Time to break out the picnic baskets and blankets. The McLean Community Center's Summer Concert series begins June 26.
Kicking off the six-week series is a performance by Grammy-winning duo Cathy and Marcy and the first McLean Family Barbeque, starting the event at 1 p.m. at the McLean Central Park.
"The whole series is geared towards families," said Clare Kiley, entertainment director for the Community Center. "We love for people to bring a picnic out to the park and enjoy the music with their family and friends."
Cathy Fink and Marcy Marxer have been performing together for more than 20 years, Kiley said, and their performance is the only one that is specifically aimed at entertaining the very small music lovers in the community.
"The concert series isn't a children's series, but Cathy and Marcy really get the little ones going," Kiley said. "They helped us get this series started years ago. They're the only group that's performed with us before during the summer."
Also performing this year will be the Attacca Calypso Band; the City of Fairfax Die Alte Kameraden German Band; the Fairfax Symphony Brass Quintet; the U.S. Navy Commodores, a jazz ensemble; and Almost Recess, an a cappella group, Kiley said.
THE CONCERTS BEGIN at 3 p.m. and are held in and around the park's gazebo.
"It's a great setting there. There's a natural amplifier with the way the ground dips down," she said.
The series, in its fourth year, is a chance for people to sit outside and enjoy the weather, the music, their friends and families.
"The first concert is definitely great for families with small children, whereas the rest of the concerts are for all audiences," she said. With a roster of performances ranging from calypso and brass to symphonic German favorites and "kicking a cappella," Kiley is sure most people will find something to enjoy.
New this year is the Family Barbeque, she said, an idea sparked by Maggie Shea, director of instructional and senior adult activities at the McLean Community Center.
"We thought it would be nice to have something to do to complement the concert series," Shea said. "We thought it would be nice to have a barbeque during the children's concert so people would have a chance to come down, have some lunch or dinner and relax before the concert begins," she said.
Three Pigs Barbeque and Moorenko's Ice Cream will provide food, she said, chosen in particular for this event because they are located and based in McLean.
"IT'S GOING TO HAVE a family reunion feel," Shea said. "Abracadoodle will be there with hands-on art things for the kids to do. We'll have face painting and little games and things, and Games People Play will also be there."
The cost for a portion of barbeque chicken with beans and coleslaw is $5; a hot dog and chips is $4, and for a beverage or ice cream, the cost is $2, she said. "We're looking forward to it, and if it goes well, we'll do it again next year."
Kiley said she is looking forward to another successful summer.
"We hope the community will get excited about the music and the food," she said. "The music always sounds great, and it's a place where you can bring your children and not have to worry about what they're doing while