Traditional music kept alive at the Winter Wheat Festival

The Intersection will be hosting their 11th annual Winter Wheat Festival January 11. The Winter Wheat Festival is a celebration of traditional music and dance and is featuring a variety of artists. The festival is being put on by The Wheatland Music Organization. This regional organization is dedicated to preserving the relevance of traditional music and arts by hosting concerts and festivals.  

Among the lineup of folk artists scheduled throughout the festival is the Blue Water Ramblers, Ruth & Max Bloomquist and the Palooka Brothers. Artists will be performing on both the main stage and an acoustic stage. The doors open for the festival at 1 p.m. and the first artist’s set begins on the acoustic stage at 1:30 p.m. The Festival is open to all ages and the public can purchase $25 tickets online. 

New concert series begins at LowellArts 

A new concert series will be brought to a neighboring Grand Rapids community, downtown Lowell in the LowellArts building. LowellArts is a council that works toward their mission of supporting and connecting local artists and musicians by bringing art and music performances to the area. They have been involved in multiple projects throughout the community which have focused on keeping art and music prominent in the city. 

LowellArts will be hosting 12 concerts for the 2020 Gallery concert series. The opening act will be The Ryne Experience on Jan. 10 at 7 p.m. Frontman of The Ryne Experience, Ryne Clarke is from Lowell and creates music which ranges from funk to folk. With purchase of a ticket to the concert, attendees will receive a copy of their newest album, “Funky Town.” Prices and times vary from show to show and will run until April 4. 

Holidays celebrated at the GRPM planetarium

The Grand Rapids Public Museum wrapped up its holiday celebration at the planetarium on Jan. 5. Beginning at the end of November, the GRPM hosted “Let it Snow,” its holiday planetarium presentation. This event which spanned the holiday season was free to museum members and $4 for other members of the community who wanted to explore to the event. 

Featured in this event was the music of Frank Sinatra, Chuck Berry and more. It will wrap up with a finale with a multimedia performance to the music of the Trans Siberian Orchestra. Along with this holiday themed presentation, the GRPM hosts planetarium presentations for members and the Grand Rapids community throughout the year.