The Grand Rapids Public Museum is partnering with Brewery Vivant to offer a special Beer Explorers class. (Supplied)
By The Grand Rapids Public Museum
The Grand Rapids Public Museum is partnering with Brewery Vivant to offer a special Beer Explorers class on Thursday, March 23, where participants will learn about the impact beer brewing has on the environment and what can be done to make it more Earth-friendly, while enjoying a special beer tasting.
The class will be led by Brewery Vivant’s owner and sustainability director Kris Spaulding, and “Wandering Monk” and certified cicerone Ryan Engemann.
The class begins at 6:30 p.m. and will be held on the first floor in the museum’s Galleria. Admission to class includes three beer samples, as well as access to the museum’s first two floors. A cash bar will also be available.
Tickets for the event are $8 for members and $18 for non-members. Participants must be 21 and older. Tickets can be purchased at grpm.org
This Beer Explorers program will be the first of three with Brewery Vivant. On April 19, join the GRPM and Brewery Vivant for Pub Science at Brewery Vivant. Pub Science is free for participants age 21 and older. Registration is required. Please visit grpm.org/PubScience to register today. On May 11, the third class in the series will teaching participants about how to combine beer with cheeses. Tickets will go on sale in March for the May class.
Brewery Vivant is located in the East Hills neighborhood of Grand Rapids, in a renovated funeral chapel built in the early 1900s. It is the first commercial brewery in the nation to receive Silver LEED Certification, additionally they are 100 percent renewable powered, a silver-level Bicycle Friendly Business, and are a certified B Corporation.
Calling the best and brightest producers, directors, actors, writers, and filmmakers to submit their entries for the 2017 Eclipse Awards! Entries are accepted until March 27th, 2017.
The Eclipse Awards honor content creators for Excellence in Craft in the disciplines of film, television, video, acting, sound, music and writing. Created by WKTV Community Television and Media as a means of empowering the West Michigan “voice” of content creators, the Eclipse Awards has become the “big event” for the creative community.
“There really are a large number of content creators here who are either fully established and enjoy the recognition or who are just starting out and have that spark of genius with a great idea,” said Tom Norton, General Manager of WKTV.
Tom Norton, General Manager of WKTV Community Television and Media
In the first round of voting beginning right after March 27th, voting members from Michigan select the nominees. Nominees are then announced at 7 pm EST on Monday, April 17th and streamed live on the WKTV Youtube Channels. A link will be available on The Eclipse Awards website, theeclipseaward.com. A second round of voting begins following the announcement and this time, voting members are joined by industry peers across the US and in Europe.
The tallies from those votes then decide from the list of nominees who will be the recipient of The 6th Annual Eclipse Award in each category and craft.
The Hyperion Award — a leadership award given to outstanding leaders in TV, Film and the Arts — is voted on by the Eclipse Awards Board of Governors. The name “hyperion” refers to the light that exists behind an eclipse and this is the leadership that The Hyperion Award honors; the individual in West Michigan who by example and leadership encourages others to excel and contribute to an already thriving community of content creators.
The 2017 Hyperion Award recipient will be announced on the day the Eclipse Nominations are announced and will be presented at the 6th Annual Eclipse Awards Ceremony televised live from City Flats Ballroom on Thursday, May 18th.
NEW to the Eclipse Awards this year, Los Angeles distributor FairwayFilm Alliance, through their Rogue Arts label, is offering a first look to the 6th Annual Eclipse Award winners in the feature film and documentary category. Following the night of the awards ceremony, when the winners are known, the connection between Fairway Film Alliance and the winner(s) in these categories will be arranged.
“We’re tremendously pleased to be working with all of our sponsors,” said Norton. “They really believe in the importance of West Michigan having regional awards recognition to help foster the creative spirit. The democratization of media over the last few decades has really given voice to a much wider array of creativity and WKTV wants to see it grow and expand.”
Here are the important dates:
Friday, March 27th at 5pm — Entry Window Closes
1st Round of Voting Begins
Nominations Announcement 7pm on Monday, April 17th
Hyperion Award Recipient Announcement Monday, April 17th 7pm
2nd Round of Voting Begins with National Judges
Nomination Certification Party, Monday May 15th
The 6th Annual EclipseAwards Excellence in Craft Award Ceremony, Thursday, May 18th 7pm
More information can be found on the website www.theeclipseaward.com or by calling 616.261.5700. Entries are $35 for content creators and $20 for students, however there is no student criteria for voting by the judges.
The 6th Annual Eclipse Awards is sponsored by WKTV Digital Cinema, the West Michigan Film Video Alliance, West Michigan Film Office, Compass College of Cinematic Arts and Ferris State University.
The modern dance scenes in Chicago and San Francisco are two of a very short list of the world’s incubators of dance innovation, and this week the Grand Rapids Ballet is part of the innovation process as it hosts the latest installment of its MoveMedia series.
Robyn Mineko Williams will present the world premiere of “Gleam”. (Supplied Hubbard Street Dance Chicago/Todd Rosenberg)
Inbound to the ballet’s Peter Martin Wege Theater will be three world-renowned choreographers bringing world premiere works to the stage: from Chicago’s Hubbard Street dance company is Penny Saunders and Robyn Mineko Williams, each with new works, and from San Francisco’s Post:Ballet is Robert Dekkers, who will be collaborating with Vanessa Thiessen on a third new work.
“MoveMedia: World Premieres” will be presented Friday to Sunday, March 10-12, with 7:30 p.m. performances the first two nights and a 2 p.m. matinee on the final day. Tickets are still available for all performances, but the Friday night is near a sell-out.
Williams’ work is titled “Gleam”; Saunders’ is “In Frame”; and Dekkers and Thiessen’s work is “Dear Light Along the Way to Nothingness”.
Now in its seventh year, MoveMedia is “a contemporary dance series featuring dance works merging visual elements of sets, props, costumes and lighting, framed by technology and digital media to enhance the body in space by providing internationally recognized choreographers a creative canvas,” according to supplied material.
Taking full advantage of that “creative canvas” will be the impressive group Saunders, Williams and the duo of Dekkers and Thiessen.
Penny Saunders will present “In Frame”. (Supplied)
Saunders began her professional career at The American Repertory Ballet, has been part of Chicago’s Hubbard Street company since 2004, and in 2016 was the recipient of the Process Grace Choreographic Fellowship.
Williams, originally from Chicago, spent 12 seasons with Hubbard Street Dance Chicago, where in 2010 a work co-choreographed with Hubbard Street 2 director Terence Marling her work premiered at the Kennedy Center in Washington, D.C.
