West Michigan’s Entertainment Guide for 25 years
» JuLy 2014
Music / Art / Culture / outdoor dining / Free!
Rick Chyme: inside his idea factory
e h T ic s u M ue s s I
usic m n a g i h st Mic e W n i s d trend n a s e u iss People,
Free Music Sampler! See Page 32
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What’s Inside
July 2014 | Volume 26, Issue 7
SCENE: 11 12 14 16
Random Notes Free Market Eclectic All Ages
SPECIAL SECTION: 19 The Music Issue 20 Rick Chyme 22 Women in Music 24 Jazz in West Michigan 26 Album Crowdfunding 28 Local Music Scene Photos 30 Kalamazoo Venue Changes 32 Local Music Sampler
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SOUNDS:
35 Local Music: Inflatable Best Friend 36 On Tour: Run Boy Run
the music issue
SIGHTS:
54
39 Visual Arts: David Nash 40 Theatre: One Man, Two Guvnors 42 Style Notes 44 Comedy: Josh Sneed 46 Indie Film 48 Lit Life: Wicked Grand Rapids
Outdoor Dining
DINING & DRINKING: 51 52 54 56
Restaurant Listings Gluten Free Girl Taste This: Outdoor Dining Beer: Latitude 42
SCHEDULE:
63 Daily Event Listings and Best Bets
42
Style notes
Letter from the Editor
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W est M ic h igan ’ s E ntertainment G uide
ou won’t find a Q&A page in this month’s issue.
I had originally intended to give the Q&A treatment to local hip-hop artist, Rick Chyme. That was the plan. After I met him and his music partner, Nixon, for coffee and conversation at Madcap, it was obvious that a Q&A would not do Chyme justice.
What impressed me about Chyme was his drive to not only better himself as an artist, but to promote positivity in the community. He works with students in the community, is part of the Be Nice Campaign and helps get other people’s stories told in his “Your Songs” project. As if that’s not enough to fill two pages of this magazine, Chyme also spent a year and a half at the Def Jam record label. He came back to Grand Rapids in 2005 to be with his family and to work on becoming a better hip-hop artist. Chyme is just one of the many musicians that aren’t just making music, they’re making a difference in our community. Another example is Jes Kramer, who, along with Steffanie Rosalez, have organized LadyFest at The Pyramid Scheme for the past three years. The festival’s intent is to highlight women’s contributions to music -- locally and nationally. And then there are other musicians who are contributing some damn good music, which we feature in our West Michigan Music Sampler. Free to you, reader, we hope you will discover some new music and support the talent we have in West Michigan.
Editorial Publisher Brian Edwards / brian@revuewm.com Managing Editor Lindsay Patton-Carson / lindsay@revuewm.com Design Creative Director Kim Kibby / kim@revuewm.com Design Kim Kibby, Kristi Kortman, Kellie Zaplitny Contributing Writers Kyle Austin Audria Larsen Kelli Belanger Nick Manes Missy Black Allison Parker Jayson Bussa Carly Plank Ben Darcie Emma Kat Richardson Steven de Polo Josh Spanninga Dwayne Hoover Kerri VanderHoff Alexandra Kadlec Anya Zentmeyer Contributing Photographers Brian Mariner, Anthony Norkus, Katy Batdorff Listings schedule@revuewm.com Revue Minions Peter Chhum, Alex Connolly, Austin Phillips, Jackie Smith, Carlie Soule Sales / 616.608.6170 Lauren Allen / lallen@mibiz.com Kelli Belanger / kbelanger@revuewm.com Molly Rizor / molly@revuewm.com
Rock on.
Digital Editor Jayson Bussa / jayson@revuewm.com Find us online! Website: revuewm.com Twitter: twitter.com/revuewm Facebook: facebook.com/revuewm
Lindsay Patton-Carson, Managing Editor / lindsay@revuewm.com
Advertising index Arcadia Ales. . . . . . . . . . . . . . 57 Bell’s Brewery . . . . . . . . . . 2, 35 Billy’s Lounge. . . . . . . . . . . . . 37 BMW Motorcycles. . . . . . . . . . 59 Brewery Vivant. . . . . . . . . . . . 57 Cascade Optical . . . . . . . . . . 17 Central City Taphouse. . . . . . 50 City Flats Hotel . . . . . . . . . . . 43 Core Clothing USA. . . . . . . . . 68 Downtown Market . . . . . . . . . 53 Downtown Zeeland . . . . . . . . 68 Erb Thai. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 61 Fajita Republic . . . . . . . . . . . 50 Firekeepers Casino . . . . . . . . . . 9
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Foot Outfitters. . . . . . . . . . . . 14 Founders Brewing Co. . . . . . . 10 Frederik Meijer Gardens. . . . . . . 4 Fusion Shows. . . . . . . . . . . . . 31 The Gilmore Collection. . 44, 47 Grand Central Market. . . . . . 50 Grand Haven Coast Guard Festival. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 74 Grand Rapids Art Museum . . 38 Grand Rapids Beer Tours. . . . 57 Grand Rapids Brewing Co. . . 62 Grand Rapids Public Library. 45 Grand Rapids Symphony. . . . 41 Grand Woods Lounge. . . . . . . 75
Gravel Bottom Brewery . . . . . 58 Greater Lowell Chamber . . . . 72 Green Restaurant . . . . . . . . . 50 Growco. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 73 The Intersection. . . . . . . . . . . . . 6 KB Productions Inc.. . . . . . . . 34 Lakeshore Museum Center . . 70 Metro Times. . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15 MercuryHead Gallery. . . . . . . 73 MICA . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 34 New Horizons Computer. . . . . 72 Palazzolo’s Gelato . . . . . . . . . 27 Porterhouse Productions .18, 69 The Pyramid Scheme. . . . . . . . . 5 River City Improv. . . . . . . . . . 73 Ruth’s Chris Steakhouse. . . . 71
Saugatuck Brewing Co.. . . . . 57 Schmohz Brewery. . . . . . . . . . 58 Schuler Books. . . . . . . . . . . . 49 The Score. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 67 Seven Steps Up. . . . . . . . . . . 33 Soaring Eagle Casino . . . . . . . . 3 SpeakEZ Lounge . . . . . . . . . . 60 State Theatre. . . . . . . . . . . . . 36 Stella’s . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13 Stevens Advertising. . . . . . . . 34 Suds On The Shore Fest. . . . . 36 Tip Top Deluxe Bar & Grille. . .25 The Union. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 60 Wealthy Street Station. . . . . . 59 West Side Beer / Budweiser. . 76
Revue is published monthly by Revue Holding Company. 65 Monroe Center, Ste. 5, Grand Rapids, MI 49503 Office: 616.608.6170 / Fax: 616.608.6182 ©2014, Revue Holding Company. All rights reserved. Reproduction in whole or in part granted only by written permission of the publisher in accordance with our legal statement, fools.
On the cover: Local hip-hop artist Rick Chyme (photo by Brian Mariner). See story on page 20.
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Random Notes Valentiger Tongue, her last solo album. Luckily, Miss Lewis finally announced her latest solo album, The Voyager, six years after Acid Tongue’s release. On this album, Lewis enlisted Ryan Adams (the alt-country musician, not to be confused with the Canadian singer) to collaborate on the album, along with Mike Viola, Beck and Johnathan Rice. The Voyager drops July 29. ... She’s compared herself to titanium, been part of The Hunger Games (the soundtrack, at least) and made everyone weep during the “Six Feet Under” finale. She also had a music video go viral recently, featuring the crazy-talented 11-year-old Maddie Ziegler from “Dance Moms.” To say Sia has been busy lately is a bit of an understatement. Though her last album was released in 2010, she’s been collaborating with other artists, writing songs for Beyonce, Britney Spears, Katy Perry and more. Her latest release, 1000 Forms of Fear, is set to be released July 8. Other notable releases: La Roux’s Trouble in Paradise on July 8, Morrissey’s World Peace Is None of Your Business on July 15 and Common’s Nobody Smiling on July 22.
Conor Oberst
On Tour ///
Local Music ///
Valentiger has a new album out this month and kicks off its Midwest and East Coast tour. Titled Stray Animals, the band has an album release party scheduled for July 12 at The Pyramid Scheme. Special guests include Jonathan Timm, The Handgrenades and Nathan K. Tickets for the show are $12 and
Libations ///
Kate Nash
As Michigan’s craft distilling industry continues to grow, steps have now been taken to help organize our growing industry. The Michigan Craft Distillers Association was formed to help manage the interests of multiple orga-
include a copy of the new album. ... Another band releasing an album at The Pyramid Scheme is John’s Brown Shoes on July 27. This all-ages show also includes bands Hi-Ker and Signals. Tickets are $10 in advance or $12 day of show. ... Brian Hoekstra and Nicole LaRae recently announced their new record label. Called DizzyBird Records, the label’s launch is set for Oct. 17, with upcoming album releases from Grand Rapids-based Heaters and Atlanta-based Gringo Star.
From July 10 to Aug. 14, GRAM on the Green will be back again for its sixth season. Frugality at its finest, this free outdoor entertainment — right in front of the Grand Rapids Art Museum — brings a variety of live musical genres to the Grand Rapids community. Musical acts include The Moxie Strings, End Times Orchestra and David Molinari. Aside from the music, visitors are welcome to peruse the GRAM’s summer exhibits at no cost. Come down to Rosa Parks Circle for an evening of entertainment — there will also be games, sketching, Zumba, a cash bar and food trucks. n Random Notes is compiled by REVUE staff and minions including Peter Chhum, Alex Connolly, Lindsay Patton-Carson, Austin Phillips, Jackie Smith and Carlie Soule. For more entertainment news, “Like” us on Facebook (facebook.com/revuewm) or follow us on Twitter at twitter.com/revuewm.
Important Dates
National CD Releases /// It feels like an eternity since former Rilo Kiley frontwoman Jenny Lewis released Acid
Art ///
GR Summer Beer Fest
Ad Reservation Deadline: July 17 Editorial Deadline: July 5 Delivery: August 1
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Scene Sounds | Sights | Dining | Schedule
English multi-instrumental recording artist Kate Nash is currently rocking out on on a global tour with her all-girl band. Visiting District Square in Kalamazoo on July 30, fans should expect to experience Nash’s signature quirky, girl-power energy, along with songs off of her latest album, Girl Talk. Known for lyrics that are peppered with a feminist mentality, a style that one can’t exactly pinpoint, and an attitude to boot, Nash has a flair that’s all her own. ... Sensitive indie guy Conor Oberst is touring with Dawes in support of his latest solo album, Upside Down Mountain. The tour makes a stop in Grand Rapids at Frederik Meijer Gardens on July 31. Tickets are $40 for Meijer Gardens members or $42 for the public.
nizations and promote locally crafted beers. The main reason of its formation, however, was to give a voice on a statewide level for all breweries in the beverage industry. As this association continues to grow, connections with Michigan local distilleries, as well as national organizations, are sure to come – finally giving the distillery industry a unified voice. ... New Holland Brewing Company has some big plans in the works, with some of the original 13 colonies at the center of them. In mid-June the local outfit bagin distributing a wide range of its arsenal of craft brews into the New England area, thanks to a partnership with L. Knife & Sons, a venerable compatriot company — and will be kicking off the occasion with a couple of events in Rhode Island and Boston. … We don’t need another reason to celebrate beer: we just do it. This month, we’re doing it at the Grand Rapids Summer Beer Festival in Ah Nab Awen Park on July 12. We’re talking a lot of beer, too. More than 200 kinds from more than 60 breweries from around the world. In addition to the beer, there will be games, music and food. Tickets are $40 and include a tasting cup and 15 3-oz. serving tabs.
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Steven de polo’s
Free Market
New and exciting things happening in West Michigan nonprofits and businesses since 2007.
T
Schedule | Dining | sights | Sounds Scene
ake a night off and get your Vegas on in the newly redesigned Kabaret Lounge at FireKeepers Casino Hotel (11177 Michigan Ave.) in Battle Creek. The first renovation to occur on the property since the hotel and event center were added in December 2012, the lounge is the Creek’s hottest entertainment spot featuring live music, comedy, karaoke and DJs spinning the wheels of steel. You deserve it. Located just off I-94 at Exit 104, the casino features a 111,700-square-foot gaming floor with 2,900 slot machines, the latest video poker games, and hand-dealt table games including blackjack, craps, roulette and a live poker room. Look for Free Market counting his winnings in the exclusive high-limit area VIP lounge. Head up north this summer to visit Hop Lot Brewing (658 S. West-Bay Shore Dr.), the first brewery in Suttons Bay. Home to Free Market’s uncle, who thinks Ron Paul is a socialist pantywaist, Suttons Bay is a land of natural beauty best observed with beer in hand. Brothers Steve and Drew Lutke, who grew up in Holland, aim to make that happen. Steve, who is the master brewer, has been home brewing seven years. Given his chemistry background, it was only natural that he earned an associate’s degree in brewing technology from the Siebel Institute of Technology. This rigorous technical education ensures the brewery will focus on quality and consistency. Steve said the first brews on tap will be light, drinkable wheat-based brews including an IPA, blonde ale, double milk stout and a saison. “We won’t be doing any barrel-aged craziness at first, but who knows?” With construction slowed by the brutal wintry spring, and a pause for the birth of Steve’s son, the siblings will have the beer garden open by the July 4 holiday. The taproom follows in the early fall. But who wants to drink inside in the summer, right my pets? Maude’s Taphouse (117 East Allegan St.) opened in downtown Otsego in Allegan County. Owner Linda McPherson, with the help of her husband Roger, envision Maude’s as
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Center). The owner of Eastown’s Chez Olga restaurant, the always fashionable Olga spent the past four years preparing to open a chic women’s clothing store with a heartfelt mission. “One hundred percent of our profits go to support the Chez Olga Foundation,” she said. The foundation is raising funds to build a trade school in her native Haiti that will help young adults help themselves. The shop is charitable, but it is not a charity. Boasting a lively color scheme, deft merchandising by Olga’s daughter Dodlie, and name brands like Kate Spade and Elie Tahari, the shop would fit nicely in Brooklyn, NY or fashionable Ferndale. L’amoureuse Boutique has a great selection of denim by Calvin Klein and DKNY, which has already been plundered by the coquettish Miss Carolita. Busy during prom season, the boutique also carries an extensive collection of bridesmaid dresses. “Most shops downtown do only black and gray. We want to give our customers a ‘wow’ experience,” Olga said. n
Inside the newly redesigned Kabaret Lounge at Firekeepers Casino
Hop Lot Brewing a quality family restaurant that just happens to have a MASSIVE craft beer bar running through it. Stocking the bar is the responsibility of Mark McPherson, beer guru and their son. Rounding out the family story, the restaurant is named after
daughter Analyssa’s four-year-old bulldog, Maude. With 41 drafts on tap, Maude’s offers the area’s largest selection of tapped and bottled beer, as well as wine, champagne and beer cocktails. Look for the Raspberry Neapolitan, which is based on Founders Brewing’s Rubaeus raspberry ale. Fancy. Make sure you arrive hungry, because a taphouse, by definition, is a place to satisfy one’s hunger and thirst amid family and friends. Chef Mark Morey, previously from Arie’s London Grill in Plainwell and Arie’s Singapore and Winston’s in Kalamazoo, has designed a menu that features freshly made entrees along with special dishes for the youngsters. “We love Otsego and we know that Otsego is ready for Maude’s,” Linda said. Olga Benoit is bringing a little spice to downtown Grand Rapids with her new L’amoureuse Boutique (53 Monroe
FREEBIES Georgio’s Gourmet Pizza opened its second Grand Rapids area location on 28th Street in Cascade Township. The East Lansing native is known for offering more than 50 varieties of pizza by the slice. As long as every variety is DETROIT style, Free Market will be happy. Betsy from Peninsula Trading (972 Cherry St. SE) says to check out her collection of Eagles Nest Outfitters Single and Double Nest Hammocks. Easy to bring with you just in case. “Going hammocking is a sport now,” she said. Free Market mourns the loss of Moxie Beauty and Hair Parlor on Wealthy Street in Grand Rapids. Don’t worry; the indomitable Stephanie Strowbridge will continue trimming tresses for Hollywood movies, retro photo shoots and winsome wedding parties.
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/// Eclectic
Made in Germany • Tradition seit 1774
8995
$
1411 Robinson Road Grand Rapids, MI (616) 451-4732 Repairs Available
Summer Sandals
July Eclectic Events The salty sweat of the summer is no longer a novelty, but eclectic seasonal activities are fresh like a cool breeze. Enjoy getting your sprint on while KISS powers your way. Obliterate your warring opponents with nothing more than a sturdy bucket. Gasp at the derring-do of wet and wily water pros. And relax with the familiar sight of a sassy icon. By Audria Larsen
She Loves Lucy at Lakeshore Museum
Classic Rock 5k Run & Walk
Ah-Nab-Awen Park, Grand Rapids July 13, 7 p.m., classicrock5k.com
This year, the Classic Rock 5k Run and Walk is reveling in the glory of the 1970s while winding along an urban trail that passes throughout downtown Grand Rapids. Along the route, runners and walkers will encounter seven different stages and seven different bands pumping out ultimate rock songs from the era. Participants are encouraged to dress the part, with outsized lapels and outrageous colors, while vying to simultaneously win the costume contest. “People are creative,” said Sarah Jean Anderson, event host and contest organizer, who keeps the crowd pumped during the race. “People often will run in packs and dress up as a group, like The Beatles.” Runners and walkers “can catch their breath,” said Anderson, while boogieing to classic tunes from KISS, Fleetwood Mac, REO Speedwagon and more, performed by local bands. Returning music groups include The Sleeping Gypsies, Young Cousins, Samaras Folly plus new acts yet to be announced. Proceeds go to this year’s featured charity, Friends of Grand Rapids Parks.
Battleship!
Schedule | Dining | sights | Sounds Scene
Kik Pool in Upjohn Park, Kalamazoo July 12, 6:30–8:30 p.m. $15 per team, kalamazoocity.org, (269) 337-8295
Find us on Facebook and Twitter! Win tickets, get early warnings about shows, other breaking entertainment news, and more!
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The board game Battleship comes to life when canoe groups comprised of three to four individuals compete for glory at Kik Pool. Armed with only a bucket, a paddle and a shield, each team’s mission is to sink competing ships and float victorious among the wreckage. No longer a mere strategy guessing game, this event injects a dose of real-life adrenaline into the play as participants strive to submerge their adversaries by dumping water into their boats. Team captains can register at the Kalamazoo Parks and Recreation Department.
“Vitameatavegamin” television commercial skit. Other objects include dolls, magazines like TV Guide with cover features, along with more everyday items like coasters, lunchboxes, watches and magnets and much more.
Grand City Show Skiers
She Loves Lucy
Coast Guard Festival, Grand Haven July 29, 7 p.m. $5, coastguardfest.org, (616) 846-5940
The famed redhead Lucille Ball is the focus of the Collector’s Corner exhibit at the Lakeshore Museum Center. The collection is on loan from Nicole Boroff, who happens to work at the museum and has been collecting “I Love Lucy” memorabilia since she was a teen. Get a glimpse of just a mere fraction of her enormous collection of 150-plus items on display. One of the featured highlights is a series of tin signs depicting scenes from the famed
The epic Grand Haven Coast Guard Festival runs for 10 event-filled days. One of the featured entertainment gems is the Grand City Show Skiers. The show presents a “water thrill show” filled with stunts, acrobatics and feats of strength by masterful skiers ranging in age from five years old up to a nimble 65. See human pyramids, 15 people strong, expertly balanced one atop the other. Watch graceful maneuvers as skiers sail across the water, hands free and connected by only their feet. And enjoy impressive Pas de Deux water dances with choreographed ski duos, all while sitting back and chowing down on carnival food. Don’t try this at home! Let the pros do the daredevil work. n
Lakeshore Museum, Muskegon Throughout July, 2–3 p.m. every day Free! lakeshoremuseum.org, (231)722-0278
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/// All Ages 3The Outer Vibe July 14-18 (session 1: noon-4 p.m.; session 2: 5-9 p.m.) $175/per student scmc-online.org, (616) 459-2224, ext. 206
The Music Makers If music soothes the savage beast, the same theory should be applied to your kids. Listen to music or participate and make some tunes happen. Heck, we even found two musicals with big songs that you’ll hear on the car ride home. Ooh, sorry… By Missy Black
Disney’s Camp Rock The Musical
Schedule | Dining | sights | Sounds Scene
Grand Rapids Civic Theatre 30 Division Ave. N., Grand Rapids July 25 through Aug. 3; July 25, 7:30 p.m.; July 26 & 27, 2 p.m.; July 31 & Aug. 2, 7:30 p.m., $16-$10, grct.org, (616) 222-6650, ext. 1
Summertime is all about which camp you’ll attend. When Mitchie Torres returns to Camp Rock, she discovers Camp Star has opened just on the other side of the lake, threatening Camp Rock. Mitchie and friends must step up their game to save the camp. Is this enough drama for the tweens? Grand Rapids Civic Theatre thinks so and showcases this musical stage production that’s a battle of the bands with music and celebrities from the movie that kids can relate to (think Demi Lovato and the Jonas Brothers). Jam along to “You’re My Favorite Song” and learn about teamwork and talent. Some other cool themes touch upon
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competition and the struggle of comparing one camp’s traditional and rustic approach to another’s brand new, flashy, super-hyped camp. “So many kids are familiar with the music,” said director and music director David Duiven. “They’ll enjoy the final jam because that’s when the storyline gets wrapped up in a big production number. It’s a big moment and I also think kids will enjoy the chemistry behind Mitchie and Shane and Dana and Nate—at this age, kids have crushes.” Ack! Don’t remind us…
Shrek the Musical
Comstock Community Auditorium 2107 N. 26th St., Kalamazoo July 18-26, Fri. & Sat., 7:30 p.m.; Sun, 2 p.m. $12/adults; $10/students cstheatre.com, (269) 348-SHOW
Shrek’s quiet ogre life is turned upside down when a pack of distraught fairy tale creatures
are dumped in his wonderfully stinky swamp at the Comstock Community Auditorium. Throw in a donkey who won’t shut up, a bad guy with a short temper, a cookie with an attitude and more than a dozen other fairy tale misfits, and you’ve got the kind of mess that calls for a real hero. “Kids are going to love the music, dancing and colorful set,” said Producer Amber Bartholomew. “The talent from the area is amazing and there’s adult humor kids won’t catch onto,” so parents can equally enjoy the show. With audience involvement, including actors placed in the audience, the show features huge musical numbers that are very upbeat. Part romance and part twisted fairy tale, this show is silly and fun with tons of music.
Rock Camp with The Outer Vibe St. Cecilia Music Center 24 Ransom Ave. NE, Grand Rapids
Teen musicians wanted! If your child is around the age of 12 to 18 years old with some experience on guitar, bass, the drum set, keyboards or vocals, they can book themselves a really cool gig at St. Cecilia Music Center’s Rock Camp. Teens form bands and rehearse for a big rock concert finale at The Intersection on July 20 at 6 p.m. If you can’t make the camp, come down and jam kid style at the family friendly rock concert. Coaching comes from Grand Rapids band The Outer Vibe, an alternative pop-rock band that tours the country with songs on Top 40 radio. The band teaches tips and techniques for stage presence, songwriting, marketing and promoting of shows (kids learn to push tickets) and more secret, cool insider rock-star stuff. “The camp is a crash course in being a band,” said Rock Camp Co-Director Lisa Kacos, one of the five members of The Outer Vibe, who plays trumpet, keyboards and offers back-up vocals. “It’s a good jumping-off point if interested in starting a band. Music is good for the mind and soul. It feels good to play whether as a hobby or to make a career in music.”
