January 2015, Revue Magazine

West Michigan’s Entertainment Guide for 27 years

» January 2015

Free! / Music / Culture / Dining / beer / art

Revue’s guide to

Surviving Winter

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REVUEWM.COM | January 2015 |

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What’s Inside

January 2015 | Volume 27, Issue 1

SCENE: 11 Random Notes 12 All Ages 14 Eclectic

Surviving Winter: 16 18 20 22

Outdoor Activities Staying Warm and Looking Cool Spicy Food and Drink Winter Movie Preview

SOUNDS:

20 25

25 Local Music: Lady Ace Boogie 26 On Tour: Gungor

Hot and spicy treats

Lady Ace boogie

SIGHTS:

18

Stay warm, look cool

29 30 32 34

Visual Arts: Edward Burtynsky: Water Theatre: Beauty and the Beast Comedy: Don Friesen Literary Life: Jamin Warren

DINING & DRINKING: 37 38 40 42 44 54

Restaurant Listings Gluten Free Girl Taste This: New Year’s Eating Beer: Stout Face-Off Beer Notes Last Call

SCHEDULE: 47 Daily Event Listings and Best Bets

Letter from the Editor

W est M i ch i g a n ’ s E n terta i n me n t G u i de

I think last year’s winter really prepared us for anything. So, guess what, 2015? Bring it. We’re ready.

OK, just kidding. Don’t bring it too much. Or bring it, but please no more than last year.

Pretty please.

No matter what this winter brings, however, we have some remedies to fight that cabin fever feeling. Once you accept that the cold weather really isn’t going anywhere for a few months, you can start diving into what winter in Michigan has to offer. Did you know there are 51 ski areas and resorts in Michigan? People drive hours just to ski one of those areas. But we get it if not everyone is the skiing or snowboarding type. There are still many other active ways to enjoy the gorgeous Michigan outdoors. (We recommend snowshoeing.)

We also get that not everyone is outdoorsy. So, we’ve rounded up some of the must-see movies happening this winter. There are some good ones that have gotten a lot of buzz, like Foxcatcher with Channing Tatum and Steve Carell. And then there are the ones that are over-the-top and solely for entertainment purposes like Taken 3 and the ridiculously out of control Fifty Shades of Grey.

And if it’s too cold for you to handle during these months, try some of the spicy food we highlight in this issue.

That should immediately warm you up.

No matter how you choose to spend the winter, though, we’ve got entertainment to help get you through the winter.

Rock on.

Editorial Publisher Brian Edwards / brian@revuewm.com Associate Publisher Molly Rizor / molly@revuewm.com Managing Editor Lindsay Patton-Carson / lindsay@revuewm.com Editor Joe Boomgaard Design Creative Director Kim Kibby / kim@revuewm.com Ad Design Rachel Harper, Kim Kibby Contributing Writers Kyle Austin Nolan Krebs Kelli Belanger Audria Larsen Missy Black Allison Parker Joe Boomgaard Emma Kat Richardson Steven de Polo Rei Robinson Dwayne Hoover Josh Spanninga Alexandra Kadlec Kerri VanderHoff

Contributing Photographers Kelsey Wahowiak Listings schedule@revuewm.com Revue Minions Giovana Barreto, Anastasia Hauschild, Kayla Hay, Jack Raymond, Lindsey Wylie-Gruen

Sales / 616.608.6170 Kelli Belanger / kbelanger@revuewm.com Molly Rizor / molly@revuewm.com Digital Editor Jayson Bussa / jayson@revuewm.com

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

Find us online!

Website: revuewm.com Twitter: twitter.com/revuewm Facebook: facebook.com/revuewm Revue is published monthly by Revue Holding Company.

65 Monroe Center, Ste. 5, Grand Rapids, MI 49503 Office: 616.608.6170 / Fax: 616.608.6182

Advertising index Ambassador David’s Productions:

Bob Marley Bash. . . . . . . . . . 26 Arcadia Ales. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 43 Barfly Ventures . . . . . . . . . 15, 19 Beer City . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 24 Bell’s Brewery . . . . . . . . . . . 2, 51 Brewery Vivant. . . . . . . . . . . . . . 43 Calvin College SAO . . . . . . . . . . 24 Cascade Optical . . . . . . . . . . . . 13 Central City/ Centre Street Taphouse . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 53 City Flats Hotel . . . . . . . . . . . . . 41 DeltaPlex. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4

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Dr. Grins. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 32 Erb Thai. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 41 Fajita Republic . . . . . . . . . . . . . 46 Firekeepers Casino . . . . . . . . . . . 9 Foot Outfitters. . . . . . . . . . . . . . 45 Founders Brewing Co.. . . . . . . . 10 Grand Haven Area Chamber of Commerce. . . . . . . . . . . . 33 Grand Woods. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 55 Great Lakes Acoustic Music Association . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 26 Grand Rapids Public Library. . . 46 Grand Rapids Symphony. . . . . . 21

Holiday Bar . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14 The Intersection. . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6 Kalamazoo Valley Museum . . . . 33 Keil Lasik Vision Center. . . . . . . 33 Koko FitClub of Grand Rapids. . 52 New Horizons Computer. . . . . . . 28 New Belgium Brewing. . . . . . . . 56 Old Dog Tavern. . . . . . . . . . . . . 39 Palazzolo’s Gelato . . . . . . . . . . . 23 Parkway Tropics. . . . . . . . . . . . . 53 Pearl Street Grill . . . . . . . . . . . . 45 The Pyramid Scheme. . . . . . . . . . 5 River City Improv. . . . . . . . . . . . 33

Ruth’s Chris Steak House . . . . . 36 Saugatuck Brewing Co.. . . . . . . 43 Schuler Books. . . . . . . . . . . . . . 39 Seven Steps Up. . . . . . . . . . . . . 27 Soaring Eagle Casino & Resort. . 3 SpeakEZ Lounge . . . . . . . . . . . . 46 Tip Top Deluxe . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 27 UICA. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 24 The Union Cabaret & Grille. . . . 28 Walldorff Brewpub & Bistro. . . . 43 Wharton Center . . . . . . . . . . . . . 31 Woody’s Press Box. . . . . . . . . . . 35

©2015, Revue Holding Company. All rights reserved. Reproduction in whole or in part granted only by written permission of the publisher in accordance with our legal statement, fools.

On the cover: An EcoTrek snowshoeing excursion on Lake Michigan.

See “Surviving Winter” on page 16.

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Random Notes The Outer Vibe

Local Music ///

National Album Releases ///

It may be cliche, but good things really do come to those who wait. In this case, it was

the latest Sleater-Kinney track. Released in October, “Bury Our Friends” lives up to our S-K expectations and more. Plus, the lyric video features Miranda July donning a creepy-ass mask. After a 10-year gap between albums, a successful “Portlandia” gig for Carrie Brownstein and separate bands like The Corin Tucker Band, The Jicks and Wild Flag, No Cities to Love will be released on Jan. 20. ... Fall Out Boy is like the Jay-Z of poppunk. They call it quits, but just get dragged back into the music. Like Hova, FOB took a break, leaving fans unsure on if they will ever reunite. The band played its last show in 2009 and members went their separate ways, working on individual, but unsuccessful, projects. Four years later, the band reformed with the release of Save Rock and Roll. Looks like things are going smoothly, since a new album is being released on Jan. 20. American Beauty/ American Psycho features the band’s hit track, “Centuries,” which s amples Suzanne Vega’s hit “Tom’s Diner.” ... It was only a matter of time before Mark Ronson received legit airplay i n t h e U . S . Th e British musician and producer frequently collaborated with Amy Winehouse (RIP Mark Ronson

Important Dates Ad Reservation Deadline: Jan. 19 Editorial Deadline: Jan. 5 Delivery: Feb. 1 bb), was once engaged to Rashida Jones and is brother to Samantha and Charlotte. But let’s not judge him by his personal life. The guy makes pretty awesome music. His 2007 album, Vision, has a number of cover songs performed by artists like Winehouse, Lily Allen, Santigold and more. The following album, Record Collection, contains all originals and features guests such as Simon Le Bon, Boy George and D’Angelo. Uptown Special goes the same route, with the debut single, “Uptown Funk,” featuring Bruno Mars and influenced by ‘80s funk. The album drops on Jan. 27. ... Other notable releases: Panda Bear Panda Bear Meets the Grim Reaper on Jan. 13, Belle & Sebastian Girls in Peacetime Want to Dance on Jan. 20, The Decemberists What a Terrible World What a Beautiful World on Jan. 20 and Justin Townes Earle Absent Fathers on Jan. 13

Local Businesses ///

Ferris Coffee & Nut Company’s retail store (right by the downtown Grand Rapids

YMCA) has expanded. Check out the coffee bar and a whole lot of new goodies like nut mixes, plain nuts and chocolate covered, well, almost anything you can think of. ... Swirls, a men’s and women’s clothing boutique in Grand Rapids’ East Hills neighborhood has a new location. Called Swirls West, the boutique’s new location is 137 E. Main in Zeeland and officially opened in November.

Beer ///

Founders Brewing Co. plans to better access international markets as part of a deal announced last month with a Spanish brewery.

In the deal, Founders Brewing will sell a 30-percent minority stake of the company to Mahou San Miguel, a family-owned company that operates seven brewing operations in Spain and one in India. Recently, Founders embarked on an expansion that will have it eventually take up an entire city block in Grand Rapids. The project will increase brewing capacity to 600,000 barrels with the space to expand to 900,000 barrels if needed. n Random Notes is written and compiled by Joe Boomgaard, Lindsay Patton-Carson and Nick Manes.

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

REVUEWM.COM | January 2015 |

Scene Sounds | Sights | Dining | Schedule

The Outer Vibe releases a new album on Jan. 30 at The Intersection. Except there’s a catch. The album will only be available at the release show. Those tricky rockers. The EP comes free with a ticket purchase to the show and marks the The Outer Vibe’s first release in three years. The band describes the new sound as “cinematic surf disco.” If you want a sneak peek, the single “Shining Like a Diamond” is currently available on iTunes and the music video is out on YouTube. ...

Local musician Dean Wiers-Windemuller recently opened up a new guitar shop in Grand Rapids’ Southtown neighborhood.

Southtown Guitars (1258 Madison Ave. SE, Grand Rapids) not only offers music equipment to the neighborhood, but also music lessons. The business currently has around 45 students. More than just a guitar and music lessons business, Wiers-Windemuller wanted to do something more to give back to the community in which he lives. Trial lessons are free, there are a number of learning workshops and he offers scholarships to kids who are interested in music but don’t have the financial means to get there.

Sleater-Kinney

11

/// All Ages

Frozen Super Saturday at Muskegon Museum of Art

Little Red Riding Hood

Character Study A few beloved characters sweep into the area to liven up January. Get excited for Disney royalty, a child wearing red, an orphan and someone on a journey — all strong, female characters in the lead with stories to tell. Fall in love with these favorite figures and feel like a kid again. By Missy Black

The Wonderful Wizard of Oz

Schedule | Dining | sights | Sounds Scene

Holland Armory, 16 W. 9th St., Holland Jan. 3, $4-$7 hollandmuseum.org, (616) 796-3329

Hurry up and get on the yellow brick road leading to the Holland Armory for a larger-than-life pop-up book exhibition featuring Dorothy and the gang.

Visitors step into the pages of the timeless story including Dorothy’s farm in Kansas and the land of the munchkins to explore science, art and history.

Hands-on activities and interactive exhibits include the Tin Woodsman sharing the physiology of the heart and the Scarecrow allowing guests to pick his brain. You can even check out tornado alley, learn about tornadoes and have a tea party with the munchkins.

“It’s really fun and bright and colorful,” said Taylor Wise-Harthorn, museum and gallery manager. “Kids know about the movie, but in the book, Dorothy has silver slippers and at the end you get to click your silver heels to go home.” How often can you give the kids a chance to physically enter a storybook land?

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Frozen Super Saturday

Little Red Riding Hood with the Grand Rapids Ballet

Muskegon Museum of Art 296 W. Webster Ave, Muskegon Jan. 10, 10 a.m.–3 p.m.

Free! muskegonartmuseum.org, (231) 720-2570

Two words: Frozen and free. Warm up and celebrate all things frozen at the Frozen Super Saturday where admission and activities are free at the Muskegon Museum of Art. Watch sisters Anna and Elsa struggle and triumph through an eternal winter and a cold curse with two screenings of the Disney movie at 10 a.m. and 1 p.m.

Guided tours of winter scenes in the museum’s collection will follow, providing an easy, casual way to viewing art.

“The movie was very applicable because our winters in Michigan and Muskegon seem never ending,” said Cathy Mott, curator of education.

“Kids are oftentimes more open to art and it’s nice to give them a chance to voice their opinion on it.” Wrap things up with a craft session where children work on snowflake art based on maps.

Cool, right?

Annie, is determined to find the parents who abandoned her years ago at an orphanage run by the embittered Miss Hannigan.

“It’s everything you know and love for the next generation with that age-old optimism the show is loved for,” said Meghan Distel, director of marketing and public relations. With some staging and set design updates, the audience watches as Annie enters the world of New York, foils Miss Hannigan’s evil plans, befriends President Franklin Delano Roosevelt and finds a home with billionaire Oliver Warbucks.

You’ll be compelled to sing along to classics like “It’s the Hard Knock Life,” “Easy Street” and “Tomorrow.” A family night event is held Jan. 15 at 7:30 p.m. and features activities for children in the lobby prior to the show with family four packs available for purchase.

Sunshine Community Church 3300 E. Beltline Ave. NE, Grand Rapids Jan. 31, 10:15 & 11:30 a.m. $5, grsymphony.org, (616) 454-9451

Annie

Photo: Joan Marcus

Annie

DeVos Performance Hall 303 Monroe Ave. NW, Grand Rapids Jan. 13-16, 7:30 p.m.; Jan. 17, 2 & 7:30 p.m.; Jan. 18, 1 & 6:30 p.m.

Tickets start at $32; broadwaygrandrapids.com, (616) 235-6285

DeVos Performance Hall is filled with massive amounts of pluck and positivity from a little girl with signature red hair. Everyone’s favorite orphan,

Find out what makes live performance so amazing with the Grand Rapids Symphony and the Grand Rapids Ballet. The timeless tale of Little Red Riding Hood comes to life at Sunshine Community Church through music and movement. Revisit or introduce youngsters to the classic story with a modern-day twist featuring a spunky young girl and a crafty wolf whose plans are foiled. “It’s a smaller venue, so kids have a better view of the orchestra and dancers,” said Claire VanBrandeghen, director of education. “It’s family friendly and modified just a smidge, so nothing horrible happens and little red is an even stronger female character than what is typically portrayed.” There’s something super special about being in the same room as fairytale royalty. n

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/// Eclectic

January Eclectic Events MONDAY

Open Mic Night 1/2 off all MI craft drafts 9PM - 1AM

TUESDAY

Tall Boy Tuesday $3.5 domestic tall boys

WEDNESDAY

Karaoke and 1/2 off bottles of wine & $4 appetizers 9pm - 1am

THURSDAY

$2 domestic bottles 9pm-midnight $4 appetizers 9pm-1am

FRIDAY & SATURDAY

Live entertainment

Schedule | Dining | sights | Sounds Scene

SUNDAY

NFL Ticket Bloody Mary & Mimosa Bar $4 burger basket $6 PBR pitcher

THE WESTBAR ON THE BESTSIDE 801 5th St NW, Grand Rapids, MI 49504 (616) 456-9058 theholidaybargr.com Like us on facebook!

14 | REVUEWM.COM | January 2015

Once your NYE high wears off, you’re often left with wintertime whimpering, failed promises and the blurred memory of too many parties. Fear not! Take refuge in good old fashioned showbiz, painted bald men, mighty chainsaws used as finely tipped paintbrushes and wild women who tell it like it is.

By Audria Larsen

One Night with Fanny Brice Spectrum Theater, Grand Rapids Jan. 7–18 $5–$20, jtgr.org, (616) 234-3946

The famed legacy of Fanny Brice comes to life at Jewish Theatre Grand Rapids. This one-woman musical revue, starring Sarah LaCroix, “delves deeper into Brice’s story than Funny Girl ever did,” said The New York Times. Through gags, laffs and song, attendees will experience the life and times of the vaudevillian radio star. Made famous through her early work with the Ziegfeld Follies, Brice kept the comedy going late in life with her beloved radio character, Baby Snooks. Amid the song and dance, enjoy notable tunes, like “Second Hand Rose” and “My Man,” in the intimate atmosphere of Spectrum’s Black Box Theatre.

A dragon sculpted in ice at the Holland Ice Sculpting Competition

Ice Sculpting Competition

Downtown Holland Jan. 9–10, 6 p.m.

Free! downtownhollandice.com, (616) 394-0000

Each January, ice fanatics descend on downtown Holland wielding chainsaws, primed to create mas-

Blue Man Group

terpieces. The Collegiate Invitational Ice Sculpting Competition is something to behold, and free to the public. Competitors hail from across the country for this annual cutthroat ice battle sponsored by Crown Motors. Beyond the contest itself, many local businesses commission relevant ice sculpture works to display outside. “Last year, [Crown Motors] commissioned a big front of a jeep that people could stand behind and take their photos,” said Kara de Alvare, Downtown Holland marketing coordinator. According to de Alvare, other past memorable creations were a giant hamburger with a knife and fork and thrones people could sit in. Her favorite part of the event is the work ethic shown by participants. “They don’t care if it’s 20 degrees out and blizzards, they are still working [on their sculptures]. It’s cool to see their dedication.”

combines visual imagery, human percussive effects, dance and a live band to create a unique show that plumbs the areas of technology, science, discovery and psychology. Oh, and blue men. Amidst the deeper themes is a rocking ambiance and word on the street is this touring incarnation of the show has a “splash zone!” Who or what you will be splashed with is a mysterious surprise but, advanced tickets are already on sale for the up-close-and-personal experience in the front row.

