Meijer Gardens, Chet Eaglemen

June 14, 2006

All jokes aside, have you ever considered Grand Rapids a leading Midwest cultural destination? If not maybe it’s time to rethink that question.
Leading the way for the last 10 years is the Fredrick Meijer Gardens and Sculpture Park, home of Michigan’s largest tropical conservatory, one of the largest children’s gardens around, one of the nation’s best carnivorous plant houses, and a burgeoning national sculpture presence.
Also part of the 125-acre property is an intimate 1,600-seat amphitheater. For the past four seasons it has hosted a slew of diverse national musical acts, from the eclectic (Ani Difranco, Los Lobos) to pop (David Byrne), jazz and beyond (George Benson, Jean Luc Ponty).
And as much as the Gardens and Summer Concert Series has emerged in national significance, they still keep connected to the community by presenting a local music night on Tuesdays and with an upcoming outdoor sculpture exhibit in combination with various city landmarks.
THIS SUMMER
The 2006 Summer Concert Series kicks off with a couple of double-bills: First up is a pair from the Alligator blues record label; the renowned Queen of the Blues, Koko Taylor, and soulful singer Shemekia Copeland, who appear on June 15. Taylor has been performing for 40 years and calls forward the spirits of Bessie Smith, Ma Rainey, and Big Mama Thornton; she is considered the best female blues singer of our generation.
Copeland is the daughter of blues legend Johnny Copeland; the Village Voice compares her vocal style to an “early Etta James.”
On June 29, evolving blues/gospel guitarist Susan Tedeschi is featured as a co-headliner alongside singer-songwriter Martin Sexton.
Willie Nelson is a Country Music Hall of Famer but also a musical chameleon. Who else could act in a movie, sing a duet with Latin pop star Julio Iglesias (“To All the Girls I’ve Loved Before”) or have the gumption to pull off an Elvis cover (“Always On My Mind”)? Opening for Willie on July 10 will be his son’s band, Harmonic Tribe.
Then on July 13, the jam-friendly, zydeco flavor of Donna the Buffalo takes the stage for two big sets.
Jonny Lang and his electric band play the Gardens on July 20. Last year Lang was the most popular act in the series and blew the roof off so high with his acoustic group that they asked him back this year.
It may not seem like it but progressive blue grassers Nickel Creek, who arrive on August 3, have been around almost 10 years now. West Michigan audiences are familiar with the hip appeal of the trio who cover all musical bases having recently sold out the Calvin College Fine Arts Center. With their broad-based appeal Nickel Creek will be on the Chicago stop of Lollapalooza 2006.
Speaking of diversity, the multi-award winning Pointer Sisters roll out their immense catalog of hits on August 24.
Another music artist who has dabbled in the movie business both on and off the screen is tell-it-like-it-is songster Lyle Lovett, who performs on September 7.
Filling a request for a straight-up country act, Phil Vassar plays on September 8. Vassar, who went to college on a track scholarship, was named ASCAP’s Country Songwriter of the Year in 1999. Opening will be John Corbett of ‘My Big Fat Greek Wedding’ fame.
Get ready to get footloose on the plush Gardens lawn grass when the king of the ‘80s movie soundtracks Kenny Loggins closes out the season on September 14.
If popular music is not your thing, The Grand Rapids Symphony returns for three shows in July, including a program of traditional American band music called “Strike Up the Band” on the 25th. Returning in August is the popular Tuesday Evening Music Club which features local and regional music acts.

LOCAL FAVES
On August 1 be sure to catch Grand Rapids’ Potato Moon on the eve of their appearance at the Dunegrass Festival in Empire. The roots sounds of Lansing’s Steppin’ In It can be heard just after their Dunegrass show on August 8.
Long-time Traverse City favorite Root Doctor brings their funky blend of R&B dance music up in the house on August 15. No doubt the Doctor will be playing hits from their recent CD “Been A Long Time Coming.”
Folkies Nobody’s Darlin’ and Seth and Daisy May Earthworks share the stage on August 22. Closing out the program on August 29 is the host of the TEMC, singer/songwriter Ralston Bowles with his Friends in solo acoustic arrangement.
All concerts will be held outdoors, rain or shine, within tiered lawn seating amphitheater setting. Concerts begin at 7 p.m.; gates open at 6 p.m. The Amphitheater is general admission and only low-rise lawn chairs or blankets are allowed.
Other information, including driving directions, can be accessed by calling the Gardens at 1-888-975-3143 or by visiting www.meijergardens.org.  Tickets to concerts will be sold at all StarTicketsPlus locations, www.startickets.com, or by calling 800-585-3737.