Tag Archives: at-home

GR Symphony now offers live at-home performances

Entertainment, Local Entertainment, , ,

By Jeffrey Kaczmarczyk
Grand Rapids Symphony

Grand Rapids Symphony is offering at-home live performances featuring the GRS musicians. (Supplied/GRS)

If you love live music, you already know that enjoying an evening’s entertainment means you first have to dress for the occasion and then drive to another location.

If you’ve ever been stuck in traffic or struggled to find a parking place, no doubt you’ve imagined about how wonderful it would be if, instead of going to a concert, the concert came to you.

Wonder no more. Grand Rapids Symphony unveils a brand new live musical experience in August – Sidewalk Serenades.

Enjoy a cozy concert just for you, in an intimate gathering of family and friends, as West Michigan’s finest musicians perform for you in the privacy of your own driveway.

An exclusive 30-minute concert of classical music, performed by musicians of the Grand Rapids Symphony, for you and up to nine guests can be yours for just $300.

A summer’s evening of beautiful, outdoor music is available at either 6:30 p.m. or 8 p.m. Thursday, Friday and Saturday, Aug. 20-22, and again the following week Thursday, Friday and Saturday, Aug. 27-29.

Sidewalk Serenades are limited to an audience of 10. Masks are required upon arrival and during the performance. No food or drink will be allowed when musicians are present, and CDC-guidelines for social distancing are required.

Reservations are limited. Go online and fill out this form to enjoy Grand Rapids Symphony’s Sidewalk Serenades. For more information, call Julie Nystedt at (616) 454-9451 ext. 131 or email her at jnystedt@grsymphony.org

You’re sure to be the envy of your neighborhood when the musicians of the Grammy-nominated Grand Rapids Symphony appear at your home.

KDL delivers summer fun via at-home, self-guided program

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By WKTV Staff
joanne@wktv.org

Summer looks a little different this year and so does Kent District Library’s summer reading program, but it still contains all the learning, fun and prizes you love… with some bonus excitement! KDL is pleased to introduce Summer Wonder, an at-home, self-guided program for all ages that runs through Saturday, Aug. 8.

For the first time ever, KDL cardholders will receive a Summer Wonder workbook and a Kaleidoscope, KDL’s showcase quarterly magazine, delivered to them in the mail. The workbook features ten at-home projects for kids while the Kaleidoscope includes information, ideas and excitement for all ages. Kids will be introduced to Curi, the robot guide for Summer Wonder.

Summer Wonder is a STEAM-powered program that focuses on science, technology, engineering, art and math.

Since KDL branches are closed for now, Summer Wonder can be completed from your home. You can sign up at kdl.org/summer and use KDL’s new smart phone app, Beanstack. This app enables people to record their progress and register for prizes right from their phone, tablet or computer.

 

“The new reality of doing more at-home learning has created challenges in keeping our brains active while maintaining safe social connections,” said Kris Vogelar, Youth Specialist at the Grandville Branch. “KDL wants to meet you where you’re at with a specially designed summer program for all ages.”

 

Those who register for Summer Wonder can qualify for prizes by completing the 30-day challenge. In 2019, over 19,000 people completed KDL’s summer reading program.

Summer Wonder is a great opportunity to limit the “summer slide” that negatively affects learning between the end and start of the traditional school year. Extensive research shows that children involved in summertime reading programs sponsored by public libraries are more likely to maintain their academic skills, and in many cases do better on standardized tests.

The website, kdl.org/summer, is your one-stop-shop for all things related to Summer Wonder. You can download the workbook and access online programs and activities. The program line-up includes appearances by 1,2,3 Andrés, Magician Tom Plunkard, Outdoor Discovery Center and many more.

KDL would like to thank the many sponsors of Summer Wonder, including the Friends of the Cascade Library and the Friends of the East Grand Rapids Library, who gave the lead gifts.