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)
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.
“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.
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.
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.
"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.
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.
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.
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.”
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!
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.”
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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!
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.
“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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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 .
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.
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.
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.
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!
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.
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 .
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.
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.
Yassou! celebrates the culture and traditions of the Greek Orthodox people. There’s something for everyone — from a great, live band and dance demonstrations, to wine tastings and cooking classes. The food is to die for — appetizers, full meals, sandwiches and side items — and you won’t want to miss the baklava. Trinkets beckon from vendors’ stalls.
Be sure to join hands with members of the dancing circle and dance! Beginners are always welcome. Traditional Greek dancing brings the community together at key points of the year, such as Easter, the grape harvest or patronal festivals; and at key points in the lives of individuals and families, such as weddings.
Yassou! will be held at Holy Trinity Greek Orthodox Church at 330 Lakeside Dr. NE between Fulton and Michigan. Limited numbers of handicapped spots will be provided within steps of the main admission. Beyond that, nearly 1,000 parking spaces have been reserved within the immediate vicinity of the event. An air-conditioned shuttle is available to transport festival-goers to the event.
For bus riders, Holy Trinity Greek Orthodox Church is conveniently located within steps of a Grand Rapids ‘Rapid’ bus stop– bus Route 14 to be exact.
This year, Yassou! will be supporting the Children’s Advocacy Center of Kent County (CAC) as its charity sponsor. The CAC is a nonprofit, community-based organization that is dedicated to the awareness and reduction of child sexual abuse. For more information, go here.
James Sofranko, the newly appointed artistic director to the Grand Rapids Ballet, has a lot in store for the upcoming 2018-19 season. Having only started his work with the company and having moved to Grand Rapids last month, Sofranko has still managed to find adjusting easy.
“It’s been really easy so far to get to know everyone,” Sofranko said to WKTV. “Everyone’s really welcoming and happy. I already feel like Grand Rapids is a nice place to live.”
Sofranko was most recently a featured soloist for the San Francisco ballet, and has a unique background that should bring a special flavor to the Grand Rapids Ballet.
“I studied at the Juilliard School in New York City and then I spent 18 years in a classical ballet company in San Francisco (the San Francisco Ballet) where I was a soloist,” he explains, “So I have kind of a foot in both contemporary and classical traditional ballet worlds. … As a dancer I was versatile and I could do both of those well, and I’d like to bring that out of the dancers here in Grand Rapids.”
When asked about his current projects, Sofranko explained that currently he is teaching the summer program and preparing for the dancers to arrive around the end of the summer.
“The summer program is going on right now so I’m teaching class for them,” he said. “So for now it’s just a lot of office work and meetings and planning and scheduling. But I’m really eager to get back in the studio. That will happen when the dancers come.”
And when the dancers do come, Sofranko has a lot in store for the Grand Rapids Ballet.
The season will open with a gala dedicated to his arrival, featuring “Wild Sweet Love”, a ballet that Sofranko is particularly enthusiastic about, as well as his first choreographic work for the company.
James Sofranko. (photo by Andrew Weeks)
“I’m really excited about ‘Wild Sweet Love’. It’s from a choreographer named Trey McIntyre and it’s a great piece. It’s set to music from Queen, The Partridge Family, Roberta Flack, Lou Reed; a lot of different pop music so that already makes for a very fun evening, and you leave the theater singing some tunes, and it’s kind of a romp through the world of love.”
Other ballets that are slated for Sofranko’s Welcome Gala include “Allegro Brilliante” and “Ghost Light”, and Sofranko will be presenting a new piece as well.
The gala is sure to be a night to remember, complete with “an elegant seated dinner with James, local dignitaries, VIPs, and fellow ballet lovers at L3VEL at The B.O.B in downtown Grand Rapids,” according to the ballet’s website. The event will be concluded with “a glamorous, glitter-filled champagne after-party with beautiful and talented dancers at Peter Martin Wege Theatre.”
Tickets for the gala can be purchased via Ticketmaster through the Grand Rapids Ballet website. The event will take place on the evening of Thursday, October 18.
Sofranko, while receiving a warm welcome from Grand Rapids, concluded his interview with WKTV by expressing his belief that ballet is for everyone.
“If you’ve never experienced a ballet performance before, you should come on out and see one,” he said. “You don’t need to be nervous that you’ve never seen anything like this before. You don’t have to have any pre-knowledge about what ballet is or what art is. There’s so many different ways to enjoy this art form.”
