Category Archives: Upcoming Events

Get your Greek on at Yassou! Greek Festival Aug. 17-19

Citizen Journalism, Entertainment, Food, Kids Activities, Local Business, Local Faces, Non-Profits, Our Cities, Recreation, Senior Living, Upcoming Events,

 

By Holy Trinity Greek Orthodox Church

 

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.

Grand Rapids Ballet preparing for new season with new artistic director

3-bottom, Local Entertainment, Newscast, Upcoming Events,

 

By Kirie Quackenbush, WKTV Intern

ken@wktv.org

 

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.

 

James Sofranko. (© Erik Tomasson)

“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.

 

Art in Bloom Festival Artwork Competition is taking entries Sept. 29-Oct. 4

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By Elizabeth Wallace, Tulip Time

 

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.

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

Entertainment, Upcoming Events, , , ,
Mars: Astronomy and Culture (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 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).

Get your “Quack On” at Bellaire’s annual Rubber Ducky Festival Aug. 13-19

3-bottom, Citizen Journalism, Holidays, Kids Activities, Pets/Animals, Recreation, Senior Living, Upcoming Events, , , ,
Photo supplied

By Jeremy Witt, West Michigan Tourist Association

 

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.

Public voting on West Michigan Photo Contest now open

3-bottom, Citizen Journalism, Upcoming Events, ,

 

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 55th annual Marshall Historic Home Tour features 19 sites this year

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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)

By Bill Mabin, 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.

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

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By WKTV Staff

victoria@wktv.org

 

Quote of the Day

"Pleasure in the job puts perfection in the work."


                                             ~ Aristotle

Let there be light

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.

 

 

Last chance

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.

 

The grandkids are all right

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.

 

Here are some ideas to get you started.

 

 

Connect the dots. Or not.

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.

Kentwood continues asking community to help ‘Plan Our Parks’

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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.

 

For more information, please visit Kentwood.us/parks.

 

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

By WKTV Staff

victoria@wktv.org

Quote of the Day

"When the flower blossoms, the bee will come." 

                                               ~ Srikumar Rao

The Road Less Traveled

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.

 

Mind the detour. Here are the details.

 

 

 

 

Who knew horticulture could be soooo dramatic?

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.

 

Pie in the sky

Carl Sagan once said, “If you wish to make an apple pie from scratch, you must first invent the universe.”

 

Failing that, just take this pie crust class at the KDL Kentwood (Richard L. Root) branch Saturday, Aug. 4th. More info here.

 

You’re welcome.

 

And here you thought you were a superhero

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.

 

More here.

 

 

Fun fact:

“Running amok” is a medically
recognized mental condition

Considered a culturally bound syndrome, a person “running amok” in Malaysia commits a sudden, frenzied mass attack, then begins to brood. (Source.)

 

Air Supply’s weekend concert at Meijer Gardens postponed until Aug. 16

Entertainment, Upcoming Events,
Air Supply. (Supplied/Denise Truscello)

Frederik Meijer Gardens & Sculpture Park

 

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.

 

For more information visit meijergardens.com .

 

‘Full-grown’ guitar wunderkind Jonny Lang to flash ‘Signs’ at 20 Monroe Live

Entertainment, Local Entertainment, Reviews, Upcoming Events,
Jonny Lang. (Supplied/Daniella Hovsepian)

By K.D. Norris

ken@wktv.org

 

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 .

 

 

Encore of ‘Got Talent’ as Celebrate Kentwood returns Aug. 11

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City of Kentwood

 

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.

 

Milk Carton Kids new-release support tour includes stop at St. Cecilia Music Center

Entertainment, Reviews, Upcoming Events, ,
“The Kids”, an American indie folk duo consisting of Joey Ryan and Kenneth Pattengale, are from California, have been performing since 2011 and are what one reviewer called “absolute geniuses in close-harmony.” (Supplied)

By K.D. Norris

ken@wktv.org

 

When St. Cecilia Music Center announced last week the addition of The Milk Carton Kids to its 2018-19 folk series concert lineup, I remembered the duo’s brief appearance on the concert film “Another Day, Another Time: Celebrating the Music of Inside Llewyn Davis” but, embarrassingly, realized I knew practically nothing about the duo.

 

Then, in researching the group’s latest release —  All the Things That I Did and All the Things That I Didn’t Do, which came out June 29 — I found out the new music was produced by Joe Henry.

 

That was all I needed to know.

 

The Milk Carton Kids will appear as part of St. Cecilia’s impressive and not-done-yet Acoustic Café Folk Series on Feb. 28, 2019.

 

“The Kids”, an American indie folk duo consisting of Joey Ryan and Kenneth Pattengale, are from California, have been performing since 2011 and are what one reviewer called “absolute geniuses in close-harmony.”

 

Nominated in 2015 for a Grammy for Best American Roots Performance, Best Folk Album of the year in 2013, and winner of The Americana Music Association for Best Duo/Group of the year in 2014, the Kids have just started touring in support of All the Things That I Did and All the Things That I Didn’t Do.

 

“Musically we knew we were going to make the record with a bigger sonic palette,” Ryan said in supplied material. “It was liberating to know we didn’t have to be able to carry every song with just our two guitars.”

 

And if you want to change our sonic palette, whether your a musician or a listener, there may be no better producer than Henry — in the last 10 years he has worked with the likes of the Madonna, Rosanne Cash, the Carolina Chocolate Drops (Rhiannon Giddens one-time band), Over the Rhine, Bonnie Raitt and Billy Bragg (one-time with Wilco); to just scratch the surface.

 

And Henry’s own musical work is not shabby either, as evidenced by last year’s Thrum. (Although my favorite is 1999’s Fuse.)

 

But we were talking about the Milk Carton Kids …

 

The Kids have proven in-demand collaborators, including musical partnerships with Emmylou Harris, Steve Earle, Dar Williams, and Chris Hillman, as well as teaming with T-Bone Burnett and the Coen Brothers for the acclaimed concert documentary “Another Day, Another Time: Celebrating the Music of Inside Llewyn Davis” — the concert documentary derived from the final Coen Brothers film “Insider Llewyn Davis”. In 2016, the band joined forces with Emmylou Harris, Steve Earle, Patty Griffin, Buddy Miller, and Robert Plant for the sold out Lampedusa: Concerts for Refugees tour.

 

The new project marks the first time that the acoustic duo, Ryan and Pattengale, have brought a band into the studio with them.

 

“We wanted to do something new,” Pattengale said in supplied material. “We had been going around the country yet another time to do the duo show, going to the places we’d been before. There arose some sort of need for change.”

 

The Kids’ trademark two-part harmonies “ride acoustic guitars high above the haunting landscape created by the presence of the band, as if Americana went searching for a lost America,” according to supplied material.

 

Produced by Henry, All the Things … was recorded in October 2017 in the Sun Room at House of Blues Studio in Nashville. Musicians who joined them there included Brittany Haas on violin and mandolin, Paul Kowert and Dennis Crouch on bass, Jay Bellerose on drums, Levon Henry on clarinet and saxophone, Nat Smith on cello, Pat Sansone on piano, mellotron, and Hammond organ, Russ Pahl on pedal steel and other guitars and Lindsay Lou and Logan Ledger as additional singers.

 

“By extending that language to a band and reimagining the boundaries around what acoustic-centered two-part harmony can sound like, All The Things That I Did and All The Things That I Didn’t Do carries listeners down a river and out into the open sea,” Pattengale said.

 

Can’t wait to catch up with the Kids, but, must admit, that title sounds like a line from one of Henry’s trademark unfathomable songs.

 

The new announcement of The Milk Carton Kids brings the St. Cecilia folk series to four concerts, with more to be announced: Pokey LaFarge on Oct. 4, The Lone Bellow on Nov. 29, and Béla Fleck & Abigail Washburn Feb. 9, 2019.

