Category Archives: Entertainment

Sensory Friendly Museum Night Oct. 4 at the GRPM

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sensory-friendly-museum-nightThe Grand Rapids Public Museum (GRPM) will open its doors free of charge to families affected by autism and other sensory-processing challenges on Tuesday, October 4th from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. Visitors will receive free general admission on this night to explore the Museum’s three floors of core exhibits at no cost.

 

Visitors will enjoy a sensory-friendly museum environment, special ArtPrize-themed activities and a free planetarium show. The Museum and the Chaffee Planetarium will adapt sounds, lighting and activities within the current exhibits to create a low-sensory experience for all.

 

“We are excited to be able to offer a night at the Museum to those with autism and family members to experience our exhibits in an environment comfortable for them. This allows more community members that wouldn’t usually be able to visit the Museum an experience to create lifetime memories from our sensory-friendly exhibits and artifacts,” said Dale Robertson, President & CEO of the GRPM.

 

The Museum is able to host this Sensory Friendly Museum Night thanks to a sponsorship from Behavioral Health.

 

The GRPM offers fun, hands-on learning opportunities for all ages through a variety of core and traveling exhibits. Visitor favorites include the Streets of Old Grand Rapids, an immersive exhibit that transports visitors back to 19th century of downtown Grand Rapids; and West Michigan Habitats that showcase the vast wildlife found in West Michigan.

 

Adventures at San Diego Comic-Con: Warner Brothers at Hall H

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Wonder Woman CastFor the second straight year, Katelyn visited Comic-Con in San Diego. In case you missed it: Wonder Woman had an anniversary, Her Universe had a fashion show, and costumes galore!

 

Written and photographed by: Katelyn Kohane

 

“I was brought to life by Zeus.” – Wonder Woman

 

We finally made it into Hall H a little after 10am after camping out all night on Saturday. I planned on staying in Hall H all day because the line up was capital A-mazing!

 

Warner Brothers kicked off the day with a lineup that included Wonder Woman, Justice League, Suicide Squad, The Lego Batman, King Arthur: Legend of the Sword, Kong: Skull Island, and Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them. I would expect nothing less than the incredible lineup we got with Warner Brothers.

 

On top of the great lineup, the morning was hosted by none other than Conan O’Brien!

 

The presentation began with a fantastic trailer for Wonder Woman that was followed by O’Brien introducing the cast. Gal Gadot, Chris Pine, Connie Nielsen, and Director Patty Jenkins were on the panel to talk about the movie. Gal Gadot summed it up nicely when she mentioned that it took “a lot of hard work and patience.”

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After Wonder Woman came a surprise guest, the cast for Justice League. While they couldn’t stay long – they were headed over to the film set – they stayed long enough to show the trailer and talk to the crowd. Ben Affleck, Henry Cavill, Gal Gadot, Jason Momoa, Ezra Miller, Ray Fisher, and Director Zack Snyder were in attendance.

 

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Suicide Squad, which is currently in theaters, took time on Saturday to pay a visit to Hall H.

 

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After the Suicide Squad cast made their appearance, we were shown the trailer for The Lego Batman movie and we had the opportunity to see Chris Mckay and Will Arnett. Then we saw the trailer for King Arthur: Legend of the Sword. Charlie Hunnam came and spoke for a little while. When asked how he prepared for such a role, Charlie Hunnam said he tried not to think about it too much.

 

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Next on tap was Kong: Skull Island! Tom Hiddleston (Loki!), Brie Larson, John Goodman (Roseanne and Speed Racer), Corey Hawkins, Jason Mitchel and Director Jordan Vogt-Roberts appeared onstage. The movie was filmed in three countries and we were given the first glimpse of the trailer at Comic-Con.

 

And to end our morning in Hall H, we were shown the trailer for Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them. The movie is a story inside the universe of Harry Potter. After the trailer, we were introduced to Eddie Redmayne, Ezra Miller, Colin Farrell, and David Yates.

 

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The first part of the morning certainly had an amazing line up of guests and trailers! “Your mission, should you choose to accept it…” is to stay tuned to see what happens the rest of the day in Hall H! As a spoiler I will mention Star Trek. Until next time…“Live Long and Prosper.”

Book Review: William G. Milliken: Michigan’s Passionate Moderate by David Dempsey

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millikenWhen I was a kid, I read a lot of biographies – explorers, sports heroes, presidents. Somehow, reading about those outstanding individuals of the past gave me pride and hope for the future. Dave Dempsey’s new biography of William G. Milliken evoked that same kind of feeling.

 

 

Milliken became Governor of Michigan in 1969, when then Governor George Romney left for Washington to take a post in President Nixon’s Cabinet. Milliken was subsequently elected to three consecutive four-year terms when he retired in 1982, he had served longer than any previous individual as the state’s chief executive. These were not easy years. Riots had scarred Detroit, the automobile industry was battered by foreign competition disrupting the state’s economy, and the battle to protect the environment was just beginning.

 

 

Through it all, Milliken acted with confidence, optimism and a spirit of conciliation. He stood, and still stands, as an example of the decency and civility that raises politics from the level of mud-slinging to the high plain of public service. Like all good writers, Dempsey uses many specific examples to paint a clear picture of Milliken’s general character. He describes the time when the Governor and his wife were taken on a hiking tour to film the television program “Michigan Outdoors” and 60-year-old Gene Little was lugging a huge TV camera on his shoulder. Dempsey lets one of the hikers, David Smethurst, tell the story:

 

“. . . we walked on and on. Pretty soon Gene is huffing and puffing. We stop more often for him. I walk ahead with Ned and Mrs. Milliken and look behind. Gene is still slogging along, but the Governor is now carrying his TV camera . . .I made up my mind about the Millikens that day. Good people make good leaders.”

 

 

 

The book is filled with these firsthand observations from friends of the Governor and his political adversaries, from newspaper editorials, journalists and reporters. Dempsey has done an excellent job of weaving this material into his text which provides a broader historical perspective. It’s like being there and then stepping back to reflect on the impact of major events form the time period. Often he lets Milliken speak for himself as in these words from his first speech as the acting Governor:

 

 

“[I hope my administration] is known for its compassion, its idealism, its candor and its toughness in pursuit of public ends.”

 

 

This high standard is the Milliken legacy something we citizens can hold up with hope and pride for our future political leaders.

 

This all-feline band is the cat’s meow! See them purrform Oct. 16 & 17 in GR

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The Amazing Acro-Cats are coming to Grand Rapids (photo courtesy of the Acro-Cats website)

 

By Victoria Mullen

WKTV

 

Coming to Grand Rapids October 16 and 17 are the Amazing Acro-Cats, a Chicago-based troupe of real rescued house cats. These fabulous felines perform a plethora of feats with their fancy footwork: they jump through hoops, ride on skateboards, ring bells, rolling barrels, walk the high wire, climb on ropes and more. Anyone who has tried herding cats will appreciate the time, love and patience that goes into training these kitty athletes.

 

But wait! There’s more. The only all-cat band in the entire world — Tuna and the Rock Cats — purrforms as the finale. You don’t want to miss this.

 

One of the four “cat shows” in the U.S., the Amazing Acro-Cats and their human staff are devoted to promoting cat-training awareness and supporting feline adoption and rescue across the country. Their mission and goal are to show cat lovers how to improve their relationship with their furrever friends through positive reinforcements that yield long-lasting and beneficial behaviors.

 

See their performance on Animal Planet:

 

 

The troupe of former orphans and strays travel from city to city in a custom cat bus and form partnerships that encourage fostering and finding homes for cats and kittens.

 

Tickets are $22-$32. Get your tickets here.

 

When: 1 pm & 5 pm Sunday, Oct. 16; 7 pm Monday, Oct. 17

 

acro-catsWhere: Peter Wege Auditorium, 1130 Wealthy St. SE, Grand Rapids, Mich. 49506

 

Duration: 1 hour, 30 minutes

 

 Photos courtesy of The Acro-Cats website.

“Voting! Making It Count” mini exhibit opens at Grand Rapids Public Museum

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This cane was from a Gerald Ford Republican Party Presidential campaign that took place in Grand Rapids 1976. The handle says "For President" and the year "76t." The cane was owned by Henry J. Danielski, a World War II veteran of the 82 Airborne Division and an old friend of Gerald Ford's from when they grew up in Grand Rapids together. Danielski ran into Ford at a campaign event where he was limping due to a long-term war injury. Ford gave him this cane to help him walk. Danielski's son later donated the cane to the Grand Rapids Pubic Museum.
This cane was from a Gerald Ford Republican Party Presidential campaign that took place in Grand Rapids 1976. The handle says “For President” and the year “76t.” The cane was owned by Henry J. Danielski, a World War II veteran of the 82 Airborne Division and an old friend of Gerald Ford’s from when they grew up in Grand Rapids together. Danielski ran into Ford at a campaign event where he was limping due to a long-term war injury. Ford gave him this cane to help him walk. Danielski’s son later donated the cane to the Grand Rapids Pubic Museum.

The Grand Rapids Public Museum (GRPM) announced today the new mini exhibit Voting! Making it Count will open Oct. 1. Tying into the 2016 presidential election, this exhibit will showcase voting related artifacts of the GRPM Collections from the 1800s through the present day.

 

Voting MachineVoting! Making it Count will display a historical timeline of voting machines beginning with a wooden voting box that was used in the 1890s by the Grand Rapids Typographical Union, continuing with a standard voting machine that utilized levers for votes invented in 1898 and used through the 1960s, a ballot container from the 1930s and 1940s used by the 1st Ward 9th Precinct in Grand Rapids, a Douglas Collapsible Voting Booth used from 1945 until the 1960s  in Grand Rapids, and a CES Votomatic Electronic Voting Machine that was used in the 2000 presidential election.

 

Other artifacts in this exhibit will include bumper stickers and buttons from various U.S. presidential elections, a Gerald R. Ford Presidential campaign cane, and campaign gloves, gavels and tags.

 

Admission to the mini exhibit Voting! Making it Count will be included with general admission to GRPM. This exhibit will be on display from Oct. 1 – Nov. 13, 2016, coinciding with the 2016 Presidential Election taking place on Tuesday, November 8.

 

The GRPM continuously showcases several mini-exhibitions, or pop-up exhibits, each year. They are modeled after pop-up stores, and are intended to be shorter in duration, tie into national and current events and showcase the GRPM’s Collections on a routine basis to the community. For further details, visit grpm.org.

‘Big Lebowski’ Beer Tour rolls back into Kalamazoo Oct. 1

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timthumbIn honor of one of the finest and most oft­-quoted films of all time, West Michigan Beer Tours is proud to present the return of the Big Lebowski Beer Tour.

 

In collaboration with Greenbush Brewing Co., Latitude 42 Brewing Co., Airway Fun Center and the Alamo Drafthouse Cinema, the Big Lebowski Beer Tour is yours to enjoy on Saturday, October 1st.

 

The tour includes a trio of specialty beers that reference the film from Greenbush brewer Jake Demski — a unique, tie­-dye-­laden tour of Latitude 42 Brewing Co.; bowling at Airway Fun Center; and a quote­-along of the cult film starring Jeff Bridges. The tour will begin with registration at 3 pm at Central City Tap House and officially conclude with a movie party/screening of The Big Lebowski at 7:30pm at the Alamo Drafthouse.

 

Garb referencing the film is highly encouraged (and may be rewarded). Hotel discounts are also available on request. Greenbush Brewing Co. will provide these small ­batch beers as part of the event:

  • “Obviously You’re Not A Golfer” –­­ 5% ABV Arnold Palmer Ale (available at Central City Tap House; ale with lemonade and ice tea in secondary fermentation)
  • “The Brew Abides” ­­– 9% ABV White Russian Imperial Stout (available at the Airway Fun Center)
  • “Who’s Woo?” ­­– 7% ABV Rice IPA (available at Alamo Drafthouse)

Ticket prices are: “The Donny” ($55,­­ ride only, pay rest as you go); “The Walter” ($79, samples, tour and logo pint glass at Latitude 42; one game of bowling and movie ticket); “The Dude” ($99­­, samples, tour and logo pint glass at Latitude 42; unlimited bowling; West Michigan Beer Tours T­-shirt and movie ticket).

