West Michigan’s Entertainment Guide for 26 years  December 2014
Free! / Music / Movies / Art / Culture
holiday gift guide
Special gift ideas for your special snowflake
REVUEWM.COM | December 2014 |
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Letter from the Editor
W est M ichigan ’ s E ntertainment G uide
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Editorial Publisher Brian Edwards / brian@revuewm.com Associate Publisher Molly Rizor / molly@revuewm.com Managing Editor Lindsay Patton-Carson / lindsay@revuewm.com
t kind of feels like it’s been Christmas forever in West Michigan. I mean, we did get snow on Halloween and 16 inches of snow before Thanksgiving.
Oh! And I also learned that there are two radio stations here that play nothing but Christmas music from after Halloween until Dec. 26. That’s just gratuitous. So, by the time December has rolled around, it seems like we’ve had holiday overkill. BUT WAIT. You haven’t gone shopping yet! Shooooooooooooot. Deep breaths.
You don’t have to worry, because that’s what we’re here for. Giving to others shouldn’t be a chore or something you dread. The holiday season makes it so we feel obligated to give THE BEST PRESENT EVER, which honestly, is a lot of pressure. Instead, we should be celebrating the people we care about and not look at them as a chore. So knock it off. For those who live in West Michigan, we’ve rounded up a bunch of awesome local things to do, places to eat and drink and more. Celebrate the special person in your life instead of viewing them as just another thing to check off on your gift list. We’ve helped you out with a number of different personalities and gifts and things to do that fit those types. It’s now up to you to do the follow through. Rock on.
Design Creative Director Kim Kibby / kim@revuewm.com Design Kim Kibby, Kristi Kortman, Kellie Zaplitny Contributing Writers Kyle Austin Nolan Krebs Missy Black Audria Larsen Joe Boomgaard Allison Parker Steven de Polo Carly Plank Joe Gasmann Emma Kat Richardson Dwayne Hoover Rei Robinson Alexandra Kadlec Josh Spanninga Kerri VanderHoff Contributing Photographers Kelsey Wahowiak Listings schedule@revuewm.com Revue Minions Giovana Barreto, Anastasia Hauschild, Kayla Hay, Jack Raymond, Lindsey Wylie-Gruen Sales / 616.608.6170 Kelli Belanger / kbelanger@revuewm.com Molly Rizor / molly@revuewm.com Digital Editor Jayson Bussa / jayson@revuewm.com
Lindsay Patton-Carson, Managing Editor / lindsay@revuewm.com
Advertising index Arcadia Ales. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 21 Amway Hotel Corporation . . . 53, 55 Barfly Ventures . . . . . . . . . . . 31, 57 Bell’s Brewery . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2, 47 Brewery Vivant. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 21 Broadway Grand Rapids. . . . . . . . . 4 Cascade Optical . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13 City Flats Hotel . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 63 Conscious Collective. . . . . . . . . . . 48 Downtown Kalamazoo Inc. . . . . . . 14 Downtown Market . . . . . . . . . . . . . 33 Eastown Antiques. . . . . . . . . . . . . 69 Erb Thai. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 27 Firekeepers Casino . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9
Foot Outfitters. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 46 Founders Brewing Co.. . . . . . . . . . 10 The Gilmore Collection. . . . . . . . . . 65 Grand Rapids Public Library. . . . . 63 Grand Rapids Symphony. . . . . . . . 44 Grand Woods Lounge. . . . . . . . . . . 71 Gravel Bottom Brewery . . . . . . . . . 21 Green Restaurant . . . . . . . . . . . . . 69 Growco. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 68 Holiday Bar . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 33 The Intersection. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6 JK&T Wings dba Fajita Republic. . 69 Keil Lasik Vision Center. . . . . . . . . 63 Kendall College of Art & Design. . . 35
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LiveNation/The Orbit Room. . . . . . 67 MercuryHead Gallery. . . . . . . . . . . 49 Millennium Restaurant Group . . 48, 68 Mister-E-Liquid. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 65 New Belgium Brewing Co.. . . . . . . 37 New Horizons Computer. . . . . . . . . 66 Northwood University. . . . . . . . . . . 29 Old Dog Tavern. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 46 Outback Concerts . . . . . . . . . . . . . 49 Palazzolo. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 64 Pearl Street Grill . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 67 The Pyramid Scheme. . . . . . . . . . . . 5 River City Improv. . . . . . . . . . . . . . 69 Saugatuck Brewing Company. . . . 66 Sassafras Salons. . . . . . . . . . . . . . 56
Find us online! Website: revuewm.com Twitter: twitter.com/revuewm Facebook: facebook.com/revuewm
Schuler Books. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12 The Score. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 23 Seven Steps Up. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 49 Soaring Eagle Casino & Resort. . . . 3 SpeakEZ Lounge . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 69 St. Cecilia Music Center . . . . . . . . 67 Tip Top Deluxe Bar & Grill . . . . . . . 47 Walldorff Brewpub & Bistr. . . . . . . 21 West Michigan Symphony. . . . . . . 35 West Side Beer / Budweiser. . . . . . 72 Wharton Center. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 50 Woody’s Press Box. . . . . . . . . . . . . 58 Uptown Group Ad. . . . . . 39, 41, 43
Revue is published monthly by Revue Holding Company. 65 Monroe Center, Ste. 5, Grand Rapids, MI 49503 Office: 616.608.6170 / Fax: 616.608.6182 ©2014, Revue Holding Company. All rights reserved. Reproduction in whole or in part granted only by written permission of the publisher in accordance with our legal statement, fools.
On the cover: Holiday Gift Guide illustration by Anthony Kieren. Gift Guide begins on page 15.
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Random Notes
Wu-Tang Clan to release new album
Patton Oswalt to headline LaughFest
On Tour ///
Tis the season for Trans-Siberian Orchestra to bless us with its arena-sized holiday anthems. The band, known for turning classical pieces into rock anthems, will perform at Van Andel Arena on Dec. 7. This year’s tour marks the live debut of The Christmas Attic, TSO’s newest rock opera. Tickets range from $34 to $74. ... It’s cold, snowy and gray, so The Beach Boys couldn’t have come to us at a better time. The legendary band, known for its peppy surf-rock tunes, will perform at Kalamazoo State Theatre Dec. 17. Tickets for the show range from $59 to $99.
A while back, we had a Revue Minion we called Yung $w@n, but she insisted that we call her Yung Lean instead. Apparently, she identifies as a Sad Boy, which is the name of Yung Lean’s crew. This is why we have the Minions, because they keep us young (Yung). So, per the minion’s request, we pulled up some Yung Lean videos and found out a few things: 1. YL likes bucket hats, 2. His videos are hilarious, 3. Yep, he’s sad, 4. The #teens re-
Yung Lean
Other notable releases: Wu-Tang Clan, A Better Tomorrow, Dec. 2; AC/DC, Rock or Bust, Dec. 2; The Smashing Pumpkins, Moments to an Elegy, Dec. 9; Ryan Adams, Do You Laugh When You Lie?, Dec. 9; Ghostface Killah, 36 Seasons, Dec. 9 Reissues: On Dec. 1, All Saints Records will reissue four of ambient songsmith Brian Eno’s albums,
each with bonus, previously unreleased material and 16-page booklets.
Comedy ///
LaughFest announced its 2015 headliners last month, with more announcements to come as the festival draws near. The 2015 headliners include Patton Oswalt, George Lopez, Wanda Sykes, Billy Gardell, Brian Posehn, Bo Burnham, Lavell Crawford, Pete Holmes, Colin Mochrie and Brad Sherwood, Jerrod Carmichael and Iliza Shelsinger, as well as returning events such as the family friendly series, LaughFest’s Best and performances from local comics. Festival packages are already on sale, while individual tickets go on sale Jan. 9. Proceeds from the festival go to benefit Gilda’s Club Grand Rapids. For more information and updates, visit laughfestgr.org.
New Year’s Eve ///
No matter how you want to ring in the New Year, West Michigan offers a little bit of everything. Bell’s Eccentric Cafe offers a night full of eclectic music from Kansas Bible Company, Miraj and The Go Rounds. Cover is $5 for a night full of rock, folk, hip-hop, R&B, soul, beer and fun. For those looking to laugh, Kalamazoo State Theatre brings in
Tony Lucca performs New Year’s Eve at Seven Steps Up Friends of Bob & Tom Show Comedy Tour on Dec. 31. Four comics are featured throughout the night, including West Michigan’s own Dave Dyer, as well as “Mr. Obvious” Chick McGee. Tickets for the evening are $35. Now. If you really (and we mean really) want a good party, head to Saugatuck, where The Dunes hosts its New Year’s party. Dance to music from DJ Doug R. and be entertained by the Cabaret Dunes Divas. For beer lovers, West Michigan Beer Tours offers a special New Year’s Eve beer tour. Participants will hit up Perrin, The Mitten and Founders. Tickets for the event are $55 and include transportation, 12 samples and a private brewery tour. Over
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Scene Sounds | Sights | Dining | Schedule
National CD Releases ///
ally like him. 5. His album Unknown Memory comes out Dec. 2. ... Nicki, Nicki, Nicki. You had us hooked with your booty-embracing “Anaconda” video, but then you had to go and make a lyric video with Nazi imagery. And not just a little, a lot. So, maybe just stick to booty lovin’ for now? Or take careful steps toward political commentary? Anyway, all this is happening for a reason and that reason is Nicki Minaj’s latest album, The Pinkprint, on Dec. 15. ... We had a heated office discussion on whether Lil’ Wayne is officially off the purple drank. Fifty percent of Revue Holding Co. say you can never quit the drank and 50 percent believe he’s clean. What we DO know is he plans on releasing Tha Carter V (Part 1) on Dec. 9. According to Small Wayne himself, he plans on this being his last solo album.
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Random Notes in Spring Lake, Seven Steps Up brings in its frequent performer Tony Lucca for an NYE show. The evening includes appetizers, dinner, dessert and champagne in addition to Lucca’s performance. Tickets for the event are $148.95. For hockey fans, Grand Rapids Griffins, Kalamazoo Wings and Muskegon Lumberjacks all have NYE home games.
Beer ///
Big Lushious, a chocolate raspberry stout, was released last month and is the eleventh beer in Founders Brewing Co.’s “Backstage
Series” of limited release bottles. Described as “a deep, rich stout that’s packed with flavor,” Big Lushious clocks in at 7.8 percent ABV and will be available in 750-mL bottles with a suggested retail price of $14.99 per bottle. ... In other Founders news, the brewery also announced it plans to reintroduce Black Rye as its latest seasonal beer starting in January. The beer, brewed for less than a year circa 2006, is a dry-hopped dark ale brewed with “copious amounts” of rye malt. It will be available on draft and in four-packs from January through March. ... West Coast craft brewer Deschutes Brewery of Bend, Ore. started
distribution in West Michigan this fall. The company launched in the state with its highly lauded Black Butte Porter, Mirror Pond Pale Ale, Inversion IPA and Jubelale (a winter seasonal). Look for the brand in craft beer stores and on draft across West Michigan. The company also said it plans to ship some of its reserve limited-release beers to the market. ... Benton Harbor-based The Livery will be hosting its annual “December Darkness” party on Saturday, Dec. 6. The event features six bourbon barrel-aged beers ranging in style from weizenbock, doppelbock, imperial stout, imperial black ale, oatmeal stout and wheat
Founders’ Big Lushious
Schedule | Dining | sights | Sounds Scene
wine. Sampler flights with five-ounce pours of a choice of four beers will be available for $16. The Livery will also have a limited bottle release of its Cherry Friek wild/sour ale, made with 30 pounds of tart cherries per barrel, and two other beers. Free admission from 11:30 a.m. to 7 p.m. Visit liverybrew.com for more information. n
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Random Notes is compiled by REVUE staff including Joe Boomgaard and Lindsay Patton-Carson. For more music, art and entertainment new, including breaking concert announcements and giveaways, “Like” us on Facebook (facebook. com/revuewm) or follow us on Twitter at twitter.com/revuewm.
Important Dates Ad Reservation Deadline: Dec. 15 Editorial Deadline: Dec. 5 Delivery: Jan. 1
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Holiday Gift Guide
T
he holidays can be overwhelming. The parties, the constant food coma, the music — OH GOD, THE MUSIC! — the mall — OH GOD, THE MALL! —
and finding gifts for what seems to be the pickiest people you have ever met. Think outside of the gift box and take them to a local event, restaurant, bar or whatever fits their taste. Not sure which one to pick? We have some personality types that will help you pick out a gift for the quirkiest person on your list.
gift ideas for your favorite… 36 16 28 20 40 26 17 18 38 19 30 32 24 22 25 34 42
Animal Lover Artsy Basic Beer Snob Bookworm Buzzkill Comic Book Nerd Fashionista Film Buff Foodie Music Geek Old Timey Gramps Parent Romantic Sophisticate Thespian More Gift Ideas!
I l l u s t r at e d b y A n t h o n y k i e r e n REVUEWM.COM | December 2014 |
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Guide
Artsy
Artsy personalities run the gamut from edgy neo-knitters and entitled painters to anguished metal workers and ebullient illustrators. Regardless of the particular fancy of the artist in your life, the common thread of creativity will help steer you toward the perfect gift options featured below. By Au dr ia Lar s e n
Try something a little dangerous with your artsy friend or lover at the Art Center of Battle Creek. Glass Flame Work 1 is a beginner glass blowing class where you’ll learn how to wield a torch to create something unique. You’ll sculpt large and medium creations with Borosilicate (Pyrex) glass that is durable and easy to work with.
Flame Work 1 Art Center of Battle Creek 265 Emmett St., Battle Creek artcenterbattlecreek.org, (269) 962-9511
Omi Sushi 210 M.A.C. Ave., East Lansing (517) 337-2222
Do
Artistically minded folks either love elaborate cocktails or just want a stiff drink. You can enjoy both during the holidays at Speak EZ Lounge. For those who prefer a little existential anguish with their art, try the Suffering Bastard, featuring Bluecoat Gin, orange, lime, cucumber, mint, Angostura Bitters, egg white and a soda fusion ($9.00).
drink
Speak EZ Lounge 600 Monroe Ave. NW, Grand Rapids speakezlounge.com, (616) 458-3125
Schedule | Dining | sights | Sounds Scene
Help your special art maniac get those juices flowing with the eclectic sounds of Baby Go! Bright Light, a solo project by Jonny Bruha. According to Bruha, the project’s goal is to create “a beautiful, over-stimulating and magical show.” One part audio performance and half visual performance, Bruha’s sounds are likely to appeal to the creative on your shopping list because “each song was written with a different thought,” Bruha said, therefore the sound is always evolving. Through Bandcamp, you can name your price and even send the album The Henry Sessions electronically as a gift.
listen
Baby Go! Bright Light babygobrightlight.bandcamp.com/album/the-henry-sessions
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Take the creative in your life out to an artfully crafted meal at Omi Sushi. The decor is modern with blue tones that evoke a futuristic undersea eatery. The wide selection of maki is as delicious as it is sculptural. Try the dramatic El Diablo roll, which features a rainbow of color. For dessert, enjoy the Green Tea Tempura Ice Cream with a delicate drizzle.
eat watch
Amidst the slog of holiday kitsch is a world of edible artistry that dates back to medieval times. Take your favorite art monger to see this year’s Gingerbread Art Competition at Labelle de la Riviere Bed and Breakfast and experience culinary handicrafts that are a cornerstone of wintertime whimsy. While the creations are on display through the end of December, watch the action unfold during the judged event on Dec. 31 and participate in the people’s choice award. Event is free.
watch
Gingerbread Art Competition Labelle de la Riviere Bed and Breakfast, Newaygo newaygobb.com, (231) 652-1093
comic nerd
Let’s be honest – if you’re planning on getting your avid comic book friend an issue of one of their favorite titles for Christmas, chances are they already bought it the day it came out. Instead, why not get them out of their reading dungeon and out to some of these great locations? B y J o s h Sp a n n i n g a
No one understands the value and appeal of fully loaded alien robots like a true comic nerd. And no one has a better collection of said robots than Warren Schwartz, who shares his very own Japanese robot and action figure collection with the Muskegon Museum of Art. Manga, anime and classic sci-fi movie characters abound in this collection that includes Mechagodzilla, Ultra Man and Mazinger Z.
Do
Japanese Warriors: Robots from the Warren Schwartz Collection Muskegon Museum of Art 296 W. Webster Ave., Muskegon Through Feb. 15, 2015; Free! muskegonartmuseum.org, (231) 720-2570
The Pyramid Scheme 68 Commerce Ave. SW, Grand Rapids pyramidschemebar.com, (616) 272-3758
Most comic book aficionados were turned on to their favorite pastime because of three things: a sense of wonder, action and fun. Coincidentally, those are the three adjectives that best describe local band Bermudas. Mixing the sweet sounds of garage, punk and pop, these three local gals know how to have a good
listen
Bermudas bermudas.bandcamp.com
When it comes to epicurean delights, comic nerds usually aren’t too picky as long as there is a comic shop nearby. Luckily for Grand Rapidians, they can get the best of both worlds. Not only does Fat Johnny’s Cheesesteak Company have delicious cheesesteak sandwiches and a lavish salad bar, it’s right next door to one of the best comic shops in town, Vault of Midnight.
eat
Fat Johnny’s Cheesesteak Company 95 Monroe Center NW, Grand Rapids fatjohnnys-gr.com, (616) 551-0294
If there’s one thing comic books are great at doing, it’s pitching heroes against the unlikeliest of foes. Just think of Spider-Man fighting a villain made out of sand, or Batman fighting a frickin’ human penguin. No rivalry can, er, rival that of the battle that takes place in the infamous Christmas classic Santa Claus Conquers the Martians. Often included on lists of the worst films ever made, this movie would only seem plausible to someone who thinks glasses and quick combing would suffice for a secret identity.
watch
Santa Claus Conquers the Martians Alamo Drafthouse Kalamazoo 180 Portage St., Kalamazoo $7, Dates TBA drafthouse.com/kalamazoo, (269) 532-7990
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Scene Sounds | Sights | Dining | Schedule
With past events including Batman and supervillainthemed dance parties, plus the X Men and Iron Man Pinball Machines, it’s obvious that The Pyramid Scheme embraces the inner comic book nerd of all its patrons. Better yet, check out some of the daily specials, like half-off Short’s beers on Wednesdays, or half off everything (everything!) on Tuesdays, and you’ll save yourself enough cash to pick up that latest issue of Saga you’ve been drooling over.
drink
time. Chances are if you’re listening along to their latest EP Visit, you’ll probably be having a good time too.
