Music in the Air Still Going Strong as Season Winds Down to Final Weeks

Plymouth again has put together a solid Friday night repertoire for the thousands of residents who flock to the “Music in the Air” concert series at each week in the summer.

Not only is there free entertainment downtown at 7 p.m. every Friday, but a handful of downtown vendors set up shop to offer the best of sweets and eats while visitors enjoy the live music. and the set up shop in the park each Friday to help keep residents’ stomachs filled while they relax or dance to the tunes by the likes of The Shawn Riley Band, The Crutches and The Bluescasters. Restaurants situated along Ann Arbor Trail and South Main Street near the park, including the , and , also boast packed patios each Friday.

Compared with past years, turnout and overall response have been on par, said John Buzuvis, director of business operations for the Plymouth Downtown Development Authority, showing that the weekly series is a genuine success for the community and residents haven’t been turned away by Metro Detroit’s recent heat wave.

“Despite some hot evenings… we’ve had a good turnout in the park,” Buzuvis said. “Our biggest show was Steve King and the Dittilies; that was probably our highest attendance. I’d estimate 5-6,000 people were at that show. Other evenings it’s closer to 3-4,000.”

The likelihood of getting a group of people larger than a packed to congregate in the downtown area each week seems from an outside perspective to be nearly impossible. But, as a handful of Patch photo spreads can show from other weeks, they consistently have engaged the community.

After a summer that has been hit by a record-setting heat wave, coupled with some instances of unusual heavy storms, having a relaxing and free event at the end of the week seems to play a major role for the strong turnouts.

“I think there’s a little bit of something for everybody,” Buzuvis said. “Typically (with) the talent we get, many of them have cut their own CDs and gone on tour at least regionally. But they still play cover tunes, so people have songs they can sing along to. It ranges everything from blues, doo-wop, classic rock-type stuff. (That’s) one of the reasons why I think they’re so well-attended.”

Buzuvis also said he’s interacted with people who have come as far as Downriver to enjoy the concerts. The feedback has been nothing but positive, he said.

With just four weeks left until this season’s series is wrapped up, those who have yet to come enjoy a Friday night downtown might want to make the trek before it’s too late.

On Friday, Michael King & Friends will be hitting the stage at 7 p.m., promising a strong set of rock ‘n’ roll.