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Thank you
Grand Rapids! Porter Hills voted Best Retirement Community! When you choose a Porter Hills community, you can select the location and services that fit your unique needs, interests, goals and budget. No matter if you choose one of our communities, or you stay right where you are, caring staff await you.
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Ask what our CARF–CCAC accreditation means to you. Porter Hills Home Care is accredited by Community Health Accreditation Program (CHAP)
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Contents CITY GUIDE 2018-2019 / VOL. 55 / NO. 07
FEATURES 30 / The grand tour Local favorites, hidden gems and must-see destinations in each of the city’s neighborhoods. BY SARAH TINCHER & PASHA SHIPP
36 / River revival Grand Rapids Whitewater’s river restoration project aims to make the Grand River a destination for all. BY TERRI FINCH HAMILTON
30 6 GRMAG.COM \ CITY GUIDE 2018-2019
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contents CITY GUIDE 2018-2019 / VOL. 55 / NO. 07
departments BACK & FORTH 10 / From the Editor, contributors and letters
28
64 / Pints of interest: The ever-changing world of beer 70 / Cocktail hour: Making the most of GR spirits at home
12 / Social media, GRMag.com sneak peeks, previews and more
88
LIFE & STYLE 14 / Noteworthy items include Coppercraft Distillery’s canned cocktails, free community yoga and Coopersville Farm Museum’s “Quilts and Their Stories” exhibit.
14
For (Robert) Indiana, the LOVE sculpture always was intended to be inclusive and welcoming to a broad and diverse audience in museums and public collections.
OUT & ABOUT 78 / Exploring Grand Rapids: A guide to what’s happening around the city 82 / Museums & attractions listings and highlights
16 / GR’s Top 5 fun runs 18 / Health & wellness: Reclaiming better health 20 / Reading room: “Shifting Sands: Short Stories” by Emma Palova
CAUSE & EFFECT 72 / Urban Roots
88 / Performance venue listings and highlights
26
95 / Best of GR 96 / After thoughts: James Sofranko of the Grand Rapids Ballet
22 / Styles of summer ART & DESIGN 24 / Art gallery profile: Light Gallery + Studio 26 / Art gallery listings and highlights 28 / Art talk: LOVE’s GR debut
40
FOOD & DRINK 40 / Dining review: Noco Provisions
ON THE COVER: Grand Rapids Magazine celebrates “all things Grand Rapids” in the annual City Guide. Whether you’re a newbie or a lifer, we’re certain you will discover new and interesting activities, events and places to explore. Have fun out there!
42 / Restaurant listings for West Michigan 58 / Chef profile: Rachel Lee and Will Conner at Citizen Tiki Bar & Restaurant
22
Photography by Johnny Quirin
8 GRMAG.COM \ CITY GUIDE 2018-2019
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Thank you FOR VOTING US GRAND
Best of
Best of
Best of
Best of
Best of
Best of
2017-18 Readers Poll
2016-17 Readers Poll
2015-16 Readers Poll
2014-15 Readers Poll
2013-14 Readers Poll
2012-13 Readers Poll
RAPID’S “BEST DENTIST” FOR 6 CONSECUTIVE YEARS!
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back & forth CONNECT WITH US
Putting the ‘rapids’ in Grand Rapids
G
ander Calder’s La Grande Vitesse. As spring arrived this year, the Frey Foundation added another consideration for downtown strollers, Robert Indiana’s famous LOVE sculpture. GRM columnist Joe Becherer notes, “Poetically, it is sited just across from Maya Lin’s Ecliptic on Monroe Avenue.” The Frey Foundation also was the catalyst behind Ecliptic. Use everything in this GRM City Guide to discover more of the city.
Carole Valade Editor, Grand Rapids Magazine
Q&A: This month we asked some of our contributors, “Where’s your favorite place to be in Grand Rapids?”
Jaye Beeler,
Tylee Shay,
WRITER
WRITER
“‘CITIZEN VIBES,’” PAGE 58
“APPROACHABLE ART,” PAGE 24
“Love a good urban hike with my puppy, alternating between Reed’s Lake Trail and my new favorite, (which) is walking about Uptown.”
“Reeds Lake in East Grand Rapids is my place. I love walking through the park with an ice cream cone or dining lakeside at Rose’s.”
Lauren Spangler, WRITER “THE LONG ROAD TO RESILIENCE,” PAGE 20
“Anywhere outdoors ... great patio dining areas at local restaurants, Meijer Gardens or my backyard while grilling.”
RENDERING COURTESY RIVER RESTORATION/GRAND RAPIDS WHITEWATER
GRAND RAPIDS MAGAZINE staff celebrates GR every month, but the July issue is dedicated as the annual City Guide: what you thought you knew, never knew, is new… or want to know. It is the most comprehensive, all-inclusive look at the city, from bars and breweries to parks, fairs and farmers markets. It is meant to be shared for city-oriented bucket lists and newcomers. Contributing writer Terri Finch Hamilton updates the rapids reclamation project spearheaded by Grand Rapids Whitewater, initially a grassroots group with a fun idea founded by Chris Muller and Chip Richards. Both are avid outdoor enthusiasts who imagined the Grand River could be celebrated and a more central part of city life. The pitch to kayakers, those who fish the Grand, park enthusiasts and city leaders has become a city/state/federal initiative. Muller told GR Magazine, “When people say, ‘Where are your rapids?’ this community will be able to point to them. We’ll finally be able to live up to our name.” This summer, the project becomes more visible with the first redevelopments of the riverbank at Sixth Street Park and Canal Street Park. Lyon Square (between the Amway Grand Plaza Hotel and DeVos Place) plans will create more public access to the river, as will several access points between Fulton and Ann streets. Work also is beginning on the river itself and restoring the rapids. Grand Rapids made history in 1969 with the first piece of public art in America, Alex-
10 GRAND RAPIDS \ CITY GUIDE 2018-2019
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back & forth CONNECT WITH US
Inside Grand Rapids Magazine Stay connected with Grand Rapids Magazine in print, at grmag.com and on social media.
Coming up next issue …
GRAND RAPIDS IS HOME TO a host of fun and creative 5K races that are well worth the challenge. Visit page 16 and grmag.com to find our top five favorite fun runs in the city.
Higher education The area’s colleges and universities, as well as their students, are learning to change with the times as new challenges arise.
Forty Acres chef Trimell Hawkins cooks up soul food on Wealthy Street. Visit grmag.com
On the radio
When you’re talking up Grand Rapids, what’s the first thing you brag about? Our social media followers respond: 17% The arts 26% Its growth
At grmag.com Heritage Theatre Group launches season with Anton Chekhov’s “The Cherry Orchard.” Make over your home with furnishings from MODRN GR, opening this month.
NEXT MONTH’S QUESTION:
16% The food scene
34% Beer City
If you could have one superpower, what would it be?
7% Other
We want to hear from you There are tons of ways to reach us. By mail: Editor, Grand Rapids Magazine, 549 Ottawa Ave. NW, Suite 201, Grand Rapids, MI 49503. Email: letters@grmag.com. Be sure to include your name, address and daytime phone number. Or follow us online at grmag.com or Facebook: @grmag Twitter: @grmagazine Instagram: @grmagazine on social media:
PHOTOGRAPHY BY MICHAEL BUCK (TOP LEFT); COURTESY FORTY ACRES (TOP CENTER); CHARLSIE DEWEY (LOWER CENTER); THINKSTOCK (FAR RIGHT & BOTTOM)
Rebel relocated this spring to a larger location in Eastown, allowing for more great gifts. Visit grmag.com
Join Managing Editor Sarah Tincher at 9:45 a.m. Thursdays, as she presents the Weekend City Guide with Shelley Irwin on WGVU Radio FM 88.5 and 95.3.
12 GRMAG.COM \ CITY GUIDE 2018-2019
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TM
Covering Grand Rapids Since 1964 www.grmag.com
info@grmag.com
From idea to completion...
PUBLISHER: John H. Zwarensteyn
EDITORIAL EDITOR: Carole Valade MANAGING EDITOR: Sarah Tincher COPY EDITOR: Tom Mitsos CONTRIBUTING WRITERS: Joseph A. Becherer,
Jaye Beeler, Ann Byle, Ira Craaven, Pat Evans, Terri Finch Hamilton, Elissa Hillary, Kara McNabb, Mark F. Miller, Torrence R. O’Haire, Amy Ruis, Tylee Shay, Pasha Shipp, Lauren Spangler, Julie Bonner Williams, Tricia van Zelst
DESIGN PANEL: Joseph A. Becherer, John Berry,
Kevin Budelmann, Jim Caughman, Timothy Chester, Sam Cummings, Ray Kennedy, Henry Matthews, Wayne Norlin, Wayne Visbeen
DESIGN & PRODUCTION NEW MEDIA, DESIGN & PRODUCTION MANAGER:
Scott Sommerfeld
ART COORDINATOR: Kelly J. Nugent DESIGNERS/PRODUCTION ASSISTANTS:
Melissa Brooks, Kristen Van Oostenbrugge, Robin Vargo CONTRIBUTING PHOTOGRAPHERS:
Adam Bird, Michael Buck, Jim Gebben, Rex Larsen, Johnny Quirin SALES GENERAL SALES MANAGER:
Randy D. Prichard
ADVERTISING SALES CONSULTANTS:
General Inquiries: advertisingsales@grmag.com Kathie Manett, Susan Smalley ADVERTISING SALES ADMINISTRATOR:
Karla Jeltema
CIRCULATION & MARKETING CIRCULATION & MARKETING MANAGER:
Scott T. Miller
VOTED BEST
MARKETING & EVENTS COORDINATOR:
ANTIQUE
Andrea N. Straw
CIRCULATION & MARKETING ASSISTANT:
Katrina Peshka
TO ORDER SUBSCRIPTIONS: (616) 459-4545 TO CHANGE ADDRESS: subscribe@geminipub.com
Best of
STORE!
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FINANCE & ADMINISTRATION
FINANCE & ADMINISTRATION MANAGER:
Learning Today...Leading Tomorrow
Pamela Brocato, CPA
ADMINISTRATIVE ASSISTANT: Tina Gillman
PHOTOGRAPHY BY MICHAEL BUCK (TOP LEFT); COURTESY FORTY ACRES (TOP CENTER); CHARLSIE DEWEY (LOWER CENTER); THINKSTOCK (FAR RIGHT & BOTTOM)
RECEPTIONIST/CLERICAL ASSISTANT:
General Inquiries: info@grmag.com Michael Kohlenberger
TO ORDER REPRINTS: Karla Jeltema
(616) 459-4545
Grand Rapids Magazine (ISSN 1055-5145) is published monthly by Gemini Publications, a division of Gemini Corporation. Publishing offices: 549 Ottawa Ave. NW, Suite 201, Grand Rapids, MI 49503-1444. Telephone (616) 4594545; fax (616) 459-4800. General e-mail: grminfo@grmag. com. General editorial inquiries: editorial@grmag.com. Periodical postage paid at Grand Rapids, MI. Copyright © 2018 by Gemini Publications. All rights reserved. POSTMASTER: Send address changes to Grand Rapids Magazine, 549 Ottawa Ave. NW, Suite 201, Grand Rapids, MI 49503-1444. Subscription rates: one year $24, two years $34, three years $44, in continental U.S.; Alaska, Hawaii, Canada and U.S. possessions, one year $35. Subscriptions are not retroactive; single issue and newsstand $4.95 (by mail $7.50); back issue $7 (by mail $9), when available. Advertising rates and specifications at grmag.com or by request. Grand Rapids Magazine is not responsible for unsolicited contributions.
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www.appletreekids.cc CITY GUIDE 2018-2019 / GRMAG.COM 13
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life & style PEOPLE / TRENDS / BOOKS / FASHION / FITNESS
noteworthy INTERESTING TIDBITS WE THOUGHT YOU SHOULD KNOW
Quiltmakers, enthusiasts and inheritors of family heirlooms alike have until mid-July to put their patchwork treasures in the spotlight at the Coopersville Farm Museum’s 17th annual “Quilts and Their Stories” exhibit. “Quilts and Their Stories” includes more than 100 quilts among the museum’s tractors and other exhibits. The exhibit will be held Aug. 2-Sept. 29. “We show antique quilts and modern art quilts … whatever is brought in to us!” said museum director Lee Ann Proia. “It is not judged or juried, so we never know what we’ll end up with.” Anyone who has a quilt to be displayed has until July 14 to submit it to the museum. For more information about “Quilts and Their Stories,” call 997-8555 or visit coopers villefarmmuseum.org.
Cocktails to go Enjoying a delicious, locally made, handcrafted cocktail at the next backyard barbecue or out on the boat this summer just got a little easier. This spring, Holland-based Coppercraft Distillery launched two ready-to-drink canned cocktails, a gin and tonic and Michigan Mule, so consumers can enjoy a delicious drink on the go without the hassle of making it themselves. The gin and tonic, the first of the two to hit the shelves, is mixed by hand with Coppercraft gin; while the Michigan Mule, a local twist on the classic Moscow Mule, is crafted with Coppercraft vodka, Ridge Cider’s ginger hard cider and lime. “Quality craft cocktails are incredibly difficult to make in a portable manner, and this is important as we consider today’s active consumer. Our fans want to experience our award-winning spirits in new and more convenient ways,” said Brandon Joldersma, general manager of Coppercraft. With the launch of the gin and tonic in April, Coppercraft became the first distillery in Michigan to release a ready-todrink canned cocktail. Coppercraft’s canned cocktails are for purchase at most local SpartanNash stores, as well as various independently owned retailers from Grand Rapids to the lakeshore.
Afternoon pick-me-up Suffering from a case of the Mondays? Shake off those Monday blues with a relaxing community yoga session at Sixth Street Park. The free, 45-minute sessions, hosted by Grand Rapids’ Parks and Recreation Department and Downtown Grand Rapids Inc., begin at 12:15 p.m. every Monday through Aug. 20. No registration is required; just drop in! Visit facebook.com/gr parksandrec/events for more details.
PHOTOGRAPHY COURTESY COPPERCRAFT DISTILLERY (TOP RIGHT & CENTER); LEE ANN PROIA (BOTTOM LEFT); ILLUSTRATION COURTESY THINKSTOCK (BOTTOM RIGHT)
QUILTS WANTED!
14 GRMAG.COM \ CITY GUIDE 2018-2019
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PHOTOGRAPHY COURTESY COPPERCRAFT DISTILLERY (TOP RIGHT & CENTER); LEE ANN PROIA (BOTTOM LEFT); ILLUSTRATION COURTESY THINKSTOCK (BOTTOM RIGHT)
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life & style PEOPLE / TRENDS / BOOKS / FASHION / FITNESS
GRAND RAPIDS’
TOP 5
Fun
Funderwear Run
runs
SOME OF US NEED a little extra incentive to get motivated enough to run at all, let alone take on a race of any sort. Fortunately, Grand Rapids is home to a host of fun and creative 5K races that are well worth the challenge.
able 5K
Insane Inflat
The Color Run
Funderwear Run Held as part of Gilda Club Grand Rapids’ annual LaughFest, this short West Side race encourages participants to wear their best (and funniest) underwear over their running clothes. Insane Inflatable 5K Held annually at Millennium Park, this “insane” race features a challenging and surprising course made up of inflatable obstacles.
The Color Run Colorful powder covers the streets of Grand Rapids in this relaxed 5K. The Super Run 5K – Galactic Heroes Participants get to take home superhero cuffs after crossing the finish line at this superhero-themed run at Riverside Park.
PHOTOGRAPHY BY MICHAEL BUCK
The Hard Cider Run Hosted at Sietsema Orchards, this 3.1-mile run rewards you with a hard cider at the finish line.
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PHOTOGRAPHY BY MICHAEL BUCK
Our family is proud to be part of the Grand Rapids community and to supply Fresh Ideas, Fresh Products and Fresh Solutions to its members as we continue to grow with this great city. 650 IONIA GRAND RAPIDS, MI 49503 | 616.475.0900 | VANEERDEN.COM
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health & wellness
Reclaiming better health While exercise and movement are important, frequent high-intensity workouts are strenuous on the body.
“I EAT WELL. I WORK OUT. Everything I use is natural. I’ve worked with natural health practitioners for years. So why do some fast-food eaters seem healthier than me?” This scenario isn’t uncommon. Some people will try perfect veganism, perfect paleo-ism; soaked grains, sprouts and ferments — all the food rules followed to a T. Vinyasa yoga and cardio six times per week. Personal care and cleaning products sans carcinogenic and hormone-disrupting chemicals. And despite the wealth of knowledge they often possess around herbs or essential oils, they still suffer from discomfort or debilitating health. There are a couple reasons this might be happening. First, there are physiological factors. Your body might not be the type that does well on lots of meat or vice versa. Someone with blood type O, for instance, may feel unhealthy if eating a vegan diet long term, whereas, a blood type A might do fine on a vegetarian diet and not so great eating meat at every meal. Second, while exercise and movement are important, frequent high-intensity workouts
are strenuous on the body. Lifting, running or doing other intense cardio routines more than a couple times per week can be detrimental to your health. More often, I see these “unhealthy” health fanatics using natural health to avoid difficult emotions that come with overpowering belief systems. These beliefs keep them stuck in a perpetual cycle of suffering that food and exercise won’t fix. It might sound something like this: “I work out to look good… if I don’t look good, I am unworthy. I eat well to stay healthy… if I mess up, I will get cancer.” Inner messages of shame and fear often drive the patterns of perfectionism and control. Food and fitness are easy to control; but, chances are, these patterns extend beyond food and fitness. When these beliefs invade our mental and emotional environments, they affect us on a physical level. One client noticed, in sobriety, that he transferred his alcohol and disordered eating addictions into perfecting health. Ultimately, for him, this discovery led to realizing that these addictions covered up painful emotions of survival strategies that emerged in childhood. We are bombarded by belief systems — from our families, institutions, community, the media — that shape how we react to the world. These are layered on top of childhood experiences that shaped our personality. When you begin to examine these external influences, you begin to release the hold they have on you. In this awareness, you can often reclaim better health. — Kara McNabb is a traditional naturopathic practitioner at Continuum Healing and a member of The Wellness Collective GR.
PHOTOGRAPHY & ILLUSTRATION COURTESY THINKSTOCK
BY KARA MCNABB
18 GRMAG.COM \ CITY GUIDE 2018-2019
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life & style PEOPLE / TRENDS / BOOKS / FASHION / FITNESS
READING ROOM
The long road to resilience
“I know that it might sound cheesy, but even though not all the stories have happy endings, that doesn’t mean that everything that happens to us is either good or bad. It isn’t always that clear.” — Emma Palova The series’s storyline spans 27 years and is divided into three “circles,” which reflect different periods of Palova’s life: her emigration from Czechoslovakia, assimilation to the U.S. by way of a Midwestern retail job and exploration of her path as a young journalist. The characters, inspired by those who held influence throughout Palova’s life, fight to discover their identities through the stories and resolve their arcs with varying degrees of success. Palova hopes the lessons of resilience within the pages of “Shifting Sands” will resonate with readers long after they have finished her book. “Life is beautiful. I know that it might sound cheesy, but even though not all the
stories have happy endings, that doesn’t mean that everything that happens to us is either good or bad. It isn’t always that clear,” she said. “So, that’s what I want people to take away: it’s not white or black, it’s a blend; it’s how we deal with it.” Today, Palova can be found in her new hometown of Lowell, writing by the shores of Murray Lake. She is working on a sequel to “Shifting Sands,” as well as a family memoir — and has penned a novel, “Fire on Water,” which has yet to be published. “Shifting Sands: Short Stories” is available at Amazon, Schuler Books and the Kent District Library. Palova’s upcoming author events and blog can be found at emmapalova.com.
— LAUREN SPANGLER
PHOTOGRAPHY BY JOHNNY QUIRIN
In the early 1990s, Emma Palova began compiling a series of short stories that, when published more than two decades later, would serve as a tribute to her early childhood years in former socialist Czechoslovakia and eventual immigration to the United States. “Shifting Sands: Short Stories,” which was published in 2017, is fictional, yet relies heavily on inspiration from the people, places and experiences of Palova’s past. “The reason I put them together and published them in the summer of last year was so the stories do not get lost,” Palova said. “I wanted to preserve them because I’m a lover of history. That’s my passion.” Inspired by the travels of her youth, Palova crafted “Shifting Sands” in a tone reflective of a life spent immersed in many cultures. Palova’s father, a teacher, moved the family from her native Czechoslovakia to Sudan for three years when she was 8 years old. In 1989, Palova immigrated to Canada and then eventually settled in the U.S.
20 GRMAG.COM \ CITY GUIDE 2018-2019
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J.CREW FACTORY
KITCHEN COLLECTION
WILSONS LEATHER UNDER ARMOUR
KAY JEWELERS OUTLET
BANANA REPUBLIC FACTORY
LOFT OUTLET
MERRELL
KIRKLAND’S
MOUNTAIN WAREHOUSE AND MANY MORE
US-131 AT 84TH STREET SW, EXIT 74 (616) 277-1133
TANGEROUTLETS.COM
5/29/18 11:17 AM
life & style PEOPLE / TRENDS / BOOKS / FASHION / FITNESS
STYLES OF SUMMER:
free,
“REDS AND ORANGES ARE REALLY, REALLY BIG THIS SUMMER.”
f lowing & fun
— Prudence Kauffman
Dear Prudence, left and above
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By Julie Bonner Williams Photography by Ashlee Kristin Photography Modeling by Brittany Byrd
e
Adored Boutique
EASY AND BREEZY are the keywords for summer fashion this year! The styles are casual, light and flowing, with bold jewelry giving a splash of color. Ranking first on the must-buy list is a jumpsuit, advised Prudence Kauffman, owner of Dear Prudence, 820 Forest Hill Ave. SE. “I would tell people definitely get in and get one of the jumpsuits,” she said. “They’re just so comfy and cute.” And get ready to fill that shopping bag with wide-leg pants during the quest for the hottest summer looks. “Wide-leg pants are back!” Kauffman said. “Whether it’s fun prints or denim, a culottes style, flowing pant or capris. You can throw them on with a T-shirt and a pair of Converses and look super cute, or you can dress them up with a silk tank top and a wedge sandal — they’re really versatile.” Pair those wide-leg styles with sheer tops, especially tops with ruffles or embroidery. Sheer is another highlight of this sea-
Adored Boutique
son’s fashion world, working well in layers, completing a look that is light and flowing. Perhaps the best news is those sheers and ruffles will be seen around town in both pastel shades and bold colors, so everyone can rock their shades of preference. When the occasion calls for a step up, throw-on dresses like sundresses and T-shirt dresses are this summer’s answer. Think “casual and fun,” Kauffman said, suggesting a look that can be paired with a jean jacket or dressed up with statement jewelry. Accessorizing is about simplicity for summer 2018, though color and textures are the rage. “This summer, it’s all about jewelry,” Kauffman said. “I’ve been addicted to all the fun, bright earrings. I’ve been putting on a simple, flowy dress and then a fun, pop-
of-color earring. Tassels, beads, everything in fun colors — anything in red! Reds and oranges are really, really big this summer.” Shorts are a summer must, and styles are staying shorter this year. Trendsetters will be pairing them with long cardigans or dusters on cool evenings. If short-shorts aren’t for you, Emily Smith, owner of East Hills’ Adored Boutique, has the solution: “It’s always OK to wear Bermuda shorts,” she said. “They look nice and you can mix and match them with other trendy pieces.” Whether wearing shorts, flowing pants or a jumpsuit, the season’s go-to shoes are mules. Jazzy mules in bright colors and patterns will be in every fashionista’s closet and will be found beside other favorites this season, including sandals with either a GR wedge or high heels. CITY GUIDE 2018-2019 / GRMAG.COM 23
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art & design TRENDS / PEOPLE / INNOVATION / PLACES
Approachable art Light Gallery + Studio closes the gap between artists and the community, makes art accessible to everyone.
“We take things that seem difficult, like tapestry weaving or indigo dyeing, and teach people who have never done it before. Everyone’s on the same level, and everyone ends up with something to take home and a skill they can replicate on their own.” — Erika Townsley
U
attached apartment. Elton, their gallery cat, greets streetwalkers from his perch in the window and contributes to the domiciliary atmosphere. Light Gallery operates on a three-tiered business strategy, offering a gallery for local artistry, retail that supports the local economy, and workshops that promote art
PHOTOGRAPHY BY MICHAEL BUCK
Top right: Light Gallery + Studio space Above: Matthew Provoast and Erika Townsley Bottom right: Elton, the gallery cat
pon entering the Light Gallery + Studio, visitors are greeted by a homey ambiance accomplished through intentionally displayed art, an assortment of plants and a fluffy white cat. “We wanted to break down the notion of art galleries being unapproachable, expensive and sterile,” said co-founders Matthew Provoast and Erika Townsley, building on each other’s thoughts as they spoke. “We want our gallery to feel really homey, so customers can picture the art in their own home.” After studying art and photography at Kendall College of Art and Design, Provoast and Townsley, known as the “couple from Kendall,” settled into the live-work space at 317 S. Division Ave., where they opened Light Gallery and moved into the
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Hammered ring trio by Molly Roodvoets
PHOTOGRAPHY BY MICHAEL BUCK
PHOTOGRAPHY BY MICHAEL BUCK
“We know what it’s like being young, mid-20s. Expensive artwork is not very attainable, and creative people are conscious of where they spend their money.” — Matthew Provoast
education and foster a community for creative minds. The gallery itself hosts a variety of artworks, from pottery and handmade goods to fine art and prints — all crafted by Grand Rapids-area artists. Currently, there are nearly 60 local artists with art on display at Light Gallery, including Michael Pfleghaar and Jeff Condon. Not only is all of the art local, it’s also affordable. “We know what it’s like being young, mid-20s artists,” Provoast said. “Expensive artwork is not very attainable, and creative people are conscious of where they spend their money.” For this reason, everything is reasonably priced, and artists still receive majority compensation — even if that means little gain for the shop. “We pay out 60 percent of sales to the artist, who is local (and) most of our artists use local print shops and source their supplies locally, so it’s a really healthy business model,” Provoast said, as Townsley added, “because it goes right back into our community.” Additionally, Light Gallery offers three to four educational workshops per week, all instructed by local artists and open to amateurs and experts alike. “We take things that seem difficult, like tapestry weaving or indigo dyeing, and teach people who have never done it before. Everyone’s on the same level, and everyone ends up with something to take home and a skill they can replicate on their own,” Townsley said. “Teaching workshops closes the gap between artists and community,” Provoast added. “Exploring a curiosity, learn-
ing a new skill and experimenting with new materials are best done in a beautiful space with friendly, creative people.” Recently, Provoast and Townsley saw a need in the community for children’s art education, as Provoast noted it’s not a given that kids are learning art and creativity in school these days. So, the duo is in the process of planning kid’s art programs to be held at the gallery. “Our mission is to make art approachable for everyone,” Provoast said. More information about Light Gallery + Studio, including its workshop schedule, is available at lightgallerygr.com. — TYLEE SHAY
Designer Jewelry Custom Jewelry Expert jewelry repair Tuesday-Friday 10-5, Sat 12-4 shop@metalartstudioinc.com 978 Cherry St SE, GR MI (616) 459-5075 Remember to park free in our lot! CITY GUIDE 2018-2019 / GRMAG.COM 25
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art & design TRENDS / PEOPLE / INNOVATION / PLACES
Local art galleries COMPILED BY TRICIA VAN ZELST
1/ FOREST HILLS FINE ARTS CENTER: Artist-in-residence program offers exhibits by local and regional artists during the school year. Exhibits by Forest Hills Public Schools students and staff. Thru July 27, artist Kate Meyer displays her work. She uses a mixture of beeswax, resin and pigment to create encaustic artworks with objects embedded in the wax, carved-out textures and transfer images. Reception is 6-7 p.m. July 12. 600 Forest Hill Ave. SE, 493-8965, fhfineartscenter.com. 2/ FLAT RIVER GALLERY & FRAMING: Artist cooperative shows work in a variety of mediums; plus gifts, framing and workshops. Thru July 31, visiting artist Tatsuki Hakoyama examines the relationship between humans and nature in his artwork. His work of landscapes, human interaction and cultural symbols strives for a balance between reliance and destruction of nature. 219 W. Main St., Lowell, 987-6737, flatrivergalleryandframing.com.
Thru July 27 1/ Encaustic artwork by Kate Meyer will be on display at Forest Hills Fine Arts Center.
3/ FRANCISCAN LIFE PROCESS CENTER: Changing exhibits by local artists. Downtown GR campus: Thru Oct. 31, “A Brush With Color” by Carole Nielsen includes watercolor and batik paintings with a loose expressive style. 654 Davis St. NW. Lowell campus: Thru July 31, “Acrylics and Abstracts” by Kathleen Mooney. 11650 Downes St. lifeprocesscenter.org.
Gallery 154: Eastown gallery shows local and national multimedia art, gifts and jewelry. 1456 Lake Drive SE, 454-2154, gallery154.com. GRCC Collins Art Gallery: Exhibits by visiting artists, faculty and students. 143 Bostwick Ave. NE, 234-3544, grcc.edu/ artgallery.
2/ Flat River Gallery exhibits work by Tatsuki Hakoyama. Aquinas College Gallery: Work by students, faculty and visiting artists. Art & Music building, 1607 Robinson Road SE, 632-8900, aquinas.edu/art/ gallery. Calvin College Center Art Gallery: Student, faculty and alumni work, plus exhibits by visiting artists. Calvin College Covenant Fine Arts Center, 1795 Knollcrest Circle SE, 526-6271, calvin. edu/centerartgallery. Cascade Art Gallery: Work by regional, national and international artists, plus multimedia art, print collection, glass, sculpture, jewelry, custom framing and gifts. 2840 Thornapple River Drive SE, 949-4056, cascadeartgallerygr.com. Fed Galleries @ Kendall College of Art and Design: Work by contemporary visiting artists. 17 Pearl St. NW, 451-2787, kcad.edu/galleries. Flat River Cottage: Fine art, jewelry, antiques and home décor; also, paintings by Kathleen Mooney. 317 E.
GVSU Art Gallery: Student artwork and exhibits by renowned artists. 1121 Performing Arts Center, North Campus Drive, Allendale, 331-2563, gvsu.edu/ artgallery.
and visiting exhibitions. Thru Sept. 8, “In Memory: The Art of Billy Mayer.” 271 Columbia Ave., Holland, 3956400, hope.edu/kam. LaFontsee Galleries: 2-D and 3-D works by gallery artists, plus framing and restoration services. Grand Rapids location (includes Urban Craft Boutique with gifts, accessories and home décor): 833 Lake Drive SE, 451-9820. Douglas location: Thru July 8, “Let’s Jump In.” July 6-29, “Slightly Obsessive”; reception 5-8 p.m. July 6. Also, noon-4 p.m. July 28, Artist Demos. 410 W. Center St., 451-3850. lafontsee.us. Leep Art Gallery: Work by visiting artists. Pine Rest Postma Center, 300 68th St. SE, pinerest.org.
Heartside Gallery: Folk, outsider and intuitive art by self-taught Heartside residents. 48 S. Division Ave., 235-7211 ext. 103, heartside.org.
Merizon Studio: Art, mirror and glass design, custom framing and limited-edition prints by Armand Merizon. Thru July 14, “About Face” by Judith Tummino. 9087 Kalamazoo Ave. SE, Caledonia, 485-5752, merizonstu dio.com.
Urban Institute for Contemporary Arts: Innovative contemporary exhibits and installations. Thru July 29, “Color of the Year: Pantone 18-3838 Ultra Violet.” Thru Aug. 26, “Transitions: New Photography from Bangladesh.” 2 W. Fulton St., 4547000, uica.org.
ICCF: Inner City Christian Federation headquarters displays art in various media. 920 Cherry St. SE, 3369333, iccf.org.
Kruizenga Art Museum: Art from Hope College’s permanent collection
MercuryHead Gallery: A variety of work by local artists. Also, gifts, photo restoration, digital printing on canvas and framing. 962 E. Fulton St., 456-6022, facebook.com/mercuryhe adgallery.
Terryberry Gallery: Local and international art. July 3-27, “Creative Diversity”; reception 5:30-7:30 p.m. July 13. Lower level, St. Cecilia Music Center, 24 Ransom Ave. NE, 4592224, scmc-online.org/visit-terryber ry-gallery.
Holland Area Arts Council: Changing exhibits of art. Thru July 7, Great Lakes Pastel Society National Exhibition. Thru July 16, “Tiempo de Mariposas: Celebrating the Mexican ˜ Tradition of the Quinceanera.” Thru Aug. 11, “Into the Woods.” 150 E. Eighth St., Holland, 396-3278, hollandarts. org.
Kendall College of Art and Design of Ferris State University: Work by students in graduate-level programs and special community projects. 17 Fountain St. NW, 451-2787, kcad.edu/ galleries.
LowellArts: Changing exhibitions of works by Michigan artists. Thru July 14, “Location, Location, Location.” July 21-Sept. 1, “Captured: A Photography Exhibition at LowellArts”; reception 2-4 p.m. July 22. 223 W. Main St., Lowell, 897-8545, lowellartsmi. org.
Van Singel Fine Arts Center: Changing exhibits by local artists. 8500 Burlingame Ave. SW, Byron Center, 878-6800, vsfac.com/progra mming/art-gallery.
3/ “Stars of Heaven” by Carole Nielsen at Franciscan Life Process Center.
Check websites for hours of operation.
PHOTOGRAPHY COURTESY KATE MEYER (RIGHT); TATSUKI HAKOYAMA (LEFT); CAROLE NIELSEN (BOTTOM)
Main St., Lowell, 897-8601, flatri vercottage.com.
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This view is calling you! PHOTOGRAPHY COURTESY KATE MEYER (RIGHT); TATSUKI HAKOYAMA (LEFT); CAROLE NIELSEN (BOTTOM)
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5/30/18 1:15 PM
art talk BY JOSEPH A. BECHERER
LOVE IS AMONG THE most iconic images of 20th-century American art — one of the most robust chapters in the entire history of art. This bold image, available in paintings, prints and sculptures, is the masterwork of legendary pop artist Robert Indiana. It has become a universal symbol of the power of art through the visual strength of one word: love. As a sculpture, it can
be found in prominent sites across the globe; and, now, thanks entirely to the Frey Foundation, a noble blue-and-red version is permanently sited in the heart of Grand Rapids. Across three generations, the Frey Foundation has supported our community through grants in education, the environment and the arts, and has been a major force in capital campaigns across the Grand Rapids horizon. Specific to the arts, the Frey Foundation is perhaps most beloved for the gift of Maya Lin’s extraordinary Ecliptic at Rosa Parks Circle. Poetically, LOVE is sited just across from Ecliptic on Monroe Avenue. Indiana was born Robert Earl Clark in 1928 in New Castle, Indiana. As a teenager, he discovered his artistic gifts as a teenager and was valedictorian of his class. In 1946, he enlisted in the U.S. Air Force, which allowed him to attend the School of the Art Institute of Chicago on the GI Bill. He found his way to New York in 1954 and began to mix with the most innovative artistic talents of the era. Inspired in part by the power of signage and advertising, Indiana helped pioneer the use of text as art. The initial design for LOVE dates to 1965 and was created from the Museum of Modern Art’s Christmas card. The positive impact was immediate, and catapulted Indiana to international fame. For Indiana, the LOVE sculpture always was intended to be inclusive and welcoming to a broad and diverse audience in museums and public collections. The Grand Rapids LOVE sculpture was designed in 1966 and fabricated in 1999. The journey that brought Indiana’s sculpture to Grand Rapids spans three years of careful research and planning. This particular sculpture had never been shown publically until it was dedicated in May 2018. No doubt, there are both elements of timeliness and timelessness involved in the installation of LOVE. Through the power of art, it celebrates one of the most profound and important aspects of the human condition — the need to give, share, celebrate and value love. — Joseph A. Becherer is curator of sculpture at Frederik Meijer Gardens & Sculpture Park and a professor at Aquinas College.
