Our guide to events, activities and things to do in Grand Rapids and all over West Michigan during the month of July.

8/1

Bowling for soup
The crossing
133 Cesar E. Chavez Ave. SW, Grand Rapids
Aug 1, 6:30 PM
sectionlive.com

Bowling for Soup is set to celebrate three decades as a band and 20 years of their hit album A Hangover You Don’t Deserve, which featured huge singles like “1985.” This nostalgia-filled throwback tour will see Bowling for Soup perform the album in its entirety, plus a host of other hits from their 30-year career.

Relax at Rosa
Rosa Parks Circle
135 Monroe Center St. NW, Grand Rapids
1-29 Aug, 12-1:30pm
downtowngr.org

Every Thursday, all summer long, Relax at Rosa offers live music, food and fun. The free lunchtime entertainment series features an incredible line-up of local musical talent, including Full Cord, Normal Mode and the aptly named August, a variety of food truck offerings and oversized outdoor games for everyone to enjoy. Relax at Rosa gives employees the opportunity to step away from their desks, leave the office and enjoy the benefits of working in a vibrant city centre.

Desmond Jones (Phish Afterparty)
The pyramid scheme
68 Commerce Ave. SW, Grand Rapids
August 7-8
pyramidschemabar.com

Desmond Jones: Think Zappa meets Weird Al in the middle of a Type 2 jam and has a Ween baby. The award-winning five-piece rock group has played 850 shows in 10 years, making the band tighter than ever, and with four studio albums and over 100 original songs to their name, every set is a unique and fresh surprise for both longtime fans and new listeners alike—which is probably why they’ve been named Best Original Band in Best of the West multiple times. Catch them after Phish’s shows at Van Andel Arena to keep the party going.

8/9

Chevelle
GLC Live at 20 Monroe
11 Ottawa Ave. NW, Grand Rapids
Aug 9, 6:30 PM
livenation.com

Chevelle, the Chicago rock trio known for their intense energy and distinctive sound, combines powerful riffs with introspective lyrics to create a raw and emotional musical experience. With over two decades of pushing boundaries in the alternative metal scene, Chevelle continues to captivate audiences worldwide with their dynamic performances and critically acclaimed albums.

Andrew Bird + Amadou & Mariam
Frederik Meijer Gardens
1000 E. Beltline Ave. NE, Grand Rapids
Aug 9, 6:30 PM
meijergardens.org

Internationally acclaimed, Grammy-nominated multi-instrumentalist, singer, whistler, and songwriter Andrew Bird picked up his first violin at age 4 and spent his formative years recording classical repertoire entirely by ear. Now known for his violin virtuosity, whistling skills, and innovative use of looping pedals in live performances, Bird is joined by Amadou & Mariam, two veterans of the Malian music industry who have been performing together since the 1970s.

8/11

Justin Willman: Illusionati tour
DeVos performance hall
303 Monroe Avenue, Grand Rapids
Aug 11, 7:00 PM
devosperformancehall.com

Justin Willman wants to melt your brain while making you laugh. He’s best known as the star and creator of the hit Netflix series Magic For Humans and The Magic Prank Show with Justin Willman. But you might recognize him from one of his many TV appearances, or perhaps you know his work as a host (Baking Impossible; Cupcake Wars; Win, Lose or Draw…). Or maybe he’s the children’s magician you hired in the St. Louis suburbs in the 90s. If you don’t know Justin, he’s a magician and comedian who’s mastered the art of turning cynics into believers (or at least making them laugh). Catch him on stage this month.

8/16

Steve-O
Kalamazoo State Theater
404 S. Burdick St., Kalamazoo
Aug 16, 6:00 PM
kazoostate.com

Steve-O is a famous stunt performer, actor and television personality. He rose to fame as a cast member of the hit MTV show “Jackass,” where he performed a variety of dangerous and outrageous stunts. Known for his fearlessness and wild sense of humor, Steve-O quickly became a fan favorite on the show. Despite his wild antics and larger-than-life persona, Steve-O has also been open about his struggles with addiction and has worked to overcome these challenges through sobriety and self-improvement. Catch him do his thing on stage at Kalamazoo State Theatre.

Yassou! Greek Cultural Festival
Greek Orthodox Church of the Holy Trinity
330 Lakeside Dr. NE, Grand Rapids
August 16-17
grgreekfest.com

“Yassou” means welcome, and this festival welcomes you to the Holy Trinity Greek Orthodox Church for two days of wonderful Greek culture and traditions. Come experience everything from a great live band and dance demonstrations to wine tastings and cooking classes, plus of course a wide range of authentic Greek dishes such as souvlaki, moussaka and gyros.

8/23

Guided by voices
Bell’s Beer Garden
355 E. Kalamazoo Ave., Kalamazoo
Aug 23, 8:00 PM
bellsbeer.com

In 1994, 38-year-old schoolteacher Robert Pollard and his merry band Bee Thousand recorded on a 4-track cassette recorder in a Dayton, Ohio basement. This unlikely rock classic became a hugely influential album, with Pitchfork and Spin and Amazon naming it one of the best records of the ’90s. A legendary live band with a fanatical following, the Washington Post called GBV “the Grateful Dead equivalent for people who like Miller Lite instead of acid!” With 14 studio albums under their belt in six years, the band’s current lineup is nothing short of a new Golden Age of GBV.

Polish Heritage Festival
Calder Square
August 23-25
polishheritagesociety.com

The annual Polish Festival returns to Grand Rapids, this time in Calder Plaza, as Rosa Parks Circle is still under construction. Three days of vendors, food stands, live music, kids activities, a beer tent and more! Na Zdrowie!

8/24

Back to the river
Downtown Grand Rapids
August 24-25
downtowngr.org

Return to the River is back for its third year! The free, all-ages festival features two days of live music, stunning live art and traveling installations, aerial and circus performers, a craft fair, food trucks, a slew of free activities, and more. This year, it’s being held at three locations: 555 Monroe, Sixth Street Park, and Canal Park, all connected and within walking distance. In the mood for a drink? Head to a local bar for grab-n-go bevvies!

8/26

Burning Foot Beer Festival
Pere Marquette Park, Muskegon
August 26
burningfoot.beer

Burning Foot Beer Festival is a celebration of beer, beach, art, and music, and this year it’s bigger than ever with more space and more vendors! Held in August along the beautiful Lake Michigan shoreline in Muskegon, it’s the perfect way to end the summer. Beach camping and barefoot entry make it unique – and the Brewers’ Ring makes it extraordinary.

8/30

GrandCon Gaming Convention
DeVos Place
303 Monroe Ave. NW, Grand Rapids
Aug 30 – Sept 1
devosplace.org

GrandCon is Michigan’s premier tabletop gaming show held annually in late summer. It is a weekend community experience and a place to bring together various aspects of the hobby gaming industry under one roof. They celebrate board games, card games, miniature games, role playing games, industry guests and family. As an attendee you can enjoy: cosplay, charity events, paint and take (paint a miniature and take it home), learn to play games, panels, role playing, live entertainment, tournaments, workshops, mingling, playing games from a library of over 2,300 game titles and more.