Inspiration Alcona's most popular music venture brings professional musicians to Harrisville for 13 consecutive Fridays from June 14 through September 6, 2024. Scroll down to see who's headlining. 
​
These free concerts run 6 to 8 p.m. on the lawn at Harbor Park above Harrisville harbor. Bring a lawn chair or a blanket and listen to some of Michigan's best singer-songwriters.

If the weather is bad, Harbor Nights will move to the Harrisville branch of the Alcona County Library, 312 W. Main Street. Inspiration Alcona's Facebook page will note such a shift as early as the weather prediction allows.

You can sponsor Harbor Nights

To keep these concerts free for the audiences, Inspiration Alcona invites sponsors to help with the costs and get some public recognition at the same time. All donations are welcome. Click here to learn more.
June 14: Michigan songwriter Jim Bizer performs solo, in a duo with Jan Krist, and as a member of the Yellow Room Gang, the powerhouse Diamonds in the Rust and the versatile Floyd King and the Bushwackers. His songs blend humor, catchy melodies, and his own view of the essential craziness of being human. Jim has won or been a finalist in numerous national songwriting competitions. In April, Jim released his third solo album, his 10th overall. He’s also a sideman for various other Detroit area bands. In addition to performing, he leads songwriting and guitar workshops and hosts MAMA’s Coffeehouse, a monthly acoustic music concert series in suburban Detroit. 
Gold Sponsor:
Ritchie Heavy Truck & Auto Repair 
​Honest, affordable service and repairs  including brakes, oil changes, tire service, steering, suspension, tune-ups. DOT inspections, air conditioning, and diesel engine repair. 
366 N US-23, Harrisville
989-724-3250 
Gold Sponsor:
Michael & Anna Haws​
June 21: Andy Baker/Beverly Meyer/Sierra Cassidy 

Veterinarian Andy's second career has resulted in four albums and many awards, including his 2020 win at the Kerrville Newfolk Songwriting Competition. 

Beverly draws from a 30-year career in music, including four albums. Her songs are insightful reflections of everyday experiences. She well known to Michigan’s children as the Music Lady.

Michigan grown singer-songwriter Sierra is an Interlochen Arts Academy graduate and Berklee College of Music alum. Sierra splits her time between northern Michigan and Nashville, Tenn., as home bases, but spends a lot of time on the road. Her project i.am.james. released a string of feel-good singles in 2021 and embarked on a long summer tour in 2022 across the Midwest. 
June 28: Claudia Schmidt is one of the Midwest's most popular folk and jazz musicians. With her smoky alto vocals and multi-instrumental skills, Claudia has crafted a unique style from the musical traditions of the past. Claudia's concerts reflect her eclectic approach as well; one critic has observed that her shows are "a lot like falling in love ─ you never know what's going to happen next." A Michigan native, Claudia was a frequent guest on the early days of "A Prairie Home Companion." More than forty years and 22 recordings later, Claudia continues to perform to her loyal legions of fans across the country. ​
Gold Sponsor:
Mountain Bar & Grill
An Alcona destination for good food and drink since 1937.
​Owners Anthony and Liz Jekielek.
5495 US-23, Black River
989-471-2066
Gold Sponsor: 
​Ossineke Hardware
​& Building Supply
Your locally owned hardware store since 1968, proud to be a member of the Ace family, and here to serve our community. Whether you’re a pro or taking on a DIY project, we’re right here with the expert advice, tools, equipment and the products you need to get the job done. 
11925 US 23 S, Ossineke, MI 49766     989-471-2191
July 5: Daniel Bracken/Laura Frawley
​/Kyle Rasche 

​Songwriter Daniel has been a producer for Public Media and a performer in the US and Ireland. His songs embrace many of the storytelling qualities of traditional Irish and American roots music. 

Laura, who is also Alcona County's probate judge, performs regularly and recently released her second album. She is also Inspiration Alcona's president  and the leader of the Harbor Nights project.  

