Cars and Coffee at the Downtown Market this Saturday. (Supplied)
Cars & Coffee Grand Rapids returns to the Grand Rapids Downtown Market for their final event of the season on Saturday, Aug. 6, from 5 p.m.-8 p.m.
Vehicles on display will include sports cars, exotics, tuners, muscle cars and classics.
Show cars will be in the Downtown Market parking lot adjacent to Ionia Avenue and under the covered Market Shed, where spectators can stroll through the impressive array of automobiles from around the region.
The Downtown Market, located at 435 Ionia Ave. SW, will be open from 10 a.m.-8 p.m. on Saturday for a variety of food and beverage options from Market Hall merchants. Parking is available on-site, and in the nearby McConnell Ave. lot during the event.
Cars & Coffee Grand Rapids returns to the Grand Rapids Downtown Market for the seventh year, hosting the season’s first event on Saturday, June 11, from 10 a.m. – 1 p.m.
Cars and Coffee returns to the Grand Rapids Downtown Market on Saturday. (Supplied)
Show cars will be in the Downtown Market parking lot adjacent to Ionia Avenue, and under the covered Market Shed. Spectators can stroll through the impressive array of automobiles from around the region during the event.
Vehicles on display will include sports cars, exotics, tuners, muscle cars and classics.
The Downtown Market will be open from 10 a.m. – 8 p.m. on Saturday for a variety of food and beverage options from Market Hall merchants. Parking is available on-site, and in the nearby McConnell Ave. lot during the event.
Kick up your heels. Better yet, leave the heels at home.
The Grand Rapids Symphony celebrates the 25th anniversary of the D&W Fresh Market Picnic Pops by recreating its inaugural Picnic Pops concert July 11 and 12. Go here for the scoop on dates, music, and ticket options.
Celebrate the Dog Days of Summer at Downtown Market
Yippee! It’s Yappy Hour!
Join fellow dog lovers at the Downtown Market for Yappy Hour, on July 10, 17, 24 and 31 from 11am-1pm, to enjoy lunch outside with pups! Go here for more info.
A woman of her words
After teaching English and Journalism, Elizabeth Meyette retired and began a full-time writing career. An Amazon best-selling author, she has published six novels, her latest being 2018’s The Last Crossing. She has also published poetry and writes a blog called Meyette’s Musings. Read about Meyette here.
Fun fact:
189,819
The number of letters in the longest English word, the name of a protein. Go here to read it for yourself because honestly, we just don’t have the time and space. Its nickname is ‘titin’. Isn’t that cute?
How disappointing. Somehow we were expecting something a bit more grandiose.
It’s nearly that time again! Get your child involved in some fun and meaningful activities — consider a summer camp!
Make a movie this summer with the Film and Acting Summer Camps at the Compass College of Cinematic Arts in Grand Rapids! Learn from professionals how to act on camera and make films when the camp runs from June 18th to 22nd for ages 13 to 18. Film Camp students will write, shoot, and edit your own short film with guidance from seasoned filmmakers. In Acting Camp, you’ll learn on-camera acting techniques with a film actor as your coach and then star in a film produced by Film Camp. At the end of the week, walk the red carpet at the film’s premiere for family and friends on the big screen!
The Downtown Market in Grand Rapids has three-day and four-day summer camps for the young foodie in your life. Each camp has a distinct theme, ranging from Michigan’s fruits and vegetables to creating and utilizing a backyard farm. Sign up today for what Downtown Market cleverly calls their “Simmer Camps”!
Tiny dancers at the Grand Rapids Ballet dance camp (photo courtesy of GR Ballet)
The Grand Rapids Ballethas a variety of camps that are all centered around dance. Their Ballet School has programs for ballet, young dancers, boys ballet, and summer intensive training. They also have two Adaptive Dance programs: Explorer Dance (for children with Down syndrome) and Dancing with Parkinson’s (for adults with Parkinson’s disease). These Adaptive Dance classes allow students to experience the joy of dancing who may otherwise not have the opportunity to do so. Summer camps at the Grand Rapids Ballet are both fun and accessible for everyone!
The Grand Rapids Civic Theatre has summer camps that give students the chance to spend an entire week learning about theatre while having a blast making new friends. They’ve made some fantastic additions to their extremely popular summer camp program this year, so you’ll want to take a look at their new offerings for the season. Camps range from age 4 all the way through high school!
Summer fun happens at the Grand Rapids Public Museum! Join them and explore the wonders of science, history, culture, art, and fun! For nine weeks this summer, kids ages 4 to 14 can use the museum as a learning lab, experimenting and growing, all while having a great time in one of the area’s most history-rich and “cool” environments.
At The Critter Barn (photo courtesy of Critter Barn)
The Critter Barn in Zeeland offers a one-of-a-kind Critter Camp class for students who are eager to engage in animal care. Work through the entire farm with the barn’s staff and return to volunteer throughout the entire year. These camps are available for ages 8 to 15.
Rockford will host Santa visits Dec. 6, 8, 13, and 15. Addition activities include Santa’s Live Reindeer on Wednesday, Dec. 13 and a live nativity on Friday, Dec. 15.
The Lakeshore Museum Center hosts Holiday Tours of their Hackley & Hume Historic Site in Muskegon Dec. 25 – 27. The tours on Christmas Day will be special, with ornament painting and holiday treats. Experience the Hackley and Hume home this holiday season in a special candle lit setting.
The Downtown Market in Grand Rapids is hosting three events in December for the holiday season. Running through Sunday, Dec. 10, is the market’s Christmas Tree & Decor Lot. Find the perfect holiday wreath or tree for your home at the Christmas Tree Lot, with everything you need to deal the halls. Santa comes on Dec. 15, 16, and 17, as the big buy himself stops by the market.