PHOTOGRAPHY BY MICHAEL BUCK
For the LOVE of GR
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PHOTOGRAPHY BY MICHAEL BUCK
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BY SARAH TINCHER AND PASHA SHIPP PHOTOGRAPHY BY JOHNNY QUIRIN
Local favorites, hidden gems and must-see destinations in each of the city’s neighborhoods.
The grand tour
G
rand Rapids is a diverse city comprising dozens of historic, unique neighborhoods — some jam-packed with businesses and destinations, others more residentially focused, but each with its own story to tell. With the intention of putting a spotlight on GR’s neighborhoods, as well as its hidden gems and must-see community crowd-pleasers, we picked out at least one noteworthy treasure in each neighborhood — from celebrated eateries, parks and retailers situated off the beaten path, to lesser-known specialty shops, breweries and galleries amid a saturated and thriving business district (plus, a few local staples we just couldn’t leave out). Whether you seek a quiet retreat or a craft beer, there’s a good reason to visit every corner of Grand Rapids.
West Side WEST GRAND
The West Grand neighborhood is bursting with flavor, and we mean that literally! With a brewery, distillery or eatery on practically every corner, this side of the city has a lot to offer. West Grand also brings the culture of the area to the forefront of business with a handful of shops and restaurants that celebrate the diversity of the area.
Lions & Rabbits
Editor’s note: The neighborhood selections and boundaries used to complete this article were based on those set by the “Neighborhoods of Grand Rapids” map created by Johnson Center’s Community Research Institute at Grand Valley State University. The map can be found online at bit.ly/GRneighborhoods.
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What makes Roosevelt Park special? “The Roosevelt Park neighborhood is special because it is a historic neighborhood that has always been lively and dynamic. From our Dutch founders to our growing African-American and Latino community, the vibrant cultural diversity of the neighborhood is celebrated as something that makes us unique.” — Amy Brower, executive director, Roosevelt Park Neighborhood Association
loose-leaf teas or pick up supplies to brew your own beer! Sandy’s Donuts Sandy’s is known for its super-sized “Texas” doughnuts — delicious fried treats that are three, maybe four times the size of regular doughnuts. In addition to its sweet-tooth satisfying donuts, Sandy’s serves cupcakes, cream puffs, cookies and fritters. Canine & Feline Design Canine & Fe line Design welcomes cats and dogs of all breeds. Beyond standard cleaning services, it offers facials, moisturizing treatments and massages to keep your furry friends looking and feeling their best.
Roots Brew Shop
Southwest
SOUTH WEST AREA NEIGHBORS Roots Brew Shop Roots Brew Shop specializes in coffee, community and culture. Enjoy an Americano, cappuccino or a handcrafted hot chocolate in the cozy, eclectic café. Dodds Record Shop Since 1951, Dodds Record Shop has been serving up tunes to music lovers of all kinds. If you want to explore the extensive collection of vinyl, you’ll have to be quick — the shop is only open on select weekends from noon-5 p.m. Richmond Park Just west of Alpine is Richmond Park — a greenspace complete with a mountain bike trail, tennis courts and a swimming pool. With grills and picnic tables on-site, Richmond Park is a West Side retreat!
The southern neighbor to the West Grand neighborhood, the SWAN area is home to must-see destinations, like the Gerald R. Ford Museum and the Grand Rapids Public Museum, local favorites like Ferris Coffee & Nut Co., and numerous top eateries and bars along the south side of Bridge Street NW and W. Fulton Street. The Bitter End Coffeehouse Located
in a century-old bank building, The Bitter End Coffeehouse is a local favorite for small-batch coffees and handcrafted coffee and espresso drinks, teas and more. The Bitter End is open 24/7, so it’s never too late for a coffee break. Frank’s Market Opened in 1933, Frank’s Market is a meat market and specialty grocer featuring fresh, local products and Polish specialties.
JOHN BALL PARK John Ball Zoo With a collection of nearly 2,000 animals to see and numerous “experiences” to partake in, such as the Sky Trail Ropes Course and zip line, there’s no shortage of fun and adventure at John Ball Zoo. John Ball Park Just outside the zoo’s entrance, John Ball Park features several playgrounds, hiking trails, tennis and basketball courts, pavilions and other photo-worthy sites. The Hilltop Pavilion, for example, overlooks the park from atop the John Ball Zoological Garden. Ball Park Floral & Gifts Ball Park Floral & Gifts is a full-service florist that offers dozens of arrangements, plants and gifts for all occasions.
WESTSIDE CONNECTION Blandford Nature Center A staple in the West Side community, Blandford Nature Center has been inviting families to dis cover the beauty of the outdoors for 50 years. With opportunities to explore ecosystems and wander wooded trails, Blandford offers nature activities for every season. Siciliano’s Market Siciliano’s has a wide selection of specialty beverage and tobacco products. Try a new bottle of wine, indulge in a hand-rolled cigar, explore
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BLACK HILLS Grand Rapids Coffee Roasters Grand Rapids Coffee Roasters serves premium hand-roasted coffee and a wide variety of loose-leaf teas. Every Saturday, GRCR hosts “The Saturday Experience,” a weekly coffee- and tea-sampling extravaganza with tons of tasty blends to try.
ROOSEVELT PARK The Roosevelt Park neighborhood is a haven for arts, eats and antiques. Experience groundbreaking expressions of art and personhood, mouth-watering cuisine and the carefully curated odds and ends of vintage shops. Arktos Meadery With unique blends of honey, fruits, yeast and spices, Arktos Meadery makes delicious wines, serving them in its cozy, tavern-like tasting room. Explore mead recipes like strawberry melomel, pumpkin mead and Honeycrisp cyser.
Northeast
NORTH EAST CITIZEN ACTION The North East Citizen Action neighborhood is home to fan favorites like TreeRunner Adventure Park and the Knapp’s Corner Shopping Center — a hub for commercial restaurants and entertainment, but there are a few unique spots that may have slipped under the radar. Kent/MSU Extension “Grand Ideas Garden” Life and color converge at the Kent/MSU Extension Grand Ideas Garden. Explore the beautiful flower-lined walkways, refine your photography skills with the help of intricate blooms or rest on a bench in view of tranquil water features. The Donut Conspiracy The Donut Conspiracy is known for its outrageous, delicious doughnuts, including such favorites as the “Scutterbotch,” the “ET Phone Home” and the “Heath Ledger.” The Pump House Frozen Yogurt Bar The Pump House gives new meaning to “ice cream.” With artisanal yogurt, gelato, sorbet and custard (along with dozens of fun toppings), you are free to get wild and crazy with flavor in your own way.
MICHIGAN OAKS Romence Garden & Greenhouses Romence Gardens & Greenhouses has an enormous selection of flowers and plants to entice The Donut Conspiracy
Louise Earl Butcher
horticulturists of all interests and skill levels. Shop online by plant, season, or environment, or visit them in-store.
Uptown EAST HILLS
East Hills is a vibrant, diverse region of Grand Rapids, known by many as the home of several highly celebrated eateries like Brewery Vivant, Grove, Maru Sushi, Uncle Cheetah’s Soup Shop and more lining the Cherry and Wealthy street corridors. Lennon & Willow Boutique Whether it’s denim, patterns or accessories you’re after, Lennon & Willow Boutique has a variety of on-trend items to satisfy your fashion cravings. Yours Truly Galleria Yours Truly is a premier hub for locally made gifts, clothing, artwork and artisan jewelry. Kava Kasa Enjoy a cup of kava, coffee or herbal tea inside at the kava bar or outside on the patio at Kava Kasa. New Design Floral With an assortment of fresh cuts, bouquets, vased arrangements and more, plus daily delivery Monday-Saturday, New Design Floral has every occasion covered.
FULTON HEIGHTS Hillcrest Dog Park Tennis balls and butt-wiggling delight await at Hillcrest
Dog Park. Pups can run free in two separate fenced-in areas — one for larger dogs and another for smaller dogs. Common Ground Coffee Shop Along the north side of East Fulton Street, just across the Eastown border, Common Ground Coffee House offers coffees, teas and Italian sodas, plus tasty paninis and a handful of bakery treats to turn your morning pickme-up into a fulfilling afternoon lunch. GR Bicycle Co. The Grand Rapids Bicycle Co. has everything you need to hit the trail — be it apparel, accessories or the bike itself!
EASTOWN Both one of the oldest and one of the most progressive areas in the city, Eastown is home to an eclectic variety of restaurants, breweries, retailers and more near the intersection of Lake Drive and Wealthy Street SE, including classic favorites like Yesterdog. Wax Poetic Candle Bar Wax Poetic Candle Bar lets you create your own custom candle. Choose from their selection of yummy scents to create the perfect aromatic accessory! Harmony Brewing Co. Founded by three Eastown natives, Harmony Brewing offers craft beer and fresh eats, including its famous artisan wood-fire pizza pies. Gallery 154 Gallery 154, one of Grand Rapids’ oldest art galleries, displays works by more than 70 artists throughout the U.S.
North-Central CRESTON
Creston is sprawling with life and activity. And with so many awesome places to
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eat, relax and explore, it was hard to choose just a few. Creston Brewery is a neighborhood favorite for craft beer and good times, and Kingma’s has over 250 varieties of sweet and salty snacks — all the goodies you could ever ask for. Choo Choo Grill The Choo Choo Grill — the tiny, iconic red building off Plainfield Avenue — is a local favorite known for its burgers, milkshakes and onion rings. Hideout Brewing Co. Nestled off of Plaza Drive, Hideout Brewing is just that — hidden. In addition to its tasty drafts, Hideout Brewing gives patrons the opportunity to play old-school video games in the loft area. Lions & Rabbits Lions & Rabbits is a four-in-one venue that features handmade goodies, an art gallery, a yoga studio and an event space.
BELKNAP LOOKOUT Belknap Lookout is known for its great vantage point overlooking downtown Grand Rapids, but it’s also home to several other hot commodities. Gray Skies Distillery Gray Skies offers a great selection of small-batch spirits made on-site, plus a seasonally revolving menu of cocktails. Field & Fire Field & Fire bakery specializes in artisan breads and croissants, made with organic flours and grains; plus, the café offers specialty coffees and creative, locally sourced breakfast and lunch
choices. Fido & Stitch From grooming services to pet care products, Fido & Stitch is a onestop-shop for dog owners.
HIGHLAND PARK Highland Park Established in 1873, Highland Park has grown with the city, featuring a ball diamond, soccer field, playground and other amenities. Vitale’s Pizza Vitale’s Pizza has been serving up pizza made with time-tested recipes brought over from Italy for more than 50 years.
Center City HEARTSIDE
Comprising most of Grand Rapids’ downtown district, Heartside has no shortage of renowned restaurants, breweries, museums, performance venues and more. There’s so much going on, in fact, it’s easy for locals and passersby alike to overlook some of the many treasures within this thriving community. Grand Central Market & Deli Grand Central Market & Deli is no ordinary convenience store. The market side is stocked with staple and gourmet groceries, like breads, fresh and frozen meats, produce, snacks and more; while the deli is full of scratch-made meals, sides and desserts to take home. Visitors can even grab a bite to
What makes Eastown special? “Eastown is incredibly diverse. We have longtime businesses and residents who have been here for over 40 years, and we have new businesses and residents joining our community all the time. We enjoy an ethnic and socio-economically diverse community that is friendly, fun and eclectic. Eastown residents are proud of our community and we care deeply about our neighbors. These are a few of the things that give Eastown its unique character and flavor.” — Don Lee, executive director, Eastown Community Association
Kula Yoga
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New Design Floral
What makes Oakdale special? “Diversity and creativity make our neighborhood special. For example, just on our block, we can sit on our front porch and hear people speaking English, Spanish and Kinyarwanda. This area has always been home to people good at making things — furniture, custom woodwork, music, visual arts, food and gardens. You can taste Teresa Folden’s fantastic carrot cake at Boston Square Café and Tina Santoyo’s tamales at 7 Mares Restaurant.” — Joan Huyser-Honig, board member, Oakdale Neighbors
eat for breakfast or lunch in the dining area. Kula Yoga With five different classes, Kula yoga helps yogis of all skill levels find their center. Want a high-powered workout? Try the Buti class. Interested in supporting local organizations while you get bendy? Outreach Flow is for you. Apothecary off Main From pomades and bath bombs to incense and body mist, Apothecary Off Main is a Heartside destination for all things self-care, specializing in natural, handmade products crafted by local artisans and small vendors across the United States.
HERITAGE HILL Heritage Hill is known for its noteworthy collection of 19th- and early-20th-century homes that range in style from Greek Revival to Prairie-style, including Frank Lloyd Wright’s iconic Meyer May House. While most of the homes have been restored as family dwellings or converted into apartments, a few now house adorable bed-and-breakfasts: The Leonard at Logan House The Leonard at Logan, a turn-of-the-century mansion with a rich backstory, offers eight gracious room choices. The Parsonage Inn Built in 1882, The Parsonage Inn offers four quaint rooms in a Queen Anne-style home. Peaches Bed & Breakfast Peaches Bed & Breakfast features five bedrooms in a Georgian Country Manor-style home built in 1916 by Chester Idema, son of Old Kent Bank founder Henry Idema.
MIDTOWN Just north of the Medical Mile, Midtown is a historic neighborhood, home to numerous retailers and eateries, as well as a vibrant nightlife, with a strip of local watering holes lining Michigan Street NE. Fulton Street Farmers Market The Fulton Street Farmers Market is a hot commodity within the community, featuring more than 100 vendors of produce, meats, dairy and hand-crafted foods. First opened in 1922, it’s the longest-running farmers market in the Grand Rapids area. Van’s Pastry Shoppe This historic Dutch bakery and pastry shop has been a Grand Rapids staple since the 1920s.
Southside
SOUTHEAST COMMUNITY Citizenshirt Citizenshirt uses screenprinting technology to transform ideas into apparel. Shop from its selection or work with the team to create a one-of-akind tee.
MADISON AREA The Winchester Too famous to forget, The Winchester is not your average pub. Besides the great cocktail selection, this historic site offers an eclectic food menu featuring local products, an outdoor patio and brunch specials, as well as work crafted by local artists on display.
SOUTH HILL This small neighborhood on the south
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What makes Alger Heights special? “What makes Alger Heights special is its residents. Our community thrives because we all share ownership and are invested in the neighborhood. We try to listen well to understand where there are needs and share our resources and gifts as we can to meet those needs. Alger Heights is full of compassionate people who embody what it means to be a neighbor.” — Andy Miller, president, Alger Heights Neighborhood Association
side of Heritage Hill is largely residential, though it does have at least one claim to fame, as former President Gerald R. Ford’s childhood home is inconspicuously hidden among the community’s historic homes, at 649 Union St. SE. Pleasant Park Formerly a municipal parking lot, Pleasant Park is a green space that was designed by the city and the neighbors who had the opportunity to weigh in on the design.
BAXTER Louise Earl Butcher The savory cuts at Louise Earl Butcher are sourced from local farms that raise their animals without hormones and antibiotics. In addition to traditional butcher services, Louise Earl sells lunches and has catering options.
SOUTHEAST END Cambridge Park With picnic tables and shelters, a soccer field and baseball dia-
mond, this city park is the recreational and social focus of the neighborhood.
OAKDALE 7 Mares 7 Mares is so small, you might just miss it if you aren’t looking for it; but it’s the perfect spot for a bite of authentic Mexican food on the south side of the city.
FULLER AVENUE Hall Street Bakery A neighborhood fave, Hall Street Bakery sells freshly baked breads and pastries, as well as sandwiches and pizzas. Sticking around for dinner? Enjoy the bakery’s selection of wine and craft beers on tap.
OTTAWA HILLS GRPL - Ottawa Hills Grand Rapids Public Library’s Ottawa Hills branch, located in a quiet part of town, is the perfect place to get away from the hustle and bustle of our daily routines.
ALGER HEIGHTS Brass Ring Brewing Bursting at the seams with passion, community pride, friends, craft beer and local food, Brass Ring Brewing embraces and embodies all things local.
GARFIELD PARK Real Food Café Located just across Eastern Avenue from the Alger Heights border, Real Food Café is a known for its expansive variety of delicious, scratchmade breakfast dishes. Burton Meat Farm Situated in a largely residential part of town, Burton Meat Farm offers high-quality meats and other grocery items, including a large selection of Latin American products.
Southeast EASTGATE
Andrea’s Pizza Andrea’s Pizza has been serving specialty pizzas, calzones, salads, subs and more to the people of Grand Rapids for more than 50 years.
MILLBROOK The Candied Yam The South and Midwest collide at The Candied Yam, where the chefs use local products in their Southern-style dishes that’ll warm the soul. Blues Gym Blues Gym, a faith-based nonprofit, is dedicated to helping local youth and fighting violence and drugs while teaching boxing and various forms of self-defense.
RIDGEMOOR
Blues Gym
Fresh Thyme Farmers Market The vast selection of fresh, healthy, affordable food at Fresh Thyme Farmers Market certainly won’t disappoint. GR
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River revival GRAND RAPIDS WHITEWATER’S RIVER RESTORATION PROJECT AIMS TO MAKE THE GRAND RIVER A DESTINATION FOR ALL.
PHOTOGRAPHY BY MICHAEL BUCK
By Terri Finch Hamilton
MAGINE IT’S A Saturday afternoon in 2024; and if you’re headed to downtown Grand Rapids, grab your swimsuit, your kayak or a comfortable chair for an afternoon of river gazing — it’s a completely new Grand River. “You’ll see boulders, splashing water, fish jumping, people in kayaks and drift boats, kids in the water,” said Chip Richards, co-founder of Grand Rapids Whitewater, the organization behind restoring rushing rapids to the Grand River. “It’ll be absolutely beautiful,” Richards said. “You can walk along and smell the water and feel the breeze. You’ll see students down there studying. You’ll see music events right on the river.” Try whitewater stand-up paddleboarding, if you dare. Oh, and keep your eyes peeled for sturgeon, a 6-foot-long fish that looks straight out of the dinosaur age. The river restoration will expose new spawning beds for the massive endangered fish, the oldest and largest native species in the Great Lakes. Watch for them “porpoising” — jumping in the air — as they make their way to spawn.
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Left: Grand River restoration plans include redeveloping portions of the riverbank and getting rid of the vertical walls that are a barrier between people and the water, while still controlling floodwaters.
RENDERINGS COURTESY RIVER RESTORATION/GRAND RAPIDS WHITEWATER
PHOTOGRAPHY BY MICHAEL BUCK
Bottom: Efforts to restore rapids to the river are meant to connect everyone — from boaters to fishermen to onlookers taking in the sights — to the water.
‘IT’S GOING TO BLOW PEOPLE AWAY’ “I don’t think people will really get it until it’s right in front of them,” said Chris Muller, who founded Grand Rapids Whitewater with Richards. “It’s going to blow people away. People will flock to downtown Grand Rapids.” Don’t flock just yet. The rapids won’t return until 2024 or so, but there already are signs of the Grand River revitalization that gets Richards so excited, he’s been known to wave his arms around. “Chris mocks me for that,” he said with a laugh. In April, the Downtown Development Authority approved the installation of outdoor fitness equipment this summer at the Sixth Street Park and Canal Street Park along the Grand River; so, Grand Rapidians can burn some calories riverside at six stainless steel all-weather exercise stations along the footpaths on the east riverbank. Watch for a makeover of Lyon Square, a riverfront park between the Amway Grand Plaza Hotel and DeVos Place on Lyon Street NW. Construction, set for 2019, will make the riverfront park more accessible for pedestrians and kayakers. Meanwhile, city parks officials are making plans to redevelop several areas of the riverbank between Fulton and Ann streets into spots that will bring people closer to the river. “Access is so important,” Muller said. “It’s all about connecting people to the water.” The restoration plan includes getting rid of the vertical walls that are a barrier between people and the water, while still keeping floodwaters at bay.
“It’s not as polluted as everyone thinks it is. When we first started pitching this idea to restore the rapids, we were told we’d find 5 feet of toxic muck at the bottom.” Instead, (Richards) recalled, the engineers who tested the sediment were amazed at how clean the bottom was. “We’ll be changing people’s perception of the water. You don’t have to worry about glowing when you come out of the river.” — Chip Richards
“We want to allow the land to slope into the river, with some grassy slopes and some landscaped steps,” Muller said. “There will be ways for people with disabilities to get into the river for fishing and kayaking with special ramps and docks. “And maybe a takeout by Founders Brewery,” he joked. That is, after all, where he and Richards first talked about the river plan — over beers. Who are these guys who started it all? MORE THAN KAYAKERS Muller is a commercial real estate developer and co-owns M Retail Solutions. The Calvin College graduate loves old stuff and new technology. Many of the materials used in the renovation of his LEED-certified West Side office are reclaimed from older buildings, from floors crafted from an old school gym to a staircase railing made of bicycle wheels. An avid mountain biker, Muller also is on the board of Dirt Dogs, a mountain biking organization for kids. He and his wife, a college professor, have two daughters.
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He can’t wait to teach them how to fish in the Grand River. Richards, a Michigan State University graduate, is a former commercial photographer. He and his wife, a family physician, have three kids. Their two daughters are ski racers, their son a snowboarder and he and his wife are ski patrollers. It makes sense that these two friends would get the rapids rolling. Richards grew up on a lake in the woods fed by a small spring-fed stream. The Forest Hills Northern graduate also has worked at a ski school in California and was a trout and salmon guide in Alaska. Muller is from northern New Mexico and had a cabin on a river in Colorado. “I grew up running up and down the river, playing in it,” he said. “My quality of life is about what I can do when I go outdoors.” One big misconception they’ve noticed is that this project is all about kayakers. Richards hasn’t even been in his kayak for three years, he noted. The rapids, they said, are for everybody. “Being in a river or near a river means so many different things to different people,” Muller said. “It means one thing to fishermen, another to kayakers and something else to people who may have no intention of getting in the water. “They’re all reasons to have the Grand be grand again. This amazing geological feature will be a magnet. You’ll see folks in the river.” In the river? “It’s not as polluted as everyone thinks it is,” Richards said. All the dams slow down the water flow and carry sediment, so the water looks brown. “When we first started pitching this idea to restore the rapids, we were told we’d find 5 feet of toxic muck at the bottom,” Richards said. Instead, he recalled, the engineers who tested the sediment were amazed at how clean the bottom was. “We’ll be changing people’s perception of the water,” Richards said. “You don’t have to worry about glowing when you come out of the river.” ‘IT TAKES A VILLAGE’ By this time next year, Richards and Muller said, construction workers and their equipment will likely be in the river removing decades-old infrastructure, including the
“It started with a vision and the leadership of Chris and Chip, and now all the important parties are coming together. It’s an all-hands-ondeck approach that highlights the best of West Michigan. It’s really amazing to see.” — Tim Kelly
PHOTOGRAPHY BY MICHAEL BUCK (TOP); RENDERING COURTESY CITY OF GRAND RAPIDS/WENK ASSOCIATES INC. (BOTTOM)
Chris Muller (left) and Chip Richards
dams that stopped the rapids in the first place — decades ago. First up: relocating the snuffbox mussels. The endangered mussels that live in the river will be temporarily relocated before construction begins. “They’ll go on a little vacation,” Muller said. “Then they’ll come back to an even better home.” After that comes the installation of an adjustable hydraulic structure in the river between Ann and Leonard streets used to keep the invasive, parasitic sea lamprey from moving upstream during their spawning season. For the past few years, Richards and Muller have headed up Grand Rapids Whitewater themselves, logging dozens of volunteer hours a week. Last year, the organization hired Richard Bishop as its CEO. Bishop worked for more than a decade to restore the Chattahoochee River through downtown Columbus, Georgia. But there is a host of people, groups and government agencies involved in this massive project. “The amount of collaboration and coordination required is huge,” said Tim Kelly, president and CEO of Downtown Grand Rapids Inc., which oversees and coordinates development activities in the downtown area. “It started with a vision and the leadership of Chris and Chip, and now all the important parties are coming together,” Kelly said. “It’s an all-hands-on-deck approach that highlights the best of West Michigan. It’s really amazing to see.” “The best part of being a passionate volunteer for something is seeing others come alongside you,” Muller said. “In the end, it’s like that hokey saying — it takes a village.” The village includes all the federal, state and local authorities that govern the river and the river edges, including the Great Lakes Fishery Commission, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Michigan Department of Environmental Quality and others. And don’t forget the money. Grand Rapids Whitewater had raised more than 30 percent of the close to $45-million goal by this spring and then kicked off a capital campaign in April to help raise the rest. “It will be transformational for the city,” Kelly noted. It’s called Grand Rapids for a reason, after all. “When people say, ‘Where are your rapids?’ this community will be able to point to them,” Muller said. “We’ll finally GR be able to live up to our name.”
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SPECIAL ADVERTISING SECTION
S PHOTOGRAPH BY MICHEAL BUCK
W
A DESINGER’S TOUCH
PHOTOGRAPHY BY MICHAEL BUCK (TOP); RENDERING COURTESY CITY OF GRAND RAPIDS/WENK ASSOCIATES INC. (BOTTOM)
WHILE THE CONVENIENCE of online shopping is undeniable, one furniture company is holding true to its storefront. For over 87 years, Northwestern Home Furnishings (NWHF) has used its power of unique customer service to turn houses into beautiful homes for the greater Grand Rapids community.
Steadfast on the corner of Leonard and Muskegon, NWHF boasts an eclectic mix of traditional and modern furniture and décor. From the front window displays to the intriguing second floor, each arrangement is intentionally designed to help clients feel right at home. Co-owner Amy Howard knew at an
BUSINESS SHOWCASE NORTHWESTERN HOME FURNISHINGS
early age that she wanted to someday call the store her own. Third generation owners, she and husband Scott took over the store from her parents in 2001. While Howard enjoys the creative part of design, husband Scott handles the business aspects. “I’d go to furniture shows with my parents when I was younger,” Howard said. “I just really enjoyed the whole process of buying, selling, and designing.” The Howards continue to attend yearly furniture markets to keep current their collections on display. Howard admits that online shopping has certainly made life more convenient when it comes to most purchases. However, she believes things like furniture are best experienced in-person. “You can shop online, but you can’t sit on it,” she says. “You have to be able to sit on it, feel it — it’s really hard to tell proportions and scale, and especially color. If you’re going to invest in a quality piece of furniture, you want to be sure it’s exactly what you want.” In addition to offering a vast selection of furnishings, NWHF also stands out with its attention to detail. “We pride ourselves on high customer service,” Howard said. “Every one of our girls has a design background to assist in putting together the whole room.” From furniture to rugs and accessories, the team at NWHF is experienced and ready to walk its clients through any project. “We want your home to be a reflection of your lifestyle, put together the best it can with our designers’ touch.” Northwestern Home Furnishings can be found online at nwhomefurnishings. com. You’ll also find NWHF on Facebook and Instagram. SCOTT AND AMY HOWARD Northwestern Home Furnishings 637 Leonard Street, NW Grand Rapids, MI 49504 nwhomefurnishings.com
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dining review BY IRA CRAAVEN
Northern hospitality Noco Provisions Address: 4609 Cascade Road SE, Grand Rapids Phone: (616) 747-0300 Website: nocogr.com
Dining ratings: Food: *** Service: **** Beverages: *** Atmosphere: **** Price: $-$$
Must try: Provisions Burger
Not so much: Noco pork rinds
YE OLDE FOREST HILLS INN gets a nod with select menu items at Noco Provisions, but it is otherwise difficult to see any remnants of the nearly 50-year-old restaurant on Cascade Road at Forest Hills. Restaurant Partners owner Jeff Lobdell (who also owns other local eateries, including the Omelette Shoppe, Sundance Grill and Beltline Bar, among others) renovated and reopened the eatery in July 2017. The renovation provided lots of light with windows and covered decks (which also are heated in cooler temperatures), tiles, woods and plenty of northern woods hunting photos and memorabilia. The expansive bar is center stage in the restaurant, which also features side rooms for dining (or a party crowd), and a collection of plush chairs and a couch surrounding a fireplace for a more intimate experience. An ever-changing cocktail menu is augmented by a short but inclusive list of wine selections in addition to beers aplenty. We took advantage of happy hour — and the prices. My friend and I talked through appetizers: a shrimp cocktail ($6) with shrimp chopped into a salsa with avocado bits and served with saltines. He tried the soft pretzel from Nantucket Baking Co. ($6), served with queso dip with a bit of heat.
Head chef Adam Watt
The servings were just enough to whet an appetite for entrées, and we selected the walleye ($12), perfectly prepared and served atop very creamy corn grits mixed with succotash and andouille sausage. The total package was appreciated. The second entrée, a beet burger ($5), was unappreciated and forsaken for a beef burger grilled perfectly and savored. We were not too full to try that carrot cake ($12), which was moist and had an OMG goodness factor, with raisins and coconut, topped
Guide to ratings: **** Exceptional *** Above Average ** Satisfactory * Poor ¢ $ $$
Inexpensive (under $10) Moderate ($10-$20) Expensive (Over $20)
PHOTOGRAPHY BY MICHAEL BUCK
(Prices based on average entrée.)
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Ye olde Forest Hills Inn gets a nod with select menu items at Noco Provisions, but it is otherwise difficult to see any remnant of the nearly 50-year-old restaurant on Cascade Road at Forest Hills.
PHOTOGRAPHY BY MICHAEL BUCK
PHOTOGRAPHY BY MICHAEL BUCK
Hoppin’ Jane
with an inch of cream cheese frosting and candied pecans. On a second visit, we ordered the Mayan Slapper ($8) to drink. Made with pineapple/jalapeñoinfused tequila, lime juice, agave, orange liqueur and served on the rocks with a salt/sugar rim, it was a refreshing summer margarita. For the table, we tried avocado mash toast ($5 during happy hour) and the Noco pork rinds ($5). The toast, a delicious vegan option, offered an array of fresh ingredients, including lime, roasted pepitas, Fresno chilis, radishes, cilantro, olive oil and avocados. The hot dipping sauce added a nice heat to the flavorless pork rinds, but one too many pieces were rock hard and uncomfortable to chew. For dinner, we decided to take advantage of Noco’s Monday Provisions Burger deal, which allows customers to pair a beer with their burger for $10. We opted to add bacon and an egg for $2 more. We also tried the Second City Pork Ribs ($19), a half-rack of slow cooked baby back rips served with kaleslaw, cornbread and honey butter. We managed to get the waiter to fill us in on a few of the ingredients in the burger’s
Buttermilk fried chicken sandwich
secret sauce, which contains garlic aioli, mayo, crushed red peppers and pickle relish, a refreshing change of pace from the generic mustard and ketchup. My friend, a self-proclaimed burger snob, said this burger ranks among the best Grand Rapids has to offer. The ribs come with a choice of tangy or zesty sauce; we both preferred the soft heat of the zesty sauce rather than the strong Carolina-type tangy sauce. For dessert, we chose the Milk Jar Flight ($8), three small portions of chocolate, blueberry coconut and banana pudding. Each flavor was rich, creamy and left us wanting more after GR scraping the containers clean. CITY GUIDE 2018-2019 / GRMAG.COM 41
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food & drink RESTAURANTS / PEOPLE / REVIEWS
dining listings
A GUIDE TO RESTAURANTS IN GRAND RAPIDS AND BEYOND
The recommendations and reviews in the listings are the opinions of the editors. Restaurants are included by virtue of overall quality. We have created symbols to area restaurant amenities, which are defined in a legend at the end of this listing (page 69).