Kids Tunes at Noon Windmill Island Gardens 1 Lincoln Ave., Holland Jul. 25, noon Free! hollandrecreation.com
Pack the lawn chairs, blankets and picnic lunch and spend some time at Windmill Island Gardens for a little musical inspiration. The featured performer is Carol Johnson, who plays guitar and has been singing since childhood. The singer/songwriter has performed at thousands of schools, libraries, festivals, camps, churches and conferences. “Carol brings a lot of energy,” said Jeremy Myers, recreation manager. “Kids are up jumping and dancing and singing songs they know.” A great musical performer that interacts with the kids, Johnson’s program is the definition of family friendly. The hour-long program is held “because it’s important for kids and families to get involved with music in a good family environment,” so remember the next date scheduled for Aug. 8. n
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/// Special Feature
The Music Issue
People, issues and trends in West Michigan music
S
ometimes, discovering new music is as easy as going to a local venue. On any given night, you can see talented local musicians playing music that could just be your new favorite song. That’s what drew us to our annual Music Issue in the first place: showing off all the talent we have locally. And there are a lot. This year, we highlight some local ladies, talk to Rick Chyme about his busy year and see how crowdfunding helps out independent artists. We also include our reader favorite, the West Michigan Music Sampler. This free download is filled with local musicians, so you can quickly find your new favorite. Just go to revue.bandcamp.com to download.
by REVUE Staff and Minions Vox Vidorra at The Pyramid Scheme Photo: Katy Batdorff REVUEWM.COM | July 2014 |
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/// Music Issue
Inside Rick Chyme’s Idea Factory By Lindsay Patton-Carson
I
t was only a matter of time before hip hop consumed Rick Chyme’s life. The rapper (real name: Patrick Cleland) got into the genre through basketball, which he played from first grade through college at Western Michigan University. “Basketball and hip hop, those cultures intertwine, so that’s what it was,” Chyme said. “So it was an inescapable thing that I was going to be around this music.” The music’s influence only grew stronger. Chyme’s interest in becoming a basketball coach soon switched over to music. When he graduated from WMU, he went to New York to work at Def Jam. “By the time I was in my last year of college, I no longer wanted to coach,” he said. “I didn’t think I wanted to be an artist, but I wanted to work in music on the business side of things.” He figured the best way to learn was to get an internship at a label, which is how he wound up at Def Jam. The label, founded by Rick Rubin and Russell Simmons, has signed high-profile artists from DMX to Beastie Boys to Rihanna, Jay-Z, Jennifer Lopez and more.
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He spent a year and a half at Def Jam, working closely with artists, and even spent time on Jay Z’s documentary, Fade to Black. Around this time, though, he knew he wanted to be on the artistic side of the music instead of the business side. He had the business skills — his next step would be to work on his art. “At the time, I had an idea about how everything works, but I was an infant as an artist,” Chyme said. “I had this knowledge, but I couldn’t use it because my art wasn’t ready. It was like working backwards.”
Establishing Rick Chyme: The Artist In 2005, he said goodbye to Def Jam and moved back to West Michigan to strengthen his work as a hip hop artist. In 2006, he met his music partner and best friend, Jason “Nixon” Burke, at a Billy’s Lounge open mic night. A fellow hip hop artist and producer, Nixon and Chyme started collaborating immediately on songs. The two spent long hours working together, a strategy both of them say determined the success of their partnership.
Photo: Anthony Norkus
“We’d get together, then we lock in for a long time and see how much music we can make,” Nixon said. “We probably spent about 60 hours per week together, so that formed how we work,” Chyme added. The two released a couple of albums early on, then spent roughly three years on Chyme’s latest LP, 5iveit, which was released digitally last summer. Physical copies of the album, along with the 5iveit EP, are set to be released July 19 at Founders Brewing Company. 5iveit wasn’t the duo’s only focus during those three years, however. The two are constantly working on multiple projects at once. One notable project is called “Your Songs,” where people commission Chyme, Nixon and other collaborators to write a song that details a part of their lives. The project has been in the works for a few years, getting attention solely through word of mouth. “We’re collaborating with non musicians, which is pretty awesome,” Chyme said. In the fall, Chyme hopes to release an album from one story in particular: a woman who chronicled her abusive relationship through journals. She wanted those journals to be turned into a composition album. Chyme and his team obliged, having Chyme vocally represent the male and female characters in the journals.
“It’s more about that individual connection. If the person doesn’t want anyone to hear it, we won’t let anyone hear it.”
Connecting Through Hip Hop Chyme’s goal as an artist, however, is to connect to people through music. “He makes you feel good about what you’re doing. I think that’s important for what he does — taking the spotlight off him and making it about other people,” said Nicole LaRae, community relations coordinator at WYCE and venue manager at The Pyramid Scheme. One of the most recent examples is his 2013 ArtPrize submission, “The Art of Freestyle.” He freestyle rapped for 17 straight hours, attempting to beat the 16-hour-30-minute Guinness World Record. He completed all 17 hours, but his record is not officially recognized due to glitches in the verifying process. To Chyme, though, those 17 hours were less about breaking a record and more about connecting with people throughout the day. “The cool thing was it became not only about what I was rapping or some record,” he said. “It was about people coming together and helping make something happen.” To prepare himself for freestyling for 17 hours, Chyme practiced in his basement. He was able to get up to six hours without his voice going out and called it good. “I thought if I could sit there and do that, my voice will hold out,” Chyme said. “It’s a waste of time to sit here, rapping about the ceiling, so I just stopped training and counted
Photo: Brian Mariner
on the people down at ArtPrize and the volunteers.” Throughout the 17 hours, Chyme interacted with people on the street. Some familiar with hip hop, others not. But everyone around him got a taste of hip hop, which was his goal. “People came out and they helped me push through the hard stuff,” he said. “There was a guy who spent 13 or 14 hours helping us that day. It was a crazy amount of energy. It would have been boring if I just stood there by myself for the whole time.” As for taking another crack at the record? Chyme says that’s no longer his goal. He completed his real objective: connecting with the community. “I don’t have an artistic desire to do it [again], but if someone were to put up a large amount of money for charity, I would do it for 24 hours,” he said. “I would do it again for a cause, but I don’t have a burning desire. Songwriting is much more important to me.”
its purpose while touring, Chyme also sees it as just another way to connect with people. During those travels, he has plans to do a podcast, talking to people he meets who are passionate — not just about music, but about virtually anything. “Because it will be mobile, there will be guest hosts,” Chyme said. “The podcasts will be conversations about passion. That’s what we say now, but who knows what they’ll turn into.” He got the idea for a podcast from interviews he set up during the Electric Forest music festival. “Having conversations with people about things they’re passionate about made me realize how much I enjoyed it,” he said of the experience. Chyme also talks about getting a GoPro camera to take along with him. He has plenty ideas for this item, ranging from a reality TV show to potentially a scripted TV show. His main goal is getting the RV set up so he can go out and pursue these ideas. “He’s like an idea factory,” LaRae said about her friend. “Anything he says he’s going to do, he does it.” n
“Basketball and hip hop, those cultures intertwine, so that’s what it was. So it was an inescapable thing that I was going to be around this music.”
The Idea Factory Chyme’s current focus is not just releasing hard copies of 5iveit and the 5iveit EP. Currently, he’s working on renovating an RV to be used as a mobile venue. While the RV will serve
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JUST ONE OF THE GIRLS Exploring the glass ceiling in West Michigan’s local music scene
Bermudas
By Anya Zentmeyer Photos by Katy Batdorff
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or the past three years, LadyfestGR organizers Jes Kramer and Steffanie Rosalez have scoured West Michigan communities to find some of the best females to include in their lineup. Each year, however, they are met with the same obstacle. Finding enough female musicians — especially bands where every member identifies as a woman — is a taller order than it seems. “I wouldn’t say there’s a lack of females performing, but it’s definitely not the majority,” said Kramer, who has been performing her own music as a solo artist and in collaborations since she was 14. “I guess the question I keep coming back to is, ‘Why do I feel like we need more?’ Is it the fact that they’re not a majority? I don’t feel like they’re getting less attention, but there’s still something that feels really unequal.” It also turns out that pointing to any visible source of inequality is much harder than it seems. For local music, success isn’t easily defined by a Billboard Hot 100 list. Rather, by a position of social, cultural and aesthetic influence, which is difficult to quantify. For female musicians across West Michigan, however, the sense that they are fighting to prove themselves in a male-dominated industry is very much tangible, even if it is somewhat subconscious.
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Despite (or perhaps, in spite) of it all, she’s made a name for herself not only with audiences, but has also been recognized by leading musical authorities in the jazz music world through grants and artist residencies with places like The Banff Centre’s Jazz and Creative Workshop and the Betty Carter’s Jazz Ahead at the Kennedy Center. Suffice to say, Daneman is no rookie — but even with an impressive roster like hers, being a woman means often times, she still has to prove it. “I feel like I’ve done a lot myself to overcome that gap,” she said. “I’ve been more proactive so that people know I know what I’m doing.” So, what would a male jazz musician have to say about this perceived imbalance? “Obviously, I don’t know personally because I’ve never done the Some Like It Hot thing, but I’m sure there’s a battle going on for female instrumentalists in working to prove yourself as a valid artist and to get the respect men do,” said Benje Daneman, who is both Ashley’s husband and a noted jazz trumpeter who has performed with legends like Doc Severinsen and his Big Band and helped to co-found the new Kalamazoo Jazz and Creative Institute with his wife and their colleague, Nich Mueller. “(Women) are fighting a different fight than men have to,” he said, adding across all genres, including jazz, —Jes Kramer women are often valued by audiences for the wrong reasons. “They’re still fighting to prove they are strong enough
“It’s a weird thing because when I compare myself to male standards within singing, I don’t feel inferior, but when it comes to being a musician and playing my instrument, which is piano, I definitely feel like it’s hard to compete with the guys for some reason, which typically is not true,” said Ashley Daneman, a modern jazz musician based in Kalamazoo. For Daneman, this means the “old boys network” of 1950s-era jazz culture is still alive and well not only in Kalamazoo, but in jazz communities in the other cities she has lived and performed in, like Washington, D.C., New York City and Cincinnati.
“I guess the question I keep coming back to is, ‘Why do I feel like we need more?’ Is it the fact that they’re not a majority? I don’t feel like they’re getting less attention, but there’s still something that feels really unequal.”
BUILDING BETTER GROUP DYNAMICS
LadyFestGR organizers and that they’re not just a sex symbol, they’re also strong musicians.”
OVERCOMING THE STEREOTYPE The all-female garage rock trio, Bermudas, know firsthand what a thin line women have to walk when overcoming a hyper-sexualized stereotype. “We were out of town playing a show in Cleveland and some guy — he was intoxicated, I’m sure — he proceeded to come up on stage before we started and tuck money in our shirts,” said Charity Lytle, bassist for the band. Drummer DezaRae Russ recalled another show where an intoxicated male was yelling sexually aggressive things her sister and Bermudas guitarist, Dennielle. Those interactions make for a tricky situation, Dennielle said, because they know those things are disrespectful, but they’re also making a first impression to room full of strangers. “I didn’t want to be like a total snot right before you start a show,” Dennielle said. “You want to keep everything positive because otherwise, it would ruin the whole mood of what we were about to do.” Though situations like those are in the clear minority for Bermudas, the fact is, there is an even slimmer chance of being objectified in that same, obvious way for male musicians playing the same room.
Tellis, who is Lady Ace Boogie to her fans, has quickly become a well-known figure in both hip-hop and local activism in Grand Rapids. She released her first full album, Feel Good Music, last March and fills her set lists with songs that aim to break the kind of “get-money-get-laid” sentiment that is popular in a lot of mainstream rap today. “I believe in being persistent and I believe in being pure and honest and genuine and having a direction to go in,” she said. “I think that will take you a long way.” With a full-time job at Cascade Engineering, Tellis is also developing a youth program called Youth Outlet and has her own startup business called “Think 50/50.” She is active in the Grand Rapids community and said although public visibility has gone a long way in garnering such a loyal following so quickly, openness to embracing the moment has been key. “Be present in the moment and not in the hype,” she said. “Be genuine and make music for everyone, but be yourself … because the world is in need of advocates for life change, so I would say focus on that. It might not seem like a cool thing right now, but it will, because people want that refreshment of good, positive energy, but also good music.”
CHANGING THE CONVERSATION If pop culture sets the example, then according to Grand Rapids hip-hop artist Linda Tellis, it’s time for those voices on the radio to change the conversation and set a new example.
In an effort to foster a new generation of girls with a more positive collaborative dynamic, Kramer has volunteered with another nonprofit program founded by Rosalez last year in August. Girls Rock Grand Rapids is a week-long day camp that seeks to empower girls ages 8 to 16 through music, giving them an authentic look at the process of forming a rock band, including instrument lessons, workshops, band practice and an end-of-camp rock show complete with a recording session. “It was so powerful to see how differently the girls acted and how differently they felt about themselves in an all-girl environment,” Rosalez said, adding there is something about our culture that teaches girls to be overly critical of one another. “I was one of the band coaches and my girls were writing a song and one of the girls wrote a part that the other girls didn’t like and they were like ‘Yeah, we don’t like that.’ And she got really mad and was saying ‘You’re just saying that because you don’t like the shirt I’m wearing,’ and it turned into this whole thing about fashion and ‘She’s jealous of me because of my braids,’ and it was just crazy to see how those interactions went,” Rosalez said. With Girls Rock Grand Rapids, however, she and other organizers are able to create an environment where girls and women have to figure out how to work with each other through conflict in a more constructive way.
THE VERDICT It’s clear the local music scene may still be male-dominated, but the female musicians that are around are both vibrant and vocal. Still, the bottom line is, just like it is tricky to quantify success in local music, it is even trickier to quantify talent — both are concepts that are just totally subjective to the individual. According to Ashley Daneman, “the biggest limitations are the ones we put on ourselves,” and by all accounts, she’s right. If local music does, in fact, have its own version of the glass ceiling, then it’s up to music’s leading ladies to move forward by totally ignoring it. What that means for local female musicians is making one united front. It means fostering a supportive local climate, being exactly who you are and doing so unapologetically. “I think when you’re surrounded by people that want you to be something or think you’re something, they’ll treat you like something other than who you are exactly,” said Benje Daneman. “I think it comes down to not selling yourself short and not trying to be anyone else. From there, people are going to be attracted to you and the right people will want to be around you and appreciate you exactly how you are. I think that goes for anybody, but especially for women in a male-dominated world.” n
Girls Rock! Grand Rapids REVUEWM.COM | July 2014 |
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The Western Jazz Quartet, WMU:
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Jeremy Siskind (piano); Andrew Rathbun (sax); Tom Knific (bass); Keith Hall (drums).
All That Jazz in West Michigan By Carly Plank
Photo by Mark Niskanen
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est Michigan is known as a weekenders’ haven, an avenue for the arts and an artists’ retreat. Summer brings music festivals and an upswing in nightlife events from Kalamazoo to Grand Rapids and the lakeshore. Venues such as The Pyramid Scheme and The Intersection attract national caliber rock and pop acts. The West Michigan jazz scene, however, has been slowly building steam for years in under-the-radar clubs and more visible street festivals. Musical education programs are thriving and the groundwork has been laid for live jazz entertainment along all of Michigan’s west coast. Audrey Sundstrom, chairperson of the GRandJazz Festival, has witnessed the growth of jazz firsthand. This year marks the festival’s third
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year, which takes place at Rosa Parks Circle on Aug. 16 and 17. While the inaugural festival brought in 4,500 people in one day, the second year of the event was expanded to two days and included more than 9,000 spectators. How did the idea of a jazz festival take hold in Grand Rapids? According the Sundstrom, the key to participation is accessibility. Under the umbrella of jazz music, there is really something for everyone. “Jazz can’t really be confined to one genre — it’s all kinds of things,” Sundstom said. “When people say, ‘I don’t like jazz,’ it really depends on what they think jazz is. Part of our mission is to include a variety of genres, so people can feel free to come and go or come and stay.” Sundstrom, a lifelong jazz aficionado, was inspired by festivals she attended on the east side of the state. “Having attended jazz festivals in smaller cities than Grand Rapids, I thought, ‘Why not Grand Rapids?’ It was kind of a thorn in my side,” she said.
“I thought, ‘If they can do this, why can’t we?’ It seemed like a reasonable transition, because Grand Rapids is an area for the arts.” Tom Knific, director of jazz studies at Western Michigan University, agrees, jazz is thriving in West Michigan. Knific, a bassist, recently returned from Africa, where he toured as part of a jazz quartet. “We played for people who don’t necessarily go to jazz concerts,” Knific said. “They can see the sweat dripping off of the musicians’ noses, and they can see the nonverbal communication that takes place onstage.” Live jazz presents a unique opportunity to watch musicians feed off each other and interact as a unit in much the same way as members of a team sport. “Jazz reminds me of basketball,” Knific said. “It’s spontaneous, the music can follow plays, but a lot happens fast. People have to keep up with it.” Although jazz may seem more unapproachable than current radio hits or television themes, it can be just as accessible and enjoyable. Certainly, having a musical background may aid in drawing listeners to
“Jazz is not stadium music; audiences deserve to be closer to it.” —Tom Knific, director, Jazz Studies at WMU
Where to Find Live Jazz The Union Cabaret and Grille 125 S. Kalamazoo Mall, Kalamazoo Jazz Mix Thursdays 8-11 p.m., free millenniumrestaurants.com/union, (269) 384-6756
7-10 p.m., free thegilmorecollection.com/mangiamo, (616) 742-0600
SpeakEZ Lounge 600 Monroe Ave. NW, Grand Rapids Marro’s Italian Restaurant Jazz Sundays with Randy Marsh 147 Water St., Saugatuck 7-10 p.m., free Piano jazz Thursday-Sunday 7-10 p.m., speakezlounge.com, (616) 458-3125 free marrosrestaurant.com, (269) 857-4248 GRandJazz Festival Rosa Parks Circle, Grand Rapids Jazz at the Zoo Aug. 16-17, free John Ball Zoo grandjazzfest.org 1300 W. Fulton, Grand Rapids Mondays through Aug. 11 Alexander Zonjic’s Shoreline Jazz Festival 6:30-8:30 p.m., free Heritage Landing, Muskegon wmichjazz.org/jazzoo2014 Aug. 23-24, $25-$50 shorelinejazzfestival.com Mangiamo! 1033 Lake Dr. SE, Grand Rapids Piano jazz Wednesday through Saturday
Open Hours
MON-SAT 3PM-2AM KITCHEN 5:30PM-11PM
Happy Hour
MON-FRI 3-7PM $2 Domestics, $2 Wells $3 Calls, $1.50 Retros 760 BUTTERWORTH SW GRAND RAPIDS, MI 616.272.3910
OPEN VINYL PARTY MONDAYS, NO COVER, 8PM
TUESDAY, JULY 1: William Blackart and A.J. Gaither OMB
COMEDY NIGHT
THURSDAY, JULY 3: Free Rockabilly Rumble with Delilah DeWylde and the Lost Boys
2ND AND 4TH TUESDAY, NO COVER, 8:30
OPEN MIC NIGHT summer. The lounge, which opened in 2012, was established to echo the vibe of Prohibition-era speakeasies. But rather than becoming a themed bar, SpeakEZ Lounge has transformed into a home for Grand Rapids’ niche crowds. Calin Skidmore, general manager of SpeakEZ Lounge, acknowledges jazz is in demand in Grand Rapids. “There is good-quality jazz in West Michigan, but there hasn’t been a place that has been able to offer live jazz on a consistent basis,” Skidmore said. “The SpeakEZ was established to try to fill that gap.” Skidmore grew up frequenting the now-defunct Rhythm Kitchen, a jazz venue on Monroe, in the ‘90s. When that venue closed, Skidmore wanted to recreate the comfortable and collaborative atmosphere of the club. “During Prohibition, speakeasies were places where people of all types could get together,” Skidmore said. “SpeakEZ lounge is a nod to the idea of everyone convening in a comfortable environment to listen to jazz, drink and talk.” The jazz community in West Michigan has grown into a vibrant subculture where talent is abundant and music lovers looking to step off the beaten path can find plenty of unique venues and events. “Jazz is not stadium music; audiences deserve to be closer to it,” Knific said. n
WITH SAM KENNY WEDNESDAYS, NO COVER 9PM
The Bottle Rockets
SATURDAY, JULY 5: The Bottle Rockets wsg Junior Valentine MONDAY, JULY 7: My God the Heat, Jeff Shepherd and the Jailhouse Poets, Dead Eye Zack WEDNESDAY, JULY 9: DarleYa, Kristin Sweetland and Dede & the Dreamers wsg Adrianne Lenker & Buck Meek THURSDAY, JULY 10: The Bellfuries wsg The Union Suits FRIDAY, JULY 11: The Claudettes wsg Jesse ray and the Carolina Catfish
Lydia Loveless
SATURDAY, JULY 12: Auslander CD Release Party wsg/ Murder Party, Ned and Antilogical SATURDAY, JULY 19: J.D. Wilkes and the Dirt Daubers wsg Death by Rodeo FRIDAY, JULY 25: Lydia Loveless wsg Ryan Dillaha and the Miracle Men SATURDAY, JULY 26TH: Nathan Kalish and the Last Callers, Benjamin Riley, Mom Barley and The Sailor Kicks
J.D. Wilkes and the Dirt Daubers
REVUEWM.COM | July 2014 |
Scene Sounds | Sights | Dining | Schedule
jazz, but exposure is just as important as past experience. “Most people who don’t listen to jazz haven’t been exposed to it,” Knific said. “People always listen to what’s available to them or what’s being served to them. Jazz music and classical music are not commonly part of the commercial idiom.” In order to spread the word on the streets, clubs that place an emphasis on jazz are integral in maintaining interest and interaction among jazz musicians and audiences in West Michigan. Knific’s program at Western Michigan has partnered with The Union Cabaret and Grille in downtown Kalamazoo to bring WMU jazz students into the venue each week to play for its patrons. In addition to jazz nights at The Union, Knific’s program at Western Michigan University hosts annual jazz festivals for high school bands. Musicians and faculty from WMU also visit area high schools to emphasize the importance of jazz education. “It’s good to start listening to and playing jazz at a young age,” Knific said. “It’s rare for future professional athletes to begin their careers at age 22. Jazz education needs to begin early.” Jazz nights are popping up in Grand Rapids as well. SpeakEZ Lounge hosts multiple jazz series throughout the
Live Music
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Indie Artists Find Sustainability in Crowdfunding By Nick Manes
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hen Grand Rapids-based musician Jake Stilson decided to turn to crowdfunding as a means of recording his 2013 release, Stilson Shmilson, he found himself as one of many artists — locally and nationally — trying out the relatively new method. Crowdfunding — typically thought of as artists offering some form of gift in exchange for upfront funding for a creative project — has been increasing in popularity for a number of years. Popular platforms for the socially focused endeavor include Kickstarter and Indiegogo. Area artists such as Stilson say while they have had success with crowdfunding as a means of funding higher-quality projects, they acknowledge their issues. Stilson, however, is hopeful that some of those will be worked out, allowing for a meritocracy of talented musicians. “Once the kinks get worked out, good artists will float to the top,” Stilson said. “Artists will be the new label, people will be the new label. ... I guess I’m being really idealistic about saying this ... but there is still going to be Top 40 music.” He added the crowdfunding method will allow for less-mainstream artists to sustainably fund their projects. Area musicians say the number of different “portals” — the actual sites that serve as
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the go-to spot for artists to share their projects and collect money — offer a variety of pros and cons. For instance, Stilson went with Indiegogo, citing the ability to “aim high,” referring to how the site allows musicians to set their own funding goals and not have to return money should the goal not be met. That method is directly opposite to the methodology employed by Kickstarter, ranked by Forbes as the number-one crowdfunding portal in a 2013 report, with Indiegogo coming in second. Kickstarter makes users define a goal — or an “all or nothing” approach — and should the artist fail to hit it, the money is returned to donors and the artist collects nothing.That approach is what drew West Michigan musician Jim Alfredson to the service. “I decided to use Kickstarter because of its reputation and the all-or-nothing approach to funding that it requires,” Alfredson said. “In other words, you either raise your entire goal or you don’t receive any money and none of your backers are charged.” The West Michigan musician, who has used the service to fund a number of musical projects, such as his band Organissimo and a solo project called Dirty Fingers, highlighted two reasons why he liked that approach. “It lights a fire under people to get involved, and you’re not stuck producing a product for people on way less of a budget than you need,” he said. While crowdfunding for projects such as Alfredson’s and Stilson’s increasingly gain
“I grappled with feeling like a beggar. It’s certainly not the most comfortable thing to ask for money publicly, no matter what you need it for, but if it makes people who donate (feel good) to donate, then what the hell?” —Graham Parsons
momentum around the West Michigan area, spokespeople for crowdfunding portals said the method is on the rise for musicians all around the country. According to Kickstarter’s own data, more than 30,000 music projects have launched using the site, raising north of $114 million. These statistics put the music category as Kickstarter’s second most popular category in terms of launched projects, behind “film and video.” Despite being near the top on Kickstarter’s overall launched projects, music was trailing in terms of overall dollars. Data provided by Kickstarter shows music projects ranked fifth on its list of 15 categories. Spokespeople at fellow crowdfunding portal Indiegogo told Revue music projects were finding success from its base.
