West Michigan’s Entertainment Guide for 25 years
» August 2013
Music / Movies / Art / Culture / Beer / Free!
Jasinya Sanchez
Hot performer
What’s on our radar in West Michigan
The Hot Issue
™ CERTIFIED HOT ENTERTAINMENT Get great seats for these can't-miss shows featuring the biggest names in entertainment! AN EVENING WITH YES
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RODNEY CARRINGTON
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MOODY BLUES
SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 28 • 8 PM Tickets start at just $38!
RUSSELL PETERS
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What’s Inside
August 2013 | Volume 25, Issue 8
SCENE: 13 16 18 20 22
Random Notes Beer Free Market Eclectic All Ages
SPECIAL SECTION: 25 The Hot Issue 27 Q&A with Jasina Sanchez 28 Hot Topic: Weed
SOUNDS:
25
33 Sink’s Spins 34 On Tour: Phil Anselmo & The Illegals 36 On Tour: The Appleseed Cast
The Hot Issue
39
Visual Art
SIGHTS:
39 Visual Arts: Con Artist Crew 40 Lit Life: Detroit Rock City 42 Theatre: Boeing Boeing 44 Indie Film 45 Movie Previews 46 Comedy: Dan St. Germain 48 Style Notes
DINING:
51 Restaurant Listings 52 Taste This: Restaurant Week, Bar Divani
52
Taste This
SCHEDULE:
59 Daily Event Listings and Best Bets
Letter from the Editor
I
W e s t M ichi g an ’ s E n t ertainmen t Guide
first saw Jas inya Sanchez perform in the Spectacular Super Colossal Gay Jesus Musical at Wealthy Theatre in 2009. What stood out most was her voice. Girl can sing.
I saw her again three years later at a Halloween drag show. While all the performers were fabulous, Sanchez did one thing the rest did not: she sang. Boy, did she sing. Seeing Miss Sanchez perform for the second time, I knew REVUE needed to feature her as one of our Q&A subjects. But not just any Q&A subject, the Hot Performer for our annual Hot Issue. Off the stage, Jasinya is still “on.” She’s animated, funny and insightful, proving my suspicions that she would make for a great Q&A. The result? Well, you’ll just have to flip through and see. But Jasinya’s not the only one heating up West Michigan. Audiotree Music Festival is coming to Kalamazoo for the first time. Known primarily for its in-studio concert series based in Chicago, Audiotree’s founders decided to bring this festival to their Kalamazoo hometown to meld local and national acts. And, since it’s summer, we would be remiss if we didn’t mention the frozen yogurt apocalypse that’s happening. They’re coming into our towns one by one, attracting all ages and demographics, taking our children, parents and grandparents. Maybe our dogs too, since they have to-go froyo. It’s nuts.
Rock on.
Listings schedule@revuewm.com
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
Advertising index
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Contributing Writers Kyle Austin Jamie Linari Missy Black Nick Manes Joe Boomgaard Allison Parker Jayson Bussa Carly Plank Ben Darcie Emma Kat Richardson Steven de Polo Matt Simpson Siegel Joe Gasmann John Sinkevics Alexandra Fluegel Josh Spanninga Audria Larsen Contributing photographers Terry Johnston, Elyse Wild
Find us online! Website: revuewm.com Twitter: twitter.com/revuewm Facebook: facebook.com/revuewm
Lindsay Patton-Carson, Managing Editor / lindsay@revuewm.com
DeltaPlex. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 21 Dog Story Theater . . . . . . . . . . . . 20 Downtown Market . . . . . . . . . . . . 19 Dr. Grins. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 46 Elite Health Plc.. . . . . . . . . . . . . . 24 Erb Thai. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 57 Experience Grand Rapids, Restaurant Week GR. . . . . . . . . 7 Forest Hills Fine Arts Center . . . . 47 Founders Brewing Company . . . . 15 The Gilmore Collection . . . . . . . . 50 GRand Jazz Fest. . . . . . . . . . . . . . 19 Grand Rapids Art Museum . . . . . 38 Globe Vision and Design. . . . . . . 66 Grand Rapids Public Library. . . . 43
Design Creative Director Kim Kibby / kim@revuewm.com Design Kim Kibby, Kristi Kortman, Kellie Zaplitny
Revue Minions Elizabeth Badovinac T Stastny Jordan Brasko Elyse Wild Avery Johnson Sales / 616.608.6170 Molly Rizor / molly@revuewm.com Jayson Bussa / jayson@revuewm.com
So grab your cup of froyo and enjoy all that’s hot.
8th St. Grille . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 57 Amway Hotel Corporation . . . . . . 63 Bell’s Brewery . . . . . . . . . . . . 2, 37 Billy’s Lounge. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 32 BlueCap Promotions: Rock the Rapids . . . . . . . . . . . 35 BOB’s Brewery. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 17 Brewery Vivant. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 53 Calvin Student Activities. . . . . . . 37 Cascade Optical . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8 Celebration! Cinema. . . . . . . . . . 45 Central City Taphouse. . . . . . . . . 17 Circle Theatre . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 48 CityFlats Hotel. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 55 Cult Pizza. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11
Editorial Publisher Brian Edwards / brian@revuewm.com Managing Editor Lindsay Patton-Carson / lindsay@revuewm.com
GVSU - Library Open House. . . . . 65 Grand Woods Lounge. . . . . . . . . . 67 Growco. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 19 Hope College. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 24 The Intersection. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6 John Ball Zoo Society. . . . . . . . . . 23 Michigan Irish Music Festival. . . 36 Orbit Room. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 34 Palazzolo’s Gelato . . . . . . . . . . . . 55 Phoenix Records and Boutique. . 24 Porterhouse Productions. . . . . . . . 4 The Pyramid Scheme. . . . . . . . . . . 5 Reserve. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 53 River City Improv. . . . . . . . . . . . . 66 Rock For Kids. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 23
Saugatuck Brewing Company. . . 17 Saugatuck Center for the Arts. . . 47 Schmohz Brewery. . . . . . . . . . . . . 17 Schuler Books. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 41 The Score. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 58 Seven Steps Up. . . . . . . . . . . . . . 36 Sight Optical Boutique . . . . . . . . 23 Soaring Eagle Casino & Resort. . . 3 Tommy Brann’s . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 64 The Union. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 55 Vitale’s. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 57 West Side Beer / Budweiser. . . . . 68 Wharton Center. . . . . . . . . . . . . . 49 Wurst Festival Ever. . . . . . . . . . . 12
©2013, 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: Jasinya Sanchez, shot by Terry Johnston. The Hot Issue Page 25
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4TH ANNUAL
SEPTEMBER 27, 28, 29 New Salem Corn Maze Proudly Presents
WURST FESTIVAL A Tribute To Bratwurst & Live Music!
A family friendly event featuring a variety of food vendors, beer tent (sponsored by Warhorse Riders) serving beer and wine, car show, record swap & art fair, balloon rides, petting zoo, haunted woods ride, corn maze & pumpkin patch! Don’t forget to enjoy some Polish and German cuisine on Sunday.
Friday
Saturday
(Gates open at 5 pm)
(Gates open at 11 am)
6:00 PM
12:30 PM
IN THE RED
STONE THROWN
(High Energy Rock Show)
2:00 PM
DECADES
(The Best Of The 60’s, 70’s, 80’s, 90’s & Today)
10:00 PM
ONE
XPLICIT CITIZEN
(Northern Michigan’s Classic & Modern Rock Connection)
3:30 PM
(The Official Metallica Endorsed Tribute Band)
THE OUTER VIBE
10:00 PM
ACADEMY 4
ROCKSHOW
(Multi-Vocal & Multi Instrument All Girl Band)
(Incredible Journey Tribute Band Live & In Costume)
6:30 PM
Sunday
(The Blues Rock Sounds of the 60’s & 70’s)
8:00 PM
5:00 PM
UNION GUNS
(Kick A*# Country & Rock)
FEATURING
8:15 PM
THE JERRY KOMINSKI POLKA BAND
THE AMERICAN HEARTBREAKERS
(“The Tribute” to the Music of Tom Petty)
(Ultra Animated, Audience Involving, Rock & Roll)
4516 24th Street, Dorr, MI (131 to exit 68/Dorr. Then West approximately 5.5 Miles to 24th. St. Then North 1.5 miles to farm)
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(Gates open at Noon)
(Polka Band Hall Of Fame Renown)
Random Notes Community ///
John Butler Trio
On Tour ///
Local Music ///
On Aug. 23, Muskegon native hip-hop duo HD are throwing a release party for their original project, Homecoming at Watermark 920 in Muskegon. Admission is $10 in advance and $12 at the door. Be sure to catch the West Michigan born-and-raised duo, whose cover of Mann’s “Buzzin’” was the third most requested song for two weeks on 104.5 FM WSNX.
MGMT
National CD Releases ///
Soft-pop-blues-folk-rock brash tabloid poster boy John Mayer releases his sixth studio album Paradise Valley on Aug. 13 ... Psychedelic indie rockers MGMT blew the hell up in 2008 with their first album, Oracular Spectacular, laying the soundtrack for that year and filling iPods everywhere with dreamy, space-rock gems. The duo unleashes its third studio album, a self-titled number, on Aug. 20 ... Cee-Lo Green, Khujo,T-Mo and Big Gipp of Goodie Mob have put their differences aside and band together for the first time since 1999 to release Age Against the Machine. After many delays and multiple date changes, the pending album is said to hit streets Aug... 27? Hopefully? ... Remember Franz Ferdinand? The electrically fun post-punk revivalists from Glasglow are set to drop their fourth studio album, Right Thoughts, Right Words, Right Actions, on Aug. 27 ... There is plenty of new music to look forward to this August, including releases from Sam Phillips (Aug. 13), I See Stars (Aug. 13), Parachute (Aug. 13), Blue October (Aug. 20), Michael Monroe (Aug. 23) and Big Sean (Aug. 27).
Head over to the Kroc Center to participate in free family movie nights, hosted by The Salvation Army Ray and Joan Kroc Corps Community Center. Films set to show are The Great and Powerful Oz in the outdoor amphitheater on Aug. 6 at 5 p.m. and Toy Story in the worship and performing arts center on Aug. 23 at 7 p.m. Be sure to take advantage of the giant outdoor slip & slide, live entertainment and other activities sponsored by River City Scholars NHA before heading into the movie. ... Enjoy the last lazy days of summer with B-93, Woodford Reserve and The B.O.B. as they host the first annual Backyard Continued on page 14 8
REVUEWM.COM | August 2013 |
Scene Sounds | Sights | Dining | Schedule
Frederik Meijer Gardens proves itself as the place to catch incredible shows and keeps ‘em coming this month for its killer summer concert series. The Beach Boys kick things off with a sold-out performance on Aug. 1, followed by John Butler Trio (Aug. 2), Grizzly Bear (Aug. 3), Randy Newman (Aug 8), Owl City (Aug. 11), Big Bad Voodoo Daddy (Aug. 15), Michael McDonald (Aug. 21), Lyle Lovett and His Large Band (Aug. 24) and Smokey Robinson (Aug. 28). .... Spoken word artist and activist Levi The Poet comes to The Pyramid Scheme Aug. 22 for a concert/ dance-off hosted by Grand Rapids’ End Bullying, Save Lives. Prepare to be lyrically mesmerized while throwin’ down for a wicked dance battle. ... Also coming to The Pyramid Scheme is the 2nd Great Lakes Regional Beard and Mustache Competition. Witness some of the hairiest men and women in West Michigan, as well as some extraordinary works of facial art on Aug. 24.
After nearly 10 years on Division Avenue, volunteer run music venue and art gallery The Division Avenue Arts Collective (The DAAC) is being forced to close its doors on Aug. 1 due to a change in building ownership. As a venue welcoming uberindie acts, The DAAC offered up its stage to now-successful Michigan bands such as Breathe Owl Breathe and La Dispute, while bringing to Grand Rapids bands from all over the nation that otherwise would have remained unseen in our city. The South Division staple also hosted countless movie screenings, workshops and art shows, always all-ages, always all welcoming. The grassroots organization took leading steps to foster the DIY mentality that is a cornerstone of the Heartside Neighborhood and contributed $3,300 to the community in the form of Sunday Soup grants, all while sustaining itself through the service of volunteers. Although the venue is canceling all of its programming scheduled after July 29, The DAAC insists that this is not the end.
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Random Notes
Beneath the Surface: Shipwrecks
Bourbon & BBQ on Aug. 24, outside at The B.O.B. Check out the huge variety of barbecue from some of GR’s best, enjoy some live country music and cool off by tasting some top-notch bourbons. Entry is free to the public. ... Grand Rapids Public Museum presents “Beneath the Surface: Shipwrecks” with Jay Follis and Bill Helmholdt on Aug. 24, in the Meijer Theatre. The event starts at 1:30 p.m. and features national figure Jay Follis talking about West Michigan connec-
Important Dates Ad Reservation Deadline: Aug. 19 Editorial Deadline: Aug. 5 Delivery: Aug. 31
Schedule | Dining | sights | Sounds Scene
Beneath the Surface exhibit tions to the Titanic, while Bill Helmholdt explores instances of maritime disasters in the Great Lakes. Tickets for the event are $3. Each presentation is made in conjunction with GRPM’s current TITANIC Artifact Exhibition. ... The Free Beer and Hot Wings Morning Show has extended their contract with Townsquare Media through 2018. Gregg “Free Beer” Daniels, Chris “Hot Wings” Michels, and Eric Zane have been building their legacy across the country for years before establishing a base in Grand Rapids in 2004. Now they can reach out fans in 25 states, while strengthening their local following right here in West Michigan. The Free Beer and Hot Wings Show will continue to air on 97.9 WGRD.
Beer ///
May the power of art and beer unite! Two Grand Rapids mainstays, Founders Brewing Co. and ArtPrize recently made official a deal that will place Founders as the lead
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sponsor of ArtPrize for the next five years. This month, the brewery introduces a new specially brewed ale in honor of the world’s largest international art bonanza, Inspired Artist IPA. At 7.5% ABV, this unique brew utilizes midnight wheat and an array of tropical hops. The IPA will premiere in the Founders Taproom on Aug 19, followed by a distribution release on Aug. 26. The brew will be sold all over Michigan for a limited time, with proceeds going toward supporting future programming of Art Prize ... Tickets are now on sale for the Traverse City Microbrew & Music Festival on Aug 23 & 24. The fifth annual festival, located at the Village at Grand Traverse Commons in Traverse City, will feature an array of Michigan’s microbrews (beer, wine, non-alcoholic, you name it!) in addition to local food and, of course, live music all weekend long. Performances this year include The Wailers and Michael Franti & Spearhead. This event is limited to ages 21 and up. ... Celebrate Grand
Rapids being named BeerCity USA for the second consecutive year with 97.9 WGRD’s 3rd Annual Summer Craft Beer Festival on Aug. 17 at John Ball Park. Wet your whistle with other beer aficionados and try samples from more than 20 breweries. Gate opens at 2 p.m. Tickets are $30 in advance and $35 the day of the event.
Dining ///
Michigan is known for its handcrafted beer, now it’s time for handcrafted food. Head over to the newly named Terra GR (formerly Trillium Haven Restaurant) to experience the freshest local products GR has to offer, prepared with new techniques designed to bring the farm-to-table experience to a whole new level. The restaurant stays open Monday through Friday, with lunch starting at 11 a.m., and dinner at 5 p.m. Don’t forget happy hour and a weekend brunch.
On Aug. 22 at 7 p.m., get your crime junkie on for and learn what techniques the FBI has used to investigate bank robberies over the years and how they compile the Ten Most Wanted for Bank Robberies and the FBI. n Random Notes is compiled by REVUE staff and minions, including Liz Badovinac, Jordan Brasko, Lindsay Patton-Carson, T Stastny and Elyse Wild. For more music, art and entertainment news, including breaking concert announcements and giveaways, “Like” us on Facebook (facebook.com/revuewm.com) or follow us on Twitter at twitter.com/revuewm.
Literary ///
The Grand Rapids Public Library’s main branch pulls out all the stops this summer to bring patrons an eclectic and entertaining lineup of events. Ever wonder what it would be like to take a gander around Antarctica? Join educator Susan Tate as she retells the tale of her March 2013 trip to the continent with environmental leader Sir Robert Swan for Antarctica--Exploring and Protecting Earth’s Last Great Wilderness (Aug. 14, 7 p.m.). A few days later, the library’s parking lot will be full of camping vessels of yesteryear for The Vintage Trailer Show (Aug. 17, 10 a.m.), open for your perusal.
Susan Tate
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/// Beer
by Ben Darcie
Brewery Spotlight: Beer of the Month
Mt. Pleasant Brewing Company’s Sacred Gruit Ale
C
hange things up as the seasons start to change with this gruit from Mt. Pleasant. What is a gruit, you ask? It is a pre-hops style of beer that uses local spices and herbs to counterbalance the malty sweetness of fermented beer.
This beer pours hazy orange with a quickly dissipating white head. The nose is full of herbs, bright citrus and some must. It is low-to-medium bodied with a tartness up front, which is followed by a complex display of herbs (including rosemary) over the slightly bready body, and finishes with a semi-tartness that lingers.
Schedule | Dining | sights | Sounds Scene
Beer News On Aug. 5, Founders Brewing Company releases the next backstage series release: Mango Magnifico Con Calor.
Big Lake Brewing
B
ig Lake b egan wh e re most breweries do: homebrewing. Co-owners Nic Winhimius and Travis Prueter had been brewing together since they met in 2007, and, like most homebrewers, aspired to open their own brewery and began laying the tracks. “Greg [Makeller] joined the group about a year and a half ago,” Winhimius said. “We were friends already and had worked together, but Greg was a winemaker — and I said ‘That’s perfect! We’ll make both.’” The two have spent the last three years formulating beer recipes, honing them and getting them ready for the brewery. “We wanted to build everything ourselves, our beer, our wine, our place,” Makeller said. They applied for their LLC, and had to provide a name right away. “Growing up in the area, there’s small inland lakes everywhere, but everyone refers to Lake Michigan as ‘the Big Lake,’” Makeller said. With the trio established, they began looking for a location in Holland, as well as for ways to fund their new brewery, all the while saving money on their own. After some difficulty Big Lake Brewing trying to raise the funds 977 Butternut Ave., Suite #4, Holland through investors and banks, (616) 796-8888, facebook.com/ they realized they had saved biglakebrewing enough between the three of them to purchase their new brewhouse. “[The investor’s] dream of what this brewery was going to be was more of what New Holland’s pub is today — a huge operation, downtown, with a pub and a kitchen,” Winhimius said. “We didn’t set out to do that.” They continued to discover new possible locations, and were introduced to their soon-to-be home along with property owner Bill Vanhuizen, who was very interested in bringing a brewery into his plaza and helped Big Lake to open. The owners began renovating the space on their own, installing a brewery and cellar space, as well as a taproom and bar.
The Michigan Homebrew Festival and Michigan Beer Cup Awards take place on Aug. 17 in Holly. See mhfsite.com for more information. Traverse City Microbrew and Music Festival happens Aug. 23-24. Taste more than 300 beers and watch more than 100 musicians perform. Visit tcbeerfest.com for more information.
