The Soul Syndicate is coming to the City of Wyoming Concerts in the Park (Supplied)
By K.D. Norris
WKTV Contributor
The on-stage lineup of local Funk/R&B+ powerhouse Soul Syndicate may change each year it makes its annual visit to Wyoming/Kentwood community concert stages, this time as part of the City of Wyoming Concerts in the Park on Aug. 1, but one thing that doesn’t change is the “heart and soul” they bring to the stage.
The Tuesday evening Concerts in the Park are free of charge and open to the public at Lamar Park, 2561 Porter St. SW. Performances start at 6 p.m. and conclude around 8 p.m. Running since June 13, the remaining concert is Aug. 8 with Patty PerShayla & The Mayhaps.
A cool look and masterful musicianship
On stage for Soul Syndicate are 10 or more musicians. Regulars include Colin Tobin and Katie Sarb on lead vocals, Mike Coon on guitar and vocals, Matt Fouts on bass, John Neil on keyboards, Tom Taylor on drums, Tim DenBesten on trumpet and vocals, Nate Hansen on baritone and alto saxophone, Jeff Carroll on the “bone” (trombone), and Danny Giacobassi on tenor saxophone.
The Soul Syndicate has some pretty cool swag too (Supplied)
The Soul Syndicate, according to its website, pays tribute to the most influential Funk, Soul, and R&B artists “with a sophisticated look, masterful musicianship, and a crowd-pleasing act…The group delivers an experience that will keep the audience dancing all night long, with a dedicated horn section and male/female vocalists, the group masterfully combines the best, classic dance music into multi—song medleys.”
Members of The Soul Syndicate have performed with such diverse artists as Peter Frampton, The Doobie Brothers, Hootie and the Blowfish, The Cars, The Beach Boys, The Temptations, The Spinners, Kansas, The Guess Who, Edgar Winter, Natalie Cole, and Rosemarie Clooney.
Each Tuesday evening concert features a food truck with food and beverages available for purchase. Concertgoers are welcome to bring their own food, but alcohol is not permitted in the park.
“Concerts in the park are a highlight of summertime in Wyoming. We hope you will grab your blankets, chairs and friends and join us for some fun in the parks!” Krashawn Martin, Wyoming Parks and Recreation director, said earlier while introducing the concert series.
During a summer market, a Wyoming firefighter sends a message about safety. (WKTV)
By WKTV Staff
deborah@wktv.org
The City of Wyoming is inviting community members to participate in National Night Out events throughout the city on Tuesday, Aug. 1.
An annual event celebrated across the country, National Night Out encourages residents to turn on their porch lights and gather with their neighbors, community leaders, and police and fire personnel.
Wyoming police officers, firefighters and leaders will join residents at multiple gatherings across the city. Most events will take place from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. and residents will have the opportunity to explore police and fire equipment, including police cruisers, fire trucks and other emergency response vehicles, as well as learn about a variety of safety topics. Community members can also visit with the Wyoming Police Department K9 team.
“National Night Out is something staff and our community look forward to each year,” Mayor Pro Tem Rob Postema said. “Our team is looking forward to another fun year of building relationships with our residents and having a good time while connecting with the community we serve.”
Give me five: A resident gives a Wyoming police officer a high-five. (WKTV)
Lt. Kirt Zuiderveen of the Wyoming Police Department agreed. “People are busier than they’ve ever been. It’s a great night for people to go outside the house, lock their doors, turn the lights on, and meet the neighbors,” Zuiderveen said.
The department will hold community events at Lamar Park, Celebration Cinema Rivertown, Grace Christian University, Grace Christian Reformed Church and The Door Church.
Lamar Park, 2561 Porter St. SW, from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m.
Celebration Cinema, 3728 Rivertown Pkwy from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Grace Christian University, 1011 Aldon St. SW from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. with a fire truck water activity at 5:45 p.m.
Grace Christian Reformed Church, 3030 Burlingame Ave SW from 6 p.m. to 7:30 p.m.
The Door Church, 154 44th St. SW, from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m.
“Spending time and having fun with residents is important for all of our officers and firefighters as we work to build and strengthen relationships in our community,” said Director of Public Safety Kimberly Koster. “National Night Out allows us to connect with residents in a positive and meaningful way. We are looking forward to returning to connecting with community members across our city.”
Zuiderveen said residents benefit from knowing their neighbors. “[Neighbors] watch out for each other. They build relationships, they build trust. There is safety in numbers,” Zuiderveen continued. “If you are a victim of a crime, you are more willing to share it with your neighbors if there is trust.”
National Night Out began in the 1984 with a group of law enforcement agencies, volunteers, neighborhood watch groups, and state and regional crime prevention associations. It grew from porch vigils to neighborhood celebrations to promote safety in communities and build relationships with public safety.
To learn more about National Night Out, visit natw.org
Maria Christina Oliveras plays Persephone in the national tour of “Hadestown,” which comes to Grand Rapids this week. (Photo by T. Charles-Erickson)
By John D. Gonzalez WKTV Contributor
Maria-Christina Oliveras, who plays Persephone in the Broadway national tour of “Hadestown,” said the premise of the musical is life changing:
“Love is the greatest force of the universe and can recalibrate (us)!” she said in a recent phone interview with WKTV while on a tour stop in Milwaukee.
As the Greek goddess of the underworld ruled by Hades, Persephone may know a little bit about the universe, especially as it pertains to “Hadestown,” the Tony Award-winning Broadway musical that tells a modern retelling of the ancient Greek myth of Orpheus and Eurydice.
Overall it won eight Tony Awards in 2019, including Best Musical, and the Grammy Award for Best Musical Theater Album.
The story is set in a post-apocalyptic, Depression-era America, where the world is plagued by poverty and despair. Orpheus, a talented musician, falls in love with Eurydice, a young woman who is struggling to make ends meet. As they navigate their relationship and the challenges of their world, they are drawn into the dark underworld of Hadestown, ruled by the charismatic but ruthless Hades.
It’s that storyline of “love” and its power to “recalibrate” the universe that makes the musical so powerful, Oliveras said.
“(Love) is the biggest force of reckoning in the universe, and I think we do that through our music and through the story we tell,” she said. “We all need to reconnect again.”
In this Greek tragedy, the story explores themes of love and sacrifice, as well as temptation, and the power of music to inspire hope and bring people together.
Written by Anaïs Mitchell, the score blends elements of folk, blues, and jazz, and features memorable songs such as “Way Down Hadestown,” “Wait for Me,” and “Why We Build the Wall.”
Because it’s based on a Greek tragedy, Oliveras said “we all know how the story ends,” but it’s their goal as a cast “to tell it again with hope, in hopes that it may turn out a little different.”
“Hadestown” is a musical presented primarily in song with the ensemble performing as a Greek chorus and the three Fates, the mythical personifications of destiny, to assist Hermes in telling the story. Most of the show’s seven-member band performs onstage on risers, perched on a setting that resembles New Orleans’ French Quarter.
Hannah Whitley as Eurydice and J. Antonio Rodriguez as Orpheus with the company in “Hadestown.” (Photo by T. Charles Erikson)
Oliveras, a classically trained actor, singer, educator and activist from the Bronx, New York, said it’s the show’s innovation, especially in staging, that has resonated with audiences and made it a Broadway hit.
Also, its wide range of music from New Orleans jazz to folk has made it appealing “even to people who don’t like traditional musical theater.”
A graduate of Yale University, with an M.F.A. in Acting from the National Theatre Conservatory, Oliveras said the show is also relevant to today’s audience, weaving in themes of “immigration, community and climate change.”
“It’s got this depth, and it really hits where we are at this moment in the world, and in America specifically,” Oliversa said. “The combination of all of that…. you can’t resist. It’s really a phenomenon.”
It also captures what it is like to be human, in the spirit of “we’re in it together,” she said.
Overall we are inspired by these young lovers, in song and creativity.
“It’s about the power of art to really transform and change, and reginate and reinspire, particularly in those moments where we’re disconnected, which is really prevalent in the world today.”
Tickets are available online at BroadwayGrandRapids.com or at the Broadway Grand Rapids box office located at 122 Lyon St. NW. Group orders of 10 or more may be placed by calling 616-235-6285.
John D. Gonzalez is a digital journalist with 30-plus years of experience as a food, travel, craft beer and arts & entertainment reporter based in Grand Rapids, Michigan. He also co-hosts the radio show and Podcast “Behind the Mitten,” which airs at 6 p.m. Sundays on WOOD-AM and FM. Follow him on his journey to discover what’s next. Learn more at amyandgonzo.com. You can find him on Twitter as @MichiganGonzo, on Instagram @MichiganGonzo and Facebook at @GRGonzo. Find his Channel on YouTube. Email him story ideas and tips at michigangonzo@gmail.com.
Circle Theatre presents the “25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee” through May 20. (Courtesy, Circle Theatre)
How do you spell S-U-C-C-E-S-S? One only has to be in the audience for Circle’s musical comedy to find out. The season opener is successful with tremendous audience appeal, superior talent, innovative staging and musical delights.
The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee follows six nerdy and eclectic tweens who are definitely quirky, interesting and share their life stories with effortless humor and emotion. It’s a small cast with big voices.
“What is the language of origins?” “Can you use that in a sentence?” “What’s the definition please?” These phrases take us back to some of the spelling bees of our school days. But what is the most memorable are the life stories of every cast member. The stories emotionally connect us throughout.
Kudos to co-directors Chris and Jenna Grooms for directing what seem to be young characters, but has a cast of all ages portraying that specific age group. They all try to spell their way through words like “capybara,” qaymaqam” “Cystitis” and other words I have never heard of.
Who will win the spelling championship of a lifetime? Audience members are on the edge of their seats just waiting to find out. There is no intermission which just adds to the suspense of the plot.
The show was a winner of the Tony and the Drama Desk Awards for Best Book. Well-deserved as the jokes, storylines, and content are relatable, emotional, funny and as clever as the characters themselves.
Zachary Avery, in the role of Leaf, doesn’t know how to spell, but when he goes into a trance, the results are correct and humorous. (Courtesy, Circle Theatre)
Another interesting aspect of the show is four audience members are called upon to compete in the bee. This provides an audience immersion delight and tests the casts’ improvisational techniques.
Each cast member has their own unique way of competing to win the spelling bee. Braden Bacon, portraying the role of Barfee, spells the word out on the ground with his foot. He gets the visual and then speaks it. Zachary Avery, in the role of Leaf, doesn’t know how to spell, but when he goes into a trance, the results are correct and humorous.
Usually there are stand out performers in musicals. This cast are all stand outs. Impeccable comedic timing, excellent voice and diction skills, in depth characterizations and gifted singers make this show one of the best I have seen in a long time.
Choreographer Mary Lohman and Music Director Scott Patrick Bell should also be commended on their creative efforts and in-depth talents.
The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee runs at Circle Theatre through May 20. Tickets and information available at circletheatre.org. The show runs May 4-6, 10-14 and 17-20, with May 14 being a matinee showing. Tickets are available for $26 – $30 at circletheatre.org. This season, Circle Theatre will present “The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee,” “Blithe Spirit,” “Pippin,” “Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom” and “Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street.” Definitely a winning season and one that we have just come to expect from Circle Theater.
What do former U.S. Rep. Peter Meijer and current Kent County Health Department’s Administrative Health Officer Dr. Adam London have in common?
