Our guide to events, goings-on and things to do in Grand Rapids and all around West Michigan for the month of September.
9/6
The Crane Wives
The Intersection
133 Cesar E. Chavez Ave. SW, Grand Rapids
Sept. 6, 7-11 p.m.
sectionlive.com
The Crane Wives are a dynamic indie-folk band from Grand Rapids, known for their rich harmonies, emotive lyrics, and intricate instrumentation. Their music often explores themes of love, loss, and resilience, delivered through a powerful and haunting sound. The Crane Wives have a dedicated fan base, drawn to their passionate live performances and the emotional depth of their songs. See them live with other hometown heroes Patty PerShayla and Cal In Red.
9/7
Stayin Alive: One Night Of the Bee Gees
DeVos Performance Hall
303 Monroe Ave. NW, Grand Rapids
Sept. 7, 7:30 p.m.
devosperformancehall.com
Stayin’ Alive offers to their audiences the songs and sights of a full Bee Gees playlist, singing blockbusters such as “Night Fever”, “Jive Talkin’”, “How Deep Is Your Love”, “You Should Be Dancing”, “Nights on Broadway” and “Stayin’ Alive”. They’re the largest and most definitive production of its kind, offering big screen video clips, photos and dazzling imagery, capturing the excitement of live performance and the tender subtleties of the human voice.
Cars and Coffee
Grand Rapids Downtown Market
435 Ionia Ave. SW, Grand Rapids
Sept. 7, 10 a.m.-1 p.m.
carsandcoffeegrandrapids.com
Come on out to the market to see more than 150 exotic, European, classic, tuner, muscle, custom and show cars on display! Bring the family, cameras, and an appetite for great food and a spectacular display of vehicles from all over. Admission is always FREE, and of course the market will be open and serving up delicious food, drinks, desserts and other treats.
Sunset Cinema: Crazy Rich Asians
Studio Park
123 Ionia Ave. SW, Grand Rapids
Sept. 7, 8 p.m.
studioparkgr.com
Sunset Cinema is back and better than ever—in that it’s free! Head to the lovely piazza outside Studio Park and bring a lawn chair or blanket. Seating is first-come, first-serve. This month, enjoy the hit romantic comedy blockbuster from 2018, Crazy Rich Asians, while enjoying theater concessions/drinks and the lively ambiance of downtown.
9/8
ART! at the Market
Fulton Street Farmers Market
1145 E. Fulton St., Grand Rapids
Sept. 8, 11 a.m.-4 p.m.
fultonstreetmarket.org
Explore a celebration of creativity, where over 100 vendors showcase an array of handmade artwork, crafts, and locally grown flowers at Fulton Street Market. From sculptures and paintings to woodwork, crochet, jewelry, soap, candles, skincare, stickers, prints, clothing, bags, and beyond–discover an eclectic showcase of artistic expressions.
9/13
ArtPrize Opening Night Celebration
Pearl Street Bridge
Sept. 13, 7-10 p.m.
artprize.org
An event as huge as ArtPrize deserves a huge, multi-sensory party to start things off. The three KickOff Parades will arrive at the Pearl Street Bridge at 7:30 as the celebration gets into full swing. There will be music, food trucks, and cash bars, all building up to back-to-back visual displays designed for ultimate wow factor. At 8:45 p.m., they’ll unveil “something big”—a surprise, world-class spectacle making its U.S. premier. And at 9:00, an enormous fireworks show will light up the bridge, the Grand River, and all of downtown.
9/14
One Well Block Party
4213 Portage St., Kalamazoo
Sept. 14, 11 a.m.-midnight
onewellbrewing.com
After 5 long years, the One Well Block Party is BACK! You are invited to an all-day party, featuring a family-friendly carnival from 11 to 3 p.m., followed by some killer live music from 3 to 10 p.m.! Admission is free, and there will be no shortage of fun activities for you to enjoy, from cornhole to rocket-building to facepainting and more. Not to mention the block party’s first-ever Taco Eating Contest at 1 p.m.!
