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If you're looking for something to do this week, you're only a click away from seeing what's happening. NorthernSpin.com can fill in the blanks for folks who love Michigan and want their inside connection to Northern & Western Michigan events. Simple click here on the Event Calendar to see what's happening in your area or scroll down to see what lurks below. Thank you for checking us out and allowing NorthernSpin.com to be your source for finding all the happenings in Michigan. Be sure to put in your email so that we can keep ya updated, not in an annoying way, but through a pleasant email once in a while. Peace out my friends! - Brian Sweebe, Editor.

Mega 80s Hits the Magic Bag

I have had the incredibly awesome opportunity to check these dudes out in Traverse City for an 80s party we put together.  I must tell ya, no one, and I mean NO ONE can bring you back to the 80's memory lane like they can.  I relived my childhood and young adult life all over again thanks to this band.  It doesn't matter where you're hanging out in the state of Michigan I recommend you track these cats down.  But if you're in the Detroit area, be sure to catch them at the Magic Bag.  They have a pretty good hold on several dates there.  Here's a little snippet I took directly from their web site to fill all ya Mega 80's virgins out there.

Take a handful of your favorite 80's songs, a splash of some retro fashion, a pinch of panache and an eye-popping video spectacle in the background and what do you get? The Mega 80's, of course! Since their emergence onto the Detroit music scene, the Mega 80's have taken southeast Michigan by storm. Now veterans of the 80's cultural milieu, they are still rocking as hard as ever. The proof is in the pudding. They've since been bestowed with awards such as: the Real Detroit's "Best of..." Best Live Production in 2003, '04, and '05. Best Cover Band in 2006-07, Best Live Performance in 2008, and Best Cover Band in 2009 and 2010. Hour Detroit's best local band, 2009. The Knot: Best of Weddings 2010 pick and one of WDIV's "4 The Best" top 5 bands two years running. This also includes playing at the Palace of Auburn Hills and being highlighted on Mitch Albom and Fox 2 News.

The band features some of the greatest players in the Detroit area. Drummer Jason Gittinger is a musician that can do anything. Jason's talent has been spotlighted many times, such as: TV specials with Kevin Bacon at the Fox Theater, recording international advertising campaigns for companies such as Cadillac, as well as extensive european tours with local and national acts. Guitarist Mick Khzouz, an accomplished musician that can play just about any guitar style, loves the positivity that the 80's era has brought back. 
Performing at the Magic Bag, Friday, May 2nd

Old Friends: A Simon & Garfunkel Spectacular

Nick Foresman & Jason Elsenheimer have been playing music together for over 26 years. Friends since the 7th grade, they began their musical careers by performing Simon & Garfunkel songs for family and friends at various social gatherings.

When Nick & Jason decided to put together a Simon & Garfunkel tribute show, it seemed so natural that they wondered why they hadn't thought of it sooner. They had already been singing these songs for over 25 years and that’s almost as long as the real Simon & Garfunkel.

So after a year of talk and nearly 2 years of rehearsing, refining the songs and working with some of most talented musicians available they were able to put together an amazing live show complete with a full 7 piece band; drums, bass, electric guitars, piano/keyboards and horn section. Nick was even able to locate and purchase the exact acoustic guitar model that Paul Simon used in the 1981 concert.

There is no other Simon & Garfunkel tribute show that even comes close. Old Friends pays ultimate homage to this amazing American duo in their most memorable performance ever and stays true to the beauty of their timeless songs. Nick & Jason's warm, blending harmonies, crisp guitar work and attention to every detail make Old Friends the premier Simon & Garfunkel tribute show.


Must see event Friday, May 2nd @ Griswold Auditorium in Allegan, MI

Click here for the band's web site.

Live Music in Traverse City: Summer 2014

Blue October - NorthernSpin photo
Over the past few years, Traverse City has changed immensely. NEW & IMPROVED - Now with more music than ever! There's some new venues and some old venues as well as reintroducing some old venues.
Northwestern Michigan Fairgrounds will be host to at least three concerts events this Summer.  Of course everyone is looking forward to the Interlochen Concerts series schedule and who's gonna play the National Cherry Festival this year.  Some newcomer venues include the FlintFields in Williamsburg (Home of Horse Shows by the Bay) and various locations around the Village of Grand Traverse.
Here's a list of some concerts scheduled this Summer in TC.  For a complete list be sure to check out the Event Calendar page.

May 3 - Puddle of Mudd @ Ground Zero Nightclub
May 23 - Blue October @ Ground Zero Nightclub
May 28 - Theroy of a Deadman @ Ground Zero Nightclub

June 26 - Bret Michaels (of Poison) @ Northwestern Michigan Fairgrounds
June 28 - Saving Abel @ Ground Zero Nightclub

July 11 - Justin Moore @ National Cherry Festival
July 19 - Traverse City Symphony Orchestra @ The Village
July 24 - The Guess Who & Starship @ Northwestern Michigan Fairgrounds

August 8 - Lyle Lovett @ FlintFields
August 9 - Sebastian Bach (of Skid Row) @ Ground Zero Nightclub
August 14 - Eddie Money & Night Ranger @ Northwestern Michigan Fairgrounds


Lansing Microbrew & Music Festival in April

[Fox 47 News Reports] Lansing, MI – Craft brew, music and culinary lovers will gather at Adado Riverfront Park in downtown Lansing for the inaugural Lansing Microbrew & Music Festival scheduled for Friday and Saturday, April 18 and 19.

The festival will feature 50+ carefully selected Michigan, national and international craft breweries, 250+ craft beers, ciders, meads and wines as well as more than 100 musicians, marching bands, Homebrewer’s Challenge, food and brew pairings, rare and sour beer tours, and local food vendors.

Rockville, Maryland, band O.A.R. and reggae and hip hop musicians Dirty Heads will headline the Lansing Microbrew & Music Festival, festival producers announced today. Dirty Heads will play on Friday, April 18, and O.A.R. will perform on Saturday, April 19. Read more

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