This year, we were incredibly fortunate to host three wonderful concerts for the Beacon Hill Foundation’s Concerts on the Green summer series, sponsored by First Merchants Bank. An important mission of the Beacon Hill Foundation is building community, not just within Beacon Hill, but within Eastgate and beyond. Events like these bring people of all ages and walks of life together. The lively atmosphere, connection to others, and shared experience all provide immeasurable benefits to our residents while connecting our neighbors to Beacon Hill. The smiling faces show just how much this means to everyone. And, new to this year, we served dinner outdoors through Beacon Hill’s food truck, The Traveling Plate. Great music, great food, great neighbors — these concerts made for a memorable summer.

Desmond Jones took the stage in June; a five-piece American band from Michigan with original music written to complement the group’s sound as a whole. The music is centered around melodic guitar riffs, funky bass lines, groovy drumbeats, and smooth saxophone. From rock to jazz to funk to country and more, the group continues to master its already impressive live chops, while delighting a variety of new audiences all around town.

Deep Greens and Blues, who performed in July, is an Americana band consisting of six members with decades of combined musical experience. The band has recorded four albums and performed across the Midwest.

Edye Evans Hyde, our August performer, has been teaching and performing jazz, blues and pop music for more 30 years in West Michigan, Los Angeles and Asia. She has shared the stage with world-renowned blues singer Linda Hopkins, pop singer Michael Bolton, actress Connie Stevens, the late Ray Charles and Cuban trumpet player Arturo Sandoval. She has also appeared with The Grand Rapids Symphony and The West Shore Symphony performing songs from her acclaimed CDs “Girl Talk” and “Lady with A Song.”

Performing with her were guitarist Michael Hyde and saxophonist Mike Frost.

Guitarist Michael Hyde has been an active performer and educator in the West Michigan area for 40+ years. Mike has taught guitar and other courses over the years at Grand Rapids Community College, Aquinas College, Hope College, and Western Michigan University. Throughout his career, Mike has been an in-demand performer for casuals, clubs, studio work, and shows playing every style including rock, pop, jazz, country, and classical. He has been the Grand Rapids Symphony’s first-call guitarist for several years.

Saxophonist Mike Frost has been a prominent performer and bandleader in the Midwest for more than 30 years. Hailing from Chicago and now living in Grand Rapids, he’s headlined many world-renowned Chicago jazz clubs as well as other performance spaces and festivals in the Midwest, including Taste of Chicago, The Chicago Jazz Festival, Jazzin’ at The Shedd, The Art Institute of Chicago, The Isthmus Jazz Festival and Days of Wine & Jazz.

Thank you to First Merchants Bank, our performers, concertgoers, and supporters who made this all possible. We look forward to another great series in 2023!