Tag Archives: free

Free summer concerts return with GRAM on the Green

Citizen Journalism, Entertainment, Local Entertainment, , , ,

By WKTV Staff
joanne@wktv.org

La Furia Del Ritmo opens up the GRAM on the Green with WYCE concert series on July 20.

The Grand Rapids Art Museum (GRAM) has announced the 2023 lineup for its 14th annual free summer concert series, GRAM on the Green with WYCE 88.1 FM. Taking place on Thursday evenings from July 20 through Aug. 10, the series brings four evenings of performances by local and regional musical acts to downtown Grand Rapids.

Guests of all ages are invited to relax on the Museum’s outdoor terrace and enjoy free live music, food trucks, a cash bar, and hands-on artmaking activities. Admission to the Museum is also free during GRAM on the Green as part of Meijer Free Thursday Nights. 

 

“The Grand Rapids Art Museum is thrilled to bring another season of free summer concerts to downtown Grand Rapids in partnership with WYCE 88.1 FM,” said GRAM Director of Communications Elizabeth Payne. “GRAM on the Green is part of our ongoing commitment to present accessible and engaging art experiences for our community, and we look forward to another year of celebrating art and music downtown.” 

2023 Lineup:  

  • July 20: La Furia Del Ritmo (latin/world) 
  • July 27: Sarena Rae (soul/blues/jazz) 
  • August 3: The Bootstrap Boys (country/americana/folk) 
  • August 10: Pretoria (rock/indie/alternative) 



“WYCE is excited for another year of GRAM on the Green,” said WYCE Music Director and series curator Chris Cranick. “This year’s lineup features a mix of Michigan artists making waves in the community. Whether it’s Latin groove, soul, forward-thinking country or modern indie rock, we’re elated to present the diverse lineup of talent this year. Each act is sure to get everyone on their feet dancing. We look forward to connecting with the community at the shows this summer.”

Concert guests are invited inside the Museum to explore the exhibitions on view during the summer months, including Message from Our Planet: Digital Art from the Thoma Collection, Ellsworth Kelly & Jack Youngerman: Surrounding Shapes, and rotating works from GRAM’s collection on all three floors of the Museum.  

Free movies featured at Speciation Cellars

3-bottom, Citizen Journalism, Entertainment, Recreation,

WKTV Staff
joanne@wktv.org

Looking for a new resolution for the New Year? How about a beer and free movie?

B-Movie Euphoria hosts free movies the last Sunday of every month. This Sunday, Jan 29, the featured flick will be the 1983 classic “D.C. Cab,” which starred Gary Busey, Mr. T, and Irene Cara. The film was directed by Joel Schumacher, who would go on to direct “Lost Boys” and “Batman Forever.”

Show time is at 8 p.m. at Speciation Cellars, located at 928 Wealthy St. SE.

“D.C. Cab” is a greasy classic about a bunch of street-wise loser cabbies working at a rundown Washington D.C. cab company and the madness that ensues.

To see what is coming up next. visit B-Movie Euphoria’s Facebook page.

PR Public Museum participates in national free museum day

3-bottom, Citizen Journalism, Entertainment, Kids Activities, Recreation, Upcoming Events, ,

The Grand Rapids Public Museum (GRPM) will be part of the 18th annual Smithsonian Magazine Museum Day on Saturday, Sept. 17. The initiative invites museums across the United States to open their doors for free to those who download an official Museum Day ticket.

The annual event allows museums, zoos, and cultural centers from all 50 states to emulate the spirit of the Smithsonian Institution’s Washington, D.C.-based facilities, which offer free admission every day. This year’s event is sponsored by The Quaker Oats Company and Regent Seven Seas Cruises.

Participants must download free Museum Day tickets to receive free general admission to the GRPM. Museum Day tickets are available for download at Smithsonian.com/museumday. Visitors who present a Museum Day ticket will gain free entrance for two at participating venues on Sept. 17 only. One ticket is permitted per email address.

Smithsonian Magazine Museum Day goes beyond getting visitors through museum doors across the country—it acts as a springboard to empower and help advance the hopes and ambitions of the public, particularly school-aged children and those in underrepresented communities. It represents a national commitment to access, equity and inclusion. This year’s theme, The American Experience, shines a spotlight on wonderful arts, culture, sciences, innovation, and history exhibits throughout the nation.

On Saturday, Sept. 17, Museum goers to the GRPM can explore three floors of core exhibits focused on history, science, and culture, along with the GRPM’s newest traveling exhibit, A Celebration of Souls: Day of the Dead in Southern Mexico, as part of their admission.

Other Michigan museums that will be participating in the Smithsonian Museum Day are Little Traverse Historical Museum in Petoskey; Michigan Maritime Museum in South Haven; Midwest Miniatures Museum in Grand Haven; Plymouth Historical Museum in Plymouth; and Rochester Hills Museum in Van Hoosen Farm in Rochester.

Kent County offers free testing for National HIV testing day

3-bottom, Citizen Journalism, Community Health, Health, , ,

In honor of National HIV Testing Day, the Kent County Health Department (KCHD) is partnering with community organizations to offer “Wellness in the Park” at three parks in Grand Rapids. The KCHD will provide free HIV and STD testing and several other self-care related services including access to health care information and resources, outdoor games and activities, and free snacks and drinks.



