January 2014, Revue Magazine by Serendipity Media

West Michigan’s Entertainment Guide for 25 years » January 2014

Music / books / Art / Culture / Dining / Free!

Matt Wolfgang talks Breakfast

cozy up with

Comfort Foods & Cocktails

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What’s Inside

January 2014 | Volume 26, Issue 1

SCENE:

11 Random Notes 14 Q&A with Matt Wolfgang 16 All Ages 18 Eclectic

SPECIAL Feature: 21 22 23 24 26 28 29

Comfort foods and cocktails

Comfort Food and Cocktails Mac and Cheese Soups and Stews, Pizza Entrees Waffles and Pancakes Desserts Hot Toddies

SOUNDS:

Matt Wolfgang

31 Sink’s Spins 32 On Tour: The Creepshow 34 On Tour: Yellowcard

SIGHTS: 37 38 40 42 43 44

Visual Art: Yellow Literary Life: Best Books of 2013 Comedy: Kyle Dunnigan Indie Film Theatre: Peter and the Starcatcher Style Notes

DINING & DRINKING:

47 Restaurant Listings 50 Beer

Best books of 2013

SCHEDULE:

55 Daily Event Listings and Best Bets

Letter from the Editor

W est M ichi g a n ’ s E n terta i n me n t Guide

appy New Year! I hope 2013 was good to everyone, and if not, here comes another year. Personally, I think there is a lot to look forward to in 2014. LaughFest hosts awesome comics like Mike Birbiglia, Jim Gaffigan and Jen Kirkman (whose book is on my 2014 ‘Why

the Hell Haven’t You Read This Yet?’ list). A Godzilla film is coming out that doesn’t look like it sucks. (Unfortunately, we have to endure another Transformers movie, but on the bright side, we also have Her and The Grand Budapest Hotel to look forward to). As for music, The Pyramid Scheme brings back GR fan favorite La Dispute in April, as well as The Coup (I dare you to listen to one of the hip-hop group’s tracks off of 2012’s Sorry to Bother You and not dance) in February. While Calvin College has indie-folk duo The Milk Carton Kids in May. And this is only the beginning. We still have Frederik Meijer Gardens’ summer music series announcement to look forward to, as well as ArtPrize’s sixth (sixth!?) installment and of course, spending summers on the lakeshore. (Is it June yet? Seriously.) For now, we’ll have to enjoy/endure the winter, which is where our comfort food section comes in. When it’s cold, there really is nothing better than a heavy, warm meal. In this issue, we highlight some of the heartiest breakfasts, soups and stews, pizzas, desserts and more. New Year’s resolutions be damned! Rock on.

Editorial Publisher Brian Edwards / brian@revuewm.com Managing Editor Lindsay Patton-Carson / lindsay@revuewm.com Design Creative Director Kim Kibby / kim@revuewm.com Design Kim Kibby, Kristi Kortman, Kellie Zaplitny Contributing Writers Kyle Austin Allison Parker Missy Black Carly Plank Ben Darcie Emma Kat Richardson Dwayne Hoover John Sinkevics Alexandra Kadlec Josh Spanninga Audria Larsen Kerri VanderHoff Contributing Photographers Katy Batdorff Listings schedule@revuewm.com Revue Minions Lauren Allen, Barbara Jandernoa, Ae Hee Lee Kim, Nolan Krebs, Madeline McMahon, Shelby Pendowski Sales / 616.608.6170 Molly Rizor / molly@revuewm.com Digital Editor Jayson Bussa / jayson@revuewm.com Find us online! Website: revuewm.com Twitter: twitter.com/revuewm Facebook: facebook.com/revuewm

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

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.

Advertising index 8th St. Grille . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 53 Amway. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 20 Arcadia Ales. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 51 Bell’s Brewery . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2, 32 Billy’s Lounge. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 35 Brewery Vivant. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 51 Broadway Grand Rapids. . . . . . . . . 4 Calvin College SAO . . . . . . . . . . . . 34 Cascade Optical . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10 Civic Theatre. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 45 DeltaPlex Arena. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 27 Dog Story Theatre . . . . . . . . . . . . . 52 Downtown Market . . . . . . . . . . . . . 49 Elite Health Plc.. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 18

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Erb Thai. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 46 FireKeepers Casino . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9 Fontana Chamber Arts . . . . . . . . . 61 Founders. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13 Fusion Shows. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15 The Gilmore Collection. . . . . . . 25, 40 GLAMA (Cooper’s Glen Music Festival). . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 61 Grand Rapids Art Museum . . . . . . 36 Grand Rapids Public Library. . . . . 33 Grand Woods Lounge. . . . . . . . . . . 63 Gravel Bottom Brewery . . . . . . . . . 51 Green Restaurant . . . . . . . . . . . . . 46 Growco. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 45

The Intersection. . . . . . . . . . . . 30, 54 KB Productions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 27 Keil Lasik Vision Center. . . . . . . . . 12 Millennium Restaurant . . . . . . . . . 46 Miller Auditorium. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6 Palazzolo’s Gelato . . . . . . . . . . . . . 33 Planet Rock. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 59 The Pyramid Scheme. . . . . . . . . . . . 5 Right Brain Brewery. . . . . . . . . . . . 53 River City Improv. . . . . . . . . . . . . . 62 Roxanne’s Hair Studio. . . . . . . . . . 45 Ryk Productions (28th St. Showplace). . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 62 Saugatuck Brewing Company. . . . 53

Saugatuck Center for the Arts. . . . 17 Schmohz Brewery. . . . . . . . . . . . . . 51 Schuler Books. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 41 Seven Steps Up. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 17 Sight Optical Boutique . . . . . . . . . 45 Soaring Eagle Casino & Resort. . . . 3 St. Cecilia Music Center . . . . . 29, 44 Tip Top Deluxe Bar & Grill . . . . . . . 19 West Michigan Symphony. . . . . . . 12 West Side Beer. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 64 Wharton Center. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 19

On the cover: Matt Wolfgang of Wolfgang’s Restaurant. Photo by Katy Batdorff. (Interview on page 14.)

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Random Notes

Heavier Than Air Flying Machines

Local Music ///

Grand Rapids-based Heavier Than Air Flying Machines is set to release its sophomore album, Novikov, at The Pyramid Scheme on Jan. 11. The record, released through Grand Rapids-based label, Friction Records, comes after the noise-rock trio’s 2011 14-song debut, Siam. The album release show also features a release by Cosmonaut and special guests Suns and Spit for Athena.

Dream-pop band Dum Dum Girls releases its third full-length record, Too True, on Jan. 28. The band released a single from the album, “Lost Boys and Girls Club” in October. The album comes after frontwoman Dee Dee struggled with vocal troubles following the band’s tour. Dee Dee has told media outlets that the vocal rest helped her focus on songwriting for the new album ... Following up its 2011 LP, Hardcore Will Never Die, But You Will, Scottish quintet Mogwai releases Rave Tapes on Jan. 21. Expect ultra-sonic beats and a number of spatial chills … David Crosby proves that old legends do not simply die away. Croz, a solo album of studio material surfacing after two decades of a break, drops Jan. 28 in the U.S. None of the old-patching-up nonsense for Crosby in Croz—the LP is filled with 11 new, original and mellifluous songs ... There really isn’t anything that can slow The Boss down. The constantly touring blue-collar representing rocker is set to release his 18th (yes, 18th) studio album, High Hopes, on Jan. 14 ... Other notable

releases include: Stephen Malkmus & The Jicks (Wig Out At Jagbags) on Jan. 7, Young the Giant (Mind Over Matter) on Jan. 21 and Jennifer Nettles (That Girl) on Jan. 14.

Concerts ///

Jan. 10-11 brings you Grand Rapids Symphony Classical: “Brahms’ First Symphony.” The show starts out with exuberant poems and rhapsodies and finishes with Brahm’s first symphony, an accolade to Beethoven, which is also commonly known as “Beethoven’s 10th.” Tickets start at $18 … For those looking for an honest dose of Russian classics to survive the winter, The Block presents “Russian. Composers. Pierogies.” on Saturday, Jan. 18. The title says it all. Members of the ION Trio (West Michigan Symphony associate principal cellist Igor Cerkovic, violinist Oleg Bezuglov and pianist Natalia Beuglova) will play pieces from Pyotr Tchaikovsky and Dmitri Shostakovich, and Pierogies (Polish dumplings) will be served. Tickets range from $20 and up and are available at the West Michigan Symphony ticket office.

Technology ///

Attention shopping-lovers, there is a new kid in the app neighborhood: Michigan-based Ozmott. The app helps you hunt for the closest discounts, share that information with fellow shopaholics and earn redeemable credits akin to Nintendo coins called “Pips” to unlock special Luxe offers. Ozmott lets you purchase and get discounts from around 5,000 local (Lee & Birch, MC Sports, Snap Fitness) and national stores. Available on Apple and Android devices.

Renovations ///

FireKeepers Casino and Hotel in Battle Creek recently announced renovation plans to the hotel’s Kabaret Lounge. The current lounge presents a 2,000-seat event center and has hosted artists such as Rascal Flatts, Aretha Franklin and Jeff Dunham. However, the owner, Nottawaseppi Huron Band of the Potawatomi (NHBP), decided that the place could be even better. Renovation plans include an even larger and open event center, a layout exuding with Vegas style, Continued on page 128

REVUEWM.COM | January 2014 |

Scene Sounds | Sights | Dining | Schedule

Dum Dum Girls

CD Releases ///

ION performs at The Block

Random Notes

cubes some smooth curves. If you are more interested in the finished product rather than the pounding and chipping, the sculptures will be on display until the end of the weekend. That is, if the temperature doesn’t suddenly decide to up. n Random Notes is compiled by REVUE staff and minions, including Ae Hee Lee and Lindsay Patton-Carson.

Depiction of the updated Kabaret Lounge a cutting-edge bar and a newly designed performance stage that will continue to welcome entertainers. Renovations start in January 2014 and will hopefully finish by the end of March 2014.

Events ///

Schedule | Dining | sights | Sounds Scene

On Jan. 4 and 5, Grand Rapids Antiques Market comes back for the eighth time to DeVos Place with 150 antique and vintage

dealers. Feast your eyes on jewelry, furniture, clothing and all those other random things that your great grandparents would recognize. Someone you may recognize, however, is Danielle Colby-Cushman from History Channel’s “American Pickers,” who features several items from her store, 4 Miles 2 Memphis. Also included in the event are an Old House Expo, Fashion Show, Handi-crafters Market and Vintage

THIS YEAR, RESOLVE TO IMPROVE YOUR VISION.

Michael L. Keil, D.O., FAOCO 2500 E. Beltline SE, Suite C Grand Rapids, MI info@keillasik.com (616) 365-5775

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Market. Admission starts at $13.50 … If January is going to be freezing anyways, might as well take advantage of it and make glimmering art from humongous, 300-pound chunks of ice. At least, that’s the reasoning behind Downtown Holland’s Ice Sculpting Competition. Various teams from the Midwest will gather on Jan. 10 and 11 with chain saws, chisels, power drills, hot irons and more to give the rigid

For more music, art and entertainment news, including local bands and giveaways, “Like” us on Facebook (facebook.com/revuewm) or follow us on Twitter at twitter. com/revuewm.

Important Dates Ad Reservation Deadline: Jan. 15 Editorial Deadline: Jan. 5 Delivery: Feb. 1

/// Q&A

Breakfast Buff Questions for Matt Wolfgang, owner of Wolfgang’s restaurant

ow did you get involved in the culinary business? My father had a bunch of businesses in Eastown when Eastown was in the dump. Like the ‘60s and ‘70s, when no one was around. That was a time when my dad opened up Baskin Robbins and Brandywine. Tommy Z. opened up Intersection and Bill Lewis opened up Yesterdog. And later [in 1977], my father opened up this joint, which was Breakfast Just Breakfast.

What was it like back then? It was a late-night joint. It was open all night for The Intersection. That was when The Intersection’s location was next door, right? Two down. And that was the big gig, that’s where everyone would go in town. Why specialize in breakfast food? I only like breakfast, I don’t like any of the other stuff. And nobody was doing breakfast. There was no 6:30 to 2:30 joint, now everyone’s doing it. ... When you talk about in 2008, when everything was going bad, we grew 16 percent every year, because people love breakfast. Breakfast is not glamorous, but we grow every year. When did you change it over to Wolfgang’s? Sometime in the early ‘90s. I wanted to get away from the just breakfast thing. We were a different restaurant, we weren’t opened late anymore, we weren’t for drunks anymore. I just wanted a clean change. What made you start incorporating lunch items into the menu? The customers. If there were seven people here and that seventh person wanted lunch, they would all get lunch. So if we had a little lunch for that person, we wouldn’t lose those seven people. Do you change the menu often? Yes, we do the Hall of Fame. Usually, we’ll put somebody on there that people know. Then they’ll come in and laugh at their friends. Richard App is the best one on there because he’s an egomaniac. Got anything in the works for the Hall of Fame? I think we’re going to have a contest [between my wife and I], like a four-on-four.

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So there’s some friendly competition between you two? Gigantic competition. Gigantic. We feature your Hall of Fame item, Victoria Upton, as one of our ultimate comfort food items. What’s the story behind those pancakes? My wife spilled coffee on pancakes one day. And she was so busy waitressing that day that she just ate them. She came home and said, “I need to put coffee on pancakes” and I said, “You have lost your damn mind. That sounds like s***.” ... And it was delicious. How did the Hall of Fame get started? It was my idea. We pissed a lot of people off, too. ... That first time I did it, I grabbed people who were famous at that time. People thought it was rude. When did you start it? That was in the ‘80s. I had to fight with my parents on that. ... Everything I did freaked them out.

When did the ownership switch from your parents to you? In 1995. What is your favorite breakfast? This is going to sound crazy. My favorite breakfast is canned corned beef hash with poached eggs on top. Do you have an ideal comfort food item? I like to go and have a hamburger or a piece of meatloaf, something that my mom would make, not this crazy farm-to-table stuff. ... Customers know what they want. They want beer or they want pizza. My family, we go to Harmony Brewing Company. That’s comfort food to me, a beer and a little pizza. For a good comfort food experience, what do you recommend off your menu? The Missad and The Turner with spinach and a hot cup of coffee. n Interview conducted, condensed and edited by Lindsay PattonCarson. Photo: Katy Batdorff

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/// All Ages

Seeing Stars Kalamazoo brings ancient Egypt to life, and the Harlem Globetrotters own the courts in Grand Rapids. January gets some flavor, so pick an activity and show 2014 who’s running the show. By Missy Black

Stars of the Pharaohs

Family Day

Travel back to ancient Egypt at the Kalamazoo Valley Museum and learn how they used science and stars to tell time, note the passing of seasons and align enormous structures. This planetarium show is a little under a half hour, is geared toward 5th grade and up and is a “blend of history and astronomy,” according to Eric Schreur, planetarium coordinator. Kids interested in mummies and ancient Egypt will be fascinated as they travel through monumental temples and tombs that have been digitally recreated in their original splendor. There are even actual photographic shots of temples as they appear today, which then cross fade to what those temples looked like as they were fairly new in Egypt. Schreur especially loves King Tut’s tomb and thinks youngsters will have great insight into the thoughts of the ancient Egyptians and their connection to the stars.

Here’s the beauty in the Brush Studio Family Day: you can stay and paint with your child (insert foggy Hallmark moment) or you can grab a glass of wine and watch (and relax, darn it!). This painting session doesn’t take as long and isn’t as detailed, which is perfect for little children with even littler attention spans. “It’s more family friendly,” said Heather Callahan, Brush owner. “We take breaks and play appropriate music.” Geared toward ages 8 and up, this hour/hour-and-a-half is a nice dose of instant gratification for kids as they get to bring home a 16 x 28 actual canvas painting (not the usual crafts you toss in a week) that looks professional and can hang in their bedroom. When you combine kids and painting you get “an experience that’s uniquely theirs.” Families can paint, laugh and enjoy a creative experience together that cel-

Schedule | Dining | sights | Sounds Scene

Kalamazoo Valley Museum 230 North Rose St., Kalamazoo Jan. 4-March 21 Mon.-Thurs. & Sat, 9 a.m.-5 p.m.; Fri, 9 a.m.-9 p.m. $3 kalamazoomuseum.org, (269) 373-7990

Brush Studio 2213 Wealthy St. suite 110, Grand Rapids Saturdays, 10 a.m. and 2 p.m.; Sundays, 2 p.m. $30 for kids 12 and under (includes all materials and instructions) brushgr.com, (616) 805-5099

Family Days at the Brush Studio in Grand Rapids on Saturdays at 10 a.m. and 2 p.m. and Sundays at 2 p.m.

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Harlem Globetrotters play the Van Andel Arena Jan. 26.

ebrates accomplishments in kids. “This is a very non-threatening environment. There’s no right or wrong. It’s a confidence boost. Kids are impressed with themselves when they leave.”

to come in before the museum is open, and it’s a treat for them to have the place to themselves and visit one or two items.” Hey, whenever you can work in some manners, it’s a good thing.

