Music In The Park Delights Downtown Olympia Audiences

Olympia residents enjoy an outdoor concert during the Music in the Park series at Sylvester Park.
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By Nikki McCoy

oly fed sponsor“Music washes away from the soul the dust of everyday life,” said novelist Berthold Auerbach.

Auerbach could only be referring to the magic that happens when you listen to music – guitar riffs that soothe the psyche, soulful voices and creative lyrics that weave stories, taking you on a journey, percussion beats that are light-hearted and spirited, compelling you to sway your hips and break into a smile.

Olympia residents enjoy an outdoor concert during the Music in the Park series at Sylvester Park. Photo courtesy of Ryanne Lipsey and Tomas Zvirzdys.

Add some sunshine and an outdoor stage, and you have the 33rd annual Music in the Park series at Sylvester Park in downtown Olympia. Every Wednesday, at 7 p.m., July 11 – August 29, (except Friday, August 3, when the Port of Olympia’s Port Plaza becomes the stage,) the community can enjoy an array of live music. From Reggae, to Country, to Acapella, each genre brings special flavor to an event that attracts over 13,000 people annually.

Music in the Park debuted in 1979, when downtown Olympia was going through a growth slump. A group formed to rejuvenate downtown Olympia, called the Regional/Urban Design Assistance Team (RUDAT.) RUDAT made many recommendations regarding cultural changes in the core of the city. Adding a boardwalk to Percival Landing, opening the Washington Center for Performing Arts and promoting the Music in the Park concert series was on RUDAT’s agenda.

Since then, many renowned local, regional and national musicians, plus hundreds of thousands of community members have participated in and enjoyed the concert series.

The Olympia Downtown Association (ODA), whose mission is to “preserve, promote and enhance downtown Olympia”, took over production of Music in the Park in 1991, when volunteers were just not enough.

Vida Zvirzdys-Farler, ODA Event and Volunteer Coordinator is in her 4th season of organizing the event.

Concert goers dance in Sylvester Park during a free, outdoor concert. Photo courtesy Victor Zvirzdys.

“It gives community members an opportunity to enjoy a variety of quality, live music that’s crowd-pleasing and family-oriented at no cost to them,” she says. “My hope is to continue having quality live music free for all ages to enjoy.”

Music in the Park holds its place as a beacon of musical enjoyment for all ages in a town where artistic minds flourish. This event is the perfect creative outlet for not only musicians, but volunteers, coordinators, spectators and supporters.

“Celebrating 33 years of Music in the Park is a perfect example of when an event receives community support,” says Zvirzdys-Farler.

“It’s a great partnership – The Olympia Downtown Association organizes this summer concert series but without the financial support of our local businesses, government and citizens these concerts wouldn’t happen,” she says.

“It’s always a pleasure to have live music,” says Connie Lorenz, Executive Director of the Olympia Downtown Association. “We are lucky to have a state park in the middle of downtown.”

The benefits of engaging in live music events ripple throughout the community.

“My favorite thing besides sitting on the grass and listening to great music is running into people,” says Lorenz. “After the music, people don’t leave; they stay and get caught up with one another.”

Music in the Park is geared for all ages, and all musical tastes.

“Hearing the talent line up live in concert is what I always look most forward to, especially when it’s a band that has never played,” says Zvirzdys-Farler.

One such local band, The Fabulous Roof Shakers, will make their first Music in the Park appearance August 29.

“We play very tight and professional arrangements of Rhythm & Blues, Soul, Rock, County and Classic Rock music that get people out of their chairs and dancing,” says Bruce Koenigsberg, bass player and co-founder of TFRS.

Fabulous Roof Shakers

“People really need to come out and support live music,” he says. “Musicians are entertainers who work very hard on their craft, which is to entertain the audience.”

Dub Lounge International, from Seattle, will play August 22. The band says they play reggae at the highest level and look forward to playing in their favorite city of Olympia. They also say people should come to the show because “music is uplifting and good for the soul.”

Hmmm. Sounds very similar to what Berthold Auerbach said – they must be onto something.

So, grab a blanket or some portable chairs, round up family and friends, and head down to Sylvester Park for a season of soul cleansing.

For more information, visit www.musicintheparkolympia.com.

Concerts are from 7:00-8:00 PM at Sylvester Park with the exception of the August 3rd concert which is at the Port of Olympia’s Port Plaza from 7:00-8:30 PM.

July 11 Olympia Jazz Senators (Jazz)

July 18 133rd Army National Guard Band (Americana)

July 25 Fingertips (Rhythm & Blues)

Dub Lounge

August 1 Sammy Steele Band (Country)

August 3 m-pact (Acapella) At the Port Plaza.

August 8 Tacoma Concert Band (Symphonic)

August 15 Craig Terrill Band (Rock)

August 22 DUB Lounge International (Reggae)

August 29 Fabulous Roof Shakers (Rhythm & Blues)

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