Holiday decor at the Downtown Market
Surround yourself in warm and cuddle-worthy luxury at theJW Marriott in Grand Rapids. The Wrapped in Warmth Package includes deluxe overnight accommodations, breakfast for two, hot chocolate and donuts, a JW flannel blanket, and a $50 Tanger Outlets gift card. This package is available through Jan. 31.
The Grand Rapids Ballet presents the Nutcracker the weekend of Dec. 8. Don’t miss Chris Van Allsburg’s breathtakingly reimagined smash-hit featuring live music from the Grand Rapids Symphony, sets by Tony Award winner Eugene Lee, and choreography by Val Caniparoli. The month continues with Christmas with Amy Grant & Michael W. Smith featuring Jordan Smith, Broadway Grand Rapids’ Mannheim Steamroller Christmas on Dec. 12, the Grand Rapids Symphony’s Wolverine Worldwide Holiday Pops, and the Grand Rapids Symphony’s Old National Bank Cirque de Noël. Tickets for all events are available both online and at the box office, and make for a great early holiday gift.
Seven Steps Up in Spring Lake is hosting two holiday concerts this month. The Courtyard Concerts presents the Ho-Ho-Holiday Show with Amy Speace on Sunday, Dec. 10, followed by the Standing Room Only Dance Party with May Erlewine on Friday, Dec. 22.
Critter Barn
Through Dec. 30, the Critter Barn in Zeeland transforms into a Christmas tradition with its annual Live Nativity. The display will take you back in time to imagine what the very first Christmas was like, with the sights, sounds, and smells! Each presentation offers families a personal, hands-on look at the way of life in Bethlehem, long ago. You’ll be surrounded by sheep, cows, shepherds, angels, and lights as you listen to carols and hear the Christmas story.
The Holland area is hosting events all month long to celebrate the holidays. The Holiday Kerstmart on Dec. 8 and 9; the Parade of Lights on Friday, Dec. 8, and many more. Each event proves why West Michigan is one of the best places to visit during the month of December.
The Holland Museum invites your family to discover the magic of the Victorian age at the Cappon House on Dec. 9, 10, 16, and 17. Guests will sing Christmas carols, decorate holiday treats, listen to classic Christmas stories, play Victorian games, and design their own holiday card or ornament. Tickets may be purchased in advance, with a discount given to museum members.
Great Legs Winery, Brewery & Distillery
Great Legs Winery, Brewery & Distillery in Holland is hosting events for the holidays. The distillery’s Christmas Wine & Canvas is on Tuesday, Dec. 12, and includes everything that you’ll need to complete your painting, with wine, beer, and snacks available to purchase while you paint. They’re also hosting Christmas Caroling on Saturday, Dec. 23, as they celebrate the sounds of Christmas with musicians Ruth Miller and Ben Ashby.
There’s Christmas events going on all month in the River Country area. The Annual Christmas Festival held in Grant returns for another year on Saturday, Dec. 9, bringing free wagon rides, warming stations, and kids activities. Rounding out the area’s festivities is the Christmas in Croton Hardy on Friday, Dec. 15, which includes many holiday-favorites, from Santa and hot chocolate to horse drawn carriages and crafts.
There is absolutely no excuse to be bored this summer, not with the variety of offerings from local schools and organizations.
Compass College in Grand Rapids offers interested participants help in making a movie this summer. Learn from professionals how to act on camera and make films in their Summer Film and Acting camps. Running from June 19th to 23rd, these camps are designed for teens ages 13 to 18. Each camp offers a completely different experience: as a Film Camp student, you’ll write, shoot, and edit your own short film with guidance from seasoned filmmakers; in Acting Camp, you’ll work on perfecting on-camera acting techniques with a film actor as your coach, and then star in a film produced by Film Camp. At the end of the week, walk the red carpet as the films premiere for family and friends on the big screen.
TheDowntown Market in Grand Rapids has three- and four-day summer camps for the young foodie in your life. Camps are offered starting in late June and run through the beginning of August. Each camp has a distinct theme, ranging from Michigan’s fruits and vegetables to creating and utilizing a backyard farm. Sign up today for what Downtown Market cleverly calls their “Simmer Camps”.
Grand Rapids Treetop Adventure Park is hosting its first ever Treetop Climbing Camp, a climbing day camp for the curious, adventurous, and outdoor-lovers in your house. At the Treetop Climbing Camp, you will get an exclusive behind-the-scenes look at what is involved in adventure climbing, including one-on-one training from their skilled park guides. Two sessions are now available, with session one from June 19th to 21st and session two from June 26th to 28th. The camp is best suited for kids ages 10 to 15, but more importantly, campers need to be able to reach six feet with their arms straight up.
TheGrand Rapids Ballet has a variety of camps that are all centered around dance. Their Ballet School has programs for ballet, young dancers, boys ballet, and summer intensive training. They also have two Adaptive Dance programs, Explorer Dance (for children with Down syndrome) and Dancing with Parkinson’s (for adults with Parkinson’s disease). These Adaptive Dance classes allow students to experience the joy of dancing who may otherwise not have the opportunity to do so. Summer camps at the Grand Rapids Ballet are both fun and accessible for everyone.
The Grand Rapids Civic Theatre has summer camps that give students the chance to spend an entire week learning about theatre while having a blast making new friends. There are some fantastic additions to the extremely popular summer camp program this year, so you’ll want to take a look at their new offerings for the season. Camps range from age 4 all the way through high school.
Summer fun happens at the Grand Rapids Public Museum. Join in and explore the wonders of science, history, culture, art and fun. For nine weeks this summer, kids ages 4 to 14 can use the museum as a learning lab, experimenting and growing, all while having a great time in one of the area’s most history-rich and “cool” environments.
Summertime is the perfect time for hands-on cooking and greenhouse activities! Downtown Market offers three exciting themes for kids ages 7-11 — but be sure to register now as classes fill up quickly.