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/// Gift
Guide
Fashionista Her hair and eyelashes are faux, but her devotion to judging your style mistakes are real. B y Mi s s y B l a c k
Swirls, polka dots, stripes and hearts. Patricia’s Chocolates are all gussied up like the Fashionista. This sampling session features wonderfully decorated and delicious chocolates, handmade in Grand Haven. Hopefully some Strawberry Balsamic Caramel will be on hand. Get a taste of the prettiest chocolates around on Feb. 14 at 11 a.m.
Do
Patricia’s Chocolate Sample Day Art of the Table 606 Wealthy St. SE, Grand Rapids artofthetable.com, (616) 301-1885
Call it a happy mistake but online shopping can lead to some great wine drinking. While visiting Michigan Awesome’s website (throwing T-shirts and sweatshirts into her virtual cart), the Fashionista stumbles across the new Michigan Awesome wine. Imagine well-balanced blends of red and white wines from grapes grown along the shores of Lake Michigan. “Working locally with Fenn Valley was a good fit,” said President Jonathan Koop. Pick up a bottle at Meijer, D&W, Family Fare or Martha’s Vineyard. It’s always nice when your wine matches your shirt.
drink
Schedule | Dining | sights | Sounds Scene
michiganawesome.com
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A stylish stage presence is huge. Onstage, musician Emma Loo is dressed as a “painted angel/gargoyle or kinda Little Bo Peep with a white lace dress with a big brown floppy hat and merlot lipstick.” Her music is a mix of The Cramps meets Tom Waits meets Duran Duran and Billie Holiday. “It’s really eclectic. I like it to be pretty and spooky and sometimes old-timey,” she said. Catch her live as Emma Loo and Sam at Mulligan’s in Grand Rapids on Dec. 5 and at Century Post Pub in Lowell on Dec. 20 and 26.
listen
Emma Loo and Sam facebook.com/emmalooandsam
Interior design means a lot to our lady of chic. She seeks a beautiful breakfast/brunch venue for a great selfie backdrop. The new location is a visual feast of bright and cheery blue paint with hounds tooth print accents and lively lime green touches. Kitschy old teapots and toasters on the wall act as art, but once the Red Velvet Pancakes arrive, all focus is on the plate.
eat
Anna’s House 2409 E. Beltline Ave. SE, Grand Rapids Annashouseus.com, (616) 551-0434
Dress the part at I Love Lucy held Feb. 13-15. Wear your 1950s attire of big pearls, heels, flirty dresses and hats. “Lucy was one of the first women to wear trousers on television,” said Marketing Director Diane Willcox. “Ricky Ricardo always wore a smoking jacket in the evening and in the morning.” You’ll feel nostalgic watching Lucy, Ricky, the Mertzes and period commercials sung live on stage. Be a part of the hilarious and delightful show as an audience member taking cues from a stage manager’s applause and laugh signs. Throw the fellas in the appropriate ‘50s-style suit and see the show on Valentine’s weekend. Of note: Broadway Grand Rapids offers the production the same week. Now who’s inspired to buy a cute apron?
watch
I Love Lucy The Wharton Center 750 East West Shaw Lane, East Lansing Feb. 13-15 $67-$35 whartoncenter.com, (517) 353-1982
foodie
A sensual type and lover of fine food and drink — which needn’t be experienced in a five-star setting to enjoy — the Foodie is interested in the backstory, the trend, the meaning of their cuisine. After all, it’s more than a physical experience when the foodie comes to the table. By Alexandra Kadlec
Visitors can explore history with a side of local flavor during two Hungry Village Tours, both beginning at the Saugatuck Center for the Arts. A Delicious Drive takes you on a coach ride featuring area farms, orchards, vintners and more. Tastings are included, as well as a Farm to Fork lunch at Salt of the Earth. A Culinary Walk shares the stories and secrets behind Saugatuck and Douglas storefronts, offering bits of history, demonstrations and tastings. Private group tours are available. Tours run May through December.
Do
Hungry Village Tours hungryvillagetours.com
This class promises to warm up the belly while expanding the palate. Treat your friend to an evening where you’ll both get to create a specialty cocktail featuring New Holland Brewery’s Freshwater Michigan Amber Rum and the classic Old Fashioned using their Beer Barrel Bourbon. You’ll also get multiple tastes, two pintxos per person and 20 percent off all food purchases following the class. Reservations must be made 24 hours in advance.
drink
Head to The Union Cabaret & Grill (125 S. Kalamazoo Mall, Kalamazoo) for an evening of good eats and musical entertainment, with Asamu Johnson and his band performing. The Grand Rapids singer and bassist has toured the country delivering a range of blues styles. Johnson’s feel-good tunes are the perfect complement to comfort
listen
Asamu Johnson The Union Cabaret & Grill, Kalamazoo Dec. 12, 9 p.m. millenniumrestaurants.com/union
If you want to take the foodie in your life out for a memorable meal, Grove is your place. The seasonally updated menu, which can be ordered à la carte or as a three-course prix fixe, features gourmet everything. Unique dishes like massaman-curried cauliflower soup, a flavorpacked cassoulet and mushroom tacos are bound to satisfy cravings. And save room for dessert—Dilley’s Favorite Butterscotch Pudding is at the top of our list.
eat
Grove 919 Cherry St. SE, Grand Rapids groverestaurant.com, (616) 454-1000
Get into the holiday spirit with a classic performance at the Knickerbocker Theatre. Coming to this historic event space early this month is Ballet Club: Nutcracker. Begin the evening at nearby Butch’s Dry Dock (44 E 8th St., Holland), where you can indulge in a temptingly diverse menu of locally sourced offerings and choose from extensive wine, beer and cocktail menus.
watch
Scene Sounds | Sights | Dining | Schedule
Cocktail Creations – New Holland Brewery San Chez A Tapas Bistro, Grand Rapids Dec. 16, 6 p.m.; $20 sanchezbistro.com
food like pulled pork, barbecue shrimp, sweet potato mash and more. Sit back with a glass of red or a craft brew and take in the smooth sounds all night.
Ballet Club: Nutcracker Knickerbocker Theatre, Holland Dec. 5 and 6 hope.edu/arts/knick, (616) 395-7890
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Guide
Beer Snob
Drinking craft beer becomes a holy event for the beer snob. That’s mostly because they’ve sacrificed their time — and likely friends — trolling websites for the location of the latest limited beer releases or by researching beer ratings on BeerAdvocate.com. With the opening of each new beer, they pay homage to the beer gods. By Joe Boomgaard
Founders Brewing Co. plans one day to dominate the national craft beer scene. To do that, the company has undertaken a massive expansion in which it will eventually take up an entire city block. Every Saturday at 12:30 p.m., Founders lets patrons take a peek behind the curtain to see what goes into making and packaging the company’s growing list of beers. But you better buy early: The 30- to 50-minute tour with a tasting costs $30 and is limited to 12 people.
Do
Founders Brewing Co. 235 Grandville Avenue SW, Grand Rapids foundersbrewing.com/store/brewerytours, (616) 776-1195
For the newest special releases, the Beer Geek turns to the best beer stores in West Michigan. Really, there’s no better stocking stuffer than a bottle of a rare Michigan imperial stout. Two of the best stores to check out are Rishi’s International Beverage (3835 28th St. SE, Grand Rapids) and Sicilianos Market (2840 Lake Michigan Dr. NW, Grand Rapids).
Schedule | Dining | sights | Sounds Scene
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drink
For the beer snob, there’s a certain melodic quality to the sound of filthy, unwashed hipsters crying into their tallboy cans of PBR. But in the realm of real music, beer aficionados have it made since many of the best local bands play the brewery circuit. One of them is Ben Daniels Band, which plays a mix of rock, Americana, jazz and blues. The band’s song “Honeypot” is included on the soundtrack for the film Dumb and Dumber To, starring Ben’s dad, actor and Michigan native, Jeff Daniels.
listen
Ben Daniels Band bendanielsband.com
Beer snobs take great care in pairing the their expensive, limited-edition beers with complementary dishes. It’s all about creating a flavor orgy in your mouth. And the best kind of food to go with top-notch beer is fresh, locally sourced fare. In that regard, you can’t go wrong at either Brewery Vivant or Salt of the Earth. Both have a passion for great food and beverages.
eat
Brewery Vivant 925 Cherry St., Grand Rapids (616) 719-1604, breweryvivant.com Salt of the Earth 114 East Main Street, Fennville (269) 561-7258, saltoftheearthfennville.com
Eschew joining the swilldrinking masses by heading out into Mother Nature’s serenity. That could mean putting on your snowshoes and going for a hike through the dunes at Muskegon State Park — with a stop afterward at Pigeon Hill Brewing (500 W. Western Ave. Suite 1, Muskegon ), of course. Or why not don your waders and vest, grab a fishing rod and head up to the Rogue River for a relaxing day of winter steelhead fishing. A fresh can of Bell’s Two Hearted Ale makes a fine reward after subduing your catch, and be sure to stop at Rockford Brewing Co. (12 E. Bridge St., Rockford) for a winter warmer when you’ve called it a day.
watch
learn it. brew it. drink it. Gravel Bottom where a Home Brewer recipe is always on tap, and fresh home brewing supplies are waiting to be brewed. Come enjoy a rotating selection of craft brews, pick up tips from the brewers and design your own beer.
vv
TUES-THUR 2PM-11PM FRI & SAT 11AM-12AM
10 AWARD WINNING CRAFT BREWS ON TAP Bottles, growlers and kegs available! 105 EAST STATE ST. • (269) 945-4400 • WALLDORFFBREWPUB.COM
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Scene Sounds | Sights | Dining | Schedule
418 ADA DRIVE SE, ADA GRAVELBOTTOM.COM 616.920.7398
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Guide
romantic
Romantics are in love with all things warm and fuzzy. During this holiday season there is nothing more perfect than cozy outings with ample opportunities to make eyes and hold hands. Decadent food and elaborate drinks are a must as you whisk your romantic off to a holiday wonderland of your own making. By Au dr ia Lar s e n
Ice skating is the perfect holiday outing for the lover in your life. Bundle up in your most alluring parka and head over to Echo Valley, a 43,000-square-foot outdoor ice rink that provides ample space to discreetly neck in a corner (at your own risk), or to impress your sweet thang with fancy pirouettes. A tobogganing hill and warming lodge with concessions offers variety and warmth.
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Ice Skating Echo Valley 8495 East H Ave., Kalamazoo; $5 echovalleyfun.com, (269) 349-3291
Lubricate the look of love with locally crafted spirits at Coppercraft Distillery. Enjoy the Christmas Cocktails & Punches event on Dec. 4, from 6 until 8 p.m. You and your loved one can learn to craft fancy holiday beverages to offer at your own personal soiree for two. While you’re there, you can take a tour of the tasting room and sample the best booze they have to offer as the distillery prides themselves on a “grain to glass” dedication to locally sourced ingredients and a personalized experience. Cost is $35.00.
Schedule | Dining | sights | Sounds Scene
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formed by Michigan State University’s professors, and guest vocalists like Betty Joplin and Ursula Walker. A Jazzy Little Christmas Fairchild Theatre, MSU Auditorium Dec. 13, 8 p.m. $10-$20 music.msu.edu, (571) 353-5340
Surprise your squeeze with post-holiday luxury at Amore Trattoria Italiana’s NYE Masquerade Ball. Venetian masks are encouraged and by arriving in an exquisite disguise, you’ll be entered to win an eight-course chef’s tasting menu for four. Make eyes at each other through your ornate concealment while enjoying the winter menu and featured menu. A prosecco and moscato toast at midnight will help you ring in the New Year.
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Amore Trattoria Italiana 5080 Alpine Ave. NW, Comstock Park amoretrattoriaitaliana.com, (616) 785-5344
Coppercraft Distillery 184 120th Ave., Holland coppercraftdistillery.com, (616) 796-8274
Romatics generally love w inter’s cozy atmosphere and heartfelt gift giving of the accompanying holidays. What evokes this warm and fuzzy season more than jazz? Take your special someone out to A Jazzy Little Christmas for a swinging night of holiday classics per-
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For the romantic type, honoring tradition is a perfect way to celebrate the holidays. Bond over the beloved classic Charles Dickens’ A Christmas Carol presented live, featuring famed characters like Ebenezer Scrooge and Tiny Tim, not to mention a few ghosts. The production
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offers romantic touches, like live music and “the intimate theater space within the intimate building,” said Steve Williford, director and actor. “People have written that [Dickens’ Christmas Carol] saved Christmas and regained the special moments of Christmas, which can be romantic as well.” A Christmas Carol Saugatuck Woman’s Club 303 Butler St., Saugatuck Dec. 19-21 $10-$12 (269) 857-6193
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parent
Their concern and reverence for a Frozen-themed birthday party ranks right up there with visiting foreign dignitaries. Do not make eye contact or you’ll be asked if you want to hold the baby. B y Mi s s y B l a c k
Instead of stepping on LEGOs, go see what they look like off the floor. Parents and children can view a one-of-a-kind LEGO art exhibition by New York-based artist Nathan Sawaya featuring large-scale sculptures created out of iconic LEGO bricks. Even CNN has hailed The Art of the Brick as one of the top 12 “must see exhibitions in the world.” The centerpiece of Sawaya’s collection of sculptures is a LEGO torso of a man ripping open his chest while yellow plastic bricks cascade out of the open chest cavity. Get the kids to start replicating that.
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The Art of the Brick Muskegon Museum of Art Feb. 19 through May 3, 2015; $5 muskegonartmuseum.org, (231) 720-2570
Kayla Rae Cellars is known for its wonderful selection of white, red, fruit and dessert wines along with hard cider. Did you know it also has homemade root beer? Parents can stop in for a wine tasting and let the littles sip on root beer. The classic taste features fresh vanilla and licorice notes and is made with REAL SUGAR! — because kids aren’t peppy enough. “I love that we have something for the family,” said Karen Grossman, co-owner and manager. Her tip? Doctor it up with RumChata cream liqueur for an adult drink.
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Kayla Rae Cellars 31 Courtland St., Rockford kaylaraecellars.com, (616) 951-7001
Schedule | Dining | sights | Sounds Scene
Vox Vidorra is a group of multi-instrumentalists fronted by the dynamic lead singer and lyricist Molly Bouwsma-Schultz. Their music is “funky, soulful indie rock,” says Bouwsma-Schultz. Listen to “Lose It” — about a romantic relationship — as it mimics the way a parent feels on a long day with too many kids. As a band, “we’re parenting our own musical directions together.” You can find them at New Holland Brewery in Holland on Dec. 6 and Billy’s Lounge in Grand Rapids on Dec. 19.
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Vox Vidorra facebook.com/voxvidorra
Parents need to treat themselves more often. Enter Silverberry Kitchen. The espresso coffeehouse, creperie, patisserie and boulangerie offers up European pastries, chocolate truffles, mini cheesecakes, croissants, chocolate tortes and much more. “We try to have a seasonal crepe,” said Owner Angela Specter. “In December we might have a peppermint crepe.” Indulge in The Lover featuring strawberries, white chocolate, whipped crème and chocolate mint straws. Bonus: They offer gluten-free items.
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Silverberry Kitchen 4029 Plainfield Ave. NE, Grand Rapids silverberrykitchen.com, (616) 916-9176
If you’ve ever watched “30 Rock,” you’ve seen Jack Donaghy’s mother, Colleen, played by Elaine Stritch, a Broadway legend. Her portrayal of a mother who loves to terrorize her child is spot on. Watch the documentary on this showbiz survivor that’s “serious in parts and kind of comical,” said Angela Peavey, sales and marketing manager at Saugatuck Center of the Arts.
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Real to Reel: Shoot Me: Elaine Stritch Saugatuck Center for the Arts 400 Culver St., Saugatuck Dec. 11, 7 p.m.; $7-$5 sc4a.org, (269) 857-2399
sophisticate
Worldly. Cultured. Refined. These are words often used to describe the sophisticate in your life. Most likely to be spotted: the classics section of the bookstore, the front row of a theatre auditorium, opening night of a museum exhibition. You get the picture. By Alexandra Kadlec
The Grand Rapids Art Museum brings six centuries of rarely seen drawings, watercolors and pastels to life through Marks of Genius: 100 Extraordinary Drawings from the Minneapolis Institute of Arts. This exhibition presents world-renowned artists through the ages, from Delacroix and Degas to Lichtenstein and Ruscha.
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The title of this classy, celebratory dinner says it all. Hosted at St. Julian Winery’s Frankenmuth locale on Dec. 13 at 6 p.m., the evening will feature delicious courses paired with limited-release wines. This award-winning winery, which has a
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Eat, Drink & Be Merry St. Julian Winery, Frankenmuth Dec. 13, 6 p.m. stjulian.com, (989) 652-3281
St. Cecilia Music Center’s beautiful architectural interior, complemented by chandeliers and arched windows, creates the perfect ambiance for enjoying world-class musical talent. Syndicated radio show The Acoustic Café has partnered with St Cecilia to bring nationally touring singers and songwriters to Grand Rapids. On Dec. 11, Nashville-based Justin Townes Earle will delight audiences with his folk songs from recent albums.