“Artists are using Indiegogo to fund everything from albums and documentaries to tours, music videos, new vehicles and equipment, special edition box sets, side projects and pretty much anything else you can imagine,” said Spokesman Corey Scholibo in an email to Revue. While declining to share specific metrics, citing company policy, Scholibo said “the amount of funds raised in the music category on Indiegogo have doubled over the last year.” Many musicians in the West Michigan area generally cite success with their crowdfunding efforts, however several sources admit they dislike asking people for money. “I grappled with feeling like a beggar,” said Graham Parsons of Kalamazoo-based indie-folk group, Graham Parsons and the Go Rounds. “It’s certainly not the most comfortable thing to ask for money publicly, no matter what you need it for, but if it makes people who donate (feel good) to donate, then what the hell?” Likewise, Stilson said while he raised the money desired for his project, the notion of publicly asking for money for money was bothersome. “I had to shamelessly talk about (the record) all the time,” Stilson said. “That sucked.” Despite those overall feelings, area musicians find agreement that the new funding models allow for a significantly better product. Artists count recording, mastering, instruments and packaging as just some of the
Crowdfunding Outcomes West Michigan musicians Revue spoke with were seeking varying funding levels for their respective projects. What the artists offered to fans also differed from campaign to campaign. Below is a compiled list of what the artists were looking for, and what they offered.
Stilson: Singer-songwriter Stilson sought to raise $1,500 and received about $800. Some funds were also given in person in cash, he said. The funds went toward album mastering, as he was almost finished recording at the time he started his campaign. Donors got a free record and free admission to the record release show.
Alfredson: Having used crowdfunding to release three separate records — $12,000 goal for Organissimo, $10,000 for a solo project called Dirty Fingers and $10,000 to help musician Greg Nagy fund a record — Alfredson has been successful each time. Gifts to donors upon completion of the fundraising goal included CDs, free downloads, bonus tracks, house concerts and guitar lessons, depending on the level of donation.
Parsons: The Kalamazoo-based musician aimed to get $10,000 in his Kickstarter campaign and reached his goal. Gifts to donors included free digital music, vinyl and CDs, personal house shows, free tickets to Cedar Point and VIP passes to Farm Block Fest, a festival held in the Upper Peninsula.
“That is disheartening and there’s nothing that can be done about it,” he said. “So the only viable option is to get the money up front from your fans in order to make the record.” Much of the asking for funds is done via social media, West Michigan musicians said. Those on Facebook and Twitter have almost certainly seen solicitations from creatives asking for money to fund particular projects. “The benefit is obvious,” Parsons said. “You can take the time to create without the ominous cloud of financial paranoia looming. I was finally able to pay my friends and music heroes what they deserve for their time and skills. That felt really good. All the money I raised went back into the Michigan music community, including locally produced packaging and design on the final product.” n
Scene Sounds | Sights | Dining | Schedule
costs that go into producing and putting out a quality record. For his 2010 record, The Chip On My Shoulder Propels Mi Forward, singersongwriter Stilson said he “just got it done as cheaply as possible.” Tapping into both his personal and social networks allowed for a much more “polished” release, he said. “Modern technology has democratized the artistic process to an almost unimaginable degree,” Alfredson said. “And that’s a great thing. But the sideeffect is artists no longer have control over the distribution of their music.” Th e m u s i c i a n p o i n t e d t o Organissimo’s 2010 record, Alive & Kickin, saying it was available on torrent sites for free prior to the actual release, due to the band offering free downloads in return for upfront funding.
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Heavier Than Air Flying Machines at The Pyramid Scheme by Katy Batdorff
Vox Vidorra by Katy Batdorff
Bennett at The Intersection by Anthony Norkus
Live Music Scene
We asked local music photographers to sift through their collections for some of their favorites shots of West Michigan’s diverse music scene.
Murder Party at Tip Top Deluxe by Anthony Norkus
Chance Jones at The Pyramid Scheme by Katy Batdorff
Dante Cope at the Jammie Awards by Anthony Norkus
Spencer Mulder by Anthony Norkus
Love Fossil by Anthony Norkus
Convotronics by Katy Batdorff Know Lyfe by Anthony Norkus
Cemetery Circus at Founders by Anthony Norkus
Ghost Heart by Katy Batdorff
Crowd at Mustard Plug show by Anthony Norkus
The Verve Pipe at The Intersection by Anthony Norkus
Equal Parts by Anthony Norkus
Boss Mustangs at Mulligan’s by Anthony Norkus
/// Music Issue
Venues Transform Kalamazoo Music Scene By Jayson Bussa Photo by BluStarSoul
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all it the circle of life for any local music scene — some venues are forced to shut their doors, while others invite musicians to an open stage. No area is immune to it. When you look at Grand Rapids, more recent causalities include spots like Juke’s, The DAAC and MXTP. Still, these voids have not left bands homeless by any means, especially with popular stages like The Intersection, The Pyramid Scheme, Billy’s, Mulligan’s and others still in the mix. In Kalamazoo, however, one closed venue can have a more dramatic effect on the local scene. This area has cycled through more venues than most local musicians probably would have liked or expected. Arguably the biggest blow in the last couple years came when The Strutt closed down. As a hub for local and national acts, this left many groups scurrying to find a musical home. That was just the tip of the iceberg. Kalamazoo has bid farewell to places like The Corner Bar and Kraftbrau. Navigate further into the annals of Kalamazoo music history and you will be left to lament digs like Club Soda, The Funky Basement, The Dog House and more. “I miss the Strutt. I miss Kraftbrau. I particularly miss my idea of what Kraftbrau was,” said Jake Simmons, a Kalamazoo musician who has logged roughly a decade in action. “I was too young to get how great it must have been. ... So, though I feel very lucky to have been able to play there, I wasn’t able to appreciate it as much as I think I could have, and that bugs me.” Simmons has diligently hit nearly all the venues that now comprise the local music scene. These include places like
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Airborne Toxic Event at District Square
Bell’s, Louie’s Trophy House, 411 Club, Old Dog Tavern (formerly Kraftbrau) and District Square, which is located in the Entertainment District. “I think there’s no particular venue that is carrying the scene,” Simmons said. “The thing about the scene in Kalamazoo — to me, at least — is there are lots of smaller groups everywhere that have their things they’re into. Most of them seem relatively accepting of new and different things.” For a few years, Kalamazoo’s core scene started to sink underground, with a major chunk of the action moving to the area’s many house venues. As with all house venues, a few cranky neighbors and some overzealous law enforcement is all it takes to put the kibosh on it. That doesn’t take away from the DIY ethic Kalamazoo thrives on. “There’s a very heavy DIY work ethic in Kalamazoo, but not necessarily just house shows,” Simmons said. “That attitude carries over into several venues as well.” Nate Dorough of Lansing-based Fusion Shows knows all about DIY work ethic. He and his crew started with house shows and went on to build a small empire for booking national and regional acts in the area. His team gravitated to Kalamazoo, where he brought in bands like Lucero, Murder By Death and Foxy Shazam to The Strutt. When that place closed down, Dorough had to re-think his strategy in Kalamazoo. “I’m just pumped to be doing shows in Kalamazoo again,” Dorough said. “From our time at The Strutt, I kind
of fell in love with the city and am so excited to head into town a bunch this summer.” Dorough and his crew set up shop at District Square, where he’s bringing in bands like Kongos, Five Iron Frenzy, Reel Big Fish and more this summer. Fusion is also big into working local bands into the mix. District Square is one venue that has undergone a transformation. The whole Entertainment District had a reputation for cover bands and DJs, which is something Fusion is breaking the mold on. “As for genres, I’m not sure there’s one that does best,” Dorough said. “We do a lot of alternative shows with the help of Z96.5. But our few country shows we’ve done have also done well.” Dorough gave a nod to plenty of other Kalamazoo venues, including Louie’s Trophy House, an underground music haven. As one of Kalamazoo’s oldest establishments, Louie’s has made a push to become a legit music venue — and has succeeded — within the last decade. “A lot of touring bands come in and see the outside and expect a s***hole,” said Daniel “Bo” James Tyler, sound engineer and booking agent for Louie’s. “It’s not the most attractive building in the world, but it’s got its charm.” Known for a few years as primarily a punk venue, Louie’s features a very eclectic music calendar these days. “I push for more of a variety,” he said. “This is a smaller town. If we were in Chicago, you could open up a punk venue and succeed. You would have enough bands and people. Kalamazoo is just too small.” n
For a few years, Kzoo’s core scene started to sink, with a major chunk of the action moving to house venues. A few cranky neighbors and some overzealous law enforcement is all it takes to put the kibosh on it.
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! s d a lo n w o D c i Free Mus
Music Sampler We love music. We love it more when it’s free, so that’s why we’re offering up a 13-track download from these West Michigan artists. Like our past samplers, we have a number of genres from jazz to hip-hop to folk to rock. Basically, enough variety to keep any music lover happy.
Get these tracks at revue.bandcamp.com. Ashley Daneman
“Think On Whatever Is Lovely” (Jazz)
Bermudas
“Dark Daylight” (Garage Rock)
Fly Paper
“Sing, Sing, Sing Along” (Blues Rock)
Funkle Jesse
“Love and War” (Alternative)
Head
“A Song for Trayvon” (featuring Eastown J) (Rock)
Heaters
“Masaman”
(Psychedelic Rock)
Jes Kramer
“Wiser”
(Alternative)
Lady Ace Boogie
“War Going On” (Hip-Hop)
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Nathan Kalish
The Muteflutes
“Alpine Way”
“The American Dream”
(Rock)
(Folk)
Rick Chyme
“Cook Out” (featuring Ryan K. Wilson and Griff) (Hip-Hop)
Super Happy Funtime
“I Need You Lena, From Fred” (Theatrical Rock)
West & Run
“Alarm”
(Pop-Rock)
JULY 6 - $22
ERNIE HALTER ERNIE HALTER
JULY 10 - $40
TONY LUCCA & TYLER HILTON
JULY 12 - $25
GARETH ASHER
GARETH ASHER & THE EARTHLINGS JULY 17 - $25
ELLIS PAUL
ARI HEST
AUG 3 - $22
ERIC TAYLOR AUG 8 - $30
GRIFFIN HOUSE TONY LUCCA
AUG 9 & 10 - $35
CRYSTAL BOWERSOX AUG 16 - $18
THE SEA THE SEA AUGUST 20 - $30
CRYSTAL BOWERSOX SEVEN STEPS UP LIVE MUSIC & EVENT VENUE: 116 S JACKSON ST. SPRING LAKE, MI 49456 PINDROPCONCERTS.COM (231) 557-7687
Scene Sounds | Sights | Dining | Schedule
KIM RICHEY ALL SEATS RESERVED. NO ADDITIONAL TICKET FEES. BAR AVAILABLE. MAJOR CREDIT CARDS ACCEPTED. UNDER 17 MUST BE ACCOMPANIED BY PARENT.
& REVUEWM.COM | July 2014 |
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OR JUST LOOK THE PART
Schedule | Dining | Sights | Sounds | Scene
Complete packages include
FRAMES + LENS + COATING for only $
79
Visit our cafe and enjoy a drink while you shop.
2825 28th St. Grand Rapids 616.956.6096
www.davichus.com
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/// local music
PHOTO: Dwayne Hoover
Inflatable Best Friend Gets Focused on New Album | by Dwayne Hoover
C
Scene | Sounds | Sights | Dining | Schedule
a l l i t g a r a g e ro c k , “We all seemed to unanimously noise rock, psychedelic punk or agree that Ectoplasmic Puke even just experimental. Whatever the label, the young trio out of Wizard needed to be faster, Richland that makes up Inflatable heavier and noisier, and I Best Friend is preparing to unleash their sophomore record and set out on tour think we did an excellent job in support. of meeting all of those goals.” The approach to the band’s newest album, Ectoplasmic Puke Wizard, was quite a bit different from that of its initial LP. The IBF guys The band’s sound is obviously influenced wanted this one to feel less “scatterbrained” by noise-rock stylings of bands like Lightning than the first, so they went into their second Bolt, but there’s some straight-up punk energy record with a bit more focus. that makes itself known as well. “We sat down before writing and decided “You can definitely catch a few old punk what sort of direction we wanted to go with on throwbacks in there,” Howell said. “Not this album,” said Ian Howell, drummer for the too long ago at a show in band. “We all seemed to unaniGrand Rapids, someone said mously agree that Ectoplasmic Inflatable Best we reminded them of The Puke Wizard needed to be faster, Friend Crucif***s, which I thought was heavier and noisier, and I think wsg M. Sord, Brother a very interesting comparison.” we did an excellent job of meetGruesome, Mold The new album will be ing all of those goals.” Shakespeare’s Pub, released and distributed on They took this new focus Kalamazoo the Placenta Recordings label with them to Double Phelix July 16, 9 p.m. out of Traverse City with a Studios in Kalamazoo, where Free! 21+ tour kick-off and album rethey recorded their 10 fuzzedshakespearespub.com, lease show at Shakespeare’s in out tracks. And while Inflatable (269) 488-7782 Kalamazoo. From there, it’s a Best Friend has always been a no-days-off tour of the Midwest strong proponent of the DIY and East Coast in support of the new record, mentality, the benefits of working with an acplaying some stages the band is pretty excited tual studio became very apparent to the group. about, including The Cake Shop in New York. “It was nice to work with some flexible “We’ve been pretty fortunate this time and professional people,” Howell said. “I think around,” Howell said. “We booked some it absolutely shows on this album how much seriously awesome venues.” n time we spent in the studio trying to get all of the tracks to sound just right.”
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/// ON TOUR
Run Boy Run “Strings” Together Its Music | By Dwayne Hoover
I
Schedule | Dining | Sights | Sounds | Scene
n 2009, two pairs of siblings and a street busker at the University of Arizona got together and formed a string band. Two years later, they found themselves winning the Telluride Bluegrass Festival Band Contest in Colorado, joining the ranks of past winners like Nickel Creek, Dixie Chicks and even Kalamazoo’s own Greensky Bluegrass. At heart, Run Boy Run is a bluegrass and old-time band armed with beautiful three-part vocal harmonies with somewhat less-than-conventional arrangements consisting of multiple-bowed instruments in lieu of guitar and banjo. And while this wasn’t really an initial consideration of the group’s, it’s since become something they’ve embraced. “We are a band that loves a good melody, and having [a] fiddle at the center of our sound plays a major part in what kind of music we latch onto as a band,” said Grace Rolland, cellist and vocalist for the group.
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“We try to create different textures as a group using these techniques to add color [and] variety to songs,” added Matt Rolland, fiddle player for the band. The band’s first full-length album, So Sang the Whippoorwill, was a self-funded endeavor through a Kickstarter campaign, something the band found useful not only for the monetary aspect of album production, but for the promotional side as well. “We’ve used Kickstarter to fund our last two albums,” said Bekah Sandoval Rolland, fiddle player and vocalist. “It’s a phenomenal tool for creating hype for the project in the months before its release, as well as for connecting with fans, old and new, in the process and making them feel that they’re a part of it.” But the band’s new record, Something to Someone, will be released in September on Sky Island Records, a label the band created not only for its own music, but for other artists in the Southwest as well.
“We’ve worked hard to build up a network of really skilled people doing publicity, distribution and booking support here in Arizona, so we’re excited to see that community keep developing,” Matt said. “We’d love to see our music get onto a national label at some point, but for us as touring, independent artists, the DIY-oriented, regional label feels like a good fit.” n
Run Boy Run and Ventucky String Band Bell’s Eccentric Café, Kalamazoo July 11, 9 p.m., $10; 21+, bellsbeer.com, (269) 382-2332 Founders Brewing Company, Grand Rapids July 12, 9:30 p.m., $5; 21+, foundersbrewing.com, (616) 776-2182
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visual art
By Kerri VanderHoff
Fred and Lena: A passion for art and a love of nature David Nash. Iron Dome, 2010. 46 elements, 85 X 248 X 248 inches. Photo: Chuck Heiney
A
re markab le exh i b i tion, David Nash: From Kew Gardens to Meijer Gardens, is currently on view at Frederik Meijer Gardens & Sculpture Park. The exhibition hosts more than 25 works by this internationally renowned British sculptor. In addition, Nash will be creating and installing several new works at Meijer Gardens. “In many ways, David Nash and the whole of his career, which conjoins sculpture and the natural world, is at the very heart of the mission of Frederik Meijer Gardens & Sculpture Park,” says Meijer Gardens President and CEO David Hooker in a press release. It is understandable why the sculptor is also part of the Gardens’ 20th anniversary celebration next year, commissioning Nash for a unique, site-specific planting involving dozens of young larch trees on the open hillside
in The Richard and Helen DeVos Japanese Garden, scheduled to open June 2015. “He is a sculptor first but his visual language uses trees and nature,” said Joseph Antenucci Becherer, chief curator and vice president of Meijer Gardens. “We are a sculpture collection conjoined with a botanical garden. It all fits together very poetically and honestly.” Also very poetic is the way the mission reflects the marriage of its namesake and benefactor, the late Fred Meijer and his wife Lena. In the book America’s Garden of Art, Becherer writes about the various named outdoor gardens, “In each area, nomenclature and the expectations of tradition may signal the importance of horticultural planning and practices. Yet in most areas, sculpture plays a vital role, either as arias or choral arrangements.” He continues, “Arguably, it is across these gardens and grounds that one understands
most clearly and memorably the interrelation- has been used as a kind of meditative accent ship of Fred Meijer’s passion for sculpture and amid tranquil green surroundings.” The advent of the sculpture park came in Lena Meijer’s love of plants and flowers, that is both foundational and fundamental to the the last century, where one will generally find “there is, by design, a restraint in organization itself.” the horticultural presentation The essay by Becherer in David Nash: From in order to allow humans to America’s Garden of Art, which Kew Gardens to experience human-scale imagery is available in the gift shop, proMeijer Gardens with greater clarity and focus… vides art historical context and Frederik Meijer Gardens & [t]he pendulum, as it were, has comparisons regarding sculpture Sculpture Park Through Aug. 17, 2014 shifted.” gardens and parks. meijergardens.org The art is now the dominant “One can reach back across (888) 957-1580 focus, while the garden plays the time from the early modern era supporting role. to the classical world and find significant examples,” he writes about sculp- The unique beauty of Meijer Gardens, and ture gardens. “English and French estates melt apparently Fred and Lena’s influence upon into Italian villas, which dissolve into Roman it, is that it doesn’t choose between the two. Instead, it is a harmonious marriage of both pleasure gardens and Greek shrines.” He notes it is possible to look even garden and sculpture park, coexisting wonderdeeper to ancient Mesopotamia and Egypt fully across 132 inviting acres. n for the carved sculpture sited in the open air. In most of the garden scenarios, “sculpture
Con Artist Crew Present: COMMIX
Urban Institute for Contemporary Arts (UICA) Through Aug. 17, 2014 uica.org, (616) 454-7000
COMMIX is a multidisciplinary exhibition featuring contemporary street art and graphics, comprising a national network of artists and organized by the regional gallery group Con Artist Crew. Experience artwork from working artist that are redefining collaboration, entrepreneurship and regional identity.
Preliminary Study: RSI-T (part 2) curated by Naomi Lev
Fire Barn Gallery and collaborative locations Through July, 2014 Panel discussion at LaFontsee Gallery on July 2, 7:30 p.m. firebarngallery.com, (917) 572-0175
Presented by Chris Protas and the Fire Barn Gallery (Grand Haven), in collaboration with the Muskegon Museum of Art, LaFontsee Gallery and Richard App Gallery, this exhibition explores the outcomes from excessive use of technology. Panel discussion includes Naomi Lev, an independent curator from Tel Aviv now living and working in New York City.
The Lakeshore Art Festival features a unique blend of arts, crafts, music, food and fun along the shoreline in historic Downtown Muskegon. This year’s event will feature nearly 250 fine art, craft and artisan food market exhibitors. The event will include children’s activities, street performers, and a community canvas.
Scene | Sounds | Sights Diing | Schedule
Other Art Events
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Lakeshore Art Festival
Downtown Muskegon July 4 & 5 lakeshoreartfestival.org, (231) 722-3751
By Allison Parker
theatre
Other Performing Arts Events
Circle Theatre’s Two Guvnors
Deathtrap
Mason Street Warehouse, Saugatuck July 25-27, 29-31, Aug. 1-3, 5-10; show times at 2, 7 & 8 p.m. $26-$42 sc4a.org, (269) 857-2399
One Man, Two Guvnors Circle Theatre, Grand Rapids
July 10-12, 16-19, 23-26; show times at 5 & 7:30 p.m. $12.50-$25 circletheatre.org, (616) 456-665
With suspense at every turn, it’s no wonder Deathtrap holds the record for the longestrunning comedic thriller on Broadway. Our mystery begins when washed-up playwright Sindey Bruhl discovers his student’s play is sure to be the next big hit. The plot thickens when Sidney begins joking about killing the student in order to steal his script, a document that bears a curious resemblance to Deathtrap itself. If you think you’ve already predicted the ending, think again, because this deadly thriller is full of surprises.
