The music scene in Calhoun County heats up in the summer. You’ll find some unusual venues, from a grocery store to a movie theater to a golf course.
Blues at the Bohm
The Bohm Theatre in Albion is a restored movie palace that also hosts concerts and events. The most popular is the monthly Blues at the Bohm. In celebration of 10 years, the Bohm is bringing in some big names for 2025. Each concert is the first Monday of the month and begins at 7 p.m. Bring your own instruments for a jam session after the concert.
Clara’s on the River
The back patio for Clara’s is an enchanted garden right by the Battle Creek River. Order a drink or dinner from the comprehensive menu. Music nights are Wednesdays through Fridays from 6 to 9 p.m.
Dark Horse Brewing Co.
Dark Horse Brewing Co. in Marshall is more than a good beer – the outdoor patio is extensive. Parts of it are covered for rainy day. Concerts extend from May until October. Music is every Thursday and Saturday.
Fridays at the Fountain
From Taylor Swift to reggae, bring your seat for an outdoor concert by the iconic Brooks Memorial Fountain in Marshall. Concerts run from 7 to 9 p.m. every other Friday, until Aug. 8. In case of rain, the concert moves to Dark Horse Brewing.
Griffin Grill and Pub
It’s live music on the pub patio from 5:30-8:30 p.m. every Wednesday and Thursday. This dog-friendly patio serves snacks for four-legged friends along with Irish inspired pub fare for humans.
Horrocks
It might be a grocery store, but Horrocks also has a garden-like tavern with a stage. Live music is Thursday-Sunday. Get a drink at the bar, pick up some ready-made food or put together your own charcuterie board, and sit down for some entertainment.
Leilapalooza 
The music festival takes place in Leila Arboretum on July 26, across three different stages. You can spread out a picnic blanket among the fantastic sculptures of Fantasy Forest or dance in the grass by the perennial gardens. The genres are as diverse as the types of flora in the arboretum.
Music on the Grounds
Villa on Verona is Marshall’s laid-back boutique hotel. They will host three outdoor concerts this summer. Bring lawn chairs and drinks. There will be bounce houses for the kids. Cost is $10 admission, and kids get in for free.
Squirrel Hollow
Watch a concert while golf carts drive by in the background. Squirrel Hollow Golf Course has built a stage right by the clubhouse, and Wednesdays through Fridays in the summer they throw porch parties. Grab dinner at one of the food carts, pick up a drink and sit down to the groovy music for the night. There are tables, or bring your own seating.
Vibe@5
Starting July 11, Friendship Park hosts outdoor concerts by the Battle Creek River. Bring a chair or blanket and settle down to a variety of music. Each concert starts at 5 p.m. Friday. The most popular concert is Toppermost, a Beatles tribute band – they’ll play on July 18. Take advantage of the downtown social district and take a drink down to the park.
