Sunday Paper: Dysfunctional families, free symphony concerts, and aspiring young actors
That, and plenty of opportunities to experience new and ongoing exhibitions all around the city. Plus, a full run-down of your opportunities to get cultured in the upcoming week.
Editor’s note: We’re bringing you the Sunday Paper just a little bit early this week, thanks to summer adventures taking us away from our computers. Catch up on the arts, plan your cultured week, and then get out there yourself!
WEEK IN REVIEW
“Fun Home” brings powerful theatre experience to Circle Theatre stage
The Tony Award-winning musical adaptation of Alison Bechdel’s graphic novel, a memoir detailing a young lesbian woman’s memories of her coming out story and her dysfunctional family upbringing, is the Michigan community premiere.
“In the Michigan community premiere of “Fun Home,” Circle Theatre brings this story to the stage in a moving production that will command the audience’s emotional attention and provide a powerful experience in the theatre.” -Gordon Bolar, culturedGR theatre critic
Read the full review + learn more about the story behind this play here.
Civic Theatre finishes out season with family favorites School of Rock, Little Women
The productions, opening July 27 and 28, are brought to you by the multi-talented students of the Summer Repertory Theatre Intensive (SRTI).
Get all the information about these upcoming productions here.
Grand Rapids Symphony takes music to zoo with free Neighborhood Series
The Symphony is expanding its efforts in diversity, inclusion, and equity with a Wege Foundation grant. These efforts include free neighborhood concerts for all.
“We want to make the music available for everyone. It’s not as simple as saying, ‘We’re doing our concerts of Bach, Beethoven and Brahms, and you’re invited.’ We’ve been doing that that for years,” Jeffrey Kaczmarczyk, Grand Rapids’ Symphony’s Senior Manager of Communications and Media Relations explains. “We’re trying to step our game up more, and approach it more from the standpoint of, ‘What are you interested in? What do you like to hear? And what can we do?’”
Learn more about this new programming here.
New art exhibits feature global travels, the art of preservation, and idealizing common objects
Beginning July 13, Grand Valley’s Art Gallery will offer four free exhibitions displayed in its multiple galleries on both the Allendale and Pew Grand Rapids campuses.
Get all the details about all four exhibits here.
WHAT NOT TO MISS THIS WEEK
While the Grand Rapids Art Museum is open for free this Thursday night, you can also enjoy their GRAM on the Green free outdoor concert series, complete with food trucks and a cash bar. This week: Grand Rapids Soul Club and Yolonda Lavender.
Grand Valley State University galleries now have four new art exhibitions, showcasing everything from global travels to plastination. Details on all four shows here. Also at GVSU: two separate concerts as part of their free International Carillon Concert Series.
“Fun Home” at Circle Theatre runs through July 28. This Tony Award-winning musical is making its Michigan community theatre debut right here in GR. Read the glowing review on culturedGR right here. Tickets here.
“The Cherry Orchard” with Heritage Theatre runs through July 22. Tickets start at just $10.
Grand Rapids Symphony kicks off its series of free neighborhood concerts this Saturday at John Ball Park. Tickets are now extremely limited, so get the story + info on tickets here.
Textile artist + vintage maven Lisa Price is having a rare pop-up shop sale this Thursday through Friday, including studio seconds and vintage clearance. Hours, location, and more info on Facebook.
“Christmas in July” BOGO tickets for the Grand Rapids Ballet’s seasonal favorite “Nutcracker performances start Monday and run through July 29. All the details right here.
Stellar exhibits at the Grand Rapids Art Museum include Oswaldo Vigas, Anila Quayyum Agha, and Monir Shahroudy Farmanfarmaian, through August.
UICA: Pantone Color of the Year, through July 29.
The incredible Masayuki Koorida exhibit at Frederik Meijer Gardens & Sculpture Park is up in the galleries (along with a temporary sculpture & his permanent sculptures outside) through August 19.
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