Category Archives: Entertainment

Sebastian Maniscalco to bring ‘Stay Hungry’ Tour to DeVos Performance Hall on April 6

Citizen Journalism, Entertainment, Upcoming Events, , ,

 

By Mike Klompstra, SMG

 

A string of record-breaking sold-out comedy appearances, a new top-ranked show on SiriusXM, “The Pete & Sebastian Show,” and inclusion on Forbes’ 2017’s “The World’s Highest Paid Comedians” who praised, “thanks to his enthusiasm and willingness to work, Maniscalco will likely continue to be on Forbes’ list for years to come,” comedian Sebastian Maniscalco is having an incredible year. People Magazine’s “the people’s comedian” is hitting the road after he was dubbed “Stand Up Comedian of the Year” at Just For Laughs Festival in Montreal, Canada.
 
He will make a stop in Grand Rapids at SMG-managed DeVos Performance Hall on Saturday, April 6, 2019, at 7pm.
 
Tickets will be available at the DeVos Place® and Van Andel Arena® box offices, online at Ticketmaster.com, and charge by phone at 1-800-745-3000. A purchase limit of eight (8) tickets will apply to every order. See Ticketmaster.com for all pricing and availability.
 
The tour title is appropriate as not only is “Stay Hungry” the name of his forthcoming 2018 book for Simon & Schuster, but it is also his personal motto.
 
“The Stay Hungry tour marks the release of my book while I also venture into this new chapter of my life: being a dad. Lately, I’ve found myself reflecting on my path and all of the hard work it has taken to get to this point in my career. I hope to one day pass these values on to my daughter and encourage her to stay hungry for more,” shares Maniscalco, who has expanded his major motion picture portfolio to include a voice-over for character Johnny the Groundhog in the animated feature Nut Job 2 and appearances in films including the Will Ferrell-starring New Line Feature comedy The House and a role in 2018’s TAG, starring alongside Ed Helms and Jeremy Renner.
 
Dubbed “one of the hottest comics” by Newsday and “one of the funniest comics working stand-up today” by Esquire, Sebastian’s live performance has become a critically-acclaimed event, with the Los Angeles Times raving, “onstage, there’s an impatience to Maniscalco’s delivery as well, a hair-trigger exasperation with people and modern life, punctuated with baffled expressions, percussive thumps on the microphone and wide-swung leg kicks more associated with an Olympic speed-skater than a stand-up comic.”
 
Instead of asking questions – a theme that has served as the foundation of his previous comedy specials and shows like Aren’t You Embarrassed? and Why Would You Do That? – Maniscalco’s new tour has the affable performer instead encouraging fans to follow in his footsteps and “stay hungry.”
 
Shares the man The New York Times raved for his “own kind of panache,” “Even though I’ve achieved some success, I will always stay hungry for more.”

On Tap: The trifecta — wine, beer and food fest; beer bread in Cedar; Long Road goes north

Beer, Entertainment, Local Business, Local Entertainment, Local Food, Recreation, Upcoming Events, , ,

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By K.D. Norris

ken@wktv.org

 

It doesn’t matter if your a chardonnay sipper or a porter pounder, there will probably be something to your taste at the 11th Annual Grand Rapids International Wine, Beer & Food Festival, returning Nov. 15-17 to DeVos Place downtown.

 

Three days overflowing with food, beverage and culinary-themed entertainment presented by area chefs, restaurants and purveyors of the spectrum of libations — including of the caffeinated variety. What’s not to like?

 

Six restaurants will offer “pairing menus” throughout the festival, a chance to sit down with the chef and watch as they prepare an elegant multi-course meal table-side paired with the finest wine, beer or spirits. Advanced reservations are required. An additional 15 restaurants serve up small plate offerings.

 

It is on the beverage side of the street that variety is really available, and there is literally whole sections dedicated to one’s beverage of choice.

 

The Vineyard are will feature 1,200 plus wines of all styles. Hemingway Hall will showcase craft spirits and cocktails from Michigan’s finest distilleries. The Beer City Station – OK, my favorite place to wait for a train that will never come — will just about the entire craft brewing world. Cider Row will focus on hard ciders made locally and beyond. And, because we all need to drink responsibly if not eat so, RendezBREW will offer cordials and coffees paired with desserts and other delicious “nightcap” offerings.

 

The festival will also be food demonstrations, educational tasting lessons — including one called “Not Your Grandma’s Rosé: A Tasting of Rosés”; got to love that! — as well as cocktail workshops. And for the ear buds while you are working the tastebuds? Throughout the weekend, musical entertainment will include Melophobix in The Vineyard, Jake & Jimmy Band and Valentiger on the Beer City Station Music Stage and a variety of performers in the RendezBREW seating area in the Grand Gallery.

 

The festival will run Thursday, Nov. 15 and run through Saturday, Nov. 17, and hours are 6-9 p.m. Thursday, 4-10 p.m. Friday and 2-10 p.m. Saturday.

 

Advanced tickets for the Festival may be purchased online for $15 per person and are valid for a one-time use Thursday, Friday or Saturday. A 3-Day Pass is also available. Once inside, festivalgoers can purchase tasting tickets for 50-cents each which are used for all food and beverage tastings (excluding the special pairing menus), with each sample requiring a varied amount of sampling tickets. Admission is for those 21 or older, and valid ID is required to purchase tickets and to enter.

 

For more information on the Grand Rapids International Wine, Beer & Food Festival visit here .

 

Beer bread with really good beer: Who would have thought?

 

Over the summer, favorite Cedar Springs Brewing Company beers were baked into Cedar Rock Bread Company’s fresh homemade breads and sold at the brewery’s farmers market. Now, those same tasty loaves will be available for purchase year round in the CSBrewery Shoppe.

 

“Part of our mission is community involvement, so we were happy to work with Kris and her team at Cedar Rock Bread Company through our CSBrew Farmers Market this summer,” David Ringler, Cedar Springs Brewing Company’s Director of Happiness, said in supplied material. “Together, we created authentic, classic breads using our traditional beers, which are made using only four ingredients.”

 

Fresh beer bread, and humor, are served up at Cedar Springs Brewery and the CSBrewery Shoppe next door. (CSBrewery Facebook photo)

A rotating variety of freshly baked beer breads will be delivered twice weekly to the shop, located at 81 N. Main St NE in Cedar Springs. Customers can purchase styles like Golden Ale Baguette, Golden Grain Artisan Loaf, Irish Stout Rye Sourdough, and IPA Cherry Wheat Bread throughout the week.

 

The beer bread will also be incorporated into Cedar Spring Brewing Company’s food menu, which can be tasted in the brewery’s taproom at 95 N. Main St NE in Cedar Springs.

 

“We will feature these breads regularly in sandwiches, appetizers, and specials served in our taproom and Biergarten,” Ringler said.

 

Follow the CSBrewery Shoppe’s Fresh Bread Days events on Facebook. For more information on Cedar Springs Brewing Company visit Cedar Springs Brewing Company  and on the CSBrewery Shoppe visit CSBrewery Shoppe , also on FaceBook.

 

Grand Rapids-based Long Road Distillers opens new Boyne City location

 

Business is good at Long Road Distillers as the Grand Rapids-based maker of specialty distilled liquors announced recently that they will be opening a new distillery tasting room in Boyne City. The northern Michigan outlet will be the company’s first offsite tasting room apart from their headquarters on the West Side of Grand Rapids, where they house their production facility, cocktail bar, and restaurant.

 

Long Road Distillers is located in Grand Rapids — and now at a second location. (Supplied)

“The Long Road team is thrilled to join the Boyne City community,” Kyle VanStrien, Long Road Distillers co-founder and co-owner, said in supplied material. “It’s a beautiful town with a thriving retail district, engaged business community, and countless activities for residents and visitors to enjoy throughout the year.”

 

The Long Road Tasting Room will be located at 118 Water Street in the heart of the Central Business District in downtown Boyne City.

 

Northern Michigan has become a vital part of the Long Road story and holds a special place in the hearts of VanStrien and fellow owner and founder Jon O’Connor, according to supplied material.

 

“We are committed to using Michigan-grown ingredients in our spirits whenever possible,” said O’Connor. “Michigin, our 100 percent Michigan ingredient gin, depends on ingredients grown in Northern Michigan. Our team spends several days each fall harvesting juniper on nearby Beaver Island, and we’ve incorporated galena hops from the Michigan Hop Alliance in Northport to add a citrus component to the gin’s botanical makeup.”

 

Bottom line: gin and tonics for all!

 

For more information on Long Road Distillers visit their page here.

 

Van Singel goes rock ‘n’ roll with a night of Elton John, Billy Joel music

Entertainment, , ,
Matthew Banks as Billy Joel in “The Piano Men.”

By Kathy Richards

Van Singel Fine Arts Center

 

“The Tribute to Sir Elton John & Billy Joel!” is a night of hit songs, energetic performances, and outrageous costumes. It’s a true rock n’ roll concert at its finest coming to the Van Singel Fine Arts Center in Byron Center on Thursday, Nov. 29, at 7:30 p.m.

 

Sir Elton John and Billy Joel tribute artists have joined forces to create The Ultimate Tribute rock n’ roll show. Initial concert events have been highly successful with all involved raving about their intensity on stage. Just like the original tour, each artist performs a Solo Set with a killer rock n’ roll band, and then culminate the show with a “Face to Face” set which features both of them playing together on two pianos trading off lyrics on each song they perform. Both Capturing Billy Joel and Sir Eltons’ captivating entertainment prowess, piano skills and unbelievable outrageous costumes from the 70’s to present day!

 

Reserved seating is $37 for adults and $22 for students (high school and younger). Reserve seats by calling the Van Singel box office at (616) 878-6800 or purchase on-line at www.vsfac.com. The box office is open Monday – Friday, noon to 5 p.m.

 

The Van Singel Fine Arts Center is located on 84th Street & Burlingame Ave SW in Byron Center, just 1.5 miles west of US-131 in Byron Center. The Fine Arts Center features free parking.

 

Please note: The Van Singel Fine Arts Center sits at the east end of the Byron Center High School which is part of a $68 million dollar bond construction project. Because of the construction, parking will be limited at the east of the facility where the Van Singel is located. Patrons attending evening events may have to park in the lots off Burlingame and enter the building on the west end (near the gym/swimming pool) and walk through the school to the Van Singel. Signage will be placed to help direct patrons.

 

2019 Whitecaps season tickets now on sale

Citizen Journalism, Entertainment, Recreation, Sports, Upcoming Events,
Courtesy West Michigan Whitecaps

By Mickey Graham, West Michigan Whitecaps

 

Season tickets and mini ticket plans for the 2019 West Michigan Whitecaps baseball season are now on sale!

 

The Whitecaps have several different season ticket packages available, starting as low as $67.50. These include a full-season 70-game plan, half-season, 10-game plans, a 5-game, Tigers Wednesdays plans and flexbooks. Season ticket holders receive special perks ranging from a free luxury suite, discounted hot dog/soda vouchers, discounted preferred parking plans, souvenir shop discounts, a ticket buy-back and exchange program, early entry into the ballpark, guaranteed giveaway items and more (not all perks are included in all ticket packages). For complete season ticket plan information including a list of perks for each plan, please visit www.whitecapsbaseball.com.

 

Box Office Manager Shaun Pynnonen said the 10-game plans and the Tigers Wednesdays plans are sure to be favorites.

