More summer fun ahead

Bastille Bash returns to Madison Valley, July 13

Leveraging last year's successful introduction of a new tradition for the neighborhood, Madison Valley will again this year be celebrating France's La Fête Nationale, better known as Bastille Day.  Although the official French holiday is July 14, Madison valley will get a head start with its Bastille Bash taking place on Saturday, July 13, from 3 until 8 pm.  Entertainment this year will include French (and not so French) music, burlesque dancers, troubadours, mimes and "street actors."  And, of course, French (and not-exactly-French) food and wine will be a highlight of the event, with "live chef demos" and wine tastings happening throughout the afternoon and evening.

This year event organizers promise a new and improved ticketing system for food and wine. Tickets will be sold online in advance (tickets are $2.50 each, sold in $10 increments, with food priced at $2.50, $5 or $7.50 per bite).  Approximately twenty food purveyors and a like number of retailers will be participating in this year's Bastille Bash, as well as 15 or so wineries, distillers, and breweries.  The full lineup is available here.  Tickets can be purchased through Brown Paper Tickets here.  The Madison Valley Merchants Association is the sponsor of Bastille Bash, as well as some corporate sponsors.  Proceeds benefit the Children's Response Center.

Madison Park Days Parade and Picnic, July 13

Before you head down to the Bastille Bash you can enjoy a (hopefully) sunny outing closer to home.  Madison Park's traditional Kid's Parade, followed by a picnic in the park, will take place earlier in the afternoon of July 13.  The line-up will begin in front of the Wells Fargo branch on E. Madison St. at 11:45 am, with the parade starting sometime around noon (depending on the arrival of the fire truck, which traditionally leads the procession). The Madison Park Business Association is the sponsor of this popular event, with the local merchants contributing the food and beverages at parade's end.

Epiphany's Friday Night Concert Series in July

Madrona's Epiphany Episcopal Church (1805 38th Avenue E.) will be utilizing its campus for a Courtyard Concert Series of free music events every Friday in July.  The series begins on July 5 with the Brass Band Northwest (pictured) and continues with Jovino Santos Neto on July 12, World Jazz Trio on July 19 and The Carless Lovers on July 26.  The organizers encourage you to bring a picnic, blanket, lawn chair and any music lovers you might happen to know and come on over.  (The concerts will move indoors in the case of rain.)