THE 25th Annual Summer Nights Outdoor Concerts at the Osher Marin JCC

The 25^th Annual Summer Series of live music, dinners, cocktails, picnics, dancing, a Kid Zone, and fun will begin on Saturday July 8^th and continue for a total of 5 consecutive Saturdays great live music, under beautiful Marin Skies in an intimate and beautiful setting.  Created to celebrate diversity, find commonalities and bring multi-generations together through live music the series offer 5 evenings of community building through the arts.

Each concert offer dinners for sale from a local favorite restaurant, a children’s hands-on project provided by partnering non-profits, festival shopping from Good Will Industries’ Georgi & Willow, and additional pre-concert fun including dance lessons and youth student talent.

THE LINE UP:

7/8~ Americana:  The Brothers Comatose

A southwestern-tinged, rowdy string band sound. Brothers Ben and Alex Morrison, guitar and banjo, and lead vocalists, front this rocking string band that has become a West coast headliner and national touring act in a mere handful of years.  Marin Academy’s own Bluegrass band opens!

7/15~ African: Thomas Mapfumo & the Blacks Unlimited

Thomas Mapfumo & the Blacks Unlimited play Chimurenga music, (or music for the struggle of the people), a unique African music genre whose beats are traditional and timeless. They are delivered through an electric fusion of melodious lyrics accompanied by sounds of the African thumb piano (mbira) and guitar and speak to  issues in society that include, peace, love, civil rights, equality and justice Pre-event African Dance Class.

7/22~ Latin Big Band:  Pacific Mambo Orchestra

This 19-piece Latin Big Band orchestra plays salsa, Latin Jazz, cha cha cha, bachata, and more. Their crowd-funded first album (self-titled ‘Pacific Mambo Orchestra’) led them to win a Grammy in the “Best Tropical Latin Album” category in 2014. San Francisco’s Premiere Salsa Big Band.

For this evening a wooden dance floor will be laid on the turf and pre-concert Mambo Dance Class so bring your dancing shoes!

7/29~ Afro-Cuban:  Ricardo Lemvo & Makina Loca

Congo born musician and singer, Ricardo Lemvo blends Afro-Cuban rhythms with pan-African styles. Since forming Makina Loca in 1990, Lemvo has refined his craft and vision, singing songs that celebrate life, and most importantly, inspiring his audiences to let loose and dance away their worries.  This event will have a wooded dance floor on the turf, and pre-concert Salsa Class – be prepared for a street party that you’ll have to dance through!

8/5~ Celebrate the Summer of Love:  Melvin Seals & JGB

Dress as you were or may have been and come celebrate the 50^th anniversary of the Summer of Love. Melvin Seals has been a powerful presence in the music industry for over 30 years and is most revered for his powerful, high-spirited, Hammond B-3 organ, and Keyboards in the Jerry Garcia Band. Adding his rock-gospel- soul-rhythm and blues touch with his funky style of playing, no wonder Jerry nicknamed him “Master of the Universe”.

The Summer Nights venue is perfect for picnicking but offers the choice of purchasing delicious and affordable meals on-site from a local pop-up restaurant each night.  No alcohol is allowed to be brought in, but is available for purchase.