Both have seen first-hand the dangers of political polarization in today’s society. Both will be offering West Michigan Perspectives on Political Violence as speakers at the Progressive/Conservative Summit 2023 presented by Hauenstein Center for Presidential Studies at Grand Valley State University.
The Hauenstein Center event, presented as part of its Common Ground Initiative, will take place Wednesday, April 19, from 2-8 p.m. at GVSU’s Charles W. Loosemore Auditorium. The event is free and open to the public but reservations are required and available here.
Meijer and London will talk on their experiences as leaders working in our current divisive sociopolitical world, and likely the costs they paid for their actions on political flashpoint issues. Meijer, who was one of a few Republicans who voted to impeach Donald Trump, lost his his re-election bid for the Michigan 3rd Congressional District, which was won by Democrat Hillary Scholten. London received repeated verbal attacks and even personal threats for his department’s handling of COVID-19 restrictions.
Kent County Health Department’s Administrative Health Officer Dr. Adam London
“We believe that all elected, appointed, and professional government officials at all levels of government should be able to carry out their duties without threat of violence against themselves or their friends, families, and colleagues,” said Kahler Sweeney, Common Ground Initiative program manager. “While we all have public servants who we disagree with, we must advocate against violence as a means of political action.
“By sharing the stories of these elected officials, we hope to showcase the harm that political violence has on our political system and learn what can be done to promote a politics of nonviolence.”
In addition to Meijer and London, other speakers at the event include Professor Javed Ali, former Pennsylvania U.S. Rep. Charlie Dent and former Michigan State Rep. David LaGrand.
“Of course, there is the political divide we are all familiar with, that between Democrats and Republicans, progressivism and conservatism, but we also recognize the diversity of ideologies that our speakers and audience represent,” Sweeney said. “This event will offer insight on the topic of political polarization and political violence from various viewpoints, including practitioners and scholars, Democrats and Republicans, and a diversity of lived experiences.”
Schedule of speakers/topics/events
2-3 p.m. — Contemporary Political Violence & New Policy Approaches with Professor Javed Ali
3:30-4:30 p.m. — Public Service in Polarized Times with former Rep. Charlie Dent (R-PA) (virtual) and former State Rep. David LaGrand (D-MI)
4:30-6 p.m.— Reception with hors d’oeuvres and beverages
6-7:30 p.m. — West Michigan Perspectives on Political Violence with former Rep. Peter Meijer (R-MI) and Dr. Adam London
7:30-8:15 p.m. — Community conversations and dessert
Virtual attendance available
To attend a digital alternative for the summit visit gvsu.edu/hc for the livestream that starts about 30 minutes before the event or join via a zoom link, which is provided in the confirmation email after registering.
The Common Ground Initiative, according to its website, reinforces the Hauenstein Center’s mission to “raise up a new generation of men and women committed to the ethical, effective leadership and public service that Ralph W. Hauenstein exemplified throughout his life.”
The City of Kentwood and Georgetown Seniors once again will be hosting the Spotlight on Seniors Expo, Tuesday, April 18.
The Spotlight on Seniors Expo returns to the Kentwood Activities Center April 18. (WKTV)
The 24th annual event, which will take place at the Kentwood Activities Center, 355 48th St. SE, is designed to connect the community with senior-focused resources. The free indoor event features more than 50 vendors from a variety of community businesses, free health screenings, door prizes, free lunch and more.
“We’re fortunate to have many community resources focused on healthy living for all ages in and around Kentwood,” said Kentwood Recreation Program Coordinator Shelby Henshaw. “The Spotlight on Seniors Expo gives older adults and other community members an opportunity to come together to celebrate successful aging and learn more about available services.
“We’re grateful for our continued partnership with Georgetown Seniors on this community-favorite event, as well as our sponsors.”
Vendors represent a wide variety of industries, with professionals knowledgeable in everything from physical therapy and hearing services to recreational opportunities and retirement planning.
“Active, connected lifestyles are key for our seniors to lead happy, healthy lives,” said Pam Haverdink, director of the Georgetown Senior Center. “We are pleased to partner with Kentwood Seniors once again to host this successful event and are grateful to the vendors who help make it happen.”
The gold sponsors of the 24th annual Spotlight on Seniors Expo are HAP, Humana, Tim Hortons, The Oaks at Byron Center and We Care 4 U, LLC. United Healthcare is a silver sponsor.
Disability Advocates of Kent County will host a Kent County Transportation Forum on Monday. (WKTV)
Disability Advocates of Kent County will host the Kent County Transportation Forum on Monday, April 10 in the Special Olympics Michigan Unified Sports & Inclusion Center, 160 68th St. SW. This event will bring together stakeholders to discuss options for countywide mobility.
“There is so much planning going on for the future of mobility in our community,” said David Bulkowski, executive director of Disability Advocates of Kent County. “We need to make sure people are informed about plans being considered and organized to deliver the best outcomes.”
In Michigan, 19% of people with disabilities live within the federal poverty rate and 48% of people with disabilities struggle to afford basic costs of living. Unemployment remains a driving factor behind this high level of economic instability; only 34% of adults with disabilities in Michigan have a job. Those who have a position often work part-time without a living wage.
Expanding Transportation Options
One way to address financial hardship among people with disabilities is to expand accessible public transportation options. Many individuals rely on public transit for their work commute and other common destinations.
Public transportation access remains scarce outside of the six cities in The Rapid service area: Grand Rapids, East Grand Rapids, Wyoming, Walker, Grandville, and Kentwood. Those who live in places like Cedar Springs, Rockford, and Lowell often struggle to find a bus route and must rely on specialized services like Hope Network, but usually options are limited to expensive rideshare services such as Uber or Lyft, assuming these services can even be found in these areas.
Community Organizer Michael Williams, who leads the Concerned Citizens for Improved Transportation (CCIT) advocacy work group, believes the community could deliver better results for people with disabilities. He calls for greater connectivity between transportation systems in cities instead of having a series of distinct, fixed bus routes.
“There is not one perfect solution to this challenge,” Williams said. “However, solutions start at aligning current efforts to better compliment each other, rather than repeating each other.”
Building on the past work of Faith In Motion and CCIT and a strategy session conducted during Disability Advocates’ Disability Awareness Day, Williams will host the Kent County Transportation Forum. State and local elected officials, municipal organizations such as Mobile GR, and transportation providers such as Hope Network will have a presence at the forum.
Everyone Welcome to Join the Discussion
The Kent County Transportation Forum seeks to coordinate local, state, and federal approaches toward achieving countywide mobility. Representatives from the City of Grand Rapids, the Grand Valley Metropolitan Council, The Rapid, and Kent County Mobility Task Force will discuss their transportation plans and seek ways to find agreement between plans. Kent County recently appointed its County Wide Mobility Task Force. Connecting current efforts will better help identify the needs for Kent County’s new team.
“We’re bringing riders, transportation providers, and planners to one place,” Williams said. “How can we work together and connect people in Kent County and beyond? This forum is a fantastic opportunity to align current planning processes into a coordinated regional effort.”
Those interested in learning more about accessible transportation or getting involved with CCIT can contact Michael Williams at michael.w@dakc.us.
Terence, the Red Storm Robotics FRC Robot, is rolling into Kentwood’s home tournament on March 31 and April 1 to take on 37 other FIRST® (For Inspiration and Recognition of Science and Technology) Teams’ robots for a chance to advance to the state tournament. In this Charged UpSM competition, the Red Storm Robotics team reimagines the future of sustainable energy and powers its ideas forward to victory.
Terence, the Red Storm Robotics’ robot. (Courtesy, Red Storm Robotics)
This is a free event for everyone starting at 10:30 am on Friday, March 31. WKTV Community television crews will be at East Kentwood both days providing television coverage of the FIRST Robotics competition. WKTV’s coverage will be available for broadcast on WKTV and streamed via WKTV’s on demand service in the month of April.
The public is encouraged to attend and cheer our Red Storm Robotics team, or their favorite local team, as they demonstrate “gracious professionalism” through their application of mechanical engineering, computer-aided design, electrical engineering, programming, systems integration, website building, animation, and fabrication/machining skills. Red Storm Robotics’ Terence utilizes autonomous and driver-assisted modes, optical sensors to help guide it to targets, an elevator arm with a mechanical cone-grabbing claw, and gyroscope-assisted balancing to help it perform in this year’s 2022-2023 competition. The KPS FRC Team #3875 is made up of approximately 40 high school students, four coaches, and four mentors from the Kentwood Public Schools and nearby communities.
Project-based, hands-on FIRST® programs introduce students to engineering and coding in an engaging, inclusive, and creative after-school environment where students work collaboratively to solve an annual robotics challenge centered around a yearly theme. Boosted by a million-strong global community of students, mentors, educators, volunteers, sponsors, and alumni in over 100 countries.
The ballet, with choreography by Junior Company Artistic Director Attila Mosolygo, follows the story of the original book “The Wonderful Wizard of OZ” written by L. Frank Baum, yet follows the same storyline of the well-known movie, directed by Victor Fleming, throughout the ballet. Follow Dorothy as she travels to the Land of Oz, meets three faithful friends, confronts the Wizard of Oz, and fights off the Wicked Witch of the West.
“I am excited to see all of the GRBS Junior Company students showcase their talents as we bring this classic story to the stage,” Mosolygo said. “The students have been working hard the last two and a half months.”
Rehearsals for Wizard of Oz began in December. Grand Rapids Ballet School Junior Company members have been attending class weekly at Grand Rapids Ballet’s Meijer Royce Center for Dance, and in many cases, depending on the role they are cast as, rehearse multiple days per week leading up to the performance. “The production involves more than 50 dancers of the Junior Company. As you can imagine, it can be challenging at times to bring that big of a cast together,” Mosolygo said.
Premiered initially in 2018, Grand Rapids Ballet School Junior Company is excited to bring back this well know the classic tale. Although the props and set design are the same, you may see some differences in the choreography, “As I revisit the ballet, I do tweak each scene and make changes as we go along,” Mosolygo said, “the sets and the costumes were originally created when the premiere happened in 2018. I designed and built the sets myself, based on my interpretation of the story.”
GRBS Junior Company is hosting Dorothy & Friends’ Tea Party on Sunday, March 12, at The Rutledge on Ionia. At the events, families will make themed crafts, pose for the photo booth, and meet and greet with characters from the Wizard of Oz; along with having brunch.
“Wizard of Oz” runs March 10-12 and 18-19, at Peter Martin Wege Theatre. Tickets are $20 online, via phone at 616-454-4771 ext. 110, or in person at GRB’s Box Office. Tickets to Dorothy & Friends’ Tea Party are available for $54 per person on the Grand Rapids Ballet’s website.
Earth Radio will be kicking of the Concerts Under the Stars series on Jan. 26 and 27. (Courtesy, Public Museum)
The Grand Rapids Public Museum popular series: Concerts Under the Stars, returns this January with performances set for Jan. 26 and 27 at the museum’s Roger B. Chaffee Planetarium, located at 272 Pearl St. NW.
The immersive full-dome concert experience highlights local musicians and visual artists. Concerts Under the Stars has quickly become a staple of the underground West Michigan music scene. This year, it kicks off with two shows with Earth Radio.
