As summer kicks into full gear, so do outdoor concerts hosted by communities across West Michigan. Here’s the latest update to Local Spins’ comprehensive listings of music in the great outdoors.
Outdoor Charm: Serita’s Black Rose kicks off the Fremont Summer Concert Series on Thursday. (Photo/Anna Sink)
SCROLL DOWN FOR CONCERT SCHEDULES IN 20 DIFFERENT COMMUNITIES
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Bottled-up enthusiasm for live music and community gatherings following a difficult year of COVID has driven the return of outdoor concert series in more than 80 West Michigan communities this year.
Some of those shows kick off this week, including the much-anticipated return of the West Michigan Jazz Society’s “Jazz at Millennium Park Meadows” series in Walker, with singer Mary Rademacher & Friends performing at 6:30 p.m. tonight (Monday, June 7). Many other series get rolling later this month or in early July.
Mary Rademacher (Courtesy Photo)
“There is an obvious eagerness out there to be able to return to ‘normal life,’ ” said Kris Jordan, director of the Parchment Summer Concert Series held in Kindleberger Park in the community just north of Kalamazoo.
“This last year has been particularly harsh to the live performing arts industry, both for performers and consumers. … The value of arts in our everyday lives is really undeniable.”
Jordan stressed that the Parchment concert series — which kicks off July 12 with singer Matt Giraud — will continue to monitor coronavirus trends and health guidelines to ensure organizers move ahead safely with these outdoor shows. Still, the downward trend of coronavirus infections gives them and other concert organizers across the region reason for optimism.
The goal? “To provide long overdue, happy opportunities for our community and our neighbors to be social again, while enjoying exceptional musical performances,” Jordan said. “We are hopeful that we can begin to put the time of COVID-19 in the rearview mirror and look to brighter, music-filled days ahead.”
Check out the latest batch of concert series recently announced for 20 communities across the region below. And view the full list of series in Local Spins’ comprehensive “Free Outdoor Community Concerts 2021 Guide.”
(Have concert updates or additions? Email details to juliel100@protonmail.com. And get updated info about Michigan music festivals in our Michigan Music Festivals 2021 Guide.)
ADA: MUSIC ON THE LAWN
When: 7 p.m. Wednesdays
Where: Legacy Park, 7430 River St. SE, Ada
LINEUP:
June 9 – Whiskey Bound
June 23 – Night Owls Jazz Quartet
July 21 – King Biscuit Trio
July 28 – Adams Family
Aug. 11 – Kathy Lamar
Aug. 25 – That Beatles Thing
Organissimo (Photo/Kendra Kamp)
When: 6 p.m. Sundays
Where: Victory Park Bandshell, 451 Haven Rd., Albion
LINEUP:
Aug. 1 – Chris Canas
Aug. 8 – Fleetwood Gold
Aug. 15 – Common Chords
Aug. 22 – The American Ride
Aug. 29 – Organissimo
Sept. 5 – Moonshot Band
Sept. 12 – The Phoenix Therapy
BRIDGMAN: SUMMER CONCERT SERIES
When: 7 p.m. Sundays
Where: Weko Beach and Campground, 5239 Lake St. Bridgman
LINEUP:
May 30 – PastTime
June 13 – Top Secret
June 27 – VanDyke Revue
July 11 – The Edgar Willbury Experience
July 25 – Red Deluxe
Aug. 8 – Generation Gap
Aug. 22 – Saturday June Band
Sept. 5 – Time Travelers
DELTON: MUSIC IN THE PARK
When: 7 p.m. Saturdays
Where: William Smith Memorial Park, 511 Orchard St., Delton
LINEUP:
June 5 – Hank Pharoah
June 19 – James Reeser & The Backseat Drivers
July 3 – Clovis and the Delroys
July 17 – Daves at 7
July 31 – Kody Bryant Carpenter
Aug. 28 – Crooked Root
Sept. 11 – Big Trouble
Sept. 25 – Lana and the Tonics
Josh Rose (Photo/Jamie Geysbeek)
When: 6 p.m. Mondays
Where: John Collins Park, 650 Lakeside Dr. SE, East Grand Rapids
LINEUP:
June 14 – The Adams Family
June 21 – Coty Bouchard
June 28 – Daves at 7
July 12 – Reeds & Steel
July 19 – Rachel Curtis
July 26 – Josh Rose
FREMONT: SUMMER CONCERT SERIES
When: 7 p.m. Thursdays
Where: Veterans Memorial Park, 119 W. Main St., Fremont
LINEUP:
June 10 – Serita’s Black Rose
June 17 – Voices of Freedom
June 24 – Braunschweiger Blues Band
July 1 – The Carl Webb Band
July 8 – Blue Water Ramblers
July 15 – Plain Jane Glory
GRAND HAVEN: MUSIC ON THE GRAND
When: 7 p.m. Wednesdays (unless otherwise noted)
Where: Lynne Sherwood Waterfront Stadium, Downtown Grand Haven
LINEUP:
June 9 – The Spring Lake High School Jazz Band
June 16 – The Frank Eimer Band
June 23 – The Silverado Band
June 30 – Livin’ the Dream
July 7 – The Carl Webb Band
July 14 – The Great Scott Band
July 21 – The Tom Hagen Trio
July 28 – The Sea Cruisers Band
Aug. 11 – Hark Up (6:30 p.m.)
