Playing music outside is like playing to the ocean, local musician Kate Gaffney said. "If you're standing near the ocean, anything that's ever bothering you, you can just toss it out into the sea, and the sea will just engulf it and you won't have to worry about it again."

On Friday, the Philadelphia-native singer/songwriter will be headlining Concerts in the Park. Opening for Gaffney are Boulevard Park, West of Next and Christopher Fairman & The Stilts (click on links for MySpace).

Gaffney first visited California during a college internship, instantly deciding it was the place for her. After earning her bachelor's degree from Penn State, she moved here and took a job at Sacramento County's Child Protective services.

Then one night a coworker convinced her see a rock band featuring another coworker's son. That musician was Jackie Greene.

"It was pretty monumental to see somebody at that age doing [music as a career]," she said. "I thought, maybe I should start writing some songs."

"I was young enough at that point where I knew it was not too late for me to make this switch," Gaffney added.

Over the course of a few months, she decided to quit her job at CPS and concentrate on music. Music makes her life fulfilling, she said.

"I'm stoked on life as long as I'm writing songs that make people happy, or makes them think," Gaffney said. "Hopefully it soothes their soul."

Gaffney's latest album, The Coachman, 2008, is named after and inspired by a summer vacation home in Cape May, N.J., where she spent much of her youth. It features an incredible group of supporting musicians including Jackie Greene, guitar virtuoso Steve Kimock and Ben Harper's backing band The Innocent Criminals, among others.

She recently returned from a three-month-long tour that began as only a handful of gigs. On the tour Gaffney played solo and as a duo with local guitarist Steve Randall, 2006 Sacramento Music Awards winner for Best Guitarist.

After two full-length albums and an EP, she is excited to reach a new audience at Concerts in the Park.

"For me playing music is not just about playing music," Gaffney said. "It's about sharing this beautiful light into the world. It's easier to do outside. It just spreads easier. I like that a lot."

Friday Night Concerts in the Park take place at Cesar Chavez Plaza on 10th and J Streets from 5-9 p.m. every Friday until August 14.

Don't forget that your Friday night festivities continue if you show your wristband to one of the following businesses:

Brew it Up! $4 drafts, Bacardi, Jack Daniels and 3 Olives cocktails, plus half-price appetizers

Fuzio Universal Bistro $3 drafts, $5 martinis, plus a selection of $3 appetizers

Marilyn's on K $1 off well drinks, $3 draft Bud Light

Parlare Euro Lounge $3 domestic beers, $5 wine, $4 assorted appetizers

Pyramid Alehouse $2 pints of Curveball

Sofia on 11th $3 drafts, $4 wines, $4 wells and and half-price appetizers

Table 260 Half off appetizer menu, 10 percent off dinner, $5 drink special on Sac Soul

Toppingz Pizza inside Image Lounge $2.50 Bud and Bud Light, $4 Jack Daniels, appetizers starting at $1

Sheraton Grand Hotel's PMB Bar $3.50 Bud and Bud Light (bottle or draft), $5 nachos or artichoke dip

Amourath Lounge at Hyatt $1 off Bud, Bud Light and all appetizers

Citizen Hotel $99/night weekend rate for Friday, Saturday and Sunday nights in a deluxe king, queen or dual-double-bed room. This deal is exclusively for the Concerts in the Park, and for information on how to book the room, call 916-447-2700.

*Photographs credit Sam Hayashi