Last summer, local businesses, MSU’s School of Music, WKAR, local schools, and Lansing Entertainment and Public Facilities Authority (LEPFA) came together to create Jazz on the Grand, a free summer concert series that took place on the Lansing City Market’s lower riverside plaza. Pleased with the positive reception from the community, they have come together yet again to not only bring jazz performances for Metro Lansing residents to enjoy, but blues as well. The Grand Concert Series will take place once a month from June through September, with jazz on a Wednesday, and blues the Thursday immediately following.
Headliners for the jazz dates in order of appearance are MSU Professors of Jazz, Medium Rare, Orrick Ewing, and Phil Denny. Like the jazz lineup, the blues acts are a mix of artists from Lansing and Detroit. Lansing acts, Twyla Birdsong and Frog & The Beeftones will perform on June 16th and September 15th, respectively. Detroit’s Queen of the Blues, Thornetta Davis, will perform on July 28th, and David Gerald will bring his blues rock to the stage on August 25th. The opening acts will be local high school concert bands or choral groups. “The combination of youth artists and professional artists learning and entertaining together is important for the arts, particularly in the rich arts education scene in the Metro Lansing region,” said Lansing Entertainment and Public Facilities Authority CEO, Scott Keith. The complete schedule can be viewed online at lansingcitymarket.com.
Refreshments will be available for takeout from City Market merchants, who will be open throughout the event. Limited seating will be available; attendees are encouraged to bring camping chairs. “Our lower plaza is a really unique spot with a fantastic view of downtown Lansing. That, combined with the amazing talent performing right next to the river, creates a really enjoyable ambiance,” said City Market Manager Audrey Tipper.
“I enthusiastically support The Grand Concert Series because we must continue to create vibrant community spaces and activities that attract people to the city from across Metro Lansing,” said Mayor Virg Bernero. “Arts and culture is an important part of revitalizing Lansing because it makes our city a more attractive choice for people of all ages who are deciding where to live, work and play.”
Tipper and LEPFA have been working to ensure the City Market and its outdoor space is utilized in a way to create a popular destination in one of the city’s entertainment districts. In addition to the concert series, they are also launching “Downtown River Market” on Tuesdays, May 24th through September 20th. From 3 to 7 pm, visiting vendors, children’s activities, live music, and nutrition demos will be set up outside. More produce will be available in addition to the now two produce vendors inside the market. Plans are in the works for a Father’s Day event and a 4th Saturday Crafter’s Market. The Market continues to host Wine & Canvas every 4th Saturday.
