Spotlighting regional/local musical talent, the weekly series lights up the amphitheater with genre-spanning bands — another thing that makes Grand Rapids “a cool place to live.” See the full 2013 schedule.
Lucas Wilson helps kick off this year’s Tuesday Evening Music Club series. (Photo/Ryan Pavlovich)
Take it from Grand Rapids singer-songwriter Lucas Wilson, who played on the sprawling stage at Frederik Meijer Gardens & Sculpture Park several years ago with his band Sweet Japonic.
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There’s nothing quite like the vibe of performing as part of the Tuesday Evening Music Club in this lush outdoor amphitheater.
As he puts it, he loved “everything” about it. “It’s outside, the sound system is amazing, the people, literally everything about it,” Wilson gushes.
The same might be said for concertgoers who’ll get a chance tonight (Tuesday) to see Wilson’s return to the amphitheater – this time as a solo artist – with the kickoff to Meijer Gardens’ 2013 Tuesday Evening Music Club series which spotlights local and regional acts covering a broad spectrum of genres.
Another emerging Grand Rapids singer-songwriter, Kelsey Rottiers, shares the bill for Tuesday night’s opening show, making her first appearance at Meijer Gardens with her band: keyboard player Sarah Main, drummer Joel Udell and bassist Ian Jorgenson.
Kelsey Rottiers
‘SO MANY TALENTED ARTISTS’
“This show means a lot to us,” Rottiers concedes, seeing it as an opportunity to “connect more” with Grand Rapids fans. “We feel pretty honored to be sharing the Tuesday Evening Music Club spotlight with so many talented artists this summer.”
The family-oriented concerts – which charge just regular Meijer Gardens admission for shows – draw huge crowds in good weather, giving performers an experience not unlike that of high-profile national stars such as Sheryl Crow, Lyle Lovett and Brandi Carlile who play the amphitheater’s regular summer series.
The decade-old series is the brainchild of Grand Rapids’ Ralston Bowles, who still assists in bookings which are handled by the Meijer Gardens’ Ted Bufkin. Bowles, as is tradition, will close out the series on Aug. 27 with another “Ralston & Friends” concert featuring special musical guests.
Bowles says he’s pleased that the long-running series has been so well-received and that “the variety of cultural styles musically, and the generational makeup of the audience, continues to expand with each season. One more plus on making Grand Rapids a cool place to live.”
Check out the full 2013 lineup.
Monica da Silva
2013 TUESDAY EVENING MUSIC CLUB AT MEIJER GARDENS
July 2 – Kelsey Rottiers (indie-folk/pop singer-songwriter)
Lucas Wilson (soulful, bluesy roots-rock)
July 9 – Cabildo (Afro-Cuban music, cumbia, salsa, Latin jazz)
Serita’s Black Rose (blues, neo-soul, R&B, funk and rock)
July 16 – An Dro (Celtic-based world beat instrumentals)
Kent County String Band (Americana, jazz, bluegrass)
July 23 – Monica da Silva (Brazilian bossa nova/indie-pop)
Asamu Johnson (blues)
July 30 – Nicholas James Thomasma & The Bandwagon (country-folk)
Kari Lynch (country rock/pop)
Aug. 6 – Bennett (harmony-driven modern folk trio)
AG Silver (energetic indie-rock)
Aug. 13 – Robin Connell (jazz pianist and singer)
Grand Rapids Jazz Orchestra (big band jazz ensemble)
Aug. 20 – Afro Zuma (horn- and percussion-driven Afro-beat)
The Soil & The Sun (spacey, inventive folk-rock)
Aug. 27 – Ralston & Friends (Ralston Bowles with friends/collaborators, Americana, folk, rock)
Shows start at 7 p.m.; entry is regular admission to Meijer Gardens ($12 adults). Members get in free.
Email John Sinkevics at jsinkevics@gmail.com.
Copyright 2013, Spins on Music
Tuesday Evening Music Club is truly a blessing to the community. Thank you to Meijer Gardens and thank you to Ralston Bowles for starting this and carrying the torch for local music.