Local Spins’ latest round-up of community concert series across West Michigan puts the spotlight on outdoor shows in the Kalamazoo area. Take a gander at the diverse lineups, then grab a lawn chair and go.
Summertime Serenade: The Moxie Strings play Lunchtime Live! in Bronson Park on June 15. (Photo/Derek Ketchum)
FOR A LISTING OF OTHER COMMUNITY CONCERTS ACROSS WEST MICHIGAN, CLICK HERE
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The days are getting longer, the sun is getting brighter and summer is just around the corner. And for music lovers in Kalamazoo County, that means plenty of opportunities for free music in the great outdoors.
From Kalamazoo’s Bronson Park to Flesher Field in Oshtemo to Portage and Parchment, residents and those passing through will have the chance to see national acts like up-and-coming favorites The Accidentals, “American Idol” alumnus Matt Giraud and country singer-songwriter Abigail Rose, as well as local reggae favorites Zion Lion and the genre-bending sounds of The Moxie Strings this summer.
Lunchtime Live!: Returns to Bronson Park on June 8.
Longtime summer concertgoers might notice a few less dates this year slated for Sunday nights at Bronson Park, but the reason behind it comes down to one thing: collaboration.
The Arts Council of Greater Kalamazoo, which has long been behind the Sunday night Concerts in the Park held at Bronson, has partnered with Oshtemo Township and the cities of Parchment and Portage to make one series now known as Summertime Live.
Shows will still be held at the same locations and on the same nights, but with the partnership in place there will now be less overlap of events between the three Sunday venues.
“We are very lucky in Kalamazoo County to have great summer music festivals that support local artists and bring different genres and introduce new artists into our community”, stated Arts Council executive director Kristen Chesak. “The Arts Council is excited to be able to sponsor and promote our community partners’ concert series together with our Sunday Bronson Park Concerts in Park.
With the exception of the KIA Arts Fair shows and the Lunchtime Live! series, which is presented by Kzoo Parks, all of the shows listed below are part of Summertime Live.
Unless otherwise notated, the following events are all of free of charge.
Celeste Allison
KALAMAZOO: KIA ARTS FAIR
When: June 1-2
Where: Bronson Park, 200 S. Rose St.
LINEUP
June 1
Elroy Meltzer 5 p.m.
Darcy Wilkin 6:45
Bahar Ensemble 8 p.m.
June 2
Kalamazoo Symphony Orchestra 2 p.m.
Joe Reilly 2 p.m.
Celeste Allison 3:30 p.m.
Megan Dooley (Photo/Derek Ketchum)
KALAMAZOO: LUNCHTIME LIVE!
When: 11:30 a.m. – 1:30 p.m Fridays
Where: Bronson Park, 200 S. Rose St.
LINEUP
June 8 – Shelagh Brown Band
June 15 – The Moxie Strings
June 22 – Allie Garland
June 29 – Matt Gabriel
July 6 – Kristen Kuiper
July 13 – Kari Lynch Duo
July 20 – Minor Element Music
July 27 – Elle Casazza
Aug. 3 – Mark Sala
Aug. 10 – Megan Dooley
Aug. 17 – Kaitlin Rose
Aug. 24 – Run For Cover
Aug. 31 – Scott Davis
Sept. 7 – Carrie McFerrin
Sept. 14 – TBD*
Sept. 21 – Abigail Rose
Sept. 28 – Kristen Kuiper
The Accidentals (Photo/Taylor Mansen)
KALAMAZOO: CONCERTS IN THE PARK
When: 4 p.m. Sundays
Where: Bronson Park, 200 S. Rose St.
LINEUP
June 3 – Kalamazoo Singers
June 17 – Kalamazoo Concert Band
July 1 – Dacia Bridges Project
July 15 – The Accidentals
July 22 – Kalamazoo Big Band
Aug. 5 – Kris Hitchcock
Aug. 19 – Schlitz Creek
Zion Lion
OSHTEMO: MUSIC IN THE PARK
When: 6 p.m. Sundays
Where: Flesher Field, 3664 9th St.
LINEUP
June 10 – The Corn Fed Girls
July 8 – Zion Lion
Aug. 12 – Lake Effect Jazz Big Band
Matt Giraud
PARCHMENT: KINDLEBERGER SUMMER FESTIVAL
When: 6:30 p.m. Sundays
Where: Kindleberger Park, Park Avenue in Parchment
LINEUP
June 24 – Byron Legacy (Legends of Las Vegas)
July 22 – The Last Mangos (Jimmy Buffett Tribute)
July 29 – Matt Giraud
Aug. 5 – Barn on Fire
Aug. 12 – Cab Town Checkers
Aug. 19 – The Bronk Bros.
Aug. 26 – The Rock Show (Journey Tribute)
Damien Escobar
PORTAGE: SUMMER ENTERTAINMENT SERIES
When: 7 p.m. Thursdays
Where: Central Park Overlander Band Shell, 7800 Shaver Rd.
LINEUP
June 14 – Justin Shandor does Elvis
June 28 – New Odyssey: 3 Guys, 30 Instruments
July 12 – Damien Escobar ($15 show)
July 26 – Allen Scott does Tim McGraw
Aug. 2 – Glenn Miller Orchestra
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