Itinerary

Origination: Central City Tap House, registration at 3 pm with 4 pm departure.

 

Stop 1: Latitude 42 Brewing Co., samples, tour, logo pint glass, 4:15- 5:15 pm.

 

Stop 2: Airway Fun Center, bowling, full pour, 5:30-6:45 pm.

 

Termination: Alamo Drafthouse Cinema Kalamazoo, The Big Lebowski Quote­Along, 7 pm with 7:30 pm screening (Central City Tap House is about a block away from Alamo). For more information, go here.

 

For more details on upcoming tours, click on the “Tours” tab on their website, westmichiganbeertours.com. You can also find them on Facebook, Twitter, Flickr and TripAdvisor.

 

 

 

New Show “From Earth to the Universe” begins in October at Chaffee Planetarium

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grpm_lego_planetarium_0055Starting Saturday, Oct. 1, there will be a new show in the lineup at the Grand Rapids Public Museum’s Chaffee Planetarium. From Earth to the Universe will allow visitors to revel in the splendor of the various worlds within the solar system.

 

Leaving Earth, viewers of this new show will travel to the colorful birthplaces and burial grounds of stars found beyond the Milky Way and learn about the history of astronomy, the invention of the telescope and today’s giant telescopes that allow us to continue to probe deeper into the universe. Directed by the young Greek filmmaker Theofanis N. Matsopoulos, and featuring a soundtrack from Norwegian composer Johan B. Monell, viewers will explore the majesty of the solar system and the ferocity of the scorching sun.

 

For a schedule of show times, please visit grpm.org/planetarium. Tickets for planetarium shows are $4 with general admission, or $5 for planetarium only. Planetarium shows are free to GRPM members.

 

The Planetarium is named for Grand Rapids native, Roger B. Chaffee, who died with fellow Apollo 1 astronauts Gus Grissom and Ed White during a pre-launch test in 1967. The Planetarium was originally opened in 1994 and underwent a multi-million-dollar renovation fall 2013 to spring 2014. The Chaffee Planetarium features the latest Digistar projection technology and immersive surround sound for an unbelievably rich and realistic experience. The renovation was made possible through the generosity of the Museum’s donors, including the lead gift from The Wege Foundation.

 

Art.Write.Now.Tour. showcases best student work through Oct. 14 at KCAD

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“Portrait 1” by Shira Karni, a high school student from Grandville, Mich. is featured in the Art.Write.Now.Tour. Exhibition

Now through October 14, you can see work from some of the most talented young writers and artists in America at Kendall College of Art and Design of Ferris State University (KCAD). The traveling exhibition will feature the work of three students from Michigan: Shira Karni of Grandville; Scott Hanna of Beverly Hills; and Abe Cone of Chelsea.

 

The Art.Write.Now.Tour. traveling exhibition showcases innovative and inspiring works from national winners in the 2016 Scholastic Art & Writing Awards, and it’s on display in the Helen Miller Kendall Gallery (HMK Gallery) on the first floor of KCAD’s 17 Fountain St. NW building.

 

The Scholastic Art & Writing Awards — recognized as the nation’s preeminent and longest-running scholarship and recognition program for students in grades 7-12 — spotlights outstanding original work in a variety of different creative mediums, including writing, illustration, photography, drawing, sculpture and more. Works were first adjudicated regionally, then again on the national level by leading creative professionals. KCAD has played host to the Awards’ West Central Michigan region for a number of years, with support from Howard Miller.

 

“This selection of teen work is truly remarkable,” said Virginia McEnerney, Executive Director of the Alliance for Young Artists & Writers. “The visual art and the written pieces delve into themes ranging from the most intimate of human emotions to the current political climate. It’s a privilege to glance into the minds of some of our country’s most talented teens and an honor to have their work on display nationwide in our traveling Tour and in the DC exhibit.”

 

Approximately 50 visual art works selected from the Art.Write.Now. 2016 National Exhibition which took place in New York City at Parsons School of Design and the Pratt Institute this past June will be on display, as well as The Best Teen Writing of 2016, an annual anthology of selected Gold Medal writing, which will be displayed in the exhibition on iPads.

 

After Grand Rapids, the exhibition will visit Houston, TX; Bozeman, MT; and Jackson, MS.

 

For more information on the Scholastic Art & Writing Awards, visit artandwriting.org.

Cinque Terre, Italy’s string of gems

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By Lynn Strough

Travelynn Tales

 

Cinque Terre (translated The Five Lands), a Unesco World Heritage Site, is a necklace of five seaside villages strung along the Italian Riviera. It’s some of the most beautiful and dramatic coastal scenery anywhere in the world (my opinion, but also that of countless others).

The colorful villages are linked by hiking trails that wind along the coast, up high through olive groves and vineyards, and down low along the water. The whole trail is known as Sentiero Azzurro, or the Azure Trail, and the part of the trail from Riomaggiore to Manarola is called the Via dell’Amore or the Road of Love. A fence overlooking the sea is embedded with hundreds of padlocks, souvenirs from visitors sealing their love for each other. A train also links the towns, mostly through tunnels, for those who grow footsore or weary, and boats cruise the coastline as well. No cars are allowed.

When I was there the first time, in 2008, you could walk from the first village to the last in a day, albeit a long day. But in October 2011, a flash flood washed out some of the trails, buried streets and homes in mud, and killed nine people. They have recovered relatively quickly, although not all of the trails are open yet. Still, the ones that are give you astonishing views of the villages and sea, and there are plenty of other things to do in this popular tourist destination. (This time I was there in August, but my recommendation is to go in either June or September to avoid the massive crowds.

Stay in one of the villages, if you can, in order to be able to fully enjoy your time in Cinque Terre, especially the peaceful evenings when people head out and stroll through the towns and watch the sun set. Both visits I stayed at Cinqueterre Residence, high up on a hill in Riomaggiore, a small, family-run establishment where they treat you like you’re one of the family. We had great views from our balcony, and they serve a tasty breakfast, including cappuccino with a smile.

Riomaggiore, Manarola, Corniglia, Vernazza, and Monterosso are all worth a visit, full of gorgeous architecture, a profusion of flowers, shops galore, and many, many dining establishments, from tiny trattorias to fancier ristorantes, or just pick up snacks along the streets. They’re known for their local limoncello, basil, garlic and pinenut-filled pesto, and anchovies (if you ever thought you didn’t like anchovies, you haven’t tried these!), as well as focaccia in many different variations — rosemary, olive, tomato, cheese. And of course, there’s plenty of gelato.

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The main thing to do in Cinque Terre is hike, between the villages, but also in the hills above, where you can get away from some of the tourist crowds. Check your guidebooks, as some of the hikes are relatively easy, but others are quite strenuous, especially in the summer sun. Bring plenty of water, but if you’re lucky, you just might find someone selling fresh-squeezed juice along the way.

You can also hang out at the beach. The longest and busiest beach is in Monterosso, with chairs and umbrellas for rent, and sand that’s soft on your feet. You’ll find other beaches as well, in other villages which are less crowded but tend to be rocky.

Shopping is a pastime for some, and you can certainly pick up lots of souvenirs, but my souvenirs, with my shoestring budget and small backpack, mostly consist of photos, and there are plenty of photo opportunities here.

 If you’re in the area for a while, and you want a day trip away from the Cinque Terre, check out Portofino, a short train ride up the coast. It’s full of high-end shops and the yachting crowd. Colorful buildings line the harbor, and you can rub elbows with the rich and famous, although be prepared for prices to match.

Cinque Terre, like many beautiful places, has become perhaps a little too popular, but it’s so beautiful, it’s definitely worth braving the crowds to see.

23About Lynn Strough

Lynn is a 50+ free spirit whose incarnations in this life have included graphic designer, children’s book author and illustrator, public speaker, teacher, fine art painter, wine educator in the Napa Valley, and world traveler. Through current circumstances, she has found herself single, without a job or a home, and poised for a great adventure.

“You could consider me homeless and unemployed, but I prefer nomad and self-employed, as I pack up my skills and head off with my small backpack and even smaller savings to circumnavigate the globe (or at least go until the money runs out). Get ready to tag along for the ride…starting now!”

 

travelynnlogoAll images copyright Lynn Strough and Travelynn Tales

Reprinted with permission

The Weekend Edition: Things to do for Sept. 22 – 25

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Joanne Bailey-Boorsma

joanne@wktv.org

 

It might be a little cloudy this weekend, but that should not stop  anyone from venturing out. And there is plenty to do with ArtPrize rolling in this week.

 

So to help fill your weekend calendar, here are just a few things we spotted that we thought you might enjoy:

 

ARTPRIZECP15Thursday, Sept. 22: ArtPrize kicked off on Wednesday and you have until Oct. 9 to see it all. The radically open international art competition is mostly located in downtown Grand Rapids and is walkable. New are eight ArtPrize Hubs serving as welcoming centers and voter registration. The hubs are Center City Hub @ GRAM, 101 Monroe Center NW; Heartside Hub @ UICA, 2 W. Fulton St.; Hillside Hub @ Women’s City Club, 254 E. Fulton St.; Rumsey Street Hub @SiTE:LAB, 333 Rumsey St. SW; Monroe North Hub @ DeVos Place, 303 Monroe Ave. NW; Westside Hub @ the Gerald R. Ford Presidential Museum, 303 Pearl St. NW; Meijer Gardens Hub, 1000 E. Beltline NE; and the ArtPrize Hub/Headquarters at 41 Sheldon Blvd SE.

Round one voting ends Oct 1 with the final 20 announced Oct. 2. (Note only two entries per venue will be allowed to advance to the top 20.) Round 2 voting ends Oct. 6 with the winners announced Oct. 7. For more information, visit artprize.org.

 

witter

Friday, Sept. 23: The Grand Rapids Symphony kicks off its Pops season with the concert “The Piano Men,” featuring pianist Jim Witter. The concert, which is at 8 p.m. Friday and Saturday at DeVos Performance Hall, 303 Monroe Ave. NW, will feature some of the most popular hits of Billy Joel and Elton John accompanied by a multi-media musical journey. Tickets are $90 – $15. For more information, visit grsymphony.org.

 

Courtesy of @grcivictheatre instagram
Courtesy of @grcivictheatre instagram

Saturday, Sept. 24: David Lindsay-Abairee’s play “Good People,” about the struggles of the lower middle class, wraps up its run at Grand Rapids Civic Theatre this weekend. Showtime for tonight is at 7:30 p.m. at Grand Rapids Civic Theatre, 30 N. Division Ave. The last show is Sunday at 2 p.m. Tickets are $28 – $16. For more, check out the review by Susanne Ablaitis or visit grtc.org.

 

Of you can head over to Caledonia for the Harvest Festival from 10 a.m. – 2 p.m. Hosted by the Caledonia Area Chamber of Commerce, this family-friendly event includes a hayride, pumpkin decorating, a hay maze, face painting, games, music, an antique tractor display, food samples from area restaurants and a baked goods sale by the Caledonia Women’s Club.  There is also a Scarecrow Contest. For more information, visit www.caledoniachamber.com/harvestfestival.

 

https://vimeo.com/51718023

Sunday, Sept. 25: Loren Barrigar and Mark Mazengarb bring their “One to One” tour to Grand Rapids Wealthy Theater, 1110 Wealthy St. SE. Barrigar and Mazengarb share a musical chemistry and stage presence seldom found around musicians. The duo’s repertoire constants of original and arranged music of guitar instrumentals and vocal duets. They have been influenced by Americana, Jazz, Country Western, and Classical music. The two perform at 7:30 p.m. For more information, visit Wealthy Theatre’s website.

 

BONUS EVENT: Dorr’s New Salem Corn Maze will be hosting its annual Wusrt Festival Ever this weekend with lots of music and fun. This Friday is the country/southern bands No One’s Home, Double Barrel and Dani Jamerson. Saturday, gates open at 11 a.m. with a host of activities such as the Human Hamster Ball Race and live music starting at 4 p.m. The Outer Vibe caps off the two-day event with a performance from 9:30 p.m. to dusk. Tickets are $5/Friday and $10/Saturday. Also all the haunted attractions start that weekend as well. For more information, visit www.newsalemcornmaze.com.

