March 2016, Revue West Michigan Magazine

West Michigan’s Entertainment Guide for 28 Years » March 2016

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Music / Comedy / Dining

Ann Van Weaver, hair stylist

Abby Manchesky Adrian Butler Ann Van Weaver Blair Badge Daniel Parker Dann Boyles & Chip Minor Erica Lang KL Christoffersen Lady Ace Boogie Latesha Lipscomb Matt Sova

The Style Issue

© 2014 Bell’s Brewery, Inc., Comstock, MI

REVUEWM.COM | March 2016 |

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COMPOSED BY

PRODUCED BY

DIRECTED BY

BILL WHELAN

MOYA DOHERTY

JOHN McCOLGAN

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What’s Inside

March 2016 | Volume 28, Issue 3

SCENE: 15 Random Notes 16 What’s Going On This Month

SOUNDS: 23 Touring: Puscifer 24 Touring: AWOLNATION

SPECIAL SECTION: The Style Issue

27

32 Abby Manchesky 30 Adrian Butler 44 Ann Van Weaver 28 Blair Badge 46 Daniel Parker 40 Dann Boyles & Chip Minor 36 Erica Lang 42 KL Christoffersen 34 Lady Ace Boogie 48 Latesha Lipscomb 38 Matt Sova 50 West Michigan Style File 56 Fashion Degrees and Programs

The Style Issue

Lady Ace Boogie

64 Kathy Griffin

Chili

80

34

SIGHTS: 61 62 64 66 68 70

Theatre: Motown the Musical Lit Life: Making a Murderer Comedy: Kathy Griffin Comedy: Jim Norton Comedy: Ron Funches Indie Film: Eclipse Awards

DINING & DRINKING: 73 78 80 82

Restaurant Guide Beer: Railtown Brewing Taste This: Top Chili Spots Table Talk: Brewery Vivant’s Katy Waltz

Letter from the Editor

A

s you can tell from my photo below, I’m no fashionista. Instead, I usually go the Johnny Cash route. After all, black looks kinda badass, and it does have a slimming effect.

Fortunately, Revue has Missy Black, our long-time style writer, and photographer Nicole Rico, who has a natural eye for style. The two of them, along with Revue design maven Kim Kibby, collaborated on our first-ever Style Issue.

We profiled 11 of West Michigan’s tastemakers who offered up myriad suggestions on where to go for local threads, accessories and refined locally-made gifts. We shot portraits and chatted with an assorted group: Local clothing designers, style bloggers, musicians, hair stylists, boutique owners and more. Each person has something exceptional to say. They offer a glimpse into their perfectly-pressed wardrobes, as well as insights into what makes them tick so modishly.

So dig into this issue to see what’s on the minds of this style-savvy bunch. They’re full of imaginative ideas and don’t just wear black.

W est M ic h ig a n ’ s E nterta inment G uide

Editorial Publisher Brian Edwards / brian@revuewm.com Editor Joe Boomgaard / joe@revuewm.com Managing Editor Rich Tupica / rich@revueholding.com Associate Editor Jayson Bussa / jbussa@mibiz.com Design Creative Director Kim Kibby / kim@revuewm.com Ad Design Rachel Harper, Phil Artz Contributing Writers Missy Black Steven G. de Polo Audria Larsen Dwayne Hoover Nick Macksood Steve Miller

Eric Mitts Zuwaib Razzaq Troy Reimink Nicole Rico Josh Spanninga

Contributing Photographers Katy Batdorff, Nicole Rico Revue Minion Elma Talundzic

Later,

Sales / 616.608.6170 / sales@revuewm.com Kelli Belanger / kelli@revuewm.com Digital Editor Jayson Bussa / jayson@revuewm.com

Rich Tupica, Managing Editor

Find us online!

Website: revuewm.com Twitter: twitter.com/revuewm Facebook: facebook.com/revuewm

Coming soon...

REVUE’s new “Best of” Readers’ Poll, voted by YOU, the readers!

2016

Upcoming issues April: The Vice Issue/Wine Month

Find out how to indulge your obsessions, whether they’re old-school (sweet treats, booze and tattoos) or more trendy (vaping and Netflix binges). We’ll also feature Michigan wine coverage in honor of Michigan Wine Month.

Best west Re aders’ Poll

Our annual roundup of the best in local music, plus a guide to festivals in West Michigan and beyond. Also: Top outdoor dining spots.

Voting Starts May 1 12 | REVUEWM.COM | March 2016

©2016, 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.

May: The Food Issue

A showcase of the best local restaurants, food markets, food trucks, recipes and more. Plus: Voting begins for Best of the West competition.

of the

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

June: The Music Issue/Festival Guide

To AdvertisE: Call (616) 608-6170 or email sales@revuewm.com.

Space reservation is the 15th of the month before publication.

On the cover: Ann Van Weaver, photographed by Nicole Rico. See The Style Issue on page 27.

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Random Notes MUSIC ///

Electric Six plays Bell’s Eccentric Café March 6. Touring in support of its latest album, Bitch, Don’t Let Me Die!, the veteran Detroit band is known for its signature mix of garage rock, disco, punk , new wave and metal. The group famously featured Jack White on “Danger!

High Voltage,” a 2001 single. According to their bio, the new LP “is steeped in themes of mortality, death, dis-corporation and discoloration.” Warming up the stage at Bell’s are Parlour Tricks and Slumlord Radio. Tickets are $12-$14. Go to bellsbeer.com/eccentric-café or call (269) 382-2332 for more information.

Scott Pilgrim vs. The World Quote-Along

FILM ///

Performing Arts ///

Dig deeper into your favorite operas with Opera Grand Rapids’ Behind the Curtain: An Opera Preview. Happening Tuesday nights prior to each show, delve into the production’s story, character development, composition and political and cultural reception. On March 29 it spotlights Orpheus and Eurydice. Perk: There’ll be wine and light refreshments. Visit operagr.org or call (616) 451-2741 for more details.

Admirers of off-the-cuff shows like Whose Line Is It Anyway? may want to check out Crawlspace Theatre Productions’ Improv Training Program. Led by instructor Tara Sytsma, this six-week class starts March 6 and teaches participants the foundations and techniques of improv, including “working with people to make scenes happen.” Ages 15 and up. No previous experience necessary. $150.

To reserve your spot in the 20-person class, go to crawlspacetheatre.com or call (269) 599-7390.

Electric Six at Bell’s Eccentric Café March 6.

20th Century. Admission is FREE. Go to muskegonartmuseum.org for more information.

BOOKS /// ART ///

For those who can’t create decent art, but would sure like to see it happen, this might be just the ticket. On March 11, from 7–11 p.m., art buffs are invited to watch visual artists create pieces live at UICA’s Live Coverage 2016. If you like what you see, bid on it during the silent auction. $25 dollars gets you in the door and supports UICA’s year-round programming. Visit uica.org to purchase tickets.

Fans of truly classic country Native Visions: Indian Painting (not Toby Keith) and Americana of the Southwest, 1920smusic may want to check out 1940s opens March 3 at the The Winding Stream: The June Carter and Muskegon Museum of Art. Carter’s, The Cash’s and the Johnny Cash The exhibit features 35 works Course of Country Music at of traditional Indian easel Hope College’s Knickerbocker Theatre. painting. The opening reception also includes This documentary follows the iconic Carter a presentation at 7:30 p.m. entitled Modern by Family, shows their evolution into the Carter Tradition: American Indian Painting of the Early

On March 15, Schuler Books & Music in Grand Rapids hosts The Selected Letters of Laura Ingalls Wilder by biographer William Anderson. Fans of the Little House on The Prairie protagonist can hear about Wilder’s life as a Depression-era author, a country journalist, a farm woman and her final days spent travelling in a covered wagon. Visit schulerbooks.com for more information about the event and the book.

Start your Women’s History Month by checking out Grace, Gert, and the Berkey & Gay Gals: Women, War and Work in 1910s Grand Rapids on March 1 at the Grand Rapids Public Library. Local history experts Julie Tabberer, Heather Edwards and Drew Damron dig 100 years back into archival resources and tell throwback stories of Grand Rapids’ working women. The event is co-sponsored by the Greater Grand Rapids Women’s History Council. Visit grpl.org.

ALL AGES ///

Did you know that nature is a master engineer? On March 19, learn the biomechanics of animals at Grand Rapids Museum’s Robot Zoo. The event features eight complex animal robots as well as several hands-on activities examining the real-life characteristics of animals. Tickets are $6-$11, free for members, and includes face painting, live animals from the John Ball Zoo, balloon animals, a costume contest, a live planetarium show and either breakfast or lunch. Visit grpm.org for times.

Attention relentless bargain hunters! Every Monday through March 28 the Grand Rapids Downtown Market hosts Bundle Up Mondays. Stop by for some “Buy One Get One” and “3 for 1” specials. Go to downtownmarketgr.com for the full scoop. n Random Notes was compiled by Nicole Rico.

For more music, beer and entertainment news (and free stuff!), sign up for our weekly enewsletter at revuewm.com or find us on Facebook.

REVUEWM.COM | March 2016 |

Scene Sounds | Sights | Dining | Schedule

If you still haven’t gotten over the bumblinghipster charm of Michael Cera, this one’s for you. On March 3, the Alamo Drafthouse hosts a Scott Pilgrim vs. The World QuoteAlong. Along with the 2010 movie, the Alamo projects a subtitle track of all their favorite lines from the movie so movie-goers can say them along with the characters. Lightning sticks will be available for fighting off those evil exes and gold coins will surely rain from the ceiling. Go to drafthouse.com/ kalamazoo for tickets.

Sisters and continues with the marriage of June Carter to Johnny Cash. It runs March 14-19, each night at 7:30 p.m. For tickets call (616) 395-7890 or visit hope.edu/arts/knick.

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/// best bets

what’s Going on this month

CONGRATULATIONS Critics Choice: Album of the Year Go Rounds - Don't Go Not Changin' Critics Choice: Best Album by a New Artist Lady Ace Boogie – Feel Good Music Critics Choice: Most Likely to Succeed Outside of Michigan Joe Hertler & The Rainbow Seekers Critics Choice: Most Fun to Watch Go Rounds Listeners Choice: Album of the Year Brother Adams – Blood Listeners Choice: Best Album By a New Artist Soul Syndicate – All of You Programmers: Best Album by a New Artist Lady Ace Boogie – Feel Good Music Programmers: Song of the Year Vox Vidorra – We’re So Lonely Programmers: Best Alternative Album Heaters – Holy Water Pool Programmers: Best Americana Album Lindsay Lou & The Flatbellys– Ionia Programmers: Best Blues/Soul Album Jimmie Stagger – Graveyard of My Own Programmers: Best Contemporary Folk Album Olivia Mainville & The Aquatic Troupe – Maybe the Saddest Thing Programmers: Best Electronic Album Tunde Olaniran – Transgressor Programmers: Best Hip Hop Album Lady Ace Boogie – Feel Good Music Programmers: Best Jazz Album Scott Pellegrom Trio – Supernaturalbang Programmers: Best Rock/Pop Album The Crane Wives – Coyote Stories Programmers: Best Roots/Revival Album Jesse Ray & The Carolina Catfish – Dead Man Walking Programmers: ""Traditions" Award Jukejoint Handmedowns – Sing Songs of Death, Murder & The Afterlife Programmers: Production/Engineering Tommy Schichtel – Goon Lagoon Programmers: Album of the Year Runner Up Go Rounds – Don’t Go Not Changin’ Programmers: Album of the Year Vox Vidorra – Promise Land

SUPPORT YOUR LOCAL MUSIC!

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The Chieftains

Wharton Center 750 E. Shaw Ln., East Lansing March 3, 7:30 p.m. $37–$67 whartoncenter.com, (517) 353-1982 Formed in Dublin in 1962, The Chieftains are an Irish folk band that have won a pile of Grammy Awards and have collaborated with icons like the Rolling Stones, Madonna and Roger Daltrey, among others. Prior to the show there will be a Spotlight Dinner with guest speaker Paddy Moloney, the group’s founder and leader.