And with the Grand Rapids Ballet ready for an exciting new start this fall, there will be many chances to enjoy it, as well.
Tulip Time Festival and the Holland Area Arts Council have announced the 2019 Art in Bloom (AIB) Festival Artwork Competition. Each year, the Holland Area Arts Council invites a juror to select the Top 20 pieces for AIB. Kristin Jass Armstrong, Executive Director of the Saugatuck Center for the Arts, will be the 2019 juror.
Until 2011, posters were commissioned work from selected artists. Since AIB transitioned into a Festival Artwork Competition, eight local artists have been awarded this honor:
2011 Beth Charles – “Drama Queens”
2012 Brittany Strabbing – “Beautiful Dream”
2013 Maggie Schultz – “Clothed in Splendor”
2014 Karin Nelson – “Resilience”
2015 Carolyn Stich – “Joy of Spring”
2016 Alla Dickson – “Spectacle”
2017 Michele Gort – “Playful Time”
2018 Cindy Awrey – “Together”
Artists in Ottawa, Allegan, Kent, Muskegon, and Kalamazoo counties are invited to submit artwork. Submissions for the 2019 Festival Artwork Competition will be accepted from Sept. 29 through Oct. 4. The artwork theme should represent Tulip Time’s mission to celebrate Holland’s tulips, Dutch heritage and community with special consideration to our 90th festival theme: ‘join the dance as we paint the town orange!’ The winner of the 2019 competition will be announced at First Bloom, a special unveiling reception held in February.
To view the submission forms and full entry requirements, please pick up a prospectus from the Tulip Time Festival Office or the Holland Area Arts Council. The prospectus can also be found online at www.tuliptime.com/artinbloom and www.hollandarts.org.
For additional details, artists are encouraged to contact Mary Sundstrom at (616) 396-3278 or mary@hollandarts.org.
The Tulip Time Festival Guide is now available offering complete details for the 2018 program. Festival Guides can be viewed online or you can request a copy at www.tuliptime.com/join.
Join the dance as we paint the town orange in celebration of Dutch Culture, Community and Tulips at the 90th Tulip Time Festival May 4–23, 2019.
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 September. For more event details, go here.
Mars: Astronomy and Culture
Exhibition Dates: Aug. 24-Oct. 31
Exhibition Reception: Sept. 13, from 5-7 pm
Location: Art Gallery, Thomas J. and Marcia J. Haas Center for Performing Arts, Allendale Campus
Throughout the years, Mars has been depicted in multiple forms. The “Mars: Astronomy and Culture” exhibit will bring together photographs, drawings, movie posters, book covers and video projections spotlighting the Red Planet, as well as feature a showcase of Martian-themed toys and collectibles from a private collection based in Chicago. During an opening reception on September 13, guests will be able to enjoy a virtual reality simulator for an immersive experience on Mars. Portions of the exhibition will be hosted at both the Center Art Gallery at Calvin College and the Holland Museum. This exhibition was curated by the Pasadena Arts Council for the Williamson Gallery, Art Center College of Design, Pasadena, California. It is a project of the Pasadena Arts Council’s EMERGE Fiscal Sponsorship Program.
Tesla Quartet (photo supplied)
An Italian Journey: Tesla Quartet performs Tchaikovsky’s “Souvenir de Florence”
Sept. 17, at 7:30 pm
Location: Cook-DeWitt Center, Allendale Campus
Inspired by numerous pleasurable escapes from harsh Russian winters, Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky’s love of Italy is reflected in his “String Sextet in D Minor, Op. 70 ‘Souvenir de Florence.’” Best known as a master composer of symphonies and ballets, Tchaikovsky crafted this work through a rich blend of well-known Italian street songs and melodies. The internationally acclaimed Tesla Quartet will open this program with “Quartet in B minor, Op. 33, No. 1” by Franz Joseph Haydn, and then be joined by Grand Valley music faculty members Paul Swantek (viola) and Pablo Mahave-Veglia (cello) to perform “Souvenir de Florence.” Formed at The Julliard School in 2008, members of the Tesla String Quartet include Ross Snyder (violin), Michelle Lie (violin), Edwin Kaplan (viola) and Serafim Smigelskiy (cello).