Blue Man Group

The Four Bitchin’ Babes are storming through Kalamazoo to show off a unique musical revue combining humor, harmonics and social commentary to poke fun and celebrate, in their own words, “babes, boys and Botox!” While rocking out on guitars, bass, piano and even something called the Irish Bodhran, the “Babes” celebrate babedom, share their inside jokes and offer up a raucous ladies night perfect for the hot flash set. n

Wharton Center, Lansing Jan. 16–18 $39–$74, whartoncenter.com, (517) 353-1982

The Blue Man Group is an everyman’s avant garde performance where even children five or older can enjoy the show. The ever-evolving production

The Four Bitchin’ Babes: Hormonal Imbalance Miller Auditorium, Kalamazoo Jan. 31, 8 p.m. millerauditorium.com, (269) 387-2300

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special feature

Tubing fun at Boyne Highlands

Surviving Winter

You can only stay indoors so long before cabin fever sets in. You can’t escape the Michigan winter, so you might as well bundle up and have some fun outdoors.

Our state takes winter activities seriously, too. There are 51 ski areas and resorts, with 6,500 miles of snow mobile trails and 3,000 miles of cross country skiing trails, according to Pure Michigan’s website. We have people going out of their way to take advantage of some of the winter amenities our state offers. So what the hell are you doing inside?

Outdoor Winter Activities

By Lindsay Patton-Carson

“T

rink, complete with music and romantic lights in a downtown setting. Also in an outdoor setting, Holland offers Riverview Park Ice Rink and Lakeview Park Ice Rink. As part of the sportsplex, Mulligan’s Hollow in Grand Haven has an outdoor skating rink that is lit for night skating, as well as Muskegon Sportsplex.

Some people aren’t sporty, however, and that’s OK. There are still great things to do outdoors on a wintry day. Bundle up and enjoy how eerily beautiful Lake Michigan gets in the winter. Once bustling with people in swimsuits, the beaches are all but empty. The water is frozen and the sand has been replaced with snow. Take a romantic walk down a pier and pack a thermos full of hot chocolate to sip while you watch the water. Or find some prime snow-covered sand dunes to Instagram. Or bring a professional camera. We don’t know your life.

If you don’t want to fully commit to the outdoors, wander around one of West Michigan’s many downtown areas, where you can pop into a restaurant, bar or shop when you get to chilled. Head to downtown Grand Rapids, Kalamazoo, Saugatuck, Holland, Grand Haven, Muskegon and Battle Creek. All have clutch strolling opportunities.

“You can still enjoy the beauty of Michigan and indulge,” Ginnell said. “Take a weekend and go to a resort or go shopping. ... We’re fortunate that Michigan is a four-season state and there are some great things to do here in the winter.” n

An EcoTrek snowshoeing excursion on Lake Michigan

Scene Sounds | Sights | Dining | Schedule

here are a lot of folks talking about the fact that Americans don’t use all their vacation time,” said Michelle Grinnell, travel public relations manager for Pure Michigan. “We’re encouraging people to take a snow day and get out and explore Michigan. ...

Winter is the best time to get outdoors in Michigan.”

If you’re an athletic type and itching to get out of the gym, there are plenty of opportunities to get some outdoor action.

“There’s something about [going outside] that makes you feel a little youthful when you’re outside playing,” said Cari Draft, owner of EcoTrek Fitness.

“When you’re stomping in rain puddles or stepping your boots into snow.”

EcoTrek offers outdoor workouts in the Grand Rapids and lakeshore areas, regardless of weather. Just dress for the conditions outdoors, you dummy. Draft recommends dressing in layers in colder weather since you can always take off clothing if you get hot, but can’t add more clothing if you get too cold. Workouts last 75 minutes and include strength training, cardio and flexibility.

Skiing — whether it’s downhill or cross country — makes your body work. When you’re downhill skiing (and snowboarding, too), your core muscles are activated to keep your body balanced and of course, your legs take a beating. Downhill skiing targets your inner and outer thighs, hamstrings and glutes. So you can go ahead and throw out that Buns of Steel VHS you’ve been hoarding for the past 20 years.

Luckily, we have a crazy number of ski resorts in Michigan. You can hit up Cannonsburg in Belmont, Mulligan’s Hollow Ski Bowl in Grand Haven, Bittersweet Ski & Snowboard Resort in Ostego, Musekegon Winter Sportsplex, Crystal Mountain in Thompsonville or make a getaway of it and head to Boyne Mountain and Ski Brule in the Upper Peninsula.

For those looking for more of a low-impact workout, cross country skiing is a full-body workout without the strain on your joints and ligaments. Plus, you get to take things slow and take in the beautiful Michigan winter scenery in one of many parks that have cross country skiing trails. Blandford Nature Center and Kent Trails offer two places to go in Grand Rapids. Further south there’s Kimball Pines County Park in Battle Creek,

Kalamazoo Nature Center, Ely Lake in Allegan and Historic Charlton Park in Hastings. If you’re on the lakeshore, there’s Duck Lake State Park in Muskegon, Grand Haven State Park, Kal-Haven Trail State Park in South Haven, Kirk Park in West Olive, Saugatuck Dunes State Park, Muskegon State Park and Musketawa Trail in North Muskegon. Granted, these are only a fraction of what Michigan offers.

If cross country skiing’s not your jam, you could try out snowshoeing on one of those trails. Snowshoes even out your weight on the snow to make it easier to walk in snow, cushioning your feet and allowing you to cover further distances.

Of course, you need equipment if you’re going to do any of these activities. In Kalamazoo, there’s Lee’s Adventure Sports, which offers snowshoes, as well as snowboarding and skiing equipment. In Holland, you can hit up Reliable Ski Haus, which not only sells snowboarding and skiing equipment, but also rents them to people who aren’t ready for commitment.

(We understand.) Bill and Paul’s Sporthaus in Grand Rapids specializes in all things outdoors. Everything skiing and snowboarding related is available as well as snowshoes and car racks to carry all your gear.

If you spent the majority of your childhood doing laps around the rink in the off-chance you’d be cast in the next Mighty Ducks, there are plenty of ice skating opportunities in West Michigan. Every winter, Rosa Parks Circle in Grand Rapids is turned into an outdoor

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/// Feature

PRETTY IN POLAR (VORTEX) Look cool and stay warm. It’s possible, and we’ve gathered the gear to prove it. Learn to layer up and love it outside while loading up on outerwear like your life depends on it.

Because a lot of times, it does. By Missy Black THE MITTEN STATE: Cover your ears with a product that’s made in the USA featuring vintage appeal and bright, perky colors. “I love how you feel like there’s a story behind them,” says Creative Director and Co-Founder Will Bransdorfer. “It’s a great way to wear your state pride.” Available at themittenstate.com.

THE OUTPOST OF HOLLAND: In Michigan, we should never feel bad about owning too many coats. “I talk with customers about something windproof,” said Mike DeVisser, buyer and sales associate at The Outpost of Holland. A lot of jackets are highly water resistant, but windproofing stops wind from coming through the material and chilling the body. Choose from trustworthy brands such as Patagonia, Black Diamond and Arc’teryx or look into The North Face’s new technology, Thermoball. It’s as close to down as a synthetic has become.

The look is lightweight, yet warm. If you look slightly like the Michelin Man, you’re doing it right.

THE PEAPACK MITTEN COMPANY: While thick mittens closely resemble the Hamburger Helper mascot or an oven mitt, you can still find fabulous versions. Like wearing your favorite sweater on your hands, these mittens are cozy and colorful—which helps in white-out conditions. Pick them up at Landsharks in Saugatuck.

Schedule | Dining | sights | Sounds Scene

LEE CROCHET:

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You have to have a sense of humor in this weather. Introducing the long Hooded Scarf (with or without pockets) and the Bear Hooded Cowl. Both items cover and protect your neck and head. They’re fashionable, made with thicker yarn and come in custom colors. For added layering protection check out the Katniss-inspired huntress cowl sweater. Available at etsy. com/shop/LeeCrochet

BILL & PAUL’S SPORTHAUS: Cold, wet feet kill the mood. Make sure you go for waterproof boots with some hardcore insulation. “In footwear, we’re using wool or felt or synthetic insulation,” said Buyer Matthew Dobrowolski, who recommends the warm and popular Sorel Caribou boot. This classic design has an ageless look that’s the farthest thing from a moonboot. n

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/// Feature

Hot, Spicy Treats to Warm Your Belly Yep, it’s still cold out, and it’s not getting warmer anytime soon. (We’re in this together, people.)

Along with the urge to hunker down and cozy up, try adding a little heat with food and drink.

Seek out these hot-andspicy options to get your insides back up to normal temps. They’re bound to make you feel at least a little better about being in the dead of winter.

By Alexandra Kadlec Medjool Rellenas Picantes at San Chez

Schedule | Dining | sights | Sounds Scene

Ethnic Eats, Booze and Beyond Spice n Rice (525 Burrows Rd., Kalamazoo) abounds with sizzling menu items, from traditional hot-and-sour soup and Szechuan chicken to lesser-known fare like spicy salted squid and Singapore rice noodles.

Anything can be tailored to your spice preference, so you don’t have to limit your order to plates denoted “spicy” with a red pepper.

If you’re in the mood for Mexican, stop into El Gallo Blanco (2838 Portage St., Kalamazoo) for authentic fare that will heat you up. The jalapeno tamales are a good start. Follow this appetizer with the Camarones a la Diabla, a plate of shrimp in

20 | REVUEWM.COM | January 2015

spicy chile de arbol sauce served with salad, rice and refried beans.

Spanish tapas bistro San Chez (38 Fulton St. W, Grand Rapids) offers so many tasty and eclectic dishes that it’s tough to narrow down your choices. Start out your dinner with the Medjool Rellenas Picantes, which is dates stuffed with lamb, chorizo, bacon and beef, topped with spicy harissa sauce. Adventurous types will also love the Gambas Asadas Al Fuego, a marriage of spicy fire-roasted shrimp, banana mustard cream and white rice that’s delightfully sweet, hot and sticky. Other delectable variations of this theme include the Fire Cracker Shrimp at Maru Sushi & Grill (927 Cherry St. SE, Grand Rapids) and the Bang Bang Shrimp at Bonefish Grill (1100 East Paris, Terrazzo Fine Shops, Grand Rapids).

Comfort food gets creative at the Twister Rooster (1600 East Beltline Ave. NE, Grand Rapids) with a Sweet & Spicy Reuben. Beef pastrami, smoked Gouda and French dressing meets spicy red cabbage and sweet crispy noodle slaw — all stuffed between two slices of rye bread.

Even if you don’t have a beach vacation planned, you can still enjoy the flavors of the islands, right at home. From fried plantains with spicy slaw to jerk chicken and seafood gumbo, Chez Olga (1441 Wealthy St. SE, Grand Rapids) has you covered. All entrees can be served from spice level 1-10.

There’s also Latin-Caribbean restaurant, Casa Bolero (116 Portage Rd., Kalamazoo), which offers spicy small plates like baconwrapped jalapenos and chorizo cornbread bruschetta. Wash your meal down with the

Chupa Cabre, a specialty cocktail made with tequila, lime juice, raw sugar, jalapeno and ginger beer.

Another drink to get your taste buds aflame is the Serrano Pepper Ale at Saugatuck Brewing Company (2948 Blue Star Hwy, Douglas). Curious to know what this unique brew is like? You’ll just have to taste it to find it. For those with a hangover, cruise into Salt of the Earth (14 E Main St., Fennville) for Saturday brunch and order the Rustic Bloody, made with Journeyman vodka, pickled vegetables and house tomato mix.

Terra GR (1429 Lake Dr. SE, Grand Rapids) serves an organic Bloody Mary with rain vodka and tomatoes pureed with a house blend of seasonings and spices.

At Arcadia Ales (103 W. Michigan Ave., Battle Creek), you’ll find more than a few

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TOP: Rustic Bloody Mary at Salt of the Earth (made with Journeyman vodka). ABOVE: Chocolate Chili Rub by Grocer’s Daughter Chocolate. chocolate layered with pecans, cocoa nibs, thyme, arbole chili and sea salt carmelized in maple syrup) and Spicy Bark (dark chocolate mixed with ancho chili, aleppo pepper and guajillo chili, topped with guajillo chili powder, cocoa nibs and smoked sea salt) give you plenty of reasons to stop by and sample. Stores and products are located around the state, including 12020 S Leelanau Hwy (M-22), Empire and in the Grand Rapids Downtown Market (435 Ionia Ave. SW, Grand Rapids). You can also order and discover different products online at grocersdaughter.com. Wow houseguests with the Chocolate Chili Rub (cocoa, sea salt, chili and other spices) on your next meat or veggie dish. n

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REVUEWM.COM | January 2015 |

Scene Sounds | Sights | Dining | Schedule

menu items with a kick. To name just two, they’ve got a salad with a Sriracha Caesar dressing and a buffalo chicken sandwich with house-made spicy wing sauce.

Ready to take your standard cheese pizza to the next level? Bernie O’s (321 Center St., North Muskegon) can satisfy your craving a few different ways. Try the Dirty Bird, Hot Wing or Firebird if you’re feeling extra bold. It’s got spicy hot wing sauce, bacon and jalapeno bits, and a “Ghost Chili” powder. Choose from hot levels 1-3 (medium, hot, super hot).

If the concept of a spicy-sweet treat appeals to your palate, look to Grocer’s Daughter Chocolate for inspiration. Unique gourmet creations like the Pecante’ Bar (dark

21

/// Feature

WINTER MOVIE PREVIEWS N

Schedule | Dining | sights | Sounds Scene

By Josh Spanninga

ot too long ago, last year’s crazy polar vortex threw a giant wrench into the proverbial cogs of everyone’s winter plans. Businesses suffered and Grand Rapids blew through its entire winter road commission budget in what seemed like seconds. Yeah, we tried to block that from our memories, too.

This year we’re hoping Mother Nature is a bit kinder. James Sanford, creative manager at Alamo Drafthouse Kalamazoo hopes so too, because they have a lot of great winter movies they want people to come out and see.

“I’m really hoping for some milder weather,” Sanford said. “I’m also hoping for some better product in January, February and March than we had last year.”

So far this winter has already had some big hits, like The Hobbit: The Battle of the Five Armies, as well as the film adaptation of the Stephen Sondheim musical, Into the Woods.

“It’s great material. It’s really kind of surprising that it’s taken this long for somebody to get around to filming Into the Woods,” Sanford said.

If you’re afraid the best winter films have already debuted, then put those fears to rest, moviegoers. The latter part of winter looks promising as well, and there are plenty more upcoming films making waves amongst cinephiles.

Sanford himself is especially excited to see Foxcatcher, which got a limited release in December, with nationwide releases following in January and February.

“It’s a terrific film,” Sanford said. “It has Steve Carrell literally as you’ve never seen him before. It takes a moment to even recognize him. And it’s some of the best work I’ve ever seen Channing Tatum do as well.”

And that’s just the tip of the iceberg. Whether you’re into action, comedy, romance or any other genre, we have compiled a list of some of the biggest winter films that have yet to make their debut. As Michiganders collectively get ready to pine for warmer Spring days, we suggest you make the most of what this winter has to offer and head down to your local theater to check out some of these cinematic gems.

22 | REVUEWM.COM | January 2015

January

Release date TBA

Foxcatcher

While Steve Carrell is more well-known for his comedic roles (“The Office,” The 40 Year-Old Virgin), he’s always flirted with more serious roles. With Foxcatcher, he’s flirting with Oscar nods. The biographical drama follows the story of Olympic wrestlers Mark and Dave Schultz (played respectively by Channing Tatum and Mark Ruffalo) and their interactions with Dave’s paranoid schizophrenic friend, John du Pont (Carrell).

Jan. 9

Taken 3

If there’s one thing Liam Neeson is good at, it’s being a badass. In the third and final installment of the Taken trilogy, Neeson plays a badass who’s trying to prove his innocence and find his wife’s killer. He employs his infamous “particular set of skills” (which includes a lot of punching, shooting and making bad guys feel the hurt) to help him along the way. If you needed any more proof that Neeson is not to be messed with, look no further than this movie.

Channing Tatum, Steve Carrell and Mark Ruffalo in Foxcatcher

Jan. 16

Blackhat

According to film logic, the best way to combat a criminal mastermind is to release an equally intelligent criminal from jail to help you do your dirty work in exchange for their freedom.

Better yet, get People magazine’s Sexiest Man of 2014 (Chris Hemsworth) to play the lead formerfelon-computer-hacker-turned-secret-agent and then make sure the computer hacking scenes are balanced with a generous dose of gunfights. And while it may seem odd to see Hemsworth without his trusty hammer Mjölnir, chances are he’s still going to kick plenty of ass in this fast-paced action thriller.

Paddington

While hanging out at the Paddington train station in London, a young British boy befriends a talking Peruvian bear, because that’s not creepy. Of course when said bear

Colin Firth stars in Kingsman: The Secret Service has a soft spot for marmalade sandwiches and is voiced by award-winning actor Ben Whishaw, it’s difficult not to find him somewhat endearing. At any rate, the boy’s family soon adopts Paddington into their family, and all goes well until the local museum’s taxidermist takes an interest in the peculiar bear.

This movie is sure to provide family friendly entertainment and at the same time bring the red-hat-with-duffle-coat look back into vogue.

February Feb. 6

Jupiter Ascending

The Wachowskis are no strangers to epic sci-fi.

Their Matrix trilogy forever changed audiences’ expectations of special effects in films, while their 2012 release Cloud Atlas polarized audiences and critics alike. With a mindbending story and explosive special effects, the Wachowskis have billed their latest effort, Jupiter Ascending, as an epic space opera.

Mila Kunis stars as an Earth-born janitor who happens to be the rightful heir to Earth, and Channing Tatum stars as a genetically modified ex-soldier and Kunis’s love interest, because that’s just how space operas work, OK?

The Seventh Son

In the latest iteration of the Spongebob franchise, everyone’s favorite boxy, yellow sponge leaves Bikini Bottom in search of a stolen recipe. Patrick, Mr. Krabbs, Squidward and Sandy join Spongebob as he traverses dry land in full fledged 3-D animation, causes trouble and starts up a rivalry with the Krabby Patty-loving pirate Burger-Beard (played by Antonio Banderas). Oh yeah, and Slash makes an appearance, too.

