The Grand Rapids Art Museum, Grand Rapids Parks & Recreation, and the Downtown Alliance announce a Friday night filled with fun, free activities at Rosa Parks Circle and GRAM this July and August in downtown Grand Rapids. The Grand Rapids Art Museum (GRAM) brings back the popular outdoor summer series, GRAM on the Green, for a fourth season beginning July 6, 2012. Collaborations continue with Grand Rapids Parks and Recreation, as well as the Downtown Alliance. GRAM on the Green features special activities with games and sketching on Wege Plaza, live music and a cash bar on the Allen and Helen Hunting Terrace, and art Conversations. Grand Rapids Parks & Recreation and the Downtown Alliance will offer a Werq dance fitness class (similar to Zumba) and Ballroom Dancing in Rosa Parks Circle. All activities outdoors are free of charge. Admission to galleries and special events inside the Museum is offered at the reduced Friday Night rate of $5.00 after 5pm. Members and children 5 and under are always free.

GRAM on the Green will begin at 5:00pm every Friday, July 6 through August 17. From 5:00 to 9:00 pm, sketching and games, including giant versions of Jenga and chess, will be available on the Wege Plaza. Grand Rapids Parks & Recreation and theDowntown Alliance offer free classes and activities before and after the live music. The Werq dance fitness class is offered from 5:30 to 6:15 pm, and ballroom dancing with available instructor will be from 8:30 to 10:00 pm, both in Rosa Parks Circle. Guests can enjoy live music on the Museum Terrace from 6:15 to 8:30pm, with a short break at 7:00pm. An eclectic variety of bands are offered from week to week.

During a break in the music at 7:00pm, guests can enjoy Friday Night Conversations with a theme that complements the summer exhibition at GRAM, Cities in Transition. The Conversation location varies. Cash bar is open until 8:30 pm, and galleries are open until 9:00 pm.

GRAM ON THE GREEN

July 6 - August 17, 2012

Outdoor activities are free of charge. See schedule below. Grand Rapids Art Museum galleries are open until 9:00pm every Friday night. Admission to galleries is only $5.00 after 5:00pm. Admission is free for members and children 5 and under.

FREE OUTDOOR SKETCHING AND GAMES ON WEGE PLAZA

5:00 - 9:00pm

Easels and sketching materials will be available on the Peter M. Wege Plaza, situated between the Museum entrance and Maya Lin Ecliptic at Rosa Parks Circle. Giant Jenga and chess sets will also be available, along with other normal-sized board games.

FREE LIVE MUSIC FROM THE MUSEUM TERRACE

6:15 to 8:30 PM, with a short break at 7pm

July 06 An Dro (celtic/world beat)

July 13 Fauxgrass Quartet (progressive bluegrass)

July 20 Randy Marsh (organ trio, jazz)

July 27  Ritsu Katsumata (postmodern gypsy)

Aug 03  Creolization (roots-pop with a zydeco twist)

Aug 10  Dan Richardson – Chosen (gospel)

Aug 17 Fainting Generals (alternative pop-rock)

PARKS & RECREATION/DOWNTOWN ALLIANCE FREE ACTIVITIES IN ROSA PARKS CIRCLE

5:30 TO 6:15 PM & 8:30 TO 10:00 PM

Grand Rapids Parks and Recreation and the Downtown Alliance host Werq dance fitness class and ballroom dancing.

5:30 - 6:15pm

Werq dance fitness class in Rosa Parks Circle

8:30 - 10pm

Ballroom dancing in Rosa Parks Circle

FRIDAY NIGHT CONVERSATIONS

7:00pm (during a break in the music)

Summer Conversation theme: Urban Explorations: Images, Words, Music, and Movement

The location of each Conversation varies. Schedule below:

July 6 Drop-in Discussion: Cycling in GR

July 13 Urban Photo Walk with Dianne Carroll Burdick

July 20 Downtown Dance Performance

July 27 Drop-in Discussion: Dance

Aug 3 Drop-in Discussion: Film

Aug10 Urban Photo Walk with Terry Johnston

Aug17 Drop-in Discussion: Writing