Kalamazoo Fretboard Fest Kalamazoo Valley Museum 230 North Rose St., Kalamazoo March 4–5 kvcc.edu/fretboard, (269) 373-7970

Learn about the process of instrument design and check out workshops for a variety of stringed instruments at the Kalamazoo Fretboard Fest. This free two-day event also features performances by Crane Wives, Corn Fed Girls, Megan Dooley and Joel Mabus, among others.

Kalamazoo Institute of Arts’ High School Area Show 314 S Park St, Kalamazoo March 9–11: Hand delivered submissions March 24: Reception and awards ceremony March 25: Exhibition opens kiarts.org, (269) 349-7775

photo by Katy Batdorff

Schedule | Dining | sights | Sounds Scene

JAMMIES XVII WINNERS

Know a budding Picasso? The Kalamazoo Institute of Arts seeks entries for its High School Area Show. Participants must be 18 years or younger and in grades 9-12.

Students also must be from the counties of Allegan, Barry, Berrien, Branch, Calhoun, Cass, Kalamazoo, St. Joseph or Van Buren. Submissions must be delivered

by March 11 — the reception and awards ceremony happens March 24. Winners take home prizes like cash awards and scholarships.

Cyrille Aimée

Cyrille Aimée

St. Cecilia Music Center 24 Ransom NE, Grand Rapids March 10, 7:30 p.m., Royce Auditorium $38–$43 scmc-online.org, (616) 459-2224 French vocalist Cyrille Aimée brings her unique blend of gypsy and Brazilian jazz to St. Cecilia’s Music Center March 10. According to the Jazz Times, “It is impossible to not be charmed by French moppet Cyrille Aimée and her infectious joie de vivre.” Aimée was a finalist in the French version of Americal Idol and won the Montreux Jazz Festival in 2007.

Chilly, Blues and Brews

The B.O.B., 20 Monroe Ave. NW, Grand Rapids March 12 FREE, all ages thebob.com, (616) 356-2000 Break out the Rolaids and prepare for the 4th Annual Chilly, Blues & Brews festival. Professionals and amateurs face off for a $1,000 cash prize for best chili and all entries must include a Michigan craft beer as an ingredient. Sampling tickets are 50 cents each, tasting begins at 1 p.m. There will also be an eating contest at 3 p.m. and music all day long from acts like The Ragbirds, Big Boss Blues Band and Deep Greens & Blues, among others. A portion of the proceeds benefit skin cancer research.

Grand Rapids Ballet: The Best of MOVEMEDIA

MAR

9

DAUGHTER

with Wilsen | Covenant Fine Arts Center | 8pm | $23

Shimmy Shack Burlesque

Rezervoir Lounge 1418 Plainfield Ave. NE, Grand Rapids March 12, 10 p.m. $3 general, $10 VIP rezlounge.com, (616) 451-0010 Featuring international showgirls and regional burlesque talent, Shimmy Shack Burlesque mixes audience participation with onstage high jinks. The event is locally produced and directed by Vivacious Miss Audacious and is hosted by Sarah Jean Anderson.

Rapture Blister Burn

Grand Rapids Ballet: The Best of MOVEMEDIA 341 Ellsworth SW, Grand Rapids March 18–20, 7:30 p.m., $25 grballet.com, (616) 454-4771

MAR

23

Actors’ Theatre 160 Fountain St. NE, Grand Rapids March 17–19 & 23–26 8 p.m., $28 actorstheatregrandrapids.org, (616) 234-3946

Irish on Ionia

If you’re past due on taking in some local theatre, the time is now. Directed by Michelle Urbane, Rapture Blister Burn is the story of best friends Catherine and Gwen who go their separate ways after grad school and begin to live two very different lifestyles. What follows is an “unflinching look at three generations of gender politics.”

This St. Patrick’s Day celebration, now in its sixth year, attracts more than 17,000 revelers to downtown Grand Rapids. Expect an ample amount of beer, live music, DJs, bagpipes, food and games. Set to perform are DJ Adrian Butler (featured in this month’s Style section), The Waxies, DJ Benny Doom, Moxie Strings, Stone Clover and DJ Richard Oxygenn. For tickets, go online or stop into HopCat, Waldron Public House or Stella’s Lounge.

Ionia St., Downtown Grand Rapids March 19, 7 a.m. to 10 p.m. irishonionia.com

THE LONE BELLOW

with special guest | Covenant Fine Arts Center | 8pm | $20

MOVEMEDIA, now in its fifth season, is a “creative incubator” allowing celebrated contemporary choreographers from all over the world to produce new works. The performances merge visual elements of props, lighting, costumes and sets and frames them with technology and digital media. Check it out March 18-20 at the Peter Martin Wege Theatre.

APR

14

THE MOUNTAIN GOATS with William Tyler | Covenant Fine Arts Center | 9pm | $20

Nick Carter All American Tour

Former teen idol Nick Carter, 36, best known for his Backstreet Boys fame, has kept busy since his Tiger Beat days with acting jobs and releasing three solo albums — the latest being 2015’s All American. The first single, “I Will Wait,” was inspired by Ed Sheeran’s songwriting and hit #1 on Billboard’s Trending 140 Chart. Carter headlines March 18 at The Intersection.

Beethoven’s Emperor

DeVos Performance Hall 303 Monroe Ave NW, Grand Rapids March 19, 8 p.m. $18, students $5, grsymphony.org, (616) 454-9451 x 4

APR

22

AN EVENING WITH

NOAH GUNDERSEN Ladies Literary Club | 8pm | $20

Check out DeVos Performance Hall March 19 for an uplifting and jubilant showcase of three composers’ works by the Grand Rapids Symphony. This includes: Guillaume-Connesson’s Supernova, Schumann’s Symphony No. 2 and Beethoven’s Piano Concerto No. 5, The Emperor. Beethoven was profoundly deaf when he composed The Emperor, but the resulting work is sonically majestic.

Continued on page 18 ➤

APR 4 | Run River North with The Lighthouse and the Whaler

www.calvin.edu/boxoffice

616.526.6282 REVUEWM.COM | March 2016 |

Scene Sounds | Sights | Dining | Schedule

The Intersection 133 Grandville Ave. SW, Grand Rapids March 18, 7 p.m. $25 advance, $30 day of sectionlive.com, (616) 723-8571

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/// best bets

T U O SOLD

APR 8

An Evening with Neil deGrasse Tyson

APR 9

what’s Going on, cont.

Hip Hop 4 Flint

The Intersection 133 Grandville Ave SW, Grand Rapids March 19, 8 p.m., 18+ $10 minimum donation, hiphop4flint.com

MAY19

Hip-hop has long been a mouthpiece for important social movements, and with 100-percent of raised funds going towards water filtration devices and systems for Flint, this event is a prime example of that. The show boasts performances from Finale, Bronze Nazareth, Mike G, Manchild, Shamar Alef and The Great Ones, among others.

An Evening with Neil deGrasse Tyson

Schedule | Dining | sights | Sounds Scene

Miller Auditorium 2200 Auditorium Dr., Kalamazoo March 22, 7:30 p.m. $47-$97, millerauditorium.com, (269) 387-2300

Host of StarTalk Radio and Cosmos: A Spacetime Odyssey — and face of many memes — Neil deGrasse Tyson stops by Miller Auditorium March 22 for “an evening of engaging conversation on science, exploration and the world as we know it.” Tyson has written 10 best-selling books, frequently appears on The Daily Show and has received the NASA Distinguished Public Service Medal, as well as several honorary doctorates.

Elton John & His Band: Wonderful Crazy Night Tour

Van Andel Arena, 130 West Fulton, Grand Rapids March 23, 8 p.m. $29–$154, vanandelarena.com, (616) 742-6600 As part of their nine-city tour, Elton John & His Band stop March 23 at Van Andel Arena. John, 68, will surely rip through a roster of monster hits like “Your Song,” “Rocket Man,” “Bennie and the Jets,” “Crocodile Rock” and “Don’t Let the Sun Go Down on Me” — along with tunes from his latest LP, Wonderful Crazy Night. Backing up this piano bangin’ icon is drummer Nigel Olsson (part of John’s original trio), guitarist Davey Johnstone (who first recorded with John in 1971), percussionist John Mahon, keyboardist Kim Bullard and bassist Matt Bissonette.

Ralphie May

Firekeepers Casino 11177 East Michigan Ave., Battle Creek March 24, 7 p.m. $19–$49, firekeeperscasino.com, (877) 352-8777 Known for being the raunchy runner-up of the first season of Last Comic Standing, Ralphie May has made a name for himself in the comedy world. May, 43, has filmed four Comedy Central specials as well as two Netflix specials, Unruly and Imperfectly Yours. Check out his observational comedy when he takes the stage at Firekeepers Casino.

WITH SPECIAL GUEST:

Pinkish Black

Indigo Girls

MAY20

Forest Hills Fine Art Center 600 Forest Hill Ave. SE, Grand Rapids March 25, 7:30 p.m. $38–$55 fhfineartscenter.com, (616) 493-8966

The Orbit Room | 2525 Lake Eastbrook S.E. Grand Rapids, MI 49546 • 616-942-1328 Tickets for all shows are available at the Orbit Room Box Office along with Veritgo Music, Shakedown Street in Grand Rapids, Flat Black and Circular in Lansing, The Corner Record Shop in Grandville and Green Light Music and Video in Kalamazoo with no additional fees.

18 | REVUEWM.COM | March 2016

Having just released their 16th studio album, One Lost Day, in June 2015, these folk-rock veterans are no strang-

Elton John

Continued on page 20 ➤

/// best bets

2016

what’s Going on, cont. ers to the stage or West Michigan. The duo has spent 35 years touring the world and won a Grammy Award in 1990 for Best Contemporary Folk Album. Ironically, at that same ceremony they also lost in the “Best New Artist” category to another duo: Milli Vanilli.

Riverdance: The 20th Anniversary World Tour

Stringed instrument makers, music lovers, and fans of all ages, come to the

–2016–

FRETBOARD FESTIVAL FRI, MARCH 4 • 7PM – 9PM Kick-off concert with

The Crane Wives

A homegrown indie-folk band utilizing vocal harmonies, eclectic instrumentation, and a passion for songcraft to create music that is accessible and innovative.

SAT, MARCH 5 • 11AM – 6PM

Meet instrument designers and learn about their trade, attend workshops for a variety of stringed instruments, and hear live performances from area musicians.

Schedule | Dining | sights | Sounds Scene

fretboardfestival.com /FretboardFestival

Miller Auditorium, 2200 Auditorium Dr., Kalamazoo March 29, 7:30 p.m. $35–$65, millerauditorium.com, (269) 387-2300 Let’s dance! Performing in over 50 cities in 2016, Riverdance is a pioneering and exhilarating union of Irish and international dance. “[This tour is also] a thank you to our audiences and a celebration of what has been an incredible journey across two decades,” said Riverdance producer Moya Doherty. The production debuted in Dublin in 1995, initially as a seven-minute intermission.

Sean Patton

Dr. Grins Comedy Club, 20 Monroe Ave. NW, Grand Rapids March 31, 9 p.m., $5 April 1–2, 8 p.m. & 10:30 p.m., $10-$15 thebob.com/drgrinscomedy, (616) 356-2000 Stand-up comic Sean Patton has been on everything from Late Night with Jimmy Fallon and @midnight, to Maron and Inside Amy Schumer. And according to the New York Times, “He’s dynamite, even with ordinary material, turning standard Brooklyn hipster jokes into a stomping, roaring tour de force, and elevating a bit about sex-performance anxiety into high-stakes comedy.”

Marvel Universe Live

Van Andel Arena, 130 West Fulton, Grand Rapids March 31–April 3, $27.50-$122.50 marveluniverselive.com

FREE ADMISSION

Sean Patton

Comic book fans of all ages may want to check out Marvel Universe Live when it hits Van Andel Arena March 31-April 3. Expect appearances from heroes like Spider-Man, the Avengers and more. The high-flying performances feature pyrotechnics, aerial stunts, martial arts, special effects and motorcycles.