Tiny Tots: Folk Tales

Harlem Globetrotters

Maximize the use of your child’s senses with a trip to the Holland Museum, where they have the chance to visit and look at objects in the gallery, listen to a story and get their hands working on a craft. Recommended for ages 2 to 5 years, the theme of the event is Folk Tales and it draws connections to the museum’s exhibit Dutch Folklore: The Linocuts of Cornelia Van Geuns. “I’m a parent with small kids and sometimes museum spaces can be a little intimidating,” said Wendy Van Woerkom, education coordinator. The event shares with children a number of linoleum block prints featuring Dutch folktales along with the possibility of making wooden shoe boats or working with a craft that scares anything bad away for the New Year. Expect a couple of stories, a visit to the gallery and a talk about basic gallery manners. “They get

When sports and laughter combine, you get “magic,” according to T-Time Brawner of the Harlem Globetrotters. The guard is ready to shoot some hoops at Van Andel Arena along with a rotating roster of stars such as Special K Daley, Flight Time Lang and Dizzy Grant — plus female stars TNT Maddox and Sweet J Ekworomadu. “I get to play the game that I love and inspire young girls and women around the world,” Brawner said. The basketball game is a high-energy entertainment event filled with laughter, music and mesmerizing ball handling, an assortment of trick shots, high-flying dunks and precise timing—all with an array of comedy guaranteed to amuse. Brawner compares a game to “an amusement park with lots of thrills” and will unveil a new dance this year: the Trotter Bounce. n

Holland Museum 31 W. 10th St., Holland Jan. 20, 9:30-10:30 a.m. $1.50 per child, free admission for members hollandmuseum.org, (616) 392-9084

Van Andel Arena 130 W Fulton, Grand Rapids Jan. 26, 2 p.m. Tickets start at $16 vanandelarena.com, (616) 742-6600

Scene Sounds | Sights | Dining | Schedule

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/// Eclectic

Killamazoo Derby Darlins. PHOTO: JOHN WIJSMAN

January Eclectic Events Like exultant newborns, we come screaming and crying into January, waiting for the old, filthy snow to melt so we can resume our lives. In the meantime, you can watch sporting types get sweaty and show off, discover what cornhole really is and dream about a Chattanooga Choo Choo taking you away to another land. By Audria Larsen

Killamazoo Derby Darlins vs. South Bend Roller Girls

Kalamazoo Expo Center, Kalamazoo Jan. 11, 5:30-9 p.m. $11-$14 killamazoo.com, (269) 271-2171

Schedule | Dining | sights | Sounds Scene

This month, Kalamazoo’s own Killamazoo Derby Darlins play their first bouts of the year against the South Bend Roller girls. The games are set to be “super exciting,” according to Maggie King aka Neva Soba, assistant charter team captain, “because we’re moving to the [Kalamazoo] Expo Center.” The new arena will make for bigger productions all around, including working as a venue to show off the burgeoning junior league. You can see the youth league in action, featuring 6-11 year olds, during the half-time entertainment, showcasing drills and skills. They are “brand new and totally adorable,” King said. So if you like athletic babes of all ages, skating for their lives and glory, check out this double header.

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Lansing Model Train Show and Sale

MSU Pavilion for Agriculture and Livestock Education, East Lansing Jan. 12, 10 a.m-4 p.m. $6 adults & free for children under 12 or scouts in uniform lmrc.org, (517) 648-0628 “Everybody likes trains,” according to Robert Teed, vice president of the Lansing Model Railroad Club. Whether it’s the experience of

riding the rails, delinquent train hopping, the sound of a nearby depot or the simple pleasure of a miniature town complete with a train set, many people have a connection with the onceubiquitous choo-choos. The Lansing Model Train Show brings out the best in what Teed describes as a multi-faceted hobby. “Some people like the electronics, some people like the scenery which brings out the artistic abilities in people and there are people who just enjoy watching the trains go by,” he said. The event has been running for more than 40 years and is expected to bring in around 5,000 people from around the U.S. “The hobby has changed so much in the last 15-20 years,” said Teed. The show will offer the latest in new digital technology, as well as vendors offering collectibles and antiques plus how-to demonstrations and more.

Snowfest 2014

Downtown Muskegon Jan. 30-Feb. 1 muskegonsnowfest.org

After the holidays and the NYE cherry on top, Michiganders are pretty partied out. Generally, winter rears its frigid, hateful head in full force at the end of January. So, you have two options: you can either weep pointy icicles or party like you were born in a snowmobile suit (which some of you were, I’m sure). Snowfest turns 30 this year and to celebrate, you can enjoy the usual suspects like beer tents, a Euchre tournament, live entertainment, kids attractions, the famed Battle of the (chili) Bowls and games like the always giggle-worthy Snow Cornhole, all brought to you by the Greater Muskegon Jaycees. n

Scene Sounds | Sights | Dining | Schedule

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/// Feature

Photo: XXX

Comfort Food & Cocktails

If you’re cold and depressed in January, you’re probably living in West Michigan. Luckily, there’s a remedy. It comes at a cost, however. Calories. Lots of warm, gooey, filling, hearty, sweet calories. Which, incidentally, are perfect for keeping warm during this time of year. Throw those New Year’s resolutions aside and indulge in some of the best comfort food West Michigan has to offer. By Alexandra Kadlec

/// Feature

Mac and Cheese Tap House Mac & Cheese with pork belly at Central City Tap House. Photo: Brandy Gulley

MAC-AND-CHEESE at THE DERBY STATION

ULTIMATE MAC & CHEESE at FOOD DANCE

PORK BELLY MAC at NEW HOLLAND BREWING COMPANY

TAP HOUSE MAC & CHEESE at CENTRAL CITY TAP HOUSE

There’s no shortage of satisfying ingredients here: a four-cheese blend meets cavatappi pasta, caramelized onions, roasted red peppers, a potato chip crust and buttered toast. If all that’s not enough, add in sautéed shrimp, a black Angus or grass-fed burger, grilled chicken or pulled pork.

This farm-to-table establishment serves up its own unique offering with rustichella dabruzzo rigatoni, grafton aged cheddar, cream, caramelized onions, house-made bacon, fresh spinach and toasted bread crumbs. A field greens salad balances out the richness of the plate.

It’s difficult to choose from a menu bursting with comfort food options — sandwiches, pizza, and more — so we’re helping take the pressure off. This mac and cheese boasts a housemade sauce, cavatappi pasta and sautéed pork belly. Wash it down with a brew recommended by staff.

Dig your fork into the brioche crumb top and discover creamy Swiss, white cheddar, smoked Gouda, and Parmesan cheese. Carnivores, you’ve got the option of pork belly, lobster, sausage or grilled chicken to take this dish to a heartier level.

2237 Wealthy St. SE, Grand Rapids

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401 E Michigan Ave. #100, Kalamazoo

66 E 8th St., Holland

359 S. Kalamazoo Mall, Kalamazoo

BAKED CARBONARA MACARONI AND CHEESE at THE ELECTRIC CHEETAH A whopping seven different cheeses come together in this Italian version, a real treat for the gourmand in you. Additional ingredients make it a substantial meal. Grilled chicken, bacon, green peas, red onion and egg are also tossed in. 1015 Wealthy St. SE, Grand Rapids

Soups and Stews

THE BIG COUNTRY at UNCLE CHEETAH’S SOUP SHOP You really can’t go wrong at this specialty shop offering a consistently updated and always appetizing menu. With this choice, you’ll be scooping up spoonfuls of potato, smoked kielbasa and mirpoix out of a thick, creamy base. A taste of bayleaf and black pepper further delight your taste buds. 1133 Wealthy St. SE, Grand Rapids AUSTRIAN STEAK GOULASH at ALPEN ROSE RESTAURANT If you’re not familiar with this hearty Eastern European dish, prepare yourself for a generously seasoned stew that’s easily a meal in its own right. Discover beef, onions, tomatoes and potatoes underneath a thick, brown sauce. Spicy paprika adds a welcome kick to these humble ingredients. 4 E. 8th St., Holland WISCONSIN CHEDDAR SOUP at THE HEARTHSTONE Bistro

The Big Country at Uncle Cheetah’s Soup Shop

Pizza

What’s better than spoonfuls of hot, creamy cheese to bring warmth to wintry nights? How about if those spoonfuls also contained bites of popcorn and cheese balls? Yep, this

3350 Glade St., Muskegon IRISH STEW WITH LAMB at HENNESSY’s IRISH PUB & RESTAURANT Another meat-and-potatoes dish to fill you up: a blend of lamb with carrots, onions and yes — potatoes. Dip into it with the fresh-baked Irish soda bread accompanying it. Hennessy’s also serves an entrée option with local sausage, mashed potatoes and Guinness gravy. 885 Jefferson St., Muskegon BRAZILIAN BLACK BEAN STEW at THE GREEN WELL You don’t have to visit an exotic locale to get warmed up — sample its native cuisine instead. Head to The Green Well for this medley of black beans, braised pork, sausage and chicken poured over cilantro Basmati rice and topped with a fried egg, salsa and lime sour cream. 924 Cherry St. SE, Grand Rapids

BACON & POTATO PIZZA at NEW HOLLAND BREWING COMPANY

CHICKEN ALFREDO PIZZA at SLUGGO’S PIZZERIA

Trade in your standard slice for this one: a pie with sliced potatoes, crispy bacon, Gorgonzola cheese blend and white sauce. Baby spinach (added after baking to preserve its freshness) comes on top.

For two dishes in one, try this pizza. It comes with chicken, garlic, feta and spinach, and a liberal helping of Alfredo sauce.

66 E 8th St., Holland

CHICAGO DEEP DISH PIZZA (HARD CORE VEGGIE) at BRICK ROAD PIZZA CO.

WESTERDOG PIZZA at MITTEN BREWING COMPANY

321 Douglas Ave., Holland

It might not be for everyone — but if you’re down for a combo dinner of ultimate comfort, look no further. The Westerdog Pizza has cheddar, white onions, sliced hot dogs, all-bean chili, dill pickles and the two most basic of condiments: ketchup and mustard.

Meatless Mondays don’t have to be all about self-sacrifice. At Brick Road, you won’t be left wanting with this cheesy vegetarian option — it comes stuffed with roasted red peppers, zucchini, red onions, artichokes, tomatoes, black olives and spinach. Vegans, you can order it your way, too.

527 Leonard St. NW, Grand Rapids

1017 Wealthy St. SE, Grand Rapids

APPLE DESSERT PIZZA at GRAND RAPIDS PIZZA & DELIVERY Pizza doesn’t have to be just for dinner. GRPD covers their dough with a buttery coating, then tops the pie with a brown sugar, graham cracker and apple filling. The pizza is complete once icing is drizzled on top.

Bacon Potato Pizza at New Holland Brewing Company

soup goes above and beyond — and you know a state revered for its dairy products isn’t going to disappoint.

BRIAZZO at BIG BOB’S PIZZA Don’t let the name confuse you — it’s just a fancier version of deep dish-style pizza. Select your meat and/or veggie fillings, and then uncover them beneath sauce and cheese baked on top. Doughy goodness holds it all together. 661 Croswell Ave. SE, Grand Rapids

340 State St. SE, Grand Rapids

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/// Feature

Entrees

ROGAN JOSH at BOMBAY CUISINE Its menu description — ”a complex blend of spices and savory lamb in a creamy sauce” — doesn’t give Indian cuisine newbies much of an idea of what to expect. But if juicy meat smothered in flavor alongside buttery white rice sounds good, you’ll definitely want to try this satisfying entrée. 1420 Lake Dr. SE, Grand Rapids SHEPHERD’S PIE at CURRAGH IRISH PUB On the other hand, there’s nothing wrong with simple. This Shepherd’s Pie has all the things you’d expect it to: ground beef, carrots, peas and onions swimming in rich gravy. Baked mashed potatoes come on top, and vegetables and soda bread come on the side. 73 E 8th St., Holland LASAGNA at VITALE’S PIZZA Mmm, lasagna. Garfield’s favorite food for a reason. Settle in to your chair at Vitale’s and enjoy layers of pasta, meat sauce and ricotta beneath melted mozzarella. If you can handle, order the cheesy breadsticks as an appetizer. 59 W. Washington Ave., Zeeland SOUTHERN MEATLOAF at OLIVE’S If you loved Mom’s meatloaf growing up, you’re going to appreciate the slightly more sophisticated version at this Gaslight Village establishment: ground turkey, pork and andouille covered in a chipotle-cola glaze, accompanied by warm cheddar grits and a refreshing snap bean salad. 2162 Wealthy St. SE, Grand Rapids MICHIGAN WHITE BEAN CASSOULET at GROVE A slow-cooked casserole native to the south of France, cassoulet has found its way onto American menus and predictably assumed several variations. Grove offers a gourmet marriage of braised beans, venison confit, pork, sausage, bread crumbs, apple puree and a fried egg. 919 Cherry St. SE, Grand Rapids

Southern Meatloaf with Cheddar Grits and Snap Beans at Olive’s

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YOU DON’T HAVE TO GO TO SPACE FOR AN OUT OF THIS WORLD STOUT

A Dark & Creamy English Oatmeal Stout 20 Monroe Ave NW Grand Rapids, MI 616.356.2000 | thebob.com

REVUEWM.COM | January 2014 |

/// Feature

Waffles and

Pancakes The Victoria Upton at Wolfgang’s Restaurant. Photo: Katy Batdorff

BELGIAN WAFFLES at UNCLE ERNIE’S PANCAKE HOUSE

VICTORIA UPTON at WOLFGANG’S RESTAURANT

PIGS IN A BLANKET at CORNERVIEW CAFÉ

A favorite breakfast spot among locals, Uncle Ernie’s has been satiating its morning customers with homey goodness since 1959. The pancakes surely won’t disappoint, but why not switch things up and try the Belgian waffles instead? Four kinds await your selection: plain, chocolate chip, pecan and banana nut.

Feed a twofold craving for breakfast and dessert with this sweet drinkand-dine special. Hot coffee topped with whipped cream and cocoa dust mingles perfectly with fluffy tiramisu pancakes layered with mascarpone filling. It’s a Hall of Fame favorite at this perpetually buzzing joint.

If you’re in the mood for sweet and savory in the same delicious mouthful, stop by this mom-and-pop diner and order the ‘a.m.’ version of Pigs in a Blanket: sausage links stuffed in between two warm pancakes. Now isn’t that simpler than ordering both items separately?

530 Wealthy St. SE, Grand Rapids

643 N. Riverview Dr., Parchment

4005 Portage St., Kalamazoo

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OTTO’S FAMILY FARM CHICKEN & WAFFLES at THE GREEN WELL Southern comfort meets local pride in this filling dish. A cornmealcrusted and pan-fried chicken breast is paired with a cornbread waffle, bourbon maple syrup and Michigan red bean sweet potato hash. Save your daytime appetite for this fare — it’s available at dinnertime only. 924 Cherry St. SE, Grand Rapids

PANUKAKKU at MARIE CATRIB’S The unusual name refers to Finnish pancakes, a slight variation of what you may expect. A crispy surface gives way to a soft, custard-like filling. Homemade jam and seasoned potatoes are served on the side. Panukakku may be lighter than its American counterpart, but no less gratifying. 1001-1003 Lake Dr. SE, Grand Rapids

REVUEWM.COM | January 2014 |

/// Feature

Desserts

LOVIN’ SPOONFUL CAKE at CLARA’S ON THE RIVER Chocoholics, take note: this treat won’t leave you wanting. Experience chocolate pudding nestled in between layers of moist chocolate cake, topped with dark chocolate chunks, chocolate icing and a chocolate drizzle. Add a scoop of ice cream for good measure. 44 S. McCamly St., Battle Creek CANDIED CARAMEL APPLE BREAD PUDDING at THE TWISTED ROOSTER Twisted Rooster had the genius idea to make leftover bread into a sweet after-dinner treat. TR’s spin includes cinnamon apples and apple cider. Caramel and cinnamon-flavored whipped cream served alongside adds a fluffy twist. 1600 E. Beltline Ave. NE, Grand Rapids COOKIE MONSTER at THE UNION CABARET & GRILL The Sesame Street celebrity would love this dessert. But then, who wouldn’t? A triple chocolate cookie baked on top of a peanut butter cookie is served hot with vanilla ice cream, chocolate sauce and whipped cream. 125 S. Kalamazoo Mall, Kalamazoo SUTLAC (RICE PUDDING) at ZEYTIN’S TURKISH RESTAURANT Served warm or cold, rice pudding always spells comfort. It’s a simple dish that benefits from small touches, like a hint of cinnamon and extra creaminess. Zeytin’s oven-baked version has both and provides a delicious ending to a dinner of kebabs and hummus. 400 Ada Dr. SE, Ada PEANUT BUTTER CUP CHEESECAKE at NANTUCKET BAKING CO. Move past the tasty selection of breads at Nantucket, and you’ll find a diverse offering of creamy cheesecakes. Next-door neighbor Martha’s Vineyard serves a daily rotation of flavors, among them one sweetened by peanut butter pieces and a graham cracker crust. 200 Union Ave. NE, Grand Rapids

Cookie Monster at The Union

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Hot Toddies

January is a cold, bleak month sprinkled with sniffles. Warm up and fight off free radicals with a hot toddy, a drink commonly made with whiskey or bourbon, lemon and ginger ale. BLUE WATER GRILL If you’re feeling like an antioxidant kick will serve you well mid-winter, go for the Superfruit Hot Toddy at Blue Water Grill. This concoction has Jim Beam whiskey, agave nectar, lemon juice and something a little unexpected — green tea. Who says a cocktail can’t be healthy, too? 5180 Northland Dr. NE, Grand Rapids SALT OF THE EARTH Warm up with a classic Hot Toddy at this American eatery that serves a local and seasonal menu. The recipe is simple: Four Roses bourbon, lemon and clove. And as this cocktail proves, simple never tasted so good. 114 E Main St., Fennville BUTCH’S DRY DOCK Enjoy a gourmet spin on the Hot Toddy at Butch’s. The bar serves up apple cinnamon bourbon made in-house with a splash of

apple juice, whipped cream and cinnamon — making for a cozy post-dinner libation. 44 E 8th St. #100, Holland TERRA It goes by the name Brown Butter Tea, but not to worry, all the essential ingredients are here. A unique twist on the classic, Terra’s will warm your belly with brown butterinfused bourbon, Michigan maple syrup and ginger beer. 1429 Lake Dr. SE, Grand Rapids THE PYRAMID SCHEME The Pyramid Scheme warms you up with a slew of featured hot drinks, every Sunday in January until 9 p.m. For example, the Chai Hulund, which is chai tea with cinnamon whiskey, Irish cream and a splash of spiced rum with brown sugar spiced simple syrup. Call ahead or stop in and be surprised. 68 Commerce, Grand Rapids

“Regina Carter is a MacArthur ‘Genius’ and an acclaimed jazz violinist who has plumbed repertoire from swing to standards to Motown.” - artsfuse.com

Showcasing the world’s most

Amazing Artists

JA ZZ

Regina Carter

Ce lebr

ati

Homecoming The Davis & Brewer Family Reunion January 23, 2014

130 years

Two outstanding musical families come together for one special night.

jazz

world-class artists nyc2gr.com 616.459.2224 St. Cecilia Music Center

Gregory Porter February 20, 2014

Grammy-nominated vocalist and composer deftly fuses jazz and soul.

Regina Carter March 20, 2014

An exquisite violinist who is at once uplifting, stirring, and thoroughly joyful.

