When you get to the gate outside of the Pyramid Scheme this Saturday for the launch of the T-REX FEST, you might be shocked TWICE.
The first shock will be that you may not be able to get in since tickets are limited and are selling at a fast clip. The second shock will be the sea of faces of people you do not recognize hailing from Ohio, Indiana, Illinois and of course, other cities in Michigan.
The reason for this, according to PS co-owner Tami VandenBerg, is because a lot of tickets to this inaugural event are being snatched up by outsiders who are totally geeked at the impressive and eclectic mix of musicians scheduled to take the stage on Saturday afternoon and into the night.
“We created T-Rex because we love that Grand Rapids is really into big outdoor events during the warmer months, but we wanted a festival that spoke to the power of our first year of programming,” says VandenBerg. “What makes ours unique is that the acts we are booking are all driven by fierce independence and their significance as an underground musical act.”
And she is not kidding. Acts like The Men (heading to Pitchfork), Pinback (funky indie-pop heroes), Leslie & the LYs (balls out funny & must-see) and Dead Prez (a PS fave band that asked to be invited back).
Look to get your feast on as neighboring downtown businesses set up shop. Bartertown Diner is bringing their veggie burritos, Stella's Lounge will host the ever-popular Stoner Tacos, and Rockwell/Republic plans to serve up a few classics from their establishment all day long.
An added bonus is that Shorts Brewery of Bellaire, Mich. will debut a special T-Rex beer in honor of the Pyramid Scheme’s ambitious debut.
At 10 p.m., an afterparty curated by Mike Saunders will commence inside as Shorts Brewery untaps 15 amazing brews with the PS selling half pours so those Shorts freaks & micro-brew geeks -- I count myself a member of said club -- can try them all without blowing out their liver.
And if you wondered how this fest got its name, well, you need to get out more. Here’s a hint: if you stop by the Pyramid Scheme, all will be explained by looking just above the rows and rows of vintage pinball machines that light up your way to the answer.
Editor’s Innovation Watch: On this same night, the same people who are producing the country's second co-op microbrewery, High-Five, are beta testing their new late-night healthy food stop, Bartertown Burrito from 10 p.m.-3 a.m. Why stop at Taco Hell when you can have a meal that truly is healthy and supports local farmers. This is the collaborative startup to watch this weekend!
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