ENTERTAINMENT

Bell’s, West Michigan communities cancel summer concerts due to COVID

John Sinkevics
LocalSpins.com
Bell's Brewery Eccentric Cafe in Kalamazoo last week scrapped its popular Summer Garden Series in its outdoor beer garden.

Cancellations of summer concerts due to COVID-19 continue to pile up across West Michigan.

Bell’s Brewery Eccentric Cafe in Kalamazoo last week scrapped its popular Summer Garden Series in its outdoor beer garden.

“It is with heavy hearts that we have decided to cancel our 2020 Beer Garden concert series this summer,” the brewery announced.

“Supporting the arts and local music community is something we at Bell’s have been proud of for many years. While we can’t celebrate this summer how we originally planned, we’re just as excited for our 2021 Beer Garden concert series.”

The series has long hosted national touring acts ranging from Greensky Bluegrass to Conor Oberst, along with Michigan stars such as May Erlewine, Steppin’ In It and The Crane Wives.

The announcement follows decisions by several West Michigan communities to pull the plug on free summer concerts that take place on weeknights across the region.

Those canceling summer shows include Rockford’s United Bank Rogue River Blues Series, Lowell’s Sizzlin’ Summer Concerts, the Acoustic Sunset Series at West Olive’s Camp Blodgett, the Kindleberger Summer Concert Series in Parchment and weeknight shows in Wyoming and South Haven.

In addition, the West Michigan Jazz Society’s Monday Jazz in the Park series at Walker’s Millennium Park and the Grand Rapids Art Museum’s GRAM on the Green in downtown Grand Rapids have been canceled.

Holland’s Summer Concert Series – which annually features Friday night performances at Kollen Park – has canceled June concerts due to COVID-19, but shows booked for July 10-Aug. 14 “are currently on as scheduled,” according to Holland Recreation. The lineup for those concerts hasn’t been released.

Free summer concerts in Kentwood and Cutlerville also are slated to continue in July.

The City of Kentwood Parks and Recreation Department pushed back the start of its annual summer concert series to July 16 when Grand Rapids soul/pop singer Molly will be the featured artist on the lawn behind Kentwood City Hall, 4900 Breton Ave. SE. The series initially was supposed to start June 18 with Traverse City’s The Accidentals.

The delayed series will now begin July 16 with Molly, followed on July 23 with Funkle Jesse, July 30 with Crooked Root, Aug. 6 with Brena and Aug. 13 with The Soul Syndicate. A Kentwood official said the city is “still waiting to potentially reschedule The Accidentals show.”

Cutlerville’s Sounds of Summer series begins with Max Colley III at Cutler Park on July 2, followed by Jaded 8 on July 9, Oat Bran Boys on July 16, Dusty Chaps on July 23 and Lare Williams & New Direction on July 30.

For many choosing to cancel their shows, it’s all about keeping attendees safe.

In a prepared statement, United Bank and the City of Rockford said they canceled their 10-week Tuesday night series “for the safety of the community and performers.”

Hosting the 2020 series safely due to the coronavirus “creates challenges in complying with current guidelines intended to provide safe distancing,” the statement continued.

“The decision was not easy (but) we owe it to everyone to keep our community safe,” said Steve Jazwiec, founder and director of the Rockford series. “The blues series concerts have been part of our Rockford community for the past 17 years. This year, we will miss bringing the music to everyone but look forward to next year.”

Performer Tomas Esparza, who was scheduled to play the Rockford series, said while it’s disappointing, “we do need to understand their reasons to which I can see why they made such a choice. The virus is still very much active. How could they enforce social distance in such a large open environment where a large group of folks will gather?”

— Find more Michigan music news and concert listings at LocalSpins.com. Email John Sinkevics at john@localspins.com.

Rockford's United Bank Rogue River Blues Series has been canceled amid ongoing COVID-19 concerns.