2014 Concert on the Pier series starts tonight in Port Angeles with country singer MissyG [Also: 2014 schedules for Port Angeles, Sequim and Port Townsend outdoor concerts]

A highlight of North Olympic Peninsula summers — free concerts surrounded by outdoor beauty — begins today in Port Angeles when noted Northwest singer/songwriter ­MissyG and her band perform country music at City Pier from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m.

The Port Angeles Concert on the Pier series will continue each Wednesday through Sept. 3.

Sequim’s outdoor concerts begin next week, and Port Townsend’s begin next month.

At all venues, audience members are encouraged to pack up picnic dinners and bring blankets or chairs to the informal, family-friendly performances.

The Port Angeles Regional Chamber of Commerce’s Concert on the Pier series is presented against a backdrop of Port Angeles Harbor in one direction and the Olympic Mountains in the other. Vendors will sell food.

If heavy wind or bad weather is expected, the performances may be moved to The Gateway pavilion at Lincoln and Front streets.

The 2014 Port Angeles Concert on the Pier series — approaching its third decade and always free — is sponsored by KeyBank, Elwha River Casino, Union Bank, Red Lion Hotel and the Peninsula Daily News.

No smoking or alcohol is allowed on City Pier during the concerts.

Tonight’s concert headliner, MissyG — who is Missy Guthrie offstage — juggles her songwriting and stage appearances with raising six children in Union, Mason County, with husband, John Guthrie, who’s the bassist in her three-member band.

Missy Guthrie has just released her first music video, “The Memory of Mexico,” from her second CD, “John Dear.” The video can be seen here: http://tinyurl.com/pdn-missyg.

Sequim

Sequim’s Music in the Park summer series begins next Tuesday with the Dukes of Dabob playing Dixieland jazz from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. in the James Center for the Performing Arts at the Reuse Demonstration Site, 563 N. Blake Ave. just north of Carrie Blake Park.

Music will be presented at the James Center every Tuesday through Aug. 26, when the U.S. Navy Band of the Northwest wraps up the series.

The Aug. 5 event will be Sequim’s third annual Karaoke Night with prizes and the possibility of becoming Sequim’s 2014 “Karaoke Idol.”

The presenting sponsor for the city of Sequim’s Music in the Park series this year is Kitsap Bank.

Port Townsend

The Port Townsend Concerts on the Dock series Thursday evenings will begin July 10 with The Better Half playing R&B, soul and funk-rock from 5 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. at the Pope Marine Plaza in Port Townsend.

Open seating starts at 4:30 p.m.

The Port Townsend Main Street series will continue Thursdays through Aug. 29. A variety of stage and beer garden sponsors hosts each Thursday’s concert.

Concerts on the Dock are for all ages. A wine, beer and cider garden is adjacent.

For more information about free concerts and other events, consult the interactive North Olympic Peninsula events calendar on our www.peninsuladailynews.com home page.