Waikiki Beach Concert Series

2025 Waikiki Beach Concert Series Events

Time: All concerts are from 7 - 8:30 p.m.
Location: All concerts will be held at Waikiki Beach (Directions) at Cape Disappointment State Park 

June 

Fog Holler

June 4

Fog Holler is a bluegrass band with an edge. What gives them that edge is a topic of hot debate. For some, it’s musicianship - these bluegrass cats shred. For others, it’s the songwriting, traditional in style but topical in substance. Sometimes, they undeniably snare people with the squad factor - folks see 4 grown adults in matching monochrome, and they get curious. The secret, according to Fog Holler, is simply that they write and play bluegrass in 2024, with similar intention but very different context from the genre’s originators. Inspired by a range of influences from The Stanley Brothers to Buck Owens to Meshuggah, Fog Holler breathes fresh life into well worn forms like the murder ballad and the power waltz. Described by two-time Grammy Award Winner Cathy Fink as “The next generation of the many shades of grass”, Fog Holler’s captivating tunes and coordinated outfits are quickly enthralling longtime bluegrass fans and newcomers alike. Fog Holler has spread the joy of the high lonesome sound in the U.S., Germany, Belgium, Netherlands, Switzerland, UK, and Ireland, and shared stages with The Brothers Comatose, The Del McCoury Band, Jerry Douglas & The Earls of Leicester, Della Mae, The Po’ Ramblin Boys, The Watkins Family Hour, Laurie Lewis & The Right Hands, and more. 

ShiDaa

June 18

Ghanaian drumming and dance instruction 

ShiDaa plays traditional West African rhythms and dance songs. West African rhythms are the roots of much of American jazz. The group uses authentic traditional instruments such as Kpanlogo hand drums, talking drum, brevet, shakers, cowbell, large dun duns, small kagons, sticks, African xylophone, and voice to produce high energy rhythms. Director Saeed Abbas is a Certified Master Drummer and Flautist by the Ghana Ministry of Culture. Saeed Abbas has performed in many places in the world starting with his time with Ghana’s top performing group the National Dance Ensemble as their top drummer and is considered one of Ghana’s best talking drum performers. Additional ShiDaa members include Joe Horzak, Michael McLaskey, Mark Perschbacher, Chris Skinner, Mary Leone, Lia Rocheleau, Shannon Pickens and Allison Springer. 

Dance workshop leader, Eric Mensah Papoose, is a master of Ghanaian dance. He performed and taught with Ghana’s prestigious National Dance Theater in many countries. 

Listen to ShiDaa on YouTube!

July

Brownsmead Flats

July 12

The Brownsmead Flats are an acoustic band who likes to play traditional, and original songs in the Crabgrass tradition (bluegrass with a maritime flavor). They are primarily a string band, consisting of guitars, bass, banjo, mandolin, harmonica, fiddle and hammered dulcimer. 

Bruce Thomas Smith

July 26

Bruce Thomas Smith is a songwriter, singer and guitar slinger who plays rock-n-roll, folk and Texas blues.

August

Trío Guadalevín

Aug. 9

Trío Guadalevín explores the musical dialogue between Indigenous, European and African cultures which define Latin American identity. With memorable stories and an incredible array of instruments from the Americas, Africa and Europe the trio weaves together a tapestry of music, languages, culture, history and geography. 

Note: Trío Guadalevín is a featured band at all of our concert series this summer as the culmination of a 2-year multimedia storytelling project about Hispanic and Latine history in Washington.  

Tora'dan

Aug. 23

All concerts are free. A Discover Pass is required for vehicle access

Washington State Parks Folk & Traditional Arts Program is committed to making our events accessible to everyone. If you require an accommodation or service to fully participate, please contact FolkArts@parks.wa.gov or (360) 701-7923 at least 14 days prior to the event. For more information, please visit https://parks.wa.gov/folk-and-traditional-arts-program.