Labor Day weekend approaches in what’s been the oddest summer ever, especially when it comes to live music. But The Big List has a roster of shows across West Michigan to check out.
Downtown Celebration: JRob & Bedrock the Foundation play outside Studio Park on Saturday. (Photo/Kendra Petersen-Kamp)
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As Labor Day weekend approaches, everything’s different.
COVID-19 has altered the landscape — from kids heading back to school (or, in many cases, cracking open their books at home) to the usual festival celebrations that officially wrap up the summer season.
But live music options do exist, starting with Saturday’s “Summer in the City” concert taking place in downtown Grand Rapids.
Part of “The Bridge” — a month of outdoor, socially distanced events organized by the city, Downtown Grand Rapids Inc., Grand Rapids Chamber of Commerce and Experience Grand Rapids — the 3 p.m. show on the Studio Park piazza downtown boasts an all-star cast of hip hop and soul performers: JRob & Bedrock The Foundation, Last Gasp Collective, Whisko & DJ Sanjay and Musicscape by DJ James B. Tickets are $35; get them online here.
(By the way, Swing and Line Dancing will return to Rosa Parks Circle with free dancing and instruction as part of The Bridge starting Sept. 8.)
Oh, and strangely enough, there really is a music festival of sorts taking place over Labor Day weekend.
“Lost in Space” features two nights of socially distanced camping, music, arts and entertainment at 4850 113th Ave. in Fennville, with DJs and producers Pandora Love, Bosstatus, Charlotte Webb, Saylin, Panther and more. View details on the Lost in Space Facebook page. It’s $40 for the weekend or $25 per night.
Of course, the week features lots of live-streams, including a roster of Michigan acts playing the Arts, Beats and Eats virtual festival. Details here. Find listings of other live-stream performances at Local Spins online here. By the way, those attending in-person concerts are encouraged to wear masks, social-distance, wash their hands and follow guidelines as recommended. If your business or your band has a live, in-person performance to add to this concert listing, email the information to john@localspins.com.
THE BIG LIST CONCERT GUIDE (Aug. 31-Sept. 6)
EDITOR’S NOTE: Due to changing conditions and unexpected closures, check with the restaurants or venues on this list before you make plans to attend a show to make sure they’re still open.
MONDAY
• Brena outdoors at The Score, 5301 Northland Dr. NE in Grand Rapids, 6 p.m. Monday
TUESDAY
• Strumble Head outdoors at The Score, 5301 Northland Dr. NE in Grand Rapids, 6 p.m. Tuesday
• Acoustic Shenanigans at Rogue River Tavern, 4 N. Main St. in Rockford, 6 p.m. Tuesday
• The New Standard jazz jam at Dee Lite, 24 Washington Ave. in Grand Haven, 6 p.m. Tuesday
• Frank Galante playing at Ludington Area Center for the Arts, 107 South Harrison St. in Ludington, 7 p.m. Tuesday, $5, details here.
• Five Moons Away playing the “Driveway Concert Series” in Grand Rapids Township, 7:30 p.m. Tuesday (Get details, directions and register online here.)
WEDNESDAY
• Melissa Lee performing at Bates Alley for “Beats on Bates” in Kalamazoo, 5:30 p.m. Wednesday
• Moonshot outdoors at The Score, 5301 Northland Dr. NE in Grand Rapids, 6 p.m. Wednesday
• Tony Halchak at Cedar Springs Brewing in downtown Cedar Springs, 6:30 p.m. Wednesday
THURSDAY
• Olivia Mainville & The Aquatic Troupe playing Rosa Parks Circle in downtown Grand Rapids for “Relax at Rosa,” noon Thursday
• Bands for the Basket at Dockers Fish House, 3505 Marina View Pt. in Muskegon, 5 p.m. Thursday
• Three’s a Crowd outdoors at The Score, 5301 Northland Dr. NE in Grand Rapids, 6 p.m. Thursday
• Steffan Copenhaver playing the Kirby House, 2 Washington Ave. in Grand Haven, 6 p.m. Thursday
• Iron Town performing at Bostwick Lake Inn, 8521 Belding Road NE, Rockford, 7 p.m. Thursday
• Dixon’s Violin playing outdoors at Camp Clear Sky, 12400 Grand River Dr. SE, Lowell, 8 p.m. Thursday, $40 advance, $50 day of show; tickets available online here.