DOWNTOWN GRAND RAPIDS 1 Bun Restaurant — Build-your-own hot dogs, hamburgers, veggie dogs and sloppy Joe’s — all served on hot dog buns. Closed Sun. 2140 S Division Ave, 279-2943. Facebook. L, D ¢ Angel’s Thai Café — Extensive Thai fare. Menu includes your-choice stir-fry option. Vegetarian friendly. No alcohol. Open daily. 136 Monroe Center NW, 454-9801. angelsthai cafe.com. L, D ¢-$ Bangkok Taste Cuisine — Thai fare with lunch buffet and kids menu. No alcohol. Closed Sun. 15 Jefferson Ave SE, 356-5550. bangkoktastegr.com. L, D ¢-$ Beijing Kitchen — Hunan, Szechuan and Cantonese cuisines. Lunch and dinner specials. No alcohol. Open daily. 342 State St SE, 458-8383. beijingkitchenmi.com. L (not Sat), D ¢-$ Bistro Bella Vita — Big-city casual; fresh French and Italian cuisine, locally sourced and prepared over a wood fire. Mammoth martini bar, nice wine selection. Open daily. 44 Grandville Ave SW, 222-4600. bistrobella vita.com. L, D $-$$ Bobarino’s at The B.O.B. — Grill on second floor of The B.O.B. offers everything from wood-fired pizza to upscale entrées. Lunch menu has deli sandwiches, salads, burgers. Full-service bar. Outdoor seating. Closed Sun. 20 Monroe Ave NW, 356-2000. thebob.com/ bobarinospizza. L, D ¢-$ Brick & Porter — Appetizers, burgers, salads and sandwiches and a nice selection of entrées; 20 beers on tap (“the darker, the better”). Open daily. 47 Monroe Center NW, 226-6928. brickandportergr.com. Brunch (Sat, Sun), L, D ¢-$ Bull’s Head Tavern — Large selection of appetizers, soups and salads. Entrées include pasta, fish, chicken and steak along with burgers and sandwiches. Full bar. Closed
Sun. 188 Monroe Ave NW, 454-3580. the bullsheadtavern.com. L (Mon-Fri), D $-$$
Charley’s Crab — Fresh seafood in a fine dining atmosphere with views of the Grand River. Gluten-free menu. Beer and extensive wine list. Sun brunch 10-2:30. Open daily. 63 Market Ave SW, 459-2500. muer.com/charleyscrab. L (Mon-Fri), D $-$$ City Built Brewing Co. – Taproom featuring a variety of craft beer. Plus, Puerto Ricaninspired appetizers, small plates, entrées, soups and salads. Closed Mon-Tue. 820 Monroe Ave NW, 805-5755. citybuiltbrew ing.com. L, D $ The Chop House — Aged prime beef, seafood, pork and lamb chops, chicken and more. Downstairs is La Dolce Vita dessert and cigar bar. Closed Sun. 190 Monroe Ave NW, 4516131. thechophousegrandrapids.com. D $$
774-9463. divanigr.com. D
$-$$
Flanagan’s — Downtown Irish pub features imported beers, entrées with Irish influence. Frequent live music. Closed Sun. 139 Pearl St ¢ NW, 454-7852. flanagansgr.com. L, D Founders Brewing Co. — Spacious taproom, serpentine bar and live music Thu and Sat. Menu features appetizers, deli sandwiches. Outdoor beer garden. Open daily. 235 Grandville Ave SW, 776-1195. foundersbrewing. com. L, D ¢ Gilly’s at The B.O.B. — Handcrafted microbrews paired with seasonal fare. Tavern, small plates, seafood and more. Closed Sun. 20 Monroe Ave NW, 356-2000. thebob.com/ $-$$ gillysrestaurant. D GP Sports — Sports bar and restaurant. Menu features create-your-own pizzas and burgers, salads and sandwiches. Open daily. Amway Grand Plaza, 187 Monroe Ave NW, 776-6495. amwaygrand.com/dining/gp-spo rts. L, D $
Cinco De Mayo — Offers the usual Mexican fare plus carnitas and steak asada. Full bar. Open daily. 114 Monroe Center NW, 719-2401. cincodemayo1.com. L, D $
Grand Rapids Brewing Co. — Organic brews, hard cider, wine and spirits. Farm-to-table menu includes sharable plates, sausages, soups, salads, sandwiches, entrées. Open daily. 1 Ionia Ave SW, 458-7000. grbrewing company.com. L (Sat-Sun), D ¢-$
– Lounge — Soups, salads, sandwichCitysen es, burgers and small-plate creations. Beer and wine, happy hour 4-7 pm. Open daily. CityFlatsHotel, 83 Monroe Center NW, 6081725. cityflatshotel.com/location/grand-rap ids. B, L, D ¢-$
Grand Rapids Garage Bar and Grill — “AllAmerican grub” includes burgers, nachos, sandwiches, soups and salads, full bar. Live entertainment Fri and Sat. Open daily. 819 Ottawa Ave NW, 454-0321. garagebargr.com. L, D ¢
Cottage Bar — Longtime favorite since 1927. Famous Cottage burgers and fries, signature chilis, burgers, full bar and more. Closed Sun. 18 LaGrave Ave SE, 454-9088. cottagebar.biz. L, D ¢
Grand Woods Lounge — Eclectic menu with upscale comfort foods. Live entertainment, pool tables, spacious full bar. Year-round alfresco dining with fireplace. Open daily. 77 Grandville Ave SW, 451-4300. grandwoods lounge.com. L, D ¢-$
Cygnus 27 — Stunning view from 27th floor of the Amway Grand Plaza. Menu features Mediterranean and Latin influences. Full bar. Sun brunch 10:30-2. Closed Mon. 187 Monroe Ave NW, 776-6425. amwaygrand.com/din ing/cygnus-27. D (Tue-Sat) $$ Divani — European-inspired food includes small plates for sharing and a variety of entrées. Full bar. Closed Sun. 15 Ionia Ave SW,
G.R.P.D. — Grand Rapids Pizza & Delivery offers traditional, stuffed and specialty pizzas. No alcohol. Open daily, with a few tables for dining in. 340 State St SE, 742-4773. grand rapidspizza.net. L, D ¢-$ The Heritage — GRCC culinary students prepare gourmet dishes from steaks to vegan. Menu changes weekly. Wine and
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beer. Open Tue-Fri during school year. Applied Technology Center, 151 Fountain St NE, $-$$ 234-3700. grcc.edu/heritage. L, D
Hong Kong Express — Szechuan and Cantonese. All-you-can-eat lunch buffet. No alcohol. Open daily. 150 E Fulton St, 235-2888. L, D ¢-$ HopCat — Crafted brews with some 50 beers on tap and 150 bottled. Full bar and creative fare, including sharables, signature crack fries, burgers, wraps and more. Open daily. 25 Ionia Ave SW, 451-4677. hopcatgr.com. L, D ¢-$ Jamaican Dave’s — Chicken, goat, oxtail, beef, fish and vegetarian fare in Jamaican style. No alcohol. Closed Sun. 530 S Division Ave, 458-7875. Facebook. L, D ¢ J.D. Reardon’s — Restaurant and lounge at The Boardwalk offers American, southwest, Thai and more. Banquet facilities. Outdoor seating. Full bar. Open daily. 940 Monroe Ave NW, 454-8590. jdreardons.com. L, D ¢-$ J. Gardella’s Tavern — Massive full bar and gargantuan menu includes hearty appetizers, salads, burgers, entrées. Three floors of seating. Closed Sun. 11 Ionia Ave SW, 4598824. jgardellastavern.com. L (Mon-Fri), D ¢ Judson’s at The B.O.B. — Award-winning steakhouse offers steaks, seafood and chops. Notable wine list. Closed Sun. 20 Monroe Ave NW, 356-2000. thebob.com/judsons $$ steakhouse. D The Kitchen by Wolfgang Puck — Comfort fare and global classics in a casual atmosphere overlooking the Grand River. Menu includes appetizers, gourmet pizzas, salads and entrées. Full bar. Open daily. Amway Grand Plaza, 187 Monroe Ave NW, 776-3230. amwaygrand.com/dining/the-kitchen-by$-$$ wolfgang-puck. L, D FLeo’s — Fresh seafood, soups, salads and more in elegant yet casual atmosphere. Early dinner menu 4:30-6 pm Mon-Fri. Closed Sun. 60 Ottawa Ave NW, 454-6700. leosrest aurant.com. L (Mon-Fri), D $-$$ Littlebird — Café-style restaurant featuring made-from-scratch breakfast and lunch, including a full coffee menu, house-made sodas and egg creams, and pastries. Full bar. Open daily. 95 Monroe Center NW, 419-4168. thelittlebirdgr.com. B, L, D (Tue-Sat) ¢ Lucky Luciano’s — Fifty gourmet pizza options, whole or by the slice. Takeout, delivery available. Serves beer and wine. Open daily. 15 Ionia Ave SW, Suite 140, 356-4600. lucky lucianos.com. L, D ¢-$ Luna Taqueria y Cocina — Upscale Latin American menu pairs with locally sourced CITY GUIDE 2018-2019 / GRMAG.COM 43
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food & drink RESTAURANTS / PEOPLE / REVIEWS
roe Ave NW, 458-3125. speakezlounge.com. L, D $
Reserve
Stella’s Lounge — Award-winning stuffed burgers, plus vegan and vegetarian items. Full bar, known for its whiskey selection. Open daily. 53 Commerce Ave SW, 742-4444. stellasgr.com. L (Fri-Sun), D ¢-$
➧ MeXo — Features tequila/mezcal bar and a modern touch on classic pre-Hispanic foods of Mexico. Full bar. Open daily. 118 E Fulton St, $ 828-4123. mexogr.com. B (Sun), L, D
Mojo’s Dueling Piano Bar & Restaurant — Lively downtown spot opens for dinner at 5 pm Wed-Sat. Appetizers, sandwiches, salads, flatbread pizzas, full bar. Shows start at 8 pm Wed-Fri, 7 pm Sat. Closed Sun-Tue. 180 Monroe Ave NW, 776-9000. mojospianobar. com. D (Wed-Sat) ¢-$
Tavern On The Square — Tapas-style fare, plus house specialties. Patio seating. Full bar, happy hour 3-7 Mon-Fri. Open daily. 100 Ionia Ave SW, 456-7673. Facebook. L, D ¢-$ Wheelhouse Kitchen and Cocktails — Eclectic American bistro fare with seasonal recipes using Michigan ingredients. Large bar and porch. Open daily. Arena Place, 67 Ottawa Ave SW, 226-3319. wheelhousegrand rapids.com. L, D $-$$
New Hotel Mertens — French-inspired, upscale dining on restored historic site of original, early-20th-century-era New Hotel Mertens. Seafood, pasta, entrées and small plates. Local wine options. Brunch served Sat-Sun. Open daily. 35 Oakes St SW, 5511713. newhotelmertens.com. B (Mon-Fri), L $-$$ (Mon-Fri), D One Trick Pony Grill & Taproom — Eclectic menu with vegetarian, Mexican and European cuisines. Dine alfresco on street-front patio. Full bar. Closed Mon. 136 E Fulton St, ¢-$ 235-7669. onetrick.biz. L, D Osteria Rossa – Casual Italian-inspired cuisine with Michigan roots from executive chef/owner Chris Perkey. Wood-fired pizzas, handmade pasta. Full bar. Closed Sun. 16 Monroe Center NE, 988-9350. osteriaro ssa.com. L (Mon-Fri), D ¢-$ Palace of India — Indian cuisine with a sizeable menu that includes vegetarian selections. Lunch buffet 11-3. Open daily. 138 E Fulton St, 913-9000. palaceofindiarestau rant.com. L, D ¢-$ Parsley Mediterranean Grille — Appetizers, salads, soups, pitas, combos. Catering available. No alcohol. Open daily. 80 Ottawa Ave NW, 776-2590. parsleymg.com. L, D ¢-$ FReserve — Wine bar offers extensive bythe-glass selections and culinary options to match, including charcuterie. Closed Sun. 201 Monroe Ave NW, 855-9463. reservegr. com. L (Mon-Fri), D $-$$ Rockwell Republic — Diverse menu emphasizes local ingredients from sushi to comfort food. Upper-level outdoor seating. Full bar. Open daily. 45 S Division Ave, 5513563. rockwellsrepublic.com. D $-$$ Roam by San Chez Bistro — The San Chez Bistro team introduces a new concept, global street food, includes cuisine from China, Morocco, Spain, France, Poland, U.K., Indonesia and more. Full bar. Closed Sun. 250 Monroe Ave NW, 288-9129. roambysan
F
Zoko 822 — Basque-inspired cuisine featuring northern Spanish and southern French small plates; plus an extensive gin collection, craft beer and cocktails. Brunch served Sun. Open daily. 822 Ottawa Ave NW, 5415410. zoko822.com. L, D ¢-$ chez.com. B, L, D
$
Ruth’s Chris Steakhouse — Classic American steakhouse in the Amway Grand Plaza. Serves alcohol. Closed Sun. 187 Monroe Ave NW, 776-6426. amwaygrand.com/dining/ru ths-chris-steak-house. L, D $$ FSan Chez Bistro — Spanish fare focusing on tapas-style small plates; sides and entrées. Wine and beer list includes Spanish varieties and sherry. Open daily. 38 W Fulton St, 7748272. sanchezbistro.com. B, L, D $-$$ Six.One.Six — Features new French cuisine in a cosmopolitan setting. Fine wines and cocktails. Alfresco dining overlooking the Grand River. Open daily. JW Marriott, 235 Louis St NW, 242-1448. ilovethejw.com/din ing/six.one.six. B, L, D $-$$
Z’s Bar & Restaurant — Sports-themed eatery known for its BBQ ribs. Soups, salads, sandwiches, entrées. Carry-out available. Open daily. 168 Louis Campau Promenade NW, 454-3141. zsbar.com. L, D ¢-$
WEST SIDE Ando Asian Kitchen & Bar — Asian fusion eatery featuring small plates, bentos, rice bowls, raw bar, noodles, soup, salad and more. Wide selection of wine, plus local, domestic and international beer. Full bar. 415 Bridge St NW, 608-0789. andoasiankitchen. com. L, D $ Blue Dog Tavern — West Michigan craft brews on tap. Good selection of tots, dogs and burgers. Open daily. 638 Stocking Ave NW, 608-6050. bluedogtaverngr.com. L, D ¢
Slows Bar-B-Q — Detroit-based restaurant offers extensive menu, including barbecue, sandwiches and sides. Michigan and national craft beers on tap. Open daily. Downtown Market, 435 Ionia Ave SW, 454-1588. slows barbq.com. L, D ¢-$
Broadway Bar & Grill — Neighborhood bar known for burgers and holiday decorations, especially at Christmas. Outdoor grilling during summer. Hours change seasonally. 740 Broadway Ave SW, 454-0565. Facebook. ¢ L, D
Social Kitchen & Bar — Refined comfort food, sandwiches, pizzas, extensive cocktail menu. Vintage décor, patio. Open daily. Downtown Market, 435 Ionia Ave SW, 724-4464. social kitchenandbar.com/grand-rapids.html. B $-$$ (Sat-Sun brunch), L, D
FButcher’s Union — Meat-and-whiskeycentric gastro-pub. Full bar. Outdoor seating available. Brunch served on Sundays. 438 Bridge St NW, 551-1323. butchersuniongr. com. L, D $
SpeakEZ Lounge — Casual pub setting with eclectic menu, including vegan and glutenfree. Creative starters, soups, salads, entrées (after 4 pm). Full bar. Open daily. 600 Mon-
El Granjero — Mexican fare from steak and shrimp to menudo on weekends. No alcohol but tasty virgin coladas. Open daily. 950 Bridge St NW, 458-5595. Facebook. B, L, D ¢
PHOTOGRAPHY BY MICHAEL BUCK
meat and produce. Full bar. Closed Sun. 64 Io¢-$ nia Ave SW, 288-6340. lunagr.com. L, D
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YOUR TOP CATCH FOR THE
PHOTOGRAPHY BY MICHAEL BUCK
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food & drink RESTAURANTS / PEOPLE / REVIEWS
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El Sombrero — Offers “the original” wet burrito, dry ones, too. Weekly specials. No alcohol. Closed Sun. 527 Bridge St NW, 451-4290. ¢ elsombrerorestaurantmi.com. L, D Harmony Hall — West Side brewpub with a German beer hall atmosphere serves pizza, sandwiches, salads and appetizers. Open daily. 401 Stocking Ave NW, 233-9186. har ¢-$ monybeer.com/harmony-hall. L, D The Holiday Bar — Established in 1905, menu features appetizers and sandwiches. Seating includes 40-foot horseshoe bar, tables and a beer garden in warm months. Open daily. 801 Fifth St NW, 456-9058. the holidaybargr.com. L, D ¢ Jolly Pumpkin Pizzeria & Brewery — Dexterbased brewery offers salads and sandwiches in addition to pizza. Kids menu available. Open daily. 428 Bridge St NW, 419-4676. jolly $ pumpkin.com. L, D The Knickerbocker – New Holland Brewing — Craft brewery featuring a variety of locally sourced shared plates, sandwiches, soups, pizzas, barbecue and more. Open daily. 417 Bridge St NW, 345-5642. newholland brew.com/knickerbocker. Brunch (Sun), L, D ¢-$ Long Road Distillers — Craft, small-batch distillery featuring variety of house-made snacks, sandwiches and entrées. Open daily. 537 Leonard St NW, 228-4924. longroad distillers.com. B (Sat-Sun brunch), D ¢-$ Maggie’s Kitchen — Mexican fare in café setting, cafeteria-style ordering. No alcohol. Closed Sun and Mon. 636 Bridge St NW, 458¢ 8583. Facebook. B, L, D The Mitten Brewing Co. — Vintage baseball-themed nanobrewery pairs handcrafted beers with gourmet pizzas. Open daily. 527 Leonard St NW, 608-5612. mittenbrewing. com. L, D ¢-$ Monarchs’ Club — Starters, sausages, hot dogs, panini, Italian beef sandwiches and Grand Rapids Stackers. Michigan beer on draft. Open daily. 646 Stocking Ave NW, 2339799. tappyhourgr.com/monarchs-club. L, D ¢ One Bourbon — Trendy, two-level restaurant serving creative shareable plates, burgers, hot sandwiches and entrées. Full bar features more than 120 whiskies, plus other spirits, beer and wine. Closed Sun-Mon. 608 Bridge St NW, 608-5766. onebourbongr. com. D ¢-$
hbanationmygrhome.com
O’Toole’s Public House — Pub grub includes appetizers, sandwiches and burgers served on a mountain of fries. Open daily.
448 Bridge St NW, 742-6095. otoolesgr.com. L, D ¢-$
Pearl Street Grill — Bright, contemporary restaurant features diverse menu in downtown Holiday Inn. Full bar. Open daily. 310 Pearl St NW, 235-1342. higrdt.com/dining/ pearl-street-grill. B, L, D $ Salvatore’s Italian Restaurant — Sicilian and southern Italian fare. Separate sports bar; patio seating. Food, beer and wine available to go. Delivery and catering. Open daily. 654 Stocking Ave NW, 454-4280. salvatores gr.com. L (Mon-Fri), D ¢-$ FThe Sovengard — Midwest meets Scandinavian spirit, with a focus on seasonal and local sourcing. Restaurant and outdoor beer garden in a historic West Side building. Open daily. 443 Bridge St NW, 214-7207. $ sovengard.com. D Two Scotts Barbecue — Authentic barbecue smoked in-house daily with homemade sides and sauces. Features draft root beer and weekly specials. Catering and food truck available. Open 11 am-3 pm Mon-Sat. Closed Sun. 536 Leonard St NW, 608-6756. twoscottsbbq.com. L ¢-$ Westside Social — “Reimagined” American-style tavern with locally sourced, housemade appetizers, burgers, seafood and other entrées. Full bar. Happy hour specials available Mon-Fri. Open daily. 2802 Lake Michigan Dr NW, 453-5877. westside.social. L (Tue-Sun), D ¢-$
UPTOWN Big Willy’s Italian Beef — Authentic Chicago cuisine, featuring Italian sausage, Polish dogs and Chicago dogs, as well as Italian ice drinks. Open daily. 1450 Wealthy St SE, 2885824. bigwillysitalianbeef.com. L, D ¢ Bombay Cuisine — Traditional Indian dishes with spices and flavors from northern India. Full bar. Open daily. Takeout available. 1420 Lake Dr SE, 456-7055. eastownbombaycui sine.com. L, D $ FBrewery Vivant — Beer and food in tradition of French and Belgian country dishes. Housed in a renovated funeral chapel. Most dishes made with locally sourced ingredients. Open daily. 925 Cherry St SE, 719-1604. brewery $-$$ vivant.com. L (Sat-Sun), D
Brick Road Pizza — Traditional, gourmet and vegan pizzas (gluten-free crusts available); also soups, salads, pastas, sandwiches. Sun Brunch Bar. Full bar. Closed Mon. 1017 Wealthy St SE, 719-2409. brickroadpiz za.com. L, D ¢-$
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Brown Butter Creperie & Café — Locally sourced, made-from-scratch sweet and savory crepes and liege waffles. 1436 Wealthy St SE, 288-5038. brownbuttercrepes.com. B, ¢ L, D (Wed-Sat)
READY TO MAKE MEMORIES?
Chez Olga — Caribbean and Creole fare. Veggie/vegan options. Takeout available. No alcohol. Closed Sun. 1441 Wealthy St SE, 2334141. chezolga.com. L, D ¢-$ Curry Kitchen — Authentic Indian cuisine. Daily lunch buffet. Kids menu. Takeout. Open daily. No alcohol. 961 E Fulton St, 242$ 1300. currykitchengr.com. L, D Donkey Taqueria — Authentic Mexican food, including tacos, tostadas, botanas and tortas in a former 1920s service station. Full bar. Open daily. 665 Wealthy St SE. don ¢-$ keygr.com. B (Sat-Sun), L, D East West Brewing Co. — Traditional American-style beers. Fresh, made-to-order American-style food and seasonal vegetarian menu items from local vendors. Open daily. 1400 Lake Dr SE, 288-5250. eastwest brewingcompany.com. L (Fri-Sat), D ¢-$ Electric Cheetah — Eclectic menu with an emphasis on locally grown fare and creative combinations. Beer and wine available. Sun brunch. Open daily. 1015 Wealthy St SE, 4514779. electriccheetah.com. L, D ¢-$ Elk Brewing Co. — Brewery with rustic industrial interior. Menu includes innovative sandwiches and snacks. Open daily. 700 Wealthy St SE, 238-5227. elkbrewing.com. L (Fri-Sun), D ¢ Erb Thai — Thai fare; will accommodate vegetarian, gluten-free, no MSG. No alcohol. Open daily. 950 Wealthy St SE, 356-2573. erbthaigr.com. L, D ¢ ➧ Forty Acres Soul Kitchen — “Authentically American” upscale southern comfort food, featuring po’boys, grits, gumbo and more. To-go catering available. Closed Mon. 1059 Wealthy St SE, 481-6971. fortyacresgr.com. L, D $
Georgina’s — Authentic Asian and Latin taqueria with appetizers, tacos, tamales, noodle bowls and more. No alcohol. Open daily. 724 Wealthy St SE, 454-1860. face book.com/georginasgr. L, D $-$$ Gojo Ethiopian Cuisine & Deli — Authentic dishes including vegetarian options. Watt (stew) dishes served with injera flatbread. Carry-out available. No alcohol. Closed Sun and Mon. 421 Norwood Ave SE, 459-3383. gojo $ ethiopiancuisine.com. L, D The Green Well Gastro Pub — Menu fea-
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tures comfort fare with a flair, emphasizing local ingredients. Full bar; more than 20 rotating draft beers, many from local breweries. Open daily. 924 Cherry St SE, Grand Rapids, 808-3566. thegreenwell.com. L, D $-$$
The Winchester — Locally sourced menu includes sharable plates in century-old space. Craft brews on draft. Full bar. Open daily. 648 Wealthy St SE, 451-4969. winchestergr.com. ¢-$ B (Sat and Sun), L, D
OGrove — Earth-to-table concept focuses on three- and four-course offerings. Vegan menu available. Full bar. Open daily. 919 Cherry St SE, 454-1000. groverestaurant. com. D $$
Yesterdog — Specializes in the “good oldfashioned hot dog.” Cash or check only. Catering available. Open daily. 1505 Wealthy St ¢ SE, 336-0746. yesterdog.com. L, D
Harmony Brewing Co. — Custom brews with a full bar, wine and wood-fired pizzas. Sandwiches served 11 am-4 pm. Open daily. 1551 Lake Dr SE, 233-0063. harmonybeer.com. L, D $
EAST GRAND RAPIDS
Jonny B’z — Beef, turkey and veggie hot dogs available, as well as burgers, sandwiches, wings, ribs and kids menu. Full bar. Closed Sun. 701 Wealthy St SE, 551-1108. jonnybz. com. L, D $
Little Africa Ethiopian Cuisine — Hearty vegetable stews; sauces and fixings served on Ethiopian flat bread. No alcohol. Cash or checks only. Closed Sun and Mon. 956 E ¢ Fulton St, 222-1169. Facebook. L, D Marie Catrib’s — Middle Eastern sandwiches, soups, salads. Deli, bakery, Turkish coffee, kids menu. Vegetarian options. No alcohol. Closed Sun. 1001 Lake Dr SE, 454-4020. mariecat ¢-$ ribs.com. B (Mon-Sat), L, D (Mon-Fri) Maru Sushi & Grill — Large menu of Japanese cuisine with a twist, from sushi to hibachi grilled items. Vegetarian options. Full bar. Open daily. 927 Cherry St SE, 458-1900. marurestaurant.com. L, D $-$$ Matchbox Diner & Drinks — Breakfast all day, deli sandwiches, burgers, appetizers and seasonal entrées. Also, milkshakes and malts. Carry-out available. Open daily. 1345 Lake Dr SE, 774-8641. matchboxdiner.com. B, L, D $ FTerra — Eastown eatery features food from local, ethically raised and sustainable sourcing. Specialty cocktails, Michigan craft beers, wines from small wineries. Open daily. 1429 Lake Dr SE, 301-0998. terragr.com. Brunch (Sat-Sun), L (Mon-Fri), D $-$$ Wealthy Street Bakery — Breakfast pastries; sandwiches, salads and soup; pizza available after 4 pm. Beer and wine. Kids menu. Closed Sun. 610 Wealthy St SE, 301-2950. wealthystreetbakery.com. B, L, D ¢-$ Wikiwiki Poke Shop — Fast-casual seafood restaurant featuring customizable poke bowls, plus oyster bar and rotating specials. Carry-out available. Closed Sun. 1146 Wealthy St SE, 288-5646. wikiwikipoke shop.com. L, D ¢-$
Big Bob’s Pizza — Neighborhood pizza parlor in EGR’s Gaslight Village also offers appetizers, soups, salads, sandwiches, subs. Full bar. Open daily. 661 Croswell Ave SE, 233-0123. bigbobspizza.com. L (Tue-Sun), D ¢-$ Carolina Lowcountry Kitchen — Coastal South Carolina-inspired fare, including seafood, chicken, pork, beef and greens. Full bar. Open daily. 2213 Wealthy St SE, 805-5231. carolinalck.com. D $ Derby Station — Sophisticated pub grub with full bar featuring an array of specialty beers. Open daily. 2237 Wealthy St SE, 3013236. derbystation.com. L, D $ José Babushka’s — Old local favorite is back after a long absence. Menu includes starters, salads, burritos, chimichangas, flaming fajitas, tacos and special plates. Full bar. Open daily. 2232 Wealthy St SE, 272-4472. joseba bushkas.com. L, D $ Olive’s — Seasonally inspired menu of creative fare and comfort foods featuring local produce and meats. Full bar. Alfresco balcony. Closed Sun. 2162 Wealthy St SE, 451-8611. eatatolives.com. L, D ¢-$ Osta’s Lebanese Cuisine — Large selection of Lebanese and Mediterranean cuisine. Serves beer and wine. Takeout and catering available. Closed Sun-Mon. 2228 Wealthy St SE, 456-8999. ostaslebanese.com. L (TueFri), D ¢-$ Rose’s — Dockside dining on EGR’s Reeds Lake with varied menu, including pastas and wood-fired pizzas. Three-season porch. Serves beer and wine. Open daily. 550 Lakeside Dr SE, 458-1122. thegilmorecollection. com/roses. L, D $
SOUTHEAST GRAND RAPIDS/ KENTWOOD 7 Mares — Authentic Mexican dishes including breakfast. No alcohol. Closed Mon. 1403 Kalamazoo Ave SE, 301-8555. Facebook. B, L, D ¢-$$ Al-Bos Eurocafe-Bakery — Authentic south eastern European cuisine. Menu includes
appetizers, soups, salads, sandwiches, pasta, entrées and kids options. Daily specials. Open daily. 2930 Shaffer Ave SE, 325-2800. ¢-$ al-bos.com. L, D
Asian Palace — Chinese and Vietnamese fare with extensive menus for each. No alcohol. Closed Mon. 141 28th St SE, 534-7770. ¢-$ Facebook. L, D Big E’s Sports Grill — Sports lounge serving pizza, classic American appetizers and other entrées. Full bar includes a variety of Michigan-made beer and cider. Happy hour specials available Mon-Fri. Open daily. 2321 East Beltline Ave SE, 608-8825. bigessports grill.com. L, D ¢-$ El Arriero Mexican Grill — Extensive menu offers specialty dishes, à la carte selections. Mexican and domestic beers, margaritas. Open daily. 2948 28th St SE, 977-2674. elarri eromexicangrill.com. L, D ¢-$ Beltline Bar — Americanized Tex-Mex menu, including wet burritos. Full bar. Curbside service. Open daily. 16 28th St SE, 2450494. beltlinebar.com. L, D $ Brass Ring Brewing — Small-batch, stylespecific brewery in the Alger Heights neighborhood. 2404 Eastern Ave SE, 460-1587. brassringbrewing.com. L, D $ Cabana Tres Amigos — Authentic Mexican fare including vegetarian selections. Full bar. Takeout available. Open daily. 1409 60th St SE, 281-6891. cabanatresamigos.com. ¢-$ L, D Cantina Mexican Grill — Menu offers extensive Mexican specialties. Full bar. Drivethru window. Outdoor patio. Open daily. 2770 East Paris Ave SE, 949-9120. cantina mexicangrill.biz. L (Sun-Thu), D $ China Yi Wang — Chinese dishes including spicy Hunan. No alcohol. Open daily. 1947 Eastern Ave SE, 241-3885. Facebook. L, D ¢-$ Daddy Pete’s BBQ — Slow-smoked ribs, pulled pork, brisket and other meats. No alcohol. Catering available. Closed Sun and Mon. 2921 Eastern Ave SE, 818-5522. daddy petesbbq.com. L, D ¢-$ East Garden Buffet — Cantonese, Hunan, Szechuan cuisine. Daily buffet. No alcohol. Open daily. 6038 Kalamazoo Ave SE, 6988933. L, D ¢-$ Florentine Pizzeria Ristorante & Sports Lounge — Italian fare with American and Mexican choices and thin-crust pizzas. Full bar. Open daily. Towne & Country Shopping Center, 4261 Kalamazoo Ave SE, 455-2230. florentinespizza.com. L, D ¢-$ Ganders — Features American cuisine with a
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twist and Michigan products, including craft brews. Open daily. 4747 28th St SE (Hilton GR Airport), 957-0100. doubletreegrandrapids. com/ganders-restaurant. B, L, D ¢-$$
Golden Gate — Chinese fare with all-inclusive lunch combination plates, some hot and spicy choices. No alcohol. Open daily. 4023 S Division Ave, 534-7087. Facebook. L, D ¢ Gursha Ethiopian Restaurant — Authentic Ethiopian dishes, traditional Ethiopian coffee ceremony. Buffet lunch and dinner on Sat. No alcohol. Open daily. 4301 Kalamazoo Ave SE, 350-0009. Facebook. L, D $ Hall Street Bakery — Breakfast pastries; sandwiches, salads and soup served for lunch and dinner. Beer and wine. Kids menu. Closed Sun. 1200 Hall St SE, 214-7604. hall ¢-$ streetbakery.com. B, L, D C India Town — Indian fare including vegetarian and vegan. Lunch buffet Mon-Sat. No alM cohol. Open daily. 3760 S Division Ave, 243Y 1219. indiatowngrr.com. L, D ¢-$ CM Jade Garden — Chinese cuisine with some American dishes. Children’s menu, large seMY lection of tropical cocktails. Open daily. 4514 Breton Rd SE, 455-8888. Facebook. L, D ¢-$ CY
Last Chance Tavern and Grill — AppetizCMY ers, soups, burgers and sandwiches and a K huge selection of Michigan craft beers. Open daily. 1132 Burton St SE, 719-4270. thelast chancetavern.com. L, D ¢ Le Kabob — Soups, salads, sandwiches, large choice of entrées and combos. Kids menu. Carry-out available. No alcohol. Open daily. 3122 28th St SE, 272-4135. L, D ¢-$ Mandarin — Mandarin and Szechuan cuisine. Cocktails. Lunch menu. Open daily. 2460 28th St SE, 530-3300. mandaringrand rapids.com. L, D ¢-$ Mikado Sushi — Sushi and sashimi à la carte. Dinners offer full range of Japanese cuisine. Lunch specials. Serves alcohol. Closed Sun. 3971 28th St SE, 285-7666. mik adogr.com/main. L (Mon-Fri), D ¢-$ Mi Tierra — Traditional Mexican, eat in or drive-thru. No alcohol. Open daily. 2300 S Division Ave, 245-7533. Facebook. L, D ¢ Nu-Thai Bistro — Appetizers, soups, Thai salads, fried rice, seafood, duck, curries. No alcohol. Open daily. 2055 28th St SE, 4520065. nuthaibistro.com. L, D ¢-$ The Old Goat — Creative cuisine in Alger Heights from Electric Cheetah owner Cory DeMint includes appetizers, entrées, sandwiches and salads, kids menu, full bar. Open daily. 2434 Eastern Ave SE, 288-6976. CITY GUIDE 2018-2019 / GRMAG.COM 49
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food & drink ...because as soon as you look away, I’ll be making my daring escape!