Dekkers has been named one of “25 to Watch” by Dance Magazine and in 2013 was nominated for an Isadora Duncan award for “Outstanding Performance — Individual” with the Diablo Ballet. Thiessen graduated from the School of Oregon Ballet Theatre, teaches at Reed College and the Northwest Dance Project in Portland (Oregon), and is the Post:Ballet’s movement director.
For a video of Dekker’s Post:Ballet, visit here … and click on Season VI Highlights.
For more information on MoveMedia, visit GRballet.com .
Does your child continue to struggle in class specialized instruction and additional support? Are you overwhelmed with the choices of assistive technology? Have you ever had a bright student with unexpectedly poor reading, spelling and writing skills? Even though you thought your instruction was carefully planned, you somehow couldn’t reach that student.
For the past dozen years, educational technology has been the rage of schools across North America and abroad. It held great promise for students with reading and writing challenges, including dyslexia. However, too often this technology is nothing more than word-processing assignments, spell check, email and web searches — all of which require competent literacy skills to access.
Here’s the conundrum: no student can access these traditional technologies without competent reading, spelling and writing skills. Throughout this presentation, Elaine Cheesman will demonstrate instructional technology that is intuitive, research-based and focused on specific literacy skills. Dr. Cheesman offers solutions that can take students, teachers, tutors and clinicians beyond the conventional technologies to give them the technological keys to literacy success.
Dr. Elaine Chessman
Dr. Cheesman is an associate professor at the University of Colorado, Colorado Springs. She earned her Ph.D. at the University of Connecticut and credentials as a Certified Academic Language Therapist and Qualified Instructor at Teachers College, Columbia University, under the direction of Judith Birsh. Her primary research, teaching and service interests are teacher-preparation in scientifically based reading instruction and the use of technology in literacy education.
Dr. Cheesman received the Excellence in Teacher Educator Award from the Teacher Education Division of the Colorado Council for Exceptional Children, the Teacher of the Year and the Outstanding Researcher awards from the University of Colorado College Of Education. The reading courses she developed are among the first teacher preparation programs accredited by the International Dyslexia Association.
When: Saturday, April 8, 2017
Where: Washtenaw Community College, 4800 E. Huron River Dr., Ann Arbor, Mich.
Grand Rapids Symphony, conducted by Marcelo Lehninger, will present “Pictures at an Exhibition” next week. (Supplied/Stu Rosner)
By K.D. Norris
ken@wktv.org
Marcelo Lehninger, in his first full year as Grand Rapids Symphony’s Musical Director, has a long history with Modest Mussorgsky’s “Pictures at an Exhibition” — ranging from hearing it in its original piano solo form as a youth, to it being on his debut program at the famous Tanglewood Festival, to his now conducting it on both sides of the Atlantic in the span of a month.
But as he prepares to bring Maurice Ravel’s orchestrated version of the work to Grand Rapids’ DeVos Performance Hall on Friday and Saturday, March 3-4, he admits to having only a cursory knowledge of Emerson, Lake and Palmer’s progressive-rock, synthesizer-driven version.
And who is to blame him? He was raised in Brazil, surrounded by classical and Latin music — his father is German violinist Erich Lehninger and mother Brazilian pianist Sonia Goulart — and he was born in 1979, eight years after EL&P’s vinyl version debuted.
“I first heard the piece on its original piano solo version, and I felt in love with it,” Lehninger said in a email interview this week. “I’ve conducted many times — in fact I just conducted it in Europe (Slovenia) where I am right now. It was also on my debut program in Tanglewood with the Boston Symphony.”
The cover of Emerson, Lake and Palmers vinyl recording to “Pictures at an Exhibition”.
And, despite his only passing familiarity with the rock variation, he is all for even old rockers giving Ravel’s version a listen.
“I heard about the ELP version, but never got familiar with it,” he said. “In any case, we will rock with ‘Pictures’ next week in Grand Rapids!”
Ravel’s version, with its virtuoso violin work required, is the most “colorful” of all the versions, Lehninger believes, despite the fact that he studied both violin and piano early in his career.
“I definitely have an affinity for both violin and piano, not only because I studied these instruments, but because I grew up listening to them,” he said. “However, one instrument was never enough for me. I loved playing the violin and piano, but I needed more colors, more sounds; therefore I exchanged the 88 keys of the piano for 88 musicians in the orchestra.
“I believe that many composers that orchestrated the piece felt exactly how I felt playing just one instrument. This is a piece with so many sounds and colors possibilities, somehow the piano alone doesn’t achieve that. Therefore many composers orchestrated the piece. Although Ravel’s orchestration is criticized for not ‘sounding Russian enough’, it is my favorite orchestration of the piece. Ravel was a master of orchestration and with ‘Pictures’ he explores all the sound palette of the orchestra. I have to confess that I like Ravel’s version much better than the original piano solo version.”
In addition to “Pictures at an Exhibition”, also on the symphony’s upcoming program are Erich Korngold’s Violin Concerto in D Major with guest soloist Stefan Jackiw, as well as Samuel Barber’s Adagio for Strings and “John Corigliano’s Promenade Overture from 1981.
Violinist Stefan Jackiw. (Supplied)
Jackiw’s career has included performing at the grand opening of Carnegie Hall’s Zankel Hall alongside pianist Emanuel Ax, soprano Renée Fleming and conductor James Levine. He may be best known to younger audiences for his performance of Mendelssohn’s Violin Concerto with the YouTube Symphony Orchestra at Australia’s Sydney Opera house, seen live on YouTube by more than 30 million people worldwide.
For more information on Grand Rapids Symphony concerts visit GRSymphony.org
What tickles your tastebuds — Thai? Mexican? Barbecue?
This year, Taste of Kentwood will host more than 15 local restaurants on March 2 at the Kentwood Activities Center, 355 48th St. SE.
There will be a variety of food including the above-mentioned perennial favorites, Thai, Mexican and barbecue — plus soups, sandwiches and other gastronomical delights. Sample delicious creations from Potbelly Sandwich Shop, Pepping’s South Kentwood, The Candied Yam, Celebration! Cinema South, Daddy Pete’s BBQ, Jet’s Pizza, On the Border, Beta Bars, Bloop Frozen Yogurt, Larues Kitchen & Catering, Taco Bob’s, Zoup! and Mosbyspopcorn.
“Taste of Kentwood is a great way to showcase the variety of restaurants we have in the community and a delicious and wonderful way to bring together our local community with our businesses,” said Mayor Stephen Kepley.
