A&E Briefs 10/11

Mary Racette

After Dark GR uses art-scavenger hunt to spark community activation

Lions and Rabbits hopes to address mobility, equity and accessibility with their city-wide art-based scavenger hunt, After Dark GR.

Beginning only last year as an art activation in Grand Rapids’ Creston neighborhood, this year After Dark GR expanded to include five different communities including Creston, Downtown, Michigan Street, Southtown and Westside.

Forty-four artists, all represented in some way by Lions and Rabbits, have painted murals on local businesses across the city. Each neighborhood was painted by artists who live in that community.   

Read the full story at www.lanthorn.com

Behind the scenes of a social distanced Film shoot with GVTV

Despite the social distance guidelines and the Stay in Place order issued by the Ottawa County Department of Public Health, members of GVTV have still made it possible to produce new content for shows. 

Lauren Sargent, Vice President of GVTV, said that behind the scenes of a film shoot during COVID-19 is a very professional experience. 

Sargent said that everyone is encouraged to get a COVID-19 test done prior to coming on set. People are not allowed on set unless they have a negative test result, adhere to isolation guidelines such as not going out to eat and not partying, and wear a mask at all times on set. 

Read the full story at www.lanthorn.com

Grand Rapids Civic Theater offers online programming 

Theater education continues to grow during uncertain times. Since the The Grand Rapids Civic Theater is unable to hold their usual programming, they are moving acting and musical theater courses online. Children, teenagers and adults are all welcome to sign up for the core acting classes and audition workshops. The theater offers classes for anyone, starting at four years old.

In addition to weekly Zoom sessions, students will be assigned video projects, worksheets and recorded lessons. The Grand Rapids Civic Theater and Grand Rapids Public Schools is encouraging students from the community to sign up and develop their acting skills, even when they are not able to perform for an audience for the time being.

Runners bring racing shoes, costumes to run in Halloween themed 5k

West Michigan runners now have the opportunity to celebrate the spooky season while they exercise. Kentwood invites runners to participate in a Halloween themed 5k on Oct. 17. Racers will run through Covenant park and are encouraged to wear a costume or a Halloween-themed mask. The course will include paved and grassy terrain and will have some elevation changes. Covenant Park is the newest addition to Kentwood parks system and the proceeds to the race will go towards improvements. 

In order to practice proper social distancing, the start times of the race will be staggered. Runners will depart from the starting line during their assigned time, between 9 a.m. and 12 p.m. In addition to social distancing and the staggered start, face coverings will be required during packet pickup.