Only three days left for guests to enjoy John Ball Zoo for the 2020 season. Guests can get their last visits for the year to see the red pandas, along with the chimpanzees, meerkats, lions, bears, tigers and the other amazing animals from Friday, Nov. 20 – Sunday, Nov. 22.
Along with many new babies, including red pandas, armadillos, Canada lynx and others, the Zoo had had other exciting additions for the 2020 season. Guests are now welcomed by a new front entry valley, which includes a winding ADA compliant entry pathway, along with new restrooms, concession stand and groundwork to bring new animals into the Zoo family.
With the increased cases of COVID, the Zoo will require all guests ages 5 and older to wear a mask at all times and everywhere in the Zoo, including outdoor spaces. They also have again reduced guest capacity within the Zoo to allow space for social distancing.
With limited admission tickets available, guests are highly encouraged to reserve their timed tickets ahead of time to guarantee their preferred date and time. Tickets are available at www.jbzoo.org. John Ball Zoo will be open from 10 a.m. – 4 p.m.
For more information about the John Ball Zoo, visit jbzoo.com.
Applications for the Collegiate Vocal Competition are available. This competition is an opportunity for college-level voice students to compete for cash prizes and receive feedback from acclaimed opera artists.
Applications are now available for the Collegiate Vocal Competition hosted by Opera Grand Rapids. (pxhere.com)
The competition offers the second-largest purse in the nation with nearly $25,000, awarded. First place receives $10,000, second place receives $5,000, third receives $2,500, and the winner of the Friends of the Opera Award will receive $1,000.
For the first round of the competition, applicants will submit their performances online. The top ten finalists will perform in the final-round concert at the Betty Van Andel Opera Center in Grand Rapids on April 3, 2021.
Those who are interested in competing must be enrolled as an undergraduate at a higher-education institution in the United States and be under the age of 21 as of February 1, 2021. Applications are due by Feb 1, 2021. For more information on auditions visit https://www.operagr.org/collegiate-vocal-competition/
Mackinac State Historic Parks are providing artists with the opportunity to take up residency on Mackinaw Island. This is an opportunity for artists of all mediums such as writers, musicians, visual artists, and more.
“We were so pleased to have completed the second year of the program in 2020 and look forward to 2021,” said Mackinac State Historic Parks Director Steve Brisson. “It was inspiring to witness how Mackinac sparked the creativity of the various artists these last two years.”
Artists who are selected for residency will be able to choose from two – three-week residencies beginning in early June and continuing through early October of 2021. During their residency artists will live rent-free on the second floor of the Mackinac Island Visitor’s Center. In addition, the artist is asked to provide a public presentation (workshop, lecture, reading, demonstration, etc.) on the second Wednesday of their residency and contribute one piece of their work to Mackinac State Historic Parks within 12 months.
Artists will be picked by a jury of representatives from Mackinac State Historic Parks, the Mackinac Island Arts Council, and the Mackinac Island Community Foundation. The goal of the program is to encourage the creation of artworks inspired by the history, natural wonders, and beauty of Mackinac Island.
The holiday season will begin with the warm glow of hundreds of luminaries lining the streets of downtown St. Joseph from 5 – 8 p.m. Friday, Nov. 20. Luminary, sponsored by The Boulevard Inn & Bistro and Holt Bosse, creates a joyful atmosphere for all ages to enjoy sales/promotions, specialty items, drawings/giveaways, free gift wrapping and gift ideas galore from participating restaurants and shopkeepers.
“All ages are invited to head downtown for this festive event,” said Amy Zapal, executive director of St. Joseph Today. “Whether you’re looking to enjoy a delicious cup of hot chocolate, grab a sweet treat, or get a jump start on your holiday gift shopping it’s a great way to kick off the holiday season.”
Additionally, St. Joseph Today will kick off the holiday music a little earlier this year. Zapal says, “SJT added holiday music throughout downtown in 2019 as part of Window Wonderland.” Zapal goes on to say, “This year we wanted to start the holiday festivities a little earlier during the unofficial kickoff to the holiday shopping season. We’re hoping to spread a little extra cheer this year!”
Participating locations include 221 Main, Baroda Founders, Caffe Tosi, DK Boutique, G&M Variety, Grins, Oh My Darlings, Olive Cart, Perennial Accents, ReVive Spa, Silver Harbor Brewing, State Street Stuff, The Buck Burgers & Brew, The Natural Gem, Third Coast Surf Shop, and White Pine Winery.
NEW THIS YEAR: St. Joseph Today, Southwestern Michigan Tourist Council, City of St. Joseph, Southwest Michigan Regional Chamber, and Cornerstone Alliance have partnered together this winter season to create a magical experience that will bring more consumers and business to downtown St. Joseph.
Through this partnership, new winter lights will be placed downtown along State Street (from Elm Street to Ship Street) as well as Broad Street and Ship Street (Lake Boulevard. to Main Street) and Pleasant Street (Lake Bpi;evard. to Court Street). The winter lights will kick off Friday, Nov. 20, Luminary weekend, and remain up through February in conjunction with Light up the Bluff.
“Our hope is to make outdoor spaces more inviting during the winter.” Zapal goes on to say, “Downtown St. Joseph will transform into a winter wonderland, enticing visitors, shoppers and diners alike, for the holidays and throughout the winter. We invite the community to enjoy this winter season and support local businesses.”
Six members from the Grand Rapids Public Museum were recently recognized for their efforts to help clean two museums in Midland, Michigan, after a flood in the community. (Supplied)
The Grand Rapids Public Museum (GRPM) announced today that six members of the Museum’s staff have received the “Clean Up Warriors Award” from the Michigan Museums Association (MMA). The individuals are being recognized for their efforts in assisting with the cleanup at the Midland Area Historical Societyand the Sandford Centennial Museum this spring after two dams failed the Midland area, causing the museums to flood.
Those being recognized include:
Stevie Hornyak, GRPM Exhibits Specialist
Sarah Humes, GRPM Associate Registrar
Kelsey Laymon, GRPM Curatorial Assistant
Monica Taylor, GRPM Curatorial Assistant and Photographer
Jake Van Wyk, GRPM Collections Technician
Holly Waldenmeyer, GRPM Registrar and Collections Manager
“Congratulations to the team members of the GRPM staff for receiving this recognition for their efforts,” said Dale Robertson, President and CEO of the GRPM. “This work, all voluntary, was done under very difficult circumstances, in the midst of a pandemic. Their dedication to our community, state and museums does not go unnoticed.”
“It was an incredible opportunity to use our knowledge and skills to help the Midland Area Historical Society and the Sanford Centennial Museum, when the flooding and the COVID-19 pandemic were causing mass devastation. Our team joined forces with their staff to care for and save as many artifacts and records as possible.” said Sarah Humes, Associate Registrar at the GRPM. “On behalf of all of us from the GRPM that are receiving the Clean Up Warriors Award, we want to thank MMA for this recognition.”
Grand Rapids Museum staff lent their experience and expertise to museums in Midland that experienced a flood earlier this year. (Supplied)
Every year, the Michigan Museums Association presents awards members for exceptional programs, exhibits and individuals that made an impact during the year. 2020 has been challenging on many fronts, and this year the MMA will celebrate its members, individuals and institutions that supported, adapted, and innovated throughout the year.
A celebration led by the MMA of all 2020 award winners will take place via Zoom on Thursday, November 19 at 3 p.m. The celebration is open to the public; registration required. A full list of awards can be found here: http://michiganmuseums.org/2020-Awards/.
Located on the 27th floor of the recently renovated glass tower, MDRD (pronunciation: Madrid) will bring a vibrant all-occasion dining option to Grand Rapids, with modern Spanish cuisine, lavish libations, an energetic atmosphere and unobstructed river and city views.
