May 2014, Revue Magazine

West Michigan’s Entertainment Guide for 25 years

» May 2014

Music / Art / Culture / Dining / Free!

Now with 100% more pizza!

The Food Issue

REVUEWM.COM | May 2014 |

3

4 | REVUEWM.COM | May 2014

REVUEWM.COM | May 2014 |

5

6 | REVUEWM.COM | May 2014

What’s Inside

May 2014 | Volume 26, Issue 5

SCENE:

10 Eclectic Events 13 All Ages 14 Running Events

SPECIAL SECTION:

17

17 18 19 20 22 24 26 27 28 30 32 34

The Food Issue Staying in Business Gluten-Free Goodies Bacon Invasion Top Pizzas in West Michigan Q&A with Chef Scott Petersen Staff Last Meal Up to Code Q&A with Chef Abigail Therrien Q&A with Kolene Allen and Jon Dunn Must-Attend Food Events CSAs and Doorganics

SOUNDS:

The Food Issue

37 38 40 42

Local Music: The Fever Haze On Tour: Perfect Pussy On Tour: Fitz and the Tantrums On Tour: Manchester Orchestra

SIGHTS: 45 46 48 50 52 54

Visual Art: Michigan Modern Theatre: Madama Butterfly Comedy: Nikki Glaser Indie Film Lit Life: Roberta King Style Notes

DINING & DRINKING:

45

Michigan Modern

54

Style notes

57 58 60 62

Restaurant Listings Gluten Free Girl: CVLT Pizza Local Brews: Virtue Cider BeerCity Week

SCHEDULE:

67 Daily Event Listings and Best Bets

W e s t M i c h i g a n ’ s E n t e rta i n m e n t G u i d e

Letter from the Editor

A

sk a group of kids to tell you their favorite food. Chances are the majority of them will say pizza. Ask a group of adults with supposedly refined taste the same question, and I bet a solid number (maybe not most of them, but at least more than expected) would still tell you it’s pizza.

There are just some things that are so simple, yet so good. Pizza is one of them. When we asked our staff to pick what their last meal would be, pizza was featured more than once. Think about it. You could have any meal, and there are people who still default to pizza. That says something about this food.

We haven’t done too much on pizza in the past. I know. What the hell? Maybe it’s because pizza is beloved, but is not normally considered a delicacy. Except there are restaurants that are proving that notion otherwise.

Since 10 out of 10 Revue employees say pizza is the greatest food ever (I could be paraphrasing), we rounded up some of the most delicious, talkedabout pizzas in West Michigan. All of these pies range in flavor, toppings, style and kill it in the taste department.

Editorial Publisher Brian Edwards / brian@revuewm.com Managing Editor Lindsay Patton-Carson / lindsay@revuewm.com Design Creative Director Kim Kibby / kim@revuewm.com Design Kim Kibby, Kristi Kortman, Kellie Zaplitny Contributing Writers Kyle Austin Alexandra Kadlec Kelli Belanger Audria Larsen Missy Black Allison Parker Jayson Bussa Carly Plank Ben Darcie Emma Kat Richardson Joe Gasmann Josh Spanninga Robby Hartley Kerri VanderHoff Dwayne Hoover Anya Zentmeyer

Contributing Photographers Katy Batdorff, Phil Artz, Kim Kibby Listings schedule@revuewm.com

We will admit, everyone has different pizza tastes, so you may not agree with some of our top picks. One thing we can all agree on, however, is that pizza is one of the most universally loved foods.

Revue Minions Kyle Hauch, Erica Horoky, Andrea Kooiker, Sean Murphy, Colleen Schonfield Sales / 616.608.6170 Lauren Allen / lallen@mibiz.com Kelli Belanger / kbelanger@revuewm.com Molly Rizor / molly@revuewm.com

Rock on.

Digital Editor Jayson Bussa / jayson@revuewm.com Find us online!

Website: revuewm.com Twitter: twitter.com/revuewm Facebook: facebook.com/revuewm

Lindsay Patton-Carson, Managing Editor / lindsay@revuewm.com

Advertising index Amway Hotel Corporation . . . 65 Arcadia Ales. . . . . . . . . . . . . . 61 Battle Creek Downtown. . . . . 10 BeerCity Week . . . . . . . . . . . . 38 Bell’s Brewery . . . . . . . . . . 3, 43 Billy’s Lounge. . . . . . . . . . . . . 39 BMW Motorcycle. . . . . . . . . . . 74 Brewery Vivant. . . . . . . . . . . . 61 Broadway GR. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6 Bruphin Man . . . . . . . . . . . . . 74 Buttermilk Jamboree. . . . . . . 40 Cascade Optical . . . . . . . . . . 12 City Flats. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 64 Civic Theatre. . . . . . . . . . . . . 55 Culinary Institute of MI. . . . . 35

8 | REVUEWM.COM | May 2014

Downtown Market . . . . . . . . . 21 Downtown Zeeland . . . . . . . . 56 Dr. Grins. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 48 Dwelling Place. . . . . . . . . . . . 49 Fajita Republic . . . . . . . . . . . 29 Festival of the Arts. . . . . . . . .15 Firekeepers Casino . . . . . . . . . . 9 Food Dance . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 59 Founders Brewing Company . 11 Fusion Shows. . . . . . . . . . . . . 66 The Gilmore Collection. . . . . . 51 GR Art Museum. . . . . . . . . . . . . 4 GR Brewing Co.. . . . . . . . . . . 33 GR Public Library. . . . . . . . . . 49 GR Public Museum . . . . . . . . 44

GR Symphony. . . . . . . . . . . . . 49 Grand Woods Lounge. . . . . . . 75 Gravel Bottom Brewery . . . . . 61 Green Restaurant . . . . . . . . . 56 Growco. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 73 The Intersection. . . . . . . . . . . 36 Millennium Restaurant Group. . .

56, 73 One Trick Pony. . . . . . . . . . . . 59 Outback Concerts . . . . . . . . . 73 Palazzolo’s Gelato . . . . . . . . . 25 The Pyramid Scheme. . . . . . . . . 5 River City Improv. . . . . . . . . . 10 Saugatuck Brewing Company.61 Saugatuck Ctr. for the Arts. . 54 Schmohz Brewery. . . . . . . . . . 63 Schuler Books. . . . . . . . . . . . 53

The Score. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 71 Seven Steps Up. . . . . . . . . . . 43 Sight Optical Boutique . . . . . 55 SMG // Van Andel. . . . . . . . . . 41 Soaring Eagle Casino & Resort.3 SpeakEZ Lounge . . . . . . . . . . 63 Stella’s Lounge . . . . . . . . . . . 16 Sunday Night Funnies. . . . . . 55 Tip Top Deluxe Bar & Grill . . . 42 Van Ball’s Meat Inc.. . . . . . . . 55 Watermark Properties . . . . . . 25 West Michigan Symphony. . . 73 West Side Beer / Budweiser. . 76 Wharton Center. . . . . . . . . . . 47

Revue is published monthly by Revue Holding Company.

65 Monroe Center, Ste. 5, Grand Rapids, MI 49503 Office: 616.608.6170 / Fax: 616.608.6182 ©2014, Revue Holding Company. All rights reserved. Reproduction in whole or in part granted only by written permission of the publisher in accordance with our legal statement, fools.

On the cover: Kolene Allen and Jon Dunn of Vegan GR hang out at Kangaroo Kitchen (photo by Katy Batdorff).

Story on page 30.

REVUEWM.COM | May 2014 |

9

/// Eclectic have been secret until now. The innumerous hats will be showcased alongside rarely seen paintings, drawings and even sculptures. Plus, you can take home a piece of Seussian history with, according to the website, “works adapted from Ted Geisel’s original [art].”

Recycled Art in the Park Celery Flats Park, Portage May 10–17, Free! portagemi.gov, (269)352-4583

GR Paddling: Custom Canoe and Kayak Trips

May Eclectic Events

It is the season of throbbing hearts, frolicking, tomfoolery and communing with nature. This month, explore our bountiful waterways, re-imagine trash in the name of art and the earth, get buzzed permanently and wear a hat no one else will dare. By Audria Larsen

GR Paddling: Custom Kayak & Canoe Trips

Greater Grand Rapids May 1–Oct. 31, $30–$50 grpaddling.com, (616) 558-2609

Schedule | Dining | sights | Sounds Scene

Seeking adventure, but on your own terms? GR Paddling allows you to create a custom paddling experience complete with amenities and frontdoor service. Paddlers can choose excursions on any of the five local rivers like the Thornapple or Grand River, and surrounding lakes like Wabasis and Reeds Lake. From there, every detail is cus-

10 | REVUEWM.COM | May 2014

tomizable from the time of your departure to the length of time you want to be on the water. While traveling along places like the Rogue River, docking and dining options are available if you want to make a day of it. “We take care of them,” said Jeff Neumann, who co-owns the company with his wife. “We provide binoculars, towels, bug spray, sunscreen and even snacks and beverages at the end.” On top of that, GR Paddling will pick you up at your door, whether it is from a local hotel, your office or home. “We’re in it to give people a great time,” said Neumann. “I’m retired. I’m just excited to do it.”

Recycled Art in the Park is a non-juried showcase and contest featuring works created with repurposed and re-imagined materials. For one week, the public can enjoy pieces created by 30 artists, all displayed outdoors. Voting and judging commence on the final exhibition day with cash prizes awarded for the publicly voted Popular Choice Award along with awards in a number of other categories. The judged contest looks for the level of recycled content and examines “creative use of materials as they were not originally intended” along with “overall artistry and originality.” Developed as a means of creating public awareness about recycling, Recycled Art in the Park also promotes creativity in everyday objects.

Skin Deep Tattoo and Body Art Expo DeltaPlex, Grand Rapids May 2–4, $10–$30 skindeepexpo.com, (616) 364-9000

Hats Off to Dr. Seuss

Holland Area Arts Council, Holland Through May 11, Free! hollandarts.org, (616) 396-3278

There’s nothing more Seussian than an outsized, ostentatious hat. For the first time ever, Dr. Seuss’ private hat collection is on tour in conjunction with the 75th anniversary of his book, The 500 Hats of Bartholomew Cubbins. Recently, the hats have emerged from a long slumber within a hidden closet on the Seuss estate along with a slew pieces from the Dr. Seuss Secret Art collection, which

If the whir of a tattoo gun makes your heart go patter, then the three-day Skin Deep Tattoo and Body Art Expo will send it humming. Dubbed one of the largest tattoo and piercing events in Michigan, Skin Deep offers all of the usual suspects, plus celebrity appearances. In addition to seminars, vendors and endless opportunities to get poked, participants can enjoy a huge array of daily contests like Best Job Stopper, Best Portrait and Best Tattoo of the Day. Not to mention other attractions including live music and the crowning of the Miss Skin Deep in the pin up pageant. Sound exciting? Enjoy an unforgettable weekend of indelible ink. n

LADIES LITERARY CLUB: 61 SHELDON BLVD SE

MAY 3 MAY17

CALVIN’S GEZON AUDITORIUM : 3201 BURTON ST SE

JUNE 21 JULY 19 ALL SHOWS 7:33 PM RIVERCITYIMPROV.COM

REVUEWM.COM | May 2014 |

11

12 | REVUEWM.COM | May 2014

/// All Ages

“You don’t have to be a pro bowler, little kids ages 3 or 4 years old are bowling with their moms and grandmas. It’s a pretty universal activity.” From ball ramps to bumpers on every lane and lighter balls, there’s even monster bowl games made for preschoolers so they don’t lose their attention span.

Heck, there’s food too so poor mom gets a kitchen break.

Mom and Me Silk Scarf Painting

Inspirations of Art Studio 6504 28th St., Suite C, Grand Rapids May 2, 1-2 p.m. $25 inspirationsofartstudio.com, (616) 432-3069

Glow Bowling, May 25

Yo Mama!

When mama’s happy, everyone’s happy. So set the clock to mom time and cue the laughter and well-meaning lectures. Mothers and daughters can head to a spa night or get artsy and design a scarf while little boys can treat mom to magic and glow bowling.

It’s all about her and besides, mother knows best…

at Cedar Tree Birth and Wellness and described as a meaningful way to create memories with your daughter, this event includes a facial steam, henna, guided meditation, bonding exercises, a sweet sharing circle moment and the creative activity of making an herbal bath together with daughters picking ingredients. Nourishing and indulgent snacks are on hand including dark chocolate, veggies and hummus as well as homemade teas and elixirs at this laid-back event that’s spa-like and fun for young girls ages 7 and up. “I think people are hungry for it. Childhood is short. We need to value the time we have together.” There is a Facebook page for the event under Mother/ Daughter Spa Night.

By Missy Black

Cedar Tree Birth and Wellness 915 Cherry St., Grand Rapids May 16, 6–9 p.m. $45 per mother/daughter pair crowninglotus.com/store

Mother/Daughter Spa Night, May 16

This event designed to pamper and connect mothers and daughters (or girl in your life) provides the opportunity to bond over more than nail polish colors. “I am the mother of a daughter and I wanted something more enriching to do,” says Juliea Paige, founder of Crowning Lotus Doula Services and cofounder of Cedar Tree Birth and Wellness. “It’s all about intention for us. We’re always thinking about creative ways to take things to a deeper level.” Held

BAM! Bowling, 478 E. 16th St., Holland May 25, noon–5 p.m. $9 for two games and shoes gobamgo.com, (616) 392-7086

Get in on the rock & glow bowling show at BAM! Bowling in Holland. Enjoy some special time with the whole family or just mom in this party zone offered every Sunday afternoon. This show goes beyond bowling with large video screens, black lights, fog, laser lights and disco balls to liven things up.

There are even mom-approved music videos on the big screens because you know she’s always watching. “Kids love knocking something down,” says Owner Phil Huffman. “They are encouraged to create a mess.” Have fun with mom and stay active in a physical activity many ages can participate in.

The Magical Adventures of Merlin

The Parish Theatre at the Kalamazoo Civic Theatre 426 S. Park St., Kalamazoo May 9–17, show times at 9:30 a.m., noon, 1, 2,4 and 7:30 p.m. kazoocivic.com, (269) 343-1313 Mom knows how to bring a little magic into your life, wouldn’t you say? Little boys will love spending time with mom, as well as some magicians and knights in the story of young magician Merlin and Arthur, another young lad destined to be king. Through a magical twist of fate, both boys become friends but the question looms whether Merlin will choose his lifelong dream of magic or friendship with Arthur. Also, will Arthur pull the sword from the stone and become king? “There will be some actual magic tricks and some scenery magic will happen,” said Director Nicki Poer. From magical surprises to sword fighting, this musical production is an enchanting and bewitching tale the whole family will enjoy. “The music is very big and exciting and adds to the plot of the play. The singing is just wonderful.” n

REVUEWM.COM | May 2014 |

Scene Sounds | Sights | Dining | Schedule

Mother/Daughter Spa Night

Sunday Afternoon Glow Bowling

Here’s something for just you and mom. Come create a special memory with your child while they create a masterpiece for you. Inspirations of Art Studio offer this special bonding time with mom as she draws a design on a scarf followed by the child and mom painting the scarf using watercolor techniques. “Kids get to paint with their mom and splatter paint and just have fun,” says Owner Dana Bradt. The class, geared for ages two and up is the perfect Mother’s Day activity and fun outing. The artistic afternoon is a great way to create memories and “working moms can wear the scarf and have a piece of their child with them.” Participants are asked to wear old clothes.

13

Get Out and Run / By Revue Staff and Minions

fun runs

Striders Sunset Series

Hudsonville, Grandville, Grand Rapids May 23, June 27, Aug. 15, $30-$35 stridersrun.com

Striders takes running and makes it social and scenic with this running series. Each race starts at 7 p.m. and is followed by dinner, drinks and music.

Light the Night 5k Run

Kentwood, May 3, vansmarketinggroup.com/events/ light-the-night

Fight the good fight against human trafficking through this walk/run

14 | REVUEWM.COM | May 2014

5k foam fest

Nothing really beats the feeling of finishing a race you worked hard for. That runner’s high you hear about? It happens. Whether you are pushing yourself to the limit or want to participate in something fun and challenging with your friends, there are races that accommodate every person and skill level.

5k race. Proceeds from the run will be donated to The Manasseh Project, an outreach ministry of Wedgewood Christian Services that is dedicated to ending the sexual exploitation of young men and women in West Michigan. So grab your running shoes and help out a good cause.

Mayday 5k

Comstock Riverside Park, May 3 mayday5kgr.blogspot.com

The Mayday 5k walk/run/skate event helps to raise donations for the MI CATS (Michigan Coalition Against the Tar Sands). The MI CATS have been attempting to fight the release of petroleum deposits, known as tar sands, by oil refineries into Lake Michigan.

So why not help the environment and have fun while doing it?

Cops & Robbers 5k

The Dirty Doyle

Dress up in your best burglar disguise and attempt to win this 5k where every runner is a “robber” and must avoid all of the “cops” attempting to take your flag.

Doyle Community Center, May 9 Adults 15+: $50 / Kids: $30

The Dirty Doyle is a three-mile run with 14 obstacles scattered throughout. These mud pits, balance beams, hill climbs, cargo net crawls, slip and slides, tire carries, over and unders, and more.

Shanty to Short’s 5k/10k Shanty Creek Resorts, May 10 $18-$24, shortsbrewing.com

Run from the Lakeview Hotel at Shanty Creek to Short’s Brewpub and reward your hard work with a cold brew.

Ionia, May 17, runningfoundation. com/Cops_and_Robbers5k.html

5K Chocolate Party Millennium Park, May 24, $30-$35 h5kchocolateparty.com

This timed 5k run is made with the chocolate lover in mind. It doesn’t matter whether you’re fast or slow, everyone is competing for the same reasons, chocolate and fun. Enjoy chocolate during the race at various stops and celebrate your completion with a chocolate surprise finish at the end.

West Michigan MudVenture 5k

Resurrection Life Church , June 21 $45-$55

MudVenture is an outdoor 5k obstacle course featuring lots of running, crawling and climbing, all through mud. So much glorious mud. Have fun no matter what type of athlete you are.

5k Foam Fest

Woodworth Farms, July 26, $70-$90 5kfoamfest.com

This foamy run will keep you on your toes with 15-30 obstacles involving anything from crawling in mud underneath electric wires to 50 foot slip and slides.

eat dirt mud run

Glow in the Park

Third Coast Relay

Millennium Park, July 26, $25-$55 glowintheparkrun.com

June 28, $498-$996 for the team, thirdcoastrelay.com

Light up the night during this evening 5k run. Wade through seas of foam, UV glow water and neon-colored powder.

This may be the most epic run Michigan has to offer. Run 200+ miles along the Michigan coastline from Holland to Traverse City. Share the legs between you and your 12 teammates, or create an elite team of six or less and really prove your worth as a person.

The Color Run

Grand Rapids, Aug. 2-3, $40-$55 thecolorrun.com

Start this 5k decked out in your purest whites (chance to recycle your wedding dress?) and come out a rainbow of sweaty colors. The finish line turns the untimed run into a huge party, with grooves, moves and even more color.

Eat Dirt Mud Run

T-Rex Trail Ten Miler Lowell, July 4, $15-$25, trextenmiler.8k.com

Test your might against nature and your fellow man in this 10-mile trek. Run through the woods of Lowell, battle the infamous mighty T-Rex Hill, and return home to tell the tale.

Grand Rapidsm, Aug. 23, $50-$75

Get dirty with this mud-filled race, which features muddy obstacles. Don’t try to avoid the inevitable because you will get dirty at this race.

The Warrior Dash Grand Rapids, Sept. 20, $60-$100

Endure 12 obstacles throughout 3.1 miles in this race where you will climb, swim, jump, balance and more. You will be trudging through mud, dirt and even leaping over fire at the end; so prepare to get dirty.

Michigan Titanium Half and Full Iron-distance Triathlon Plainfield, Aug. 24, $185-$405 mititanium.com

Touted as the most intense race of its kind in Michigan, the Titanium consists of a 2.4 mile swim, 112-mile bike, and 26.2 mile run in and around Versluis Park in Plainfield Township.

Holland Haven Marathon Holland, Sept. 6, $95-$110 hollandhavenmarathon.com

endurance runs

Ada, May 3, $20-$25

Oktoberfest Marathon Spring Lake, Sept. 27, $85-$100

Race along the newly completed paved bike paths in Ada. Several wooden bridges, including one across the Thornapple River, add to the scenic feel.

inspirationalracing.com In true Oktoberfest fashion, the course starts and finishes at Old Boys Brewhouse, where finishers can relax with a pint.

Borgess Run For The Health Of It

Grand Rapids Marathon

Kalamazoo, May 4, $90, borgessrun.com

Race across most of Kalamazoo for a great opportunity to start out the summer strong.

Scene Sounds | Sights | Dining | Schedule

The Troll 10k/16.3 mile

This race gives you a breezy 26.2-mile tour of West Michigan’s lakeshore.

Grand Rapids, Oct. 19, $220-$260 grandrapidsmarathon.com

Tour the city as well as Kent Trails on this mostly flat course. Celebrate your finish in downtown Grand Rapids with all of your fellow runners.

REVUEWM.COM | May 2014 |

15

16 | REVUEWM.COM | May 2014

/// Special Feature

The

Food Issue

The food business currently employs 10 percent of Michigan’s workforce. That is a lot of people. This just goes to show how important food is to us. And not just because we have to eat it every day to stay alive. Eating is more than just survival.

It’s an experience where we use a number of our senses and make entire outings that revolve around food. So, yeah. Food is a big deal.

In this year’s food issue, we uncover the business tactics of successful and long-running restaurants in West Michigan, gorge ourselves on pizza from all over, talk to some creative chefs, find out what the deal with bacon is and more. // by Revue Staff and Minions

Make This: Roasted Asparagus and Preserved Lemon Salad at TerraGR. Recipe on page 28!

Photo: Katy Batdorff

REVUEWM.COM | May 2014 |

17

Food Issue

STAYING ALIVE

Restaurants play to personal strengths, remain consistent for success / By Anya Z e ntm eye r

Schedule | Dining | sights | Sounds Scene

To Michigan’s economy, restaurants are kind of a big deal.

The industry currently employs 10 percent of Michigan’s total workforce, registering $13.1 billion in annual sales. The National Restaurant Association projects a 5.8 percent increase in employment over the course of 2014, which means the creation of 23,000 jobs in the state.

However, despite collectively boasting some pretty impressive numbers, running a food joint isn’t all dollar signs and high fives. The whole “nine out of 10 restaurants close within the first year” thing may be a weirdly specific myth, but a 2005 study by an Ohio State University professor reported that actual numbers were closer to three in five restaurants going out of business after the first three years.

So, how do those lucky two remaining establishments survive the three-year death sentence and remain profitable in such an unpredictable market?

Take Cherie Inn, for example, which has proven healthy longevity is possible since it opened in 1924.

Grand Rapids’ oldest restaurant still enjoys its fair share of foot traffic in the East Hills neighborhood where it was established 90 years ago.

“Every year has been better than the last,” said Michael Kulczyk, who has been the owner and proprietor of Cherie Inn for the past 17 years. “It went from the whole street being for lease, for lease, for lease, to where now, you can’t find property available.”

As the East Hills neighborhood developed, so did the business district alongside it, and today there are nearly a dozen restaurants within a four-block radius of Cherie Inn. Kulczyk said the restaurant’s all-breakfast menu, in part, helps Cherie Inn to stand out among competitors.

Plus, unlike many other dining-related recreation that lost profits during the economic recession, Kulczyk said breakfast is relatively recession proof.

“The nice thing about breakfast is even when the economy is tough, people still want to treat themselves to a meal out. They might cut out a high-end dinner, but they’ll still go out to breakfast.”

For Cherie Inn, success comes with its character. Of course, there’s the all-breakfast menu, but also the original 1940s Stickely furniture and the married couple who had

18 | REVUEWM.COM | May 2014

their first date there 60 years ago and have come back regularly ever since.

“I think having a restaurant with ambiance is so hard to find nowadays. … I think people like the feeling of being in someone else’s dining room,” Kulczyk said.

DISTINGUISHED DISHES That fairytale feeling of consistent growth isn’t true across the board in Grand Rapids, however. To San Chez Tapas Bistro owner Dan Gendler, not all of his 22 years of operation have been so kind.

Gendler first opened San Chez with former business partner George Sanchez in 1992, when the location on 38 W. Fulton was an old warehouse, surrounded by homeless shelters and abandoned buildings. Though San Chez pulled off 15 to 20 percent growth in its first four years, thanks by and large to unique cuisine, the construction of Van Andel Arena in 1996 brought a whole new wave of competition to downtown Grand Rapids, and Gendler watched sales drop 40 percent over a three-month period.

“I think having a restaurant with ambiance is so hard to find nowadays. ..

I think people like the feeling of being in someone else’s dining room.” ­—­Michael Kulczyk, Owner, Cherie Inn

“We went from being highly successful to wondering how we were going to make ends meet; from loving the restaurant business to really not liking it at all,” he said.

But Gendler described the majority of his competitors as “meat and potatoes” restaurants and made the decision to cut dinner entrees in favor of an all-Spanish, entirely tapas menu for San Chez in an effort to brand the restaurant as something unique.

“I didn’t know it in 1996, but nine months later we were at 15 to 20 percent growth,” he said. “When we started being profitable in 1998, that’s when I knew we made the right decision.”

LOCALS GO LOCAL Though restaurants supported by hyper-local sourcing within the farm-to-table framework have been around for more than a decade in some bigger U.S. cities, the movement has finally started gaining popularity in Michigan cities.

