concert landscape, courtesy of the nonprofit performance group Spacecraft, are a wonderfully motley mix of slick and sexy, gutsy, vintage and timeless acts — and they all came to rock.

Spacecraft was founded with the express purpose of “filling cultural gaps,” the group said.

“Spacecraft serves the culturally curious residents of Kitsap County by curating programs ranging from music, performance, dance, literary events and art that are not easily accessible anywhere in the county,” the group’s mission statement reads.

Headlining the July 10 show is the Mama Rags, the latest disciples to take up the rich southern rock tradition, and Fox and the Law -— known for their ‘70s-esque guitar riffs and heavy drums reminiscent of vintage Black Sabbath.

Portland import the Weather Machine, described as “a little bit Josh Ritter, a little bit Modest Mouse,” and Fly Moon Royalty, a Seattle-based duo working with an aesthetic that combines the heart and soul of blues and soul with electronica and hip hop, are up next Friday, July 24.

The Aug. 14 show is a solo performance by Vaudeville Etiquette. The Seattle-based quintet has quickly become known for their original blend of Americana and folk rock and riveting live gigs and was voted “One of the 12 Best Touring Bands You Probably Missed in 2014 (And NEED to See in 2015)” by Rock ‘N Roll Cocktail.

The final slated summer show is an Aug. 28 doubleheader featuring A Cedar Suede —which offers up a cinematic synergy of Afro-Cuban beats, sultry R&B and lively pastoral melodies — and Naomi Wachira, Seattle Weekly’s Best Folk Singer of 2013.

Channeling similar themes and feeling as the groundbreaking talents Miriam Makeba and Tracy Chapman, Wachira, a native of Kenya, teamed with producer and much-loved Seattle indie songwriter Damien Jurado to create her recently released debut album, which also featured renowned Seattle bassist Evan Flory-Barnes, cellist Natalie Hall, drummer Darren Reynolds and Latin percussionist Lalo Bello.

All the concerts will take place at the Spacecraft’s Rolling Bay location (Rolling Bay Hall, 10598 NE Valley Road). Doors open at 7:30 p.m. for all shows, first concert begins at 8 p.m.

Tickets are on sale now; the cost is $10 in advance or $12 at the door.

Visit www.spacecraftpresents.org or www.facebook.com/spacecraftbainbridge to purchase and learn more.

For those looking to get their sounds under the sun, Bloedel Reserve will host several outdoor music events throughout the coming weeks as well, including traditional Japanese music on Koto by Takako Satoh on select Sunday afternoons in the Japanese Garden. The Koto is a traditional 13-string zither-like instrument played with three fingers and with movable bridge pieces.

The concerts are from 1:30 to 3:30 p.m. July 5 and 19, as well as Aug. 2 and 16. The event is free with paid admission to the park. Visit www.bloedelreserve.org to learn more.

The Treehouse Café, Lynwood’s preeminent live music venue, will host several sensation summer concerts as well, including the Band of Heathens (Wednesday, July 15) and November Pearls (Thursday, July 16).

Tickets range from $26 to $38, visit www.treehousebainbridge.com to learn more and purchase; some shows are 21-and-over only.

Looking for more of a family affair?

The Bainbridge Island Metro Park & Recreation District sponsors a variety of special events for all ages in the community, including the Sounds of Summer in the Park concert series at Battle Point Park with special performances every Wednesday at 7 p.m. from July 8 to Aug. 19. The current schedule includes perennial island favorite St. Paul de Vence (July 8), Cloverdale (July 15), West My Friend (July 22), Matuto (July 29), folk rock frontman Ian McFeron (Aug. 5), the Paper Boys (Aug. 12) and the New Orleands jazz stylings of Dukes of Dabob (Aug. 19).

Visit www.biparks.org to learn more.