Category Archives: Upcoming Events

Meijer Gardens Tuesday Evening Music Club features 10 local-talent shows

Entertainment, Food, Kids Activities, Recreation, Upcoming Events
The family friendly Tuesday Evening Music Club is always an excuse to dance a little. (Supplied/Meijer Gardens)


By WKTV Staff
ken@wktv.org

Frederik Meijer Gardens & Sculpture Park recently announced its 10-show lineup for the Tuesday Evening Music Club, which brings local and regional musicians to the Amphitheater stage starting at 7 p.m. on Tuesday evenings throughout July and August, with a special “dress rehearsal” concert set for June 4 with the amphitheater plaza gates open at 5 p.m. and the show beginning at 7 p.m.

May Erlewine and The Motivations, June 4 at 7 p.m. (Supplied)

Concert goers who are not members of the Gardens will need a regular admission ticket but they can purchase that at the new box office at the amphitheater. But for that one night only, the venue will feature 50 percent off all food at the new concessions building as the Gardens unveils the amphitheater expansion and upgrades.

The Tuesday-night concerts — free to Meijer Gardens members and included with gardens admission for other guests — feature with a diverse schedule of live bands and programming ranging from jazz to indie, rock to folk, and even ballet. And there will be more to like off the stage as well.

The amphitheater has undergone significant expansion and improvement over the past two seasons, while maintaining the intimacy of the 1,900-seat venue.

A new concessions building has been added this season, with increased capacity for quicker food and beverage service, an improved point-of-sale system with quick chip technology to speed up purchases. and new restrooms outside of the entry gates for guests waiting in line. An expanded plaza area with additional entry gates will help shorten lines and wait times.

Meijer Gardens also announced two new series sponsors for the Tuesday Evening Music Club: Meyer Music and Michigan Radio 104.1 FM join WYCE and Corporate Live as partners for the series. Meyer Music will be bringing various instruments each week for guests to enjoy in a hands-on, “instrument petting zoo” at each concert.

 
The 2019 Tuesday Evening Music Club lineup includes:

May Erlewine and The Motivations, June 4 at 7 p.m.

Roosevelt Diggs and Jesse Ray and the Carolina Catfish, July 2 at 7 p.m.
     
Big Sherb and Paddlebots, July 9 at 7 p.m.

Matt Gabriel and Kari Lynch Band, July 16 at 7 p.m.

Boy From School and Manhattan, July 23 at 7 p.m.

Franklin Park and 6-Pak, July 30 at 7 p.m.

The Hip Pocket and Soul Syndicate, Aug. 6 at 7 p.m.

The River Rogues Jazz Band and Sam’s Swing Band, Aug. 13 at 7 p.m.

Grand Rapids Ballet, Aug. 20 at 7 p.m. This program will employ a full company of dancers performing works by some of today’s most in-demand choreographers. A mix of classical and contemporary ballets, including Trey McIntyre’s Wild Sweet Love, featuring the music of Queen, Lou Reed, Felix Mendelssohn and many more.

Local favorite Ralston Bowles likes to share the stage. (Supplied)

Ralston & Friends, Aug. 27 at 7 p.m. Local favorite Ralston Bowles shares the stage with friends and collaborators from the community and beyond.


For more information on concerts at Meijer Gardens, visit meijergardens.org.

Opera Grand Rapids welcomes tenor Zach Borichevsky for ‘La Traviata’

Citizen Journalism, Entertainment, Upcoming Events, , , ,
Zach Borichevsky (photo supplied)

By Opera Grand Rapids


Opera Grand Rapids presents tenor Zach Borichevsky in the role of Alfredo in the June 14 & 15 production of Italian composer, Giuseppe Verdi’s La Traviata, at St. Cecilia Music Center. The heartbreaking true story of Parisian courtesan Marie Duplessis, La Traviata is one of the greatest operas of all time. The classic novella inspired the films, Camille, Pretty Woman and Moulin Rouge. Buy tickets here.


Below, Mr. Borichevsky shares some more details about himself and his life on and off the stage.


Where are you originally from?

Suburban Philadelphia, PA


Who has inspired you/been your greatest influence professionally? Why?

Pavarotti is a cliché answer, but he’s the finest vocal technician I’ve ever heard, while also being deeply, yet simply expressive.


Who/what brought you into the world of Opera?

Actually, Andrea Bocelli was my gateway singer—I sang his hit “Con te partirò” in a church basement at age 12 or so.


Where do you live now?

Near Tarrytown, NY, just north of NYC


What are your hobbies when not performing?

I’ve always been a bit of a political junkie (double majored in music and political science), but when I’m not reading or listening to every last piece of wonky policy journalism, I’m keeping up with the Philadelphia Phillies, who are looking formidable in 2019.


What is your favorite Role/Opera/Piece?

Has to be Rodolfo in La bohème.


What are your favorite things about being a professional musician?

Endless variety, yet comforting rituals remain between gigs. Working with new and old brilliant pianist friends, working with an orchestra for the first time, meeting new singer colleagues and seeing old friends after a long absence.


Least favorite?

Long absences from home (will be home a total of 100 days this year)


Where is your favorite place to travel/perform? Why?

Santa Fe is a beautiful place to spend a summer—both my summers there have been restorative (and I got engaged there!).


What performances/plans do you have in the next year?

I’ll be singing with Washington National Opera in the fall and very excited to sing in Rigoletto with my wife in both Nashville and Colorado in the spring/summer.

St. Cecilia’s 2019-20 season: Collins, Clayton Bros and chamber music power couple

Entertainment, Local Entertainment, Upcoming Events
Chamber Music Society of Lincoln Center Artists Series co-artistic directors and chamber music power couple Wu Han and David Finckel (on cello) will be on the same stage this season. (Courtesy St. Cecilia/Tara Helen O’Connor)

By K.D. Norris
ken@wktv.org

West Michigan jazz and Americana/folk fans — and I count myself in that crowd — eagerly await the early summer announcement of St. Cecilia Music Center’s next concert music series, which came down Tuesday with its 2019-20 season line-up.

Judy Collins (Supplied)

And with a Spectacular Jazz Series that includes the The Clayton Brothers Quintet and an Acoustic Café Folk Series featuring the return of the incomparable Judy Collins, both live up to the center’s reputation.

But, truth be told, the concert of the season will be one of the Chamber Music Society of Lincoln Center Artists Series, as CMS co-artistic directors and chamber music power couple Wu Han (on piano) and David Finckel (on cello) come to town together on a program titled “From Prague to Vienna” but maybe more appropriately called “From New York City, with Love.”

Performing with violinist Arnaud Sussman and violist Paul Neubauer, Wu Hann and Finckel will perform in a concert which “celebrates friendship and family with three composers who mentored and inspired each other: Brahms, Dvořák and Suk,” according to supplied material. “Brahms discovered Dvořák through a composition competition and helped him rise to international stardom, and became his lifelong friend and mentor. In turn, Suk was one of Dvořák’s favorite students and eventually became his son-in-law.”

Of course, seeing and hearing Wu Hann and Finckel perform together is worth the price of admission whatever the program.

While fans can pick their favorites, St. Cecilia executive director Cathy Holbrook shows no such favoritism.

Cathy Holbrook St. Cecilia (WKTV/K.D. Norris)

“We are so excited about all of our concerts and the amazing artists coming to Grand Rapids to perform at SCMC this coming season,” Holbrook said in supplied material. “We’re happy to have three great series that appeal to everyone’s interests in music. The exquisite sound and intimate setting of the Royce Auditorium makes these chosen concerts at SCMC one-of-a-kind.”

Tickets are now on sale for all announced concerts including opening folk series concerts by Lee Ann Womack on Oct. 3 and Judy Collins on Oct. 20; the jazz series opener of Fred Hersch featuring special guest Julian Lage on Oct. 17; and “Great Innovators” – works by Stravinsky, Beethoven, Mendelssohn and Smetana, on Nov. 21, to launch the Chamber Music Society of Lincoln Center Series.
 
The chamber music series will continue with “French Enchantment” on Jan. 23, 2020, featuring the elegant works of Ravel, Fauré and Saint-Saëns; followed by the aforementioned “From Prague to Vienna” on April 30, 2020.

The Clayton Brothers. (Supplied by the artists)

The jazz series, after the Hersch/Lage pairing, will include Emmet Cohen’s Master Legacy Series featuring Ron Carter on Jan. 16, 2020; vocalist Luciana Souza on March 5, 2020; and The Clayton Brothers Quintet on April 16, 2020.
 
 
The folk series, after Ms. Womack’s and Ms. Collins’ visits, will continue with multi-Grammy Award winner Chris Thile on Feb. 25, 2020, immediately followed by “eclectic adventurist” singer/ guitarist Raul Midón on Feb. 27. (And, as in past seasons, additional Acoustic Café Series concerts will be announced at a later date.)

Season subscription tickets to the 2019-2020 Spectacular Jazz Series and Chamber Music Society of Lincoln Center Concert Series are now available by calling 616-459-2224, visiting St. Cecilia Music Center at 24 Ransom NE, Grand Rapids, or online for new subscribers at scmc-online.org. Single tickets to chamber, jazz, and folk concerts are also on sale now and can be purchased by phone or online at the same.


For each concert, a post-concert party is open to all ticket-holders giving the audience the opportunity to possibly meet the artists and obtain signed CDs of their releases. There will also be pre-concert receptions for the CMS of Lincoln Center concerts and the Jazz Series concerts featuring wine and hors d’oeuvres for $15 per person.

Pop, Rock, and The Prize at the Muskegon Museum of Art

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

By Marguerite Curran, Muskegon Museum of Art


Summer at the Muskegon Museum of Art starts in May and celebrates Pop Culture and Rock ‘n’ Roll, along with displays from the permanent collection and paintings by first-ever Bennett Prize finalists. An array of special programs accompany the gallery shows.

Pop

Replay: The Exhibition celebrates American Pop and Geek culture through a variety of media, including large-scale LEGO® brick sculptures. The galleries housing the colorful show have been newly refinished with walls resembling giant LEGO bricks to make a backdrop for artwork that explores how iconic cartoons, video games, movies, and comic heroes and villains influence our culture. Kids of all ages can enjoy racing LEGO brick cars on a downhill racecourse, draw self-portraits on a mirror, practice figure drawing with wooden models, and build their own plastic brick creations. A $5 admission upgrade will be applied for entrance to the Replay exhibition galleries. Replay opened on May 9 and will run through Aug. 18, 2019.

Rock ‘n’ Roll

Photo credit: Paul Jendrasiak

Lights, Camera, Rock ‘n’ Roll: Music Photography by Paul Jendrasiak spans the career of the veteran Michigan concert photographer. Stunning front-row photographs of rock stars performing at venues throughout the state over the past two decades will bring back memories for many viewers. The exhibition runs May 23 through Sept. 1, 2019.

Programs

Paul Jendrasiak will be at the MMA to talk about his work and experiences at the opening of the show on May 23.


A Rock Star Super Saturday family program on Aug. 10 will give budding artists a chance to create their own limelight-worthy artwork.


Guitar with Wings: The Photography of Laurence Juber features photographs by Juber from his 2014 book Guitar with Wings, which showcases the intimate photographs he took of the McCartneys during his days with Wings. The exhibition runs May 16 through September 1, 2019.

Photo credit: Laurence Juber

Laurence Juber in Concert: “A Master” – Pete Townshend (The Who) Laurence Juber will perform in concert at the MMA on June 14. $25 Advance Tickets are available at the MMA by phone at 231.720.2580 or online HERE. Tickets will be $30 at the door.


Juber was lead guitarist in Paul McCarney’s band Wings and has since established himself as a world-renowned musician, winning two Grammys. He fuses folk, jazz, and pop to create a multifaceted performance.


Ticket includes a 5:30 pm pre-concert reception.

The Bennett Prize

Margaret Bowland, Detail of White Fives, 2012. Oil on linen, 84 x 70 in.

Rising Voices: The Bennett Prize for Women Figurative Realist Painters opened May 2 with an announcement of the first-ever $50,000 prize winner, Aneka Ingold of Tampa, FL. Twenty-nine paintings by the winner and the other nine finalists from across the country comprise the show. The works exemplify universal issues as well as stories specific to the artists. The finalists were chosen from a field of over 600 entries. The Bennett Prize exhibition project and accompanying show catalogue were organized by the MMA, The Pittsburgh Foundation, and Steven Bennett and Dr. Elaine Melotti Schmidt—avid collectors of and advocates for women artists painting in the figurative realist style. Special films, a figure drawing workshop, and an original theatrical performance will accompany the exhibition. Rising Voices runs through Sept. 8, 2019.


The Muskegon Museum of Art is located at 296 W. Webster Ave. in downtown Muskegon. The Museum is open Tuesdays through Sundays and closed Mondays. Parking is free and bus parking is available. Go to www.muskegonartmuseum.org for up-to-date visitor information, including gallery and store hours.