In Grand Rapids, public preference began the shift toward hyper-local early on. But the concept has taken a little longer to catch on with restaurant-goers in Muskegon and Kalamazoo, where places like Mia & Grace and Food Dance initially struggled to get their businesses off the ground.

“Truthfully, Kalamazoo’s founding focus is education, the arts and philanthropy and that’s great,” said Julie Stanley, owner of Food Dance, an expansive locally sourced restaurant and food market in Kalamazoo. “It’s just a harder food town because they’ve never really promoted it very well.”

At Food Dance, Stanley lays it all out in front of customers, with everything made from scratch in the 11,000-square-foot building that houses its own bakery, bar, market and curing/hanging rooms for the meat they butcher on site. Though the restaurant didn’t move into the larger space until 2007, Stanley has always operated Food Dance with the end goal of having a comprehensive market like the one now, which was just renovated in the fall to include bigger meat-and-cheese selections and a grab-and-go station.

“I’ve been buying from local sources, personally, for 35 years,” said Stanley, who owned another business prior to opening Food Dance in 1994. “I can’t imagine it being any other way,” With the National Restaurant Association ranking locally grown produce, environmental sustainability and

The Cakabakery

Photo: Michelle Tippmann

Gluten Free Girl’s

Top 5 Gluten Free Goodies

By Kelli Belanger

1 Chef Robb Hammond at Food Dance

hyper-local sourcing among the top 10 culinary trends for 2014, there is empirical evidence that people are starting to take more of an interest in where their food comes from.

“We’re firm believers in that as close as you can get to your restaurant, it’s going to be a better product,” said Jeremy Paquin, who owns and operates Muskegon’s Mia & Grace with his wife, Jamie. “It was challenging at first.

It was different because it was a different concept.”

Now in its seventh year of operations, Mia & Grace still lacks any substantial marketing budget and has relied largely on word-of-mouth for publicity. And they may not be public figures, but through their restaurant, the Paquins have been able to be active members of the public and help grow their restaurant into the surrounding community.

“Muskegon always gives back,” Jeremy said. “Actually, West Michigan as a whole always gives back … (At Mia & Grace) we do a ton of charity events and we can’t always give a ton of money, but what we can do is offer our services and help with what we can. That’s part of being a chef.”

The two chefs have partnered with the Healthy Muskegon initiative to prepare healthy school lunches for the Reeths-Puffer and Montague school districts twice a week, and have also done separate training sessions in the Whitehall School District to teach kitchen staff how to prepare food with fresh versus processed ingredients.

These efforts have allowed Mia & Grace to support its community and in turn, has garnered community support for Mia & Grace. In a sense, they’ve invested in each other, and that’s what the farm-to-table movement is all about.

CONSISTENCY IS KEY It was 1979 when Margaret Balmer opened a small, bluecollar diner in Douglas.

Now equipped with a full bar, patio and comprehensive menu, nearly everything at Everyday People Café looks different except the food.

Margaret’s son, Matt Balmer, now owns the restaurant and said though he is always looking for new and creative ways to serve food, the process is the same – made-fromscratch dishes with locally sourced products.

“Everybody wants the new hot thing and I didn’t want that,” Balmer said. “I think a lot of places get caught up in trying to be everything to everyone, and I think when you do that, you’re missing out on who you really are.”

Balmer said the key to staying in the business over a long period of time is setting the bar high for service, food, atmosphere and pricing, and keeping it there.

“There are four things you need to do in this business and whoever does them the best and the most consistently is generally the one who is the busiest,” he said.

Though each of these five West Michigan restaurants have come into their own through a unique set of circumstances and ambition, consistency is the strongest common thread. Whether the restaurant offers your favorite breakfast dish, the only tapas in town, hands-on preparation by the owners or food made in front of your eyes, you know what you’re getting when you go there.

Successful restaurants combine their mission with method, and that makes all the difference. n

The Cakabakery, 1436 Wealthy St. SE, Grand Rapids, thecakabakery.com, (616) 319-1611 This top-notch confection includes dark chocolate, almonds, egg, agave nectar, Celtic sea salt and grapeseed oil and is unforgettably delicious.

2

Chewy Chocolate Cookie, $2.50

Rita Girl’s Boutique Bakery, MoDiv, 40 Monroe Center St. NW, Grand Rapids facebook.com/ritagirlsweets, (616) 710-1580 Made with egg whites, cocoa, confectioners sugar and vanilla, these cookies are surprisingly and satisfyingly chewy…. And only 110 calories.

3

Flourless Chocolate Torte, $1.25

Second Floor Bakery, 48 E. Lakewood Blvd., Holland, secondfloorbakery.com, (616) 392-3258 This miniature chocolate torte is topped with a chocolate ganache and vanilla buttercream frosting, making it delicious and just the right size to satisfy your sweet tooth.

4

Peanut Butter Chocolate Chip “Cookie,” $.55

Just Eat A Cookie, Westshore Mall, 12331 James St., Holland, facebook.com/justeatacookie, (616) 566-7184 This bite-size cookie confection may be small, but it’s full of flavor. Made with only five ingredients, it’s a tightly packed little morsel of sweetness.

5

Mocha Hazelnut Supreme, small/$1, regular/$2

Boonzaaijer Bakery, 126 E. Cork St., Kalamazoo, boonzaaijerbakery.com, (269) 343-3001 Light and airy, this treat is made of a hazelnut meringue cookie topped with hazelnut buttercream and a hint of mocha.

REVUEWM.COM | May 2014 |

Scene Sounds | Sights | Dining | Schedule

Chefs Jeremy and Jamie Paquin of Mia and Grace

Chocolate Cupcake with Peanut Butter Buttercream Frosting, $3

19

Food Issue

The Bacon Trend Has Yet To End / By Alexandra Kadlec

It’s hard to remember a time when bacon was just a side order at breakfast.

Over the past couple of years, the salty strips have found their way into everything from popcorn and liquor to cupcakes and ice cream. It almost feels like you can’t leave the house without running into the temptation of a baconinfused, bacon-sprinkled or bacon-wrapped something or other.

And the bacon frenzy hasn’t stopped at a compulsory inclusion in even the most unexpected food and beverage items. No, this foodie trend has secured a spot as the star of celebratory events around the nation, including West Michigan’s own Bacon and Beer Festival, which made its debut in Grand Rapids last November.

But what’s with all the hoopla? What is it about bacon that’s got us lusting after it in every conceivable variation?

For starters, it’s a small guilty pleasure that always feels justifiable. And then there’s its tantalizing smell that brings to mind Saturday mornings of our childhoods and beloved neighborhood diners. And, best of all, when bacon surprises us — say, in the folds of a fluffy pancake or blended into a thick milkshake — we’re delighted at how the right amount of savory sass pairs pretty darn well with just about anything.

Hey, there’s nothing wrong with serving up bacon the traditional way, on a plate next to eggs and toast. Sometimes, simple is good. But when you’re craving a bit of bacon novelty and your taste buds are feeling adventurous, check out the following treats — all found in West Michigan.

A

t Vineyards Gourmet (3251 Friday Rd., Coloma), you’ll find no shortage of sweet indulgences, from brittle and fudge to chocolate-covered fruits and nuts. There are plenty of tempting treats featuring bacon, too. You can opt for the “basic” Milk Chocolate-Covered Bacon — a smoky strip hand-dipped in gooey goodness — or experience new depths of intriguing flavor with the jalapeno, red pepper or black pepper sprinkled strips (also chocolate-covered). If you’re not sure what to expect, just ask co-owner Brenda Fulton. Her standard reply: “They’re weird, but good!”

A recent update to the brunch menu at Electric Cheetah (1015 Wealthy St. SE, Grand Rapids) has blessed customers with the Darryl “Chocolate Thunder” Dawkins Cakes — chocolate chip pancakes complemented by all kinds of mouth-watering ingredients. Take a bite and enjoy bits of candied bacon, caramelized bananas, peanut butter whipped cream, salted peanuts and real maple syrup.

Zarzuela (301 E. Michigan Ave., Marshall) offers an array of authentic Spanish-Mediterranean fare, includ-

20 | REVUEWM.COM | May 2014

The Sexy Bacon at Maru Sushi.

ing one appetizer that will wow your mouth: the Datiles Rellenos de Queso con Tocino. Translation: amazingly tasty bacon-wrapped dates stuffed with goat cheese. This kind of cuisine may be made for sharing, but it’s perfectly acceptable to scarf down these little delights on your own.

Intrepid sushi lovers, brace yourselves: Maru Sushi & Grill (927 Cherry St. SE, Grand Rapids) has got a dish that will knock your socks off. The Sexy Bacon is stuffed with hickory smoked bacon, cucumber, asparagus, crab and tempura crunch, then wrapped in soy paper, drizzled with fantasy sauce, creamy garlic sauce, and eel sauce and topped with shredded nori. Now that’s a roll with gusto.

As if a thick, juicy steak weren’t enough to satisfy on its own, Marros Italian Restaurant (147 Water St., Saugatuck) has upped the ante with the Braciole. Bacon is rolled and stuffed into this cut of meat, along with parsley, Romano cheese and garlic. Once everything’s been slow cooked for five hours in marinara sauce, it’s all yours to enjoy along with forkfuls of pasta.

Photo: Chris Freeman

There’s no shortage of bacon on the menu at Stella’s Lounge (53 Commerce Ave., Grand Rapids). Choose from the Stuffed Tots (bacon and cheddar on the inside, jalapeno-blue cheese sauce on the outside), Bacon Fat Popcorn (trust us) and Cheddar Jalapeno Poppers (perfect for bacon-ranch dipping). Or just go crazy and sample all three.

Beer and bacon go hand in hand, so it’s no surprise that Brewery Vivant (925 Cherry St., Grand Rapids) gratifies its patrons with plenty of porker pub fare. We suggest The Burger, which sounds deceptively simple, but goes above and beyond. This patty is topped with bacon marmalade, lettuce, tomato and onion. Extras include pecan smoked bacon, white Wisconsin cheddar, crumbled bleu cheese, and gruyere.

Brush off convention and add some bacon to your dessert at Grand Rapids Brewing Company (1 Ionia Ave., Grand Rapids). Try three scoops of Love’s malted vanilla ice cream rolled in bacon brittle for a really unique treat. n

REVUEWM.COM | May 2014 |

21

Food Issue

1 8

3

7

4

Schedule | Dining | sights | Sounds Scene

6

22 | REVUEWM.COM | May 2014

2

5

Gimme Pizza There’s a saying that pizza is like sex. Even when it’s bad, it’s pretty good. But when it’s good, holy s***. While we never turn down pizza, regardless of how bad it is, there are just some pies that make life on earth a little bit like heaven. We’ve searched all over West Michigan to find the most heavenly slices out there, and there’s no messing with these ones. From light-yourmouth-on-fire hot to artisan to a pizza with a twist, here are our pizza picks.

B y R ev u e S t a ff a n d M i n io n s / P hotos b y P hi l a rt z a n d K im K ibb y

1

Bernie O’s

321 Center St., North Muskegon, bernieos.com, (231) 744-4900 Top Pick: The Twist

The Twist was voted third in the nation by Pizza Today magazine for good reason.

With ingredients that all seem to balance and contrast each other, each bite tastes different from the last. Choose from a combination of crispy and tart, spicy and tangy; The Twist is one unique pizza.

2

Erbelli’s Gourmet Pizzeria

6214 Stadium Dr., Kalamazoo; 8342 Portage Rd., Portage, erbellis.com, (269) 375-0408 (Kalamazoo), (269) 327-0200 (Portage) Top Pick: The Wrist

The Wrist, which was voted best pizza in Kalamazoo in 2005, 2006, and 2008, offers up an Alfredo-based pizza that is topped with marinated chicken breast, bacon, mushrooms, mozzarella and feta cheese and is coated with a garlic-butter crust.

3

Fricano’s Pizza Tavern

5808 Alpine Ave NW, Comstock Park, (616) 785-5800; 1400 Fulton St., Grand Haven, (616) 842-8640 (plus other locations), fricanospizza.com Top Pick: Everything But Anchovies (EBA)

4

Grand Rapids Pizza & Delivery

340 State St. SW, Grand Rapids, grandrapidspizza.net, (616) 742-4773 Top Pick: GRFD 3 Alarm

The GRFD 3 Alarm is sure to have you running to water after you taste its combination of jalapeno peppers, banana peppers and crushed red peppers. It also includes more mild ingredients like bacon, pepperoni, sausage, red onion, green olives, and mozzarella cheese. This mixture of flavors is piled on top of a medium crust.

It’s named The Crispy Pig for a reason. With a combination of pepperoni, ham, prosciutto, mozzarella and basil, this pizza will practically oink at you.

6

The Mitten Brewing Co.

527 Leonard St. NW, Grand Rapids, mittenbrewing.com, (616) 608-5612 Top Pick: Chicken Pesto

The Chicken Pesto pie features pesto made in-house. This pizza can also be made vegan and gluten free. Can’t choose between The Mitten’s gourmet pizzas? There is also a pizza flight, where you can pick six mini pizzas, which equal out to two pizzas.

Get the flight for $5 off on Mondays.

7

Salvatore’s Italian Restaurant and Pizza

654 Stocking NW, Grand Rapids, salvatoresgr.com, (616) 454-4280 Top Pick: Taste of GR

Salvatore’s only offers one kind of pizza for a reason: They don’t need anything else. The pie is made with a mixture of ham, onions, sausage, Romano cheese, basil, Sicilian sauce and a cultured spice blend to aim for an authentic Italian taste.

8

Vitale’s Pizza

834 Leonard St. NE, Grand Rapids (plus five other locations), theoriginalvitales.com, (616) 458-8368 Top Pick: Deluxe Pizza

Vitale’s Deluxe is a do-it-yourself of sorts with multiple ingredient combinations. The Deluxe starts off with ham, sausage, pepperoni, mushrooms, green peppers and onions, then it’s up to you to choose from 15 additional toppings. And it wouldn’t be Vitale’s pizza without the signature secret sauce.

REVUEWM.COM | May 2014 |

Scene Sounds | Sights | Dining | Schedule

The Everything But Anchovies (EBA) pizza is so popular at Fricano’s, customers of 30 years or more think it’s the only pizza they make. The EBA offers a combination of pepperoni, Italian sausage, mushrooms and green peppers, all on an extra thin, crispy crust.

5

Harmony Brewing Company

1551 Lake Dr. SE, Grand Rapids, harmonybeer.com, (616) 233-0063 Top Pick: The Crispy Pig

23

Food Issue

EZ LIVIN’ Q&A with Scott Petersen of SpeakEZ Lounge

Make This!

You and partner Eric Alberton opened SpeakEZ Lounge in 2012. What gave you the idea?

Local Chefs share their recipes

He said, “Hey, you want to open a restaurant?” and I said sure. ... He has an economics degree, so the ethereal business stuff he handled. Everything that had to do with the menu and design, that was both of us. I came up with the menu items and made him eat them.

So he had the luxurious job of showing up and eating. Yeah. [Laughs] What’s your background? I’ve been doing this for almost 23 years now. I’m glad that I don’t look it, I still get carded when I go to the store. I graduated from GRCC in 2000. I had been cooking for seven or eight years before that.

You feature a lot of options on your menu. With the brunch menu, we have about 60 items. And honestly, it’s because we challenge ourselves.

Chef Scott Petersen

lighting fires at SpeakEZ Lounge

Chef Scotty’s Balsamic Vinaigrette 1/2 c. aged balsamic vinegar (I suggest 10 year aged for a richer flavor) 1/2 c. peeled chopped shallots 1/2 c. brown sugar (or appropriate sugar substitute, following the manufacturers suggested 1 c. replacement) 2 tsp. dried tarragon leaves 1/2 tsp. ground black pepper 1/4 tsp. kosher salt 2 c. canola, vegetable or salad oil (choose something with a simple, clean taste) Place all ingredients into a blender and turn on medium speed. Blend until smooth. Keep in a mason jar with a tight lid and refrigerate until ready to use.

The dressing will separate upon standing. Shake well before using.

24 | REVUEWM.COM | May 2014

Photos: Katy Batdorff

You cater to a lot of different diets, which is refreshing. Half of our menu can be made either gluten free or vegan. I love to cater to things like that. People who are close to me, myself included, have dietary restrictions. So I’m very in-tune to that.

What vision did you have when creating your menu? We are a gastro pub, which is a bar that serves good food. ... We have Euro-American cuisine. I call it American fare with European flair.

What’s your most-ordered item? The Jerk Cuban. Hands down, no question. It’s the 2012 second-place Grandwich winner.

What do you think makes it your most popular? I think everyone loves a good Cuban sandwich and I think places around downtown don’t do them very well.

So, you’re enjoying life at SpeakEZ? I like to make people happy and I do that with food. ... Life’s good. I ride my motorcycles in the summer and I work on cars in the winter.

Interview conducted, edited and condensed by Lindsay Patton-Carson.

Scene Sounds | Sights | Dining | Schedule

25

REVUEWM.COM | May 2014 |

Food Issue

Last Meal on Earth We asked our staff members to choose their last West Michigan meal on Earth. Here are their picks.

Lindsay PattonCarson Restaurant: Big Bob’s Pizza in East Grand Rapids Meal: The Mediterranean Pizza, Spinach Artichoke Dip, Gin and Tonic

Kellie Zaplitny Restaurant: Electric Cheetah Meal: The Hot Brown, Hand-Cut Sweet Potato Fries What better way to spend your last meal on Earth than with your best friend? The answer: none. Eastown’s Electric Cheetah offers the palette a plethora of quality tastes. The Hot Brown is an unusual choice for us, but we pride ourselves on taking food risks. The sweet potato fries are the bees knees and are great for sharing. Watch out, Crack Fries.

Lauren Allen

Schedule | Dining | sights | Sounds Scene

Restaurant: Mangiamo Meal: Back Door Pizza

Photo: David Carson

Big Bob’s Mediterranean is my favorite pizza by far. The crust is soft, chewy and covered in olive oil in lieu of traditional tomato sauce. From there, Big Bob’s goes wild with the toppings: covered in mozzarella and feta and topped with roasted red pepper, spinach and artichoke.

The meal was garnished with spinach artichoke dip and my ultimate last-meal drink, a gin and tonic.

26 | REVUEWM.COM | May 2014

A commonly overlooked feature of Mangiamo is its surprisingly affordable back-door pizzas. For $6 you get a fresh, hand-made, three topping, medium (8 slices) pizza that is better than a snuggle from a Puggle. There are a billion different toppings, but I stick with tomato, mushroom and feta. Caution: don’t anticipate leftovers.

Jayson Bussa Restaurant: Centre Street Taphouse Meal: Mahi Tacos with fried pickles and beans If I’m leaving this earth, I’m doing so with a belly full of tacos. Fish tacos are all the rage, offering this delicious cuisine sans the potential gut ache.

Centre Street Taphouse loads theirs

with thick Mahi Mahi fillets and avocado cream, salsa and red cabbage slaw. As an appetizer, I mowed down a combo basket of fried pickles and beans.

Nick Manes Restaurant: The Winchester Meal: The Classic Burger with fries It seems only natural that a last meal should go back to one of your earliest.

For me, that means a giant cheeseburger. Grand Rapids gastropub The Winchester on Wealthy has nearly replicated the legendary Mr. Fables burger, and it would be great to have just before The Shot.

Kelli Belanger Restaurant: Maru Sushi & Grill Meal: Blushing Geisha Martini, Firecracker Shrimp & Rio Grande Vegetarian Rolls For the first round, I crank up the heat with the Firecracker Shrimp. This fried shrimp is covered in Japanese sevenpepper seasoning and served with a sweet garlic chili sauce. For my main course, a fresh fiesta with the Rio Grande vegetarian rolls, which are filled with avocado, asparagus, red pepper, tomato and serrano and

accompanied by fresh guacamole and pico de gallo.

Kristi Kortman Restaurant: C.F. Prime Meal: Jumbo seared scallops with sautéed spinach, grilled tomatoes, and lemonbasil vinaigrette. Choice New York strip steak with toasted Brussels sprouts, walnuts, cranberries, Death by chocolate shake, Ghirardelli triple chocolate brownie with hot fudge, caramel, and whipped cream, homemade red velvet cake ice cream.

For my last meal, I must be true to my red-blooded, carnivorous nature and head to my favorite Muskegon steakhouse for my final surf ‘n turf experience.

Up to Code:

Restaurant Horror Stories / By Joe Gasmann

T

here have been few instances since my move to West Michigan that restaurant outbreaks make headlines. While probably a good thing, it’s not particularly exciting — and probably poor journalism. Though GR has clearly stepped it up in the beer and art departments, we struggle to produce the major food-borne outbreaks that truly make up a city. So I took it upon myself to hear the stories that make you despise the mongrels who prepare your food.

Brewery Vivant Nachos: Duck Confit + Brie Sauce = Happiness Photo: Paul Bomers

The dark wood paneling, warm lighting and cozy booths invite you to stay awhile, and the staff treats you like the royalty you will never be.

Kim Kibby Restaurant: Brewery Vivant, East Hills, Grand Rapids Meal: Duck Nachos, The Undertaker (Belgian Style Dark Ale), Artisanal Cheese Board with accoutrements, Mascarpone Cheesecake with strawberries, rhubarb and almonds, Hummingbird Cake If I’m going to kick it, I might as well fit in a great beer or two first. And that beer might

It ’s a s d e li c i o u

s as

it lo

ok s

: Ju

mb

as well be called The Undertaker. Yes, a “dark, sinister pour” enjoyed in a former funeral chapel is my kind of party. For sustenance, I try Vivant’s take on nachos — perfectly crunchy chips fried in-house, with duck confit, brie cream, and tomatoes piled on luxuriously. Do not wait for your last meal to try this dish (in fact, visit the pub on May 25 for Duck Nachos Day!).

Denise Schott Restaurant: Carmen’s Cafe in Muskegon Meal: Pancakes, eggs, salsa and sausage I love all the fine foods in life, however, my last meal choice would be a food that brings back great memories, what I call “Happy Food.” Good old fashion pancakes, eggs and salsa and sausage, even though I rarely eat meat. Carmen’s Cafe in Muskegon is my favorite place for comfort food. It has great waitresses and great food at a fabulous price. n

ca

Green did say that the aforementioned stories are extremely rare and wasn’t willing to disclose the names or locations of the restaurants, but I believe it’s safe to assume they’re all on the west side. A quick search of the public records on accessKent confirmed that it is a very boring website, but left me with no more than my location stereotypes as proof.

Nevertheless, with more than 2,600 various violations in 2013 alone it’s safe to assume that all of your favorite restaurants* (not found within the pages of Revue) are filthy E. coli time bombs.

For more info, check out: swordsolutions.com/Inspections *Ethnic

Scene Sounds | Sights | Dining | Schedule

os

Shane Green is the supervising sanitarian for the Kent County Environmental Health Food Program. Most of the violations he sees are fairly benign, but after working in the field for 15 years there have been more than a few joints that are the best at being the worst. In one instance, after walking into the kitchen of a certain facility he “heard this popping sound coming out the backdoor…” The popping sound came from a pellet gun that was being fired at soon-to-be-served doves. Other stories included car hoods being used to dry noodles out and kitty litter containers reused as food storage. The worst by far was in response to guest “complaints of bugs floating in their pops and water…” Popping the top of the ice machine revealed a massive hive of “cockroach nymphs.”

Instead of suggesting the proprietors consider killing themselves, the restaurant was immediately shut down until the problem was handled.

op

ll

sa tC

FP ri m

e.

P h oto : K r i s t i K or

tm an

REVUEWM.COM | May 2014 |

27

Make This!

Food Speak

Q&A with Abigail Therrien, executive chef at TerraGR

Local Chefs share their recipes

You took over as executive chef when Joel Wabeke left about three months ago.

How’s the new position?

The last three months have been my learning experience. ... But it’s nice to have that creative flow to really cook food for people.

I’m not a big talker. My food speaks for what I would say.

Photos: Katy Batdorff

Chef Abigail Therrien

Bringing the spring to TerraGR

Roasted Asparagus and Preserved Lemon Salad

Schedule | Dining | sights | Sounds Scene

Serves: 4 2 cups crusty bread cut into ½ inch cubes 1 lb Asparagus spears, trimmed 2 tbsp olive oil sea salt and cracked black pepper preserved lemon vinaigrette 3 ounces fresh goat cheese, crumbled (I love dancing goat chevre) Preserved Lemon Vinaigrette Yield: 1 cup 1 tbsp diced preserved lemon 1 tsp chopped fresh chives 1 tsp sugar 1/2 tsp salt 1/4 cup champagne vinegar 2/3 cup olive oil

28 | REVUEWM.COM | May 2014

Directions: Preheat oven to 425°. Arrange bread cubes in a single layer on a baking sheet. Toast, tossing halfway through, until golden and crisp, about 5 minutes.

Remove, cool, and chop into coarse crumbs; set aside.

In a mixing bowl whisk all ingredients together for the vinaigrette; set aside.

Arrange asparagus on sheet. Drizzle with 2 teaspoons olive oil, and season to

taste with sea salt and pepper. Toss to coat. Roast, rolling asparagus over once or twice, until just tender, 12 to 14 minutes; transfer to a large platter.

Sprinkle desired amount of preserved lemon vinaigrette over asparagus, then scatter bread crumbs on top. Top with goat cheese. Season to taste with salt and pepper. Serve immediately.

TerraGR originally opened as Trillium Haven. What happened with the name change?

