Safe Sax, featuring Michael Prusinsky of Port Washington, Wis., will kick off the Out to Lunch series with a concert from 11:45 a.m. to 1:15 p.m. Thursday on the Systems Control Stage in downtown Iron Mountain.

The band will play a variety of styles and genres for the afternoon audience. While Prusinsky’s group has some familiar faces, some new ones have been added to the group. The band includes Jeremy Seelig on drums, Prusinsky on saxophone and vocals, Kylar Kuzio on vocals and Thomas Pibal on piano.

“They are a frequent season opener,” DDA Event Coordinator Kenzie Williamsen said. “They are an energetic group and offer something for everyone.”

Williamsen said the DDA has six acts returning for the 2023 Out to Lunch season.

THE OPENING DAY crowd in 2022 to watch Safe Sax perform at Out to Lunch in downtown Iron Mountain. (Terri Castelaz/Daily News photo)

“Thomas Niebrzydowski with his new group, Datura, will appear at the end of the month,” she said. “It’s going to be an interesting concert.”

New acts will include Todd Wangerin and Amber Farrington along with the Nicolet Drop Outs.

“The Nicolet Drop Outs is the four-piece band formed from the Soul Child duo,” Williamsen said.

The DDA was also pleased to secure the return of Flagship Romance.

“They will be making the stop locally before their performance at Mile of Music in Appleton, Wis. that weekend,” she said.

Closing out the season once again will be the Day Dreamers of Marquette. “Everyone loves them — definitely a crowd favorite,” she said. “It has become somewhat of a tradition.”

U.P. Audiology is the Out to Lunch season sponsor, with this week’s concert by Safe Sax sponsored by Sandstone Terrace.

The OTL program runs on sponsorships, Williamsen explained, adding the DDA appreciates all the businesses and organizations that stepped up to continue to provide the event free to the community.

This year’s Out to Lunch program will extend only nine weeks but will return to 10 weeks next year, Williamsen said.

The DDA made special note that although they were unable to get Mark Young in the Out to Lunch lineup this year, Young and the Happy Enchiladas will perform this week for Third Thursday from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. at the System Control Stage in Iron Mountain.

“This week is a double-header at the downtown stage,” she said.

Blackstone has been added to the onsite food vendors, along with Crispigna’s Italian Market, Cousin Mike’s Hot Dogs, and Dulce Nulla Gourmet Desserts.

A 50-50 and raffle drawings will be conducted each week, with winners announced at about 12:20 p.m. during the break in the concert.

Some seating will be provided through the musical benches set around the park, but concert-goers are encouraged to bring their own lawn chairs and an umbrella to provide some shade.

The Braumart Theatre will be used for concerts when inclement weather threatens. Changes to the concert’s location will be announced on the OTL Facebook page.

OTL concerts are 11:45 a.m. to 1:15 each Thursday through the summer on the Systems Control Stage near the Magee Johnson Park, at Hughitt and Iron Mountain streets across from the Dickinson County Library.

Norway’s Music in the Park also is back with concerts from 7:30 to 8:30 p.m. Thursdays in the bandshell park on Main Street.

Williamsen wanted to make a special note as well regarding the downtown beautification project.

“We are extremely short on funds for this year’s project,” Williamsen said, noting they have only received about a quarter of the $12,000 needed for downtown beautification.

Those funds go for all the flowers and other plants in planters, hanging baskets and around the stage area.

“We welcome any size donation,” she said. “Those who give over $125 will get a plaque in a planter or basket with their name on it.”

Anyone interested in donating to the project can see Williamsen during the Out To Lunch event or stop at the DDA office in Iron Mountain City Hall.

The Out to Lunch lineup for the season includes —

— June 22: 141 North;

— June 29: Datura;

— July 6: Glen Martin;

— July 13: Todd Wangerin and Amber Farrington;

— July 20: Kind of Blues*;

— July 27: Nicolet Drop Outs*;

— Aug. 3: Flagship Romance*;

— Aug. 10: Day Dreamers.

*Notes double header with Music in the Park in Norway.

For more on the programs, go to the Out to Lunch Facebook page or the website at www.DowntownIronMountain.com/Out-To-Lunch.

Those interested in donating to the beautification project can call the DDA at 906-774-8534.