Barn Theatre announces 73rd Season

Citizen Journalism, Entertainment, Upcoming Events, , , ,

By Penelope Ragotzy, Barn Theatre


The Barn Theatre, Michigan’s oldest professional summer theatre, under the artistic leadership of Brendan Ragotzy, is thrilled to announce the 73rd season of plays and musicals to be presented at the landmark theatre.


The Barn Theatre School for Advanced Theatre Training, which continues to operate as a nonprofit entity, is excited to continue to provide southwest Michigan with professional, high- quality theatre while also expanding educational youth outreach and training programs. The very popular program, Backstage Xperience*, will be offered once again this season, as well as select ASL performances!


Barn Producer Brendan Ragotzy and wife Penelope Alex are excited to continue to offer nightly dinners this season and hope you’ll once again take advantage of the improved seating, ticket options, and online ticketing system.

The Box Office opens May 20, for online ticket sales, in-person sales and purchase via phone.


New this season:

  •  Season ticket booklets will be available online as virtual tickets.
  •  Renovations throughout the season, including new bathrooms near the Rehearsal Shed, Barn structure updates, the addition of a kitchen in the Rehearsal Shed and this fall, a full remodel of the Rehearsal Shed itself.

SPECIAL EVENT! Our Annual Gala: A Celebration in Song, June 1, 2019
Join us as we kick off the 73rd season with an unforgettable evening of music and memories! Barnies will take you behind the scenes in song and stories and give you a preview of the upcoming season. This special event is $50 per person. Reception and silent auction to follow the performance.


Disaster! — June 4-9 — ONE WEEK ONLY!
Back by Popular Demand! Earthquakes, tidal waves, infernos and the unforgettable songs of the ’70s take center stage in this side-splitting homage to classic disaster films. Rated PG-13.

Love, Lies and the Doctor’s Dilemma — June 11-16 — ONE WEEK ONLY!
One little white lie leads to another in this hilarious farce that comes complete with a former movie star, a mobster hit man, a walking-accident neighbor, and a gardener inexplicably masquerading as a psychiatrist Will everyone survive the mayhem?


The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee — June 18-30
In this wildly funny, fast-paced musical, an eclectic group of mid-pubescents vie for the spelling championship of a lifetime while candidly disclosing hilarious and touching stories from their home lives. A riotous ride, complete with audience participation, this bee is a delightful den of comedic genius. Rated PG-13.


Sweeney Todd — Starring Robert Newman and Penelope Alex — July 2-14
The dark, witty and Tony Award-winning musical tale of love, murder and revenge set against the backdrop of 19th century London. Rated R.

Big the Musical — July 16-28
The classic 1987 motion picture fantasy bursts onto the stage in this unforgettable theatrical experience where a frustrated adolescent magically becomes an adult, discovering that life is not simply child’s play. Rated PG.


Steel Magnolias with Kim Zimmer, Lori Moore, Jennifer Furney — July 30-Aug. 11
Alternately hilarious and touching, this brilliant play exemplifies the female bond and illustrates the beauty of friendship when wading through life’s hardest times.


Mamma Mia — Aug. 13-25
Over sixty million people from around the globe have fallen in love with Mamma Mia! The story-telling magic of ABBA’s timeless hit songs propels this funny, enchanting tale of love, laughter and friendship, creating the ultimate feel-good show! Rated PG-13.

Evil Dead: The Musical — Aug. 27-Sept. 1 — ONE WEEK ONLY!
Evil Dead The Musical takes all the elements of the cult classic films and combines them for one of the craziest, funniest theatrical experiences of all time. Blood flies. Limbs are dismembered. Demons tell bad jokes… and all to music. It’s a bloody comedy start to finish! Rated R.


The Barn is located on Highway M-96 between Augusta and Galesburg. Performance schedule: Tuesday through Saturday at 8pm and Sundays at 5pm.


Details are available online at barntheatreschool.org.


Tickets for Oct. 1 Shinedown concert at Van Andel Arena go on sale Friday, May 17

Citizen Journalism, Entertainment, Upcoming Events, , , ,
Photo credit: Sanjay Parikh

By Hilarie Carpenter, SMG


Multi-platinum rock band Shinedown has announced new fall tour dates on their 2019 Attention Attention World Tour, produced by Frank Productions, with a stop in Grand Rapids at SMG-managed Van Andel Arena on Tuesday, Oct. 1, 2019, at 6:15pm. Shinedown has been selling out arenas and receiving rave reviews during their tour, backed by their biggest, most eye-popping production yet.


Tickets go on sale to the general public beginning Friday, May 17 at 10am. Tickets will be available at the Van Andel Arena and DeVos Place® box offices and online at Ticketmaster.com. A purchase limit of eight (8) tickets will apply to every order. For all current pricing and availability, visit Ticketmaster.com.


Shinedown’s chart-topping album Attention Attention, out now via Atlantic Records, simultaneously hit #1 on Billboard’s Alternative, Top Rock and Hard Rock Albums Charts, debuted Top 5 on the Billboard 200 and spawned current Top 10 Active Rock hit Monsters, #1 Active Rock hit Devil, and the rousing track The Human Radio, in addition to Get Up.


Local talent in spotlight as St. Cecilia youth jazz groups hit the stage

3-bottom, Area Education, City of Kentwood, Education, Kentwood Public Schools, Local Entertainment, Upcoming Events
The Jazz Band, directed by Paul Brewer, in rehearsal for its coming concert. (Supplied/St. Cecilia Music Center)

By K.D. Norris
ken@wktv.org

Improvisational jazz music is not for everyone, especially young musicians learning their craft. But it is challenging and rewarding for the youth who make up the St. Cecilia Music Center’s Youth Jazz Ensembles — including several local players from East Kentwood High School.

The public can get a reward of their own this weekend as those young players will be on stage at St. Cecilia during the center’s Youth Jazz Ensembles Concert, a free, public event scheduled for Sunday, May 19, at 7 p.m.

Both the small Jazz Combo group and the Jazz Band big band will be on stage, and both will showcase the developing talent of their young players.

Mitchell Arganbright is a student at East Kentwood High School and a member of the Jazz Band. (Supplied/St. Cecilia Music Center)

“The combo format has a lot of potential for learning because every aspect of musicianship is involved: sight-reading, learning by ear, music theory (chord structures, keys, form), improvisation, arranging,” Robin Connell, St. Cecilia Jazz Combo director and local musician, said in an email to WKTV. “The big band music is all written and presents challenging reading for most students. They also work on blend, balance, intonation, and style.”

While the combo format focuses more on the traditional improvisational aspects of jazz, Connell said the big band is more structured but has “improvised parts (that) are only for a selected few instruments within an arrangement that is otherwise all written out.”

The current Jazz Combo has five members, Connell said: piano, bass, drums, saxophone and two trombones.

“The combo learns jazz standards and, in the process, learns a lot about music and jazz,” Connell said. “They learn the tunes from a ‘lead sheet’ (melody and chord symbols without any intro/ending or arrangement). Then we put an arrangement together. We start the year with me giving all the direction but, by the end, I’ve encouraged them to take over the leadership and direction as they are able.”

The combo members range in age from 12 to 16 (four are in middle school), and they will play four tunes:  “Listen Here” by Eddie Harris, “Moanin’ ” by Bobby Timmons, “Artherdoc Blues” by Jimmy Heath, and “So What” by Miles Davis.
 

The Jazz Band, directed by Paul Brewer, has the standard instrumentation, Connell said: five saxophones, four trombones, four trumpets, with piano, bass and drums — “But I will be playing piano with the band because he doesn’t have a student pianist.”
 

The Jazz Band are all high school kids, with half a dozen from East Kentwood high. Their program will be published pieces arranged for this instrumentation, but specifics are not known at this time.

The St Cecilia Music Center is located at 24 Ransom NE, Grand Rapids. For more information visit the event’s Facebook page here.

Snapshots: Wyoming, Kentwood news you ought to know — the weekend edition

3-bottom, Citizen Journalism, City of Kentwood, City of Wyoming, Kids Activities, Non-Profits, Our Cities, Recreation, Senior Living, Travel, Upcoming Events, ,

By WKTV Staff

victoria@wktv.org

Quote of the Day

“The Sixties are now considered a historical period,
just like the Roman Empire.“

~Dave Barry


The Vibe keynote speaker Josh George, a six-time Paralympic world champion and world record holder. (Courtesy/Josh George’s website)

I’m pickin’ up good vibrations

Get your tickets TODAY if you plan to attend The Vibe, a gala benefiting Kentwood Parks and Recreation’s adaptive recreation programs, on Friday, May 17. The Vibe will highlight the City’s adaptive water sports programs, which include kayaking, canoeing, paddle boarding, wake boarding and water skiing for all ages and abilities. Tickets for the semi-formal event are $100 per person and can be purchased online at kentwoodvibe.com or by calling 616-656-5270. More on the story here.


Tickets must be purchased in advance by Friday, May 10.


These boots are made for walkin’ (well…)

It’s not only elite athletes and experienced runners who are preparing for this weekend’s 42nd River Bank Run. For the ninth year, former and current residents of Dégagé Ministries Open Door Women’s Center will participate in the Amway River Bank 5k Walk. Dégagé’s walking group, the ‘Heartside All Stars for Health’, is a group of approximately 12 women who have overcome or are working to overcome things like poverty, addiction and homelessness. With the support of Dégagé’s staff and volunteers, the organization’s walking group totals nearly 30 people. For more information, go here.



Courtesy Air Zoo

Can’t get no satisfaction?
Check out these six destinations

Bored? Don’t be. The Air Zoo, Binder Park Zoo, Gilmore Car Museum, Kalamazoo Nature Center, Kalamazoo Institute of Arts, and the Kellogg Biological Station (KBS) Bird Sanctuary and Manor House are partnering for the sixth year of the Southwest Michigan Cultural Membership Exchange. Guests presenting a valid membership card and photo ID from any of these organizations can enjoy free admission at any of the six destinations May 1–31. More here.


Fun fact:

$4,743

That’s what the average salary was in the U.S. in the 1960s. But then, a loaf of bread was 45 cents, the average new car cost $2,752, and gas was about 31 cents a gallon. Ah, yes. The good, old days.

1963 AMC Rambler American


Fountain Street Church launches the ‘Summer Screen Club’

Citizen Journalism, Entertainment, Non-Profits, Upcoming Events, ,

By Fountain Street Church


Fountain Street Church is launching a new series, the ‘Summer Screen Club’. One night each month this summer, the church will host a panel discussion featuring regional non-profit organizations, and film and television experts to dissect, analyze, and discuss some of today’s most thought-provoking TV shows.


Participants watch the shows at their own pace, on their own schedules. It’s like a book club that you can binge watch. The first event of the series will be held on Thursday, June 20, 2019, from 6-8pm at Fountain Street Church, and will feature panelists Lydia VanHoven-Cook, of Better Body Image Conference, and Sarah Vesely, Executive Director of Wealthy Theater. All Summer Screen Club events are free and open to the public. Registration is encouraged (not required) and can be done here. ​


The June 20, 2019, event will be discussing the Hulu series ​Shrill, based on the book ​Shrill: Notes from a Loud Woman by Lindy West. The series stars and is co-written by Aidy Bryant (​Saturday Night Live), with Executive Producers Lorne Michaels (​Saturday Night Live), Elizabeth Banks (​Pitch Perfect), and Aidy Bryant. From the ​Shrill press site: “Annie [is] a fat young woman who wants to change her life — but not her body. Annie is trying to start her career while juggling bad boyfriends, a sick parent, and a perfectionist boss.”


Snapshots: Wyoming, Kentwood news you ought to know

3-bottom, Books, Citizen Journalism, City of Kentwood, City of Wyoming, Education, Kids Activities, Non-Profits, Recreation, Senior Living, Travel, Upcoming Events, , , ,

By WKTV Staff

victoria@wktv.org

Quote of the Day

“There’s no fear when you’re having fun.“

~Will Thomas



A few wrinkles in time

Older Michigangians Day, on May 15th, is an opportunity for Michigan seniors to speak with a united voice about the issues that directly affect them. It is also an opportunity to meet new people and enjoy a beautiful day in our State’s capitol. Call Area Agency on Aging of Western Michigan to register at (616) 222-7042. Go here for more info.



So good, you can’t
read just one

“You just really can’t replace putting a book in a kid’s hands,” said district Superintendent Kevin Polston at a recent celebration of literacy” at the Early Childhood Center in Wyoming. “There is something special about touching, feeling, seeing the pictures, and engaging with the book. We know there is value to that.” Read all about it here.



Life’s too short, so go on …
have some fun

Experience Grand Rapids (EXGR) invites locals to explore the Grand Rapids area during National Travel and Tourism Week through May 11th using EXGR resources such as Culture Pass GR and Vamonde. Check it out here.