The venue didn’t change too much, we decided to partner with more farms. We didn’t really do anything different food-wise.

Trillium just wasn’t the main farm.

What’s your cooking background?

I went to culinary school at Johnson Wales University in Rhode Island and I got a fouryear degree in culinary nutrition.

Are you originally from Michigan?

Yes, I grew up on the other side of the state, in Birmingham. I moved to Grand Rapids about five and a half years ago and I started working at the JW Marriott.

You create your menus based on the season. What’s your favorite season to work with?

Spring. Just because there are so many things popping up right now and it’s a period after a long winter of root vegetables.

What is your favorite thing to make?

Personally, I like Asian fusion the most. And traditional Asian food too. ... I’ve traveled to Asia twice. One of my favorite things to do is butchery. Breaking down animals and working with proteins. ... Butchering rabbits is one of my favorite things to do. I know that sounds strange. It’s a different art form of cooking. It’s kind of relaxing. ... Kind of like knitting for most people.

What makes TerraGR stand out?

I think that we have a unique perspective on food. We do make everything in house. ... I think that handcrafted aspect of it is one of the things that makes us unique.

Interview conducted, edited and condensed by Lindsay Patton-Carson.

REVUEWM.COM | May 2014 |

29

Food Issue

Vegan Voices

Q&A with Kolene Allen and Jon Dunn of Vegan Grand Rapids

You started the website Vegan Grand Rapids in 2010. What was your objective? Why did you launch it?

Jon: When we met, Kolene was a relatively new vegan by a few months and I was a vegetarian and wanted to be a vegan.

When I moved to town, we started exploring and going to different places and trying food, and we wanted to do a project together, but we didn’t really know what. .... Some people started dabbling in the guide world, but we thought we could do it better.

When did you go vegetarian?

Kolene: I was since 2002. ... When I went vegetarian, I was doing a lot of animal volunteer work and I started looking at animals a different way. Like, what is the difference between a dog and a pig and why is it OK to eat one but not another? ... I just didn’t want to eat friends. Animals are my friends and I don’t want to eat them anymore.

Jon: I ended up taking a job with [Best Friends Animal Sanctuary]. ... We have mostly dogs and cats, but some pigs and goats and horses. And I met this pot-bellied pig, which isn’t a farm pig, and it sits and does tricks and has this personality.

And sort of similar to Kolene, I was like, ‘Why do we eat that?’

Is one of your goals with Vegan GR to get more vegan options out there?

Jon: We put a guide together for restaurant owners on why you should offer vegan items. ... If you’re making food, wouldn’t you want everyone to be able to eat your food?

Photos: Katy Batdorff

I know veganism helps animals, but can you explain how it helps the environment?

Kolene: It takes 1800 gallons of water to produce one pound of beef, but only 200

for a pound of soy beans. Globally, livestock produce about 80 million metric tons of methane a year, accounting for 28 percent of all methane emissions. That’s more than cars.

The quantity of animal waste from even the smallest of factory farms is equivalent to the waste produced by 16,000 humans.

Some people will not use animal products at all, while some will just take it out of their diet. Is there a spectrum to veganism?

Kolene: I think how people get there is important, whether it’s for health, animals or environment. We try to make sure we’re never leaning one

way too far than another. We try to be all inclusive, so when people come to our website, and think they’re going to find what they need no matter why they’re there.

So you’re encouraging people to eat less meat overall, even if veganism is not the end goal?

Kolene: We have a lot of friends who aren’t vegan, but they probably eat vegan or vegetarian most meals. And if you think, there’s 21 meals a week and if two-thirds of them are meat free, what a huge difference that makes for the environment and for animals. And there are a lot of vegans that say, “That’s not OK.” We say if

you want to cut [meat] out two times a week, we’re here for you. If you want to cut out all 21 meals, we’re here for you, too.

Some celebrities that try eating vegan are criticized for not completely committing. But it sounds like you support their efforts.

Kolene: Bill Clinton went vegan a while ago and there was an article in AARP where he said he ate a poached egg one meal a week and maybe salmon, and the vegan community was outraged that he called himself a vegan. ... We wrote a blog post about that. For Bill Clinton to go part-time

vegan and have so much exposure, why isn’t that a good thing?

Jon: Veganism for some people is an identity, it’s like everything they are.

It’s a tattoo, it’s this level of commitment and awareness that they think they have. And I understand when they see someone like Bill Clinton.

It’s a denigration of your commitment and I get that. But if your overall goal is helping the animals, helping the environment, it can be good.

Interview conducted, edited and condensed by Lindsay PattonCarson. Photos by Katy Batdorff.

VeganGR’s Top Vegan Restaurants There’s been an explosion of restaurants offering vegan options in the Grand Rapids area over the last couple of years.

Choosing just five favorites seems somehow cruel. However, when push comes to shove, here are five that rise to the top.

Little Africa 956 Fulton St. E, Grand Rapids (616) 222-1169

Bartertown 6 Jefferson SE, Grand Rapids bartertowngr.com, (616) 233-3219 CVLT Pizza 10 Jefferson St. SE, Grand Rapids jointhecvlt.com, (616) 490-4911 Maybe we’re cheating a little here including two restaurants in one, but the block on Jefferson at Fulton has become

Marie Catrib’s 1001 Lake Dr. S E, Grand Rapids mariecatribs.com, (616) 454-4020 A constant favorite, Marie’s has had the backs of vegans since arriving from the UP in 2004. Standouts are the Larry David Sandwich and Sweet Potato Quinoa Burger. The deli carries tons of vegan options to-go, such as pasties, salads, mac and cheese (yes, vegan and yes, delicious) and incredible soups that are almost always vegan. Marie’s also carries plenty of options that are not just vegan, but also gluten-free — something hard to find.

Grove 919 Cherry St. SE, Grand Rapids groverestaurant.com, (616) 454-1000 One of the hippest joints in town, Grove offers what they call an “earth to table” experience. The three courses for $28 is easily one of the best deals in town. Expertly prepared vegetables are accompanied by beautiful sauces

in a pleasing-to-the-eye presentation.

Another ever-changing menu driven by the season makes every visit seem like your first time. Don’t forget about the amazing beer and wine list.

Chez Olga 1441 Wealthy St. SE, Grand Rapids chezolga.com, (616) 233-4141 We’ve spent the last couple of holidays traveling to the Caribbean and falling in love with the cuisine. Olga Benoit’s Haitian-creole offerings are unique and take us right back to the beaches of the Caribbean. Plantains, creole tofu, spicy slaw and gumbo are all standouts.

Huge portions and reasonable prices keep us coming back. The spice is no joke, so order with caution (or reckless abandon if you’re packing Tums).

If you are looking for veganfriendly options outside of Grand Rapids, here are a few places we found: Apple Valley Natural Foods 3013 W Shore Dr., Holland, avnf.com, (616) 399-8004 Apple Valley is an all-vegetarian market with vegan options as well. It also has locations in

Berrien Springs, Battle Creek, Cadillac, Fall River, Grand Rapids Mishawaka and Westmont.  Hickory Pit 322 Culver St., Saugatuck thehickorypit.com, (269) 857-6020 This restaurant prides itself in being a barbecue joint. Not only that, Hickory Pit also prides itself in having a separate vegan and vegetarian barbecue menu. Specialty items include a rib plate with vegan riblets and vegan cornbread, as well as vegan baked beans.  People’s Food Co-Op 507 Harrison St., Kalamazoo peoplesfoodco-op.org, (269) 342-5686 This consumer-owned cooperative grocery store brings in whole, local and healthy foods and also has an in-store deli. Both the deli and the store’s products have vegan offerings.

Zooroona 1710 West Main St., Kalamazoo, zooroonarestaurant.com, (269) 382-4444 The family owned Zooroona offers multiple vegan-friendly options on its lunch and dinner menus.

REVUEWM.COM | May 2014 |

Scene Sounds | Sights | Dining | Schedule

The only 100 percent vegan restaurant in Grand Rapids is also one of our favorites. Ethiopian food is packed with veggies, but Little Africa makes them sing in ways you never thought possible. The food is made fresh every day, and the hot tea is wonderfully sweet.

The hours can be erratic, so be sure to call ahead before you go.

a Mecca for all things humane and local.

Starting with the vegetarian Bartertown Diner in 2011, CVLT Pizza opened up two years later. Nothing about the food in either spot is conventional. Every dish is delicious and healthful with ingredients being locally sourced on an ever-changing menu.

31

Food Issue

Must-Attend West Michigan Food Events / Alexandra Kadlec

You never have to wait too long for a food event to pop up in West Michigan. You just need to know where it’s at and what’s going down.

Silver Lake’s Apple & BBQ Cook-Off

Interested in the traditional or maybe the offbeat? Something relaxing or lively? No matter the theme, there are really just two must-haves for a successful food event. It’s simple: good eats and a good environment.

(And some good entertainment doesn’t hurt, either.)

annual salmon migration. Come for a traditional fish boil accompanied by potatoes, corn, onions and rolls. There’s also live jazz music, a wine-tasting pavilion (with grape stomping!), a fine art fair, children’s arts & craft activities and more. Check out ghsalmonfest.com for a schedule and other details.

Mark your calendars for the following, taking place in venues around the area this summer and beyond.

Taste of Kalamazoo Festival

Schedule | Dining | sights | Sounds Scene

July 24-26

Ah, the heavenly “Taste of” category. You know you’ll never have just ‘a taste’ of anything at these affairs. Head to downtown Kalamazoo for this one and sample cuisine from more than 30 area restaurants, among them Jammin’ Jerk’s Island Grille, Big Moe’s BBQ and Africana. There’s truly something for everyone—carnivores, vegetarians, dessert lovers and snackers.

The event opens at 11 a.m. each day, and closes between 12:30 and 1:30 a.m.

Stay tuned for 2014 admission prices and an entertainment line-up at tasteofkalamazoo.com.

A month later, nibble your way through the 27th annual Taste of Saugatuck, a street festival which takes place in Wicks Park on the last Sunday of August each year (this year is Aug. 31). From 12-7 p.m., a diverse array of fare will be offered by local artisans and restaurants. The Hickory Pit, Mermaid Bar & Grill, and Earl’s Farm Market are just a handful of those participating. Pick up your food and beverage tickets,

32 | REVUEWM.COM | May 2014

which start at increments of $1 (no food item costs more than $5). Tacos, pies, caramel apples, and more await your selection.

Quench your thirst with a microbrew from Saugatuck Brewing Company or wine from local vineyards like Fenn Valley and Tabor Hill. This event’s kid-friendly, too, with a special “kids corner” of entertainment. Admission is free.

Kalamazoo Ribfest Aug. 7-9

The Arcadia Creek Festival Site in downtown Kalamazoo is host to this year’s Ribfest, celebrating this popular hearty fare along with live music, an arts and crafts display, rib vendors and a best ribs competition. Drawing more than 30,000 people a year, the fest is also a fundraiser, with proceeds going to individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities. Details for 2014 will be posted on Ribfest’s Facebook page.

Silver Lake’s Apple & BBQ Cook-Off Festival Sept. 12-13

Silver Lake Sand Dunes is the ideal setting

Arts and Eats for some feel-good, American-style fun.

This festival presents the Michigan-Sanctioned Kansas City BBQ Cook-Off Competition (if that sounds daunting, not to worry, there’s an “amateur” version, too), along with an Apple Pie Contest and a Rib & Apple Pie Eating Contest.

Barbecue enthusiasts will know what this event’s all about. KCBS sanctions and judges barbecue competitions across the U.S., and for this one, will provide certified “BBQ judges” trained in judging world-class barbeque. Now that’s some serious fun.

Other festival events include a craft show and a classic vehicle and buggy show. Keith Scott and West Side Soul Surfers are slated for this year’s live entertainment. Food vendors are TBD for 2014. Visit applebbqfestival.com for more information.

Grand Haven Salmon Festival Sept. 12-14

It’s the 11th year of Salmon Festival, an event that’s much more than its name implies. The downtown Grand Haven waterfront is the backdrop for this event, which serves to promote the city as a unique tourist destination and celebrate the region’s

Oct. 17, 18 and 19

If you’re up for a unique mix of culture, nature and cuisine, you won’t want to miss this one. A free, self-guided driving tour collectively featuring more than 60 artist studios, farms and eateries serving locally grown goods, Arts and Eats was conceived to showcase the best in specialty Michigan products. Last year’s venues included Tripoli Farms, Glass Creek Winery, Grove Street Café, and Dowling General Store, among others.

Reserve the weekend for Arts and Eats, which will take place from 10 a.m.-5 p.m. daily at venues throughout Allegan, Barry, Calhoun, Kalamazoo, Kent and Van Buren Counties. For more information, visit artsandeats.org. A printed guide of the selfguided tour will be available mid-August.

Stay tuned for forthcoming information about two other notable events this year: Restaurant Week Grand Rapids (Aug. 1323 2014; expereincegr.com/restaurants/ restaurant-week/) and the Grand Rapids International Food & Wine Festival, held at the DeVos Convention Center (in November, date TBD; facebook.com/grwinefestival).

REVUEWM.COM | May 2014 |

33

Food Issue

Fresh Is Best

Community Supported Agriculture and Doorganics Respond to Demand

Schedule | Dining | sights | Sounds Scene

/ By Andrea Kooi ke r

I n t h e pa st f ew y ea r s, Community Supported Agriculture (CSAs) and organic food delivery services have recently seen significant expansion in their foodconscious customer base. These options are alternatives to food and produce with GMOs (genetically modified organisms) and pesticides added, resulting in healthier and fresher options.

The concept of CSA farms is to offer full or half shares to customers. What this gets you is a certain amount of the farm’s harvest, which you can pick up weekly, bi-weekly or monthly. Most of these farms offer organic produce farmed sustainably from June through October. Chimney Creek Farm (12101 7 Mile Rd. NE, Belding) opened in 2010 with 15 shareholders, and has seen a steady increase in customers every year since, expecting over 100 this year. Farmer Deane Brengle says that their vegetables are doubling every year, and they are seeing more interest in meat, eggs, fruit, and jelly. He believes that the rising interest in CSAs is caused by an increased awareness about where food comes from.

“People are more aware of what’s in food and where it comes from. They’re interested in the story of their food, where it comes from, how it was grown,” Brengle said.

Chimney Creek practices sustainable farming with natural soil amendments, cover crops, compost, and manure fertilizer. They do not use pesticides, GMOs, herbicides, chemical fertilizers, steroids, growth hormones, or antibiotics. While the food might not be as pretty as it is at the grocery store, it’s much better for taste buds and body. The farmers at Chimney Creek encourage their shareholders to come out to the farm and see what they’re investing in. Full shares are $32.50 a week for 18 weeks and half shares are $39.50 a week for nine weeks, with delivery available to the metro Grand Rapids area, including Rockford and Lowell.

Brengle’s advice to food lovers everywhere is simple: “Know your farmer and know the story of your food.”

The demand for local, organic food has expanded beyond CSAs, too. Doorganics (353 Fuller St. NE 200, Grand Rapids) delivers bins of locally grown produce to your door weekly or bi-weekly. It offers three different bin sizes, which range from $29-$49. The company has also seen significant expansion recently.

34 | REVUEWM.COM | May 2014

Doorganics “Doorganics has been expanding in many different ways,” said Owner Mike Hughes. “Our customer base continues to grow, which creates great service and product enhancements. We are being contacted by new farmers, artisans and local food makers everyday. Our list of farm partners continues to expand. We now offer a wide variety of local meat, baked goods, cheeses and other specialty items that complement the organic and local (when in season) produce. We’ve also expanded our delivery area from Grand Rapids to Holland and Hudsonville.”

Doorganics tries to include as much locally grown produce as possible year round, utilizing local greenhouses in the off-seasons. While this type of service is not as intimate as a CSA, where you get to put a face to your farmer, it is more convenient.

“It’s not always easy to find a good mix of local and organic food,” Hughes said. “We make it easy and convenient by allowing our customers to sign up, shop online and have real food delivered to their home or workplace.”

With both Doorganics and Chimney Creek Farm, customers can put their minds at ease while munching on local, healthy, organic treats.

There are many other CSAs in West Michigan, including The Blandford Farm (1715 Hillburn Ave. NW, Grand Rapids), a 2.5-acre farm on Blandford Nature Center, Urban Farm (1226 Union NE, Grand Rapids), part of Creston’s New City Neighbors project, Groundswell Farm (6527 Quincy St., Zeeland) and The Green Wagon (4960 Quiggle Ave., Ada).

All of these farms either accept EBT or give discounts to those who receive food stamps. Urban Farm employs local high school students in order to teach them about sustainable farming, as well as how to run a business. It also offers full, half and quarter shares. Groundswell Farm donates produce left over after farmers markets to local charities like Holland Rescue Mission, Well House and Mel Trotter. The company also hosts educational farm tours and partners with Black River Schools to teach kids about food and sustainable farming. n

REVUEWM.COM | May 2014 |

35

36 | REVUEWM.COM | May 2014

/// LOCAL MUSIC

With an album on the way, The Fever Haze faces a busy month | By Jayson Bussa

B

e i ng a b ig fish i n a small pon d can have its upsides.

Eclectic rock ‘n’ rollers The Fever Haze hail from Zeeland, which, as you may have guessed, doesn’t boast much of a (read: any) music scene.

Even the scene in nearby Holland has witnessed better days. “(Holland’s music scene) has not been super busy in the last year,” said Jake Kalmink, vocalist and guitarist for The Fever Haze. “We usually get more out-of-town bands.”

But, The Fever Haze provides some local flavor while leveraging a busy year of concerts to creep into the Grand Rapids area and elsewhere throughout The Mitten.

The band will be performing at Lemonjello’s Coffee in Holland, one of the city’s primary hot spots for local music, alongside buds Secret Grief (Muskegon), Small Parks (Lansing) and Summerpunx (Lansing). The show is free and will run right alongside the annual Tulip Time Festival.

Lemonjello’s is home base for The Fever Haze — two members work at the coffee shop — but it required a more savvy business approach to booking its hometown to help the band find a nice draw to live shows.

that, the band memebers might actually have a chance to “There was a point, probably around two years ago, take a breath. where I was booked at Lemonjello’s once every month,” said “We’re really excited to play BLED Fest,” Kalmink said Kalmink, who technically started The Fever Haze as a solo of the festival, which will be held at the Hartland Performing project two years ago. “The turnout wasn’t as good. Then, Arts Center and features headliners like Title we played Lemonjello’s in July of last year Fight, The Menzingers, Bane, Fireworks and and then didn’t play in Holland again until The Fever Haze wsg Hawthorne Heights. “This will actually be December and our show in December had Secret Grief, Small our first big festival show.” a really great turnout.”

Parks and Summerpunx While the band features a relatively Along with the hometown show, Lemonjello’s Coffee, Holland bloated roster of musicians — Brian Mulhern May is shaping up to be a defining one May 9, 7 p.m. (drums), Alex Perez (bass), Nick Richardson for The Fever Haze. The band will release Free! (guitar), Dylan Kerfoot (trumpet) and Josh a 7-inch this month along with its first lemonjellos.com, (616) 928-0699 Mann (Saxophone) — it’s a lineup that is full-length album, which will be released dedicated to the project, which has helped digitally. Kalmink said the band originally the band to build its recent success. planned to put that album on an LP, but it was too long “We recently have gotten new members just because some and didn’t fit. previous members have had other jobs and stuff that kept In addition to that, the band plans on working on yet them busy,” Kalmink said. “Now, we have a tight group that another album while making the trip to Howell on May 24 is into it and we’re all willing to put in the effort.” n for the annual BLED Fest. Then, somewhere in between all

MUSIC NEWS

Gamer nerds, get stoked. GR8 BIT LIVE II is going down at The Pyramid Scheme on May 3. This whole show will be comprised of video game music and features bands Playing With Power!, Super Guitar Bros. and X-Hunters. Proceeds will go to the Helen DeVos Children’s Hospital.

Grand Rapids rockers Still Remains, also of national fame, will take stage at The Pyramid Scheme on May 17 alongside locals Fine Fine Titans and Equal Parts. Stilly will also bro down with a reunited Haste The Day (‘member them?) on May 2 in Indianapolis.

Looking for some new local tunes? Grand Rapidsbased folk rock band The Muteflutes will be wielding their new album at May 10’s CD release show at Billy’s Lounge. This 21-and-over show kicks off at 9:30 p.m. Cover charge is $5.

REVUEWM.COM | May 2014 |

Scene | Sounds | Sights | Dining | Schedule

Local music and the greatest thing to ever happen to an upper lip come together on May 16 at the Stache inside The Intersection. The 2nd Annual Mustache Masquerade will feature musical performances by FLASHCLASH, F.O.C.K.S. and SNITS. The event will feature mustache competitions and you don’t even have to be manly enough to grow one in order to compete. Money raised will support Making Smiles For Hope, a charity that creates headbands, hats and other items for sick children at the Helen DeVos Children’s Hospital.

37

/// ON TOUR

Perfect Pussy Flips the Bird at Society’s Expectations | By Dwayne Hoover

I

Schedule | Dining | Sights | Sounds | Scene

n April of 2013, a noise-punk group out of Syracuse, NY released a demo on cassette tape. The release boasted an in-your-face sound, which was heavy in both feedback and brutal honesty. These four Roman numeral-titled tracks, which begin by exploring the pain of knowing your best friend hooked up with your ex and end with the lyrics “F**k you,” quickly demanded the attention of everyone within earshot.

And so began the music world’s introduction to Perfect Pussy.

The band’s name is admittedly provocative, and was specifically chosen to serve as singer Meredith Graves’s proverbial flipping of the bird to societal expectations for perfection. As Graves explained it in an interview with Pitchfork, “Are you going to call me a c***? Are you going to tell me I’m ugly?

38 | REVUEWM.COM | May 2014

Well, here’s my band name-do your worst, motherf****r.”

A Perfect Pussy song requires a certain level of commitment and effort to take in completely, especially with lyrics that are delivered via Graves yelling through a thick layer of heavy distortion.

“After the drums we do bass, then guitar.

There’s not a lot of natural distortion on those tracks; it’s added after the fact, said Guitarist Ray McAndrew. Meredith runs the vocals through a distortion pedal, then through the amp with all the knobs turned up.”

This deliberately loud approach carried through to the group’s first full-length record, Say Yes to Love, which was released just this past March on Brooklyn-based record label Captured Tracks. And while some have have attempted to pigeonhole Perfect Pussy’s noisy style as pretentious, most understand the

PHOTO: DREW REYNOLDS

purpose behind the growling delivery of the album’s highly emotional sound. Even Rolling Stone calls it a “savagely awesome debut LP.” The band is now on tour in support of the new record, and is attempting to get accustomed to the the ups and downs of life on the road.

“Most of our drives have been six, seven, eight-hour drives,” McAndrew said. “That’s been the most frustrating thing on this tour, having nothing to do during that time. We’ll stop at a comic book shop or meet up with some friends. .... We just played Chicago the other night, and the owner invited us to hang

out after the show and he just kept handing us beers. We don’t have craziness all the time, but sometimes we do.” n

Perfect Pussy wsg Green Crush Shakespeare’s Pub, Kalamazoo May 9, 9 p.m., $5, 21+ shakespearespub.com, (269) 488-7782

REVUEWM.COM | May 2014 |

39

/// ON TOUR

Fitz and the Tantrums Trade Dreams for Reality | By Carly Plank

Schedule | Dining | Sights | Sounds | Scene

L

40 | REVUEWM.COM | May 2014

o s An g e le s n e o - s o u l to touring,” Ruzumna said. “But I’m on the rockers Fitz and the Tantrums road again, and that is a tribute to Fitz as a have rolled through the country songwriter and musician.” across airwaves, concert halls and Fitz first got Ruzumna’s attention while television screens like a hurricane in he was singing on a track called “Darkest recent months. The combination of Street.” infectious synthesizer pulses plucked straight “There were some dark, creepy sounds, from the late ‘80s and the retro soul vibe and it didn’t feature guitars, which was uninfused by vocalists Michael Fitzpatrick and usual, and that was when I wondered who Noelle Scaggs has catapulted the band onto Fitz was,” Ruzumna said. the national stage.

Since the beginning, Fitz and the Following the release of the group’s Tantrums’ members have been high-energy hard-hitting debut album in 2010, the band performers and musicians who modeled grew into its own unique themselves after their sound with More than idols. The band’s early Fitz and the Tantrums Just a Dream, which was stomping grounds includwsg Night Terrors of 1927 released last May. ed the singer-songwriter The Intersection, Grand Rapids “Our first record was venue Hotel Café, where May 7, 7:30 p.m. very different from the they broke the mold as $20 adv/$25 doors second, melodically and live performers. sectionlive.com, (616)451-8232 lyrically,” said Keyboardist “Our shows are always Jeremy Ruzumna. “The high energy, with Fitz dosecond sounded a lot more like ‘80s new ing scissor kicks, everyone just going all out,” wave, but we weren’t trying to be ironic—we Ruzumna said. “Sometimes I get mad when I actually came from the ‘80s.” watch other bands. I’m like, ‘Come on guys, Ruzumna met the other members of a little more effort!’” the band while living in Los Angeles. Prior In the midst of a tour that includes to Fitz and the Tantrums forming in 2008, several national television appearances, Fitz Ruzumna made a living as a studio musician and the Tantrums will play The Intersection. working with industry names including Macy “I admire musicians who can actually Gray, Bruno Mars and Joss Stone. play, who leave everything on stage. We “Usually, when you get to that level [as don’t leave without the audience and the a studio musician], the goal is not to go back band being a hot, sweaty mess.” n

REVUEWM.COM | May 2014 |

41

/// ON TOUR

Open Hours

MON-SAT 3PM-2AM SUN 12PM-2AM KITCHEN 5:30PM-11PM

Happy Hour

MON-FRI 3-7PM $2 Domestics, $2 Wells $3 Calls, $1.50 Retros 760 BUTTERWORTH SW GRAND RAPIDS, MI 616.272.3910

Sunday Funday!

