Covering the Balboa Park beat is quite the full-time job that often includes working weekends—not that I mind. While the diverse array of cultural institutions keeps the Central Mesa hopping all summer long, Balboa Park’s neighborhood nooks serve up their own brand of community spirit to keep me busier than a dog chasing her own tail.

A perfect example is Bird Park, located just east of Morley Field in the quaint craftsman-style enclave of North Park. Since 2002, the North Park Community Association has presented a free summer concert series on select Saturday evenings from 5:30 to 7:30pm, featuring local festival favorites for family-friendly dancing ‘til dusk. While the music is the main attraction, the event provides the perfect opportunity for an early evening picnic, mingling with neighbors, and watching the sun set over the downtown skyline.

As with past summer line ups, the remaining concerts in this year’s series represent a wide range of danceable music genres, including this Saturday’s (July 10) performer, Billy Lee & The Swamp Critters, who present Cajun Zydeco music in the manner it should be—fun.

Next up, on July 24, the Cathryn Beeks Ordeal will take listeners on a musical journey with her unique blend of country-inflected groove-laden folk rock. The series closes on August 7 when Scott Martin, formerly of the Grammy-winning Poncho Sanchez Latin Band, keeps the beat going with his own Latin Soul Band.

Oh, and just in case you’re wondering, I work for bones.