Fun fact:

Details, details

There is actually a difference between coffins and caskets — coffins are typically tapered and six-sided, while caskets are rectangular.



But in the end, does it really matter?



High school sports schedule includes WKTV baseball games at Lee, Tri-unity

Sports, Upcoming Events
WKTV offers on-demand viewing of the Wyoming and Kentwood high school sports, community events, and government meetings. (WKTV)

By WKTV Staff
ken@wktv.org

WKTV’s spring baseball and softball schedule is in high gear; now Mother Nature just has to cooperate. Our coverage crew will be on the road twice this week starting with Wednesday, May 8, as Godwin Heights plays at Wyoming Lee in a conference baseball game.

But there is high school sports action all over the Wyoming and Kentwood area, so check out something live if you can.

The tentative schedule of WKTV featured game’s remaining this month are as follows:

Wednesday, May 8, boys baseball, Godwin Heights at Wyoming Lee
Thursday, May 9, boys baseball, West Michigan Aviation vs Tri-Unity Christian at Pinery Park #3
Tuesday, May 14, boys baseball, Grandville at East Kentwood
Wednesday, May 15, girls softball, Godwin Heights at Kelloggsville
Wednesday, May 22, boys baseball, South Christian at Wyoming
Friday, May 24, boys baseball, Zion Christian at Kelloggsville

Want to be a television sports announcer?

If anyone has ever thought about trying to announce a sporting event, WKTV has a great chance for you to do exactly that! The tentative schedule for May follows and we are always looking for additional announcers, especially for the spring games. If you would like to try it or have any questions, please email Mike at sportswktv@gmail.com .

 
Featured games are broadcast the night of the contest and then at least once later in the week.

WKTV broadcasts on Wyoming and Kentwood cable channels. On Comcast cable, Channel 25 is the Community Channel, where sports events and other community events are shown; Channel 26 is the Government Channel, where local government meetings and events are shown. On AT&T cable throughout the Grand Rapids area, viewers go to Channel 99, and then are given the choice to watch Wyoming (or Kentwood) Community (Channel 25) or Government (Channel 26) channels.

For complete schedules of programs on WKTV channels, see our Weekly On-air Schedule.

All Featured Games, as well as other high school sports and community events covered by WKTV, are available on-demand within a week of play at wktvondemand.com.

 
For a complete schedule of all local high school sports action each week, any changes to the WKTV feature sports schedule, and feature stories on local sports, visit wktvjournal.org/sports/.

 
Following is this week’s schedule:

Monday, May 6
Boys Golf
South Christian @ East Grand Rapids – Kent Country Club
East Kentwood @ Hudsonville
Kelloggsville @ Wellsprings Prep – The Mines
Wyoming @ East Grand Rapids – Kent Country Club
Girls Softball
Unity Christian @ South Christian – DH
Wyoming Lee @ Godwin Heights – DH
Hopkins @ Kelloggsville – DH
Wyoming @ Covenant Christian – DH
Boys Baseball
Unity Christian @ South Christian – DH
Wyoming Lee @ Godwin Heights
Hopkins @ Kelloggsville
Grattan Academic @ Zion Christian – DH
Boys Lacrosse
South Christian @ Jenison
Girls Soccer
South Christian @ Grand Rapids Christian
Grand Haven @ East Kentwood
Kelloggsville @ Godwin Heights
Wyoming Lee @ Calvin Christian
Wyoming @ FH Eastern
Zion Christian @ Wellsprings Prep
Boys / Girls Track
Rockford @ East Kentwood
Girls Tennis
West Ottawa @ East Kentwood
Kelloggsville @ Catholic Central
Middleville T-K @ Wyoming

Tuesday, May 7
Girls Tennis
Grant @ South Christian
East Kentwood @ Grandville
Holland @ Wyoming
Boys Lacrosse
East Kentwood @ Lowell
Girls Soccer
Tri-Unity Christian vs West Michigan Aviation – @ East Kentwood Freshman Campus
Potter’s House @ Zion Christian
Boys Baseball
Zion Christian vs Tri-Unity Christian – DH @ Zion Christian
Wyoming @ Christian – DH
West Michigan Aviation @ Potter’s House – DH
Boys Golf
Zeeland West @ Wyoming – Gleneagle
Boys / Girls Track
Wyoming @ Wayland
West Michigan Aviation – Alliance League Invitational
Girls Softball
Wyoming @ Christian – DH

Wednesday, May 8
Boys Golf
Wyoming @ South Christian – Railside Golf Course
Tri-Unity Christian @ Grand River Prep
Boys / Girls Track
South Christian @ Wayland
Boys Baseball
South Christian @ Catholic Central
Loy Norrix @ East Kentwood – DH
Godwin Heights @ Wyoming Lee – WKTV Featured Event
Kelloggsville @ Hopkins
Girls Soccer
East Grand Rapids @ South Christian
Caledonia @ East Kentwood
Godwin Heights @ Belding
Kelloggsville @ NorthPointe Christian
Wyoming Lee @ Hope Academy of WM
Wyoming @ Wayland
Girls Softball
Godwin Heights @ Wyoming Lee
Kelloggsville @ Hopkins
Wyoming @ West Catholic
Girls Tennis
Kelloggsville @ Coopersville

Thursday, May 9
Girls Tennis
South Christian @ NorthPointe Christian
Sparta @ Kelloggsville
Wyoming @ Lowell
Girls Softball
Zeeland West @ South Christian – DH
East Kentwood @ Rockford – DH
Boys Lacrosse
Lowell @ South Christian
Jenison @ East Kentwood
Boys Baseball
West Michigan Aviation vs Tri-Unity Christian – @ Pinery Park #3 – DH – WKTV Featured Event
Christian @ Wyoming
Potter’s House @ Muskegon Western Michigan Christian – DH
Boys / Girls Track
Wyoming @ FH Eastern
West Michigan Aviation @ Ravenna
Girls Soccer
Wellsprings Prep @ Grand River Prep

Friday, May 10
Boys / Girls Track
South Christian – OK Gold Conference Meet @ Houseman Field
Wyoming – OK Gold Conference Meet @ Houseman Field
@ East Kentwood – OK Red Conference Meet
Godwin Heights @ NorthPointe Christian – OK Silver Conference Meet
Kelloggsville @ NorthPointe Christian – OK Silver Conference Meet
Wyoming Lee @ Belding
Girls Water Polo
East Kentwood @ TBA – Districts
Girls Softball
East Kentwood @ Catholic Central – DH
Godwin Heights vs Western Michigan Christian – @ Muskegon Catholic Central – DH
Grandville @ Wyoming
Girls Soccer
Rockford @ East Kentwood
NorthPointe Christian @ Godwin Heights
Kelloggsville @ Grand River Prep
Wyoming Lee @ Hopkins
Fruitport Calvary Christian @ Tri-Unity Christian
West Michigan Aviation @ West Catholic
Boys Golf
Kelloggsville – OK Silver Jamboree @ Broadmoor Country Club
Boys Baseball
Tri-Unity Christian @ Covenant Christian
Grandville @ Wyoming

Saturday, May 11
Girls Tennis
Wyoming @ South Christian – OK Gold Conference Meet
@ East Kentwood – OK Red Conference Meet
Kelloggsville @ Calvin Christian – OK Silver Conference Meet
Boys Baseball
South Christian @ Zeeland East – Zeeland East Invite
East Kentwood @ Grand Ledge – DH
Kelloggsville – @ Kellogg Woods – Liz Jensen Memorial Tournament
Potter’s House @ Wyoming Lee – Rebel Invite
West Michigan Aviation @ Zion Christian – DH
Girls Softball
South Christian @ Hudsonville – Milan Invite
Kelloggsville – @ Kellogg Woods – Liz Jensen Memorial Tournament
Catholic Central @ Wyoming Lee – Rebel Invite
Girls Soccer
South Christian @ Catholic Central
Hopkins @ Kelloggsville
Potter’s House @ Wyoming Lee – Copa Rebelde
West Michigan Aviation @ Wyoming Lee – Copa Rebelde
Girls Water Polo
East Kentwood @ TBA – Districts
Boys / Girls Track
Godwin Heights – @ Lamar Park – Team 21 Fun Run
Boys Golf
Kelloggsville @ Hamilton – Diamond Springs

Monday, May 13
Boys Golf
Holland Christian @ South Christian – Railside Golf Course
Caledonia @ East Kentwood – Stonewater Golf Course
Hopkins @ Wyoming – Gleneagle
Girls Tennis
North Muskegon @ South Christian
Girls Softball
FH Central @ South Christian – DH
Kelloggsville @ Godwin Heights – DH
Wyoming Lee @ Hopkins – DH
Girls Soccer
South Christian @ Middleville T-K
Wyoming Lee @ Godwin Heights
Hopkins @ Kelloggsville
Hudsonville Hornets @ Tri-Unity Christian
Boys Lacrosse
South Christian @ Byron Center
Boys Baseball
Kelloggsville @ Godwin Heights
Wyoming Lee @ Hopkins
Tri-Unity Christian @ Holland Calvary – DH
Covenant Christian @ Wyoming
Holland Black River @ Zion Christian

Tuesday, May 14
Girls Softball
South Christian @ FH Eastern – DH
Grandville @ East Kentwood – DH
Wyoming Lee @ East Grand Rapids
Middleville T-K @ Wyoming – DH
Boys Baseball
South Christian @ FH Eastern – DH
Grandville @ East Kentwood – DH
Middleville T-K @ Wyoming – DH
Potter’s House @ Kalamazoo Heritage Christian
Girls Soccer
FH Central @ South Christian
Kenowa Hills @ East Kentwood
Kelloggsville @ Wyoming
West Michigan Aviation @ Grand River Prep
Boys Lacrosse
East Kentwood @ Jenison
Girls Tennis
Kelloggsville @ Muskegon Catholic Central
Boys Golf
Tri-Unity Christian @ Covenant Christian

Kentwood’s Parks and Recreation gala will benefit adaptive recreation programs

3-bottom, City of Kentwood, Community Health, Recreation, Senior Living, Upcoming Events, ,
Kentwood Parks and Recreation’s adaptive recreation programs — one of which is the annual Lost Limb 5K, shown here with program director Katelyn Bush talking — will benefit from the annual Vibe Gala coming later this month. (WKTV)

By City of Kentwood

All are invited to attend The Vibe, a gala benefiting Kentwood Parks and Recreation’s adaptive recreation programs, on Friday, May 17. The Vibe will highlight the City’s adaptive water sports programs, which include kayaking, canoeing, paddle boarding, wake boarding and water skiing for all ages and abilities.

The celebration will take place from 6 to 10 p.m. at Stonewater Country Club, located at 7177 Kalamazoo Ave. SE in Caledonia, and include a keynote speaker, dinner, dancing and a silent auction.

“Kentwood’s adaptive recreation programs exist to provide people of all abilities a chance to recreate in a positive and safe environment,” said Katelyn Bush, recreation program coordinator. “We take pride in planning and implementing quality recreation and enrichment programs that empower all members in our community and encourage health, wellness, positive socialization and overall an excellent quality of life.”

The evening will feature keynote speaker Josh George, a six-time Paralympic world champion and world record holder. At the age of four, George traded in walking for rolling after falling from a twelve-story window onto concrete. For more information on George, visit here.

The Vibe keynote speaker Josh George, a six-time Paralympic world champion and world record holder. (Courtesy/Josh George’s website)

George’s enthusiasm and beliefs possess a contagious energy that has helped people build confidence and have made him a highly sought-after motivational speaker.

George has explored the realm of adapted athletics, participating in everything from basketball to track and field, archery, table tennis and swimming. Basketball and racing quickly became his stand-out sports and, along the way, he has become a sought-after motivational speaker, as well as an entrepreneur. In his journey, George spreads the message of inclusivity, maximizing your potential and, above all else, the idea that we must keep moving fast.

“We are so honored to have Josh George provide the keynote at this year’s event,” said Val Romeo, Kentwood Parks and Recreation director. “We welcome the community to join us to hear his remarkable story and learn how inclusive recreational opportunities can really make a difference in people’s lives.”

Tickets for the semi-formal event are $100 per person and can be purchased online at kentwoodvibe.com or by calling 616-656-5270. Tickets must be purchased in advance by Friday, May 10.
 

There are sponsorship opportunities available, with levels ranging from $250 to $2,500. More information is available here.

Older Michiganians Day 2019 is May 15th

3-bottom, Citizen Journalism, Senior Living, Upcoming Events, ,

By Regina Salmi, Area Agency on Aging of Western Michigan


This year’s Older Michiganians Day will be held on May 15, 2019. Michigan’s senior advocates and allies will rally on the lawn of the Capital in Lansing to let legislators know their positions on issues that affect older adults in Michigan.


