Kent Summer Concerts features new venue at Morrill Meadows Park

After nearly 30 years of Thursday evening Kent Summer Concerts at Lake Meridian Park, city leaders decided to change the venue to Morrill Meadows Park.

“The primary reason for the shift is that Morrill Meadows Park will provide concert goers with easy access to much more parking in close proximity to the venue,” said Ronda Billerbeck, city of Kent Cultural Programs manager, in a June 30 email. “With parking available at the park and at the Kent United Methodist Church just to the east, there should be plenty of parking without an offsite location and shuttle service.”

Seattle-based Heart By Heart will open the new Thursdays Music in the Meadow series from 6:30 to 8 p.m. July 10 at Morrill Meadows Park, 10600 SE 248th St.

“While Lake Meridian was a beautiful concert setting, parking was a significant challenge, especially on warm summer days when lots of people access the park for waterfront activities,” Billerbeck said. “We were hearing feedback from residents who wanted to come to the concerts but felt that having to park off-site and catch a shuttle was an inconvenient barrier. Moving the concerts will not only offer better access to concert attendees, but it will also free up access at Lake Meridian for beach users.”

The city completed a $1.59 million renovation in 2024 at the 21-acre Morrill Meadows Park, including an expanded playground with improved ADA access, new swings, a brand-new nature play area, updated park furnishings, improved lawn space and a permanent stage.

“We are also excited about the pretty meadow setting at Morrill Meadows; its central location; flat, easy access for our beautiful new stage; and park amenities like the popular new playground and public outdoor play areas at the adjacent YMCA,” Billerbeck said.

The Lake Meridian Park setting, however, will be missed.

“We have loved hosting our Thursdays at the Lake concerts at Lake Meridian for nearly 30 years and have been carefully considering this move for a couple of years now,” Billerbeck said. “It was a tough, but well-considered decision, and we are now very excited to move into a new era of Music in the Meadow concerts. We have a fantastic lineup of performers this year and hope to see lots of Kent residents out at the concerts.”

Kent Summer Concerts go from July 9 to Aug. 20 with free entertainment at three venues. City of Kent Parks presents Wednesday and Thursday shows, Kent Station presents Wednesday concerts.

WEDNESDAY PICNIC PERFORMANCES

Noon to 1 p.m.

West Fenwick Park, 3808 Reith Road

In conjunction with Kent Parks Summer Playgrounds, performances, as well as water games, carnival-style activities, sno-cones and sports.

• July 9: Alex Zerbe’s Zaniac Comedy Show

Alex Zerbe The Zaniac has appeared on three national television shows and holds two Guinness World Records. Jaws will drop, and eyes will pop as Alex juggles bowling balls, flaming torches and slices vegetables in half with a flying playing card.

• July 16: Red Yarn

Red Yarn (aka Andy Furgeson) weaves music and puppetry into high-energy shows for all ages. With traditional and original songs that blend folk, rock’n’roll, country, and blues, Red Yarn’s shows are a raucous, inclusive celebration of the multicultural musical heritage of the USA. As Red rambles through the landscapes of American folklore, he introduces his “critter” friends – lovable, handmade puppets.

• July 23: Aaron Nigel Smith

Aaron Nigel Smith is a Grammy-nominated musician and Billboard No. 1 recording artist who connects and empowers youth, families, and communities through music and the arts. He has performed at Carnegie Hall, Lincoln Center, Kennedy Center, Wolf Trap, Winnipeg Folk Fest, Lollapooza, and Pickathon, and performed throughout South America, Europe, Asia and Africa.

• July 30: DJ Willy Wow

DJ Willy Wow is a Grammy-nominated children’s songwriter, music producer, voice-over artist, radio personality, and celebrity DJ. His signature high-energy performances have entertained thousands of families from the White House lawn to South Africa.

• Aug. 6: Uncle Jumbo

Uncle Jumbo’s performances include upbeat songs and dance-alongs that focus on joy, kindness, and well-being. With a wide range of both bouncy energetic rhythms and big vocals, as well as calming, soft songs, Grammy-nominated Uncle Jumbo spreads love and makes everyone feel connected.

KENT STATION SUMMER SOUNDS

6 to 8 p.m. Wednesdays

Presented by Kent Station, 417 Ramsay Way

• July 9: Darren Motamedy

Saxophonist Darren Motamedy has released 15 smooth jazz albums since 1989. His newest, “Grateful” was released in March of 2023. His albums have been played nationally and two of his albums were named “Jazz Album of the Year.” A native of Kent, Darren Motamedy returns from his home in Las Vegas to perform for his local fan base.