Metro Cruise Pin Up Girl Contest rescheduled for this Saturday

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Miss Metro Cruise 2015 Stacey Davis a.k.a. Ginger Snaps with contestants Candice Rolfe a.ka. Miss Candie Lux, Sarah Baughn a.k.a. Sarah Marie, and Peggy Preston a.k.a. Peggysue

The Metro Cruise Pin Up Girl Contest finals have been rescheduled for this Saturday, Sept. 24, at Rogers Plaza.

 

The event was rained out during this year’s Metro Cruise forcing organizers to reschedule the event. The final contest will run from noon to 1 p.m. inside the mall located at 972 28th St. SW.

 

One of the most popular highlights of the Metro Cruise has always been the Pin Up Girl Contest. These women are classic and enjoy the art of dressing in eras from the 1920s to 1960s to modern day.

 

In July, the preliminary contest narrowed the field from 17 girls to the final 10 contestants. The following 10 contestants will be competing for the final 3 including the 2016 Ms. Metro Cruise. The are:

Candice Rolfe – Mis Candi Lux
Anna Ellenwood – MJ
Dana Marie Kopp – Miss Dana Divine
Taylor Hurd – Lady Rose
Tonisha Waddell – Toni Sunkiss
Amy Marseglia – Miss Bella Marie
Peggy Preston – Peggysue
Elyse Wieszczecinski – Miss Darlene Dubae
Sarah Baughn – Sarah Marie
Amanda Miehle – Victory Belle

 

The final 10 contestants will be judged by Hayley Sikorski from Mod Bettie Photography, DJ Chivis, a beauty Pageant Judge, Yeli Romero – Representing Lindo Mexico Restaurante Mexicano and Director of Acceso VIP/Marketing and Public Relations and Steve Surim, Owner of Steve’s Antique Auto Repair. Contestants will be judged on costume and make-up, stage presence, professionalism, audience favorite, and Q&A.

 

 

For more information on the Final Pin Up Girl Contest please visit: https://www.facebook.com/events/1618045005137287/

Grand Rapids Public Museum features 16 artists for ArtPrize

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The Grand Rapids Public Museum (GRPM) will feature 16 artists showcasing their work on the grounds of the Museum during ArtPrize which runs Sept. 21 through Oct. 9.

 

The GRPM will once again host an outdoor exhibition in which the artwork will visually lend itself to the setting of the Museum grounds. One artist’s work will be inside, but visible from the outside of the facility. Each year the GRPM curates a rewarding experience with approachable art that is intriguing, distinctive and engages the viewer’s capacity for awe and curiosity. Located in the heart of downtown Grand Rapids along the busy river walkway, the GRPM is able to offer a not-to-be-missed immersive, 24-hour experience.
During ArtPrize Eight the GRPM will be open with regular Museum hours and half off general admission fees ($4/adults, $1.50/children). In addition to the outdoor art installation, the Museum will offer a limited time exhibit, “Inspired Style,” created in partnership with students of Kendall College of Art and Design of Ferris State University (KCAD) Pamella Rolland DeVos School of Fashion. Nine students were given the opportunity to chose a garment from the Museum’s Collections and create their own original work using it as inspiration. The student’s work is showcased next to the original in this exhibit.

 

The GRPM will be open from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Mondays and Wednesdays through Saturdays, from 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. on Tuesdays and from 12 p.m. to 5 p.m. on Sundays of ArtPrize. For more information about artists, exhibitions, special programming and tickets visit grpm.org.

 

ArtPrize Educational Programming:

 

The Museum once again will host a special Chair Camp offered by ArtPrize for more than 1,500 school-aged children. In this hands-on activity, Carla Hartman (granddaughter of Charles and Ray Eames) leads children in creating miniature chairs that are displayed around the Museum. Chair Camp will take place Sept 28, 29 and 30.

 

On Saturday, Oct. 1, the Museum will host a Chair Camp family day from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. open to the public.

 

The GRPM will also be offering ArtPrize Education Days from Sept. 22 until Oct. 4 from 9:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. for early childhood development and K-12th grade students. These programs will include a walking tour of outside exhibits and hands-on presentation by ArtPrize artist Ann Gildner.

 

During ArtPrize Eight, the GRPM will host a Sensory Friendly Museum Night dedicated to families who are affected by autism and other sensory-processing challenges on Tuesday, Oct. 4, from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. Visitors will receive free general admission to enjoy a sensory friendly museum environment, special ArtPrize-themed activities and a free planetarium show. The Museum will adapt sounds, lighting and activities within the current exhibits to create a low-sensory experience for all. The Chaffee Planetarium will adapt lighting and sounds for an enjoyable, low sensory show.

 

The Artists:

Hailey Lamb – #betweenourhomes

#betweenourhomes is a visual exploration of text messaging as a platform for sharing comfort and encouragement. Messages are sourced from the artist’s original, unscripted text messages and made into vinyl stickers in their likeness. This piece will be the main installation with a number of smaller pieces throughout the Grand Rapids area.

 

Tamara Draper – Homage To The Spillman Carousel 

The artist publicly expresses honor to this unique piece of history. It brings back memories of a more innocent and calm time in life, where kids weren’t trying to grow up so fast. This piece of art started when the artist came across an antique headboard that resembled a carousel, inspiring her to create a stained glass mosaic based on the Museum’s 1928 Spillman Carousel.

 

Paul Nilsson – MILAGROS

MILAGROS is a stoneware clay high fire sculpture that is about the healing process within us. Its symbolically refers to the powers of faith, touch and persistence.

 

Mark Chatterley – Birdzels

The Birdzels are made from high fired clay, crater glaze and reach up to seven feet tall. ArtPrize visitors will see 15-20 of them in a grouping.

 

Joshua Welker – Astrobleme  

These sculptures are a lineage of objects that were produced over the course of several years. These works grow from a protocol of construction with specific dimensional restraints. Each sculpture enacts new combinations of form and color to be perceived by the viewer. The intense thinness of the objects act as optical disparity which counteracts both the color and form of the faces of the sculptures.

 

Patrick Schmidt – How I Make a Mark: Responding to a Carousel 

By manipulating the planes of time and space, this installation symbolizes the fragmentation of identity in a digitized age. The artist analyzes image patterns from a variety of sources by reducing them via technology to simple line drawings. Overlaying select outlines to create visually complex networks that represent the multiple cultural, social and personal identities integrated into ourselves on a moment-by-moment basis.

 

Jason Graham – METROPOLES

This sculpture is part of the Walker series of work that depicts the remains of a group of anthropocentric beings from this display of a failed beings legacy. The artist is using his art to create conversation around an attempt to learn how to better survive our own technological and cultural developments.

 

Valerie Jean Schafer – Three Muses

This bronze sculpture grouping Three Muses: Memory, Song and Contemplation represent the three original muses of Greek mythology and the preconditions for poetic or any art form.

 

Jeffrey Breslow – Bolder & Boulder 

Extraordinary boulders and stones shapes inspire the steel structures of this work, kindling a conversation between human creativity and the natural world. Time and natural elements tame and color the steel with beautiful and unpredictable patinas —a sustained interaction that imparts a sense of life to the materials. The piece is intended to inspire smiles and invite thoughts on the boundaries of art and the relationship between surface and density.

 

Jason Quigno – Infinity Cube 

Infinity Cube is an 11,000-pound piece of black granite with a spiral carved on each surface to connect the inside and outside of the cube.

 

Ann Gildner – Urn – E 

Urn – E is a classic example of necessity becoming virtue. Urn – E is the example what can happen when a necessary craft is applied to a classical design, inspired by “self-made” entrepreneurs who worked with their hands, mind and heart with a simple love for working and creating.

 

Herb Williams – Color Collaborative 

In this piece thousands of crayons are stacked together in the negative spaces of branches and boughs without the use of glue or adhesives.

 

Bird Clarkson – THE Wizard of OZomeness  

The Pursuit of Ahhwesomeness presents an impactful street dance perspective on the Wizard of Oz. The artist will perform live an outdoor Emerald City adventure for all to gather around and share the love of dance. The Pursuit of Ahhwesomeness is about the journey of interacting with others to accomplish or pursue something grand.

 

Harminder Boparai – My Nephew 

This installation is based on the artist’s nephew, always on his cell phone so much that he can’t focus on anything else. Represented by an animal, because like animals he isn’t aware of what’s going on around him and he is focused in on his phone. Through this installation, the artist is depicting some of the negative effects of social media causing a disruption in to our lives every day.

 

William Walther – Towards a Newer Buddha

Buddha sits floating in satori. One of Buddhism’s central tenets is emptiness; an idea is embodied in this piece.

 

STRUXTURS – That’ll Cut It

A structure that creates an illusion of “shear” power, stainless steel is constructed into the largest pair of scissors imaginable. An everyday object that creates a significant degree of aesthetic interest at such a large scale. It captures the eye from any angle.

 

The Grand Rapids Public Museum is located 272 Pearl Street, NW. For additional information including hours of operation, admission fees and exhibit/event listings, please visit www.grpm.org.

 

KCAD students and Goodwill to launch ‘Pop-Up Shop’ of handmade goods during ArtPrize Eight

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In a perfect world, we would all recycle and reuse what we give or throw away. That’s the message — Rethink, Reshape, Revitalize — that Kendall College of Art and Design of Ferris State University’s (KCAD’s) partnership with Goodwill Industries of Greater Grand Rapids (Goodwill) for ArtPrize Eight strives to get across with its Pop-Up Shop Sept. 23-25.

 

Visitors to the RE- exhibition inside Kendall College of Art and Design of Ferris State University’s (KCAD’s) The Fed Galleries @ KCAD during the opening weekend of ArtPrize Eight will have the chance to leave with more than just their impressions of the art.

 

Organized as part of KCAD’s partnership with Goodwill Industries of Greater Grand Rapids (Goodwill) for ArtPrize Eight, a ‘Pop-Up Shop’ of handmade goods will be open for ArtPrize visitors to shop from September 23-25. The shop will primarily feature one-of-a-kind artwork, clothing, jewelry, furniture and other goods created by KCAD students and staff from The Fed Galleries @ KCAD using reclaimed materials from local Goodwill stores. The goal is to engage visitors in a conversation about the opportunities for more sustainable living in places and everyday things that exist all around us.

 

Many of the included artists use reclaimed materials to create work that confronts the ways in which humanity produces and consumes, so Goodwill stepped up and provided free access to donated materials from area stores.

 

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Photo courtesy of KCAD

“The Pop-Up Shop extends our exhibition’s exploration of environmental and social responsibility because it gives both ArtPrize visitors and those who created the goods another way to confront the way we produce and consume,” said Curator of Exhibitions Michele Bosak. “By working with Goodwill to showcase the tremendous versatility and value of reclaimed materials, we can help further the conversation around ways to work toward a more sustainable future.”

 

A number of unaltered items specially curated from Goodwill stores will also be available for purchase, as will t-shirts commemorating the partnership between Goodwill and KCAD. Silkscreened t-shirts, pillows, and washcloths featuring designs by artists Michael Peoples and Heather Joy Puskarich, both featured in the RE·  exhibition, will also be for sale.

 

All proceeds from the sale of goods created by KCAD students will go to the student organizations they represent — the student fashion alliance Bodies of Art, the KCAD Green Council, the KCAD Game Club, the student chapter of the Interior Designers Society of America, and the student chapter of the International Interior Design Association — while Goodwill will retain the profits for all other goods sold.

 

The Pop-Up Shop’s retail space was designed by a KCAD Collaborative Design class taught by KCAD instructor and Goodwill Director of Friends and Corporate Relations David Abbott. The space will be located outside The Fed Galleries @ KCAD, in the Woodbridge N. Ferris building at 17 Pearl Street NW.

 

The Pop-Up Shop will only be open on the following days/times:

September 23                       11:00am-8:00pm
September 24                       11:00am-8:00pm
September 25                       12:00pm-6:00pm

 

For more information on the RE·  exhibition, visit kcad.edu/artprize.