 

“The Tigers Wednesdays plans are always popular. This year fans can choose from five or ten games. Those that purchase one will receive guaranteed giveaway items as well as hot dog/soda vouchers” Pynnonen said. “10-game plans will also be popular this year. These are for the more casual fans that value the great entertainment. They get a few games a month which works out great when planning summer schedules.”

 

Fans can purchase season tickets and mini plans online here or by calling the Whitecaps front office at (616) 784-4131. Current season ticket holders have until Friday, December 14 to renew their season ticket locations; after that new season ticket holder seat locations will be selected.

 

Tickets for groups of 20 or more, including private party areas, will go on sale on Friday, November 16. Individual game tickets will go on sale in early 2019.

On the shelf: ‘Sutton’ by J.R. Moehringer

Books, Citizen Journalism, Entertainment, , , , , ,

By Pat Empie, Grand Rapids Public Library

 

Sutton, a novel about the famous bank robber from the Great Depression grabs you and keeps you enthralled in his life of crime. Sutton educates, entertains, and delights the reader. It will appeal to a crossover audience of lovers of historical fiction, true-crime narratives and mystery novels. This poignant, comic, fast-paced and fact-studded story by Pulitzer Prize winner, J.R. Moehringer, tells the story of economic pain that feels eerily modern, while still unfolding a story of doomed love.

 

Willie Sutton came of age at a time when banks were out of control. If the banks weren’t taking brazen risks, causing millions to lose their jobs and homes, they were shamelessly seeking government bailouts. Sound familiar?

 

Trapped in a cycle of panics, depressions and soaring unemployment, Willie Sutton saw only one way out, and only one way to win the girl of his dreams. So he began a 30-year career of robbing banks, becoming one of America’s most successful bank robbers. Willie Sutton became so good at breaking into banks and such a master at breaking out of prisons, police called him one of the most dangerous men in New York, and the FBI put him on its first-ever Most Wanted List.

 

But the public rooted for Sutton. He never fired a shot and after all, his victims were merely those bloodsucking banks. When he was finally caught for good in 1952, crowds surrounded the jail and chanted his name.

 

Willie, the Actor, Sutton was released from Attica prison on Christmas Eve 1969, after serving 17 years. The irony that Gov. Rockefeller, a former banker, signed the order was not lost on Sutton. His lawyer made a deal with a newspaper for an exclusive, so Sutton spent his first night and the next day with a newspaper reporter and a photographer going on a chronological tour together of the scenes of Sutton’s exploits in and around New York City during his long life of crime. As they visit the sites of Sutton’s childhood, life and crimes, the old thief regales the reporter with stories and, more significantly, remembers the events for the reader in flashback narration.

Farmers Alley Theatre brings timely ‘A Doll’s House, Part 2’ to the stage this November

Citizen Journalism, Entertainment, Upcoming Events, ,

By Adam Weiner, Farmers Alley Theatre

 

Opening Nov. 2nd and running for three weekends through Nov. 18th, Farmers Alley Theatre (221 Farmers Alley, Kalamazoo, MI) is proud to present the West Michigan area premiere of A Doll’s House, Part 2. Called “smart, funny and utterly engrossing” by The New York Times, this whip-smart new play by Lucas Hnath (author of last season’s hit The Christians) is THE play of the moment that delivers explosive laughs while also posing insightful questions about marriage, gender inequality, and human rights.

 

In the final scene of Henrik Ibsen’s groundbreaking masterwork of 1879, A Doll’s House, Nora Helmer makes the shocking decision to leave her husband and children, and begin a life on her own. This climactic event — when Nora slams the door on everything in her life — instantly propelled world drama into the modern age. In A Doll’s House, Part 2, many years have passed since Nora’s exit. Now, there a knock on that same door. Nora has returned.  But why? And what will it mean for those she left behind? A timely work filled with powerful women who struggle against a society that has defined gender roles, A Doll’s House, Part 2 is the rare sequel that stands perfectly well on its own.

 

Farmers Alley Theatre welcomes back director D. Terry Williams to helm this modern classic. Mr. Williams is known for tackling vibrant new works at Farmers Alley having directed Hnath’s The Christians last season along with his previous credits Disgraced, The Whipping Man, Other Desert Cities and the Wilde Award Winning production of Old Wicked Songs.

 

Elizabeth Terrel will bring life to the classic character of Nora Helmer. An associate professor of voice and movement in Western Michigan University’s Theatre Department, Ms. Terrel was last seen on our stage as the beautiful, self-obsessed movie star, Masha in our 2015 production of Vanya + Sonia + Masha + Spike.

 

Chicago actor Paul Stroili plays Nora’s estranged husband, Torvald. A resident artist at the Purple Rose Theatre in Chelsea, Mr. Stroili has an impressive list of credits on stage (God of Carnage, August: Osage County) and screen (“Empire”, “Chicago PD”, “Malcolm in the Middle”). Zoe Vonder Haar returns to Farmers Alley Theatre to play the Helmer’s housekeeper Anne Marie, after lighting up our stage the past two summers in It Shoulda Been You and The Bridges of Madison County. WMU Theatre Major Arizsia Staton portrays Nora’s daughter, Emmy, whom she abandoned all those years ago.

 

A Doll’s House, Part 2 runs Nov. 2nd through the 18th at 221 Farmers Alley in Downtown Kalamazoo. Tickets are $32 on Fri/Sat/Sun and $27 on Thursdays. Seniors 65 and above receive $2 off per ticket and student tickets are $15. Reservations can be made by calling our Box Office at (269) 343-2727 or visiting the website here.

  • Friday, Nov. 2nd at 8 pm
  • Saturday, Nov. 3rd at 2 pm
  • Saturday, Nov. 3rd at 8 pm
  • Sunday, Nov. 4th at 2 pm
  • Thursday,  Nov. 8th at7:30 pm
  • Friday, Nov. 9th at 8 pm
  • Saturday, Nov. 10th at 8 pm
  • Sunday, Nov. 11th at2 pm
  • Thursday, Nov. 15th at 7:30 pm
  • Friday, Nov. 16th at 8 pm
  • Saturday, Nov. 17th at 8 pm
  • Sunday, Nov. 18th at 2 pm

We will be holding post-show talkbacks after performances on Nov. 3rd (2pm show), Nov. 9th and Nov. 16th.

Relive the music of the legendary Frank Sinatra with the GR Pops, Nov. 9-11

Citizen Journalism, Entertainment, Upcoming Events, , ,
Tony DeSare (file photo)

By Jeffrey Kaczmarczyk, Grand Rapids Symphony

 

They called him the “Chairman of the Board of Music.”

 

Frank Sinatra was one of the most popular entertainers of the 20th century as well as one of the best-selling recording artists of all time.

 

Twenty years before fans screamed themselves hoarse at the sight of The Beatles, bobbysoxers worked themselves into a frenzy at the sight of a skinny, 20-something kid who sang with Tommy Dorsey’s Big Band.

 

Sinatra, though he didn’t sing rock music, was the music’s first rock star.

 

Grand Rapids Pops welcomes singer and pianist Tony DeSare back to Grand Rapids for a salute to the music of Frank Sinatra titled Sinatra and Beyond.

 

DeSare, who starred in the Off-Broadway show, Our Sinatra, will perform songs made famous by “The Sultan of Swoon.” Enjoy such “ring-a-ding-ding” tunes as Come Fly With Me, I’ve Got the World on a String, My Way and many more.

 

Associate Conductor John Varineau leads the Grand Rapids Symphony’s Fox Motors Pops series concerts at 8pm Friday and Saturday, Nov. 9-10 and at 3pm Sunday, Nov. 11 in DeVos Performance Hall. Guest Artist Sponsor: Holland Home.

 

Described in the New York Times in 2012 as “two parts young Sinatra to one part Billy Joel,” DeSare channels the best of the Great American Songbook.’

 

Generally when someone mentions the music of Ol’ Blue Eyes, they think of an older Sinatra, sporting a tuxedo, singing such songs as “New York, New York.” But DeSare, age 42, prefers Sinatra’s music from the 1950s, when he recorded such albums as “In the Wee Small Hours” and “Songs for Only the Lonely” for Capitol Records.

 

“Frank’s voice was dead-on perfect, and he was such a great interpreter,” DeSare said. “Plus, he was working with those classic Nelson Riddle arrangements.”

 

Named a Rising Star Male Vocalist by Downbeat magazine in 2009, DeSare has appeared in venues ranging from Carnegie Hall to jazz clubs. He’s headlined in Las Vegas with comedian Don Rickles, and he’s appeared with major symphony orchestras.

 

DeSare’s first appearance with the Grand Rapids Symphony was for its Wolverine Worldwide Holiday Pops in 2012. Earlier that year, he was in West Michigan to perform Our Sinatra at Mason Street Warehouse in Saugatuck.

Frank Sinatra by Gottlieb, c 1947

 

Tony DeSare’s first instrument, which he took up at age 8, was violin. Two years later, he began playing on a little Casio keyboard from Radio Shack. That’s what stuck.

 

“I’m not sure exactly what it is,” he told the South Bend Tribune in August. “I know one of the big things is that it’s the only instrument that lets you be your own orchestra.”

 

At age 11, he became obsessed with learning George Gershwin’s Rhapsody in Blue. Mining his parents’ record collection, he soon developed a fondness for such classic pop singers as Sinatra and Nat King Cole.

 

Music remained a hobby, and he was pre-law at Ithaca College until he attended a Billy Joel concert, and the singer/songwriter shared some advice from the stage for the audience of 20,000.

 

“What Billy said is that we did not have to become recording stars or follow in his footsteps,” DeSare recalled in an interview with the Lubbock Avalanche-Journal in September 2017. “He basically said, ‘If you feel you can pay your bills by playing music, that alone is reason enough to follow your dream,’”

 

“I just sat back, thinking to myself, ‘Wow, when you put it that way,’” he added. “I was much too far along for me to switch and begin pursuing a music degree,” he said. “But I dropped my law courses the next Monday and became a business major.”

 

Tickets

Single tickets for the Fox Motors Pops series start at $18 and are available at the Grand Rapids Symphony box office, weekdays 9am-5pm at 300 Ottawa Ave. NW, Suite 100, (located across from the Calder Plaza), or by calling 616.454.9451 x 4. (Phone orders will be charged a $2 per ticket service fee, with a $12 maximum).

 

Tickets are available at the DeVos Place box office, weekdays 10 a.m. – 6 p.m. or on the day of the concert beginning two hours prior to the performance. Tickets also may be purchased online at GRSymphony.org.

 

Special Offers

Full-time students of any age can purchase tickets for $5 at the door on the day of the concert by enrolling in the GRS Student Tickets program, sponsored by Calvin College. Discounts also are available to members of MySymphony360, the Grand Rapids Symphony’s organization for young professionals ages 21-35.

 

Students age 7-18 also are able to attend for free when accompanied by an adult. Free for Kids tickets must be purchased in advance at the GRS Ticket office. Up to two free tickets are available with the purchase of a regular-price adult ticket. Go online for more details.

 

Symphony Scorecard provides up to four free tickets for members of the community receiving financial assistance from the State of Michigan and for members of the U.S. Armed Forces, whether on active or reserve duty or serving in the National Guard. Go online for information to sign up with a Symphony Scorecard Partner Agency.

Kids will love Holland Area Arts Council’s 4th Annual Nutcracker Ballet Tea on Nov. 18th

Citizen Journalism, Entertainment, Holidays, Kids Activities, Local Faces, Upcoming Events, , ,
Photo supplied

By Renese Rivera, Holland Area Arts Council

 

This holiday season, the Holland Area Arts Council is reprising their partnership with Grand Rapids Ballet in two special performances for children ages 4 to 10 and their adult guests on Sunday, Nov. 18th. The gallery will be filled with the enchanting giggles of children as they experience the magic of music, dance, and storytelling. Performances will be held at 1pm and 3:30pm.

