Tag Archives: Concerts in the Park

Concerts in the Park Finale: Music That Raised Us celebrates Black female artists

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Wyoming Concerts in the Park Music That Raised Us (Courtesy, City of Wyoming)



By Ty Marzean

WKTV Contributing Writer


The 2024 Wyoming Concerts in the Park series will conclude with the power ensemble Music That Raised Us at Lamar Park on July 30 at 6 p.m.

The Grand Rapids-based group celebrates Black female artists and their impact on music history.
 

The show began as a one-time event during Women’s Month to empower women in the local arts. It has since become a staple for promoting diversity, belonging, equity, and inclusion in the arts, according to the group’s website.

Paying tribute

What began as a one-time performance became a community staple (Courtesy, pxhere.com)

Sarena Rae is the artistic director and writer of the performance, as well as a vocalist with the group.

In 2022, Rae began formulating an idea for a show that would pay tribute to Black female artists, both local talents and well-known pioneers of the music industry.

“Music is as effortless as breathing – it’s a part of me,” said Rae. “I’ve been songwriting since I’ve been a little girl. My mom was in the church choir, and that’s what inspired me.”

Music That Raised Us is a genuine tribute to the Black female pioneers of music history. Trailblazers highlighted in the show include rock and roll pioneer Sister Rosetta Tharpe, singer/songwriter and civil rights activist Nina Simone, as well as legends such as Aretha Franklin, Whitney Houston, and Tina Turner.

“It’s all about celebrating the music we know and love, but also learning the story behind that music, and the stories behind the voices that we admire and love,” said Rae.

Unique, fun…and educational

On stage with Rae will be R&B singer and opera vocalist Avalon Cutts-Jones, WYCE Album of the Year Jammie winner Karisa Wilson, “musical mama” and international performing star Dr. Charsie Sawyer, vocal powerhouse Serita Black Rose, Kathy Lamar, and Grammy Award-nominated songwriter Debra Perry.

“This is truly made possible by the incredible talent in this show…this is our show,” Rae said. “We are all connected through music, and we have all been raised by the lyrics and melodies of our favorite songs.”

To Music That Raised Us, music is more than just notes and lyrics (Courtesy, pxhere.com)

To Rae and the rest of the group, their performance is more than just a concert; it’s a time where they can educate and bring to life those who came before them.

“The show is really unique and fun,” said Rae. “It not only features music that people know and love, but it’s also educational. We start with Spirituals, then move on to Blues and Jazz.

“As we pay tribute to each artist, we also discuss the time period and the adversity that black female artists had to go through during that time, and how they paved the way for us today.”

To learn more about Music That Raised Us, visit their website, Facebook and Instagram sites.

Event details to know

Each concert will feature a food truck with food and beverages available for purchase. Concertgoers are welcome to bring their own food, however alcohol is not permitted in the park.

All concerts are free of charge and open to the public.

Indie rock band LVRS to make Concerts in the Park debut on July 23

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Concerts in the Park continues with debut Lamar Park appearance of indie rock band LVRS (Courtesy, Wyoming Parks & Rec)



By Ty Marzean

WKTV Contributing Writer


Indie rock band LVRS will take the stage at Lamar Park on July 23 at 6 p.m. as the Wyoming Concerts in the Park series continues.

LVRS consists of lead vocalist and guitar player Liv DeJonghe, Nuri Tett on bass, and Nick Chard establishing the beat on drums.

It’s all in the name…

LVRS is a band driven by love and self-expression – and the band’s name reflects that.

“My name is Liv/Livers,” said DehJonghe. “So I removed the vowels of ‘Livers’ to make ‘LVRS.’ I thought it was cool that it can be open to interpretation. I like how it can be read as ‘LOVERS’.”

Creation = Connection

The Lansing-based outfit connects with their fans through their musical stylings.

 “I love how through this act of creation it allows us to connect with others,” said DehJonghe. “I value the stage and see it as a privilege to use my voice. I hope it can find someone who doesn’t feel as seen or my words can help them understand a part of themselves.”

Nick Chard added, “There are many people I would have never met that I am grateful to know because playing music brought us together. I also feel that’s one of the results that comes from the way Liv writes, and it’s a beautiful thing.”

Bassist Nuri Tett credits the group with expanding his musical horizons.

“I believe this is a venture into a genre of music that I have only very lightly touched on,” said Tett. “I had carved pathways in my head of how I can express music over time, and being in this group gives me the opportunity to lay those ideas out and make them reality.”

Gigs and Albums

LVRS can be found touring across the Mitten State, from bar gigs out in Detroit to events like the Jammies in Grand Rapids.

The band released their latest album Joy Compass in November and debuted their single “Control” on May 10, 2024.

The July 23 show will the first for LVRS at Lamar Park in Wyoming.

“Strap in and have a good time,” exclaimed DehJonghe. “We hope you enjoy a wide culmination of our songs from over the years. We’ll be sharing covers we love, songs old and new, and unreleased projects we are nurturing.”

For more information about LVRS, click here. Music by LVRS can be found on Spotify, Apple Music and YouTube.


Event details to know

Each concert will feature a food truck with food and beverages available for purchase. Concertgoers are welcome to bring their own food, however alcohol is not permitted in the park.

“Concerts in the Park are a highlight of summertime in Wyoming,” said Krashawn Martin, Wyoming Parks and Recreation Director, in supplied material. “We hope you will grab your blankets, chairs and friends and join us for some fun in the parks!”

All concerts are free of charge and open to the public.

Nashville recording artist Sophia McIntosh to perform at Wyoming’s Lamar Park July 16

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Sophia McIntosh and The Sages will perform as part of Wyoming’s Concerts in the Park series on July 16 (Courtesy, City of Wyoming)



By Ty Marzean

WKTV Contributing Writer


Nashville recording artist Sophia McIntosh will perform at Lamar Park on July 16 at 6 p.m. as part of the Wyoming Concerts in the Park series.

Strong vocals and intense melodies

(Courtesy photo)

The Jenison-based, 18-year-old indie pop singer has worked with Tony Award winner Alice Ripley and co-penned songs with two-time Grammy Awards-winning Rebecca Lynn Howard, industry legend Rick Beresferd, Linde LaChance, and Brian Maher. McIntosh was also co-writer on Justin Moore’s #1 song, “Small Town USA.”

“My parents were musicians, so they knew a lot of talented musicians, reached out and we got connected to some people in Nashville. We just got lucky,” said McIntosh.

Under the guidance of her parents, McIntosh has been playing music since she was a young child. The elder McIntoshes played in cover band Drop 35 that toured West Michigan for over 20 years. Sophia also plays shows with her father Michael.

“All my music is personal. I’ve taken stories from my life and have put it in my music, so it means a lot to me,” said McIntosh.

The singer’s strong vocals and intense melodies are a reflection of several pop genre influencers. McIntosh cited heavy hitters like Adel and Lady Gaga as having a considerable impact on McIntosh’s music.

Making music

Sophia McIntosh will be making her first trip to Lamar Park with The Sages trio. The Sages feature guitar player Will Gavan, bass player Gino Bartone and drummer Will Murphy.

Music continues at Lamar Park with the next concert set for Tuesday, July 16 (WKTV)

McIntosh met Gavan and Murphy at Kalamazoo Academy of Rock, and Bartone on the recommendation of a former music teacher.

“I just think they are so talented, and I hope we get to play together for a long time,” said McIntosh.

The West Michigan native’s latest single, “Summer Nights”, has already racked up over 26,000 listens since being released on June 20.

McIntosh’s music can be found on all music streaming services.

Event details to know

Each concert will feature a food truck with food and beverages available for purchase. Concertgoers are welcome to bring their own food, however alcohol is not permitted in the park.

All concerts are free of charge and open to the public.

Party band Brena to bring high energy to Wyoming Concerts in the Park on June 25

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Brena, a local band known for lively shows and Top 40 rock, will perform on June 25 at Lamar Park in Wyoming (Courtesy photo)


By Ty Marzean

WKTV Contributor


The Wyoming Concerts in the Park series will showcase West Michigan’s premier party band, Brena, on June 25 at Lamar Park at 6 p.m.

Brena’s lead duo, Craig Avery and Steffan Copenhaver, met in 2005 at Grand Valley State University. Copenhaver, a music education major, was studying trumpet, while Avery was a piano major focusing on music performance.

