Arts in the Park series returns to Redmond City Hall

The Redmond Arts Commission and City of Redmond Parks & Recreation Department have booked a tentative slate of performances for the 2009 Arts in the Park series.

February 24, 2009 2:12 am

The Redmond Arts Commission and City of Redmond Parks & Recreation Department have booked a tentative slate of performances for the 2009 Arts in the Park series.

The performances are located on the green space behind Redmond City Hall, 15670 NE 85th St.

This year, there will be children-and-family-oriented performances on Tuesdays at noon, as well as 7 p.m. Friday performances.

For more information about Arts in the Parks, go to www.redmond.gov/arts or call (425) 556-2316.

The Tuesday shows will include:

• July 14: Alleyoop with Allan Hirsch, featuring musical games, audience participation and Allan Hirsch, singing and performing on the guitar, ukelele and mountain dulcimer.

• July 21: “The Jungle Books” by Rudyard Kipling, presented by Book It Repertory. When a small “man-cub” is found by Father Wolf in the jungles of India, most of the animals want nothing to do with him. However, when Mother Wolf, Baloo (the bear) and Bagheera (the panther) speak up for the child, he is allowed to be raised by the Wolf family. They name him Mowgli (the frog) and raise him to understand life in the jungle. But will he able to survive with Shere Kahn (the menacing tiger) out to get him?

• July 28: Lelavision with Ela Lamblin. Inventive instruments and vehicles will weave together an entertaining performance fun for all ages.

• Aug. 4: One World Taiko. This professional Japanese drum ensemble incorporates dynamic movement, lyrical melodies and rhythmic grooves with heart-pounding percussion.

• Aug. 11: Storytelling and Music.

• Aug. 18: Junk Chime. A big percussion instrument made up of a conglomeration of recycled metal objects that audiences can play.

• Aug. 25: “Dandelions and Daydreams” by Redwood Theater is about a little girl who stomps out to the garden and falls asleep. When she wakes up, she is the same size as the bugs and insects in the grass.

The Friday shows will include:

• July 17: “You’re a Good Man, Charlie Brown” with SecondStory Repertory. Based on Charles Schulz’s comic strips, characters such as Snoopy, Charlie Brown, Lucy, Sally, Linus and Schroeder come to life.

• July 24: “Comedy of Errors” with Greenstage. One of Shakespeare’s earliest plays, it features slapstick and mistaken identity, in addition to puns and wordplay.

July 31: “Richard III” presented by Wooden O Theatre. Shakespeare’s history play depicts the Machiavellian rise to power and subsequent short reign of Richard III of England.

• Aug. 7: Open Improv with Unexpected Productions. A fun night of comedy, using improv styles developed over the last 25 years.

• Aug. 14: Teen Performances.

•Aug. 21: Unexpected Theater. Be it Westerns or Film Noir, Shakespeare or Kabuki, ’80s Sitcom or Anime, Unexpected Productions shows off a variety of theatre, movie, pop culture and artistic styles. Bring your favorite requests.