Music and More Targeting West Michigan This Year
Lauren Daigle visits Van Andel Arena in March Few observers can recall such a crowded wintertime Christian music concert schedule this season with all the national artists coming through West Michigan.There's an average at least one show per week headed our way through the month of April! And that doesn't include local or regional acts or concerts yet to be announced.
Van Andel Arena events include the annual Winter Jam experience on Jan. 19 (headlined by David Crowder, whom we will be featuring soon in a separate article) and singer-songwriter Lauren Daigle on March 12. By the way, Daigle's song "You Say" was recently calculated by Billboard as the No. 2 chart-driven "Hot Christian Song" of the past decade (topped only by Hillsong United's "Oceans: (Where Feet May Fail").
Daigle's concert is a "virtual" sellout, with tickets available via the re-sale market.
MORE MUSIC ON THE WAY
February is the shortest month of the year. Yet it's full of area concerts, even on "Leap Year" day the 29th with singer-songwriter Pat Barrett (writer of "Good, Good Father") coming to Grace Community Church in Hudsonville.
Big Daddy Weave, with special guests Paul and Hannah McClure of Bethel Music, return Feb. 23 to Ridgepoint Community Church in Holland; Drew Holcomb & The Neighbors (who once opened an area show for Jars of Clay) at Calvin College Covenant Fine Arts Center Feb. 18, and an acoustic evening with Jason Gray Feb. 9 at First Christian Reformed Church in Fremont.
A unique event combines music with an exclusive local vendor market Feb 20 at Christ Chapel of Cornerstone University. The concert features the folk band Neshama and the duo Jenny & Tyler.
And there will be more than a hint of magic in the air on Feb. 23 with magician Justin Flom's "Make Magic, Share Joy" program at Cornerstone Church in Caledonia.
THE CALENDAR MARCHES ON
Rend Collective comes to Holland March 6 The month of March is highlighted with the boisterous, Irish-driven band Rend Collective performing March 6 at Central Wesleyan Church in Holland.Catch your breath, because the April schedule has numerous concert opportunities. Newsboys United and Mandisa share the bill in the "Greatness of Our God" tour April 18 at Fair Haven Ministries in Hudsonville. It's the three-time Grammy-nominated vocal quartet Avalon, now featuring original member Jody McBayer, coming April 26 to Remembrance Church in Grand Rapids. Also on the program is Sarah Kelly.
An "artist-in-the-round" style show features Dan Bremnes, Mack Brock and Jason Gray on April 24 at Harvest Bible Chapel south campus in Grand Haven. The summer schedule for the Grand Haven Worship on the Waterfront Sunday evening series will be announced during the evening.
EXTRAS INCLUDED
On the inspirational comedy side of things, we have Grand Rapids native Michael Jr. coming Feb. 1 to Christ Chapel at Cornerstone U. Funny lady Chonda Pierce spreads hilarity with a message on March 14 at Fair Haven Ministries in Hudsonville. And local comedian/emcee Henry Sapp heads a family-friendly LaughFest bill March 6 at DeVos Center for Arts and Worship at Grand Rapids Christian High School. Also appearing are Evan-Tarence and Rod Allison.
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We have a bit of space here to salute local singer-songwriter Jake Droppers, the incoming director of the Student Activities Office of Calvin College. Jake and his band The Best Intentions have been nominated for 2020 Jammie Awards (Jammies XXI) from local alternative/community radio station WYCE-FM.
The band released two albums in 2019, "Bottled Up Like A Neon Light" and the EP "Three On Three." Both projects are nominated in the Rock/Pop category, and also are up in the listener-voted Album of the Year list. (Ballots available at https://s.surveyplanet.com/-epGpFgGM). Award winners will be announced Feb. 14 at The Intersection in downtown Grand Rapids.
In the coming months we'll be spotlighting certain of these shows as well as other persons and topics of interest to the faith-based arts community. Thanks for keeping in touch! - Terry
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