Brighton’s Amphitheater on Mill Pond will once again host live music this summer with Turn Up The AMP! – a series of monthly concerts presented by Lake Trust Credit Union that kicks off at 7 p.m. Wednesday, June 8 with The Steve Taylor Three.
A key component to the series is a food drive for the Livingston County Hunger Council. Attendees are encouraged to bring a non-perishable food item – especially canned vegetables and canned meats – to donate, and monetary donations will be gladly accepted as well.
The family-friendly concerts are free and open to the public. Attendees can use The AMP’s seating or bring lawn chairs, an umbrella for shade, and blankets for lawn seating across the Mill Pond.
The series is produced by 2 Stones Events, the husband-and-wife team of Cal Stone and Whitney McClellan Stone. They began presenting an annual live music series, Jazz @ The Pond, in downtown Brighton’s amphitheater in 2013, pausing in 2018 while the venue was being renovated and again in 2020 due to the pandemic.
“We were able to fire the series up again last summer,” said Stone, “but we decided to switch it up and do some different genres. For more than a decade, we’ve had the privilege of booking the music for Brighton’s Smokin’ Jazz & Barbecue Blues Festival, and those two genres will always be our bread-and-butter. But Michigan has so many talented musicians in a wide variety of styles that it just made sense to feature some pop, rock, and country, too.”
The 2022 series runs June through September with all concerts on the second Wednesday of the month, including The Detroit Drive, July 13; Chris Canas Band, Aug. 10; and the Randy Brock Group, Sept. 14.
Lake Trust Credit Union is once again on board as the presenting partner. Part of LTCU’s mission includes supporting area events and initiatives that build stronger local connections. The issue of local food insecurity has been made even more prevalent since the pandemic, and the food drives offer a vehicle for raising awareness and making a positive impact.
“Turn Up the AMP! provided approximately 400 pounds of food,” said Bridget Brown, director of Food Secure Livingston, in summarizing the positive impact of the 2021 series. “That’s the equivalent of over 330 meals to those in need across Livingston County. In addition, I understand that we had many conversations about food insecurity when guests stopped by the table asking who we were, what we were up to, and how they could help.”
As in the series’ past, 2 Stones Events also encourages attendees to also support Brighton’s restaurants by getting dinner, dessert or a drink before or after the show.
“We have an amazing food scene here, and we’re grateful most have been able to survive the pandemic. But they need our support now more than ever,” said McClellan Stone. “And with downtown Brighton a ‘social district,’ you can now get an adult beverage at El Arbol, The Pound Bar & Grill, Single Barrel Social or Champ’s Pub and bring it to The AMP and enjoy the concert.”
For more information about Turn Up The AMP!, visit www.2StonesEvents.com.