​Kyle's smooth vocals and finger-style guitar are the framework for masterfully painted tales punctuated with melodies that make the stories they tell stick with you. Kyle was a finalist in the Kerrville Folk Festival 2021 Grassy Hill New Folk competition and won the same competition in 2022. ​
Gold Sponsor: David H. Cook
​
​July 12: Michelle Held/Emily Rose/Mark Jewett

Former professional stage actress Michelle is a contemporary folk musician with a distinctive voice and style of songwriting.Her 2023 debut single, "The World Moves On," has won several music video awards. 

Detroiter Emily is a composer, lyricist and poet who performs across Southern Michigan and beyond. Her songs are featured in the PlayStation game "Detroit Become Human" and the film "Welcome to Happiness." She has won eight Detroit Music Awards and issued three albums.

Mark, whose first career was in engineering, has produced two albums, "Tending the Fire" and "The Lucky One." In March, he released a new single, "Too Fast."
Gold Sponsor:
​Doug and Sam Cheek
July 19: Mike Ward/Josh Rose/Jen Sygit

Detroiter Mike  has released four albums, including 2022's "Love Never Rests." Mike performs regularly across the Midwest an at such festivals as the Wheatland Music Festival, Nor-East’r Festival, and Thunder Bay Folk Festival.

​Chemistry teacher Josh’s songs show off the other half of his mind and carry you into a realm of beauty, curiosity, hope, and wonder.  Josh invites you to float along with his songs, breathe in the poetry, and get lost for a little while.  
​
Jen’s eclectic, poignant lyrics tinged with a delicate melancholy, reveal an oft-overlooked beauty to life’s mundane struggles while offering the occasional glimpse into the plight of a modern day troubadour. Jen has released four solo albums, including 2023's  “It’s About Time.” 
Gold Sponsor:
The Red Fork
3228 US-23, Greenbush
989-739-7659
Alcona Coffee Company 
& Big Dipper Ice Cream Shoppe
110 E. Main, Harrisville
989-724-7071
Local family owned and operated!​
July 26: The Lucky Nows Fronted by renowned singer-songwriter Jen Cass and featuring the stunning work of multi-instrumentalists Eric Janetsky and Michael Robertson and harmonica wizard Rosco Selley, The Lucky Nows have spent the last decade showcasing their award-winning songwriting, exceptional musicianship, and intricate harmonies on Michigan’s most famous stages. The Lucky Nows play dynamic, high-energy Americana, drawing effortlessly from every genre to create a sound that's all their own.  The Lucky Nows are excited to release their brand-new album, "Broken Homes and Hearts of Gold."
Gold Sponsor:
Justin Robert Wilson, attorney-at-law
Legal representation at prices tailored to clients' budgets. I focus on criminal defense, real property law, wills and trusts, and family law. Please do not hesitate to contact me with any legal problem; if I'm not the right attorney for your problem, I will help you find a lawyer who is.
635 N. US-23, PO Box 363, Harrisville, MI 48740
989-724-3500 
August 2: Kansas songwriter Joy Zimmerman is a touring folk & acoustic roots singer who brings audiences hope, humor, and connection. Her 2023 ninth and newest album, "Where the Light Lives," debuted at No. 6 on the Folk Alliance International Folk Chart. Joy began playing violin the summer before she started kindergarten. Much later, the then-social worker picked up a guitar, found her voice, and reinvented herself midlife. Joy has won an American Songwriter Lyric Contest Honorable Mention, ten Walnut Valley Music Festival NewSong Showcase wins, and Heartland Song Network Artist of the Month.
Gold Sponsor:
​Ritchie Heavy Truck & Auto Repair 
​Honest, affordable service and repairs  including brakes, oil changes, tire service, steering, suspension, tune-ups. DOT inspections, air conditioning, and diesel engine repair. 
366 N US-23, Harrisville
989-724-3250 

