An opportunity to experience live music will take place this Saturday, October 10 on Railroad Drive in downtown Three Rivers. Live music acts will perform in the area behind the Riviera Theatre between 4 p.m. and 7 p.m., and seating areas will be available in the form of socially distanced circles, marked on the ground, accommodating up to five attendees each.
Part of Railroad Drive will be closed for the event, and attendees will be invited to bring their own chairs or other seating. “I think we’ve got some good music,” event co-organizer John “Charlie” Wolgamood said. Three bands or performers are scheduled for Saturday’s event. They include the Tumbleweed Jumpers, Here nor There, and Three Rivers native Courtney Moore.
According to their Facebook page, Tumbleweed Jumpers characterize themselves as “a high-energy, roots-based Americana dance-rock band from Goshen, (Indiana) with an ever-evolving lineup and genre-busting sounds.” On their website, they describe themselves as a “bristling, roaring, dancing, skipping, jamming folk-rock-Americana monster full of infectious melodies,” with bluegrass and rock inspiration.
Also based in Indiana, Here nor There’s Facebook page bio describes them as a “multi-genre” four-piece band, whose “catalogue features rock-funk-bluegrass and much, much more in both our original music and covers.” The band previously performed at the Riviera Theatre in July 2019 and performs regularly at a variety of venues throughout the Michiana region.
Courtney Moore is a Three Rivers vocalist whose music includes a variety of traditional and contemporary R&B and pop-influenced sounds. She has been a performer at the First Thursday Open Mic series at Lowry’s Books and More in Three Rivers, as well as at other open mic events and other venues in White Pigeon and Kalamazoo. She produces music videos with her work, which are viewable through her Facebook page.
At Saturday’s event, food will be available to order from several downtown dining establishments, with delivery available to each circle. QR codes will be available at each circle to expedite ordering. Alcoholic beverages will not be allowed.
The Riviera Theatre and the Three Rivers Downtown Development Authority and Main Street Program (TRDDA) are collaborating to host the event, which will serve as a fundraiser for other, upcoming downtown events. Fall and winter events for the remainder of 2020, which may include Halloween, Christmas, and New Years’ Eve activities, are not yet confirmed but are in the planning stages either by TRDDA, the downtown merchants, or both.
TRDDA Executive Director Tricia Meyer said that to help with fundraising, “a lot of the bands are donating their time, which is nice.”
Pandemic control measures will be in place, including masking requirements outside of designated circles and a hand sanitizing station onsite. Restrooms will be available nearby at A Place in Time.
The price to attend is $50 per five-person circle, equating to $10 per person. Tickets are available for sale during open hours at TRDDA’s office, located at 57 North Main Street, or by phoning Meyer at 269-535-5145. Information will also be updated on the event’s Facebook page and the Downtown Three Rivers website.
Dave Vago is a writer and columnist for Watershed Voice. A Philadelphia native with roots in Three Rivers, Vago is a planning consultant to history and community development organizations and is the former Executive Director of the Three Rivers DDA/Main Street program.
