Top 5 things to do in Grand Rapids include Ethnic Heritage Festival, Hunting Expo, The Addams Family Musical
GRAND RAPIDS, MI – The festival known as WinterWest kicks off in Richmond Park this weekend with a hockey tournament, cardboard sled race, and other fun scheduled over the next two weeks. But there are plenty of indoor activities to choose from, too.
"The Hit Men" at Van Singel Fine Arts Center
Former members of The Four Seasons, Shondells and others make up this super-group of musicians, vocalists, arrangers and composers set to perform at Van Singel Fine Arts Center at 7:30 p.m. Friday, Jan. 24. Time travel through three decades of songs, such as "Oh What a Night," "Big Girls Don't Cry," "Bad Leroy Brown," "You're So Vain," and more in this concert of rock and roll history.
Tickets are $42.50 ($22.50 for students) at Van Singel Fine Arts Center box office, 8500 Burlingame Ave. SW, 616-878-6800 or vsfac.com.
Huntin' Time Expo at The DeltaPlex
Michigan’s largest hunting trade show, the 22nd Huntin’ Time Expo, returns to The DeltaPlex, 2500 Turner Ave. NW , Jan. 24-26. Clothing, tree stands, bows, blinds, animal calls, taxidermy and much more will be featured in more than 350 booths.
Educational seminars, crossbow demonstrations, a live wildlife display, trophy scoring and a used gun auction are also scheduled. The show runs 1 to 9 p.m. Friday, 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. Saturday, and 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Sunday. Tickets $10 for one-day passes for adults, $5 for children (ages5-12) and seniors (70 and older). Children are free on Sunday. Details at deltaplex.com.
Ethnic Heritage Festival at Grand Rapids Public Museum
A day-long celebration of music, dance, food and crafts representing the diverse ethnic groups that have made West Michigan home is set for 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 25, at the annual Ethnic Heritage Festival in Grand Rapid Public Museum, 272 Pearl St NW.
The customs of Indian, Irish, Greek, Filipino, Finnish, Lithuanian, Korean, Polish and other heritages will be represented through a variety of performances, interactive experiences, organizations and presentations. The museum’s café will feature ethnic food selections including kielbasa with sauerkraut, chicken curry with rice, arroz con pollo, General Tso’s chicken, mini bratwursts with German potato salad, cannoli, baklava and banoffee pie.
An international beer tasting will be available for an additional charge of $5 in the Overlook Room on the museum’s third floor starting at 3 p.m. for those 21 and older.
Admission to the event is included with purchase of a general admission ticket to the museum for $3-$8. Details, including a schedule of performances, at grpm.org.
"The Addams Family Musical" at FHFAC
The Forest Hills Fine Arts Center’s 2013-14 season passes the halfway mark with its first matinee. "The Addams Family Musical," a musical comedy that brings the weird world of Gomez, Morticia, Uncle Fester, and the rest will hit the stage at 3 p.m. Sunday, Jan. 26.
While the musical is based on the characters you know and love from the old TV show and movies, you won't find vintage storylines here. The musical has been written to reflect the current day and age as the show drops in references to health care, Charlie Sheen and smartphones.
Tickets are $42-$55 at the Forest Hills Fine Arts Center box office, 600 Forest Hill Ave. SE, 800-745-3000 or ticketmaster.com. Details at fhfineartscenter.com.
Hospice of Michigan Concert at The Intersection
A trio of popular West Michigan acts are joining forces for a double feature to benefit Hospice of Michigan. Grand Rapids based artists Domestic Problems and Brian Vander Ark along with Kalamazoo’s Knee Deep Shag will play at The Intersection twice on Saturday, Jan. 25.
The 4 p.m. concert will be held in the front room of The Intersection, 133 Grandville Ave. SW, and is a free all-ages kids’ show with a special invitation to Hospice of Michigan's pediatric families. The 8 p.m. concert will be held on the main stage. Tickets are $12 at the door ($10 in advance) at sectionlive.com. Proceeds will benefit Hospice of Michigan Volunteer Services. VIP tickets to the night show have sold out.
Todd Chance is the West Michigan Entertainment Concierge for MLive/Grand Rapids Press. Email him at tchance@mlive.com or follow him on Facebook , Twitter, Google Plus