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Justin Townes Earle St. Cecilia Music Center, Grand Rapids Dec. 11, 7:30 p.m. scmc-online.org, (616) 459-2224
The sophisticate will likely feel more at home than the average guest at Henderson Castle Bed & Breakfast in downtown Kalamazoo. This Queen Anne Style historic house, established in 1895, features a French restaurant offering prix fixe menus at four, seven and 11 courses. And then there’s the Royal Tasting menu, with caviar, rack of lamb and baked brie, as well as a selection of hand-crafted cocktails, fine wines and local beer to entice taste buds. And if you have the time, step into the castle’s wine cave. Tastings and tours are available from 12-6 p.m. daily.
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Use one of the most celebrated Renaissance men of the 20th century as an avenue into a philosophical discourse (which the sophisticate loves). On Dec. 14, the Frauenthal Center for the Performing Arts presents An Evening with C.S. Lewis, a one-man show featuring David Payne. This theatrical experience takes the audience back to 1963, when Lewis hosted a group of American writers at his home near Oxford. Be prepared for an insightful look into the thoughts and events that shaped one of the most influential thinkers in recent history.
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An Evening with C.S. Lewis Frauenthal Center for the Performing Arts, Muskegon Dec. 14, show times at 2:30 and 6:30 p.m. $31.20; frauenthal.org, (231) 722-9750
Scene Sounds | Sights | Dining | Schedule
Marks of Genius: 100 Extraordinary Drawings from the Minneapolis Institute of Arts Grand Rapids Art Museum Through Jan. 18 artmuseumgr.org, (616) 831-1000
lengthy and interesting history worth learning, is sure to impress. If you’re feeling extra-generous, choose from one of the quarterly wine clubs offered by St. Julian and give the sophisticate a year-round supply.
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The Henderson Castle Bed & Breakfast 100 Monroe St., Kalamazoo hendersoncastle.com, (269) 344-1827
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Buzzkill
The Buzzkill has too much time and too many opinions. He will sit at a restaurant and tell you all the reasons he would rather be at another restaurant. She will look at your baby and list all the ways it could die, according to Dr. Oz. By Steven Depolo
Schedule | Dining | sights | Sounds Scene
The Buzzkill is sad and alone, always with the latest illness but never closing the deal. “I need to get an HIV test” is the Buzzkill’s reply to any normal question, like “How are you?” or “Are you hungry?” Whatever the reason, the Grand Rapids Red Project provides free, confidential and anonymous, rapid HIV testing by appointment and at community locations like Heartside Ministries (Mondays), Diversions (second Saturdays), Rumors (fourth Thursday). Not getting tested is the real buzzkill.
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HIV Testing Grand Rapids Red Project 343 Atlas Ave. SE, Grand Rapids redproject.org, (616) 456-9063
The thing that buzzkills hate more than Christmas carolers is other buzzkills. That means she can’t drink wine
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(buzzkill) or order from a mixologist (major buzzkill). The Buzzkill bends an elbow at The Score. With 128 beers on draught, including a large selection of craft brews, The Score can satisfy the most demanding beer aficionados. Go and look for the Buzzkill in the corner, nursing her beer and wishing it was something else.
Over the Rhine wsg Lily & Madeleine Calvin College Chapel, Grand Rapids Dec. 13, 8 p.m. $20 public, $10 with Calvin ID calvin.edu/sao, (616) 526-6064
The Score 5301 Northland Dr. NE, Grand Rapids the-scorerestaurant.com, (616) 301-0600
Music is the way Buzzkills express how life is one big fat disappointment. Lyrics and melodies should be whiny and opaque. The bands annoyingly emo-Victorian. Over the Rhine’s Meet me at the Edge of the World Tour is coming to Grand Rapids this month. How piquant. Throwing Over the Rhine on the stereo kills a party faster than Ted Cruz Twister.
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Too salty. Too sticky. Too gluten-y. For the Buzzkill, eating food can be like ramming a McRib Sandwich down a PVC pipe with a plunger handle. Both traumatic and oddly arousing. Is eating foie gras a sensual, gastronomic experience, or is it a heteronormative act fraught with political overtones? Instead, take Buzzkill to the Good Earth Cafe. Serving breakfast and lunch, the cafe bakes its bagels from scratch and has a menu that focuses on sweet and savory breads, wraps and soups.
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The Good Earth Cafe 14 E 7th St., Holland
goodearthcafeofholland.com, (616) 396-3061
Politics draws the Buzzkill like a moth to the flame. So many things to complain about. Everyone but her is corrupt, power mad and greedy. Wait until she hears author and historian H.W. Brands give the talk “Machiavelli Visits the White House” for the Hauenstein Center. Politics is nothing but amoral calculation and the desperate grab for power and riches, as so lovingly described by the 15th c. Italian courtier. For the first time, Buzzkill will be speechless.
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“Machiavelli Visits the White House” with H.W. Brands at the Hauenstein Center L.V. Eberhard Center, Grand Rapids Dec. 10, 7 p.m. hauensteincenter.org
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Basic
Disclaimer: This is not one of those “think pieces” on what a “basic” is or is not. Basics simply exist and need things to do just like the rest of us. And, there is a very strong chance that we have all done something “basic” at some point. Whether you’re looking to get white-girl wasted or aim to bro out to some sports, West Michigan has all the basics covered this holiday season. B y Nic k M a n e s
Cheap domestic beer and a reasonable opportunity to wear sweat pants and Uggs. These are just a few of the things a Basic’s dreams are made of. A hockey game allows a very reasonable opportunity to wear your favorite player’s jersey (it better be Steve Yzerman), which will look dope in a selfie with your bestie! And, the beers are cheap! $2 cheap! As an added bonus, famed former Red Wing Chris Chelios has his own brand of chili on hand at the L.C.!
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Located in downtown Kalamazoo at the corner of East Michigan Avenue and Edwards Street, the Entertainment District offers seven different venues, each appearing more basic than the next. So, while you devour some Irish Nachos at Monaco Bay, you can also listen to dueling pianos. Once that gets boring, just head for bottle service next door at The Gatsby Nightclub (stiletto heels required*).
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*While The Entertainment District boasts an extensive dress code, nowhere does it require stiletto heels. But, they’ll help enhance the basicness.
Muskegon Lumberjacks Hockey L.C. Walker Arena 470 W. Western Ave., Muskegon muskegonlumberjacks.com, (231) 726-3879
For a bar so-oft described as “hipster,” there sure are a lot of “basics” at The Meanwhile. And they come in droves on Tuesday nights. The reason: cheap, strong booze! With 75-cent Black Labels and $3 Long Island Teas made with precision by skilled bartenders, one can get wastyfaced with money left over to buy North Face fleeces.
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The Meanwhile on Tuesday nights 1005 Wealthy St. SE, Grand Rapids meanwhilebar.com, (616) 233-1679
Schedule | Dining | sights | Sounds Scene
Kalamazoo Entertainment District Corner of E. Michigan Ave. and Edwards St., Kalamazoo entertainmentdistrict.co, (269) 312-7246
This Grand Rapids-based indiefolk outfit has found a lot of success in recent years. Certainly to the point where the Revue newsroom can occasionally stop talking about Taylor Swift or Slayer long enough to discuss how basic the Crane Wives are. It’s not that they’re bad. It’s just that they sound like every other indie-folk band. From vintage cowboy shirts and flowing vintage dresses to vintage-looking glasses, The Crane Wives are pretty basic. And also really nice people.
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The Crane Wives thecranewives.com
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Eventually the basic’s large, winter North Face will no longer keep them warm on the slopes. At that point they will shed the unnatural layer to something more fitting: a North Face fleece. Once in their natural skin, it’s time to sit in the warmth of the resort’s lodge, sipping hot cocoa with some butterscotch schnapps added for good measure. Selfies will commence.
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Skiers from The Cedar Lounge at Cannonsburg Ski Resort 6800 Cannonsburg Rd., Belmont cannonsburg.com, (616) 874-6711
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music geek When in doubt, buy them records. You love the music geek because they can name that one Todd Rundgren album and they have no qualms about helping you with your last pick on the jukebox. By Nolan Krebs
The music geek has already seen all the local bands worth checking out, plus every touring musician when they hit every summer music festival. Knowing this, it might be tough to impress ‘em with another standard basement show or ticketed event. Instead, get washed away by Kalamazoo’s improv noise-rockers Forget The Times while they provide the live score for the 1927 classic sci-fi film, Metropolis, at the Alamo Drafthouse. That should shake up their music.
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Metropolis Alamo Drafthouse 180 Portage St., Kalamazoo drafthouse.com/kalamazoo, (269) 532-7990
Schedule | Dining | sights | Sounds Scene
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Michigan breweries are pretty much synonymous with sweet live music. Regardless of whether there’s a show or not, you can avoid beardless Top 40-ers by grabbing a drink at Unruly Brewing Co. in Muskegon. Just one year into its tenure as Muskegon’s go-to microbrewery, the taproom’s got some gooduns. Try the Punk’N Rock (pumpkin ale brewed with cinnamon, ginger, nutmeg and vanilla), Blood of Charlemagne (French saison aged six months) or Revel Rouser IPA.
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Unruly Brewing Co. 360 W. Western Ave., Muskegon unrulybrewing.com, (231) 288-1068
West Michigan’s got its fair share of excellent folk, punk, indie and psych bands, but bestow upon your music geek something a little more
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outside the box this year. Sporting some players from Kalamazoo’s beloved Double Phelix collective, the group Maraj boasts a fresh take on hip-hop, right here in West Michigan. Featuring live instrumentation and background singers, Maraj has just the right balance of technical prowess and soulful charm. Maraj maraj.bandcamp.com
CVLT Pizza has some sweet, sweet punk rock juju. Besides having some killer pies, it’s a well-known supporter of the city’s musical underbelly. Try something kinda different off the menu, like the No. 5 (housemade spicy German mustard, lamb sausage, sauerkraut and Swiss cheese) or No. 7 (garlic curry base topped with kimchi, almond Parmesan, banana peppers, tomatoes, spiced tofu and an atomic sauce drizzle).
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CVLT Pizza 10 Jefferson Ave., Grand Rapids cultpizzagr.com
Don’t f**k around with this one; take your geek to see the king: Robert Clark Seger. He’s touring to support his new album, Ride Out, but one could safely bet that he’ll be bringing out the oldies. Despite being one of Michigan’s most enduring rockers, it’s a good idea to catch him while he’s still got it.
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Bob Seger & The Silver Bullet Band Van Andel Arena 130 W. Fulton Ave., Grand Rapids Dec. 9, 7:30 p.m. $77.50 vanandelarena.com, (616) 742-6600
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old timey gramps
The holidays are a special time for Old Timey Gramps. A chill is in the air, which makes his arthritic knees ache. The falling snow hides ice that he can slip on and break his hips. Don’t let Old Timey Gramps stay in his bed throughout the holidays, like he wants. By Steven Depolo
Schedule | Dining | sights | Sounds Scene
Old Timey Gramps is afraid of those fancy automobiles, preferring a properly hitched horse-drawn carriage. Powered by good old fashioned hay, and maybe an apple, Equus ferus caballus pulls Old Timey Gramps like the Sultan of Brunei. He can choose from a vis-a-vis carriage when going to get his prostate checked, a white Cinderella carriage for wooing Old Timey Grandma or a 20-passenger trolley when getting the boys together for a friendly game of Vingt-et-un in the lower basement of the Grand Rapids Masonic Center.
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Horse-drawn carriage tours in downtown Grand Rapids Grand Carriages grandcarriages.com, (616) 893-4984
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To wet his whistle, Old Timey Gramps drives his
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riding lawnmower to Stan’s Bar. When he remembers why he went there, he orders a Root Beer Barrel poured by owner Joe Stalec. The Root Beer Barrel is a devilish concoction of Bud Light and a shot of Root Beer Schnapps. Sweet yet bitter like his first wife, followed by an alcoholic punch to the face like his third girlfriend and fifth wife. Vote Nixon’s Agnew! Root Beer Barrel Stan’s Bar 208 W. Savidge St., Spring Lake (616) 842-1553
This Christmas season, look for Old Timey Gramps in the front row at Holiday Music and More concert played by Jelani Eddington on the Mighty Wurlitzer. When that 1928 pipe organ gets going, his artificial hips start shaking and his old man wattle flaps in the wind like
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when he saved Rose from sinking in the Titanic. Holiday Music and More Concert with Jelani Eddington Grand Rapids Public Museum Dec. 19, 7 p.m.; Dec. 20, 2 p.m. grmuseum.org, (616) 456-3977
When Old Timey Gramps wakes up in the morning, he celebrates cheating the cold hand of Death once more with the Two “AA” Large Eggs and Toast Breakfast at Toast ‘N Jams Diner in Muskegon. He orders coffee blacker than the Kaiser’s heart, two eggs sunny side up, bacon crisp like his liver and a slice of rye toast. The 1950s decor reminds him of the time he retired from welding small things onto large things LIKE A REAL MAN!
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Two “AA” Large Eggs & Toast Breakfast Toast ‘N Jams Diner 3462 Henry St, Muskegon (231) 737-5267
With one foot on earth, and one in heaven, Old Timey Gramps stays on good terms with the man upstairs by attending Christmas Vespers at Hope College. First held in 1941, hours after the attack on Pearl Harbor, the program consists of Christian carols and angelic anthems sung by 200 students during four services in historic Dimnent Memorial Chapel.
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Christmas Vespers Saturday, Dec. 6, at 4:30 p.m. and 8 p.m., and Sunday, Dec. 7, at 2 p.m. and 5 p.m. Dimnent Memorial Chapel 277 College Ave., Holland hope.edu, (616) 395-7890
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thespian
An authority on pageantry and show, the Thespian is hopelessly addicted to drama in all its grand, colorful forms. B y A l l i s o n Pa r k e r
Occasionally the Thespian feels an urge to spring from the red velvet seat, leap over the pit of tubas and become one with the fabulousness unfolding onstage. When the acting craze strikes, Muskegon Civic Theatre has you covered with a wide array of classes to prepare you for the spotlight. Whether you’re a newbie interested in learning more about the audition process or a veteran looking to further hone your skill, Muskegon Civic’s Performing Arts School has a course for you. Best of all, many of the classes are for kids, which means you might just be able to brainwash little Sondheim and Hammerstein into becoming theatre geeks like you.
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Muskegon Civic Theatre Performing Arts School Winter term: Jan. 3- Feb 7 Spring term: Feb 21-March 28 $60-$135 per term musgekoncivictheatre.org, (231) 722-3852
Smack-dab next to the Grand Rapids Civic Theatre, The Apartment Lounge is a popular venue for thirsty thespians to enjoy some bubbly before or after a show. Known for its large LGBT clientele and numerous charity projects, the Apartment has truly lived up to its slogan of being ‘a place where friends meet.’
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The Apartment Lounge 33 Sheldon NE, Grand Rapids apartmentlounge.net, (616) 451-0851
For the Thespian, there are a few theatre classics that elicit nothing short of feverish worship. Look no further than the Thespian’s playbill shrine and hallowed T-shirt collection to see what I mean. In honor of all the greats worthy of up cluttering a closet comes the Best of Broadway, a two-night celebration of musical masterpieces. Broadway veterans Lisa Vroman and Doug LaBrecque will reprise hits from Andrew Lloyd
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Webber, Irving Berlin, George Gershwin and more. Best of Broadway Grand Rapids Symphony Orchestra March 13-15, show times at 3 & 8 p.m. $18, $5 for full-time students grsymphony.org, (616) 454-9451
Don’t settle for the ordinary when you can get the extraordinary. The Grand Rapids Murder Mystery Company transforms a threecourse meal into a thrilling whodunit adventure. Witness a murder, interrogate suspects and catch the culprit when you play this suspenseful game of intrigue. The Company’s December theme is “Dressed to Kill,” a fashion-filled extravaganza perfect for drama llamas and fashionistas alike.
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Murder Mystery Company Dressed to Kill Pietro’s, Grand Rapids Dec. 4 & Dec. 27, show times at 6 & 7 p.m.
Sparkling with outrageous glitz and glam, Kinky Boots is a wild night out sure to scratch the Thespian’s itch for glamour. The musical is all about daring to be different, a sentiment near a dear to a theatre diva’s heart. Based on the film of the same title, Kinky Boots tells the story of a shoe factory owner who teams up with a drag queen. Together, the duo attempts to save the factory by producing a line of exotic genderbender footwear.
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Kinky Boots Broadway Grand Rapids June 2-7, show times at 1, 2, 6:30, 7:30 & 8 p.m. $30 & up broadwaygrandrapids.com, (616) 235-6285
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animal lover
Looking at animal gifs isn’t enough for this person, they need their cute fix IRL. Some people may call them obsessive, but they’re just passionate. They want to save the animals and they want to save them ALL! B y Li n d s a y P a t t o n - C a r s o n
Animal lovers praise Mackenzie’s Animal Sanctuary for being the Midwest’s largest sheltered no-kill sanctuary. Its mission is to rescue dogs in need, spay and neuter, assist in public education and, of course, find loving homes for the abused, abandoned or neglected dogs that come into the shelter. To do this, Mackenzie’s relies on volunteers to help. Possibly the most desirable option for your animal lover is becoming a dog walker, so they can get up close and personal with some furry friends.
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Volunteer Mackenzie’s Animal Sanctuary 8935 Thompson Rd., Lake Odessa mackenzies.info, (616) 693-2490
Old Boys Brewhouse is not only dedicated to handcrafted beers and sodas, but celebrating the bond between humans and dogs. Named in honor of and in memory of the owner’s chocolate lab, Old Boys allows patrons to bring a photo of their beloved pooch and place it on the wall. That’s not where the canine celebration ends. Brews with names like Dogtail IPA and Kennel King IPA dot the menu, while patrons can pick up homemade dog treats for their furry BFF at the front of the brewery.
Schedule | Dining | sights | Sounds Scene
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Old Boys Brewhouse 971 Savidge St., Spring Lake oldboysbrewhouse.com, (616) 850-9950
When Founders Brewing Co. and Crash’s Landing hosted their annual Rock for Crash’s fundraiser, the members of The Muteflutes jumped at the chance to get involved. When we spoke to them about the event in October, Micah McLaughlin told us his fellow band member Marie Dornan loves cats and said when Crash’s asked the band to play, “...the answer was yes. It had to be.” Enough talk about cats, though. The Muteflutes play music, too. The band’s latest album, American Dream, is a rich, folksy effort and was recorded in a cabin in Southern Michigan.
