Live off the Levee

If you’ve driven, biked, scootered, or walked past downtown’s Soldiers Memorial in the past couple of days, you will have noticed some reminders of this coming weekend’s Live off the Levee events: plenty of porta-potties, extra trash receptacles, and a fence all stand in anticipation of Friday and Saturday’s festivities. But, for all of those who haven’t driven, walked, biked, or scooted past the new venue, consider this your cyber-reminder.

This Friday night, LOTL will to welcome Umphrey’s McGee and Sound Tribe Sector 9 on the Budweiser Main Stage. Umphrey’s McGee is a South Bend-formed jam band that’s often compared (though never by me) to Phish and to The Grateful Dead. From what I hear, their shows are a mix of inventive covers and unpredictable improvisation. Sound Tribe Sector 9, the opening band, have made a name for themselves through their all-instrumental live performances.

Then, on Saturday, LOTL will feature a country music headliner who seems to share its name with a chain steakhouse and a large border state. Sherry Wibbenmeyer says she would be surprised if you haven’t heard Lonestar’s crossover pop/country hit "Amazed" - or "My Front Porch Looking In" and "I’m Already There (Message from Home)".

Fireworks are scheduled to start around 9:15 on both nights - and this weekend, they’ll be even closer to the music, since the pyrotechnicians say they will be shooting them off from a downtown rooftop instead of a river barge. You should have a great time - and a great view of the fireworks show. (If you live in a downtown loft, you might want to take some time to explain fireworks to your dog.)