Free and outdoors, summer concerts set for Enumclaw, Buckley

Rock n’ roll, blues, jazz and more coming July, August

By Kevin Hanson • June 11, 2021 9:11 am
The Blues Brothers was one of the acts to grace the Buckley Concert Series in 2019. The 2020 concert series was canceled due to the pandemic. This year, the Blues Brothers will not be making an appearance during the series. Photo by Kevin Hanson
The Blues Brothers was one of the acts to grace the Buckley Concert Series in 2019. The 2020 concert series was canceled due to the pandemic. This year, the Blues Brothers will not be making an appearance during the series. Photo by Kevin Hanson

Restrictions have eased, people are once again flocking to outdoor events and the cities of Enumclaw and Buckley are answering the call with summertime outdoor concerts.

Both communities were previously home to free, weekly concerts, but each pulled the plug in 2020 due to COVID-19 restrictions.

Buckley has hosted its weekly shows adjacent to the Youth Center for a number of years, while Enumclaw got into the game in 2019 with concerts at Rotary Centennial Park.

Here’s a look at what each city has planned for the summer of 2021.

ENUMCLAW SERIES TO RUN FIVE WEEKS

The list of performers has been set, but there’s more information to come. Alina Hibbs, the city employee responsible for putting together the concert series, said a key detail is the location: in 2019, concerts were at Rotary Centennial Park; the park, however, could be getting some work this summer, meaning shows might have to find a new home.

For now, here’s the list and dates.

• Things get rolling July 30 when the Jimmy Vegas Band rolls into Enumclaw. According to the band’s website, the audience should expect to hear multiple decades worth of “top dance hits and anthems.” The band has spent 15 years in the Northwest, primarily playing in casinos and special events.

• Aug. 6 will be given over to rock music by SixGun. According to its website, the group originated in Southern California in the early 2000s and came out of the rockabilly scene with “a straight ahead approach and a bit more edge than most. A bit more punk than greaser.”

• Aug. 13 – Back by popular demand (they were a hit during the 2019 season) are the T-Town Aces. There’s been some turnover in the band lineup, but they promise, via Facebook, “the best blues and R&B you’ll see in the region.”

• Aug. 20 – Raucous will provide both rock ‘n’ roll and music the crowd can dance to.

• Aug. 27 – It’s a night for blues/jazz/funk by the High Note Group, winners of three 2020 awards given by the Washington Blues Society.

BUCKLEY SHOWS AT YOUTH CENTER

The venue remains the same, with performers taking the stage in the grassy area directly south of the Youth Center. Guests will be found in lawn chairs or on blankets spread on the ground, many with picnic baskets and coolers at their side.

The schedule calls for a five-week series, with shows every Thursday beginning July 8. The 90-minute performances kick off at 6:30 p.m. On the schedule are:

• July 8 will bring Danny Vernon and his “Illusion of Elvis” show to Buckley. On his website, Vernon writes: “From the many years of admiration of Elvis Presley, I’ve sought to create a show that would hold the excitement of the King of Rock and Roll on stage throughout the various stages of his career. I also try to show respect and support the integrity of the man and his music.”

• July 15 will feature a newcomer – BroHamM – to the Buckley stage. Concert attendees can expect a mix of R&B and Motown tunes from the six-man band.

• July 22 brings back a crowd favorite, Wally and the Beaves. It’s a lively show in full costume (think a 1950s and ‘60s look) with music from the golden era of rock ’n’ roll.

• July 29 has the Marlin James Band coming to town with a country/rock mix. Guests can expect everything from Keith Urban and the Zac Brown Band to a classic like Merle Haggard.

• August 5 will feature the music of Paul McCartney, delivered by Northwest band Wings N Things. The playlist includes Paul’s solo efforts, songs from his time with Wings and even dips back to his Beatles days.