 

The Nutcracker Ballet Tea is a story time brunch in a winter fairy-tale land of ballerinas, nutcrackers and toy soldiers. Members of Grand Rapids Ballet Junior Company will dance vignettes from The Nutcracker as Attila Mosolygo, Junior Company Artistic Director reads The Nutcracker story. The performance includes high tea, delicious snacks and a box of treats for each child to enjoy.

 

Children live in a world of imagination and play. The line between reality and pretend has not yet been drawn. They involve themselves in performance physically, mentally and emotionally, and so the Arts Council is excited to expose the very young to live performance featuring other young performers.

 

Photo supplied

Partnership with Grand Rapids Ballet, who provides the dancers in costume, make this event truly special.

 

Tickets for the Nutcracker Ballet Tea are on sale now. Admission is $35 per ticket. Children 10 and under get in for $15 each.

 

Tickets to Grand Rapids Ballet’s The Nutcracker Dec. 14-16 and 21-23 at DeVos Performance Hall may be purchased online at grballet.com or by calling 616.454.4771 x10.

 

Call the Holland Area Arts Council at (616) 396-3278, email helpdesk@hollandarts.org, visit hollandarts.org/nutcracker-ballet-tea.html or stop by 150 East 8th Street to learn more about this and other events and reserve your family’s spots! Advance reservations are required.

Tickets on sale now for Professional Bull Riders ‘Velocity Tour’, Feb. 2nd

Citizen Journalism, Entertainment, Upcoming Events, , ,

 

By Hilarie Carpenter, SMG

 

The bulls of the PBR (Professional Bull Riders) are headed back to Michigan and ready to buck Saturday, February 2, 2019 at 7:00 PM at Van Andel Arena for the Velocity Tour Grand Rapids Classic.
 
As the 11th stop on the Velocity Tour, the Grand Rapids Classic will give fans a front row seat for exhilarating rides, and spectacular wrecks throughout the night as the rising talent in bull riding faces off against the rankest bucking bulls in the business.
 
In 2018, Michigan fans saw Colten Jesse (Konawa, Oklahoma) win amidst tough competition. Riders like Jesse, from all over the country and as far away as Brazil, Australia, and New Zealand, will be competing head-to-head to win the event buckle as the 2019 season begins.
 
Each rider will face one bull during Round 1 before the 10 riders with the highest scores advance to the championship round. The overall event winner will be the rider who has earned the most points over two rides.
 
Tickets for this action-packed event are on sale now and start at just $17.50! Tickets are available at the Van Andel Arena and DeVos Place® box offices, online at Ticketmaster.com, and charge by phone at 1-800-745-3000. Prices are subject to change. See Ticketmaster.com for all pricing and availability.
 
Winners of each Velocity event will be guaranteed at least one opportunity to compete at a PBR: Unleash the Beast regular-season event where they can attempt to win enough points to join the Top 35 bull riders in the world and earn a spot competing at the sport’s premier level.
 
The 2019 tour will culminate with the Velocity Tour Finals at South Point Arena in Las Vegas, leading into the PBR’s 2019 World Finals at T-Mobile Arena. The winner of the Velocity Finals, the second- and third-place finishers, the top international performer, and the 2019 Velocity Tour Champion, will each qualify to compete at the PBR World Finals and a chance to be the 2019 PBR World Finals Event Champion.
 
About the Velocity Tour
The PBR’s Velocity Tour began in 2014 as the premier expansion tour for the PBR. The Velocity Tour, the sport’s fastest-growing tour, brings the excitement and top-levels of cowboy and bovine talent that fans have come to expect from the sport’s leader to cities across the U.S. The tour, which is fully produced and operated by PBR, will visit 33 cities in the 2018 season.
 
About the PBR (Professional Bull Riders)
The world’s premier bull riding organization began as a dream of 20 bull riders 25 years ago and now operates in five countries. On its elite tour, the organization features the top 35 bull riders in the world and the top bulls in the business. The televised 25th PBR: Unleash The Beast, along with the PBR Real Time Pain Relief Velocity Tour (RVT), the PBR Touring Pro Division (TPD) and the PBR’s international circuits in Australia, Brazil, Canada and Mexico have paid nearly $184 million in earnings to its athletes.
Thirty bull riders have earned more than $1 million, including two-time PBR World Champion J.B. Mauney who is the top-earning athlete in Western sports history with more than $7.2 million in career earnings. PBR is part of the Endeavor (formerly WME | IMG) network. For more information on the PBR, go to PBR.com, or follow on Facebook at Facebook.com/PBR, Instagram at Instagram.com/PBR, and YouTube at YouTube.com/PBR

On the shelf: ‘What is the What’ by Dave Eggers

Books, Citizen Journalism, Entertainment, , , ,

By Amy Cochran, Grand Rapids Public Library, Main Branch

 

Fact merges with fiction in this mesmerizing tale of a Lost Boy of Sudan. Valentino Achak Deng tells us in the preface that this is the “soulful account of his life,” of his flight from his destroyed village in Southern Sudan to years living in various refugee camps and eventual struggle to build a new life in the United States. The first-person voice and many of the events are based on Valentino’s personal experiences as told to Dave Eggers over a period of several years. Rather than helping Valentino pen a memoir, Eggers novelized his story, changing timelines and people slightly and adding dialogue while keeping many major events and feelings untouched.

 

Eggers presents Valentino’s story as if told silently to people he has encountered both past and present. The long and horrifying trek as a young boy from his shattered village of Murial Bai to the Pinyudo and Kakuma refugee camps is interspersed with Valentino’s more recent difficulty in adapting to life in America. As Valentino grows up, he goes to school while narrowly escaping being recruited as a boy soldier into the Sudanese People’s Liberation Army. He also relates several thrilling romantic experiences that would have been impossible in the stricter social structure of his village, contrasting these with the more sobering reality of living for years in a location designed to be merely a temporary home.

 

Once Valentino arrives in the United States, he and the other Lost Boys find the transition more difficult than they ever imagined. Minimum wage jobs, high rent, and unfamiliarity with basic elements of modernized life such as thermostats and refrigerators combine to make Valentino’s dream of getting into college seem like an impossible goal.

 

I found myself constantly wondering which aspects of the story actually happened to Valentino alone, rather than being pulled from the stories of other Lost Boys. Such is the power of Valentino’s story and Egger’s writing talent that, in spite of the fictionalizing aspect, Valentino’s voice still rings perfectly true and authentic. This book is an intense and eye-opening journey into the Sudanese refugee experience through the eyes of a man who keeps his faith in future stability and happiness despite obstacles at every turn.

FantasMenagerie: The Art of Nat Rosales at MMA, through Jan. 13, 2019

Citizen Journalism, Entertainment, , ,
‘Wheel Horse’ by Nat Rosales (Photo supplied)

By Marguerite Curran, Muskegon Museum of Art

 

The Muskegon Museum of Art will present the sculptures of Michigan artist Nat Rosales in a one-person show from Oct. 18, 2018 through Jan. 13, 2019.

 

FantasMenagerie: The Art of Nat Rosales features the fantastical vehicles and creatures Rosales creates from scrap metal, found and manipulated objects, and mechanical parts. Rosales assembles his sculptures using cast bronze and brass animal sculptures, door and drawer knobs, decorative lamp bodies, gears and drives, various housings, and a host of decorative metal, plastic, and ceramic bric-a-brac.

 

According to MMA Senior Curator Art Martin, “The resulting combinations are a blend of Alice in Wonderland and H.G. Wells, an amalgam of whimsy, fantasy, and mechanics.”

 

FantasMenagerie features over a dozen of Rosales’ recent works, a menagerie of vehicles, contraptions, and mechanical-animal hybrids. Formed from found objects and scrap, and inspired by Rosales’ life and culture, these fantastical creations invite the viewer along on a journey of magic and exploration.

 

By Nat Rosales (Photo supplied)

Rosales has been drawn to sculpture since childhood, an ideal expression for his fascination with taking things apart and exploring how the resulting pieces might be reconfigured and assembled. His current body of work began in 2004, with one of his earliest creations, Hog I, appearing in the Muskegon Museum of Art’s annual juried Regional Exhibition in 2005. His Mexican and Catholic heritage combine with a life-long interest in Cubist and Modern sculpture to form the foundation of his artistic expression.

 

Nat Rosales will make a second appearance at the MMA in a gallery “Crash Course” on Thursday, Nov. 8 from 6-7pm. He will point out features of his works in the show and discuss his techniques at this free public event.

 

FantasMenagerie is underwritten by the Van Kampen Boyer Molinari Foundation. The Michigan Artist Series Media Sponsor is Blue Lake Public Radio. Additional support is provided by the Michigan Council for Arts and Humanities, an affiliate of the National Endowment for the Arts.

 

The Muskegon Museum of Art is located in downtown Muskegon at 296 W. Webster Ave. Visit www.muskegonartmuseum.org or call 231-720-2570 for more information.

Tickets for KISS’s March 9th ‘End of the Road World Tour’ at Van Andel Arena go on sale Nov. 2nd

Citizen Journalism, Entertainment, Upcoming Events, , , ,

By Hilarie Carpenter, SMG

 

After an epic and storied 45 year career that launched an era of rock n roll legends, KISS has announced that they will launch their final tour ever in 2019, appropriately named END OF THE ROAD. The initial announcement was made a month ago on NBC’s America’s Got Talent which sent the internet into overdrive with fans hoping their city would get one final KISS show.
The band has announced the first set of dates and cities in North America, produced by Live Nation. The tour will stop at SMG-managed Van Andel Arena in Grand Rapids onSaturday, March 9, 2019 at 7:30pm. KISS will be offering VIP experiences and special KISS Army fan presales.
 
Tickets go on sale to the general public beginning Friday, Nov. 2 at 10am. Tickets will be available at the DeVos Place and Van Andel Arena box offices, online at Ticketmaster.com, and charge by phone at 1-800-745-3000. A purchase limit of eight (8) tickets will apply to every order. See Ticketmaster.com for all pricing and availability.
 
KISS Meet & Greet Experiences will be available beginning Tuesday, Oct. 30 at 10am local time through kissonline.com. KISS Army fan club presales will begin Wednesday, Oct. 31 at 10am local time also through kissonline.com. Citi is the official presale credit card for the End of the Road World Tour. As such, Citi card members will have access to purchase U.S. presale tickets beginning Wednesday, Oct. 31 at 12pm local time until Thursday, November 1 at 10:00 PM local time through Citi’s Private Pass program. For complete presale details visit citiprivatepass.com.
 
The venue presale will run on Thursday, Nov., from 10am-10pm. The presale will be offered online at Ticketmaster.com only while supplies last. To receive the presale code, be sure to sign up to the Van Andel Arena e-mail list at VanAndelArena.com by Tuesday, Oct. 30.
 
Known for their trademark larger-than-life blistering performances, KISS has proven for decades why they are hands down the most iconic live show in rock n roll.  The Rock & Roll Hall of Famers who have sold more than 100 million albums worldwide have said this tour is devoted to the millions of KISS Army fans.
 
“All that we have built and all that we have conquered over the past four decades could never have happened without the millions of people worldwide who’ve filled clubs, arenas and stadiums over those years. This will be the ultimate celebration for those who’ve seen us and a last chance for those who haven’t. KISS Army, we’re saying goodbye on our final tour with our biggest show yet and we’ll go out the same way we came in… Unapologetic and Unstoppable,” said KISS.

