Celebration on the Grand ~ End of Summer Free Concerts ~ Sept 10-12, 2009

Posted on August 31, 2009 by Terry & Bonnie

Celebration on the Grand ~ End of Summer Free Concerts ~ Sept 10-12,2009

Taste of Downtown, Family Festival (w kids activities), & Fireworks

Labor Day weekend has a lot in store for families here in Grand Rapids.

Celebration on the Grand is hosting free outdoor concerts, Sept 10-12.

Free Performances by:

Thursday, September 10th, 2009 – Rosa Parks Circle

Emerson Drive
Union Guns
Bill Kirchen of Commander Cody
Love & Theft

Friday, September 11, 2009 – Rosa Parks Circle

Spencer Mulder
Hank Mowry
R.B. & Company
Esparza Blues Experience
Lynn Thompson Band
9:30 Fireworks
10:00 PM Jimmie Stagger

Ah-Nab-Awen Park

5 pm Ralston Bowls
5:45-6:30 Nomad Willy
6:45 – 7:45 pm Glean Infusion (Jason Wheeler)
8:00-9:30 pm – Organissimo

Saturday September 12, 2009

Monroe Center – Grand Valley Corvette Club Car Show

Rosa Parks Circle

Taste of Downtown
School of Rock
Left Hand Daisy
Rockit King
Midlife Crisis
Concussions
Edgar Winter
KC & The Sunshine Band

Ah-Nab-Awen Park

3pm – Family Festival includes Face Painting,

Temporary Tattoos, Crafts Games

Dusk – Feature Film on an outdoor big screen ( weather permitting)

___________________________________________________________________________________________________

The authors of the this blog write about Grand Rapids Real Estate,

the Greater Grand Rapids MI area, and what it is like to live in West

Michigan. Grand Rapids Michigan is a vibrant, growing metropolitan

area with a diverse business community, great medical research & services,

numerous universities, plus lively arts and entertainment of all kinds.

We believe: Grand Rapids is a Great Place to Live!

Westbrook Realty Grand Rapids MI Real Estate

Contact Terry 616-292-7263

OUR FLICKR PHOTOSTREAM

Look Mom, We’re in the Movies!

Posted on August 27, 2009 by Terry & Bonnie

Look Mom, We’re in the Movies!

Movie-making has been going strong in Grand Rapids, Michigan this summer.

We have been on a movie set as extras in a major motion picture filming here in

Grand Rapids and Lowell.

The generous tax incentives that Michigan has offered the film industry to make

their films here is starting to pay off. Local caterers, local actors, and local crew

are being hired for the filming of The Genesis Code, a hockey themed movie starring

Academy Award winners, Ernest Borgnine & Louise Fletcher ( Nurse Ratched fame),

and former Presidential candidate, Fred Thompson.

The production company needed a hundred + extras for a scene in a church.

We are in the pews, singing (actually miming the words only) and listening to the sermon.

Not tough work, for sure, although it was a warm summer day, no air-conditioning,

a church full of people & lights, and we were dressed in winter clothes for a Christmas scene.

The magic of movies. We noted fake snow around the

small pond, too, when we walked out for lunch.

The whole production was fascinating to observe. We were made comfortable

in a nearby lounge at Calvin College, until we were lined up and put in the chapel pews.

The art of film was evident at close inspection. Stained glass windows were in the fron

to the chapel. The art dept had made paper to fit the side windows that matched the

stained glass up front, mainly to control the amount of light coming in.

The crew and production staff were always busy and bustling around.

Everyone seemed to have a walkie-talkie and an ear-bud to keep connected and

keep the production flowing smoothly. They all seemed to possess the talent of

listening and talking to more than 1 person at a time.

About an hour of filming the same scene each time, from different angles, and 10 hours

later, we were done! Our scene will probably be about 3-4 minutes in length. I have

a whole new appreciation for a film crew and what it takes to make a full length feature.