 

Celebrate the Harvest in West Michigan — there’s plenty to see and do

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garden_bounty-251211432_stdFall is here and there are plenty of things to see and do. Indeed, September is the beginning of the harvest season in West Michigan, and we’re fortunate to have a wide variety of fresh fruits and vegetables at our fingertips. Visit one of the many farmers’ markets that pop up all over the state featuring fresh and local produce. Or visit a farm or orchard and gather fruits and vegetables yourself. Businesses are hosting harvest-themed events to kick off the season, so it’s the perfect time to stop by for some food and fun. Many fresh fruits and vegetables await you throughout this fall in West Michigan.

South

St. Joseph will host its Fall Festival in Downtown St. Joseph on September 23rd and 24th. There is fun for all ages with events like The Great Pumpkin Festival, Day on the Farm, Farmers Market and more. There is also a Wine Festival Stage where you can sample Michigan wines, try local cuisine and listen to live music while bidding on your favorite piece of public art.

 

The Greater Lansing Area has plenty of farmers markets. If you’ve ever wondered where to find fresh, local and organic produce this season, look no further — there are 20 different markets across 14 towns. Each farmers market has its own unique vendors, so make sure to visit more than one so you can try all the fresh fruits, vegetables and baked goods that we have right here in West Michigan.

 

meijer-gardensThe Marshall Area Economic Development Alliance is celebrating the harvest with a variety of events. Enjoy locally grown produce, flowers and homemade treats at one of Marshall’s farmers markets and visit a farm to create the perfect day trip for the whole family. Here’s another idea: Go for a hayride or get a pumpkin as your prepare for Halloween.

 

Historic Charlton Park in Hastings will host the city’s Fall Harvest Festival from September 23rd to 25th. Demonstrations and events include steamed apples, a tractor pull, corn shelling and more. For a fee, you can even camp at the park to have the ultimate fall harvest experience.

 

Since September is the beginning of harvest season, Mecosta County has plenty for you to enjoy. You can get fresh fruit and vegetables, and there are events throughout the harvest season where you can stop by and enjoy a little harvest of your own. The farmers’ markets in this area offer wonderful produce displays, which change as the seasons do.

 

When it’s officially fall, it’s officially time for the Virtue Cider‘s inaugural Apple Fest! This four-day celebratory cider-filled affair is from September 29th to October 2nd at their farm in Fennville. Each day has a variety of activities centered around apples, the harvest season, and the release of Percheron, their cider named for the traditional draft horses of Normandy that pulled carts of apples for cidermakers. Activities include their Thursday Night Market, Barbecue Night, long-distance bicycle ride and more.

Central

You can’t have a great meal without great ingredients. Reserve Wine & Food in Grand Rapids considers themselves fortunate to have an abundance of area farms who grow and raise responsibly, and they do their best to honor and respect that hard work in their kitchen. They have a long list of local suppliers. Check out some of them below.

  • Blis Gourmet Products, Grand Rapids
  • Field and Fire, Grand Rapids
  • Hasselman’s Honey, Fremont
  • Michigan Mushroom Market, Petoskey
  • Vertical Paradise, Caledonia

rockfordRockford’s 40th Annual Harvest Festival is September 24th to 26th. There will be a car show, beer tents, crafters and more. There’s plenty for children as well, with an outdoor movie, kid’s tractor pull and other family-centric offerings. All of the festival’s activities are spread out across downtown Rockford as they celebrate the harvest in style.

 

The Fremont Harvest Festival hosted by the Fremont Area Chamber of Commerce is September 22nd to 24th. More information will be available soon for this harvest-filled event so keep an eye out.

 

Celebrate the harvest in Grand Rapids with Frederik Meijer Gardens & Sculpture Park’s annual celebration of autumn, Chrysanthemums and More! from now until October 30th. The event is the largest of its kind, and features an expansive chrysanthemum display, fall foliage and family activities. Vertical columns of colorful chrysanthemums, a vibrant wall of chrysanthemums, chrysanthemum spheres and beds of colorful plants await to delight visitors from all over.

 

The River Country Chamber of Commerce invites you to their Inaugural Harvest Moon Celebration in Newaygo from October 7th to 9th. This event celebrates the rich farming history of the area. There will be plenty of local food, scarecrow and pumpkin decorating and kids activities. The area has been celebrating the harvest for decades and this year they’re inviting you to celebrate with them.

 

The Muskegon County Convention & Visitors Bureau has classes and events featuring freshly harvested local produce.

  • Learn how to preserve foods by canning and freezing at the Preserving the Harvest class on September 20th. Share recipes, techniques and stories while making new memories of your own.
  • Halloween is right around the corner and the Halloween Harvest Weekend will get you in the mood. Hosted at Pioneer County Park from September 30th to October 2nd, enjoy a weekend filled with games, pumpkin decorating, a costume parade and more. Why not prepare for Halloween early with this spooky event?

great-pumpkinRobinette’s Apple Haus & Winery in Grand Rapids is planning a very special Corn Maze this year. Opening September 8th with a special viewing of “It’s The Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown,” the maze is designed to look like Snoopy as the Red Baron on his dog house. Over 80 farms across the country will be celebrating Peanuts this year. Make sure to stop by on September 24th from noon to 4pm for a special guest appearance by Snoopy himself.

 

The harvest season is very important to SE4SONS Gastropub. Located within Muskegon Country Club, SE4SONS focuses on its name: the four season. Changing the menu seasonally is part of the excitement surrounding this restaurant. Their new menu features beets (red, gold and candy stripe) and Roasted Spaghetti Squash. Come hungry.

 

And be sure to save room for dessert. In an effort to celebrate this noteworthy harvest, Chocolates by Grimaldi, a Grand Haven-based chocolate factory, is offering a special chocolate caramel apple for a limited time. They’ll also have chocolate-covered blueberries, cherries and an assortment of nuts. Chocolates by Grimaldi is committed to using local products whenever possible so what you’re enjoying will come from the Grand Haven, Traverse City and other nearby farms and orchards.

North

Traverse City has several big events to help you celebrate the harvest.

  • On September 24th, the Acme Fall Festival takes over Flintfields Horse Park in Williamsburg. There will be a farmers market, bake sale, craft show and more fall fun for the entire family.
  • Scarecrows, art, local brews and tunes help celebrate the harvest time at Bellaire’s 18th Annual Harvest Festival on September 24th. This event will have local businesses competing to win the “Best Scarecrow” award. These scarecrows will take over the streets of Bellaire so you’re guaranteed to see some of these zany creations. Additionally, there will be the “craft & flea” market with over 40 vendors, the Boy Scouts’ Pancake Breakfast, kids’ bounce houses, educational hands-on booth and local food vendors.
  • The Harvest at the Commons is October 8th in the Village at Grand Traverse Commons. This culinary event is perfect for any foodie looking to get together with friends, neighbors, farmers and community leaders to celebrate everything Northern Michigan has to offer.

tc-farmers-marketLet Chateau Chantal share their excitement of the harvest with their 17th Annual Harvest Day on October 1st. There are plenty of ways to experience this fantastic event, including overnight packages at their Bed & Breakfast, special pricing on full case orders, wine and cooking seminars and more. Chateau Chantal will even be opening its doors so that you can smell their wines, stomp grapes and tour their cellar.

 

Harvest season has arrived in Charlevoix. Explore one of the many farms or farmers markets, each with their different harvest activities throughout September and October. There are plenty of “U-Pick” farms where you and your family can pick your own bushel of apples or find the perfect pumpkin in preparation of Halloween.

 

Also in Charlevoix, the 38th Annual Charlevoix Apple Festival is from October 14th to 16th. Celebrate nature’s harvest at this fun festival which highlights seasonal fruits and vegetables, freshly made products and, of course, apples. There’s plenty of kids activities so this is the perfect time to get the whole family together for some autumn fun.

 

The Petoskey Area celebrates fall with two harvest festivals.

  • The Fall Harvest Festival in Downtown Boyne City is September 24th. Fall means one more reason to have fun in Boyne City with music, crafts and fall produce available at this celebration. The farm market booths sell a variety of apples and other harvest items including pumpkins, squash, apple butter, jam, honey and cider.
  • Located in Downtown Petoskey, the Hemingway Harvest Festival is from October 14th to 16th. The festival pays tribute to the many years that Ernest Hemingway spent growing up in Petoskey with fall activities modeled around the late writer’s hobbies. From the artisan and farmers market to Hemingway Movies in the park, this promises to be a weekend that Hemingway would love.

A Unique Harvest

When you think about the harvest season, fruits and vegetables are usually the first things to come to mind, but one harvest that you should think about is honey. Honey is harvested in the late summer months and into the middle of September. Different types of honey are made in different parts of the world, so what is made in Michigan might not be available elsewhere. With this honey, some Michigan businesses have been making mead. Mead, sometimes called Honey Wine, is fermented honey and is the original alcoholic beverage, predating both beer and wine. All that mead contains is honey, but sometimes fruit, herbs or spices are added to make different flavors.

 

White Lake Area has their own meadery. Meads go by different names based on how they are created. Meads with only honey are called Traditional Mead, Fruit meads are called Melomels and Metheglins are meads with spices or herbs added. The world of mead is available at your fingertips when you visit the White Lake Area.

 

Almost 32 years ago, St. Ambrose Cellars in Beulah started keeping bees and quickly became full time beekeepers. As beekeepers having access to an almost unlimited supply of honey, mead was a natural course to follow. Over the years, with the help of local winemakers in our region, a knowledge of good wine-making technique was acquired and applied to mead making. In 2010, an accident in mixing of of their creamed honey spreads pushed them into action to create St. Ambrose Cellars. In 2010, they built their tasting room and increased their production. Over the years St. Ambrose Cellars has increased their scope, but their quality mead has stayed consistent the entire time.

UICA expands its ArtPrize offerings to the Grand Rapids Ballet

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Louise “Quizi” Chen creates an ArtPrize entry at Grand Rapids Ballet’s Ellsworth building.

The Urban Institute for Contemporary Arts’ (UICA) ArtPrize Eight exhibition extends beyond the gallery walls. This year, UICA’s exhibition features a satellite site, located on the exterior walls of the Grand Rapids Ballet Company building at 341 Ellsworth Ave. SW.

 

This summer, UICA commissioned the Detroit-based artist Louise “Ouizi” Chen to create a sprawling public mural as part of its ongoing public art initiative, the Exit Space Project. This mural is an official ArtPrize Eight entry (Vote Code: 63983), and a permanent addition to Grand Rapids’ public art collection. ArtPrize goers can watch Chen work at the mural site as she finishes the final touches on her recent public work. Chen will be working at the site during ArtPrize, Sept. 27 – Oct. 3.

 

UICA, Michigan’s largest contemporary arts center, is host to the Exit Space Project, a dynamic series of art installations investigating ideas, images, and conversation that are conveyed by contemporary artists working in public spaces. The first volume of the Exit Space Project featured public works and street artists from the Midwest who installed work in a public-facing but protected space in UICA’s building facing Fulton St. The second wave of the Exit Space Project highlights and continues to support local and regional artists on buildings and structures throughout the city.

 

This UICA initiative aims to increase Grand Rapids’ vibrancy, build the sense of creative place for our residents and visitors, and advance the city’s identity as a growing collaborative ecosystem that nurtures business, technology, art, and design. The Exit Space Project was first introduced to Grand Rapids by local artists Erwin Erkfitz and Brandon Alman, who continue to work with UICA to implement public artworks.

Book Review: A Stronger Kinship: One Town’s Extraordinary Story of Hope and Faith by Anna-Lisa Cox

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kinshipEvery so often I feel compelled to suggest a book not only for the skill of the author’s writing ability, but also for its social importance. The book, A Stronger Kinship, by Anna-Lisa Cox is such a book.

 

A true story describing the town of Covert, Michigan during the late 1800s, it tells the tale of the town’s unique population. People settled in the area because the “land was abundant, fertile and cheap, supporting themselves first through lumbering and then through fruit farming. Families developed churches, schools and” formed businesses, creating a small community. What set this town apart was that the population of Covert was integrated at a time when the rest of America was not.