REVUEWM.COM | January 2014 |

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/// Sink’s Spins on Music

ON THE MUSICAL RADAR

o yo u d o n ’ t n e e d to b e a rocket scientist — or a flatpicking banjo whiz — to see that the folk and bluegrass revival that’s swept the nation in recent years has gained steam. This month, Michigan’s The Crane Wives and Appleseed Collective (which has a new album on the way) will join internationally renowned stars Iron & Wine, Neko Case and Patty Griffin at the prestigious Ann Arbor Folk Festival Jan. 30–Feb. 1. Add to that all those

Appleseed Collective festival-friendly jam bands and progressive bluegrass outfits — aka, jamgrass acts — such as String Cheese Incident, The Infamous Stringdusters and West Michigan’s own Greensky Bluegrass. As a result, traditional forms of the music are thriving, too: I was floored by the exuberant throngs of “Wheaties” numbering in excess of 10,000 who flooded the rural Wheatland Music Festival site outside Remus, Mich., for the 40th annual celebration of traditional

American music and arts last September. Tots and 20-somethings joined retirees and babyboomer hippies in wishing each other “Happy Wheatland,” while embracing roots diversity: banjo virtuoso Bela Fleck, the gospel of the Northern Kentucky Brotherhood Singers, the contemporary folk of Grand Rapids’ Bennett, workshops for devotees of fiddles, dulcimers and dance. That’s made the annual Winter Wheat a fast-growing phenomenon, too. The fifth annual, day-long fundraiser for the Wheatland Music Organization (and its drum kiva/all-performance stage) invades The Intersection in Grand Rapids on Jan. 11, with acts spanning old-timey folk to blues on two stages, and jamming taking place this year under a third “Side Show” tent outdoors: Red Tail Ring, Lindsay Lou & The Flatbellys, The Oat Bran Boys, An Dro, Fiddlefire, The Blue Water Ramblers, Kirk Jones & The Benzie Playboys, Badenya, Jukejoint Handmedowns, Black Jake & The Carnies and Blue Molly are on the bill. Last year’s event drew nearly 1,000 people, pleasing longtime folkie and Winter Wheat organizing committee member R.H. “Bear” Berends of Grand Rapids’ Blue Water Ramblers. “Our goal is try to get it packed out within a reasonable time frame,” Berends says of Winter Wheat, which raised nearly $4,000 last year. He attributed its growth, in part, to the next generation of pickers and folkies. “They’ve taken it to the next level,” he said. “There certainly is a more aggressive vibe that they use within their interpretation

Red Tail Ring at Winter Wheat fundraiser show

of the same music. … We’re just happy that the next generation has picked up the tradition and made it their own.” The addition this year of a heated outdoor tent — with food vendors and room for a drum circle and jamming — should give Winter Wheat a celebratory festival flavor not unlike Wheatland itself. n

Music critic and entertainment writer John Sinkevics comments on the local and national music scene at LocalSpins.com, spotlighting artists at 10 a.m. Wednesdays on Local Spins Live at News Talk 1340 AM.

LOCAL CD Releases Can’t Contain It

When you’ve been Mustard Plugg-ing along for more than two decades, but haven’t released a new studio album in a half-dozen years, let’s just say there’s a mammoth pent-up appetite for something fresh. Well, the Plug has finally popped loose and what’s gushed forth is a buoyant bunch of zesty tunes. This is ska at its absolute finest, so much so that it landed the Grand Rapids band a deal with one of the kings of punk labels, Florida’s No Idea Records. David Kirchgessner and the boys announce on the opening track that, “We Came to Party” (a new anthem worthy of supplanting the Beastie Boys’ “Fight For Your Right”) and they keep revelers reveling for 14 tracks with titles such as “The All-Nighter,” “Burn It Down” and “Shakin’ It Up,” flaunting plenty of punk-guitar muscle along the way.

The Star Darts

Shooting Star Darts This is the tale of a Grand Rapids punk band that got radio airplay from Miami to Phoenix to Denver before it had ever played a single gig — or, for that matter — before it “officially” released its first album. Talk about hitting the bullseye. Born as recording project of singer-guitarist Todd Long (Molly, Dutch Henry) with buddies Ryan Goldner on bass (Dutch Henry, The Storied Life) and Brent Nowak on lead guitar (Jim Jones & the Kool-Aid Kids), The Star Darts’ seven-song debut recorded at Grand Rapids’ Studio 84 and is being released worldwide this month, is good old-fashioned, pop-splashed punk with snappy hooks. And it has enough attitude and enough snarl to get your attention.

REVUEWM.COM | January 2014 |

Scene | Sounds | Sights | Dining | Schedule

Mustard Plug

/// on tour

The Creepshow Comes to the U.S. Armed with a New Lineup | by Dwayne Hoover

Schedule | Dining | Sights | Sounds | Scene

32 | REVUEWM.COM | January 2014

h e man chai n e d to th e album, but the first with Legaspi in the role bathtu b slowly starts to regain of frontwoman. She took over vocal duties consciousness, just as his captor saun- in 2012 and knew the best way to acclimate ters into the room carrying a devious herself to the position was to just get out there smirk and a chainsaw. She grasps the large and perform. piece of equipment with both hands, smiling, “We did a couple of tours just after I knowing it was time for this one to join the joined,” Legaspi said. “Because we had to get others. Dinner guests only last so long when everybody comfortable with me being in the they’re dead, and rotting bodies don’t keep band, we did a lot of touring.” very long in the refrigerator, The band began writing a either. She steps forward, her new album a few months after smile widens, and she brings Legaspi was on board. Armed The Creepshow wsg her roaring weapon down on with Legaspi’s brighter vocals, Murder Party and her newest companion. as well as a focus on tighter, Sailor Kicks So ends the music video cleaner instrumentation, The Pyramid Scheme, Grand Rapids Jan. 14, 8 p.m. for “The Devil’s Son” by they released a record with a $12 advance/$14 day of show, 18+ Canadian psychobilly band sound that’s neither the same pyramidschemebar.com, (616) The Creepshow, a song from nor different. It’s evolved. 272-3758 the group’s newest album, No w, h a v i n g j u s t Life After Death. wrapped up a Canadian “We had squirted fake tour in support of their new blood all over [our friend’s] bathroom,” said album, The Creepshow is looking to dig its Kenda Legaspi, lead vocalist and guitarist, of meat hooks into the U.S. shooting the video. “There were people in the “It’s finally the time when I sing songs kitchen making fake blood with tapioca and that suit me, as well as something I’ve taken syrup and stuff. The day was long and messy. I part in as far as the writing process,” Legaspi ended up cleaning the bathroom from top to said. “We haven’t toured the [U.S.] yet with bottom, on my hands and knees.” the new lineup. We’re really excited to be able Gruesome themes are nothing new to to do that.” n The Creepshow, which has been serving as a staple of horror-punk since its inception in 2005. Life After Death is the band’s fourth

Scene | Sounds | Sights | Dining | Schedule

REVUEWM.COM | January 2014 |

/// on tour

JAN

THE LONE BELLOW

with special guest | Covenant Fine Arts Center | 8pm | $15

Yellowcard Revisits Ocean Avenue Success | by Carly Plank

JAN

THE BRILLIANCE

Schedule | Dining | Sights | Sounds | Scene

Ladies Literary Club | 8pm | $10

FEB

DELOREAN

with special guest | Covenant Fine Arts Center | 8pm | $15

Changing the conversation about popular culture.

www.calvin.edu/boxoﬃce

34 | REVUEWM.COM | January 2014

616.526.6282

“We play the first half of the show acoustic, take an intermission and then come back and play the rest of the show electric.”

h e r e was a ti m e wh e n th e m e m b e rs of veteran poppunk band Yellowcard nearly called it quits. After a swift rise to success following the platinum-selling 2003 album Ocean Avenue, tempers were stretched thin and something had to give. “We had a moment in late 2008 where we thought that was it,” said Ryan Key, lead singer and guitarist. “We were all burned out installment was accomplished much more on touring, burned out with each other and we efficiently and with minimal stress. had problems with the record label, as well as “This time we had the proper budget, so bad decisions we’d made ourselves.” we were able to use a full drum kit and string Instead of breaking up, a consensus was section,” Key said. “We’d been touring hard reached: take a hiatus. During the years-long for three years, and we wanted people to keep break, Key founded Big If, a coming back.” musical collaboration with Strings are a crucial part Reeve Oliver frontman Sean of Yellowcard’s signature Yellowcard wsg O’Donnell. After regrouping sound, thanks to violinist What’s Eating Gilbert and reflecting on their suc- The Intersection, Grand Rapids Sean Mackin, who has been cess, Yellowcard’s members Jan. 29, 7 p.m. part of Yellowcard since $20 general admission/$75 V.I.P. decided to forge ahead and its establishment in 1997. sectionlive.com, (616) 451-8232 continue crafting the music Acoustic arrangements spotthat made them a success. light Mackin’s timeless riffs “We were working really in the center of stunningly hard, but [success] happened really quickly,” robust versions of Yellowcard’s most recogKey said. “We went to L.A. in 2000, and by nizable songs. Fortunately for fans, the often 2003 we had Ocean Avenue and had been play- overused descriptor “stripped down” does not ing 250 to 300 shows per year for two years.” apply here. Currently, Yellowcard is in the midst of “We play the first half of the show acoustic, celebrating Ocean Avenue’s tenth anniversary take an intermission and then come back and with a national tour and a completely acoustic play the rest of the show electric,” Key said. take on the album, which was released on Aug. “We just want everyone to enjoy themselves 13. Although the band had already given a to the fullest.” n previous album the acoustic treatment, this

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VISUAL ART

by Kerri VanderHoff

Other Art Events Jason Quigno: Harmony in Stone

Muskegon Museum of Art Through Jan. 19 muskegonartmuseum.org, (231) 720-2570

Harry Brorby Yellow Series #4 Acrylic, pencil, crayon

A Legacy Discovered and Defined

Bobcats to Bobwhites: Nature & Wildlife in Art

Rankin Art Gallery, Ferris State University Through Jan. 25 ferris.edu, (231) 591-2536 Visiting this university exhibition allows for the added bonus of exploring the charming city of Big Rapids, as works are found both on campus, as well as downtown. Spaces include the Card Wildlife Education Center and display cases, the library (FLITE), Williams’ Auditorium Lobby, and Artworks Upper Gallery, 106 N. Michigan Avenue. The exhibition includes paintings by Randy Hendricks, taxidermy by Jan VanHoesen and Audubon prints from the Ferris permanent collection.

The Muslim Graves of Southeast Michigan

Grand Valley State University Red Wall Gallery Through March 14 gvsu.edu, (616) 331-2563 Muslims have been in Southeast Michigan for well over a century. In their burial styles, they are not a uniform community, but are a mosaic of diverse ethnic and religious sub-communities drawn from around the world. Some stones emphasize faith in God. Others emphasize national or ethnic heritage, hobbies, clubs, affiliations, happy marriages or proud military service. The 39 photographs in the exhibit demonstrate the immense diversity of this complex population.

REVUEWM.COM | January 2014 |

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of Chicago, the Museum of Modern Art, Walker Art Center and pe c u liar o pp o rtu n ity can s o m e several other reputable institutions. Broby’s work was also part of ti m es fi n d a pe rfect fit at smaller arts an internationally circulating exhibition Modern Art in the United organizations in West Michigan. Just such an opporStates, organized by the Museum of Modern Art. tunity arose recently at Saugatuck Center for the Arts “I’m interested in Brorby because he was so deeply involved (SCA), according to Executive Director Kristin Jass in the area and is clearly well respected, yet somehow has faded Armstrong. out of public consciousness over the last couple decades,” Meeusen “The size of our organization and scope of our mission allows said, noting he trained at Oxbow in Saugatuck before attending for more flexibility with certain projects than perhaps some of the Harvard. “This exhibition is the perfect opportunity to honor his larger institutions have,” she said. “And I think the circumstances accomplishments as an artist and learn about the truly around the exhibition Yellow: The Works of Harry exciting process a small non-profit organization can Brorby is a good example. We are able to fill a niche play in resurrecting the work of an important local artin the community in a very important way.” Yellow: The Works of Harry Brorby ist who had nearly been forgotten. ... I couldn’t pass The curator for the project, Ellen Meeuwsen, Saugatuck Center for the Arts up the opportunity and have spent the last few weeks further explains Armstrong’s thoughts on the Through Jan. 31 Free! diving through boxes and boxes of Brorby’s personal exhibition and the space. sc4a.org (269) 857-2399 ephemera — everything from private letters to doctor’s “We were given access to Brorby’s Yellow Series notes to collected exhibition records — attempting to ... in a unique and bizarre chain of events,” she said. uncover the Brorby’s story.” When Broby passed away two years ago, his The exhibition highlights Brorby’s work, the unusual bequest, two children, who live out of state, left his Holland materials with and the role a local art center can play in keeping an artist’s legacy the brother of Pati Bekken, a local realtor and arts supporter. alive. The paintings will be for sale with some of the proceeds given “When he was unable to take care of the amount of materials, to the SCA. Pati offered to help and connected with the SCA.” “The SCA is dedicated to honoring the relationship an art The SCA enlisted area art students to volunteer in transferring center plays in building and strengthening local community, and the paintings and personal ephemera to transitional storage, and this exhibition is a perfect opportunity for the community to learn determined that organizing an exhibition from the items would be about the legacy of one of the great artists in its midst,” Meeuwsen a valuable means of educating the public about the local artist. His said. n works are included in the permanent collections of the Art Institute

Jason Quigno works in a wide variety of stone, transforming rough stone blocks into fluid, graceful forms. His work emphasizes the creation of harmonious, balanced objects that convey a sense of movement, belying their nature as stone. Harmony in Stone features new work in a variety of scales and shapes, revealing the artist’s continuing exploration and development. The exhibition is part of the Made in Michigan Artists series.

LIT LIFE

The Hottest Books of 2013

or most people, January is all about looking ahead to the future. You know, out with the old, in with the new. For books lovers however, this is the time to gorge yourself on all of the delicious diction you somehow missed in 2013. We’ve enlisted the help of some local literary experts to bring you The Hottest Books of 2013, your guide to staying warm, cozy and inspired until spring finally shows up. Roni Devlin, who owned and operated Literary Life Bookstore and More for five years until its closing in 2012, now helps run the Great Lakes Commonwealth of Letters, a nonprofit that she said “encourages, promotes and celebrates the literary endeavors of writers in the Great Lakes region.” As such, she chose to highlight books by regional authors and illustrators.

“It depends on my mood, I think,” Devlin says of finding the perfect book. “I read a fair amount of nonfiction, both for work and for pleasure. ...But, I can only read so much nonfiction before I start having novel withdrawals, and when that happens, I have to become completely engaged by a well-written, carefully-plotted, character-driven story in order to get my fix.” Someone who knows the therapeutic value of a lengthy session of page turning, Devlin cites a comfortable fireside leather chair and a hot cup of tea as her preferred reading supplies. Neil Rajala, who reviews books for Schuler Books and Music, enjoys a similar chair, though he’s partial to an electric fireplace, which he says is “perfect for reading because you never have to get up to fiddle with burning logs.” Rajala prefers black coffee as a literary companion, except when

The New York Times: Disunion

Schedule | Dining | Sights Sounds | Scene

Edited by Ted Widmer

38 | REVUEWM.COM | January 2014

Since its creation in 2010, Disunion, the New York Times’ lauded online journal about the Civil War, has changed the way individuals think about one of our nation’s most defining historical periods. This collection gathers the best illuminating content and commentary from the site in a single printed volume, and makes the people and events of that time come alive with intoxicatingly realistic detail. “Hundreds of articles have been submitted by historians around the world, chronicling the Civil War on a nearly day-by-day basis, from every conceivable angle,” Rajala said. “If only history classes in school had been this much fun.” To Drink: Americana — Plenty of espresso here, so you won’t be nodding off like you did back in high school.

experiencing what he calls “those rare moments of harmony and peace with all of humanity and the planet we share, when I might have a cup of tea.” When asked what he looks for in a good book, Rajala’s answer was simple: “A desire to keep turning the pages,” he said. “Whether it’s because of the prose, voice, characters, subject or plot, that’s the bottom line.” You may not have the book collection, sweet reading den or eye for literary greatness that Devlin and Rajala do, but here’s some good news: Schuler Books and Music does. Anytime is a good time to enjoy the store’s expansive stock and cozy reading spaces, but stop in throughout January to check out 2013’s Hottest Books paired with soulwarming beverages from the Chapbook Cafe in a special display. n

In the House Upon the Dirt Between the Lake and the Woods By Matt Bell

Matt Bell’s debut novel, In the House Upon the Dirt Between the Lake and the Woods, is a modern mythical epic that chronicles a newlywed couple’s retreat from the chaos of society into the supposed relief of a simple life in the woods. When the couple’s first pregnancy fails however, their marriage takes a turn for the worst as Bell takes us on an provocative journey through the relationship between love, children and family. “He’s an up-and-coming literary force who lives and works in Michigan’s Upper Peninsula,” Devlin said. “We’ll see more great works from him in the near future, I’m sure.” To Drink: Cafe au Lait — Coffee with milk for the laymen. For those that don’t like it too hot.

by Kyle Austin

Bootstrapper: From Broke to Badass on a Northern Michigan Farm By Mardi Jo Link

This memoir by northern Michigan farmer and author Mardi Jo Link shows us what happens when idealism and reality collide. Freshly divorced from a 19-year marriage and crippled financially, Link commits herself to retaining her century-old farmhouse and raising her boys off the land, despite the obstacles standing in her way. “It’s slightly irreverent,” Devlin said. “But I suspect it will make you laugh, and it’s an honest account of a woman’s love for her children and a way of life that she hopes to preserve for her family.” To Drink: Brewed Coffee — Fresh, pure and simple to help you, like Mardi Jo Link, get back to the basics.

Lost Luggage By Jordi Punti

The first novel by Spanish author Jordi Punti to be published in America, Lost Luggage goes like this: four brothers are born of the same father by four drastically different mothers, yet none of the brothers know that the others exist. When they find out, a journey begins that takes them across Europe in search of friends, acquaintances, girlfriends and lovers who can connect them with the man who abandoned them all. “Slowly their questions, and ours, are answered as they search for him,” Rajala said. To Drink: Mocha — Awkward family situations are seldom sweet and satisfying, but a hot cup of mocha always is.

