Category Archives: Upcoming Events

GR Symphony opens Great Eras series with music of Baroque on Oct. 12

Citizen Journalism, Entertainment, Upcoming Events, , , ,
Principal Oboist Ellen Sherman (Photo supplied)

By Jeffrey Kaczmarczyk, Grand Rapids Symphony

J.S. Bach’s “Air on the G String” is an all-time audience favorite melody. It’s a sure bet you’ve heard it before.
 
It’s part of a larger work, Bach’s Orchestra Suite No. 3, which the Grand Rapids Symphony performs on Friday, Oct. 12, in St. Cecilia Music Center’s Royce Auditorium.
 
Principal Oboist Ellen Sherman is soloist on The Baroque Concert: Bach and Beyond, which includes music from the Baroque plus a contemporary piece by Brazilian’s most famous composer, Heitor Villa-Lobos, that’s inspired by the music of Bach. It’s the first of four concerts in the Grand Rapids Symphony’s Great Eras series.
 
Marcelo Lehninger leads the Grand Rapids Symphony at 8pm Oct. 12 in Grand Rapids plus a repeat of the entire concert at 8pm Saturday, Oct. 13 in Holland at the Jack Miller Center for Musical Arts at Hope College.
 
The Grand Rapids Symphony also plays a shorter version of the concert at 10am Oct. 12 at St. Cecilia for the Coffee Classics series. The one-hour concerts are held without intermission, and doors open at 9am for complementary coffee and donuts.

‘Sean Blackman presents Fiesta Caribena’ at DeVos Peformance Hall Oct. 18

Citizen Journalism, Entertainment, Upcoming Events, , ,

By Hilarie Szarowicz

 

Sean Blackman presents Fiesta Caribeña has been announced as the third event in the Latin Entertainment Series, celebrating Latin culture in Michigan. The series is presented by SMG-managed DeVos Performance Hall and the Grand Rapids-Kent County Convention/Arena Authority’s Community Inclusion Group (CIG). “Fiesta Caribeña” will feature live music and dancers performing salsa, bachata, reggaeton and kizomba. The music comes from the Caribbean regions including sounds from Cuba, Dominican Republic, Puerto Rico and Haiti fused together with Detroit Soul. The third series event will take place at DeVos Performance Hall on Thursday, Oct. 18, 2018, at 7:30pm.

 

Tickets are available at the DeVos Place® and Van Andel Arena® box offices, online at Ticketmaster.com, and charge by phone at 1-800-745-3000. VIP tickets include a reserved seat in the first few rows and two (2) complimentary drinks.

 

About Sean Blackman
Sean Blackman has been honored with many Detroit Music Awards, launched and directed World Music Festivals and worked as creative director of entertainment for corporate events for Red Bull, Chrysler and the grand opening of the McNamara Terminal at the Detroit Metropolitan Airport — one of the nation’s most state-of-the-art terminals.

 

As an established world-music musician, Blackman continues to compose and produce new material that links different genres of music with dance and theatrical performance. Whether on the streets, in front of thousands at a theater concert, or inside a smoldering hidden nightclub, Blackman’s music is disciplined from a lifetime of training, yet his raw passion makes every note seemingly intimate.

 

About CIG
The Grand Rapids-Kent County Convention/Arena Authority’s Community Inclusion Group (CIG) is a task force comprised of local community leaders that strive to make DeVos Place, Van Andel Arena and DeVos Performance Hall West Michigan’s premier multicultural entertainment venues. Established in 2005, the Community Inclusion Group actively guides the venues in increasing community access and awareness, attracting top level events and talent, and fostering inclusive staff and supplier development and engagement.

 

As a result of these ongoing efforts, the West Michigan community has enjoyed visits from a number of diverse artists, including Gerardo Ortiz, Pepe Aguilar, Kevin Hart, Shen Yun, Snoop Dogg and more, and several community events such as the annual Spectrum Health Jump Jam and Grand Rapids Community College Giants Awards. The support of the Community Inclusion Group continues to ensure that DeVos Place, Van Andel Arena and DeVos Performance Hall remain “Three Premier Venues: Welcoming All.”

Employers open doors for a first-hand look at modern manufacturing

3-bottom, Citizen Journalism, Local Business, Upcoming Events, , , ,

 

By West Michigan Works!

 

Manufacturers throughout West Michigan are gearing up for community open houses and student tours that will showcase their facilities and career options. The tours are part of Manufacturing Week 2018, which runs from Oct. 1-5, 2018. More than 100 manufacturers are expected to host more than 1,000 students during this year’s event.

 

According to Talent 2025’s 2017 West Michigan Talent Assessment and Outlook, manufacturing is the largest industry in West Michigan, accounting for more than 20 percent of all jobs in the region. Manufacturing has added more than 38,000 jobs since 2009, a growth rate of 33.3 percent.

 

Manufacturing Week is part of the nationwide Manufacturing Day® movement, created to change people’s outdated images of the industry and to inspire the next generation of manufacturers.

 

“My freshmen students are able to experience and observe modern technology and equipment at Dicastal — one of the world’s cleanest foundry environments, which is only 20 miles from their homes,” said Jeff Mercer, a teacher with Tri County Area Schools.

 

“Dicastal could have built their beautiful plant anywhere in the world, and they chose Montcalm County. Manufacturing Week shows students that they have abundant opportunities in their own backyard.”

 

“Collaborating with manufacturers [during Manufacturing Week] shows students all of the countless career opportunities available in manufacturing,” said Angie Huyghe, finance and human resources manager at Swoboda, Inc., a Manufacturing Week participant since 2015.

 

Students aren’t the only ones invited to Manufacturing Week activities. The following Grand Rapids-area events open to the community:

  • Paragon D&E: facility tour and presentation on Tuesday, Oct. 2 from 8:30-9am.
  • Resource MFG: job fair on Thursday, Oct. 4 from 9am-12pm.
  • Walker Tool & Die: facility tour and presentation on Thursday, Oct. 4 at 6pm.
  • Custom Profile: facility tour on Friday, Oct. 5 at 12pm.
  • Fisher Unitech: presentation on Thursday, Oct. 18 from 9am-3:30pm.

To see all West Michigan Manufacturing Week events, visit mfgday.com.

 

Employment Expertise is provided by West Michigan Works! Learn more about how they can help: visit westmiworks.org or your local Service Center.

Godwin tries to keep post-season dreams alive in game against rival Kelloggsville

City of Wyoming, Education, Sports, Upcoming Events, WKTV Featured sports, ,

 

By Micah Cho, WKTV Sports Intern

ken@wktv.org

 

Two teams are fighting for playoff spots this week as the Kelloggsville Rockets host the Godwin Heights Wolverines. Godwin Heights needs four more games in their win category to automatically qualify for playoffs; a feat rookie head coach Brandon Kimble says isn’t out of reach.

 

“Getting in the post-season was one of our goals, so it’s now or never for us now,” Coach Kimble told the WKTV Journal.

 

Godwin Heights coach Brandon Kimble, talking at practice this week. (WKTV)

The WKTV Journal caught up with Coach Kimble earlier this year to talk about his new job as head coach of the Wolverines. During the discussion, Kimble said “defense wins championships, but offense fills the stands.”  And both sides of the ball have been performing up to Kimble’s standards.

 

“Our defense has been playing stellar all year. Every game we’ve been in, we’ve been in because of the defense,” Coach Kimble said this week. “And our offense has actually been playing really good, we’ve just been turning the ball over.”

 

This will be Kimble’s first game against Kelloggsville. His counterpart, coach Don Galster of Kelloggsville, has been with his team for 29 seasons. However, Galster says don’t be fooled by his younger opponent.

 

“It’ll be a tough game,” Galster said. “It doesn’t matter what the records are when we play Godwin. This will be my 29th Godwin game. They’ll be ready to go, but we’ll also be ready to go.”

 

Kimble gave mutual respect to Galster regarding the coaches tenureship at Kelloggsville.

 

“With Kellogsville, the coach has been there a long time. He know’s the conference and other teams very well,” Kimble said. “We expect to see a team that’s aggressive, a team that’s going to fly around, a team that’s going to be competitive.”

 

This week’s WKTV Featured Game and other sports events are cable broadcast either live, immediately after the event and/or in rebroadcast, on Comcast WKTV Channel 25 and on AT&T U-Verse Community 99.

 

WKTV’s featured football games are rebroadcast on the night of the game (Thursday or Friday) at 11 p.m. and Saturday starting at 11 a.m. See WKTVjournal.org/sports for complete schedules.

 

WKTV’s coverage of high school sports and select community events are also available on-demand within a week of the event at wktvondemand.com.

 

Kelloggsville football coach: ‘We hold our destiny in our hands’

Area Education, City of Wyoming, Sports, Upcoming Events, WKTV Featured sports
The Rockets getting ready for a key game this week when Godwin Heights comes to town. (WKTV)

By Micah Cho, WKTV Sports Intern

ken@wktv.org

 

With games running out on the 2018 football season, OK-Silver conference rivals Kelloggsville and Godwin Heights have a common goal: getting to the playoffs. Riding a two-game winning streak, if Kelloggsville can keep the wins coming, they’ll be in good shape for the post season.

 

WKTV talked with Coach Galster and Godwin Coach Kimble, see YouTube video at end of story or click here.

 

With four games remaining, and six wins needed to be guaranteed a spot in the postseason. Kelloggsville’s 3-2 record (2-0 in conference) gives them a little bit of wiggle room. But Rockets Head Coach Don Galster understands the pressure that is on him and his team, he just doesn’t let that pressure get to him, however.

 

Rockets Head Coach Don Galster. (WKTV)

“We’re going to be competitive these last four weeks,” Coach Galster told the WKTV Journal. “I really wouldn’t want it any other way. We hold our destiny in our hands and we just have to rise to the occasion.”

 

Galster’s Rockets are not without their hardships. Although they’ve had an almost dominant last two games, it was difficult getting to a place where the team feels comfortable together, he said.

 

“We lost a strong senior class, so we’re really young in some spots,” Coach Galster said. “We’re starting to put it together. We feel good where we are now.”

 

And Coach probably knows when a team is “putting it together” — he has been the head coach of Kelloggsville for 29 seasons.

 

This week’s WKTV Featured Game and other sports events are cable broadcast either live, immediately after the event and/or in rebroadcast, on Comcast WKTV Channel 25 and on AT&T U-Verse Community 99.

 

WKTV’s featured football games are rebroadcast on the night of the game (Thursday or Friday) at 11 p.m. and Saturday starting at 11 a.m. See WKTVjournal.org/sports for complete schedules.

 

WKTV’s coverage of high school sports and select community events are also available on-demand within a week of the event at wktvondemand.com.

 

 

City of Kentwood’s Fall Festival set for Oct. 20

3-bottom, City of Kentwood, Going Local, Kids Activities, Recreation, Upcoming Events

This slideshow requires JavaScript.

By City of Kentwood

 

Trick-or-treaters are invited to take part in the City of Kentwood’s annual Fall Festival and Trunk or Treat event on Saturday, Oct. 20.

 

The free event will be held at the Kentwood Department of Public Works facility, located at 5068 Breton Ave. SE, from 10 a.m. to noon. Family friendly activities will include hayrides, face painting, a bounce house and games.

 

The festival will also feature the community fall-favorite, Trunk or Treat, where various City and community vehicles decorate and fill their trunks with candy.

 

Residents will have the opportunity to vote for their favorite trunk out of the 30 organizations and community groups that will be handing out candy and other treats throughout the morning.

 

Children are encouraged to wear Halloween costumes and bring their own candy-collection bag for the activity.

 

“Our Fall Festival and Trunk or Treat event gives families a safe and fun environment to take part in Halloween activities,” said Val Romeo, Kentwood Parks and Recreation director. “It’s been exciting watching the event grow with more residents and businesses attending every year.

 

“All are welcome to join us Oct. 20 for what we hope will be our biggest turnout yet.”

 

Local businesses and community groups wishing to participate in Trunk or Treat can register for free online. The deadline to sign up is 4 p.m. Friday, Oct. 12.

 

Helpers are needed from 9:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Individuals who are interested in volunteering can sign up online.