The 31st Annual Rubber Ducky festival kicks off on Monday, Aug. 13 in Downtown Bellaire and runs through Sunday, Aug. 19. The festival features several week-long events, including Bay Area Big Band, Community Paddle Event, Commission on Aging Picnic and Car Show, Duck and Glow 5k Run/Walk and 1 Mile Kiddie Dash, Corn Hole Tournament, Kids Activities, and Rubber Ducky Parade and Race. Finish the week with the return of the Short’s Glacial Hills Challenge XC on Sunday.
Rubber Ducky Festival’s biggest day is on Saturday, Aug. 18, with a quarter-mile race as 2000 yellow ducks are dumped into the Intermediate River, after Bellaire’s largest parade of the year, with the finish line at RIVERSIDE MARINA. Visitors can buy a $5 race ticket that corresponds to the number on a Rubber Duck. Ducks finishing the “Top 27” win a cash prize. Prizes: 1st – $500; 2nd – $300; 3rd – $100; 4th-7th place – $50; 8th-27th place – $10. Participants do not have to be present to win.
Saturday also features a Fine Arts & Craft Show at the Antrim County Courthouse, Kid’s “Ducking Park” including games for all ages, bounce houses & slides, face painting, and a FREE kid’s movie. Downtown Bellaire will be alive with sidewalk and library book sales. Bellaire’s biggest parade of the season kicks off at 3pm, followed by the dropping of 2,000 ducks at the North Bridge Street Bridge. End the night with the 2nd Annual Community BBQ, Music by Frank Sinatra (aka Billy McAllister) and Jukebox Saturday Night.
This year’s festival is part of Bellaire’s 12 Days of Summer Celebration, Aug. 8-19, kicking off with the 3-day Antrim County Fair, with a restaurant cook-off, dog show, family movie night and horse pulls Aug. 9-11.
For a full schedule of events or to be a vendor, visit the Bellaire Chamber of Commerce website at bellairechamber.org or call Bellaire Chamber of Commerce at 231-533-6023.
By Courtney Sheffer, West Michigan Tourist Association
The public is invited to vote on the Top 50 finalist photos in the West Michigan Photo Contest to help determine the winners.
The 2018 West Michigan Photo Contest received over 900 photo submissions showcasing West Michigan during the month of July, and WMTA has narrowed the entries down to the top 50 photos, which the public is invited to vote on to help select the winning photographs.
The top 50 photo entries are posted in a photo album on the West Michigan Facebook page. Visitors to the photo album may cast votes for any photos by “liking” or “reacting” to each photo. Votes may be cast for multiple photos.
Public voting is now open, and the winning photos will be announced on August 15th, 2018. Go here to see the photos and to vote.
The Honolulu House Museum again will be the center of home-tour activities. The eight private homes on tour will be announced soon. (Photo courtesy Marshall Historical Society)
The 55th Annual Marshall Historic Home Tour on September 8th & 9th will feature 19 homes, with one home having ties to a major motion picture being released later in September.
On tour for the second consecutive year is the 1873 Italianate-style home that inspired the 1973 novel The House with a Clock in Its Walls by Marshall author John Bellairs. The movie version starring Jack Black and Cate Blanchett will be released September 20th, 2018.
Marshall’s railroad center, an octagon-shaped building that once stored luggage at the city’s railroad depot, has been reconstructed just north of the city. Marshall had been a regular stop for trains running between Detroit and Chicago in the late 1800s.
The 2018 home tour will have 19 sites, including eight private homes and seven museums. Tour hours are 9am-5pm on Saturday, Sept. 8th and 10am-5pm on Sunday, Sept. 9th. The Honolulu House Museum, 107 N. Kalamazoo Ave., again will be the central hub for home tour activities.
The other buildings on tour represent a range of architectural styles and were built between 1850 and 1911. Related events will include an arts and crafts fair and a Civil War Ball.
“The home tour committee is thrilled to have more private homes on tour this year and a wonderful cross-section of homeowners,” said Jennifer Conley Darling, chair of the Marshall Historic Home Tour. “A younger generation is purchasing these historic homes and renovating them by honoring the original architecture with modern décor.”
Advance tickets cost $20 and are available through September 3rd at www.marshallhometour.org or by calling (269) 781-8544. Tickets will be $25 after September 3rd. Tickets are good for both tour days. Parking is free and free shuttle buses will run to the tour sites.
