West Michigan musicians, Fenian’s Irish Pub (as it winds down toward the end of an era) and yes, the Detroit Lions, rank high on this Thanksgiving Day roster for 2014.
Give Thanks: The local music scene with bands such as The Soul Syndicate is worth celebrating on Thanksgiving. (Photo/Anthony Norkus)
Happy Thanksgiving, West Michiganders!
This is one of Local Spins’ absolute favorite holidays, not just because of the turkey and stuffing and football, but because it’s a hassle-free, four-day holiday: No gift-exchange pressures, no need for the incessant blaring of Yuletide music, just thankfulness for the gifts we already have – and for not getting walloped with another early snowstorm.
Support our coverage of
West Michigan's music scene
So Local Spins gives thanks for:
Graves at SpeakEZ on Wednesday. (Photo/Anna Sink)
1. THE LOCAL MUSIC SCENE: Well, duh, this is what we’re all about, right? But the breadth and depth of West Michigan-bred talent just continues to impress and grow audiences in a bevy of genres: folk, hip hop, blues, rock, bluegrass, soul, jam-band, EDM, Americana, funk, metal, you name it.
Two of many of those impressive artists performed Wednesday night on what’s claimed to be the busiest bar night of the year and Local Spins was there to capture some of the action for your Thanksgiving perusing pleasure: Hannah Rose Graves and Justin Wierenga at their second CD-release show at a jam-packed SpeakEZ Lounge, and The Soul Syndicate in the first-ever night-before-Thanksgiving bash at Fifth Third Ballpark’s Pepsi Stadium Club (with guitarist-singer Everett Domeier opening the show). Scroll down for a full photo gallery below.
2. FENIAN’S IRISH PUB IN CONKLIN: For nearly 27 years, lovers of traditional Celtic music have flocked to the tiny community of Conklin to listen to renowned Irish performers on the intimate stage at Fenian’s Irish Pub, owned by Terry and Mary Ann Reagan. That era is now coming to an end.
End of an Era: Terry and Mary Ann Reagan in Fenian’s. (Photo/Anthony Norkus)
The Reagans, who announced earlier this year that they were putting the pub up for sale so they could retire, have now officially sold the establishment and will host their final formal concert on Dec. 6, with the traditional Irish band Chicago Reel performing. (Tickets are $22; call 616-899-2640.) The pub will also still celebrate an Irish New Year’s Eve and continue to host Wednesday sessions and monthly Sean Nos performances through early next year until the tavern changes hands.
Whether it continues as an Irish pub is uncertain. “A local in the area purchased the pub. At this time I have no idea of the name of the bar or what kind of venue it will be,” Mary Ann Regan tells Local Spins. “Really want to concentrate on our final weeks and the events at The Fenian’s.”
All I know is that I’ve witnessed some truly outstanding Celtic musicianship on the Fenian’s warm stage and credit the Reagans for staying true to their Irish roots and spotlighting Celtic music for so many years. Local Spins wishes the Reagans all the best in retirement. Read more about this couple and their journey with Fenian’s in this Local Spins feature story.
3. VENUES THAT REALLY CARE ABOUT THE MUSIC THEY BOOK: Fenian’s isn’t the only bar that falls into this category. We’ve got tons of those in West Michigan. Ok, some don’t, it’s true. And I’d love to see some bars pay musicians better and do a better job of presenting live music with better lighting and sound systems, but it’s incredible how many different platforms there are on a given night across West Michigan for purveyors of different genres to strut their stuff. We’re currently experiencing a renaissance of sorts on the music scene, so don’t miss it. Get out there and soak it in.
Feasting on Da Bears?
4. THE DETROIT LIONS: Seriously. What would we do on Thanksgiving without these lovable silver and Honolulu blue goofballs to give us indigestion? Win or lose, it’s still the best Thursday of football the entire year.
Of course, we’d all be eternally thankful if they pounded the stuffing out of da Bears today. It certainly would make that turkey taste better.
LOCAL SPINS WEEKEND PHOTO GALLERY FOR NOV. 26
The Soul Syndicate, Everett Domeier photos by Anthony Norkus
Hannah Rose Graves & Justin Wierenga photos by Anna Sink
Copyright 2014, Spins on Music LLC
