G-Sync is Rapid Growth's signature event column, consolidated and filtered each week by Lifestyle Editor Tommy Allen. For more information on any event just click G-Sync.
– Tommy Allen, Lifestyle Editor
Recently on WGVU’s Morning Show, Grand Rapids Community Foundation’s Diana Seiger made an inspirational comment to host Shelly Irwin about the creative "reset" the foundation has been going through in response to the current economic woes.
So I got to thinking about what reset I could press internally and decided that I would ban the phrase “penny pincher” with a more forward thinking replacement: "redirecting dollars.” This new way of addressing being frugal encourages me to think about where I will spend my dollars. By using dollars wisely on quality-of-life needs, a simple night out on the town then becomes an investment opportunity within our community.
So in the coming week, there are plenty of opportunities to drop a dollar here and there throughout our city and in doing so, we can make a huge difference by redirecting our dollars to the places we love.
Choose local ….and often.
– Tommy Allen, Lifestyle Editor
Giving Presence -- The Master of Imagination Produces Another Hit Show
Byrneboehm Gallery
959 Lake Dr. SE
Friday, March 13 (through 5/1), 7:30 p.m.
G-Sync
If I had to choose one fine artist in Grand Rapids that continually amazes me with her visually arresting and limitless imagination that takes on a wide range of subjects, without a doubt it would have to be Kelly Allen. Her work always tickles the places we cannot reach.
On March 13, art lovers (and Allen-philes) will finally get the chance to see at the Byrneboehm Gallery’s artist reception for Kelly Allen as she presents, "Giving Presence," an exhibit based on her Kendall College of Art and Design’s MFA show that has taken years to assemble
This much anticipated show of highly rendered, intimately scaled drawings and paintings in gouache and graphite on paper are seminal works of her style where highly realistic objects are combined in a dreamlike space.
By pairing things easily recognized with abstract surroundings, Kelly challenges the viewer to slow down, observe and savor the meanings of the images -- instead of taking in the artwork at a gallop pace which sometimes happens at other shows. This art opening should not be missed and for scensters the intimate but spacious Byrneboehm Gallery is always crowded on reception night.
Giving Presence opens Friday, March 13 and runs through May 1
Admission: Free
Live Coverage – Never A Paint-By-Number Event
Urban Institute for Contemporary Arts (UICA)
41 Sheldon Boulevard SE
Saturday, March 14, 6:30 - 11 p.m.
G-Sync
Once a year, the UICA hosts a fundraising event so massive that you can actually feel the creative current pull you into the stream of artists and art lovers that courses through our community.
This year's event, "Live Coverage," takes a large exhibition space at the UICA on Saturday night and fills it with 50 of the area's best artists, asking them to create an original piece of art in the span of only a few hours. Be prepared to hold your jaw from hitting the ground in amazement as you watch the creative process take place before your very eyes. It is devastatingly beautiful to watch the premier artists of of this region work at such a feverish pace for the show, based on the Art Institute of Chicago’s acclaimed Bare Walls fundraising event.
This year the organizers have hired local graffiti artists to transform the space;the results are a truly cutting edge space of eccentricity and theatrical spectacle. The list of artists include too many to name here, but it includes the fresh and untested as well as the solid and familiar. It is the fine art event of the year.
"Live Coverage" offers guests the opportunity to purchase one-of-a-kind works of art created right before their eyes. With admission, patrons will be able to take part in the live and silent auctions, listen to pulsating music while noshing on an array of hors doerves and drinks. This high-energy experience promises many surprises for the attendees.
Admission: $60/70 Members/Non-Members (see website for inexpensive VIP packages)
Plain White T’s – The Chicago Indie Sound Blows Back Into Town
Intersection
133 Grandville SW
Sunday, March15, 6:30 p.m.
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If you missed the Rosa Parks Circle New Year’s Eve performance of the Chicago indie band , Plain White T’s, you will get a second chance to hear them on the local stage -- but this time it’ll cost you.
Plain White T’s return to Grand Rapids just shy of three months after their last concert and will perform at the Intersection (or 'section as locals call it) an all ages show. Fans of the band will enjoy hearing them cover their breakout tune "Hey There Delilah" that was also nominated for a Grammy Award. Recently, the band released a charmer of a tune titled "1,2,3,4" and features a heartfelt, we-all-need-love styled music video shot in Chicago’s Millennium Park.