Aug. 18 – The Lakeshore Big Band (6:30 p.m.)
Aug. 25 – Entourage (6:30 p.m.)
GREENVILLE: RHYTHM ON THE RIVER
When: 7 p.m. Thursdays
Where: Tower Riverside Park, Franklin & Lafayette Streets, Greenville
LINEUP:
July 8 – Sea Cruisers
July 15 – Messin’ Around Band
July 22 – Hark Up Horns
July 29 – Flat River Big Band
Aug. 5 – Guiness Brothers
JENISON: SUMMER MUSIC SERIES
When: Selected dates
Where: Georgetown Twp. Public Library, 1525 Baldwin St., Jenison
LINEUP:
June 24 – Plain Jane Glory (7 p.m.)
July 26 – Uneven Ground (6 p.m.)
Big Trouble (Photo/Derek Ketchum)
KALAMAZOO: LUNCHTIME LIVE
When: 11:30 a.m. Fridays
Where: Bronson Park, 200 S. Rose St., Kalamazoo
LINEUP:
June 11 – Allie Garland
June 18 – Marcus Giddings
June 25 – Hurricane
July 2 – Minor Element
July 9 – Crooked Roots
July 16 – Shelagh Brown Band
July 23 – Van Dyke Revue Band
July 30 – Norman Light & Megan Rae
August 6 – Abbigale Rose
August 13 – Lisa Moairy & Ryan Gladding
August 20 – Big Trouble
August 27 – Out of Favor Boys
September 3 – Kanola Band
September 10 – Matt Gabriel
KALEVA: LOG CABIN CONCERTS
When: 7 p.m. Fridays
Where: Log Cabin Theater, Walter & Panu Streets, Kaleva
LINEUP:
Aug. 6 – Blue Water Ramblers
Aug. 13 – Ruth & Max Bloomquist
Aug. 20 – Mary Sue Wilkinson & Mark Schrock
Aug. 27 – Awesome Distraction
The Benzing-Graves Collective (Photo/Anna Sink)
When: 7 p.m. Thursdays
Where: Behind Kentwood City Hall, 4900 Breton Ave. SE, Kentwood
LINEUP:
June 24 – The Soul Syndicate
July 8 – The Bootstrap Boys
July 15 – Benzing Graves Collective
July 22 – Dalmatian Stone
July 29 – David Gerald
Aug. 5 – The Accidentals
LANSING: CONCERTS IN THE PARK SERIES
When: 7 p.m. Wednesdays
Where: Varying park locations in Lansing
LINEUP:
June 16 – Root Doctor (Moores Park, 420 Moores River Dr.)
June 23 – Life Support (Saint Joseph Park, 2125 W. Hillsdale)
June 30 – Stone Street Revival (Durant Park, 719 N. Washington Ave.)
July 14 – Sea Cruisers (Turner Dodge House, 100 E. North St.)
July 21 – Taylor Taylor (Fulton Park, 4300 Sheffield Dr.)
July 28 – Grubo Dezeo (Frances Park, 2701 Moores River Dr.)
