Dracula performed live on Halloween

The Grand Rapids Civic Theater (GRCT) returns to the stage to celebrate Halloween. Inviting audiences to enjoy from the comfort of their own vehicles, GRCT performed “Dracula” live in the DeltaPlex parking lot.

This drive-in theater experience ran through the holiday weekend, Oct. 30-Nov.1. To make sure the event was socially distanced and well organized, the capacity was capped at 100 cars. Tickets charged $100 per car.

Radio was used to carry the audio from the live stage into each individual car. All audiences were required to do was tune their radio to the right station and they were able to hear all of the action happening on stage. The acting and sound effects were all picked up on the radio, and everything else was able to be seen on the stage.  This family-friendly show provided safe Halloween entertainment for everyone to enjoy.

GVSU Symphony offers fall concert online

The Grand Valley State University Symphony Orchestra livestreamed their fall concert. The concert was streamed live on Oct. 30, but the full concert video is available on the GVSU Music Theater and Dance website. The livestream was free, as is the recorded video online. 

The Symphony Orchestra strings opened up the concert at 8 p.m with John William’s “Prayer for Peace” (from “Munich”). This was followed by Antonin Dvorak’s “Serenade for Strings, Op. 22” and Aaron Copeland’s “Hoedown” from (“Rodeo”). After the strings, the concert took a break to do virtual trick-or-treating. At 9 p.m. the concert resumed with the chamber strings performance of Pyotr Tchaikovsky’s “IV. Finale: Andante” from “Allegro con spirito Serenade for Strings, Op. 48.”   

Studio Park holds Dia De Los Muertos celebration

The Grand Rapids community was invited to celebrate Dia De Los Muertos at Studio Park. On Nov. 1, Studio Park charged $20 for groups of four to come and enjoy the festivities. Disney’s “Coco” was shown in both Spanish and English, with subtitles for both. Along with “Coco,” there was food and other activities for the whole family to enjoy.

Dia De Los Muertos is a Mexican holiday that translates to “Day of the Dead.” It is celebrated in Mexico as a day to remember loved ones who have passed away. The Studio Park celebration was sponsored by a variety of community organizations including Studio Park, Grand Rapids Art Museum, Hispanic Center of West Michigan and the Hispanic Chamber of Commerce.