This is the 11th year of Older Michiganians Day and all seniors interested are encouraged to attend. If you’ve never been involved in advocacy before, Older Michiganians Day is a great way to begin. This year’s platform focuses on four areas to improve services for older adults in the state of Michigan: Rebalancing Medicaid Long Term Care, Support AAASA In-home Services, Support the Direct Care Workforce, and Promote a Dementia Capable Michigan.


The MI Choice Medicaid Waiver Program helps Michigan’s older adults by providing the services necessary to live in their own homes and communities. Costing less than half of what a Medicaid-funded nursing facility costs, MI Choice saves taxpayers’ money, yet only 40% of the state’s Medicaid long-term supports and services (LTSS) budget goes to funding MI Choice and other Home and Community Based Services (HCBS). The national average for funding HCBS programs is 57%. Senior advocates are requesting an increase in the percentage of Medicaid LTSS funds allocated to MI Choice, as well as the ongoing preservation and protection of this important program.


Advocates support the Silver Key Coalition’s request for a $6,000,000 in the Aging and Adult Services budget for 2020. There are currently 6,247 seniors waiting for in-home services, like homemaker services, home delivered meals, care management services, and personal care. Research shows that seniors who receive these services are five times less likely to have been in a nursing home than those who stayed on a wait list. Reducing the wait list times by increasing funding for services will help more seniors remain independent.


Every day, there are professional caregivers going into the homes of older adults to perform all of the tasks that keep them safe, healthy and in their own homes. The wages earned for providing these vital services averages about $9.50/hour, while wages in other service industries like retail and restaurants are increasing to $13.00/hour, making it difficult for agencies to hire and keep enough workers to provide care. Advocates support policies that recruit, train and provide adequate wages, raise the Medicaid cap, include direct care services in Medicaid contracts and call for the inclusion of direct care workers in MI talent development initiatives.

Approximately a half million families in Michigan are caring for a loved one with dementia. Advocates at Older Michiganians Day will be letting legislators know they support a Dementia Capable Michigan in which dementia education, services and policies are enacted that recognize dementia as a public health priority.


Older Michigangians Day is an opportunity for Michigan seniors to speak with a united voice about the issues that directly affect them. It is also an opportunity to meet new people and enjoy a beautiful day in our State’s capitol. Call Area Agency on Aging of Western Michigan to register at (616) 222-7042. While the event is free, your ticket provides you with a complimentary lunch. If you live in the Grand Rapids area, you can also ask about transportation to Older Michiganians Day. Area Agency on Aging of Western Michigan is chartering buses to Lansing. Seats are limited and will be available on a first come-first served basis.


Visit the Older Michiganians Daywebsite for more details and parking information.


Grand Rapids Ballet presents ‘Alice in Wonderland’

Entertainment, Upcoming Events
Photo courtesy Grand Rapids Ballet

By Michael Erickson, Grand Rapids Ballet


Grand Rapids Ballet—Michigan’s only professional ballet company—presents the highly anticipated return of its 2017 sold-out smash hit, Alice in Wonderland, May 3-5 and 10-11 at Peter Martin Wege Theatre.


Revue Magazine called it “a modern masterpiece!”


This exciting family-friendly show features the choreography of Grand Rapids Ballet favorite, Brian Enos, the artistic director of The Big Muddy Dance Company in St. Louis, Missouri. While known locally as a contemporary choreographer, Brian is just as talented at choreographing classical ballet. As Hedy Weiss of Chicago Sun-Times said, Brian’s work is “alternately sexy, playful, absurd, and quirkily exotic.”


The magical world and colorful characters are imagined by Argentinian visual artist, Luis Grané, best known for his award-winning illustration work on such major motion pictures as The Box Trolls, The Matrix, Hotel Transylvania, and Ratatouille. The ballet story will stay true to the beloved novel Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland by Lewis Carroll originally published in 1865.


Evening and matinee performances will take place over two weekends:

  • Friday, May 3 at 7:30pm
  • Saturday, May 4 at 7:30 pm
  • Sunday, May 5 at 2pm
  • Friday, May 10 at 7:30pm
  • Saturday, May 11 at 7:30pm

Tickets are available on Ticketmaster, grballet.com, 616.454.4771 x 10, or at the  box office at 341 Ellsworth  Avenue SW, Grand Rapids, MI 49503.


Celebrating its 47th anniversary this season, Grand Rapids Ballet—Michigan’s only professional ballet company—is committed to lifting the human spirit through the art of dance under the current leadership of James Sofranko as artistic director, Glenn Del Vecchio as executive director, and Attila Mosolygo as director of Grand Rapids Ballet School and its Junior Company.


A proud recipient of the ArtServe Michigan Governor’s Arts Award for Outstanding Cultural Organization, Grand Rapids Ballet has a rich history marked by steady growth, a commitment to excellence, and strong community support.


Keep up with us on Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, and YouTube, and visit grballet.com today.



Chicago’s Kellye Howard to headline ‘Comedy on the Rocks’ at Journeyman Distillery, May 10th

Entertainment, Recreation, Travel, Upcoming Events, ,
Kellye Howard (photo by Mike Jue, Mike Jue Photography)

By Sandi Weindling, Journeyman Distillery


Journeyman Distillery’s Maxwell Tidey is looking to build on December’s sold-out Comedy on the Rocks premier with a May lineup that’s sure to slay.


Tidey has pursued his passion for comedy, producing local shows and working at the Drop Comedy Club in South Bend. A part-time server at Journeyman’s Staymaker Restaurant, he brought the idea of a comedy show to owners, Johanna and Bill Welter.


“We were open to giving it a try, but no question, Max’s enthusiasm is what made it a success,” the Welters agreed. “His energy is contagious… and persuasive,” said Johanna.


Tidey will reprise his role as host and producer of Comedy on the Rocks, importing top Chicago talent to Journeyman’s Still Room.


Comedy on the Rocks featured performer, Adam Gilbert of Fort Wayne, IN, has opened for the likes of writer/comedian Brian Posehn and said that he is, “pretty great on road trips.”


Gilbert opens for headliner Kellye Howard. Named Chicago’s “boldest” comedian by the Chicago Sun-Times, Howard takes inspiration from her experiences as a mother, daughter, wife, and woman. She was recently featured at the Just for Laughs Comedy Festival in Montreal and has been seen on Comedy Central, Last Comic Standing, FOX Laughs, and more. In her “spare” time she hosts the weekly podcast series Be Less Petty. Standup returns to Journeyman Distillery at 8:00pm ET on May 10th.


Admission is $20 per person and includes one complimentary beverage. Space is limited. Tickets are available online at journeymandistillery.com/calendar and on Eventbrite. For more information phone 269-820-2050.


Founded in 2010, Journeyman Distillery crafts, bottles, and serves organic and kosher-certified spirits at the historic Featherbone Factory in Three Oaks, Michigan. The distillery prides itself on using the highest quality grains sourced from Midwestern organic farmers in its award-winning spirits as well as at its Staymaker restaurant. Journeyman spirits are distributed in eleven states across the country and available for purchase direct from the distillery. Learn more and find your spirit at journeymandistillery.com.

May high school sports schedule includes WKTV featured games at five schools

Kentwood Public Schools, Sports, Upcoming Events, WKTV Featured sports
WKTV offers on-demand viewing of the Wyoming and Kentwood high school sports, community events, and government meetings. (WKTV)

Mike Moll, WKTV Volunteer Sports Director
sports@wktv.org

May is the last full month of high school sports schedules as the spring seasons along with the academic year are quickly ending.

Many high school graduations will be this month and we wish all students the very best as they take that next step in life, and for the student athletes that we have had the opportunity to cover and watch over the course of your high school careers, thank you.

There are many state tournaments beginning near the end of the month including state championships in girls tennis on the final day.

Take advantage of these last opportunities to watch in person, but then also catch the games that WKTV will be rebroadcasting on cable television as well as on-demand. The tentative schedule of WKTV featured game are as follows:

Wednesday, May 8, boys baseball, Godwin Heights at Wyoming Lee
Thursday, May 9, boys baseball, West Michigan Aviation vs Tri-Unity Christian at Pinery Park #3
Tuesday, May 14, boys baseball, Grandville at East Kentwood
Wednesday, May 15, girls softball, Godwin Heights at Kelloggsville
Wednesday, May 22, boys baseball, South Christian at Wyoming
Friday, May 24, boys baseball, Zion Christian at Kelloggsville

Want to be a television sports announcer?

If anyone has ever thought about trying to announce a sporting event, WKTV has a great chance for you to do exactly that! The tentative schedule for May follows and we are always looking for additional announcers, especially for the spring games. If you would like to try it or have any questions, please email Mike at sportswktv@gmail.com.

 
Featured games are broadcast the night of the contest and then at least once later in the week.

WKTV broadcasts on Wyoming and Kentwood cable channels. On Comcast cable, Channel 25 is the Community Channel, where sports events and other community events are shown; Channel 26 is the Government Channel, where local government meetings and events are shown. On AT&T cable throughout the Grand Rapids area, viewers go to Channel 99, and then are given the choice to watch Wyoming (or Kentwood) Community (Channel 25) or Government (Channel 26) channels.

For complete schedules of programs on WKTV channels, see our Weekly On-air Schedule.

All Featured Games, as well as other high school sports and community events covered by WKTV, are available on-demand within a week of play at wktvondemand.com.

 
For a complete schedule of all local high school sports action each week, any changes to the WKTV feature sports schedule, and feature stories on local sports, visit wktvjournal.org/sports/.

 
Following is this week’s schedule:

Thursday, May 2
Boys / Girls Track
South Christian vs FH Eastern @ West Catholic
Girls Tennis
South Christian @ Holland Christian
West Catholic @ Kelloggsville
Sparta @ Wyoming
Girls Softball
South Christian @ Zeeland East – DH
East Kentwood @ Grandville
East Grand Rapids @ Godwin Heights – DH
Wyoming @ Kelloggsville
Union @ Wyoming Lee – DH
Boys Baseball
South Christian @ Middleville T-K
Hudsonville @ East Kentwood
Tri-Unity Christian @ Barry County Christian
West Michigan Aviation @ Covenant Christian – DH
Boys Lacrosse
Kenowa Hills @ South Christian
East Kentwood @ Northview
Boys Golf
East Kentwood @ FH Central – Ranger Invite – The Meadows
Wyoming @ Kenowa Hills – Graewil
Girls Soccer
East Kentwood @ Grandville
Tri-Unity Christian @ Wellsprings Prep
West Michigan Aviation @ Holland Black River

Friday, May 3
Boys / Girls Track
East Kentwood @ Traverse City – Ken Bell Meet
Godwin Heights @ Kalamazoo Central
Girls Water Polo
East Kentwood @ Rockford
Girls Softball
West Ottawa @ East Kentwood
Boys Lacrosse
Comstock Park @ East Kentwood
Girls Tennis
Kelloggsville @ Cedar Springs
Girls Soccer
Belding @ Wyoming Lee
Wayland @ Wyoming
West Michigan Aviation @ Fruitport Calvary

Saturday, May 4
Boys / Girls Track
South Christian @ East Grand Rapids – EGR Classic
Wyoming @ East Grand Rapids – EGR Classic
Kelloggsville @ Hopkins – Vikings Invitational
Wyoming Lee @ Hopkins – Vikings Invitational
West Michigan Aviation @ Hopkins – Vikings Invitational
Girls Water Polo
East Kentwood @ Rockford
Girls Softball
East Kentwood @ Northview – Northview Invite
Kelloggsville @ East Grand Rapids
Girls Tennis
East Kentwood @ Jenison
Boys Baseball
Kelloggsvillle @ Wayland
Grand Rapids Crusaders @ Wyoming Lee – DH
Wyoming @ Union – DH
Heritage Christian Academy @ Zion Christian
Girls Soccer
Kelloggsville @ Comstock Park – Kristen Stowie Memorial Invite
Tri-Unity Christian @ Comstock Park – Kristen Sowie Memorial Invite
Zion Christian @ Barry County Christian
Boys Golf
Tri-Unity Christian – Christian Schools Invitational @ Chase Hammond Country Club

Monday, May 6
Boys Golf
South Christian @ East Grand Rapids – Kent Country Club
East Kentwood @ Hudsonville
Kelloggsville @ Wellsprings Prep – The Mines
Wyoming @ East Grand Rapids – Kent Country Club
Girls Softball
Unity Christian @ South Christian – DH
Wyoming Lee @ Godwin Heights – DH
Hopkins @ Kelloggsville – DH
Wyoming @ Covenant Christian – DH
Boys Baseball
Unity Christian @ South Christian – DH
Wyoming Lee @ Godwin Heights
Hopkins @ Kelloggsville
Grattan Academic @ Zion Christian – DH
Boys Lacrosse
South Christian @ Jenison
Girls Soccer
South Christian @ Grand Rapids Christian
Grand Haven @ East Kentwood
Kelloggsville @ Godwin Heights
Wyoming Lee @ Calvin Christian
Wyoming @ FH Eastern
Zion Christian @ Wellsprings Prep
Boys / Girls Track
Rockford @ East Kentwood
Girls Tennis
West Ottawa @ East Kentwood
Kelloggsville @ Catholic Central
Middleville T-K @ Wyoming

Griffin House comes to Seven Steps Up with miles on his Nashville tires

Entertainment, Local Entertainment, Upcoming Events,
Griffin House will be making a stop at Spring Lake’s Seven Steps Up on Saturday, May 4. (Supplied/Griffin House)

By K.D. Norris
ken@wktv.org

The song stories on Griffin House’s soon-to-be-released album Rising Star — some of which will undoubtedly be sweetly sung and appreciatively heard at his stop at Spring Lake’s Seven Steps Up on Saturday, May 4 — offer a peek in the real and/or imagined world of a singer who has spent much of the last 16 years on the road.