400 Rabbits Album Release Show Shakespeare’s Lower Level 241 E Kalamazoo Ave., Kalamazoo April 1 facebook.com/400rabbitsmusic

Fans of stripped-down blues-punk bands like the Soledad Brothers, Black Diamond Heavies and White Stripes might want to pick up the new self-titled 400 Rabbits album at the band’s album-release show April 1. The Kalamazoo-area duo started jamming in 2007, originally under the name Sex Chocolate. The new 11song LP features dynamic originals and some obscure Delta-blues covers. n

Advance Warning Mavis Staples @ Kalamazoo Valley Community College: April 2 Ani DiFranco @ The Intersection: April 3 Art.Downtown. @ Avenue for the Arts: April 9

kalamazoomuseum.org 269.373.7990

The Kalamazoo Valley Museum is operated by Kalamazoo Valley Community College and is governed by its Board of Trustees

20 | REVUEWM.COM | March 2016

Maurice Sendak: Where the Wild Things Are @ Grand Rapids Art Museum: April 9–May 22 The Mountain Goats @ Calvin College: April 14 Lewis Black @ Soaring Eagle: May 21 Spring Peddler’s Market @ Downtown Zeeland: May 21

Ani DiFranco

Mo Pop Festival @ West Riverfront Park, Detroit: July 23-24

2 Fulton W Grand Rapids, MI 49503

UNLOADED Explores the historical and •social issues surrounding the

availability, use and impact of guns on culture and public health Curated by Susanne Slavick Works by Lauren F Adams Nina Berman Mel Chin Dadpranks Jinshan Adrian Piper and more

•

• • • •

•

• • •

•

DOG, JAMES DUESING, 2014.

uica.org/unloaded

MAR 26–MAY 15, JUL 5–31

LADY ACE BOOGIE Wednesday, March 16 7:00 pm Main Library

NATHAN KALISH AND THE LASTCALLERS Wednesday, April 6 7:00 pm Main Library

Shop Class as Soulcraft

by Matthew Crawford Thursday, March 17 7:00 pm Avenue for the Arts 307 Division Ave S

Bad Feminist

by Roxane Gay Monday, April 18 7:00 pm Have Company 136 Division Ave S

#ReadSoHard

ALL EVENTS ARE FREE AND OPEN TO THE PUBLIC 616.988.5400 WWW.GRPL.ORG These events are funded by the Grand Rapids Public Library Foundation

REVUEWM.COM | March 2016 |

Scene Sounds | Sights | Dining | Schedule

BOOK CLUB

21

upcoming Sun, March 6

$12 adv / $14 day of

wsg Parlour Tricks, Slumlord Radio

Doors 8pm — Show 9pm

Electric Six

Thurs, March 10

Rangda

wsg Forget the Times

$12 adv / $15 day of Doors 8pm — Show 9pm

Sat, March 12

$6

Fonnmor

feat The Quinn Irish Dancers

Doors 8pm — Show 9pm

Sat, March 19

$10

Muzzy Bearr

wsg Geovybe, MotorKam

Sat, March 26

Joe Hertler &

the Rainbow Seekers wsg Hey Monea

Doors 8pm — Show 9pm

$12 adv / $15 day of Doors 8pm — Show 9pm

Fri, April 1 & Sat, April 2

Doors 8pm — Show 9pm

Thurs, April 7

$22 adv / $25 day of

Lucero

Fri, April 8

Schedule | Dining | Sights | Sounds | Scene

$15/night $25/weekend

Ultraviolet Hippopotamus

wsg John Moreland

22 | REVUEWM.COM | March 2016

at

Turbo Suit & Zoogma Sat, April 9

Nick Monaco

wsg Just Alexander, Cookin, Aron Michael

Fri, May 13

Mustard Plug

wsg Rude Boy George, Sailor Kicks

Doors 8pm — Show 9pm

$15 adv / $17 day of Doors 8pm — Show 9pm

$15 adv / $20 day of Doors 8pm — Show 9pm

$10 Doors 8pm — Show 9pm

/// On tour

Tool Frontman Comes Home with Puscifer

A Chat with Maynard James Keenan | by Eric Mitts

A

How would you compare life in Arizona to life in West Michigan?

I guess just what you see. It’s wide-open space. It’s a place of struggle. And I guess that’s the bigger connection between Arizona and Michigan. To be able to get to school in Michigan you better be able to shovel snow.

Not going isn’t an option; there’s an obligation like there is for teachers, so you had to go. And in Arizona it is definitely hostile territory in terms of you can’t just wander off into the desert. You better be prepared and willing to do the work to survive.

How would you say the performance side of Puscifer has evolved since you started the project?

There’s definitely a campy side to what we’re doing. We want to entertain and we want to entertain impressively, but we also want to tickle your funny bone a little bit. All those elements have to work together. If we’re doing something and it’s funny, but the music’s suffering because we’re doing these other things,

Maynard James Keenan

we try to make the adjustment. The songs have to be solid and the bits have to be entertaining.

All it takes is one large massive electromagnetic pulse and there’s no Internet, no video games.

What are you going to do now, other than start eating each other? Then we get to have all kinds of fun taking headshots at zombies.

With a song like “The Remedy” [off Money Shot] you explore and almost embrace the idea of an extinction-level event. As a species, do With how Puscifer operates at this point, how you feel that’s something we’re almost craving much does it allow you to pursue your other now that technology has met so many of our projects and endeavors? basic human needs?

The beauty is that my partners in Puscifer, [coI don’t know. It just sucks when there are soluproducer/guitarist] Mat [Mitchell], [vocalist] tions for kids to learn pretty basic things to Carina [Round] and [drummer] Jeff [Friedl], survive in a world without the Internet, but are very flexible. They understand there’s a there’s such a negative connotation to things winery element. I will be checking out midlike the Catholic Church or the Boy Scouts July and I won’t really be coming up for air and the Cub Scouts. I mean those things actuuntil mid-October. They work around it. They ally used to be good — things like learning how understand that you can’t reto tie knots and actually survive ally force creativity — or that’s in the forest and raise chickens.

Puscifer what they say. I disagree. You You’re just kind of learning in Money Shot Round 2 Tour can really come up with some a social environment because DeVos Performance Hall stuff if you just gut it out, have your mom is dropping you off 303 Monroe Ave. NW some revelations, really put at Cub Scouts or Boy Scouts March 26, 8 p.m. your feet to the fire and have to get you out of her hair. But $35.95, $49.95, $75.95 a deadline. n you’re actually learning somedevosperformancehall.com, (616) 742-6500 thing while you’re there rather than just playing a video game.

REVUEWM.COM | March 2016 |

Scene | Sounds | Sights | Dining | Schedule

lthough he’s now re v ered as the e n igmatic frontman for multi-platinum progmetal juggernauts Tool and A Perfect Circle, Maynard James Keenan has a long history here in West Michigan.

This month, his current project — the performance-art meets alt-rock outfit Puscifer — plays somewhat of a homecoming show at DeVos Performance Hall.

Born in Ohio, Keenan later spent his high school years in Scottville, a small town in West Michigan’s Mason County. He later attended Kendall College of Art and Design in Grand Rapids, before relocating to Los Angeles, where he ultimately formed Tool in 1990.

Currently, Keenan lives in Jerome, Ariz., where he’s owned Merkin Vineyards and Caduceus Cellars since 2004. He works completely hands-on at the winery, embracing everything from the challenges of the harsh Arizona climate to the daily labor of creating something literally from the ground up.

Meanwhile Keenan has also worked on Puscifer, cultivating the group from a fictional joke band on HBO’s legendary sketch series Mr. Show into a clothing line, personal creative outlet and collaborative multimedia experience — complete with recurring characters, costume changes and scathingly dark music.

Here’s what he had to say about Puscifer’s decade-long development and the band’s new Money Shot LP.

Having grown up in the Midwest, what was it about Arizona that you identified with so quickly?

The small town feel. I live in a population 500 town and I come from Scottville, population 2,000, so it just kind of resonated with me… There are a lot of similarities where I live now to Michigan. I mean, I get to enjoy the snow. You poor bastards have to endure the snow. But just in general there are a lot of fruit trees that are grown in that area too. I grew up picking fruit in the orchards of West Michigan so there’s that connection, the farming connection.

“All it takes is one large massive electromagnetic pulse and there’s no Internet, no video games.

What are you going to do now, other than start eating each other?

Then we get to have all kinds of fun taking headshots at zombies.”

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/// On tour

Sail On

AWOLNATION Opens Fall Out Boy Show at Van Andel

| by Eric Mitts

Schedule | Dining | Sights | Sounds | Scene

W

ay be fore the massive, multiplati n um success of the megahit single “Sail,” AWOLNATION mastermind Aaron Bruno could feel like a king for a day in only one place: Grand Rapids.

The reason: Our fair city actually heard his previous band, Under The Influence of Giants, on the radio when almost no one else in the country had.

AWOLNATION Supported by that airplay from a then alt-rock-formatted PHOTO: Kari Rowe Photography WGRD, Bruno saw his band sell out The Intersection nearly a decade ago, despite struggling elsewhere across America and receiving almost no strange alt-rock anomaly and that Bruno had plotted a course to Starting off with the crushing low-end recognition in his hometown of Los Angeles. stardom entirely his own and the shows just keep getting bigger. of the album’s title track — a ballsy, abrasive “We would play Chicago for maybe 40 “It’s definitely not a Currently on tour with Fall Out Boy, AWOLNATION people, we’d play Detroit for even less and punk rock throwdown song that the band has frequently opened is opening a nationwide arena tour for the first time ever. their recent shows with — Bruno wanted to then we’d go to Grand Rapids and be able anymore. It’s more The bands hit Van Andel Arena on March 8. Bruno said he make a statement with the new record. to sell out The Intersection,” Bruno recalled. like I feel like welcomes both the challenge and the opportunity of the bigger “The second I wrote it, I went, ‘Wow. “We felt like The Beatles — I’ve got nothing stages.

This is something I would’ve loved as a way but love for the music fans there.”

Michael Jackson or “Each time we do it I feel a little more comfortable,” he for a sophomore album to start,’” Bruno said.

In 2013, when Bruno first brought something ridiculous.” “Clearly it’s not a radio song. Clearly there’s said. “It’s a different thing from playing for everybody on the AWOLNATION to Grand Rapids, he dance floor and trying to get them to mosh, jump, dance and really no chance of any sort of commercial again played for a sold-out crowd at The just really let loose and sweat with us. It’s definitely not a punk success and it’s brutally heavy. It makes a big Intersection. This time, he came in riding on a rock throwdown anymore. It’s more like I feel like Michael statement. And to come off a record that had such massive suchuge wave of multi-platinum success following the moody and Jackson or something ridiculous. cess and then start a record that way, that’s the kind of thing that synthy smash of “Sail” and its LP, 2011’s Megalithic Symphony.

“It’s really sweet that [Fall Out Boy] asked my favorite bands would’ve done, from Radiohead Since that album’s surprise success — with a string of other us,” Bruno added. “No band has taken us out on a to Nirvana to Rage Against the Machine. singles including “Not Your Fault” and “Kill Your Heroes” also whole tour. We’ve headlined from day one, even if “Funny enough,” he added, “that song had rocking the airwaves — AWOLNATION’s studio approach Fall Out Boy it was headlining in front of a hundred people, we a bunch of outside stuff happen with all these transformed for the second full length, 2015’s Run. Behind w/ AWOLNATION, Pvris just did it ourselves. So it’s just a great opportunity different vines and was used in a couple different the scenes, Bruno continued as the band’s sole songwriter but Van Andel Arena 130 West Fulton, Grand for us to gain new fans and to play for people who commercials, which again, is something I never also took the reins instrumentally.

Rapids have heard our music but they didn’t put two and thought would happen. Much like I never thought “On Megalithic Symphony I had friends come in and play March 8, 7 p.m. two together. Maybe they’re fans of some of my ‘Sail’ would be a single. So you never know. You’ve other instruments that were out of my league, or play instru$29.50-$59.50 songs but they just don’t realize it.” n just got to put your heart and soul into everything ments in a way that I wasn’t capable of,” Bruno said. “But once vanandelarena.com, (616) and be proud of it.” it came time to do Run, I was ready to literally do the whole 742-6600 With new singles “Hollow Moon (Bad thing on my own. It’s a trippy thing because my drummer Wolf )” and “I Am” also charting last year, [Isaac Carpenter] is my favorite drummer in the world, but for AWOLNATION proved “Sail” wasn’t some the record it just made more sense for me to do all the drums.”

