Here comes another in the series of old articles/columns from my foray into journalism at Grand Rapids Community College. As an awkward, insecure, and introverted 19 year old, I was certainly not the most well connected in my class. I had few friends, never went to any big parties, and am insanely indecisive. Nevertheless, it’s hard for me to say no to people, so when I was approached by one of the editors to start up the semester’s “Things to Do” column, I just had to answer in the affirmative.
And so began a stressful months long search to help students kill their boredom. Did I always pick the most exciting events? Maybe not. Did I attend everything I brought up? Definitely not. But it was a fun challenge and turned to be a bit more in my wheelhouse than traditional journalism.
So… Here we go!
All photos by Jesse Shira unless otherwise noted.
9/22/2016-9/25/2016
By Jesse Shira – Collegiate Staff
The weekend is coming, and that means one thing: party! But where to go? What to do? Well, look no further. This weekend’s to do list features something for everyone, from the deep thinking intellectual to the craft beer connoisseur and from the family man to those craving ‘70s nostalgia. Take a look.
Dog Story Theater, 7 Jefferson Ave SE, is presenting “The American Lady” by local playwright Max Bush at 8 p.m. Friday and Saturday, with a 3 p.m. matinee on Sunday. “The American Lady,” at its core, is a story about a woman’s struggle to understand i the differences between her life and professional alter-ego. Tickets are $12 for general admission seating. The play is not recommended for younger audiences due to adult content.
The Fountain Hill Brewery will open for the first time on campus at 5:30 p.m. Thursday. The brewery will be run by students in the Craft Brewing, Packaging, and Service Operations certificate program. It will remain open from 5:30 – 8:30 p.m. Thursdays and Fridays throughout the rest of the academic year. The brewery can be found inside The Heritage restaurant, 151 Fountain St NE.
The DeVos Performance Hall, 303 Monroe Ave NW, hosts “The Piano Men” starring the Grand Rapids Symphony along with special guest singer/pianist Jim Witter at 8 p.m. Friday, Saturday, and Sunday. “The Piano Men” is a tribute show to ‘70s artists Billy Joel and Elton John. The concert is open to everyone and tickets start at $18. Students can get in for $5 with student ID.
John Ball Park, 1300 West Fulton Street, is the location for this year’s Oktoberfest West Michigan hosted by the Edelweiss Club. The family friendly celebration of German heritage will take place from noon until 11 p.m. on Friday and Saturday and will include concerts, a soccer tournament, kids inflatables and more. Additional information can be found at http://www.oktoberfestgr.com
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9/29/2016-10/02/2016
By Jesse Shira – Collegiate Staff
One week comes and another week goes, and that means one thing, another edition of things to do. This week we have everything ranging from a music festival to a haunted walking tour (spooky, I know). So sit back, grab a venti pumpkin spice latte, and read on!
Blue Bridge Music Festival
As any citizen of Grand Rapids might have noticed, Artprize eight is in full swing. Events are happening practically around the clock, including the first Artprize Blue Bridge Music Festival. The event features Artprize musicians and bands from all over Michigan and the free event is open to the public. It starts at 4 p.m. Friday and will continue throughout the day and again on Saturday from noon until 10 p.m. For additional information and list of performers, click here.
Ghosts of Grand Rapids Walking Tour
Do you fear things that go bump in the night? Have you felt the presence of spirits, ghosts or apparitions? Do you want to learn the haunted history of Grand Rapids? The Ghosts of Grand Rapids walking tour takes guests through the streets of downtown while telling spooky stories from the city’s past. Each tour starts at 8 p.m. at Veteran’s Memorial Park, 101 Fulton Street E, and goes about two hours. There are tours happening each weekend through October, and tickets cost $10. To reserve your spot on the tour, go online to http://www.ghostsofgrandrapids.com/index.html
Circus Xtreme
If anyone wants to run away and join the circus, this would be the weekend to do it. That’s right, Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey are taking over the Van Andel Arena, 130 Fulton W. The shows begin at 7 p.m. on Thursday, Friday, and Saturday, with additional matinees at 3 p.m. Saturday and 1 p.m. Sunday. Ticket prices begin at $12 and may be purchased at the Van Andel Arena box office, www.ringling.com or by calling 1-800-745-3000.
