GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. (WOOD) — On Aug. 23, an arts and music festival will welcome over 40 vendors and eight bands to Sullivan Field for a day of performances — all completely free.
“This is your invitation to see the Grand Rapids DIY art scene on its feet,” Lili Bulkowski, lead event organizer of Small Foreign Festival, said. “Everyone that’s worked on the festival and everyone that’s going to be there are seasoned in the community.”
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“Small Foreign Festival” is a new invention from West Michigan artist and musician Lili Bulkowski, though its name may sound familiar to some. Bulkowski’s former band — “Small Foreign Faction” — broke up around the summer of 2023, but not before hosting a final performance at Sullivan Field called “Small Foreign Farewell.”
Attendees at “Small Foreign Farewell,” a concert featuring Small Foreign Faction and other West Michigan bands at Sullivan Field (formerly Valley Field) from 2023. (Courtesy Lili Bulkowski)
Promotional images for “Small Foreign Festival,” a new arts and music event from the team behind Small Foreign Farewell at Sullivan Field. (Courtesy Lili Bulkowski)
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“That went incredibly successfully,” Bulkowski said. “We had an absolutely astonishing response from the community. People had such an incredible time.”
Small Foreign Farewell had been an evening of live performances and some art vendors, but its surprise turnout and positive reception meant there could be much more for its future.
“We had all the pieces in place to do this again,” Bulkowski said. “Do it in a bigger, more impactful fashion. We’re shaping up to blow the last year out of the water.”
Promotional images for “Small Foreign Festival,” a new arts and music event from the team behind Small Foreign Farewell at Sullivan Field. (Courtesy Lili Bulkowski)
Attendees at “Small Foreign Farewell,” a concert featuring Small Foreign Faction and other West Michigan bands at Sullivan Field (formerly Valley Field) from 2023. (Courtesy Lili Bulkowski)
Bands performing at Small Foreign Festival will occupy a variety of genres — like funk, experimental, math rock, alternative, hardcore and indie pop, just to name a few.
“We were less focused on a cohesive genre experience and more in the whole event celebrating the working artists in the community today,” Bulkowski said. “It is an eclectic mix.”
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Drink booths and food trucks will also be present throughout the day, and — seeing as the event takes place 2 p.m. to 10 p.m. — Bulkowski encourages attendees to come and go as they please.
“I want them to walk right in and make themselves at home,” Bulkowski said.
For more information on the free event, visit the Small Foreign Festival Facebook page.
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