 

Tickets for The Milk Carton Kids are $40 and $45. All tickets can be purchased by calling St. Cecilia Music Center at 616-459-2224 or visiting the box office at 24 Ransom Ave. NE. Tickets can also be purchased online at scmc-online.org.

 

Crane Wives return home for gig at Kentwood Summer Concert Series

3-bottom, City of Kentwood, Going Local, Kids Activities, Local Entertainment, Recreation, Upcoming Events,
The Crane Wives performs July 26.

By Micah Cho, WKTV Intern

ken@wktv.org

 

The Crane Wives are set to take the stage on Kentwood City Hall’s lawn as part of the Kentwood Summer Concert Series on Thursday, July 26 at 7 p.m.

 

Made up of band members Dan Rickabus, Emilee Petersmark, Ben Zito and Kate Pillsbury, The Crane Wives got their start while attending college at Grand Valley State University.  Though the band has changed its sound over the years, listeners can expect to hear the mix of folk and indie pop in their music that gives them their unique sound.

 

“In Japanese folklore, the crane wife is a bird disguised as a woman who spins fine silks from her own feathers, until her identity is discovered,” according to the band’s website. “The Crane Wives spin fine songs from whole cloth, and you will never want the melodies to leave your head.”

 

After making recent tour stops throughout the country, the band will be returning home to play for the crowds that gave them their start.

 

“It’s special when we play back home,” Pillsbury told the WKTV Journal. “We’re incredibly thankful to the West Michigan community for being supportive of our art.”

 

Concert goers can expect to hear songs like “Here I Am”, which explores social injustices people face in urban communities. Listeners can also expect to hear songs from all four albums of the band’s seven-year career.

 

In addition to a variety of music, the Kentwood concerts offer a variety of food trucks at each concert offering food and beverages for purchase. Concert-goers are also encouraged to bring a blanket or their chair and are welcome to bring their own beer or wine.

 

The Kentwood Summer Concert Series offers free outdoor concerts until August. The final concert will provide music from Blue Soul Express on Aug. 2 at Kentwood City Hall located at 4900 Breton Road SE.

 

For more information on the City of Kentwood Summer Concert Series, visit here.

 

For more information about The Crane Wives, visit here.

 

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

3-bottom, City of Kentwood, Kids Activities, Local Entertainment, Upcoming Events
The Grand Rapids Public Museum (GRPM) announced that a special evening series of programs will take place this summer at the Roger B. Chaffee Planetarium. (Supplied)

 

WKTV Staff

ken@wktv.org

 

Fun in Space: Learn more about the night sky, rain or shine 

 

The Grand Rapids Public Museum (GRPM) announced that a special evening series of programs will take place this summer at the Roger B. Chaffee Planetarium.

 

For the complete story, click here.

 

Community activities: Swing dance for all in downtown GR

 

Enjoy free swing dancing at Rosa Park Circle this summer while listening to live music! Every Tuesday through October. Fun for all ages. Lessons are offered during the first half hour.

For the complete story, click here.

 

WKTV YouTube Videos: Looking for something to do nearby? 

West Michigan Tourist Association’s Jeremy Witt sits down with WKTV to talk about fun, educational adventures West Michigan residents can enjoy this summer.

 

 

Krasl Art Center partners with the Notre Dame Shakespeare Festival to present ‘The Merchant of Venice’

Citizen Journalism, Entertainment, Upcoming Events, ,

By Amber Erickson, Krasl Art Center

 

Shining a light on the outcast, the excluded, and the other, the Notre Dame Shakespeare Festival (NDSF) Touring Company partners for the third year with the Krasl Art Center to present an exciting new production of Shakespeare’s classic slapstick comedy The Merchant of Venice on Friday, July 27 at 7pm.

 

Director Jemma Alix Levy helms this year’s Touring Company production. Levy is the Founding Artistic Director of Muse of Fire Theatre Company, which just finished its seventh season in Evanston, IL, where she spends her summers. She has directed multiple Shakespeare productions for Muse of Fire and other companies, including Hamlet, Romeo & Juliet, Julius Caesar, and Henry V, as well for other schools and theatres including The Taming of the Shrew and The Two Gentlemen of Verona (American Shakespeare Center), and Macbeth (Quill Theatre). She is currently an Associate Professor of Theatre at Washington & Lee University in Lexington, VA.

 

Join the NDSF Touring Company in its signature ensemble style under the open sky, and explore the plight of the mistreated “other” in a time when Shakespeare’s comic and dramatic dilemmas are as relevant as ever. Director Levy’s new staging of The Merchant of Venice engages audiences through both hilarious comedy and a villain who elicits great sympathy.

 

Visit shakespeare.nd.edu to learn more about the Touring Company and other exciting NDSF programs.

 

NEW LOCATION THIS YEAR! The Krasl Art Center will be holding this year’s Shakespeare performance in the Benton Harbor Arts District at the corner of 5th Street and Territorial Road (at the shipping container) due to Sculpting Community construction taking place on the KAC’s grounds. To learn more about Sculpting Community, visit https://krasl.org/art/sculpture-map/sculpting-community/ or to make a donation, visit https://public.krasl.org/web/donate.

 

This performance is FREE and open to the public; bring the whole family, pack your own chairs, and experience The Merchant of Venice like never before.

 

Soft drinks and water for sale during the event, cash only.

Snapshots: Wyoming and Kentwood news you need to know

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

 

WKTV Staff

ken@wktv.org

 

Kentwood: City continues extensive effort to gain public input on parks 

 

The City of Kentwood continues to seek public input for improving its Parks and Recreation Department programming as part of a series of Parks Master Planning events. The next in the series will take place Thursday, July 19, at the City of Kentwood Summer Concert series concert, but there are several other opportunities as well.

 

For the complete story, click here.

 

Wyoming and Kentwood: Calvin College works in Plaster Creek watershed

 

Calvin Students at Plaster Creek (Photo by Amanda Impens)

The environmental project is in collaboration with the Plaster Creek Stewards, with a group of Calvin faculty, staff, and students have been working over a decade on the restoration of the Plaster Creek watershed, which includes both cities.

For the complete story, click here.

 

WKTV on YouTube: Wyoming Public Safety millage informational discussion

The City of Wyoming’s request to renew its existing public safety millage on the Aug. 7 primary ballot. Millage renewal approval would provide a permanent annual collection of 1.25 mills for the operation, maintenance and administration of city police and fire services. Discussion the request is City of Wyoming Mayor Jack Poll and Chief Kim Koster, Wyoming Public Safety Director.

 

 

Kentwood continues to ask community to help ‘Plan Our Parks’

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

 

WKTV Staff

ken@wktv.org

 

The City of Kentwood continues to seek public input for improving its Parks and Recreation Department programming as part of a series of Parks Master Planning events. The next in the series will take place Thursday, July 19, at the City of Kentwood Summer Concert series concert featuring The Moxie Strings at Kentwood City Hall.

 

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 are eager to engage the community to help guide the future of our parks and recreation for the next 50 years,” Val Romeo, Kentwood Parks and Recreation director, said in supplied information.

 

Other upcoming community events include an ice cream social at Northeast Park from 6 to 8 p.m. on Aug. 1, the Celebrate Kentwood gathering on Aug. 11, and the End of Summer Food Truck Festival on Sept. 15.

 

“We welcome all residents and park users to join us at these events to help plan our parks,” Romeo said. “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.”

 

For more information, please visit Kentwood.us/parks.

 

Lottery for slips at New Ottawa Beach Marina now open

3-bottom, Citizen Journalism, Holidays, Recreation, Upcoming Events, , , ,

By Jessica VanGinhoven, Ottawa County Parks

 

Construction is expected to begin on the new Ottawa Beach Marina in mid-October, with plans to open spring 2019, but preparations have already begun for next season’s marina customers.