“Mr. Burns, A Post-Electric Play”
Actors’ Theatre kicks off their 36th season with “Mr. Burns, A Post-Electric Play” at Spectrum Theater, 160 Fountain Street NE. The show starts at 8 p.m. with performances Sept. 29 and 30, and Oct. 1, 6, 7, and 8. Tickets are $28 for adults, $22 for students/seniors, with $10 student rush tickets an hour before showtime. They can be purchased online and from the Spectrum Theater box office.
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10/06/2016-10/09/2016
By: Jesse Shira – Collegiate Staff
ArtPrize Eight may be coming to an end, but fear not, for there are still plenty of great events happening all around this grand city. This week we have a fine selection that includes concerts, comedy, and a Shakespearean play.
ArtPrize Awards Ceremony and Community Watch Party
Every year ArtPrize brings together artists from all over the world globe to show off their shared passion and compete for $500,000 in prizes. Everyone wants to know who will win, and we have the chance to find out. At 5 p.m. this Friday, the eighth annual ArtPrize Awards Ceremony takes place at Rosa Parks Circle. The free event will include concerts, prizes, and some of the most popular food trucks in the city. Grab the family and come down to see if any of your favorite pieces will win.
SiriusXm presents I Love The 90’s at Van Andel Arena
Saturday, Oct. 8 marks the 20th anniversary of the opening of the Van Andel Arena, and they picked the perfect way to celebrate. Starting at 8 p.m. Vanilla Ice, Salt N Pepa, Kid N Play, All 4 One, Rob Base, and Tone Loc will take the stage performing some of their biggest hits. As an added bonus the Van Andel is offering special $20 tickets and 1996 concession prices. The concert is open to all ages, so whether you fondly remember the 90’s or wanted a glimpse into life 20 years ago, the I Love The 90’s tour looks to be all that and a bag of chips.
Tickets are available online, by calling 1-800-745-3000, and at the Van Andel box office.
Comedian Chris Barnes comes to Dr. Grins
This weekend Dr. Grins at the B.O.B., 20 Monroe Ave NW, welcomes comedian Chris Barnes. Originally from Wisconsin, Barnes has been performing stand up since 1980, and has since been performing throughout the United States. He has five different shows between Oct. 6 and 8 with ticket prices varying from $5 to $15. Tickets may be purchased online or at the door. The show is exclusive for those 21 and older, and requires a two drink minimum.
William Shakespeare’s ‘As You Like It’ presented by Aquinas Theatre
Perhaps you’ve heard of the phrase “All the world’s a stage” but never knew right where it came from. Well, now you have the chance to find out as Aquinas Theatre presents William Shakespeare’s “As You Like It.” The play runs from 8 p.m. to 10 p.m. on Oct. 7 and 8 with an additional matinee at 2 p.m. Oct. 9 at the Aquinas College Performing Arts Center, 1607 Robinson Rd SE. Tickets are $15 general admission, and $6 for students and are available at the door but you may reserve them by calling 616-456-6656
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10/13/2016-10/16/2016
By Jesse Shira
This week we’ve seen numerous national days, like National Fossil Day, National Dessert Day, and even the much adored Leif Erikson Day, and the only way to celebrate is to go out and have a good time. From sports to concerts to destruction, Grand Rapids has it all this week.
GRCC International Guitar Series with Pino Forastiere
This year’s International Guitar Series kicks off at 7:30 p.m. Thursday at the Fountain Street Church, 24 Fountain Street NE. General admission tickets to the event are $15 for adults and $10 for students and seniors and can be purchased online.
