The Moxie Strings, The Moonrays, Michigander, Miss Atomic, Slim Gypsy Baggage, The Muteflutes, The Zannies, Bigfoot Buffalo, Ralston Bowles part of July-August concerts. See the full lineup.
Frederik Meijer Gardens & Sculpture Park gets the lion’s share of attention each year for its uber-popular summer concert series – a big-name affair that already has sold out 17 of 30 shows for 2017, with artists like Barenaked Ladies, Sheryl Crow, Huey Lewis and The Shins on the docket.
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But since 2003, Meijer Gardens’ outdoor amphitheater also has hosted Tuesday Evening Music Club concerts starring local and regional acts — and these weeknight summer shows often draw as many or more attendees than the main series featuring national and international powerhouses.
Starting on the Fourth of July, the 2017 edition of the Tuesday series first launched by Grand Rapids singer-songwriter Ralston Bowles will kick off two months of weekly double-header concerts boasting established Michigan bands such as The Moxie Strings, The Moonrays, Slim Gypsy Baggage, The 6-Pak and The Red Sea Pedestrians and up-and-coming acts Miss Atomic, Michigander, The Zannies and Benjaman James.
“Each year, the challenge is to deliver an eclectic mix of musical talent of the caliber that the members have come to expect as well as showcase the wide variety of excellent musicians that Michigan has to offer,” said Bowles, who, as always, will close out the series at the end of August with a special “Ralston & Friends” extravaganza. (Check out Local Spins coverage of last year’s finale online here.)
“I think Ted Bufkin (of Meijer Gardens) and I have managed again this year to line up such a season for Tuesday Nights through July and August. I am looking forward to a great summer of music at the Gardens.”
Admission to the 7 p.m. Tuesday concert is free for members, with non-members paying just the regular price of admission to Meijer Gardens ($14.50 for adults, with discounts for children and seniors).
The series kicks off on July 4 with Kalamazoo’s Red Sea Pedestrians, a diverse indie-folk ensemble with a klezmer and world music twist, and Green on Blue, a Grand Rapids jazz quartet that “combines a traditional jazz repertoire with fresh and innovative arrangements.”
See the full schedule above at right. Get more information online at meijergardens.org.
VIDEO: Tuesday Evening Music Club (Aug. 30, 2016)
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