2011 Fairfax County Summer Entertainment Series Rocks

Major kudos to The Fairfax County Park Authority for scheduling the best free summer concert series we've seen in a while. There's a amalgamated stew of excellent music from different genres delivered by national, regional, and local acts. Some of the highlights - how about Anders Osborne. Or Tom Principato, Bill Kirchen, Andrew McKnight, Sierra Hull, Claire Lynch, or Tom Paxton. These artists are usually seen at the Birchmere, Wolf Trap, or the Rams Head - not at local amphitheaters. Add in rising artists like The Damwells, Scythian, Ted Garber, or Melodime and great local acts like Bruce Ewan, Ruthie and the Wranglers, Last Train Home, Little Red and The Renegades,Cathy Ponton King, the Janine Wilson Band and we might as well list everyone. This is a great series. And free. And family friendly. And possible dog friendly. And convenient. What else do you need? Here are the highlights from three venues, but there are plenty more so check the park authority website.

Newton W. Edwards Amphitheater at Mason District Park, 6621 Columbia Pike, Annandale VA 22003
7:30-8:30 p.m.

June
1 - Bruce Ewan (blues)
3 - Anders Osborne (blues/rock/soul/classic rhythm and blues)
5 - City of Fairfax Concert Band (big band)
8 - Ruthie and the Wranglers (roots/rock)
10 - Sierra Hull and Highway 111 (country)
12 - BG Y The Mojo Hands (swing/rockabilly)
15 - Veronneau (soft jazz)
17 - Celtibillies (Celtic)
19 - Washington Balalaika Orchestra (Russian)
22 - Carolyn Malachi (jazz/pop/rhythm and blues)
24 - Cathy Fink & Marcy Marxer (music for families)
26 - National Concert Band (big band)
29 - Squeeze Bayou (Cajun)

July
1 - Last Train Home (country)
3 - Kings Park Band (big band)
6 - Robbin Thompson (blues)
8 - Claire Lynch (bluegrass)
10 - The NOVA Annandale Symphony Orchestra (pops)
13 - Thrillbillies (rockbilly)
15 - John Eaton (jazz/blues/Broadway)
17 - The United States Army Band - Downrange (rock)
20 - The United States Navy Band - Sea Chanters (chorale)
22 - Alexandria Kleztet (jazz)
24 - The Capitol Steps (satirical revue)
27 - L’Tanya Mari (jazz)
29 - Little Red and The Renegades (zydeco)
31 - Falls Church Concert Band (big band)

August
3 - Tom Principato (blues)
5 - Tom Paxton (folk)
7 - Radio King Orchestra (big band)
10 - Hot Society Orchestra of Washington (jazz)
12 - Orquesta Tropikimba (Afro-Cuban orchestra)
14 - Cartoon Johnny (a cappella)
17 - The Joe Rathbone Band (indie rock)
19 - The Atomic Swing Club (swing)
20 - The United States Army Band - Blues Jazz Ensemble
24 - Ted Garber (blues/Americana/rock)
26 - The Aloha Boys (Hawaiian folk music and dance)
28 - Melodime (country rock)

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Braddock Nights

ROYAL LAKE PARK
5344 Gainsborough Drive, Fairfax 22032
Friday Evenings • 7:30-8:30 p.m.

June
3 - Natty Beaux (Jump Blues)
10 - Andrew McKnight & Beyond Borders (Folk)
17 - Elvis Tribute Band, Jed Deuvall (Rock&Roll)
24 - Mariachi Los Amigos (Mariachi)

July
1 - Billy Woodward & The Senders (Rockabilly/Vintage R&B)
8 - The Damnwells (Roots/Blues)
15 - Janine Wilson Band (Roots/Rock)
22 - Cathy Ponton King (Blues)
29 - Washington Toho Koto Society (Japanese)

August
5 - Trio Caliente (Latin Gypsy Rhumba)
12 - 7: The Capital Focus Jazz Band (Jazz)
19 - Andrew Acosta String Band (Folk/Bluegrass)
26 - No Second Troy (Indie/Pop/Rock)

LAKE ACCOTINK PARK
7500 Accotink Park Road, Springfield 22152
Friday Evenings • 7:30-8:30 p.m.

June
3 - The Roustabouts (Blues/Fiddle Band)
10 - City of Fairfax “Concert Band” (Big Band)
17 - The United States Army Band “Blues Jazz Ensemble” (Jazz)
24 - MAHALA (Township Jive)

July
1 - Hangover Royale (Rockabilly/Western Swing)
8 - The Taters (Country/Pop)
15 - Night Music (Vintage Rock)
22 - Celtic Marc (Irish/Scottish)
29 - Billy Coulter (Roots/Rock)

August
5 - The Fairfax Symphony Orchestra’s Brass Quintet (Classic)
12 - The United States Navy Band “Commodores” (Jazz)
19 - Annapolis Bluegrass Coalition (Bluegrass)
26 - City of Fairfax Band “Alte Kameraden German Band” (German)
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Hunter Mill Melodies Concert Series
FRYING PAN FARM PARK • 2709 West Ox Road, Herndon, VA 20171

June
2 - The Company Store (Old-time Fiddling & Country Humor)
9 - The Annandale Brass Ensemble (Light Classical & Popular Songs)
16 - Cravin’ Dogs (Rock)
23 - The United States Navy Band “Country Current” (Country)
30 - Scythian (Irish)

July
7 - The United States Army Band “Blues Jazz Ensemble” (Jazz)
14 - Slightly Something (Acoustic/Pop)
21 - Bill Emerson & Sweet Dixie (Traditional Bluegrass)
28 - Bill Kirchen & Too Much Fun (Rockabilly)

August
4 - CAISO Steel Band (Steel Drum Band)
11 - King Teddy (Swing)
18 - The Winstons (Motown)
25 - Mystic Warriors (Andean)