As the month of April ends and May begins, the good people of West Michigan take heed to the weather and start venturing outside a little more. With plenty of opportunities to celebrate the spring with unique exhibitions from the Frederik Meijer Gardens, a Latin festival and even more music, the weekend should be a great kick-off to May. Read on or watch the video below with REVUE's Brian Edwards and Emily Richett from Fox 17 to get all of this weekend's Best Bets.
1. Look at the Pretty Butterflies: This is your last chance to see one of Frederik Meijer Gardens & Sculpture Park's most popular exhibits: Butterflies are Blooming. The exhibit features butterflies from tropical regions around the world in a five-story conservator where they can be viewed drinking nectar, feeding, and flying freely. Even the Atlas Moth (with a six-to-twelve inch wingspan) is set to make an appearance on Friday, April 30 at 9 a.m.; $4-$12.
2. Shooter!: Shooter Jennings, son of legendary country musician Waylon Jennings, and recent hard rocker, will be performing at the Intersection on Friday, April 30. Doors at 8 p.m. and show at 9 p.m.; tickets $18.
3. Gonna Blow Your Mind: The Grand Rapids Public Museum's planetarium hosts a night of laser light shows featuring the music of Pink Floyd. Laser light shows dedicated to Dark Side of the Moon and The Wall will be sure to blow your mind. Begins on Saturday, May 1 at 9 p.m.; $5-$7.
4. Sarah Plain & Tall: Based on the book by Patricia Maclachlan, "Sarah Plain and Tall" is a play set in the early 1900s where farmer Jacob Witting and his two children place an ad in the newspapers seeking a wife and mother. Sarah Wheaton, an old maid, responds and proposes visiting the family for a month. The story unfolds through flashback, developing a theme of love, loss and abandonment. Perfomed at the Grand Rapids Civic Theatre April 12-May 2; Thurs.-Sat. evenings at 7:30 p.m.; Sat.-Sun. matinees at 2 p.m.; $8-$14.
5. IDs, Please: West Michigan comics Matt Lauria, Allen Trieu, Adam Degie and Trevor Smith are back for another "Twentysomething, Funnysomething" show and this time they're invading the lakeshore. These four young men, who still get carded, will be performing at the Park Theatre in Holland (18+ age restriction) with Stu McCallister hosting on Friday, April 30 at 7:30 p.m.; tickets $8 in advance, $10 day of show.
6. Fiesta! 2010: Latin Americans United for Progress' annual Fiesta! features the annual fiesta king and queen contest, low-rider car show, Latino entertainment, a carnival, various exhibitors, and food! Held at the Holland Civic Center, the event begins on Friday, April 30 at 6 p.m., and runs through Saturday, May 1 till 7 p.m.; free.
7. That Guy From Queer as Folk: Hal Sparks is a comedian who formerly hosted "Talk Soup" on E! Entertainment, starred as Michael Novotny on "Queer as Folk," and most well-known for his comedic jests on VH1's "I Love The 80s and 90s" series. He will be performing at Dr. Grins Comedy Club on Friday, April 30, and Saturday, May 1 at 8 p.m.; tickets: Fri. $15 and Sat.-$20.
8. A New Eden: Dale Chihuly, world-renowned glass sculptor, returns to Grand Rapids in celebration of Meijer Gardens 15th anniversary. His works will be displayed at 15 sites through the park and will feature floating spheres, chandeliers, and 30-feet high glass towers. Exhibit officially begins on Friday, April 30 at 9 a.m.; $4-$12.
9. TGIF at the GRAM: This Friday night, the Grand Rapids Art Museum will be throwing the party of the century. The event begins with an exhibition opening of Chris Stoffel Overvoorde, an innovative music performance by electric violinist Ritsu Katsumata and a poetry slam on Friday, April 30 at 5 p.m.; $5 admission.
