Cello There!

On Oct. 13, the Grand Valley State University Cello Fest will host a master class featuring Joseph Johnson, principle cellist of the Toronto Symphony Orchestra. Johnson has performed as both a soloist and as a chamber musician, and is also an educator. He recently released his latest album in collaboration with pianist Victor Asuncion, which features the Rachmaninoff and Shostakovich Sonatas. The event begins at 4 p.m. in the Sherman Van Solkema Recital Hall in the Performing Arts Center on GVSU’s Allendale Campus. The show is free and open to the public. For more information call (616) 331-3484.

Big Gigantic

Colorado-based instrumental duo Big Gigantic is bringing their big sound to Grand Rapids when their Larger Than Life Tour stops by The Intersection on Oct. 9. Combining hip-hop beats with live saxophone and drums instrumentation, the group falls under the “livetronica” category. Aside from the music, the live shows also focus on the visual experience, incorporating constantly evolving lighting and specific stage design for each performance. The pair has appeared at nearly every big-name music festival in the country, from Bonnaroo to Ultra Music Festival, so nailing a performance at the relatively small Grand Rapids venue should be a breeze. The show is open to ages 16 and up, and begins at 8 p.m. Tickets are $25 in advance and $30 the day of. For more about the show, check out sectionlive.com/events/big-gigantic-2.

Chemistry of Art

While Grand Rapids spends the month celebrating brand new pieces of art at ArtPrize, the West Michigan chapter of the American Chemical Society is more interested in saving the old works. On Oct. 9, the group is hosting a talk about art conservation, renovation and authentication at the Loosemore Auditorium in the DeVos Center. The evening kicks off at 6 p.m. and will be led by Cathy Selvus DeRoo, a conservation scientist for the Detroit Institute of Arts. The event is free of charge and open to the public. For more information, contact the GVSU Art Gallery at (616) 331-2563.

Walking to Win

Winning a marathon isn’t a realistic goal for everyone. Winning a walking contest, however, is something that a much larger demographic can aim for. For staff and faculty at Grand Valley State University, this contest begins on Oct. 8 when the Health & Wellness Department hosts its annual Pedometer Challenge. For six weeks, teams of four will track their movement using the online portal. Prizes will be awarded throughout the competition. Faculty and staff in need of a team can be matched with others by sending an email to [email protected]. For more about the competition, visit gvsu.edu/healthwellness.

STS9

Having released a dozen recorded albums, appeared at countless music festivals and toured for over 15 years, Sound Tribe Sector 9 knows how to put on a proper show. On Oct. 12, the livetronica crew is bringing their blend of instrumental rock and electronic music to The Orbit Room in Grand Rapids. Tickets are $22.50 in advance and $25 the day of the show. The event begins at 8 p.m. and is open to fans ages 16 and older. To check out more about the show, go to orbitroom.com.