Darlingside is bassist Dave Senft, guitarist and banjo player Don Mitchell, classical violinist and folk mandolinist Auyon Mukharji, and cellist and guitarist Harris Paseltiner. (supplied/Gaelle Beri)
WKTV Staff ken@wktv.org
If you haven’t seen and heard the harmonic perfection of the quartet Darlingside — maybe the best alt-folk band you may have never heard of — your missing something special if you can’t snag some tickets to the group’s performance at Seven Steps Up, Monday, April 15, in-between gigs at Toronto and Chicago.
The group, which visited the venue last year and hit the Meijer Gardens summer concert stage a couple years ago, are buzzing through West Michigan in support of their new EP Look Up & Fly Away, as well as their outstanding 2018 album Extralife. (And if you haven’t heard Extralife, you missed one of last year’s most best and original releases.)
Released on Feb. 22, Look Up & Fly Away is comprised of six songs selected from a handful of outtakes from Extralife and, according to supplied material, has the band “exploring the different stages of life and death and continuing to spotlight the group’s poetic and timeless ability to capture complex, ecumenical topics.
“Stretching the boundaries of traditional folk, chamber pop, baroque, progressive and indie rock, Darlingside melds various styles together to create something not easily categorized and very much their own.”
Like Extralife, the EP will undoubtedly feature Darlingside’s signature hypnotic harmonies — often using a single mic for the four voices, sparse instrumentation, and almost mystic songwriting — think space music that does not put you to sleep.
Darlingside, especially on Extralife, was said to be reminiscent of The Beach Boys, Fleet Foxes and Simon & Garfunkel. Rolling Stone Country said the album is, “…both fresh and familiar, like some throwback piece of orchestral folk-pop recently removed from the vault.”
The Extralife single “Hold Your Head Up High” was recently nominated for the 2019 “International Song of the Year” UK Americana Award.
Seven Steps Up, by the way, is a great small concert venue in Spring Lake, at 116 S. Jackson Street. While the concert is officially listed as a sold-out, it does not hurt to check, call 616-930-4755 or visit sevenstepsup.com . And there are plenty of great acts coming to the venue in the near future.
“I am going to keep having fun every day I have left, because there is no other way of life. You just have to decide whether you are a Tigger or an Eeyore.”
― Randy Pausch
Thompson Square is the husband-and-wife duo Keifer and Shawna Thompson. (Supplied)
A little Friday night music
The country duo Thompson Square makes at stop at the college’s Covenant Fine Arts Center, on Friday, April 5, at 8 p.m., for an acoustic — and tickets are just $25. For the complete story, visit here.
The poster for the film fest.
Catch the next ‘Roma’?
The Grand Rapids Latin American Film Festival will run this weekend, April 5-7, at the Wealthy Theatre, 1130 Wealthy St SE, Grand Rapids, with free admission but donations are appreciated. For the complete story, visit here.
Grammy Award winning country-swing band Asleep at the Wheel. (Supplied)
Roadtrippin’ Asleep at the Wheel
St. Cecilia Music Center’s Acoustic Café Folk series will present Asleep at the Wheel, 10 GRAMMY Award winners with more than 25 studio and live albums to their 48-year history, onThursday, April 11. For the complete story, visit here.
Fun fact:
50.88 Billion
Country amassed 50.88 billion streams in 2018, a 46 percent inflation over the 2017 numbers. That performance slightly outpaced the overall industry, which counted 901 billion streams, a 43 percent increase. (Source)
Jon Snow (Kit Harington) and Daenerys Targaryen (Emilia Clarke) will be playing out their final scenes in the final season of Game of Thrones. (Supplied/Helen Sloane/HBO)
By K.D. Norris ken@wktv.org
There are few “sure things” about HBO’s Game of Thrones: somebody’s gonna die in every episode — and usually not in a nice way; even avid fans have been, shall we say, getting a little winterized as the series dragged on the last couple of years; and, finally, the series’ final season will be a monster. Or maybe a dragon.
So there will be plenty of anticipation, and a some shedding of blood if not tears, when 20 Monroe Live presents a Game of Thrones (GoT) Season 8 Premiere Watch Party on Sunday, April 14, with complimentary tickets available.
The all-ages party will include watching the episode on a really big screen, raffle giveaways, a LARP (Live Action Role Playing) Battle of the Living vs. Dead, a cosplay costume contest, GoT-themed drinks and wine, and a photo booth for those not fully comfortable with the selfie thing.
The doors will open at 7:30 p.m., with the GoT Season 8 Episode 1 set to air at 9 p.m. Those attending are urged to bring their own seat (camping chairs, bean bags, blankets, etc.) as, according to supplied material, “Our floor is concrete.”
While there has been an almost wartime blackout of info about the final season of Game of Thrones, HBO has announced that there will be a six-episode, 8th and final season, airing at 9 p.m. (ET) Sundays, April 14-May 19, exclusively on HBO.
An interesting thing about the planned episodes are that they are not uniform in length. The premier and second episodes will be 54 and 58 minutes long, respectively. But the final four will be about 1 hour and 20 minutes each. Haven’t read anything as to why the abnormalities.
Of course, GoT has made a habit of not really being normal.
Quick ‘catch up’, which I am sure is flawed
The epic fantasy series, based on an adaptation of “A Song of Ice and Fire”, George R. R. Martin’s series of fantasy novels, the first of which is “A Game of Thrones”, premiered on HBO in 2011.
Just in case you haven’t been a fan and plan to catch up as the creators wrap up the series’ many loose ends in the final season, Mr. Martin’s world includes the fictional continent of Westeros, where most of the action takes place.
It also has a huge — though often short-lived — cast of mostly great actors/actresses ( Diana Rigg and Max von Sydow have both paid their time in fantasyland) and more storylines than you can shake a big, ol’ sword at.
But, basically, it has three main “story arcs.” The first arc is about the Iron Throne of the Seven Kingdoms, and the open and secret battles to control it — hint, there are few good guys trying to sit on the throne. The second focuses on the dragon lady —er, Daenerys Targaryen, the Mother of Dragons (Emilia Clarke) — descendant of the realm’s deposed ruling dynasty. And, the third, the Night’s Watch, a group of soldiers guarding a huge wall against “wildlings” and the undead — and, no, it is not some metaphor for current American politics. I don’t think …
Anyway, the show has a ton of characters who come and go with some degree of regularity and violence — although at least two, maybe more, have died and come back got life.
And that brings us to a key question for the premiere episode of the final season: just which character is going to die?
I think the early favorite is the brainy but not very sexy Samwell Tarly (John Bradley), but my money is on the sexy but not very brainy “Kingslayer” Jaime Lannister (Nikolaj Coster-Waldau); he has done his final real task, impregnating his twin sister and current ruler of Westeros to continue the Lannister dynasty.
Oh, did I mention the nudity and sex? Remember, its HBO.
The details, should you need them
20 Monroe Live is located at 11 Ottawa Ave NW, Grand Rapids (attached to The BoB). To get your complimentary ticket (and a gift, we are told, as well as an extra raffle entry) visit here. To simply reserve your ticket from 20 Monroe, visit here or email RSVP20MonroeLive@LiveNation.com .
Local beer and food pairings are the focus of “Beer City Eats.” (Supplied/Beer City USA)
By K.D. Norris ken@wktv.org
‘Beer City Eats’, an eight-episode video series launched last month as part of Experience Grand Rapids’ Beer Month GR, is now running on WKTV Community Media’s cable television channels.
DJ Adrian “AB” Butler (Supplied)
Grand Rapids designer, musician and DJ Adrian “AB” Butler is your tour guide for Beer City Eats, according to supplied information. The series focuses on how Grand Rapids’ beer reputation has elevated the food scene to a nationally-recognized level. In each episode, “AB” interviews local brewmasters, chefs, and owners to highlight the unique and delicious dishes available at local breweries, unveiling what makes each spot a favorite among locals.
“It’s awesome to see how every brewery approaches their food in completely different ways,” Butler said in supplied information. “It’s clear that the food (in Grand Rapids) is just as important as the beer. At the highest level, they are passionate about the quality of both the beer and the food.”
The short-form video programs began on WKTV recently, after our Golden Gloves boxing coverage, but is now in regular random rotation. To see the videos on-demand, visit experiencegr.com/beer-city-eats .
Cedar Springs Brewing to host ‘Starkbierfest’, sausage party
Cedar Springs Brewing Company will host its 4th annual Starkbierfest — its “strong beer festival” — on Saturday, April 6, from 3-9 p.m., with live music, and beer, and food, and beer, and a sausage party, and beer … you get the idea.
The rain-or-shine event will have a heated tent (although latest weather reports say it may not be needed) with live music headlined by Jimmie Stagger, limited beer releases, and — because (wo)man does not live by beer alone — a sausage party.
Besides the famous Oktoberfest, Starkbierfest (“Strong Beer Festival”) is the second biggest German beer festival time during the year, according to supplied information. Historically, monks brewed strong beer, or Bockbier, which was higher in calories and a bit stronger to substitute for food during Lenten fasting.
If you not into the Bockbier, Cedar Springs has its usual assortment of good pours, including the Küsterer Pale Bock (Bavarian pale lager bock), Buffalo Trace Bourbon Barrel Aged Märzen, Buffalo Trace Bourbon Barrel Aged Küsterer (amber lager) as well as cask releases including a Küsterer Bohemian Pilsner and … my favorite when I swing by the brewery which I’m an original member of … the Küsterer original Weissbier.
The sausage party will include Dearborn Kielbasa and a Fontanini Italian sausage, we are told.
The music will have Dave Slivinski’s German/folk sounds from 2-4 p.m., the Aaron Dussing Duo playing German/folk from 4:30-6:30 p.m., and great Bluesman Jimmie Stagger from 7-9 p.m. or until the place runs out of beer.
For more information on the Cedar Springs Brewing and its Starkbierfest, or visit csbrew.com .
Muskegon Museum of Art goes on-tap and uncorked
The Muskegon Museum of Art will hold its annual On Tap & Uncorked fundraiser night at the museum — a Michigan beer, wine and food tasting event — on Friday, April 12, from 6-9 p.m. (By the way, I know from experience that only a limited number of tickets are sold to keep the crowd manageable.)
According to supplied information, the local breweries involved include Big Hart, Cellar, Fetch, Grand Armory, Pigeon Hill, Stormcloud and Unruly. (I can personally vouch for the beers of Sparta’s Cellar Brewing Co. and Muskegon’s own Unruly Brewing Co.) Wineries include Lemon Creek, St. Julian and Twisted Creek; and hard cider will be present from Ridge Cider Co. Restaurants bringing their food include Applebees, Dr. Rolf’s Barbeque, Hank’s Tavern, Hearthstone, Se4sons Gastro Pub and Village Baker.
Advance tickets are $35, or $40 at the door (if it is not sold out).
For more information on MMA events, and/or tickets for the On Tap & Uncorked night, visit the MMA museum store at 296 W. Webster Ave., call 231-720-2580, or visit the museum’s website.
By the way, there are a pair of concerts planned at the museum. On Saturday, April 27, at 7 p.m., the folk duo of Kane & Gellert will take the stage. Kieran Kane has been referred to as “the godfather of Americana music”. Then later in the spring, two-time Grammy winner Laurence Juber will take the stage on Friday, June 14, at 7 p.m. Juber was first recognized internationally as lead guitarist in Paul McCartney’s band Wings, and has since established himself as guitar virtuoso, composer and arranger, and concert performer, according to someone I read somewhere.
The West Michigan Whitecaps will soon begin play at Fifth Third Ballpark. (Supplied/West Michigan Whitecaps)
By WKTV Staff ken@wktv.org
The Detroit Tigers have already throw out the first pitch of the 2019 season, with the local West Michigan Whitecaps ready to do so Thursday, with their first pitch at home on Saturday, April 6. But the Whitecaps have a little something special planned for their Saturday, May 11, home game — a little lanzamiento descontrolado (wild pitch, in the Spanish).
The West Michigan Whitecaps will become “Las Calaveras de West Michigan” —The Skulls of West Michigan — for three games during the 2019 season, all on Saturdays: May 11, July 13, and Aug. 17.
These games will be centered on “celebrating the Hispanic/Latino culture and the influence it has had on America’s pastime,” according to supplied material.
“Our desire is to reflect the community, whether it’s our game-day employees, our front office or our fans,” Whitecaps President Steve McCarthy said in supplied material. “The core values of this community reflect the core values of Minor League Baseball – family, community, entertainment and tradition. This is an opportunity for us to grow.”
At the games, fans will enjoy sugar skull decorating, face painting, authentic food and music, games and more when Las Calaveras de West Michigan take the field in alternative uniforms focused on the Calaveras.
Calaveras, or skulls, are an important part of Hispanic culture. Skulls made out of sugar are decorated and used during Dia De Los Muertos (Day of the Dead), a festive and colorful Latin holiday that originated in Mexico thousands of years ago, during which families celebrate the lives and legacies of deceased relatives. The uplifting holiday recognizes death as something to celebrate as part of the cycle of life.
