We’ve got a lively weekend ahead of us, gang…
The Ann Arbor Summer Festival started last Friday and runs until July 3rd. You can see the schedule/lineups for the Main Stage and the local-centric Top of the Park. So, that’s more of a “monthly what’s-up…”
And now that I’m reviewing my notes, it seems everything I’ve got to spur you toward is happening tomorrow night (Friday).
1.) Since I just mentioned A2SF, I should start with Nina & The Buffalo Riders. The Detroit-area Americana-soul, psychedelic-country, and classic garage-rock swagger, along with some blues, some pop and even a few more genres thrown into the mix. Essentially, their the ideal crowd-pleaser, with shambolic class and roll-with-the-punches charisma, stoked with a surefire sense for showmanship.
Nina & The Buffalo Riders
Friday
8:30 PM
Top of the Park map
2.) Cultivate Coffee & Tap House is opening up its new beer garden! Or is it biergarten? The non-profit beverage purveyor and stalwart community partner is celebrating its new patron-supported, summertime-friendly facility with a concert (…and plenty of excellent brews). The ever charming, melody-flanked folk styles of Misty Lyn Bergeron and Matt Jones should augment the evening’s reverie. Misty is actually performing TONIGHT (7pm) at A2SF, with her band, The Big Beautiful. Meanwhile, it’s good to see Matt Jones out at another gig, since he’s been a bit too tied up with his ever-expanding River Street Anthology. For more info, swing over to Cultivate’s website.
Matt Jones / Misty Lyn
Cultivate Beer Garden party
Friday
7 pm
307 N. River St, Ypsilanti
3.) I’m presuming that Kalamazoo is just a bit too far for anyone in A2 or Ypsi. But if you’re feeling whimsical, then this Friday would be the night to check out their new Music Hop programming. Similar to Ypsi’s First Friday, the Kzoo culture scene has a diverse lineup of impressive performers curated across its various venues, from bars, to theaters, to coffee shops. This always happens on the third Friday of any month, so tomorrow is the day for a road trip, if you’re raring to go… The full lineup is here. But if you’d like my personal recommendation, check out the Northern Fires, a duo that digs into the decorous splendor of simple harmonies and soft acoustics, to devastatingly beautiful affect!
Music Hop
Across the city of Kalamazoo (Venues)
Friday
Starting at 6 pm
4.) So, maybe Kalamazoo is too far to drive? If so, stay local and head over to the Elks Pratt Lodge in Ann Arbor: ElectroKrautrock/Outre-pop-odyssey-conjurers Hydropark are assembling for a rare-ish live performance. They’re joined by Ann Arbor based Blue Jeans (the new delightfully fuzz/frayed, groovy/unhinged lof-fi pop project of Tim Sendra, who you may recall from Santa Monica Swim & Dive Club). (In fact, if there aren’t too many parantheses in this paragraph already, Sendra resurrected a SMS&DC song, “False Start” for this new project; I’m digging it). Both of these bands will be celebrating the release of new recordings, so that usually assures an inherently augmented enthusiasm and brio brought to the stage. Emily Roll, meanwhile, has been bringing her songs to the stage on a more regular basis, under the moniker Haunted.
Hydropark, Blue Jeans, Haunted
Elks Pratt Lodge (220 Sunset Rd, Ann Arbor)
Friday
9 PM
$5
Info
But then there’s something to check out on Saturday…
Ypsi Prom: UNDA DA SEA… Why is are prom crowds always finding their respective enchantments beneath the surface of the water…? How far down to we have to dive into the ocean to find these enchantments? And won’t we ruin our formal wear? All facetiousness aside, the 2nd annual Ypsi Prom will have all proceeds benefitting the Flint Water Fund.
Singer/songwriters Annie Palmer and Nicole P’Simer will be performing, along with rock & pop outfits like Approachable Minorities and Minihorse. There will also be an art raffle featuring works by local Ypsi artists, opportunities for gloriously awkward Prom-themed photos, potential kings and queens crowned at some point in the night and plenty of enthusiastic dancing. The recommended dress code is “…whatever makes you feel fabulous…” My kind of prerequisite… And, if you’re like me, you were miserable at your prom… Prom! A night that’s supposed to be magical, memorable, perfect… And yet… This could be the opportunity to relive that night all over again, older, way-wiser, and a full grasp of what’s actually cool… You’re a grown-up. You know how to party. Do it right. And support an important cause.
Saturday
Ypsi Prom 2016
Bona Sera Restaurant
200 W. Michigan Ave, Ypsilanti
8:30 pm
$10
21+
Info
Jeff covers music for Current, posting weekly show previews and highlighting new bands in the area.