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The Muteflutes muteflutes.com
Take your animal lover to a place where no animals are harmed. Little Ethiopia is completely vegetarian and vegan, offering diverse Ethiopian menu choices that are also animal-friendly. Little Ethiopia does have laid-back hours and encourages patrons to call before stopping by to ensure the restaurant is open.
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Little Africa 956 E. Fulton St., Grand Rapids facebook.com/pages/little-africa-ethiopian-cuisine, (616) 222-1169
Blandford Nature Center lets visitors get to know its resident animals. Rescued and rehabilitated, the animals that call Blandford home were too injured to be let back into the wild. Say hello to Bob the bobcat, Buddy the red-tailed hawk, Willow the wood turtle and more. Watch them do their thing during any of Blandford’s open hours. On Dec. 6, you can make the holidays a little bit more joyful for your new Blandford buds. During the event, Holiday for Blandford’s Animals, you’ll be able to create an enrichment toy for the animals at the center. Admission is $3 for nature center members and $6 for nonmembers.
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Blandford Nature Center Animals 1715 Hillburn Ave. NW, Grand Rapids blandfordnaturecenter.org, (616) 735-6240
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film buff
For your film-obsessed friend, chances are a full bowl of popcorn and their favorite movie on an HD TV will bring them pure bliss. However, if you want to help them think outside the DVD box, we have some suggestions to get them out on the town. B y J o s h Sp a n n i n g a
Schedule | Dining | sights | Sounds Scene
Part cultural time capsule, part “MST3K,” the Found Footage Festival is unlike any film festival you’ve seen before. They scour thrift stores, yard sales and dumpsters to find discarded VHS tapes of all kinds — and I do mean all kinds — and then showcase the weirdest, funniest, greatest bits to festival-goers, all with grade-A commentary from the crew who put it all together. Whether it’s an ancient instructional video or a public access programming disaster, the folks at Found Footage Festival have curated the most messed up footage for a night filled with mullets, motivational speaking and godawful special effects.
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Found Footage Festival UICA, Grand Rapids Dec. 18, 7:30 p.m.; $10 uica.org, (616) 454-7000
drink
While most bars devote their T Vs to sports, Stella’s Lounge makes it
38 | REVUEWM.COM | December 2014
Filmloom filmloom.bandcamp.com a point to keep their screens relatively sports-free, opting instead for old sci-fi, cartoons and the like. And for this year’s Thriller! Chiller! Film festival, Stella’s even transformed its back bar area into a microcinema, something we hope the bar plans to mimic in the future. Stella’s Lounge 53 Commerce Ave. SW, Grand Rapids stellasgr.com, (616) 742-4444
OK, aside from the fitting name, Filmloom is a band that should entice movie score junkies everywhere. Catchy, multi-layered and soothing, the band describes its sound as “cinematic pop.” The band bio says the members “create music that is meant to be experienced; like a film.” What better fit could you find for your celluloid-obsessed friend?
listen
A film buff’s taste in food can be just as varied as their taste in movies. Luckily, Two Beards Deli has enough variety to satisfy whatever they may happen to be craving. Better yet, each menu item is named after the facial hair of a famous figure, with plenty of celluloid icons represented here. If the Snake Plissken salad doesn’t strike your fancy, try the Steven Spielberg chicken sandwich. If you’re vegan, check out the Danny Trejo sandwich. The possibilities (and Hollywood name-drops) are endless.
eat
Two Beards Deli 38 Commerce Ave. SW, Grand Rapids twobeardsgr.com, (616) 719-3802
watch
It takes a special kind of person to truly grasp the greatness of B-movie
classics and pop culture favorites of years gone by. The folks who curate the Meanwhile Movies at Wealthy Theatre are these kinds of people. The films shown here are picked by movie lovers for movie lovers and run the gamut of genres, from An American Werewolf in London to Being John Malkovich. Regardless of what kind of taste your film buff friend has, they’re sure to find something that entices them here. Meanwhile Movie Series Wealthy Theatre 1130 Wealthy St. SE, Grand Rapids Every Tuesday, 8 p.m.; $6 grcmc.org/theatre, (616) 459-4788
HOLIDAY SHOP HOP THURSDAY, DECEMBER 4 - EVENT BEGINS AT 4PM - FREE SHUTTLES FROM 4-10PM
REVUEWM.COM | December 2014 |
39
/// Gift
Guide
BookWorm
The bookworm has been forgoing social interaction for the allure of a handheld device long before smartphones made it cool. While you’re freaking over the fact that you’re less than 15 percent battery life and without a charger, the bookworm is suppressing a cackle and creasing another page. Sweet justice. By Kyle Au sti n
If you really want to surprise your bookworm this year, forget about that first edition copy of Moby Dick you’ve been chasing on eBay and sign them up for an epic reading challenge instead. Imagine their delight when they discover you’ve committed them to finish 100 books in two months – challenge accepted. And with awesome prizes going to those who meet their quota, your bookworm will be sure to get some bonus gifts as well.
Do
Grand Rapids Public Library Winter Reading Challenge Dec. 15–Feb. 28 grpl.org, (616) 988-5400
Schedule | Dining | sights | Sounds Scene
40 | REVUEWM.COM | December 2014
Let’s face it. Bookworms are pretty weird. Luckily for them, weird is making a comeback at Odd Side Ales, where beer doesn’t make it out of the fermenter unless it’s highly unusual. Located in an old piano factory, the brewery’s warm and welcoming tap house is the perfect place for your bookworm to enjoy the twists and turns of both their murder mystery novel and Odd Side originals like Mayan Mocha Stout, Pineapple IPA and Black Citra Pale Ale.
drink
Odd Side Ales 41 Washington Ave., Grand Haven oddsideales.com, (616) 935-7326
Once you’ve convinced your bookworm that the soundtrack to an audio book doesn’t actu-
listen
ally qualify as music, introduce them to some Americana. This revivalist genre is steeped in the storytelling tradition of American roots music, and few groups do it better than the Appleseed Collective. Despite being a bunch of twentysomethings, the group weaves imaginative tales through Dixieland, bluegrass, ragtime, western swing and gypsy folk with such ease you’ll believe they’ve ridden the rails through time to get here. The Appleseed Collective Founders Brewing Co. 235 Grandville Ave. SW, Grand Rapids Dec. 18, 8 p.m. foundersbrewing.com, (616) 776-1195
Full-service restaurants, with their pesky wait staff and irritating lack of foods that can be eaten with one hand, are not the ideal places for your bookworm to grab a bite. Lemonjello’s, on the other hand, gives the perpetual reader the freedom to enjoy their vice and eat too, with a healthy selection of locally and regionally roasted coffee as well as delicious handmade baked goods that are made fresh every day right in the shop.
eat
Lemonjello’s, Holland Lemonjellos.com, (616) 928-0699
Your bookworm is secretly harboring desires to gather up all of the iPhone 6s, X-Box Ones and copies of Call of Duty: Advanced Warfare and send them careening off the top of Mount Crumpit. Keep them in the holiday spirit and out of jail by helping them see the Grinch live out their fantasy onstage instead. With the Kalamazoo Symphony Orchestra providing the soundtrack, this Christmas classic will help your bookworm’s heart grow three sizes or more.
watch
How the Grinch Stole Christmas Chenery Auditorium, Kalamazoo Dec. 7, 3 p.m. cheneryaud.com, (269) 337-0440
HOLIDAY SHOP HOP THURSDAY, DECEMBER 4 - EVENT BEGINS AT 4PM - FREE SHUTTLES FROM 4-10PM
"YOU are worth it ALL.” -John Green
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742 Wealthy Street SE, Grand Rapids, MI 616.235.9100 • jeffreyrichardsalon.com
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978 Cherry St SE, Grand Rapids shop@metalartstudioinc.com
Great gifts! Now in East Hills on the corner of Cherry & Diamond.
REVUEWM.COM | December 2014 |
41
/// Gift
Guide
Local Gift Solutions
Schedule | Dining | sights | Sounds Scene
We combine local businesses and must-have items for some holiday shopping inspiration. Bad gifts? Ain’t nobody got time for that. B y Mi s s y B l a c k
STATEMENT MAKER Autonomic Clothing Co. T-shirt, $21.50 atnmc.com
BIKER DUDE Artistic tie, $38 Amy Zane Store & Studio, Kalamazoo
BEER PRO Copper beer foamer, $34 Blacklamb, Grand Rapids
HANDSOME FELLA Beard Care Kit, $28 Urban Cottage, Kalamazoo
RECYCLED DEVOTEE License Plate Clipboard, $17 Bella Patina, Kalamazoo
THIRSTY FRIEND S’well Bottle, $35 Frances Jaye, Holland
ULTIMATE HOMEBOY The GR hat, $46 Jeffrey George, Grand Rapids
FURRY FANATIC Modern dog pillow, $48 Moynihan Gallery, Holland
SNEAKERHEAD Nike Free 4.0 Flyknit, $120 Gazelle Sports, Kalamazoo
PACK RAT Leather lunch bag, $65 mercysupply.com
STYLE MAVEN Kate Spade bow skirt, $398 Studio K Clothing Company, Holland
QUEEN OF QUIRK Animal head ring holder, $12 Painted Farmgirl, Hudsonville
BAG LADY Sarcastic Canvas Bag, $24 6.25 Paper Studio, Grand Rapids
BOOK BORROWER Book with a following, $28 Schuler Books & Music, Grand Rapids
PURVEYOR OF PERKY Jersey knit statement scarf, $15.95 Rebel, Grand Rapids
WEATHER GIRL Rainboots, $54.95 Down to Earth, Grand Haven
MAKEUP ARTIST Dead Sexy cosmetic bag, $14 Blush Salon & Spa, Kalamazoo
LATTE LOVER Leather wrap mug, $15 Have Company, Grand Rapids
DOMESTICATED DIVA Humorous kitchen towel, $10 Karla’s Place, Holland
SCENT SOPHISTICATE Cocktail glass candle, $16 Sticks & Stones, Kalamazoo
42 | REVUEWM.COM | December 2014
HOLIDAY SHOP HOP THURSDAY, DECEMBER 4 - EVENT BEGINS AT 4PM - FREE SHUTTLES FROM 4-10PM
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REVUEWM.COM | December 2014 |
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/// local music
American WiFi Brings Pop-Rock Anthems to The Pyramid Scheme | by Nolan Krebs
T
Other tracks on the record, like “White hose looking for a taste of feel-good tunes a la Kings Flag” and “Dancing with Fire,” follow similar of Leon, The Killers or other alt-rock themes of early adulthood’s highs and lows, heavy hitters would do well to check Bos said, including losing friends and figuring out which path to make your own - with out American WiFi’s release show. The Grand Rapids youngsters, fresh off the latter tune tackling a little heavier subject winning the ArtPrize selection for best pop/ matter. “‘Dancing With Fire’ is about my best electronic artist, recorded their sophomore album, HotSpot 2.0, with engineer Alex Hamel friend in high school,” Bos said. “After we and consider their newest batch of songs a tes- graduated, we kind of drifted apart and I started hearing about how he tament to the group’s lyrical was messing with hard drugs. and musical growth, accordAmerican WiFi Album … When [guitarist Sam ing to Greyson Bos (vocals/ Release Show wsg Midwest Starkie] bought in this really rhythm guitar). Skies, Maybe Next Time frantic guitar riff to practice “It’s a big soul-searching The Pyramid Scheme, Grand one day, it immediately made record,” Bos said. “The first Rapids track, ‘Howl,’ I wrote about me think of my friend and his Dec. 5, 7 p.m. struggles with drugs.” being fresh out of high school $10 advance, $12 day of show and feeling completely lost HotSpot 2.0 was recorded pyramidschemebar.com, (616) between the group’s home and bewildered after being 272-375 studio and Hame’s House. thrust into the real world.”
Bos said the recording process varied slightly from previous efforts, with the group taking more of a live approach to tracking the songs. “It was a much more ambitious process, but also more efficient and time effective,” Bos said. “I prefer the production style on this CD to that of HotSpot, because it captures the energy we have when we play live. I think the songs are just different. It’s hard for me to say if they’re better or not because I wrote them; I guess we’ll have to wait and hear what the fans think.”
Despite still being in their teens, some of the dudes in American WiFi (Bos; Cohen Parker, bass guitar/back vocals; and Levi Lilly, drums/percussion) have been playing together for almost four years, which comes through in the group’s polished sound. However, winning the ArtPrize award, with St. Cecilia Music Center throwing down $2,000 to five different groups, came as a shock to the group, Bos said. “We were all really caught off-guard by the whole thing,” Bos said. “It was surreal.” n
MUSIC NEWS Heaters
On Dec. 15, Bells Brewery hosts Square Dance Kalamazoo! with Celery City Sodbusters, an old-time band from Kalamazoo (with a truly incredible name). Take the opportunity to saddle up, grab a partner and check out something a little outside the box. (Err…square?) Earthwork Music darlings Red Tail Ring play at Salt of the Earth in Fennville on Dec. 14. The group sells this place out pretty regularly, so reserve a seat early by calling (269) 561-7258.
Ultraviolet Hippopotamus is playing a three-set performance at The Intersection on Dec. 5. It’ll be your last chance to see the GR jam-band staples before the dudes take a hiatus from performing and touring. According to the group’s website, the band has no immediate plans for a return date following the break. Rick Chyme performs at Tip Top Deluxe Bar & Grill on Dec. 12 with PitchBlak Brass Band, a Brooklyn, N.Y.-based 10-piece funk/jazz/hip-hop group. All signs point to an awesome show.
Grand Rapids psych-rock outfit Heaters kicks off its winter tour at The Pyramid Scheme on Dec. 11 with The Mystery Lights (NYC) and Moonwalks (Detroit).
REVUEWM.COM | December 2014 |
Scene | Sounds | Sights | Dining | Schedule
The always-excellent post-punk duo Sapphic plays at Spoke Folks in Grand Rapids on Dec. 6 with Xerxes (Kentucky) and Elisa Lam (GR). If you haven’t caught a show here yet, it’s one of the area’s cooler DIY spaces and definitely worth checking out.
45
/// On Tour
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46 | REVUEWM.COM | December 2014
Possessed by Paul James Combines Country Sound with Punk Performance
1411 Robinson Road Grand Rapids, MI (616) 451-4732 Repairs Available
Stay True
K
That calling eventually led to his one-mano n r a d W e rt ’ s f i r st exposure to music was in the band, Possessed by Paul James. Armed with a small Mennonite community where guitar, banjo and fiddle, Wert stomps his own he grew up in southern Florida. The percussion and belts out his country-folk tunes church setting taught him how to with the raw emotion and power of an oldsing, and he later started pickschool punk performance. And his show is one that’s geared ing up stringed instruments Possessed by Paul when his mother enrolled him specifically to the audience James, with The Crane he’s playing for. in public school. Years later, Wives, Joseph Huber it was a fellow student who We typically don’t do a Founders Brewing Co., Grand inspired Wert to take music in set list,” Wert said. “As we start Rapids a song, if it feels like the right a different direction. Dec. 31, 9 p.m. song to sing we’ll go with that “I remember a guy who $10; 21+ was a sophomore and he was song. If it doesn’t, we’ll just foundersbrewing.com, (616) playing all these ballads like stop and go with a different 776-1195 song altogether. ... It’s just beGuns N’ Roses, and he was telling us about how he would ing in the moment and feeling go out on the street and perform and make whatever’s going on in the world.” money,” Wert said. “I was playing out more, When Wert isn’t entertaining fans with playing on the street more, and I realized, hey, his energetic performances, he’s changing kids’ lives as a special education teacher. you can make a little bit of money.” “The reason [I] got into it initially is beAt first, his repertoire consisted largely of traditional genres. Later, he found his way to cause I come from a family with cousins with some good, old-fashioned punk. multiple disabilities,” Wert said. “It felt like a “I had never been exposed to the Melvins calling, and lo and behold, I happened to be or the Stooges,” Wert said. “When I got ex- good at it. I’ll be a much better school teacher posed to that music, there seemed to be this than I’ll ever be a musician.” n click, like a universal calling.”