‘Jazz in the Sanctuary’ concert series returns Nov. 4

Citizen Journalism, Entertainment, Upcoming Events,

By Fountain Street Church

 

The fifth season of Fountain Street Church’s ‘Jazz in the Sanctuary’ concert series will begin on Sunday, Nov. 4, at 3pm. The series pairs the spontaneous wonder of jazz with the acoustic and architectural beauty of the century-old sanctuary in downtown Grand Rapids.

 

Robin Connell, series host and staple of the West Michigan jazz scene, will welcome trombonists Paul Brewer and Altin Sencalar for over an hour of exciting music and light conversation. Connell received West Michigan Jazz Society’s 2017 “Musician of the Year” award for her widespread collaboration with area jazz artists and her continuing work on the Jazz in the Sanctuary series.

 

Brewer, a prolific trombonist and singer, is the Director of Instrumental Music at Aquinas College and the Director of Aquinas Jazz Camp. He has performed with more than 50 nationally touring artists, including Mel Torme, Lena Horne, and The Temptations. His latest project, “J & K — Trombone Tribute”, is an homage to legendary jazz trombonists JJ Johnson and Kai Winding.

 

Altin Sencalar

Sencalar is an internationally recognized trombonist, music educator, and composer who has opened for the O’Jays and Chaka Khan. He has received prizes for competitions such as the American Trombone Workshop, the International Trombone Association, and Downbeat Magazine’s Student Music Awards. He currently serves as a graduate assistant at Michigan State University.

 

The second and third concerts of this season will take place on Feb. 10, 2019, featuring pianist Xavier Davis, and May 4, 2019, featuring saxophonist Alain Sullivan and bassist Elgin Vines.

 

Jazz in the Sanctuary is made possible by the Music Committee of Fountain Street Church, Aquinas College Music Department, Blue Lake Public Radio, West Michigan Jazz Society, WGVU Radio, WOOD-TV, and WYCE 88.1fm.

 

General admission to each Jazz in the Sanctuary concert is $15 online or at the door. College students may show ID for $10 off. Tickets and additional information are available at fountainstreet.org/jazz.

Tickets for Jeff Lynne’s ELO July 23rd concert go on sale today, Oct. 29th

Citizen Journalism, Entertainment, Upcoming Events, , , ,

By Hilarie Szarowicz, SMG

 

After returning this summer with their first extensive North American tour since 1981, Jeff Lynne’s ELO is set to bring their outstanding live show to even more audiences with a 20-date summer 2019 tour. The trek, produced by Live Nation, will travel to SMG-managed Van Andel Arena in Grand Rapids on Tuesday, July 23, 2019 at 8pm.

 

Tickets go on sale to the general public beginning Monday, Oct. 29 at 10am. Tickets will be available at the DeVos Place and Van Andel Arena box offices, online at Ticketmaster.com, and charge by phone at 1-800-745-3000. A purchase limit of six (6) tickets will apply to every order. See Ticketmaster.com for all pricing and availability.

 

Anticipation was at an all-time high surrounding their 10+ date North American tour this summer, with fan and critical acclaim pouring in:

 

“Jeff Lynne’s ELO revives ‘70s symph-pop greatness… a brilliant catalog returns to U.S. stages and gives the strings-starved people what they want. The ELO catalog speaks for itself… and it was a glorious thing to behold… in a 19-song set that reprised the closest thing to truly Beatle-level pop the 1970s had to offer.” – Variety

 

“Jeff Lynne’s ELO proves timeless & spectacular… When Lynne came out with the group, the crowd went wild. The show was loaded with virtually every top hit the band recorded. Every musician on stage was fantastic while the arrangements and sound quality almost made the audience forget they were watching a live performance and not listening to their old LP records.” – Glide Magazine

 

“Jeff Lynne, ELO deliver night of magic memories… the band’s 20-song set proved to be well worth the long wait… Lynne led his band through some 90 minutes of glorious Electric Light Orchestra classics in front of a sold-out crowd. ELO’s music still sounds light years ahead of most of the bands heard on pop music radio today.” – San Jose Mercury News

 

“Jeff Lynne’s ELO prove that spacy pop rock is still a livin’ thing… one of the most flawless and visually stunning arena shows I’ve seen in a long time. Complete with monstrous lights, lasers and the mandatory ELO spaceship hovering behind the band on video screens, the show was as grand and engrossing as a blockbuster movie — a ’70s blockbuster movie, that is.” – LA Weekly

 

“Jeff Lynne and the Electric Light Orchestra put on a dazzling display chronicling a war chest of classic rock hits for a sold out crowd.” – Martinez Tribune

 

“Jeff Lynne’s ELO is practically a religious experience for rock ‘n’ roll disciples.” – Houston Press

 

“For all the gifted musicians that helped achieve Lynne’s perfectionist vision, ELO was always his creation, a neon-hued Frankenstein’s monster built from bits of early rock-and-roll, symphonic themes, Beatles harmonies, and disco beats. All of those pieces came together flawlessly… played to perfection.” – The Philadelphia Inquirer

 

Known as one of the most iconic forces in music history, Jeff Lynne’s ELO has spent the last two years with a critically acclaimed and chart-topping album, a sold out run of UK and European shows, as well as an induction into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. The band has always been known for their epic live shows and with a distinct style that seamlessly and innovatively blends rock, pop and classical, ELO has had more than 20 Top 40 Hits across the U.S. and the U.K., making Lynne’s sweeping productions some of the most recognizable music of the last forty years and helping sell over 50 million records worldwide.

 

Widely agreed upon as one of the greatest record producers in music history, Lynne was a co-founder and member of The Travelling Wilburys together with George Harrison, Bob Dylan, Roy Orbison, and Tom Petty, as well as a producer and collaborator with some of the biggest names in music including The Beatles, Paul McCartney, Ringo Starr, Joe Walsh, and most recently, Bryan Adams.

GR Symphony celebrates Leonard Bernstein’s 100th birthday in musical salute, Nov. 2-3

Citizen Journalism, Entertainment, Upcoming Events, ,
Leonard Bernstein in 1955

By Jeffrey Kaczmarczyk, Grand Rapids Symphony

 

The music of Leonard Bernstein, who composed the music for West Side Story, has graced concert halls and theaters, radios and televisions in homes all across America. This year, the centennial of his birth, the world remembers the life and legacy of the great American composer, conductor, pianist, and educator.

 

The Grand Rapids Symphony joins in the worldwide celebration of Leonard Bernstein’s centennial with a concert featuring his Overture to Candide, his Symphony No. 2 “Age of Anxiety,” and selections from his Broadway hit, West Side Story among others.

 

Guest conductor Carl St. Clair will lead the Grand Rapids Symphony in Bernstein’s 100th  on Friday, November 2 and Saturday, November 3 at 8 p.m. at DeVos Performance Hall. The performance in the Richard and Helen DeVos Classical series concert will feature pianist Benjamin Pasternack in “Age of Anxiety” and soprano Celena Shafer in selections from West Side Story and other vocal works. Guest artist sponsor is the Edith I. Blodgett Guest Artist Fund.

 

Leonard Bernstein first came to the world’s attention with his impromptu conducting debut with the New York Philharmonic in 1943. Bruno Walter was meant to lead the orchestra in a radio-broadcasted performance, but came down with the flu. The 25-year-old assistant conductor was called upon to conduct in his stead.

 

Bernstein remembers that fateful day in a 1991 interview with his brother, Burton Bernstein: “When it came to the time – that very day – all I can remember is standing there in the wings shaking and being so scared. There was no rehearsal. I had just come from seeing Bruno Walter, who very sweetly and very quickly – wrapped up in blankets because he had the flu – went over the score of Don Quixote with me.”

 

With few hours to prepare and no rehearsal, Leonard Bernstein stepped up to the podium in Carnegie Hall to conduct a successful performance, broadcast to the entire nation, launching him into stardom.

 

Bernstein wrote several orchestral, choral, chamber, and operatic works over the course of his lifetime, but his music also ventured into the realms of theater, ballet, and musicals. The line between the classical and theatrical in Bernstein’s music was often blurred. He once said, “If the charge of ‘theatricality’ in a symphonic work is a valid one, I am willing to plead guilty. I have a deep suspicion that every work I write, for whatever medium, is really theater music in some way.”

 

Bernstein’s enthusiasm for music was contagious, and it spread across the country with his starring role in the memorable CBS television program, Young People’s Concerts, with the New York Philharmonic.

 

Carl St. Clair, music director of the Pacific Symphony and guest conductor for the Grand Rapids Symphony’s Bernstein’s 100th, was one of many who benefitted from Bernstein’s mentorship.

 

Leonard Bernstein in 1973

St. Clair first saw Bernstein on his television set at his childhood home in Texas. He was waiting for friends to pick him up to go to a country and western dance when Bernstein appeared on the TV, leading the Boston Symphony Orchestra in Tchaikovsky’s Symphony No. 5. St. Clair was mesmerized both by the music and Bernstein. Needless to say, he missed the dance.

 

Bernstein and St. Clair didn’t cross paths until the summer of 1985 while Clair was studying under Gustav Meier at Tanglewood, the summer home of the Boston Symphony Orchestra in western Massachusetts.

 

“I was very nervous,” St. Clair recalled. “He comes into the room, and there’s a big double door and we’re all standing in total respect. He greeted Gustav, of course they had known one another… But almost immediately he said, in this kind of Texas accent, or, in a Bostonian/Texas accent, ‘Where’s that cowboy from Texas? I’ve never met a cowboy from Texas who’s also a conductor.’”

 

During rehearsals for a concert at Tanglewood in 1990, complications with his health left Bernstein unable to conduct his new version of his Arias and Barcarolles, which was to be premiered the next day. The suggestion was made that St. Clair could conduct that piece, allowing Bernstein enough energy to lead the rest of the program.

 

“I’ll never forget,” St. Clair says. “He looked over at me, and even as sick as he was and as disappointed as he was, it just shows how quick he was — he looked over at me and in a mock Texas accent said, ‘Cowboy, you got it in ya? You got it in ya?”

 

St. Clair agreed to conduct Bernstein’s piece in what was Bernstein’s last concert appearance. He retired from conducting and passed away nearly two months later at the age of 72.

 

Bernstein no longer is with us, but his music lives on in performances such as the Grand Rapids Symphony’s Bernstein’s 100th on Nov. 2-3.

  • Inside the Music, a free, pre-concert, multi-media presentation sponsored by BDO USA, will be held before each performance at 7 p.m. in the DeVos Place Recital Hall
  • The complete Bernstein’s 100th program will be rebroadcast on Sunday, March 24, 2019, at 1 p.m. on Blue Lake Public Radio 88.9 FM or 90.3 FM.

Tickets

Tickets start at $18 and are available at the Grand Rapids Symphony box office, weekdays 9 am – 5 pm at 300 Ottawa Ave. NW, Suite 100, (located across the street from Calder Plaza). Call (616) 454-9451 x 4 to order by phone. (Phone orders will be charged a $2 per ticket service fee, with a $12 maximum.)

 

Tickets may be purchased online at GRSymphony.org.

 

Tickets are available at the DeVos Place ticket office, weekdays 10 am – 6 pm or on the day of the concert beginning two hours before the performance.

 

Full-time students of any age can purchase tickets for $5 on the night of the concert by enrolling in the GRS Student Tickets program, sponsored by Calvin College. Discounts are available to members of MySymphony360, the Grand Rapids Symphony’s organization for young professionals ages 21-35.