The Wellness in the Park events will occur at the following locations and times:

  • Martin Luther King Jr. Park 1200 Franklin St SE, Grand Rapids
    Monday June 27, 1 p.m.- 4 p.m.
  • Heartside Park 301 Ionia Ave SW, Grand Rapids 
    Wednesday, June 29, 1 p.m.- 4 p.m.
  • Garfield Park 250 Burton St SE, Grand Rapids 
    Thursday, June 30, 1 p.m.- 4 p.m.

National HIV Testing Day is June 27 and this year’s theme is “HIV Testing is Self-Care.” Self-care is critical to an individual’s physical and mental health. It is estimated that 13 percent of people who are infected with HIV do not know that they have the virus because they have never been tested. Getting tested and knowing one’s HIV status will equip residents with the information needed to keep them healthy and is an act of self-care.

Kent County has a higher-than-average percentage of people who are diagnosed with HIV at a later stage, meaning they have AIDS or Stage 3 HIV at the time they test. Testing for HIV is important because there are often no symptoms when someone has HIV. Once someone is diagnosed with HIV, medications will help bring the level of the HIV virus in their blood to a point where it is “undetectable,” meaning they are not able to spread the virus to others. With medications, people living with HIV can live long and healthy lives.

Free HIV testing is always available by appointment at KCHD’s Fuller Clinic by calling (616) 632-7171.  

Free COVID-19 Vaccine Clinic scheduled for Martin Luther King, Jr. Day

City of Wyoming, Health, ,

By WKTV Staff
joanne@wktv.org

A University of Michigan Health – West staff person shows her vaccine record. (Supplied)

University of Michigan Health-West is partnering with three other organizations to provide free COVID-19 vaccinations to residents on Martin Luther King Jr .Day which is Monday, Jan. 17.

The event will be from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m .at Brown-Hutcherson Ministries, 618 Jefferson Ave. SE.

The Grand Rapids African American Health Institute (GRAAH, an organization devoted to achieving healthcare parity for African Americans, is leading the coordination and public awareness efforts for this event. UMHW healthcare professionals will be providing vaccination services. Brown-Hutcherson Ministries has provided the space to host the event and the Grand Rapids MLK Community Worship Celebration Committee is providing the marketing support.

The goal of the event is to increase the vaccination rate among African Americans while building greater awareness about the positive impact of the COVID-19 vaccine.

Residents five-years-old and up can receive the Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine at the event. To pre-register online click on this link or walk in and register on-site the day of the event. COVID safety protocols will be enforced including mask mandates and social distancing.

To learn more about this event, visit the GRAAH website.

Local musicians get hometown streaming platform through Kent District library

3-bottom, Citizen Journalism, City of Kentwood, City of Wyoming, Local Entertainment, Our Cities, Recreation, , ,

By Sheila McGrath
WKTV Contributing Writer

Local musicians seeking an audience – and audiences seeking local music – have a new way to find each other.

KDL Vibes, a streaming service featuring music by more than 40 West Michigan artists, went live in early December.

David Specht, digital marketing strategist for KDL, said anyone can navigate to the site at vibes.kdl.org and start listening.

“As a library, it’s our responsibility to provide quality, worthwhile, important content to our patrons,” he said. “We saw this as an opportunity to do that.”

  

KDL Vibes brings local music to people who don’t have the means or the opportunity to go to live shows, and it also offers musicians a big new audience. The KDL serves hundreds of thousands of patrons, Specht said.

Mark Lavengood, a songwriter, singer and multi-instrumentalist, has an album called “We’ve Come Along” on KDL Vibes.

David Specht was on the team that brought the Vibes streaming music platform to the Kent District Library. (Photo courtesy of KDL)

“Once I started researching the mission I was just really impressed and grateful for the initiative to perpetuate the local music scene throughout the community,” he said. “Personally, I’m hopeful it might turn a few folks on to my catalog. For the community, I hope that they take to the new service and discover some of their new favorite artists, music venues, and songs.”

You don’t need to live in Kent County or have a KDL library card to use KDL Vibes. But some services are available only to those with a KDL card.

“The advantage to having a KDL library card is that you can sign in with that card and pin favorite single songs and also full albums, so it builds a playlist for you,” Specht said.

About 15 libraries in the U.S. are offering the service, which is built on software called MUSICat.

Specht said there are a lot of music-loving staff members at the Kent District Library, and when they heard about the streaming platform being used in cities like Seattle and Austin, they got a team together to bring it to Kent County.

In September, the KDL had a six-week open submission period when local musicians could send in a sample track and brief bio. They got 130 submissions.

A team of curators active in the local music scene narrowed them down to the 43 that are on the site now. In addition to Specht, the curators are Andrea “SuperDre” Wallace, Ted Smith, Hugo Claudin, Gabriella De La Vega, Eric Green, Linda “Lady Ace Boogie” Tellis, Laura Nowe, and Jake Wunderink.

Mark Lavengood’s album “We’ve Come Along” is one of the 43 albums on the site. (Photo by John Hanson)

“We wanted to make sure we had a collection that represents the West Michigan music scene, doing our best to include music from all the different genres that the musicians here have to offer,” Specht said. That meant they had to bypass some great music if they already had enough in that genre, but the musicians who didn’t get in the first time will have another shot.

Open submission periods for musicians will be held twice a year in the spring and the fall, so the collection will keep growing. The next open submission will likely be in the late winter or early spring, Specht said.

Both the musicians and the curators are paid a $250 honorarium for their contributions to the site.

Specht said they will keep adding new music indefinitely, and they will have a rotating panel of curators so people with a variety of tastes get a chance to choose the music.

