Last year, Grand Rapids’ Rumsey Street neighborhood was home of ArtPrize 2015’s $200,000 Juried Grand Prize Award winner.
This week, the Grand Rapids Symphony’s Women’s Committee turns the Roosevelt Park neighborhood into an outdoor bazaar.
And a fabulous one at that.
The Rumsey Street Bazaar, a marketplace of unique wares and musical experiences, offering a bouquet of aromas and a banquet of tastes from local restaurants paired with the finest in craft beer from local breweries, opens on Friday.
Nothing will be more unique or more of an experience than an experience of “wearable art” by New York City-based designer Brad Callahan on Saturday.
Callahan, better known as BCalla, has designed for such notable names as Lady Gaga and Miley Cyrus among others.
His creative aesthetic is a mash-up of skin-tight, S&M apparel with futuristic silhouettes, fashioned into unisex designs inspired by an urban narrative.
On Saturday, models including local artists, dancers from Grand Rapids Ballet, and musicians from Grand Rapids Symphony, will model creations by Callahan, who has been profiled in Huff Post Queer Voices.
“More is more, bad taste is the best taste, and there is no gender,” is how Callahan described his creations in an interview with Papermag.com in 2013.
The Rumsey Street Bazaar, centered at 333 Rumsey St. SW at Grandville Avenue, will be a two-part experience over three days.
By day, you can bring the kids along to peruse the vintage clothiers, fashion and jewelry during the three-day event celebrating the spirit of inclusion and diversity influenced by the Roosevelt Park neighborhood surroundings.
“As far as the Rumsey neighborhood, businesses and neighbors have been canvased and are excited to have the event there,” said Bonnie Monhart, president of the Grand Rapids Symphony Women's Committee. “I understand we’ll have some local neighborhood artists involved."
The marketplace will include sales of donated upscale/resale as well as vintage materials and artist stalls – a bouquet of aromas and a banquet of tasting options.
Grand Rapids’ Richard App Galleries also will be among artists displaying work during the benefit bazaar dubbed “Classic’s Remixed.”
“We have some wedding dresses, some silver, a lot of old record albums, some furs and many things to pick up from members,” Monhart said.
Experience eclectic street entertainment including live music featuring Grand Rapids Symphony musicians. Daytime events for the whole family include science and music projects and activities and interactive musical experiences with GRS musicians.
Best of all, admission is free during the day Friday through Sunday until 6 p.m.
After 6 p.m., the Rumsey Street Bazaar heats up with exciting events especially for adults.
Two nights and an afternoon of fun include live music by a David Bowie tribute band on Friday, a fashion show held twice on Saturday and Latin pop/rock music on Sunday. Evening entertainment carries an admission charge.
On Thursday, the Rumsey Street Bazaar kicks off with a VIP opening night party, “Rumsey Rumble.” The strolling dinner offers a cash bar and valet parking plus entertainment by The Concussions, a surf-rock band featuring Grand Rapids Symphony’s principal percussionist Bill Vits.
Tickets are $50 and an RSVP is required. Get tickets online here. Casual dress for the event that is from 6 to 10 p.m.
Hours for the Rumsey Street Bazaar are 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. Friday and Saturday, June 10-11; and 12 noon to 4 p.m. Sunday, June 12.
Last year, the Rumsey Street neighborhood, on Rumsey Street SW at Grandville Avenue SW, was organized into an ArtPrize 2015 venue by SiTE:LAB. a four-time winner of the ArtPrize Juried Award for Best Venue.
Several unoccupied structures, including a church and rectory, a body shop and several residences, as well vacant lots providing a unique setting for an exhibition of site-specific installations selected by curator Paul Amenta.
“Higher Ground,” a time-based installation by Kate Gilmore, was awarded the $200,000 Juried Grand Prize at ArtPrize 2015.
Follow the Rumsey Street Bazaar, a fundraiser for the Grand Rapids Symphony’s educational programs, on its Facebook page.
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