Blithe Spirit
Heritage Theatre Group Spectrum Theater, Grand Rapids July 17-19, 24-26, 31, Aug. 1-2; show time at 8 p.m. $7.50-$15 heritagetheatregr.org, (616) 951-4842 Written by eccentric wit Nöel Coward, Blithe Spirit is a satirical comedy with a ghostly twist. While researching the occult for his latest novel, Charles Condomine meets up with an eccentric medium he believes to be a charlatan. To Charles’ astonishment, the clairvoyant’s powers prove legitimate when she successfully summons the ghost of Charles’ first wife. As it turns out, the spirit isn’t too happy with her husband’s new bride. A darkly humorous struggle commences as characters battle against an enemy only Charles can see and hear.
Schedule | Dining | Sights Sounds | Scene
The Sound of Music
Hope Summer Repertory Theatre DeWitt Main Theatre, Holland July 2, 10, 16, 21, 24, 29, Aug. 2, 4, 7; show time at 8 p.m. $12-$30 hope.edu/arts/hsrt, (616) 395-7890 An unforgettable classic, The Sound of Music is the ultimate feel-good summer show. We’re talking plucky kids, cutesy nuns and an adorkable heroine to boot. Timeless themes like self-discovery, young love and heroic bravery are sure to resonate with audience members both young an old. Good luck getting the songs out of your head, too.
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F
rancis Henshall has two b o ss e s. His first is Roscoe Crabbe, a local gangster. His second is Stanley Stubbers, an upper-class criminal. Anxious to keep his dual allegiance a secret, Francis desperately attempts to prevent the two “guvnors” from meeting. Little does Francis know that Crabbe is actually cold in his grave, having previously been murdered by Stubbers. The person now masquerading as Francis’ other employer is really Roscoe’s sister, intent on revenge.
A farcical tangle of chaos and mistaken identity, One Man, Two Guvnors provides a lighthearted escape for theatregoers this month. True to its Comedia dell’Arte genre, the play doesn’t take itself too seriously—puns, fart jokes and slapstick humor abound. “There’s a lot of the tongue-in-cheek kind of jokes, plus plays on words and phrases and just really silly stuff, and I think people are really gonna enjoy it,” said Director Todd Avery. “[Audiences] can just sit back and forget all their troubles and not have to think too much. There’s nothing to
figure out here—it’s all pretty much right out there in your lap.” Also adding to the show’s hilarity are improvisation routines called lazzi. These loosely planned scenes are flexible enough for spur-of-the-moment decisions influenced by audience reactions. “The actor has a basic motivation, has to get something done,” Avery said. “It usually involves some sort of props, and he has to get from point A to point B, but whatever route he takes to get there is up to him, and he or she can play off of the audience and do lots of fun stuff with it.” One Man, Two Guvnors also pulls viewers in by using dramatic asides in which characters speak directly to the audience. Opportunities for a few audience members to join the actors onstage keep the show lively and engaging as well. Additional highlights are performances by “The Craze,” an onstage skiffle band. The Craze not only provides musical transitions, but also fleshes out the characters’ personalities and emotions. Band members play various stringed and percussion instruments at all skill levels. “Characters from the show are part of the skiffle band because it’s always just kind of whoever’s around who will grab something to play and jump up there,” Avery said. “Most of the characters will be part of that. We have several very accomplished musicians and then some who can just, you know, squeeze a horn and maybe hit a tambourine, so it’s quite a variety of stuff.” Perhaps more than anything else, however, loveable characters are the best reason to go see the show. “The connection the audience is gonna have with these characters is what really makes [One Man, Two Guvnors] memorable because they are just going to fall in love with some of these characters.” n
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Missy Black’s
STYLe NOTeS
La Vie en Orange
Y
Schedule | Dining | Sights Sounds | Scene
our underwear and Kori Jock need to talk. Jock, who is based out of Kalamazoo, is the underwear fairy godmother taking forgotten T-shirts and turning them into handmade undies made from recycled and ecoforgiving materials that are also hand screen-printed. Jock has been making her own undies since 2005, and pretty much hasn’t had a wedgie since. Her underwear fits like a glove — and puts a party in your pants with bright colors and fun prints. At La Vie en Orange she offers 8 Days a Week undies (from Monday to Sunday with a bonus hump day pair free of charge), custom underwear from your favorite old T-shirt, the underwear-of-the-month club and a hot bootie guarantee: if the drawers don’t fit you can send them back for alterations. Having studied fashion design at Western Michigan University, Jock’s undies are an intersection of her values, taking a love of fashion and mixing it with a body-positive aesthetic, even utilizing unbleached plastic so there’s less chemicals in the environment. Owning an underwear biz and having a sense of humor goes hand in hand, as you can see by the collection of period panties, appropriately named Aunt Flow, Code Red, Crimson Wave and Shark Week. The same sense of humor is highlighted during her thrift shop trips. “I found a Rod Stewart T-shirt at a thrift shop so I can put Rod Stewart in somebody’s pants,” she said. Other inspirations come from childhood T-shirts to risqué shirts moms can’t wear publicly anymore. Add a little custom-fitted joy to your life by checking out korijock.com or grabbing some undies at Cakes Boutique in Kalamazoo. Sparrow Boutique owner Kristi Kettler was “wanting fashions I could wear to work and also transition those key pieces to weekend wear.” From blazers, skirts and dresses, Kettler’s wish list touched upon items that served the working woman with quality pieces that were affordable, modern and versatile. Sparrow Boutique in Spring Lake was her solution and the online store offers a variety of women’s clothing and accessories. You’ll find trend-setting choices, as well as its own private label merchandise. Sparrow also carries Michigan Awesome T-shirts and the widely popular State of Michigan Love necklaces. With a background working In Chicago retail for major apparel companies, Kettler has styled for photo shoots and catalogs and loves interacting with customers — so much so that she features the Sparrow Stylist option. Fashion advice
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and styling tips are as easy as shooting an email to stylist@shopsparrow.net. Kettler digs details such as pleating, lace embellishments and mixed materials and the line at Sparrow has those small touches for a specialty shop feel. A perfect example is tassels. From scarves to necklaces, bracelets and earrings, a little tassel detailing will be big for summer. In the shopping mood? Try shopsparrow.net or visit their new studio space next to Provence Salon in Muskegon..
Call it ‘grocery glam’ if you will, but make room in the cart among your cereal, fruit and trash bags for bold coral sandals, Essie nail polish and lace dresses. There’s been a fashion upgrade within Meijer’s apparel department and this means the assortment “is more modern — we’re not walking away from our traditional customer, but watching trends in New York, L.A. and across the country,” says Lynn Hempe, group vice president of Soft Lines and Baby Center. It’s one-stop shopping for things you need at home and want in your closet including crazy-affordable gladiator sandals, flowing maxi skirts, striped maxi dresses and loungy palazzo pants — “It’s a very flattering style that’s easy to wear and you can dress it up with a chiffon top and statement necklace or dress down with flip flops and a T-shirt.” Sunglasses, jewelry and handbags are improved as well. Get used to cool mints and warm corals as this season’s color palette cues. You’re strongly urged to investigate the super educational meijerstyle.com for the closet changers section, styling ideas and blogging personalities. Men’s fashion gets stirred up as well with more color and synthetic and performance fabrics coming back in a big way. No joke — as of this printing, I’m up to my third pair of Statement jewelry at Meijer shoes and bracelets.
Sparrow Boutique
Groupies and rock goddesses will want to check out the Scrapbook brand line of tanks and dresses at Hot Mama in East Grand Rapids. Vintage rock T-shirts are repositioned onto easy and comfortable tanks and dresses in versatile gray and are exclusive to the store only. You can head to all of your summer concerts in the appropriate attire, adoring David Bowie, The Grateful Dead, Pink Floyd — you get the idea. Style the tanks with a “cute pair of distressed denim, rolled up with a wedge sandal for height that’s a little sexier,” said Lisa Jabara, co-owner and investor. Tanks run $78 and dresses are $98. n
D O W N TO W N
D O W N TO W N
H O L L A N D
G R A N D
R A P I D S
5TH FLOOR PAT I O S E AT I N G savor the view this summer atop CityFlatsHotel at CityV큰 Bistro in downtown Holland
CityFlatsHotel.com
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By Josh Spanninga
comedy
Josh Sneed Finds Fame in Ohio
Schedule | Dining | Sights Sounds | Scene
J
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o s h S n e e d i s livi n g p r o o f t h at yo u c a n make it b i g i n co m edy without having to leave your home and family behind. He grew up in Ohio, and currently lives in the greater Cincinnati area, near the border of Kentucky and Ohio. While life in the Midwest may sound less flashy than New York or L.A. to some, Sneed wouldn’t have it any other way. “When I first started out I was always drilled with ‘You have to be in New York or L.A.’ because that’s where they make the TV shows, that’s where they make the movies, that’s where all the important decision-makers are,” Sneed said. “But as I got closer and closer to being at a level where I’d have to make that decision, technology advanced to where that didn’t seem to be the case anymore.” After landing a job as a systems analyst for Procter and Gamble fresh out of college, Sneed began attending open mic nights in Ohio as a way to decompress after work. After garnering quite a bit of attention for his sets, it quickly became apparent that
comedy was becoming less of a pastime and more of a career. “It literally had just gotten to a point where if I wanted to advance any further in either one of those, I knew I was going to have to commit to one,” Sneed said. “And at 24, comedy was a lot more enticing than IT work.” Sneed soon found himself performing comedy full time, making appearances at various comedy festivals and competitions and opening for acts such as Lewis Black, Bill Burr and Louis C.K. He even landed his own half-hour special on Comedy Central, and has made several appearances on the nationally syndicated “Bob and Tom Show.” While this level of exposure might sound nerve-wracking to some, Sneed now feels at home in such environments. “After over 16 years of doing comedy, and almost 13 years full time, it seems like almost every possible environment to do a show I’ve done at some point,” Sneed said. “The nervousness doesn’t show up until you’re in an environment that’s not really familiar to you.”
Josh Sneed
Dr. Grins, Grand Rapids July 31-Aug. 2, show times at 5:30, 8 and 10:30 p.m. $10-$20 thebob.com, (616) 356-2000
Experience and success isn’t the only thing Sneed has gained from his career in comedy. While recording his comedy album, Unacceptable, he met the woman who would later become his wife. They have since purchased a home and have recently become parents, all of which Sneed credits as giving him endless inspiration for his new material, delivered in his signature laid-back, guy-next-door method of storytelling. “A lot of times, people who leave the comedy club will say ‘It felt like you were just a guy sitting on my couch talking,’ and that’s exactly what I want,” Sneed said. “I don’t want you to notice transitions between topics or between jokes. I want you to feel like I was up there telling one big, long story, and hopefully it was a funny one to listen to.” n
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By Josh Spanninga
FILM Everyone loves a good summer sunset over Lake Michigan, and stargazing from a comfy campsite can’t be beat. If you’re looking to watch something a bit more cinematic, however, the West Michigan film community has got you covered, too.
Movies in the Park Returns to Ah-Nab-Awen Park
D
Schedule | Dining | Sights Sounds | Scene
owntown Grand Rapids, Inc. has decided to bring their Movies in the Park series back to Ah-Nab-Awen Park for the second summer in a row. Kristopher Larson, president and CEO of Downtown Grand Rapids, Inc., said the series was initiated due to overwhelming support from the Grand Rapids community. “We use our social media channels to test new ideas and interventions, and every so often we’ll put something out there that really resonates,” Larson said. “We had seen a big movie screened in another community, and we basically just put it out through social media and got this tremendous response.” Thus began Movies in the Park. July’s selections include Dreamgirls on July 11 and Rocky Horror Picture Show on July 25.
Movies in Ah-Nab-Awen Park
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The events are free and include food trucks, pre-movie entertainment and the option to bring your own beer and wine to sip on during the film. “It’s an opportunity to imagine a community event that wasn’t fenced in,” Larson said. “That was a major driver of this, learning and understanding basically how we could produce an event without having to put a box around it.” And if you make it out to any of the screenings, you will have the chance to vote on a special viewer’s choice film, which will be shown in conjunction with Jurassic Park as a special double-feature in August. All of this, of course, goes back to the series’ main goal of keeping it a community-driven event. “We really want it to be those people that enjoy the series and attend the events, we want it to be their choice,” Larson said. “If they’re the ones who are supporting and love the event, we want them to have a direct hand in being able to choose what happens on that last night for viewers choice.”
BUZZARD, behind the scenes
Saugatuck Shorts Calls on Filmmakers to Represent Michigan
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y now everyone’s familiar with the phrase “Pure Michigan.” The Saugatuck Center for the Arts (SCA) takes this one step further by calling on all filmmakers to submit their short films that best capture Michigan. From July 1 to Aug. 31, SCA will accept entries to its short film competition, which is aptly titled Saugatuck Shorts. The top 10 or so entries will be chosen by a panel of local industry professionals to be screened at the SCA on Oct. 18. SCA is looking for films that capture some aspect of Michigan by either basing it in a Michigan location, using local actors or referencing Michigan history or products. All submissions must be less than five minutes. Angela Peavey, sales and marketing manager for the SCA, said holding the competition was a no-brainer. “We love Michigan, so we want to support Michigan films and Michigan arts, and Michigan creating those arts,” Peavey said. “We wanted to give some kind of venue where we could actually display the Michigan theme.” Last year, SCA had 50 submissions for the inaugural competition, and a panel of judges narrowed it down to 12 shorts that were shown at a special screening. Cash prizes are given to winners in three separate categories: the student category ($500), adult category ($1,000) and the audience favorite ($1,000). “What’s great is a lot of film festivals don’t have these large cash prizes like we
do,” Peavey said. “So that definitely attracts the more budding filmmakers who can use that money if they win it to make their next project.” For a detailed list of submission guidelines, visit sc4a.org.
Fire Walk with Me
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n July 29, the UICA will feature a one-night only screening of Fire Walk with Me, the prequel film companion to the eerily unforgettable show “Twin Peaks.” David Lynch’s signature brand of coffee and locally baked pie will be served at the event, and audiences are encouraged to dress up as their favorite characters from the show. Visit uica.org for more details.
Buzzard Film Update
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f you haven’t heard about Joel Potrykus’s latest film, Buzzard, you’ve probably been living under a rock. The West Michigan-based filmmaker’s most recent no-budget, paranoia-laden drama premiered at SXSW Film Fest and has already met much acclaim, even being picked up by Oscilloscope Laboratories for future distribution. In June, the film made its Michigan premiere at the Cinetopia International Film Festival in Detroit and Ann Arbor, as well as the Awesome Fest in Philadelphia and various other festivals. Keep an eye on this film in the coming months as it dominates the film fest circuit. n
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REVUEWM.COM | July 2014 |
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lit life
By Kyle Austin
Uncovering the Dark Side of Grand Rapids
Other Literary Events GRPL presents: Books and Bière
Brewery Vivant July 14, 7 p.m. breweryvivant.com, (616) 719-1604
Presented by the Grand Rapids Public Library, Books and Bière is your chance to catch up on your summer reading list over choice pints from Brewery Vivant before enjoying an exclusive tour of the brewery. Must be 21 or older to participate. Space is limited and registration is required at grpl.org/ register.
Schedule | Dining | Sights Sounds | Scene
L
e t ’ s fa c e i t : t h e w i n ners write the history books. That’s why Grand Rapids’ history books are filled with the rise of the furniture industry, pictures of Gerald Ford and a whole lot of just good ol’ fashioned niceness. But for local author and history buff Amberrose Hammond, the full story lies beneath the surface. “In West Michigan there’s this misconception that it’s always been so Dutch Reformed and pure and nothing crazy has ever happened here,” Hammond said. With her latest book, Wicked Grand Rapids, she sets the records straight, exploring the region’s more unsavory side through a series of shocking events and seedy characters that have been largely omitted from the popular narrative. The events chronicled in Wicked Grand Rapids will turn traditional notions of history on their head. Clem Blood was a career criminal who was arrested and tried so many times that it became near impossible to find jury members who didn’t have a preconceived notion about him. Georgie Young was a prominent brothel owner who made her fortune in the prostitution business before opening a Home for Fallen Women in the late 1800s. And those are just two examples in the book. Hammond has been infatuated with the strange, the sordid and the macabre since childhood. “It was probably the horror movies,” she said. “My dad let me watch way too many movies that I shouldn’t have as a little kid.” What intrigued her most were films like The Amityville Horror that were based on true stories. “That became more interesting to me, that question of why something could be haunted. There’s this whole story behind it, and while the haunting itself can never be proved, the history can.” Later, as an English major at Grand Valley State University, Hammond preferred to study literature through the lens of history.
48 | REVUEWM.COM | July 2014
MartiniMOTH
SpeakEZ Lounge July 22, 7 p.m. speakezlounge.com, (616) 458-2689
“I was always more interested in the things that were hapSchuler Books and Music – pening while the Grand Rapids books were being July 29, 7 p.m. written that influschulerbooks.com, (616) 942-2561 enced the author in some way,” she said. Wicked Grand Rapids is centered on the idea that for better or worse, every historical event shapes the community in which it happens. “The world was so much smaller then, so these were things that everyone would read about in the paper,” Hammond said. “How did the community deal with these events? How did they react? How did that change things?” There’s the story of seven year-old Charlie Pohlman, who was accidentally shot in the head
Amberrose Hammond presents Wicked Grand Rapids
while playing with some neighborhood boys in 1903. Scared to death and inspired by the pulp murder mysteries they frequently read, the boys placed Pohlman’s body on the train tracks to stage in an attempt to disguise his death as an accident, sparking community-wide outrage about the corrupting influence of nickel fiction. Hammond unearthed so many unbelievable stories while working on Wicked Grand Rapids that her biggest challenge was whittling her immense body of research into a digestible book. Even after the book’s release, her insatiable curiosity remains. Attend one of Hammond’s author talks and you’ll find her ready and willing to swap stories until closing time. “Research never stops,” she said. “You always wonder what could be sitting there in another library somewhere on a dusty microfilm that you haven’t seen yet.” n
MartiniMOTH is a monthly event that brings the dynamic live storytelling format of NPR’s The Moth to Grand Rapids. This month’s theme is “Working for a Living – Tales of Unusual Jobs,” and anyone is welcome to participate. The sign-up list fills up quick though, so be sure to show up early if you have a story that needs to be shared.
Author Talk with Brian Freeman
Kazoo Books, Kalamazoo July 23, all-day event kazoobooks.com, (269) 385-2665
Come chat with Brian Freeman, the internationally best-selling author of psychological suspense novels Spilled Blood and The Burying Place, at this special event. Find out what’s next for protagonists Jonathan Stride and Cab Bolton and get a signed copy of any of Freeman’s books, including the newest, The Cold Nowhere.
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Schedule Dining Sights | Sounds | Scene
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COME SEE OUR DAILY SPECIALS! now offering gluten free bread
57 Monroe Center NW (616) 454-5300
Mon - Fri: 8:00 am - 7:00 pm Sat: 10:00 am - 5:00 pm
Restaurant listings arranged by region
Grand Rapids Angel’s Thai Café 136 Monroe Center NW. 616-454-9801 THAI. This downtown restaurant makes your order fresh, fast, and hot. You can order your entree with your choice of meat and spice level, or create your own. » SERVING: Lunch Dinner OPEN ON: Open 7 days. GO THERE FOR: Thai Steak and Yum Talay. Bar Divani 15 Ionia Ave. SW. 616-774-WINE. ECLECTIC. Bar Divani offers a sophisticated environment, with the chefs use local ingredients in their creations. Taste the homegrown flavor in the Prosciutto Flatbread, the Linguine Alfredo or the Plum Salmon. By pairing with Dancing Goats Creamery, Otto’s Chicken, S&S Lamb, Ingraberg Farms, Mrs. Dog’s and Madcap, Bar Divani serves extraordinary tastes. But, what would a night out be without a few drinks? The bar serves more than 300 types of liquor, 300 wines and 50 beers to compliment each handcrafted meal. » SERVING: Dinner after 4 p.m. OPEN ON: Everyday but Sunday. GO THERE FOR: Local Cuisine. BarterTown Diner 6 Jefferson St. SE. 616-233-3219 VEGAN. This workerowned-and-operated restaurant offers a variety of tasty healthy dishes fresh and hand-picked right from local family farms. Want a certain recipe or cooking lessons? Events and programs are BarterTown’s way of getting the community involved. So don’t be surprised if one day there’s Greek and Mediterranean cuisine and the next it’s all about pizza. » SERVING: Breakfast (Saturday & Sunday), Lunch, Dinner. OPEN ON: Open 7 days. GO THERE FOR: Locally based vegan meals.
Big Bob’s Pizza 661 Croswell Dr. 616-233-0123 ITALIAN. Located in Gaslight Village in East Grand Rapids (across from Jersey
Big O Café 80 Ottawa NW. 616-451-1887 ITALIAN. The downtown (and downstairs) restaurant has a reliable menu featuring pizza, pasta, and sandwiches that are Italian and Cuban influenced. A great spot for lunch or a quick glass of wine and plate of pasta before a downtown event. » SERVING: Lunch Dinner OPEN ON: Open 7 days. GO THERE FOR: Dead Head Vegetarian Pizza, Cuban dinners on Friday nights.
The Bistro 11 Monroe Avenue NW (at Courtyard Marriott). 616-242-6000 AMERICAN. Serving American food bistro-style, whether it’s grab-and-go or guests dining in for breakfast, lunch or dinner. The Bistro offers fresh seasonal options, serves Starbucks beverages and has a full-service bar. » SERVING: Breakfast Lunch Dinner OPEN ON: Open 7 days GO THERE FOR: Sandwiches. Bistro Bella Vita 44 Grandville Ave. SW. 616-222-4600 ITALIAN. One of Grand Rapids’ best dining experiences, featuring Mediterraneaninspired country cuisine, a swanky yet comfortable downtown atmopshere and personable service. BBV’s culinary team creates authentic, housemade recipes made with locally grown produce, fresh seafood and rotisserie roasted meats. Specialty gluten-free menu, and can prepare custom dishes for lactose intolerant, vegetarian, and vegan diets. » SERVING: Lunch Dinner OPEN ON: Open 7 days. GO THERE FOR: Mediterranean Country Cuisine and Martinis. Blue Water Grill 5180 Northland Dr. 616-363-5900 SEAFOOD. One of Grand Rapids’ most inspired restaurants in terms of overall ambiance, with Frank Lloyd Wright-style architecture, a stunningly massive fireplace, and some of the best water views in West Michigan. The food is similarly inspired, drawing from Italian, Mediterranean and classic American influences. All the traditional favorites are accounted for with a wide variety of wood-fired pizzas, seafood, steaks, chops, salads, and sandwiches. » SERVING: Lunch Dinner OPEN ON: Open 7 days. GO THERE FOR: Grass Fed Beef.