“It won’t be the same folks from one year to the next. That’s intentional, so we can give other people an opportunity to work on it,” he said. “I feel like the project will never grow stale.”

The Rapid implements service enchantments, riders ride for free Monday and Tuesday

3-bottom, City of Kentwood, City of Wyoming, ,
The Rapid announced it will be implementing schedule changes on Monday. (Supplied)

By Joanne Bailey-Boorsma
joanne@wktv.org

Wyoming and Kentwood residents utilizing The Rapid for transportation will be able to ride for free Monday, Aug. 30, and Tuesday, Aug. 31.

The reason for the free rides is to get users acclimated to the new Rapid schedules which go into effect on Aug. 30. The schedules and service changes were recommend by the Mobility for All project, a two-year analysis and pubic outreach process that looked at ways to improve The Rapid transit system. Wave card users will still be asked to tap their cards to track ridership but no funds will be charged from their cards. 

“The service plan that will be implemented on Monday is the result of exhaustive study and public feedback, and we’re confident that the changes being made will provide better service overall to the residents of the entire six-city area,” said Max Dillivan, Senior Planner and project Manager for Mobility for All. “We’re excited to be offering two days of free rides to help customers transition to new schedules and adjusted routes.”

The service enhancements are focused on buses running more frequently on The Rapid’s busiest routes, improving the on-time performance of all routes, creating easier transfers between routes, and providing better connections to high-demand destinations.

Six of the Rapid’s busiest routes will run every 15 minutes on weekdays from 6 a.m. to 6 p.m. as part of these enhancements. These frequency improvements will translate into 136,000 more area residents and 67,000 more area jobs being located within 1⁄4 mile of 15-minute service, Monday through Friday until 6 p.m.

In addition, new connections to high-demand destinations will be created at the Plainfield Meijer store, RiverTown Crossings Mall, as well as Ivanrest Avenue and Gezon Parkway.

Routes in the Wyoming and Kentwood areas that will be impacted with the changes are:

Route 1, Division and Madison: will now travel to Metro Health on all trips and will loop around the the village to service the VA clinic. The route also will now include Madison between Franklin and Burton streets.

Route 2, Kalamazoo: will no longer go to Kentwood City Hall, but will continue on down Kalamazoo and end at the Gaines Meijer.

Route 3, Wyoming/Rivertown (formerly Route 16): will no longer stop at Metro Health, but instead will turn on 44th Street and end at RiverTown Crossings Mall.

Route 4, Eastern: will be streamlined by taking Cherry directly from Central Station to Eastern. The one-way loop will be eliminated to provide two-way service on 60th and Eastern avenues south of 52nd Street.

Route 5, Wealthy/Woodland: the route will remain unchanged but will include a one-seat ride from downtown to Cascade.

 

Route 6, Eastern/Woodland: inbound will be moved from Ottawa to Monroe to provide better transfers with outer routes. The route will be interlined with Route 44 on weekdays to improve operational efficiency.

 

Route 8, Grandville/Rivertown: will take Wilson Avenue direct to Century Center rather than go down 44th Street. The route also will be extended to the RiverTown Target for transfers.

 

Route 10, Clyde Park: will take over the Division Avenue/68th Street loop from Route 1. The loop, which is south on Clyde Park to east on 54th Street, south on Division Avenue then west on 68th Street and then running north on Clyde Park, will be peak-only on weekdays from 6 – 9 a.m. and 3 – 6 p.m. and 6 a.m. – 5 p.m. Saturday.

Route 24, Burton: will be extended south on Ivanrest to RiverTown Crossings Mall. The route will go directly to Camelot from Woodland rather than deviating to 28th Street and Lake Eastbrook Drive.

Route 27, Airport Industrial: Route 17 and Route 5 peak extension will be merged into single circular route to supplement the Kentwood on-demand zone during high traffic times. The route will operate in the morning and evening weekday peeks every 30 minutes.

Route 28, West 28th: this route will be split into two routes, with Route 28 to be extended west to Fairlanes through Grandville.

Route 29, East 28th: will take over the route east of Woodland Mall with the loops to Acquest and the YMCA eliminated. Also, the route will only enter the Meijer on Kraft Avenue on the westbound trip.

Route 44, 44th Street: will enter/ext RiverTown Crossings Mall via the Potomac rather than Wilson Avenue due to the mall stop being moved to the east side of the building. Hourly Sunday service from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. will be added.

 

There are other route changes in the Grand Rapids area. For a complete schedule, visit  ridetherapid.org/mobility-for-all. There will be no increase in local operational funding to implement the service enhancements.

Local group attracts more than 400 to concert, next set for this Thursday

3-bottom, Entertainment, Recreation, Upcoming Events, WKTV Projects, ,


  • More than 400 people attended the first Sounds of Summer concert. Supplied)
  • Kimmy Martens on lead gu The 6 Pak was (Supplied)
  • Mary Arbranas on guitar for The 6 Pak (Supplied)
  • Ruthann Scott on lead vocals for The 6 Pak (Supplied)
  • Kristen Hartnagel welcomes everyone to the Sounds of Summer concert series (Supplied)
  • Denise Pietri on bass for The 6 Pak
  • Barb Bean on piano for The 6 Pak (Supplied)
  • Cindy Obetts on drums for The 6 Pak

It was a hot night with cool music as the The 6 Pak kicked off the first Sounds of Summer concert last week. More than 400 people came to Cutler Park in Byron Township to hear the popular girl group perform hits from the sixties. Performing this Thursday will be Muskegon’s Tommie Foster and The FAN Club, which will be performing Americana music. The free concert is at 7 p.m. Participants are encouraged to bring a chair or blanket and a picnic. Beverages and an ice cream truck will be at the park.

