Chicago blues legend Duke Tumatoe will kick off a summer of music at the brand-new Allegan County venue, with a day-long Blues Fest planned for July.
The Stage is Set: Liquid Note’s new outdoor venue opens Friday. (Photo/Derek Ketchum)
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When veteran blues icon Duke Tumatoe and his Power Trio take the stage Friday outside Otsego’s Liquid Note, they’ll christen West Michigan’s newest outdoor concert venue and launch a summer of musical revelry.
With 280 seats and an overall capacity of 540, the space represents the first phase of Liquid Note’s development of the outdoor area created after the property next door became available, said Mark W. McPherson, general manager for Liquid Note Brewing, Maude’s Taphouse and Mac’s Place in downtown Otsego.
Duke Tumatoe & The Power Trio (Photo/Local Spins)
“Having Duke opening for our outdoor space is certainly exciting. He is a legend and always brings a great show to our inside venue,” McPherson said of the Chicago guitarist. “Our other bands are great local favorites. It will be great to see them playing to larger audiences (in the new outdoor venue).”
Admission to 8 p.m. Friday’s 21-and-older show is $10. More details here.
The new outdoor bar will offer food from Mac’s Place, with bi-weekly Friday night shows featuring Michigan bands planned for the summer.
On July 8, the venue will host the first-ever, day-long Blues Fest, with seven bands performing – six of them regional acts contending for a cash prize donated by VanderVeen Excavating and Suburban Tank Co.
A self-professed blues fan, McPherson is also drummer for The DAM Boys which will perform on July 8, along with Slim Nichols Band, Resurrection Blues Band, Crossroads Resurrection, James Reeser & The Backseat Drivers and Out of Favor Boys. JR Clark & The All-Star Blues Mob will close out the festival at 9:30 p.m.
EXPANDING ON A REPUTATION FOR ‘SUPERIOR ACOUSTICS’
The July festival represents the first major celebration aimed at demonstrating the potential for Liquid Note “to be a premiere venue in Southwest Michigan for live music and events” in coming years.
“We really hope to see a large crowd for this day-long event,” said McPherson, noting that Liquid Note also plans to host a “Creative Arts Festival” on Sept. 30 with five local artists performing.
Mark McPherson (Photo/Derek Ketchum)
McPherson noted that since opening three years ago, Liquid Note at 119 E. Allegan St. has earned a reputation for its sound and aesthetics.
“Liquid Note’s claim to fame is the superior acoustics it possesses. Nearly all musicians will tell us it is their favorite venue to play in,” McPherson insisted. “Not only are the acoustics incredible, but the layout is very focused on being comfortable for the performers.”
The outdoor venue expands on that approach, he said, while also offering 69 tapped beers between the outdoor and indoor bars, along with catered food on-site from Mac’s Place.
“This year is phase one of three that are planned in the development of the outdoor area,” McPherson said. “Changes will be made next year to make the space even better.”
Upcoming shows include Dew South on June 23, Funkle Jesse on July 7, OCD/C on July 21, The Bronk Bros. on Aug. 4 and The Distractions on Aug. 18. Liquid Note also will continue to host indoor shows. Find the schedule here.
PHOTO GALLERY: Liquid Note’s New Outdoor Stage
Photos by Derek Ketchum