Feb. 13

Kingsman: The Secret Service

Colin Firth stars in this outlandish film adaptation of the comic book that follows a veteran secret agent as he trains his younger protege to join the Kingsmen, a prestigious group of international spies. Their first mission finds them up against a lisping, blood-phobic villain (played by Samuel L. Jackson) and his henchwoman who has blades for legs (yes, you read that correctly). Bonus points to this film for having Elton John and Lady Gaga making appearances.

Fifty Shades of Grey

Suburban moms and college girls everywhere are sure to be waiting with bated breath as their favorite socially acceptable piece of erotic fiction makes its big-screen debut. For those unfamiliar, Fifty Shades of Grey follows literature student Anastasia Steele as she sets out to interview the successful businessman Christian Grey. The only outcome of such an endeavor obviously includes scenes of bondage and sadomasochism. All in time for Valentine’s Day!

Scene Sounds | Sights | Dining | Schedule

Watch The Dude duke it out with supernatural baddies. Jeff Bridges stars as an aging fighter of everything evil who seeks a younger, sexier apprentice to take his spot. Things start to get out of control though when Mother Malkin (Julianne Moore) escapes her confinement and threatens to wreak havoc on the community. Sure, this film isn’t going to win any Oscars or anything, but how can you say no to a movie filled with swordfights, trolls, ghosts, witches, dragons and basically every other form of otherworldly beast known to man?

The SpongeBob Movie: Sponge Out of Water

Jane Got a Gun

Natalie Portman plays Jane Hammond, a woman seeking protection from her criminal husband’s gang after he comes home riddled with bullets and on the verge of death. With her husband down for the count, the only person she can turn to is her ex-lover Colin McCann, portrayed by Ewan McGregor. n

REVUEWM.COM | January 2015 |

23

JAN

13

JUKEBOX THE GHOST

with Twin Forks and Secret Someones | Ladies Literary Club | 8pm | $15

FEB

20

HOME FREE

with uKnight Mens Cappela | Covenant Fine Arts Center | 8pm | $20

FEB

21

PHOX

Schedule | Dining | Sights | Sounds | Scene

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

MAR

11

SON LUX

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

Changing the conversation about popular culture.

www.calvin.edu/sao

24 | REVUEWM.COM | January 2015

616.526.6282

Bring Your Own Beamer Grand Rapids 02 Come to BYOB, an open-source, onenight exhibition of projected artwork.

Artists can submit larger entries at byobgr.uica.org, or bring their beamers and playback devices the night of the event and plug-in.

March 6, 2015 7:00–10:00 PM Free Admission

byobgr.uica.org 2 Fulton W GR, MI 49503

/// local music MUSIC NEWS

Lady Ace Boogie Takes to the Stage for LP Release Show | by Nolan Krebs

A

In addition to Manley and Burke, my thoughts in such a way where people Tellis also notes fellow West Michigan can relate.”

On Jan. 17, Lady Ace will perform artists and producers such as Rick Chyme, at The Pyramid Scheme to celebrate the J. Rob of GLC, Dante Cope, Mozaic and release of an expanded version of Feel Good Chip Vicious as just a few of her favorite Music as a vinyl LP. Tellis was approached collaborators.

In addition to her creby Luke Schmidt and JP ative output and full-time Pinckney of Hot Capicola Records earlier this year job, it’s also very much Lady Ace Boogie worth noting Tellis is the coabout partnering up for a Album Release wsg founder of both Think 50/50, release.

Convotronics, Ghost an organization committed “I was so impressed with Heart, Mavericks & their approach, personalities to growing small business Monarchs and nonprofits, and Youth and love for music, after The Pyramid Scheme, Outlet, a nonprofit whose a few weeks we made it ofGrand Rapids Jan. 17, 8:30 p.m., $10, mission is “to unveil the hidficial,” she said.

21+ den potential in under-served Putting the record topyramidschemebar.com, youth with a creative and life gether served as a valuable (616) 272-3758 skills-focused curriculum.” experience as both an artist Through both her music and collaborator, Tellis said. and work in the community, “From the very first song to the new additions, it has always been Tellis has established herself as a leading about building with my collaborators and voice of forward-thinking outreach in the area. creating something beautiful,” she said.

“West Michigan welcomed me with Handling production and mixing on the record was mostly done by Curtis open arms, and I couldn’t be more happier “Sir” Manley of Man@Work Productions, about the direction the scene is going in.”

The Lady Ace Boogie LP release show Tellis said, as well as several additions from kicks off at 8:30 and will also feature producer Jason “Nixon” Burke.

“Having the opportunity to work with performances from Convotronics, Ghost [Manley] and build a friendship was by far Heart and Mavericks & Monarchs. Tickets the most rewarding thing for me,” she said. are $10. n

Inflatable Best Friend and Legendary Wings, two wicked fuzz-driven punk bands from Kalamazoo, play Bell’s Eccentric Cafe on Jan. 3 in support of Tyvek (Detroit).

Grand Rapids garage-rockers The Omecs perform at Tip Top Deluxe in Grand Rapids on Jan. 25 for a Sunday Funday Matinee show. Id of Christ and Joe Rodriguez also will be performing.

As part of Salt of the Earth’s Holiday Music Series, the Dave Hardin Trio will play Jan. 4.

Looking for a relentless onslaught of K-Zoo hardcore? Check out Fossil Eyes, Youth Funeral (New Hampshire), The Shortlife and Shoto at Louie’s Trophy House on Jan. 8.

Since the release of their third album, Meridian, The Soil and the Sun have been on a national run supporting the release. If you didn’t catch them at their November release show at Founders, the group plays at Pyramid Scheme on Jan. 24.

Grand Rapids’ Valentiger and Secret Animals (Kalamazoo) will perform an in-store show at Satellite Records on Jan. 15.

REVUEWM.COM | January 2015 |

Scene | Sounds | Sights | Dining | Schedule

lot has change d for L i n da T e ll i s i n t h e past couple of years.

An Atlanta native by way of both West Virginia and Ohio, Tellis moved to Grand Rapids in 2009 and landed a job at Cascade Engineering, where she steadily built a career as a facilitator of Lean Enterprise Systems for the company.

In that time, she also just so happened to build a name for herself as the hardhitting creative force known as Lady Ace Boogie, one of West Michigan’s sharpest hip-hop artists.

Tellis started taking to the stage in 2012, and once she did, she was hooked.

“It has been non-stop ever since,” Tellis said. “I have grown so much as a person and an artist in the past two years, it’s almost like I was reborn. … That is when my passion for writing and performing was undeniable — once I started making music for the people.”

Lady Ace released her debut record, Feel Good Music, in 2012 as an EP, which was largely a digital-only release.

“My main motivation behind creating Feel Good Music was to bridge the gap between conscious music, golden-era hiphop and today’s generation,” Tellis said.

“I strive to motivate, inspire and empower people with my words, while delivering

With the effort to revive the DAAC (Division Avenue Arts Collective) to its former glory still underway, Honest To Goodness Tattoo & Piercing is sponsoring Bring Back the DAAC on Jan. 3 at The Pyramid Scheme. The event will feature performances by JOE, Emma Loo and Sam, Dead Eye Zack and Brother Adams, as well as a raffle featuring items from local artists and businesses. The money raised through ticket sales will be donated to the DAAC.

25

/// On Tour

Gungor Wanders Through Music Styles on Eclectic Album | by Dwayne Hoover

AMBASSADOR DAVID PRODUCTIONS PRESENTS

BOB MARLEY BIRTHDAY BASH TOUR 2015

January 17th | ALL AGES Park Theater | Holland, MI

February 28th| 21+

The Dock at BayviewDoors| Richland, MI

Schedule | Dining | Sights | Sounds | Scene

ZION LION February 6th

INDIKA

with special guest

Czar’s 505 St. Joe, MI 21+ | Reggae Bands Every First Friday of the Month!

DEVON BROWN

February 7th

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26 | REVUEWM.COM | January 2015

M

ichae l Gungor isn’t I feel the musical stylings of the record reflect a b i g fan o f lab e ls, that as well.” especially when it comes to his While Gungor doesn’t like being shoved art. Yes, he’s Christian. And yeah, in the “Christian music” box, much of the his faith comes through in the group’s music and life outside of the band is music he writes. But that’s not because Gungor driven by their faith. Michael and his wife Lisa is a “Christian band,” it’s because the music is were worship leaders at a Grand Rapids church written from a place that’s completely honest. for several years before moving to Denver in “For me, I have a hard time separating 2007 and founding the house church commy personal thoughts and munity known as Bloom. life from my songwriting,” he “Church music is sort of said. “Everything that I experimy heritage and while Gungor Gungor with The ence goes into the pot, if you Brilliance and the Hope has experimented with church will. Songwriting is simply how music before, we have never College Chapel Band I express myself in response to been exclusively a church muDimnent Chapel, Hope College the circumstances that I’ve sic band,” Gungor said.

Jan. 10, 8:30 p.m. encountered.”

Most recently, Michael $10 students, $15 staff, $25 community The band’s latest album, I and Lisa have moved to Los hope.edu/student/life/ am Mountain, defies any sort Angeles and are working on sac, ‘(616) 395-7491 of genre pigeonholing as a new album, which they well. One minute it’s rugged hope to finish early 2015. In and country, the next it’s the meantime, you can catch electronic and experimental. According to Michael and his brother David Gungor (of Gungor, there’s a theme behind the album’s The Brilliance) along with the Hope College lyrics that ties the varying styles together.

Chapel Band this month.

“We’ve always been a little eclectic with “I can’t take credit for the idea, but I’m our music, but with I am Mountain, we re- certainly looking forward to it,” Gungor ally felt that the lyrical themes of the record said. “As to what to expect, I’m not quite sure lent themselves to wide swaths of stylistic about that either, but it is sure to include some experimentation,” Gungor said. “There’s a lot eclectic music, some awkward dance moves, in the record about wandering and being on a and a real good time.” n journey that is never settled in one place, and

tw

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Music. DefineD.

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Jan 31 - $10

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gLen PhiLLiPs

SATurdAy, JANuAry 17: devin and the dead Frets, Joe and Brother adams

soundisred feb 7 - $35 Paula cole

SuNdAy, JANuAry 25: selwyn Birchwood FridAy, JANuAry 30: Greg nagy

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Lil’ ed and the Blues imperials

REVUEWM.COM | January 2015 |

Scene | Sounds | Sights | Dining | Schedule

FridAy, JANuAry 23: s.s. web, rickett Pass and Lou shields

of

feb 8 - $22

ThurSdAy, JANuAry 22: the moonrays Free show

Jd willkes and the dirt daubers

Mark Lavengood w/ Fauxgrass + BiLLy sTrings & don JuLin

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12/19/2014 3:22:53 PM

VISUAL ART

by Kerri VanderHoff

Exhibition Shows Our Stressed Relationship with Water Other Art Events Branching Out: Michigan Woodworkers

Muskegon Museum of Art Through Feb. 9 musekegonartmuseum.org, (231) 720-2570

This exhibition highlights Michigan artists who work with wood. Pieces range from sculpture to furniture and craft objects. As part of MMA’s Made in Michigan Artist Series, Branching Out supports and exhibits the works of artists in our state.

Edward Burtynsky Verona Walk, Naples, Florida, USA, 2012

I

the world’s first LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) Gold certified art museum, in the midst of a city known for its sustainability, in a state that is surrounded by a tremendous amount of water.

Edward Burtynsky: Water is a traveling exhibition organized by the New Orleans Museum of Art (NOMA). It includes about 60 large-scale color photographs taken around the world, from Iceland’s mountains to the shores of the Ganges.

Burtynsky is a world-renowned Canadian artist who spent several years photographing this particular subject. Through his colorful images, several facets of water are examined: its source, collection, control, displacement and depletion.

“Water is intermittently introduced as a victim, a partner, a protagonist, a lure, a source, an end, a threat and a pleasure,” said Russell Lord, curator of photographs at NOMA. “Water is also often completely absent from the pictures. Burtynsky instead focuses on the visual and physical effects of the lack of water, giving its absence an even more powerful presence.”

Ron Platt, chief curator at GRAM, also notes the diversity of the subject matter and points out that the exhibition is more

commentary than indictment. While some aspects elicit concern for the environment, often it is the majesty and the power of water that is revealed, presenting a greater understanding of how people coexist with this force of nature. He appreciates the strategies Burtynsky uses in creating these stunning compositions, which are largely aerial photographs.

“It’s not a typical view that we get, it’s the kind of perspective that you get when you have some distance from a subject, literally and figuratively. … You really begin to see the larger picture, and the apparatuses at work, and the kinds of control that we’re trying to assert, and what it really looks like from a bigger perspective. I think that’s fascinating,” Platt said. “Very simply, [people are] seeing things they couldn’t see otherwise.

That’s what artists do, they bring us visual information in new ways.” n

Edward Burtynsky: Water Grand Rapids Art Museum Feb. 1-April 26, 2015 artmuseumgr.org, (616) 831-1000

Permeated Surfaces

Saugatuck Center for the Arts Through Feb. 6 sc4a.org, (269) 857-2399

Three Chicago-based artists explore — through art — the relationship between art, craft and nature. Everything is open to interpretation as the artists work with 2 and 3-D pieces and mediums that include ink, paint, paper and plastic.

Through these mediums, the artists take a look at the boundaries that exist between natural and artificial.

Through the Eyes of Weidenaar

Grand Rapids Public Museum Opening Jan. 17 grpm.org, (616) 929-1700

Grand Rapids Public Museum celebrates the 100th birthday of the late Grand Rapids native and Kendall College of Art and Design alum, Reynold Weidenaar. GRPM will have more than 100 of Weidenaar’s prints, plates, tools and personal effects on display. The exhibition will also have a local focus and spicifically highlight the Grand Rapids scenes in Weidenaar’s pieces.

REVUEWM.COM | January 2015 |

Scene | Sounds | Sights Diing | Schedule

t ’ s n o s e c r e t t h at w e have a love affair with water in West Michigan. We choose to live in a state that, while the four seasons are beautiful, the winters can make less-hardy people question our sanity.

But we know how much sweeter that makes the sunsets at Lake Michigan in the summer, how clear blue is the water and how soft the sand that makes zipping noises as you walk barefoot through it.

We also have a growing awareness of the importance of caring for our lakes and rivers. The Great Lakes contain one-fifth of the world’s fresh surface water. According to the Great Lakes Restoration Conference, scientists were warning that this significant fresh water resource was on the brink of an ecosystem breakdown. Faced with this threat, local businessman and philanthropist Peter Wege and other visionaries gathered in Grand Rapids 10 years ago and provided the funding to start the Healing Our Waters-Great Lakes Coalition.

It is fitting that a major art exhibition on the subject of water, exploring humanity’s increasingly stressed relationship with this vital resource, should come to the Grand Rapids Art Museum (GRAM). GRAM is

Edward Burtynsky Rice Terraces #2, Western Yunnan Province, China, 2012

29

By Allison Parker

Theatre

Other Performing Arts Events Annie

Broadway Grand Rapids DeVos Performance Hall Jan. 13-18, show times at 1, 2, 6:30 & 7:30 p.m. $30-$75 broadwaygrandrapids.com, (616) 235-6285 An orphan living the ‘hard-knock life,’ Annie is a plucky little dreamer who never stops hoping for a better tomorrow. Things finally begin to look up for the big-haired cutie when billionaire Oliver Warbucks takes Annie in for the holidays. Together, the two discover the true meaning of family and put a stop to the evil orphanage owner, Miss Hannigan.

Pippin

Wharton Center, East Lansing Jan. 27-Feb. 1, show times at 1, 2, 6:30, 7:30 & 8 p.m. $34-$74 whartoncenter.com, (517) 353-1982 An unconventional theatrical adventure, Pippin explores the turning point in the life of a Medieval prince. The musical begins with an acting troupe who calls Pippin up on stage and invites the audience watch as they unfold his story. Audiences then join the prince on an off-kilter, anachronistic quest to discover his true purpose. At the show’s anti-climactic conclusion, Pippin learns that real happiness is found in a most surprising place.

Schedule | Dining | Sights Sounds | Scene

The Mousetrap

Grand Rapids Civic Theatre Jan. 16-18, 21-25, 28-31 & Feb. 1; show times at 2 & 7:30 p.m. $16-$28 grct.org, (616) 222-6650 From mystery queen Agatha Christie herself comes the single longest-running play in history. When a group of strangers become stranded at a boarding house, a series of murders turns everyone into a suspect. It’s up to Detective Sergeant Trotter to unlock each person’s secrets and crack the case. Brace yourself for a mystery of countless twists and turns concluding in one of Christie’s famous shocking twists.

30 | REVUEWM.COM | January 2015

Disney’s Detailed Beauty

s

o m e m ovi e s ar e all about the details, and Disney’s Beauty and the Beast is one of them. As charming as the storyline is, it’s the addition of luscious artwork, ingenious songwriting and intricate characters that elevates the film to a masterpiece. Just try rooting for the Beast and Belle without falling for a talking candlestick along the way.

With such intricate source material, it’s little wonder the Beauty and the Beast stage version bursts with special little touches that embellish its richness and complexity.

In addition to original film songs, the musical also contains several new pieces to flesh out character motivations. “Home” explores Belle’s feelings of isolation in her new surroundings, while “If I Can’t Love Her” elaborates on the Beast’s deepest fears.

Meanwhile, the film’s lost song, “Human Again,” gives minor characters a poignant voice. “[‘Human Again’ is] my very favorite part of the show, because it’s where the enchanted objects finally have a glimmer of hope in returning to their human form,”

said Patrick Pevehouse, who plays Lumiere.

“The lyrics are perfect and heartbreaking. I actually think it might be the best song in the whole score.”

By spotlighting the minor characters’ yearning for transformation, the musical also raises the stakes for the Beast and Belle’s relationship.

“The enchanted objects … add a sense of urgency to the story,” Pevehouse said.