So if standing outside in the sub-zero temperatures or the lack of a beer tent is what kept you away from their free downtown gig, slip inside the ‘section on Sunday night for some hot indie rock fun.
Admission: $16.50 (4-Pack Special Available Online at Ticketmaster.com)
Guitar Hero Tournament – Be A Juke Box Hero
The Tap House
8 Ionia SW
Monday- Wednesday, March 16-18, 6:00 p.m.
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The guys at the Tap House are really getting creative in an attempt to pry your butt out of the La-Z-Boy and get you to party downtown. While they are better known for their college nights with loads of DJs, the Tap House owners have decided to host a Guitar Hero Tournament.
Now before you get all high and mighty about staying home on a “school night,” let’s examine what you get for competing. For the small fee of $20, you will get a chance to participate in the Play N Trade sponsored event, enjoy a nice food buffet of bar food favorites and depart with a great goody bag.
The entries are timed so you will need to register to get your slot. As we go to publish, more than 80 people have registered for this rock-out event in the hopes to win many of the cool prizes, including gift certificates for tattoos and video games. But I know you are really in it for the music.
If you are not ready yet to take your act on the road at the Tap House, then simply pay the $5 cover to be a spectator and enjoy the buffet. So why watch an American Idol when you can be a local rock star here at the Tap House. Be sure to pack your Flip video camera. Word.
Admission: Spectators $5. / Contestants $20.
Dublin Station – Get Your Irish Jig On
Charlie’s Bar
3519 Plainfield Ave NE
Tuesday, March 17, 6:30 p.m.
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Sure downtown streets will be crawling with hordes of people with green beer stained teeth, hopping from grub to pub this St. Patrick’s Day. But the real traditionalist knows to head to a little North End restaurant for the best in Irish dining and entertainment.
This annual beer chugging, elbow-to-elbow, standing-room-only Irish musical event welcomes back the band Dublin Station for the 12th sensational year. This Irish band, made up of local musicians, includes crowd favorites J. Oscar and Lauren Bittenger and will include three enormous sets of modern and traditional Celtic and American songs that the whole bar is encouraged to sing along.
Guests are even encouraged to shout out requests but here’s the catch: if the band doesn't know your selection, YOU get to lead the crowd!
Restaurateur Charlie (or Mom as I call her) has an expansive menu for diners, and for this occasion her specials of traditional Irish entrées are offered throughout the night -- and are definitely worth ordering.
If you haven't experienced this event, you really need to do yourself a favor and get there early to get in on the action…and a seat. If you have trouble at the door you can always try name-dropping that you are, “one of your daughter’s friends.” (Psst…Jodi is her name.)
Admission: Free
Prevention Potion Debuts – Your Sex Life Gets A Healthy Boost At The Meanwhile
The Meanwhile
1005 Wealthy St SE
Wednesday, February 18, 5 - 8 p.m.
G-Sync
In the evolution of the Grand Rapids nightlife , one bar continues to raise the benchmark again and again, showing the difference between a good neighborhood drinking hole and a great one. The winner hands down again is The Meanwhile bar.
In addition to providing the best drink specials served in the city, they also sponsor the Tuesday movie night at community supported Wealthy Theatre and have come to the aid of artists in need.
On Wednesday The Meanwhile will host a special fundraiser for the HIV/AIDS Services of Grand Rapids to raise funds for their Clean Works program that offers HIV and hepatitis testing and counseling, safer sex tools, and written information offering honest down-to-earth ways to introduce safer playtime practices.
Tami VandenBerg, co-owner of The Meanwhile, promises the debut of the Prevention Potion that is made with the amazingly smooth Van Gogh Espresso Vodka and a secret mixture of other ingredients that she would kill me if I revealed. An added bonus to this body-protecting event will be chance to sample the regions best cuisine as Sandman’s will be serving up BBQ dishes to attendees.
While guests are encouraged to make a donation, a generous portion of the night’s bar sales will also be donated to the organization that always provides someone to talk to about protecting your health and the health of your friends and family.
Admission: Free but generous donations are encouraged.