Events, goings-on and happenings all around West Michigan for the month of June.
6/2
Festival of the Arts
Downtown Grand Rapids
June 2-4
festivalgr.org
Grand Rapids’ biggest celebration of local art, music and food is one of the longest-running festivals in the state. Completely free to the public, it features a huge selection of food from local vendors, plus six music stages, theater, poetry, dance and much more.
Kalamazoo Institute of Arts Fair
Bronson Park
200 S. Rose St., Kalamazoo
June 2-3
kiarts.org
This annual start to summer in Kalamazoo began 72 years ago and it’s back once again, featuring the work of over 100 fine artists, music, food trucks and a beer garden filling Bronson Park.
6/9
Jump Into Summer
Saugatuck Center for the Arts
June 9, 5-10 p.m.
https://sc4a.org/event/jump-into-summer-2023/
Jump into Summer highlights the things that make the Art Coast of Michigan so creatively intriguing. This celebration welcomes in another incredible Michigan summer with big entertainment, bold imagination, and buckets of joy. Doors open at 5:00 pm and hands-on activities begin at the SCA’s new mobile art truck The WiP. Get your dancing shoes on because the stage will be rocking all night long with incredible musicians including headliner Michigander, fusing indie rock and pop into his own unique sound.
Grand Rapids Asian-Pacific Festival
Calder Plaza
300 Monroe Ave. NW, Grand Rapids
June 9-11
grapf.org
The annual Asian-Pacific Festival celebrates as much Asian and Pacific-Islander culture as it possibly can in one weekend. You’ll find traditional attires, martial arts demonstrations, fashion shows, Luau and much more, including (of course) all kinds of Asian-Pacific food.
Rollin’ On the River
Downtown Allegan, Riverfront Stage
June 9, 7 p.m.
downtownallega.com
Start every weekend of summer with live music on the Allegan Riverfront! Rollin’ on the River is a free, weekly Friday night concert series on the Allegan Riverfront Stage featuring touring musicians from across the country. Two hours of live music starts at 7 p.m. For this first show, enjoy local rock band The American Hotel System.
6/10
Eastown Bizarre Bazaar
420 Ethel Ave. SE, Grand Rapids
June 10, 9 a.m.-5 p.m.
facebook.com/eastowngr
Eastown Bizarre Bazaar features local artists, potters, sculptors, and jewelry designers in the heart of Eastown. This event is hosted by the Eastown Community Association to celebrate art, entertainment, and the unique Eastown culture with over 80 local artists and craftspeople, with bands performing throughout the day!
Bell’s Pub Anniversary
Bell’s Eccentric Cafe
355 E. Kalamazoo Ave., Kalamazoo
June 10, 11 a.m.-10 p.m.
bellsbeer.com
Cheers to thirty years! Bell’s is celebrating the anniversary of the Eccentric Café with an all-out backyard bash. What can you expect? Throwback beer pricing (such as $2 pints of Amber Ale) and packaging on Amber Ale, food specials, merch giveaways, and lawn games. Plus, free live music.
6/11
ART! at the Market
Fulton Street Farmers Market
1145 E. Fulton St., Grand Rapids
June 11, 10 a.m.-3 p.m.
facebook.com/fultonstmarket
On Sunday, June 11, more than 100 vendors will feature art, crafts and locally grown flowers at the Fulton Street Market! Attend an artisan-led workshop from Leo + Lore, enjoy a kids activity with John Jurries Art, snack on concessions from local vendors, and so much more!
6/17
Greater Grand Rapids Pride Festival
Calder Plaza
300 Monroe Ave. NW, Grand Rapids
June 17, 12-10 p.m.
grpride.org
Going into its 35th year in 2023, Grand Rapids Pride Festival is an event that brings LGBTQ+ community members, LGBTQ+ businesses, allies, and organizations together to celebrate diversity, inclusion, and celebrating the beautiful vast LGBTQ+ community! This year’s Pride Festival will have all the music, performers, rainbows and other fun of years prior, with local bands performing.
Queer the Block
Kalamazoo State Theatre
404 S. Burdick St., Kalamazoo
June 17, 3 p.m.
kazoostate.com
June is pride month, and Kalamazoo is ready to celebrate. Join outside the historic Kalamazoo State Theatre for Queer the Block, featuring Beats by DJ Dazzelship and a drag show performance by the Kunty Kittens. They’ll have free live entertainment, patio seating, drink specials, and more! Help decorate the dance floor during “Chalk the Block” from 3-5 p.m., with the patio and bar opening at 5 p.m. and live entertainment from 5:30-8:30 p.m.
