Summer concerts start next week

Country music singer to debut free series at Skansie Brothers Park

Susan Schell

of the Gateway

This year’s Summer Sounds at Skansie concert series will kick off with a visitor from the Seattle area next week.

Country singer and songwriter Hannah Michelle Weeks will perform at Skansie Brothers Park from 6:30 to 8 p.m. Tuesday — the first of the free concert series.

The concerts have become popular with locals as they enjoy the open air and casual atmosphere. Other favorites who will return this summer include The Beatniks and Big Hands Colvin.

Weeks has been writing songs since she was 10, and she now co-writes with others in Nashville. She also plays guitar on stage.

“I’ve always known since I was little that I wanted to be a singer,” she said. “It’s been a passion of mine all my life.”

Weeks’ musical influences include Martina McBride and George Strait, but she said her favorite is Dolly Parton.

“I’ve always loved her,” Weeks said. “I read her biography when I was a little girl.”

Inspirations for songs can come from just about anywhere, Weeks said.

“Just look out the window,” she said. “It can be something from my life or past experiences. I can have a simple conversation with someone and just take things that were said and make a song. Something triggers, and I know it’s a song.” The singer has big plans for her career.

“I’ve always wanted to make it big,” she said. “Hopefully I’ll make it and have a career for my whole life. I want to get my name out there and help change things somehow.”

Weeks is on her way to making her dream come true. She opened for Darius Rucker of Hootie and the Blowfish in May.

“We played at the Auburn Performing Arts Center, and it was amazing,” she said. “It was so much fun opening for him.”

Weeks will open for Kenney Chesney in Canada next month, and she’s hosting a CD release party at Club Broadway in Seattle on Aug. 29 to promote “Life’s a Drama.”

She will have copies of her CD available for purchase when she visits Gig Harbor, and she’s looking forward to performing outdoors.

“I put on a rockin’ good show,” she said.

For more information about Weeks, visit www.hannahweeks.com.

Summer Sounds at Skansie schedule

The summer concerts will be from 6:30 to 8 p.m. every Tuesday night through Aug. 25 at Skansie Brothers Park, 3207 Harborview Drive in Gig Harbor.

June 30 — Hannah Michelle Weeks, country singer/songwriter.

July 7 — 133rd Army Band, traditional concert band.

July 14 — Jug of Punch, Celtic/Irish music.

July 21 — The Beatnicks. Harborview Drive will be closed.

July 28 — Aurora String Quartet, with Cindy Renander, clarinet.

Aug. 4 — Seattle Women’s Jazz Orchestra, high-intensity jazz. Harborview Drive will be closed for National Night Out.

Aug. 11 — The High Rollers, a nine-piece dance band.

Aug. 18 — Dewgrass Bluegrass, home-grown bluegrass.

Aug. 25 — Big Hands Colvin, country/blues.