The Grand Rapids-based Earth Radio has a sound that invokes elements of funk, rock, soul, and progressive jazz, reminiscent of Hiatus Kaiyote, Erykah Badu, Radiohead, and Knower, melded together into a sound that is uniquely Earth Radio.
Video artist Nate Eizenga will be accompanying Earth Radio for the Jan. 26 and 27 performances. (Courtesy, Public Museum)
Local video artist Nate Eizenga will accompany Earth Radio on Jan. 26 and 27. Eizenga is a Grand Rapids native who moonlights as a video artist, focusing on accompaniment for live musical performances.
Attendees will sit back and experience the wonders of the cosmos alongside captivating music with Concerts Under the Stars. This winter, three West Michigan bands will perform their music, enhanced by the unique environment created by the dome and seating of the Chaffee Planetarium. Completing the immersive experience will be area visual artists weaving their digital art to the music being performed.
“We’re excited for the return of Concerts Under the Stars at the Chaffee Planetarium,” said Jack Daleske, the GRPM’s Planetarium and Theater Manager. “This year will feature a broad range of musical talent from local musicians in combination with local digital artists for an incredible full-sensory experience unique only to our location.”
Shows will begin at 7:30 p.m. with doors opening at 6:30 p.m., including access to the Museum’s first two floors of exhibits. Performers will play two sets with a short intermission in between. Refreshments, beer, and other beverages will be available for purchase. Tickets are $20, with discounted pricing of $16 for GRPM members. To learn more about this series or to purchase tickets, visit grpm.org/concerts-under-the-stars.
Additional Concerts
The 2023 Concerts Under the Stars series will continue on Feb. 23 and 24 with a set of shows performed by the DIY group, Phabies featuring KB Brown, and will conclude on March 23 and 24 with a unique blend of folk-soul music performed by Jordan Hamilton featuring visual artist Emily Hromi.
Angeline Boulley’s debut novel, “Firekeeper’s Daughter,” skyrocketed to the top upon release earning several awards including a Printz Medal Winner, William C. Morris Award, American Indian Youth Literature Award Best Young Adult Honor, and was a Reese Witherspoon x Hllo Sunshine Book Club YA Pick.
Set in Sault Ste. Marie, the story follows Daunis Fontaine, a half-native, half-white young adult who witnesses her best friend’s murder by the hand of her friend’s boyfriend. She decides to protect her family and her culture by becoming involved an FBI investigation revolving around a new drug that mixes meth with Ojibwa herbs.
Boulley, who is enrolled member of the Sault St. Marie Tribe of Chippewa Indians, was born in Sault Ste. Marie. She is a graduate of Central Michigan University and has worked in Indian education at the tribal, state and national levels including becoming the director fo the Office of Indian Education at the U.S. Department of Education.
Boulley’s book is just one of the many recommendations on the KDL Let It Snow Local Indie/Michigan Authors. Other books on the list are Jenison author Tobin T. Buhk’s “Cold Case Michigan,” a look at several unsolved Michigan murders, and Shona Buchana’s “Black Indian,” a memoir of being African American with American Indian roots and how her family dealt with not just society’s ostracization but the consequences of this dual inheritance.
Adults and teens (11+) who participate in the Let It Snow and read a minimum of six books in different categories between Jan. 3 and March 31 will receive a collectible Let It Snow 2023 ceramic mug. Participants who finish an additional four titles will be entered into a Power Reader drawing to win an Amazon Kindle Scribe with stylus pen or other prizes.
Roll out the red carpet, as a staple of the Grand Rapids film scene is set to return. Since its founding in 2005, the Chiaroscuro International Film Series has sought to promote its mission of “connecting world cultures, promoting greater understanding of diverse peoples, and celebrating the universal human spirit through exceptional international cinema.”
During the height of the Covid-19 pandemic, Chiaroscuro operated a virtual “Greatest Hits” season in 2021, while the 2022 season was cancelled outright out of an abundance of caution. The upcoming 2023 season – the festival’s 18th overall – marks the first full, in-person season in three years.
“I believe I speak on behalf of the entire organizing board when I say we are immensely excited for the Chiaroscuro International Film Series to be returning,” said Chiaroscuro Board President Spencer Everhart.
What is the Chiaroscuro International Film Series?
Per Chiaroscuro’s official website, the organization’s purpose “fosters a deeper understanding of world cultures through the medium of film. Chiaroscuro enriches the West Michigan cultural landscape by presenting films in a setting that encourages discussion and enjoyment through a shared social experience.”
The series’ dates of operation run every other Sunday from January through March, with films beginning at 2:00 pm. Each international film is selected based on its availability, level of critical reception, specific country of origin, and runtime, among other factors.
“With theatrical film distribution as competitive as it is, important movies from around the world don’t always get a chance to be shown in Grand Rapids, so we definitely view Chiaroscuro as providing the region with a connection to films and filmmakers that are not necessarily always represented on our local big screens,” Everhart said.
Following the film, a moderator leads a discussion between two panelists. One panelist brings the perspective of a film scholar, while another offers insights into the given country’s history and culture. Chiaroscuro also invites audience members to ask questions.
Food and refreshments related to the film’s country of origin are available following each week’s discussion.
“The collective experience of watching a film in a theater is part of what makes Chiaroscuro special, but it’s the post-screening discussion panel and audience Q&A – followed by a reception featuring food related to the movie’s country of origin – that makes it a unique cinematic experience that is only possible when we gather together,” Spencer said.
Run by a group of volunteers consisting of local artists, educators, and others, admission to the series is free and open to the public. Support from those local volunteers, along with contributions from universities and businesses, enables the series to remain free.
From 2011 to 2020, Chiaroscuro operated out of Grand Rapids’ Urban Institute for Contemporary Arts (UICA) auditorium. However, during Chiaroscuro’s Covid-induced shutdown, the UICA moved to a new location that no longer accommodates a theater space. It was recently announced that UICA would be closing at the end of Feb. 11. Therefore, in 2023, Chiaroscuro will relocate to the Wealthy Theatre at 1130 Wealthy St. SW. There is a potential for a larger turnout at the Wealthy Theatre, as it nearly doubles the seating capacity of UICA.
“While we are sad to no longer be hosting these events at our old home, the UICA, we are proud to be partnering with the historic Wealthy Theatre to continue Chiaroscuro into a new era” Spencer said. “It’s a beautiful venue run by passionate folks who have an interest in our mission of sharing global film culture with West Michigan.”
The 2023 Season
Each year’s films are all tied together with one unifying theme, and 2023’s theme is Absence/Presence. Chiaroscuro intends for that theme to reflect the shared human experience of moving on and coming together after a global pandemic.
The 2023 season begins on January 8 and runs every other Sunday through March 5. Per board member Kerri VanderHoff, the film schedule is as follows:
January 8
Waru (Gardiner et al, 2017) New Zealand
Following the death of a child, eight Māori women risk everything for the greater good of their community.
January 22
Quo Vadis, Aida? (Zbanic, 2020) Bosnia and Herzegovina
Ma Aida is a UN translator. When the Serbian army takes over her town, her family shelters in the UN camp.
February 5
Asako I and II (Hamaguchi, 2018) Japan
Asako loves Baku, a free spirit who suddenly disappears. Later, Asako meets Ryohei, who looks just like Baku.
February 19
Le Havre (Kaurismäki, 2011) Finland/France
When a young African refugee arrives in the city of Le Havre, an aging shoe shiner welcomes him into his home.
Transit
March 5
Transit (Petzold, 2018) Germany
A man escaping occupied France falls in love with the wife of a dead author, whose identity he has assumed.
“We hope the return of Chiaroscuro brings back our usual attendees from the past, but we also hope it draws in new audiences who are invigorated by the possibility of seeing international cinema in a context that enhances our understanding and appreciation for filmmaking from around the world,” Spencer said.
For more information about specific showings and panelists, follow Chiaroscuro on their social platforms (Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn) and check their official website for updates.
The cast of the North American “SIX” Aragon Tour. (Photo credit: Joan Marcus)
The marketing of “SIX: The Musical,” is catchy, which makes sense because it’s a tragic story on first blush, but an empowering one as well.
It’s the story of six women, who are all fascinating, and their marriages to King Henry VIII during the Tudor era of England’s history.
The playbill simply says: “Divorced, beheaded, died, divorced, beheaded, survived.”
The musical is a new take on history, and it’s a smash, says Jennifer Pascua, marketing director at Broadway Grand Rapids, which is bringing eight performances to DeVos Performance Hall, Jan. 10-15.
“People are ecstatic about it,” said Pascua, who expects the few remaining seats to be sold out relatively soon. “At the close of the run of the show you’re going to see just how many people were excited that this is coming to West Michigan.”
The Tony Award-winning show – which won 23 awards in the 2021/2022 Broadway season, including the Tony Award for Best Original Score (Music and Lyrics) – offers plenty of historical elements, Pascua said.
But the plot is modernized, and the queens are presented as performers at a pop concert. They contemplate the group’s leader over who has suffered the most while married to the king.
“Within the lyrics there are updates to make it more relatable to the 21st century,” Pascua said.
“What’s nice, in the playbill, it will give you a little history of all the wives, and it’s going to show you who their pop icons are, so it gives you a vibe to the type of songs each of the wives are singing.”
In a recent interview with The Omaha World-Herald, Storm Lever, who plays Queen Anne Boleyn in the show, said you don’t need to be an historian to enjoy this show.
Storm Lever as Anne Boleyn (center) in the North American “SIX” Aragon Tour. (Photo credit: Joan Marcus)
“The history is really accessible,” she said in the interview with Courtney Brummer-Clark. “Whether you are a history buff or if you don’t know anything about these queens, they take the time to tell each of their stories and give you the context of what was going on throughout their lives. But they do it with a cheeky, 2022 sensibility. They have a modern edge to the way that they talk, they have a modern sense of humor, but they are still talking about history that happened centuries ago.”
West Michigan audiences will find the “show full of empowerment,” said Pascua, who saw the show last year in New Orleans.
“It is a cross between the British pop stars you see, and influence from this day and age pop stars, and they…each have a story, and throughout the show you will hear the six stories of the six wives.”
“I cannot wait to see the reaction of West Michigan!:
It’s almost better, she added, if you don’t know too much going in.
“Then you’ll be a little more blown away,” she added. “It is non-stop energetic, and I’m excited to see how everyone reacts to it.”
Everyone will be entertained, too. It’s only an hour and 20 minutes long with no intermission.
“If you’re going to the show as a date night, you’re still going to appreciate it,” Pascua said.
“All of these women have incredible stories of resilience, and these queens, wow…21st century girl power is how we are describing the vibe that you’re going to get into as you walk into DeVos Performance Hall.”
Rush Tickets
Although tickets are limited, Broadway Grand Rapids has announced $30 Student/Educator Rush tickets for all performances of “SIX.” A valid school ID is required, and the limit is two tickets per person. All tickets are subject to availability. Please be advised availability is extremely limited and seats may not be together. Tickets may be purchased in-person one hour prior to the performance at the DeVos Performance Hall Box Office at 303 Monroe Ave NW in Grand Rapids.
John D. Gonzalez is a digital journalist with 30-plus years of experience as a food, travel, craft beer and arts & entertainment reporter based in Grand Rapids, Michigan. He also co-hosts the radio show and Podcast “Behind the Mitten,” which airs at 6 p.m. Sundays on WOOD-AM and FM. Follow him on Twitter as @MichiganGonzo, on Instagram @MichiganGonzo and Facebook at @GRGonzo. He is also on YouTube. Email him story ideas and tips at michigangonzo@gmail.com.
