Free summer concerts, from Edmonds to Des Moines to Issaquah

The price is free — and the venue is pretty much yours to choose ... from Edmonds to Federal Way to Issaquah to Bremerton, and all points in between. Here are some of the next two weeks' highlights:

Seattle Center:

Festál 2009 presents an Arab Festival featuring music (oud virtuoso Naser Musa, the Georges Lamman Ensemble), authors (Rabih Alameddine, Alia Yunis), dance, films, a fashion show and more. 11:30 a.m.-7 p.m., Aug. 1-2. Information: www.arabcenter.net. Coming later in August: BrasilFest (Aug. 16) and Tibet Fest (Aug. 22-23). For a full Festál lineup, go to www.seattlecenter.com/events/festivals/festal.

Gas Works Park:

Seattle Peace Concerts presents Mia Dyson, Alex Duncan, Randy Oxford Band, Red Hot Blues Sisters, Padam Padam and Yogi & Yogini's. Noon-6, Aug. 9. Food-bank donations to Northwest Harvest encouraged (www.seapeace.org).

Interbay Golf Center:

BBQ Jazz '09 presents Stickshift Annie with Kimball and the Fugitives, July 30 and Aug. 27; Fred Hoadley Trio, Aug. 6; Roosevelt Jazz Combo, Aug. 13; Gail Pettis, Aug. 20. Seating at 5 p.m., concerts 5:30 p.m. (reservations: 206-285-6079; information: www.premiergc.com/interbay.php).

Ballard Locks:

Now in its 20th year, this busy concert series includes every kind of music. Coming soon: Patria Band (country gospel), Aug. 1; Batucada Yemanja (samba), Aug. 2; 85th Street Big Band, Aug. 8; and Ballard Sedentary Sousa Band, Aug. 9. All concerts at 2 p.m. For full lineup through Labor Day, call 206-783-7059 or go to www.nws.usace.army.mil and click on "Summer Events at the Locks in Ballard."

University Village:

The Sounds of Summer concert series continues with the Dusty 45s (rockabilly), July 29; the Nowhere Men (Beatles covers), Aug. 5; the Paperboys (folk rock), Aug. 12; and Clinton Fearon & the Boogie Brown Band, Aug. 19. Start time is 6 p.m.; information: 206-523-0622 or go to www.uvillage.com/events.htm.

Hiawatha Park, West Seattle:

Admiral Neighborhood Association summer concert series includes Tom Colwell & The Southbound Odyssey, July 30; Swamp Soul (Cajun/zydeco) and Ragged Glory (Neil Young covers), Aug. 6; Elizabeth Carpenter Trio (jazz standards), Aug. 13; Brian Waite Band (rock), Aug. 20; and West Seattle Big Band, Aug. 27. Concerts at 6:30 p.m., east lawn, California Ave. S.W. and S.W. Lander St., West Seattle. Information: www.admiralneighborhood.org.

Providence Mount St. Vincent, West Seattle:

Summer Concerts @ the Mount features Dixieland Jazz Band, Aug. 7; Maia Santell & House Blend, Aug. 14; Mariachi Fiesta Mexicana, Aug. 21; and jazz vocalist Cheryl Serio, Aug. 28. 6 p.m., 4831 35th Ave. S.W. Information: 206-937-3700 or www.wschamber.com.

Steel Lake Park, Federal Way:

Weekly hourlong Summer Sounds Concerts continue into August with pianist Deems Tsutakawa, July 29; a children's concert with VerleeRose, Aug. 5; Woodhrush (alternative Americana), Aug. 12; and The Rangers (country), Aug. 19. Showtime is 7 p.m. 2410 S. 312th St., Federal Way (in bad weather: Federal Way Community Center, 876 S. 333rd St.; information: 253-835-6900 or www.cityoffederalway.com).

Des Moines Beach Park:

Summer Soundwaves series features Boulder Acoustic Society (bluegrass), July 29: The Paperboys (folk rock), Aug. 5, Handful of Luvin' (Celtic rock), Aug. 12; and the Kim Archer Band (soul), Aug. 19. Showtime is 7 p.m. Information: 206-870-6527 or www.desmoineswa.gov/artscommission.

Mercerdale Park:

Mercer Island's Mostly Music in the Park series continues with Stay Tuned (bluegrass), July 30; Maya Soleil (world music), Aug. 2; Route 66 (swing band), Aug. 6, and more through Aug. 16. Showtime is 7 p.m. Information: 206-275-7609 or go to www.mercergov.org/artscouncil and click on "Programs and Special Events."

Issaquah Community Center Green:

Concerts on the Green feature Nearly Dan (Steely Dan tribute), July 28; Magic Bus ("Woodstock Revisited"), Aug. 4; Soul Purpose ("powerhouse soul"), Aug. 11; The Dusty 45s (rockabilly), Aug, 18; and Shelley and the Curves ("danceable pop"), Aug. 25. Shows start at 7 p.m. Information: call 425-837-3300 or go to www.ci.issaquah.wa.us and search for "Concerts on the Green."

Edmonds City Park:

Concerts in the Park continues through August with Reilly & Maloney (folk), Aug. 2; Dented Trucks (blues), Aug. 9; Portage Bay Big Band, Aug. 16; Back Burner (bluegrass/swing), Aug. 23; and Ballard Sedentary Sousa Band, Aug. 30. Showtime is 3 p.m. Information: 425-771-0230 or www.ci.edmonds.wa.us/ArtsCommission.

Waterfront Park, Bainbridge Island:

Wednesday Evening Concerts in the Park featuring Whozyamama (Cajun/zydeco), July 29; Sub-Motive (punk/classic rock), Aug. 5; Ranger and the Rearrangers (gypsy jazz), Aug. 12; and MachOne Jazz Orchestra (big band), Aug. 19. 7 p.m. showtime. Information: 206-842-2306 or www.biparks.org/programsandclasses/special_events.html.

Louis Mentor Boardwalk, Bremerton:

The last offering in the Concerts on the Boardwalk series offers a chance to enjoy Bremerton's spiffed-up waterfront and the big-band sounds of U.S. Navy jazz ensemble Cascade. 6 p.m., July 31. Information: 360-377-3041 or www.bremertonmsa.org.

Gene Coulon Memorial Park, Renton:

This lakeside family concert series closes with the Dennis Mitchell Band (blues-rock) July 29 and Creme Tangerine (Beatles covers) Aug. 5. 7 p.m. showtimes. 1201 Lake Washington Blvd. N., Renton. Information: 425-430-6700 or www.rentonwa.gov.

Michael Upchurch: mupchurch@seattletimes.com