On the shelf: ‘The Last Summer (of You and Me)’ by Ann Brashares

Books, Citizen Journalism, Entertainment, , , ,

By Laura Nawrot, Grand Rapids Public Library, Main Branch

 

In her first novel written for adults, Ann Brashares chose the beach town of Waterby, on Fire Island as her setting. I have to admit, I was expecting a book more along the line of Brashares’s Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants young adult novel, but found something totally different. After reading this book, I found many mixed reviews of the story, probably because of the same expectations I had.

 

Unlike the Traveling Pants with its fast pace and emotional roller coaster rocketing between the main characters, The Last Summer (of You and Me) seemed to start much more slowly and deliberately. I found out, however, that the roller coaster was simply disguised as a ferryboat from the mainland. Alice, the main character, paints a picture of the summers she spent on the island that she shared with her sister, Riley and neighbor, Paul. She tells her story through a blend of memories and current events, and it doesn’t take much for the reader to figure out who the star-crossed lovers are.

 

Although it was apparent to me immediately that something needed to happen between Alice and Paul, it took an awfully long time for the author to bring them to that point. In fact, I found myself getting angry at the main characters, which is usually a good indicator to me of my own emotional involvement in the story.

 

I found myself thinking about the characters and the story long after I had finished the book. Certain parts kept returning to my mind, almost bothering me, kind of like the way sand does when it gets in your shoe; a memory of the day that was.

Ethnic Heritage Celebration at the Grand Rapids Public Museum this November

Entertainment, , , ,

By Christie Bender
Grand Rapids Public Museum

 

The Grand Rapids Public Museum (GRPM) announced today the re-introduced Ethnic Heritage Celebration, combining the annual Native American Cultural Days and Ethnic Heritage Festival. This year’s Ethnic Heritage Celebration will bring cultural immersive experience to school groups during the week and culminate with a public Saturday celebration.

 

The City of Grand Rapids and the surrounding region have a long standing history of diversity and various cultural traditions dating back from early explorers and fur traders, to modern day cultural rituals from new residents of the region.

 

Ethnic Heritage Celebration will take place Nov. 1-3. Schools groups have signed up to attend Native American Cultural Days as part of the Celebration on Nov. 1 and 2, and then the public is invited to the Ethnic Heritage Festival on Saturday, Nov. 3.

 

Ethnic Heritage Festival is a day-long celebration of music, dance, crafts and food representing the various ethnic groups that call West Michigan home. Beginning at 10 a.m. on Saturday, November 3, the event features a variety of traditions, performances and presentations. The Museum Café will feature ethnic food selections. Event activities are included with general admission to the Museum. Colorful performances will take place throughout the day in the Meijer Theater starting at 10 a.m.

 

Visitors will be able to view the Museum’s exhibitions, with two specific exhibitions having a primary focus on diversity and culture: Newcomers: The People of This Place which highlights the ethnic groups that have settled the Grand Rapids area, and Anishinabek: The People of this Place which focuses on the Native American culture in the region.

 

Please visit www.grpm.org/EHF for additional information about the Ethnic Heritage Festival, and more on the Grand Rapids Public Museum’s exhibitions and programs.

Grammy-laden Kenny Barron brings his quintet to St. Cecilia jazz series

Entertainment, Upcoming Events,

 

By K.D. Norris

ken@wktv.org

 

Kenny Barron knows his way around the jazz piano keyboard, and he knows his way up to the Grammy Awards stage as well.

 

Barron has earned 11 Grammy awards, beginning in 1992 for Best Jazz Album with “People Time”, his duet with the legendary Stan Getz, and most recently in 2017 for Best Jazz Instrumental Album.

 

The Kenny Barron Quintet will make their way to the Royce Auditorium stage at St. Cecilia Music Center on Thursday, Nov. 1, for a 7:30 p.m. show. Tickets are still available.

 

The Los Angles Times has called Barron “one of the top jazz pianists in the world” and Jazz Weekly to call him “The most lyrical piano player of our time”; the first being  probably an understatement and the second hard to argue with.

 

Barron will come to St. Cecilia after releasing his latest recording this year, Blue Note recording titled “Concentric Circles” with his quintet.

 

Barron’s history of performance sounds like a Who’s Who of the American jazz world.

 

Kenny Barron will be part of the St. Cecilia Music Center’s 2018-19 season. (Supplied)

Born in 1943 in Philadelphia, while still in high school, Barron worked with drummer Philly Joe Jones and at age 19 he moved to New York City and freelanced with Roy Haynes, Lee Morgan and James Moody. According to his official biography, upon Moody’s recommendation Dizzy Gillespie hired Barron in 1962 without even hearing Baron play. After five years with Dizzy, Barron had played with Freddie Hubbard, Stanley Turrentine, Milt Jackson, and Buddy Rich. The early seventies found him working with Yusef Lateef, whom he credits as a key influence in his art for improvisation.

 

Barron balanced touring with studies and earned his B.A. in Music from Empire State College and then joined the faculty at Rutgers University as professor of music. He held this tenure until 2000, mentoring many of today’s young talents including David Sanchez, Terence Blanchard and Regina Bell.

 

On the recording scene, in 1974 Barron recorded his first album as a leader for the Muse label, entitled “Sunset To Dawn.” This was to be the first in over 40 recordings as a leader. Throughout the 1980s, Barron collaborated with the great tenor saxophonist Stan Getz, touring with his quartet and recording several legendary albums including “Anniversary”, “Serenity” and the Grammy nominated “People Time”.

 

Barron’s own recordings for Verve have earned him nine Grammy nominations beginning in 1992 with “People Time”, followed by the Brazilian influenced “Sambao” and most recently for “Freefall” in 2002. Other Grammy nominations went to “Spirit Song”, “Night and the City” (a duet recording with Charlie Haden) and “Wanton Spirit” a trio recording with Roy Haynes and Charlie Haden.

 

In 2018, Barron celebrated his 75th birthday and mark the 50th year of a remarkable recording career that shows no signs of slowing down.

 

He has been honored by The National Endowment for the Arts as a Jazz Master. In 2005 he was inducted into the American Jazz Hall of Fame and in 2009 he was inducted into the National Academy of Arts and Sciences.

 

He was named Best Pianist in 2017 by the Jazz Journalists Association, marking a record seven times he has won the award.

 

For more information on Kenny Barron, visit kennybarron.com .

 

After the Kenny Barron Quintet, the remaining Jazz Series concerts are Joey DeFrancesco on Feb. 7, 2019, and Benny Green Trio & Veronica Swift on March 7, 2019.

 

Tickets for jazz series concerts range from $35-$45.

 

St. Cecilia Music Center is located at 24 Ransom NE, Grand Rapids. For tickets or more information call  616-459-2224 or visit www.scmc-online.org.

 

Tickets on sale Oct. 26th for Disturbed’s EVOLUTION world tour with March 7 Van Andel Arena concert date

Citizen Journalism, Entertainment, Upcoming Events, , ,
Photo supplied

 

By Hilarie Carpenter, SMG

 

Two-time Grammy nominees Disturbed have announced the Evolution World Tour, an extensive international arena tour that kicks off Jan. 9 in San Diego, CA, and will see the multi-platinum-selling rock band headlining SMG-managed Van Andel Arena on Thursday, March 7, 2019 at 7:30 PM with Three Days Grace.

That run will be followed by an overseas trek that’ll see the band bringing their incendiary live show to Spain, Switzerland, Italy, Austria, Germany, Luxembourg, Sweden, Norway, Denmark, France, the Netherlands and the UK.
Tickets go on sale to the general public beginning Friday, Oct. 26 at 10am.Tickets will be available at the Van Andel Arena and DeVos Place box offices, online at Ticketmaster.com, and charge by phone at 1-800-745-3000. See Ticketmaster.com for all pricing and availability. A purchase limit of eight (8) tickets will apply to every order.
Disturbed (vocalist David Draiman, guitarist Dan Donegan, drummer Mike Wengren and bassist John Moyer) is touring in support of much-buzzed-about new album Evolution—which arrives tomorrow(!)—and lead single “Are You Ready,” which hit No. 1 on Billboard’s Hot Mainstream Rock Tracks Chart and has maintained that position for 4 consecutive weeks. The song, which is the band’s 12th No. 1 single and the fastest chart-climber of their career, has over 5 million Spotify streams and a companion video with more than 5 million YouTube views.
Evolution has been early drawing rave reviews from fans and critics alike, with Billboard declaring it, “their most diverse album ever and one of their best, on par with their 2002 hit album Believe.”
Classic Rock wrote, “the title says it all…the band have embraced their own instincts, and as a result their credibility has soared on arguably their most convincing album since 2000’s The Sickness.”
The Chicago Sun-Times said, “Evolution takes some of the biggest leaps of Disturbed’s career, with the unpredictability in David Draiman’s vocals, Mike Wengren’s drumming patterns, Dan Donegan’s dimensional guitar work and John Moyer’s low-down bass lines fully embodying the album’s title.”
Music Week proclaimed, “Disturbed are ready to go stratospheric on their new album Evolution,” Metal Hammer wrote, “without a doubt the most diverse record in Disturbed’s catalogue,” and Power Play gave it a 10-star review, gushing, “Disturbed have evolved into a superbly mature rock act, who, with this album, fully transcend from pure metal into pure greatness. This is a career-defining release. Nothing less.”
The Evolution World Tour will see the band playing an exhilarating mix of classic hits like “Down With The Sickness,” Inside The Fire” and “The Sound Of Silence” along with new tracks such as “Are You Ready” and the recently released “A Reason To Fight.”
The tour announcement follows last week’s intimate hometown show at Chicago’s Vic Theatre (a special performance that airs today on SiriusXM’s Octane and Turbo Channels) and this past weekend’s set at the Austin City Limits Music Festival on a bill that featured Metallica, Lil Wayne, Justice and more.
On Oct. 23 and 24, Disturbed will partner with the USO to perform for the Airmen at Creech and Nellis Air Force Bases in Indian Springs and Las Vegas, respectively.In addition to the performances, the band will take part in USO morale engagements to visit Airmen where they work and learn more about the important missions at each base.
Disturbed recorded Evolution in Vegas with Kevin Churko, who produced their previous release, 2015’s Immortalized. That album became the band’s fifth consecutive #1 debut on the Billboard Top 200, earned a platinum certification, and yielded the triple-platinum crossover smash “The Sound of Silence.” The latter earned a GRAMMY® nod for “Best Rock Performance.” Additionally, the band took home “Best Rock Artist” at the iHeartRadioMusic Awards and received acclaim from The Wall Street Journal, New York Times, USA Today, and more.
About Disturbed
Simply put, Disturbed are one of the most successful rock bands in modern history. The multiplatinum-selling quartet accomplished the rare feat of achieving five consecutive number one debuts on the Billboard Top 200. That accolade historically elevated them to rarified air alongside Metallica, the only other hard rock group to do so in the history of the chart.
Immortalized (2015) received a platinum certification and spawned the triple-platinum crossover smash “The Sound of Silence,” which garnered a nomination at the 2017 GRAMMY® Awards in the category of “Best Rock Performance.” Since their formation in 1996, the band has sold 16 million albums globally and scored twelve No. 1 singles at Active Rock Radio.
Their quadruple-platinum 2000 debut, The Sickness, formally announced their arrival as hard rock leaders, with that status solidified by subsequent  GRAMMY® Award nominations as well as gold-, platinum- and double platinum-certified records, as well as countless sold-out shows around the globe.  Named “Best Rock Artist” during the 2017 iHeartRadioMusic Awards, Disturbed continue to boldly forge ahead with the release of their aptly titled seventh offering, Evolution.