We were given a box lunch and treats in between. No pay but we might just make it through

editing and be in a major motion picture.

Here are a few pictures from our seat in the ”extra” spot.

I don’t imagine the film crew gets their picture taken very often.

[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6dt_u8qa16U&hl=en&fs=1&rel=0]

We might be going to one of the hockey arena shoots this weekend.

It is nearby but they are filming from 5pm to 5am. Not sure we can make it through

that time frame – even if we sleep in our seats!!

___________________________________________________________________________________________________

The authors of the this blog write about Grand Rapids Real Estate,

the Greater Grand Rapids MI area, and what it is like to live in West

Michigan. Grand Rapids Michigan is a vibrant, growing metropolitan

area with a diverse business community, great medical research & services,

numerous universities, plus lively arts and entertainment of all kinds.

We believe: Grand Rapids is a Great Place to Live!

Westbrook Realty Grand Rapids MI Real Estate

Contact Terry 616-292-7263

OUR FLICKR PHOTOSTREAM

Great Lakes 2nd Annual Irish Music Festival ~ Fifth Third Ballpark ~ Grand Rapids Michigan

Posted on August 21, 2009 by Terry & Bonnie

Wearing o’ the green would be appropriate for attending the

Great Lakes Irish Music Festival held at Fifth Third Ball Park,

this Saturday August 22, 2009 11:00 am – 9:20 pm.

Gates open at 11:00 am and the first entertainment hits the

stage at noon.

Of course there will be Irish food available for purchase, bangers

and beer, for starters, plus other delectable Irish delights.

The musical entertainment will be performed by international acts:

Quinn’s School of Irish Dance, Stephen’s Green, The Elders,

Brendan Nolan and the Screaming Orphans. Michigan’s Fenian’s

Players will once again take the stage to regale the crowd with

ballads and the spoken word.

There will also be Irish markets and workshops devoted to Irish music,

history and it’s language that will be available for participants. A

Children’s Area will be provided by the Grand Rapids Children’s Museum

from 12:00pm-4pm for the wee ones entertainment.

An added attraction at Fifth Third Ballpark this year is Art in the Park,

an non-juried art fair running from noon until 6 pm, where you can buy

artwork to take home.

Admission for this one day event is $12 for adults, children 3-12 $1, and

those babes under 3 get free admission. Parking is $5 per car, $10 for

buses and RVs.

Grand Rapids Ada Real Estate – Westbrook Realty

The Caribbean Festival ~ St Cecilia Music Center August 20-26-27-28 2009

Posted on August 18, 2009 by Terry & Bonnie

St Cecilia Music Center presents their 2nd Annual Caribbean Festival

at The St. Cecilia Music Center, 24 Ransom NE Grand Rapids Michigan.

Most of the events are free of charge to the public.

The list of events is as follows:

Artists Reception – Thursday August 20, 6-9 pm

Featuring Caribbean Art and Food

Musical Performances by Pa’lo Hondo and Ozzie –Free to the public

Artists Exhibit Aug 20- Sept 30

Terryberry Gallery at St. Cecilia Music Center Mon – Fri 9am-5 pm

Performance Events – August 26, 27, 28 6-9 pm

Featuring Caribbean art, poetry, folk dance and food

Lecture – Wednesday August 26 6-9 pm

Los Munequitos: The Caribbean in the political art of cartoons, 1898

Grand Rapids Public Library – Free to the public

Dance & Poetry – Baile, prosa y poesia – Thursday August 27, 6-9 pm

Caribbean Food Tasting & Exhibit – Friday Aug 28, 6-9 pm

Fussion – Thurs, Sept 18, 6-8 pm Free to the public

Closing Ceremony – Awards, Dance and live music performance

Thursday Sept 18, 6-8 pm Tickets $ 10

For details, Call St. Cecilia Music Center 616-459-2224

Online tickets

Grand Rapids Ada Real Estate – Westbrook Realty

Photo of Beach scene by Bonnie Westbrook

Kent County Youth Fair Week August 9-15 2009

Posted on August 11, 2009 by Terry & Bonnie

Judging, Classes, Entertainment = Family Fun

The Kent County Youth Fair is celebrating its 75th year at the Lowell

Fairgrounds. I have fond memories of the County Fair from my youth

and 4-H days. It is a lot more than cotton candy and carnival rides.