In 2007, Avery and Copenhaver – along with Copenhaver’s brother Sean – formed the band Brena.

(Courtesy, Wyoming Parks and Rec)

“Both Steffan and Sean had other bands at the time,” said Avery, vocalist and keyboard player for Brena.

 

“Steffan’s band was called Broken Sunday, and Sean’s was called Smoothie, and both of those bands called it quits – and out of that, we formed Brena.”

“We literally drew it out of a hat”

When signing up for the Grand Rapids Festival of the Arts in 2007, Avery and the Copenhaver brothers needed to come up with a name for their new band.

“I wish I had a cool story, but we literally drew it out of a hat,” chuckled Avery. “When we became a cover band we thought about changing the name, but we already had a decent following so we thought we should just roll with it.”

Struggles in the early years

In the band’s early years, Brena created original music and released three albums before transitioning to a cover band due to financial reasons.

Brena performed original music before finding success as a cover band (Courtesy photo)

“There was a time where it didn’t seem like it would work out,” Avery said. “We were about to release our final original album, and our drummer got hurt and couldn’t play. We had plans to tour around and promote the album.

“That incident really took the wind out of our sails with promoting the original material; we also accumulated a substantial amount of debt recording original material, and that’s why we transitioned into doing covers.”

Growth as a cover band

Brena’s transition to a cover band proved to be successful, as they went from performing at 10 cover gigs to an impressive 157 shows per year.

“We are going to ride this train as long as we can,” said Avery.

Brena currently boasts a 400+ song library, from Motown Funk to Modern Rock and Roll, and everything in between. The band provides a fresh experience with each show.

“We try to mix it up every show,” said Avery.

Brena takes the stage with a wide range of talent. Avery plays the keyboard and provides vocals alongside Michele Moretti. Copenhaver plays multiple instruments, including violin, trumpet and guitar, while also providing vocals. Sam Parks plays lead guitar, Sam Briggs plays drums, and Matt Kok is on bass. KM Denton is the band’s sound tech and mixer.

Brena returns to Concerts in the Park on June 25, the first time since the pandemic (Courtesy, WKTV)

Return to Concerts in the Park

Brena will be returning to Concerts in the Park for the third time, the first time since the COVID-19 pandemic.

“It’s a fun atmosphere. It’s cool to see people from the community come together and enjoy music. A lot of perfect strangers,” said Avery. “Bring your dancing shoes, have fun and enjoy the music!”

Brena’s original material can be found on Spotify. Learn more about the band Brena here.

NOTE: There are two artists under the name Brena on Spotify, be sure to use this link to find the correct band.

Event details to know 

Each concert will feature a food truck with food and beverages available for purchase. Concertgoers are welcome to bring their own food, however alcohol is not permitted in the park.

“We are excited to continue this tradition for our community,” said Krashawn Martin, Wyoming Parks and Recreation Director, in supplied material.

“Concerts in the Park are a highlight of summertime in Wyoming. We hope you will grab your blankets, chairs and friends and join us for some fun in the parks!”

All concerts are free of charge and open to the public.

Wyoming Concerts in the Park series begins with folk band “Whorled” on June 18

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Whorled, a Grand Rapids-based world folk band, will perform at Lamar Park on June 18 (Courtesy, City of Wyoming)



By Ty Marzean

WKTV Contributor


The 2024 Wyoming Concerts in the Park series begins this Tuesday, June 18 at 6 p.m. with folk band Whorled performing at Lamar Park.

Whorled is a Grand Rapids-based world folk band that blends various genres, including Irish, Japanese, and bluegrass, to create a unique and captivating musical experience.

Captivating and eclectic

Whorled is made up of Thom Jayne, Keala Venema, and Mariko Venema. The trio brings diverse musical backgrounds and influences, resulting in a rich and eclectic sound.

(Courtesy photo)

According to the band’s website, Thom Jayne brings his unique guitar style, inspired by a wide range of genres from Tony Rice to Brazilian folk music. Jayne is an award-winning musician with two WYCE Jammie Awards for best local World Beat CD of the year with his Lansing-based band “Thom Jayne and the Nomads” in the early 2000s.

Additionally, Keala Venema showcases expertise in fiddle, guitar, tin whistle, and Bodhran, adding a lively and traditional touch to the band’s music. Venema also is the lead fiddle instructor at Michigan Academy of Folk Music and plays for many jazz fusion bands in the Grand Rapids area.

Mariko Venema, classically trained on the piano at age 5, brings her passion for alternative music to the band, specializing in the accordion and exploring various traditional styles from around the world. Venema has been under the tutelage of world class instructors Jacque Mornet and Nathalie Boucheix in both New Orleans and St-Sauves d’Auvergne, France.

Whorled’s music is available on Spotify, Apple Music and YouTube Music.

Event details to know

Each concert will feature a food truck with food and beverages available for purchase. Concertgoers are welcome to bring their own food, however alcohol is not permitted in the park.

“We are excited to continue this tradition for our community,” said Krashawn Martin, Wyoming Parks and Recreation Director, in supplied material. “Concerts in the Park are a highlight of summertime in Wyoming. We hope you will grab your blankets, chairs and friends and join us for some fun in the parks!”

All concerts are free of charge and open to the public.

Wyoming Concerts in the Park 2024 Lineup!

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(Courtesy, City of Wyoming)



By City of Wyoming


The City of Wyoming Concerts in the Park series returns with free concerts on Tuesday evenings beginning June 18.

The 2024 series showcases six performances from local favorites like Brena, Cabildo, Whorled, Music That Raised Us, along with other Michigan musicians.

“Our lineup this year spans so many musical genres, there is something for everyone to enjoy,” said Mayor Kent Vanderwood. “We are looking forward to bringing quality entertainment to the families in our community and hope to continue developing this series.”


(Courtesy, City of Wyoming)

A musical tradition

Each Tuesday evening will feature a food truck with food and beverages available for purchase. Concertgoers are welcome to bring their own food, however alcohol is not permitted in the park.

“We are excited to continue this tradition for our community,” said Krashawn Martin, Wyoming Parks and Recreation Director. “Concerts in the Park are a highlight of summertime in Wyoming. We hope you will grab your blankets, chairs and friends and join us for some fun in the parks!”

All concerts are free of charge and open to the public. Performances start at 6 p.m. and are held at Lamar Park.

Concert Lineup

Cabildo performs at the 2023 Wyoming Concerts in the Park (Courtesy WKTV)

The 2024 concert schedule includes:

June 18 – Whorled

June 25 – Brena

July 9 – Cabildo

July 16 – Sophia McIntosh

July 23 – LVRS

July 30 – Music That Raised Us

For more performance and musician details, click here.

Wyoming Concerts in the Park brings big sounds of Patty PerShayla & The Mayhaps

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Patty PerShayla & The Mayhaps: Patty, guitarist Lucas Powell, and original drummer Alec Klinefelter. (Courtesy of the band)

By K.D. Norris

WKTV Contributor

Listening to Patty PerShayla & The Mayhaps’ latest EP release, it is clear why they called
it Perpetual Motion Machine. The five-song release is all about power pop, with a fair
amount of rockin’ blues blasting through, and continues the band’s drive to its own
sound and popularity.

“Not slowing down in 2023, Patty PerShayla & The Mayhaps are stepping hard on the
gas pedal and touring more cities and music festivals than years prior,” the band states
on its website. “The trio have plans to record their next full-length album within the year.”

So expect a fast ride on a summer night when the band hits the stage Tuesday, Aug. 8.

The Tuesday evening Concerts in the Park are free of charge and open to the public at
Lamar Park, 2561 Porter St. SW. Performances start at 6 p.m. and conclude around 8 p.m.

A wild ride for Patty and her music

Michigan native Patty PerShayla hit the scene as a singer, songwriter, and multi-
instrumentalist after winning the 2019 WYCE Jammie Award for Best Rock/Pop Album
for her solo EP, Oracle Bones, according to a bio on her website.

Patty PerShayla & The Mayhaps’ latest EP, Perpetual Motion Machine (Courtesy)

But later in 2019, she joined forces with guitarist Lucas Powell and drummer Alec
Klinefelter to form Patty PerShayla & The Mayhaps. After road-testing their music, they released their “blues-infused, riff-driven debut album,” Cheap Diction, in 2021. (Current band drummer is Chris Thomas.)