“Their desire to be human again really comes through in the text, and it’s a concept that anyone can relate to. They are truly the driving force for Belle and the Beast to fall in love.”

Perhaps the musical’s most significant new embellishment to the ‘tale as old as time,’ is the costumes. The enchanted objects’ attire is not hyper-realistic, but rather an imaginative blend that mixes historical fashion and character personality with object functionality. The result is characters that appear simultaneously more outlandish and yet more human than their film versions.

“The costumes are gorgeous,” Pevehouse said. “They have such a unique feel to them in that they appear to be period

clothes that the character would wear, except they gradually become the shapes of the enchanted objects. My costume in particular is this gorgeous embroidered tailored suit.

Then, at the end of my arms, the sleeve flairs out where my candle sits. My wig is a very period white wig that swirls up into a melting candle.”

A final bonus to Beauty and the Beast’s stage production is it does not forget the adults in the audience. While the musical appeals to all ages, it includes a surprisingly generous dollop of raunchy humor as an extra treat for its older fans.

“There’s great goofy moments for the kids, but the heart of the story really hits adults,” Pevehouse said. “Plus, I play Lumiere, and I can tell you the script is dripping with adult humor.” n

Disney’s Beauty and the Beast Miller Auditorium, Kalamazoo Jan. 21-22, 7:30 p.m. $27.50-$68 millerauditorium.com, (269) 387-2300

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Photos by Justin Namon • “I LOVE LUCY” ® & © 2013 CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved

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East Lansing engagement welcomed by The Christman Company; Farm Bureau Insurance; Foster, Swift, Collins & Smith, P.C.; Jackson National Life Insurance Company; and Merrill Lynch.

REVUEWM.COM | January 2015 |

31

by Josh Spanninga

COMEDY At The B.O.B. Grand Rapids, MI 616.356.2000 www.thebob.com

DAVE LANDAU

January 8-10

DON FRryIES15E-N17

Janua

MICK

Schedule | Dining | Sights Sounds | Scene

Janu FOLEY ary 2 0

EFFRON

JOHnNuaHry 22-24 Ja

TONE BELL

January 29-31

32 | REVUEWM.COM | January 2015

Don Friesen’s Journey from Bankruptcy to the Spotlight

M

ost college ki ds who get a fake ID use it for one thing, and one thing only: to obtain copious amounts of alcohol. Of course there is the occasional oddball who has ulterior motives, and comedian Don Friesen is one of them.

“When I was 20 years old, a comedy club came into Fresno, which is my hometown,” Friesen said. “I started going out there with my friends and I actually got a fake ID just so I could see comedy.”

Friesen said when he first started going to comedy shows the idea of making audiences laugh appealed to him, but his stage fright prevented him from ever performing himself.

Toward the end of his college career, he dabbled in improv, but never found the courage to get up on stage just by himself.

That is, until he discovered there were far scarier things than performing alone onstage.

“I actually was going bankrupt as a business school major, so that’s a bad start,” he said. “I think it was the universe telling me ‘This isn’t your thing.’”

It was at this time that Friesen had to second guess his career choice, and was reminded of his passion for comedy. And while the jump from business school to stand-up may not seem like the most the stable decision for a reliable income, Friesen said he was far too familiar with being broke for that to deter him.

“Rock bottom can be very liberating,” he said. “When you have a lot to give up, it’s a little harder to go full force into something like stand-up.”

Friesen’s second career choice worked out much better for him. His self-deprecating humor would eventually help

“Someday I would like to be a household name.

Or I would like to have a sandwich named after me somewhere. That’ll be my fallback, either be a household name or be a sandwich.” him go on to win the prestigious San Francisco International Comedy Competition twice (a feat previously unheard of), tape an hour-long special for Showtime and even get gigs opening for the Goo Goo Dolls and Counting Crows.

And he continues to hit the touring circuit, opting out of acting gigs and other possible career turns to focus his energy completely on his stand-up and family life.

“I already feel like to be as good of a stand-up I want to be and as good of a dad I want to be and husband, it’s very hard to even balance those few things and excel at them,” Friesen said.

Of course, with his kids nearing the end of their high school years, he says he’ll soon have more time to take on some of these other challenges in hopes of reaching his highest aspirations.

“Someday I would like to be a household name,” Friesen said. “Or I would like to have a sandwich named after me somewhere. That’ll be my fallback, either be a household name or be a sandwich.” n

Don Friesen Dr. Grins, Grand Rapids Jan. 15-17, show times at 8, 9 and 10:30 pm $10, thebob.com, (616) 356-2000

FRIDAY NIGHT HIGHLIGHTS This year, resolve To improve your vision.

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

JANUARY 9 • 6 pm ART HOP Mid-Season Kick-Off Concert with Dixon’s Violin (transformational journeys via digital violin) FREE JANUARY 16 • 7 pm Fantasia Ballet Folklorico (Mexican native folk dance) $5 JANUARY 23 • 7 pm Unified: A Kalamazoo Music Experience $5 JANUARY 30 • 7 pm Chuck Whiting and The Tip Rail Ramblers (honky-tonk blues & Midwestern swing) and Moxieville (torch, swing, soul, jazz, roots, blues) $5 FEBRUARY 6 • 6 pm ART HOP ANDSTORYTELLING FESTIVAL KICK-OFF Karen Libman (storyteller) and Benjammin Educational Music FREE FEBRUARY 13 • 7 pm Abraham Lincoln in Song (Civil War era music) $5

FEBRUARY 20 • 7 pm Kevin Collins and Kuungana (African drum & dance troupe) $5 FEBRUARY 27 • 7 pm The Hired Hands (Americana) and The Moody Coyotes (rootsy Americana, bluegrass, rock, country) $5 MARCH 6 • 6 pm ART HOP 2015 Kalamazoo Fretboard Festival Play-In Contest FREE MARCH 13 • 7 pm ST. PATRICK’S DAY CELEBRATION Peat in the Creel (Celtic/world) and Belfast Gin (Celtic rock) $5 MARCH 20 • 7 pm 2015 KALAMAZOO FRETBOARD FESTIVAL KICK-OFF CONCERT FREE MARCH 27 • 7 pm REBEL: Loreta Velazquez, Secret Soldier of the American Civil War (film) FREE

Invitation for home brewers Deadline: February 28, 2015

grandhavenchamber.org/home-brew

Jan 3 Jan 17 Jan 31 Feb 7 Feb 21 all shows 7:33 PM rivercityiMProv.coM

kalamazoomuseum.org 269.373.7990 The Kalamazoo Valley Museum is operated by Kalamazoo Valley Community College and is governed by its Board of Trustees

REVUEWM.COM | January 2015 |

Scene | Sounds | Sights Diing | Schedule

ladies literary club

33

by Kyle Austin

LIT LIFE

Other Literary Events Reading the Great Lakes

Grand Rapids Public Library – Main Branch Jan. 8, 7p.m. grpl.org, (616) 988-5400 Join your fellow readers as you traverse the haunting depths of Toni Morrison’s The Bluest Eye, the latest installment in this city-wide monthly book club that explores fiction set in the Great Lakes region. Discussions are lead by the library’s team of top-notch bookworms.

Jack Ridl Writers Series: Orlando Ricardo Menes Hope College, Holland Jan. 22, 7 p.m.

Free jrvws.org, (616) 555-5555

Orlando Ricardo Menes’ family immigrated from Cuba to the Unites States when he was 10 years old.

Many years, a doctorate degree and several collections later, the poet, editor and translator retains a powerful voice.

His 2013 effort, Fetish, is fresh off a Schooner Book Prize win.

Schedule | Dining | Sights Sounds | Scene

Todd Kaneko and Beth Peterson

Grand Valley State University – Cook DeWitt Center Jan. 22, 6 p.m.

Free gvsu.edu, (616) 331-5000 The Grand Valley Writers Series kicks of 2015 with a double feature: local authors Todd Kaneko and Beth Peterson. Kaneko’s prose and poems have appeared in the likes of Bellingham Review and Barrelhouse, while Peterson has been featured in River Teeth and Passages North, among others.

34 | REVUEWM.COM | January 2015

Jamin Warren will be appearing at Calvin College on Jan. 14 PHOTO: DAVINA PARDO

Button Mashing and the Meaning of Life

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’ll ad m it it: vi d e o gam e s have b e co m e somewhat of a guilty pleasure for me. When I pick up the controller, I do it hastily and with little thought. Yet there I was, contemplating the metaphysical implications of Super Smash Brothers just the same.

My first visit to the website of Kill Screen Media – the brainchild of former Wall Street Journal culture reporter Jamin Warren – led me to an interesting bit of prose comparing the experience of playing the iconic Nintendo franchise to tai chi’s pursuit of interior self-mastery.

And that was just one article.

Before long I found myself questioning my own predilection Jamin Warren of Kill for the zombies mode in “Call of Screen Media Duty.” Why did I enjoy the twistCalvin College, Meeter Center edly Sisyphean fate of facing down Lecture Hall ceaseless waves of the undead? And Jan. 14, 7 p.m. why did I feel oddly ashamed in Free spite of my revelry? Was my gaming calvin.edu/sao, (616) 526-6282 more than the mindless entertainment I believed it to be?

Warren founded Kill Screen Media in 2009 out of a desire to bridge the gulf between video games and culture at-large. The company’s print magazine and online content have since obliterated the boundaries of the test-and-review fare that had always been the extent of video game journalism, drawing praise from the likes of Wired, Ars Technica and NPR along the way.

“I’m not interested in being the culture publication in the gaming sphere,” Warren said. “I’m interested in being the gaming publication in the culture sphere.”

In addition to video game design and playability, Kill Screen articles explore our motivations for playing games, the different ways

we play and what this says about ourselves and our society. Warren doesn’t look for writers who are glued to their consoles – he wants them to make connections that readers never see coming.

“The biggest thing we look for is called intertextuality, which means people who can make connections between different disciplines,” he said. “So when you’re writing about games, you’re also thinking about music and you’re able to draw these connections back and forth, because that allows you to speak to the world through metaphor. . . . We want people who are like, ‘Games are amazing to me because they open up new ways for me to think about theatre, or death metal or architecture.’”

In making the conversation around video games not only accessible, but massively pertinent, there emerges a heightened awareness of how play is systemically tied to human experience. Play not only motivates our creativity; it fosters social engagement as well. In Warren’s eyes, that’s a recipe for innovation, so much so that he’s even expanded Kill Screen Media’s reach beyond journalism and into other arenas.

There’s the arcade game exhibition the company organized at the Museum of Modern Art, for instance, and two5six, an annual conference that converges leading thinkers in gaming and related fields together in a TED-like symphony of discovery and wonder. With so much unexplored territory out there, the possibilities seem endless.

“The writer Steven Johnson said, ‘Chance favors the connected mind,’ and there’s a bunch of research out there that suggests that what makes people creative is the ability to draw connections between the different hemispheres of the brain,” Warren said. “I felt like if game makers and also the game-playing public weren’t making those connections, that was going to be a problem. A lot of times you need someone to start helping things along, and I wanted Kill Screen to be that voice.” n

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REVUEWM.COM | January 2015 |

35

S:9.25”

guys night out over beer and great

steak

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Grand Rapids | 616.776.6426 | Inside the Amway Grand Plaza Hotel | ruthschris.com

36 | REVUEWM.COM | January 2015 200 Varick St. New York, NY 10014 : Phone 212-805-7500

S:10”

a perfect

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.

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.

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.

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.

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 $7.95. » SERVING: Lunch Dinner OPEN ON: Open 7 days. GO THERE FOR: Wood-fired pizzas.

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

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

Take a break from browsing the shelves at Schuler Books with a homemade selection of soups, sandwiches and quiches. Soups are prepared in-house daily and served with fresh baked bread to accompany a small-but-elegant sandwich menu. Try a quiche or traditional Italian Panini grilled on fresh ciabatta bread, or for a quick bite, grab a bagel or scone from the dessert case. » SERVING: Breakfast Lunch Dinner OPEN ON: 7 days GO THERE FOR: Homemade soups and sandwiches CitySen Lounge 83 Monroe Center St. NW. 616-608-1720 AMERICAN. CitySen Lounge, located in the heart of downtown Grand Rapids, is a bar with a big-city feel, offering exciting options for lunch, dinner and breakfast on the weekends. The focus is on fresh ingredients and a full bar with local brews, wine and creative cocktails. » SERVING: Weekend Breakfast Lunch Dinner OPEN: Open 7 days GO THERE FOR: Daily happy hour The Corner Bar 31 N. Main St. 616-866-9866 AMERICAN. The downtown Rockford tavern serves a solid menu of burgers, burritos, salads and sandwiches, but it is best known for hot dogs — serving almost 1,000 per day. Its hot-dog-eating challenge has been conquered by more than a few, but it raises the question: Why would you want to consume Corner Bar dogs in a hurry rather than savor each bite? » SERVING: Lunch Dinner OPEN ON: Open 7 days. GO THERE FOR: Hot dogs.

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

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

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

Private dining also 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.

»

Fajita Republic Cantina 2183 E. Beltline Ave. 616-272-3047 MEXICAN. A fresh twist on Mexican-inspired cuisine, Fajita Republic uses farm-fresh vegetables, never-frozen meats and limesqueezed margaritas. Fajita entrees are flamed table-side and the owners promise there are no microwaves used at Fajita Republic, ensuring that all meals are made fresh. Additionally, there are 101 tequila varieties, as well as Mexican craft beers, wine and specialty drinks.

SERVING Lunch Dinner. OPEN: Open 7 days. GO THERE FOR: Fajitas, Tequila

»

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.

Chapbook Café 2660 28th St. SE, Grand Rapids. 616-942-0595. CAFE.

REVUEWM.COM | January 2015 |

Scene | Sounds | Sights Dining Schedule

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.

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.

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.

37

Dining

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

»

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

»

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

»

Grand Woods Lounge 77 Grandville Ave SW. 616-451-4300 AMERICAN. The restaurant’s interior exudes a warm, casual ambiance reminiscent of the great eateries of the Pacific Northwest; the outdoor porch features two outdoor bars and a fireplace. Menu stocked with affordable appetizers great for sharing, plus salads, sandwiches, and entrées. Lots of domestics and microbrews, plus an array of martinis including the “Woodstini,” a tasty mix of Stoli Orange Vodka, mandarin oranges and raspberries. SERVING: Lunch Dinner OPEN ON: Open 7 days. GO THERE FOR: Cocktails.

»

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

Schedule Dining Sights | Sounds | Scene

»

Green Restaurant 2289 E Beltline Ave. NE Ste. 8, Grand Rapids. 616-4478294 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

38 | REVUEWM.COM | January 2015

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. (616) 456-9058 AMERICAN. Tucked smack dab in the “Heart of the Westside, The Holiday Bar boasts a classic 40-foot Horseshoe bar, along with cheap eats and drinks, both served until 2 a.m., with specials happening daily. The Holiday Bar has a full menu that features pub fare like chicken strips, pierogis, battered homestyle mushrooms and more. It’s a great place to watch the game, listen to music or just hang out with friends. » SERVING Lunch Dinner. OPEN ON: Open 7 days. GO THERE FOR: Cheap eats and drinks.

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.

»

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

PHOTO: KELLI BELANGER

GLUTEN FREE GIRL:

Fajita Republic Cantina Item: Citrus Pepper Grilled Shrimp Fajita Price: $15.99

M

exican food should be like a fiesta in your mouth — whether it’s gluten free or not — and at Fajita Republic, the party is always in full swing.

Gluten-free eaters will find a slew of menu items to choose from, since Fajita Republic offers the option of corn tortillas in place of flour tortillas. From appetizers to tacos, enchiladas and fajitas, there is no shortage of choices here.

If you’re looking for a twist on a traditional fajita, I recommend the Citrus Pepper Grilled Shrimp Fajitas, but only if you’re a sucker for spice like me. A colorful mixture of smoked jalapeno, orange zest and cracked pepper marinated tiger shrimp is served with roasted grape tomatoes, avocado-orange salsa, frizzled bacon, lime crema and red chile remoulade.

Don’t forget to order a Republic Margarita — a winning combination of Fajita Republic’s House reposado tequila with orange liqueur and house-made limeade, shaken to order. —Kelli Belanger 2183 E. Beltline Ave. NE, Grand Rapids, fajitarepubliccantina.com, (616) 272-3047

best happy hour specials in town. If food is not your passion, this is a prime place to kick off your Sunday Funday with its $3 Absolut Bloody Mary bar. » SERVING: Lunch Dinner OPEN ON: Open 7 Days. GO THERE FOR: Gourmet burgers, Absolut Bloody Mary bar.

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

One Trick Pony 136 E. Fulton. 616-235-7669 AMERICAN. Connected to The Cottage Bar, One Trick Pony offers an eclectic American menu that ranges from salads, fish, pizza, homemade

soups and more. Pair the food with live music, which OTP features weekly. » SERVING: Lunch Dinner OPEN ON: Open 7 days. GO THERE FOR: Eclectic pizzas.

Pearl Street Grille 310 Pearl St NW. 616-235-1342 AMERICAN. Dine in a relaxing environment where kids eat free and the chef uses local vendors and suppliers. Conveniently located in downtown Grand Rapids, Pearl Street Grill offers nightly happy hour specials that include signature cocktails and Michigan beer, as well as a $10 burger and beer special, $5 pizzas and more. » SERVING: Breakfast Lunch Dinner.

OPEN ON: Open 7 days. GO THERE FOR: Late night specials.

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

Mondays

all day happy hour $3 drafts $1.50 domestics $3 off pizzas

Tuesdays $2 Wells $5 BBQ pork open mic

Wednesdays

ladies night starting at 6pm late night happy hour starting at 10pm dJ dance party 9pm

Thursdays

$1.50 retro Beers $5 nachos 10pm free live music 9pm

Fridays

Bump and Wash $5

saTurdays

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 (weekends) Lunch Dinner OPEN ON: Open 7 days; 11 a.m. weekdays, 9 a.m. weekends. GO THERE FOR: Crepes.

