Now that Michigan is fully defrosted and the summer sun is burning hot, music fans can once again experience live tunes under blue skies at local parks and plazas. These shows are a longtime fixture in the area and always offer a mixed bag of genres. Best of all, they’re suitable for the whole family. For the ultimate outdoor concert experience, organizers suggest attendees bring blankets or chairs and a picnic basket. Here are some of the upcoming events to put on your calendar.
Lansing Parks & Recreation presents: Concerts in the Park 2023
7-9 p.m. Wednesdays, FREE, lansingmi.gov
This year’s eight-week Concerts in the Park series, hosted by Lansing Parks & Recreation, utilizes various parks across the city and showcases everything from country and R&B to folk and blues. The series opens and closes with local Tejano bands for the first time. The opener, the Tejano Sound Band, was co-founded by brothers Johnny Vasquez (accordion) and Richard Vasquez (guitar/banjo). The group has been a staple in the Tejano music scene since its 1994 formation. Known for its progressive Tejano tunes, the band incorporates hints of jazz, norteño and cumbia music into what its bio calls a “Texas sound with a Midwestern twist.”
June 14: Tejano Sound Band (Tejano) - Moores Park
June 21: Kathy Ford Band (country) - Durant Park
June 28: Frog & the Beeftones (blues) - Fulton Park
July 12: Sea Cruisers (oldies) - Turner-Dodge House
July 19: Mixed Flavors (funky R&B) - Benjamin F. Davis Park
July 26: Shelby & Jake (Americana) - Bancroft Park
Aug. 2: Global Village Band (hits) - Sycamore Park
Aug. 9: Aldaco (Tejano) - Frances Park
Sounds of Summer 2023
7-9 p.m. Fridays
Lake Lansing Park South Bandshell
1621 Pike St., Haslett
FREE
pk.ingham.org
Lake Lansing isn’t just for boating and sunbathing, especially during the summer. The Friends of Ingham County Parks hosts concerts at the park’s Bandshell every Friday in June, July and August. Not only are the shows free, but so is the parking. For the kids, there are Big Wheel tricycles at the tricycle track, a bounce house and a giant inflatable slide.
Don Middlebrook and the Pearl Divers opened the series last week, and next on the roster is Oxymorons, a nostalgic band that teeters between folk and classic rock. Led by longtime friends and musical partners, Oxymorons has curated an eclectic list of unforgettable songs from the 1960s to today. The set is packed with radio hits from Jackson Browne and Bob Seger to Keith Urban and Chris Stapleton.
June 9: Oxymorons Band (classic rock)
June 16: Universe Band (variety)
June 23: Capitol City Chordsmen (barbershop chorus)
June 30: Meridian Community Band (patriotic)
July 7: Roadside Attraction (classic party music)
July 14: Sea Cruisers (oldies)
July 21: Tony Thompson & Friends (funk, soul)
July 28: Stone Street Revival (oldies with horns)
Aug. 4: Global Village Band (classic rock, soul)
Aug. 11: The Frog King (Neil Diamond tribute)
Aug. 18: Jeff Baldori (jazzy mix)
Aug. 25: Showdown (classic rock)
East Lansing Summer Concert Series
6-8 p.m. Fridays
Ann Street Plaza
Corner of Albert and M.A.C. avenues
FREE
cityofeastlansing.com
The 2023 East Lansing Summer Concert Series kicks off July 7 and features seven live performances on Friday evenings in the heart of downtown.
July 7: Cross Eyed Strangers
July 14: Taylor Taylor
July 21: Twelve Above
Aug. 4: Monte Pride
Aug. 11: Alex Mendenhall
Aug. 18: Clipboards
Aug. 25: Risky Studios
Support City Pulse - Donate Today!
Comments
No comments on this item Please log in to comment by clicking here