Past Event – The Nicest Place in America Concert Review

Posted bybuchananchroniclePosted inAll Issues, Buchanan, Buchanan Common, Celebration, Community, Events, Follow-Up, Issue 17 - December 04 2021, Local Arts, Michigan, Parks, Past, Places, Winter
Dave Van Dyke plays banjo at The Nicest Place in America Concert, Photo by Rebecka Hoyt

The Nicest Place in America Concert at The Tin Shop Theatre with Van Dyke Entertainment

by Rebecka & Tom Hoyt, Editor/Writer & Photographer

We hope that you had the chance to take in Dave Van Dyke’s “Nicest Place in America” concert at the Tin Shop Theatre in Buchanan during the week of Thanksgiving on November 24, 26 – 27, 2021 at 7:00PM. If not, then you can read our review here. We attended this concert along with our 12 year-old daughter on the evening of the holiday lighting ceremony, Saturday, Nov. 27, 2021. It was a good concert, but our daughter kept looking at my phone to see what time it was!

Jason Spiegel on accordion and Dave Van Dyke on guitar, Photo by Rebecka Hoyt
John Van Dyke on piano, Photo by Rebecka Hoyt

Dave Van Dyke’s band consisted of his Dad, John E. Van Dyke on piano, violin, and guitar; Jason Spiegel on the accordion and bass; and LaShawne Suggs on vocals and tambourine; and of course Dave with guitar, banjo, and bass guitar. With the accordion, you get a good idea on how heavy that thing is, it’s quite large given how close we sat to the stage. It is placed upon a stand nearby Jason for easy access (which is a good thing)! LaShawne has a beautiful voice, smile and makes the tambourine come to life. John is very talented with the violin that he uses for a couple of songs and the sound is beautiful. Dave has a talent of playing his guitar while it is behind his head! He said that an electric guitar is easier to do that with.

Dave Van Dyke’s band, Photo by Rebecka Hoyt

The stage was set up for the upcoming play of “It’s a Wonderful Life” (Radio Play). Decorations accompanied the concert well as they played Christmas songs written by Dave and other oldies. “Small Town Come on Home to me/Buchanan” started the concert which had a video depicting Buchanan, MI and other cities during the beginning times of COVID19/Black Lives Matter movement. Dave Van Dyke’s music has a bluesy and light-hearted feel with some good beats to it. You will hear some neat songs like “No Xmas Songs Before Halloween” and “Christmas on Credit.”

Screen projecting photos of Buchanan for “Small Town Come on Home to Me”, Photo by Rebecka Hoyt

You can access and purchase “The Nicest Place in America” album via his website or scan the QR code below here. We would like to thank Dave for giving my wife and Editor, Rebecka Hoyt and The Buchanan Chronicle special thanks on the back of the concert program, “Thank You!” May his music brighten up your holidays!

  • The shows at the Tin Shop Theater were:
    • Wednesday, November 24 7:00 p.m.
    • Friday, November 26 7:00 p.m.
    • Saturday November 27 Following the tree-lighting ceremony.
  • Contact information:
    • Contact Person: Dave Van Dyke
    • Company: Van Dyke Entertainment
    • Address: 346 Georgetown Colony, Buchanan, MI 49107
    • Phone: 574 220 8263 (VAND)
    • Email: vandykerevueband@yahoo.com
    • Tin Shop Theater: http://www.tinshoptheatre.org/
Van Dyke Entertainment Presents The Nicest Place in America Concert flyer
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