More than 1,000 people are expected to attend the Brian Vander Ark concert Thursday evening in downtown Mount Pleasant.

Vander Ark, who is most famous for singing lead vocals for The Verve Pipe, will be playing at 7 p.m. Thursday in front of Max and Emily’s Bakery Cafe, 125 E. Broadway St.

The Verve Pipe is a modern rock band from Michigan who gained popularity in the 1990s for their songs “Photograph,” “Cup of Tea,” and number one hit, “The Freshman.” Although The Verve Pipe is still together, Vander Ark tours the country playing solo acoustic from his latest self-titled album.

Vander Ark’s performance is a series of three concerts that will be going on throughout the summer, all starting at 7 p.m. All are free.

Tim Brockman, owner of Max and Emily’s, said they just wanted to have a Michigan-based concert series for the local community.

“We just wanted to be able to set up something for the city and for people who want to see a show,” Brockman said.

The other two acts are July 16, and August 20, and feature Michigan natives The Saucecats and Monique Berry.

The Saucecats, from Chesney, have a bluegrass and Cajun style and Mount Pleasant native Berry, who played in a downtown concert last year, is said to resemble singer Jewel.

Max and Emily’s, Isabella Bank and the City of Mount Pleasant are co-sponsoring the events.

Last year’s concert attracted approximately 600 people and its success prompted this year’s summer concert series, Brockman said.

The city will be blocking off Broadway Street from University Street to Main Street. Several local shops, including Ace of Diamonds, 128 E. Broadway St., Trillium, 123 E. Broadway St., Stone Soup, 120 E. Broadway St. and the Mole Hole, 120 S. Main St., will all remain open throughout the night.

Helen Chase, owner of Trillium, a woman’s fine clothing store, said downtown is very pleased to have the concert.

“We normally close at 6 and I would think there would be increased traffic between 6 and 7, so we wanted to stay open,” she said.

The concert series is alcohol-free and people should bring their own chairs to the event. Max and Emily’s will be selling brats, fajitas and burgers during the concert and the patio will be open on a first come, first serve basis.

news@cm-life.com

Summer Concert
Series
Three concerts will be going on throughout the summer.
Shows start at 7 p.m.
All shows are free.
Act Two: The Saucecats on July 16.
Act Three: Monique Berry on August 20.

E-mail the author: Frank Cerra