WKTV Staff

Quote of the Day

"Being the Queen is not all about singing, and being a diva is not all about singing. It has much to do with your service to people. And your social contributions to your community and your civic contributions as well." _ Aretha Franklin

Making a difference

Having lived in Wyoming all of his life — except for a short time when he was away at college — Chris Hall felt he knew a lot about the community he lives in. Then in 2003, he joined Wyoming’s Community Development Committee and discovered even more about his city. “It is really cool because you hear from folks who have been a part of [the Community Development Committee] and they’ve learned about stuff — me included — of things that I didn’t know existed and ways that I can help out, and I think I am a better resident, a better citizen. Because of my involvement in this committee, I am able to serve my neighbors better.”

Time to Sparkle

The Grand Rapids Ballet will celebrate the arrival of its newest artistic director, James Sofranko with a gala Oct. 18. The Wild Sweet Love Welcome Gala, so named after a ballet that will be performed that event, will start at the L3VEL at The B.O.B. and then head to the company’s Peter Martin Wege Theatre. To find out why “Wild Sweet Love” was selected and how it connects to Sofranko, click here.

Opa!

Or rather Yassou!, which is the Holy Greek Orthodox Church’s annual celebration of the culture and traditions of the Greek Orthodox community. The event takes place Aug. 17 – 19 and includes music, dancing, and of course, lots of Greek food favorites. This year’s event will be supporting the Children’s Advocacy Center of Kent County (CAC). The church is located at 330 Lakeside SE.

While My Guitar Gently Weeps

Also this weekend is the popular JazzFest taking place in downtown Grand Rapids at Rosa Parks Circle. The event, which is Saturday and Sunday, Aug. 18 and 19, features a host of jazz musicians from noon to dusk both days. Edye Evans Hyde, Kevin Jones, Grupo Ayé, and Marcus Anderson are just some of the performers slated for the seventh annual event. The entire two days are free, although if you plan on sitting, you might want to bring your own chair.

Fun Fact:

300,000 bulbs

That is how many tulip bulbs are planted in Holland every year for the annual Tulip Time, of which 50,000 are hand planted on the Window on the Waterfront Park. Organizers for Tulip Time just recently announced submission dates for the annual Art In Bloom competition, which are Sept. 29 - Oct. 4.

Food. Dance. Opa!

The smell of lemon, oregano and garlic fill the air as fresh meats are grilled over open flames and the sight of the pastry table proves to be more than anyone’s willpower could bear. From a great live band and dance demonstrations, to wine tastings and cooking classes, there is something for everyone at Yassou!

The food

An assortment of freshly prepared authentic Greek food and pastries will tempt even the most stubborn palate. Great effort has been put into obtaining fresh, local ingredients wherever possible, from the eggplant in the Moussaka, to the tomatoes that go on your Gyros and in your salad.

Choose from appetizers, full meals, sandwiches and side items. And do not forget dessert — baklava is only the beginning. Menu items are available as complete meals or a la carte. Prices range from $5 for most a la carte items to $14 for most complete meals.

The dance

Besides irresistible Greek food, there will be plenty of Greek dancing, a very old tradition that has been documented by Plato, Aristotle, Plutarch and Lucian. Traditional Greek dancing has a primarily social function, bringing the community together at key points of the year, such as Easter, the grape harvest or patronal festivals; and at key points in the lives of individuals and families, like weddings.

Holy Trinity’s youth dancers will don traditional Grecian dress and perform some of these spectacular dances. Then, when the time is right, join hands with members of the dancing circle and join in. Beginners are always welcome.

The wine (and beer)

Greece is one of the oldest wine producing regions in the world — evidence of wine production dates back more than 6,500 years. Since that time, wines have been shared and enjoyed not only in households, but in communal celebrations. And what cultural celebration would be complete without access to the local libations?

Here’s what’s happening and when

Friday, August 26, 2016: 3 -10 pm

Live music from open to close, The Levendes.
4 pm: Greek cooking class.
5 pm: Traditional Greek dance demonstrations (12-17 y/o).
6 pm: Traditional Greek dance demonstrations (5-12 y/o).
7 pm: Traditional Greek dance demonstrations (12-17+).
8:15 pm: Traditional Greek dance demonstrations (18+).
8:35 pm: Dance lessons and open dancing for all!
8:00 pm: Children’s play area closes.

Saturday, August 27, 2016: 11 am – 10 pm

Live music from open to close, The Levendes.
1:00 pm: Greek cooking class.
2:30 pm: Traditional Greek dance demonstrations (12-17 y/o).
4:00 pm: Wine tasting.
5:00 pm: Traditional Greek dance demonstrations (12-17 y/o).
6:00 pm: Traditional Greek dance demonstrations (5-12 y/o).
6:00 pm: Greek cooking class.
7:15 pm: Traditional Greek dance demonstrations (12-17+).
8:15 pm: Traditional Greek dance demonstrations (18+).
8:35 pm: Dance lessons and open dancing for all!
8:00 pm: Children’s play area closes.

Sunday, August 28, 2016: 12-4 pm

No live band. DJ playing modern Greek music.
2:00 Traditional Greek dance demonstrations (5-12 y/o).
3:00 pm: Traditional Greek dance demonstrations (12-17 y/o).

OK, so you’ve been warned. The Yassou! Grand Rapids Greek Cultural Festival is always a crowd pleaser, and this year it’s happening Friday, Aug. 26 through Sunday, Aug. 28 at Holy Trinity Greek Orthodox Church, 330 Lakeside Dr. NE between Fulton and Michigan.