With Fourth of July firing up, Local Spins’ concert guide this week looks at ways to stay safe and keep the coronavirus from exploding again even as folks try to stay entertained.
If You Celebrate, Mask Up: Be safe when it comes to live music this Fourth of July. (Photo/Local Spins)
JULY 1 UPDATE: Due to some surging coronavirus cases, Gov. Gretchen Whitmer this afternoon closed indoor bar service in lower Michigan, although restaurants can remain open if they follow social-distancing rules and bars can serve patrons outdoors. Check with the restaurants or venues on this list before you make plans to attend a show to make sure they’re still open.
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JUNE 30 UPDATE: Grand Rapids’ Tip Top Deluxe Bar & Grill which had been open and hosting live music for a couple of weeks announced Thursday (June 30) that they would close indefinitely after seeing other area bars where employees became infected with COVID-19. “It has simply reached the point where our staff no longer feels safe,” owner Ted Smith wrote on Facebook.
SCROLL DOWN FOR THIS WEEK’S CONCERT GUIDE. Have a show to add to this week’s listings? Email date, time, artist and venue to liz@localspins.com
This week’s concert guide remains the “Not-So-Big List” for the foreseeable future as the coronavirus continues to rear its frightening head across the region, even as some bars and restaurants dip their toes into live music. Major concert venues remain closed and it’s uncertain when they might be back.
In fact, several bars and eateries in the Grand Rapids and Kalamazoo area — including popular spots such as The B.O.B. in Grand Rapids and Bostwick Lake Inn southeast of Rockford, which had started offering some entertainment — have announced closures in recent days after employees tested positive for COVID-19.
And many Fourth of July fireworks displays across the region already had been canceled due to social-distancing concerns.
Playing Saugatuck This Weekend: Sandra Effert (Photo/Pennie Spence)
So, this seems like a good time to re-publish Local Spins’ guide for folks embarking on an afternoon or night out which might include live music. And keep in mind, Kent County Health Department Director Dr. Adam London warned in a recent Local Spins interview that “it might not be a great time for live music or conducive to that” due to the tricky nature of social-distancing and limiting potential spread of the virus while performing or gathering for performances.
The bottom line: Patrons MUST wear masks when entering or walking around a bar or restaurant, and social-distancing is paramount. On a recent foray to northern Michigan, Local Spins witnessed almost universal compliance with these rules by restaurants and bars — as well as their customers — something that seems to be less rigorously observed by some folks in the Grand Rapids area.
SOME GUIDELINES
Based on London’s advice and current protocols, fans should consider these guidelines:
• Before you head to an establishment or live show, check first to see how the bar or venue plans to accommodate patrons and meet social-distancing requirements. Outdoor settings for live music are the best option.
• Wear a face mask when entering or moving around a business, bring along a hand disinfectant and be prepared to wash your hands thoroughly afterward or if you use the restroom.
• Maintain a safe distance from other patrons and stay well away from anyone not wearing a mask.
• Don’t crowd the stage or get close to performers. Singing and the “level of exertion” required to play certain kinds of music can spread the virus.
• If the area is overly crowded without proper distancing between tables, seems to be operating at more than 50 percent capacity or not meeting face-mask requirements, leave. And as previously mentioned, outdoor settings are preferable for both musicians and fans.
• Do not frequent any business if you’re not feeling well.
Read more about the challenges of live music amid a pandemic in this Local Spins in-depth report: The case against concerts amid COVID-19.
It’s safety first, so please keep that front and center as you browse this week’s Not-So-Big List Concert Guide and contact venues directly with questions. If your business or your band has a live, in-person performance to add to this concert listing, email the information to john@localspins.com.
See a roster of upcoming live-stream shows by Michigan artists in our Viral Virtual Venues Live-Stream Concert Guide, including Monday night’s “WYCE at Wealthy” show starring Patty PerShayla & The Mayhaps. Or, if you’re an artist with an upcoming live-stream, add the info online here.