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Owners Nic Winsemius, Greg Mackeller, and Travis Prueter
Photo: Ben Darcie
“The bank doesn’t own anything in here,” Makeller said. “This is all ours — it’s a great feeling to have.” The taproom is deceitfully large, with a long wooden bar and geographical maps on the walls — even their flight carriers are rowboats — everything that represents Lake Michigan. Big Lake operates 10 taps, and upon my visit, two were dedicated to Michigan cider, four to beer and four to wine. Four beers were being served when I visited, including wheat beer (5.8% ABV), IPA (7.5% ABV), Chinook Strong Ale (8.8% ABV) and Mild Brown (5.7% ABV). The owners are planning to maintain four to five standard brews and have one to two rotating taps for seasonals and specialties. The trio expressed their love for classic styles, their desire for consistency and honing their beers to perfection. “We’re all engineers,” Prueter said. “We’ve been brewing beer for quite a long time, what we really want to concentrate on is the process — how can we make good repeatable beers as best we can?” When it came time to decide how much space to dedicate to the brewery and how much to dedicate to the taproom, the trio decided to prioritize the brewery space. “We didn’t want to shortcut the process,” Makeller said. “You sacrifice some seating in the taproom, but there may not be many people here if you don’t make good beer. We’d rather have only 60 seats, drinking 60 pints of great beer.” n
SAUGATUCK BREWING COMPANY PRESENTS
AUGUST
LIVE MUSIC Double Nickel String Band Shaneberger Duo Toby Bresnahan Jen Sygit & Sam Corbin orbin Fremont John Brian Fedewa Trace Duo Jack Lewis Trio Tim Valez Jack Leaver
THURSDAYS 6:00PM on the patio + PLUS Award winning menu with 15 crafts on tap, cask ale, hard cider and wine! Scene Sounds | Sights | Dining | Schedule
08/01 08/03 08/08 08/10 08/15 08/17 08/22 08/24 08/29 08/31
SATURDAYS 6:30PM in the pub
FAMILY FRIENDLY!
2948 BLUE STAR HWY DOUGLAS, MI - (269) 857-7222 - WWW.SBREWING.COM
REVUEWM.COM | August 2013 |
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Steven de polo’s
Free Market
New and exciting things happening in the businesses and nonprofits in West Michigan.
Jagger Madison by A. Peters, Grand Rapids
G
uys, get yer ears raised at Foremost Barbershop (152 Fulton St. E). Located around the corner from the Cottage Bar in downtown Grand Rapids, Foremost is a convenient spot for dudes who work in the area to stop in on their break, or after work, and get their lettuce cleaned up. Shop owner Andrew Theile was born and raised in Owosso, Mich. (home of the cutting-edge Steam Railroading Institute) and graduated from Lansing Barber College in 2005. Then he moved to Chicago to be closer to his girlfriend (now wife). Awww. He made his bones at the Belmont Barbershop and Chicago Barbershop over the next six years. Let’s just say he knows his way around a pair of scissors. The pull of the Mitten State and decent beer was too great, so they moved to Grand Rapids. His intentions for Foremost are simple: open a three-chair, traditional-style barber shop that caters to men only, and offer classic services that only a genuine barber can: haircuts for $16, and straight razor shaves for $25. No frills, just skill.
Schedule | Dining | sights | Sounds Scene
Muskegon’s masterful music makers, the West Michigan Symphony, has a new home. This spring, the professional regional orchestra moved into its new headquarters on the second floor of 360 W. Western Avenue. Called The Block, the building provides an intimate, up-to-date concert experience where the focus is on the music. The
Sidewalk chow: Stoner Taco
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1,800-square-foot concert space will have seating for 150 along with a chic lounge. Two-stories high, The Block boasts a balcony, windows facing Muskegon Lake, and the capacity to add an outdoor deck. “Our vision is to bring music of all kinds to The Block — an intriguing, cross-pollinated mix of music that can be intimate or explosive, but always entertaining,” said Carla Hill, WMS president and CEO. “We are trying to reach a more empowered customer who has a wide range of music interests.”Look for Michigan soprano Diane Penning’s Broadway inspired cabaret-style performance on August 17. There will also be pizza. Jagger Madison by A. Peters (40 Monroe Center) is a new fashion and home furnishings store in the MoDiv Pop Up Shop Mini Mall across from the Grand Rapids Police Department. Jagger Madison is the brainchild of audacious Amber Peters, who also owns Mulick Floral in Ada. Amber intended to open up a flower shop, but Eastern Floral had that locked up with Bokay. She then turned her attention to selling unique clothing and gift items. “Jagger Madison is not just about merchandise. We believe in quality and building long-lasting relationships,” Amber said. Jagger Madison offers luxurious casual clothing by
Tacos, Peanut Butter and Jelly Tacos and Ice Cream Desigual, which Amber has been wearing for six years. The colorful Barcelona-crafted line comple- Tacos. The winner was the Fricken Chicken Taco. ments the elegant candles, moisturizers and reed “We like to take a regular recipe and give it a twist,” Garry said. Follow Stoner Taco on Facebook as they diffusers by Votivo. Dishware by Julia Knight is an artisan-inspired line that uses organic forms as “Keep on Truckin’.” n well as wood, metal and mother of pearl. This ain’t your mom’s busted Corelle casserole. “We’re just very excited to be part of downtown Grand Rapids, which has become very metropolitan and diverse,” Amber said.
Freebies
Stoner Taco is the crispy, crunchy, tie-dyed side of Grand Rapids. Located mostly on the sidewalk outside of McFadden’s (58 Ionia Ave. SW), Stoner Taco is like a food truck if the chef was too mellow with the Messiah moss to get a truck, or even a cart, dude. The concept came about in the kitchen of Mark and Michelle Sellers, owners of the more capital-intensive HopCat, Stella’s Lounge and Grand Rapids Brewing Company. “We really liked Michelle’s tacos,” said Garry Boyd, Ringleader of BarFly Ventures, LLC. “We realized it could be its own business and it evolved into our version of a food truck.” Think two tacos for $5 with lots of local ingredients. Chefs throughout the company came up with their own Stoner Taco recipes that revealed an affinity for the hellacious herb: Doritos
Electric Cheetah owner Cory DeMint’s empire continues to expand with the opening of Uncle Cheetah’s Soup Shop (1133 Wealthy St. SE), two doors down from the old Uncle Cheetah’s Soup Shop. The new digs now features a barbecue shack with tasty pulled pork and saucy smoked brisket served by the same hipsters. The old Sandmann’s Kitchen will be replaced by a Little Caesar’s Pizza franchise (1200 Wealthy St. SE). The Michigan T-Shirt Co. recently moved to the former Warner Vineyards location at 206 College Ave. “We really wanted to be on the main level so our customers didn’t have to walk up the stairs,” said owner Mark Whitney. How exhausting.�
Scene Sounds | Sights | Dining | Schedule
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/// Eclectic
Zombie Dash
August Eclectic Events
PHOTO: Ian Anderson
August is humming with eclectic events to help you squeeze the last ounce of awesome out of summer. You can run screaming for your life (and help save others), or openly haunt a cemetery. You can come back from a watery grave for one last historic battle or watch a righteous war be waged on a level playing field. Whatever you do, don’t say you’re bored. By Audria Larsen
Zombie Dash
Schedule | Dining | sights | Sounds Scene
Spring Valley Park, Kalamazoo Aug. 10, 8:30-11 p.m. $42 for racers, free for zombies thezombiedash.com
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Zombies just won’t die and this month, the Zombie Dash rears is undead head once again. The scene is classic: a post-apocalyptic wasteland filled with lumbering zombies. Your mission is to race five kilometers against time and diminishing daylight in hopes of reaching the finish line unscathed and in possession of your health (two flag football strips). “There are other zombie dashes out there but, they are mostly in the daytime with man-made obstacles,” said Mark VanTongeren, owner and race director of Michigan Adventure Racing. “We certainly ratcheted up the intensity with our last race by towing in a bunch of junk cars, with zombies hanging around the cars as if everyone has left town and there is a kind of zombie apocalypse.” Gaining rapid popularity, the event has gone from 600 to 2,400 participants in just three races. “I think … people want their running races to be more experiential and I don’t know if there is anything more experiential and intense than 400 zombies chasing you,” VanTongren said.
Teen Cemetery Tour
Grand Rapids Public Library Main Branch & Fulton Street Cemetery Aug. 7, 2-3 p.m. Free! grpl.org, (616) 988-5400
Calling the morbid 11 to 18 set, now’s your chance to carve out more than just trouble from your wayward cemetery visits. Enjoy a tour of the historic Fulton Street Cemetery, Grand Rapids’ first home of the dead, hosted by the local history staff at the Grand Rapids Public Library. You’ll meet at the main library branch, journey to the cemetery, and uncover facts and lore about famed citizens, unknown graves and other juicy details that make this cemetery an important city landmark.
Michigan Pirate Festival
Loutit District Library & Harbor Island, Grand Haven Aug. 5–11 / Free–$5 michiganpiratefestival.com
Ahoy! It’s that time of the year again when Grand Haven becomes a pirate haven and landlubbers get six days of excitement. Featured guests include mermaids, Jack Sparrow, Vikings, Captain Hook,
Peter Pan and Wendy, Long John Silver and many more re-enactors spanning history running amok. Pirates are certain to overtake Harbor Island over the weekend and launch a heated battle from ship to land, so be prepared for some fireworks. More than an excuse to dress up, the Pirate Festival also offers fun and educational events at the Loutit District Library, where you can learn about pirate history, make pirate crafts, and hear tall tales. And of course, like any good festival, you can enjoy vending booths, food, drink and lots of merrymaking.
2013 World Dwarf Games Michigan State University, Lansing Aug. 3–10 / Free–$75 2013worlddwarfgames.org
Every four years, for three decades, the World Dwarf Games has brought together fierce competitors in a class all their own. This month, more than 400 athletes from 23 countries will compete for glory in sports like swimming, track and field, soccer, archery, badminton, powerlifting, basketball, bocce ball, shooting and more on the Michigan State University Campus. The games launched on the MSU campus in 1983 were the first of its kind. Since then, the event, hosted by the Dwarf Athletic Association of America (DAAA), has reached global proportions. While the competitions are organized by age divisions as well as dwarfism classification, all ages and abilities will participate. The games kick off with an opening ceremony and reception and, following eight sports filled days, winds down with a closing ceremony and dance. All the sporting events are free to the public. There is a $75 registration fee to attend the special ceremonies and use the shuttle bus. n
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/// All Ages
Junior Tennis Clinic
Stowe Stadium, Kalamazoo College Aug. 9, 5-6 p.m. Free! discoverkalamazoo.com, (269) 337-7343 Kids ages 5 to 14 participate in a fun and exciting tennis clinic at Kalamazoo College where national junior players, national coaches and the YMCA professional staff conduct a free junior tennis clinic on the Stowe Stadium back tennis courts.“There’s
Grand Rapids Kids Mini Mud Run, August 24.
the excitement of the kids being exposed to tennis,” said Terry Miller, assistant to the tournament director. “Kids can get autographs, prizes and it’s great to see the interaction of the players, coaches and kids.” If your kids own a racquet, bring it, but racquets are also provided. The event will be canceled in the case of weather.
Run for your life! Give the littles a chance to run out all that energy with runs featuring zombies and tons of mud! By Missy Black
Zombie Dash Kalamazoo
Schedule | Dining | Sights | Sounds | Scene
Spring Valley Park, Kalamazoo Aug. 10, 8:30-11 p.m. $42 for racers, free for zombies thezombiedash.com
This evening event might just be the thing for bored teens. Sort of like a mix between a haunted house and a really good workout, the Zombie Dash at Spring Valley Park has survivors (runners) dashing through streets and paths between sunset and darkness. “Teens more than adults love to be scared,” said Mark VanTongeren, coowner and race director with Michigan Adventure Racing. “You aren’t going to see the zombies until they are right upon you — so you get a good thrill.” Runners have two life strips (flag football flags) that they must keep until the end to avoid infection (time penalties). Adults, teens and kids dodge zombies as they try and grab life strips and basically just freak people out. Runners must be at least 14 years old to wear life strips and young runners can run without them to reduce the risk of collisions with zombies. Racers under 18 years old must run with a parent or guardian. “We had 278 teens or younger out of 1546 participants,” VanTongeren said.
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Kids at the Market Series: Market Bingo
Grand Rapids Downtown Market, Corner of Ionia and Logan Streets Aug. 13, 10 a.m. Free! downtownmarketgr.com
Head over to the Grand Rapids Downtown Market, the new destination for local food innovation, education and experimentation, for this event, which brings parents and kids together to learn how being healthy can be fun. Held every Tuesday through Aug. 27, the Aug. 13 date features Michigan State Extension offering Market Bingo. Children receive a printout to find certain things such as vegetables and their prices. Players get prizes and “get a better understanding of the market by talking to vendors,” said Event Coordinator Hanna Schulze. “Kids love winning prizes and accomplishing things, and it’s a fun chance to meet new people and check out fruits and vegetables other than walking around with mom shopping.” Also available are arts and craft opportunities, jump ropes, hula hoops and sidewalk chalk — so there’s that
Grand Rapids Kids Mini Mud Run
Kentwood Community Church Aug. 24 / $20 / grandrapidsmudrun.com
Keep in mind that a little dirt won’t hurt and you’ll be fine with the mess at this mud run designed especially for kids. The course is about 1.5 miles and includes muddy obstacles for mini mudders. “They aren’t difficult obstacles but are fun and if parents are already running they can run with their kids,” Kara Bartlett, Mud Run intern said. There’s nothing mini about the mud pit section that’s filled with tons of mud sure to get the kids completely soaked. “It’s fun for adults to act like kids, but the kids get to be kids.” In related news, In The Image has become a Kids Mini-Mud sponsor and will be collecting and cleaning mud-filled shoes left behind (keeping them out of landfills) and getting them to those in need. This means kids feel good with a fun, active run and feel even better with a shoe donation in the end.
Kids’ Day Event and Fashion Show
Younkers at RiverTown Crossings Mall, Grandville Aug. 17, noon to 3 p.m. Free! (616) 257-5927 Back-to-school shopping kicks off with this themed “Mutts and Mermaids” event at Younkers. Local animal rescue organizations come out to the store with animals (not just dogs) and inform guests about their community work. The mermaid portion features a rep from the Miss Michigan’s Outstanding Teen program that’s involved in the pageant and dresses up as a mermaid, singing before the fashion show. The mermaid greets children and is available for photos. The fashion show features 15 to 20 young children ages 2 to 12 wearing back-to-school fashions. The show begins at 1 p.m. with lots of sales on hand. “Parents love the sales and kids like watching their peers in a fashion show,” said Meribeth VerHulst, event coordinator and personal shopper. Food samples and refreshments are on hand as well. n
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Schedule | Dining | sights | Sounds Scene
/// Special Feature
t Ho The e u s Is
If we’ve gotten to the point where we’re all sick of the heat wave going on in West Michigan, perhaps it’s time for a different kind of hot. Enter: our Hot Issue, where we highlight the hottest trends in fashion, entertainment and topics in West Michigan.
Our cover gal Jasinya Sanchez got her start in drag nine years ago, but with “RuPaul’s Drag Race” bringing the art of drag mainstream, her combination of glamour, natural talent (homegirl can sing) and onstage confidence makes her our Hot Performer. But Miss Sanchez isn’t the only thing that’s hot in this issue. We find out what’s hot in the fashion world, get the scoop (haha, get it?) on the frozen yogurt craze and learn about Kalamazoo’s first Audiotree Music Festival. Read on for more.
by REVUE Staff and Minions
e u s s I t The Ho HOT FESTIVAL:
Audiotree Music Festival Tis’ the season for music festivals, and Summer Santa is still delivering presents. West Michigan is home to many diverse and top-notch music festivals every summer, including Electric Forest, B 93 Birthday Bash and City Lights. Despite the vast amount of festivals coming to this side of the state, bands of the West Michigan alternative and indie underground scene have remained off the lineups this summer. Enter Audiotree Music Festival. Known for its in-studio concert series, Audiotree has had the opportunity to film and record some of the best up-and-coming local and national bands. On Aug. 31, the Chicago-based, artist-centric music company is picking some of its favorite bands to play outside of Wings Stadium in Kalamazoo for its first-ever
music festival. Bands like Blues Traveler, Valient Thorr and Into It. Over It. “We started doing live recordings at festivals like SXSW, and thought it’d be cool to set up our own festival in West Michigan,” said Michael Johnston, Audiotree’s business manager and festival organizer. Johnston is a founder of Audiotree, along with associate Adam Thurston, both Kalamazoo natives. “We’ve put on little shows at Bell’s and The Strutt when it was open, but we wanted to do something more in West Michigan. So this is just taking it to a whole new level,” Johnston said. Johnston says the goal is to start an annual festival where Audiotree can bring in fans from all over Chicago, Indiana and Michigan for years to come. Since it’s their first-ever festival, they hope to take what they learn this year and host an even bigger and better festival next year. “We really tried to get the local music scene behind it, so we’re excited to have Greensky Bluegrass,” Johnston said. “There are also a few bands that a lot of people probably haven’t heard of, but who I can guarantee are phenomenal bands that put on a great show.” But what really makes Audiotree Festival stand out from other festivals is its ticket costs. “We didn’t want to gouge our fans like other music festivals. We’re much less focused on making money than putting together quality bands that anyone can come see, and will come back next year.” —Jordan Brasko Wings Stadium, Kalamazoo / Aug. 31, noon / $40 / audiotreemusicfestival.com
Spoonlickers frozen yogurt. Photo: elyse wild
Schedule | Dining | Sights | Sounds | Scene
Hot Food:
Self-Serve Frozen Yogurt
Blues Traveler
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If the recent weather is making it near impossible to keep from indulging in a sweet treat, at least now you can find something a more agreeable to your mid-section. Frozen yogurt has become the hot food trend of the summer and is proving to last well into our chilly season. And, because most are self-serve, you can be as wholesome or as devious as you like. Spoonlickers in Ada was one of first yogurt shops leading the way for the newfound craze. “We wanted to make something for ourselves and friends, but stay true to what we believe in,” co-owner Dianna Darling said of the all-natural, locally made frozen yogurt.
