Several West Michigan bands will be part of the revamped Celebration and Independence Day festivities in downtown Grand Rapids, with one planning to unveil brand new songs at the event.
The Outer Vibe played on the Fourth of July two years ago. (Photo/Local Spins)
Confusing at it might sound, Grand Rapids’ Fourth of July fireworks will actually take place on the fifth of July, and the Celebration on the Grand takes place on Independence Day, not the weekend after Labor Day.
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What’s less confusing and more intriguing is that this year’s decision by the city and celebration organizers means music fans get two straight days of live music along the Grand River in downtown Grand Rapids.
Friday’s free Celebration on the Grand lineup kicks off at Ah-Nab-Awen Park in front of the Gerald R. Ford Presidential Museum at 3 p.m. with the country music of Kris Hitchcock & Small Town Son, followed by the eclectic cover band Shimmie Pearl, jazz/soul singer Kathy LaMar, roots rock/Cajun group David Molinari & Creolization, blues legend Jimmie Stagger and finally, at 9:30 p.m., rock/pop’s The Outer Vibe.
On Saturday, as part of the Amway Family Fireworks celebration co-hosted by Townsquare Media, the slate of free live music starts with the surf/rockabilly/swing of The Rhythm Aces.
That’s followed by the soulful Vox Vidorra (fronted by former Blue Molly lead vocalist Molly Bouwsma-Schultz), the aerial display of the Daredevil Circus and, finally, just before the fireworks display, the rock/pop of Three’s a Crowd.
Several of the bands have played Celebration and the Fourth of July show previously, but that doesn’t temper their enthusiasm for performing in front of the big crowds expected for these events.
“We sure are excited. It was an honor to be asked to headline this year’s Fourth of July Celebration in our hometown once again,” said Lisa Kacos, trumpet and keyboard player for The Outer Vibe, which expects to play some “brand new tunes” during the show.
Bluesman Jimmie Stagger
“After spending the month of May in the studio with a producer from California, we have been crafting a live set to feature a good mix of both new and older originals, and meanwhile, the producer (Brad K. Dollar) is mixing the tracks back in California.”
Read more about the city’s decision to make the switch in the Celebration on the Grand and Fourth of July schedules in this MLive story.
This year, Molly Bouwsma-Schultz will front her new band, Vox Vidorra, at Ah-Nab-Awen Park. (Photo/Local Spins)
Email John Sinkevics at jsinkevics@gmail.com.
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