The Kent Summer Concert Series begins next week at Kent Station, Town Square Plaza and Lake Meridian Park.

Hot Club Sandwich, an acoustic string sextet, plays at noon Tuesday, July 10 at Kent Station, the first of six Take-Out Tuesdays concerts through Aug. 14 at the shopping complex.

“We are pleased to have Puget Sound-based Hot Club Sandwich kicking off the 2012 concerts,” said Ronda Billerbeck, city cultural programs manager. “They are a high-energy string band; they play American big band standards, European jazz, Gypsy folk tunes, world music and more – very eclectic and fun.”

Tickle Tune Typhoon, which features positive, educational topics and award-winning music opens the Wednesday Picnic Performances – Especially for Kids at noon July 11 at Town Square Plaza, Second Avenue and Harrison Street downtown. The performances continue each Wednesday through Aug. 15.

The Thursdays at the Lake concerts start at 7 p.m. July 12 at Lake Meridian Park with Matt Anderson, an acclaimed singer/songwriter and blues guitarist. The evening concerts run weekly through Aug. 16.

“With so many different types of performances, there really is something for everyone,” Billerbeck said. “All of the shows are family appropriate. Historically, the concerts draw everyone from serious music buffs, to couples enjoying a picnic dinner in the park and to families with young children.”

The city will host 18 free performances in July and August at the three outdoor locations.

“The concerts feature a diverse array of music – from world music and jazz to blues and bluegrass – as well as juggling, puppets and participatory fun for kids,” Billerbeck said. “The performers are high quality professional artists –  both regional and national touring artists.”

City officials make sure the concerts are a part of each summer in Kent.

“These concerts have been a valued tradition in Kent for many years and help the city achieve its strategic goals of connecting people and places, as well fostering inclusiveness in our community,” Billerbeck said. “In a time of economic difficulty, it is even more important for residents to have positive, inexpensive and convenient ways to come together as a community and recreate.”

In addition to the concerts, outdoor movies return Aug. 10 to downtown Kent’s Town Square Plaza with Summer Nights and the Silver Screen.

The Summer Concert Series is presented by Kent Parks, Recreation and Community Services and the Kent Arts Commission.

For more information, go to www.kentarts.com. To request a brochure, call 253-856-5050 or e-mail artscommission@kentwa.gov.

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The lineup:

• Kent Station Take-Out Tuesdays

Noon-1 p.m.

Kent Station Plaza, 417 Ramsay Way

July 10: Hot Club Sandwich (acoustic string sextet)

July 17: Los Pinguos (vivacious Latin rhythms)

July 24: Darren Motamedy (smooth jazz saxophonist)

July 31: Kellee Bradley (singer/songwriter)

Aug. 7:  Little Bill and the Blue Notes (blues from a Northwest original)

Aug. 14: De Temps Antan (traditional Quebec music – boundless energy)

• Wednesday Picnic Performances – Especially for Kids

Noon-1 p.m.

Town Square Plaza, 2nd Avenue and Harrison Street

July 11: Tickle Tune Typhoon (positive, educational topics and award winning music)

July 18: Il Teatro Calamari “Rapunzel” (Puppet show version of The Brothers Grimm masterpiece, featuring found objects)

July 25: Roberto the Magnificent (comedy, juggling and crazy stunts)

Aug. 1: Caspar Babypants (old folk songs and good time rock and roll)

Aug. 8: Recess Monkey (various musical influences and clever, comical lyrics)

Aug. 15: The Harmonica Pocket (music, dance and imagination games)

• Thursdays at the Lake

7-8:30 p.m.

Lake Meridian Park, 14800 SE 272nd St.

July 12: Matt Andersen (acclaimed singer/songwriter and blues guitarist)

July 19: Delhi 2 Dublin (energetic mash-up of Bhangra, Celtic, dub, reggae and electronic with global rhythms and club beats)

July 26: New Transit (Alt country and Northwest rock)

Aug. 2: Random Manor (Americana/rock)

Aug. 9: Missy Raines and the New Hip (bluegrass, jazz, blues, singer/songwriter)

Aug. 16: Reggae (reggae, funk and soul)

• Summer Nights and the Silver Screen

Town Square Plaza, 2nd Avenue and Harrison Street

Aug. 10: “The Muppets” (The Muppets reunite to save their old theater), 9 p.m.

Aug. 17: “A League of Their Own” (story of the first all-women’s baseball league, founded during WWII), 8:45 p.m.

Aug. 24: “Men in Black” (Sci-fi, action and comedy combine in this blockbuster favorite), 8:30 p.m.