By: Jeff Huber, Leasing Coordinator

So, here’s the deal. I like movies. But who doesn’t, right? I mean, who doesn’t have Netflix? (Actually, I don’t, but I beat myself up about it if that makes you feel any better about it.) It’s almost unsettling when you meet someone who doesn’t care for movies in general. Typically, I don’t believe them. I mean, it’s an industry born and bred in the States. It’s part of our heritage; it’s part of our DNA. Dare I say it; the idea is un-American. YOU tell me, what bothers you more: Communists or people who don’t enjoy movies? I think I just proved my point. I think.

Of course, some people prefer “the outdoors” or “reading books”. It’s a waste of time if you ask me. If I can’t view my nature from a letter box framed by the likes of Terrence Malick, I don’t want it.

I fear that I’ve already said too much…*sob* I have a confession… *sob* *sob*…I like the artsy fartsy stuff, and classics too… Don’t get me wrong, I like gratuitous violence in my movies from time to time, but it isn’t my bread and Bergman (confession #2: I’ve never seen a movie by Ingmar Bergman, I just wanted some wordplay). 

So, if you’re looking for something other than today’s Hollywood fare–whether you’re adventurous, pretentious, or an old soul about your movie tastes–Grand Rapids really is a great place to get a serving of what you’re looking for! There’s a surprising number of venues for that kind of thing if you know where to look.

Without further ado, here’s where to look for Indie/Classic/Artsy-fartsy movies in GR:

Tuesday Movie @ Wealthy Street Theatre

(Meanwhile Bar Film Series)

What could be better than a Tuesday filled with a classic movie in a classic theatre? If you happen to find yourself with time on your hands at 8pm, consider stopping by the ol’ Wealthy Street Theater for a flick. The movie fare is a wide variety of crowd pleasers and cult classics. I saw Fight Club there and loved it. It’s a quaint theater with plenty of old theater charm.

Extra perk: Do you like beer with your popcorn? CMC Members get bar privileges. Learn what that acronym means and how to be one here. 

Founders Film Series @ Celebration! Cinema North

Following the calendar week, on Wednesdays you can find legit classic movies at your local Celebration! Cinema North (for those who are directionally disinclined, you may have been to this theater if you’ve seen anything in Imax lately).

I’ve been pining to go to one of these, they sell Founders beer in the screening area itself during the movie, and the tickets themselves are only $2 (21+ only). Honestly, I can hardly believe it’s a real thing; if someone were to design a way to lure me into a trap, I don’t think they could think of a better scheme.

However, there is a caveat to this recommendation, the current series is over, BUT Founders and Celebration! keep doing this with new movies. I’m in full faith that we are only in a temporary hiatus between series. If I’m wrong, then I’ve wasted your time. You’re going to have to deal with that one day.

“The Cheap Theater,” aka: Celebration! Woodland

If you haven’t heard the term before, then you’ve heard it now. Celebration! Woodland is the theater at Woodland Mall that plays movies that aren’t quite so new to theaters but aren’t quite out on video yet, and they do it for cheap. (just hum the words Cheap movies, seen dirt cheap to AC/DC’s “Dirty Deeds”)

But there aren’t just stale Hollywood flicks for cheap, there’s fresh Indie films that you likely wouldn’t find anywhere else! Especially around Oscar season, many of the movies that you will see nominated for Best Picture will be playing there. Regular tickets for these are $6 for College students/ $9 for adults. Check it out!

Indie Films @ UICA

Now that we’ve made the transition to Indie side of GR’s offerings, we have now arrived at the Urban Institute of Contemporary Art. You may have noticed the scrolling Movie posters in the window next to their entrance, this is because there is a theater down in the depths of the UICA on the lowest floor of the building–complete with concessions.

As you know by now, The Cheap Theater has the Indie’s too. However, if you’re looking for the road less traveled, something with less accolades, or even something a little bit weird and/or unsettling, this might be the place for you to look. Of course, the movies vary and they play classics, and host other events here from time to time. Tickets are $8 for non-members.