Poetry in Michigan/ Michigan in Poetry Edited by William Olsen and Jack Ridl

To Drink: Hot Tea — Immersion into poetry requires complete relaxation, provided here in the form of slow-sipping goodness.

By Donna Tartt

The Goldfinch is for those who like their novels to read like a drag race, with nonstop speed until the finish line. The story begins with 13-year-old Theo Decker and his mother, who are in a New York City art museum when a terrorist attack occurs. Theo survives, while his mother is killed. But this opening salvo of intense action is only the beginning. “Sprawling and unforgettable,” Rajala said of the boy’s tale. “When Theo leaves the destroyed building with a priceless painting, the wild ride-ofhis-life story commences and doesn’t slow down for 800 pages.” To Drink: Red Eye —A double dose of caffeine for you, pumped up for the pulse-pounding action of The Goldfinch.

Life After Life by Kate Atkinson

Life After Life is the story of Ursula Todd, a girl who comes of age as the Second World War approaches, except that to this girl, coming of age entails a constant cycle of death and rebirth through what amounts to a seemingly infinite amount of lives. This kind of quirky originality is what has thus far defined Kate Atkinson’s career, and much like her other books, Life After Life is a model of stirring black comedy. “The universe, it seems, has a plan for Ursula Todd,” Rajala said. “[Atkinson] took an audacious concept and delivered a sweeping historical novel with an emotional wallop.” To Drink: Caramel Latte — OK, so you can’t be reborn like Ursula Todd, but you can feel as though you were with one sip of this delicious concoction.

Intuition Pumps and Other Tools for Thinking By Daniel C. Dennett

This selection is for those who need a break from the usual literary territory. Daniel C. Dennett, one of the world’s leading philosophers, leads you on a personal odyssey through a series of brain-bending thought experiments. Which sounds intimidating, to say the least, but Dennett really intended these exercises to help readers think more clearly by revealing to them how dead wrong their assumptions about the world might be. Obvious warning: this is not escapist pleasure. To Drink: Chai — When it’s time to get serious, this is the drink to reach for.

Furious Cool: Richard Pryor and the World That Made Him By David and Joe Henry

If biographies that don’t read like textbooks are your thing, this portrayal of one of the twentieth century’s most influential and controversial entertainers is a must read. Through an exploration of both the personal and the public personas, the legendary comedian revealed to friends and family, the Henry brothers show Richard Pryor being shaped by both his environment and his influences. The book also attempts to hone in on what exactly makes a truly dynamic stand-up comedian. To Drink: Cappuccino — Can’t go wrong with this winter classic, that is, until a Pryor joke has you spraying it out of your nose.

If You Want to See a Whale

Written by Julie Fogliano, Illustrated by Erin Stead Ann Arbor illustrator Erin Stead brings this tale of persistence, patience and creativity to life with her beautiful linoleum and pencil prints, which compliment Fogliano’s simple tale about a boy who learns what it takes to see a whale. A 2011 Caldecott Medal winner, Stead understands the power behind the visual aspect of children’s stories, and the combination of imagery and storytelling here is one that kids and adults can both enjoy. Before it’s on your favorite kid’s bookshelf, preview it yourself and practice for the inevitable 10,000 times you’ll be asked to read it. To Drink: Hot Chocolate — Go ahead, indulge you inner child.

REVUEWM.COM | January 2014 |

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Published by New Pages Press from Kalamazoo, this anthology chronicles the work of more than 90 poets and 30 artists from Michigan. Poetry lovers will read and reread the sharp wit and ageless wisdom collected by William Olsen and Jack Ridl, two tremendously accomplished wordsmiths in their own right. “The poems are incredibly diverse, in voice, subject and geography,” Devlin said, which is fitting for a state that continues to inspire so many with its unique blend of history, landscape and culture.

The Goldfinch

by Josh Spanninga

comedy

Kyle Dunnigan Vanswers Our Questions

he next time you have a burning question that needs an answer, try asking Craig, the awkward, dull-witted YouTube alter-ego of comedian Kyle Dunningan. Fans submit questions and Craig answers them, with unorthodox, hilarious results he calls “Vanswers.” Dunnigan says he’s been doing the character for years. “I have a picture of me when I was nine years old making that face and doing that character,” Dunnigan said. “I don’t remember ever coming up with him, I just sort of did it and kept doing it.” Craig originally found fame as the infamous “Truckee River Killer” on “Reno 911!” After the show ended, Dunnigan turned to YouTube to highlight the softer side of Craig.

Schedule | Dining | Sights Sounds | Scene

“‘Reno 911!’ kind of made the character (Craig) a serial killer and an evil guy, which I think worked for that show. But I had always envisioned him as a more innocent Forrest Gump kind of character.”

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“‘Reno 911!’ kind of made the character a serial killer and an evil guy, which I think worked for that show,” Dunnigan said. “But I had always envisioned him as a more innocent Forrest Gump kind of character.” Since then, Dunnigan’s YouTube videos have received millions of hits, serving as a testament to his ability to create characters and work with sketch-based comedy. He has experience working with the Groundlings Sunday Company and also wrote and acted in Cedric the Entertainer Presents. More recently, he’s written for “Inside Amy Schumer,” which he’ll admit has been challenging at times. “She has her own point of view, and I try to accommodate to that,” Dunnigan said. “It’s hard when my own style gets in there. I don’t think it’s a bad thing, but it’s important to know who you’re writing for and it took me a little while to adapt to that.” Dunnigan also has an impressive history with stand-up, landing spots on “Late Night with Conan O’Brien” and “Jimmy Kimmel Live.” In 1999 he met fellow comedian Tig Notaro at a Comedy Central stand-up contest, sparking a long-lasting friendship. “She came in third, and I came in second. I remind her of that whenever I can.” Since then, they’ve worked together on various projects, including the podcast, “Professor Blastoff.” Of course, Notaro isn’t the only funny lady in Dunnigan’s life — he’s been dating Sarah Silverman for two years and counting.

“I’m basically the cameraman,” Dunnigan jokes. “When we go out, I’m Kyle Dunnigan really good at taking pictures of Sarah Dr. Grins, Grand Rapids and other people. I think I’ve become Jan. 9-11, show times at 8, 9 a professional. I can take any phone, and 10:30 p.m. and I know how the camera works.” $5-$10 Silverman also recently lent her thebob.com/drgrins, (616) voice to a Christmas album Dunnigan 356-2000 recorded, and they recently appeared on the “Comedy Bang! Bang!” podcast together as well. Dunnigan’s performance at Dr. Grins has no cameos from Notaro or Silverman scheduled, but he assures audiences it will be an experience they remember. “They can expect to laugh, I hope,” he said. “They can expect to learn about themselves, to learn about the world and change the world. They can expect cash and prizes, and they can expect to transform as human beings.” n

REVUEWM.COM | January 2014 |

INDIE film

by Josh Spanninga

Welp, it’s 2014, which means the New Year’s resolutions season has officially begun or ending, depending on your dedication. While filling your ever-increasing list of goals with items such as eating more salads and setting up a budget are all fine and dandy, why not add a little spice to the mix? Make this the year you vow to check out more local and independent cinema, because let’s be honest, life is way better with some kickass movies.

Short Film Moths Claims its Michigan Roots

Schedule | Dining | Sights Sounds | Scene

et’s face it — no matter how much people complain about some of our blizzardridden winters, Michigan is a freakin’ fantastic place, and once you’ve lived in this fine mitten state of ours it never loses its grip on you. Just ask director Andy Fortenbacher. Though he recently made the move to New York to attend Columbia University’s graduate school, he finds himself returning to Michigan again and again for his film projects. “Pretty much the bulk of my personal projects have been shot back there,” Fortenbacher said.

Moths Production Photo: Dan Irving This January, Fortenbacher will be returning once again to finish filming his latest project, Moths. The idea for the project was conceived when Fortenbacher and his colleague Zac Page went to a reading at GVSU in which local writer and professor Chris Haven presented a segment of a short story he had recently written. Paige adapted it into a screenplay,

42 | REVUEWM.COM | January 2014

but the script was set aside due to technical challenges, until Fortenbacher returned to it years later while working with his thesis adviser at Columbia University. “We basically workshopped the script quite a bit, and it’s turned into something very different,” Fortenbacher said. “There are still elements from the short story that are true, but it’s changed quite a bit from that.” Moths is the first time Fortenbacher and Page had adapted a screenplay from source material, and they wanted to be sure the original author approved of the result, so they met up with Professor Haven last summer to go over the script. “It was an interesting experience to get some of his feedback based on some of his intentions with the characters, and also to give feedback on what we had done to take it in a different direction,” Fortenbacher said. The finished script takes place in a small Midwestern town in 1944 and follows nine-yearold Sam Whitaker as she befriends her classmate Frank, an outcast due to his physical deformities. The film touches on themes of bullying, acceptance, friendship and in an interesting twist, the life cycle of the Cecropia Moth. Once the script was finished, it was time to prepare for shooting. As with past projects Fortenbacher decided on West Michigan as the perfect place to film, focusing on locations in Nunica, Walker and Coopersville. Not only did the West Michigan locations fit the rural, historical image Fortenbacher was looking for, they also were in close proximity to a wealth of industry talent. “The community is generally very supportive of the arts,” Fortenbacher said. “In Grand

Rapids specifically, it’s awesome to see how much that’s growing.” Filming wraps up this month, and Fortenbacher plans to have the short film edited and ready to screen at the Columbia University Film Festival in May. He hopes to have a screening Moths in West Michigan sometime in the early summer, and then plans to push the project at film festivals at home and overseas. He admits this last part can be difficult. “It’s like throwing darts and seeing what sticks,” Fortenbacher said. “It’s crazy because there are so many things that determine what festivals are looking for.” After Moths, Fortenbacher plans on continuing in the film industry and hopes to land gigs directing feature-length films. And if that feature film happens to take in place in Michigan? Well, that’s fine with Fortenbacher.

Gasland

Gasland 2 Brings its Antifracking Message to UICA

n a special one-night-only event, UICA will screen Gasland 2, the follow-up film to Joshua Fox’s Oscar-nominated Gasland. In the film, Fox explores the industry of hydraulic fracturing, or fracking, a controversial extraction method to obtain oil and natural gas, and a method that is currently practiced throughout Michigan. While there are plenty of supporters of the practice, Fox says fracking poses a potential threat to local water supplies and can be detrimental to the environment. The film also looks at the oil and gas industries as a whole, and their close relationship with government officials. Gasland 2 will be screened at the UICA theatre on Jan. 21 at 8p.m. Tickets are $5 n

by Allison Parker

theatre

Other Performing Arts Events Seven WMU Theatre York Arena Theatre, Kalamazoo Jan. 23-25, 30-31, Feb. 1-2; show times at 2 & 8 p.m. $10-20, WMU students $5 wmich.edu/theatre, (269) 387-6222 Written by noteworthy female playwrights, this documentary draws on interviews of seven fighters for women’s equality. Hailing from countries as diverse as Northern Ireland and Pakistan, the protagonists share the same triumphant story of overcoming obstacles for women’s empowerment. Provocative and unflinching, this play is recommended for mature audiences.

Into the Woods

Starcatcher’s Pan Never Gets Old

scene we have a plunger, a table leg and a rolling pin.” The play also uses its 12-actor cast in surprising ways. Actors not only represent various objects onstage, but also bring to life more than 100 distinct characters, each with his or her own nuanced personality. Despite a relatively limited number of actors and props, Starcatcher is not without lavish design elements. The stage’s proscenium is made of an elaborate collection of trinkets and bottle caps, while the mermaid scene features a striking backdrop and glitzy, golden fans. “[The show is] a really cool blend of imaginative low-tech theater, but also really amazing scenic designs,” DeBettencourt said. As far as the story goes, Starcatcher answers every question a Pan fan might have. We learn how Peter ended up in Neverland, where pixie dust came from and why that crocodile makes that darned ticking noise. We also see the evolution of one of children’s literature’s most beloved characters.

Peter and the Starcatcher Wharton Center, East Lansing Jan. 22-26, show times at 1, 2, 6:30 & 7:30 p.m. $27-$67 whartoncenter.com, (517) 353-1982

“The big thing about this show is that it is the prequel to the story everyone knows and loves,” DeBettencourt said. “Peter starts out not as a hero or a leader, but as an orphan. … It’s a cool story of how through people like the Molly character, he becomes a leader and becomes a hero.” Despite its natural appeal to younger audiences, Starcatcher’s witty humor and nostalgic reflection on childhood is endearing to adults as well. The show’s target audience is theatergoers ages ten and older. “[Starcatcher] really captures [adults’] imaginations because adults remember what it was like to be a kid,” DeBettencourt said. “It’s an extremely cool and unique show. When I first saw it, I thought it was so amazing and fun and different. You don’t see something like this on Broadway everyday.” n

A fanciful weaving together of Grimm’s fairytales, this Tony Award-winning hit puts a special twist on familiar characters. When a baker and his wife set out to collect items to appease an evil witch, they encounter storybook legends such as Little Red Riding Hood, Rapunzel and Cinderella. In this story, however, ‘happily ever after’ is not a guarantee. Characters must deal with surprising consequences when it turns out their well-known adventures are not yet case-closed.

Hello, Dolly! Miller Auditorium, Kalamazoo Jan. 8, 7:30 p.m. $35-58 millerauditorium.com, (269) 387-2300 Delighting audiences for nearly 50 years, Hello, Dolly! has earned 10 Tony Awards and a permanent place of honor in the Broadway songbook. Played by Emmy-winner Sally Struthers, Dolly is an incorrigible matchmaker determined to help others find romance. When Dolly falls for the very man she is trying to setup, elaborate schemes run rampant and show-stopping numbers abound. Ultimately it takes a late-night restaurant fiasco and a hilarious trip to court before the course of true love has a chance of running smooth.

Scene | Sounds | Sights Diing | Schedule

t’s no secret that children are wizards capable of transforming even the most mundane objects into portals of extraordinary adventure. Building on this idea, the Peter Pan prequel, Peter and the Starcatcher, uses a minimalistic collection of everyday objects to transport audiences to a land where children and make-believe never grow old. Starcatcher’s Tony Award-winning scenic design focuses on using simple items in unique ways. A central prop is a length of rope that comes to represent such diverse items as a ship’s hull, a staircase, a door and waves. A yellow glove becomes a bird, flashlights become stars and pennants become a crocodile’s jaws. Together, these innovations provide the sense of frolicking childishness that is at the core of the Peter Pan story. “The cool thing about Peter and the Starcatcher is the sense of play,” said Joey DeBettencourt, who plays Boy (Peter Pan). “The aesthetic of [Starcatcher] is ‘found’ objects. If kids are doing a swordfight, they don’t do it with swords, they do it with rolling pins. For the pirate

Kalamazoo Civic Theatre Parish Theatre, Kalamazoo Jan. 24-26, 30-31, Feb. 1, 2, 7, 8; show times at 2 & 7:30 p.m. $13-24 kzoocivic.com, (269) 343-1313

REVUEWM.COM | January 2014 |

Missy Black’s

STYLe NOTeS

ail art is trendy and January is boring — two facts of life, people. Have Company, a local handmade goods store and small publication shop in Grand Rapids, is offering the most darling opportunity with nail paintings by artist Hillery Sproatt. Thursdays, from 4 to 7 p.m. ($20 for a full nail set), you can get mini artwork on your nails. Sproatt describes the nail paintings as “small artworks that transcend fashion; an affordable experience that is both intimate and lasting.” She finds the process very intuitive and pays attention to detail, responding to a person’s nail shape and color choice. It’s the chance to “feel a little dressed up and playful — and people notice it.” If you are into artists and the creative process and aren’t afraid of bold style, this might just be the perfect Saturday pick-up to set the tone for the night. A fine arts graduate, Sproatt’s work and drawings are very similar to her nail creations and attention to small bits and special moments. Contact the artist

at hilleryrebe@gmail.com. Walk-ins are welcome (young, old, men and children), appointments are preferred and jealous glances may ensue. Visit Hillery’s blog to see images of her work at hilleryrs. blogspot.com. Mark your days with a little bit of glam from Blacklamb. Its calendar is a great way to ogle over models involved in the store’s previous fashion shows and feel a little style inspiration. “We came away with these amazing photographs that we wanted to use in some way that you could look at all year long,” said Manager Marissa Boswell. For $22, Blacklamb junkies can get a month-by-month play of Blacklamb jewelry paired with clothes from Goodwill. It’s also a great reminder that there’s something else out there — sort of an intersection between clothing and culture. “It’s kind of our love letter to fashion and travel.” Shot by Mitch Ranger, it’s the only way to plan, schedule and dream your year away. … P.S. I hear September is pretty smokin’ hot. Traveling saleswoman looks good on Gina VanGessel. The owner of Gina’s Boutique has a nifty way to sneak some shopping time into busy schedules. It’s called “Gina’s on the Go” and it’s a quick lunchtime (or right after work) shopping opportunity wherein Gina herself, much like a personal stylist, brings in racks of clothing, accessories and what she calls, “the best of the best.” Enjoy the chance to shop with coworkers and other women in the office and receive 15 percent off. Guests can even e-mail special

Drew Nelson

44 | REVUEWM.COM | January 2014

requests, such as styles and sizes they’d like to see. Parties can be booked year round, and Gina will even come to your house. “When I’ve done parties in the home, the hostess has the benefit of her closet to see if things work with something else.” Gina’s is taking shopping time back by coming to you and opening on Sundays as well. Make sure to check out the big sale at the end of January and to book a party at work — because the words ‘Red Carpet Break Room’ have a ring to it. They are waving the men’s vintage flag loudly over at Found, located in downtown Holland. An impressive collection of button-down shirts, flannels, cardigan sweaters and jackets are here along with accessories such as ties, bowties and cufflinks. All real vintage, the collection will be beefed up every week. Business partner Kristen Havemen is pushing the flannel because it’s really “wearable — flannel is kind of like denim, it looks good on everyone and you can wear it lots of different ways.” Preach, girl! Rummage through the oldiebut-goodies for some Lacoste cardigans that were some of the first menswear pieces sold — and to women! “They were buying them for themselves.