 

 

 

Opera Grand Rapids kicks off season with ‘The Magic Flute’

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By Leslie Black

Opera Grand Rapids

 

Opera Grand Rapids’ production of The Magic Flute coming to DeVos Performance Hall, Friday, Oct. 26, and Saturday Oct. 27, is a shining introduction to opera for all ages. Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart uses music to tell an allegorical tale about goodness, enlightened human rationality and equality. It’s an opportunity to bask in Mozart’s genius.

 

A Singspiel, “sung play,” The Magic Flute incorporates both singing and spoken word. Akin to today’s Broadway musicals it combines comedy, charade and romance. This opera contains some of the most spirited and beautiful music of all time, sung in English so that everyone can follow the story.

 

Opera Grand Rapids’ production is a feast for both eyes and ears. Dramatic sets, costumes and vibrant projected backgrounds by Michael Baumgarten give life to Mozart’s masterful composition. Opera Grand Rapids Chorus and the Grand Rapids Symphony are led by Opera Grand Rapids’ Artistic Director and Conductor Maestro James Meena.

 

Meena’s conducting has been called “awe-inspiring” (Voix des Arts of Mo), “spot on,” and, “the best I’ve ever heard” (Opera Magazine). Meena serves as Artistic Director for Opera Grand Rapids and Opera Carolina, as well as, Toledo Opera’s Principal Artistic Advisor. In addition, Meena travels America and abroad as a guest conductor.

 

Internationally acclaimed stage director James Marvel is directing this production of The Magic Flute coming to DeVos Performance Hall, Friday, Oct. 26, and Saturday, Oct. 27. Marvel has been praised for his, “brilliant stage direction,” and his, “unforgettable and visually stunning new productions.” Marvel debuted in Lincoln Center in 2008 and Carnegie Hall in 2011. For this this splendid production, Marvel chose a light-hearted, comedic approach and explores the rich symbolism in Mozart’s beloved and iconic opera.

 

Opera Grand Rapids’ The Magic Flute boasts a regional and nationally-acclaimed principal cast. New York native John Viscardi, a rising baritone, acknowledged for his diversity of vocal repertoire, is the happy-go-lucky bird catcher Papageno. Superb American coloratura Jana McIntyre is the star-blazing Queen of the Night.

 

“The Queen of the Night is only onstage for 15 minutes – total! But she has two of the most exceptional and iconic arias in the repertoire.” said Meena. “Jana is a rising star in the opera universe and just like the Queen herself, will ascend the heavens with her thrilling singing.”

 

Meena may be bringing the brightest of opera’s rising stars to the Opera Grand Rapids’ stage, yet audiences will appreciate the level of talent from the locally-based chorus and comprimari.

 

Chrissy Amon, as Second Lady, is a Grand Rapids native, a versatile mezzo-soprano excelling in opera, musical theater, and art song. Laura Broscow, as First Boy, is a soprano with her master’s degree in vocal performance from Michigan State University under the tutelage of Jane Bunnell.

 

“This region boasts several excellent universities that are educating the next generation of opera artist and musicians.” said Meena, “In many ways, they shape the cultural life of our region in a way that is profound. For Opera Grand Rapids, it is a true blessing to have so many gifted performers who are part of our community.”

 

The Magic Flute is an opera for all, filled with international stars and amazing local talent alongside Opera Grand Rapids Chorus that is beginning to make waves.

 

Call Opera Grand Rapids box office, 616-451-2741, ext 103, to order tickets today.

On the shelf: ‘Sailing Grace’ by John Otterbacher

Books, Citizen Journalism, Entertainment, , , ,

By M. Christine Byron, Grand Rapids Public Library, Main Branch

 

John Otterbacher’s memoir is his account of  “drowning in heart disease, fighting back to the surface, and sailing on.” It is an engrossing story that I couldn’t put down. John and his wife, Barbara, decide to pursue of dream of sailing across the Atlantic and come up with a plan to pare down their lifestyle. But then John is surprised with a series of heart troubles.

 

The book recounts John’s dealing with his physical struggles, his connections with family and friends, while keeping sight of his dreams. Thus gritty account is well written and inspiring. The reader is drawn into John’s world and feels the pain and fear that he has so clearly portrayed, but also the joy with each small recovery and each sailing success.

 

John’s cardiologist, Richard McNamara, MD, has said of the book, “When hope and heart disease collide, hope sometimes wins.” The book tells the story of one man’s unwillingness to allow his medical condition to restrain him from pursuing his dreams and living the life he wants.

 

Since earning his degree in clinical psychology, John has taught college, served as a State Representative and Senator, and worked as a psychotherapist. Local residents might recognize his name from his years in public service. The book makes several references to places in Grand Rapids, as well as to other familiar Michigan towns. As an advocate of “living out beyond your fears,” John has served as a role model of strength, perseverance and hope.

 

GVSU’s Fall Arts Celebration spotlights the arts during multiple free events

Citizen Journalism, Entertainment, Upcoming Events, , , , , ,
Kariamu and Company: Traditions — A Celebration of African Dance (photo supplied)

By Matthew Makowski, Grand Valley State University

 

For the past 15 years, West Michigan audiences have enjoyed a series of six free events every fall at Grand Valley that celebrate the positive impact of the arts. President Thomas J. Haas said these events are offered as gifts to the local community that has supported the evolution of the university.

 

“Each year, these six diverse and free events provide us with the opportunity to thank the West Michigan community for its continued support of the performing arts at Grand Valley, and the university as a whole,” said Haas. “The arts lift us up, make us think and provide an endless variety of entertainment and enrichment, and we hope others will join us in celebrating the richness of the worlds of poetry, dance, art, music and more this fall.”

 

Here are the upcoming Fall Arts Celebration events for November and December. For more event details, go here.

 

Kariamu and Company: Traditions — A Celebration of African Dance

  • Nov. 12, at 7:30 pm
  • Location: Louis Armstrong Theatre, Haas Center for Performing Arts, Allendale Campus

Kariamu Welsh is a Guggenheim award–winning dance scholar, choreographer, educator and the founder of the Umfundalai technique. For the past 40 years, Welsh has developed Umfundalai as a contemporary dance technique that seeks to articulate the essence of African-oriented movement while highlighting the cultural and aesthetic continuity found in the rhythm and artistic sensibilities that cover the full range of African dance. As an “artivist,” Welsh feels that one of her responsibilities is to tell the stories, myths, legends and histories of the marginalized, invisible, forgotten and oppressed. Welsh is currently a professor of dance in the Boyer College of Music and Dance at Temple University.

 

Photo supplied

Celebrating Holiday Splendor: Craig Jessop Conducts “The Many Moods of Christmas”

  • Dec. 3, at 7:30 pm
  • Location: Fountain Street Church, 24 Fountain Street NE, Grand Rapids

Robert Shaw’s “The Many Moods of Christmas” meshes pieces of 18 of the most traditional carols combined with music from composers such as Handel, Bizet and Bach. Renowned choral conductor Craig Jessop will lead the GVSU Arts Chorale and local high school students for this special holiday celebration concert. Jessop, professor of music and founding dean of the Cain College of the Arts at Utah State University, is the former director of the world-famous Mormon Tabernacle Choir. He led the ensemble as a featured conductor during the opening ceremonies of the 2002 Winter Olympics in Salt Lake City.

Saugatuck/Douglas ‘Kids and Pets Costume Contest & Parade’ Oct. 27 at Wicks Park

Citizen Journalism, Entertainment, Travel, Upcoming Events,

By Saugatuck/Douglas

 

Boolieve it or not, Halloween is just around the corner and it’s time to get creative! The Saugatuck/Douglas “Kids and Pets Costume Contest & Parade” event is happening on Saturday, Oct. 27 at Wicks Park.

 

Judges will determine the winners and will distribute cash prizes at the end. There will be four costume categories for both kids and pets:

  • Cute
  • Funny
  • Scary
  • Most creative

Here’s the lineup:

  • 3:30pm – Costume judging and parade lineup @ Wicks Park
  • 4pm – Parade begins

Stick around after the parade at Wick’s Pick for the awarding of cash prizes, goodies from Doughrunts Doughnut Truck, horse-drawn wagon rides through town, a puppet show and more!

 

For more information go here or email staff@saugatuck.com.

Tickets on sale TODAY for Weezer and the Pixies, March 20th at Van Andel Arena

Citizen Journalism, Entertainment, Upcoming Events,

 

By Hilaire Carpenter, SMG

Weezer to Hit the Road Again with the Pixies This Spring

Following a rapturously received summer tour, Weezer will be returning to the road with Pixies this spring for a run of highly anticipated North American arena dates. Produced by Live Nation, the 21-city tour will kick off March 8th in Louisville, KY and make stops in Montreal, St. Louis, Portland, and more, before wrapping April 12th in Las Vegas, NV. The tour comes to Grand Rapids at SMG-managed Van Andel Arena on Wednesday, March 20, 2019, at 7pm.

 

Tickets go on sale to the general public beginning Friday, October 19 at 10am. Tickets will be available at the Van Andel Arena and DeVos Place® box offices, online at Ticketmaster.com, and charge by phone at 1-800-745-3000. A purchase limit of eight (8) tickets will apply to all orders and prices can be found on Ticketmaster.com.

 

Today, Weezer revealed the first song from their forthcoming, long-anticipated record, The Black Album, set for release in 2019 via Crush Music/Atlantic Records. The song — entitled ‘Can’t Knock The Hustle’ — was produced by TV On The Radio’s Dave Sitek, with whom the band worked for the first time. The song premiered this morning via iHeartRadio at 8am EST, and follows the band’s smash hit cover of ‘Africa’ by Toto.

 

A video for the song, starring Fall Out Boy’s Pete Wentz as a rideshare driver taking the longest drive of his life, and produced by Jerry Media, is also up now. Click HERE to watch it. Also, check out HastaLuegoAdios.com for some classic Weezer fun.

 

Weezer are: Brian Bell (guitar/vocals), Rivers Cuomo (vocals/guitar), Scott Shriner (bass/vocals) and Pat Wilson (drums). For more information, connect with Weezer: Website // Facebook // Twitter // Instagram.

 

 

Arts & Eats 2018 is this weekend in Southwest Michigan

Citizen Journalism, Entertainment, Travel, Upcoming Events,
Photo supplied

By Michelle Frank, Arts and Eats

 

Learn about locally owned businesses and rural life as part of this weekend’s Arts and Eats fall tour.

 

More than 60 new and returning West Michigan artist studios, galleries, locally-owned eateries, farms, and farmers markets are participating in the 8th Annual Arts and Eats. This free, self-driving, back-roads tour is Saturday, Oct. 20th and Sunday, Oct. 21st throughout rural portions of Allegan, Barry, Calhoun, Kalamazoo, and Van Buren counties. The tour map is online at ARTSandEATS.org.

 

Visit with local artisans in their studios, and see working farms featuring specialty food crops, fiber, and heritage animals. Should hunger strike, stop at one of the area’s local gems which serve food made with ingredients from area farms and producers.

 

Sites are generally open both days from 10am to 5pm. Food and drink places are open during normal business hours, and many will kick-off the tour the night before on Friday, Oct. 19th.

 

Photo supplied

Arts and Eats also hosts a “Best Drinks” contest. Patrons may taste and vote for their favorites in the categories of “Best Hot,” “Best Cold,” and “Most Unique” Drink at ARTSandEATS.org.