“With its upscale yet comfortable ambiance, MDRD will offer an exciting new dining concept in Grand Rapids’ Hotel District,” said George Aquino, vice president and managing director of AHC Hospitality, the management company behind Amway Grand Plaza and MDRD. “With the most coveted city views in Michigan, MDRD will be a fun and intimate spot for date nights, evenings out on the town and special events—for locals and visitors alike.”
Designed by global design firm Gensler, MDRD will provide a dramatic and energetic experience in an accessible, decidedly unstuffy environment. The fresh approach will allow diners to select from a variety of experiences depending on the group or occasion, ranging from the casual social lounge to the cozy, welcoming bar area and high-end dining room, where every seat is the “best seat in the house” thanks to innovative stadium-style seating. A custom tile installation will spill through the space, reminiscent of falling confetti and the classic costumes associated with Spain’s famous Carnival celebration. Custom lighting will hang above, a modern take on the hoops and batons of street performers, while bright murals of Spanish neighborhoods handcrafted by local artist Maddie Jackson will adorn the walls.
With accomplished Chef Stephan VanHeulen as executive chef, MDRD’s flavorful menu will be inventive yet approachable, including meat and seafood main dishes like fileta a la plancha, beef tenderloin steak with piquillo pepper and black garlic sauce, thumbelina carrot, wild mushroom, confit potato and anise jus; and bacalao al ajillo, lightly salted cod in garlic sauce with grilled scallion, chorizo oil and potato pave.
Spanish classics like patatas bravas and paella will also grace the menu, plus beautiful and decadent desserts by pastry chef Doug Orr, innovative cocktails and an extensive wine list with a focus on Spanish varietals.
“We can’t wait to see how diners at MDRD respond to Chef VanHuelen’s take on Spanish classics, his love letter to Spain,” said general manager Parker Bulliment. “Combined with our staff’s impeccable service and the space’s mesmerizing views, every dining experience at MDRD will be one to remember.”
MDRD will be open for dinner service from Tuesday to Thursday, 4:30 to 10 p.m., and Friday and Saturday from 4:30 to 11 p.m. Proper COVID precautions will be taken in accordance with state and local guidelines. For more information on Amway Grand Plaza and MDRD, please visit www.amwaygrand.com/dining/mdrd.
The Fornosan Clouded Leopard looks mournfully at the passerby while in the distance a large yellow construction truck sits on top of the remanence of a forest; the forest that was once his home.
Today animals are going extinct at rapid rates. The Fornosan Clouded Leopard is an example of this as it was driven to extinction by habitat destruction and illegal hunting. According to the World Wild Life organization, over the past 40 years there has been a 60% decline in the size of animal populations. In Michigan, there are currently 25 species listed under the Endangered Species Act (ESA).
The Grand Rapids Public Museum is working to being attention to this important topic in its latest exhibit “Wild Connections,” which features more than 20 Lego sculptures that explore mankind’s relationship with nature.
“In this exhibit you will be able to explore larger than life Lego creations such as wildlife, plants and insects, as well as how humans interact with nature, ” said GRPM Marketing Manager Alee’a Cherry. “This exhibit appeals to everyone of all ages and it also bridges art, creativity, and science,”
The artist behind the exhibit Sean Kenney, who uses the toy blocks to explore animal endangerment, the balance of ecosystems, and mankind’s relationship with nature. The exhibit highlights animals big and small and explores the balance of ecosystems, predator/prey relationships, as well as the relationships between humankind and the natural world.
Kenney lives in New York City and understands the importance of preserving nature. He believes that everything in nature is interconnected and this exhibition allows visitors to appreciate both nature and the sculptures as something beautiful. His goal is to celebrate the inherent beauty in nature and to protect animal habitats.
“Growing Ideas” (WKTV Journal/Anna Johns)
Of the 20 sculptures, Cherry said she could see a couple become fan favorites.
“The bike because it is so large and you feel like you can get right on and ride it,” she said with a laugh.
Near the large red tricycle, is “Growing Ideas,” another piece that Cherry said she believes will also be a fan favorite.
“Being able to see all the intricate parts of the city created in Lego bricks is just truly amazing,” she said.
This piece, which is a large-scale city scape with a cloud of ideas hanging over, was built with more than half a million Legos and was one of the biggest projects Kenney and his team ever took on. The Legos represent ideas that fall from the tree raining down onto the city showing that inspiration and creativity have no limits.
“Deforestation” (WKTV Journal/Anna Johns)
In addition to the exhibit, visitors have the opportunity to participate in interactive activities. Guests can pose for a Lego-themed photo or follow the animal tracks for a scavenger hunt. They can also test their skills with challenges such as “How far can you jump?,” and “How tall are you in Legos?”
“We hope that people walk away with the inspiration to create something,” Cherry said. “We want to make sure people go home with the information they need to research more, make informed decisions, and also create.”
“Wild Connections” is open until May 2, 2021. Tickets are $12 for adults and $7 for children with discounts for museum members and Kent County residents. Advanced ticketing is required and tickets can be purchased at https://www.grpm.org/legos/.
In recognition of Veterans Day this week and in honor of all veterans, the Gilmore Car Museum is offering free admission to the museum this week through Sunday, Nov. 15.
The Gilmore, located at Hickory Corners just outside of Kalamazoo, will allow all active, inactive and veteran U.S. military personnel to take advantage of their free admission to the the museum, its car collection, and its 90-acre historic campus.
The Gilmore Car Museum is North America’s largest auto museum with more than 400 vehicles on display, according to supplied material. Its mission is to tell the history of America through the automobile.
“At the Gilmore Car Museum, we take great pride in honoring our country’s servicemen and women, who for generations have sacrificed to protect our freedoms, and protect the American way of life,” Josh Russell, executive director of the Gilmore Car Museum, said in supplied material. “Welcoming these veterans and active duty service people into our museum is just a small way to thank them for their service and dedication to our great country.”
The Gilmore points out that attending veterans and military personnel should be sure to take special notice of the 1941 Bantam BRC-40 Reconnaissance Car, which is currently on feature display in the museum’s Campania barn.
According to supplied material, prior to Ford and Willys production of “General Purpose” vehicles that would become known worldwide as the “Jeep,” these early BRC-40s were prototypes produced for the U.S. Army by American Bantam Car Company, in Butler, PA. Two additional prototypes were produced through a partnership between Bantam and Checker Car Company in Kalamazoo.
During Veterans Week at the museum, veterans and service-people are also entitled to a 10 percent discount on purchases from the Gilmore Car Museum store.
There will also be special hours for Veterans Week, 10 a.m., to 5 p.m., Thursday to Sunday, Nov. 12-15.
Upon arrival, service-people and veterans can present their Military ID, VA cards, veteran organization membership cards, or discharge papers at the entrance for free admission. For other attending family members or friends, tickets can be purchased either upon entry at the museum, or in advance at GilmoreCarMuseum.org.
The Grand Rapids Ballet’s 2020-21 virtual season begins this week with the all-too-appropriately titled program Business as (un)usual — which includes a world premiere by Princess Grace Award winner and Beyoncé choreographer Darrell Grand Moultrie.
Moultrie, in fact, offered a telling observation of dance in the time of COVID-19 via a Nov. 2 commentary on an Instagram photo posted by the Ballet, one it which you see the choreographer leading a Zoom rehearsal with he remote and company dancer Adriana Wagenveld on stage.
“I love and hate this photo by Scott Rasmussen,” Moultrie writes. “I love the shot because it is beautiful but the empty seats hit me with the reality of the present state. This is hard. Hold on and hold each other tight. Keep laughing. Keep hope. Keep dreaming.”
