GLADSTONE, Mich. (WZMQ) – A Gladstone restaurant is bringing people together to support local musicians, businesses, and nonprofits.
Each weekend this summer, The Dewdrop Family Restaurant hosts live music by a rotation of local artists.
“We started this last year on Labor Day as a trial, and it went over fantastic, so we decided to do it this year every Saturday night,” said Dewdrop owner Amanda Phillips.
The concert series is usually held outside on the patio. However, during inclement weather, bands like Reflections are happy to make sure the show still goes on indoors.
Reflections member Michelle Czygan says the band is grateful for the chance to play regularly for their community.
“It’s a very good opportunity, especially for up-and-coming musicians to get out and play in front of people,” she said. “It gives them a little exposure, and besides, it’s a lot of fun!”
“There’s always somebody smiling when music is playing, so it’s just a relaxed atmosphere,” said Phillips. “And we use this exposure in many ways just to give back to the community, which is part of the reason why we partnered with Tiffany.”
Tiffany Olsick owns June’s Booth Bus, a VW van she renovated into a traveling photo booth.
“You pick out your prop, and then you hop in the bus, and there’s a camera there,” Olsick explained. “It takes four pictures, and then it prints out these cute little photo strips.”
She says it is a fun way for guests to make memories, as well as an opportunity to invest in local businesses and nonprofits.
“A lot of my funds that I get from the bus actually go to those organizations, like the Dream Weaver Museum, the Foster Closet, and the United Way of Delta County,” said Olsick.
Phillips is proud to bring people together at the table, on the stage, and in the photo bus to benefit so many Delta County organizations.
“We’ve had a great summer thus far,” she said. “I think encouraging people to get outside and enjoy their families and support local business is very important.”
Click here to see the full calendar of performances at The Dewdrop Family Restaurant. Saturday performances are held from 6:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. Click here to learn more about June’s Booth Bus.