Bobarino’s 20 Monroe Ave. NW. 616-356-2000 ITALIAN. A melting pot of food, live entertainment and fun. Live music Tuesday through Saturday, including rock, jazz, retro, country, rockabilly and more. Large game room with video games, billiards and shuffleboard. Menu includes vast array of wood-fired pizzas, plus burgers, entrées and classic appetizers. Lunch buffet with pizza, pasta, and salad for $6.45. » SERVING: Lunch Dinner OPEN ON: Open 7 days. GO THERE FOR: Wood-fired pizzas. Bombay Cuisine 1420 Lake Dr. SE 616-456-7055 INDIAN. Offering savory and subtly spiced dishes from northern India, Bombay Cuisine is a hot spot for those who like to add a little flavor to their lives. With a lunch buffet served every weekday, this restaurant provides its eaters with an array of traditional Indian cuisine. » SERVING: Lunch Dinner OPEN ON: Open 7 days GO THERE FOR: Naan, Butter Chicken. Brewery Vivant 925 Cherry St. SE. 616-719-1604 BREWPUB. Housed in a former funeral chapel, Brewery Vivant crafts Belgianstyle ales with a focus on barrel aging. The brewpub also brings Belgian tradition when it comes to food, featuring French and Belgian-style meals to pair perfectly with the beer. » SERVING: Lunch Dinner OPEN ON: Open 7 days. GO THERE FOR: The Burger Bulls Head Tavern 188 Monroe NW. 616-454-3580 AMERICAN. Downtown eatery is a great spot for business lunch or casual pre-show dinner, with a wide-ranging menu that includes salads, burgers, pasta, seafood and steaks. Specialties include the ostrich burger, sashimi tuna and smoked Gouda chicken pasta. » SERVING: Lunch Dinner OPEN ON: Closed on Sunday. GO THERE FOR: The Ostrich Burger. Chapbook Café 2660 28th St. SE, Grand Rapids. 616-942-0595. CAFE. Take a break from browsing the shelves at Schuler Books with a homemade selection of soups, sandwiches and quiches. Soups are prepared in-house daily and served with fresh baked bread to accompany a small-but-elegant sandwich menu. Try a quiche or traditional Italian Panini grilled on fresh ciabatta bread, or for a quick bite, grab a bagel or scone from the dessert case. » SERVING: Breakfast Lunch Dinner OPEN ON: 7 days GO THERE FOR: Homemade soups and sandwiches
CitySen Lounge 83 Monroe Center St. NW. 616-608-1720 AMERICAN. CitySen Lounge, located in the heart of downtown Grand Rapids, is a bar with a big-city feel, offering exciting options for lunch, dinner and breakfast on the weekends. The focus is on fresh ingredients and a full bar with local brews, wine and creative cocktails. » SERVING: Weekend Breakfast Lunch Dinner OPEN: Open 7 days GO THERE FOR: Daily happy hour Cork Wine & Grille 1600 Galbraith Ave SE. 616-949-0570 AMERICAN. If you’re a wino (it’s OK to admit it), Cork is your kind of joint. Fresh food plus the biggest wine list in the Grand Rapids area can only equal a successful night out. And don’t worry if you’re new to wine, the staff knows enough about it to help you pick the perfect accompaniment for your meal. » SERVING: Lunch Dinner OPEN ON: 7 days GO THERE FOR: Adult Mac N’ Cheese The Corner Bar 31 N. Main St. 616-866-9866 AMERICAN. The downtown Rockford tavern serves a solid menu of burgers, burritos, salads and sandwiches, but it is best known for hot dogs — serving almost 1,000 per day. Its hot-dog-eating challenge has been conquered by more than a few, but it raises the question: Why would you want to consume Corner Bar dogs in a hurry rather than savor each bite? » SERVING: Lunch Dinner OPEN ON: Open 7 days. GO THERE FOR: Hot dogs. The Cottage Bar 18 Lagrave Ave. SE. 616-454-9088 AMERICAN. The Cottage Bar is the oldest operating restaurant and bar in downtown Grand Rapids. Come in for the Cottage Burger, smothered with green olives, bacon, lettuce, tomato, hickory mayonnaise and Swiss and American cheeses. » SERVING: Lunch Dinner OPEN ON: Closed Sundays GO THERE FOR: The Cottage Burger. Cygnus 27 Cornucopia 187 Monroe Ave. NW. 616-776-6425 ECLECTIC. Enjoy 187 skyline Monroeas Ave. 616-774-2000 DELI. A refreshing the youNW. dine atop the Glass Tower. Indulge option for on-the-go, or casual, fare. deli in a variety of globally infusedlighter dishes at Enjoy this AAA options such asrestaurant. homemadeCasual soups,attire; salads, Four-Diamond no Panini jacket sandwiches and freshly brewed gourmet»coffee. SERVING: required. Private dining also available. SERVING: Breakfast Lunch OPEN ON: Open 7 days.FOR: GO Lunch Dinner OPEN ON: Open 7 days. GO THERE THERE FOR: Sandwiches. Seasonal Sunday Brunch.
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Scene | Sounds | Sights Dining Schedule
Bentham’s Riverfront Restaurant 187 Monroe Ave. NW. 616-774-2000 AMERICAN. Enjoy great breakfast, lunch, dinner and dessert options while looking out at the Grand River. Bentham’s now offers a lunch buffet with choices of salads, breads, soups and roast beef and poultry carved to order — not to mention stir-fry stations with fresh vegetables, meats or seafood and unique sauces. Casual attire. » SERVING: Breakfast Lunch OPEN ON: Open 7 days, closes at 2 p.m. GO THERE FOR: Lunch buffet.
Junction), Big Bob’s is a cozy restaurant that serves up specialty pizzas, pastas, burritos, sandwiches and salads. Sit out on the deck and enjoy Happy Hour from 4-6 p.m. and 9p.m.-close seven days a week. » SERVING: Lunch Dinner OPEN ON: Open 7 Days. GO THERE FOR: Pizza and beer (is there a better combination?).
REVUE’s dining listings are compiled by staff and minions. This is not intended to be a comprehensive list of restaurants in the region. For an expanded list, be on the lookout for new and improved dining changes on our revamped website, revuewm. com. The listings are not intended to be reviews of West Michigan restaurants, although we will inject some opinions into the listings based on staff experiences and personal preferences. To submit or to correct information in a dining listing, e-mail editor@revuewm.com.
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Dining Fire Rock Grille 7111 Kalamazoo Ave. SE, Caledonia Township 616-6569898 AMERICAN. If you’re looking for food with a twist, FireRock Grille could be your place. Sandwiches and burgers are some staples, but offerings are vast and utilize seasonal ingredients. » SERVING: Lunch Dinner. OPEN ON: 7 days. GO THERE FOR: Customizable Steaks. Founders Brewing Company 235 Grandville SW. 616-776-1195 BREWPUB. A beerlover’s paradise with a national reputation for flavorful, award-winning beers. Likewise, the brewpub’s menu consists mainly of flavorful handcrafted deli sandwiches 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.
The Burger at One Trick Pony
PHOTO: Kelli Belanger
Gluten Free Girl: One Trick Pony
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Gilly’s 20 Monroe NW. 616-356-2000 SEAFOOD. Gilly’s may not be the biggest name on the seafood block, but it takes second place to no one in regards to quality, freshness and inspiration. A vast array of exotic fish is line-caught, flown in and prepared fresh daily. Every facet of Gilly’s speaks to impeccable attention to detail. SERVING: Dinner OPEN ON: Closed on Sunday. GO THERE FOR: Fresh seafood at a great price.
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aving a gluten-free option at
a restaurant is fabulous, but being able to choose from more than 13 options is almost unheard of, unless you find yourself inside One Trick Pony. Not only can you order any pizza on the menu with a gluten-free crust, you can also enjoy a multitude of appetizers, since almost all of them are gluten free, or choose from more than five gluten-free salads. For my entrée, I chose The Burger, a U.S.D.A. prime patty with leaf lettuce, tomato and red onion. To amp it up, I added smoked Gouda and bacon. Other choices include white cheddar, bleu cheese, American cheese or Swiss. It can be ordered with a gluten-free bun, which I found to be incredibly tasty. What surprised me most was the way it held together, unlike most gluten-free bread that crumbles. Head to One Trick Pony on Thursday nights to pair your meal with live entertainment. Check the website for details. —Kelli Belanger
136 E. Fulton, Grand Rapids, onetrick.biz, (616) 235-7669 Item: The Burger; Price: $10, plus $1/each for smoked Gouda and bacon
Schedule Dining Sights | Sounds | Scene
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.
GP Sports 187 Monroe Ave. NW 616-776-6495 SPORTS BAR. Catch the big game on one of GP Sports’ 30 televisions, including a big screen for optimal game viewing. This colorful and casual restaurant not only caters to sports fans, but also features top-notch burgers, pizzas and specialty drinks. » SERVING: Lunch Dinner OPEN ON: Open 7 days. GO THERE FOR: Score Big Burgers. G.R.P.D. (Grand Rapids Pizza and Delivery) 340 State St. SE. 616-454-9204 ITALIAN. The current GR location opened in 2004 as the first established pizzeria in the Heritage Hill district. A common meeting spot for local folks, business professionals and college students, a place where one could gather for a quick meal or a reflective lunch. It offers both hand-tossed pizza and Chicago-style stuffed pizza, as well as pasta, sandwiches, salads, and wings. Online ordering, too. SERVING: Lunch Dinner OPEN ON: Open 7 days. GO THERE FOR: Pizza.
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Erb Thai 950 Wealthy St. SE #1A. (616) 356-2573 THAI. Food rooted in traditional Thai cuisine, but also made to accommodate health conscious and special diets. Not too strong, not too weak, like harmony and melody. Marketing representative Molly Rizor was a Thai virgin when she went and is now glad Erb Thai was her first experience. » SERVING: Lunch Dinner OPEN ON: Open 7 days. GO THERE FOR: Peanut Curry Noodles.
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Fajita Republic Cantina 2183 E. Beltline Ave. 616-272-3047 MEXICAN. A fresh twist on Mexican-inspired cuisine, Fajita Republic uses farm-fresh vegetables, never-frozen meats and lime-squeezed margaritas. Fajita entrees are flamed table-side and the owners promise there are no microwaves used at Fajita Republic, ensuring that all meals are made fresh. Additionally, there are 101 tequila varieties, as well as Mexican craft beers, wine and specialty drinks. » SERVING Lunch Dinner. OPEN: Open 7 days. GO THERE FOR: Fajitas, Tequila
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.
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Grand Woods Lounge 77 Grandville Ave SW. 616-451-4300 AMERICAN. The restaurant’s interior exudes a warm, casual ambiance reminiscent of the great eateries of the Pacific Northwest; the outdoor porch features two outdoor bars and a fireplace. Menu stocked with affordable appetizers great for sharing, plus salads, sandwiches, and entrées. Lots of domestics and microbrews, plus an array of martinis including the “Woodstini,” a tasty mix of Stoli Orange Vodka, mandarin oranges and raspberries. » SERVING: Lunch Dinner OPEN ON: Open 7 days. GO THERE FOR: Cocktails. 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.
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Green Restaurant 2289 E Beltline Ave. NE Ste. 8, Grand Rapids. 616447-8294 ORGANIC. The first of its kind, at least in this area, Green Restaurant uses nothing but all-natural and organic ingredients. This includes everything from fruit, vegetables, meat and cheese to juice, ice cream and more. It’s a restaurant where almost anyone with a unique diet could find something to eat within their specifications. » SERVING: Lunch Dinner OPEN ON: Closed Monday GO THERE FOR: Sandwiches, soups, burgers, smoothies/juice blends. The Green Well 924 Cherry SE. 616-808-3566 Eclectic. REVUE’s “Free Market” columnist Steven de Polo writes, “Green Well is the best restaurant in GR.” The East Hills gastro-pub serves up an ever-changing menu featuring local ingredients, and a wide array of local craft brews and wines. The green refers also to the LEED© certified building and management’s commitment to a small carbon footprint. SERVING: Lunch Dinner OPEN ON: Open 7 days. GO THERE FOR: Baked local goat cheese, Michigan maple whiskey chicken over risotto.
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The Holiday Bar 801 5th St. NW, Grand Rapids. 616-456-9058 AMERICAN. For 107 years, The Holiday Bar has been serving its loyal customers great beer and food, with 12 specialty beers of tap and its homemade “Porter” Pulled Pork sandwiches. Fully stocked with pool tables and nine HD flat screens, this dive is the perfect spot for cheap beer and good times. SERVING: Lunch Dinner OPEN ON: Open 7 days. GO THERE FOR: Cheap beer.
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Harmony Brewing Company 1551 Lake Dr. SE (616) 233-0063 BREWPUB. 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.
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HopCat 25 Ionia SW. 616-451-4677 TAVERN. Rated the 3rd best beer bar on the planet by Beer Advcoate, HopCat’s spin on its food is thus: “It’s the food your Mom would feed you, if your Mom loved beer.” That’s specifically true for HopCat’s beerbar cheese,
cheese ale soup and porter braised beef, but mom would also love the Hippie wrap (it’s vegetarian), the crack fries (not real crack), and Killer Mac and Cheese. Because what mom doesn’t like mac and cheese? SERVING: Lunch Dinner OPEN ON: Open 7 days. GO THERE FOR: Widest variety of beers, crack fries.
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JD Reardon’s Bar & Grill 940 Monroe Ave NW. (616) 454-8590 AMERICAN. Neighborhood pub offers 15 Michigan beers on tap and more bottled, along with a full menu of handmade appetizers, pizzas, salads, sandwiches and 16 half-pound burgers. Nightly drink specials and karaoke on Tuesday night. SERVING: Lunch Dinner OPEN ON: Open 7 days. GO THERE FOR: Burgers.
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The Pita House 1450 Wealthy SE, 3730 28th Street, 4533 Ivanrest SW (Grandville). 616-454-1171 MEDITERRANEAN. Gyros so big you can club someone with them, the smoothest hummus in town and other Mediterranean fare, including kibbe, kafta and falafel. Additional locations on 28th Street and Kalamazoo SE. Sandwiches are made to order with fresh vegetables and ingredients. » SERVING: Lunch Dinner OPEN ON: Open 7 days. GO THERE FOR: Fresh pita wraps. Red Jet Cafe 1431 Plainfield Ave. NE. 616-719-5500 ECLECTIC. The funky restaurant in Creston’s old library is the kind of place you’d find in Chicago’s hip neighborhoods, offering non-sequitur
menu items that somehow seem to work. Seriously, how many other places in town can you find that serve high-end organic coffees, crepes, wood-fired pizzas and artisan baked goods. Is it a bistro? Is it a coffeehouse? Does it matter? » SERVING: Breakfast Lunch Dinner OPEN ON: Open 7 days. GO THERE FOR: Crepes. Reds on the River 8 E Bridge St #100, Rockford. 616-863-8181 AMERICAN. Relaxed ambiance, great food and a view of the river equate to an enjoyable time out. With quality food and fresh ingredients you’re sure to find a meal that tickles your fancy. Staff is trained to help you should you encounter unfamiliar territory. » SERVING: Lunch Dinner OPEN ON: 7
days GO THERE FOR: Red’s Steak Burger Reserve 201 Monroe Ave. NW (616) 855-9463 ECLECTIC. With 102 wines available by the glass and more than 300 by the bottle, paired with an ever-changing food menu influenced by West Michigan grown foods, Reserve promises diners a unique experience. Cocktails and craft beers add depth to the primarily wine-centered menu. » SERVING: Dinner OPEN ON: Closed on Sunday GO THERE FOR: Wine and food pairings, charcuterie. Rinaldi Pizza and Sub Shop 966 E. Fulton St. 616-458-3737 ITALIAN. The tiny pizza
Lumber Baron Bar 187 Monroe Ave. NW. (616) 774-2000 LOUNGE. Settle into the warmth and charm of this historic bar — complete with a fireplace, leather club chairs and a large selection of premium drinks and appetizers. » SERVING: Dinner OPEN ON: Closed Sundays and Mondays GO THERE FOR: Scotch or Brandy after a Symphony concert. Marie Catrib’s 1001 Lake Dr. 616-454-4020 ECLECTIC. The East Hills eatery makes everything from scratch with local ingredients, and there are plenty of vegetarian and vegan options. Get there early for lunch, as there is almost always a wait. » SERVING: Breakfast Lunch Dinner OPEN ON: Open 7 days. GO THERE FOR: Salads, soups and sandwiches. Mixology 235 Louis St. NW. 616-242-1448 LOUNGE. Casual, upscale service and atmosphere allows guests to relax and enjoy the city views. This type of service allows guests to complete business tasks while still enjoying the accessibility to great food and libations. » SERVING: Lunch Dinner OPEN ON: Open 7 days GO THERE FOR: Specialty cocktails. O’Toole’s 448 Bridge St. 616-742-6095 PUB. This West side pub is equipped with delicious and outrageously topped burgers, as well as an extensive beer selection, and arguably, the best happy hour specials in town. If food is not your passion, this is a prime place to kick off your Sunday Funday with its $3 Absolut Bloody Mary bar. » SERVING: Lunch Dinner OPEN ON: Open 7 Days. GO THERE FOR: Gourmet burgers, Absolut Bloody Mary bar.
Scene | Sounds | Sights Dining Schedule
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.
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Taste This
Outdoor dining on the water at The Score.
Photo: Raul Alejandro Velasco
Outdoor Spots To Drink & Dine Schedule Dining Sights | Sounds | Scene
There’s really no reason to stay indoors during a West Michigan summer, especially on days where the sun doesn’t go down til 10 p.m. So much to do, and so much time. Make the most of this month by exploring your outdoor feasting and cocktail hour festivities near and far. We fill you in on a variety of exceptional settings and ambiances to suit your taste and fit your mood.
The Great Lake(view)s Lucky for us, our fine state provides an abundance of picturesque waterfront views. A shimmering lake as the backdrop to times spent enjoying good food and drink? Yes, please. The hard part is deciding which one to settle on for the evening (or morning or afternoon). Pick a spot on the patio at Boatwerks Waterfront Restaurant (216 Van Raalte Ave, Holland) and take in lovely Lake Macatawa. Plenty of outdoor seating means you won’t have to vie for a good perch. And a daily happy hour from 3 to 5 p.m. gives you a good reason to head out of the office early.
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Situated on the Bear Lake Channel, the aptly named Bear Lake Tavern (360 Ruddiman Dr., North Muskegon) offers up standard American fare in a homey, no-frills setting. Grab friends for beers, burgers and tasty seafood at this historic Michigan landmark. If you’re the early(ish) type, stop by on a Sunday morning and enjoy the scenery over breakfast, served from 9 a.m. to noon. A trip to scenic Saugatuck gets even better with a stop at The Butler Restaurant (40 Butler St, Saugatuck). Located downtown, this restaurant has an outdoor deck that offers stellar views of the Lake Kalamazoo harbor. Live music entertains guests every weekend from Memorial Day through Labor Day.
Overlooking Terrace Point Marina is the The Lake House (730 Terrace Point Blvd., Muskegon), an ideal locale for watching boats pass by and soaking up a gorgeous sunset. It’s hard to resist the allure of an indoor-outdoor bar here, especially with a happy hour running six days a week from 3:30 to 6 p.m. Enjoy a lazy Sunday lunch at another historic landmark, Rose’s Restaurant (550 Lakeside Dr. SE, Grand Rapids). With a patio overlooking Reed’s Lake, this dining establishment has an ambiance that’s both classy and comfortable. If you happen to stop by on a Wednesday, take advantage of their wine special — half off all glasses from 11a.m. to 10 p.m.
by Alexandra Kadlec
Day or night, the spacious outdoor deck at Snug Harbor (311 S Harbor Dr., Grand Haven) offers a relaxed atmosphere set against the Grand Haven Channel. Unwind with a thematic cocktail — we recommend the Summer Breeze (raspberry vodka, lemonade, and grenadine) or Harbor Sunset (Absolut Mandarin, Absolut Citron, orange juice, grapefruit and grenadine). And if the weather disappoints, head to the lower-level indoor dining room, where you can still enjoy great waterfront sights. OK, so it’s not a lakeside destination, but we couldn’t leave out Reds on the River (8 E. Bridge St., Rockford). Why not? From the outdoor deck you’ll take in views of Rogue River and instantly feel calmer. Select a glass or bottle from the restaurant’s extensive wine list and stay a while. And when the cold gets you down next winter, come back and enjoy the warmth of the huge outdoor fireplace here.
Rooftop Roundup There’s something about being on top of a building that can make you feel, well, on top of the world. Imagine a light summer breeze, a night sky sprinkled with stars and a cocktail in hand. Sounds pretty great, right? Here’s how to get there. If it’s a romantic night you’re after, head to Reserve Wine & Food (201 Monroe Ave. NW, Grand Rapids), an upscale restaurant and bar downtown. Even if you’ve been before, you might not have known about the al fresco option just upstairs. While not technically on the roof, the patio offers some high-up city viewing that adds just a little more pizazz to your wine and cheese. Occupying the fifth floor of the City Flats Hotel in downtown Holland, CityVu Bistro (61 E 7th St.) offers exceptional views indoors or outdoors, thanks to the floor-to-ceiling windows framing the space. But when the sun’s out, you can’t beat the patio as the place to be during the Sunday brunch buffet.
Reds on the River Check out The Kirby House (2 Washington Ave., Grand Haven), a restaurant housed in a former hotel that serves up a diverse menu of American-influenced cuisine. From the rooftop, enjoy seaside appetizers like conch fritters and calamari along with a charming scene of the Grand River.
The Grass Is Always Greener Consider an upgrade to your backyard porch scene by heading to one of these spots for an authentic, au naturale dining experience. The sprawling lawn at Mangiamo (1033 Lake Dr. SE, Grand Rapids), an Italian restaurant housed in a 19th century mansion, is the perfect place to lounge post-meal. After digging into pasta
Wait, There’s More The following don’t fit neatly into one category, but we thought we’d give you just a few more choices in case you exhaust the above. If your summer travels don’t include exotic destinations, you can at least pretend you’re somewhere else for the evening at a hotel in town. Stop by the outdoor patio at the JW Marriott’s signature restaurant, six.one.six (235 Louis Campau NW), to experience an intimate setting with downtown views. If you’re the sports-loving type, you’ll want to make The Score (5301 Northland Dr. NE, Grand Rapids) your spot for catching all the summertime games. Don’t go stereotyping this restaurant and bar for being just for sports fanatics — it’s also got a patio, volleyball courts and a cabana with palm trees outside. So if you’re not captivated by what’s on the TVs, we’re sure you’ll find another way to be entertained at this place. Looking for downtown dining that blends a refined menu with a casual vibe? The outdoor patio at The Wine Loft (161 East Michigan, Kalamazoo) can’t be beat. An extensive wine list, tasty tapas-style plates and a sidewalk setting create an experience that’s equal parts satisfying and relaxing. Call this a two-for-one deal. We couldn’t help mentioning the delightful juxtaposition of outdoor decks at neighboring spots Brewery Vivant (925 Cherry St. SE, Grand Rapids) and Maru Sushi (927 Cherry St. SE, Grand Rapids). Topping off a sushi dinner with some craft beers next door just seems like the obvious thing to do, especially when you can plainly see how much the patrons are enjoying their time. n
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Scene | Sounds | Sights Dining Schedule
Bell’s Eccentric Cafe
and pizza (or lighter fare like soups and salads), extend the evening with conversation and cocktails enjoyed in a stately, spacious environment. Sample some local brews at Bell’s Eccentric Café (355 East Kalamazoo Ave., Kalamazoo), which offers more than 20 different beers on tap. The beer garden here does great justice to its name, with plenty of green space, plants and flowers. Settle into one of the benches with a Bell’s in hand and you won’t want to leave. If you do get restless, however, check out the beer patio — another great outdoors option for enjoying a few cold ones. There are also plenty of hearty dishes on the menu to fill you up, from dips to jambalaya and beyond.