ArtRat Gallery is enjoying a long winter’s nap until Jan. 5, but our Heartside neighborhood is staying lit to welcome 2023 this Saturday night.
Whether you’re looking for a formal dinner, a costume party, a basement punk concert or a good old-fashioned bar crawl, check out a dozen New Year’s Eve events within a 5-minute walk of ArtRat Gallery (46 Division Ave. South).
The Apartment Lounge’s first party of 2023 “is going to be a big deal,” manager Jason Martin told ArtRat. “My favorite part is seeing how much fun everyone is enjoying the performances.” For $10 cover, you can be a part of the festivities at Grand Rapids’ oldest LGBTQ-friendly bar. The event will be hosted by drag doyenne Jasinya Maria Sanchez, and the cover includes party favors and a champagne toast. Jason tells us there’s only one more booth available (which includes charcuterie and a bottle of bubbles), so reserve your front-row seats before it’s too late.
The Beacon Corner Bar has two reasons to celebrate, one is New Year’s Eve and the other is marking its first anniversary. (Courtesy, Beacon Corner Bar)
Grand Rapids’ new home for Long Island-inspired “sea and land fare” has two reasons to party: It’s celebrating both the new year and its own one-year anniversary with a three-course coastal dining experience that features live music by Mark Levengood. ($65)
Want to ring in 2023 from a rooftop? The Hilton invites you to head up to Knoop Rooftop Beer Garden, “Grand Rapids’ only rooftop lounge NYE experience.” There will be charcuterie and New York Sours, not to mention an amazing view. Tickets are available here. ($100)
“This year has gone by so fast, and we are looking forward to celebrating the beginning of 2023 with you!” The chefs at Divani have created a $75, three-course menu (with gluten-free options) to ring in the new year. Reserve your table here.
Athbhliain faoi mhaise daoibh! (That’s “Happy New Year!” in Irish Gaelic.) Raise a pint at Dublin Hall’s Glitter and Gold Party, with music by DJ Tony Banks. The event will include party favors, a late-night buffet and a champagne toast. Doors open at 9 p.m.; tickets are $40 pre-sale or $50 at the door.
Co-owner and sommelier Shatawn Brigham told ArtRat that GRNoir will offer “six to eight” varieties of bubbly for your New Year’s delectation, as well as livejazz from saxophonist Alain Sullivan and his quartet.
House of Wine kicks of the New Year with a champagne tasting. (Courtesy, House of Wine)
Do you get a kick from champagne? House of Wine invites you to “treat yourself” by making a NYE reservation for drinks and small plates. They’ll be hosting an exclusive champagne tasting to help kickstart your New Year’s Eve celebration. (Book online here.)
Heartside’s new queer-owned salon is proud of its creative and inclusive environment. On NYE, you can explore the space with an evening of glitter, local art vendors and pole performances. Stylists will be offering discounts on glitter-y makeup and hair applications from 6-8 p.m. so you can leave “ready for the countdown at your local gathering place!” Pole performances will run from 8:30-9:30 p.m. (Get your $10 tickets here!)
ArtRat’s neighbors at Rockwell Republic are looking back to the 1980s this New Year’s Eve: Sport your biggest hair and brightest windbreaker, and enter to win a $200 cash prize at the gastropub’s ‘80s-themed costume party. Book ahead for a complimentary champagne toast; the festivities begin at 8:30 p.m.
Head on down to South Division’s venerable LGBTQ+ nightclub, and celebrate the 2023 New Year with a snack buffet, party favors and a house diva performance, as well as a champagne toast at midnight. Legendary Rumors DJ Monica Parker will be spinning tracks alongside DJ Timmy T. Doors open at 8 p.m., admission $25.
If you’re more the party-crashing type, there’s still a place for you (that isn’t your parents’ garage) this Saturday night. The all-ages, alcohol-free music venue is hosting its New Year’s Eve Trash Bash: a “big family reunion” featuring Chain Ripper, The Mollusks, The Sissy Boys, Dregs, American Cheese and Fetus Deletus! Come check out these Michigan punk/metal/hardcore bands from 7 p.m. till midnight. (The gnarliest NYE celebration in town costs just $10 a ticket!)
And if you prefer a lower-key start to 2023, stock up at Grand Vin (15 Ionia Ave. SW). Owner Kimberly Grimm told ArtRat, “We won’t have an event at the shop on NYE, but we do have more than 60 different types of sparkling wine available at every price point to help customers celebrate at home!” Stop in from 11 a.m. till 4 p.m. on Saturday so house sommelier Thom Grimm can help you put the right fizz on your New Year’s Eve.
Area choirs will be performing that Gerald R. Ford Airport this week. (Pxhere.com)
As holiday travel continues at the Gerald R. Ford International Airport, local school choirs are set to fill the Ford Airport with festive cheer for passengers and guests.
The 26th Annual Holiday Music Festival will take place Dec. 5-9 in the airport grand hall, located just before the TSA checkpoint. Daily performances run from 9 a.m. – 2:30 p.m.
A total of 20 West Michigan choirs from grades first through 12th are scheduled to sing 20-minute song sets throughout the day. All festival performances are free and open to the public.
Some of the local groups performing are
Legacy Christian Honors Choir, 9:30 a.m. Dec. 5
East Kentwood High School Varsity Voices, 12:30 p.m. Dec. 5
Calvin Christian Chroale, 9:30 a.m. Dec. 6
Lee High School School Choir, 11 a.m.. Dec. 6
Wyoming Junior High Concert Choir, 11 a.m., Dec. 7
Wyoming High School Honors Choir, 12:30 p.m, Dec. 7
Legacy Home School Alliance Choir, 2 p.m,, Dec. 7
U-Prep Choir, 10:15 a.m. Dec. 8
Potters House High School Choir, 2 p.m. Dec. 8
South Christiaan High School Madrigals, 2 p.m. Dec. 9
The full schedule of performing choirs is at FlyFord.org.
“Thank you to the many local school choirs for your preparation and participation in bringing joy to the Airport,” said Tory Richardson, Gerald R. Ford International Airport Authority president and CEO. “We hope our passengers and guests can pause from the hustle and bustle of the season to enjoy these performances.”
Saturday is the day — the day that the City of Wyoming will host its once-a-year curbside yard waste pick up.
The City of Wyoming’s yearly curbside leaf pick-up is this Saturday, Dec. 3. (Pxhere.com)
Every year on the first Saturday in December, the City of Wyoming hosts a free curbside yard waste pick up for its residents. This year, that falls on Saturday, Dec. 3.
To participate, residents should have all yard waste out on the curb by 6 a.m. Leaves should be in paper bags. Brush should be tied in bundles and not more than four feet long.
Yard Waste site still open
The City of Wyoming’s yard waste site, located at 2600 Burlingame Ave. SW., is currently open from 7:30 a.m. – 7:30 p.m. Monday – Friday and 8 a.m. – 5 p.m. Saturday. Starting Dec. 12, the hours will change to 7:30 a.m. – 4 p.m. Monday – Thursday.
At the site, there is a leave and grass pile and a brush pile. Residents are asked to sort items accordingly. To use the area, residents are required to show proof of residency, such as a photo ID or a utility bill, to the guard shack. Residents should enter the site off of Burlingame Avenue.
GR-MiFi and Grand Stand Pictures will be presenting at the Grand Rapids Art Museum Thursday, Dec. 1. (Courtesy, GRAM)
Grand Rapids Media Initiative and Film Incubator (GR-MiFi) together with Grand Stand Pictures is presenting stories about their upcoming documentary film and other projects centered on Narrative Justice Thursday, Dec. 1, 6 p.m. at the Grand Rapids Art Museum at 101 Monroe Center St. (Breonna Taylor Way)
The group is currently in the process of producing a full-length documentary film based upon the book, “A City Within A City: The Black Freedom Struggle in Grand Rapids, Michigan” by Dr. Todd E. Robinson. The film project has enabled the producers to uplift and engage local BIPOC (black, indigenous, and people of color) content creators by establishing apprenticeships directly related to the film and has blossomed into various creative endeavors. The work of GR-MiFi, Grand Stand Pictures and the “Creators” have attracted the attention of the Grand Rapids Art Museum, who will be showcasing this dynamic group as part of the museum’s Visionnaires Series, which attracts creative young adults into lifelong engagement with the arts.
The evening’s activities
The evening’s program will include a panel discussion with the film’s producers and key Creators.
“Over the last year, this initiative has grown into an ecosystem that is vibrant, diverse, and innovative,” said Shayna Haynes Heard, GR-MiFi project manager/Creator. “Our work uplifting Narrative Justice and equipping local talent with opportunities for growth and development is transformative, and I can’t wait to see what’s next for us.”
Following a Mashup Video highlighting the many projects the Creators have initiated and undertaken together, Creators will share their stories and what inspires them as they hone each other’s skills at the Incubator headquarters every week. Also featured will be their community partner projects such as the Black History Cemetery Tours and the South High School Oral History Project and digital history mapping with HistoryPin.org.
The event concludes with some power networking, podcast interviews and photo booth opportunities. This Visionnaire’s event at the GRAM is free and includes a cash bar.
Creating a hub
Building a community-driven creative media hub is a priority focus area for GR-MiFi, where local talent can pool resources and networks, learn the process of producing media, and shore up their demo reels and skills to develop a viable client base. Industry leaders across the spectrum of entertainment businesses and movie making are exploring how to create sustainable incubator programs for marginalized groups. The Grand Rapids Media Initiative and Film Incubator (GR-MiFi) is on the front end of these developments and looks forward to providing ground-breaking strategy, design, programs and efforts in the media and film incubation space.
“We are building a very supportive ecosystem for BIPOC creators and videographers and are helping them to build their capacity to tell their own stories and to grow their skillsets and gain valuable resources and networks. When businesses, organizations and institutions are looking for quality work done in anything art or film related, from perspectives and individuals that may have been set aside before, GRMiFi is the place to come and ideate and let us create something for you,” says GR-MiFi President Rodney Brown.
By Joanne Bailey-Boorsma WKTV Managing Editor joanne@wktv.org
WKTV Managing Editor Joanne Bailey-Boorsma with GRAM Director of Art Chris Bruce. (WKTV/Joanne Bailey-Boorsma)
It was by chance that Chris Bruce was introduced to the world of Jim Henson.
“As a family, we would go to these auctions,” Bruce said. “At one, there was a box of kids toys that we got. At the bottom of the box, there was a VHS (tape) which was the ‘Dark Crystal.’”
It was love at first viewing.
“I just love how he understood the need for kids to face fear,” Bruce said. “That they needed to be able to recognize it and know what it is.”
Fast forward several years and Bruce, who is now working for the Grand Rapids Art Museum, is in New York. A friend tells him about an exhibit of Jim Henson’s work at the Museum of the Moving Image (MoMI).
Bruce arrived at the MoMI, only to find it closed. But all was not lost as he managed to convince someone to let him in to see “The Jim Henson Exhibition: Imagination Unlimited.”
“After seeing it, I knew immediately that the Museum needed to bring this exhibit in,” Brue said, adding that staff had been considering it. “It has everything that we were seeking for an installation. It is entertaining. It is diverse. It is vibrant and it is relatable.
