View another batch of free community concerts being hosted on weeknights across the state in summer 2022, with a wide range of regional acts performing at 11 different series.
Riverfront Tunes: Paul Nelson Band will kick things off in Rockford on June 14. (Photo/Anna Sink)
SCROLL DOWN FOR NEW SCHEDULES & VIEW OUR “FREE COMMUNITY CONCERTS GUIDE”
Support our coverage of
West Michigan's music scene
The roster of free, weeknight community concerts being staged across West Michigan this summer continues to grow, and the popularity of the shows continues to spur investments in new stages and amenities.
Take the ever-popular Rogue River Blues Series in downtown Rockford: The 10 bands booked for the Tuesday night shows in a picturesque riverfront location will perform on an impressive new stage with a striking “dance floor” that wasn’t ready to go when the 2021 series kicked off.
The New Stage: Gracing Rockford’s Garden Club Park. (Courtesy Photo)
For 2022, the series launches June 14 with the Paul Nelson Band, led by Grammy Award-winning blues-rock guitarist Paul Nelson, who’s performed and recorded with Johnny Winter and other iconic artists.
Other performers who will encourage folks to trip the light fantastic in 2022 include Jake Kershaw, Thirsty Perch Blues Band, Serita’s Black Rose, Fast Hands Band, Patty PerShayla & The Mayhaps, Stone Soul Rhythm Band and more.
“We have a great lineup this year, starting with a Grammy winner and loaded with (WYCE) Jammie winners. I’m excited that they will all get to perform on our new Lions/Rotary Riverfront Stage this year,” said series organizer Steven Jazwiec.
“Beautiful downtown Rockford continues to be a great gathering place on Tuesday nights and our venue just got even better thanks to the Lions and Rotary Clubs. We are looking forward to making new friends and seeing old friends that haven’t been out and about over the last two years.”
The striking new stage at Garden Park along the Rogue River in downtown Rockford will host a variety of performances and events this summer in addition to the Rogue River Blues Series.
Jazwiec also announced that longtime series sponsor United Bank has extended its agreement for another year. “It’s great to work with a local company that believes in giving back to the community,” he said. “All they want in return is for people to have a good time at our venue.”
Chris Collins (Photo/Anna Sink)
Chris Collins, a member of Thirsty Perch Blues Band, which has played the Rockford series several times, said “the setting for that concert series and the people that come there is awesome. This is our 14th year and it never gets boring when we visit the Rogue River Blues Series.”
Collins also happens to book bands for another area concert series, Ada Township’s “Music On the Lawn,” which takes place on Wednesdays at Legacy Park’s VanAndel Family Pavilion.
Kicking off June 1 with Bare Naked 90’s, the series runs through Aug. 31 and includes an Aug. 24 CD-release party for the Chris Collins Band.
“Last year, it was challenging to say the least to bring live music outdoors. That was our first year while taking COVID precautions,” he said. “It’s a very intimate setting where you bring your lawn chairs or blankets, and the music pavilion is a one-of-a-kind for listening to music.”
Here are schedules for these and nine other series, from Baldwin to Three Oaks.
ROCKFORD: ROGUE RIVER BLUES SERIES
When: 7 p.m. Tuesdays
Where: Garden Park Stage along White Pine Trail, downtown Rockford
LINEUP:
June 14 – Paul Nelson Band
June 21 – Jake Kershaw
June 28 – Thirsty Perch Blues Band
July 5 – Harper & Midwest Kind
July 12 – Serita’s Black Rose
July 19 – Fast Hands Band
July 26 – Kosmic Mama & The Holding Co. (Janis Joplin Tribute)
After the Blues
Aug. 2 – Roosevelt Diggs
Aug. 9 – Patty PerShayla & The Mayhaps
Aug. 16 – Stone Soul Rhythm Band
ADA: MUSIC ON THE LAWN
When: 7 p.m. Wednesdays
Where: Legacy Park, 7430 River St. SE, Ada
LINEUP:
June 1 – Bare Naked 90’s
June 8 – Whiskey Bound
June 15 – Rain Date
June 22 – Cliff Metcalf Jazz Quartet
June 29 – Natchez Trace
July 6- Rain Date
July 13 – Rain Date
July 20 – Blue Water Ramblers
July27 – The Adams Family
