One of Grand Rapids' top cover bands is playing Saturday at the Amway Family Fireworks celebration.

Three’s a Crowd performs at the Amway Family Fireworks at 9 p.m. July 5 at Ah-Nab-Awen Park in downtown Grand Rapids.

Three’s a Crowd debuted in 2010 as a duet, with Scott VanderArk on guitar and vocals and Jeff Howard on drums and vocals. After two years, the band expanded to include VanderArk's brother, Brad VanderArk, formerly of alternative pop rock band The Verve Pipe, on bass and vocals; and Scott's daughter, Sidney "Sid" VanderArk, on lead vocals.

Three's A Crowd is a Grand Rapids cover band consisting of Scott VanderArk, Jeff Howard, Brad VanderArk and Sidney "Sid" VanderArk. (Photo: Three's A Crowd)
Three's A Crowd is a Grand Rapids cover band consisting of Scott VanderArk, Jeff Howard, Brad VanderArk and Sidney "Sid" VanderArk. (Photo: Three's A Crowd)
loading...

"Three's A Crowd has become well-known as a solid, high energy four-piece band that loves to play rock music that you can dance to," Howard said. "Our favorite part of performing is getting people on the dance floor and keeping them out there for a great party."

Scott VanderArk has been rocking out Grand Rapids and West Michigan for more than 30 years in rock bands, choirs, a capella groups and as a soloist. His prime gig is as a tile setter.

"Our purpose as a band isn't to make a statement or have a creative outlet for songwriting," he said. "It's merely to enhance an event by playing top 40 and classic rock songs that people like to listen to or dance to."

Howard has been drumming for more than three decades, with four albums of original music. A member of his church’s worship team, he is employed at Gordon Food Service.

Brad VanderArk has played in bands and independently over the years, having in 1993 joined the band his other brother, Brian VanderArk, formed: The Verve Pipe. The Verve Pipe became nationally successful in the late '90s, with "The Freshmen." among its biggest hits. Besides performing, he is a web and graphic designer.

Sidney has performed with groups and as a soloist, including with the Grand Rapids Caroling Company. She has a full-time job outside of singing and is pursuing a master's degree.

Three's A Crowd has evolved from being an acoustic guitar-driven pop-rock band, and plays classic rock and top 40 hits ranging from The Doors to Katy Perry.

"We’ve played wedding receptions, graduation parties, birthday parties, charity events, as well as many clubs in and around Grand Rapids, Michigan, and throughout the West Michigan area," Howard said. "We’re not just a bar band, but rather a band that can play top 40 hits and classic favorites for many different types of events."

The band has also played at a variety of venues, including The B.O.B., Gun Lake Casino, The Score, Old Boys Brewhouse, Jack’s, Woody’s and The Kirby in addition to having performed at last year's Amway Family Fireworks celebration.

"The thing we like most about Grand Rapids is musicians have a lot of opportunities to perform," Scott VanderArk said.

Amway Family Fireworks

Amway Family Fireworks for 2014 starts mid-afternoon Saturday at Ah-Nab-Awen Park next to Gerald R. Ford Presidential Museum on the west side of the Grand River.

The event includes family fun activities, games, food trucks, vendors exhibits, music and entertainment and runs through the fireworks display, which begins about 10:30 p.m. EST.

The music and entertainment runs in the evening, starting at 6 p.m. EST. Besides Three's A Crowd, the line-up of performances includes:

Re/Max of Grand Rapids is sponsoring the Family Fun Zone from 2 p.m. until 9 p.m. EST at Ah-Nab-Awen park. The family-fun activities include old-fashioned games, a photo booth and more. Starting at 5:45 p.m. EST, Re/Max's signature 72-foot tall hot air balloon visits.

More From 97.9 WGRD