“I saw it as something that would speak to everyone.”
It would take a few more years for the Museum to get the exhibit on its schedule and during that time Bruce was named the GRAM’s director of art and is the curator for the exhibit.
And as Bruce moves a small group through the exhibit, you can quickly tell that the GRAM picked the best person to curate this particular exhibit.
Life’s like a movie
Opened at the beginning of October, the exhibit features a broad range of artifacts related to Henson’s career. This includes more than 20 puppets, character sketches, storyboards, scripts, photographs, film and television clips, behind-the-scenes footage, and iconic costumes. There are also interactive experiences that allow visitors to try their hand at puppeteering on camera and designing a puppet character.
As the group moves through the exhibit, Bruce tells of of the layout and story behind the exhibit.
Visitors travel through a timeline of Henson’s career with the different sections color-coated. Greeted by a 1978 Kermit the Frog, the exhibit starts with Henson’s early life when he was first introduced to television and puppetry. It weaves through his first television show, “Sam and Friends” leading into his years with “Sesame Street.”
Characters from “Fraggle Rock”The stuff animals from “The “Labyrinth”
“The Muppet Show,” which ran from 1976-1981, is featured prominently with all the episodes being run at the sametime on a screen. Continue to follow the path through the hall to discover such iconic shows “Muppet Babies” and “Fraggle Rock” which leads to Henson’s groundbreaking “Dark Crystal” and “Labyrinth,” which starred David Bowie. The exhibit ends looking at some of the projects Henson was working on before his untimely death in 1990.
“And if you watch the closing monitor, you can even see Jim Henson saying ‘good-bye,” Bruce said.
Joining Kermit are such familiar characters as Grover, Ernie, Bert, and Count von Count from “Sesame Street”; Dr. Bunsen Honeydew, Beaker, and Scooter from “The Muppets”; and Jen and Kira puppets from “The Dark Crystal.” Also on display are the costumes from “The Labyrinth.”
Making a connection
Grand Rapids Art Museum Director of Art Chris Bruce in front of the Jen and Kira puppets from “The Dark Crystal.” (WKTV/Joanne Bailey-Boorsma)
“It has been an incredible opportunity to be the curator while this exhibit is here,” Bruce said.
As for a favorite section, Bruce said he couldn’t pick one. Each has its place and, while all were made for children, there meanings and theme reach out to what is going on today.
“‘Fraggle Rock’ was about race relations and how people need to work together,” Bruce said, adding that making connections was another them that ran through Henson’s work.
“I think the takeaway from all of this is being together,” Bruce said. “We are all different but we are all in this together.”
The “Jim Henson Exhibition: Imagination Unlimited” runs through Jan. 14 at the Grand Rapids Art Museum, 101 Monroe Center NW. Throughout the months of December and January, there are several drop-in and adult workshops centered around puppetry in celebration of the exhibit. For more information, visit artmuseumgr.org.
The Grand Rapids Public Museum (GRPM) is pleased to announce a new show titled: Big Astronomy: People, Paces, Discoveries, is coming to the Roger B. Chaffee Planetarium which features three observatories located in Chile, in some of the world’s most extreme and remote places. The show will be part of the schedule of programmatic offerings at the Chaffee Planetarium beginning Friday, Nov. 25.
“Big Astronomy: People, Paces, Discoveries” showcases the people needed to run an observatory. (Courtesy, Grand Rapids Public Museum)
Through stunning visualizations, Big Astronomy: People, Places, Discoveries shows examples of the multitude of STEM careers needed to keep these great observatories working. The show is narrated by Barbara Rojas-Ayala, a Chilean astronomer. This new show will be featured in the Chaffee Planetarium’s winter schedule among audience favorites such as Ice Worlds and Let it Snow!
“What I love about Big Astronomy is that it shows visitors, especially students and children, the real people who work on these world-class observatories. We get to meet not just the astronomers, but the engineers, technicians, and teachers who contribute to the work of astronomy,” said Jack Daleske, the GRPM’s Planetarium and Theater Manager. “We want audiences to see themselves in the people they see in our shows, and Big Astronomy will help make that connection for viewers.”
Big Astronomy: People, Paces, Discoveries will be part of the regular show schedule at the GRPM’s Roger B. Chaffee Planetarium, beginning on Friday, Nov. 25. Tickets are $4 with general admission, $5 for planetarium-only access, and $2 for Museum members. Capacity is limited and advance ticketing is recommended. Tickets to Big Astronomy: People, Places, Discoveries are available by visiting grpm.org/planetarium. Showtimes can also be reserved for school groups in English or Spanish by visiting grpm.org/schools.
Big Astronomy is a multifaceted research and outreach project supported by several partners and funded by the National Science Foundation.
The Frederik Meijer Gardens and Sculpture Park will present the exhibit “Double Take: Mel Chin an Elizbeth Turk” from Nov. 18 through March 26.
Elizabeth Turk, Evaporated River (detail)2, 2015, marble and limestone, dimensions variable (Photo courtesy of Frederik Meijer Gardens and Sculpture Park)
This exhibition presents works from these two award winners of the MacArthur Fellowship—sometimes referred to as a “genius grant”—in a variety of techniques and media, including wood, stone, aluminum, water, and sound. Chin and Turk’s work selected for this exhibition focuses on sculpture dealing primarily with the natural world.
Environmental issues have been central to Mel Chin’s work for many years. Most notably is his 1990 Revival Field, a pioneering project in “green remediation,” which uses plants to extract toxic metals from soil. Two pieces tied to this ongoing project are included in the exhibition: Revival Field diorama and Revival Ramp etching. Themes of revival and recovery are often present in Chin’s work, including many shown at Meijer Gardens.
Elizabeth Turk is also inspired by the natural world, most recently in her Tipping Point: Echoes of Extinction series that brings light to extinct and endangered birds through a series of totemic Sound Columns. These sculptures visualize the voices of lost or threatened birds. Her Evaporated River installation similarly gives form to an absence within nature, here showing the diminished water that used to flow freely through our nation’s riverbeds.
Together, the art of Mel Chin and Elizabeth Turk provides new takes on important issues of the day, including environmental hazards, endangered species, memorialization, and lost or hidden histories.
On Tuesday, Nov. 15, WKTV will be featuring live coverage of the U.S. Spacewalk to install an IROSA (ISS Rollout Solar Array) modification kit on the starboard truss on the International Space Station.
The Artemis 1 mission will be televised Nov. 15 by NASA. It will air on WKTV 26 Governement Channel on Comcast and AT&T U-verse 99 Government Channel 99. (Courtesy, NASA)
Coverage begins at 6:30 a.m. with the actual spacewalk scheduled to start at 8 a.m.
Following the spacewalk at 4 p.m., there will be live coverage of the cryogenic fueling of the Space Launch System for launch on the Artemis 1 mission.
Artemis 1 is the first integrated flight test of NASA’s Space Launch System rocket, an un-crewed Orion spacecraft, and the ground systems at the agency’s Kennedy Space Center in Florida that will pave the way for a crewed test flight and future human lunar exploration.
The live coverage continues at 11 p.m. with the launch of the Space Launch System and the Orion spacecraft on the Artemis 1 mission. The actual launch is scheduled 1:04 a.m. with the post launch news conference tentatively scheduled for 4 a.m. Wednesday, Nov. 16.
Stay tuned for the Artemis/Orion outbound trajectory correction burn scheduled at 7:51 a.m., with the first imagery coverage starting at 10 a.m.
For more information on NASA TV or the International Space Station, log on to www.nasa.gov.
NASA TV can be seen on the WKTV 26 Government Channel on Comcast and AT&T U-verse 99 Government Channel 99.
Levi Dutcher, with his family outside Old Grove Christmas Tree Farm in Caledonia, will carry on a family tradition of selling trees. Credit: Levi Dutcher.
LANSING – Christmas trees are in Levi Dutcher’s blood.
His parents planted 2,000 while his mother was pregnant with him in 1988. Now, he is preparing for his first holiday season as the owner of a choose-and-cut Christmas tree farm.
“It takes a lot of work and a lot of money to make a little bit of money in the end,” said Dutcher, of Old Grove Christmas Tree Farm in Caledonia. “But it’s definitely a lot of fun.”
Dutcher is one of nearly 500 Michigan Christmas tree farm owners benefiting this year from an exceptional growing season.
Ideal weather conditions made it the best
“It was pretty much the consensus of the Michigan Christmas Tree Association board that it was the best year they’ve had for growing in a long time,” said Amy Start, the executive director of the group that promotes Christmas tree farms.
Dutchman Tree Farms near Cadillac benefited from ideal weather conditions in northern Michigan.
“We had decent moisture throughout the summer and did not have any late-season frosts,” said Scott Powell, the nursery manager of Dutchman in Manton and president of the association.
A good growing season is a good sign, but when it comes to actually selling the trees, other factors come into play.
“Usually what affects the selling season is good weather,” Start said.
“A little bit of snow for atmosphere is always lovely,” she said. “But if not, we at least hope it’s not raining. Because nobody wants to go to a farm when it’s down pouring or muddy.”
A ‘fresh start’ to the season
Michigan is third in the nation for Christmas tree production, according to the tree grower group. Each year the state supplies two million trees nationally.
Choose-and-cut farms appeal to younger families who want to “make a day of it,” Start said.
“They feel as if it’s the freshest way to get a tree,” she said. “Because it is. You are cutting it down yourself.”
That experience is the culmination of nearly a decade’s worth of work for the farmer. It takes Christmas trees seven to 10 years before they are ready to cut.
Each growing season is critical and has lasting impacts for farmers beyond that. Drought during one season can delay growth, Start said.
“It takes a lot of work and a lot of care to get them to the full size to sell so the growers are really, really diligent about those trees,” she said.
Some new choose-and-cut farms are set to open to the public this year, but an opening is the completion of a project started long before – sometimes several decades.
A longtime coming grand opening
Dutcher is opening his choose-and-cut farm this year, seven years after the trees were planted.
The events that led to the grand opening began before Dutcher was born. The 2,000 trees his mother helped plant in 1988 were nearly all wiped out by a drought.
When Dutcher was 8-years-old, his parents sold trees for one year. They never did it again.
“During that season I thought, ‘Wow, this is a lot of fun,’” Dutcher said. “The whole family was hanging out. I didn’t come from a lot of money, so anytime someone came up to buy a $20 tree, it was really exciting.”
About 20 years later, Dutcher bought property in Caledonia. His sister-in-law recommended planting Christmas trees so the family could gather each year and cut their own.
Dutcher took the idea one step further and planted 1,000 trees.
“It was a mixture of me remembering all the good times we had the one year my parents sold trees and my sister-in-law’s suggestion,” Dutcher said. “That’s how we’ve arrived at this.”
Dutcher’s family will still bond over the farm, including his aunt, who will fly from Oregon to help out.
More than just trees
Christmas tree farmers find other ways to make ends meet while the trees grow.
Photo ops with Santa and a fire pit to roast marshmallows are ways that Creekside Christmas Trees in Port Austin attract local residents during the Christmas season.
Creekside owner Lisa Szymanski planted trees two years ago. She anticipates that the choose-and-cut portion of the farm will open in 2027.
“We are doing things on the retail side to keep us relevant and keep people in the area knowing that we are here and getting in the habit of coming,” Szymanski said.