Open Hours
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Happy Hour
MON-FRI 3-7PM $2 Domestics, $2 Wells $3 Calls, $1.50 Retros 760 BUTTERWORTH SW GRAND RAPIDS, MI 616.272.3910
OPEN VINYL PARTY MONDAYS, NO COVER, 8PM
COMEDY NIGHT 2ND AND 4TH TUESDAY, NO COVER, 8:30
DECEMBER 4: Inmuso presents: Elephant Wrecking Ball wsg Big Sherb DECEMBER 5: Call Me Bronco, Fishguttz and His Ignorant Band, The Devil’s Cut, Nate Maynard
OPEN MIC NIGHT
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WITH SAM KENNY WEDNESDAYS, NO COVER 9PM
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Elephant Wrecking Ball
DECEMBER 7: Birthday Tribute to Tom Waits Clebrating his Music with Jennifer Westwood and the Handsome Devils, Mark Panick, David Suycotte, Chef Chris and more. DECEMBER 9: Burleque-A-Pades a Christmas Shimmy with the World Famous Pontani Sisters and the Danger Damsels
Delilah DeWylde & The Lost Boys
DECEMBER 12: PitchBlak Brass Band wsg Rick Chyme DECEMBER 13: Secondhand Smoke, Dram House Rounders, The Salty Dog Revue
Mrs. Skanotto
DECEMBER 26: A Christmas Jam: benefit for Habitat for Humanity DECEMBER 27: Mrs. Skanotto wsg The Sailor Kicks DECEMBER 31: NYE with Delilah DeWylde and the Lost Boys and The Truckstop Cobras
PitchBlak Brass
REVUEWM.COM | December 2014 |
Scene | Sounds | Sights | Dining | Schedule
DECEMBER 20: Nick Moss Band wsg Rochelle and the Spoilers
47
/// On Tour
PHOTO: Joshua Black Wilkins
Justin Townes Earle’s Country Bloodlines Run Deep | by Carly Plank
Schedule | Dining | Sights | Sounds | Scene
W
48 | REVUEWM.COM | December 2014
hile describing the Finger-picked guitar melodies and vocals i n f lux o f businessmen that are both breezily swaying and deeply felt and record executives migrat- mark the songs on Single Mothers as truthful ing from Los Angeles to his representations of the highs and lows each Nashville hometown, Justin one of us feels from day to day. For example, Townes Earle emanates frustration. “White Gardenias” recognizes Billie Holiday, “It’s colonialism,” he said. “The TV show a chief influence upon Townes Earle’s ‘Nashville’ has made it sound like we are en- behind-the-beat style as a singer. However, he joying this new-found reputation. But if you sympathizes with the parallels between his past ask me, we already had a pretty lifestyle — Townes Earle is now damn good one.” sober — and Holiday’s demise. Justin Townes Earle The son of alternative “Within the first three St. Cecilia Music Center, Grand country singer Steve Earle sentences in a conversation, Rapids and godson of the legendary her [Holiday] being a junkie Dec. 11, 7:30 p.m. Townes VanZandt came of age comes up,” he said. “But she’s $30; scmc-online.org, (616) in the city that calls itself the defenseless now. I didn’t really 459-2224 country music’s home. But write the song as a tribute to Townes Earle has found a way Billie Holiday—I wrote it for to cut straight to the heart of the tradition the little girl from Baltimore who never had while keeping the pros and cons of life as a chance.” a musician in perspective. His sixth album, Currently, Townes Earle is striving to write Single Mothers, was released in September and songs with meaning, while maintaining roots encompasses themes that have been close to in the traditions of country and Americana. Townes Earle’s heart since childhood. “Right now, there are a lot of songs com“I was raised by my mom,” he said. ing out of Nashville with no real meaning, and “Growing up in Nashville, it’s been a sad real- it’s just about having fun. That’s not all bad, ity that most musicians are bad at taking care but songs are supposed to have substance.” n of their children. And it doesn’t have anything to do with being on the road, it’s just being irresponsible.”
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REVUEWM.COM | December 2014 |
Scene | Sounds | Sights | Dining | Schedule
FOR THE TRUTH, CHECK OUT
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VISUAL ART
by Kerri VanderHoff
Global Conversations: East Meets West in Michigan
C
Vinecroft Studios Holiday Artists Market
Vinecroft Studios, Grand Rapids Dec. 6 & 13, 9 a.m.-5 p.m. vinecroft.com (616) 785-3428
A perennial favorite, this collection of art and artists comes together to make holiday shopping both easier and more rewarding. Meet the artists and enjoy warm conversation, as you are welcomed into this cozy studio on the city’s northwest side. A wide variety of gift ideas including turned wood objects such as vases, boxes, toy tops, ornaments, bowls, platters; felted dolls, fashion, accessories, original paintings, letterpress printed note cards, barware, beaded jewelry, sculpture, photographs, snow globes, purses and more.
UICA Holiday Artist Market
Steelcase Town Hall, Grand Rapids Dec. 6, 10 a.m.-7 p.m.; Dec. 7, noon-5 & 7 p.m. uica.org, (616) 454-7000 UICA’s Holiday Artist’s Market is back for its 26th year. This highly anticipated event draws thousands of visitors and is a great place for any holiday shopper looking to find the most unique and special gifts. In order to accommodate a larger number of participating artists, UICA hosts this year’s event at the Steelcase Town Hall on 44th Street.
DETAIL: Seungmo Park, Kim Seong Su, 2010, aluminum wire, fiberglass, lifecasting. “Seungmo Park’s works are quietly vibrant, captivating and contemplative,” said Belinda Ann Tate, KIA executive director. “The illusory nature of his works and distinctive use of medium offer us an unexpected perspective on the human body and the world around us.” Park’s Maya series features large-scale portraits and landscape scenes. The work is suspended from the ceiling and features meticulously cut layers of wire mesh. The illusion, when viewed from a direct angle, is uncannily life-like even in its dream-like quality. Shift to a side view and the image disappears, hidden within hanging sheets of gray screens. As with all great works of art, and especially in this instance, descriptions and photographs simply won’t do it justice. The organizers and collaborators have worked hard to ensure the exhibition arrives at a city near you. For West Michigan residents, luckily the opportunity lands this month in our very own Kalamazoo. n
LowellArts! Holiday Market
LowellArts! Gallery Through Dec. 23 Open daily Tuesday through Saturday lowellarts.mi.org, (616) 897-8545
The LowellArts! King Gallery has been transformed into a unique shopping destination for the holidays featuring works by more than 40 area artisans. It is a great opportunity to purchase handmade items including: basketry, bead work, beeswax candles, glass work, jewelry, metal work, ornaments, painting, photography, pottery, sculpture, soap, textiles and wood working. This is a juried show, with participating artists from around the region. Check the website for special demonstrations throughout the holiday season.
Scene | Sounds | Sights Diing | Schedule
o nte m p o rary art at its b e st s u rprises you. It offers you something you haven’t seen before and often alters your perspective. Wired & Wrapped: Sculpture by Seungmo Park, opening Dec. 20 at Kalamazoo Institute of Arts (KIA), promises to do just that. The exhibition is the second of three shows the KIA is presenting in the 2014-15 season by artists originating in China, Korea and Japan. Park maintains a studio in his native Seoul, as well as others in New York and Berlin. Wired & Wrapped first opened this past summer at the Dennos Museum Center in Traverse City, organized by the museum’s executive director Gene Jenneman. Jenneman travels extensively in East Asia, attending conferences, meeting with artists and keeping abreast of the growing conversations in contemporary art. “Some of the most interesting art I’ve seen in years is coming out of Asia,” Jenneman said. “We live in Wired & Wrapped: a global world now, and any museum Sculpture by that has the capacity should consider Seungmo Park these experiences in their exhibition Kalamazoo Institute of Arts Dec. 20, 2014–March 15, schedule.” 2015 Jenneman noted the international kiarts.org, (269) 349-7775 rise of China and Asia in general, with the cultural changes that accompany the shift, are reflected in unusual and personal ways through the eyes of the artists living there. Jenneman collaborated with several other museums across Michigan, including KIA, to offer a broad geographic reach for the traveling exhibition, allowing visitors statewide to engage in this global conversation. Park’s exhibition at the Dennos received a gratifying public response, drawing in new audiences. And as a result, KIA staff is thrilled to be welcoming the exhibition to the southwest region this month. “We’re delighted that art lovers from Kalamazoo and beyond will have an opportunity to see and experience the work of this exciting young artist from Korea,” said Vicki C. Wright, director of collections and exhibitions. The work presented in Wired & Wrapped takes two approaches: ephemeral and object-based, each focused on extreme detail.
Other Art Events
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51
indie film
By Josh Spanninga
With last year’s infamous polar vortex looming fresh in West Michigan’s collective conscious, it’s safe to say some locals are entering into the winter season with a sense of apprehension. Sledding and making snowmen are fun and all, but so is being able to actually get out of your driveway in the morning. To soothe your worries about the impending blizzards, why not take a trip to the theatre and lose yourself in some seasonal cinema?
Alamo Drafthouse Kalamazoo Rolls Out Holiday Programming
S
om e holi day fi lms play as large a role in our Yuletide culture as “Jingle Bell Rock” and “T’was the Night Before Christmas.” I mean, who can honestly imagine a proper holiday season without Ralphie muttering the big fudge-bomb in A Christmas Story, or Clark Griswold cutting into the turkey dinner in National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation? In honor of the holidays, Alamo Drafthouse in Kalamazoo will be exploring cinema’s role in the Christmas season, sharing festive favorites with theatre-goers throughout December. “We are so fortunate with Alamo to have such a great library of holiday programming,” said James Sanford, creative manager at Alamo Drafthouse Kalamazoo. They’re pulling no stops this year when it comes to curating some of the best, most celebrated and even some of the strangest Christmas classics. First, you have some of the obvious picks, like A Christmas Carol and Miracle on 34th Street. And they’re going to be sure to make room for one of their most popular picks of the season. “Of course we’re bringing back It’s a Wonderful Life, which sold out in near-record time last year,” Sanford said. “We will try
to keep room in our schedule for at least two or three [showings] this year.” On top of that, Alamo will be showing some Christmas movie underdogs that may not get as much attention. While James Stewart’s image may seem ubiquitous this time of year, White Christmas and The Bishop’s Wife generally have to fight for airplay, which is exactly why Alamo decided to bring them back to the big screen. “[They] don’t often get shown on the big screen, but we love them and we want other people to love them,” Sanford said. There are also plenty of somewhat, shall we say, unconventional choices for those who may require a bit more enticement to get into the holiday spirit. Although Die Hard is often remembered as a sort of pinnacle to the American action genre, most of the action does take place at a swanky Christmas party gone wrong. And Edward Scissorhands, though from a slightly darker period of Tim Burton’s filmography, still has strong ties to the winter season. “I know it’s not a traditional Christmas movie,” Sanford said of Edward Scissorhands. “But it did come out at Christmastime
Schedule | Dining | Sights Sounds | Scene
UICA Kicks off Winter with Force Majeure
Force Majeure
52 | REVUEWM.COM | December 2014
Scrooged
in 1990 and I always tend to associate it with the Christmas season.” For those who prefer to get real weird, the oddest and leastrecognized entry in Alamo’s holiday programming would have to be the disastrous B-movie masterpiece Santa Claus Conquers the Martians, which is about, well, exactly what it sounds like. Last, but definitely not least, Alamo will be bring back its holiday themed quote-a-long series, in which Alamo Drafthouse provides props and quotes for the audience to read aloud during the film. This year’s series will include favorites like Elf and the aforementioned National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation, as well as the newest addition to the quote-a-long series, Bill Murray’s Scrooged. For a full list of dates, times and ticket prices go to drafthouse.com/kalamazoo. n
I
f there’s a polarizing (no pun intended) topic in mid-winter Michigan, it has to be the weather; more specifically, snow. Some people love it while others hate it, but everyone has resigned themselves to the fact that it’s inevitable. It therefore seems fitting that our friends over at the UICA have decided to kick off the winter with an uncomfortably funny psychodrama in which the white stuff plays a pivotal role. The award-winning Swedish film, Force Majeure, will be on UICA screens through Dec. 4. The movie follows Tomas, a successful and handsome businessman, as he takes his family on a skiing trip to the Swiss Alps. After an avalanche shakes things up for the family, Tomas’ role as the family patriarch is called into question. From there, a series of events unfold that film review aggregator site, Rotten Tomatoes, refers to as “gleefully uncomfortable.” While watching someone else’s life unravel may make you feel a bit guilty, it really helps put those freezing temperature and winter traffic complaints into perspective. Tickets are $8 to the public and $4 for UICA members. For a list of show times, visit uica.org/movies. n
S:9.25”
a juicy steak dinner can turn a
S:10”
private
party get-together into a
you’ll never forget.
Grand Rapids | 616.776.6426 | Inside the Amway Grand Plaza Hotel | ruthschris.com
REVUEWM.COM | December 2014 |
200 Varick St. New York, NY 10014 : Phone 212-805-7500
53
lit life
By Kyle Austin
Pictures, People and Placemaking:
New Book Explores Grand Rapids’ Retail Glory Days
T
Schedule | Dining | Sights Sounds | Scene
Downtown Grand Rapids in 1941.
he holiday season is upon “After going downtown with my parents and us, and many in West Michigan have eventually taking the bus down on my own and undoubtedly joined in the mad scramble filling my head with all of the sights and the sounds, to find the perfect gifts of 2014. Were this I just became addicted to it — the people, the archi1950 however, all that time spent browsing tecture, the neon,” Hauser said. Amazon in our underwear or road-raging out on As a college student, Hauser worked at 28th Street would have instead been spent down- Steketee’s and lived in the Heritage Hill neightown Grand Rapids, where retail once reigned borhood. After graduation, he took a job with supreme. Herpolsheimer’s and eventually rose to managerial Millennials in this city are used to a downtown level. He quickly developed a strong bond with that thrives on dining, entertainment, arts, culture others who lived and worked in the downtown area. and — of course — beer. Older generations though, “It was a total community,” Hauser said. “I’d remember a time when shopping never be able to experience that establishments dominated the anywhere else probably. landscape and retail powerhouses As the 20th century progressed, Author talk with like Steketee’s, Herpolsheimer’s, however, downtown retail slowly Michael Hauser Herkner’s and Wurzburg’s were the waned from existence. In the mid Barnes and Noble – Rivertown city center’s main attractions. sixties into the early seventies, the Crossings Mall Dec. 13, 1 p.m. “That was back in a day when major department stores opened barnesandnoble.com, (616) department stores were all things to branches elsewhere and both 531-1825 all people, before you had specialty Eastbrook and Woodland malls retailers,” said Michael Hauser, coopened up, ushering in a new era author of 20th Century Retailing of retail in West Michigan. Hauser in Downtown Grand Rapids, a new book that tells remembers the heartbreak he felt at seeing downthe story of downtown’s retail heyday through a town Grand Rapids become a shell of its former self. meticulously researched and assembled collection “It was very sad to see so many empty storeof historical photographs. “The downtown stores fronts and less people working there,” he said. were much more complete back then.” But that special time in Grand Rapids’ history The book is far more than an exercise in the lives on, both in the photographs in Hauser’s book kind of ‘back in my day’ narrative that millenials and in the memories of people for whom these love to hate. Hauser and co-author Marianne stores provided not just material things, but the joy Weldon scoured the archival collections of the of living and connecting with one another. Grand Rapids Public Library and the Grand Now, downtown Grand Rapids is again filled Rapids Public Museum to uncover photographs with energy and riding high on a wave of momenthat captured not just the places and people of a tum. It looks different; there are new buildings, bygone era, but a sense of energy, excitement and new technologies, and new people. What remains, community that mirrors the present-day atmosphere however, is the thirst for experiences that bring us of downtown. together and compel us to keep moving forward. n
Other Literary Events Write On Writers Group
Reading the Great Lakes
Local Author Signing with Tobin Buhk
Kazoo Books – Parkview location Mondays, 9:30-11 a.m. kazoobooks.com, (269) 553-6506
Grand Rapids Public Library – Main Branch Dec. 4, 7 p.m. grpl.org, (616) 988-5400
Barnes and Noble - Woodland Mall Dec. 6, 4 p.m. barnesandnoble.com, (616) 940-0820
If you’re looking to get a little more serious with your writing, or if you have trouble staying focused when working on your own, a writers group can be a great resource to take advantage of. Kazoo Books’ Write On writers group brings budding fiction writers together every Monday to exchange ideas and offer one another support, feedback and guidance.
This monthly book club explores mystery, history, fiction and nonfiction titles that have some kind of tie-in to the Great Lakes region. This month’s selection is Fordlandia by Greg Grandin, a fascinating true story of Henry Ford’s failed attempt to recreate small-town America in the depths of the Brazilian Amazon in the late 1920s.
To give you an idea of Tobin Buhk’s commitment to the true crime genre, the author volunteered in a county morgue and observed the chief medical examiner grapple with forensic mysteries to research his first book, Cause of Death. Buhk has since published five more titles that reflect his love of history and fascination with the dark side of humanity.
54 | REVUEWM.COM | December 2014
REVUEWM.COM | December 2014 |
55
By Allison Parker
theatre
There’s Something About Mary
Other Performing Arts Events
W
Schedule | Dining | Sights Sounds | Scene
hen it comes to annoying personality traits, most of us would place arrogance near the top of the list. There’s just something about a stuck-up, snooty demeanor that seems to grate on almost everyone’s nerves. And yet, nearly everyone loves Mary Poppins, a woman so intensely enamored with herself that she puts today’s selfie queens to shame. Not only is Mary quite proud of her appearance, but also she’s fiercely straight-laced and proper, a character no one would think about kicking back with to have a few beers. Soaring onstage at Grand Rapids Civic Theatre this month, the show Mary Poppins nevertheless continues to delight audiences young and old with a titular character everyone somehow loves. Perhaps it is the adventures Mary leads us on that make her such a crowd pleaser. The stage version features many Mary Poppins of the same magical musical escapades Grand Rapids Civic Theatre that we know and love from the movie, Dec. 3-6, 10-14; show times while also throwing a few forgotten at 7:30 & 2 p.m. highlights from the book into the mix. $18-$35 And much like the movie, many of grct.org, (616) 222-6650 the outings center around the wonder of transforming everyday items and experiences. “At one point in the show Bert says, ‘All that it takes is a spark, then something as plain as a park becomes a wonderland.’ The story turns the ordinary into something extraordinary, from a carpet bag that holds more than the eye can see, to chimney sweeps who throw the best rooftop dance parties,” said Alyssa Bauer, who plays Mary in the show. Most of us will agree, however, that we don’t just like what Mary can do. We also like Mary herself. Flawed though she may be, there is also a spirited strength and a genuine kindness to Mary that wins our hearts. “Mary Poppins is her own person,” Bauer said. “One hundred percent secure in herself and never in doubt of her behaviors and actions. She has high standards for others and only the highest for herself, so at times she can come across as particular. But all of her actions are motivated by her tremendous care for others and her desire to move them to someplace better.”
56 | REVUEWM.COM | December 2014
Shrek, The Musical
Kalamazoo Civic Theatre Dec. 4-7, 12-14; show times at 2 & 7:30 p.m. $13-$20; kzoocivic.com, (269) 343-1313
Shrek starts out as just a your average ogre doing average ogre things. You know, living in a swamp, taking mud baths, making earwax candles — those sorts of things. But all that changes when the loveable monster must complete a heroic feat of princely proportions. With his sassy pal Donkey at his side, Shrek embarks on an epic backwards fairytale that has become a beloved family classic.
