Thursday May 3rd:

• Jim Abbot presents his Memoir "Imperfect": Visit the Schuler Bookstore on Alpine Ave at 7 pm to listen to the story of a renowned pitcher who overcame his circumstance of being born with a unique disability to win a gold medal at the Olympic Games. 

Friday May 4th:

• LAUP Fiesta: Latin Americans United for Progress will host its annual Fiesta on Eight Street in Holland and feature, as always, a king and queen contest, lowrider car show, a carnival, shows, and lots of food. Bring out the family for a night of Festivities!

Saturday May 5th:

• Tulip Time Run: Hit the ground running on the area’s beloved Tulip Time Festival. Choose between a 5K or 10K run with a 1K run option for the kiddos. Stay afterwards and spend your Saturday enjoying the first day of the festival.
• 35th Annual Hunger Walk: Join Access of West Michigan for the 35th Annual 5K Hunger Walk. Meet up at the First United Methodist Church on E.Fulton and Barclay at 8 am and help the organization reach their goal of $150,000 towards fighting hunger in our community!

Sunday May 6th:

• Riverbank Run 25K Bike Tour: Come out and tour the 5/3rd River Bank Run Route on a leisurely bicycle ride. Join Team Priority Health afterwards for drink and appetizer specials at the downtown Buffalo Wild Wings.

Wednesday April 25th:

• Hot Chelle Rae: The Intersection will host these recent radio favorites starting at 6pm. With tickets only $15/18, it’ll be a show you’ll be glad you saw
• A Taste of Asia Cooking Class: Stop by the Family Fare in Grandville from 6-9 to learn the secrets of all the Asian classics. Wine tasting will be offered and someone else is doing the dishes, what’s not to love?
• Free Yoga: Beat the middle-the-week blues and stress with a free yoga class hosted by the Anxiety Resource Center; Classes are held every week from 5:45-6:45 pm

Thursday April 26th:

• Annual Get Involved Expo: Join the Grand Rapids’ Young Professional Organization at San Chez Bistro for networking and a chance to learn about ways to get involved in your community. The Expo runs from 5:30-8:30 pm. 

Friday April 27th:

• New Holland Brewery and Rush Creek Bistro: Enjoy a succulent 5 course meal prepared by Rush Creek Bistro and sample New Holland’s Summer Seasonal: Golden Cap Saison; reservations required
• Art with a Heart; Over 100 watercolor paintings have been donated by special education teacher, Janis Carpenter, of Ada Christian Schools to be put up for auction and all proceeds donated to the Kababla Christion School secondary education network and the CLC Network

Saturday April 27th:

• ZombieDash: Can you survive? The wildly popular 5K run is back and bloodier than ever! Credited as being Grand Rapids’ Most Anticipated Event of 2012, this is one you don’t want to miss. Runners navigate the dark and dodge the undead. Running not your thing? Zombie volunteers are always wanted to dress up and shake up the living.

Sunday April 28th:

• Mega Book Sale: It’s the clearance of all books sales. Between 10-4 stop by the Kent District Library where you can stuff as many gently loved books into a bag that you can- for only $2! Proceeds benefit KDL’s early literacy program.
• Happy Feet Two: The tap dancing penguins are back and positively flapping to be at Flick’s Family Film Fest! Kids under the age of 12 get in free; Adult tickets are $4.

Friday April 20th:

• 2012 WMEAC Earth Day Celebration Presented by Founders: The Grand Rapids Public Library and Founders Brewing Company have teamed up to present a fundraising night of festivities supporting the West Michigan Environmental Action Council.

Saturday April 21st:

• Grand River Greenup: Celebrate Earth Day by taking care of our community in cleaning up the Grand River. Registration begins at 9 o’clock at the Riverside Park in Grand Haven, help 2012 be a record year for removing trash and recyclables!
• First Annual Kids’ Triatholon: The Visser Family YMCA is hosting their first ever kids’ triatholon. Ages 9-15 are eligible to come out for some friendly competition and Try a Tri! Races start at 3:00.

Sunday April 22nd:

• Spring Italian: Celebrate the fresh spring air with a cooking class of all the Italian classics. The menu includes: Pasta Fagioli Soup, Proscuitto Stuffed Chicken Breast, Tiramisu and more! Yum.

Thursday:
Let’s Eat, Drink, and Be Charitable for the Conductive Learning Center! The Social Charity Club of Grand Rapids invites you to Peppinos Downtown between 5:30-8;30. Your $10 donation at the door benefits The Conductive Learning Center and gets you a complimentary drink ticket.

Friday:
Art.downtown: Anyone else feeling nostalgic for ArtPrize? Here’s your chance to head downtown and fall in love with the city again as you jump on any of the 3 Trolleys travelling to 30 Locations where you can view the work of 300 Artists.

SiTE:LAB In coordination with Art.downtown, step into a one-of-a-kind performance piece showcasing for one night only at the old Harris Furniture Building at 109 1/2 S Division.

Saturday:
Hot Yoga at the Funky Buddha Hothouse: Curious about trying hot yoga? Drop into one of the community classes Saturday from 12:30-1:45. $5 gets you feeling funky fresh.

Jake’s Music Festival: From 4-11 the Wealthy Street Theater will host a free Music Festival to benefit our local Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation. Local businesses have donated items for a silent auction, Michigan beers will be on tap, and additional donations will be more than welcome.

Sunday:
Museums Free 4All: Four of the major museums of downtown Grand Rapids are holding their doors open free to the public between 12-5 pm. Round up the family to go play tourist in your own town.

Thursday:
Paint Your Own Vase!: Between 11-12 you’re invited to decorate a ceramic vase to be glazed and fired by local artist Teresa of Prints and Printsess which will then be yours to keep.

Zoobilee: Kids getting a little wild during Spring Break? Head out for a day at the John Ball Park Zoo full of animal encounters, games, projects, and more!

Friday:
Toronto Marlies @ Grand Rapids Griffins: Hockey Season is coming to a close so take advantage of the nice weather with a walk downtown to the Van Andel and treat yourself to the Friday favorite $1 Beer $1 Hotdog menu.

Saturday:
Ride the Bunny Train: Enjoy a 1hour 20 minute train ride full of sing-a-longs, story time, and other springtime fun with the Easter Bunny and all of her silly sidekicks.

West Michigan Regional Art Competition: Anyone else eager for ArtPrize? There’s no reason not to enjoy art in the springtime as well! Between 1-4 visit the LowellArts! gallery to see what artists all over the western side of the state are creating.

Sunday
Rejoice! Happy Easter Sunday to You and Your Family! Spend this day with the ones you love.

Thursday:
Luluemon Grand Opening: Enjoy shopping, music, yoga and running in East Grand Rapids at the grand opening of Luluemon!

Friday:
Nothing but Bubbles: Enjoy fabulous food and sparkling wines from The Chop House.

Storytime with the Easter Bunny: The Easter Bunny will be at Woodland Mall Barnes & Noble to read stories and take pictures.

Saturday:
Eggsapalooza 2012: Enjoy this fun family-friendly event benefitting God’s Kitchen. Egg hunt, coloring, face-painting and appearances from the Easter Bunny and more!