Whatcom County Library System’s summer calendar is loaded with free events for families, teens, kids and kids at heart. Headline events include the library system’s popular Summer Reading program and Whatcom Grooves, a series of free summer concerts.
Whatcom Grooves premiered in summer 2023 with three jazz concerts. This year, it’s back. And it’s bigger. Between June 22 and Aug. 17, there will be six concerts at county libraries or nearby outdoor locations and three interactive jazz education programs for kids in grades K-5. Registration is required for venues with limited seating. It’s easy to reserve a seat at wcls.org/grooves
The Whatcom Grooves Summer Jazz Series is generously supported by the Whatcom County Library Foundation with additional support from Friends of the Lynden and South Whatcom libraries, the Jazz Center of Bellingham and musician Jerry Steinhilber. Financial donations to support local libraries are gratefully accepted at the concerts.
Whatcom Grooves 2024
Junior Groove: Jazz for Kids at Ferndale Library, Friday, June 21, 2024, 2-3 p.m.: Join local jazz drummer Jerry Steinhilber for this interactive program. Learn where jazz comes from and how it works and try your hand at making some music of your own. For kids in grades K-5.Ferndale Library, 2125 Main Street, Ferndale.
Whatcom Grooves Summer Music Series: Thomas Harris Quartet in Ferndale, Saturday, June 22, 2024, 7-8 p.m., Ferndale Library. Celebrate summer, music and libraries at free concerts hosted across the Whatcom County Library System. The music series kicks off at the Ferndale Library with the Thomas Harris Quartet, playing jazz standards and forgotten masterpieces. Seats are limited and registration is required. Reserve your seats now at wcls.org/grooves. Doors open at 6:30 p.m. Find a seat among the bookshelves and groove with fellow fans of jazz and libraries. Ferndale Library, 2125 Main Street, Ferndale.
Whatcom Grooves Summer Music Series: County Rose in Lynden, Saturday, June 29, 2024, 7-8:30 p.m., Centennial Park. Put your dancing boots on because County Rose is coming to Lynden for a boot-stomping outdoor concert! Don’t miss this pairing of exceptional PNW musicians with legendary country and Americana tunes. This concert is sponsored by the Friends of the Lynden Library. The outdoor concert location is Centennial Park, 319 Grover Street (across from the library).
Whatcom Grooves Summer Music Series: Tumbao in Glenhaven, Saturday, July 20, 2024, 5:30-7:30 p.m. WCLS’s South Whatcom branch and Friends of the South Whatcom Library invite you to a free concert at the Glenhaven Clubhouse (2997 Glenhaven Drive, Glenhaven, Wash.).
An Afro-Cuban band based in Seattle, Tumbao features three-time Latin Grammy-winning singer Carlos Cascante (of the Spanish Harlem Orchestra) as well as pianist/musical director extraordinaire Julio Jauregui from Mexico City. This band plays an uplifting mix of salsa dance classics as well as originals by pianist Jauregui. Peruvian conguero Edsson Otero, Palouse drummer Jeff Busch and Seattle bassist Dean Schmidt round out the sound. A great group, not to be missed. Bring your dancing shoes!
The music begins at 5:30 p.m., but the festivities begin at 4:30 p.m. Come early and enter prize drawings, browse the pop-up library, and enjoy selections from participating food trucks. Reserve your spot for free now at wcls.org/grooves. Bring your blankets and camp chairs; no alcohol, please. Carpooling is suggested as parking is limited. Event location: 2997 Glenhaven Drive, Glenhaven, WA.
Whatcom Grooves Summer Music Series: Hopnotic at Deming Library, Saturday, July 20, 2024, 6-8 p.m The Deming Library will host the psychedelic jazz-funk quintet Hopnotic. The concert takes place outside in the backyard of the library. Bring a picnic, a blanket or chairs to get comfortable and enjoy a summer evening of local music. In the case of rain, the concert will be moved into the library. Carpooling is suggested as parking is limited.Deming Library, 5044 Mt. Baker Highway.
Junior Groove: Jazz for Kids at South Whatcom Library, Saturday, July 27, 2024, 2-3 p.m.: Join local jazz drummer Jerry Steinhilber for this interactive program. Learn where jazz comes from and how it works and try your hand at making some music of your own. For kids in grades K-5. South Whatcom Library, 10 Barnview Ct., Sudden Valley, Gate 2, Bellingham.
Whatcom Grooves Summer Music Series: Willie Reavis and His Weary Band in Point Roberts, Saturday, Aug. 3, 2024, 2-3:30 p.m. Wille Reavis and His Weary Band play roots country-and-western tunes. The band hails from the farmlands of Whatcom County where the young musicians honed their skills in honky-tonks and dive bars. Laughter and tears and lots of dancing follow this Americana band wherever they play.Be sure to come early to browse music-related library books and to meet other community members. Bring your blankets and camp chairs; no alcohol, please. Carpooling is suggested as parking is limited. The music begins at 2 p.m., but we recommend getting there by 1:30 p.m. to secure a good spot and browse library materials. Point Roberts Library, 1431 Gulf Road, Point Roberts.
Junior Groove: Jazz for Kids at the Blaine Library, Friday, Aug. 9, 2024, 2-3 p.m. Join local jazz drummer Jerry Steinhilber for this interactive program. Learn where jazz comes from and how it works and try your hand at making some music of your own. For kids in grades K-5. Blaine Library, 610 3rd Street, Blaine.
Whatcom Grooves Summer Music Series: The Jerry Steinhilber Trio in Blaine, Saturday, Aug. 17, 2024, 7-8 p.m. The series concludes at the Blaine Library with the Jerry Steinhilber Trio featuring Ben Thomas on vibraphone. The trio will play jazz masterpieces and original compositions. The concert will be outside at the Blaine Library, so bring your lawn chair and show up early to secure a good spot. Blaine Library, 610 3rd Street, Blaine.
Find Whatcom County Library System (WCLS) summer events for all library branches at our website, wcls.org/events. Many of the programs have a tree theme to honor the county library system’s Summer Reading program. WCLS is partnering with Whatcom County Library Foundation and Whatcom Million Trees Project to encourage readers to achieve a shared goal of planting 250 trees in Whatcom County. Readers can pick up a Summer Reading card at WCLS branches and bookmobile stops, or download a card at the library system’s website, wcls.org/summer-reading.
UPDATE: This article was updated Friday, July 13 to remove the planned Aug. 3 concert at North Fork Library. The event has been cancelled.