 

The reader encounters a community who felt that all people were equal regardless of color and meets the runaway slaves, freed blacks and abolitionist New Englanders who were the backbone of this community. While elsewhere the country was experiencing racism, families here, black and white, lived side by side on farms and in the town.

 

 

Readers meet the first elected African American official, the town’s business leaders who came from both sides of the color line, and families that were integrated through marriage and accepted by the entire populace. What is remarkable is that this community has stayed true to the original conviction of the pioneer generation. Now a small town outside of South Haven, Covert is a typical rural community in Southwest Michigan – typical except for the easy blending of color that makes it a model for others. It conveys the sense that intentional community is not always impossible, and that the highest morals can be lived out in ordinary life.

Fate and Free Will cross at Civic Theatre’s ‘Good People’

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Courtesy of @grcivictheatre instagram
Courtesy of instagram: @grcivictheatre

susanne_albaitisThere’s the age-old debate, fate vs. free will. Margie has made choices in her life, or was it really just her fate?

 

Good People, running September 9 – 25 at Civic Theater, takes a look into the life of Margie, a single mother who loses her job in the first scene. Her boss Stevie is no tyrant, rather the son of a friend who is only trying to keep “corporate” happy. Margie is chronically late to work, leaving the young man no choice but to let her go. When Margie pleads with Stevie to keep her, we begin to see a glimpse of how Margie’s life has reached this point.

 

Margie grew up in South Boston, a working class neighborhood where getting out was more the exception than the norm. Like many of her friends, Margie remained in South Boston after she got pregnant in high school. Her baby, Joyce, was born with special needs. This made finding and keeping a job difficult for Margie because there were days where she was unable to leave on time if Joyce was upset. She often relied on friends, who proved to be inconsistent, for daycare. And college? Forget about it. Margie’s parents did not encourage her to try in high school, college was never an option.

 

But there was someone who made it out of South Boston, Mike. Mike became a doctor, a fertility specialist and he moved to a big house in Chestnut Hill. He married a younger woman, Kate, and together they had a daughter. Margie knew Mike in high school, they even dated for a few months before Mike left for college.

 

Margie and Mike’s past begins to unfold when Margie seeks out Mike for a possible job in his office. Margie takes it one step further when she shows up at his home for a party that he had explained was cancelled.  Part heart-felt reunion, part awkward culture clash, the evening revealed and kept many secrets.  It also made you wonder, was Margie’s, or anyone’s, station in life the result of their decisions, or just their fate?

 

This small cast delivered a huge performance. From the accents to emotions, the cast had it covered. There were a lot of laughs too. The three ladies, Margie, Jean and Dottie are South Boston’s version of Monica, Rachel and Phoebe. They bicker, go to bingo and you can tell there’s a lot of love for each other in there too. Kate’s tenderness balanced Mike’s tough, but understandable attitude toward Margie. She is the voice of reason when the evening of the party takes an uncomfortable trip down memory lane.

 

Good People, a thought provoking, dramedy, is a must see start to Civic Theater’s amazing 2016-2017 season. Visit the Civic Theater website for more information.

Legacy Trust Award Collection artists showcase their work at DeVos Place during ArtPrize

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The 2016 winners of the Legacy Trust Award Collection will showcase their artwork at DeVos Place during ArtPrize 2016.

 

Installation has begun for Josh Andrus, Paula Clark, Debra Dieppe and Hope Network Neuro Rehabilitation, who received top honors in the seventh annual LTAC competition for adult artists with disabilities. Sponsored each year by Legacy Trust, LTAC is a mini-art competition that supports four adult artists with disabilities by providing a cash prize, along with venue and marketing support to display their art in ArtPrize.

 

This year, 101 artists from Ada to Zeeland and the Upper Peninsula submitted artwork to the LTAC competition. In addition to two days of public voting at the Grand Rapids Art Museum, LTAC held online voting, which drew votes from throughout Michigan, across the U.S. and from other countries. Prizes and sponsorships were awarded to the two top vote-getters as well as one winner chosen by a panel of celebrity judges and one winner selected to receive the Lillian Perry Walker award.

 

This year’s Legacy Trust Award Collection will feature:

  • Andrus’s piece, “Cattails and Irises,” is an impressionistic acrylic painting inspired by nature walks and the flora found in his backyard. Andrus often turns to nature to unleash his creative spirit, which is apparent in many of his works. Andrus won one of the public votes.
  • Clark’s “Autumn Hues” is an abstract piece that utilizes acrylic paints in a sculptural and expressionistic way to form a fall landscape. Inspired by the rich hues found in the fall season, Clark expressed her love of nature through the piece. Clark received the celebrity judge award.
  • Dieppe’s “She Was Made of Magic That Only I Could See” is a mixed-media piece that expresses the importance of love in finding self-peace. Dieppe drew on personal traumas that have shaped her life to develop the hidden, but significant, imagery found throughout the piece. Dieppe won the Lillian Perry Walker Award, which is chosen by the LTAC steering committee.
  • is a 3-D exhibition of 28 paper masks, each created by a unique artist, that expresses how brain injury affected each artist or how they triumphed over brain injury. The piece is part of a national project to spread the word on the prevalence of brain injury. Hope Network also won the public vote.

 

“We continue to be inspired by the creativity each artist in the LTAC competition brings,” said Mary Ann Sabo, board chair of LTAC Arts, the nonprofit that supports the Legacy Trust Awards Collection. “The four winners truly encompass the spirit of LTAC and are wonderful representatives for the larger disabled community.”

 

This year’s celebrity judges included Richard App, owner of Richard App Gallery, Rosalynn Bliss, Grand Rapids mayor, Meegan Holland, special projects manager for Gov. Rick Snyder, Chris Smit, executive director of DisArt and David Thinger, artist and LTAC 2015 winner.

 

Legacy Trust will work with each of the four artists to market their entries, secure media coverage prior to and during ArtPrize 2016 and support their entries into the world’s largest art competition.  ArtPrize is slated for Sept. 21 through Oct. 19.

Book Review — ‘Every Book Its Reader: The Power of the Printed Word to Stir the World’

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everybookWho among us, having read The Diary of Anne Frank, has not shared in the image of the personal impact of the Holocaust? Or understood the Depression as seen through the eyes of the Joads in The Grapes of Wrath?
 Books have shaped much of who and what we are. The impact on our world and our thoughts has been influenced throughout the ages by the printed word.
This subject is carefully explored and presented in the latest book by Nicholas A. Basbanes, also the author of A Gentle Madness: Bibliophiles, Bibliomanes, and the Eternal Passion of Books.
This book will delight those who are intrigued by books — collectors, readers or researchers. Basbanes describes books that have shaped our history, those that have made history, the writers who have drawn from one another and their influence on our own perceptions. The author not only provides a glimpse into the books that have influenced many of our current authors but also challenges us to consider how these works have impacted others.

Highly recommended for all who love books, the history of books and publishing, and those who want to begin their journey towards greater understanding of the printed word.

Where to stay on your travels: Bed & Breakfasts in West Michigan

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harbourviewinn
Harbour View Inn

What’s the best home away from home? Bed & Breakfasts, of course. Such accommodations are designed for comfort, charm and uniqueness for the guests that walk through the front doors. Pamper yourself… and wake up to the smell of a freshly prepared breakfast. You’ll feel right at home with these West Michigan Bed & Breakfasts.

South

The Marshall Area Economic Development Alliance wants you to know about the National House Inn B&B, which is the oldest operating inn in Michigan. Overlooking the beautiful Brooks Memorial Fountain in Marshall, the B&B infuses 19th-century flavor with the luxuries of modern conveniences in all 15 of its rooms. Time travel hasn’t been invented yet, so this is the next best way to experience a bygone era.

 

national-house-in-bandb
National House Inn

The Greater Lansing Area prides itself in offering B&Bs that blend a fine attention to detail with an element of surprise. The area’s B&Bs have waterfalls, Koi ponds, Tudor-style settings and more.

 

How does staying at a B&B overlooking Lake Michigan sound? Check out a list on The Southwestern Michigan Tourist Council’s website. The area’s B&Bs have received several awards, including Reader’s Choice Favorite Bed & Breakfast in Southwestern Michigan for eight years in a row.

 

Yelton Manor Bed & Breakfast in South Haven/Van Buren County offers a lovely place to lay your head after a long day of travel and fun. Yelton Manor was just named #2 in the Best Bed and Breakfast Destination in West Michigan by WWMT’s The Best of Michigan Viewers Poll. Enjoy the beautiful grounds, delicious food and desirable location.

More Southern West Michigan Bed & Breakfasts
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Sherwood Forest B&B

Central

The White Lake Area and Muskegon County are home to Amanda’s Bequest Bed & Breakfast — take a trip back in time at this 1873 Manse. This place is a must-visit for foodies with hits farm-to-table dining and on-site heritage culinary school where you can learn how to cook from scratch.

More Central West Michigan B&Bs

North

There’s never a bad time to visit Applesauce Inn Bed & Breakfast in Bellaire — it’s a four-season B&B. Enjoy hiking at Grass River Natural Area, biking in Downtown Bellaire, kayaking the Chain of Lakes region and golfing at nearby Shanty Creek.

 

sparkling-wine-at-the-chateau-chantal-winery-and
Sparkling wine at the Chateau Chantal

Known for its wine, Chateau Chantal also has a Bed & Breakfast open all year round. Rated the most romantic B&B in the state, Chateau Chantal offers guests a private winery tour, complimentary glass of wine per night and a free wine tasting experience. Founder Bob Begin can usually be found pouring orange juice for guests each morning, tell stories and making sure everyone feels right at home.

 

Located in the middle of serene Northern Michigan, Horton Creek B&B is the perfect place to stay. Their seven-room, lodge-themed home is complete with a full breakfast in the morning and dessert each evening. Enjoy a peaceful walk on the trails that wind through 60 acres of secluded woods.

More Northern West Michigan B&Bs

‘Rhapsody in Blue’ opens Grand Rapids Symphony’s 2016-17 season

3-bottom, Citizen Journalism, Entertainment, Local Entertainment, Non-Profits, Upcoming Events, , ,

c1_rhapsodyRhapsody in Blue, which launched composer George Gershwin’s career, inaugurates the Grand Rapids Symphony’s 2016/17 season, which welcomes to town Marcelo Lehninger as the new music director of the Grand Rapids Symphony. The Brazilian-born conductor will be on the podium later this season.

 

Associate conductor John Varineau will lead the opening concerts of the 2016-17 Richard and Helen DeVos Classical Series at 8 pm Friday and Saturday, Sept. 16th and 17th, in DeVos Performance Hall (303 Monroe Ave NW, Grand Rapids, MI 49503). Spectrum Health is the Concert Sponsor.

 

In its earliest days, jazz was the music of brothels and bars in the “red-light” districts of cities such as New Orleans. But in the Roaring 20s, bandleader Paul Whiteman commissioned songwriter George Gershwin to write a piece merging classical music with elements of the newly emerging sounds of jazz.

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The sensational premiere of Gershwin’s Rhapsody in Blue in 1924 in New York City brought jazz from the streets and the speakeasies into the symphonic concert hall and elevated the song plugger from Tin Pan Alley into the ranks of serious composers.

 

That same year, George Antheil, the original “Bad Boy of Music,” caused a minor scandal when his propulsive A Jazz Symphony was premiered at Carnegie Hall. Hear for yourself what caused all the fuss in New York City in 1927.

 

Americana continues with Aaron Copland’s Suite from Appalachian Spring Suite, drawn from his music for the ballet that celebrates the simple life of pioneers in the 19th century as they build a house, witness a wedding and treasure the gift to be simple.

 

Rounding out the program is the Suite No. 2 from Daphnis et Chloe by French composer Maurice Ravel, who later became a great admirer of jazz himself. Unlike Copland’s setting in the Appalachian Mountains of Pennsylvania, Ravel’s musical tale is set in a country side in ancient Greece where the shepherd, Daphnis, woos his beloved Chloe with the help of the mythological god, Pan.

