Lansing Live is held on the 200 block of Washington Square with music starting around 4 p.m. Its focus is to bring a new kind of outdoor entertainment to the area, where people can enjoy the summer weather, support local bands, and have a good time.
"We're trying to create a music destination," said Camron Gnass, co-creator of Lansing Live.
Gnass and Kris Elliott (also a co-creator) came up with the concept a few years ago as a way to appreciate the local music scene.
Hosted by Tavern on the Square and Traction, Lansing Live has more than just live music. There are tables outside for seating, a wait staff available to take food and beverage orders, and a large tent outside, and readily available pre mixed beverages.
"It brings people out earlier," Jon Benaderet said, an employee at The Wild Beaver Saloon, whose patio overlooks the Lansing Live stage. "Since Lansing Live has started, it has definitely brought in a better crowd."
Lansing Live brings in two artists each Thursday, and each artist brings in a different sound and genre, from Celtic rock, classic rock covers, dance rock, to blues.
"We aim to create a variety of music," Gnass said.
The bands are all local or regional, and most of them have been playing around Michigan for years. July sees performances from Scott Seth and Global Village (both on July 22), as well as Chris Deiner and Don Middlebrook and Living Soul (both on July 29).
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Lansing Live!
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Rob Klajda, guitarist in the band The Lash, which performed at Lansing Live on June 10, thinks the event has been great for Lansing's nightlife.
"It draws people downtown. You never [would have seen] this many people downtown on a Thursday before."
"I was surprised by the crowd," Gnass said in regard to the May 20 kick-off. "I would have been happy with 50 people ... a few hundred came."
Admission to Lansing Live is free, and offers an opportunity to support the local music scene, and to explore new venues downtown.
Tod Smith, a local visitor to Lansing Live, called referred to the event as "big time" and said he is impressed with the number of people it has brought to the downtown area. Brad Cocklin, a Michigan State University student, and Wild Beaver Saloon employee said, "people should definitely come down and see what Lansing Live is about, it's worth checking out."
Photo: Jerod Karam, RedGroove Photography
