Story Highlights • The Live at Idlewild music festival will be held on the grounds of the Yates Township Complex in Idlewild Saturday and Sunday. The gates open at noon and performances start at 1:30 p.m. and continue until 8:30 p.m. • The full musical lineup includes The Ohio Players, Will Downing, Marion Meadows, Alexander Zonjic with Thornetta Davis, The Ladies of “Straight Ahead,” Big Daddy Fox, Kris Johnson Group and the Isaac Norris Project. • General Admission is $55 for one day and $85 for both days and VIP Reserved seating is $135 for one day and $210 for both days.
IDLEWILD — The success of the inaugural Live at Idlewild music festival last year compelled organizers to add another day.
This year’s festival is slated to be held Saturday and Sunday — two days of soul, blues, R&B, funk and jazz.
The full musical lineup includes The Ohio Players, Will Downing, Marion Meadows, Alexander Zonjic with Thornetta Davis, The Ladies of “Straight Ahead,” Big Daddy Fox, Kris Johnson Group and the Isaac Norris Project.
From 1912 through the mid-1960s, Idlewild was an active year-round community and was visited by well-known African American professionals and entertainers from throughout the country. It was one of the few resorts in the nation where African Americans were allowed to vacation and purchase property before discrimination was outlawed in with the Civil Rights Act of 1964.
Founded in 1912, Idlewild attracted the African American middle class largely composed of professional and small business owners including well known national figures like NAACP co-founder W.E.B. DuBois, self-made millionaire cosmetic entrepreneur Madam C.J. Walker and many more.
As time went on, it also became known as an entertainment mecca, attracting the most famous musicians, singers and dancers of the era, including Louis Armstrong, Della Reese, Sarah Vaughan, The Four Tops and more.
The festival was created by longtime Idlewild resident and Detroit native, Blair Evans and Artistic Director Alexander Zonjic, known for producing music festivals throughout Michigan and nationally. It is presented by the Lake County Merry Makers, a nonprofit group involved in community development.
“The Lake Country Merry Makers’ partnership with Alexander Zonjic for the inaugural year of Live at Idlewild produced an event that allowed attendees to experience national level entertainment in our community, known for its musical heritage,” said Evans. “It was such a success that we’re now thrilled to expand the event to two days with nine acts and 14 hours of live music, offering an unparalleled cultural experience here in our natural and peaceful setting.”
“The musical heritage of Idlewild is truly inspiring,” said Zonjic. “The idea of combining world class music on a new stage, here at Idlewild, and at the same time learn all about this historically rich community, is a unique and exciting opportunity for performers and audience alike.”
Live at Idlewild will include bus tours of historic Idlewild with the township and community historian.
The music festival will be held on the grounds of the Yates Township Complex in Idlewild. Bring your own chair. The gates open at noon and performances start at 1:30 p.m. and continue until 8:30 p.m. General Admission is $55 for one day and $85 for both days and VIP Reserved seating is $135 for one day and $210 for both days.
