Max and Emily’s summer concert series begins Thursday with The Ragbirds

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The streets of downtown Mount Pleasant are about to get a little louder — but not from heavy bass emerging from passing traffic.

Max and Emily’s annual concert series begins Thursday, filling downtown Broadway Street with a broad spectrum of local and national musical talent.

“This event not only promotes downtown Mount Pleasant, but the arts of the area,” said Max and Emily’s manager Chris Walton.

The event will take place in front of Max and Emily’s Eatery, 125 E. Broadway St.

“We are shutting down the entire street at 7 p.m. for the concert,” said Max and Emily’s owner Tim Brockman.

Walton said the eatery will stay open throughout the concert until 9 p.m., and will grill hot dogs, hamburgers and other summer favorites for attendees.

The first of the three-concert series will feature folk rock and world-fusion band The Ragbirds. The next concert, which will be headlined by Toad the Wet Sprocket, will take place July 28.

At the final concert on Aug. 28, actor and musician Jeff Daniels will return by concertgoer request, along with Brian Vander Ark, lead singer of Verve Pipe.

“I think Jeff Daniels is a great addition to the concert series because he did graduate from Central Michigan University so there is a connection there,” said Stan Shingles, assistant vice president of University Recreation.

The last concert will take place during CMU’s Welcome Weekend, which will offer students another opportunity to get to know Mount Pleasant.

“I think this concert will show all students, but especially transfer students, what our city has to offer, what downtown Mount Pleasant has to offer,” Shingles said. “It is showing support to Mount Pleasant and not just to our campus.”

Max and Emily’s will take donations for the William Ellis Brockman Infant Food Pantry at the Central Michigan Chapter of the American Red Cross, 215 E. Broadway St., at each concert. The most needed items are diapers and baby formula.

“This event is beneficial to Max and Emily’s, but also it’s about families coming together and enjoying some good music,” Walton said. “The concerts are a fabulous idea not only for the performers, but for the community and downtown.”