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ROSEVILLE/EASTPOINTE — Music fans, get ready for summer. It’s time to grab your partner, get on the outdoor dance floor and groove with some of your favorite local rock, blues and jazz artists. The downtown development authorities of Roseville and Eastpointe are inviting you to their free concerts this summer, which have already gotten underway.
Roseville
On June 6, the Blue Cat Band took its audience “Into the Mystic” by way of Van Morrison. It was one of the early cover songs the band members performed in their set during the Roseville Downtown Development Authority’s Thursday Nights Under the Lights concert series.
Under sunshine and a nice evening breeze, the band continued with other tunes, including “Dead Flowers” by the Rolling Stones, and a rendition of Eric Clapton’s “Running On Faith.”
Thanks to local sponsors, the Roseville concert series is back for the third year in a row. The concerts are held once a month during the summer in the alley at Erin Commons located at 28363 Gratiot Ave. Just look for the canopy with the twinkling lights. Free municipal parking is located in the area of Gratiot Avenue and Utica Road.
The Roseville concerts take place from 7 to 9 p.m. the first Thursday of the month. Spectators can bring a chair or blanket, and their own food and beverages, including beer, wine and alcohol in non-glass bottles.
“This will be the third season of the concert series. It’s very fun for people to come down and enjoy the summer evening with friends and family,” Roseville Administrative Services Specialist James Gammicchia said. “We try to get bands that are amenable to all ages and genres. We want something that’s versatile. It’s a great atmosphere. The City Council has been very generous in allowing open containers. People walk in with their coolers and pizzas.”
Although the June 6 crowd was small, it was appreciative of the Blue Cat Band.
“They’re a fantastic band. They have been around for a long, long time,” said Roseville resident Evonne Kowalak, who didn’t feel the show was advertised well enough. “I wish there were more people. They are worthy of a good audience. I think they’re very talented musically and vocally.”
The Blue Cat Band was rocking on its heels with Billy Farris and Alen “BigAl” Grebovic on guitars and vocals, Frank Lee on bass, and drummer Jon Johnson filling in for Ken Murphy, who was out for the night with a back injury. Murphy, though, turned out for the event as a fan. The band has been together for almost 30 years, albeit with a few lineup changes.
Anyone interested in sponsoring the Concert Under the Lights in Roseville can contact Gammicchia at (586) 486-3681.
Eastpointe
Music also will be heard in several Eastpointe neighborhoods over the next few months. With funding from local sponsors, the city’s summer concert series is back.
“The DDA tries to put the event on to draw attention to the city. Anybody can come. All you need is a lawn chair, blanket and a great attitude,” Eastpointe Downtown Development Authority Board Chair William Transit said. “It’s an opportunity for people to get together and have a good time. We had some great sponsors. We’ve got some of the same bands from last year.”
The shows this summer will be at various spots in the city, including Kennedy Park, the Eastpointe Memorial Library and the Eastpointe City Hall Amphitheater.
“That spreads awareness to different parts of the city,” Transit said.
Attendees can enjoy the evening by bringing their own food and drinks. Alcohol is welcome, but must be kept in non-glass bottles. Transit added there will be light snacks for sale.
The first concert, featuring the ShamRock Jazz Orchestra, was to be held June 15 during Eastpointe Cruisin’ Gratiot at Eastpointe High School, after the Eastsider went to press.
The ShamRock Jazz Orchestra has musical roots in the city. The players are all graduates from East Detroit High School (now Eastpointe High School) who banded together a couple of years ago to help carry on the school’s musical legacy.
The orchestra consists of members from various graduating classes and puts its own spin on songs from the ’50s through the ’80s. The community can check it out with an encore show scheduled for July 24 at the Eastpointe City Hall Amphitheater. Showtime will be 6-8 p.m.
The Eastpointe shows attract all ages.
“We see kids; a lot of retired people are always there,” Transit said. “The City Council typically shows up.”
The Roseville Downtown Development Authority’s Thursday Nights Under the Lights concert series continues with the following shows:
• July 11 with Cosmic Groove.
• Aug. 1 with Wayback Machine.
• Sept. 5 with Mainstream Drive.
The time is 7-9 p.m. The location: Erin Commons located at 28363 Gratiot Ave.
The Eastpointe Downtown Development Authority’s 2024 summer concerts will be as follows:
• June 26 with Sound Proof Band. Showtime will be 6-8 p.m. at the Eastpointe Memorial Library, located at 15875 Oak Ave.
• July 10 with Denise Davis and the Motor City Sensations Band. Showtime will be 6-8 p.m. at the Eastpointe City Hall Amphitheatre. The address to City Hall is 23200 Gratiot Ave.
• July 24 with the ShamRock Jazz Orchestra. Showtime will be 6-8 p.m. at the Eastpointe City Hall Amphitheatre.
• Aug. 14 with Jerry Ross Band. Showtime will be 7 p.m. at Kennedy Park, 24517 Schroeder Ave. The show will be part of the Recreational Authority of Roseville & Eastpointe’s “Rockin’ Summer Night,” which runs 5-9 p.m.
• Aug. 28 with Matthew Ball, the Boogie Woogie Kid. Showtime will be 6-8 p.m. at the Eastpointe City Hall Amphitheatre.
• Sept. 11 with Detroit Social Club Band. Showtime will be 6-8 p.m. at the Eastpointe City Hall Amphitheatre.
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