The venerable Val Du Lakes Resort plans to start bringing national musical acts back to Mears, Mich. this summer.
The outdoor amphitheater, which hosted the likes of Aerosmith and Metallica during its heyday in the early ‘90s, plans a full summer of concerts in 2011. While the summer 2011 lineup is still taking shape, the venue’s promoter has finalized a dozen dates featuring classic rock, country, hip-hop and alternative bands.
Classic rockers CheapTrick, alternative rockers Collective Soul and country star Sara Evans are among the first national acts that have been confirmed for shows at Val Du Lakes this summer, according to promoter Ned Timmer. He says Val Du Lakes is working on a variety of other shows including the Xtreme Muzik tour featuring country’s Big & Rich with Gretchen Wilson, as well as a show by ‘70s rock sensation and current Celebrity Apprentice contestant Meat Loaf.
"It's time for the Phoenix to rise," Timmer says, alluding to the mythical bird that symbolizes rebirth. From the mid-70s to the mid-90s, Val Du Lakes was a stop for some of the biggest names in the rock era, including Guns and Roses, Hank Williams Jr., Stevie Ray Vaughn and Motley Crue, as well as mega-tours such as the Clash of the Titans featuring Megadeth, Anthrax and Slayer. In the mid-90s, Val Du Lakes stopped booking national shows in part due to competition from the new Van Andel Arena and the changing dynamics of the concert business. Brian and Mary Lowing bought Val Du Lakes in 2006, with the intention of bringing music back to the historic venue.
For 2011, the resort plans to have shows every weekend from May through August with the exception of July 4 weekend, Timmer says. Muskegon’s Summer Celebration and Rothbury’s first Electric Forest Festival are scheduled for that weekend. Tickets will range in price from about $10 to $40 for general admission, with VIP seating available for premium pricing. Timmer also expects to host some free music shows during the summer.
Visitors to Val Du Lakes will see changes and improvements from its previous incarnations, including a new VIP deck, a new stage, and a renovated pavilion, Timmer says.
The season kicks off on May 20 with Australia rockers Sick Puppies with special guests My Darkest Days. Grand Rapids alternative rockers Pop Evil visit Val Du Lakes the following day with Two Headed Chan and Circus Asylum.
The following weekend, Val Du Lakes welcomes country songstress Evans on May 28 with opening support from former American Idol contestant Danny Gokey.
Other shows include: Southern rockers Molly Hatchet and .38 Special (June 6); Collective Soul with Better than Ezra (June 18); Gin Blossoms and Tonic (June 25); blues-rocker Daniella Cotton (June 29); and indie rockers Thriving Ivory (August 12).
Val Du Lakes also plans two weekend festivals, including a “SummerSoundfest” with rock, hip-hop and underground music on July 10-11 and a “Classic‘80s…More or Less” weekend featuring shows by Cheap Trick, Patty Smyth & Scandal, Donnie Iris, Dr. Hook and others on Aug. 5-6.
Photo courtesy of Troll for Trout.
