CLICK BELOW TO HEAR INTERVIEW WITH DDA DIRECTOR CRAIG WOERPEL
A popular music concert is getting a new start.
Lake Shore Live is returning to the Karas Bandshell in Ludington Park this Saturday, Sept. 14, after missing a year due to conflicts with dates and band schedules. Lake Shore Live was established by Nick Nolde, who passed away in 2021, as a way for the community to enjoy live music in the park after Labor Day. The concert was held again in 2022, less than a year after he passed, but was unable to be held in 2023.
“Once everyone was back in school, Nick still wanted something for people to do. The concert was his way of giving to the community,” said Nick’s wife, Jessica Nolde.
A drummer in various bands, including Jam Band and Speedy Beef, Nick wanted to share his love of music. Lake Shore Live became a way to do that. Jessica said music was Nick’s passion.
“We want Lake Shore Live to continue because it was something that Nick wanted to do for the community. Even though he is no longer with us, we want to keep the event going in honor of his memory,” Jessica said.
Nick graduated from Escanaba High School in 1998. As he was working his way up to being a Major League umpire, he returned home to teach in area schools and serve as athletic director at Escanaba. He was diagnosed with a cancerous brain tumor that took his life after a courageous battle at the age of 41.
A new logo marking the continuation of the event includes a pair of drumsticks to remember Nick, surrounded by wings and topped with stars.
“I remember when I first moved to town and Nick was running this festival for the first time. It was exciting,” said Lorne Watson with the Escanaba Live Music committee. The group has been working to support various music events in the community. Lake Shore Live is being sponsored this year by the Escanaba Downtown Development Authority.
“I asked Nick why he picked the second weekend in September and he said it was the best weather of the year. I think of him on that weekend and he was right, the weather is usually fantastic,” Watson said.
The line up includes local bands this year to help get the event started again. The goal is to expand the type of bands in future years. To help with that, the group set up to run the event, Lake Shore Live LLC, is accepting donations and sponsors for future events. Jessica said the best way to support the event is by messaging through their Lake Shore Live LLC Facebook page.
The Jam Band, which included Nick on drums and two of his uncles, has played every year that Lake Shore Live was held. They will be returning to the line up on Saturday. Unfortunately, the band announced it will be breaking up after this year. George Sailor said that makes restarting the festival this year extra special.
“It means everything,” he said. “It means the world to us to have this revived and to be able to play in it our last year. There was no way we were going to miss this.”
The lineup Saturday includes:
12-1:30 p.m. ToHuBoHu
2-3:30 p.m. Jam Band
4-5:30 p.m. Cosmic Exposure
6-7:30 p.m. Stonewall
8-9:30 p.m. Doozy
Rain venue will be the Escanaba Marketplace at 15th and Ludington Street.
Comments