The rest of the series includes popular local country western group Bootstrap Boys, July 15; rock and roll band The Jaded 8, July 22; and national headliner, bluegrass artist Audie Blaylock and Redline, July 29. Cutler Park is located at 6701 Cutler Park Dr. SW.

Sounds of Summer returns for 13th season at Cutler Park

3-bottom, Citizen Journalism, City of Wyoming, Upcoming Events, , ,
Sounds of Summer returns this week and will be hosting free concerts every Thursday through July. (WKTV)

By Joanne Bailey-Boorsma
joanne@wktv.org

Cutler Park will be rocking Thursday night as the Sounds of Summer returns for its 13th year.

The 6 Pak, which opens the five-concert series, has a strong following with Sounds of Summer organizer Patti Williams expecting a good turnout for the first concert.

“What’s the buzz?” Williams said. “Well, The 6 Pak has a big following so we are expecting a large crowd, probably around 400 people.”

The 6 Pak is an all-girl group that performed in the 1960s in and around Grand Rapids. Some years later, the band got back together and have continued performing an array of sixties classics. The group is set to perform at 7 p.m. at Cutler Park, 6701 Cutler Park Dr. SW.

“I just enjoy getting bands that maybe people haven’t heard before,” Williams said as her reason behind putting together the annual Sounds of Summer. “I also like doing things for the community.”

The goal always is to bring a large range of musical genres to the series in an effort to exposure residents to the different types of music that is available, she said.

Along with the sixties tunes from The 6 Pak, July 8’s concert will be Muskegon’s The FAN Club, featuring Americana music and fun, according to Williams. July 15 will be the popular local country western group Bootstrap Boys. The Jaded 8, which was supposed to perform last year but got rained out, will bring some rock and roll to Cutler Park on July 22.

Audie Blaylock and Redline perform July 29. (Supplied)

To wrap up the series, Williams dipped into her own bluegrass experience and was able to have nationally recognized Audie Blaylock and Redline perform on July 29. Blaylock has played with Harley Allen, of the Allen Brothers and who also was a country music songwriter for Garth Brooks and John Michael Montgomery. 

“I just thought it would be really great to have Audie come to Michigan,” Williams said. “While he is a national headliner, not many people may be familiar with him so it is a chance to for him to broaden his audience and expose residents to Audie’s music.”

All the concerts, which are sponsored by Byron Township, are free to the public. Williams said she encourages those who are attending to bring a chair or blanket and picnic food. Beverages and an ice cream truck will be at the park as well.

Experience Grand Rapids provides free postcards to encourage travel

Citizen Journalism, Entertainment, ,

By Adrienne Brown-Reasner
West Michigan Tourist Association

Experience Grand Rapids recently launched Postcards from Grand Rapids, a campaign encouraging residents to invite friends and family to visit West Michigan. Starting Sept. 2 through Oct. 31, community members can send free, personalized postcards in the mail through Experience Grand Rapids’ website. Participants will be eligible to enter to win overnight stays at partnering hotels.

“Nearly 50% of travelers who come to the area are visiting friends and family,” says Kate Lieto, Director of Marketing for Experience Grand Rapids. “West Michigan continues to be an ideal travel destination, and now we’re calling on locals to invite their loved ones and to help boost our local economy,” says Lieto.

HOW IT WORKS
To send a free postcard, visit PostcardsFromGR.com and choose one of three designs. Write a personalized message, enter the recipient’s mailing address, and Experience Grand Rapids will handle the printing and postage. The postcards come in  three designs to highlight some of Kent County’s most popular activities:
● Beer City: Breweries are a tourism staple, with 15% of travelers reporting it as an activity they do while in town. This number is more than double the national average of 6%.
● Beaches and parks: Outdoor recreation is a significant attraction to the region, with 12% of travelers visiting beaches and 11% visiting national and state parks.
● Tours and experiences: Friends and family are some of the best tour guides, and 7% of visitors report enjoying the area’s tours and experiences.


Experience Grand Rapids has partnered with area hotels to offer overnight giveaways. Participants will be eligible to enter to win free hotel overnight accommodations.

For more information on Postcards From Grand Rapids and to send a personalized postcard, visit PostcardsFromGR.com.

Up next for the Sounds of Summer concerts is classic rock

3-bottom, Citizen Journalism, City of Wyoming, ,
Video from Jaded 8 Facebook page.

By Shallom Kimanzi
WKTV Intern

Classic rock and power ballard will be the music track for this Thursday’s Sound of Summer concert program.

Jaded 8 will be the guest performers for the free 7 p.m. concert at Cutler Park, 6701 Cutler Park SW, just west of 68th Street and Division Avenue.

Being one of the few outdoor annual concerts taking place this summer, it is apparent from Jaded 8’s Facebook page that the group is excited to perform this Thursday.

“We’ll be cramming every song possible into the show because WE MISS PLAYING and WE MISS YOU!,” the band wrote on its Facebook. “And we are even going to practice for it, so you know we’re serious!”

Jaded 8 was formed in January 2010 and is currently made up of three members who have been rocking the Lakeshore since then. Mark Pawlak, a co-founding member of the band is on guitar and vocals together with his co-founder Lee Nelson, who is on the drums and vocals. Jeff Post joined them later on and is on the bass guitar and also vocals.