The Marshall Historic Home Tour began in 1964, and it has grown into the longest-running home tour in the Midwest. The Marshall Historical Society uses the home tour proceeds to maintain and enhance its three museums and to support community efforts to preserve, protect, and promote Marshall’s historic heritage.
Once again the communities of Kentwood and Wyoming will be participating in National Night Out — this year on Tuesday, Aug. 7 — where residents are encouraged to turn their porch light on and come out and meet their neighbors. Go here for more info.
Wyoming hosts its last on-the-road meeting for the summer on Monday, Aug. 6.
“These are just great opportunities to get out in the community,” said Mayor Jack Poll during the meeting at Del-Mar. “We want our citizens to feel that we are very approachable and that they can come and talk with us.”
On Monday’s agenda are several items that will cover projects for the city’s parks and recreation and public works department along with several bid proposals and ordinance changes.
Michigan has an endless supply of grandchild-friendly activities, meaning long summer days filled with endless smiles and continuous laughter. These are the precious memories that last a lifetime.
The KDL Kelloggsville branch will host a Dot Mandala Painting Workshop Thursday, Aug 9. Go here for more details.
Fun fact:
Octopuses lay 56,000 eggs at a time.
The mother spends six months so devoted to protecting the eggs that she doesn’t eat. The babies are the size of a grain of rice when they’re born. (Source.) Then mom dies. And that's the thanks she gets.
As part of its Parks Master Planning events, the City of Kentwood has scheduled an ice cream social today, Aug. 1, at Northeast Park from 6 to 8 p.m.
WKTV Staff
ken@wktv.org
As part of The City of Kentwood continuing effort to seek public input for improving its Parks and Recreation Department programming through a series of Parks Master Planning events, the city has scheduled an ice cream social today, Aug. 1, at Northeast Park from 6 to 8 p.m.
Hosted by the city, the event will include complimentary ice cream for participants.
Residents of all ages will have the opportunity to help shape the future of Kentwood’s parks by sharing their ideas which will be used as a basis for future parks and recreation development.
“We welcome all residents and park users to join us at these events to help plan our parks,” Val Romeo, Kentwood Parks and Recreation director, said in supplied information. “We want to know what improvements the community wants to see. These events offer the perfect platform to share stories and insights as we begin to transform our parks.”
Following the event at Northeast Park, other opportunities for input will be offered during other upcoming community events including the Celebrate Kentwood gathering on Aug. 11, and the End of Summer Food Truck Festival on Sept. 15.
The City of Kentwood announced today that Kalamazoo Avenue from 52nd Street to 60th Street is slated to be closed from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Thursday, Aug. 2 while the road receives a joint repair treatment.
The MSU Extension Master Gardener Program changes lives. Committed to improving the quality of life in Michigan through horticulture-based volunteerism and beautifying communities throughout the state, the program provides instruction in basic, research-based horticulture science to motivated and active gardeners through an adult (18 years or older) educational program offered by MSU Extension. More info here.
We’ve been fed alternative facts: There is no such thing as multi-tasking. You’re not doing two things at once, you’re switching back and forth. And if you have three or four or five things going, your performance suffers.
Announced today, the Air Supply concert at the Frederik Meijer Gardens Amphitheater, originally scheduled for Sunday, July 29, has been postponed until Thursday, Aug. 16.
A statement from the band reads:
“It is with deep regret that for the first time in their 40-year history Air Supply has been forced to cancel a pair of dates this weekend — including the show this Sunday, July 29 at Meijer Gardens — following Russell Hitchcock’s recent emergency shoulder surgery. As a result, doctors have ordered Russell to rest and recuperate before continuing with the tour. However, this show is now rescheduled for Thursday, August 16th and we are excited that Air Supply will be able to perform at Meijer Gardens in just a few weeks! All previously purchased tickets will be honored at the new date.”
Meijer Gardens adds that fans that are unable to attend the new date may request a refund at their point of purchase. Refunds must be requested by Aug. 3. For credit card refunds, please email customerservice@startickets.com or call 1-800-585-3737. For cash refunds, please visit the main admission desk at Frederik Meijer Gardens & Sculpture Park.
It’s a cliche story often told — 15-year-old blues guitar prodigy’s debut goes platinum — but it has been 20-or-so years since Jonny Lang first invaded headphones and loudspeakers with the album Wander This World and its earworm single by the same name.