Certainly the Grand Rapids Ballet is keeping hope and dreaming — and exploring new means of artistic expression — with its new season.
A scene from a work by Grand Rapids Ballet dancer Yuka Oba-Muschiana (Supplied/Scott Rasmussen)
Starting this weekend, Nov. 13-15, with Business as (un)usual, available virtually either as part of a season subscription or, now, a single virtual program ticket, the Ballet will offer four programs including “a reimagined version of The Nutcracker,” produced in partnership with Grand Rapids own SALT Creative Production Studio.
The Nutcracker Experience will be available Dec. 18-27. In March 2021, Collective Force will be offered, and in April the program will be Jumpstart: on Film.
“I am proud to present a season unlike any other in our 49-year history,” James Sofranko, artistic director of the Grand Rapids Ballet, said in supplied material. “While we will miss the exhilaration of performing in a theater for a live audience, we are excited to present our art in a new way, delivered virtually to you in the comfort of your own home.”
While season subscriptions are no longer available, individual “tickets” are available for $15 for each show — and the ballet says they “kindly suggest you purchase one per person viewing.”
Each program is available to view as many times as desired for 72 hours from the time of online premiere. The Nutcracker Experience is the exception; it will be available to view as many times as desired Dec. 18-27.
The 2020-21 ballet season in brief
Violinist Gene Hahn (Supplied/Scott Rasmussen)
Business as (un)usual is a mix of new and existing works featuring the world premiere by Moultrie, a world premiere by Sofranko featuring a collaboration with violinist Gene Hahn, a world premiere by company dancer Yuka Oba-Muschiana, Christopher Stowell’s A Midsummer Night’s Dream pas de deux from the postponed 2019-20 season featuring the music of Felix Mendelssohn, works by resident choreographer Penny Saunders, and works by company dancers Gretchen Steimle and Matthew Wenckowski.
The Nutcracker Experience, a new version of the beloved holiday classic, has choreography by Val Caniparoli, with many of the “favorite on-stage moments, behind-the-scenes interviews and rehearsals” and musical accompaniment of Grand Rapids Symphony.
Collective Force will feature “the world’s most celebrated and in-demand choreographers” — Penny Saunders, Danielle Rowe, Adam Hougland, Jennifer Archibald, Amy Seiwert, Edwaard Liang, Katarzyna Skarpetowska, and Trey McIntyre — “contributing to a performance that will truly be an immersive tour de force.” In addition, Sofranko will present a new work featuring the music of Michigan-based cellist Jordan Hamilton.
Jumpstart: on Film will be choreographed by the dancers of Grand Rapids Ballet and offers an “innovative program (that) will also provide them the unique opportunity to explore a completely new layer of creativity and expression: filmmaking.
The Grand Rapids Public Museum (GRPM) announced a new family-fun experience with the Grand Rapids Santa virtually for 2020. Santa can visit families virtually through a LIVE Zoom chat or downloadable video message to the kids or entire family.
Santa will be making Zoom calls to families at a pre-scheduled time, or families have the option to receive a downloadable customized video message directly from Santa. Purchases of a Virtual Santa message or Zoom chat support the Grand Rapids Public Museum.
Santa and Mrs. Claus will be staying at the North Pole until Christmas Day but will be calling to visit with local children. (Supplied)
“Knowing that many holiday traditions will likely look different this year, the GRPM is offering a safe way for families to visit with Santa,” said Gina Schulz, vice president of development for the GRPM. “The entire family will have fun with either a call from Santa directly or a customized message to play anytime you’d like. Each purchase also supports the Museum’s ongoing exhibits and programs.”
Direct calls from Santa will cost $35. Calls will take place over Zoom. Downloadable videos will cost $30 and videos will be emailed directly from Santa to the purchaser. Videos will be available for purchase through Dec. 13, and for those looking for a last-minute gift from Santa, live Zoom calls will be available from Dec. 14 – 21 for $45. Virtual Santa messages and Zoom calls can be reserved or purchased at grpm.org/Santa or by calling 616-929-1700.
Taylor “Tay” Terry performs her play rehearsal in front of a webcam and green screen for the upcoming production of The Revolutionists. Terry is playing the role of Marie Antoinette. (Supplied)
Performances are next week for the virtual production of a play presented by the Grand Valley State University theater program.
The presentation of “The Revolutionists” by Lauren Gunderson will be livestreamed at 7:30 p.m. Monday, Wednesday and Friday, Nov. 9, 11 and 13.
Auditions and rehearsals were conducted over screens and traditional staging is reimagined for the virtual world. Each actor will occupy a small room individually while interacting virtually with cast members during the performance. The technical crew will take images obtained through webcams in each room and feed them into a streaming system for the audience to see.
Madison Williams performs her play rehearsal in front of a webcam and green screen for the upcoming production of The Revolutionists. Williams is playing the role of Marianne Angelle. (Supplied)
The cast for “The Revolutionists” is four characters. The play is described as an “irreverent, girl-powered comedy set during the French Revolution’s Reign of Terror.”
Karen Libman, professor of theater and production director, said the goal is to carry on while facing the same challenges that all theaters are facing worldwide due to the pandemic. She also wants to ensure that the production stays true to the performing art by having the element of liveness that is inherent in theater.
“How can we do theater differently to continue to be able to practice our art and bring these performances to audiences?” Libman said. “How can we bring some kind of interactivity, some kind of liveness, so that it will not be like watching a film but will continue what is special to the discipline of theater?”
The Grand Rapids Public Museum (GRPM) continues its 2020 Mighty Wurlitzer Organ Concerts with a Classic Melodies concert performed by Brett Valiant, on Friday, Nov. 20, at 7 p.m.
Teleport back in time with the GRPM to pay tribute to the Roaring 20s, during a lively concert performed by Brett Valliant. Enjoy listening to classics such as Ding Dong Ding, Dream Lover, Bye Bye. Valliant is a popular American organist with the ability to perform different genres of music on the dynamic instrument. Critics across the world have defined his performances as “exciting,” “refreshing”, “unorthodox”, and “astonishing.”
Valliant is currently the main organist at the famous Organ Stop Pizza in Mesa, Arizona, where he’s been for several years, playing the world’s largest Wurlitzer on a weekly basis. Valliant has played nationwide and at concert venues ranging from Australia to Russia.
Organ concerts are offered virtually and in person. Virtual organ concerts will be brought into the homes of ticket holders, with a fantastic screen presentation highlighting organists playing the 1928 Mighty Wurlitzer Theater Organ, with various views including an up-close view of the organist playing the keys. The in person concert experience allows attendees to immerse themselves in the dynamic sounds and acoustics of the Mighty Wurlitzer Theater Organ. Limited capacity; masks required for in person concerts.
The Classic Melodies Mighty Wurlitzer Organ Concert will be live streamed from the GRPM’s Meijer Theater and will be available to watch via a Zoom link. Virtual tickets are $5 per member, $10 for the public. Special group rates available. Only one ticket link needed per household or group. In person tickets are $10 per member, $15 for the public. Tickets are available by visiting www.grpm.org/Organ or by calling 616-929-1700.
Additional Mighty Wurlitzer Theater Organ Concerts – Virtual and In person!
The third and final artist in the 2020 series will be Lance Luce performing a collection of seasonal favorites in a Holiday Classics concert on Friday, Dec. 18, at 7 p.m.
Deck the halls and grab the Eggnog! A Virtually Celtic Christmas concert is coming to the Holland Civic Center Place on Sunday, Dec. 6, at 7 p.m. Tickets are available by ordering through this link –www.showtix4u.com/event-details/42364. and will stream on the ShowTix4U platform.