Men’s shirts at Found At Found, we like to show you can mix and match things.” This true vintage lot has that one-of-a-kind feel and is really good for layering. In this winter weather if you’re not wearing at least three layers, you’re doing it wrong and will most likely suffer from frostbite. If you’ve got a boy who needs some specialty clothing items, check Found’s stash for the unique-yet-certainly-not-dated attire that in a word is “translatable.” n

freshfolk ng ati

Ce lebr

Schedule | Dining | Sights Sounds | Scene

Blacklamb calendar

Nail art at Have Company

130 years

JANUARY 9, 2014 Drew Nelson, Jen Sygit, May Erlewine, Jimmie Stagger, Josh Rose & Mark Sala APRIL 3, 2014 The Northern Skies & Ralston Bowles and Friends

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Scene | Sounds | Sights Diing | Schedule

3769 28TH ST SE,ROXANNESHAIRSTUDIO.COM GRAND RAPIDS, MI

(616) 285-0800 616.285.0800 ROXANNESHAIRSTUDIO.COM 3769 28TH ST SE, GRAND RAPIDS, MI

(NEXT TO ALFRED ANGELO BRIDAL)

REVUEWM.COM | January 2014 |

— H O M EM AD E —

L BEER, NOW SERVING LOCA E! COCKTAILS, & WIN

dwiches, Gourmet Burge rs, San Cuisin e ee -Fr ten and Glu

Ste. B, - greenrestaura

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2289 E Beltline Ave NE

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ntg randrapid s.com -

(616) 447-8294

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

Restaurant listings arranged by region

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

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

BarterTown Diner 6 Jefferson St. SE. 616-233-3219 VEGAN. This workerowned-and-operated restaurant offers a variety of tasty healthy dishes fresh and hand-picked right from local family farms. Want a certain recipe or cooking lessons? Events and programs are BarterTown’s way of getting the community involved. So don’t be surprised if one day there’s Greek and Mediterranean cuisine and the next it’s all about pizza. SERVING: Breakfast (Saturday & Sunday), Lunch, Dinner. OPEN ON: Open 7 days. GO THERE FOR: Locally based vegan meals.

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

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

The Bistro 11 Monroe Avenue NW (at Courtyard Marriott). 616-242-6000 AMERICAN. Serving American food bistro-style, whether it’s grab-and-go or guests dining in for breakfast, lunch or dinner. The Bistro offers fresh seasonal options, serves Starbucks beverages and has a full-service bar. SERVING: Breakfast Lunch Dinner OPEN ON: Open 7 days GO THERE FOR: Sandwiches.

Bistro Bella Vita 44 Grandville Ave. SW. 616-222-4600 ITALIAN. One of Grand Rapids’ best dining experiences, featuring Mediterraneaninspired country cuisine, a swanky yet comfortable downtown atmopshere and personable service. BBV’s culinary team creates authentic, housemade recipes made with locally grown produce, fresh seafood and rotisserie roasted meats. Specialty gluten-free menu, and can prepare custom dishes for lactose intolerant, vegetarian, and vegan diets. SERVING: Lunch Dinner OPEN ON: Open 7 days. GO THERE FOR: Mediterranean Country Cuisine and Martinis.

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

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

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

Brewery Vivant 925 Cherry St. SE, Grand Rapids. 616-719-1604 BREWPUB. Brewery Vivant offers a variety of drinks and pub specialties in the Belgian style. It has a flair for sustainability inspired by the breweries of Southern Belgium and Northern France. The menu is mainly appetizers with assorted burgers and desserts, but there is a wide variety of lesser known alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks. SERVING: Lunch, Dinner. OPEN ON: Open 7 days. GO THERE FOR: Cheese and Belgian beer.

Bulls Head Tavern 188 Monroe NW. 616-454-3580 AMERICAN. Downtown eatery is a great spot for business lunch or casual pre-show dinner, with a wide-ranging menu that includes salads, burgers, pasta, seafood and steaks. Specialties include the ostrich burger, sashimi tuna and smoked Gouda chicken pasta. SERVING: Lunch Dinner OPEN ON: Closed on Sunday. GO THERE FOR: The Ostrich Burger.

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

Charley’s Crab 63 Market SW. 616-459-2500 SEAFOOD. A staple on the finedining scene in Grand Rapids. Fresh seafood, a world-class Sunday brunch and a comfortable, upscale atmosphere for drinks and dining. SERVING: Lunch Dinner OPEN ON: Open 7 days. GO THERE FOR: The Sunday brunch buffet.

Cherie Inn 969 Cherry SE. 616-458-0588 BREAKFAST. The East Hills restaurant is one of the area’s most-loved breakfast and lunch spots. A neighborhood staple for more than 60 years, the eatery offers a cozy, café-style setting complete with French flags, weathered brick walls, pressed tin ceiling, and intimate tables. Breakfast is the true star, with a variety of regular dishes like eggs Florentine and blueberry pancakes, as well as specials like red-flannel hash and almond joy pancakes. SERVING: Breakfast Lunch OPEN ON: T W Th F Sa Sn. GO THERE FOR: Eggs Florentine.

The Corner Bar 31 N. Main St. 616-866-9866 AMERICAN. The downtown Rockford tavern serves a solid menu of burgers, burritos, salads and sandwiches, but it is best known for hot dogs — serving almost 1,000 per day. Its hot-dog-eating challenge has been conquered by more than a few, but it raises the question: Why would you want to consume Corner Bar dogs in a hurry rather than savor each bite? SERVING: Lunch Dinner OPEN ON: Open 7 days. GO THERE FOR: Hot dogs.

Cygnus 27 Cornucopia 187 Monroe Ave. NW. 616-776-6425 ECLECTIC. Enjoy 187 skyline Monroeas Ave. 616-774-2000 DELI. A refreshing the youNW. dine atop the Glass Tower. Indulge option for on-the-go, or casual, fare. deli in a variety of globally infusedlighter dishes at Enjoy this AAA options such asrestaurant. homemadeCasual soups,attire; salads, Four-Diamond no Panini jacket sandwiches and dining freshly also brewed gourmet coffee. required. Private available. SERVING: SERVING: Breakfast Lunch OPEN ON: Open 7 days.FOR: GO Lunch Dinner OPEN ON: Open 7 days. GO THERE THERE FOR: Sandwiches. Seasonal Sunday Brunch.

Erb Thai 950 Wealthy St. SE #1A. (616) 356-2573 THAI. Food rooted in traditional Thai cuisine, but also made to accommodate health conscious and special diets. Not too strong, not too weak, like harmony and melody. Marketing representative Molly Rizor was a Thai virgin when she went and is now glad Erb Thai was her first experience. SERVING: Lunch Dinner OPEN ON: Open 7 days. GO THERE FOR: Peanut Curry Noodles.

REVUEWM.COM | January 2014 |

Scene | Sounds | Sights Dining Schedule

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

Junction), Big Bob’s is a cozy restaurant that serves up specialty pizzas, pastas, burritos, sandwiches and salads. Sit out on the deck and enjoy Happy Hour from 4-6 p.m. and 9p.m.-close seven days a week. SERVING: Lunch Dinner OPEN ON: Open 7 Days. GO THERE FOR: Pizza and beer (is there a better combination?).

Dining Founders Brewing Company 235 Grandville SW. 616-776-1195 BREWPUB. A beer-lover’s paradise with a national reputation for flavorful, awardwinning beers. Likewise, the brewpub’s menu consists mainly of flavorful handcrafted deli sandwiches that can stand up and complement the beers (or vice versa). SERVING: Lunch Dinner OPEN ON: Open 7 days. GO THERE FOR: Award-winning beer, handcrafted sandwiches.

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

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

GP Sports 187 Monroe Ave. NW. 616-776-6495 SPORTS BAR. Three large screens, more than 30 HD flat screens, pool tables, video games, outdoor patio seating, pizza, signature burgers and more. SERVING: Lunch Dinner OPEN ON: Closed Sundays. GO THERE FOR: Score Big Burgers.

G.R.P.D. (Grand Rapids Pizza and Delivery) 340 State St. SE. 616-454-9204 ITALIAN. The current GR location opened in 2004 as the first established pizzeria in the Heritage Hill district. A common meeting spot for local folks, business professionals and college students, a place where one could gather for a quick meal or a reflective lunch. It offers both hand-tossed pizza and Chicago-style stuffed pizza, as well as pasta, sandwiches, salads, and wings. Online ordering, too. SERVING: Lunch Dinner OPEN ON: Open 7 days. GO THERE FOR: Pizza.

Schedule Dining Sights | Sounds | Scene

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

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

48 | REVUEWM.COM | January 2014

oranges and raspberries. SERVING: Lunch Dinner OPEN ON: Open 7 days. GO THERE FOR: Cocktails. Graydon’s Crossing 1223 Plainfield NE. 616-726-8260 TAVERN. An authentic take on the English Pub, with a huge selection of beers on tap and a menu that includes classic English dishes like Fish & Chips, Shepherd’s Pie and Irish Stew, as well as Indian specialties like Tandoori Chicken and Tikka Masala. A great casual atmosphere for drinking and dining. SERVING: Lunch Dinner OPEN ON: Open 7 days. GO THERE FOR: Beer and authentic pub food.

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

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

The Holiday Bar 801 5th St. NW, Grand Rapids. 616-456-9058 AMERICAN. For 107 years, The Holiday Bar has been serving its loyal customers great beer and food, with 12 specialty beers of tap and its homemade “Porter” Pulled Pork sandwiches. Fully stocked with pool tables and nine HD flat screens, this dive is the perfect spot for cheap beer and good times.. SERVING: Lunch Dinner OPEN ON: Open 7 days. GO THERE FOR: Cheap beer.

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

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

JD Reardon’s Bar & Grill 940 Monroe Ave NW. (616) 454-8590 AMERICAN. Neighborhood pub offers 15 Michigan beers on tap and more bottled, along with a full menu of handmade appetizers, pizzas, salads, sandwiches and 16 half-pound burgers. Nightly drink specials and karaoke on Tuesday night. SERVING: Lunch Dinner OPEN ON: Open 7 days. GO THERE FOR: Burgers.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

many other places in town can you find that serve high-end organic coffees, crepes, wood-fired pizzas and artisan baked goods. Is it a bistro? Is it a coffeehouse? Does it matter? SERVING: Breakfast Lunch Dinner OPEN ON: Open 7 days. GO THERE FOR: Crepes.

Reds on The River 8 E. Bridge St. 616-863-8181 AMERICAN. This highly acclaimed restaurant in the Rockford area promises no processed foods. Red’s sports a cylindrical fireplace and is known for its incredible views and outdoor dining. SERVING: Lunch Dinner OPEN ON: Closed Sundays. GO THERE FOR: Steak and Wine.

Reserve 201 Monroe Ave. NW (616) 855-9463 ECLECTIC. With 102 wines available by the glass and more than 300 by the bottle, paired with an ever-changing food menu influenced by West Michigan grown foods, Reserve promises diners a unique experience. Cocktails and craft beers add depth to the primarily wine-centered menu. SERVING: Dinner OPEN ON: Closed on Sunday GO THERE FOR: Wine and food pairings, charcuterie.

Rinaldi Pizza and Sub Shop 966 E. Fulton St. 616-458-3737 ITALIAN. The tiny pizza shop at the corner of Fulton and Diamond is publisher Brian Edwards’ favorite spot to stop for a large slice after a late night at the office. “It’s got the four C’s of pizza going for it: chewy, cheesy, crusty and cheap — with a perfect balance of sauce and cheese,” Edwards says. Fold it over, New Yorkstyle, he recommends. SERVING: Lunch, Dinner. OPEN ON: Open 7 days. GO THERE FOR: Pizza.

Rockwell-Republic 45 S. Division Ave. 616-551-3563 ECLECTIC. Menu offerings range from sushi to burgers and everything in between. The cocktail menu runs the gamut from classics like the Manhattan to more modern variations and the beer and wine menus are nothing to sneeze at either. SERVING: Lunch Dinner OPEN ON: Open 7 days. GO THERE FOR: Specialty cocktails, broad menu, lively atmosphere.

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

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

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

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

wiches. The Cuban Reuben, originally created as something of a joke, remains a (very tasty) staple item. SERVING: Lunch Dinner OPEN ON: Open 7 days. GO THERE FOR: DIY Bloody Mary Bar Special, Yucca Fries.

Wolfgang’s Restaurant 1530 Wealthy St. SE. 616-454-5776 BREAKFAST. The bustling Eastown breakfast spot is home to some of the heartiest breakfast dishes and funniest menu descriptions. Courteous staff never fails to offer a cup of coffee to go after we’ve finished breakfast. SERVING: Breakfast Lunch OPEN ON: Open 7 days. GO THERE FOR: Breakfast all day.

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

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

84 East 84 East 8th St., Holland. 616-396-8484 ITALIAN. While we categorize it as “Italian,” that’s a bit limiting for this downtown Holland spot, which specializes in creating inventive pasta dishes. Housed in an old industrial building, 84 East is a favorite splurge spot among REVUE’s Hope College minions. 84 East also serves up designer pizzas and a few non-pasta house specialties like Pork Marsala and Mahi Mahi. SERVING: Lunch Dinner OPEN ON: Closed Sunday GO THERE FOR: Baked Spaghetti Pie, Tuxedo Chicken Pasta.

Bil-Mar Restaurant 1223 S. Harbor St., Holland. 616-842-5920 AMERICAN. A destination restaurant for locals and tourists for more than 60 years. Dazzling sunsets and an all-American menu

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

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

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

TASTE SOMETHING NEW TODAY CAN’T DECIDE ON PAD THAI OR HAND-DIPPED TRUFFLES? WITH 20 VENDORS, YOU DON’T HAVE TO.

Scene | Sounds | Sights Dining Schedule

Vitale’s Restaurants Various Grand Rapids locations. vitalespizza.com ITALIAN. The Vitale family has served West Michigan for more than 40 years. Each of the five locations in the Greater Grand Rapids area offer traditional Italian family recipes and award-winning pizza, but provide their own unique dining experience. Whether you go there to watch the big game, enjoy a brew or dine on authentic Italian dishes, these locations have something for everyone. SERVING: Lunch Dinner OPEN ON: 7 days GO THERE FOR: Pizza and Italian dishes.

The Winchester 648 Wealthy St. SE. 616-451-4969 ECLECTIC. Upscale Wealthy Street bar and restaurant feels like it was plucked from Chicago’s Bucktown or Logan Square neighborhoods. A comfortable spot to drink or dine, with an always evolving menu featuring shared plates, salads and inventive sand-

REVUEWM.COM | January 2014 |

/// Beer

by Ben Darcie

Brew of the Month

Right Brain CEO Stout

here’s no better way to battle mid-winter than with a great Coffee Stout. CEO pours jet black with a stunning mocha-colored head that smells of coffee, chocolate and roast. At 5.5%ABV, the body isn’t too big, which lends to drinkability. The body is full of rich, dark malt flavors, coffee and chocolate with notes of roast and a subtle nuttiness. The beer finishes with a lingering coffee note that will keep your palate begging for more. Not only is this a great brew for winter, but one that you can keep on drinking through the day or night.

Schedule Dining Sights | Sounds | Scene

Beer Events Kalamazoo Beer Week returns Jan. 11-18 and is full of tastings, tap takeovers and other beer events all over Kzoo. Visit kalamazoobeerweek.com for more information. Royal Oak Beer Festival, happening at the Royal Oak Farmers Market, is Jan. 18 and features more than 55 breweries, more than 140 beers, cider, wine, spirits and music. Visit royaloakbeerfest.com for more information.

50 | REVUEWM.COM | January 2014

Photo: Ben Darcie

Brewery Spotlight:

Osgood Brewing

sgood own e r Ronald D e n n i n g had been a homebrewer for years, and, like most homebrewers, gained a passion for opening his own brewery. It wasn’t until downtown Grandville started a beautification project in early 2012 that the idea for his brewery took shape. “My wife Mindy and I had been talking about how Grandville needed a brewery,” Denning said. “They did the refit project, and we thought it was a great time to do it.” Denning developed a business plan and started scouting locations, settling on a desired location in downtown Grandville. “We thought if we didn’t do it, someone else would,” Denning said. “We really wanted to be downtown, to be a catalyst for growth down here.” Renovation began in January of 2013 and continued into the summer, while another homebrewer, Thomas Payne, was scouting the Wyoming area to open his own brewery. “I had spent the last four years working on opening my own brewery with two separate partners, and financing fell through for the last time,” Payne said. “A homebrewer friend of mine wanted to see where Osgood was go-

“We wanted an environment that’s a community gathering place. A place that’s nice and warm, where people can be comfortable and have a good time, like at a friend’s house.” ing in, so I showed him. Ron, the owner, was outside and we got to talking.” The two took to each other quite easily, and before long, Payne had been hired in as the new head brewer of Osgood Brewing — a month before the doors were set to open. It was crunch time. “First and foremost, I wanted to have a big set of beers that would hit most people,” Denning said. “There were a lot of breweries running out [of beer] after open, and we didn’t want that to happen, so we focused on producing a lot of our six standards for open.” Osgood features 12 taps while maintaining their six standards: Sol Seeker Wheat, 358 Pale Ale, Journey IPA, Oakestown Amber, Notley Porter and Big Spring Stout. Other offerings include Bee Line Brown, “Best

Day Ever” DIPA, Chipotle Stout, Raspberry Vanilla Porter, a Scotch ale and a barrel-aging program that will feature many offerings, some of which are being released this month at the pub. “Ron’s passion is very true to classic styles,” Payne said. “I think we’ve melded really well. Obviously, he’s the owner, I’m here to do what he tells me to, but he gives me some liberties to make some beer that maybe this area isn’t seeing right now.” The taproom is surprisingly large, with big windows, a long bar with TVs for sports fans and windows peeking into the cellar space giving you a peek of the glistening steel. “We wanted an environment that’s a community gathering place,” Denning said. “A place that’s nice and warm, where people can be comfortable and have a good time, like at a friend’s house.” Osgood got slammed at its opening in September and the chaos continued for a few weeks until slowing into a steady groove. The brewery offers pints, flights, as well as food by Executive Chef Cody Clements, ranging from unique pizzas to invigorating daily specials for lunch and dinner. “I just want everybody to know that I pour every ounce of my soul into everything I do,” Payne said. “I’ve been passionate about beer for so long that I make sure that is transferred into each and every pint.” n Osgood Brewing

4051 Chicago Dr. SW, Grandville (616) 432-3881, osgoodbrewing.com

Scene | Sounds | Sights Dining Schedule

Where you can enjoy a pint and pick up your home brewing supplies

418 ADA DRIVE SE, ADA, MI 616.920.7398 GRAVELBOTTOM.COM TUES 4PM - 11PM WED & THUR 2PM - 11PM FRI & SAT 11AM - 12AM

REVUEWM.COM | January 2014 |

Dining

featuring fresh seafood and hand-cut steaks. SERVING: Lunch Dinner OPEN: 7 days. GO THERE FOR: Lake perch, lobster strudel, prime rib. Blue House Bistro 220 W. 8th Street, Holland. 616-355-1994 AMERICAN. Chef-owned boutique bistro located in downtown Holland, with an extensive menu featuring small plates, sandwiches, soups, salads, pizza, desserts, dine-in, take-out, delivery catering, beer and wine to-go. SERVING: Lunch Dinner OPEN: Tu–Sun. GO THERE FOR: Seafood gumbo, Saturday and Sunday brunch.

