Funky Fridays concert series continues

Funky Fridays return in Kenwood tonight, June 30, with live music on the lawn. The concert series was formerly held at the Sugarloaf Ridge State Park, but the venue is now at the Hood Mansion off Pythian Road in Kenwood. The event simply outgrew the park and the mansion has many advantages, including more room for the crowd, a spacious lawn and dance floor for concert-goers, as well as nearby parking.

This week’s show features the dancable grooves of the Funky Dozen, a band – which actually notes 14 members on the Funky Friday website – performs favorites from the 1970s, plus a few choice covers of funky hits from the ‘80s and ‘90s. Showtime is 7 p.m.

An advance ticket, although not required, will get you into any of the concerts, so if your plans suddenly change, you can use the ticket at an upcoming event.

Food and beverages, including the adult variety, are available at the venue and you can bring your own picnic as well, but no outside alcohol is allowed, including beer.

Tips Tri Tip Trolley and Rainy Day Chocolates will sell food, HenHouse Brewing Company returns as the Funky Fridays beer partner and Kenwood Vineyards has signed on as the event’s first wine sponsor.

New this year are an improved dance floor and an adjustment in the stage positioning.

Once again, funds raised from this year’s concert series will support projects related to Hood Mansion, Hood Mountain Regional Park, and other county parks projects in the Sonoma Valley. The Sonoma County Regional Parks Foundation has directed more than $3.5 million to county parks projects since its inception in 1998. The nonprofit currently is raising funds to build more trails at Taylor Mountain Regional Park and Open Space Preserve, sponsor environmental field trips for local school children, and support swim classes and water safety programs operated by Regional Parks.

Tickets are $10 per person. Parking is $10 per vehicle or free for Regional Parks members with a parks pass. Children under 18 are admitted free. For more info and the complete lineup, point your browser to funkyfridays.info.