Purchasing a ticket for A Virtually Celtic Christmas will give access to a wonderful Holiday show performed by some of Ireland’s most talented artists and will also lend your support to both the Ottawa Area Schools Doing More. Together. initiative, a unique partnership program among schools, employers, and community organizations throughout the region with a shared goal of preparing students for their future, and the Holland Civic Center Place during these difficult times.
Filmed at the National Opera House of Ireland, the festive Holiday concert features the ethereal voice of top Irish tenor Michael Londra, backed by the Irish Concert Orchestra, two nationally acclaimed choirs (Valda Choir and The Presentation Children’s Choir), and top-class guest singers and musicians from the island of Ireland.
A Virtually Celtic Christmas features a mix of heartwarming traditional carols such as The Wexford Carol performed in the county it was composed, haunting ancient Gaelic hymns, Holiday standards and original songs that audiences familiar with Michael’s recordings will know well. In short, a wonderful array of songs to warm the listener on a winter’s evening.
Renowned Irish composer Liam Bates serves as musical director and conductor for the show and indeed is responsible for the concert’s beautiful choral arrangements. Special guests for the night include Eoin Colfer, New York Times bestselling author of Artemis Fowl. Friends since childhood, Bates and Colfer teamed up in 2017 to compose a new Holiday Musical called NOËL, songs from which are featured in A Virtually Celtic Christmas, and are beautifully performed by West End star and Northern Ireland native Zoë Rainey (Hairspray, Wicked).
Leading tenor Michael Londra is originally from County Wexford in Ireland, home of the National Opera House and birthplace of the National Opera Festival. Londra was the first local artist to perform at the beautiful space on opening night 2009. Over the past year Londra has spent a lot of time in his homeland filming a new series for Public Television called Ireland with Michael. The travel and music show featuring some of Ireland’s biggest stars, will debut on PBS in the spring of 2021. Audiences of A Virtually Celtic Christmas will get a sneak preview of the show during the concert.
Londra is best known as the lead voice of Riverdance on Broadway and for his Emmy® nominated show Beyond Celtic, on PBS.
Tickets Types and Pricing
$25 – Unique streaming link to A Virtually Celtic Christmas – valid for up to 48 hours after the concert date.
$35 – Unique streaming link to A Virtually Celtic Christmas – valid for up to 48 hours after the concert date & Signed DVD of the show delivered to your home.
$50 – Unique streaming link to A Virtually Celtic Christmas – valid for up to 48 hours after the concert date & Signed DVD of the show delivered to your home & a personal Meet and Greet via Zoom with Michael Londra.
More information about Doing More. Together.and to support the initiative directly, please visit their website: doingmoretogether.org
Visit www.civiccenterplace.com to learn more about this and other events happening at our venue.
Local jazz pianists Robin Connell and Steve Talaga recorded a duo jazz piano concert this week, on Tuesday, Nov. 3, sponsored by Aquinas College. And those needing a little “post-election” diversion can catch it tonight on Facebook.
The concert is set to be available for free at the college’s Facebook page, see here, on Saturday, Nov. 7, at 7:30 p.m. The concert may also be available later on YouTube.
“It was so fun to play duo piano with Steve,” Connell said to WKTV.
Both Connell and Talaga are no strangers to the local jazz scene.
Robin Connell (Supplied)
Originally from Detroit, according to her website, Connell is equally at home as a jazz pianist or jazz pianist/vocalist, performing regularly in clubs, concerts, and private parties as solo pianist, leader of her own trio/jazz quartet, or side woman with other musicians.
Pianist, composer and arranger, Talaga has been performing professionally for more than 40 years, according to his website. He was chosen as the West Michigan Jazz Society’s 2008 Jazz Musician of the Year, and has released eight compact discs under his own name. His most recent project is the band, Lifeline, featuring himself on keyboards, his son Stephen Talaga on guitar, Caleb Elzinga on sax, and Larry Ochiltree on drums. Their debut CD, “No Worries”, dropped in October 2019.
St. Cecilia Music Center’s scheduled virtual concert with Bob James will move from Nov. 4 to Dec. 17, according to an announcement from St. Cecilia. But the concert is now planned as a “holiday performance from his Traverse City home including surprise guests.”
St. Cecilia’s fall 2020 virtual concert series is free and available via the internet on a computer or smart television. For more information about the St. Cecilia virtual concerts see scmc-online.org/virtual/.
In addition to the rescheduled Bob James concert on Dec. 17, there will be a special concert by the Chamber Music Society of Lincoln Center on Dec. 3 featuring Anne-Marie McDermott and other CMS artists.
Martha’s Vineyard concert packages will be available both concerts. The Martha’s Vineyard packages are a wine and cheese “goodie bag” package which can be purchased and supports St. Cecilia.
These special Martha’s Vineyard concert packages are available by pre-order and will be delivered on the concert date. All proceeds from these purchases benefit SCMC. Priced at $65, each package includes one bottle of wine — a red, white or bubbly — and a block of aged Gouda cheese, nuts, fig spread, crackers, veggie chips and gourmet chocolate. For more information visit here.
The above image shows where Jupiter and Saturn will be around 8 p.m. Halloween night in the southern sky (right side). In the eastern sky (left) is Mars and the Blue Moon. (Supplied)
While many people are discussing the Blue Moon happening this Halloween, there is even a rarer astronomical occurrence taking place right now: the great conjunction of Jupiter and Saturn.
“The last time that Jupiter and Saturn were this close was in 1623,” said Chaffee Planetarium Manager Jack Daleske. “That was when Galileo was alive and he was the first person every to point a telescope to the moon.”
According to earthsky.org, astronomers use “conjunction” to describe the meeting of planets and other objects in the sky. The term “great conjunction” is used to describe the meeting of Jupiter and Saturn, the two biggest worlds in our solar system.
Because Saturn and Jupiter are the slowest-moving visible planets in the solar system — it takes Saturn 29.5 years to move around the sun and Jupiter about 11.89 years —their conjunctions are the rarest. Jupiter and Saturn meet up on average about 19.6 years and the last time that happened was in 2000.
A closer look at Saturn and Jupiter on Halloween night. (Supplied)
However, what makes the 2020 meet up special is that the two planets will be about six minutes or .1 degrees apart. That distance is about a fifth of the diameter of a full moon.
“So if people look to the southern sky, just after the sun sets, they will see Saturn and Jupiter,” Daleske said. The two planets will continue to move closer and closer until Dec. 21. On that date, astronomers will be able to point a telescope at Jupiter and see Saturn behind it.
“Unfortunately for us, the planets will be right on the horizon in our area, so it will be difficult to see,” Daleske said. “This means we will have to relay on others who have a better view.”
This makes for a good reason for people to head out now to see the two big planets together.
“Even in the city with the light pollution making it difficult to see the stars, the planets are brighter and should be visible,” he said.
Also, local weather focusers and the National Weather Channel are showing Halloween to be a clear night, making it a great night —and also a COVID safe activity — to look at the stars.
Blue Moon and Red Mars
While outside, Daleske said people should be able to see that famous red planet, Mars, in the eastern sky.
And of course, there will be that Blue Moon.
“First, the moon won’t be blue,” Daleske said. “Because it is harvest season which means there is a lot of debris in the air which tints our atmosphere, the moon will be more orange.”
Mars and the blue moon will be visible in the eastern sky. (Supplied)
The cycle of the moon is how the current year-calendar was created with there being one full moon a month. A Blue Moon simply refers to two full moons in one month, which Daleske noted shows how the human calendar is not completely accurate (which is the reason some months have 30 days and others have 31 and one month can’t decide between 28 or 29 days). The Blue Moon, which has a host of names depending on when it appears, happens on average about 2.7 years.
