Fun begets fun: Stepdad, The Crane Wives, The Concussions, Ralston Bowles and more combine with local food, a brand new brew, wine and family art activities to rev up downtown Grand Rapids on Saturday.
Local Hero: Ultramark says pop’s Stepdad loves regaling hometown fans.
By Mary Mattingly
LocalSpins.com
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After a decade of throwing street parties, Local First knows how to be a good host.
And with the attractions featured at Saturday’s free bash in downtown Grand Rapids, the 2013 edition is sure to be the biggest yet.
“The footprint of the Street Party has definitely evolved,” said Elissa Hillary, executive director of Local First. “We’re expecting at least 12,000 people this year.”
As a West Michigan nonprofit organization that advocates local business ownership in the Midwest, Local First for the past 10 years has sponsored the annual street party, which takes place near Bistro Bella Vita at Grandville Avenue and Weston Street near Van Andel Arena in downtown Grand Rapids.
“The first Street Party we had was held in only a section of the parking lot of the Bistro Bella Vita,” Hillary said. “Now it’s a whole street. Since the first party, we’ve also added beer tents, local vendors and local artists.”
In keeping with the party’s theme to keep the event local, more than a half-dozen local artists are on the bill to entertain from 3 p.m. to midnight, including Stepdad and The Crane Wives. Nine local food vendors such as Grand Rapids Pizza and Delivery and What the Truck, a vendor owned by the Winchester, will be catering the event. As if that weren’t enough, Founders Brewing Co. will be providing a limited edition beer to commemorate the event, Founders’ Local Live Honey Wheat beer.
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LOCAL FIRST STREET PARTY LINEUP
3:30 p.m. – Seth Bernard and May Erlewine
4:30 p.m. – Wazobia
5 p.m. – Ralston Bowles
6 p.m. – 61Syx Teknique (breakdance)
6:30 p.m. – Cabildo
7:30 p.m. – 61Syx Teknique (breakdance)
8 p.m. – The Concussions
9:30 p.m. – The Crane Wives
11 p.m. – Stepdad
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“It’s important to support local businesses,” Hillary said. “It’s great to get people out here and watch our economy grow. This is what makes our community so unique.”
This year’s party features several new attractions. It starts an hour earlier than normal to accommodate more street party time. Also new are Interactive Family Art Stations, where families can create original crafts together to commemorate the event. Finally, roving street performers will perform outside all day.
Surf Rock Kings: The Concussion perform Saturday night.
“It’s a unique, free outdoor festival,” Hillary said. “People can stand outside and have Michigan beer right out on the street. Because it’s free, people can come and go as they please.”
Headlining the event is Grand Rapids power pop/electronic outfit Stepdad, taking the stage at the end of the night.
“Our game plan for the Local First Street Party is to entertain ourselves as much as the fans,” said Ultramark, programmer and Stepdad’s singer. “It’s astounding how much more fun going to a show is when you can tell the band is having fun. Fun begets fun; it’s a feedback loop of merriment.”
After the Local First Street Party, Stepdad heads to Milwaukee. While traveling is exciting, the band is always happy to return to Grand Rapids.
“We always get excited before playing hometown events,” Ultramark said. “Our Grand Rapids shows always have a really prominent energy that we don’t feel very often. Our West Michigan friends and fans are just so good us that it’s hard not to get giddy about playing in town.”
In the end, it’s “all about our community,” Hillary said. “[The party is] celebrating what makes our community unique.”
“It’s also so perfect that it’s a street party setting,”Ultramark added. “The beginning of June is an awesome time to play outdoor shows. The communal sense of excitement for the oncoming summer engulfs everything, it’s a great time to get wild.”
Get more information online at the Facebook event page.
Email John Sinkevics at jsinkevics@gmail.com.
Copyright 2013, Spins on Music