24 | REVUEWM.COM | March 2016

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REVUEWM.COM | March 2016 |

Scene | Sounds | Sights | Dining | Schedule

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special feature

the style issue Welcome to Revue’s first ever STYLE Issue!

This inaugural special section spotlights some of West Michigan’s most fashionable people, places and (locally-made) products.

While there are not enough pages to feature every worthy local fashionista, Revue chatted with 11 style mavens from various areas of expertise: Local fashion bloggers, boutique owners, personal shoppers and more.

From there, Revue delves deeper with our West Michigan Style File, highlighting a sample of what other chic natives have to offer. From interior designers to bakers of fabulous treats — it’s a mixed bag of fab!

Matt Sova, personal shopper at A.K. Rikk’s Photo: Nicole Rico

“Style is a way to say who you are without having to speak.”

—Rachel Zoe

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Style | profile

by Missy Black / photo by Nicole Rico

“Slightly androgynous, Scandinavian, minimalist.�

Blair Badge Style Blogger

Blair Badge, 29, of Grand Rapids, is a digital strategist and style blogger at blairbadge.com. She’s living a chic, monochromatic life in black and white. Fair warning: Her Instagram is a little tomboy with a sprinkling of travel and an overabundance of the sleek life.

How would you describe your blogging style?

My blogging style is similar to my personal style — effortless minimalist. I take the “less is more” approach in almost all areas of life. Although I do enjoy sharing my personal style, I can feel myself migrating towards a blend of travel and style essentials.

What would you say is the greatest satisfaction of being a style blogger?

I share whatever I’m excited about in the moment — that could include a new wardrobe piece, something architectural or a travel destination. I get great satisfaction out of connecting with other “digital influencers,” as we’re apparently now called, through our blogging and social media platforms. Some have turned into great friends.

When did you start taking fashion/style seriously? How old were you and where were you living?

It all started in my early 20s while I was living abroad and exposed to the unique styles I would see daily on the street. It made me cognizant of how individual style

can be an extension of who you are and what you’re all about. So in a way it was then that I became more intentional about my own personal style.

Style wise, what are you digging these days?

Clean lines and a slight utilitarian approach to fashion. Right now I’ve locked into a very minimalist, almost androgynous wardrobe, which I love because it’s simple yet makes a statement. And there’s less fuss while piecing together my outfits in the morning.

Have any opinions or recommendations for someone looking to make their style game stronger?

This may sound simplistic but Pinterest is a gold mine for style inspiration, especially for finding what looks best on your specific body type.

How would you describe your personal style?

Slightly androgynous, Scandinavian, minimalist.

Name a boutique and salon that our readers should visit?

Boutiques — BLACKLAMB is my personal fave, hands down. They are constantly pushing the envelope with trends and unique pieces from all over the world. For all things beauty, Cheeky Strut and Siren & Proper.

What are your style weaknesses?

Black, black and more black. I’m sure that doesn’t come as a shock. Lately, I’ve been quite obsessed with backpacks. Nothing juvenile, but sleek rucksacks for toting around my laptop and other work essentials.

More at blairbadge.com.

REVUEWM.COM | March 2016 |

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by Missy Black / photo by Nicole Rico

“Magnificent, for me, is a goal.”

Adrian Butler

Hip-Hop Artist/DJ, Clothing Designer

Music and fashion are flip sides of the same coin to Adrian Butler, aka AB. The rapper/DJ/clothing designer lives in Grand Rapids and would love to see barbarianstyle bear capes come back. Hit up one of his shows.

Wear his designs. Welcome to his 30-something world.

Is there a typical day in the eventful life of Adrian Butler? What’s inspiring you to keep being creative?

I’m most inspired by my busy schedule which includes DJing, recording, meetings, a list of goals that grows daily and a very busy family life. I’m taking a more focused, less is more, approach to my everyday wardrobe.

Is there a story behind your T-shirt line?

The T-shirt line began because I wanted new merchandise for upcoming shows and I wanted to connect with people in a different way. It began in August 2014 with the Alphabet Shirt which, similar to my music and DJ work, seems to resonate with many different demographics. I love finding commonality with people from different backgrounds and cultures.

Tell us about your new clothing line, Magnificent.

As I was writing lyrics a few months ago, the word magnificent popped up a few times. Magnificent, for me, is a goal. Regardless of what I’m doing — whether it’s DJing, recording vocals, in a meeting or on a date with my wife — I want to be as magnificent as possible.

Music is a huge part of your life, who are some musical style icons you are inspired by?

There are too many to name but I will try. These people are changing with the times or slightly ahead of the times or pushing new fashion ideas: Pharrell Williams, André 3000, Beyoncé, Gwen Stefani, Michael Jackson from 1978 to 1993, Funkadelic and Kanye West.

Do you have any preferred apparel for when you’re on stage?

I tend to exert lots of energy when performing. I’m usually wearing layers so I can remove pieces when the temperature rises. Functionality is important so if I’m wearing a suit, I’m not wearing a tie. Lately, I’ve been inspired by athletic looks for late night DJ sets.

More at everythingAB.com.

REVUEWM.COM | March 2016 |

Scene Sounds | Sights | Dining | Schedule

Can you remember the first ripples of style in your life?

I began paying attention to style early on — third grade I believe. I was fascinated with music videos, movies and NBA, NFL and MLB uniforms.

How can someone be successfully stylish?

I notice a person’s eye contact or lack thereof. Also: confidence, sincerity and authenticity. Some style indicators are accessories, one-of-a-kind pieces, the merging of new and vintage items, texture and the use of color.

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by Missy Black / photo by Nicole Rico

Abby Manchesky Interior Decorator Interior Decorator Abby Manchesky, 36, owner of Abby Manchesky Interiors, grew up on Lake Huron and is constantly inspired by nature. The Great Lakes have her heart so it’s no surprise a lot of her design inspiration comes from them. She works with natural textures and shades of watery blues and greens — her idea of neutral colors.

What was your introduction to interior design?

When I was in fifth grade, my parents hired an interior designer. She changed how we lived in our home. This was my first introduction to interior design. I’ll never forget the first time we walked into her studio. I was allowed to pick the fabric for my bedroom that would be the jumping off point for the whole design.

I picked a bold floral of pinks and greens. I still have pink and green throughout my home.

current on trend wallpapers include everything from traditional grasscloth to modern florals and graphic patterns.

In your line of work, is there a typical day?

I spend much of my time at the computer creating virtual design boards to present to clients. This provides them with a visual representation of how all the pieces we’ve selected will look together, down to accessories and art. My true love is fabric and mixing patterns and textures. Nothing will change the entire feel of your home more than fabric — pillows, window treatments, upholstery — or lighting. I spend approximately three weeks pulling inspirational photos, materials and finishes and creating a complete design plan. Once all the items have arrived I return to the client’s home for styling and portfolio photos.

There must be some local stores and style hot spots you frequent regularly…

I have a list of favorite shops I visit for every client project, no matter their style.

Century Antiques is a huge warehouse that contains four unique stores. They have a mix of vintage furniture, mid-century pieces, eclectic accessories and art. Bluedoor Antiques & Elements, along with East Fulton Arts & Antiques, are where I go for unique light fixtures, dining tables and dressers.

More at abbymanchesky.com.

Are there any trends you’re happy to see coming back?

One trend I’m delighted to see is wallpaper. Wallpaper is back, my friends. Don’t be scared. It’s not your grandmother’s patterns with ivy and wicker baskets. The

32 | REVUEWM.COM | March 2016

“Wallpaper is back, my friends.

Don’t be scared.”

REVUEWM.COM | March 2016 |

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Style | profile

by Missy Black / photo by Nicole Rico

“Hip-hop definitely affects my style.

I honestly believe it affects everyone’s style one way or another.”

Lady Ace Boogie Hip-Hop Artist

Linda Tellis, aka Lady Ace Boogie, wrote her first rap at age 10 and never looked back. The lyricist calls Grand Rapids home and the home team surely knows how to treat a lady. Her acclaimed debut record, Feel Good Music on Hot Capicola Records, scored three 2016 WYCE Jammie Awards, including “Best Hip Hop Album” and “Best Album By a New Artist.”

Who has style around these parts?

AB, a.k.a. Adrian Butler, of Grand Rapids is an absolute fashion icon and I really dig his style.

Can you list any preferred local fashion boutiques? What are some style sources people should know about?

Bare All Clothing, AB Alphabet line, Wasted Brand, Woosah, Green Mitten and All City Kicks. Also, local musicians that have cool merchandise. We have a really awesome music/art scene here and I believe that inspires fashion.

Aside from hip-hop, what’s your day job and what have you been up to?

I’m operations leadership/project management at Coca-Cola. Besides my day job, I’m chief partner of Think 50/50 — starting my own biz was definitely a proud moment. I’m also the VP of Youth Outlet.

Let’s talk past work you’re proud of…

There are several community events including It Takes a Village and Battle to End Homelessness. My album Feel Good Music is also something I am really proud of.

Does hip-hop influence your personal style?

Hip-hop definitely affects my style. I honestly believe it affects everyone’s style one way or another. Hip-hop culture keeps us fresh.

So what’s next?

I’m working on a collaboration album with J.Rob that’s releasing in spring 2016.

A solo EP produced by Nixon will be out in the summer. My business partner and best friend John Longchamps and I are working hard to land two anchor clients for Think 50/50. I’ll also be performing and holding assemblies in schools and working hard with Hot Capicola Records to reach milestones for our music family.

Where are your style inspirations coming from right now?

I’m really digging Chris Brown’s style from a mainstream perspective. I think he does a good job with taking trends and giving them a bit of a remix.

On stage, what are you most comfortable in?

I’m most comfortable in a hoodie and light material pants. I almost always wear local designer clothing on stage. That’s important to me. I like to wear Bare All Clothing out of Detroit and Wasted Brand clothing.

Any Lady Ace Boogie shows coming up soon?

I’m playing Music in the Stacks [a concert series] at the Grand Rapids Public Library on March 16 and I’ll perform at the Pyramid Scheme’s 5-Year Anniversary on April 22.

More at ladyaceboogie.com.

REVUEWM.COM | March 2016 |

Scene Sounds | Sights | Dining | Schedule

How would you describe your lyrics and stage show to someone who’s never witnessed it?

I’ve asked people this question and the most consistent answers were energetic, empowering and uplifting.

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by Missy Black / photo by Nicole Rico

“Ever since I was a kid, I felt an inner rebellion towards ‘girls’ clothing.”

36 | REVUEWM.COM | March 2016

Erica Lang Printmaker

Erica Lang, 25, of Commerce Township, is the founder and chief artist at Woosah Oufitters, a naturally-inspired art and apparel brand located at 131 S. Division, Grand Rapids. The locally-made, limited edition designs are inspired mainly by “woodcuts and the outdoors.”

What’s one of your earliest memories of fashion and style?

Ever since I was a kid, I felt an inner rebellion towards “girls” clothing. I would sneak into my brothers’ room and steal clothing to wear to school. I thought it was so much cooler and definitely more comfortable. Looking back on those days, I realize nothing has changed. I still steal my brothers’ clothes, except now they steal mine, too.

What, style wise, is most inspiring to you right now?

I am really into unisex and androgynous clothing. I have a hard time understanding women’s clothing designs. I would like clothing made for my gender to suit my needs and I think society assumes women are not as active and hard on their clothes as men are. This is so false.

brand, Patagonia. I like that they design their clothes with simplicity, function and comfort in mind. I look up to them when creating guidelines and goals for my own brand, Woosah.

Is there a perk to living in West Michigan and being involved in the fashion industry?

Space. There’s so much space here to start something huge. Grand Rapids has its roots in the furniture industry and a lot of those beautiful historic warehouses sit vacant. I would love to see Grand Rapids take advantage of that and start an American Made full service cut-and-sew facility. There’s a huge demand for made-in-the-USA products. Why don’t we start a cut-and-sew facility here in Grand Rapids?

Are you working on a new project right now?