FRIDAY
• “Lost in Space” with DJs/producers Pandora Love, Bosstatus, Charlotte Webb, Saylin, Panther and more, Friday and Saturday at 4850 113th Ave., Fennville, $40 weekend; $25 per night, details here.
• Chris Clayton Loop outdoors at The Score, 5301 Northland Dr. NE in Grand Rapids, noon Friday
• Darrell Marvel Band performing for the “Pocket Park Music Series” in downtown Big Rapids, noon Friday
• In the Blue playing outdoors at Sandy Point Beach House, 7175 Lakeshore Drive in West Olive, 5 p.m. Friday
• Project 90 outdoors at The Score, 5301 Northland Dr. NE in Grand Rapids, 6 p.m. Friday
• Dave & Connie D playing Borrowed Time, 22 E. Center St. in Douglas, 6 p.m. Friday
• The Blue Water Ramblers playing the “Bands at Blandford” series at Blandford Nature Center, 3145 Milo St. NW, 7 p.m. Friday; $20 ($15 members); VIP $35 ($30 members); get details and tickets online here.
• Mark Daisy playing the Music in the Garten series at Third Nature Brewing Co., 7733 Childsdale Ave. NE in Rockford, 7 p.m. Friday
• GrooveGround Music playing outdoors at Camp Clear Sky, 12400 Grand River Dr. SE, Lowell, 7 p.m. Friday; register here.
• Kindred at Smash Wine Bar & Bistro, 415 W. Western Ave. in Muskegon, 8 p.m. Friday
• Swing Operation playing 18th Amendment Spirits Co., 350 W. Western Ave. in Muskegon, 8 p.m. Friday
• Carl Webb and Tom Hull at Smash Wine Bar & Bistro, 415 W. Western Ave. in Muskegon, 8 p.m. Friday
SATURDAY
• Nick DeKoff outdoors at The Score, 5301 Northland Dr. NE in Grand Rapids, noon Saturday
• Alex Mays playing Borrowed Time, 22 E. Center St. in Douglas, 1 p.m. Saturday
• “Summer in the City” with JRob & Bedrock The Foundation, Last Gasp Collective, Whisko & DJ Sanjay and Musicscape by DJ James B playing the Studio Park piazza in downtown Grand Rapids at 3 p.m. Saturday ($35 tickets here)
• In the Blue playing outdoors at Sandy Point Beach House, 7175 Lakeshore Drive in West Olive, 5 p.m. Saturday
• Right Side Up outdoors at The Score, 5301 Northland Dr. NE in Grand Rapids, 6 p.m. Saturday
• Grateful Dead Jam with Camp Clear Sky Band featuring Hannah Rose at at Camp Clear Sky, 12400 Grand River Dr. SE, Lowell, 6 p.m. Saturday; get details and register here.
• John Shea Trio playing Noto’s Old World Italian Dining, 6600 28th St. SE, 6:30 p.m. Saturday (Call for reservations)
• Catfish & The Man performing at Pigeon Hill Brewing Co., 500 W. Western Ave. in Muskegon, 8 p.m. Saturday
• Acoustic Waves playing Itty Bitty Bar, 1136 Ottawa Beach Road in Holland, 9 p.m. Saturday
• Dalmatian Stone playing the Village Cafe & Pub, 347 S. Hancock St. in Pentwater, 9 p.m. Saturday
SUNDAY
• Jason Wheeler at Cedar Springs Brewing in downtown Cedar Springs, noon Sunday
• Kyle Rasche playing “Singer-Songwriter Sundays” at Borrowed Time, 22 E. Center St. in Douglas, 2 p.m. Sunday
• Coty Bouchard playing the Kirby House, 2 Washington Ave. in Grand Haven, 4 p.m. Sunday
• Jam Session at Camp Clear Sky, 12400 Grand River Dr. SE, Lowell, 4:20 p.m. Sunday; register here.
• JGJ Band outdoors at The Score, 5301 Northland Dr. NE in Grand Rapids, 6 p.m. Sunday
Have a show to add to The Big List? Email john@localspins.com.
Copyright 2020, Spins on Music LLC
