As Rapid Growth takes a week off, G-Sync's Lifestyle Editor knows that while some may be heading to a sunny shore, others may elect to stay closer to home to spend some time with their families and friends in the city.
So in an attempt to help you survive a week of togetherness in a 24/7 spring break environment, here are more than seven days' worth of local activities you might want to consider for your family -- and some simply for you as an adult.
Thursday – Sunday, April 3 - 6: Each year Grand Rapids is invited to dive deep into a collection of films at the
Latin American Film Festival. And this year's programming, like every year, presents a model collaboration between education institutions Grand Valley State University, Calvin College, Aquinas College, Ferris State University, and Davenport University. This year's event does not disappoint. http://grlaff.org/
Sunday, April 6: Fountain Street Church's Oratorio Memorial Concert. Walt Whitman is popping up everywhere, from my work to the recent iPad commercial from Apple. Here is a musical retelling of his work for those parents with older teens or those simply looking to enjoy a poetry-filled afternoon.
Monday, April 7: GVSU's Civic Studio will present
Formed Histories, a guided spatial tour from their "Showroom" space on the Westside of the city, beginning the adventure with one key starter question: What form did life take 100 years ago? Free and educational from a historical standpoint.
Tuesday, April 8: Grand Rapids Ballet presents "
A Different Tune," choreographed by Attila Mosolygo and featuring the music composed by multi-platinum singer-songwriter Brian Vander Ark of The Verve Pipe and performed by the Grand Rapids Ballet. $5 per person.
Wednesday, April 9: Opening Day! Not for Whitecaps Baseball but for the annual
Grand Rapids Film Festival where more than 46 films will be unspooled at this annual event in downtown Grand Rapids. (Runs through Sunday, April 13.)
Thursday, April 10: Grand Rapids Brewing Company will be the host to a new series of educational films screening at the state's first organic brewery. Kicking off the "
No Fracking Way: a Clean Beer Initiative" will be the documentary
Gasland Part I. A new delicious new brewery menu will be served up as well, so dive in. Get the pork waffles.
Friday, April 11: With more features than ever before, the Avenue for the Arts'
Art.Downtown returns with a fresh energy as (literally) Artists Take Over the city of Grand Rapids in a style all their own. This is a pretty independent event and will more than likely be a great spot to secure a new work of art in a chill environment.
Saturday, April 12: Bring the Green debuts their first huge event that promises something healthier than drinking beer on a beach while over-cooking your skin. In short, 13 honors students from GVSU imagine what could be created under the Designing Social Venture framework, and this is what they have created to offer to the city of Grand Rapids: a fitness day with a nod to community, wellness and, of course, having a really good time in the process. Visit the schedule of the events here.