From Eastown Streetfair and Tribute on the Grand in Grand Rapids to a Courtyard Concert in Spring Lake to Crime Funk and more in Kalamazoo, it was a September weekend to remember … in photos.
Free Fallin’: The Tom Petty tribute band was part of Saturday’s Tribute on the Grand in Ah-Nab-Awen Park. (Photo/Matt Marn)
Ignoring some occasional rain, West Michigan embraced September with musical marvels. Ogle the photo galleries from Grand Rapids to Kalamazoo to the lakeshore.
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EASTOWN STREETFAIR
From the budding talent of Grand Rapids’ Triumph Music Academy to veteran acts such as The Bootstrap Boys to WYCE-FM’s annual record sale to artists and vendors to indoor music blasts at Billy’s Lounge and Mulligan’s Pub, the Eastown Street Fair brought a healthy bunch of folks to this Grand Rapids neighborhood on Saturday, dodging a little rain here and there.
PHOTO GALLERY: Eastown Streetfair photos by Matt Marn
TRIBUTE ON THE GRAND
Hosted by Founders Brewing and FOX 17, the first-time Tribute on the Grand at Ah-Nab-Awen Park (supporting Grand Rapids Whitewater) in downtown Grand Rapids boasts performances by the L.A. Vation U2 tribute band, the Free Fallin’ Tom Petty tribute and West Michigan acts The Wolf Pack from Mars and Jim Shaneberger Band & Friends (an all-star group which performed a tribute to Prince), along with a beer tent, yoga session, beer dinner and more.
PHOTO GALLERY: Tribute on the Grand photos by Matt Marn
COURTYARD CONCERT: TONY LUCCA, HEY MONEA
Photos and recap by Matt Marn
Music fans crowded the parking lot adjacent to the Seven Steps Up listening room in Spring Lake on Sunday to celebrate Courtyard Concerts, a non-profit organization dedicated to helping Lakeshore area communities through music and fundraising.
Many ticket-holders brought their own lawn chairs to camp out in the sunshine and cheer on opening act Hey Monea, as well as headliner and returning favorite Tony Lucca, a Michigan-bred singer and past finalist on NBC’s “The Voice.”
Courtyard Fun: Tony Lucca headlined Sunday’s concert in Spring Lake. (Photo/Matt Marn)
Ohio’s Hey Monea got the crowd going with fun originals as well as fun banter with the crowd. At one point, Dan Monea, lead singer, introduced one of his original songs, told from the perspective of an intensely diligent meter man in his hometown of Akron, Ohio. He shared a funny story about the first time he played the song live in his own hometown: “Rocky the Meter Man” actually showed up for the concert and even wound up buying Monea a beer to thank him.
For his headlining act set, Lucca delivered originals as well as classic covers, from Ray LaMontagne’s “Trouble” to closing the concert with Stevie Wonder’s hit, “Superstition.” His pal, Dan Monea, was invited back up again to play alongside Lucca for his headlining set.
“I’ve been looking forward to today for quite some time,” Lucca told the crowd. “It’s not often you schedule a show this far in advance, but I have been very much counting down the days until today. And how about this weather? It’s the icing on a very wonderful cake.”
Gary Hanks-Carpenter and Michelle Hanks, the owners and founders of Seven Steps Up music venue, founded the Courtyard Concerts non-profit, believing they could put on a community concert for a good cause while having fun at the same time.
“The show this year was perfect,” said Michelle Hanks, serving as current president of Courtyard Concerts. “Perfect weather, perfect music, perfect vibe.”
Attendance may have been down a little bit from last year on this fourth year of the concert, but Hanks said they are always grateful to everyone who was able to come out and listen.
“We hope that everyone had a kick-ass concert and had a great time,” she said. “We want the community to come together and experience some great music, and experience a great time with friends.”
PHOTO GALLERY: Tony Lucca, Hey Monea