 

Arts and Eats raises awareness and appreciation of the region’s human and natural resources. The tour reminds us about the benefits of buying and consuming locally-grown foods and supporting Michigan artists as entrepreneurs. The tour is an opportunity to contribute to a sense of place and to support local economies.

Special Halloween-themed organ concerts at the GRPM Oct. 19 & 20

Citizen Journalism, Entertainment, Upcoming Events, , , ,

By Jeremy Witt, West Michigan Tourist Association

 

The Grand Rapids Public Museum (GRPM) is hosting Halloween-themed Mighty Wurlitzer Organ Concerts with the silent film, The Cabinet of Dr. Caligarion Friday, Oct. 19 and Saturday, Oct. 20.

 

Internationally known silent film organist, Dennis Scott, will be playing the GRPM’s 1928 Mighty Wurlitzer Organ accompanied to the silent film, for a thrilling, family friendly event.

 

The Cabinet of Dr. Caligari is a 1920 German thriller silent film. The plot twists when a group of friends visit the carnival and watch showman Dr. Caligari who uses hypnotism to control to his victims. When Dr. Caligari brings hypnotized Cesare out of a sarcophagus, Cesare predicts Alan will be dead by morning. When this predication comes true, Francis and Jane are left to find out answers. Considered one of the first chilling silent films, it has been praised by modern film critics and historians alike.

 

Dennis Scott first began accompanying silent films in the 1970s, when he started playing theatre pipe organs installed in pizza parlors in the Midwest and on the West Coast where he would accompany a couple of “two-reel” comedies every evening. His style has been compared to that of 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 is the house organist at Chicago’s historic Music Box Theatre, playing weekend intermissions, the annual Sing-Along Sound of Music, the annual Music Box Christmas Sing-Along, as well as several themed film festivals and special events.

 

Shows are being held at 7pm on Friday, Oct. 19 and at 2pm on Saturday, Oct. 20 in the Meijer Theater at the GRPM.

 

Tickets for individual concerts are $8 for Museum member adults, $4 for Museum member children, $10 for non-member adults and $5 for non-member children. Tickets are available by visiting the website here or by calling 616.929.1700.

 

The second concert of the series will feature Brett Valliant playing classic “pizza parlor” organ music including Maple Leaf Rag, In the Mood, Phantom of the Opera andRock Around the Clock on Friday, Nov. 16 at 7pm and Saturday, Nov. 17 at 2pm.

 

The third and final concert of the series will feature Lance Luce performing holiday songs, which includes favorites such as White Christmas, Silver Bells, and Let it Snow, on Friday, Dec. 21 at 7pm and Saturday, Dec. 22 at 2pm.

 

The Mighty Wurlitzer Organ

The Wurlitzer Company of North Tonawanda, New York, manufactured and shipped Opus #1836, a “3 manual special”, to the Stanley Theater of Jersey City, New Jersey, on Feb. 9, 1928. The Mighty Wurlitzer Organ spent two decades entertaining customers at the Roaring 20’s Pizza Parlor on 28th Street in Grand Rapids, before it was moved to its current location at the Grand Rapids Public Museum.

One weekend: Three amazing women authors! Oct. 20-22

Citizen Journalism, Entertainment, Travel, Upcoming Events, , , , ,

By Anne Stanton, National Writers Series

 

The National Writers Series of Traverse City, a pre-eminent year-round book festival, is excited to announce its Amazing Women’s Weekend, Oct. 20-22. Coming up are:

  • Amy Goldstein, whose book Janesville: An American Story tells the tale of a Wisconsin town’s resiliency at a time of cataclysmic economic stress. It hit the 2017 best book lists of the Wall Street Journal, NPR, Business Insider, and The Economist.
  • Tayari Jones, author of An American Marriage, an instant New York Times bestselling novel and a top book pick by both Oprah and former President Barack Obama.
  • Alice Walker, the first African American to win the Pulitzer Prize for her novel, The Color Purple. This legendary author will be here to talk about her new book of poetry.

Interlochen Public Radio is producing the show.

 

SEASON TICKETS

  • All events take place at the City Opera House, downtown Traverse City
  • 6pm – Reception with cash bar, live music, and Morsels
  • 7pm – The author/guest host interview is followed by a Q and A and book signing.
  • Purchase tickets online at cityoperahouse.org, calling 231-941-8082, ext. 201, or in-person at The City Opera House. Ticket fees vary by method of purchase.

An Evening with Amy Goldstein  

Janesville: An American Story  

Oct. 20, 2018

Amy Goldstein

TICKETS

  • $15 – Reserved
  • $25 – Premium Reserved
  • $5 – Students (K-12 and College)

How does a heartland city pick itself up after the oldest General Motors plant in the country is shuttered during the Great Recession of 2008?

 

The plant, located in Janesville, Wisconsin, is also home to U.S. Representative Paul Ryan. Using the city as a microcosm of a larger national struggle, Goldstein brings fresh insights and possibilities to the discouraging story of the struggles of the working classes.

 

Goldstein has been a staff writer for 30 years at The Washington Post, where much of her work has focused on social policy. Among her many awards, she shared the 2002 Pulitzer Prize for national reporting. She has been a fellow at Harvard University at the Nieman Foundation for Journalism and the Radcliffe Institute for Advanced Study. Janesville: An American Story is her first book. She lives in Washington, DC.

 

Guest host: Shannon Henry Kleiber, a producer for To the Best of Our Knowledge, a public radio show from Wisconsin Public Radio and PRX. She is a seven-year veteran of The Washington Post, where she wrote for just about every section of the paper. Shannon is the author of The Dinner Club: How the Masters of the Internet Universe Rode the Rise and Fall of the Greatest Boom in History and On My Honor: Real Life Lessons From America’s First Girl Scout.  Shannon lives in Madison, Wisconsin.

An Evening with Tayari Jones  

An American Marriage  

Oct. 21, 2018

Tayari Jones

TICKETS

  • $15 – Reserved
  • $25 – Premium Reserved
  • $5 – Students (K-12 and College)

Tayari Jones’s new novel, An American Marriage, tells the compelling story of a couple at the crossroads of love and injustice. An instant New York Times bestseller and a 2018 Oprah’s Book Club selection, it tells of newlyweds Celestial and Roy arriving in Atlanta to start their lives together. They appear to be on a straight track to success in their respective careers and domestic bliss. But all their hard work and right decisions are put on hold when Roy, a young executive, is found guilty of rape, a crime both he and Celeste know he did not commit. He is sentenced to twelve years of prison, forcing the couple to reconcile their relationship with a broken criminal justice system.

 

The author of four novels including The Silver Sparrow, Jones’s books exhibit a deep understanding of human struggles large and small. Her powers of observation will make this a night of insight and inspiration that is not to be missed.

 

Guest host, Aaron Stander has worked in the literary vineyards for more than five decades. He has been a college English professor, educational consultant, and teacher trainer. He has published numerous articles, stories, reviews, and ten crime novels. Aaron is also the host/producer of Interlochen Public Radio’s longstanding program, Michigan Writers on the Air.

An Evening with Alice Walker  

Arrow Out of the Heart  

Oct. 22, 2018

TICKETS

  • $30 – Reserved
  • $40 – Premium Reserved
  • $5 – Students (K-12 and College)

While Walker hardly requires an introduction, her genius bears repeating. One of America’s most cherished writers, she has brought us novels, poems, and nonfiction works of the utmost artistic and social importance. In 1983 Walker received the Pulitzer Prize for Fiction for her novel The Color Purple, becoming the first African-American woman to receive the honor. The book has since been adapted into an Academy-Award nominated film and a Broadway musical.

 

Her staggering capacity for truth and warmth feature centrally in her work. Her latest book of collected poetry, Arrow Out of the Heart, is no exception. Presented in both English and Spanish and comprising almost 70 poems, each lush and lucid word brims with passion and power. The collection proves, once again, the tendency of Walker’s wisdom to sear into readers’ hearts, leaving its mark far beyond the last page.

 

Guest host Rochelle Riley, who always works with two phones, is a columnist for the Detroit Free Press, where she has been a leading voice for children, education, competent government and race since 2000. She is the author of The Burden: African Americans and the Enduring Impact of Slavery (Wayne State University Press, 2018). She makes frequent television and radio appearances, including on National Public Radio and local television. She has won numerous national, state and local honors, including a National Headliner Award for local column writing.

About the National Writers Series

The Writers Series of Traverse City (NWS) is a nonprofit dedicated to holding great conversations with today’s best authors and building the writing and reading skills of youth. NWS believes in the power of storytelling to enrich and transform lives and whole communities.  NWS is made possible by our generous donors, as well as our major sponsors Cordia and West Shore Bank. We are also generously supported by grantors Michigan Council for Arts and Cultural Affairs and the National Endowment for the Arts.

 

Each NWS event is taped and broadcast to a wide and enthusiastic audience by Land Information Access Association’s Community Media Center and Interlochen Public Radio.

 

For more information on the National Writers Series, visit www.nationalwritersseries.org, contact NWS Executive Director Anne Stanton, or call the National Writers Series at (231) 631-1551.

Indie Fest 18: Fabulous food, mix of music & spirits, art, on Oct. 20th

Citizen Journalism, Entertainment, Upcoming Events, , , , , , , ,

By West Michigan Tourist Association

 

The Mendel Center delivers a new take on the local music festival scene by bringing the party indoors. Indie Fest 18 celebrates original music, local beers, wines, and art on Saturday, Oct. 20, from 4–10pm.

 

The festival is anchored by three, nationally touring bands – Switchback, The Accidentals, and The Hunts. Each band will perform a full, 90-minute concert. Attendees can also enjoy mouthwatering culinary variety from some of the area’s favorite food trucks, an inviting selection of Michigan craft beers and local wines, and creations on display and for sale from up to 20 local artists!

The schedule includes:

Switchback

Switchback – 4pm
As seen on PBS, SWITCHBACK’s music is energetic, soulful, and versatile, combining elements of Americana, country, rock, and Celtic. Music Connection Magazine said: “The words ‘American Roots & Celtic Soul’ only begin to describe this unusual act, whose vocal prowess is as pure as it is unique. There is no denying the stunning vocal blends that are achieved by this duo.”

The Accidentals

The Accidentals – 6pm
THE ACCIDENTALS have affirmed their place among contemporary music’s most original and adventurous new bands. This Michigan-based band has crafted a genre all their own, fueled by their uniquely limitless approach to musicality and songcraft. “Musically, their songs sift together folk, bluegrass, alt-rock, and even classical music.” 10 Artists to Watch in 2017 – Yahoo Music.

The Hunts

The Hunts – 8pm
Known for their harmony-laced take on alt-folk, THE HUNTS are seven siblings from Chesapeake, Virginia, who’ve been playing music together almost their entire lives. That unified approach infuses their music with an irresistible richness of spirit. Their songs reveal their sophisticated sense of melody and undeniably dreamy innocence while capturing heartache and wonder with a wide-eyed but wistful elegance.

Indie Fest tickets are available at www.TheMendelCenter.com, through the box office at (269) 927-8700, option 1, and at the door. Indie Fest 18 is sponsored by swmichigan.org, 98.3 The Coast, and The Livery.

The Mendel Center is located on the Lake Michigan College campus at 2755 E. Napier Avenue, Benton Harbor, Michigan, one mile east of I-94 (Exit 30) and one mile west of the US 31 Bypass (exit 24).

On the shelf: ‘Infection: The Uninvited Universe’ by Gerald Callahan, Ph.D.