RESTAURANTS / PEOPLE / REVIEWS
baaaaaaaa.com. B (Mon-Fri), L, D
¢-$
Pal’s Indian Cuisine — Authentic Indian food, including lunch buffet 11-3. No alcohol. Open daily. 2915 28th St SE, 957-2271. palsin $ diancuisine.com. L, D Pho Anh Trang — Vietnamese, Chinese, Thai cuisine. Daily specials. Catering. Open daily. No alcohol. 3633 Eastern Ave SE, 2469966. L, D ¢-$
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Pho Soc Trang — Wide selection of Vietnamese offerings. No alcohol. Open daily. 4242 S Division Ave, 531-0755. L, D ¢-$ Pietro’s Italian Restaurant — Regional and contemporary Italian cuisine. Tuscan wines, desserts and cappuccinos. Kids menu. Takeout available. Open daily. 2780 Birchcrest Dr SE, 452-3228. pietrosgr.com. L, D $ Shanghai Ichiban — Chinese and Japanese cuisine. Food prepared tableside by hibachi chefs in Japanese area. Serves alcohol. Open daily. 3005 Broadmoor Ave SE, 942-5120. shanghaiichiban.com. L, D $-$$ Shiraz Grille — Authentic Persian cuisine: fire-grilled kabobs, vegetarian options. Full bar. Closed Mon. 2739 Breton Rd SE, 9497447. shirazgrille.com. L (Fri-Sun), D $-$$ Sushi Kuni — Japanese and Korean cuisine, Asian fusion fare. Traditional Japanese tatami room for groups. Serves alcohol. Closed Mon. 2901 Breton Rd SE, 241-4141. sushikuni. net. L, D ¢-$$ La Taqueria San Jose — Authentic Mexican fare in a casual, takeout setting. No alcohol. Closed Sun. 1338 S Division Ave, 284-2297. Facebook. L, D ¢ Thai Express — Thai specialties, spiced to customer specification. No alcohol. Closed Sun. Towne & Country Shopping Center, 4317 Kalamazoo Ave SE, 827-9955. thaiex pressgr.com. L (Mon-Fri), D ¢ Thai Fusion — Thai cuisine and fusion specials with good selection of starters and salads. Kids menu. No alcohol. Closed Sun. 3097 Broadmoor Ave SE, 301-8883. L, D ¢-$ Tokyo Grill & Sushi — Tatami rooms, sushi bars. Hibachi, teriyaki, Udon, tempura. Sake, Japanese and American beer and wine. Open daily. 4478 Breton Rd SE, 455-3433. tokyo grillsushi.com. L, D ¢-$
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Village Inn Pizza & Sports Grille — Longtime favorite for pizza, pasta, burgers, chicken, Mexican. Daily specials. Mon-Fri pizza lunch buffet. Full bar. Open daily. 2215 44th St SE, 281-1444. vipizza.net. L, D ¢-$ Wei Wei Palace — Chinese seafood restau-
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steakhouse
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food & drink RESTAURANTS / PEOPLE / REVIEWS
rant features Cantonese cuisine, dim sum and barbecue. No alcohol. Open daily. 4242 S Division Ave, 724-1818. weiweipalace.com. L, D $
Yummy Wok — Cantonese, Hunan and Szechuan dishes. No alcohol. Open daily. 4325 Breton Rd SE, 827-2068. Facebook. L, D ¢-$
SOUTHWEST GRAND RAPIDS 84th Street Pub & Grille — American fare from pizzas to steaks. Full-service bar. Kids menu. Daily specials. Open daily. 8282 Pfeiffer Farms Dr SW, 583-1650. 84thstpub.com. ¢-$ L, D
Between the Ballroom @ CityFlatsHotel, Events @ CityFlatsHotel, and CitySēn Lounge, we're sure to have the perfect space for your event. C I T Y F L AT S H O T E L . C O M
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Bangkok View — Authentic Thai cuisine. No alcohol. Closed Sun. 1233 28th St SW, 5318070. bangkokviewthairestaurant.com. L, D ¢-$ Blue Ginger Asian Kitchen — Noodle-based Thai dishes, chicken, seafood, beef and pork entrées, curries. Vegetarian options. No alcohol. Open daily. 5751 Byron Center Ave SW (Bayberry Market), 261-8186. blueginger kitchen.com. L, D ¢-$ ChinaTown — Asian restaurant and Japanese steakhouse with tabletop-style meals available. Full bar. Open daily. 69 28th St SW, 452-3025. L, D ¢-$ Far-East Chinese Restaurant — Chinese, Vietnamese and Korean dishes. Carryout and catering available. No alcohol. Open daily. 3639 Clyde Park Ave SW, 531-7176. Facebook. L, D ¢-$ Frankie V’s Pizzeria & Sports Bar — Appetizers, subs, stromboli, pizza, pasta, burgers and Mexican. Outdoor patio. Full bar. Open daily. 1420 28th St SW, 532-8998. frankievs. com. L, D ¢-$ Golden 28 — Szechuan, Hunan, Mandarin, Vietnamese cuisine. No alcohol. Open daily. 627 28th St SW, 531-2800. L, D $ Holly’s Back Door Bar & Grill — Full menu and good selection of munchies at Howard Johnson Plaza Hotel. Full bar. Closed SunMon. 255 28th St SW, 241-1417. B, L, D $ Kitzingen Brewery — German-style appetizers and entrées, plus kids menu and some American classics. Selection of wine and locally made German craft beer. Closed SunMon. 1760 44th St SW, 805-5077. kitzingenbrewery.com. L, D ¢-$
616-459-8866 | KendallLightingCenter.com 810 Scribner NW, Grand Rapids, MI 49504 Mon-Wed; Fri 8:30-6 | Thurs 8:30-8 | Saturday 10-2 | CLOSED Sunday
Lindo Mexico Restaurante Mexicano — Fresh food with “real Mexican flavor.” Kids menu. Serves alcohol. Open daily. 1742 28th St SW, 261-2280. lindomexicogr.com. L, D ¢-$
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Wisdom, Experience & A Familiar Face
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www.MySkinDoctors.com Clinical 616.949.5600 Skin Renewal Centre 616.575.6888 CITY GUIDE 2018-2019 / GRMAG.COM 53
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food & drink RESTAURANTS / PEOPLE / REVIEWS
Little Bangkok — Extensive Thai standbys plus some unique items. Kids meals available. Serves beer and wine. Closed Sun. 2359 Health Dr SW, Suite 140, 929-2306. L ¢-$ (Mon-Fri), D Main Street Pub — Varied appetizers, salads, soups, sandwiches and entrées. Kids eat free Sun-Wed. Full bar. Open daily. 1730 28th St SW, 532-2510. mainstpub.com. L, D ¢-$ Monelli’s Italian Grill & Sports Bar — Southern Italian cuisine. Sports bar plus family-friendly dining room with fireplace. Open daily. 5675 Byron Center Ave SW, 5309700. monellis.com. L, D ¢-$
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Tacos El Caporal — Mexican fare, with menudo Sat and Sun. No alcohol. Open daily. 1260 Burton St SW, 246-6180; 1717 28th St SW, 261-2711. B, L, D ¢ Woody’s Press Box — Complex includes two bars, patio and bowling. Sandwiches, pizza, Mexican and more. Full bar. Open daily. 5656 Clyde Park Ave SW, 530-2400. spec $ trumlanes.com. B (Mon-Sat), L, D
NORTHEAST GRAND RAPIDS 7 Monks Taphouse — Beer bar with more than 50 taps and gastropub food, including pretzel bites, burgers, salads, pesto pasta and Korean nachos. Open daily. 740 Michigan St NE, 265-5417. 7monkstap.com/grand-rapids. L, D ¢-$ Birch Lodge — Menu includes wet burritos, sandwiches, burgers, gyros, fish baskets. Daily specials. Full bar. Open daily. 732 Michigan St NE, 458-1918. Facebook. L, D ¢ Blue Water Grill — Entrées include steaks and fish, wood-fired pizzas. Nice wine selection. Lakeside views, outdoor patio. Beer, wine and cocktails. Open daily. 5180 Northland Dr NE, 363-5900. thegilmorecollection. com/bluewater. L, D $-$$ Bud & Stanley’s — Extensive menu includes Mexican specialties, pasta, burgers and more. Daily specials. Takeout available. Serves alcohol. Open daily. 1701 Four Mile Rd NE, 361-9782. budandstanleys.com. L, D ¢-$
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Charlie’s Bar & Grille — Well-rounded menu features dinners from ribs, steaks and seafood to kielbasa and kraut. Also, Mexican fare and sandwiches. Full bar. Closed Sun. 3519 Plainfield Ave NE, 364-0567. charlies barandgrille.com. L, D ¢-$ Cheer’s Good Time Saloon — Menu offers something for everyone in a log-cabin environment. Takeout available. Full bar. Open
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daily. 3994 Plainfield Ave NE, 363-1188. cheersgrandrapids.com. B, L, D ¢
Cheshire Grill — Sandwiches, soups, salads, creative burgers. Open daily for breakfast (served all day) and lunch. No alcohol. 2162 Plainfield Ave NE, 635-2713. cheshiregrill. com. B, L, D (Tue-Sat) ¢-$ Citizen Tiki Bar & Restaurant — Menu highlights the Pacific Rim, blending Asian influences with local cuisine. Full bar. Open daily. 2115 Plainfield Ave NE, 288-7888. citiz $-$$ engr.com. Brunch (Fri-Sun), L, D Creston Brewery — More than a dozen house-brewed beers on tap at all times; plus, seasonal menu, featuring chicken, pork and beef entrées; tacos, burritos and quesadillas; soups and salads. 1504 Plainfield Ave NE, ¢-$ 805-4523. crestonbrewery.com. L, D Erb Thai Xpress — Thai fare for takeout only. No alcohol. Closed Sun. 820 Michigan St NE, 454-0444. erbthaigr.com/erbthai_ xpress.html. L (Mon-Fri), D ¢ Flo’s Pizzeria Ristorante & Sports Bar — Pizzas, sandwiches, salads, Italian and Mexican entrées, full bar. Big screen TVs; takeout available. Open daily. 1259 Post Dr NE, Belmont, 785-1001. flossportsbar.com. L, D ¢-$ Fred’s Italian Restaurant — Longtime favorite offers Italian fare, including fresh pasta and gourmet pizza. Full-service bar. Closed Sun. 3619 Plainfield Ave NE, 361-8994. freds italian.net. L, D ¢-$ Fuji Yama Asian Bistro — Hibachi grill tables or eat in dining room with Chinese, Japanese and Thai selections. Full bar. Open daily. 1501 East Beltline Ave NE, 719-1859. fujiyamabis ¢-$ tro.com. L, D Golden Wok — Chinese cuisine with some Hunan-spiced dishes. Sunday specials. Full bar. Open daily. 1971 East Beltline Ave NE (Knapp’s Corner), 363-8880. goldenwok grandrapids.com. L, D ¢-$
beer, wine and cocktails. Closed Mon. 2289 East Beltline Ave NE, 447-8294. greenrestau rantgrandrapids.com. L, D (Tue-Sat) $
seating. No alcohol. Open daily. 3123 Leonard St NE, 805-5599. gussoriginal.com. B, L, D ¢
Gus’s Original — Appetizers, salads and soups, stone-oven pizzas, gourmet sandwiches; coffees and ice cream bar. Outdoor
Jaku Sushi — Japanese and Korean fare, including a large selection of sushi; plus, bento, bibimbap, hibachi, katsu, udon and more.
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Gravity Taphouse Grille — Menu items pair with craft beer suggestions. 64 craft beers on tap. Open daily. 3210 Deposit Dr NE (East Beltline at I-96), 719-4944. gravitytaphouse. com. L, D ¢-$ Graydon’s Crossing — Global pub serves traditional English pub food and world-inspired dishes. Full bar with large selection of microbrews and imported beers. Open daily. 1223 Plainfield Ave NE, 726-8260. graydonscross ing.com. L, D $ Green Restaurant — Sandwiches, salads, burgers, seafood and much more. Serves
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6740 Cascade Rd. SE 616-956-1112 | www.discoversofttissueandspine.com CITY GUIDE 2018-2019 / GRMAG.COM 55
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food & drink RESTAURANTS / PEOPLE / REVIEWS
THE CELEBRATION
Open daily. 2289 East Beltline Ave NE, 6490407. jakusushi.com. L, D $
Kitchen 67 — Large menu uses Michigan ingredients and includes Brann’s sizzling steaks, sandwiches, salads, small plates, pasta and more. Full bar with craft beers. Open daily. 1977 East Beltline Ave NE, 2723778. kitchen67.com. L, D ¢-$ La Huasteca — Homemade recipes, vegetarian options. No alcohol. Closed Sun. 1811 Plainfield Ave NE, 447-7733. Facebook. L, D ¢ Lai Thai Kitchen — Vietnamese, Thai and Japanese fare. No alcohol. Closed Sun. 1621 Leonard St NE, 456-5730. laithaikitchen.net. L, D ¢-$
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Licari’s Sicilian Pizza Kitchen — Specialties include thick-crust Sicilian pizza and stuffed pizza with a crispy crust. Also pasta, entrées, calzones and desserts. Full bar. Open daily. 2869 Knapp St NE, 608-6912. licarispizzakitchen.com. L, D $ Lucy’s Café — Family café offers breakfast, lunch and baked goods. Crepes, omelets, deli sandwiches and build-your-own breakfast plates. Open daily. 1747 Plainfield Ave NE, 591-3149. lucyscafegr.com. B, L $-$$ Mill Creek Tavern — Comstock Park eatery offers appetizers, soups, sandwiches, full dinner options. Full bar with separate dining room. Closed Sun. 3874 West River Dr NE, Comstock Park, 784-3806. millcreektavern gr.com. L, D ¢-$ Ming Ten — All-you-can-eat Japanese/ Chinese buffet, sushi bar, hibachi grill and American selections. No alcohol. Open daily. 2090 Celebration Dr NE (2nd floor), 3653989. mingtenrestaurant.com. L, D ¢-$ Nick Fink’s — Mexican fare and burgers in historic tavern. Draft beer, wine, sangria and cocktails. Closed Sun and Mon. 3965 West River Dr NE, 784-9886. thegilmorecollec tion.com/nickfinks. D $
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Noodle Monkey — Ramen-based eatery in renovated Rak Thai Bistro space includes some Rak Thai favorites, also noodle dishes and pho. No alcohol. Closed Sun. 5260 Northland Dr NE, 363-2222. Facebook. L (Mon-Fri), D ¢-$ Palio — Ann Arbor-based eatery with an expansive menu of Italian fare. Full bar and happy hour. Open daily. 545 Michigan St NE, 719-0660. paliograndrapids.com. L, D $-$$ Reds At Thousand Oaks — Large menu features sandwiches, salads, artisan pizza and entrées. Extensive wine list, craft beers, full bar. Patio with fire pits and covered deck. Continued on page 60
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Get Comfortable! European and Bosnian Cuisine known as “comfort food” at it’s best. Home cooking from the Heart! One thing our fore fathers have taught us is to respect the old ways — and that is to treat our guests as if they were one of our own. The tradition of hospitality is our most honored trademark. Come visit us and enjoy flavors from the Balkan Region and Get Comfortable!
2930 Shaffer Ave. SE • Kentwood, MI 49512 Phone (616) 325-2800 • Find us on Facebook!
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food & drink RESTAURANTS / PEOPLE / REVIEWS
‘Citizen vibes’ Rachel Lee and Will Conner redefine ‘Tiki’ with fresh, authentic flavors at Citizen Tiki Bar & Restaurant. cultures — Vietnamese, Chinese and Korean, to name a few — so, food has always been extremely essential to our family gatherings. I wanted to bring those bright, vivid flavors together into a place that offers escape, a little amazing and a lot of Zen. We call it our ‘Citizen vibes.’” Citizen is located far from the big names, craft brewers, bristling bars and chef-driven hotspots in walkable streetscapes. Here, Lee ditched the crumbling sadness of this deteriorated storefront and installed aluminum and glass garage doors, which open to a large, inviting patio, adorned with verdant palms, sparkly lights, Tiki thatch umbrellas and local artist Mark Rumsey’s lotus flower mural. Inside, Lee turned up the happy with bold palm leaf wallpaper, a profusion of Buddhas, maneki-neko statues (Japanese cat figurines
RACHEL LEE AND WILL CONNER Title: Owner/cook Location: 2115 Plainfield Ave. NE
“My family is a blend of many cultures — Vietnamese, Chinese and Korean, to name a few — so, food has always been extremely essential to our family gatherings. I wanted to bring those bright, vivid flavors together into a place that offers escape, a little amazing and a lot of Zen. We call it our ‘Citizen vibes.’” — Rachel Lee
PHOTOGRAPHY BY MICHAEL BUCK
A
t Citizen Tiki Bar & Restaurant, owner Rachel Lee and young cook Will Conner chase sunshine with deep bowls spiked with Asian flavors: spiced tofu with a crisp smokiness; Lake Superior whitefish vividly revved up with matcha (green tea) purée and charred vegetables; a citrusy slow-cooked banh mi with house-made herbed chicken liver pâté and zingy carrot and daikon pickling. Citizen takes any preconceived notion of what “Tiki” food might be like — think kitschy, tropical stuff you can find on a sweltering vacation — and turns it on its head; instead, faithfully recreating the best of Southeast Asia and Pacific Island fare. For Lee, Citizen presents “an opportunity to blend the culture of my life in a restaurant,” she said. “My family is a blend of many
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PHOTOGRAPHY BY MICHAEL BUCK
PHOTOGRAPHY BY MICHAEL BUCK
believed to bring good luck), golden pineapples for hospitality and gleeful treasures passed down from her family. “It’s vivid here,” Lee said. “It’s meant to be part of your life, not just a place to eat. It was so important for us to create a beautiful street presence to try to change people’s perception about this part of Plainfield. Get comfortable and stay awhile.” Conner’s idiosyncratic way with food is a perfect foil to Citizen’s menu; his smashed cucumber salad — tossed with rice wine vinegar, sesame oil and minced garlic — exemplifies that refreshingly. “Smashing it helps soften up the cucumbers, remove the seeds, which we generally scrape out, and relieves any aggression in the kitchen we might be feeling,” joked Conner, who earned a bachelor’s degree in English literature and philosophy from Grand Valley State University in 2016, then discovered his side gig of cheffing was a better fit, after all. Conner cooks authentically by fetching the Asian ingredients his recipes call for at Kim Nhung Superstore and other specialty vendors. One of his new favorites is the Japanese herb shiso, which he called a cousin of the mint with a large purple leaf. “It’s great for mixing it into pickling, salad or noodles,” said Conner, who also said he hopes to plant a kitchen garden at Citizen. Case Visser of Visser Farms personally delivers twice weekly to Citizen, keeping the freshest, most local vegetables in the rotation. But the menu doesn’t even brag about its local glory, with nary a word mentioned, because Conner wants visitors to taste that freshness on their own. His utter devotion to building each dish often calls for him to put in 24-36 hours of prepping before it reaches the plate. His bowl of ramen, for example, is nothing like the horrendous rehydrated ramen of your college days with its bag of dried spices — nah, this is the real deal. To make his impressive ramen broth, Conner simmers together a giant heap of mushrooms, dried and fresh shiitake, with seaweed and green onions. He’s onto roasting ginger, garlic and onion in a broiler to stir in, along with tare, miso, tahini and freshly roasted sweet potatoes purée; all the while, concentrating the broth into liquid gold. Conner strains the cauldron to remove the vegetables, and he’s left with a beautifully seasoned broth. Lastly, he adds the luscious bits to the bowl with ramen noodles, dried seaweed, tare egg, enoki mushrooms, jalapeños and green onions. “Ramen is really about the broth,” Conner said, “and everything else is extra. “There are as many different styles of ramen broth as there are regions in Japan,” he elaborated. “We’re doing a miso-based broth, influenced by the northern island of Hokkaido, which is known for its soulful, robust, miso-based ramen.” His poke bowls of cubed, raw fish are deliciously seasoned with a dry Japanese seasoning called furikake, sushi rice, seaweed and crunchy vegetables. Poke is certainly trending right now — as is nearly every item on Citizen’s brunch menu, featuring everything from an okonomiyaki (cabbage-egg) pancake with pork belly; to waffles with karaage (Japanese fried chicken), ginger, pineapple chutney, lime and Thai basil syrup; and even fried Spam, which is quite popular in Hawaii, and egg on a Hawaiian sweet roll. — JAYE BEELER
Citizen’s Green Curry Noodle Bowl Green curry paste 1 stalk lemongrass (1 or 2 outer leaves discarded and lower 6 inches of stalks thinly sliced)
½ cup cilantro leaves
3 jalapeños, stemmed and seeded (seed 1-2, depending on preferred spice level)
½ teaspoon coriander
4 tablespoons minced red onion 5 cloves minced garlic 1 inch ginger, peeled and minced
½ teaspoon ground cumin ½ teaspoon white pepper 3 tablespoons fish sauce ½ tablespoon salt 3 tablespoons lime juice 1 tablespoon brown sugar
½ cup basil leaves
For each bowl 6 ounces lo mein noodles (or rice noodles for a gluten-free alternative)
½ cup shredded red cabbage
4-6 ounces (½-¾ cup) coconut milk
Quarter of a lemon to control spice
2 tablespoons green curry paste (see recipe above)
1 heaping tablespoon (1 ounce) cilantro, roughly chopped for garnish
1 cup chopped broccolini
Jalapeños, thinly sliced ½ cup chopped bok choy
For the green curry paste, purée lemongrass, jalapeños, red onion, garlic, ginger, basil and cilantro stems in a blender with cumin, white pepper, coriander, fish sauce, salt, lime juice and brown sugar until as smooth as possible, about 1 minute. Add a splash of water if the mixture is too stiff to blend. The paste will hold for 7 days. Cook noodles according to the package directions. Drain noodles and set aside. In a large skillet, heat coconut milk over medium-high heat. Stir in the green curry paste, incorporating it into the coconut milk, until it turns green. Add noodles and cook for about 1 minute. Add broccolini and red cabbage, sauté for another 60-90 seconds. Add jalapeños and bok choy, and stir together for about 30 seconds (try to retain the crunchiness). Transfer to a bowl and garnish with cilantro and a wedge of lemon. Repeat the instructions to make additional bowls of green curry noodles as needed but make sure to make each bowl individually. For additional fixings, add tofu, grilled chicken, sautéed shrimp or freshly fried pork belly when adding the vegetables.
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food & drink RESTAURANTS / PEOPLE / REVIEWS
Continued from page 56 Open daily. 4100 Thousand Oaks Dr NE, 4477750. eatatreds.com. L, D $-$$ Rezervoir Lounge — Full menu of appetizers, pizzas, sandwiches and entrées, some with Cajun flavor. Serves alcohol. Open daily. 1418 Plainfield Ave NE, 451-0010. rezlounge. com. L (Tue-Sun), D ¢-$ Rio Grand Steak House & Saloon — Texasstyle barbecue ribs, steaks and more. Full bar. Open daily. 5501 Northland Dr NE, 3646266. riograndsteakhouse.com. L, D $-$$ The Score — Restaurant and sports bar with large menu, more than 100 beers on tap. Open daily. 5301 Northland Dr NE, 301-0600. the score-restaurant.com. L, D ¢-$ Sheshco Grill — Mediterranean cuisine, including surf, turf and vegetarian options. No alcohol. Open daily. 2121 Celebration Dr NE (Knapp’s Corner), 364-0600. sheshcogrill. net. L, D $ Thai Chef — Knapp’s Corner restaurant has large menu, including duck, seafood and vegetarian options. No alcohol. Closed Sun. 1971 East Beltline Ave NE, 570-0032. Facebook. L, D $ Twisted Rooster — Classic dishes with unexpected twists. Full bar features local beers/wines. Open daily. 1600 East Beltline Ave NE, 301-8171. twisted-rooster.com. L, D ¢-$$ Vander Mill — Seasonal menu with many locally sourced ingredients. Starters, salads, entrées and large plates served family style. Hard ciders on tap. Open daily. 505 Ball Ave NE, 259-8828. vandermill.com. L, D (MonSat) $-$$
NORTHWEST GRAND RAPIDS Amore Trattoria Italiana — Regional Italian dishes using local products and Italian imports. Italian wines and liqueurs. Housemade desserts. Banquet facility. Closed Mon. 5080 Alpine Ave NW, 785-5344. amoretrat toriaitaliana.com. D (Tue-Sat) $ Balinski’s — Polish-American soups, appetizers, burgers, sandwiches and entrées, including pierogis, golabki and kielbasa; plus, traditional American options and Polish desserts. Closed Mon. 4255 Alpine Ave NW, 288-5440. balinskis.com. L, D ¢-$ China Chef — Family-style restaurant with Szechuan-style entrées and Hunan choices. No alcohol. Open daily. 4335 Lake Michigan Dr NW, 791-4488. chinachef49534.com. L, D ¢-$ China City — Chinese cuisine; lunch prices
all day. No alcohol. Open daily. 1140 Monroe Ave NW, 451-3688. L, D ¢-$
Empire Chinese Buffet II — All-you-can-eat buffet. Seafood buffet Sat-Sun. No alcohol. Open daily. 4255 Alpine Ave NW, 785-8880. empirechinesebuffet2.com. L, D ¢-$ Erb Thai Café — Thai fare for dining in/taking out. No alcohol. Closed Sun. 4160 Lake Michigan Dr NW, 724-4102. erbthaigr.com. L, D ¢ Franco’s Pizza — Italian entrées, stromboli, pizza and subs. Takeout available. No alcohol. Open daily. 2103 Alpine Ave NW, 361-7307. D ¢-$ Fricano’s Pizza Restaurant — Famous for its thin-crust pizza. Pasta dinners with sauce that made its way to the retail market. Full bar. Closed Sun. 5808 Alpine Ave NW, 7855800. fricanospizza.com. D ¢-$ Hibachi Grill & Supreme Buffet — PanAsian cuisine, including Chinese, Japanese, Mongolian and American. No alcohol. Open daily. 785 Center Dr NW (Green Orchard Shopping Center), 785-8200. hibachigrillsu premebuffet.letseat.at. L, D ¢ Home Team Grill — Sports-themed eatery with a selection of local, domestic and international beers. Open daily. 4322 Remembrance Rd, 551-3457. hometeamgrill.word press.com. L, D ¢-$ Hunan Chinese Restaurant — Full menu of Chinese options. No alcohol. Open daily. 1263 Leonard St NE, 458-0977. hunangrc.com. L, D ¢-$ The Landing — Casual atmosphere with views of the Grand River. All-American favorites and monthly specials. Full bar. Open daily. 270 Ann St NW (Riverfront Hotel at U.S. 131), 363-9001. riverfronthotelgr.com/ dining/the-landing-restaurant. B, L, D $ Mr. Gyros — Family-owned restaurant offers Mediterranean specialties. Drive-thru, takeout, delivery and catering available. Closed Sun. 2260 Alpine Ave NW, 791-6660. mrgyros drivethru.com. L, D ¢-$ Perrin Brewing Co. — Comstock Park craft brewery/taproom menu includes tacos, salads, burgers, panini and more. Kids menu available. Open daily. 5910 Comstock Park Dr, 551-1957. perrinbrewing.com. L, D ¢ ➧ Stan Diego Baja Taco Kitchen — Baja California-inspired menu, featuring a-la-carte taco menu, chorizos, tamales, handcrafted margaritas and kids menu. Full bar. Open daily. 355 Wilson Ave NW, Walker, 5919806. standiegogr.com. L, D ¢-$
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O
food & drink RESTAURANTS / PEOPLE / REVIEWS
Swan Inn Restaurant — Home-cooked meals, huge breakfasts. Cygnet Lounge offers cocktails and nibbles. Open daily. 5182 Alpine Ave NW, 784-1245. swaninnmotel. ¢-$ com. B, L, D Tillman’s — Chicago-style chophouse in former warehouse district. Known for steaks but something for every taste. Full bar. Closed Sun. 1245 Monroe Ave NW, 451-9266. tillmans $-$$ restaurant.com. L, D Three Happiness Restaurant — Cantonese, Mandarin and Szechuan fare. Daily specials. No alcohol. Open daily. Green Ridge Square, 3330 Alpine Ave NW, 785-3888. ¢-$ threehappinessgr.com. L, D Walker Roadhouse — Diverse menu with interesting twists on classic fare. Full bar. Closed Sun. 3272 Remembrance Rd NW, 7919922. thewalkerroadhouse.com. L (Mon-Fri), D $
ADA/CASCADE/LOWELL Ada Pour House — Fresh, locally sourced ingredients with a twist on comfort food. Salads, sandwiches and entrées, including fish and steak. Craft beers and wine. Open daily. 6749 E Fulton St, Ada, 920-7941, adapour house.com. B (Sun brunch only), L, D $-$$ Aryana Restaurant & Bar — Comfortable dining room in Crowne Plaza Hotel offers breakfast buffet, lunch and dinner selections from a seasonal menu and a full bar. Open daily. 5700 28th St SE, 957-1775. hiaryana. com. B, L, D $-$$ Big Boiler Brewing — Brewpub features a wide selection of original beer and cider. Plus, new American cuisine, including burgers, fish, sandwiches and kids menu. Open daily. 318 E Main St, Lowell, 987-3155. bigboil erbrewing.com. D $ The Blue Moose Sports Pub — Farm-totable sports bar features a food menu made with locally sourced ingredients. Open daily. 6240 28th St SE, 734-6333. Facebook. L, D ¢-$ Cascade Roadhouse — Relaxed atmosphere with a diverse menu of traditional fare. Full bar. Closed Sun. 6817 Cascade Rd SE, 259-7439. cascaderoadhousemi.com. L, D ¢-$ Cork Wine & Grille — Contemporary dining with indoor and outdoor seating. Seafood, steaks, burgers, fish, sandwiches, salads. Extensive wine list, specialty cocktails. Open daily. 5500 Cascade Rd SE, 949-0570. cork wineandgrille.com. L, D $-$$ 62 GRMAG.COM \ CITY GUIDE 2018-2019
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The Euro Bistro — European bistro fare includes entrées, small plates, salads, woodfired pizzas. Takeout available. Full bar. Closed Sun. 6450 28th St SE, 719-2017. euro bistrogr.com. L (Mon-Fri), D $-$$ Flat River Grill — Casual atmosphere in turn-of-century building. Comfort food, wood-fired pizzas. Full bar plus The B.O.B.’s House of Brews beers. Alfresco dining on patio. Open daily. 201 E Main St, Lowell, 8978523. thegilmorecollection.com/flatriver. L, D $-$$ Holland & Fitz Delicatessen — Deli sandwiches with in-house baked bread featuring corned beef hash and pork shoulder. Breakfast and kids menu. No alcohol. Closed Sun. 7277 Thornapple River Dr SE, Suite B, 9207090. hollandandfitzdelicatessen.com. B, L, D $
FJu Sushi & Lounge — Sushi and sashimi, Japanese hibachi, tempura, soups, salads and entrées in elegant surroundings. Full bar, huge sake selection. Takeout, catering and banquets. Open daily. 1144 East Paris Ave SE, 575-5858. jusushi.com. L, D ¢-$$ La Laguna — Authentic Mexican dishes including shrimp, wraps, salads, kids menu. No alcohol. Open daily. 6250 28th St SE, 805-8821. Facebook. L, D ¢-$
inspired comfort cuisine. Outdoor seating on the patio. Full bar. Open daily. 4609 Cascade Rd SE, 747-0300. nocogr.com. L, D $
FNonna’s: The Trattoria — Fresh, Europeanstyle pastries, salads, soups and entrées made from scratch. Breakfast and lunch served sev-
en days a week. Pizza available during lunch Tues-Sat. Brunch specials available Sat-Sun. 584 Ada Dr SE, Ada, 920-7028. eatwithnonna. com. B, L, D (Tues-Sat) ¢-$
FNoto’s Old World Italian Dining — Elegant Continued on page 66
You see it every day. West Michigan is at the center of the Laker Effect. Here, you’ll find Lakers contributing their skills and drive to its considerable growth — as analysts and engineers, biochemists and health professionals, leaders of business and community. Every day your support for Grand Valley demonstrates the power of what can be.
Little Bangkok — Extensive Thai standbys, plus some unique items. Kids meals available. Serves beer and wine. Closed Sun. 850 Forest Hill Ave SE, 808-3153. littlebangkokgr. com. L (Mon-Fri), D ¢-$ Main Street BBQ — Wood fire used to smoke ribs, brisket, chicken, sausage and pork. Rubs and sauces are gluten-free. Also serves sandwiches, wings, salads and soups. Catering. Takeout/delivery at 1539 Plainfield Ave NE. Full bar. Open daily. 210 E Main St, Lowell, 987-3352. bbqlowell.com. L, D ¢-$ Marco New American Bistro — French country casual offers small, medium and large plates for dinner fare; salads, sandwiches and mains for lunch. Full bar. Takeout menu. Closed Sun. 884 Forest Hill Ave SE, 942-9100. marcobistro.com. L, D $-$$ Mynt Fusion Bistro — Thai, Korean and Chinese. Renowned for its curries. No alcohol. Closed Sun. 800 W Main St, Lowell, 9879307. myntfusion.com. L, D ¢-$ Ning Ye — Family-owned restaurant serves Chinese and Korean fare. No alcohol. Open daily. 6747 E Fulton St, Ada, 676-5888. ningye.info. L, D $
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- Noco Provisions — Laid-back, regionally CITY GUIDE 2018-2019 / GRMAG.COM 63 T H E C A M PA I G N F O R G R A N D VA L L E Y S TAT E U N I V E R S I T Y
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pints of interest BY PAT EVANS
AS LOCAL AND NATIONAL TRENDS in the beer industry continue to change, progressed innovation in beer will be a highlight of the industry throughout the next year. The past two years in the craft beer world have been dominated by the rise of Northeaststyle and hazy IPAs, following a few years of a sour beer surge. Moving forward, John Stewart, brewing manager at Perrin Brewing Co., predicts the sour beer trend will rise to prominence again, “led by session and fruited sours.”
“It’s tropical and light, but it has more dimension and the tartness keeps you back for more sips, and it’s more refreshing. We like to say, ‘It’s not a beer, it’s a season.’” — Chris Andrus
That’s not to say those hazy IPAs will go by the wayside, though. Hazy IPAs are a far cry from the bitter hop-bombs that classic IPA renditions have become known for. Instead, they’re intensely fruity and have led to inside jokes among industry professionals about mistaking glasses of orange juice for the hottest new brew. According to Stewart, the trend of moving away from the traditional citrus and pine of IPAs to tropical fruits will continue, even if the resulting beers aren’t hazy in appearance. At the 2018 Craft Brewers Conference, held in Nashville this spring, there were several mentions of the hop Sabro being the next big
varietal to make waves. Released earlier this year by The Hop Breeding Co., Sabro has been described as having distinct tangerine, coconut, tropical and stone fruit flavors, along with some cedar, mint and cream. Fruited beers will continue to find their way into more pint glasses, as well. Mango was listed at the CBC as one of the rising flavors on beer menus, and at least one Grand Rapids brewery has plans to capitalize on the trend. The Mitten Brewing Co. has released cans of Mango Gold, a tart wheat ale made with mango purée. It’s the first beer the 5-year-old brewery has taken through a full researchand-development process, all with the intent of creating a beer the company believes can be a summer stunner. “It’s tropical and light, but it has more dimension and the tartness keeps you back for more sips, and it’s more refreshing,“ Mitten Brewing co-owner Chris Andrus said. “We like to say, ‘It’s not a beer, it’s a season.’” Stewart and Andrus said, despite the industry losing steam the past two years, there is plenty of potential growth in on-premise sales — meaning taprooms are the best place to concentrate efforts as store shelves continue to be overcrowded with options. “We’ll continue to see more places pop up and not looking to get into the distribution world,” Stewart said. “We’ll see the number of Michigan breweries continue to grow; but, hitting those big barrelage numbers and large distribution might not be in the cards for everybody.” Beyond these taprooms, it’s only a matter of time until a major beer trend emerges from Michigan. “We’re just starting to mature now,” Stewart said of the Michigan industry. “I’m waiting to see us set some trends. Now that Michigan has mastered the classics, how do we put a Midwest spin on it? “It’s hard to predict lightning in a bottle, but sooner or later it will hit. We have too many guys making great beers (for it not to).” — Pat Evans wrote the book “Grand Rapids Beer.” He also writes nationally on beer and spirits.
PHOTOGRAPHY BY MICHAEL BUCK
Brewers get crafty as industry evolves
64 GRMAG.COM \ CITY GUIDE 2018-2019
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Thanks to Grand Rapids Magazine readers for voting for us. Also, special thanks to our awesome crew and loyal customers and most of all God. We are blessed with a successful business. — Tim & Teresa Sobie
food & drink RESTAURANTS / PEOPLE / REVIEWS
Continued from page 63 décor, extensive classic Italian menu. Special wine cellar dinners. Lounge menu features lighter fare. Closed Sun. 6600 28th St SE, 493-6686. notosoldworld.com. D $-$$
3450 Remembrance Rd NW Walker | (616) 453-7201 sobiemeats.com
Osaka Steakhouse & Japanese Restaurant — Asian fare, including sushi, hibachi, shabu-shabu and more. Full bar. Open daily. 4977 28th St SE, 419-4628. Facebook. L, D $
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Sapporo Ramen & Noodle Bar — Fresh, traditional Japanese “soul food” with an innovative twist. GF options available. No alcohol. Takeout available. Closed Mon. 5570 28th St SE, Cascade, 608-6657. sappororam enbar.com. L, D ¢-$ Schnitz Ada Grill — Schnitz Deli by day, casual fine dining by night. Full bar, happy hour 3-6. Closed Sun. 597 Ada Dr SE, Ada, 682-4660. schnitzadagrill.com. L, D ¢-$$ Shepards Grill & Tavern — Bar food with flair, from appetizers to sirloin. Open daily. 6246 28th St SE, 350-9604. Facebook. L, D ¢-$ Thornapple Brewing Co. — Brewpub features a wide selection of original beer, cider, wine and spirits brewed in seven-barrel brewing system. Plus, artisan pizza, appetizers and dessert. Brunch on Sun. 6262 28th St SE, 288-6907. thornapplebrewing.com. L $ (Sat), D Trailhead Café — Family-owned and -operated café with specialty breakfast items, plus gourmet burgers, wraps, sandwiches, salads, soups and more. 1200 East Paris Ave SE, 284-3664. trailheadcafegr.com. B, L ¢ Vintage Prime & Seafood — Intimate setting with upscale menu that includes prime steaks and fresh seafood. International wine list. 5500 Cascade Rd SE, 949-0570. vintageatcork.com. D $$ Zeytin — Turkish and Mediterranean cuisine. Full bar, beer and wine lists. Takeout. Open daily. 400 Ada Dr SE, Ada, 682-2222. zeytin turkishrestaurant.com. L, D $
GRANDVILLE/HUDSONVILLE/ GEORGETOWN TOWNSHIP Bangkok Taste — Thai fare. No alcohol. Closed Sun. 674 Baldwin St, 667-8901. bang koktaste.com. L, D ¢-$ The Dungeon — Mexican food and American favorites. Specialty burgers. Full bar with Michigan craft beers. Kids menu. Open daily. 3594 Chicago Dr SW, Grandville, 538-1360. villadungeon.com. L (Fri-Sun), D ¢-$ 66 GRMAG.COM \ CITY GUIDE 2018-2019
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El Burrito Loco — More than 70 Mexican selections, plus a few American options. Daily food and drink specials. Full bar. Open daily. 4499 Ivanrest Ave SW, Grandville, 530-9470. ¢-$ elburritoloco4.com. L, D GrandVilla — Steaks, all-you-can-eat fish, specialty burgers, daily specials, salad bar. Kids menu. Full bar. Open daily. 3594 Chicago Dr SW, Grandville, 538-1360. villadun geon.com. L, D ¢-$ Hudsonville Grille — Varied menu includes Mexican favorites and breakfast. Full bar, catering and banquet services. Closed Sun. 4676 32nd Ave, Hudsonville, 662-9670. hud sonvillegrille.com. B, L, D ¢-$ Osgood Brewing Co. — Craft brewery serves shareables, specialty pizzas, sandwiches, pasta and salads. Kids menu. Open daily. 4051 Chicago Dr SW, Grandville, 432-3881. osgoodbrewing.com. L, D ¢-$ Pike 51 Brewing Co./Hudsonville Winery — Craft brewery and winery under one roof. Appetizers, salads, sandwiches and entrées.