Tired of hearing, “don’t play with your food,” when you’re at the dinner table? In this week of Simmer Camp, you will experience culinary creativity through edible potions, sneaky vegetable appearances, and baking surprises. You’ll even build food sculptures and channel our inner Harry Potter with kitchen magic.
Gather ‘round and turn the greenhouse and teaching
kitchen into a backyard farm. Learn new ways to grow
things in small spaces and how to use herbs and veggies from your yard or the farmers market. You won’t have to leave the city to get dirty and you’re sure to go home with some new ideas for creating habitats for the smallest helpers in every garden.
It’s a wonderful time to live in the Mitten State. Fruits and veggies are in their prime so we’ll gather around the table to celebrate Michigan’s bounty. Explore some recipes that are specific to Michigan towns and learn how farmers make the season last longer by preserving the flavors of summer to be enjoyed all year round!
Experience the magic of the season, Downtown Market-style and check out the January 2017 class schedule below for your next fun food experience.
WEEKLY MEAL PREP
Wed, January 4, 6-8:30 pm • $60
You’ll prepare enough meals to get through the entire week. Learn how to make root vegetable chorizo enchiladas, rustic pasta bake, autumn squash soup, pork vegetable stir-fry and a hearty beef stew. At the end of class you’ll head home with containers filled to the brim with scrumptious delights.
If you’re an athlete or trying to live a healthy lifestyle but are having a hard time being creative with food, this class is for you. You’ll make a multigrain Moroccan chicken stew, whole grain pasta salad with winter vegetables and a filling shake with banana, chocolate and peanut butter.
Join Malamiah Juice Bar as they introduce you to the practice of juicing in order to get the maximum nutrients from your fruits and vegetables. You’ll learn about the health benefits of juicing all while creating delicious juice combinations with targeted health benefits. Plus, you’ll learn how to include boosters and enjoy ample samples. REGISTER
KNIFE SKILLS: VEGETABLE BUTCHERY
Tue, January 10, 10 am-12:30 pm • $60
Tue, January 10, 6-8:30 pm • $60
Vegetables aren’t just a side dish, in this class they are a rock star! You’ll learn proper techniques on how to select, prep, slice and dice, and then masterfully cook a variety of vegetables—from beets (smashed and seared with chimichurri and goat cheese crema) to zucchini (zucchini olive oil cake with lemon drizzle).
Fall is just around the corner, and you know what that means: Time to celebrate the season with classes at the Downtown Market!
For the complete fall schedule, go here. To download a pdf of classes and events, go here. (There are classes for everyone — family, kids and adults.) Meanwhile, here are just a few highlights:
AUTUMN NIGHTS IN THE MEDITERRANEAN Fri, October 14, 6p-8:30p • $65
The Mediterranean always offers bright flavors and healthy meals. You’ll master an olive tapenade, herb-fresh tabouli, chicken souvlaki, and a citrus semolina cake. Learn how to select authentic ingredients and how the right olive oil can add the finishing touches to your meal. Register here.
STEWS & BREWS Tue, October 18, 6p-8:30p • $65 (21+)
Pair some great beers while snacking on Beer Nuts and make a classic gumbo, a hearty meat and bean chili, sweet cornbread and chocolate stout brownies. Register here.
PUMPKIN PATCH COOKING
Fri, October 21, 6p-8:30p • $55
Celebrate pumpkins in the most delicious ways! You will enjoy some fresh-roasted pumpkin hummus while creating pumpkin sage soup, roasted herb chicken with pumpkin polenta and festive pumpkin cupcakes with cream cheese frosting. Register here.
BOOOOOOOZY HALLOWEEN COCKTAIL PARTY
Tue, October 25, 6p-8:30p • $55
In this class, you will learn how to make cocktails along with an appetizer and dessert to host the spookiest Halloween cocktail party. Learn how to make Pumpkin Cauldron Rhum Punch, Apple Cider and Bourbon Spritzers, mini pumpkin cream soup, and a fall tiramisu. Register here.
August is just around the corner… and it’s Downtown Market’s mission to introduce you to some refreshing new recipes. Whether you want to become more confident in the kitchen; have the desire to eat healthier, be greener, cook more; or simply want a new and fun activity for your next “date night” or “girls’ night out”, you’re sure to find something you love among all the fun classes and programs offered here.
Click here to download the full May-August Class Schedule. Learn more by going here.
ADULT ICE CREAM AND SORBETS
Thursday, August 4, 6-8:30 pm – $40
Downtown Market GR teams up with Love’s Ice Cream to teach you all about what goes into making great ice cream while enjoying a few light snacks along the way. Must be 21 or older Register here.
SUMMER BBQ ESSENTIALS
Tuesday, August 9, 6-8:30 pm – $55
Head outside and heat up the grill! You’ll learn to make a variety of marinades for grilled chicken, learn the perfect cooking technique for mouthwatering burgers, and create a light, refreshing coleslaw to put right on your burger. Then you’ll wrap it all up with a grilled pound cake with seasonal fruit. Register here.
HOT NIGHTS IN THE SPANISH RIVIERA
Wednesday, August 17, 6-8:30 pm – $65
Take a food journey to the Spanish Riviera with Spanish style grilled meats and seafood; baby octopus salad, sweet potato empanadas and torta Santiago (the classic Spanish almond cake). Register here.
INTRO TO HOME COCKTAILING
Tuesday, August 30, 6-7:30 pm – $35
You’ll learn the top techniques and tools to become an expert at your own bar. Get hands-on experience in shaking (classic Margarita), stirring (traditional Manhattan) and muddling (seasonal smash) your way to a better home bar. Register here.
Kids Simmer Camp, for ages 6-11, is a great way to get your kids excited about preparing meals. Fun and educational, these three-day camps explore adventurous weekly themes. From discoveries in the Greenhouse to hands-on cooking in the Teaching Kitchen, “Simmer” Camp cultivates growth and bakes up excitement. Each activity and recipe will pair with the inspiring weekly theme and stimulate inventive imagination and creativity.