The Calaveras logo is a unique take on a sugar skull, viewed at an angle to suggest motion and competitiveness as the team swings for the fences. Inside the decorative skull logo are subtle references to the Whitecaps and West Michigan. The eyes are baseballs inside the 616 West Michigan area code; also look for baseball bats, home plate, a W and M, the team’s original logo from the 1990s, and seagulls and waves representing the Lake Michigan shoreline.
With its Las Calaveras de West Michigan nights, the Whitecaps will be one of 72 minor league teams participating in the 2019 “Copa de la Diversion,” or “Fun Cup,” an Hispanic/Latino fan engagement initiative.
“This program is aimed at connecting the teams to their communities,” McCarthy said. “For the Whitecaps, it’s allowing us to both demonstrate our commitment to diversity and provide a wide selection of fan engagement offerings.”
The Copa de la Diversion initiative seeks to connect MiLB teams with their diverse communities, embracing the culture and values that resonate most with Hispanics and Latinos. The initiative launched with 33 participating teams in 2018 to great success and overwhelmingly positive feedback, and the program is more than doubling in size to 72 teams for its second season.
For more information about Calaveras de West Michigan, or to buy tickets or merchandise, please visit this link.
The Whitecaps open their 26th season on Thursday, April 4 at 7:05 p.m. at the South Bend Cubs. The home opener is set for Saturday, April 6 at 4 p.m. also against the Cubs. Complete ticket information, including season and group ticket prices and perks, is available at this link.
The Benny Green Trio, with singer Veronica Swift, will be at St. Cecilia Music Center. (Supplied)
By WKTV Staff ken@wktv.org
The St. Cecilia Music Center will feature the Benny Green Trio with “rising star” jazz singer Veronica Swift on March 7 as the final Jazz Series concert of the center’s 135th Anniversary season.
Benny Green, a veteran of the jazz world combines a mastery of keyboard technique with decades of playing with the most celebrated artists of the last half century including Betty Carter, Art Blakey, Freddie Hubbard, Ray Brown, Diana Krall and Christian McBride. Swift is being recognized as one of the top new young jazz singers on the scene.
Veronica Swift, singing with the Benny Green Trio, will be at St. Cecilia Music Center. (Supplied)
The 24-year-old Swift will be releasing her next album on Mac Avenue Records in early 2019, which will feature the great pianist Benny Green and his trio as well the Emmet Cohen Trio.
“It will be exciting to see Veronica Swift in this point in her career performing from the new album with esteemed Jazz pianist Benny Green and his trio,” Cathy Holbrook, St. Cecilia executive director, said in supplied material. “Those who love great jazz will be blown away by this concert. It’s really a double bill because either of these artists would be big enough to feature in their own concert, so it’s a two-for-one night!”
Green began classical piano studies at the age of seven, according to supplied material. Influenced by his father, a tenor saxophonist, his attention soon turned to Jazz: “I began trying to improvise on the piano, imitating the records I’d been hearing from my father’s collection, which included a lot of Monk and Bird … it was a gradual process of teaching myself.”
Swift grew up on tour with her parents, renowned jazz pianist Hod O’Brien and celebrated jazz singer and educator/author Stephanie Nakasian, according to supplied material. It was with them where she first appeared at The Jazz Standard, and Dizzy’s Club Coca-Cola. She recorded two CDs as a child – one at age 9 with Richie Cole and her father’s rhythm section and her mother, and one at age 13 with saxophonist Harry Allen. Her 2015 Album “Lonely Woman” features some of the hottest young jazz players on the scene including Emmet Cohen, Benny Bennack III, Daryl Johns (with whom she shared a Grammy Choir/Band experience), Matt Wigler, and Scott Lowrie. In addition to performing the Great American Songbook and Bebop and vocalese classics, she is also a passionate devotee of 1920s and ’30s music and has sung with Vince Giordano, Terry Waldo, and Drew Nugent.
Concert tickets for Veronica Swift with the Benny Green Trio are $40 and $45 and can be purchased by calling St. Cecilia Music Center at 616-459-2224 or visiting the box office at 24 Ransom Ave. NE. Tickets can also be purchased online at scmc-online.org.
A pre-concert reception for $15 at 6:30 pm, with wine and hors d’oeuvres, is available by reservation in advance. A post-concert party with dessert, coffee and wine is open to all ticket-holders to meet the artists, obtain autographs and CD purchases.
U.S. Air Force B-1B Lancer at a Republic of Korea airbase in 2016. The U.S. long-range bomber is one of the major deterrents to North Korean military actions. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Jonathan Steffen)
By K.D. Norris
ken@wktv.org
So far this year the World Affairs Council of Western Michigan’s 2019 Great Decisions global discussion series has informed the public on the “State of the State Department”, dangers to democracy around the world, and America’s immigration policies — or lack there of.
The next discussion, Feb. 25 and 26, will be “A New Nuclear Arms Race?”, with Kelsey Davenport, of the Arms Control Association, discussing Russia, North Korea, Iran and “What’s our nuclear future?”
For the past 50 years, the Treaty on the Nonproliferation of Nuclear Weapons (NPT) has played a critical role in preventing the spread of nuclear weapons and reducing nuclear arsenals, according to the Arms Control Association website. Yet prospects for additional progress on U.S.-Russian arms control remain bleak as President Donald Trump’s administration has split from key allies over the nuclear deal with Iran, and the denuclearization of North Korea remains uncertain, according to supplied information on the lecture.
Davenport is the Director for Nonproliferation Policy at the Arms Control Association, where she provides research and analysis on the nuclear and missile programs in Iran, North Korea, India, and Pakistan and on nuclear security issues, accord to the ACA website. Her areas of expertise include nuclear nonproliferation, nuclear and missile programs in Iran and North Korea, and nuclear security. Kelsey also reports on developments in these areas for Arms Control Today and is the author of the P5+1 and Iran Nuclear Deal Alerts.
Davenport’s discussion fits in with the overall goal of the World Affairs Council of Western Michigan.
“To change the world — or to even begin to understand global issues — one first must know about the world, and that’s what we attempt to do with Great Decisions,” Michael Van Denend, executive director of the World Affairs Council of Western Michigan, previously said to WKTV.
The annual series, which bring leaders in international theory and action to Grand Rapids for lectures, will offer two options to attend: Mondays, 6-7:15 p.m., at Aquinas College Performing Arts Center; and Tuesdays, noon-1 p.m. at the Recital Hall in the Covenant Fine Arts Center at Calvin College.
There is a $10 general-public admission fee per discussion, with no reservations needed and free parking.
The series will continue through March 25-26.
The Great Decisions format features a world-class expert leading each conversation, followed by an extensive question-answer session.
The reminder of the 2019 series will feature:
Mar. 4 and 5: “China-U.S. Trade War”, with Amy Celico, Albright Stonebridge Group (ASG), discussing “How will we handle the most important bilateral relationship of the 21st century?”
Mar. 11 and 12: “Life After the Arab Uprisings and the Islamic State”, a ground-level report from a brave Lebanese journalist, Rania Abouzeid, author of “No Turning Back: Life, Loss, and Hope in Wartime Syria”, a New York Times 2018 Notable Book.
Mar. 18 and 19: “Global Cyber Threats” with FBI Special Agent Peter Jolliffe discussing “Cyber risks are on the rise — can we thwart them?”
And finally, on Mar. 25 and 26: “Mexico and the U.S.: The Economic Ties that Bind”, Carlos Capistran, Bank of America Merrill Lynch, New York City, discussing “What must we do to make certain both countries thrive?”
The Aquinas College Performing Arts Center is located at 1703 Robinson Road S.E., Grand Rapids. The Covenant Fine Arts Center at Calvin College is located at 1795 Knollcrest Cir SE, Grand Rapids.
The World Affairs Council of Western Michigan is located at 1700 Fulton Street E., Grand Rapids, For more information on sessions, dates and times, as well as detailed information on speakers, visit worldmichigan.org .
The War and Treaty, featuring Michael and Tanya Trotter, will be at the St. Cecilia Acoustic Café Folk Series Feb. 24. (Supplied/The Artists)
By K.D. Norris ken@wktv.org
St. Cecilia Music Center’s Acoustic Café Folk Series started off the month of February with a sell-out return of Béla Fleck & Abigail Washburn on Feb. 9, and things will end strong on the folk front with the duo of Michael and Tanya Trotter (aka The War and Treaty) as well as Milk Carton Kids coming to town.
The War and Treaty will hit the intimate 630-seat Royce Auditorium stage for an unusual Sunday concert on Feb. 24, and Milk Carton Kids — Joey Ryan and Kenneth Pattengale, this time with a full band backing — for a more usual Thursday night show at St. Cecilia on Feb. 28.
Tickets remain available for both shows.
The War and Treaty “are quickly rising on the National scene … (their) upbeat emotional sound, with soul and folk roots, is sure to ignite a bright fire within our audience’s hearts,” Cathy Holbrook, St. Cecilia executive director, said in supplied material.
“We are (also) so happy to bring The Milk Carton Kids with their band to St. Cecilia Music Center this month to perform from their newest album,” Holbrook said. “It will be a great experience for all to see and hear as these two talented performers and their full band perform together.”
The War and Treaty
The War and Treaty may be familiar to some in the Grand Rapids area as they opened for Bob Seger’s Van Andel Arena concert in November 2018.
According to supplied information, they draw inspiration from different artists and genres including Ray Charles, Aretha Franklin, Johnny Cash and Nina Simone — ya, that Johnny Cash and that Nina Simone.
And their music has been described as a blend of roots, folk, gospel, and soul, “reaching back through their deep-rooted history to conjure up the strength of their ancestors.”
The buzz here is all good.
The Milk Carton Kids
The Milk Carton Kids, you may remember as I do, had a brief appearance on the concert film “Another Day, Another Time: Celebrating the Music of Inside Llewyn Davis”, which was led by producer T-Bone Burnett. And their latest release — All the Things That I Did and All the Things That I Didn’t Do, which came out in June of last year — was produced by Joe Henry. Both producers are great, and the music they produce is usually also great.
“The Kids”, an American indie folk duo consisting of Joey Ryan and Kenneth Pattengale, will be at St. Cecilia Feb. 28. (Supplied/The Artists)
“The Kids” music, which for lack of a better tune is often called American indie folk, has earned the usually solo-duo of Ryan and Pattengale a Grammy nomination in 2015 for Best American Roots Performance, another for Best Folk Album of the year in 2013, and they were the Americana Music Association’s Best Duo/Group of the year in 2014.
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 for “Another Day, Another Time: Celebrating the Music of Inside Llewyn Davis” — the concert documentary derived from the Coen Brothers film “Insider Llewyn Davis”. (A great movie with great early 1960s music, BTW.)
Two concerts in April will finish up the 2018-19 Acoustic Café Folk Series, both returning favorites: Asleep at the Wheel will return to SCMC on April 11, and Guitarist Leo Kottke will return to SCMC on April 18.
Tickets for The War and Treaty are $30 and $35; 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.
As part of the February WKTV Journal Newscast, we previewed the 18th annual Taste of Kentwood event on Thursday, March 14, coming to the Kentwood Activities Center, 355 48th St. SE, with two sessions: one from 4:30 to 6 p.m., and another from 6:30 to 8 p.m.
The event will also include live music from Just Cuz, an acoustic duo that performs an eclectic mix of cover tunes from a variety of genres.
Participating restaurants include: Boardwalk Subs, City Barbeque, PJ’s Pizza, Coffee & Ice Cream, Underground Cookie Club, The Candied Yam, Daddy Pete’s BBQ, Loco Taco Taqueria, Desi Spice, Peppino’s South Kentwood, Red Robin Gourmet Burgers, Thai Express, Jet’s Pizza, YoChef’s Catering Company and Le Kebob.
The event is open to everyone in the community. Tickets cost $6 and can be purchased online in advance, $8 on the day of event. Kids 5 and younger are free.
From a previous year, the Taste of Kentwood brings out the community and families for fun and food. (WKTV)
By City of Kentwood
The community is invited to explore a smorgasbord of local cuisine during the 18th annual Taste of Kentwood event on Thursday, March 14.
Held at the Kentwood Activities Center, 355 48th St. SE, a variety of local restaurants will offer food and desserts during two sessions: one from 4:30 to 6 p.m., and another from 6:30 to 8 p.m.
The event will also include live music from Just Cuz, an acoustic duo that performs an eclectic mix of cover tunes from a variety of genres.
“Taste of Kentwood is a great opportunity to experience the diversity of Kentwood while supporting local businesses,” said Kentwood Mayor Stephen Kepley. “Everyone is welcome to come connect with neighbors, enjoy live music, and discover what deliciousness awaits around the corner.”
Participating restaurants include: Boardwalk Subs, City Barbeque, PJ’s Pizza, Coffee & Ice Cream, Underground Cookie Club, The Candied Yam, Daddy Pete’s BBQ, Loco Taco Taqueria, Desi Spice, Peppino’s South Kentwood, Red Robin Gourmet Burgers, Thai Express, Jet’s Pizza, YoChef’s Catering Company and Le Kebob.
