From October 16 through 19, Grand Rapids Civic Theatre’s production of Pete The Cat graced the company’s stage. At 50 minutes, it’s a short musical, perfect for younger children who might never have attended a show before. 

• theatre reviews

From October 16 through 19, Grand Rapids Civic Theatre’s production of Pete The Cat graced the company’s stage. At 50 minutes, it’s a short musical, perfect for younger children who might never have attended a show before. 

• theatre reviews

In 1933, the Civic Auditorium, a large, neoclassical building standing on the eastern shore of the Grand River in Grand Rapids, opened. Three years later, the immortal Louis Armstrong performed there, backed by a crack band which included celebrated pianist Luis Russell.

• jazz
• St Cecilia Music Center
• Classical Music
• Folk
• Chamber Music

How do they create an elephant on stage? may be the question on "Water for Elephants” ticket holders minds. And the answer is: she is revealed bit by bit and beautifully, just like the story itself.

• theatre
• Broadway Grand Rapids
• theatre reviews
• Web Exclusive

Imagine a world in which 7,000 refugees from all over the globe appear on North American shores in a single day and instead of being turned away or treated like criminals for simply being displaced, they are welcomed with open arms, given food, clothing, and shelter.

• theatre
• Farmers Alley Theatre
• theatre reviews
• Web Exclusive

Arts exhibitions and performances have returned in full swing to West Michigan. This season, there’s absolutely no shortage of concerts, symphonies, plays, musicals, ballet, visual arts and beyond. We have big Broadway shows, intimate and progressive plays, live performances with symphonies, dancers taking to the stage, and powerful art exhibitions. Here’s our guide to arts events for the month.

Arts exhibitions and performances have returned in full swing to West Michigan. This season, there’s absolutely no shortage of concerts, symphonies, plays, musicals, ballet, visual arts and beyond. 

• visual art
• theatre
• jazz
• Classical Music
• arts calendar
• Arts Preview
• Season Preview

Ladislav Hanka was born in America, the son of Czechoslovakian immigrants. If his parents seem to have emerged from another time, it’s because they did; while automobiles were not unknown in Czechoslovakia, only the rich owned them. Most people rode horse-drawn buggies.

• Artist Profiles
• Ladislav Hanka

Like just about everything in life, the arts community here in West Michigan has seen some huge shifts over the past five years.

• Grand Rapids Symphony
• Grand Rapids Civic Theatre
• muskegon museum of art
• St Cecilia Music Center
• Grand Rapids Ballet
• Roundtable

Jake Orr’s specialty is capturing the energy and presence of music and artists both on and off the stage.

• visual art
• Photography