Live music and summer go hand in hand, but enjoying a great concert doesn’t have to cost a fortune. In fact, as The ’Gander’s Sophie Boudreau has found, it doesn’t have to cost anything at all.

From Grand Rapids to Mackinac Island, she’s rounded up eight places across the state where you can enjoy live music without spending a single cent.

Plus: Michigan’s most iconic ginger ale is turning 160, and Detroit will be the place to be this weekend as Eastern Market throws a street party to celebrate.

70K without power following severe storms (Freep): More than 70,000 Michigan utility customers remained without power Friday morning after severe storms brought widespread damage last night. Southwest Michigan has the largest share of residents still without power.

Gordie Howe Bridge opening delayed (ClickOnDetroit): The opening of the new Gordie Howe International Bridge has been delayed after Canadian and US officials agreed to postpone the launch while unresolved issues are worked out. A ribbon-cutting ceremony planned for today was canceled.

Michigan US Senate candidate calls for public ownership of AI (Bridge Michigan): Democratic US Senate candidate Abdul El-Sayed is calling for stronger federal oversight of artificial intelligence, including public ownership stakes in major AI companies and utility-style regulation, arguing the technology could fundamentally reshape society.

Treat your ears (and your wallet) to a great time at these free concerts in Michigan. (Unsplash)

By Sophie Boudreau

Nothing says summer like rounding up a few friends and heading out to enjoy live music under the sun (or, perhaps preferably, in a sun-adjacent shaded area). There are plenty of options for large stadium concerts, paid live music venues, or appearances by big-name talent, but it’s not always plausible to drop hundreds of dollars on one night of fun. 

Luckily, there’s no shortage of budget-friendly entertainment to be found throughout the Great Lakes State, including plenty of musical performances. Here are eight of our favorite opportunities to catch free concerts in Michigan this summer. 

Vintage glass bottles from Vernors, which was founded in Detroit in 1866. (USA Today Network)

By USA Today Network via Reuters Connect

If you’re from Detroit or Michigan, you likely know Vernors, the Detroit-born soft drink. It’s famous not only for its fizz but also for curing whatever ails you—especially an upset tummy.

This year, the beloved ginger ale created in 1866 is marking its 160th birthday with a street party from 1 to 4 p.m. Sunday, June 14, at Eastern Market. You can expect fun, nostalgia, and lots of ginger ale, of course.

“Everyone from the Detroit area has a Vernors story to tell. It’s a part of our culture,” said Keith Wunderlich, organizer of the event and founder of a club honoring Vernors. “Everybody’s mother gave them Vernors if they were feeling sick. And we knew it was officially summer when our moms gave us Vernors with vanilla ice cream in it.”

Speaking of Vernors…

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Recommend The ’Gander to a friend, and you’ll be entered for a chance to win a vintage Vernors can lamp. If your friend subscribes, they’ll be entered, too.

While scary stories are often, well, scariest, during the Halloween season, there’s something special about passing around creepy tales while sitting around a summer fire, whether camping or just in a backyard.

That’s why earlier this week, I asked readers:

What’s your favorite Michigan urban legend?

Thanks to those who wrote in! Here’s what you had to say:

“My favorite Michigan urban legend is undoubtedly the story of Dogman. I first heard of Dogman during a church youth group retreat to Wolf Lake Ranch. After dinner one night, we stayed in the mess hall for a ‘group activity’ (no idea if this was the youth pastor’s idea or something the staff at Wolf Lake Ranch did). Well, someone turned the light off and they played the 1987 song ‘The Legend’ before announcing we were all going to go for a dark walk in the woods.

“Needless to say, I was TERRIFIED out of my mind. We didn’t see any sign of Dogman on our walk but ever since, I’ve been fascinated by our local cryptid. Do I believe it him? My 30-year-old self says probably not, but my 11-year-old self says, well, you can’t be too careful when you’re out walking in the Michigan woods!” — Eva, Ypsilanti

“My favorite urban legend has to be-where in the world is Jimmy Hoffa’s body buried?” — Paul , Sterling Heights

“The stolen Confederate Gold of Muskegon’s Lumber Baron Benefactor Charles Hackley, especially the tunnels under the streets.

“I grew up in Muskegon where we actually got Hackley Day off school, sort of.  We attended a presentation on Hackley and then got the rest of the day off.  It was in late May or early June, so it seemed like it was always good weather.” — Kurt, Brevort

“The Dogman of Wexford county!” — Susan, Grand Ledge

And if you have a question you’d like me to ask our community, send it my way. I might feature it in a future newsletter.

*Responses may be edited for conciseness or clarity.

Want deeper coverage of Michigan politics? Our free Thursday newsletter, This Week in Michigan Politics, breaks down what’s happening in Lansing and Washington—clearly and without the jargon.

With the midterms approaching, we’ll keep you informed on what could affect your day-to-day life.

Interested?

Thanks for reading. This newsletter was written by Karel Vega with stories from Sophie Boudreau and USA Today Network via Reuters Connect. It was edited by Crystal Niforos.

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