 

Tickets start at $18 and are available at the GRS box office, weekdays 9am to 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 also available at the DeVos Place box office, weekdays 10am to 6pm or on the day of the concert beginning two hours prior to the performance. Tickets also may be purchased online at GRSymphony.org.

 

Full-time students of any age may purchase tickets for only $5 on the night of the concert by enrolling in the GRS Student Passport program. This is a MySymphony360-eligible concert.

 

The best of beautiful Barcelona

3-bottom, Citizen Journalism, Entertainment, Recreation, Travel, , ,

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By Lynn Strough

Travelynn Tales

 

When mentioning Barcelona, many are familiar with Gaudi’s Sagrada Familia, with its soaring sandcastle-like facade, and interior reminiscent of an enchanted forest. It’s been a work in progress since 1882 and is scheduled to be completed in 2026, 100 years after Gaudi’s death.

 

And Parc Guell, Gaudi’s failed residential project, equally enchanting, with its colorful mosaic work, fanciful architecture and panoramic views of the city, is also a must-visit.

 

Of course, there’s the Barcelona beach scene, full of kilometers of bare bellies and breasts (yes, it is legal to go topless here). And, La Rambla, with its famous La Boqueria Market is a foodie paradise.

 

But the best of Barcelona, in my book, are the little neighborhoods that used to be villages in and of themselves before being sucked up into the city, like Born and Gracia, which have a flavor and character all their own. Where mainstream Barcelona has become a raging torrent of humanity, especially in July and August, these little burgs not only have personality, but also more affordable prices and many fewer tourist crowds. Apparently in the summer, each neighborhood has a kind of block party, a different one every week.

 

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These kind of experiences are a good reason to check sites like Air B&B for accommodations, if you prefer to get a feel for the real city, versus the tourist experience you get when staying at a hotel. For a much cheaper price tag you can get a centrally located room with a view. For 10 euro you can purchase a T10 card, with 10 metro rides, and go explore some of these neighborhood regions. I promise you won’t be disappointed.

 

Make sure you take time to just wander. The streets are full of fanciful graffiti, street performers and those selling colorful souvenirs.

 

What else does Barcelona have to offer? The fancy landmark hotel W, whose half-moon shaped architecture is visible from anywhere along the shore, is worth a visit — I just checked in to see what the lobby was like while on a beach walk and ended up getting pulled into a birthday party for a guy in a group from Australia and the UK.

 

28There are also plenty of museums to choose from: the elegant mansion cum art museum, Museu Nacional d’Art de Catalunya, up on a hill with waterfall fountains pouring down, and room after room of amazing art, including the religious, the surreal, the old and the new.

 

Picasso and Miro have their own museums in Barcelona, and if you’re looking for something a little more earthy, there’s even a museum of hemp.

 

You can stroll past the harbor full of impressive yachts, and tilt your head back to see Columbus keeping watch. Or take the gondola for a bird’s eye view. And of course, there’s the requisite castle, Montjuic, a 17th-century hilltop fortress and former prison, if you’re up for a climb and more great views

 

Go out at night, yes, late at night — things don’t really get started until 10 pm or later. Unlike in the US, restaurants don’t even open until 7 or 8, and most people aren’t thinking of dinner until around 9. Or 10. Or midnight. You’ll see families with toddlers in the middle of the night out strolling to the parks.

 

38Music doesn’t get started until 10 pm or later, and many places stay active until 5 am. Too late for me, but I did catch the first set at a flamenco bar, a tiny basement-like place, which happened to be hidden in the red light district.

 

Someone I met in New Zealand, who lives in Bulgaria but is from the UK wrote to tell me of a tapas place not to miss, although he couldn’t tell me the location. Luckily, I stumbled upon it right before it opened, as apparently El Xampanyet is so popular, people sit outside the garage-like door just waiting for it to open in order to get a table. I not only enjoyed great tapas and house-made Cava, but also the company of my next-table neighbors from Sweden and a group on the other side from Austin, Texas and Alabama. Not to mention my adorable, attentive waiter. Meeting people and maintaining connections all over the world are things I love about travel.

 

A good friend of mine from California was brave enough to follow her dreams and take a translation course in Spain, then decided to stay and teach English. Jenni was a delight to spend time with — we hadn’t seen each other in three years, and she showed me around to some lesser known places in the region.

 

8Sitges is a cool little beach town, a short train ride away from busy Barcelona. Not that Sitges isn’t busy, but it’s not the millions-of-bodies-packed-into-a-city busy that is Barcelona. We went on a rainy, heavy gray cloud-studded day, only to have the sun come out and brighten our world after lunch — the best of both worlds. Time to savor the local seafood cuisine while the skies unloaded their wet burden, and then time to soak up the sun and splash in the waves as well. You can even shop on the beach.

 

We also took a train and went wine tasting. Having both worked at wineries in Napa and being wine lovers, this was a special treat. From small boutique Recaredo, where we enjoyed a seated tasting to huge producer Freixenet, where we boarded a Disneyesque ride on our tour, we tasted some of Spain’s great sparkling cavas and rich reds.

 

And don’t forget to go chocolate tasting!

 

So wander and get lost, by train, bus, bicycle, subway or on foot, eat, drink and discover the best of beautiful Barcelona for yourself.

 

6About Lynn Strough

Lynn is a 50+ free spirit whose incarnations in this life have included graphic designer, children’s book author and illustrator, public speaker, teacher, fine art painter, wine educator in the Napa Valley, and world traveler. Through current circumstances, she has found herself single, without a job or a home, and poised for a great adventure.

 

“You could consider me homeless and unemployed, but I prefer nomad and self-employed, as I pack up my skills and head off with my small backpack and even smaller savings to circumnavigate the globe (or at least go until the money runs out). Get ready to tag along for the ride…starting now!”

 

travelynnlogoAll images copyright Lynn Strough and Travelynn Tales

Reprinted with permission

Get your ‘boo’ on at Niles Scream Park

3-bottom, Citizen Journalism, Entertainment, Upcoming Events, , ,

dsc_1937_reducedThe nationally renowned Niles Scream Park is ready to officially start autumn by scaring the “yell” out of you with six different haunted attractions. This year marks the 43rd consecutive year of their annual fright festival. The gates will squeak open on Friday, Sept. 16. Beginning in October, the Park will be open all weekends (Friday, Saturday and Sunday) plus Monday, October 31st.

 

Celebrity guest, Eileen Dietz, will visit the Park on Friday, Sept. 30 and Saturday, Oct. 1. Ms Dietz played the demon in the thriller classic The Exorcist. She will appear on the midway to sign autographs and be available for pictures. For full details on her visit, please go to the website.

 

The Niles Scream Park is not just scary, it is considered by many to be one of the top haunted attractions in the country. Certainly one of the largest, the Niles Scream Park offers 44 acres of blood-curdling fear! Unlike other haunted houses, Niles rebuilds each room of all three interior haunted houses each year to provide participants with completely new and unique shows. The professionally designed sets and ingenious scare-tactics led the Niles Scream Park to be recognized by Haunted Attraction Magazine as one of the “Top 31 Must-See Haunted Attractions” nationwide for the last three years running.

 

For those with the courage to tour all six attractions, here is the line-up for 2016:

  • Niles Haunted House — This season the main attraction features classic horror films from the 1930s. With over 100 possible routes, there is no telling just how final the final the act will be.
  • Krampus: A Christmas Curse — From German folklore comes Krampus, the evil horned helper of St. Nicholas. Naughty or nice, you may be on Krampus’ list this year as you tour this new attraction.
  • Cabin 13 — In 1962, the bodies of a group of friends staying in Cabin 13 were found scattered across the back woods. Every year courageous (or foolhardy) students attempt to stay a night in the same woods. Some never return to tell the tale of the Cabin 13 killer.
  • The Field of Screams — Considered one of the most popular attractions, even a GPS won’t help you find your way of out this outdoor maze.
  • The Dark Terror-tory Haunted Hayride — With a new route and new sets, this Fall ride through the woods will have puzzling mysteries, intense action and unimaginable creatures.
  • Zendor Presents: Murphy’s Law — A stage show where if something can go wrong, it will.

 

An improved midway will feature old favorites like “Fry Freddy” and the “X-terminator.” Back by popular demand, the “Scream Machine,” where you get to pick the next victim, and the popular buried alive simulator–the “Last Ride.” The midway also features several food concessions that provide enough variety to satisfy everyone’s cravings. The Gore Store will let you shop till you drop for the latest Halloween paraphernalia.

 

The Niles Scream Park is located on Mayflower Road, south of Niles-Buchanan Road just off Exit 5 of the US 31 Bypass. More information on prices, times and dates of operation can be obtained by visiting the Niles Scream Park website here or calling 269.687.FEAR.

 

Book Review: Columbine by David Cullen

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columbineTen years after two high school students killed thirteen and critically injured 27 others, journalist Cullen creates a comprehensive look at the tragedy in Columbine. Cullen draws on hundreds of interviews, police reports and the killer’s journals and video tapes to piece together what occurred before, during and after the attack on April 20, 1999.
Right after the attack, and for years afterwards, many rumors and misinformation have been widely reported as fact. In an attempt to correct these, Cullen details the lives of Dylan Klebold and Eric Harris — they are not loners, not a part of the Trench Coat Mafia, not targeting jocks or Christians. Cullen purports that Klebold and Harris were on the surface pretty normal high school kids. They had a group of friends, went to prom, held part-time jobs, played sports, applied to college. But underneath the surface, Harris was a
psychopath, demonstrating nine of the ten trademarks of one. Klebold was depressive and suicidal. Over the two years that they planned and practiced for the attack, their goal was to be bigger than Oklahoma City. And if they had been better bomb makers, they might have succeeded.
Cullen looks at errors made by law enforcement, public reaction, and the healing that took place for the survivors, the injured, the community and the world. He examines Harris’ and Klebold’s parents, who have never spoken publicly about the attack before this book was released, but who are largely blamed for what their children did.
In the vein of Capote’s “In Cold Blood,” “Columbine” is a chilling look inside the minds of those who kill, a reminder to be watchful of those around us in a world that is often not what it seems.

Chef Cook-Off at Lakeshore Fork Fest: Coppercraft Distillery vs. Butch’s Dry Dock

3-bottom, Entertainment, Local Food, Our Cities, , ,

 

defaultcoppercraft_squareJoin the Lakeshore community for an evening of flavors, brews, baked goods and more at Coppercraft Distillery! The chef from Coppercraft Distillery will go head-to-head with Butch’s Dry Dock in a live cook-off. Each restaurant will compete to create the most mouth-watering dish using items provided by a Visser Farms.

 

Presenting sponsor, Coppercraft Distillery, is working with the Township to finalize plans to build a kitchen making the Lakeshore Fork Fest a good opportunity to showcase their Chef and some of the food they’d like to offer in the near future. According to General Manager Paul Marantette, “Local First does great work and it is always fun joining their team to plan a successful event!” Look for Coppercraft at other community events throughout the year. So far in 2016 Coppercraft Distillery has participated in four large-scale events including being the official sponsor of Tulip Time for the third consecutive year.

 

Coppercraft Distillery started in Holland in 2012 by Kim and Walter Catton when they decided to take their passion for whiskey and bourbon to a new level by opening a distillery. Marantette says Coppercraft “focuses on a premium product using quality ingredients from the very start with our grain that comes from a farm just five miles from our location, to the locally sourced produce and citrus we incorporate into our cocktail program.” Coppercraft chooses to support local businesses such as Central Park Market and the Farmers Market to secure these needs, and let the freshest ingredients speak for themselves as featured on the weekly cocktail specials menu.

 

Coppercraft will host this year’s Lakeshore Fork Fest, which will feature samples from an array of local food vendors while you enjoy the live cook-off. The cook-off will feature a Chef from Butch’s Dry Dock and Chef Kelsey Winter-Troutwine of Coppercraft Distillery. The Grand Rapids native has spent the last six years working in some of the finest restaurants in downtown Chicago – most recently as a Sous Chef at mk The Resturant, a staple in the Chicago dining scene.

 

Feast on an array of flavors with Local First at the Lakeshore Fork Fest on Tuesday, September 27 from 6-8:30 PM at Coppercraft Distillery. For tickets, click here.

