The two-month celebration of Michigan music starts with a kid-interactive “Family Appreciation Night” and wraps up in August with Ralston & Friends. See the full 2014 schedule.
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West Michigan's music scene
That’s how Josh Dunigan of Grand Rapids’ award-winning Afro Zuma ensemble describes the splendor of playing the Tuesday Evening Music Club series at Frederik Meijer Gardens & Sculpture Park.
“Last year, we performed for a sold-out crowd on their giant stage with a fantastic sound system under beautiful blue skies. It is the memory that epitomizes summer for many of us,” insisted the percussionist, who’ll return to that stage with Afro Zuma again in early July.
The same might be said for audiences who revel in the wide array of acts who play the weekly summer series.
When Grand Rapids singer-songwriter Ralston Bowles came up with the concept more than a decade ago, he was determined to spotlight Michigan’s growing, multi-genred, multi-instrumental talent in the plush surroundings of Meijer Gardens.
GLOBE-SPANNING MUSIC AND AN INTERACTIVE ‘FAMILY APPRECIATION NIGHT’
The 2014 edition of the Tuesday evening series, which kicks off July 1, does that and more, delving full-bore into world music and percussion, folk-pop, rock, Americana, jazz, indie-rock, folk-rock, funk and soul.
And for the first time, the family-oriented series booked jointly by Meijer Gardens’ Ted Bufkin will feature a “Family Appreciation Night” to open the summer run, with pre-show interactive drumming for kids hosted by the WaZoBia ensemble, students displaying talents on stage with seasoned musicians as part of “The Piano Cottage” and a dance instructor teaching moves to the audience.
“We will be playing music with the children of Grand Rapids … with as many drums as we can pack in,” Dunigan told Local Spins. “Everyone who comes will get a chance to be a part of the band for this event.”
Depending on the weather, the Tuesday Evening Music Club series tends to draw huge, capacity crowds for its concerts, partly because entry is included in the price of regular admission to Meijer Gardens ($12 adults) and members get in free.
As a result, it’s become an in-demand venue for regional acts who crave the opportunity to play the Meijer Gardens stage.
As Micah McLaughlin of The Muteflutes put it, the folk-rock band is “honored” to play the series on Aug. 12 and “share our art with a broader audience. This is a stepping stone for The Muteflutes as we continue to refine our sound and contribute to the thriving West Michigan music scene.”
TUESDAY EVENING MUSIC CLUB:
THE 2014 PERFORMER LINEUP
July 1 (Family Appreciation Night) — Starts with a 6 p.m. pre-show featuring interactive drumming for kids with WaZoBia, followed by The Piano Cottage (students sharing stage with established musicians).
An intermission with dance instructor Heather Winia is followed by the Afro Zuma Afro-beat ensemble.
July 8 — Matt Gabriel (singer-songwriter), The Mickeys (Americana)
July 15 — Wisaal (Mediterranean/world music), Sumkali (Indian folk/fusion)
July 22 — AG Silver (indie-rock), Chain of Lakes (indie-folk)
July 29 — 6:15 p.m. pre-show with The Steve Hilger Jazz Quintet
Organissimo (organ-based jazz/blues), River City Jazz Ensemble (swing jazz)
Aug. 5 — Mid-Life Crisis (rock), Serita’s Black Rose (funk, soul, rock)
Aug. 12 — The Muteflutes (folk-rock), Black Jake & The Carnies (crabgrass)
Aug. 19 — An Dro (Celtic-based world beat), Cabildo (Afro-Cuban music)
Aug. 26 — Ralston & Friends
Note: Except where noted, concerts begin at 7 p.m.
Email John Sinkevics at jsinkevics@gmail.com.
Copyright 2014, Spins on Music
yawn………
awesome line ups. I’m really stoked to see The Muteflutes in that setting!