“We love classic rock…and we perform to honor those incredible artists who brought this timeless music to the ears of multiple generations,” according to the band’s our story on Facebook. “Whether you’re a boomer or a Gen-X, Y, or Z’r, you will know these tunes and you will be singing along with every song.”

Sounds of Summer organizers are not oblivious to the current COVID-19 situation and therefore will be observing public health guidelines, such as groups having to stay six feet apart.

Upcoming performances include Oat Bran Boys July 16, dusty Chaps July 23, and LWND July 30. For more information about the Sounds of Summer, click here.

Previous Sounds of Summer concerts are now airing on WKTV Channel 25 at 8 p.m. Tuesdays and 9 p.m. Saturdays.

How do you mark 10 years in the community? By serving cake, of course

3-bottom, Citizen Journalism, , , , ,

By Joanne Bailey-Boorsma

joanne@wktv.org

 

When Dana Friis-Hansen interviewed for the position of director and chief executive officer at the Grand Rapids Art Museum, he already knew how special the white and glass facility at 101 Monroe Center NW was.

 

The building, constructed in the early 2000s, was the world’s first LEED Gold certified art museum, setting a standard that only a few have achieved such as the Boston Children’s Museum, San Diego Natural History Museum, and East Lansing’s Eli and Edith Broad Art Museum. Friis-Hansen also knew of the work of London-based Munkenbeck+Marshalls Architects which designed the building and of architect Kulapat Yantrasast of wHY Architecture who completed the project.

 

Grand Rapids Art Museum Director and CEO Dana Friis-Hansen talks to a visiting student.

“It was the first purposed building for the art museum,” Friis-Hansen said during a recent phone interview. At the time, the Grand Rapids Art Museum was housed in what is now the Kendall College of Art and Design of Ferris State University’s Fed Galleries on Pearl Street. The GRAM building was designed to serve many functions with the 125,000-square-foot building having three floors of gallery and exhibition space, an auditorium, education area, store, and lobby.

 

“In the lobby area, we could have a classical works program and it can also host a wedding,” Friis-Hansen said as an example of the facility’s multiple uses. “The auditorium provides space for various programs, community events, and activities.”

 

Simply put: the GRAM building when opened in 2008 had many taking notice of what Grand Rapids had to offer and its commitment to the arts.

 

It has been 10 years since the facility was open and this Saturday, Nov. 18, the art museum is hosting a party, “10 at 101: Celebrating GRAM’s Tenth Anniversary at 101 Monroe Center.” The free event will include a variety of activities:

 

10 a.m – 4 pm.: party hat making in the GRAM’s lobby

10 a.m. – noon: birthday cake in GRAM’s Auditorium

11 a.m. – 4 p.m.: screen printing in GRAM Studio

 

There also will be two Drop-in-Tours to explore the GRAMs newest exhibition with a museum docent at 11 a.m. and 1 p.m. The exhibit is “Andy Warhol’s American Icons,” which runs through Feb. 11 and also celebrates the museum 10th anniversary since a Warhol exhibit was the first exhibition in the building when it opened.

 

The 2007 official ribbon cutting at the Grand Rapids Art Museum.

“When the idea was first brought up to have a Warhol exhibit, the response was people have already seen that,” Friis-Hansen said. “As we discussed it further, we felt as if there was a whole generation who had not seen the show and perhaps had never seen a real Warhol.”

 

The “American Icons” was organized by GRAM and is designed to be a celebration of America by bringing together a selection of Warhol paintings, prints, and photographs. Among those items is Warhol’s famous “Campbell’s Soup” silk-screen and two screen prints from a 1967 series of Marilyn Monroe.

 

Also at the GRAM is “Christian Marclay: Video Quartet” through Jan. 14. Marclay is an international artist who has spent the last 30 years exploring the fusion of fine art and audio cultures. In this exhibit, he has taken more than 700 individual film clips in which characters play instruments, sing, or make noise in one form or another.

 

One of the goals of the GRAM with its current facility has been to provide the community with a broad spectrum of art such as the visual art of Marclay, the pop art of Warhol, the fashion work of Iris van Herpen, the prints of Grand Rapids artist Reynold Weidenaar, the pottery of Newcomb, and the popular exhibition “Diana – A Celebration” featuring the Princess of Wales’ wedding dress.

 

Looking at the next 10 years, do not expect the GRAM to slow down. On the horizon is the contemporary painter Alexis Rockman exhibit “The Great Lakes Cycle” which takes a look at the past, present and future of North America’s Great Lakes and next fall, “Who Shot Sports: A Photographic History, 1843 to the Present,” which will feature more than 200 images from the past 175 years of sports photography. Friis-Hansen said the GRAM also will have an exhibit called “What Happen Here?,” which will explore how the land the museum currently sits on has changed from a place where American Natives gathered to become the site of the world’s first green museum.

 

Note: While GRAM does not offer parking, there are many public parking lots located directly adjacent to the museum. Various city lots do offer the first hour of parking free, and the closet is the Monroe Center Parking Ramp, located on the corner of Louis Street and Ionia Avenue.

Enjoy these FREE events in July 2017!

Citizen Journalism, Entertainment, Upcoming Events, , , , , ,

By Brittany Schlacter, The Rapid

 

We’ve entered one of Michigan’s most magical seasons. Michigan summers are the perfect time for exploration, new activities and, most importantly, fun! Fortunately for Grand Rapidians and those living in surrounding transit-friendly suburbs, there are a number of outdoor events to ensure you’re able to embrace the sunshine and warmth promised in July. The best part is that all of these events are free to the public.

