Buena Vista Social Orchestra, Lettuce, more (Photos)

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Meijer Gardens wrapped up its final summer concert on Sunday with the dance-inspiring, esteemed Cuban ensemble, closing out a weekend that also featured Lettuce, the Fallasburg Arts Festival and more.

Summer Sunday Dance Party: Buena Vista Social Orchestra had folks grooving, as did Lettuce in Kalamazoo. (Photo/Jamie Geysbeek)

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It was a “good view” indeed Sunday evening when Buena Vista Social Orchestra shared its storied sound with an eager audience that soaked up both the incredible musicianship and a postcard-perfect sunset.

The musical talent/pleasant weather combo was a much-appreciated closing note for Frederik Meijer Gardens & Sculpture’s Fifth Third Bank Summer Concerts series — particularly given the sometimes-dicey late-season weather known to hit the venue into September (2016’s chilly, rain-soaked Tears for Fears finale comes to mind).

Keb’ Mo’ and Shawn Colvin initially were scheduled to close out a planned 33-concert lineup for the 1,900-capacity amphitheater’s 2024 season. The pair was forced to “involuntarily” cancel their entire fall tour due to Keb’ Mo’s serious health issue, which in turn, ended the Meijer Gardens’ season a day early. (Best wishes for a speedy and uncomplicated recovery, Keb’ Mo’.)

Additionally, Charley Crockett’s July 24 appearance was canceled minutes before gates opened, and scheduling conflicts prevented a 2024 reschedule, bringing the actual number of series shows to a still-impressive 31.

As for the Buena Vista Social Orchestra season finale? Well, it’s hard to think of a more fitting way to say goodbye to the summer than with steamy temps and sultry sounds of the legendary Cuban ensemble.

A fair number of folks came dressed to impress, and dozens of fans took to the “floor” in front of the stage to dance for much of the two-part, two-hour set of original compositions and standards (including the always-beautiful “Besame Mucho”).

Crowd-Pleasing Funk: Lettuce in the Beer Garden. (Photo/Derek Ketchum)

Original Buena Vista Social Club orchestra leader/composer/trombonist Jesus “Aguaje” Ramos (now serving as trombonist/composer/arranger/musical director) led the ensemble, which is in the midst of a cross-country tour.

Ramos, in this new iteration of the musical institution, was joined by an incredible collection that also included original Buena Vista Social Club members Luis “Betun” Mariano Valiente Marin (congas, bongo), Emilio Senon Morales Ruiz (piano), Fabían Garcia (bass) and more.

Bluesy/Southern-infused/rock singer/guitarist Cody Jasper impressed fans with his exuberant guitar skills and enough charisma to hold down the stage solo for his 30-minute show opener.

The same night in Kalamazoo, Boston’s Lettuce revved up the third-to-last concert in the Bell’s Brewery Beer Garden summer series with dance-inspiring funk, jam and jazz blitz over nearly three yours.

Bell’s also hosted the Kalamashoegazer Festival in its Back Room on Saturday, with the iikes of Tambourina, Brief Candles, Montreal’s Bodywash and Estonia’s Pia Fraus.

Also on Saturday, Kalamazoo’s One Well hosted a summer block party, with a carnival and Taco Bob Taco Eating Contest kicking things off and Sounds of the Zoo hosting performances on the parking lot stage featuring Kalamazoo Academy of Rock band Zero Sun, The Nathan Moore Affair, Hannah Rose Graves Band and Chirp.

Elsewhere, the Fallasburg Arts Festival basked in sunshine at Fallasburg Park outside Lowell two days in a row as crowds browsed an eclectic roster of art, photography and crafts vendors, while rootsy Michigan folk and country bands performed on stage.

Check out photos and a video below. And view Local Spins recaps of The Verve Pipe at Otsego’s Liquid Note and images from Muskegon’s Michigan Irish Music Festival here.

PHOTO GALLERY: Buena Vista Social Orchestra, Cody Jasper at Meijer Gardens
Photos by Jamie Geysbeek