CityVu Bistro 61 East 7th Street, Holland. 616-796-2114 AMERICAN. Located atop CityFlats Hotel in downtown Holland, CityVu Bistro offers unique breakfast creations, an array of flatbread dinners, and small plates. Full bar with extensive wine list and great views of Holland. Hours of operation change with the seasons. SERVING: Breakfast Lunch Dinner OPEN: Open 7 days. GO THERE FOR: Flatbreads.

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

Fricano’s Pizza Tavern 1400 Fulton Ave., Grand Haven. 616-842-8640 ITALIAN. Claims to be the first pizzeria in Michigan, but customers care less about its longevity than the amazingly crispy thin crust and simple ingredients atop its much-lauded pies. Four other locations around West MI, including Comstock Park, Muskegon, Holland and Kalamazoo. SERVING: Dinner OPEN ON: 7 days. GO THERE FOR: Pizza.

Kirby House 2 Washington, Grand Haven. 616-846-3299 AMERICAN. The Grill Room doesn’t pretend to be anything other than what it is — a chop house and grill. Atmosphere is warm with Tuscan tones, atmospheric lighting, classically cool music and leather booths. The menu focuses on steaks and chops and makes no apologies. The steaks are prime USDA choice, the seafood selection immaculate, and the wine and beverage list is top shelf. Relaxed and unpretentious atmosphere. SERVING: Lunch Dinner OPEN ON: 7 days. GO THERE FOR: Nightlife.

Schedule Dining Sights | Sounds | Scene

52 | REVUEWM.COM | January 2014

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

New Holland Brewing Company 66 E. 8th St., Holland. 616-355-6422 BREWPUB. One of West MI’s premier microbreweries serves up better than average pub grub, including the Tarheel barbecue Pulled

Pork, Grilled Portobello and The Treehugger, which is billed as “a vegetarian sandwich utopia.” SERVING: Lunch Dinner OPEN ON: 7 days. GO THERE FOR: Mad Hatter IPA, Dragon’s Milk.

Phil’s Bar & Grille 215 Butler St., Saugatuck. 269-857-1555 AMERICAN. This cozy (some would say “small”) bar and grille in downtown Saugatuck is one of those unassuming spots you might easily overlook, though locals in Saugatuck will tell you about their love affair with Phil’s. Eclectic menu is all over the place, but in a good way, and the staff is super-friendly. SERVING: Lunch Dinner OPEN ON: Open 7 days. GO THERE FOR: Portabella Mushroom Fries.

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

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

Vitale’s of Zeeland 59 W. Washington St. (616) 772-5900 ITALIAN. This family owned restaurant specializes in Italian dining, but also has a full menu including Mexican and American specialties. Family friendly atmosphere with newly remodeled dining, and an expanded sports bar with big screen TVs. Happy hour specials, live music every Saturday and has been voted Best Pizza seven years in a row by the Grand Rapids Press. SERVING: Lunch Dinner OPEN ON: 7 days. GO THERE FOR: Pizza.

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

Food Dance 401 E. Michigan Ave., Kalamazoo. 269-382-1888 AMERICAN. An eclectic American menu that reflects ownership’s fixation on “finding honest-to-goodness fruits, vegetables, meat and eggs that come from the farm, not the factory.” Lots of unique choices, for breakfast (gingerbread pancakes), lunch (crab cake sandwich) and dinner (beer roasted chicken). SERVING: Breakfast Lunch Dinner OPEN ON: 7 days. GO THERE FOR: Fresh Local Foods.

Old Burdicks Bar & Grill 100 W. Michigan Ave. (269) 226-3192 AMERICAN. Old Burdick’s Bar & Grill features tasty sandwiches, burgers, salads and entrees, as well as a great selection of cocktails, wines and beers. SERVING: Lunch Dinner. OPEN: 7 days. GO THERE FOR: The Old Burdick Burger.

Olde Peninsula 200 E. Michigan Ave., Kalamazoo 269-343-2739 BREWPUB. Downtown brewpub serves up the expected (e.g., steaks, ribs), the authentic (e.g., London Broil) and some pleasant surprises (e.g., extensive vegetarian offerings, Italian food). Offers a range of beers brewed on the premises and served on tap, plus a full bar. Check out the seasonal porters on tap right now, including the Vanilla Porter (5.5% ABV) and Stout Chocula (5.25% ABV). SERVING: Dinner OPEN ON: 7 days. GO THERE FOR: Beer-B-Que Ribs, London Broil.

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

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

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

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

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

Stay tuned for our new and improved directory at revuewm.com!

Scene | Sounds | Sights Dining Schedule

REVUEWM.COM | January 2014 |

54 | REVUEWM.COM | January 2014

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

wednesday

1.01

The 411 Club Open Mic with Adam Poling Billy’s Lounge The Line-Up Foundry Hall Song Swap Gun Lake Casino JGJ Lantern Coffee The Little Things Nibi Lounge Larry Lowis

thursday

1.02

Billy’s Lounge 90’s Holla Back Dr. Grins Don Friesen

Eastland Bowl Scott Herriman Founders Brewery The Macpods Frederik Meijer Gardens Bernar Venet, Christmas and Holiday Traditions around the World, Shattered GRAM America Near and Far, Joey Ruiter, Masterpieces of American Landscape Painting Grand Rapids Public Library Reading the Great Lakes Grand Rapids Public Museum Dinosaurs Unearthed, Grandmother Power Gun Lake Casino We Know Jackson GVSU Art Gallery California Dreams, Muslim Graves of Southeast Michigan The Intersection Against Me! KIA BOO! Images of the Macabre, Mountains and Waters

Lantern Coffee The Little Things MercuryHead Gallery Chari Jousma Pottery Mulligan’s Pub The Legal Devin and The Dead Frets Nibi Lounge Gabrial James Papa Pete’s Latin Salsa Night Saugatuck Center for the Arts Yellow: The Works of Harry Brorby UICA Mary Ann Aitken, Parallel, Replica of the Universe of Methodology, Zero+ The Union Cabaret & Grille WMU School of Music (Jazz Mix)

friday

1.03

The 411 Club The Real Fantastics and Big Trouble Bell’s Eccentric Cafe Blizzard Babies wsg M. Sword & Casual Sweethearts Blue Water Grill Fred Kacos Bobarino’s The Cheap Dates Crush Union Guns Czar’s 505 Indika Reggae Dr. Grins Don Friesen Frederik Meijer Gardens Bernar Venet, Christmas and Holiday Traditions around the World, Shattered GRAM America Near, Joey Ruiter, Masterpieces of American Landscape Painting Grand Rapids Public Museum Dinosaurs Unearthed, Grandmother Power Gun Lake Casino Great Scott GVSU Art Gallery California Dreams, Muslim Graves of Southeast Michigan The Intersection The Lost Years Jack’s Lounge Funkle Jesse KIA BOO! Images of the Macabre, Mountains and Waters Kzoo Public Library DIY Graphic Novels with Paul Sizer Kirby Grill JGJ Lantern Coffee The Little Things Mulligan’s Pub Remedy Blue Nibi Lounge Larry Lowis Old Dog Tavern Shelagh Brown Band River City Saloon Tetrad

Saugatuck Center for the Arts Yellow: The Works of Harry Brorby Shakespeare’s Lower Level Country Night Tip Top Deluxe The Junior Valentine and Jason Wheeler Band UICA Mary Ann Aitken, Parallel, Replica of the Universe of Methodology, Zero+, The Motel Life The Union Cabaret & Grille Nick and the Overalls Whiskey River Saloon Electric Red Band

saturday

1.04

Bell’s Eccentric Cafe Mark Lavengood Bluegrass Bonanza wsg Lindsay Lou & The Flat Bellys Billy’s Lounge Starfarm Bobarino’s The Cones Crush The Rock Show Czar’s 505 Country Night, Union Guns DeVos Place Grand Rapids Antiques Market The Dock Brian Randall Band Dr. Grins Don Friesen Flanagan’s The Cheap Dates Founders Brewery The Jim Shaneberger Band Frederik Meijer Gardens Bernar Venet, Christmas and Holiday

Traditions around the World, Shattered GRAM America Near and Far, Joey Ruiter, Masterpieces of American Landscape Painting Grand Rapids Public Museum Dinosaurs Unearthed, Grandmother Power Gun Lake Casino Great Scott Jack’s Lounge Funkle Jesse KIA BOO! Images of the Macabre, Mountains and Waters Kellogg Arena Battle Creek Cereal Killers Present K-9s vs. Felines Kent District Library: Byron Township Branch Downton Abbey Tea Party Kent District Library: Comstock Park branch Fancy Nancy Soirée Kirby Grill JGJ Lantern Coffee The Little Things Lemonjello’s Lemonjello’s 11th Birthday Bash wsg Bangups and Under the Sun Nibi Lounge Larry Lowis Old Dog Tavern Duffield Caron Project, The Ramblers The Pyramid Scheme Amoebas 7 inch Release Party wsg Haunted Leather, ConvoTronics, I Believe in Julio Right Brain Brewery Art Bomb 2014: Opening Reception River City Saloon Tetrad Saugatuck Brewing Big Boss Blues

Best Bet: Pop

Scene | Sounds | Sights | Dining Schedule

Oh, those silly Canadians. First they gave us maple syrup. Then Rush. Then Bieber. Now, evidently not satisfied with this everlasting legacy of pure awesomeness, our neighbors to the Great White North have thrust into our eardrums Walk Off The Earth, a minimalist five-piece that has been lighting up the tubes (specifically, the YouTubes) since its debut. Perhaps best known for kooky covers of contemporary classics — get ye to an Internet outlet and look up their version of Lorde’s “Royals,” post haste — Walk Off The Earth is particularly fond of incorporating esoteric instruments like the didgeridoo and the electric toothbrush into its ensemble numbers. And here you were thinking the electric toothbrush was only useful in the event of a plaque attack! By Walk Off The Earth combining cleverness with moxie, this outfit wsg Parachute is certainly one to watch; online, in person, The Intersection, at the dentist, wherever. Check ‘em out at the Grand Rapids Intersection on Jan. 21. It might be your first Jan. 21, 7:30 p.m., $20 and last opportunity to witness the awesome sectionlive.com, (616) power of live didgeridoo. Reported by Emma Kat 451-8232 Richardson

Walk Off The Earth REVUEWM.COM | January 2014 |

Schedule UICA Mary Ann Aitken, Parallel, Replica of the Universe of Methodology, Zero+, The Motel Life The Union Cabaret & Grille Sophistafunk Village-Inn First Row Whiskey River Saloon Electric Red Band

sunday

1.05

KIA BOO! Images of the Macabre, Mountains and Waters Kzoo Public Library Public Tour: Fantastic Rumpus: 50 Years of Children’s Book Illustrations Kent District Library: Cascade Township branch Mush! Lantern Coffee The Little Things Old Dog Tavern 7th Son Blues Jam The Pyramid Scheme Fusion Shows Presents: Pity Sex wsg Modern Baseball Salt of the Earth Drew Nelson

Billy’s Lounge Revival Bobarino’s Thrift Store Trivia with Drew Behringer DeVos Place Grand Rapids Antiques Market Frederik Meijer Gardens Bernar Venet, Christmas and Holiday Traditions around the World, Shattered GRAM America Near and Far, Joey Ruiter, Masterpieces of American Landscape Painting Grand Rapids Public Museum Dinosaurs Unearthed, Grandmother Power Gun Lake Casino Combat Corduroy

San Chez Bistro Wine and Canvas Tip Top Deluxe Antilogical, grrRoPoLis, Children in Heat & Nuhjahre UICA Mary Ann Aitken, Parallel, Replica of the Universe of Methodology, Zero+, The Motel Life

monday

1.06

Billy’s Lounge BassBin Foundry Hall Tunebugs Frederik Meijer Gardens Bernar Venet Grand Rapids Public Library Why 27 Million People Attended the 1893 Chicago World’s Fair Grand Rapids Public Museum Dinosaurs Unearthed, Grandmother Power Gun Lake Casino Electric Red GVSU Art Gallery California Dreams, Muslim Graves of Southeast Michigan Lantern Coffee The Little Things The Livery NTAA ‘Open Stage’ Mulligan’s Pub Three Cents Short

Jim Belushi

Saugatuck Center for the Arts Yellow: The Works of Harry Brorby What Not Inn Jazz Jam

tuesday

1.07

Billy’s Lounge The Line-Up Frederik Meijer Gardens Bernar Venet Grand Rapids Art Museum America Near and Far, Masterpieces of American Landscape Painting Grand Rapids Public Museum Dinosaurs Unearthed, Grandmother Power Gun Lake Casino Douglas James GVSU Art Gallery California Dreams, Muslim Graves of Southeast Michigan KIA BOO! Images of the Macabre, Mountains and Waters, Artbreak Lantern Coffee The Little Things Mulligan’s Pub Long Box wsg Spit for Athena Nibi Lounge Gabrial James Old Dog Tavern Tom Duffield, Open Mic Night with Branden Mann Saugatuck Center for the Arts Yellow: The Works of Harry Brorby UICA Mary Ann Aitken, Parallel, Replica of the Universe of Methodology, Zero+, The Motel Life Wealthy Theatre Meanwhile Movie: Cool Hand Luke

wednesday

Schedule Dining | Sights | Sounds | Scene

Best Bet: Comedy So, it’s come to this. Jim Belushi, listed among Jim Belushi and the those of the prominent coming attractions. Well, Chicago Board of OK. There are surely worse Best Bets to bet on. And Comedy you have to admit, the dude did manage to have a Miller Auditorium, top-rated sitcom that ran successfully for twice as Kalamazoo long as, say, “Arrested Development” has, so he must Jan. 14, 8 p.m. be doing something right. Now that “According to $45 Jim” has been put out to stud (yeesh, what a visual), millerauditorium.com the little brother of that other Belushi comic you 269) 387-2300 might have heard of is back onstage in a big way, doing what he presumably does best — Second Citystyle improv. Accompanied by the Chicago Board of Comedy, a renowned improv outfit from America’s comedy capital, Belushi and company are intent on entertaining the masses for the new millennium, toga-themed chants be damned. Somewhere in the sweet hereafter, John is probably beaming with pride … and then probably starting a food fight with Jesus and Gilda Radner. Reported by Emma Kat Richardson

56 | REVUEWM.COM | January 2014

1.08

The 411 Club Wednesday Night Comedy Billy’s Lounge Campus Karaoke Bobarino’s Main Street Dueling Pianos Frederik Meijer Gardens Bernar Venet GRAM America Near and Far, Joey Ruiter, Masterpieces of American Landscape Painting Grand Rapids Public Museum Dinosaurs Unearthed, Grandmother Power Gun Lake Casino Typo GVSU Art Gallery California Dreams, Muslim Graves of Southeast Michigan KIA BOO! Images of the Macabre, Mountains and Waters Lantern Coffee The Little Things Miller Auditorium Hello Dolly! Nibi Lounge Larry Lowis

Saugatuck Center for the Arts Yellow: The Works of Harry Brorby Spectrum Theater Jewish Theatre Grand Rapids Presents The Milliner UICA Mary Ann Aitken, Parallel, Replica of the Universe of Methodology, Zero+, Wheelhouse Talk: Mayor George Heartwell, Zero+ The Union Cabaret & Grille Jazz Mix Night

thursday

1.09

Bell’s Eccentric Cafe Mystic Dub Billy’s Lounge 90’s Holla Back Bobarino’s Main Street Dueling Pianos Dr. Grins Kyle Dunnigan Eastland Bowl Scott Herriman Founders Brewery Bad Veins wsg Bangups Frederik Meijer Gardens Bernar Venet GRAM America Near and Far, Masterpieces of American Landscape Painting Grand Rapids Public Museum Dinosaurs Unearthed, Grandmother Power Gun Lake Casino Azz Izz GVSU Art Gallery California Dreams, Muslim Graves of Southeast Michigan KIA BOO! Images of the Macabre, Mountains and Waters Lantern Coffee The Little Things Loosemore Auditorium My Year in Vietnam - Vietnam Veterans Share Their Stories LowellArts! A Second Glance: A Showcase of Local Artists from ArtPrize 2013 Nibi Lounge Vince Miller Old Dog Tavern Brothers Kalamazov Papa Pete’s Latin Salsa Night The Pyramid Scheme The Front Bottoms, You Blew It!, The Wild Richmond Center for Visual Arts Make/Do; Contemporary Artists Perform Craft and Caroline Gore: mercurial silence San Chez Bistro Master of Da Mix Saugatuck Center for the Arts Yellow: The Works of Harry Brorby Spectrum Theater Jewish Theatre Grand Rapids Presents The Milliner St. Cecilia Music Center Singer/ Songwriter ‘Round Robin’ UICA Mary Ann Aitken, Parallel, Replica of the Universe of Methodology, Zero+, The Motel Life

