Hastings Live is returning in 2021. It may look different than it has in the past– there may be ticketing for some events and venue changes for others, but it is happening!

“We are thrilled to be hosting Hastings Live again,” said Thornapple Arts Council Executive Director Megan Lavell. “We’re making safety our first priority as we move forward with our 2021 programming. We know this season is going to feel different than years past, and we appreciate everyone following the safety protocols to keep the community safe and keep the program going all summer.”

“We have been working with the Barry-Eaton Health Department, Hastings City Police, and the Hastings Department of Public Services to safely plan the upcoming Hastings Live season,” said Hastings Downtown Development Director Dan King.

In addition to the Downtown Sculpture Tour (new sculptures are being installed April 27) Hastings Live includes Hastings City Band, Community Concerts, Fridays at the Fountain, and Friday Night Features, Hastings Live at Summerfest, and the Playing at the Plaza Thursday morning children’s entertainment series.

Playing at the Plaza will be held at the Thornapple Plaza this summer to allow children and their families more room to dance, sing, and play while maintaining social distancing. Wednesday and Friday evening and Summerfest concerts will also be held at the Thornapple Plaza which is adjacent to downtown Hastings and its charming and unique shops and restaurants, many located in HOPS, Hastings’ new downtown social district (log on to https://downtownhastings.com/social-district-hops/ for more information). It is also located next to the Riverwalk Trail which hugs the banks of the scenic Thornapple River. Come early and stay late to enjoy all that Hastings has to offer.

Friday Night Features showcase some of the region’s finest up-and-coming performers along with established artists. Friday Night Feature concerts start at 7:30 p.m. at the Thornapple Plaza

The Friday Night Features lineup includes:

June 18 Simply Queen
June 25 Rev. Peyton’s Big Damn Band
July 2 Denise Davis
July 9 Arena Rock
July 16 Jake Kershaw
July 23 Roosevelt Diggs
July 30 Brian Randall Band
Aug. 6 The Insiders
Aug. 13 The Army Band
Aug. 20 The Accidentals

Hastings City Band has been entertaining audiences for more than 150 years. Members are high school aged and up. All Hastings City Band are held on Wednesday at the Thornapple Plaza and start at 7:30 p.m.

Hastings City Band performance dates are:

June 2
June 9
June 16
June 23
June 30

Community Concerts feature some of the area’s finest local talent. All Community Concerts are held on Wednesday evening at the Thornapple Plaza and start at 7:30 p.m.

This year’s Community Concert line-up includes:

July 7 Out of Favor Boys
July 14 Thornapple Jazz Orchestra
July 21 Gooder ‘n Grits
July 28 Geez Louise
Aug. 4 Allie Garland and Awesome Sauce
Aug. 11 Jesse Cline
Aug. 18 Grumpy Old Men
Aug. 25 An Dro

Fridays at the Fountain start at noon on the Barry County Courthouse lawn on the southwest corner of the intersection of Church and State streets. In the event of inclement weather, Friday at the Fountain concerts will be canceled.

This year’s line-up includes:

June 18 Gary Niemensky
June 25 Chuck Whiting Jr.
July 2 Ellie Youngs
July 9 Susan Harrison
July 16 Daves at 7
July 23 Hastings Heartbeat
July 30 Kilkenny Corkers
Aug. 6 Community Music School
Aug. 13 Dede and the Dreamers

Playing at the Plaza is a children’s music, entertainment and education series will be held at the Thornapple Plaza Thursdays at 11 a.m. during the 2021 season.

The line-up includes:
June 17 Brianna Harm
June 24 Ben Jammin
July 1 Kalamazoo Exotic Animals
July 8 Drumming with Dede
July 15 Tunes and Tales with Trisha
July 22 Palamazoo
Aug. 5 Stormy the Magician
Aug. 12 Mime Rob Reider

Hastings Live at Summerfest is the last concert series of the summer. All concerts will be held at the Thornapple Plaza on the Friday and Saturday of the last full weekend in August.

The line-up for this year includes:
Friday, Aug. 27
4-5:15 p.m. Crooked Root
5:45 – 7 p.m. Zion Lion
7:30 – 9 p.m. Crush
Between sets Brianna Harm

Saturday, Aug. 28
2-3 p.m. Brother Adams
3:30 – 5 p.m. Silent Bark
5:30 – 7 p.m. Toppermost
7:30 – 9 p.m. Aeroforce
Between sets Expressions Dance Studio

Please note: Due to ongoing public health concerns, Hastings Live events will observe what safety measures are deemed necessary when the series begins. While all events will remain free, some may be ticketed to limit audience sizes. Please check the City of Hastings and Thornapple Council websites, City of Hastings and Hastings Live Facebook pages throughout the season for updates on bands, venues and current health department guidelines.

“After a year-long void of many activities that we once took for granted, bringing back Hastings Live performances will be a breath of fresh air,” said King.

“We know people want to get back to the concerts, and we appreciate the support of the community in moving forward this season,” said Lavell. “We're going to have a great series in 2021.

Hastings Live is funded in part by the Michigan Council for the Arts and Cultural Affairs and the National Endowment for the Arts. Local sponsors include the Baum Family Foundation, Highpoint Community Bank, Barry County Lumber, and Spectrum Health Pennock.