Arts & Entertainment Community
Summer Sounds brings eight weeks of free music and fun to Skansie Brothers Park
The warm evening of July 8 found people packed into every last square inch of grass and water at and around Skansie Brothers Park to kick off this year’s Summer Sounds concert series. The evening was the first of eight free musical performances, beginning in early July and lasting through the end of August.
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The first night, golden hour light bathed land and water attendees enjoying aptly named local group The Mixed Tape’s collection of songs from different eras and genres.
The following Tuesday, July 15, found the park and water a little less packed, but no less enthusiastic to greet Gimme Shelter, an 18-year-old, Pacific Northwest-based Rolling Stones tribute band. Attendees danced and sang along, as Gimme Shelter treated them to Stones classics like “Paint It, Black,” “Sympathy for the Devil,” and “Let’s Spend The Night Together.”
Children toss their stuffed animals in the air, trying to keep time with The Mixed Tape on July 8. Photo by Carolyn Bick. © Carolyn Bick
Next week brings DJ Mia Maya down from Seattle to spin sounds. The rest of the summer’s dynamic lineup, including independent artists and several cover and tribute bands, can be found here and at the end of this article.
Gimme Shelter photos
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- From left to right, Paul Forrest, Mark Wand, and Mike Howe — all members of Gimme Shelter, a Rolling Stones tribute band — perform at Skansie Brothers Park in Gig Harbor, Washington, during the second evening of Summer Sounds on July 15, 2025. Photo by Carolyn Bick. © Carolyn Bick
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- Gimme Shelter backup vocalist Beth Bivens, back right, performs, as kids listen to the group’s opening songs. Photo by Carolyn Bick. © Carolyn Bick
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- From their water crafts, people listen to Gimme Shelter perform. Photo by Carolyn Bick. © Carolyn Bick
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- People dance, while listening to Gimme Shelter perform. Photo by Carolyn Bick. © Carolyn Bick
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- People listen to Gimme Shelter perform. Photo by Carolyn Bick. © Carolyn Bick
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- Two people dance with babies, while listening to Gimme Shelter perform. Photo by Carolyn Bick. © Carolyn Bick
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- Gimme Shelter audience members high five each other. Photo by Carolyn Bick. © Carolyn Bick
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- Gimme Shelter bassist and vocalist Mike Howe performs at Skansie Brothers Park. Photo by Carolyn Bick. © Carolyn Bick
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- From left to right, Gimme Shelter’s Paul Forrest, Mark Wand, Beth Bivens, Albert Ceccacci, and Mike Howe perform at Skansie Brothers Park. Photo by Carolyn Bick. © Carolyn Bick
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- Kids and adults play with inflatable beach balls, while listening to Gimme Shelter perform. Photo by Carolyn Bick. © Carolyn Bick
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- Gimme Shelter performs at Skansie Brothers Park. Photo by Carolyn Bick. © Carolyn Bick
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- People dance and sing along to Gimme Shelter’s performance of different Rolling Stones songs. Photo by Carolyn Bick. © Carolyn Bick
Mixed Tape photos
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- Joey Niemann of The Mixed Tape plays, during the first evening of 2025’s Summer Sounds concerts. Photo by Carolyn Bick. © Carolyn Bick
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- A concert-goer takes a self and videos of the crowd, while listening to The Mixed Tape. Photo by Carolyn Bick. © Carolyn Bick
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- People dance, while listening to The Mixed Tape. Photo by Carolyn Bick. © Carolyn Bick
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- People listen to The Mixed Tape from their boats. Photo by Carolyn Bick. © Carolyn Bick
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- People listen to The Mixed Tape from their boats. Photo by Carolyn Bick. © Carolyn Bick
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- People who have come to listen to The Mixed Tape open Summer Sounds fill the water and park. Photo by Carolyn Bick. © Carolyn Bick
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- A dog wearing a sea captain’s hat also takes in the sounds of The Mixed Tape from his dad’s boat. Photo by Carolyn Bick. © Carolyn Bick
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- People stand on the steps of the raised platform at Skansie Brothers park to listen to The Mixed Tape. Photo by Carolyn Bick. © Carolyn Bick
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- Children toss their stuffed animals in the air, trying to keep time with the music. Photo by Carolyn Bick. © Carolyn Bick
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- People dance, while listening to The Mixed Tape. Photo by Carolyn Bick. © Carolyn Bick
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- Cameron Smith, of The Mixed Tape, plays during the first evening of 2025’s Summer Sounds concerts. Photo by Carolyn Bick. © Carolyn Bick
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- Marc Johnson, left, and Joey Niemann, right, of The Mixed Tape play, during the first evening of 2025’s Summer Sounds concerts. Photo by Carolyn Bick. © Carolyn Bick
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- Kyle Uecker, center, of The Mixed Tape, plays during the first evening of 2025’s Summer Sounds concerts. Photo by Carolyn Bick. © Carolyn Bick
Remaining schedule
July 22: DJ Mia Maya, a Seattle-based DJ.
July 29: Joel Gibson Jr., an independent Northwest country and rock artist who has opened for stars like Trace Atkins, Joe Nichols and more.
Aug. 5: Flock of 80s, which describes itself as a synth pop/new wave cover band. Expect to hear songs originally performed by Duran Duran, The Cure, Depeche Mode, David Bowie, INXS and more.
Aug. 12: Kalimba, an Earth, Wind and Fire tribute group.
Aug. 19: 90s Rewind, a Seattle-based band playing the hits of the 1990s. The band covers songs by Alanis Morrissette, Stone Temple Pilots, The Cranberries, Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers and more.
Aug. 26: The Infinity Project, which describes itself as “The Northwest’s Premier Journey Cover Band.”