 

The Ottawa Beach Marina will have 15 seasonal slips, four moorings, and 26 transient slips. As stipulated by a 2005 court agreement, members of the West Michigan Park Association were given the first opportunity to reserve seasonal slips at market rate. At this time, up to seven seasonal slips and two moorings are still available for rent for the 2019 season. Due to the anticipated interest in slips, they will be available via a lottery.

 

The 26 transient slips will be managed by Ottawa County Parks and fees are recommended to follow the State Fee Schedule C for transient slips in Michigan.

 

Transient slips will be a great opportunity for visitors in the area to enjoy Holland from the water, especially if they are staying in campgrounds near the Holland State Park or renting cottages near the beach. Residents who may not be interested in paying for a seasonal slip may enjoy having the option to keep their boat in the water during a long weekend or stay-cation. There is not a boat launch on-site; trailer storage will likely be available. More information coming soon.

 

For more information about the lottery, please visit: miOttawa.org/marina or contact the Parks Administrative office.

Ottawa Beach Marina Seasonal Slip Information

Lottery Rules

  • Slips are non-transferable
  • Lottery entries are due by August 2 at 11:59 pm. Drawings will be made on August 3.
  • A 25% deposit will be required by August 17, 2018 to secure your slip (unpaid deposit will result in a loss of reservation).

Enter 2019 Seasonal Slip Lottery

 

2019 Season

We intend to start construction immediately after October 15 and have the marina operational by Memorial Day of 2019. If the season is shorter due to construction delays, we will adjust marina rent in weekly increments based on a season running from May 20 through September 17.

 

We will do all we can to be open by Memorial Day and we will keep in touch with our slip renters as to how the project is proceeding.

 

Marina details

  • Docks will be fixed, not floating. Please note that the location of the seasonal slips is east of the private residence (see layout). Seasonal marina patrons will park in the lot and walk via the public walkway to the marina. There is no access along waterfront in front of the private residence.
  • Slip rates are $100 per foot with an overall rate based on the size of the boat or slip, whichever is larger.
  • Boats (including platforms and sprits, etc) may extend up to 10% beyond the dock length on the 40’ slips. Smaller boats are welcome in the 40′ slip, but the minimum rate is $4,000 a season.
  • Moorings are priced at $40/foot; dinghy storage is included.
  • One parking space per slip will be provided in a dedicated parking lot. The first five spaces in the lot will be public parking for a public kayak launch located on the transient dock. No marina patrons will be allowed to park in public spaces.
  • A new building will include a small marina office, plus private restrooms and showers for marina patrons. Separate public restrooms will also be available in the building. A “for fee” washer and dryer will be provided, plus vending machines and ice.
  • Electrical service will be provided on a charge-back basis. Water service will be provided at no additional cost, as will wireless internet. A pump out station will be provided.

Available slip sizes

  • 30’ slip – 0 available (Please note slips were first made available to WMPA as stipulated by a 2005 court agreement; currently 8 of the 15 are reserved at market rate by WMPA. More info can be found below).
  • 40’ slip – 6 available
  • 75’ slip – 1 available
  • Mooring – 2 available

To enter into the 2019 Marina Slip Lottery, complete the online application by August 2 at 11:59 pm. Drawings will be made on August 3.

 

URL: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/2019OBMarinaLottery

Big Dudee Roo brings ‘raw energy’ to Kentwood summer concerts series July 12

3-bottom, City of Kentwood, Local Entertainment, Recreation, Upcoming Events,
Big Dudee Roo will play the Kentwood summer concert series on July 12. (Facebook)

 

By K.D. Norris

ken@wktv.org 

 

The next City of Kentwood Summer Concert Series, on Thursday, July 12, will offer some definitely “Dudee Free” music as Grand Rapids based Big Dudee Roo presents its heady concoction of psychedelic/grunge sounds, folk-rock fierceness in the style of Neil Young and Crazy Horse, and pointed social and political lyrics.

 

(Dudee Free is the title of the latest release by the band, by the way … I did not just make that up. And I caught up with them last year at a brew pub’s outdoor fest, and they are a great live band.)

 

The band is currently made up of Max Lockwood on vocals, bass and songwriting; Justin Dore on lead guitar and backing vocals; Nate Wagner on vocals, guitar and songwriting; and Daine Hammerle on drums.

 

The Summer Concert Series offers free concerts and family entertainment on select Thursday nights from June to August. All concerts will begin at 7 p.m., on the lawn behind Kentwood City Hall, located at 4900 Breton Road SE.

 

In addition to a variety of music, the concerts offer a variety of food trucks at each concert offering food and beverages for purchase. Concert-goers are also encouraged to bring a blanket or their chair, and are welcome to bring their own beer or wine.

 

While the series features an eclectic mix of indie, folk, country, blues and rock music, Big Dudee Roo may be a little hard to label.

 

“Big Dudee Roo is committed to rock and roll, and the making of it,” the band states on their website. “Started by high school friends Justin Dore, Max Lockwood, Kurt Rizley and Nate Wagner in the small town of Wayland, MI, the band has matured into a powerhouse of driving rhythms, heavy guitars, and thoughtful, poetic lyricism, combining the raw energy of Crazy Horse with the polish of Pearl Jam and Tom Petty.”

 

For more information on Big Dudee Roo, visit their website here.

 

After Big Dudee Roo, The Moxie Strings will play on July 19, The Crane Wives on July 26, and Blue Soul Express to close out the series on Aug. 2.

 

For more information on the City of Kentwood Summer Concert Series, visit here.

 

Snapshots: Fireworks — fun for everyone

3-bottom, Citizen Journalism, City of Kentwood, City of Wyoming, Kids Activities, Recreation, Senior Living, Upcoming Events, , , , , , ,

 

By WKTV Staff

 

The Fourth of July — also known as Independence Day or America’s Birthday — has been a recognized federal holiday since 1941. The day actually marks when the Continental Congress formally adopted the Declaration of Independence. (The vote for independence took place on July 2.)

 

This year, most communities will be celebrating the nation’s 242nd birthday on Wednesday, July 4. For today’s Snapshots, we provided a list of Fourth of July activities and wish everyone a safe and happy celebration.

 

Click on the cute little map thumbnails below, and you will be whisked to larger maps which will guide you to where you need to go.

 

Kentwood

Activities begin with a pancake breakfast at the KDL Kentwood (Richard L. Root), 4950 Breton Rd. SE, from 7:30-9:30am and is followed by the NN Mobile Solutions 5K Race & Fun Walk and the parade which starts at Crestwood Middle School, 2674 44th St. SE. The middle school also will be the site for the evening activities that start at 6pm with fireworks at dusk. For more, click here.

 

Grandville

Grandville’s Fourth of July celebration kicks off the day with a flag raising at 8:30am at the Grandville Middle School, 3535 Wilson Ave. SW followed by a parade. In the afternoon at the Middle School, there will be a variety of activities starting at noon with fireworks at dusk. For more, click here.

 

Grand Rapids

The Amway Family Fireworks in Grand Rapids will be July 7, yes, Saturday, July 7. The activities such as games, food, vendor exhibits and music, will kick off at 5pm at Ah-Nab-Awen Park, which is right next to the Gerald R. Ford Presidential Museum, 303 Pearl St. NW. Fireworks will be at dusk (estimated time is 10:30pm) For more, click here.

 

Dorr

This community to the south has a five-day celebration that started on June 30 and wraps up on July 4. On Wednesday, there is a community breakfast at the Dorr Christian Reformed Church, 4220 18th St., Dorr, followed by a parade and activities throughout the afternoon. The fireworks will be at dusk (estimated time is 10:20pm) For more click here.

 

Other local communities: 

East Grand Rapids, Ada, Allendale and Cascade will have Fourth of July celebrations as well. These will include parades, activities, and fireworks.