There are stories of the frustration with life if not the brutal business of making independent music. But there are also stories of understanding that, like a good country folk song lyric, “life is kinda what happens while you are making your way as best ya can.”

On “Hindsight”, House sings of a frustrating future: “Am I am fool for waiting / On a ship already gone / I only see the damage done in hindsight”. Yet there is also balance, an acceptance of whatever the future holds, as in “Cup of Fulfillment”: “There’s a light in the dark it’s the fire in our hearts / Even when our work is done / Long may your love live on”.

If that is not the true conflict of a singer wandering over the road of a music life, nothing is.

But I suspect listing to those tunes are just scratching the surface of House’s life and his music.

With something like 11 albums and 16 years of work in Nashville and around the country, House’s Rising Star (set for a June 28 release), described as “a self-reflective record that shows just how honed House is as a writer and musician”, is proof of the progression of his music and his life.

Rising Star cover art (Supplied)

Rising Star was created with old friends, Paul Moak and Ian Fitchuk, and also features co-writes with fellow Nashville musician Brian Elmquist of The Lone Bellow, longtime collaborator Jeff Trott (who also works with Sheryl Crow) and Joy Williams of The Civil Wars — with percussion from Grammy-winning “Album of the Year” producer Ian Fitchuk (he of Kacey Musgraves’ Golden Hour).

“This album seemed to come together with a little more grace and ease than records I’ve made in the past,” House said in supplied material. “And I think so much of that is attributed to how good the people I got worth with on this record are, they all just happen to be really good friends too.”

And that diversity of working relationships, of partners in musical crime, is clear on Rising Star.

The title tune is a sparse, almost spoken word poem of a song that leaves no doubt the writer not only knows what lonely feels like, but knows how to put that feeling into lyrics. And while “15 Minutes of Fame” give evidence of the dangers of getting what you pray for, “Crash and Burn” makes clear the dangers of not getting what you prayed for.

House song/stories often remind me of Gordon Lightfoot’s clear, cutting storytelling — and I liked Gord’s gold a lot — but with a very modern American outlook.

My favorite tune on the album, however, on first listen, is “Change”, which features some beautiful harmonies with Joy Williams, lyrical truths such as “We were never meant to stay the same”, and, maybe, a little glimpse of where House is in his home-life (with wife and two daughters).

Alas, the tune may not be on the program as he tours solo acoustic, often opening for the likes of John Mellencamp, Mat Kearny and Josh Ritter.

In addition to the release of the album Rising Star, House also stars in the full-length documentary film by the same title, set for release this year. According to supplied information, the film is co-produced with music video director and filmmaker Shane Drake, and chronicles House’s life as a musician and features music from his new album as well other tunes from his catalog.

Seven Steps Up is located 116 S. Jackson Street. For tickets and information call 616-930-4755 or visit sevenstepsup.com.

Jonas Brothers announce Sept. 8 concert at Van Andel Arena

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

By Hilarie Carpenter, SMG


After building overwhelming anticipation, GRAMMY®-nominated multi-platinum powerhouse trio—Jonas Brothers—announce the details for their 40-city Happiness Begins Tour this summer and fall with special guests Bebe Rexha and Jordan McGraw. The announcement coincides with the launch of the pre-order for the band’s highly anticipated comeback album Happiness Begins, as well as the launch of their official merch store online.


Pre-order Happiness Begins (Republic Records) HERE. For exclusive items from the newly launched official merchandise store visit HERE.


Produced by Live Nation, the Happiness Begins Tour presented by American Airlines and Mastercard kicks off Aug. 7th in Miami, FL before making a stop in Grand Rapids at SMG-managed Van Andel Arena on Sunday, Sept. 8, 2019, at 7:30pm. This marks the first headline tour for the Jonas Brothers in almost a decade.


Tickets go on sale to the general public beginning Friday, May 10 at 10am. Tickets will be available at the Van Andel Arena and DeVos Place® box offices and online at Ticketmaster.com. See Ticketmaster.com for all current pricing and availability. A purchase limit of eight (8) tickets will apply to every order.


The Jonas Brothers have also partnered with Ticketmaster’s Verified Fan platform to ensure tickets get in to the hands of their fans, not scalpers or bots. Fans can register now through Monday, May 6th at 10pm ET HERE for the Verified Fan presale. Registered fans who receive a code will have access to purchase tickets before the general public from Wednesday, May 8th at 10am local time through Thursday, May 9th at 10pm local time.


Additionally, TIDAL subscribers will also have access to an exclusive presale beginning Thursday, May 9th at 10am local time through 10pm local time. TIDAL members can find details for purchasing tickets on TIDAL.com/JonasBrothers or via the TIDAL mobile, web and desktop apps. 


Jonas Brothers VIP packages will be available and sold exclusively through HOST VIP. VIP package details will be announced on Friday, May 3rd prior to all ticketing pre-sales. VIP packages will be available for purchase on May 10th. A limited number of LaneOne Premium Packages will also be available, including amazing seats in first 5 rows, GA First On Floor, B-Stage VIP Bar area, transportation, preferred entrance and more. Check LaneOnefor details.


The Happiness Begins pre-order will include instant gratification downloads of the band’s hit singles Sucker and Cool, produced by GRAMMY® Award-winning songwriter, producer, and lead singer of the multi-platinum band One Republic, Ryan Tedder. The third instant gratification titled Only Human, produced by GRAMMY® Award-winning producer Shellback, will follow. Not only will this be the group’s first album since 2009, but it stands out as one of 2019’s most anticipated records.


These announcements set the stage for the boys to light up the Billboard Music Awards tonight with what promises to be a blockbuster performance. The band is expected to perform their first #1 hit at Top 40 radio Sucker, which has just clenched its second consecutive week at #1. Be sure to tune in to NBC at 8pm ET. Next up, you can catch them on Saturday Night Live on May 11.

Woodland Mall to host employment event May 4

3-bottom, City of Kentwood, City of Wyoming, Upcoming Events, Woodland Mall
An artist’s rendering Woodland Mall’s new Von Maur wing, expected to open later this year. (Supplied/Woodland Mall)

By Woodland Mall

Nearly 20 West Michigan employers will be at Woodland Mall on Saturday, May 4, seeking to fill 100-plus positions in the mall and around the community during an Employment Expo.

Job seekers will have the opportunity to learn about positions with local employers such as Manpower Grand Rapids, Dean Transportation, Forge Industrial Staffing, SMS Service Management Systems, EG Workforce Solutions and more from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Woodland Mall retailers will also be participating with employment opportunities, such as permanent positions, including full-time management roles.

Recently announced first-to-market retailer A’Beautiful Soul will be hiring, along with Chico’s, which will be revealing its remodeled space in the Von Maur Wing on May 15. LensCrafters, Buckle, JCPenney, Soma Intimates and Victoria’s Secret will also be participating.

Hourly wages for entry-level sales associate positions at the mall range from $12 to $14. The average salary for management positions is $55,000.

“We are delighted to host this expo again this year and help connect job seekers with West Michigan employers,” said Cecily McCabe, Woodland Mall marketing director. “Woodland Mall is excited to participate as our own retailers offer many different career options with competitive wages for anyone interested in retail.

“It’s a great time to get involved because of the ongoing redevelopment at the mall, which is adding to our retail selections and creating a special shopping experience for consumers.”

Nearly 6,000 visitors are expected to pass through Woodland Mall on the day of the Employment Expo. Booths are still available for additional employers to participate. Registration includes free tables, chairs, wi-fi and parking. Businesses interested in registering may complete an application online.

For more information, contact McCabe at 616-430-8111 or email her at Cecily.McCabe@PREIT.com.

Snapshots: Wyoming and Kentwood (fun) things to do this weekend

3-bottom, City of Kentwood, City of Wyoming, Education, Food, Going Local, Kids Activities, Local Entertainment, Upcoming Events, , ,

By WKTV Staff
Ken@wktv.org

Quote of the Day

“We're all in the same boat ready to float off the edge of the world. The flat old world.”
 
                     ― The Band (from the song "Life is a Carnival")

Wyoming’s annual Spring Carnival will open this weekend at Lamar Park. (Supplied)

Life is a carnival

West Michigan families are invited to come out to Lamar Park, 2561 Porter St SW, and enjoy carnival rides, food, and games April 26 – May 5. The carnival will be open Monday through Thursday from 4–8:30 p.m., Friday from 2– 8:30 p.m., and Saturday and Sunday from noon–8:30 p.m. For the complete story, visit here.



VeggieCon is coming to Kentwood this weekend. (Supplied)

Eat your veggies!

VeggieCon, an event to educate the community more about healthy options, is coming at Encounter Church, 4620 Kalamazoo Ave. SE., Kentwood, on Saturday, April 27. 10 am. to 2 p.m. Along with many family friendly activities, there will be April 27, there will be a fresh produce display on site so people can see what produce is available at local farm stands. For the complete story, visit here.


This strange creature is part of Grand Rapids Public Museum’s “Expedition: Dinosaur exhibition” (Supplied/GRPM)

(Strange) creature comforts

The Grand Rapids Public Museum’s “Expedition: Dinosaur exhibition” has been extended, so visitors can now explore the fascinating world of dinosaurs and the hunt for their fossils through May 12. This exhibit has something for all ages, from life-sized and life-like animatronic dinosaurs – some controlled by visitors – to mechanical and electronic learning stations. For the complete story, visit here.



Fun fact:

240 million years

You may know that the world was full of dinosaurs 99 million years ago, but crocodilian creatures, including current crocodiles themselves – have been on Earth for an estimated 240 million years. Talk about adaptable! (Source)

Everyone loves a (Mackinac Bridge) parade

Citizen Journalism, Entertainment, Recreation, Senior Living, Travel, Upcoming Events, , ,

By Deb Spence, Mackinaw Area Visitors Bureau



File photo


Each year, a handful of special parades are held in which the participants travel across the 5-mile Mackinac Bridge. These events are fun not only for the participants, but for visitors in downtown Mackinaw City, too. Be sure to add these dates to your summer travel calendar:

Friday, April 26                 
4th Annual the Mack

Last year, more than 800 Jeeps participated in this annual trek. This year’s crossing will begin at 3pm in St. Ignace with all Jeeps heading south into Mackinaw City before looping around to return to the Upper Peninsula.

Saturday, July 20        
6th Annual Mustang Stampede

Celebrating the classic Ford muscle car which was first introduced in 1964. Dozens of cars will be on display from 10am-4pm in Conkling Heritage Park, followed by the bridge parade at 4:30pm. Dinner follows, with live music and the awards ceremony.

Saturday, August 3         
Mini on the Mack

(www.minionthemack.com)

Help break the English-held “World Record for Largest-ever MINI Cooper Parade” during this spectacular bi-annual (the current record of 1450 is held by the Surrey MINI Club Owners in the UK). In 2017, 1328 cars participated in the Straits area event (up from 1319 in 2015) and this year hopes to be the biggest group to date.

Saturday, Aug. 24       
30th Annual Corvette Crossroads

File photo

Hundreds of Corvettes are on display at the Mackinaw Crossings Mall parking lot from 10-2, with awards in a variety of categories presented at 3pm. The procession lines up at 6pm, with the crossing of the Mackinac Bridge at 7pm. All Corvettes in town are welcome to cross the Mackinac Bridge (there is a nominal fee for non-show registered ‘Vettes to participate in the parade).

Friday, Sept. 6      
12 Annual Antique Tractor Crossing

(www.mackinacbridgecrossing.com)


First held in 2008 (with 614 participants), this parade feature all makes, models, shapes and sizes of vintage tractors and farm equipment from around the country (and beyond). The line-up begins in downtown Mackinaw City at 9am, with the procession traveling across the bridge to downtown St. Ignace, ending at the Little Bear Arena. Last year, over 1,300 tractors joined in the parade.