I really enjoy seeing all the animals and the exhibits that the kids work

so hard on all year. Many times you will see sheep, pigs, horses, chickens

on display that are pampered and well cared for. It is a chance to see

what is popular on the farm and what might be showing up next at the

Farmer’s Market or on your table.

Just the variety of animals can be overwhelming. The last time I went

to a fair, there must have been 50 different kinds of chickens.

Who knew? You kind of know this is true but seeing them in the

flesh and variety of feathers is something else again.

Each day brings its own special events, including free nightly

entertainment. Don’t miss the Cow Pie Bingo!

Tuesday August 11th – The Pub Runners 7:30 pm

Wednesday August 12th – The Jabs 7:00 pm

Thursday August 13th – Patchwork & Black Canyon

Bluegrass Band 6:30-9:30 pm

Friday August 14th – Country Karaoke 6:30-10:30 pm

Saturday August 15th – Blue Star Pilot & Guitar Hero 5:30-10:30 pm

Annual Rodeo (tickets req.) 7:00 pm

There are dozens of events I couldn’t mention here, like the Ice

Cream social, Bingo, Garden tractor pull, Livestock sale, Goat

milking contest, performing arts, & Draft horse pull to name a few.

Come on out to the Kent County Youth Fair in Lowell this week.

I think you might have a great time.

Grand Rapids Real Estate ~ Westbrook Realty

Photos by Bonnie Westbrook

Kids Can Watch Whitecaps Baseball Free ~ Monday August 17th, 2009

Posted on August 10, 2009 by Terry & Bonnie

West Michigan Whitecaps Baseball is one of the best things

about summer in Grand Rapids.

And they just made it a little bit better! On Monday August 17th,

the Whitecaps management is offering free tickets for up to 4 kids

(12 and under) when accompanied by an adult. You must purchase

a reserved seat adult ticket ($9.50) and the kids, yes, up to 4 kids

can get reserved seat tickets for free.

They must be purchased at the Whitecaps Ticket Office at

Fifth Third Ballpark, no phone or online sales.

The Whitecaps appreciate the support they get from local fans and

realize many families are feeling the pinch of less money for

summer fun activities. See Whitecaps Blog Article here.

So, if you have been waiting for the right opportunity to see a

Whitecaps game this summer, this could be it. They will be playing

the South Bend Silver Hawks at 7 pm Monday, August 17th.

Play Ball!

Grand Rapids Real Estate ~ Westbrook Realty

Free Friday Summer Concerts ~GRAM on the Green ~ Grand Rapids Michigan

Posted on June 28, 2009 by Terry & Bonnie

Grand Rapids has musical action on Friday nights this summer. From

June 19th through August 28th, The Grand Rapids Art Museum is

offering live music on the Rosa Parks Circle Stage. An indoor/outdoor

event that will flow from the Art Museum galleries to the Peter

Wege Plaza and Maya Lin’s Ecliptic Park.

The GRAM will be offering special viewings, art-related talks, food

at the Cafe Terrace and demonstrations during the summer nights

in Grand Rapids. Free to GRAM members, $5.00 for non-members, and

all park and plaza activities are FREE.

So come to downtown GR for a Friday night music and art infusion,

beginning at 5pm.

