FARGO — Animal admirers and music lovers alike will have a hoot when The Arts Partnership’s TAPpy Hour Summer Music Series returns to the Red River Zoo this Wednesday, July 7.

The six-week summer concert series features regional artists in myriad genres, including jazz, folk, big band and more. Each hourlong performance starts at 5:30 p.m. every Wednesday through Aug. 11 outside the carousel pavilion at the zoo, 4255 23rd Ave. S.

“We’re so thankful for our local business sponsors, Xcel Energy with support from 702 Communications, that help make TAPpy Hour a reality this year,” said Dayna Del Val, The Arts Partnership president and CEO. “As in years past, the unplugged concerts will provide fun, intimate musical experiences amidst the amazing animals and landscape only available at Red River Zoo.”

This season’s series will kick off with a drum circle performance by the Buffalo River Singers, followed by the REM Jazz Trio featuring Russ Peterson, Eric Martens and Max Johnk.

Here’s the rest of the lineup, which is also available on The Arts Partnership website at www.theartspartnership.net.

Genres: Native American drumming and singing; jazz

When: Wednesday, July 7

The REM Jazz Trio, featuring Russell Peterson (sax), Eric Martens (guitar) and Max Johnk (bass), plays regularly around Fargo-Moorhead and the region, performing jazz, rock, blues, funk and soul.

The musicians also perform in other musical groups, including Post-Traumatic Funk Syndrome and the Side Street Monday Night Big Band.

Peterson is a professor at Concordia College and has soloed with orchestras in the United States and Europe. Martens, a faculty member at North Dakota State University and instructor at Concordia College, has performed with nationally and internationally acclaimed musicians. Bassist and composer Johnk can be heard regularly in the indie rock band Wild Amphora, the rock/R&B ensemble 6th Street Revue and as an accompanist to several jazz musicians in the community

Genre: alt-country

When: July 14

Allen started out singing in bars during his time as a construction worker living in rural North Dakota. His style emphasizes the roots of country and is reminiscent of Waylon Jennings, Merle Haggard and Johnny Cash. This alternative country singer-songwriter released the album "Regrets and Retribution" in February 2020.

Allen has opened for various national touring acts, including Todd Snider, Dave Simonet of Trampled by Turtles, Damien Jurado, Corb Lund, Parmalee and Phillip Phillips.

Genre: big band and old standards

When: July 21

The Kicks Band is a 17-member big band that plays both jazz standards and new work. Founded in 1975, the band got together "just for kicks" so that musicians could enjoy music socializing, play great big band literature and improvise jazz.

Joining in the concert will be the Navy Band Great Lakes’ modern Dixieland group. The Kicks and the Navy Band will each play a few pieces, and then the two bands will join to play some songs together.

Genre: folk

When: July 28

Morrau is an experienced vocalist, performer and songwriter who performs jazz, folk and pop regularly throughout the region.

She has released several albums and has been a featured vocalist on several others, and Morrau has been a featured performer on Prairie Public's “Prairie Musicians” program.

Genre: classical

When: Aug. 4

The Silver Winds Flute Quartet is a professional flute ensemble, formed in 2002 by Kristin Carlson, Debra Haarsager, Peggy Hammerling and Erika Tomten. Their love of music brought them together to perform quartet music written for various combinations of flutes and every genre, from classical to jazz and pop to Celtic music.

They perform regularly throughout the region. Among other honors, they were invited to play at the National Flute Association Convention in Washington, D.C.

Genre: hip-hop

When: Aug. 11

Originally from Minot, Cold Sweat is the vocalist of Fargo hip-hop band Hiahli. Along with rocking the microphone, Cold Sweat enjoys spending time behind the turntables. Catch him spinning vinyl throughout the region with genres ranging from disco, house and funk to Latin and Afrobeats.

This songwriter and musician was awarded two grants from The Arts Partnership : a 2021 Individual Arts Partnership Grant and 2020 Jade Presents Arts Partnership Grant.

If you go

What: TAPpy Hour Summer Concert Series

When: Wednesdays through Aug. 11

Where: Red River Zoo, 4255 23rd Ave. S., Fargo

Cost: free with regular zoo admission; after 5 pm, $5 for adults, $3 for children and free for children under 2 and zoo members.

Info: www.theartspartnership.net and www.redriverzoo.org

Lineup

All concerts will begin at 5:30 p.m. at the Red River Zoo:

• Wednesday, July 7: Buffalo River Singers and REM Jazz Trio
• July 14: alt-country singer-songwriter David Allen
• July 21: Kicks Band of Fargo-Moorhead and the Navy Band Great Lakes
• July 28: Sarah Morrau, with Rebekka DeVries on piano
• Aug. 4: Silver Winds Flute Quartet
• Aug. 11: Cold Sweat

This article is part of a content partnership with The Arts Partnership, a nonprofit organization cultivating the arts in Fargo, Moorhead and West Fargo. For more information, visit http://theartspartnership.net.