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.
BINDER PARK ZOO
The zoo stays up late every Wednesday in July. Walk around the park, get a drink and catch a live concert. There will be animals to see and a sunset over the savannah. Open until 8 p.m.
BLUES FEST 
A giant stage is set up right in the middle of Marshall’s downtown main street on June 27. Bring a chair and listen to blues music from 3 to 11 p.m. for free. This year’s headliner is local favorite Laith Al-Saadi. Leading up to the main event is the Brendon Linsley Band, Who Dat? Blues Band and Generator, while Damn the Band keeps things lively in the beer tent.
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. Summer artists include Bex Marshall, Kent Burnside and the Ghost Town Blues Band. The June concert is the first Monday of the month, then it moves to the second Monday of the month. Concerts begin 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 days. Concerts extend from May until October. Music is every Thursday and Saturday. On Thursdays, you can hit the Tiki Bar from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.
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, from June through August. 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.
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 in July, 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. Take advantage of the downtown social district and buy a drink, then bring it down to the park.
