The Grand Rapids Public Museum is bringing back its popular Concerts Under the Stars series, an immersive experience under the full-dome environment of the Roger B. Chaffee Planetarium. This winter, three Michigan-based acts will perform live, accompanied by specially created visual artwork projected onto the planetarium’s dome, creating a truly unique experience.
“Concerts Under the Stars in the Chaffee Planetarium are a truly unique way to enjoy live music,” said Jack Daleske, the GRPM’s Planetarium and Theater Manager. “Immersive only scratches the surface of what it feels like to experience these shows, and we’re in for a real treat with this year’s lineup of musicians and artists.”
The 2025 season kicks off on Thursday, Jan. 30 and Friday, Jan. 31, with two performances by Grand Rapids-based artist Odd Space. Known for their ethereal, grunge-inspired sound collages, Odd Space will perform alongside digital art by local artist Jasmine Bruce. Bruce’s work draws from themes of spirituality, healing, and Blackness, offering a visual counterpart to Odd Space’s ambient and experimental sound.
The Concerts Under the Stars series will continue on Feb. 20 and 21 with a performance by singer-songwriter and harpist Ahya Simone. Simone’s soulful blend of R&B, jazz, and gospel is rooted in her upbringing in the Black church. For these shows, West Michigan Center for Arts and Technology teaching artist Mike Saunders will collaborate with WMCAT’s visual production students to create dynamic, site-specific visuals for the planetarium dome. WMCAT is a nonprofit organization focused on arts, workforce development, and youth engagement through programs like their Teen Arts and Tech program, which offers hands-on experience in visual arts and tech.
The final concert of the series will take place on March 13 and 14, featuring experimental rock band Slow Spell and artist Emily Hromi. Known for their improvisational approach, Slow Spell will create an unpredictable, one-of-a-kind performance each night, enhanced by Hromi’s vivid, multimedia visuals. Hromi, a freelance medical illustrator and graphic designer, has over a decade of experience creating art across a variety of media, including fine art, museum work, and commercial design.
Each concert begins at 7:30 p.m., with doors opening at 6:30 p.m. Guests will have access to the museum’s first two floors of exhibits before the performance, and refreshments—including beer and wine—will be available for purchase. Performers will play two sets with a brief intermission in between. Tickets are $24, with a discounted rate of $20 for GRPM members.
The GRPM, located at 272 Pearl St. offers three floors of exhibits, the region’s only planetarium. To learn more about this series or to purchase tickets, visit grpm.org/concerts-under-the-stars. For more information on the museum and other exhibits, visit grpm.org.
Facebook Comments