3 Bands, $3 COVER $3 Bloody Marys $2 Breakfast 3PM bands begin MAY 4: The Storied Life, The Love Hate, Kastanza

Live Music FRIDAY, MAY 2: The Bluefields wsg The Dushane SATURDAY, MAY 3: Root Doctor SUNDAY, MAY 4: Paleface, Chance Jones THURSDAY, MAY 8: Rodney and the Regulars

MAY 11: The Bitters, Slumlord Radio, Jackpot

FRIDAY, MAY 9: Chuck Whiting and the Tip Rail Ramblers, Who Hit John and Moxieville

MAY 15TH: The Dirty Bourbon River Show wsg The Moonrays

SATURDAY, MAY 10: Nathan Kalish and the Last Callers, Jesse Ray and The Carolina Catfish, Dave Vacant

MAY 19: Pan, Evil Deauxerz, Devils Lettuce

MONDAY, MAY 12: Mighty Ukulele Night w/ Sarah Maisle and Craig Chee

MAY 25: Invisible Mansion, Croatone, Zen Star Beat Cult

OPEN VINYL PARTY Schedule | Dining | Sights | Sounds | Scene

PHOTO: Andrew-Thomas-Lee

MONDAYS, NO COVER, 8PM

COMEDY NIGHT 2ND AND 4TH TUESDAY, NO COVER, 8:30

THURSDAY, MAY 15: The Moonrays FRIDAY, MAY 16: Murder Party, Jesse Ray & The Carolina Catfish, Josh Lil’ Brother Leonard SATURDAY, MAY 17: The Soul Syndicate MONDAY, MAY 19: The Blasters wsg The Lazy Hands WEDNESDAY, MAY 21: The Ditchrunners, Drunken Cuddle and Smokestack Relics

OPEN MIC NIGHT

FRIDAY, MAY 30: Skye’s 30th B-Day w/ Justin VanHaven, Dead Eye Zack, Emma Loo and Sam, Blood Eagle

WITH SAM KENNY WEDNESDAY, NO COVER 9PM

SATURDAY, MAY 31: JetBeats CD Release Party with White Rabbit

42 | REVUEWM.COM | May 2014

Manchester Orchestra Touring in Grand Rapids for Latest Album Cope | By Robby Hartley

M

anchester Orchesmiss a label’s relevance in the writing process. tra had its late st “It is nice sometimes to have somebody album, Cope, all ready to on the other end being like, ‘What do you release. Except the band was got? What music is happening right now?’ missing one thing: a record There was nobody looking over our shoulder, label. so throughout the entire process, we were After 2011’s Simple Math, MO was on a having to uplift ourselves and encourage each popularity incline and eventually, without a other to know that we were doing the right record label. Before settling on Loma Vista thing.”

Records, MO needed a break to focus on The album also challenged MO as the the next album. first released out of its new studio, built “We took time to get out of our own within the band’s recently purchased home heads and make sure we in the Atlanta suburbs and made a product that we through which it runs its Manchester Orchestra were proud of,” said Chris merchandise store. Several wsg Balance and Freeman, keyboardist and of the band members lived Composure, Kevin Devine percussionist. in the home-now-studio The Intersection, Grand Rapids The result, narrowly for about seven years, so May 16, 6 p.m. picking at MO’s rock by avoiding the pressures $17.50 advance, $21 day of show side compared to the of studio fees and decomsectionlive.com, (616)451-8232 spectrum of Simple Math, pressing in familiar space, was written and produced the band imbued a natural

by MO without a record label, made possible feel in Cope for a fraction of the cost of a by the band’s new studio. traditional studio album.

“If we wanted to have a partnership, we MO’s bold and natural approach is wanted to have something that we could demonstrated on the album’s cover art with bring to the table,” Freeman said. “So we nothing more than the word “COPE” in all finished the record and then they worked capitals, clearly indicating the sole requirewith us to be the front-runners so that we ment of those listening to a live set of the could be partners and not have a looming new music. label over the top of our backs.”

“It just felt right. It felt like this record While the band’s independent approach was definitely in-your-face and bold, so why was a challenge, Freeman is not quick to disnot make the album cover the same way?” n

MAY 3 - $18

NEIL JACOBS ANDREW BELLE

(CD RELEASE) MAY 8 - $30

PAT MCGEE ERICK BAKER

MAY 16 - $22

WILD PONIES MAY 21 - $18

JILLIAN EDWARDS

JILLIAN EDWARDS JUNE 6 - $25

JETTY RAE WSG THE ACCIDENTALS JUNE 12 & 13 - $25

HONOR BY AUGUST HONOR BY AUGUST

JUNE 15 - $28

ANDREW BELLE JUNE 18 - $25

ARI HEST JUNE 28 - $30

CHERYL WHEELER JULY 6 - $22

ERNIE HALTER JULY 10 - $40

TONY LUCCA

TONY LUCCA & TYLER HILTON JULY 12 - $25

PAT MCGEE SEVEN STEPS UP LIVE MUSIC & EVENT VENUE: 116 S JACKSON ST. SPRING LAKE, MI 49456 PINDROPCONCERTS.COM (231) 557-7687

ALL SEATS RESERVED. NO ADDITIONAL TICKET FEES. BAR AVAILABLE. MAJOR CREDIT CARDS ACCEPTED. UNDER 17 MUST BE ACCOMPANIED BY PARENT.

& REVUEWM.COM | May 2014 |

Scene | Sounds | Sights | Dining | Schedule

GARETH ASHER & THE EARTHLINGS

43

44 | REVUEWM.COM | May 2014

VISUAL ART

by Kerri VanderHoff

Quintessentially Michigan

A

t the turn of the 20th century, a debate was happening in the art world among scholars and crafts persons: are applied arts, handicrafts and crafts included in the visual arts?

“Furniture was considered a trade until studio artists like George Nakashima … were on the scene,” said Josh McVety, local designer and Kendall College graduate.

“Design is an outlet that is quintessential to the commercial side of furniture.

Studio furniture artists conceptualize, design, build and invent new furniture. This is an entirely different way of thinking and set of skills … steeped in artistic process and method.”

Basically, the debate hinged on whether more manual labor in the process takes the piece farther away from being fine art.

It’s possible that a quintessentially Michigan response to that conversation was to find it all quite amusing for a moment, and Michigan Modern: then simply get back to work creating some of the most beautiful Design that Shaped America and respected visual arts in the world…through furniture design.

Exhibition: Visit prestigious art museums and you will often find Grand Grand Rapids Art Museum Rapids and other West Michigan communities listed as the place May 18–August 24 of origin on information labels next to works in their design and artmuseumgr.org modern craft collections.

Symposium: An opportunity to learn more about Michigan’s important conKendall College of Art & tributions, including the work of Nakashima, can be explored in a Design symposium hosted in partnership with the State Historic Preservation June 19–21 Office, Kendall College of Art & Design, and the Grand Rapids Art michiganmodern.org Museum on June 19–21. Titled Michigan Modern: Designs that Shaped America, it is a complementary exhibition of the same title opens at GRAM on May 18.

One of the featured speakers is Mira Nakashima, who will discuss the works created by her father, including his Origins line, designed for the Widdicomb Furniture Company.

The symposium includes furniture design, but also expands into other creative areas.

“Michigan innovators — architects, designers, manufacturers and education institutions — influenced design throughout the country and internationally,” said State Historic Preservation Officer Brian Conway. “What began as the design of buildings, automobiles and furniture

Dome, composed of 46 elements, is on display in the Sculpture Park not far from the permanent display of Nash’s iconic King and Queen.

David Nash: From Kew Gardens to Meijer Gardens

Tiffany Glass: Painting with Color and Light

Frederik Meijer Gardens & Sculpture Park May 23-Aug. 17, 2014 meijergardens.org, (616) 957-1580

This large-scale summer exhibition features a wide array of wood sculptures, complemented by drawings throughout the galleries and bronze sculptures installed in the Arid and Tropical conservatories. Outdoors, the massive Iron

Kalamazoo Institute of Arts May 31-Aug. 23, 2014 kiarts.org, (269) 349-7775

As a painter, Louis C. Tiffany was captivated by the interplay of light and color, and this fascination found its most spectacular expression in his glass “paintings.” Using innovative techniques

Rapids Public Museum, 1989.13.2

became synonymous with American life and influenced the design of everything from boats to pop-up tents.”

The exhibition at GRAM explores a range of design areas as well, including boats and tents, focusing on the 1930s through the 1970s. The show features notable artists such as Frank Lloyd Wright and Charles and Ray Eames, designers who created some of their most iconic furniture pieces in collaboration with local companies.

“GRAM is thrilled to be sharing this nationally recognized exhibition with the West Michigan audience, in part because it highlights the innovation and creativity of our region,” said GRAM Director Dana Friis-Hansen. “Beyond that, mid-century modern connects with baby-boomers who grew up in that era, and is also influential for younger generations finding their own styles.” n

and materials, Tiffany Studios created leadedglass windows and lampshades in vibrant colors and richly varied patterns, textures, and opacities. The exhibition is comprised of three windows, 16 lamps, and 75 pieces of opalescent flat glass.

Art and Propaganda in NaziOccupied Holland

Holland Museum Through Oct. 4, 2014 hollandmuseum.org, (616) 392-9084

The images represented in this exhibition evoke the horrors of war experienced by Hollanders during World War II and the despair and suffering of German concentration camps. Some of them display the blatant propaganda of the Nazi Party, which was meant to encourage the Dutch population to support the German Wehrmacht against the forces of Bolshevism. Dutch and Allied posters from the Holland Museum collection that countered these images are also exhibited.

REVUEWM.COM | May 2014 |

Scene | Sounds | Sights Diing | Schedule

Other Art Events

Frank Lloyd Wright. Johnson Wax Secretarial Desk for Steelcase, 193639. Collections of the Grand

45

by Allison Parker

theatre

Other Performing Arts Events A Midsummer Night’s Dream

Grand Rapids Ballet May 9-11 & 16-18, show times at 2 & 7:30 p.m. $30-$40, college rush $12 grballet.com, (616) 454-4771

Madama Butterfly Soars

Schedule | Dining | Sights Sounds | Scene

P

u c c i n i ’ s M a d ama B u t t e r f ly to resume his life with Cio-Cio San as she assumes, but rather co u ld n’t b e m o re aptly nam e d . to take their child away with him. This devastating shock builds Besides the fact that its main character’s name means to a tragic climax in which Cio-Cio San’s grief drives her to a “butterfly” in Japanese, Madama Butterfly also has course of desperate action. a fitting title in light of the opera’s history. Much The storyline’s intense passion and ability to resonate with like its namesake, Butterfly underwent a dramatic audiences are a large part of what has made the opera such an metamorphosis from a seemingly insignificant form to a vibrant extraordinary standout. mature version commanding awe and admiration.

“It’s an universal story — the culture, if you will, of men Butterfly’s 1904 opera debut was a miserable flop underbeing stationed at different ports and striking up relationships scored by scathing critical reviews and open jeers and boos there,” Conductor and Artistic Director Robert Lyall said. “It’s from its audience. Puccini’s revised version was far more suctrue of every nation and every country. There isn’t anyone who cessful, but it was not until three further revisions that the opera can’t relate to this story in human terms and at large. It speaks morphed into the final version most often performed today. to all ages and all cultures — it’s terrifically poignant.”

Now Butterfly is a beloved repertoire While the heavy subject matter and staple and the seventh most performed Italian libretto may seem overwhelming Opera Grand Rapids presents opera in the world. Since bursting out of to some opera newcomers, English titles Madama Butterfly its originally inauspicious cocoon, Butterfly and remarkably expressive music prevent DeVos Performance Hall, Grand Rapids has also spread its wings beyond opera and confusion and keep audiences immersed May 9 & 10, 7:30 p.m. affected other genres, inspiring such notable in the story. $21-$98, students 50 percent off retellings as Miss Saigon and Memoirs of a “[Madama Butterfly is] not difficult to operagr.org, (616) 451-2741 Geisha. go and sit through,” Lyall said. “It’s a very In contrast to some modern adaptalush score — a fantastic opera for people tions, however, Opera Grand Rapids’ who are new. The music is so vivid that Butterfly is traditional telling that remains faithful to Puccini’s it fully captures the subject and expresses it completely. The masterful original. The story is set in Nagasaki, Japan, where musical language is so rich and lovely that it’s just going to teenaged geisha Cio-Cio San blissfully marries an American naspeak to any audience ... val officer, Pinkerton. When Pinkerton deserts his new bride and If you like large, colorful pieces with great emotional sweep, their unborn child to go find a proper American wife, Cio-Cio Madama Butterfly is wonderful. It’s a work you’ll enjoy the first San remains steadfast in her lovestruck conviction that Pinkerton time and the tenth time.” n will return. When Pinkerton does finally appear again, it is not

46 | REVUEWM.COM | May 2014

Grand Rapids Ballet concludes its season with the world premiere of Olivier Wevers’ spin on a Shakespeare classic. The story centers around four young people, each smitten with the wrong person. When the lovers’ romantic pursuits lead them to an enchanted forest, they become entangled in a quarrel between fairy rulers. Add a love potion and a fairy prankster to the mix, and you get a relationship diagram so complex that it can only be described as a love polygon.

Jesus Christ Superstar

Circle Theatre, Grand Rapids May 8-10, 14-18, 21-24; show times at 5 & 7:30 p.m. $13.50-$27 circletheatre.org, (616) 456-6656 The first Broadway musical to bill itself as a rock opera, Jesus Christ Superstar explores themes of rebellion and social upheaval through socio-political game-changer, Jesus Christ. Anachronisms and modern slang strategically steer audiences away from complete immersion in the biblical age and draw parallels to many of today’s phenomena. Infectious music by Andrew Lloyd Webber and Tim Rice accompany this extraordinary theatrical satire.

The Moth Mainstage

Wharton Center, East Lansing May 28, 7:30 p.m. $32 General, $60 VIP whartoncenter.com, (517) 353-1982 The Moth celebrates the timeless art of storytelling in a profoundly stripped-down setting.

Expert raconteurs testify to the mesmerizing pull of a tale-well-told through no-fuss-nofrills recitations that represent both national and local voices. Stories range from hilarious comedies to suspenseful dramas, and uniquely blur the line between theater and documentary.

ANNOUNCing The ANNOUNCing The ANNOUNCing The ANNOUNCing The

WHARTON CENTER WHARTON CENTER WHARTON CENTER HARTON CENTER FOR PERFORMING ART PERFORMING ANNOUNCing The fofor r PERFO RMING A ARTS RTS for PERFORMING A RTS 2014 - 2015 SEASON 2014 - -2015 SEASON 2014 2015 SEASON 2014 - 2015 SEASON

HARTON CENTER FOR PERFORMING ART 2014 - 2015 SEASON

OVAL ARTURO SAND

MOSCOW ST ATE SYMPHONY OR NADJA SALERN CHESTRA PAVEL KOGAN, O-SONNENBERG, VIOLIN CONDUCTOR

E DANCE THEATR OF HARLEM

NEW ORLEANS LEGEND S PRESERVATION HAL BAND AND ALLEN TOU L JAZZ SSAINT

WHARTONCENTER.COM • 1-800-WHARTON

N ITZHAK PERLMA

SUBSC RIBE TODAY SAVE U AND P TO

TI C K E T PAC K AG E S N OW AVA I L A B L E !

REVUEWM.COM | May 2014 |

47

comedy

by Josh Spanninga

Nikki Glaser on Hosting, Touring and Sexism

Schedule | Dining | Sights Sounds | Scene

N

48 | REVUEWM.COM | May 2014

ikki Glaser knew two things when she started performing stand up — she got a rush from being onstage, and she wanted to make people laugh. Beyond that, she didn’t have many plans.

In a few short years, however, she found herself appearing on late night talk shows, filming stand-up sets for Comedy Central and co-hosting the podcast “You Had to Be There” with friend and collaborator Sara Schaeffer. When the duo landed their own late night talk show “Nikki and Sara Live” on MTV, it became apparent to Glaser that a life of comedy didn’t need to Nikki Glaser be restricted to stand-up. She began Dr. Grins, Grand Rapids thinking about the future, and the posMay 15-17, show times at 5:30, sibility of following in the footsteps 8 and 10:30 p.m. of one of her heroes, Ellen Degeneres. $10-$20 “I like Ellen’s career,” Glaser said. thebob.com, (616) 356-2000 “Ellen gets to do stand-up on her show every day, so she gets to address that itch, but she also gets to stay in one place and have a life, and gets to be herself on television.”

Glaser hopes to eventually get a hosting career of her own, something to provide a bit more stability than the stand-up circuit.

Eventually.

For now, she’s kept her hosting dreams in the back of her mind, opting instead to travel and build her fan base one show at a time.

“Right now it’s kind of nice to be out there and escape from responsibilities in the city,” Glaser said. “It’s like a mini vacation where you get to perform at night.”

Stand-up also gives her the chance to explore issues like abortion, sex, relationships and the menstrual cycle in a raw, uncensored manner that many audiences aren’t used to.

“I think a lot of girls don’t get to hear their voices represented in such a way,” Glaser said. “There are definitely female representations on TV that we look up to, like Lena Dunham and Mindy Kaling and Amy Schumer, but in a nightclub setting, you get to say things that you can’t hear anywhere, so I think it’s a little more shocking for these girls, and they love it.”

Of course, for everyone that embraces this uncensored version of femininity, there will also be someone else who misses the point entirely.

“There will be a lot of times where guys will say ‘I didn’t get what you were saying, but my girlfriend loved it,’” Glaser said. “And I’m like, ‘Really, you didn’t understand it? When I talk about tampons you can’t grasp that idea?’”

Glaser said she’s also used to regularly receiving backhanded compliments from female fans as well, the most popular being, “I don’t usually like women comics, but you

were funny.” But despite sexist remarks, criticisms and backhanded compliments, Glaser has resolved to power through it all to do what she does best — make people laugh.

“I don’t have an agenda, I’m not political. I just have certain feelings about certain things,” she said. “I’m not trying to change anyone’s mind about anything, I’m just trying to be funny.” n

“There will be a lot of times where guys will say ‘I didn’t get what you were saying, but my girlfriend loved it.’ And I’m like, ‘Really, you didn’t understand it? When I talk about tampons you can’t grasp that idea?’”

Scene | Sounds | Sights Diing | Schedule

49

REVUEWM.COM | May 2014 |

indie film

by Josh Spanninga

May is a magical time of year. College classes are either over or nearing completion, the flowers are blooming and we’re finally far enough removed from winter to fully embrace spring, to blaze down the road, sunglasses on, windows down, blaring Hall and Oates on the radio. Or, if you’d rather, you can celebrate with some of these independent film events.

Disobedience: The Sousa Mendes Story will be showing at The Jewish Film Festival on May 7 at Celebration! Cinema North. The festival runs May 4-8.

The Jewish Film Festival Enters Its 16th Year

Schedule | Dining | Sights Sounds | Scene

O

ne of the best aspects of film, besides providing entertainment, is its ability to introduce audiences to other cultures’ perspectives. On May 4-8, the 16th annual Jewish Film Festival of Grand Rapids will introduce audiences to different Jewish cultures and subjects at Celebration! Cinema North. The festival is put on by the Jewish Federation of Grand Rapids, an organization dedicated to celebrating Jewish culture and providing social services and help for the elderly, poor or any other group in need within their community.

“We are not a congregation,” Programming Director Sari Cohen said. “We are like the umbrella of all the Jewish organizations in town.”

Although the federation has been around since the 1940s, it wasn’t until 1999 that they started putting on the film festival in response to similar Jewish film festivals popping up all over the country. In that time, it has grown in size and moved to its current home at Celebration! Cinema. One thing that hasn’t changed about the festival is its main purpose.

“The mission of the festival is to entertain from one side, but to educate from the other,” Cohen said. “We are always trying to bring, not only to the Jewish community, but to the general community, a variety of subjects, Jewish issues and Jewish culture, anything that is related to anything Jewish.”

In order to find the films that best represent what the festival is about, Sari and a committee of around 10 people preview a number of films to ensure the selections meet their initial goal of exploring Jewish culture while providing enough variety to please everyone.

“I get maybe 50, 60 different films to preview. We check all of them and try to get to the six that we usually get in our festival,” Cohen said. “And the idea is to have a variety of subjects and a variety of films. We have something for the

50 | REVUEWM.COM | May 2014

family, something for the adult audience, something that is a documentary, a comedy, a drama.”

If variety is their goal, they’ve succeeded.

First, there’s the family friendly adventure/comedy film The Zigzag Kid, which is featured as the festival’s opening family matinee and is free for general audiences.

On the other side of the spectrum is the French drama The Attack, which focuses on an Arab surgeon in Tel Aviv as he discovers that his wife not only died in a suicide bombing, but is singled out as the prime suspect.

If documentary lovers are feeling left out, they need not worry. Broadway Musicals: A Jewish Legacy examines the profound impact Jewish directors, lyricists, composers, writers and performers have had on the American musical. Prior to the screening of this film, Ran Kempel and Elliot Beck will put on a live performance of a number of the songs featured.

Other events include an Eastern European dinner on Wednesday night and a guest appearance by Harry Oesterreicher, a descendant of French refugees who received visas from Sousa Mendes during World War II (Oesterreicher is scheduled to speak before the film Disobedience: The Sousa Mendes Story).

Tickets for all films are $6 (not counting the free screening of The ZigZag Kid). For a list of show times and event details visit jewishgrandrapids.org

Sara Klele, Design Week chair for AIGA West Michigan, explains that while the film is technically about street artists, not designers, it’s still a relevant choice for the event.

“That line can get really blurry because street artists like Banksy have influenced pop culture, which in turn influences and can even become design,” Kele said.

She points to Shepard Fairey, an artist featured in the film as a perfect example.

“His most recognized work is probably his series of Obama campaign posters created in 2008, including the ‘Hope’ poster,” Klele said. “Though they had nothing to do with the original creation of the illegally created poster the Obama campaign latched on and it has since become one of the most iconic, and effective, campaign posters of all time.”

For more details on the event, or to learn more about West Michigan Design Week, visit wmdesignweek.com. n

UICA and West Michigan Design Week Team up to Screen Exit Through the Gift Shop

O

n May 6, the UICA will have a special one-time screening of Exit Through the Gift Shop in conjunction with West Michigan Design Week. The documentary was directed by world renowned street artist, Banksy, and explores the world of street art and those it inspires.

On May 6, the UCIA is hosting a special, one-time screening of Exit Through the Gift Shop, a documentary directed by renowned street artist Banksy.

REVUEWM.COM | May 2014 |

51

by Kyle Austin

LIT LIFE

A Mother’s Love

R

oberta King has always had a way with words, but after the death of her son, Noah, she found herself suddenly at a loss for them. Despite being born with cerebral palsy, Noah lived happy, healthy and surrounded by a loving family for 16 years. In 2006 — when he was 17 — a bout with pneumonia took his life.

King has spent her entire career as a writer, working mainly in public relations, but in the four years following Noah’s death, trying to write about it only made her feel worse. She might have given up completely were it not for a friend who insisted that perseverance was the only option.

“Until somebody gave me the shove and said ‘You have to do this,’ I never thought that I had to,” King said.

Even then, it didn’t come easy; she wrestled with her first attempt, an essay titled “Fearless,” for most of 2010. But when “Fearless” was published in The Rapidian, readers connected deeply with her story. The ensuing flood of support proved to be a transformative experience.

Over the next three years, King wrote and published prolifically, producing a body of work that would eventually

come together to form He Plays a Harp, her forthcoming debut memoir that chronicles her family’s life before and after Noah’s death. But for King, it was never about catharsis.

“If I completely healed from that loss and that grief, I would have moved on too far,” she said. “I still want [Noah] around me. My husband and I promised each other when he died that we would talk about him every single day.”

He Plays a Harp opens with a chapter chronicling Noah’s death, but the book is really about his life, as well as the joys and difficulties of raising a child with disabilities.

“Death is really short,” King said. “Even if you die a protracted death, it’s really short compared to life.”

Her writing breathes vivid energy into her memories of a young man who, though bound to a life that was anything but normal, lived it with passion, kindness, love and laughter.

Writing creative non-fiction proved challenging for King at first, but a writer’s workshop at the University of Iowa helped her see that the story of what happened to Noah would only matter to people if they knew who he was. With beautiful recreated details and delicate emotional nuances, He Plays a Harp helps readers to understand Noah through the eyes of those who knew him best, and because of that, we connect with his family’s loss on an incredibly personal level.

“Memory is kind of an interesting thing, because the more you churn it the more it remembers,” King said.

King’s favorite chapter in her memoir is one titled “Snapshot,” in which she writes about the last photo she ever took of her son. He had just dyed his hair bleach blonde, inspired by a movie he’d seen, and seemed as healthy as ever.

At that moment, looking through the lens of the camera, King couldn’t have possibly known that she would never have the chance to photograph her son again. But as a writer looking back, she turns the hollow permanence of that image into a reflection on what it really means to be alive.