Reds on the River 8 E Bridge St #100, Rockford. 616-863-8181 AMERICAN. Relaxed ambiance, great food and a view of the river equate to an enjoyable time out. With quality food and fresh ingredients you’re sure to find a meal that tickles your fancy. Staff is trained to help you should you encounter unfamiliar territory. » SERVING: Lunch, Dinner OPEN ON: 7 days GO THERE FOR: Red’s Steak Burger Reserve Wine & Food 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: Lunch, Dinner OPEN ON: Closed on Sunday GO THERE FOR: Wine and food pairings, charcuterie, happy hour.

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

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

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

sundays

Bloody mary Bar and Brunch 10am Weekly Blues Jam 6pm free 402 e kalamazoo ave kalamazoo, mi 49007 (269) 381-5677 REVUEWM.COM | January 2015 |

Scene | Sounds | Sights Dining Schedule

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.

Bloody mary Bar and Brunch 10am duffield caron proJect every saturday 5-8pm free! $3 captain morgan $5 glass of Wine

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taste this

By Alexandra Kadlec

New Year’s Resolutions: Dining Edition

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Schedule Dining Sights | Sounds | Scene

Learn to cook at Bekins Cooking School

I

t’s that time of year again. Fresh as the snow falling outside your window. Full of promise and potential. Brand-spankin’ new. With optimism for our personal growth at a high, we’re inspired to think of at least a few ways we can improve ourselves and our lives. Either you’ve started a list of resolutions already, or you’re going to wake up on Jan. 1, power through your hangover and crank out some lofty ambitions for the next 12 months.

They’re always pretty much the same, though, aren’t they? Do this more, that less. Stop this, start that. Achieve balance in all areas of life. Well, we’re offering a fresh take on your recycled New Year’s resolutions by giving you some new ways to accomplish them all — with amazing food and foodie ideas. Now that’s something to look forward to, isn’t it?

40 | REVUEWM.COM | January 2015

Learn how to cook

If your kitchen skills are nil, chances are you find the very prospect of cooking a daunting, time-intensive endeavor. But you don’t have to go from zero to master chef in order to acquire some cooking competency (in fact, you never have to).

Why not make this resolution something fun and social, instead of cooking at home? The Bekins Cooking School (735 Washington Ave., Grand Haven) offers a variety of one-time classes in January and February, from the more comprehensive Healthy Resolutions to cuisine-specific Sushi Rolls. Invite a friend along and you’ll both benefit from a new experience that may inspire long after the class ends.

Learn more at bekinscookingschool.com.

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Get healthy

We’ve all heard exercise is only one way of getting and staying healthy, but lifestyle and diet are just as, if not more, important. (Phew!)

Restaurants offer so many diet-friendly options that you never have to look far to keep your palate

satisfied and your pants fitting. Healthy is no longer synonymous with hum-ho. Try these gourmet dishes made with good-for-you ingredients and you won’t feel like you’re missing out at breakfast, lunch or dinner.

A diverse assortment of vegan, vegetarian and gluten-free offerings fill the menus at Kangaroo Kitchen & Catering (1007 E. Fulton St., Grand Rapids). While some fare is on the heavier side you won’t have trouble finding dishes that are both satisfying and good for you. Catering options are extensive.

Catch The Organic Gypsy food truck in Kalamazoo for a seasonal, locally sourced, (mostly) organic and thoroughly delicious lunch on the go. Popping up at events and festivals in the area, The Organic Gypsy fare can also be catered, with select products available to order from their website. Among the unique menu items, you’ll find sea palm fettuccine, saffron eggplant rice bake and zucchini bruschetta.

Although the entire menu at Harmony Brewing Company (1551 Lake Dr. SE, Grand Rapids) may tempt, make your dinner here a little less guilt-inducing with the vegan pizza option. The Slide Whistle has house-made white cannellini bean sauce (replacing traditional red sauce), spinach, red onions and artichoke hearts. It’s not too good to be true — it really is delicious.

The new year is a good time to break out of your culinary rut, and one way to put this resolution into action is by exploring the diverse ethnic restaurant scene West Michigan has to offer.

Take your takeout to the next level at Chinn Chinn (52885 N Main St., Mattawan), an Asian fusion restaurant that’s sure to introduce you to some new dishes. They’ve got everything from fish tacos and Mongolian flatbread to tried-and-true favorites like pad thai and chow mein.

4

Save money

If frugality is your new focus, you can stress a little less at the following places. With generous portions for $10 or less, you’re getting a lot of yummy bang for your buck.

El Rancho Mexican Restaurant (12659 Riley St., Suite 400, Holland) serves up daily dinner specials that won’t leave you wanting more. Dig into dishes like Chili Verde and Nachos Deluxe, and remember to check out the weekly drink specials for discounted margaritas to complement your meal.

There are so many soup, salad, and sandwich options at Cherry Deli & Catering (834 Cherry St. SE, Grand Rapids), you might find yourself staring in disbelief at the extensive menus on the wall. On the plus side, this means you can come back often without suffering from lunchtime monotony. Combos are $8.50 (soup and salad), $9.25 (soup and half sandwich) and $10 (salad and half sandwich).

Order a few small plates at Shawarma King (1441 S. Drake Rd., Kalamazoo) and you’ll be stuffed before you know it.

Appetizers include falafel and grape leaves (meat or veggie) at 10 pieces each for just $6.50. Salads come in small, medium and large (from $4.50 to $8.50) depending on your appetite — and don’t overlook the tasty bite-size shawarma sandwiches for around $3. n

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REVUEWM.COM | January 2015 |

Scene | Sounds | Sights Dining Schedule

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Be more adventurous

Ever tried Ethiopian cuisine? If you like the flavors and spices found in Indian dishes, and eating from communal plates with your hands sounds intriguing, you just might love it. Grand Rapids has two standout establishments, Gojo (421 Norwood Ave. SE, Grand Rapids) and Little Africa (956 E. Fulton St.).

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/// Beer

Compiled by Joe Boomgaard, Revue Beer Czar

Michigan stout Face-off

Schedule Dining Sights | Sounds | Scene

When winter rolls around, it’s a not-so-subtle cue to start drinking stouts.

There’s just something warming about the roasty and rich coffee flavors featured in so many of the styles that pairs well with the season. These are typically beers with some personality — just like a Pure Michigan winter.

Most stouts are black in appearance with an off-white or tan head and very light carbonation. Some examples lean heavily on initial flavors like coffee or dark fruits, while others go more for sweetness with the addition of lactose sugar. For flavors, most stouts settle into a roasted smoothness that’s marked with some citrus hoppiness. These are thick-bodied beers, often with the appearance of motor oil. Expect a nice dry-roasted bitterness or lingering coffee notes to last long into the finish.

To get a sense for how Michigan-made stouts compare, REVUE sampled and rated 10 examples of the style that were available in cans or bottles. We chose stouts that were available in early December in the greater Grand Rapids market.

(Fans of Founders’ Breakfast Stout take note: It’s an imperial stout. We’ll be looking at that style in the future.)

Here’s what we found out.

The Process The judges did a blind tasting of 10 beers and rated them based on appearance (10 points), aroma (20 points), flavor/finish (30 points), body (20 points) and overall impressions (20 points). The scores listed here are an average of the judges’ ratings based on a 100-point scale, with 100 being a perfect score.

The Stouts Too Cream Stout

Dark Horse Brewing Co., Marshall 7.5% ABV, (No date on bottle)

This is a thick-looking beer that poured with a strong off-tan head.

Burnt sugar dominates the nose and the flavor starts sweet, features a roasty bitterness with a nice, oily mouthfeel. It’s sugary, but not overpoweringly sweet. A well-rounded, balanced beer that stays within the boundaries of the style.

Score: 86.5

Cup A Joe Coffee Creme Stout

Short’s Brewing Co., Bellaire 7.0% ABV, (Bottled 12/3/14)

This one is all about the coffee – and lots of it, although there’s some fruitiness that creeps into the aroma.

This is another thick beer. The flavor is heavy on the dark roasted coffee taste, with some hop bitterness as well. There’s definitely a complex malt bill here, as well as a long finish. “Now we’re talking,” Peck wrote.

Score: 86.5

Dubious Black Chocolate Stout

North Peak Brewing, Traverse City 5.3% ABV, (No date on bottle)

The Judges

(Get to know the people behind the reviews.)

Joe Boomgaard Beer Czar of Revue West Michigan and Managing Editor of MiBiz. (The blackness of stouts lures in this heavy metal fan like a siren’s call.)

Nick Manes Beer Bro of Revue West Michigan and Staff Writer at MiBiz.

Nathan Peck Project Manager at Pridgeon & Clay, a manufacturer in Grand Rapids; Former (Typically, the only time scribe at MiBiz. he’ll drink stouts are when they’re free.)

(Prefers dark beers for a dark night.)

42 | REVUEWM.COM | January 2015

John Wiegand Staff Writer at MiBiz. (Likes his stouts the same way he likes his women: “Dark and murky.”)

Pours with a great dark color and a nice tan head. This one smells and tastes sweet, but “not offensively so,” Manes wrote. It’s rich in flavor, but has a lighter body than most stouts.

The beer is eminently drinkable with a lingering finish.

Score: 77.25

CEO Stout

Right Brain Brewing Co., Traverse City 5.5% ABV, (Canned 10/20/14)

This one seems to be all about coffee, which dominates the beer’s nose.

However, the taste doesn’t live up to the aroma. Peck described it as “a dry hump that’s not living up to the nose.” The body is rather thick and sticky and coats the tongue, which helps bring out the long finish.

Score: 71.25

Kalamazoo Stout

Bell’s Brewery Inc., Kalamazoo 6.0% ABV, (Bottled 10/29/14)

This beer pours dark with a nice tan head. A strong sweetness dominates the nose, but the taste stands out for being almost savory with some roastiness thrown in for good measure. The body was a bit thinner than most had hoped, and the finish was perhaps its best quality.

Score: 70.5

Neapolitan Milk Stout

Saugatuck Brewing Co., Saugatuck 6.0% ABV, (No date on bottle)

This beer was lighter in color to the others with a reddish hue. Strong, fruity aromas seemed strange here, and the taste confirmed it. The judges said it was reminiscent of Neapolitan ice cream, although the strawberry flavors could come off as somewhat artificial. This is a beer that would probably hold up well on its own, but it doesn’t fit in with the others here.

Score: 59.0

North Third Stout

Blackrocks Brewery, Marquette 6.0% ABV, (No date on can, but was just released by brewery)

One of the few beers in this comparison that featured the dark fruit throughout the aroma and the taste instead of going heavily into

coffee. The consensus was that it was a highly drinkable beer, yet “unremarkable.”

Score: 59.0

Milkshake Stout

Rochester Mills Beer Co., Rochester 5.0% ABV, (Drink by 3/1/15 listed on can)

This one was lighter-bodied than the others. It was dark with a good head and a sweet aroma, but the taste just wasn’t there. There was some coffee in the back end of it, but the beer as a whole was “nothing special,” Wiegand wrote.

Score: 57.75

Special Double Cream Stout

Bell’s Brewery Inc., Kalamazoo 6.1% ABV, (Bottled on 9/17/14)

The appearance didn’t hold up to the black-as-night standard set by the others. This was another beer with dark fruity aromas, and it seemed rather singularly focused in that regard. Judges liked its sticky body, but nothing else really stood out.

Score: 53.5

The Poet

New Holland Brewing Co., Holland 5.2% ABV, (No date on bottle)

Pours with a white head and a fruity aroma. Overall, the flavor was rather weak, without much of the roastiness typical in the style. One reviewer detected a slight buttery flavor, which could suggest that there may have been an issue with this bottle. Without a date, it’s tough to tell if age was a factor.

Score: 44

vv Scene | Sounds | Sights Dining Schedule

10 AWARD WINNING CRAFT BREWS ON TAP Bottles, growlers and kegs available!

105 EAST STATE ST. • (269) 945-4400 • WALLDORFFBREWPUB.COM

REVUEWM.COM | January 2015 |

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

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

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.

Schedule Dining Sights | Sounds | Scene

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

The Score 5301 Northland Dr. NE. 616-301-0600 SPORTS BAR. The Score is the perfect combination for beer and sports lovers.

More than 70 TVs carry all major sports packages and there are 128 beers on tap, the most on tap in the state. During the summer months, enjoy live entertainment seven days a week, outdoor dining (complete with real palm trees) and volleyball tournaments. The menu ranges from burgers to pizzas and wings tossed in one of The Score’s 16 sauces. » SERVING: Lunch Dinner .OPEN ON: Open 7 days. GO THERE FOR: Lots of beer options.

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.

44 | REVUEWM.COM | January 2015

Speak EZ Lounge 600 Monroe Ave. NW. 616-458-3125 ECLECTIC. While this lounge may be modeled after the year 1933, its food is not. Speak EZ Lounge offers a variety of food for all to enjoy whether you’re omnivore, vegan or gluten free. Come in for a bite of Rustic Sage Risotto that goes perfectly with one of the lounges signature drinks. » SERVING: Breakfast Lunch Dinner OPEN ON: Open 7 days GO THERE FOR: The diverse 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 and other classic beers out of a mason jar? » SERVING: Lunch Dinner OPEN ON: Open 7 days. GO THERE FOR: Vegetarian and vegan bar food.

Terra GR 1429 Lake Dr. 616-301-0998 AMERICAN. Terra boasts fresh, healthy ingredients in all of its menu items. The restaurant doesn’t feature one menu, either. It offers a Saturday and Sunday brunch menu, as well as menus for lunch, dinner, dessert, beverages, wine, happy hour and kids. The food is inspired by the seasons and ingredients come straight from one of Michigan’s many farms. » SERVING: Brunch Lunch Dinner. OPEN ON: Open 7 days. GO THERE FOR: Fresh foods with ingredients from regional growers.

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

The Winchester 648 Wealthy St. SE. 616-451-4969 ECLECTIC. Upscale Wealthy Street bar and restaurant feels like it was plucked from Chicago’s Bucktown or Logan Square neighborhoods.

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

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

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

Lakeshore 8th Street Grille 20 W. 8th St., Holland. 616-392-5888 AMERICAN. This

Beer notes Events

■■ The fifth-annual Kalamazoo Beer Week (KBW) runs from Jan. 10-17 and features a series of craft beer-related events at area bars, restaurants and retailers. KBW offers patrons the chance to meet with brewers, learn about the process of making beer and interact with fellow beer aficionados.

Last year’s KBW featured more than 200 events.

Check kalamazoobeerweek.com for more information and details about the dozens of events around Southwest Michigan.

■■ The first Pure Ludington Brrrewfest will take place Saturday, Jan. 31 from 1-6 p.m. in downtown Ludington. The celebration of Michigan beers will feature more than 20 of the state’s breweries and live music. Acts were still being determined at the time this report went to press.

Tickets are $25 in advance or $30 at the door and include a 5 oz. sampling glass and six drink tokens. Additional glassware and tokens will be available for purchase at the festival. Visit pureludington. com/beer for more information.

Organizers hope to sell about 1,000 tickets for the event, but they can expand the event if needed to meet more demand.

■■ A pre-fest beer-and-food pairing dubbed “The Big Chill” will take place from 6-9 p.m. Thursday, Jan. 29 at Jamesport Brewing Co. The dinner

eclectic grille offers a mix of draft and bottled craft beers and a variety of pub classics and new, American beerinspired dishes. Happy hour includes half-off appetizers and $1 off drafts. » SERVING: Lunch, Dinner OPEN ON: 7 days. GO THERE FOR: 28 taps of craft beer.

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.

CityVu Bistro 61 E 7th Street, Holland. 616-796-2114 AMERICAN. A distinctive rooftop dining experience in downtown Holland with fresh gourmet flatbreads and an array of seasonal entrees are in. The contemporary-yet-casual atmosphere, full bar and unique menus make it the ideal spot for lunch, dinner and Sunday brunch. » SERVING: Breakfast Lunch Dinner OPEN ON: Open 7 days GO THERE FOR: flatbreads

features local dessert and ice cream and live entertainment. Tickets are $40.

News

■■ Pigeon Hill Brewing Co. in Muskegon is planning a $1 million expansion to add a new production facility to support distribution.

■■ Railtown Brewing Co. opened its doors in December. The brewery is located at 3555 68th St. SE in Dutton.

■■ New Holland Brewing opened Sidecar, a new 1,600-square-foot merchandise and tasting room located in space next to its downtown Holland pub at 72 East 8th St. The store features a line of branded merchandise, apparel and beer and spirits to go. The company also plans to offer samples and flights of its products.

Kudos

■■ Livability.com named Grand Rapids the sixthbest beer city in the nation for 2014 behind Bend, Ore., Denver, Colo., San Diego, Calif., Albuquerque, N.M. and Tampa, Fla. “Grand Rapids offers innovative and award-winning breweries, residents who consume beer at higher rates than the average American, sophisticated beer tastes and a high-quality of life for beer lovers,” the editors said in their announcement.

■■ Fennville-based Virtue Cider’s Lapinette Cidre Brut 2013 Harvest was awarded the gold medal in the cider, perry or mead category at the 2014 Festival of Wood and Barrel Aged Beers in Chicago.

Lapinette is a cider aged in French oak barrels with French yeast.

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.

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.

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

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

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

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

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

Bravo!

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

Made in Germany • Tradition seit 1774

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

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.

Old Dog Tavern 402 East Kalamazoo Avenue, Kalamazoo. 269-381-5677 AMERICAN. The food at Old Dog Tavern is just about as eclectic as the live entertainment the establishment offers all week long. Of course, there are the trusted and true

burgers and pizzas, but Old Dog also offers U.P.-approved pastys, an open face sandwich, curried pumpkin hummus and a brownie sundae inspired by Atwater Brewing’s Vanilla Java Porter. The menu has so much on it that it might even bring some harmony between picky and adventurous eaters. » SERVING: Brunch Lunch Dinner. OPEN ON: Open 7 days. GO THERE FOR: The eclectic menu options.

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

To submit or to correct information in a dining listing, e-mail editor@ revuewm.com.

Open for Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner: 7 days a week.

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.

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.

