Sterling Coffeehouse brews up new acts

STERLING HEIGHTS — The Sterling Coffeehouse concert series is coming back with a mostly new blend of talent in February and March.

Sterling Heights Recreation Supervisor Troy Nowotny said the winter concert series gives people a chance to do something and brighten their day “when it’s cold out and not a lot is going on.”

“We have had a longstanding summer concert series that we always do,” Nowotny explained, referring to the Music in the Park series. “We decided to try to do something for the community that would bring us together in the wintertime as well.”

This year, Nowotny said, the city is scheduling Sterling Coffeehouse concerts on Thursdays — three requiring ticket admission and three free ones. He described the ambience at the upcoming events, adding that the ticketed events will also serve free coffee from Deebe’s Coffee, snacks and refreshments.

“We have tables and chairs. They’re welcome to sit,” Nowotny said. “The community room has very good acoustics. People have an opportunity to just watch a concert and enjoy a cup of coffee.”

This following acts may be seen via ticket purchase:

• Hearts & Bones, a Paul Simon tribute band, will perform Feb. 16. According to the city, music will include cover songs from the Simon & Garfunkel era as well as tunes from Simon’s “Graceland” and “The Rhythm of the Saints” albums.

• Irish music band Blackthorn will return to the Sterling Coffeehouse stage to perform jigs, shanties and more March 2.

• Captain Fantastic Detroit, an Elton John tribute act, will perform the famous musician’s songs March 30.

Besides the ticketed concerts, there also will be three additional free concerts with limited available seating. The Community Center will host the GQ Jazz Trio Feb. 23; on March 16, it will host the acoustic act Caleb and Jackie; and on March 23, it will host classic rock acoustic artist Bruce Bright.

Bright told the Sentry that he often performs at the Fork n’ Pint on Cass Lake restaurant in Waterford, but he said Richard Paul, who helps the Sterling Heights Parks and Recreation Department book talent, approached him about the Sterling Coffeehouse opportunity.

Bright said he plans on performing his original songs and material during his show. He said he has been playing guitar for a “long, long time” and is inspired by 1970s acoustic acts like James Taylor, Cat Stevens, and Crosby, Stills & Nash. However, he said he likes modern performers like Ed Sheeran, too.

Bright invited the public to check out his performance, adding that “they won’t be disappointed.”

“I’m looking forward to it because it’s always fun to play for people who are specially going to listen to what you’re trying to do,” he said. “It’s always fun to have an attentive audience.”

Sterling Coffeehouse Concerts will be held 6-8 p.m. on scheduled Thursdays at the Sterling Heights Community Center, 40250 Dodge Park Road in Sterling Heights. Admission is open to attendees age 14 or older, and seating is first come, first served.

Admission to a single concert that requires a ticket costs $18 per resident and $22 per nonresident. Interested coffeehouse attendees may also buy a full subscription package for all of the ticketed concerts. The package costs $42 for residents and $54 for nonresidents.

Learn more about the events by visiting www.myshpr.net/cof feehouse, or call (586) 446-2700. Questions may be emailed to recreation@sterling-heights.net.