For lodging reservations throughout the summer season, visit MackinawCity.com/stay/.

Grand Rapids Public Museum’s ‘Changing America’ exhibition opens May 25

Citizen Journalism, Entertainment, Non-Profits, Our Cities, Senior Living, Upcoming Events, ,
Courtesy Grand Rapids Public Museum

By Christie Bender, Grand Rapids Public Museum‘


Changing America: The Emancipation Proclamation, 1863, and the March on Washington, 1963, a special exhibition opening at the Grand Rapids Public Museum (GRPM) on Saturday, May 25, examines the relationship between two great people’s movements, which both grew out of decades of bold actions, resistance, organization, and vision. One hundred years separate them, yet they are linked in a larger story of liberty and the American experience — one that has had a profound impact on the generations that followed.


Created by the Smithsonian’s National Museum of African American History and Culture and the National Museum of American History, the exhibit was toured nationwide by the American Library Association’s Public Program Office. The Changing America exhibit is now a possession of the GRPM. In presenting and hosting it, the GRPM will be enhancing it for West Michigan by including artifacts and stories from a local perspective. In addition to artifacts from the GRPM Collections, many artifacts on display will be on loan from the Grand Rapids African American Museum and Archives. Local stories will be told through the eyes of our community and oral histories will be presented. The exhibition will also include a place for visitors to share their own stories. Shared stories will be added to the GRPM’s digital archive found at grpmcollections.org.


“The Grand Rapids African American Museum and Archives (GRAAMA) is proud to combine with the Grand Rapids Public Museum to present Changing America,” said George Bayard III, Executive Director of GRAAMA. “We are happy to lend support and artifacts to this important exhibit chronicling a slice of African American history between the Emancipation Proclamation and the March on Washington. We are eager to get our collection out where more people can view these authentic artifacts. Our loan of anti-slavery newspapers from the 1800s and buttons from the 1963 March on Washington will add detail to an already prestigious Smithsonian display.”


GRAAMA will launch a corresponding exhibit 1863-1963 American Freedom at its 87 Monroe Center, Grand Rapids, location featuring local civil rights activists, quilts and interviews. For more information, visit graama.org.

Courtesy Grand Rapids Public Museum

Changing America at the Grand Rapids Public Museum will run from May 25 through October 2019, will be located in the LACKS changing gallery on the Museum’s third floor, and will be free with general admission. Kent County adult residents receive reduced general admission and Kent County resident children aged 17 and under receive free general admission to the GRPM thanks to the county-wide millage passed in 2016.


In addition to the exhibition, the GRPM is partnering with several community groups to offer community programming as part of the exhibition. Mosaic Film Experience will host a summer camp “Mosaic Mobile Filmmaking” as part of the GRPM’s Camp Curious offerings in conjunction with the exhibit for students in grades 7 to 9. This Mosaic Mobile program is working with the GRPM to expand this story locally by capturing the stories of area civil rights leaders and will give students the opportunity to learn valuable media skills while broadening their knowledge of Grand Rapids history. The camp will take place from June 17 through June 21 and is only $25 per student to participate.


“It is important to connect youth to the past so they can understand their present,” said Skot Welch, Founder of The Mosaic Film Experience. “The Mosaic Mobile Filmmaking program with the Public Museum is a multi-generational project, making history relevant to our young people in a place where they become the story makers. This is an opportunity for them to tell the stories of Civil Rights in our community while allowing us to see this critical time in history through their eyes.”


Westside Collaborative is also partnering as part of the exhibition, and is working on a series of “I am Westside” videos that will be on display as part of the exhibition once completed. To learn more, visit westsidecollaborative.org.


For a full list of related programming, please visit grpm.org.  


Changing America at the Grand Rapids Public Museum is sponsored by the David and Carol Van Andel Family Foundation, the Grand Rapids Community Foundation, and Steelcase Inc.

Eric Church announces two shows at Van Andel Arena Oct. 4-5

Citizen Journalism, Entertainment, Upcoming Events, ,
Photo supplied

By Hilarie Carpenter, SMG


After a rousing start to his Double Down Tour, Eric Church spoke directly to his faithful Church Choir in a video message, announcing additional shows to extend his 2019 trek into the fall. In addition to the previously announced shows hitting more than 25 cities, Church has now added three more dates, including a stop in Grand Rapids at SMG-managed Van Andel Arena on Friday and Saturday, Oct. 4-5, 2019 at 8pm.


Tickets go on sale to the general public beginning Friday, May 3 at 10am. Tickets will be available at the Van Andel Arena and DeVos Place® box offices and online at Ticketmaster.com. A purchase limit of six (6) tickets will apply to every order. See Ticketmaster.com for all current pricing and availability. *This show will utilize mobile tickets only. All box office purchases will be kept in will call until 2pm on the day of the show.


A pit ticket pre-sale begins on Tuesday, April 30 at 9:30am through the Eric Church Official App with a pre-sale for paid fan club members also running on April 30 from 10am through 10pm.


On March 14, the ACM Album of the Year nominee told his fans “I don’t want to be two months from the end of this thing — so we’re going to play a little more . . . I can’t thank you enough for what this is and what I’m seeing every night. I appreciate everyone giving me everything they’ve got, and I look forward to seeing you on the road!”


Church has set a new standard for touring with his back-to-back stands in each city of the Double Down Tour, with Rolling Stone pointing out each night’s unique “set list that dwarfs those of his country peers . . . where loose, funky explorations [are] given just as much space as the singer’s radio hits” and the Kansas City Star noting that the concept works “to showcase Church’s expansive range.” The St. Louis Post-Dispatch also praised the structure of the tour, proclaiming “it was perfection. And then, after two hours and 45 minutes of music, it was over. Until the next night


Church has also made a point to surprise unsuspecting fans with tickets to the pit encapsulated by the stage itself at various shows, handing out passes on the streets of Boston and in the top rows of the arena in Minneapolis. For a tour that has thrilled fans at every unpredictable turn thus far, the added shows are sure to bring even more excitement


About Eric Church


The three-time Country Music Association and six-time Academy of Country Music Award winner released his highly-anticipated album Desperate Man atop the Billboard Country Albums chart on Oct. 5. The album also debuted at No. 5 on the all-genre Billboard 200. Rolling Stone describes the album as “classic Church: expertly crafted and country-radio-friendly, while also pushing boundaries in a way that sounds natural and unforced” and American Songwriter notes that it “sublimates the pain of a tumultuous year into his most adventuresome album yet.”



Snapshots: Kentwood and Wyoming ‘lessons’ for this week

3-bottom, City of Kentwood, City of Wyoming, Community Health, Recycling, Upcoming Events

By WKTV Staff
Ken@wktv.org

Quote of the Day

“My advice to other disabled people would be, concentrate on things your disability doesn't prevent you doing well, and don't regret the things it interferes with.”
 
                                                  ― Stephen Hawking
The City of Kentwood is offering the second annual Limb Loss Awareness 5K race on Saturday, April 27. (Supplied/City of Kenwood)

A lesson in running (and walking)

In conjunction with Limb Loss Awareness Month, the City of Kentwood is offering the second annual Limb Loss Awareness 5K race on Saturday, April 27. Open to people of all abilities, the family friendly event will continue to raise funds for Kentwood’s adaptive recreation programs. For the complete story, visit here. For a video interview with the director of the city’s adaptive recreation program, visit here.



Wyoming Mayor Jack Poll reads the proclamation at a previous year’s Arbor Day event. (WKTV)

A lesson in Mother Earth awareness

The City of Wyoming Tree Commission, “The Tree Amigos,” is partnering with Wyoming Lee High School Ecology Club in the City’s 2019 Arbor Day Ceremony set for 9:30 a.m. Friday, April 26 at the high school located at 1335 Lee St. SW. For the complete story, visit here.


Electronics, some but not all, can be recycled at local community clean-up days. (Supplied)

A (community) lesson in recycling

The City of Wyoming’s Community Cleanup Day, Saturday, April 27, is designed to encourage Wyoming residents to maintain their properties and dispose of unwanted items in a responsible manner. For the complete story, visit here. (And the City of Kentwood will do the same thing next week; see story here.)



Fun fact:

142,000 computers, trashed, daily

According to a recent report by the EPA, every day, we are to get rid of over 416,000 mobile devices and 142,000 computers either by recycling or disposing of them in landfills and incinerators. (Source)

Kentwood Community Clean-Up Day set for Saturday, May 4

3-bottom, City of Kentwood, Recycling, Upcoming Events


Kentwood Public Works Department oversees the city’s recycling center. (Supplied/City of Kentwood)

By City of Kentwood

The City of Kentwood’s Community Clean-Up Day is scheduled for 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Saturday, May 4.

Residents wanting to “spring clean” their homes and yards may bring general debris, gently used items for donation, household hazardous materials and electronic devices to the Kentwood Recycling Center, located at 5068 Breton Ave. SE.

“With warmer weather and no more snow to shovel, residents now have the time to think about cleaning and decluttering homes and property,” said Kentwood Mayor Stephen Kepley. “Kentwood’s Community Clean-Up Day offers residents a timely opportunity to dispose or recycle items that are no longer wanted or used.”
  

The Salvation Army will be on hand to accept gently used items for donations and the Kent County Department of Public Works will accept household hazardous waste items. Comprenew will also be present to recycle electronic waste, such as mobile telephones, computers and fax machines.

The City of Kentwood will accept yard waste, including brush, leaves and grass clippings, on Community Clean-Up Day, after which the drop-off services will remain closed until the fall.

Latex paint, mattresses and tires will not be accepted at Community Clean-Up Day. CRT screens will also not be accepted but can be dropped off directly at any Comprenew location.

Community Clean-Up Day is free and open to Kentwood residents with photo ID for proof of residency. Residents are asked to enter the drive off Breton Avenue where volunteers will check for residence and approved items for disposal.

For more information, please visit kentwood.us.

Even before Beer Garden concerts begin, Bell’s Café lineup is impressive

Beer, Entertainment, Local Entertainment, Recreation, Upcoming Events
Bell’s Eccentric Café’s summer Bell’s Beer Garden concerts start in May. (Supplied/Bell’s Brewery)

By K.D. Norris
ken@wktv.org

Bell’s Eccentric Café has announced its summer Bell’s Beer Garden concert series and there are some great West Michigan bands in the lineup as well as a pleasantly surprising visit by national headliners Kurt Vile, Conor Oberst and Langhorne Slim.

But you don’t have to wait for a big opening-weekend bash May 31-June 2 to wet your whistle and hear some great music — among other music planned indoors, The Way Down Wanderers, touring in support of their new illusions release, will make a stop at the Cafe on Saturday, May 11.

A taste of The Wanderers, and the very unique sounds of (usual) lead singer Austin Krause-Thompson and the band’s great harmonies — are available here in the form a their video for “All My Words” — gives one hankering for more of what can best be/maybe described as an boundary-blurring retro-alt-country newcomer well worth a listen.

Even before you hear the band’s music, it should be attractive enough to know that illusions, the band’s February 2019 sophomore release, was produced by Grammy winner David Schiffman (HAIM, Johnny Cash, Rage Against The Machine).

Way Down Wanderers (Supplied/KeithCotton)

The band, on illusions, in addition to Krause-Thompson on guitar/vocals, is Collin Krause on mandolin, violin, guitar/vocals; John Williams on upright bass, guitar/vocals; John Merikoski on percussion; and Travis Kowalsky on banjo and guitar.

In supplied material, somebody described the Peoria, Ill., band as having the retro sound of Beach Boys meet The Band, though I might add a little Seals and Crofts with an attitude, but with the roots music sounds of The Avett Brothers and Jason Isbell. Sounds right after listening to their sounds.

As far the “feel” of illusions? A line from the title song may be talking about the state of growth of the young band: “They say you grow and lose your illusions one day/Mine won’t fade away I will trade them in some day.”

And that is just the beginning; coming outside …

The Bell’s Eccentric Café Beer Garden season, officially kicks off Friday, May 31, with Steppin’ In it along with May Erlewine and the Motivations. The funk rock of Lettuce will hit the stage on Saturday, June 1. Wrapping up the weekend will be a family-friendly day Sunday, June 2 — a free day of family-friendly activities, games, specials, and music provided by The Crane Wives, Barn on Fire and others.

But that is just the opening act.

“With the Beer Garden improvements we are making now, combined with the incredible lineup, this summer is going to rival some of the best we’ve ever had,” Ryan Tovey, Eccentric Cafe general manager, said in supplied material.

Improvements to the garden include fresh landscaping, walkway repairs and stage renovation, we are told.
 

