Harbor Country Singers “Movie Songs Take 2” Sing-Along

Thursday, July 23, 2026, 6:30 PM EDT

Rain date: Thursday, July 30, 2026, 6:30 PM EDT

Spring Creek Stage, facing Dewey Cannon Park

School of American Music, 14 Maple St., Three Oaks, Mich.

Free Event

Producer: Pat Putnam

A "Movie Songs Take 2" summer outdoor sing-along will be led by the Harbor Country Singers at the School of American Music Spring Creek Stage facing Dewey Cannon Park. The sing-along will include songs "High Hopes", "It Might As Well Be Spring", "The Morning After", "Secret Love", "True Grit", and many others. Song books with music and lyrics will be provided. Please bring your own chair or blanket. In case of rain, the sing-along will be a week later.

The sing-along is free, but donations are welcome. A nonperishable food item or personal hygiene product donation is requested for Neighbor by Neighbor, a nonprofit connecting vulnerable residents of southwest Berrien County with resources and services.

The Harbor Country Singers community choir is a community outreach of the nonprofit School of American Music and is supported by a grant from the Pokagon Fund and donations to the choir.

Harbor Country Singers “The Sound of Music” Sing-Along

Wednesday, August 19, 2026, 6:30 PM EDT

Petite Acres, 1109 E. Buffalo St., New Buffalo, Mich.

Free Event

Producer: Pat Putnam

The Harbor Country Singers will lead a summer outdoor sing-along of music from the movie “The Sound of Music” at Petite Acres. All are welcome to attend this free event. Song books with music and lyrics will be provided. Chairs will be provided. In case of rain or extreme heat, the sing-along will be moved indoors.

Songs from the movie musical by composers Rodgers and Hammerstein are “The Sound of Music”, "Maria" "I Have Confidence", “Sixteen Going On Seventeen”, “My Favorite Things”, "Do-Re-Mi", "The Lonely Goatherd", “Edelweiss”, "So Long, Farewell", "Climb Ev’ry Mountain", and "Something Good".

The Harbor Country Singers community choir is a community outreach of the nonprofit School of American Music and is supported by a grant from the Pokagon Fund and donations to the choir. Thanks to Petite Acres for hosting the sing-along.

Jazz Fest 2026 - The Art of the Song

Celebrating the voices, stories, and spirit of jazz.

Saturday, September 19, 2026

The Vickers Theatre - 6 N. Elm Street, Three Oaks

TICKETS ARE ON SALE NOW!

Producer: Heidi Smith

Spend the Afternoon with the Merrimans’ Playhouse Players

featuring Stephen and Mary Merriman
Sunday, September 20, 2026 | 1:00 PM EDT
The Vickers Theatre | 6 N. Elm Street, Three Oaks, MI

The day begins at 1:00 PM EDT with the Merrimans’ Play-House Players & Open Mic Showcase, bringing one of jazz’s most cherished traditions - the open session - to Harbor Country.

Led by Stephen Merriman (drums) and Mary Merriman (acoustic bass), and featuring Titus Arko (piano), Maximilian Wilfinger (trumpet), Andrew Fisher (vocals), and Scott Campbell (tenor saxophone), this dynamic ensemble will perform and host an interactive musical experience rooted in jazz standards, creativity, and spontaneous collaboration.

Open sessions are at the heart of jazz culture—a place where musicians gather, often for the first time, to listen, respond, and create together in real time. Audience members are welcome to sit back and enjoy, while musicians of all levels are invited to bring their instruments and join in. Simply check in with the band and they’ll work you into the session.

At its core, this experience celebrates the democratic nature of jazz: musicians working together as equals, building something unique in the moment, and learning from one another along the way.

Bring your instrument, your ears, and your friends.

Egos stay at the door - collaboration begins here!

Saturday Evening Starts Strong with Patti Shaffner

with Leandro Lopez Varady and Buddy Pearson
Sunday, September 20, 2026 | 6:00 PM EDT
The Vickers Theatre | 6 N. Elm Street, Three Oaks, MI

Kicking off the evening’s lineup of cool jazz, Patti Shaffner brings her signature warmth, versatility, and emotional depth to the stage. A seasoned performer equally at home in folk, blues, jazz, theater, and improvisational singing, Patti’s performances are both dynamic and deeply personal—offering music that speaks to the heart and celebrates our shared longing for love, hope, and connection.