Open daily. 3768 Chicago Dr, Hudsonville, 662-4589. hudsonvillewinery.com. L, D ¢-$
Rainbow Grill — Breakfast, soup and sandwiches, daily lunch specials, chicken, fish and other dinner staples. No alcohol. Closed Sun. 4225 32nd Ave, Hudsonville, 896-0033; 4158 Chicago Dr SW, Grandville, 534-8645. rainbow ¢-$ grillmichigan.com. B, L, D Rush Creek Bistro — Diverse menu in clublike surroundings. Weeknight and happy hour specials at full-service bar. Open daily. Sunnybrook Country Club, 624 Port Sheldon Rd, Grandville, 457-1100. rushcreekbistro. com. L, D $ White Flame Brewing Co. — Small production brewery with taproom. Sandwiches, wraps, appetizers and a couple twists on the classic macaroni and cheese. Open daily. 5234 36th Ave, Hudsonville, 209-5098. ¢-$ whiteflamebrewing.com. L, D
ROCKFORD AREA Bostwick Lake Inn — Menu includes steaks,
pork, fish, chicken, mac and cheese, pizzas, sandwiches, soups and salads. Large deck. Full bar. Open daily. 8521 Belding Rd, 8747290. thegilmorecollection.com/bostwick. L $-$$ (Sat-Sun), D
Boulder Creek Restaurant — Golf Club restaurant has varied menu. Golf course views from inside or deck. Serves alcohol. See website for seasonal hours. 5750 Brewer Ave NE, Belmont, 363-1330, ext 2. bouldercreekgolf club.com/restaurant. L, D ¢-$ Cedar Springs Brewing Co. — German-style brewery features American pub and traditional Bavarian menu. Open daily. 95 N Main St, Cedar Springs, 696-2337. csbrew.com. L, D $ Grill One Eleven — American-with-a-twist menu, full-service bar and lounge. Open daily. 111 Courtland St, 863-3111. grilloneeleven. com. L, D $-$$ Honey Creek Inn — Pub setting offers beyond pub fare and daily specials. Closed Sun. 8025 Cannonsburg Rd NE, Cannons-
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SEPTEMBER 18, 2017
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EXECUTIVE SIDE OF HEALTH CARE
Michigan Blood Jim Wilson’s fi CEO rst job was running a 100-bed at the age of 25. hospital Page 8.
VOL. 35, NO. 38
No heirs apparent for Grand Action 2.0 Fash
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it’s not for himcould be, but he said to “Some of the make that call. Rachel Watson the skills and names I see have NOVEM Grand Rapids of place to do capacity and pride BER 20, Business Journal 2017 done down the what needs to be VOL. 35, Christina road, but they The thing about NO. 47 to make up their need vision expeis, it can own mind in dim over time. context of rienc Keller’s the gotretiring es chairs of GrandAnd the professional co-withand personaltheir ownAut her inter lives,” he said.umn econ nonp Committee are waiting for Action omic ested Birgit workin SanWhile rofits president younger eyes Van Andel Arena in globKlohs, dsDeVos over with a fresh to s. take and CEO upped started g the plan for the city.Page of al Place Ven Place Convention the city’s entertainmen 8 The Right economic On Friday, velopment Bar turesde-forCourtesy t profi it was Center chairs Dick Grand Action co- member agency and er a longtime as a fly Experience Grand Rapids that revved the economicle,engine. DeVos, David and John Canepa Frey ecutive of the Grand and ex-ate barten committee,roleActioncre collectively announced they has accomplished said the d her das group Rapid response would sus retire tive Dec. 31, putting what they effec- out to do ma settain 25 years ago:nag The Rapid is reaching their 25-year ability endeavor in the transformer two ing Grand Rapids late rear-view mirror, into ar.“cool city” for now. to riders and non-ridersout that attracts tourists years and residents Grand Responsible for alike as part of — and investors Action’s planning, 10-year and developers draising for arena in the downtown fun- to power Just — fingerprin and improvement plan. its growth. in Daw area. 21-year-old Van developing the ts are John Canepa, “Our vision Grand Rapid es Andel Arena, president of over downtow all work of the committee then-Old Kent PAGE 3 the we go about was about how s Busin do n revitalizing became catalyst for a Frey, president Bank, and David ess projects. After quarter-centu the but could-be-grea of then-Union eight a good, Journ t Upper al economic revitalization Bank, joined barte ry of (city)?,” years DeVos in April nder Midwest Road warriors she said. in the city tion “And could center that has That same year, of , Autu Ac1993. Grand was the convener n’t help mn working New legislation the amou the region and rippled throughout Everything ficially changed Grand Vision ofand catalyst. as a requires state. There’s feelin Sand its name to Grand Ehren s said Wynder that came after City mate a landmark downtown nt of Action. barely alyzed commercial vehicle wasnonshe cat-g guilt by the fiGrandrials Grand commis Rapids Business they didn’t y abou help create with she vision. lls. Action The Grand biodegrad presen drivers to log hours Journal “Clearly, what contribut The their money, time, Action Committ sion planning and tee held convocation bars to able happen is a group ofwhereneeds deal-making. electronically. amend ts propos leadersshe to landand edGrand in SeptemAction ber 1993 to hademerge must But Canepa who has ourplastic straw showcase plans is 87. Frey is 1991, originally was founded in constructing vision for whatworked resta DeVos is 61. They 76. happen the othe as an outgrowth incent zoning als to PAGE 3 s, must oftenurants a 12,000-seat, for say it’s time for next r20mate viron of standing Vision. a new wave of rials plastic Grand years.” , add freement arena. She said she doesn’t bags usedDeVos, ‘housinives to cre Lawbusiness leaders or “Grand . knowharm philanthropis on an eight-acreThe site would be She ful to Dick and who would later orde what ts, or Action become parking lot. 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food & drink RESTAURANTS / PEOPLE / REVIEWS
burg, 874-7849. cannonsburgvillage.com. L, D ¢-$
Marinades Pizza Bistro — Wood-fired pizzas, salads, pastas, sandwiches. Michigan craft beer. Catering. Open daily. 109 Courtland St, 863-3300. marinadespizzabistro. ¢ com. L, D Ramona’s Table — Gourmet sandwiches, salads, soups, burgers, small plates, homemade desserts. Farm-to-table specials. Michigan beers, wine. Kids menu. Open daily. 17 Squires St Square NE, 951-7100. ramonas table.com. L, D ¢-$ Rockford Brewing Co. — Located alongside Rogue River. Menu features wings, salads, gyros, burgers, as well as gluten-free, vegan and vegetarian options. Brunch served 11 am-4 pm Sunday. Handcrafted brews on tap. Open daily. 12 E Bridge St, 951-4677. rockfordbrew ¢-$ ing.com. L, D
435 IONIA AVE SW GRAND RAPIDS, MI 49503
SLOWSGR.COM | 616.454.1588
➧Rockford Riverside Grille — Formerly The Green Well Gastro Pub. Menu features American-inspired comfort foods and traditional classics with a creative flair, as well as kids options, served in fun, familyfriendly atmosphere. Live entertainment on the patio (seasonal). Full bar. Open daily. 8 E Bridge St NE, Rockford, 884-4100. rock fordriversidegrille.com. L, D $
Timbers Inn — Appetizers to meat ’n’ potatoes fare in lodge-like surroundings. Full bar. Open daily. 6555 Belding Rd NE, 874-5553. timbersinn.net. L (Wed-Sun), D ¢-$
MULTIPLE LOCATIONS Anna’s House — Breakfast, sandwiches, baked goods and exceptional desserts; dinner menu, too. No alcohol. Open daily. 3766 Potomac Circle, Grandville; 3874 Plainfield Ave NE; 2409 East Beltline Ave SE, (866) 672-6627. annashouseus.com. B, L $ Arnie’s Bakery & Restaurant — Breakfast, sandwiches, burgers and sandwiches. Menu includes extensive gluten-free, dairyfree and vegetarian options. No alcohol. Open daily. 722 Leonard St NW, 454-3098; 2650 East Beltline Ave SE (Centerpointe Mall), 956-7901; 777 54th St SW, 532-5662; 34 Squires St, Rockford, 866-4306. arni esrestaurant.com. B, L, D $ Brann’s Steakhouse & Sports Grille — Famous sizzler steaks, small plates, sandwiches, salads, gluten-free and vegetarian choices, bar munchies. Full bar. 401 Leonard St NW, 454-9368; 3475 Fairlanes Ave SW, Grandville, 531-6210; 4157 S Division Ave, 534-5421; 5510 28th St SE, 285-7800. branns.com. L, D $ 68 GRMAG.COM \ CITY GUIDE 2018-2019
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First Wok — Mandarin, Hunan, Szechuan cuisine. Full bar. Open daily. 2301 44th St SE, 281-0681; 6740 Old 28th St SE, 575-9088; 3509 Alpine Ave NW, 784-1616. firstwokgr. $ com. L, D Herb & Fire Pizzeria — Fast-casual atmosphere with Italian accent. Signature and create-your-own pizza options, flatbread sandwiches and salads. 3180 44th St SW, Grandville, 773-1443; 2121 Celebration Dr NE, Suite 250, 773-1895. herbandfirepizzeria. com. L, D $ Peppino’s Pizzeria and Sports Grille — Italian/American menu. Full bar. Open daily. 130 Ionia Ave SW, 456-8444; 1515 Eastport Dr SE, Kentwood, 554-8880. peppinospizza. ¢-$$ com. L, D Pita House — Sami’s gyros, Middle East specialties. No alcohol. Open daily. 1510 Wealthy St SE, 454-1171; 3730 28th St SE, 940-3029. thepitahouse.net. L, D ¢ Real Food Café — Fresh, locally sourced traditional favorites, scrambles and madefrom-scratch baked goods; plus, soups, sandwiches and salads for lunch. Cash only. Closed Mon. 2419 Eastern Ave SE, 241-4080; 3514 Plainfield Ave NE, 361-1808. Facebook. ¢ B, L
East Beltline Ave SE, 954-2002; 3940 Rivertown Pkwy SW, Grandville, 249-9344; 4787 Lake Michigan Dr NW, Standale, 735-5520. uccellos.com. L, D ¢-$
Vitale’s Pizzeria — Multiple locations serving pizza, pasta and more from family recipes.
Full bar. 6650 E Fulton St, 676-5401, vitales ada.com; 5779 Balsam Dr, Hudsonville, 6622244, vitaleshudsonville.com; 834 Leonard St NE, 458-8368, theoriginalvitales.com; 3868 West River Dr NE, Comstock Park, 7845011. vitalessportsbar.com. L, D ¢-$
DON’T LET YOUR CURRENT SITUATION DETERMINE YOUR FINAL DESTINATION. Turn to Forest View Hospital to help with depression, anxiety, eating disorders and substance use. Take the first step, help is a call away. We offer free confidential assessments and referrals 24/7.
Sundance Bar & Grill — Southwestern-infused cuisine, margarita bar. Open daily. Waters Building, 151 Ottawa Ave NW, 776-1616; 5755 28th St SE, Cascade, 956-5644. sun dancegrill.com. B, L, D (Mon-Sat) $ Uccello’s Ristorante, Pizzeria & Sports Lounge — Italian specialties, including pizza, entrées, burgers, sandwiches. Full bar. Open daily. 122 Monroe Center NW; 2630
Dining Guide Legend Grand Rapids Magazine has created these symbols to area restaurant amenities as a service to our readers. B — Serves breakfast L — Serves lunch D — Serves dinner ¢ — Inexpensive (under $10)* $ — Moderate ($10-$20)* $$ — Expensive (over $20)* * Prices based on average entrée. - — Reviewed in this issue — Chef Profile in this issue ➧ — New listing O — GRM’s 2017 Restaurant of the Year F — GRM’s 2017 Dining Award Winner Additions, corrections and/or changes: Please email stincher@geminipub.com or write to Dining Guide, Grand Rapids Magazine, 549 Ottawa Ave. NW, Grand Rapids, MI 49503.
1055 Medical Park Dr. SE Grand Rapids, MI 49546
800-949-8439 forestviewhospital
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cocktail hour BY TORRENCE R. O’HAIRE
In the ‘spirit’ of Grand Rapids OVER THE LAST FEW YEARS, Grand Rapids has seen a bloom of new distilleries popping up across the area in response to the heavy saturation of breweries. Most locals have dropped by a new distillery here or there, and a lot of you have gone on tours and done in-house tastings. But the next step to maintaining our tapestry of local artisans is to help make the distiller’s efforts more common in our households. I was inspired this month for the City Guide issue not to give you a tour or review of GR’s distillers but instead to help encourage you to bring local products to your home bar and give you some ideas of how to work with them. Enjoy these recipes and this “kitchen tour” of West Michigan spirits artisans!
a bit heavily spiced; but with that in mind, it can add really interesting complexity to recipes where a simpler orange liqueur would have been lost. It’s also “cocktail strength,” so you can use more of it than a standard liqueur without diluting or over-sweetening your drink. If you’re a major gin fan, you’ll love New Holland’s barrel-aged expression — the body and spice of a whiskey, but the flavor of gin. A fun substitute in classic spirit-forward whiskey cocktails.
A Clockwork Pegu Club Startlingly good on the lawn on a summer afternoon, especially with a croquet set and a 1970s-style cheeseball. 2¼ ounces New Holland Clockwork Orange ¾ ounce fresh lime juice 1 small egg white (about 2 teaspoons) Club soda, to top 1 mint sprig, to garnish Combine all ingredients in an empty shaker. Shake hard for 10 seconds to emulsify. Fill shaker with ice and shake hard a second time for 10 seconds to froth. Strain into a chilled Collins glass and top with soda and a mint sprig.
Long Road Distillers
New Holland Brewing Co.’s Pub on 8th
66 E. Eighth St., Holland Must own: Clockwork Orange Bonus buy: Barrel-aged gin At this point, New Holland is a bit of the “old guard” as far as regional distilling goes, but it’s still turning out quality products with fairly large regional reach. New Holland’s take on a classic Curaçao, dubbed Clockwork Orange, is
The Trident (a variation) I won’t take credit for this recipe, as it’s only a revision of a fabulous drink from Robert Hess in Seattle, popularized in 2000. It became a “new American classic” and is one of my favorite ways to use aquavit. 2 ounces Long Road Distillers Aquavit 1 ounce amontillado sherry
PHOTOGRAPHY BY JOHNNY QUIRIN
New Holland Brewing Co.’s Holland location
537 Leonard St. NW, Grand Rapids Must own: Aquavit Bonus buy: Wendy Peppercorn vodka I have Long Road’s aquavit — a clean, elegant, Scandinavian-spiced spirit with forward notes of cardamom, caraway and dill — in my home bar. The Wendy Peppercorn vodka is a black pepper vodka that does an expectedly great job in a bloody mary but also can be used in fascinating variations of a Vesper when mixed equally with gin and Lillet.
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1 ounce Gray Skies’ Breakfast Rye ½ ounce cognac 1 teaspoon honey 1 teaspoon absinthe 2 dashes angostura bitters 2 dashes orange bitters Lemon twist, to garnish Club soda Add everything except club soda to a mixing glass and fill with ice. Stir to chill and strain into an ice-filled Collins glass. Top with club soda, to taste. Garnish with a lemon twist.
Make scents Pour a touch of summer in your custom candle!
Coppercraft Distillery
I have Long Road’s aquavit — a clean, elegant, Scandinavianspiced spirit with forward notes of cardamom, caraway and dill — in my home bar. ½ ounce Cynar 2 dashes Fee Brothers peach bitters 1 lemon twist, to garnish Combine all ingredients over ice and stir briskly for 15 seconds. Strain into a chilled cocktail coupe and garnish with a lemon twist.
PHOTOGRAPHY BY MICHAEL BUCK
PHOTOGRAPHY BY JOHNNY QUIRIN
Gray Skies Distillery 700 Ottawa Ave. NW, Grand Rapids Must own: Breakfast Rye whiskey Bonus buy: Coffee liqueur Whiskey is probably the hardest thing to achieve marked quality from a small, new distiller, but Gray Skies’ Breakfast Rye is a local favorite of mine that provides a delicious palate for use in a well-balanced cocktail. Also noteworthy is Gray Skies’ coffee liqueur. Use it for your White Russians as you please, but I’ll let you in on a secret: I spiked the buttercream for a chocolate cake with it one time and never turned back.
184 120th Ave., Holland Must own: Coppercraft Applejack Bonus buy: Coppercraft Citrus Vodka Coppercraft has been producing some great products, focusing on Michigan ingredients, since 2012. I’ve adored Coppercraft’s Applejack from Day 1. A clean, bright spirit, Applejack both shows off the Michigan apples used in the production but also remains dry and balanced, making it very useful as a base spirit. Plus, while citrus vodka, in general, isn’t really my thing, Coppercraft’s, I must admit, is really well-made and makes for a solid cocktail mixer.
1423 Lake Drive SE Grand Rapids, MI 49506 616.272.4693 waxpoeticcandlebar.com
The Valiant Essentially a Sidecar/French 75 hybrid, I love using apple brandy in this recipe. The touch of perfume from the apricot liqueur does wonders in this elegant aperitif — don’t skip it. 2 ounces Coppercraft Applejack ½ ounce apricot liqueur ½ ounce fresh lemon 1 teaspoon simple syrup 2 ounces brut Champagne, to top 1 lemon twist, for garnish Combine all ingredients except Champagne in a shaker with ice. Shake well until chilled and strain into a chilled coupe. Top with champagne and a lemon twist. — Torrence R. O’Haire, of The Starving Artist, is a chef, entrepreneur and restaurant consultant specializing in wine, spirits and cocktails. He also founded the Grand Rapids Cocktail Guild.
WE
GRAND RAPIDS
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Morning Glory (revised) Circa 1880, this cocktail was one of the original “pick-me-up” drinks, actually meant to be served at breakfast. Make this a tall drink with lots of club soda to make it light and refreshing, especially as a hair of the dog.
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cause & effect PEOPLE HELPING PEOPLE IN WEST MICHIGAN
BY ANN BYLE PHOTOGRAPHY BY JOHNNY QUIRIN
Left: Levi Gardner talks with Aly Gagnon in the gardens at Urban Roots. Below, and page 73, top: A May 2018 plant sale at Urban Roots included a variety of seedlings. Page 73, bottom: Compost coordinator Greg Mankowski rides his bike into the neighborhood to collect compost from residents.
Urban Roots promotes local food, creative gardening and eco-friendly habits — on-site and on the go.
Sowing seeds in the heart of GR
G
row. Eat. Learn. These three words sum up the mission and vision of Urban Roots, a community farm, learning center and market that began putting down roots in 2013. Levi Gardner, executive director, started Urban Roots because he loved the idea of growing food in an urban setting. He had been running a farm at Grand Valley State University while getting his master’s degree and teaching classes in sustainable agriculture. “I loved working on the rural campus, but I really wanted to do urban farming and help create a community food system,” said Gardner, who lives in Eastown. He created Urban Roots as an LLC; it became a nonprofit in 2015 and moved to its present location at 1316 Madison Ave. SE
at the end of 2015. The budget went from $0 to $300,000 in just three years, thanks to huge growth in its education programs, community outreach and gardens. Urban Roots now has four full-time staff members, two staffers just under full time, a couple of part-time contractors and as many as eight interns at a time. “We were rock farmers in 2016,” said Development and Events Manager Maaike Baker, who began volunteering at Urban Roots in July 2016 and was hired to work full time in February 2017. “We took 100 yards of concrete out of our vacant lot and had 10 3-foot-by-20-foot garden beds. By the end of 2017, we had 110 beds.” Urban Roots sells its produce at its small community market, open Tuesdays through Thursdays from noon to 7 p.m., May through
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“We aren’t production growers; we’re not trying to compete with area farmers. First and foremost, we are an educational nonprofit.” — Maaike Baker November. The garden yields just about anything growable in Michigan, from beans to peppers, strawberries to garlic. They also grow lavender, Swiss chard, collard greens, basil, kale, parsley, broccoli and more. The market sells locally sourced honey and other goods, as well. Garden beds are turned by hand — no machinery here — and fertilized with compost created on-site by Greg Mankowski, the resident expert. Mankowski distributes 3.5-gallon buckets to individuals and businesses who sign up for the program and who fill them with compostable household waste, such as potato and banana peels, coffee grounds, eggshells, and other fruit and vegetable extras. Pizza boxes are taken, as well, because they’re great for composting and recycling centers won’t take the waxy, oily boxes. Once a week, Mankowski arrives on his specially equipped bicycle to gather the waste, wipe out the bucket and head off to
add it to the piles of compost he nurtures daily. He travels 25-30 miles a week on that bike (except during winter) in an effort to avoid using fossil fuels. Almost 60 subscribers participate, as of mid-2018, yielding more than 10,000 pounds of compost a year. The black gold — which rises to 160 degrees and kills pathogens and breaks down waste — is used on-site for starter plants and to fertilize the many beds that fill the back and side yards at Urban Roots. It takes eight weeks to finish a pile, which must sit for another four before being spread.
One goal is to create enough compost to give back to those who contribute to it. MORE THAN A GARDEN Urban Roots is much more than the urban farm Gardner planned; he thought Urban Roots would be more about growing food and selling it at a farmers market. “But that started to change,” he said. “We discovered a gap around education. One week I was at our market and I had 15 people around me asking questions, which I never got tired of answering. So many people want to learn about food, the Earth, climatology, experiential education.” Urban Roots leans heavily toward education. Events in 2018 include Group Service Learning opportunities; training in community outreach gardening; workshops on starting a garden, composting, and cooking using garden produce. Supper Club events bring local chefs and local produce together for an evening of fun and great eating. “We aren’t production growers; we’re not trying to compete with area farmers,” Baker said. “First and foremost, we are an educational nonprofit.” Its Mobile Classroom program, which has a refurbished ambulance called Plant Mobile, helps cultivate collaborations with churches, community centers, schools and businesses. Interested groups pay an annual fee that includes training, garden design, plants, on-site workdays, consultations CITY GUIDE 2018-2019 / GRMAG.COM 73
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cause & effect PEOPLE HELPING PEOPLE IN WEST MICHIGAN
Nurturing Urban Roots: Executive Director Levi Gardner has high hopes for Urban Roots. Here’s how you can help: > Donations. “We always need help,” Gardner said. The goal is to have 20 percent of funding come from each of these areas: grants, services, individual donations, corporate giving and a monthly giving plan called Kombit. Currently, grants make up closer to 40 percent of funding. > Capturing a vision for Grand Rapids. We’ve moved from Furniture City to Beer City, but Gardner would like to see Grand Rapids become Garden City. “What if there was no school or nonprofit without a thriving, productive garden? No faith community without a garden?” he said. “For me, this work has a deep, spiritual element that can’t be overstated.” For more information, visit urbanrootsgr.org, or email info@urbanrootsgr.org.
Top: Fresh produce from the garden in preparation for a community dinner. Bottom, left: Food and farm steward Kelsey Hakeem planting. Bottom: Maaike Baker of Urban Roots shares gardening information with Youth Build Grand Rapids, a program for young adults working on getting their GED.
and other things, as needed. In 2017, Plant Mobile visited 16 sites, and the program reached almost 1,000 children and adults. Jenny Bongiorno is program manager for Urban Roots, overseeing the Mobile Classroom, composting, workshops and more. Some of the programs are fee-based, which Bongiorno said the organization hopes to use to fund free services, and
others are volunteer-based. Group Service Learning saw 31 groups spend 1,094 hours at Urban Roots, doing everything from painting signs to loading wood chips to weeding to preparing beds for planting. “There’s been such a response, and the need for programming in this area is so big,” Bongiorno said. “Urban Roots is a place for people to have meaningful, fun experi-
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genießen (E NJOY )
“I want people every day to try to lean more into what it means to be human, working with the land and dirt and Earth.” — Levi Gardner ences with food — learning about it and growing it and eating it.” Ten volunteers donated 881 hours of their time in 2017, with more than 30 volunteers dropping in for an additional 111 hours. For Leah Baker, every Wednesday is Urban Roots day. Recently, she spent her time weeding the strawberry patch. “I’d ridden my bike past and seen lots of cool stuff in the garden, so I wanted to see what Urban Roots is all about and get involved,” she said. “I like the juxtaposition of this awesome, huge garden in this very urban part of the city.” A ‘REVOLUTIONARY’ EXPERIENCE For Gardner and the other staff at Urban Roots, that’s the point: the garden and what it produces helps feed people in the middle of a city neighborhood; that food gets them interested in learning more about growing their own food, the Earth and the climate; and Urban Roots helps them learn about all of it with its many programs. “Gardening is one of the more revolutionary things we can do,” Gardner said. “Unfortunately, it sometimes has been reduced to aesthetics alone. Not only is it beautiful, but growing can be a way of cultivating education, beauty and health simultaneously. It is our goal to turn this sometimes-labor-intensive process on its head and make it a rewarding, engaging and productive experience.” He figures 3,000 people will walk onto the Urban Garden property in 2018 which, three years ago, had nothing on it. He wants more. “I want people every day to try to lean more into what it means to be human, working with the land and dirt and Earth,” Gardner said. “There is nothing as creative as a garden and nothing as simple as a garden. In a city full of consumption, we want to think more creatively about what we’re GR doing.”
A CLASSIC THAT DEFIES PREDICTABLE. Alpenrose Prime Rib has developed a reputation throughout the region. Succulent and savory, the experience of this dish remains unparalleled—drawing farm-to-table vegetables together with a roast that’s been slow cooked to perfection. We could go on with descriptions, or you could see for yourself. Experience this and a few more of our favorite things.
alpenroserestaurant.com
The corner of 8th and Central Holland, MI | 616-393-2111
MODEL: KELLY STICKNEY - BIKER CHICK PHOTO: CHRISTOPHER CONENS EYEWEAR: THEO CINQUANTE+9
6740 CASCADE ROAD www.cascade-optic al. co m
6 1 6 . 9 4 2 . 9 8 8 6
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FOOD. DRINK. ENTERTAINMENT.
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EXPERIENCES. SHOPPING. SERVICES.
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out & about WHERE TO GO / WHAT TO DO
A GUIDE TO WHAT’S HAPPENING AROUND THE CITY
exploring grand rapids A comprehensive resource guide
to Greater Grand Rapids, including a listing of art galleries, parks, theaters, performance groups, social and sports clubs, museums, fairs, festivals and more …
FARMERS MARKETS Buying local and eating healthy, fresh foods is made easier by the many farmers markets in the area. For more information on community farmers markets and markets on farms throughout West Michigan, visit westmichi ganfarmmarkets.org.
Terra Square Farmers Market 3380 Chicago Dr., Hudonsville; Wed. and Sat., 8 a.m.-1 p.m., June to Sept. terrasquare.com/farmers-mar ket
LAKESHORE MARKETS
GREATER GRAND RAPIDS MARKETS
Grand Haven Farmers Market Harbor Drive at 1st Street; Sat., 8 a.m.-1 p.m. (beginning mid-May), and Wed., June to Oct. grandhaven chamber.org/farmers-markets
Ada Farmers Market 7239 Thornapple River Dr.; Tues., 11 a.m.-4 p.m., mid-June to late Oct. adafarmersmarket.com
Holland Farmers Market 150 W. Eighth St. Holland; Wed. and Sat., 8 a.m.-3 p.m., May to Dec. hollandfarmersmarket.com
Byron Center Farmers Market Pathway Church, 8350 Byron Center Ave. SW; Sat., 8 a.m.-1 p.m., May to Oct. facebook.com/byron centerfarmersmarket
Montague Farmers Market 283 Church St.; Sat., 9 a.m.-1 p.m., June to Oct., and Wed. July to Sept. cityofmontague.org
Byron Center: Metro Health Farmers Market Metro Health Village, 5900 Byron Center Ave. SW, Wyoming; Thu., 9 a.m.-2 p.m., May to early Oct. metrohealth.net/livehealthy/farmmarket Fulton Street Farmers Market 1147 E. Fulton St.; Tue., Wed., Fri. and Sat., 8 a.m.-3 p.m., May to Dec., and Sat. 10 a.m.-1 p.m., Jan. to April. fultonstreetmarket.org Grandville Farmers Market Downtown off Wilson Ave.; Tue., 9 a.m.-1 p.m., June to Oct. cityofgrandville.com GVSU Farmers Market 1 Campus Dr., Allendale, Parking Lot G; Wed., 10 a.m.-1:30 p.m., June to mid-Oct. gvsu.edu/farmersmarket Kentwood Farmers Market Kentwood Branch Library, 4950 Breton Rd. SE; Sat., 9 a.m.-1 p.m., mid-June to Oct. yourkprd.org Rockford Farmers Market South Squires St. parking lot; Sat., 8 a.m.-1 p.m., May to Oct. rockford.mi.us Southeast Area Farmers Market Martin Luther King Jr. Park, 900 Fuller Ave. SE; Sat., 11 a.m.-3 p.m., mid-July to mid-Nov. oktjustice. org/farmers-market Sparta Farmers Market 152 N. State St.; Wed., 3-7 p.m., June to Sept. spartachamber.com
Muskegon Farmers Market 242 W. Western Ave.; Tue., Thu. and Sat., 8 a.m.-2 p.m., May to Nov., and Winter Market, Sat. 9 a.m.-2 p.m. Dec. to April. muskegonfarmersmarket.com Muskegon: Heights City Market 99 Center St.; Fri., 11 a.m.-5 p.m., mid-May to late Oct. muskegonheights.us Saugatuck Center for the Arts Farmers Market 400 Culver St.; Fri., 9 a.m.-3 p.m., late May to Sept. sc4a.org Spring Lake Farm & Garden Market Harvest Bible Chapel parking lot, Church St.; Thu., 9 a.m-2 p.m., June to mid-Oct. grand havenchamber.org/farmers-market
THEATER Actors’ Theatre Founded in 1980, this nonprofit community theater company features at least five contemporary productions annually showcasing local actors. Performs at Spectrum Theater, 160 Fountain St. NE. act orstheatregrandrapids.org Aquinas College Theatre The academic theater program at Aquinas College performs classical and contemporary productions at Aquinas Performing Arts Center, 1607 Robinson Road SE. aquinas.edu/theatre Broadway Grand Rapids This community-
based nonprofit brings professional Broadway plays and musicals to Grand Rapids. Performs at DeVos Performance Hall, 303 Monroe Ave. NW. broadwaygrandrapids.com
Calvin Theatre Company Calvin College theater majors and other students perform a range of challenging plays. Performs at Calvin’s Gezon Auditorium, 3201 Burton St. SE. calvin.edu/academics/departments-pro grams/calvin-theatre-company Circle Theatre Circle began presenting quality musicals, dramas and comedies in 1953. Its season runs May through September and includes three musicals and two plays. Magic Circle productions are for younger audiences. Performs at Aquinas PAC, 1703 Robinson Road SE. circletheatre.org Grand Rapids Civic Theatre Established in 1925, the Civic is one of the largest community theaters in the country. Its School of Theatre Arts provides education for all ages via workshops, classes, a teen traveling troupe and a high school summer stock troupe. Performs in the 750-seat Meijer Majestic Theatre, 30 N. Division Ave. grct.org Grand Valley State University The GVSU theatre program, now a part of the Department of Music, Theatre and Dance, includes three productions annually, plus a Shakespeare Festival in the fall. Bard To Go allows its ensemble to bring Shakespeare’s works to high schools and also travels regionally and internationally. Performs at Louis Armstrong Theatre, Allendale campus. gvsu.edu/ theatre GRCC Players Grand Rapids Community College students act, design costumes, create scenery, control sound and arrange lighting as part of their theater studies. Faculty members direct fall and winter main-stage productions; students direct an evening of one acts in the winter. Performs at Spectrum Theater, 160 Fountain St. NE. grcc.edu/the ater/grccplayers Heritage Theatre Group Focused on “classic plays and plays with classic themes,” this volunteer-run community theater group
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presents works from every era. Performs at Spectrum Theater, 160 Fountain St. NE. herit agetheatregr.org
year. The academy also offers classes for children beginning at age 3. 1595 Galbraith Ave. SE, 710-1666. michiganballet.org
Jewish Theatre Grand Rapids Founded in 1992, the group’s mission is to offer theater productions with Jewish themes and questions that resonate with a universal audience. Its season includes three productions. Performs at Spectrum Theater, 160 Fountain St. NE. jtgr.org
West Michigan Youth Ballet Founded in 2007, this nonprofit gives dancers ages 6-18 the chance to work with professional choreographers and perform in full-length ballets. It offers one or two performances per year and a three-day summer intensive program for ages 8-18. 6086 E. Fulton St., Ada, 682-4853. wmyb.org
Master Arts Theatre Christian theater group is dedicated to performing productions that are “wholesome, enlightening and enriching.” It presents plays September to June, plus summer youth productions. Performs at 75 77th St. SW. masterarts.org West Michigan Savoyards This group is dedicated to bringing the works of Gilbert and Sullivan to West Michigan audiences, performing one work per year in the spring. Performs at Wealthy Theatre, 1130 Wealthy St. SE. westmichigansavoyards.org
DANCE SOCIETIES Grand Rapids Original Swing Society Holds weekly family-friendly lessons/dances in swing dancing at various locations, including downtown outdoor spaces during warm weather, as well as frequent dance events throughout the year. grandrapidsoriginalswi ngsociety.com Grand River Folk Arts Society Hosts monthly dances and instruction events in contra dancing. sites.google.com/site/grfolkarts
DANCE COMPANIES Creative Arts Repertoire Ensemble Nonprofit organization founded in 1992 nurtures dancers age 4 through adult by providing performance opportunities, knowledge of technical staging and a positive experience. CARE hosts performances at East Grand Rapids Performing Arts Center that introduce families to ballet with condensed versions of classic ballets. 2661 29th St. SE, Suite I, 464-3682. careballet.org Dance In The Annex Formed in 2009, this modern dance collective performs at local and statewide arts events. DITA also hosts master classes with guest artists and creates live dance-film productions. danceinthean nex.com Grand Rapids Ballet Michigan’s only professional ballet company performs in DeVos Performance Hall and in its 300-seat Peter Martin Wege Theatre. Performances range from classic to contemporary. The company’s state-of-the-art facility, the Meijer-Royce Center for Dance, houses a school for ballet training and a Summer Intensive Program. The school’s Junior Company presents multiple performances annually. Outreach to community schools is accomplished with the Dance Immersion and Escape to the Ballet programs. 341 Ellsworth Ave. SW, 454-4771. grballet.com Michigan Ballet Academy Formed in 2011, the nonprofit offers ballet training that can prepare students for professional careers, as well as two full-length performances each
MUSIC ENSEMBLES Bach Chorale of Grand Rapids Formed by Dr. Martin Werner to perform at the inaugural Grand Rapids Bach Festival in 1997, this group performs music by a variety of composers in the spring and fall. bachchorale grandrapids.org Chamber Choir of Grand Rapids Along with its regular concert season, the group works to raise social awareness with organizations such as Heartside Ministries, Children’s Assessment Center, Senior Neighbors, Silent Observer and the Butterworth Foundation. chamberchoirgr.org Embellish Founded in 1995, this community, professional-level handbell ensemble performs throughout the year. Ringlets is its outreach program for children. embellish handbells.com Grand Rapids & District Pipe Band Formed in 1968 to maintain and promote the music and history of the Great Highland Bagpipes and Highland-style drumming, the group performs in parades and festivals. grandrap idspipeband.com
al times annually. It often collaborates with students, including sponsoring a Youth Soloist Competition, and features the 17-piece Grand River Big Band. grsymphonicband.org
Grand Rapids Jazz Orchestra Big band ensemble plays jazz classics and original compositions. It performs at Founders Brewing Co. the first Sunday of each month. grjo.com Grand Rapids Symphony Established in 1930, GRS’s concert series vary widely with something for every age: Classical, Pops, SymphonicBoom, Great Eras, Coffee Classics, Picnic Pops, Lollipops and Family concerts for kids, and more. GRS also runs the Youth Symphony and Classical Orchestra for younger musicians. grsymphony.org Grand Rapids Women’s Chorus This group, established in 1996, is dedicated to singing music that celebrates and honors the diversity of women’s lives across many cultures. It performs two major concerts annually and participates in a variety of community events. grwc.org Great Lakes Chorus Established in 1947, this award-winning ensemble also includes a number of barbershop quartets. It performs concerts throughout the year with a repertoire that includes barbershop, gospel, patriotic, doo-wop, seasonal and swing. great lakeschorus.org Kent Philharmonic Orchestra Formed in 1975, KPO consists of volunteer classical musicians who perform several concerts a year and operate through Grand Rapids Community College. kentphilgr.org Metropolitan Choir of Praise A Christian chorus of approximately 40 members, this group has been singing sacred music since 1963. The choir performs about a half-dozen concerts annually. metropolitanchoir.org Opera Grand Rapids Formed in 1967, OGR is Michigan’s longest-running professional opera company. It performs three shows each season, accompanied by the GR Symphony. It also offers opera talks for adults, master classes, OPERAtunity for middle and high school students, and a collegiate vocal competition. operagr.org
Grand Rapids Sweet Adelines Chorus The chorus consists of more than 60 women singing four-part barbershop harmonies with flair. The group performs at annual shows, competitions and community events. grsa.net
Schubert Male Chorus Composed of men 18 and older, this group performs a wide variety of music, including folk, patriotic, spirituals, show tunes, classical, contemporary, love songs, sea chanteys and Christmas/seasonal selections. The Good Libations “quartet of five” sings a cappella hits from the ’50s and ’60s. schubertmalechorus.org
Grand Rapids Symphonic Band Formed in 1978, the adult concert band performs sever-
St. Cecilia Music Center School of Music The School of Music offers educational and CITY GUIDE 2018-2019 / GRMAG.COM 79
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performance opportunities for youth and adults in an ensemble setting. Adult programs include Grand Band and Grand String Orchestra, and youth programs include Concert Orchestra, Philharmonic, Jazz Combo, Concert Band and Jazz Band. scmc-online. org/school-of-music
West Michigan New Horizons Music Ensembles Founded in 1999, this organization offers approximately 100 adults a chance to play music in a number of ensembles, including symphonic, concert, Dixieland, German and percussion. There are several performances each year, as well as outreach programs for schools and retirement homes. westmichigannewhorizons.org
BARS & CLUBS The city’s nightlife scene includes everything from neighborhood pubs to upscale clubs. Venues that primarily function as restaurants are found in the Dining List.
