to Take Place on Saturday, November 4
Grand Rapids, MI - The Grand Rapids Public Museum (GRPM) announces the return of its fall Cultural Heritage Festival, which will take place from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Saturday, November 4, 2023. This celebration will feature a variety of organizations, performances, and presentations, and the Museum Café will feature food from around the globe.
The City of Grand Rapids and the surrounding region have a long-standing history of diversity and cultural tradition dating back from early explorers and fur traders to modern-day cultural celebrations from new residents of the region. To celebrate this heritage, the GRPM hosts the annual Cultural Heritage Festival, bringing in cultural organizations throughout West Michigan to share their culture with the community.
"We're thrilled about the 2023 Cultural Heritage Festival," beamed Rob Schuitema, Director of Public Programs at the GRPM. "It's an outstanding way to celebrate the remarkable cultural tapestry of West Michigan. Attendees will experience captivating performances and explore the history, traditions, art, and delicious cuisine that reflect diverse and dynamic communities."
Participants for the 2023 Cultural Heritage Festival include: A Glimpse of Africa, AAIPA, American Arab Intellectual Property Association, Ancient Order of Hibernians, ASSE International Student Exchange Program, Ballet Folklórico GR, Banjo-Jim, Bhutanese Community of MIchigan, Cynthia Hagedorn Fine Arts Studio - "The Property", Edelweiss Club of Grand Rapids & Edelweiss Choir, Gaelic League/Irish-American Club of West Michigan, Golden Tiger Kung Fu Academy, Grand Rapids African American Museum and Archives, Grand Rapids Scottish Society, Grand Rapids Sister Cities International, Grand Valley American Indian Lodge, Guelaguetza Designs, GVSU Euphoria A Cappella, Hispanic Artists of West Michigan, Hispanic Center of Western Michigan, Hispanic Center of Western Michigan, Holy Trinity Greek Orthodox Church, Imani Singers, India Link, Korean Connection, Kpop Group Evolution, Krishna House, La Furia Del Ritmo, Ladies Ancient Order of Hibernians, Les Clay, Lingua China, LLC, Lotus Boyz, Mexican Heritage Association of West Michigan, Michigan Hiryu Daiko, Motherland Cultural Connections LLC, MS Johnson Farms (Mystic Spirits Art), Native American Arts Council, Native Blend LLC Soap Company, NIA Centre, Pewa African Jewelries, Picardo Colours LLC, Polish Heritage Society, Senior Inclusion & Equity Officer, ShimmyUSA, Taste of Africa Michigan LLC, West Michigan Asian American Association, West Michigan Friend Center, WestMichigan TamilSangam, and Woodland Boys Drum. To register your group for participation or to view the full list of partners, visit grpm.org/cultural-heritage-festival.
In honor of the Cultural Heritage Festival, the GRPM’s Roger B. Chaffee Planetarium will premiere a new show, Living in Balance: Anishinaabe Star Knowledge. During the festival, guests have the chance to preview the new show during the 12 p.m. and 1 p.m. showtimes. Living in Balance: Anishinaabe Star Knowledge highlights Anishinaabe stories of constellations and moons with contemporary insights about environmental changes. Teachings shared by Native Skywatchers Carl Gawboy, William Wilson, and Dr. Annette S. Lee are narrated by Aarin Dokum with Anishinaabemowin translations by Alphonse Pitawanakwat set to art by Elizabeth LaPensée. Living in Balance: Anishinaabe Star Knowledge will be part of the regular schedule at the Chaffee Planetarium beginning Saturday, January 13, 2023.
Visitors to the Museum have the opportunity to explore two core exhibitions with a primary focus on diversity and culture: Newcomers: The People of This Place which highlights the cultural groups that have settled in the Grand Rapids area, and Anishinabek: The People of This Place which highlights the Native American culture in the region.
Cultural Heritage Festival is included with general admission to the Museum. Kent County kids enjoy free general admission and Kent County adults receive reduced admission, every day.
Please visit grpm.org/cultural-heritage-festival for additional information about the Cultural Heritage Festival and a full schedule of performances and presentations.
Cultural Heritage Festival is sponsored by: Downtown Grand Rapids Inc.
Grand Rapids Public MuseumThe Grand Rapids Public Museum is a 170-year-old, publicly-owned institution home to more than 250,000 unique artifacts that tell the history of Kent County and beyond. Funded in part by Kent County taxpayers through a 10-year millage (2016), the Grand Rapids Public Museum offers three floors of exhibits, the region’s only planetarium, extensive educational offerings, and protection of The Mounds, a National Historic Landmark. The Grand Rapids Public Museum is accredited by the American Alliance of Museums, with its primary location in downtown Grand Rapids, MI at 272 Pearl Street, NW. For additional information including hours of operation, admission fees, Kent County discounts, and exhibit/event listings, visit grpm.org.
###