An award-winning songwriter, Patti’s original song “Blessings” earned First Place in the Singer/Songwriter category of The Great American Song Contest in 2015. She has studied improvisational singing with jazz luminary Bobby McFerrin and renowned vocalist Rhiannon, and is known for her mastery of spontaneous vocal expression and collaborative musical storytelling.

Joining Patti is Leandro Lopez Varady, a Chicago-based pianist, composer, and arranger whose artistry blends jazz spontaneity with classical sophistication. Known for his lyrical phrasing, rhythmic sensitivity, and inspired improvisation, Leandro has performed internationally and collaborated with acclaimed ensembles including the Chicago Jazz Philharmonic.

Holding down the groove is veteran bassist Buddy Pearson, a respected force in the Midwest jazz scene whose 40-year career has included performances with artists such as Jerry Bergonzi, Fareed Haque, and Umphrey’s McGee, as well as opening for legends including Robert Cray, Wayne Newton, and Gladys Knight. His masterful technique and deep musicality bring richness and soul to every performance.

Together, this trio promises an evening of expressive, genre-crossing jazz—perfectly setting the tone for a memorable night at Jazz Fest 2026.

Spend the Evening with Sam Burckhardt

with Jeremy Kahn and Jake Vinsel
Sunday, September 20, 2026 | 8:00 PM EDT
The Vickers Theatre | 6 N. Elm Street, Three Oaks, MI

A veteran of both the Chicago blues and jazz scenes, Sam Burckhardt brings more than four decades of musical mastery to the stage. A native of Basel, Switzerland, Burckhardt moved to Chicago in 1982 and quickly became immersed in the city’s rich blues tradition, performing with legends such as Sunnyland Slim, Hubert Sumlin, Jimmy Johnson, Bob Stroger, and Maria Muldaur. As founder of the Sam Burckhardt Combo and leader of his own Airway Records label, he has released fifteen recordings and earned international recognition for his “impressive technique, musical imagination, and relentless sense of swing.”

Joining him is acclaimed pianist Jeremy Kahn, one of Chicago’s most respected jazz pianists and educators. A graduate of the New England Conservatory, Kahn studied under the legendary Jaki Byard and spent twelve years in New York before returning to Chicago, where he has become a fixture at iconic venues including The Jazz Showcase, The Green Mill, Andy’s, and Winter’s Jazz Club. His career includes performances with artists such as Dizzy Gillespie, Aretha Franklin, Joni Mitchell, and Sheila Jordan.

Anchoring the trio is bassist Jake Vinsel, a dynamic and versatile performer known throughout Chicago for his deep groove and intuitive musicianship. Vinsel has performed alongside celebrated artists including Diane Schuur, Roberta Gambarini, Ben Paterson, Marquis Hill, and jazz legends Jimmy Cobb and Buddy Guy, bringing a rich and grounded energy to every performance.

Fresh off their collaboration on the acclaimed recording Lucky Dragonfly, Burckhardt, Kahn, and Vinsel deliver a set that blends original compositions, jazz standards, and blues-infused improvisation—bringing warmth, swing, and masterful storytelling to the stage.

Don’t miss this extraordinary close to Day Two of Jazz Fest 2026—an evening of world-class musicianship and unforgettable jazz at The Vickers Theatre.

TICKETS ARE ON SALE NOW! WEEKEND PASSES ARE AVAILABLE, as well as Saturday evening tickets.

Jazz Fest 2026 - The Art of the Song

Celebrating the voices, stories, and spirit of jazz.

Sunday, September 20, 2026

Commune + Market - 105 N. Elm Street, Three Oaks

TICKETS ARE ON SALE NOW!

Producer: Heidi Smith

Jazz Sunday Brunch featuring Jeanne Franks

with Mark Burnell and Joshua Ramos
Sunday, September 20, 2026 | 12:30–2:30 PM EDT
Commune + Market | Three Oaks, MI

Close out Jazz Fest 2026 in style with our signature Jazz Sunday Brunch at Commune + Market, featuring the elegant vocals of Jeanne Franks, joined by acclaimed pianist Mark Burnell and bassist Joshua Ramos for a soulful afternoon of jazz, brunch, and celebration.

A celebrated Chicago jazz vocalist and longtime on-air host of “DCB Jazz” on WDCB 90.9 FM, Jeanne Franks has spent decades immersed in the city’s vibrant jazz community. A Chicago native, Jeanne began studying piano at age five and later expanded into flute and voice, building a musical foundation that has carried her through an impressive and diverse performance career. For over twenty years, she was a soprano and featured soloist with the renowned Wooten Choral Ensemble, performing spirituals, gospel, and contemporary works at venues including the Cadillac Theater, Symphony Center, Millennium Park, and the Art Institute of Chicago. Her solo jazz performances have taken her from Chicago to Paris, captivating audiences with her warmth, sophistication, and rich storytelling through song.

