Our guide to events, goings-on and things to do in Grand Rapids and all around West Michigan for the month of July.
8/1
Bowling For Soup
The Intersection
133 Cesar E. Chavez Ave. SW, Grand Rapids
Aug. 1, 6:30 p.m.
sectionlive.com
Bowling for Soup are ready to celebrate three decades of being a band and 20 years of their hit album A Hangover You Don’t Deserve, which features big singles like “1985.” On this throwback tour full of nostalgia, Bowling For Soup will be playing the album in full, plus a host of other hits from their 30-year career.
Relax at Rosa
Rosa Parks Circle
135 Monroe Center St. NW, Grand Rapids
Aug. 1-29, 12-1:30 p.m.
downtowngr.org
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—such as Full Cord, Normal Mode and the fittingly-named August—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.
Desmond Jones (Phish After Party)
The Pyramid Scheme
68 Commerce Ave. SW, Grand Rapids
Aug. 7-8
pyramidschemebar.com
Desmond Jones: Think Zappa meets Weird Al in the middle of a type 2 jam and has a Ween baby. The award-winning five-piece rock group has done 850 shows in 10 years, making the band tighter than ever, and with 4 studio albums and over 100 original songs under their belt, every set is a unique and fresh surprise for both longtime fans and new listeners—which is probably why they’ve been named Best Original Band in Best of the West multiple years. Come see them after Phish’s shows at Van Andel Arena to keep the party going.
8/9
Chevelle
GLC Live at 20 Monroe
11 Ottawa Ave. NW, Grand Rapids
Aug. 9, 6:30 p.m.
livenation.com
Chevelle, the Chicago-based rock trio known for their intense energy and distinctive sound, blends powerful riffs with introspective lyrics to create a raw and emotive musical experience. With over two decades of pushing boundaries in the alternative metal scene, Chevelle continues to captivate audiences worldwide with their dynamic performances and critically acclaimed albums.
Andrew Bird + Amadou & Mariam
Frederik Meijer Gardens
1000 E. Beltline Ave. NE, Grand Rapids
Aug. 9, 6:30 p.m.
meijergardens.org
Internationally acclaimed, Grammy-nominated multi-instrumentalist, vocalist, whistler, and songwriter Andrew Bird picked up his first violin at age 4 and spent his formative years soaking up classical repertoire completely by ear. Now, Bird is renowned for his virtuosity on the violin, his whistling skills, and his innovative use of looping pedals during live performances. He’s joined by Amadou & Mariam, two veterans of Mali’s music industry who’ve been performing together since the 1970s.
8/11
Justin Willman: Illusionati Tour
DeVos Performance Hall
303 Monroe Ave., Grand Rapids
Aug. 11, 7 p.m.
devosperformancehall.com
Justin Willman wants to melt your brain while making you laugh. He’s best known as the star and creator of the hit Netflix series Magic For Humans and The Magic Prank Show with Justin Willman. But you may recognize him from one of his many television appearances, or maybe you know his work as a host (Baking Impossible; Cupcake Wars; Win, Lose or Draw...). Or maybe he’s the child magician you hired in suburban St. Louis in the ‘90s. If you don’t know Justin, he’s a magician and comedian who’s mastered the art of turning cynics into believers (or at least getting them to laugh). See him onstage this month.
8/16
Steve-O
Kalamazoo State Theatre
404 S. Burdick St., Kalamazoo
Aug. 16, 6 p.m.
kazoostate.com
Steve-O is a renowned stunt performer, actor, and television personality. He gained fame as a member of the cast of the hit MTV show “Jackass,” where he performed a variety of dangerous and outrageous stunts. Known for his fearlessness and wild sense of humor, Steve-O quickly became a fan favorite on the show. Despite his wild antics and larger-than-life persona, Steve-O has also been open about his struggles with addiction and has worked to overcome these challenges through sobriety and self-improvement. See him do his thing onstage at Kalamazoo State Theatre.
Yassou! Greek Cultural Festival
Holy Trinity Greek Orthodox Church
330 Lakeside Dr. NE, Grand Rapids
Aug. 16-17
grgreekfest.com
“Yassou” means welcome, and this fest welcomes you to Holy Trinity Greek Orthodox Church for two days of wonderful Greek culture and traditions. Come experience everything from a great live band and dance demonstrations, to wine tastings and cooking classes—plus, of course, a wide assortment of authentic Greek cuisine like souvlaki, moussaka and gyros.
8/23
Guided By Voices
Bell’s Beer Garden
355 E. Kalamazoo Ave., Kalamazoo
Aug. 23, 8 p.m.
bellsbeer.com
In 1994, 38-year-old school teacher Robert Pollard and his merry band recorded Bee Thousand in a Dayton, Ohio, basement on a 4-track cassette recorder. This improbable rock classic became an enormously influential album: Pitchfork and Spin and Amazon have called it one of the best records of the ’90s. A legendary live band with a rabid following, the Washington Post called GBV “the Grateful Dead equivalent for people who like Miller Lite instead of acid!” With 14 studio albums already under their belts in 6 years, the band’s present-day line-up is nothing less than a new Golden Age of GBV.
Polish Heritage Festival
Calder Plaza
Aug. 23-25
polishheritagesociety.com
The annual Polish festival returns to Grand Rapids, this time at Calder Plaza, since Rosa Parks Circle is still under construction. Three days of vendors, food booths, live music, children’s activities, a beer tent and more! Na Zdrowie!
8/24
Return to the River
Downtown Grand Rapids
Aug. 24-25
downtowngr.org
Return to the River is coming back for a third year! The free, all-ages festival features two days of live music, stunning live art and traveling installations, aerialists and circus performers, an artisan market, food trucks, a host of free activities and more. This year, it’s being held at three locations: 555 Monroe, Sixth Street Park and Canal Park, all connected and within walking distance. Want to drink? Head to a local bar for grab-n-go bevvies!
8/26
Burning Foot Beer Festival
Pere Marquette Park, Muskegon
Aug. 26
burningfoot.beer
Burning Foot Beer Festival is a celebration of beer, beach, art and music, and it’s back bigger than ever before this year with more space and more vendors! The festival is held in August along Lake Michigan’s beautiful lakeshore in Muskegon, offering the perfect way to end the summer. Beach camping and barefoot entry make it unique—the Brewers’ Ring makes it extraordinary.
8/30
GrandCon Gaming Convention
DeVos Place
303 Monroe Ave. NW, Grand Rapids
Aug. 30-Sept. 1
devosplace.org
GrandCon is Michigan’s premiere tabletop gaming show held late Summer every year. It’s a weekend community experience and a place where several aspects of the hobby gaming industry are represented under one roof. They celebrate board games, card games, miniature games, role-playing games, guests of the industry, and family. As an attendee, can enjoy: cosplay, charity events, paint and take (paint a miniature and take it home), learn to play games, panels, role playing games, live entertainment, tournaments, workshops, mingle, play games from a library spanning over 2,300 game titles, and more.