Swim Trunks. I am working with Chelsey Sawallich, a fashion studies major at KCAD. We are creating an entire cut-and-sew line. I am also starting to carve pattern blocks that can be tiled to create an endless and ongoing pattern for fabrics which garments can be made from. I am super stoked about this new pattern technique I’m learning.

More at spreadingthewoosah.com.

Do you have a celebrity style icon?

Ellen DeGeneres. She always looks so well put together and her clothing reflects her personality. I like that it’s androgynous and it actually fits her. As for a

REVUEWM.COM | March 2016 |

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“I love the quality and the time it takes to create something so special and so elevated.�

by Missy Black / photo by Nicole Rico

Matt Sova Personal Shopper Matt Sova, 39, is a personal shopper at A.K. Rikk’s, 6303 28th St. SE, Grand Rapids. He’s a sucker for formal wear and thinks every man should own a gorgeous pair of handcrafted shoes, well-fitted dark blue jeans, a tailored jacket and a luxury fragrance that’s sexy and masculine.

Do you remember when style started to take root in your life?

Both my parents appreciated the finer things. My mother loved quality fabrics and sewed and my dad loved cool cars, cool clothes. I remember trying to experiment with fashion when I was in middle school in a small town. I definitely wanted my own style and to stand out and be myself rather than look like everybody else.

Explain the role of a personal shopper?

My job is to create clothing that works for my client’s lifestyle and personal style wants and needs. When I get ready for a client to come in I make a number of

Where are your style inspirations coming from these days?

I’m inspired by how knowledgeable and style savvy the everyday customer is starting to become. Even Target and H&M collaborating with designers to create approachable price points on fashionable goods.

Let’s talk style icons, who’s on your list and why?

I’ve always loved Alexander McQueen, Tom Ford and Zac Posen. Ford, because he has a tailored sexiness and confidence. McQueen, because of his ability to push outside of the box and create something unique and artful. Posen, because of his ability to bring the best out in a woman’s body, curves, sexuality and strength.

What are some of your past accomplishments that you’re proud of?

A friend of mine will be featured in Martha Stewart Weddings magazine. I took care of the groom along with the groomsmen. Also, this past year I’ve had some on-camera interviews with celebrities like Nigel Barker, Daniel Wingate with Escada and Adam Lippes, who spoke at Kendall College during his collaboration with Target. I absolutely loved interviewing them and finding out what makes them tick.

To book an appointment with Sova, visit akrikks.com.

REVUEWM.COM | March 2016 |

Scene Sounds | Sights | Dining | Schedule

You’ve said you love luxury, what does luxury mean to you?

I love the quality and the time it takes to create something so special and so elevated. Luxury goes beyond clothes to food, wine and travel. All of the senses can understand luxury and quality. I have a huge appreciation for craftsmanship and handwork.

outfits for their event or occasion. That means head-to-toe dressing — creating the perfect look so they can make an entrance and look better than everyone in the room. Also, making time to clean out closets and create new outfits out of old clothing to refresh what they already own.

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“We want to push the envelope and start conversation.

Any time you do that there is a little bit of tension.

We like that.�

by Missy Black / photo by Nicole Rico

Dann Boyles and Chip Minor Owners of Rebel Reclaimed Living the dream at their day job, Rebel Reclaimed, 1409 Robinson Rd. SE in Grand Rapids, both Dann Boyles and Chip Minor are the area’s frontrunners in home décor and modish gifting. You’ll find Boyles ordering from artists and vendors and creating displays while Minor charms customers.

When did you first get acquainted with style?

Boyles: I was pretty young — maybe four or five. I was really interested in design magazines right away and was creating little “displays” in my room throughout elementary school. I was always creating, painting or collecting things.

Current style inspiration?

Minor: I’m really excited about what is happening in the world of greeting cards.

Far from the meaningless, obligatory cards of the past, we have artists making not only beautiful paper but cards that are poignant. They can be funny, ironic,

Do any style icons inspire the vibe in your store?

Boyles: Because we’re focused squarely on finding the best gift items around, we look more to life experiences and the people we come in contact with. We are constantly listening. Inspiration can strike from a hiking day trip or a game night with friends. Some of our best ideas were born from real life experiences.

Can you name drop some other killer local fashion shops?

Minor: Some of our favorites include Have Company, Parliament Boutique, Hunt & Gather and BLACKLAMB. Have any words of wisdom for people wanting to improve their style?

Boyles: Be original. Don’t look around and compare yourself. It’s exhausting and counterproductive.

When you’re not stocking nifty gifts at Rebel Reclaimed, what are you up to?

Boyles: I recently finished totally restoring a 1968 camper. It was a three-year process that stretched me beyond anything I have ever done. I can’t wait to take it on trips this summer.

More at rebelreclaimed.com, facebook.com/rebelreclaimed or @rebelreclaimed on Instagram.

REVUEWM.COM | March 2016 |

Scene Sounds | Sights | Dining | Schedule

Does your personal style come through in Rebel Reclaimed?

Minor: We’re both pretty casual people and that is certainly reflected in our brand. Our products are smart, irreverent, funny and on trend. We want to push the envelope and start conversation. Any time you do that there is a little bit of tension. We like that.

relatable and very specific with messages for celebrations and also for sucky things. [Greeting cards] can really make a difference and taking the time to send them can speak volumes to people.

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by Missy Black / photo by Nicole Rico

“I realized I could be an artist without being a struggling artist.�

KL Christoffersen Hair Stylist

Kaite Lyn “KL” Christoffersen received her cosmetology training from the Newaygo County Career Tech Center and then jumped off in the deep end. She’s the co-owner of two Grand Rapids-based salons: Cheeky Strut, 216 Grandville Ave. SW and Siren & Proper, 217 Grandville Ave. SW. Christoffersen also created “Fluid

their head resting on the edge of a color table. This allows me to fan the hair out to look more thoroughly over every individual strand to see how exactly the color will melt from top to bottom. This results in a tailored and multidimensional color because the technique allows you to see how everything will collapse together.

There’s a little shop at the front of Cheeky Strut. What’s that all about?

At the front of Cheeky Strut we have the Babe Boutique & Uniquery where we sell everything from the latest hair products, perfume, jewelry and gift items by local artists, to our own line of T-shirts and tank tops.

What’s your professional and personal style?

When I’m behind the chair I like to keep it simple and functional. Though, I love unique pieces and I look for really interesting shoes. Shoes are my weakness.

Can you recall your first memory where you realized you wanted to be a hair stylist?

When I was in high school I went to the Chicago hair show with my vocational school and I realized there were more opportunities than just working behind a chair. I realized I could be an artist without being a struggling artist. I am a huge advocate of vocational education because of this.

We’ve all heard the phrase “good hair day.” What is a good hair day for you?

A good hair day for me is when my hair is effortless to style, stays all day and has its own personality.

What’s the definition of a hair stylist to you?

It’s an artist that uses their own ideas and creativity to create a masterpiece every time they have a client in their chair.

Say you’re entering the witness protection program. What’s your new look?

If I wanted to be completely unrecognizable I would probably go for a Dita Von Teese inspired cut — dark hair, dark brows and super sultry. I don’t think anyone would expect me to style my hair like that.

More at cheekystrut.com and sirenandproper.com.

Can you explain what Fluid Hair Painting is?

Fluid Hair Painting is a technique I created after a dream I had over a year ago.

Unlike the traditional Balayage method, we have the client recline in a chair with

REVUEWM.COM | March 2016 |

Scene Sounds | Sights | Dining | Schedule

Hair Painting” — more on that later.

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“I just want to have green hair, piercings and tattoos and wear whatever feels right at any age.�

by Missy Black / photo by Nicole Rico

Ann Van Weaver Hair Stylist

Ann Van Weaver is girl crush material. She’s 33, lives in Eastown and is a stylist at Brindle & Blonde salon, 600 Monroe Ave. NW, Grand Rapids. A stylist for more than 10 years, she creates with her hands, enjoys craft beer and likes to see as many bands as possible.

You recently had a neon yellow, shaved side hairstyle. Where did you get the inspiration to do that?

A lot of hot tattoo gals wear their hair like mine is now. I probably stole the look from one of them. My sides are so fine; I might as well shave them. I don’t really take my hair too serious. It’s more like play.

Who are some style icons you keep an eye on or look to for inspiration?

Women like Iris Apfel and Tilda Swinton — because style is ageless. I don’t want to be put into an “age appropriate” bracket. And I don’t mean I want to wear miniskirts and crop tops in my sixties. I just want to have green hair, piercings and tattoos and wear whatever feels right at any age. I also like to keep an eye on these ladies: Rachel Zoe, Nicole Richie and Gwen Stefani.

Can you breakdown your personal style into three words?

Rock ‘n’ roll, grunge, boho.

Should people push boundaries with their personal fashion picks?

I like experimental looks. When you look at something and question it you may be on to something. I think this area tends to play it safe with fashion. I would like to see more self-expression out there. It has a ripple effect.

We all want to improve on our personal style. What advice do you have in that area?

Start by asking yourself the questions, “who am I?” and “what expresses that?”

Trends come and go, but what makes you uniquely you? Get the basics and work from there. You can always play things up or down with accessories.

Visit brindleandblonde.com to book an appointment with Ann. More at @Annthensome on Instagram.

REVUEWM.COM | March 2016 |

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What’s a current hair trend that you like these days?

I like lived-in hair, nothing too coiffed. Soft wave, melted color, ombré and sombre. ’90s influence, shaved underneath, neon, pastel. Straight iron is out. Don’t fight your hair. Learn to live with what you have. I love the direction hair is going.

People are seeing hair for what it is — an accessory, you wear it every day. But just like accessories, you need to change it up. It is something you should not be afraid to spend good money on. If you can rock designer handbags and shoes, you should also go to a high end hair salon.

Why did you get into styling hair?

I am a hands-on creative. I would need finishing school if corporate America ever were to accept me in.

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by Missy Black / photo by Nicole Rico

“I can go from Lanvin-esque to ‘Golden Girls’ real quick.”

Daniel Parker DIY Fashion Blogger

Daniel Parker, a Grand Rapids native, is an agency director at The Matthew Agency, located at 77 Monroe Center St. NW, Grand Rapids. He won’t tell us his age but will explain the stylish life via his blog, studsandbuttonholes.com. How does he roll? “15 minutes late with Starbucks.”

How would you describe your look?

That might be impossible to pin down. It really depends on my mood. I can go from Lanvin-esque to Golden Girls real quick.

Current style inspirations?

Oversized everything. The skinny jean will never be replaced but it’s getting a little long in the tooth. For me, the new silhouette is more blown out. I think Juun.J is doing that so perfectly now.

Time to namedrop local style hot spots and boutiques. Spill it…

Cheeky Strut. They’ve always been inspiring to me. Retro D’Luxe — very nostalgic and the people who go are unapologetically themselves.

Do you have time for anything aside from fashion?

I’m a very amateur mixologist. I have a standing Wednesday date with my boyfriend where I make a new cocktail and we talk pop culture. Emphasis on the “amateur” — the cocktails are not always a success.

What materials do you work with and what is your work process?

Absolutely everything. You can make something out of anything. Currently, I love working with resin. I think my process always comes from desperation. I make what I need or can’t afford.

What’s a high moment in your career?

Starting as an unpaid intern at the Matthew Agency and now taking over as agency director.

Advice for our readers?

Open your straw like a normal person; don’t pound it on the table like a caveman.

More at studsandbuttonholes.com.

REVUEWM.COM | March 2016 |

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Can you recall when fashion started to play an important role in your life?

I think I’ve always cared about style. I was always way too into my clothing. In third grade, I vividly remember being excited to get a color block, silk shirt. I paired it with an Aztec print vest. That was my ’90s kid power suit.

What are some good colors to seek out while we’re out shopping?

Stick to black, white, grey and camel. You’ll never go wrong.

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by Missy Black / photo by Nicole Rico

“the most beautiful and appealing garment you could ever put on is confidence.�

Latesha Lipscomb Makeup Artist

Alert: Business woman on fire over here. Latesha Lipscomb, 37, of Grand Rapids, is the sole proprietor for I Got Face Cosmetic Concierge, located at 209 South Division, Grand

the world, at least highlight your eyes. They are the windows to who you really are. Great Lash Mascara from Maybelline is a classic at drugstores nationwide and retails for less than $4.99.