The event is open to everyone in the community. Tickets cost $6 and can be purchased online in advance, $8 on the day of event. Kids 5 and younger are free.
Joey DeFrancesco having fun in a previous concert. (JoeyDefracesco.com)
By K.D. Norris ken@wktv.org
60-second Review
Joey DeFrancesco and The People at St. Cecilia Music Center, Thursday, Feb. 7.
Joey DeFrancesco is known for his masterful play on the Hammond B3 organ, whether it is playing jazz or one of his pop/soul side projects, as when he recently aided Van Morrison on a project. But in a 90-minute, seven-tune set with his jazz quartet, The People, on Thursday, he showed he loves to play around and play with the audience too.
The result was, mimicking a recent pop song whose name I mercifully forget: a little bit of jazz in my life, a little bit of funk by my side, a little bit of blues is all I need, a little bit of fun is what I see.
Bottom line: Joey D and the boys — saxophonist Troy Roberts, guitarist Dan Wilson and drummer Michael Ode — had the audience feeling warm, cozy and playing along on a cold, icy winter night in West Michigan. Who could ask for anything more?
The set began with three tunes off of The People’s Grammy-nominated 2017 release “Project Freedom”, warming up the crowd and their instruments with “Better than Yesterday”, getting the audience fully into it with the funky sounding “The Unifer” and then flowing softly into the almost melancholy “Project Freedom” — a tune on which both Wilson and Roberts gave great improv solos that almost matched Joey’s.
Joey then took a short diversion off the keyboards, to his vocal and trumpet talents, when he said the band was going to “cool it down a bit” with Neil Sedaka’s “I Found my World in You” before returning to Project Freedom and getting the crowd back bouncing with “Stand Up”.
My favorite tune of the show, ending the initial set, was the rousing blues number — “Down in the Alley” (I think …) — on which everybody had a chance to jam, but Wilson really went off on the guitar.
The final tune, in encore, was “Trip Mode” off Joey’s 2015 release of the same name.
And then everybody went back to real life and the cold, but with a smile on their face.
May I have more, please?
After Joey DeFrancesco the final Jazz Series concert will be Benny Green Trio & Veronica Swift on March 7. Tickets for jazz series concerts range from $35-$45.
St. Cecilia Music Center is located at 24 Ransom NE, Grand Rapids. For tickets or more information call 616-459-2224 or visit scmc-online.org.
Nigel Tau, right, working with Grand Rapids Ballet dancers on his new work, part of MOVEMEDIA: Handmade. (WKTV/K.D. Norris)
By K.D. Norris ken@wktv.org
James Sofranko, the artistic director of the Grand Rapids Ballet and a growing talent as a choreographer himself, is clearly an advocate of new contemporary dance by new artistic voices.
So it is only natural that, as an advocate for the team of dancers at the ballet, he would seek to include their voices in the upcoming MOVEMEDIA: Handmade program set to have its run Friday to Sunday, Feb. 8-10 at the Peter Martin Wege Theatre.
The headliner of the program is likely to be a powerful, searing work of “Testimony”, a work by the ballet’s continuing choreographer-in-residence, Penny Saunders, inspired by the U.S. Senate hearings for now-Supreme Court justice Brett Kavanaugh and his accuser Christine Blasey Ford. Although another new work by the Joffrey Ballet’s Nicolas Blanc — whom Sofranko worked with at the San Francisco Ballet — will undoubtedly be equally unique and impressive.
But the five other works on the program will be original choreographic efforts by members of the dance company, including Nigel Tau, who apprenticed with the Grand Rapids Ballet in 2015 before joining the company in 2016.
(WKTV/K.D. Norris)
“I think it is wonderful to give an opportunity to the dancers … you do not necessarily have a lot of opportunities given to you,” Sofranko said to WKTV. “This is a program that is about creating new works … you are experimenting and this is a program where it is meant to be an exploration.”
Tau, according to his supplied biography, began dancing at age 10 with The Academy of Dance in his home town of Savannah, Georgia. In 2013, he became a trainee with Next Generation Ballet, and performed in the school’s own productions as well as with Opera Tampa and the Florida Orchestra. He went on to train with BalletMet on a full scholarship, where he performed and rehearsed alongside the company.
Tau’s work, titled “Errant Thoughts”, will not only be the dancer’s first dance creation but will continue his artistic journey — the journey of all artists, really — where excitement and frustration often exist side-by-side.
(WKTV/K.D. Norris)
“This piece is about two different things,” Tau said to WKTV. “It is the story of someone who has had a passion project, or a work they have really be invested in … that feeling of inspiration and excitement … (but also) that continuing cycle of excitement and frustration — is it good enough?”
Bottomline: Handmade is usually pretty good, and Tau’s work, as with the others on the program, are handmade.
MOVEMEDIA: Handmade will be on stage Friday, Feb. 8, at 7:30 p.m., Saturday, Feb. 9, at 7:30 p.m., and Sunday, Feb. 10, at 2 p.m.
For tickets visit GRballet.com or call 616-454-4771 x10. The Peter Martin Wege Theatre is located at 341 Elllsworth Avenue SW, Grand Rapids.
Sisters Ruth and Eileen Sherwood leave behind their ordinary lives in a rural Ohio town in pursuit of fulfilling their dreams in New York City.
Filled with swinging show tunes, Grand Valley State University students will showcase how “Wonderful Town” captures the thrill of two sisters trying to change their lives.
GVSU Opera Theatre will present “Wonderful Town” Feb. 8, 9, 15, and 16, at 7:30 p.m. and Feb. 10 and 17 at 2 p.m. All shows will take place in Louis Armstrong Theatre, located in the Thomas J. and Marcia J. Haas Center for Performing Arts on the Allendale Campus.
Ruth is an aspiring writer played by Mikayla Berghorst, a junior majoring in vocal performance. Berghorst said her favorite aspect of adopting the character of Ruth has been portraying a different kind of personality than she is used to on stage.
“My favorite part about playing Ruth is being able to portray an older, strong-minded, sarcastic character because I have often played younger, weaker characters,” said Berghorst. “The most challenging part has been stepping out of my comfort zone on stage. Ruth is a wacky character, and I often find myself mentally and emotionally exhausted after rehearsals.”
Elise Endres, a freshman majoring in music, will portray Eileen in “Wonderful Town” — a dancer who wants to pursue a life on stage. Endres said her approach to the character is one of balance.
“Eileen is a very sweet people-person, but also a bit of a ditsy flirt and that element of this character has been fun to bring to the table and stage,” said Endres. “Having said that, the most challenging part of this character is really making her ditsy nature come to life while not making it too unbelievable!”
Dale Schriemer, GVSU Opera Theatre artistic director said “Wonderful Town” was an easy choice to bring to the Grand Valley stage. “It’s such a fun show and written by the genius team of Leonard Bernstein (music) and Comden and Green (book and lyrics),” he said. “It’s a delightful comedy with sing-along music, comic situations that are inventive and clever, and the whole cast gets to do a lot of different things.” “Wonderful Town” will be directed by alumnus, Christopher Carter, ’09.
Tickets for “Wonderful Town” are $15 for adults, $13 for seniors and Grand Valley faculty and staff, $7 for students, and $10 for groups of 10 or more. They are available at the Louis Theatre Armstrong Box Office, located in the Haas Center, or via startickets.com. For more information, contact the Louis Armstrong Theatre Box Office at (616) 331-2300 or visit gvsu.edu/theater.
1964 The Tribute comes to DeVos Performance Hall April 18. Tickets go on sale Friday. (Supplied/Steven Gardner)
By Mike Klompstra DeVos Performance Hall
They’ve been called the “born again Beatles.” 1964 The Tribute recreates a Beatles concert exactly as it was in 1964, from the haircuts, the voices, the suits, the boots, to the vintage instruments. If you miss The Beatles, don’t miss 1964 The Tribute in DeVos Performance Hall , on Thursday, April 18, at 7:30 p.m.
Rolling Stone magazine has named them the #1 Beatles show, and they have seven straight sellouts at Carnegie Hall.
Tickets go on sale to the general public beginning Friday, January 25 at 10:00 a.m. Tickets will be available at the DeVos Place® and Van Andel Arena® box offices, online at Ticketmaster.com, and charge by phone at 1-800-745-3000. Prices are subject to change.
“1964” focuses on the quintessential moment in history, when The Beatles played before a LIVE audience. The Beatles toured the world in the early 1960’s, but now only a precious few remain who saw them LIVE; who felt the “mania” that brought them to world acclaim. Today, all that remains are a few scant memories and some captured images in pictures and on poor quality film and video. “1964” meticulously re-creates the “MAGIC” of those LIVE Beatles’ performances with artful precision and unerring accuracy.
They say that folk music is at it best where its played by family about real people. If that is true — and the musical proof of such things is in the listening — than Béla Fleck and Abigail Washburn’s late-2018 recording of two songs for a video by renowned dance company Pilobolus may well be the art of folk music at its perfection.
The musical evidence will likely be heard Saturday, Feb. 9, as the husband and wife duo, both accomplished and innovative banjo artists, return to St. Cecilia Music Center’s Royce Auditorium for an Acoustic Café Folk Series concert.
Tickets are still available.
Béla Fleck and Abigail Washburn. (Supplied/Courtesy of the Artists)
In fall 2017, Fleck and Washburn released their second full-length studio album together, “Echo In The Valley”, an 11-track LP includes the two banjo players playing folk and bluegrass music. In October of last year, the duo released a new single that married two songs from that album, which also is the soundtrack for the Pilobolus music video.
The new single and video pairs “Come All You Coal Miners” — written by Sarah Ogan Gunning, an Appalachian ballad singer, activist and wife of a coal miner — with Fleck and Washburn’s own “Take Me to Harlan.”
Fleck and Washburn, who have been called “the king and queen of the banjo”, return to St. Cecilia after a sold-out concert midwinter in 2018.
“Béla and Abigail are two of the most delightful and gracious musicians we’ve hosted in concert,” Cathy Holbrook, executive director of St. Cecilia, said in supplied material. “Their warmth and love of music reflects in their amazing show.”
Fleck is a 15-time Grammy Award winner who has taken the instrument across multiple genres, and, according to supplied material, Washburn is a singer-songwriter and clawhammer banjo player who re-radicalized it by combining it with Far East culture and sounds. “Echo in the Valley” is the follow up to Fleck and Washburn’s self-titled debut that earned the 2016 Grammy for Best Folk Album.
“The mission of ‘Echo in the Valley’ was to take our double banjo combination of three finger and clawhammer styles to the next level and find things to do together that we had not done before,” Fleck said in supplied material. “We’re expressing different emotions through past techniques and going to deeper places.”
Acoustic Café Folk Series remaining concerts
The Acoustic Café Series, in partnership with the syndicated radio show of the same name, features five remaining folk concerts this season. Following Fleck and Washburn are: The War and Treaty, on Sunday, on Feb. 24; The Milk Carton Kids, on Thursday, Feb. 28; Asleep at the Wheel, on Thursday, April 11; and guitar master Leo Kottke on Thursday, April 18.
Tickets for Fleck and Washburn
Fleck and Washburn concert tickets are $45 and $50 and can be purchased by calling St. Cecilia Music Center at 616-459-2224 or visiting the box office at 24 Ransom Ave. NE. Tickets can also be purchased online at www.scmc-online.org. A post-concert party with complimentary wine and scmc-online.org beer bar is offered to all ticket-holders. All ticket prices include service fees and no additional fees are charged.
“A little girl giggles when she is denied an ice-cream by her mother. She knows daddy will get her some later.”
― Unknown
From a previous year City of Kentwood Daddy-Daughter Dance, fun is had by all and memories made. (WKTV)
Dads and daughters dance coming to Kentwood
Fathers can dance the night away with their daughters at the City of Kentwood’s annual Daddy-Daughter Dance, which is set for Saturday, Jan. 26 at the Kent District Library — Kentwood (Richard L. Root) Branch. With an “Under the Sea” theme, this year’s event will run from 6 to 8 p.m. The evening will include dinner, dessert, crafts, a photo area with props and, of course, dancing. For the complete story, visit here.
The Grand Rapids Public Museum. (Supplied)
Local history exhibit at GRPM extended
The Grand Rapids Public Museum exhibition, “Ralph W. Hauenstein: A Life of Leadership” is being extended. Visitors can now experience the life and legacy of Ralph W. Hauenstein through April 14. Hauenstein was a leader in the West Michigan community, remembered for his role as a journalist, his military and intelligence service, his dedication to the Catholic faith, his entrepreneurship, and his philanthropy in Grand Rapids. For the complete story, visit here.
Joey DeFrancesco having fun in concert. (JoeyDefracesco.com)
Jazz organ on display at St. Cecilia
“Hammond hero” Joey DeFrancesco and his serious jazz playing will be on full display when St. Cecilia Music Center bring multi-talented, multi-Grammy nominated jazz man and his quartet “The People” to Grand Rapids on Thursday, Feb. 7. Tickets are still available. For the complete story, visit here.