The event is open to the community. Tickets are $5 in advance and $7 at the door. Tickets can be purchased at www.yourkprd.com. Two time slots are available, from 4:30-6 pm. and from 6:30-8 pm.
Butterflies of all colors and patterns will be flying around Meijer Gardens’ tropical conservatory starting March 1. (Supplied)
WKTV Staff
Frederik Meijer Gardens & Sculpture Park’s tropical conservatory, starting Wednesday, March 1, will be home to the first of more than 7,000 tropical butterflies that will be hatched and start flying around the heads of both children and adults alike.
Can’t you just see the Facebook photo?
Butterflies are Blooming runs through April 30. The annual show attracted more than 170,000 visitors last year.
With butterflies from Africa, Asia, South America and Central America, Butterflies Are Blooming is the largest temporary tropical butterfly exhibition in the nation, according to Meijer Gardens.
The Atlas moth (not really a butterfly, but big and beautiful) will be making an appearance. (Supplied Meijer Gardens/William Hebert)
Approximately 60 colorful species will be flying freely in the five-story, 15,000 square-foot Lena Meijer Tropical Conservatory, wherein the 85-degrees and 70-percent humidity environment mimics tropical regions that the butterflies call home.
“Our exhibition this year celebrates shape and pattern,” Steve LaWarre, director of horticulture, said in supplied material. “The butterflies and the natural environment of the conservatory are wonderful examples of how these patterns reveal themselves all around us. This exhibition provides a superb opportunity for our guests to view caterpillars, wings, flowers and foliage with a renewed appreciation for the world around us.”
Species of butterflies expected to arrive include the blue Common Morpho, whose iridescence impresses in flight; brushfoot varieties such as the Clearwing, Lacewing and Zebra Mosaic; the “Longwings” such as the Small Blue Grecian, Doris, Postman and Tiger butterflies; and the “Gliders” such as the Emperor, Ruby-spotted and Tropical Swallowtails.
Special related events include “Who Am I?” A Butterfly Ballet”, with two shows on both March 4 and March 18, a program performed by the Grand Rapids Ballet Junior Company; as well as Tuesday Night Lights, running each week throughout the exhibit’s run, where visitors bring their flashlights to find the butterflies at rest throughout the conservatory.
St. Paul & The Broken Bones will be on the Meijer Gardens concert schedule this summer. (Supplied Meijer Gardens/David McClister)
By K.D. Norris
ken@wktv.org
The catchline for Frederik Meijer Gardens & Sculpture Park summer concert series goes something like “It’s how you know its summer.” So it seems appropriate that after an almost summer-like run of weather over the weekend the Gardens gave us a tease of summer with the announcement of three of the acts coming to the Fifth Third Bank Summer Concerts at Meijer Gardens 2017 concert series.
On Monday, Meijer Gardens announced that up-and-coming Southern soul powerhouse St. Paul & The Broken Bones will be in town on June 9; the sweet sounds of Four Voices: Joan Baez, Mary Chapin Carpenter and the Indigo Girls will hit the stage on June 12; and the classic rock (and so much more) music of Jethro Tull by Ian Anderson will make a rare small-venue visit on Aug. 18.
Members of Meijer Gardens members pre-sale period will be April 29 through May 12 this season, with general public sale Starting May 13.
The Four Voices concert, led by the grand-dame of folk music Baez, will undoubtedly be a night of lovely songs and lovely voices in harmony, and just hearing Tull founder and frontman Anderson dancing around with flute in hand will be worth the price of admission on a hot August night.
But the scheduling of St. Paul & the Broken Bones will likely be one of those “I heard them first at the gardens” kind of events.
Led by vocalist Paul Janeway, the Bones gained notice with their single “Call Me” off their debut recording “Half the City” from 2013, but after opening for the Rolling Stones on a few dates in 2015 and the playing the Glastonbury Festival last year, they are really getting a buzz going with their second album, “Sea of Noise”, from last year.
For lack of a better label, the band is often called a “gospel-tinged, retro-soul garage” band and hailing from Birmingham, Ala., and the sextet certainly has its southern soul credentials in order — including not being afraid to do an Otis Reading cover to two.
The new album also marks a little more depth of music and depth of songwriting for the band and Janeway.
“Sea of Noise,” Janeway says on the band’s website in describing the album, “is not quite a full-blown concept record. It is focused in terms of subject matter — finding redemption and salvation and hope. (The single) ‘Crumbling Light Posts’ comes from an old Winston Churchill quote, in which he said England was a crumbling lighthouse in a sea of darkness. I always thought that was a really interesting concept — that we’re falling anyway. In this day and age, it is the noise that has defined so many things. We’re going to fall to it eventually, but for now we feel like our heads are above water.”
It is likely that the audience at Meijer Gardens will be glad they dove into the deep southern water with the Bones this summer.
If you are thinking about attending the Michigan Brewers Guild Winter Beer Festival, held each year at the Grand Rapids area’s Fifth Third Ballpark, you might want to stop thinking about it and do it.
According to the event’s website, the second day of the two-day event scheduled for Friday and Saturday, Feb. 24-25, is sold out. But tickets to the Friday night event, running from 5-9 p.m., are still available.
Tickets are only available online and, according to supplied information, once online tickets are sold out, no additional tickets will be released.
The 2017 Winter Beer Festival, the 10th anniversary of the festival, will feature more than 100 Michigan breweries and approximately 1,000 different craft beers. There will also be music from local bands and a selection of food available for purchase. Friday night’s music will be The Concussions’ surf-instrumental-rock-n-roll sound, as well Big Dudee Roo self-described “oft-psychedelic, Neil Young-styled folk rock” sounds.
Experience Grand Rapids has announced it will partner with the GR Hopper to offer a $10 shuttle service to and from the festival from participating hotels. (Email staff@GRHopper.com or call 616-606-0467.)
For 20 years, a group of compassionate individuals has bundled up on a cold Saturday morning in the middle of winter to walk. Why? The walkers brave the cold so less-fortunate families don’t have to. They walk for warmth!
The Walk for Warmth is a statewide effort to help low-income households avoid utility shut-offs and keep their homes warm. ACSET Community Action Agency (CAA) will host the 21st annual walk in Kent County on Saturday, Feb. 11 in Grand Rapids.
Energy costs take up a greater portion of the household budgets of lower-income families than those of higher-income families. The increased burden on lower-income households reduces the amount of income left for basic needs like food, housing and healthcare. Last year, ACSET CAA provided over $1 million in utility payment assistance for homes in Kent County.
Hundreds of residents in our community struggle to pay their utility bills, and the need for assistance outweighs ACSET CAA’s ability to help. Every dollar raised through Walk for Warmth directly helps local families in need.
