The Grand Rapid’s Public Library is hosting numerous educational and literature-based events throughout the summer. Books, theater, science, comics and even animals can be expected to make an appearance at a few of their events. The best part: They’re all free. For all the details, visit grpl.org.
In the ‘80s, stand-up comedy boomed. Clubs were packed, legends were born and anything was possible. For one glorious decade stand-up reigned. Decades later the Internet has introduced the new generation of stand-up comedians. A comedy renaissance is underway and it’s larger and more diverse than ever before. That’s where Taylor De La Ossa comes in.
Milwaukee-based Americana songwriter Peter Mulvey, who’s no stranger to the West Michigan music scene, sat down on Friday and wrote a new song in a basement dressing room at the Calvin Theatre in Northhampton, Mass. The song, “Take Down Your Flag,” is a direct narrative on the tragic Charleston, S. Car. church shooting and the accompanying push to remove the confederate flag from the state’s capitol.
For a long time, Station Eleven author Emily St. John Mandel only told stories through the language of her body in motion. But one day, while studying contemporary dance at the School of Toronto Dance Theatre, the narrative stopped making sense. “There was a point where I realized that dance wasn’t fun anymore,” St. John Mandel recalled. “It was more a burden than a joy.”
Some familiar faces will be rolling back into town Thursday, June 11. The New Belgium Clips Beer and Film tour returns to Ah-Nab-Awen Park for its third year in a row. At the event New Belgium will be offering some of their best sellers, as well as hard-to-find items like its dry-hopped sour ale and a peach ginger beer. The brewery will also be raffling off a brand new New Belgium Fat Tire bike.
It's time to get outdoors and soak in a little sun, ya'll. Here is a round up of family-friendly events that take you out and about in West Michigan.
If Willy Wonka and Orville Redenbacher had a baby, it would open Wirtz Family Popcorn, 898 Capital Ave. SW, in Battle Creek. A candy-colored explosion of popcorn goodness, Wirtz is the perfect destination for a family suffering from cabin fever. Grab an Authentic Original 1-Gallon Refillable Bottomless Popcorn Pail and make your own special mixture.
In the event Amy Zyck and her husband should ever decide to leave Grand Rapids, she’s already made it very clear wherever they go next will be contingent on the town’s roller derby ranking. “I told him, ‘These are the towns I will move to because they are ranked better than Grand Raggidy,” Zyck said. “I will move up, I will not move down.”
Even the hopelessly lethargic are welcome to celebrate National Bike Month. It’s true: No strenuous riding is required to partake in the festivities. You can remain peacefully seated while sipping brews and watching bicycle-related short films. Nil calories will be burned.
Monica McFawn is constantly on the lookout for characters. In everything she reads, watches and hears, she’s searching for a thread, a situation, a quirk — anything that can give birth to her next protagonist. And when it comes to fictional people, she believes the badder they behave, the better.
Kent County Girls on the Run (KCGOTR) have teamed up with the Grand Rapids Art Museum to bring the LUNAFEST film festival to Grand Rapids on Friday, April 23. The prestigious traveling film festival showcases woman-made films exploring current women’s issues.
If the vinyl sales boom hadn’t pulled Vertigo Music out of dire straits amid the MP3 uprising, Vertigo Music store manager Herm Baker would’ve found another solution to keep the store afloat. Failure is not an option for this music-shop veteran.
Not all children prefer to zone out in front of electronic devices all day. For the agile all-agers there are always some active options. This month West Michigan is host to everything from the high energy b-boy element of hip-hop to high-flying fun at a local skate park. It’s time to burn some calories — then unwind at a flea market or Disney production.
Stu McCallister has hosted the Funniest Person in Grand Rapids competition for eight years now. At this point, he’s always frank with the newcomers taking the stage for the first time.
“I’m completely honest. I say, ‘You’re not going to win,’” McCallister said. “So many people have this thing where they come in like, ‘I’m gonna f*ckin’ win,’ and I tell them, ‘There are 90 people in this contest. One person wins. You’re not going to be that person.’”
