Featured photo: Rain did not prevent anyone from performing or enjoying the performance of Detroit area jazz vocalist Ramona Collins at the old Farmer’s Market Jazz on Wheels concert. Photo by L. M. Land
Written by L. M. Land/Photos by L. M. Land
Thanks to grants and other benefactors, there is a lot of high-quality music close to home this summer, most at no cost to you. You will just need to bring your own lawn chair, at some locations,
Tunes at Noon – The Greater Flint Arts Council sponsors 30 concerts, every single weekday from July 8 through August 16, from 11:45 a.m. – 1:15 p.m. in Willson Park, located between U of M Flint and the Flint Farmer’s Market. Music styles include Latin, blues, rock, gospel, psych funk, African drums, and of course, Flint’s own style of jazz. Free admission. Bring a chair and your lunch! Go to https://www.geneseefun.com/event/2024-tunes-at-noon/ for more information.
Jazz on Wheels – On Fridays at 5:30 p.m., at the old Farmer’s Market along Robert T. Longway. This venue reminded me of going to the drive-in movie theater as a kid! Instead of applauding, everyone honks their horns. If it’s raining, you stay in the car to listen. If not, get your lawn chair and sit up front. There was a food truck, and Tamika Mack of Weekend Delight Bakery selling baked goods. Free admission.
Totem Books – located at 620 W Court St, across from the White Horse. Totem has partnered with Jazz on Wheels and the Levitt Foundation to sponsor the The Levitt AMP Flint Concert Series, featuring musicians from beyond Detroit and around the world. Go to: https://www.jazzonwheels.org/ for more information, or Call Totem at 810- 407-6402. Free admission.
Gloria Coles Flint Public Library – The Library has some great music coming up! They have six music experiences coming up in July and August with a range of music from opera to African drumming by Kuungana. The library’s full program guide can be downloaded at: https://www.fpl.info/events/view-program-guide
The Flint Institute of Arts – In partnership with the FIM’s Music Around Town series, Patio Night returns to the Palette Cafe patio (where the bright yellow umbrellas are) every Friday from July 12 – August 23. The community is invited to enjoy an evening of live music, food and drink specials.
Arrive early for a seat on the patio, or bring a chair or blanket for the lawn. The patio is open from 5 – 8 p.m., with music from 6 – 7:30 p.m. Music styles range from pop, Dixieland, bluegrass and a family night that includes some kids’ tunes. In the event of rain, performances will be moved into the FIA’s Isabel Hall. The art galleries will be open until 8 p.m. Admission is free. A complete schedule of dates and performers is available at flintarts.org.
42nd Jazz Festival – Due to renovations at the Flint riverfront, the 2024 Flint Jazz Festival will be at the Clio Amphitheater, 301 Rodgers Lodge Drive, Clio, Michigan – held at the Clio Amphitheater this year, with another great lineup of artists. On Friday, the headliners are Phil Denny and Kayla Waters; Saturday it’s Dr. Thunder Wallace and Jeff Lorber Fusion. Organissimo ends the festival on Sunday night. Other highlights include the enormous talent we have from the Flint area: Eclipse, Roger Jones & Higher Calling, Tapology, Herb McGowan Quartet, Smooth Operations, Peoples Jazz Band, and of course, Gwen Pennyman-Hemphill.
Admission is $10 a day or $20 for the weekend, and is well worth it!
There will be no JAZZWALK in 2024.
Jazz Nights – A partnership between GFAC and The White Horse Tavern, local jazz musicians play live at the White Horse Tavern, downtown Flint on the 4th Thursday of each month, 5-7:30 p.m.
Other festivals to enjoy this summer:
Flint Alley Fest, July 13, fotaflint.com/events
Porch Fest, July 19, facebook.com/CTHNA
Community Festival Celebration, July 20, Berston.org/events/
Flint Youth Film Festival, July 25-28, flintyourthfilmfestival.com
Gus Macker3on3 Basketball Tournament, July 27-28, macker.com
Drop Fest, August 3, Flintdropfest.com
Civic Park Heritage &Harmony Blues Fest, August 3, geneseefun.com
Back to the Bricks, August 12-17, backtothebricks.org
Crim Festival of Races, August 23-24, crim.org
Bikes on the bricks, September 6-8, bikesonthebricks.com
Goodstock, September 7, facebook.com/goodbeans