Want to help? Walk for Warmth offers a variety of ways to get involved:
Become a sponsor. Sponsors will receive recognition of their support in marketing materials and the day of the event. Businesses can connect their brand with a truly heart-warming event. Learn more about sponsor opportunities here.
Sell mittens. Contact a Walk for Warmth representative (give a phone number or email) and ask for a supply of “mittens.” The mittens are $1 each; write the name of the person purchasing the mitten and display at your office or business.
Get competitive. Hold a chili cook-off or cookie bake-off at your work, school or church. For a small donation ($5), tasters can vote on their favorite.
Give an in-kind donation. Consider making a donation of coffee, hot chocolate, juice, water, bagels, donuts or other refreshments for walkers on the day of the event.
Join the walk! Ask friends, family, neighbors, co-workers, etc. to join you or support you with a pledge. You can find a pledge form on ACSET CAA’s website by clicking here.
Event Details:
Date: Saturday, February 11, 2017
Time: 8 am Registration; 9 am Walk Kick Off
Where: ACSET Westside Complex
215 Straight Ave NW
Grand Rapids, MI 49504
The Walk for Warmth is an annual event, hosted by Community Action Agencies across the country, to raise funds for heating assistance for low-income households. Learn more: http://communityactionkent.org/walk-for-warmth-2017/
Your Community in Action! is provided by ACSET Community Action Agency. To learn more about how they help meet emergency needs and assist with areas of self-sufficiency, visit www.communityactionkent.org.
By Matthew Makowski, Grand Valley State University
Yoo Jin Noh made her debut with the Cape Ann Symphony Orchestra as a soloist in 2017. She also performed at the United Nation Headquarters in New York City for the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities in 2015. Her recent performances include appearances with the Quincy Symphony Orchestra, the Boston Halfner Symphony and a solo recital at Azusa Pacific University.
Noh, who was born blind, pursued her interest in music in early childhood and began her piano study at age 14. Despite her late start, she has received many awards from local competitions. In 2005, she received a grand prize at the U.S. String and Piano Concours of Hymn and played at Carnegie Weill Recital Hall in New York City. In 2008, she received the VSA Young Soloist Award and was invited to play at the National Federation of the Blind Convention.
What: Yoo Jin Noh, piano
When: Jan. 31, at 7:30 pm
Where: Sherman Van Solkema Hall (room 1325), Thomas J. and Marcia J. Haas Center for Performing Arts, Allendale Campus
The Grand Rapids Public Museum (GRPM), recently announced that registration is open to host a science booth at this year’s Science Night at the Museum, taking place on Tuesday, April 18.
GRPM is inviting local and regional researchers, students and faculty to host a hands-on table display related to their research or field of study, according to supplied material the event will be from 5 to 8 p.m. The vision is to have lab groups or individuals putting together innovative ways to engage the public and communicate their research to the community.
A cash award will be given for the most innovative and hands-on interpretation of their research. One winner will be chosen by public vote and a second chosen by the Museum’s education staff.
By Matthew Makowski, Grand Valley State University
Pianist Mika Sasaki has established herself as a sought-after soloist, chamber musician and emerging educator. Since her concerto debut with the Sinfonia of Cambridge in the United Kingdom at the age of 7, she has appeared twice with the New Jersey Symphony Orchestra and more recently with the 92Y Orchestra in New York City. She has performed at venues including the Weill Recital Hall at Carnegie Hall, Steinway Hall, Alice Tully Hall, Peter J. Sharp Theater, Palazzo Chigi Saracini (Italy), Minato Mirai Hall (Japan) and Tokyo Bunka Kaikan (Japan). Her solo debut album “Obsidian: Mika Sasaki plays Clara Schumann” was released on Yarlung Records in 2016.
What: Guest Artist Recital: Mika Sasaki, piano
When: Jan. 19, at 7:30 pm
Where: Sherman Van Solkema Hall (room 1325), Thomas J. and Marcia J. Haas Center for Performing Arts, Allendale Campus
Want to run through the streets of Holland at Tulip Time? There is a run for you. (Supplied)
WKTV Staff
The Tulip Time Festival has announced the opening of online registration and details for the Tulip Time Run on Saturday, May 6, at Kollen Park in Holland. The run — with a 5K, 10K and kids fun run — gives the opportunity to run or walk through Holland’s tulip-lined streets.
All run participants will be issued a race bib, a complimentary gear check tag and a free beverage ticket, redeemable at the after-party at Boatwerks Waterfront Restaurant. Registering before April 2 ensures runners a participant shirt and a personalized race bib featuring their name.
The 5K will start at 8 a.m. and the 10K will start at 9 a.m. Both races will start at the corner of 12th Street and Kollen Park Drive and finish on 12th Street in the West-bound lane. Awards will be given to the top three finishers in each age division (male and female). The kids’ run will start at 9:15am at the playground in Kollen Park.
Registration for the 5K and/or 10K is $30, $35 after Feb. 28 and $40 on race day; registration for the kids’ run is $10 through May 3 and $15 on race day. A discount of $2 off each registration is available for families of three to five people. Registration is available online at tulip tuliptime.com/run
Pulitzer Prize-winning historian Doris Kearns Godwin may be the most well-known name on the program for Calvin College’s January Series, the annual series of speakers and discussions on topics great and intimate.
Doris Kearns Goodwin
But some lesser-known speakers — such as Eugene Cho, Lisa Sharon Harper, and the joint lecture by Justin Skeesuck and Patrick Gray — may well provide inspiration and challenge as much as information.
“I think Eugene Cho is great to have on the series,” Kristi Potter, director of the January Series, said in supplied material. “So often we talk about how we can make a difference, but are we actually doing it? … Cho will hold us accountable to take those steps to make a difference. In his book, he asks questions like ‘Are we in love with the idea of changing the world or actually changing the world?’ and ‘Do we just write a check or do we change our lifestyle to help change the world?’”
The January Series runs noontime January 4-24 and includes 15 speakers discussing topics ranging from systemic racism in America, the gender gap in technology, healthcare delivery and the cycle of poverty. Cho’s talk will be Jan. 18.
People with stories to tell
Cho is the founder and pastor of Quest Church, an urban, multicultural, multigenerational church in Seattle known for tackling societal issues head-on. Harper is an social advocate and, quite literally, a Sojourner. Skeesuck and Gray are friends who share a bond of adventure and service to other.