Purchase a Local Spins bandana/face covering here and help Local Spins keep rolling: Local Spins Gift Shop.
THE NOT-SO-BIG LIST CONCERT GUIDE (June 29-July 3)
MONDAY
• Cheap Dates outdoors at The Score, 5301 Northland Dr. NE in Grand Rapids, 6 p.m. Monday
TUESDAY
• Kevin Schaffer playing Rogue River Tavern in Rockford, 6 p.m. Tuesday
• Blue Jay Bridge outdoors at The Score, 5301 Northland Dr. NE in Grand Rapids, 6 p.m. Tuesday
• The New Standard jazz jam at Dee Lite, 24 Washington Ave. in Grand Haven, 6 p.m. Tuesday
• Coty Bouchard on the deck at Noto’s at the Bil-Mar, 1223 S. Harbor Dr. in Grand Haven, 6 p.m. Tuesday
• Jack Leaver at Cedar Springs Brewing in downtown Cedar Springs, 6:30 p.m. Tuesday
WEDNESDAY
• Coty Bouchard at Cedar Springs Brewing in downtown Cedar Springs, 6:30 p.m. Wednesday
• Tom Hagen Trio with Rick Reuther playing Noto’s Old World Italian Dining, 6600 28th St. SE, 6:30 p.m. Wednesday (Call for reservations)
THURSDAY
• Three’s a Crowd outdoors at The Score, 5301 Northland Dr. NE in Grand Rapids, 6 p.m. Thursday
• Vincent Hayes at Cedar Springs Brewing in downtown Cedar Springs, 6:30 p.m. Thursday
• Michatucky at the Twisted Bull Saloon, 3230 Eastern Ave. SE in Grand Rapids, 9 p.m. Thursday
FRIDAY
• Strumble Head outdoors at The Score, 5301 Northland Dr. NE in Grand Rapids, 6 p.m. Friday
• Kathy Lamar playing Noto’s Old World Italian Dining, 6600 28th St. SE, 6:30 p.m. Friday (Call for reservations)
• Jack Leaver playing Grand Armory Brewing, 17 S. 2nd St. in Grand Haven, 6:30 p.m. Friday
• Mojo’s musicians playing Flanagan’s Irish Pub in Grand Rapids, 7 p.m. Friday
• Sandra Effert playing Guardian Brewing Co., 3657 63rd St. in Saugatuck, 8 p.m. Friday
• Carl Webb and Tom Hull at Smash Wine Bar & Bistro, 415 W. Western Ave. in Muskegon, 8 p.m. Friday
• Michatucky at the Twisted Bull Saloon, 3230 Eastern Ave. SE in Grand Rapids, 9 p.m. Friday
• Oh Gee playing River City Saloon, 1152 Leonard St. NW in Grand Rapids, 9 p.m. Friday
• EZ River Band playing Itty Bitty Bar, 1136 Ottawa Beach Road in Holland, 10 p.m. Friday
SATURDAY
• Dave & Connie D playing Big Lake Brewing, 13 W. 7th St. in Holland, 4 p.m. Saturday
• Project 90 outdoors at The Score, 5301 Northland Dr. NE in Grand Rapids, 6 p.m. Saturday
• The Goofy Foot Band playing Grand Armory Brewing, 17 S. 2nd St. in Grand Haven, 6:30 p.m. Saturday
• Joe Laureano playing the Kirby House, 2 Washington Ave. in Grand Haven, 8:30 p.m. Saturday
• Buster Blues Band playing Itty Bitty Bar, 1136 Ottawa Beach Road in Holland, 10 p.m. Saturday
SUNDAY
• Porter Kenyon at Cedar Springs Brewing in downtown Cedar Springs, noon Sunday
• Jake Stevens playing the Kirby House, 2 Washington Ave. in Grand Haven, 4 p.m. Sunday
• Hazy Past outdoors at The Score, 5301 Northland Dr. NE in Grand Rapids, 6 p.m. Sunday
Have a show to add to the Not-So-Big-List? Email john@localspins.com.
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