Note Worthy Dining.

1411 Robinson Road Grand Rapids, MI (616) 451-4732 Repairs Available

Stay True

Downtown Grand Rapids Inside Holiday Inn 310 Pearl St. NW (616) 235-1342 pearlstreetgrill.com REVUEWM.COM | January 2015 |

Scene | Sounds | Sights Dining Schedule

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.

45

HISTORY DETECTIVES: SLEUTHING FOR LOCAL HISTORY

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Fajita Republic Proprietary Blend

A day-long event made up of six programs exploring various aspects of Grand Rapids history. Presented by area historians and members of historical and cultural organizations, topics are varied and reflect the unique heritage of West Michigan.

Topics include: Why Grand Rapids Chose to Bulldoze Downtown in the Name of Urban Renewal The Architecture of Production: Grand Rapids’ Furniture Factories Pharaohs on the Grand: The Egyptian Revival in Grand Rapids Stories from Maple Grove: A History of the Kent County Poor Farm Fannie Boylon: The Legacy of Grand Rapids’ First Female Home Designer Support our Schools: Mid-Century Architecture and Rebuilding the Schools Plant in Grand Rapids

6

Through February 28, 2015 All locations www.grpl.org/WinterReading

Schedule Dining | Sights | Sounds | Scene

HAPPY HOURS 2 - 5 PM MONDAY - FRIDAY 9 PM - CLOSE EVERYDAY

ABOUT MICHIGAN HISTORY

CHALLENGE

Sign up for the Winter Reading Challenge, select the number of books you are going to challenge yourself to read or listen to before the end of February, and win prizes! Great for the whole family!

ALL EVENTS ARE FREE AND OPEN TO THE PUBLIC 616.988.5400 WWW.GRPL.ORG Many of these programs are sponsored by the Grand Rapids Public Library Foundation. Consider a gift today.

46 | REVUEWM.COM | January 2015

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MONDAYS: THE SPEAKEZ OPEN MIC WITH HOST MATT YOUNG AND SPECIAL GUESTS 9PM-11PM WEDNESDAYS: LOCAL SPINS LIVE: FREE LIVE MUSIC PRESENTED BY LOCAL SPINS AND $3 SELECT MICHIGAN DRAFT BEERS 8:30PM-11PM SUNDAYS: RANDISSIMO'S SUNDAY JAZZ JAM: RANDY MARSH HOSTS A REVOLVING TRIO OF THE BEST JAZZ ARTISTS FROM WEST MICHIGAN AND BEYOND NO COVER! 7PM-10PM ARTISAN & OLD SCHOOL COCKTAILS, CRAFT BEER, WINE

BY THE GLASS & BOTTLE LIST LUNCH DAILY 11AM-4PM DINNER 4PM-10PM BRUNCH ON SATURDAYS & SUNDAYS 10AM-2PM

600 MONROE AVENUE NW GRAND RAPIDS, MICHIGAN 616.458.3125 SPEAKEZLOUNGE.COM

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

thursday

1.01

The B.O.B JGJ Band Bobarino’s Dueling Pianos Czar’s 505 Fred Potter & James Hodge DeWitt Theatre Upright Citizens Brigade Founders Brewing Co. Jim Shaneberger Band Grand Rapids Public Museum Real Pirates Gun Lake Casino Soul Shake H.O.M.E. at The B.O.B. Will Play For Food Kzoo Civic Theatre Lend Me a Tenor MercuryHead Gallery Kristian Mathews Small Works Nibi Lounge Larry Lowis Rockford Brewing Company Nathan Kalish & The Lastcallers Rupert’s Brewhouse Skinny Hodge

friday

1.02

Bell’s Eccentric Cafe After Funk Blue Water Grill Rick Reuther Bobarino’s Dueling Pianos Czar’s 505 DJ Machine Reggae Band feat. Bunny Jackson Dr. Grins Kevin Bozeman Foundry Hall Tunebugs Frederik Meijer Gardens Christmas and Holiday Traditions Around The World Gallery Uptown Wine About Winter GRAM Marks of Genius, ReEnvisioning The Nutcracker Grand Rapids Public Museum Real Pirates Gun Lake Casino Union Guns H.O.M.E. at The B.O.B. Sweet J Band Holland Museum A Hundred Flowers, Inspiring Oz, The Wonderful Wizard of Oz

Jack’s Lounge Holiday Inn Front Street Alliance KIA A Collector’s Eye, Double Take, How to Return?

Kzoo Civic Theatre Lend Me a Tenor Little River Casino Resort Trilogy Louie’s Trophy House Skinny Hodge MercuryHead Gallery Kristian Mathews Small Works Moveir Dance Studio Latin Dance Night The Music Factory Another Lost Year Nibi Lounge Larry Lowis Old Dog Tavern Brass Rail The Pyramid Scheme Complete VII Dance Party River City Saloon In the Red Rockford Brewing Company The Moonrays UICA Buying Friends, Comet, Looking Forward, Pioneer The Union Cabaret & Grille Big Boss Blues

saturday

1.03

The B.O.B Soul Syndicate Bell’s Tyvek, Inflatable Best Friend, Legendary Wings Billy’s Lounge Starfarm Blue Water Grill Nick Foresman Bobarino’s Dueling Pianos Czar’s 505 Brian Randall Band DeVos Place 2015 Antique Show Dr. Grins Kevin Bozeman Founders Brewing Co. Terrapin Flyer, Melvin Seals, Mark Karan Frederik Meijer Gardens Christmas and Holiday Traditions Around The World Gallery Uptown Wine About Winter GRAM Marks of Genius, ReEnvisioning The Nutcracker Grand Rapids Public Museum Real Pirates Gun Lake Casino Union Guns H.O.M.E. at The B.O.B. Soulstice Holland Museum A Hundred Flowers, Inspiring Oz, The Wonderful Wizard of Oz Jack’s Lounge Holiday Inn Front Street Alliance Kalamazoo Civic Theatre Lend Me a Tenor KIA A Collector’s Eye, Double Take, How to Return?, KIA and K Wings Paint the Ice Little River Casino Resort Trilogy Ludington State Park Lantern- Lit Skiing and Snowshoeing

MercuryHead Gallery Kristian Mathews Small Works Mulligan’s Pub The Brides Trophy Nibi Lounge Larry Lowis Old Dog Tavern Benjamin and Analisa, Duffield Caron Project, Joe Chamberlin from Fly Paper & Friends The Pyramid Scheme Bring Back The DAAC River City Saloon In the Red Saugatuck Brewing Exit 41 Seven Steps Up Billy Strings & Don Julin, Mark Lavengood wsg Fauxgrass Tip Top Deluxe Bar & Grill Hard Promises UICA Buying Friends, Comet, Pioneer The Union Cabaret & Grille Los Bandits Village Inn Trapped on Mars

sunday

1.04

Billy’s Lounge Big Boss Blues & Jim Shaneberger DeVos Place 2015 Antique Show Frederik Meijer Gardens Bernar Venet, Christmas and Holiday Traditions Around The World Gallery Uptown Wine About Winter GR Civic Theatre The Mousetrap GR Public Museum Real Pirates GRAM Marks of Genius, ReEnvisioning The Nutcracker Gun Lake Casino Curt Hines

KIA A Collector’s Eye, Double Take, How to Return?

Kzoo Civic Theatre Lend Me a Tenor Old Dog Tavern 7th Son Blues Jam Salt of the Earth Dave Hardin Trio UICA Buying Friends, Comet, Pioneer Van Andel Arena Winter Jam Tour Spectacular

monday

1.05

Frederik Meijer Gardens Christmas and Holiday Traditions Around The World Grand Rapids Public Museum Real Pirates Gun Lake Casino Blue Train Holland Museum A Hundred Flowers Kzoo Civic Theatre Lend Me a Tenor MercuryHead Gallery Kristian Mathews Small Works

tuesday

1.06

Gallery Uptown Wine About Winter GR Public Library Our Fires Still Burn GR Public Museum Real Pirates GRAM Marks of Genius, ReEnvisioning The Nutcracker

Best Bet: Pop These 10 years past, it’s been hard to forget about the, well, soundtrack that guided

Motion City Soundtrack REVUEWM.COM | January 2015 |

Scene | Sounds | Sights | Dining Schedule

Motion City Soundtrack wsg Hit the us through our young adult transitional lives. With Lights and Team Spirit Commit This To Memory’s decade anniversary, the The Intersection, Minneapolis-based quintet is celebrating more Grand Rapids than just a recording career milestone. After nearly Jan. 18, 6:30 p.m. $22.50 in advance, two decades in the biz, these boys have managed $25 day of to transcend the rather pigeonholing “emo” label, sectionlive.com, while maintaining a, dare we say, committed fan base (616) 451-8232 of Epitaph Records-era devotees. Given the band’s propensity for crunchy bits of pop with a punk bite, it’s not hard to see why famous fans like Mark Hoppus of Blink-182 and Patrick Stump of Fall Out Boy saw fit to participate in Commit’s creation: Hoppus produced and Stump guested on the debut single, “Everything is Alright.” Commit yourself to being at The Intersection on Jan. 18. MCS guarantees at least 95 percent of your tears will be happy ones. Reported by Emma Kat Richardson

47

Schedule Gun Lake Casino Joe Laureano Kent District Library: Cascade Township branch Stitch for a Soldier KIA ARTbreak: Film: The da Vinci Detective, How to Return?

Kzoo Civic Theatre Lend Me a Tenor LowellArts! ArtPrize: Second Glance MercuryHead Gallery Kristian Mathews Small Works Nibi Lounge Tom Northrup Old Dog Tavern Tom Duffield Open Mic with Branden Mann The Park Theatre Open Mic Rockford Brewing Company KD aLE: Rockford Brewing Brewing Company Tour Shakespeare’s Lower Level Country Line Dancing UICA Buying Friends, Looking Forward, Comet, Pioneer The Union Cabaret & Grille Bello Spark Wealthy Theatre Meanwhile Movie: Starship Troopers

thursday

1.08

Bell’s Eccentric Cafe Vox Vidorra wsg Moxieville Bobarino’s at the B.O.B. Dueling Pianos Calvin College The January Series Czar’s 505 Karaoke Night with D-Mic Downtown Market Gluten Free Baking Dr. Grins Dave Landau Founders Brewing Co. Dan Tedesco wsg Nicholas James and Bigfoot Buffalo Gallery Uptown Wine About Winter GRAM Marks of Genius, ReEnvisioning The Nutcracker GR Public Library Reading the Great Lakes GR Public Museum Real Pirates Gun Lake Casino Tony Reynolds H.O.M.E. at The B.O.B. Will Play For Food Holland Museum A Hundred Flowers Kzoo Civic Theatre Lend Me a Tenor KIA How to Return? Contemporary Chinese Photography Kent Distric Library: Plainfield Township Branch Helping Hands Help Haiti Kent District Library: Byron Township Branch Zentangle!

Kent District Library: Walker branch Gluten-Free Lifestyle LowellArts! ArtPrize: Second Glance MercuryHead Gallery Kristian Mathews Small Works Nibi Lounge Vince Miller One Trick Pony Matt Gabriel Trio Shakespeare’s Lower Level Comedy Open Mic Spectrum Theater Jewish Theatre Grand Rapids Presents One Night with Fanny Brice UICA Buying Friends, Comet, Looking Forward, Pioneer

wednesday

Schedule Dining | Sights | Sounds | Scene

1.07

Blue Water Gallery GVSU China: The Life of the Civilian Bobarino’s Dueling Pianos Calvin College The January Series Gallery Uptown Wine About Winter Gilly’s Jack Leaver GRAM Marks of Genius, ReEnvisioning The Nutcracker GR Public Museum Real Pirates Gun Lake Casino Sweet J Band H.O.M.E. at The B.O.B. Michigan Tech Jazz Lab Band Holland Museum A Hundred Flowers KIA How to Return?

Kzoo Civic Theatre Lend Me a Tenor LowellArts! ArtPrize: Second Glance MercuryHead Gallery Kristian Mathews Small Works Nibi Lounge Larry Lowis Spectrum Theater Jewish Theatre Grand Rapids Presents One Night with Fanny Brice UICA Buying Friends, Comet, Looking Forward, Pioneer The Union Cabaret & Grille Jazz Mix

friday

1.09

48 | REVUEWM.COM | January 2015

The B.O.B Three’s A Crowd Bell’s Eccentric Cafe Deep Fried Pickle Project Bethlehem Lutheran Church Wisall Billy’s Lounge Soul’d Out Blue Water Grill Curt Hines

Bobarino’s Dueling Pianos Calvin College The January Series DeVos Performance Hall Grand Rapids Symphony Presents Hough Plays Dvorak DeVos Place 45th Annual Grand Rapids Bridal Show Downtown Market Sushi Night Dr. Grins Dave Landau Foundry Hall Tunebugs Frauenthal Center for the Performing Arts Alley Door Club 2015 Season Opener with Vincent Hayes Gallery Uptown Wine About Winter GRAM Marks of Genius, ReEnvisioning The Nutcracker GR Public Museum Real Pirates Gun Lake Casino The Rock Show H.O.M.E. at The B.O.B. Drop 35, Litt Up Holland Museum A Hundred Flowers KIA How to Return?

Kzoo Civic Theatre Lend Me a Tenor Little River Casino Resort Union Guns LowellArts! ArtPrize: Second Glance Master Arts Theatre What’s Old Is New Again MercuryHead Gallery Kristian Mathews Small Works Mulligan’s Pub Trace of Lime, Everyday Junior, Desmond Jones The Music Factory Dead Horse Trauma Nibi Lounge Larry Lowis Old Dog Tavern Double Strung wsg Stuart Shaw Papa Pete’s Chicago Funk Mafia, Rusty Gates and Pleasant Drive The Pyramid Scheme Dead Prez DJ Psycho SuperDre River City Saloon Brena Rockford Brewing Company Mystic Dub St. Cecilia Music Center SOM Concert Band Winter Concert UICA A Girl Walks Home Alone at Night, Buying Friends Collector’s Talk and Catalog Signing, Comet, Looking Forward

saturday

1.10

The B.O.B Three’s A Crowd Bell’s Eccentric Cafe That 1 Guy Billy’s Lounge Thirsty Perch Blue Water Grill Everett Domeier Bobarino’s at the B.O.B. Dueling Pianos

DeltaPlex Arena & Conference Center Premier Design Rally DeVos Performance Hall Grand Rapids Symphony Presents Hough Plays Dvorak DeVos Place 45th Annual Grand Rapids Bridal Show Downtown Kalamazoo Kalamazoo Beer Week Dr. Grins Comedy Club Dave Landau First Baptist Church The Green Hornet Founders Brewing Co. Earthwork Music Collective Winter Tour Frauenthal Center for the Performing Arts 2015 Bridal Association Bridal Expo at the Frauenthal Center Gallery Uptown Wine About Winter GR Public Museum Real Pirates: GRAM Marks of Genius, ReEnvisioning The Nutcracker Gun Lake Casino The Rock Show H.O.M.E. at The B.O.B. Drop 35, Spazmatics Holland Museum A Hundred Flowers The Intersection Wheatland Music Festival KIA How to Return?, Second Sight/ Insight II Kzoo Civic Theatre Lend Me a Tenor Kzoo Public Library KSO Performs Peter and the Wolf Kent District Library: Alto Branch KDL Lab: ReFashion It! Little River Casino Resort Union Guns LowellArts! ArtPrize: Second Glance Ludington State Park Guided Snowshoe Hikes Master Arts Theatre What’s Old Is New Again MercuryHead Gallery Kristian Mathews Small Works Mulligan’s Pub Digital Damnation Nibi Lounge Tom Northrup Old Dog Tavern Benjamin and Analisa, Duffield Caron Project, Wissaal and Boheme Tribal Belly Dance Troupe One Trick Pony Organissimo Papa Pete’s After the Minor Lacerations, Of All We Cherish The Pyramid Scheme Avenue for the Arts 10th Anniversary Dance Party River City Saloon That Beatles Thing Rockford Brewing Company The Accidentals Saugatuck Brewing Matt Garbriel Seven Steps Up Michael Pearsall

Shakespeare’s Lower Level Kalamazoo Beer Week Kickoff Spectrum Theater Jewish Theatre Grand Rapids Presents One Night with Fanny Brice St. Cecilia Music Center SOM Sinfonia and Concert Orchestra Winter Concert Tip Top Deluxe Bar & Grill British Racing Green and The Star Darts UICA A Girl Walks Home Alone at Night, Buying Friends, Comet Village Inn Hat Trick Wealthy Theatre Summer Journeys Presents Pretty Faces

sunday

1.11

DeVos Place Grand Rapids Remodeling & New Homes Show Downtown Kalamazoo Kalamazoo Beer Week Gallery Uptown Wine About Winter GRAM Marks of Genius, ReEnvisioning The Nutcracker GR Civic Theatre The Mousetrap GR Public Museum Real Pirates Gun Lake Casino John Sanger The Intersection G-Eazy wsg Kehlani Kool John Jay Ant KIA How to Return?, Second Sight/ Insight II Kzoo Civic Theatre Lend Me a Tenor Loutit District Library Sunday Afternoon Concert Series: GOTAK Old Dog Tavern Frankenmuth Brewery Tap Takeover, Old Time Jam, Gator Boys Blues Band Salt of the Earth Cabbage Crik and Ruth & Max Spectrum Theater Jewish Theatre Grand Rapids Presents One Night with Fanny Brice UICA A Girl Walks Home Alone at Night, Buying Friends, Comet Wings Stadium Southwest Michigan Bridal Show

monday

1.12

Calvin College The January Series Downtown Kalamazoo Kalamazoo Beer Week Downtown Market Spice Merchants: Himalayan Salt Blocks GR Public Museum Real Pirates Gun Lake Casino Dennie Middleton