Skeesuck and Gray have shared a lifelong friendship, full of many adventures, including their 500-mile trek across Spain. But their story is much more than simply friendly adventuring. Skeesuck has a progressive neuromuscular disease and travels with a wheelchair. Together, the pair trekked the Camino de Santiago, or the Way of St. James, and detailed their adventures in the film and educational project “I’ll Push You”.
The pair, according to supplied information, live by the mantra that “Life is not defined by its limitations, it is defined by what is accomplished in spite of those limitations.” Their talk will be Jan. 12.
Lisa Sharon Harper
Harper, who will talk Jan. 16, works with Sojourners, a group started in the 1970s in Washington, D.C., that has grown and transformed to now have the goal to “inspire hope and build a movement to transform individuals, communities, the church, and the world.” Harper’s faith-rooted approach to advocacy and organizing has activated people across the U.S. and around the world to address structural and political injustice as an outward demonstration of their personal faith.
Other speakers include Gary Haugen, CEO and founder of International Justice Mission; Mark Desmond, co-founder of the Justice and Poverty Project and the recipient of a MacArthur “Genius Grant”; violinist Taylor Davis, whose passion for gaming and film music has made her one of the fastest rising stars in the digital world with 1 million subscribers on her YouTube channel; and N.T. Wright, a world-renowned New Testament Scholar, who is back on the January Series stage for the fifth time.
Wright’s talk is also the Stob Lecture, an annual lecture co-sponsored by Calvin College and Calvin Theological Seminary in honor of philosophy professor emeritus Dr. Henry J. Stob. Wright will also be a featured speaker at the Calvin Institute of Christian Worship’s Symposium on Worship in late January.
The January Series runs from 12:30 p.m. to 1:30 p.m. Monday through Friday, various days, in the Covenant Fine Arts Center on Calvin’s campus. Parts of the series will also via live video in 50 cities in the United States, Canada and Europe. In 2016, 45,000 people attended between the on-campus and remote sites, according to supplied material.
Be a part of the most epic New Year’s Eve experience the area offers at The Ballroom Bashes in Downtown Grand Rapids! Spanning from the Amway Grand Plaza to the JW Marriott Grand Rapids to the Downtown Courtyard by Marriott (all connected via skywalk) you can party in four glamorous hotel ballrooms, each with a distinct theme and energy, along with a dozen restaurants and bars. Find the bash that suits you best and party all night long — or hop from one to the next to keep your night moving.
The purchase of one ticket includes entrance to the following Ballroom Bashes:
GLOW Party
Ambassador Ballroom at the Amway Grand Plaza Glow sticks and cups pop in this black-lit environment where a band and DJ take turns playing pop hits
Bourbon and Bubbles
Pantlind Ballroom at the Amway Grand Plaza Bourbon and champagne bars, dueling pianos and a lounge singer for a classic glamour vibe beneath the gold leaf ceiling
Caribbean Jam
Imperial Ballroom at the Amway Grand Plaza Pina Coladas, a steel drum band and décor to transport you to the islands
Throwback Bash
International Ballroom at the JW Marriott Grand Rapids Music and dancing from the ’70s, ’80s and ’90s played by both a band and DJ with sections decorated to celebrate each decade gone by
NYE at The Bistro
The Bistro at the Courtyard by Marriott Sample small plates, crafted cocktails and more in the intimate Bistro setting with a DJ! Complimentary tapas offered with the purchase of a drink.
Sat., Dec. 31, 2016, 8 pm-Sun., Jan 1, 2017, 1:30 am EST
According to the National Institute on Aging, in 2010 13% of the population in the United States was 65 years of age or older. By 2030, it’s estimated that number will reach 20% of all Americans. Additionally, more people are living longer; Americans 85 years old and above are the fastest growing age group of elders.
How are communities addressing the growing needs of this group?
In Kent County, ACSET Community Action Agency (CAA) provides a variety of services to assist individuals over the age of 60, including Latin American Services Senior Meals. These meals are designed to provide a healthy meal and social interaction for elders who may face a language barrier and isolation. Elders gather for delicious Latin American food and conversation every weekday. Home-bound elders can have meals delivered to their homes.
Mary with CAA staffer Ramona Alvarez
CAA has been serving meals to elders for 32 years; it has become a tradition for elders in our community and we’ve become good friends with many of them over the years. Our friend Mary announced at our Thanksgiving dinner that it would be her last meal with us. She plans to move to Florida to live with her daughter. With tears in her eyes, she said thank you and goodbye to many long-time friends. Mary has been a regular visitor for 20 years! We will miss her and wish her the best in sunny Florida.
Mary’s story illustrates how important social opportunities can be for elders. This is especially true around the holidays. We are hosting our annual Senior Holiday Party on Thursday, Dec. 15 at 11 am.
Our doors are open to those who want to enjoy a warm meal with friendly, familiar faces. Do you have a neighbor or family member that could benefit from our Senior Services? Learn more about our services and eligibility requirements at www.communityactionkent.org/programs/senior-services or call us at 616.336.4000.
Latin American Senior Holiday Party
When: Thursday, Dec. 15 at 11 am
Where: ASCET CAA – 121 Franklin St SE, Grand Rapids, MI 49503, 1st floor of the DHHS building
What: Latin-inspired meal and conversation. A small donation is recommended but not required.
Who: Anyone over the age of 60 is welcome to attend
Your Community in Action! is provided by ASCET Community Action Agency. To learn more about how they help meet emergency needs and assist with areas of self-sufficiency, visit www.communityactionkent.org
Experience the magic of the season, Downtown Market-style and check out the January 2017 class schedule below for your next fun food experience.
WEEKLY MEAL PREP
Wed, January 4, 6-8:30 pm • $60
You’ll prepare enough meals to get through the entire week. Learn how to make root vegetable chorizo enchiladas, rustic pasta bake, autumn squash soup, pork vegetable stir-fry and a hearty beef stew. At the end of class you’ll head home with containers filled to the brim with scrumptious delights.
If you’re an athlete or trying to live a healthy lifestyle but are having a hard time being creative with food, this class is for you. You’ll make a multigrain Moroccan chicken stew, whole grain pasta salad with winter vegetables and a filling shake with banana, chocolate and peanut butter.
Join Malamiah Juice Bar as they introduce you to the practice of juicing in order to get the maximum nutrients from your fruits and vegetables. You’ll learn about the health benefits of juicing all while creating delicious juice combinations with targeted health benefits. Plus, you’ll learn how to include boosters and enjoy ample samples. REGISTER
KNIFE SKILLS: VEGETABLE BUTCHERY
Tue, January 10, 10 am-12:30 pm • $60
Tue, January 10, 6-8:30 pm • $60
Vegetables aren’t just a side dish, in this class they are a rock star! You’ll learn proper techniques on how to select, prep, slice and dice, and then masterfully cook a variety of vegetables—from beets (smashed and seared with chimichurri and goat cheese crema) to zucchini (zucchini olive oil cake with lemon drizzle).
