Big bands bring big sound to Cd'A City Park
The Coeur d'Alene Big Band brings the sound of swing to community events throughout the Inland Northwest. The 18 member band has heritage in the original Coeur d'Alene Elks Club Marching Band from the early 1900s.
Photo courtesy of KRISS MITCHELL
Dust off the dancing shoes and pull out the zoot suits for two big band concerts.
The shows are part of the free Summer Concert Series from 1 to 4 p.m. Sunday Aug. 27 and Sept. 3 at Coeur d'Alene City Park.
“Take it easy on the lawn or dance in the grass to some great oldies,” bass player Eric Haakenson said. “It's a great venue for outdoor concerts. Bring a chair or blanket, pack a picnic. Or better yet, stop by Hudson's, Tito's, Paul Bunyan or Zip's and grab something to go.”
The first concert will feature Tuxedo Junction Big Band, which plays sophisticated swing, country classics, sizzling sock-hop songs and some rock 'til you drop hits, according to their website.
The Coeur d’Alene Big Band will close out the summer concert season. The band is one of the oldest in the county. The earliest organization of the band brought players together in the 1930s, and now members perform regularly in monthly tea dances at the Coeur d’Alene Eagles. That is, until they take the summer off and can perform the summer concerts.
The concert will be an opportunity to see the band in the daylight before it takes up residency again in the Eagles loft starting the third Sunday of September.