K. Jones and the Benzie Playboys will perform on June 23 at part of the Monday night summer concert series in Onekama. In front are Kirk Jones on accordion and Mark Stoltz on washboard. Photo courtesy of the band.
From staff reports
ONEKAMA, Mich. – The Portage Lake Association recently announced the line-up of musicians for its Summer 2025 Monday Night Concerts in the Park. All concerts are free and take place from 7 p.m. to 9 p.m. on Mondays at the village park bordering Portage Lake, located at 4701 Main St.
Donations are accepted and appreciated.
Constructed last year, a covered stage near the entrance to the park will be the site of the performances.
Kicking off the series on June 23 are the rollicking, danceable Cajun/Creole/zydeco hits of K. Jones and the Benzie Playboys. Band members include: Kirk Jones (accordion), Jonah Powell (fiddle), Onekama’s own Jamey Barnard (drums), Doug Albright (bass) and Mark Stoltz (washboard).
Next, on June 30, the Schrock Bros of western Michigan will perform “classic tunes” that encompass folk, blues, rock and reggae. This four-member ensemble features family harmonies and soulful lead vocals.
Traveling from Lansing, Michigan, Betty B. and the RopeWalkers will delight the audience on July 6 with their full sound as they perform vintage rock and roll and early Rhythm and Blues.
Attendees are invited to celebrate the music of the “late, great” Jimmy Buffet on July 13 with an All About Buffett tribute offered by Doc and Donna Probes of Traverse City. They’ll bring the beach to you.
Billed as northern Michigan’s most entertaining cover band, 5th Gear will rev the engines of audience members on July 21 with high-energy, time-traveling, pop-and-rock hits reaching all the way back to the sixties and popping wheelies across the ’70s,’80s and ’90s to today.
On July 28, Traverse City-based Jim Hawley will share his repertoire of folk and Americana tunes as well as classic hits from the sixties and seventies. Hawley tours nationally and is known for his warmth, humor and spontaneity.
Acoustic Madness will perform on Aug. 4. The Detroit-area guitar trio offers acoustic and electric sounds ranging from classic rock and pop to reggae, jazz and bluegrass. Every performance is a surprise, according to the band’s promotional information.
Onekama’s favorite Elvis Tribute performer, Jake Slater, will return once again on Aug. 11. He’ll croon The King’s hits from all eras.
August 18 is reserved for any band whose performance was previously cancelled due to weather.
For more information about the Monday night concert series or the Portage Lake Association, visit https://Onekama.info .
