Blog

Howdy,

Yeee haw, summer seems finally to have arrived!  I’ve done a ton of really fun events in the rain so far this summer, but it was nice yesterday to perform in an all out glorious, sunny day.  The show was complete with my 6-piece band and the specially-requested 10-minute rendition of Bob Marley’s “I Shot the Sheriff.”

I just wanted to send a quick note to let you all know that I’ll be playing a kids’ show today at the Everett Public Library.  I’m really looking forward to this one!

I’ll be bringing my innovative "Recycalypso" participatory concert to Everett. This show will be geared towards kids, especially teens.  Steel drums are the heartbeat of Caribbean music. Learn about the history and culture of the steel drum while exploring creative ways to recycle discarded materials into easy-to-play musical instruments. Join the party to the beat of a different drum. Suggested for tweens and teens, grades 5 to 12.

More information at: http://www.epls.org/calendar/

After that my next public performance is back at the Sorrento hotel on August 10^th.  Our show there this month was really fun!  They have a truly awesome happy hour menu during our shows there, with super yummy burgers for $5.  You can’t beat that!

Why not bring the kids down tomorrow to the Everett Public Library and say hello and listen to them create beautiful music.

Keep dancin’

Ian Dobson

CLICK HERE for full schedule

Summer seems to be mostly taking the year off.  That’s why it’s more important than ever to get out and hear some great, sunny Caribbean music.

I’ve got three public events this week for you to do just that!

I’m performing tonight at the Sorrento Hotel in downtown Seattle for their weekly block party. I’ll be there again in August and September.  I’ll play a solo show from 5pm to 7pm, but today I’ll also be joined by Brianna, my talented new backup singer.  You’ll definitely want to come out and see what it sounds like with her there.  She adds a lot!  I believe if it is raining we will be indoors in the Fireside room.  Hopefully though we’ll be partying outside!

Have you ever been to Hat Island (officially known as Guedne Island I believe)?  Have you ever heard of Hat Island?  It is a lovely little place situated between Everett and my home island of Whidbey.  I’ll be performing a free public concert there on Saturday, July 16^th. They’ll also be doing lots of cleanup of the island that day and I’ll be doing my Recycalypso-themed show to tie in with that.  I can’t wait to see what sort of interesting recycled instruments, made from garbage picked up around the island, that the residents of Hat Island can come up with.  More information is at 

Finally, Centralia is having their first annual jazz festival and I will be there with my duo partner and long-time band member Christian Krehbiel!  Other acts at the festival include Karrin Allyson.  More information is at http://www.jazzartique.com/ and on my calendar.

For your enjoyment, click here to listen to a few excerpts from a rehearsal dinner where my band and I performed last Friday at the very elegant Woodmark Hotel in Kirkland.  The incomparable Stacy Kvam was the wedding coordinator.  The recording microphone was on stage so the drums overpower everything, but you get some idea of what things sound like with our new backup singer.

If you are planning an event this summer please click here to check out my web site for event planning tips and ideas.  I have performed at countless different events and would like to begin sharing what I have learned!  

I still hope to see you this summer!

Keep dancin’

Ian Dobson

CLICK HERE for full schedule