“What I want people to take away is love, regardless,” King said. “Noah had a lot of complications and a lot of problems, but we worked around them. We loved him fully and completely just as he was.”

Fittingly, He Plays A Harp will be released on May 11, Mother’s Day. n

Schedule | Dining | Sights Sounds | Scene

“If I completely healed from that loss and that grief, I would have moved on too far. I still want [Noah] around me. My husband and I promised each other when he died that we would talk about him every single day.”

Noah King, photographed by the author.

52 | REVUEWM.COM | May 2014

Where to find Roberta King Bob and Merle Scolnik Healing Center 888 Terrace St., Muskegon May 3, 3 p.m.

Roberta will give her debut reading from He Plays A Harp and sign copies for attendees as a part of the Center’s Art of Loss and Hope event.

Richard App Gallery 910 Cherry St. SE, Grand Rapids May 4, 2 p.m.

The official launch of He Plays A Harp is celebrated at this event, complete with cheese, wine and beer. Roberta will read for about 20 minutes before signing copies of her book and visiting with those in attendance.

Schuler Books and Music 2660 28th St., Grand Rapids May 28, 7 p.m.

In the cozy confines of Schuler’s intimate performance area, Roberta will read passages from He Plays A Harp and sign copies for those in attendance.

REVUEWM.COM | May 2014 |

53

Missy Black’s

STYLe NOTeS

T

Schedule | Dining | Sights Sounds | Scene

he Spring Peddlers’ Market in downtown Zeeland is an artfully curious fair filled with apparel and accessories, household gifts and goods, antiques and repurposed finds, architectural salvage, vintage furniture and décor and other curiosities. “This brand new event looks to attract a variety of vendors to put on a fresh, open-air lifestyle market for all of your favorite things in one setting,” says City Marketing Director Abby deRoo. This cheerful introduction to spring shopping features handmade specialties including fresh flowers and botanicals, farm-to-table treats with live music thrown in as well. Think of it as thoughtful, local shopping with an artful twist — a place you can pick up anything from custom jewelry, creative screen printed T-shirts, children’s apparel and items that have an independent feel to them. Whether hand-produced or local boutiques with an on-site presence, this spontaneous shopping block party is perfect for junkers, pickers and people that love

54 | REVUEWM.COM | May 2014

supporting local vendors. “I picture myself with a couple of girlfriends picking up spring produce and flowers for myself and gifts for friends. This is going to be a market where you can walk away with some interesting finds all in one place with destination-type vendors.” Get in front of brand new products from up-and-coming creatives or sift through vintage finds with timeless appeal. Everything goes down May 17 from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Look to feelthezeel.com for additional information.

Have you ever discovered something so cute you just wanted to keep it for yourself? I considered this, but decided to throw the Etsy shop Pearls and Pastries into my column. Based out of South Haven and home of the sequined hanger, the Pearls and Pastries brand and blog is a place to visit for a dose of inspiration and sparkle. The shop with the same name is where you purchase and make that leap into your own life.

It’s primarily filled with prints of the fashion and inspiration variety and shimmering gold, silver and pink sequined hangers.

“People use them for weddings. So many people post outfits of the day on the hangers. I have child ones for baby showers and newborn outfits. The possibilities are endless — even decorations on gallery walls,” said Lauren Gray, owner, founder and creative director. The bright mix of vintage and glitter styling on the blog trickles over to the shop in prints that tell a story. The new spring line of prints coming to the shop will have more pastel and watercolor influences. Make note: pearlsandpastriesshop.blogspot.com This will also take you to the Etsy shop and to a life better lived and covered in sequins. n

Pearls and Pastries

95 MUSICAL

COMEDY

MAY 30 - JU WWW.GRC

NE 15

T.ORG | 616.222.66

50

GRILLING SEASON IS HERE! (616) 363-0801 Serving the public for over 50 years!

■ Fresh Otto’s turkey & chicken (no steroids or antibiotics) ■ 30 different types of brats ■ Homemade German wieners (veal, beef, pork, lamb & sh) ■ Special cuts available! How thick do you want your steaks?

■ T-bones, porterhouse & sizzlers

3442 Plaineld Ave. NE Grand Rapids, MI 49505 (Just 2 blocks north of 1-96)

REVUEWM.COM | May 2014 |

Scene | Sounds | Sights Diing | Schedule

VAN BALL’S PRIME BEEF INC.

55

Schedule Dining Sights | Sounds | Scene

Find us on Facebook and Twitter!

56 | REVUEWM.COM | May 2014

Revue on Facebook: facebook.com/REVUEWM On Twitter: @RevueWM

Win tickets, get early warnings about shows, other breaking entertainment news, and more!

Restaurant listings arranged by region

Grand Rapids Angel’s Thai Café 136 Monroe Center NW. 616-454-9801 THAI. This downtown restaurant makes your order fresh, fast, and hot. You can order your entree with your choice of meat and spice level, or create your own. » SERVING: Lunch Dinner OPEN ON: Open 7 days. GO THERE FOR: Thai Steak and Yum Talay.

Bar Divani 15 Ionia Ave. SW. 616-774-WINE. ECLECTIC. Bar Divani offers a sophisticated environment, with the chefs use local ingredients in their creations. Taste the homegrown flavor in the Prosciutto Flatbread, the Linguine Alfredo or the Plum Salmon. By pairing with Dancing Goats Creamery, Otto’s Chicken, S&S Lamb, Ingraberg Farms, Mrs. Dog’s and Madcap, Bar Divani serves extraordinary tastes. But, what would a night out be without a few drinks? The bar serves more than 300 types of liquor, 300 wines and 50 beers to compliment each handcrafted meal. » SERVING: Dinner after 4 p.m. OPEN ON: Everyday but Sunday. GO THERE FOR: Local Cuisine.

BarterTown Diner 6 Jefferson St. SE. 616-233-3219 VEGAN. This workerowned-and-operated restaurant offers a variety of tasty healthy dishes fresh and hand-picked right from local family farms. Want a certain recipe or cooking lessons?

Events and programs are BarterTown’s way of getting the community involved. So don’t be surprised if one day there’s Greek and Mediterranean cuisine and the next it’s all about pizza. » SERVING: Breakfast (Saturday & Sunday), Lunch, Dinner. OPEN ON: Open 7 days. GO THERE FOR: Locally based vegan meals.

Big Bob’s Pizza 661 Croswell Dr. 616-233-0123 ITALIAN. Located in Gaslight Village in East Grand Rapids (across from Jersey

Big O Café 80 Ottawa NW. 616-451-1887 ITALIAN. The downtown (and downstairs) restaurant has a reliable menu featuring pizza, pasta, and sandwiches that are Italian and Cuban influenced. A great spot for lunch or a quick glass of wine and plate of pasta before a downtown event. » SERVING: Lunch Dinner OPEN ON: Open 7 days. GO THERE FOR: Dead Head Vegetarian Pizza, Cuban dinners on Friday nights.

The Bistro 11 Monroe Avenue NW (at Courtyard Marriott).

616-242-6000 AMERICAN. Serving American food bistro-style, whether it’s grab-and-go or guests dining in for breakfast, lunch or dinner. The Bistro offers fresh seasonal options, serves Starbucks beverages and has a full-service bar. » SERVING: Breakfast Lunch Dinner OPEN ON: Open 7 days GO THERE FOR: Sandwiches.

Bistro Bella Vita 44 Grandville Ave. SW. 616-222-4600 ITALIAN. One of Grand Rapids’ best dining experiences, featuring Mediterraneaninspired country cuisine, a swanky yet comfortable downtown atmopshere and personable service. BBV’s culinary team creates authentic, housemade recipes made with locally grown produce, fresh seafood and rotisserie roasted meats.

Specialty gluten-free menu, and can prepare custom dishes for lactose intolerant, vegetarian, and vegan diets. » SERVING: Lunch Dinner OPEN ON: Open 7 days. GO THERE FOR: Mediterranean Country Cuisine and Martinis.

Blue Water Grill 5180 Northland Dr. 616-363-5900 SEAFOOD. One of Grand Rapids’ most inspired restaurants in terms of overall ambiance, with Frank Lloyd Wright-style architecture, a stunningly massive fireplace, and some of the best water views in West Michigan. The food is similarly inspired, drawing from Italian, Mediterranean and classic American influences. All the traditional favorites are accounted for with a wide variety of wood-fired pizzas, seafood, steaks, chops, salads, and sandwiches. » SERVING: Lunch Dinner OPEN ON: Open 7 days. GO THERE FOR: Grass Fed Beef.

Bobarino’s 20 Monroe Ave. NW. 616-356-2000 ITALIAN. A melting pot of food, live entertainment and fun. Live music Tuesday through Saturday, including rock, jazz, retro, country, rockabilly and more. Large game room with video games, billiards and shuffleboard. Menu includes vast array of wood-fired pizzas, plus burgers, entrées and classic appetizers. Lunch buffet with pizza, pasta, and salad for $6.45. » SERVING: Lunch Dinner OPEN ON: Open 7 days. GO THERE FOR: Wood-fired pizzas.

Bombay Cuisine 1420 Lake Dr. SE 616-456-7055 INDIAN. Offering savory and subtly spiced dishes from northern India, Bombay Cuisine is a hot spot for those who like to add a little flavor to their lives. With a lunch buffet served every weekday, this restaurant provides its eaters with an array of traditional Indian cuisine. » SERVING: Lunch Dinner OPEN ON: Open 7 days GO THERE FOR: Naan, Butter Chicken.

Brewery Vivant 925 Cherry St. SE. 616-719-1604 BREWPUB. Housed in a former funeral chapel, Brewery Vivant crafts Belgianstyle ales with a focus on barrel aging. The brewpub also brings Belgian tradition when it comes to food, featuring French and Belgian-style meals to pair perfectly with the beer. » SERVING: Lunch Dinner OPEN ON: Open 7 days. GO THERE FOR: The Burger Bulls Head Tavern 188 Monroe NW. 616-454-3580 AMERICAN. Downtown eatery is a great spot for business lunch or casual pre-show dinner, with a wide-ranging menu that includes salads, burgers, pasta, seafood and steaks. Specialties include the ostrich burger, sashimi tuna and smoked Gouda chicken pasta. » SERVING: Lunch Dinner OPEN ON: Closed on Sunday. GO THERE FOR: The Ostrich Burger.

Chapbook Café 2660 28th St. SE, Grand Rapids. 616-942-0595. CAFE. Take a break from browsing the shelves at Schuler Books with a homemade selection of soups, sandwiches and quiches. Soups are prepared in-house daily and served with fresh baked bread to accompany a small-but-elegant sandwich menu. Try a quiche or traditional Italian Panini grilled on fresh ciabatta bread, or for a quick bite, grab a bagel or scone from the dessert case. » SERVING: Breakfast Lunch Dinner OPEN ON: 7 days GO THERE FOR: Homemade soups and sandwiches

CitySen Lounge 83 Monroe Center St. NW. 616-608-1720 AMERICAN. CitySen Lounge, located in the heart of downtown Grand Rapids, is a bar with a big-city feel, offering exciting options for lunch, dinner and breakfast on the weekends. The focus is on fresh ingredients and a full bar with local brews, wine and creative cocktails. » SERVING: Weekend Breakfast Lunch Dinner OPEN: Open 7 days GO THERE FOR: Daily happy hour Cork Wine & Grille 1600 Galbraith Ave SE. 616-949-0570 AMERICAN. If you’re a wino (it’s OK to admit it), Cork is your kind of joint. Fresh food plus the biggest wine list in the Grand Rapids area can only equal a successful night out. And don’t worry if you’re new to wine, the staff knows enough about it to help you pick the perfect accompaniment for your meal. » SERVING: Lunch Dinner OPEN ON: 7 days GO THERE FOR: Adult Mac N’ Cheese The Corner Bar 31 N. Main St. 616-866-9866 AMERICAN. The downtown Rockford tavern serves a solid menu of burgers, burritos, salads and sandwiches, but it is best known for hot dogs — serving almost 1,000 per day. Its hot-dog-eating challenge has been conquered by more than a few, but it raises the question: Why would you want to consume Corner Bar dogs in a hurry rather than savor each bite? » SERVING: Lunch Dinner OPEN ON: Open 7 days. GO THERE FOR: Hot dogs.

The Cottage Bar 18 Lagrave Ave. SE. 616-454-9088 AMERICAN. The Cottage Bar is the oldest operating restaurant and bar in downtown Grand Rapids. Come in for the Cottage Burger, smothered with green olives, bacon, lettuce, tomato, hickory mayonnaise and Swiss and American cheeses. » SERVING: Lunch Dinner OPEN ON: Closed Sundays GO THERE FOR: The Cottage Burger.

Cygnus 27 Cornucopia 187 Monroe Ave. NW. 616-776-6425 ECLECTIC. Enjoy 187 skyline Monroeas Ave. 616-774-2000 DELI. A refreshing the youNW. dine atop the Glass Tower.

Indulge option for on-the-go, or casual, fare. deli in a variety of globally infusedlighter dishes at Enjoy this AAA options such asrestaurant. homemadeCasual soups,attire; salads, Four-Diamond no Panini jacket sandwiches and freshly brewed gourmet»coffee.

SERVING: required.

Private dining also available.

SERVING: Breakfast Lunch OPEN ON: Open 7 days.FOR: GO Lunch Dinner OPEN ON: Open 7 days.

GO THERE THERE FOR: Sandwiches.

Seasonal Sunday Brunch.

»

REVUEWM.COM | May 2014 |

Scene | Sounds | Sights Dining Schedule

Bentham’s Riverfront Restaurant 187 Monroe Ave. NW. 616-774-2000 AMERICAN. Enjoy great breakfast, lunch, dinner and dessert options while looking out at the Grand River. Bentham’s now offers a lunch buffet with choices of salads, breads, soups and roast beef and poultry carved to order — not to mention stir-fry stations with fresh vegetables, meats or seafood and unique sauces. Casual attire. » SERVING: Breakfast Lunch OPEN ON: Open 7 days, closes at 2 p.m. GO THERE FOR: Lunch buffet.

Junction), Big Bob’s is a cozy restaurant that serves up specialty pizzas, pastas, burritos, sandwiches and salads.

Sit out on the deck and enjoy Happy Hour from 4-6 p.m. and 9p.m.-close seven days a week. » SERVING: Lunch Dinner OPEN ON: Open 7 Days. GO THERE FOR: Pizza and beer (is there a better combination?).

REVUE’s dining listings are compiled by staff and minions. This is not intended to be a comprehensive list of restaurants in the region. For an expanded list, be on the lookout for new and improved dining changes on our revamped website, revuewm. com. The listings are not intended to be reviews of West Michigan restaurants, although we will inject some opinions into the listings based on staff experiences and personal preferences. To submit or to correct information in a dining listing, e-mail editor@revuewm.com.

57

Dining that can stand up and complement the beers (or vice versa).

Erb Thai 950 Wealthy St. SE #1A. (616) 356-2573 THAI. Food rooted in traditional Thai cuisine, but also made to accommodate health conscious and special diets. Not too strong, not too weak, like harmony and melody.

Marketing representative Molly Rizor was a Thai virgin when she went and is now glad Erb Thai was her first experience. » SERVING: Lunch Dinner OPEN ON: Open 7 days. GO THERE FOR: Peanut Curry Noodles.

Fajita Republic Cantina 2183 E. Beltline Ave. 616-272-3047 MEXICAN. A fresh twist on Mexican-inspired cuisine, Fajita Republic uses farm-fresh vegetables, never-frozen meats and lime-squeezed margaritas. Fajita entrees are flamed table-side and the owners promise there are no microwaves used at Fajita Republic, ensuring that all meals are made fresh. Additionally, there are 101 tequila varieties, as well as Mexican craft beers, wine and specialty drinks. » SERVING Lunch Dinner. OPEN: Open 7 days. GO THERE FOR: Fajitas, Tequila Fire Rock Grille 7111 Kalamazoo Ave. SE, Caledonia Township 616-6569898 AMERICAN. If you’re looking for food with a twist, FireRock Grille could be your place. Sandwiches and burgers are some staples, but offerings are vast and utilize seasonal ingredients. » SERVING: Lunch Dinner.

OPEN ON: 7 days. GO THERE FOR: Customizable Steaks.

Founders Brewing Company 235 Grandville SW. 616-776-1195 BREWPUB. A beerlover’s paradise with a national reputation for flavorful, award-winning beers. Likewise, the brewpub’s menu consists mainly of flavorful handcrafted deli sandwiches

»SERVING: Lunch Dinner OPEN ON: Open 7 days. GO THERE FOR: Award-winning beer, handcrafted sandwiches.

Garden Court Lounge 187 Monroe Ave. NW. 616-774-2000 LOUNGE. An excellent choice for a quick drink with friends or when you desire relaxing with your favorite drink. The Garden Court Lounge offers a fine array of beer, wine, cocktails and liqueurs. » SERVING: Drinks OPEN ON: Open 7 days.

GO THERE FOR: Specialty cocktails.

Gilly’s 20 Monroe NW. 616-356-2000 SEAFOOD. Gilly’s may not be the biggest name on the seafood block, but it takes second place to no one in regards to quality, freshness and inspiration. A vast array of exotic fish is line-caught, flown in and prepared fresh daily. Every facet of Gilly’s speaks to impeccable attention to detail. SERVING: Dinner OPEN ON: Closed on Sunday. GO THERE FOR: Fresh seafood at a great price.

»

GP Sports 187 Monroe Ave. NW 616-776-6495 SPORTS BAR. Catch the big game on one of GP Sports’ 30 televisions, including a big screen for optimal game viewing. This colorful and casual restaurant not only caters to sports fans, but also features top-notch burgers, pizzas and specialty drinks. » SERVING: Lunch Dinner OPEN ON: Open 7 days. GO THERE FOR: Score Big Burgers.

G.R.P.D. (Grand Rapids Pizza and Delivery) 340 State St. SE. 616-454-9204 ITALIAN. The current GR location opened in 2004 as the first established pizzeria in the Heritage Hill district. A common meeting spot for local folks,

business professionals and college students, a place where one could gather for a quick meal or a reflective lunch. It offers both hand-tossed pizza and Chicago-style stuffed pizza, as well as pasta, sandwiches, salads, and wings. Online ordering, too. SERVING: Lunch Dinner OPEN ON: Open 7 days. GO THERE FOR: Pizza.

»

Grand Rapids Brewing Company 1 Ionia Ave SW. 616-458-7000 BREWPUB. Good for the environment and your palate, GRBC is Michigan’s first certified organic brewery and features a menu stocked with locally grown ingredients. With a diverse selection of beers on tap inspired by historical Grand Rapids figures and a hearty array of burgers, melts and hand-cranked sausages, this place represents the best of the Grand Rapids Brewing Company’s 120-year legacy. SERVING: Lunch Dinner OPEN ON: Open 7 days. GO THERE FOR: Organic beer and locally sourced food.

»

Grand Woods Lounge 77 Grandville Ave SW. 616-451-4300 AMERICAN. The restaurant’s interior exudes a warm, casual ambiance reminiscent of the great eateries of the Pacific Northwest; the outdoor porch features two outdoor bars and a fireplace. Menu stocked with affordable appetizers great for sharing, plus salads, sandwiches, and entrées. Lots of domestics and microbrews, plus an array of martinis including the “Woodstini,” a tasty mix of Stoli Orange Vodka, mandarin oranges and raspberries.

SERVING: Lunch Dinner OPEN ON: Open 7 days. GO THERE FOR: Cocktails.

»

Graydon’s Crossing 1223 Plainfield NE. 616-726-8260 TAVERN. An authentic take on the English Pub, with a huge selection of beers on tap and a menu that includes classic English dishes like Fish & Chips, Shepherd’s Pie and Irish Stew, as well as Indian specialties like Tandoori Chicken and Tikka Masala. A great casual atmosphere

Gluten Free Girl:

CVLT Pizza Schedule Dining Sights | Sounds | Scene

I

f you asked me why I hadn’t tried CVLT Pizza until now, I would say it’s because I had no faith in gluten-free pizza.

The key word here is HAD. One bite into the Meat Lovers #3 option with gluten-free crust and my world was rocked. This isn’t just pizza, these are slices of gluten-free gold.

Made from a pesto base with bacon, potatoes and fresh greens, this pie is topped with goat cheese and CVLT Pizza’s own mozzarella/ provolone mix. It’s the perfect combination of veggies and meat, especially if you’re torn between being a vegetarian and a carnivore like me, and is rich enough to likely be the only meal you’ll need all day.

What’s more is that CVLT’s East Coast-style pizzas are crafted with locally sourced ingredients from farmers around West Michigan.

Whoever thought that eating pizza could be so fulfilling? —Kelli Belanger

10 Jefferson St. SE, Grand Rapids, jointhecvlt.com, (616) 490-4911 Item: Meat Lovers #3, Price: 10”/$15.00, 14”/$18.00, 18”/$22.00

CVLT Pizza’s Meat Lovers #3 with gluten free crust. PHOTO: Kelli Belanger

58 | REVUEWM.COM | May 2014

»

for drinking and dining. SERVING: Lunch Dinner OPEN ON: Open 7 days. GO THERE FOR: Beer and authentic pub food.

Green Restaurant 2289 E Beltline Ave. NE Ste. 8, Grand Rapids. 616447-8294 ORGANIC. The first of its kind, at least in this area, Green Restaurant uses nothing but all-natural and organic ingredients. This includes everything from fruit, vegetables, meat and cheese to juice, ice cream and more. It’s a restaurant where almost anyone with a unique diet could find something to eat within their specifications. » SERVING: Lunch Dinner OPEN ON: Closed Monday GO THERE FOR: Sandwiches, soups, burgers, smoothies/juice blends.

The Green Well 924 Cherry SE. 616-808-3566 Eclectic. REVUE’s “Free Market” columnist Steven de Polo writes, “Green Well is the best restaurant in GR.” The East Hills gastro-pub serves up an ever-changing menu featuring local ingredients, and a wide array of local craft brews and wines. The green refers also to the LEED© certified building and management’s commitment to a small carbon footprint. SERVING: Lunch Dinner OPEN ON: Open 7 days. GO THERE FOR: Baked local goat cheese, Michigan maple whiskey chicken over risotto.

»

The Holiday Bar 801 5th St. NW, Grand Rapids. 616-456-9058 AMERICAN. For 107 years, The Holiday Bar has been serving its loyal customers great beer and food, with 12 specialty beers of tap and its homemade “Porter” Pulled Pork sandwiches.

Fully stocked with pool tables and nine HD flat screens, this dive is the perfect spot for cheap beer and good times.

SERVING: Lunch Dinner OPEN ON: Open 7 days. GO THERE FOR: Cheap beer.

»

Harmony Brewing Company 1551 Lake Dr. SE (616) 233-0063 BREWPUB. Harmony features 12 craft-brewed beers in addition to signature root beer for the kiddos. Named one of the top-five brewpub menus in West Michigan by yours truly, Harmony’s ultimate deal is a take-out combo that features one of its 10” gourmet wood-fired pizzas and a growler of beer for $20, as well as a $5 cheese and $6 pepperoni pizza deal every Tuesday. SERVING: Lunch Dinner OPEN ON: Open 7 days. GO THERE FOR: Pizza and brews.

»

HopCat 25 Ionia SW. 616-451-4677 TAVERN. Rated the 3rd best beer bar on the planet by Beer Advcoate, HopCat’s spin on its food is thus: “It’s the food your Mom would feed you, if your Mom loved beer.” That’s specifically true for HopCat’s beerbar cheese, cheese ale soup and porter braised beef, but mom would also love the Hippie wrap (it’s vegetarian), the crack fries (not real crack), and Killer Mac and Cheese. Because what mom doesn’t like mac and cheese? SERVING: Lunch Dinner OPEN ON: Open 7 days. GO THERE FOR: Widest variety of beers, crack fries.

»

JD Reardon’s Bar & Grill 940 Monroe Ave NW. (616) 454-8590 AMERICAN. Neighborhood pub offers 15 Michigan beers on tap and more bottled, along with a full menu of handmade appetizers, pizzas, salads, sandwiches and 16 half-pound burgers.

Nightly drink specials and karaoke on Tuesday night.

SERVING: Lunch Dinner OPEN ON: Open 7 days. GO THERE FOR: Burgers.

»

Lumber Baron Bar 187 Monroe Ave. NW. (616) 774-2000 LOUNGE. Settle into the warmth and charm of this historic bar — complete with a fireplace, leather club chairs and a large selection of premium drinks and appetizers. » SERVING: Dinner OPEN ON: Closed Sundays and Mondays GO THERE FOR: Scotch or Brandy after a Symphony concert.

Marie Catrib’s 1001 Lake Dr. 616-454-4020 ECLECTIC. The East Hills eatery makes everything from scratch with local ingredients, and there are plenty of vegetarian and vegan options. Get there early for lunch, as there is almost always a wait. » SERVING: Breakfast Lunch Dinner OPEN ON: Open 7 days. GO THERE FOR: Salads, soups and sandwiches.

Mixology 235 Louis St. NW. 616-242-1448 LOUNGE. Casual, upscale service and atmosphere allows guests to relax and enjoy the city views. This type of service allows guests to complete business tasks while still enjoying the accessibility to great food and libations. » SERVING: Lunch Dinner OPEN ON: Open 7 days GO THERE FOR: Specialty cocktails.