 

Village of Hopkins

Just a little further south, the Village of Hopkins has teamed up with the Gun Lake Casino for its annual Fourth of July celebration. Activities start with a free breakfast. The children’s parade is at 4pm and the main parade at 5pm. The fireworks, which are being billed as the “biggest boom ever,” are scheduled for dusk. For more, click here.

 

Lakeshore

The communities of Grand Haven, Saugatuck-Douglas and Holland all have Fourth of July events taking place. Also, Nelis’ Dutch Village will be celebrating its 60th anniversary this year. A vintage car show is set for Tuesday, July 3.

 

And to the North

Muskegon will be hosting a two-day Fourth of July celebration and the annual Lakeshore Art Festival will be taking place on July 6 and 7. Also, the White Lake area has its Fourth of July parade on Wednesday along with fireworks over the north end of White Lake. Ludington hosts its annual Freedom Festival which includes a parade and fireworks.

 

And one last boom….

At tonight’s Whitecaps games (July 3) there will be fireworks. The game starts at 7:05pm. For more, click here.

 

WKTV Schedule July 4 schedule

9:00am — Senior Exercise: Summer Special

9:30am — Celebrating Life & Food: Celebrating the 4th of July

10:00am — 4th of July Special

10:30am — A Salute To Honor

11:00am — Wings of a Mighty Fortress

12:30pm — Kentwood 4th of July Parade

1:00pm — Lost Boat Ceremony

2:15pm — Lest We Forget

4:30pm — Patriotic Festival of Music

6:00pm — West Shore Symphony: Spirit of America

7:30pm — Kentwood 4th of July Parade

8:00pm — 2017 Metro Cruise

8:30pm — Wings of a Mighty Fortress

10:00pm — Veterans’ Creative Arts Festival

City of Kentwood plans full day of Fourth of July celebrations

3-bottom, City of Kentwood, Holidays, Kids Activities, Local Entertainment, Recreation, Upcoming Events,
Parades are big thing in Kentwood, so there will be one on July 4th. (WKTV)

By City of Kentwood

 

All are invited to join the City of Kentwood’s annual Fourth of July Celebration for a full day of activities, including a pancake breakfast, a 5K race and a parade, followed by an evening complete with carnival rides, games and fireworks at Crestwood Middle School.

 

“Our Fourth of July celebration offers a variety of activities for the entire family to enjoy,” said Kentwood Mayor Stephen Kepley. “We welcome our friends and neighbors to celebrate our nation’s independence with us.”

 

The pancake breakfast will be held at the Kent District Library Kentwood (Richard L. Root) Branch community room, located at 4950 Breton Road SE, from 7:30 a.m. to 9:30 a.m. The $5 breakfast will include pancakes and sausage.

 

Beginning at 7:30 a.m., racers of all ages will gather at Kentwood City Hall, 4900 Breton Road SE, for registration for the NN Mobile Solutions 5K Race & Fun Walk. The race will begin 8:30 a.m., with the start and finish line on Walma Avenue SE near City Hall.

 

Following the race will be the annual parade at 9:30 a.m. The parade route will start at Crestwood Middle School, 2674 44th St. SE, then travel south on Walma Avenue SE to Breton Road SE, turn west on 52nd Street SE and end at Challenger Elementary School.

 

The evening celebration at Crestwood Middle School will begin at 6 p.m. and feature carnival rides, giant inflatables, food vendors and food trucks. Sweet J Band will perform blues, rock and soul music leading up to the fireworks show that will begin at dusk.

 

Kentwood Parks and Recreation is seeking volunteers for the Fourth of July Celebration. Those interested are encouraged to visit kentwood.us/parks or call 616.656.5270 to sign up.

 

More information about Independence Day activities in Kentwood can be found online at kentwood.us/parks.

 

U.S. Sen. Gary Peters to hold Grand Rapids Community Meeting

3-bottom, City of Kentwood, City of Wyoming, Politics, Upcoming Events,
S.S. Sen. Peters will be in Grand Rapids on Saturday, June 30, at the Gerald R. Ford Presidential Museum. (Supplied)

Micah Cho, WKTV Intern

ken@wktv.org

 

U.S. Sen. Gary Petters (D-Michigan) has announced that he will be traveling to four Michigan cities this summer for community meetings.

 

Peters will be in Grand Rapids on Saturday, June 30, for a 10 a.m. meeting at the Gerald R. Ford Presidential Museum, 303 Pearl St NW.

 

The other meetings will be held in Southfield and Flint.  Peters has already started his summer tour in Ypsilanti.

 

Peters’ visit is meant to encourage Michigan residents to help their communities by voicing their opinions.

 

“I am proud to represent Michigan in the United States Senate, but I know the best ideas don’t come from Washington,” Peters said in supplied material. “As I travel across our state, I always look forward to hearing from Michiganders about what can be done in Washington to make Michigan the best place to live, work and raise a family.”

 

Peters also hosts “Coffee With Gary”, where Michigan residents traveling to the Washington area can talk with the senator on Tuesdays when the U.S. Senate is in session.

 

If you would like to attend any of the meetings listed, click here to be redirected to Peters’ website.

 

If you are in the D.C. area, you can request a “Coffee With Gary” meeting by clicking here.

 

WMTA launches 2018 West Michigan Photo Contest

3-bottom, Citizen Journalism, Education, Kids Activities, Our Cities, Recreation, Senior Living, Travel, Upcoming Events, , ,
This photo was an entry in the 2017 West Michigan Photo Contest. Photo by Nathan Logsdon

By Jeremy Witt, West Michigan Tourist Association

 

The West Michigan Tourist Association (WMTA) is excited to announce the launch of their 2018 West Michigan Photo Contest. With so much beauty found in West Michigan, the West Michigan Tourist Association wants travelers to show off what they love most about this beautiful side of the state, and win some great West Michigan prizes! The contest is looking for traveler photo submissions from all around West Michigan. This region covers the entire west side of Michigan from the Indiana border to Mackinac Island and into the Upper Peninsula.

 

All photo entries must be received by July 31, 2018, for public voting by WMTA’s Facebook audience. Last year, more than 35,000 votes were cast during the public vote. All winning photos will be featured in WMTA’s upcoming West Michigan Carefree Travel Guide, printed in January 2019. The first place photo will also be featured on the cover of the Guide.

 

Additional prizes awarded to the top three photos include items from the JW Marriott in Grand Rapids, Michigan’s Adventure in Muskegon, and the Lake Express High Speed Ferry in Muskegon.

 

The accepted photo formats are high resolution (300 dpi+) jpeg or tiff. CMYK is preferred. Email submissions to PhotoContest@WMTA.org and include the full name of the photographer, the Michigan city in which the photograph was taken, and a short description of the photo. Submit one photo per email; multiple entries per person allowed.

 

For full contest rules, please visit https://www.wmta.org/2018-west-michigan-photo-contest/

South Haven Art Fair celebrates its 60th anniversary on June 30th and July 1st

Citizen Journalism, Entertainment, Kids Activities, Senior Living, Travel, Upcoming Events, ,
Courtesy South Haven Center for the Arts

By Nancy Albright, South Haven Center for the Arts

 

The 60th annual South Haven Art Fair is a two-day juried festival held one block from the Lake Michigan shore in picturesque Stanley Johnson Park, June 30 & July 1, 2018. This year’s unique blend of talent offers fine and functional artwork in acrylic, oil, watercolor, pastel, drawing, sculpture, photography, metal, glass, wood, clay, and wearable art.

 

The South Haven Art League held the first South Haven Art Fair on July 18, 1958, billed as the Clothesline Exhibit. Fifty local artists exhibited over 300 pieces on clotheslines and easels throughout the park that year.

 

In the last 60 years, the fair has evolved to include as many as 120 local and regional artists, drawing tens of thousands of guests to enjoy a one of a kind experience and all South Haven has to offer summertime visitors.

