HerStory with Mary Sharp

The Grand Valley State University “Her Story” series will make a return today, which will highlight the success story of Mary Sharp. Sharp serves as the coordinator of Multicultural/Diversity Services & Training for the University Counseling Center. The “Her Story” series showcases the success stories of women around the GVSU community who hold leadership positions, and enables these women to openly share their experiences that motivated them to break through the myths and move towards success. The event will be held from noon until 1 p.m.

HONK! The Musical

Looking to enjoy a play with a good message behind it? The Master Arts Theatre is bringing the award-winning musical Honk! to their stage this weekend, which revolves around the message of tolerance and simply being yourself. The play shouldn’t be a stranger to most, as it’s a musical adaptation of Hans Christian Andersen’s “The Ugly Duckling.” This musical comedy follows an odd-looking baby duck named Ugly who is on a quest to find his mother. The performance originally aired in 1993 at The Watermill Theatre in England and eventually went on to win the Olivier Award for Best Musical in 2000. The performance will take the stage today until Saturday. For a list of show times and ticket prices, visit
www.masterarts.org/honk.html.

Super Happy Funtime Burlesque

Come catch this utterly unique and unclassifiable group of burlesque performers on Friday, who will be arriving in Grand Rapids at the Pyramid Scheme as a stop among their 100 national show performances. This 12-member production makes light of politics, the sexes and religion using original music. SHFB aims to showcase new and contemporary musical theater, all the while maintaining their reputation as a live band, burlesque troupe, circus act — what have you. Come on down to the Pyramid Scheme to enjoy a ‘super happy’ night of entertainment. The show starts at 9 p.m. until midnight for those who are 18 or older. To purchase tickets, visit http://pyramidschemebar.com/event/super-happy-funtime-burlesque-5/

Symphony with Soul

The 14
^th annual celebration of African-American musical expression will welcome special guest Vanessa Williams to join the Grand Rapids Symphony at the DeVos Performance Hall on Saturday. The event is a part of the Grand Rapids Symphony’s “Symphony with Soul” concert that will showcase diversity and inclusion initiatives in West Michigan. Adolphus Hailstork’s “Overture” and the Grand Rapids Community Chorus will be among the performances alongside Grammy, Emmy and Tony Award-nominated singer and actress Vanessa Williams. Proceeds from the concert will go towards supporting the Grand Rapids Symphony’s education programs. To order tickets, visit http://grsymphony.org/concerts/special-events/symphony-soul-featuring-vanessa-williams

Butterflies Are Blooming

The annual and notorious butterfly exhibition at Meijer Gardens will premier on Sunday, which serves as the largest temporary tropical butterfly exhibition in the nation. Over 50 different species including 7,000 tropical butterflies will flutter throughout the conservatory that provides the perfect home for the creatures with 85 degree temperatures and held at a constant 70 percent humidity level. Come enjoy this rare close encounter with some of nature’s most beautiful insects. For more information on hours and admission, visit http://www.meijergardens.org/calendar/butterflies-are-blooming/

Dr. Grins presents Owen Benjamin

Comedian and actor Owen Benjamin will be taking the stage at Dr. Grins inside The B.O.B. this weekend, bringing along his unique blend of music and humor. Benjamin has grown up playing classical piano since childhood, and has made regular appearances on television. His appearances stem from MTV’s Punk’d, E!’s Chelsea Lately, Late Show with Jimmy Fallon, and he’s had his own special “Comedy Central Presents Owen Benjamin.” His stand-up comedy has been seen at the Aspen Comedy Festival, Montreal Comedy Festival, a nationwide 18-city tour with Vince Vaughn and Kevin James as well as clubs and colleges across the country. For a complete list of show times and ticket prices, visit
http://www.thebob.com/drgrinscomedy/stand-up-comedian.php?id=269

The Intersection presents The Contortionist

The metal rock members of The Contortionist will be taking the stage at The Intersection this weekend. The band has toured with bands including Hatebreed, Born of Osiris, Between the Buried and Me and others. Formed in 2007, the six-piece group will be enduring a 3-week February trek throughout the country as part of the 2015 North American Tour. They will be joined alongside Revocation, Fallujah and Toothgrinder. The concert is slated for Friday at 6:30 p.m. To purchase tickets, visit http://sectionlive.com/events/contortionist/