 

Kentwood’s brush drop-off program to return Oct. 13

3-bottom, City of Kentwood, Recycling, Upcoming Events
The City of Kentwood will continue a yard debris drop-off site this fall.

 

By City of Kentwood

 

After receiving positive feedback from the community, the City of Kentwood will continue to pilot its brush drop-off program this fall.

 

The program will run concurrently with the City’s annual leaf drop-off site at the Kentwood Department of Public Works, 5068 Breton Ave. SE, from Saturday, Oct. 13 through Saturday, Dec. 8. The sites will be open from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m., Mondays through Saturdays, and noon to 6 p.m. on Sundays.

 

The initial pilot of the program collected more than 2,640 cubic yards of brush, comparable to the average volume of a hot air balloon.

 

“The brush drop-off site was well-received this summer, and residents expressed an interest in us offering it again this fall,” said John Gorney, director of public works. “We’re hopeful that by providing both brush and leaf collection services at the Department of Public Works, residents will find it convenient to take care of a bulk of their autumn lawn care needs in one place.”

 

Beyond helping make yard maintenance easier, leaf and brush collections services also help residents stay in compliance with City ordinances. The accumulation of leaves and debris within the lot line of a property or upon the adjacent right-of-way is prohibited in the City of Kentwood, as is burning leaves and brush.

 

The brush drop-off site will accept brush, sticks, tree limbs and logs. Materials that cannot be accepted include: trash, dirt, concrete, asphalt, tires, rocks, stones, construction materials, glass or metal.

 

The services are available to Kentwood residents only; anyone wishing to drop off items must show proof of residency.

 

For more information on the program visit here .

 

Chicago’s Ballet 5:8 returns to Grand Rapids with re-imaging of C.S. Lewis’ work

Entertainment, Local Entertainment, Upcoming Events, , ,
“The Four Seasons of the Soul” by Ballet 5:8. (Supplied)

By K.D. Norris

ken@wktv.org

 

Those who attended the Chicago-based Ballet 5:8 in performance last year at Grand Rapids Christian High School’s DeVos Center for the Arts and Worship probably wished the group visited more often.

 

Those who didn’t attend will get a chance to see what they missed and what they can now look forward to in the future as on Saturday, Oct. 6, the group returns to the venue with the world premier of “The Space in Between”.

 

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

Ballet 5:8 artistic director Julianna Rubio Slager’s newest work draws inspiration from “The Great Divorce” by C.S. Lewis, using Ballet 5:8’s subtle blend of religious storytelling and cutting-edge dance to “explore the nature of eternity and the joy found on its shores,” according to supplied material.

 

Among the Ballet 5:8 dancers set to perform in Grand Rapids is company artist Emily Ratkos, an alumna of the Grand Rapids Ballet School. Ratkos moved to Grand Rapids at the age of 16 to train under Attila Mosolygo before joining Ballet 5:8 as a trainee in 2016. She joined Ballet 5:8 as an apprentice in 2017 and was promoted to company artist this year.

 

Now in its 7th season of performance, the dance group also premiered a new work last season: “Compass: Navigating Cultural Tension with Compassion”. Ballet 5:8 tours nationally each season to provide audiences with “a unique opportunity to engage in conversation on relevant life and faith topics addressed in the company’s repertoire.”

 

In their home of Chicago, Kristi Licera of Dancermusic.com called Ballet 5:8’s “Compass” work as “an evening of inspired choreography and thought-provoking performance,” and Kristian Jamie of San Antonio’s March Magazine called Ballet 5:8’s Scarlet an “effortless” adaptation of classic literature through a combination of film, spoken word and ballet.

 

In New York City, Pilar Garcia, mime coach at Gelsey Kirkland Ballet and Academy, said that, in “Compass”, Slager “deftly weaves the emotional questions that live on after such hard choices are made no matter the reasons.”

 

WKTV reviewed the local performance of ‘Compass’ as well

 

Ballet 5:8’s two-act program at Grand Rapids pairs the world premiere of “The Space in Between” and a re-creation of a Ballet 5:8’s signature work, “Four Seasons of the Soul”.

 

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

Slager, talking in supplied information about “The Great Divorce” by C.S. Lewis, calls it “a timeless and timely work of literature that deserves a fresh, 21st century revisiting.” The work “invites audiences into a riveting story that begins in a grey town where the rain falls continuously, where a man stands at a bus stop on the brink of heaven and hell.” In Lewis’ work, hell is not a place where a vengeful God tortures his victims, but a place where, according to Lewis, “the gates are locked from the inside.”

 

Also featured in the program, “Four Seasons of the Soul”, explores how the turning of the seasons in nature parallels the recurring themes of human life — the innocence of youth, the zeal of adolescence, the celebrations and tragedies of adulthood, and the coming winter of life — all using Vivaldi’s “The Four Seasons”.

 

A single Grand Rapids performance will be held on Saturday, Oct. 6, at 7 p.m., at the Devos Center for Arts and Worship, 2300 Plymouth Avenue Southeast. There will be a post-performance discussion with Slager and troupe members on the performance. Tickets are $25 for adults, $20 for students and seniors, and $12 for children. Tickets can be purchased at ballet58.org or by calling 312-725-4752.

 

Additional performance information is available at ballet58.org/space-in-between and a video of the company at work is available here.

 

 

Tickets to Jan. 27th Harlem Globetrotters show go on sale Oct. 3rd at 10am

Entertainment, Kids Activities, Recreation, Upcoming Events, ,

By Hilarie Szarowicz

 

The world-famous Harlem Globetrotters, featuring some of the most electrifying athletes on the planet, will bring their spectacular show to Grand Rapids during their 2019 World Tour. The famed team will feature a star-studded roster that includes Big Easy Lofton, Ant Atkinson, Hi-Lite Bruton, Thunder Law, Bull Bullard and Cheese Chisholm.* The Globetrotters’ one-of-a-kind show is unrivaled in the world of family entertainment. The Globetrotters will play at Van Andel Arena on Sunday, Jan. 27, 2019 at 2pm.

 

Every game will showcase incredible ball-handling wizardry, rim-rattling dunks, trick shots, hilarious comedy and unequaled fan interaction. Prepare to be amazed as the Globetrotters showcase basketball’s first 4-point line, located 30 feet from the basket — 6 feet, 3 inches beyond the top of the NBA’s current 3-point line. You won’t want your family to miss it — buy your tickets today.

 

Tickets go on sale to the general public beginning Wednesday, Oct. 3 at 10am. Tickets will be available at the Van Andel Arena and DeVos Place box offices, online at Ticketmaster.com, and charge by phone at 1-800-745-3000. See Ticketmaster for all current pricing and availability.

 

The Harlem Globetrotters® are legendary worldwide, synonymous with one-of-a-kind family entertainment and great basketball skills for the past 92 years. Throughout their history, the Original Harlem Globetrotters have showcased their iconic talents in 123 countries and territories on six continents, often breaking down cultural and societal barriers while providing fans with their first-ever basketball experience.

 

Proud inductees of the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame, the Globetrotters have entertained hundreds of millions of fans — among them popes, kings, queens, and presidents — over nine thrilling decades. The American Red Cross is the official charity of the Harlem Globetrotters. For the latest news and information about the Harlem Globetrotters, visit the Globetrotters’ official website, and follow them on Twitter @Globies.

 

*Rosters will vary in each city and are subject to change.

Snapshots: Wyoming and Kentwood fun news you need to know

3-bottom, City of Kentwood, City of Wyoming, Community Health, Local Entertainment, Local Faces, Our Cities, Recreation, Upcoming Events, Voices, , ,

 

WKTV Staff

ken@wktv.org

 

Quote of the Day

 

“We need four hugs a day for survival. We need eight hugs a day for maintenance. We need twelve hugs a day for growth.”  — Virginia Satir, family therapist

 

Kentwood artist’s HUG exhibit an extension of who she is

 

Meochia Thompson with some friends in an earlier Hugs campaign.

 

You can find 2018 ArtPrize artist Meochia Thompson giving hugs at church events, retirement homes, or around the community. Now you can find the Kentwood woman downtown embracing strangers during ArtPrize for her entry HUG, a campaign that stands for “help uplift goodness”. To get the details, click here.

 

Stars of one ArtPrize exhibit is the Wyoming Police K-9 unit 

 

Nidal Kanaan’s ArtPrize piece “Blue Courage” can be found at Flaganan’s Irish Pub.

Inside Flanagan’s Irish Pub in downtown Grand Rapids, you can find food, drinks, and Nidal Kanaan’s ArtPrize entry “Blue Courage.” Photographing the Wyoming Police K-9 unit, Kanaan produced images that ArtPrize attendees will enjoy while stopping in for a quick refreshment. To get the details, click here.

 

WKTV wants the VOICES of not just artists, but the voters as well

Last year, VOICES debuted at ArtPrize Nine, introducing our 1958 Airstream trailer and collecting the stories of winning ArtPrize artists Daniel Oropreza and Sofia Hernandez Ramirez. This year, VOICES will again collect stories from artists. But we are also bringing our Voters Feedback Booth, right next to the trailer, where voters are encouraged to share what they voted on and why. For get the details, click here.

 

 

And today’s fun fact:
3 seconds

 

Hugs follow a 3-second rule. Ever wondered how long a hug lasts? The quick answer is about 3 seconds, according to a 2011 study of the post-competition embraces of Olympic athletes.

 

Meijer Gardens’ Chrysanthemums and More! offers mums and much more

3-bottom, Food, Holidays, Kids Activities, Local Entertainment, Local History, Recreation, Upcoming Events
The giant pumpkins at the Farm Garden. (Supplied/Peter McDaniel)

 

By Frederik Meijer Gardens & Sculpture Park

 

Frederik Meijer Gardens & Sculpture Park is pleased to present the annual fall horticulture exhibition, Chrysanthemums and More! opening to the public today, on Sept. 21. This exhibition, the largest of its kind in Michigan, features expansive displays of chrysanthemums, fall foliage and family-friendly activities. The exhibition will be on display through Oct. 28.

 

The annual towers of mums at Meijer Gardens. (Supplied/Peter McDaniel)


This year’s focus will be on “Growing Local”, highlighting the local growers, farms, food and drink featured at Meijer Gardens. Guests will enjoy a wide variety of locally grown elements, including decorative, spoon, cushion, and quill chrysanthemums, with “pompon” blooms as small as a nickel to showy “spider” blooms measuring six inches or more in diameter. This exhibition is a feast for the eyes, displaying the versatility of the magnificent mum and much more.

 

“Our theme this year is ‘Growing Local’,” explained Steve LaWarre, Director of Horticulture. “This is a remarkable way to showcase many of the local suppliers that we work with throughout the year who provide us with thousands of colorful chrysanthemums, gourds, pumpkins and other ornamental items. With this focus on all things local, we have an chance to highlight the wide variety of chrysanthemums and other items grown locally in an exhibition that has become a wonderful fall tradition for our guests.”

 

Visitors will be greeted with vibrant displays of chrysanthemums from the moment that they arrive and delighted by abundant floral arrangements of these bold blooms as they walk through the scenic corridor inside of the main building. Upon entering the Seasonal Display Greenhouse, a floor-to-ceiling chrysanthemum display will unfold as a focal point. Presentations of a five-sphere topiary, large disbuds and beds of colorful plantings will complement this feature in the nearby Earl and Donnalee Holton Victorian Garden Parlor. Outdoors, expansive beds of lush chrysanthemums will be arranged in large sweeps of color and will be balanced by a variety of ornamental plantings.

 

Activities such as the Fall Bonsai Show, Giant Pumpkins and Hallowee-Ones are full of family fun throughout the exhibition. Mum Day on October 14 will give visitors a chance to take a walking tour led by horticulture staff, enjoy informational demonstrations and learn more about the chrysanthemum.

 

The Balk Café will feature seasonal daily dinner specials on Tuesday evenings, with seasonal ingredients coming from Meijer Gardens’ own Michigan’s Farm Garden.

 

Exhibition Programming

 

Fall Family Day, Saturday, Oct. 6, 1–4 p.m., included with admission.