O’Toole’s 448 Bridge St. 616-742-6095 PUB. This West side pub is equipped with delicious and outrageously topped burgers, as well as an extensive beer selection, and arguably, the best happy hour specials in town. If food is not your passion, this is a prime place to kick off your Sunday Funday with its $3 Absolut Bloody Mary bar. » SERVING: Lunch Dinner OPEN ON: Open 7 Days. GO THERE FOR: Gourmet burgers, Absolut Bloody Mary bar.

Olive’s Restaurant 2162 Wealthy St. SE. 616-451-8611 ECLECTIC. Gaslight Village mainstay for Easties looking to have a cocktail and casual dinner. The menu is surprisingly broad, with innovative starters (e.g., Napoli fritters, Paella cakes) and diverse entrées like Southern meatloaf, braised short ribs and mobu tofu. » SERVING: Lunch Dinner OPEN ON: Open 7 days. GO THERE FOR: A broad selection.

One Trick Pony 136 E. Fulton. 616-235-7669 AMERICAN. Connected to The Cottage Bar, One Trick Pony offers an eclectic American menu that ranges from salads, fish, pizza, homemade soups and more. Pair the food with live music, which OTP features weekly. » SERVING: Lunch Dinner OPEN ON: Open 7 days. GO THERE FOR: Eclectic pizzas.

Red Jet Cafe 1431 Plainfield Ave. NE. 616-719-5500 ECLECTIC. The funky restaurant in Creston’s old library is the kind of place you’d find in Chicago’s hip neighborhoods, offering non-sequitur menu items that somehow seem to work. Seriously, how many

Reds on the River 8 E Bridge St #100, Rockford. 616-863-8181 AMERICAN. Relaxed ambiance, great food and a view of the river equate to an enjoyable time out. With quality food and fresh ingredients you’re sure to find a meal that tickles your fancy. Staff is trained to help you should you encounter unfamiliar territory. » SERVING: Lunch Dinner OPEN ON: 7 days GO THERE FOR: Red’s Steak Burger Reserve 201 Monroe Ave. NW (616) 855-9463 ECLECTIC. With 102 wines available by the glass and more than 300 by the bottle, paired with an ever-changing food menu influenced

by West Michigan grown foods, Reserve promises diners a unique experience. Cocktails and craft beers add depth to the primarily wine-centered menu. » SERVING: Dinner OPEN ON: Closed on Sunday GO THERE FOR: Wine and food pairings, charcuterie.

Rinaldi Pizza and Sub Shop 966 E. Fulton St. 616-458-3737 ITALIAN. The tiny pizza shop at the corner of Fulton and Diamond is publisher Brian Edwards’ favorite spot to stop for a large slice after a late night at the office. “It’s got the four C’s of pizza going for it: chewy, cheesy, crusty and cheap — with a perfect balance of sauce and cheese,” Edwards says. Fold it over, New York-style, he recommends. » SERVING: Lunch, Dinner.

OPEN ON: Open 7 days. GO THERE FOR: Pizza.

Rockwell-Republic 45 S. Division Ave. 616-551-3563 ECLECTIC. Menu offerings range from sushi to burgers and everything in between.

The cocktail menu runs the gamut from classics like the Manhattan to more modern variations and the beer and wine menus are nothing to sneeze at either. » SERVING: Lunch Dinner OPEN ON: Open 7 days. GO THERE FOR: Specialty cocktails, broad menu, lively atmosphere.

KNOW THE HANDS

Ruth’s Chris Steak House 187 Monroe Avenue NW. 616-776-6426 STEAKHOUSE. Serving only the best steaks, Ruth’s Chris hand-selects its steaks from the top 2% of the country’s beef, which is then broiled to perfection at 1800 degrees. Enjoy the freshest seafood, classic sides and homemade desserts that satisfy any craving. » SERVING: Dinner OPEN ON: Closed Sundays. GO THERE FOR: Steak.

that plant, pick, gather, knead, cook and serve your food.

Closer. Fresher. Better.

RESTAURANT • BAR • MARKET CATERING BREAKFAST • LUNCH • DINNER CELEBRATING 20 YEARS

401 E. Michigan Ave, Kalamazoo, MI 269.382.1888 • fooddance.net

Discover One Trick Pony Restaurant Our innovative chefs are constantly creating great lunch and dinner features for those who like exploring new food items.

We feature old favorites, vegetarian, gluten-free options, eclectic and European cuisines.

Rose’s On Reeds Lake 550 Lakeside Dr. SE. 616-458-1122 ECLECTIC. The East Grand Rapids landmark is one of those places that has a different feel in each season. In the summertime, it’s a great spot to hang on the decks and have cocktails and light appetizers; when the snow is falling, it’s a warm and cozy spot for a hearty meal and big glass of wine. The menu draws from a multitude of influences including Mediterranean, Italian, and Casual American. » SERVING: Breakfast Lunch Dinner OPEN ON: Open 7 days. GO THERE FOR: Root Chips.

Rush Creek Bistro 624 Port Sheldon St. SW, Grandville 616-457-1100 AMERICAN. Rush Creek Bistro prides itself on having something for everyone. Although the atmosphere is casual, Rush Creek offers a variety of quality options that won’t leave you unsatisfied. From pizza to steak, you’ll find what you’re looking for at a fair price. » SERVING: Lunch Dinner OPEN ON: 7 days. GO THERE FOR: The wet burrito.

Monday - Thursday 11am - 11pm Friday - 11am - 12am Saturday - 5pm- 12am

136 East Fulton 616.235.7669 onetrick.biz

REVUEWM.COM | May 2014 |

Scene | Sounds | Sights Dining Schedule

The Pita House 1450 Wealthy SE, 3730 28th Street, 4533 Ivanrest SW (Grandville). 616-454-1171 MEDITERRANEAN. Gyros so big you can club someone with them, the smoothest hummus in town and other Mediterranean fare, including kibbe, kafta and falafel. Additional locations on 28th Street and Kalamazoo SE. Sandwiches are made to order with fresh vegetables and ingredients. » SERVING: Lunch Dinner OPEN ON: Open 7 days. GO THERE FOR: Fresh pita wraps.

other places in town can you find that serve high-end organic coffees, crepes, wood-fired pizzas and artisan baked goods.

Is it a bistro? Is it a coffeehouse? Does it matter? » SERVING: Breakfast Lunch Dinner OPEN ON: Open 7 days. GO THERE FOR: Crepes.

59

/// Local Brews

by Ben Darcie

Craft Cider Spotlight:

Virtue Cider

G

Schedule Dining Sights | Sounds | Scene

re g Hall, wh o s pe nt many years as the brewmaster of Goose Island Brewing Co. in Chicago, parted ways with the company after it was acquired by AB-Inbev in a landmark acquisition in 2011. An idea had been simmering for nearly 10 years, and he never got to see it through until the separation provided the opportunity to embrace his long-desired dream, which began in England in 2000.

The purpose of the trip was to visit breweries, but the biggest influence on him was actually a trip to a local pub that happened to be putting on a Cider Fest, featuring approximately 40 ciders from around the country.

“I thought all ciders were the same, kind of like Europeans 2170 62nd St, Fennville thought about American beer (269) 561-5001, virtuecider.com for a long time,” Hall said. “But Bottle shop and tasting room they were all different. Some were hours: Mon.–Fri., noon–5 dry, some were tart, some were sour, some were sweet or really barnyard-y, like Belgians, and we were just blown away. In 2011, when we sold the company and I decided to leave, I knew exactly what I wanted to do — get into the craft cider world, and make European farmhouse-type ciders.”

Hall had been vacationing to South Haven and Saugatuck ever since the early ‘80s with his family, so Fennville was a natural choice for where to place his cidery. The tasting room is warm and features tasting, pints and bottles to go, or you could take a tour of the facility.

“The star of the cider is the apple, the fermentation, and that they’re aged in a barrel,” Hall said. “If you go over to England and France and Spain, the three great cider cultures — everything is made from apples rather than concentrate.

Many are fermented with native yeast rather than dry yeast, and pretty much everything is aged in a barrel. We wanted to recreate that kind of cider-making here in America.”

Brew of the Month

Round Barn Oak-Aged IPA Not many people offer a barrel-aged IPA, and Round Barn is one of the few. This IPA pours a beautiful copper with a bright, white head that smells of light malt complexity, bright grassy and herbal hop notes and some light, earthy oak. This medium-bodied IPA features a huge hop presence full of floral and perfume-y hops alongside a moderate barrel presence, presenting a well-balanced, flavorful brew. The finish is dry and full of subtle tones of green herbs and oak.

60 | REVUEWM.COM | May 2014

Photo: Grant Kessler

“We think the best apples in the country come from Michigan, and what we’re trying to do is promote Western Michigan as a cider coast. Almost like the Napa Valley of the cider world — we’ve got great apples.”

Virtue’s flagship cider is called Red Streak, a bright English dry cider aged in American oak barrels. The cider is fermented on multiple yeast strains and the finished product features an intense barrel presence. The other brands are released throughout the year when they are ready, including The Mitten, a bourbon barrel-aged cider; The Ledbury, an English Medium cider collaboration with Tom Oliver; Lapinette, a Norman-Style Brut aged in French oak barrels; and Sidra De Nava, a tart, lemony Spanish-style cider. Other brands include Percheron,

fermented with wild yeast and aged in used wine barrels, and Cidre Nouveau (NOV.), a young sparkling cider. All brands are available on draft and in bottle (except for Red Streak).

“Cider is by far the fastest growing segment in adult beverage right now, and it’s exciting to be part of that,” Hall said.

“What’s especially exciting is, we think the best apples in the country come from Michigan, and what we’re trying to do is promote Western Michigan as a cider coast. Almost like the Napa Valley of the cider world — we’ve got great apples.”

Virtue has already been through some aggressive expansion, constructing two cider houses within its first year, as well as packaging and distributing extensively. As Virtue looks to the future, things are looking up.

“I think we offer people a completely different experience,” Hall said. “We feel like cider is the most agricultural of all the adult beverages. We are buying apples from neighbors, and whether you visit in the spring summer or fall, you can taste cider directly from the barrel. It’s almost like France, when you visit our cider house. Transported to a different time and different place.” n

Beer News The Michigan Wine & Beer Fest takes place at Michigan International Speedway on May 10. For tickets and more info, visit mispeedway.com.

American Craft Beer Week features events and specials all over May 12 through 18.

The World Expo of Beer in Frankenmuth is Michigan’s largest international beer event.

It features more than 150 beers, live music, food and judging competition. The expo happens May 16-17.

The 9th Annual Beer & Brat Fest happens May 24 at Crystal Mountain. Enjoy craft beer, wine, cider and mead along with some of the best craft Bratwurst the region has to offer.

learn it. brew it. drink it.

Gravel Bottom where a Home Brewer recipe is always on tap, and fresh home brewing supplies are waiting to be brewed.

Come enjoy a rotating selection of craft brews, pick up tips from the brewers and design your own beer.

Scene | Sounds | Sights Dining Schedule

418 ADA DRIVE SE, ADA GRAVELBOTTOM.COM 616.920.7398 TUES-THUR 2PM-11PM FRI & SAT 11AM-12AM

REVUEWM.COM | May 2014 |

61

Dining San Chez a Tapas Bistro 38 West Fulton St. 616-774-8272 ECLECTIC. Using available local products, San Chez a Tapas Bistro is a social setting where people can remember the one rule of kindergarten: sharing. Featuring small, delicious dishes, San Chez a Tapas Bistro can satiate your desire for variety. » SERVING: Lunch Dinner OPEN ON: Open 7 Days. GO THERE FOR: Tapas.

San Chez Cafe 38 West Fulton St. 616-774-8272 ECLECTIC. This comfy venue allows customers to “walk on sunshine” with its windowed-out structure. A hidden secret for breakfast in downtown Grand Rapids, San Chez Cafe promises a great start to any day. » SERVING: Breakfast Lunch OPEN ON: Open 7 Days. GO THERE FOR: Sandwiches.

The Score 5301 Northland Dr. NE. 616-301-0600 SPORTS BAR. Multifaceted restaurant and sports bar has a lot to offer, including expansive menu with discount options, happy hour specials, countless big screen TVs broadcasting big games and UFC matches, outdoor beach volleyball and live music in the summer … the list goes on. » SERVING: Lunch Dinner OPEN ON: Open 7 days. GO THERE FOR: Sports bar atmosphere.

Six.One.Six. 235 Louis St. NW. 616-242-1448 ECLECTIC. Marketinspired menus, sweeping views and progressive rhythms combine to create a memorable dining experience. The dishes tempt taste buds and is the perfect spot for foodies. » SERVING: Breakfast Lunch Dinner OPEN ON: Open 7 Days GO THERE FOR: Variety and being seen.

Stella’s Lounge 53 Commerce Ave. 616-356-2700 TAVERN. The Chicagostyle whiskey bar has more than 200 varieties of distilled spirits, old-school video games, a superexcellent jukebox stocked with rock and punk classics, and a menu filled with vegetarian and vegan bar food — and stuffed burgers. Did we mention you can sip cans of PBR and other classic beers out of a mason jar? REVUE’s British ex-pat David Smith calls Stella’s his favorite bar in the world. » SERVING: Lunch Dinner OPEN ON: Open 7 days. GO THERE FOR: Vegetarian and vegan bar food.

Tavern on the Square 100 Ionia Ave. SW. 616-456-7673 ECLECTIC. The re-fashioned former Irish pub still has that neighborhood feel, and offers up a unique menu with salads, antipasto, appetizers, a pub burger, and an array of unique “Yankee Tapas” like Fish Tacos, Loaded Carnival Fries and the ultimate West Side tapas: Pierogies. A hodgepodge to be sure, but fun. » SERVING: Lunch Dinner OPEN ON: Open 7 days. GO THERE FOR: PBJ Tuna.

Tip Top Deluxe Bar & Grill 760 Butterworth St. SW. 616-272-3910 AMERICANA. You might walk into Tip Top for the cheap happy hour specials or one of the many rockabilly acts. But get comfortable with one of the venue’s signature menu items. Get classic with a sandwich or burger, but we recommend immersing yourself fully in GR’s west side and ordering Tip Top’s Polish Plate. » SERVING: Dinner OPEN ON: Open 7 days. GO THERE FOR: Dinner, drinks and a show.

The Winchester 648 Wealthy St. SE. 616-451-4969 ECLECTIC. Upscale Wealthy Street bar and restaurant feels like it was plucked

from Chicago’s Bucktown or Logan Square neighborhoods.

A comfortable spot to drink or dine, with an always evolving menu featuring shared plates, salads and inventive sandwiches. The Cuban Reuben, originally created as something of a joke, remains a (very tasty) staple item. » SERVING: Lunch Dinner OPEN ON: Open 7 days. GO THERE FOR: DIY Bloody Mary Bar Special, Yucca Fries.

Wolfgang’s Restaurant 1530 Wealthy St. SE. 616-454-5776 BREAKFAST. The bustling Eastown breakfast spot is home to some of the heartiest breakfast dishes and funniest menu descriptions.

Courteous staff never fails to offer a cup of coffee to go after we’ve finished breakfast. » SERVING: Breakfast Lunch OPEN ON: Open 7 days. GO THERE FOR: Breakfast all day.

Lakeshore 8th Street Grille 20 W. 8th St., Holland. 616-392-5888 AMERICAN. This eclectic grille located in the heart of Holland offers a mix of draft and bottled craft beers and a variety of pub classics and new, American beer-inspired dishes. Happy hour from 3-6 p.m. Monday through Friday and 9-10 p.m. on Friday and Saturday, which includes half-off appetizers and $1 off drafts. » SERVING: Lunch, Dinner OPEN ON: 7 days. GO THERE FOR: 28 taps of craft beer, hometown atmosphere.

84 East 84 East 8th St., Holland. 616-396-8484 ITALIAN. While we categorize it as “Italian,” that’s a bit limiting for this downtown Holland spot, which specializes in creating inventive pasta dishes. Housed in an old industrial building, 84 East is a favorite splurge spot among REVUE’s Hope College

Grand Rapids Celebrates

Beer City Week

Schedule Dining Sights | Sounds | Scene

S

ince Examiner got rid of its Beer City USA poll, it looks like Grand Rapids will be the nation’s champ forever. Or until another beer-related poll pops up. But until then, we will celebrate our win indefinitely. In honor of being permanently named Beer City USA, Grand Rapids celebrates an entire week devoted to beer.

Called BeerCity Week, it runs May 3-10 and highlights beer throughout the greater Grand Rapids-area bars, restaurants and of course, breweries.

The week kicks off at Hudsonville Fairgrounds with the first-ever Beer City Springfest, where attendees can sample all our city has to offer in terms of microbrews. Tickets range from $5 to designated drivers to $30 general admission

62 | REVUEWM.COM | May 2014

and $35 VIP admission. (This gets you into the festival an extra hour early and three extra sample tickets.) The festival starts for the general public at 1 p.m. and runs until 7 p.m.

Other beer-centric events include a pub crawl (May 6-8) and a coaster contest for the creative types. The contest winner will have their design printed on coasters and distributed throughout participating bars, restaurants and breweries during BeerCity Week.

Other events include a daily 8:30 p.m. Beer City toast at Brewery Vivant during the week, as well as Siciliano’s Big Brew on the Calder on May 3.

For up-to-date information on BeerCity Week and to find more events, visit beercityusa.com.

minions. 84 East also serves up designer pizzas and a few non-pasta house specialties like Pork Marsala and Mahi Mahi. » SERVING: Lunch Dinner OPEN ON: Closed Sunday GO THERE FOR: Baked Spaghetti Pie, Tuxedo Chicken Pasta.

Bil-Mar Restaurant 1223 S. Harbor St., Holland. 616-842-5920 AMERICAN. A destination restaurant for locals and tourists for more than 60 years. Dazzling sunsets and an all-American menu featuring fresh seafood and hand-cut steaks. » SERVING: Lunch Dinner OPEN: 7 days. GO THERE FOR: Lake perch, lobster strudel, prime rib.

CityVu Bistro 61 E 7th Street, Holland. 616-796-2114 AMERICAN. CityVu Bistro is a distinctive rooftop dining experience in downtown Holland. Fryers and frozen foods are out; fresh gourmet flatbreads and an array of seasonal entrees are in. The contemporary-yet-casual atmosphere, full bar and unique menus make it the ideal spot for lunch, dinner and Sunday brunch. » SERVING: Breakfast Lunch Dinner OPEN ON: Open 7 days GO THERE FOR: flatbreads Courses 336 W. Clay Ave., Muskegon. 231-777-6610 ECLECTIC. Courses is one-part restaurant, one-part classroom, and a one-of-a-kind dining experience. Staffed and operated by students from The Culinary Institute of Michigan, Courses is open to the public and offers full kitchen, dining, bar, and beverage services. Featuring casual, contemporary bistro styling, the restaurant seats 72 guests and the

intimate bar area seats six. The menu changes with the curriculum to draw on a broad range of cultures, cuisines, culinary styles and skills. » SERVING: Lunch OPEN ON: Closed Sundays GO THERE FOR: An intimate dining experience.

chops and makes no apologies. The steaks are prime USDA choice, the seafood selection immaculate, and the wine and beverage list is top shelf. Relaxed and unpretentious atmosphere. » SERVING: Lunch Dinner OPEN ON: 7 days.

GO THERE FOR: Nightlife.

Everyday People Cafe 11 Center St., Douglas. 269-857-4240 AMERICAN. REVUE Publisher Brian Edwards calls Everyday People Café his favorite restaurant along the lakeshore. The atmosphere is casual and upbeat, the staff knows its stuff about wine and food, and the seasonal menu is filled with meticulously prepared, eclectic comfort food like Butternut Squash Risotto, Braised Lamb Shank and Ahi Tuna. A great wine list and tremendous desserts. » SERVING: Lunch Dinner OPEN: 7 days. GO THERE FOR: Gorgonzola Pork Chop, Greek Salad with Grandma Gigi’s Dressing (Edwards).

Mia & Grace 1133 3rd St., Muskegon. 231-725-9500 AMERICAN. Calls itself a bakery and bistro, but that’s too limiting to describe the creativity of Mia & Grace’s menu. The farm-to-table eatery in downtown Muskegon is casual and comfortable and serves lots of one-of-a-kind items like the Pork Belly Reuben or the Duck PB&J (duck confit, carmelized onions, cashew-peanut butter, green pepper jelly, anadama bread). » SERVING: Breakfast Lunch OPEN ON: Closed on Sunday.

GO THERE FOR: Salads, Soups, Creme Brulee.

Fricano’s Pizza Tavern 1400 Fulton Ave., Grand Haven. 616-842-8640 ITALIAN. Claims to be the first pizzeria in Michigan, but customers care less about its longevity than the amazingly crispy thin crust and simple ingredients atop its much-lauded pies.

Four other locations around West MI, including Comstock Park, Muskegon, Holland and Kalamazoo. » SERVING: Dinner OPEN ON: 7 days. GO THERE FOR: Pizza.

Kirby House 2 Washington, Grand Haven. 616-846-3299 AMERICAN. The Grill Room doesn’t pretend to be anything other than what it is — a chop house and grill. Atmosphere is warm with Tuscan tones, atmospheric lighting, classically cool music and leather booths. The menu focuses on steaks and

New Holland Brewing Company 66 E. 8th St., Holland. 616-355-6422 BREWPUB. One of West MI’s premier microbreweries serves up better than average pub grub, including the Tarheel barbecue Pulled Pork, Grilled Portobello and The Treehugger, which is billed as “a vegetarian sandwich utopia.” » SERVING: Lunch Dinner OPEN ON: 7 days. GO THERE FOR: Mad Hatter IPA, Dragon’s Milk.

Phil’s Bar & Grille 215 Butler St., Saugatuck. 269-857-1555 AMERICAN. This cozy (some would say “small”) bar and grille in downtown Saugatuck is one of those unassuming spots you might easily overlook, though locals in Saugatuck will tell you about their love affair with Phil’s. Eclectic menu is all over the place, but in a good way, and the staff is super-friendly.

Scene | Sounds | Sights Dining Schedule REVUEWM.COM | May 2014 |

63

Dining » SERVING: Lunch Dinner OPEN ON: Open 7 days. GO THERE FOR: Portabella Mushroom Fries.

Piper Restaurant 2225 South Shore Drive, Holland. 616-335-5866 AMERICAN. Upscale-but-casual spot located on Lake Macatawa, offering great views from virtually every table.

Menu includes tastefully prepared items like Almond Crusted Walleye and Grilled Pork Loin, as well as wood-fired pizzas.

Reservations are welcomed. » SERVING: Dinner OPEN ON: Open 7 days. GO THERE FOR: Almond Crusted Walleye.

Salt of the Earth 114 East Main St., Fennville. 269-561-7258 AMERICAN. Salt of the Earth is a farm-to-table-inspired restaurant, bar, and bakery located in the heart of SW Michigan farm country in Fennville. Focuses on fresh, seasonal, and local ingredients whenever possible. Also serves up live music on weekends. » SERVING: Lunch Dinner OPEN ON: 7 days. GO THERE FOR: House made rustic cuisine.

Saugatuck Brewing Company 2948 Blue Star Highway. 269-857-7222 BREWPUB. Enjoy a traditional Irish-style pub that features quality beer, wine, food and service. Try one of 12 unique brews that are served in the pub and bottled and distributed throughout the Midwest. » SERVING: Lunch Dinner OPEN ON: 7 days.

GO THERE FOR: Beer in a family friendly pub environment.

Schedule Dining Sights | Sounds | Scene

Vitale’s of Zeeland 59 W. Washington St. (616) 772-5900 ITALIAN. This

64 | REVUEWM.COM | May 2014

family owned restaurant specializes in Italian dining, but also has a full menu including Mexican and American specialties. Family friendly atmosphere with newly remodeled dining, and an expanded sports bar with big screen TVs. Happy hour specials, live music every Saturday and has been voted Best Pizza seven years in a row by the Grand Rapids Press. » SERVING: Lunch Dinner OPEN ON: 7 days. GO THERE FOR: Pizza.

Kalamazoo/Battle Creek Arcadia Brewing Co. 103 Michigan Ave., Battle Creek. 269-963-9520 BREWPUB. You’ll find some of the usual suspects on the Battle Creek brewpub’s menu, including wood-fired pizzas and some of the best barbecue in the region. But you’ll also find some delightful surprises — Osso Bucco in a brewpub?! — on the menu, courtesy of award-winning Chef Sean Kelly. » SERVING: Lunch Dinner OPEN ON: 7 days. GO THERE FOR: Handcrafted ales and barbecue.

Bell’s Eccentric Cafe 355 E. Kalamazoo Ave. 269-382-2332 BREWPUB. Eccentric Café’s regular menu of appetizers, sandwiches, sides and salads — plus the daily soups and specials — exists for a simple and important purpose: to complement the Kalamazoo microbrewery’s award-winning beers. Eat up while you drink up. » SERVING: Lunch Dinner OPEN ON: 7 days. GO THERE FOR: The Beer.

Bravo!

5402 Portage Rd., Kalamazoo 269-344-7700 ITALIAN. Much-lauded restaurant has earned its stripes over 23 years as one of the region’s best dining experiences, including a 3-star rating in the 2010 Forbes Travel Guide. The Tuscaninspired cuisine is spectacular, the atmosphere comfortable and intimate, and the service first-rate. Also brews its own beer in small batches for pairings with menu offerings. » SERVING: Lunch Dinner OPEN ON: 7 days. (Closed Sat. lunch) GO THERE FOR: A great dining experience.