 

Admission is free. Enjoy the view!

Kentwood summer concerts continue June 21 with May Erlewine

3-bottom, City of Kentwood, Kids Activities, Local Entertainment, Recreation, Upcoming Events,
May Erlewine will play the Kentwood summer concert series on June 21. (Facebook/John Hanson)

By WKTV Staff

ken@wktv.org 

 

The City of Kentwood Summer Concert series continues this week with “Michigan’s Songbird”, May Erlewine, on Thursday, June 21.

 

The Summer Concert Series offers free concerts and family entertainment on select Thursday nights from June to August. All concerts will begin at 7 p.m., on the lawn behind Kentwood City Hall, located at 4900 Breton Road SE.

 

In addition to a variety of music, the concerts offer a variety of food trucks at each concert offering food and beverages for purchase. Concert-goers are also encouraged to bring a blanket or their chair, and are welcome to bring their own beer or wine.

 

“Some people might call May Erlewine ‘Michigan’s Songbird’, but her songs have traveled far beyond her home state,” her website states. “One of the most prolific and passionate songwriters of her generation, May’s music has touched the hearts of people all over the world. Her words have held solace for weary hearts, offered a light in the darkness and held a lot of space for the pain and joy of being alive in these times. When she starts to sing, there’s no way around it. Welcome to the moment, everyone.

 

“Raised in a family rich with art and music, May began writing songs and playing them for the people at a very young age. Her journeys have taken her all over the world, from street corners to renowned stages, May has performed for all walks of life. In her travels Erlewine came to know the land and the pulse of the people. Her songs show a very real connection and concern with everyday folk.”

 

For more information on May Erlewine, visit her website here.

 

After May Erlewine, the remainder of the concert series will have Big Dudee Roo on July 12, The Moxie Strings on July 19, The Crane Wives on July 26, and Blue Soul Express to close out the series on Aug. 2.

 

For more information on the City of Kentwood Summer Concert Series, visit here.

 

MSU Horticulture Gardens will be abuzz with Bee-Palooza on June 24th

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Photos courtesy MSU Department of Entomology

 

By Julianna Wilson, MSU Department of Entomology

 

MSU Bee Palooza is held annually In celebration of National Pollinator Week in the lovely MSU Horticulture Gardens.

 

This free, fun and education event is organized by volunteers to provide an afternoon of interactive activities centered on understanding the wonderful world of pollinators. Stations are set up around the gardens and can be visited in any order. On display are active honeybee and bumblebee colonies, examples of wild Michigan bees and wild bee hotels, plants and gardening practices to support pollinators, as well as demonstrations about how important bees are to food production. Guided wild bee tours and other hands-on activities are offered throughout the afternoon event.

 

Why hold a Bee Palooza?

Worldwide reports and concerns about pollinator declines have increased awareness and interest in pollinators and what humans can do to help. In 2012, the United States established a National Pollinator Week, which inspired members of the MSU Department of Entomology to host the first Bee Palooza in the MSU Horticulture Gardens.

 

What are pollinators and why are they important?

Pollinators — especially bees — play an important role in the production of many seeds, nuts and fruits. Pollination is the transfer of  pollen grains to fertilizer the seed-producing ovaries of flowers. Many trees, shrubs and wildflowers also depend on bees and other animals for pollination.

  • When: Sunday, June 24, 2018
  • Time: 1-4pm
  • Where: Michigan State University, 336 Village Dr, East Lansing, MI 48823, United States

For more info, go here. For the map, go here.

 

Pollinators & Pollination At MSU

Michigan is a leader in honey production and in many pollination-dependent fruit and vegetable crops. MSU Extension provides the latest information on pollinators and pollination including fact sheets from the Smart Gardening Program, webinars, educational seminars, email newsletters, and other online resources. Visit the Michigan Pollinator Initiative website for more information and resources for beekeepers, growers, and home gardeners.

 

Mining workshops, historic tours, and more at the Adventure Mine this season

3-bottom, Citizen Journalism, Education, Travel, Upcoming Events, , , ,
Photo supplied

By Matt Portfleet, Adventure Mining Company

 

Fun! Excitement! Michigan History! All of these await you at the Adventure Mining Company. Located in the scenic and historic Copper Country of Michigan’s western Upper Peninsula, the Adventure Mining Company offers something for everyone.

 

Explore Michigan’s rich copper mining history during an underground tour. Knowledgeable guides will set you up with a helmet and headlamp and lead you on an underground walking tour inside an actual copper mine that ceased operations over a hundred years ago. Five different fascinating and informative tours are offered, ranging from a basic forty-five-minute walking tour to tours that include using ropes to rappel deeper into the mine.

 

The Captains Tour and the Mining Workshop offer more intense exploration into the underground mining experience. Guests on the five- to six-hour Captains Tour descend deeper into the mine than any other tour, reaching the second level of the mine. Rope work, climbing, and crawling are all part of this extreme exploration of the Adventure Mine. You’ll even get lunch served by the light of a miner’s candlelight.

 

Photo supplied

The six-hour Mining Workshop gives you a hands-on understanding of past and present mining methods, including drilling and blasting.

 

A favorite feature for many guests is the transportation. No matter which tour you take you will get a ride in an Austrian-made six- or four-wheeled military vehicles. The vintage Pinzgauers used to carry soldiers from Switzerland’s armed forces. Now they provide guests with an adventurous and safe ride up to the mine entrances.

 

If all that underground adventure isn’t enough, the Adventure Mining Company also offers trails for hiking and mountain biking. The seven miles of trails cover everything from moderate woods trails to more challenging climbs and descents. One loop will bring you to the top of the east bluff of Adventure Mountain with panoramic views of Upper Michigan’s impressive forests — over fifty miles on a clear day!

 

Photo supplied

The Adventure Mining Company is in Greenland, Michigan twelve miles East of the town of Ontonagon. It’s near the intersection of the M-26 and M-38 highways, providing easy access from any direction.

 

For more information please visit adventureminetours.com.

 

For more information or to schedule a group or an advanced level tour call 906-883-3371 or email to info@adventureminetours.com.

LaFarge, Fleck & Washburn, set for return engagement at St. Cecilia folk series

Entertainment, Non-Profits, Upcoming Events, ,

WKTV Staff

ken@wktv.org

 

Pokey LaFarge will return his sound and songs to the St. Cecilia Music Center’s Acoustic Café stage. (Supplied)

Pokey LaFarge, and the pairing of Béla Fleck and Abigail Washburn, must have liked taking the stage at Royce Auditorium as both will be returning to town as part of St. Cecilia Music Center’s Folk Series of concerts. Of course, who doesn’t like that stage?

 

Return engagements by LaFarge and Fleck/Washburn were recently announced at part of St. Cecilia’s 2018-19 season — a season celebrating the 135-year history as the oldest arts organization in Grand Rapids and West Michigan.

 

LaFarge, who last appeared at St. Cecilia in early 2017, is scheduled for Oct. 4. Fleck and Washburn were on the venue’s just completed 2017-18 season schedule, appearing in February, and will return early next year, on Feb. 9, 2019. SCMC previously announced The Lone Bellow was scheduled for Nov. 29.

 

“Pokey LaFarge charmed our audience … (and) he’ll be returning … to begin his solo tour across the country,” Cathy Holbrook, St. Cecilia executive director, said in supplied material. “He’s a fabulous musician and totally engaging entertainer.”

 

And she is just as gushing over the return of Fleck and Washburn.

 

Banjo royalty and husband and wife duo Béla Fleck and Abigail Washburn. (Supplied)

“We are so excited to have Béla and Abigail with us again,” Holbrook said. “Their sold-out concert together this year was one of our finest ever. … We are very lucky to have them together on stage again in 2019 to celebrate our 135th year anniversary.”

