From Cross Village to Traverse City to Kalamazoo to Detroit, an eclectic blend of national and regional acts are spotlighted to bolster options for those traveling the Great Lakes State. Check out the lineups here.
It’s amazing to consider that Blissfest is celebrating its 35th anniversary this weekend, not only spotlighting top-notch national and regional folk-hued acts, but promoting its mission to “preserve the diversity and heritage of all traditional and ethnic music, dance and crafts.”
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That three-day celebration that kicks off Friday on the Blissfest Music Organization’s Festival Farm southeast of Cross Village boasts some impressive names in its concert lineup, including Arlo Guthrie, Pearl & The Beard, Gangstagrass, That 1 Guy, Rev. Peyton’s Big Damn Band, The Way Down Wanderers and Jack Williams.
But Blissfest is also about spotlighting rootsy Michigan artists, so that means fans can expect compelling sets from The Accidentals (who met their drummer Michael Dause at Blissfest a couple of years ago), Seth & May, The Go Rounds, Joe Hertler & The Rainbow Seekers, Dede & The Dreamers, Michelle Chenard & Pete Keho, Slim Gypsy Baggage, Abigail Stauffer, E-Minor and others.
Adult weekend tickets are $150 at the gate ($140 for those 62 and older, $55 for those 13-17). Adult day passes are $55 Friday, $65 Saturday and $40 Sunday. Get more details at blissfest.org.
You can view and download the full festival schedule online here. And return to Local Spins later this week for a Blissfest photo gallery.
KALAMAZOO BLUES FEST BOASTS SHEMEKIA COPELAND, REV. PEYTON’S BIG DAMN BAND
This weekend’s 22nd Kalamazoo Blues Fest doesn’t pull any blues punches.
The 2015 festival at the Arcadia Creek Festival Place in downtown Kalamazoo features what promises to be some truly energized performances by highly respected national acts Shemekia Copeland (10 p.m. Friday, preceded by Scott Holt), Rev. Peyton’s Big Damn Band (7:45 p.m. Thursday, followed by Memphis’ Ghost Town Blues Band), Canada’s Dawn Tyler Watson with Ben Racine (8:25 p.m. Saturday) and Detroit’s Larry McCray (7 p.m. Saturday).
But just like Blissfest (above), this long-running annual music fest also spotlights a host of fine regional blues outfits, including Kathleen & The Bridge Street Band (6:50 p.m. Thursday), Martila Sanders and Gee Q (11:35 p.m. Friday), Big Boss Blues Band (3:55 p.m. Saturday), Jim Shaneberger Band (4:50 p.m. Saturday) and JR Clark & The All Star Blues Mob (11:35 p.m. Saturday).
Shaneberger, of Grand Rapids, said the Kalamazoo Valley Blues Association “always does a great job putting it together. It’s an honor to be a part of such an amazing line-up.”
Tickets are now only available at the gate: $25 for three-day passes with day passes costing $5 Thursday, $10 Friday and $12 Saturday. Children 12 and younger are admitted free with an adult. Check out the full schedule online here and come back to Local Spins for a photo gallery from the blues festival on Sunday.
SUNDAY’S CONCERT OF COLORS IN DETROIT PAYS TRIBUTE TO INFLUENTIAL ELECTRIFYING MOJO
For true fans of Detroit music worldwide, the name the Electrifying Mojo evokes deep feelings of reverence and mystery. Spinning at several radio stations around the Motor City from the mid-1970s through the mid-1990s, he was known for his cosmic presentation style and eclectic mix of Prince, George Clinton, Kraftwerk, the Smiths, New Order and early B-52s.
Mojo’s Midnight Funk Association was an inspirational force for (and champion of) early Detroit techno. He has all but disappeared in recent years, but his legacy lives on in old air-checks posted to YouTube (like this one.
On July 12, Electrifying Mojo is being feted in an all-star tribute curated by mega producer Don Was as part of this year’s Concert of Colors. The lineup features Juan Atkins, Amp Fiddler, members of Was (Not Was), and a bunch of others. It’s an impressive array of musical firepower for a radio DJ nobody has heard much from in 20 years, but it speaks to his enduring influence.
The Concert of Colors is an annual free concert staged by the Arab-American National Museum aimed at using music to foster cross-cultural understanding.
While the event has a well-defined social mission, it’s not as dreary as that may sound — in fact, it’s always a giant party. Some of this weekend’s other highlights include an all-star tribute to Detroit jazz trumpet legend Marcus Belgrave, who died earlier this year; well-traveled cosmic jazz and funk percussionist Muruga; and Moroccan Gnawa musician Hassan Hakmoun, whom the New York Times dubbed “the Eddie Van Halen of the sintir.” — Brian J. Bowe
JOAN JETT, FOGHAT HEADLINE TRAVERSE CITY’S NATIONAL CHERRY FEST
The climactic weekend of Traverse City’s National Cherry Festival kicks off tonight (Thursday) with the brash rock ‘n’ roll of Joan Jett & The Blackhearts, followed on Friday by classic rock’s Foghat with Peter Rivera and finally, The Journey Tribute on Saturday night.
The festival, which actually kicked off on the Fourth of July, also boasts performances by several acclaimed regional acts, including K. Jones & The Benzie Playboys‘ zydeco-flavored music at 7 p.m. Thursday as part of the free “Concert on the Lawn” at Grand Traverse Pavilions, singer-songwriter Miriam Pico playing the “Lunchtime Concert Series” with bassist Andy Evans at 11:30 a.m. Friday at Festival Open Space Park Central and the annual “Cherry Idol” finals at 2 p.m. Saturday on the Lay’s Cherry Blast Stage.
Jett, 56, recently wowed a Grand Rapids Van Andel Arena crowd when she and her band opened for Heart, essentially stealing the show (which was hampered by sound issues during Heart’s set).
Of course, the annual festival paying tribute to cherries has plenty of those, too, along with a parade, Ultimate Air Dogs competition, Queen’s Ball and much more. Get the full schedule and ticket information online at cherryfestival.org.
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