The April announcement of this special annual series featuring regional acts at a revamped Meijer Gardens amphitheater put this story at No. 8 on the list of most-read 2019 stories.
Expanded Series, Revamped Amphitheater: Tuesday Evening Music Club boasted special twists in 2019. (Photo/Local Spins)
EDITOR’S NOTE: Local Spins’ announcement of the 2019 Tuesday Evening Music Club series at Meijer Gardens drew attention from readers, partly because of special twists in the summer series taking place in a revamped amphitheater. It ended the year at No. 8 on the list of most-read Local Spins stories. And scroll down for links to coverage of TEMC concerts in 2019.
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With a dramatically revamped amphitheater for 2019, Frederik Meijer Gardens & Sculpture Park has concocted special attractions for the summer Tuesday Evening Music Club series.
As a “dress rehearsal” for the reopening of the amphitheater, which sports a new entry plaza and larger concessions building, the series featuring local and regional acts will kick off earlier than usual – on June 4, 2019, with a concert by May Erlewine & The Motivations.
Not only will the one-night-only, debut show give visitors a chance to check out the renovations, including a concessions and restrooms building that’s twice the size of the old one, but also purchase new food items at a 50 percent discount.
The 2019 Lineup
The weekly July-August series commences in earnest on July 2, 2019, with Roosevelt Diggs and Jesse Ray & The Carolina Catfish and concludes, as is tradition, with Ralston Bowles & Friends on Aug. 27.
In addition to Corporate Live and community radio station WYCE (88.1 FM), this year’s series will feature sponsorship from Meyer Music and Michigan Radio 104.1 FM, with Meyer Music hosting a hands-on “instrument petting zoo” for visitors to test out instruments each week.
The kickoff show on June 4, 2019 stars a folk and Americana artist known as “Michigan’s songbird.” Erlewine’s seven-piece band delivers soulful and upbeat, dance-inspiring music with a powerful message.
The regular concert series featuring national touring acts begins in the amphitheater on June 6 with Nahko & Medicine for the People.
May Erlewine (Photo/Derek Ketchum)
Tickets to Meijer Gardens members went on sale Saturday and so far, 11 of the 30 concerts have sold out. Tickets go on sale to the general public on May 11.
Admission to the Tuesday Evening Music Club series is free to members with the public paying the regular gardens admission fee ($14.50 adults) to attend the concerts. The series founded and hosted by Grand Rapids singer-songwriter Ralston Bowles boasts a diverse lineup over its 10-week run, featuring rock, jazz, R&B, pop, country, folk, funk and jam bands.
And it will include another new twist for 2019: The Aug. 20 edition of the series will spotlight the Grand Rapids Ballet, performing “a mix of classical and contemporary ballets,” from Mendelssohn to Queen and Lou Reed.
Check out Local Spins coverage of concerts from the 2019 Tuesday Evening Music Club series, including the special opening show featuring May Erlewine:
Meijer Gardens amphitheater reopens with May Erlewine, blue skies, family vibe
Tuesday Evening Music Club gets jamming, funky with Big Sherb, Paddlebots
Ralston Bowles puts exclamation point on Tuesday Evening Music Club finale
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