9/3
Spaceballs
(Meanwhile Film Series)
Wealthy Theatre
1130 Wealthy St. SE, Grand Rapids
Sept. 3, 8 p.m., $6
grcmc.org/theatre
There was a time when parodies were few and far between, so if you were going to make one, you better do it right. Spaceballs is one of those rare parody films that has stuck in the cultural consciousness for decades, lampooning cultural behemoth Star Wars and other iconic sci-fi flicks like Star Trek, Planet of the Apes and Alien. It’s ridiculous, it’s clever, it’s a cult classic. It only makes sense that Wealthy Theatre would show it after screening all three original Star Wars films in August.
9/11
The B-52s
Frederik Meijer Gardens & Sculpture Park
1000 E. Beltline Ave. NE, Grand Rapids
Sept. 11, 6-9:30 p.m., $93
meijergardens.org
How many grains of sand are there on Earth? How many stars in the sky? Both pale in comparison to the number of weddings and karaoke nights where Love Shack has been played. The B-52s have written some of the most iconic songs of all times, including Rock Lobster, The Time Warp and Private Idaho. The new wave, dance-rock group has been going strong since 1976 and has no reason to stop now. Special guests OMD and Berlin join for this show in Frederik Meijer Gardens’ beautiful amphitheatre.
The Head and the Heart
20 Monroe Live
11 Ottawa Ave. NW, Grand Rapids
Sept. 11, 7 p.m., $39.50+
20monroelive.com
Folk rock is having a moment and one band is at the heart of it — or maybe the head. Seattle’s The Head and the Heart came on the scene in 2011 with a refreshing self-titled album full of vocal harmonies and booming drums over melodic piano and violins. The band has branched out slightly over the years but never strayed too far from its roots, releasing the anthemic Living Mirage earlier this summer. If you like the old stuff but haven’t heard the new, you can buy a ticket to the 20 Monroe Live show and you’ll receive a CD or digital copy of the album.
9/12
2nd Annual Grand Rapids IPA Challenge
7 Monks Taproom
740 Michigan St. NE, Grand Rapids
Sept. 12, 5-9 p.m., $40
7monkstap.com/grand-rapids
We always hear about beers winning awards, but sometimes we wonder who actually decides the winners. Well, in this case, it’s going to be you and 199 other beer lovers. The IPA Challenge has you perform a blind taste test of 12 beers, all 3 oz. pours, and vote on your favorite. The IPAs come from 10 local breweries, including Speciation Artisan Ales, City Built Brewing, Brewery Vivant and more. Your ticket also gets you a Greasy Spoon Smash Burger, a taster glass to keep and a chance to win a lifetime Friar’s Union Membership at 7 Monks.
20th Michigan Irish Music Festival
Heritage Landing
1051 Shoreline Dr., Muskegon
Sept. 12-15
michiganirish.org
Believe it or not, there are other — possibly even better — ways to celebrate Irish culture than just St. Patrick’s Day. For 20 years now, the Michigan Irish Music Festival has thrown a party in Muskegon specifically putting the emphasis on the Emerald Isle’s long history of music. Artists like Gaelic Storm, Moxie Strings, Seamus Kennedy and many more play across seven stages on the lakeshore. This is also your chance to see cultural presentations and Highland Games like a stone throw, hammer toss and caber toss. Basically, you get to watch strong people throw heavy stuff, a timeless tradition.
9/14
Beer City Fall Crawl
Downtown Market
435 Ionia Ave. SW, Grand Rapids
Sept. 14, 12-5 p.m., $25+
downtownmarketgr.com
Grand Rapids manages to fit a whole lot of beer in one place. The Beer City Fall Crawl makes use of that liquid density with a short walk between seven watering holes on the south side of downtown. One ticket gets you a T-shirt, a pint glass, a free first drink, access to crawl-only specials at each stop, a $5 gift certificate to Downtown Market, and a “Chugging Checklist.” Participating locations include Downtown Market, Craft Beer Cellar, Peppino’s Pizza, Tavern & Tap, Grand Woods Lounge, The Tin Can and Founders Brewing.
Odd Side Ales Full Moon Cruise
Aquastar Cruises
560 Mart St., Muskegon
Sept. 14, 7:30-10 p.m., $35
aquastarcruises.com
If you’re not one for walking, there’s another way to see some sights while drinking beer: a cruise with some brews. This boat ride around Muskegon Lake and Lake Michigan puts you in the prime spot to see a beautiful sunset and a full moon, all with some Odd Side Ales in hand. There’ll also be smooth, mellow live music by the Intolerables and light appetizers to keep the munchies at bay.