 

Whether it’s watching your favorite local band or musician in the park, catching a movie or exploring your local farmer’s market, there are so many reasons to hop on board the bus and let us do the driving to these fun summer events. If you’re looking for the best deal and aren’t a frequent Rapid rider, purchase a 10-Ride Card to use for riding to these events.

 

The Mainstays play July 13

Enjoy Concerts in Kentwood
On July 13, and 27, ride Routes 2 and 44 to Kentwood City Hall for live music from 7 – 8:30 p.m for the Kentwood City Summer Entertainment Series. The Mainstays will play on the 13th; Look Out Lincoln will be on the 20th; and The Tomas Esparza Blues Band plays on the 27th. This event also features food trucks and more! Grab your blanket or a chair for some Thursday evening fun.

 

Route 2, 44

 

Get fit

Every Monday through Thursday, you can find a variety of fitness classes taking place throughout downtown Grand Rapids thanks to the Stay Fit Downtown Class Series. This 9-week program is a joint effort through Downtown Grand Rapids Inc. and the City of Grand Rapids Parks & Recreation Department. Free, no-registration classes include Zumba, ballroom dancing, kickboxing and more. Classes take place at Rosa Parks Circle, the Blue Bridge and the JW Marriott Lobby.

 

Routes 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6+

 

Listen to Music in Walker

The Standale Summer Concert Series takes place July 13 with Strumble Head and July 27 with Brena Band at Walker Community Park. Music starts playing at 6:30 p.m. and the fun lasts until 8:30 p.m. Ride Routes 12 and 50 to get there, pack a picnic and enjoy a beautiful evening with local tunes!

 

Route 12, 50

 

Explore the Market with your Kids
Grab your children and get on board the Silver Line or Routes 1 and 2 to head to the Downtown Market for free fun for kids every week in July. You can expect crafts, educational activities and more! Each week, Kids at the Market has a new theme that your children will love. While you’re there, grab lunch or a snack and do a bit of shopping.

 

Routes 1, 2, SL

 

Experience Hands-On Learning at the Museum

Grand Rapids Public Museum is opening their doors for a day of free admission on July 16 from 12–5 pm. Explore all three floors of exhibits and dive into hands-on fun for the whole family. Make a day out of it by riding Routes 7 and 9 and enjoying lunch or dinner at a downtown Grand Rapids eatery.

 

Routes 1, 2, SL

 

Groove to Jazz in the Park

Every Monday, ride Routes 7 and 9 to Ah-Nab-Awen Park to enjoy an evening of jazz presented by the West Michigan Jazz Society. Some of this month’s upcoming acts include Metro Jazz Voices, Kevin Jones Band and The Lakeshore Big Band.

 

Routes 7, 9

 

Fulton Street Farmers Market

Stock up at Local Farmers Market

How close is your nearest farmers market? There are so many that are transit-friendly throughout Grand Rapids, Grandville, Wyoming and Kentwood! Grab your reusable shopping bags, hop on board the bus and ride to your favorite farmers market to enjoy local produce and goods. You can even ride Route 14 straight to the Fulton Street Farmers Market every Tuesday, Wednesday, Friday and Saturday!

 

Route 14

 

 

Van Andel Arena throws free Halloween open house as ‘thank you’

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 vanandel

Van Andel Arena has been celebrating its 20th anniversary this year, and the party is set to keep going. The venue is inviting the community to celebrate at the Halloween Open House on Sunday, Oct. 23 from 12–4 pm.

The event is free and open to the public as a way for Van Andel Arena to show gratitude for the support of the community over the past 20 years.

Plenty of activities and freebies are planned for the Halloween-themed event. The first 5,000 people through the doors will enjoy a free hot dog, popcorn, and Pepsi, and the first 2,000 people will be given a treat – a 20th birthday cupcake.

Other activities to enjoy are costume contests, a live DJ, trick-or-treating and bag decoration stations, Halloween photo stations, self-guided tours of the building, ticket giveaways, and more, including a chance to take a slapshot on the ice, shoot hoops on the basketball floor, and have your picture taken with a Zamboni.

The event will be a fun-filled, family-friendly day and guests are encouraged to show up in costume to get into the Halloween spirit.

Reciprocal membership benefits for public museum, children’s museum members

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Grand_Rapids_Public_MuseumThis month the Grand Rapids Public Museum (GRPM) is partnering with the Grand Rapids Children’s Museum (GRCM) to offer reciprocal membership benefits for the month of October.

 

Through this partnership, GRPM members can visit the GRCM and receive free general admission. GRCM members in return can visit the GRPM and receive free general admission, free planetarium shows and free carousel rides. GRCM members will also be able to visit the new traveling exhibit Whales: Giants of the Deep at GRPM member pricing of $2 between October 22 and October 31, as well as visit Merry Christmas, Charlie Brown! free of charge between October 29 and October 31.

 

Children's Museum“October is a great time to be a member of the GRPM!” said Kate Moore, Vice President of Marketing and Pubic Relations for the Grand Rapids Public Museum. “The GRPM partnered with the Children’s Museum in May this year, and with such a great success and partnership, we decided to do it again.”

 

“We love to partner with the Grand Rapids Public Museum on reciprocal memberships – there is so much for our members combined between the two organizations!” said Adrienne Brown, Marketing and Events Manager of the Grand Rapids Children’s Museum.

 

For more information on the reciprocal membership benefits or to become a member of the GRPM, please visit grpm.org.

