Underwriting support from:
City Lights Logo /Megan Shellenbarger
City Lights Music Festival is coming to Calder Plaza on Saturday August 20. Eight performers will take the stage from 4 p.m.-12 p.m., including Steve Swift, Brandon Hill, Detroit Techno Militia, DJ Godfather, Superdre, Kalendr, Anthony Attala, and Kenneth Thomas.
This event grew out of of GREMN (Grand Rapids Electronic Music Night), which was started by Rob Bliss in 2009 at Rosa Parks Circle with 3,500 attending. In 2010, GREMN grew to 15,000. Bliss is collaborating with event promoter Shannan Williams for 2011's City Lights Music Festival. They are hoping to eventually grow this festival to a three day event.
Brittney Shellenbarger, a City Lights Festival organizer, said "We are really taking some big steps forward this year. In previous years this festival only featured local talent. This year, not only is there going to be great local talent, but we are also branching to artists outside of Grand Rapids to continue this forward motion of getting bigger and forming stronger ideas."
This year, not just the name of the event has changed. City Lights Music Festival, like GREMN, is free for general admission. Shellenbarger said, "Unlike the years before, we will have alcohol available to those of age provided by the B.O.B, Founders, 25 Kitchen & Bar, and Sixx."
There will also be the addition of two 21-and-up VIP sections: gold and platinum.
Tickets for the gold VIP section are $20.00 and will provide:
- VIP only happy hour specials
- VIP exclusive entrance
- Close access to the stage
- Ticket doubles as raffle ticket for prizes
- Couches and seating area with clear view of stage
Tickets for the platinum VIP section are $30.00 and feature the same benefits as the gold section and additionally:
- Located in the Artist lounge area with meet and greet opportunities
- Directly in front of all performing artists
- Even closer to the stage than front row, center stage general admission
- Special viewing area immediately in front of stage
- Elevated area to see over the crowd
Tickets for the VIP areas are still available from the City Lights Music Festival website or from any of the participating bars.
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