Good Morning Grand Rapids!

This week marks the beginning of ArtPrize, Grand Rapids’ largest art festival, where over 650 artists will be displaying their work and competing for over $600,000 in prizes. That’s just the beginning, though! There’s lots of music to be heard, weird news stories to read, and shows to attend.

Let’s get into it! 🙂 

📰 This Week’s Grand Stories

🎨 A Complete Guide To ArtPrize 2024: Grand Rapids’ largest art festival is returning. To commemorate the occasion, WZZM published a guide to the works of over 950 artists from 42 states spread across 170 venues.

✝️ Free Threads: A church in Grand Rapids has started a drive to help disadvantaged students get suits and dresses for school dances.

🤣 Theo Von’s Coming To Grand Rapids! Comedian Theo Von’s bringing his Return of the Rat tour to Van Andel arena on November 16.

🦈Land Shark! An ultra swimmer who goes by the nickname “The Shark” has called off his latest attempt to swim across Lake Michigan after 36 hours in the water.

🎲Bricks & Minifigs Are Setting Records: Awards season is coming early this year to Grand Rapids, as gamers and Lego enthusiasts will gather on October 19 to attempt to set a world record for tabletop gaming.

🎵 Shows & Concerts -

🎸 Kenny Wayne Shepherd - Dirt On My Diamonds Tour: Grammy Award-winning country artist is bringing his Dirt on my Diamonds Tour to GLC Live on September 13.

🚽 Nick Swardson: Toilet Head Tour: Comedian Nick Swardson is bringing his Toilet Head tour to GLC Live on September 14.

🎹 Cassidy Velthouse: This Friday, September 14, pianist Cassidy Velthouse will be summoning hits from the 1960s to today from the ivories at Vander Mill. All ages welcome!

🎸 Midtown Grooves Music Festival: Music is just the start of the fun at the Midtown Grooves Music Festival, a full day of live music, food, games, and vendors. Best of all - it’s free! September 14, 12:00 - 6 PM.

🚚 Hot Wheels Monster Trucks: It’s going to be a weekend of high octane excitement when Hot Wheels bring their monster truck live show, complete with a Live Glow Party, to Van Andel Arena on September 14 & 15.

🏎️ Lowrider / Classic Car Show: All my friends know the Lowrider classic car show will be at Calder Plaza on September 15.

🍎 Fun Fact

ArtPrize was conceived to be the world’s most democratic art competition, with anyone allowed to compete or host a venue.

👨‍👩‍👧 Family-Friendly Fun -

🎥 Sunset Cinema Clueless: The summer may be drawing to a close, but the outdoor cinema isn’t finished yet. This week, the like totally fabulous cult classic, Clueless, is showing for free at Studio Park Piazza on September 14.

🍕 Walking Food Tour: Here’s your chance to explore Grand Rapids’ mouth-watering food scene in one day, at one time, when Taste Of GR hosts their next walking food tour on September 14.

🌍️ Grand Rapids African American Art & Music Festival: This Sunday, September 15, come out to Rosa Park Circle to celebrate Grand Rapids’ vibrant African-American music with a full day of food, art, vendors, games, music, and live entertainment.

🏀 Sports & Hobbies-

🍵 ArtPrize Eve Tea Party w/Emily Moores: Kick off this year’s ArtPrize with a tea party hosted by artist Emily Moores, where she’ll be discussing her creative process at ArtRat Gallery on September 12.

🐄 Farm to Table Kids' Food Basket: Here’s a wonderful chance to enjoy some delicious food while supporting a good cause, with an evening of farm-fresh delicacies to raise funds for Kids’ Food Basket on September 12.

🍹 Grand Rapids Margarita Fest 2024: Come to Devos Place Convention Center on September 14 to sample some of the finest tequila-based deliciousness Grand Rapids has to offer.

🎨 Art for Honor Opening Day: Art for Honor is a platform for veterans to process their experiences through art and storytelling. They’ll be given a special day of honor this Saturday, September 14, as part of ArtPrize.

🏃 LMCU Bridge Run: One of Grand Rapids’ best and longest-running running events is coming to the Sixth Street Bridge this weekend, September 14 - 15.

🚲️ PedALS 2024: Here’s a chance to get in shape and do some good all at the same time this Sunday, September 15, at Townsend Park in Cannonsburg for this year’s edition of PedALS, a fundraiser for ALS.

🍺BFF Fest: Celebrate the best things in life with a day of friendship, craft beers, and delicious cocktails at Vivant Brewery on September 14.

😎 Ongoing Stuff That’s Pretty Cool

• This “Michigan Bundle” for Cedar Point is STILL a GREAT DEAL.

• ArtPrize 2024: Grand Rapids’ largest art show will run from September 13 - 28, featuring over 650 works of art and $600,000 in prizes.

• The Rocky Horror Picture Show will play at the Grand Rapids Civic Theater from September 13 - October 6.

• 40 Town Halls In 40 Days is just what it sounds, with 40 town halls taking place around Michigan to inform and empower voters. 40 Town Halls will be in Grand Rapids on September 27. For more info, visit https://rankmivote.org/.

🎵 Music

• Pyramid Scheme, as usual, has a show every night this upcoming week. Tickets are typically $10 and many of the shows are for all ages.

• There’s jazz at Noto’s every Saturday.

• Greyline Free Music Series is running from September 10 through the New Year at Greyline Brewing Co.

• Live Music at Rendezvous will be taking place from September 13 - December 28.

• Music in the Stacks: The next installment of the monthly music series at Grand Rapids Public Library will be on September 12 with littlecow.

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👨‍💼 Highlighting New Businesses

The Main Event family amusement center recently opened over at the Woodland mall. With bowling, laser tag, a full bar and restaurant, and more - it’s definitely a place to check out!

Roto Indian Kitchen opened on 28th street, and according to Yelp reviews has some of the most authentic Indian food in the area.

The nostalgic Rocket Fizz candy store just opened a new location over at the Tanger Outlets. Go give them some love and make your kiddos happy.