An annual summertime favorite returns to Tacoma again this year, the Summer Sounds and Comcast Outdoor Cinema series taking place at various parks around town. Happening every Sunday evening through the end of August, the free event had its kickoff at Ethnic Fest last weekend. Latin group The Rumba Kings gave a great concert, and at dusk the audience sat back to watch the film “Freedom Writers” starring Hilary Swank.

Joel Chang with Metro Parks is coordinating the event. He said that while a good number of people turn out for the series, there’s always very good seating, and the movie screen is large so that it’s not difficult to view. However, “a lot of people come to stake their claim early,” he said, depending on the size of the park that’s hosting. Seating is on the lawn so bring a folding chair or blanket, and it’s probably wise to dress in layers as well in case the temperature drops after sundown. Food will be available at each event- classic movie fare like candy, popcorn, soda and sandwiches.

The series is scheduled to run five more times. Concerts begin at 6:30 p.m. and the movie begins at dusk.

• Aug. 2 - Music: Maia Santell and House Blend. Movie: “Casablanca” (rated PG). Park: Centre at Norpoint, 4818 Nassau Ave. N.E.

Maia Santell and House Blend have built quite a name for themselves in the Pacific Northwest over the past 20 years due to their fantastic performances and enthusiasm to make beautiful music together. The band consists of Maia Santell on vocals, Jeff Ziontz on guitar, Jay Mabin on harmonica and bass, Ted Dortch on tenor sax and Bruce Simpson on drums. They perform jazz, blues, swing, big band, jump blues and rhythm and blues. For dances, the band rocks with popular music from the 50’s through the 90’s.

The feature film, “Casablanca,” needs no introduction, as it is one of the great classics of all time starring Humphrey Bogart and Ingrid Bergman in a story about romance, political intrigue and anti-Nazi organizing during the World War II era.

•  Aug. 9 - Music: Army First Corps Band. Movie: “The Water Horse” (rated PG). Park: Thea’s Park, 405 Dock St.

The Army First Corps Band, headquartered at Ft. Lewis, is comprised of 40 musician-soldiers. The band’s roots reach back to 1943, and its distinguished history includes 13 campaign participation credits for World War II and Vietnam.

Thea’s Park along the Tacoma waterfront is the perfect venue to feature water-themed entertainment. “The Water Horse” is a wonderful family fantasy film about a boy who finds a strange egg on a rocky beach, and when it hatches what’s inside captures the imaginations and hearts of a whole town.

• Aug. 16 - Music: Grupo Latigo. Movie: “Under the Same Moon” (rated PG). Park: McKinley Playfield, 402 E. 56th St.

Tacoma’s ever-growing Latino population will be celebrated Aug. 16 in both music and film. Grupo Latigo was founded in Seattle in 1994, and continues to be a real crowd pleaser with their style of Tex-Mex music enjoyed by all people.

“Under the Same Moon” is a touching story about Carlitos, a nine-year-old boy who lives with his grandmother in Mexico while his mother works illegally as a domestic in Los Angeles. When Grandma dies, Carlitos sets out  to find his mother, facing seemingly insurmountable obstacles with a steely determination and unfettered optimism that earn him the grudging respect and affection of a reluctant protector, a middle-aged migrant worker named Enrique.

• Aug. 23 - Music: Jonathon Harris. Movie: “Bee Movie” (rated PG). Park: South End Recreation Area (SERA), South 60th and Adams.

Born and raised in Tacoma and now living in Graham, singer/songwriter Jonathan Harris has been performing authentic country music all around the Pacific Northwest since 1997. His boyish charm on stage and polished voice have earned him a loyal and dedicated following. Harris’ new album, “Where Concrete Don’t Grow,” was released in April of 2007. It captures his love of the outdoors, God, and his family, and showcases his powerful, emotion-filled vocals.

As a perfect compliment to Harris’ feel-good music, the film “Bee Movie” captures that same happy esthetic. Jerry Seinfeld co-wrote and produced it and provides the voice for lead character Barry B. Benson. Just your average bee, Barry strikes out on his own rather than succumb to the drudgery of working in the hive his entire life and has many adventures along the way.

• Aug. 30 - Music: Michael Powers. Movie: “Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix” (rated PG-13). Park: Jefferson Park, 801 N. Mason.

Chang said it has become tradition for Michael Powers to close out the series. The locally based and internationally acclaimed jazz guitarist continually redefines the guitar’s role in a jazz context, making for a highly entertaining stage performance. And speaking of international acclaim, fantasy adventure film “Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix” has also garnered its share of kudos. The fifth film in the “Harry Potter” series, this installment finds Harry and his crew battling pure evil with a foolproof weapon, the power of love.  

For more information on the Summer Sounds and Comcast Outdoor Cinema, call (253) 305-1022.