WHAT?
Internationally renowned musicians perform blues, jazz, and zydeco music with food vendors cooking up southern style cuisine (from Michigan ingredients when possible). Ticket prices include admission to the event and access to the live auction. Food, alcohol, soft drinks, and merchandise will be available for separate purchase. Fundraising proceeds benefit Grow Benzie's community center and partner programs (https://GrowBenzie.org). 2022 performers include Detroit’s Queen of the Blues: Thornetta Davis, Charlie Millard Band, and K Jones & the Benzie Playboys.
*** Bring blankets and beach chairs for the grassy, amphitheater seating ***
*** No outside coolers/beverages- alcoholic beverages available for purchase and (free) water filling stations and iced tea available ***
SCHEDULE?
4pm: Gates open
5pm: Charlie Millard Band
From Michigan’s northern lower peninsula, the Charlie Millard Band has developed a unique sound, voice and thought-provoking lyrics & poetry of their own, with tones of an indie-Americana style that is reminiscent of a 60s or 70s folk rock singer/songwriter. Always playing lots of festivals and venues across the Midwest and Canada, percussionist Will Harris, Jercat Millard on guitars, and Charlie on the keys/organ/Rhodes bass strive to give you a musical experience, like small movies for the ears.
Video HERE: https://www.facebook.com/CharlieMillardBand/videos
7pm: Thornetta Davis
International singer, songwriter, recording artist, was awarded by the Detroit Blues Society “Living Lifetime Achievement Award” and awarded a star on the Canada South Blues Museum “Walk of Fame”.
In 2015 Thornetta was crowned “DETROIT’S QUEEN OF THE BLUES” in a ceremony by the Detroit Blues Society, with proclamations from the City of Detroit, County of Wayne and the State of Michigan. Thornetta has opened for Blues Legends such as B.B. King, Ray Charles, Etta James, KoKo Taylor, Johnny Johnson, Bonnie Raitt and more. Thornetta is a 7 time Blues Foundation BLUES MUSIC AWARDS nominee including two 2022 BMA nominations for Contemporary Blues artist female and Best instrumentalist Vocals. As a winner of over 30 Detroit Music Awards. Thornetta received six 2018 DMA’s and has also won eight 2017 Detroit Music Awards for her latest album Honest Woman which include Outstanding Record Producer, Outstanding Blues Recording, Outstanding Blues Vocalist and Outstanding Live Performance. As winner of the 2017 Blues Blast Magazine Music Awards for “Best Soul/Blues Album, Big City Rhythm & Blues Magazine “Coolest Blues Song” Thornetta has garnered international attention by winning 2017 1st place in the INTERNATIONAL SONGWRITING COMPETITION (ISC) for “Best Blues Song” (I BELIEVE EVERYTHING IS GONNA BE ALRIGHT) and also receiving the prestigious French 2018 La Academie du Jazz Award for “Best Blues Album” for HONEST WOMAN.
“The follow-up at the Garden Stage on Saturday blew the crowd away. In her first time performing at Monterey, Detroit’s Queen of the Blues, Thornetta Davis, sang with no-nonsense sass, fearless in her missives against lovers, as she preached the Blues”.
-Down Beat Magazine (2018 Monterey Jazz Fest)
Video HERE: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u6rTA9NlP2A
8:30pm: Community Toast & Live Auction
9:00pm: K Jones & the Benzie Playboys
Celebrating two decades of delivering the roots sound of southwest Louisiana’s Creole, Cajun, and Zydeco music to the Great Lakes region, the Benzie Playboys continue to build their fan base with live performances for two-steppin’, waltzes, and smoking red hot zydeco dancing.
Video HERE: https://www.facebook.com/Growbenzie/videos/1472993352723423
WHEN?
Friday, July 29th, 2022
4:00pm-11:00pm
Doors open at 4:00pm
RAIN OR SHINE, NO REFUNDS
VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITIES?
Email volunteer@GrowBenzie.org for details on how to lend a hand and receive free admission.
WHERE?
Elberta Amphitheater (@Elberta Waterfront Park)
1120 Furnace Street
Elberta, MI 49628
*** Bring blankets and beach chairs for the grassy, amphitheater seating ***
Stones throw across Betsie Bay from Frankfort
32 miles from Chum's Corners (US-31/M-37)
14 miles from Honor (US-31)
17 miles from Crystal Mountain (M-115)
34 miles from Manistee (US-31)
59 miles from Cadillac (M-115)
106 miles from Petoskey (US-31)
151 miles from Grand Rapids (US-131)
420 miles from Calumet Theater, Keeweenaw (M-41/I-75)
WHO?
Everyone is welcome!
HOW MUCH?
$25: Advance Tickets at MyNorthTickets.com until midnight 7/27
(Also available at Grow Benzie's Wednesday Market from 2-6pm)
$30: General Admission: (available at the gate)
$10: Age 13-18
Free: Ages 12 and under
*** Bring blankets and beach chairs for the grassy, amphitheater seating ***
RAIN OR SHINE, NO REFUNDS
QUESTIONS?
231-882-9510 or info@GrowBenzie.org