Summer Sunday Concerts in the Park Begin Sunday, 7/6

The Alden and the McLean Community Center's (MCC) popular Summer Sunday Concerts in the Park series will begin at 5 p.m. on Sunday, July 6, at McLean Central Park. The hour- to two hour-long concerts are held in the gazebo, and food and beverages are available for purchase. The park is located at 1468 Dolley Madison Blvd. Free parking is available at MCC or the Dolley Madison Library.

This year's series is comprised of groups who have been rained out or canceled in previous years. According to Performing Arts Director Sarah Schallern, "Mother Nature likes to throw a wrench in our plans. Whether it's a derecho or just plain old rain, we seem to have to cancel one of our Concerts in the Park each summer." To remedy the problem, Schallern has booked three acts whose concerts have been canceled or moved indoors in recent years. "These bands and our patrons deserve a "do-over," so we're bringing them back," she said. Rounding out the series will be a final concert by guitar legend Tom Principato. "Just in case one of the concerts is rained out, we're prepared to sing the blues with Tom," said Schallern.

Concert Schedule (Subject to change)

The Aloha Boys
Sunday, July 6
The music of the Aloha Boys takes their audiences back to a lifestyle that is unique to their native Hawaii. The group plays kanikapila, an acoustic, down-home, backyard-style Hawaiian music that includes everything from very traditional to contemporary songs.

The English Channel
Sunday, July 13
This year marks the 50th anniversary of the British Invasion and The English Channel authentically recreates British rock and pop from the 1960s and 1970s. The band has a passion for this music and it shows. They will play songs by the Stones, The Beatles, The Who, Moody Blues, Dusty Springfield and many more.

Washington Balalaika Society Chamber Orchestra
Sunday, July 20
For more than 20 years, the Washington Balalaika Society has been performing the music of Russia, Ukraine and Eastern Europe on a variety of traditional Russian folk instruments --- the balalaika, domra, bayan and related folk wind and percussion instruments.

Tom Principato
Sunday, July 27
Multiple Washington Area Music (WAMMIE) Award-winner and bluesman extraordinaire, Tom Principato sets the telecaster on fire and makes having the blues so good.