WHAT’S GOING ON, JULY '23

7/10

JENNY LEWIS

Frederik Meijer Gardens

1000 East Beltline Ave. NE, Grand Rapids meijergardens.org

July 10, 5 p.m.

The lead singer, rhythm guitarist, and keyboardist for the indie rock band Rilo Kiley, Jenny Lewis is known for her storytelling. With her soulful vocals, poignant lyrics, and unwavering authenticity, Lewis has carved a niche for herself in the hearts of music lovers worldwide. Lewis released her fourth and most critically acclaimed solo album to date, On The Line, in 2019 and has been working on new music since.

7/12 DEERHOOF

The Pyramid Scheme

68 Commerce Ave. SW, Grand Rapids pyramidschemebar.com

July 12, 7 p.m.

7/1

ARTPATH 6

Lansing River Trail

July 1-31 lansingartpath.com

ArtPath 6 is more than just an annual public art program—it’s a tradition that brings together Michigan’s creative talent and revitalizes our city’s blighted spaces with temporary works of public art. This year, the path is revitalizing 20 new locations along the Lansing River Trail, including one communitycontributed mural. Plus, workshops with talented ArtPath artists!

7/7

FOOD TRUCK FRIDAYS

Riverside Park, Grand Rapids facebook.com/GR8FoodTruckFridays

July 7, 4-9 p.m.

Every single Friday through summer, GR8 Food Trucks hosts Food Truck Fridays at Riverside Park. Various merchant vendors join a beer tent and more than 16 food trucks every week, with drink ticket funds going to local nonprofits. Grab some tacos, burgers and other street food, then have a picnic in the park!

7/8

BLACK ARTS FESTIVAL

Bronson Park, Kalamazoo

July 8, 11 a.m.-8 p.m. blackartskalamazoo.org

Food, live music, vendors, games and more—the Black Arts Festival is the “largest music and art festival for the culture” around. This year, the fest is celebrating the 150th Anniversary of Kalamazoo Public Library with a free show by Booker T. Jones, American multi-instrumentalist, songwriter, record producer, and arranger.

TACO & TEQUILA FEST

Homer Stryker Field, Kalamazoo July 8, 4-8 p.m. tacoandtequilafestmi.com

In 2018, Outlier Events created the 1st Taco and Tequila festival in the state of Michigan. The event brought the states best taco’s and the world’s best tequila for an amazing event that continues to sell out each year. Fast forward to today, Outlier Events brings festivals across the country to chosen cities for unique events. Attendees can expect the state’s best tacos, the world’s best tequilas, margaritas, cervezas, live music and fun activities.

Deerhoof are an American experimental punk rock band from San Francisco, California, formed in 1994. Their records have been characterized by an eclectic mix of styles. They’ve continued to push the envelope sonically during that time; one of their signature moves is to change sound abruptly between albums. Their 2023 album, MiracleLevel, is their first to be produced in a recording studio (rather than ad hoc spaces) and to have its lyrics entirely in Japanese. 7/13

LADY A

Firekeepers Casino

11177 East Michigan Ave., Battle Creek firekeeperscasino.com

July 13, 8 p.m.

Over the course of their decade-plus career, Lady A’s Charles Kelley, Dave Haywood, and Hillary Scott, have become one of the 21st century’s premier vocal groups, blending deeply felt emotions with classic Country sounds. As a country-radio staple, the trio has amassed recordbreaking success and is coming to Firekeepers for an intimate show.

Roaring Nights

John Ball Zoo

1300 W. Fulton St., Grand Rapids

July 13 & 27 jbzoo.org

Spend your summer nights at John Ball Zoo’s 21-and-up concert series, Roaring Nights! Guests can stroll through the Zoo to see animal activities, while enjoying live music, craft beer and wines, specialty food, and no kids! On July 13, see Main Street Dueling Pianos. On July 27, relive the decade of pogs, boy bands and Furbies with PROJECT 90. Have kids? Come instead on August 4 for WGVU KidsDay at the Zoo!

7/14

UPHEAVAL MUSIC FESTIVAL Belknap Park

30 Coldbrook St. NE, Grand Rapids

Jul 14-15 upheavalfest.com

Heavy metal and hard rock fans of all ages will find something to headbang to at the two-day Upheaval music festival, featuring a full lineup of bands from near and far, including Bring Me the Horizon, Lamb of God, Memphis May Fire, We Came As Romans, Falling In Reverse, and more! After the festival, check out the “after shows” at the Intersection, including GWAR.

7/15

BREWERY NYX ANNIVERSARY

Brewery Nyx brewerynyx.com

506 Oakland Ave. SE, Grand Rapids July 15, 1-8 p.m.

Brewery Nyx is celebrating one year of their taproom with rotating taps, live music, a photo booth and more. Every hour, the taps will switch, revealing new and exciting brews. Capture memories at our photo booth where you can strike a pose with friends and family. Dress up if you want; we suggest cocktail attire and masquerade themes, or just come as you are!

7/28

EMO NITE

133 Cesar E. Chavez Ave., Grand Rapids

July 28, 9 p.m. sectionlive.com

“We are not a band. We are not DJ’s. We throw parties for the music we love.” Sometimes the best way to get happy is to just feel everything, then let it all out while screaming along to emo and pop-punk music with a bunch of other sad people. Fall Out Boy, American Football, Paramore, My Chemical Romance, Taking Back Sunday—they have it all.

COAST GUARD FESTIVAL

Grand Haven

July 28-Aug. 6 tickets.coastguardfest.org

If you’ve never been to the Coast Guard Festival, do you really live in West Michigan? This annual event is back with all the entertainment you could hope for. The carnival returns of course, along with live music, fireworks, cardboard boat races, ship tours and much more. Not to mention all the great food and drinks already in Grand Haven.

7/29

THOMAS RHETT: THE HOME TEAM TOUR

Van Andel Arena

130 W. Fulton St., Grand Rapids

July 29, 7:30 p.m. vanandelarena.com

Dubbed “the most reliable maker of No. 1 singles in country music” by Variety, Thomas Rhett is a modern superstar. In fact, he’s releasing a compilation called “20 Number Ones” this fall, celebrating the many hits featuring his rich vocals and sincere delivery with a country flair. His latest album “Where We Started” features collaborations with other stars like Katy Perry and Riley Green. See him at Van Andel with Cole Swindell and Nate Smith.

7/30

Death Grips

GLC Live at 20 Monroe

11 Ottawa Ave. NW, Grand Rapids

July 30, 8 p.m. livenation.com

There are few bands who have changed the course of alternative music in the way that Death Grips has.

The group is equal parts abrasive, nuanced, and enigmatic. Despite being notoriously elusive, Death Grips has carved out their own space in the music world that is impossible to ignore. Their signature sound blends hip-hop, contemporary electronic, and digital hardcore in a way that has become fundamental in the current age of music.