What’s a current makeup trend that you like these days?

I adore lip products that range from a great lip gloss that’s pink and perfectly pigmented to a deep wine-colored lipstick with a glorious satin finish. I have particularly enjoyed all of the vamp shades that have been in lately, including black lipstick making a comeback. Matte lipsticks have been high on my favorite things list because they wear well and look fantastic.

How can someone improve their personal style?

Understand that the most beautiful and appealing garment you could ever put on is confidence. Rule number one is, “Whatever you’re wearing, own it.” People see what you exude long before they see a brand name or recognize a logo. As a matter of fact, confident people actually set the trends because those people tend to embrace the courage it takes to live out loud.

Who is your makeup icon?

Although Pat McGrath is something like a phenomenon and I’d sell a kidney to have Sam Fine do my make-up for my wedding, it’s hard to nail down just one person. This is because make-up application is an art form. While anyone can learn the basics, it takes a special person to make the colors come alive on someone’s face.

What are your favorite local fashion/style hot spots? Any boutiques you think people should know about?

I look forward to anything that A.K. Rikk’s executes. I love Humanity Boutique.

All City Kicks never disappoints. The Couture for a Cure show is always spectacular. I also love to get dolled up for happy hour at the swanky venues Rockwell Republic, The Kitchen by Wolfgang Puck or Reserve Wine Bar.

If you’re strapped for time/cash, what’s the most important piece of makeup you apply?

I’d say a great mascara because the eyes are a woman’s most powerful feature. If you don’t have time to do anything else in the morning before rushing off to save

More at lipscomb.wix.com/i-got-face and facebook.com/igotface.

REVUEWM.COM | March 2016 |

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and maven — she’s all about the hustle.

Why did you get into doing makeup?

As a young girl, I would stand in the bathroom door and watch my mom apply her make-up. I was enamored by her beauty and in love with the process. I would gaze at her lovely face and study her techniques. I wanted to be beautiful, strong and powerful like her so I thought I could become her with the stroke of a blush brush. Thus my love affair with make-up began.

Rapids. She’s an intoxicating mix of muse, makeup, model

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by Missy Black

fashionable people, places and things

Sarah Cooley Candles Sarah Cooley, 28, is the founder and creative director of Simply Curated, a Grand Rapids-based candle company.

She understands that sense of smell is a powerful thing.

“It’s so deeply tied to memory,” Cooley said. “Scent is a great way to enhance the way your home feels.” Her favorite Simply Curated scent is Guava Fig — “it’s fruity but warm,” she said. In the spring, Cooley plans to launch a new floral scent with a limited-edition pattern from a special designer collaboration. simplycurated.com

Schedule | Dining | sights | Sounds Scene

Tylor Devereaux Interior Designer

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Have you visited Anna’s House? That’s Tylor Devereaux Interior Design. His style blends modern, country farm, ’50s diner and industrial chic into a hip breakfast hangout — complete with a toaster wall. “I love the fresh color palette that is so not-your-typical breakfast chain/coffee house look of boring browns, burnt orange and blah,” he said.

Devereaux, 45, Traverse City, specializes in modern interiors for homes, condos, restaurants and offices. His world consists of wild patterns, vivid colors and of-themoment trends. The HGTV star is currently working on a new restaurant in The B.O.B. along with a secret 16-suite boutique hotel in Grand Rapids. tdinteriordesign.com

Kathryn Chaplow Interior Designer Personal style is everything. This is how Chaplow rolls. As owner and interior designer of Kathryn Chaplow Interior Design, a full service firm, she helps clients explore colors, patterns, style and objects that resonate with them. Chaplow also creates designs to nurture, refresh and inspire. “If you design something that improves someone’s life, it’s pretty awesome,” Chaplow said. She’s about to design an event space in a 1920s boat warehouse up north and a custom wine cellar.

More philosophical thoughts? Work with joy. “We encourage the use of original artwork. It really gives a space a soul.” kathrynchaplow.com

A boutique in downtown Rockford, Michigan specializing in a curated collection of vintage home decor, new home decor, gifts, and items made by local Michigan artisans.

W

e mix old with the new to create whimsy and fun home decor. Think your grandma’s cottage meets Anthropologie! Bailey & James Boutique specializes in a curated collection of vintage home decor, new home decor, gifts, and items made by local Michigan artisans. We carry Capri Blue candles, Rifle paper, 18 Michigan artisans from all over the state, and a lovely line of nursery items. You will find the most unique collection that changes daily!

Photography provided by Katie Grace Photography

Phone: 616.951.7222 Address: 51 1/2 East Bridge Street. Rockford, Michigan Website: www.baileyandjameslifestyle.com

Style File West Michigan

by Missy Black

fashionable people, places and things

Photo: Adam Bird

Elyse Marie Welcher Leather Worker As a leather worker operating a handcrafted accessory line called Littlewings Designs, Elyse Welcher, 27, makes handbags, belts and accessories available at her collective, Parliament the Boutique, 120 S. Division #125, Grand Rapids. “All of my work is crafted by myself or under my supervision,” she said.

In a world filled with so many things, Welcher works with intent — in small batches and with natural dyes. She’s also developing a collection of belt pouches and bags for this summer’s festival circuit. littlewingsdesigns.com

Schedule | Dining | sights | Sounds Scene

Kelley Howley Owner, Hunt & Gather, Grand Rapids When your home has been featured on Design*Sponge, A Beautiful Mess and Driftless Magazine, you’ve obviously got a strong design bone. Kelley Howley, 28, is the owner of Hunt & Gather, a hybrid retail/interior design space specializing in modern-vintage home décor and accessories.

She curates cool scouting treasures, photographs them, posts them to social media, delivers furniture while meeting with clients. She deserves mad props for designing two different sorority houses for 20 to 30 women living in one house.

“I’ve picked up items from Detroit mansions, high rise apartments in Chicago and in scary basements in the middle of nowhere,” Howley said. huntandgatherGR.com

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Spring Sweet Boutique Spring Sweet, 35, owner of a shop with the same name, operates under the slogan “Hominibus opus decoris,” which translates to “The world needs beauty.” Sweet’s lifestyle boutique is proof of that. Located at 56 E 8th St., Holland, the store offers women’s clothing, home décor, gifts and fresh flowers.

Bonus: The second floor is a wedding gown shop. “I’m a firm believer in only buying and selling things I love. It has to speak to me,” Sweet said. In May, the store celebrates its fifth anniversary. Instagram @springsweet

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We sell and buy women's gently used casual and business apparel, shoes and accessories in womens

sizes 0-24 in the latest fashions and hottest brands.

2650 E. Beltline SE | Grand Rapids, MI 49546 | 616-957-2533 | style-encoregrandrapids.com

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Wielding Power | Susan Graham Dredged | Drawn | group exhibition Ministry of Medium Machines | Marat Paransky March 1 - April 16, 2016 Kendall College of Art and Design of Ferris State University

Wielding Power

Dredged | Drawn

kcad.edu/galleries

Ministry of Medium Machines

REVUEWM.COM | March 2016 |

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The Fed Galleries @ KCAD

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fashionable people, places and things

Kristina Barberini Founder, TheMIbox It’s cool to think inside the box again. TheMIbox explores Michigan by way of gift boxes filled with Michigan-made goodies, shipped directly to your door. Each box is curated by “an eclectic Michigander,” and some feature products from specific cities. The goal is to appeal to both sexes of any age with items such as snacks, wardrobe accessories or a piece of art or décor.

It’s an opportunity to shop local and “have a sense of connection to the maker,” said Kristina Barberini, 40, of Grand Rapids. Barberini is also looking to venture into Motor City territory with her next project: TheMIbox Detroit Edition. theMIbox.com Products made in Grand Rapids featured in one of the GR Editions of TheMIBox.

Schedule | Dining | sights | Sounds Scene

Michelle Callaghan-Hale Food Stylist

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Imagine Gisele Bundchen as a steak and you can understand the mindset of a food stylist.

Michelle Callaghan-Hale, 47, of Grand Rapids, makes food look pretty via prepping and styling so her subjects can shine, literally (Karo syrup on a hamburger works wonders). Her styling graces calendars, magazines and commercials. Inside scoop? “Pizza shoots are difficult,” CallaghanHale said. “I use Pine-Sol to keep the pizza looking shiny.” This foodie fashionista styles a lot of drinks and shares a beverage tip: “Beer looks better when warm. The foam lasts longer.” callaghanfoodstylist.com

by Missy Black

Kelly Toland & Chelsea Kobus Owners, Le Bon Macaron Kelly Toland, 30, and Chelsea Kobus, 24, are the owners of French bakery Le Bon Macaron, 951 Cherry St. SE, Grand Rapids.

Inspired by patisseries in Paris, the sweet, meringue-based confections are handcrafted in the East Lansing location and brought to Grand Rapids weekly.

Light, airy and in a rainbow of colors only found in dreams, their goodies of grandeur have been a siren call to style bloggers — not to mention the shop’s crisp, neutral, Parisian-like interior is romantic and chic. Le Bon is working on rose and champagne flavors, as well as the introduction of cream puffs in Grand Rapids (Vanilla Bean is a must have). lebonmacaron.com

Apothecary Off Main is an adorable Downtown Grand Rapids boutique specializing in personal & home-care products and remedies — even gourmet spices & extracts. A perfect gift-giving destination!

Browse candles, aromatherapy, beauty serums and unique men's collections.

All hand crafted and Made in America — often sourced from local vendors.

40 Monroe Center St. NW, Grand Rapids • 1-760-940-1868 • apothecaryoffmain.com

The path to a creative career begins at KCAD. Explore the intersection of beauty and function in our Fashion Studies program, envision the spaces of the future in our Interior Design program, or discover the commercial and artistic power of images in our Photography program.

Spark your future at kcad.edu/style

Kendall College of Art and Design of Ferris State University

Photography

Interior Design

Fashion Studies

REVUEWM.COM | March 2016 |

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Have an eye for style?

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Center for Creative Studies

KCAD Fashion Studies Chair Lori Faulkner (center) working with recent graduates, Athena Anger and Matthew Pozsgay. Photo courtesy Kendall College of Art and Design

Life in the Fab Lane Fashion Degrees for the Fervent Fashionista

Schedule | Dining | sights | Sounds Scene

By Elma Talundzic

You might have picked up this chic issue of Revue because you yourself are quite chic. It’s just your way of life.

Nicely done.

If you’re finally ready to make fashion less of a hobby and expand that passion for fashion beyond Project Runway marathons, there are a few colleges specializing in the fashion biz to get you started.

It’s time to step out of that lavish walk-in closet and actually learn the trendy trade.

56 | REVUEWM.COM | March 2016

Upcoming KCAD Fashion Shows Untamed: An Exploration of the Animal Kingdom

Kendall College of Art and Design – Grand Rapids kcad.edu

Located in the heart of downtown Grand Rapids, Kendall College of Art and Design offers more than a few style focused options for students who want to go into the fashion industry.

Chair of the Fashion Studies Program Lori Faulkner said KCAD offers two routes for earning a Bachelor of Fine Art in Fashion Studies.

“One path offers four years of study at KCAD with experiences in sustainable design, digital printing, couture methods, costume design, functional design, retail buying, product development, fashion illustration and more,” Faulkner said. “It culminates with a capstone collection, shown at the runway show produced by the fashion-show production class.”

The second option provides an opportunity for students to apply to the Fashion Institute of Technology in New York City where they can earn an Associate’s in Fashion Design as well as the Bachelor of Fine Art from KCAD. With the average class size ranging from eight to 15 students, classes are very hands on. The intimate sessions give students the opportunity to learn techniques in pattern making, draping, construction, illustration, research and presentation.

Kendall’s classes are infused with community collaborations that provide students with a taste of the local arts and culture scene.

The college has partnered with the Grand Rapids Public Museum, UICA, DisArt Festival, Spectrum Health, Arts Downtown and Ferris State University, among others.

Beyond that, students have beefed up their resumes by creating costumes for the Grand Rapids Ballet and the Grand Rapids Film Festival, to only name a few. Opera Grand Rapids’ production of Sigmund Romberg’s The Student Prince will feature costumes

Continued on page 58 ➤

Frederik Meijer Gardens and Sculpture Park, 1000 E Beltline Ave. NE, Grand Rapids March 19, 6-9 p.m.

