10/1-29
Spooky Movies Series
Wealthy Theatre
1130 Wealthy St., SE, Grand Rapids
Tuesdays in October, 7:15 p.m., $6
grcmc.org/theatre
With temperatures dropping and leaves falling, there’s no doubt that we’re in the thick spooky season. Some people call it fall or autumn, but we know better. To celebrate all of this season’s ghoulish festivities, Wealthy Theater is showing exclusively spooky flicks for its weekly Meanwhile Movies series. With a different showing every Tuesday night, this series is certain to have you squirming for Halloween.
10/5
Michigan Mac & Cheese Festival
Homer Stryker Field
251 Mills St., Kalamazoo
Oct. 5, 3-7 p.m., $25+
macandcheesemi.com
October is all about sweater weather and comfort food, and you can get the best of both at the Michigan Mac & Cheese Festival in Kalamazoo. Wrap yourself in a hoodie, grab a friend and indulge in a huge variety of gooey, noodley dishes and brews from local vendors. Attendees also have access to yard games and live music, all in the brisk autumn air. While this is its first year, we think the event is destined to be a cheesy success.
10/13 & 27
Sunday Night Goat Hikes
Ada Christian School
119 Indiana Ave. SW, Grand Rapids
Oct. 13 & 27, 5-6:30 p.m., $5
dreamgoats.com
Goats are furry, adorable and mischievous — they eat everything. Recently, they’ve been all the rage. On the second and fourth Sundays of October, Dreamgoats is providing the opportunity of a lifetime: to become one with the goats. Join the herd on a hike through 40 acres of terrain, and you will walk away with the full goat experience under your belt.
10/14
GHOST, “Ultimate Tour Named Death”
Deltaplex Arena
2500 Turner Ave. NW, Grand Rapids
Oct. 14, 7:30 p.m., $30+
deltaplex.com
Lead vocalist Papa Emeritus is one priest you probably don’t want to pray too, but his music will have you rocking and rolling. Fresh off a summer tour with Metallica, GHOST is bringing “The Ultimate Tour Named Death” to Grand Rapids. The Grammy-winning band is known for its iconic pseudo-Catholic costumes, extravagant stage sets, and highly theatrical productions, all sure to bring a night of thrills and chills to the Deltaplex.
10/15
Abracadabra: Live on Tour
Frauenthal Center
425 W. Western Ave. #200, Muskegon
Oct. 15, 7:30 p.m.
frauenthal.org
It’s time to prepare yourself for a night of magic, illusions and stunning feats of talent. In other words, it’s time to prepare yourself for Abracadabra. From the co-creator of Broadway’s The Illusionist, Abracadabra brings a cast of choice magicians, illusionists, escape artists and more together for a professional touring show you won’t see anywhere else. The show is in Muskegon one night only, so be sure to catch it before it disappears.
10/16
Robert Wittman: FBI Art Crime Expert
Kalamazoo Institute of Arts
314 S. Park St., Kalamazoo
Oct. 16, 7 p.m., $3+
kiarts.org
Robert Wittman may not be Harrison Ford, but he might as well be the real-life Indiana Jones. Founder of the FBI’s National Art Crime Team, Wittman spent 20 years going undercover to catch art thieves and scammers. In mid-October, Wittman will visit the Kalamazoo Art League to share stories of his time undercover and sign copies of his book, Priceless: How I Went Undercover to Rescue the World’s Stolen Treasures.
10/19
Zombie Dash 5K
Sixth Street Bridge Park
647 Monroe Ave. NW, Grand Rapids
Oct. 19, 6:45 p.m., $46
thezombiedash.com
Zombies and zombie enthusiasts unite — it is once again your time to shine. The annual Zombie Dash 5K is back and looks to be bigger and better than ever. Sign up to be a zombie shuffling after the living or a human running for your life. Runners wear streamers that they have to keep safe from the grabby zombies. Each strip you keep shaves a minute off your final time! With custom merchandise, refreshments and awards, this race has something for mortals and undead alike.
