Pete Welch, an Island music impresario best known for booking Red Bicycle Bistro with a steady lineup of regionally and nationally acclaimed acts, is pulling out all the stops for Strawberry Festival weekend at the Bike.

“We’re counting on a big night on both Friday and Saturday night,” Welch said. “We’ve got two great shows planned,” Welch said.

The bands on tap during the weekend are all Island favorites that have played the Bike before.

The fun will start at 9 p.m. Friday, July 16, when Ian McFeron and Alisa Milner open up for the Latin dance band Picoso.

McFeron is a quadruple threat — an accomplished vocalist, guitarist and pianist who is also known for his songwriting prowess. Milner plays the Texas fiddle.

Picoso is a seven-person ensemble that got its start playing on the streets of Seattle, and accordng to Welch, their Latin-flavored music gets audiences up on their feet.

“Come prepared to dance,” he said.

The show has a cover charge of $8 and is for all ages until 11 p.m, and 21 and older after that.

Another dance show is planned for the next night.

Trolls Cottage, a band that got its start on Vashon and has gone on to release several acclaimed recordings and tour nationally, will take the stage at 9:30 p.m. Saturday, July 17.

The opening act will showcase the talents of three local singers and songwriters, Kiki Means, Julia Hanowell and Madeleine Wolczko. There is a cover charge of $8 for the show, which is for all ages until 11 p.m., and 21 and older after that.

Contact Vashon-Maury Island Beachcomber Arts Editor Elizabeth Shepherd at arts@vashonbeachcomber.com or 206-463-9195.

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