Perrin’s late-January festival will feature The Go Rounds, The Legal Immigrants, The Turnips and Syd Burnham; GLAMA cites rising costs for the Cooper’s Glen hiatus.
Ice Jam Rock: The Legal Immigrants are part of this year’s festival. (Photo/Anna Sink)
BROWSE A COMPREHENSIVE LIST OF 2019 MICHIGAN MUSIC FESTIVALS
Support our coverage of
West Michigan's music scene
It’s now a winter tradition.
Perrin Brewing Co.’s Ice Jam Winter Festival celebrates its third year on Jan. 26, firing up outside the Comstock Park brewery with performances by West Michigan’s The Go Rounds, The Legal Immigrants and The Turnips, as well as up-and-coming Brighton soul, rock and blues singer Syd Burnham.
The Schedule
As in previous years, the afternoon will kick off with a 2 p.m. Frostbite 5K Run/Walk, after which the performers will take the stage inside a heated tent.
Last year’s race attracted a record 600 participants, with thousands gathered for the diverse entertainment, beer and food in weather that was more spring-like than wintry. No matter the weather, fire pits will be on hand once again to warm up festival-goers.
Admission is a $10 donation (or more) to Kids’ Food Basket of West Michigan, which works to end childhood hunger through its Sack Supper program.
Heated Tent at Ice Jam (Photo/Anna Sink)
Get pre-sale tickets and make a donation online here.
Or, attendees can donate food items such as dried fruit, toasted oat cereal, cheese crackers, fruit cups or pouches, pretzel twists and snack size zipper bags.
Check out Local Spins’ coverage of Ice Jam 2018.
The cost of the 5K race is $30 or $15 for children 12 and younger. Register for it online here.
COOPER’S GLEN FESTIVAL TO TAKE 2019 OFF
After a 16-year run, the Great Lakes Acoustic Music Association is pumping the brakes on the Cooper’s Glen Festival, held annually each February in Kalamazoo.
GLAMA Jamming: It’s always been part of Cooper’s Glen. (Photo/Derek Ketchum)
The festival, which routinely features an array of performances from national and local artists, along with numerous workshops and open jams, will not be held this year, but organizers are not ruling out a possible 2020 event.
A statement on GLAMA’s website cited rising costs, unpredictable winter weather impacting attendance, and concerns over engaging a younger audience and promoting diversity as reasons the festival will not occur this winter.
“Planning and staging a major annual event like Cooper’s Glen Music Festival involves a year-long investment of time, energy, expertise and collaborative camaraderie,” the statement reads in part. “At this time, it is clear the future of such an event depends on the willingness of additional individuals to share the work load and experience the rewards.”
Acoustic Charm: A scene from Cooper’s Glen. (Photo/Derek Ketchum)
The organization plans to move to recruit additional board and committee members with specific skill sets to help review options for other activities to help broaden festival appeal and drive attendance so that Cooper’s Glen can return in 2020.
Other regular GLAMA events, including slow jam and community sing and open jam, will continue according to schedule, and the organization also plans to add an Open Mic/Coffee House event to the regular schedule, along with a fall concert later this year.
For more information or to contact someone at the organization, visit greatlakesacoustic.org or the GLAMA Facebook page.
Copyright 2019, Spins on Music LLC
