MANISTEE — Manistee’s residents and visitors can look forward to a new concert series coming to First Street Beach this summer.
During its regular meeting on Dec. 20, Manistee City Council approved with a 7-0 vote the Music Sparks Meaning summer concert series, to be held at the Rotary Gazebo at First Street Beach.
The free concerts are slated to take place from 6-9 p.m. on alternating Saturdays through June and July, with performances planned for June 3 and 17 and July 1, 15 and 29.
“We had it originally at the Forest Trail Festival as part of that whole thing, but we’re making a nonprofit now so we’re moving that from being a ticketed event to being in downtown Manistee as a free public concert,” said Noah Cameron, president of the Music Sparks Meaning nonprofit. “We’re trying to find a way to tie in students and also professional musicians and kind of use Manistee and Ludington area schools to get students to play with the bands as an opener.”
Council member Dave Bachman asked if Music Sparks Meaning would raise funds during the concerts.
“My goal would be to have a 50/50 raffle, so that and just donations,” Cameron said. “We’re still in the process of getting the 501(c)(3) set up.”
Manistee City Police Chief Josh Glass said the concerts would not conflict with the Manistee National Forest Festival, and that he suggested the group go before city council simply to keep the council apprised of the situation.
“For the gazebo, typically the procedure is first come, first serve,” Glass said. “I think they put together pretty good operations plans as far as reserving it and utilizing it all day. … We kind of recommended that they take this path to come in front of council to see if they need signage and to let council know what is the plan this summer.”
Music Sparks Meaning’s mission is to “help people find meaning through music,” according to its website.
“This can take many different forms,” the website reads in part. “Whether helping people pick up an instrument, networking, exposing people to music that they have never knew they loved, or just showing people the sheer enjoyment of live music, we think that promoting the idea that music can be a catalyst for personal growth and happiness is a step toward bettering our lives and communities.”
Visit musicsparksmeaning.org for more information, or follow the group at facebook.com/groups/4055283838030303.
“We’re trying to get everyone involved and have more events for the community,” Cameron said.