Holland Museum A Hundred Flowers Kzoo Civic Theatre Lend Me a Tenor MercuryHead Gallery Kristian Mathews Small Works

tuesday

1.13

Calvin College The January Series DeVos Performance Hall Broadway Grand Rapids Presents Annie Downtown Kalamazoo Kalamazoo Beer Week Gallery Uptown Wine About Winter GRAM Marks of Genius GR Public Museum Real Pirates Gun Lake Casino Adam Pringle Kent District Library - East Grand Rapids Branch KD aLe: Beer Sampling with the Great American Brew Trail’s Amy Sherman Kent District Library: Cascade Township branch Stitch for a Soldier Kent District Library: Wyoming Branch Zentangle KIA ARTbreak: Film: The da Vinci Detective, How to Return?, Second Sight/Insight II Kzoo Civic Theatre Lend Me a Tenor LowellArts! ArtPrize: Second Glance MercuryHead Gallery Kristian Mathews Small Works Nibi Lounge Kathy Ford Old Dog Tavern Tom Duffield, Open Mic with Branden Mann The Park Theatre Open Mic Schuler Books 28th Street Author Talk & Booksigning with Leon Logothetis Shakespeare’s Lower Level Country Line Dancing UICA A Girl Walks Home Alone at Night, Buying Friends, Comet, Looking Forward The Union Cabaret & Grille Treading Bleu Wealthy Theatre Meanwhile Movie: A Clockwork Orange

wednesday

1.14

Bell’s Eccentric Cafe Live Band Karaoke Bobarino’s Dueling Pianos Calvin College The January Series

DeVos Performance Hall Broadway Grand Rapids Presents Annie Downtown Kalamazoo Kalamazoo Beer Week Gallery Uptown Wine About Winter Gilly’s Nick Foresman GRAM Marks of Genius GR Public Museum Real Pirates Gun Lake Casino Brena Holland Museum A Hundred Flowers Kent District Library: EngelhardtLowell Branch Gluten-Free Lifestyle KIA How to Return?, Second Sight/Insight II, Kalamazoo Beer Week: Kalamadoodle & Gonzo’s BiggDogg Brewing Kzoo Civic Theatre Lend Me a Tenor LowellArts! ArtPrize: Second Glance MercuryHead Gallery Kristian Mathews Small Works Meeter Center Lecture Hall Calvin College Jamin Warren Nibi Lounge Larry Lowis Old Dog Tavern Wild Adriatic The Park Theatre Marley’ Documentary Spectrum Theater Jewish Theatre Grand Rapids Presents One Night with Fanny Brice UICA A Girl Walks Home Alone at Night, Buying Friends, Comet, Looking Forward The Union Cabaret & Grille Jazz Mix

thursday

1.15

friday

1.16

The B.O.B Jaded 8 Bell’s Eccentric Cafe Rusted Root wsg. Slim Gypsy Baggage Blue Water Grill John Sanger Bobarino’s at the B.O.B. Dueling Pianos Calvin College The January Series Czar’s 505 The Mainstays DeVos Performance Hall Broadway Grand Rapids Presents Annie DeVos Place Grand Rapids Camper Travel & RV Show The Dock at Bayview Drop 35 Downtown Kalamazoo Kalamazoo Beer Week Dr. Grins Comedy Club Don Friesen

Foundry Hall Tunebugs Frauenthal Center for the Performing Arts Muskegon Civic Theatre presents Six Dance Lessons in Six Weeks Gallery Uptown Wine About Winter GRAM Marks of Genius GR Civic Theatre The Mousetrap GR Public Museum Real Pirates Gun Lake Casino Ani H.O.M.E. at The B.O.B. Three’s a Crowd Holland Museum A Hundred Flowers Jack’s Lounge Holiday Inn The Factory KIA How to Return?, Second Sight/ Insight II Kzoo Civic Theatre Lend Me a Tenor Little River Casino Resort Shelagh Brown LowellArts! ArtPrize: Second Glance Master Arts Theatre John His Story MercuryHead Gallery Kristian Mathews Small Works Mulligan’s Pub Come Out Fighting, Tall Tales, Presence of Fear Nibi Lounge Larry Lowis Old Dog Tavern Hired Hands, The Straight Story, Dark Horse New Release Brews and Dinner Pairing The Pyramid Scheme Jamaican Queens Precious Threats Care River City Saloon Whiplash Alley Rockford Brewing Company The Matchsellers Tip Top Deluxe Bar & Grill Lil’ Ed & The Blues Imperials UICA A Girl Walks Home Alone at Night, Alchemist Sculpture Foundry Tour, Buying Friends, Goodbye to All That, Looking Forward The Union Cabaret & Grille Rustys BA Band Van Andel Arena Amsoil Arena Cross Wealthy Theatre Pop Scholars: Improv Comedy Whiskey River Saloon Funkle Jesse

saturday

1.17

The B.O.B Jaded 8 Bell’s Generational Jamaican Queens ELEL Blue Water Grill Tony Reynolds Bobarino’s Dueling Pianos DeVos Performance Hall Broadway Grand Rapids Presents Annie

DeVos Place Grand Rapids Camper Travel & RV Show The Dock at Bayview Drop 35 Downtown Kalamazoo Kalamazoo Beer Week Dr. Grins Don Friesen Fenn Valley Chili Cook Off and Cellar Clearance Sale Founders Brewing Co. Seth Bernard with Chris Bathgate Frauenthal Center for the Performing Arts Muskegon Civic Theatre presents Six Dance Lessons in Six Weeks Gallery Uptown Wine About Winter GRAM Marks of Genius Grand Rapids Civic Theatre The Mousetrap GR Public Library History Detectives: Sleuthing for Local History GR Public Museum Real Pirates, Through the Eyes of Weidenaar Gun Lake Casino Soul Syndicate H.O.M.E. at The B.O.B. Brena Holland Museum A Hundred Flowers Jack’s Lounge Holiday Inn The Factory KIA How to Return?, Second Sight/ Insight II, Redefining the Multiple Kzoo Civic Theatre Lend Me a Tenor Kzoo County Expo Center Reptile & Exotic Animal Show, Model Train Auction Little River Casino Resort Shelagh Brown LowellArts! ArtPrize: Second Glance Ludington State Park Lantern- Lit Skiing and Snowshoeing Master Arts Theatre John His Story MercuryHead Gallery Kristian Mathews Small Works Miller Auditorium Magic of Motown Nibi Lounge Larry Lowis Old Dog Tavern Benjamin and Analisa, Duffield Caron Project, Belfast Gin One Trick Pony Mid-Life Crisis The Park Theatre Bob Marley Birthday Bash- Legends Tribute Band The Pyramid Scheme Lady Ace Boogie LP Release River City Saloon Leftovers Saugatuck Brewing Trace Duo Seven Steps Up Lee Dewyze Spectrum Theater Jewish Theatre Grand Rapids Presents One Night with Fanny Brice

Fleetwood Mac

Best Bet: Classic Rock Return of the Mac. Return of the Mac. As devoted ‘90s lyrics enthusiasts, we had an inkling he might be back. But we never guessed that she would be back as well; that is, Christie McVie, the longstanding hold out on the much-buzzed about Fleetwood Mac reunion tour. Yeah, we were talking about a different “Mac.” And sorry, it’s not really a reunion tour unless all the original, living members are involved. (Shooting daggers in your direction, Beach Boys). Now rolling out the aptly named On With The Show tour, the Mac will be jamming together for the first time in 16 years, putting aside past and petty differences for the greater goal of bringing music to the people.

Indeed, there will be no torrid love triangles or month-long coke binges on this outing: Stevie, Mick, Lindsey, John and of course, Christie, are ready to serve up a cornucopia of classics. Dust off your Rumours lyric sheets and best gypsy-style veil for this shindig; you won’t want to be the only one who misses the landslide of magic sure to take place. Reported by Emma Kat Richardson

Fleetwood Mac Van Andel Arena, Grand Rapids Jan. 20, 8 p.m. $179.50, $129.50, $79.50 and $49.50 vanandelarena.com, (616) 742-6600

REVUEWM.COM | January 2015 |

Scene | Sounds | Sights | Dining Schedule

Bell’s Eccentric Cafe Cloud Nothings Bobarino’s Dueling Pianos Calvin College The January Series Czar’s 505 Karaoke Night with D-Mic DeVos Performance Hall Broadway Grand Rapids Presents Annie DeVos Place Grand Rapids Camper Travel & RV Show Downtown Kalamazoo Kalamazoo Beer Week Dr. Grins Don Friesen Founders Brewery Hannah Rose and the Gravestones Foundry Hall Open Mic Hosted By Paul Hogan Gallery Uptown Wine About Winter GRAM Marks of Genius GR Public Museum Real Pirates

Gun Lake Casino Kathleen and the Bridge Street Band H.O.M.E. at The B.O.B. Will Play For Food Holland Museum A Hundred Flowers The Intersection Moonshine Bandits wsg Big B and Demun Jones Kent District Library: Byron Township Branch KD aLe: Home Brewing 101 Kent District Library: Cascade Township branch Michigan Authors Night KIA Get the Picture! Gallery Talk: Mike Glier’s Garden Court: Summer 2, How to Return?, Second Sight/ Insight II Kzoo Civic Theatre Lend Me a Tenor LowellArts! ArtPrize: Second Glance MercuryHead Gallery Kristian Mathews Small Works Nibi Lounge Brandon Ward Old Dog Tavern Steve Pesch One Trick Pony Kathy Lamar Rockford Brewing Company Jim Shaneberger Band Spectrum Theater Jewish Theatre Grand Rapids Presents One Night with Fanny Brice Tip Top Deluxe Bar & Grill JD Wilkes and the Dirt Daubers wsg The Lazy Hands UCIA A Girl Walks Home Alone at Night, Buying Friends, Comet, Looking Forward Wealthy Theatre Christopher Titus: The Angry Pursuit of Happiness

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Schedule Kzoo County Expo Center Model Train Auction KIA How to Return?, Second Sight/ Insight II, Redefining the Multiple Ladies Literary Club Jukebox the Ghost wsg Twin Forks Special Someones Old Dog Tavern Cats in the Hat Salt of the Earth Lindsay Lou and The Flatbellies Spectrum Theater Jewish Theatre Grand Rapids Presents One Night with Fanny Brice UICA A Girl Walks Home Alone at Night, Buying Friends, Goodbye to All That Van Andel Arena Amsoil Arena Cross

Tip Top Deluxe Bar & Grill Devin And The Dead Frets JOE and Brother Adams UICA A Girl Walks Home Alone at Night, Buying Friends, Goodbye to All That Van Andel Arena Amsoil Arena Cross Village Inn Litt Up Wings Stadium Home Town Sports Card Show

sunday

1.18

DeVos Performance Hall Broadway Grand Rapids Presents Annie DeVos Place Grand Rapids Camper Travel & RV Show Frauenthal Center for the Performing Arts Muskegon Civic Theatre presents Six Dance Lessons in Six Weeks Gallery Uptown Wine About Winter GRAM Folias: Flute and Guitar Duo, Marks of Genius GR Civic Theatre The Mousetrap GR Public Museum Real Pirates, Through the Eyes of Weidenaar Gun Lake Casino Everett Domeier The Intersection Motion City Soundtrack wsg Hit the Lights and Team Spirit Kzoo Civic Theatre Lend Me a Tenor

monday

1.19

Bobarino’s at the B.O.B. Monday Night Jazz Series: Organissimo Calvin College The January Series GR Public Museum Real Pirates, Through the Eyes of Weidenaar Gun Lake Casino Larry Lowis Holland Museum A Hundred Flowers Kent County District Library Grandville Branch Gluten-Free Lifestyle MercuryHead Gallery Kristian Mathews Small Works

Saugatuck Center for the Arts Creativity Revealed: Permeated Surfaces

tuesday

1.20

Calvin College The January Series Covenant Fine Arts Center Pop Scholars Dr. Grins Mick Foley Gallery Uptown Wine About Winter GR Public Museum Real Pirates, Through the Eyes of Weidenaar Gun Lake Casino Alex Mays Kent District Library: Caledonia Township Branch KD aLe: Home Brewing 101 Kent District Library: Krause Memorial Branch Zentanlge!

KIA ARTbreak: Hyman Bloom: The Beauty of All Things, How to Return?, Redefining the Multiple, Second Sight/Insight II LowellArts! ArtPrize: Second Glance MercuryHead Gallery Kristian Mathews Small Works Nibi Lounge Tom Northrup Old Dog Tavern Tom Duffield Open Mic with Branden Mann The Park Theatre Open Mic Shakespeare’s Lower Level Country Line Dancing

UICA A Girl Walks Home Alone at Night, Buying Friends, Goodbye to All That, Looking Forward Van Andel Arena Fleetwood Mac Wealthy Theatre Meanwhile Movie: The Breakfast Club

wednesday

1.21

Bobarino’s at the B.O.B. Dueling Pianos Calvin College The January Series Frederik Meijer Gardens Hydroponics at Home Gallery Uptown Wine About Winter Gilly’s at the B.O.B Tom Northrup GR Civic Theatre The Mousetrap GR Public Museum Real Pirates, Through the Eyes of Weidenaar Gun Lake Casino Stereo Vegas Holland Museum A Hundred Flowers KIA How to Return?, Second Sight/ Insight II, Redefining the Multiple Kent District Library: Plainfield Twp. Branch Helping Hands Help Haiti LowellArts! ArtPrize: Second Glance MercuryHead Gallery Kristian Mathews Small Works Miller Auditorium Disney’s Beauty and the Beast Nibi Lounge Larry Lowis

The Park Theatre The Rolling Stones ‘Gimme Shelter’ Documentary Schmohz Brewery KD aLe: Schmohz Brewery Tour Spectrum Theater Jewish Theatre Grand Rapids Presents One Night with Fanny Brice UICA A Girl Walks Home Alone at Night, Buying Friends, Goodbye to All That, Looking Forward The Union Cabaret & Grille jazz mix

thursday

1.22

Bell’s Eccentric Cafe Lasso Heaters The Uncanny Boring People Bobarino’s at the B.O.B. Dueling Pianos Calvin College The January Series Cook-DeWitt Center Grand Valley Writers Series Presents Todd Kaneko and Beth Peterson DeVos Performance Hall 2015 Michigan Music Conference Downtown Market Knife Skills with Wusthof Dr. Grins John Heffron Founders Brewing Co. Ty Beat Frauenthal Center for the Performing Arts Muskegon Civic Theatre presents Six Dance Lessons in Six Weeks

Gallery Uptown Wine About Winter Grand Haven WinterFest GR Civic Theatre The Mousetrap GR Public Museum Real Pirates, Through the Eyes of Weidenaar Gun Lake Casino Asamu Johnson and The Associates of The Blues H.O.M.E. at The B.O.B. Will Play For Food Holland Museum A Hundred Flowers: Phillip A. Harrington Hope College Jack Ridl Visiting Writers Series: Orlando Ricardo Menes KIA Evening Program: Wrap It!, How to Return?, Redefining the Multiple, Second Sight/Insight II Kellogg Arena PBR BlueDEF Velocity Tour Kent District Library - East Grand Rapids Branch KD aLe: Home Brewing 101 LowellArts! ArtPrize: Second Glance MercuryHead Gallery Kristian Mathews Small Works Miller Auditorium Disney’s Beauty and the Beast New Holland Brewing Company TinMan Cocktails: Warm Winter Cocktails Nibi Lounge Vince Miller One Trick Pony Dan Beelan The Pyramid Scheme Ultimate Painting Rockford Brewing Company Whistle Stop Revue

Best Bet: Blues Schedule Dining | Sights | Sounds | Scene

Hey, you. What do you have going on this boring Sunday night? Chances are, not

Selwyn Birchwood Tip Top Deluxe, Grand

much. Instead, see a raw, authentic bluesman Rapids that will sex-up your ear canals with some inJan. 25, 8 p.m. $16 in advance, $18 day of tense, juicy guitar twanging. The name’s Selwyn facebook.com/pages/tipBirchwood, and day-am, is he ever good. By laytop-deluxe-bar-grill, (616) ing down slinky, sleek vocals over a meandering, 272-3910 deep-seeded blues strum, Birchwood is modernizing traditional down-in-the-delta harmonies in ways few other contemporary guitarists can manage. A native Floridian, Birchwood has been drawing raves from critics ever since he splashed out onto the music scene in the earlier part of this decade. Currently on tour with his eponymous four-piece band, Birchwood & Co. are hitting up Tip Top Deluxe for what’s sure to be an evening filled with more heart-grabbing songs than heart-stopping quarter-pounders. Give him a go; who says January can’t be a little hot, if a little blue, too? Reported by Emma Kat Richardson

50 | REVUEWM.COM | January 2015

Selwyn Birchwood

friday

1.23

saturday

1.24

The B.O.B First Row Blue Water Grill Tom Northrup Bobarino’s at the B.O.B. Dueling Pianos Covenant Fine Arts Center When the Blues Left America:A Soul Symphony Tribute to Van Morrison & Friends Czar’s 505 Dumela Project DeltaPlex Arena Huntin Time Expo DeVos Performance Hall Grand Rapids Symphony Presents A Night at the Oscars Dr. Grins John Heffron Founders Brewing Co. Afro Zuma Frauenthal Center for the Performing Arts Muskegon Civic Theatre presents Six Dance Lessons in Six Weeks Frederik Meijer Gardens Orchid Show Gallery Uptown Wine About Winter Grand Haven WinterFest GR Civic Theatre The Mousetrap GR Public Museum Real Pirates, Through the Eyes of Weidenaar Gun Lake Casino Blammo H.O.M.E. at The B.O.B. Hype & The Bimini Brothers Holland Museum A Hundred Flowers The Intersection Hatebreed wsg Sin Theorem, Withhold the Blood, Society Kills; Sun Stereo

Jack’s Lounge Holiday Inn Stereo Vegas KIA How to Return?, Second Sight/ Insight II, Redefining the Multiple Kzoo Civic Theatre Lend Me a Tenor Kzoo County Expo Center Thunderbirds RC Swap Meet, Weekend Kalamazoo Indoor Flea & Farmers Market Little River Casino Resort Round Brown Suitcase Lowell Performing Arts Center The Surprising Story of the Three Little Pigs LowellArts! ArtPrize: Second Glance Ludington State Park Guided Snowshoe Hikes MercuryHead Gallery Kristian Mathews Small Works Mulligan’s Pub Digital Damnation Nibi Lounge Kathy Ford Old Dog Tavern Benjamin and Analisa, Duffield Caron Project, Big Mont and the Next Generation One Trick Pony Thirsty Perch Blues Band The Park Theatre The Rolling Stones by Hot Rocks- Legends Tribute Band Pyramid Scheme The Soil & The Sun River City Saloon In the Red Saugatuck Brewing Lew and Riley Russ Saugatuck Center for the Arts Real to Reel: The Dog Schuler Books 28th Street Special Storytime & Booksigning with Authors Alan Cariero & Darren Bain Spectrum Theater Jewish Theatre Grand Rapids Presents One Night with Fanny Brice Tri-Cities Historical Museum Lock Hook Rug Making University Theatre The University Theatre presents The Whale UICA Buying Friends, Goodbye to All That Wings Stadium Roller Derby: KDD/ Killa Crew v. Ft Wayne A/B Team

sunday

1.25

DeltaPlex Arena Huntin Time Expo DeVos Performance Hall Grand Rapids Symphony Presents A Night at the Oscars Frederik Meijer Gardens Orchid Show Gallery Uptown Wine About Winter Grand Haven WinterFest GRAM Manitou Trio: Northern Lower Michigan’s Premier String Trio

UPCOMING EVENTS

Visit bellsbeer.com for show times and event details.