Fun fact:
Organ keyboards are called manuals
Most Hammond organs have two 61-note (five-octave) keyboards called manuals. As with pipe organ keyboards, the two manuals are arrayed on two levels close to each other. (Source)
The Live Golf Studios at Thornapple Pointe include 6 simulators in total, 4 PGA Tour Widescreen and 2 PGA Tour Curve simulators. (Supplied/Watermark Golf and Sports)
WKTV Staff ken@wktv.org
Looking to improve your swing before you can get out on the course? Thornapple Pointe Golf Club’s new Live Golf Studio is now open to the public and accepting “tee times.”
Thornapple Pointe Golf Club, located at 7211 48th St. SE, Grand Rapids but just east of Kentwood, is the first of the Watermark Properties golf clubs to offer Live Golf Studios “for golfers who want to maintain their game throughout the winter and shoulder seasons in Michigan,” according to supplied information.
Live Golf Studios is, also according to supplied information, the first West Michigan state-of-the-art golf facility offering golfers of all levels the opportunity to play in a controlled climate using high technology simulation at over 50 golf courses, practice ranges and more.
“During our soft opening period, where we had members trying out the Live Golf Studios, it was really encouraging to see so many different ages and levels of golfers,” Chris Sobieck, General Manager of Watermark Golf and Sports, said in supplied material. “We had families playing, as well as, our most competitive golfers and others all out having a great time. These simulators offer something for everyone.”
And, yes, Thornapple Pointe will have a bar and full kitchen open during hours of play.
The Live Golf Studios at Thornapple Pointe include 6 simulators in total, 4 PGA Tour Widescreen and 2 PGA Tour Curve simulators. Each of the simulators allow golfers the ability to play over 50 golf courses with various challenge options. Live Golf Studio course selections include highly prestigious locations such as the Pebble Beach Golf Resorts, St. Andrews Links, and the Players Championship Courses.
New Live Golf Leagues will begin mid-January 2019. Leagues will run for nine weeks of play and include prizes. For more information about the leagues and to sign up, contact Live Golf Studios at 616-803-1200.
Complete information and online tee times are available for booking now livegolfstudios.com.
It’s always warm and smells like good beer in Rockford Brewing’s main-floor bar — music is upstairs this weekend. (Supplied/Rockford Brewing Company)
By K.D. Norris ken@wktv.org
Rockford Brewing Company will be hosting a weekend-long party starting today to celebrate its 6th year of business. While there will be special food menu items, beer releases and live music both days, the moment you tip an imperial oatmeal stout while listening to Delilah DeWylde may well be the moment to have a spot at the bar.
On Friday, Dec. 21, through closing at midnight, patrons can bring in a stein and fill it with 32 ounces of select beer for $5, enjoy a Bavarian-themed menu, and also have a chance to win gift cards and mug club memberships throughout the day, that according to supplied material. Country/pop artist Kari Lynch will be performing at 8:30 p.m.
Saturday, Dec. 22, will be a holiday extravaganza with holiday-themed trivia (teams of four) starting at 4 p.m., with mug club memberships for the winning team, an ugly sweater party, a “Charles Dickens Christmas” inspired menu, and a holiday set from local rockabilly band Delilah DeWylde and the Lost Boys at 8:30 p.m. (Looking for a last minute gift and an excuse to go out and have a beer? All merch will be 50 percent off.)
Oh, and the beer? Rockford Brewing Company will be releasing two new beers: the aforementioned imperial oatmeal coffee stout and an amber ale.
“We’ve had an exciting six years in the Rockford community and now we want to throw a party for all of those who supported us,“ Seth Rivard, co-owner of Rockford Brewing Company, said in supplied material. “We not only want to celebrate our business but the customers and staff who have helped us get to where we are today.”
The Rockford Brewing Company is located in downtown Rockford at 12 E Bridge St. NE. For more information visit rockfordbrewing.com .
News for Brewsaders (hint Kitzingten is all in)
There are 43 local breweries in the new Brewsader Passport – including Brewsader newcomer and Wyoming’s own Kitzingen Brewery, as well as other newcomers Castle Brewing Co., Depot No. 36 Brewery, East West Brewing and HopCat Knapp’s Corner.
In case your not in the know, you just need to collect stamps or check-ins from eight breweries to get a free Brewsader t-shirt; but the shirt is secondary to the honor of having a passport bursting at the seams. You can get an app, of course, but that digital stamp doesn’t have beer stains as a bonus.
With or without the passport, go to Kitzingen for the seasonal German Hefeweizen or any of another dozen or so other German styles. And if you want to sound smart, bring up in conversation that Count Dracula is likely buried in a Kitzingen (Germany) cemetery.
For more information on Kitzingen Brewery, located at 1760 44th St. SW, Wyoming, visit kitzingen-brewery.com . For more information on the Brewsader Passport, visit here .
Bello Sparkis Tory Peterson, Rob Jordan, Cole Hansen and Jay Kolk. (Courtesy of the band)
By City of Kentwood
The City of Kentwood’s Winter Concert Series is returning in 2019 with free concerts on select Wednesday nights from January to March in the Kent District Library – Kentwood (Richard L. Root) Branch.
The series features three West Michigan bands: Eric Engblade Trio, Bello Spark and the Sookie J Trio.
El Caribe Food Truck will be on site at each concert offering a variety of Caribbean food. Concert-goers are welcome to bring their own beer or wine to enjoy as well.
“Cold weather shouldn’t stop us from being active and having fun,” said Val Romeo, Kentwood Parks and Recreation director. “Our winter concert series is one of many ways we encourage residents to get out of the house and enjoy the winter programming in Kentwood.
“The good food and live music combined with the warm comfort of the library makes for a wonderful evening.”
The lineup, which includes a mix of acoustic folk-rock, jazz and blues music, is as follows:
The Robin Connell Trio will be playing trio jazz at Grand Rapid’s One Trick Pony Thursday, Dec. 6, from 8-11 p.m., with Kentwood bassist Charles Johnson sitting in.
Connell will be on keyboard and vocals, with Ian LeVine on drums.
There is no cover. One Trick Pony is located at 136 E. Fulton. For more information on music at One Trick Pony visit one-track.biz . For more information on gigs with Robin Connell visit robinconnell.com . For more jazz in West Michigan, visit wmichjazz.org .
To say Chicago-based Ryley Walker is a busy man these days would be a grand understatement. Just check his passport and his album/EP catalogue and music downloads.
After gigs in Europe on Nov. 30 through Dec. 2 — in the Brighton UK, Paris and Amsterdam, respectively — Walker will likely catch a red-eye and get over a bout of jet lag before he takes the stage at Calvin College on Wednesday, Dec. 5.
And that is just his live music schedule. He has also been busy in the studio.
Ryley Walker. (Supplied photo by Evan Jenkins)
So far this year the 29-year-old singer-songwriter and guitarist from Rockford, Ill., has released Deafman Glance, an eclectic mix of originals, as well as the just-out The Lillywhite Sessions, a track-by-track cover of Dave Matthews’ infamously abandoned 2001 art-rock masterpiece of the same name.
So, the audience at Calvin’s Recital Hall should be prepared for a wild ride with Mr. Walker. And cheap tickets — $10 general admission — are still available.
Deafman Glance is Walker’s fifth album release since 2014, not to mention three EP releases between 2011-13, including The Evidence of Things Unseen, originally only available on cassette. (Ya, he’s worked his way up.) His 2015 album release, Primrose Green, gained a ton of buzz and included several notable Chicago jazz and experimental musicians doing their instrumental things.
While Walker is probably proud of Deafman Glance, he quickly moved on to the next thing on his non-stop musical ride.
“It’s a good record. But I can’t really listen to it anymore. It kind of broke my brain,” Walker said in supplied material. “I was under a lot of stress because I was trying to make an anti-folk record and I was having trouble doing it. I wanted to make something deep-fried and more me-sounding. I didn’t want to be jammy acoustic guy anymore. I just wanted to make something weird and far-out that came from the heart finally.”
An initial listen of Deafman left me with the feel that I was on a long road-trip with the musician, with the smooth, confident alt-pop songwriting flowing forth often in almost stream of consciousness, accompanied by long long instrumental/synth experimentations. My favorite cuts were “Opposite Middle”, “Spoil With the Rest” and, for an unknown reason, the hypnotic instrumental “Rocks on Rainbow”. But there are several soft, almost spacey ballads.
From Deafman, Walker turned to The Lillywhite Sessions, and a sometimes complete reinterpretation of Matthews songs, which Walker describes as “a record where (Matthews) and his band indulged a new adult pathos and a budding musical wanderlust … (with Walker’s covers being) one adolescent fan’s fulfillment of that possibility, a partial musical map of the places that this trio’s early interest in Matthews has since taken them.”
An initial listen to Lillywhite found interpretations filled with both smooth and jagged synth riffs, sparse almost jazzy horn riffs, and often haunting alt-pop sounds. Having little experience with Matthews’ originals, I found “Big Red Fish” to be my favorite, while “Grace is Gone” was the one original remembered, but I was still drawn to Walker’s clear, clean version.
The period of the making of Deafman and Lillywhite was, not so incidentally, actually filled with the “a new adult pathos” of Walker’s own.
Ryley Walker. (Supplied photo by Evan Jenkins)
“I quit drugs and booze recently,” he says. “I got sick of being a party animal — I don’t want to be 19-gin-and-tonics-Ryley any more. My brain is working a little better now, but man I was just going at it pretty wildly, and then trying to make a record (Deafman Glance) while I was drinking, it was kind of like torture.
“The songs (on Deafman) don’t really deal with any political or personal or social issues at all. Mostly it just comes from being bummed out. And there’s not a lot of musical influences on the record. I wasn’t even listening to music when I made it. … Maybe I’d say it’s a record for coming up or coming down. It’s not an album for the middle of the day. It’s for the beginning or end of it.”
Can’t think of a better way to end a work day than catching Walker at Calvin.
The concert will be somewhere in Calvin’s Covenant Fine Arts Center, 1795 Knollcrest Circle SE, Grand Rapids. For tickets and information, visit calvin.edu/calendar/event . For more on Ryley Walker visit ryleywalker.com.
At 6:30 p.m., Kentwood city officials accompanied by carolers will conduct the annual Tree Lighting Ceremony.
City of Kentwood
The City of Kentwood invites the community to begin the holidays with its annual Tree Lighting Ceremony and Holiday Light Parade, slated for Friday, Dec. 7. Centered around the Kent District Library – Kentwood (Richard L. Root) Branch, the free event will take place from 5 to 8 p.m.
The evening will be filled with festive activities, including a parade, live holiday music and carriage rides, as well as caroling and a tree lighting ceremony. Hot chocolate and cookies will be offered, and Santa, of course, will be there to take pictures with families.
“The holidays are special times every year that bring families and communities together,” said Kentwood Mayor Stephen Kepley. “In Kentwood, we are working diligently to create memories for both the young and old by sponsoring a holiday evening in Kentwood. The tree lighting and parade along with other family activities that night are becoming a tradition in Kentwood that we hope our friends and neighbors will enjoy.”
The Holiday Light Parade will start at 6 p.m., at the Kentwood Public Works, located at 5068 Breton Ave. SE, and travel north to the Kentwood Justice Center at 4740 Walma Ave. SE. Roads will be closed from 5:50 p.m. to 6:25 p.m. for the parade, which will affect both Breton Avenue and Walma Avenue.
At 6:30 p.m., city officials accompanied by carolers will conduct the annual Tree Lighting Ceremony.
Following the tree lighting, community members will have the opportunity to take pictures with Santa, go on carriage rides and enjoy a musical performance by the East Kentwood High School Jazz Band. The Elves Express Gift Shop will be open at the library for the duration of the event, offering a variety of gift items and gift-wrapping services.
As with any large community event, the city relies on volunteers to ensure a smooth-moving event. Individuals interested in helping with the evening festivities may sign up online. The cost to participate is $15.
There are also openings for the parade. Groups interested in participating can submit a parade entry form online, The cost to participate is $15.
More information about Tree Lighting Ceremony and Holiday Light Parade, as well as other community events, is available on the City’s website at www.kentwood.us.
The Triiio Tour features the three key members of The Lone Bellow — guitarist/vocalist Zach Williams, guitarist Brian Elmquist, and multi-instrumentalist Kanene Donehey Pipkin — playing in concert as a trio with no back up band.
The Lone Bellow, the band’s hearts and souls anyway, will bring their alt/indie Americana folk sounds to St. Cecilia Music Center’s stage later this month as part of its Acoustic Cafe Folk series with the Royce Auditorium stage set for an unusual but alluring concert focused on the band’s one-mic sounds.
Grand Rapids will, in fact, be among the first cities in the U.S. to feature The Lone Bellow’s Triiio Tour, which not only focuses the band down to its core three but also highlights their new acoustic EP, Restless, released Oct. 19.
And tickets remain available for the Thursday, Nov. 29, show, scheduled for 7:30 p.m. with a post-concert party open to all ticket-holders and giving the audience the opportunity to possibly meet the artists and obtain signed CDs of their releases.
