The Verve Pipe to kick off Scottville Fall Celebration. 

The Verve Pipe to kick off Scottville Fall Celebration. 

By Rob Alway, Editor-in-Chief.

SCOTTVILLE — West Shore Community College will kick off its 2022-2023 Performing Arts Series with the return of the Grand Rapids-based pop/rock band The Verve Pipe for a free concert in downtown Scottville on Friday, Sept. 16. The concert is a presentation of WSCC and the City of Scottville and is being held as a kick-off to the second annual Scottville Fall Celebration, which will be Saturday, Sept. 17. 

The Verve Pipe performed in downtown Scottville in 2010 during the Scottville Music Festival, an event that was held in 2008, 2009 and 2010. It also performed in 2013 at L.F. Peterson Auditorium in Ludington as part of the WSCC Performing Arts Series. 

The Verve Pipe is a multi-platinum recording group that begin in the early ‘90s when the principal members of two rival Michigan bands joined together. After releasing two independent albums, “I’ve Suffered A Head Injury” and “Pop Smear,” the group quickly garnered a regional following for its textured rock songs distinguished by innovative arrangements, soul- searching lyrics and layered vocals. The success of both albums attracted the attention of RCA Records, which released their platinum major label debut “Villains” in 1996. Likely the band’s most popular hit song was “The Freshman”, released in 1997. 

“The City of Scottville is honored to partner with West Shore Community College to bring this concert to our downtown,” said Mayor Marcy Spencer. “The debut Fall Celebration in 2021 was a great success and this concert builds on the success in re-inventing Scottville’s fall event.”

To assure the concert happens no matter the weather conditions, a 40-feet by 140-feet tent will be set in the 100 block of South Main Street in downtown Scottville. The tent will include the stage and lots of room for concert-goers, according to Ted Malt, WSCC director of performing arts. Scottville City Commission is expected to take action during its regular meeting on Monday, July 11, to assist with sponsorship. 

“West Shore Community College began in downtown Scottville, before the Victory Township campus was built,” Mayor Spencer said. “The City of Scottville also provides police services to the college, which has been a great relationship. We are excited to have this opportunity to have such a great concert in our town.” 

WSCC will release more details about the concert and the remainder of its 2022-2023 Performing Arts Series in the near future, Malt said. 

The Fall Celebration will again include various family friendly events including the Touch-A-Truck display, games, vendor booths, Scottville Choo-Choo rides, Miss Mason County pageant, and live performances, including the Scottville Clown Band as the grand finale of the event. 

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