On Saturday, August 28, The Mendel Center parking lot will be transformed into the ultimate beach party. The Drive-in Live Beach Bash, which leads off The Mendel Center’s 2021-22 performance and events season, will welcome attendees with a beach sand dance zone, beach-themed contests, a Classic Car Corner, and music from Gary Roland and The Landsharks Band. The event is co-presented by The Mendel Center and SuperHits 103.7 COSY-FM.
Mike Nadolski, executive director of The Mendel Center says “The Drive-in Live concert series we hosted last summer inspired us to expand the concept this year now that larger gatherings are allowed. To create that Key West vibe, we will be bringing in truckloads of sand, serving up margaritas and cheeseburgers, and bringing in one of the top beach party bands in the country to play summertime favorites by the likes of Jimmy Buffett and The Beach Boys.”
Gates open at 5:30 pm for the family friendly event. Party goers can either bring their lawn chairs to enjoy the festivities stage side, or park and tailgate near their vehicles. Those who wish to bring their pre-1980’s vintage vehicle can park in the Classic Car Corner with other car enthusiasts. Classic Car Corner attendees are entitled to one free admission with advance registration. Additional admission tickets can be purchased at regular price.
At 6 pm, the fun gets underway with hula hoop and limbo contests and trivia competitions. Beverage and food sales begin, featuring margaritas (21+), cheeseburgers, and other summertime mainstays.
At 7 pm, Gary Roland and The Landsharks Band cranks up in the beach sand dance zone with their high energy performance and interactive stage show.
The Landsharks say they have performed for millions of people all over the world, from Key West to Diego Garcia – an island in the middle of the Indian Ocean. And they have many stories to tell along the way.
The Landsharks were performing at a Key West, Florida, concert when Jimmy Buffett made a surprise visit and asked if he could perform with the band. He liked them so much that he hired them “on the spot” as house band for his brand new Margaritaville Café at Universal Studios and had them “open” for him at the grand opening.
After performing with them, Buffett proclaimed, “The Landsharks are showmen. They’re a fun band. Funny thing was, The Landsharks knew the songs better than I did, and I loved some of their arrangements.”
The Landsharks have also opened for several major artists including The Beach Boys, Patti Labelle, Three Dog Night, War, Club Trini, Inner Circle, and more. According to their promo material, they have performed at parties for Bill Gates of Microsoft, Michael Eisner of Walt Disney, filmmaker George Lucas, the Prime Minister of Canada, and other notables. The Landsharks were also the first band to play at Bob Marley’s Café for guests including Bob’s wife Rita Marley
It’s said that at a Landsharks show, it’s possible to see flying inflatable sharks, members of the audience playing along with the band on the band’s supply of percussion instruments such as tambourines, maracas, and more.
General admission tickets for the Drive-in Live Beach Bash are $25 per person. They are available at www.TheMendelCenter.com and through The Mendel Center box office at (269) 927-8700, option 1 weekdays from 2 to 6 pm. In-person box office hours are 2 to 6 pm Tuesdays through Thursdays. The box office is located in The Mendel Center Grand Upton Hall lobby at 2755 E. Napier Avenue, Benton Harbor, parking lot entrance 3 off Yore Avenue.
The Fine Print: Published ticket prices do not include applicable fees. Standard discounts may not be available for this special engagement.
