Photo courtesy of Music Moves Us.
By Pat Stinson.
ARCADIA – A second stage will debut during the Aug. 30-31 Minnehaha Brewhaha Music Festival, featuring “more music, more brews, more food, and more fun on tap,” according to Music Moves Me, the nonprofit festival host.
The event will take place on the grounds of Arcadia Marine, 17073 Northwood Highway (M-22), and primitive camping is available. Those attending are encouraged to bring lawn chairs.
Ten-plus bands will perform on two stages. Festival attendees may sample from 70-plus varieties of domestic and craft brews and purchase food from vendors such as Norma’s Tamales, Guiseppe’s Pizza and more. Child and adult games and activities will be available.
Ron Stoops, whose musical legacy was the inspiration for the festival, is spotlighted in an Arcadia Historical Museum exhibit called “Music Moves Us: A century of music in Arcadia.” The museum, at 3340 Lake St., will be open 1-4 p.m., Saturday.
Kicking off the festival on Friday will be a 6 p.m. performance by the TC Knuckleheads followed at 8:30 p.m. by The Ride. The TC Knuckleheads’ sound is described as “variety classic rock/rhythm and blues … with soul.” Dave Barth plays harmonica, vocals and lead guitar backed by “some of the best” Michigan musicians “on bass, drums, sax, keyboards and vocals.” The Ride includes northern Michigan members of the Cookies, Zeal For Days, and Aldrich and Co. supporting frontman Spencer Oppermann. “Known for their extravagant entrances and dynamic shows, The Ride is … a ride from country’s heyday to … hard rock nostalgia.”
Then at 8:30 a.m., Saturday, the festival’s 5k and 15k Fun Runs will take place for the fifth time. To sign up, go to: https://runsignup.com/Race/MI/Arcadia/MinihahaBrewhaha5k15k.
Saturday’s music begins at 11 a.m. with the Cross Cut Kings. The group’s sound is described as roots, acoustic blues and Americana and includes Jim Bonney on guitar and vocals and Charlie Witthoeft on harmonicas and vocals.
Jake Allen will perform beginning at 12:30 p.m. Described as “a kaleidoscopic sound … including prog-pop, waves of ambient instrumentals, and complex musical layers.” His “immersive storytelling” and vocals as a solo guitarist captivate his audience.
Local singer/songwriter Darin VanderMolen and his guitar will take the stage at 2 p.m. He is known for his teaching, coaching, and music producing and engineering around western Michigan.
At 2:45 p.m., Djangophonique will share its Django Reinhardt-inspired sound. The award-winning group (Best Jazz Album, Artist of the Year – 2022) is guitarist Andrew Brown, clarinetist Tyler Rindo, Jorian Olk-Szost on double-bass, rhythm guitarist Nicholas Martin and vocalist Katie Smith.
Manistee’s Nick Veine will perform at 4:15 p.m. with his “eclectic mix of blues, country, jazz, and original music.” His website states: “Think Johnny Cash meets James Taylor meets Alan Menken.”
Performances continue at 5 p.m. with the Mark Lavengood Band, followed at 6:30 p.m. by Sean Kelly, 7:15 p.m. by Dye/Jones and the Get Down, and concluding with The Jim Cummings Band at 9:15 p.m.
The Mark Lavengood Band brings energy that packs the dance floor. Best known for his dynamic slide guitar playing, multi-instrumentalist Lavengood is joined by band members for a sonic set.
Local singer-songwriter Sean Kelly performs original songs and covers at area venues and has more than 100,000 followers on Spotify.
Dye/Jones and the Get Down bring their own vibe with guitar, bass, drums, saxophone and horn.
The Jim Cummings Band is a blues/rhythm-and-blues montage featuring Jim Cummings on guitar, bassist Jim Klein, percussionist Jesse Cornwall, vocalist Yeshua and keyboardist Chris Moberley. Fee Waybill of The Tubes calls them “…. absolutely the best band that I know, period.”
Friday’s ticket price is $5 and includes performances by two bands and entry to the brew tent. Saturday’s ticket costs $25 in advance and $30 on the day of the event. Admission includes performances by 9 musical acts. A souvenir tasting glass is $5 and brew-tasting tickets are $2 each. Children 12 and younger may attend for free. For advance tickets and information about the festival, Fun Run or camping, go to: https://music-moves-me.org
Music Moves Me supports music education and appreciation in the greater Arcadia area schools and communities. This year, MMM awarded $8,555 to eight students, three to attend the Interlochen Arts Academy, three to attend Blue Lake Music Camp and two to attend Central Michigan University’s Summer Music Camp. The nonprofit also provided funding for the “Music Moves Us” museum exhibit. (See this month’s Arcadia News’ story by Kristina Stierholz.)
Pat Stinson is the co-editor of the Freshwater Reporter.
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