“There are literally four things in our yogurt. That’s the difference between having it real and natural versus something that just tastes good and is low calorie.” Equally healthy and fun is Sweet Yo’s Premium Frozen Yogurt in downtown Grand Rapids and Gaslight Village in East Grand Rapids. Sweet Yo’s offers more than 50 rotating flavors, multiple toppings and have started creating smoothies as well. “Customers can experience a family fun atmosphere,” said owner Rosa Piccione. “We’ve seen lots of different combinations. The best part is you can make your own creation.” As the name suggests, Let’s Swirl in Kalamazoo offers unique flavor swirls to its soft-serve. Go a little crazy with tastes like Euro-tart swirled with Georgia Peach or Fudge Brownie Swirled with Very Strawberry. If you’re on the lakeshore and need something refreshing, try Orange Leaf in Holland. Want to make sure your
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Hot Performer:
Queen Sanchez
Q&A with Jasinya Sanchez, local performer and drag queen
W
hen did you become interested in performing? I’ve been a little performer ever since I was a child. My dad used to pay me a dollar to sing “We Are the World” to his friends. It was embarassing, but I got a dollar. What were you listening to in your house growing up? A lot. My music tastes are very eclectic. My father likes a lot of ‘70s rock and soul. But there was also a lot of country in the house. My mother is from Cuba, so there was a lot of salsa in the house, but she’d listen to a lot of adult contemporary. My brother was very into rap, my sister was very into punk and rock. I was an 11 year old that listened to ABBA. So when the family all piled into the car did you fight over the radio? No, my dad turned on [country station] B93. You either listen or plug your ears. How did you get involved performing as a drag queen? I came out as gay at 15, came out as transgender at 16, started coming down here (Grand Rapids gay bar Rumors) at 18 and started performing at 19 ... I came here (Rumors) and saw all these girls doing this fun s**t and said ‘I could do this better.’
I started living my life as a woman at 16 and stopped at 24 because it was getting very difficult. I’m 6’4”, I’m 280 pounds, it’s difficult shaving every day and it’s difficult trying to be the woman you want to be and looking in the mirror and not being that woman. So I’ve just been playing around with the duality of my life and embracing this body, embracing this masculine curse and making the woman and the man coexist for a piece of mind. What’s the drag scene like now in West Michigan? I think it’s fun, I think it’s growing. There are a lot of young girls that are coming in and taking control and taking over. ... It’s very much like a family.
“The entertainer has to have a smile on her face and a pep in her step and, of course, the glamorous hair and jewels… it’s all about the show.”
What’s a drag show like for someone not familiar? More times than not, it’s just a show, but it depends. ... There’s a host, there’s booze, there’s fun. What makes for a good drag show? Number one: entertainment. The entertainer has to have a smile on her face and a pep in her step and of course, the glamorous hair and jewels and nails and shoes and costumes; it’s all about the show. What are some misconceptions people have about drag shows? It’s not a total misconception, because some drag queens are big f***ing bitches. But I like to squash that because most of us aren’t. We’re down-to-earth, cool people. Yeah, we have a little bit of a diva complex because nine years of people coming to see you, telling you how awesome you are and seeing your face on buttons, you get a little Whitney Houston. You said you came out as trangendered at 16. Do you still identify as transgendered? Kids ask me if I’m a woman or a man all the time. It’s difficult. It’s very complicated. I’m transgendered.
Do you think “RuPaul’s Drag Race” has helped give drag more attention? It’s brought the art of drag entertainment to the forefront, definitely. Nothing overt, but I do believe on the whole, it’s helping all of us. I don’t necessarily want to go on the show, but RuPaul is making it possible for us to really make a living on this. Can you make a living on it? Oh, yeah. Right now I don’t have another job. In the back of my head I keep thinking, ‘Bitch, you gotta get a day job.’ But I don’t want to. n Interview conducted, condensed and edited by Lindsay Patton-Carson. Photo: Terry Johnston
e u s s I t Ho e h T Hot Topic:
Marijuana By Nick Manes
I
n early-June, American music and cultural magazine Rolling Stone devoted a whole issue to marijuana. While historically a counter-cultural bastion and a magazine that often writes about weed, a whole issue devoted to the subject seems significant. The issue hit on a number of central topics and conversations happening on a national level, as marijuana’s legal status continues to liberalize, opening up lots of business opportunities and significant confusion for all the stakeholders. However, there is a central takeaway. Not just from the magazine, but from conversations not only happening on a national level, but right here in West Michigan: marijuana is hot right now. In November 2012 — after a long battle to collect signatures — an initiative called DecriminalizeGR was introduced to decriminalize small amounts of marijuana within the city of Grand Rapids. Fifty-eight percent of residents voted for the charter amendment. However, the Kent County prosecutor, William Forsythe, filed a last minute injunction to keep the DecriminalizeGR amendment from being implemented. On May 1, that legal infighting between cops, judges and attorneys came to an end and marijuana in Grand Rapids was decriminalized. Protest after Kent County Prosecutor Forsythe’s Since that May 1 implementation, there have been 150 charter injunction. Photo: Ryan Hagerman / The Rapidian amendment violations (people busted with less than two ounces of weed) as of June 19, according to Kent County 61st District law enforcement agencies,” Hoffman said. “Nationwide, police and Court records. corrections unions have been vocal opponents of drug law reform Gary Secor, court administrator for the 61st District Court told and have supported their opposition with financial contributions to REVUE that while the first-time offender ticket is $25, after other defeat reform initiatives. I believe it is also generally acknowledged fines and court costs, it comes out to about $80. Secor said that that marijuana arrests are a simple and convenient way to exert to his knowledge, all of those civil infractions were to first-time police control when evidence of other crime is lacking.” offenders. It is not just the legal status of pot that is changing locally Much of the work behind DecriminalizeGR came from local and nationally, however. Its stigma as something to be hidden or community activist — and now candidate for Third Ward City ashamed of using is largely disappearing as well. Many musicians Commissioner — Michael Tuffelmire. Tuffelmire views the issue and artists have long advocated the use of weed as a stimulator of marijuana criminalization as more of a civil rights issue than in of creativity. Certainly that has not changed, but the stereotype of terms of simple legality. the faded hippie listening to Pink Floyd and being lazy all day is “I grew up in the inner city. I had a few friends every year disappearing. It is quickly becoming accepted that one can smoke who had been busted on petty, non-violent marijuana crimes,” weed and still be a productive member of society. Tuffelmire said, adding he does not want to continue to see this “[Marijuana smoking] hasn’t ever been that big of a deal in happen in the inner city. A map that shows the breakdown of how each of the 77 —Jack Hoffman, attorney my adult life,” said Mike Saunders, a Grand Rapids resident who favored the decriminalization law and a regular smoker of nearly precincts in Grand Rapids voted at least anecdotally supports 20 years. “I’ve never worked for a place that drug tested and ... no Tuffelmire’s insinuation. The areas with the lowest percentage of ‘no’ votes — roughly 40 percent — were in the more outlying areas of the city and are one has ever made me feel that it was unacceptable that I am a smoker.” A married homeowner with a steady job, Saunders said he simply views weed as more middle-class. Inversely, the areas with the highest percentage of ‘yes’ votes were in something he does. the inner city and tend to have lower incomes. “For me it’s ... a great way to enjoy music and art. Having a smoke and playing any It is this reason that compelled Grand Rapids-based attorney Jack Hoffman — who is instrument, putting on a record, looking at any type of photography, painting, sculpture also Tuffelmire’s uncle — to serve as the lawyer for DecriminalizeGR. “Drug-related cases bring in significant amounts of income to law enforcement agen- is just great,” Saunders said. “These people are not criminals any more than the person cies through federal grants and forfeitures, thus enhancing the power and influence of having a beer after work.” n
“Drug-related cases bring in significant amounts of income to law enforcement agencies through federal grants and forfeitures, thus enhancing the power and influence of law enforcement agencies.”
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fave flave is available before making the trek? Download the mobile app for current store flavors like Root Beer Float and Wedding Cake. —Jamie Linari
Hot Bibliosoph:
Kent District Library Director Lance Werner Lance Werner knows that the future of the library lies in innovation, and with the Kent District Library fresh from winning the Grand Rapids Chamber of Commerce EPIC award for excellence in business earlier this year, his organization has shown it can lead the way in connecting with 21st century patrons. “We want the library to be your home away from home, a community hub,” Werner said. “We’re committed to evolving to meet the needs of our communities in the hope that the services we are providing are replicated by other communities.”
KDL boasts the largest e-book collection of any library in Michigan, an advanced reader advisory database that connects patrons with new materials, a re-organized, user-friendly cataloguing system that lets patrons browse non-fiction books by category, and a bevy of other electronic materials that can be accessed anywhere, anytime for free. Consider this: of the approximately 148,000 households in KDL’s jurisdiction, the average household receives $1000 worth of service for a $70 investment via property taxes, a pretty fantastic deal for the community if you do the math. “Libraries run like businesses as much as they can” Werner said. “I challenge any organization to beat that return on investment.” —Kyle Austin
HOT COMING ATTRACTION:
HOT RECORD LABEL:
Double Phelix OK, maybe we should call it a collective rather than a record label, but nevertheless, the Kalamazoobased Double Phelix family puts out some ah-mazing music. Consider them the folk all-stars of Michigan, if you will, with names like Graham Parsons, Fiona Dickinson, The Go Rounds, Elk Welcome, Lasso and others in the mix. For information on the artists and Double Phelix’s mission, check out doublephelix. com. —Jayson Bussa
Alamo Drafthouse The days of sneaking alcohol into the movies are over! While question marks remain on when it will open, Kalamazoo readies for the coming of Alamo Drafthouse Cinema, which will take the place of The Rave on the corner of Portage and South Streets. At Alamo, you can grab dinner and even some adult beverages while you watch Tyler Perry and his cohorts get into all sorts of shenanigans. Alamo will feature 10 screens and its team is keeping local residents updated via its Twitter feed: twitter.com/alamokalamazoo. —Jayson Bussa
HOT DINING:
Food Trucks Some of the savviest chefs in West Michigan are taking advantage of the low overhead tied in with selling their tasty vittles out of a truck, and the idea is continually growing in Kalamazoo. You can credit trucks like Gorilla Gourmet (sta-
Hot Band:
Red Tail Ring Scene Sounds | Sights | Dining | Schedule
Laurel Pemo and Michael Beauchamp of the Kalamazoo folk duo Red Tail Ring have been turning heads and enticing listeners all over the world with their brand of chilling, harmonious folk music. The duo’s third and latest full-length album, The Heart’s Swift Foot, has even been getting the attention of some national radio outlets. “We have taken steps to get our music out there. We sent the new album to a lot of DJs and bloggers and reviewers,” Beauchamp said. Getting their music out there seems to be paying off. Pemo and Beauchamp play an average of 110 shows per year from coast to coast, playing anything from folk festivals to square dances. “We are delivering our music in many different ways,” Pemo said. The duo embarks to Europe in November for a three-week tour. This marks their second tour overseas. In 2011 they were invited by The State Department to act as cultural ambassadors in Denmark, performing and teaching workshops on old folk music. “It is really interesting to see how people respond to the music. We think of Michigan as our home base. When we play out of Michigan, even if we are playing far away, we get really good crowds,” Beauchamp said. —Elyse Wild
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e u s s I t Ho e h T tioned at 305 Oakland Dr.) for really warming the area up to the idea. Now, there is a new truck on the block: Pig Out Take Out. Parked on the corner of Stadium Drive and Drake Road, Guy Ferry’s rig deals out mouth-watering barbecue. He didn’t spring for one of the 10 licenses to roam the area, but he said he’s going to see how this year goes parked at his current location. “Early on [the response] has been very positive, considering the fact that you just kind of show up and people have to find you,” Ferry said. —Jayson Bussa
Hot Cause:
Pride Grows in West Michigan You’ve seen the profile pictures. You may have had one. But you know what they are and what they represent. The little red squares with the pink rectangles (a modification of the Human Rights Campaign logo) took over Facebook and Twitter this past March, proving to the world that equality is hot and it’s not going anywhere. More specifically, LGBT equality is not just an issue specific to the LGBT community. The day after the Holland City Council voted against an anti-discrimination ordinance in July 2011, the Until Love Is Equal campaign formed as a response, bringing the LGBT community together with striaght allies to fight for equal rights. In June, Holland Area PRIDE expanded to an outdoor festival and the largest Holland has seen thus far, showing residents in the area that they have support. Similarly, other local and national pride festivals continue to get bigger. This past summer, Kalamazoo Pride celebrated its fourth year at Arcadia Creek Festival Place and brought in more than 10,000 people, as well as Manila Luzon from “RuPaul’s Drag Race.” “I had no idea who she is, and my straight dad watches “RuPaul’s Drag Race” and was educating me, and my stepmom chimed in ... so I’m getting outgayed by my dad,” said Jay
Kalamazoo Pride Festival. Photo: Terry Johnston
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Maddock, program director for the Kalamazoo Gay and Lesbian Resource Center. For its 25th anniversary, West Michigan Pride Festival moved back to its origins at Calder Plaza and added its firstever parade. According to Christina Wade, executive director for The LGBT Network of West Michigan, straight allies are key to Pride’s growth and success every year. “Allies all the way,” she said. “Allies are our volunteer base and just our community support overall is tremendous.” —Lindsay Patton-Carson
Hot Competition:
Facial Hair Second Great Lakes Regional Beard & Mustache Championship / The Pyramid Scheme, Grand Rapids / Aug. 24, 7 p.m. / $10 in advance/$15 day of show, 18+ / pyramidschemebar.com, (616) 272-3758
On Aug. 24, The Pyramid Scheme hosts the Second Great Lakes Regional Beard & Mustache Championship. And since Grand Rapids was named Beer City of 2013, this year’s championship has been dubbed “Beer City Edition.” Drink beer and bask in all the bearded glory of some of the area’s fiercest and furriest competitors as they compete for the title of Beard & Mustache Champion. These guys (and gals!) are way ahead of the game as far as “No-Shave November” or even “Christmustache” are concerned. Categories of the event include “Ladies Realistic,” “Mustache Natural,” “Full beard Supernatural” and many more. These otherworldly facial hair masterpieces will surely boggle the minds of Grand Rapids for years to come … or at least until they compete again. —T Stastny n
Second Great Lakes Regional Beard & Mustache Championship, Pyramid Scheme, Aug. 24
Hot Fashion S
ometimes things get so hot they combust. Like a phoenix, BlackLamb rises from the ashes where Lamb in Grand Rapids closes its doors. The reincarnation is part store/part studio with emphasis on owner Ryann Lambay’s jewelry line, candles and selections that are, “a lot more intentional with fewer categories but better items,” according to Manager Marissa Kulha. Imagine a more polished venue with a lot of black and white, minimalist touches and pops of texture and color. Fawn over the new airy studio packed with flowers, good-smelling things, jewelry and displays that will also be for sale (finally!). “We want it to resemble a more curated museum sort-of feel,” says Kulha, who teases and tempts with promises of new bag and skincare lines and loads of jewelry. A gnarly new website debuts around the same week the store opens on Aug. 7. A party is in the works for the grand opening so check the Facebook page and get giddy. Another spot reaching scorcher status is Blu Veranda in Holland. Selling women’s clothing and accessories and men’s and women’s swimwear, the new “it” store has already hosted a Girls Night Out event and will soon be everyone’s favorite shop for bikinis, shorts and dresses. Say you knew it before… It’s the kind of thing you read about and think other, super fabulous people do. It’s called Grand Night in White and it’s an elegant chic picnic/pop-up dinner in a heavily guarded secret location created to help raise funds for The Junior League of Grand
Blacklamb Rapids. Held Aug. 17 from 6 to 10 p.m., at a location that will only be revealed three hours before the event, this magical evening asks guests to get in the spirit of things by dressing all in white, bringing white chairs, a table, a white table cloth and food items for a white-out of super stylish proportions. “From flowers in their hair to white pants, white dresses, white ties and jewelry, people will really get into it,” says Amy Steketee, chair of the Fund Development Committee. When the surprise location is announced, hundreds will gather in a unique public space for an elegant picnic loaded with spontaneity. Tickets are available for purchase at grandnightinwhite.eventbrite.com for $30 per couple, which reserves a table for you and a guest to enjoy another hush-hush entertainment opportunity at a venue that “you wouldn’t necessarily ever be able to have dinner at.” A little bit of mystery looks good on everyone. —Missy Black
HOTTER FASHION:
Hollywood Fashions
REVUEWM.COM | August 2013 |
Scene Sounds | Sights | Dining | Schedule
London, Milan, New York and Paris... and Grand Rapids. Just three years ago, one of those wouldn’t have belonged. Today, ultra-trendy boutique, Hollywood Fashions brings the haute couture extravagance of Rodeo Drive to West Michigan. Located in the heart of Creston’s fashion district between an abandoned junkheap the hottest club in GR and an alley you might find a former starlet’s corpse in, Hollywood Fashions houses the newest designs by fashion’s hottest houses! Be the it girl at your next cotillion with a new twist on a classic look; the little red riding hood nipple-less jumpsuit with optional cape is the perfect way to make an “I’m here, boys! Give me your singles” statement. Looking for power-player office attire? Pair a sensible 10-inch clear platform slide with a micro v-back thong for a look that will gain the approval of the dad we all clamour for! By opting for minimal coverage, owner Theresa is able to advertise most of Hollywood Fashions’ garments at “Mostly $9.99 or less.” In other words, “For the cost of your first customer of the night, or less... Probably.” Though the Facebook page hasn’t been updated in eight months, be “Like” number nine and delight in the possibility of one day seeing a busty goddess modeling exotic dancewear showing up in your newsfeed. This store is so exclusive that it doesn’t abide by normal (poorly advertised) business hours, have a website, or answer the phone, so count yourself privileged if you somehow manage to grace the showroom. —Joe Gasmann
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/// Sink’s Spins on Music
ON THE MUSICAL RADAR L
ast summer’s much-expanded Cowpie Music Festival didn’t work out the way organizers had hoped. Plagued by heavy rains on the festival’s opening day at Shagbark Farm south of Grand Rapids — forcing tractors to tug cars out of the mud — the turnout for the 43-band lineup covering 17 genres on two stages fell far short of expectations, despite a groovy regional vibe. But farm owner and music maven John Crissman’s middle name must be ‘Resilient,’ because he tried to “forge ahead and do it” again, in hopes of assembling Cowpie for the 12th time on his property near Alaska in southern Kent County. He decided to trim the Aug. 9-10 festival to feature just 15 bands on a single stage and charge only a vehicle fee for entry: $15 per axle. Over several weeks of preparations, organizers managed to line up Detroit blues-rocker Motor City Josh — a Cowpie regular — as well as local bands such as Big Dudee Roo, Luke Warm & The Not So Hots, Fauxgrass, The Thirsty Perch Blues Band, Tony LaJoye Trio, The Turnips, Jimmie Stagger, The Hula Dogs and more. But ultimately, time and financial considerations forced Crissman to pull the plug on the 2013 event. “We tried and tried and tried. We just couldn’t climb the mountain,” Crissman said in a Facebook statement posted in mid-July, indicating the event would be “mothballed” for 2013. But he also told REVUE that the festival — which lost money the past couple of years — would definitely return in 2014. “It’ll be back,” he insisted. “We aren’t killing it.”
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PHOTO: John Sinkevics
The classic rock station shares its 40th anniversary celebration with listeners via a free concert at Cannonsburg Ski Area starring Loverboy and Mark Farner, formerly of Grand Funk Railroad. Marcus Bradman, marketing and promotions director for Cumulus Media Grand Rapids, told me the Aug. 4 concert pays tribute to the “heritage station” and its loyal listeners. “It’s unheard of to have a station stay in the same format for 40 years, and it’s a station so many people have grown up with. It really is the people’s station,” Bradman said, noting popular DJs Tony Gates, Ed “Uncle Buck” Buchanan, Rob Brandt and Steve Aldrich have spent decades cultivating WLAV’s audience.
