Another Wednesday summer concert series kicks off in Grand Rapids on June 10 with Big Boss Blues, with more blues — and bluegrass — on tap in St. Joseph in mid-May. See the full lineups.
BEER CITY BIKE & CLASSIC CAR NIGHTS SPOTLIGHT REGIONAL BANDS
Boasting a variety of West Michigan bands and a beer tent, summer 2015 will usher in a new weekly outdoor event on Wednesday nights just north of downtown Grand Rapids, with the Garage Bar & Grill hosting block parties on Ottawa Avenue NW.
Beer City Bike and Classic Car Nights will kick off June 10 with Big Boss Blues playing the party in the North Monroe district on a stretch of Ottawa between Mason and Fairbanks streets, just outside the Garage, at 819 Ottawa Ave. NW.
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The weekly event – charging a $3 cover (with $1 going to the Grand Rapids Home for Veterans) – will feature classic car displays, motorcycle parking, a beer tent and food sales.
“I’m excited about this next three or four months down here,” said Garage owner Kevin Farhat, noting that classic cars will be displayed to the south and motorcycles to the north as part of the Wednesday night block parties. He said he expects 400 to 500 people to attend the weekly events.
So far, the performer lineup includes Big Boss Blues on June 10, British Racing Green on June 17, Musik Box on June 24, Mid-Life Crisis on July 1, Twistin’ Tarantulas on July 8 and Hank Mowery & The Hawktones on July 15, with remaining Wednesdays in July and early August still being finalized.
The event is co-sponsored by WGRD-FM (97.9) and Budweiser, with support from Perrin Brewing, Fireball, Village Motor Sports and Native Bikes.
BUDDY GUY HEADLINES ST. JOSEPH BBQ, BLUES & BLUEGRASS FEST
Legendary Chicago blues guitarist Buddy Guy leads the list of performers at St. Joseph’s third annual BBQ, Blues and Bluegrass: A Taste of Michigan Festival – a day-long event on May 16 that also features regional craft beers and wines, and barbecue vendors.
Also on the bill for the festival will be award-winning national bluegrass band Infamous Stringdusters, as well as St. Joseph’s own indie-Americana band Slim Gypsy Baggage (fresh from an appearance at Austin’s prestigious South by Southwest conference), and California blues guitarist Coco Montoya.
Performances begin at 12:30 p.m. with Springfield, Missouri, bluegrass outfit The HillBenders, followed at 2 p.m. by Montoya, 3:30 p.m. by Slim Gypsy Baggage, 5 p.m. by Infamous Stringdusters, and finally, at 6:45 p.m. by Guy.
At 78, Guy is still touring and performing across the globe regularly with his Damn Right Blues Band. He’s released more than two dozen recordings during his career, with his most recent album, 2013’s “Rhythm & Blues,” soaring to No. 1 on the Top Blues Albums Chart.
Tickets to the festival being held at Whirlpool Centennial Park (steps from Silver Beach) and organized by St. Joseph Today are $10 in advance or $15 day of show. Ticket information is available online at stjoetoday.com/bbq or the Welcome Center at 301 State St. in St. Joseph. The event will take place rain or shine.
Jill Stone, executive director of St. Joseph Today, said about 4,500 people attended last year’s festival and that number is expected to grow in 2015 with Guy headlining the event.
Sponsors include the Paul and Rose Suchovsky Charitable Trust managed by Hilliard Lyons, Chemical Bank, Bud Distributing Inc., WIRX 107.1 and WYTZ 97.5 Y-Country, and Beaudoin Electrical Construction.
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