(West Seattle Big Band @ Hi-Yu Concert in the Park, July 2010)
Since Memorial Day, sun or no, kicks off the summer, it’s time to start thinking about summertime traditions. One musical tradition involves getting to see/hear the West Seattle Big Band outdoors on the east lawn at Hiawatha Community Center. Their manager wanted to clear up a bit of confusion – so here’s his open letter explaining when you WILL be able to enjoy this unique musical group there this summer:

The West Seattle Big Band has received some questions lately about not playing at Hiawatha. I can only assume that this comes about because we are not on the (Admiral Neighborhood Association) music series schedule this year. The West Seattle Hi-Yu Concert in the Park at Hiawatha is of course a separate event.

The first two years of the ANA series we were requested to play the last week of the series. We were happy to oblige this request, and in so doing help establish this new music series. This year we were not asked to play, but we were given the opportunity to apply for a slot, just like all the rest of the bands. When the applications were made available, we were already booked up through October, and since we play the week before the series at the same location, we chose not to apply.

The West Seattle Big Band has been playing the past 14 years at the Hi-Yu Concert in the Park. The original concept of this concert was just a simple band concert, to fill the one open day left in a very busy 12 day Hi-Yu event schedule. Think of it as a Judy Garland, Mickey Rooney movie. I know a band, Al has a park, Steve has a stage, lets have a concert, and we will invite a few hundred of our close friends.

The Band does not collect a fee from Hi-Yu for this annual performance. We consider it a donation to Hi-Yu, and it’s our way of saying thanks to the West Seattle Community. The 2011 Concert in the Park is scheduled for Tuesday July 19th at 7:00 PM.

Jim Edwards
Manager
West Seattle Big Band