KCAD’s Bodies of Art is an interdisciplinary (all majors) student organization that hosts an entirely student-run and produced fashion show. The 12th annual show is inspired by animals with 50 percent of proceeds benefiting Paws with a Cause.

un.earth

Downtown Market, 435 Ionia Ave. SW, Grand Rapids April 13, 7:30 p.m.

KCAD seniors are working on their capstone collections and are producing a show, un.earth.

It features the collections and a juried selection of work from all fashion studies majors.

Family owned and operated with over 40 cool and classy vendors!

Hours:

Mon: 10 a.m.-5 p.m.

Tue-Wed: 10 a.m.-6 p.m.

Thu-Sat: 10 a.m.-7 p.m.

Sun: 12 p.m.-4 p.m.

13670 Port Sheldon Street, Holland, MI

(616) 994-6320

facebook.com/miwestcoastchic

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1409 Robinson Road SE, Grand Rapids 616-218-9257 www.rebelreclaimed.comÂ

REVUEWM.COM | March 2016 |

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Michigan State University: Beta gown by Olivia Zachman

Fashion Studies, continued

Kalamazoo Valley Community College Artists’ Forum Presents

MAVIS STAPLES AND HER BAND

7:30 pm • April 2, 2016 Dale B. Lake Auditorium Schedule | Dining | sights | Sounds Scene

Doors open at 6:45pm Tickets: $30 • on sale Feb. 29

www.kvcc.edu/artistsforum

Call Dave Posther, 269.488.4476 for ticket purchasing options.

Paid for in part by the Irving S. Gilmore Foundation and the Harold and Grace Upjohn Foundation.

58 | REVUEWM.COM | March 2016

created by KCAD Fashion Studies students.

It runs June 9–10, and 12 at St. Cecilia Music Center in Grand Rapids.

“These projects allow students to design for real-world clients and create relationships to expand their networking potential for future career opportunities,” Faulkner said.

Along with the Fashion Studies Program, Kendall has an Industrial Design Program where footwear design is a popular area for students. For those Richard Avedon-types who are more interested in capturing sophisticated images, the Photography program offers two courses that integrate fashion and portraiture.

Western Michigan University – Kalamazoo wmich.edu

While Kalamazoo is nowhere near Milan or Paris, Western Michigan University offers the tools to get there with its Fashion Merchandising and Design programs.

Fashion Merchandising and Design professor Dr. Barbara Frazier said the program prepares students for careers in the dynamic, fast-paced fashion industry.

“The courses are designed to be stimulating and challenging, with opportunities to develop creative, communication, leadership and professional skills,” Frazier said.

“Our students are required to have 300 hours of industry experience prior to graduation,” she added. “Our entire curriculum focuses on building the knowledge, skills and competencies needed to become successful.”

For the go-getters, there is even the WMU student organization M.O.D.A. (Merchandising Opportunities and Design Association) to look into. The design group formed in 1988 and holds two semi-annual fashions shows.

Michigan State University – East Lansing msu.edu

The Apparel and Textile Design program at Michigan State University in East Lansing has been around for only six years, but student designers have already dressed James Cameron’s wife for the Oscars, won numerous design competitions and secured jobs with well-known fashion designers and companies.

“The Apparel and Textile Design program emphasizes creativity and experimentation that combines design with art,” said Design Professor Theresa Winge.

The small studio classes encourage students to be creative and push the boundaries of fashion to new and thoughtful spaces. That forward thinking has landed graduates’ highprofile work at Nike, Puma, Ralph Lauren, Vogue and Kate Spade.

Central Michigan University – Mount Pleasant cmich.edu

The Fashion Merchandising and Design program at Central Michigan University in Mount Pleasant offers students the opportunity to study both the creation/design of fashion products along with the business of fashion.

“We have an over 92-percent placement rate for graduates and our required internship program provides students valuable exposure to the industry,” said Dr. Michael Mamp, an assistant professor. “There are also study abroad opportunities including faculty led experiences in both Paris and New York.” n

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Buy a 16 oz. juice or smoothie and get 50% off any shot.

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Nougat bars, nut bars and cinnamon almond cookies are buy 1 get 1 free. Strombolos dressings and marinades are buy 2 get 1 free.

A SEASON FOR LOVE April 8 & 9

April 29 & 30

June 9, 10 & 12

Orpheus and Eurydice

Romeo and Juliet

The Student Prince

TICKETS | 616.451.2741 | Ticketmaster | operagr.org Student tickets just $5. Student I.D. must be presented at door.

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GET 15% OFF WITH CODE SAVE15* *online only

59

S T E TICK E L A S ON !

W O N

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THE GROWLIX

MARCH 10-20, 2016 Check out the full list of showcases, talent, and events to date at

laughfestgr.org

All proceeds benefit the free cancer, grief, and emotional health support programs offered through Gilda’s Club Grand Rapids THANK YOU TO OUR PREMIER PARTNERS

by Zuwaib Razzaq

Theatre

Signed, Sealed, Delivered to East Lansing 12-year-old cast member talks ‘Motown: The Musical’

S

The Jackson 5 as portrayed in Motown the Musical While Batteast did not grow up on Motown music (he found vocal inspiration from none other than Justin Bieber), the young crooner soon learned the weight of what he was involved in.

“I met Barry Gordy at the audition process,” Batteast recalled. “It was something. I didn’t quite know who he was at first but at the end my dad told me about him. He said, ‘He signed Michael Jackson, Dianna Ross and all those good people.’ So I went in there and did my thing.”

After landing a spot on the cast, Batteast was then tasked with portraying legends. So what was the hardest part?

“Probably the dancing,” he said. “I think I have the singing down pat, but the dancing really gets me. It’s difficult portraying Michael Jackson because he was so full of energy all the time. He couldn’t stop moving. He could do these moves I’ve never seen before.”

PHOTO: Joan Marcus

Batteast said his time in the Broadway spotlight continues to motivate him.

“It’s very inspirational since Gordy started from nothing and I think I started from nothing but now I’m on a Broadway tour,” he said.

“Gordy was a cookware salesman and now he’s one of the most famous people in the world.

It’s like you can do anything if you put your mind to it.”

So what’s next for the fledgling showman?

“I see my career on Disney Channel, Nickelodeon and in movies,” he said. “I’m constantly writing, so hopefully those writings will go somewhere one day.” n

Motown: The Musical

Wharton Center for the Performing Arts 750 E. Shaw Ln., East Lansing March 15-20 / Tickets from $38 whartoncenter.com, (517) 353-1982

REVUEWM.COM | March 2016 |

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hortly af ter rising Motown star Little Stev ie Wonder found stardom in 1963, he discovered early on that hitting the textbooks was just as important as hitting the stage.

Amidst a string of now classic R&B singles, a teenage Wonder was enrolled at the Michigan School for the Blind in Lansing.

While he graduated from the now defunct school in 1968, Wonder would pen some of his biggest hits while earning his diploma.

Forty-eight years later, that fiery Motown spirit returns to Michigan’s Capital City with the Broadway production of Motown: The Musical. Twelve-year-old cast member J.J. Batteast (who portrays Young Stevie Wonder/Berry Gordy/Michael Jackson) is going through a similar juggling act of performing and schooling.

As the youngest cast member, Batteast manages his studies by day and rocks out by night. While he’s a student at Springwood Middle School in Canover Park, Ill. — when he’s on Broadway it’s a bit trickier.

“I have school ever y day from 12 to 3:30 p.m. and on the weekends I have school in the morning and sometimes at night,” said Batteast, whose father At only 12 years old, accompanies him on the “It’s difficult portraying Batteast said he still manroad. “It’s time manageMichael Jackson ages to find time to rehearse ment, basically. You have because he was so when he’s back home with to get a certain amount of his mother and four sisters. hours in the week. I have full of energy all “I like to sing; I sing in my all my books with me from the time. He could room all the time,” he said. my school and they have “It’s always been my dream do these moves I’ve all of my subjects. I do it to be an actor, singer and almost every day or on the never seen before.” dancer. I dance in front weekends.” of the TV when no one is Motown: The Musical, watching — or even when a jukebox musical coming someone is watching.” to the Wharton Center For Performing Arts From his bedroom stage to the big stage, March 15–20, was written by the legendary Batteast is no newcomer to the performing Motown Records founder Barry Gordy arts, getting his start with the Lion King tour and features over 60 iconic songs from the as Young Simba. label’s roster, including “ABC,” “Ain’t No “I was with Lion King right before this, but Mountain High Enough,” “Baby I Need I took a three-month break to come to this,” Your Loving,” “My Girl,” “Shop Around,” he said. “I’m enjoying myself pretty well being and “Mr. Postman.” on the road.”

61

by Steve Miller

LIT LIFE

other side of the story

Schedule | Dining | Sights Sounds | Scene

Author of Book on ‘Making a Murderer’ Saga Opens Up about Case as Avery’s Attorneys Head to Grand Rapids

Y

ou would think that Michael Griesbach would have bee n privy to an advance screening of the Netflix series Making a Murderer, the 10-part true crime documentary that is sweeping the nation.

After all, Griesbach was part of a team of assistant prosecutors in Manitowoc County, Wis., that sprung Steve Avery, the criminal in question at the center of the series, from prison in 2003 after it was discovered the wrong guy was convicted for a 1985 sexual assault.

“They told me I would get an advance copy to watch at home, but it never came and so I watched it, like everyone else, through Netflix,” said Griesbach, 55 years old and the married father of four, in an interview from his home in Manitowoc, Wis. When Avery was convicted of the 2005 murder of a 25-year-old woman two years after his release from prison, Griesbach wrote a book, The Innocent Killer. It came out in 2014 as the production of the Netflix documentary was wrapping up. The book covered both the mistaken conviction and the murder conviction.

It got little attention.

But since Making a Murderer launched Dec. 18, Griesbach’s life has been upended and his career as an author has been given a nice shove into overdrive. The phone doesn’t stop ringing with media requests. The Innocent Killer has been picked up for UK rights by Penguin, which over the years has been one of the largest true crime publishers in the world.

62 | REVUEWM.COM | March 2016

Griesbach is now writing 80,000 words for a new book to be released later this year by Kensington tentatively titled Indefensible: The Missing Truth about Steven Avery, Teresa Halbach w/ Attorneys Dean Strang and “Making a Murderer.” & Jerry Buting Indefensible is the story behind the story about how the documentary has March 20, 7 p.m. misled the public into believing that $29.50–$59.50 Avery, after being wrongfully condevosperformancehall.com, 1-800-745-3000 victed in the sexual assault, was again Strang and Buting, Steven Avery’s attorneys railroaded in the Halbach murder. in the Teresa Halbach murder case, host Since 1988, Griesbach has been a “moderated discussion regarding the part of the prosecution team in systemic failures of the criminal justice Manitowoc County, a county of system as well as the broader implications of the Steven Avery case.”

80,000 whose northern border is 88 miles from the southern border of Michigan’s upper peninsula.

He’d always enjoyed writing, with his bachelor’s studies in history and English.

“The reason I did The Innocent Killer was because I was so close to the story,” he said. “I was pretty upset about what happened in the first case and I knew this story was one of a kind, where someone exonerated gets picked up for a murder. I thought

A Conversation on Making A Murderer

Steven Avery’s attorneys, Jerry Buting and Dean Strang was this personality. When he turns from victim to villain overnight, it really should have gotten more attention.”

Not from a book, though. It took the buzz and national hype of a streaming documentary. Dollar signs lit up all over the New York publishing industry and all of a sudden, true crime isn’t such a wordsmithing pariah. With the mounting hype, Dean Strang and Jerry Buting — Avery’s attorneys in the Halbach case — roll into DeVos Performance Hall for a ticketed discussion on the case.

And there is finally someone — the haplessly dim Steven Avery — to represent the victim of a corrupt legal system in backwoods Middle America. That’s the entertainment version made for Netflix viewers, at least.

For readers, there will be the other side, the one carried by Griesbach, who no doubt confuses the do-gooders and finger-pointers who are sure the system is broken. He was part of the effort to free Avery. And now he’s a detractor from the masses who believe legal lightening struck twice in Wisconsin.