A music video from that album went on to win Best Music Video at the 2022 Grand
Rapids Film Festival, and another was featured at the 2023 Michigan Music Video
Awards.

When Patty is not touring with the Mayhaps, she plays solo gigs and even toured with the equally great local band of multi-instrumentalists, The Accidentals, in 2021. For more information on Patty’s musical journey, visit: Patty PerShayla at home in Nashville.

For more information about Patty PerShayla & The Mayhaps and a video of the song “Spill” from the new EP, visit pattypershayla.com.

About the concert and venue

The Tuesday evening concerts feature a food truck with food and beverages available
for purchase. Concertgoers are welcome to bring their own food, however alcohol is not
permitted in the park.

“Concerts in the park are a highlight of summertime in Wyoming. We hope you will grab
your blankets, chairs and friends and join us for some fun in the parks!” Krashawn
Martin, Wyoming Parks and Recreation director, said earlier in introducing the concert
series.

For more details visit www.facebook.com/WyomingParksRec


Monte Pride next up for Wyoming Concerts in the Park

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Monte Pride is set to perform July 19 at the Wyoming Concerts in the Park. (Supplied)

By John Gonzalez
WKTV Contributing Writer

Singer/songwriter Monte Pride has been inspired by some of music’s greats, including Paul Simon, Joni Mitchell, Neil Young, Gillian Welch, Townes Van Zandt and John Prine.

But he loves our Michigan musical heroes, too, saying artists such as Chris Bathgate, May Erlewine, Timothy Monger and Joshua Davis have been equally as important.

The music of Chris Bathgate, for example, is “unmistakable.”

“The atmosphere and ambience he creates in his songs, it’s … inspiring to my songwriting and song production,” Pride said.

From Erlewine’s “stage presence” and “strong sense of purpose and intention in her songs” to Davis’s guitar playing style have been inspirational to him.

He added that Monger’s songwriting, as well “creative branding and visuals he creates for promotion” also have made an impact on him.

“His song ‘Sleepless’ has become one of my favorites to cover in the last few years… I’ll likely share my version of it on Tuesday!”

By “Tuesday,” Pride is referring to his show as part of Wyoming’s weekly concert series, which is at 7 p.m. July 19 at Lamar Park. Admission is free.

The Tuesday night series continues through Aug. 2. See the list of shows below. All will be recorded and aired on WKTV.

A mellow approach

A 2014 graduate of Okemo High School, just east of Lansing, Pride said he’s looking forward to showcasing his original music.

Monte Pride is a folk singer-songwriter and finger-style guitarist from Lansing. (Supplied)

“I really enjoy having the opportunity to present original music, alongside my take on covers that work with my sound,” he said in an email to WKTV Journal.

“Over the years, I’ve leaned into my mellow approach to performance and song interpretation, always hoping to give folks something soothing that might help heal. I’ve also been expanding my sound into more ambient territory, incorporating it here and there to complement and serve the songs.”

Pride first dabbled into music when he played “Criminals” by The Tallest Man on Earth at his high school talent show, then ”began performing locally after that, having gained confidence in my voice and a taste for sharing music with people.”

He kept playing while attending Michigan State University, releasing two EPs in 2014 and 2015, and finally his first full length album in 2016.

“After college I began traveling more and performing in cities throughout Michigan and the Midwest, releasing my latest album ‘Even in Absence’ in 2020,” he said.

“The pandemic forced me into a much needed hiatus, but I returned to performing with a new appreciation for all of it in Summer 2021.”

Happy to be performing

Those who attend his show on Tuesday can expect “a mellow, soothing evening of fingerstyle guitar and folk songs.”

“I’ll be sharing a handful of original songs along with ‘60s, ‘70s and contemporary folk covers,” he added.

Most of all, he’s just excited to perform outdoors.

“I love being able to feel the energy of the environment and crowd. It’s always special to hear birds, other wildlife, and even street noise when performing,” he said.

“It always feels like collaboration. Last Summer at an outdoor show I was playing one of my tunes called ‘Michigan’s Song.’ There’s a line that says, ‘I heard a robin’s call yesterday in the morning…’ As I was singing it, a robin flew over and sang with me.”

Pride’s “Even in Absence” was released mid-pandemic in August of 2020, which he said “presents healing songs to remind that experience, relationships, lives, their love and light persist, ‘Even In Absence.’

Learn more about Pride at montepridemusic.com.

Rest of the series

Wyoming Concerts in Park 2022 are all at 7 p.m. at Lamar Park. Admission is free. More info: Wyoming Concerts in the Park Facebook page.

Concerts Lineup

July 19 – Monte Pride – Folk 

July 26 – Bernadette Kathryn – Country 

August 2 – Grupo Latin – Latin Soul (13 piece band)

John D. Gonzalez is a digital journalist with 30-plus years of experience as a food, travel, craft beer and arts & entertainment reporter based in Grand Rapids, Michigan. He also co-hosts the radio show and Podcast “Behind the Mitten,” which airs at 6 p.m. Sundays on WOOD-AM and FM. Follow him on his journey to discover what’s next. You can find him on Twitter as @MichiganGonzo, on Instagram @MichiganGonzo and Facebook at @GRGonzo. He also relaunched his YouTube Channel. Email him story ideas and tips at michigangonzo@gmail.com.

July is busy with food trucks, music, and more

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By John D. Gonzalez

WKTV Contributing Writer

How’s the summer treating you?

I’ve been enjoying the National Cherry Festival in Traverse City with fireworks, concerts and cherries, of course.

If you still want to make the trip up north, the festival continues with many activities like the cherry pie eating contest, and the big Cherry Royale Parade at 11:15 a.m. Saturday. The remaining concerts feature 1964 The Tribute on Thursday (July 7), ZZ Top on Friday (July 8) and Boyz II Men on Saturday (July 9). Learn more at cherryfestival.org.

What are you doing this weekend?

If you’re staying close to home, here is my Top 5 of things to do, which you can find exclusively on WKTV Journal.

Here we go!

Gonzo’s Top 5

5. “Seven Brides For Seven Brothers,” Barn Theatre

Summer is a great time to take in a play. Whether it’s community theater or a Broadway touring musical, you can usually find something taking place in the region. One unique destination is the Barn Theatre School in Augusta, about 50 miles south and just east of Kalamazoo. In its 76th season, the school’s advanced theater training program promotes the concept that artists, performers, designers, technicians, stage managers, and everyone should have broadly based experiences through an apprentice program. And each summer they put on a variety of shows where the students produce every aspect of the experience. They are parking attendants, ushers and even the bartenders. Along with celebrity guest actors, the school has also featured future stars such as Jennifer Garner, Dana Delany, Lauren Graham and many more. My lovely wife Pam and I recently saw the first show of the season, “Seven Brides For Seven Brothers,” a musical based on the classic MGM 1954 film about settlers in 1850 Oregon. The show was great, but so was the whole experience of a show set in a barn. Get a pizza or drink before the show or stay after each performance for a special “Shed Bar Show” where the actors and guest actors come to entertain in the Rehearsal Bar. Advance reservations are encouraged for those productions. Performances of “Seven Brides For Seven Brothers” continue through Sunday (July 10). More details at barntheatreschool.org/events. Some of the other shows this season: “Cinderella,” “GroundHog Day,” “Rock of Ages,” “Young Frankenstein,” “Misery,” “Escanaba in da Moonlight” and “Doubt.”

4. LAUP Fiesta, Holland

Another great weekend destination is Holland for the annual LAUP Fiesta at the Holland Civic Center. It always features great food, car show, and Latino musical acts. There will be activities for children, a bar for adults and mercado (artisan market). It always ends with a big baile (dance). The party begins at noon. Check out the festival’s Facebook Event page for more information.

Food Truck Friday at Riverside Park

3. Food Truck Friday, Riverside Park

Have you been out to the popular “Food Truck Fridays” at Riverside Park this summer? Every week from 5-9 p.m. (through Sept. 2) you can expect anywhere from 12-17 food trucks. In its 6th season on the north side of Grand Rapids you can expect some of the area’s best-loved food trucks, as well as new ones, too. New this year is a Frequent Fridays Card that will offer you the chance to win prizes based on how many FTF you frequent. More details at https://www.facebook.com/GR8FoodTruckFridays/.

