Show thing! Outdoor summer 2012 entertainment for families

Hole up in a movie theater or concert hall during a Puget Sound summer? No way! Families in our region have a dizzying array of ways to get outdoors and sample the same great entertainment they enjoy during the winter months. We’ve put together a list of concerts, movies and theater that’ll get you outside and, in most cases, not even cost you a penny. Bring a blanket or chairs (when allowed) and something to nosh on, then kick back and relax under clear skies. (Did we miss a great series? Email calendar@parentmap.com.)

MUSIC + PERFORMANCES

Summer Park Concerts. Various city parks. Each weekend, a different park will feature an eclectic concert schedule in this music series that’s been going strong in Seattle since 1981. Sundays June 10- Sept. 23 at noon. [SEATTLE]

Concerts at the Locks. We can’t think of a prettier place to hang on a summer afternoon than what is popularly known as “the Ballard Locks.” On Saturdays and Sundays, enjoy 2 p.m. concerts that includes jazz and big band. June 2- September 3. Highlights include Barneleikarringen - Children's Scandinavian Dance (Sunday, June 10); Seattle Civic Band (Wednesday, July 4); Coal Creek Jazz Band (July 15). Free. Hiram M. Chittenden Locks, 3015 N.W. 45th St., Seattle. 206-783-7059. [BALLARD]

Sounds of Summer Concert Series. Enjoy live music, great food from U Village restaurants, the lively beer garden and fun activities in the Kids’ Area! Wednesdays, 5:15 p.m.; concerts from 6-8 p.m. July 11-August 15. July 11: Hit Explosion, July 18: The Dusty 45s, July 25: LeRoy Bell & His Only Friends, August 1: Clinton Fearon & The Boogie Brown Band, Children’s pre-show at 5:00 pm: Casper Babypants featuring Chris Ballew (from The Presidents of the United States of America), August 8: TBA, August 15: The Paperboys. University Village, Seattle. [RAVENNA /UNIVERSITY DISTRICT]

Summer Concerts at Hiawatha Park. West Seattle. The Admiral Neighborhood Association presents its fourth year of free summer concerts, with local favorites such as Caspar Babypants (August 23). Thursdays, 6:30-8 p.m. July 26-Aug.30. [WEST SEATTLE]

SAM Performs. Thursdays, 5:30-7:30 p.m. Thursday nights at Olympic Sculpture Park include food trucks, art activities, and live performances by some of Seattle’s hottest musicians. For a complete schedule of entertainment, check out www.seattleartmuseum.org/getout [DOWNTOWN SEATTLE]

Out to Lunch. Enjoy free music at locations around downtown Seattle. Performances aren’t geared specifically toward kids, but it’s a great excuse to explore the downtown core. July 11: Zoe Muth and the Lost High Rollers. July 13: Ian McFeron. July 18: Jovino Santos Neto. July 20: The Brothers Comatose. July 25: Wheedle’s Groove. July 27: Delhi 2 Dublin. Aug.1: Michael Powers. Aug.3: Greta Matassa & Susan Pascal. Aug.8: Portland Cello Project. Aug.10: Dusty 45s. Aug.15: Special Guest TBA. Aug. 17: The Paperboys. Aug.22: Pearl Django. Aug.24: The Dunwells. Aug.29: Vintage Trouble. Aug.31: LeRoy Bell & His Only Friends. Sept.5: Pokey LaFarge. Sept.7: Eduardo Mendonca & Show Brazil. Sept.12: The Randy Oxford Band. Sept.14: Hey Marseilles. Sept.19: Clinton Fearon & Boogie Brown Band. Sept.21: The Dudley Manlove Quartet. All concerts are noon–1:30pm; some evening concerts from 5:30–7pm. Various locations: Columbia Center, Kenny Triangle, Bank of America Plaza, Westlake Park, Waterfront Park, Wells Fargo, Two Union, Harbor Steps, Occidental Park and Freeway Park. [DOWNTOWN SEATTLE]

