The end of summer might be approaching, but there are still many festive events to be had! Here's a roundup of festivals, outdoor concert series and other events, organized by category and then by date.
Festivals and Fairs
NativeFest
Ziibiwing Cultural Center, Mt. Pleasant / Aug. 4-6 / 6–9 p.m. (Wednesday, Thursday), 10 a.m.–3p.m. (Friday) / sagchip.org
Ziibiwing Cultural Center, Mt. Pleasant / Aug. 4-6 / 6–9 p.m. (Wednesday, Thursday), 10 a.m.–3p.m. (Friday) / sagchip.org
The fifth annual NativeFest is a celebration of North American Indian Culture. The event will feature Indian Car Bingo, and Music and Comedy Night. Ziibiwing Center Curator, William Johnson will provide a special showing of the Caleb E. Calkins Katsina/Katchina Doll Collection. Performers for the Music and Comedy night include the Rockhoppers and Kevin Chamberlain.
Lansing JazzFestOld Town, Lansing / Aug. 6-7 / 10:30 a.m.-10:30 p.m. / Free / jazzlansing.com, (517) 371-4600
This 16th annual free festival offers a great line-up of both local and national jazz musicians. The list includes Lansing's own Derrick Gardner and the Jazz Prophets, Grammy-nominated Stanley Jordan, and Trinidad-native Etienne Charles (pictured right). JazzFest takes place in Old Town, and musicians will play on three different stages. See full story here.
26th Annual Saginaw Chippewa Pow-Wow
Saginaw Chippewa Campgrounds, Mt. Pleasant / Aug. 6-8 / sagchip.org, (800) 225-8172
With the theme of "Honoring the Elders" this pow-wow features a variety of competitions, including traditional dance, singing, and drum contests.
Saginaw Chippewa Campgrounds, Mt. Pleasant / Aug. 6-8 / sagchip.org, (800) 225-8172
With the theme of "Honoring the Elders" this pow-wow features a variety of competitions, including traditional dance, singing, and drum contests.
Jackson County Fair
200 West Ganson St., Jackson / Aug. 8-14 / Ages 11+ $5; 6-10 $2; 5 & under FREE / jackson.mi.us/fair, (517) 788-4405
This year's fair boasts a musical lineup of Styx, Bucky Covington, and Rodney Atkins, as well as Jackson Fair's first ever demolition derby. Rides, 4-H animals, and food continue to be fair staples. Come spend the day (or the week) at this family friendly event.
Isabella County Youth and Farm Fair
Isabella County Fairgrounds, Mt. Pleasant / Aug. 8-14 / isabellacounty.org, (989) 773-9070
Isabella County Fairgrounds, Mt. Pleasant / Aug. 8-14 / isabellacounty.org, (989) 773-9070
A 4-H driven fair that showcases the animals and craftwork of local youth and their families. $15 midway armbands are available.
Great Lakes Folk FestivalDowntown East Lansing / Aug. 13-15 / greatlakesfolkfest.net, (517) 432-4533
This free festival features traditional musicians from the Midwest and around the world. Over 100 musicians and dance troupes will perform over the weekend. (Pictured left: Cedric Watson)
Lansing Flow Fest
Adado Riverfront Park, Lansing / Aug. 20, 5:30–10 p.m. / mediamessengers.org
Free Christian hip-hop and rap shows by Starchild, Icris, Vertical Messengers of Christ , Kid Christ and others.
Renegade Theatre Festival
Old Town, Lansing / Aug. 20–22 / Free! / renegadetheatrefestival.org
See full story about the event here.
Adado Riverfront Park, Lansing / Aug. 21, 12:30–10 p.m. / mediamessengers.org
This free concert festival features Christian gospel and contemporary rock. There will also be free food, raffles, and giveaways.
Birds, Blooms, and Butterflies Festival
Dahlem Environmental Education Center, Jackson / Aug. 21, 9 a.m.-3p.m. / dahlemcenter.org, (517) 782-3453
The event list includes a bird hike with local bird experts, Monarch butterfly tagging, a presentation on raptors from Joe Roger's Wildlife Rehab, children's crafts and more.
LCC's Caribbean Festival
Lansing Community College / Aug. 28, 12 a.m.-12 p.m. / lcc.edu, (517) 483-1285 / Free
LCC's Caribbean Festival
Lansing Community College / Aug. 28, 12 a.m.-12 p.m. / lcc.edu, (517) 483-1285 / Free
Come enjoy the culture of the Caribbean at this free festival. The festivities include stilt dancing, steel drum and calypso music, as well as Caribbean World Market.
