12/4
Louis the Child: Here For Now
20 Monroe Live
11 Ottawa Ave. NW, Grand Rapids
Dec. 4, 7 p.m., $30+
20monroelive.com
Chicago-bred duo Louis the Child is coming back to Grand Rapids on a brand-new tour, Here For Now. Known for their remix work and complex sound, the DJs are coming to 20 Monroe Live for an intimate, yet energizing performance along with supporting acts DUCKWRTH and John the Blind. Keep your ticket close: Special offers will be available at the B.O.B. before and after the show.
Larry the Cable Guy: Remain Seated
Miller Auditorium
1341 Theatre Drive, Kalamazoo
Dec. 4, 7:30 p.m.
millerauditorium.com
We refuse to say Larry the Cable Guy’s famed catch phrase, but we’re sure if you see his new show at Miller Auditorium, he’ll gladly oblige. Larry’s established himself as the voice of the people, especially for those of us living out in the boonies. He’s known for telling fast-paced, ridiculous stories and making plenty of jokes at his own expense. This is your chance to see all-new material before it’s been broadcasted anywhere.
12/5
Butch’s Champagne Tasting 2019
Butch’s Dry Dock
44 E. 8th St., Holland
Dec. 5, 5 – 7 p.m., $40
butchs.net
Feeling bubbly? Butch’s Dry Dock is hosting its annual champagne tasting event, which gives guests a special taste of the bubbliest, fanciest drinks around. The event is open-house style and offers exclusive pours and bottle pricing. You can leave with a special bottle for each of your forced-family-fun holiday get-togethers. Don’t forget, as Butch’s Dry Dock says, “The best way to show up to a party is with a bottle of champagne in hand.”
Country Music Concert to Support Holland Firefighters
Holland Civic Center
150 W. 8th St., Holland
Dec. 5, 7 p.m., $25+
civiccenterplace.com
The holidays are all about giving. This December, you have the opportunity to give to the first responders who give to you each day. Country singer Mo Pitney is coming to Holland for the 16th annual Firefighter Country Music Show, a concert that benefits Holland Firefighters Local 759. The proceeds will go toward equipment and training programs, hopefully making the station’s holidays a little more merry.
12/6
Bell’s Eccentric Day
Bell’s Eccentric Cafe
355 E. Kalamazoo Ave., Kalamazoo
Dec. 6, 9 a.m. – 2 a.m.
bellsbeer.com
“Come as you aren’t,” says Bell’s! This
annual event is the perfect chance to dress up and go out — way out. Be as weird as you please, or even weirder, in fact. Even Larry Bell is getting in on the action, DJing from 2 to 7 p.m. The party starts early and goes all day and all night, offering a rotating tap list and a lengthy buffet menu. Attending is free, but “alter ego required for entry.”
12/7
Pictures with Santa Paws
Fido & Stitch
820 Monroe Ave. NW, Suite 140,
Grand Rapids
Dec. 7
facebook.com/fidoandstitch
Christmas isn’t just for your human children: It’s for your furry kids, too. Help your pets get into the holiday spirit by taking them to get photos with Santa Paws. This is the third year this event is being held by Fido & Stitch. It offers affordable photography in a low-stress environment, for your furry model to take charge of the camera. A percentage of the profits will be donated to a local animal organization.
12/8
Exclusive Statewide Film Premiere of Jumanji: The Next Level
Celebration! Cinema North
2121 Celebration Drive NE,Grand Rapids
Dec. 8, 2:30 – 6:30 p.m., $50
hom.org/events
The adventurous video game world of Jumanji comes back to the big screen Dec. 13, but a select few get the chance to visit that world a few days early with an exclusive film premiere Dec. 8. This special screening is raising funds for the Jo Elyn Nyman Anchors Programs for Children, a pediatric organization. Each ticket includes a soda and popcorn for the movie, as well as drinks and hors d'oeuvres at the Afterglow Reception following the screening.
