Mumbo Gumbo in Minden Park on Friday

Staff Reports

Douglas County Parks & Recreation Department's free GE Energy Family Summer Concert Series continues with Mumbo Gumbo, 6:30-8:30 p.m. Friday, in Minden Park.

Mumbo Gumbo blends rock to soul, Afro pop to ballads, Zydeco to country, into a celebratory, danceable noise. In their nearly 20 years of performing and in their eight albums, Mumbo Gumbo has created, as they say in one of their songs, the "Big Life" feeling.

The band is fronted by singer/songwriters Chris Webster and Tracy Walton, and the rhythm section is drummer Rick Lotter and bassist Lynn Michael Palmer. Reggy Marks plays sax, Jon Wood is on guitar, and Steve Stizzo plays keyboards.

Mumbo Gumbo is known for Webster's "Love Makes Me Stupid" and "Opera Girl" or Walton's "Original You" and "Stuck On You" and their collaboration, "Wonder of It All."

Their music was used on TV's "Northern Exposure," and the band appeared in director Charlie Matthau's 2005 movie "Her Minor Thing."

Mumbo Gumbo is an institution on the NorCal concert scene and always makes sure to leave its audiences dancing their hearts out.

Bring a low-backed chair or blanket and enjoy an evening of music in the park. Food available to purchase from the Lions Club. The concert is free to the community thanks to the Town of Minden, GE Energy, Carson Valley Inn, Dr. James the Dentist, Edgewood Tahoe Golf, Walmart, Park Place AM/PM, Starbuck's, Carson Valley Medical Center, Sullivan Law, and Lake Tahoe Marine.

The concert series continues with Big Bad Wolf on Aug. 27. To sponsor a concert or to place an ad, contact 782-9828.