We’re thrilled to welcome back our beloved Saturday Night Shows — an evening where art and atmosphere come alive. Stop by, grab a complimentary beverage, and enjoy our rotating art show, where new pieces are hung every 20 minutes. Visit the Art Tender to explore any of our 1,000+ works using playful filters—mood, animals, landscapes, colors, and more. Browse freely, with no expectation to buy. If something catches your eye, leave a note for the artist. After all, all art wants to be seen.

The VOID Ecstatic Dance. This dance is to honor the in between, the liminal, the unknown, the mystery. As fall is a time to prepare for winter’s descent, may we explore our unique and ever evolving relationship with the VOID. When there’s nothing to grasp for and uncertainty and confusion arise, may we lean into our sense of inner trust and develop awareness of how it feels to swim in the vastness of life, death and rebirth. Ultimately, we don’t have control in this life as we’d like to think but we do have discernment, choice and innate and unfolding wisdom from our bodies, minds, hearts, souls and external supports to guide us. The VOID is a fruitful space, one of infinite potentials. Into emptiness, nothingness and stillness, we descend to uncover whatever wants to be revealed. 

There will be rituals/practices to practice embodying and tuning into the VOID space within oneself and within the external world before we dance. This is a space for open curiosity, inner reflection and embodied sensing and feeling. There is no right or wrong. Lean into trust and surrender into the unknown, allowing whatever emotions, sensations, memories, thoughts or impressions to arise. The VOID and dance will hold you through this journey and exploration. 

Payment/energy exchange: $20 (PayPal or Venmo @lexamaxdi or cash at the door). Email mailto:amaxd@me.com if you’re interested in volunteering to check participants in and collect payment the day of the event, in exchange for a free ticket! 

 *Email mailto:amaxd@me.com if you need a sliding scale payment option*

 $5 dollars from each ticket will be donated to AllArtWorks. 

Thank you AllArtWorks for the opportunity to share ecstatic dance! 

AllArtWorks is a unique organization that promotes artists and allows one to browse art online and bring beloved pieces home. They have regular events and rotating art in their gallery. It’s an organization that exemplifies dedication, care, passion for sharing art and community connection.

About Ecstatic Dance:

It's a free form dance, with no choreography. Simply intuitive movement. The dance playlist creates a wave of rhythms to facilitate journeying. The intention is to form community connection and connection with one's body/mind and soul. 

Ecstatic Dance Guidelines:

-This is a substance free event. Refrain from being under the influence of substances, including marijuana, vaping etc. when you show up to the dance and no substance use during the event. Please show up as you are.

-No photographs or video recording is permitted, unless the whole group consents. 

-No verbal communication on the dance floor. Feel free to leave the dance floor if you need to speak with someone.

-You may dance with or interact with others during the dance but provide clear nonverbal communication to say yes or no to engage with another. Honor your needs!

-Have fun, respect the collective space and yourself and listen to your body!

-Ages 18+

*EVERYbody is welcome, regardless of ability. This event is a supportive space to move your body as much or as little as you'd like. Listen to what your body needs throughout the dance and feel free to honor it's needs.

River Noel/Alexa Magsoudi’s Bio:

Dance has been a soulful companion throughout my life. I first discovered ecstatic dance in the Red Woods of California in 2019 and became inspired to share this embodied, community driven and holistic practice. It has been a gift to host and co-create events in Lansing, Grand Rapids and Traverse City, Michigan, along with British Columbia, Canada. Ecstatic dance offers organic body movement, feeling waves of e-motions and connecting in a space that is supportive and liberating. Dance feels like home and sharing it is a calling and return to love. 

 ~Osteopathic Healer, Artist and Ecstatic Dance Facilitator~

Connect with River/Alexa via email at mailto:amaxd@me.com

Participating First Friday Art venues for include:

106 Gallery @avenueforthearts

AllArtWorks Viewing Studio @all.art.works

ArtRat Gallery @artratgallery

Cocoon Art Space @cocoonartspace 

LaFontsee Galleries, Satellite Location at Plaza Towers @lafontseegalleries

The Arts Marketplace @the_arts_marketplace

Each location will have special events throughout the year! Whether you’re new to the art world, you’ve already invested in your own collection, or you’re seeking the perfect pieces for private and commercial design projects, you’ll gain insights and information during a fun day out on the town. Check each location's details for hours and activities.

Grand ValleyPianoChamber Series www.gvpcs.org and AllArtWorks jointly present a classical chamber music concert featuring Dvořák F-minorPianoTrio performed by GVPCS Artistic Director Sookkyung Cho, Grand Rapids Symphony Assistant Concertmaster Grace Kim, and GRS Associate Principal Cello Andrew Laven. This event is free but requires reservation. Please use this link to reserve your free tickets. For more information, please visit www.gvpcs.org.