By Joanne Bailey-Boorsma
joanne@wktv.org
The holiday season is well underway at the Grand Rapids Public Museum with special exhibits and activities for the entire family now on display including historic Grand Rapids built from LEGO® bricks, Santas from around the world, holiday planetarium shows and more.
“The Museum is a great place for families as they get into the holiday spirit this season with special displays and activities that will excite all ages,” said Kate Kocienski, vice president of Marketing & Public Relations at the GRPM. “In addition to annual favorites, including our historic LEGO® display, visitors can peek into the history of traditions through a festive display of Santas from around the globe and decorations found in the Streets of Old Grand Rapids exhibit.”
One of the most popular GRPM exhibits during the season is the LEGO® recreation of 1925 Grand Rapids. The old-time Grand Rapids model features historic buildings built to scale and operating trams. Visitors have the opportunity to search and find different places all while discovering what downtown Grand Rapids use to be like.
The treasure hunting continued with the Santa and Elf Hunt. Riddles will help visitors find 15 historic Santas from around the world in the Streets of Old Grand Rapids exhibit along with learning about the traditions of each culture around Saint Nick. And while some homes have Elf on a Shelf, the GRPM has Elves in the Exhibits. Visitors can also follow clues to find all 12 elves hidden throughout the three floors of the museum. The Santa and Elf Hunt is available in both English and Spanish.
Featured exhibits are “Bats: Masters of the Night” and “POPnology,” featuring iconic replicas of a DeLorean Time Machine, R2D2, E.T. and more. “Bats,” which explores the famous creatures of the night, is part of the Museum admission. “POPnology,” which runs through Jan. 30, may be added on to any Museum visit.
Kent County adults are only $5 for general admission and Kent County children 17 and under are free. For pricing and tickets, visit grpm.org.
At the Chaffee Planetarium
Running through Jan. 2 at the Roger B. Chaffee Planetarium is the show “Let It Snow,” which features a new variety of festive classics from Frank Sinatra and Chuck Berry to Burl Ives and Brenda Lee. Also, if you did not get a chance to see the Trans-Siberian Orchestra, the “Let It Snow” production includes a multimedia finale by the popular group. Tickets for the Planetarium are $4/with general admission to the Museum, $2 for Museum members, and $5 for planetarium-only tickets.
An added bonus at the Chaffee Planetarium is the installation of a hearing loop system which provides a highly effective way of broadcasting information to visitors for those who are hard of hearing.
The loop systems connect with an individuals’ personal hearing device, utilizing the T-coil system, to receive clear, crisp audio without the need for any other device. Additionally, the Museum will have two loop receivers with headphones for individuals requiring hearing assistance who do not have T-coil equipped hearing devices that will be available upon request.
“The Grand Rapids Public Museum is proud to continue to expand access to the Museum and Planetarium for members of the community who are hard of hearing,” said Dr. Stephanie Ogren, the Museum’s Vice President of Science and Education. “By installing the loop system in the Chaffee Planetarium, the Museum is reducing another barrier to access, continuing to ensure the Museum is as accessible and inclusive to the broadest population.”
More more information on the Chaffee Planetarium, visit grpm.org/planetarium.
Coming in January
The Public Museum’s popular series Concerts Under the Stars returns in January. The series is a fully immersive audio and visual concert experience in the Chaffee Planetarium, highlighting local music and visual artists.
“We’re excited for the return of Concerts Under the Stars at the Chaffee Planetarium,” said GRPM’s Planetarium Manager Jack Daleske. “This year will feature a broad range of musical talent from local musicians in combination with local digital artists for an incredible full-sensory experience unique only to our location.”
This winter, three West Michigan bands will perform their music, enhanced by the unique environment created by the dome and seating of the Chaffee Planetarium. Completing the immersive experience will be area visual artists weaving digital art to the music being performed.
On Jan. 13, Concerts Under the Stars will feature local band Normal Mode, a Grand Rapids-based trio writing lo-fi space travel music. This group of young, but seasoned musicians offer up floating ethereal soundscapes on top of head bopping grooves; perfect for a relaxing exploration.
Local video artist Nate Eizenga will accompany Normal Mode. Eizenga is a Grand Rapids native who moonlights as a video artist, focusing on accompaniment for live musical performances.
Shows will begin at 7:30 p.m. with doors opening at 6 p.m., including access to the Museum’s first two floors of exhibits. Performers will play two sets with a short intermission in between. Refreshments, beer and other beverages will be available for purchase. Tickets are $20, with discounted pricing of $16 for GRPM members. Tickets are currently on sale and available at grpm.org.
The 2022 Concerts Under the Stars series will continue on Feb. 10 with a dynamic mix of surf and garage rock sets performed by Hollywood Makeout and will conclude on March 10 and 11 with a unique blend of alternative rock by Lazy Genius.
