Sunny, sultry weather greeted fans of vibrant music on Tuesday: The Music That Raised Us at Meijer Gardens, Jake Kershaw in Rockford and Watchhouse in Kalamazoo. The images at Local Spins.
Paying Tribute to Iconic Female Stars: Sarena Rae on stage Tuesday as part of The Music That Raised Us. (Photo/Holly Holtzclaw)
SCROLL DOWN FOR PHOTO GALLERIES, VIDEO
Support our coverage of
West Michigan's music scene
It was another “Tuneful Tuesday” across West Michigan.
Frederik Meijer Gardens & Sculpture Park’s Tuesday Evening Music Club series kicked off the 2025 season of spotlighting regional acts with a captivating performance from The Music That Raised Us ensemble.
Led by Serena Rae, the collective featuring Avalon Cutts-Jones, Serita Crowley, Edye Hyde, Debra Perry and Dr. Charsie Sawyer, combines musical performance and music history lessons into one cohesive presentation.
The production — which drew a solid crowd amid sunny skies — shines a spotlight on black, female musicians who were pioneers within their genre, whether blues, rock, classical or a multitude of others. Each woman took turns leading vocals on iconic songs that had the audience on their feet, including renditions of Tina Turner’s take on “Proud Mary” and Whitney Houston’s “I Will Always Love You,” as well as songs that might be new to some audience members.
Sister Rosetta Tharpe, Nina Simone, Ella Fitzgerald, Aretha Franklin and more were iconic artists celebrated throughout the night. Preceding each section of the show was a narration from Dr. Sawyer that provided historical context and facts about the era, the artist, and the inspirations behind the songs.
Sunset Serenade: Watchhouse played to a big crowd at Bell’s Beer Garden. (Photo/Derek Ketchum)
Meanwhile, 11 miles to the north, guitarist Jake Kershaw was unleashing a bittersweet night of rock-fueled blues for the Rogue River Blues Series in Rockford. It was the Albion-based guitarist’s final show with two of his longtime band members — bassist Andy Merrild and drummer Kevin Herbert — and the band made the most of the evening with a fiery performance.
Hundreds packed the area in front of Rockford’s Rotary Pavilion — with the series temporarily relocated from Garden Club Park due to construction — while others danced inside the pavilion. (The Tuesday series moves back to Garden Club Park next week with a performance by Jesse Ray & The Carolina Catfish.)
Kershaw took time to praise and acknowledge his bandmates and friends, while also unleashing his signature, virtuosic guitar solos. Keyboardist Cam Dixon will continue to play with Kershaw, who has more summer shows ahead as he completes his degree in electrical engineering at Western Michigan University.
In Kalamazoo, a sold-out Tuesday night crowd greeted Americana/folk duo Watchhouse at the Bell’s Brewery Beer Garden. The North Carolina duo of Andrew Marlin and Emily Frantz (formerly known as Mandolin Orange) is touring behind its latest album, “Rituals.”
Browse photos and a video from the shows below.
PHOTO GALLERY: The Music That Raised Us at Meijer Gardens
Photos by Holly Holtzclaw
PHOTO GALLERY: Jake Kershaw at Rogue River Blues Series
Photos by John Sinkevics and Randy Heldt
PHOTO GALLERY: Watchhouse, Two Runner at Bell’s Beer Garden
Photos by Derek Ketchum