What makes the October 2020 Blue Moon unique? Well, it happens on Halloween, the first time in about 76 years according to the Farmer’s Almanac.
“I’m sure it will make it more spooky this Halloween,” Daleske said with a laugh. The real truth? “To be honest, it is just chance. Pure chance,” he added.
Starting this week, the John Ball Zoo has added music to its IlluniZoo — A Glenlore Tale!, which runs through Nov. 15.
The illuminating journey is designed to tell the tale of the connection between wildlife and wild places. Discover vibrant lighted creatures that come alive at night to help tell the tale and experience a magical show of lights and sounds. IllumiZoo – a Glenlore Tale is a mile-long, outdoor nighttime journey through the upper and lower realms of John Ball Zoo. It takes about 45 minutes to an hour to walk through.
All music nights are on Thursday and are from 9 p.m. to midnight. The schedule is:
Oct. 29: Electronic Dance Music Night
Nov. 5: Pink Floyd’s Dark Side of the Moon Music Night
Grand Rapids’ Eastern Kille Distillery has a little Halloween treat to share, of the adult beverage variety and in two styles: a little traditional and a little gross.
The distillery, located at 700 Ottawa Ave. NW, has two Halloween cocktail kits ready for mixing on that spooky night or any chilly fall evening: a Half Blood Prince kit — ready made for serving with creepy fake eyeballs (not supplied but shown) — and a Hot Rum Cider kit, for those less in the gross-out mood.
The Half Blood Prince cocktail kit can be ordered in the standard size (4 cocktails) or party size (12 cocktails). It features raspberry, pomegranate, blueberry, sage and maple flavorings along with Eastern Kille Aged Rum … to make “blood red cocktails to compliment your favorite scary movies,” we are told.
The Eastern Kille cider kit. (Eastern Kille)
The Hot Rum Cider cocktail kit is intended to be created in a large batch and serves 20 cocktails. Featuring fresh local cider, cinnamon, ginger Eastern Kille Aged Rum, and Appelflappen — a liquor that tastes like the also named Dutch pastry, we assume — this kit creates “a warm punch perfect to enjoy the cool holiday weekend with.”
You can order your Halloween cocktail kits online and pick up at the Eastern Kille Distillery Tasting Room beginning Thursday, Oct. 29. If you would prefer to remain in your vehicle, they are offering curbside delivery.
Eastern Kille Distillery can be reached at 616-893-3305 or by visiting easternkille.com.
Historic distiller Joseph Magnus joins Holland’s Coppercraft
A (really) old Magnus bottle, circa 1903. (Supplied)
It as announced recently that Joseph A. Magnus & Co., a premium brand of award-winning bourbons and dry gins, will relocate its operations from Washington, D.C., to Holland, Mich., later this month.
Joseph Magnus will “share both talent and production space” with Coppercraft Distillery, according to the announcement. “Coppercraft’s distilling team will work closely with Joseph Magnus master blender Nancy Fraley in a space reserved for Magnus’ triple cask blending and finishing process.”
Joseph Magnus master blender Nancy Fraley, doing her thing. (Supplied)
The return to Michigan is sort of a coming home for the brand, as the eponymous Joseph Magnus had a summer home in Oden, Michigan, in the early 1900s, where he was an active and philanthropic member of the community. In 1921, he purchased a tract of land on the shores of Little Traverse Bay and donated it to the City of Petoskey. (If you know the Traverse area you know Magnus State Park as well as other ties to the historic name and brand.)
The celebrated Magnus brand was originally founded in 1892 in Cincinnati, Ohio, and reestablished in 2015 in Washington, D.C.
“We’re excited to be bringing the Magnus brand home to Michigan to support the next phase of our growth,” Ali Anderson, general manager for Magnus, said in supplied material. “West Michigan is known for its storied history of quality craftsmanship and industry and we are proud to contribute to that legacy in our new location in Holland.”
Michigan Brewers Guild members bring home the bling
It was recently announced that five Michigan breweries brought home a collective six medals from this year’s the Great American Beer Festival Competition in Denver, Co., which is said to be the largest commercial beer competition in the world.
The winners included the big and small of Michigan brewers, from Founders Brewing Company in Grand Rapids to Silver Harbor Brewing Co. in St. Joseph and Stormcloud Brewing Co. in Frankfort. All are members of the Michigan Brewers Guild.
Just for the heck of it, three maybe interesting, maybe boring groups of facts:
Judges the competition evaluated 8,806 entries from 1,720 breweries from all 50 states, and the “socially distanced judging” took place in 35 sessions over 18 days, with strict safety measures in place.
The beer category with the highest number of entries? Juicy or hazy India Pale Ale, with 377.
And, according to the Michigan Brewers Guild, Michigan’s brewing industry contributes more than 21,000 full-time jobs and $872 million in labor income, with a total economic impact of over $2.5 billion. In terms of overall number of breweries, microbreweries and brewpubs, Michigan ranks 6th in the nation — supporting its title as “The Great Beer State.”
Gun Lake Casino will host an outdoor family-friendly movie event that is designed to help collect toys for the annual Marine Corps Reserve’s holiday campaign, Toys for Tots.
“Gun Lake Casino has been an ongoing and loyal sponsor of Toys for Tots for many years,” said Jeff LaFrance, director of marketing for Gun Lake Casino. “In 2019, more than $35,000 in new toys were collected for children of Michigan at Gun Lake Casino.
“This year, the number of parents in need of support has grown tremendously. We are hopeful that through our ongoing efforts, Gun Lake Casino will be able to alleviate some of the stress local families feel this holiday season.”
To kick off the annual initiative, Gun Lake Casino will host “Wheels and Reels,” an outdoor fundraiser for all ages. From the comfort of their car, families may watch showings of holiday-themed movies, the first at 6 p.m. and the second at 9 p.m. The large, double-sided screen will be located at the west entrance of the casino where guests will be welcomed by the Marine Corps Reserve ready to collect new, unwrapped toy donations.
Starting this week, those wishing to support Toys for Tots may purchase tickets at gunlakecasino.com/toysfortots. Event tickets must be purchased online, prior to the start of the movie. For a minimum donation of $15 per vehicle, every ticket will include a package of concession-style snacks. All proceeds raised at the event will be used to purchase toys for this holiday season.
Following the family event, until the end of November, guests with new unwrapped gifts, accompanied by a receipt, may receive up to $50 in free slot play for their donation. Gun Lake Casino will participate in the collection of toys for local children until Dec.15. For more information, visit gunlakecasino.com/toysfortots.
For the first time since the pandemic began in March, Tibbits will host an audience with MonsterFest, which takes to the big screen with “A Nightmare Before Christmas” and two Looney Tunes cartoons on Saturday, Oct. 31 at 7 p.m.
The feature of the night is the popular 1993 Halloween stop-motion animated film “A Nightmare Before Christmas,” which follows the misadventures of Jack Skellington, Halloweentown’s beloved pumpkin king. Skellington has become bored with the same annual routine of frightening people in the “real world.” When Jack accidentally stumbles on Christmastown, all bright colors and warm spirits, he gets a new lease on life — he plots to bring Christmas under his control by kidnapping Santa Claus and taking over the role. But Jack soon discovers that his attempts to bring Christmas to his home causes more trouble than he expected.
Prior to “A Nightmare Before Christmas,” Tibbits will screen two classic cartoon shorts. In 1956’s “Broom-Stick Bunny,” Witch Hazel’s claim to be the ugliest witch of all is threatened by a Halloween witch who turns out to be Bugs Bunny trick-or-treating. Next, 1948’s “Scaredy Cat” follows the adventure ofPorky and Sylvester, who spend the night in an old dark house where a cult of killer mice tries to eliminate them both. Sylvester tries to warn Porky, but he is convinced that Sylvester is a coward.