 

St. Louis-based singer, songwriter, and multi-instrumentalist Pokey LaFarge will come back to St. Cecilia for a more intimate, solo performance this time. (He was with his band in 2017.) LaFarge incorporates elements of early jazz, ragtime, country blues, Western swing, with a vivid storytelling sensibility are totally his own. Two of LaFarge’s albums have been named Best Americana Album by the Independent Music Awards.

 

Fleck and Washburn — not unjustly called “The king and queen of the banjo” — not only entertain with their music but with the often humorous, sometimes heartfelt stories about their lives and relationship.

 

Fleck is a 15-time Grammy Award winner who has taken the banjo across multiple genres, and Washburn is a singer-songwriter and clawhammer banjo player who re-radicalized it by combining it with Far East culture and sounds, according to supplied material. Together, the pair perform pieces from their Grammy-winning self-titled debut as well as their newest record, Echo in the Valley, from 2017.

 

As previously announced, The Lone Bellow is a Brooklyn-based band, now based out of Nashville, known for their transcendent harmonies, serious musicianship and lively performances.The trio features Zach Williams (guitar/vocals), Kanene Donehey Pipkin (multi-instrumentalist), and Brian Elmquist (guitar).

 

St. Cecilia’s Royce Auditorium “will be the perfect venue for this great band,” Holbrook said of The Lone Bellow. “Stay tuned for even more folk concerts to be announced as the fall approaches.”

 

Concert tickets for the Pokey LaFarge solo concert on Oct. 4 are $30 and $35, The Lone Bellow concert on Nov. 29 are $30 and $35, and the Béla Fleck & Abigail Washburn concert on Feb. 9 are $50 and $55. They can be purchased by calling St. Cecilia Music Center at 616-459-2224 or visiting the box office at 24 Ransom Ave. NE. Tickets can also be purchased online at www.scmc-online.org.

 

Barley field day series scheduled throughout Michigan in June

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Three opportunities to view malting barley research are scheduled throughout the state.

By Ashley McFarland, Michigan State University Extension 

 

Multiple opportunities exist to engage with malting barley research in Michigan in June. Photo by Ashley McFarland

Malting barley research has reached all corners of the state and researchers from the Michigan State University (MSUE) malting barley research program have developed a series of field days to showcase the research and to provide networking opportunities for those engaged with the industry. Three separate events will feature different programs targeting the stakeholders in the respective region. Those interested in malting barley and malt production in Michigan are encouraged to check out one or all three programs!

  • Luckhardt Field Day | June 19, 6 – 8 pm | Saline, MI
    Event features a winter barley collaborative project in Southeast Michigan, featuring farmer Ryan Luckhardt, a junior at Saline High School and active FFA member. Other partners include local food system consultant, New Growth Associaties; Fermenta, a women’s craft beverage trade organization; and Michigan State University. The showcased research trial is examining the performance of various winter malting barley varieties and their suitability for the local craft malt and craft beer market. Free dinner and refreshments provided. Event address – 5125 Braun Rd., Saline, MI 48176
  • MSU W.K. Kellogg Biological Station Field Day | June 20, 8 am – 1 pm | Hickory Corners, MI
    Event features winter and spring performance and management trials and will include speakers from the seed industry and MSU researcher, Dr. Brook Wilke, who will present on research ventures underway to explore double-cropping options within malting barley production. Guided tours of the research plots will conclude the program. Free lunch provided to registered attendees. Event address – 9702 N 40th St., Hickory Corners, MI 49060
  • Thumb Field Day | June 25, 5 – 7 pm | Kawkawlin, MI
    Event features the winter malting barley trial, a performance trial evaluating over 30 varieties at the Don Shelagowski Farm. Speakers will include MSU Crop Educator, Martin Nagelkirk, and will discuss local farming opportunities for the local craft malt and beer industries. Dinner sponsored by Schmidt Farms of Auburn. Event address – 804 Wetters Road, Kawkawlin, MI 48631

Registration is live and strongly encouraged for all three events, which are free of charge. Registration for each of the events can be accessed here. For questions about the event or for sponsorship opportunities, contact Sarah Hanks at lovettsa@msu.edu.

 

If you are interested in malting barley or malt production in Michigan, contact Ashley McFarland at 906-439-5176 or ashleymc@anr.msu.edu. McFarland is the Director of the Michigan State University Upper Peninsula Research and Extension Center in Chatham, Michigan.

 

This article was published by Michigan State University Extension. For more information, visit http://www.msue.msu.edu. To have a digest of information delivered straight to your email inbox, visit http://www.msue.msu.edu/newsletters. To contact an expert in your area, visit http://expert.msue.msu.edu, or call 888-MSUE4MI (888-678-3464).

 

Kentwood concerts kick off June 14 with Adams Family, run through Aug. 2

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

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By WKTV Staff

ken@wktv.org 

 

Maybe the best known of the headliners at this summer’s City of Kentwood Summer Concert series are West Michigan favorites The Crane Wives, May Erlewine and The Moxie Strings.

 

But, starting with The Adams Family coming to town next week, there is not a sour note in a series that will feature an eclectic mix of indie, folk, country, blues and rock music.

 

The Summer Concert Series offers free concerts and family entertainment on select Thursday nights from June to August. All concerts will begin at 7 p.m., on the lawn behind Kentwood City Hall, located at 4900 Breton Road SE.

 

In addition to a variety of music, the concerts offer a variety of food trucks at each concert offering food and beverages for purchase. Concert-goers are also encouraged to bring a blanket or their chair, and are welcome to bring their own beer or wine.

 

“One of the best ways to embrace the warm weather with family and friends is to relax and unwind with live music outdoors,” Val Romeo, Kentwood Parks and Recreation director, said in supplied material. “We are thrilled with our lineup for this year’s summer concert series, and welcome concert-goers of all ages to celebrate summer in Kentwood with us.”

 

Opening the series, The Adams Family play a blend of folk, doo-wop and classic rock by members Jerry Adams, Brian Adams, Cindy Adams Kropf and Dale Kropf. The band is out of Lowell and describe themselves as an “acoustic folkin’ rock” band.

 

“When you hear the intricate vocal blend that only close relatives can create, there’s no mistaking that The Adams Family really is a family,” a statement on the band’s website reads. “The band features three lead vocalists: Cindy Adams Kropf, her brother Jerry Adams, and Jerry’s son Brian Adams. Rounding out the group is Cindy’s husband, Dale Kropf, on bass and background vocals.”

 

For more information on The Adams Family, visit their website here.

 

After The Adams Family on June 14, there rest of the series will feature May Erlewine on June 21, Big Dudee Roo on July 12, The Moxie Strings on July 19, The Crane Wives on July 26, and Blue Soul Express to close out the series on Aug. 2.

 

For more information on the City of Kentwood Summer Concert Series, visit here.

These concerts are cable rebroadcast on Comcast WKTV Channel 25 and on AT&T U-Verse Community 99, usually on the following Tuesday at 9 p.m. and Saturday at 12:30 p.m. (or following the rebroadcast of a City of Wyoming summer concert. See WKTVjournal.org for complete feature broadcast schedules.

 

Give Dad a Father’s Day he’ll love in West Michigan

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By Jeremy Witt, West Michigan Tourist Association

 

Don’t forget that Father’s Day is Sunday, June 17th. This is a day all about celebrating dad. Many West Michigan businesses are hosting special events, discounts, or offers for the dad in all of our lives. No matter their interest, you’ll find something for him here. Give dad the gift of West Michigan this Father’s Day!

Father’s Day Specials

TreeRunner Adventure Park in Grand Rapids is hosting their annual Father’s Day event, where dads can come out and climb for free with the purchase of a full-priced ticket!

 

For Father’s Day, Arcadia Brewing Company in Kalamazoo is offering a “Buy Dad a Beer Day” special. Purchase a tier one beer for only $4 for the dad in your life!