August 3 – Rights Side Up
August 10 – That Beatles Thing
August 17 – Rain Date
August 24 – Chris Collins Band
August 31 – Megan Rae Band
September 7 – Rain Date
Serita’s Black Rose (Photo/Anthony Norkus)
When: 7 p.m. Wednesdays
Where: Wenger Pavilion, 888 Michigan Ave., Baldwin
LINEUP:
June 22 – Community Gospel Awakening
June 29 – OakGrove Company Band
July 6 – The Downtowners
July 13 – Kevin Jones and 10th World
July 20 – Mustang Band
July 27 – Grand Rapids Jazz Orchestra
August 3 – Nikky T and the Snake Charmers
August 10 – Harper & The Midwest Kind
August 17 – General Assembly Big Band
August 24 – Serita’s Black Rose
BALDWIN: SOUNDS OF THE FOREST
When: 7 p.m. Saturdays
Where: Wenger Pavilion, 888 Michigan Ave., Baldwin
LINEUP:
June 25- Bill Malone’s Jackpine Savages
July 2 – Ted Alan and the OverPrivileged
July 9 – Double Trouble- Mary Rademacher & Francesca Amari w/ The Mark Kahny Band
July 16 – James Armstrong
July 23 – Greg Nagy’s Men of Leisure
July 30 – Bobby Murray’s All Stars
August 6 – Planet D Nonet
August 13 – Robert Pace’s Natures Brew
August 20 – Paul Nelson Band
August 27 – Eat-It-Up Quartet feat. Ellie Martin
September 3 – Duffy King Koalition
CALEDONIA CONCERT SERIES
When: 6 p.m. Tuesdays
Where: Caledonia Community Green Park, 9300 Dobber Wenger, Caledonia
LINEUP:
June 6 – Addison Agen
June 21 – Kari Lynch Band
July 14 – Motor City Josh & the Big 3
July 26 – Josyln & the Sweet Compression
August 9 – Miles Over Mountains
August 16 – Chicago Farmer and the Fieldstones
HARTFORD: CONCERTS IN THE PARK
When: 7 p.m. Thursdays
Where: Ely Park, N. Maple St., Hartford
LINEUP:
June 2 – Down Maggie
June 9 – SMC Brass Band
June 16 – Blue Water Rockers
June 23 – Past Time
June 30 – High Life Band
July 7 – Jimmy and the Mortals
July 14 – Lake Effect Jazz Big Band
July 21 – Jared Knox
July 28 – Van Dyke Review
August 4 – Elvis Tribute – Tim Dudley
August 11 – Casco Community Band
August 18 – Undertaker’s Blues Band
August 25 – Blue Shoe Jazz
LUDINGTON: FRIENDS OF LUDINGTON STATE PARK SUMMER SERIES
When: 7 p.m. Wednesdays and Saturdays
Where: Ludington State Park Amphitheater, 8800 West M-116, Hamlin Township
LINEUP:
June 15 – Rupert Wates
June 18 – Wyatt and Shari Knapp
June 29 – Dave Martin and Band
July 2 – Awesome Distraction
July 9 – Hick’s with Picks
July 13 – Road Less Traveled
July 20 – Canopy Space
July 23 -Plain Jane Glory
August 13 – Uneven Ground
August 20 – Mike Lenich
August 27 – Salt City Dixie Jazz Band
LUDINGTON: FRIENDS OF LUDINGTON STATE PARK SUMMER SERIES
When: 7 p.m. Wednesdays and Saturdays
Where: Ludington State Park, Lake Michigan Beach House, 8800 West M-116, Hamlin Township
LINEUP:
July 2 – Lee Murdock
July 9 – Chloe Kimes and Band
July 27 – J. Bommarito
August 3 – Chris Vallillo
September 3 – Tim Grimm
Delilah DeWylde (Photo/Anthony Norkus)
When: 6:30 p.m. Thursdays
Where: Island Park Arts Pavilion, 331 Main St., Mt. Pleasant
LINEUP:
June 2 – Elden Kelly
June 9 – Scott Peterson
June 15 – Darrell Boger
June 22 – Kaylyn Pace
June 30 – Delilah DeWylde
July 7 – Wyatt and Shari Knapp
July 14 – Sean Miller
July 21 – Siusan O’Rourke & Zig Zietler
July 28 – Stella
NEW BUFFALO: MUSIC IN THE PARK
When: 7 p.m. Wednesdays
Where: New Buffalo Township Memorial Park, 17425 Red Arrow Hwy., New Buffalo
LINEUP:
June 22 – Edgar Willbury Experience
June 29 – Generation Gap
July 6 – Chicken Dolphin
July 13 – Vintage Postcard
July 20 – Van Dyke Revue
July 27 – Whateverly Brothers
August 3 – Blue Shoes
August 10 – Vickie Page Band
August 17 – Jackson Band
August 23 – Past Time
August 30 – What You See Is What You Get
September 7 – Open Mic Night
THREE OAKS: MUSIC IN THE PARK
When: 6:30 p.m. Saturdays
Where: Dewey Cannon Park, East of Elm Street at railroad tracks, Three Oaks
LINEUP:
June 11 – Southshore Concert Band
June 18 – Bare Hands Bluegrass Band
June 25 – Funky Mojo Daddy
July 2 – Airtight
July 9 – Greta Pope
July 16 – The Bergamot
July 23 – Callaloo
July 30 – Stealin the Farm
August 13 – Douglas Blue Frather
August 20 – Edgar Wilbury Experience
August 27 – Modern Vultures
September 3 – The Newports
View a full list of Community Concerts across the state online here.
Copyright 2022, Spins on Music LLC