Everything needed for class is provided: ingredients, the aprons, and the fun! If you shop prior to class and need to put any perishable food purchases in the cooler, please let the sous chef know on your way into class.
If your child has an allergy, simply indicate during the registration process if there are any dietary restrictions that our chef should be aware of. We will make the appropriate accommodations to ensure an excellent culinary experience.
Please include ages on registration so our chef can prepare ahead for all ages.
Week 1: Baking 101-Oven Science June 28, 29, and 30, 10a-2p • $125
From savory to sweet, to sneaking in a few secret ingredients, kids will learn the science behind baking, and how to incorporate greenhouse fresh ingredients into their baked goods.
This week’s kids’ creations include:
Buttermilk biscuits, homemade baked chicken tenders, nutty chocolate chip quinoa cupcakes, mini seasonal fruit tarts, savory supper pie, black bean brownies, pizza with vegetable pizza sauce, and monkey bread. REGISTER HERE
Week 2: Roadtrip USA July 12, 13, and 14, 10a-2p • $125
From the Southwest, to Creole country, to New England, and back, kids will take a culinary road trip throughout the US!
This week’s kids’ creations include:
Mexican enchiladas, southwestern slaw, Tex-Mex style chocolate pudding, hopping John rice and beans, pimento cheese spread, lemon parfaits, New England crab cakes, rhubarb tea, and hasty pudding.
Kids will also learn about water resources, plant adaptation, rice farming, food preservation, and other important agricultural facts from around the country. REGISTER HERE
Week 3: SOLD OUT!
Week 4: Movie Meal Mayhem July 26, 27, and 28, 10a-2p • $125
Ever wondered how to make a real Ratatouille or what would happen if Minecraft food was served at your dinner table? What would happen if food took over Grand Rapids like it does in Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs? Join us as we explore the food, farming, and environment related to these popular movies.
This week’s kids’ creations include:
Sausage meatballs, giant pancakes, peach sauce, fresh fruit juice, pixelated fruits and veggies with homemade sauces and dips, vegetable ratatouille, French chocolate mousse, and homemade bread sticks. REGISTER HERE
Week 5: Modern City Homesteading July 19, 20, and 21, 10a-2p • $125
Kids will learn the ten basic concepts of urban homesteading and align them with practical skills, such as growing potted plants, making sauces from scratch, designing your own reusable snack sack, and using dry ice to create a fun dessert. Kids will also learn about rain barrels and worm bins (vermiculture) and how they add value to any urban yard.
This week’s kids’ creations include:
Cucumber salad, black bean quesadillas, banana pudding vegetable pancakes with homemade ketchup, carrot slaw, ice cream, deviled eggs, seasonal veggie soup and homemade soft pretzels with honey mustard dip. REGISTER HERE
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Questions? Email classes@downtownmarketgr.com or call 616.805.5308ext 217.
“It’s fitting that all of the hard work and dedication the students in our Fashion Studies program have displayed throughout the year culminates in an event that they have the freedom to make their own,” said Interim Dean of the College Ron Riksen. “The KCAD community looks forward to celebrating their accomplishments.”
Titled UN.EARTH, the event will feature work from all class levels of the Fashion Studies program that ties into the event’s theme of nature and personal growth. The theme is based on the earth’s terrain and includes three subcategories: peak, valley, and coast. Specific color schemes and key words associated with each subcategory informed class projects in Fashion Studies courses throughout the spring semester of the 2015-2016 academic year.
Underclassmen will be displaying individual garments, selected through a juried process, that were designed within the parameters of different class projects. Graduating seniors, on the other hand, will be displaying their full capstone collections, multiple garments that have been designed with much more creative freedom at the students’ disposal. A number of fashion illustrations will also be on display.
“We chose to call the fashion show UN•EARTH specifically for its definition and connotation,” said Fashion Studies senior Audrey Langejans, one of the event’s lead organizers. “The word ‘earth’ got us thinking a lot about incorporating the nature-inspired trends that are so relevant in the fashion industry right now – trends that would give the underclassmen a chance to be extra creative in their interpretation of the theme. The definition of the word ‘unearth’ itself felt like the perfect summation of the senior experience. We seniors have spent three years working on class projects and learning different techniques, and now we have been able to unearth our own aesthetics and identities as designers through our capstone collections.”
Fashion Studies Program Chair Lori Faulkner added, “In our Capstone course, senior students use all the technical skills and knowledge they have gained through their years of study at KCAD to create an individual collection that specifically reveals their individual vision. Up until their senior year, they have been designing with certain guidelines in mind, but for this project they are given complete creative freedom. Regardless of their class level, I am consistently amazed by the unique designs that my students are able to take from concept to finished product.”
UN.EARTH will be held at the Grand Rapids Downtown Market on April 13, 2016 from 7:30-10 pm. Appetizers and refreshments will be provided by Martha’s Vineyard. Admission to the event is free, and the public is warmly welcomed to attend. Attendees are asked to pleaseRSVP through Eventbrite to reserve their free tickets. Space is limited.
Join the Downtown Market and UICA for Big Screen Cuisine, the scrumptious series and hands-on cooking lessons at the Downtown Market inspired by your favorite food-focused films.
Enjoy dinner and a movie, Wes Anderson style. Learn how to make Courtesans Au Chocolat inspired by the film’s pastry shop, Mendle’s. After indulging in delicious pastry treats, head to the UICA Movie Theater to watch the film.
About Grand Budapest Hotel: In the 1930s, the Grand Budapest Hotel is a popular European ski resort, presided over by concierge Gustave H. (Ralph Fiennes). Zero, a junior lobby boy, becomes Gustave’s friend and protege. Gustave prides himself on providing first-class service to the hotel’s guests, including satisfying the sexual needs of the many elderly women who stay there. When one of Gustave’s lovers dies mysteriously, Gustave finds himself the recipient of a priceless painting and the chief suspect in her murder.