The Triiio Tour features the three key members of The Lone Bellow — guitarist/vocalist Zach Williams, guitarist Brian Elmquist, and multi-instrumentalist Kanene Donehey Pipkin — playing in concert as a trio with no back up band. (Something which experienced fans know from previous live shows where the trio would gather for a couple of songs as part of an intimate acoustic interlude.)
“We are very excited to welcome The Lone Bellow on this special acoustic tour,” Cathy Holbrook, St. Cecilia executive director, said in supplied material. “SCMC will be the perfect venue for this great band and their acoustic sound.”
The Triiio Tour is also a live presentation of their Restless EP, which features new songs, two covers, and three reworked versions of songs from previous records form the Brooklyn-born, now Nashville-based band.
“Since we released our first album in 2013, we’ve been setting a few songs aside every night to sing together around one mic, and those times have become some of our most memorable musical moments of touring together,” Williams said in supplied material. “We were prompted to make a record that would capture that feeling, and to make it ourselves. We had never done that before. We ended up making it in Jason and Kanene’s attic along with all of the natural sounds of that space: floors creaking, birds chirping, babies crying, lawnmowers running. It was a joy to make.”
The Restless EP was produced by Brian Elmquist and Jason Pipkin. For more information on The Lone Bellow, visit here.
Remaining tickets for The Lone Bellow are $30. All concert tickets can be purchased by calling St. Cecilia Music Center at 616-459-2224 or visiting the box office at 24 Ransom Ave. NE. For more information or to purchase tickets online visit www.scmc-online.org.
Experience the joy of the holidays at Frederik Meijer Gardens & Sculpture Park with the annual Christmas and Holiday Traditions Around the World exhibition on display from Nov. 20 through Jan. 6, 2019. Guests from all over the world visit Meijer Gardens to experience 42 Christmas and holiday trees and displays representing countries and cultures from across the globe. The always favorite and enchanting Railway Garden and the holiday wonderland that encompasses it will once again wind its way through three lush indoor garden spaces, including the recently renovated Grace Jarecki Seasonal Display Greenhouse.
Guests are invited to ring in the holiday season with our most beloved winter exhibition. It’s the season of joy! This year Meijer Gardens celebrates how our community and communities around the world joyfully commemorates the diverse and generations-old traditions that remain vibrant today. Visitors will experience a world of cultural celebrations, represented across 42 different displays that explore folklore and fact, past and present.
In many cultures, the holidays bring people together in distinct and memorable ways that are difficult to capture in a display. New this year, Meijer Gardens is presenting a wonderous original film, joy, that explores the diverse festive fabric that is holiday life across our local communities. This film will be shown continuously in the Hoffman Family Auditorium and is available on the Meijer Gardens YouTube channel as well.
“This year we take note of how our community joyfully commemorates the diverse, generations-old traditions that remain vibrant today though joy, a new film exploring the festive fabric that is holiday life across our local community.” said Maureen Nollette, Annual Exhibitions Assistant Designer.
Each winter, Meijer Gardens transforms into a botanic wonderland with fresh poinsettias, orchids and amaryllis. The smell of evergreens as visitors enter the building and the sounds of carolers make it a place to reflect and enjoy the holiday season. Indoors and out, trees sparkle with 300,000 colorful lights. More than 500 volunteers lovingly decorate the trees and displays.
The unique horticultural artistry of the beloved Railway Garden complements the model trolleys, trains and handcrafted buildings replicating 30 Grand Rapids landmarks. Visitors will find familiarity in the Fifth Third Ballpark replica building with its light posts made of willow, as well as striking hydrangea petals that make up the iconic glass tower of the Helen DeVos Children’s Hospital. Five landmarks from Grand Rapids sister cities around the world are also represented in the Railway Garden.
“This holiday season, guests have a special opportunity to see how our community joyfully celebrates a variety of traditions from centuries ago that remain vibrant today,” said Steve LaWarre, Director of Horticulture. “These traditions are wonderful, celebratory aspects of West Michigan’s diversity and community.”
Mainstays of the exhibition include the Germany tree, adorned with handmade glass ornaments and homemade springerle cookies, the England tree—with antique Christmas cards and mistletoe—and the beautiful Eid ul-Fitr display, which celebrates the end of Ramadan.
A variety of family-friendly activities are offered throughout the exhibition.
Exhibition Activities
Extended Holiday Hours: Open until 9 p.m. on December 17,18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 26, 27, 28 and 29. (Meijer Gardens is CLOSED on Thanksgiving Day, Christmas Day and New Year’s Day).
The Original Dickens Carolers: Tuesdays: Nov. 20 and 27, Dec. 4, 11, 18, 6-8 p.m.
Santa Visits: Tuesdays: Nov. 20 and 27, Dec.4, 11, 18, 5-8 p.m.
Rooftop Reindeer: Saturdays: Nov. 24, Dec. 1, 8, 15, 22, 1-4 p.m.
Winter-Time Walks: (Nov. 20-Jan. 5, 2019) Tuesdays 10:15 and 11:15 a.m., Saturdays 11:15 a.m. Winter in the Lena Meijer Children’s Garden can be chilly, but fun! Bundle up and join us on an outdoor interactive discovery walk to investigate the Children’s Garden in new ways. We’ll explore different winter themes and gather in a cozy spot to learn about winter with stories, kid-friendly conversation and other activities.
And Christmas and Holiday Themed Classes: Enjoy festive learning opportunities for adults and families. Fees apply.
As the holiday season nears, Woodland Mall is preparing for Santa’s arrival, setting up decorations and hosting a series of events to help shoppers spread holiday cheer this winter.
SantaFest, storytime at Barnes & Noble, a menorah display and family pet photos are just some of what is in store for the holidays at Woodland Mall, as well as an exclusive PREIT Perks Member Weekend and, of course, special shopping deals on Black Friday.
“It’s exciting seeing Woodland Mall transform for the holiday season,” said Cecily McCabe, Woodland Mall marketing director. “As our decorations are put up and all the festivities come to fruition, it’s easy to feel the holiday spirit.”
Guests will have the opportunity explore Woodland Mall’s Arctic Forest again this year, home to the man in red himself. The forest will be surrounded by decorated trees stretching up to 22 feet, snow-covered islands and icicle archways, as well as Ursa, an enormous 12-foot polar bear.
Santa photos for you and your pet
Seated in the heart of the Arctic Forest will be Santa, ready to take photos with shoppers of all ages from Nov. 10 through Dec. 24 during regular mall hours. Families are welcome bring their “fur babies” with them for photos with Santa on Mondays from Nov. 12 through Dec. 17.
Pet photos with Santa will be offered every Monday until Dec. 17 from 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. All pets are welcome, as long as they are kept on a leash at all times. Families with pets should use the east and west entrances closest to Macy’s.
“Seven out of every 10 American households have pets who are integral members of the family,” said McCabe. “We recognize their importance and are setting aside a special time to encourage families to bring their dog, cat or other animal to be part of a photo with Santa.
“This is just another way we are helping the community create fun holiday memories at Woodland Mall.”
With every pet photo purchase, families will receive a pet handkerchief for their furry friends while supplies last.
Santa will be on-site during regular mall hours for family photos without pets through Christmas Eve.
SantaFest, Jewish holiday, and much more
SantaFest, a celebration of everything wonderful about the holiday season, will kick off at the mall at 10 a.m. on Nov. 17. The event will feature live music, games, crafts and holiday gift giveaways through 1 p.m. While the event is free to attend, pre-registration beginning Nov. 8 at shopwoodlandmall.com is recommended.
Woodland Mall is once again partnering with Chabad House of Western Michigan to display a 6-foot tall menorah for Hanukkah from Dec. 2 until Dec. 10. A Hanukkah story will be read during Barnes & Noble’s storytime event at 4 p.m. on Thursday, Dec. 6.
“It means a lot to have our Jewish faith represented in the mall,” said Rivka Weingarten, program director of Chabad House of Western Michigan. “It’s always very touching for us to have a menorah displayed publicly, and to be able to take pride in our Jewish community here.”
Woodland Mall is also partnering with Artists Creating Together, an organization that brings the arts and art projects to children, youth and adults with disabilities, to present a holiday concert at the mall from 6 to 7 p.m. on Monday, Dec. 3.
“Our concert at Woodland Mall is a wonderful opportunity to showcase our students’ skills and the joy they get out of participating in our programming,” said Krista Prischner, ACT program coordinator. “It is really exciting for our students to perform in a public space, and especially at the mall during the busy holiday season.”
Musicians from the organization’s drum and choir groups will perform a few holiday songs, some of which will include an opportunity for audience participation. The performance is free and open to the public to enjoy.
“This is truly a magical time of year for all the retailers at the mall,” said McCabe. “We’re delighted to be working with organizations such as ACT and the Chabad House to offer a variety of holiday activities for all our shoppers to enjoy.”
The mall will be open on Thanksgiving evening from 6 p.m. to midnight and on Black Friday from 6 a.m. to 9 p.m. Woodland Mall will have special holiday hours to ensure that guests are able to get all their shopping completed before the holiday. The Woodland Mall website has a full list of updated hours.
Several seasonal stores offering gift items for the holidays are open now at Woodland Mall. For custom ornaments, shoppers can visit Christmas Treasures in the Von Maur Wing. For toys and handmade goods from Michigan-owned businesses, there’s Roeda Studio and The Glove in the Macy’s Wing, and Toysaro in Center Court.
Musicians from the Chamber Music Society of Lincoln Center will join to perform Schubert’s “Trout Quintet”. (Supplied)
By St. Cecilia Music Center
The Chamber Music Society of Lincoln Center Series 2018/2019 season begins on Nov. 15, with 5 internationally renowned musicians from the Chamber Music Society of Lincoln Center in New York performing diverse gems from the 19th century as the St. Cecilia Music Center’s chamber music series begins its season with the beloved Schubert composition The Trout Quintet.
Duos and trios will fill the first half of their performance, including Beethoven’s variations on Mozart’s melody, Schubert’s creation for the arpeggione, and Bottesini’s virtuoso showpiece for violin and double bass. The artists join forces after intermission to perform Schubert’s Trout Quintet, which has garnered a reputation as one of the most popular works in the chamber repertory.
A pre-concert artist talk with the visiting musicians begins at 7 p.m. and is open to all ticket holders.
“We are so pleased to renew another three-year agreement with The Chamber Music Society of Lincoln Center,” St. Cecilia executive director Cathy Holbrook said. “They are some of the most exciting artists to experience at SCMC with their exquisite performances and amazing artistry. To listen to and see these artists in action is truly captivating,”
Musicians will include pianist Orion Weiss, violinist Paul Huang, violist Paul Neubauer, cellist Keith Robinson, and double bassist Xavier Foley. New artist Foley is the recipient of a prestigious 2018 Avery Fisher Career Grant. He has also won the 2016 Young Concert Artists International Auditions, and First Prizes at Astral’s 2014 National Auditions, Sphinx’s 2014 Competition, and the 2011 International Society of Bassists Competition.
Tickets for the November 15 CMS of Lincoln Center concert are $45 and $40. Season tickets for all 3 of the CMS of Lincoln Center concerts are also available for 15-20 percent discount off single ticket prices.
There will be two more chamber music concerts as part of the St. Cecilia series:
A program entitled Russian Mastery, featuring works by Rachmaninov, Tchaikovsky, Prokofiev and Arensky, on March 14, 2019. Co-artistic Director and pianist Wu Han will return to Grand Rapids with violinists Arnaud Sussman and Alexander Sitkovetsky, and cellist Nicholas Canellakis. Russia’s vastly expressive music over time has told the story of its country and people, painting a picture through music of its turbulent historical landscape. The Prokofiev Two Violin Sonata, written in 1932, stands apart as an audaciously creative work from the period between the wars, while the remaining works will be glorious musical outpourings of the age of the tsars and the Russian Empire.
A program on April 25, 2019 entitled From Mendelssohn, which will feature Mendelssohn works and magnificent artists who admired and emulated his work through some of their own including Schumann, Brahms and Tchaikovsky. Mendelssohn’s combined mastery of melody, form, counterpoint, and the chamber idiom was admired and imitated by composers for generations. In a program bookended by two works of Mendelssohn from 1845, one brief, the other epic, the audience will hear Mendelssohn’s close friend Robert Schumann’s response to Mendelssohn’s piano trios; how, near the end of his life, Brahms recalled Mendelssohn’s lyricism through the viola’s dark voice; and, finally, how Mendelssohn’s great admirer Tchaikovsky combined the German’s signature scherzo idiom with Russian melancholy and splendor in three selections from The Seasons for solo piano. CMS musicians performing for the final concert of the season will include pianist Inon Barnatan violinist Cho-Liang Lin, violist Paul Neubauer, cellist Jakob Koranyi, and clarinetist Romie de Guise-Langlois.
All concert 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 www.scmc-online.org. A post-concert “Meet-the-artist” party, with complimentary wine will be offered to all ticket-holders giving the audience the opportunity to meet the artists and to obtain signed CDs of their releases.
