Music in the Park jams in August

The Madison Park Business Association has lined up sponsors and bands to keep Music in the Park rocking and rolling for another year.

Michelle Croom with Denali Fitness has been organizing the August event since 2007.

“It’s super fun, it’s so fun,” she said. “I love live music.”

Music in the Park has taken place every Thursday in August since 2005, though this year there were only enough business sponsors for three weeks. Each free concert runs from 6:30-8 p.m. in the field at Madison Park.

The first band, The Side Project, is being sponsored by Coldwell Banker Bain, which Croom said is also going to be handing out Molly Moon’s ice cream from its office at 4227 E. Madison St. The Side Project plays on Thursday, Aug. 2, and was founded by husband-wife duo Suzie and Ben Bradford. Their band plays original music and a number of covers of artists that include The Beatles, James Taylor, Amos Lee and Ben Harper.

Gin Creek is being sponsored by Realogics Sotheby's International Realty for Aug. 9. The band plays rock, R&B and jazz, and is a 2018 nominee for best band by the Washington Blues Society.

Aegis Living on Madison is sponsoring Two Scoops Combo to play rhythm and blues on Aug. 16. The band is led by Eric “Two Scoops” Moore.

“It’s really fun for the bands,” Croom said, “because a lot of times they have to play in bars and their friends with kids can’t come.”

All of this year’s bands have played Music in the Park before, as it’s very time-consuming to find new players every year. Any bands interested in participating in the years to come can contact Croom at michelle@denalifitness.com.

Croom said Music in the Park will not include performances with electric guitars this year out of consideration for listeners and the neighborhood.