From Grand Rapids to Kalamazoo, West Michigan bands kicked off the first week of January with hot, audience-pleasing shows at The Pyramid Scheme, Bell’s Brewery, Founders Brewing and Tip Top Deluxe.
There’s no better time than winter to hunker down indoors with sizzling jams, courtesy of some inventive West Michigan collaborations and side projects.
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That was the case this week for a host of stage-filling, musical escapades.
In Grand Rapids, that included The All American Funk Parade at Founders Brewing Co. and Nathan Kalish with special guest Eric Soules at Rockford Brewing on Thursday, and Fauxgrass, Desmond Jones and Mark Lavengood’s Bluegrass Bonanza at The Pyramid Scheme (featuring an all-band jam) on Friday.
That same night at Tip Top Deluxe Bar & Grill, it was a double-header, starting with Philly blues singer Gina Sicilia in an early show, followed by Kalish’s first-ever, songwriters-in-the-round “GR Song Swap” (which Kalish and Mike Riley previewed during a morning appearance on Local Spins on WYCE).
On Saturday night, Afro Zuma brought its expansive, world music ensemble back to the stage at Founders.
PHOTO GALLERY: GRAND RAPIDS
All American Funk Parade photos by Anna Sink
Nathan Kalish/Mike Riley photos by John Sinkevics
Fauxgrass, Desmond Jones, Mark Lavengood photos by Anna Sink
Gina Sicilia photos by Michael Koole
Afro Zuma photos by Anna Sink
Meanwhile, Kalamazoo boasted a rousing start to the new year at Bell’s Brewery with Slim Gypsy Baggage and Analogue Earth playing on Thursday night, and Delilah DeWylde on Friday. And check out a separate round-up and Local Spins photo gallery of Friday night’s Fretboard Festival play-in contest featuring 11 acts performing at Kalamazoo Valley Museum.
PHOTO GALLERY: KALAMAZOO
Photos by Derek Ketchum
Copyright 2017, Spins on Music LLC