Prep the picnic – park concerts begin

Time to block out Wednesday evenings on the family calendar. Get the kids, grab a picnic, and head downtown, where the Concerts at Waterfront Park series begins July 8.

Locust Street Taxi is on the bill, a band that describes itself as “like a zoo burning down – but in a good way.”

The free concert begins at 7 p.m.

For a full lineup of the summer’s concerts, same time every Wednesday, see www.biparks.org.

Oh, the king is in the altogether

In conjunction with the Bainbridge Public Library’s summer reading program, the Monroe-based Last Leaf Theater troupe will present “The Emperor’s New Clothes” at 10:30 a.m. July 7 in the Commodore School cafeteria.

Gather the kids for this fun, silly adaptation of the familiar Hans Christian Andersen story of a pompous and foolish emperor who has no clue about the ridicule his new “suit” will expose him to.

The show is free; for more information, contact the library at 842-4162.

Seeking serenity this Fourth of July?

Bloedel Reserve will be open throughout the Fourth of July holiday weekend, both today – the official Federal holiday – and on July 4 and 5.

Appointments are advised, and can be made through the website, www.bloedelreserve.org, or by calling 842-7631. Hours are 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Looking into the summer, the Reserve will remain open until 7 p.m. Thursdays through August, to encourage after-work visitors from the island as well as from surrounding communities in Kitsap County.