Downtown music returns

IRONWOOD — A jazz performance in downtown Ironwood tonight will be the latest First Friday musical event.

Hot Club of Appleseed will perform from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. in the Art Park, sponsored by Contrast Coffee and a grant to the city from the Michigan Council for the Arts.

Andrew Brown, a guitarist from Ann Arbor, is the son of a Motown session musician. He has spent years touring the U.S. with the band Appleseed Collective. He’s influenced by the music of Django Reinhardt and in the past year has been gigging four to seven nights a week with hot jazz and swing ensembles.

Brown will be joined by Erik McIntyre on guitar and Joe Fee on bass.

Also today, Vanderhagen Ray will offer a free concert at the Historic Ironwood Theatre beginning at 7:30 p.m.

Downtown businesses will be open late, with many planning special evens and discounts.