Today, Local Spins starts rolling out regular announcements of lineups for free summer concerts taking place in more than 100 communities across the state — all ‘kid-friendly’ events.
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For some Michigan communities, summer kicks off Memorial Day weekend with the first of many free outdoor concerts starring Mitten State acts.
For others, June marks the spot.
Whatever the starting point, free community concerts in more than 100 towns and cities across the state have become a summertime tradition, embraced by lawnchair-toting music lovers and families on weeknights throughout the season.
From New Buffalo and Bridgman in the state’s southwest corner to Charlotte and Baldwin to the north to cities along Lake Michigan and throughout the Grand Rapids area, these outdoor shows spotlight not only talented cover bands playing fan favorites (The Beatles, Elvis Presley, Steely Dan, Fleetwood Mac, Jimmy Buffett) but artists unfurling original music across a bevy of genres.
Some Michigan bands have performed in these picturesque municipal parks and riverside settings for years, crisscrossing the state throughout the summer.
“We try to nail down festivals first and then book the concerts in the park where we have longstanding relationships with people who are more than talent buyers to us. They are people who gave us our start or show up when we need them,” said Sav Buist, multi-instrumentalist for alt-folk’s The Accidentals of Traverse City.
“This is our third year at Sparta and we’ll come back for as long as (organizer) Jere Sorger will have us, because he shows up for us in a million ways throughout the year. The concerts in the park are free community concerts where people can catch a band they might not otherwise have the opportunity or afford to see, and it’s kid-friendly, so we try to make space for those no matter what is happening.”
Today, Local Spins reveals the first round-up of Michigan’s free summer outdoor community concerts. Check out full listings for Ada’s Concerts on the Lawn, Battle Creek’s Vibe @ 5, Lowell’s Sizzlin’ Summer Concerts, Kentwood’s Summer Concert Series, Muskegon’s Parties in the Park, Sparta’s Concerts in Rogers Park and Fennville’s City Music Hall Series here.
Then, find schedules for outdoor concerts in Walker, Portage, Plainwell, Pentwater, New Buffalo, Ludington, Jenison, Hudsonville, Holland, Haslett, Grandville, Fruitport, Coldwater, Charlotte, Bridgman, Berrien Springs and Baldwin in Local Spins’ Free Outdoor Community Concerts 2023 Guide.
And come back to Local Spins in future weeks for additional show announcements for other communities across the Great Lakes State.
ADA: MUSIC ON THE LAWN
When: 7 p.m. Wednesdays
Where: Legacy Park, 7430 River St. SE, Ada
LINEUP:
June 14 – That Beatles Thing
June 21 – Pretzel Logic
June 28 – The Adams Family
July 12 – Frog King
July 19 – Bare Naked 90s
July 26 – Asamu Johnson
August 2 – Prior Noon
August 9 – Rhythm Section Jazz
August 16 – Kari Lynch Band
August 23 – Soni-Matic
BATTLE CREEK: Vibe @ 5
When: 5 p.m. Fridays Where: Friendship Park, 10 State St. SW, Battle Creek
LINEUP:
July 7 – Moonshot
July 14 – Denise Davis & Motor City Sensations
July 21 – Fleetwood Mac Tribute by Kait Rose and the Band of Thorns
July 28 – The Sam Luna Band
August 4 – Leave Those Kids Alone Classic Rock
August 11 – Tony Fields & Doug Decker Motown
FENNVILLE: CITY MUSIC HALL SERIES
When: 6:30 p.m. Thursdays
Where: Across from Fennville City Hall, 125 S. Maple St., Fennville
LINEUP:
July 6 – Austin Benzing Band
July 13 – Carly Thomas Band
July 20 – Max Lockwood, Eric O’Daly, Brandon Smith
Aug. 3 – Mainstays
Aug. 10 – Ida y Vuelta
Aug. 17 – Olivia Dear
Aug. 24 – Sturz
Aug. 31 – Great Lakes Brass, Samuel Nalangira
KENTWOOD: SUMMER CONCERT SERIES
When: 7 p.m. Thursdays
Where: Behind Kentwood City Hall, 4900 Breton Ave. SE, Kentwood
LINEUP:
June 15 – Azz Izz Band
June 22 – Wity Sound Band
June 29 – Cabildo
July 13 – Chicago Farmer and the Field Notes
July 20 – Good Morning Bedlam
July 27 – Big Band Nouveau
August 3 – Brena
August 10 – New Primitives
LOWELL: SHOWBOAT SIZZLIN’ SUMMER CONCERT SERIES
When: 7 p.m. Thursdays
Where: Riverwalk Plaza, 113 Riverwalk Plaza, Lowell
LINEUP:
June 15 – Last Gasp Collective
June 22 – Prior Noon
June 29 – Desmond Jones
July 6 – Magic Bus and Great Lakes Brass
July 7 – Steve Hilger & The River City Rollers
July 13 – Patty Pershayla & the Mayhaps
July 20 – Sarena Rae’s “Music That Raised Us” Show
July 27 – Serita’s Black Rose
August 10 – Jive at Five
August 17 – Austin Benzing
August 24 – The Schrock Brothers featuring Peter Madcat Ruth
MUSKEGON: PARTIES IN THE PARK
When: 5 p.m. Fridays
Where: Hackley Park, Muskegon
LINEUP:
June 2 – Project 90
June 16 – Auntie Kim & U’Neek Soul
June 30 – Magic Bus
July 7 – North 41
July 14 – Flexadecibel
July 28 – West Side Soul Surfers
August 4 – Brenden Moore
August 18 – That Beatles Thing
SPARTA: CONCERTS IN ROGERS PARK
When: 6:30 p.m. Wednesdays
Where: Rogers Park, 75 N. Union, Sparta
LINEUP:
June 14 – Blue Water Rockers
June 21 – The Still Wonder
June 28 – Rochelle & The Spoilers
July 5 – Patty Pershayla & The Mayhaps
July 12 – Moonshot Band
July 19 – The Accidentals
July 26 – The Steeple Hill Band
August 2 – Whorled
August 9 – City Church Worship Band
Special thanks to concert listings manager Julie Honderd. Email her at juliel100@protonmail.com.
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