Two new globally diverse music concert series kicked off on Sunday in Grand Rapids and Kalamazoo, with a healthy helping of blues to boot. The photo recaps at Local Spins.
New Venue, New Series: Grand Rapids’ Küsterer Brauhaus on Sunday afternoon with Selkie. (Photo/Jamie Geysbeek)
SCROLL DOWN FOR PHOTO GALLERIES, VIDEO
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In mythological Celtic lore, “selkie” is a seal which takes human form on land.
But on Sunday afternoon in Grand Rapids, Selkie took the form of an exceptionally talented trio of multi-instrumentalists playing traditional Irish music, singing in Gaelic and launching the first show in a world music concert series at a cozy German beer hall on Grand Rapids’ West Side.
The trio — Jim Spalink, Michele Venegas and Cara Lieurance — anointed the new Küsterer Brauhaus on Bridge Street NW amid a near-capacity crowd for the inaugural show in the weekly world music series co-hosted by community radio station WYCE (88.1 FM). (Next Sunday at 4 p.m., it’s pianist and jazz musician Sean Jackson.)
Rochelle & The Spoilers at Billy’s Lounge: The band now heads to Memphis for the International Blues Challenge. (Courtesy Photo)
Later that same evening, world music took a Latin turn in Kalamazoo when the new JungleBird restaurant hosted its first jazz jam starring Acana, thus offering yet another example of the diversity in West Michigan burgeoning’s music scene.
Add to that the rousing blues of Rochelle & The Spoilers with The Left Paul Trio at Billy’s Lounge in Grand Rapids (a “Road to Memphis” show hosted by the West Michigan Blues Society) and Kathleen & Bridge Street Band and Gina Garner & All Night Long at Rugger’s Up and Under in Kalamazoo (hosted by the Kalamazoo Valley Blues Association).
It meant that seminal, influential music abounded across the region — all on a Sunday.
Scroll down for photo galleries and a video.
PHOTO GALLERY: Selkie at Küsterer Brauhaus
Photos by Jamie Geysbeek
PHOTO GALLERY: Latin Jazz Jam with Acana at JungleBird (Kalamazoo)
Photos by Derek Ketchum
PHOTO GALLERY: Gina Garner & All Night Long, Kathleen & Bridge Street Band
KVBA Winter Blues Series at Rugger’s Up and Under
Photos by Derek Ketchum