 

To learn more about Local First and upcoming events, visit the group’s website, www.localfirst.com.

Take an ‘awesomely autumn’ class at the Downtown Market this October

3-bottom, Citizen Journalism, Education, Entertainment, Food, Holidays, Kids Activities, Local Entertainment, Local Food, Upcoming Events, , , , , , , ,

downtown market logo

 

Fall is just around the corner, and you know what that means: Time to celebrate the season with classes at the Downtown Market!

 

For the complete fall schedule, go here. To download a pdf of classes and events, go here. (There are classes for everyone — family, kids and adults.) Meanwhile, here are just a few highlights:

 

autumn nights in mediterranianAUTUMN NIGHTS IN THE MEDITERRANEAN
Fri, October 14, 6p-8:30p • $65

The Mediterranean always offers bright flavors and healthy meals. You’ll master an olive tapenade, herb-fresh tabouli, chicken souvlaki, and a citrus semolina cake. Learn how to select authentic ingredients and how the right olive oil can add the finishing touches to your meal. Register here.

stews and brewsSTEWS & BREWS
Tue, October 18, 6p-8:30p • $65 (21+)

Pair some great beers while snacking on Beer Nuts and make a classic gumbo, a hearty meat and bean chili, sweet cornbread and chocolate stout brownies. Register here.

pumpkin patch cookingPUMPKIN PATCH COOKING

Fri, October 21, 6p-8:30p  • $55

Celebrate pumpkins in the most delicious ways! You will enjoy some fresh-roasted pumpkin hummus while creating pumpkin sage soup, roasted herb chicken with pumpkin polenta and festive pumpkin cupcakes with cream cheese frosting. Register here.

boozy halloweenBOOOOOOOZY HALLOWEEN COCKTAIL PARTY

Tue, October 25, 6p-8:30p • $55

In this class, you will learn how to make cocktails along with an appetizer and dessert to host the spookiest Halloween cocktail party. Learn how to make Pumpkin Cauldron Rhum Punch, Apple Cider and Bourbon Spritzers, mini pumpkin cream soup, and a fall tiramisu. Register here.

Writer/Director Amy Heckerling offers sound, no-nonsense advice for West Michigan filmmakers

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Amy Heckerling with Geoff Haney (WKTV’s cool PR & Promotions guy)

By Victoria Mullen

WKTV

 

If you enjoy watching films like Clueless, Fast Times at Ridgemont High and Look Who’s Talking (among other Amy Heckerling films), you would have been in seventh heaven last Friday and Saturday.

 

Heckerling was in Grand Rapids September 8 and 9 to screen Clueless and share her thoughts and perspective on film-making — and making it in an annoyingly male-dominated industry — at the Visiting Film Artists Series (VFAS), presented by West Michigan Film Video Alliance (WMFVA) at Celebration!Cinema North. On Friday viewers watched Clueless, the 1996 film written and directed by Heckerling. Saturday featured a luncheon and intimate Q&A with Heckerling.

 

Not surprisingly, guests had many, many questions on how to break into the biz. Heckerling was gracious, engaging and no-nonsense with her answers.

 

In a nutshell, here’s what helps get you in:

  1. Are you rich?
  2. Do you know somebody in the biz?
  3. Are you related to anybody in the biz?

It really is who you know. And sometimes you have to suck up an ‘attaboy sandwich,’ Heckerling’s term for biting your tongue and being gracious about a studio producer’s really stupid idea.

 

But the overarching theme in Heckerling’s presentation was that of perseverance and believing in yourself and your talent. Keep working. Hard. Follow your dreams. Things like that.

Tips for successful filmmaking and getting a big cheese to consider your idea:

  • Think about what’s in your heart that you want to say.
  • Be willing to plan what you want to do, but be flexible enough to change that plan.
  • Follow your dreams but you need to have smart dreams. Be smart and figure out the game.
  • Research people and try to maneuver your way in. Look for chinks in the barrier.
  • These days it’s easier to put together a reel but it’s hard to get someone to watch it; you still need to know someone in the industry.
  • It’s non-stop work. You must want it more, be pushier and work harder than the next guy.
  • Find out what studios are looking for and what’s in your heart you want to do.
  • Fight and stand up for your stuff; every now and then you get to do something you really want to do.
  • Sometimes you have to do something you don’t like on your way to getting where you want to be.

(And don’t forget that ‘attaboy sandwich.’)

 

Heckerling has been recognized for her talent and contribution to the industry with several awards: National Society of Film Critics Award for Best Screenplay; Writer’s Guild of America Best Screenplay Written Directly for Screen; Women in Film Crystal Awards; and the American Film Institute Franklin J. Schaffner Award.

 

 

Brewery Vivant’s 6th Annual Wood-Aged Beer Festival celebrates art of craft brewing

3-bottom, Beer, Citizen Journalism, Entertainment, Food, Upcoming Events, , , , ,
brewery vivant
Photo courtesy of Brewery Vivant
Brewery Vivant presents its 6th annual Wood-Aged Beer Festival (WABF) on Saturday, September 17th, 2016. Showcasing over 20 wood and wild beers, Brewery Vivant will take over its parking lot once again with tents, taps and two sessions. Beers range from light to dark, sweet to sour, and rest in wood from bourbon barrels, wine barrels, scotch barrels, cognac foeders and more.
This year’s annual autumn event not only celebrates the art of wood-aging beer but also serves to celebrate this past summer’s launch of the brewery’s Plein de Vie series.
 brewery vivant (2)

“It’s been so exciting to bring some of these wood-aged beers out into the Michigan and Chicagoland markets,” said Kate Avery, Abbess of Beer and Director of Sales & Marketing. “This festival is like a capstone to our launch and also it serves as a testing ground for what is to come in the series. Get your first sips here. Maybe get your only sips here!”

Several Plein de Vie beers got their start at WABFs of yore: Angelina, Habanango and most recently, Paris.

Brewery Vivant’s farmhouse tradition lends itself to exploring the complexities wood-aging beer. Since its very first year of production, the brewery siphoned off a few gallons here and there from batches of beer to experiment with wood aging. As the brewery grew in volume, so did the barrel program. Now in its sixth year, three 40-barrel wooden foeders, 240+ barrels, and three stainless wild fermentation tanks, the creativity brewing for this festival is boundless.

“Thinking up flavor profiles and the guiding the recipe from beer to barrel is part of the fun,” says Master of Wood, Brian Kuszynski, “Of course, drinking these wood-aged beers is the other part of the fun.”

brewery vivant funOf all the beer festivals in Michigan, WABF resonates with taste trippers, explorers and fans of community building. Recently voted “3rd Best Beer Festival” in West Michigan in a reader’s choice poll, Wood-Aged Beer Festival not only offers the unique beer tasting experience but also festival foods from the acclaimed Brewery Vivant kitchen.

The brewery will offer two identical sessions: Afternoon 12pm-3pm and Evening 5pm-8pm. Tickets are $35 and include 10 tasting tokens (good for food as well) and a collector’s tasting glass. Space is limited due to physical parking lot size and small-batch, rareness of beer. Get tickets at www.breweryvivant.com or WABF16.BrownPaperTickets.com.

Brewery Vivant is located in the East Hills neighborhood of Grand Rapids, in a renovated funeral chapel built in the early 1900s. Its staff of around 60 employees specialize in Belgian/French-inspired beers and fare in a unique setting.

Husband and wife partners Jason and Kris Spaulding opened the doors for business in December of 2010. Vivant beers are distributed throughout Michigan and the greater Chicago area. It’s the first commercial brewery in the nation to receive Silver LEED Certification from the USGBC. Additionally they are 100% renewable powered, a silver-level Bicycle Friendly Business, and are a certified B Corporation.

Beer the Change®!

“Art at the Market” will showcase local artists and WMCAT art activities

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Saugatuck Center for the Arts Artist in Residence Sofia Ramirez Hernandez is the featured artist in the Creativity Revealed program this month.
Saugatuck Center for the Arts Artist in Residence Sofia Ramirez Hernandez is one of the artist.

The Southeast Area Farmers’ Market hosts “Art at the Market” during market hours, 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 17 at Martin Luther King Jr. Park, 900 Fuller Ave. SE.  The date was chosen to coincide with ArtPrize as this event is not always accessible to artists from the Market’s neighborhoods or neighbors living nearby. Also, the neighborhood has many accomplished artists in its midst. Art at The Market will provide them an opportunity to showcase their talents, inspire their neighbors and share any messages that their art expresses. Market managers, Our Kitchen Table (OKT) has engaged artist and former director of Heartside Art Gallery, Sarah Scott, to organize the event.

 

WMCAT mobile printmaking! The Bandit Zine button-maker!

 

The market’s community partner in the event, The West Michigan Center for Arts and Technology, will set up its mobile printmaking station. Professor George Eberhard designed a pro-community image that can be printed on fabric. Market patrons can bring their own blank shirt or fabric to be printed-on or buy a blank shirt on-site. They can also make their own buttons, courtesy of The Bandit Zine, a local zine accepting works of all different mediums from across the world focusing on social-justice issues. Bandit Zine will also vend local body-positive zines and wears.

 

Featured artists include:

 

Derrick “Vito” Hollowell has had work on exhibit at Hopcat, Mary Free Bed Rehabilitation Hospital, Richard App Gallery, his gallery, the L Loft and New York City’s MOMA. Vito will display original paintings and prints.

 

Sofia Ramirez-Hernandez, Saugatuck Center for the Arts 2016 Artist in Residence, will show framed drawings from her #SofiaDrawsEveryDay project that documents her will to fight her own tendencies and the good times, too.

 

Magnus Anyanwu, a Heartside Gallery artist, will display his Third-eye paintings. Anyanwu’s influences include Japanese anime, Sailor Jerry tattoos and his industrial design studies at Kendall Collage of Art and Design.

 

art-at-the-market-8x5Chasity Khanyi Moore, doula and healing arts practitioner of Love and Light Healing, will vend her wrapped crystals and healing body salves and oils.

 

Rokhaya Ndao, Motherland Beauties, will showcase handmade jewelry and bags. Motherland Beauties offers African art and accessories, promotes African art and culture and funds women’s projects in Senegal, West Africa.

 

Claire Fisher, artist/musician, will show her vibrant, whimsical folk art that comments on icons of modern life and spirituality.

 

Eddie Killowatts, musician/artist, will show his pencil drawings and shadow boxes – and play a couple sets on guitar for the event. Killowatts currently plays bass for local Latin-rock band, Cabildo.

 

The Southeast Area Farmers’ Market welcomes patrons using Bridge cards (SNAP), WIC Project Fresh, Cash Value Benefits, Summer EBT, Double Up Food Bucks and debit card.

Latin Grammy nominee, Mariachi Flor de Toloache performs Sept. 15 in Holland, Mich.

3-bottom, Citizen Journalism, Entertainment, Upcoming Events, , , , ,

picture-712-320x320On September 15 at 7 pm, Tulipanes presents Latin Grammy Nominee, Mariachi Flor de Toloache, the first and only established female mariachi band founded in New York in 2008.

 

When: Thursday, Sept. 15 at 7 pm

 

Where: Jack H. Miller Center for Musical Arts, Hope College, 221 Columbia Ave., Holland, Mich.

 

BUY TICKETS NOW: http://bit.ly/2bjVPJu
$15 Adult / $5 Student

 

Members hail from diverse cultural backgrounds such as Mexico, Puerto Rico, the Dominican Republic, Cuba, Australia, Colombia, Germany, Italy and the United States. The result of this cultural bouquet is an edgy, versatile and fresh take on traditional Mexican music. They coalesce as would a band of sisters, with a grace and vibrant beauty that casts a spell over their audiences not unlike the legendary Toloache flower still being used in Mexico as a love potion.

 

picture-698-320x320While working to preserve centuries-old traditions of Mariachi, their mélange of the traditional and the modern pushes the boundaries of the genre and brings Mariachi music to new audiences. Sponsored by Hope College.

