Photos: Polecat plays Summer Noon Concert

Local Americana band Polecat kicked off the Summer Noon Concert Series this past week under the warm June sun.

Polecat has traveled all over Northwest United States, performing more than 550 shows and recording three albums in six years. More on them is available at www.polecatmusic.com.

The series, put on each year by the Associated Students, brings local acts to campus for Wednesday lunchtime concerts throughout summer quarter.

The free concerts are held at noon on the Performing Arts Center Plaza (or, if it's raining, in the Viking Union Underground Coffeehouse).

Next up is Wes Mackey, a bluesman with more than half a century in music.

Here's the remaining 2016 summer schedule:

July 6: Wes Mackey / Blues

With more than 50 years in music, his first gig paid 50 cents and a chicken sandwich but soon he found himself working in bands that would back up touring artists including Muddy Waters, John Lee Hooker, Jimmy Reed, Stevie Wonder and others. He eventually went from working the dusty honky tonks of Georgia to performing in five star venues, festival and concert stages around the world including places like Iceland, Russia, Malaysia and Hong Kong. Now Mackey lives in Vancouver BC but admits Bellingham is one of his favorite towns. Website: www.wesmackey.com

July 13: Sosa / Indie Rock

Sosa is an Americana-flavored pop band from Bellingham. Listening to Sosa is like driving in a mezcal-fueled pickup truck down a deserted coast to catch a nighttime rodeo. Website: www.facebook.com/sosatheband

July 20: Amir Beso / Balkan Flamenco Fusion

After he was seriously wounded during the war in his native Sarajevo and airlifted out of Bosnia, Amir Beso relocated to Seattle where he writes, records and performs his original instrumental acoustic guitar music, an amalgam of Balkan, gypsy and flamenco influences performed with rocker’s sensibility.  He released two highly acclaimed albums; Fatamorgana and Illumination.  Seattle Times calls him: “Bosnia’s answer to Jimi Hendrix.” Website: www.amirbeso.com

July 27: Actionesse / Action Surf

Out of the ashes of Bellingham ska-punk outfit The Gypsters rose Actionesse, a garage/dance/surf rock band currently based in Seattle. With influences ranging from The Deadly Snakes, Sax Ruins, and MC5 to Abba, Budos Band, and Morphine, Actionesse dips their appendages in all varieties of music that inspire them. With two short-but-sweet EPs up their sleeve and two big recording projects on the way, Actionesse consistently pushes the boundaries of rock and the live show experience. Website: https://www.facebook.com/actionesse/