So much of the public perception about ArtPrize is often devoted to the art we hang on our walls or the 3-D works that adorn the public spaces, but there is so much more to art than that. You can see that again this year with the expanding programming that continues to push other forms of art, from music to cinema.
This year we get to see the return of a music event, Blue Bridge Music Festival, which is tied to ArtPrize.
What makes this event stand out to me is how this event, happening over two days, is a chance for visitors or lovers of music to explore the diverse sounds being created in our state, as well as locally.
In addition to an all-star line up of acts with an equally vast array of music genres, from classical to jazz to rock to bluegrass, this weekend’s festival will feature many of the record labels of our state at a pop-up record store open on Friday and Saturday. Such labels as dizzybird records, Hot Capicola Records, Hear Drums, Grand Rapids Soul Club, Friends of Sound Records, 1980 Records, and Grandville’s Corner Record Store all will be participating in this special local music-positive event.
If you are curious about who is performing, please check out the lineup below.
Friday, September 30:
2:30 p.m.: Grand Rapids Symphony: Susan Mora and Friends – Country Fiddling
4:00 p.m.: Edye Evans Hyde Jazz
6:00 p.m.: Heaters
8:30 p.m.: Go Rounds
Saturday, October 1:
12:00 p.m.: Andy Akiho and Grand Rapids Symphony Friends – Composer, percussionist and steel drummer Andy Akiho plus GRS musicians on cello, electric bass and drums
2:30 p.m.: Kari Lynch Band
4:30 p.m.: JRob & Friends
7:00 p.m.: Mark Lavengood Bluegrass Bonanza
8:45 p.m.: Flint Eastwood
The above musicians are eligible for the $500,000 in ArtPrize Awards in the Time-Based category, but these musicians also are eligible to win $10,000 in independently organized awards as well. The Blue Bridge Songwriters Awards includes 10 $1,000 cash prizes—five of which will be decided by public vote and the other five by expert music-based jury.
For some time now, the song competition has been a part of ArtPrize, but this year with help from a local business, AMI Entertainment, they will have their juke boxes placed all throughout Grand Rapids so you can enjoy listening to the music created locally as you decide which one deserves your vote. And sharing with your friends while out having a drink how great our local musicians sound makes all of us winners in the long run.
Play on, GR!
Admission: Free
More Info