 

See more about Mariachi Flor de Toloache: http://www.mariachinyc.com/

 

El 15 de Septiembre, 2016 en la noche, Tulipanes presenta el grupo nominado por un Grammy Latino, Mariachi Flor de Toloache, el primer y único conjunto Mariachi de mujeres exclusivamente fundado en Nueva York, EU, en 2008. Miembros vienen de culturas diversas como México, Puerto Rico, Republica Dominicana, Cuba, Australia, Colombia, Alemania, Italia, y los Estados Unidos. El resulto de este ramo cultural es una versión de música tradicional de México con un sonido nuevo y fresco. Se fusionan como una banda de hermanas con una belleza graciosa y vibrante que embruja sus audiencias como la legendaria Flor de Toloache que se usa hasta este día para ser una poción de amor. Mientras preservan las tradiciones Mariachi de cienes de años, sus mezclas de estilos tradicionales y modernos amplían los límites del género y lleva música Mariachi a nuevas audiencias.

 

 

Adventures at San Diego Comic-Con: The Big Bang Theory, creative costumes, and a camp out

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Comic-Con CostumesFor the second straight year, Katelyn visited Comic-Con in San Diego. In case you missed it: Wonder Woman had an anniversary and Her Universe had a fashion show.

 

Written and photographed by: Katelyn Kohane

 

“Okay, Okay. When he’s at Comic-Con, I’m bringing in the wrecking ball.”

 

Day 3 turned out to be just as exciting as the first two. I made sure to get to the convention early and headed to Ballroom 20 to see Inside the Big Bang Theory Writers’ Room. They had a great start and played a bunch of hilarious clips from Season 9!

 

Many of the writers came on stage – Bill Prady, Steve Molaro, and Dave Goetsch just to name a few – along with Melissa Rauch, the actress who plays Bernadette, was introduced as the guest speaker. She was very funny, especially when she first arrived on stage and debated whether or not to stand on the stool they provided for her. She eventually decided to use the stool because we wouldn’t have been able to see her without it.

 

The panel talked a lot about the show and how many of their own mistakes from personal life make it into the show. They mentioned that we would see more of Penny’s family and that Katie Segal would player her mother. On top of the upcoming season Easter eggs, Jack McBrayer walked onto the stage and was introduced as the actor set to play Penny’s brother.

 

Overall, it was a lot of fun sitting in on The Big Bang Theory panel and awesome to see Melissa Raunch!

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The Costumes

 

This year was loaded with a lot more costumes! Check out the slideshow below.

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75 Years of Captain America

 

Captain America celebrates his 75th Anniversary this year! To celebrate the momentous occasion, they made a huge statue of Cap to commemorate the anniversary. The statue is going to travel around the world and has already made its first stop in Caps’ hometown in Brooklyn, New York!

 

Ashley Eckstine even celebrated Captain America’s 75th Anniversary this year with a clothing line that you can find at Kohl’s.

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While on the floor with Captain America’s statue, I spent a little extra time wandering around and came across some pretty cool stuff.

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Camp out for the famous ‘Hall H’

 

This year I decided to camp out on Friday night to get in to Hall H on Saturday. It was a lot of fun! One of my friends even joined me in line and we met a lot of new people during the camp out. Around 9pm, the convention started passing out wristbands that would be used to enter Hall H the next morning. We ran into a bit of trouble as they were handing out wristbands because people started cutting in line to make sure they could get a wristband as well. Eventually, order was restored and we got our wristbands around midnight.

 

After handing out the wristbands, the camp out line was shifted over to another section for the reminder of the night. We heard that Benedict Cumberbatch was walking through the line!

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Don’t forget that Blindspot Season 2 starts on September 14th with Supergirl following a few weeks later on October 10th.  “Your mission should you choose to accept it…” is to stay tuned to see what I saw in Hall H. As a spoiler I will mention Wonder Woman!

 

“Is she with you? No. I thought she was with you.”

Residents have until Sunday to visit ‘The Robot Zoo’ at the Public Museum

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The grasshopper from "The Robot Zoo" at the Grand Rapids Public Museum.
The grasshopper from “The Robot Zoo” at the Grand Rapids Public Museum.

The Grand Rapids Public Museum’s (GRPM) popular traveling exhibit The Robot Zoo will be closing on Sunday, September 18. This exhibit allows visitors to explore the biomechanics of complex animal robots to discover how real animals work.

 

In The Robot Zoo larger-than-life animated robots are controllable by visitors to understand how the different animals’ body parts work. Muscles become pistons, intestines become filtering pipes and brains become computers. More than a dozen hands-on activities illustrate fascinating real-life characteristics, such as how a chameleon changes colors, a giant squid propels itself and a fly walks on the ceiling.

 

The robot animals include a chameleon, a rhinoceros, a giant squid with 18-foot tentacles, a platypus, a house fly with a 10-foot wingspread, a grasshopper, a bat and a giraffe whose head and neck alone stretch 9 feet tall.

 

Sensory activities include “Swat the Fly,” a test of the visitor’s reaction time (one-twelfth as fast as a house fly’s), and “Sticky Feet,” where visitors can experience what it’s like to be a fly on the wall.  Triggering the “Tongue Gun” demonstrates how a real chameleon shoots out its long, sticky-tipped tongue to reel in a meal.

 

Animation in the robots imitates real-life behaviors. The robot chameleon rocks back and forth as it turns its head, looks around and fires its tongue at its insect prey. The front legs of the platypus swim in breaststroke style while the tail moves up and down.  The tentacles of the giant squid grip a struggling fish, while the squid’s beak-like mouth opens to reveal a spinning food grinder.

 

The Robot Zoo is free of charge to GRPM members and is $11 for non-member adults, $10 for non-members seniors and $6 for non-member children.

Saugatuck Center for the Arts puts the call out for submissions to its annual film competition

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shorts-logo-largeFilmmakers have until Oct. 14 to submit entries to the Saugatuck Center for the Arts’ fourth annual Saugatuck Shorts Film Competition.

 

This year marks the fourth year of the Saugatuck Center for the Arts’ (SCA) film competition, which is Nov. 5. Professional and student filmmakers will compete for $2,500 worth of cash prizes for their short films — five minutes or less — that feature some sort of Michigan flavor. Student submissions (age 18 and under) are free, and adults (age 19 and up) are $20 per entry. Video projects by schools, clubs, and religious organizations are encouraged to enter. Registration for Saugatuck Shorts is open now until Oct 14, and can be completed at sc4a.org.

 

“Over the past four years, the SCA’s Saugatuck Shorts competition has brought in filmmakers from across the state for a wonderful night of engaging entertainment on the big screen,” said SCA Executive Director Kristin Armstrong. “The competition is a great way for students and professionals alike to get their work in front of the community. We are very excited to bring this special competition back!”

 

Saugatuck Shorts is the only film competition in West Michigan that offers a cash prize for film submissions in a juried category and an audience favorite. Similar to ArtPrize, a panel of judges will choose the top tens shorts to be shown on screening night. Of those top ten, a winner from the student and from the adult category will be chosen. The Student Winner will be awarded $500 and the Adult Winner, $1,000. On screening night, after the audience has viewed all ten shorts, they will cast their votes for the “Audience Favorite” which will be awarded another $1,000.

 

This year’s competition also marks the second year that the SCA will partner with Wyoming- Kentwood Television (WKTV) to promote Saugatuck Shorts. In addition to the station coming to the event to broadcast it live on Nov. 5, WKTV will also feature the top ten juried films on the station.

 

WKTV is a community television station located at 5261 Clyde Park Avenue in Wyoming, Michigan. WKTV is one of the oldest community television stations in the country that is still in operation, celebrating 40 years in 2014. More information about WKTV can be found at www.wktv.org.

 

For more information and registration details for Saugatuck Shorts can be found at sc4a.org or by calling 269-857-2399. Saugatuck Center for the Arts is located at 400 Culver Street, Saugatuck.

 

WKTV and Global Force Productions are going on a safari

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Global Force Productions, a West Michigan-based international production company, specializing in CG animation, is bringing a new children’s educational program to WKTV. “Jake’s Safari,” was written by West Virginia actor/writer, George R. Snider, III. Global

 

“We fell in love with Mr. Snider’s story and its characters, so we attracted the production work to Grand Rapids,” said Randy Bassin, Force’s founder and executive producer of this show.

 

Together with talent from west Michigan and throughout the Midwest, along with the animation team at Global Force’s south India studios, under the direction of Terry Vanden Akker, TV audiences will experience a truly international safari for kids from pre-kindergarten through second grade. The show will air Mondays at 3:30 p.m. and Saturdays at 10 a.m. on WKTV channel 25.

 

Randy Bassin xxxxxxx
Globe Force Productions Founder Randy Bassin with Chiku from the company’s animated children’s show “Jake’s Safari.”

“Jake’s Safari,” which was nominated for a 2016 Eclipse Award for animation, is a half hour children’s program produced with both live actors and CG animated characters. The show will attract an international audience of both girls and boys. It is the story of Jake, a photo-journalist with “Wild World Magazine,” who experiences new adventures with his wise Zulu guide, Jabali, and his two animated sidekicks — a precocious monkey named Chiku and an easy living tiger named Tahla. Throughout the episode, audiences will meet Maribel, the assignment editor for “Wild World Magazine,” and Jake’s animated email messenger Rasul (a cheetah). Along the way you’ll be introduced to a wide variety of CG animals from different countries.

 

On Safari with Jake and his friends, viewers will traverse the world meeting new cultures, exploring exotic locations, learning about wildlife, promoting healthy childhood development, good morals, and even sharing photography tips designed for children.

 

For more information, visit Jake’s website at www.jakessafari.com or email Jake at goingonsafari@jakessafari.com.

You don’t have to be Jewish to love Jewish Theatre

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Founded in 1992, Jewish Theatre Grand Rapids (JTGR) is dedicated to presenting quality theatrical productions with Jewish themes that are universal in appeal.

In doing so, JTGR hopes to enrich the Jewish experience in West Michigan, and inform, educate and engage both the Jewish and non-Jewish community with stage productions that will entertain, engage and enrich people of all faiths.

BRILLbrill

September 7, 8, 10, 14, 15, 17, 2016 @ 8 pm

September 11, 18, 2016 @ 3 pm

Written by David Wells
Directed by Jason Marlett

Brill is based on a building in New York that was a factory of popular music in the early ’60s. Carol King, Paul Simon, Burt Bacharach and even Elvis, had offices and studios in that building. This play, with musical elements, is a fictionalized story of a 16-year-old girl who shares a studio with an older songwriter from the Tin Pan Alley days.

 

 

irenaIRENA’S VOW

January 12, 14, 19, 21, 2017 @ 8 pm

January 15, 22, 2017 @ 3 pm

Written by Dan Gordon
Directed by Jason Marlett

Irena’s Vow is the true story of a young Polish woman who is the housekeeper of a Nazi officer. She risks her life by hiding a couple of Jewish families in the basement of the Major’s house.

 

SENIORS OF THE SAHARAseniors

May 18, 20, 25, 27, 2017 @ 8 pm

May 21, 28, 2017 @ 3 pm

Written by Barbara Pease Weber
Directed by TBA

Seniors of the Sahara is a raucous comedy about an arthritic genie encountering the residents of a New Jersey senior’s apartment complex. What could go wrong? It’s a sort of “Golden Girls” meets “I Dream of Jeannie.”

 

You don’t have to be Jewish to love Jewish Theatre Grand Rapids!

Though the productions may have Jewish themes, they are always universal in appeal. The goal is to enrich the Jewish experience in West Michigan, while informing, educating and engaging patrons. It’s live theatre to learn, love and laugh with.

 

PERFORMANCES are on Thursdays and Saturdays at 8 pm, and Sundays at 3 pm. Due to the smaller venue, BRILL will also include 8 pm. Wednesday evening performances.

 

Tickets generally go on sale 2 weeks prior to a production. Call the Box Office at 616.234.3946. If the BUY TICKETS NOW button is enabled on the sidebar you may purchase tickets online for the current show.

 

Season Subscribers should always book through the Box Office in order to redeem their passes.

Season Brochure                          Purchase a Season Pass

Box Office: 616.234.3946
Mon- Fri 1-5 pm.

JTGR accepts VISA and MasterCard