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/// Local Brews
by Ben Darcie
Brew of the Month
Brewery Vivant’s Undertaker
Brewery Vivant has just released a brand new mainstay statewide: the Belgian Dark (6.7% ABV). This beer pours jet black with a dense, brown head that smells of roast. Surprisingly light bodied, this brew goes down smooth and features light malt complexity alongside dark tones of coffee, chocolate and tart black cherry, finished with a very soft tartness over a relaxed, peanut-shell roast.
Beer News & Events
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On July 19, WGRD hosts its annual Summer Craft Beer Fest at John Ball Park. Spend the day with more than 100 national, regional and local brews alongside music and food. Visit summercraftbeerfestival.com for more information. Michigan Brewer’s Guild Summer Beer Festival hits Ypsilanti July 25-26 and features more than 800 beers from more than 80 Michigan craft breweries. Food and music is also on-hand at the two-day festival. Visit mibeer.com/summer-festival for more information. Arktos Meadery isn’t open just yet, but it has already won the 2014 Mazer Cup silver medal for its Apple Cyser. Keep an eye on this Grand Rapids meadery, which brews mead and honey wine, by checking its progress on Facebook or at arktosmeadery.com.
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Photo: Ben Darcie
Brewery Spotlight:
25bbls of beer.” (That’s 838 gallons of beer, or a little more than 6,700 pints) Latitude 42 maintains three mainstays on tap and in can, Powerline Porter, Lil’ Sunshine Golden Ale and Red Beard’s India Red Ale. “I try to keep 20 beers on tap at all times, a lot of rotating stuff. I think up to now, we’ve done 48 different beers,” Freitas said. Other beers on tap during my visit includFreitas said. “One of my decisions in becomed All Night Long Cocoa Milk Stout, Beach ing a partner was that freedom, that they focus Cruiser American Hefeweizen, Double Chin on the restaurant and I focus on the brewery.” American Strong Ale, Flavor Savor Double Originally from Oregon, Freitas takes a IPA and Melon Head Dry Hopped Pale Ale, lot of inspiration from the west coast style an American pale dry hopped with the new beers, leaning towards the hop-forward citrus-driven Melon Hop. Latitude 42 is also presentations. working on a barrel aging pro“People in Portage didn’t gram, with beers popping into have anything to call their the taproom recently. 7842 Portage Rd, Portage own,” Frietas said. “Joe is origiLatitude 42’s future is (269) 459-4242, latitudenally from there, and they really 42brewingco.com already in motion, bringing Hours: Mon.–Sat.: 11 a.m.– wanted to give something back in new, bigger tanks to supmidnight, Sun. 11 a.m.–9 p.m. to the community.” port the taproom, as well as The month prior to opendistribution efforts. Down the ing was filled with constant line, there is intent to open brewing, preparing for the inevitable onmore brewpubs. You can enjoy the brews slaught. Latitude 42 began putting beers out alongside a variety of fantastic food (including into the market in advance, and on Aug. 5, some killer blue crab cakes and a healthy kids 2013, the brewery opened its doors. menu), inside at the 20-tap bar or outside on “I had 12 beers on tap when we opened,” the patio. Fretias said. “Everyone told me we were going “I try to make something for everyone out to run out, but we didn’t because I had been there,” Freitas said. “No 10 IPAs or 10 stouts, prepared. Opening night was nuts, line out the I try to focus on making beer for everyone — door, two-and-a-half hour wait – by the end even macro drinkers, I have a beer that you of the weekend, we had gone through about can enjoy.” n
Latitude 42
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at i t u d e 4 2 B r e w i n g C o m p a n y CEO J o e Sto d dar d had been running a restaurant for years, all while having a dream of opening his own brewery with spectacular food. The kitchen aspect of the endeavor was covered, but he was faced with the challenge of finding the next key piece of the puzzle — the brewer — before moving on to the business plan. “The first time [brewer Scott Freitas and I] were introduced was over the phone, and we literally built our relationship over phone conversations,” Stoddard said. “After countless hours of conversation, the decision was made to move forward. The idea took years from the creation of the concept to opening day.” During these conversations, Freitas was the head brewer of Maui Brewing Company in Hawaii and had already proven himself more than capable, increasing production from 1,200 barrels upon his arrival to 20,000bbls during his five years there. “Joe basically told me I had free reign to do whatever I wanted to do in the brewery,”
SAUGATUCK BREWING CO.
Scene | Sounds | Sights Dining Schedule
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Dining 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. 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.
learn it. brew it. drink it.
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Gravel Bottom where a Home Brewer recipe is always on tap, and fresh home brewing supplies are waiting to be brewed. Come enjoy a rotating selection of craft brews, pick up tips from the brewers and design your own beer.
418 ADA DRIVE SE, ADA GRAVELBOTTOM.COM 616.920.7398 TUES-THUR 2PM-11PM FRI & SAT 11AM-12AM
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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. 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. Multi-faceted restaurant and sports bar has a lot to offer, including expansive menu with discount options, happy
hour specials, countless big screen TVs broadcasting big games and UFC matches, outdoor beach volleyball and live music in the summer … the list goes on. » SERVING: Lunch Dinner OPEN ON: Open 7 days. GO THERE FOR: Sports bar atmosphere. Six.One.Six. 235 Louis St. NW. 616-242-1448 ECLECTIC. Marketinspired menus, sweeping views and progressive rhythms combine to create a memorable dining experience. The dishes tempt taste buds and is the perfect spot for foodies. » SERVING: Breakfast Lunch Dinner OPEN ON: Open 7 Days GO THERE FOR: Variety and being seen. 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? REVUE’s British ex-pat David Smith calls Stella’s his favorite bar in the world. » SERVING: Lunch Dinner OPEN ON: Open 7 days. GO THERE FOR: Vegetarian and vegan bar food. Tavern on the Square 100 Ionia Ave. SW. 616-456-7673 ECLECTIC. The refashioned former Irish pub still has that neighborhood feel, and offers up a unique menu with salads, antipasto, appetizers, a pub burger, and an array of unique “Yankee Tapas” like Fish Tacos, Loaded Carnival Fries and the ultimate West Side tapas: Pierogies. A hodgepodge to be sure, but fun. » SERVING: Lunch Dinner OPEN ON: Open 7 days. GO THERE FOR: PBJ Tuna. 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 eclectic grille located in the heart of Holland offers a mix of draft and bottled craft beers and a variety of pub classics and new, American beer-inspired dishes. Happy hour from 3-6 p.m. Monday through Friday and 9-10 p.m. on Friday and Saturday, which includes half-off appetizers and $1 off drafts. » SERVING: Lunch, Dinner OPEN ON: 7 days. GO THERE FOR: 28 taps of craft beer, hometown atmosphere. 84 East 84 East 8th St., Holland. 616-396-8484 ITALIAN. While we categorize it as “Italian,” that’s a bit limiting for this downtown Holland spot, which specializes in creating inventive pasta dishes. Housed in an old industrial building, 84 East is a favorite splurge spot among REVUE’s Hope College minions. 84 East also serves up designer pizzas and a few non-pasta house specialties like Pork Marsala and Mahi Mahi. » SERVING: Lunch Dinner OPEN ON: Closed Sunday GO THERE FOR: Baked Spaghetti Pie, Tuxedo Chicken Pasta. Bil-Mar Restaurant 1223 S. Harbor St., Holland. 616-842-5920 AMERICAN. A destination restaurant for locals and tourists for more than 60 years. Dazzling sunsets and an all-American menu featuring fresh seafood and hand-cut steaks. » SERVING: Lunch Dinner OPEN: 7 days. GO THERE FOR: Lake perch, lobster strudel, prime rib.
Courses 336 W. Clay Ave., Muskegon. 231-777-6610 ECLECTIC. Courses is one-part restaurant, one-part classroom, and a one-of-a-kind dining experience. Staffed and operated by
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.
Deli & Grill
- The -
STATION BURGER
You’re going to need another napkin.
1157 WEALTHY ST. SE (616) 451-0238
MON-WED. 11AM-9PM THURS-SAT 11AM- 10PM
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.
Scene | Sounds | Sights Dining Schedule
CityVu Bistro 61 E 7th Street, Holland. 616-796-2114 AMERICAN. CityVu Bistro is a distinctive rooftop dining experience in downtown Holland. Fryers and frozen foods are out; fresh gourmet flatbreads and an array of seasonal entrees are in. The contemporary-yet-casual atmosphere, full bar and unique menus make it the ideal spot for lunch, dinner and Sunday brunch. » SERVING: Breakfast Lunch Dinner OPEN ON: Open 7 days GO THERE FOR: flatbreads
students from The Culinary Institute of Michigan, Courses is open to the public and offers full kitchen, dining, bar, and beverage services. Featuring casual, contemporary bistro styling, the restaurant seats 72 guests and the intimate bar area seats six. The menu changes with the curriculum to draw on a broad range of cultures, cuisines, culinary styles and skills. » SERVING: Lunch OPEN ON: Closed Sundays GO THERE FOR: An intimate dining experience.
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.
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Dining » SERVING: Lunch Dinner OPEN ON: Open 7 days. GO THERE FOR: Portabella Mushroom Fries.
Piper Restaurant 2225 South Shore Drive, Holland. 616-335-5866 AMERICAN. Upscale-but-casual spot located on Lake Macatawa, offering great views from virtually every table. Menu includes tastefully prepared items like Almond Crusted Walleye and Grilled Pork Loin, as well as wood-fired pizzas. Reservations are welcomed. » SERVING: Dinner OPEN ON: Open 7 days. GO THERE FOR: Almond Crusted Walleye. Salt of the Earth 114 East Main St., Fennville. 269-561-7258 AMERICAN. Salt of the Earth is a farm-to-table-inspired restaurant, bar, and bakery located in the heart of SW Michigan farm country in Fennville. Focuses on fresh, seasonal, and local ingredients whenever possible. Also serves up live music on weekends. » SERVING: Lunch Dinner OPEN ON: 7 days. GO THERE FOR: House made rustic cuisine. Saugatuck Brewing Company 2948 Blue Star Highway. 269-857-7222 BREWPUB. Enjoy a traditional Irish-style pub that features quality beer, wine, food and service. Try one of 12 unique brews that are served in the pub and bottled and distributed throughout the Midwest. » SERVING: Lunch Dinner OPEN ON: 7 days. GO THERE FOR: Beer in a family friendly pub environment.
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Vitale’s of Zeeland 59 W. Washington St. (616) 772-5900 ITALIAN. This family owned restaurant specializes in Italian dining,
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but also has a full menu including Mexican and American specialties. Family friendly atmosphere with newly remodeled dining, and an expanded sports bar with big screen TVs. Happy hour specials, live music every Saturday and has been voted Best Pizza seven years in a row by the Grand Rapids Press. » SERVING: Lunch Dinner OPEN ON: 7 days. GO THERE FOR: Pizza.
Kalamazoo/Battle Creek Arcadia Brewing Co. 103 Michigan Ave., Battle Creek. 269-963-9520 BREWPUB. You’ll find some of the usual suspects on the Battle Creek brewpub’s menu, including wood-fired pizzas and some of the best barbecue in the region. But you’ll also find some delightful surprises — Osso Bucco in a brewpub?! — on the menu, courtesy of award-winning Chef Sean Kelly. » SERVING: Lunch Dinner OPEN ON: 7 days. GO THERE FOR: Handcrafted ales and barbecue. Bell’s Eccentric Cafe 355 E. Kalamazoo Ave. 269-382-2332 BREWPUB. Eccentric Café’s regular menu of appetizers, sandwiches, sides and salads — plus the daily soups and specials — exists for a simple and important purpose: to complement the Kalamazoo microbrewery’s award-winning beers. Eat up while you drink up. » SERVING: Lunch Dinner OPEN ON: 7 days. GO THERE FOR: The Beer.
Bravo! 5402 Portage Rd., Kalamazoo 269-344-7700 ITALIAN. Much-lauded restaurant has earned its stripes over 23 years as one of the region’s best dining experiences, including a 3-star rating in the 2010 Forbes Travel Guide. The Tuscaninspired cuisine is spectacular, the atmosphere comfortable and intimate, and the service first-rate. Also brews its own beer in small batches for pairings with menu offerings. » SERVING: Lunch Dinner OPEN ON: 7 days. (Closed Sat. lunch) GO THERE FOR: A great dining experience.
Olde Peninsula 200 E. Michigan Ave., Kalamazoo 269-343-2739 BREWPUB. Downtown brewpub serves up the expected (e.g., steaks, ribs), the authentic (e.g., London Broil) and some pleasant surprises (e.g., extensive vegetarian offerings, Italian food). Offers a range of beers brewed on the premises and served on tap, plus a full bar. Check out the seasonal porters on tap right now, including the Vanilla Porter (5.5% ABV) and Stout Chocula (5.25% ABV). » SERVING: Dinner OPEN ON: 7 days. GO THERE FOR: Beer-B-Que Ribs, London Broil.
Fieldstone Grille 3970 W. Centre St., Portage. 269-321-8480 AMERICAN. Lodge-retreat atmosphere overlooking the Moors Golf Club natural wetlands. The “field-to-plate” menu features burgers, pizzas, steaks and some eclectic items like quail. Try the FSG chips, a combination of potato, beet and sweet potato chips. » SERVING: Lunch Dinner OPEN ON: 7 days. GO THERE FOR: Blue Burger, Almond Crusted Walleye, FSG Chips.
Martell’s 3501 Greenleaf Blvd., Kalamazoo. 269-375-2105 AMERICAN. Tucked away in a quiet neighborhood that overlooks Willow Lake, Martell’s offers casual ambiance and an expansive menu with steaks, prime rib and other comfort food entrées like Italian style meatloaf and pork shank. » SERVING: Lunch Dinner OPEN ON: Open 7 days (Sundaysdinner only) GO THERE FOR: Quiet casual ambiance.
Food Dance 401 E. Michigan Ave., Kalamazoo. 269-382-1888 AMERICAN. Food Dance is committed to building a thriving and sustainable local food system, supporting artisans who practice craft food processes. It’s about the connection with people and places the food comes from. Offering breakfast, lunch and dinner, private dining space, catering and delivery, while an on-site market offers humanely raised meats, artisan cheeses, fresh bread and pastries. » SERVING: Breakfast Lunch Dinner OPEN ON: Open 7 days. GO THERE FOR: Fresh Local Foods.
Union Cabaret & Grille 125 S. Burdick St., Kalamazoo. 269-384-6756 AMERICAN. A partnership with Western Michigan University, Union features eclectic food and cocktails, plus live jazz music performed by WMU faculty and students. » SERVING: Lunch Dinner OPEN ON: Closed Sunday. GO THERE FOR: Portabella Fries, Bloody Maries with infused vodkas. n
Thai Sweet Basil
Galangal
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Basil
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4 YEAR ANNIVERSARY! 950 Wealthy St. SE Ste. 1A Grand Rapids, MI (616) 356-2573 erbthaigr.com Mon.-Thurs. 11am-9pm Fri.-Sat. 11am-10pm Sun. 12am-9pm
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The Schedule Get Scheduled! E-mail your info to schedule@revuewm.com or add your events into our calendar at revuewm.com.
tuesday
7.01
Barn Theatre The Best Little Whorehouse in Texas Bobarino’s Poker League DeVos Place USA Table Tennis 2014 US Open DeWitt Center Hope Summer Repertory Theatre: A Raisin in the Sun Frederik Meijer Gardens Bernar Venet, David Nash, Tuesday Evening Music Club GRAM Meijer Free Tuesdays, Michigan Modern GR Public Museum Dream It Build It Holland Museum Art and Propaganda in Nazi Occupied Holland KIA ARTbreak, Cultural Encounters, West MI Area Show, Louis Comfort Tiffany
Kzoo Public Library Iron Chef Kzoo, Schlitz Creek Bluegrass Band Kzoo Valley Museum The Robot Zoo Louie’s Trophy House Comedy Night LowellArts! F.A.R.M. MercuryHead Gallery George Peebles Muskegon Museum of Art 86th Regional Exhibition, Interference Pool Salt of the Earth The Bergamot Saugatuck Center for the Arts The Lake Effect: Contemporary Art at Ox-Bow The Score Gordon Thayer The Union Saltbound Tip Top Deluxe William Blackart A.J. Gaither Omb & Adam Faucett UICA Con Artist Crew Present: COMMIX, Festival 2014 Regional Arts Exhibition, Joe, Mid-Century Alchemy, Nicholas Szymanski Water Street Gallery Crazy 8
wednesday
7.02
Barn Theatre The Best Little Whorehouse in Texas Battle Creek Field of Flight Air Show and Balloon Festival Blue Water Grill Tom Northrup Bobarino’s Main Street Dueling Pianos The Curragh Jake Stevens DeVos Place USA Table Tennis 2014 US Open DeWitt Center Hope Summer Repertory Theatre: The Sound of Music Frederik Meijer Gardens Ziggy Marley, Bernar Venet, David Nash GRAM Michigan Modern GR Public Museum Dream It Build It
Holland Museum Art and Propaganda in Nazi Occupied Holland KIA Cultural Encounters, Louis Comfort Tiffany, West MI Area Show Kzoo Valley Museum The Robot Zoo Lemonjello’s Open Mic Night LowellArts! F.A.R.M. MercuryHead Gallery George Peebles Exhibit Muskegon Museum of Art 86th Regional Exhibition, Interference Pool The Pyramid Scheme Filmloom, Momcat, Tokyo Morose Saugatuck Center for the Arts The Lake Effect: Contemporary Art at Ox-Bow The Score Deep Greens & Blue UICA Con Artist Crew Present: COMMIX, Festival 2014 Regional Arts Exhibition, Joe, Mid-Century Alchemy, Nicholas Szymanski The Union Jazz Mix Night Water Street Gallery Crazy 8 Wave Square Tony Fields & Doug Decker
thursday
7.03
Art of the Table In-Store Wine Tasting Barn Theatre The Best Little Whorehouse in Texas Battle Creek Field of Flight Air Show and Balloon Festival Bell’s Eccentric Cafe Old Shoe
Blue Water Grill Tony Reynolds Bobarino’s Main Street Dueling Pianos Coral Gables Kevin Villo Czar’s 505 Karaoke Night DeVos Place USA Table Tennis 2014 US Open Dr. Grins Frank Roche Flintfields Horse Park Horse Shows by the Bay Founders Sidewalk Chalk Frederik Meijer Gardens Bernar Venet, David Nash GRAM Meijer Free Tuesday Nights, GRAM Selects ArtPrize 2013, Michigan Modern GR Public Museum Dream It Build It Holland Museum Art and Propaganda in Nazi Occupied Holland The Intersection Delta Rae with special guest Gabe Dixon KIA Cultural Encounters, Louis Comfort Tiffany, West MI Area Show Kzoo Valley Museum The Robot Zoo Louie’s Trophy House The Honey Pot, The Union Suits, Abraham, Oddly Social LowellArts! F.A.R.M. MercuryHead Gallery George Peebles Exhibit Muskegon Museum of Art 86th Regional Exhibition, Interference Pool Old Dog Tavern Captain Ivory and Wild Adriatic Riverwalk Plaza GR Jazz Orchestra with Edye Evans Hyde Saugatuck Brewing Co. Junior Valentine & Jason Wheeler
Saugatuck Center for the Arts Capitol Steps, The Lake Effect: Contemporary Art at Ox-Bow The Score 3’s a Crowd UICA Con Artist Crew Present: COMMIX, Festival 2014 Regional Arts Exhibition, Joe, Mid-Century Alchemy, Nicholas Szymanski The Union WMU School of Music Jazz Mix
friday
7.04
Art of the Table In-Store Beer Tasting Avenue for the Arts First Friday Gallery Hop Barn Theatre The Best Little Whorehouse in Texas Battle Creek Field of Flight Air Show and Balloon Festival Blue Water Grill Nick Foresman Bobarino’s Main Street Dueling Pianos Coral Gables Tom Northup Czar’s 505 Zion Lion DeVos Place USA Table Tennis 2014 US Open Dockers Shiznit Downtown Muskegon Lakeshore Art Festival Frederik Meijer Gardens Bernar Venet, David Nash Grand Haven State Park MVPA Professional Volleyball GRAM Michigan Modern GR Public Museum Dream It Build It
Best Bet: Rock
Beck REVUEWM.COM | July 2014 |
Scene | Sounds | Sights | Dining Schedule
No longer the mop-headed kid singing “Soy un Beck perdedor” on his ‘94 breakthrough, Mellow Gold, Beck’s DeVos Performance gotten inventive in recent years. He’s gone from being Hall, Grand Rapids an anti-folk punk to making sad white boy songs to July 19, 8 p.m. releasing an album of just sheet music. That’s right, $39.50-$75 he didn’t record any of 2012’s Song Reader. Instead, he devosperformancehall. wrote the music and let fans interpret it. People recorded com, (616) 742-6500 themselves playing the songs and those interpretations were linked to the album’s website. But some of us (namely, me) are too lazy to actually do that, so by the time Morning Phase came out, we were quite relieved. I mean, kudos to the people who played the songs, but a girl’s gotta get her Beck fix every once in a while. Modern Guilt came out six years ago, ya know? Although, that 10-minute “Sound and Vision” cover he did last year was pretty incredible, even if he did it for a car company. There he goes again, just keeping us on our toes. Who knows what he’ll throw out when he comes to DeVos Performance Hall this month. Reported by Lindsay Patton-Carson
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Schedule Holland Museum Art and Propaganda in Nazi Occupied Holland KIA Cultural Encounters, Louis Comfort Tiffany, West MI Area Show Kzoo Valley Museum The Robot Zoo The Livery Mike Struwin LowellArts! F.A.R.M. MercuryHead Gallery George Peebles Exhibit Muskegon Museum of Art 86th Regional Exhibition, Interference Pool New Holland Brewing Co. The Mainstays, Dan Deitrich Rosa Parks Circle Celebration on the Grand Saugatuck Center for the Arts Mason Street Warehouse presents Steam Heat, The Lake Effect: Contemporary Art at Ox-Bow The Score River City Stew Shakespeare’s Lower Level Country Night UICA Con Artist Crew Present: COMMIX, Festival 2014 Regional Arts Exhibition, Mid-Century Alchemy, Nicholas Szymanski
saturday
Schedule Dining | Sights | Sounds | Scene
7.05
Barn Theatre The Best Little Whorehouse in Texas Battle Creek Field of Flight Air Show and Balloon Festival Bell’s Eccentric Cafe Zion Lion Blue Water Grill Everett Domeier Bobarino’s Main Street Dueling Pianos Coral Gables Jack Leaver, Nick Ayoub Czar’s 505 Hipshott DeVos Place USA Table Tennis 2014 US Open Dockers YSU Dr. Grins Frank Roche Fenn Valley Grape Jam Vineyard Music Festival Fifth Third Ballpark Boxing/ MMA Event FireKeepers Casino Hotel The Band Perry Frederik Meijer Gardens Bernar Venet, David Nash Grand Haven State Park MVPA Professional Volleyball GRAM GRAM Selects ArtPrize 2013, Michigan Modern GR Public Museum Dream It Build It Holland Museum Art and Propaganda in Nazi Occupied Holland KIA Cultural Encounters, Louis Comfort Tiffany, West MI Area Show Kzoo Valley Museum The Robot Zoo Little River Casino Resort Tim Allen
64 | REVUEWM.COM | July 2014