12/13
Funny Girls Slay
Dog Story Theater
7 Jefferson Ave. SE, Grand Rapids
Dec. 13, 8 and 10 p.m.
facebook.com/werfunnygirls
Can you hear the slay bells ringing? Funny Girls are crossing the boundaries between humor, horror and holiday with this show on Friday the 13th. You’ll see sketches, improv, music, video shorts, audience interaction and apparently some murder, all in one night!
12/17
B-Side Session: Festivals
Listening Room
123 Ionia Ave. SW, Grand Rapids
Dec. 17, 7 – 9 p.m., free
michiganmusicalliance.org
Grand Rapids is best known for its incredible beer scene, but the city is home to a growing, thriving music scene, too. For musicians just starting out, the music industry can seem harsh and mysterious. With the help of B-Side Sessions, independent musicians can take control of their music careers. Not only is the event free, but it also includes a panel of talented, successful musicians, making it an experience new musicians won’t want to miss.
12/18
Double Dare Live
20 Monroe Live
11 Ottawa Ave. NW, Grand Rapids
Dec. 18, 8 p.m., $45+
20monroelive.com
Get ready! You’re about to be slimed. This December, Double Dare is hitting the road for a night of live slimes and stunts. The popular Nickelodeon show is coming to Grand Rapids with host Marc Summers for one night of messy obstacle courses, quiz challenges, green slime and intense nostalgia. A show for the whole family to enjoy, this is the perfect early Christmas gift.
12/20
FUGLY XMAS: Drag Benefit for Kids' Food Basket
Atwater Brewery
201 Michigan St. NW, Grand Rapids
Dec. 20, 9 p.m. – 12 a.m., $10, 18+
beauty-beyond-drag-productions.webnode.com
“Oh, the sweaters inside are FRIGHTFUL, but your company would be so DELIGHTFUL!” Or at least, that’s what Beauty Beyond Drag Productions says. While drag queens are usually all about glam, this production is all about ugly Christmas sweaters. This is the first year of FUGLY XMAS, an ugly sweater drag performance that benefits Kids’ Food Basket. All donations will go to the organization, just in time for the holidays.
12/31
NYE Gatsby Party on The Brew Bus
Saugatuck Brewing Kalamazoo
140 S. Westnedge Ave., Kalamazoo
Dec. 31, 8 p.m. – 1 a.m., $37
kalamazoobrewbus.com
Grab your favorite flappers and tuxes: It’s time to ring in the Roaring ’20s. The Kalamazoo Brew Bus is ready to take you and your friends to your favorite bars this New Year’s Eve. From 8 – 11:45 p.m., the bus is hopping to local bars. Later, you will see fireworks downtown and help count down to midnight. This is your chance to dress to the nines and live out your Great Gatsby dreams, Old Sport.
Gatsby NYE Party
Paddock Place
1033 Lake Dr. SE, Grand Rapids
Dec. 31, 9 p.m. – 2 a.m., $30
thegilmorecollection.com/pubatpaddock
Wait: Another Gatsby Party for New Year’s Eve? That’s right! Except this one’s in Grand Rapids—and there’s no better place to throw a lavish throwback party than in Paddock Place, a gorgeous historical estate. Your ticket gets you access to an all-night party featuring a live DJ, party favors, coat check, champagne at midnight and a pizza buffet at 12:30 a.m. You can also get a special ticket for a fancy dinner before the big party begins.
1/11
Napoleon Dynamite Screening with Q&A
Kalamazoo State Theatre
404 S. Burdick St., Kalamazoo
Jan. 11, 7:30 p.m., $30+
kazoostate.com
It’s time to speak with Pedro and give him your vote, too. Actors Jon Heder (Napoleon Dynamite), Efren Ramirez (Pedro) and Jon Gries (Uncle Rico) are visiting Kalamazoo for a screening of Napoleon Dynamite, followed by a question and answer segment. Everyone's favorite llama, Tina, will also be at the event — but don’t call her a fat lard; that hurts her feelings.
