The 7th concert in The Good Neighbor Concert Series will feature Michigan singer/songwriters Sierra Cassidy (i.am.james.) and Dede Alder (of the Earthwork Music Collective). We will be raising funds and awareness for Mid-MEAC (MidMichigan Environmental Action Council).
-Doors/Check-In and Concessions Starting at 6:30 PM;
-Concert from 7:00 PM - 9:00 PM, with a brief intermission
A minimum of 10% of proceeds from ticket sales and concessions will benefit Mid-MEAC. Concessions will be available between the time doors open and when the music starts, and at intermission.
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About the Artists:
i.am.james. / Sierra Cassidy
i.am.james. is the project of Michigan grown singer-songwriter, Sierra Cassidy. An Interlochen Arts Academy graduate and Berklee College of Music drop-out, Sierra spent her early twenties splitting time between Nashville, TN and her home state of Michigan, touring both as a solo act and fronting a trio.
In 2022 she released a string of singles written and recorded in Nashville that earned several big playlist placements and features in indie music blogs, being noted as “heart-ache to dance to.” Swirling around the edge of all things alternative, the first releases of i.am.james. are an usual cocktail of captivating melodies and heart-bearing lyrics tied together in a sonically lush vibe and sitting comfortably in the intimate pop vein. i.am.james. embarked on a lengthy summer tour in 2022 reaching crowds both large and small across the Midwest with acoustic versions of these releases.
After returning to her Northern Michigan roots in 2023, Sierra began recording her first full length project with the help of Michael Dause of TreeTone Studios. Recorded in a cottage deep in the snow covered woods of Northern Michigan, the project reflects this scene; intimate and transformative, drawing sonic influence from artists like Pinegrove, KT Tunstall, and boygenius. The project is reflective of the contemporary folk and indie rock sound i.am.james. delivered while on a 2024 summer tour, with performances at major Michigan music festivals like Bliss Festival and Wheatland Music Festival. The project is set to release in 2025 and be accompanied by a Midwest summer tour.
Find Sierra online at:
https://www.iamjamesmusic.com/
https://www.facebook.com/iamjamesmusic
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Dede Alder
Dede Alder is a percussionist, singer, and songwriter. Her music is a mix of genres but relies heavily on crossover jazz.
She is part of the Earthwork Music Collective, a group of Michigan artists dedicated to creating a wealth of genre-spanning, original music and performances. They also help facilitate a number of community events throughout the year.
The Earthwork model of collective musicianship has evolved alongside a thriving set of community partnerships. This process has helped create meaningful lifeways for our members and colleagues.
Artist statement:
"I value all the people that want to look closely at our lives and our future and change it. To propel us forward with our hearts and minds.
It is a strange time to be alive, maybe every ancestor who has lived through any historical changes feels this same way. Maybe change just feels hard and strange and uncomfortable. I don't know, but one thing I'm clear on is that it is the role and job of the artist to give voice to it all. We, out of any occupation, are allowed, in fact encouraged, to look at it, question it, and explore it. What is the it? It's the dysfunction, the imbalance, the ugliness, the shadow, and the beauty. It is our job to dive deeply into these subjects and give witness, and ultimately, if we do our job right, come back with the silver lining of hope. Come back with the spark that lights the fire in other's souls. That spark that reminds us of the things we used to know and our values as children. The things that disarm us. At least, this is why I make music.
My value is not in what I do, What I buy, or how much I make
I'm breaking the illusion that what I own has meaning
I already have Too much
Too much to do, Too much to mend
Too much to wash, clean, fold, and dry
It's time to simplify
The beauty of this world is free
We all know yet we forget"
Check out Dede's music at:
https://www.dedealder.com/
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About Mid-MEAC
Mid-MEAC's Mission is to improve environmental stewardship in MidMichigan, helping to preserve our natural resources through education, advocacy, and volunteerism.
MidMEAC partners with governmental agencies, municipalities, educators and others to engage citizens in discussions about Low Impact Design (LID) for infrastructure solutions, economic development, and habitat connectivity. They are raising funds and involving partners in programs that will bring community residents and visitors to unique naturalized areas where they can experience the value of environmental stewardship.
They work with environmental scientists and engineers to develop educational programs for young people and adults. These are aimed at understanding the science and technology involved in reclaiming and naturalizing parts of the urban landscape.
Michigan State University students in environmental science, natural resources, and other degree programs work with them on model projects that lead to replication in our watershed and across the country.
For more information, resources, and for information on how to volunteer, check out:
https://www.midmeac.org/
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About The Good Neighbor Concert Series:
The mission of The Good Neighbor Concert Series (GNCS) is to provide a high-quality, inclusive, and accessible listening-room experience, featuring original music from diverse, underrepresented, and emerging musical artists from around Michigan and beyond, while also strengthening the Greater-Lansing community through targeted investment in local organizations whose efforts support a brighter, healthier, and more equitable future for all.
Its vision is to transform the Greater-Lansing area into a vibrant, healthy, joyful, and hopeful community where original music and artistry thrive, and where all people are seen, valued, supported, inspired, and empowered to lead authentic and fulfilling lives, in harmony with one another.
GNCS seeks to elevate voices that would otherwise not, or seldom be heard in existing performance spaces, including emerging artists, women, BIPOC, LGBTQIA+, and other minority/marginalized people and populations. We strive to provide a safe gathering place where attendees and artists alike can build life-giving, in-person connections, work toward mutual growth and understanding, and become agents of positive change. We support artists and organizations that share our vision and values, and that believe in goodness for its own sake.
Each event features a different nonprofit organization, which receives a minimum of 10% of the proceeds from ticket sales and concessions. The nonprofit partner organizations also have the opportunity to table at the event so that patrons can learn more, get involved, and/or donate additional funds directly if desired.
The series takes place at Stage One at Sycamore Creek Eastwood (
https://www.facebook.com/stageonemi), a performance venue made available to the Greater-Lansing community by Sycamore Creek Church (SCC), an inclusive, affirming church where diversity is celebrated and all people are welcome.
We look forward to seeing you at one or more shows soon, and thank you for being a part of our journey.
(As always, if you are having a hard time financially and cannot afford a ticket, but would like to attend, please email the organizer, Tania Watt, at
dGFuaWF3YXR0Y3JlYXRpdmUgfCBnbWFpbCAhIGNvbQ== in order to claim a complimentary Pay-It-Forward ticket.)
Also check out other Music events in East Lansing, Arts events in East Lansing, Entertainment events in East Lansing.
