Steel Magic Northwest's "Steelband Open House"

Steel Magic Northwest, Edmonds' own non-profit steelband organization, is celebrating the emergence of summer as well as the cautious optimism we all share in the easing of the pandemic with what they are calling a "Steelband Open House" event. Located in the middle of 5th Avenue, north of the roundabout at Main, starting roughly at 4:30 p.m. on Saturday, June 19th, the open-air event is intended to appeal to passersby who remain in the downtown area after the first Summer Market of the year, and those on their way to the first day of "Walkable Main Street" dining on Main Street. This event takes the place of their usual, popular "Here Comes the Sun" spring concert, which they will not hold this year due to indoor event restrictions.

"We came up with the concept of a 'steelband open house' because we want to avoid drawing a consistent large crowd for any length of time; we want people to come and enjoy a few songs on their way to wherever they are going, and maybe get some information about our organization before moving along," says Executive & Artistic Director Gary Gibson. “It will be an excellent opportunity to see our bands up close, in a casual setting.”

Steel Magic Northwest's four levels of groups (beginning, intermediate, and advanced youth, and adult), will perform their entire repertoire. The fun, upbeat music of the groups is themed to celebrate the coming of summer, the parting of the clouds, and the general feeling of optimism and rebirth, with titles such as "Here Comes the Sun," I Can See Clearly Now," "Happy," "Summer Samba," "Hot Hot Hot," "I'm Walking on Sunshine," and others.

Steel Magic Northwest's groups range in size from 14 to 33 players. The highest-profile touring group, the advanced youth "Pan Wizards Steel Orchestra," is 25 players strong.

"A larger steel orchestra has a big, full, almost orchestral sound that appeals to everyone," says Gibson, who founded the organization in Edmonds in 2014.

For information about the event, or to get information about enrolling in Steel Magic Northwest's weeklong Summer Steelband Intensives, visit www.steelmagicnorthwest.org.