Seattle Presents. Presented by the Office of Arts & Cultural Affairs, a free, outdoor, lunchtime concert series on the City Hall plaza in July and August. Upcoming concerts include: Aug. 9: Bobby Medina & The Red Hot Band Motown to swing; Aug. 16: Kris Orlowski Guitar rock, pop and folk; Aug. 23: Jon Solo Indie rock singer-songwriter; and Aug. 30, Kasey Anderson with special guest Star Anna

[DOWNTOWN SEATTLE]

Arts in the Parks. Redmond’s summer music and theater arts series is held in July and August on the City Hall campus, with free noon concerts on Thursdays. July 19-August 23. 15670 Redmond City Hall campus green space, N.E. 85th St., Redmond. 425-556-2300.  [REDMOND]

Kirkland Summer Concert Series at Marina Park: Children’s Concerts. Tuesdays at 10 a.m. July 10-August 21. July 10, Johnny Bregar; July 17, Caspar Babypants; July 24, The Not-It's!; July 31, Eric Herman and the Thunder Puppies; August 7, Recess Monkey; August 14, Cowboy Buck and Elizabeth; August 21, The Board of Education; August 28, The Brian Waite Band. Marina Park, 25 Lakeshore Plaza Drive, Kirkland. City of Kirkland. [KIRKLAND]

KEXP Concerts at the Mural. Although these shows aren’t necessarily kindie rock, they do draw plenty of families and offer lots of space for kids to let loose and dance. Fridays in August, August 3-24, at 5:30 PM. [SEATTLE CENTER]

Mostly Music in the Park. Pop, world music, big band and jazz performed under the Veteran’s Recognition Pergola. Sundays & Thursdays at 7 p.m. July 22–Aug. 19. Free. This year’s eclectic lineup features world music and local sounds. July 22: Dixie Kings Jazz Brass. July 26: Eclectic Approach. July 29: Convergence Zone Bluegrass. Aug.2: Wild Snohomians. Aug.5: Snake Suspenderz. Aug.9: Rouge. Aug.12: Route 66. Aug.16: Ruzivo. Aug. 19: Smilin’ Scandinavians. July 22: Mercerdale Park, 77th Avenue Southeast and Southeast 23rd Street, Mercer Island. [MERCER ISLAND]

Lunchtime Music Series, Shoreline. July 10, Halau Hula O’ Napualani. July 17, Smilin Scandinavians. July 24, Anzanga Marimba Ensemble. July 31, Jeff Evans Aug. 7, Caspar Babypants. August 14, Jimmy Free’s Friends. Free. Noon. Concerts at Richmond Beach Saltwater Park. 206-801-2700. Tuesdays at noon, July 10-August 14. Free. [SHORELINE]

Everett Children’s Series. July 12: Paul Lippert’s Tall Tunes. July 19: The Not-Its. July 26: Brian Vogan and His Good Buddies. Aug.2: Tim Noah. Aug.9: Recess Monkey. Aug.16: Brian Waite Band. Aug 23: Caspar Babypants. Silver Lake at Thornton A. Sullivan Park, 11405 Silver Lake Road, Everett. 425-257-8700. Thursdays 10 a.m, July 12- August 23. [EVERETT]

WonderStage. Lynnwood's annual summer performance series for kids is held at Lynndale Park Amphitheatre, Lineup to be announced. Free. 18927 72nd Ave. W., Lynnwood. (If it rains, shows move to Lynndale Elementary School Gym. Call 425-670-5732 after 10:30 a.m. on the day of the show to see where the show is being held.) [LYNNWOOD]

Mill Creek Children’s Concert Series. Wednesdays at noon. Free. July 25: Eric Haines. Aug.1: Alleyoop. Aug.8: Tia Quakertunes. Aug.15: Buck & Elizabeth. Library Park, 15429 Bothell-Everett Highway, Mill Creek. 425-745-1891. [MILL CREEK]