Olde Peninsula 200 E. Michigan Ave., Kalamazoo 269-343-2739 BREWPUB. Downtown brewpub serves up the expected (e.g., steaks, ribs), the authentic (e.g., London Broil) and some pleasant surprises (e.g., extensive vegetarian offerings, Italian food).

Offers a range of beers brewed on the premises and served on tap, plus a full bar. Check out the seasonal porters on tap right now, including the Vanilla Porter (5.5% ABV) and Stout Chocula (5.25% ABV). » SERVING: Dinner OPEN ON: 7 days.

GO THERE FOR: Beer-B-Que Ribs, London Broil.

Fieldstone Grille 3970 W. Centre St., Portage. 269-321-8480 AMERICAN. Lodge-retreat atmosphere overlooking the Moors Golf Club natural wetlands. The “field-to-plate” menu features burgers, pizzas, steaks and some eclectic items like quail. Try the FSG chips, a combination of potato, beet and sweet potato chips. » SERVING: Lunch Dinner OPEN ON: 7 days. GO THERE FOR: Blue Burger, Almond Crusted Walleye, FSG Chips.

Martell’s 3501 Greenleaf Blvd., Kalamazoo. 269-375-2105 AMERICAN. Tucked away in a quiet neighborhood that overlooks Willow Lake, Martell’s offers casual ambiance and an expansive menu with steaks, prime rib and other comfort food entrées like Italian style meatloaf and pork shank. » SERVING: Lunch Dinner OPEN ON: Open 7 days (Sundaysdinner only) GO THERE FOR: Quiet casual ambiance.

Food Dance 401 E. Michigan Ave., Kalamazoo. 269-382-1888 AMERICAN. Food Dance is committed to building a thriving and sustainable local food system, supporting artisans who practice craft food processes. It’s about the connection with people and places the food comes from. Offering breakfast, lunch and dinner, private dining space, catering and delivery, while an on-site market offers humanely raised meats, artisan cheeses, fresh bread and pastries. » SERVING: Breakfast Lunch Dinner OPEN ON: Open 7 days. GO THERE FOR: Fresh Local Foods.

Union Cabaret & Grille 125 S. Burdick St., Kalamazoo. 269-384-6756 AMERICAN. A partnership with Western Michigan University, Union features eclectic food and cocktails, plus live jazz music performed by WMU faculty and students. » SERVING: Lunch Dinner OPEN ON: Closed Sunday. GO THERE FOR: Portabella Fries, Bloody Maries with infused vodkas. n

REVUEWM.COM | May 2014 |

65

66 | REVUEWM.COM | May 2014

The Schedule Get Scheduled! E-mail your info to schedule@revuewm.com or add your events into our calendar at revuewm.com.

thursday

5.01

Bell’s Eccentric Cafe Chordis Bell Bobarino’s Dueling Pianos Czar’s 505 Comedy Night DeVos Performance Hall Young Professionals’ Night Out with the Grand Rapids Symphony Dog Story Theater Conversations with a Chimpanzee and A Whale in Hilton Head Dr. Grins Dan Cummins Farmers Alley Theatre Old Wicked Songs Founders Brewing Co. Serita’s Black Rose wsg Joel Rydecki Band Frauenthal Theatre Muskegon Civic Theatre presents Legally Blonde The Musical Frederik Meijer Gardens Bernar Venet

GRAM GRAM Selects ArtPrize 2013: Encore, Michigan Artist Series GR Public Library Reading the Great Lakes GR Public Museum Dream It Build It H.O.M.E. F.O.C.K.S. & Fly Paper The Intersection Bronze Radio Return with Hey Monea, Koan Sound and Minnesota JW Marriott Steeple Chase 10K Running Tour KIA Cultural Encounters, Environmental Impact, Inside Steinway Ladies Literary Club The Lion The Witch and The Wardrobe LowellArts! 3rd Annual Junior Regional (Art) Competition The Pyramid Scheme The Supersuckers Rockford Brewing Company Roosevelt Diggs Saugatuck Center for the Arts Material Girls: Quilts by Judith

Jarzembowski and Rugs by Judy Bowman Anthrop Tip Top Deluxe Rockabilly Rumble with Delilah DeWylde and the Lost Boys UICA Mistaken for Strangers, The Retrieval Van Andel Arena Casting Crowns ‘Thrive Tour’ Wealthy Theatre AIA GR Presents: Grand Rapids Mid-Century Modern Architecture 1945-1970

Friday

5.02

The 411 Club Trio Desole CD Release Party Alamo Drafthouse Sing-a-Long-a Sound of Music Avenue for the Arts First Friday Gallery Hop

The B.O.B Brewery Acoustic Series: Nicholas James Thomasma, Terrence Parker & SuperDre Bell’s Eccentric Cafe The Coop Billy’s Lounge GlamHammer Bobarino’s Dueling Pianos Cancun Connection Bar & Grill Stealin Hearts Coral Gables Greg Poltrock Czar’s 505 Ifficial Reggae Band DeltaPlex Arena Skin Deep Tattoo and Body Art Expo DeVos Performance Hall Grand Rapids Classical: Brilliant Beethoven - Gilmore Festival Concert Dog Story Theater Conversations with a Chimpanzee and A Whale in Hilton Head Dr. Grins Dan Cummins Farmers Alley Theatre Old Wicked Songs Foundry Hall Paul Vondiziano Four Winds Casino Diana Ross Frauenthal Theatre Muskegon Civic Theatre presents Legally Blonde The Musical Frederik Meijer Gardens Bernar Venet Gallery Uptown Woodturners and Wives GRAM GRAM Selects ArtPrize 2013: Encore, Michigan Artist Series GR Public Museum Dream It Build It Holland Civic Center LAUP Fiesta 2014 Howmet Playhouse The Karisa Wilson Band with special guest Kelsey Rottiers

The Intersection Antiserum with Zachary Bletz Large Mouth Bass OBJ & Swoop; Cam’ron JW Marriott Art Dart 5K Running Tour Kzoo Civic Theatre Annie Get Your Gun KIA Cultural Encounters, Environmental Impact, Inside Steinway Kirby Grill We Know Jackson Pop Fun Dance R & B Ladies Literary Club The Lion The Witch and The Wardrobe The Landing Perfect Fit Larkin’s Other Place The LowellArts! Players present MOLL The Livery Ernie Hendrickson wsg The Fluffers LowellArts! 3rd Annual Junior Regional (Art) Competition Muskegon Museum of Art On Tap: Michigan Brews Michigan Art. New Holland Brewing Company Bad Dates Peter Martin Wege Theatre Beauty & The Beast The Pyramid Scheme One Be Lo with special guests Rick Chyme Action Figures and DJ Backteeth The Riviera Theatre Darcy Jones Rockford Brewing Company The Moonrays Saugatuck Center for the Arts Material Girls: Quilts by Judith Jarzembowski and Rugs by Judy Bowman Anthrop Shakespeare’s Lower Level Country Night

Tip Top Deluxe The Bluefields wsg The Dushanes UICA Finding Vivian Maier, The Retrieval Van Singel Fine Arts Center Cool Jazz with Wycliffe Gordon

Saturday

5.03

The 411 Club Out of Favor Boys Alamo Drafthouse Sing-a-Long-a Sound of Music Bell’s Eccentric Cafe Mustard Plug wsg Campanellis Berlin Raceway Cinco de Mayo Celebration Billy’s Lounge Jeff Blue Contest Tour Bobarino’s Dueling Pianos Brewery Vivant BeerCity Toast Calder Plaza Siciliano’s Big Brew on the Calder Cancun Connection Bar & Grill Stealin Hearts Coral Gables Tom Northrup Czar’s 505 Brian Randall DeltaPlex Arena Skin Deep Tattoo and Body Art Expo DeVos Performance Hall Grand Rapids Classical: Brilliant Beethoven - Gilmore Festival Concert Dog Story Theater Conversations with a Chimpanzee and A Whale in Hilton Head Downtown Holland Tulip Time Festival

Best Bet: Festival

TULIP TIME FESTIVAL REVUEWM.COM | May 2014 |

Scene | Sounds | Sights | Dining Schedule

Now this is perfectly adorable : Tulip Time Festival an entire multi-day, multi-event festival Downtown Holland and centered around the simple beauty of a Kollen Park puckering tulip. Our uber-religious West May 3-10 Michigan Dutch ancestors may have the Pricing varies by event same reputation for partying hardy as tuliptime.com, (616) 396-4221 Principal Rooney, but don’t let those visions of stuffy, starched Puritan-wear fool you – the Dutch are, in fact, rather good at creating celebrations around almost anything, particularly plants. Kicking off May 3, this week-long devotional to Michigan’s most iconic flower includes a wide array of family friendly festivities.

There’s plenty of traditional old time-y tours and historical era cross-dressing to be found in the mix, and this year, Tulip Time features everything from traditional Dutch dance performances to stand-up by Bill Cosby (and one can’t help but wonder what the two of those might look like combined.) Better pull those wooden shoes out of storage and prepare to kick it, Netherlands-style. Reported

by Emma Kat Richardson

67

Schedule

Cam’ron

Schedule Dining | Sights | Sounds | Scene

Best Bet: Hip Hop While we haven’t seen or heard too much from the great late ‘90s/early millennial rapper Cam’ron, please rest assured, dear fan of the streets, that everything continues to go swimmingly for the multi-media mogul rhyme master dude bro. (Honestly, is there any hat these badass dudes like Mr. C here don’t wear?

Caterer? Florist?) Acting, rapping, producing: Cam really does it all, and lucky for us, “all” includes bringing his killer act to the stage.

With this year set to host the release of his latest album – The Killa Season 2 ­– Cam’ron is hitting the road again and bringing his particular brand of poppy rap with a gangsta twist to The Intersection on May 2. You can bet your Cam’ron bad self that turnout is goThe Intersection, ing to be pretty fierce, so Grand Rapids best go get in that ticket May 2, 8 p.m. line and make a swoop for $25 in advance, seeing the artist formerly $35 day of show known as Killa Cam live sectionlive.com, and in the very real flesh.

(616) 451-8232 Reported by Emma Kat Richardson

68 | REVUEWM.COM | May 2014

Downtown Rockford Chocolate Stroll Dr. Grins Dan Cummins Farmers Alley Theatre Old Wicked Songs Fenn Valley Lunch With The Winemaker FireKeepers Casino Chicago First Baptist Church Tarzan Lord of the Jungle in Jungle Heat Founders Brewing Co. Mike Adams at his Honest Weight wsg Advance Base Empty Orchestra Foundry Hall Paleface Frauenthal Theatre Muskegon Civic Theatre presents Legally Blonde The Musical Frederik Meijer Gardens Bernar Venet, Advice to Grow With: Ask a Master Gardener Gallery Uptown Woodturners and Wives GRAM GRAM Selects ArtPrize 2013: Encore Grand Rapids Art Museum Michigan Artist Series GR Public Museum Dream It Build It Holland Civic Center LAUP Fiesta 2014 Howmet Playhouse 7th Annual White Lake Blues Fest Hudsonville Fairgrounds Beer City Spring Fest The Intersection The Bimini Bros.

Spring Fling Kzoo Civic Theatre Annie Get Your Gun KIA Cultural Encounters, Environmental Impact, Inside Steinway Kirby Grill 25th Anniversary Party, We Know Jackson Ladies Literary Club The Lion The Witch and The Wardrobe The Landing Perfect Fit Larkin’s Other Place The LowellArts! Players present MOLL LowellArts! 3rd Annual Junior Regional (Art) Competition Muskegon Museum of Art Hand Marbling Class New Holland Brewing Company Jim Shaneberger Peter Martin Wege Theatre Beauty & The Beast Planet Rock ADD wsg Ignoring the Echoes Severed System Blood From Stone Blackened Earth The Pyramid Scheme Gr8bit Live II The Riviera Theatre Kentucky Derby Party The Round Barn Sangria Party Schuler Books & Music (Lansing) Talk and Booksigning with Christopher Moore

Schuler Books Okemos Chelsea Handler Book Signing: Uganda Be Kidding Me Seven Steps Up Neil Jacobs SpeakEZ Lounge Grand Rapids FC Launch Party, Sweet J Band Tip Top Deluxe Root Doctor UICA Finding Vivian Maier, The Retrieval W.K. Kellogg Auditorium Battle Creek Symphony: Gilmore Grand Wealthy Theatre The Big Gig: Triumph Music Academy Showcase Wick’s Park 10th Annual Derby Day Celebration

sunday

5.04

Alamo Drafthouse Sing-a-Long-a Sound of Music Brewery Vivant BeerCity Toast Central Christian Reformed Church The Bach Chorale DeltaPlex Arena Skin Deep Tattoo and Body Art Expo Dog Story Theater Conversations with a Chimpanzee and A Whale in Hilton Head Downtown Holland Tulip Time Festival Farmers Alley Theatre Old Wicked Songs Frauenthal Theatre Muskegon Civic Theatre presents Legally Blonde The Musical Frederik Meijer Gardens Bernar Venet GRAM Public Museum Children’s Museum Ford Museum Museums Free 4 All GRAM GRAM Selects ArtPrize 2013: Encore, Michigan Artist Series GR Public Museum Dream It Build It Holland Civic Center Tulip Time Festival KIA Cultural Encounters, Environmental Impact, Inside Steinway Kzoo State Theatre Brian Regan Larkin’s Other Place Lowell Arts!

Players Present MOLL Little River Casino Resort Bobby Vinton Peter Martin Wege Theatre Beauty & The Beast The Pyramid Scheme Cloud Nothings wsg Protomartyr The Russell Block The Soil and the Sun Schuler Books 28th Street Opera Talk with Maestro Robert Lyall Seven Steps Up Ernie Halter

Tip Top Deluxe Chance Jones, Paleface, Desolation Angels UICA Finding Vivian Maier, The Retrieval

monday

5.05

Brewery Vivant BeerCity Toast Downtown Holland Tulip Time Festival Frederik Meijer Gardens Bernar Venet Gallery Uptown Woodturners and Wives GR Public Museum Dream It Build It JW Marriott Lapping the Landmarks 5K Running Tour Lemonjello’s Daniel and The Lion Bennett The Pyramid Scheme Baths wsg Young Fathers and P. Morris San Chez Bistro Spice Blend Class Saugatuck Center for the Arts Material Girls: Quilts by Judith Jarzembowski and Rugs by Judy Bowman Anthrop

tuesday

5.06

Alamo Drafthouse Cinema Girlie Night: Enchanted Quote Along Brewery Vivant BeerCity Toast Downtown Holland Tulip Time Festival Foundry Hall Rebecca Loebe Frederik Meijer Gardens Bernar Venet Gallery Uptown Woodturners and Wives GRAM GRAM Selects ArtPrize 2013: Encore, Michigan Artist Series GR Public Museum Dream It Build It JW Marriott Art Dart 5K Running Tour KIA Cultural Encounters, Inside Steinway Louis Benton Steak House Beer Brawl LowellArts! 3rd Annual Junior Regional (Art) Competition Saugatuck Center for the Arts Material Girls: Quilts by Judith Jarzembowski and Rugs by Judy Bowman Anthrop UICA Design Week Film: Exit Through the Gift Shop, Finding Vivian Maier, The Retrieval

Wealthy Theatre Meanwhile Movies: Ghostbusters

wednesday

5.07

Bobarino’s Dueling Pianos Brewery Vivant BeerCity Toast Calvin College The Milk Carton Kids Downtown Holland Tulip Time Festival Frederik Meijer Gardens Bernar Venet at Meijer Gardens Gallery Uptown Woodturners and Wives GRAM GRAM Selects ArtPrize 2013: Encore, Michigan Artist Series GR Public Museum Dream It Build It The Intersection Fitz & The Tantrums with Night Terrors of 1927 JW Marriott Lapping the Landmarks 5K Running Tour KIA Cultural Encounters, Inside Steinway LowellArts! 3rd Annual Junior Regional (Art) Competition Muskegon Museum of Art Kenneth Snelson’s Tensegrity O’Connor’s Home Brew Supply Open House Brewing Session Saugatuck Center for the Arts Material Girls: Quilts by Judith Jarzembowski and Rugs by Judy Bowman Anthrop UICA Finding Vivian Maier, The Retrieval

thursday

5.08

Bobarino’s Dueling Pianos Brewery Vivant BeerCity Toast Circle Theatre Jesus Christ Superstar Downtown Holland Tulip Time Festival Dr. Grins Comedy Club Mike E Winfield Farmers Alley Theatre Old Wicked Songs Founders Brewery The Wallace Collective wsg Up the Chain Bella Ruse Frederik Meijer Gardens Bernar Venet at Meijer Gardens Gallery Uptown Woodturners and Wives GRAM GRAM Selects ArtPrize 2013: Encore, Michigan Artist Series

GR Public Museum Dream It Build It H.O.M.E. Nathan Kalish and the Lastcallers & The Mainstays The Intersection Krafty Kuts JW Marriott Steeple Chase 10K Running Tour Kalamazoo Civic Theatre Annie Get Your Gun KIA Cultural Encounters, Inside Steinway LowellArts! 3rd Annual Junior Regional (Art) Competition The Pyramid Scheme Turquoise Jeep with special guests A.B. Rockford Brewing Company Chordis Bell Saugatuck Center for the Arts Material Girls: Quilts by Judith Jarzembowski and Rugs by Judy Bowman Anthrop Schuler Books 28th Street Author Talk & Booksigning with Charles Honey Seven Steps Up Pat McGee Tip Top Deluxe Rodney & The Regulars UICA Finding Vivian Maier, The Retrieval Van Andel Arena Brantley Gilbert ‘Let It Ride Tour’

friday

5.09

Saugatuck Center for the Arts Material Girls: Quilts by Judith Jarzembowski and Rugs by Judy Bowman Anthrop SpeakEZ Lounge Delilah DeWylde and The Lost Boys Tanglefoot Studio Spring Prints!

Red Hydrant Press’ Open Studio Event Tip Top Deluxe Chuck Whiting & the Tip Rail Ramblers Who Hit John? and Moxieville UICA Finding Vivian Maier, Under the Skin Wealthy Theatre Grand Rapids Songwriters Alliance 10th Anniversary Songwriter Showcase

saturday

5.10

The 411 Club Big Man Little Band The B.O.B Brewery Acoustic Series: Melissa Dylan Barnes & Noble Woodland Mall Author Signing: Bob Prevost Bell’s Eccentric Cafe Funkadesi Bobarino’s Dueling Pianos Cancun Connection Bar & Grill The Shiznit Central Park Players Anne of Green Gables

Circle Theatre Jesus Christ Superstar Coral Gables Greg Poltrock DeVos Performance Hall Opera Grand Rapids Presents Madama Butterfly Dowagiac Dogwood Fine Arts Festival Art Comes to the Tea, Up Front Artwalk Downtown Holland Tulip Time Festival Dr. Grins Mike E Winfield Farmers Alley Theatre Old Wicked Songs Fenn Valley Girls Afternoon out Founders Brewing Co. March Forth wsg Yum Lady Ace Boogie Foundry Hall Paddy Keenan Franke Ceneter for the Arts Deathtrap Frauenthal Theatre Dance Varieties of 2014 Frederik Meijer Gardens Bernar Venet at Meijer Gardens Gallery Uptown Woodturners and Wives Great Lakes Commonwealth of Letters Reading with Contributors from Midwestern Gothic Literary Journal GRAM GRAM Selects ArtPrize 2013: Encore, Michigan Artist Series GR Public Library Book Fiesta GR Public Museum Dream It Build It

Howmet Playhouse Spring Fling: A Tribute to Moms The Intersection Mega 80s with DJ Jason Veeder Kzoo Civic Theatre Annie Get Your Gun KIA Cultural Encounters, Inside Steinway Kirby Grill Azz Izz Larkin’s Other Place The LowellArts! Players present MOLL The Livery Mark Lavengood Bluegrass Bonanza Louis Benton Steakhouse Big Boss Blues LowellArts! 3rd Annual Junior Regional (Art) Competition New Holland Brewing Company Vinylicious Peter Martin Wege Theatre Grand Rapids Ballet Company Presents A Midsummer Night’s Dream Planet Rock Gemini Syndrome & Eyes Set to Kill wsg: Exotype & Shallow Side From Ashes to New The Pyramid Scheme Floor with special guests Hot Victory and Darsombra The Riviera Theatre Dirty Bourbon River Show The Round Barn Michigan Wine and Beer Fest SpeakEZ Lounge Hannaniah Whitley and Friends Thirsty Perch Susan Harrison

Tip Top Deluxe Nathan Kalish and the Lastcallers Jesse Ray & The Carolina Catfish and Dave Vacant UICA Finding Vivian Maier, Finding Vivian Maier, King Kong vs.

Godzilla, Under the Skin Wealthy Theatre Trip the Light: Kiss the Sky

sunday

5.11

Central Park Players Anne of Green Gables Dowagiac Dogwood Fine Arts Festival Up Front Artwalk Farmers Alley Theatre Old Wicked Songs Franke Ceneter for the Arts Deathtrap Frederik Meijer Gardens Bernar Venet GRAM GRAM Selects ArtPrize 2013: Encore, Michigan Artist Series GR Public Museum Dream It Build It The Intersection Truckfighters Kzoo Civic Theatre Annie Get Your Gun KIA Cultural Encounters, Inside Steinway

Best Bet: Indie

Milk Carton Kids

We don’t think the world really ever have enough eccentric, folksy mellow dudes. Kenneth Pattengale and Joey Ryan, better known as the indie guitar duo Milk Carton Kids, were astute enough to perceive of the never-ending demand for a gentle guitar lick over an introspective lyric. And so far, their endeavor into contemporary rock land has paid off: MCK has only been in business since 2011, yet has garnered comparisons to venerable fore-bearers like the Everly Brothers, Simon & Garfunkel and Gillian Welch. Now three albums deep and almost continuously on tour, Pattengale and Ryan are hitting up Calvin College on May 7, setting out to prove what they’re always setting out to prove: Milk Carton Kids a solid set of classic, low-key folk Calvin College Chapel, melodies will never find itself wa- Grand Rapids vering without an eager fan base. Wednesday, May 7, 8 p.m.