JAN 2 JAN 3

After Funk wsg Honeydew Squeeze • Free Tyvek wsg Inflatable Best Friend, Legendary Wings* • $5 advance, $7 day of JAN 8 Vox Vidorra wsg Moxieville • Free Deep Fried Pickle Project wsg Charlie King • $5 JAN 9 JAN 10 That 1 Guy* • $12 January 10th-17th Kalamazoo Beer Week JAN 10 Snow Jog • Free JAN 11 Brunch JAN 12 Pinball & Pints • Free JAN 13 Meat, Cheese & Rare Beers JAN 14 2nd annual Jortslam w/ Live Band Karaoke • Free JAN 15 Cloud Nothings* • $12 advance, $15 day of Rusted Root wsg Slim Gypsy Baggage* JAN 16 $25 advance, $30 day of JAN 17 Generationals wsg Jamaican Queens, ELEL* $10 advance, $12 day of JAN 19 Square Dance Kalamazoo w/ Bowhunter • $5 JAN 22 Lasso, Heaters, The Uncanny, Boring People • Free JAN 23 Sango wsg Atu, Savon* • $10 advance, $12 day of JAN 29 House of Boogie - Funk/Soul Vinyl • Free JAN 30 Crime Funk • $3 JAN 31 The Appleseed Collective wsg Delilah Dewylde & the Lost Boys • $8 FEB 7 Super Happy Funtime Burlesque • $10 FEB 13 The Crane Wives wsg Henhouse Prowlers* • $10 FEB 14 Digital Tape Machine and Cosby Sweater* $13 advance, $15 day of MAR 6 Buckwheat Zydeco* • $18 advance, $20 day of SUNDAYS Trivia every Sunday • 5-8pm *pre-sale tickets available at bellsbeer.com, frontgatetickets.com and Bell’s General Store.

355 E. Kalamazoo Ave. • Kalamazoo, MI • 269-382-2332 Must be 21 for concerts. • For questions, email entertainment@bellsbeer.com.

Thank you for supporting live music at Bell’s Eccentric Café.

REVUEWM.COM | January 2015 |

Scene | Sounds | Sights | Dining Schedule

The B.O.B First Row Bell’s Sango Atu Savon Blue Water Grill Gabrial James Bobarino’s Dueling Pianos Calvin College The January Series Czar’s 505 Captain Ivory DeltaPlex Arena & Conference Center Huntin Time Expo DeVos Performance Hall Grand Rapids Symphony Presents A Night at the Oscars Downtown Market Couples: Jazzy Vegetarian Dr. Grins John Heffron Foundry Hall Tunebugs Frauenthal Center for the Performing Arts Alley Door Club 2015 presents Deni Hunter and the House Rockers, Muskegon Civic Theatre presents Six Dance Lessons in Six Weeks Gallery Uptown Wine About Winter Grand Haven WinterFest GR Civic Theatre The Mousetrap GR Public Museum Real Pirates, Through the Eyes of Weidenaar Gun Lake Casino Blammo H.O.M.E. at The B.O.B. Sprague Brotherz Holland Museum A Hundred Flowers: Phillip A. Harrington Hope College Great Performance Series: Rastrelli Cello Quartet Jack’s Lounge Holiday Inn Stereo Vegas Kellogg Arena PBR BlueDEF Velocity Tour KIA How to Return?, Second Sight/ Insight II, Redefining the Multiple Kzoo Civic Theatre Lend Me a Tenor

Little River Casino Resort Round Brown Suitcase LowellArts! ArtPrize: Second Glance Master Arts Theatre BenComedy’s Tiny Circus MercuryHead Gallery Kristian Mathews Small Works Mulligan’s Pub Inner Itch, Not for Lease, Capital Fleet Nibi Lounge Larry Lowis Old Dog Tavern Ziggy and the Bitches River City Saloon In the Red Rockford Brewing Company Fly Paper San Chez Bistro Planet-Based Cooking Tip Top Deluxe Bar & Grill S.S. WEB Rickett Pass and Lou Shields UICA Buying Friends, Goodbye to All That, Looking Forward Wealthy Theatre I’ll Remember: An Evening with Downie York Arena The Whale

© Bell's Brewery, Inc., Comstock, MI

Saugatuck Center for the Arts Intriguing Conversation: The Write Way Schuler Books 28th Street Author Talk & Booksigning with Dr. Diana Bitner Seven Steps Up Paula Cole Shakespeare’s Lower Level Comedy Open Mic Spectrum Theater Jewish Theatre Grand Rapids Presents One Night with Fanny Brice St. Cecilia Music Center Chamber Music Society of Lincoln Center Series: Folk Inspirations Tip Top Deluxe Bar & Grill The Moonrays UICA Buying Friends, Goodbye to All That, Looking Forward York Arena The Whale

GREAT BEER DESERVES GREAT MUSIC.

51

Schedule monday

1.26

Calvin College The January Series Center Art Gallery Calvin College Between the Shadow and the Light Grand Rapids Public Museum Real Pirates, Through the Eyes of Weidenaar Gun Lake Casino Jack Leaver Holland Museum A Hundred Flowers Kent District Library: Gaines Township Branch Zentangle!

MercuryHead Gallery Kristian Mathews Small Works Old Dog Tavern GLAMA Jam

tuesday

1.27

Schedule Dining | Sights | Sounds | Scene

GR Civic Theatre The Mousetrap GR Public Museum Real Pirates, Through the Eyes of Weidenaar Gun Lake Casino Nick Foresman Kent District Library - East Grand Rapids Branch Michigan Ballet Academy KIA How to Return?, Second Sight/ Insight II, Redefining the Multiple Kzoo Civic Theatre Lend Me a Tenor Old Dog Tavern Crossroads Blues Band Salt of the Earth Room 10 Revue Saugatuck Center for the Arts Hempy Keyboard Series: Ang Li Spectrum Theater Jewish Theatre Grand Rapids Presents One Night with Fanny Brice Tip Top Deluxe Bar & Grill Selwyn Birchwood UICA Buying Friends, Goodbye to All That Van Andel Arena Harlem Globetrotters 2015 World Tour

52 | REVUEWM.COM | January 2015

Blue Water Gallery GVSU China: The Life of the Civilian Calvin College The January Series Gallery Uptown Wine About Winter

GR Public Museum Real Pirates, Through the Eyes of Weidenaar Gun Lake Casino Jake Stevens Kent Distric Library: Plainfield Township branch Trash Into Treasure Kent District Library: Alto Branch Zentangle Kent District Library: Cascade Township branch Stitch for a Soldier Kent District Library: Tyrone Township Branch KD aLe: Home Brewing 101 KIA ARTbreak: Hyman Bloom: The Beauty of All Things, How to Return, Redefining the Multiple, Second Sight/Insight II LowellArts! ArtPrize: Second Glance MercuryHead Gallery Kristian Mathews Small Works Nibi Lounge Larry Lowis Old Dog Tavern Tom Duffield, Green Drinks, Open Mic Night with Branden Mann The Park Theatre Open Mic Red Wall Gallery The Evolving System Group Portfolio and

Recent Printmaking Work by Bill Hosterman UICA Buying Friends, Goodbye to All That, Looking Forward The Union Cabaret & Grille Alex Mays Wealthy Theatre Meanwhile Movie: Beetlejuice Wege Center Aquinas College A Lecture on Dominican Art

wednesday

1.28

Bobarino’s at the B.O.B. Dueling Pianos Center Art Gallery Calvin College Between the Shadow and the Light Gallery Uptown Wine About Winter Gilly’s at the B.O.B Travis Atkinson GR Civic Theatre The Mousetrap GR Public Museum Real Pirates, Through the Eyes of Weidenaar Gun Lake Casino Electric Red Holland Museum A Hundred Flowers

Kent District Library: EngelhardtLowell Branch KD aLe: Beer Tasting with Pauly’s KIA How to Return?, Second Sight/ Insight II, Redefining the Multiple LowellArts! ArtPrize: Second Glance MercuryHead Gallery Kristian Mathews Small Works Nibi Lounge Larry Lowis Osgood Brewing Company KD aLe: Osgood Brewing Tour The Park Theatre The Beatles ‘Hard Day’s Night’ Documentary @ Park Theatre UICA Buying Friends, Goodbye to All That, Looking Forward The Union Cabaret & Grille Jazz Mix

thursday

1.29

Bell’s Eccentric Cafe House of Boogie: Vinyl Funk/Soul Night Bobarino’s at the B.O.B. Dueling Pianos Downtown Muskegon Snowfest Dr. Grins Tone Bell

Founders Brewing Co. The David Thom Band Gallery Uptown Wine About Winter GR Civic Theatre The Mousetrap GR Public Museum Real Pirates, Through the Eyes of Weidenaar Gun Lake Casino Shelagh Brown H.O.M.E. at The B.O.B. Will Play For Food Holland Civic Theatre The Importance of Being Earnest Holland Museum A Hundred Flowers: Phillip A. Harrington Hope College Rudy Currence Kzoo Civic Theatre The Who’s Tommy KIA Capturing Culture With Photojournalism, How to Return, Redefining the Multiple, Second Sight/Insight II LowellArts! ArtPrize: Second Glance MercuryHead Gallery Kristian Mathews Small Works Nibi Lounge Brandon Ward Schuler Books 28th Street Local Author Night Spectrum Theater Actors’ Theater of Grand Rapids presents Water By The Spoonful

Tri-Cities Historical Museum ‘60 Centuries of Copper’ Opening Reception UICA Buying Friends, Goodbye to All That, Looking Forward York Arena The Whale

friday

1.30

The B.O.B Union Guns Bell’s Eccentric Cafe Delilah Dewylde & The Lost Boys wsg The Appleseed Collective Blue Water Grill Keith Montross Bobarino’s at the B.O.B. Dueling Pianos DeVos Performance Hall Grand Rapids Symphony Presents ‘Inspired by Wagner’ Downtown Market Cooking with Virtue Cider Downtown Muskegon Snowfest Dr. Grins Comedy Club Tone Bell Foundry Hall Tunebugs Frederik Meijer Gardens Splendors of Shiga: Treasures from Japan

Gallery Uptown Wine About Winter GR Civic Theatre The Mousetrap GR Public Library Genealogy Lock-In GR Public Museum Real Pirates, Through the Eyes of Weidenaar Gun Lake Casino GlamHammer H.O.M.E. at The B.O.B. Hat Trick Holland Civic Theatre The Importance of Being Earnest Holland Museum A Hundred Flowers The Intersection The Outer Vibe EP Giveaway Show wsg Bennett, Jesse Ray and The Carolina Catfish, Model Stranger Kzoo Civic Theatre The Who’s Tommy KIA How to Return?, Second Sight/ Insight II, Redefining the Multiple Little River Casino Resort Denise Brown Connection Louis Armstrong Theatre GVSU Opera Theatre presents ‘Company’ LowellArts! ArtPrize: Second Glance Master Arts Theatre Contents Under Pressure MercuryHead Gallery Kristian Mathews Small Works

Moveir Dance Studio Latin Dance Night Mulligan’s Pub The Star Darts, Romance for Ransom, Midwest Skies Nibi Lounge Tom Northrup The Pyramid Scheme Grand Rapids Soul Club Rockford Brewing Company Hannah Rose and the GravesTones Spectrum Theater Actors’ Theater presents Water By The Spoonful Tip Top Deluxe Bar & Grill Greg Nagy Stranded Album Release UICA Buying Friends, Looking Forward The Union Cabaret & Grille Hired Hands University Theatre The University Theatre presents The Whale Woody’s Press Box Drop 35 York Arena The Whale

saturday

1.31

The B.O.B Union Guns Blue Water Grill Jack Leaver

Bobarino’s at the B.O.B. Dueling Pianos DeltaPlex Arena West Michigan Vape Fest DeVos Performance Hall Grand Rapids Symphony Presents ‘Inspired by Wagner’ Downtown Ludington Pure Ludington BrrrewFest Downtown Market Worm Bin Workshop Downtown Muskegon Snowfest Dr. Grins Tone Bell Founders Brewing Co. Left Lane Cruiser Frederik Meijer Gardens Splendors of Shiga: Treasures from Japan Gallery Uptown Wine About Winter GR Civic Theatre The Mousetrap GR Public Museum Real Pirates, Through the Eyes of Weidenaar Gun Lake Casino Bronk Brothers H.O.M.E. at The B.O.B. Crawpuppies Holland Civic Theatre The Importance of Being Earnest Holland Museum A Hundred Flowers: Phillip A. Harrington

Kzoo Civic Theatre The Who’s Tommy KIA How to Return?, Second Sight/ Insight II, Redefining the Multiple Kzoo Public Library Bag-of-Books Sale Little River Casino Resort Denise Brown Connection Louis Armstrong Theatre GVSU Opera Theatre presents ‘Company’ LowellArts! ArtPrize: Second Glance Ludington State Park Lantern- Lit Skiing and Snowshoeing Master Arts Theatre Contents Under Pressure MercuryHead Gallery Kristian Mathews Small Works Miller Auditorium The Four Bitchin’ Babes Nibi Lounge Kathy Ford Old Dog Tavern Benjamin and Analisa Duffield Caron Project Sexy Toxins The Park Theatre The Beatles by Cavern Beat Rivertown Sports Killamazoo VS Grand Raggidy Roller Girls

Saranac High School The Surprising Story of the Three Little Pigs Saugatuck Brewing Rich Burkholder Shakespeare’s Lower Level Crazy ‘80s Party with Starfarm Spectrum Theater Actors’ Theater of Grand Rapids presents Water By The Spoonful Sunshine Community Church Little Red Riding Hood presented by the Grand Rapids Symphony UICA Buying Friends Woody’s Press Box Drop 35 York Arena The Whale n

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

Scene | Sounds | Sights | Dining Schedule REVUEWM.COM | January 2015 |

53

Last Call

by Rei Robinson

Lemon Sage Margarita Brick Road Back Bar, Grand Rapids

I awake, supine, I surmise, seeing only a field of stars. It’s cold as bones, twice as wan, snow banking all aside me like tucked bedsheets. The last thing I remember is sinking in a bright, green sea bore in a fishbowl. Now, the inebriate warmth of those tropic waters wash away by wintery waves. Standing, I see I am in a snowdusted parking lot behind the hideaway known as Brick Road Back Bar, located (of course) behind Brick Road Pizza Co. I stumbled inside for warmth and liquid solace. The bartender, espying my winter-weary waver, mixes for me a preparation of amendation. It is dubbed, simply, the Lemon Sage Margarita.

I sip.

And lo, The freeze of the white winter wasteland melts away and I am standing in a rollickly rolling meadow.

This magical concoction has the bright, sharp tang of unmistakably fresh-cut lime with a back end of sage that feels like a summer meadow repose at the end of every sip. Salty yet refreshing, it can grant even the chilliest traveler the promise of sweet spring.

I believe it was Publilius Syrus who wrote “Let a fool hold his tongue and he will pass as a sage. Offer him tequila and he’ll probably let go.”

But then again, I have been drinking.

THROUGH THE WHIPPING WIND OF WINTER, YOU CRY OUT FOR INSTRUCTION IN REGARD OF THIS POTABLE OF PORTALS’ MAKEUP. YOUR INQUEST FALLS NOT ON DEAF EARS: 1 ¼ oz. lemon and sage-infused Sauza Tequila 1 ¼ oz. simple syrup 1 ¼ oz. Cointreau Salt the rim of a margarita glass or, lacking that, a small, inverted sombrero. Cut a fresh lime and exsanguinate it into the broth.

Photo: Kelsey Wahowiak

Happy ! r a e Y w e N

P. (616) 451.4300 www.GrandWoodsLounge.com 77 Grandville Ave. SW, Grand Rapids, MI 49503

BOGO TS THURSDAYS E K C U B Y D WOO

w w w . g r a n d w o o d s l o u

DJ MATT B THROW BACK 90’S

FR I DAY N I G HT LIVE Jan 2nd - DROP 35 Jan 9th - FUNKIE JESSE Jan 16th - BRENA Jan 23rd - 3’S A CROWD Jan 30th - MIX PACK

Happy Hour in the woods

$4 - Woodstinis and Wine $3 - Well’s and Drafts Mon – Fri 2pm – 6pm

SATURDAYS

DJ DANIMAL LADIES NIGHT!

REVUEWM.COM | January 2015 |

55

SlowRide SESSION IPA

Sit Back and Session in Style.

Padded with citrus aromas and a bevy of hops, this could be the most comfortable ride you can have with a sessionable IPA. Experience life in slow-mo at newbelgium.com

#GoSlowMo

SLOW RIDE SESSION IPA IS BREWED BY NEW BELGIUM BREWING FORT COLLINS, CO