The Union Cabaret & Grille WMU School of Music (Jazz Mix) Van Andel Arena Keith Urban Light The Fuse Tour 2014

friday

1.10

The 411 Club The Mushmen Bell’s Eccentric Cafe One Love Reggae Band Bethlehem Lutheran Church Karisa Wilson Billy’s Lounge Kodak Blue Water Grill Gabrial James Bobarino’s Main Street Dueling Pianos Crush Jedi Mind Trip DeVos Performance Hall Grand Rapids Symphony Classical: Brahms’ First Symphony DeVos Place Grand Rapids Bridal Show Downtown Holland Ice Sculpting Competition Dr. Grins Kyle Dunnigan Frederik Meijer Gardens Bernar Venet GRAM America Near and Far, Masterpieces of American Landscape Painting Grand Rapids Public Museum Dinosaurs Unearthed, Grandmother Power Grand Woods Lounge Avon Bomb Gun Lake Casino Crawpuppies GVSU Art Gallery California Dreams, Muslim Graves of Southeast Michigan Jack’s Lounge Drop 35 KIA BOO! Images of the Macabre, Mountains and Waters Kirby Grill Oregon Dreamchild Lantern Coffee The Little Things LowellArts! A Second Glance: A Showcase of Local Artists from ArtPrize 2013 Master Arts Theatre The Comedy Buffet Mulligan’s Pub Ignite the Borealis Nibi Lounge Larry Lowis Old Dog Tavern Branden Mann and the Reprimand wsg Captain Ivory The Pyramid Scheme Fauxgrass, Appleseed Collective, Romano Paoletti Richmond Center for Visual Arts Make/Do; Contemporary Artists Perform Craft and Caroline Gore: mercurial silence River City Saloon Shovel Saugatuck Center for the Arts Yellow: The Works of Harry Brorby St. Cecilia Music Center Concert Band Winter Concert

UICA Mary Ann Aitken, Parallel, Replica of the Universe of Methodology, Zero+, The Motel Life The Union Cabaret & Grille Steve Hilger Band Whiskey River Saloon Cross Creek Band

saturday

1.11

sunday

1.12

Billy’s Lounge Revival Bobarino’s Thrift Store Trivia with Drew Behringer Frederik Meijer Gardens Bernar Venet GRAM America Near and Far, Masterpieces of American Landscape Painting Grand Rapids Public Museum Dinosaurs Unearthed, Grandmother Power Gun Lake Casino Tony Reynolds Kalamazoo Civic Theatre Arsenic and Old Lace KIA BOO! Images of the Macabre, Mountains and Waters Lantern Coffee The Little Things LowellArts! A Second Glance: A Showcase of Local Artists from ArtPrize 2013 Miller Auditorium The Moscow Festival Ballet Old Dog Tavern Old Time Jam Salt of the Earth Crane Wives San Chez Bistro Wine and Canvas Spectrum Theater Jewish Theatre Grand Rapids Presents The Milliner UICA Mary Ann Aitken, Parallel, Replica of the Universe of Methodology, Zero+, The Motel Life UICA Parallel: Artwork of Sarah Knill Wings Stadium Michigan Bridal Show

monday

1.13

Billy’s Lounge BassBin Frederik Meijer Gardens Bernar Venet Grand Rapids Public Museum Dinosaurs Unearthed, Grandmother Power Gun Lake Casino Electrixx GVSU Art Gallery California Dreams, Muslim Graves of Southeast Michigan Kent District Library: Kentwood (Richard L. Root) Meet the Author: Kristina Riggle Lantern Coffee The Little Things LowellArts! A Second Glance: A Showcase of Local Artists from ArtPrize 2013 Postma Center At Pine Rest Exhibit of ‘Tuesdays’ by Todd & Brad Reed Richmond Center for Visual Arts Make/Do; Contemporary Artists Perform Craft and Caroline Gore: mercurial silence Saugatuck Center for the Arts Yellow: The Works of Harry Brorby UICA Parallel: Artwork of Sarah Knill, Replica of the Universe Methodology, The Motel Life What Not Inn Jazz Jam

tuesday

1.14

Billy’s Lounge The Line-Up Frederik Meijer Gardens Bernar Venet Grand Rapids Art Museum America Near and Far, Masterpieces of American Landscape Painting Grand Rapids Public Museum Dinosaurs Unearthed, Grandmother Power Gun Lake Casino Funkle Jesse GVSU Art Gallery California Dreams, Muslim Graves of Southeast Michigan KIA BOO! Images of the Macabre, Mountains and Waters, Artbreak Lantern Coffee The Little Things LowellArts! A Second Glance: A Showcase of Local Artists from ArtPrize 2013 Nibi Lounge Gabrial James Old Dog Tavern Tom Duffield, Open Mic Night with Branden Mann Postma Center At Pine Rest Exhibit of ‘Tuesdays’ by Todd & Brad Reed

Tony Lucca

Best Bet: Singer-Songwriter Let’s face it — there aren’t many reality show/talent contest castaways who end up capturing our hearts long after their 15 minutes have waxed and waned. Tony Lucca, singer-songwriter extraordinaire, is just one of these lucky individuals. But it’s more than luck and a slot on “The Voice” that has propelled Lucca into sold-out performer status. (Also, please note, “sold-out” and “sell-out” are not synonyms.) With a real knack for strumming a good tune and working an eager crowd, Lucca has proved himself a clearly gifted performer with rapidly expanding workplace accolades to match. Hell, the dude even covered The Tony Lucca Beatles’ “Yesterday” with Adam Levine, which Seven Steps Up, Grand Haven places him square in the pantheon of sensitive Jan. 17, 8 p.m. singer-y guys who know their way around a $25 in advance, $30 day of classic. Lucky Lucca, you’re all that. I’ll bet pindropconcerts.com, even Paul McCartney thinks so. Reported by (231) 557-7687 Emma Kat Richardson

The Pyramid Scheme The Creepshow, The Sailor Kicks, Murder Party Richmond Center for Visual Arts Make/Do; Contemporary Artists Perform Craft and Caroline Gore: mercurial silence San Chez Bistro Knife Skills Saugatuck Center for the Arts Yellow: The Works of Harry Brorby UICA Mary Ann Aitken, Parallel, Replica of the Universe of Methodology, Zero+, The Motel Life Wealthy Theatre Meanwhile Movie: 40 Year Old Virgin

wednesday

1.15

Billy’s Lounge Campus Karaoke Bobarino’s Main Street Dueling Pianos Frederik Meijer Gardens Bernar Venet Grand Rapids Public Museum Dinosaurs Unearthed, Grandmother Power Gun Lake Casino The Cones GVSU Art Gallery California Dreams, Muslim Graves of Southeast Michigan, The History of Space Photography The Intersection This or The Apocalypse

KIA BOO! Images of the Macabre, Mountains and Waters Lantern Coffee The Little Things LowellArts! A Second Glance: A Showcase of Local Artists from ArtPrize 2013 Nibi Lounge Larry Lowis Old Dog Tavern Pocket Vinyl Postma Center At Pine Rest Exhibit of ‘Tuesdays’ by Todd & Brad Reed Richmond Center for Visual Arts Make/Do; Contemporary Artists Perform Craft and Caroline Gore: mercurial silence Saugatuck Center for the Arts Yellow: The Works of Harry Brorby Spectrum Theater Jewish Theatre Grand Rapids Presents The Milliner Tip Top Deluxe Amanda Shires

REVUEWM.COM | January 2014 |

Scene | Sounds | Sights | Dining Schedule

Barry Expo Center Motorcycle Swap Meet Bell’s Eccentric Cafe The Upright Citizens BrigadeTouring Company Billy’s Lounge Battle of the Bands, Glamhammer Blue Water Grill Jim Wood Bobarino’s Main Street Dueling Pianos Cannonsburg Ski Area Farmer’s Fat Bike Race Crush Montage DeVos Performance Hall Grand Rapids Symphony Classical: Brahms’ First Symphony DeVos Place Grand Rapids Bridal Show The Dock Island Party with Zion Lion Downtown Holland Ice Sculpting Competition Dr. Grins Kyle Dunnigan FireKeepers Casino Hotel Bret Michaels Founders Brewery March Forth wsg Devin and the Dead Frets Ab! and ConvoTronics Frederik Meijer Gardens Bernar Venet GRAM America Near and Far, Masterpieces of American Landscape Painting Grand Rapids Public Museum Dinosaurs Unearthed, Grandmother Power Gun Lake Casino Crawpuppies The Intersection Wheatland Winter Wheat 2014 Jack’s Lounge Drop 35 Kalamazoo Civic Theatre Arsenic and Old Lace Kalamazoo Expo Center Killamazoo Derby Darlins vs. South Bend Roller Girls KIA BOO! Images of the Macabre, Mountains and Waters Kirby Grill Oregon Dreamchild Lantern Coffee The Little Things LowellArts! A Second Glance: A Showcase of Local Artists from ArtPrize 2013 Master Arts Theatre The Comedy Buffet Nibi Lounge Gabrial James

Old Dog Tavern Smash Radio Concert Series, Duffield Caron Project The Pyramid Scheme Heavier Than Air Flying Machines, Cosmonaut, Suns, Spit For Athena Richmond Center for Visual Arts Make/Do; Contemporary Artists Perform Craft and Caroline Gore: mercurial silence River City Saloon Shovel Saugatuck Brewing Trace Duo Spectrum Theater Jewish Theatre Grand Rapids Presents The Milliner St. Cecilia Music Center Philharmonic Winter Concert Tip Top Deluxe Bar & Grill Circus Pig & Flex.0 UICA Mary Ann Aitken, Parallel, Replica of the Universe of Methodology, Zero+, The Motel Life The Union Cabaret & Grille We Know Jackson Village-Inn Highway 22 Whiskey River Saloon Cross Creek Band

Schedule UICA Mary Ann Aitken, Parallel, Replica of the Universe of Methodology, Zero+, The Motel Life The Union Cabaret & Grille Jazz Mix Night

KIA BOO! Images of the Macabre, Mountains and Waters, Gallery Talk Lantern Coffee The Little Things LowellArts! A Second Glance: A Showcase of Local Artists from ArtPrize 2013 Nibi Lounge Gabrial James Papa Pete’s Latin Salsa Night Postma Center At Pine Rest Exhibit of ‘Tuesdays’ by Todd & Brad Reed The Pyramid Scheme Run That S**t: Hip Hop Selections Richmond Center for Visual Arts Make/Do; Contemporary Artists Perform Craft and Caroline Gore: mercurial silence Saugatuck Center for the Arts Yellow: The Works of Harry Brorby Schuler Books Alpine Jennifer Chiaverini UICA Mary Ann Aitken, Parallel, Replica of the Universe of Methodology, Zero+, The Motel Life The Union Cabaret & Grille WMU School of Music (Jazz Mix) Wharton Center Mike Birbiglia: Thank God For Jokes

thursday

1.16

Bell’s Eccentric Cafe Deadly Gentleman Billy’s Lounge 90’s Holla Back Bobarino’s Main Street Dueling Pianos Calvin College San Fermin Dr. Grins John Heffron Eastland Bowl Scott Herriman Founders Brewery Ghost Heart wsg Morseville Bridge Frederik Meijer Gardens Bernar Venet Grand Rapids Public Museum Dinosaurs Unearthed, Grandmother Power Gun Lake Casino Big Boss Blues GVSU Art Gallery California Dreams, Muslim Graves of Southeast Michigan, The History of Space Photography The Intersection Josh Thompson, K Theory Kalamazoo Civic Theatre Arsenic and Old Lace

friday

1.17

The 411 Club Megan Dooley and Bowery

Bell’s Eccentric Cafe Henhouse Prowlers wsg Whistle Stop Review Billy’s Lounge The Freak Quincy Bobarino’s Main Street Dueling Pianos Crush Drop 35 DeVos Performance Hall Grand Rapids Symphony Pops: ‘60s Hits with the Midtown Men Dr. Grins John Heffron Frauenthal Center for the Performing Arts Time Stands Still Frederik Meijer Gardens Bernar Venet GR Civic Theatre Clybourne Park Grand Rapids Public Museum Dinosaurs Unearthed, Grandmother Power Grand Woods Lounge Funkle Jesse Gun Lake Casino Montage GVSU Art Gallery California Dreams, Muslim Graves of Southeast Michigan, The History of Space Photography Jack’s Lounge Litt Up Kalamazoo Civic Theatre Arsenic and Old Lace Kalamazoo Institute of Arts Mountains and Waters Kirby Grill Three’s a Crowd Lantern Coffee The Little Things LowellArts! A Second Glance: A Showcase of Local Artists from ArtPrize 2013 Master Arts Theatre The Fabulous Fable Factory

Nibi Lounge Tom Northrup Old Dog Tavern Hired Hands, Silver Brill Postma Center At Pine Rest Exhibit of ‘Tuesdays’ by Todd & Brad Reed The Pyramid Scheme Fusion Show Presents: Welcome to Grand Rapids; Vol. 2 Richmond Center for Visual Arts Make/Do; Contemporary Artists Perform Craft and Caroline Gore: mercurial silence River City Saloon Decades Saugatuck Center for the Arts Yellow: The Works of Harry Brorby Seven Steps Up Tony Lucca Soaring Eagle Casino REO Speedwagon Tip Top Deluxe White Rabbit and The JetBeats UICA Mary Ann Aitken, Parallel, Replica of the Universe of Methodology, Zero+, The Motel Life Whiskey River Saloon Guinness Brothers Band

saturday

1.18

The Block Russian. Composers. Pierogies. Blue Water Grill Tom Northrup

Bobarino’s Main Street Dueling Pianos Calvin College FruitVale Station Crush Drop 35 DeVos Performance Hall Grand Rapids Symphony Pops: ‘60s Hits with the Midtown Men DeVos Place Kids and Family Expo Dr. Grins John Heffron Fenn Valley Chili Cook Off and Cellar Clearance Sale Founders Brewery Gasta Frauenthal Center for the Performing Arts Time Stands Still Frederik Meijer Gardens Bernar Venet GR Civic Theatre Clybourne Park Grand Rapids Public Library History Detectives Grand Rapids Public Museum Dinosaurs Unearthed, Grandmother Power Gun Lake Casino Bronk Brothers The Intersection Dirt Monkey Jack’s Lounge Litt Up Kalamazoo Civic Theatre Arsenic and Old Lace Kalamazoo Expo Center Kalamazoo Reptile & Exotic Animal Show, Thunderbirds RC Swap Meet KIA Mountains and Waters Kent District Library: Kentwood (Richard L. Root) Fancy Nancy Soirée Kirby Grill Sprague Brotherz, Three’s a Crowd

Lantern Coffee The Little Things LowellArts! A Second Glance: A Showcase of Local Artists from ArtPrize 2013 Master Arts Theatre The Fabulous Fable Factory Miller Auditorium Jim Belushi and the Chicago Board of Comedy Nibi Lounge Larry Lowis Old Dog Tavern Duffield Caron Project Postma Center At Pine Rest Exhibit of ‘Tuesdays’ by Todd & Brad Reed Richmond Center for Visual Arts Make/Do; Contemporary Artists Perform Craft and Caroline Gore: mercurial silence River City Saloon Decades Rivertown Sports Grand Raggedy Roller Girls vs. Fort Wayne Derby Girls Rockford High School Fine Arts Auditorium Caroline Rhea Saugatuck Brewing Formerly Hip Saugatuck Center for the Arts Real to Reel: 20 Feet From Stardom Schuler Books 28th Street Intro to Astronomy With Grand Rapids Amateur Astronomy Association Seven Steps Up An Evening with Seth Glier Spectrum Theater Jewish Theatre Grand Rapids Presents The Milliner Tip Top Deluxe Greg Nagy

Keith Urban

Schedule Dining | Sights | Sounds | Scene

Best Bet: Country

58 | REVUEWM.COM | January 2014

Our homeboy Keith Urban Keith Urban sure has kept himself busy Van Andel Arena, Grand over the years with the whole Rapids “American Idol” judge appointJan. 9, 7 p.m. ment and stealing Tom Cruise’s $77.50, $57.50 & $27.50 lady. (OK, sure, Tom and Nicole vanandelarena.com, were already broken up by then, (616) 742-6600 but let’s just start the rumor mill amillin’ anyway, because why not?) But in between all this reality show judging and starlet boinking, there’s been a lot of music. In fact, we’ll bet you didn’t know the Keith-ster has a new album out, titled Fuse, and an accompanying tour — Light the Fuse — that’s landing in our fair city on Jan. 9. You’ve gotta admit, there’s really nothing like a soothing country strum from a squeaky clean good ol’ boy to break up the endless monotony of January in the mitten. Light that fuse and let it burn, baby. Reported by Emma Kat Richardson

REVUEWM.COM | January 2014 |

Schedule Frederik Meijer Gardens Bernar Venet GR Civic Theatre Clybourne Park Grand Rapids Public Library Celebrate the Dream Grand Rapids Public Museum Dinosaurs Unearthed, Grandmother Power Gun Lake Casino The Cheap Dates GVSU Art Gallery California Dreams, Muslim Graves of Southeast Michigan, The History of Space Photography Knickerbocker Theatre Blood Brother Lantern Coffee The Little Things LowellArts! A Second Glance: A Showcase of Local Artists from ArtPrize 2013 Postma Center At Pine Rest Exhibit of ‘Tuesdays’ by Todd & Brad Reed Richmond Center for Visual Arts Make/Do; Contemporary Artists Perform Craft and Caroline Gore: mercurial silence Saugatuck Center for the Arts Yellow: The Works of Harry Brorby What Not Inn Jazz Jam!

