The popular Tunes @ Tapps concert series begins Wednesday, at Bonney Lake’s Allan Yorke Park.
The nine-week schedule features return appearances by a handful of popular acts, plus a healthy dose of newcomers. Scheduled for every Wednesday through Sept. 2, the music begins at 6:30 p.m.
An outdoor market operates in conjunction with the live music, opening to visitors at 5 p.m. each Wednesday.
Those attending typically bring lawn chairs or blankets for the free, family-friendly shows.
The summer schedule looks like this.
• July 8, The Coats: this four-member, a capella group tours nationally, seamlessly mixing a blend of music and comedy.
• July 15, Spike and the Impalers: the popular classic rock cover band features radio personalities Bob Rivers and Spike O’Neill. The group has played Tunes @ Tapps before, attracting a large audience.
In conjunction with the concert, the city of Bonney Lake will sponsor a salute to the Armed Forces during the show. Hot dog meals will be sold for $5 with all proceeds going to the USO Mobile Canteen.
• July 22, The Great Pretenders: for more than 40 years, this Pierce County-based rock ‘n’ roll cover band has entertained audiences.
• July 29, SweetKiss Momma: this six-member band bills itself as providing “rootsy, Southern-soul tinged rock-n-roll.”
• Aug. 5, Wally and the Beaves: this group formed in 2011, combining the music and pop culture of the 1950s and ‘60s. Dressed as iconic characters from the era, members crank out hits from artists ranging from Elvis Presley to Lynyrd Skynyrd.
• Aug. 12, The Beatniks: this high-energy band has remained popular since the early 1990s, performing more than 5,000 shows. The set list features pop and rock tunes from the 1960s and 1970s, with some ‘80s favorites, too.
• Aug. 19, Vaudeville Etiquette: from its website, the Seattle quintet is billed as a group that “pushes every boundary with raw passion, grit and mischievous wit.” Expect everything from wistful ballads to energetic anthems.
• Aug. 26, Slim Wizzy and the Bombshell: this newly-formed group’s first public appearance will be at Tunes @ Tapps. Formed by Doug Wisness of The Coats (see July 8), the lineup includes Amy Fuller, the music teacher at Bonney Lake High School. There’s an emphasis on blues tunes and anthem rock.
• Sept. 2, Heart by Heart: this six-member group is a spin-off of the rock band Heart, featuring two founding members of the Seattle band – bassist Steve Fossen and original Heart drummer Mike Derosier. Both have been inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame as members of Heart. The band plays 1970s and ‘80 songs made famous by Heart and includes Randy Hansen, perhaps the best-known Jimi Hendrix tribute artist, and keyboardist Bob Rivers (also of Spike and the Impalers).