The Bangups Hellcat!
Fierce. Raw. Lusciously retro-flavored. That The Bangups can generate such infectious rock ’n’ roll power as a duo is a testament to the Grand Rapids band’s cantankerous dedication not only to its garage-rock roots but to the purity of its two-man approach. With the musical blood of Hank Williams, Chuck Berry, The Ramones and Delta bluesmen coursing through their veins, longtime pals Joey Dornbos and Brent French finally have untethered this lyrically edgy sophomore project recorded with “all natural reverb” and a refreshing pugnaciousness at Stone House Recording. Parts of it boast a surprising psychobilly twang, others ooze rugged, blues-infused rock. All of it rings true, which makes this one hell of an irresistible musical critter.
The afternoon concert is free; parking is $10. Tickets are required and available at WLAV prize parties and events. VIP seating is $35; some event proceeds will benefit the Boys and Girls Club of Grand Rapids. n
Music critic and entertainment writer John Sinkevics comments on the local and national music scene at localspins.com (Spins on Music), spotlighting artists at 10 a.m. Wednesdays on Local Spins Live at News Talk 1340 AM.
Antrim Dells Given Name
Close your eyes, lean back and imagine the most beguiling, stirring indie-folk vocals that you can. Fleet Foxes will come to mind, along with Iron & Wine, Grizzly Bear and Bon Iver. Add Grand Rapids’ Antrim Dells to that list. This band (Jacob Bullard, Laura Hobson, Brian Voortman) has turned heads and tickled ears at live shows for some time. Their studio album, recorded in Nashville by Chad Wahlbrink, adds deliciously to that buzz with clever-yet-subtle hooks, a graceful atmospheric power and those miraculously alluring harmonies. A languorously lovely affair.
REVUEWM.COM | August 2013 |
Scene | Sounds | Sights | Dining | Schedule
Local CD Releases
or 40 years, Grand R a p i d s ’ W LAV-F M (96.9) has been a staple of West Michigan rock radio. I vividly recall Aris Hampers introducing hithertounknown-yet-superb progressive bands in the mid-1970s and reveling in WLAV’s “One-A-Day” spins of entire new albums at midnight.
Cowpie Music Festival 2012
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Philip H. Anselmo & The Illegals Heavy music’s crazy uncle shows the young’uns how to mature in metal | by Joe Boomgaard
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PHOTO: Jimmy Hubbard
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ne of heavy metal of years and you listen to classical music m u s i c ’ s v e t e r a n or improv jazz, motherf ***ers have ambassadors has set out to been tripping out for a long time.” Between writing the last Down prove there are still new ideas to explore in what’s becom- EP and producing three albums for bands on his Housecore Records label, ing a mature genre. As the former frontman of Pantera Anselmo sat in his bedroom with a and the current vocalist for the New guitar and an amp to develop the new Orleans-based supergroup Down, Philip album, which he recorded in 2011 H. Anselmo could have tapped into with a longtime friend, guitarist Marzi Montazeri. one of his many creative wells from the past 25 years in the music business With the solo record, Anselmo for his debut solo album Walk Through wanted to blaze new ground because Exits Only, which dropped on July 16. in his mind, there’s nothing worse But for an artist that eschews labels, than bands that mimic other successful bands. it’s only fitting that Anselmo struck out on his own with a new solo band –The “For me, things get very f ***ing Illegals – to make “extreme music” diluted after a while,” he says. “It’s like, without being handcuffed to his past. ‘Well, OK, here’s another ultimately evil band to listen to.’ I just wanted to make “What I was compelled to do is make a record that was extreme without an extreme record that just stands alone, following tradition of any sort, really,” really, in today’s climate.” Anselmo said. “If you go back hundreds
Philip H. Anselmo & The Illegals wsg Warbeast, Author & Punisher The Intersection, Grand Rapids Aug. 7, 6:30 p.m. / $22 advanced; All ages sectionlive.com, (616) 451-8232
Expect a stripped down vibe on the forthcoming Technicians of Distortion Tour, Anselmo says. He plans to play the new album in its entirety as well as dig out a few surprises from his past projects. Anselmo will be backed by The Illegals, featuring Montazeri, drummer Jose Gonzalez — who also played on the record — and bassist Steve Taylor. “I’m just the kind of guy who feels like if I’m doing nothing, I’m wasting f***ing time,” he said. “You never know when there will be no more time. Let’s f***ing do as much as possible while we’re here.” n
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/// on tour
The Appleseed Cast Takes Advantage of its Long and Winding Road | by Carly Plank
“T JD EICH ER
& THE GOOD NIGH TS T AUGUS 17 8:30PM - TICKETS $18
KELSE Y ROTTI ERS
Schedule | Dining | Sights | Sounds | Scene
& THE RISING TIDE AUGUST 24 8:30PM - TICKETS $18
DON CAMP BELL PRESE NTS
AN EVENIN G OF DAN FOGELB ERG MUSIC AUGUST 29 7:30PM - TICKETS $22
SEVEN STEPS UP: 116 S Jackson Street, Spring Lake, MI 49456 (616) 678-3618 - www.pindropconcerts.com
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ran s f o r mative,” i s a title that e ncom passes The Appleseed Casts’ longevity, habit of playing musical chairs quite literally and ability to transition smoothly between many genres under post-rock. Chris Crisci, lead songwriter and guitarist, has been a constant presence among the shifting musicians. Crisci, however, views each new face as an opportunity for growth. “Everyone that has been in this band has brought something a little different to the songs, and colored them in their own way,” Crisci said. When the band began as a trio in Southern California in 1997, it had a sound that was heavily influenced by emo rockers Sunny Day Real Estate. Crisci and his first drummer Louie Ruiz would rent practice space for $11 an hour and try to find people to fit the sound they were looking for. “We had several people come out and play with us, but despite what they would tell us their influences are, they always played hair metal.” After switching record labels and personnel, the band relocated to North Carolina, then to its current base, Lawrence, Kansas. Along the way, they developed a unique sound, characterized by a near inversion of the traditional hierarchy of melody, harmony, vocal and instrumental components. Instead
of vocals taking center stage, lyrics and layers of guitar envelop a rhythmic centerpiece: the drums. Somewhat characteristically, the band’s newest member is drummer Nathan Wilder. “Nathan is amazing,” Crisci says of Wilder. “I don’t think I’ve ever had more fun working with a drummer. His parts are intricate, yet retain the flow of a song.” After spanning more than sixteen years and surviving countless lineup changes, relocations and oscillations between rock genres, this quartet of modern day troubadours isn’t slowing down anytime soon. The band is currently touring the U.S. behind its latest album, Illumination Ritual, with plans to continue in Europe in the fall. Staying true to the group’s transformative nature, Crisci says he hopes to inspire current and future musicians with his live shows. “I want our audience to walk away from our shows itching to play music themselves, which is easy, because I think a pretty high percentage of our fans are musicians.” n The Appleseed Cast wsg Des Ark and Heartscape Landbreak The Pyramid Scheme, Grand Rapids Aug. 15, 7 p.m. $12 advance/$14 day of event / All ages pyramidschemebar.com, (616) 272-3758
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Visual Art
by Alexandra Fluegel
Other Art Events Dream Fields by Andrea Kowch
Muskegon Museum of Art Aug. 15–Oct. 27 Artist Reception Aug. 15, 5:30 p.m.; Artist Talk, 7 p.m. muskegonartmuseum.org, (231) 720-2570 Andrea Kowch has been described as a “powerful voice emerging, demonstrating a highly sensitive consciousness that informs a culturally-laced symbolism.” Dream Fields features 12 paintings and related preliminary drawings by the Michigan-born artist. Her work reflects influences of Northern Renaissance and American art to the rural landscapes and vernacular architecture of her native Michigan. Kowch has exhibited at museums, shows and galleries all over the country including Art Basel Miami, the Grand Rapids Art Museum and the Brooklyn Art Gallery. The exhibition is part of the Muskegon Museum of Art’s new “Made in Michigan Artists” series and builds upon the MMA’s longstanding tradition of featuring visual media by contemporary Michigan artists.
Friday Nights at GRAM
Robert Andy Coombs, Baller. Combs is among more than 15 artists in Con Artist Crew’s new show.
Hey, Ladies
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the 2-D juried award in last year’s ArtPrize adorable raccoon logo gracing the covers competition. in a variety of local shops and businesses. “His work is wonderful,” Sharp said. Sharp said there will be a few surprises “We’re so excited to feature it in this at the show and anyone who’s attended a show.” show at the Con Artist Crew gallery knows The term ‘hard femme’ is often used that expecting the unexpected is par for as a gender identifier in LGBT communithe course. ties, yet Sharp said the phrase is becoming “Working with Con Artist Gallery was synonymous with anyone who partners a perfect fit,” Sharp said. “We developed feminine qualities with all-around bad asthe idea a lot together and it turned out sery. Part of the exhibition’s better than I could have goal is to challenge gender imagined.” Hard Femme perspectives and get people Sharp is a Grand RapidCon Artist Crew Gallery, thinking about what effects based illustrator who received Grand Rapids phrases like these can have. her BFA from Kendall College Aug. 10, 7 p.m., $1 In addition to featured of Art and Design in 2012. conartistcrew.com works, representatives from She will have paintings inThe Bandit Zine, the “always cluded in the show and said free, always radical” local submissionher work always involves sweet-yet-sinister based publication will be on hand passing themes revolving around dessert, danger out the latest issue that focuses on “radical and heroines. n self love.” Previous issues have dealt with a range of themes including sexual and gender identity, and you may have seen its
Take a break from your usual Friday night haunt and unwind with a dose of culture, courteousy of the Grand Rapids Art Museum. Each Friday this month features live music, cash bar, extended gallery hours and a Friday Night Conversation led by guest speakers, community leaders and artists. Plus, the GRAM on the Green program brings music and entertainment to the steps of the museum with performances from local bands and free activities taking place in the Rosa Parks Circle plaza. August is the last month of the summer programming, so mark your calendars.
ARTbreak
Kalamazoo Institute of Arts Aug. 6 & Aug. 13, noon Free! (Donations welcome) kiarts.org, (269) 349-7775 On Tuesday afternoons, the Kalamazoo Institute of Arts hosts ARTbreak, a series that highlights a different artists or theme each week. On Aug. 6, a documentary about Tanaka Kyokusho, a highly celebrated bamboo artist who combines traditional technique with contemporary sensibilities is featured. The Aug. 13 event will screen an American Visions documentary that explores the influence of European Modernism on American art, narrated by Time magazine art critic Robert Hughes. Each event is free and open to the public, who are welcomed to bring a bag lunch. Coffee and snacks are provided. For a complete list of event topics, please visit the KIA’s website.
REVUEWM.COM | August 2013 |
Scene | Sounds | Sights Diing | Schedule
ard Fe m m e b ri n g s to g eth e r more than 15 artists that each explore themes related to femininity, and promises to be much more than a salute to the ever-inspiring lady lumps. Curator Miranda Sharp said the Aug. 10 show contains work that shows you don’t have to be weak to be feminine. “The work deals with having feminine traits but still being kick ass,” she said. When Sharp began brainstorming for the exhibition, she originally envisioned it as an all-female show, but thought that limiting the roster to ladies-only would eliminate the possibility of fully exploring the ever-changing face of femininity. The exhibition includes a range of media including painting, photography and sculpture. Local artist Robert Coombs will be one of the male artists included in the exhibition. His photo series “Disabilities and Sexuality” was one of five finalists in
Grand Rapids Art Museum Every Friday, 5-9 p.m. $5/Free for Members artmuseumgr.org, (616) 831-1000
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by Kyle Austin
Lit Life
Fly On The Amplifier: Steve Miller’s Oral History Of Detroit Rock
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n th e scale of li fe- changi ng first-hand interviews with the people who were playing, watchexpe ri e nces , Steve Miller rates walking ing and living the music. The book begins in the late 1960s by an open window in 1968 and exposing his with the rise of artists such as The Stooges and The MC5, 11-year-old ears to the ferocious sonic assault then delves into the emergence of national giants like Ted of The Motor City Five pretty damn high. As a Nugent and Bob Seger. The second half makes a trek through kid catching shows throughout Detroit, and later as a foundthe punk and hardcore scenes of the late 1970s and ‘80s that ing member of the pioneer hardcore band, The Fix, Miller spawned groups like Negative Approach and The Hyenas thoroughly witnessed the raw power and before ending with the garage explosion of the explosive creativity of the city’s music scene, 1990s and early 2000s, led by the likes of The but it was only after he’d forged a new career White Stripes and The Von Bondies. The book Book Release Party as a journalist in the early 1990s that he began also explores other facets of Detroit’s rock with Steve Miller thinking of it in literary terms. ‘n’ roll history, including music magazines, and Tesco Vee Vertigo Music, Grand Rapids “Detroit has always been a hotbed of great recording studios and concert venues. Aug. 3, 4 p.m. music,” he said. “It was a book that I always “I always wanted it to be an oral history,” vertigomusiconline.com, wanted to read, but it wasn’t until 2002 that Miller said. “I thought it would be a better (616) 742-5106 I realized I could actually write that book.” story if the people involved with it told it. I In 2010, Miller secured a publishing deal didn’t want some writer in there messing with and immersed himself in a project that stood the message.” in stark contrast to most of his previous journalistic output, The depth of Detroit’s musical contributions is relayed which included heavy political coverage for national newsperfectly through the threads of conversation that Miller has papers and a pair of true crime books. painstakingly arranged. Though interviewed separately, each “It was almost like a vacation,” he said. “Often times musician, roadie, groupie and scenester who contributed a when I’m doing other stuff, I’m talking about life and death. story or an opinion remains in constant dialogue with larger We’re not talking about life and death here; we’re only talking questions about what it means to push the creative envelope about rock n roll.” and influence the progression of musical expression. Released in late June, Detroit Rock City submerges the “The more I worked on this book, the more I realized reader in the chaotic world of Detroit rock ‘n’ roll through that Detroit is the most influential rock ‘n’ roll city in the
world,” Miller said. “I’m always amazed when I hear a riff or a sound and I think, ‘Wow man, I could take that back [to Detroit].’” At a special event inside Vertigo Music, Miller and [Detroit-based hardcore punk label] Touch and Go Records founder Tesco Vee will celebrate the release of Detroit Rock City and the re-release of Touch and Go: The Complete Hardcore Punk Zine ’79-’83 with live music and an open Q+A session. n
Schedule | Dining | Sights Sounds | Scene
Other Literary Events Author Talk with Kristin Kimball
Grand Rapids Public Library Aug. 7, 7 p.m. grpl.org, (616) 988-5400
Kristin Kimball is the founder and co-operator of Essex Farm, a 500-acre, draft horse-powered farm that provides a full diet, year-round for 250 people. That may sound simple, but those who come to hear Kimball speak about the trials and tribulations of getting such an endeavor off the ground will come to see otherwise. After her presentation, Kimball remains on hand for an open Q&A session.
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Magnolia and Lotus: Selected Poems of Hyesim
Author Talk with Lisa Rose Starner
Great Lakes Commonwealth of Letters, 758 Wealthy St., Grand Rapids Aug. 7, 7:30 p.m. readwritelive.org
Schuler Books, 28th Street location, Grand Rapids Aug. 20, 7 p.m. schulerbooks.com, (616) 942-2561
The beautifully intricate poetry of Hyesim, a 12th century Korean monk who became the second patriarch of the Buddhist Chogye Order, is brought to life in English by renowned Michigan translator Ian Haight in this collection, to be released at a special event. Haight will join the public in celebrating the spirit of Hyesim with traditional Korean food and drink, followed by a reading of select poems.
With her new book, Grand Rapids Food: A Culinary Revolution, Lisa Rose Starner tackles the rise of locavorism in our city through an exploration of the agricultural and culinary efforts that are affecting community change. Listen to her read from her book and discuss her own involvement with the local food movement at this free public event.
SchulerBooks&Music 30 years as your local, independent bookstore! EVERY THURSDAY 6pm-10pm
Nutty Knitters
AUG. 2
Open Play Scrabble
10am-2pm
AUG. 7
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fun and games Alpine Ave.
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fun and games 28th St.
West Michigan Tabletop Gamers
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6:30pm
fun and games 28th St.
AUG. 8
Dr. Pam Popper
AUG. 13
Lisa Rose Starner
AUG. 14
Grand Rapids Songwriters Alliance
AUG. 15
Fred “the Beervangelist” Bueltmann
AUG. 16
Open Play Scrabble
AUG. 19
Japanese Conversation Group
AUG. 20
Blaine Pardoe
AUG. 22
Learn to Create Graphic Novels & Manga
AUG. 29
Diane Rayor & Karen Libman
7:00pm 7:00pm
6:00pm 7:00pm
10am-2pm 7:00pm 7:00pm
10am-4pm 7:00pm
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author talk and booksigning 28th St.
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author talk and booksigning Alpine Ave.
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fun and games Alpine Ave. author talk and booksigning
. 28th St.
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fun and games 28th St.
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fun and games Alpine Ave. author talk and booksigning kids day class, $45
. 28th St.
SUMMER
SMOOTHIES
. 28th St.
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reading, performance and booksigning Alpine Ave.
SchulerBooks.com
2660 28th Street SE • (616) 942-2561 3165 Alpine Avenue NW • (616) 647-0999 All events are subject to change. For a complete list of events visit www.SchulerBooks.com.
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by Allison Parker
theatre
Farce Soars at Circle Theatre
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or Boeing-Boeing’s Bernard, love has always been a smooth cruise through clear skies. As an adroit juggler of three stewardess fiancés, the suave Parisian thinks he knows how to handle women. But fasten your seatbelts, folks. When a fast new jet changes timetables, the playboy’s plans take an unexpected nosedive and all three women arrive at his apartment at once. Uproarious chaos ensues as Bernard desperately attempts to keep the international beauties from discovering each other. Adapted from the most performed French play in the world, the 2008 Broadway revival edition of Boeing-Boeing is touching down at Circle Theatre. Hailed by audiences and critics alike for Boeing-Boeing its costumes, sound Circle Theatre, Grand Rapids design and storyline, Aug. 8-10, 14-18, 21-24; the production scored show times at 5 & 7:30 p.m. Best Revival of a Play $23-$25 at the Tony Awards. circletheatre.org For Director Tom (616) 456-6656 Kaechele, the main thrust of the play is its deep roots in the farce tradition, a genre near and dear to Kaechele’s heart. “I’ve been known over at Circle Theatre for doing farces,” Kaechele said. “There’s something about doing farce that floats my boat. I like to play around with humorous material. It’s difficult to make an audience actually genuinely laugh, so unlocking laughter in an audience I find fun … Part of the fun of farce is what physical things to do with a character to eek out another laugh.” In Boeing-Boeing, sets and costumes take on a crucial role in helping performers milk every last giggle. The play takes place in Bernard’s living room, in which seven doors provide plenty of opportunity for frenzied chaos as Bernard attempts to hide the three women from each other. An extra sturdy design allows walls to withstand explosive door-slams, while padding in the carpets and costumes permit the humor to get physical. Within this perfect slap-stick setup, carefully choreographed movements and gutsy deliveries build upon each other to push the comedy an extra step further. “My favorite part of farce is the end when it seems like it can’t get any more ridiculous and then it does; the wonderful moments like that is where the big belly laughs come,” Kaechele said. “It’s all about really good timing and attention to detail ... It’s gonna be a sexy, physical romp, so the actors really gotta bring that energy.”
