The cities of Boardman and Irrigon will kick off their Music in the Parks outdoor summer concert series tonight in Boardman.
The first performers of the year will be the steel drum band Bram Bratá at the Boardman Marina Park at 7 p.m., located off of N. Main Street on Marine Drive. Bram Bratá is the senior steel drum band from the Tri-Cities Steel Band Association in Richland, Wash. The name Bram Bratá is derived from two Trinidadian slang words meaning “an unexpected party.” Audiences find this a fitting name as they enjoy the challenging and varied repertoire of Caribbean, jazz, popular and even classical music. Spontaneous dancing is not uncommon.
Ben Leggett directs Bram Bratá and arranges or writes most of the music. The band practices twice a week and performs on the average about twice a month in the community and throughout the Northwest. Bram Bratá has performed in Hawaii, Disneyland, and at Caribbean Music Festivals in Oregon and British Columbia.
Bram Bratá plays an eclectic mix of traditional Trinidadian steel drum music, Caribbean favorites, jazz, classical and modern pop and rock tunes.
The Music in the Parks concert series is held each summer alternating between Boardman and Irrigon Marina Parks. The concerts are free to the public and begin at 7 p.m. on Mondays through Aug. 12. Visitors are encouraged to bring chairs and blankets. Concessions will be available for purchase at the Boardman events, courtesy of the Boardman Little League. The Music in the Parks series is funded by the Morrow County Unified Recreation District and Portland General Electric and sponsored by the North Morrow Community Foundation.
Additional dates and performers during the season include the Wasteland Kings in Irrigon on June 17; Latino rock band Azetatos are in Boardman on June 24; singing duo 98% Angels on July 1 in Irrigon; Brady Goss, the piano man, will perform in Boardman on July 8; Martin Gerschwitz will be in Irrigon on July 15; Cruise Control in Boardman on July 22; on July 29 in Irrigon is Latino band Fonozis; bluegrass trio Cosmo’s Dream is in Boardman on Aug. 5 and in Irrigon on Aug. 12 is country performer Cale Moon.
In the event of inclement weather, Boardman performances will be held at the SAGE Center and Irrigon performances will be held at the Irrigon Senior Center.
For more information about the Music in the Parks concert series, contact Jackie at 541-720-1289.