Louie’s Trophy House Lake Effect LowellArts! F.A.R.M. Ludington City Park 2014 West Shore Art Fair MercuryHead Gallery George Peebles Exhibit Mulligan’s Pub Industrial Night Muskegon Museum of Art 86th Regional Exhibition, Interference Pool New Holland Brewing Co. Matthew Gabriel Old Dog Tavern Duffield Caron Project River City Saloon Raven Rosa Parks Circle Celebration on the Grand Saugatuck Brewing Co. Last Call Band Saugatuck Center for the Arts Mason Street Warehouse presents Steam Heat The Score Rock Shop Stanley Johnston Park South Haven Art Fair Traverse City National Cherry Festival UICA Con Artist Crew Present: COMMIX, Festival 2014 Regional Arts Exhibition, Mid-Century Alchemy, Nicholas Szymanski What Not Inn Entourage
sunday
7.06
Barn Theatre The Best Little Whorehouse in Texas Bell’s Eccentric Cafe Trivia Night Coral Gables Kevin Villo, Tombo Dockers Brena Field of Flight Air Show Field of Flight Air Show and Balloon Festival Frederik Meijer Gardens Yonder Mountain String Band & Railroad Earth, Bernar Venet, David Nash GRAM GRAM Selects ArtPrize 2013, Michigan Modern GR Public Museum Dream It Build It Holland Museum Art and Propaganda in Nazi Occupied Holland KIA Cultural Encounters, Louis Comfort Tiffany, West Michigan Area Show Kzoo Valley Museum The Robot Zoo Ludington City Park 2014 West Shore Art Fair Muskegon Museum of Art 86th Regional Exhibition, Interference Pool Old Dog Tavern Seventh Son Blues Band Saugatuck Center for the Arts Mason Street Warehouse presents Steam Heat
Shore Acres Park West Michigan Drum Circle UICA Con Artist Crew Present: COMMIX, Festival 2014 Regional Arts Exhibition, Mid-Century Alchemy, Nicholas Szymanski The Union Lyndsey Winfield Island Project Wealthy Theatre Meanwhile Movie: American Werewolf in London
wednesday
7.09
Ziggy Marley at Meijer Gardens July 2 The Score Highway 22 Seven Steps Up Ernie Halter Stanley Johnston Park South Haven Art Fair The Pyramid Scheme American Opera, Avery Black UICA Con Artist Crew Present: COMMIX, Festival 2014 Regional Arts Exhibition, Mid-Century Alchemy, Nicholas Szymanski Weko Beach Campground Weko Beach Concert Series What Not Inn Christy & Velvet
monday
7.07
Frederik Meijer Gardens Bernar Venet, David Nash GR Public Museum Dream It Build It Holland Museum Art and Propaganda in Nazi Occupied Holland Kzoo Valley Museum The Robot Zoo MercuryHead Gallery George Peebles Exhibit Muskegon Museum of Art 86th Regional Exhibition, Interference Pool Saugatuck Center for the Arts Summer in the Studio: Seth Glier, The Lake Effect: Contemporary Art at Ox-Bow The Score Great Scott SpeakEZ Lounge Jazz Jamm
tuesday
7.08
Adado Riverfront Park Common Ground Music Festival Aperitivo Oysters & Champagne Night Barn Theatre Fiddler on the Roof Bobarino’s Poker League Butch’s Pete Kehoe Foundry Hall Music Lessons Frederik Meijer Gardens Tuesday Evening Music Club, Bernar Venet, David Nash GRAM Meijer Free Tuesdays, Michigan Modern GR Public Museum Dream It Build It Holland Museum Art and Propaganda in Nazi Occupied Holland KIA ARTbreak: Hockney: A Bigger Picture, Louis Comfort Tiffany, West Michigan Area Show Kzoo Valley Museum The Robot Zoo LowellArts! F.A.R.M. MercuryHead Gallery George Peebles Exhibit Muskegon Museum of Art 86th Regional Exhibition, Interference Pool San Chez Bistro Knife Skills Saugatuck Center for the Arts The Lake Effect: Contemporary Art at Ox-Bow The Score Jimmie Stagger
Adado Riverfront Park Common Ground Music Festival Barn Theatre Fiddler on the Roof Blue Water Grill Jake Stevens Bobarino’s Main Street Dueling Pianos The Curragh The Sanger Brothers Frederik Meijer Gardens Nickel Creek, Bernar Venet, David Nash GRAM GRAM Selects ArtPrize 2013, Michigan Modern GR Public Museum Dream It Build It Holland Museum Art and Propaganda in Nazi Occupied Holland KIA Louis Comfort Tiffany, West Michigan Area Show Kzoo Valley Museum The Robot Zoo LowellArts! F.A.R.M. MercuryHead Gallery George Peebles Exhibit Muskegon Museum of Art 86th Regional Exhibition, Interference Pool Parchment Kindleberger Summer Festival The Pyramid Scheme Saintseneca, Empire! Empire!, The Cardboard Swords Saugatuck Center for the Arts The Lake Effect: Contemporary Art at Ox-Bow The Score Take 2 UICA Con Artist Crew Present: COMMIX, Festival 2014 Regional Arts Exhibition, Mid-Century Alchemy, Nicholas Szymanski The Union Cabaret & Grille Jazz Mix Night Wave Square Zion Lion
thursday
7.10
Adado Riverfront Park Common Ground Music Festival Art of the Table In-Store Wine Tasting Barn Theatre Fiddler on the Roof Bell’s Eccentric Cafe The Singles
Blue Water Grill Don Bidell The B.O.B Kanisha K Bobarino’s Main Street Dueling Pianos Cannonsburg Ski Area Picnic Pops Coral Gables Kevin Villo DeWitt Center Hope Summer Repertory Theatre: The Sound of Music Founders Blair Crimmins and The Hookers Frederik Meijer Gardens Bernar Venet, David Nash GRAM GRAM on the Green, GRAM Selects ArtPrize 2013, Michigan Modern, Meijer Free Thursday Nights GR Public Library Uniquely Michigan GR Public Museum Dream It Build It Holland Museum Art and Propaganda in Nazi Occupied Holland Howmet Playhouse Motherhood Out Loud The Intersection Turnpike Troubadours with American Aquarium KIA Gallery Talk and Demonstration with Lee Klade: Tiffany Glass; Louis Comfort Tiffany, West Michigan Area Show Kzoo Valley Museum The Robot Zoo LowellArts! F.A.R.M. MercuryHead Gallery George Peebles Exhibit Mulligan’s Pub Crooked Heart Muskegon Museum of Art 86th Regional Exhibition, Interference Pool One Trick Pony Trace Duo Riverwalk Plaza Kris Hitchcock and Small Town Son Saugatuck Brewing Co. Matt Gabriel Saugatuck Center for the Arts The Lake Effect: Contemporary Art at Ox-Bow The Score Sweet J Band Seven Steps Up Tony Lucca and Tyler Hilton Tip Top Deluxe The Union Suits UICA Con Artist Crew Present: COMMIX, Festival 2014 Regional Arts Exhibition, Mid-Century Alchemy, Nicholas Szymanski The Union WMU School of Music (Jazz Mix) Walker Community Park The Standale Summer Concert Series Deep Greens & Blues
friday
7.11
Adado Riverfront Park Common Ground Music Festival
Art of the Table In-Store Beer Tasting The B.O.B Hat Trick Barn Theatre Fiddler on the Roof Bell’s Eccentric Cafe The Ventucky String Band wsg Run Boy Run Blue Water Grill Nate Holley Bobarino’s Main Street Dueling Pianos Cannonsburg Ski Area Picnic Pops Coral Gables John Sanger, Nick Ayoub, Kevin Villo DeWitt Center Hope Summer Repertory Theatre: Hot Mikado Dockers Jedi Mind Trip Foundry Hall Flex is Kings Four Winds Casino Train Frederik Meijer Gardens Bernar Venet, David Nash Friendship Park Vibe at 5 presents Kris Hitchcock & Small Town Son GRAM GRAM Selects ArtPrize 2013, Michigan Modern GR Public Museum Dream It Build It Harbor Springs Blissfest Music Festival Holland Museum Art and Propaganda in Nazi Occupied Holland KIA Louis Comfort Tiffany, West Michigan Area Show Krasl Art Center Krasl Art Fair Kzoo Valley Museum The Robot Zoo Louie’s Trophy House Man Forever, So Percussion, Prognosis Negative LowellArts! F.A.R.M. MercuryHead Gallery George Peebles Exhibit Mulligan’s Pub The Waxies
Muskegon Museum of Art 86th Regional Exhibition, Interference Pool New Holland Brewing Co. Common Shiner, The Ellers Old Dog Tavern The Moody Coyotes and Double Strung Park Trades Center Standing Room Only The Pyramid Scheme America WiFi, Bowery, The Cactuses, Poor Boy Romance River City Saloon Raker Riverwalk Plaza Bronk Bros. Saugatuck Center for the Arts Mason Street Warehouse presents Steam Heat, The Lake Effect: Contemporary Art at Ox-Bow The Score 3’s a Crowd Shakespeare’s Lower Level Bike Tuff Tip Top Deluxe The Claudettes wsg Jesse Ray and the Carolina Catfish The Union Shelagh Brown Band UICA Con Artist Crew Present: COMMIX, Festival 2014 Regional Arts Exhibition, Mid-Century Alchemy, Nicholas Szymanski Whiskey River Saloon Michatucky
saturday
7.12
Adado Riverfront Park Common Ground Music Festival Ah Nab Awen Park Grand Rapids Summer Beer Fest
The B.O.B The Rock Show Barn Theatre Fiddler on the Roof Bell’s Eccentric Cafe Family Groove Company Blue Water Grill Damstra Spring Bobarino’s Main Street Dueling Pianos Coral Gables Lew Russ and Trapped on Mars The Curragh Toby Bresnahan DeWitt Center Hope Summer Repertory Theatre: Hot Mikado Dockers Whoopeekat Frederik Meijer Gardens Bernar Venet, David Nash GRAM GRAM Selects ArtPrize 2013, Michigan Modern GR Brewing Company British Racing Green GR Public Library The Checker Motors Corp: A Brief History GR Public Museum Dream It Build It Holland Museum Art and Propaganda in Nazi Occupied Holland Howmet Playhouse Motherhood Out Loud The Intersection Mega 80s with DJ Jason Veeder KIA Louis Comfort Tiffany, West Michigan Area Show Kzoo Valley Museum The Robot Zoo Krasl Art Center Krasl Art Fair Little River Casino Resort Terry Fator Louie’s Bar and Rocket Lounge Skin Jacket featuring 6 Prong Paw Tru-Burn and Small Town Harlot Louie’s Trophy House The Free Life, Grave Hounds, Oddly Social
LowellArts! F.A.R.M. MercuryHead Gallery George Peebles Exhibit Mulligan’s Pub Bermudas, Paucity, Flannel Response Muskegon Museum of Art 86th Regional Exhibition, Interference Pool New Holland Brewing Co. Fuki Papa The Pyramid Scheme Valentiger (Album Release Show), Jon Timm, The Handgrenades, Nathan K River City Saloon Shovel Saugatuck Brewing Co. The Shaneburger Duo Saugatuck Center for the Arts Mason Street Warehouse presents Steam Heat The Score Strumble Head Seven Steps Up Gareth Asher & The Earthlings Tip Top Deluxe Auslander CD Release Party wsg Murder Party, NED and Antilogical UICA Con Artist Crew Present: COMMIX, Festival 2014 Regional Arts Exhibition, Mid-Century Alchemy, Nicholas Szymanski The Union Stereo Garden What Not Inn Mark Kahny Trio Whiskey River Saloon Michatucky
sunday
7.13
Adado Riverfront Park Common Ground Music Festival
Barn Theatre Fiddler on the Roof Bell’s Eccentric Cafe Crescendo Academy of Music 25th Anniversary Celebration Bronson Park Gene Knific Coral Gables Greg Poltrock, John Sanger Dockers WSSS Downtown Market Vintage Street Market Frederik Meijer Gardens Jackson Browne, Bernar Venet, David Nash Grand Haven State Park Grand Haven Triathlon and Duathlon GRAM GRAM Selects ArtPrize 2013, Michigan Modern GR Public Museum Dream It Build It Holland Museum Art and Propaganda in Nazi Occupied Holland KIA Louis Comfort Tiffany, West Michigan Area Show Kzoo Valley Museum The Robot Zoo Krasl Art Center Krasl Art Fair Muskegon Museum of Art 86th Regional Exhibition, Interference Pool Saugatuck Center for the Arts Mason Street Warehouse presents Steam Heat The Score Trilogy UICA Con Artist Crew Present: COMMIX, Festival 2014 Regional Arts Exhibition, Mid-Century Alchemy, Nicholas Szymanski Weko Beach Campground Weko Beach Concert Series What Not Inn Mary Rademacher
monday
7.14
Barn Theatre Fiddler on the Roof Barry Expo Center Barry County Fair Bell’s Eccentric Cafe Square Dance Kzoo Brewery Vivant Books and Bière at Brewery Vivant DeWitt Center Hope Summer Repertory Theatre: The Sound of Music Frederik Meijer Gardens Gavin DeGraw and Matt Nathanson, Bernar Venet, David Nash GR Public Museum Dream It Build It Holland Museum Art and Propaganda in Nazi Occupied Holland Kindleberger Park Sunday Summer Concert Series - Shout! Kzoo Valley Museum Exhibit: The Robot Zoo MercuryHead Gallery George Peebles Exhibit Saugatuck Center for the Arts The Lake Effect: Contemporary Art at Ox-Bow The Score Livin the Dream
tuesday
7.15
Barn Theatre Fiddler on the Roof
Best Bet: Blues Get out your whiskey flasks and toss out
Kalamazoo Blues
The Jimmys REVUEWM.COM | July 2014 |
Scene | Sounds | Sights | Dining Schedule
those fake IDs, kids! This year, the Kalamazoo Blues Festival Festival is finally turning 21, so it’s safe to expect the Arcadia Festival Site, 2014 incarnation of this grand Western Michigan traKalamazoo July 10-12 dition to be significantly less, well, blue. But we don’t $5 Thursday, $10 Friday, mean that in a bad way — believe you me, there will $12 Saturday, $20 for threebe enough soul-piercing wailing and true-blue downday pass in-the-Delta warbling to leave any hardcore lover of kvba.org, (269) 381-6514 the broken-hearted blues as satisfied as a 19-year-old American running amok in Windsor. And heck, with two large, revolving line-up stages and three whole days of nothin’ but the blues to work with, we don’t see how an excessive amount of melodic bluesy-ness can fail to be abundantly present. What we mean is, if there were ever a fool-proof way for the saddest music on earth and a weekend of pure, unadulterated bliss to co-mingle, then the Kalamazoo Blues Festival is surely the living, breathing carrier of this dream. But, just to be safe, maybe the fest should stick to imbibing 21 chords instead of 21 shots. Reported by Emma Kat Richardson
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Schedule Barry Expo Center Barry County Fair Bobarino’s Poker League Frederik Meijer Gardens Tuesday Evening Music Club, Bernar Venet, David Nash GRAM GRAM Selects ArtPrize 2013, Michigan Modern GR Public Museum Dream It Build It Griffin’s Grill and Pub Chris Delgado Holland Museum Art and Propaganda in Nazi Occupied Holland The Intersection Grieves with SonReal & Fearce Vill KIA ARTbreak: Hockney: A Bigger Picture; Louis Comfort Tiffany, West Michigan Area Show Kzoo Valley Museum Exhibit: The Robot Zoo Louie’s Trophy House The Yugos, Indigo Wild, Dogs. In the Winter, Squirrel Shaped Fish LowellArts! F.A.R.M. MercuryHead Gallery George Peebles Exhibit Muskegon Museum of Art 86th Regional Exhibition, Interference Pool Salt of the Earth Mulebone Saugatuck Center for the Arts The Lake Effect: Contemporary Art at Ox-Bow The Score Hazy Past UICA Con Artist Crew Present: COMMIX, Festival 2014 Regional
Arts Exhibition, Mid-Century Alchemy, Nicholas Szymanski Wealthy Theatre Meanwhile Movie: American Graffiti
wednesday
7.16
Barn Theatre Fiddler on the Roof Barry Expo Center Barry County Fair Blue Water Grill Dennie Middleton Bobarino’s Main Street Dueling Pianos The Curragh Nathan Holley DeWitt Center Hope Summer Repertory Theatre: The Sound of Music Forest Hills Fine Arts Center Disney’s Tarzan Frederik Meijer Gardens Bernar Venet, David Nash Fremont National Baby Food Festival GRAM GRAM Selects ArtPrize 2013, Michigan Modern GR Public Museum Dream It Build It Holland Museum Art and Propaganda in Nazi Occupied Holland The Intersection Red Wanting Blue KIA Louis Comfort Tiffany, West Michigan Area Show Kzoo Valley Museum The Robot Zoo LowellArts! F.A.R.M.
MercuryHead Gallery George Peebles Exhibit Muskegon Museum of Art 86th Regional Exhibition, Interference Pool The Pyramid Scheme Ceremony Nothing, All Wave and Sapphic Saugatuck Center for the Arts The Lake Effect: Contemporary Art at Ox-Bow The Score Oregon Dreamchild Shakespeare’s Lower Level DMT Bike Ride Album Release Party Sparta Town and Country Town and Country Days UICA Con Artist Crew Present: COMMIX, Festival 2014 Regional Arts Exhibition, Mid-Century Alchemy, Nicholas Szymanski The Union Cabaret & Grille Jazz Mix Night Wave Square Cleve ‘Hurricane’ Jean Jacques
thursday
7.17
Art of the Table In-Store Wine Tasting Barn Theatre Fiddler on the Roof Barry Expo Center Barry County Fair Bell’s Eccentric Cafe Afro-Zep Blue Water Grill Tony Reynolds
Bobarino’s Main Street Dueling Pianos Cannonsburg Ski Area Picnic Pops Coral Gables Kevin Villo DeWitt Center Hope Summer Repertory Theatre: Hot Mikado Forest Hills Fine Arts Center Disney’s Tarzan Frederik Meijer Gardens Bernar Venet, David Nash GRAM GRAM on the Green, GRAM Selects ArtPrize 2013, Michigan Modern GR Public Library 2012 National Geographic Adventurer of the Year Jennifer Pharr Davis GR Public Museum Dream It Build It Holland Museum Art and Propaganda in Nazi Occupied Holland Howmet Playhouse The Smell of the Kill Ionia Ionia Free Fair KIA Get the Picture! Gallery Talk: David Park’s Woman with Coffeepot; Louis Comfort Tiffany, West Michigan Area Show LowellArts! F.A.R.M. MercuryHead Gallery George Peebles Exhibit Muskegon Museum of Art 86th Regional Exhibition, Interference Pool Old Dog Tavern Valentiger One Trick Pony Tom DeVries
Schedule Dining | Sights | Sounds | Scene
Best Bet: Comedy Ah, Bobcat. What exactly would the modern American comedic landscape look like without the significant contributions of the feline-monikered mic-master? One has to envision a very desolate and barren terrain, for the man called Bobcat has been operating as a serious power-player in the comedy industry for as long as any 20-something, Tosh.0 worshipping dude bro can remember. Having recently branched out more into the more commercial realm of filmmaking (writing, directing, occasionally acting), we wouldn’t blame Goldthwait for being eager to get back to his stand-up roots. And if the audience reaction at a series of high-profile gigs (like Austin’s Moontower Comedy and Oddity Festival, for one) is Bobcat any indication, this Dr. Grins show is Goldthwait gonna be heavy on the grins and relaDr. Grins, Grand tively light on the doctor part. Although, Rapids July 24-26, shows at if shape-shifting Bobcat ever decided to 8, 9 and 10:30 p.m. pursue the Dr. prefix, we can only assume $10-$20 that an outbreak of funny bone tickling thebob.com, (616) would be imminent. Reported by Emma Kat 356-2000 Richardson
66 | REVUEWM.COM | July 2014
Bobcat Goldthwait
Oshtemo Township Park Movies Under the Stars: His Girl Friday The Pyramid Scheme Rap for a Stack Riverwalk Plaza The Appleseed Collective Saugatuck Brewing Co. Formerly Hip Saugatuck Center for the Arts The Lake Effect: Contemporary Art at Ox-Bow The Score River City Stew Shakespeare’s Lower Level The Real Dragwives of Kzoo Sparta Town and Country Town and Country Days UICA Con Artist Crew Present: COMMIX, Festival 2014 Regional Arts Exhibition, Joe, Mid-Century Alchemy, Nicholas Szymanski The Union WMU School of Music (Jazz Mix)
friday
7.18
Art of the Table In-Store Beer Tasting Barn Theatre Fiddler on the Roof Barry Expo Center Barry County Fair Blue Water Grill Nate Holley Bobarino’s Main Street Dueling Pianos Cannonsburg Ski Area Picnic Pops
Coral Gables Jason Eller, Tom Northup The Curragh Ian Gould DeWitt Center Hope Summer Repertory Theatre: The Matchmaker Dockers Mike Boxer and Fiddleface Farmers Alley Theatre [Title of Show] Forest Hills Fine Arts Center Disney’s Tarzan Foundry Hall Claudia Schmidt with Dean McGraw Frederik Meijer Gardens Bernar Venet, David Nash Friendship Park Vibe at 5 Presents Zion Lion GRAM Creativity Uncorked: Patriotic Prints, GRAM Selects ArtPrize 2013, Michigan Modern Grand Rapids Public Museum Dream It Build It Holland Museum Art and Propaganda in Nazi Occupied Holland Howmet Playhouse Murder by Natural Causes Kellogg Arena Grand River Rumble KIA Louis Comfort Tiffany, West Michigan Area Show Kzoo Valley Museum The Robot Zoo Louie’s Trophy House Comedy Night LowellArts! F.A.R.M. MercuryHead Gallery George Peebles Exhibit Mill Race Park Dolphin Tale Mulligan’s Pub Askultura Muskegon Museum of Art 86th Regional Exhibition, Interference Pool New Holland Brewing Co. Matt Hanegraaff & Friends Old Dog Tavern Dumuela Project The Pyramid Scheme Murder by Death, Mike Mains and the Branches, Jake Down and the Midwest Mess River City Saloon Trilogy San Chez Bistro San Chez Secret Supper Saugatuck Center for the Arts The Lake Effect: Contemporary Art at Ox-Bow The Score 13th Hour Band Shakespeare’s Lower Level Kzoo Klassics Sparta Town and Country Town and Country Days Tip Top Deluxe Against the Grain UICA Con Artist Crew Present: COMMIX, Festival 2014 Regional Arts Exhibition, Life Itself, Mid-Century Alchemy, Nicholas Szymanski The Union Seventh Son Wealthy Theatre Dreaming Beyond the Murmur Whiskey River Saloon Megan Rae Fans
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Schedule saturday
7.19
Schedule Dining | Sights | Sounds | Scene
The B.O.B Groove Solution Barn Theatre Fiddler on the Roof Barry Expo Center Barry County Fair Bell’s Eccentric Cafe Corn Fed Girls Berlin Raceway The Battle at Berlin 251 Blue Water Grill John Sanger Bobarino’s Main Street Dueling Pianos Coral Gables Don Bidell, Joe Johnson Band and Joe Dick, Nick Ayoub DeVos Performance Hall Beck DeWitt Center Hope Summer Repertory Theatre: The Matchmaker Dockers OTC Farmers Alley Theatre [Title of Show] Founders Rick Chyme 5iveit Album Release Party Foundry Hall Honey Dewdrops Frederik Meijer Gardens Jennifer Nettles, Bernar Venet, David Nash Grand Haven State Park Grand Haven State Park - MVPA Professional Volleyball
68 | REVUEWM.COM | July 2014
GRAM GRAM Selects ArtPrize 2013, Michigan Modern GR Public Museum Dream It Build It Holland Museum Art and Propaganda in Nazi Occupied Holland Howmet Playhouse The Complete World of Sport (Abridged) The Intersection Here Come The Mummies wsg The Jim Shaneberger Band; Miniature Tigers with The Griswolds Kellogg Arena Grand River Rumble KIA Louis Comfort Tiffany, West Michigan Area Show Kzoo Valley Museum The Robot Zoo LaFontsee Galleries Douglas Taste of Art Tour Lemon Creek Winery Seventh Annual Vintage Blues Bash LowellArts! F.A.R.M. Louie’s Trophy House Genius Hired Guns, International, Thought Industry Mac’s Bar Ghost Town featuring Designs, Martyr For Madison and Gone By Sunset Mangia Mangia Tony Fields and Coug Decker MercuryHead Gallery George Peebles Exhibit
Mulligan’s Pub Invisible Mansion Muskegon Museum of Art 86th Regional Exhibition, Interference Pool New Holland Brewing Co. Kanisha K. Papa Pete’s Unhinged The Pyramid Scheme El Gremio and Cabildo River City Saloon Electrik Toyz Saugatuck Brewing Co. Charles Driscoll The Score Tetrad Sparta Town and Country Town and Country Days Tip Top Deluxe Bar & Grill J.D. Wilkes and The Dirt Daubers UICA Con Artist Crew Present: COMMIX, Festival 2014 Regional Arts Exhibition, Life Itself, Mid-Century Alchemy, Nicholas Szymanski The Union Cabaret & Grille Marci Linn Band Water Street Gallery Taste of Art Tour What Not Inn Christy - Mark & Bobby Whiskey River Saloon North Country Flyers Wings Stadium Kzoo Funk Festival
sunday
7.20
Barn Theatre Fiddler on the Roof Bronson Park Concerts in the ParkSchlitz Creek Coral Gables John Sanger, Kevin Villo Farmers Alley Theatre [Title of Show] Founders The Soul Rebels Frederik Meijer Gardens Bernar Venet, David Nash Grand Haven State Park Grand Haven State Park - MVPA Professional Volleyball GRAM GRAM Selects ArtPrize 2013, Michigan Modern GR Public Museum Dream It Build It Holland Museum Art and Propaganda in Nazi Occupied Holland The Intersection MartyParty KIA Louis Comfort Tiffany, West Michigan Area Show Kzoo Valley Museum Exhibit: The Robot Zoo Kellogg Arena Grand River Rumble
The Band Perry at Firekeepers Casino July 5 Kindleberger Park Summer Concert Series - Voices of Freedom Mulligan’s Pub Crusades Muskegon Museum of Art 86th Regional Exhibition, Interference Pool The Score Shimmie Pearl Sparta Town and Country Town and Country Days SpeakEZ Lounge Return of Jazz!