Kent Kids’ Concert Series. Wednesdays at noon. Free. July 11: Tickle Tune Typhoon. July 18: Il Teatro Calamari “Rapunzel.” July 25: Roberto the Magnificent. Aug.1: Caspar Babypants. Aug.8: Recess Monkey. Aug.15: The Harmonica Pocket. Series is held at Town Square Plaza, Second Avenue and Harrison Street, Kent. 253-856-5050. [KENT]

Lacey Children’s Entertainment Series. Tuesdays at 6:30 p.m. Free. Lineup to be announced. Huntamer Park, Seventh Avenue Southeast and Woodland Square Loop, Lacey. 360-491-0857. [LACEY]

Summer Sounds at Skansie. Celebrating its tenth anniversary, the festival presents a lineup of favorites from the past 10 years. Tuesdays at 6:30 p.m. Free. June 26: The Coats. July 3: WA Army National Guard 133rd Army Band. July 10: Danny Vernon. July 17: Magical strings. July 24: The Beatniks. July 31: Barry McGuire Trippin the 60s. Aug,7: Timberland Ridge. Aug.14: The Funaddicts. Aug.21: Pearl Django. Aug.28: Perry Acker. Gig Harbor Guide [GIG HARBOR]

Auburn Kids’ Summer Stage. Noon concerts at Les Gove park every Wednesday beginning July 11. Free. July 11: Recess Monkey. July 18: Louie Foxx Magician. July 25: Eric Ode. Aug. 1: Eric Herman. Aug. 8: Caspar Babypants. Aug.15: Brian Vogan and his Good Buddies. Les Grove Park, 910 9th St. S.E., Auburn, 253-931-3043. [AUBURN]

Bonney Lake Kids’ Club. Line-up to be announced. Mondays at 6:30 p.m., Tuesdays at 11 a.m., July 9- Aug.28. Cedarview Park 9301 208th Ave E. Bonney Lake. [BONNEY LAKE]

Puyallup Concerts in the Park. Three concert series geared toward families: Tuesdays 12-1 p.m., Wednesdays and Thursdays 6:30-8:30 p.m. July- August. Pioneer Park 324 S. Meridian. 253-841-5457. [PUYALLUP]

Tacoma Noon Tunes. Free kid-friendly concerts on Fridays, 12-1 p.m. July 13: Cowboy Buck and Elizabeth. Aug.3: Rodney Raccoon. Aug.24: Nancy Stewart. Star Center 3873 S. 66th St. Tacoma. (253) 404-3939. [TACOMA]

Music in the Park. Sylvester Park and Port Plaza, Olympia. While this year’s schedule is still in the works, this is the 33rd year of Olympia’s Music in the Park and promises a great way for families to get out and enjoy music. [OLYMPIA]

THEATER
Two fine Shakespeare companies present outdoor performances of the Bard’s best at parks all over the region. Two things in these performances’ favor (aside from the high quality, of course): If the kids get antsy, you’re free to get up and move around, and attending won’t cost you a cent. Visit each company’s website for schedule and directions.

Wooden O performs The Winter’s Tale and Twelfth Night. Free. Thursdays–Sundays plus two Wednesdays (most shows at 7 p.m.), July 12–Aug. 12. Locations include Richmond Beach Community Park in Shoreline, Mercerdale and Luther Burbank Park on Mercer Island, Pine Lake Park in Sammamish, Angle Lake Park in SeaTac, Des Moines Beach Park, City Hall Open Space in Redmond, Issaquah Community Center Open Space, Volunteer Park and Seattle Center in Seattle, Lynndale Park in Lynnwood and Edmonds City Park. Wooden O

GreenStage’s Shakespeare in the Park series includes The Taming of the Shrew and Henry VIII. Free. Thursdays–Sundays (most shows at 7 p.m.), July 13–Aug. 18. Locations include Seattle’s Camp Long and Volunteer, Seward, Magnuson, Woodland, Judkins, Lincoln and Discovery parks; Lynndale Park in Lynnwood; Fall City Park; Redmond City Hall Open Space; and Dottie Harper Park, Burien. GreenStage

