60s and 70s music took center stage in Mercer Island.

On Thursday, July 18, hundreds of families came out to Mercerdale Park to watch, listen and dance to the Soul Proprietors, the second band to play the Mercer Island Mostly Music in the Park series.

“This is the kind of venue we like,” said John Craine, the band’s lead singer and dancer. “It was a wonderful crowd, and we had a ball and it seemed like most people had a ball as well.”

The Soul Proprietors have been playing together since right before 2020. They focus on music from the 60s and 70s, covering classic Motown, soul and blues songs. Some of the biggest hits of the night included “Sir Duke” by Stevie Wonder and “Respect” by Aretha Franklin.

“The music itself, the flow, the soul, it just really gets you,” said Craine. “It’s fun to dance around to, it seems to get everyone involved and want to have a wonderful time.”

The Mercer Island Mostly Music in the Park series continues every Thursday until August 22. The remaining shows are Harmonious Funk (R&B/Funk) on July 25, Catch a Wave (Beach Boys Covers) on Aug. 1 and Restless Vocal Band (A Cappella) on Aug. 8.