Jump Into Summer ’24

Our annual FREE celebration to kick off summer returns on June 7, 2024 with Joe Hertler & The Rainbow Seekers, hands-on programming for all ages, food trucks, craft beverages, and so much more.
Concert

June 7 | 5:00 – 10:00 pm

SCA
$0

Friday June 7 | 5:00 - 10:00 pm

Welcome summer with us

We’re coming back again with the biggest FREE party of the year at Jump into Summer, highlighting all the things that make our little corner of the globe so creatively intriguing! We’ll welcome another incredible Michigan summer with big entertainment, bold imagination, and buckets of joy.

Doors open at 5:00 pm and hands-on activities begin with professional artists! Dust off those dancing shoes from a winter in the closet because the stage will be rocking all night long with beloved musicians including headliner Joe Hertler & The Rainbow Seekers, who “will take you across the mountains of Motown, through the fjords of folk, over the archipelagos of Americana, and-at last-into a funky firth, where only the fiercest of friendships can be found.”

Our pre-registration is now closed. You are still welcome to come to Jump into Summer, but you will need to register at the door. Please keep in mind that chair reservations and box seat reservations are not available.

Jump Into Summer Chair Policy

Guests are permitted to bring their own lawn chairs provided that they have secured a “chair reservation” in advance, as our space for seating is limited.

  • Chair reservations are FREE and can be made when registering for the event online.
  • NEW this year: Chair reservations will be held until 7:00 PM. After this time, any available chair spots will be made available to other guests.
  • Chairs reservations will be confirmed when you check in at the event. Only chairs that have been tagged at check in will be permitted on the premises.

Joe Hertler & The Rainbow Seekers

The Music

We’re bringing the sunshine to Jump into Summer with upbeat, electrifying, and energetic music kicking off with Aaron James Wright and headliner Joe Hertler & The Rainbow Seekers! Get ready to dance the night away as you celebrate all your favorite parts of summer!

The Mobile Craze + more!

The Food

Everyone knows that you can’t dance all night on an empty stomach. That’s why we’re providing tons of incredible options to fuel your body to get moving! From tacos to sweet treats – we’ve got just the thing you’re craving.

Shorts Brewing

The Bar

Need to loosen up a little before you hit the dance floor? No worry – we’ve got that covered too. A full cash bar will be open and slinging our unique cocktails, specialty beers from Short’s Brewing Co, N/A beverages, and so much more! We’re getting creative behind the bar too – check out our Jump inspired specialty cocktails.

The WiP

The Fun

Join the SCA education team + The WiP at Play-tio for free hands-on projects for all ages with professional artists! Of course, it isn’t a party without friends, so we’ll be joined by some of our incredible community partners.

Coridor Exhibit @ the SCA

The Art

It wouldn’t be an SCA party without meet and greet opportunities with professional artists Shannon Mack + Hannah Burr.

Thank you to our sponsors

Pam + Joe Mauro

Oudoor Event Policies

We’re so excited to offer incredible experiences outdoors under the Saugatuck summer sun. Sometimes there are questions about what can and can’t be done at our outdoor events, we’re hoping to clear some of that up here.

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The Music

HEADLINER

7:30 – 9:30 pm
Joe Hertler & The Rainbow Seekers

Joe Hertler & The Rainbow Seekers will make a sprightly young groove doctor out of anyone. With spectacular energy pulsating from every member of the band, the Rainbow Seekers could illuminate the very chambers of Heaven. Lead singer Joe Hertler splashes through lyrical puddles of golden rain, leaving his audience wearing flowery crowns and bubbling smiles. A ride on the Rainbow will take you across the mountains of Motown, through the fjords of folk, over the archipelagos of Americana, and-at last-into a funky firth, where only the fiercest of friendships can be found.

The Rainbow Seekers began their historic quest 8 years ago, revolving around the pure, unadulterated songwriting of their fearless leader, Joe Hertler. Ryan Hoger was the first among the Seekers to find this lonely songsmith and recognize the twinkling magic in his beard.  The young boy gave up all his earthly possessions (besides his guitar, of course) and became the first disciple of the Rainbow. With this, the core of the Rainbow was thereby established, and it didn’t take long for the Rainbow Seekers to continue their expansion. Multi-instrumentalist and notable auxiliary percussion maestro Micah Bracken journeyed from the bowels of Atlantis when he heard tell of the Rainbow, and the earth trembled as saxophonist and all-around badass Aaron Stinson descended from Olympus on a golden rainbow of his own. Then came thunder from the depths of space and as it picked up the bass, a soft exhale escaped the lips of every princess within a hundred moons, “Bambis,” they cooed. All the while, on the other ends of the earth, a young boy was hard at work, honing and sharpening his sticks for the day that the Rainbow would come his way, and when it landed at his door, Ryan McMahon climbed aboard.

Since the early days, their quest has brought them across the nation and upon such noble gatherings as Bonnaroo, Electric Forest, and Summer Camp. As you’ll know if you’ve seen the band, seeking the proverbial Rainbow is all about the live performance. “The live show is the purpose of the band. This is why we make music. Playing music is a symbiotic process, the crowd is as much a part of it as the musicians. We give as much energy and love as we can and we can feel that coming from the crowd as well” says Hertler. “We believe that performance is not a High Art operation, and that you should do anything you can to ensure that the crowd is having a good time. From piñatas to confetti, to fog, to flowers, to drum solos, to strobe lights, to Thor, to sword battles-literally anything goes.”

If you’re still reading this, at least one thing is true: The Rainbow Seekers have been waiting for you. If you’ll only let them, they will shake the dust from your wildest expectations. They will roar into your life with rapturous frequencies, exuberant tone, and a joyfulness of purpose that has truly become a rare sight on stage. Join them in their celebration, and they will take you on a never-ending journey to a place you’ll never be able to describe in words.

6:00 – 7:00 pm
Aaron James Wright

Aaron James Wright is an independent singer and songwriter, and is performing over 60 shows in southwest Michigan in 2023. Wright is best known as the front man of a number of bands during his 30 year career, including Slow Drag, and most recently, Aaron James Wright and the Ultralights.

Some of the more notable Midwest venues Aaron has performed in include, The Kalamazoo State Theater, The Magic Bag in Detroit, The Intersection in Grand Rapids, MI, and The Cubby Bear in Chicago.

Wright has also shared the stage with some well-known artists such as, Pat McDonald (Timbuk 3), Mojo Nixon, and Robby Krieger from The Doors, and has been featured on WMUK Radio in Kalamazoo, and WYCE in Grand Rapids. Wright released his first solo album, “A Little Stronger”, in 2020.

The Food

The Mobile Craze
Coming from Allegan, the Mobile Craze features Tacos, Quesadillas, Nachos, and Burritos. All perfect hand-held options for eating while dancing the night away!

Fruit Frenzy Popsicles
They’re more than just popsicles, but they’re NOT more than fruit! Finally, a delicious icy treat that you can feel good about – Fruit Frenzy Popsicles are made entirely from fresh fruit!

Kernel Popperz Popcorn
A classic festival treat – but with a super delicious twist! Experience the flavor sensation unlike any other with a wide range of tastes from Kernel Popperz.

This Week at the SCA

The Saugatuck Center for the Arts connects people, sparks conversation, and builds community through a bold mix of entertaining, educational, and inspiring creative experiences.

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