Office Space SMASH! At The Pyramid Scheme
Are you feeling stressed out from work, school, politics, or killer clowns? Do you feel like causing some destruction? Have you ever wanted to reenact part of the film “Office Space” all while supporting a good cause? Well this is your chance. From 3-5 p.m. on Friday Oct. 14 at The Pyramid Scheme, 68 Commerce Ave SW, the first ever Office Space SMASH will take place. Office equipment and bats will be provided in this event supporting the American Diabetes Association. Tickets are $20 and can be purchased online or at the front bar. Participants can receive $5 off at the door if they donate equipment the day of the event. Office Space SMASH! is only open for people 21 or older.
Grand Rapids Griffins vs Chicago Wolves
The Grand Rapids Griffins start off their season against the Chicago Wolves at 7 p.m. Friday at the Van Andel Arena. There are a ton of opening night specials, including $2 beers and hot dogs, a free magnet schedule for the first 2,500 fans, and a post-game open skate. Tickets start at $16 and are available in person, by phone at 800-585-3737, and at griffinshockey.com.
The 2016 Kellogg’s Tour of Gymnastic Champions hits the Van Andel Arena
At 6 p.m. Sunday multiple Olympic Gold Medalists are coming to the Van Andel Arena. Members from the 2008, 2012, and 2016 games will dazzle the crowd with incredible gymnastic feats. Tickets for the event start as low as $29 and go up to special $299 V.I.P. passes that include a pre-show Olympian Chalk Talk and a post show autograph session. To get tickets, call 1-800-745-3000, visit ticketmaster.com, or go to the Van Andel box office.
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10/21/2016-10/23/2016
By Jesse Shira
It doesn’t take a mind reader or a superhero to know there’s a ton of great events happening this week in Grand Rapids. There’s festivals, concerts, conventions, basically something for people of all ages.
Grand Rapids Comic-Con
Comic book fans UNITE! That’s right, beginning Friday afternoon at 2 p.m. and continuing through Sunday evening pop culture enthusiasts will be pouring into the DeVos Place for a weekend of gaming, collecting, cosplaying, and learning from panels of experts at the Grand Rapids Comic-Con. This family-friendly event is in its fourth year and looks to be full of fun at every corner. For adults tickets start at $20 and go up to $149 for a special V.I.P. badge. Tickets are available at the DeVos Place box office, at TicketMaster, and by phone at 800-745-3000.
Mentalist Banachek at Calvin College
Do you believe in extra sensory perception? Or perhaps you are a skeptic. Either way, Banachek will amaze you with his mental abilities. At 8 p.m. Friday, Oct. 21 the world renowned mentalist will be coming to Calvin College performing in the main lobby of the Hoogenboom Rec Center, 3195 Knight Way SE. He has been featured on NBC’s Today Show and CNN Live, as well as consulting for Criss Angel, David Blaine, Uri Geller, and many other professional entertainers. Opening for him will be the Calvin Improv troupe. Tickets are $3 for students and $6 for adults.
Grand Rapids Symphony presents DreamWorks Animation in Concert
For over 20 years, DreamWorks has been astounding audiences with their brand of storytelling. And at 8 p.m. Saturday the Grand Rapids Symphony will be taking audiences through some of their most iconic scores including “Kung Fu Panda,” “Shrek,” and “Madagascar.” Along with the live music they will be playing select clips from their films on the screens at the DeVos Performance Hall. Tickets start at $18 and are available online, at the DeVos box office, and by calling (616) 454-9451.
Grand Rapids Feminist Film Festival 2016
This Sunday the third annual Grand Rapids Feminist Film Festival will take place at the Wealthy Theatre, 1130 Wealthy Street SE. The festival is free to attend and begins at noon. There are 40 different short films playing throughout the day, as well as 10 panels with speakers to talk about filmmaking. To find more information and see a list of the films and speakers, go to www.grfff.org
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10/28/2016-10/30/2016
By Jesse Shira
Halloween is just around the corner, and along with all the free candy and dressing up that comes with the big day, comes plenty of great events downtown. This week we have concerts, plays, and family friendly Halloween parties.