10/22
An Evening with Kenny G
Holland Civic Center Place
150 W. 8th St., Holland
Oct. 22, 7:30 p.m., $40+
civiccenterplace.com
Kenneth Gorelick, best known by his stage name Kenny G, isn’t just a musician or a world-renowned saxophonist — he is the single biggest-selling instrumentalist of all time. He’s known for being super dreamy with silky smooth music. You’ll have a chance to experience his excellence on Oct. 22, when he’s performing some of his most iconic songs in Holland.
10/23
Ben Folds
Kalamazoo State Theatre
404 S. Burdick St., Kalamazoo
Oct. 23, 8 p.m., $35+
kazoostate.com
“Ran up a tab and all the way back to Kalamazoo, all the way back home.” It only makes sense that Ben Folds would return to Kalamazoo, given that he wrote a song about it all the way back in 2004. This month, the singer-songwriter is coming to the Kalamazoo State Theatre to perform his genre-bending music. From pop to classical albums, Folds has climbed the heights of musical excellence and even performed with the Grand Rapids Symphony a few times.
10/26
Monster’s Ball 2019
20 Monroe Live
11 Ottawa Ave. NW, Grand Rapids
Oct. 26, 8 p.m., $20+
monstersballgr.com
The best part of Halloween as an adult has to be all the parties. We may not be able to trick or treat, but we can dance and drink! Put on your best costume and head to 20 Monroe Live for a party with haunted performers, stilt walkers, aerialists, acrobats, illusionists, fire performers, fortune tellers, and govana dancers. All that is backed by some of Grand Rapids’ best DJs spinning tunes onstage all night. Plus, the best part of all: There’s a pizza buffet at midnight.
Corgis in the Park
Riverside Park
2001 Monroe Ave. NE, Grand Rapids
Oct. 26, 10 a.m.-2 p.m., donations accepted
facebook.com/corgisinthepark
If you’ve ever dreamt of being surrounded by low-to-the-ground, four-legged fur babies, Corgis in the Park is the event for you. Complete with a corgi costume contest, entertainment and T-shirts, Corgis in the Park is the biggest gathering of corgis in Michigan. While the event itself is free, donations are accepted in support of Paws with a Cause.
10/27
A Nightmare on Bridge St.
New Holland Brewing’s The Knickerbocker
417 Bridge St. NW, Grand Rapids
Oct. 27, 11:30 a.m., 2:30 p.m., $35
facebook.com/newhollandknickerbocker
Don’t be a Halloween drag — join DT Promotions and New Holland Brewing’s Knickerbocker for an eerie drag brunch show. Ticket cost covers a drink ticket, a brunch dish and an exciting Halloween performance unlike any drag show you’ve seen before. Attendees are urged to dress their best for the ultimate costume contest.
10/31-11/3
Macabre: Ghosts of Paddock
Paddock Place
1033 Lake Dr. SE, Grand Rapids
Oct. 31-Nov. 3
macabrelive.com
If you’ve ever wanted to visit Sleep No More in New York but it’s just a bit too far away, Macabre is here for you with Ghosts of Paddock, an interactive theater production coming to Grand Rapids. Head to the Paddock Place, a three-floor, 19th-century mansion full of history and hauntings. You freely roam from room to room, watching more than 30 actors and musicians bring the story to life with tarot readings, seances, curiosities, mad scientists, live music and much more. To really make it immersive, you’re also encouraged to dress in Victorian or steampunk attire.
11/3
Life Will Be the Death of Me: Chelsea Handler
20 Monroe Live
11 Ottawa Ave. NW, Grand Rapids
Nov. 3, 6 p.m., 9 p.m., $57+
20monroelive.com
After a month of scares, a night of laughter is more than welcome. Luckily, 20 Monroe Live is getting a visit from comedy sensation Chelsea Handler. Handler is known for her stand-up as well as her multiple TV shows, including late-night talk show Chelsea Lately, documentary series Chelsea Does and yet another talk show, Chelsea. Now, she’s bringing her stand-up comedy tour, Life Will Be the Death of Me, to Grand Rapids on Nov. 6, with shows starting at 6 and 9 p.m. Bring your ticket to The B.O.B. for special offers.
