The series featuring regional stars kicks off in December, with The Crane Wives, Brian Vander Ark and Channing & Quinn also performing later this winter in the intimate venue. See the full schedule.
Speedy Sellout: The Accidentals’ play the premiere of the Cool Beats series in early December. (Photo/Taylor Mansen)
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The Corner Bar truly is a Rockford institution.
Cozy Environment: Dennis Moline, center, and Jeff Wolfe, right, in the upstairs venue. (Photo/Anna Sink)
Dubbed “the original Rockford tradition,” the cozy gathering spot boasts the Hot Dog Hall of Fame, led by New York record-holder Tim “Eater X” Janus who in 2006 wolfed down 43-1/2 of The Corner’s famous chili dogs in just four hours.
Now, The Corner Bar aims to start a new tradition: tasty live regional music, staged in a newly renovated upstairs banquet room.
The “Cool Beats @ The Corner” concert series kicks off Dec. 3 with a sold-out show featuring Traverse City indie-folk trio The Accidentals.
It continues with Ann Arbor’s The Ragbirds on Jan. 28, Grand Rapids folk-rock band The Crane Wives on March 4, and The Verve Pipe frontman Brian Vander Ark with Channing & Quinn on April 22. Tickets are $20 per concert and still available for all three of these shows. Get tickets online at brownpapertickets.com.
The Schedule
“The locals are excited about the prospects of live music at this venue. Everyone we’ve heard from is thrilled about the caliber of the bands we’ve lined-up for this initial concert series,” said Dennis Moline, who organized the concert series for the intimate second-floor space that accommodates 125 people.
“The only negative is demand for The Accidentals’ concert far exceeded our cozy space and it sold out in just a few days. We expect the others to sell out, too, as we advertise and get momentum following the first show.”
Corner Bar owner Jeff Wolfe said while the tavern/restaurant has dabbled with live music downstairs in the past, this formal Saturday night series upstairs really offers area residents “something to do in the winter when things are a little slow.”
He added that doors open early for the 8 p.m. shows – at 6 p.m. – to give concertgoers time for dinner, drinks and socializing. The venue will feature tables and some standard concert seating.
Renovated Space: For concerts, the venue has a capacity of 125. (Photo/Anna Sink)
“We want to keep it intimate,” Moline said of the concerts featuring up-and-coming as well as established, folk-hued Michigan artists. “We stuck with a genre that we couldn’t go wrong.”
Moline said organizers also are working to “soften the room” acoustically with installation of noise absorbing acoustical panels on the ceiling, walls and behind the stage. He said he’s hoping for a listening room atmosphere that focuses on the performers.
“This is definitely a ‘buy-local’ initiative. We’re supporting an iconic local business that took a chance on expansion and renovation,” Moline said. “Plus, we’re supporting some of our preeminent music acts during their traditionally slow season.”
Moline wants to continue the series in the future and possibly even “sprinkle in some additional music events throughout the year.”
Get tickets and more information online here.
PHOTO GALLERY: The Corner Bar’s “Cool Beats” Venue
Copyright 2016, Spins on Music LLC