 

Dads golf for free with a paid round at Waters Edge Golf Course in Fremont on Father’s Day. Waters Edge features a scenic and challenging 18-hole public golf course. Check out the course and book your tee times on Waters Edge’s website.

Father’s Day Events

Celebrate Father’s Day early with the Cars and Coffee at the Downtown Market in Grand Rapids on Friday, June 15th. This special evening event is bigger than ever before, with an expanded display area and much more.

 

Courtesy Michigan Maritime Museum

The Michigan Maritime Museum in South Haven presents the 37th Antique & Classic Boat Show on Saturday, June 16th. This event celebrates all kinds of antique and classic small craft from power boats to paddle boats.

 

Virtue Cider has a special treat for dads and dad-types all weekend long. On Saturday, June 16th, they’ll have local barber Sharp Corners on-site giving haircuts, trims, and shaves. Dads will also enjoy a father-friendly Virtue Cider pork barbecue from 2-6pm, paired with buckets of Michigan Brut all weekend that you can enjoy on the outdoor cider house lawn.

 

Goodrich Park in Whitehall is home to the 40th Annual White Lake Area Arts & Crafts on June 16th and 17th. The festival is expected to draw thousands of people this Father’s Day weekend. Those attending can purchase a variety of hand-made art and crafts such as jewelry, wood furniture, and more.

 

The Hilton Garden Inn in Benton Harbor is hosting their Classic Car Cruise on Sunday, June 17th. Your visit starts with the Father’s Day buffet at the Garden Grille Restaurant, located in the hotel. Afterwards, head out to the car cruise to check out all the cool cars on display.

 

Historic Charlton Park in Hastings is hosting their 37th Annual Father’s Day Car Show on Sunday, June 17th. There will be over 800 vehicles on display for you and dad to check out together!

 

Lemon Creek Winery in Berrien Springs is hosting their 34th Annual Father’s Day Festival on Sunday, June 17th. This event features live music, wine tasting, food trucks, a classic Corvette car show, kids games, and more. This festival is a great opportunity to get the whole family together outside in the Michigan sunshine and celebrate your favorite dad.

Outdoor Recreation that Dad Will Love

Celebrate the great dads in your life by visiting the W.K. Kellogg Bird Sanctuary in Augusta for a summertime walk around Wintergreen Lake on Father’s Day. Dads get in free on their special day! The sanctuary is a great place to enjoy nature and learn about the wonderful world around you.

 

For the Electric Bike Place in Grand Haven, Father’s Day is a time to celebrate all the dads. Spend the day riding through Grand Haven together on these unique electric bikes, a perfect activity for the entire family.

 

Take dad out for a golf weekend at Gull Lake View Golf Club & Resort in Augusta. They have six courses, making it a prime location for a golf outing. Their newest addition, Stoatin Brae, sports amazing views all around the course and vistas that rival courses across the country. Check out Stoatin Brae along with Gull Lake View’s other five golf courses this Father’s Day weekend!

 

Visit the trails of Pierce Cedar Creek Institute in Hastings for Father’s Day. The institute is located on 742 acres with nine miles of hiking trails for you to explore. For more information on their trails, including a calendar of events, visit the Pierce Cedar Creek Institute’s website.

 

Golf in Mt. Pleasant is easier than ever with Michigan’s Central Swing’s Father’s Day promotion. By using the promotional code MCSDAD2018 in your quote request, you’ll receive a $50 gift card to local restaurants when booking your golf getaway. Treat dad to some of West Michigan’s finest golf in the Mt. Pleasant area.

 

Fathers tend to like the great outdoors, and Mecosta County is the perfect place to celebrate. The area is home to over 100 lakes and numerous streams, with the majestic Muskegon River being a big draw. If dad loves golf, Mecosta County has five beautiful golf courses, each with their own scenery and experience. To plan your entire trip, visit Mecosta County’s website.

A Feast Fit for a Father

Treat dad to brunch on Father’s Day at a local brewery like Thornapple Brewing in Grand Rapids! Thornapple will be serving up a delicious brunch alongside their beer, cider, mead, and wine.

 

A waterfront meal at Boatwerks Restaurant in Holland will be a real treat for dad! Their menu features everything from salads and seafood to burgers and pizza. Enjoy a great meal while taking in the lakeside views on beautiful Lake Macatawa.

 

Schuler’s Restaurant in Marshall is the perfect place for the whole family to spend time with dad on his special day. On Sunday, June 17th, meet for an out-of-this-world smorgasbord that only Schuler’s can deliver. Make reservations early and share the experience with your #1 dad.

 

Stop by Zazios at the Radisson Plaza Hotel in Kalamazoo for their Cooking with Dad class on Saturday, June 16th. This cooking class will be a fun and interactive way to spend time together on Father’s Day weekend. They’re cranking up the grill and learning a few tips on best practices for everyone’s summertime favorites.

 

Bell’s Brewery in Kalamazoo is celebrating Father’s Day by raising a glass to dad, just steps from where Larry Bell started his family-owned business in 1985. The father in your life will enjoy tickets to Bell’s special Father’s Day beer dinner on Monday, June 18th as a way to show your love and gratitude.

 

Visit Brewery Vivant in Grand Rapids for a delicious meal with dad. They create European-inspired cooking in their scratch-kitchen, with an equally impressive beer lineup. Their seasonal beers include the Tropical Saison, with real pineapple and mango balancing the hop complexity!

The Perfect Gift for Dad

Your dad will love tickets to the Circle Theatre in Grand Rapids! They have a full season of shows, including Snow White, Fun Home, Leading Ladies, and On The Town. For a full list of shows and performances, visit the Circle Theatre’s website.

 

The Kalamazoo Institute of Arts’ Gallery Shop specializes in solving your gift-giving challenges! You’ll find a wide variety of handmade gifts, many by local artists, that dad will cherish.

 

Treat your dad to an extreme outdoor activity this Father’s Day with MACkite in Grand Haven! Their kiteboarding lessons are a fun and unique gift for any dad that loves being out on the water. During these lessons, dad will be pulled by a kite as long as 19 meters on a board, right on the beautiful shores of Lake Michigan. For information on kiteboarding lessons, visit MACkite’s website.

Register now for 2018 Summer Discovery Cruises and learn more about the Great Lakes

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Got fish? You will if you join one of our fisheries-themed cruises this summer! Photo: Steve Stewart, Michigan Sea Grant

By Steve Stewart, Michigan Sea Grant, Michigan State University Extension

 

The 2018 season of educational Summer Discovery Cruises begins June 14 as the education vessel Clinton sets sail from Lake Erie Metropark for the upper reaches of the Detroit River. This first cruise is a special 5-hour “Journey through the Straits” cruise, sailing north from Lake Erie through the entire length of the Detroit River. Starting within the boundary of the Detroit River International Wildlife Refuge, we’ll pass Grosse Ile and Fighting Island, get a close look at the steel industry in River Rouge, see Historic Fort Wayne, cruise under the Ambassador Bridge, view Detroit’s incredible downtown waterfront up close, and pass to the west of Belle Isle before docking.

 

Following the Journey through the Straits, the Clinton will sail on Lake St. Clair for two weeks in late June and July, operating out of the Lake St. Clair Metropark marina. The second half of the summer is spent on Lake Erie and the lower Detroit River.

 

Join us on the water for our 17th year of learning about the magnificent Great Lakes! There are more than 20 cruise themes to choose from this summer. Topics range from lighthouses, wildlife, shipwrecks, bootleggers and history, to fisheries, ecology, wetlands, habitat restoration and weather.

 

A new cruise added this year coincides with Macomb County’s bicentennial. This cruise – “200 Years Around Lake St. Clair” – will look back at what life was like around Lake St. Clair long ago. From the first people of the region to the European fur traders, explorers, and settlers, participants will learn how the natural history of Lake St. Clair influenced the human history and use of this magnificent lake.