Apartment Lounge For four decades, the Apartment has been known for catering to the LGBTQ community but emphasizes all are welcome. Features include everyday drink specials. 33 Sheldon Ave. NE, 451-0815. apart mentlounge.net Back Forty Saloon Country music fans will enjoy live music, line dancing and an extensive selection of whiskey, scotch and bourbon. 48 W. Fulton St., 742-4040. thebackforty saloon.com Billy’s Lounge Eastown hotspot hosts local and regional bands representing all music genres. 1437 Wealthy St. SE, 459-5757. billys lounge.com The B.O.B. See Performance Venues. Bob’s Sports Bar Opens daily at 7 a.m. and features food, sports and reasonably priced drinks. Specials every day, including Taco Monday and Burger Tuesday. 725 Michigan St. NE, 774-0512. bobsbar.org Broadway Bar and Grill From Thanksgiving to Valentine’s, this kitschy corner bar decks its halls with Christmas décor, and the rest of the year with movie star memorabilia and Big Ten souvenirs. Food includes burgers, burritos and appetizers. 740 Broadway Ave. NW, 454-0565. Facebook. Duke’s Classic bar serves up bar food at reasonable prices. Daily happy hour and frequent new specials. 700 Michigan St. NE, 774-9388. Facebook. The Intersection See Performance Venues. Log Cabin Cocktail Lounge Open since 1938,
the Log Cabin brings in customers with a full menu, drink specials, karaoke, beer pong and live music on weekends. 2401 S. Division Ave., 245-4394. logcabinbar.com
Lumber Baron Bar Warm, upscale bar in the Amway Grand Plaza has a fireplace, leather chairs and a large selection of premium drinks and appetizers. 187 Monroe Ave. NW, 7742000. amwaygrand.com/dining/lumber-bar on-bar The Meanwhile Bar Quirky bar features a brick patio in the shape of a mitten, pinball machines and a one-of-a-kind jukebox. “Ridiculous specials” every day until midnight. 1005 Wealthy St. SE, 233-1679. meanwhile bar.com Mixology Just steps inside the JW Marriott, Mixology combines a cosmopolitan vibe with perfectly poured cocktails. Live music Friday and Saturday evenings. 235 Louis Campau St. NW, 242-1448. ilovethejw/dining/mixology Mulligan’s Pub Eastown’s Irish-style pub draws college students, long-time regulars and neighborhood residents who enjoy darts, pool and live music on weekends. 1518 Wealthy St. SE, 451-0775. facebook.com/mul liganspubgr The Orbit Room See Performance Venues Pickwick Tavern Neighborhood bar serves East Hills with quality well liquors and basic happy hours. The bar thrives on friendly bartenders and old-school patrons who like to hang out. Cash only. 970 Cherry St. SE, 7749647 The Pyramid Scheme See Performance Venues. Quinn & Tuite’s Irish Pub Neighborhood hangout offering Irish whiskies and beers, along with Taco Thursdays, live music, open mic nights, pool and darts. 1535 Plainfield Ave. NE, 363-8380. quinnandtuites.com River Rock at the Grand River Hotel Live music Friday and Saturday and jazz brunch Sunday. 270 Ann St. NW, 363-9001. thegrand riverhotel.com
lection of beer and wine. 80 Ottawa Ave. NW, 551-9195. sidebargr.com
Steel Cat Bar Offers GR’s first frost rail bar, chilling beer (and cocktails) to a precise 32 degrees; happy hours and local music groups with a wide-range of sounds nightly. Craft cocktails and fun in the snow with Cat bulldozers. 640 Bridge St. NW, 220-4449. steel catbar.com Tip Top Deluxe Bar & Grill Frequent performances by national musicians, Comedy Tuesdays, and food and drink specials on non-show nights. 760 Butterworth St. SW, 2723910. tappyhourgrandrapids.com/tip-top-de luxe Twisted Bull Saloon Country bar with live music Friday and Saturday, mechanical bull, karaoke, dancing, pool, pong, darts and keno. Menu includes burgers and chicken. 3230 Eastern Ave. SE, 245-0531. twistedbull.net
BREWERIES Atwater Brewery, 201 Michigan St. NW (The Rowe), 649-3020, atwaterbeer.com The B.O.B.’s Brewery, 20 Monroe Ave. NW, 356-2000, thebobsbrewery.thebob.com Brass Ring Brewing, 2404 Eastern Ave. SE, 460-1587, brassringbrewing.com Brewery Vivant, 925 Cherry St. SE, 719-1604, breweryvivant.com Cedar Springs Brewing Co., 95 N. Main, Cedar Springs, 696-2337, csbrew.com Cellar Brewing Co., 133 E. Division St., Sparta, 883-0777, cellarbrewingco.com City Built Brewing Co., 820 Monroe Ave. NW, citybuiltbrewing.com Cranker’s Restaurant & Brewery, 454 68th St. SW, Cutlerville, 827-1919, crankersbrew ery.com Creston Brewery, 1504 Plainfield Ave. NE, 805-4523, crestonbrewery.com East West Brewing Company, 1400 Lake Dr. SE, 288-5250, eastwestbrewingcompany. com
Rocky’s Bar & Grill Dance floor with DJs and live music, open mic and a varied “dog” menu. 633 Ottawa Ave. NW, 356-2346, face book.com/rockysbarandgrill
E.B. Coffee and Pub, 8980 N. Rogers Court, Caledonia, 891-7700, ebcoffeepub.com
Rumors Night Club High-energy gay bar and dance club with male exotic dancers every Wednesday and drag shows on Sundays. 69 S. Division Ave., 454-8720. rumorsnightclub. net
Founders Brewing Co., 235 Grandville Ave. SW, 776-2182, foundersbrewing.com
SideBar Casual, comfortable handcrafted cocktail bar that also features a rotating se-
Elk Brewing Co., 700 Wealthy St. SE, 2385227, elkbrewing.com
Grand Rapids Brewing Co., 1 Ionia Ave. SW, 458-7000, grbrewingcompany.com Gravel Bottom Craft Brewery, 452 Ada Dr.
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SE, Ada, 920-7398, gravelbottom.com
Greyline Brewing Co., 1727 Alpine Ave. NW, greylinebrewing.com Harmony Brewing Co., 1551 Lake Dr. SE, 2330063, harmonybeer.com Harmony Hall, 401 Stocking Ave. NW, 2339186, harmonybeer.com/harmony-hall Hideout Brewing Co., 3113 Plaza Dr. NE, 3619658, hideoutbrewing.com Jaden James Brewery, 4665 Broadmoor Ave. SE, 656-4665, jadenjamesbrewery.com Jolly Pumpkin Pizzeria & Brewery, 428 Bridge St. NW, 419-4676, jollypumpkin.com Kitzingen Brewery, 1760 44th St. SW, 8055077, kitzingen-brewery.com
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The Knickerbocker, 417 Bridge St. NW, 3455642, newhollandbrew.com/knickerbocker The Mitten Brewing Co., 527 Leonard St. NW, 608-5612, mittenbrewing.com Osgood Brewing, 4051 Chicago Dr. SW, Grandville, 432-3881, osgoodbrewing.com
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Perrin Brewing Co., 5910 Comstock Park Dr. NW, Comstock Park, 551-1957, perrinbrewing. com Pike 51 Brewery, 3768 Chicago Dr., Hudsonville, 662-4589, pike51.com Railtown Brewing Co., 3555 68th St. SE, Dutton, 881-2364, railtownbrewing.com Rockford Brewing Co., 12 E. Bridge St., Rockford, 951-4677, rockfordbrewing.com Schmohz Brewing Co., 2600 Patterson Ave. SE, 949-0860, schmohz.com Speciation Artisan Ales, 3720 Laramie Dr. NE, Comstock Park, speciationartisanales. com
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Thornapple Brewing Co., 6262 28th St. SE, 288-6907, thornapplebrewing.com Trail Point Brewing Co., 6035 Lake Michigan Dr., Allendale, 895-2739, trailpointbrew ing.com White Flame Brewing Co., 5234 36th Ave., Hudsonville, 209-5098, whiteflamebrewing. com
LAKESHORE BREWERIES Big Hart Brewing Co., 4086 W. Polk Rd., Hart, (231) 301-8226, bighartbrewing.com Big Lake Brewing Co., 13 W. Seventh St., Holland, 796-8888, biglakebrewing.com Continued on page 84
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Blandford Nature Center: Situated on 143 acres of woods, fields, ponds and streams, Blandford provides programs that connect people to nature and encourage sustainable practices. The grounds include restored heritage buildings, a farm, a Wildlife Education Center and miles of wildlife trails. The Mary Jane Dockeray Visitor Center opened in April 2017. The annual Sugarbush Festival in March celebrates all things maple. 1715 Hillburn Ave. NW, 735-6240, blandfordnaturecenter. org. Calder Plaza/La Grande Vitesse: Alexander Calder’s 43-foot-high bright red stabile was designed in 1969 for the downtown site that is the scene of various festivals and events throughout the year. 250 Monroe Ave. NW.
Museums & attractions COMPILED BY TRICIA VAN ZELST
1/ GRAND RAPIDS PUBLIC MUSEUM: Permanent exhibits include Streets of Old Grand Rapids; Newcomers: The People of This Place; West Michigan Habitats; Grand Fish, Grand River; and Be Curious. There also is a restored 1928 Spillman carousel, the Roger B. Chaffee Planetarium (see pg. 83) and Mighty Wurlitzer organ concerts. In addition to its extensive permanent collection, the museum hosts national touring exhibits and special events. 272 Pearl St. NW, 456-3977, grpm.org. 2/ JOHN BALL ZOO: The zoo is home to more than 2,000 animals with exhibits that include Tigers of the Realm, Lions of Lake Manyara, Treasure of the Tropics, Living Shores Aquarium and Red’s Hobby Farm (petting zoo). A funicular travels 900 feet up to the Idema Forest Realm with a nature trail, play area and view of the city. In summer, visitors can enjoy a zip line and ropes course, ride camels or feed birds in the budgie aviary. A gift shop has eco-friendly and fair-trade items. 1300 W. Fulton St., 336-4300, jbzoo.org.
2/ John Ball Zoo’s river otter
3/ GRAND RAPIDS CHILDREN’S MUSEUM: GRCM celebrates childhood and the joy of learning with hands-on permanent and traveling exhibits especially for kids 2-10. Activities include Bubbles!, Little GR, Just Fort Fun, Wee Discover, Kidstruction Zone and Imagination Playground. 11 Sheldon Ave. NE, 235-4726, grcm.org.
Fish Ladder Sculpture: Created by artist Joseph Kinnebrew in 1974, the fish ladder helps fish as they head upriver to spawn and provides viewing platforms for watching the action. The fish are most active in the spring and late summer. West bank of Grand River, 560 Front Ave. NW, south of Sixth Street. Frederik Meijer Gardens & Sculpture Park: The 158-acre botanic gardens and sculpture park features an eight-acre Japanese garden, a 30-acre sculpture park, nature trails and boardwalks, plus indoor sculpture galleries and a tropical conservatory. Children enjoy the Lena Meijer Children’s Garden and Michigan’s Farm Garden. Special exhibits include Butterflies are Blooming (March/April) and Christmas and Holiday Traditions Around the World. A 1,900-seat outdoor amphitheater hosts national headliner concerts in the summer. 1000 East Beltline Ave. NE, 957-1580, meijer gardens.org. Gerald R. Ford Presidential Library & Museum: After extensive renovations in 2016, the 54,000-square-foot facility sits in a downtown park on the bank of the Grand River. Permanent exhibits include, “At Work in the Oval Office,” “State Dining and Cabinet Room,” “Young Jerry Ford” and more. The museum also hosts temporary exhibits and special programs. Gerald and Betty Ford’s burial site also is on the grounds. 303 Pearl St. NW, 254-0400, fordlibrarymuseum.gov. Grand Rapids Art Museum: Since 1911, GRAM has grown to include more than 5,000 works of art. The 125,000-square-foot facility, which hosts national and regional exhibitions, is the first newly built art museum to receive LEED Gold certification. Special lectures and art workshops coincide with temporary exhibits and Drop-In Family Saturdays has special programming for families. GRAM on the Green offers live music in the summer and Sunday Classical Concert Series runs in the fall and winter. 101 Monroe Center NW, 831-1000, art museumgr.org.
PHOTOGRAPHY COURTESY GRAND RAPIDS PUBLIC MUSEUM (TOP); KAT WILLE (BOTTOM)
1/ The carousel at Grand Rapids Public Museum
Downtown Market: The Market Hall is home to more than 20 local vendors selling produce, cheese, wine, coffee, flowers, beverages, clothing, fish, spices, baked goods and ice cream, plus two full-service restaurants and a variety of dining options. Upstairs are greenhouses, a demonstration kitchen for cooking classes and rentable incubator kitchens. Outdoors between May and September, the Made in Michigan Pop-Up Marketplace offers artisan gifts, local treats and Michiganmade goodies the fourth Saturday of the month, while the Vintage Street Market takes place the second Sunday of the month. 435 Ionia Ave. SW, 805-5308, downtownmarketgr.com.
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Heritage Hill Historic District: The national historic neighborhood includes more than 1,300 houses in 60 architectural styles dating from 1843. Annual home tours are in May and garden tours are in June. A self-guided walking tour brochure is available on the website. 126 College Ave. SE, 4598950, heritagehillweb.org. Meyer May House: Built in 1909, this Frank Lloyd Wright prairie-style home was restored by Steelcase Corp. in 1987 and includes many original furnishings. The house is open for free guided tours 10 a.m.-1 p.m. Tuesdays and Thursdays and 1-4 p.m. Sundays. 450 Madison Ave. SE, 246-4821, meyermayhouse.steelcase.com. Roger B. Chaffee Planetarium: Inside Grand Rapids Public Museum, the planetarium offers comfortable auditorium seating for daily shows that rotate throughout the year. The technology uses Digistar projection and surround sound. 272 Pearl St. NW, 456-3977, grpm.org/planetarium.
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3/ Fun with the bubble exhibit at Grand Rapids
Fine Art Handcrafted Goods Entertainment Children’s Lane Wine & Beer Garden
Rosa Parks Circle/Ecliptic: Maya Lin designed Ecliptic for this open space in the heart of downtown to embody Grand Rapids’ ties to water. The 13,000-square-foot installation includes an amphitheater for concerts and an ice-skating rink for winter months. Fiber-optic points embedded in the rink represent the constellations of the night sky over Grand Rapids on Jan. 1, 2000. 135 Monroe Center NW.
PHOTOGRAPHY COURTESY DAVID CHANDLER
PHOTOGRAPHY COURTESY GRAND RAPIDS PUBLIC MUSEUM (TOP); KAT WILLE (BOTTOM)
Children’s Museum.
TreeRunner Adventure Park: The self-guided high-wire forest adventure has more than 60 obstacles with ziplines, Tarzan swings, rope bridges and swinging logs, plus a Junior Park for kids as young as 3 years old. 2121 Celebration Drive NE, 226-3993, treerunnergrandrapids.com.
JULY 6 & 7, 2018 | Downtown Muskegon lakeshoreartfestival.org
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Continued from page 81 Fetch Brewing Co., 100 W. Colby St., Whitehall, (231) 292-1048, fetchbrewing.com Grand Armory Brewing Co., 17 S. Second St., Grand Haven, 414-7822, grandarmorybrew ing.com New Holland Brewing Co., 66 E. Eighth St., Holland, 355-6422, newhollandbrew.com Odd Side Ales, 41 Washington Ave., Suite 160, Grand Haven, 935-7326, oddsideales. com Old Boys’ Brewhouse, 971 W. Savidge St., Spring Lake, 850-9950, oldboysbrewhouse. com Our Brewing Co., 76 E. Eighth St., Holland, 994-8417, ourbrewingcompany.com Pigeon Hill Brewing Co., 500 W. Western Ave., Suite 1, Muskegon, (231) 375-5184, pige onhillbrew.com Saugatuck Brewing Co., 2948 Blue Star Hwy., Douglas, (269) 857-7222, saugatuckbr ewing.com Tripelroot, 146 E. Main Ave., Zeeland, 9530050, tripelroot.com Unruly Brewing Co., 360 W. Western Ave., Muskegon, (231) 288-1068, unrulybrewing. com
CIDERIES (HARD CIDER) Farmhaus Cider Co., 5025 Stanton Ave., Hudsonville, 920-1867, farmhauscider.com Ridge Cider Co., 351 W. 136th St., Grant, (231) 674-2040, ridgecider.com Robinette’s Apple Haus, 3142 Four Mile Rd. NE, 361-5567, robinettes.com Sietsema Orchards, 8540 Two Mile Rd., Ada, 676-5584, sietsemaorchards.com The People’s Cider Co., 539 Leonard St. NW, 322-7805, thepeoplescider.com Vander Mill Ciders, 14921 Cleveland St., Spring Lake, 842-4337, and 505 Ball Ave. NE, Grand Rapids, 259-8828, vandermill.com Virtue Cider, 2170 62nd St., Fennville, (269) 722-3232, virtuecider.com
DISTILLERIES Artesian Distillers, 15 Ionia Ave SW Suite 100, 238-7031, artesiandistillers.com Bier Distillery, 5295 W. River Dr., NE, Suite 100, 888-9746, bierdistillery.com Gray Skies Distillery, 700 Ottawa Ave. NW, 893-3305, grayskiesdistillery.com
Long Road Distillers, 537 Leonard St. NW, 228-4924, longroaddistillers.com
SOCIAL CLUBS Alliance Francaise de Grand Rapids Activities of this French language club include conversation groups, book club and French classes, along with events such as a Bastille Day celebration and Mardi Gras Fete. afgrand rapids.org Club Italia Those who love Italian language and culture meet at 7 p.m. the second Monday of each month at Schuler Books & Music on 28th Street SE. Sponsored in part by the Sister Cities International group. grsister cities.org Economic Club of Grand Rapids A professional organization of executives and community leaders, this group is dedicated to the city’s economic health and growth. It hosts semimonthly luncheons September-May and evening discussions. Past speakers have included Henry Kissinger, Alan Greenspan, Condoleezza Rice, Bill Clinton, Bono and Tom Brokaw. econclub.net Edelweiss Club of Grand Rapids GermanAmerican social club celebrates German culture and organizes the annual Oktoberfest celebration, as well as other activities. edel weissclubgr.com Grand Rapids Amateur Astronomical Association Members meet monthly and participate in educational activities, comet watches and featured speakers. GRAAA opens its James C. Veen Observatory to the public one Saturday per month April-October. graaa.org Grand Rapids Area Professionals for Excellence GRAPE is a small-business networking group that hosts speakers at varying locations and networking opportunities with business owners and leaders. grapegr.org Grand Rapids Audubon Club GRAC holds monthly meetings September-May for nature lovers with guest speakers (open to public). It also organizes frequent birding field trips and offers junior programs. graud.org Grand Rapids Sport and Social Club This co-ed group of young professionals meets weekly to play noncompetitive sports from kickball to flag football and to enjoy social happy hours. grssc.com Grand Rapids Young Professionals GRYP provides young professionals 21-40 with the opportunity to network, professionally and socially. It offers company tours, panel events, luncheon speakers and volunteer opportunities. gryp.org
Green Drinks Grand Rapids Every month, those who work in the environmental field meet informally to network and socialize; part of West Michigan Environmental Action Council. wmeac.org/green-drinks Junior League of Grand Rapids This women’s organization is centered on volunteering, developing the potential of women and improving communities. Membership includes monthly meetings and social events. junior leaguegr.com Mothers of Preschoolers International group of moms holds monthly meetings and forms playgroups and other family-friendly events. mops.org Newcomers Club of Greater Grand Rapids This social club meets the second Monday of each month September-May. Activities include dinner club, happy hour, Euchre, golf and book clubs. It also supports Kids’ Food Basket; volunteer opportunities are available. newcomersclubofgreatergrandrapids.com Polish Heritage Society This group helps Polish-Americans celebrate their ancestry by hosting special festivals and events. It also encourages education and awareness of Polish history. polishheritagesociety.com Tasters Guild A wine and food appreciation society for everyone from novice to connoisseur, offering a variety of educational and social activities. Members enjoy tours, cruises, tastings and dinners while promoting responsible consumption. tastersguild.com West Michigan Blues Society Provides an opportunity for blues fans to meet and enjoy the fellowship of other blues lovers while promoting and preserving the history of blues music. Blues in the Schools presentations bring blues appreciation and history to local elementary schools. wmbs.org West Michigan Jazz Society WMJS promotes jazz events, such as the Monday Night Jazz Series at The Guest House SeptemberMay, weekly Jazz in the Park summer concerts at Ah-Nab-Awen Park in downtown GR and the New Vintage Jazz Series at New Vintage Place. Since 2000, WMJS has honored outstanding local musicians with the Musician of the Year award. wmichjazz.org Women’s City Club of Grand Rapids Activities include educational and cultural programs, fashion shows, concerts, bus trips, health and lifestyle programs, book reviews and travelogue classes. wccgr.org Young Nonprofit Professionals Network of Grand Rapids Provides emerging nonprofit leaders with opportunities for professional
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development, education and networking with events such as monthly Conversation Starter meetings and annual Leadership Awards. ynpngr.org
PROFESSIONAL SPORTS Grand Rapids Drive Professional minorleague basketball team affiliated with the NBA’s Detroit Pistons played its inaugural season in 2014-15. The season runs from November to April. Home games are played at The DeltaPlex Arena, 2500 Turner Ave., Walker. grandrapids.gleague.nba.com Grand Rapids Football Club Men: Minorleague soccer team in the National Premier Soccer League played its first season in 2015. The season runs from May to July. Home games are played at Houseman Field, 901 Fountain St. NE. Women: Pro-am soccer team in the United Women’s Soccer league played its first season in 2016. The season runs from May to July. Home games are played at Grandville High School, 4700 Canal Ave. SW. grand rapidsfc.com Grand Rapids Griffins American Hockey League team, primary affiliate of the NHL’s Detroit Red Wings and 2013 and 2017 Calder Cup champions, begins its season in October. The regular season ends in April. Games are played at Van Andel Arena, 130 W. Fulton St. griffinshockey.com West Michigan Whitecaps Professional minor-league baseball team affiliated with the Detroit Tigers is a member of the Midwest League. The season runs April through early September. Games are played at Fifth Third Ballpark, 4500 West River Drive NE, Comstock Park. whitecapsbaseball.com
SPORTING EVENTS Fifth Third River Bank Run More than 18,000 people participate in this May event, the largest 25K road race in the country. It also includes a 5K and 10K run, 5K walk, junior events, and a handcycle and wheelchair races. Downtown Grand Rapids. 53riverbank run.com
scenic course in Ada and Cascade townships. grandrapidstri.com
levels in an indoor, 50-foot firing range. 1331 Nagel Ave. SW, Wyoming. grrpc.net
Gus Macker Basketball Tournament What began on a driveway in Lowell has spawned 3-on-3 basketball tournaments nationwide for players age 7-50+. The entire tour runs March to September; West Michigan locations in 2018 include Grand Rapids, Big Rapids, Ludington, Sparta, Otsego, Belding, Hastings and Greenville. macker.com
Grand Rapids Rowing Association GRRA offers outdoor adult recreational and masters competitive rowing from April to October. Junior Rowing programs are open to middle and high school students. Boathouse: 291 N. Park St. NW. grrowing.org
Meijer State Games of Michigan The Olympic-style games are the signature event of the West Michigan Sports Commission and attract thousands of Michigan amateur athletes of all ages and abilities. The Summer Games, featuring about 40 sports, are held in June, while the Winter Games, featuring approximately 20 sports, are in February. stategames ofmichigan.com Metro Health Grand Rapids Marathon The certified 26.2-mile course takes runners on a tour of downtown Grand Rapids and through Millennium Park’s trails; half-marathon and relay events also are available. The 14th annual event takes place Oct. 21, and begins and ends at David D. Hunting YMCA. grand rapidsmarathon.com Michigan Golden Gloves Association Amateur boxing league has events in March and April at The DeltaPlex Arena, 2500 Turner Ave., Walker. michigangoldengloves.com National 24-Hour Challenge The nation’s largest on-road, 24-hour, personal best bicycle endurance race takes place annually on Father’s Day weekend at Thornapple Kellogg Middle School in Middleville. n24hc.org Rhoades McKee Reeds Lake Triathlon/ Duathlon The Olympic distance includes a 1,500-meter swim, 40K bike ride and 10K run, while the Sprint distance includes a 750-meter swim, 20K bike ride and 5K run. There also are duathlon (biking and running) and aquabike (swimming and biking) options at the Sept. 8 event. John Collins Park, 650 Lakeside Drive, East Grand Rapids. reedslake triathlon.com
SPORTS CLUBS
Gazelle Sports Triple Crown Series A trio of 5K races in the Grand Rapids area: Spectrum Health Irish Jig in March, and Brian Diemer Family of Races and Reeds Lake Run, both in June. The series is a corporate team competition, but individual races are open to all. gazellesports.com/wp/gazelle-sports-triplecrown
Grand Raggidy Roller Derby The all-women roller derby league, formed in 2006, is a member of the Women’s Flat Track Derby Association. Games are scheduled year-round. Home games are played at Rivertown Sports, 2605 Sanford Ave. SW, Grandville. grandrag gidy.com
Grand Rapids Triathlon USA Triathlonsanctioned Sprint, Olympic and Half-Iron distance race is held annually in June on a
Grand Rapids Rifle and Pistol Club This league-based shooting club offers activities October through April for people of all skill
Grand Rapids Rugby Football Club For more than 35 years, the Division I Gazelles have excelled in the Midwest Region and boast an impressive national record. Saturday games are scheduled in spring and fall. Home field is Highland Park, 700 College Ave. NE. grand rapidsrugby.com Grand Rapids Running Club This group organizes a summer race series and training runs for the Fifth Third River Bank Run and Metro Health Grand Rapids Marathon. Membership isn’t necessary, but members receive discounts on race fees and merchandise at area running stores. grandrapidsrunningclub. org Grand Rapids Yacht Club Established in 1931, GRYC offers sailing lessons, competitive racing and summer regattas on Reeds Lake. Yearly dues and fees are required to be a part of this consortium of sailors, who sail between Memorial Day and Labor Day. 740 Lakeside Drive SE, East Grand Rapids. grand rapidsyachtclub.org Greater Grand Rapids Figure Skating Club Founded in 1972 and part of the U.S. Figure Skating association, the club brings the joy of ice skating to people of all ages and abilities. Events include the Grand Rapids Open and an annual spring ice show. Patterson Ice Center, 2550 Patterson Ave. SE. ggrfsc.org Greater Grand Rapids Ski Club Members downhill and cross-country ski in the winter, but also enjoy year-round get-togethers the first Friday of the month (open to the public), as well as golfing, biking, sailing, kayaking and camping. ggrsc.org Meadowview Polo Club Members, who must be part of the U.S. Polo Association and pay grounds fees, can learn how to play from professional polo player and horse trainer Les Johnson. Tournaments are played June to September. Meadowview Farm, 9914 Vergennes, Lowell. meadowview-farm.com Rapid Wheelmen Bicycle Club Organized in 1970, this club holds monthly meetings, annual gatherings, a race team, summer training events, education programs, invitationals, plus year-round weekly and summer daily rides. Meetings are held at Rapid CenCITY GUIDE 2018-2019 / GRMAG.COM 85
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tral Station, 250 Grandville Ave. SE. rapid wheelmen.com
Camelot Park Amenities: basketball, picnicking, playground. 2230 Rowland Ave. SE
ing, playground, restrooms, soccer. 700 College Ave. NE
RunGR A training group for runners of all abilities, RunGR offers year-round access to coaching, training and structured workouts. RunGR sponsors the Lake Michigan Credit Union Bridge Run, this year Sept. 16, supporting local organizations committed to healthy lifestyles. rungr.com
Campau Park Amenities: none. 50 Antoine St. SW
Hillcrest Park Amenities: baseball, dog park, soccer. 1415 Lyon St. NE
Canal Park Along Grand River. Amenities: biking, hiking, picnicking, playground, restrooms. 941 Monroe Ave. NW
Hosken Park Amenities: none. 1000 Lake Dr. SE
GRAND RAPIDS CITY PARKS City parks total more than 1,600 acres and offer amenities from baseball diamonds and playgrounds to picnic areas and swimming pools. 456-3696, grcity.us/parks
Aberdeen Elementary Amenities: baseball, basketball, picnicking, playground, soccer. 928 Aberdeen St. NE Aberdeen Park Amenities: baseball, basketball, playground, picnicking, restrooms, soccer, tennis, water playground. Eastern Avenue at Evelyn Street NE
Caulfield Park Amenities: playground. 1121 Caulfield Ave. SW
Huff Park Amenities: baseball, biking, crosscountry skiing, hiking, natural area, picnicking, playground, restrooms. 2399 Ball Ave. NE
Cherry Park Amenities: basketball, picnicking, playground, restrooms, tennis, wading pool. 725 Cherry St. SE
Joe Taylor Park Amenities: playground, picnicking, restrooms, water playground. 1030 Bemis St. SE
Cheseboro Park Amenities: playground. 951 Merrit St. SE
Ken-O-Sha/Plaster Creek Trail Amenities: biking, hiking. 1353 Van Auken SE
Clemente Park Amenities: baseball, picnicking, restrooms, soccer. 546 Rumsey St. SW
Kensington Park Amenities: baseball, picnicking, playground, soccer. 896 Hall St. SW
Coit Park Amenities: baseball, basketball, picnicking, playground. 700 Coit Ave. NE
Lexington Park Amenities: picnicking, playground. 90 Lexington Ave. NW
Crescent Park Amenities: picnicking. 301 Bostwick Ave. NE
Lincoln Park Amenities: basketball, picnicking, playground, restrooms, tennis. 1120 Bridge St. NW
Ah-Nab-Awen Park Amenities: picnicking, restrooms. 220 Front Ave. NW
Dickinson Buffer Park Amenities: basketball, picnicking, playground. 1635 Willard Ave. SE
Alexander Park Amenities: picnicking, playground. 614 Alexander St. SE
Douglas Park Amenities: basketball, picnicking, playground. 640 Douglas St. NW
Alger Middle School Amenities: baseball, basketball, biking, hiking, picnicking, playground, restrooms, soccer, tennis, water playground. 921 Alger St. SE
Eastern Park Amenities: basketball, biking, hiking, picnicking, playground. 820 Eastern Ave. NE
Aman Park Amenities: cross-country skiing, hiking, natural area, picnicking. 0-1859 Lake Michigan Dr. NW
Fish Ladder Park Amenities: Fish Ladder sculpture, fishing, fish watching, picnicking, riverfront walkway. 506 Front Ave. NW
Lookout Park Amenities: picnicking, scenic overlook. 801 Fairview Ave. NE Lyon Square Amenities: None. 296 Lyon St. NW MacKay-Jaycee Park Amenities: baseball, basketball, picnicking, playground, restrooms, soccer, tennis. 2531 Kalamazoo Ave. SE Madison Square Park Amenities: none. 1400 Madison Ave. SE
Baldwin Park Amenities: none. 600 E. Fulton St.
Fourth Street Woods Park Amenities: natural area. 1341 Fourth St. NW
Martin Luther King Jr. Park Amenities: baseball, basketball, fitness center, picnicking, playground, restrooms, swimming pool, tennis. 900 Fuller Ave. SE
Ball Perkins Park Amenities: community garden, natural area. South Terrace Lane and Perkins Avenue NE
Fuller Park Amenities: baseball, basketball, picnicking, playground, restrooms, tennis. 300 Fuller Ave. NE
Mary Waters Park Amenities: baseball, basketball, picnicking, playground, restrooms, water playground. 1042 Lafayette Ave. NE
Belknap Park Amenities: baseball, restrooms, tennis. 30 Coldbrook St. NE
Garfield Park Amenities: baseball, basketball, picnicking, playground, restrooms, tennis, volleyball. 2111 Madison Ave. SE
Midtown Green Amenities: none. 735 Fountain St. NE
Bike Park Amenities: mountain biking, natural area. 570 Kirtland St. SW Briggs Park Amenities: basketball, grills, playground, picnicking, restrooms, swimming pool. 350 Knapp St. NE Burton Woods Amenities: biking, hiking, natural area. 2259 Everest Ave. SE Butterworth Park Amenities: biking, hiking. 397 Garfield Ave. SW Calder Plaza Amenities: picnicking. 300 Monroe Ave. NW Cambridge Park Amenities: baseball, picnicking, soccer. 1444 Gladstone Dr. SE
Foster Park Amenities: none. 350 State St. SE
Gerald Ford Academic Center Amenities: baseball, basketball, fitness center, playground, soccer, tennis, water playground. 851 Madison Ave. SE
Monument Park Amenities: none. 1 Fulton St. NE Mooney Park Amenities: picnicking, playground. 314 Logan St. SE
Harrison Park School Amenities: baseball, basketball, playground, restrooms, tennis. 1440 Davis Ave. NW
Mulick Park Amenities: baseball, picnicking, playground, restrooms, tennis, water playground. 1761 Rosewood Ave. SE
Heartside Park Amenities: basketball, picnicking, playground, water playground. 301 Ionia Ave. SE
Nagold Park Amenities: none. 945 Nagold St. NW
Heritage Hill Park Amenities: none. 501 Paris Ave. SE
North Park School Amenities: baseball, basketball, playground, restrooms, soccer, tennis. 3375 Cheney Ave. NE
Highland Park Amenities: baseball, picnick-
Oakdale Gardens Amenities: basketball,
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Voted “BEST PIZZA”
community garden, picnicking, playground. 902 Evergreen St. SE
Old-World family recipes in a New-World setting. Best Pizza and a whole lot more!