Now, at age 36 and with his latest of six studio releases on the streets, 2017’s Signs, Lang is, as Muddy Waters once sang, “a man, I’m a full-grown man, I’m a man, I’m a rollin’ stone.”
Jonny Lang will be rollin’ into Grand Rapids to play 20 Monroe Live on Friday, Aug. 10, at 7 p.m. Tickets are still available.
“I got married, had kids, and that arc has been recorded on albums along the way,” Lang describes his life and music, in supplied material. “There is a lot of personal history in there, and also some things that relate to world events.”
With Signs, he says, he is not merely returning to his guitar-based beginnings, but an embodiment of an even more elemental sound. Beyond focusing attention on his soloing prowess, it is about recapturing the spirit of the early blues, where the guitar was front and center, “leaping out of the speakers,” he says.
“A lot of my earlier influences have been coming to the surface, like Robert Johnson, and Howlin’ Wolf,” Lang said in supplied material. “I have been appreciating how raw and unrefined that stuff is. I had an itch to emulate some of that and I think it shows in the songs. Still, I let the writing be what it was and that was sometimes not necessarily the blues. … Some of the songs are autobiographical, but not usually in a literal way.”
Now a year into his living with taking Signs onto the road, some of the songs have made their way into his set lists, most notably “Signs” and “Bring Me Home”, but a scan of his latest concerts on setlist.fm show he looks backwards, forwards and sideways on a nightly basis.
Lang also reportedly breaks out the slide guitar for “Signs” — maybe my favorite single instrument — and blurs a personal story with the strange, strange events of today’s America and world.
“I try to disregard politics as much as I can, but it seems like every day when you wake up there is something else crazy going on — not normal crazy, but more like movie script crazy,” he said in supplied material.
20 Monroe Live is located at 11 Ottawa Avenue NW, in downtown Grand Rapids. Tickets range from $35-$60 and can be purchased at livenation.com .
Kentwood City Hall and the surrounding area will be buzzing with activity on Aug. 11 as the community’s Celebrate Kentwood event returns for a day of fun and celebration.
This year’s festival will be one jam-packed day of events at City Hall and the Kent District Library’s Kentwood (Richard. L. Root) Branch featuring family-friendly activities, local food vendors, community booths, a beer garden and live music.
Also returning to the annual festival will be the classic car show and Kentwood’s Got Talent. Modeled after the popular TV show, the talent competition will feature singers, dancers and other performers from the community.
“The 50th Anniversary Celebrate Kentwood festival was such a great event that the fun, food, and entertainment will return on Aug. 11,” said Kentwood Mayor Stephen Kepley. “All of West Michigan is welcome to join as we enjoy the diverse culture and talent that makes Kentwood a desired place to work and raise a family.”
The day will rev up at 9 a.m. with the classic car show, featuring dozens of antique, classic and one-of-a-kind cars. Also kicking off the day will be a myriad of local vendors at the Kentwood Farmers Market, offering fresh produce, popcorn, cheese, honey and more.
A variety of family-friendly attractions will be on-site from noon to 4 p.m. There will be inflatables for kids to climb, and carnival games to enjoy, among other kid-friendly activities.
A previous Kentwood’s Got talent contestant. (WKTV)
Featured talent from around West Michigan will take the stage at noon for Kentwood’s Got Talent. The winner will receive a $500 cash prize. Contestants will have up to five minutes to wow the judges with their talents. The show begins at noon and is free and open to the public.
Food trucks will gather behind City Hall at 11 a.m. to offer a variety of savory and sweet snacks and beverages. Community booths from all over West Michigan will also line the streets. A beer garden will be open to adults 21 and older from 12:30 p.m. to 10 p.m.
Live music will be featured on the main stage throughout the evening. The lineup includes: 2:30-4 p.m., Allie Garland & Awesome Sauce; 4:30-5:30 p.m., Hannah Rose and the GravesTones; 6-7:30 p.m., Asamu Johnson and The Associates of The Blues; and 8-10 p.m., Avalon Cutts-Jones Music.
Celebrate Kentwood’s presenting sponsor is DTE Energy Foundation. Platinum level sponsors are Macatawa Bank and NN Mobile Solutions. A full list of sponsors is available online.
The Parks and Recreation Department is seeking volunteers for Celebrate Kentwood. There are also openings for the car show and for community booths. Sign-up information and a timeline of events can be found online here.
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.
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.
