Lunchtime Live! sets stage for summer of food and live music in Bronson Park

KALAMAZOO, MI — Food trucks, live music and sunshine. A familiar end of the week feeling in downtown Kalamazoo on Fridays throughout the summer.

Lunchtime Live! will return to the heart of Kalamazoo on Friday, June 10 and continue on throughout the summer with musical performances and countless food options every Friday from 11:30 a.m. – 1:30 p.m. through Sept. 2.

The annual, free summertime series sponsored by KZoo Parks and presented by Lake Michigan Credit Union released information on this year’s performers earlier this week.

Kicking off the season will be Kalamazoo’s own Megan Dooley, who will bring her blend of American roots music with a modern edge to the stage as food trucks line the south side of the park along South Street.

The full schedule is as follows:

• June 10: Megan Dooley: Americana roots performer from Kalamazoo.

• June 17: Hurricane Reggae Band: Award-winning Chicago-based reggae act fronted by Dominican native Cleve Hurricane Jean Jacques.

• June 24: Kari Lynch: Alt-country singer songwriter from Michigan, who is now based out of Nashville where in addition to working on her solo projects, she fronts The Kari Lynch Band.

• July 1: Carrie & The McFerrinheits: Kalamazoo-based alt-country singer-songwriter with a supporting cast.

• July 8: Mike Struwin: Original, Americana and classic rock favorites from St. Joseph native.

• July 15: Sam Luna & Sage Castleberry: Aspiring Battle Creek artists performing modern original music and classic radio hits dating back to the 60s.

• July 22: Jordan Hamilton: Kalamazoo-based hip hop cellist who brings musical mastery and an upbeat genre-melding blend of avant-garde folk music to the stage.

• July 29: Monte Pride: Michigan-based singer-songwriter who sings stories of love, loss and longing.

• Aug. 5: Kanola Band: The Midwest’s own New Orleans jazz outfit promises to bring the diverse sounds of Dixieland, zydeco and funk to the park.

• Aug. 12: Pinter Whitnick: Husband and wife duo out of Detroit that represents a multitude of genres with their harmonizing, full band sound.

• Aug. 19: Youth & Teen Talent Show: Co-hosted by the Kalamazoo Promise and the Kalamazoo Civic, youth and teens can sign up to participate through music, dance, comedy or something else.

• Aug. 26: Serita’s Black Rose: Grand Rapids “funkateer” Serita Crowley will perform a raucous mix of funk, rock, blues, neo-soul and Americana music from the 60s and 70s along with her partner Jon Hayes.

• Sept. 2: i.am.james: Performing music “left to the center of pop” roots musician Sierra Cassidy closes the series with i.am.james. Cassidy is a graduate of Interlochen Arts Academy and the Berklee School of Music.

For more information on each of the individual performers click here.

Food and retail will be available for purchase at the park each Friday, beginning at 11:30 a.m. Food trucks will be lined up along South Street and other vendors will be set up throughout the park each week.

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