Metro Health hosts free screenings for peripheral artery disease Saturday

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peripheral_arterial_diseaseCold feet. Cramping in the legs. Legs falling asleep. These are all signs of peripheral artery disease or PAD.

 

This Saturday, Oct. 1, Metro Health Hospital will be hosting free screenings for PAD. The screenings are painless, usually involving taking a person’s blood pressure in the arms and ankles, with the screenings taking about 30 minutes. Screenings are available from 8 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. at Metro Health Hospital, 5900 Byron Center Ave. SW. Space is limited and registration is required. To register call, 616-242-4880 or visit metrohealth.net/pad.

 

“Peripheral artery disease is where there is blockage and plaque buildup in the arteries that supply blood to the legs,” said Dr. Fadi Saab,  who specializes in cardiovascular disease at Metro Health, during a recent interview. Saab said the same can happen in the arteries to the heart or brain with people having PAD being a higher risk for cardiovascular disease.

 

People who have PAD usually have other health issues such as hypertension, diabetes, or high cholesterol, Saab said. Those at-risk include those over 50 with diabetes, those who are obese or those who have a family history of heart disease. High blood pressure, high cholesterol, smoking, other circulatory problems and a family history of PAD also put patients at advanced risk. Those who are African-American and Native-American also are at a higher risk.

 

The free PAD screenings can help high-risk patients learn about the disease early enough so they can make lifestyle changes to help their circulatory system. The goal is to detect issues early enough in patients to reduce the risk of amputation.

 

legs_of_womanAnyone experiencing leg cramping or pain with walking or leg pain at rest should get screened. Slow-healing wounds or sores on legs or feet also call for a screening.

 

Results will be provided to the participant to take back to their physician for further review. For more information, visit the Metro Health website.

Did someone say FREE? Grand Rapids Public Museum is on July 10

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The grasshopper from "The Robot Zoo" at the Grand Rapids Public Museum.
The grasshopper from “The Robot Zoo” at the Grand Rapids Public Museum.

The Grand Rapids Public Museum (GRPM) will open its doors free of charge on Sunday, July 10 from 12 p.m. to 5 p.m. Visitors will receive free general admission on this day, to explore the Museum’s three floors of core exhibits at no cost – including “Earth Explorers,” a traveling exhibit presented by National Geographic.

The GRPM offers fun, hands-on learning opportunities for all ages through a variety of core and traveling exhibits. Visitor favorites include the Streets of Old Grand Rapids, an immersive exhibit that transports visitors back to nineteenth century of downtown Grand Rapids, and West Michigan Habitats that showcases the vast wildlife found in West Michigan.

“We are excited to be able to offer the Museum to the community free of charge, allowing more community members to experience and learn from our exhibits and artifacts,” said Dale Robertson, President & CEO of the GRPM. “The GRPM has been a cornerstone of education in the community for more than 160 years, and we are continuously working to make our Collections more accessible to the public.”

Additional costs for admission to “The Robot Zoo,” planetarium shows and the Museum’s 1928 Spillman Carousel still apply. Museum members receive free admission to all current offerings at the Museum.

The free day will be held during the Museum’s normal hours, from 12 p.m. to 5 p.m. on Sunday, July 10. For more information on the event, visit grpm.org.

The Museum is able to open free to the public on this day through sponsorship from Downtown Grand Rapids, Inc.

5th Annual GRJazzFest announces line-up April 27

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grand-jazz-logo

By GRandJazzFest

 

Summer’s still quite a way off, but it’s never too early to get excited about good jazz!

 

GRandJazzFest presented by DTE Energy Foundation returns to Rosa Parks Circle in downtown Grand Rapids, Mich., this Aug. 20 and 21, for the fifth annual festival. The popular family-friendly festival, which attracted more than 10,000 people last year, is West Michigan’s only free, weekend-long jazz festival. The two-day festival will again be free because of Presenting Sponsor DTE Energy Foundation, the City of Grand Rapids and other sponsoring organizations and individuals.

 

Edye-Evans-Hyde
Edye Evans Hyde performed last year

“Grand Rapids and West Michigan have embraced GRandJazzFest,” founder Audrey Sundstrom said. “We’re proud to say GRandJazzFest is one of the most diverse, community-oriented festivals for people who live here, who travel here, and who want to enjoy two days of great live music in a vibrant downtown setting. THIS is what community is all about.”

 

Each year, GRandJazzFest has been held at Rosa Parks Circle in the heart of downtown Grand Rapids to enable festival-goers to take in all that downtown has to offer: restaurants, clubs, museums, microbreweries and shops. The festival typically occurs during Restaurant Week in Grand Rapids. The festival’s location provides easy access to those who ride the bus, walk or bike, and is also close to parking.

 

The 2016 festival lineup will be announced on April 27 at the House of Entertainment and Music (H.O.M.E.) at The B.O.B. That night at H.O.M.E., the band Evidence led by saxophonist Michael Doyle takes the stage. Evidence performed at the 2014 GRandJazzFest.

 

Like last year’s reveal, festival organizers will coordinate with leaders at International Jazz Day to include GRandJazzFest’s reveal announcement as a sanctioned International Jazz Day event.

 

At the 2016 festival in August, 11 diverse jazz artists and bands will perform, including a student jazz band and two major headline acts.

Walt-Gutowski1
Walt Gutowski performed last year

 

Free face painting by Fancy Faces will be available for kids and, if lines aren’t too long, for “kids at heart.”