Don’t expect to see these Kids on $15 public, $5 students a dairy-sponsored roster of missing with ID calvin.edu/sao, (616) persons any time soon. Reported By 526-6282 Emma Kat Richardson

REVUEWM.COM | May 2014 |

Scene | Sounds | Sights | Dining Schedule

Bell’s Eccentric Cafe Hurricane Reggae Band Bobarino’s Dueling Pianos Cancun Connection Bar & Grill The Shiznit Central Park Players Anne of Green Gables Circle Theatre Jesus Christ Superstar Coral Gables Tommy Orr Czar’s 505 Hero Jr. DeVos Performance Hall Opera Grand Rapids presents Madama Butterfly Dowagiac Dogwood Fine Arts Festival Up Front Artwalk Dowagiac Middle School Performing Arts Center PulitzerPrize Winning Author Elizabeth Strout Downtown Holland Tulip Time Festival Dr. Grins Mike E Winfield Farmers Alley Theatre Old Wicked Songs Foundry Hall Lee Murdock Franke Ceneter for the Arts Deathtrap Frederik Meijer Gardens Bernar Venet

Gallery Uptown Woodturners and Wives GRAM GRAM Selects ArtPrize 2013: Encore, Michigan Artist Series GR Public Museum Dream It Build It JW Marriott Art Dart 5K Running Tour Kzoo Civic Theatre Annie Get Your Gun KIA Cultural Encounters, Inside Steinway Kirby Grill Azz Izz Ladies Literary Club Lily & Madeleine Larkin’s Other Place The LowellArts! Players present MOLL Lemonjello’s The Fever Haze The Livery Nathan Kalish & The Wildfire LowellArts! 3rd Annual Junior Regional (Art) Competition Monaco Bay Matt Giruad New Holland Brewing Company The JetBeats Peter Martin Wege Theatre Grand Rapids Ballet Company Presents A Midsummer Night’s Dream The Pyramid Scheme The Mad Caddies wsg Mrs. Skannotto Rockford Brewing Company Local Spins presents: Jesse Ray & The Carolina Catfish and The Legal Immigrants

69

Schedule Peter Martin Wege Theatre Grand Rapids Ballet Company Presents A Midsummer Night’s Dream The Pyramid Scheme Flint Eastwood with special guests Yum The Dockside Fever and West and Run Rocky’s Bar & Grill The Moonrays UICA Finding Vivian Maier, Under the Skin

monday

5.12

Bell’s Eccentric Cafe Square Dance Kalamazoo! Whitt Mead & Friends wsg Mike Clark Dowagiac Dogwood Fine Arts Festival Up Front Artwalk Frederik Meijer Gardens Bernar Venet Gallery Uptown Woodturners and Wives GR Public Museum Dream It Build It JW Marriott Lapping the Landmarks 5K Running Tour Knickerbocker Theatre The Lunchbox The Pyramid Scheme Tera Melos Saugatuck Center for the Arts Material Girls: Quilts by Judith Jarzembowski and Rugs by Judy Bowman Anthrop Tip Top Deluxe Mighty Ukulele Night with Sarah Maisel & Craig Chee

tuesday

Schedule Dining | Sights | Sounds | Scene

5.13

Dowagiac Dogwood Fine Arts Festival Up Front Artwalk Foundry Hall Music Lessons Frederik Meijer Gardens Bernar Venet at Meijer Gardens Gallery Uptown Woodturners and Wives GRAM GRAM Selects ArtPrize 2013: Encore, Michigan Artist Series GR Public Museum Dream It Build It The Intersection Fit For A King with Sirens & Sailors Kublai Khan Oceans Over Earth I’m William Cutting JW Marriott Art Dart 5K Running Tour KIA Cultural Encounters, Inside Steinway Kent District Library: EngelhardtLowell Branch Meet the Author: Valerie van Heest

70 | REVUEWM.COM | May 2014

Knickerbocker Theatre The Lunchbox LowellArts! 3rd Annual Junior Regional (Art) Competition San Chez Bistro Knife Skills Class Saugatuck Center for the Arts Material Girls: Quilts by Judith Jarzembowski and Rugs by Judy Bowman Anthrop UICA Finding Vivian Maier, Under the Skin

wednesday

5.14

Bobarino’s Dueling Pianos Circle Theatre Jesus Christ Superstar Dowagiac Dogwood Fine Arts Festival Up Front Artwalk Frederik Meijer Gardens Bernar Venet Gallery Uptown Woodturners and Wives GRAM GRAM Selects ArtPrize 2013: Encore, Michigan Artist Series GR Public Museum Dream It Build It The Intersection Anvil wsg TruBurn, Deadwood Stone JW Marriott Lapping the Landmarks 5K Running Tour KIA Cultural Encounters, Inside Steinway Knickerbocker Theatre The Lunchbox LowellArts! 3rd Annual Junior Regional (Art) Competition Muskegon Museum of Art Home School for the Arts Saugatuck Center for the Arts Material Girls: Quilts by Judith Jarzembowski and Rugs by Judy Bowman Anthrop UICA Finding Vivian Maier, Under the Skin

thursday

5.15

Bell’s Eccentric Cafe Wild Ponies Bobarino’s Dueling Pianos Circle Theatre Jesus Christ Superstar Dog Story Theater Marilyn’s Kennedy Dowagiac Dogwood Fine Arts Festival Up Front Artwalk Dr. Grins Nikki Glaser Founders Brewing Co. O’Death wsg Left Lane Cruiser Franke Ceneter for the Arts Deathtrap

Frederik Meijer Gardens Bernar Venet Gallery Uptown Woodturners and Wives GRAM GRAM Selects ArtPrize 2013: Encore, Michigan Artist Series GR Public Museum Dream It Build It H.O.M.E. Karisa Wilson & A.B. The Intersection Queensryche, Reignwolf JW Marriott Steeple Chase 10K Running Tour Kzoo Civic Theatre Annie Get Your Gun KIA Cultural Encounters, Inside Steinway Knickerbocker Theatre The Lunchbox LowellArts! 3rd Annual Junior Regional (Art) Competition The Pyramid Scheme Of Montreal wsg Dream Tiger Rockford Brewing Company Fly Paper San Chez Bistro Cocktails with a Twist: Cocktail Creation Class Saugatuck Center for the Arts Material Girls: Quilts by Judith Jarzembowski and Rugs by Judy Bowman Anthrop The Score Niche Band Tip Top Deluxe Dirty Bourbon River Show wsg The Moonrays UICA Finding Vivian Maier, Under the Skin Wealthy Theatre West Michigan Savoyards presents Princess Ida

friday

5.16

The B.O.B Brewery Acoustic Series: J Ryan Berends Bell’s Eccentric Cafe The Steel City Rovers Bobarino’s Dueling Pianos Cancun Connection Bar & Grill Refurbushed Central Park Players Anne of Green Gables Circle Theatre Jesus Christ Superstar Coral Gables Tom Northrup DeVos Performance Hall Grand Rapids Symphony Pops: Glenn Miller Orchestra Dog Story Theater Marilyn’s Kennedy Dowagiac Dogwood Fine Arts Festival Up Front Artwalk Downtown Battle Creek Spring into the Arts Dr. Grins Nikki Glaser

Baths

Best Bet: Electro Pop Gotta love it when a classically trained muBaths wsg Young sical prodigy shucks tradition to become a totally Fathers and P. Morris badass DJ. OK, well, Will Wiesenfeld, known to the The Pyramid Scheme, glow stick crowd as Baths, is perhaps the only example I Grand Rapids can come up with to demonstrate such a phenomenon, May 5, 8 p.m., $12 but hopefully other electronically minded folks will pyramidschemebar.com, follow his stunning example. Indeed, the artist known (616) 272-3758 by his cleansing moniker sure has been mopping the floor with the competition lately. Said floor-mopping includes two albums to his credit (including last year’s incredibly well-received Obsidian), one collection of B-sides, and a whole hell of a lot of rocking live shows.

No doubt, Wiesenfeld/Baths has definitely proven himself the master at finding the squeaky clean touch in between layers of decedent, dirty beats. If you’re up for busting a little move on a Monday night, have at the Pyramid Scheme. You can clean up later. Reported by Emma Kat Richardson

Foundry Hall Folias Flute and Guitar Duo Frauenthal Theatre West Michigan Symphony Concert Series: Russian Rhapsody Frederik Meijer Gardens Bernar Venet

Gallery Uptown Woodturners and Wives Grand Haven State Park Great Lakes Kite Festival GRAM GRAM Selects ArtPrize 2013: Encore, Michigan Artist Series

GR Public Museum Dream It Build It The House of Pancakes BrekFEST The Intersection Manchester Orchestra wsg Balance and Composure & Kevin Devine and the Goddamn Band; Mustache

Masquerade with Flash Clash F.O.C.K.S. & Snits JW Marriott Art Dart 5K Running Tour Kzoo Civic Theatre Annie Get Your Gun KIA Cultural Encounters, Inside Steinway Kirby Grill Sprague Brotherz Knickerbocker Theatre The Lunchbox The Livery Tim Stop Band LowellArts! 3rd Annual Junior Regional (Art) Competition Peter Martin Wege Theatre Grand Rapids Ballet Company Presents A Midsummer Night’s Dream Planet Rock Framing Hanley wsg Starset, 3 Years Hollow The Pyramid Scheme Super Happy Funtime Burlesque The Riviera Theatre Burdick-Thorne String Quartet Rockford Brewing Company Sam Corbin & Jen Sygit Saugatuck Center for the Arts Material Girls: Quilts by Judith Jarzembowski and Rugs by Judy Bowman Anthrop

Schuler Books 28th Street Josh Malerman The Score Trilogy Seven Steps Up Wild Ponies Tip Top Deluxe Murder Party! Jesse Ray & The Carolina Catfish Josh Lil’ Brother Leonard UICA Under the Skin Watermark 920 Watermark Live Spring Concert Series Webster’s Big Boss Blues

saturday

5.17

The 411 Club Comedy Show The B.O.B Brewery Acoustic Series: Dustin Mason Bell’s Eccentric Cafe The Crane Wives wsg Cabildo Bobarino’s Dueling Pianos Cancun Connection Bar & Grill Refurbushed Central Park Players Anne of Green Gables Circle Theatre Jesus Christ Superstar

Coopersville Farm Museum Lamont Spring Festival and Car Show Coral Gables Kevin Villo DeVos Performance Hall Grand Rapids Symphony Pops: Glenn Miller Orchestra Dog Story Theater Marilyn’s Kennedy Dowagiac Dogwood Fine Arts Festival Up Front Artwalk Dowagiac Middle School Performing Arts Center Mitch Ryder Dr. Grins Nikki Glaser Founders Brewing Co. 7th Annual Bob Dylan Tribute wsg Nicholas James and the Bandwagon Juke Joint Handmedowns Devin and the Dead Frets Ian Gorman Josh Rose Foundry Hall Jim Hurst Frauenthal Theatre West Michigan Symphony Concert Series: Russian Rhapsody Frederik Meijer Gardens Bernar Venet Gallery Uptown Woodturners and Wives Grand Haven State Park Great Lakes Kite Festival

GRAM GRAM Selects ArtPrize 2013: Encore, Michigan Artist Series GR Public Museum Dream It Build It The House of Pancakes BrekFEST The Intersection Donna The Buffalo with Big Dudee Roo Kzoo Civic Theatre Annie Get Your Gun Kzoo County Fair Grounds Kalamazoo Circus Maximus Toy Show KIA Cultural Encounters, Inside Steinway Kirby Grill Groove Solution R&B Soul Disco Rock Knickerbocker Theatre The Lunchbox LaFontsee Galleries Douglas Hop Skip & a Jump The Livery The Chris Greene Quartet LowellArts! 3rd Annual Junior Regional (Art) Competition Maestro Bike-A-Palooza Mangia Mangia Peter ‘Madcat’ Ruth & Dave Boutette Millenium Park Hit and Run 5k The Orbit Room Seether wsg Black Stone Cherry and Skindred Papa Pete’s The New Old Cavalry

Peter Martin Wege Theatre Grand Rapids Ballet Company Presents A Midsummer Night’s Dream Planet Rock Prospet Hill wsg Resonance Unhinged Circleswitch 10 Gauge Rage The Pyramid Scheme Still Remains wsg Fine Fine Titans and Equal Parts Rivertown Sports Grand Raggidy Roller Girls VS Ann Arbor Derby Dimes Rosa Parks Circle Downtown Fiesta The Score Oregon Dream Child Tip Top Deluxe The Soul Syndicate UICA Under the Skin Wealthy Theatre West Michigan Savoyards presents Princess Ida Whirlpool Centennial Park 2014 BBQ Blues and Bluegrass: A Taste of Michigan

sunday

5.18

Brewery Vivant Handlebar Happy Hour-Special Edition

Circle Theatre Jesus Christ Superstar Coopersville Farm Museum and Event Center Capes and Crowns 5k Run DeVos Performance Hall Grand Rapids Symphony Pops: Glenn Miller Orchestra Dog Story Theater Marilyn’s Kennedy Dowagiac Dogwood Fine Arts Festival Up Front Artwalk Founders Brewing Co. Bad Veins Franke Ceneter for the Arts Deathtrap Frederik Meijer Gardens Bernar Venet Grand Haven State Park Great Lakes Kite Festival GRAM GRAM Selects ArtPrize 2013: Encore, Michigan Artist Series, Michigan Modern: Design That Shaped America GR Public Museum Dream It Build It Kzoo Civic Theatre Annie Get Your Gun KIA Cultural Encounters, Inside Steinway

Scene | Sounds | Sights | Dining Schedule REVUEWM.COM | May 2014 |

71

Schedule McFadden’s Restaurant & Saloon Mayfest Wine Tasting Muskegon Museum of Art Brown Bag Film: Paris the Luminous Years Part 1 Peter Martin Wege Theatre Grand Rapids Ballet Company Presents A Midsummer Night’s Dream Saugatuck Center for the Arts Mike Super - Illusionist The Score Band Sheet Tip Top Deluxe The Blasters wsg Dutch Henry UICA Under the Skin Wealthy Theatre West Michigan Savoyards presents Princess Ida

monday

5.19

Frederik Meijer Gardens Bernar Venet Gallery Uptown Woodturners and Wives GR Public Museum Dream It Build It JW Marriott Lapping the Landmarks 5K Running Tour Kent District Library: Cascade Township branch Meet the Author: Jaime Westenbarger Knickerbocker Theatre A Birder’s Guide to Everything Saugatuck Center for the Arts Material Girls: Quilts by Judith Jarzembowski and Rugs by Judy Bowman Anthrop The Score Livin’ the Dream Tip Top Deluxe The Blasters wsg The Lazy Hands

tuesday

Schedule Dining | Sights | Sounds | Scene

5.20

Frederik Meijer Gardens Bernar Venet Gallery Uptown Woodturners and Wives GRAM GRAM Selects ArtPrize 2013: Encore, Michigan Artist Series, Michigan Modern: Design That Shaped America GR Public Museum Dream It Build It JW Marriott Art Dart 5K Running Tour KIA Cultural Encounters, Inside Steinway Kellogg Arena Alice in Chains wsg.

Monster Truck Knickerbocker Theatre A Birder’s Guide to Everything LowellArts! 3rd Annual Junior Regional (Art) Competition

72 | REVUEWM.COM | May 2014

Saugatuck Center for the Arts Material Girls: Quilts by Judith Jarzembowski and Rugs by Judy Bowman Anthrop The Score Buddy Twist SpeakEZ Lounge MartiniMOTH UICA Under the Skin Wealthy Theatre Meanwhile Movie: Animal House

wednesday

5.21

The 411 Club Cinema Fantastique Cult Film Night Bell’s Eccentric Cafe Yankees at Cubs Bus Trip Bobarino’s Dueling Pianos Circle Theatre Jesus Christ Superstar Foundry Hall Song Swap Frederik Meijer Gardens Bernar Venet Gallery Uptown Woodturners and Wives GRAM GRAM Selects ArtPrize 2013: Encore, Michigan Artist Series, Michigan Modern: Design That Shaped America GR Public Museum Dream It Build It JW Marriott Lapping the Landmarks 5K Running Tour KIA Cultural Encounters, Inside Steinway Kzoo Public Library Mark Stuart Kent Distric Library: Plainfield Township Branch Meet the Author: Jaime Westenbarger Knickerbocker Theatre A Birder’s Guide to Everything LowellArts! 3rd Annual Junior Regional (Art) Competition Muskegon Museum of Art Friends of Art Annual Meeting & Program: Garden Sculpture The Pyramid Scheme Steve Moakler with special guest Cody Fry Saugatuck Center for the Arts Material Girls: Quilts by Judith Jarzembowski and Rugs by Judy Bowman Anthrop The Score Brena Tip Top Deluxe The Ditchrunners, The Drunken Cuddle, The Piss Poor Players UICA Under the Skin

thursday

5.22

Bobarino’s Dueling Pianos

Circle Theatre Jesus Christ Superstar Dog Story Theater Marilyn’s Kennedy Dr. Grins Steve Iott Founders Brewing Co. Carrie Nation & The Speakeasy wsg The Calamity Cubes The Tillers Jeff Shepherd and the Jailhouse Poets Frederik Meijer Gardens Bernar Venet Gallery Uptown Woodturners and Wives GRAM ArtPrize 2013: Encore, Michigan Artist Series, Michigan Modern: Design That Shaped America GR Public Museum Dream It Build It H.O.M.E. Matt Gabriel & Gabriel James & Dave Palma The Intersection Mushroomhead with Erasing Never Lydia Can’t Breathe Unsaid Fate Withhold The Blood Society Kills & Of All We Cherish JW Marriott Steeple Chase 10K Running Tour KIA Cultural Encounters, Inside Steinway Knickerbocker Theatre A Birder’s Guide to Everything LowellArts! 3rd Annual Junior Regional (Art) Competition Muskegon Museum of Art 86th Regional Exhibition: All-Michigan Edition, Brown Bag Film: Paris the Luminous Years: Part II, Interference Pool: Annica Cuppetelli and Cristobal Mendoza The Pyramid Scheme The Goddamn Gallows wsg Two Cow Garage and Empty Orchestra Rockford Brewing Company The Weatherheads Saugatuck Center for the Arts Material Girls: Quilts by Judith Jarzembowski and Rugs by Judy Bowman Anthrop The Score Skankadank Schuler Books 28th Street Author Talk & Booksigning with Tracy Brogan UICA Under the Skin

friday

5.23

The 411 Club The Kelly Richey Band The B.O.B Brewery Acoustic Series: Cole Hansen Bell’s Eccentric Cafe Super Happy Funtime Burlesque Bobarino’s Dueling Pianos Cancun Connection Bar & Grill DJ Hank

Circle Theatre Jesus Christ Superstar Coral Gables Tom Northrup District Square Big Boss Blues Dog Story Theater Marilyn’s Kennedy Dr. Grins Steve Iott Foundry Hall Mark Stuart Frauenthal Theatre HDOE Should’ve Been An Album Live Frederik Meijer Gardens Bernar Venet, David Nash: From Kew Gardens to Meijer Gardens Gallery Uptown Woodturners and Wives GRAM GRAM Selects ArtPrize 2013: Encore, Michigan Artist Series, Michigan Modern: Design That Shaped America GR Public Museum Dream It Build It The Intersection Morlock Night JW Marriott Art Dart 5K Running Tour KIA Cultural Encounters, Inside Steinway Kirby Grill Oregon Dreamchild 80s to current Knickerbocker Theatre A Birder’s Guide to Everything Little River Casino Resort Hotel California Muskegon Museum of Art 86th Regional Exhibition: All-Michigan Edition, Interference Pool: Annica Cuppetelli and Cristobal Mendoza The Pyramid Scheme Grand Rapids Soul Club The Riviera Theatre The Appleseed Collective Rockford Brewing Company Walsher Clemons Saugatuck Center for the Arts Material Girls: Quilts by Judith Jarzembowski and Rugs by Judy Bowman Anthrop The Score River City Stew Tip Top Deluxe The Rusty Wright Band

saturday

5.24

The 411 Club Killamazoo Derby Darlins Zombie Prom Barnes & Noble Woodland Mall Author Signing: Robin Marvel Bell’s Eccentric Cafe Jack and the Bear Bobarino’s Dueling Pianos Cancun Connection Bar & Grill DJ Hank Circle Theatre Jesus Christ Superstar Coral Gables Tom Northrup

Dog Story Theater Marilyn’s Kennedy Dr. Grins Steve Iott Foundry Hall Deep Fried Pickle Project Frederik Meijer Gardens Bernar Venet, David Nash: From Kew Gardens to Meijer Gardens Gallery Uptown Woodturners and Wives GRAM GRAM Selects ArtPrize 2013: Encore, Michigan Artist Series, Michigan Modern: Design That Shaped America The Intersection The Invasion KIA Cultural Encounters, Inside Steinway Kirby Grill Oregon Dreamchild Knickerbocker Theatre A Birder’s Guide to Everything The Livery Mark Ficks Muskegon Museum of Art 86th Regional Exhibition: All-Michigan Edition, Interference Pool: Annica Cuppetelli and Cristobal Mendoza The Pyramid Scheme Assorted Anonymous with special guests Mad Snipes and DJ Snax The Round Barn DiVine Intervention The Score Shimmie Pearl SpeakEZ Lounge Lazy Blue Tunas Thirsty Perch Mike Struwin

sunday

5.25

Coral Gables Tommy Orr Foundry Hall The Tillers Frederik Meijer Gardens Bernar Venet, David Nash: From Kew Gardens to Meijer Gardens GRAM ArtPrize 2013: Encore, Michigan Artist Series, Michigan Modern: Design That Shaped America GR Public Museum Dream It Build It KIA Cultural Encounters, Inside Steinway The Livery Irish Music Session The Round Barn DiVine Intervention Muskegon Museum of Art 86th Regional Exhibition: All-Michigan Edition, Interference Pool: Annica Cuppetelli and Cristobal Mendoza The Score Trilogy

monday

5.26

Frederik Meijer Gardens Bernar Venet, David Nash: From Kew Gardens to Meijer Gardens

Gallery Uptown Woodturners and Wives GR Public Museum Dream It Build It JW Marriott Lapping the Landmarks 5K Running Tour Saugatuck Center for the Arts Material Girls: Quilts by Judith Jarzembowski and Rugs by Judy Bowman Anthrop The Score David Cisco

tuesday

5.27

Frederik Meijer Gardens Bernar Venet, David Nash: From Kew Gardens to Meijer Gardens Gallery Uptown Woodturners and Wives GRAM ArtPrize 2013: Encore, Michigan Artist Series, Michigan Modern: Design That Shaped America GR Public Museum Dream It Build It The Intersection Animals As Leaders with Conquering Dystopia (feat. Jeff Loomis & Keith Morrow) Chon & TBA. JW Marriott Art Dart 5K Running Tour KIA Cultural Encounters: India Burma and Tibet Knickerbocker Theatre Redwood Highway Muskegon Museum of Art 86th Regional Exhibition: All-Michigan Edition, Interference Pool: Annica Cuppetelli and Cristobal Mendoza Saugatuck Center for the Arts Material Girls: Quilts by Judith Jarzembowski and Rugs by Judy Bowman Anthrop The Score Hazy Past Wealthy Theatre Meanwhile Movie: Caddyshack

wednesday

5.28

Bobarino’s Dueling Pianos Frederik Meijer Gardens Bernar Venet, David Nash: From Kew Gardens to Meijer Gardens Gallery Uptown Woodturners and Wives GRAM ArtPrize 2013: Encore, Michigan Artist Series, Michigan Modern: Design That Shaped America GR Public Museum Dream It Build It The Intersection Dopapod with SOAP JW Marriott Lapping the Landmarks 5K Running Tour KIA Cultural Encounters Kzoo State Theatre The Head and the Heart

Scene | Sounds | Sights | Dining Schedule

73

REVUEWM.COM | May 2014 |

Schedule Knickerbocker Theatre Redwood Highway Muskegon Museum of Art 86th Regional Exhibition: All-Michigan Edition, Interference Pool: Annica Cuppetelli and Cristobal Mendoza Saugatuck Center for the Arts Material Girls: Quilts by Judith Jarzembowski and Rugs by Judy Bowman Anthrop The Score Outer Vibe Schuler Books 28th Street Author Talk & Booksigning with Roberta King Tip Top Deluxe Shawn James and the Shapeshifters Dale Petty

thursday

5.29

Bobarino’s Dueling Pianos Dr. Grins Jeff Dye Founders Brewery Thick as Thieves wsg The Barbarossa Brothers Frederik Meijer Gardens Bernar Venet, David Nash: From Kew Gardens to Meijer Gardens

Gallery Uptown Woodturners and Wives GRAM ArtPrize 2013: Encore, Michigan Artist Series, Michigan Modern: Design That Shaped America GR Public Museum Dream It Build It H.O.M.E. Sweet J Band Lucas Jack Band JW Marriott Steeple Chase 10K Running Tour KIA Cultural Encounters: India Burma and Tibet Knickerbocker Theatre Redwood Highway Muskegon Museum of Art 86th Regional Exhibition: All-Michigan Edition, Interference Pool: Annica Cuppetelli and Cristobal Mendoza The Pyramid Scheme The Detroit Cobras with special guest Pujol Rockford Brewing Company The Mainstays Saugatuck Center for the Arts Material Girls: Quilts by Judith Jarzembowski and Rugs by Judy Bowman Anthrop The Score Strumble Head

friday

5.30

The B.O.B Central District Cycling Blue Bridge Drag Race Bell’s Eccentric Cafe The Diggity wsg DJ No DJ & Evan Wouters Black River Tavern Big Boss Blues Bobarino’s Dueling Pianos Cancun Connection Bar & Grill YSU Coral Gables Greg Poltrock Dr. Grins Jeff Dye Foundry Hall Breeze from the East: Wisaal wsg Bohme Tribal & Friends Four Winds Casino Jay Leno Frederik Meijer Gardens Bernar Venet, David Nash: From Kew Gardens to Meijer Gardens Gallery Uptown Woodturners and Wives GRAM GRAM Selects ArtPrize 2013: Encore, Michigan Artist Series, Michigan Modern: Design That Shaped America GR Public Museum Dream It Build It JW Marriott Art Dart 5K Running Tour

KIA Cultural Encounters: India Burma and Tibet Kirby Grill Drop 35 West Michigan’s best party band Knickerbocker Theatre Redwood Highway The Livery Ami Saraiya & The Outcome Muskegon Museum of Art 86th Regional Exhibition: All-Michigan Edition, Interference Pool: Annica Cuppetelli and Cristobal Mendoza The Park Theatre Super Happy Funtime Burlesque Rockford Brewing Co. Skankadank Saugatuck Center for the Arts Material Girls: Quilts by Judith Jarzembowski and Rugs by Judy Bowman Anthrop The Score 3’s a Crowd Tip Top Deluxe Skye’s 30th Birthday Party with Dead Eye Zack Justin VanHaven Shady Bob UICA Festival 2014 Regional Arts Exhibition

saturday

5.31

The B.O.B. Brewery Acoustic Series: Eric Soules & Hailey Joan Bell’s Eccentric Cafe Corn Fed Girls Bobarino’s Dueling Pianos Cancun Connection Bar & Grill YSU Coral Gables Greg Poltrock Downtown Silver Lake Blues, Brews and Dunes Dr. Grins Jeff Dye FireKeepers Casino Hotel Tesla First Baptist Church The Nightingale Frederik Meijer Gardens Bernar Venet, David Nash: From Kew Gardens to Meijer Gardens Gallery Uptown Woodturners and Wives GRAM ArtPrize 2013: Encore, Michigan Artist Series, Michigan Modern: Design That Shaped America GR Public Museum Dream It Build It Kzoo County Expo Center Killamazoo Derby Darlins vs. Cincinnati Roller Girls; Run or Dye 5K

KIA Cultural Encounters: India Burma and Tibet Kirby Grill Plain Jayne SwingRhythm & Blues Knickerbocker Theatre Redwood Highway Mulligan’s Pub Lake Timber The Kicking Sticks and King Median Muskegon Museum of Art 86th Regional Exhibition: All-Michigan Edition, Interference Pool: Annica Cuppetelli and Cristobal Mendoza Papa Pete’s Funky Marbles The Park Theatre Super Happy Funtime Burlesque Peter Martin Wege Theatre West Michigan Jazz Society Presents Ruslan Sirota The Score 13th Hour Tip Top Deluxe The JetBeats CD Release Party with White Rabbit UICA Festival 2014 Regional Arts Exhibition Wealthy Theatre Pop Scholars n

For more events and info, check out our calendar at revueWm.com.

Schedule Dining | Sights | Sounds | Scene

DO YOU KNOW THE

74 | REVUEWM.COM | May 2014

BRUPHIN MAN? Bruphins: bread pudding muffins.

Yep, you’re reading this correctly.

Available at the Muskegon Farmers’ Market on Saturdays

The Bruphin Man info@thebruphinman.com