After opening weekend, the schedule includes Trampled By Turtles on June 15, Built to Spill on June 29, Whiskey Myers on July 9, Kurt Vile on July 19, Conor Oberst on July 23’ Sir Mix-A-Lot on July 27, The Corn Fed Girls and The Red Sea Pedestrians present “Abbey Road” on Aug. 10, Here Come the Mummies on Aug. 16’ Langhorne Slim & the Law on Sept. 14, and Zed Zeppelin, Jake Simmons & The Little Ghosts, Uncle Kooky on Sunday, Sept. 15, a season-ending free show.

Several shows jump out as must-sees, but two top the list.

Kurt Vile (supplied/Jo McCaughey)

First Kurt Vile: now known for his solo work, the former lead guitarist of The War on Drugs, Vile recently released his first solo record in three years, “Bottle It In.” While his work with War on Drugs is still fresh — remember “Pain”? If not check out the video here — he’s into solo and collaboration work these days, where it is “Pretty Pimpin” off his 2015 solo release or his great work with Australian singer and guitarist Courtney Barnett, Lotta Sea Lice. Can’t wait.

The second is The Corn Fed Girls and The Red Sea Pedestrians present “Abbey Road”. Don’t know much about either group but am picturing a great late summer day with two bands coming together to cover one of the greatest albums of all time, the Beattles’ “Abbey Road”, in its entirety. “Here comes the sun, and I say it’s all right …”

Bell’s Eccentric Café is located at 355 E Kalamazoo Ave, in downtown Kalamazoo. Tickets for all shows are now available by visiting the Bell’s General Store, also at 355 E. Kalamazoo Ave., or by visiting bellsbeer.com.

Snapshots: Wyoming, Kentwood news you ought to know — weekend edition

3-bottom, Beer, Citizen Journalism, City of Kentwood, City of Wyoming, Community Health, Health, How-To's, Local Business, Pets/Animals, Upcoming Events, , , , ,

By WKTV Staff

victoria@wktv.org

Quote of the Day

“Beer’s intellectual. What a shame so many idiots drink it.”

~ Ray Bradbury

Never fear, here’s more beer

Hopslam behind-the-scenes tour (photo supplied)

Because it’s never enough. Pike 51 Brewing Co. and Hudsonville Winery will host their annual IPA Daze festival at 3768 Chicago Drive, in Hudsonville, on Saturday, April 20. There will be live music and a special “Stogies and Stouts” event with a cigar rolling demonstration. And 25 wine choices, five wine slushy flavors, traditional hard cider as well as “cyser” and mead. Go here for the story. But, wait. There’s more! Watch out for next weekend when New Holland Brewing Company releases Dragon’s Milk Triple Mash (last released in 2017). The bourbon barrel-aged stout will be available—in Michigan only— starting Saturday, April 27.

Apathy gets expensive

Photo by Steven Depolo

Michigan’s U.S. Sen. Gary Peters (D) will host a summit at Michigan State University on Earth Day to examine the rising costs to taxpayers from extreme weather and climate change. The event, scheduled for Monday. April 22, at 10:30am, in East Lansing, is open to the public and will be streamed live on Facebook. Read more here.

This will make you itch

Unhatched nit (just what you wanted to see, right?)

Nobody likes ’em, so why do they exist? We’ll leave that for you to ponder, but meanwhile, did you know that head lice are common among children ages 3 to 11? It’s true. They can live on all types of hair—straight, curly, dyed or natural. They are most frequently found on girls and are more prevalent among Caucasian children. YIKES. Here are some tips for getting rid of the little buggers. The lice, that is. Go here for the story.


Fun fact:

7 to 10 days

That’s the time it takes for a nit to hatch after a head louse lays an egg. After hatching, the head louse will require 7 to 10 days before becoming a fully grown louse. Besides the head, they can also be found on eyebrows and eyelashes. So, now you know.

Hello there, handsome! Hey, check out those claws.




Sen. Peters to hold Earth Day summit examining costs of climate change

3-bottom, Community Health, Education, Hard News, Politics, Upcoming Events, Weather
How much does flooding and other environmental problems linked to climate change, such as this past flooding on the Grand River, cost taxpayers locally and nationally? (WKTV)

By WKTV Staff
ken@wktv.org

Michigan’s U.S. Sen. Gary Peters (D), who is ranking member of the Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee, will host a summit at Michigan State University on Earth Day to examine the rising costs to taxpayers from extreme weather and climate change.

The event, scheduled for Monday. April 22, at 10:30 a.m., in East Lansing, is open to the public and will be streamed live on Facebook.

“The Cost of Inaction: The Impacts of Climate Change and the Financial Burden on Taxpayers” will focus on the financial impacts of climate change on our national security, infrastructure, economy and public health, according to supplied material.

Sen. Peters will also announce a report with recommendations to help prevent further costs to taxpayers from the failure to prepare for and address damage from climate change.

Sen. Gary Peters (D-Mich.)

“In recent years, communities in Michigan and across the country have seen a rise in extreme weather events driven by climate change that have cost taxpayers nearly half a trillion dollars in cleanup and recovery,” Sen. Peters said in supplied material. “The federal government must take action today to combat and prepare for the effects of climate change so that we can save Michigan taxpayers billions of dollars in the coming years and protect our planet for future generations.”


 
Michigan communities including Lansing, Houghton and the Detroit metro area have experienced several historic rainfall and severe flooding events in the last five years, resulting in hundreds of millions of dollars in damage to roads, bridges, property and businesses, according to supplied material.


 
The summit follows a recent Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee hearing on the Government Accountability Office (GAO) High Risk List report, which identified a need for the federal government to address the risks associated with climate change in a fiscally responsible way.


The report concluded that, “to reduce its fiscal exposure, the federal government needs a cohesive strategic approach with strong leadership and the authority to manage risks across the entire range of related federal activities.” In particular, the report examined the direct costs and impact associated with climate change on national security, public health, infrastructure, small business and more.


 
Experts invited to the summit include: Rear Admiral David W. Titley, U.S. Navy (ret.), Professor of Practice in Meteorology, The Pennsylvania State University; Director, Center for Solutions to Weather and Climate Risk; Paul C. Ajegba, Director of the Michigan Department of Transportation; Dr. Lorraine Cameron, Senior Environmental Epidemiologist, Michigan Climate and Health Adaption Program, Michigan Department of Health and Human Services; Dr. Maria Carmen Lemos, Professor and Associate Dean for Research, School for Environment and Sustainability at the University of Michigan; and Jim MacInnes, CEO of Crystal Mountain Resort and Spa.


The summit will take place at the Michigan State University Union, 49 Abbot Road. Public parking is available in the MSU garage located on Grand River Avenue. Additional public parking is available in the nearby East Lansing parking garages. Directions and maps for the MSU Union are available here.

 

Chamber music, with Mendelssohn, as St. Cecilia finishes 2018-19 season

Entertainment, Upcoming Events
Artists who will perform include pianist Inon Barnatan, violinist Cho-Liang Lin, violist Paul Neubauer, cellist Jakob Koranyi, and clarinetist Romie de Guise-Langlois. (Supplied/SCMC)

By WKTV Staff
ken@wktv.org

St. Cecilia Music Center’s 135th Anniversary Season will take a curtain call April 25 as the Chamber Music Society of Lincoln Center will be on stage with a program titled “From Mendelssohn” — works by the brilliant composer and other artists who admired him, namely Schumann, Brahms and Tchaikovsky.

 
Artists from CMS who will perform include pianist Inon Barnatan, violinist Cho-Liang Lin, violist Paul Neubauer, cellist Jakob Koranyi, and clarinetist Romie de Guise-Langlois.

St. Cecilia executive director Cathy Holbrook. (WKTV)

“The Chamber Music Society of Lincoln Center is amazing to watch with artistry that is always flawless,” St. Cecilia executive director Cathy Holbrook said in supplied material. “It is appropriate that we end this season with them to celebrate of our 135th Anniversary.

“The nine women who began St. Cecilia Music Society, over a century ago, created a vision. That vision remains our mission today: ‘To promote the study, appreciation and performance of music in order to enrich the lives of West Michigan residents.’ We’re excited to honor these inspiring women at our final event for the season with the Chamber Music Society of Lincoln Center.”
 
 
St. Cecilia Music Center was founded in 1883 by nine Grand Rapids women. At that time it was the only organization of its kind to be run solely by women.  Through their efforts, SCMC’s historic building on Ransom Avenue was erected in 1894.

About the concert

St. Cecilia, in supplied material about the concert, states: “Mendelssohn’s combined mastery of melody, form, counterpoint, and the chamber idiom was admired and imitated by composers for generations to come.

“In a program bookended by two works of Mendelssohn from 1845, one brief, the other epic, we hear Mendelssohn’s close friend Robert Schumann’s response to Mendelssohn’s piano trios; how, near the end of his life, Brahms recalled Mendelssohn’s lyricism through the viola’s dark voice; and, how Mendelssohn’s great admirer Tchaikovsky combined the German’s signature scherzo idiom with Russian melancholy and splendor in three selections from The Seasons for solo piano.”

The specific selections will include: Mendelssohn: Lied ohne Wortein D major for Cello and Piano, Op. 109 (1845); Schumann: Märchenerzählungenfor Clarinet, Viola, and Piano, Op. 132 (1853); Brahms: Sonata in E-flat major for Viola and Piano, Op. 120, No. 2 – composed 1894; Tchaikovsky: Selections from Les saisonsfor Piano, Op. 37 (1875-1876); and Mendelssohn:Trio No. 2 in C minor for Violin, Cello, and Piano, Op. 66 (1845).

Tickets for the 7:30 p.m. concert on April 25 are $45 and $40 and can be purchased by calling St. Cecilia Music Center at 616-459-2224 or visiting the box office at 24 Ransom Ave. NE. Tickets can also be purchased online at scmc-online.org.

A post-concert “Meet-the-artist” party, with complimentary wine will be offered to all ticket-holders giving the audience the opportunity to meet the artists and to obtain signed CDs of their releases.
  

Fountain Street Church continues 150th Anniversary year with annual ‘Alternative Prom’

3-bottom, Area Education, Education, Local Entertainment, Upcoming Events

By K.D. Norris
ken@wktv.org

Fountain Street Church, celebrating its 150th anniversary, will once again host its annual Alternative Prom — an evening of “safe inclusivity” for everyone — on Saturday, April 27, from 7-10 p.m., with the event open to any and all high school students.

“Alternative Prom at Fountain Street Church is purely a social event where high-schoolers from across West Michigan can feel safe, included, and affirmed no matter who they are,” Christopher Roe, Minister for Spiritual Life and Learning, said to WKTV. “While the event initially began as a inclusive dance for LGBTQ youth who did not feel welcomed in their high-school proms, it has grown to be an event for 9th to 12th graders of all social, religious, racial, economic, and physical backgrounds.

“You can dress up, you can dress down, you can bring a date, or you can bring a crew, but what matters most is that you are welcome at the Alternative Prom no matter who you are,” Roe said.
 

Fountain Street Church in downtown Grand Rapids, is an independent, pluralist church that strives to be a “vibrant church community that challenges individuals to craft their own spiritual journeys, and to engage in creative and responsible action in the world,” according to supplied material.

At the Alternative Prom, the FSC Social Hall will be transformed into a prom venue with this year’s theme of “Once Upon A Springtime” featuring a “Spring fantasy decor.”

There will be a $10 suggested donation and free but required sign up by following this link. Students can also sign up in-person the day of the event. Please note that all students must provide parent/guardian contact information at time of sign-up.

Fountain Street Church is an independent house of worship with an open pulpit and a 150-year history of progressive action in the heart of West Michigan, at 24 Fountain St NE. For more information on Fountain Street Church, visit fountainstreet.org .

Get tickets now for The Avett Brothers’ Sept. 6 show at Van Andel Arena

Citizen Journalism, Entertainment, Upcoming Events, ,
Photo supplied

By Hilarie Carpenter, SMG


Tickets are available at the Van Andel Arena® and DeVos Place® box offices and online at Ticketmaster.com. A purchase limit of eight (8) tickets applies to every order.


The Avett Brothers made mainstream waves with their 2009 major label debut, I and Love and You, landing at #16 on the Billboard Top 200 and garnering critical acclaim from Rolling Stone, Paste, New York Times, Los Angeles Times, and Time. In 2012,The Carpenter hit #4 on the Billboard Top 200, while People, USA Today, and American Songwriter lauded the album.


The group appeared on Jimmy Kimmel LIVE! twice in a few months’ time. During their second performance, the Brooklyn Philharmonic joined to pay homage to Brooklyn with I and Love and You at Mr. Kimmel’s request. Their eighth studio album, Magpie and the Dandelion, debuted at #5 on the Billboard Top 200. They performed on The Tonight Show with Jay Leno, The Late Show with David Letterman, and accompanied Chris Cornell for a Pearl Jam tribute on Late Night with Jimmy Fallon. The band supported The Rolling Stones in Raleigh during 2015’s Zip Code Tour.