 

Visit the Children’s Garden for lots of fall family fun. Activities include something for all your senses— Press and Pound Color Banners, Autumn-themed Stories, Tree Vest Craft and an “I-Spy” Naturalist Walk about trees.

 

Herb & Gourd Fest, Midwest Michigan Herb Association and Michigan Gourd Society, Saturday and Sunday, Oct. 13-14, included with admission.

 

Discover a variety of ways to use herbs and gourds in this annual fall event. A variety of culinary herbs will be featured including hops, the 2018 “Herb of the Year.” Discover the benefits that herbs provide and experience their wonderful fragrances. Kids can participate in a fun art activity with herbs and make their own seed tape to plant in a pot or in the garden next spring. Visit the touchable gourds section and try playing a gourd instrument. Purchase decorated gourds or buy an unfinished gourd and create your own art at home.

 

Giant Pumpkins at Michigan’s Farm Garden, Saturday and Sunday, Oct. 13-14, included with admission

 

Enjoy giant pumpkins on display at Michigan’s Farm Garden. Weighing in at hundreds of pounds, these pumpkins will amaze kids and adults alike. Learn all about pumpkins as you sort varieties and answer quiz questions at the Pumpkin Discovery cart. Or try your hand at a pumpkin bean bag toss and play a unique pumpkin game “Which Vine is Mine?” to learn about how pumpkins grow.

 

Mum Day, Sunday, Oct. 14, 1-4 p.m., included with admission

 

Enjoy tours and demonstrations led by members of the horticulture department.

 

Tuesdays at the Farm, Tuesday, Oct.r 16 and 23 , 5-8:30 p.m., included with admission

 

Eat, drink, and dance in the crisp autumn air. A food truck and the Balk Café will be serving up local fresh fare along with West Michigan beers, hot cider, and adult cocktails. Dance to a string band with accompanying square dance caller.

 

Tell us why: WKTV VOICES invites ArtPrize voters to share their thoughts

3-bottom, Citizen Journalism, Local Faces, Our Cities, Recreation, Upcoming Events, Voices, , , , ,
VOICES debuted at ArtPrize Nine

By Victoria Mullen, WKTV VOICES

“Every good painter paints what he is,” Jackson Pollock said.

“Treat a work of art like a prince. Let it speak to you first,” said Arthur Schopenhauer.

And Ralph Waldo Emerson said, “Art is the path of the creator to his work.”

Everybody has something to say about art. The good news is, you don’t have to be famous to have an opinion—and WKTV VOICES will have its mobile recording studio down at ArtPrize 10 all three weekends to invite and encourage artists and voters to share their own thoughts about art: Artists, what inspires you to create a work of art?

 

Voters, what compelled you to vote for a particular work of art?

 

Sofia Hernandez Ramirez

With hundreds of artists and hundreds of thousands of attendees expected at ArtPrize this year, we expect there will be a lot to say—and for us to collect and record.

 

Last year, VOICES debuted at ArtPrize Nine, introducing our 1958 Airstream trailer and collecting the stories of winning ArtPrize artists Daniel Oropreza and Sofia Hernandez Ramirez.

 

This year, VOICES will again collect stories from artists. Look for our Airstream on the corner of Lyon and Monroe NW. Look for the Voters Feedback Booth right next to the trailer where voters are encouraged to share what they voted on and why.

 

A free public service of WKTV, VOICES travels throughout the West Michigan region to encourage neighbors, friends and family to tell their stories—the narratives that make us human—of our lives, experiences, sorrows, triumphs and tragedies. We all benefit from knowing each other’s background; the shared bond that helps us build community.

 

VOICES’s comfortable, mobile video recording studio offers a relaxed atmosphere, and utilizes high-tech video and audio equipment to capture the narratives for posterity. Interviews usually take place between two people who know and care about each other. These can be friends, family, or mere acquaintances. Any topic may be explored, whether a specific event in a person’s life, a childhood memory, a family tragedy—no subject is off limits.

 

Oral history—the collection and study of individual histories, experiences of disasters, important events or everyday life—is a tradition as old as civilization itself. Using audiotapes, videotapes, or transcriptions of planned interviews, oral history strives to obtain information from different perspectives, most of which cannot be found in written sources. Some academics consider oral history akin to journalism as both are committed to uncovering truths and compiling narratives about people, places, and events.

 

VOICES participants find the experience valuable and gratifying. Read and listen to people’s stories online on our Facebook page here and visit our website here for more information and important links.

 

All VOICES conversations are audio- and video-recorded to provide participants with a link to each conversation and for possible airing on Channel 25 in Wyoming, Kentwood and Gaines Township (U-Verse Channel 99).

 

 

The second Saturday of each month, VOICES parks its Airstream trailer at Marge’s Donut Den at 1751 28th St SW, Wyoming, MI for ‘Second Saturdays at Marge’s’. And, beginning Oct. 17, VOICES will be parked at Kentwood Public Library, 4950 Breton Rd. SE, the third Wednesday of each month.

 

“Art is never finished, only abandoned.”

~ Leonardo da Vinci

 

Celebrate the harvest season in West Michigan

3-bottom, Citizen Journalism, Food, Kids Activities, Recreation, Travel, Upcoming Events, , , , , , ,

By Jeremy Witt, West Michigan Tourist Association

 

Many people in West Michigan look forward to the harvest season every year. The freshest produce is available straight from the farms, and activities like corn mazes, hayrides, and harvest festivals make every weekend a treat. Find your favorite way of celebrating the harvest right here in West Michigan.

 

Harvest-centric events & festivals

 

The harvest fun starts after Labor Day at Post Family Farm in Hudsonville. Post Family Farm is serving up pumpkin donuts daily. Activities, including hayrides, the nature trail, and tube tunnels, run through Nov. 3rd.

 

Be a part of the Farm-to-Table Dinner & Tour at Castle Farms in Charlevoix. On Wednesday, Oct. 10th, enjoy a delightful farm-to-table dinner and live music along with a twilight tour at Castle Farms. Catered by Grey Gables Restaurant & Catering, a local favorite, the three-course meal plus welcome tasting will showcase meats and vegetables sourced from local farms.

 

The St. Joseph area is hosting three harvest-time events in September, starting with their ongoing farmers market every Saturday through Oct. 13th. The festivities continue on Saturday, Sept. 22nd, for Fall Fest. Bring the family for a weekend filled with fun events for all ages. Live music, local tastes, and Lake Michigan take center stage at the new Roots & Brews on Saturday, Sept. 22nd.

 

A variety of harvest-centric events are coming to Muskegon this fall. In addition to their farmers market, visit Pioneer County Park from Sept. 28th to 30th for the 4th Annual Halloween Harvest Weekend. Decorate pumpkins, hop on the hayride, and celebrate both Halloween and the harvest.

 

Hosted by the Rockford Chamber of Commerce, the 42nd Annual Harvest Fest is Sept. 28th to 30th. This year will include returning events such as the Classic Car Show and the Chili Cook-Off on Saturday, Sept. 29th, and will also feature children’s activities, a movie in the park, and Scarecrow Building!

 

Boyne City’s Harvest Festival will take place on Saturday, Sept. 29th. The farm market booths will sell a variety of apples and other harvest items, including pumpkins, squash, apple butter, jam, honey, and cider. When you’re hungry, stop for a bite to eat in one of the many downtown restaurants.

 

With so many fun, family-friendly fall festivals, Shanty Creek Resorts is the perfect place to stay while celebrating the harvest in northern Michigan. Mark your calendar for the Bellaire Harvest Festival & Scarecrow Extravaganza on Saturday, Sept. 29th, and the 40th Annual Charlevoix Apple Festival from Oct. 12th to 14th. Throughout the fall season, visitors can experience fall color from a new perspective, from a chairlift ride to the top of the mountain or a four-hour fall color tour of one of Shanty Creek Resorts’ four championship golf courses.

 

Cheboygan’s Fall Fest is Oct. 5th to 7th. A community celebration of Cheboygan’s waterways, trails, and harvesting heritage is presented annually during the first weekend in October. Nearly 50 events are on tap for this year’s festival, with coordination among over 25 groups and organizations.

 

Visit Battle Creek with the whole family for fun harvest activities. The Pumpkin Festival is Saturday, Oct. 13th, and includes games, pony rides, pumpkin arts and crafts, food, and more. You can also stop by for hayrides every Saturday and Sunday from Sept. 29th to Oct. 28th to enjoy one of fall’s favorite traditions.

 

Prepare yourself for fall flavors and fright-filled nights with Haven Harvest in South Haven from Oct. 19th to 21st. Taste the flavors of fall as hayrides roll, pumpkins fly, headless horsemen ride, and haunted houses awaken. Experience a true South Haven harvest with apple orchards, bonfires, pumpkin carving, and delicious good-as-grandma’s pies.

 

The Michigan Maritime Museum is being transformed into a maze of terrifying thrills and chills that are not for the faint of heart on Oct. 19th and 20th. This annual event, now in its fourth year, occurs during South Haven’s annual Haven Harvest Festival weekend.

 

Virtue Cider in Fennville is hosting their 3rd Annual Apple Fest on Saturday, Oct. 20th. If you can’t make it for the event, or you would like an in-depth look at Virtue Cider’s operations, they host Harvest-Time Tours every Friday, Saturday, and Sunday, where you can learn how they make cider using all Michigan-grown apples.

 

The Arts & Eats tour through Allegan and Barry Counties may not be until Oct. 20th and 21st, but you can still celebrate the harvest with them in September. Visit some of the tour’s stops this month for a harvest-centric meal, including one serving fresh carrots, green and yellow beans, red skin potatoes, and onions.

 

Farm fun & produce to bring home

 

Begin your journey to local farms and farmers markets with the help of Michigan Agritourism. This statewide resource helps keep family farms sustainable, support local economic growth, and provide rich and unique experiences for visitors to make lasting memories.

 

Corn mazes are a fan-favorite fall activity, and the corn maze at Robinette’s Apple Haus and Winery in Grand Rapids is now open. This year’s theme is Gummy Bears.

 

It’s time to decorate your porch and bring home fall flavors with the help of Lewis Farms & Petting Zoo in New Era. Take a ride on the apple express wagon to the orchards where you can pick apples yourself, or visit the pumpkin patch and pick out the perfect pumpkin to take home and carve. You can even purchase straw bales, corn stalks, and more to spruce up your front porch. Finish up your visit with a cup of apple cider and an apple cinnamon or pumpkin doughnut.

 

Twin Oaks Inn is located in downtown Saugatuck, hosting guests in a harvest wonderland. Many guests who stay in the fall visit Crane Orchards and Fenn Valley Vineyards in Fennville, located only 15 minutes away from the inn.

 

Since September is the beginning of the harvest months, there’s bound to be those looking for fall activities in Mecosta County. Some of the area’s local farmers markets provide plenty of harvest treats. This is where you can find farm-fresh produce which changes as the seasons do.

 

In addition to the farmers market, Holland has a new restaurant that takes advantage of the early fall harvest. Stop by for one of their unique recipes, or bring the harvest home and see what you can create with these fresh ingredients.

 

For more on everything fresh, local, and healthy, check out the 2018 Carefree Travel Guide or WMTA.org’s agriculture section.

Snapshots: Wyoming and Kentwood news you need to know

3-bottom, Local Entertainment, Local Faces, Non-Profits, Upcoming Events, , ,

 

WKTV Staff

ken@wktv.org

 

Quote of the Day
In honor of ArtPrize: “Every child is an artist. The problem is how to remain an artist once we grow up.”  — Pablo Picasso

 

ArtPrize venues you
might not think about 

ArtPrize 10 is here which means for the next two and half weeks much of the community will be focused on and discussing art. A few of the venues which you might automatically think about reached out to us with information about who will be at their venue. To get the details, click here.

 

Picking time in local orchards,
and who’s doing the work

 

The Grand Rapids based Migrant Legal Aid organization visited WKTV Journal: In Focus recently to discuss the continuing and confusing mess that is current federal immigration policies, including the separation of families and sometimes separate deportation of suspected illegal immigrants — many of them seeking work as part of America’s migrant labor force. For more information, click here.