It doesn’t matter if your a chardonnay sipper or a porter pounder, there will probably be something to your taste at the 11th Annual Grand Rapids International Wine, Beer & Food Festival, returning Nov. 15-17 to DeVos Place downtown.
Three days overflowing with food, beverage and culinary-themed entertainment presented by area chefs, restaurants and purveyors of the spectrum of libations — including of the caffeinated variety. What’s not to like?
Six restaurants will offer “pairing menus” throughout the festival, a chance to sit down with the chef and watch as they prepare an elegant multi-course meal table-side paired with the finest wine, beer or spirits. Advanced reservations are required. An additional 15 restaurants serve up small plate offerings.
It is on the beverage side of the street that variety is really available, and there is literally whole sections dedicated to one’s beverage of choice.
The Vineyard are will feature 1,200 plus wines of all styles. Hemingway Hall will showcase craft spirits and cocktails from Michigan’s finest distilleries. The Beer City Station – OK, my favorite place to wait for a train that will never come — will just about the entire craft brewing world. Cider Row will focus on hard ciders made locally and beyond. And, because we all need to drink responsibly if not eat so, RendezBREW will offer cordials and coffees paired with desserts and other delicious “nightcap” offerings.
The festival will also be food demonstrations, educational tasting lessons — including one called “Not Your Grandma’s Rosé: A Tasting of Rosés”; got to love that! — as well as cocktail workshops. And for the ear buds while you are working the tastebuds? Throughout the weekend, musical entertainment will include Melophobix in The Vineyard, Jake & Jimmy Band and Valentiger on the Beer City Station Music Stage and a variety of performers in the RendezBREW seating area in the Grand Gallery.
The festival will run Thursday, Nov. 15 and run through Saturday, Nov. 17, and hours are 6-9 p.m. Thursday, 4-10 p.m. Friday and 2-10 p.m. Saturday.
Advanced tickets for the Festival may be purchased online for $15 per person and are valid for a one-time use Thursday, Friday or Saturday. A 3-Day Pass is also available. Once inside, festivalgoers can purchase tasting tickets for 50-cents each which are used for all food and beverage tastings (excluding the special pairing menus), with each sample requiring a varied amount of sampling tickets. Admission is for those 21 or older, and valid ID is required to purchase tickets and to enter.
Beer bread with really good beer: Who would have thought?
Over the summer, favorite Cedar Springs Brewing Company beers were baked into Cedar Rock Bread Company’s fresh homemade breads and sold at the brewery’s farmers market. Now, those same tasty loaves will be available for purchase year round in the CSBrewery Shoppe.
“Part of our mission is community involvement, so we were happy to work with Kris and her team at Cedar Rock Bread Company through our CSBrew Farmers Market this summer,” David Ringler, Cedar Springs Brewing Company’s Director of Happiness, said in supplied material. “Together, we created authentic, classic breads using our traditional beers, which are made using only four ingredients.”
Fresh beer bread, and humor, are served up at Cedar Springs Brewery and the CSBrewery Shoppe next door. (CSBrewery Facebook photo)
A rotating variety of freshly baked beer breads will be delivered twice weekly to the shop, located at 81 N. Main St NE in Cedar Springs. Customers can purchase styles like Golden Ale Baguette, Golden Grain Artisan Loaf, Irish Stout Rye Sourdough, and IPA Cherry Wheat Bread throughout the week.
The beer bread will also be incorporated into Cedar Spring Brewing Company’s food menu, which can be tasted in the brewery’s taproom at 95 N. Main St NE in Cedar Springs.
“We will feature these breads regularly in sandwiches, appetizers, and specials served in our taproom and Biergarten,” Ringler said.
Grand Rapids-based Long Road Distillers opens new Boyne City location
Business is good at Long Road Distillers as the Grand Rapids-based maker of specialty distilled liquors announced recently that they will be opening a new distillery tasting room in Boyne City. The northern Michigan outlet will be the company’s first offsite tasting room apart from their headquarters on the West Side of Grand Rapids, where they house their production facility, cocktail bar, and restaurant.
Long Road Distillers is located in Grand Rapids — and now at a second location. (Supplied)
“The Long Road team is thrilled to join the Boyne City community,” Kyle VanStrien, Long Road Distillers co-founder and co-owner, said in supplied material. “It’s a beautiful town with a thriving retail district, engaged business community, and countless activities for residents and visitors to enjoy throughout the year.”
The Long Road Tasting Room will be located at 118 Water Street in the heart of the Central Business District in downtown Boyne City.
Northern Michigan has become a vital part of the Long Road story and holds a special place in the hearts of VanStrien and fellow owner and founder Jon O’Connor, according to supplied material.
“We are committed to using Michigan-grown ingredients in our spirits whenever possible,” said O’Connor. “Michigin, our 100 percent Michigan ingredient gin, depends on ingredients grown in Northern Michigan. Our team spends several days each fall harvesting juniper on nearby Beaver Island, and we’ve incorporated galena hops from the Michigan Hop Alliance in Northport to add a citrus component to the gin’s botanical makeup.”
WKTV’s Featured Game this week is a Division 4 football playoff game at East Kentwood Friday at 7 p.m., with Godwin Heights (6-3 overall, 5-1 and 2nd place in O-K Silver) facing South Christian (5-4, 3-3 and 4th place O-K Gold).
This will be the pre-District game for Region 2 District 1 in Division 4.
Both teams earned the same number of playoff points, 57.667. The victor will face the winner of Otsego (5-4, 49.111 points) against Holland Christian (6-3, 63.444 points), with the game being played at the team with the highest playoff points earned.
This will be the 13th meeting between these two schools with South Christian leading 8-4 overall, but it’s the first meeting since the fall of 1983 when both teams were in the O-K White. That was the last of those 12 consecutive games as conference opponents.
South Christian Notes
This is the 22nd time that South Christian has qualified for the playoffs, their 3rd consecutive, 7th in the last 8 years, and 17th of the last 20.
South started 2-0 this season but then only were 3-4 the rest of the season, highlighted by their Week 7 win when they defeated conference co-champ Grand Rapids Christian, 24-10, which was Christians only conference loss and one of only two on the season.
That game was the only win South had against an above .500 team.
Souths wins were by an average margin of just under 24 points a game while their defeats were by 5 to Wayland (4-5), 14 to Unity Christian (7-2), 13 to EGR (6-3 and conference co-champs with Christian), and 1 to Middleville (7-2); so their losses were by an average of just over 8 points a game.
They faced 4 teams that qualified for the playoffs and were 1-3 against them.
Their defense has given up just 154 points for an average of just over 17.11 points a game which will keep you in many games.
Their last playoff win was in the fall of 2014, which was their Division 4 State Championship (24-23 over Lansing Sexton). That also was their 3rd consecutive year being in the state championship game, having lost to Marine City in 2013, 49-35, and won in 2012, 40-7, over Detroit Country Day.
They also played for state championships in 2002, winning, 42-13, over Riverview; in 1999, losing to Orchard Lake Saint Mary’s, 34-13; in 1986 (Class B), losing to Marysville 38-15; and in 1984 (Class C) losing to Detroit DePorres, 38-26. Their overall playoff record is 40-18 (.690).
Godwin Heights Notes
Godwin Heights started 1-3 but closed on a 5-game winning streak highlighted by a Week 7 win against Belding (7-2), 25-21. That was their only win against a team with above .500 record.
Unlike last year, when Godwin was known for their offense after scoring 395 points on the season, this year’s team is known for its defense as they have only given up 155 points (17.2 average per game). That is the lowest total allowed since 1987 when they gave up just 84 points, so the game could be a low scoring battle led by the two defenses.
This is just the school’s 5th playoff appearance but is their 4th consecutive. However, they are still searching for their 1st playoff victory, having lost in 1989 to Muskegon Catholic Central (Class C), 46-20; in 2015 to Catholic Central (Division 4), 55-0; in 2016 also to Catholic Central, 43-0; and last year to Kelloggsville, 49-7.
Their only conference loss was to conference champ Hopkins 27-8, in Week 4.
Following that loss, they scored at least 23 points each game and a total of 143 for an average of just under 29 a game.
They played three games against playoff teams this season and were 1-2 against them (Unity Christian, Hopkins, and Belding).
One common opponent with South Christian was Unity Christian, which Godwin lost to 38-18 and South Christian lost to 28-14.
WKTV Note: Because of the MHSAA usually taking over Week 2 playoff broadcasts, this will be the final WKTV football coverage of the season. But should local teams still be alive, we will be producing online/print stories. Stay tuned.
Harmony Hall will host a night of political discussion focused on the highly anticipated upcoming midterm election as Michigan Radio’s next installment of “Issues & Ale”. (Supplied)
Harmony Hall will host a night of political discussion focused on the highly anticipated upcoming midterm election as Michigan Radio’s next installment of “Issues & Ale” will take place in the hall on Wednesday, Oct. 24 from 6:30-8 p.m., 401 Stocking Ave. NW, Grand Rapids.
According to supplied material, Issues & Ale is an ongoing event series designed to get the public talking about issues in Michigan in an informal environment. The events take place throughout Michigan Radio’s listening area and are always free to attend.
“We’ve been talking to so many people who are feeling desperate for constructive, respectful dialogue about politics and the issues that impact all of us,” Heather Van Dyke-Titus, co-owner of Harmony Hall, said. “We wanted to provide a forum for that conversation to happen. … I’m also excited that the theme of the night is a preview for the midterm elections. I can’t remember a time when an election felt more important.”
Michigan Radio’s It’s Just Politics co-host Zoe Clark will host the panel of Grand Rapids political experts. On Nov. 6, Michigan voters will elect a new governor and attorney general, candidates in a number of contested races in the U.S. House of Representatives and one Senate race, and vote on three statewide ballot proposals.
Audience members will also have the opportunity to pose questions about the election to the panel.
Brewery Vivant owners eying Kentwood as futures pub/brewery
While not written in stone at this time, Jason and Kris Spaulding, co-owners of Brewery Vivant in Grand Rapids, have gained initial City of Kentwood approval to opening a new microbrewery after action by the City Commission last month.
The Spauldings’ yet-unnamed microbrewery will be housed in a commercial building at 2855 Lake Eastbrook Blvd. Plans were given special land use and site plan approval, as well as a recommendation for a state liquor license, by commissioners at a meeting on Sept. 18.
Filed plans for the microbrewery call for 13,400 square feet for production and 3,600 square feet for the tap room and a small retail space, while the remaining 7,300 square feet of the building will continue to house a clothing retailer.
For more information on Brewery Vivant, see their website.
A lot of talent has been fêted over the past two decades as the Annual Grand Awards have celebrated and rewarded inspired performances from top productions of a given year, from children’s theater to community and college musicals and plays. This event, comparable to the Tony Awards, is complete with performances, awards, and most importantly the handing out of scholarships to young students pursuing a career in theater.
After reveling 22 theater seasons with the Grand Awards, this will be the last year that it continues under its current format. Stay tuned in the coming years because something new and revamped will take its place highlighting the scholarship recipients.
The night will celebrate the scholarship recipients, enjoy some repeat performances from the 2017-2018 theater season, acknowledge stand-out performances from the year with awards and enjoy the company of some of Grand Rapids’ MOST talented all under one roof.
This year’s Grand Awards ceremony will be held at Fountain Street Church (24 Fountain St. NE, Grand Rapids, MI 49503) in downtown Grand Rapids on Sunday, Oct. 21 at 6pm. Following the ceremony, there will be an after party in the fellowship hall of Fountain Street Church complete with a DJ, food, drinks, and fun going until 11pm.