Outdoor Concert Series
Picnic in the Park Lunchtime Concert Series
Every Tuesday, local musicians will offer entertainment during the noon hour. Bring a blanket and lunch and enjoy a break from the office. Schedule: Aug. 3, Brandon Marceal; Aug. 10, Tom Timlin; Aug. 17, Tim Farrell; Aug. 24, Uncle Carl's Dulcimer Club; Aug. 31, Steve Berkemeier.
Thursdays at 6 p.m. / Lansing City Market, Lansing / wmmq.com
Free weekly dose of the blues, courtesy of WMMQ radio and other sponsors. Each show features two bands with a nod to local talent from the Capital Area Blues Society. Headliners hit the stage at 7 p.m. Lineup includes: July 29 - Stan Budzyzki and the Third Degree, Sonny Moorma; Aug. 5 - Frog and the Beeftones, Carl Weathersby; Aug. 12 - Kathleen Bolthouse, Joanne Shaw Taylor
2010 Summer Concerts in the Park
Wednesdays at 7 p.m./ City Parks, Lansing / cityoflansingmi.com/parks
The City Parks and Rec division presents free outdoor concerts each Wednesday in the summer at different parks. Bring a lawn chair or blanket and sit back for an evening of entertainment. For cancellations due to weather please call (517) 483-6019. Rain date is the following day. Lineup includes: July 28 - Yvette Morgan & Friends (Gospel) @ Grand River Park; Aug. 4 - LaCorporacion (Tejano) @ Frances Park; Sea Cruisers (Oldies) @ Ranney Park.
2010 Music in the Gardens Series
Thursdays at 7 p.m. / Amphiteather at Veterans Memorial Garden, Holt / holtarts.org
Thursdays at 7 p.m. / Amphiteather at Veterans Memorial Garden, Holt / holtarts.org
The third season of Holt Community Arts Council's Music in the Garden concert series, features family friendly music and concessions. Lineup: July 29-Sunny Wilkinson and Ron Newman Jazz Band; August 5-Sea Cruisers (oldies); August 12 - Those Delta Rhythm Kings (R&B)
East Lansing Summer Concert Series
Fridays & Saturdays at 7 p.m. / Fountain Square (Fridays), Anne Street Plaza (Saturdays) / cityofeastlansing.com
Fridays & Saturdays at 7 p.m. / Fountain Square (Fridays), Anne Street Plaza (Saturdays) / cityofeastlansing.com
The City of East Lansing's popular outdoor concert series features a little bit of everything - from folk, jazz and blues, to oldies and tribute acts. Friday shows include: July 30 - Greg Nagy; Aug. 6 - Hot Club of Lansing. Saturday shows include: July 31 - Gifts or Creatures with Doug Mains; Aug. 7 - Norberto Augado.
Eastwood Towne Center Summer Music Series
Tuesdays at 6 p.m. / Eastwood Towne Center, Lansing / shopeastwoodtownecenter.com
Tuesdays at 6 p.m. / Eastwood Towne Center, Lansing / shopeastwoodtownecenter.com
Free concerts on Tuesday evenings at north side outdoor shopping mall. Eat, browse, shop and listen.
Lineup includes: Aug. 3 - Showdown; Aug. 10 - Don Middlebrook & Living Soul; Aug. 17 - Rush Hour.
Lineup includes: Aug. 3 - Showdown; Aug. 10 - Don Middlebrook & Living Soul; Aug. 17 - Rush Hour.
Lansing Live: Real Music. Real Fun
Thursdays at 4 p.m. / 200 block of S. Washington Square / lansinglive.org
Thursdays at 4 p.m. / 200 block of S. Washington Square / lansinglive.org
Free live music showcase featuring local and regional bands playing outside every Thursday night from 4 p.m. to 8 p.m. during the summer. Created by the people behind Troppo, Tavern on the Square, and other area restaurants plus the ad agency Traction. Music is free. Food and drink available. 21+ crowd. The Schedule includes Aug. 5 - Ray Townsend, Uprizing Reggae Band; Aug. 12 - Jen Sygit, Fled Five.
Max & Emily's Summer Concert Series: Jeff Daniels
Downtown Mt. Pleasant / August 21, 7 p.m.
The popular downtown eatery hosts the last of three free concerts on the streets of downtown Mt. Pleasant, featuring the actor-folksinger Jeff Daniels, on August 21.
Research by REVUE staff and Minions. Information also provided by the Arts Council of Greater Lansing (lansingarts.org), a non-profit non-profit organization whose mission is to lead, advocate for and advance arts and culture in the capital region. For more information and calendar updates visit revuemm.com.