 

 

Stories from the road
with Kentwood bicyclist

Kentwood resident and bicyclist-on-a-mission Ken Smith, last week, took a wrong road in Canada but ended up with an unexpected meal and a donation for his cause — his 3,500-plus coast-to-coast trip to raise funds for his grandson, Jakob,  and awareness of all persons with neurological damage. For more information, click here.

 

 

And today’s fun fact
(bicyclist history):

268.8 km/h
Fred Rompelberg from Maastricht, Netherlands, was the holder of the motor-paced speed world record cycling with 268.831 km/h (166.9 mph) from 1995 to 2018. He used a special bicycle behind a dragster of the Strasburg Drag Racing Team at the Bonneville Salt Flats. (Wikipedia)

 

Box Factory celebrates next art exhibition on Friday, Sept. 28th

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

 

By Nikki Gauthier, Box Factory for the Arts

 

On Friday, Sept. 28th, the Box Factory for the Arts (1101 Broad Street, Saint Joseph, MI 49085) will celebrate the opening of its Series 6 Art Exhibition. The public is invited to a free opening reception which will be held from 5-7:30pm and include an Artist Talk led by Eli Zilke at 5:45. All the details of the evening can be found on Box Factory’s Facebook Page. The exhibition will run from Sept. 28 through Nov. 10th.

 

The exhibition presents the works of a number of artists: Eli Zilke Collaborative with “Collaborative Nature,” Box Palette Group with “Bloomin’ at the Box” and Jennifer Tomshack with “Spirit of Place.”

 

ELI ZILKE COLLABORATIVE – COLLABORATIVE NATURE

 

Williams Gallery

The Eli Zilke Collaborative presents “Collaborative Nature” in the Robert Williams Gallery. Eli runs the studios at Water Street Glassworks, 140 Water Street in Benton Harbor, Michigan. He has designed this show with a number of very talented glass artists from the immediate area and beyond. The show speaks to the collaborative nature of how glass is made. Lynne Clayton, Executive Director of Water Street Glassworks, is among the artists who will exhibit work in the show.

 

In addition to the pieces which will be shown, there will also be an interactive piece in which visitors can have a hand in creating. The show will conclude with a demonstration event on Friday, Nov. 2nd hosted at Water Street Glassworks where this piece will be completed and then brought back to the Box Factory to be displayed for the final week of the exhibition.

 

For more information about Eli Zilke and Water Street Glassworks or the artists who are showing works in “Collaborative Nature,” please contact Eli at eli@waterstreetglassworks.org.

WKTV to broadcast Armand Merizon documentary as major show opens in Muskegon

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“This Was My Land” (1990). Armand Merizon gave this painting to Dave and Muriel in exchange for a Lake Michigan painting he wanted back and destroyed. (Supplied)

 

By WKTV Staff

ken@wktv.org

 

Between an opening of a major show of the works of West Michigan artist Armand Merizon in Muskegon, the availability of a superb art book on the artist, and WKTV’s airing of a documentary on the artist, now is the perfect time to catch up with one of the region’s premier painters of landscape (and much more).

 

The show, Armand Merizon: His Life & Art, will open at the Muskegon Museum of Art on Thursday, Sept. 20, with a free to the public opening reception and book signing from 5:30-7 p.m.

 

WKTV will air “Armand”, the Armand Merizon documentary, three times this week to coincide with the Muskegon exhibit, on WKTV Cable Channel 25 on Tuesday, Sept. 18 at noon and at 6 p.m., and on Wednesday, Sept. 19, at 8 p.m.

 

And at the museum’s exhibit opening Muriel Zandstra, author of Armand Merizon: His Life and Art, will be on hand to sign her book, which will be available for purchase in the museum store.

 

Zandstra’s book on Armand more than just a literary effort

 

Armand Merizon (1920-2010) was a lifelong Grand Rapids painter remembered for his detailed landscapes and brilliantly colored abstractions, according to supplied information. A founding member of the Grand Valley Artists organization, he influenced generations of West Michigan artists and was an active and supportive presence in the community.

 

Armand Merizon in studio (with image of musical influence Beethoven). (Supplied)

This exhibition highlights his entire career, beginning with the precocious landscapes of his late teens and ending with the intuitive abstractions of his final years.

 

Raised in a conservative Dutch Calvinist household during the Great Depression, Merizon struggled to find his place, ultimately following his passion for art. With limited training, he was able to turn his natural talents for observation and rendering into complex and intricate landscapes and illustrations. Tragically, at mid-career, he began losing his vision to macular degeneration. Rather than abandon painting, he moved in an abstract direction, presenting the landscape in bold strokes and hot, vibrant colors, ultimately painting by intuition instead of sight.

 

Organized by the Muskegon Museum of Art, the exhibition presents more than 20 paintings from West Michigan collections, including landscapes, abstractions, and several of the artist’s political works. Armand Merizon: His Life and Art is shown in conjunction with the recent release of a biography by the same name, written by his long-time friend and collector Zandstra.

 

After its close at the MMA, the exhibition will travel to the Dennos Museum Center in Traverse City.

 

In addition to the special opening with the art book author, other related programs include:

 

“On An Overgrown Path” (1997). (Supplied. Collection of Sidney J. Jansma, Jr.)

“The Paintings of Armand Merizon: A Closer Look”, a Friends of Art Program with MMA senior curator Art Martin, on Wednesday, Oct. 17, at 10:30 a.m. Martin will examines Merizon’s paintings over the course of the artist’s career. The program is free and open to the public, but paid admission is required for gallery entry.

 

A film screening of the documentary “Armand” and a discussion led by Zandstra will take place on Thursday, Oct. 25, from 6-8 p.m. “Armand” tells the story of the nearly blind 20th Century American artist using personal interviews, historic film footage, and more than 100 of his paintings.

 

The film, according to supplied information, traces Merizon’s search for truth and his portrayal of the social, political, and environmental issues of the 20th Century. It is also a story of perseverance as he battled macular degeneration and rheumatoid arthritis. Despite his ailments, he vowed, “I will paint until my nose touches the canvas.”

 

Director, executive producer, and close friend of Armand, Zandstra, will hold a question and answer following the film showing.  Admission for the film is free and open to the public.

 

For more information on the Muskegon Museum of Art  visit muskegonartmuseum.org .

 

 

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

Citizen Journalism, Entertainment, Upcoming Events, ,
William Deresiewicz (photo supplied)

By Matthew Makowski, Grand Valley State University

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

What is Art in the 21st Century?

  • Lecture presented by William Deresiewicz
  • Oct. 1, at 7:30 pm
  • Location: L.V. Eberhard Center, 2nd floor, Pew Grand Rapids Campus

In today’s world, creativity is a necessity for successful collaborations in business and to develop and expand vibrant cultures. As business and the arts draw closer together, how are they changing each other? Expanding on his viral essay for The Atlantic, “The Death of the Artist—and the Birth of the Creative Entrepreneur,” award-winning essayist, critic and best-selling author William Deresiewicz will answer that question by addressing the understanding and practice of creative work and the creative life. Deresiewicz is the author of Excellent Sheep: The Miseducation of the American Elite and the Way to a Meaningful Life. His work has appeared in The New York Times, The Atlantic, Harper’s, The Nation, The New Republic, The American Scholar and The London Review of Books.

 

Ada Limon (photo supplied)

An Evening of Poetry and Conversation with Ada Limón and Carl Phillips

  • Oct. 18, at 7:30 pm
  • Location: L.V. Eberhard Center, 2nd floor, Pew Grand Rapids Campus

Two unique poetic voices will share their work with the West Michigan community during an evening of poetry and conversation. Ada Limón is the author of five books of poetry, including her new book, The Carrying (2018). Her volume Bright Dead Things was named one of the top 10 poetry books of the year by The New York Times. Limón currently serves on the faculty of Queens University of Charlotte’s low-residency Master of Fine Arts program.

 

Carl Phillips (photo supplied)

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

Snapshots: Wyoming and Kentwood news you need to know

3-bottom, Citizen Journalism, City of Kentwood, City of Wyoming, Food, Kids Activities, Local Business, Local Faces, Local Food, Our Cities, Recreation, Senior Living, Upcoming Events, , , ,

By WKTV Staff

victoria@wktv.org

 

Quote of the Day

"If you can't tolerate critics, don't do anything new or interesting."

                                                  ~Jeff Bezos

Food, glorious food!

Blue Spoon will again be at Kentwood’s End of Summer Food Truck Festival. (WKTV)

And there will be food trucks galore! The free-to-attend event will run from 11am to 10pm, on Saturday, Sept. 15 in the parking lot of the Kent District Library — Kentwood (Richard. L. Root) Branch. Throughout the day, there will be live music, a beer tent and a variety of local eats.

 

Find out more here.

 

 

Well, hello, gorgeous!

The new, expanded playground at Ferrand Park.

Ferrand Park got quite the facelift, and Wyoming residents are thrilled. The park features a number of new amenities such as a shelter, pathways into the park, architectural features that help to identify the park, and a new, expanded playground area. 

 

Go here to learn more.

 

Hey, there’s an app for that

Gerald R. Ford International Airport has launched a new app that features real-time flight departure and arrival information, updates on parking availability at the airport, and security wait times. Additionally, amenities such as food and beverage locations, kids play areas, nursing rooms, and the military welcome center are featured on the app.

 

Click here.

 

Fun Fact:

A cow-bison hybrid
is called a “beefalo”

You can even buy its meat in at least 21 states.

Kent County’s Operation: Safe and Secure planned for National Preparedness Month 

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

 

Are you prepared for an emergency at your house, such as a fire? A countywide program will offer help in planning. (Supplied)

By Kent County

 

September is National Preparedness Month, so …

 

Do you have a plan if you had to leave your home for an extended period of time due to a disaster? Do you know what to do if you have a house fire? What is your plan if the power goes out?

 

The Emergency Preparedness Initiative of Kent is offering a free fun and educational expo for both kids and adults focused on keeping homes and families safe.

 

Operation: Safe and Secure will be held Tuesday, September 18, from 4-8 p.m., at the DeltaPlex, 2500 Turner Ave NW in Walker.

 

“Operation: Safe and Secure is an ideal way for people to have fun and learn at the same time,” said Karla Black, Emergency Preparedness Coordinator of the Kent County Health Department. “Our involvement is just another way we collaborate with the many wonderful community partners who are dedicated to the safety and well-being of our families across the County.”

 

Presentations include hands-on safety activities for all age groups, drones and the Fire Safety Trailer from the Grand Rapids Fire Department, Walker Fire Department’s ladder truck, American Red Cross presenting Disney’s Pillowcase Project, safety tips for people with disabilities, what to do in an active violence event, free refreshments, giveaways and much more.

 

At the event, there will be vendors and presenters who will provide information on how the community can be better prepared against emergencies.

 

“Kent County has had many emergency situations and severe weather over the past few years,” said Jack Stewart, Kent County Emergency Management Coordinator. “We have seen tornadoes throughout the County in recent years, and we had a massive flooding incident in February that led to a State of Emergency declaration. House fires and accidents are regular occurrences. How you and your family respond in those initial moments can certainly mean the difference to avoid serious injury.”

 

The Emergency Preparedness Initiative of Kent (EPIK) is made of the American Red Cross, Salvation Army, Kent County/Grand Rapids Emergency Management, Kent County’s Sheriff Department and Health Department, Grand Rapids’ Police and Fire Departments, Walker Fire Department, Kent ISD, Salvation Army, WOTV Operation Save a Life, E.S.C.A.P.E., neighborhood associations and others.

 

“EPIK thanks the DeltaPlex and the partners involved for offering support and sponsorship,” said Leslie Montgomery-Bean of American Red Cross. “There has been a great amount of community involvement in the planning process. People who attend the event will gain information and ideas to be more prepared for emergencies and disaster that they may face at home or in their communities.”

 

‘Bark in the Dark’ is just around the corner!