Wyoming’s Concerts in the Park return Tuesday, July 12. (WKTV)

2. Randy McAllister, Lamar Park

Blues and Soul artist Randy McAllister will headline the next Wyoming Concerts in the Park show, which takes place each week at 7 p.m. Tuesdays at Lamar Park in Wyoming. Admission is free. The remaining shows include folk artist Monty Pride (July 19), country singer Bernadette Kathryn (July 26) and 13-piece Latin soul band Grupo Latin (Aug. 2) More info: Wyoming Concerts in the Park Facebook page. Can’t make it to the show? You can still enjoy the bands by watching WKTV-Channel 25 for the weekly airings at 5 p.m. Wednesday and 11 a.m. and 10 p.m. Saturday. More info at wktv.org/concerts.

READ: Wyoming Concerts in the Park return this summer

1. Downtown Concerts

It’s another busy weekend in downtown Grand Rapids:

Death Cab for Cutie, the popular indie band from the early 2000s is back on the road and releasing a new album this fall. You can check them out Friday (July 8) at GLC Live at 20 Monroe Live in Grand Rapids. Ticket information at livenation.com.

The Doobie Brothers, the legendary band from the ‘70s and ‘80s, are on their 50th anniversary tour with Tom Johnston, Michael McDonald, Pat Simmons and John McFee on the road together for the first time in nearly 25 years. The band has sold nearly 50 million albums worldwide. The show is at 7:30 p.m.Sunday (July 10) at Van Andel Arena. Fans can expect to hear “Listen To The Music,” “Takin’ It To The Streets,” “Long Train Running,” “Black Water,” “What A Fool Believes,” “China Grove,” “Minute By Minute,” “It Keeps You Runnin’,” “Jesus Is Just Alright With Me” and many more. More details at vanandelarena.com.

That’s it for now.

As always, I welcome your input and recommendations for events to include in my Top 5 list. If you have something for me to consider, just send me an email at michigangonzo@gmail.com.

Have a great, safe weekend.

John D. Gonzalez is a digital journalist with 30-plus years of experience as a food, travel, craft beer and arts & entertainment reporter based in Grand Rapids, Michigan. He also co-hosts the radio show and Podcast “Behind the Mitten,” which airs at 6 p.m. Sundays on WOOD-AM and FM. Follow him on his journey to discover what’s next. You can find him on Twitter as @MichiganGonzo, on Instagram @MichiganGonzo and Facebook at @GRGonzo. He also relaunched his YouTube Channel. Email him story ideas and tips at michigangonzo@gmail.com.

With surprising energy, cellist brings a ‘vibe’ to Wyoming concert

Citizen Journalism, Entertainment, Local Entertainment, Recreation, Upcoming Events, , ,

By John D. Gonzalez
WKTV Contributing Writer

It’s not blues or classic rock that will take center stage at Tuesday’s Concerts in the Park series in Wyoming.

It’s not a punk rock or country band, either.

It’s a cellist, and his name is Jordan Hamilton, where he will play “a mix of mastery and maverick musicality,” according to his bio.

Jordan Hamilton performs on cello at the next Wyoming Concerts in the Park set for Tuesday. (Supplied)

In an interview with WKTV Journal, Hamilton – who is extremely humble – explained his style is not something you see every day.

“I have a hard time speaking about myself,” said the Kalamazoo-based vocalist and instrumentalist. “I have been told it’s an experience.”

Local music journalist John Sinkevics of LocalSpins.com agrees.

“Plucking, sawing, pounding and caressing the cello to extract sometimes other-worldly sounds; melding live looping with classical music interludes, hip hop, and jazz,” he said of Hamilton’s performance.

A native of Maryland who was classically trained on Western European composers, Hamilton, 29, started playing cello when he was 8-years-old. He learned all of the classics, but he was also introduced to a wide range of music by his dad, who listened to Earth, Wind & Fire, Sly and the Family Stone and Bobby McFerrin.

As he got older he would sneak off to listen to Nas, Fabulous and Jay-Z.

Still, he stayed focused on the cello.

After graduating from the Conservatory of Music at Baldwin Wallace University in Berea, Ohio, he earned a Master’s degree in cello performance in 2018 at Western Michigan University. Hamilton remained in Kalamazoo mainly because of steady gigs, but was forced to stay longer during the Covid-19 pandemic.

Eventually he will leave Michigan for other opportunities “when the time is right,” he said. But for now, he loves playing his music and introducing audiences to the cello because “cello is at the center of everything” he does, he said.

“You don’t see a lot of cellos doing concerts that are not outside of the symphony….It’s definitely unique. It’s a niche.”

He will perform as a trio in Wyoming, bringing a keyboard player and drum programmer. He will play mainly original songs, as well as a few covers.

“You can expect a little bit of soul vibes, jazz vibes, beat music vibes, some very spacy vibes, and all over the place kind of vibes,” Hamilton said.

According to his bio, Hamilton’s music is  “emotional energy crafted from integrity, immaterial and immortal, experienced at the speed of sound, with a bit of bounce, groove by the ounce, and all the jump you’ll need to move.”

More directly, he said, just “come to the show, and you will leave with something more than you were expecting.”

And “be prepared to have open ears,” he added. “It’s going to be a wide range of music, but it’s all going to feel like it’s in place…If you like jazz piano, hip hop beats and cello, this is a show for you.”

Hamilton performs at 7 p.m. Tuesday, June 28 at Lamar Park in Wyoming. Admission is free. More info: Wyoming Concerts in the Park Facebook page.

The Tuesday night series continues through Aug. 2. All shows will be recorded and aired on WKTV. More info below.

READ: Wyoming Concerts in the Park return this summer

Learn more about Hamilton at jordanhamiltonmusic.com.

Wyoming Concerts Lineup

June 28 – Jordan Hamilton – Cellist 

July 12 – Randy McAllister – Blues and Soul 

July 19 – Monty Pride – Folk 

July 26 – Bernadette Kathryn – Country 

August 2 – Grupo Latin – Latin Soul (13 piece band)

Can’t make it to the show? You can still enjoy the bands by watching WKTV-Channel 25 for the weekly airings at 5 p.m. Wednesday and 11 a.m. and 10 p.m. Saturday.

More info at wktv.org/concerts.

John D. Gonzalez is a digital journalist with 30-plus years of experience as a food, travel, craft beer and arts & entertainment reporter based in Grand Rapids, Michigan. He also co-hosts the radio show and Podcast “Behind the Mitten,” which airs at 6 p.m. Sundays on WOOD-AM and FM. Follow him on his journey to discover what’s next. You can find him on Twitter as @MichiganGonzo, on Instagram @MichiganGonzo and Facebook at @GRGonzo. He also relaunched his YouTube Channel. Email him story ideas and tips at michigangonzo@gmail.com.

‘American Idol’ contestant headlines Wyoming’s next Concert in the Park

Citizen Journalism, Entertainment, Kids Activities, Local Entertainment, Our Cities, Recreation, Upcoming Events, , , , ,

By John D. Gonzalez
WKTV Contributing Writer

If you’re a fan of soul singers such as Marvin Gaye, Bill Withers and Al Green, you’re going to love Nathan Walton & The Remedy.

Nathan Walton looks for to an evening of soul music at Wyoming’s Lamar Park. (Supplied)

“We play a lot of soul music, and soul covers. We got a pretty good size band….we’re just out to put on a good show for the community,” Walton said in an interview with WKTV Journal.

Walton and his rock ‘n’ roll soul band The Remedy will perform those songs – and may other covers – as part of Wyoming’s weekly concert series at 7 p.m. June 21 at Lamar Park. Admission is free.

The Tuesday night series continues through Aug. 2. See the list of shows below. All will be recorded and aired on WKTV.

If Walton’s name sounds familiar, maybe it’s because he was featured on TV’s “American Idol.”

The singer appeared on Season 3 of the ABC show, where he received a Golden Ticket and competed in Hollywood with talented vocalists from all over the country. Judge Lionel Richie called his voice “a cannon.”

Walton said his experience on “American Idol” in 2020 was “life changing.”

“It was incredible…for sure,” said Walton, who graduated in 2011 from Byron Center High School.  “A friend of mine encouraged me to audition, and I’m glad I did. The next I knew I was in L.A. and hanging out with Lionel Richie. I became a Top 60 singer in America, which was pretty awesome.”

Since then Walton has gained a local following.

He was the “Staff Pick” for Best Solo Musician in Revue Magazine’s “2021 Best of the West” issue.