A Christmas Story
Muskegon Civic Theatre Dec. 4-7, show times at 3 & 7:30 p.m. $18-$20 muskegoncivictheatre.org, (231) 722-3852
A Christmas Story tells the hilarious tale of a boy’s elaborate attempts to get someone to buy him a Red Ryder BB gun for Christmas. Relive all the hilarity and charm of the popular holiday film as Ralphie stops at nothing to get his hands on ‘a Red Ryder BB gun with a compass in the stock, and this thing which tells time.’ Warning: attending the production may forever burn in your memory the image of a lamp resembling a dismembered limb.
The Nutcracker Still, most of us have to admit that even Mary’s good points are not enough to make us fall completely in love with her. In truth, we adore her not just in spite of her faults, but really also because of her faults. Not only is Mary’s ego entertaining to poke fun at, but also it makes her character more relatable. By giving Mary humanizing flaws that make her more like the rest of us, the play continues its theme of transforming the ordinary into the extraordinary. Mary’s not a god with typical god-like abilities, but rather a normal human being with stupendous powers. n
Grand Rapids Ballet Dec. 12-14, 19-21; show times at 2 & 7:30 p.m.; $20-$65 grballet.com, (616) 454-4771
The Nutcracker gets a special reimagining in this world premiere. Both the story and set design will take on a fresh Grand Rapids spin in what will be the largest production GR Ballet has ever undertaken. With this unique version of a timeless classic, the company hopes to start a new signature Christmas tradition of its own.
‘Tis the season for $10 off any service. 156 Fulton Street East 616.419.3153 sassafras-salons.com Ser v ices mu st b e value d at $ 40 or more. C annot b e combine d w ith any other of fer s or di scount s .
REVUEWM.COM | December 2014 |
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58 | REVUEWM.COM | December 2014
The Schedule Get Scheduled! E-mail your info to schedule@revuewm.com or add your events into our calendar at revuewm.com.
monday
12.01
Billy’s Lounge BassBin Center Art Gallery, Calvin Tracing the Past: Edward Curtis and the North American Indian Frederik Meijer Gardens Christmas and Holiday Traditions Around The World GR Public Museum Real Pirates Gun Lake Casino Jack Leaver Holland Museum The Wonderful Wizard of Oz, Inspiring Oz, A Hundred Flowers MercuryHead Gallery Kristian Mathews Small Works Water Street Gallery 2 Hot
tuesday
12.02
Billy’s Lounge Deep Down Tuesdays Center Art Gallery, Calvin Tracing the Past: Edward Curtis and the North American Indian Crescendo Academy of Music Orff Music Classes Downtown Market Make & Take: Edible Holiday Gifts Eighth Street Market Place Holiday Kerstmarkt Frederik Meijer Gardens Art and Gardens Book Discussion Group, Christmas and Holiday Traditions Around the World, Original Dickens Carolers GRAM Marks of Genius, Jessica Joy London GR Public Museum Real Pirates
Gun Lake Casino Main Street Dueling Pianos Kalamazoo County Expo Center Scholastic Book Fairs Warehouse Sale Kent District Library: Krause Memorial Branch Mush! KIA A Collector’s Eye, Double Take, How to Return?, Lasting Legacy LowellArts! Holiday Market MercuryHead Gallery Kristian Mathews Small Works Miller Auditorium Moscow Ballet’s Great Russian Nutcracker Muskegon Museum of Art Japanese Warriors Nibi Lounge Tom Northrup Old Dog Tavern Tom Duffield, Open Mic with Branden Mann Shakespeare’s Lower Level Country Line Dancing By Effortless Dance
UICA Looking Forward, Buying Friends, Force Majeure, The Way He Looks Wealthy Theatre Meanwhile Movie: Easy Rider
wednesday
12.03
Billy’s Lounge Campus Karaoke Cook-DeWitt Center Arts at Noon: Holiday Music for Brass Quintet Center Art Gallery, Calvin Tracing the Past: Edward Curtis and the North American Indian Crescendo Academy of Music Orff Music Classes Foundry Hall Song Swap Frederik Meijer Gardens Christmas and Holiday Traditions Around The World Gilly’s Dennie Middleton Grand Rapids Civic Theatre Mary Poppins GRAM Marks of Genius, Jessica Joy London GR Public Museum Real Pirates Gun Lake Casino Doug Fast Holland Museum The Wonderful Wizard of Oz, Inspiring Oz, A Hundred Flowers The Intersection Vinyl Theatre Kalamazoo County Expo Center Scholastic Book Fairs Warehouse Sale Kalamazoo Public Library KPL Concert Series: Jeff Dwarshuis
Kent District Library: Tyrone Township Branch Winter Snow Party KIA A Collector’s Eye, Double Take, How to Return?, Lasting Legacy LowellArts! Holiday Market MercuryHead Gallery Kristian Mathews Small Works Muskegon Museum of Art Japanese Warriors Nibi Lounge Larry Lowis Old Dog Tavern Ladies Night, Dance Party UICA Looking Forward, Buying Friends, Force Majeure, The Way He Looks
thursday
12.04
Aquinas College Performing Arts Center Shout! The Mod Musical Barnes & Noble Woodland Mall Author Signing With Tom Daldin Bernhard Center Chill Out Spa Night Billy’s Lounge ‘90s Holla Back Celebration Cinema! North RiffTrax: Santa Claus Center Art Gallery, Calvin Tracing the Past: Edward Curtis and the North American Indian Crescendo Academy of Music Crescendo Community Voices DeVos Performance Hall Grand Rapids Symphony Presents Holiday Pops
Dr. Grins Rob Little Founders Brewing Co. YOJIMBO wsg Low Spark Frauenthal Center Mona Shores Singing Christmas Tree Frederik Meijer Gardens Christmas and Holiday Traditions Around The World, Christmas Gala GRAM Marks of Genius, Jessica Joy London Grand Rapids Civic Theatre Mary Poppins Grand Rapids Public Library Reading the Great Lakes GR Public Museum Real Pirates Gun Lake Casino Gee Daddy’s Big Blues Review H.O.M.E. at The B.O.B. Adam Locker and The Mines Holland Museum The Wonderful Wizard of Oz, Inspiring Oz, A Hundred Flowers The Intersection Cole Swindel wsg Kelleigh Bannen Kalamazoo Civic Theatre Shrek the Musical Kalamazoo County Expo Center Scholastic Book Fairs Warehouse Sale Kalamazoo State Theatre STYX KIA A Collector’s Eye, Double Take, How to Return?, Lasting Legacy LowellArts! Holiday Market MercuryHead Gallery Kristian Mathews Small Works Muskegon Museum of Art Japanese Warriors Nibi Lounge Vince Miller Old Dog Tavern Hired Hands wsg Scott Low
Best Bet: Indie Scene | Sounds | Sights | Dining Schedule
While Ohio appears to be a toenail on Michigan’s foot, our favorite southerly neigh- Over the Rhine wsg Lily and Madeleine bor/presidential election ruiner sure has produced Calvin College Chapel, a fair amount of beyond-excellent musicians. One Grand Rapids such is Cincinnati’s Over the Rhine, the husband Dec. 13, 8 p.m. and wife duo of Linford Detweiler and Karin $20 public, $10 for Calvin Bergquist, which has been cranking out thick, students with ID hearty, Midwestern folk rock since the late ‘80s. And calvin.edu/sao, their hard work has paid off: the sheer volume of (616) 526-6000 OTR records alone has undoubtedly helped put the guitar-strumming lovebirds on the musical map. This massive body of work includes a studio album released nearly every year, from 1991 to present, and participation on several collaborative albums, compilations and projects. Given this, we must conclude Over the Rhine has proved its worth as a prolific force of Americana roots-rock. We’re not sure why Detweiler and Bergquist chose to take the saying “make beautiful music together” literally on their wedding day, but we’re awfully glad they did. Reported by Emma Kat Richardson
Over The Rhine REVUEWM.COM | December 2014 |
59
Schedule Shakespeare’s Lower Level Paint Pub Kzoo Number 2; Ill Hollow Chamber, Violent Vessel, Dead Eyes Always Dreaming, Drifter Spectrum Theater Grand Rapids Actors’ Theatre Presents Chess St. Cecilia Music Center GRCC Instrumental Ensembles Winter Concert Tip Top Deluxe Bar & Grill Elephant Wrecking Ball wsg Everyday Junior UICA Looking Forward, Buying Friends, Force Majeure, The Way He Looks Uptown Neighborhood Shop Hop Western Michigan University Theatre Late Night Broadway featuring Jeff Blumenkrantz
friday
Schedule Dining | Sights | Sounds | Scene
12.05
Ada Historical Covered Bridge Tinsel Treats and Trolley Aquinas College Performing Arts Center Shout! The Mod Musical Avenue for the Arts First Friday Gallery Hop Bell’s Eccentric Cafe 13th Annual Eccentric Day Billy’s Lounge Funkle Jesse Blue Water Grill Rich Burkholder Center Art Gallery, Calvin Tracing the Past: Edward Curtis and the North American Indian Czar’s 505 Roots Vibration DeVos Perf. Hall Grand Rapids Symphony Presents Holiday Pops Dr. Grins Rob Little Eighth Street Market Place Holiday Kerstmarkt Farmers Alley Theatre And The World Goes ‘Round Foundry Hall Tunebugs Four Winds Casino Kenny Rogers Frauenthal Center Mona Shores Singing Christmas Tree Frederik Meijer Gardens Christmas and Holiday Traditions Around The World GRAM Marks of Genius, Jessica Joy London Grand Rapids Civic Theatre Mary Poppins GR Public Museum Real Pirates Gun Lake Casino CP2 H.O.M.E. at The B.O.B. Jedi Mind Trip Holland Museum The Wonderful Wizard of Oz, Inspiring Oz, A Hundred Flowers Howmet Playhouse How the Grinch Stole Christmas
The Intersection Ultraviolet Hippopotamus Kalamazoo Civic Theatre Shrek the Musical KIA A Collector’s Eye, Double Take, How to Return?, Lasting Legacy, Holiday Art Sale Kirby Grill Stereo Vegas Knickerbocker Theatre The Nutcracker LowellArts! Holiday Market MercuryHead Gallery Kristian Mathews Small Works Mulligan’s Pub Responsible People, Emma Loo and Sam Seritas Muskegon Museum of Art Japanese Warriors Nibi Lounge Larry Lowis Old Dog Tavern Real Fantastics The Orbit Room Flogging Molly The Pyramid Scheme American Wi-Fi, Midwest Skies, Maybe Next Time Shakespeare’s Lower Level Megan Rae Spectrum Theater Grand Rapids Actors’ Theatre Presents Chess UICA Looking Forward, Buying Friends, The Way He Looks, Camp X-Ray Water Street Gallery 2 Hot Western Michigan University Theatre Late Night Broadway featuring Jeff Blumenkrantz
saturday
12.06
Alamo Drafthouse Cinema Cartoon Cereal Party: Christmas Edition Aquinas College Performing Arts Center Shout! The Mod Musical Barnes & Noble Woodland Mall Local Author Signing With Tobin Buhk Bell’s Eccentric Cafe Yojimbo Blandford Nature Center Holiday for the Animals Blue Water Grill Nate Holley Celebration Cinema! North UFC 181: Hendricks vs. Lawler Center Art Gallery, Calvin Tracing the Past: Edward Curtis and the North American Indian Cook-DeWitt Center Varsity Men Czar’s 505 Shelagh Brown Band DeVos Performance Hall Grand Rapids Symphony Presents Holiday Pops Dr. Grins Rob Little Eastland Bowl Trapped on Mars Eighth Street Market Place Holiday Kerstmarkt
60 | REVUEWM.COM | December 2014
Farmers Alley Theatre And The World Goes ‘Round Fenian’s Irish Pub Chicago Reel Fenn Valley Nouveau Fest FireKeepers Casino Hotel Sara Evans Foundry Hall Ashley Daneman Four Winds Casino HIFI Superstar Frauenthal Center for the Performing Arts Mona Shores Singing Christmas Tree Frederik Meijer Gardens Christmas and Holiday Traditions Around The World, Rooftop Reindeer GRAM Marks of Genius, Jessica Joy London Grand Rapids Civic Theatre Mary Poppins GR Public Museum Real Pirates Griswold Auditorium Holly Daze Gun Lake Casino Azz Izz H.O.M.E. at The B.O.B. Starfarm Holland Museum The Wonderful Wizard of Oz, Inspiring Oz, A Hundred Flowers The Intersection I See Stars with Razihel SycAmour, Seraphim, Of All We Cherish; Jackyl wsg Deadwood Stone and Tru-Burn John Ball Zoo Christmas for the Animals Kalamazoo Civic Theatre Shrek the Musical Kalamazoo State Theatre The Trailer Park Boys The Dear Santa Claus Tour KIA A Collector’s Eye, Double Take, How to Return?, Lasting Legacy, Holiday Art Sale Kirby Grill Stereo Vegas Knickerbocker Theatre The Nutcracker The Livery December Darkness Louis Armstrong Theatre - GVSU GVSU Fall Dance Concert Lowell High School Rogue River Artisans Fine Art & Craft Holiday Sale LowellArts! Holiday Market MercuryHead Gallery Kristian Mathews Small Works Mulligan’s Pub Astro Bats, Short Hair Domestics, Brain Transplants Muskegon Museum of Art Japanese Warriors Nibi Lounge Larry Lowis Old Dog Tavern Benjamin and Analisa Duffield Caron Project The Pointe Kalamazoo Dance Pyramid Scheme The Dance Off Rivertown Sports Grand Raggidy Roller Girls vs. Ann Arbor Derby Dimes Seven Steps Up Stephen Kellogg wsg Hailey Steele
The Trailer Park Boys
Best Bet: Comedy Each and every December, countless The Trailer Park Boys television specials, movies, concerts and State Theatre, Kalamazoo almost every conceivable type of media devout Dec. 6, 7 p.m. hours to the age-old question: What is the true $39.50, $49.50 and $59.50 meaning of Christmas? Thus far, our research kazoostate.com, (269) 345-6500 has shown several possible answers exist to this inquiry, ranging from peace on earth to consumerism as cardio-exercise. But perhaps none are better prepared to tackle the miracle of the Yuletide better than Canada’s own Trailer Park Boys, whose close original proximity to the North Pole surely gives them a competitive advantage. Embarking on The Dear Santa Tour, TP Boys Ricky, Julian, Bubbles, Randy and Mr. Lahey are ready to reprise the recent success of their eponymous hit Showcase network TV series, and fans are likely to find that the gang’s hilariously brutish humor translates seamlessly from screen to stage. God rest ye, merry gentlemen, and your never-ending commitment to booze, buds and bawdiness. The true meaning of Christmas has never felt quite so deliciously beer-soaked. Reported by Emma Kat Richardson
Shakespeare’s Lower Level Tribute Night, Harry Manback, Revelations, Monster Crue Spectrum Theater Grand Rapids Actors’ Theatre Presents Chess St. Cecilia Music Center Great Lakes Chorus Annual Holiday Show Steelcase Town Hall UICA’s Holiday Artists’ Market
UICA Looking Forward, Buying Friends, The Way He Looks, Camp X-Ray W.K. Kellogg Auditorium Brass Band of Battle Creek presents Home for the Holidays Western Michigan University Theatre Late Night Broadway featuring Jeff Blumenkrantz
sunday
12.07
Aquinas College Performing Arts Center Shout! The Mod Musical Billy’s Lounge West Michigan Blues Society Winter Spectacular
DeVos Performance Hall Grand Rapids Symphony Presents Holiday Pops Farmers Alley Theatre And The World Goes ‘Round Frederik Meijer Gardens Christmas and Holiday Traditions Around The World GRAM Marks of Genius, Jessica Joy London, Gregory Maytan: Four Centuries of Violin Virtuosity Grand Rapids Civic Theatre Mary Poppins GR Public Museum Real Pirates Gun Lake Casino Everett Domeier Holland Museum The Wonderful Wizard of Oz, Inspiring Oz, A Hundred Flowers Howmet Playhouse Tom Harryman’s A Christmas Carol Kalamazoo Civic Theatre Shrek the Musical KIA A Collector’s Eye, Double Take, How to Return?, Lasting Legacy LowellArts! Roger MacNaughton & Friends - Layin’ Low - The Lowell CD Release Concert Muskegon Museum of Art Japanese Warriors Old Dog Tavern 7th Son Blues Jam The Pyramid Scheme Nashville Pussy, Valient Thorr, Against the Grain, BoneHawk Seven Steps Up Live Music & Event Venue Decembersongs: A Benefit Concert for United Way Shakespeare’s Lower Level Comedy Open Mic Night Steelcase Town Hall UICA’S Holiday Artists’ Market Tip Top Deluxe Bar & Grill Birthday Tribute to Tom Waits UICA Looking Forward, Buying Friends, The Way He Looks, Camp X-Ray Van Andel Arena Trans-Siberian Orchestra: The Christmas Attic
monday
Billy’s Lounge BassBin Center Art Gallery, Calvin Tracing the Past: Edward Curtis and the North American Indian Fountain Street Church The Many Moods of Christmas: Celebrating the Traditional Music of the Holidays Frederik Meijer Gardens Christmas and Holiday Traditions Around The World Holland Museum The Wonderful Wizard of Oz, Inspiring Oz, A Hundred Flowers
tuesday
12.09
Billy’s Lounge Deep Down Tuesdays Center Art Gallery, Calvin Tracing the Past: Edward Curtis and the North American Indian Crescendo Academy of Music Orff Music Classes DeVos Place 2014 Great Lakes Fruit Vegetable and Farm Market Foundry Hall Music Lessons Frederik Meijer Gardens Christmas and Holiday Traditions Around The World, The Original Dickens Carolers GRAM Marks of Genius, Jessica Joy London GR Public Museum Real Pirates Gun Lake Casino Main Street Dueling Pianos The Intersection Relient K wsg Blondfire and From Indian Lakes; Slaves with Get Scared Favorite Weapon I’m William Cutting and Northern KIA A Collector’s Eye, Double Take, How to Return?, ARTbreak: Thomas Hart Benton LowellArts! Holiday Market MercuryHead Gallery Kristian Mathews Small Works Muskegon Museum of Art Japanese Warriors Nibi Lounge Larry Lewis Old Dog Tavern Tom Duffield, Open Mic with Branden Mann UICA Looking Forward, Buying Friends, The Way He Looks, Camp X-Ray, National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation Van Andel Arena Bob Seger and the Silver Bullet Band