Tickets for the 22nd Annual Grand Awards can be purchased here using credit cards for $40 (general admission and seating). General admission tickets at the door will be cash only. All ticketing for students (with proper ID), nominees, and Grand Awards event performers will be handled at the door the night of the event (cash only):
Grand Awards event performer: $30
Students: $20
Nominees: $10 (must be an individual nominee)
And, the nominees are…
Outstanding Play
The Whale at Actors’ Theatre
A Few Good Men at Circle Theatre
Leading Ladies at Circle Theatre
All the Way at Grand Rapids Civic Theatre
Torch Song Trilogy Act III: Widows and Children First at Jewish Theatre
Fool for Love at Heritage Theatre
Outstanding Lead Actor in a Play
Jason Stamp as ‘Charlie’ in The Whale at Actors’ Theatre
Todd Lewis as ‘Lt. Col. Nathan Jessep’ in A Few Good Men at Circle Theatre
Spencer Tomlin as ‘Leo’ in Leading Ladies at Circle Theatre
Jon March as ‘Lyndon Baines Johnson’ in All The Way at Grand Rapids Civic Theatre
Shane German as ‘Arnold Beckoff’ in Torch Song Trilogy Act III: Widows and Children First at Jewish Theatre
Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Play
Isaac Thornson as ‘David’ in Torch Song Trilogy Act III: Widows and Children First at Jewish Theatre
David Houseman as ‘Butch’ in Leading Ladies at Circle Theatre
Jason Stamp as ‘Florence’ in Leading Ladies at Circle Theatre
GM (Bud) Thompson as ‘Senator Richard Russel’ in All The Way at Grand Rapids Civic Theatre
Eddie Stephens as ‘Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.’ in All The Way at Grand Rapids Civic Theatre
Outstanding Lead Actress in a Play
Chelsea Pummill as ‘Lt. Cmdr. Joanne Galloway in A Few Good Men at Circle Theatre
Liz Brand as ‘Meg’ in Leading Ladies at Circle Theatre
Brooke Bruce as ‘May’ in Fool for Love at Heritage Theatre
Lori Jacobs as ‘Olive’ in Olive and The Bitter Herbs at Jewish Theatre
Mary Brown as ‘Toinette’ in The Imaginary Invalid at Master Arts Theatre
Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Play
Madeline Jones as ‘Ellie’ in The Whale at Actors’ Theatre
Emily Wetzel as ‘Audrey’ in Leading Ladies at Circle Theatre
Margi Hankins as ‘Ladybird Johnson’ in All the Way at Grand Rapids Civic Theatre
Shavonne T. Coleman as ‘Wendy’ in Olive and The Bitter Herbs at Jewish Theatre
Bernice Houseward as ‘Mrs. Beckoff’ in Torch Song Trilogy Act III: Widows and Children First at Jewish Theatre
Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Play
Isaac Thornson as ‘David’ as Torch Song Trilogy Act III: Widows and Children First at Jewish Theatre
David Houseman as ‘Butch’ in Leading Ladies at Circle Theatre
Jason Stamp as ‘Florence’ in Leading Ladies at Circle Theatre
GM (Bud) Thompson as ‘Senator Richard Russel’ in All The Way at Grand Rapids Civic Theatre
Eddie Stephens as ‘Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.’ in All The Way at Grand Rapids Civc Theatre
Outstanding Direction of a Play
Fred Sebulske for The Whale at Actors’ Theatre
Tom Kaechele for Leading Ladies at Circle Theatre
Bruce Tinker for All the Way at Grand Rapids Civic Theatre
Rachel Finan for Fool for Love at Heritage Theatre
Michelle Urbane for Torch Song Trilogy Act III: Widows and Children First at Jewish Theatre
Outstanding Musical
If/Then at Actors’ Theatre
Fun Home at Circle Theatre
Shrek at Grand Rapids Civic Theatre
Annie at Grand Rapids Civic Theatre
On the Town at Circle Theatre
Outstanding Actor in a Musical
Nathaniel Beals as ‘Narrator’ in Passing Strange at Actors’ Theatre
Jason Morrison as ‘Bruce’ in Fun Home at Circle Theatre
Matt Tepper as ‘The Baker’ in Into the Woods at Circle Theatre
Scott Mellema as ‘Shrek’ in Shrek at Grand Rapids Civic Theatre
Jason Morrison as ‘Daddy Warbucks’ in Annie at Grand Rapids Civic Theatre
Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Musical
David Houseman as ‘Lucas’ in If/Then at Actors’ Theatre
Darius Tq Colquitt as ‘Mr. Franklin’/’Joop’/’Mr. Venus’ in Passing Strange at Actors’ Theatre
Charles Hutchins as ‘Alfred P Doolittle’ in My Fair Lady at Grand Rapids Civic Theatre
Titus Hankins as ‘Donkey’ in Shrek at Grand Rapids Civic Theatre
Kyle Cain as ‘Lord Farquaad’ in Shrek at Grand Rapids Civic Theatre
Cullen Dyk as ‘Pinocchio’ in Shrek at Grand Rapids Civic Theatre
Outstanding Lead Actress in a Musical
Molly Jones as ‘Elizabeth’ in If/Then at Actors’ Theatre
Evangelie Vander Ark as ‘Small Alison’ in Fun Home at Circle Theatre
Kelly Carey as ‘The Witch’ in Into the Woods at Circle Theatre
Carly Uthoff as ‘Princess Fiona’ in Shrek at Grand Rapids Civic Theatre
Alyssa Bauer as ‘Eliza Doolittle’ in My Fair Lady at Grand Rapids Civic Theatre
Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Musical
Caitlin Cusack as ‘Helen’ in Fun Home at Circle Theatre
Madeline Jones as ‘Medium Alison’ in Fun Home at Circle Theatre
Morgan Anding as ‘Sugar Plum Fairy’/’Gingy’ in Shrek at Grand Rapids Civic Theatre
Kira Alsum as ‘Grace’ in Annie at Grand Rapids Civic Theatre
Darla Carrier as ‘Madame Dilly’/’Little Old Lady’/’Club Singer’ in On the Town at Circle Theatre
Outstanding Direction of a Musical
Jolene Frankey for Fun Home at Circle Theatre
Todd Avery for Into the Woods at Circle Theatre
Bruce Tinker for Shrek at Grand Rapids Civic Theatre
Allyson Paris for Annie at Grand Rapids Civic Theatre
Penelope Notter for On the Town at Circle Theatre
Outstanding Choreography
Torrey Thomas for Passing Strange at Actors’ Theatre
Torrey Thomas for Shrek at Grand Rapids Civic Theatre
Melissa Sefton for Annie at Grand Rapids Civic Theatre
Erin Kacos for My Fair Lady at Grand Rapids Civic Theatre
William Schutte for On the Town at Circle Theatre
Outstanding Musical Direction
Scott Patrick Bell for If/Then at Actors’ Theatre
Brendan Hollins for Into the Woods at Circle Theatre
Charles Hutchins for Shrek at Grand Rapids Civc Theatre
Charles Hutchins for Annie at Grand Rapids Civic Theatre
Wright McCargar for My Fair Lady at Grand Rapids Civic Theatre
Outstanding Sound Design
Sam Johnson for Into the Woods at Circle Theatre
Sam Johnson for Shrek at Grand Rapids Civic Theatre
Sam Johnson for Annie at Grand Rapids Civic Theatre
Steven Nardin for Torch Song Trilogy Act III: Widows and Children First at Jewish Theatre
Sam Johnson for My Fair Lady at Grand Rapids Civic Theatre
Outstanding Lighting Design
Catherine Marlett-Dreher for Fun Home at Circle Theatre
Catherine Marlett-Dreher for Into the Woods at Grand Rapids Civic Theatre
Catherine Marlett-Dreher for Shrek at Grand Rapids Civic Theatre
Catherine Marlett-Dreher for Torch Song Trilogy Act III: Widows and Children First at Jewish Theatre
Catherine Marlett-Dreher for Annie at Grand Rapids Civic Theatre
Outstanding Costume Design
Bill Dunckel & Kelly Lucas for On the Town at Circle Theatre
Robert Fowle for Shrek at Grand Rapids Civic Theatre
Robert Fowle for Annie at Grand Rapids Civic Theatre
Karen Larabel for The Book of Job at Master Arts Theatre
Robert Fowle for My Fair Lady at Grand Rapids Civic Theatre
Outstanding Scenic Design
Don Wilson for Into the Woods at Circle Theatre
David Len for Shrek at Grand Rapids Civic Theatre
Christian Poquette for Torch Song Trilogy Act III: Widows and Children First at Jewish Theatre
David Len for All the Way at Grand Rapids Civic Theatre
David Len for My Fair Lady at Grand Rapids Civic Theatre
David Len for Annie at Grand Rapids Civic Theatre
For Outstanding Properties Design
Michael Wilson for Shrek at Grand Rapids Civic Theatre
Jennifer Smith for A Few Good Men at Grand Rapids Civic Theatre
Michael Wilson for Annie at Grand Rapids Civic Theatre
Michael Wilson for My Fair Lady at Grand Rapids Civic Theatre
Camille Hickade for Torch Song Trilogy Act III: Widows and Children First at Jewish Theatre
Outstanding Theatre for Young Audiences
Seussical The Musical at Grand Rapids Civic Theatre
Akeelah and the Bee at Grand Rapids Civic Theatre
School of Rock at Grand Rapids Civic Theatre
Outstanding College Production
Equivocation at Aquinas
Rhinoceros at Aquinas
A Year with Frog & Toad at Aquinas
Detroit ’67 at GRCC
Oklahoma at GVSU
Outstanding Lead Actor in a College Production
Casey Huls as ‘Curly’ in Oklahoma at Grand Valley State University
Brock Gabbert as ‘Berenger’ in Rhinoceros at Aquinas
Kaeleb Cogswell as ‘Toad’ in A Year with Frog & Toad at Aquinas
Michael Francis as ‘Lank’ in Detroit ’67 at GRCC
David Dekens as ‘Warren’ in This is Our Youth at GRCC
Outstanding Lead Actress in a College Production
Bryanna Lee as ‘Minnie’ in The Terrible Girls at Aquinas
Trisha Bond as ‘Penelope Sycamore’ in You Can’t Take it With You at Cornerstone University
Marqea Lee as ‘Chelle’ in Detroit ’67 at GRCC
Lindsey Normington as ‘Sally Bowles’ in Cabaret at GVSU
Alyssa Veldman as ‘Ado Annie Carnes’ in Oklahoma at GVSU
For Outstanding Direction of a College Production
Randy Wyatt for Rhinoceros, at Aquinas
Kathy Gibson for A Year with Frog & Toad, at Aquinas
Disc golf is big in West Michigan and is now on WKTV cable television. (U.S. Air Force photo)
By City of Kentwood
The City of Kentwood is hosting two events in November to say farewell to fall and kick off the holidays: Fall Fling at Old Farm Park, a disc golf tournament, on Saturday, Nov. 10, and an Ugly Sweater Cross County 5K run on Saturday, Nov. 17.
Community disc golfers of all levels are invited to join in the Fall Fling at Old Farm Park (2350 Embro Dr. SE), a doubles disc golf tournament and food drive. On-site registration begins at 9 a.m. The first round of the tournament starts at 10 a.m. The cost to pre-register online is $40, along with one canned food donation per team.
Proceeds raised will go towards the Kentwood Parks and Recreation Youth Scholarship Fund, which allows recipients to receive up to 50 percent off of one program per season. Food donations will go to Kentwood’s Little Free Pantry, where area residents are encouraged to take or donate food and household supplies for community members in need.
“We had a great turnout for the first disc golf tournament we held last February, called, Freeze Fest. Participants from that event expressed an interest in doing another, and we were happy to oblige,” said Val Romeo, Kentwood Parks and Recreation director. “In addition to being a fun way to soak up fall weather before winter comes, the Fall Fling is for a good cause.”
The Freeze Fest disc golf event held last February included over 120 participants. In addition to restocking Little Free Pantry with canned goods, the event raised nearly $2,300 for the Youth Scholarship Fund and an additional $235 for the pantry.
The Ugly Sweater 5K run will feature a route that showcases two Kentwood parks and a portion of the Paul Henry Thornapple Trail. Check-in, on-site registration and packet pick-up will all take place at 10:30 a.m. the morning of the race at East Paris Nature Park, located at 5995 East Paris Ave. SE. The race will begin at noon.
“We’re looking forward to seeing people flaunt their best ugly sweaters on the cross-country course” said Romeo. “The race route will allow runners to enjoy the beautiful fall scenery and weather. Most of the course will be on a paved path that weaves through two of our 14 parks.”
While the 5K is intended to be a fun run, volunteers will be timing participants. Results will be online after the event is complete. Water stations and medical aid services along the course.
Registration costs $25 until Oct. 31, after which the price will increase to $30. Proceeds from the race will also support the Youth Scholarship Fund. Individuals interested in racing can register online.
"Winter is an etching, spring a watercolor, summer an oil painting and autumn a mosaic of them all."
~ Stanley Horowitz
Pumpkin Path in Wyoming
The City of Wyoming Parks and Recreation Department is excited to once again host the 15th annual Pumpkin Path, a free event for kids and families on Saturday, Oct. 13, at Lamar Park, 2561 Porter St. SW. The event will be held from 4-6 p.m. Local businesses, clubs and organizations will host spaces along the path and will hand out candy, coupons and other goodies. Not only should children expect to receive treats, they should also look forward to a DJ and dancing, jumping in the bounce house and games. Participants are welcome to come in costume or in regular clothes. Read more here.
Woodland Mall’s Fall Fest
Woodland Mall will feature 12 local artisans and other vendors at its first-ever Fall Festival, slated for Saturday, Oct. 13, from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Shoppers will have the opportunity to explore handcrafted goods, face painting and kids’ craft activities inside the mall, and enjoy live music by Lana Chalfoun, a 13-year-old singer-songwriter from Grand Rapids. Also featured at the festival will be a free petting zoo on the outdoor plaza, which is located between Celebration! Cinema and Barnes & Noble. Read more here.
And on a more serious theme
What is bravery? How can one person make a difference? These are a few of the questions this Newbery Medal award-winning novel, “Number the Stars,” asks its readers and now its audience. For the first time on Grand Rapids Civic Theatre’s stage, this powerful story of a young Christian girl’s willingness to risk her life to save her Jewish friend is told. Set in Copenhagen, Denmark, during World War II, the story reflects our world’s dark history in an effort to remind us all, good and light continues to be found. Grand Rapids Civic Theatre presents “Number the Stars” Oct. 12 – 21 at its theater, 30 N. Division Ave. Read about it here.