ACTS OUT. A free outdoor theater festival featuring classics, comedy, contemporary work, and fantastic family shows staged by top Northwest theater companies. August 10-12: Friday-Sunday. 2 p.m. to Sunset (rain or shine) Anderson Park. [REDMOND]

BalaganTheatre: A small Seattle theater company with inventive programming, Balagan produces a family-oriented production that plays for free in Seattle-area parks in July and August. This year it's Sally and Thor Save the World (at Summer Camp).

MOVIES
Movies @ Marymoor. Buy treats from on-site vendors or bring your own — and dogs are welcome, too! Seating starts at 7 p.m., with entertainment about an hour before show time and movies at dusk. $5, parking extra. 7/11: Grease. 7/18: Hugo. 7/25: Crazy, Stupid Love. 8/1: The Muppets. 8/8: Moneyball. 8/15: Willy Wonka & the Chocolate Factory. 8/22: Raiders of the Lost Ark. 8/29: The Princess Bride. Marymoor Park, Redmond. Movies @ Marymoor [REDMOND]

Movies at Magnuson. Big screen movies, circus acts, tasty food trucks and costume contests are all part of the 2012 PEMCO Movies at Magnuson Park on Thursday nights. July 12 Ferris Bueller’s Day Off; The Adventures of Tintin (July 19), The Help (July 26); Forrest Gump (Aug. 2), The Lion King (Aug. 9), Back to the Future (Aug. 16), Monty Python & the Holy Grail (Aug. 23), and The Goonies (Aug. 30). Pre-movie seating is $5 starting at 7 p.m. Movies start at dusk. [SEATTLE]

Carillon Point Outdoor Movie Nights. The movies aren’t free, but your $5 donation benefits local nonprofit Hopelink. And the location can’t be beat: Movies are projected onto a large screen overlooking Lake Washington. Bring chairs and some cash for concessions. Shows start at dusk. July 14: Thor. July 28: The Princess Bride. Aug.11: Kung Fu Panda 2. Aug.25: Footloose. Sept.8: The Lorax. Carillon Point Outdoor Movie Nights [KIRKLAND]

Cinema Under the Stars. Pre-show entertainment (7:30 p.m.) includes arts and crafts, magic and puppet shows, and music. Movies begin at dusk. Free. Updates to come. Thornton A. Sullivan Park, 11405 Silver Lake Road, Everett. 425-257-8700. [EVERETT]

Lacey Outdoor Cinema Series. Music at 7 p.m., followed by a movie at dusk. July 14: That Thing You Do. July 21: Disney’s Tangled. July 28: Rio. Aug.4: Soul Surfer. Aug.11: Double Feature Night: Hairspray and Mamma Mia! Free. Huntamer Park, Seventh Avenue Southeast and Woodland Square Loop, Lacey. 360-491-0857. Outdoor Cinema Series [LACEY]

CinemaGig Outdoors. Free popcorn and family movies at Skansie Brothers Park! July 6: Ghostbusters. July 7: Monsters vs. Aliens (both at 9:15 p.m.). July 20: West Side Story. July 21: Lady and the Tramp (both at 9 p.m.). Aug. 3: Water Horse. Aug.4: Disney’s Earth (both at 8:30 p.m.). Aug.17: Footloose. Aug.18: Happy Feet II (both at 8:15 p.m.). Free. Movies start at dusk, and if it rains, the show is canceled. Skansie Brothers Park, 3207 Harborview Drive, Gig Harbor. Gig Harbor Guide [GIG HARBOR]

Summer Sounds and Cinema. Enjoy music at 7 p.m. and movies at dusk at parks around Tacoma. Free. Updates to come. [TACOMA]

Kris Collingridge is ParentMap’s Out & About editor. Lauren Valencia, who updated this article for 2012, is an intern with ParentMap.