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Other Performing Arts Events Life Could Be a Dream
Farmers Alley Theatre, Kalamazoo Aug. 1-4, 8-11, show times at 2 and 8 p.m., $33-$35 farmersalleytheatre.com, (269) 343-2727 From the creators of The Marvelous Wonderettes comes a doo-wop musical adventure featuring none other than the Crooning Crabcakes—the boys banned from the Marvelous Wonderettes’ prom. When the boys enter the Big Whopper Radio contest, they set their sights on fame and begin polishing up the catchiest ‘50s and ‘60s numbers they can get their hands on. As hilarity and heartbreak confront the boys at every turn, underdog triumphs and valuable lessons delight and inspire.
All Shook Up
Hope Summer Repertory Theatre DeWitt Theatre, Holland Aug. 2, 7, 10, 8 p.m., $12-$28 hope.edu/hsrt, (616) 395-7890 Featuring Elvis Presley’s greatest hits, this flagrant farce puts a jukebox comedy spin on Shakespeare’s Twelfth Night. The story begins somewhere in the 1950s Midwest, where young mechanic Natalie longs for excitement and change. Enter Chad, a hip-swiveling jailbird sporting an Elvis ‘do. Gender confusion and mistaken identity debacles bust loose as Chad shakes up the sleepy little town and introduces Natalie to the world of rock & roll.
Closer Than Ever
Mason Street Warehouse, Saugatuck Aug. 16-18, 20-31, Sept. 1; show times at 2, 7 and 8 p.m., $29-$42 masonstreetwarehouse.org, (269) 857-2399
With its over-the-top antics and dated, cheeky sexism, BoeingBoeing does not presume to be intellectual or profound. Rather, it offers fun summer entertainment meant for relaxation. “If people think, they won’t laugh, so you have to get them not to think,” Kaechele said. “[The show is] set in the ‘60s. It’s not pointing a contemporary finger at a current situation, so it becomes charming because of that … Circle Theatre is a great place to relax and enjoy theater. It’s a great place to check your brain at the door.” n
Premiering for the first time in the Midwest after its New York run, Closer Than Ever features a series of musical vignettes that lovingly explore the highs and lows of human experience. Influenced by real-life stories, songs reminisce about cellulite, love, mid-life crisis and the bitter-sweet pains of growing older. Kurt Stamm reprises his role as the show’s choreographer and co-director which earned him a 2012 Callaway Award nomination.
AUGUST EVENT HIGHLIGHTS
VOLUNTEER: CITY PARK CLEAN-UP Saturday, August 3 10:00 am – 12:00 noon Alger Park (corner of Edna St. & Blaine Ave.) Meet at the splash pad
Enjoy the outdoors while helping clean up a city park. Whether you want to jog, walk your dog, take the kids to a playground, or just sit and smell the fresh air, we all need clean green spaces in the city. Vibrant parks and green spaces are essential to our well-being. Come join the Friends of the Grand Rapids Parks to scrape and paint the splash pad at Alger Park. All you’ll need to bring are your work gloves and lots of energy.
FARM, FOOD & FAMILY: TEN YEARS ON ESSEX FARM Wednesday, August 7 7:00 pm Main Library 111 Library St. NE
Kristin Kimball is a farmer and writer from northern New York. She and her husband Mark run Essex Farm, a 500-acre, draft-horse-powered farm that provides a full diet, year-round, for 250 members. Her memoir, The Dirty Life, chronicles the farm’s chaotic start-up year. The farm is now in its tenth season. Kristin will give a reading and talk about how the farm has changed since its inception. A question and answer period and book signing will follow the presentation.
VINTAGE TRAILER SHOW
Saturday, August 17 10:00 am – 3:00 pm Outside the Main Library Explore the wide-range of vintage trailers, including Airstreams and other favorites from years past. See the great design and innovations in camping over the years.
AIRSTREAM: CUSTOM INTERIORS Saturday, August 17 3:30 pm Main Library 111 Library St. NE
David Winick, a designer who builds custom Airstream trailers will speak about his experience with vintage Airstream trailers and his book Airstream Custom Interiors, which showcases his adventure re-creating custom-built Airstream trailers that date from 1948 to 2007, including his 75th Anniversary Bambu trailer.
MARTINIMOTH: CLOSE ENCOUNTERS— TALES OF MEETING THE UNEXPECTED Tuesday, August 20 8:00 pm SpeakEZ Lounge 600 Monroe NW
MartiniMOTH is a story telling event that is held the third Tuesday of the month at the SpeakEZ Lounge. Each month a new theme is chosen. Storytellers volunteer and must tell a story about the evening’s theme. The story must be true, be about themselves, and be kept under seven minutes. A panel of three judges vote for the top three storytellers. The winner is invited back the next month to be one of the judges and get their name engraved on the Winner’s Chalice. Come to listen, tell a story, and gather with friends.
BANK ROBBERIES AND THE FBI Thursday, August 22 7:00 pm Main Library 111 Library Street NE
The FBI uses highly trained agents to investigate domestic crime, including some of the most famous bank robberies in history. Learn how the FBI developed the Ten Most Wanted and how bank robbery investigative techniques have developed through the years.
VOTE WITH YOUR FORK! CONVERSATIONS WITH A LOCAVORE Thursday, August 29 7:00 pm Main Library 111 Library St. NE
Join local food advocate, urban farmer, herbalist, and author Lisa Rose Starner to explore the growing good food movement in Grand Rapids. Starner will share stories of the rugged individuals who are tilling the soil, growing food, and launching successful food businesses while powering community change—one garden, one backyard, one block, one store, one plate of food, cup of coffee, and mug of beer at a time. Join this community conversation about our food system, environment, economy, and the relationships we have with each other. Attendees will leave with a fresh perspective on the local food movement in Grand Rapids and will be inspired to become part of this powerful force to help change our community one fork at a time.
JUNE 1 – AUGUST 31 WWW.GRPL.ORG/GRREADS 616.988.5400 SPONSORED BY
MEDIA SPONSORS
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by Josh Spanninga
Indie film
With the ominous autumn clouds looming in the not-too-distant future, it’s imperative to pack the highest quantity of last-minute sun-drenched summer shenanigans as possible into August’s 31 days. In order to help you narrow down your options, here are some especially crisp events for film lovers.
UICA to Screen Acclaimed Documentary A Band Called Death
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very musician can recall memories of the first band they performed with, which oftentimes consisted of a raucous group of kids annoying neighbors by playing loud music in their parents’ garage. Most of these bands ended up sounding pretty awful, but every once in a while truly visionary sound came out of the garage. That is just the subject of the new documentary, A Band Called Death. The film follows three brothers from Detroit who set out in the early ‘70s to play a raw, stripped-down form of rock that is a precursor to the punk movement of the late ‘70s. They disbanded after a few years, and for decades their recorded material remained largely ignored and unknown, until a demo tape of theirs made its rounds on the Internet and afforded them instant cult status. Not only will the film be playing at the UICA Aug. 2-8, but Death will be appearing in flesh and blood at the Pyramid Scheme on Aug. 6 to perform a live set of the same visionary music the film showcases. And to sweeten the deal, if you buy advanced tickets to the concert you automatically get a free pass to the UICA’s Aug. 5 showing of the documentary. That’s a whole lotta Death, people.
Schedule | Dining | Sights Sounds | Scene
New Heroes in Town
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eroic Images, a local independent film studio, is currently working on bringing its first feature-length film, Red Gorilla, to fruition this fall. The film follows a man returning home from Iraq with Post Traumatic Stress Disorder, and focuses on the effects it has on him and his family. Rob De Ville, founder of Heroic Images, makes it clear that they want to focus on full-length features. “We started our journey in September 2012, figuring out the formula for successful films on limited budgets, and knowing that if we produced short films or commercials we would never make it feature length films,” De Ville said. In order to reach this goal, they focused on marketing and distribution prior to development.
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Death performs at The Pyramid Scheme Aug. 6 in conjunction with the UICA’s showing of A Band Called Death. “We knew that to remain sustainable we had to develop some sort of keen marketing sense on what would give us our largest return on investment,” De Ville said. Heroic Images hopes to complete the funding for the film by Aug. 11 via its project campaign page on Indiegogo. To learn more about Red Gorilla and other related projects, visit the official website at heroicimagesgr.com.
The West Michigan Film and Video Alliance Cooks Up Some Fun
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he West Michigan Film and Video Alliance (WMFVA) knows that the way to many a film-lovers heart is through their stomach, and they’re employing especially tasty tactics for the annual membership picnic. The picnic takes place on Wednesday, Aug. 8 from 6-9 p.m. at Millenium Park in Grand Rapids, and WMFVA marketing committee member Pamela Patton encourages anyone with a love for film to come out. Whether you’re working on a project, going to film school or just have a general interest in film, there’s something here for you.
“It’s a great way to learn a little bit more about the organization, see what we’re all about, and to chat with members,” Patton said. She describes the event as a casual introduction to the organization, and the WMFVA hopes it will ultimately lead to new members. “Mostly when you join, you’re a part of a community,” Patton said. “The Film and Video Alliance is a way for us to network with our own, see what other people are up to, share jobs, share equipment and just to really build a community and keep in touch with each other.” She also goes on to explain that they’re open to accepting all kinds of members. “There are people who are really active in the community, and there are people who join just for the sake of supporting the industry.” And now for the big question: what will be on the menu? According to the event page, it’s BYOB and attendees are encouraged to bring a dish to pass. “We provide the hamburgers, and it’s a big old potluck,” Patton said. “So we never know what’s going to be served.” For more information on the picnic, or the WMFVA in general, visit wmfva.org. n
You’re Next
Movie///pREVIEWS By T Stastny
Opening August 9
Elysium
It’s 2154 and life is great. No disease, no war, no economic struggle. That is, if you’re filthy rich enough to live on the super high-class space station Elysium. Otherwise, you’re stuck on Earth, which is literally crumbling and ridden with poverty and crime. Who would expect that Max Da Costa (Matt Damon), an earthbound ex-convict, would be the one to attempt to unify the two fiercely contrasting worlds of existence? Well, he won’t succeed if Secretary Delacourt (Jodie Foster) has anything to say about it.
Opening august 16
Kick-Ass 2
Kick-Ass and Hit Girl are back, this time as ... normal teenagers? Yep, these self-made superheroes have surrendered their spandex and sweet names in exchange for new lives as high schoolers Dave (Aaron Taylor Johnson) and Mindy (Chloë Grace Moretz). But when trouble arises in the form of super villain The Mother F%&*^R and his Evil League, these amateurs might have to put their tights back on and kick some serious ass.
Opening august 23
The World’s End
They’re just your typical American family on a vacation to Mexico, except well ... they’re not. David Burke (Jason Sudeikis) is a dealer on a mission to get two tons of weed from Mexico. His plan? Disguise his endeavor as an innocent family getaway by hiring a stripper (Jennifer Aniston), a homeless teenage delinquent (Emma Roberts) and the geeky boy next door (Will Poulter) to pretend to be his big happy family as they travel across the border.
Scene | Sounds | Sights Diing | Schedule
We’re the Millers
We’ve seen them fight off zombies in Shaun of the Dead and fight off gruesome village crime in Hot Fuzz. Now Britain’s most notable tag team, Simon Pegg and Nick Frost have returned to the screen to battle an army of robots. Gary (Pegg), Andy (Frost) and their gaggle of friends reunite after 20 years and return to their hometown to reattempt the 12-pub crawl from their teenage years. The only thing standing in their way of the final pub on the list, The World’s End, is an army of robots.
You’re Next
When there’s a big family reunion in a mansion in the middle of the forest, only one thing can happen: axe murderers attacking right in the middle of dinner. No one in the Davison family is safe, and there is no saying who will live to see the dawn of day when this bloodbath is finally over. n
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by Josh Spanninga
Comedy
Dan St. Germain: Sitting on a Pile of Skulls
Schedule | Dining | Sights Sounds | Scene
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a n S t. G e r m a i n kn ows wh e re a good Internet short can get a comedian, and has spent time perfecting that art. As a result, his shorts have appeared on the front page of Funny or Die and his series “Kicking Dan Out” is featured on the My Damn Channel Comedy Network. St. Germain puts all his efforts into writing, producing and acting in his shorts and readily dismisses the notion that just simply focusing on being creative will get the job done. “You can’t do that in this day and age,” he said. “You kind of have to do all the s*** yourself.” St. Germain didn’t start out with Internet shorts, however. His first experience with comedy was in high school. “I did stand-up three times in high school, and it was pretty f ***ing miserable,” St. Germain said. “I bombed. I just quit.” He began focusing on his writing, specifically on scripts for plays, and would later incorporate these writing skills into projects on The Onion’s news and sports networks.
“I did stand-up three times in high school, and it was pretty f***ing miserable. I bombed. I just quit.” He also branched out into acting, landing his first big gig on “The Electric Company” (yes, the PBS kids show). St. Germain became Referee Jeffrey, a ref who taught math equations to kids. “It was a nightmare as far as memorization,” he said. “I was terrible at math, so none of it made sense to me anyway.” St. Germain took the money he earned from the show, and added with his pension he was able to quit his day job and give the stand-up thing another try. His routines often incorporate uncomfortable, personal aspects of his life, most notably his stint in rehab early on in his stand-up career for alcoholism. He attributes getting clean to boosting his stand-up performance. He laughs
as he recalls meeting a fellow comedian at a comedy festival and pouring his heart out to the stranger. “Before I was headed to rehab I was at a comedy festival, and I sat next to him,” St. Germain said. “I never knew him, and I was like, ‘I’m going to rehab. I’m falling apart!’” Since getting clean, St. Germain is part of a variety of projects. He hosts a podcast titled “My Dumb Friends,” and can be seen regularly on VH1’s Best Week Ever, in addition to a few more projects in the works. As to where he wants to be long term? “Hopefully just doing whatever I’m doing. Or just super rich and sitting on a pile of skulls.” n
Dan St. Germain Dr. Grins, Grand Rapids Aug. 8-10, show times at 8, 9 and 10:30 p.m. $5-$10 / thebob.com, (616) 356-2000
CALLING ALL FILMMAKERS
SAUGATUCK SHORTS FILM COMPETITION SUBMISSION DEADLINE
AUGUST 31
Calling All Filmmakers! YOU could win $1,000 by entering a 5-minute lm in our rst-ever juried competition by August 31! Visit sc4a.org for more details.
REGIONAL PREMIERE!
GAME SHOW
JULY 26 – AUG. 11
TUES – SAT 8 PM; SUN. 7 PM (FINAL SUN. @ 2 PM) $29 - $42
A hilarious comedy that will keep you guessing until the end - you’ll go home laughing, and you may even go home with a fabulous prize!
MIDWEST PREMIERE
AUG. 16 - SEPT. 1
TUES - SAT 8PM; SUN 7PM FINAL SUNDAY @ 2PM $29 - $42
Scene | Sounds | Sights Diing | Schedule
CLOSER THAN EVER
Don’t miss this fresh, cheeky and modern musical that tells the best stories you’ve ever heard about life, love, family, cellulite, getting winded when working out, and more!
TICKETS AND MORE INFORMATION 269.857.2399 OR WWW.SC4A.ORG REVUEWM.COM | August 2013 |
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Missy Black’s
STYLe NOTeS J
oin Grand Rapids Art Museum Director Dana Friis-Hansen on Aug. 9 for a lively day trip to the Art Institute of Chicago. Experience a fashionable frolic and a guided group tour of the exhibit Impressionism, Fashion and Modernity, a revealing look at the role of fashion in 80 major paintings by Degas, Manet, Monet, Renoir and Seurat. Art is paired with period costumes, accessories, fashion plates, photographs and popular prints that highlight the vital relationship between fashion and art from the mid-1860s to the mid-1880s. Enjoy lunch and conversation in a private room followed by a visit to the studio and urban loft of fabric artist and performer Nick Cave. “He’s created soundsuits that look like sculptures but can be worn by dancers,” said Membership Coordinator Melissa Bush. Hop aboard the round-trip coach transport starting at 8 a.m. and enjoy light breakfast, evening snacks and wine until return at 8 p.m. Cost is $160 for GRAM members and $185 for non-members. Make your friends wild with jealousy as you Sound suit by romp around in Nick Cave’s dwelling place Nick Cave and observe his eclectic art collection.
Schedule | Dining | Sights Sounds | Scene
Protecting warm fuzzies and simultaneously giving warm fuzzies is Salon Euphoria. The salon’s main focus is to use and sell products that are not tested on animals. Owner Angela Diesel is a huge animal lover, who does a lot of rescue and volunteer work, as well as fosters animals. “I don’t need to endorse anything that hurts another living
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Salon Euphoria being when there are other ways,” Diesel said. The salon prides itself on color (heck, the owner has orange hair) and even offers the animalfriendly Schwarzkopf and Pravana hair color lines. Other products include Sexy Hair and the Malibu line that’s 100 percent vegan. Even the full makeup services with Jafra cosmetics forgo animal testing. Hit them up on the corner of Walker and Leonard in Grand Rapids in an antique building that’s a sweet mix of modern and vintage with a manhole cover in the sitting area — way cool. The salon offers free consultations so you can pop in and get ideas and inspiration How do you turn a pair of Banana Republic jeans into a bike rack? Stephanie Johnson, owner of Urban Exchange in Grand Rapids can tell you. She’s throwing her annual Epic Sale Aug. 17 and 18 and everything is $5 (collective gasp here). A portion of the proceeds are donated to the East Fulton Business Association for beautification so things like potted plants can bring a little color to the street and a smile to your face. So, that super cute halter not only enhances your bosom, but puts a little pretty back into the neighborhood. “The quantity of goods that will be sold off is epic — a year’s worth of accumulation of unclaimed goods,” Johnson said. Take my advice and wear leggings and a camisole so you can do some quick fittings on the street. The beautification of you and the city is a win-win.
It’s Girls Night Out with Meribeth VerHulst at Resurrection Life Church in Grandville and Faith & Fashion is the topic. The presentation brings out the practical and spiritual implications of dressing your best. “A lot of women in our faith tend to feel like they should dress dowdy,” VerHulst said. “We live in a visual society and need to present ourselves in a way that draws people to us instead of away from us.” Reflecting your own personality and doing it with modesty and grace is the name of the game and examples of style icons are provided such as Grace Kelly and Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis. Come for the great food Meribeth and fellowship and see a makeover unveiling VerHulst that includes an outfit provided by Younkers Department Store, free hair and makeup application by Matt Flora of Matt Flora Hair and Makeover Studio and image styling from Meribeth VerHulst, a Professional Image Consultant from Yonkers Department Store, not to mention a manicure from Ly’s Nail Salon. The winner of the makeover will be revealed on WZZM “Take 5 and Company’s” Make Me Over with Matt and Meribeth the morning before the event and is also shown off at the event. It all happens Aug. 12 at 7 p.m. Check the Facebook page “Girls Night Out” Faith & Fashion Event. n
Tickets General Public: $25 Rush Price Ticket: $12.50 *
Call for Details
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Dining Restaurant listings arranged by region
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.