Wealthy Theatre Meanwhile Movie: Shaft
wednesday
12.10
Billy’s Lounge Campus Karaoke Center Art Gallery, Calvin Tracing the Past: Edward Curtis and the North American Indian Crescendo Academy of Music Orff Music Classes DeVos Place 2014 Great Lakes Fruit Vegetable and Farm Market Fountain Street Church F Words’: Faith, Feminism, Fountain Street Church Four Winds Casino Shock Roxy Frederik Meijer Gardens Christmas and Holiday Traditions Around The World Gilly’s Nick Foresman GRAM Marks of Genius, Jessica Joy London Grand Rapids Civic Theatre Mary Poppins Grand Rapids Public Library Ice Caves of Leelanau Author Ken Scott Book Signing GR Public Museum Real Pirates Gun Lake Casino Blue Soul Express Holland Museum The Wonderful Wizard of Oz, Inspiring Oz, A Hundred Flowers Holland Park Theater Johnny Rabb and Buck Nelson The Intersection Yelawolf wsg Rittz Big Henry and DJ Klever KIA Art League Lecture, A Collector’s Eye, Double Take, How to Return? LowellArts! Holiday Market MercuryHead Gallery Kristian Mathews Small Works Muskegon Museum of Art Japanese Warriors Nibi Lounge Larry Lowis Old Dog Tavern Ladies Night Dance Party St. Cecilia Music Center Artists’ Reception UICA Looking Forward, Buying Friends, The Way He Looks, Camp X-Ray
thursday
12.11
Bell’s Eccentric Cafe The Moxie Strings Album Release Show Billy’s Lounge ‘90s Holla Back
Center Art Gallery, Calvin Tracing the Past: Edward Curtis and the North American Indian Crescendo Academy of Music Crescendo Community Voices Czar’s 505 Karaoke Night w D-Mic DeVos Place 2014 Great Lakes Fruit Vegetable and Farm Market Dog Story Theater A Clashtick Christmas Dr. Grins Chad Daniels Farmers Alley Theatre And The World Goes ‘Round Founders Brewing Co. The Main Squeeze wsg ConvoTronics Frederik Meijer Gardens Christmas and Holiday Traditions Around The World GRAM Marks of Genius, Jessica Joy London Grand Rapids Civic Theatre Mary Poppins GR Public Museum Real Pirates Gun Lake Casino Tony Reynolds H.O.M.E. at The B.O.B. Mallory Skilling & Dani Jamerson Holland Museum The Wonderful Wizard of Oz, Inspiring Oz, A Hundred Flowers The Intersection Dej Loaf; Keys ‘N Krates with Lindsay Lowend and Will Wompa Kalamazoo Civic Theatre Shrek the Musical Kent District Library: Byron Township Branch Trash Into Treasure Kent District Library: Comstock Park branch The Wonderful WaterColorBot KIA Evening Tour, A Collector’s Eye, Double Take, How to Return? LowellArts! Holiday Market MercuryHead Gallery Kristian Mathews Small Works Muskegon Museum of Art Japanese Warriors, The Essential Elijah Pierce Nibi Lounge Vince Miller Old Dog Tavern Jason Singer The Pyramid Scheme The Mystery Lights, Heaters, Moonwalks Shakespeare’s Lower Level Comedy Open Mic Night Spectrum Theater Grand Rapids Actors’ Theatre Presents Chess St. Cecilia Music Center Justin Townes Earle UICA Looking Forward, Buying Friends, The Way He Looks, Camp X-Ray
Bob Seger
Best Bet: Rock OK, y’all. If you have any shred of respect left for your upstanding Michigander self, you WILL be at this Bob Seger concert. Why? Why? Have you no sense of Detroit rock decency? This is the great-granddaddy of all things Motown madness, and if you haven’t managed to catch the Seeg live before, now’s perhaps one of your final chances to bask in legendary light. Sure, we could use this space to list all the earthly reasons why Seger owns Michigan rock, but you’ve heard it all before. Instead, let’s just take a moment here to appreciate the fact that the man’s been going strong for more than 50 years now. Indeed, Seger was shredding the ax long before Jeremy Bieber’s testicles had even begun to drop. Two decades into the 21st century, and we’re continuing to see a lot of Seger. Like a rock? More like an unstoppable bullet made of titanium (or silver, in this case, we assume for maximum werewolf-killing capability). Reported by Emma Kat Richardson
Bob Seger and the Silver Bullet Band wsg J. Geils Band Van Andel Arena, Grand Rapids Dec. 9, 7:30 p.m. $77.50 vanandelarena.com, (616) 742-6600
REVUEWM.COM | December 2014 |
Scene | Sounds | Sights | Dining Schedule
12.08
GR Public Museum Real Pirates Gun Lake Casino Blue Train The Intersection The Ghost Inside & Every Time I Die with Architects Hundredth & Backtrack Kalamazoo Public Library Poetry Slam Session Kent District Library: Grandville Branch Trash Into Treasure Kent District Library: Sand Lake / Nelson Township Branch KD aLe: Home Brewing 101 @ Kent District Library MercuryHead Gallery Kristian Mathews Small Works The Orbit Room Black Veil Brides wsg Falling in Reverse, Set It Off, Drama Club The Roadhouse Cats in the House
61
Schedule friday
12.12
Bell’s Eccentric Cafe An Evening with Joel Mabus and Seth Bernard Bethlehem Lutheran Church MAJIC Concert Series Blue Water Grill John Sanger Center Art Gallery, Calvin Tracing the Past: Edward Curtis and the North American Indian Crescendo Academy of Music Crescendo Fiddlers: Fiddle Club Czars 505 Mistress @ Czars 505 DeVos Performance Hall Grand Rapids Ballet presents The Nutcracker Dog Story Theater A Clashtick Christmas presented by Dog Story Theater Dr. Grins Chad Daniels Eighth Street Market Place Holiday Kerstmarkt Farmers Alley Theatre And The World Goes ‘Round Foundry Hall Tunebugs Four Winds Casino Clare Dunn Frauenthal Center West Michigan Symphony presents Christmas Magic Frederik Meijer Gardens Christmas and Holiday Traditions Around The World
GRAM Marks of Genius, Jessica Joy London Grand Rapids Civic Theatre Mary Poppins Gun Lake Casino BBI H.O.M.E. at The B.O.B. Azz Izz Holland Museum The Wonderful Wizard of Oz, Inspiring Oz, A Hundred Flowers Jack’s Lounge Holiday Inn Stereo Vegas Kalamazoo Civic Theatre Shrek the Musical KIA DepARTure, A Collector’s Eye, Double Take, How to Return? Kirby Grill Drop 35 LowellArts! Holiday Market MercuryHead Gallery Kristian Mathews Small Works Mulligan’s Pub Dave Vacant, Jesse Ray and Carolina Catfish, Emma Loo and Sam Muskegon Museum of Art Japanese Warriors, The Essential Elijah Pierce Nibi Lounge Larry Lowis Old Dog Tavern Hired Hands, Ghost Bunnies The Pyramid Scheme Tiny Moving Parts & Seaway, The Cardboard Swords, It’s a Secret Shakespeare’s Lower Level Jam Night: Pleasant Drive, Genome, Big Sherb Spectrum Theater Grand Rapids Actors’ Theatre Presents Chess
Tip Top Deluxe Bar & Grill Pitchblak Brass Band UICA Looking Forward, Buying Friends, Camp X-Ray, Antarctica: A Year on Ice Wealthy Theatre WYCE Live at Wealthy Theatre presents An Evening with The Bad Plus Wild Bull Saloon Spazmatics
saturday
12.13
Barnes and Noble Woodland Mall Author Signing With Richard Smith Barnes and Noble Rivertown Local Author Michael Hause Bell’s Eccentric Cafe Red Sea Pedestrians wsg Heartland Klenzmorim Calvin College Over the Rhine wsg Lily and Madeleine Celebration Cinema! North MET Opera LIVE: Die Meistersinger von Numberg Center Art Gallery, Calvin Tracing the Past: Edward Curtis and the North American Indian Comstock Community Auditorium Harmony Holiday Concert Czar’s 505 Bandersnatch DeVos Performance Hall Grand Rapids Ballet presents The Nutcracker
The Dock at Bayview Delilah Dewydle & the Lost Boys Dog Story Theater A Clashtick Christmas; Life After College Improv Show Dr. Grins Chad Daniels Eastland Bowl Drop 35 Eighth Street Market Place Holiday Kerstmarkt Farmers Alley Theatre And The World Goes ‘Round Frauenthal Center Bob Scolnik presents Christmas in Ireland with Tony Kenny Frederik Meijer Gardens Christmas and Holiday Traditions Around The World GRAM Marks of Genius, Jessica Joy London Grand Rapids Civic Theatre Mary Poppins GR Public Museum Real Pirates Gun Lake Casino BBI H.O.M.E. at The B.O.B. Blammo Holland Museum The Wonderful Wizard of Oz, Inspiring Oz, A Hundred Flowers The Intersection Gunnar & The Grizzly Boys wsg Whiskey Myers and Red Legs Jack’s Lounge Holiday Inn Stereo Vegas Kalamazoo Civic Theatre Shrek the Musical
Kalamazoo Institute of Arts A Collector’s Eye, Double Take, How to Return? Kalamazoo Nature Center Buy Local Art & Gift Fair Kellogg Arena Jingle Bash Arts & Craft Show Kirby Grill Sprague Brotherz LowellArts! Holiday Market MercuryHead Gallery Kristian Mathews Small Works Muskegon Museum of Art Japanese Warriors, The Essential Elijah Pierce Nibi Lounge Gabrial James Old Dog Tavern Benjamin and Analisa Duffield Caron Project, SantaCon The Pyramid Scheme The Come Up feat. The Black Opera Shakespeare’s Lower Level The Lone Bellow, Robert Ellis Spectrum Theater Grand Rapids Actors’ Theatre Presents Chess UICA Looking Forward, Buying Friends, Camp X-Ray, Antarctica: A Year on Ice Van Andel Arena Gaither Christmas Homecoming Village-Inn GR Trapped on Mars Wealthy Theatre Pop Scholars: Improv Comedy; Ebony Road Players Workshops
sunday
12.14
Amway Grand Plaza Clara’s Nutcracker Party Barnes and Noble Rivertown Michigan Author Richard Smith: Understanding Michigan Black Bear Billy’s Lounge Revival ‘80s Night DeVos Performance Hall Grand Rapids Ballet presents The Nutcracker Farmers Alley Theatre And The World Goes ‘Round Frauenthal Center Gold Label Live! presents ‘An Evening with C.S. Lewis’ on the Beardsley theater stage featuring David Payne Frederik Meijer Gardens Christmas and Holiday Traditions Around The World GRAM Marks of Genius, Jessica Joy London, Sunday Classical Concert Series Presents: Piano Four Hands GR Civic Theatre Mary Poppins GR Public Museum Real Pirates Gun Lake Casino Nick Foresman Holland Museum The Wonderful Wizard of Oz, Inspiring Oz, A Hundred Flowers Howmet Playhouse Max & Ruth and Friends Holiday Concert Kalamazoo Civic Theatre Shrek the Musical
Schedule Dining | Sights | Sounds | Scene
Best Bet: Folk
62 | REVUEWM.COM | December 2014
The Lone Bellow
If Brooklyn insists on continuing to churn The Lone Bellow wsg out titans of alt-pop culture, we might just have to Robert Ellis consider packing up Revue HQ and heading over to Shakespeare’s Pub, Williamsburg. Just kidding! As much as we love the Kalamazoo skinny-jeans central hub of NYC, we’d die if we ever Dec. 13, 8 p.m. abandoned our beloved Western Michiganders. And $15 in advance, $17 at thankfully, we don’t really have to contemplate leaving the door – so many of the borough’s best-loved exports are more shakespearespub.com, than willing to head west and give Michigan a go, at (269) 488-7782 least where performing is concerned. Take, for example, The Lone Bellow. One of Brooklyn’s most buzzed-about musical acts, TLB features Zach Williams at the helm, a charming pop-songwriting maven whose original work was inspired by hard times: Williams’ wife was temporarily paralyzed after a fall while horseback riding, and he began keeping a journal of their experiences. Eventually, the complex emotions set themselves to music, and rest is indie glory history. Eat your heart out, Kzoo, and thank Shakespeare’s for bringing Brooklyn to the mitten, one Lone Bellow at a time. Reported by Emma Kat Richardson
Scene | Sounds | Sights | Dining Schedule
THIS HOLIDAY SEASON GIVE YOURSELF THE GIFT OF SIGHT! CALL US TODAY! Michæl L. Keil, D.O., FAOCO 2500 E. Beltline SE, Suite C Grand Rapids, MI info@keillasik.com (616) 365-5775 REVUEWM.COM | December 2014 |
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Schedule KIA A Collector’s Eye, Double Take, How to Return? Kalamazoo State Theatre Tyler Oakley’s Slumber Party Old Dog Tavern Old Time Jam, Gator Boys Blues Band Muskegon Museum of Art Japanese Warriors, The Essential Elijah Pierce Seven Steps Up Chris Knight Shakespeare’s Lower Level Two Hand Fools, Two Houses, The Short Life; KVBA Blues Fundraiser St. Cecilia Music Center Grand Band & Grand String Orchestra UICA Looking Forward, Buying Friends, Camp X-Ray, Antarctica: A Year on Ice
monday
12.15
Bell’s Eccentric Cafe Square Dance Kalamazoo! The Celery City Sodbusters Billy’s Lounge BassBin Center Art Gallery, Calvin Tracing the Past: Edward Curtis and the North American Indian Frederik Meijer Gardens Christmas and Holiday Traditions Around The World Grand Rapids Public Library Winter Reading Challenge Gun Lake Casino Ron Devon Kirkhof Center First-Year Queer Alliance MercuryHead Gallery Kristian Mathews Small Works
tuesday
Schedule Dining | Sights | Sounds | Scene
12.16
64 | REVUEWM.COM | December 2014
Billy’s Lounge Deep Down Tuesdays Center Art Gallery, Calvin Tracing the Past: Edward Curtis and the North American Indian DeVos Center Fifth Third Cirque De Noel Foundry Hall Music Lessons Frederik Meijer Gardens Christmas and Holiday Traditions Around The World, The Original Dickens Carolers GRAM Marks of Genius, Jessica Joy London Grand Rapids Public Library Winter Reading Challenge GR Public Museum Real Pirates
Gun Lake Casino Main Street Dueling Pianos KIA A Collector’s Eye, Double Take, How to Return? LowellArts! Holiday Market MercuryHead Gallery Kristian Mathews Small Works Nibi Lounge Larry Lewis Old Dog Tavern Tom Duffield Open Mic with Branden Mann Rivertown Sports Grand Raggidy Roller Girls Shakespeare’s Lower Level Country Line Dancing UICA Looking Forward, Buying Friends, Camp X-Ray, Antarctica: A Year on Ice, Dyrafjordur Van Andel Arena WWE Smackdown Wealthy Theatre Meanwhile Movie: Mystery Science Theater 3000 The Movie
wednesday
12.17
Billy’s Lounge Campus Karaoke Brewery Vivant Wood-Aged Beer Dinner Center Art Gallery, Calvin Tracing the Past: Edward Curtis and the North American Indian DeVos Performance Hall Grand Rapids Symphony Presents Fifth Third Cirque de Noël Frederik Meijer Gardens Christmas and Holiday Traditions Around The World Gilly’s Curt Hines GRAM Marks of Genius, Jessica Joy London Grand Rapids Public Library Winter Reading Challenge GR Public Museum Real Pirates Gun Lake Casino Douglas James Holland Museum The Wonderful Wizard of Oz, Inspiring Oz, A Hundred Flowers Kalamazoo State Theatre The Beach Boys KIA A Collector’s Eye, Double Take, How to Return? LowellArts! Holiday Market MercuryHead Gallery Kristian Mathews Small Works Muskegon Museum of Art Japanese Warriors, The Essential Elijah Pierce Nibi Lounge Larry Lowis Old Dog Tavern Ladies Night, Dance Party UICA Looking Forward, Buying Friends, Camp X-Ray, Antarctica: A Year on Ice
thursday
12.18
Billy’s Lounge ‘90s Holla Back Center Art Gallery, Calvin Tracing the Past: Edward Curtis and the North American Indian Czar’s 505 Karaoke Night w D-Mic DeVos Performance Hall Grand Rapids Symphony Presents Fifth Third Cirque de Noël Dog Story Theater A Clashtick Christmas Dr. Grins Greg Warren Farmers Alley Theatre And The World Goes ‘Round Founders Brewing Co. The Appleseed Collective Frederik Meijer Gardens Christmas and Holiday Traditions Around The World GRAM Marks of Genius, Jessica Joy London Grand Rapids Public Library Winter Reading Challenge GR Public Museum Real Pirates Gun Lake Casino Entourage H.O.M.E. at The B.O.B. Mark Sala & Lou Baron Holland Museum The Wonderful Wizard of Oz, Inspiring Oz, A Hundred Flowers The Intersection Jon Pardi & Joey Hyde wsg Brian Lorente and The Usual Suspects KIA Get the Picture! Gallery Talk, Double Take, A Collector’s Eye, How to Return? LowellArts! Holiday Market MercuryHead Gallery Kristian Mathews Small Works Miller Auditorium Wynonna & The Big Noise-A Simpler Christmas Muskegon Museum of Art Japanese Warriors, The Essential Elijah Pierce Nibi Lounge Rene Meave Old Dog Tavern Steve Pesch Shakespeare’s Lower Level Paint Pub Kzoo Spectrum Theater Grand Rapids Actors’ Theatre Presents Chess UICA Looking Forward, Buying Friends, Camp X-Ray, Antarctica: A Year on Ice, Found Footage Festival
friday
12.19
Frederik Meijer Gardens Christmas and Holiday Traditions Around The World GRAM Marks of Genius, Jessica Joy London GR Public Library Winter Reading Challenge GR Public Museum Real Pirates Gun Lake Casino Stereo Vegas H.O.M.E. at The B.O.B. The Factory H2O Drop 35 Holland Museum The Wonderful Wizard of Oz, Inspiring Oz, A Hundred Flowers
Jack’s Lounge Holiday Inn Yard Sale Underwear KIA A Collector’s Eye, Double Take, How to Return? Kirby Grill Azz Izz LowellArts! Holiday Market MercuryHead Gallery Kristian Mathews Small Works Mulligan’s Pub Hundo A1 March Forth Bedrock Muskegon Museum of Art Japanese Warriors, The Essential Elijah Pierce Nibi Lounge Larry Lowis Old Dog Tavern Double Strung
The Pyramid Scheme Sharkanoid, The Lippies Shakespeare’s Lower Level Crime Funk, Medicinal Groove Spectrum Theater Grand Rapids Actors’ Theatre Presents Chess Tip Top Deluxe Bar & Grill Gas House Gorillas wsg The North Avenue Stompers UICA Looking Forward, Buying Friends, Antarctica: A Year on Ice, Jingle Bell Rocks!