Grand Rapids African American Art & Music Festival
Rosa Parks Circle
135 Monroe Center St. NW, Grand Rapids
Sept. 14, 12-10 p.m.
facebook.com/GRAAAMF
The Grand Rapids African American Art & Music Festival returns to Rosa Parks Circle on Saturday, September 14th. Featuring delicious food, tons of art, local vendors, games, live entertainment—and admission is FREE! Last year featured hip-hop icons The Sugarhil Gang, a wide variety of cuisine, a whole lot of dancing and more.
Kalamashoegazer
Bell’s Eccentric Cafe
355 E. Kalamazoo Ave., Kalamazoo
Sept. 14
bellsbeer.com
The Midwest’s longest running Shoegaze and Dreampop fest, KALAMASHOEGAZER, is back and better than ever this year at the iconic Bell’s Eccentric Cafe with 7 amazing bands from across the U.S., Canada, and even Estonia. As with years past, there will be various giveaways and prizes, and once again a unique guitar effects pedal will be raffled off, courtesy of Mojo Hand FX by the end of the night.
9/21
Canadiana Fest
Arcadia Creek Festival Place
145 E. Water St., Kalamazoo
Sept. 21, 1-11 p.m.
canadianafest.fun
The largest Canadian festival south of the 42nd parallel celebrates the three founding cultures of Canada: Indigenous, French and the Commonwealth Nations. Initially a remedy for homesickness post-pandemic, local chef and community advocate Channon Mondoux was surprised by the depth of the “Canadian curious, Canadian adjacent, and Canadian forward” community in Michigan. Come out for poutine, curling, lacrosse, peameal bacon sandwiches, buttertarts, beer, cocktails and much more.
Kentwood Fall Fest
Kentwood City Hall
4900 Breton Rd SE, Grand Rapids
Sept. 21, 11 a.m.-8 p.m.
Kentwood.us/fallfest
The Kentwood Food Truck Festival has evolved into Kentwood Fall Fest. Celebrate the change in seasons with food trucks, a Farmers Market, artist vendors, kids activities, a beer tent, and live music throughout the day! Plus, they’ll be hosting another beach volleyball tournament. It’s fun for the whole family.
9/24
Stevie Nicks
Van Andel Arena
130 W. Fulton St., Grand Rapids
Sept. 24, 7 p.m.
vanandelarena.com
Initially scheduled for June but postponed due to illness, rock/folk legend Stevie Nicks is coming back to Grand Rapids this month. Nicks joined Fleetwood Mac in 1975, quickly becoming a sensation, and she has gone on to enjoy a successful solo career—despite years of struggling with addiction—with the hit album Bella Donna and popular songs “Edge of Seventeen” and “Stop Dragging My Heart Around,” with Tom Petty.
9/27
Oktoberfest Grand Rapids
Riverside Park
2001 Monroe Ave. NE, Grand Rapids
Sept. 27-28
oktoberfestgr.com
After a record-breaking year, Oktoberfest GR is back and bigger than ever, hosting two beer tents and two food tents, across two days. Come visit for delicious Oktoberfest-style brews from both local and German breweries, traditional German music and dancing, a cornhole competition, keg toss/rolling, stein holding contests and more! Plus a bounce house and other fun games for the kids. Admission is free.
9/29
Vintage and Handmade Marketplace
Grand Rapids Downtown Market
435 Ionia Ave. SW, Grand Rapids
Sept. 29, 10 a.m.- 4p.m.
vintageinthezoo.com
This free, single-day outdoor true vintage and handmade market offers 60+ fresh and unique small businesses & entrepreneurs an opportunity to sell their goods at the Downtown Market. Shop the region’s best vintage and handmade vendors, and enjoy delicious food and drinks from some of the Market Hall local vendors. Vinyl sounds will be live from WIDR FM’s DJ Dan Steely, to create a local shopping atmosphere like no other.