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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.
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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.
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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
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openings and closings, editorial space, budgets, deadlines, acts of God, congressional hearings and, of course, visits and meals at restaurants throughout the region. The listings are not intended to be reviews of West Michigan restaurants, although we will inject some opinions into the listings based on experiences or the personal preferences of staff. Our intention is to expand and sharpen the content every month to make it the region’s most user-friendly and accurate dining guide. To submit or correct information
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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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Bombay Cuisine 1420 Lake Dr. SE 616-456-7055 INDIAN. Offering savory and subtly spiced dishes from northern India, Bombay
Brandywine 1345 Lake Dr./2844 East Beltline NE 616-774-8641/616363-1723 AMERICAN. Both locations do brisk business at breakfast, especially on Sundays, but also offer a solid lunch and dinner menu featuring sandwiches, pasta, Mexican favorites and the legendary beehive potatoes. SERVING: Breakfast Lunch Dinner OPEN ON: Open 7 days. GO THERE FOR: Breakfast.
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Brewery Vivant 925 Cherry St. SE, Grand Rapids. 616-719-1604 BREWPUB. Brewery Vivant offers a variety of drinks and pub specialties in the Belgian style. It has a flair for sustainability inspired by the breweries of Southern Belgium and Northern France. The menu is mainly appetizers with assorted burgers and desserts, but there is a wide variety of lesser known alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks. SERVING: Lunch, Dinner. OPEN ON: Open 7 days. GO THERE FOR: Cheese and Belgian beer.
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pancakes. SERVING: Breakfast Lunch OPEN ON: T W Th F Sa Sn. GO THERE FOR: Eggs Florentine. 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.
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Cornucopia 187 Monroe Ave. NW. 616-774-2000 DELI. A refreshing option for on-the-go, or casual, lighter fare. Enjoy deli options such as homemade soups, salads, Panini sandwiches and freshly brewed gourmet coffee. SERVING: Breakfast Lunch OPEN ON: Open 7 days. GO THERE FOR: Sandwiches.
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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.
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Charley’s Crab 63 Market SW. 616-459-2500 SEAFOOD. A staple on the finedining scene in Grand Rapids. Fresh seafood, a world-class Sunday brunch and a comfortable, upscale atmosphere for drinks and dining. SERVING: Lunch Dinner OPEN ON: Open 7 days. GO THERE FOR: The Sunday brunch buffet.
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Cherie Inn 969 Cherry SE. 616-458-0588 BREAKFAST. The East Hills restaurant is one of the area’s most-loved breakfast and lunch spots. A neighborhood staple for more than 60 years, the eatery offers a cozy, café-style setting complete with French flags, weathered brick walls, pressed tin ceiling, and intimate tables. Breakfast is the true star, with a variety of regular dishes like eggs Florentine and blueberry pancakes, as well as specials like red-flannel hash and almond joy
Cygnus 27 187 Monroe Ave. NW. 616-776-6425 ECLECTIC. Enjoy the skyline as you dine atop the Glass Tower. Indulge in a variety of globally infused dishes at this AAA Four-Diamond restaurant. Casual attire; no jacket required. Private dining also available. SERVING: Lunch Dinner OPEN ON: Open 7 days. GO THERE FOR: Seasonal Sunday Brunch.
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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.
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Founders Brewing Company 235 Grandville SW. 616-776-1195 BREWPUB. A beer-lover’s paradise with a national reputation for flavorful, awardwinning beers. Likewise, the brewpub’s menu consists mainly of flavorful handcrafted deli sandwiches that can stand up and complement the beers (or vice versa). SERVING: Lunch Dinner OPEN ON: Open 7 days. GO THERE FOR: Award-winning beer, handcrafted sandwiches.
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Scene | Sounds | Sights Dining Schedule
Big Bob’s Pizza 661 Croswell Dr. 616-233-0123 ITALIAN. Located in Gaslight Village in East Grand Rapids (across from Jersey 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?).
restaurants. Our magazine listings will constantly change and grow in scope based on
in a dining listing, please send an e-mail to editor@revuewm.com.
Dinner OPEN ON: Open 7 days. GO THERE FOR: Dead Head Vegetarian Pizza, Cuban dinners on Friday nights.
Grand Rapids
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 our full list, visit revuewm.com/
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Taste This
Dining
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.
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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.
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GP Sports 187 Monroe Ave. NW. 616-776-6495 SPORTS BAR. Three large screens, more than 30 HD flat screens, pool tables, video games, outdoor patio seating, pizza, signature burgers and more. SERVING: Lunch Dinner OPEN ON: Closed Sundays. GO THERE FOR: Score Big Burgers.
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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.
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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 handcranked 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.
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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.
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Graydon’s Crossing 1223 Plainfield NE. 616-726-8260 TAVERN. An authentic take on the English Pub, with a huge selection of beers
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by Matt Simpson Siegel
Bar Divani Wine Social Wednesdays
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ettle in for an evening of wining and dining every Wednesday at one of Grand Rapids’ most prestigious wine bars. From 4-6 p.m., you can enjoy the happy hour specials at Bar Divani and then, from 6:30-8:30 p.m., linger for the wine social. A minimum of six wines will be showcased and savored. Discuss the geography, culture, food and history with like-minded whinos and whinettes. Past events have included diverse selections of vino such as what to pair with barbecue, the best of the southern hemisphere, and top picks from the Portugal penninsula. As always, Bar Divani’s kitchen will keep you preoccupied between sips with fine paired plates like lamb sausage and prosciutto flatbread. Cost: Varies but usually between $15-$30 When: Every Wednesday, 6:30-8:30 p.m. 15 Ionia Ave. SW, Grand Rapids;bar-divani.com, (616)774-WINE
4th Annual Restaurant Week 2013
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ouths have been drooling since the menus for more than 65 area restaurateurs were announced on July 15, presenting West Michigan’s finest fare this side of US-127 from Aug. 14-24. You’ll be “savoring the summer harvest farm-to-fork style” with three-course meals that feature locally grown and raised products, ranging from grass-fed organic beef and fresh Lake Michigan perch to beautifully bulbous beets and sumptuous artisan breads. From Irish to Indian, most meals are $25 for one, although several host an unbeatable two-for-$25 deal plying a couple of bellies with similar three-course offerings. Many plates are paired with local Beer City beers and wines. Fourteen new participants will satisfy the masses, including Grand Rapids Brewing Co., Crooked Goose, Ju Sushi Lounge, Kitchen 67, El Granjero and G’s Grill. A dollar from every meal will go into a student scholarship fund to benefit future chefs at Secchia Institute for Culinary Education. In addition, two contests will take place: Grand Cocktail 2013 and My Restaurant Week GR Instagram Photo Contest. The former will showcase the greatest local mixologists crafting the best Creative Cocktail and Best Manhattan, each containing Woodford Reserve craft bourbon, while the latter offers up great diningbased prizes for those with dinner pics with the most likes—a mini-gastro artprize if you will. When: Aug. 14-24/restaurantweekgr.com, (616) 459-8287
Fridays & Saturdays at Sietsema’s Cider Garden
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eather-pending, apple harvest begins in late August and what better way to relish a humid dog day afternoon than lounging about an orchard. Sip on a glass of cool, superb hard cider and take bites from a tantalizingly chilled cheese and meat plate from local farmers. From 3-7 p.m every Friday and Saturday, Sietsema’s opens up for you to enjoy a vineyard-esque orchard with a touch of European ambience with an option for doughnuts. “Wait!” you say. “Doughnuts in August? You’re crazy.” Actually, the deliciously fried and sugary dough treats team perfectly with one of Sietsema’s several hard ciders, especially the Yellow Label with its touch of champagne. Sipping in the shade in the country will beat the blinding pavement glare accenting the horrendous city cacophony every day of the week, or just Fridays and Saturdays in Ada. 8540 2 Mile Rd., Ada; sietsemaorchards.com, (616) 676-5584
THE BEST OF MICHIGAN
SUMMER
Come in and enjoy the wonderful Michigan produce that is featured on our new lunch and dinner menus. Be sure to try our Heirloom Carrot Salad and Grilled Lamb Kielbasa & Pork Fat Panzanella— here for a short time only!
201 MONROE AVENUE NW DOWNTOWN GRAND RAPIDS
RESERVEGR.COM
616 855 WINE
Scene | Sounds | Sights Dining Schedule REVUEWM.COM | August 2013 |
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Dining 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 for drinking and dining. SERVING: Lunch Dinner OPEN ON: Open 7 days. GO THERE FOR: Beer and authentic pub food.
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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.
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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.
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Harmony Brewing Company 1551 Lake Dr. SE (616) 233-0063 BREWPUB. The newest addition to the Grand Rapids brewpub scene features five craft-brewed beers in addition to signature root beer for the kiddos. Harmony’s real specialty, however, is a take-out combo that features one of its gourmet wood-fire pizzas and a growler of beer. SERVING: Lunch Dinner OPEN ON: Open 7 days. GO THERE FOR: Pizza and brews.
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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.
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J Bar 20 Monroe NW. 616-356-2000 STEAKS. Grass-fed beef selections and an ample variety of seafood, chops and house specialties. Extensive wine cellar and tastefully upscale ambiance that’s comfortable rather than stuffy. SERVING: Dinner OPEN ON: Closed on Sunday. GO THERE FOR: Choice-cut prime rib, 10-oz. Filet, 14-oz. Top Sirloin.
Schedule Dining Sights | Sounds | Scene
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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.
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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.
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Maggie’s Kitchen 636 Bridge St. NW. 616-458-8583 MEXICAN. The storefront restaurant on GR’s west side has quietly built a reputation as one of the best places in town for authentic Mexican food, especially its tacos and breakfast items like huevos a la Mexicana (scrambled eggs with onions and jalapenos). SERVING: Breakfast Lunch Dinner OPEN ON: T W Th F Sa Sn. GO THERE FOR: Tex-Mex.
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Marie Catrib’s 1001 Lake Dr. 616-454-4020 ECLECTIC. The East Hills eatery has one of the most hard-to-categorize menus in West Michigan, but this line from its website begins to do it justice: “a twist of Lebanese, a hint of Yooper and yen for unique pastries.” Everything is made 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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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For our full list of restaurants, visit revuewm.com/restaurants. To submit or correct information in a dining listing, please send an e-mail to editor@revuewm.com.
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 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.
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Reds on The River 8 E. Bridge St. 616-863-8181 AMERICAN. This highly acclaimed restaurant in the Rockford area promises no processed foods. Red’s sports a cylindrical fireplace and is known for its incredible views and outdoor dining. SERVING: Lunch Dinner OPEN ON: Closed Sundays. GO THERE FOR: Steak and Wine.
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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.
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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 Yorkstyle, he recommends. SERVING: Lunch, Dinner. OPEN ON: Open 7 days. GO THERE FOR: Pizza.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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, Blatz and other classic beers, as well as sangria, 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.
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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 and projection TVs broadcasting big games and pay-per-view UFC matches, outdoor beach volleyball and live music in the summertime … the list goes on. SERVING: Lunch Dinner OPEN ON: Open 7 days. GO THERE FOR: Sports bar atmosphere.
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Scene | Sounds | Sights Dining Schedule
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Dining 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.
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Vitale’s Restaurants Various Grand Rapids locations. vitalespizza.com ITALIAN. The Vitale family has served West Michigan for more than 40 years. Each of the five locations in the Greater Grand Rapids area offer traditional Italian family recipes and award-winning pizza, but provide their own unique dining experience. Whether you go there to watch the big game, enjoy a brew or dine on authentic Italian dishes, these locations have something for everyone. SERVING: Lunch Dinner OPEN ON: 7 days GO THERE FOR: Pizza and Italian dishes.
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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.
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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.
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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.
Blue House Bistro 220 W. 8th Street, Holland. 616-355-1994 AMERICAN. Chef-owned boutique bistro located in downtown Holland, with an extensive menu featuring small plates, sandwiches, soups, salads, pizza, desserts, dine-in, take-out, delivery catering, beer and wine to-go. SERVING: Lunch Dinner OPEN: Tu–Sun. GO THERE FOR: Seafood gumbo, Saturday and Sunday brunch.
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. SERVING: Lunch Dinner OPEN ON: Open 7 days. GO THERE FOR: Portabella Mushroom Fries.
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CityVu Bistro 61 East 7th Street, Holland. 616-796-2114 AMERICAN. Located atop CityFlats Hotel in downtown Holland, CityVu Bistro offers unique breakfast creations, an array of flatbread dinners, and small plates. Full bar with extensive wine list and great views of Holland. Hours of operation change with the seasons. SERVING: Breakfast Lunch Dinner OPEN: Open 7 days. GO THERE FOR: Flatbreads.
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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).
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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.
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Lakeshore
Schedule Dining Sights | Sounds | Scene
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.
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. Enjoy happy hour from 3-6 p.m. Monday through Friday and 9-10 p.m. on Friday and Saturday, which includes delicious half-off appetizers and $1 off drafts. SERVING: Lunch, Dinner OPEN ON: 7 days. GO THERE FOR: 28 taps of craft beer, hometown atmosphere.
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 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.
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 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.
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.
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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.
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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.
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Vitale’s of Zeeland 59 W. Washington St. (616) 772-5900 ITALIAN. This 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.
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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 past 23 years as one of the region’s best dining experiences, including a 3-star rating in the 2010 Forbes Travel Guide (formerly the Mobil Travel Guide). The Tuscan-inspired 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.
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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.
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Food Dance 401 E. Michigan Ave., Kalamazoo. 269-382-1888 AMERICAN. An eclectic American menu that reflects ownership’s fixation on “finding honest-to-goodness fruits, vegetables, meat and eggs that come from the farm, not the factory.” Lots of unique choices, for breakfast (gingerbread pancakes), lunch (crab cake sandwich) and dinner (beer roasted chicken). SERVING: Breakfast Lunch Dinner OPEN ON: 7 days. GO THERE FOR: Fresh Local Foods.
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Old Burdicks Bar & Grill 100 W. Michigan Ave. (269) 226-3192 AMERICAN. Old Burdick’s Bar & Grill features tasty sandwiches, burgers, salads and entrees, as well as a great selection of cocktails, wines and beers. SERVING: Lunch Dinner. OPEN: 7 days. GO THERE FOR: The Old Burdick Burger.
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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.
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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.
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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
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.
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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
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Scene | Sounds | Sights Dining Schedule
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The Schedule Get Scheduled! E-mail your info to schedule@revuewm.com or add your events into our calendar at revuewm.com.
