The first Rockford Barnstormer showcased bands Potato Moon, Hannah Rose, Nicholas James & The Bandwagon and many more, family fun and a good cause: aiding area refugees.
It may not have been a barn dance per se, but there was plenty of dancing and singing and musical magic, and all for a good cause.
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The first-ever Rockford Barnstormer on Friday and Saturday on the Petersen Farm outside Rockford put more than a dozen West Michigan bands in the spotlight on the stage inside a handsomely adorned barn, and also put the spotlight on a deserving organization, Thrive: A Refugee Support Program.
After a Friday night of eclectic music, the sun-splashed farm on Saturday was a beehive of family-styled activity, hula-hooping kids, balloon-making, snacking and musical camaraderie, all aimed at drawing attention to Thrive’s mission to help refugees in the Grand Rapids area adjust to life in the United States, helping them learn English, assisting them with transportation and connecting refugees to the agencies and services they need.
Performing over the weekend supported by some generous sponsors and promoted by community radio station WYCE-FM (88.1) was a tasty blend of West Michigan talent: The Weatherheads, Hawks & Owls String Band, Jason Norman, The Muteflutes, Badenya Drum & Dance, WaZoBia, Potato Moon, Susan Picking, Thrive Refugee Choir, The Beanpoles, Strawberry Heritage, Hannah Rose & The End of the World Family Band, and Nicholas James & The Bandwagon.
Check out the video of some of the activities below, along with highlights from the set by Potato Moon, which kicked off Saturday’s live music lineup with a set of its rootsy, swinging, bluesy Americana and folk-rock.
And to donate Thrive or volunteer to help out, check out the website here: www.refugeesupportgr.com.
Email: jsinkevics@gmail.com
Just to mention,Great White will be in town sept. 8th/Rosa Park