3-bottom, Kids Activities, Local Faces, Non-Profits, Pets/Animals, Upcoming Events, ,
We’re only one month away from Bark in the Dark 2018!
This family and dog-friendly glow-in-the-dark 5k and 1 mile fun run/walk is bound to be a blast! Before the race, attendees will enjoy family activities including balloon animals, face painting, and a pup-a-razzi photobooth! Afterwards, enjoy local beer, wine, hard cider, treats, and music with your fellow animal lovers.
All proceeds from the event benefit Humane Society of West Michigan, a 100% donor funded 501(c)3 non-profit that promotes humane treatment and responsible care of animals in West Michigan through education, example, placement, and protection. Be sure to register for the event, enter your pup in the costume contest, and start fundraising for great prizes!
Humane Society of West Michigan is 100% donor funded so participants are encouraged to help our animals by asking friends and family to make donations which help to provide the daily care our furry friends need until we find their forever homes. When you sign up for the event a fundraising page is created for you which makes it super simple for friends to make a donation online on your behalf!
Your donations at work:
  • $10 provides a behavioral evaluation for 1 animal
  • $20 provides microchips for 5 animals ensure proper identification and help unite owners with lost pets post-adoption
  • $30 provides 1 day of care for 1 animal at HSWM
  • $50 provides for the spay or neuter of 1 animal
Event Details:
  • Saturday, Oct. 6
  • Riverside Park
  • 5:00-6:30pm: Registration/Check-In and Family Fun Activities (including: balloon animals, face painting, live canvas painting of pets, the Independent Bank dog costume contest, and a pup-a-razzi photobooth)!
  • 6:30pm: Run/Walk Begins
  • 6:30-9:00pm : A celebration complete with a beer tent sponsored by Alliance Beverage featuring beer, wines, and hard ciders, complimentary snacks from Herb & Fire Pizzeria, Yesterdog, Flo’s Sports Bar, and more, plus doggy approved music by DJ Shannon Williams!
Registration Fees:
  • Adults 18+: $35
  • Youth Ages 5-17: $10
  • Children under 5: FREE with registered adult

Register here.

Moving beyond Black Crowes, Rich Robinson takes flight with Magpie at 20 Monroe Live

Entertainment, Reviews, Upcoming Events,
Rich Robinson (once of The Black Crowes) will bring his new band, Magpie Salute, to Grand Rapids this week. (Photo credit David McLister)

By K.D. Norris

ken@wktv.org

 

While Rich Robinson is in no way forgetting his past roads travelled, or the musical legacy he and brother, Chris, formed with the Black Crowes, he is moving on musically with a new journey and a new band, The Magpie Salute.

 

Among other proofs is the name of his new band, which will make a stop at 20 Monroe Live in Grand Rapids on Wednesday, Sept. 5.

 

“I’ve always loved the element of crows, but they have a dark connotation,” Robinson said in information supplied to WKTV. “Magpies are revered by ancient and indigenous cultures around the world, because they walk that bridge between dark and light. A magpie is also a cousin to a crow. This band (is) a cousin to the Crowes.”

 

Robinson, in an interview with WKTV, dug a little deeper into the relationship between his past with the Crowes and his present with Magpie.

 

“The music I wrote for the Black Crowes, with my brother, was what it was, you know,” Robinson said. “The way I write music is the way I have always written music. I do not believe in changing the way you write music, or to try to sound like something or to try to not sound like something. I think it should just be natural. That being said … I think there is a little bit of both, but hopefully it comes down the listener, what the listener choses to hear and get out of what you do.”

 

Pulled together in 2016 by guitarist/songwriter Robinson, Magpie Salute includes Black Crowes guitarist Marc Ford and bassist Sven Pipien, vocalist John Hogg, and keyboardist Matt Slocum and drummer Joe Magistro, both of whom have played with Robinson before.

 

Together they have recorded their full-length debut of original material, High Water I, released this year, with High Water II to come in 2019. The band’s debut recording, in a twist on the usual sequence of recording events, was actually recorded live, The Magpie Salute (Live), last year.

 

Forming Magpie Salute “was really like a bunch of friends getting together to go on tour and have fun, to celebrate some of the songs and the music we have made in the past, covered, and even ones that we have made individually,” he said. “That is really what it was. It was a very natural process. We just put this band together … there wasn’t a master plan. We did not necessarily know what it would be in the future. What I like about it is that it is pretty unconventional. You don’t overthink anything like that.”

 

As far as the songs on the new album. Those, too, came naturally.

 

“Towards the end of the tour, last year, we started writing songs knowing that we wanted to make a record, to become a band, and that is ultimately what happened,” he said. “Toward the end of last year, we just started messing around with some ideas that Marc, John and I had. It was really cool at that time. As the tour came to an end, we knew what we wanted. … and we took some time in January to make that happen.”

 

For now, Robinson said, doing something new — performing with Magpie Salute and with the guys in the band — is where is he at right now.

 

“Everything is new and everything is going to go in the way it chooses to go,” he said. “Ultimately, this is what I have done since I was 19 … 30 years later I am still doing this. It is always cool to find different avenues, different contexts to play in, with different people. Those elements are what I am interested in and why I continue to choose to make music.”

 

Tickets are still available for Magpie Salute at 20 Monroe Live. (Visit here for more information.)

 

Kentwood’s plans food truck festival, games, music for end-of-summer celebration

3-bottom, City of Kentwood, Food, Going Local, Kids Activities, Local Entertainment, Local Food, Recreation, Upcoming Events
Blue Spoon will again be at Kentwood’s End of Summer Food Truck Festival. (WKTV)

 

By City of Kentwood

 

The City of Kentwood will host the third annual End of Summer Food Truck Festival, with nearly 30 food trucks scheduled to be on hand, on Saturday, Sept. 15. The event is in partnership with GR Loves Food Trucks.

 

The free-to-attend event will run from 11 a.m. to 10 p.m., in the parking lot of the Kent District Library – Kentwood (Richard. L. Root) Branch. Throughout the day, there will be live music, a beer tent and a variety of local eats.

 

“We think there’s something for everyone at the End of Summer Food Truck Festival,” said Val Romeo, Kentwood Parks and Recreation director. “It’s meant to be an event you can spend the whole day at enjoying food, drinks and live music and meeting your neighbors.”

 

Food trucks attending the event include: Blue Spoon Catering and Event Planning (kabob, Tex-mex); Maui Wowi (Hawaiian smoothies and frozen coffees); Ice Box (gourmet ice cream bars); Ananda Ice (rolled ice cream, shaved ice); Doughrunts (miniature topped doughnuts); Patty Matters (gourmet burgers and fries); Silver Star Café LLC (sandwiches, wraps); Moochies (popcorn, ice cream, cotton candy); Fire and Rice (vegan and gluten-free paella); Pig Out on the Fly (pulled pork topped fries); Tamale Rose (tamales, burritos); Coffee Rescue (coffee drinks, frozen lemonade); Kona Ice (shaved ice); Porters BBQ (barbecue); Rise and Grind (coffee drinks, frozen lemonade); Crepes by the Lake (sweet and savory crepes); PorkFat Slim’s (barbecue); Saladino Smoke (barbecue); Do Your Wurst (brats, hot dogs); Underground Cookie Club (gourmet ice cream sandwiches); Lazy Man BBQ (barbecue); Daddy Dough (cookies, with gluten-free and vegan options); D&D Gluten Free (topped fries, rice bowls, chicken tenders, all gluten-free); Summer Pops (gourmet ice pops); Babatuck (gyros, kabobs); D&W Eatery (smoked tacos, smoked vegan options); Detroit’s Original Coney Island (hot dogs, chili dogs); Yochef (gyros, tacos).

 

“Food trucks offer foodies a delightful mix of talented chefs and fast-food time frames,” said Alan Stone, president of GR Loves Food Trucks. “When we have an event like this where so many food trucks come together, you can really feel a bustling community atmosphere.”

 

Local live music will be featured on stage starting at 1 p.m. with bands such as Allie Garland, Erika Scherry, Kari Lynch and Orquesta Ritmo.

 

A beer tent will be open from noon to 10 p.m. and feature craft beer and cider.

 

Teams of two will be able to compete in a corn-hole tournament during the event. Anyone can register by calling the Parks and Recreation Department at 616-656-5317.

 

While the festival includes free-entry, cost for food and beverages varies by vendor.

 

For more information visit here.

 

Annual Fine Arts and Crafts Festival at Fallasburg Park, Sept. 15 & 16

3-bottom, Food, Kids Activities, Recreation, Senior Living, Upcoming Events, , , ,
Photo courtesy LowellArts

 

By Janet Teunis, LowellArts

 

Celebrating its 50th year, the annual Fallasburg Arts Festival is presented by LowellArts and will be held on Sept. 15 and 16. The two-day festival includes 100 fine art and fine crafts booths, timeless craft demonstrations, live music, children’s activities, and food booths.

  • Hours: Saturday and Sunday, 10am-5pm.
  • Admission is free.
  • Location: Fallasburg Park, 1124 Fallasburg Park Drive, Lowell, MI, 49331.
  • For more information, visit lowellartsmi.org.
Photo courtesy LowellArts

Artist booths are juried and a broad range of different mediums are represented including jewelry, sculpture, ceramics, glass, fiber, mixed media, wood, painting, drawing, photography, floral, basketry, print-making, and more. Demonstrators of traditional crafts are located in the pavilion. Visitors of all ages are invited to watch the artisans at work. Demonstrations include iron forging, mosaic, fly tying, leather craft, origami, quilting, wood carving, weaving, and more.

 

Musical entertainment is held on an outdoor stage both days of the event, featuring a variety of music styles.

 

Saturday music line-up:

  • 10:15am The Bruce Matthews Band
  • 11:30am Paddy’s Cure
  • 1pm Fauxgrass
  • 2:30pm Hawks and Owls
  • 4pm Josh Rose and the Founding Fathers
Photo courtesy LowellArts

Sunday music line-up:

  • 10:15am Lighting Matches
  • 11:30am Steam Powered Bluegrass
  • 1pm The Cheater B’s
  • 2:30pm The Adams Family

An enclosed Children’s Area provides children the opportunity to decorate and take home a pumpkin. Food booths offer an array of fall-inspired and festival foods, offered by local community organizations. Visitors are invited to purchase raffle tickets to win one of over 90 artist-made items donated by festival artists or the grand prize quilt created for the event. Annual attendance estimates are 25,000. This year’s event sponsors are Fifth Third Bank, Meijer, All-Weather Seal, and Local Spins.

 

Fallasburg Park is located off Lincoln Lake Road north of downtown Lowell at 1124 Fallasburg Park Drive, Lowell, MI. Lowell is located 14 miles east of Grand Rapids and 1-hour from Lake Michigan and Lansing. For more information, contact LowellArts at (616) 897-8545, e-mail info@lowellartsmi.org or visit lowellartsmi.org.

GR Symphony opens 2018-19 season with music by Beethoven, Barber & Bernstein, Sept. 14-15

Citizen Journalism, Entertainment, Upcoming Events, , ,
Karen Gomyo (courtesy of the artist)

By Jeffrey Kaczmarczyk, Grand Rapids Symphony

 

Karen Gomyo, who had taken up Suzuki violin only a few months earlier, was just 5 ½ years old when she decided she would make music her life’s work. That was after her mother took her to a performance by the famous violinist Midori Goto.

 

“After seeing Midori, I just wanted to do what she was doing,” Gomyo told the Winnipeg Free Press in November 2012.

 

Two-and-a-half years ago, Gomyo was scheduled to make her Grand Rapids Symphony debut but had to cancel at the last minute. In September, the Canadian violinist will be on stage to open the Grand Rapids Symphony’s 89th season with Samuel Barber’s Violin Concerto.

 

Music Director Marcelo Lehninger will be on the podium for Beethoven’s 7th at 8 p.m. on Friday and Saturday Sept. 14-15, 2018, in DeVos Performance Hall. Appointed Music Director in July 2016, Lehninger enters his third season at the helm of the Grand Rapids Symphony.

 

The opening concerts of the 2018-19 Richard and Helen DeVos Classical series opens with Leonard Bernstein’s Divertimento and conclude with Beethoven’s Symphony No. 7.  The Concert Sponsor is Spectrum Health. Guest Artist Sponsor is the by Edith I. Blodgett Guest Artist Fund.