The event begins at 7 p.m. with theatre doors opening and seating beginning at 6:15 p.m. Presale tickets are $8 each; any remaining tickets will be sold at the door at $10 each. Tickets are all general admission. Seating will be limited and socially-distanced; some seats will be roped off and unavailable.
Come early and get a photo in front of the Monsterfest photo backdrop in the lobby or with Maleficent, who will add to the spooktacular atmosphere.
Concessions, including alcoholic beverages, will be available for purchase. No outside food or drink is allowed inside the theatre. COVID protocols will be followed, with masks required for entry. To order tickets, please visit Tibbits.org or call 517-278-6029.
Farmers Alley Theatre will feature the original one-woman show, The Conviction of Lady Lorraine, written and performed by Dwandra Nickole Lampkin. The play will be on the online streaming platform BROADWAY ON DEMAND, available thru Apple TV, Roku, Amazon Fire, and your PC beginning Oct. 29 and available for streaming thru Nov. 5.
Set in Memphis, TN near the Lorraine Motel where Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. was assassinated—a writer has a brief but powerful encounter with a homeless woman, Lady Lorraine. She finds herself transformed by Lady Lorraine’s more than 20-year quest to right a social wrong. One year later, the writer returns to Memphis, hoping that Lady Lorraine will share her full story of conviction. But the writer quickly finds herself asking new questions about many things, and finding that Lady Lorraine is not the only one on a quest for recognition.
Dwandra Nickole Lampkin is as an associate professor of Theatre at Western Michigan University. Local audiences will remember her from the Farmers Alley stage in the productions of Doubt, a parable, The Christians, and Clybourne Park. Lampkin had previously performed Lady Lorraine, to a sold-out weekend of houses at Farmers Alley Theatre in January of 2018.
Visual artist George Segal was a sculptor, yes. But the current multi-medium exhibit at Frederik Meijer Gardens & Sculpture Park, “George Segal: Body Language”, is clear evidence he was as interested in the human condition as he was in human representation.
The exhibit had a COVID-19 delayed opening this summer, and will continue on display at Meijer Gardens through January 2021.
After having lived with the exhibit for several months, WKTV caught up with Jochen Wierich, Meijer Gardens’ Curator of Sculpture & Sculpture Exhibitions, to talk about the reasons one visit with Segal’s works is probably not enough to understand and fully appreciate the artist and his art.
While Segal (1924-2000) was often, and in Wierich’s opinion unfittingly, lumped into the Pop Art era of the late 1950s and ‘60s — along with artists such as Andy Warhol and Roy Lichtenstein — Segal was much more an observer of human nature, an explorer of human emotion.
That exploration of human nature and emotion is singularly clear in “Woman in Arm Chair”, already on permanent display at Meijer Gardens. But particularly telling to Wierich is “Street Crossing”, a 1992 work with several ambiguous figures moving through a fictional crossroads, seemingly blind to one another and to their surroundings, and on display as part of the current exhibition.
“Street Crossing is a very different piece because it shows Segal working with a large group of people, the scene he observed in New York, crossing the street and seeing people intersecting but not really interacting,” Wierich said. “It is a wonderful example of how he observed life, how he looked at people in everyday life.
“You might say, in today’s world of COVID-19, it already shows a bit of awareness of how people share space and how they navigate their physical distance. Or not.”
In WKTV’s video interview with Wierich, the art expert and educator also touched on how the current exhibit explores Segal’s works in many mediums, not just in sculpture, as well as why he did not always fit in neatly with his Pop Art peers.
“George Segal: Body Language” spans the career of Segal and focuses on his “creative vision in representing body language across a variety of materials,” as stated in supplied material. This is the first exhibition of Segal’s work at Meijer Gardens since 2004 and is the first time that a selection of the gift of 32 prints, one sculpture and three wall reliefs from the Segal Foundation and Rena Segal will be on display.
Frederik Meijer Gardens & Sculpture Park is located at 1000 E Beltline Ave NE, Grand Rapids. For more information visit meijergardens.org.
WKTV college interns Rachel Weber and Matt Main contributed to this story.
The Muskegon Museum of Art (MMA) has opened a new exhibition this week—Russell Prather: Layers and Light—featuring the work of Michigan artist Russell Prather in a solo installation-style exhibition of his most recent work. The exhibition will run through Jan. 17, 2021.
The Artist’s Vision and the Viewer’s Vision Prather’s work consists of multiple flat layers of opaque and translucent surfaces that create illusions of three-dimensional forms that change depending on the viewer’s perspective. Senior Curator Art Martin shares the artist’s vision:
“And the Heart is Pleased by One Thing After Another,” a poetic fragment written by the ancient Greek poet Archilochus, is Russell Prather’s point of inspiration, demonstrating the joy that comes as exploration reveals a sequence of discoveries. Prather paints patterns on transparent polyester sheets that, when layered together, establish new forms that shift depending on the position of the viewer. As your point of view changes, so too does what you see, allowing you to redefine what you perceive in subtle to dramatic ways.
About Russell Prather Prather is a professor at Northern Michigan University, where he teaches interdisciplinary English and Honors courses on Eighteenth Century and Romantic Literary and Visual Culture, Word and Image, Fine Art: Modern Sources, Film. His work has appeared at ArtPrize in Grand Rapids.
Video Artist Talk: Q&A with Russell Prather A video artist talk with Russell Prather and a virtual walk-through of the exhibition will be available starting October 22 on the MMA’s Youtube channel.
Visitor Information The Muskegon Museum of Art, at 296 W. Webster Ave., Muskegon, Michigan, is open Tuesdays through Sundays, 11:00 am – 4:00 pm and closed Mondays. Visit www.muskegonartmuseum.org for up-to-date information.
The Livery presents its 6th Annual Funk Fest – a celebration of wild & sour ales – on Oct. 20 to 25. The week will have specialty beer tappings, specialty firkins, a bottle release, and some funky food.
The Livery will be taking the entire week to celebrate their wild/funky/sours brews in lieu of the typical weekend blowout. There is something special lined up for each day starting Tuesday, Oct 20, and ending on Sunday, Oct. 25.
So make plans to stop by and get your funk on!
Tuesday: “Verchuosity 2020” tapping (Sour/Oak Aged Belgian Amber with Cherries) (+ “Mueuze”, “Maillot Noir”, “Black Lily” hit the beer board)
Wednesday: “Sour Sop Spontaneous Combustion” tapping (Sour/Oak Aged Dark Wheat with Sour Sop addition)
Thursday: “Golden Caruba” tapping (Sour/Oak Aged Golden Ale with Caruba addition)
The Roger B. Chaffee Planetarium (Grand Rapids Public Museum)
The Roger B. Chaffee Planetarium, located at the Grand Rapids Public Museum, has officially reopened and is offering a new show designed by a West Michigan native.
“We have been working on a new show experience for our visitors, and look forward to sharing it with our audiences. Incoming! at the Chaffee Planetarium was developed in partnership with a NASA scientist, and created for learners at all levels across the learning spectrum,” said Dr. Stephanie Ogren, the Museum’s vice president of science and education.
One of the new shows is Incoming!, which was made in partnership with NASA scientist Brent Bos, who is currently studying asteroids and grew up in West Michigan. The show will explore asteroids, comets, and meteors. California Academy of Sciences developed the visuals for the show using real time date from current NASA missions. Outside of the planetarium there is a set of interactive experiences. These include a lunar crater station, meteors under a microscope and a meteor pinball machine.
“Creating interactive experiences that tie directly into planetarium show content allows visitors to dive deeper into what interests them about space,” said Jack Daleske, the Museum’s planetarium manager. “Being able to see real meteorites from the GRPM Collections after watching Incoming! allows visitors to better understand what they learned in that show.
