Eight different Michigan acts will perform on Tuesday nights at two different locations amid Meijer Gardens’ celebration of October. Details at Local Spins.
Fall Soundtrack: Pretoria, from left, Kanin Wren and Charlie Millard are part of Autumn Nights.(Photos/Chelsea Whitaker/Derek Ketchum)
So, just when you thought the Frederik Meijer Gardens & Sculpture Park concert season was over, it isn’t.
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As part of its Autumn Nights series that opens up Meijer Gardens on Tuesday evenings to an illuminated “Pumpkin Walk” with artist-carved pumpkins and lawn games, the amphitheater and Farm Garden will feature “stripped-down” music by eight different Michigan acts in October.
On Oct. 7, Grand Rapids-bred indie-rock band Pretoria (now based in Chicago) will perform on the amphitheater stage, with The Adler and Akansiima Jazz Duo in the farmhouse. That’s followed on Oct. 14 by mid-Michigan indie-pop artist and Local Spins’ 2024 Emerging Artist of the Year Kanin Wren (amphitheater) and Caitlin Cusack (farmhouse), on Oct. 21 by Grand Rapids singer-songwriter Eric Engblade Band (amphitheater) and Celtic music’s Selkie (farmhouse), and finally on Oct. 28, by northern Michigan indie-rock’s Charlie Millard Band (amphitheater) and indie-folk’s Phil Stancil & Friends (farmhouse).
“We aim to extend the magic of autumn by offering guests a chance to enjoy live music outside in the crisp October air as a wind-down of our popular summer concert series,” said Meijer Gardens’ director of communications John VanderHaagen, referring to the Fifth Third Bank Summer Concerts series that wrapped up Sept. 14 with a sold-out show by Rilo Kiley.
“Autumn Nights concerts at the amphitheater and Michigan’s Farm Garden bring a unique, unplugged atmosphere that complements our seasonal programming and highlights the beauty of fall across our grounds. With concessions available, guests can relax and savor stripped-down, acoustic performances in a setting that’s as intimate as it is beautiful, an experience unlike any other during this special time of year.”
These special evenings will include children’s programming, seasonal refreshments, adult beverages, hot cider and illumination of the Gwen Frostic Shade Garden, which also will be lined with pumpkins carved by local artists Alynn Guerra, Rebecca Rodriguez and Tahlor Bultema. The DeVos Van Andel Piazza will feature lawn games.
Admission is the regular entry fee to Meijer Gardens: $22 adults, $17 senior citizens, $16 students, $11 children 3-13, free for those 2 and younger. Meijer Gardens members are admitted free. Meijer Gardens is open late on Tuesdays, until 9 p.m. Get more information here.
Live Music, Artist-Carved Pumpkins and More: October Tuesdays at Meijer Gardens. (Courtesy Photos)
