Let the festival fun begin: Buses by the Beach, Jake’s Music Festival and Jazz in the Park (not Jazz at the Zoo)

Spring arrives this weekend, so Local Spins looks ahead to a few warm-weather events. Find lineups for Jake’s Music Fest in April, Buses by the Beach in May and why Jazz at the Zoo is now Jazz in Park.

 

JAZZ SOCIETY MOVES SUMMER CONCERTS FROM JOHN BALL PARK TO AH-NAB-AWEN

Jazz at the Zoo is now Jazz in the Park.

With rental rates at the John Ball Park bandshell rising and a city offer to sponsor the 10-concert series in 2015, the West Michigan Jazz Society this year will move its Monday night outdoor jazz series to Ah-Nab-Awen Park in front of the Gerald R. Ford Museum in downtown Grand Rapids.

After 14 years as a West Side institution — with hundreds of folks setting up lawn chairs on Mondays to enjoy the evening jazz concerts in John Ball Park at 1300 W. Fulton St. — the free-admission series will continue in its new location starting June 8 with the West Ottawa High School Jazz Band.

“John Ball Zoo felt they had to significantly raise their rental rate and that was a burden that made us uncomfortable,” said Peter Proli, president of the jazz society. “Fortunately, the city offered to sponsor the 10-concert series, and we jumped at it – not just because of costs – but also because it affords our musicians the opportunity to play for more folks, and us to showcase our stuff to a wider and probably younger audience in a prime downtown location.”

Not only that, but the zoo master plan for expansion might have displaced the series in the near future anyway, he said. And once that plan is in place, he added, there may be an outdoor stage developed nearby so the jazz society “might find itself back at the zoo if we can successfully expand our offerings.”

(The society also is planning a fresh jazz series next fall in the new Venture Building off Broadway Avenue NW.)

Here’s the lineup for this season’s Jazz in the Park series along the Grand River in Ah-Nab-Awen Park:

June 8 – West Ottawa High School Jazz Band
June 15 – Plant D Nonet
June 22 – Steve Hilger Jazz Quintet
June 29 – Mike Lutley’s West Coast Trio
July 6 – Truth in Jazz Orchestra with Dan Giacob
July 13 – Tumbao Bravo
July 20 – Mary Rademacher
July 27 – Steve Sandner Quintet
Aug. 3 – Jimmy Leach Quintet
Aug. 10 – Big Band Nouveau

JAKE’S MUSIC FESTIVAL AT WEALTHY THEATRE APRIL 11 STARS SPINAL TAP TRIBUTE

Jake’s Music Festival organizer Tom Scheidel proclaims proudly, “This one goes to 11.”

The annual Wealthy Theatre music fest raising money for the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation not only celebrates its 11th year on April 11, but the Grand Rapids Spinal Tap tribute band, Sext Farm, will headline the event. Expect these rockers to crank up their amps to 11 in tribute to their heroes as part of this unique benefit that showcases West Michigan talent.

Also on the bill for this year’s festival: PotatoeBabies, Fathom 19, Truckstop Cobras, Lipstick Jodi, JOE and Otis Blueswell Jr. — with a “surprise guest or two” expected.

As always, admission is free, but donations will be encouraged for the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation in its efforts to find a cure for diabetes. The event is sponsored by Perrin Brewing Co., Lake Michigan Credit Union and Tip Top Deluxe Bar & Grill. A silent auction will also be part of the evening’s activities.

The festival, started by Scheidel and his wife, Mary, of Rockford, is named after their son, Jake, who was diagnosed with Type 1 diabetes at age 6. Since it began, it’s raised more than $30,000 for the local chapter of JDRF. Get details online at jakesmusicfestival.com.

BUSES BY THE BEACH RETURNS TO WEST OLIVE MAY 22-25 WITH THE ACCIDENTALS, SEVEN OTHER BANDS

Volkswagen van lovers are a congenial lot.

And they bring that community atmosphere annually to their Buses by the Beach event along Lake Michigan at Camp Blodgett in West Olive to raise money for the Phoenix Society for Burn Survivors.

The Memorial Day weekend festival continues to grow every year and this year’s lineup of rootsy, regional bands performing at the unique camp-in weekend — which also features a raffle and family activities — is likely to expand the Buses by the Beach audience even further.

This year, the May 22-25 Bus Benefit kicks off on Friday with performances by Nicholas James & The Bandwagon and Roosevelt Diggs. On Saturday, Bigfoot Buffalo, Fauxgrass and The Accidentals will take the stage. Sunday’s lineup features The Organgrinders, Great Notion and Rootstand.

Earlybird weekend tickets are $50 and available through April 15, after which tickets are priced at $65. The gate admission that weekend is $75. (All non-VW buses also require a $10 vehicle pass.) Get tickets online at busbenefit2015.brownpapertickets.com and more information about Buses by the Beach at busesbythebeach.org.

Copyright 2015, Spins on Music LLC