The planetarium also will be showing One World, One Sky which follows Big Bird and Elmo from Sesame Street and their friend from China Hu Hu Zhu. Together they blast off on an imaginary trip to outer space where they learn about the moon, stars, sun, and the Big dipper.
The shows have a limited compacity and it is recommended to purchase tickets in advance. Tickets cost $2 for members and $4 for the general public. Purchase tickets in advance at grpm.org/planetarium. School groups may reserve their visit at grpm.org/schools. The Chaffee Planetarium will host multiple shows per week with enough time in between for a thorough cleaning.
It will be opera at the baseball field on Oct. 23. (Supplied)
Opera GR will be showing a live performance of Mozart’s comedy Così fan tutte on the jumbotron at Fifth Third Ballpark Friday, Oct. 23, at 6:30 p.m. The event will allow people to enjoy the performance while safely distancing from one another.
Così fan tutte is a comedic piece about a bachelor and a maid working together to unite two couples at a school for lovers. The cast includes Grand Rapids natives Christine Amon playing the role of Dorabella and Corie Auger playing the maid Despina.
“Whether you’ve never been to the opera, you’re looking for something different to do on a Friday evening or you just need some laughter in your life, you don’t want to miss this,” said Executive Director of Opera Grand Rapids Emilee Syrewicze.
General Admission for the event is $25 and for Metro Health frontline workers tickets are only $5.
Attendees at the event will be required to wear face coverings and will have their temperature checked at the door .
“The arts and a sense of community are so important to our health and well-being, particularly when so much has changed in our daily lives,” said Metro Health President and CEO Peter Hahn.
This event is apart of Opera GR’s second annual Opera week from Oct. 19-25.
Stalk through the halls of both the Hackley and Hume Houses with nothing but a flashlight. For two nights only, the Hackley & Hume Historic Sites at the Lakeshore Museum Center will host the daring and spooktacular Flashlight Tours.
“While these aren’t necessarily ‘scary’ tours, we will use the flashlights to share creepy and odd stories about the historic houses. And we promise no one will jump out and scare you,” explains Erin Schmitz, Program Manager at the Hackley & Hume Historic Sites.
Using provided flashlights, guests can illuminate objects or rooms they want to explore through all five stories of the houses. Each night, groups of four to 10 people will have the chance to take a guided tour under the cover of darkness to discover eerie, interesting and fun tales of the Hackley family and other inhabitants of each house.
Space is filling up quickly. The Flashlight Tours are available October 23-24 with two sessions each night, one from 7-8 pm and another from 8:30-9:30 pm. Tickets at $15 and guests can reserve a space by calling Assistant Program Manager Aaron Mace at 231-724-5534 or by emailing aaron@lakeshoremuseum.org.
It’s that time of year again and everyone is wondering what to do for Halloween but don’t worry John Ball Zoo is here for you. The Zoo Goes Boo is returning this year guests will have the opportunity to enjoy decorations, costumes, candy as they visit their favorite animals.
Guests will follow the treat trail where they can visit decorated booths along to way to collect their goodies. The trail is one way and will be socially distanced to keep guests from congregating. To help the environment guests are asked to bring their own reusable treat bags or to purchase one form the gift shop.
The zoo wants everyone in the Halloween spirit and costumes are highly encouraged. It is noted that this is a family event and adults should dress dress appropriately and masks covering the face are not permitted for adults.
This year the event has made changes to comply with guidelines from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Guests over the age of five will be asked to wear face masks when indoors or outside when close to others. There will be enhanced sanitation, limited compacity, and date-specific timed entries.
The Zoo Goes Boo will run for two weekends kicking off on Oct. 16 – 18 and again Oct. 23 – 25. This event will last from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Tickets are on sale now at the Zoo’s website www.jbzoo.org/visitandtickets.
The Coopersville & Marne Railway, which suspended all passenger operations following Governor Whitmer’s ‘Stay Home’ order; plans to resume passenger service on Saturday, Oct. 17. The Famous Pumpkin Train will run twice on the Oct. 17 and also on Oct. 24.
In resuming service the railroad will follow all current CDC and Ottawa County Health Department guidelines. Train capacities will be reduced to accommodate social distancing and train crews will be wearing masks aboard the coaches. Passengers more than five years of age are also required to wear masks while on the train. All ticketing will be handled electronically, as our station will remain closed. In addition, coach seats will be wiped down between runs in an effort to assure the health and safety of passengers and crew. Prior to boarding passengers will be subject to temperature checks and monitoring for COVID-19 symptoms.
Additionally, our cast of zany characters; including the Grand Pumpkin, Scarecrow, and Li’l Crow; will be performing for passengers in the pumpkin patch upon arrival back in Coopersville. They will be entertaining with songs, dances, and funny stories. And, as in the past, children will be able to walk through the pumpkin patch and select a pumpkin to take home.
Additional information regarding the upcoming Famous Pumpkin Trains can be accessed on our website: www.mitrain.net. Additional COVID-19 health and safety information can also be found on our website.
Information pertaining to our annual Santa Train will be announced in the weeks ahead as we get closer to the Holiday Season.
The Coopersville & Marne Railway is an ‘all volunteer’ vintage railroad located midway between Grand Rapids and Muskegon, offering 90-minute train rides between our namesake towns. Our train includes coaches dating to the 1920s along with our 1950s era locomotives. And the right of way that we follow dates back to an 1848 charter for the Oakland and Ottawa Railroad. The Coopersville & Marne Railway features EnterTRAINment Excursions, with local musicians; specialty Theme Trains and group charters during our operating season from mid-March to Christmas.
The Grand Rapids Public Museum (GRPM) announced today that tickets are now on sale for “Sean Kenney’s Wild Connections Made with LEGO® Bricks,” an award-winning and record-breaking exhibition that uses beautiful creations made from simple toy blocks to explore animal endangerment, the balance of ecosystems, and mankind’s relationship with nature. The exhibition will open at the GRPM Nov. 7.
Produced by Imagine Exhibitions, “Wild Connections” depicts important topics that artist Sean Kenney holds dear, from protecting an animals’ habitat, to planting a garden, or using a bike instead of a car. “Wild Connections” shows that just as LEGO® pieces interconnect, everything in nature is interconnected in a delicate balance. The narratives, along with the intricate displays, explore the importance of conservation, the balance of ecosystems, predator/prey relationships, as well as the relationships between humankind and the natural world. Most importantly, the exhibition allows visitors to appreciate both nature and the sculptures as something beautiful and inspires them to go home and create something wonderful themselves.
Explore the beauty and wonder of“Sean Kenney’s Wild Connections Made with LEGO® Bricks.” Timed tickets on the hour are now on sale at grpm.org/WildConnections or by calling 616-929-1700. Tickets will be $12 for adults and $7 for children with discounts for Kent County residents and Museum members. Advance ticketing required. Members can see the exhibit first at the member-only preview Nov. 6 from 5 to 8 p.m. Members must reserve tickets in advance.
As part of the exhibition, the Grand Rapids Public Museum designed and built several components that will be added to the exhibition including interactives measuring How far can you jump?, How tall are you in LEGOs?, a LEGO® themed photo op, and an animal tracks scavenger hunt for families. Two additional hands-on interactives will be available later in the exhibition run as determined by COVID-19 safety guidelines. All interactives will travel with “Wild Connections” on its tour following the showcase in Grand Rapids.
At John Ball Zoo a tale of illuminating connections between wildlife and wild places is ready to be told. The illuminating tale of how we are all connected to each other, to the land, the water, the air, the trees, and all animals big and small with the power to make a positive change in our world. You are invited to take a journey through IllumiZoo – A Glenlore Tale at John Ball Zoo.