Dancing. Music. Harry Potter-themed activities & a special giveaway. These are a few of the various things you’ll find at the Harry Potter Magical Holiday Ball.
Barnes & NobleGrand Rapidscordially invites customers of all ages to experience its first-ever Harry Potter Magical Holiday Ball on Friday, Dec. 9, starting at 7 pm at Woodland Mall, 3195 28th St. SE. Barnes & Noble’s Harry Potter Magical Holiday Ball will feature dancing, music, Harry Potter-themed activities and a special giveaway. Customers are encouraged to wear their most festive Harry Potter costumes and holiday attire to the special event as they dance the night away and celebrate all things Harry Potter with Barnes & NobleGrand Rapids.
Magical Harry Potter-Themed Activities & Giveaways
The Harry Potter Magical Holiday Ball will be complemented by special activities, featuring a designatedHarry Potter-themed Craft Making Station, where customers can create their own ornaments and owl fans, while supplies last. There will also be Wizard Charades, Trivia, a Word Search, and more, plus a coloring station for customers to enjoy, and a special photo-op station where they will be able to forever capture the magic of the Harry Potter-inspired celebration. Barnes & NobleGrand Rapidswill also feature delicious treats from the Barnes & Noble Café, including free samples of a festive sugar cookie and a caramel apple spice drink, available while supplies last.
Plus,Barnes & Noble Grand Rapids will offer a free giveaway of a specialHarry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets: The Illustrated Editionposter, available while supplies last.
Additional activities that will take place at Barnes & Noble Grand Rapids include special guest DJ AB (Adrian Butler), kid friendly crafts, Quidditch games and a costume contest runway.
The Wizarding World of Harry Potter at Barnes & Noble
Fans of Harry Potter can continue to relive the magic at Barnes & Noble this holiday season with a dedicated Harry Potter experience inside Barnes & NobleGrand Rapids.Customers can shop a unique assortment of books and gifts from J. K. Rowling’s wizarding world, includingHarry Potter and the Cursed Child Parts I and II,Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them: The Original Screenplay, as well as Harry Potter wands, chess sets, music and DVDs, hats, scarves and so much more. For additional details, customers can visit Barnes & NobleGrand Rapidstoday.
For more information on how customers can relive the magic of Harry Potter at Barnes & NobleGrand Rapids this holiday season with Barnes & Noble’s Harry Potter Magical Holiday Ball, they should visitBN.com/MagicalHolidayBall. For more information on Barnes & Noble’s Wizarding World of Harry Potter with a unique assortment of books, toys & games and gifts, perfect for the whole family, customers should visitBN.com/HarryPotter.
The Kent County Sheriff Departmentis partnering with local Meijer Stores to host the 15th annual ‘Shop With A Sheriff’ event, scheduled for 10 am on Sunday,Dec. 4 at the Gaines Twp Meijer at 1801 Marketplace Dr. SE.
The fun begins with a ride in a patrol car for a “lights and siren parade” around the Meijer parking lot and the kids are then dropped off in front of the store to partner with a Deputy for the shopping event.
Deputies volunteer their time to shop with a child and assist them with choosing necessities (coats, boots, hats, etc.) as well as a special gift that each child can choose for themselves or a family member. The Kent County Sheriff Department hopes to make this a special time of the year for approximately 120 underprivileged children.
More than 100 participating Meijer stores have paired underprivileged children with local area heroes to shop for holiday gifts for themselves and family as Meijer continues its annual holiday tradition with the ‘Shop with a Hero’ program.
All told, more than 3,500 children in the Midwest will shop 220 stores with local police officers, firefighters and veterans. Participants are also treated to pizza parties, visits from Santa and Mrs. Claus or food baskets.
This event is possible due to the contributions from local business and individuals as well as Meijer, which donated over $200,000 in gift cards to the program to make the holiday season a little brighter for kids and families across the region.
Grand Valley State University (GVSU) senior capstone students present their thesis assignments focusing on how films impact children in matters of healing, coping with illness or understanding their world.
The moderator is therapist Ms. Janna Buskirk, who utilizes cinema therapy with her child patients.
There will be plenty of time for questions and reflections.
Don’t let this happen to you… or your car. Mind the rules.
If you live in the City of Wyoming and park on the street, there are no worries three seasons out of the year.
But during the winter months, it’s a different story — parking on both sides of the street can restrict the width of the street to a point where emergency vehicles are unable to have access.
To provide better access, the City implements Odd/Even Parking restrictions from December 1 until March 31. See the Odd/Even Parking ordinance for specific information.
According to the ordinance, from December 1 through the end of March of each year and during any declared snow emergency, any motor vehicles and other licensed trailers or equipment “shall be parked only on that side of the street having even numbers on even numbered calendar days and on that side of the street having odd numbers on the odd numbered calendar days between the hours of 12:00 midnight and 7 pm of the same day with the following exceptions:
When a residence is on a cul-de-sac, on-street parking shall only be on the even numbered calendar days.
When a residence is on a street already posted “No Parking”, the no parking restrictions shall apply.
Parked cars will not be ticketed from 7 pm to midnight. At any other time, cars must be parked on the correct side of the street according to that day’s date.
So, in a nutshell: On even numbered calendar days, park on the side of the street with even numbers (addresses) between midnight and 7 pm. On odd numbered days, park on the side with odd numbers. OK to park on either side from 7 pm to midnight.
Holiday Celebration “Musical Tradition and Timeless Memories: Handel’s Messiah”
When: Monday, Dec. 5, 7:30 pm
Where: Fountain Street Church, 24 Fountain St. NE, Grand Rapids, MI
FREE and open to the public
One of the greatest delights of the Christmas and holiday season is the chance it brings us to revisit cherished and familiar traditions. For many, it is the recollection of much loved musical gems that most completely provides the festive and warm mood to which we enjoy returning year after year.
This year, celebrate the holiday season as the Grand Valley State University Arts Chorale and Orchestra perform the music of George Frideric Handel’s Messiah.
Messiah, as Handel penned it in 1741, was nothing more than an unstaged drama with all of the musical and theatrical ingredients of an opera, but without the costumes and physical movement. The first part of Messiah, the Christmas section, which is centered on the prophecy and the story of the birth of Christ, will be performed along with other holiday favorites for orchestra, vocal solo, and choir.
