Every Performance is Immersive At The Block by West Michigan Symphony
Muskegon, MI — Where in West Michigan can you sit at a table in elegant but casual ambiance, sip your favorite drink, and listen to live music performed by world class musicians just feet away? At The Block, West Michigan Symphony’s (WMS) listening room for the musically curious! In the words of one patron, “It’s like sitting in a club in Chicago!”
Although something of a hidden gem, since its 2013 opening The Block has contributed greatly to the vibrancy of downtown Muskegon. The mixed-use Russell Block Building itself is a microcosm of the downtown revitalization. Built in 1890, renovated between 2011 and 2013, the building includes a brewpub and eatery on the main floor, the West Michigan Symphony offices and live listening room on the second floor, and a hair salon and spa on the third floor.
A rarity in the orchestra industry and unheard of in a small community, The Block serves as a exceptional alternative venue complementing the WMS’s mainstage orchestra offerings at the nearby historic Frauenthal Center. The smaller venue features a mixture of row seating, low and high top tables—with a main floor capacity of 90 and a balcony accommodating 30. Acts perform on the floor or from an elevated platform. Always there is the close proximity upon which both performers and patrons thrive. At The Block, every concert is immersive!
The flagship offering at The Block is its 12-concert performance series, taking place from fall to spring. Featured genres (according to the brochure) include “jazz, classical and “curious.” An example of the latter this season was October’s sold-out performance of fingerstyle guitarist Yasmin Williams, who just appeared this January on The Late Show with Stephen Colbert. Up next is contemporary cellist Ian Maksin, whose Valentine’s Day performance will weave diverse genres and rich tapestries of sound with electronic looping devices. A month later, on March 14, jazz organist Tony Monaco will dazzle the crowd with his Hammond B3 virtuosity and energetic performances breathing new life into jazz standards. Tickets are available now HERE or by calling 231.726.3231.
Additional programs at The Block include educational events like Lunch n’ Learn. These FREE hour-long informal conversations provide a look behind the music, orchestra, and conductor. Music Director Scott Speck and featured artists share insights and anecdotes to enhance attendees’ enjoyment of upcoming orchestral Masterworks performances at the Frauenthal Center. To learn more, click HERE.
In between concert performances, The Block is rarely dark. On weeknights, it provides rehearsal space for young musicians, including the Debut Strings orchestra for beginning to intermediate students, and the 30-voice West Michigan Symphony Children’s Choir for ages 8-13.
The Block is also the site for various community gatherings, with an emphasis on providing a welcoming space for the underserved. In recent years this has included Young Black Professionals, the Black Business Expo, the Poppen Fund, and the Omega Psi Phi Talent Hunt Competition. Other regular users include Harbor Hospice, GVSU Piano Chamber Series, Greater Muskegon Economic Development, Muskegon Rotary, Muskegon Arts & Culture Coalition, and the Third Coast Trombone Retreat. The Block space is also available to rent for baby showers, birthdays, anniversary celebrations and more!
On multiple levels, The Block is a unique and vibrant downtown performance venue that enriches the lives of community, local and regional residents as well as visitors.
Media:
If media is interested in attending and covering this event, a limited number of media passes are available. Please contact Carla Flanders for more information. For Media Resources click HERE.
More about West Michigan Symphony:
Tchaikovsky’s Winter Dreams is the WMS’s next full symphony concert performed at the Frauenthal Center. This all-orchestral program will feature the Russian composer Peter Tchaikovsky’s Symphony No. 1, also known as the “Winter Dreams” symphony, among other works. According to Music Director Scott Speck, “With ‘Winter Dreams’ you’ll hear the beginnings of the sound we have come to know as ‘pure Tchaikovsky.’” For more information, click HERE.
Audience Choice Concert. WMS invites the public to get involved by voting for their favorite overture, piano concerto and symphony from a selection of choices. The top votes will be chosen for the opening Masterworks concert for the 2025/26 Season. Voting is open now, through May 15, 2025. One vote per person. Results will be unveiled at the 2024/25 season finale, May 30, 2025 and via the WMS website. All participants can also enter a drawing to win one of three prizes: Coffee with Music Director Scott Speck; pair of tickets for May 30, 2025 season finale; pair of tickets for the Audience Choice Concert Nov 14, 2025. For more information, click HERE.
The West Michigan Symphony. An anchor cultural organization headquartered in Muskegon celebrating its 85th Anniversary Season this year, West Michigan Symphony led by Music Director Scott Speck is a resident presenting group at the Frauenthal Center, where its eight-concert season is the most visible part of a larger artistic enterprise of far-reaching community benefit. WMS concerts and education events bring 16,500 people—more than 30% of whom are children and students—downtown annually, making it the largest performing arts organization on the West Shore.
###