Sunday, March 13, 2016 Class/Dinner: 3:00-5:00 pm at Downtown Market, 435 Ionia St. SW, Grand Rapids.
Call 616.805.5308 for more info and to register.
Movie: 5:30 pm at UICA, 2 Fulton West, Grand Rapids.
Call 616.454.7000 for more info.
TICKET PRICE: $38
Includes class registration, snacks, and movie admission.
With Valentine’s Day right around the corner, it’s time to prepare a weekend with your significant other because, and let’s be honest here, we know you haven’t planned anything yet.
If you’re one of those rare breeds who plans out Valentine’s Day months in advance, then you can use this for ideas for how to put a cherry on top of your picture perfect day. For the rest of us who just realized it’s already February 10, there’s still time, and here’s a cheat sheet.
For the sake of this list, we’ll skip dinner and go right to the good stuff. There are a lot of unique restaurants in Wyoming, Kentwood, Grand Rapids, and the surrounding areas to sit down and have a nice dinner. If your partner doesn’t have a favorite spot, try something new! There are a lot of great options not too far away.
Here are some couple’s events sure to make for a delightful Valentine’s weekend.
The DeVos Performance Hall will be hosting two concert events this weekend. The Bad Boy Reunion Tour features Faith Evans, Mase, Carl Thomas, and Case on February 13 at 7:30 p.m. The following evening, Tommy Emmanuel will perform his upcoming album It’s Never Too Late.
Searching for a date idea that’s a little more “hands on”? Well, the Downtown Market has three events for you and your valentine. The Couples: Valentine’s Day cooking class is offered February 11, 12 and 13 and is a great way to relax with your partner and enjoy small plate demonstrations, an effervescent cocktail, and a little bit of hands-on cooking. Before the meal, enjoy a drink at the Ice Bar Lounge and their heated outdoor happy hour featuring specialty cocktails, craft beer, and select wine.
Robinette’s is hosting their Love, Wine & Chocolate event on February 13 from 1pm to 5pm. The cost is $12 per couple and includes wine tasting, a souvenir wine glass, and a chocolate snack bar. On top of the items to tickle your taste buds, you can also customize a pair of five-minute earrings with Sara Neal. Sara provides supplies for earrings and you pick out what you want. The earrings are then made right there in front of you. No reservation required.
Be a kid again at the Grand Rapids Children’s Museum
Want a unique date to bring out you and your valentine’s inner child? Look no further than the Grand Rapids Children’s Museum’s 2nd annual Grown Up Play Date on Friday night. Play laser tag, participate in a building wide scavenger hunt, enjoy local craft beers, wines, and ciders, and “grown up” pizza offerings from local restaurants. The best part? It all benefits the Children’s Museum’s programs and exhibits. Doors open at 6:30 p.m. and tickets are just $30 per person.
Looking for a unique beer experience centered around Valentine’s Day? Make sure to stop in at Gravel Bottom Craft Brewery and Supply out in Ada. Gravel Bottom has two Valentine’s Day beers that can either compliment a desert or be enjoyed on their own. The first is a robust porter called the Lion Heart which can be paired with chocolates and raspberries. Also on tap is the Susie Q, a cream ale packing a bouquet of flavor with hibiscus and rose hips. Cheers to love!
When it comes to valentines, ice can be nice. Grand Rapids is hosting their 3rd annual Valent-ICE festival this weekend. The festival is to celebrate love and winter in Downtown Grand Rapids and features over 50 sculptures and more than 15 tons of ice! Much like ArtPrize, residents can walk around the city and enjoy the sculptures over the weekend. On Saturday, February 13, the largest sculpture will be revealed and Randy Finch and Derek Maxfield of Food Network’s “Ice Brigade” will carve the public sculpture from 6,000 pounds of ice. The final piece will stand 12 feet tall.
Valent-ICE is very nice
Single? Don’t worry, you’re not alone. Lincoln Country Club on Lake Michigan Drive is hosting the Rivertown Singles ‘Lady in Red’ Party on Sunday from 6:30 – 7:00 p.m. Both girls and guys are invited to wear red, a little, a lot, or another color entirely if you prefer – whichever makes you feel most comfortable. For $8 you’re privy to a cash bar, a dance floor, drawings, and a lot of singles looking to mingle.
Who says only couples get to go out and have fun on Valentine’s Day?
Treat yourself or your loved one to an unforgettable night of food-focused entertainment. Enjoy the classic romance film, Like Water for Chocolate in the UICA Movie Theater. Then, head to the Downtown Market where market chefs will put together a delectable six–course dinner inspired by the food featured in the movie complete with drink pairings.
Chef’s Dinner:
– Cocktail: Mezcal, pineapple, chile, honey, cinnamon, and lime
– Green salad with crispy pork, avocado, and tomato
– Vinho verde rose
– Chiles in walnut sauce
– Chateau L’Aqueria Tavel
– Quail in rose-petal sauce
– Adelsheim Pinot Noir
– Turkey mole
– Langmeil Shiraz-viognier
– Oaxacan cream fritters
– Cocktail: tepache, blanco tequila, wild thyme, and lemon
About Like Water for Chocolate:
The youngest daughter in her family, the beautiful Tita (Lumi Cavazos) is forbidden to marry her true love, Pedro (Marco Leonardi) because tradition dictates that Tita must care for her mother. So, Pedro weds her older sister, Rosaura (Yareli Arizmendi), though he still loves Tita. The situation creates much tension in the family, and Tita’s powerful emotions begin to surface in fantastical ways through her cooking. As the years pass, unusual circumstances test the enduring love of Pedro and Tita.
$75 per person
Includes six-course chef dinner, drink pairings, and movie.