Aug. 4 – Global Village (Hunter Park, 1400 E. Kalamazoo St.)
Aug. 11 – Lansing Symphony Orchestra (Fenner Nature Center, 2020 E. Mount Hope Ave.)
PARCHMENT: SUMMER CONCERT SERIES
When: 6:30 p.m. Sundays
Where: Kindleberger Park, 650 S. Riverview Dr., Parchment
LINEUP:
July 12 – Matt Giraud (Monday)
July 18 – Bronk Bros.
July 25 – Shout (Beatles Tribute)
Aug. 1 – Kyle Jennings
Aug. 8 – Gull Lake Jazz Orchestra
Aug. 15 – Feel Good Band
Aug. 22 – Evening of Celtic music (Kalamazoo Scottish Festival)
Aug. 29 – Megan Dooley
PLAINWELL: SUMMER CONCERTS
When: 7 p.m. Wednesdays
Where: Bandshell at 250 N. Anderson St., Plainwell
LINEUP:
June 2 – Zion Lion Reggae Band
June 9 – The Legal Immigrants
June 16 – The Adams Family
June 23 – Crooked Root
June 30 – The Founding
July 7 – Otsego Jazz Ensemble
July 14 – Jackson French Quarter Dixieland Band
July 21 – BlueBack
July 28 – Allegan Brass Collective & Proclamation Brass
Aug. 4 – Schlitz Creek Bluegrass Band
PORTLAND: TWO RIVERS SOUNDS OF SUMMER
When: 6:30 p.m. Thursdays
Where: Two Rivers Park, Dixie Highway, Portland
LINEUP:
June 3 – Flat Water Music
June 10 – Skip & The Dude
June 17 – We Three Strings
June 24 – Grand Ledge Bums
The Adams Family (Photo/Tori Thomas)
When: 7 p.m. Thursdays
Where: Mill Point Park. 612 W. Savidge St., Spring Lake
LINEUP:
June 24 – Homemade Jam Band
July 1 – The Adams Family
July 8 – Shotman Classic Rock
July 15 – Serita’s Black Rose
July 22 – Catfish and the Man
July 29 – The Waverlys
Aug 5 – Blue Water Ramblers
Aug. 12 – Degrees Don’t Matter
ST. JOHNS: CONCERTS IN THE PARK
When: 7 p.m. Wednesdays
Where: Performance Shell in St. Johns City Park, 805 W. Park St., St. Johns
LINEUP:
July 7 – Alright Alright
July 14 – Surf Zup
July 21 – Monday’s Super
July 28 – David Gerald
Aug. 4 – Kari Holmes
Aug. 11 – Rachel Curtis
Aug. 18 – FRENDZ
Aug. 25 – David Bennett Quartet
Sept. 1 – Matt King (Elvis Tribute)
TRAVERSE CITY: CONCERTS ON THE LAWN
When: 7 p.m. Thursdays
Where: Grand Traverse Pavilion, 1000 Pavilions Circle, Traverse City
LINEUP:
July 1 – Elvis Tribute
July 8 – The Gordon Lightfoot Tribute
July 15 – Remembering Patsy Cline featuring Judy Harrison
July 22 – Petoskey Steel Drum Band
July 29 – Peter, Paul & Mary Remembered
Aug. 5 – Bay Area Little Big Band
Aug. 12 – K. Jones & The Benzie Playboys
Aug. 19 – The Backroom Gang
Aug. 26 – Miriam Pico and Friends
WILLIAMSTON: SUMMER CONCERT SERIES
When: 7 p.m. Thursdays
Where: American Legion Bandshell, McCormick Park, 300 N. Putnam St., Williamston
LINEUP:
July 1 – Betty B & the Ropewalkers (Jazz, swing and early R&B)
July 8 – Meridian Community Band (Traditional patriotic concert)
July 15 – The Big Riggs Band (Country Western)
July 22 – The Chelsea House Orchestra (Celtic)
July 29 – Roadside Attraction (Rock)
Aug. 5 (Jubilee) – Greg Faqua (Neil Diamond/Elvis Tribute)
Aug. 12 – Tribute to the late Don Warren (60’s surf band)
Aug. 19 – Lansing Concert Big Band (Big Band)
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