By: Deborah Johnson Wood
On September 9, hundreds of people from babies to oldsters showed up for some high kickin’ with the Rockettes to “kick off” the Grand Rapids Downtown Alliance’s let’s go. out. downtown outdoor entertainment initiative.
Four of the Rockettes, dressed in Santa Claus “suits” to advertise their Christmas show and show off their world famous gams, led an on-stage chorus line how-to joined by a host of downtown supporters: City Commissioner Rosalynn Bliss, JW Marriott’s George Aquino, Tre Cugini’s Adriano Moscatelli, Economic Development’s Kara Wood, Chair of the Downtown Alliance Board Ray Kisor, Amway Hotel Corporation’s Joe Tomaselli and a chorus line standout, Grif the Grand Rapids Griffin’s Mascot.
The regular Tuesday night Grand Rapids Original Swing Society dance with special accompaniment by the Beltline Big Band followed.
“This is just what we want to achieve downtown,” says Sharon Evoy of the Downtown Alliance.
lets’ go. out. will create outdoor entertainment options downtown to make it a more vibrant place for people to hang out, and to benefit downtown businesses.
The planning includes streamlining the process for reserving city-owned spaces, creating a model for future events and looking for ways to support and expand existing events.
“Ice skating in the downtown is one of the treats of the downtown,” Evoy says. “Can we extend the hours so it’s available during the lunch hour? Can we help promote the Avenue for the Arts or the downtown sidewalk sales?”
Other ideas include free Yoga and Tai Chi classes, tables for board games, and bringing in musicians during lunch so people can listen while they eat or relax with a book.
Source: Sharon Evoy, Downtown Alliance
Photo by Brian Kelly
Related Articles
“Rockin’ with the Rockettes” kicks off new downtown entertainment collaborative
Deborah Johnson Wood is development news editor for Rapid Growth Media. She can be contacted at [email protected].
Enjoy this story?
Sign up for free solutions-based reporting in your inbox each week.