From the majestic tenor recitative, Comfort Ye, to the reverential, smoothly flowing melodic lines of the Pifa, to the brilliance of the Hallelujah Chorus, you’ll enjoy immersing yourself in Handel’s timeless music, especially within the magnificent acoustic environs of Fountain Street Church.
This year’s Grand Valley Fall Arts holiday celebration promises a not-to-be-missed performance — a musical holiday gift from the faculty members, students, and staff members of Grand Valley State University to our West Michigan community and friends.
The Thanksgiving holiday is almost here, and that means travel, food, family and football. As motorists prepare to hit the highways, the Michigan State Police (MSP) are gearing up for the annual Operation C.A.R.E.(Combined Accident Reduction Effort) traffic safety initiative Nov. 23-27, 2016.
“We want every family to have a safe holiday and to enjoy time together,” said Col. Kriste Kibbey Etue, director of the MSP. “We urge you to drive safely this Thanksgiving weekend by wearing a seat belt, designating a sober driver and avoiding distractions like texting or talking on your phone while driving.”
Thanksgiving is the second deadliest holiday in Michigan for traffic crashes. In 2015, there were 11 fatalities, five of which were pedestrians, during the holiday period. In 2014 there were six traffic fatalities during the Thanksgiving holiday weekend, the lowest number in more than 30 years.
Beginning Wednesday, troopers across the state will conduct high-visibility enforcement focusing on impaired driving, seat belt use, careless driving and speeding. Extra patrols are paid for with federal traffic safety funds coordinated by the Michigan Office of Highway Safety Planning.
Courtesy MSP website
Enforcement is supported by the Give thanks. Drive safely. public awareness campaign that includes a public service announcement available at www.youtube.com/michstatepolice. With the arrival of winter weather, motorists are also encouraged to take extra precautions when driving in snowy and icy conditions and to place an emergency preparedness kit in their vehicles. To learn more about creating a kit, go here.
Operation C.A.R.E. is a nationwide initiative aimed at reducing traffic crashes and fatalities on highways across the country. It began in 1977 as a collaborative effort between the MSP and the Indiana State Police. Today Operation C.A.R.E. is one of the nation’s longest running traffic safety initiatives and includes state and highway patrol agencies from all 50 states, as well as some American territories and Canadian provinces.
The exhibit will showcase the photographs of Tom Gunnels taken throughout the summer, along with the stories of how the photos and friendships came to be.
Come down, learn more and maybe meet some cool people along the way.
Where: The Collective Artspace, 40 Division Ave S, Grand Rapids, MI; call 517.899.6766 for more info.
Avoid the madness and come help the folks at Saul Lake Bog Nature Preserve plant a new section of the ever-expanding Saul Lake Prairie — one of the longest-running and most successful prairie restoration projects in Michigan. Located east of Rockford, Saul Lake Bog Nature Preserve was established in 1989 and comprises 123 acres.
Convenient parking and over a mile of meandering trails allow visitors to appreciate the bog, prairie, forests, and fields — and the diversity of wildlife they support — in all seasons. Participants should wear appropriate clothing for outdoor work, including long pants and sturdy shoes. A great family activity, appropriate for ages 12 and up. Learn More.
Event:Black Friday Prairie Planting
Saturday, November 25 | 10:00am – 12:00pm | Saul Lake Bog Nature Preserve, 10471 Six Mile Road, Rockford, MI
Contact Justin Heslinga at 616.451.9476 or by email to register.
Curious about the creative process? What makes artists tick? What inspires them? Find the answers to these questions and explore a wide variety of artworks in a casual and historic west side neighborhood setting.
This quarter-century anniversary milestone is a special celebration for West Michigan and the 10 artists showcasing their talents this year: Elaine Dalcher, Nikki Wall, Michael Pfleghaar, Jeff Condon, Alynn Guerra, Jason Villareal, Carlos Aceves, Tommy Allen, Cathy Marashi and Gretchen Deems.
Spend an evening on the dark side at the Grand Rapids Public Museum(GRPM), 272 Pearl Street NW in Grand Rapids. GRPM, in partnership with Brewery Vivant, is hosting a new event, Dark Beer, Dark Side on Friday, Nov. 25, which coincidentally is this year’sBlack Friday.
Beginning at 6:30 pm, Ryan Engemann, the Wandering Monk from Brewery Vivant, will wax eloquently on the differences between various dark beers including Brewery Vivant’s highly anticipated ‘Tart Side of the Moon’. Between 7:15 pm and 7:45 pm visitors have the chance to explore more of the Museum, have further Q&A with Engemann, and grab another beer to enter the Chaffee Planetarium for the Museum’s original production, Dark Side: The Light Show.
Dark Side: The Light Show is a one-of-a-kind light show featuring music from Pink Floyd’s album The Dark Side of the Moon. The show features stunning 4k visuals, brilliant LED sequences and incredibly clear 5.1 surround sound. Dark Side: The Light Show is the GRPM’s first original production since the planetarium underwent major renovations in 2013/2014.
Tickets include three beer samples, general admission to the Museum and admission to the evening’s planetarium show. Get tickets here.
Join Hearts of Hope Dog Rescue as they celebrate five years and 1,000 adoptions! The event will feature a cash bar, complimentary hors d’oeuvres, live music by local band Decoy, a photo booth and an opportunity for attendees to meet some of the dogs the organization is working to save.
It all happens Friday, Nov. 18 at 6:30 pm at The Intersection, 133 Grandville Ave. SW in Grand Rapids. Tickets are $10 prior to the event and $15 at the door. Get ticketshere.
Hearts of Hope Dog Rescue is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization driven by a network of volunteer foster families in the Grand Rapids area. Because they are committed to saving the lives of unwanted dogs of all backgrounds, they are considered by many in the local dog community as the last line of support for dogs in need.
Why Adopt?
Thinking of adding a pet to your family? Here are five reasons to adopt your new best friend.
You’ll save a life.
You’ll get a healthy pet.
You’ll save money.
You’ll feel better.
You won’t be supporting puppy mills or pet stores.
Beautiful Bella is waiting for a home
Courtesy of Lynae Marie PhotographyBella’s Info…
She is already spayed, house-trained, up to date with shots, good with kids, good with dogs and good with cats.
Bella’s Story…
Beautiful Bella is a perfect girl! She is sweet, happy, playful and affectionate as well as being house-trained and crate-trained. She loves to play with her toys and go for long walks. Bella gets along great with her foster brother and the silly kitten too. Any dog siblings must be sure to like a playful jumpy pup, as she sometimes acts like the annoying little sister. With people Bella can start out shy, and loud noises and movements can make her a bit timid at times, but with reassurance, she knows it will all be OK. She is a total love and such a well-behaved girl. She is up to date on vaccines, microchipped and spayed. Her adoption fee is $200. Apply to adopt her here.