saturday
Scene | Sounds | Sights | Dining Schedule
Bell’s Eccentric Cafe The Claudettes Blue Water Grill Jack Leaver Center Art Gallery, Calvin Tracing the Past: Edward Curtis and the North American Indian DeVos Performance Hall Grand Rapids Ballet presents The Nutcracker Dog Story Theater A Clashtick Christmas Dr. Grins Greg Warren Farmers Alley Theatre And The World Goes ‘Round Foundry Hall Tunebugs
12.20
Bell’s Eccentric Cafe Twistin’ Tarantulas Blue Water Grill Everett Domeier Center Art Gallery, Calvin Tracing the Past: Edward Curtis and the North American Indian DeVos Performance Hall Grand Rapids Ballet presents The Nutcracker
REVUEWM.COM | December 2014 |
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Schedule Kalamazoo State Theatre Frankie Ballard’s Country Christmas KIA A Collector’s Eye, Double Take, How to Return? Kirby Grill Azz Izz LowellArts! Holiday Market MercuryHead Gallery Kristian Mathews Small Works Muskegon Museum of Art Japanese Warriors, The Essential Elijah Pierce Nibi Lounge Tom Northrup Old Dog Tavern Midwestern Lull, Benjamin and Analisa Duffield Caron Project The Pyramid Scheme Super Happy Funtime Burlesque Shakespeare’s Lower Level Crazy ‘80s Party feat. Starfarm Spectrum Theater Grand Rapids Actors’ Theatre Presents Chess Tip Top Deluxe Bar & Grill Nick Moss Band wsg Rochelle & The Spoilers UICA Looking Forward, Buying Friends, Antarctica: A Year on Ice, Jingle Bell Rocks! Village-Inn GR JGJ
Schedule Dining | Sights | Sounds | Scene
Dog Story Theater A Clashtick Christmas Dr. Grins Greg Warren Farmers Alley Theatre And The World Goes ‘Round Flanagan’s The Cheap Dates Founders Brewing Co. Mark Lavengood’s Bluegrass Bonanza wsg Don Julin & Billy Strings Four Winds Casino Brule Frederik Meijer Gardens Christmas and Holiday Traditions Around The World, Rooftop Reindeer GRAM Marks of Genius, Jessica Joy London GR Public Museum Real Pirates Gun Lake Casino Soulstice H.O.M.E. at The B.O.B. Soul Syndicate Holland Museum The Wonderful Wizard of Oz, Inspiring Oz, A Hundred Flowers Howmet Playhouse Echoes of Pink Floyd The Intersection Pop Evil with Red Sun Rising Islander and Letter From The Fire
66 | REVUEWM.COM | December 2014
sunday
12.21
Basilica of St. Adalbert Grand Rapids Symphony Youth Chorus Holiday Concert Billy’s Lounge Revival ‘80s Night DeVos Performance Hall Grand Rapids Ballet: The Nutcracker Farmers Alley Theatre And The World Goes ‘Round Frauenthal Center West MI Youth Ballet presents The Nutcracker Frederik Meijer Gardens Christmas and Holiday Traditions Around The World GRAM Marks of Genius, Jessica Joy London, AraMel: a Hammers and Bow Ensemble GR Public Museum Real Pirates Gun Lake Casino Brandon Ward Holland Museum The Wonderful Wizard of Oz, Inspiring Oz, A Hundred Flowers The Intersection Mushroomhead wsg Erimha Unsaid Fate Thira and Equal Parts
KIA A Collector’s Eye, Double Take, How to Return? Muskegon Museum of Art Japanese Warriors, The Essential Elijah Pierce Old Dog Tavern Graham Parsons, Cats in the Hat,Ugly Radio Rebellion, Ike Willis UICA Looking Forward, Buying Friends, Antarctica: A Year on Ice, Jingle Bell Rocks!
monday
12.22
Billy’s Lounge BassBin Frederik Meijer Gardens Christmas and Holiday Traditions Around The World GR Public Museum Real Pirates Gun Lake Casino Kevin Viilo Holland Museum The Wonderful Wizard of Oz, Inspiring Oz, A Hundred Flowers MercuryHead Gallery Kristian Mathews Small Works
tuesday
12.23
Billy’s Lounge Deep Down Tuesdays DeVos Performance Hall Grand Rapids Symphony Presents Sandi Patty Yuletide Joy Frederik Meijer Gardens Christmas and Holiday Traditions Around The World, The Original Dickens Carolers GRAM Marks of Genius, Jessica Joy London GR Public Museum Real Pirates Gun Lake Casino Main Street Dueling Pianos The Intersection The Nightmare Before X-Mas with NuSkin, Product of Society, As I Said Before, Violent Vessel, Heed The Assailant, SicXten & more! Kent District Library: Sand Lake / Nelson Township Branch The Wonderful WaterColorBot KIA A Collector’s Eye, Double Take, How to Return? LowellArts! Holiday Market
MercuryHead Gallery Kristian Mathews Small Works Muskegon Museum of Art Japanese Warriors, The Essential Elijah Pierce Nibi Lounge Gabrial James Old Dog Tavern Tom Duffield, Open Mic with Branden Mann UICA Looking Forward, Buying Friends, Antarctica: A Year on Ice, Jingle Bell Rocks! Wealthy Theatre Meanwhile Movie: Pulp Fiction
wednesday
12.24 Merry ChriStmas!
thursday
12.25 Merry ChriStmas!
Open for Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner: 7 days a week.
JUSTIN TOWNES EARLE
St. Cecilia Music Center PRESENTS
THIS NASHVILLE-BASED FOLK SINGER IS THE SON OF STEVE EARLE AND CONSIDERED A FOREFATHER OF CONTEMPORARY AMERICANA. JTE’S NEW ALBUM IS CATCHY AND AUTHENTIC WITH ITS HEART AND SOUL STRONGLY ROOTED IN NASHVILLE
THE ACOUSTIC CAFÉ SERIES DECEMBER 11, 2014
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SO Special. SO SCMC. scmc-online.org 616.459.2224 REVUEWM.COM | December 2014 |
Scene | Sounds | Sights | Dining Schedule
Note Worthy Dining.
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Schedule friday
12.26
Bell’s Eccentric Cafe Scott Pellegrom Trio wsg Big Sherb Blue Water Grill Travis Atkinson Czar’s 505 Mr. Blotto Dr. Grins Bill Bushart Farmers Alley Theatre And The World Goes ‘Round Foundry Hall Tunebugs Frederik Meijer Gardens Christmas and Holiday Traditions Around The World GRAM Marks of Genius, Jessica Joy London GR Public Museum Real Pirates Gun Lake Casino Jedi Mind Trip H.O.M.E. at The B.O.B. Funkle Jesse Holland Museum The Wonderful Wizard of Oz, Inspiring Oz, A Hundred Flowers The Intersection Mega 80’s Christmas Extravaganza KIA A Collector’s Eye, Double Take, How to Return? Kirby Grill Electric Red Little River Casino Drop 35
MercuryHead Gallery Kristian Mathews Small Works Muskegon Museum of Art Japanese Warriors, The Essential Elijah Pierce Nibi Lounge Larry Lowis Old Dog Tavern Nathan Douglas and Blue Star Highway The Pyramid Scheme Retro D’Luxe XMAS! Shakespeare’s Lower Level Lucius Fox, Joe Billian Meth Pavillion, Arson Party
saturday
12.27
Blue Water Grill Tom Northrup Czar’s 505 Duke Tumatoe Dr. Grins Bill Bushart Farmers Alley Theatre And The World Goes ‘Round Frederik Meijer Gardens Christmas and Holiday Traditions Around The World GRAM Marks of Genius, Jessica Joy London
GR Public Museum Real Pirates, Night at Your Museum Gun Lake Casino Sweet J Band H.O.M.E. at The B.O.B. Stereo Vegas Holland Museum The Wonderful Wizard of Oz, Inspiring Oz, A Hundred Flowers The Intersection Domestic Problems and The Verve Pipe wsg Desmond Jones KIA A Collector’s Eye, Double Take, How to Return? Kirby Grill The Hype Little River Casino Drop 35 MercuryHead Gallery Kristian Mathews Small Works Mulligan’s Pub Flex.0 Muskegon Museum of Art Japanese Warriors, The Essential Elijah Pierce Nibi Lounge Larry Lowis Old Dog Tavern Benjamin and Analisa, Duffield Caron Project, Robert Rolfe Feddersen wsg Dave Johnson The Pyramid Scheme Heavier Than Air Flying Machines, Vox Vidorra, The Real Lazy Genius, Rio Shakespeare’s Lower Level Gay Night with DJ Monica Parker
Heavier than air flying machines 12.27 at The Pyramid Scheme
Tip Top Deluxe Bar & Grill Mrs. Skannotto UICA Looking Forward, Buying Friends Village-Inn GR Agent 87 Whiskey River Saloon Daddy’z Breakdown
sunday
12.28
Schedule Dining | Sights | Sounds | Scene
Farmers Alley Theatre And The World Goes ‘Round Frederik Meijer Gardens Christmas and Holiday Traditions Around The World GRAM Marks of Genius, Jessica Joy London Gun Lake Casino John Sanger The Intersection Mustard Plug wsg Koffin Kats Hard Lessons The Campanellis and Murder Party KIA A Collector’s Eye, Double Take, How to Return? Little River Casino Showdown Old Dog Tavern Crossroads Blues Band UICA Looking Forward, Buying Friends
68 | REVUEWM.COM | December 2014
monday
12.29
Bell’s Eccentric Cafe Yoga in the Back Room Billy’s Lounge BassBin Frederik Meijer Gardens Christmas and Holiday Traditions Around The World GR Public Museum Real Pirates Gun Lake Casino Dennie Middleton
Holland Museum The Wonderful Wizard of Oz, Inspiring Oz, A Hundred Flowers Little River Casino Showdown MercuryHead Gallery Kristian Mathews Small Works
tuesday
12.30
Frederik Meijer Gardens Christmas and Holiday Traditions Around The World GRAM Marks of Genius, Jessica Joy London GR Public Museum Real Pirates Gun Lake Casino Main Street Dueling Pianos KIA A Collector’s Eye, Double Take, How to Return? Kent District Library: Alto Branch The Wonderful WaterColorBot MercuryHead Gallery Kristian Mathews Small Works Nibi Lounge Tom Northrup Old Dog Tavern Tom Duffield, Open Mic with Branden Mann Shakespeare’s Lower Level New Year’s Eve Eve with Au Revoir, Seventeen Again, Hex Bombs, The Short Life UICA Looking Forward, Buying Friends
wednesday
12.31
The B.O.B New Year’s Eve Party Bell’s Eccentric Cafe NYE 2015 Belvedere Inn New Year’s Eve Dinner Blue Water Grill Don Bidell Downtown Battle Creek New Year’s
Eve Party Downtown Grand Rapids New Year’s Eve Downtown Kalamazoo New Year’s Fest Downtown Ludington 6th Annual New Year’s Eve Ball Drop Downtown Traverse City Cherry T Ball Drop The Dunes NYE Party The Entertainment District NYE in the Entertainment District Founders Brewing Co. The Crane Wives wsg Possessed by Paul James Joseph Huber GRAM New Year’s Eve Grand Rapids Children’s Museum New Year’s Early Eve Gun Lake Casino Brena, First Row JW Marriott Get Groovy New Year’s Eve Party Kalamazoo State Theatre Friends of Bob & Tom Show Comedy Tour Kent District Library: Cascade Township branch Countdown to Happy ‘Noon’ Year! Kirby Grill New Year’s Eve Party with Stereo Vegas The Landing New Years Eve at the Riverfront Hotel McFadden’s NYE 2015 Nibi Lounge Gabrial James The Orbit Room New Year’s Eve Weekend Party The Point Bar New Year’s Eve Party Seven Steps Up Tony Lucca New Year’s Eve Extravaganza Shakespeare’s Lower Level NYE Hairmania Tip Top Deluxe Bar & Grill New Year’s Eve with Delilah DeWylde and The Lost Boys wsg The Truckstop Cobras n
For more events and info, check out our calendar at revueWm.com.
ANY — SO M
Try some of our glutenfree mozzarella sticks, chicken strips, french fries, sweet potato chips, sandwiches and burgers! We’ve got gluten-free beer and cider too!
Happy ! s y a d i l Ho
—
2289 E Beltline Ave NE Ste. B greenrestaurantgrandrapids.com (616) 447-8294
MONDAYS: THE SPEAKEZ OPEN MIC WITH HOST MATT YOUNG AND SPECIAL GUESTS 9PM-11PM
Eastown Antiques
WEDNESDAYS: LOCAL SPINS LIVE: FREE LIVE MUSIC PRESENTED BY LOCAL SPINS AND $3 SELECT MICHIGAN DRAFT BEERS 8:30PM-11PM
1515 Lake Dr. SE, Grand Rapids, MI, 49506 EastownAntiques@sbcglobal.net Mon-Fri: 9am-6pm Sat: 9am-5pm Sun: 10am-4pm /Eastown.Antiques @eastownantiques
SUNDAYS: RANDISSIMO'S SUNDAY JAZZ JAM: RANDY MARSH HOSTS A REVOLVING TRIO OF THE BEST JAZZ ARTISTS FROM WEST MICHIGAN AND BEYOND NO COVER! 7PM-10PM
LADIES LITERARY CLUB
DEC 6 DEC 20 JAN 3 JAN 17 JAN 31 ALL SHOWS 7:33 PM RIVERCITYIMPROV.COM
VINTAGE NEW YEAR’S EVE: 1964 TWO SEATINGS EACH FEATURING A SPECIAL 3-COURSE MENU AND LIVE ENTERTAINMENT WITH TODD HERRING, SCOTT PATRICK BELL AND FRIENDS PERFORMING EARLY 60'S HITS FROM RAT PACK, BRITISH INVASION, MOTOWN AND MORE! BY RESERVATION ONLY ON SALE DECEMBER 1ST
600 MONROE AVENUE NW GRAND RAPIDS, MICHIGAN 616.458.3125 SPEAKEZLOUNGE.COM
PHOTO CREDIT: TIM MOTLEY
REVUEWM.COM | December 2014 |
Scene | Sounds | Sights | Dining Schedule
ARTISAN & OLD SCHOOL COCKTAILS, CRAFT BEER, WINE BY THE GLASS & BOTTLE LIST LUNCH DAILY 11AM-4PM DINNER 4PM-10PM BRUNCH ON SATURDAYS & SUNDAYS 10AM-2PM
69
Last Call by Rei Robinson
The Big Green Tractor 22 Below, Grand Haven
Roses are red, it’s said. Violets’ hue, some say, is blue (untrue, I’ll bet, as it’s violet). But life is seen, it seems, as green. As the Appleshine of my eye’s glimmer got dimmer, I looked to the sunsettery of the west and ashored myself at Grand Haven’s 22 Below, where the fare is fine and the secret words are: Big Green Tractor. A 64-ounce emerald nonet of liquors and liqueurs afloat in fishbowl glass with the sweet savor of citrus nectar, the Tractor is an off-the-menu favorite, well fit for the furrowed plow. Ask for it by name, or say “the big fishbowl thing,” if you forget, as I did. Is it any wonder that the Latin root for green seems so similar with the branches of truth and life? Verily, I vouch for the validation (nay, veneration) of such a veritably verdant verbal vivification. Visually: Take our blue marble, Earth, between finger and thumb. Hold it up to the yellow sun. The light that bleeds through is life, and life bleeds, Vulcan-esquely, viridescent. The green sanguine of the Tractor is a fine quaff to share with friends or to imbibe unassisted (if there’s nothing you have to do for the rest of the day). I believe it was Bill Watterson who wrote, “If your knees aren’t green by the end of the day, you ought to seriously re-examine your life. If your drink isn’t green, I know a guy who can fix that.” But then again, I have been drinking.
I HEAR YOUR PLEAS OF YEARNING FOR KNOWLEDGE TRUE OF THIS ELIXIR’S ANATOMY AND I SAY TO YOU, IT IS THUS: Equal parts (about half a shot each) of: Vodka Absolut Mandarin Rum Blue Curaçao Gin Pineapple Juice Triplesec Orange Juice Bacardi Limon Sprite One-and-a-half shots of Midori Melon Liqueur 1. Top with Bacardi 151 and garnish with limes, lemons, oranges and cherries. 2. Serve in a fishbowl (sans fish) and enjoy with a companion or tipple solus and follow me down the path of my sorrowful fate (I fell off my barstool).
Photo: Kelsey Wahowiak