UICA Mary Ann Aitken, Parallel, Replica of the Universe of Methodology, Zero+, The Motel Life The Union Cabaret & Grille Nashon Holloway & The Soul Messengers Wharton Center Juicy J Live in Concert Whiskey River Saloon Guinness Brothers Band

sunday

Schedule Dining | Sights | Sounds | Scene

1.19

Bell’s Eccentric Cafe Trivia Night Billy’s Lounge Revival Bobarino’s Thrift Store Trivia with Drew Behringer DeVos Performance Hall Grand Rapids Symphony Pops: ‘60s Hits with the Midtown Men Frauenthal Center for the Performing Arts Time Stands Still Frederik Meijer Gardens Bernar Venet GR Civic Theatre Clybourne Park Grand Rapids Public Museum Grandmother Power: A Global Phenomenon Gun Lake Casino Sweet J Band The Intersection I am Hair Battle & Fashion Expo KIA Mountains and Waters Lantern Coffee The Little Things LowellArts! A Second Glance: A Showcase of Local Artists from ArtPrize 2013 Postma Center At Pine Rest Exhibit of ‘Tuesdays’ by Todd & Brad Reed Salt of the Earth The Northern Skies San Chez Bistro Wine and Canvas Seven Steps Up An Evening with Seth Glier Spectrum Theater Jewish Theatre Grand Rapids Presents The Milliner Tip Top Deluxe The Devil’s Cut Dead Eye Zack Tail Light Rebellion Jesse Ray & the Carolina Catfish UICA Mary Ann Aitken, Parallel, Replica of the Universe of Methodology, Zero+, The Motel Life Wings Stadium WWE Live

tuesday

1.21

monday

1.20

Billy’s Lounge BassBin Bobarino’s West Michigan Jazz Society presents Monday Night Jazz Series

60 | REVUEWM.COM | January 2014

Billy’s Lounge The Line-Up Frederik Meijer Gardens Bernar Venet GR Civic Theatre Clybourne Park Grand Rapids Public Museum Dinosaurs Unearthed, Grandmother Power Gun Lake Casino Brena GVSU Art Gallery California Dreams, Muslim Graves of Southeast Michigan, The History of Space Photography The Intersection Walk Off The Earth KIA ARTbreak: Tell Then Anything you Want: A Portrait of Maurice Sendak, Mountains and Waters Kent District Library: Wyoming Branch Free Writing Seminar with Tom Rademacher Knickerbocker Theatre Blood Brother Lantern Coffee The Little Things LowellArts! A Second Glance: A Showcase of Local Artists from ArtPrize 2013 Nibi Lounge Mark Andrasko Old Dog Tavern Tom Duffield, Open Mic Night with Branden Mann

Postma Center At Pine Rest Exhibit of ‘Tuesdays’ by Todd & Brad Reed Richmond Center for Visual Arts Make/Do; Contemporary Artists Perform Craft and Caroline Gore: mercurial silence Saugatuck Center for the Arts Yellow: The Works of Harry Brorby UICA Gasland 2, Mary Ann Aitken, Parallel, Zero+, Replica of the Universe of Methodology Van Andel Arena WWE Smackdown Wealthy Theatre Meanwhile Movie: Filmage

wednesday

1.22

Billy’s Lounge Campus Karaoke Bobarino’s Main Street Dueling Pianos Frederik Meijer Gardens Bernar Venet GR Civic Theatre Clybourne Park Grand Rapids Public Museum Dinosaurs Unearthed, Grandmother Power Gun Lake Casino Bosco-Gee Blues Band GVSU Art Gallery California Dreams, Muslim Graves of Southeast Michigan, The History of Space Photography The Intersection Emancipator Ensemble KIA Mountains and Waters Knickerbocker Theatre Blood Brother Lantern Coffee The Little Things LowellArts! A Second Glance: A Showcase of Local Artists from ArtPrize 2013 Nibi Lounge Larry Lowis Postma Center At Pine Rest Exhibit of ‘Tuesdays’ by Todd & Brad Reed Richmond Center for Visual Arts Make/Do; Contemporary Artists Perform Craft and Caroline Gore: mercurial silence Saugatuck Center for the Arts Yellow: The Works of Harry Brorby UICA Mary Ann Aitken, Parallel, Replica of the Universe of Methodology, Zero+, The Motel Life The Union Cabaret & Grille Jazz Mix Night Wharton Center Peter and the Starcatcher

thursday

1.23

Bell’s Eccentric Cafe Flatland Harmony Experiment Billy’s Lounge 90’s Holla Back Bobarino’s Main Street Dueling Pianos Dr. Grins Mike Green Eastland Bowl Scott Herriman Founders Brewery River Whyless wsg The Wallace Collective Frauenthal Center Time Stands Still Frederik Meijer Gardens Bernar Venet GR Civic Theatre Clybourne Park Grand Rapids Public Museum Dinosaurs Unearthed, Grandmother Power Gun Lake Casino Fledfive GVSU Gallery California Dreams, Muslin Graves of Southeast Michigan, The History of Space Photography KIA Mountains and Waters, Norman Stewart Lecture Knickerbocker Theatre Blood Brother Lantern Coffee The Little Things LowellArts! A Second Glance: A Showcase of Local Artists from ArtPrize 2013 Miller Auditorium Rock of Ages Old Dog Tavern Seth Bernard Papa Pete’s Latin Salsa Night Postma Center At Pine Rest Exhibit of ‘Tuesdays’ by Todd & Brad Reed Richard App Gallery Steel Stone & Clouds Exhibit In Support of the Coit Creative Arts Academy Richmond Center for Visual Arts Make/Do; Contemporary Artists Perform Craft and Caroline Gore: mercurial silence Saugatuck Center for the Arts Yellow: The Works of Harry Brorby Schuler Books 28th Street Tommy Brann St. Cecilia Music Center Homecoming – a Family Reunion UICA Mary Ann Aitken, Parallel, Replica of the Universe of Methodology, Zero+ The Union Cabaret & Grille WMU School of Music (Jazz Mix) University Theatre Seven Van Andel Arena Winter Jam 2014 Tour Spectacular Wharton Center Peter and the Starcatcher

friday

1.24

Barry Expo Center Barry Home Show Bell’s Eccentric Cafe The Coop Blue Water Grill Nick Foresman Bobarino’s Main Street Dueling Pianos Covenant Fine Arts Center The Lone Bellow Crush Azz Izz, Brandon White Dimnent Chapel - Hope College Concerto & Aria concert Dr. Grins Mike Green Frauenthal Center Time Stands Still Frederik Meijer Gardens Bernar Venet GR Civic Theatre Clybourne Park Grand Rapids Public Museum Dinosaurs Unearthed, Grandmother Power Grand Woods Lounge Kari Lynch Band Gun Lake Casino Jedi Mind Trip GVSU Art Gallery California Dreams, Muslim Graves of Southeast Michigan, The History of Space Photography Kalamazoo Civic Theatre Arsenic and Old Lace, Into the Woods KIA Mountains and Waters Kirby Grill Drop 35 Knickerbocker Theatre Blood Brother Lantern Coffee The Little Things LowellArts! A Second Glance: A Showcase of Local Artists from ArtPrize 2013 Master Arts Theatre Contents Under Pressure Nibi Lounge Tom Northrup Old Dog Tavern Steven Lee Pesch Postma Center At Pine Rest Exhibit of ‘Tuesdays’ by Todd & Brad Reed The Pyramid Scheme Grand Rapids Soul Club Richmond Center for Visual Arts Make/Do; Contemporary Artists Perform Craft and Caroline Gore: mercurial silence River City Saloon Litt Up Saugatuck Center for the Arts Yellow: The Works of Harry Brorby The Union Cabaret & Grille Marci Linn Tip Top Deluxe An Evening with Heywood Banks & The Bimini Brothers UICA Mary Ann Aitken, Parallel, Replica of the Universe of Methodology, Zero+ University Theatre Seven Van Andel Arena Nuclear Cowboyz

Wealthy Theatre An Evening of Comedic/Erotic Fan Fiction Wharton Center Peter and the Starcatcher Whiskey River Saloon Tetrad Band

saturday

1.25

Barnes and Noble Rivertown Michigan Author Ann Miller Barry Expo Center Barry Home Show Bell’s Eccentric Cafe Red Sea Pedestrians wsg The Lansing Unionized Vaudeville Spectacle Billy’s Lounge Battle of the Bands, King Crabapple Blue Water Grill Jake Stevens Bobarino’s Main Street Dueling Pianos Crush Ani, Brandon White Dr. Grins Mike Green Founders Brewery The Coop Frauenthal Center Time Stands Still Frederik Meijer Gardens Bernar Venet, Orchid Show GR Civic Theatre Clybourne Park Grand Rapids Public Museum Dinosaurs Unearthed, Grandmother Power, GRWC Appearing at the Ethnic Heritage Festival Gun Lake Casino Union Guns Holland Museum Dutch Folklore: The Linocuts of Cornelia Van Geuns The Intersection Domestic Problems Kalamazoo Civic Theatre Arsenic and Old Lace, Into the Woods Kalamazoo State Theatre An Evening with Jeff Daniels KIA Mountains and Waters Kirby Grill Drop 35 Knickerbocker Theatre Blood Brother Lantern Coffee The Little Things Little River Casino Resort Collective Soul LowellArts! A Second Glance: A Showcase of Local Artists from ArtPrize 2013 Master Arts Theatre Contents Under Pressure Nibi Lounge Larry Lowis Old Dog Tavern Duffield Caron Project, Stuart Shaw and the Valley Runners Postma Center At Pine Rest Exhibit of ‘Tuesdays’ by Todd & Brad Reed Richmond Center for Visual Arts Make/Do; Contemporary Artists Perform Craft and Caroline Gore: mercurial silence River City Saloon Litt Up

Saugatuck Brewing Rich Burkholder Seven Steps Up David Berkeley Soaring Eagle Casino George Lopez Tip Top Deluxe A Second Evening with Heywood Banks & The Bimini Brothers UICA Mary Ann Aitken, Parallel, Replica of the Universe of Methodology, Zero+ University Theatre Seven Van Andel Arena Nuclear Cowboyz Wharton Center Peter and the Starcatcher Whiskey River Saloon Tetrad Band

sunday

1.26 Bell’s Eccentric Cafe Trivia Night Billy’s Lounge Revival Bobarino’s Thrift Store Trivia with Drew Behringer Dimnent Chapel - Hope College Guest Artist-Robert Satterlee piano

Forest Hills Fine Arts Center The Addams Family Musical Frederik Meijer Gardens Bernar Venet, Orchid Show GR Civic Theatre Clybourne Park Grand Rapids Public Museum Dinosaurs Unearthed, Grandmother Power Gun Lake Casino Kris Hitchcock and Small Town Son Holland Museum Dutch Folklore: The Linocuts of Cornelia Van Geuns The Intersection Blackberry Smoke – Fire In The Hole Tour 2014 Kalamazoo Civic Theatre Into the Woods KIA A Basic Drawing Experience, Mountains and Waters Lantern Coffee The Little Things LowellArts! A Second Glance: A Showcase of Local Artists from ArtPrize 2013 Postma Center At Pine Rest Exhibit of ‘Tuesdays’ by Todd & Brad Reed

The Pyramid Scheme Wayne ‘The Train’ Hancock Salt of the Earth Neil Jacobs San Chez Bistro Wine and Canvas Tip Top Deluxe John Nemeth UICA Mary Ann Aitken, Parallel, Replica of the Universe of Methodology, Zero+ Van Andel Arena The Harlem Globetrotters Wharton Center Peter and the Starcatcher

monday

1.27

Billy’s Lounge BassBin Frederik Meijer Gardens Bernar Venet Grand Rapids Public Museum Dinosaurs Unearthed, Grandmother Power Gun Lake Casino Main Street Dueling Pianos

GVSU Art Gallery California Dreams, Muslim Graves of Southeast Michigan, The History of Space Photography Holland Museum Dutch Folklore: The Linocuts of Cornelia Van Geuns Lantern Coffee The Little Things LowellArts! A Second Glance: A Showcase of Local Artists from ArtPrize 2013 Old Dog Tavern G.L.A.M.A. Jam Postma Center At Pine Rest Exhibit of ‘Tuesdays’ by Todd & Brad Reed Richmond Center for Visual Arts Make/Do; Contemporary Artists Perform Craft and Caroline Gore: mercurial silence Saugatuck Center for the Arts Yellow: The Works of Harry Brorby

tuesday

1.28

Billy’s Lounge The Line-Up Cook-DeWitt Center GVSU Writers Series: Faculty Reading by Amorak Huey and Caitlin Horrocks

Frederik Meijer Gardens Bernar Venet Grand Rapids Public Museum Dinosaurs Unearthed, Grandmother Power Gun Lake Casino The Ronnie Torres Band GVSU Art Gallery California Dreams, Muslim Graves of Southeast Michigan, The History of Space Photography Kalamazoo Public Library Urban Fiction Book Discussion KIA ARTbreak, Mountains and Waters Lantern Coffee The Little Things LowellArts! A Second Glance: A Showcase of Local Artists from ArtPrize 2013 Nibi Lounge Larry Lowis Old Dog Tavern Tom Duffield, Open Mic Night with Branden Mann Postma Center At Pine Rest Exhibit of ‘Tuesdays’ by Todd & Brad Reed Richmond Center for Visual Arts Make/Do; Contemporary Artists Perform Craft and Caroline Gore: mercurial silence

Saugatuck Center for the Arts Yellow: The Works of Harry Brorby Schuler Books Alpine Local Author Night UICA Mary Ann Aitken, Parallel, Replica of the Universe of Methodology, Zero+ Wealthy Theatre Meanwhile Movie: Deliverance

wednesday

1.29

Becca Stevens Band Friday, February 7 · 8 pm Bell’s Eccentric Café

St. Lawrence String Quartet jaCoB and naomi stuCki mEmorial ConCErt

saturday, march 1 · 8 pm dalton Center recital Hall, Wmu

Dublin Guitar Quartet Scene | Sounds | Sights | Dining Schedule

Friday, march 28 · 8 pm Wellspring theater, Epic Center

Imani Winds saturday, april 12 · 8 pm dalton Center recital Hall, Wmu

fontanachamberarts.org 269 382 7774 359 S Kalamazoo Mall

Kalamazoo

REVUEWM.COM | January 2014 |

Schedule Holland Museum Dutch Folklore: The Linocuts of Cornelia Van Geuns The Intersection Yellowcard: Ocean Ave Acoustic KIA Mountains and Waters Knickerbocker Theatre Guest Artist-Fred Hersch Ladies Literary Club The Brilliance Lantern Coffee The Little Things LowellArts! A Second Glance: A Showcase of Local Artists from ArtPrize 2013 Nibi Lounge Larry Lowis Postma Center At Pine Rest Exhibit of ‘Tuesdays’ by Todd & Brad Reed Richmond Center for Visual Arts Make/Do; Contemporary Artists Perform Craft and Caroline Gore: mercurial silence Saugatuck Center for the Arts Yellow: The Works of Harry Brorby UICA Mary Ann Aitken, Parallel, Replica of the Universe of Methodology, Zero+ The Union Cabaret & Grille Jazz Mix Night

thursday

1.30

Billy’s Lounge 90’s Holla Back Bobarino’s Main Street Dueling Pianos Dr. Grins Jamie Lissow Eastland Bowl Scott Herriman Founders Brewery Cosby Sweater Frederik Meijer Gardens Bernar Venet Fried-Hemenway Auditorium-Hope College Visiting Writers Series Q and A with Busch and Prcic GR Civic Theatre Clybourne Park Grand Rapids Public Museum Dinosaurs Unearthed, Grandmother Power Gun Lake Casino Entourage GVSU Art Gallery California Dreams, Muslim Graves of Southeast Michigan, The History of Space Photography Holland Museum Dutch Folklore: The Linocuts of Cornelia Van Geuns

Hope College Visiting Writers Series Reading with Ismet Prcic and Benjamin Busch The Intersection Conspirator Kalamazoo Civic Theatre Into the Woods Kent District Library: Kentwood (Richard L. Root) An Evening of Craft Beer & Food with the Beervangelist KIA Mountains and Waters Lantern Coffee The Little Things LowellArts! A Second Glance: A Showcase of Local Artists from ArtPrize 2013 Nibi Lounge Gabrial James Papa Pete’s Latin Salsa Night Postma Center At Pine Rest Exhibit of ‘Tuesdays’ by Todd & Brad Reed Richmond Center for Visual Arts Make/Do; Contemporary Artists Perform Craft and Caroline Gore: mercurial silence Saugatuck Center for the Arts Yellow: The Works of Harry Brorby UICA Mary Ann Aitken, Parallel, Replica of the Universe of Methodology, Zero+

University Theatre Seven The Union Cabaret & Grille WMU School of Music (Jazz Mix)

friday

1.31

Bell’s Eccentric Cafe Fly Paper Blackhawk Bar and Grill Blackhawk Jazz & Blues Concert Series Blue Water Grill John Sanger Bobarino’s Main Street Dueling Pianos Crush Brena DeVos Performance Hall Grand Rapids Symphony Classical: Russian Masters Dimnent Chapel - Hope College Great Performance Series: Eighth blackbird Dr. Grins Jamie Lissow Frederik Meijer Gardens Bernar Venet, Committed to Paper: Master Drawings and Prints by Sculptors

GR Civic Theatre Clybourne Park Grand Rapids Public Museum Dinosaurs Unearthed, Grandmother Power Gun Lake Casino CP2 GVSU Art Gallery California Dreams, Muslim Graves of Southeast Michigan, The History of Space Photography Holland Museum Dutch Folklore: The Linocuts of Cornelia Van Geuns Kalamazoo Civic Theatre Into the Woods KIA Mountains and Waters Kirby Grill Highway 22 Lantern Coffee The Little Things Louis Armstrong Theatre - GVSU Grand Valley Opera Theatre presents ‘Urinetown The Musical’ LowellArts! A Second Glance: A Showcase of Local Artists from ArtPrize 2013 Mulligan’s Pub Apostles The Omega Experiment Nibi Lounge Tom Northrup Old Dog Tavern We Know Jackson Postma Center At Pine Rest Exhibit of ‘Tuesdays’ by Todd & Brad Reed

The Pyramid Scheme Head, UTO, Moto, Lo Mobb Richmond Center for Visual Arts Make/Do; Contemporary Artists Perform Craft and Caroline Gore: mercurial silence River City Saloon OTC Saugatuck Center for the Arts Yellow: The Works of Harry Brorby Soaring Eagle Casino Murder Mystery Dinner: Death of a Blackheart UICA Mary Ann Aitken, Parallel, Replica of the Universe of Methodology, Zero+ University Theatre Seven Whiskey River Saloon Coulda Woulda Shoulda Band n

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

LADIES LITERARY CLUB 61 SHELDON BLVD SE ALL SHOWS 7:33 PM

JANUARY 11 JANUARY 25 CALVIN COLLEGE COVENANT FINE ARTS CENTER 20TH ANNIVERSARY SHOW 8:03 PM

FEBRUARY 8 Schedule Dining | Sights | Sounds | Scene

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62 | REVUEWM.COM | January 2014

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