The 2017 season of weekly regional music at Frederik Meijer Gardens & Sculpture Park had more than 1,500 people smiling and dancing to sets by Green on Blue and The Red Sea Pedestrians. (Photos, video)
Every summer since 2003, Grand Rapids folk/Americana singer-songwriter Ralston Bowles has hosted the Tuesday Evening Music Club series at Frederik Meijer Gardens & Sculpture Park, shining a spotlight on a diverse blend of local and regional musical acts.
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It never shined brighter than it did on Tuesday.
Bowles certainly couldn’t have asked for a better, more perfect kick-off to the 2017 series than the one he and the robust crowd of fans enjoyed Tuesday night: The summer sun and blue skies served up a picturesque amphitheater setting for a family-styled Independence Day party starring Grand Rapids’ Green on Blue jazz quartet and Kalamazoo’s world- and roots music-infused Red Sea Pedestrians
Children roamed the amphitheater and danced in front of the stage, adults lounged and picnicked happily in their lawn seats, and the two West Michigan bands delivered truly unique, ear-pleasing music: Green on Blue’s tasty twist on traditional jazz and The Red Sea Pedestrians’ captivating and lively melange of indie-folk, klezmer, Gypsy swing, jazz and “psychedelic world roots” music.
Check out some video highlights below.
Next Tuesday’s show will be a pop and rock affair with set by Grand Rapids’ Miss Atomic and The Zannies. The shows start at 7 p.m.; admission is the cost of regular entry to Meijer Gardens ($14.50 adults, discounts for children and seniors), with Meijer Gardens members admitted free.
See the full lineup for the concerts that take place every Tuesday night through August and get more information about the 2017 series here: Meijer Gardens to showcase regional stars for 2017 Tuesday Evening Music Club series
VIDEO: Tuesday Evening Music Club at Meijer Gardens (July 4, 2017)
PHOTO GALLERY: Tuesday Evening Music Club Highlights (July 4, 2017)
Photos by Local Spins