 

GR and Jazz (the non-profit, all-volunteer-run producer of GRandJazzFest) is pleased to announce a special collaboration with the Grand Rapids Art Museum: Under an agreement with GRAM, the festival’s VIP area will be located on the GRAM front terrace where refreshments and snacks will be provided. The VIP area is for sponsors of GRandJazzFest. Additionally, GRAM will have an outdoor bar area set up at the base of its front steps adjoining Rosa Parks Circle for attendees who would like to purchase and consume refreshments and enjoy the festival.

 

Grand Rapids city commissioners approved GRandJazzFest as one of 24 events that it will co-sponsor in 2016, a distinction only given to events that have proven to be successful and enrich the community. GRandJazzFest 2015 received distinction as a Downtown Grand Rapids Inc. Signature Event along with two other festivals, ArtPrize and LaughFest.

 

In addition to DTE Energy Foundation, the City of Grand Rapids, and GRAM, sponsors for the 2016 event to date include GR and Jazz, IntentPR, Gilmore Collection, Comcast, Hilger Hammond, Amway Hotel Corporation, Experience Grand Rapids, ICON Sign, Meijer, Moxie Men Incorporated, Hungerford Nichols, WGVU, Steelcase and Clark Hill. Sponsorship opportunities are here.

Grupo-Aye
Grupo Aye performed last year

 

“We are so grateful to all of our sponsors for their support – we could not do it without them,” Sundstrom said. “We’re seeking additional sponsors to help us bring a full weekend of FREE, family-friendly live jazz performances to West Michigan!”

 

Get a taste of past GRandJazzFests by viewing the “recap” videos here.

 

More information on the 5th annual GRandJazzFest presented by DTE Energy Foundation can be found here and at the festival’s Facebook and Twitter sites.

Movies in the Park start June 3

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movie-rMark your calendar for Movies in the Park this summer. Pre-movie entertainment typically begins at 6 pm and movies begin at dusk.  A list of movies will be out later this month. Meanwhile, the dates are as follows:

 

  • June 3
  • June 17
  • July 8
  • July 22
  • August 5
  • August 19

 

Movies in the Park is the premier outdoor film series in Grand Rapids. DGRI and partners present films–free of charge–on a giant screen in Ah-Nab-Awen Park on the banks of the Grand River every other Friday from June thru August. Guests are invited to treat the evening like a picnic and bring your own blanket, chairs, beer, wine and snacks for a special night under the stars. Pre-movie entertainment begins at 6 pm. Films start at dusk.

 

Movies in the Park stems from a 2013 community idea to expand the portfolio of free, outdoor urban recreation activities in Downtown Grand Rapids. The film series has quickly become a signature event in Downtown. The 2015 series of six movie nights attracted more than 31,000 people and stimulated an estimated $664,000 in total consumer spending. Overall, the series leveraged approximately $441 in economic return to downtown and participating businesses for every public dollar invested to produce the events.

 

Go here for more info.

Kentwood Tree Lighting Ceremony is Fun, Festive and Free!

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Kentwood Christmas Tree Lighting

By Victoria Mullen

A lot of hard work goes into planning and executing a tree lighting ceremony.

We won’t go into specifics now (we will share some fun historical facts later), but do not miss the Tree Lighting Ceremony at the Kentwood Public Library, 4950 Breton Rd. SE, on Wednesday, December 2 from 6-8 pm.

Please take note… this is a new location from years past.

Kentwood imageFree for the whole family, the fun begins at 6 pm with a Candy Cane Hunt. Also beginning at 6 pm are Carriage Rides and Hay Rides, new this year. Enjoy light refreshments from 6-6:45, and then be sure to stick around for the main event at 6:45, the Tree Lighting Ceremony. It will put you in a festive mood, assuming you’re not already there mentally. And if you are, be prepared to get even more amped up, thanks to the music performed by the EKHS Jazz Band.

If you want photos with Santa–he’s a good sport, so be kind–bring your own camera. Even more fun awaits: From 4-8 pm, kids and adults are welcome to buy presents at the Elves Express Gift Shop Santawhere all gifts—suitable for all ages—are just $2 each.

Tree lighting ceremonies often go unappreciated, and that’s a shame. The custom harks back to 18th-century Germany when candles were used to decorate family Christmas trees in upper-class homes. I’ve often wondered how they got the candles to stay put without burning down the house. And then I found out: Those old-timey, creative geniuses glued the candles to a tree branch with melted wax or used pins to attach the candles. Still a hazardous proposition, in my opinion. It wasn’t until around 1890 that candle holders came into use and later, between 1902 and 1914, cute little lanterns and glass balls held the candles in place.

Christmas lights, holiday lights, twinkle lights, midget bulbs, Italian lights, mini lights (and in the UK, fairy lights)–a light by any other name still illuminates. Early electric Christmas lights came on the scene in the 1880s, no doubt preventing countless holiday fires caused by candles.

Kentwood Tree Lighting GraphicThere is a dark side to holiday lights, alas, and it has to do with recycling. Amazingly, more than 20 million pounds of discarded holiday lights are shipped to the Christmas light recycling capital of the world, aka Shijiao, China. This unfortunate custom began around 1990 because of–you guessed it–cheap labor and dismal environmental standards. Details here.

We certainly don’t intend this as a downer, but it’s important to not take our holiday light consumption, er, lightly. Suffice it to say that safer techniques are now used to separate out the elements, and everything is recycled: Glass, copper, plastic and brass. Plus, each year, new-fangled, energy-efficient and even longer-lasting lights come on the scene. Perhaps there will come a day when very few need to be recycled.

It’s a pleasant thought, right?