Jazz on the river

Lansing City Market announces summer music series

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In its continuing quest to re-invent itself, the Lansing City Market is throwing a new element into the mix: live jazz.

The Lansing Entertainment & Public Facilities Authority, which oversees the market, will announce a new, outdoor jazz series at a media event 11 a.m. today. The monthly concerts will be on the market’s patio space, overlooking the Grand River.

“We have the perfect space for the concert, this unique location right on the river,” said Lesley Gottschalk, LEPFA marketing services coordinator. “We hope this will be a catalyst to help Grand River revitalization.”

The Wednesday evening series will kick off July 29 with Detroit-based vocalist Kimmie Horne, with the Dewitt Junior High School Jazz Band opening the show. The Aug. 26 installment will feature Lansingbased smooth jazz saxophonist Phil Denny with the Everett High School Jazz Band opening the concert. MSU’s Professors of Jazz will close out the concert series Sept. 9. All concerts begin at 6 p.m., and the festivities will move into the market space in case of inclement weather.

While the events will highlight the river, Gottschalk also hopes to bring attention to the market’s new vendors. The market is shifting focus away from fresh produce and toward ready-made foods, featuring food vendors like For Crepe’s Sake and Red’s Smokehouse. (See story on P. 5.) While the market, with the exception of the Waterfront Bar & Grill, normally closes at 6 p.m. on Wednesdays, the market will remain open until 8 p.m. on concert nights.

“Special events always bring new visitors to the market,” said Gottschalk. “Our vendors are excited to participate.”

Putting the series together was a group effort. The series is the brainchild of Lansing attorney Colin Maguire, who enlisted the help of his father, Joseph Maguire. The elder Maguire is president and CEO of Wolverine Development Corp. and a jazz enthusiast. The pair then reached out the MSU’s Jazz Studies Department, which helped with securing musicians, and LEP- FA, which is providing the space and event planning services. WKAR will host all three concerts, and will record the series finale for later broadcast.

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