Originator, not imitator: Lowell sets the beat for West Michigan
Photo by Bruce Doll
By Justin Tiemeyer - Contributing Writer
9 July 2025
Not only is the Lowell Showboat Sizzlin’ Summer Concert Series free to all attendees, but it came close to winning a big distinction ahead of the 2025 season. When “Grand Rapids Magazine” chose its 2025 Best Local Music Series winner, the Sizzlin’ Summer Concert Series was a finalist.
Ryne Clarke is a program manager at Lowell Arts. “Grand Rapids Magazine did not reach out ahead of time,” Clarke said. “We found out when the general public did, which was a fun surprise.”
The winner was the Ayers Basement Systems Tuesday Evening Club at Frederik Meijer Gardens & Sculpture Park.
“I think they won because of the number of local artists from Grand Rapids that they have on their bill, that they are supporting directly by having them play in their hometown,” Clarke said. “Another reason may be the permanent stage and seating they offer, in addition to their lawn area, giving them a larger capacity to host bigger bands.”
Cliff Yankovich is the MC of the Sizzlin’ Summer Concert Series, and he has been a member of the music committee, on and off, as his schedule has allowed it, for years. For Yankovich, there is a big difference between the Sizzlin’ Summer Concert Series and the Tuesday night shows at Meijer Garden.
“First and foremost, our concerts are totally free,” Yankovich said. “Our sponsors make that possible, and there is no way to thank them enough. Yes, people can see the Tuesday night shows at Meijer Garden at no cost, IF they pay admission to be in the Gardens or are members who pay an annual membership fee.”
Yankovich has nothing against Meijer Gardens; he and wife, Julie Devoe, co-owners of Chimera Design in Lowell, are members, but he is also one of the community’s biggest supporters of the local music scene. When asked which artist or band is his favorite from this year’s lineup, Yankovich responded, “Whichever one is playing.”
“I think it is real cool that the Sizzlin’ concerts got some positive press,” Yankovich said. “The shows have grown so much over the years, and what was started here has been duplicated all over the place. My tagline for the shows this year: ‘We are the originator, not the imitator.’”
Yankovich credits Lowell for the proliferation of free summer concerts in Ada, Rockford, Hastings, and Sparta, among other places. “You can’t hardly swing a cat without hitting some burg with a free concert series in the summer these days,” he said.
Lowell is unique among the finalists of the 2025 Best Local Music Series in that it is the only concert series that is free without restrictions.
The Sizzlin’ Summer Concert Series is what Janet Teunis, director of Lowell Arts, describes as “a true 50/50 partnership between Lowell Arts and the Lowell Area Chamber of Commerce.” Shannon Kennedy is the executive director of the Chamber of Commerce. “The Chamber / Lowell Arts partnership was established long before Janet and I assumed our ED roles,” Kennedy said. “I’m thankful our predecessors had the foresight to work together in this way and create something as special as our Sizzlin’ Summer Concert Series. It has been a natural fit for us. The Chamber’s job is to help promote Lowell as a desirable place to live, work, and play. Public art is a key component of the formula, and we’re excited for the future of Lowell Arts and our community.”
Kennedy, like Yankovich, had trouble picking a favorite Sizzlin’ Summer Concert Series musician. “We have an awesome lineup this summer, so it’s hard to pick just one,” Kennedy said. “I do have to say, I’m excited to see Kanin Wren’s Taylor Swift Experience during Riverwalk Festival. We were due for some ‘teen pop’ in our lineup, and I think we’ll see a broad range at her show.”
For Clarke, it was a little bit easier. “My favorite performer on the 2025 lineup is Prior Noon,” Clarke said. “I’ve known most of the members since high school. It’s great to see them making some great music and having fun while doing it. Nothing is better than being able to have a Lowell-based band play the Lowell series. Supporting local artists has remained an important goal for Lowell Arts.”
The Sizzlin’ Summer Concert Series may not have won the big award, but nobody seems to think anything less of it for being a finalist. When Yankovich declined to pick a favorite group, it was because he could spend a summer listing the virtues of any one of them chosen at random. That is how much he loves these artists. “I can rattle a list of musicians and artist that I have met through Lowell Arts as long as my arm,” Yankovich said. “Sorry for rambling on, but this subject fires me up.”
The Lowell Showboat Sizzlin’ Summer Concert Series started on June 12, 2025 with the Accidentals and concludes on August 14 with Brena. Additionally, Lowell Arts has a Youth Art Zone at Kent District Library’s Englehardt Branch in the Community Room, where children can work on art projects while their parents are rocking out on the lawn. Concerts start at 7 p.m.
