A harvest of Heartside Halloween highlights

ArtRat loves a Halloween party, and our Heartside neighborhood is burning the Jack-o’-lantern at both ends this week. Here are just a few of the most spooktacular events within a 5-minute walk of ArtRat Gallery (46 Division Ave. South)!

A bumper crop of art, seeds and spooky fun

Whether you’re thinking about holiday gifts or stocking away seeds for next spring, Little Space Studio’s Harvest Market has you covered. 

Thirty local artisans will gather at 111 South Division Ave. on Sunday, Oct. 30, from 12-5pm to sell jewelry, fine art prints, graphic art, crochet — and even hand-crafted brooms. 

To add to your Halloween decor, Malone Farms will offer pumpkin carving for $10 a (pumpkin) head. Pick a traditional orange pumpkin, or apply your artistry to one of several “super unique and gnarly” variants. 

Speaking of exotic flora, a Seed Swap (2-3pm) will gather urban farmers to trade seeds — whether they be fruit, flower or vegetable — as well as propagated plants for landscaping, such as sedum and hostas. 

And if you’d like a peek into 2023 and beyond, Kate Henriot Jauw (who has been reading tea leaves for over 20 years) will host two different tasseomancy workshop sessions — with bonus tea service and cookies — at 12:30pm and 3pm. (Tickets are $15 each.)

Wear amazing costumes, win fabulous prizes

On Saturday, Oct. 29, two legends of Grand Rapids LGBTQ+ nightlife go head-to-head in a knockdown, dragout competition for your costume-party dollar. 

In one corner, Rumors Nightclub is throwing its annual Halloween party, with an open dance floor all night long. In the other, The Apartment Lounge (GR’s oldest LGBTQ+-friendly nightclub at 33 Sheldon Ave NE) will host its own costume contest.

Both parties officially kick off at 11:30pm, and both will offer cash prizes for the best costumes. Can't decide whose contest to enter? The clubs are just four short blocks apart — if you run fast enough, you can play for both teams! 

Wholesome Halloween fun for even the smallest ghouls

The Grand Rapids Children’s Museum (11 Sheldon Ave. NE) doesn’t miss a trick when it comes to entertaining and educating kids. (After all, a bag full of candy helps the lesson plan go down.) 

Bring the little ones to Boo-tober for lite-fright trick-or-treating, games and other special surprises, all included with the price of admission. 

Go and play on either day, and decorate a pumpkin. Special on Thursday, Oct. 27, from 4-7pm, pose in GRCM’s frightfully fun Glitter Photo Booth, or stop in on Sunday, Oct. 30, from 12-4pm for an Oogie Boogie Dance Party. 

More in the treat bag

Ever wanted to network in Spandex? Attend the first-ever CityFlatsHotel Halloween Unwind — a costumed edition of the monthly mixer hosted by Grand Rapids Young Professionals Thursday, Oct. 27, from 6-9pm. The $8 fee includes appetizers and drinks, and the hotel is located at 77 Monroe Center Street NW. … Your favorite Halloween tunes are coming to life by candlelight at Fountain Street Church (24 Fountain St. NE) on Saturday, Oct. 29. Check out the super-spooky set list and buy tickets here for the 6pm or 8:30pm show! … If vinyl’s more your speed, Pat Carter & Vince Garcia will be spinning "terrifying tunes and graveyard grooves" for the Night of Terror at the Pyramid Scheme starting at 7pm (21+) … And from friend-of-ArtRat Journeè Evans, a spooky edition of Sol’s Session open mic Friday, Oct. 28, from 6-8pm at 1110 Wealthy St. SE. According to Journèe, “Sol’s Sessions is bringing light and love to GR’s musical arts scene, and it’s definitely an event you don’t want to miss!” (Watch this space for news about Journèe’s curation of ArtRat’s Holiday ArtMart!) 

Did we overlook any spine-tingling neighborhood delights you want us to share? Write us at maddy@artrat.us so we can spread the word!