Clinton County Arts Council & the City of St. Johns proudly announces:

Concerts in the Park Series: Our 23rd Season

Popular Detroit Band Brings Its Dynamic Sound Back to St. Johns!

Wednesday, August 19, 2026 at 7:00pm

Here is a little taste of big Detroit sound this band is bringing next Wednesday!

The Detroit Retro Society, one of Michigan’s greatest music entertainment production teams, is bringing their high energy 6-piece band to St. Johns,
featuring their classic big sound with great singers. The band has been a St John’s favorite for the past 4 years, drawing huge audiences to their concerts. This concert will take place on Wednesday evening, August 19 at 7:00 p.m. in the William E. Tennant Performance Shell in the beautiful St. John’s City Park.

“This incredible evening will include a set-list of 32 classic covers built into two 45-minute sets,” announced Bill Tennant, chair of the concert committee. “With very little dialogue, this musical extravaganza of big all-time classic greats will feature songs from early Motown on! The lead singer, “Super Gabe” will have you totally engaged the whole evening!”

Jason Gittinger, the leader and drummer of the group, loves coming to St Johns each year due to the great venue and support the group has gained over the years. Along with Jason and Gabe, other members of the band include Chuck Bartels on Bass, Neil Donato on Keyboard, Steve Kendzorski on guitar & vocals, and James Hughes on saxophone. Come on out and see what the Detroit Retro Society is all about. You’ll be in for a fun evening of great entertainment.

The Concert in the Park series is co-sponsored by the Clinton County Arts Council and the City of St Johns. AgroLiquid will be acknowledged at this concert for their support as a season sponsor again this year! The Concert in the Park Committee is grateful for their support along with all our other season sponsors.

Bring a chair or blanket – visit the Lion’s Club Food Trailer – the concert takes place rain or shine. The concert is free, but donations are greatly appreciated and needed to support the series each year. We do pass the buckets at intermission.

So, set your GPS to 801 W Park St, and enjoy an evening of music you won’t soon forget! The CCAC receives funding from the Michigan Council for Arts & Cultural affairs and the National Endowment for the Arts.

Quality & Variety Highlight “Concert in the Park” Series

Get those lawn chairs and blankets ready – and ready yourselves to experience an exciting series of 12 concerts on Wednesday evenings throughout the summer. From June 17 – September 2, the William E Tennant Performance Shell in the beautiful St. Johns City Park will be alive with the wonderful sounds of music – quality performances each week presented by incredible musicians.

“Our committee has done a great job of putting this series together again this year,” explains Bill Tennant, Concert in the Park Committee Chairperson. “We have 4 new groups joining us this summer: 2 top Lansing area bands, 1 from Ann Arbor with the fourth group coming in from Toronto, Canada – an ABBA Tribute Band. Also, there will be 5 groups from last year and 3 from previous years – and yes, ending our series with Elvis, a highlight tradition here in St Johns. It all adds up to one truly exciting summer of concerts.”

Set aside Wednesday evenings this summer and join in on the fun with others from throughout mid-Michigan… there’s nothing like live music!

There’s no better way to savor a summer night than spending a warm evening outdoors for a concert in the park. Sponsored jointly by the Clinton County Arts Council and the City of St. Johns, our “Concert in the Park” series begins in mid-June each summer and runs for twelve weeks.

WEDNESDAY EVENINGS AT 7:00

2026 Schedule:

June 17 Jeff Baldori Band – Covers Everything – Rock & Roll, Blues, Country, etc.
June 24 LCB Big Band Jazz – Big Band Jazz with Clique Singers Dan & Kelly
July 1 Meridian Community Band – Concert Band Celebrating Our 250^th Birthday
July 8 Djangophonique – Gypsy “Manouche” Jazz Style with Beautiful Ballads
July 15 Ron St Germain Band – Everything Country
July 22 Toppermost – Beatles Tribute Band
July 29 Wilson Thicket – Outstanding String Band
Aug 5 On The Lash – Incredible Celtic Band
Aug 12 Super Trooper – Canadian ABBA Tribute Band
Aug` 19 Detroit Retro Society – THE Detroit Pops Group
Aug 26 Dave Bennett – Jazz, Rock, Country
Sept 2 Jake Slater – Elvis Tribute Artist with the Josh Ramses Band