thursday
8.01
Bell’s Eccentric Cafe Evergreen Grass Band Bobarino’s John Rush Cannonsburg Ski Area Grand Rapids Symphony Picnic Pops: ABBA Clara’s on the River Edye Evans Hyde with Terry Lower Downtown Grand Haven Grand Haven Coast Guard Festival Downtown Holland Street Performers Series Dr. Grins Hal Sparks Founders Brewing Company The Soil and The Sun Frederik Meijer Gardens The Beach Boys, Looking East, Facing West: The World of Zhang Huan Gerald R. Ford Presidential Library and Museum Growing Up Grand GRCC Spectrum Theater Blackbox American Buffalo
Howmet Playhouse Muskegon Civic Theatre Presents Leaving Iowa Kalamazoo Institute of Arts West Michigan Area Show, Modern Twist: Contemporary Japanese Bamboo Art, A Precious Artistic Moment: Paintings by Catherine Hinkle Kent District Library Kentwood Branch Underground Music LowellArts! Sci-Fi/Fantasy Invitational Art Exhibition Old Dog Tavern Pokey LaFarge One Trick Pony Acoustic Stew with David Molinary Saugatuck Brewing Company Double Nickel String Band Saugatuck Center for the Arts Mason Street Warehouse Presents: Game Show, Land & Sky: Frank Dudley & the Pageantry of Conservation Tip Top Deluxe Bar & Grill Rockabilly Rumble with Delilah DeWylde UICA Renoir, Chroma, Festival 2013 Regional Arts Exhibition
friday
8.02
Billy’s Lounge Blue Molly Cancun Connection Bar and Grill The Shiznit Cannonsburg Ski Area Grand Rapids Symphony Picnic Pops: ABBA Clara’s on the River Edye Evans Hyde with Terry Lower Dockers Fish House Free Music Fridays Dogwood Center for the Performing Arts Satellite Collective at the Dogwood Center Downtown Battle Creek Vibe@5 Downtown Grand Haven Grand Haven Coast Guard Festival Downtown Kalamazoo Art Hop Dr. Grins Hal Sparks Foundry Hall Drew Gibson Frederik Meijer Gardens John Butler Trio, Looking East, Facing West: The World of Zhang Huan
Gallery Uptown Art Beneath the Bark Gerald R. Ford Presidential Library and Museum Growing Up Grand GRAM GRAM on the Green Grand Woods Lounge Brena Hackley Park Parties in the Park Howmet Playhouse Muskegon Civic Theatre Presents Leaving Iowa Kalamazoo Institute of Arts West Michigan Area Show, Modern Twist: Contemporary Japanese Bamboo Art, A Precious Artistic Moment: Paintings by Catherine Hinkle Kollen Park, Holland Huntington Bank Friday Night Concert Series LowellArts! Sci-Fi/Fantasy Invitational Art Exhibition Mulligan’s Pub Mat Churchill The Pyramid Scheme Grand Rapids Soul Club presents Fly Club Royalty and AB River City Saloon Shovel Rosa Parks Circle Orquesta Tradicion Saugatuck Center for the Arts Mason Street Warehouse Presents: Game Show, Land & Sky: Frank Dudley & the Pageantry of Conservation UICA A Band Called Death, Chroma, Festival 2013 Regional Arts Exhibition
saturday
8.03
Bell’s Eccentric Cafe Crooked Little Reasons wsg Bull Halsey, Bizzare Baazar
Cancun Connection Bar and Grill The Shiznit Centennial Park Art in the Park Dockers Fish House Mr. Wooha Dogwood Center for the Performing Arts Satellite Collective Downtown Douglas Art & All that Jazz Downtown Grand Haven Grand Haven Coast Guard Festival Downtown Grand Rapids Grand Rapids Color Run Dr. Grins Hal Sparks Founders Brewing Co. Dave Arcari Frederik Meijer Gardens Grizzly Bear, Looking East, Facing West: The World of Zhang Huan Gerald R. Ford Presidential Library and Museum Growing Up Grand Goodrich Park, Whitehall White Lake Wine & Jazz Fest Holland Museum Cappon House Game Day Howmet Playhouse Muskegon Civic Theatre Presents Leaving Iowa Kalamazoo Institute of Arts West Michigan Area Show Kalamazoo Institute of Arts Modern Twist: Contemporary Japanese Bamboo Art, A Precious Artistic Moment: Paintings by Catherine Hinkle, First Saturday at the Kalamazoo Public Library LaFontsee Galleries - Douglas Location On Common Ground Opening LowellArts! Sci-Fi/Fantasy Invitational Art Exhibition Marcia Perry’s Ark Gallery/ Sculpture Studio The Goddess Show XVI Opening Celebration
Newaygo County Agricultural Newaygo County Fair The Pyramid Scheme Man at Arms River City Saloon John Sanger Band Round Barn Winery Art & Music in the Vineyard Saugatuck Brewing Company Shaneburger Duo Saugatuck Center for the Arts Mason Street Warehouse Presents: Game Show, Land & Sky: Frank Dudley & the Pageantry of Conservation UICA A Band Called Death, Chroma, Festival 2013 Regional Arts Exhibition Water Street Gallery Are We There Yet? Landscape Show
sunday
8.04
Coopersville Farm Museum and Event Center Coopersville Tractor Show Downtown Grand Haven Grand Haven Coast Guard Festival Frederik Meijer Gardens & Sculpture Park Looking East, Facing West: The World of Zhang Huan Gerald R. Ford Presidential Library and Museum Growing Up Grand Great Lakes Commonwealth of Letters Poetry Workshop with John Rybicki The Intersection The Money Show Kalamazoo Institute of Arts West Michigan Area Show, Modern Twist:
Best Bet: Indie Scene | Sounds | Sights | Dining Schedule
While the four baby-faced members of New York indie rock outfit Grizzly Bear look more like teddy bears than the godless killing machines feared throughout all of Colbert-nation (don’t pretend like you don’t know what we’re talking about), don’t mistake the group’s perceived cuddliness for a lack of ferocity. Sporting a sonic wall of sound that has been filed under various labels, like folkrock, psychedelic-pop, and experimental – a musical genre Grizzly Bear wsg which, for us at least, conjures up images of dissecting an Regal Degal alien corpse on a cold surgical table and somehow that’s Frederik Meijer Gardens, musical – the quartet has been performing since 2002 and Grand Rapids can already claim a successive slew of albums to its credit. Aug. 3, 7 p.m. Currently on tour in support of its latest release, 2012’s $43 for members, $45 Shields, Grizzly Bear is set to bring its folksy roar to the for public Frederik Meijer Gardens in an evening sure to be as full meijergardens.org, (616) of honey as blood. Grizzly or teddy, these bears are ready 957-1580 to rock. Reported by Emma Kat Richardson
Grizzly Bear REVUEWM.COM | August 2013 |
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Schedule Contemporary Japanese Bamboo Art, A Precious Artistic Moment: Paintings by Catherine Hinkle LowellArts! Sci-Fi/Fantasy Invitational Art Exhibition Newaygo County Agricultural Newaygo County Fair Olde World Village Blackrock Medieval Fest Round Barn Winery Art & Music in the Vineyard Saugatuck Center for the Arts Mason Street Warehouse Presents: Game Show, Land & Sky: Frank Dudley & the Pageantry of Conservation UICA A Band Called Death, Chroma, Festival 2013 Regional Arts Exhibition Water Street Gallery Are We There Yet? Landscape Show Wharton Center A Prairie Home Companion - Radio Romance Tour
monday
Schedule Dining | Sights | Sounds | Scene
8.05
Coopersville Farm Museum and Event Center Coopersville Tractor Show Frederik Meijer Gardens Garrison Keillor, Looking East, Facing West: The World of Zhang Huan Gerald R. Ford Presidential Library and Museum Growing Up Grand John Ball Park Band Shell West Michigan Jazz Society: Jazz at the Zoo Loutit District Library Michigan Pirate Festival LowellArts! Sci-Fi/Fantasy Invitational Art Exhibition Newaygo County Agricultural Newaygo County Fair Saugatuck Center for the Arts Mason Street Warehouse Presents Game Show, Land & Sky: Frank Dudley & the Pageantry of Conservation Tip Top Deluxe Bar & Grill Kim Lenz and the Jaguars Water Street Gallery Are We There Yet? Landscape Show
tuesday
8.06
Bell’s Eccentric Cafe Brew & View in the Beer Garden
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Coopersville Farm Museum and Event Center Coopersville Tractor Show Downtown Rockford Huntington Rogue River Blues Series Frederik Meijer Gardens & Sculpture Park Looking East, Facing West: The World of Zhang Huan Gerald R. Ford Presidential Library and Museum Growing Up Grand Kalamazo Institute of Arts ARTbreak: Tanaka Kyokusho - A Bamboo Artist, West Michigan Area Show, Modern Twist: Contemporary Japanese Bamboo Art, A Precious Artistic Moment: Paintings by Catherine Hinkle Kollen Park National Night Out LowellArts! Sci-Fi/Fantasy Invitational Art Exhibition Newaygo County Agricultural Newaygo County Fair Old School House History Center Tuesday Talks The Pyramid Scheme Death Rosa Parks Circle Swing Dancing Saugatuck Center for the Arts Mason Street Warehouse Presents: Game Show, Land & Sky: Frank Dudley & the Pageantry of Conservation UICA A Band Called Death, Chroma, Festival 2013 Regional Arts Exhibition Water Street Gallery Are We There Yet? Landscape Show Watermark 920 Truth In Jazz Orchestra Wealthy Theatre Meanwhile Movie: The Hudsucker Proxy Women’s City Club Stormchasers
wednesday
8.07
Clara’s on the River Buddy Pop Dogwood Center for the Performing Arts Waterwalk Downtown Battle Creek Festival Market Music Frederik Meijer Gardens & Sculpture Park Looking East, Facing West: The World of Zhang Huan Gerald R. Ford Presidential Library and Museum Growing Up Grand Grand Rapids Public LibraryMain Teen Cemetery Tour, Author Visit: Kristin Kimball talks about The Dirty Life
The Whigs: The Pyramid Scheme, Aug. 27 Great Lakes Commonwealth of Letters Book Launch & Discussion on Translating Poetry with Ian Haight Heritage Landing Unity Christian Music Festival The Intersection Philip H. Anselmo & The Illegals Kalamazoo Institute of Arts West Michigan Area Show, Modern Twist: Contemporary Japanese Bamboo Art, A Precious Artistic Moment: Paintings by Catherine Hinkle Kent District Library, Kentwood Branch City of Kentwood 2013 Summer Concert Series LowellArts! Sci-Fi/Fantasy Invitational Art Exhibition Newaygo County Agricultural Newaygo County Fair Noto’s Lounge Tommy Hagan Trio featuring Rick Reuther The Pyramid Scheme Nice Work Album Release featuring Edword Nino and Venison Dix Saugatuck Center for the Arts Mason Street Warehouse Presents: Game Show, Land & Sky: Frank
Dudley & the Pageantry of Conservation Tri-Cities Historical Museum Historic River Cruise Aboard D.J. Angus UICA A Band Called Death, Chroma, Festival 2013 Regional Arts Exhibition Water Street Gallery Are We There Yet? Landscape Show
thursday
8.08
Aquinas College Performing Arts Center Circle Theatre Presents: Boeing Boeing Bell’s Eccentric Cafe The Crane Wives wsg Go Long Mule Bobarino’s John Rush Bud and Stanley’s Music on the Deck Clara’s On The River Edye Evans Hyde with Terry Tower Trio Downtown Holland Street Performers Series
Dr. Grins Dan St. Germain Frederik Meijer Gardens Randy Newman, Looking East, Facing West: The World of Zhang Huan Gerald R. Ford Presidential Library and Museum Growing Up Grand Howmet Playhouse You’re a Good Man, Charlie Brown Kalamazoo Institute of Arts West Michigan Area Show, Modern Twist: Contemporary Japanese Bamboo Art, A Precious Artistic Moment: Paintings by Catherine Hinkle LowellArts! Sci-Fi/Fantasy Invitational Art Exhibition Newaygo County Agricultural Newaygo County Fair One Trick Pony Acoustic Stew with Pete Bardolph Duo The Pyramid Scheme Fusion Shows Presents: G-Eazy Saugatuck Brewing Company Toby Bresnahan Saugatuck Center for the Arts Mason Street Warehouse Presents: Game Show, Land & Sky: Frank Dudley & the Pageantry of Conservation Saugatuck Woman’s Club Chamber Music Festival of Saugatuck UICA A Band Called Death, Chroma, Festival 2013 Regional Arts Exhibition Water Street Gallery Are We There Yet? Landscape Show
friday
8.09
Aquinas College Performing Arts Center Circle Theatre Presents: Boeing Boeing Cancun Connection Bar and Grill Voodoo Theory Bell’s Eccentric Cafe May Erlewine Clara’s On The River Edye Evans Hyde and Terry Tower Trio Dockers Fish House Free Music Fridays Downtown Battle Creek Vibe@5 Downtown Coopersville Del Shannon Car Cruise Downtown Holland Downtown Sidewalk Sales Downtown Whittaker Street New Buffalo Ship & Shore Festival Dr. Grins Dan St. Germain Frederik Meijer Gardens & Sculpture Park Looking East, Facing West: The World of Zhang Huan
Gerald R. Ford Presidential Library and Museum Growing Up Grand GRAM GRAM on the Green Grand Rapids Public Museum Planetarium “Wish You Were Here” Pink Floyd Laser Light Show Grand Woods Lounge Borrowed Time Hackley Park Parties in the Park Howmet Playhouse You’re a Good Man, Charlie Brown The Intersection Sparks The Rescue Kalamazoo Institute of Arts West Michigan Area Show, Modern Twist: Contemporary Japanese Bamboo Art, A Precious Artistic Moment: Paintings by Catherine Hinkle The Livery Tim Stop Band LowellArts! Sci-Fi/Fantasy Invitational Art Exhibition Newaygo County Agricultural Newaygo County Fair The Pyramid Scheme Flashing Blue Lights, Juxtapose, Bello Spark, The Campanellis River City Saloon Shoulda, Woulda, Coulda Saugatuck Center for the Arts Mason Street Warehouse Presents: Game Show, Land & Sky: Frank Dudley & the Pageantry of Conservation Saugatuck Woman’s Club Chamber Music Festival of Saugatuck UICA Crystal Fairy, Chroma, Festival 2013 Regional Arts Exhibition Water Street Gallery Are We There Yet? Landscape Show Wealthy Theatre iii Film Series: APE
saturday
8.10
Aquinas College Performing Arts Center Circle Theatre Presents: Boeing Boeing The B.O.B. The Chive Party Bell’s Eccentric Cafe Flashing Blue Lights & Fly Paper wsg Emily Yates Cancun Connection Bar and Grill 2 Headed Chan Dockers Fish House Star Farm Downtown Battle Creek International Summerfest and Black Arts Festival, Battle Creek Metropolitan Area Mustache Society Raft Race
Downtown Coopersville Del Shannon Car Show Downtown Saugatuck Taste of Art Tour Dr. Grins Dan St. Germain Frederik Meijer Gardens & Sculpture Park Looking East, Facing West: The World of Zhang Huan Gerald R. Ford Presidential Library and Museum Growing Up Grand HopCat El Toro! Running of the Bulls Howmet Playhouse You’re a Good Man, Charlie Brown Kalamazoo Institute of Arts West Michigan Area Show, Modern Twist: Contemporary Japanese Bamboo Art, A Precious Artistic Moment: Paintings by Catherine Hinkle Kollen Park & Heinz Waterfront Walkway Symphony Community Pops Concert Little River Casino Bobby Vinton LowellArts! Sci-Fi/Fantasy Invitational Art Exhibition Mulligan’s Pub This is the Year Newaygo County Agricultural Newaygo County Fair Olde World Village Blackrock Medieval Fest The Pyramid Scheme Back to the ‘90s Saugatuck Brewing Company Jen Sygit & Sam Saugatuck Center for the Arts Mason Street Warehouse Presents: Game Show The Score Live MMA Cage Fight Thirsty Dutchman Pub Performers on the Patio Urban Institute for Contemporary Arts Crystal Fairy, Chroma, Festival 2013 Regional Arts Exhibition Water Street Gallery Are We There Yet? Landscape Show
Best Bet: Rock The three bearded, trench-coated
ZZ Top wsg Kenny members of ZZ Top may have faded from Wayne Shepherd the limelight with age, but some things reRock the Rapids, main consistent: namely, many people still Comstock Park go crazy for men dressed sharply. And they Aug. 22, 7 p.m. don’t come much sharper than the Top boys $28, $38, $49 themselves, who, with 15 best-selling albums rocktherapids.org, and more No. 1 hits than you could shake (616) 784-4131 a pair of sunglasses at, need not do much more than bust out the opening chords of “Legs” to retain relevance. Joined onstage by Louisiana-born guitarist Kenny Wayne Shepherd, the closing evening of Soaring Eagle Casino’s Rock the Rapids festival is undoubtedly going to be full of RAWK, with multiple pairs of devil horns in the air and righteous rage to spare. Come on out and give the Topsters all your lovin’. And, if so inclined, all your hugs and kisses too. Don’t they deserve it? Reported by Emma Kat Richardson
ZZ Top Art, A Precious Artistic Moment: Paintings by Catherine Hinkle LowellArts! Sci-Fi/Fantasy Invitational Art Exhibition Saugatuck Center for the Arts Mason Street Warehouse Presents: Game Show UICA Crystal Fairy, Chroma, Festival 2013 Regional Arts Exhibition Water Street Gallery Are We There Yet? Landscape Show
monday
8.12
Bell’s Eccentric Cafe Square Dance Kalamazoo! Bowhunter & Pat Hoejke calling Frederik Meijer Gardens & Sculpture Park Looking East, Facing West: The World of Zhang Huan
LowellArts! Sci-Fi/Fantasy Invitational Art Exhibition Saugatuck Center for the Arts Summer in the Studio: Adrianne Gonzalez & Garrison Starr Water Street Gallery Are We There Yet? Landscape Show
tuesday
8.13
sunday
8.11
Dockers Fish House Classic Fix Downtown Whittaker Street New Buffalo Ship & Shore Festival Frederik Meijer Gardens Owl City, Looking East, Facing West: The World of Zhang Huan Gerald R. Ford Presidential Library and Museum Growing Up Grand Kalamazoo Institute of Arts West Michigan Area Show, Modern Twist: Contemporary Japanese Bamboo
Hard Femme: Con Artist Crew Gallery, Aug. 10
wednesday
8.14
Aquinas College Performing Arts Center Circle Theatre Presents: Boeing Boeing Clara’s on the River Buddy Pop Frauenthal Center Free Movie at the Frauenthal “The Wizard of Oz” Frederik Meijer Gardens & Sculpture Park Looking East, Facing West: The World of Zhang Huan Gerald R. Ford Presidential Library and Museum Growing Up Grand Grand Rapids Public LibraryMain Adventures in Antarctica: Exploring and Protecting Earth’s Last Great Wilderness Kalamazoo Institute of Arts West Michigan Area Show, Modern Twist: Contemporary Japanese Bamboo Art, A Precious Artistic Moment: Paintings by Catherine Hinkle LowellArts! Sci-Fi/Fantasy Invitational Art Exhibition Noto’s Lounge Tommy Hagan Trio featuring Rick Reuther Ottawa County Fairgrounds Summer Sounds Park Concert
Rosa Parks Circle Wayne Baker Brooks Tri-Cities Historical Museum Lake Forest Cemetery Walk UICA Crystal Fairy, Chroma, Festival 2013 Regional Arts Exhibition Water Street Gallery Are We There Yet? Landscape Show
thursday
8.15
Aquinas College Performing Arts Center Circle Theatre Presents: Boeing Boeing Bell’s Eccentric Cafe Jack & the Bear wsg Dolfish Bobarino’s John Rush Clara’s on the River Edye Evans Hyde with Terry Lower Downtown Holland Street Performers Series Dr. Grins Joey Diaz Flat River Grill Sizzling Summer Concert Series And Showboat Bar Frederik Meijer Gardens Big Bad Voodoo Daddy, Looking East, Facing West: The World of Zhang Huan Gerald R. Ford Presidential Library and Museum Growing Up Grand GRAM Creativity Uncorked: Improv Chop Shop
REVUEWM.COM | August 2013 |
Scene | Sounds | Sights | Dining Schedule
Downtown Rockford Huntington Rogue River Blues Series Frederik Meijer Gardens & Sculpture Park Looking East, Facing West: The World of Zhang Huan Gerald R. Ford Presidential Library and Museum Growing Up Grand Kalamazoo Institute of Arts West Michigan Area Show, Modern Twist: Contemporary Japanese Bamboo Art, A Precious Artistic Moment: Paintings by Catherine Hinkle, ARTbreak: American Visions: A Wave from the Atlantic LowellArts! Sci-Fi/Fantasy Invitational Art Exhibition Rosa Parks Circle Swing Dancing Salt of the Earth George Cole and Eurocana UICA Crystal Fairy, Chroma, Festival 2013 Regional Arts Exhibition
Water Street Gallery Are We There Yet? Landscape Show Wealthy Theatre Meanwhile Movie: Fargo