According to Revue contributing editor, Eric Mitts:

Nathan Walton will perform with his group The Remedy on Tuesday. (Supplied)

“Walton has shone bright. Sure, his powerful, soulful vocals draw most of the attention, but it’s his prolifically diverse songwriting and passion behind the scenes that make him an increasingly major part of the music scene, and an artist everyone should know.”

He’s also proud of his band The Remedy, which put out an album last spring. The seven-piece band also includes a jazz vocalist.

In addition, he is known for assembling a “supergroup” of well-known local multi-instrumentalists called King Possum. And he regularly lends his powerful voice to bands like Stone Soup and the Broken Teeth, and with special guests at his Greyline Brewing residency.

He also serves as music director for Elevator a GoGo, a West Michigan-based platform to discover music, the spoken word, and performance artists from America and around the world.

As for his upcoming gig, he’s just hoping for good weather. His band is ready to go!

“We’re just thankful we could be playing for the community,” he said, “that’s really what we’re happy about. We’ll get out to see some friends and hopefully put on a good show.”

Learn more about Nathan Walton on his website nathanwaltonlive.com/.

Listen to tracks of his latest album at nathanwalton.hearnow.com.

Wyoming Concerts in Park 2022 are all at 7 p.m. at Lamar Park. Admission is free. More info: Wyoming Concerts in the Park Facebook page.

Upcoming Concerts:

June 28 – Jordan Hamilton – Cellist 

July 12 – Randy McAllister – Blues and Soul 

July 19 – Monty Pride – Folk 

July 26 – Bernadette Kathryn – Country 

August 2 – Grupo Latin – Latin Soul (13 piece band)

John D. Gonzalez is a digital journalist with 30-plus years of experience as a food, travel, craft beer and arts & entertainment reporter based in Grand Rapids, Michigan. He also co-hosts the radio show and Podcast “Behind the Mitten,” which airs at 6 p.m. Sundays on WOOD-AM and FM. Follow him on his journey to discover what’s next. You can find him on Twitter as @MichiganGonzo, on Instagram @MichiganGonzo and Facebook at @GRGonzo. He also relaunched his YouTube Channel. Email him story ideas and tips at michigangonzo@gmail.com.

Serita’s Black Rose brings the funk, more to Tuesday’s concert

Citizen Journalism, City of Wyoming, Entertainment, Local Entertainment, Recreation, Upcoming Events, , ,

By Joanne Bailey-Boorsma
joanne@wktv.org

It was a chance meeting at lunch spot in Eastown that brought Serita Crowley and John Hayes together.

Discovering they both had a passion for music and after playing a few sessions together, the two local musicians not only became a couple but formed one of the area’s popular groups, Serita’s Black Rose.

Serita’s Black Rose, featuring John Hayes and Serita Crowley, will perform this Tuesday in Wyoming and on July 4 in the City of Kentwood. (Supplied)

The duo with its bandmates, bassist Robert Pace and drummer Mark Weymouth, will continue the music — or rather the funk — this Tuesday as they take the stage at Lamar Park, the second concert in the Wyoming’s Concerts in the Park series.

The popular local band will perform at 7 p.m. Admission is free.

A self-professed “Funkateer,” Crowley brings a raucous mix of funk, rock, blues, neo-soul, and Americana to the stage, according to the Serita’s Black Rose website. In fact, her voice his probably recognizable to many as she has done voices overs along with performed in the musicals “Jesus Christ Superstar” and “Hair.”

As a duo, Hayes and Crowley perform many of the timeless classics of the 1960s and 1970s, although in a recent February 2022 article from Local Spins, Crowley said the band’s focus has been on a specific style: the blues.

“Blues music is a genre that we can focus on. It’s an accessible market for us to do really well in. I mean, blues is at the root of everything,” she told Local Spins.

The pandemic offered the duo a chance to work on new song ideas with a new release expected sometime down the road. 

For now, Serita’s Black Rose has been busy performing. Last summer, the group opened for the classic rock band Kansas at Frederik Meijer Gardens & Sculpture Park and its 80-plus gigs a year have the members traveling much of Michigan from Wyoming and Kentwood areas to Mackinaw Island.

Serita Crowley is know for her amazing vocal range. (Supplied)

No sweat if you miss Serita’s Black Rose’s performance on Tuesday. The group has a number of local performances scheduled including being part of the City of Kentwood’s Fourth of July celebration line-up. (That performance is scheduled for 8:30 p.m.)

For more about the group, visit www.seritasblackrose.com.

Wyoming Concerts in Park 2022 are all at 7 p.m. at Lamar Park, 2561 Porter St. SW. More info: Wyoming Concerts in the Park Facebook page.

The rest of the Wyoming Concerts in the Park line up is:

June 21 – Nathan Walton Band – Soul, Rock 

June 28 – Jordan Hamilton – Cellist 

July 12 – Randy McAllister – Blues and Soul 

July 19 – Monty Pride – Folk 

July 26 – Bernadette Kathryn – Country 

Aug. 2 – Grupo Latin – Latin Soul (13 piece band)

Make it a musical Labor Day as WKTV features marathons of the 2019 summer concerts

3-bottom, City of Kentwood, City of Wyoming, WKTV Projects, , , , , ,
Relive the Summer of 2019 with the marathon showings of the City of Kentwood and the City of Wyoming’s summer concerts series. (WKTV)

By WKTV Staff
joanne@wktv.org


This Labor Day weekend will be filled with music on WKTV 25 as the station runs two marathon events featuring the summer outdoor concerts from both the cities of Wyoming and Kentwood.

A tradition for many years, WKTV has features the City of Wyoming’s Concerts int the Park series on Labor Day, Sept. 2. This year, the station has included a marathon of the City of Kentwood Summer Concert series on Saturday, Aug. 31, giving residents from both communities away to enjoy the past summer before the school year starts.

The Crane Wives were a featured group at the City of Kentwood’s Summer Concert series. (WKTV)

Kick off the Labor Day holiday with the Saturday special of the Kentwood Summer Concerts. The concerts will be shown in the following order:

1:30 p.m. The Cranes Wives, a popular West Michigan band

2:50 pm. That Beatles Thing, hits from The Beatles’ catalog

4:20 p.m. Brena, oldies, top 40 hits, classic rock, R&B and country

5:55 pm. Melophobix, an alternative band with a funky musical outlook

7:05 p.m. Hannah Rose and the Gravetones,  funk, blues and rock n’ roll

Brena performed at both the City of Kentwood and the City of Wyoming summer concerts series. (Supplied)

On Labor Day, Monday, Sept. 2, the station will air the City of Wyoming’s Concerts in the Park series. The concerts will be shown in the following order:

9:30 a.m. Midlife Crisis, oldies, classic rock band

11:05 a.m. Brena, oldies, top 40 hits, classic rock, R&B and country

12:40 p.m. Ray Watkoski and Family, polka music

2:10 p.m. Paradise Outlaw, Americana with Motown and Southern rock

3:40 p.m. Jared Knox, country music

5 p.m Jack and The Spare Tires, sixties, seventies, and eighties covers

6:35 p.m. Broadman Brown, country music

8:05 p.m. Daddyz Breakdown, classic rock

9:45 p.m. Shadows of the Night, music from the women of rock ‘n’ roll

11:10 p.m Brena, oldies, top 40 hits, classic rock, R&B and country

For more program information, visit wktv.org or go to the tab WKTV Schedule at the wktvjournal.org.

Brena Band brings a little of everything to the next Concerts in the Park

City of Wyoming, Entertainment, , ,

By WKTV Staff
joanne@wktv.org


With a vast repertoire that features covers from such groups as Cake, .38 Special, A-ha, Fun, and Elton John, West Michigan’s Brena Band is set to take the stage Tuesday for the second Wyoming Concerts in the Park.

Concerts in the Park is at 7 p.m. at Lamar Park, 2561 Porter St. SW.

The Brena Band, a popular band for weddings and social engagements, has performed at a number of West Michigan festivals and concerts such as the Grand Haven Coast Guard Festival and the City of Walker’s summer concert series. 

The group is known for its high energy and extensive song list that ranges from oldies to current top 40 hits, classic rock to smooth R&B, country to high energy dance music and everything in between. The band also has won Revue Magazine’s Best of the West Cover Band for the past three years.