Old Farm Park Amenities: basketball, disc golf, hiking, playground, restrooms, tennis. 2350 Embro Dr. SE Ottawa Hills School Park Amenities: baseball, basketball, playground, restrooms, soccer, tennis. 2055 Rosewood SE Oxford Place Amenities: none. 2051 Eastcastle Dr. SE Paris Park Amenities: none. 942 N. Ottillia St. SE Pekich Park Amenities: none. 2 Cherry St. SW Best of
Plaster Creek Family Park Amenities: baseball, picnicking, playground, restrooms, tennis. 2512 Buchanan Ave. SW Pleasant Park Amenities: playground. 400 Pleasant St. SE Provin Trails Park Amenities: cross-country skiing, hiking, natural area. Four Mile Road and Bird Avenue NE
2017-18 Readers Poll
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Raspberry Field Amenities: none. 1010 Sheldon Ave. SE Reservoir Park Amenities: picnicking. 900 Fairview Ave. NE Richmond Park Amenities: baseball, basketball, cross-country skiing, mountain biking, natural area, picnicking, playground, restrooms, swimming pool, tennis. 1101 Richmond St. NW Riverside Park Amenities: biking, disc golf, hiking, picnicking, playground, restrooms, soccer. 2001 Monroe Ave. NE Riverview Park Amenities: none. 676 Front St. NW Riverwalk Trails Amenities: biking, hiking. Fulton to Interurban Bridge Roosevelt Park Amenities: fitness center, picnicking, playground. 739 Van Raalte Dr. SW Rosa Parks Circle Amenities: amphitheater, ice rink, picnicking, restrooms. 155 Monroe Center NW Seymour Park Amenities: none. 942 Ottillia St. SE Sixth Street Bridge Park Along Grand River. Amenities: biking, hiking, picnicking, restrooms. 647 Monroe Ave. NW Southeast Academic Amenities: ground. 1250 Sigsbee St. SE
play-
Stocking School Park Amenities: baseball, Continued on page 90 CITY GUIDE 2018-2019 / GRMAG.COM 87
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Performance venues COMPILED BY TRICIA VAN ZELST
2/ FREDERIK MEIJER GARDENS & SCULPTURE PARK AMPHITHEATER: The outdoor venue accommodates 1,900 in a terraced-lawn setting and hosts local and national concerts during the summer. 1000 East Beltline Ave. NE, 957-1580, meijergardens.org.
1/ The Pyramid Scheme hosts live music concerts in an intimate setting.
3/ GRAND RAPIDS CIVIC THEATRE: Seating 750 people, the theatre hosts nine mainstage productions each season. The building also includes the School of Theatre Arts with 1,600 students annually. 30 N. Division Ave., 2226650, grct.org.
20 Monroe Live: Opened in 2017, the 2,600seat venue hosts music concerts, comedians, entertainers and special events. The venue has general admission main-floor access with a seated balcony and mezzanine. 11 Ottawa Ave. NW, (844) 678-5483, 20monroelive.com. Aquinas College Performing Arts Center: Aquinas College, Circle Theatre and Catholic Secondary schools share this 400-seat theater, which sits on a wooded site. 1703 Robinson Road SE, 456-6656, aquinas.edu/theatre. The B.O.B.: The Big Old Building houses restaurants, bars and entertainment venues, including nightclub Eve, H.O.M.E. (House of Music & Entertainment) and Dr. Grins Comedy Club. 20 Monroe Ave. NW, 356-2000, thebob.com. DeltaPlex Arena & Conference Center: This venue hosts concerts, sports, expos and trade shows, plus special events, such as weddings and graduations, in the 20,000-square-foot arena and additional halls/ballroom. 2500 Turner Ave. NW, 364-9000, deltaplex.com. DeVos Performance Hall: This 2,400-seat auditorium in downtown Grand Rapids hosts concerts and special events and is home to performances by Grand Rapids Symphony, Opera Grand Rapids, Grand Rapids Ballet and Broadway Grand Rapids. 303 Monroe Ave. NW, 742-6500, devos performancehall.com. Dog Story Theater: Black box theater provides a space for all types of entertainment: plays, music concerts, films and Comedy Outlet Mondays. 7 Jefferson Ave. SE, 425-9234, dogstorytheater.com. Forest Hills Fine Arts Center: Owned and operated by Forest Hills Public Schools, the 1,200seat auditorium is part of a 62,000-square-foot facility. In addition to hosting concerts, theater performances and lectures, art exhibits are held in the lobby. 600 Forest Hill Ave. SE, 493-8966, fh fineartscenter.com. The Intersection: This nightclub venue with 1,500-person capacity in the downtown Heartside District hosts local, regional and national music concerts and entertainers. 133 Grandville Ave. SW, 451-8232, sectionlive.com. The Orbit Room: Primarily a concert venue for contemporary regional and national music acts, the 1,800-capacity space also has five bar locations. 2525 Lake Eastbrook Blvd. SE, 942-1328, orbitroom.com. Peter Martin Wege Theatre: The 300-seat intimate space was built to accommodate performances by Grand Rapids Ballet, whose facility it adjoins, but is also available for other performances and corporate functions. 341 Ellsworth Ave. SW, 454-4771, grballet.com.
2/ Meijer Garden’s outdoor amphitheater hosts summer concerts.
Richard and Helen DeVos Center for Arts and Worship: The auditorium seats 1,200 and hosts performances by Grand Rapids Christian
PHOTOGRAPHY COURTESY FREDERIK MEIJER GARDENS & SCULPTURE PARK/ANTHONY NORKUS (BOTTOM); KATY BATDORFF (TOP)
1/ THE PYRAMID SCHEME: This neighborhood pub and music venue in the downtown Heartside District has a capacity of more than 400 and hosts local and national bands. 68 Commerce Ave. SW, 272-3758, pyramidschemebar. com.
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THANK YOU GRAND RAPIDS! We are proud to be a part of this great city. Best of 2017-18 Readers Poll
Named Grand Rapids’ “Best Law Firm” 10 of 14 times.
3/ Downtown’s Grand Rapids Civic Theatre
Legal Experience In Your Corner.
®
Schools and others in the community. 2300 Plymouth Ave. SE, 574-5600, dcaw.org. Spectrum Theater: This space hosts performances by GRCC Players, Actors’ Theatre, Jewish Theatre Grand Rapids and Heritage Theatre Group. The auditorium seats up to 255 and the building includes classrooms, rehearsal spaces and a recording studio. 160 Fountain St. NE, 234-3946, grcc.edu/theater/spectrumtheatercalendar.
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UICA: Urban Institute for Contemporary Arts includes a state-of-the-art, 200-seat theater used for showing independent movies and documentaries, as well as concerts, performance artists, receptions and gallery talks. 2 W. Fulton St., 4547000, uica.org. Van Andel Arena: The 12,000-capacity arena hosts national musical acts of all genres and sporting events that include Grand Rapids Griffins hockey games, ice skating, wrestling, bull riding and monster truck shows. 130 W. Fulton St., 7426600, vanandelarena.com. PHOTOGRAPHY COURTESY STUDIO 3TWENTY
PHOTOGRAPHY COURTESY FREDERIK MEIJER GARDENS & SCULPTURE PARK/ANTHONY NORKUS (BOTTOM); KATY BATDORFF (TOP)
St. Cecilia Music Center: Established in 1883, the center hosts national performers in its 630seat Royce Auditorium. It also presents Acoustic Café Folk, Jazz, and Chamber Music Society of Lincoln Center Series concerts and an annual Great Artist Gala. The center also is home to Terryberry Gallery. 24 Ransom Ave. NE, 459-2224, scmc-online.org.
Venice, Italy
Van Singel Fine Arts Center: The Byron Center High School facility hosts concerts and off-Broadway touring productions in its nearly 800-seat theater. 8500 Burlingame Ave. SW, Byron Center, 878-6800, vsfac.com.
Turning Dreams Into Destinations Since 1975.
Wealthy Theatre: Owned and operated by Community Media Center, the main Peter Wege Auditorium seats 400. It also includes a Koning Micro-Cinema space, a community room and reception and WT Annex studio space. 1130 Wealthy St. SE, 459-4788, grcmc.org/theatre.
Custom Vacations Ocean & River Cruises Honeymoons & Destination Weddings Group Tours Resort Getaways Villa Rentals
Our experienced travel consultants are eager to help you plan your next adventure!
Wherever you go… Go Witte. 616.942.5112 | wittetravel.com 3250 28th St SE, Grand Rapids
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Continued from page 87 basketball, playground, restrooms. 863 Seventh St. NW Sullivan (Valley) Field Amenities: baseball, restrooms. 700 Valley Ave. NW Sundial Park Amenities: none. 120 College Ave. SE Sweet Street Amenities: picnicking, playground. 475 Sweet St. NE Veterans Memorial Park Amenities: historic monuments. 101 E. Fulton St. NE Westown Commons Park Amenities: basketball, playground, restrooms, skatepark, wading pool. 752 Watson St. SW Wilcox Park Amenities: baseball, basketball, picnicking, playground, restrooms, soccer, tennis, wading pool. 100 Youell Ave. SE
KENT COUNTY PARKS The Kent County parks system includes 42 parks, green spaces and trails encompassing more than 6,800 acres. The parks are open 7 a.m. to sunset, but restrooms are closed Nov. 1-April 30. Beer and wine are allowed during Memorial Day weekend and June 15-Oct. 31. 632-7275, kentcountyparks.org
12 Mile Conservation Area Access to Fred Meijer White Pine State Trail. Amenities: biking, fishing. 4400 12 Mile Rd. NE, Rockford. Brewer Park Amenities: baseball, basketball, disc golf, hiking, open shelter house, picnicking, playground, restrooms, soccer, tennis. 399 84th St. SW, Byron Center Caledonia Lakeside Park View of Lake Emmons. Amenities: baseball, fishing, hiking, open and enclosed shelter house, picnicking, playground, restrooms. 370 Lake St. SE, Caledonia Chief Hazy Cloud Park Amenities: fishing, picnicking, restrooms, water trail access point. 150 Pettis Ave. NE, Ada Coldwater River Park Amenities: fishing, picnicking, restrooms, water trail access point. 9901 Morse Lake Ave. SE, Alto Cooper Creek Park Adjacent to Spencer Forest. Amenities: bridle path, fishing, nature trails. 13807 17 Mile Rd. NE, Gowen Creekside Park Amenities: baseball, exercise stations, hiking, open shelter house, picnicking, playgrounds, restrooms. 1035 68th St. SE, Dutton Douglas Walker Park Kent Trails access point. Amenities: baseball, biking, hiking, picnicking, playground, restrooms, shelter
house, soccer. 1195 84th St., Byron Center
Dutton Shadyside Park Amenities: baseball, open shelter house, picnicking, playground, restrooms, tennis. 7343 Hammond Ave. SE, Dutton Dwight Lydell Park Amenities: baseball, fishing, hiking, open shelter house, picnicking, playground, restrooms. 4040 Leland Ave. NW, Comstock Park Fallasburg Park Covered bridge across Flat River. Amenities: baseball, disc golf, fishing, hiking, open and enclosed shelter houses, picnicking, playground, restrooms, water trail access point. 1124 Fallasburg Rd., Lowell Fisk Knob Highest point in the county. Amenities: picnicking. 17533 Algoma Ave. NE, Cedar Springs Gordon Park Trailhead to Fred Meijer White Pine State Trail. Amenities: biking, hiking, picnicking, playground, restrooms. 17150 Northland Dr. NE, Sand Lake Johnson Park Grand River boat access. Amenities: baseball, biking, disc golf, exercise stations, fishing, hiking, open and enclosed shelter houses, picnicking, playground, restrooms, water trail access point. 2600 Wilson Ave. SW, Walker Kent Trails 15-mile, nonmotorized, paved trail from Millennium Park to Byron Center. Four main trailheads: Johnson Park, Millennium Park, Douglas Walker Park and Byron Center at 84th Street. Amenities: biking, cross-country skiing, hiking. Knapp Valley Forest Park Amenities: hiking. 4255 Knapp Valley Rd. NE, Grand Rapids Township Lamoreaux (Donald J.) Park Amenities: baseball, cross-country skiing, fishing, hiking, nature trails, picnicking. 801 Bailey Park Dr. NE, Grand Rapids Lamoreaux Memorial Park Amenities: biking, hiking. 3500 West River Dr. NE, Comstock Park
Millennium Park 1,400-acre urban park in Grand Rapids, Grandville, Walker and Wyoming. Includes 6-acre beach and splash pad. Amenities: basketball, beach house, biking, boat rental, cross-country skiing, fishing, hiking, open shelter house, picnicking, playground, restrooms, swimming, volleyball. 1415 Maynard Ave. SW, Walker Myers Lake Park Amenities: beach house, fishing, open shelter house, picnicking, playground, restrooms, swimming. 7350 Hessler Dr. NE, Rockford Palmer Park Amenities: baseball, biking, cross-country skiing, fishing, hiking, nature trails, open shelter houses, picnicking, playground, restrooms. 1275 52nd St. SW, Wyoming. Also includes 18-hole public Kaufman Golf Course, 4807 Clyde Park Ave. SW. Paris Park Amenities: biking, cross-country skiing, hiking, nature trails. 3213 60th St. SE, Kentwood Pickerel Lake Park (Frederik Meijer Nature Preserve) Bird-watching along boardwalk and trail system. Amenities: cross-country skiing, fishing, hiking, nature trails, restrooms. 6001 Ramsdell Rd. NE, Cannonsburg Pioneer Trail (Fred Meijer): Links Musketawa Trail and Fred Meijer White Pine State Trail. Amenities: biking, cross-country skiing, hiking. Provin Trails Park Amenities: cross-country skiing, hiking, nature trails, restrooms. 2900 Four Mile Rd. NE Rogue River Park Trailhead for Fred Meijer White Pine State Trail. Amenities: baseball, biking, cross-country skiing, fishing, hiking, nature trails, open shelter house, picnicking, playground, restrooms, tennis. 6300 Belshire Ave., Belmont Ruehs Park Borders Thornapple River. Amenities: fishing, picnicking, playground, restrooms, water trail access point. 7602 68th St. SE, Alaska
Lepard Preserve Amenities: cross-country skiing, hiking, nature trails. 6030 76th St. SE, Caledonia
Seidman Park Amenities: biking, crosscountry skiing, fishing, hiking, nature trails, restrooms. 8155 Conservation Rd. NE, Ada
Long Lake Park Amenities: beach house, fishing, open and enclosed shelter houses, picnicking, playground, restrooms, swimming. 13747 Krauskopf Rd. NE, Sparta
Spencer Forest Adjacent to Cooper Creek Park. Amenities: bridle path. 13807 17 Mile Rd., Gowen
Luton Park Amenities: hiking, mountain biking, restrooms. 5950 10 Mile Rd. NE, Rockford M-6 Trail Connects Thornapple Trail to Kent Trails. Amenities: biking, cross-country skiing, hiking.
Thornapple Trail 42-mile trail under construction from Grand Rapids to Vermontville. Amenities: biking, cross-county skiing, hiking. Townsend Park Amenities: baseball, biking, cross-country skiing, fishing, hiking, na-
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ture trails, open and enclosed shelter houses, picnicking, playground, restrooms. 8280 Six Mile Rd. NE, Cannonsburg
Wabasis Lake Park Amenities: baseball, basketball, beach house, campground, fishing, hiking, nature trails, open and enclosed shelter houses, picnicking, playground, restrooms, swimming, volleyball. 11220 Springhill Dr., Greenville Wahlfield Park Amenities: cross-country skiing, hiking, mountain biking, nature trails, open shelter house, picnicking, playground, restrooms. 6811 Alpine Ave. NW, Alpine Township White Pine Park Amenities: hiking. 13590 Lincoln Lake Ave. NE, Gowen
FAIRS & FESTIVALS JULY Field of Flight Air Show and Balloon Festival June 28-July 4, W.K. Kellogg Airport, Battle Creek. bcballoons.com National Cherry Festival June 30-July 7, Traverse City. cherryfestival.org Berlin Fair June 19-23, Marne. berlinfair.org Riverwalk Festival July 12-14, Lowell. river walkfestival.org Lakeshore Art Festival July 6-7, Muskegon. lakeshoreartfestival.org Muskegon Bike Time July 19-22, Muskegon. muskegonbiketime.com Ionia Free Fair July 12-21, Ionia Fairgrounds. ioniafreefair.com Sparta Town & Country Days July 18-21, Sparta. spartachamber.com National Baby Food Festival July 18-21, Fremont. babyfoodfestival.com Grand Rapids Balloon Festival July 29-21, Grand Rapids and Hudsonville. grandrapids balloonfestival.com
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Ottawa County Fair July 23-28, Ottawa County Fairgrounds, Holland. ottawacounty fair.com
The Shade Shop, Inc. 422 Leonard St NW Grand Rapids, MI M W F 10:00AM - 5:30PM T Th Sat 10:00AM-2:00PM 616-459-4693 www.theshadeshopinc.com
Traverse City Film Festival July 31-Aug. 5, Traverse City. traversecityfilmfest.org
Ask us about special savings on select Hunter Douglas operating systems.
Muskegon County Fair July 23-28, Muskegon County Fairgrounds, Muskegon. muskegon fairgrounds.com
Byron Days Festival July 26-29, Byron Center. byrondaysfestival.com Coast Guard Festival July 27-Aug. 5, Grand Haven. coastguardfest.org
*Manufacturer’s mail-in rebate offer valid for qualifying purchases made 6/30/18–8/13/18 from participating dealers in the U.S. only. Each window fashions unit must include PowerView Motorization to qualify for rebate. Offer excludes HDOrigins™ and Nantucket™ Window Shadings, a collection of Silhouette® Window Shadings. Rebate will be issued in the form of a prepaid reward card and mailed within 4 weeks of rebate claim receipt. Funds do not expire. Subject to applicable law, a $2.00 monthly fee will be assessed against card balance 6 months after card issuance and each month thereafter. Additional limitations may apply. Ask participating dealer for details and rebate form. ©2018 Hunter Douglas. All rights reserved. All trademarks used herein are the property of Hunter Douglas or their respective owners. 18Q3MAGSIC1
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AUGUST Kent County Youth Fair Aug. 6-11, Kent County Fairgrounds, Lowell. kcyf.org Del Shannon Days Aug. 9-11, Coopersville. delshannoncarshow.org Unity Christian Music Festival Aug. 8-11, Heritage Landing, Muskegon. unitymusicfest ival.com Restaurant Week Aug. 8-19, Grand Rapids. restaurantweekgr.com Cowpie Music Festival Aug. 9-11, Shagbark Farm, Caledonia. cowpiemusicfestival.com National Blueberry Festival Aug. 19-12, South Haven. blueberryfestival.com Michigan Fiber Festival Aug. 17-19, Allegan County Fairgrounds. michiganfiberfestival. info Danish Festival Aug. 16-19, Greenville. dani shfestival.org Yassou! Greek Cultural Festival Aug. 17-19, Holy Trinity Orthodox Church, Grand Rapids. grgreekfest.com GRandJazzFest Aug. 18-19, Grand Rapids. grandjazzfest.org Shoreline Jazz Festival Aug. 24-26, Muskegon. shorelinejazzfestival.com 28th Street Metro Cruise Aug. 24-25, Grand Rapids. 28thstreetmetrocruise.com Polish Festival Aug. 24-26, Grand Rapids. polishheritagesociety.com Burning Foot Beer Festival Aug. 25, Muskegon. burningfoot.beer Michigan State Fair Aug. 30-Sept. 3, Novi. michiganstatefairllc.com
SEPTEMBER Allegan County Fair Sept. 7-15, Allegan. alle gancountyfair.com Eastown Street Fair Sept. 8, Lake Drive at Wealthy Street, Grand Rapids. eastown.org Michigan Irish Music Festival Sept. 13-16, Heritage Landing, Muskegon. michiganirish. org Grand Haven Salmon Fest Sept. 14-16, Grand Haven. ghsalmonfest.com Fallasburg Arts Festival Sept. 15-16, Fallasburg Park, north of Lowell. lowellartsmi.org ArtPrize Sept. 19-Oct. 7, Grand Rapids. art prize.org Tulipanes Latino Art & Film Festival Sept. 20-23, Holland. laup.org
Oktoberfest West Michigan Sept. 28-29, John Ball Park, Grand Rapids. oktoberfest westmichigan.com Rockford Harvest Festival Sept. 28-30, Rockford. rockfordmichamber.com
OCTOBER Red Flannel Festival Oct. 5-6, Cedar Springs. redflannelfestival.org Pulaski Days Oct. 5-7, downtown Grand Rapids. pulaskidays.org Lakeshore Brew Fest (Date TBD), West Olive. lakeshorebrewfest.org
NOVEMBER/DECEMBER
MAY 2019 Tulip Time Festival (Date TBD), Holland. tul iptime.com Fiesta! (Date TBD), Civic Center, Holland. laup.org Great Lakes Kite Festival (Date TBD), Grand Haven State Park. mackite.com
JUNE 2019 Eastown Bizarre Bazaar (Date TBD), Lake Drive at Wealthy. eastowngr.com Feast of the Strawberry Moon (Date TBD), Harbor Island, Grand Haven. visitgrandhaven. com
International Wine, Beer & Food Festival Nov. 15-17, Grand Rapids. showspan.com/grw
Festival of the Arts (Date TBD), Grand Rapids. festivalgr.org
Christmas Through Lowell Nov. 16-18, Lowell. christmasthroughlowell.org
Founders Fest (Date TBD), Grandville Avenue, Grand Rapids. foundersbrewing.com
Dutch Winterfest Nov.-Jan., Holland. holl and.org
Grand Haven Art Festival (Date TBD), Grand Haven. grandhavenchamber.org
JANUARY 2019
JuneGrass Bluegrass Festival (Date TBD), Kent County Fairgrounds, Lowell. wmbma.org
Grand Haven Winterfest Jan. 24-27, Grand Haven. winterfestmi.org
Local First Street Party (Date TBD), Grand Rapids. localfirst.com
Muskegon Snowfest (Date TBD), Muskegon. visitmuskegon.org/event/snowfest
Reeds Lake Art Festival (Date TBD), East Grand Rapids. eastgr.org
FEBRUARY 2019
Spring Lake Heritage Fest (Date TBD), Spring Lake. slheritagefestival.com
Winter Beer Festival Feb. 22-23, Fifth Third Ballpark, Grand Rapids. michiganbrewersgu ild.org
West Michigan Chalk Art Festival (Date TBD), Byron Center. wmcaf.com
Outhouse 500 (Date TBD), Coopersville. coopersville.com
HIGHER EDUCATION
Ethnic Heritage Festival (Date TBD), Grand Rapids Public Museum. grmuseum.org
MARCH 2019 Maple Sugar Time (Date TBD), DeGraaf Nature Center, Holland. degraaf.org Sugarbush Festival (Date TBD), Blandford Nature Center, Grand Rapids. blandfordnatu recenter.org LaughFest (Date TBD), Grand Rapids. laugh festgr.org
APRIL 2019 Chilly Blues Fest (Date TBD), Grand Haven. visitgrandhaven.com Grub and Brew Fest (Date TBD), Grand Haven. grandhavenchamber.org/grub-brewfest
Aquinas College Rooted in the Catholic Dominican tradition, Aquinas offers a liberal arts curriculum with a global perspective. It emphasizes career preparation focused on leadership and service to others. 1700 E. Fulton St., 632-8900. aquinas.edu Calvin College Since 1876, Calvin’s liberal arts approach has been designed to prepare students with a calling to be God’s agents in the world. It is an educational institution of the Christian Reformed Church and one of the largest Christian colleges in the country. 3201 Burton St. SE, 526-6000. calvin.edu Central Michigan University Established in 1892 with its main campus in Mount Pleasant, CMU is one of the nation’s 100 largest public universities offering online classes, center-based classes and a combination of the two at more than 50 locations throughout North America. 1633 East Beltline Ave. NE, 361-4160. cmich.edu
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Cornerstone University Established in 1941, Cornerstone is a “Christ-centered university with a passion for global influence through the transforming power of the gospel.” 1001 East Beltline Ave. NE, 949-5300. cornerstone. edu Davenport University Davenport specializes in business, technology and health professions, serving approximately 12,000 students through its campus in Caledonia Township, plus other locations in Michigan and online. W.A. Lettinga campus, 6191 Kraft Ave. SE, 698-7111. davenport.edu Ferris State University With its main campus in Big Rapids, FSU Grand Rapids offers a mix of traditional and nontraditional campus features and dozens of programs. 151 Fountain St. NE, 451-4777. ferris.edu/grandrapids Grace Bible University Grace Bible University’s aim is “graduating godly individuals prepared to serve Christ in church and society” with more than 30 programs from business administration to biblical studies. 1011 Aldon St. SW, Wyoming, 538-2330. gbcol.edu
ROCKFORD, MICHIGAN • 866.462.LIFT • SHORE-MATE.COM
Grand Rapids Community College Founded in 1914, GRCC offers coursework in more than 100 fields, including certificate programs and associate degrees. Noncredit instructional opportunities are available. GRCC offers workforce training in its Michigan Technical Education Centers (M-TECs). 143 Bostwick Ave. NE, 234-4000. grcc.edu Grand Valley State University This fouryear public university provides a liberal arts education and offers more than 120 areas of study between its suburban Allendale campus and campuses in Grand Rapids, Holland, Muskegon and Traverse City. Among others, the downtown Grand Rapids’ facilities include the Cook DeVos Center for Health Sciences, which houses the Kirkhof College of Nursing and College of Health Professions, and the William Seidman Center, which houses the Seidman College of Business. 1 Campus Drive, Allendale, 331-5000. gvsu.edu Kendall College of Art & Design of Ferris State University Kendall prepares students for leadership in visual arts, design, art history and art education. Its innovative, collaborative education fosters intellectual growth and individual creativity, and promotes ethical and civic responsibilities of artists and designers. 17 Fountain St. NW, 451-2787. kcad. edu Kuyper College This Christian college focuses on training students for ministry and service in a number of fields. A Christian Reformed worldview is integrated into its aca-
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demic curriculum. 3333 East Beltline Ave. NE, 222-3000. kuyper.edu
MSU College of Human Medicine The Secchia Center, headquarters for the College of Human Medicine, opened in 2010 in downtown Grand Rapids, allowing for an expansion of MSU’s medical school. 15 Michigan St. NE, Suite 450, 233-1678. bit.ly/MSUGRCam pus Northwood University With a main campus in Midland, this private business school has 22 locations throughout the United States. 515 Michigan St. NE, Suite 100, 363-2600. north wood.edu Spring Arbor University This four-year, evangelical Christian university, whose main campus is in Spring Arbor, offers associate, undergrad and graduate degrees at more than a dozen regional sites. The school is affiliated with the Free Methodist Church of North America. 2620 Horizon Drive SE, Suite 200, 974-0671. arbor.edu Western Michigan University Two of WMU’s eight regional locations are in Grand Rapids, offering graduate-level courses, with night and weekend classes, and day classes during the summer. 200 Ionia Ave. SW, 7714100; 2333 East Beltline Ave. SE, 771-9470. wmich.edu/grandrapids Western Michigan University Cooley Law School WMU Cooley prepares students for the legal profession through a practical and integrated program. Its flexible scheduling lets students attend full or part time during the day, evening or weekend. Video conferencing allows faculty to teach at the Grand Rapids, Lansing and Auburn Hills campuses simultaneously. 111 Commerce Ave. SW, 3016800. cooley.edu
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READERS POLL RESULTS
Best of GR
COMPILED BY GRM STAFF
The results of the 2017-2018 Grand Rapids Magazine Best of GR Readers Poll highlight the community’s incredible creativity, diversity and love for all things local.
PHOTOGRAPHY BY JOHNNY QUIRIN (BOTTOM & CENTER); MICHAEL BUCK (TOP RIGHT)
Food/Drink Appetizers San Chez Bistro Bakery Wealthy Street Bakery Bar/Pub HopCat BBQ Slows Bar-B-Q Beer & Wine Merchant Martha’s Vineyard Bloody Mary Rockwell Republic Breakfast Anna’s House Brewery Founders Brewing Co. Brunch Vander Mill Burger Stella’s Lounge Butcher Shop Sobie Meats LLC Coffeehouse Madcap Coffee Co. Craft Cocktails SideBar Cupcakes The Salted Cupcake Date Night Restaurant Leo’s Dessert Le Bon Macaron Doughnuts Marge’s Donut Den Food Truck What the Truck French Fries HopCat Froyo Shop Spoonlickers Happy Hour Rockwell Republic Hard Cider Vander Mill Hot Dog Yesterdog Ice Cream Parlor Jersey Junction Outdoor/Deck Seating Vander Mill Pizza Vitale’s Poutine Brewery Vivant Restaurant Service Terra Salads Terra Sandwich Schnitz Deli Seafood Leo’s Soup Uncle Cheetah’s Soup Shop Steak Leo’s Sushi Maru Sushi & Grill Tacos Donkey Taqueria Tater Tots Blue Dog Tavern Vegan/Vegetarian Menu Marie Catrib’s Wine List Reserve Wine & Food
Entertainment/Experiences Annual Festival ArtPrize Female TV Personality Rachael Ruiz, WOOD TV 8 Golf Course Thousand Oaks Golf Club Hike/Bike Trail White Pine Trail Live Music Venue Frederik Meijer Gardens & Sculpture Park Male TV Personality Mike Avery, FOX 17 Meteorologist Bill Steffen, WOOD TV 8 Museum Grand Rapids Public Museum
Open Mic Stella’s Lounge Park Millennium Park Performing Arts Circle Theatre Pro Sports Team Grand Rapids Griffins Radio Personalities Free Beer & Hot Wings, 97.9 WGRD Radio Station 91.3 WCSG Tourist Attraction Frederik Meijer Gardens & Sculpture Park Trivia Night Stella’s Lounge TV Station WOOD TV 8 Wedding Venue Frederik Meijer Gardens & Sculpture Park
Shopping Antiques Bluedoor Antiques & Elements Art Gallery LaFontsee Galleries Auto Dealership Fox Motors Bike Shop Grand Rapids Bicycle Co. Bookstore Schuler Books & Music Car Wash Southland Auto Wash Cigar Shop Tuttle’s Select Cigars & Tobaccos Comic Book Store Vault of Midnight Consignment Store Georgie’s Consignment Clothing Farmers Market Fulton Street Farmers Market Rockwell Republic, Best Bloody Mary
Vander Mill, Best Hard Cider, Brunch and Outdoor/Deck Seating
Florist Shop Eastern Floral Furniture Store Northwestern Home Furnishings Garden Center Fruit Basket Flowerland Grocery Store Meijer Hardware Store Rylee’s Ace Hardware Home Décor Store Klingman’s Fine Furniture Jewelry Store Paul Medawar Fine Jewelry Men’s Fashion A.K. Rikk’s Record Store Vertigo Music Shoe Store Mieras Family Shoes Specialty Grocer Doorganics Thrift Store New 2 You Thrift Shop Women’s Fashion Leigh’s
Services Animal Clinic Family Friends Veterinary Hospital Auto Repair Fox Motors Bank Northpointe Bank Caterer Martha’s Catering Child Care Provider AppleTree & Gilden Woods Chiropractic Center iChiro Clinics Credit Union Lake Michigan Credit Union Day Spa Design 1 Salon Spa Dentist Thomas J. Lambert, D.D.S. Dermatologist Richard J. Ashack, M.D. Doggie Day Care/Pet Boarding Family Friends Veterinary Hospital Dry Cleaner Sheldon Cleaners Hair Salon Cheeky Strut Hotel JW Marriott Law Firm Varnum LLP Mani/Pedi Design 1 Salon Spa Place to Work Out MVP Sports Clubs Plastic Surgeon Bradley P. Bengtson, M.D. Real Estate Firm RE/MAX of Grand Rapids Retirement Community Porter Hills Tattoo Parlor Mos Eisleys Yoga Studio Funky Buddha Yoga Hothouse
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after thoughts
James Sofranko brings notable experience, expansive knowledge and artistic passion to Grand Rapids Ballet.
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PHOTOGRAPHY COURTESY GRAND RAPIDS BALLET/ERIK TOMASSON
Q:a
he Grand Rapids Ballet welcomed accomplished dancer, choreographer and artistic entrepreneur James Sofranko as its new artistic director on July 1. In this capacity, Sofranko is responsible for all artistic direction and planning for the GR Ballet. Sofranko, a Cincinnati native, received dance training at The Harid Conservatory in Boca Raton, Florida, and The Juilliard School in New York City, where he received a Bachelor of Fine Arts in dance. After graduating in 2000, Sofranko joined the San Francisco Ballet, where he was promoted to soloist in 2007. His final performance as a dancer with the San Francisco Ballet was this May. PROUDEST MOMENT? My proudest moment was probably when I was hired into San Francisco Ballet straight after graduating from Juilliard. WHAT TALENT WOULD YOU LIKE TO POSSESS? I would love to be able to draw or paint. Unfortunately, I can barely do a stick figure. FAVORITE MOVIE OF ALL TIME? Oh, so hard to choose! My wife and I could watch “When Harry Met Sally” forever. We know all the lines, but it’s still one of our “go-to” movies when we just want to relax and laugh. Also, “Bullets over Broadway” and “Meet the Parents” rank pretty high for comedy. For more serious fare, I like “V for Vendetta” or anything written by Charlie Kaufman, and “West Side Story” is my favorite musical. MORNING OR NIGHT PERSON? Morning, although I can stay up late too... but I’m my best in the morning. WHAT ARE YOU MOST PASSIONATE ABOUT? I’m most passionate about showing people the value of art in their life and society. Without art, we lose sight of the beauty that humans are capable of. Without art, we lose a form of expression that speaks beyond language. WHAT MAKES YOU LAUGH? My two sons, Jack and Aiden!
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july events A FEW GREAT THINGS TO DO THIS MONTH!
SECTION HEADER July 3 NELIS’ DUTCH VILLAGE 60TH BIRTHDAY CELEBRATION: Dutch theme park hosts car show and fundraiser. 10 a.m.-6 p.m. 12350 James St., Holland. $12 adults, $11 seniors, $10 kids 3-15. dutchvillage.com. July 19-21 GRAND RAPIDS BALLOON FESTIVAL: Hot air balloons, games, activities, food. 6-10 p.m. Thu. at Ah-Nab-Awen Park, 220 Front Ave. NW. 5-9 p.m. Fri., 1-9 p.m. Sat. at Hudsonville Fairgrounds, 5235 Park Ave. Free Thu., $5 Fri. and Sat. grandrapidsballoonfestival.com.