Live Music Line-up for Summer 2009

June 19…….The Concussions (high energy surf music)

June 26…….Grupo Aye (salsa music)

July 03………DJ SuperDre (minimal techno/hip hop)<?li>

July 10………Organissimo (organ trio)

July 17………La Famiglia (hip hop fusion)

July 24………Side Pocket (fusion and sophisticated R&B)

July 31………Nobody’s Darlin’ (bluegrass music)

August 07…The Groove Merchant (original cutting edge urban beats)

August 14…Pangea (steel drum band)

August 21…Power Play (classic funk and rock)

August 28…Ensemble Al-Asdeka (middle eastern fusion)

Westbrook Realty Grand Rapids Real Estate

Riverwalk Festival 2009 ~ Lowell Michigan

Posted on June 25, 2009 by Terry & Bonnie

This 4 day event in downtown Lowell, Michigan is the highlight

of summer activities. There are so many things to do, it is difficult

to choose. There is literally “something to interest everyone”,

from craft fairs, car rumbles, pontoon tours, Barb B-Q cook off,

cruise-in, fireworks, parade, flush tank, street entertainers,

farmer’s market, beer garden, and the final event – The DUCK RACE!

The 2009 Lowell Riverwalk Festival is scheduled for July 9,10,11, & 12.

Come on out to Lowell and join the fun!

Thursday July 9, 2009

Free Concert at the Showboat Stage – 7:00-9:00 pm Stolen Horses Band

Showboat Cash Bar – 6:00 pm – 9:00 pm

Duck Ticket Sales – 6:00 pm – 9:00 pm

Friday July 10, 2009 Riverwalk & Downtown

River Valley Credit Union Arts & Crafts – 6:00 pm – 9:00 pm

Commercial & Non Profit Vendors – 6:00 pm – 9:00 pm

Englehardt Friends of the Library Used Book Sale – 6:00 pm – 9:00 pm

Duck Ticket Sales –6:00 pm – 9:00 pm

Street Entertainers – 5:00 pm – 7:00 pm

Historic Pontoon Tours – 6:00 pm – 8:00 pm

Grilling & Chilling on Avery Street –- 6:00 pm – 9:00 pm

Showboat Cash Bar – 6:00 pm – 9:00 pm

Center Stage Entertainment Featuring “Lazy Blue Tunas” – 7:00 pm – 9:00 pm

Late Night Shopping/Merchants – Until 8:00 pm

Saturday July 11, 2009

Riverwalk & Downtown

River Valley Credit Union Arts & Crafts – 10:00 am – 4:00 pm

Commercial & Non Profit Vendors – 10:00 am – 4:00 pm

Englehardt Friends of the Library Used Book Sale – 10:00 am – 4:00 pm

Good Chevy Buick Youth Zone/Children’s Area – 10:00 am – 4:00 pm

Lowell Community Wellness Health & Fitness Fair – 10:00 am – 4:00 pm

Duck Ticket Sales – 10:00 am – 9:00 pm

“FROM the Heart Parade” & Rumble the Riverwalk – Registration 9:30 am and Parade 12:00 pm

Bill & Paul’s Kayak Fun on the Flat River at the boat launch – 10:00 am – 4:00 pm

Grilling & Chilling on Avery Street – 10:00 am – 9:00 pm

Street Entertainers – 10:00 am – 7:00 pm

Bill & Paul’s Kayak & Canoe Race on the Flat River at the boat launch – 10:00 am

Flush Tank – 1:00 pm – 4:00 pm

Laurels of Kent Pet Parade – 2:00 pm at Laurels of Kent

Historic Pontoon Tours – 4:00 pm – 8:00 pm

Jaws of Life Demonstration – 2:30 pm on Avery St/Police Station

Center Stage Entertainment Featuring “Alive & Well” & “Bronk Brothers” – 5:00 pm – 9:00 pm

