10 Things To Do this Weekend: March 8th-10th

Various Locations and Times around the Grand Rapids area

Runs March 7th-17th, 2019

Cost: Varies by show

Gilda’s LaughFest, the nation’s first-ever community-wide festival of laughter, has quickly earned a reputation for being one of the nation’s marquee events for both participants and artists. Created by Gilda’s Club Grand Rapids and launched in March 2011 to celebrate laughter for the health of it, the festival features stand-up, improv, showcases, and a variety of seriously funny stuff. Check out laughfestgr.org for the complete schedule of events.

Grand Rapids Civic Theatre, 30 Division Ave. N., Grand Rapids, MI 49503

Thursday, March 7th, 2019 - 7:30 pm

Friday, March 8th, 2019 - 7:30 pm

Saturday, March 9th, 2019 - 7:30 pm

Sunday, March 10th, 2019 - 2:00 pm

(Runs through March 17th. See website for additional performance times)

Cost: Tickets start at $22.00

Over 54 million people all around the world have fallen in in love with the characters, the story and the music that make Mamma Mia! the ultimate feel-good show! A mother. A daughter. Three possible dads. And, a trip down the aisle you’ll never forget! Writer Catherine Johnson’s sunny and funny tale unfolds on a Greek island paradise. On the eve of her wedding, a daughter’s quest to discover the identity of her father brings three men from her mother’s past back to the island they last visited 20 years ago.  The story-telling magic of ABBA’s timeless songs propels this enchanting tale of love, laughter and friendship, creating an unforgettable show. A large cast, non-stop laughs and explosive dance numbers combine to make Mamma Mia! a guaranteed smash hit.

DeVos Place Convention Center, 303 Monroe Ave., NW, Grand Rapids, MI 49503

Friday, March 8th, 2019 - 10:00 am-6:00 pm

Saturday, March 9th, 2019 - 10:00 am-6:00 pm

Sunday, March 10th, 2019 - 11:00 am-4:00 pm

Cost: $10.00 for Adult (ages 15 and up), $8.00 for Children (ages 6-14)

The West Michigan Women's Expo will feature over 350 exhibits, seminars, shopping and fun that aim to provide a weekend of entertainment, education, and enjoyment tailored to women and their families.

Shop current trends and advancements in women's products and services: Fashion & Style, Beauty, Health & Wellness, Food Sampling, Fitness, Travel, Home & Decor', Lifestyle, Finance, Education, Pampering, Main Stage Presentations, Shopping, and much more!

Various Locations & Times

Cost: Varies by location

Thousands of West Michigan Catholics will observe the Lenten practice of not eating meat each Friday until Easter. Many area parishes will be hosting Friday fish fries. We have put together our  2019 guide to Lenten fish fries in Grand Rapids area with times, prices, menus and maps.

Van Andel Arena, 130 Fulton St. W, Grand Rapids, MI 49503

Friday, March 8th, 2019 - 7:00 pm

Cost: Tickets start at $16.00

The Grand Rapids Griffins take on The Iowa Wild this Friday at the Van Andel Arena. It will be the Eighth Annual Purple Community Game presented by Van Andel Institute. There will also be $2 beers and $2 hot dogs!

DeVos Performance Hall, 303 Monroe Ave., NW, Grand Rapids, MI 49503

Friday, March 8th, 2019 - 8:00 pm

Saturday, March 9th, 2019 - 8:00 pm

Sunday, March 10th, 2019 - 3:00 pm

Cost: Tickets start at $18.00

If you were waiting for the opportune moment to spend time with the Grand Rapids Pops, this is it. The comical adventures of Captain Jack Sparrow, Will Turner, Elizabeth Swan and Captain Barbossa come to the silver screen with the epic swashbuckling score to accompany the 2003 film starring Johnny Depp, Geoffrey Rush, Orlando Bloom and Keira Knightly. This is the day you will always remember as the day you enjoyed Captain Jack Sparrow and the Grand Rapids Pops.

John Ball Zoo, 1300 W. Fulton St., Grand Rapids, MI 49504

Saturday, March 9th, 2019 - 10:00 am

Cost: Adults (ages 13-61) $10.00, Seniors (ages 62 and up) $8.00, Children (ages 2 - 12)  $8.00, Children (1 and under) Free, College Students (must present valid School ID) $8.00, Military Discount (must have valid military ID - available to active & Veteran US Military personnel and their spouses) $8.00

John Ball Zoo officially opens for the 2019 season this Saturday at 10:00 am. Come see your favorite animals and help celebrate the start of another great season at the Zoo. Penguin Feedings - 10:30 am & 3:30 pm, Pelican Feeding - 11 am, Spider Monkey - 4 pm. Please note that until temperatures are consistently warm enough overnight and throughout the day, some animals adapted to warmer climates may not be viewable outdoors.

Van Andel Arena, 130 Fulton St. W, Grand Rapids, MI 49503

Saturday, March 9th, 2019 - 7:30 pm

Cost: Tickets start at $49.50

After an epic and storied 45 year career that launched an era of rock n roll legends, KISS announced that they will launch their final tour ever in 2019, appropriately named END OF THE ROAD. Known for their trademark larger-than-life blistering performances, KISS has proven for decades why they are hands down the most iconic live show in rock n roll. The Rock & Roll Hall of Famers who have sold more than 100 million albums worldwide have said this tour is devoted to the millions of KISS Army fans.

All Clocks

Sunday, March 10th, 2019 - 2:00 am

Cost: Your weekend will be one hour shorter!

This Saturday night/Sunday morning we “spring forward” one hour and return to Daylight Saving Time. The time change officially happens at 2:00 am, but most people change their clocks before they go to bed Saturday night, or when they get up on Sunday. (I am thankful for self-setting clocks!) It is also a good time to check the batteries in your smoke detectors. Even if your smoke detectors are wired into the electrical system in your home or business, they probably still have a battery in case the power goes out. Check that battery as well!

Grand Rapids Public Museum, 272 Pearl St., NW, Grand Rapids, MI 49504

Sunday, March 10th, 2019 - 10:00 am-5:00 pm

Cost: Free

Visitors will receive free general admission to explore the Museum’s three floors of core exhibits at no cost, and get hands on with agriculture-themed activities from Kent County Farm Bureau and artifacts from the GRPM Collections. The GRPM offers fun, hands-on learning opportunities for all ages through a variety of core and traveling exhibits. Visitor favorites include the Streets of Old Grand Rapids, an immersive exhibit that transports visitors back to 19th century of downtown Grand Rapids, and West Michigan Habitats, that showcases the vast wildlife found in West Michigan. TOYS! will be included free of charge for visitors on the Museum’s Free Day! Visitors will rekindle childhood memories and spark the creation of new ones in this interactive, multi-generation exhibition of toys and games.