Friday Brown Bag Concert series begins July 8
A new concert series is coming to mid-Michigan. The Brown Bag Concert Series will take place on Fridays in downtown St. Johns at 12 noon starting on July 8 and ending on August 26. This series of 8 concerts is being presented by the St. Johns Area Community Fund with support from the Forrest and Doris Swatman Downtown Celebration Fund.
“This series of free concerts will feature musicians from around the state and will include a couple of Grammy Award winners from Ann Arbor,” says Bill Tennant, concert coordinator. “These hour-long concerts will feature outstanding soloist and duos during the lunch hour. It’s great to have this series paid for by the Swatman Celebration Fund for people to come together and enjoy some great music in downtown St Johns.”
Downtown eating establishments will be participating in this concert series by offering specials each Friday for people to pick up and bring down to the concert. Please check out their Brown Bag Specials and support our local businesses.
The concerts will be held in the Rotary Park Pavilion by the CIS Trail and Depot rain or shine. There are some picnic tables available, but it is advisable to bring your favorite lawn chair.
The Concert Series
July 8 – Elden Kelly – Guitar and Harmonica Virtuosos – Jazz. World. Beyond Andy Wilson
July 15 – Steven Easterling – Songs From Broadway. Spirituals. And More Jeff Richards
July 22 – Swift Brothers – Acoustic Folk Pop/Rock
July 29 – Clique Vocals – Jazz Ballads. Pops. Contemporary Mix Dan Templin & Kelly Sandula-Gruner
Aug 5 – Sally Potter – Banjo-Playing Americana Singer
Aug 12 – Kate Hinote Trio – Alternative Folk From Detroit With Guitar and Violin
Aug 19 – Steve Berkemeier – Singer/Songwriter Covering Songs You’ll Love
Aug 26 – Siusan O’Rourke and Zig Zeitler – Irish. Celtic. Folk
The Food Establishments
The Following Downtown Food Establishments have partnered with the concerts. Please check out their “Brown Bag” specials each Friday to enjoy at the concert.
Bruno’s Bar, St Johns Brewing Co., Main Street Café and Pizza, Dershey’s Café, Swany’s Pub and Grub, Mazz’s Endzone Party Store, Domino’s Pizza, Global Coffee Co., Waypoint Coffee Company, Oh Mi Organics, Spun Confection, and Cupcakes and Kisses
Bring your lawn chairs. Pick up some food. Enjoy the wonderful music.
Dershem celebration to raise funds for recycling July 9
The community is celebrating the life of Roger Dershem and the great impact that he has had on our area.
Roger was very passionate about the Lions Club Recycling Center, and this event will help raise funds to keep Roger’s hard work going.
Organizers will be blocking off W. Higham St. on July 9 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. to have some community fun in Roger’s honor complete with live music, food trucks, cornhole tournament and much more.
Mike Pawlowski will be in attendance with information for the public about the Recylcing Center. Learn more about what items you can recycle, and how you can help keep the Recycling Center operating.
Chuckie D’s BBQ, Kellam’s Kettle Corn and Oh Mi Organics will be donating a percentage of their sales to the Recycling Center.
This day is shaping up to be big fun for all. Please stop by to give hugs to the Dershem family and share some stories about the legendary Roger Dershem.
It’s a Thursday thing in Downtown St. Johns
Upcoming concerts include:
July 14 – Darin Larner
July 21 – Jim Pontack
July 28- Darin Larner
August 4 – Michael Gorham
August 18 – Louis Longoria
August 25 – Jim Pontack
September 8 – Louis Longoria
September 15 – Jim Pontack
The series kicked off June 23, and all concerts will be held from 5 – 7 p.m.
Don’t forget free lunches on Tuesdays
Good News Kitchen, a ministry of St. John’s Lutheran Church, began serving free lunches on Tuesdays from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. The St. John’s Lutheran Church is located at 511 E. Sturgis St. in St. Johns, the corner of Business 27 and Sturgis St. You may stop by and grab a free lunch to go for yourself, your family, a friend or a neighbor. Meals are free for everyone, and all are welcome to come although donations are always accepted and appreciated.
If you have questions or want to order ahead for pick up call 989-224-6796. Look for the signs and come to the west side entrance to get your free meals.
Concert in the Park Series 19th Season scheduled
July 6- Lansing Concert Band – A Great Evening
July 13 – C.A.R.MA – Grammy A Ward Winners – Jazz/Blues
July 20 – Toppermost – Wonderful Tribute To The Beatles
July 27 – Ryan Dehues – Timeless Classic Jazz Standards
August 3 – The Louie Longoria Band – Big Time Country
August 10 – Detroit Retro Society – Experience The Music
August 17 – Frendz – Big Band Swing/50s Rock/Motown Greats
August 24 – Miranda A The M80s – The Best Of the ’80s
August 31- Matt King – Ids Award-Winning Tribute to Elvis
William E. Tennant Performance Shell St. Johns City Park
Performances are Wednesdays at 7:00 p.m. – rain or shine.
SJHS Class of 1964 to meet Sunday, August 28
The St. Johns High School Class of 1964 will meet on Sunday, August 28. They also welcome the Classes Of 1963 and 1965 to join them.
Please plan to arrive between 12:00 – 12:30 and eat at 1:00 – 1:30 p.m. in the main pavilion of the St. Johns City Park.
Bring a Dish to pass and your own Beverage. All paper products will be provided including plates, napkins, bowls, Silverware and Table covering. Rubber gloves will be provided for the Buffet Table.
For more information you may Contact Jan Ernst-Chick at 989-630-9021 or Rick Knight at 989-224-8944.