#GRDates is a weekly series highlighting fun & frugal dates in Grand Rapids and around West Michigan for $25 or less! Because I love West Michigan and want to experience everything it has to offer, but I do have to stick to a budget.

WLAV’s Blues on the Mall has got to be the ultimate #GRDates!  It’s fun, it’s FREE, and it happens every Wednesday at 6:30pm from June 8 to August 3 at Rosa Parks Circle downtown Grand Rapids.  See the schedule below, or the BOTM facebook group for more information:

June 8: Janiva Magness
www.janivamagness.com

June 15: Popa Chubby
www.popachubby.com

June 22: Vasti Jackson
www.vastijackson.com

June 29: Ronnie Baker Brooks
www.ronniebakerbrooks.com

July 6: Larry McCray
larrymccrayband.com

July 13: Homemade Jamz
www.hmjamzbluesband.com

July 20: Deanna Bogart
www.deannabogart.com

July 27: Shane Dwight
www.shanedwight.com

August 3: Joanne Shaw Taylor
www.joanneshawtaylor.com

Final Price FREE!

Besides enjoying live music out in the open air on a sunny summer day in Michigan, I think my favorite part of Blues on the Mall has to be the people-watching. What’s your fave?

Get more #GRDates ideas here. Have you already done these dates or do you have other ideas? Would your West Michigan business like to be featured? Email me.

This post is linked to West Michigan Link-up.

#GRDates is a weekly series highlighting fun & frugal dates in Grand Rapids and around West Michigan for $25 or less! Because I love West Michigan and want to experience everything it has to offer, but I do have to stick to a budget.

Everyone loves kicking off summer in West Michigan with the annual Festival of the Arts in Grand Rapids the first weekend of June. (June 3-4-5, 2011.)  It’s great with or without kiddos, and the best part is that the music performances and art activities are all FREE.

My Top 3 Reasons to Love Festival:

#1  It’s my birthday weekend!

#2  Chicken on a stick!

#3  It’s all FREE! Except the chicken on a stick. Someone will have to spring for that. NOT me. It’s my birthday. ;)

What’s your favorite thing about Festival of the Arts?

It makes the perfect #GRDates because it will certainly fit your schedule. Head downtown Friday from noon to 10pm, Saturday from 10am to 10pm, or Sunday from 10am to 7pm.

Take this map with you (pdf) so we can leave the “asking for directions” discussion at home. ;) Read this additional info, and my last suggestion is to take an umbrella! Just like Halloween, it always rains. Luckily that never spoils the fun!  See you there!

Final Price FREE! (Maybe $7 for parking and some grub money, but well under the $25 limit!)

Get more #GRDates ideas here. Have you already done this date or do you have other ideas? Leave us a comment. Would your West Michigan business like to be featured? Email me.

#GRDates is a weekly series highlighting fun & frugal dates in Grand Rapids and around West Michigan for $25 or less! Because I love West Michigan and want to experience everything it has to offer, but I do have to stick to a budget.

This weekend I’m headed to the lakeshore (Holland, MI to be exact) for Gleek Retreat blogging conference. We’ll have a little bit of free time to do some exploring, so here are some fun, frugal and FREE options.

• Rice & Spice Restaurant – Get 50% off your meal ($20 for $10) when you purchase this Living Social coupon today (5/19/11) and redeem by November.

• International Relations Commission Festival – FREE family festival on Saturday, May 21, 2011 featuring entertainment, ethnic food booths, children’s activities, and a FREE outdoor movie.

• Windmill Island – $15 per couple, FREE for residents, or go here for family rates and info. Once inside, attractions are FREE. Bring carrots to feed the horses and or take a carousel ride. (Thanks, jodimichelle!) Don’t forget about Dutch Village as an option for families, too.

• Holland Harbor Light – Nice photo opp of a unique Michigan lighthouse. Holland State Park admission is $10 per vehicle yearly or $8 daily.

• New Holland Brew House tours – $10 per person on Saturday afternoons include samples and a souvenir pint glass.

• Holland Farmers Market – Stroll through on Wednesdays or Saturdays and then enjoy an evening *in* cooking dinner.

• Holland Street Performers Series – Every Thursday night beginning June 9, enjoy this FREE display of music, dancing, acrobatics, and more. Perfect evening with or without kiddos. (Thanks, Stacey Says!)

What are some of YOUR favorite things to do in Holland, MI?

Get more #GRDates ideas here. Have you already done these dates or do you have other ideas? Would your West Michigan business like to be featured? Email me.

#GRDates is a weekly series highlighting fun & frugal dates in Grand Rapids and around West Michigan for $25 or less! Because I love West Michigan and want to experience everything it has to offer, but I do have to stick to a budget.

Before we talk about today’s date idea, I’m curious how you’re doing with your Spring Date List? Have you started and/or finished it? Please share your date ideas with us in the comments.

This week, we’re talking about Wealthy Theatre. A friend shared with me that The Meanwhile Bar hosts “Meanwhile Movies” there on Tuesday nights. The next movie is “Lock, Stock and Two Smoking Barrels” on Tuesday, May 10, 2011.

Here’s the scoop on Wealthy Theatre:

If you want to consume adult beverages during the movie, you must be a member. Memberships are only $12. Movies cost less when you’re a member – $4.50 each for the showing I mentioned above.

If you don’t want a membership, no problem. (You just can’t drink.) Movie tickets will be $5.00 each.

Sounds like fun, huh?

Final Price:  $21 for a one-year membership and 2 movie tickets

Get more #GRDates ideas here. Have you already done these dates or do you have other ideas? Would your West Michigan business like to be featured as a date location? Email me at savvychicsavings (at) gmail.com