 

Summer Discovery Cruises range from 2.5 to 5 hours on the water and range in price from $15-$35 per person. The cruises are a collaborative effort between Michigan State University Extension, Michigan Sea Grant, the Huron-Clinton Metroparks, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, and a number of program partners, including DTE Energy, Michigan DNR, the Detroit River International Wildlife Refuge, and the National Weather Service.

 

The 2018 Summer Discovery Cruises season begins June 14, with the final cruise offered Sept. 15. Registration is now open for both individuals (ages six and above) and for groups. For more information or to register, go to www.discoverycruises.org.

 

Michigan Sea Grant helps to foster economic growth and protect Michigan’s coastal, Great Lakes resources through education, research and outreach. A collaborative effort of the University of Michigan and Michigan State University and its MSU Extension, Michigan Sea Grant is part of the NOAA-National Sea Grant network of 33 university-based programs.

 

This article was published by Michigan State University Extension. For more information, visit http://www.msue.msu.edu. To have a digest of information delivered straight to your email inbox, visit http://www.msue.msu.edu/newsletters. To contact an expert in your area, visit http://expert.msue.msu.edu, or call 888-MSUE4MI (888-678-3464).

Summer Festivals in West Michigan

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By Jeremy Witt, West Michigan Tourist Association

 

With summer comes a slew of festivals in West Michigan, each entirely unique and memorable. We’re talking about festivals centered around food, beer, art, culture, and more throughout the next few months. With events taking place nearly every week throughout the summer, there’s always something right around the corner for you to experience with these West Michigan festivals.

June Festivals in West Michigan

The Festival of the Arts is a three-day community celebration in downtown Grand Rapids offering art, food, entertainment, and fun activities for all ages. This year’s event is June 1st to 3rd, and will continue the tradition of bringing together the Grand Rapids art community for a summer kick-off. Ongoing for over 40 years, the Festival of the Arts is one of the longest-running festivals in the state.

 

The Mecosta area is home to festivals throughout the summer. The Lilac Festival is a chance for families to come out and do something fun, as a hometown, family-friendly event from June 1st to 3rd. Return for a summer of festivals, including the Morley Celebration on the Pond, Remus Heritage Days, and Mecosta County Agricultural Fair.

 

The Charlevoix Craft Beer Festival is a celebration of Michigan craft beer, local food, and entertainment on Saturday, June 2nd. The aim of the festival is to provide patrons the opportunity to enjoy a varied selection of high-quality Michigan craft beer while mingling with friends at the beautiful waterside venue. Attendees are encouraged to venture out and explore downtown Charlevoix’s culinary and retail offerings prior to and after the event.

 

The band Moxie Strings is set to appear at Cogdal Vineyards in South Haven on Sunday, June 3rd for the Cogdal Vineyards Wine Lovers’ Festival. Attendees can expect a fun experience of high-energy, original, and traditional tunes performed on five-string fiddle and electric cello while enjoying a glass of delicious wine.

 

Plan a summer fun Girls’ Night Out with Divas Uncorked, the Wineries of Old Mission Peninsula Divas Uncorked event on Friday, June 8th. This evening is devoted entirely to women, wine, food, and fun. Enjoy wine and food pairings, giveaways, shopping, and pampering. Bring your entourage, relax, and be fabulous!

 

Whether you’re looking for a fun and easy family getaway or a big night out on the town with friends, Mt. Pleasant offers a little bit of everything. They have a wide variety of events this summer, kicking off with the Back to the Bricks car show on Friday, June 8th. The following day, craft beer enthusiasts gather for the Mt. Pleasant Craft Beer Festival, showcasing some of Michigan’s greatest brews. There won’t be a dull moment during your trip to Mt. Pleasant.

 

Feast of the Strawberry Moon is June 9th and 10th in Grand Haven. The event includes reenactments, a kids day, live entertainment, and more as they explore the middleground world that evolved between Europeans and the Native Americans in the Great Lakes Region during the pre-1800 fur trade era.

 

Grand Haven hosts some of West Michigan’s fan-favorite festivals every summer. The Spring Lake Heritage Festival is June 11th to 16th, and has family fun like no other. The following week is the Grand Haven Art Festival on June 23th and 24th. The event seeks to provide the community and visitors with a unique opportunity to purchase one-of-a-kind art, directly from the artists.

 

Music, boating, arts, and culture are all happening in River Country. Some of the area’s most popular annual events include the Three Rivers Water Fest from June 14th to 16th and Sturgis Fest from June 23rd to 30th. More events include Covered Bridge Days and the Magic Get-Together later in the summer. They have a full event calendar on their website, so check that out if you need to fill your time in southwest Michigan!

 

The Michigan Maritime Museum presents the 37th Antique & Classic Boat Show on Saturday, June 16th, during Harborfest weekend in South Haven. This event celebrates all kinds of antique and classic small craft from power boats to paddle boats. Woodworkers and collectors alike will show their boats, demonstrations on boat building techniques will be featured, and toy boat building will be available for kids. The aim is to help perpetuate the building, restoration, and use of classic boats and small craft to give participants and the public an entertaining and informative learning experience.

 

Founders Brewing Company in Grand Rapids is pleased to present to you Founders Fest 2018: A Celebration of Beer and Music on Saturday, June 16th. In its 11th year, Founders Fest continues to marry the finest beer with the tastiest artists from around the country and the world.

 

Located at the scenic Warren Dunes State Park in Sawyer, the Lake Michigan Shore Wine Festival brings together the members of the Lake Michigan Shore Wine Trail for a spectacular day in the sand on Saturday, June 16th. The festival will feature fantastic regional live music, food trucks, and local restaurants to pair with the world-class wines produced right in southwest Michigan.

 

Whitehall is home to the 40th Annual White Lake Area Arts & Crafts. The festival is expected to draw thousands of people this Father’s Day weekend on June 16th and 17th. Creative artists will participate in this very popular juried art show, and attendees can purchase a variety of hand-made art and crafts such as jewelry, wood furniture, birdhouses, ceramics, and more. A great lineup of musicians will entertain the crowds throughout the weekend.

 

The 9th Annual Traverse City Wine & Cider Festival is Saturday, June 24th. Come celebrate local wine, food, and culture. The festival brings together a true taste of the region with great wines, art, food trucks, and live musical entertainment all in one location!

 

Visit Lansing for the 19th Annual Common Ground Music Festival from June 28th to July 1st! See some of the best rock, pop, country, and hip-hop stars in the world take the stage in downtown Lansing along the Grand River in a setting unlike any other.

 

June in Battle Creek means it’s time for the Battle Creek Field of Flight Air Show & Balloon Festival from June 28th to July 4th. Balloon launches or fly-ins take place every night (weather dependent) and air shows take place at noon.

 

The Soo Locks Engineers Weekend begins on Friday, June 29th in Sault Ste. Marie. This fun weekend offers exclusive access to some of the area’s historic and interesting attractions such as the Locks and the Cloverland Electric Hydroelectric Power Plant.

 

The 60th annual South Haven Art Fair hosted by the South Haven Center for the Arts is a two-day juried festival held one block from the Lake Michigan shore in picturesque Stanley Johnson Park on June 30th and July 1st. This year’s unique blend of talent includes works in acrylic, oil, watercolor, pastel, drawing, sculpture, photography, glass, wood, clay, and wearable art. Admission is free for this two-day event.

 

The National Cherry Festival brings people from all over the world to Traverse City for a week-long celebration surrounding the cherry. Not only that, it attracts people from all over Michigan, the five-county area, and even just across the street to participate in activities. Come celebrate the Cherry Capital of the World from June 30th to July 7th for another year of food, drink, entertainment, and tradition!