9/15
Rooftop Yoga + Brunch
The Friesian Gastro Pub
720 Michigan St., Grand Rapids
Sept. 15, 9 a.m., $15
twistedhotyoga.com
Twisted Hot Yoga likes to bend and stretch in the heat, so it only makes sense to head closer to the sun. Take the stairs up to Friesian Gastro Pub’s beautiful rooftop for a 50-minute yoga class, lying right under the big blue sky. Your ticket also includes a choice of mimosa or Bloody Mary, because it wouldn’t be a proper Sunday morning without brunch.
9/19
Miranda Lambert: Roadside Bars and Pink Guitars Tour
Van Andel Arena
130 W. Fulton St., Grand Rapids
Sept. 19, 7 p.m., $50+
vanandelarena.com
Way back when singing competitions were still turning people into stars, Miranda Lambert became a country music sensation thanks to Nashville Star in 2003. Her debut album, Kerosene, produced four chartbusting singles that cemented her place in the annals of country. Her next album, Wildcard, comes out Nov. 1, but Lambert already has released tracks like It All Comes Out in the Wash and Bluebird to much acclaim. Catch her supporting the album at Van Andel with openers Elle King, Pistol Annies and Caylee Hammack.
Miranda Lambert at Van Andel Arena.Courtesy Photo
9/20-21
Octoberfest Celebration
Bell’s Eccentric Cafe
130 Market Ave. SW, Grand Rapids
Sept. 20-21, free
bellsbeer.com
Oktoberfest is a holiday for lovers of beer, German culture, games and music. Celebrate the start of fall with Bell’s pouring its season Octoberfest, a lovely marzen full of malt and warm feelings. The party features German-inspired food, including a brat eating contest and brat toss, plus DJs and German folk bands alongside yard games and fun for kids.
9/21
Grand Armory Fourth Anniversary Festival
Grand Armory Brewing
17 S. 2nd St., Grand Haven
Sept. 21, 3-11 p.m., $10
grandarmorybrewing.com
Some places understand the importance of a good birthday party, and Grand Armory is one of them. Head outside for specialty brews and classic mainstays from the lakeshore brewery, while listening to local bands like Flexadecibel, Dirty Mitten and KJ & The Good Time Family Band. Plus, Righteous Cuisine will have a food truck, rounding out the three B’s of a great party: beer, bands and burritos.
9/22
Grand Rapids VegFest 2019
DeltaPlex Arena
2500 Turner Ave. NW, Grand Rapids
Sept. 22, 10 a.m.-4 p.m.
grvegfest.com
West Michigan’s vegan and vegetarian scene is constantly growing, so there’s still plenty to taste, see and hear. The Grand Rapids VegFest both celebrates the existing movement and welcomes more to join it with loads of food samples, vendors, cooking demos and speakers all there to help you eat a vegetable or two. You’ll learn how to cook better food, produce less waste, use more ethical products and eat a healthier diet, all while having fun.
9/27
Sigrid
Calvin Fine Arts Center Auditorium
1795 Knollcrest Circle SE, Grand Rapids
Sept. 27, 8 p.m., $25
calvin.edu/boxoffice
It takes a true talent to cross the seas from Norway and break into American airwaves, but Sigrid has the stuff. The young pop singer and songwriter exploded on the scene with singles Don’t Kill My Vibe and High Five, which all culminated in an album earlier this year, Sucker Punch. It’s full of high-energy, powerful, extremely catchy hits that make use of her unique voice, big beats and sparkly synths. Catch her at Calvin this month with guest Raffaella.
9/28
GR Womxn’s Street Fest
Apartment Lounge
33 Sheldon Ave. NE, Grand Rapids
Sept. 28, 12-10 p.m., free
grwssf.eventbrite.com
LezBe Events is shining the spotlight where it belongs: womxn, an inclusive term for anyone who identifies as a woman. The party welcomes all though, no matter who you are, to honor the art, music and power of women from all over West Michigan. There’ll be outdoor and indoor bars with drink specials; a huge community tent with special performances and live art installations; a stage with performance artists, musical guests and local women speaking; food trucks; and workshops for yoga, sex-ed and more. It’s free, but you should RSVP online just so they know how many people to expect. Plus, all proceeds are going to Planned Parenthood.
