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OAKLAND TOWNSHIP — After a two-year hiatus, Oakland Township’s Music in the Meadows summer concert series is back.
“This is our first season back since COVID,” Oakland Township Parks and Recreation Manager Becky McLogan said. “We missed two seasons — we didn’t have concerts in 2020 and 2021 — so we’re pretty excited.”
The 15th annual free, outdoor concerts kicked off June 10 with the Bayberry String Quartet at Cranberry Lake Farm Historic District.
There are two remaining concerts to enjoy — one in July and one in August.
“We like to think of Music in the Meadows as a cut above your typical music in the park series,” said McLogan. “We take great pride in researching performers for our concert series.”
The next performance in the free, outdoor concert series will be by The Contenders, beginning at 7 p.m. July 22 at Bear Creek Nature Park, 740 W. Snell Road in Oakland Township. The duo will entertain the audience with some Americana and alternative country tunes — full of grit, with a steady heartbeat and a hint of honky-tonk.
“They are a really fun and very talented duo that are from Vermont and Nashville,” said McLogan.
The Contenders, concert organizers say, write songs that speak of wanderers and highways, lovers and losers, good times and missed chances, all of it with a ferocity born of hard work and honed skill.
Wrapping up the concert series will be Tony Luca — whose catalog of music runs the gamut of soul-infused pop to tear-jerker folk balladry — at 7 p.m. Aug. 19 at Bear Creek Nature Park.
Luca is a singer, songwriter, producer, actor and Waterford native. He is perhaps best known for starting his career on “The Mickey Mouse Club,” and later burning up “The Voice” stage, making it all the way to the finals on the back of his electric performances in 2012. Over the years, he has toured with a multitude of acts, including Maroon 5, Kelly Clarkson, NSYNC and many more.
Former township residents Dave and Ann Strubler, who currently serve as the music advisers for the series, first brought the idea of holding three “high-caliber” concerts a year — in June, July and August — to township officials 17 years ago.
“We wanted to bring music to Oakland Township, but we were interested in bringing high-level, professional music,” Dave Strubler said. “What’s unique about Music in the Meadows is that it is a professional concert series, and it’s open to the public.”
Over the years, the free outdoor concert series has grown in popularity, drawing an average of 300 people per show.
“We’ve had really, really high-quality acts over the years,” Dave Strubler said. “They’re really excellent, excellent musicians.”
“We stress to people that they come early — they can bring a blanket and something to snack on and drink,” McLogan added.
In case of inclement weather, concerts will be held at Rochester Christian Church, located at 4435 N. Rochester Road. Call (248) 651-4440, ext. 299, on the day of the event to verify the concert location.
Music in the Meadows is sponsored by Oakland Township Parks and Recreation.
For more information, including additional programs and park information, visit https://linktr.ee/OTParks.
