ArtPrize 2016 kicks off with Laker Marching Band, Dance Co.

The Grand Valley State University Laker Marching Band, Dance Company and WGVU Nerd Walk will kick-off ArtPrize Wednesday, September 21, in Rosa Parks Circle in downtown Grand Rapids.

The Laker Marching Band will begin the festivities with a performance at the L.V. Eberhard Center on Grand Valley's Pew Grand Rapids Campus. Following this performance, the marching band, GVSU Dance Co. and the Nerd Walk will proceed in cadence across the Blue Pedestrian Bridge through downtown to Rosa Parks Circle. There the band and dance company will perform a second time under the direction of President Thomas J. Haas following a proclamation by Grand Rapids Mayor Rosalynn Bliss.

The WGVU and PBS Nerd Walk encourages participants to embrace their own uniqueness by marching the streets of Grand Rapids with magic wands, lightsabers, mystical hammers and capes. A contest will be held at Rosa Parks Circle to determine best costume, most original costume and most inspired costume.

Below is a full schedule of events:

5:45 p.m. - Laker Marching Band performs at L.V. Eberhard Center

6 p.m. - Laker Marching Band marches to Rosa Parks Circle with Nerd Walk

6:30 p.m. - Welcome by ArtPrize and mayoral proclamation

6:35 p.m. - GVSU Dance Company and Laker Marching Band perform

7 p.m. - WGVU and ArtPrize programming, free concert