Fun Fact:
In 1584, after French explorer Jacques Cartier explored the St. Lawrence region of North America, he reported finding “gros melons.” The name was translated into English as “pompions,” which has since evolved into the modern “pumpkin.”
And some still think they are 'gross' to eat. Source.
St. Cecilia Music Center’s School of Music youth jazz program performance with Robin Connell conducting, from 2017. (Supplied/St. Cecilia Music Center)
Robin Connell, who wears many hats on the Grand Rapids music scene including director of the St. Cecilia Music Center’s youth jazz ensemble, has picked up another gig at St. Cecilia.
Connell was announced last month as the new conductor of the center’s adult Grand Band, and there is general agreement that means more “fun” for all.
“I couldn’t be more thrilled that Robin is conducting the St. Cecilia Music Center Grand Band,” Martha Cudipp Bundra, St. Cecilia education director, said to WKTV. “She has been teaching our Jazz Combo program for 4 years now and the students love her. Robin has extensive teaching experience and knowledge that will enhance the musical experience for our adult band members. She brings a unique style to her teaching and a great sense of fun.”
Rehearsals of the Grand Band have begun for the new season but new members are always welcome to inquire and no auditions are required. The band rehearses 9:30-11:30 a.m. Monday mornings.
“The adult band is so much fun,” Connell said to WKTV. “It has a lot of members who have been it for many years. But newbies come, too.”
For more information on the Grand Band for adults, visit here. St. Cecilia’s youth jazz ensembles, one of which Connell leads, will hold auditions on Tuesday, Oct. 16. For more information visit here.
St. Cecilia, Connell have history
“I’m thrilled and honored to be working at SCMC,” Connell said. “The various concerts and education programs offered are phenomenal and integral to downtown Grand Rapids.
Robin Connell
“We really appreciate SCMC hosting the youth jazz program (which started in 2014) and the amazing support we get financially and administratively. … Martha is great to work with as the director of education, but I also need to sing the praises of our administrative assistant, Rebecca Steinke. She assists Martha in various ways with all the ensembles and is there at night when we rehearse, too. And she plays flute in the Grand Band!”
Connell, according to a supplied biography, is a jazz pianist-vocalist with a doctorate of arts in music theory and composition from the University of Northern Colorado. Her career as a performing musician, composer, and educator, is an alternating kaleidoscope of jazz and classical endeavors.
Her educator credits include teaching at Aquinas College, Grand Rapids Community College, Long Island University, Garden City Community College, the Interlochen Center for the Arts (20 summers), the Aquinas Jazz Camp, and Blue Lake Fine Arts Camp.
In addition to teaching, Robin continues to lead her own jazz groups and perform as a “side woman” locally and afar, traveling extensively as performer, guest composer-conductor, and clinician/adjudicator. Since 2014, Robin also co-produces and hosts the “Jazz in the Sanctuary” concert series at Grand Rapids’ Fountain Street Church.
Two bands, two different experiences
As far as her expanding teaching load at St. Cecilia, Connell says there are similarities but also unique aspects to working with adults as opposed to youth.
“There is very little similarity between the youth jazz combo and the Grand Band adults, other than everyone’s shared love of playing music,” she said. “Most jazz band scores that are playable by younger students have simpler instrumentation than concert band music … My husband (Paul Brewer) directs the youth jazz big band. There is a bit more similarity between that band and a concert band in that all the music is written out, with very little improvised.
The St. Cecilia Grand Band in rehearsal at the music center’s Royce Auditorium, from 2016. (WKTV)
“The concert band music is completely written out and players must adhere to the written notes. The conductor’s job is to become immersed in the score, to internalize it, and ‘coach’ the ensemble as per the conductor’s interpretation.”
But Connell said she is getting into working with the adults.
“I am enjoying digging into completely different repertoire and having the chance to work on my conducting skills more,” she said. “There are also a lot of women in the band whereas the youth bands are almost all boys. I’m totally used to being the only woman, or in the minority, but I’m really also enjoying rehearsing a group with a lot of women — and men — who are totally geeked about instrumental music.”
Shameless plug for a great music series
The “Jazz in the Sanctuary” series begins its fifth season Nov. 4 with “Paul Brewer & Altin Sencalar in Tribute to J & K”, a concert featuring a jazz quintet, led by trombonists Brewer and Sencalar, performing the compositions and arrangements of J.J. Johnson & Kai Winding. More dates are scheduled in 2019. For more information visit fountainstreet.org/jazz.
St. Cecilia Music Center executive director Cathy Holbrook, speaking recently at the formal announcement of the center’s 2018-19 season, explained why so many musical artists — chamber, jazz and now, increasingly, folk — return to the Royce Auditorium stage.
“They rave about the venue and they rave about the audience,” Holbrook said. “They leave feeling really great about their time here.”
The “they” she was talking about could have been the masterful members of The Chamber Music Society of Lincoln Center, or plain-spoken folksinger Pokey LaFarge. But she actually could have been talking about the audience — they, too, generally, feel great about their time spent in the auditorium.
And speaking of a folky Pokey …
St. Cecilia will launch its new season with a Folk Series concert, and return to the Royce stage, by LaFarge as he starts a new solo tour throughout the United States and Europe.
The St. Louis-based singer/songwriter and multi-instrumentalist will play Thursday, Oct. 4, at 7:30 p.m. LaFarge incorporates elements of early jazz, ragtime, country blues, Western swing and his total uniqueness into his performances. Two of LaFarge’s albums have been named Best Americana Album by the Independent Music Awards.
Last season “Pokey LaFarge charmed our audience with his band … and due to the heartfelt welcome he received, he’ll be returning,” Holbrook said in supplied material. “He’s a fabulous musician and totally engaging entertainer.”
LaFarge’s range is exemplified by his appearing with both Garrison Keillor and Jack White; White, in fact, added LaFarge to his Third Man label and included him as his opening act on one of his tours.
“The Milk Carton Kids” are Joey Ryan and Kenneth Pattengale.” (Supplied)
Four additional Folk Series concerts include The Lone Bellow on Nov. 29; the return of Béla Fleck & Abigail Washburn on Feb. 9, 2019; the outstanding, Grammy nominated American indie folk duo the Milk Carton Kids, Joey Ryan and Kenneth Pattengale, on Feb. 28, 2019, this time turning with a full band in support of their new release “All the Things I Did and All the Things I Didn’t Do”; and finally the return of legendary Guitarist Leo Kottke on April 18, 2019.
Jazz Series begins with Arturo’s horn
The four-concert jazz season opens just days after the LaFarge concert with one of the biggest names, and smoothest trumpet sounds, in modern jazz with a visit by Grammy award winning trumpeter Arturo Sandoval on Thursday, Oct. 11.
Arturo Sandoval will be part of the St. Cecilia Music Center’s 2018-19 season. (Supplied)
Sandoval, a 10-time Grammy winnerand protégé of the legendary jazz master Dizzy Gillespie, is Cuban born — with his early-life story told in the HBO movie based on his life, “For Love or Country”, which starred Andy Garcia as Arturo — but his legacy goes beyond simply “Latin” music. And his two latest Grammy award winning albums, “Dear Diz (Every Day I Think of You)” and “Tango — Como Yo Te Siento” are musical proof.
Also on the jazz line-up is the pianist Kenny Barron and his quintet (the jewel of the series, in my humble opinion) on Nov. 1, organist Joey DeFranceso with his quartet “The People” on Feb. 7, 2019, and pianist Benny Green with his trio and 23-year old jazz sensation Veronica Swift on March 7, 2019.
Chamber Music Series begins with ‘Trout Quintet’
The Chamber Music Society of Lincoln Center, which has renewed its multi-year partnership with St. Cecilia, will open its season on Nov. 15 with the first of three concerts featuring the works of Beethoven, Mozart, Mendelssohn, Rachmaninov and Tchaikovsky.
Musicians from the Chamber Music Society of Lincoln Center will join to perform Schubert’s “Trout Quintet”. (Supplied)
The opening night will include pianist Orion Weiss, violinist Paul Huang, violist Paul Neubauer, cellist Keith Robinson, and double bassist Zavier Foley. During the first half, their performance will include duos and trios featuring Beethoven’s variations on Mozart’s melody, Schubert’s creation for the arpeggione (an instrument that no longer exists), and Bottesini’s virtuoso showpiece for violin and double bass. All of the musicians will join after intermission to perform Schubert’s “Trout Quintet”.
Other chamber music concerts on the schedule will be a March 14, 2019, program led by co-artistic director and pianist Wu Han, titled Russian Mastery andfeaturing works by Rachmaninov, Tchaikovsky, Prokofiev and Arensky. Finally, on April 25, 2019, a program titled From Mendelssohn will bebookended by two works of Mendelssohn from 1845, one brief, the other epic, with works including one by Mendelssohn’s close friend Robert Schumann.
And special in 2019
St. Cecilia, this season, will also celebrate their 135-year history as the oldest arts organization in Grand Rapids and West Michigan. In addition to the concert line-up, there will be two special events to celebrate their 135-year anniversary during March 2019 Women’s History Month.
St. Cecilia’s history is “integrally aligned with women’s history in Grand Rapids,” according to supplied information. The organization was founded in 1883 by nine Grand Rapids women and was the only organization of its kind to be run solely by women. It was through the efforts of the first women of the music center that the historic building on Ransom Avenue was erected in 1894.
St. Cecilia Music Center is located at 24 Ransom NE, Grand Rapids. Tickets to chamber, jazz, and folk concerts are on sale now and can be purchased by phone at 616-459-2224 or online at scmc-online.org.
Those who attended the Chicago-based Ballet 5:8 in performance last year at Grand Rapids Christian High School’s DeVos Center for the Arts and Worship probably wished the group visited more often.
Those who didn’t attend will get a chance to see what they missed and what they can now look forward to in the future as on Saturday, Oct. 6, the group returns to the venue with the world premier of “The Space in Between”.
“The Space in Between” by Ballet 5:8. (Supplied)
Ballet 5:8 artistic director Julianna Rubio Slager’s newest work draws inspiration from “The Great Divorce” by C.S. Lewis, using Ballet 5:8’s subtle blend of religious storytelling and cutting-edge dance to “explore the nature of eternity and the joy found on its shores,” according to supplied material.
Among the Ballet 5:8 dancers set to perform in Grand Rapids is company artist Emily Ratkos, an alumna of the Grand Rapids Ballet School. Ratkos moved to Grand Rapids at the age of 16 to train under Attila Mosolygo before joining Ballet 5:8 as a trainee in 2016. She joined Ballet 5:8 as an apprentice in 2017 and was promoted to company artist this year.
Now in its 7th season of performance, the dance group also premiered a new work last season: “Compass: Navigating Cultural Tension with Compassion”. Ballet 5:8 tours nationally each season to provide audiences with “a unique opportunity to engage in conversation on relevant life and faith topics addressed in the company’s repertoire.”
In their home of Chicago, Kristi Licera of Dancermusic.com called Ballet 5:8’s “Compass” work as “an evening of inspired choreography and thought-provoking performance,” and Kristian Jamie of San Antonio’s March Magazine called Ballet 5:8’s Scarlet an “effortless” adaptation of classic literature through a combination of film, spoken word and ballet.
In New York City, Pilar Garcia, mime coach at Gelsey Kirkland Ballet and Academy, said that, in “Compass”, Slager “deftly weaves the emotional questions that live on after such hard choices are made no matter the reasons.”
Ballet 5:8’s two-act program at Grand Rapids pairs the world premiere of “The Space in Between” and a re-creation of a Ballet 5:8’s signature work, “Four Seasons of the Soul”.
“The Space in Between” by Ballet 5:8. (Supplied)
Slager, talking in supplied information about “The Great Divorce” by C.S. Lewis, calls it “a timeless and timely work of literature that deserves a fresh, 21st century revisiting.” The work “invites audiences into a riveting story that begins in a grey town where the rain falls continuously, where a man stands at a bus stop on the brink of heaven and hell.” In Lewis’ work, hell is not a place where a vengeful God tortures his victims, but a place where, according to Lewis, “the gates are locked from the inside.”
Also featured in the program, “Four Seasons of the Soul”, explores how the turning of the seasons in nature parallels the recurring themes of human life — the innocence of youth, the zeal of adolescence, the celebrations and tragedies of adulthood, and the coming winter of life — all using Vivaldi’s “The Four Seasons”.
A single Grand Rapids performance will be held on Saturday, Oct. 6, at 7 p.m., at the Devos Center for Arts and Worship, 2300 Plymouth Avenue Southeast. There will be a post-performance discussion with Slager and troupe members on the performance. Tickets are $25 for adults, $20 for students and seniors, and $12 for children. Tickets can be purchased at ballet58.org or by calling 312-725-4752.
Additional performance information is available at ballet58.org/space-in-between and a video of the company at work is available here.
