Arts and Entertainment

UICA has three galleries, named in honor of the organization's past locations, and each has a different focus. The Front Street Gallery presents the work of emerging local artists; the Race Street Gallery offers the avant-garde works of regional, national and international artists, and the Monroe Avenue Gallery showcases community collaborations, traveling exhibits and special shows.

Actors' at Spectrum Theatre

160 Fountain St. NE

Grand Rapids, MI

(616) 234-3998

Fax: (616) 234-4092

This state-of-the-art downtown facility offers five main stage productions year round. Box office (616) 234-3946.

Broadway Theatre Guild

Office: 161 Ottawa Ave. NW

Suite 603

Grand Rapids, MI -2721

(616) 235-6285

Fax: (616) 235-6282

The Guild presents Broadway touring productions at DeVos Hall. Admission varies with each show .

Community Circle Theatre

Office: 161 Ottawa Ave. NW

Suite 408

Grand Rapids, MI

(616) 456-5535

Fax: (616) 456-8540

Community Circle Theatre presents five main stage and two children's shows from May through September at John Ball Park. A school and family series is presented September through May.

Grand Rapids Ballet Company

Office: 341 Ellsworth Ave. SW

Grand Rapids, MI

(616) 454-4771

Fax: (616) 454-0672

This professional ballet company offers classical ballet performances at DeVos Hall with symphony orchestra accompaniment and additional diversified repertory. December brings the annual holiday favorite The Nutcracker.

Grand Rapids Civic Theatre

30 N. Division Ave.

Grand Rapids, MI

(616) 222-6650

Fax: (616) 222-6660

Enjoy live theatre in a historic landmark. The second largest community theatre in the US provides eight main stage productions annually. Musicals, comedies, dramas and children's theatre.

Grand Rapids Symphony

169 Louis Campau Promenade NW

Suite 1

Grand Rapids, MI

(616) 454-9451

Fax: (616) 454-7477

Grand Rapids Symphony presents classical, casual classics, pops, family series, and lollipop concerts September-May. In the summer the orchestra presents outdoor Bank One Picnic Pops concerts at Cannonsburg Ski Area.

Jewish Theater Grand Rapids

Performances held at Spectrum Theatre

160 Fountain St. NE

Grand Rapids, MI

(616) 234-3946.

Jewish Theater Grand Rapids presents, thought-provoking and entertaining theatrical productions with Jewish themes that are relevant to people of all cultural backgrounds.

Master Arts Theatre

75 Vee St. SW

Grand Rapids, MI 49548

(616) 455-1212

Fax: (616) 667-9913

The Theatre offers a four main stage production season, touring performances, educational classes, Youth Summer Stock and Arts Day Camp. Master Arts is guided by a Christian world view.

Opera Grand Rapids

Office: 161 Ottawa Ave. NW

Suite 204

Grand Rapids, MI

(616) 451-2741

Fax: (616) 451-4587

Opera Grand Rapids, West Michigan's only professional opera company, features rising national and international artists in three fully staged productions at DeVos Hall each season, which runs from October through May.

Events

 January

1sst week in January :  annual Victorian Dinner fundraiser.  The elegant Voigt House dining room will be the scene of this one-of-a-kind event, where each evening ten guests enjoy an eight course Victorian-style dinner served by costumed maids and butlers.  The table will be resplendent with the original Voigt china, silver and crystal.  The proceeds from the purchase of the dinners benefit the programming at Voigt House Victorian Museum.

February        

Jump Start

This UICA fundraiser began in 1986 as a small gathering of artists who wanted to purchase one another's art. The event is now held on the Saturday closest to Valentines Day and has grown into a highly anticipated auction of unique artwork.

April

2nd week  Walk Michigan  Lincoln Park

mid-month:   YWCA Take Back the Night  Walk Downtown

3rd week:  Pietro's Run Fasta  Eat Pasta 5K Run  Southeast Grand Rapids

May

1st weekend:  Daffodil Parade    Black Hills  North of Hall, West of Godfrey

Mid-month:   Walk Michigan  Plaster Creek Trail

3rd week:   John Ball Arts and Crafts Fair  John Ball County Park

Last weekend:  Grand Macker  Calder Plaza and Downtown Streets

Memorial Day weekend:   Ceremonies and Parade  Downtown Streets

June

1st weekend:   Annual Festival  Downtown

1st weekend:   Front Runners 5K Run  Riverside Park

mid-month:   Antique Car Show  Riverside Park

mid-month:    Walk Michigan    Huff Park Nature Walk

3rd weekend:   Lesbian/Gay Life Celebration  Riverside Park

Last weekend:   Fishing Derby    Richmond Park

July

4th of July Celebration    Ah-Nab-Awen Park

1st weekend:  Hollyhock Lane Parade  Calvin/Giddings Area

mid-month:   Kids Park Party  Lincoln Park

mid-month:    Band Concert in the Park    Riverside Park at Guild Street

mid-month:    Walk Michigan    Riverside Park

3rd week Richmond Park Festival    Richmond Park

3rd week American Legion Parade    Downtown Streets

end of month German Fest    Calder Plaza

end of month Peacefest    Garfield Park

end of month Band Concert in the Park    Riverside Park at Guild Street

August

3-5 Soul of the City    Calder Plaza

7 National Night Out    Kick-Off  Martin Luther King Park 

mid-month:   Festa Italiana   Calder Plaza

mid-month:    Celebration in the Park    Aberdeen Park

mid-month:   Walk Michigan    Garfield Park

mid-month:    Riverside Arts and Craft Fair    Riverside Park at Guild Street

end of month Polish Festival    Calder Plaza

September

Labor Day Parade and Rally    City Streets and John Ball County Park

first week  Celebration on the Grand  Downtown    Fireworks: Friday  Parade: Saturday

first week   Hispanic Festival   Calder Plaza

mid-month:   Mexican Independence Day Festival    Calder Plaza

mid-month:    Cottage Bar Chili Cook-Off    LaGrave at Fulton

October

Pulaski Day Parade    Bridge/Stocking/Walker Streets

November

Veterans Day Parade    Downtown & Veteran's Memorial Park

mid-month:    Jaycee's Santa Claus Parade    Downtown

End of month:   Brew-ICA

 UICA's ever-popular annual beer-tasting .Celebrate the art of beer with over 80 microbrews from Michigan and around the world. Beer,  h'ors d'oeuvres as well as the bluegrass

December

Children's Christmas Parade    S.E. Grand Rapids Streets

Holiday Artists' Market

UICA's Holiday Artists' Market features the original works of over 40 artists from throughout the Midwest.   Original art includes paintings, jewelry, pottery, textiles, glass, photography and sculpture.  Free admission.

Early in the month

Annual Holiday Artists Market, featuring gift items by over 40 West Michigan artists, holiday music and munchies. Friday : 5-9 pm; Saturday, 10 am - 5 pm. Admission Free.