From independents to chart-toppers, Rosa Parks Circle is home to two evening concerts
With more than 1,700 artists from 21 countries and 44 states heading to Grand Rapids, Mich. to compete for the world’s largest prize for art, ArtPrize organizers today announced the addition of two evenings of music to the 19-day art competition. The ArtPrize Concert Series, which is free to the public, will take the stage at Rosa Parks Circle in downtown Grand Rapids. Performing are top acts Natasha Bedingfield, David Archuleta, indie-rock band Surfer Blood and other musical acts.
“ArtPrize continually looks for ways to enhance the ArtPrize experience,” said Bill Holsinger-Robinson, ArtPrize executive director. “Whether viewing art, learning through the speakers series or celebrating through live musical performances, all these experiences promote collisions among the public, artists and city spaces.”
The first night of music, the Center City Neighborhood Party, is presented by Stella Artois. Indie-rock band Surfer Blood from West Palm Beach, Florida will take the stage at 7 p.m., Saturday Sept. 25. Surfer Blood released its debut album early this year with favorable reviews from industry critics.
Rounding out the concert series, pop-singer Natasha Bedingfield headlines on Saturday, Oct. 2 at 7 p.m. Bedingfield whose hit singles include “Pocketful of Sunshine, and “Unwritten” will take the stage with special guests: David Archuleta and Hot Chelle Rae. Archuleta was the runner-up of season seven’s American Idol, and Hot Chelle Rae is a pop/rock band from Nashville, Tenn. This community concert is presented by Carol and David Van Andel Foundation in partnership with Citadel Broadcasting Corporation.
ArtPrize is fast approaching, and will be here before you know it. After last years huge success, the second year promises to be even bigger. All venues and artists have been locked down, so if you were hoping to have a go at the $250,000 grand prize, you will have to wait until next year. The contest, which runs from September 22 thru October 10, boasts the worlds largest art prize, and is totally open. Open to whoever wants to participate, open to anyone who wants to be a venue, and open to anyone who wants to vote.
After the final audit of artists and venues that secured each other for ArtPrize 2010, the results are…
Artists from 21 different countries will exhibit, including the United States. 44 different states in the U.S. will be represented.
Come join in this truely one-of-a-kind experience, and see Grand Rapids like you never have. We still have rooms available during the contest, and since we are only a 12 minute walk from downtown, you won’t have to worry about parking. Better yet, you will be able to check out numerous displays during your walk between the L@L and downtown.
2010 Heritage Hill Weekend Tour of Homes Saturday and Sunday, October 2 and 3, 2010 Saturday and Sunday, October 2 and 3, the annual Heritage Hill Weekend Tour of Homes invites you to stroll and enjoy the past and present in historic Heritage Hill, one of the largest urban historic districts recognized by the National Register of Historic Places. The 1,300 homes in Heritage Hill date from 1848 and represent all styles of American architecture.
This is the 41st year that Heritage Hill has opened its doors and has welcomed thousands of Tour visitors into our homes. Eight private houses and four historic buildings await you with an array of architecture, colors, decorating styles, and great urban gardens.
Advance tickets for Tour are $12.00 if purchased prior to September 1. From September 1 to October 2, tickets are $15.00. Tickets on the weekend of Tour are $18.00 for Tour. To obtain tickets, write to the Heritage Hill Association, 126 College SE, Grand Rapids, MI 49503 or go online at www.heritagehillweb.org/forms/2010-tour_tickets.htm. For more information on Tour … call the Heritage Hill Association at (616) 459-8950 or see the above website
June 19, 2010 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Heritage Hill Historic District Grand Rapids, Michigan Open the garden gate to the 3rd annual Heritage Hill Garden Tour on June 19, 2010. Tour 11 gardens in an historic, urban neighborhood and appreciate Grand Rapids’ architectural heritage along your stroll. View a mix of gardens that capture the sights of the city and feature ponds, pergolas, statues, fountains, cobblestone paths and islands of color. Gardens are open from 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Advance tickets are $8.00 and available at the Heritage Hill Association, 126 College SE or online at www.heritagehillweb.org. Tickets on June 19 are $10.00 and available only at the ticket booth at the Association for the Blind offices, 456 Cherry SE. The Tour is self-directed and garden stops and highlights are detailed in your ticket brochure. Volunteers are available at each of the open gardens to answer any questions. For more information and to purchase tickets go to www.heritagehillweb.org or call the Heritage Hill Association at 616-459-8950. The Garden Tour happens rain or shine!
Conveniently located one block to the east of the Meyer May House, the Leonard at Logan B&B is the preferred place to stay for many visitors. Built 5 years after the Meyer May, the Leonard at Logan gives guests yet another taste of the many architectural styles that make Heritage Hill such a unique neighborhood.
A bit about the house-The Meyer May House, was designed by Frank Lloyd Wright, built in 1908-09, and is located at 450 Madison Avenue SE, Grand Rapids, Michigan. It is considered a fine example of Wright’s Prairie School era, and “Michigan’s Prairie masterpiece”.
Commissioned in 1908 by Meyer S. May, a prominent Grand Rapids clothier, and his wife Sophie Amberg, the house stands in contrast to the Victorian and Neoclassical houses typical of the period and neighborhood, the Heritage Hill neighborhood east of downtown Grand Rapids.
Meyer May House is stylistically typical of Wright’s Prairie houses, a two story, T-plan constructed of pale roman brick, with hip roofs and long broad eaves, art glass windows and skylights. The first floor windows are tucked under the eaves and raised from ground level, providing both privacy and providing light to the staircase and second floor gallery.
Wright carefully sited the house to allow maximum southern exposure for the living room windows and skylights and to create a spacious yard for the perennial gardens. Each terrace and each section of art glass was artfully designed and placed to enhance the interior and to draw nature into the house. Doors open out to the terraces and gardens with garden walls and planters all incorporated into the design to intermingle the interior and exterior.
Inside, wood grills hide the radiators, iridescent strips of gold art glass were placed in the horizontal grout lines of both brick fireplaces, and a pastel mural of hollyhocks wraps around a dividing wall between the living room and dining room. The mural, painted over during years of alterations, was rediscovered during the restoration and has now been restored. The interior was finished in 1910 by George Niedeken, Wright’s Milwaukee based associate, who was also a talented decorative painter and executed the mural in the dining room.
The Meyer May House was placed on the Michigan State Register of Historic Sites in 1986 and is a contributing building to the Heritage Hill Historic Distric. The district was listed in 1971 on both the National Register of Historic Places and the Michigan State Register of Historic Sites, and was protected by the City of Grand Rapids’ historic preservation ordinance in 1973.
Meyer May House opened to the public in 1987. Tours are offered Tuesdays & Thursdays from 10 to 2 and on Sundays from 1 to 4. Admission is free.