Joining Jeanne is Mark Burnell, a pianist, vocalist, and arranger praised by the Chicago Tribune as “silky smooth and highly polished.” A veteran of the Chicago jazz scene, Burnell has performed with jazz luminaries including Dave Frishberg, Richie Cole, Louie Bellson, and Connie Francis, while also teaching at Northwestern University, Roosevelt University, and Carnegie Mellon University. His refined style and inventive arrangements make him one of Chicago’s most sought-after jazz pianists.

On bass, Joshua Ramos brings his rich groove, versatility, and world-class experience to the stage. A Chicago native raised in a deeply musical family, Ramos has built an impressive international career spanning jazz, Latin jazz, funk, and contemporary music. He has performed around the world and shared stages with artists such as Jimmy Bosch, Dave Valentin, Victor Garcia, and Liquid Soul, opening for acts like Stevie Wonder and Spyro Gyra.

Together, this exceptional trio will deliver a sophisticated set of jazz standards, soulful interpretations, and timeless favorites—the perfect soundtrack for a leisurely Sunday afternoon.

Guests will enjoy a full brunch buffet and two drink tickets included in the ticket price, with a cash bar available throughout the event.

There’s no better way to close out a weekend of world-class jazz than with great music, delicious food, and community. Join us for the final notes of Jazz Fest 2026 and celebrate the spirit of jazz in true Harbor Country style.

TICKETS ARE ON SALE NOW! WEEKEND PASSES ARE AVAILABLE, as well as Sunday Brunch tickets.

Harbor Country Singers Holiday Concert Meet & Greet

Tuesday, September 22, 2026, 6:00 PM EDT

Episcopal Church of the Mediator, 14280 Red Arrow Hwy., Harbert, Mich.

Free Event

Producer: Pat Putnam

The Harbor Country Singers will have a Meet & Greet social gathering for new and current members. This will be for potential new members to meet the choir director, Maggie Martin, and the current choir members. It will also be for everyone to hear about the plans for the Holiday Concert and to ask questions.

The Harbor Country Singers is a community choir that is welcoming to all. Anyone who likes to sing is welcome to join, including all skill levels.

The Harbor Country Singers community choir is a community outreach of the nonprofit School of American Music and is supported by a grant from the Pokagon Fund and donations to the choir, and by Episcopal Church of the Mediator providing a place to rehearse and a concert venue.

Harbor Country Singers Holiday Concert Rehearsals

Tuesdays, October 6, 2026 through December 1, 2026, and Wednesday, December 2, 2026, 6:00-7:30 PM EDT

Episcopal Church of the Mediator, 14280 Red Arrow Hwy., Harbert, Mich.

Free Event

Producer: Pat Putnam

The Harbor Country Singers will rehearse for the Holiday Concert on Tuesday evenings from October 6th through December 1st and on Wednesday, December 2nd.

The Harbor Country Singers community choir is a community outreach of the nonprofit School of American Music and is supported by a grant from the Pokagon Fund and donations to the choir, and by Episcopal Church of the Mediator providing a place to rehearse and a concert venue.

Harbor Country Singers Holiday Concert

Saturday, December 5, 2026, 4:00 PM EST

Episcopal Church of the Mediator, 14280 Red Arrow Hwy., Harbert, Mich.

Sunday, December 6, 2026, 4:00 PM EST

The Acorn, 107 Generations Dr., Three Oaks, Mich.

Free Event

Producer: Pat Putnam

The Harbor Country Singers will perform their annual Holiday Concert in two different venues to celebrate the season! The concert will include Christmas and Hanukkah music. In addition to the singers, it will feature area musicians, including a brass quintet and a piano, guitar, and bass trio.

Both performances of the concert are free, but donations are welcome. A nonperishable food item or personal hygiene product donation is requested for Neighbor by Neighbor, a nonprofit connecting vulnerable residents of southwest Berrien County with resources and services.

The Harbor Country Singers community choir is a community outreach of the nonprofit School of American Music and is supported by a grant from the Pokagon Fund and donations to the choir, and by Episcopal Church of the Mediator providing a place to rehearse and a concert venue.