GLADSTONE, Mich. (WZMQ) – An event in Gladstone next weekend is bringing musicians of all types together to showcase their talent.
The local music scene has been growing rapidly over the past few years, especially post-pandemic. Music community member Matt Rockweit says that is due in large part to the Music Co-op of Delta County.
“I moved here about six years ago from the West Coast and went to a swap meet at Jim’s Music to find the local musicians,” he said. “Lois Corcoran showed up and wanted to put together a co-op so that musicians could more easily in this area get ahold of one another. She started a Facebook page that got the whole co-op started, and now it’s up to 900 members.”
The Music Co-op has teamed up with the City of Gladstone to sponsor an Open Mic Night at the Gladstone Beach House on Saturday, June 15. The free event is open to all. Attendees are encouraged to bring a chair and a cooler, and June’s Booth Bus will be onsite offering free photos.
Rockweit says the Open Mic Night is an opportunity for more of the community to hear the art local musicians are creating. He says it also allows artists who don’t frequent bars or other usual performance spots to expand their reach.
“It also helps get people involved,” said Rockweit. “There’s definitely folks that might be a little sheepish about playing publicly or reaching out to other folks to play with, and so it helps get those people doing things. We have acoustic, we have rock, we have some poetry that’ll be read. It’s really just about bringing whatever art you have to share.”
The Open Mic Night runs from 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. Walk-ups are welcome, but those interested in performing are invited to sign up in advance by contacting Lois Corcoran at (906) 428-2843.
Click here to see the event flyer. To learn more about the Music Co-op of Delta County, visit the group’s Facebook page.