PHOTOGRAPHY COURTESY NELIS’ DUTCH VILLAGE (LEFT); THINKSTOCK (TOP RIGHT); FREDERIK MEIJER GARDENS & SCULPTURE PARK (CENTER)
MUSIC July 3-Aug. 28 TUESDAY EVENING MUSIC CLUB: Local and regional musicians perform every Tues. at Meijer Gardens outdoor amphitheater. 7 p.m. 1000 East Beltline Ave. NE. Free with admission. meijergardens.org. S
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JULY - DR. GRINS COMEDY CLUB:
JULY 10 - LOWELLARTS! WORKSHOP:
JULY 12-21 - “THE CHERRY ORCHARD”:
JULY 23 - CHAMBER OPEN GOLF OUTING:
Nationally acclaimed comedians, including Paul Strickland, Stewart Huff, Lachlan Patterson and Nate Craig, perform Thu.-Sat. The B.O.B. See Stage & Film
“Color Seminar” by Larry Blovits includes color theory, color mixing, color application and understanding color as it reacts to light. See Lectures & Workshops
Heritage Theatre presents Anton Chekhov’s story about socio-economic status in Russia at the turn of the 20th century. Spectrum Theater. heritagetheatregr. org. See Stage & Film
Includes golf, breakfast, boxed lunch, door prizes and awards. 9 a.m. shotgun start. Sunnybrook Country Club, Grandville. $200. grandrapids.org. See Sports
Don’t forget to mark your calendar!
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To list your event send calendar information to Grand Rapids Magazine, c/o
Calendar Editor, 549 Ottawa Ave. NW, Suite 201, Grand Rapids, MI 49503, email caleditor@ geminipub.com, fax (616) 459-4800. High-resolution photos welcomed. To meet publishing deadlines, information must be received two months prior to monthly magazine issue by the 10th of the month.
SPECIAL EVENTS Thru Aug. 19 - Summer of Brunch Food Truck Rally: Food trucks at the Fulton Street Artisans Market every Sun. 11 a.m.-3 p.m. 1145 E. Fulton St. facebook.com/grfoodtrucks.
Thru Sept. 30 - Fulton Street Artisans Market: Weekly market with local handmade art. 11 a.m.-3 p.m. every Sun. 1145 E. Fulton St. grartmarket.com.
Thru Aug. 22 - Summer Nights Series: Fulton Street Farmers Market hosts market vendors, food trucks, entertainment and games every Wed. 5-8 p.m. 1145 E. Fulton St. face book.com/fultonstmarket.
July 3 - Beer, Bands and BBQ: Grandville’s annual celebration with live music, beer and BBQ. 4-11 p.m. Downtown Grandville. grand jen.com.
Thru Aug. 29 - Dancing on the Grand: Live music and dancing every Wed. 7-9 p.m. Waterfront Stadium, 101 N. Harbor Drive, Grand Haven. $3. facebook.com/dancing.on.the. grand. Thru Aug. 30 - Holland Street Performers: Musicians, acrobats, face painters, balloon artists, jugglers, magicians perform along Eighth Street. 6:30-8:30 p.m. every Thu. Free. downtownholland.com. Thru Aug. 31 - Food Truck Fridays at Riverside Park: Food trucks every Fri. 5-9 p.m. 2001 Monroe Ave. NE. facebook.com/grfood trucks. Thru Aug. 31 - Hudsonville Friday Night Street Performances: Musicians, food vendors and interactive entertainment such as face painting, magicians and balloon artists every Fri. 5-8 p.m. Harvey Street, downtown Hudsonville. Free. hudsonvillechamber.com. Thru Sept. 11 - Truckin’ Tuesdays: Food trucks every Tues. 11 a.m.-1:45 p.m. Calder Plaza, 250 Monroe Ave. NW. facebook.com/ grfoodtrucks. Thru Sept. 12 - Wonderful Wednesdays: Food trucks every Wed. 11 a.m.-1:45 p.m. Calder Plaza, 250 Monroe Ave. NW. facebook. com/grfoodtrucks. Thru Sept. 13 - Relax at Rosa: Outdoor lunchbreaks with live bands and food trucks. July 5, Phillip-Michael Scales. July 12, Watching for Foxes. July 19, Avalon Cutts-Jones. July 26, Desmond Jones. Noon-1:30 p.m. every Thu. Rosa Parks Circle, 135 Monroe Center NW. downtowngr.org. Thru Sept. 14 - Food Court Fridays: Food trucks every Fri. 11 a.m.-1:45 p.m. Calder Plaza, 250 Monroe Ave. NW. facebook.com/grfood trucks.
July 3 - Nelis’ Dutch Village 60th Birthday Celebration: Dutch theme park hosts car show and fundraiser. 10 a.m.-6 p.m. 12350 James St., Holland. $12 adults, $11 seniors, $10 kids 3-15. dutchvillage.com.
live music begin at 1 p.m. at Kollen Park and Heinz Waterfront Walkway, 240 Kollen Park Drive. Fireworks at dusk over Lake Macatawa. holland.org.
July 4 - Kentwood Celebration and Fireworks: Morning events include pancake breakfast (7:30-9:30 a.m.), 5K run (8:30 a.m.) and parade (9:30 a.m.). Evening celebration includes carnival, food trucks, live music and fireworks (6-10 p.m.) at Crestwood Middle School, 2674 44th St. SE. kentwood.us/parks. July 4 - Saugatuck/Douglas Parade and Fireworks: Parade begins at 2 p.m. along Butler street in downtown Saugatuck. Community BBQ follows at Beery Field in downtown Douglas. Fireworks at dusk at the harbor. saug atuck.com. July 4 - White Lake Parade and Fireworks: Parade from Whitehall City Hall to downtown Montague begins 10 a.m. Fireworks at dusk over White Lake. whitelake.org.
July 3-4 - Muskegon Rockstock: Ninth annual music concert with food and vendors. Gates open 5 p.m. Heritage Landing, 1050 Seventh St., Muskegon. $5. muskegonrock stock.com.
July 6 - First Friday Gallery Hop: Participating galleries, shops and eateries stay open 6-9 p.m., presented by Avenue for the Arts. South Division between Fulton and Cherry streets. avenueforthearts.com/first-friday-galleryhops.
July 4 - Ada Parade and Fireworks: Parade at 10 a.m.; activities with rides, food and music 11 a.m.-3 p.m.; fireworks at dusk. adamichi gan.org.
July 6-7 - Lakeshore Art Festival: Crafts, food, street performers and kids activities. Downtown Muskegon. 10 a.m.-8 p.m. Fri., 10 a.m.-6 p.m. Sat. lakeshoreartfestival.org.
July 4 - Cascade Township Parade and Celebration: Parade at 10 a.m. from Cascade/ Burton to 28th St./Thornhills. Games, rides and music 11:30 a.m.-3:30 p.m. in front of Cascade Library, 2870 Jack Smith Ave. SE. casca detwp.com.
July 7 - Front Row for the Fireworks: Grand Rapids Public Museum fundraiser includes carousel rides, planetarium shows, organ concerts, cash bar and food, plus a front-row seat for the fireworks. 6:30-10 p.m. 272 Pearl St. NW $15 adults, $10 members. grpm.org.
July 4 - East Grand Rapids Celebration and Fireworks: Parade at noon. Kids activities, water ski show, music and food throughout the day at John Collins Park, 650 Lakeside Drive SE. Fireworks at dusk over Reeds Lake. eastgr.org.
July 7 - Grand Rapids Fireworks: Downtown fireworks at 10:30 p.m. with live music, activities, games, vendors and food beginning at 5 p.m. Ah-Nab-Awen Park, 220 Front Ave. NW. 4thofjulygr.com.
July 4 - Grand Haven Parade and Fireworks: Parade begins 10:30 a.m. at Ferrysburg City Hall, followed by music, food, games at William Ferry Park, 110 Pine St., Spring Lake. Fireworks follow evening show at Musical Fountain. visitgrandhaven.com.
July 8 - Vintage Street Market: 60-vendor monthly market at Downtown Market, featuring furniture, clothes, accessories, kitchen goods, home décor and more. 10 a.m.-4 p.m. 435 Ionia Ave. SW. vintagestreetmarketgr. com.
July 4 - Grandville Parade and Fireworks: Events include pancake breakfast, parade (11 a.m.), craft show, carnival, food vendors, kids zone, live music, fireworks at dusk. Grandville Middle School, 3535 Wilson Ave. SW. cityof grandville.com.
July 9-30 - Zeelmania: Weekly street fair 6-8 p.m. every Mon. on Main Street in downtown Zeeland. July 9, Kick-off Night with color explosion at the corner of Main and Church streets. July 16, Animal Night. July 23, Super Hero Night. July 30, Celebration Night. zee landfestivals.com.
July 4 - Holland Celebration and Fireworks: Kids games, vendors, martial arts demos and
July 12-14 - Lowell Riverwalk Festival: Concerts, parade, arts and crafts, cruise-in, kayak
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and canoe races, fireworks. 5-9 p.m. Thu.-Fri., 8 a.m.-7 p.m. Sat., fireworks 10:15 p.m. Sat. Downtown Lowell and along Riverwalk. river walkfestival.org.
July 12, 19, 26 - Maranda’s Park Parties: WOTV4’s Maranda hosts free family parties with activities, games, entertainment, food, prizes. July 12, Kollen Park, Holland. July 19, East Kentwood High School. July 26, Bronson Park, Kalamazoo. Noon-2 p.m.; free lunch for kids 18 and under starting at 11:30 a.m. wotv4 women.com. July 14 - Art on Center: Participating galleries host artist receptions and live music. 6-8 p.m. Downtown Douglas. saugatuck.com/event/ art-on-center-2. July 14 - Meijer Gardens Daylily Show: Oneday showcase of daylilies. Included with admission. 9 a.m.-5 p.m. 1000 East Beltline Ave. NE. meijergardens.org. July 14, 21 - Great Train Robbery: Coopersville & Marne Railway’s train excursion includes horseback-riding desperados whose antics are stopped by sheriff’s deputies. 10:30 a.m. and 1:30 p.m. 311 Danforth St., Coopersville. $21.25 adults, $20.25 seniors, $19.25 kids 2-12. coopersvilleandmarne.org. July 18-21 - Sparta Town & Country Days: Parade, games, food, music, fireworks, pig roast, carnival, 5K run. spartafair.com. July 19-21 - Grand Rapids Balloon Festival: Hot air balloons, games, activities, food. 6-10 p.m. Thu. at Ah-Nab-Awen Park, 220 Front Ave. NW. 5-9 p.m. Fri., 1-9 p.m. Sat. at Hudsonville Fairgrounds, 5235 Park Ave. Free Thu., $5 Fri. and Sat. grandrapidsballoonfestival.com. July 21 - Eastern & Alger Pop-up Market: Alger Heights hosts monthly market with local artisans and vintage dealers. 9 a.m.-3 p.m. Eastern Avenue and Alger Street SE. face book.com/easternalgerpopupmarket. July 23-28 - Muskegon County Youth Fair: Amusement rides, tractor and pony pulls, 5K run/walk, horse show, Supercross. 6621 Heights Ravenna Road, Fruitport. muskegon fairgrounds.com. July 23-28 - Ottawa County Fair: Motor sports, rodeo, mobile zoo, midway, kids activities. Ottawa County Fairgrounds, 1286 Ottawa Beach Road, Holland. ottawacountyfair. com. July 25 - Hudsonville Community Games: Carnival, petting zoo, school supply giveaway, family services expo, food. 5-8 p.m. Hudsonville Fairgrounds, 5235 Park Ave. Free. hud sonvillecommunitygames.com. July 26-29 - Byron Days Festival: Annual
celebration includes entertainment, rides and inflatables, arts & crafts, 5K run/walk, car show, fireworks. Bicentennial Park, 8085 Byron Center Ave., Byron Center. byrondays festival.com.
July 27-28 - Venetian Festival: Familyfriendly games, concerts, dinghy poker run, lighted boat parade, fireworks. Begins 5 p.m. Fri. Coghlin Park, 64 Griffith St., Saugatuck. saugatuckvenetianfest.org. July 27-Aug. 5 - Grand Haven Coast Guard Festival: National festival honors the men and women of the U.S. Coast Guard with parades, music, carnival, picnic, kids activities, car show/cruise, ship tours and fireworks. coastguardfest.org.
July 4 - Reeds Lake Trail Blazer: Eighth annual 5K walk/run around Reeds Lake; benefits East Grand Rapids Community Foundation. 8:30 a.m. East Grand Rapids Community Center, 750 Lakeside Drive SE. $30 adults, $15 kids 11-17, $10 kids 10 and younger. reedsla ketrailblazer.com. July 7 - Lake Michigan RTS 10K: Road, trail and sand race along Lake Michigan shoreline benefits Helen DeVos Children’s Hospital. 8:30 a.m. 4686 66th St., Holland. $45. lake michiganrts.com. July 8 - Grand Haven Triathlon & Duathlon: Sprint and Olympic distance triathlons and duathlons, plus relays. 7:30 a.m.-1 p.m. TriCities Family YMCA, 1 Y Drive, Grand Haven. $70-$165. grandhaventri.com.
July 28 - Made in MI Pop-up Marketplace: Downtown Market hosts monthly outdoor market with artisan gifts, local treats and goodies. 9 a.m.-4 p.m. 435 Ionia Ave. SW. ma deinmipopup.com.
July 9 - Golf for Kids’ Sake: D.A. Blodgett – St. John’s 22nd annual fundraiser for Big Brothers Big Sisters. 10:15 a.m. Blythefield Country Club, 5801 Northland Drive. $400. dabsj.org.
July 28 - Village Square Art and Fine Crafts Fair: Arts, crafts and handmade items. 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Village Square, corner of Butler and Main streets, Saugatuck. saugatuckdoug lasartclub.org.
July 14 - Dirty Burg: Switchback Endurance 5K, 10K, 20K and 50K races include the ski hill. 6 a.m. Cannonsburg Ski Area, 6800 Cannonsburg Road, Belmont. $25-$80. switch backendurance.com/dirty-burg-50k.
July 29 - Allegan Antiques Market: Monthly market with 400 exhibitors inside and outside, rain or shine. 8 a.m.-4 p.m. Allegan County Fairgrounds, 150 Allegan County Fair Drive. $4. alleganantiques.com.
July 14 - Holland Hundred Bicycle Tour: Macatawa Cycling Club hosts annual scenic ride to benefit Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation and other charities. 18-, 36-, 67and 100-mile routes. 7 a.m. Herman Miller Greenhouse, 10201 Adams St., Holland. $15$35. holland100.com.
July 31 - Day of Play Celebration: Grand Rapids Children’s Museum, Grand Rapids Art Museum, John Ball Zoo, ArtPrize, Friends of Grand Rapids Parks, and Downtown Grand Rapids Inc. host celebration for kids and families. 10 a.m.-2 p.m. Ah-Nab-Awen Park, 220 Front Ave. NW. grcm.org.
SPORTS July - Grand Rapids Football Club, women’s team: Minor league soccer team is part of the United Women’s Soccer League. Home games: July 8 vs. Fort Wayne United. Grandville High School, 4700 Canal Ave. SW. $8 adults, $5 kids 4-14. grandrapidsfc.com. July - West Michigan Whitecaps: Professional minor league baseball team is a member of the Midwest League and Class-A affiliate of the Detroit Tigers. Home games: July 1 vs. Bowling Green Hot Rods. July 2-3 vs. Lansing Lugnuts. July 11-13 vs. Wisconsin Timber Rattlers. July 14-16 vs. Beloit Snappers. July 25-27 vs. Lake County Captains. July 28-31 vs. South Bend Cubs. Fifth Third Ballpark, 4500 West River Drive NE, Comstock Park. $8-$16. whitecapsbaseball.com.
July 14 - Rockford Kids Triathlon: Run, bike and swim; lengths based on age up to 17. 9 a.m. Rockford High School, 4100 Kroes St. NE. $20. rocktri.com. July 15 - Tri del Sol: Sprint and Olympic distances for triathlon, duathlon, aquabike and relay, plus kids triathlon. 8 a.m. Camp Manitou-Lin, 1095 N. Briggs Road, Middleville. $70-$145. tridelsol.com. July 21 - Team Orphans Cookie 5K Run and Walk: Fundraiser for adoption services at local agencies. 8 a.m. Robinette’s Apple Haus, 3142 4 Mile Road NE. $20, $60 family. teamor phans.com/5k. July 23 - Chamber Open Golf Outing: Includes golf, breakfast, boxed lunch, door prizes and awards. 9 a.m. shotgun start. Sunnybrook Country Club, 624 Port Sheldon Road SW, Grandville. $200. grandrapids.org. July 26 - Metro Way 5K/10K: Metro Health race benefits community outreach programs. 6:30 p.m.; free kids races at 6 p.m. Metro Health, 5900 Byron Center Ave. SW, Wyoming. $25 and up. metrohealth.net/5k. CITY GUIDE 2018-2019 / GRMAG.COM 99
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out & about WHERE TO GO / WHAT TO DO
July 28 - The Color Run: 5K race where runners are showered with colored powder and foam. 9 a.m. Calder Plaza, 250 Monroe Ave. NW. $14.99-$49.99. thecolorrun.com/locati ons/grand-rapids-mi. July 28 - Coast Guard Run: Tri-Cities Family YMCA holds 5K and 10K runs, 1-mile family fun run/walk and tot trot. 7:30 a.m. 1 Y Drive, Grand Haven. $5-$35. tcfymca.org. July 28 - Summer Stroll for Epilepsy: Fundraiser for Epilepsy Foundation of Michigan with music, raffle and pre-race activities. 8:30 a.m. Meijer Gardens, 1000 E. Beltline Ave. NE. $25 adults, $15 ages 2-11, 1 and under free. epil epsymichigan.org/stroll.
STAGE & FILM July - Dr. Grins Comedy Club: Nationally acclaimed comedians perform Thu.-Sat. July 5-7, Paul Strickland. July 12-14, Stewart Huff. July 19-21, Lachlan Patterson. July 26-28, Nate Craig. 8 p.m. Thu.; 8 and 10:30 p.m. Fri.; 5:30, 8 and 10:30 p.m. Sat. $5 Thu., $10 Fri.-Sat. The B.O.B., 20 Monroe Ave. NW. thebob.com/dr grinscomedy. Thru July 15 - “Mamma Mia!”: Mason Street Warehouse presents the story — set to music by ABBA — of a bride who invites three men from her mother’s past to her wedding, hoping to meet her father. 8 p.m. Tue.-Sat., 2 p.m. July 1 and 15, 7 p.m. July 4 and 8. Saugatuck Center for the Arts, 400 Culver St. $34-$49. masonstreetwarehouse.org. Thru July 18 - “The Odd Couple”: Hope Summer Repertory Theatre presents the classic comedy about two men — one a clean freak and the other a slob – living together. 7:30 p.m., 1:30 p.m. July 7. DeWitt Theatre, 141 E. 12th St., Holland. $26-$30 adults, $22-$27 seniors, $15 kids. hope.edu/hsrt. Thru Aug. 10 - “The Wiz”: Hope Summer Repertory Theatre presents a musical about Dorothy in “The Wonderful Wizard of Oz.” 7:30 p.m., 1:30 p.m. July 28. DeWitt Theatre, 141 E. 12th St., Holland. $35-$40 adults, $28-$32 seniors, $15 kids. hope.edu/hsrt. July 2 - Capitol Steps: Washington, D.C., comedy group performs political skits. 8 p.m. Saugatuck Center for the Arts, 400 Culver St. $41-$43. sc4a.org. July 12-21 - “The Cherry Orchard”: Heritage Theatre presents Anton Chekhov’s story about socio-economic status in Russia at the turn of the 20th century. 8 p.m. Spectrum Theater, 160 Fountain St. NE. $20 adults, $15 seniors, $10 students. heritagetheatregr.org. July 12-21 - “Stuart Little”: Holland Civic
Theatre tells the story about a mouse born into an ordinary New York family. 7 p.m. Thu.Fri., 2 p.m. and 7 p.m. Sat. 50 W. Ninth St., Holland. $10. hollandcivictheatre.org.
July 12-28 - “Fun Home”: Circle Theatre presents a musical about a daughter telling the story of her childhood with a brilliant but volatile father. 7:30 p.m.; 5 p.m. July 22. Aquinas College, 1703 Robinson Road SE. $26$30. circletheatre.org. July 13-Aug. 7 - “An Iliad”: Hope Summer Repertory Theatre presents a tale of gods and goddesses, undying love and endless battles. 7:30 p.m. Howard Recital Hall, Miller Center for Musical Arts, 221 Columbia Ave., Holland. $30 adults, $27 seniors, $15 kids. hope.edu/ hsrt. July 20-28 - “The Princess and the Pauper”: Master Arts Theatre Youth Summer Stock tells the story of a princess and a flower girl who swap lives. 7 p.m. Fri.; 2 and 7 p.m. Sat.; 10 a.m. and 1 p.m. July 24 and 26. 75 77th St. SW. $7. masterarts.org. July 21 - River City Improv: Comedy improv team. 7:33 p.m. Calvin College Gezon Auditorium, 3201 Burton St. SE. $12 adults, $5 students and kids. rivercityimprov.com. July 22 - Kevin Hart: Comedian performs the Irresponsible Tour. 7 p.m. Van Andel Arena, 130 W. Fulton St. $37.50-$127.50. vanandelar ena.com. July 25-Aug. 5 - “Never Wear a Tube Top…”: Mason Street Warehouse presents Dixie Longate’s antics while drinking at her favorite honkytonk. 8 p.m. Tue.-Sat., 7 p.m. July 29, 2 p.m. Aug. 5. Saugatuck Center for the Arts, 400 Culver St. $34-$49. masonstreetware house.org. July 26-Aug. 4 - “Fool for Love”: Heritage Theatre presents the story of two ex-lovers and their battles with each other. 8 p.m. Spectrum Theater, 160 Fountain St. NE. $20 adults, $15 seniors, $10 students. heritagetheatregr. org. July 27-Aug. 4 - “School of Rock”: Grand Rapids Civic Theatre’s summer youth program presents the story of a rock star posing as a substitute teacher at a prep school. 7:30 p.m. July 27, Aug. 2 and 4; 2 p.m. July 28-29. 30 N. Division Ave. $10-$16. grct.org.
MUSIC Thru July 26 - Thursdays at the Felt: Free concerts 7 p.m. every Thu. July 5, Mary and the Rad Pack. July 12, Brena. July 19, Schlitz Creek. July 26, Zion Lion Reggae Band. Carriage House Stage, Felt Estate, 6597 138th St.,
Holland. feltmansion.org.
Thru July 30 - East Grand Rapids Summer Concerts: Free family-friendly music 7 p.m. every Mon. John Collins Park, 650 Lakeside Drive SE. eastgr.org. Thru July 31 - Wyoming Concerts in the Park: Free concerts, kids activities and food in Lamar Park 7-8:30 p.m. every Tue. July 10, Cabildo! July 17, The Soul Syndicate. July 24, Blue Soul Express. July 31, Matt Gabriel. 2561 Porter St. SW. facebook.com/wyomingcec. Thru Aug. 2 - Kentwood Summer Concert Series: Free Thu. night concerts; also food trucks. July 12, Big Dudee Roo. July 19, The Moxie Strings. July 26, The Crane Wives. 7-8:30 p.m. Outside Kentwood City Hall, 4900 Breton Road SE. kentwood.us/parks. Thru Aug. 3 - Music at the Point: Spring Lake Heritage Festival hosts free concerts every Thu. 7-8:30 p.m. Mill Point Park, 612 W. Savidge St., Spring Lake. slheritagefestival. com. Thru Aug. 14 - Rogue River Blues: Rockford’s Tue. evening concerts showcase jazz, blues and folk. July 10, Hannah Rose and the Gravestones. July 17, Rusty Wright Band. July 24, Thirsty Perch Blues Band. July 31, The Journeymen. 7-9 p.m. Garden Club Park along Rogue River. Free. rockfordmichamber.com. Thru Aug. 15 - Concerts in Rogers Park: Free family-friendly music concerts 6:30-8:30 p.m. every Wed. Rogers Park, 152 N. State St., Sparta. spartachamber.com/concerts-in-thepark-sparta-michigan. Thru Aug. 20 - Jazz in the Park: West Michigan Jazz Society hosts free jazz concerts 6:308:30 p.m. every Mon. July 9, Paul Keller Sundown Quintet. July 16, Ivan Akanslima. July 25, Michael Doyle and Evidence. July 30, John Prouix Trio. Ah-Nab-Awen Park, 220 Front Ave. NW. wmichjazz.org. Thru Aug. 21 - Tuesdays in the Park: Free concerts by local musicians. July 3, Sweet Lou and the Savages. July 10, The Carl Webb Band. July 17, Kari Lynch. July 24, Uneven Ground. July 31, Kristen Kuiper. 7-8:30 p.m. Central Park, 421 Columbus Ave., Grand Haven. wghn. com. Thru Aug. 23 - Lowell Showboat Sizzlin’ Summer Concerts: Free concerts 7 p.m. every Thu. July 5, Big Band Nouveau. July 12, The Soul Syndicate. July 19, Jake Kershaw. July 26, The Bootstrap Boys. Riverwalk Plaza along Flat River, downtown Lowell. lowellartsmi. org. Thru Aug. 29 - Music in the Park: Free family-friendly music in Saugatuck 7-9 p.m.
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every Wed. July 4, James Reeser Band. July 11, Zion Lion. July 18, Funkle Jesse. July 25, Cheap Dates. Wicks Park Gazebo, Water Street. sau gatuck.com.
Thru Aug. 31 - Holland Summer Concerts: Live music 6:30-8:30 p.m. every Fri. Kollen Park, 240 Kollen Park Drive. Free. downtown holland.com. July - Meijer Gardens Summer Concerts: National acts perform in outdoor amphitheater. July 8, Michael Franti and Spearhead. July 13, Patti LaBelle. July 15, The Temptations and The Four Tops. July 20, Joe Jackson. July 23, Dispatch. July 25, Jason Mraz. July 26, The Beach Boys. July 29, Air Supply. 1000 East Beltline Ave. NE. meijergardens.org. July 3-31 - Soundz of Summer Concert Series: Free concerts 6:30 p.m. every Tue. July 3, Goober ‘n Grits. July 20, Brena. July 17, Moxie Strings. July 24, Organissimo. July 31, Natchez Trace. Lawrence Park, 100 W. Lawrence Ave., Zeeland. ci.zeeland.mi.us. July 3-Aug. 28 - Tuesday Evening Music Club: Local and regional musicians perform every Tues. at Meijer Gardens outdoor amphitheater. 7 p.m. 1000 East Beltline Ave. NE. Free with admission. meijergardens.org. July 5-26 - Cutlerville Sounds of Summer: Free concerts every Thu. at 7 p.m. July 5, Mafia String Band. July 12, 6 Pak. July 19, Fast Hands. July 26, Max Colley Jazz. Cutler Park, 6701 Cutler Park Drive, Byron Center. facebook.com/ soundsofsummercutlerville. July 5-Aug. 10 - Chamber Music Festival of Saugatuck: Music by area musicians every Thu. and Fri. night. 7:30 p.m. Saugatuck Women’s Club, 303 Butler St. $20 adults, $5 students, $100 season. saugatuckmusic.org. July 9, 19-20, 23 - Summer in the Studio: Saugatuck Center for the Arts concerts. July 9, The Mark Lavengood Band ($15). July 1920, Well Strung ($37). July 23, Cousin Curtiss ($15). 8 p.m. 400 Culver St., Saugatuck. sc4a. org. July 12-Aug. 3 - Picnic Pops: Grand Rapids Symphony presents family-friendly concerts with picnics permitted. July 12-13, Classical Fireworks. July 19-20, 80s Rewind. July 26-27, Beethoven v. Coldplay. 7:30 p.m. Cannonsburg Ski Area, 6800 Cannonsburg Road NE, Belmont. $5-$20. grsymphony.org. July 12-Aug. 16 - GRAM on the Green: Free outdoor concerts with food trucks and cash bar every Thu. 6-9 p.m. Grand Rapids Art Museum Terrace, 101 Monroe Center NW. artmuseumgr.org/calendar/gram-on-the-green.
July 12, 26 - Standale Summer Concert Series: Free family-friendly entertainment. July 12, Straight Shot. July 26, Kari Lynch Band. 6:30-8:30 p.m. Walker Community Park, 700 Cummings Ave. NW. ci.walker.mi.us/busin ess/dda. July 15 - Daryl Hall & John Oates and Train: Co-headlined rock concert. 7 p.m. Van Andel Arena, 130 W. Fulton St. $49.50-$129.50. vanandelarena.com. July 16, 23 - Circle Theatre Summer Concert Series: July 16, Bringing Sexy Back: Pop/ Rock Male Icons. July 23, Silver Screen: Academy Award-Winning Songs. 7 p.m. Aquinas College, 1703 Robinson Road SE. $18. circle theatre.org. July 18 - Johnny Mathis: The Voice of Romance Tour. 7:30 p.m. DeVos Performance Hall, 303 Monroe Ave. NW. $59-$125. devos performancehall.com. July 18 - Shania Twain: Country music singer. 8 p.m. Van Andel Arena, 130 W. Fulton St. $25-$199. vanandelarena.com. July 20 - Beers at the Bridge: Fourth annual free summer concert series; this month Strumble Head. Also, local beer, hard cider and food. 6-9 p.m. Ada Covered Bridge/ Leonard Field, 7490 Thornapple River Drive SE. adamichigan.org/events/beers-at-the-br idge. July 24-Aug. 14 - Jenison Music in the Park: Free music concerts 6-8 p.m. July 24, Don Middlebrook & the Pearl Drivers “Jimmy Buffet Tribute Band.” July 31, Brenda Loomis. Rosewood Park, 1899 Rosewood St., Jenison. grandvillechamber.chambermaster.com/ events.
LECTURES & WORKSHOPS July - American Sign Language Classes: Deaf and Hard of Hearing Services’ eightweek classes meet weekly beginning the week of July 9 in seven locations. $90. deaf hhs.org. July - Downtown Market Cooking Classes: July 10, Slow Your Roll: Beginner Sushi. July 13 and 24, Spanish Tapas Night. July 22, Pasta Estiva. July 27, Vietnamese Roll Workshop. 435 Ionia Ave. SW. downtownmarketgr.com. July - FLPC Art Workshops: July 12-14, “Zorn Palette Workshop” by Aaron Westerberg and “Workshop in Oil or Pastel” by Michael Story. July 19-21, “Learning to Paint Light and Shadow with Emotion” by Elizabeth Robbins, “Intermediate Oil Painting Landscape Workshop” by Shanna Kunz and “Great Shapes
and Acrylics” by Kathleen Mooney. Franciscan Life Process Center, 11650 Downes St. NE, Lowell. lifeprocesscenter.org.
July - Grand Rapids Public Libraries: Adults: Lost to Time: 20 Detroiters You’ve Never Heard Of, Michigan Native Plants in Your Home Landscape, The Amazing Honey Bee, Surviving College Culture Shock, book clubs, computer/technology instruction. Kids: Robotics Petting Zoo, Read Like a Rock Star Greatest Hits Magic Show, Culture Kingdom Live with Culture Queen, Bubbleman Ron, Summer Reading Challenge. grpl.org. July - Kent District Libraries: Adults: KDaLe Book Club, book sales, book discussions, computer/technology instruction. Kids: Audacious Hoops, Flying Aces, A Bird’s Eye View, Kids and Teens Craft Shows, Farm on the Go!, Mimic a Mime, Ruff Readers, story times. kdl.org. July - Summer Swing Dancing: 7-9:30 p.m. every Tue. in downtown Grand Rapids. First half-hour is instruction. July 3, 17 and 31 at Rosa Parks Circle, 135 Monroe Center NW. July 10 and 24 at Ah-Nab-Awen Park, 220 Front Ave. NW. grandrapidsoriginalswingsoc iety.com. July 10 - LowellArts! Workshop: “Color Seminar” by Larry Blovits includes color theory, color mixing, color application and understanding color as it reacts to light. 9 a.m.-4 p.m. 223 W. Main St., Lowell. $85. low ellartsmi.org. July 11 - Local First Workshop: “Mission Possible: Telling Your Story.” 4:30 a.m.-6 p.m. Geek Group, 902 Leonard St. NW. $25, $20 members. localfirst.com. July 14 - Italian Cooking Class: Chef Jenna hosts monthly class. 2-3 p.m. Amore Trattoria Italiana, 5080 Alpine Ave. NW, Comstock Park. Free. amoretrattoriaitaliana.com. July 18 - FLPC Retreat: Men’s Summer Retreat. 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Franciscan Life Process Center, 11650 Downes St. NE, Lowell. $60. lifeprocesscenter.org. July 21- Eastern Floral Design Class: “Summer Citrus.” 10 a.m. 2836 Broadmoor Ave. SE. $40. easternfloral.com/designclass/2018. July 22 - LowellArts! Workshop: “Tint Your Vision: Handcoloring Photographs” by Dianne Carroll Burdick. 6-9 p.m. 223 W. Main St., Lowell. $35. lowellartsmi.org. July 28 - Public Museum Garden Workshop: Kids in the Garden. 11 a.m. 272 Pearl St. NW. $12, $4 members. grpm.org.
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out & about SOCIETY / FACES / PLACES
Nathan and Allison Stock
Larry and Julia Titley
Alyson and Pauline Wendzel Shannon McKinleyRapp, Jen Coe and Kim Monks Heather and Ricky Myers
Stephen and Natalia Ciennik
snap shots
CAPTURING THE ACTION
AROUND TOWN:
GUESTS GATHERED AT THE JW Marriott on April 27 for the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation Promise Gala, supporting diabetes research. The night featured a cocktail hour, seated dinner, open bar, live and silent auctions, and entertainment. DeVos Place hosted the Spectrum Health Foundation Gala on April 21, benefitting the epilepsy program at the Neurosciences Center at Helen DeVos Children’s Hospital. The event featured a social hour and dinner, emceed by Miguel Cervantes, star of Chicago’s production of “Hamilton: An American Musical.” Cervantes spoke to guests about his daughter, Adelaide, who was diagnosed with childhood epilepsy at the age of 1.
Max, Jack and Becky Barnes and Anne Seurynck
PHOTOGRAPHY BY MICHAEL BUCK
Stuart GenSchaw, Matt Cavanaugh, Lori Genschaw and Matt McIntosh
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Julie Wolowitz and Noufal Elmouhafidi
Nicole and Andy Shannon
Kim, Earl and Donnalee Holton
“Hamilton” actor Miguel Cervantes Jill and Thomas Berry
PHOTOGRAPHY BY JOHNNY QUIRIN
PHOTOGRAPHY BY MICHAEL BUCK
Tamara Vander Ark-Potter and Ann Nelson
Candace and Bruce Matthews
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Ed and Katie Bolt Christine HelmsMaletic and Daniel and Hilary Morrison
Shannon Hicks and Jameson Cunningham
George Hartwell and Rosalyn Bliss
Stacy Figg and Susie Gordon
Leigh Heckman and Natalie Henley
CAPTURING THE ACTION AROUND TOWN:
snap shots
WEST MICHIGAN ENVIRONMENTAL ACTION COUNCIL hosted its fourth annual Blue Tie Ball on April 26 at the Goei Center to raise funds for WMEAC’s water protection programs. In addition to fundraising, the event celebrated 50 years of environmental action with live music from Hannah Rose and the GravesTones and Matt Gabriel, a dinner prepared by San Chez Bistro, cocktails and an auction featuring unique experiences.
Mike and Gerri Troupos, Stephen Mottram and Jon Helmrich
PHOTOGRAPHY BY MICHAEL BUCK
Susan Heartwell, Cheryl Boudreaux, Cynthia Domingo and Bill Wood
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