 

“It’s such a wonderful way to start a season,” said Lehninger. “Not only with Beethoven, but with that Beethoven Symphony.”

 

In the climactic scene of the 2010 film The King’s Speech, which won the Oscar for Best Picture, King George VI overcomes the stammer he’s had since childhood to announce on radio that The United Kingdom was at war with Nazi Germany.         

 

As King George VI, portrayed by actor Colin Firth, addresses the nation on BBC radio, the gravitas of the moment in the film is supplied by the solemn and stirring allegretto from Beethoven’s Symphony No. 7.

 

Beethoven’s mature Symphony No. 7 in A Major is known today for the rhythmic vitality of all of its movements. All four are in a faster tempo than was normal for the time, giving the symphony a fiery energy seldom heard in the concert hall.

 

Leonard Bernstein’s Divertimento, a cheeky work full of nods to other composers, inside jokes and extraverted humor was commissioned by the Boston Symphony Orchestra to celebrate its 100th anniversary in 1980.

 

Samuel Barber, best known for his Adagio for Strings, composed his Concerto for Violin and Orchestra, Op. 14, just before his 30th birthday. The neo-romantic work looks nostalgically to the past in its first two movements while the finale, which is more irregular and aggressive, looks to the future.

 

Gomyo (pronounced “GAHM-yo) has performed with top American orchestras including the New York Philharmonic, Los Angeles Philharmonic, San Francisco Symphony, Philadelphia Orchestra and Cleveland Orchestra in the United States as well as with the Vienna Chamber Orchestra, Sydney Symphony Orchestra, Danish National Symphony, and Tokyo Symphony Orchestra.

 

Born in Tokyo to a French-Canadian father and a Japanese mother, Gomyo moved to Montreal at age 2 where she began studying Suzuki violin. At age 11, Gomyo moved to New York City to study at The Juilliard School with violinist Dorothy DeLay, the legendary pedagogue whose students include Itzhak Perlman and Sarah Chang as well as violinists such as Midori and Anne Akiko Meyers, all of whom previously have graced the Grand Rapids Symphony’s stage.

 

At 15, she became the youngest violinist ever accepted on the management roster of Young Concert Artists. In 2008 at age 26, she was awarded an Avery Fisher Career Grant.

 

Gomyo, who served as violinist, host and narrator for a documentary about Antonio Stradivarius titled The Mysteries of the Supreme Violin, performs on a 1703 Stradivarius violin that was bought for her exclusive use by a private sponsor. Unlike many Stradivari, the instrument dubbed “Aurora, ex-Foulis” never was owned previously by a renowned violinist. Through the entire 20th century, it only had three owners, including Gomyo, which also is rare for an instrument of this caliber.

 

Gomyo said it took her years to get acquainted with the instrument because an instrument such as a Stradivarius has its own character.

 

“It comes with a strong personality and you can’t impose yourself on it. You have to let it speak,” Gomyo told Utah based classical music writer Edward Reichel in October 2015. “I’ve had my Stradivarius for 10 years, but it’s only been in the last few years that I can say that I have bonded with it.”       

  • Inside the Music, a free, pre-concert, multi-media presentation sponsored by BDO USA, will be held before each performance at 7 p.m. in the DeVos Place Recital Hall.
  • The complete Beethoven’s 7th program will be rebroadcast on Sunday, March 3, 2019, at 1 p.m. on Blue Lake Public Radio 88.9 FM or 90.3 FM.
Tickets

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

 

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

 

Full-time students of any age are able to purchase tickets for only $5 on the night of the concert by enrolling in the GRS Student Tickets program, sponsored by Calvin College. This is a MySymphony360 eligible concert.

Something for everyone at Ah-Nah-Awen Park, Sept. 3

Citizen Journalism, Entertainment, Food, Holidays, Kids Activities, Local Business, Local Entertainment, Local Food, Recreation, Senior Living, Upcoming Events, ,
Photos courtesy West Michigan Labor Fest
What kicks off with a Labor Day Bridge Walk at 10am and goes all day long? Why, the West Michigan Labor Fest at Ah-Nah-Awen Park, from 11am-5pm Monday, Sept. 3rd.
Enjoy free admission all day to the Gerald R. Ford Presidential Museum; free, live entertainment by Rochelle & the Spoilers, Mustang Band, Evidence, Krystal Klear, and Mark Swanson.
Fun things for the kids include a penny throwing contest, free rides on the kiddie Ferris wheel, jump for free in the Bouncy House, free rides on the Berry-Go-Round. Your little ones can also create sidewalk chalk art, enjoy free Country Fresh ice cream, and face painting.
Don’t forget the food: Patty Matters Food Truck, Coney Girl, Saladino Smoke, D&D Gluten-free Food Truck, Kona Ice, and more to be announced later. Dad (and mom) can check out the beer tent.
Local arts and crafters will be selling jewelry, candles, wood, clothes, crocheted items, fused glass art and more.
‘American Made’ car and motorcycle show and shine, with dash plaques to the first 50 cars in the show!

You don’t have to be Irish to love this Festival!

Entertainment, Food, Kids Activities, Senior Living, Travel, Upcoming Events, ,
Courtesy of Michigan Irish Music Festival

 

By Colleen Murphy, Michigan Irish Music Festival

 

Following record attendance three years in a row, the Michigan Irish Music Festival is expanding its grounds. The festival’s seventh covered stage will be positioned on The Point at Heritage Landing, space previously inaccessible to festival patrons. The Belfast Stage will feature live music, new dining options, beverage offerings, and more.

 

The Belfast Stage is named for the capital of Northern Ireland, a fitting choice since The Point is the northernmost location at Heritage Landing. Festival-goers will find everything they need near the new stage, including powder rooms with running water, a Blarney Bucks station, a bar, and two food vendors new to the festival. One such vendor is downtown Muskegon favorite Curry Kitchen, who will be serving butter chicken, samosas, and other Indian cuisines. The second vendor, Camzie’s Pizza, will offer two-topping wood-fired pizzas, as well as an Irish pizza option.

 

The Michigan Irish Music Festival runs from Sept. 13th-16th. MIMF will kick off the 2018 festival with a Pub Preview Party on Thursday night. The Pub Party will give patrons a preview of the weekend with food, beverage, and three bands in the pub tent only. Admission is $5 (cash only Thursday). The full festival opens Friday, featuring over 30 bands on seven covered stages and an extensive selection of food, beverages (domestic beer, Irish whiskey, Irish cider, and local craft beer), shopping, and cultural offerings – including some returning favorites:

  • The Celtic Highland Games All day Saturday, the Celtic Highland Games return with competitors, both men and women, participating in the stone throw, sheaf toss, 16-lb. hammer toss, weight for height and distance, and the ever-popular caber toss (a log approx. 18’- 20’ long).
  • John “Red” Shea The author of New York Times bestseller Rat Bastards returns to the festival after captivating audiences back in 2012. Shea talks about his life in the notorious Boston Irish mob, a compelling story of one of the most powerful Irish mobs in American history.
  • Celtic Beard Bout Presented by Lumbertown Beard Barons, this family-friendly beard and mustache competition celebrates facial hair of all shapes and sizes and the cultural significance of beards in Ireland.
  • Celtic Canines Come to meet the dog breeds that originated from the Emerald Isle and learn about what each breed was originally intended to do. If you’re interested in owning one for yourself, chat with the owners to find out if the breed is right for you!
  • Limerick Contest Awaken the poet within you, or just come and enjoy one of Ireland’s most popular literary traditions. Not for the faint-of-heart, experience our local authors’ pithy and humorous takes on subjects such as sex, politics, love, death, and more.
  • Learn How to Play the Bodhrán This all-ages hands-on presentation is a great introduction to the bodhrán, a percussion instrument traditionally made with a wooden body and goat-skin head and played with a double-headed stick.
  • How to Speak Gaelic Through presentations and an ongoing exhibit by West Michigan Gaeltacht, patrons can enjoy learning and speaking the Irish language.
  • Session Tent Festival musicians are joined by walk-in amateurs as they participate in impromptu jam sessions, carrying on the Irish tradition of “session music.” Bring your instrument and join in the fun!
  • Wake House Visit Cathy Jo and Steve Smith for a glimpse into the cultural traditions of an actual Irish wake. Much more than a funeral, an Irish wake is a celebration of life with three days full of dancing, drinking, and singing.

Advance tickets and festival passes are available online through Wednesday, August 29th, after which tickets are only available at the Heritage Landing box office starting on Thursday, September 13th. Patrons can save $5 per ticket versus the gate price when they buy online. The festival offers an Early-In Free promotion on Friday only from 5-6PM, sponsored by Family Financial Credit Union. Other major sponsors of the festival include G&L, Van’s Car Wash, and Budweiser. For complete festival information, visit michiganirish.org.

Snapshots: Wyoming and Kentwood (holiday) news you need to know

Going Local, Holidays, Local Entertainment, Recreation, Upcoming Events, ,

 

WKTV Staff

ken@wktv.org

 

Quote of the Day

“Without music, life would be a mistake.” ― Friedrich Nietzsche

WKTV offers marathon of local concerts on cable 

 

Delilah DeWylde’s shows are always a blast, as her visit to Wyoming this summer proved. (Supplied)

WKTV community media will once again host its Wyoming Concerts in the Park Marathon this Labor Day, Sept. 3. The program will air on WKTV Comcast Channel 26 and AT&T Channel 99, starting at 9:30 a.m. and ending after midnight. For more information, click here.

 

Labor Day weekend music at Founders

 

Looking for a little live music, and maybe a brew or two? Jam out at Founders Brewing Company in Grand Rapids this Labor Day weekend with live performances on Saturday and Sunday. For more information, click here.

Last Meijer Gardens summer concert is Monday, Labor Day 

 

+Live+ is alive and kicking out the jams. (Supplied)

The Meijer Gardens Summer Concert Series finishes its season Monday, Sept. 3, and the +Live+ concert still has tickets available. The multi-platinum band from Pennsylvania have sold over 22 million albums worldwide and earned two number one albums. +LIVE+ has been and remains today a global concert juggernaut. For more information, click here.

 

And today’s fun fact:

14,320,000

 

Rounded to 14.32 million, the number of vinyl albums sold in 2017, a Nielson Music-era high, up 9 percent from the previous one-year high — 13.1 million in 2016.

 

Labor Day happenings in West Michigan

3-bottom, Beer, Citizen Journalism, Holidays, Kids Activities, Recreation, Senior Living, Upcoming Events, ,
Courtesy Holland Area Visitors Bureau

By Jeremy Witt, West Michigan Tourist Association

 

Every year, the first Monday of September is designated as Labor Day: a celebration of the achievements of our nation’s workforce. Falling on Sept. 3rd this year, it’s also considered the unofficial end of summer. Take this as an opportunity to spend time with family as they head back to school, or grab some friends and enjoy a nice, long weekend seeing what’s going on in the area. Many West Michigan locations are hosting fun events throughout the weekend, meaning you won’t need to go far to find something fun each day of the three-day weekend.

Labor Day Events

Kick off your Labor Day in Holland at the Annual Labor Day Boardwalk and Pancake Breakfast on Monday, Sept. 3rd. The patriotic four-mile walk winds through Kollen Park and ends at beautiful Windmill Island Gardens where a delicious and scenic pancake breakfast will be held. Afterward, bring the family to the annual Truck Parade downtown! Big rigs that carry locally-made products rumble through downtown Holland and Zeeland, complete their route by parking at the Holland Civic Center, where free food and prizes are all part of the end-of-parade celebration.

 

The city of Muskegon has some great events planned around Labor Day that you should not miss. On Monday, Sept. 3rd, the city kicks off the holiday with their annual Labor Day parade, followed by a celebration filled with food vendors, bounce houses, prizes, and more. The 12th Annual Labor Day Community Walk in nearby Whitehall lets your family explore the White River Bridge and scenic nearby trails.

 

Labor Day weekend is a great time to make a getaway to the Greater Lansing area. Whether you’re a fan of BBQ or buffalo, you won’t want to miss the annual Chicken Wing Festival over Labor Day weekend. The event is filled with music, activities, and, of course, wings! That’s not all the capital city has to offer for the long weekend, so make your Labor Day plans today.

