It's 6 p.m., and the parking lot of University Village has been transformed.
Chairs and tables face a raised stage, surrounded by booths of food and kids' activities.
Faces are painted, balloon animals are made and kites are put together as moms wipe mustard off smiling children's mouths.
Helium-filled balloons bob around; a few escape into the blue sky as someone comes on the microphone.
"Welcome to the University Village Summer Concert Series! My name is Dan Murphy, from KIXI-AM 880 radio station, and these are The Beatniks!"
Heads turn, the drummer plays a beat and the stage comes to life.
This happens every Wednesday night this summer.
A CARNIVAL ATMOSPHERE
Using about 100 parking spaces, the lot next to the Ram Restaurant has a carnival atmosphere.
"The only thing that's missing is the sand and water," said Gail Scott, who came to see The Beatniks perform.
Within just one song, a crowd gathers around the stage. Children twirl while parents snap their fingers.
A girl in a balloon hat that's half as big as she is takes a bow as the song ends. The crowd claps and whistles for the band.
"We are always up there dancing," said Darlene Ripley, in her "I love The Beatniks" T-shirt, as she and her husband sit down to take a little break. She is enjoying the festivities at this show and appreciates how family-oriented this concert is.
Eden Hopkins, who works for the Museum of Flight, noted that "there's a lot of kid stuff here.... It's a great place to come."
The Museum of Flight has a booth next to the stage. Children can make kites with a space shuttle or a Blue Angels jet on it. Hopkins' booth is one of many that have free activities for children; all the booths are crawling with smiling children and their parents.
Too soon, 8:30 p.m. rolls around and the activities are over. The audience gives a standing ovation, and the booths close up. But the free music and festivities will happen again next Wednesday.
For more information about upcoming concerts, go to www.uvillage.com/events.asp.
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