Bridge Blast 2023
Sixth Street Bridge, Grand Rapids
June 17, 3-10 p.m.
citybuiltbrewing.com
Time to celebrate City Built Brewing’s anniversary with another amazing Bridge Blast. The brewery takes over the Sixth Street Bridge to offer free live music from five bands, beer from 13 Michigan breweries, and tons of food trucks. You can also visit the City Built beer tent in the park! Entry is free for all of it.
Modest Mouse
GLC Live at 20 Monroe
11 Ottawa Ave. NW, Grand Rapids
June 17, 7 p.m.
livenation.com
Known for their introspective lyrics, unique sound, and experimental instrumentation, Modest Mouse is an influential American indie rock band from Issaquah, Washington. Over the years, their albums like “The Moon & Antarctica” and “Good News for People Who Love Bad News” have built a dedicated fanbase worldwide, and now they’re returning to Grand Rapids once again, following their latest studio release, 2021’s The Golden Casket.
Grand Raggidy Roller Derby
Griff’s Georgetown Ice Arena
8500 48th Ave., Hudsonville
June 17, 4:30-7:30 p.m.
grandraggidy.com
Founded in 2005, Grand Raggidy Roller Derby is proud to be one of only 30 founding member leagues of the Women’s Flat Track Derby Association. Anyone and everyone is welcome to come see their games, where women showcase their speed, agility and strategic prowess. Watch skaters with names like “Marzi Pain” and “Scary Magdalene” slam into each other, slip past each other and race around the track. It’s fun for everyone!
6/23
The Ultimate Doors: Tribute to the Doors
The Intersection
133 Cesar E. Chavez Ave. SW, Grand Rapids
June 23, 7 p.m.
sectionlive.com
With great attention to detail, The Ultimate Doors provide their audiences with an authentic looking and sounding tribute to Jim Morrison & The Doors. From Jim Morrison’s leather outfits all the way down to the color of the microphone cable, The Ultimate Doors leaves no stone unturned in bringing an authentic Doors tribute show to the stage.
The Insiders: A Tribute to Tom Petty
Midtown GR
123 Ionia Ave. SW, Grand Rapids
June 23, 7:30 p.m.
themidtowngr.com
Close your eyes and you won’t know the difference. Open them and you still might be fooled. The Insiders present the premier Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers experience. With six veteran musicians and decades of combined stage and touring experience, The Insiders are genuinely running down the dream and setting a new standard for Tom Petty tributes.
6/27
Morgan Wallen: One Night At A Time
Van Andel Arena
130 W. Fulton St., Grand Rapids
June 27, 7 p.m.
vanandelarena.com
Morgan Wallen is an absolute star in the world of country music. With his distinctive voice and heartfelt songwriting, Wallen has made a significant impact on the genre. Hailing from Tennessee, he gained recognition through his appearances on the reality show “The Voice.” Since then, Wallen has released chart-topping hits like “Whiskey Glasses” and “7 Summers,” solidifying his status as one of country music’s most promising artists.
6/29
Relax at Rosa: Cosmic Knot
Rosa Parks Circle
135 Monroe Center St. NW, Grand Rapids
June 29, 12-1:30 p.m.
downtowngr.com
Every Thursday, all summer, Relax at Rosa offers live music, food and fun. The free lunchtime entertainment series features an incredible lineup of local musical talent, a variety of food truck offerings and oversized outdoor games for all to enjoy. Relax at Rosa gives workers the opportunity to step away from their desks, get out of the office, and enjoy the benefits of working in a vibrant Downtown.
6/30
Smiling Acres Music Festival
Smiling Acres
3060 N. Johnson Rd., Trufant
June 30-July 2
smilingacresfestival.com
Located on 40 acres of incredible ground under Michigan’s wide-open skies, Smiling Acres Music Festival is three days of music, food, art, camping, and community. People from all over come out to hear a spectacular lineup of musicians – but the music is only the beginning! In addition to dozens of incredible bands from across the country and near to home, there’s also yoga, food vendors, workshops, and artists of all kinds. Plus an open mic, so you can do a performance of your own.