Like Water for Chocolate
Sunday, February 21, 2016
Movie: 3:00 pm
Class/Dinner: 5:30 pm
The Grand Rapids Downtown Market recently announced a once-monthly artisanal Michigan Pop-Up Marketplace, which will focus solely on Michigan-made and grown goods such as home decor, furniture and art as well as locally produced food and farm fresh produce.
The Michigan Pop-Up Marketplace will launch May 22, and take place on the fourth Sunday of every month through September under the Market Shed. Hours will be 10:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.
“There is no shortage of creativity in West Michigan, and as we look to build on the mission of the Downtown Market, we are working to create more accessibility to artisan products whether they be in the form of food, art or function,” said Mimi Fritz, president and CEO of the Downtown Market. “By launching the Michigan Pop-Up Marketplace, we can provide a strong platform, resources and opportunities to small artisans and artists who are looking for a low barrier of entry to consumers.”
In addition to the Michigan Pop-Up Marketplace, the Downtown Market will continue to host its other popular programming, including the Vintage Street Market, second Sunday of each month starting May 8, free “Chefs at the Market” and “Kids at the Market” summer activities each week, with the chef demos on Tuesdays and kids activities on Saturdays outside in the Market Shed.
Guests can also enjoy Downtown Market Happy Hour, an outdoor bar featuring cocktails and craft beer selections from 4:00 p.m. — 7:00 p.m. every Wednesday starting in June.
Grand Rapids has become recognized as a destination for makers, artisans and food entrepreneurs. The Grand Rapids Downtown Market is committed to providing resources and opportunities for those entrepreneurs, while ensuring consumers of all background have accessibility to healthy food options. The introduction of the new Michigan Pop-Up Marketplace aligns with this ideal.
Looking for some great, last minute, local ideas to share with the people on your “Nice” list this year? If you like waiting until the last second to do your shopping, we can help! We’ve rounded up some of our favorite West Michigan gift ideas below, broken down by category to help make your last second holiday shopping this year a breeze.
Gifts for Foodies
Gift Idea: Spice Merchants offers a Taste of Asia gift box ($29.95), which includes Asian spice blends: Chinese Five Spice, Thai Coconut, Korean BBQ and Teriyaki Ginger. Many other themed sets to choose from are available, including flavored sugars, curry spices, and sea salts. Another great option is a Himalayan Salt Slab (beginning from $29.95), ideal for cooking vegetables, meats, and seafood, or chill to serve sushi, sashimi, fruits cheeses or desserts. Himalayan Salt Slabs enhance the flavor of your food while delivering the benefits of 100% raw salt, and they are a unique and fun way to cook and serve your food.
Gift Idea: Give the gift of Essence this holiday season, with gift cards to Bistro Bella Vita,The Green Well, and Grove: the perfect stocking stuffer for any foodie. For a limited time, you’ll receive a complimentary Essence Cocktail Book when you purchase a gift card in store only. Prefer to shop online? You can also purchase gift cards through their new and improved, user friendly online system! They’ll even deliver it to your special someone on the date you choose. Complimentary cocktail book is only available with in-store purchase.
Gift Idea: Buy a stainless steel ($35) or glass ($5) growler from Slows Bar-B-Q and fill it up with your gift recipient’s favorite beer. Pairs well with some Slows-branded pint glasses ($8) or a gift card!
Gift Idea: Shop online at MiBeer.com for a variety of logoed items from the Michigan Brewers Guild. You’ll find everything from apparel, backpacks, tote bags, drinkware, eyewear, flags, license plates, beach balls, bottle openers, patches, pins, stickers, tin tackers, umbrellas and more. Michigan Brewers Guild Enthusiast Memberships also make great gifts, providing a year of benefits like pre-sale dates for the four official festivals and one hour early admission to each, dollar-off pint options at participating breweries, special brewery tours and an official Enthusiast t-shirt — all for just $55.
Gift Idea: Members of the Grand Rapids Public Museum who purchase or renew their membership now through December 31 will be entered to win one of 4 Family 4-pack tickets to the special opening event for our newest exhibit, The Robot Zoo in March! Tickets will be on sale in February for the event and members will have discounted admission to the event. Members also get into the new exhibit for free, with all our other great perks!
Gift Idea: Visit the Grand Rapids Public Museum’s Curiosity Shop for your holiday shopping! The shop offers a variety of unique, toys, trinkets and gifts for both children and adults. Find the perfect gift, that is from Grand Rapids or the Michigan made.
Gift Idea: Treat your gift recipient to a night out at Opera Grand Rapids! Now through December 21st, take advantage of these two special offers: Buy two premium orchestra tickets to Orpheus & Eurydiceor Romeo & Juliet. and get 25% off additional tickets, or a free ticket to Beethoven’s String Quartet #1, Op. 1. Second offer: Buy a $100 gift card and get one half-price ticket to Beethoven’s String Quartet #1, Op. 18. Subscriptions make great gifts too!
Gift Idea: Give the gift of Live Entertainment! Tickets make the perfect Holiday Gift! Cameron Mackintosh’s spectacular new production of Andrew Lloyd Webber’s phenomenal musical success, The Phantom of the Opera, will come to DeVos Performance Hall as part of a brand-new North American Tour. Hailed by critics as “bigger and better than ever before,” this production boasts many exciting special effects including the show’s legendary chandelier, new scenic and lighting designs, new staging and choreography. The beloved story and thrilling score – with songs like Music of the Night, All I Ask Of You and Masquerade – will be performed by a cast and orchestra of 52, making this Phantom one of the largest productions now on tour. Don’t miss this two week engagement when it premiers in Grand Rapids May 18-29.
Big Screen Cuisine–a collaborative effort between UICA and Downtown Market–presents a complete culinary experience by pairing a favorite film with a meal from recipes featured in the film. Each event features a different menu and film.
On Sunday, December 6, attendees will enjoy a screening of Babette’s Feast at the UICA Movie Theater at 3 pm, and then travel to Downtown Market where the Market chefs at Downtown Market’s dining room will tempt the palette with the food featured in Babette’s feast, course-by-course.