Liam Jackson is a journalist from Trenton, Michigan. He enrolled at Michigan State in 2018. His journalistic interests include feature stories and sports journalism. In addition to writing for Spartan Newsroom, Liam has also served as the News Editor and Sports Editor at Impact 89FM.
The LowellArts Artist Market returns starting Friday, Nov. 4, and running through Dec. 24 at the gallery, 223 W. Main St., Lowell.
The event features giftable fine art and fine craft works by 40+ Michigan artists. The gallery space is transformed into a retail setting with unique, one-of-a-kind items available for sale at a range of price points. The annual market is a great place for people to purchase handmade items during the gift giving season. Gift items include: pottery, paintings, photography, jewelry, textiles, glasswork, handbags, woodwork, metalwork, ornaments, soaps, and more.
The Artist Market is from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Tuesday through Saturday and noon to 5 p.m. Sunday. The event will have extended houses during Christmas Through Lowell. Those hours are 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. Friday, Nov. 18; 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 19; and 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sunday Nov. 20.
By Joanne Bailey-Boorsma WKTV Managing Editor joanne@wktv.org
Happy Haunting from the WKTV Journal. (pxhere.com)
With Halloween being on a Monday, the annual spooky season should be adhering to a pretty traditional schedule this year.
Most communities will be observing the holiday on Monday with municipalities encouraging trick-or-treating activities to take place on that day. For times, most communities are encouraging from 6 to 8 p.m.
City of Kentwood, 6-8 p.m. Monday, Oct. 31
City of Wyoming does not set trick-or-treating hours, but is encouraging residents and neighborhoods to do so on Monday, Oct. 31. Residents should check with neighborhoods for specific times.
City of Grandville, 6-8 p.m. Monday, Oct. 31
City of Grand Rapids, dusk to 8 p.m., Monday, Oct. 31
Gaines Township, no designated time, Monday, Oct. 31
City of Grand Rapids, dusk to 8 p.m., Monday, Oct. 31
Byron Township, varies by neighborhood for date and time. Check with your neighborhood.
By Joanne Bailey-Boorsma WKTV Managing Editor joanne@wktv.org
As Halloween quickly approaches, some local organizations will be offering some Halloween fun that is designed to be spooky as well as family-friendly.
It’s the Monster Mash
The Salvation Army Kroc Center will be having a “graveyard smash” on Friday, Oct. 28, as it brings back its popular “Monster Mash” event. The program runs from 5 – 7 p.m. at the Kroc Center, located at 2500 S. Division Ave.
The free event features “trunk-or-treating” in the Kroc’s east parking lot which will include Kroc Center and other Salvation Army groups distributing candy and other information along with local businesses.
“Monster Mash is one of our biggest events of the year,” said Major Carol Huffman, senior officer for The Salvation Army Kroc Center. “We love giving families the opportunity to enjoy time together in a fun and safe environment, as well as showing our support for other neighborhood businesses and organizations. I’m not sure who is more excited the kids or our staff.”
While science suggest that outdoor events are generally safe, face coverings and social distancing are recommended for all participants. The event will be cancelled in the event of heavy rain or lightning.
With witches, mummies, and tricks and treats, the Grand Rapids Ballet School’s Junior Company is ready to fill the Peter Martin Wege Theatre with the special Halloween weekend performance “Spooktacular.”
The Grand Rapids Ballet School’s Junior Company presents “Spooktacular” Oct. 28-30. (Courtesy, Grand Rapids Ballet)
“Spooktacular” takes place Oct. 28-30 at the Peter Martin Wege Theatre, 341 Ellsworth Ave. SW. Performances are 7:30 p.m. Friday and Saturday and 2 p.m Saturday and Sunday.
Directed by Junior company Artistic Director Attila Mosolygo, the story follows a young girl on Halloween night as her only wish is to go trick-or-treating with her older sister and friends. When they refuse to let the young girl tag along, she embarks on a mischievous plan to get their candy. Audiences will be able to follow the adventure with appearances by skeletons, martians, Frankenstein, and even the “Addams Family.”
“It is exciting to be able to bring this Junior Company production back to the stage this Halloween.” Mosolygo said. “The students have been working hard over the past two months to bring the audience’s favorite Halloween characters to life. This entertaining ballet is perfect for the whole family and everyone is encouraged to attend in costume.”
Those who do attend in costume will be entered into a special drawing to win tickets to the Junior Company production of “The Wizard of Oz” in March.
Tickets are $20 and available at grballet.com, by phone at 616-454-4771, ext. 110, or in-peson at GRB’s Box Office at 341 Ellsworth Ave. SW.
The Kent County Department of Public Works is hosting a tire collection event Nov. 12. (Pxhere.com)
Community members can safely recycle up to 10 passenger tires for free during an event hosted by the Kent County Department of Public Works (DPW).
Kent County residents can drop off their old tires from 8:30-11 a.m. on Saturday, Nov. 12, at the Grand Rapids SafeChem location, 1045 Wealthy St. SW. DPW’s resource recovery specialists will be on hand to help unload vehicles and safely dispose of the tires for recycling.
“Whole tires are notoriously difficult to get rid of because they are not accepted by trash pick-up and cannot be disposed in a landfill unless they are shredded,” said Steve Faber, marketing and communications manager of the DPW. “We encourage Kent County residents to take advantage of this collection event to properly dispose of old tires.”
Tire disposal normally costs between $4-6 per tire depending on their size at Kent County DPW facilities. The last free tire collection event hosted by the DPW was in fall 2019, prior to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Tires are often found in illegal dumping sites because they are difficult and costly to get rid of. Old tires also serve as breeding grounds for mosquitos and pose fire hazards. All the tires collected on Nov. 12 will be sent to a facility that will process and recycle them into new products, such as playground resurfacing material.
The Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes and Energy (EGLE) recently launched a new state program to award grants for entrepreneurs looking to expand ways to reuse old tires. Information about the new Scrap Tire Market Development Grant can be found online.
A new season for Broadway Grand Rapids kicks off Tuesday (Oct. 11) with a laugh-out-loud, hilarious musical sure to set the tone for another smashing season for Broadway lovers across West Michigan.
Payton Reilly as Sandy Lester in the National Tour of TOOTSIE. Reilly is from Michigan and a graduate of Western Michigan University. Photo by Evan Zimmerman for MurphyMade.
“‘Tootsie’ is a modern comedy classic,” said Jennifer Pascua, BGR’s new marketing director, who took over for Meghan Distel. Distel was named president & CEO when Mike Lloyd retired earlier this year.
Pascua said the musical production is the same “Tootsie” you love and remember from the movies, but updated.
“People can expect catchy songs with humor and heart. It’s funny, but sincere,” she added.
The week-long run continues through Sunday, Oct. 16, with eight performances at DeVos Performance Hall.
The cast of the National Tour of TOOTSIE. Photo by Evan Zimmerman for
MurphyMade.
In case you don’t recall the 1982 film with Dustin Hoffman, Sydney Pollack and Jessica Lange, “Tootsie” tells the story of a talented but volatile actor (Hoffman) whose reputation as a perfectionist makes him difficult. He adopts a new identity as a woman in order to land a job, and, well, that’s when things get pretty funny. The original movie revolved around a daytime soap opera, while the musical involves a Broadway musical.
Tickets are available for all shows, and “rush tickets” were just announced for students, educators and veterans, Pascua said.
Rush tickets are available for all performances. A valid school ID is required, and the limit is two tickets per person. All tickets are subject to availability. Tickets may be purchased in-person one hour prior to the performance at the DeVos Performance Hall Box Office, 303 Monroe Ave NW.
Performances are 7:30 p.m. Tuesday-Thursday; 8 p.m. Friday and Saturday; and matinees at 2 p.m. Saturday and 1 p.m. Sunday. The final show is at 6:30 p.m. Sunday.
Accessible performances: American Sign Language Interpreted at 2 p.m. Saturday. Open Captioning and Audio Description at 1 p.m. Sunday.
Matthew Rella
“Tootsie” has received a lot of praise. The Hollywood Reporter called it “the most uproarious new musical in years!” Rolling Stone said “in these turbulent times, when the world seems out of balance, we need a place to let the good times roll….musical comedy heaven.”
Pascua said the Broadway tour coming to Grand Rapids features two cast members from Michigan:
Payton Reilly a native of Howell who plays friend Sandy Lester, and Matt Kurzyniec from Livonia who is an ensemble member. Both are graduates of Western Michigan University. They are engaged.
The rest of Broadway Grand Rapids 2022-2023 Season includes:
SIX January 10 – 15, 2023
Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday at 7:30 p.m.; Friday 8 p.m.; Saturday at 2 and 8 p.m.; Sunday at 1 and 6:30 p.m.
Divorced, beheaded, died, divorced, beheaded, survived. From Tudor Queens to Pop Princesses, the SIX wives of Henry VIII take the mic to remix five hundred years of historical heartbreak into an exuberant celebration of 21st century girl power.
MY FAIR LADY April 11 – 16, 2023
Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday at 7:30 p.m.; Friday 8 p.m.; Saturday at 2 and 8 p.m.; Sunday at 1 and 6:30 p.m.
Lerner & Loewe’s My Fair Lady boasts such classic songs as “I Could Have Danced All Night,” “The Rain in Spain,” “Wouldn’t It Be Loverly” and “On the Street Where You Live.” It tells the story of Eliza Doolittle, a young Cockney flower seller, and Henry Higgins, a linguistics professor who is determined to transform her into his idea of a “proper lady.” But who is really being transformed?
HADESTOWN May 9 – 14, 2023
Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday at 7:30 p.m.; Friday 8 p.m.; Saturday at 2 and 8 p.m.; Sunday at 1 and 6:30 p.m.
Hadestown intertwines two mythic tales — that of young dreamers Orpheus and Eurydice, and that of King Hades and his wife Persephone — as it invites you on a hell-raising journey to the underworld and back.
DISNEY’S FROZEN July 11 – 23, 2023
Week 1: Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday at 7:30 p.m.; Friday 8 p.m.; Saturday at 2 and 8 p.m.; Sunday at 1 and 6:30 p.m.
Week 2: Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday at 7:30 p.m.; Friday 8 p.m.; Saturday at 2 and 8 p.m.; Sunday at 1 and 6:30 p.m.
From the producer of “The Lion King” and “Aladdin,” “Frozen,” the Tony-nominated Best Musical, is now on tour across North America. Heralded by The New Yorker as “thrilling” and “genuinely moving,” Frozen features the songs you know and love from the original Oscar-winning film, plus an expanded score with a dozen new numbers by the film’s songwriters, Oscar-winner Kristen Anderson-Lopez and EGOT-winner Robert Lopez.
John D. Gonzalez is a digital journalist with 30-plus years of experience as a food, travel, craft beer and arts & entertainment reporter based in Grand Rapids, Michigan. He also co-hosts the radio show and Podcast “Behind the Mitten,” which airs at 6 p.m. Sundays on WOOD-AM and FM. Follow him on his journey to discover what’s new. You can find him on Twitter as @MichiganGonzo, on Instagram @MichiganGonzo and Facebook at @GRGonzo. He also has a YouTube Channel. Email him story ideas and tips at michigangonzo@gmail.com.