Showboat Cash Bar – 4:00 pm – 9:00 pm

Laurel’s of Kent Fireworks – 10:15 pm at Stoney Lakeside Park

Saturday – Lowell Fairgrounds

Brian Mead Memorial Cruise-in – 8:00 am – 12:00 pm, 1:00 pm Awards

Pauly’s Brew B-Q Throw-down – Registration 8:00 am

Jaws of Life Demonstrations – 4:30 pm at the fairgrounds

Motorcycle Poker Run from the Fire Station – 8:30 am

Antique Fire Truck Muster – 9:00 am – 12:00 pm

Flat River Antique Tractor Club Pull – 5:00 pm

Sunday July 12, 2009

Lowell Fairgrounds

Pauly’s Brew B-Q Throw-down – 11:00 am – 5:00 pm

BBQ Food & Commercial Vendors – 11:00 am – 5:00 pm

Beer & Cocktail Garden – 12:00 pm to 5:00 pm Under the Big Tent

Lowell Area Farmers’ Market – 11:00 am to 5:00 pm

State Farm Insurance Duck Race – 12:30 pm on the Grand River

Entertainment in the Garden – Featuring Bob Van Stee, Jimmie Stagger – 1:00 pm to 5:00 pm

Westbrook Realty Grand Rapids Real Estate

Kentwood Michigan 4th of July 2009 Celebration

Posted on June 25, 2009 by Terry & Bonnie

Most of the events will take place at Kentwood City Hall 4900 Breton Rd, unless noted. Join the fun in Kentwood to celebrate our Independence Day !

July 4th Kentwood Events Schedule:

Pancake Breakfast 7:00-10:00 AM Kentwood Activities Center \355 48th St SE Cost $5 Children 5 & under free

Parade 9:30 AM – Starts at the Family Fare Parking Lot ( 52nd & Eastern)

Carnival 6:00 – 10:00 pm Games, Inflatables, Carnival Rides, Cake Walk,

Food Vendors, Pony Rides, Climbing Wall, Airbrush Tattoo Artist ++++

Live Music – 8:30-10:00 pm Mustang Band – country music

Sky Diving Show 8:50-9:00 pm

Fireworks Display – 10:15 pm

Kentwood City 4th of July Information – Please check their site for more details.

Westbrook Realty Grand Rapids Real Estate

Cascade Michigan ~ Free Summer 2009 River Beat Concerts

Posted on June 25, 2009 by Terry & Bonnie

The Cascade Community Foundation is again sponsoring FREE CONCERTS in Cascade Michigan at Leslie Tassell Park in July & August.

Location: Thornapple River Dr & Cascade Road on the Thornapple River

When: 2nd & 4th Thursday of July & August 2009 7 PM

The 2009 Events Scheduled:

July 9th – The Scottville Clown Band – Over 40 Clowns – A fun family event!

July 23rd – Come On Over! - From the popular Children’s TV show

August 13th – The Great Lakes Chorus – Barbershop Quartet

August 27th – Boogie Woogie Babies – A Revue of all the great girl groups!

Alternate Rain Location – Cascade Public Library – Wisner Center

Cascade Township Information

Westbrook Realty Grand Rapids Real Estate

Grand Rapids Real Estate

Grand Rapids Real Estate Information

Category Archives: Grand Rapids Michigan Events

Celebration on the Grand ~ End of Summer Free Concerts ~ Sept 10-12, 2009

Celebration on the Grand ~ End of Summer Free Concerts ~ Sept 10-12,2009

Taste of Downtown, Family Festival (w kids activities), & Fireworks

Look Mom, We’re in the Movies!

Look Mom, We’re in the Movies!

Great Lakes 2nd Annual Irish Music Festival ~ Fifth Third Ballpark ~ Grand Rapids Michigan

The Caribbean Festival ~ St Cecilia Music Center August 20-26-27-28 2009

Kent County Youth Fair Week August 9-15 2009

Judging, Classes, Entertainment = Family Fun

Kids Can Watch Whitecaps Baseball Free ~ Monday August 17th, 2009

Play Ball!

Free Friday Summer Concerts ~GRAM on the Green ~ Grand Rapids Michigan

Riverwalk Festival 2009 ~ Lowell Michigan

Kentwood Michigan 4th of July 2009 Celebration

Cascade Michigan ~ Free Summer 2009 River Beat Concerts