 

The Labor Day Bridge Walk in Cheboygan is Monday, Sept. 3rd. Participants will get to take in the complete beauty of the town while marching up and down the historic streets. The walk will be followed by a community picnic, the perfect place to socialize with friends and family.

 

Courtesy Kiwanis Club of Boyne City

There are tons of events happening in the Boyne City area over Labor Day weekend. Follow the sounds of oldies music to Veterans Park and the Boyne Kiwanis Car Show on Saturday, Sept. 1st. A visit to the area over Labor Day weekend can also include watching sailing races on Lake Charlevoix or drag races at the Boyne City Airport. To further help you plan your travels, the Boyne Area Chamber of Commerce has a special events calendar for Labor Day and beyond.

 

After your short Labor Day work week, stop by Marshall from Sept. 8th to 9th for the 55th Annual Historic Home Tour. This legendary event features eight historic homes, a Civil War Ball, Art Faire, Civil War Encampment, and so much more.

Labor Day specials and packages

With Labor Day coming up, the long weekend poses the perfect opportunity to squeeze in one last getaway to Shanty Creek Resorts in Bellaire. With boating, biking, golf and more, Shanty Creek offers the perfect balance of relaxation and recreation.

 

Stop by Waters Edge Golf Course in Fremont, where veterans golf for free this Labor Day weekend. This great deal includes a cart and your choice of 9 or 18 holes.

 

Spend Labor Day weekend at Grand Traverse Resort and Spa in Williamsburg! Featuring golf specials on all three championship courses, live music at the private Beach Club, and countless activities for kids, this is one deal that you do not want to miss. Check out the full calendar of events to plan your visit.

 

Crystal Mountain in Thompsonville is packing so many great deals and activities into Labor Day weekend that it’s almost hard to believe! On Saturday, Sept. 1st, enjoy a “float-in” movie in the pool. Come back on Sunday, Sept. 2nd, for one last splash pool party to wrap up summer. On Monday, Sept. 3rd, celebrate the unofficial last day of summer with some fantastic two-for-one discounts on laser tag, climbing wall passes, adventure course tickets, and much more!

 

Courtesy Crystal Mountain

This Labor Day weekend take the opportunity to discover quaint communities during a getaway to Coldwater Country. Home to more than 100 lakes, it’s a haven for relaxation on the water. You can also stop by the area’s unique shops, which includes everything from antiques to magic. End the day with a performance at Tibbits Opera House or a movie at one of Michigan’s most iconic drive-in movie theatres, the Capri Drive-In Theatre.

 

Spend this Labor Day at TreeRunner Adventure Park in Grand Rapids and enjoy 20% off your ticket price on Monday, Sept. 3rd.

 

Located at Hotel Walloon in Walloon Lake, Tommy’s is hosting a Labor Day sale on Sept. 1st and 2nd. Purchase everything you need to get out on the water, including boards and skis, life jackets, inflatables, and more. If you’re not in the market to purchase gear, you can rent everything you need from Tommy’s to enjoy the holiday weekend on Walloon Lake!

Eat and drink your way through the holiday

Radisson Plaza Hotel in Kalamazoo knows that Labor Day weekend is a time for family fun. Don’t let the fun stop by visiting one of their on-site restaurants for a hand-crafted meal that your taste buds will thank you for.

 

Start off the long Labor Day weekend at Vineyard 2121 in Benton Harbor on Friday, Aug. 31st for fire-baked pizzas and live music. Wrap up the weekend at Sangria Sunday where you can sip on some tasty sangria and tap your feet to live music all night long!

 

Courtesy JW Marriott

Don’t feel like grilling out this Labor Day? No problem! Stop by Grand Rapids and indulge in a unique and delectable meal with friends and family at six.one.six, located inside the JW Marriott. If you’re looking for drinks, check out The Kitchen by Wolfgang Puck’s affordable Happy Hour to go along with some mouthwatering eats.

 

Jam out at Founders Brewing Company in Grand Rapids this Labor Day weekend with live performances on Saturday and Sunday. While you’re there, don’t forget to taste some of their legendary brews or pick up a six-pack in the gift shop to take a taste of Founders home with you.

 

MyNorth Tickets has beer-centric events that are perfect to add to your long holiday weekend. Head out to the picturesque slopes of Treetops Resort in Gaylord on Sunday, Sept. 2nd for Beer, Blues & BBQ. Your visit will include plenty of stellar blues rock, frosty beers, and great food! Visit MyNorth Tickets’ website for a full calendar of events in Northern Michigan.

Snapshots: Fun news you need to know from Wyoming and Kentwood

3-bottom, Books, Citizen Journalism, Food, Recreation, Upcoming Events, , , , , , ,

By WKTV Staff

victoria@wktv.org

 

Quote of the Day

"It took me seventeen years to get three thousand hits in baseball. I did it in one afternoon on the golf course."

~ Hank Aaron

 

And we hardly knew ye…

Buh-bye, fatty

 

After 10 hearty seasons, 12,000 brave challengers and nearly 58 million gut-busting calories, the Fifth Third Burger is officially retiring on Saturday, Sept. 1. Get ’em while they’re still hot.

 

Remembering the People’s Princess

A class act

In honor of the anniversary of the death of Princess Diana, WKTV 25 will be airing a special half hour memorial tribute “Princess Diana: A Tribute To England’s Rose.”

 

The show will air Monday, Aug. 27, at 9:30 a.m.; Tuesday, Aug. 28, at 6 p.m. Thursday, Aug. 30 at 5 p.m. and Friday, Aug. 31 at 2 and 7:30 p.m.

 

Save a place on your
dance card for Kate Daniel

Gladys Ewing’s dance card, circa 1912

The husband-and-wife team behind the New York Times bestselling Kate Daniels series will be visiting Schuler books & Music at the end of August. The couple is touring for the release of Magic Triumphs book 10  and the final book in the Kate Daniel series. They will be at Schuler Books & Music, 2660 28th St., at 7 p.m. Monday, Aug. 30.

 

 

Fun fact:

In 1518, a “dancing plague” took
over the town of Strasbourg, France.

One woman started it, and others joined her. Within a month, there were 400 people involved. Many died from pure exhaustion.

Local collector’s hobby puts the spark (plug) into classic cars

3-bottom, City of Wyoming, Dream Wheels, Local Business, Local Faces, Upcoming Events, WKTV Projects
Gene Isenga, with only part of his spark plug collection. (WKTV)

By K.D. Norris

ken@wktv.org  

 

People fall into collecting things in sometimes funny ways. Gene Isenga has a funny story of how he fell into collecting spark plugs — he works for a vintage automobile parts company and, well, that is where the story starts.

 

“Thirty years ago I had to organize the spark plugs,” Isenga said to WKTV. “My boss said that I could keep the onesies and twosies. So I gathered them all up and put them in a box and put them downstairs where they sat for a couple of years.”

 

He was given a few more, here and there, because people thought he collected them, but then he looked at what he had started and started looking for like minds.

 

“A customer told me about a place in Portland, Indiana,” he said. “ … A group of guys that collect spark plugs also. The name of the club is Spark Plug Collectors of America. So after work one Friday, me and another guy went down there and that’s when I got the bug.”

 

That “bug” now has him with hundreds of spark plugs, some dating back to the 1930s, most stored in wood cases. And has studied them so he can rattle off the make and year and interesting tidbits about almost every one. And he built a really cool machine that “sparks” the spark plugs.

 

Ya, he has the “bug”. Just like a lot of collectors at Metro Cruise.

 

 

Cars are the stars at the 14th annual 28th Street Metro Cruise

 

Bringing old plugs back to life

When Isenga finds a spark plug that is rare, he grabs it and, if it is a little rusted, he tries to make it look like new again.

 

Gene Isenga can tell you all about almost everyone of the spark plugs in his collection. (WKTV)

“I can sometimes blast it, sand it, wire-wheel it … then I have a way of making it dark again,” he said. “It’s fulfilling to take something as rusty as it was and make it look nice.”

 

Some are beyond making it nice, however. And those, he says, are “just not good enough” for his collection.

 

He also has a homemade crank box which can make them spark — now that is bringing them back to life.

 

Isenga, who lives in Jenison, is a member of the Spark Plug Collectors of America #721. For more information visit spcoa.net .

 

Meijer Gardens’ ArtPrize (and beyond) exhibit focuses on disability sculpture

Community Health, Entertainment, Local Entertainment, Upcoming Events, ,

This slideshow requires JavaScript.

 

By Meijer Gardens

 

Frederik Meijer Gardens & Sculpture Park is honored to host 16 contemporary sculptors in an innovative exhibition jointly organized by DisArt, a Grand Rapids based arts and cultural organization promoting the full participation of disabled people in and through the arts. The exhibition is titled “Process and Presence: Contemporary Disability Sculpture”.

 

Through examples of three-dimensional practice including sculpture, performance, installation and video art, this exhibition emphasizes the relationship between disability and the fundamental human experiences of change and embodiment. The exhibition offers audiences a survey of contemporary disability sculpture through artists whose work represents local, national and global perspectives on the experiences of living with disability.

 

Cornerstone to this exhibition is the Sister-State relationship between the State of Michigan and the Shiga Prefecture in Japan, a region long celebrated for its commitment to artists with disabilities. A survey of contemporary disability sculpture, it also celebrates the 50th anniversary of the Sister-State relationship and expands globally in a dynamic collection of objects contextualized by both contemporary and legacy artists from Michigan, Europe, Australia and Japan, including works by the world-renowned Judith Scott.

 

“Frederik Meijer Gardens & Sculpture Park is honored to collaborate with DisArt in this landmark exhibition,” said Joseph Becherer, Chief Curator and Vice President of Collections and Exhibitions. “Three years in the making, the curatorial team has sought to organize a broad-based and enlightening exhibition featuring artists from across the globe.”

 

Officially beginning the Friday prior to ArtPrize, “Process and Presence: Contemporary Disability Sculpture” will be on display as Meijer Gardens’ fall exhibition from Sept. 14 through Jan. 6, 2019. ArtPrize runs from Wednesday, Sept. 19 through Sunday, Oct. 7.

 

“This exhibition presents some of the finest examples of contemporary disability sculpture in a wide variety of media, from ceramics to video installations and traditional sculptural techniques to performative works,” Becherer said. “The depths and dimensions of this exhibition are both enlightening and rewarding.”

 

Visitors will be welcomed into the exhibition by several accessibility measures carefully designed by DisArt and Meijer Gardens to encourage the full participation of all visitors, including audio descriptions, altered installation practices and other digital resources.

 

This exhibition coincides with DisArt’s Process and Presence 2018 season of events which includes a fashion show (Sept. 22), an international conference (Oct. 27-28) and multiple educational opportunities and artist engagements, all to be held at Meijer Gardens.

 

“The objects in this powerful collection speak to the global experience of disability, offering visitors new understanding of how creativity and identity are directly linked,” said DisArt Co-Director Christopher Smit.

 

“The exhibition is a collection of art objects that are both intriguing and relatable to the experienced art lover and those new to the gallery setting. When displayed together, the work strengthens our understanding of disability as a cultural identity and successfully challenges commonly held negative assumptions about the Disabled experience.” said Jill Vyn, Co-Director of DisArt.

 

As part of the tenth annual ArtPrize competition, Meijer Gardens is an official ArtPrize venue. Visitors can register to vote and purchase official ArtPrize merchandise at Meijer Gardens.

 

“Process and Presence: Contemporary Disability Sculpture” will be free of charge during ArtPrize (Sept. 19 – Oct. 7). The exhibition areas will be open to the public during Meijer Gardens’ regular business hours. All other areas of Meijer Gardens observe regular hours and standard admission fees.

 

Exhibition Programming

 

Exhibition programs are included with admission, drop-in, and do not require advanced tickets or registration.

 

Artist Demonstrations: See process and presence first hand! Before or after you see the artwork in the galleries, observe and interact with an artist in the exhibition. Each artist will be working on a piece similar to their complete artwork on display. Feel free to take a seat and enjoy watching an artist at work or get a bit closer and ask the artist questions directly. Norimitsu Kokubo, paper installation artist, will be the guest Sept. 15 at 11 a.m.;  Wesley DeVries, credit card installation artist, will be the guest Oct. 14, at 1 p.m.