If you can not make Tuesday night’s performance, the group will be back in the area Aug. 1 to perform at the Kentwood summer concert series, which is at 7 p.m. on the lawn behind the Kentwood City Hall, 4900 Breton Rd. SE.

Before the Wyoming Concerts in the Park show, there will be free Zumba. Food vendors will be available as well. For a complete list of the Wyoming Concerts in the Park, visit the Facebook page by clicking here.

Snapshots: Wyoming, Kentwood news you ought to know — the weekend edition

3-bottom, Citizen Journalism, City of Kentwood, City of Wyoming, Kids Activities, Our Cities, Recreation, , , , , ,

By WKTV Staff

victoria@wktv.org


Quote of the Day

“I go to Costco every weekend. It’s my favorite part of the week.”

~ Jimmy Kimmel

Kicking off so you can
kick up your heels

Circle June 4th on your calendar. That’s the date Concerts in the Park kicks off with local favorite Midlife Crisis, a classic rock band that was formed in 2001. The free, nine-week summer concert series held at 7pm Tuesdays at Lamar Park, 2561 Porter St. SW, features a wide variety of musical styles, interactive themes, and local food vendors. More info here.

Summer reads
make me feel fine

Summer reading at KDL starts Monday, June 3 this year and runs through Saturday, Aug. 10. Sign up online at READsquared or pick up a paper form at your nearest KDL branch. Log your summer reading activity and earn prizes! Get more info here.

More active souls ought to check out the third annual Liquid Force Field Day on Saturday, June 1 at Action Wake Park, 3320 Hudson Trails Dr., Hudsonville, MI 49426. It’s a great opportunity to try Action Wake Park completely free of cost. Here is more info.

Fun fact:

25 years

Up to 25 years is the jail sentence you’ll get if you cut down a cactus in Arizona. Talk about harsh.

No respect. None. Zip. Zero.

The summer favorite, Concerts in the Park, returns June 4

3-bottom, Citizen Journalism, City of Wyoming, ,

By WKTV Staff
joanne@wktv.org

The music returns to Lamar Park next week as the WyomingCommunity Enrichment Commission (WCEC) kicks off the 2019 Concerts in the Park series.

The free nine-week summer concert series held at 7 p.m. Tuesdays at Lamar Park, 2561 Porter St. SW,  features a wide variety of musical styles, interactive themes, and local food vendors. 

“Concerts in the Park is an annual tradition for the community and provides a great opportunity to enjoy the park with neighbors, family and friends,” says Rebecca Rynbrandt director of community services. “We encourage everyone to come out and enjoy the free concert series.”

The 2019 season features both perennial favorites as well as some newcomers. The entire program, according to Commission Chairperson Rennee Gardner is to make the event a fun, family-friendly one. 

“One of the most exciting things about the lineup for 2019 is the incredible variety of performances that we plan to offer,” Gardner said. “Over the course of the season, we are confident that just about everyone can find something they enjoy.”

Midlife Crisis performs June 4

The series kicks off on June 4 with local favorite Midlife Crisis, a classic rock band that was formed in 2001. The six friends and experienced musicians draw musical inspiration from every decade, so expert a variety of songs from originals to the classics.

On June 11 is Brena Band. This six-member band has a wide variety of songs ranging from classic rock to smooth RnB, country to high energy dance music. Having been part of the wedding entertainment circuit, the group is known for its dance party-style.

The Brena Band performs June 11.

For all the polka lovers, Ray Watkoski & Family will take the stage on June 18. Having been playing for more than sixty years, this group is truly a family affair with sons-in-laws and even the grandchildren helping to make it an evening of polka fun.

Wrapping up the month of June is the city’s popular WiFi concert on June 25. The evening will feature two southern rock groups, Paradise Outlaw and Jared Knox along with fireworks taking place after the concert. 

Paradise Outlaw performs at the WiFi concert on June 25.

Being that the June 25 concert is the city’s Fourth of July celebration, the Concerts in the Park takes a break the week of July 4.

The local group Jack & The Spare Tires picks up the music on July 9. Known for its sixties, seventies, and eighties covers, the band describes itself as “ a few guys that love music and just like to play whether it’s for a crowd or just jam on our own.”

Nationally known bluegrass group Nu-Blu performs on July 16.

On July 16 the national group Nu-Blu comes to the Lamar Park stage. Hailing from North Carolina, Nu-Blue has brought its unique sound of bluegrass music to the world. Earlier this year, the group was named as the permanent host of the television series “Bluegrass Ridge” and in 2018 became members of the Country Music Association.

On July 23 West Michigan country group Boardman Brown takes the stage with classic rock group Daddyz Breakdown following on July 30.

On July 23 Boardman Brown performs.

Wrapping up the Concerts in the Park series is the Shadows of the Night on Aug. 6. The group will pay tribute to the women of rock. This concert also will be part of the National Night Out event set for Aug. 6 as well. 

Performances begin at 7 p.m. and are located at Lamar Park, 2561 Porter St. SW. For further details and up-to-date information, visit www.wyomingcec.org or www.facebook.com/wyomingcec.

WKTV shows marathon airing of Wyoming Concerts in the Park

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Cabildo performed July 10 at Wyoming’s Concerts in the Park.

Not able to make it to the Wyoming Concerts in the Park? Or was there one you missed that you would still like to see?

 

WKTV has got you covered. The station will once again host its Wyoming Concerts in the Park Marathon this Labor Day, Sept. 3. The program will air on WKTV Comcast Channel 26 and AT&T Channel 99.

 

The line up is:

 

9:30 am    Wyoming Concerts in the Park: The Porters
11:00 am    Wyoming Concerts in the Park: Delilah DeWylde
12:35 pm    Wyoming Concerts in the Park: Valintiger
1:35 pm     Wyoming Concerts in the Park: Kari Lynch Band
3:10 pm     Wyoming Concerts in the Park: Cabildo
4:45 pm     Wyoming Concerts in the Park: Soul Syndicate
6:20 pm     Wyoming Concerts in the Park: Blue Soul Express
7:55 pm     Wyoming Concerts in the Park: Matt Gabriel
9:30 pm     Wyoming Concerts in the Park: Yellow Brick Road
11:12 pm     Wyoming Concerts in the Park: Adams Family

Snapshots: Wyoming and Kentwood news you need to know

3-bottom, , , ,

 

Metro Cruise Preliminary Pin Up Girl Contest

 

The 28th Street Metro Cruise Preliminary Pin up Girls Contest is set for this Saturday from 10 a.m. – 1 p.m. at a new location this year, the Moose Lodge, 2630 Burlingame Ave. SW. Come check out the fun as contests from across the state compete for the chance to be part of the annual Pin Up Girl Contest at Metro Cruise which is Aug. 24 and 25. For more, click here.

 

Boom! Grand Rapids hosts fireworks on Saturday

 

Well if you didn’t get enough on July 4, the Amway Family Fireworks will be this Saturday in downtown Grand Rapids. The activities such as games, food, vendor exhibits and music, will kick off at 5pm at Ah-Nab-Awen Park, which is right next to the Gerald R. Ford Presidential Museum, 303 Pearl St. NW. Fireworks will be at dusk (estimated time is 10:30pm) For more, click here.

 

 

City of Wyoming doubles up on events

 

On Tuesday, the City of Wyoming will have two events: a Department of Public Safety Community Open House from 6:30-8:30 p.m. and the Concerts in the Park return to Lamar Park at 7 p.m. Both events are free. For more information, click here.

 

 

Local Latin rock group Cabildo brings a fiery performance to Wyoming’s Concerts in the Park

3-bottom, City of Wyoming, , , ,

Cabildo performs July 10 at Wyoming’s Concerts in the Park.

By Joanne Bailey-Boorsma

joanne@wktv.org

 

Tuesday night in the City of Wyoming is going to be a busy one as there will be a Wyoming Department of Public Safety community open house and the Concerts in the Park return to Lamar Park.

 

Open House

 

The Public Safety Community Open House will take place from 6:30 – 8:30 p.m. at the Gezon Fire Station, located near the corner go Gezon Parkway and Byron Center Avenue. Residents will have a chance to tour the facility, which has the new Metro Health – University of Michigan Health helicopter pad. The event is free and open to the public.

 

Concerts in the Park

 

After a week hiatus, the Wyoming Concerts in the Park return with Grand Rapids-based Cabildo taking the stage at 7 p.m. 

