PHOTOS: Caspar Babypants closes out Summer Concerts at Hiawatha 2016

(Photos by Leda Costa for WSB, unless otherwise credited)

6:59 PM: “My Flea Has Dogs” was the opening song for kindie-rock superstar Caspar Babypants at tonight’s season finale of the Admiral Neighborhood Association-presented Summer Concerts at Hiawatha series, and lots of critter songs have followed – spiders, crabs, butterflies, bears …

Adoring fans are hopping and dancing all over the east lawn at Hiawatha, where it’s nice and shady, cooler than the 90-ish warmth out in the sunshine.

Before the show, Caspar B (who grownups also know as Chris Ballew of the Presidents of the United States of America) signed autographs and posed for a few pix;

(WSB photo by Patrick Sand)

If you’re here, you’ll have a chance to buy CD’s post-show, too (“Away We Go” is a brand-new album, and “Winter Party” is due out this November), as well as art from wife and creative partner Kate Endle:

Since this is the last Hiawatha show of the year, some shoutouts. First, Katy Walum, who was president of the ANA when Summer Concerts launched in the summer of 2009 and has continued to coordinate it each year since:

This year’s gold sponsor, Metropolitan Market (also a longtime WSB sponsor), has a tent here with free brownie bites:

We’ve been proud to be media sponsor every year since the start back in 2009. And the Associated Recreation Council of Hiawatha is a partner for the ANA in making this happen – they’re raising money with a concession stand over by the southeast corner of the center. The show’s on until 8 pm, so you have time to get here – more coverage to come!

8:03 PM: Last song just ended – though Mr. Babypants took a break for some of his riotous commentary, in this case telling the wee ones to understand that when they grow up and have homes and jobs of their own, they’re not going to be able to just take a nap in the afternoon any old time, so they should be sure to do that every day right now – “napping is a privilege, not a right” – and the parents all cheered.

If you missed tonight’s show or want to see/hear Caspar Babypants again – this Saturday morning at 10:30 am, he has a nonprofit-fundraiser show here in West Seattle, at Youngstown Cultural Arts Center – details here.

And Katy Walum has just told the crowd this is her last show after coordinating the concerts every season since the start – free shows that have drawn thousands, gathering on summer Thursday nights.

Want to get involved? The Admiral NA’s next meeting will be September 13th, 7 pm, at The Sanctuary at Admiral (42nd/Lander).

EARLY FRIDAY: Photos added, as promised, above and below, including Caspar B with fans post-show:

And a remembrance of the golden sunshine on the edge of the lawn as tonight’s show started:

Some concertgoers brought pets:

Most simply brought their energy, enthusiasm, and wonder:

Thanks to everyone who’s come to, performed at, helped out at, etc. the Hiawatha concerts these eight seasons!

Pop goes the weasel August 25, 2016 (7:48 pm)

Can hear it loud and clear at 44th and Andover. Not complaining just never have heard the concerts this far south. Rock on Chris and Co.

Mandy August 25, 2016 (9:57 pm)

This was honestly one of the best nights of my 7 month old’s life. We couldn’t believe such fun was free and right in our backyard. What an incredible community we live in, and how lucky we are that Caspar Babypants is a Seattle legend!

Be mAma August 25, 2016 (10:49 pm)

This concert is always so great. But really, this concert SERIES is amazing. I was sad to hear Katy is stepping down from coordinating it… I’m not qualified… Whose going to do it?

WSB August 25, 2016 (11:17 pm)

I don’t believe there is a successor yet. Katy actually continued a year or two longer than first planned.

Pops August 26, 2016 (1:17 am)

It’s great. We’ve enjoyed it with our kids in the past. Shoot, even Conan stops by when he’s in town. :)

Be mAma August 27, 2016 (5:00 am)

We attended all the concerts this year-awesome. But this last concert was the only time I had heard they were looking for someone to hand the project over to. Kinda the wrong crowd to make that announcement to-busy families with little ones. I bet there may be someone in the usual attendee group that would like to see the event continue and have more band-width to make it happen.