UICA Con Artist Crew Present: COMMIX, Festival 2014 Regional Arts Exhibition, Life Itself, Mid-Century Alchemy, Nicholas Szymanski Weko Beach Campground Weko Beach Concert Series What Not Inn Bob & Gary Band
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Schedule monday
7.21
Jennifer Nettles
Best Bet: Country
Schedule Dining | Sights | Sounds | Scene
You might call her the country and western Jenny Lewis, if you were so inclined. Or maybe even one half of the twangy, hetero version of the Indigo Girls. Whatever artist or sub-genre you’re tempted to compare Jennifer Nettles to, don’t. Because the thing is, Nettles, along with Kristian Bush and their wildly successful country duo, Sugarland, is in fact only representative of herself. Labeling someone “unique” is a cliche too frequently tossed around to be truly effective anymore, but in this case, Nettles embodies the essence of creative originality and soul-touching musical spark. Jennifer Nettles Widely recognized for her powerhouse vocals (the kind wsg Brandy Clark of chops you could even fry up on a skillet), Nettles has Frederik Meijer Gardens expanded her range of late to include solo work and & Sculpture Park, Grand television, where she acted as a mentor and judge on Rapids July 19, 7 p.m. ABC’s talent reality show, “Duets.” Now hot off the $90 members, $92 heels of her latest solo single, “Me Without You,” Nettles general public is prepared to crank the honky-tonk factor up to 11 and meijergardens.org, bring the people what they want: that is, Nettles by the (616) 957-1580 barrel-full. Reported by Emma Kat Richardson
70 | REVUEWM.COM | July 2014
DeWitt Center Hope Summer Repertory Theatre: The Sound of Music Frederik Meijer Gardens Counting Crows with Toad The Wet Sprocket, Bernar Venet, David Nash GR Public Museum Dream It Build It Holland Museum Art and Propaganda in Nazi Occupied Holland The Intersection August Burns Red with special guests Wolves At The Gate The Overseer Kzoo Valley Museum The Robot Zoo MercuryHead Gallery George Peebles Exhibit Muskegon County Fairgrounds Muskegon County Youth Fair Ottawa County Fair Grounds Ottawa County Fair Saugatuck Center for the Arts Summer in the Studio: Hiroya Tsukamoto, The Lake Effect: Contemporary Art at Ox-Bow The Score Great Scott
tuesday
7.22
Barn Theatre Move Over Mrs. Markham Bobarino’s Poker League DeWitt Center Hope Summer Repertory Theatre: The Matchmaker Frederik Meijer Gardens Tuesday Evening Music Club, Bernar Venet, David Nash GRAM GRAM Selects ArtPrize 2013, Michigan Modern GR Public Library Magician Jason Hudy
GR Public Museum Dream It Build It Griffin’s Grill and Pub Chris Delgado Holland Museum Art and Propaganda in Nazi Occupied Holland The Intersection Wild Child KIA ARTbreak: Gold in the Klondike; Louis Comfort Tiffany, West Michigan Area Show Kzoo Book Arts Center Tunnel Books Kzoo Valley Museum The Robot Zoo Louie’s Trophy House Comedy Night LowellArts! F.A.R.M. MercuryHead Gallery George Peebles Exhibit Muskegon County Fairgrounds Muskegon County Youth Fair Muskegon Museum of Art 86th Regional Exhibition, Interference Pool Ottawa County Fair Grounds Ottawa County Fair Saugatuck Center for the Arts The Lake Effect: Contemporary Art at Ox-Bow The Score Buddy Twist SpeakEZ Lounge MartiniMOTH: Working for a Living – Tales of Unusual Jobs UICA Con Artist Crew Present: COMMIX, Festival 2014 Regional Arts Exhibition, Life Itself, Mid-Century Alchemy, Nicholas Szymanski The Union Alex Mays Wealthy Theatre Meanwhile Movie: Wet Hot American Summer
wednesday
7.23
Barn Theatre Move Over Mrs. Markham Blue Water Grill Drew Behringer Bobarino’s Main Street Dueling Pianos
DeWitt Center Hope Summer Repertory Theatre: Hot Mikado Frederik Meijer Gardens Ray LaMontagne with Jenny Lewis, Bernar Venet, David Nash GRAM GRAM Selects ArtPrize 2013, Michigan Modern GR Public Library Splendor by the Sea: Newport Rhode Island During the Gilded Age, Magician Jason Hudy GR Public Museum Dream It Build It Holland Museum Art and Propaganda in Nazi Occupied Holland KIA Louis Comfort Tiffany, West Michigan Area Show Kzoo Valley Museum The Robot Zoo LowellArts! F.A.R.M. Martell’s Meet the Maker MercuryHead Gallery George Peebles Exhibit Muskegon County Fairgrounds Muskegon County Youth Fair Muskegon Museum of Art 86th Regional Exhibition, Interference Pool Ottawa County Fair Grounds Ottawa County Fair San Chez Bistro Founders on the Deck Saugatuck Center for the Arts The Lake Effect: Contemporary Art at Ox-Bow Schuler Books 28th Street ‘Girl’s Night Out’ With Alyson Foster The Score Lazy Blue Tunas SpeakEZ Lounge MartiniMoth: Working for a Living – Tales of Unusual Jobs UICA Con Artist Crew Present: COMMIX, Festival 2014 Regional Arts Exhibition, Life Itself, Mid-Century Alchemy, Nicholas Szymanski The Union Jazz Mix Night Wave Square Magdalen Fussom
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Schedule thursday
7.24
Schedule Dining | Sights | Sounds | Scene
Arcadia Creek Festival Place Taste of Kzoo Art of the Table In-Store Wine Tasting The B.O.B Otis Blueswell Jr. Takes the Stage Barn Theatre Move Over Mrs. Markham Bell’s Eccentric Cafe Mark Lavengood Bluegrass Bonanza! Featuring Time & Luck wsg Keith Billik and Lindsay Lou & The Flatbellys Blue Water Grill Gabriel James Bobarino’s Main Street Dueling Pianos Cannonsburg Ski Area Picnic Pops Coral Gables Nick Ayoub DeWitt Center Hope Summer Repertory Theatre: The Sound of Music Dockers Groove Solution Farmers Alley Theatre [Title of Show] Founders The Go Rounds wsg Maraj
72 | REVUEWM.COM | July 2014
Frederik Meijer Gardens Bernar Venet, David Nash GRAM GRAM on the Green, GRAM Selects ArtPrize 2013, Michigan Modern GR Public Library Helen of Troy in Ancient Greek and Modern Myth GR Public Museum Dream It Build It Holland Museum Art and Propaganda in Nazi Occupied Holland Howmet Playhouse East of the Sun West of the Moon The Intersection Scale The Summit & Glass Cloud with Erra Reflections & Monuments KIA Louis Comfort Tiffany, West Michigan Area Show Kzoo Valley Museum The Robot Zoo LowellArts! F.A.R.M. MercuryHead Gallery George Peebles Exhibit Muskegon County Fairgrounds Muskegon County Youth Fair Muskegon Museum of Art 86th Regional Exhibition, Interference Pool Ottawa County Fair Grounds Ottawa County Fair Riverwalk Plaza Alive & Well Saugatuck Brewing Co. Trace Duo: Damstra/Spring
Saugatuck Center for the Arts The Lake Effect: Contemporary Art at Ox-Bow The Score Brena Shakespeare’s Lower Level Comedy Open Mic UICA Con Artist Crew Present: COMMIX, Festival 2014 Regional Arts Exhibition, Life Itself, Mid-Century Alchemy, Nicholas Szymanski The Union Cabaret & Grille WMU School of Music (Jazz Mix) Walker Community Park The Standale Summer Concert Series - FreeHand Wealthy Theatre The Piano Cottage Rocks Concert
friday
7.25
Arcadia Creek Festival Site Taste of Kzoo Festival Art of the Table In-Store Beer Tasting The B.O.B Delilah Dewylde And The Lost Boys, Melissa Dylan
Barn Theatre Move Over Mrs. Markham Bell’s Eccentric Cafe The Crane Wives Blue Water Grill Jack Leaver Bobarino’s Main Street Dueling Pianos Byron Center Chamber of Commerce Byron Days Festival Cannonsburg Ski Area Picnic Pops Coral Gables Greg Poltrock, Tombo DeWitt Center Hope Summer Repertory Theatre: The Matchmaker Dockers Steve Rivers Band Farmers Alley Theatre [Title of Show] Fifth Third Ballpark Taste of Grand Rapids Foundry Hall Adler and Hearne Frederik Meijer Gardens Bernar Venet, David Nash Friendship Park Vibe at 5 Presents Toppermost- Beatles Tribute Grand Haven State Park Grand Haven Coast Guard Festival GRAM GRAM Selects ArtPrize 2013, Michigan Modern GR Public Museum Dream It Build It The Harm Farm Dunesville Music Festival
Holland Museum Art and Propaganda in Nazi Occupied Holland Howmet Playhouse East of the Sun West of the Moon KIA Louis Comfort Tiffany, West Michigan Area Show Kzoo Valley Museum The Robot Zoo Louie’s Trophy House Deep Waters, Secret Animals LowellArts! F.A.R.M. MercuryHead Gallery George Peebles Exhibit Mulligan’s Pub Evergreen Shade & The Sound Logic Muskegon County Fairgrounds Muskegon County Youth Fair Muskegon Museum of Art 86th Regional Exhibition, Interference Pool New Holland Brewing Co. We Know Jackson Ottawa County Fair Grounds Ottawa County Fair The Pyramid Scheme The Hard Lessons, The Juno Blacklist, The Sound Logic River City Saloon Litt Up Saugatuck Venetian Festival Saugatuck Center for the Arts Mason Street Warehouse
presents Death Trap, The Lake Effect: Contemporary Art at Ox-Bow The Score 3’s a Crowd Tip Top Deluxe Lydia Loveless UICA Con Artist Crew Present: COMMIX, Festival 2014 Regional Arts Exhibition, Life Itself, Mid-Century Alchemy, Nicholas Szymanski The Union Cabaret & Grille CrossRoads Van Andel Arena Michael Bublé Wealthy Theatre The Piano Cottage Rocks Concert Whiskey River Saloon Decades
saturday
7.26
Arcadia Creek Festival Site Taste of Kzoo Festival The B.O.B Kevin Murphy, The Cones Barn Theatre Move Over Mrs. Markham Bell’s Eccentric Cafe The Go Rounds wsg The Beat and Maraj Blue Water Grill Everett Domeier
Find Revue online For breaking local entertainment news! facebook.com/REVUEWM Twitter: @RevueWM Win tickets, get early warnings about shows, and more!
Coral Gables Lew Russ and Rock Shop, Tom Northup The Curragh Gasta DeWitt Center Hope Summer Repertory Theatre: Hot Mikado Dockers Emily Joyce Epic Theatre Fontana Presents Crybaby Concerts: Jazz Jamboree with the Hot Club of Detroit Farmers Alley Theatre [Title of Show] Fifth Third Ballpark Taste of Grand Rapids Founders The Crane Wives Foundry Hall South Haven in Stories and Songs Frederik Meijer Gardens KC and the Sunshine Band, Bernar Venet, David Nash Grand Haven State Park Grand Haven Coast Guard Festival GRAM GRAM Selects ArtPrize 2013, Michigan Modern GR Public Museum Dream It Build It The Harm Farm Dunesville Music Festival Holland Museum Art and Propaganda in Nazi Occupied Holland Howmet Playhouse East of the Sun West of the Moon
KIA Louis Comfort Tiffany, West Michigan Area Show Kzoo Valley Museum The Robot Zoo Louie’s Trophy House Glowfriends, Brilliant Beast, Care LowellArts! F.A.R.M. MercuryHead Gallery George Peebles Exhibit Mulligan’s Pub Fine Fine Titans & 1876 Muskegon County Fairgrounds Muskegon County Youth Fair Muskegon Museum of Art 86th Regional Exhibition, Interference Pool New Holland Brewing Co. Delilah Dewylde And The Lost Boys Ottawa County Fair Grounds Ottawa County Fair River City Saloon Litt Up Saugatuck Brewing Co. Jack Leaver The Score The Ramanos UICA Con Artist Crew Present: COMMIX, Festival 2014 Regional Arts Exhibition, Life Itself, Mid-Century Alchemy, Nicholas Szymanski What Not Inn Bobby T Trio Whiskey River Saloon Decades Wings Stadium 2014 Global HapKiDo Championship
sunday
7.27
Barn Theatre Move Over Mrs. Markham Bell’s Eccentric Cafe Trivia Night Coral Gables Jason Eller, Nick Ayoub Dockers Don Middlebrook Farmers Alley Theatre [Title of Show] Frederik Meijer Gardens Barenaked Ladies, Bernar Venet, David Nash Grand Haven State Park Grand Haven Coast Guard Festival GRAM GRAM Selects ArtPrize 2013, Michigan Modern GR Public Museum Dream It Build It The Harm Farm Dunesville Music Festival Holland Museum Art and Propaganda in Nazi Occupied Holland KIA Louis Comfort Tiffany, West Michigan Area Show Kzoo Valley Museum The Robot Zoo Kindleberger Park Summer Concert Series - David Gerald Blues The Livery Lindsay Lou & The Flatbellys
Louie’s Trophy House Prawn, Foxing, Brave Bird, The Reptilian Muskegon Museum of Art 86th Regional Exhibition, Interference Pool The Pyramid Scheme John’s Brown Shoes (Album Release Show) Hi-ker and Signals The Score Rock Shop UICA Con Artist Crew Present: COMMIX, Festival 2014 Regional Arts Exhibition, Life Itself, Mid-Century Alchemy, Nicholas Szymanski Weko Beach Campground Weko Beach Concert Series What Not Inn Edye Evans Hyde
monday
7.28
Barn Theatre Move Over Mrs. Markham DeWitt Center Hope Summer Repertory Theatre: Hot Mikado Frederik Meijer Gardens Bernar Venet, David Nash Grand Haven State Park Grand Haven Coast Guard Festival
Michael Buble at Van Andel Arena July 25 GR Public Museum Dream It Build It Holland Museum Art and Propaganda in Nazi Occupied Holland Kzoo Valley Museum The Robot Zoo Louie’s Trophy House Comedy Night MercuryHead Gallery George Peebles Exhibit
Saugatuck Center for the Arts Mason Street Warehouse presents Death Trap, The Lake Effect: Contemporary Art at Ox-Bow The Score Strumble Head
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SEP 20 OCT 18
ALL SHOWS 7:33 PM RIVERCITYIMPROV.COM Scene | Sounds | Sights | Dining Schedule
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REVUEWM.COM | July 2014 |
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Schedule tuesday
7.29
Schedule Dining | Sights | Sounds | Scene
Barn Theatre Move Over Mrs. Markham Bobarino’s Poker League DeWitt Center Hope Summer Repertory Theatre: The Sound of Music Frederik Meijer Gardens Tuesday Evening Music Club, Bernar Venet, David Nash Grand Haven State Park Grand Haven Coast Guard Festival Grand Rapids Art Museum GRAM Selects ArtPrize 2013, Michigan Modern GR Public Museum Dream It Build It Holland Museum Art and Propaganda in Nazi Occupied Holland KIA ARTbreak: The Most Expensive Paintings in the World; Louis Comfort Tiffany, West Michigan Area Show Kzoo Valley Museum The Robot Zoo LowellArts! F.A.R.M.
74 | REVUEWM.COM | July 2014
MercuryHead Gallery George Peebles Exhibit Muskegon Museum of Art 86th Regional Exhibition, Interference Pool Salt of the Earth Claudia Schmidt and Dave Boutette Saugatuck Center for the Arts Mason Street Warehouse presents Death Trap, The Lake Effect: Contemporary Art at Ox-Bow The State Theatre Traverse City Film Festival UICA Con Artist Crew Present: COMMIX, Festival 2014 Regional Arts Exhibition, Life Itself, Mid-Century Alchemy, Nicholas Szymanski The Union Rumblefish Wealthy Theatre Meanwhile Movie: Dazed and Confused
wednesday
7.30
Barn Theatre Move Over Mrs. Markham
Blue Water Grill Don Bidell The Curragh Nathan Holley DeWitt Center Hope Summer Repertory Theatre: The Matchmaker Frederik Meijer Gardens Pat Metheny Unity Group & Bruce Hornsby, Bernar Venet, David Nash Grand Haven State Park Grand Haven Coast Guard Festival GRAM GRAM Selects ArtPrize 2013, Michigan Modern GR Public Library Chris Linn: America’s Magical Funnyman GR Public Museum Dream It Build It Holland Museum Art and Propaganda in Nazi Occupied Holland KIA Louis Comfort Tiffany, West Michigan Area Show Kzoo Valley Museum The Robot Zoo LowellArts! F.A.R.M. MercuryHead Gallery George Peebles Exhibit Muskegon Museum of Art 86th Regional Exhibition, Interference Pool Saugatuck Center for the Arts Mason Street Warehouse presents
Death Trap, The Lake Effect: Contemporary Art at Ox-Bow The State Theatre Traverse City Film Festival UICA Con Artist Crew Present: COMMIX, Festival 2014 Regional Arts Exhibition, Life Itself, Mid-Century Alchemy, Nicholas Szymanski The Union Cabaret & Grille Jazz Mix Night Wave Square Susan Harrison Duo Wealthy Theatre Grand Rapids FC Movie Night
thursday
7.31
Art of the Table In-Store Wine Tasting Barn Theatre Move Over Mrs. Markham Bell’s Turkuaz wsg Mister F Cannonsburg Ski Area Picnic Pops Coral Gables Kevin Villo DeWitt Center Hope Summer Repertory Theatre: Hot Mikado
Farmers Alley Theatre [Title of Show] Founders Big Leg Emma Frederik Meijer Gardens Conor Oberst with Dawes, Bernar Venet, David Nash Grand Haven State Park Grand Haven Coast Guard Festival GRAM GRAM on the Green, GRAM Selects ArtPrize 2013, Michigan Modern GR Public Museum Dream It Build It Holland Museum Art and Propaganda in Nazi Occupied Holland KIA Breakfast at Tiffany’s Film Screening; Louis Comfort Tiffany, West Michigan Area Show Kzoo Valley Museum Exhibit: The Robot Zoo LowellArts! F.A.R.M. MercuryHead Gallery George Peebles Exhibit Muskegon Museum of Art 86th Regional Exhibition, Interference Pool Riverwalk Plaza Lowell Showboat Sizzlin’ Summer Concerts presents Greg Nagy Band
Saugatuck Brewing Co. Gasta Saugatuck Center for the Arts Mason Street Warehouse presents Death Trap, The Lake Effect: Contemporary Art at Ox-Bow The Score 13th Hour Band Shakespeare’s Lower Level One Tribute to Metallica The State Theatre Traverse City Film Festival UICA Con Artist Crew Present: COMMIX, Festival 2014 Regional Arts Exhibition, Life Itself, Mid-Century Alchemy, Nicholas Szymanski The Union WMU School of Music (Jazz Mix) n
For more events and info, check out our calendar at revueWm.com.