Local government matters most. Many people don’t realize how decisions at the local level affect members of the community. Here’s your chance to get engaged!
One of the topics of discussion will be the newOvertime Lawthat goes into effectDec. 1, 2016. If you would like to comment or have figured out how much this will cost your company, please come to the Forum and share with us your input.
This meeting is an opportunity for business owners and the community to face our appointed officials and bring to light any issues or concerns they would like to address. You are welcome to be recognized by the moderator — and present your questions at the allotted time.
Bring your top issues and interact with policymakers from
City of Kentwood
City of Wyoming
County of Kent
Michigan House of Representatives
Michigan Senate
This monthly meeting will be televised by Cable Channel 25 WKTV.
From Academy Award-winning director Roger Ross Williams, Life, Animated is the inspirational story of a young man who used Disney animated films to communicate with his friends and family. This coming-of-age film will be shown at the Saugatuck Center for the Arts (SCA) (400 Culver Street) on Nov. 17 at 7 pm. General admission $5/Members and $7/Future Members.
For more information, or to purchase tickets, please visit sc4a.org or call 269.857.2399.
Rolling Stone says about Life, Animated, “Instead of false hope, it offers possibility, the chance of a stimulus that might get past the blocks of developmental disorder.”
This refreshing film begins when Owen Suskind is a thriving three-year-old who suddenly and inexplicably goes silent — and for years has remained unable to connect with other people or to convey his thoughts, feelings or desires. Over time, through repeated viewings of Disney classics like The Little Mermaid and The Lion King, Owen found useful tools to help him to understand complex social cues and to re-connect with the world around him.
Roger Ross Williams
Prior to moving into independent filmmaking, Roger Ross Williams was an acclaimed television journalist and producer for over 15 years for outlets including: TV Nation, ABC News, NBC News, CNN, PBS, Comedy Central, and Sundance Channel. Williams serves on the Alumni Advisory Board of the Sundance Institute. He frequently mentors filmmakers from the developing world and under-represented communities on how to channel personal adversity into their art.
“Deeply moving. A warm testament to a family’s love and resistance.” –Variety
Real to Reel is sponsored by Great Lakes Manor and Cottages and Clark Hill Entertainment Industry Team, Hidden Garden Cottages & Suites, and Saugatuck-Douglas Antique Market.
About the Saugatuck Center for the Arts
The Saugatuck Center for the Arts, located at 400 Culver Street, Saugatuck, is a non-profit organization dedicated to creating a more vibrant lakeshore community in West Michigan and beyond. For more information about the SCA and upcoming events, visit www.sc4a.org or call 269.857.2399.
Join Mike Gustaitis of Wine Sellars of Saugatuck and Chef Doug Rempel as they help you gear up for the holidays with delicious time-saving recipes and the perfect wine pairings. This event happens at the Saugatuck Center for the Arts (SCA) (400 Culver Street) on Nov. 9 from 7-8:30 pm.
Tickets are $35 and space is limited. For more information please visit sc4a.org or call 269.857.2399.
Those attending this event will have the opportunity to sample four holiday-inspired small plates that can be prepared in advance for a dinner party so you can spend time with your guests, not in the kitchen.
Mike Gustaitis is an accomplished Advanced Sommelier with extensive knowledge of wine from various wine-producing regions including Argentina, Australia, Canada, Chile, France, Germany, Italy, New Zealand, Portugal, South Africa, Spain and the USA.
Doug Rempel has been cooking for more than 30 years, entertaining clients, family and friends with his unique recipes and inspired flavors.
Mike and Doug will work together to pair each small plate with the perfect red or white wine for a combination that will have your taste buds smiling.
The 8th Annual Whiskers & Wine Gala celebrates Crash’sLanding and Big Sid’s Sanctuary, two no-kill cat shelters that rescue strays off the streets of Greater Grand Rapids and find loving homes for them. Rescue founder, Jennifer Petrovich DVM of Clyde Park Veterinary Clinic, has been helping at-risk strays for 14 years.
On Friday, Nov. 18 from 5:30-9:30 pm, the organization’s largest fundraiser of the year kicks off at Thousand Oaks Gold Club, 4100 Thousand Oaks Dr. NE in Grand Rapids. The event includes a full dinner with wine, raffle drawings for gift baskets, and a live auction.
Doors open at 5:30 pm with dinner starting at 7 pm. Cost is $50 per person. Buy tickets online here. For more info, call 616.826.8038 or visit the website here.
This year’s Cocktail Week Grand Rapids runs from Nov. 9-20, when local bars, distilleries and restaurants showcase West Michigan’s craft beverage culture. For $25 or less, you can enjoy two craft cocktails and a shared plate at any participating restaurant or distillery. It’s the perfect time to grab a cocktail, take a tour, taste something new—and sip local.
Sponsored by Valentine Distilling Company, the event overlaps with Grand Rapid’s annual Wine, Beer and Food Festival, which runs from Nov. 17-19 and draws craft beverage enthusiasts from all over the country. This year they’re unveiling an expanded spirits area in honor of Cocktail Week GR. Tickets can be purchased for one night of the event or at a discounted rate if you plan to attend all weekend long (it may take that long to hit every booth).
Another event overlapping with Cocktail Week is the Grand Rapids Art Museum’s newest fashion exhibit, Fashionably Buzzed, which will be at the GRAM until January 15th. GRAM has invited 10 neighboring mixologists to design cocktails inspired by Iris van Herpen’s fashion collections, and museum-goers and members will receive a discount when they grab a drink after touring the exhibit.
Courtesy of Experience GR
If you want to enjoy cocktail week free of any distractions, head to the source of the spirits. Long Road Distillers on the west side of GR offers hospitable tours and a close look at what goes into crafting the main ingredient of cocktails — liquor. Gray Skies Distillery opened just over a year ago on Ottawa Ave. and offers a collection of spirits crafted in Grand Rapids. New Holland’s newest location, The Knickerbocker, is doing a lot more distilling, as well as Atwater Brewing Company’s new location (both on Bridge St.). Stop by to see their operations and appreciate some of the newest buildings in town.
No matter what sounds fun on a night out in Grand Rapids this fall, remember that Cocktail Week GR is happening Nov. 9-20. Keep an eye out for the menu releases from all participating restaurants and bars on November 2.
Call 616-459-8287 for more information and to get tickets.