That’s right: Enjoy a delectable chef’s dinner from soup to fabulous dessert, a special culinary treat on a brisk winter’s night. The Class and Dinner begin at 5:30 pm.
The event is $75 per person, which includes movie admission, a six-course Chef’s Dinner and drink pairings. Reserve your tickets today. And just what will the Chef’s Dinner feature? Feast your eyes on this menu:
– Potage a la Faux Tortue
– Amontillado
– Blinis Demidoff au Caviar
– Champagne
– Caille en Sarcophage
– Cotes de nuits
– Chicory & Walnut Salad
– Roquefort, papaya, pineapple, grapes
– Cognac
– Savarin au Rhum
About the film:
Beautiful but pious sisters Martine (Birgitte Federspiel) and Philippa (Bodil Kjer) grow to spinsterhood under the wrathful eye of their strict pastor father on the forbidding and desolate coast of Jutland, until one day, Philippa’s former suitor sends a Parisian refugee named Babette (Stéphane Audran) to serve as the family cook. Babette’s lavish celebratory banquet tempts the family’s dwindling congregation, who abjure such fleshly pleasures as fine foods and wines.
Which sounds better: Freshly made truffle fries from local potatoes or slightly-soggy fries that have been sitting out too long after being pulled out of the freezer at the local fast food joint?
Maybe that’s an extreme comparison, but it showcases the heart of the farm-to-table movement, which is well respected at dining locations throughout West Michigan.
Farm-to-Table means your food has traveled from a local source, maybe even as nearby as the garden out back (instead of being frozen or canned and transported hundreds of miles), and was freshly prepared, which means no thawing in the microwave or sitting under heat lamps for days. Farm-to-Table dining promises you a delicious and healthy meal that is truly of West Michigan.
Read on for some of our favorite Farm-to-Table dining options in West Michigan, and our apologies in advance if this causes your stomach to start rumbling.
Grove
Grove restaurant, located in Grand Rapids, is a tribute to the bounty of the earth’s harvest and how Grove brings that to the table with impeccable service, natural ingredients and innovative cuisine. Their seasonal, frequently changing selections hint at the classics with natural sauces and a slant toward sustainable seafood. They responsibly source as many ingredients as possible from local, family and sustainable farms and prepare each dish to demonstrate their respect for how these farmers raise or grow their products.
Grove carefully pairs their daily, innovative menus with the best modern wines. Their beverage menu also includes eclectic and top-shelf liquors, their own housemade infused spirits, craft beers, pour-over coffee and espresso. They’re located in the heart of East Hills at 919 Cherry Street.
Terra
Inspired, handcrafted foods that nurture both body and community. At Terra in Grand Rapids, they follow their passions – and the seasons – for only the freshest, health-filled ingredients from the region’s most dedicated growers. They pride themselves on distinctive fare, expertly crafted with passion, intellect and culinary skill. You’ll enjoy handcrafted meals that honor the purest ingredients from the finest regional farms and fields. Terra’s focus on seasonal offerings means they only use fresh, honest ingredients bursting with the flavors of each season. Not only will you find delicious dining at Terra, but also a community dedicated to the promotion and rewards of a health-conscious lifestyle.
Twisted Rooster
Satisfyingly savory and always fresh, using Michigan made products with a twist—that’s what you can expect when dining at the Twisted Rooster in Grand Rapids. Twisted Rooster’s Executive Chef and his culinary team work with local vendors and suppliers to provide guests with a decidedly tasty twist on classic American fare. Twisted Rooster’s mantra is to provide each guest with “Simply Impeccable Food & Drinks with Uncommon Hospitality.” Their locally sourced, scratch made menu is full of local flavor and includes vendors such as Byron Center Meats, R.W. Bakers, Faygo and Founders Brewing Company. Ogren said their menu is meant to emphasize their twisted “Commit to the Mitt” motto.
The Green Well
At The Green Well they serve honest fayre with local flair in a neighborhood setting that keeps customers coming back. Their innovative gastro pub is green beyond its name: Their LEED® certified building is environmentally safe, ultra efficient and leaves behind the smallest possible carbon footprint. “Gastro pub” is British for a public house that specializes in high-quality food served in a relaxed atmosphere. The Green Well’s creative menu features a global range of eclectic flavors prepared with ingredients from local farmers. Over 20 rotating taps focus on Michigan brews, as well as a vast selection of bottles, ranging from local and American craft to traditional European styles. The wine list features creative flights that encourage multiple wine flavors paired with food. Classic cocktails are also available. Their greenness also spills over to their guests who benefit from affordable prices and outstanding service by a fun, welcoming staff. Located at 924 Cherry Street in East Hills, Grand Rapids.
Bistro Bella Vita
At Bistro Bella Vita, they go above and beyond to deliver the ultimate dining experience with top-notch, personable service, whether it’s a simple pizza and beer with friends, or an elegant chef’s table meal perfectly paired with appropriate wines. Their vision is to be West Michigan’s most respected restaurant destination. Guests enjoy Bistro Bella Vita’s unique downtown atmosphere and their creative cuisine made exclusively from fresh, natural, ingredients purchased daily from local farmers in season. The culinary team creates authentic, scratch-made recipes that blend the delicious flavors of the Mediterranean countryside with a perfectly paired beverage offering served by a devoted staff whose passion is to ensure your complete satisfaction. They’re located in the heart of downtown Grand Rapids, just west of the Van Andel Arena on Grandville and Weston.
San Chez Bistro
Stop by San Chez Bistro for the most unique dining and entertainment venue in Grand Rapids. San Chez Bistro offers a blend of authentic European and Mediterranean cuisine in a fun, laid-back, and artful atmosphere. Take a break from fast food with breakfast and lunch by San Chez Café, made with the finest local ingredients, and prepared to order fresh seven days a week. Enjoy omelets, scrambles, pastries, bagels, yogurt, fresh fruit, or the best sandwiches and soups in town. Appreciate gourmet fair-trade coffee and whole leaf organic tea while you linger with free Wi-Fi, or hold a breakfast meeting in our comfy café.