Aerial view of Sullivan (Valley) Field (Courtesy, Paul Soltysiak)
Even though temperatures are cooling off in West Michigan, competition heats up at the annual Grand Rapids cook-off recently renamed Chili Cook-Off at the Ballpark.
Historic Sullivan (formerly Valley) Field will host Grand Rapids’ annual chili cook-off on Saturday, Oct. 1, with all proceeds benefiting Fans of Valley Field and the organization’s renovation and restoration project of the ballpark.
Saving a historical gem
Called a historical gem of the West Side, Sullivan Field has been actively used often throughout the years, from ball games to concerts and symphony performances, and much more.
Baseball legend Jackie Robinson shakes hands with former Negro League player and Grand Rapids Black Sox manager Ted Rasberry. (Courtesy, Grand Rapids Public Museum Collections)
“It’s fallen into disrepair,” said Dan Verhil, former Cottage Bar owner and Master of Ceremonies for the upcoming chili cook-off. “It needs a lot of TLC (tender loving care) to bring it back.” Verhil said the purpose of the cook-off is to help “raise the funds to restore this classical West Side beauty.”
Cottage Bar had hosted annual fall chili cook-offs since 1981, but “hit pause” in 2018 when Dan and his wife Lisa decided to sell the restaurant. Cottage Bar cook-off proceeds were donated to several different charities, with donations reaching approximately half a million dollars over 36 years.
In an effort to raise funds to renovate Sullivan Field, Fans of Valley Field approached the Verhils in 2021 and asked if Dan and Lisa would be willing to resurrect the chili cook-off if Fans of Valley Field did the legwork.
Passing the torch
“(Lisa and I) met with them, and we liked their sincerity and their integrity and said, ‘Let’s do it!’” said Verhil.
Already having the rules and framework for the cook-off in hand from previous years, Dan and Lisa shared their information with Fans of Valley Field. True to their word, Fans of Valley Field has done the legwork for both the 2021 and 2022 chili cook-offs, allowing Dan and Lisa to simply help guide the cook-off committee.
“Lisa and I are pretty much Master of Ceremonies now,” Verhil said. “Which is great because we can walk around and talk to friends, have fun, and MC the event.”
The first revival of the cook-off occurred in November of 2021 and was a big success even though it was late in the season, and Fans of Valley Field expect a good turnout again this year. The Chili Cook-off of the Ballpark boasts four live bands, 40 cooks—and some unique recipes.
Verhil said that, though all ingredients must be commercially processed for safety reasons, unique ingredients such as rattlesnake have been incorporated into recipes.
Discovering Grand Rapids’ own ‘Field of Dreams’
Learning about Sullivan Field has been enjoyable for Verhil. Though Verhil grew up in Grand Rapids, he lived on the southeast side and admitted that he never attended a game at Valley Field or knew much about the ballpark. When he joined Fans of Valley Field, however, that all changed.
Visitors to last year’s chili cook-off look over memorabilia of Sullivan (Valley) Field. (Courtesy, Paul Soltysiak)
“I researched it and explored the stadium,” said Verhil. “It’s just full of so much history, I became enraptured with the history of the project. It’s like a mini Wrigley Field. It’s really old school, but it’s old school cool.”
Verhil continued, “It was built in 1937 and, over the years, 95 MLB players have come through the system through Valley Field.” Included in that count of MLB players are Kirk Gibson, Al Kaline, Dave Rozema, and Mickey Stanley.
Verhil admitted that there were a lot of facts he did not know before joining Fans of Valley Field, and those facts are widely unknown throughout the Grand Rapids community. The purpose of restoring and revitalizing Sullivan Field is to help people become more aware of the stadium’s presence and all it offers the community.
For years, Valley Field has been used for city league and high school baseball games. “It’s still an active baseball field,” said Verhil. “It’s the home field for Union High School.”
In the past, Valley Field was also the home field for the famous Sullivan’s Furniture amateur baseball teams which won four national titles in the 60s and 70s. Before that, it was home to the Negro Leagues’ Grand Rapids Black Sox in the 40s and 50s.
A love for everything baseball
Howard J. Houghton (1936-2011) of Sheridan, Michigan, played baseball on Valley Field several times in the 60s. His daughter, Betsy Klingensmith of Fenwick, Michigan, said baseball was definitely a passion for her father.
Howard Houghton’s player pass for Valley Field. (Courtesy, Betsy Klingensmith)
“He played in high school and played on several leagues over the years,” Klingensmith said. “He did a lot of coaching while he was still playing. He loved to share his love and knowledge of baseball. We still have people he coached tell us about how much he helped them.”
Houghton not only shared his passion for baseball with people in the community, but with his family as well.
“When my oldest sister was old enough for Little League and came home upset that she couldn’t play baseball, Dad and Mom started a girls’ softball league and ran it for 13 years,” Klingensmith said. “He went back to (coaching) boys so he could coach my brother. He came out of retirement from coaching to coach with my sister for her daughter’s age group a couple of years before he passed.”
Klingensmith herself was only a couple weeks old when she attended her first baseball game.
Sharing their stories
“It’s a classic West Side gem,” said Verhil. “The West Side people are so passionate about this place. Most of the small, locally-owned businesses are all contributing something (to the cook-off). Everyone is so onboard to renovate this stadium because it seems like everybody has a story about Valley Field.”
When asked about his own personal Valley Field story, Verhil responds, “You guys are creating my story.”
To learn more about Chili Cook-Off of the Ballpark, click here: Chili Cook-Off
D. A. (Deborah) Reed is an award-winning author of young adult novels and a creative writing instructor from the Grand Rapids area. To find out more about D.A. Reed, visit her website: D.A. Reed Author
Artwork submitted to the “Voices” project (WKTV/D.A. Reeds)
“Dreams” is the piece artists Pamela Aldern and Michael Hyacinthe submitted. (WKTV/D.A. Reed)
A close-up of the ribbon wall in the “Voices” exhibit. (WKTV/D.A. Reed)
“Dreams” by Pamela Alderman and Michael Hyacinthe (WKTV/D.A. Reed)
By D.A. Reed WKTV Contributing Writer
From aesthetics, to healing, to raising awareness of important global issues, ArtPrize 2022 offers something for everyone.
“Elephant Chunko” by Kristina Libby (WKTV/D.A. Reed)
“It’s well known that (people) can create a piece of art and…speak through the art, tell the story, tell the emotion, tell the journey through the art. That can be a very healing thing,” Pamela Alderman, artist and 12-year ArtPrize participant, told WKTV.
Since its inception in 2009, the international art competition ArtPrize has drawn millions of people to Grand Rapids and sparked endless conversations about art and why it matters.
Through Oct. 2, visitors have a chance to experience art in ways they never have before. During the 18-day event, art is exhibited throughout Grand Rapids, from public parks and museums, to galleries and vacant storefronts, to inside bars and on bridges.
Taking a stroll to see what can be seen
This particular reporter spent an enjoyable afternoon scouring the streets and venues of downtown Grand Rapids for art and found much more than was expected.
During her walk, the tutor meet Desert Storm veteran Aaron Ball who is showing his piece at the Gerald R. Ford Presidential Museum. (WKTV/D.A. Reed)
In a city already immersed in art, with performance halls, event arenas, and ground-to-rooftop murals decorating several outside walls of businesses and apartment buildings, ArtPrize enhances what Grand Rapids already has to offer.
As I walked from one end of the city to the other, gazing at incredible displays of art of every genre imaginable, I also tuned in to the people. Excitement dominated each venue and exhibit, with art enthusiasts alternating between intensity as they studied the exhibits and displays to gasps of amazement and delight. ArtPrize visitors ranged from young to old, and sported school groups, guests tightly clutching maps while trying to find their way, and others who were clearly natives to the area, striding with confidence and purpose.
But visitors are not the only ones to gain something from ArtPrize.
Using art to give people a ‘voice’
Veterans, led by artist and veteran wife Alderman, and veteran and entrepreneur Michael Hyacinthe, have found healing through art and community.
“Sometimes, when people are traumatized, they can’t put that trauma into words,” Alderman said, “but they can help work through that trauma through an art experience or creative opportunity.” Alderman went on to explain how stress is stored in the mind, but creative outlets can help release that stress.
“Art may not heal the whole person, but it certainly is instrumental in helping to begin that healing journey, or help to continue that healing journey,” said Alderman.
This collection of art by veterans can be found at Veterans Memorial Park and is titled Voices. Partnered with Kent County Veterans Services, Michigan Veterans Affairs Agency, and Hyacinthe’s non-profit Has Heart, Alderman and Hyacinthe’s Voices project is raising awareness for veterans while simultaneously providing a pathway to healing and creating a place for veterans to experience hope.
But Alderman and Hyacinthe wanted to do more. “We wanted to inspire dreams, to inspire kids to keep dreaming, keep thinking big, keep reaching for the stars,” Alderman said.
Inspiration knows no age
While venue curators of Voices, Alderman and Hyacinthe also entered ArtPrize as contestants. Their exhibit, Dreams, allowed children to send in drawings that the artists then turned into a large mural.
“The way children communicate also inspires adults. They’re so vulnerable, so honest, and so innocent that they also end up inspiring adults,” said Alderman.
It inspired this reporter. Veterans Memorial Park was my first stop, and I was not disappointed. Among the opportunity to view breathtaking artwork, I was able to meet and chat with Desert Storm veteran Aaron Bull, and also write a note on a yellow ribbon and tie it to a wall with hundreds of others that would later be distributed in care packages to active-duty soldiers.
Animals, quilts and more
The Gerald R. Ford Presidential Museum hosts artist and mother Luba Sordyl, creator of Help Us. Sordyl created the acrylic painting containing 17 intertwined animals after learning about how chemicals in the water impacted the health of animals and the environment in general. She hopes to raise awareness about this important environmental issue with her artwork.
“United We Stand” by Andrew Lee at the Gerald R. Ford Presidential Museum. (WKTV/D.A. Reed)
Also displayed at the museum were handmade quilts titled Shock and Awe & United We Stand by veteran Andrew Lee. In visiting with viewers, Lee said that he created quilts as a way to heal after his two deployments to Iraq. Each quilt is made up of hundreds of individually cut squares of fabric and then given away to veterans once completed.
All ages will find something to enjoy at ArtPrize, with several interactive exhibits that delight both adults and children. Among these are scavenger hunts, mailbox cubbies ready for exploration, large, chunky animal sculptures with colorful bodies called Chunkos, a 12-foot fort, and a display where visitors can write and share their dreams.
To learn more about ArtPrize and find tips to make the most of your visit, click here: ArtPrize 2022.
D. A. (Deborah) Reed is an award-winning author of young adult novels and a creative writing instructor from the Grand Rapids area. To find out more about D.A. Reed, visit her website: D.A. Reed Author
Quality over quantity might be a theme for this year’s ArtPrize as several of the large institutions are featuring a single artist’s work.
This is the observation we saw as we pulled together the releases of several groups on their ArtPrize entries this year.
Grand Rapids Art Museum
The work of Mark Chatterly is featured at the Grand Rapids Public Museum. (Grand Rapids Public Museum/Mark Chatterly)
The Grand Rapids Art Museum‘s ArtPRize 2022 contribution is Andrea Dezsö’s “Family and Friends.” The large-scale mural on th eMuseum’s exterior and in the Museum’s lobby is comprised of imaginative creatures created by the artist during the COVID-19 pandemic.