True Sadness achieved The Avett Brothers’ highest career debut to date and dominated multiple charts. The Rick Rubin-produced album hit #1 on Billboard’s Top Albums Chart, #1 Top Rock Albums Chart, #1 Digital Albums Chart, #3 on the Billboard Top 200 and scored two Grammy nominations.


The Avett Brothers were inducted into the North Carolina Music Hall of Fame in 2016. In 2018, HBO premiered May It Last: A Portrait of the Avett Brothers, a documentary co-directed by Judd Apatow and Michael Bonfiglio. Days after this debut, True Sadness launched to #3 on the iTunes Album Chart and #1 on the Rock Albums chart. The Avett Brothers debuted a new song, Roses and Sacrifice, live on Late Night with Seth Meyers in October 2018. The song was released in November 2018, with Rolling Stone calling it a “joyous sing-along.”


Also in November 2018, the band headlined the Concert for Hurricane Florence Relief in Greenville, North Carolina, raising $325,000 to help those affected by Hurricane Florence. The Avett Brothers continue to be revered as one of the top folk-rock acts in the country.

On Tap: IPA Daze at Pike 51, big/bad Dragon’s Milk, best-tour Bell’s

3-bottom, Beer, Local Business, Local Entertainment, Local Food, Recreation, Upcoming Events
Bell’s Brewing Hopslam behind the scenes tour. (Supplied/Bell’s Brewing)

By K.D. Norris
ken@wktv.org

If you’re into India Pale Ales — and who isn’t on a warm spring day? — Pike 51 Brewing Co. and Hudsonville Winery will host their annual IPA Daze festival at 3768 Chicago Drive, in Hudsonville, on Saturday, April 20, during normal hours of noon to midnight.

And Saturday is (supposed to be) 65 and sunny. Hey, IPAs work just fine in the rain though.

What kinds of brew is for you? (Supplied/GRPM)

This festival is a celebration of all things “hops” and, we are told, will feature the Pike 51 Brewing Co. specialty KUSH IPA and six additional event-specific “hops forward” IPA style beers and more than a dozen other brews for the non-IPA crowd.

Entertainment will include live music and a special “Stogies and Stouts” event with a cigar rolling demonstration. In addition, there will be 25 wine choices, five wine slushy flavors, traditional hard cider as well as “cyser” and mead — I, too, didn’t know what cyser is; Wikipedia says it is an apple mead; so a cider/mead cross?

The live music begins at 2:30 p.m. with Lew Russ and continues at 6 p.m. with Nathan Dill. The Stogies and Stouts in the Quonset Hut, with a cigar rolling demonstration by “The Cigar Roller”, begins at 3 p.m.

Pike 51 Brewing Co. is a locally owned and operated craft brewery that shares space with its sister company, Hudsonville Winery. For more information on the Pike 51, visit its Facebook page here.

New Holland to release Dragon’s Milk Triple Mash

Its been two years in coming, but New Holland Brewing Company has announced the release date of Dragon’s Milk Triple Mash, last released in 2017, and the bourbon barrel-aged stout will be available — in Michigan only — starting Saturday, April 27.

The brew is aged for one year in New Holland Spirits oak bourbon barrels, Triple Mash is, and no typo here, a 17 percent ABV to go with “an intense malt character paired with warm, toasted flavor notes from its time in the wood,” according to supplied material.

“Triple Mash takes what is already an amazing beer and really amplifies all those classic Dragon’s Milk flavors to the moon — the roasted malt, barrel sweetness and bourbon all shine through,” New Holland’s Dominic Bergquist said in the same supplied material.


New Holland will release of the beer on April 27 at its pubs in Grand Rapids and Holland, with “extremely limited” draft and bottle distribution will follow.

Both New Holland’s Grand Rapids and Holland pubs will open early on release day, starting at 10 a.m.

But if you can’t wait until then, a “Tour of Legends: Ultimate Dragon’s Milk Experience” will be held at The Knickerbocker in Grand Rapids on Friday, April 26, where participants will taste samples of Dragon’s Milk, Dragon’s Milk Reserve variants, Dragon’s Milk first- and second-use barrels and Triple Mash. Tickets are $75 and come with one Triple Mash 4-pack, one Triple Mash Teku glass and one Triple Mash sticker.

For more information on Dragon’s Milk and the special release and events, visit dragonsmilk.com . For more information on New Holland Brewing, visit newhollandbrew.com .

Bell’s Brewery tour voted one of country’s best

Bell’s Brewery recently announced that its brewery tour has been named one of the top two in the country. As one of ten breweries nominated for USA Today’s 2019 10 Best Reader’s Choice travel awards, public voting in March landed Bell’s the No. 2 spot on the list.
 
 
Bell’s The Eccentric Café and original brewery in downtown Kalamazoo and its main brewery just east in Comstock, have been destinations for craft beer fans for years.

A tour at Bell’s Brewing. (Supplied/Bell’s Brewing)

“Bell’s staff shares the eye-opening statistics, colorful history and scientific advancements of the brewery in a casual and educational presentation,” John Liberty, general manager at West Michigan Beer Tours, said in supplied material. “It should also be noted, while many large breweries around Michigan and country charge a fee for tours, Bell’s makes its tours free, which speaks volumes about the company’s philosophy behind telling its story.”

Free tours (all ages welcome) are held Wednesday through Sunday at Bell’s main brewery in Comstock and on weekends at its original downtown Kalamazoo brewery. Each Comstock tour includes free samples for those 21 and up. Specialty tours are also offered throughout the year. Tours can be reserved at bellsbeerz.com .

Meijer State Games of Michigan opens registration for summer games, hockey tourney

City of Kentwood, City of Wyoming, Community Health, Kids Activities, Non-Profits, Recreation, Sports, Upcoming Events
Foot golf is one of the new sports at the Meijer State Games. (Supplied/CKGolf)

By WKTV Staff
ken@wktv.org

The Meijer State Games of Michigan 2019 Summer Games will include sport competition at various dates and locations this summer but is focused on the weekend of June 20-23 and the 2019 Opening Ceremony at Fifth Third Ballpark. Registration for most sports has opened.

The Meijer State Games of Michigan is an Olympic-style, multi-sport event that welcomes athletes regardless of age or ability level. According to supplied information, “the games embody the values of participation, sportsmanship, and healthy living among the residents of Michigan.”

Since 2010, Meijer State Games of Michigan has hosted more than 65,000 athletes and contributed over $25 million in estimated economic impact to cities throughout Michigan.

Registration rates vary between sports and can be found on each sports’ page. For more information about registration, please visit the following link .

Registered athletes for all sports will receive free admission to the Opening Ceremony and have the opportunity to walk in the athlete parade. Some sports may charge an entry fee for spectators.

Hockey tryouts are first up

Tryouts for the 2019 hockey tournament will take place in May and the tournament will take place June 20-23. This tournament will have six divisions: high school boys, high school girls, 14U boys, 14U girls, 12U, and 10U.

The fee for tryouts is $40. An additional fee of $160 will be charged to players who make the teams. This fee includes a team jersey, socks, a gift for the player and three games minimum, and admission to the Opening Ceremony.

 
“It’s cool – it’s an Olympic-style event, which is great,” David Moss, honorary chairman of the State Games hockey tournament, said in supplied material. “They do a lot of cool things for the kids, and the hockey side, we’re doing some neat things this year with ACHA coaches being involved and giving the kids the opportunity to showcase their skills in front of good coaches.”

 
For more information on this year’s hockey tournament details and registration, visit the following link .

45 sports in all will be offered

There will an estimated 8,000 plus athletes participating in more than 45 sporting events in this year’s Summer Games. The sports offered for the 2019 Summer Games include: a 5k fun, archery (3D and FITA), archery tag, badminton, baseball, basketball, BMX (freestyle and Olympic), bocce ball, bowling, boxing, cricket, cycling, disc golf, field hockey, figure skating, foot golf, golf, hockey, judo, lacrosse (girls), mountain bike, ninja warrior competition, paintball, pickleball, pinball, rowing, rugby, shooting sports, skateboarding, softball, soccer, swimming, tae-kwon-do, tennis, track & field, volleyball, waterskiing, weightlifting, and wrestling.


The Meijer State Games of Michigan is a nonprofit organization that relies heavily on the help of willing volunteers and trusted partnerships. There are also volunteer opportunities available for the Summer Games. For more information on volunteering, visit the following link .

For more information on sponsoring the Meijer State Games of Michigan, visit the following link .

For more information about the Meijer State Games of Michigan visit stategamesofmichigan.com .

Tickets go on sale April 19 for Eric Roberson’s May 25th concert at DeVos Performance Hall

Citizen Journalism, Entertainment, Upcoming Events, ,

Eric Roberson, with special guest Jordan Hamilton, comes to DeVos Performance Hall on May 25, the third and final event of The Series: Creative Expressions of African-American Culture

By Hilarie Carpenter, SMG


SMG-managed DeVos Performance Hall, DeVos Place®, and the Grand Rapids-Kent County Convention/Arena Authority (CAA) Community Inclusion Group (CIG) have announced Eric Roberson with special guest Jordan Hamilton as the third and final event of The Series: Creative Expressions of African-American Culture on Saturday, May 25, 2019, at 8pm in SMG-managed DeVos Performance Hall.


Tickets go on sale to the general public beginning Friday, April 19 at 11am. Tickets will be available at the DeVos Place and Van Andel Arena® box offices and online at Ticketmaster.com. See Ticketmaster.com for all pricing and availability.

GRAMMY Award-nominee, singer, songwriter, and producer Eric Roberson continues to break boundaries as an independent artist in an industry dominated by major labels, manufactured sounds and mainstream radio. Described as the original pioneer of the independent movement in R&B/soul music, Roberson has achieved major milestones in his career, from being a successful songwriter and producer for notable artist such as Jill Scott, Musiq Soulchild, Dwele, Vivian Green and countless others, as well as headlining sold out tours across the country.


This Rahway, NJ and Howard University alum became the first independent artist to be nominated for a BET Award in 2007 and was the recipient of the “Underground Artist of the Year” BETJ Virtual Award, with Rahsaan Patterson in 2008. In addition, Roberson was nominated in both 2010 and 2011 for a GRAMMY award in the “Best Urban/Alternative Performance” category and continues to blaze trails unheard of as an independent artist. In 2011, his studio album, Mister Nice Guy, debuted in the top 5 on the iTunes R&B/Soul charts and his 10th studio album, The Box, was released in 2014.


Roberson’s latest project is a three-album compilation, Earth, Wind, and Fire. The inspiration behind the album titles definitely pays homage to the iconic group, but Roberson also wanted to use music to voice some of today’s topical issues and in his special way, include personal influences into these albums.


“Earth is self-empowering, Wind is the love and Fire is the message,” says Roberson.


Jordan Hamilton, cellist of Last Gasp Collective and the Southwest Michigan Symphony Orchestra, merges songwriting, loop pedals, sample machines, and vocals to create a sonic landscape of experimental hip-hop, folk, soul, and classical music. The Western Michigan University graduate aims to find new ways for the cello, a traditional instrument, to relate to a modern audience where it can be found playing the music of Bach, the Beatles, or Chance the Rapper. Filled with an eclectic range of songs, Jordan’s set is sure to capture the heart and mind while reflecting on new horizons.


The Series: Creative Expressions of African-American Culture is a program of the CAA and CIG designed to provide consistent, high-quality programming for members of the West Michigan region who have an interest in the various forms of arts and entertainment inspired by African-American culture.

Snapshots: Wyoming, Kentwood news you ought to know

3-bottom, Citizen Journalism, City of Kentwood, City of Wyoming, Kids Activities, Local Business, Local Faces, Upcoming Events, , ,

By WKTV Staff

victoria@wktv.org

Quote of the Day

“Look again at that dot. That’s here. That’s home. That’s us. On it everyone you love, everyone you know, everyone you ever heard of, every human being who ever was, lived out their lives . . .”

~ Carl Sagan

Painting the town … purple

Because red is just so overrated. Seriously, though, Paint the Town Purple offers an opportunity to check out the artwork of some of the talented and creative students of Wyoming High School. But hurry, because it all goes away this Thursday. Go here for the deets.

“Here am I floating
’round my tin can…”

On Wednesday, April 17, WKTV will be featuring, via the NASA channel, the launch of the newest Northrup Grumman Cygnus Cargo Craft, the S.S. Roger Chaffee, to the International Space Station. For more info, go here.

Looking for a few, good members

Get involved! The Kentwood City Commission has approved a resolution to establish an advisory committee that will review and prioritize improvements to Kentwood’s parks, trails and recreational programming to align with the needs of the community. Here’s your chance to do your part! Go here to learn more.

Fun fact:

$12,000,000

That’s how much an entire NASA suit costs — just ONE suit, mind you — and 70% of that is just for the backpack and control module. And you thought a Birkin bag was expensive.