Gold Sponsor:
​​Tackleland
307 N State Street, Harrisville
Tackleland serves all your fishing needs.
989-724-3033
​
August 9: The Dangling Participles are a Lansing-based band with a diverse song set ranging from indie folk and Americana to jazz and pop. The band’s soulful vocals give the group its signature sound, rich in harmonies. 
The band has been performing genre-hopping originals and covers throughout mid-Michigan since 2015. The Dangling Participles won the Lansing City Pulse newspaper's 2022 award for Best Folk Artist/Band. In December 2022, the band released its second album, "One More Drop." 
Gold Sponsor:
Sunrise Firearms & Tactical Equipment
Ready to meet all your hunting needs, from clothing to ammunition and gunsmithing.
116 E Main Street, Harrisville
989-724-3129​
​August 16: ​Michigan Emmy award-winning songwriter Kitty Donohoe has made up songs for as long as she can remember. Describing her music as "folky, bluesy, Irishy, American, Canadianish," she draws from her roots to create unique music. With a love of language, an innate sense of melody, and the soul of a storyteller, she backs herself on piano, guitar and cittern with equal finesse. Kitty’s sixth and latest CD, "The Irishman’s Daughter," combines original pieces with some traditional music. In 2002 Kitty won an Emmy for her 9/11 song "There Are No Words," which led to its use in a film and an appearance at the Pentagon for the dedication of the Pentagon 9/11 Memorial. 
Gold Sponsor: 
Rob's Towing and Fabricating
Towing, automotive and heavy truck repair, latest in computer diagnostics, a great deal on tires.
Think of us for all your repair needs.
​3077 E Clark Road, Harrisville 
989-736-7253​

Gold Sponsor:
​Mountain Bar & Grill
An Alcona destination for good food and drink since 1937.
​Owners Anthony and Liz Jekielek.
5495 US-23, Black River
989-471-2066
August 23: Bob Hausler/Nicholas James Thomasma/Lee Kitzman 

Bob Hausler ​​has entertained thousands of people in his career, sharing the stage with  Richie Havens, Mark Stuart, Stacy Earle, Merle Haggard, Willie Nelson, Eric Church and many more. His songs have played on radio stations around the world, winning numerous songwriting awards. 

Traveling around in a bright orange 1973 Volkswagen Bus, Nicholas combines stories and songs with humor and wit, charming the audience with his playful sense of humor and real life stories. 

​Lee began performing at age 16 on the Detroit folk scene in the mid-1960s  around the WSU campus area. After doing a real job with a career, Lee retired 15 years ago and returned to his love of music. Since then Lee has played a key role with the Thunder Bay Folk Society and the Alpena Street Performers. Most recently Lee has recorded a new CD to be released at this year's Nor-East'r Arts and Music Festival.​
August 30: Annie & Rod Capps mix Americana, folk and more. The Capps have done it all from hard rock to musical theatre and what comes out is a hybrid sound all their own. They've been delighting audiences in quality music venues, house concerts, coffeehouses and festivals throughout Michigan and beyond.
Gold Sponsor: 
​Harrisville Arts Council
Sponsor of the 50th Annual 
Harmony Arts & Crafts Festival,
​August 31st & September 1st, 2024
at the stoplight in Harrisville.
​  
112 N Third Street, Harrisville
989-724-7197 
September 6: Dave Bouttette & Kristi Davis
​The onetime garage rock troubadour and the former Radio City Rockette pair Dave’s  songwriting with Kristi’s harmony, delighting audiences at music festivals, house concerts, and listening rooms across Michigan. Their lyrics testify to the power of true love, rebirth, coffee, and even migrating fish.
Gold Sponsor: 
​Ossineke Hardware
​& Building Supply
Your locally owned hardware store since 1968, proud to be a member of the Ace family, and here to serve our community. Whether you’re a pro or taking on a DIY project, we’re right here with the expert advice, tools, equipment and products you need to get the job done. 
11925 US 23 S, Ossineke, MI 49766     
989-471-2191
Website Home Page

Many of Inspiration Alcona's programs are supported
​ in part by grants from these agencies: 
​​© Inspiration Alcona Inc. All rights reserved.
Support Us