 

Known for its Latin-flavor music, Cabildo has been around for 12 years and released its first album, “Sin Fronteras,” earlier this year. 

 

The group is a collective with several area musicians who have performed with the group, according to those who have performed with the band. The constant in the band have been the group’s frontman, Julio Cano Villalobos (guitar, accordion, and vocals) and Julio Cesar Viveros Cuevas (guitar and vocals.) Villalobos is from Chile and Cuevas is from Mexico. All of the Cabildo’s music is in Spanish. 

 

The shows are known to be fiery, celebrating the group’s Latin American roots with a blend of cambia, folk, rock, ska music and more that get throngs bobbing and dancing. The group’s recent album has a political charge to it with “Sin Fronteras” meaning “without borders,” reflecting the plight of immigrants to the United States.

 

According to Michigan Radio, Cabildo is a nine-piece band with lots of moving parts “and when it all comes together on stage, it’s something to see and hear.”

 

The Wyoming Concerts in the Park series are put together by the Wyoming Community Enrichment Commission. The concerts are every Tuesday at 7 p.m. at Lamar Park through Aug. 14. The concerts are rebroadcast on WKTV Wednesdays at 5 p.m. and Saturdays at 11 a.m. and 10 p.m.

Snapshots: News you need to know from Kentwood, Wyoming

3-bottom, Citizen Journalism, City of Kentwood, City of Wyoming, , , , , ,

Fundraiser for Kentwood ranch designed to educate residents about programs, impact

 

This Saturday, Equine Assisted Development open its gates for its second annual Barn Bash Saturday, June 23, at the ranch located on 32nd Street near Shaffer Avenue. The event starts at 6:30 p.m. For more on the story, click here.

 

 

Valentiger

WY-FI concert set to kick off Fourth of July celebrations

 

Wyoming’s Concerts in the Park next week (Tuesday, June 26) will be the WY-FI concert with Valentiger and the Kari Lynch Band followed by fireworks. For more on the story, click here.

 

 

 

Discover what the Wyoming Parks and Recreation Commission is all about

 

This month, we sat down with Dr. Lillian Cummings-Pulliams, a member of the Wyoming Parks and Recreation Commission, to talk about the commission, its role within the city and current openings on the commission. For more on the story, click here.

 

 

WY-FI concert set to kick of Fourth of July celebrations

3-bottom, City of Wyoming, , , , ,

The Kari Lynch Band performs this upcoming Tuesday.

By Joanne Bailey-Boorsma

joanne@wktv.org

 

This upcoming Tuesday, June 26, the City of Wyoming’s popular WY-FI concert will kick off the area’s annual Fourth of July celebrations.

 

The event will feature performances by Valentiger and the Kari Lynch Band with fireworks after the concert.

 

Valentiger

Mainstays of West Michigan’s music scene since 2008, pop-rock veterans Vatentiger most recently played at 20 Monroe Live!, opening for the Gin Blossoms. A good fit for the group of three since the band has a penchant for 50s, 60s, and 70s rock and pop. The group has been performing in and around Grand Rapids for the past decade at various venues including several of the Local Spins series.

 

Kari Lynch is also a familiar face in Grand Rapids, having performed at several outdoor concerts and venues. Michigan born and raised, and now residing in Nashville, is all country and working to record her next album. Lynch has played thousands of shows across the U.S. and abroad as well, playing to crowds in the tens of thousands and has earned an impressive resume opening for some of country music’s most recognized artists including Miranda aLambert, Little Big Town, Kacey Musgraves, Dierks Bentley, The Band Perry, The Charlie Daniels Band, and Alabama. 

 

The theme for the WY-FI concert is patriotism and those who participate in the theme will be eligible to enter a drawing for a gift card that will be given out at the end the concert.. The fireworks will be after the show.

 

Also, due to the cancellation of last week’s concert featuring The Adams Family, the Wyoming Concerts in the Parks series has been extended with The Adams Family performing on Aug. 14.

 

All concerts, unless noted, start at 7 p.m. at Lamar Park, located 2561 Porter St. SW. Free parking is available at Lamar Park. All the concerts will air on WKTV 25 Wednesdays at 5 p.m. and again Saturdays at 11 a.m. and 10 p.m. For all details and up-to-date information, visit www.facebook.com/wyomingcec.

The Porters set to kick off 2018 Wyoming’s Concerts in the Park

3-bottom, City of Wyoming, , , , ,

The Porters are set to open the Wyoming Concerts in the Park series.

By Joanne Bailey-Boorsma

joanne@wktv.org

 

It’s time again to grab a chair, a cooler and head to Lamar Park for the City of Wyoming’s Concerts in the Park.

 

The annual event is set to kick off at 7 p.m. Tuesday, June 5, with its Kids’ Night featuring The Porters. The Grand Rapids-based group, which includes Matt Porter, Lynn Porter, Barbara Weatherhead, and Pete Weatherhead, performs interactive music and movement for children. 

 

As part of the fun for this year’s Concerts in the Park, each night will have a theme. Those who participate in the theme will be eligible to enter a drawing for a gift card that will be given out at the end the concert. The June 5 theme is to dress like your favorite Disney character. 

 

A deaf interpreter will be at the June 5 show as well as the June 19 show which will feature The Adams Family.

 

The rest of the Wyoming Concert Series’ performers and themes are:

June 12: Delilah DeWylde with the theme of flowers

June 19: the Adams Family with the theme of retro

June 26: the WY-FI concert with Valentiger and Kari Lynch with the theme of patriotism 

July 10: Cabildo with the theme of wear your bright colors

July 17: Soul Syndicate with a beach theme

July 24: Blue Soul Express with a Mardi Gras theme

July 31: Matt Gabriel and wear you cowboy hat

Aug. 7: the National Night Out with Yellow Brick Road, Elton John and Billy Joel dueling pianos, with a super hero theme

 

All concerts, unless noted, start at 7 p.m. at Lamar Park, located 2561 Porter St. SW. Free parking is available at Lamar Park. All the concerts will air on WKTV 25 Wednesdays at 5 p.m. and again Saturdays at 11 a.m. and 10 p.m. For all details and up-to-date information, visit www.facebook.com/wyomingcec.

 

Kentwood Summer Concert Series

 

The Kentwood Summer Concert Series kicks off the following week on June 14 with The Adams Family. The Kentwood series is every Thursday (except for June 28 and July 5) through Aug. 2 The event takes place at 7 p.m. on the lawn behind the Kentwood City Hall, 4900 Breton Rd. SE. The series is free with participants encouraged to bring their own lawn chair and drinks. Food trucks will be at each show.

Wyoming lights up the sky with its annual fireworks at Concerts in the Park

3-bottom, City of Wyoming, , , ,

The Brena Band

Once again the City of Wyoming gets the West Michigan Fourth of July celebrations started with its annual WY-FI (Wyoming fireworks) event tonight at Lamar Park, 2561 Porter St. SW.

 

The evening, which is part of the city’s Concerts in the Parks series, starts at 7 p.m. and includes two concerts featuring the Sweet J Band and the Brena Band, followed by fireworks at dusk. There also will be giveaways, face painting and food from area restaurants.

 

The Sweet J Band

A familiar foursome, the Sweet J Band has been performing the Greater Grand Rapids for more than 15 years at such venues as the Frederik Meijer Gardens & Sculpture Park. The group includes Matt Young, lead guitar and vox, Colin Tobin, lead vox and guitar, Matt Kok, bass and xo and Brian V, drums. The group performs music from the sixties to current and covers blues, rock, and soul.

 

The Brena Band also hails from Grand Rapids having performed in and around the area. The group offers a range of musical genres, however, expect to pretty much rock out at tonight’s concert as the group gets everyone ready for the fireworks.

 

The Wyoming Community Enrichment Commission, which organizes the Concerts in the Park, recommends attendees be at Lamar Park by 6:30 p.m. There is plenty of parking on-site. The concert and the parking are free.

 

For more information, visit wyomingcec.org.

Up next for Wyoming’s Concerts in the Park is the Tejano Sound Band

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The Tejano Sound Band

By Joanne Bailey-Boorsma

joanne@wktv.org

 

The Wyoming Concerts in the Park continue on Tuesday, June 20, with the Tejano Sound Band stepping on the Lamar Park stage at 7 p.m.

 

“We are looking forward to being there,” said Mark Garcia who is a member of the group and serves as its general manager during a recent phone call. “We know it is a Tuesday, but it will be a lot fun and we plan to provide some good music.”