Books, Citizen Journalism, Entertainment, , , ,

By Lisa Boss, Grand Rapids Public Library, Main Branch

 

Ever wonder about all those anti-bacterial products that are everywhere now? How many microbes are out there anyways? If you are germ-phobic, you might be surprised (unpleasantly!) by Callahan’s book. I had not realized the extent to which microbes inhabit our bodies. According to the author, 90% of the cells in our bodies are not human cells, they are microbial!

 

“Because human cells, like those in our blood and skin and livers and hearts, are about one hundred to one thousand times larger than bacterial cells—by mass and volume—people appear mostly human. But they aren’t.” Who knew!

 

If you enjoy scientific writing for the non-scientist, Gerald Callahan, Ph.D., has an appointment in both pathology and English at Colorado State University. Which means he knows what he’s talking about, and he also presents it in an interesting way, peppered with colorful anecdotes. He covers many topics in this slim volume: one surprising chapter reviews the link between schizophrenia and infection. The really interesting part is his description of the different ways in which infections are linked to changes in thinking and behavior that will benefit the microbe.

 

“Toxoplasma gondii is a one-celled parasite found in several mammals, including humans.  But only inside of cats, most often domestic house cats, does T. gondii complete its life cycle and create newly infectious parasites to unleash on the rest of the world. T. gondii infects a high proportion of people with schizophrenia. The significance of that isn’t entirely clear, but it is clear that T. gondii infections can change the way mammals think, even the ways humans think.”

 

You’ll have to read the book to find out what happens to rats infected with T. gondii, and how this ties in with schizophrenia.

 

Fiesta Caribeña spices things up Oct. 18th at DeVos Performance Hall

Entertainment, , , , ,

By WKTV Staff

 

Live music! Dance performance! Salsa classes! DJ Tony Banks! Local art!

 

That’s what’s in store with Latin Entertainment Series: Sean Blackman presents Fiesta Caribeña, featuring Armando Vega and Junior Mathieu Thursday, Oct. 18th at DeVos Performance Hall, 303 Monroe Ave. NW, Grand Rapids, Mich.

 

Tickets are available at DeVos Place and Van Andel Arena box office; online at Ticketmaster.com; and charge by phone at 1.800.745.3000.

  • $25 General Admission
  • $40 VIP includes reserved seating and 2 complimentary drinks.

For more info, visit DeVosPerformanceHall.com.

On the shelf: ‘Creepers’ by David Morrell

Books, Citizen Journalism, Entertainment, , , , , ,

By Megan Andres, Grand Rapids Public Library, Ottawa Hills Branch

 

Once, a long time ago, the Paragon Hotel was THE place to be seen. Outfitted with all of the new technology of the day and situated in Asbury Park, New Jersey, the Paragon hosted celebrities and common folk alike. Famous chefs would spend hours preparing amazing room service and dining options. Morgan Carlisle, the owner of the Paragon, made sure that his place was the only place to be. And for a small group of Creepers, the abandoned hotel is still very much a site to see.

 

Professor Robert Conklin leads a group of students into the Paragon Hotel to explore its wastes. No one knows what really happened within its dank halls. Morgan Carlisle himself vanished within its walls. The Creepers, as they call themselves, allow one reporter to follow them into the building in an attempt to teach the world about “creeping” and why it shouldn’t be illegal. Being able to investigate abandoned buildings and the people who once lived inside them is not only a thrill but also an educational experience. Frank Balenger insists he will be fair and true in detailing the story. It’s a pity he’s not all he seems.

 

Morrell takes an underworld of adventure and twists it. The Paragon Hotel does not live up to its name at all. And the events that quickly unfold would scare even the staid horror fan. Voices and visions within the hotel’s walls soon entrap his heroes and the life and death struggle of the group soon takes over the educational experience.

 

Creepers is a truly original horror story. It takes a topic that could be something any of us would love to do and reminding us that sometimes staying home might just be the best choice. My copy of Creepers was a gift from my brother, and I loved the story and characters. Morrell even drew up another horror plot for his hero Frank Balenger, Scavengers. If you enjoy a good scare in the comfort of your own home, pick up a copy of Creepers today. Just make sure you read it with the lights on . . .

 

 

On the shelf: ‘Look Me in the Eye: My Life with Asperger’s’ by John Elder Robison

Citizen Journalism, Entertainment, , , , ,

By Lisa Boss, Grand Rapids Public Library, Main Branch

 

Robison is just a great storyteller — turning some of the weirdest, craziest stuff into a life you almost envy him having. The author is the older brother that Augusten Burroughs wrote about in his memoir, Running With Scissors, in the chapter, ‘He was Raised Without a Diagnosis’.

 

That diagnosis would not come until he was 40. Up to then he was on his own to cope with his genius, his unsociable behavior, his bewilderment, and his loneliness. Robison sums up his early relations with the world: “Everyone thought they understood my behavior. They thought it was simple: I was just no good.”

 

It wasn’t simple though. All his life he had longed to connect with other people, and gradually he figured out how to do that, despite his Asperger’s. But it took awhile, and his alcoholic father and mentally ill mother weren’t much help. Teachers hadn’t heard of Asperger’s yet, and eventually he left school at 16.

 

Following his interests in explosives and electronics led him into the music industry, where eccentric people were the norm (guess who made the exploding guitars for Kiss?), then into electronic toys, and finally — into his own, true life.

 

Award-winning poets to discuss their work, inspirations during GVSU event

Entertainment, , , ,
Ada Limon

By Matthew Makowski

 

Two unique poetic voices will share their work and discuss their inspirations with the West Michigan community during Fall Arts Celebration at Grand Valley State University.

 

“An Evening of Poetry and Conversation with Ada Limón and Carl Phillips” will take place Thursday, Oct. 18, at 7:30 p.m., on the 2nd floor of the Eberhard Center, located on the Pew Grand Rapids Campus. A reception and book signing will take place after both authors read samples from their work.

 

“Carl Phillips and Ada Limón both write out of their passions,” said Patricia Clark, professor of writing and Grand Valley’s Poet-in-Residence. “If Phillips is the more somber voice of the two poets, his words are still lit by brief moments of intensity and beauty. Limón’s relaxed, seemingly casual voice dazzles with precision and directness.”

 

Carl Phillips

Clark said attendees of the event will experience the power of poetry when it is heard instead of read.

 

“It is a completely different experience to hear poets live, not just on the page,” she said. “They reveal quite a bit about themselves and their work, and they say things that help illuminate the poems.

 

Limón is the author of five books of poetry, including her new book The Carrying (2018). Her volume Bright Dead Things was named one of the top 10 poetry books of 2015 by The New York Times. Limón currently serves on the faculty of Queens University of Charlotte’s low-residency Master of Fine Arts program.

 

Phillips is the author of 14 books of poetry, including his most recent works, Wild Is the Wind (2018) and Reconnaissance (2015). The latter won the PEN USA Award and the Lambda Literary Award. A four-time finalist for the National Book Award, Phillips’ honors include the Los Angeles Times’ Book Prize for Poetry, the Kingsley Tufts Award and fellowships from the Guggenheim Foundation, Library of Congress and Academy of American Poets. He is currently a professor of English at Washington University in St. Louis.

 

For more information about Fall Arts Celebration, visit gvsu.edu/fallarts. All Fall Arts Celebration events are free and open to the public.

Review: Ballet 5:8’s latest Grand Rapids dance premiere does not disappoint

Entertainment, Reviews,
“The Space in Between” by Ballet 5:8. (Supplied)

 

By K.D. Norris

ken@wktv.org 

 

60-second Review

 

Ballet 5:8 premiere of “The Space in Between”, with “Four Seasons of the Soul”, Oct. 6, at Richard and Helen Devos Center for Arts & Worship, Grand Rapids, Mi. 

 

The return of the Chicago-based Ballet 5:8 to Grand Rapids Christian High School’s DeVos Center for the Arts and Worship not only reinforced the modern ballet troupe’s technical prowess but also artistic director/choreographer Julianna Rubio Slager and dancer/costumer designer Lorianne Barclay’s bold ability to create emotional stage production’s that also carry moral and religious meaning.

 

With the world premiere of “The Space in Between” on Oct. 6, Slager successfully uses the full strength of her dancers — especially soloists Stephanie Joe, Brette Benedict, Lorianne Barclay and Antonio Rosario — as well as the thematic power of C.S. Lewis’ story “The Great Divorce” and the mesmerizing music of Phillip Glass.

 

The simplified storyline has lead dancers/story characters Frank and Sarah (Barclay and Sam Opsal), along with the narrator (Joe), traveling by bus and more otherworldly means to a place between heaven and hell. The section titles explain the journey as well as is possible: “Grey Town”, “Valley of the Shadow of Life” and “Heaven”.

 

While the program text went into great detail of the original and adapted storyline, and some in the audience may have needed it, the inner and worldly battles between good and evil were clear from the stage, via the solo and ensemble dances, even without additional explanation.

 

The journey on which the lead and supporting dancers take the audience on via “The Space in Between” also make clear that Slager and Barclay are not afraid to give lead dancers extensive starring rolls and not afraid to bring classic ballet dance into the modern world with very modish costume and music.

 

As far as Slager’s use of stage effects with her dancers, the moodiness of lighting and produced fog significantly adds to the overall affect, while a couple appearance of props representing the bus in question are less so.

 

But I quibble.

 

“The Space in Between” not only was a thing of thoughtful beauty but a powerful addition to Slager and Ballet 5:8’s catalogue. And we look forward to their continued annual visit to West Michigan.

 

May I have more, please? 

 

The opening work of Ballet 5:8’s program was an older work by Slager, “Four Seasons of the Soul”, a work which should not be under-appreciated or under-performed.

 

The work, originally from 2014, takes inspiration from Biblical passage Ecclesiastes 3:1-11 — “… He has planted eternity in the human heart, but even so, people cannot see the who scope of God’s work from beginning to end.”

 

The Four Seasons of the Soul, by Ballet 5:8. (Supplied)

Slager’s choreography though the seasons is admirable, as was the unique costume design of Barclay — especially almost hypnotic sun-yellow attire in Summer — and the reworked music of Vivaldi’s “The Four Seasons” by Max Richter, with the high-point being the on-stage dance union of Benedict and Rosario in Summer and Joe’s solo in Fall.

 

For more information visit ballet58.org .

 

Harry Connick Jr. to play DeVos Performance Hall Nov. 26

Citizen Journalism, Entertainment, Upcoming Events, ,

By Hilarie Szarowicz

 

Join Harry and his amazing band as they celebrate New Orleans’ three hundredth birthday and the influences that shaped his career. Enjoy the evening as Harry toasts this beloved city and also performs a selection of holiday favorites, when the “A New Orleans Tricentennial Celebration… Holiday Edition” tour comes to SMG-managed DeVos Performance Hall in Grand Rapids on Monday, Nov. 26, 2018, at 7:30pm.

 

Harry Connick Jr. has exemplified excellence in every aspect of the entertainment world. He has received recognition with multiple Grammy and Emmy Awards as well as Tony nominations for his live and recorded musical performances, his achievements on screens large and small and his appearances on Broadway as both an actor and a composer. The foundation of Connick’s art is the music of his native New Orleans, where he began performing as a pianist and vocalist at the age of five.

 

Tickets are available at the DeVos Place® and Van Andel Arena® box offices, online at Ticketmaster.com, and charge by phone at 1-800-745-3000. See Ticketmaster.com for all prices and availability. A purchase limit of 8 tickets will apply to every order.

 

For more information, please visit HarryConnickJr.com.