Spokane, WA, June 11, 2024 – Music has a unique ability to bridge divides, create social connections and promote understanding among people from all walks of life. Whether through shared experiences, a common cultural heritage or an unspoken emotional connection, music serves as a powerful force for bringing people together in harmony and unity.  

As the community foundation for Eastern Washington and North Idaho, Innovia actively seeks opportunities to bring communities together for vibrant and accessible arts and cultural experiences. 

This year, Innovia Foundation is investing in free and low-cost opportunities for communities to gather around the shared power of music by supporting community concert events in recognition of its 50th Anniversary theme of “Celebrating Community.” As part of this investment, Innovia is proud to sponsor the 27th season of the Browne’s Addition Summer Concerts, featuring some of Spokane’s most popular bands, alongside award-winning groups from across the region and nation.  

For decades, this concert series has been a staple of local community and social life during the summer months. Family-friendly, free and open to all, the concerts kick off on June 20, 2024 at Spokane’s oldest park, Coeur d’Alene Park, located in the heart of the historic Browne’s Addition neighborhood. 

As the community foundation for Eastern Washington and North Idaho, Innovia actively seeks opportunities to bring communities together for vibrant and accessible arts and cultural experiences. 

“For over 100 years, Spokane’s Coeur d’Alene Park has provided a space for neighbors to gather and children to play,” says Shelly O’Quinn, CEO of Innovia Foundation. “Innovia is honored to invest in the continued vitality of this iconic park through the Browne’s Addition Summer Concerts, drawing visitors near and far to celebrate music and community together.” 

Produced by the Browne’s Addition Neighborhood Council, concerts will be held from 6 to 8 p.m. each Thursday until August 15, with no performance scheduled for July 4. 

The 2024 concert line-up includes: 

June 20: Mardi Gras Growlers, a six-person band synonymous with good-time, feel-good New Orleans music. The Lady Growler is Abbey Crawford, an award-winning vocalist and local actress for over 20 years.  

June 27: Time Baby, an eclectic jazz fusion group of established local musicians and one of three winners of the Spokane Public Radio’s Firehouse Sessions contest. They prioritize the art of creating and performing original music.  

July 11: Villa Blues ’N Jazz. Local noted vocalist Heather Villa brought together four Spokane Jazz musicians to form this Jazz and Blues group playing music influences of the group, including Bessie Smith, Billie Holiday, Ella Fitzgerald, John Lee Hooker, BB King and Stevie Wonder. 

July 18: Free Whiskey, a Celtic Folk Rock band, will play traditional with a twist. Vintage Rock and Celtic ballads are intertwined and mesh together as the six members “make magic” together. 

July 25: Soul Proprietor, a high-energy, 10-piece “Urban Soul” group playing Blues, Funk, Motown, R&B and Classic Rock. It features outstanding vocalists Patrice Thompson-Rose and Jerry Lee Raines, a stellar 4-piece horn section, and a super-funky rhythm section. 

August 1: Front Porch Rockers will bring songs from a range of styles, including the roots of Folk, Tin Pan Alley, Rock ‘n Roll, American Songbook, Blues and much more. The music makers include musicians who have entertained Spokane audiences for many years in many different bands. 

August 8: Lucky Losers, winners of five Independent Blues Awards in 2021 and San Francisco’s number one touring band will play as part of their Pacific Northwest tour. Their music is a throwback to the hybrid of Soul, Blues, Rock, Gospel, and Country that emerged in the late 1960s. 

August 15: Nu Jack City will wrap up the season playing Motown, R&B, as well as current popular tunes. The seven-piece ensemble has been playing for 20 years and bills itself as a high-energy party band fronted by Monee Hamm and Maxwell. 

As a collective of neighbors, the Browne’s Addition Neighborhood Council has organized the summer concert series for decades, while also working in close collaboration with local residents, the Spokane Parks Board and City Council to restore and beautify Coeur d’Alene Park. Spokane’s Historic Coeur d’Alene Park Fund at Innovia, established by the Council, is bringing the community’s plans and dreams for the park to life, including updates to the playground, walkways and bathrooms. 

“For the last 27 years, music has echoed through the trees in Spokane’s oldest park in what has developed into the city’s premier free outdoor concert series,” says Annie Matlow, Browne’s Addition Summer Concerts Coordinator. “The Browne’s Addition Neighborhood Council is committed to continuing the celebration with great performances in Coeur d’Alene Park during this year’s lineup.” 

Innovia’s investment in concert series is part of a series of events and activities Innovia is gifting to communities across Eastern Washington and North Idaho in celebration of the Foundation’s 50th Anniversary in 2024. More information about these events can be found at innovia.org/fifty.