OUTDOOR CONCERTS : Musical Notes of Summer : ‘Concerts in the Park’ continues Sundays in Warner Center, promising familiar faces as well as some new. It’s still free too.

Not many concert venues offer name entertainment for free while letting you bring a picnic dinner and your dog.

In fact, there may be just one--the “Concerts in the Park” series staged each summer Sunday in Woodland Hills by the Valley Cultural Center.

The series is under way again, with many of the same entertainers returning and a few new ones signed on. This Sunday’s act is the Harry James Orchestra, led by trumpeter Art DePew. The show starts at the traditional time of 5:30 p.m.

Series officials say the big band sound of the Harry James Orchestra and, later in the summer, Les Brown and His Band of Renown draws some of the season’s biggest crowds.

“We get as many as 8,000 people, but the park’s so big it doesn’t get crowded,” said Philip Diamond, director of programming for the series, which started May 31.

The concerts take place at 20-acre Warner Ranch Park at Topanga Canyon Boulevard and Califa Street. Listeners sit on the grass or bring folding chairs. Blankets are allowed, as are picnics and dogs on leashes. For those who prefer to buy dinner at the event, the Woodland Hills Rotary Club runs a hamburger and hot dog stand. Proceeds go to charity.

As in past years, the concert series continues to widen its appeal. Before the main show, there will be acts for children on three Sundays this summer. All start at 4 p.m. Craig Tubman of Craig ‘N’ Co., who will appear July 5, is signed with the Disney Music Box label. Peter Alsop, set July 26, amuses children with silly songs. Dan Crow, scheduled Aug. 23, has been a children’s performer for 15 years.

Multiculturalism takes the stage July 12 with Formula One Band, an 11-piece group whose world beat sound focuses on the music of Haiti. On the same program is Inca--The Peruvian Ensemble, which performs in native costume and with native instruments.

Rock ‘n’ roll nostalgia fans will have a chance to hear Fabian on Sept. 6, the last evening of the series. He is on a program with Kids of Rock Theatre, a group that does Broadway-style tunes and is performing this summer in Europe.

To put on the series without charging admission, the nonprofit Valley Cultural Center raises $125,000 to $150,000 a year. The donations come from individuals and corporate sponsors.

The schedule for the remainder of the summer is:

(Shows start at 5:30 p.m. unless noted.)

- June 14: Harry James Orchestra.

- June 21: Aman International Music and Dance Ensemble.

- June 28: The Modernaires and Orchestra.

- July 5: 4 p.m., Craig ‘N’ Co., children’s rock group; 5:30 p.m., the All American Boys Chorus directed by Father Richard Coughlin.

- July 12: 5:30 p.m., Formula One Band, Afro-Caribbean music; 6:30 p.m., Inca--The Peruvian Ensemble, performing folk songs and dances.

- July 19: Les Brown and His Band of Renown.

- July 26: 4 p.m., Peter Alsop, children’s singer; 5:30 p.m., L. A. Jazz Choir.

- Aug. 2: West Valley Symphony.

- Aug. 9: Valley Master Chorale, singing mostly Americana.

- Aug. 16: The Kingston Trio.

- Aug. 23: 4 p.m., Dan Crow, children’s singer; 5:30 p.m., Prairie Knights, country & Western and bluegrass group; 6:30 p.m., Voices of Ephesus, gospel singers.

- Aug. 30: 15th Air Force Band of the Golden West.

- Sept. 6: 5:30 p.m., Kids of Rock Theatre; 6:30 p.m., Fabian with the Monte Carlos.

WHERE AND WHEN

Location: Warner Ranch Park, Topanga Canyon Boulevard and Califa Street, Woodland Hills.

Price: Free.

Call: (818) 704-1587.