'Summer Nights' Festival Kicks Off in San Rafael

The first of Five Summer Saturday nights of live music, dinners, cocktails, picnics, dancing, Kid Zone, and more will begin on July 12th with Africa’s most inspirational band Sierra Leone’s Refugee All Stars the summer skies in the heart of Marin County. 

Designed to allow guests to create a perfect summer evening to suit their lifestyle, whether it includes the kids or a date, dancing or just sitting back and enjoying the evening, bring a picnics or purchase dinner right on site from a  favorite local restaurant.  

The venue is nestled between the JCC buildings and rolling Marin hills, and offers an incredibly family safe outdoor venue, far from the street.  (The Osher Marin JCC, 200 N San Pedro Rd. Central San Rafael, ¼ mile E off 101)

Children 17 and under are FREE and the Kid Zone will include guided hands-on projects as well as the beautiful playground. 

Come party and celebrate great music and each other with the whole family.

FULL CONCERT LINE-UP:

African Night

Sierra Leone’s Refugee All Stars

Sat. July 12, 2014: 7pm

After a 10 year adventure that has taken them from squalor of refugee camps to the world’s biggest stages, Africa’s most inspirational  band continues to ascend and comes to the JCC.  They have evolved to become one of Africa’s most recognized bands with fans across the globe.  Their music embodies and radiates the joy, passion and love for their fellow man.  The band is a living testament to the resilience of the human spirit and an inspiration to hundreds of thousands of people across the globe.

Dinners:  Sol Food

Kid Zone:  Draw Bridge

Instruction:  African Dance

Pacific Island Night

Hapa 

Sat, July 19, 2014: 7pm

Traditional Polynesian textures and rhythms that incorporate elements of pop and world beat.  Hula dance performances throughout the night and Demo and instructions pre- show

Dinners:  Mauna Loa Hawaiian BBQ

Kid Zone:  Bay Area Discovery Museum

Demonstration:  Halua Hula Na Pua O Ka La’akea

Instruction:  Hula

Gypsy Rock

Diego’s Umbrella

Sat. July 26, 2014:7:00PM

Celebrated as San Francisco's Ambassadors of Gypsy Rock they describe their music as “a blend of eastern European gypsy traditional stuff, Spanish flamenco, polka/ska rhythms, and good ol' pop and rock from the west”.

Dinners:  Miller’s East Coast Deli

Kid Zone:  Bread & Roses

Instruction:  Israeli Folk Dancing

Western/Americana

The Good Luck Thrift Store Outfit

Sat. Aug. 2, 2014: 7:00PM

From the interior cattle town of Oakdale, Ca, GLTSO has created a unique sound driven by original songs from two very talented songwriters within the group. Described as a hybrid of Americana, folk, rock, bluegrass with sweet, old country western.

Dinners:  Casa Manana Restaurant

Kid Zone:  Marin Symphony & The Magic Flute

Instruction:  American Two-Step – Wooden floor on turf!

Bay Area Indie Folk Rock

Blame Sally

Sat. Aug. 9, 2014:7:00PM

Blame Sally creates an eclectic and undeniably original brand of folk pop that plays on the “indie edges of Americana”. Bringing together four unique voices and musical backgrounds, Blame Sally has forged a cohesive sound that is instantly recognizable and compelling, toe-tapping, happy and fun.

Dinners:  Sol Food

Kid Zone:  Agricultural Institute of Marin

Instruction:  Pre-Concert Yoga!