Six.One.Six
The JW Marriott Grand Rapids‘ signature restaurant, six.one.six, offers the breathtaking blend of sophisticated urban ambience, palate-pleasing cuisine, and the finest wines and perfectly poured cocktails. But more than just a “pretty face,” six.one.six. takes its cuisine seriously. Dedicated to the concept of buying local, the chef’s pantry is bursting with locally grown ingredients, some of which are picked just a few feet away at the JW Chef’s Garden. The six.one.six. kitchen also participates in Sort, a recycling and composting program coordinated with Zeeland-headquartered Spurt Industries, which helps turn food scraps into top-quality soil for area parks. You’ll find dishes sourced from New Holland Brewery, Black Star Farms, Founders Brewery, and many more when you dine at six.one.six.
Downtown Market
Downtown Market Grand Rapids offers farm to table dining, and everything in between. Visit in the spring and summer for their outdoor farmers market, where the best of everything fresh and local will be on display for purchase. The indoor Market Hall is open year-round, and offers everything from local produce, fish, meats, and cheese to restaurants serving tacos & thai food sourced from local ingredients. Downtown Market offers regular cooking classes & demonstrations to help you bring that fresh and local taste right into your own kitchen.
Reserve Wine & Food
Michigan’s award-winning Reserve Wine & Food in downtown Grand Rapids is the epitome of a farm-to-table experience, in a classy, urban setting just a short drive from the rural countryside which provides the bounty for the menu. Reserve fills its kitchen with foods raised by their friends—local farmers, growers and harvesters with a passion for fresh flavors. Chef Josh Adams cooked throughout his childhood with his mom and grandmother, who encouraged his creativity and curiosity. Applying progressive techniques to pristine ingredients, Adams seeks to preserve and accentuate the natural properties of the ingredients through precision cooking. “With the development of each dish, I take into consideration the aroma, taste, texture, temperature, color, shape and arrangement to bring about the best possible result for the customer,” he says. Opened since September, 2010 and celebrating its 5th year, Reserve Wine & Food has been recognized by Grand Rapids Magazine, OpenTable, Food & Wine Magazine, the James Beard Foundation and Wine Spectator. Located in the heart of downtown Grand Rapids at 201 Monroe Avenue NW, Reserve Wine & Food offers a world-class menu fully embracing the West Michigan farm-to-table philosophy in an elegant yet casual fine dining setting.
The Grand Rapids Downtown Market will host a bluegrass concert featuring the Chapel Hill, N.C. band Mipso on October 22 at 7 p.m. to benefit the Education Foundation’s individual scholarship program.
Mipso is a southern bluegrass trio featuring fiddler and vocalist Libby Rodenbough along with Jacob Sharp on mandolin, Joseph Terrell on guitar, and Wood Robinson on bass.
Mipso’s 2013 debut album, with a mix of three-part harmony and Appalachian influences, rose to #8 on Billboard’s bluegrass charts. The band is currently touring the country in support of their newly released album, “Old Time Reverie.” Local bluegrass musician Mark Lavengood will open for Mipso, and perform with them throughout the evening.
The Downtown Market Education Foundation is a non-profit organization created to offer culinary and nutritional education, entrepreneur opportunities and a place for local food production. With the goal of creating a healthier community lifestyle, the organization supports access to, and promotion of, fresh healthy foods for all, including disadvantaged families and children.
Mark Lavengood
To date, the foundation has given more than 3,000 scholarships and brought in nearly 40 community organizations for nutrition education, culinary and gardening classes, and training in entrepreneurship and food production. The Mipso concert will help fund additional individual class scholarships, and is underwritten by David and Judy Frey.
WHAT: Bluegrass concert featuring Mipso and Mark Lavengood to benefit Downtown Market Education Foundation. Cash bar will be available.
WHEN: Thursday, October 22, 7 p.m.
WHERE: Grand Rapids Downtown Market, 435 Ionia Ave SW, second floor
In a world where food and film are the modern expressions of culture, the Grand Rapids Downtown Market and the UICA announce “Big Screen Cuisine,” an interactive culinary and cinematic experience that seeks to bring dishes to life that are inspired by classic and modern foodie film favorites and accompanied by a same-day movie screening.“Big Screen Cuisine” makes its debut on Sunday, September 27. Ticket prices will vary and will allow attendees to engage in a hands-on, top-level culinary food experience with fantastic food from local chefs. Attendees will also have the opportunity to tour the UICA, relax in the theatre, and watch the paired movie with a new and very personal understanding of all the culinary scenes they’re viewing. Depending on the experience, the culinary portion of the night may fall before or after the screenings.“Big Screen Cuisine will utilize films from all over the world while exploring diverse cultures and food histories through hands-on connection and interaction,” said Mimi Fritz, president and CEO of the Downtown Market. “Our goal is to help educate cooks of all ages and experience by bringing to life the flavors from the big screen.”Over the course of the year-round, once-monthly film series, guests will be treated to various lessons in creating delicacies such as chocolate, pastries, cocktails, French cuisine as well as wine tastings and charcuterie, an all-ages cooking class and even an occasional succulent chef’s dinner.
“UICA and the Downtown Market are creating a deliberate connection between the sights and sounds of the film experience with the tastes and aromas of the local food culture,” said Miranda Krajniak, executive director of the UICA. “Audiences can explore the UICA and broaden their knowledge of not only art, but food, film and how they translate into a unified experience.”
SUMMER BBQ ESSENTIALS
HOT NIGHTS IN THE SPANISH RIVIERA
INTRO TO HOME COCKTAILING
By Downtown Market
By KCAD