Grand Rapids Civic Theatre’s production of “Holes”
The Grand Rapids Civic Theatre is putting on the play “Holes” based on the novel by Louis Sachar. There are performances at 7:30 p.m. on Friday, Saturday, and Sunday with additional matinees at 2 p.m. on Saturday and Sunday. Tickets can be purchased onlineand at the box office and range in price from $10-$16. Holes is recommended for audiences eight and up.
Saved by the 90s at the Intersection
At 8 p.m. on Saturday, Oct. 29 the intersection brings “Saved by the 90s” to Grand Rapids. There will be covers of all sorts of music from the 1990’s including The Spice Girls, The Backstreet Boys, Third Blind Eye, and The Beastie Boys. This event is for ages 18 and up with I.D. Tickets cost $7 in advance and $10 at the show. Tickets can be bought onlineand at the door.
The GRAM’s Seriously Most Amazing Halloween Party of All Time
From noon to 4 p.m. Oct. 29 the Grand Rapids Art Museum will be hosting the “Seriously Most Amazing Halloween Party of All Time”. There are plenty of activities available for the whole family, including trick-or-treating throughout the galleries, art making in their studio, and a costume parade. Admission is free to members of the GRAM, and non-members can get in for the standard rate of $10 for adults, $6 for children 6-17, and free for kids under five.
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11/04/2016-11/06/2016
By: Jesse Shira – Collegiate Staff
October has ended and as people put away Jack O’ Lanterns and scarecrows, we get ready to see inflatable Christmas trees, giant plastic nativity scenes, mounds of snow, and all the other things the holiday season brings us. But before all of that begins, let’s just enjoy this break before the chaos of shopping mall sales and visiting relatives with these fun events…
“E.T.: The Extra Terrestrial” with Live Score by the Grand Rapids Symphony
Beginning at 8 p.m. Friday, November 4 with additional performances Saturday evening and Sunday afternoon the Grand Rapids Symphony brings the classic film “E.T.: The Extra Terrestrial” to life. The Pops Orchestra will be playing John William’s award winning score as the film plays on a large HD screen. Each concert will take place at the DeVos Performance Hall, 303 Monroe Ave NW. Tickets begin at $18 but there are also student tickets for $5. They can be purchased online, in person at the box office, or by calling (616) 454-9451×4
BaCon: A Bacon and Beer Celebration at the Deltaplex
This year marks the 4th annual BaCon, a West Michigan festival celebrating Bacon and Beer. It begins at 3 p.m. on Saturday, Nov. 5 and goes until 8 p.m. that evening. With your ticket you get sample tickets where you can try some of the tastiest bacon inspired creations in the state. General admission costs $20 and you get 10 sample tickets, but for the bacon expert there is something a little more flavorful. The “Bacon Master” VIP pass gets 20 tasting tickets and a limited edition BaCon apron, these tickets are $40. To buy tickets and learn more about the event, go to www.baconfestgr.com
River City Improv
Starting at 7:33 p.m. on Saturday, Nov. 5 and lasting two hours is the River City Improv show at the Ladies Literary Club, 61 Sheldon Blvd SE. The River City Improv is the longest lasting comedy show in West Michigan and contains skits, songs, and games with audience suggestions to make each show a unique entertaining experience. Tickets are available at the door and cost $12 for adults and $5 for children and students. Each show is clean, unoffensive comedy so it will be fun for the whole family. More information is available on their website.
That wraps it up for this week’s Things to do. Until next time, stay safe, stay happy, and stay away from the Alaskan Brown Bear (they are quite dangerous).
Jesse Shira's Rambling Rants 