During the pandemic, Dezsö conserved materials by cutting leftover scraps of handmade Japanese paper creatures she saw as protector sand companions during the pandemic. In total, she created 117 unique characters, which she has continued to explore over the past few years through woodblock print, wood carving, and now mural installation. The ArtPrize piece by Dezsö will be up through Jan. 14, 2023. The Grand Rapids Art Museum is located at 101 Monroe Center St. NW.
The Grand Rapids Public Museum
This year, the Grand Rapids Public Museum is featuring the work of sculptor Mark Chatterly for its ArtPrize exhibit. Chatterly specializes in large-scale figurative sculptures in ceramic that focus primarily on the figure with a metaphysical theme.
Chatterly’s “The Wall” is located outside of the museum on the north lawn. The Grand Rapids Public Museum is at 272 Pearl St. NW.
John Ball Zoo
The John Ball Zoo is hosting Disc Art, an interactive disc golf course featuring nine scrap metal features. Guests are invited to play the course for free and explore the large-scale art works. Discs will be provided or guests may bring their own.
Artist Stacy Rhines said she had the idea for about fives years and this winter, she actually had enough time to work on the piece. Each of the five goals are metal art sculptures made from repurposed. Rhines said she placed the tee and the goal about 80 feet apart, much less than a normal course, so that everyone could enjoy the activity. The John Ball Zoo is located at 1300 W. Fulton St.
Frederik Meijer Gardens and Sculpture Park
A piece for the upcoming ArtPrize exhibit featuring the work of Mark Mennin. (Supplied)
The work of Mark Mennin will be featured as the Meijer Garden’s ArtPrize 2022. The exhibit, entitled “Embedded,” features three oversized stone beds situation outdoors on the Frey Foundation Plaza leading into the Welcome Center. This trip plays with perception of hard and soft, heavy and light.
Mennin’s ArtPrize piece will be up through Oct. 2. Mennin’s work is also featured in a fall exhibition at the Gardens, entitled Mark Mennen: Written in Stone which runs through Nov. 27. Frederik Meijer Gardens is located at 1000 E. Beltline Ave. NE.
ArtRat
ArtRat, located at 46 S. Division, will be hosting several free events throughout ArtPrize. Upcoming are The Hai-Cuu Experience, which features poet and hip-hop musician Cuu JoSama, from 6 – 8:30 p.m. Thursday, Sept. 22 and 29. On Friday, Sept. 23, will be a hands-on reception for Dean Hunt’s “evolutionARy,” an ArtPrize entry. The event is from 7 – 9 p.m. Sunday. Sept. 25, will be am music and dance performance from 5 to 6 p.m.
On Sunday, Oct. 2, will be the ArtRat’s ArtPRize wrap party will be from 2 – 5 p.m
By Joanne Bailey-Boorsma WKTV Managing Editor joanne@wktv.org
A customer looks over a flower arrangement from Wyoming-based Periwinkle. (WKTV)
Tomorrow, the City of Wyoming will host its last summer market for the season.
Set to run from 3- 7 p.m. in the parking lot behind Wyoming City Hall, 1155 28th St., the event will feature food and drink, local artists and vendors, and live music.
“While we’re sad to host our last Summer Market of the series, we’ve been happy to hear positive feedback from vendors, residents and community members,” said Nicole Hofert, the city’s director of planning and economic development. She also added residents should stay tuned for information regarding next year’s Summer Market Series in the City of Wyoming.
The four markets, which were co-hosted by the City of Wyoming and HOM Flats, have been featured in different parts of the city, HOM Flats, Pinery Park, 28th West parking lot and city hall. Friday’s event will be located in the parking lot behind city hall.
The 13th Annual Civil War Muster takes places this weekend at the Van Raatle Farm in Holland. (pxhere.com)
This weekend, time travel back to 1862 and walk among more than a hundred of Civil War military, cavalry, and civilian re-enactors.
The 13th Annual Van Raalte Farm Civil War Muster will take Saturday and Sunday at the Raalte farm, located at 176 E. St., Holland.
Re-enactors will be setting up camps where they will live, sleep, cook over campfires, play games and relax until the Battle of Antietam. The Battle of Antietam, which originally took place in Sharpsburg, Maryland, was a clash of Union General George McClellan’s Army of the Potomac and Confederate General Robert. E. Lee’s Army of Northern Virginia. The re-enacted battle will take place at 2 p.m Saturday and Sunday at the Van Raatle Farm.
Other activities include:
• Springfield, Illinois, actor Fritz Klein, will portraying President Abraham Lincoln
• Discussions from Generals Meade (Union) and Lee, Jackson, and Stuart (Confederate) about the Battle of Antietam
* A presentation by Professor Allen Guelzo, a foremost scholar on Civil War from Princeton University
* A lecture by Frank O’Reilly, a historian with National Park Service at Fredericksburg and Spotslvania National Military Park and Pam Welcome who portrays Harriet Tubman
• Music tom the Volunteer Regimental Band of Holland
• Tours of the Ben Van Raalte 1872 homestead
• An authentic 1860s church services will be at 10 a.m. Sunday
The muster runs from 9 a.m .to 9 p.m. Saturday and from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m .Sunday.
The “Chrysanthemums & More!” exhibit will feature a number of displays highlighting fall colors. (Photo by Johnny Quirin)
Frederik Meijer Gardens & Sculpture Park will host the annual fall horticulture exhibition, Chrysanthemums & More!, Sept. 16 – Oct. 30.
A perennial favorite and the largest of its kind in Michigan, this annual fall exhibition spans thousands of blossoms across 158 sprawling acres. Chrysanthemums & More! will surprise and delight, with a focus on abundant autumn plantings arranged in intriguing and uncommon color combinations.
Both artful and natural, the palette of vivid complementary colors and subtle tone-on-tone pairings —bringing awareness to texture and shape—is sure to pique your interest and catch your eye. As you explore the gardens and grounds, indoors and out, take time to enjoy all the rich and striking detail of this year’s exhibition theme: Unexpected Color.
Plentiful plantings in the Grand Entry Garden, Welcome Center, and Gunberg and BISSELL Corridors showcase the chrysanthemum through the artistry of many designers, among them Frederik Meijer Gardens & Sculpture Park horticulture staff.
In the BISSELL Corridor, a different local floral designer each week will create a singular arrangement highlighting the chrysanthemum as its primary element. Local florists include Hyssop Floral, Horrocks Market, Overgrowth Floral, Kennedy’s Flowers & Gifts, Dahlia Acres Farms, and Eastern Floral.
Of equal note are stunning displays in the Grace Jarecki Seasonal Display Greenhouse, Earl & Donnalee Holton Victorian Garden Parlor, and Lena Meijer Tropical Conservatory, each lush and lovely.
Outdoors, treat your senses with a trek into the crisp fall air. Venture onto the Stuart and Barbara Padnos Rooftop Sculpture Garden, with its seasonal wetland views, then make your way to the Lena Meijer Children’s Garden and its cornucopia of chrysanthemums, intermingled with nontraditional autumn plantings to form a quilt-like tapestry. Continue to Michigan’s Farm Garden, where the abundant autumn harvest boasts heirloom vegetables, herbs, gourds and larger-than-life pumpkins. This example of a working 1930s family farm occasionally provides some of its more than 40 varieties of produce for our James & Shirley Balk Café.
The Glow Garden will be Sept. 20 and 27 and Oct. 4. (Supplied)
This exhibition is truly a feast for the eyes, displaying the unexpected color combinations of the magnificent mum—and more!
“This year we are exploring the beauty of Unexpected Color,” said Steve LaWarre, Vice President of Horticulture. “We hope that guests will notice the rich palette and striking details of unique and unexpected combinations of color throughout our grounds, inside and out.”
Activities throughout the exhibition, including Tuesdays at the Farm, Glow Garden and Hallowee-Ones, are full of family fun.
The Grand Rapids Public Museum (GRPM) will be part of the 18th annual Smithsonian Magazine Museum Day on Saturday, Sept. 17. The initiative invites museums across the United States to open their doors for free to those who download an official Museum Day ticket.
The annual event allows museums, zoos, and cultural centers from all 50 states to emulate the spirit of the Smithsonian Institution’s Washington, D.C.-based facilities, which offer free admission every day. This year’s event is sponsored by The Quaker Oats Company and Regent Seven Seas Cruises.
Participants must download free Museum Day tickets to receive free general admission to the GRPM. Museum Day tickets are available for download at Smithsonian.com/museumday. Visitors who present a Museum Day ticket will gain free entrance for two at participating venues on Sept. 17 only. One ticket is permitted per email address.
Smithsonian Magazine Museum Day goes beyond getting visitors through museum doors across the country—it acts as a springboard to empower and help advance the hopes and ambitions of the public, particularly school-aged children and those in underrepresented communities. It represents a national commitment to access, equity and inclusion. This year’s theme, The American Experience, shines a spotlight on wonderful arts, culture, sciences, innovation, and history exhibits throughout the nation.
On Saturday, Sept. 17, Museum goers to the GRPM can explore three floors of core exhibits focused on history, science, and culture, along with the GRPM’s newest traveling exhibit, A Celebration of Souls: Day of the Dead in Southern Mexico, as part of their admission.
Other Michigan museums that will be participating in the Smithsonian Museum Day are Little Traverse Historical Museum in Petoskey; Michigan Maritime Museum in South Haven; Midwest Miniatures Museum in Grand Haven; Plymouth Historical Museum in Plymouth; and Rochester Hills Museum in Van Hoosen Farm in Rochester.
Kent District Library, Schuler Books and two other libraries from across Michigan announce the eleventh annual Write Michigan Short Story Contest, which drew almost 1,200 entries last year.
Michigan writers of all ages are invited to enter, with separate categories for youth, teens and adults. Writers can enter in either English or Spanish. Winning entries will be published and receive cash prizes.
“So many writers have the goal of getting their story published, and Write Michigan gives them that opportunity,” said Katie Zuidema, marketing communications specialist at KDL. “Not only do writers have the chance to win $500, but their story could also be available to the masses in a bookstore and on library shelves across the state.”
Laying Out the Rules
Stories can be submitted at writemichigan.org through Wednesday, Nov.30. Details include a 3,000-word maximum length; $10 entry fee for ages 18 and above, free for 17 and under; current Michigan residents only; all entries must be submitted online.
There will be four cash prizes given in each of the three categories ― Judges’ Choice ($500), Spanish Language ($500), Readers’ Choice ($250) and Judges’ Choice Runner-up ($250). The top ten stories in each category will be reviewed by a panel of judges comprised of published authors, editors, professors and literary agents. A public vote will determine the winners of Readers’ Choice.
Winners will be honored during an awards ceremony in April and their story will be published in an anthology by Chapbook Press. Author Caitlin Horrocks as the Write Michigan keynote author for 2023.
Those who enjoy reading stories are encouraged to sign up to be a volunteer story reviewer at writemichigan.org/volunteer.
Getting Inspired
Traverse Area District Library and Canton Public Library are partners this year and will work to attract writers and volunteers from their part of Michigan.
New this year is a community of writers online through Facebook (facebook.com/WriteMichigan) and Instagram (@write.michigan). Also Kent District Library is offering a programming series geared towards writers and aspiring writers, covering topics like getting published, the art of description and developing strong characters. For more details, including dates, times and locations, visit writemichigan.org/writers-conference.