 

Tejano music is a style of folk or popular music originating among the Mexican-American populations of Central and Southern Texas. With roots in the late 19th century, it became a music genre with a wider audience in the late 20th century due to such artists as Selana, who was often referred to as The Queen of Tejeno.

 

Originally based in Lansing, the Tejano Sound Band was founded by brothers Johnny and Richard Vasquez and brother-in-law Frank Medellin in 1994. The group was quickly embraced by the public and became well-known for its stage presence, hi-tech sound and light show. The band has shared the stage with many artists and bands from Texas and across the country.

 

Today the band consists of Richard and Johnny Vasquez along with Lupe Moreno, AJ Garcia, Bobby Gonzalez, Rolando Revilla, Michael Hiemstra, and Mark Garcia. The group won Vocal Duo of the Year for the 2013 Tejano Music Award for “Pos El Amor de USA Mujer” featuring Ricky Valenz. The Tejano Sound Band is currently working on its fourth album and has recently released a couple of songs from that album.

 

The rest of the Concerts in the Park series includes the popular WY-FI celebration which includes fireworks and features two bands, the Sweet J Band and the Brena Band on June 27. The program takes a break over the week of July 4 and then continues with country group Michatucky July 11 followed by a night of sixties music with The 6 Pak. July 25 is the Beatles tribute band Toppermost with the series wrapping up on Aug. 1 with its National Night Out programing featuring the group Union Guns.

 

For more information on Wyoming’s Concerts in the Park visit wyomingcec.org.

It’s Ladies Night at the Wyoming Outdoor Concert series

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Shelagh Brown

The Wyoming Concerts in the Park continues tonight with a Ladies Night program featuring Kalamazoo-based country group Shelagh Brown Band.

 

The concert is at 7 p.m. at Lamar Park, 2561 Porter St. SW. Shelagh Brown will perform country favorites as well as her own highly acclaimed music with her six-piece band.  “Ladies Night” means any lady who attends will be recognized with fun gifts.

 

Coming from a musical family, Brown always had a musical interest performing in choirs since third grade. She did not decide to go into music until she attended Michigan State University and then later transferred to Western Michigan University to pursue musical theater and is where she discovered country music.

 

At tonight’s concert, Brown will perform country tunes from Loretta to Carrie along wth showcasing her own songwriting through her tunes including “Sunflower,” “Friend in You,” and “Best for Me” to name just a few, currently available on iTunes!

 

The Concerts in the Park are every Tuesday evening through Aug. 1 at Lamar Park.

Be amazed, be amused as the Detroit Circus kicks off the Wyoming Concerts in the Park

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Josh Wilde of the Detroit Circus. Photo by Donna Macaufey.

A sure sign of summer is Wyoming’s Concerts in the Park which kicks off Tuesday, June 6, with a high-fly affair as the Detroit Circus takes the stage at Wyoming’s Lamar Park.

 

Set for 7 p.m. every Tuesday from June 6 to Aug. 1, the annual Concerts in the Park has become a popular summer tradition in Wyoming. The event, which is organized by the Wyoming Community Enrichment Commission, provides free family-friendly programming with a host of local and regional talent.

 

Providing family-friendly shows is an important aspect to the Detroit Circus, said Micha Adams, founder and owner of both the Detroit Flyhouse Circus and the Detroit Circus. Started about 10 years ago, the performers include gymnasts, aerialists, and those with a theater background. The 20 members have sought out opportunities to learn from others including Cirque du Soleil. Many now teach at the Detroit Flyhouse Circus while also performing for the Detroit Circus.

 

The company has performed throughout Michigan and travelled outside the state as well. Detroit Circus is the house entertainment at Cobo Arena and have performed at the MGM Casino in Greektown. Area residents might remember them from ArtPrize, where the troupe recently performed.

 

Eric Baker of the Detroit Circus. Photo by splitsugar.com.

“We always say ‘bring a chair so you can use the edge of your seat,’” Adams said during a recent interview with the WKTV Journal.

 

On Tuesday, the Detroit Circus’s Josh Wilde and Eric Baker will be amazing the Concerts in the Park audience with aerobatic feats along with illusion, magic, juggling and object manipulation. The show is very interactive, according to Adams and is non-stop allowing people to come and go.

 

The rest of the Concerts in the Park series line up includes country band Shelagh Brown Band June 13; Tejano Sounds Band June 20; the WY-Fi program celebrating the country’s birthday featuring two pop rock bands, the Sweet J Band and Brena Band June 27; southern rock Michatucky July 11; sixties music band the 6 Pack July 18; the Beatles tribute band July 25 and the National Night Out Celebration with country group Union Guns Aug. 1.

 

Lamar Park is located at 2561 Porter St. SW. For more on the Concerts In the Park, visit the Wyoming Community Enrichment Commission’s website, www.wyomingcec.org or visit the commission’s Facebook page at Facebook.com/WyomingCEC.

WKTV offers marathon showing of Wyoming’s Concerts in the Park

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The Verve Pipe kicks off the Wyoming Concerts in the Park Series May 31.
The Verve Pipe kicks off the Wyoming Concerts in the Park Series May 31.

Tune in to WKTV 25 on Labor Day for our All Day “Concerts In The Park” Special.  The station will air the entire Wyoming Concerts In The Park series, featuring the bands in order of their appearance. Relive all the fun and excitement of the summer series starting at 9 a.m. and rocking all day long!

  9 a.m. The Verve Pipe            

 10:35 a.m. Big Boss Blues

12:20 p.m. Delilah DeWylde

1:15 p.m. Kari Lynch

2:50 p.m. Trilogy

4 p.m. Outer Vibe

5:30 p.m. KCC Band

6:45 p.m. Legal Immigrants

8:20 p.m. Jared Knox

10:05 p.m. The Crane Wives

11:45 p.m. Grupo Viento

Partial lineup for the Wyoming Concerts in the Parks released

Kids Activities, Local Entertainment, Non-Profits, Our Cities, Recreation, Senior Living, Upcoming Events, , , ,

Kalamazoo's Big Boss Blues makes its first Concerts in the Park appearance this year.
Kalamazoo’s Big Boss Blues makes its first Concerts in the Park appearance this year.

After that brief encounter of chilly weather this past week, about everyone’s thoughts have turned to warmer weather. Well here’s something to warm you up: there is only 105 days before Wyoming’s Concerts in the Park returns to Lamar Park.

 

O.K., so it is a little more than three months, but to put together a 10-week concert series, the planning has to start almost when the last series ended. The Wyoming Community Enrichment Commission, which oversees the series, has been hard at work, lining up the performers for the 2016 Concerts in the Park and even have begun releasing a few teasers as to who is coming on the Wyoming Concerts in the Park Facebook page.

 

“We like to say that we are continuing the tradition of good entertainment at Lamar Park,” said Brandon Simmons, who is on the Wyoming Community Enrichment Commission. Simmons is referring to Lamar Park’s history of hosting the rodeo at Fort Wyoming which was located at Lamar Park. The site also was host to numerous concerts featuring Bob Hope, The Oakridge Boys, Crystal Gale, and Huey Lewis & the News.

 

The Concerts in the Park series has done well attracting some of the most popular regional stars with this year’s line-up including the very popular folk/rock band The Crane Wives, Kalamazoo’s Big Boss Blues, Grand Rapids honky tonk group Delilah DeWylde and the Lost Boys, rock ‘n’ roll group Foolish Plezyer, country group Kari Lynch Band, Tejano/Mexican/Conjunto music group Grupo Viento and The Legal Immigrants.

 

According to Simmons, more than 10,000 people were in attendance to last year’s fireworks show, always the Tuesday before July 4. This year’s fireworks will be on June 28 and feature two bands, one of which is Foolish Plezyer.

 

A total of 11 groups will perform over the 10 weeks. Simmons said the complete lineup should be available in March and that there is some big news to this year’s concert series, so make sure to be checking the series’ Facebook page and WKTV’s Wyoming/Kentwood NOW.

 

Also, the Wyoming Community Enrichment Commission hosts the Music & More August event designed to give residents a last summer hurrah with three concerts, food dancing games and activities all in one night. For more on the August event, click here to visit its Facebook page.

 

Concerts in the Park is free. Lamar Park is located at 2561 Porter St. SW.