• July 16: Nite Wave – 80’s Nite

Prince, Depeche Mode, Duran Duran, INXS, and more. Seattle-based Nite Wave pays homage to the artists who designed a decade. The group was hand-picked by Billy Idol to open for his tour, and they have shared the stage with Jane Wiedlin of The Go-Go’s, Clive Farrington of When in Rome, and Tiffany.

• July 23: The Jewel Tones

The Jewel Tones, of Seattle, perform all of your favorite Motown hits with sass and flair. Sing and dance along to favorites by The Supremes, Stevie Wonder, Gladys Knight & The Pips, The Jackson 5, and many more. This is an upbeat, family-friendly, throwback show that all ages can enjoy.

• July 30: Santa Poco

Santa Poco is a five-piece band from Seattle that offers offer the type of slide-guitar emboldened tunes that float throughout a dusty roadhouse or romping dance hall. They’re a robust combination of rock/grunge/blues/country.

• Aug. 6: Oncore featuring the Platinum Horns

This high energy Top 40/pop/R&B cover band gets the party started and never lets it stop. The band is composed of talented musicians who have been members of famous acts such as Prince, Michael Jackson, Chaka Khan, Gladys Knight, and The Rolling Stones to name a few. Oncore believes that a party should be for the people, and they aim to please.

• Aug. 13: The Cory Wilds Band

The Cory Wilds Band delivers a healthy mix of blues, rock, country and jazz. Their live show is packed with good time music you can dance to. Covering everything from BB King and the Beatles to Led Zeppelin and ZZ Top.

• Aug. 20: School of Rock Kent

School of Rock is a growing, passionate community dedicated to enriching lives through performance-based music education. Students perform music from 70+ years of rock and roll, blues, jazz, alternative and indie bands. We put on performances to teach music, rather than teaching music to put on performances.

THURSDAYS MUSIC IN THE MEADOW

6:30 to 8 p.m.

Morrill Meadows Park, 10600 SE 248th St.

Featuring refreshments each night by Cafe de la Loba (hot dogs) and Kona Ice of Maple Valley

• July 10: Heart By Heart

Steve Fossen and Michael Derosier, bassist and drummer for the band Heart during the 1970s and early 1980s, are now touring as Heart By Heart with the mission to faithfully perform classic Heart music. The band presents a powerful, dynamic show that includes all the favorite Heart hits as well as deep album cuts that fans will love.

• July 17: Eden

Rock, blues, and pop fronted by the powerhouse vocals of Savanna Woods, a recent top 20 artist from Stanwood on NBC’s “The Voice.” Eden plays a dynamic range of original music, paired with covers from the 60s through today. From Fleetwood Mac to AC/DC to Stevie Ray Vaughan, this band is guaranteed to get you grooving.

• July 24: Prom Date Mixtape

The ultimate ‘80s New Wave experience! Recently named “The Greatest ’80s Tribute Band in the Pacific Northwest” by KOMO TV 4’s Seattle Refined, Prom Date Mixtape delivers the most authentic and energetic renditions of your favorite decade-defining new wave, pop and rock tunes.

• July 31: Kalimba – The Spirit of Earth Wind and Fire

This Earth Wind and Fire experience reproduces the infectious grooves created by Earth Wind and Fire and transports audiences back to the excitement of hearing the band’s unforgettable songs for the first time.

• Aug. 7: Eldridge Gravy and the Court Supreme

This Seattle-based funk juggernaut features front man Eldridge Gravy backed by the hot, gritty orchestration of the 13-member Court Supreme. The group works dance floors to a fever pitch with their full-bore performance and smooth rapport with audiences. They have also ruthlessly funked thousands of festivalgoers at Bumbershoot, the Waterfront Blues Festival in Portland, July 4th at Gasworks Park, and Summer Meltdown.

• Aug. 14: Ryanhood

This Arizona duo merges virtuosic musicianship with rich and transformative storytelling. Their shows are driven by strong acoustic guitar interplay and tight vocal harmonies forged in a decades-long friendship. At turns energetic, hopeful, and quietly moving, Ryanhood offers an invitation to soak in a river of melodies and harmonic hooks.