Rocking the roof – free curbside concerts are back

Season 5 of Curbside Concerts has been a blast. Get ready for four more great shows this fall as the best local musicians play the best roof in downtown Elkhart.

The rooftop lights back up at 7 p.m. Friday, Aug. 30, when we welcome The JR Clark Band to the stage for the first time. From there, expect to see some long-time friends each Friday through Sept. 20.

• Friday, Aug. 30 – JR Clark Band (blues)
• Friday, Sept. 6 – Los Ortega (regional Mexican)
• Friday, Sept. 13 – Quite Frank Lee (soft rock and originals)
• Friday, Sept. 20 – nine2K (’90s and alternative)

All these shows are ”Well Crafted” thanks to our partners, the Elkhart County Convention and Visitors Bureau.

The musicians

We’re happy to bring back Los Ortega and Quite Frank Lee – both played to big crowds in 2023, and you’ll want to come ready to dance.

Some of our friends with High Gravity are branching out with nine2K. Sept. 20 will mark their first-ever performance as a group under this name, and they’ll be bringing the SiriusXM Lithium vibe to the roof.

And what can we say about the JR Clark Band? Seeing Johnny B. Gayden on bass will be one of the best things to ever happen on the roof. The rest of the band, which plays a bunch in southwestern Michigan and along the lake, are talented in their own right. Plus, horn section. This will be a stellar show to kick off the fall slate.

The stars will be out every Friday in downtown Elkhart.

The food and the other things to know

As always, these concerts are free. Bands play on our roof, so bring camp chairs and watch from our parking lot. We sell beer, wine and soda – ask the bartenders, and they’ll probably get you the library book you’ve been wanting, too.

And what about the food?

That Guys Gourmet Ribs will be here for every show this fall. Tropicana Ice Cream Shop will be here Aug. 30, Sept. 13 and Sept. 20. More food pop-ups might be announced later.

The library parking lot will be fenced and open to all ages (only the marked alcohol sale area is 21-and-over). Parking is available on the street or in nearby municipal lots. Musicians may bring merch to sell, and the library accepts cash and card.

In the event of rain, we move the music indoors to the library atrium. Doors will open at 6:30, and both food and bar will be available inside.

And earlier this year …

In case you missed it, here’s who played in the spring of 2024. High Gravity became the first member of our Five-Timer Club, having played once each season so far. Paul Erdman, Lalo Cura and Darryl Buchanan all have made three appearances.

• May 10 – Paul Decker and the Remnants
• May 17 – Jake Miller and the Midwest Heat
• May 24 – Society’s Child
• May 31 – Darryl Buchanan and the Soul Motown Allstars
• June 7 – Punk Night featuring The Distractions, Half Built Homes and the Hatchbacks
• June 14 – High Gravity
• June 21 – Friday Jazz Fest party featuring Paul Erdman (9:30-11:45 p.m.) and JAGALCHI (7:30-8:45 p.m.)
• June 22 – Saturday Jazz Fest party featuring Lalo Cura (9:30-11:45 p.m.) and rebel noire and the accomplices (7:30-8:45 p.m.)
• June 28 – BEE The Band