Mingo Fishtrap at Sellwood Riverfront Park

For the past 10 years or so I've been a part of the neighborhood committee that works with Portland Parks & Rec to organize the summer concerts in Sellwood Riverfront Park. The committee is responsible for raising the money from community businesses that pay for our series of four Monday night shows.  We also get to choose the artists that play and then help manage the events.  It's a little bit of work and a lot of fun. It's especially gratifying when we get a park-full of folks out to a show and having a great time. 

The first concert of this summer happens tonight, and this is the fourth year in a row we've been able to book a band that also played the Waterfront Blues Festival.  This year it's an outstanding soul/funk band out of Austin, Texas - Mingo Fishtrap. This band knocked me out the first time I heard them 6 years ago on Delbert McClinton's Sandy Beaches Cruise (they have been back to that annual event every year since). They finally were able to play the festival this year and so we jumped at the chance to get them for our park show too.

The band did a stellar set at the festival last weekend, and the horn section joined Little Feat for part of their set. Come and check these guys out ... they are a perfect band for a summer evening.  Wear your dancing feet - you will find it hard to sit still when these guys get going.  Bring a picnic dinner or purchase food from our vendors that will be there. BYOB is okay too (no alcohol is sold at the event).  There is also a secure bike corral and additional parking at Oaks Amusement Park.

And if you come down to the park, consider stopping by the Muddy Rudder after the show ... it's just a couple blocks away and the always entertaining Lloyd Jones will be there for his weekly Monday gig ....