 

Gallery Chat: Sandie Yi, will talk Wednesday, Sept. 26, 1-2 p.m. Sandi Yi is both an artist and activist. Stop by the gallery to view her artwork and listen to her speak about how she envisions her own body as an artistic medium for advocacy, creativity, and identity. This chat is informal — the artist will be stationed near her artworks and available for conversation.

 

Curators Lecture: Nov. 4, 2 p.m. Join Dr. Lisa VanArragon as she highlights and interprets much of the artwork in the exhibition. She will explore themes of disability cultural identity through the artistic methods, meaning, and materials present in the galleries. This lecture will be closed captioned.

 

Film Screening: Nov. 6, 6 p.m. “ART21 Episode 9: San Francisco Bay”. In the latest installment of the Peabody Award winning series on art happening in the 21st century, several artists in the San Francisco Bay area are highlighted for their thoughtful and critical practice. Among them are several artists working with the Center for Creative Growth, a disability arts organization also featured in the exhibition Process and Presence: Contemporary Disability Sculpture. The film will be closed captioned.

 

For more information about Meijer Gardens visit meijergradens.org .

 

For information about DisArt’s 2018 Process and Presence season of events, visit disartnow.org .

 

Snapshots: Wyoming and Kentwood news you need to know

3-bottom, Citizen Journalism, City of Wyoming, Community Health, Crime Prevention, Dream Wheels, Election, Health, Kids Activities, Our Cities, Politics, Recreation, Sports, Upcoming Events, , , , ,

By WKTV Staff

victoria@wktv.org

 

Quote of the Day

"There's one way to find out if a man is honest - ask him. If he says, 'Yes,' you know he is a crook."

                                                  ~Groucho Marx

Ladies and gentlemen,
start your engines!

(Courtesy Bruce Carlson)

 

 

The 2018 Metro Cruise kicks off at 4pm Friday, Aug. 24. The alternative Latin rock group Cabildo will be on the main stage at 4:30pm, followed by local favorite, Delilah DeWylde at 7:30pm performing a range of hillbilly and blues. Friday closes at 10pm.

 

 

Looking for a superhero

Well, that may be a bit of an exaggeration, but Kent County is on the hunt for a new sheriff. If you have leadership skills and a background in law enforcement, you might want to consider applying for the position. With the announced retirement of Kent County Sheriff Larry Stelma, the county has formed a Kent County Sheriff Appointment Committee and is looking for applicants for the position. The individual appointed by the committee will hold the position through Dec. 31, 2020.

 

Take a walk on the wild side

Metro Health Village has a number of walking routes and even a bike trail — all perfect for an afternoon stroll with the kids or a quick, weeknight workout. Download a Walking/Bike Route map here.

 

Need a little push to get started? Check out the Couch to 5K Training Program. Even if you’re not looking to set any world records, this program will have you up and active in no time!

 

…and they came out in droves

No, not locusts, but we didn’t have a photo depicting the droves of voters who showed up for the primary election on Aug. 7. Take a good look at this photo — that’s the  power inherent in sheer numbers, people. A pat on the back for all who voted.

 

The Chamber’s WKTV Government Matters committee analyzed the impressive voter turnout during their meeting on Aug. 13. The committee also discussed county staff additions. All in all, pretty important stuff.

 

 

Fun Fact:

In Switzerland, it is illegal
to own just one guinea pig.

This is because guinea pigs are social animals, and they are considered victims of abuse if they are alone. Source.

As Meijer Gardens concert season nears end, Lyle Lovett’s sell-out streak continues

Entertainment, Recreation, Upcoming Events
Lyle Lovett keeps coming back to Meijer Gardens, and we sure appreciate it, this time with His Large Band on Aug. 27 (Supplied)

By K.D. Norris

ken@wktv.org

 

There are only seven concerts left of the Frederik Meijer Gardens and Sculpture Park summer concert season, and only two with original-price tickets still available, the Thursday, Aug. 23, special fundraising concert with Alabama and the Monday, Sept. 3, season-ending visit by +Live+.

 

The remainder the season concerts are sell-outs, as was the majority of the Meijer Gardens season, but one sell-out concert was a surprise to no one.

 

For the 13th straight year, Lyle Lovett (with his small band or this year with his large band) will be a sell-out at the Meijer Gardens amphitheater on Monday, Aug. 27. And while a streak like Lovett’s is not unheard of — that many straight years at the same venue — the Garden’s concert promoter says the Texas twang singer and his loyal fanbase are unique.

 

Lyle Lovett in concert. (Supplied)

“It certainly does not happen every day, or very often,” Chris Mautz said to WKTV in an interview early in the concert season. “You know, Lyle Lovett (and his band) is absolutely a dynamic group of musicians. Unintentionally, it felt like something that was a perfect fit, a perfect match and a hard-to-pass-up piece of our summer” schedule.

 

“He is a world-class artist that delivers a dynamic show every time he hits the stage. … It was an unintended path, that has just sort of made sense every dang year. We do not go into it thinking we are going to have Lyle back, it just comes.”

 

While the Meijer Gardens concerts started in 2003, Lovett’s first sellout was in 2006 — the Gardens’ first confirmed sell-out — and he continued to sell-out even when the venue did not have many in the early years. (His 2009 concert was the only confirmed sell-out of 13 concerts that year.)

 

For those who know Lovett, no introduction is necessary. But for those who don’t, here is some provided info:

 

“A singer, composer and actor, Lyle Lovett has broadened the definition of American music in a career that spans 14 albums. Coupled with his gift for storytelling, the Texas-based musician fuses elements of country, swing, jazz, folk, gospel and blues in a convention-defying manner that breaks down barriers.

 

“Whether touring as a ‘Duo’ or with his ‘Acoustic Group’ or his ‘Large Band’, Lovett’s live performances show not only the breadth of this Texas legend’s deep talents, but also the diversity of his influences, making him one of the most compelling and captivating musicians in popular music.

 

“Since his self-titled debut in 1986, Lyle Lovett has evolved into one of music’s most vibrant and iconic performers. Among his many accolades, besides the four Grammy Awards, he was given the Americana Music Association’s inaugural Trailblazer Award and was named Texas State Musician.”

 

The only thing I could add is that his shows are always fun and his on-stage stories always funny, especially after a couple of beers.

 

For more information on the remaining concert season, visit meijergardens.com .

 

GR’s own Super Future ready for big day at local Breakaway EDM festival

Entertainment, Local Entertainment, Local Faces, Recreation, Upcoming Events,

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By K.D. Norris

ken@wktv.org

 

Super Future, aka Nick Rowland, who calls Grand Rapids his “musical home,” is at home in both the EDM club scene and the open-air festival scene — it is just that he can offer a little more of a “show” outside and on a big stage.

 

So expect him to break out his guitar this weekend as he takes the stage at Breakaway Music Festival, an electric dance music which will return to the heights of Grand Rapids’ Belknap Park, Friday and Saturday, Aug. 24-25.  Super Future will do a 45-minute set from 3-3:45 p.m. on Friday.

 

“I actually do try to make my outdoor shows more of a show with a guitar and everything, if I can travel safely with it, and Breakaway will be one of those sets,” Rowland said to WKTV. “The sound can be different, but I try to give a little bit of effort toward the type of crowd coming to the show. … For Breakaway I’ll try to stay to my truest self with the guitar, future bass and whatever I feel is at my center.

 

“Grand Rapids knows me for being sort of an original with no catering to any type of sound. I’m excited to let my experimentation come out in my own city.”

 

Rowland’s style, according to his website, is “a diverse combination of hard-hitting bass lines, groovy upbeat melodies, and bright future-style synths, all complimented by elements of ethnic and experimental percussion.” You can even find him showing his live music prowess playing live guitar over his original music.

 

“I’m going to pack as much of my heart as I can into this 30-minute set, so despite the early time slot, fans should really try to make it for this one,” he said. “Live instruments and a ton of my new material will be debuted that day.”

 

Playing a set in his “musical home” also offers some artistic advantage, Rowland said.

 

“The traveling is starting to spread out wider and wider, which I’m still getting used to as I have a full-time job, but it’s really enriching to see all the music scenes of new cities in America,” he said. “Breakaway is definitely in a city I would call home, but technically it isn’t my home like in the sense of where I grew up. That’s in Rochester, closer to Detroit.

 

“However, I would call Grand Rapids my music home, since I came up in this amazing city, and it’s is where I made my first dedicated fanbase. It will undoubtedly feel special, so I’m giving this city a special performance in return. I’ve been holding out on playing a lot of my new album but here I want to debut a few things if I have them ready in time.”

 

Presented by MiEntertainment and Prime Social Group, Breakaway fest will run 2-11 p.m. each day and several tickets options are available. The 2017 festival was attended by more than 16,000 fans.

 

Parking and drop-off/pick-up at the festival will come with some options; according to the festival website:

 

“There are plenty of ways to get to Breakaway, from taking public transportation to rideshare companies, biking and walking from downtown. The only way to park on festival grounds is via a VIP Parking Pass. … (general admission) parking will be limited in the areas around Belknap Park. For that reason, we recommend getting dropped off or taking public transit.”

 

For more information about tickets, parking, schedules and everything Breakaway, visit breakawayfest.com and/or follow the event using #BreakawayFest or @BreakawayFest.

 

For more information on Super Future, visit superfuturedj.co .

 

Summer is not over! Free Labor Day weekend events await in downtown St. Joseph

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Courtesy St. Joseph Today

By Amy Zapal, St. Joseph Today

 

Downtown St. Joseph, Mich., is doing everything it can to keep the summer vacation spirit alive right up through Labor Day. The Lake Michigan resort community has planned a series of fun activities for all ages Aug. 31–Sept. 3.

 

It’s been a beautiful summer in St. Joseph. Come back and visit for one more weekend of summer fun! Whether you enjoy the beaches, St. Joseph’s beautiful downtown shops and restaurants, local wineries, and breweries, Whirlpool Compass Fountain, or the downtown Magical Kingdom of St. Joseph Public Art exhibit, there is something for everyone.

 

The weekend’s activities kick off with a free, outdoor concert on Aug. 31, 7:30pm at the John E.N. Howard Bandshell overlooking the St. Joseph River. Concert sponsor The Boulevard Inn & Bistro will bring Summer Reunion to wow concertgoers with their classic rock.

 

On Saturday, visitors can get an up-close look at the sailboats that have raced from Chicago in the first leg of the annual Tri-State Regatta. They can then go to the Farmers Market in Lake Bluff Park to bring home fresh-picked apples, blueberries, squash, tomatoes, cheeses, bottles of wine, late summer fruits and vegetables, jams, honey, made-from-scratch pies, fresh cut flowers and much more. The market is open from 9am to 2pm.

 

From 10am to 5pm along the bluff, regional artisans and crafters will share their talent at the Lake Bluff Artisan Faire. Visitors can also shop and dine in downtown St. Joseph or play on several family friendly beaches.

 

On Sunday, early risers can send off the sailboats as they race to Indiana. Then from 10am to 5pm, more than 50 vendors will showcase their treasures at Antiques on the Bluff. Music enthusiasts can also enjoy the season’s last Municipal Band concerts at 3:30 and 7:30pm on Sunday and Monday at the John E.N. Howard Bandshell. Free, horse-drawn trolley rides sponsored by the Frederick S. Upton Foundation will entertain all ages from 11am to 2pm (weather permitting).

 

The fun doesn’t stop after Labor Day weekend. Later in September, St. Joseph will host a Fall Festival weekend to celebrate autumn, which includes family fun activities in the daytime followed by a 21 and over event, Roots & Brews, in the evening. In addition to the many spring and summer events, fall and winter are also jammed packed with fun for all ages.

 

St. Joseph Today is a 501(c)(3) membership-based organization dedicated to developing and promoting events and businesses in St. Joseph, Mich. and its surrounding communities. For more information about upcoming events, visit stjoetoday.com, facebook.com/stjoetoday, the Welcome Center or call 269-985-1111.