This Weekend's Best Bets: Nov. 13-15

Embrace the arts this weekend. Take advantage of the many opportunities and sample fine wine, watch bodies in motion or rock out to a variety of genres.

1. EAT, DRINK, BE MERRY: Wine and dine this week at DeVos Place for the second International Grand Rapids Wine and Food Festival. Featuring small plate samples from fine restaurants in GR, seminars and hundreds of wine, beer and spirits, the Festival opens Thursday, Nov. 12 at 5 p.m. and closes Saturday at 9 p.m.; Adults: $15; more info here

2. HIDDEN TALENT: You never know where talent is hiding. The Heartside Neighborhood Talent Show on Friday, Nov. 13 at the Wealthy Theatre might just produce the next big star as more than 25 performers from the Heartside area do their best on stage; $5; more info here

3. LA VIE BOHEME: If you still haven’t seen Rent, you are probably the only one. The amateur theatre rights were released this year, and the drama department at Grand Valley State University and the Heritage Theatre Group team up Nov. 13-15 and 19-21 to perform this musical about life in gritty New York City; students: $6, adults: $14; more info here

4. NEW ART: Two galleries in the East Hills District open new collections this weekend and are hosting an impromptu gallery hop. The Richard App Gallery on Cherry and the Byrneboehm Gallery on Lake welcome new art and guests to explore the creativity of the community on Friday, Nov. 13 from 5:30-9 p.m.; free; more info here or here

5. OVERFLOWING: Whether you enjoy post-minimalist dance or fluid abstract motion, the Wellspring Theater’s Fall Concert of Dance opening Friday, Nov. 13-15 and 19-21 at the Epic Center will capture your imagination; students: $10, general: $20; more info here

6. NO RINGLING BROS. HERE: Not to be confused with Cirque du Soleil but similar in style, Cirque de la Symphonie will performing at DeVos Place Friday, Nov. 13 through Sunday, Nov. 15. The Grand Rapids Symphony will provide the soundtrack as cirque performers from around the world dance, balance and fly through the air; $18-$90; more info here

7. ONCE, TWICE: Thrice plays the Intersection Monday, Nov. 16. American alternative rockers Thrice donates a portion of each of its album sales to a new charity organization; their hearts may be soft but their rock is hardcore; advance: $15.50, door: $18; more info here

8. BIG TIME FUNNY: Though he has a Masters in elementary education, Ted Alexandro started doing stand-up at nights and eventually made a career of his observational comedy. He was on Letterman in August and is at Dr. Grins Thursday, Nov. 12 though Saturday, Nov. 14; $5-$15; more info here

9. LAST, BUT NOT LEAST: Chicago-based Sleeping At Last is playing the Knickerbocker Theatre Friday, Nov. 13 at 8 p.m. along with Denison Witmer and Jeremy Larson. Sleeping At Last grew in local popularity before touring nationally with bands like Switchfoot and Yellowcard; students $5, general $10; more info here

Good Bets: Megadeath plays the Orbit Room Saturday, Nov. 14 which sadly conflicts with the Newsboys, who are at Sunshine Church so choose carefully; more info here or here…Old Crow Medicine Show brings its brand of Americana-bluegrass-country to the State Theater in Kalamazoo on Wednesday, Nov. 18; more info here