Movies in the Park @ Ah-Nab-Awen Park

It’s hard for me to rank the best place to see a movie, and I know that I wrote that Terrance Malick “I don’t need real nature” line up the page, but there something magic in watching movies in the outdoors, and Movies in the Park does it right! For those of you who haven’t, Movies in the Park is the wonderful event at Ah-I-Can’t-Pronounce-It Park in downtown GR.  They play classic movies for FREE on a big screen and hundreds of people attend. There’s food vendors, and you can bring a 6-pack (just stop to the tent with the 21+ wristbands), and they even give out free movie posters made specifically for the screening in exchange for filling out a survey. Neato! Here’s a peak at this summer’s movies:

• Wizard of Oz (June 3)

• Men in Black (June 17)
• A League of Their Own (July 8)
• The Mask of Zorro (July 22)
• Edward Scissorhands (August 5)
• Double Feature: Ferris Bueller’s Day Off & a to-be-determined Voter’s Choice movie (August 19)

So, those are all my GR movie secrets. Be blessed in your movie watchings. Ya dig?

By: Kirsten Mann, Marketing and Communications Intern

College students love coffee; there’s no questioning that. We spend long hours studying for exams, waking up early for class, and staying up late at night to work on homework, so when we need a little pick me up, coffee seems to be the simple solution. The only thing keeping us going is a burst of energy that we get when we drink it. Our minds are tricked into thinking that sleep isn’t necessary and the only real energy we need is from a cup of coffee. 

Now, not every college student has this mentality. Some college students enjoy getting their 8 hours of sleep at night and don’t find themselves relying on
a cup of coffee to keep their heads up and their minds going. Some students find it relaxing just getting a coffee and catching up with a friend at a local coffee shop. Whether you’re the student who needs coffee to function, or the student who just wants it to relax, there are a lot of unique coffee shops around Grand Rapids that offer the fix you need. Some of my favorites are:

• Rowster Coffee 
• Madcap Coffee
• Squibb Coffee Bar
• The Sparrows Coffee Tea and Newsstand 
• Icons Coffee 

When you need your coffee fix, where do you venture to in Grand Rapids?

By: Danielle Miller, Marketing Manager

So, next week is Spring Break for most of you. If you don’t have anywhere to go this Spring Break, or even if you do, I suggest reading a book for fun. Now, you might be thinking to yourself, “I read all the time for class, why would I want to read a book for fun?” I actually used to think the same way, but, now that I am a little older, I have found SO MUCH joy in reading.

Spring Break is an amazing opportunity for you to rest, relax, and have a little fun. If you’re staying home, find a cozy place in your home, make yourself a cup of coffee, grab your softest blanket, and escape in a book. If you’re traveling to a tropical oasis, grab a beach chair, a fruity drink, and catch a few rays as you escape in a book. Either way, again, books give us the opportunity to escape for a little while, which is what you deserve after the semester you have had so far. 

While it doesn’t matter exactly what you read, make sure that it is something that interests you. Perhaps you love fiction. My go-to is usually fiction because I love the imagination and creativity in fiction novels. I typically fall in love with the characters, shed a few tears as they endure their struggles, and find that most novels have happy endings that leave me feeling a sense of happiness as well. My husband, on the other hand, enjoys books about golf. He absolutely loves golf, so I decided to pick him up Arnold Palmer’s book for our cruise next week; I know he is going to love it, even though he is someone who usually doesn’t read very often.

This year, I have decided I am going to bring the book, Present Over Perfect, with me over my trip. I actually already started reading it because 1) I am really excited about it and slightly nerdy, and 2) because I know it is going to encourage me in so many areas of my life. As the marketing manager, I am always looking for ways to grow in my career. While I do read books about marketing and the creative process, I know that the book, Present Over Perfect, will also help me in my role at American Realty, and in my everyday life. Sometimes, we tend to get caught up perfecting the details, when we should be looking at the big picture. So far, I have found that Present Over Perfect teaches its readers how to be present instead of worrying about the future, and how to create a new, realistic idea of how to approach work and life in general. This book might even be a good option for you! It literally outlines how to relax!

I encourage you to allow yourself to relax over your break. Escape in a book; it might be just what you needed.