IllumiZoo – A Glenlore Tale is a one-mile outdoor nighttime journey through John Ball Zoo in Grand Rapids, Michigan. This magical tale told through a display of colors and lights will wind through the lower and upper realms of the Zoo and is the combined imaginations of Bluewater Technologies of Wixom, Michigan, and John Ball Zoo.
Michael Lomonaco, Chief Community Engagement Officer of John Ball Zoo, says this is the first time the Zoo has ever created an experience like this to tell the important story of conservation.
“IllumiZoo – A Glenlore Tale is a unique and illuminating way for us to give the important message of conservation and how everyone is connected and can make a positive change to both wildlife and wild places throughout our world,” Lomonaco said.
“Conservation, education, community, and celebration are the four pillars of our work at John Ball Zoo and IllumiZoo – A Glenlore Tale brings all four pillars together in a unique and magical way bringing both young and old together,” added Lomonaco.
Guests should note that the pathway through the Zoo will be lighted with sounds and changing lights and scenery but it is not a haunted trail experience.
“It’s a family-friendly experience. We’ve outfitted John Ball Zoo with lighting and audio/visual elements,” said Braden Graham, Vice President of Clients Services at Bluewater Technologies. “There are projections, LED Light displays, and audio. Each area is a little bit different with sky projections, an interactive LED Wall that tracks your movement as you walk in front of it, and all of the creatures of IllumiZoo – a Glenlore Tale helping to tell the story. We are thrilled to partner with the John Ball Zoo and bring this amazing experience to West Michigan.”
IllumiZoo – A Glenlore Tale will take about 45-60 minutes to walk, depending on your pace. Discover adorable, and vibrant lighted creatures that come alive at night to help tell the tale and experience a dazzling show of lights and sounds that are sure to captivate your imagination. Children of all ages will enjoy this attraction, as long as it isn’t past your bedtime.
The magical light show follows many of the same pathways that guests walk during the daytime at John Ball Zoo so it is wheelchair as well as stroller friendly. Masks are required of guests ages 5 and older who cannot maintain a 6’ distance between other guests.
IllumiZoo – A Glenlore Tale will be at John Ball Zoo from October 10 through November 15, 2020, every Tuesday through Sunday from 7:00 p.m. – 12:00 a.m. with the last entry at 11:00 p.m. Tickets are $25 for adults, $13 for children and seniors, and free for children 2 and under. Guests are highly encouraged to reserve their timed tickets ahead of time to guarantee their preferred date and time to experience IllumiZoo – A Glenlore Tale. Tickets are available at www.jbzoo.org.
John Ball Zoo is located on Fulton Ave., one mile west of downtown Grand Rapids. For questions or for more information, visit www.jbzoo.org, call (616) 336-4301 or email info@jbzoo.org.
The Grand Rapids Public Museum (GRPM) announced today that the 2020 Mighty Wurlitzer Organ Concert series will be offered virtually, and will kick off on Friday, Oct. 16, with a spooky Halloween themed concert by Dennis Scott to the 1922 silent film, Nosferatu.
Dennis Scott (Supplied/Grand Rapids Public Museum)
Virtual organ concerts will be brought into the homes of ticket holders, with a fantastic screen presentation highlighting Dennis Scott playing the 1928 Mighty Wurlitzer Theater Organ, with various views including an up-close view of playing the keys, along with the film to coincide with the music.
Dennis Scott is an internationally known silent film organist, who began accompanying silent films in the 1970s when he began playing theatre pipe organs in pizza parlors in the midwest and on the west coast. His style has been compared to his legendary mentor, the late John Muri, who recorded numerous silent film scores for Blackhawk Films. Suzanne Lloyd, granddaughter of the comic genius Harold Lloyd, dubbed Dennis the “Master of Magic Notes.”
Scott’s expertise in playing alongside silent films will add drama and excitement into F. W. Murnau’s eerie, gothic landmark vampire film, Nosferatu. Beginning in the Carpathian Mountains, real estate agent Hutter arrived to close a sale with the reclusive Herr Orlok. Despite the feverish warnings of the local peasants, Hutter journeys to Orlok’s sinister castle, and soon discovers that Orlok is no ordinary mortal.
The Halloween themed Mighty Wurlitzer Organ Concert will be live streamed from the GRPM’s Meijer Theater and will be available to watch via a Zoom link. Tickets are $5 per member, $10 for the public. Special group rates available. Only one ticket link needed per household or group. Tickets are available by visiting www.grpm.org/Organ or by calling 616-929-1700.
Additional Mighty Wurlitzer Theater Organ Concerts – Virtual!
The second concert of the series will feature Brett Valliant, playing classic hits including Ding Dong Ding, Dream Lover, Bye Bye and more on Friday, November 20 at 7 p.m.
The third and final artist in the 2020 series will be Lance Luce performing a collection of seasonal favorites in a holiday classics concert on Friday, December 18 at 7 p.m.
Windmill Island Gardens was scheduled to close for the regular season on October 4. However, the park will remain open after Oct. 4, on weekends only, through Oct. 25.
While staff will begin tulip planting and other winter preparations, guests can continue to enjoy a virtual windmill tour, Dutch street organ, gift shop, acres of gardens and much more.
Like tourist attractions worldwide, 2020 has been an unusual year at Windmill Island Gardens. After a delayed opening in mid-June, the Island welcomed a steady stream of visitors enjoying Dutch attractions and beautiful gardens. In order to continue providing a pleasant socially distanced experience, attractions will remain open further into the fall than in years past. Reduced admission remains $5 for guests 9 and older with younger children admitted free. Some features including interior windmill tours and carousel rides will remain closed.
This weekend was suppose to the Opera Grand Rapids performance of “Turandot,” but due to social distancing guidelines due to COVID, the performances have been moved to March 19 and 20. Performances still will be at DeVos Performance Hall, 303 Monroe Ave NW.
“Turandot” is an opera written by Giacomo Puccini set in mythical China. The story follows princess Turandot who will only marry a prince who can solve her riddles. These riddles have remained unsolved until a mysterious prince solves these riddles and uncovers the secrets to her heart.
For patrons who have already purchased their tickets for the May or September 2020 dates, the tickets will be transferred to the new dates. For those who would still like to purchase tickets. they are available online through Ticketmaster, or by calling the Opera Grand Rapids Box Office at (616) 451-2741. Student tickets are priced at $5 with a valid student ID and general tickets start at $27.
At the urging of the Michigan Downtown Association (MDA), Governor Gretchen Whitmer has proclaimed this Saturday, Sept. 26, to be “Downtown Day” in the State of Michigan. The official proclamation by the Governor recognizes downtown districts for driving economic development, contributing to the quality of life for residents and for serving as the social and economic centers in their communities.
“We applaud the MDA and Governor Whitmer for acknowledging the unique and important role that downtown districts play in their communities and in the local economy,” said Downtown Holland Marketing Coordinator Kara de Alvare. “In light of the difficulties created by the COVID-19 pandemic our local shops and restaurants need support now more than ever before if Downtown Holland is going to remain a vibrant and thriving destination well into the future.”
Downtown Holland will celebrate “Downtown Day” with a giveaway on their Facebook page, which will be posted the morning of Saturday, Sept. 26. By sharing what they love most about Downtown Holland on the Facebook post that day, one lucky commenter will receive a $100 gift card to the Downtown Holland business of their choice.
Local residents are also encouraged to take advantage of the beautiful weather forecasted for Saturday by visiting Downtown and spending their money locally at a Downtown Holland shop or restaurant. And with temperatures in the upper 70’s that day, it might be time to squeeze in one last trip Downtown for ice cream or another frozen treat before the fall weather arrives!