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Schedule Howmet Playhouse Love Letters Kalamazoo Institute of Arts West Michigan Area Show, Modern Twist: Contemporary Japanese Bamboo Art, A Precious Artistic Moment: Paintings by Catherine Hinkle LowellArts! Sci-Fi/Fantasy Invitational Art Exhibition Master Arts Theatre Quilters the Musical One Trick Pony Acoustic Stew with The Trace Duo The Pyramid Scheme The Appleseed Cast + Des Ark + Heartscape + Landbreak Saugatuck Brewing Company Freemont John
Saugatuck Woman’s Club Chamber Music Festival of Saugatuck UICA Crystal Fairy, Chroma, Festival 2013 Regional Arts Exhibition, Tiny Terrariums: Out of the Bottle Water Street Gallery Are We There Yet? Landscape Show
friday
8.16
Aquinas College Performing Arts Center Circle Theatre Presents: Boeing Boeing
Bell’s Eccentric Cafe Henhouse Prowlers wsg Joshua Davis Cancun Connection Bar and Grill Big Cadillac Clara’s on the River Edye Evans Hyde with Terry Lower Downtown Battle Creek Vibe@5 Dr. Grins Joey Diaz Foundry Hall Nobody’s Darlin Frederik Meijer Gardens & Sculpture Park Looking East, Facing West: The World of Zhang Huan Gerald R. Ford Presidential Library and Museum Growing Up Grand GRAM GRAM on the Green Hackley Park Parties in the Park Howmet Playhouse Love Letters
Kalamazoo Institute of Arts West Michigan Area Show, Modern Twist: Contemporary Japanese Bamboo Art, A Precious Artistic Moment: Paintings by Catherine Hinkle Kollen Park, Holland Huntington Bank Friday Night Concert Series Master Arts Theatre Quilters the Musical The Pyramid Scheme #saturDAZE River City Saloon Sookie Jones Saugatuck Center for the Arts Mason Street Warehouse Presents: Closer Than Ever Saugatuck Woman’s Club Chamber Music Festival of Saugatuck UICA Crystal Fairy, Chroma, Festival 2013 Regional Arts
Best Bet: Jazz
Schedule Dining | Sights | Sounds | Scene
GRand Jazz Fest For Grand Rapids’ fabulous, free jazz fest’s second year (did you hear us? FREE), event organizers are pulling out all the stops to bring fans the snazziest, jazziest lineup yet. I mean, really – they’ve all but stopped short of rigging up the corpse of Charlie Parker in some sort of elaborate “Weekend at Charlie’s” rouse. With artists like the Chicagoan guitarist Nick Colionne and Lansing’s own saxophonist Phil Denny set to perform, diversity abounds in this improvisational wall of sound utopia. Also included in this outstanding lineup are Deon Yates, the Randy Marsh Organ Trio, The Paul Keller At Sundown Quintet, Sheila Landis & Brazilian Love Affair, plus countless others. So if wildly fluctuating grace notes and elegant patterns of syncopation constitute your idea of a weekend well spent, pull up a folding chair to Rosa Parks Circle and let the groovy waves wash over you. Reported by Emma Kat Richardson
62 | REVUEWM.COM | August 2013
GRand Jazz Fest Rosa Parks Circle, Grand Rapids Aug. 17-18, noon-evening Free! grandjazzfest.org, (616) 617-7720
Exhibition, Deceptive Practice: The Mysteries and Mentors of Ricky Jay Water Street Gallery Are We There Yet? Landscape Show
saturday
8.17
Allegan County Lakeshore Harvest Country Bike Tour Aquinas College Performing Arts Center Circle Theatre Presents: Boeing Boeing Barn Theater Monty Python’s Spamalot Bell’s Eccentric Cafe Hurricane Reggae Band Blue Water Grill Live Music Cancun Connection Bar and Grill Big Cadillac Curragh Irish Pub Aidan O’Toole Dogwood Center for the Performing Arts Hot Club of Detroit Downtown Battle Creek Battle Through the Creek Downtown Grand Haven Grand Haven Sidewalk Sales Downtown Grand Rapids Moving Towards a Cure Downtown Saugatuck White with a Splash of Rainbow! 5K Run Dr. Grins Joey Diaz Foundry Hall Lake Effect Winds Frederik Meijer Gardens & Sculpture Park Looking East, Facing West: The World of Zhang Huan Gerald R. Ford Presidential Library and Museum Growing Up Grand Grand Rapids Public LibraryMain Vintage Trailer Show, Airstream: Custom Interiors Heritage Landing Moose Fest Howmet Playhouse Love Letters Kalamazoo Institute of Arts West Michigan Area Show, Modern Twist: Contemporary Japanese Bamboo Art, A Precious Artistic Moment: Paintings by Catherine Hinkle Little River Casino America Master Arts Theatre Quilters the Musical River City Saloon Rob Viilo Riverside Park The Grand Duck Race Rosa Park Circle GRandJazzFest Saugatuck Brewing Company Brian Fedewa Saugatuck Center for the Arts Mason Street Warehouse Theatre Presents: Closer Than Ever
Striders Sunset Series: Osgood Brewing 5K Thirsty Dutchman Pub Performers on the Patio UICA Crystal Fairy, Chroma, Festival 2013 Regional Arts Exhibition, Deceptive Practice: The Mysteries and Mentors of Ricky Jay Water Street Gallery Are We There Yet? Landscape Show
sunday
8.18
Aquinas College Performing Arts Center Circle Theatre Presents: Boeing Boeing Barn Theater Monty Python’s Spamalot Bronson Park (Kzoo) Concerts in the Park presents Hot Club of Detroit Frederik Meijer Gardens & Sculpture Park Looking East, Facing West: The World of Zhang Huan Gerald R. Ford Presidential Library and Museum Growing Up Grand The Intersection Chimaira Kalamazoo Institute of Arts West Michigan Area Show, Modern Twist: Contemporary Japanese Bamboo Art, A Precious Artistic Moment: Paintings by Catherine Hinkle, Get the Picture! Gallery Talk: Robert Gwathmey Rosa Park Circle GRandJazzFest Saugatuck Center for the Arts Mason Street Warehouse Theatre Presents: Closer Than Ever UICA Crystal Fairy, Chroma, Festival 2013 Regional Arts Exhibition, Deceptive Practice: The Mysteries and Mentors of Ricky Jay Water Street Gallery Are We There Yet? Landscape Show Wings Stadium Ratt
monday
8.19
Aquinas College Performing Arts Center The Music of Webber & Rice Frederik Meijer Gardens & Sculpture Park Looking East, Facing West: The World of Zhang Huan Gerald R. Ford Presidential Library and Museum Growing Up Grand
REVUEWM.COM | August 2013 |
63
Schedule Holland Museum “Harnessing the Wind” Exhibit Tri-Cities Historical Museum Spring Lake Cemetery Walk Water Street Gallery Are We There Yet? Landscape Show
tuesday
8.20
Fifth Third Ballpark Rock the Rapids: Thompson Square, Brett Elderedge, Drake White Frederik Meijer Gardens & Sculpture Park Looking East, Facing West: The World of Zhang Huan Gerald R. Ford Presidential Library and Museum Growing Up Grand Kalamazoo Institute of Arts West Michigan Area Show, Modern Twist: Contemporary Japanese Bamboo Art, A Precious Artistic Moment: Paintings by Catherine Hinkle Rosa Parks Circle Swing Dancing Salt of the Earth Moxie Strings Saugatuck Center for the Arts Mason Street Warehouse Presents: Closer Than Ever UICA Crystal Fairy, Deceptive Practice: The Mysteries and Mentors of Ricky Jay Water Street Gallery Are We There Yet? Landscape Show Watermark 920 Truth In Jazz Orchestra Wealthy Theatre Meanwhile Movie: The Big Lebowski
Clara’s on the River Buddy Pop Downtown Battle Creek Festival Market Music Fifth Third Ballpark Rock The Rapids: Daughtry with Lifehouse Frederik Meijer Gardens Michael McDonald, Looking East, Facing West: The World of Zhang Huan Gerald R. Ford Presidential Library and Museum Growing Up Grand Grand Rapids Public Library- Main A Night with John Steinbeck Kalamazoo Institute of Arts West Michigan Area Show, Modern Twist: Contemporary Japanese Bamboo Art, A Precious Artistic Moment: Paintings by Catherine Hinkle
wednesday
Schedule Dining | Sights | Sounds | Scene
8.21
TOMMY
Kalamazoo Public Library- Central Gifts or Creatures Kent District Library Englehardt Branch Meet Author and Adventurer Jennifer Pharr Davis Noto’s Lounge Tommy Hagan Trio featuring Rick Reuther Saugatuck Center for the Arts Mason Street Warehouse Presents: Closer Than Ever Tri-Cities Historical Museum Historic River Cruise Aboard D.J. Angus UICA Deceptive Practice: The Mysteries and Mentors of Ricky Jay Water Street Gallery Are We There Yet? Landscape Show
thursday
8.22
Bell’s Eccentric Cafe The Spirit Family Band wsg Phoff Trio Bobarino’s John Rush Bud and Stanley’s Music on the Deck Aquinas College Performing Arts Center Circle Theatre Presents: Boeing Boeing Clara’s on the River Edye Evans Hyde with Terry Lower Dog Story Theater Circle Mirror Transformation Downtown Holland Street Performers Series
64 | REVUEWM.COM | August 2013
Contemporary Japanese Bamboo Art, A Precious Artistic Moment: Paintings by Catherine Hinkle One Trick Pony Grill & Taproom Acoustic Stew with Rick Ruether The Pyramid Scheme End Bullying, Save Lives presents Levi the Poet Saugatuck Brewing Company Trace Duo Saugatuck Center for the Arts Mason Street Warehouse Theatre Presents: Closer Than Ever UICA Deceptive Practice: The Mysteries and Mentors of Ricky Jay Water Street Gallery Are We There Yet? Landscape Show
Randy Newman
Best Bet: Singer-Songwriter You don’t have to be a short person, Pixar enthusiast, or even a fan of wacky (though, notably, never wack) vocal stylings to appreciate the pop legacy of Randy Newman. In fact, the prolific singer-songwriter is so iconic that even just saying his name is enough of a litmus test to determine which members of your social circle strive to be second-rate impersonation comedians. (Pro-tip: you can tell by who immediately launches into the “Newman voice.”) Yet, all joking aside, Newman’s credentials as a pop music master Randy Newman maestro run far and deep as his impressive range – highlights Frederik Meijer include a plethora of Grammy statuettes, a half-century career, Gardens, Grand and the scoring of basically every digitally animated family Rapids movie ever produced. Oh, and here’s a fun fact: although Aug. 8, 7 p.m. state legislators in Maryland did attempt to pass a bill that $48 for members, would have made playing Newman’s most well-known song $50 for public “Short People” illegal, that bill, contrary to popular belief, did meijergardens.org, not pass. Still pretty badass, though. Try topping that kind of (616) 957-1580 notoriety, Axel. Reported by Emma Kat Richardson
1/2 OFF DRINKS & APPETIZERS EVERYDAY
THE BEST HAPPY HOUR IN TOWN! TOMMY BRANN’S
Dr. Grins Alonzo Bodden Fifth Third Ballpark Rock The Rapids: ZZ Top with Kenny Wayne Shepherd Founders Brewing Co. Lucius Frederik Meijer Gardens & Sculpture Park Looking East, Facing West: The World of Zhang Huan Gerald R. Ford Presidential Library and Museum Growing Up Grand Grand Rapids Public Library- Main Bank Robberies and the FBI Holland Tulipanes Howmet Playhouse Steel Magnolias Kalamazoo Institute of Arts West Michigan Area Show, Modern Twist:
4157 S Division, Wyoming (616) 534-5421
4PM - Close (In Bar Only)
DRINK SPECIALS & MORE!
20 Oz. Select Domestic Drafts $2.50 14 Oz. MI Craft Beers $2.75 Well Shot & Pop $1.87 Captain Morgan $2.52 Absolute $2.55 Jameson $2.85 *specials available at Tommy Brann’s location only
The Pyramid Scheme The English Beat River City Saloon Tetrad Rosa Parks Circle Dozynki Polish Festival Saugatuck Center for the Arts Mason Street Warehouse Theatre Presents: Closer Than Ever Water Street Gallery Are We There Yet? Landscape Show Watermark 920 HD Presents: The Homecoming release party Wealthy Theatre The Wrecking Crew
friday
8.23
The Intersection Breathe Carolina The B.O.B. Crush is Country Bell’s Eccentric Cafe The Rock Show Band Cancun Connection Bar and Grill Stealin’ Hearts Clara’s on the River Clara’s Summer Patio Entertainment: Edye Evans Hyde with Terry Lower Dockers Fish House Mike Boxer & Fiddleface Dog Story Theater Circle Mirror Transformation Dogwood Center for the Performing Arts Lindsay Lou and the Flatbellys Downtown Battle Creek Vibe@5 Dr. Grins Alonzo Bodden Frederik Meijer Gardens & Sculpture Park Looking East, Facing West: The World of Zhang Huan
U YO
I ’R E
Howie Day: District Square, Aug. 25 Gerald R. Ford Presidential Library and Museum Growing Up Grand GRAM GRAM on the Green Grand Rapids Public Museum Planetarium Pink Floyd “Dark Side of the Moon” Laser Light Show Harbor Island Tri-Cities Kiwanis Circus
N
E VIT
Holy Trinity Greek Orthodox Church The 4th Annual Yassou! Greek Cultural Festival Howmet Playhouse Steel Magnolias Kalamazoo Institute of Arts West Michigan Area Show, Modern Twist: Contemporary Japanese Bamboo Art, A Precious Artistic Moment: Paintings by Catherine Hinkle
D!
saturday
8.24
106 Gallery Grand Rapids Zine Fest Bell’s Eccentric Cafe Official WFTDA Division 2 Roller Derby After Party Blandford Nature Center Panel Discussion with Vic Foerster, Patricia Clark, and Howard Meyerson
Cancun Connection Bar and Grill Stealin Hearts Dog Story Theater Circle Mirror Transformation Dr. Grins Alonzo Bodden Frederik Meijer Gardens Lyle Lovett & his Large Band, Looking East, Facing West: The World of Zhang Huan Gerald R. Ford Presidential Library and Museum Growing Up Grand Grand Rapids Public Museum “Beneath the Surface: Shipwrecks” with Jay Follis and Bill Helmholdt Holy Trinity Greek Orthodox Church The 4th Annual Yassou! Greek Cultural Festival Howmet Playhouse Steel Magnolias The Intersection Luminox Kalamazoo Institute of Arts West Michigan Area Show, Modern Twist: Contemporary Japanese Bamboo Art, A Precious Artistic Moment: Paintings by Catherine Hinkle The Olde World Village Old World Frontier Days
The Pyramid Scheme 2nd Great Lakes Regional: Beard and Mustache Competition River City Saloon Kastanza Rosa Parks Circle Dozynki Polish Festival Round Barn Winery 21st Annual Harvest Party Saugatuck Brewing Company Jack Lewis Trio Saugatuck Center for the Arts Mason Street Warehouse Theatre Presents: Closer Than Ever Water Street Gallery Are We There Yet? Landscape Show Wealthy Theatre iii Film Series: Tower
sunday
8.25
Dog Story Theater Circle Mirror Transformation Downtown Saugatuck Taste of Saugatuck
MARY IDEMA PEW LIBRARY
LEARNING AND INFORMATION COMMONS
OPEN HOUSE
Please join us for a community celebration of the opening of Grand Valley State University’s new Mary Idema Pew Library Learning and Information Commons. Tour the new academic heart of Grand Valley’s Allendale Campus and learn more about why the Mary Idema Pew Library is receiving national recognition as a model for 21st century learning.
Saturday, September 7 1-5 p.m. Allendale Campus
Open house sponsored by
Scan this code or visit gvsu.edu/libraryopening for event details. REVUEWM.COM | August 2013 |
Scene | Sounds | Sights | Dining Schedule
Thank you to the 1,400 donors who made the library possible.
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Schedule Saugatuck Center for the Arts Mason Street Warehouse Theatre Presents: Closer Than Ever Water Street Gallery Are We There Yet? Landscape Show Wealthy Theatre Meanwhile Movie: No Country for Old Men
wednesay
8.28
Hot Club of Detroit: Aug. 17, Dogwood Center for the Performing Arts; Aug. 18, Bronson Park (Kzoo)
Schedule Dining | Sights | Sounds | Scene
Frederik Meijer Gardens & Sculpture Park Looking East, Facing West: The World of Zhang Huan Gerald R. Ford Presidential Library and Museum Growing Up Grand Holland Museum Vintage Holland Boat Show Holy Trinity Greek Orthodox Church The 4th Annual Yassou! Greek Cultural Festival Kalamazoo Institute of Arts West Michigan Area Show, Modern Twist: Contemporary Japanese Bamboo Art, A Precious Artistic Moment: Paintings by Catherine Hinkle Rosa Parks Circle Dozynki Polish Festival Round Barn Winery 21st Annual Harvest Party
66 | REVUEWM.COM | August 2013
Saugatuck Center for the Arts Mason Street Warehouse Theatre Presents: Closer Than Ever Water Street Gallery Are We There Yet? Landscape Show
monday
8.26
Dog Story Theater Circle Mirror Transformation Saugatuck Center for the Arts Summer in the Studio: Sam Corbin & Jen Sygit Water Street Gallery Are We There Yet? Landscape Show
tuesday
8.27
Dog Story Theater Circle Mirror Transformation Gerald R. Ford Presidential Library and Museum Growing Up Grand Herrick District Library Guerilla Art Kalamazoo Institute of Arts West Michigan Area Show, Modern Twist: Contemporary Japanese Bamboo Art, A Precious Artistic Moment: Paintings by Catherine Hinkle Old School House History Center Tuesday Talks The Pyramid Scheme The Whigs Rosa Parks Circle Swing Dancing Salt of the Earth Schrock Bros
CALVIN’S GEZON AUDITORIUM 3201 BURTON ST SE
AUGUST 17 LADIES LITERARY CLUB 61 SHELDON BLVD SE
SEPTEMBER 21 OCTOBER 12 OCTOBER 19 ALL SHOWS 7:33 PM RIVERCITYIMPROV.COM
Clara’s on the River Buddy Pop Dog Story Theater Circle Mirror Transformation Frederik Meijer Gardens Smokey Robinson Gerald R. Ford Presidential Library and Museum Growing Up Grand Kalamazoo Institute of Arts West Michigan Area Show, Modern Twist: Contemporary Japanese Bamboo Art, A Precious Artistic Moment: Paintings by Catherine Hinkle Noto’s Lounge Tommy Hagan Trio featuring Rick Reuther Saugatuck Center for the Arts Mason Street Warehouse Theatre Presents: Closer Than Ever Water Street Gallery Are We There Yet? Landscape Show
thursday
8.29
Bell’s Eccentric Cafe Carolina Story Bobarino’s John Rush Bud and Stanley’s Music on the Deck Clara’s on the River Edye Evans Hyde with Terry Lower Downtown Holland Street Performers Series
Dr. Grins Frank Roche Flat River Grill Sizzling Summer Concert Series And Showboat Bar Gerald R. Ford Presidential Library and Museum Growing Up Grand Kalamazoo Institute of Arts West Michigan Area Show, Modern Twist: Contemporary Japanese Bamboo Art, A Precious Artistic Moment: Paintings by Catherine Hinkle Saugatuck Brewing Company Kevin Murphy Saugatuck Center for the Arts Mason Street Warehouse Theatre Presents: Closer Than Ever Water Street Gallery Are We There Yet? Landscape Show
friday
8.30
Bell’s Eccentric Cafe The Hexbombs wsg The Tosspints Cancun Connection Bar and Grill DJ Hank Clara’s on the River Edye Evans Hyde with Terry Lower Dockers Fish House Mike Boxer & Fiddleface Dr. Grins Frank Roche Gerald R. Ford Presidential Library and Museum Growing Up Grand GRAM GRAM on the Green Kalamazoo Institute of Arts West Michigan Area Show, Modern Twist: Contemporary Japanese Bamboo Art, A Precious Artistic Moment: Paintings by Catherine Hinkle Little River Casino Happy Together Tour The Pyramid Scheme Reverend Horton Heat, Wayne “The Train” Hancock, Deke Dickerson River City Saloon John Sanger Band
Saugatuck Center for the Arts Mason Street Warehouse Theatre Presents: Closer Than Ever Water Street Gallery Are We There Yet? Landscape Show
saturday
8.31
Bell’s Eccentric Cafe Bryan Michael Fischer Band Cancun Connection Bar and Grill DJ Hank Dockers Fish House Groove Solution Dr. Grins Frank Roche Gerald R. Ford Presidential Library and Museum Growing Up Grand Kalamazoo Institute of Arts West Michigan Area Show, Modern Twist: Contemporary Japanese Bamboo Art, A Precious Artistic Moment: Paintings by Catherine Hinkle River City Saloon Hairmania Saugatuck Brewing Company Jack Leaver Saugatuck Center for the Arts Mason Street Warehouse Theatre Presents: Closer Than Ever Water Street Gallery Are We There Yet? Landscape Show Wings Stadium Audiotree Music Festival n
For more events, check out our calendar at revueWm.com.