By WKTV Staff
joanne@wktv.org
The Grand Rapids Public Museum popular series: Concerts Under the Stars, returns this January with performances set for Jan. 26 and 27 at the museum’s Roger B. Chaffee Planetarium, located at 272 Pearl St. NW.
The immersive full-dome concert experience highlights local musicians and visual artists. Concerts Under the Stars has quickly become a staple of the underground West Michigan music scene. This year, it kicks off with two shows with Earth Radio.
The Grand Rapids-based Earth Radio has a sound that invokes elements of funk, rock, soul, and progressive jazz, reminiscent of Hiatus Kaiyote, Erykah Badu, Radiohead, and Knower, melded together into a sound that is uniquely Earth Radio.
Local video artist Nate Eizenga will accompany Earth Radio on Jan. 26 and 27. Eizenga is a Grand Rapids native who moonlights as a video artist, focusing on accompaniment for live musical performances.
Attendees will sit back and experience the wonders of the cosmos alongside captivating music with Concerts Under the Stars. 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 their digital art to the music being performed.
“We’re excited for the return of Concerts Under the Stars at the Chaffee Planetarium,” said Jack Daleske, the GRPM’s Planetarium and Theater Manager. “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.”
Shows will begin at 7:30 p.m. with doors opening at 6:30 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. To learn more about this series or to purchase tickets, visit grpm.org/concerts-under-the-stars.
Additional Concerts
The 2023 Concerts Under the Stars series will continue on Feb. 23 and 24 with a set of shows performed by the DIY group, Phabies featuring KB Brown, and will conclude on March 23 and 24 with a unique blend of folk-soul music performed by Jordan Hamilton featuring visual artist Emily Hromi.