“Avery was innocent in the sexual assault and guilty in the murder,” Griesbach said.

If Avery were set free, would he be a danger to the public?

“Yes, he would,” he said. “He was set free before and we all hoped things would be alright for him. He has some things in his favor, a real personality, but there’s a Jekyll/ Hyde aspect to him. He had a real sense of entitlement when he was set free and he is a very disturbed person.” n

Scene | Sounds | Sights Diing | Schedule

it would work as a book. It was something that would appeal to a number of audiences: True crime, criminal justice and the public.”

After being refused by a handful of agents, Griesbach found representation in Ron Goldfarb, a former prosecutor and true crime author, who had read of the case in the New York Times.

“I just couldn’t imagine a more interesting case,” Goldfarb said.

After talking to Griesbach, Goldfarb asked a simple question: “Can you write?”

The Innocent Killer was refused by major publishers, part of a myopic industry bias against the edgy genre even as television audiences demand more true crime programming, from big budget Dateline presentations to smaller but often well-done shows on Investigation Discovery.

The Innocent Killer was published in August 2014 by the publishing imprint of the American Bar Association, its first venture into true crime. And there it sat — the victim of poor marketing. The ABA did not return an e-mail for this story.

The case — and the book — had scant interest outside Wisconsin, where the Halbach murder dominated the news. Although there were a couple of documentarians running around, doing something…

Griesbach had done interviews over the years with the directors of Making a Murderer, Moira Demos and Laura Ricciardi, so he had a heads up on the Netflix series launching in December. He told the ABA about it, maybe a good time to push the book. But there was little effort.

“I had the sense it would get big when the Netflix series hit,” Griesbach said. “No one had much notice that it would do this.

But this is just the power of television, or video. If this situation with Avery had happened in New York, Los Angeles, Miami, Atlanta, it would have been huge the whole time. It is a one of a kind case. And Avery

The Innocent Killer: A True Story of a Wrongful Conviction and its Astonishing Aftermath

by Michael Griesbach Available locally at: Schuler Books & Music, 2660 28th St. SE, Grand Rapids

REVUEWM.COM | March 2016 |

63

by Rich Tupica

comedy

T Schedule | Dining | Sights Sounds | Scene

wo -time E mm y a n d G ramm y Award-winning comedian Kathy Griffin is a celebrity chameleon.

Some might know the 2016 LaughFest headliner for her television resume, including a role on Suddenly Susan, or from her acclaimed reality show My Life on the D-List. Each year Griffin also cohosts CNN New Year’s Live with her pal Anderson Cooper.

But Griffin’s diehard fans appreciate her most for her true calling: Stand-up comedy. Griffin, 55, riffs hard on celebrity train wrecks, while also smattering in hilarious tales about her own life, including bits on her wine-guzzling mother: The infamous Maggie Griffin.

This year Griffin has been especially busy as hell. Her 80-city Like A Boss Tour spans each coast including stops at prestigious venues like the Kennedy Center and Carnegie Hall. As for the high number of performances, Griffin told Revue, “It’s insane. Chris Rock asked me if I owe child support.”

Here’s what else she had to say.

Eighty shows? That’s a lot of travel. What keeps you going?

I could add shows at this point. 80 shows aren’t enough to take on all the craziness happening right now. Everything from Trump-a-Palooza to the Kardashians — to what I really base my act on: My own experiences with these nut-jobs. I freaking know Donald Trump, so don’t talk to me about Donald Trump. I’ve known him for years. One time, and I will tell this story, I was actually in a golf cart driven

by Donald Trump. In the back of the golf cart was Liza Minelli and me. You’re not going to get that from anybody else. And by the way,

64 | REVUEWM.COM | March 2016

No Holds Barred Kathy Griffin Returns to Grand Rapids with Fresh Celebrity Dirt

this is a very impressive LaughFest line-up. It’s diverse and I’m very proud to be a part of it.

Years ago, in one of your comedy specials, you referred to Bridget Jones’s Diary star Renee Zellweger as a “sweaty, puffy coke whore.”

Have you encountered Zellweger since then?

Zellweger and I have actually become buds.

We actually text, I call her Bridget. I’m like, “What’s up, Bridg?” because I know she doesn’t want to be known just for that role. I have to give her shit and be like “Hey, Bridg!”

She’s a perfect example of someone who woke up one day and was like “Oh, I didn’t get it at first, but you’re just really kidding.” So we’re friendly now.

Who have you pissed off recently?

The singer Demi Lovato seems to be extremely upset with my little jokes about her. I call her Debby because it drives her nuts. Debby has taken to the Twitter personally to hate tweet me. At 55, I’m being cyber-bullied by Demi Lovato and her Lovatics — it’s hilarious.

What can fans expect at LaughFest?

My show will be personal stories and a no-holds-barred look at the events that are

happening around us. I’ll cover everything that happens up until two minutes before the show and the stuff that’s front-of-mind for the Michiganders. Being an Illinoisan, I know the Michiganders. I know how they roll. I know that the Michiganders have what my 95-yearold alcoholic mother Maggie would say is “some good goddamn Midwestern common sense.” When I’m playing a place like Grand Rapids, I really feel like I’m home.

Kathy Griffin

down one bit because you cannot replace the energy and the relationship of the live experience. Also it’s 100 percent uncensored. It’s a place for someone like me: Inappropriate and vulgar.

Since Life on The D-list ended in 2010, how has your life changed?

First of all, I’m busier. I just signed a big, fancy book deal with Flatiron Books, the same editor that’s doing the Your material is often based on Oprah book, just so you know.

Kathy Griffin — current events. How does that That’s coming out Dec. 27 and it’s Like A Boss Tour affect your shows? tentatively called Kathy Griffin’s Gilda’s LaughFest My material changes so often Celebrity Index A to Z. It’s going DeVos Performance Hall that it doesn’t matter if you to be a book where I list 100 to 303 Monroe Ave. NW, Grand Rapids saw my show a week ago, five 150 celebrities I’ve met or had $37.50–$57.50 months ago, or a year ago — it’s unusual encounters with that laughfestgr.org, (616) going to be all new stuff because weren’t covered on the D-List, or 735-4242 I can barely keep up with what maybe I didn’t even talk about these candidates are saying on a them on my specials. I’m sure daily basis. So many things are you didn’t know I’m good friends rapidly changing. The thing that I’m so proud with Sidney Poitier. When you’ve been in the of is you cannot replace what happens in a live game this long you kind of end up meeting evtheater with live entertainment. Ten years ago erybody. I keep getting to have these incredible all my agents said, “Touring is going to end and run-ins. The older I get, the more these celebrieveryone is going to view everything on their ties realize I am the proverbial cockroach that phones and tablets.” But touring didn’t slow isn’t going anywhere. n

MAR.

. t S

11 & 12

s ’ k

c i r

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R A i Fr

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LIVE MUSIC BY

Live Music, Irish Dance, McGovern’s Corned Beef, Photo Booth and Silent Auction.

JANUARY–JUNE JANUARY 8

FRETBOARD FESTIVAL Play-In Contest

5

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Crossbow

FEATURING

FRIDAY NIGHT HIGHLIGHTS

STORYTELLING FESTIVAL Kick-Off Event The Storytellers’ Musical Stories 5:30 p.m.

Ralph Stocker, Sand Painting Stories 7 p.m.

Calligraphy by Pen Dragons

Tickets are only $6 Available at the door.

Calligraphy Guild

MichiganIrish.org

APRIL 1

Mortals 2 (vintage rock, blues, original music) From Fractals to Forms

by Frankie Heynig (Watercolor, oil and acrylic paintings)

MAY 6

G E T R E A DY , ‘CAUSE HERE WE COME.

MARCH 4

Jared Knox Band (country) Feathership of the Wing

FRETBOARD FESTIVAL Kick-Off Concert The Crane Wives (indie-folk-rock-pop)

by LeeLee Joy (Jewelry)

JUNE 3

Who Hit John?

(American roots music) 7 p.m.

— CBS Sunday Morning

MARCH 15-20 | MSU’s WHARTON CENTER

WHARTONCENTER.COM • 1-800-WHARTON

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

East Lansing engagement welcomed by Auto-Owners Insurance; The Christman Company; Delta Dental of Michigan; Foster, Swift, Collins & Smith, P.C.; and Jackson National Life Insurance Company. ®

MOTOWN IS A REGISTERED TRADEMARK OF UMG RECORDINGS, INC

REVUEWM.COM | March 2016 |

Scene | Sounds | Sights Diing | Schedule

“MORE THAN A BROADWAY SHOW.

A celebration of music that transformed America!”

RAYMOND LUKE JR. PHOTO BY JOAN MARCUS. ALL OTHER PHOTOS BY ANDREW ECCLES.

Laser Light Shows in the Planetarium Art Hop Fridays at 8 p.m.

Led Zeppelin January 8 - May 6 A variety of live entertainment, visual art, and a laser light show are available for adult audiences each month.

Unless otherwise stated, visual experiences begin at 5 p.m. and musical performances at 6 p.m. and are free of charge.

Light shows begin at 8 p.m. and are $3.

65

by Rich Tupica

comedy

Road Work

With his mind focused on cracking jokes, the future comic struggled with traditional education. “I didn’t even graduate high school, I dropped out my senior year,” he said.

“I went to one semester of community college and I did very poorly. I was a real idiot.”

Book smarts aside, when Norton turned 21 he had the smarts — and guts — to gravitate toward his true strength: Being funny.

“It was all I ever really wanted to do — get on stage and be a comedian,” he said. “The first place I performed at was called the Varsity Pub in Sayreville, N.J. I wasn’t particularly good but I was just happy to be on stage. The fact that I did it is still a surprise to me sometimes. I am shocked I’m a comedian.”

From there, it took years of stage work and writing before Norton truly found his comedic voice — which is raunchy, yet smart and naturally conversational — something that sounds easier in theory than reality.

“It takes maybe three to four years before you start to feel good about yourself — a little bit longer before the audience starts to feel good about you,” he said. “It just kind of happens. You don’t even see it happening because you’re too close to it.”

During his early years, Norton cut his teeth on the road alongside a small crew of Patrice O’Neal fellow funnymen.

“I was doing road work very early on,” he said. “I’d go out with guys like Jim Florentine and Bob Levy. I’d mostly go to Pennsylvania, Boston, Florida and Maryland. There were a bunch of East Coast clubs you could drive to in a day.”

After a 1997 appearance on The Louie Anderson Show, things began to pick up. Hard work started to pay off. “From that show I met Andrew Dice Clay. Dice was really good to me and took me on the road. From there I met Opie and Anthony.”

Norton’s close friendship with the late actor/comedian Patrice O’Neal (who passed away in 2011 following a stroke) was also an inspiration for Norton, both personally and professionally.

“Patrice was so honest and conversational,” Norton recalled of O’Neal’s comedic style. “He was patient on stage.

You’d watch him and know that’s a guy who’s taking his time and doing exactly what he wanted to do. Watching a guy like Patrice you learn about patience. He didn’t rush to get where he wanted to go.

“You also learned from Patrice: Don’t expect to go onstage on time if you’re after him,” Norton said with a laugh. “He always babbled for a long time. But he was so natural on stage, just great. He was just a big softy when it came to animals or anybody weaker than him. Patrice wasn’t a bully. He was a jackass sometimes, but he was not a bully. That’s what I loved most about him.” n

Comedian Jim Norton reflects on his early days and the late Patrice O’Neal

Schedule | Dining | Sights Sounds | Scene

W

hile comedia n J im Norton continues to tour the country packing large theatres, he hasn’t lost touch with his roots: Small comedy clubs.

The 47-year-old New York-based comic still hits the smaller rooms on a regular basis in his never-ending journey of honing his craft. “It’s the only way to get new material that feels good,” Norton said. “I go out almost every night.”

That’s the standard schooling of a respected “comedian’s comedian.” You’ve got to pay your dues. Even after they’ve reached the big leagues, they can’t turn their backs on the holein-the-walls they came from. Norton now tours non-stop while also co-hosting a hit satellite radio show, the Opie with Jim Norton Show. This success is a long way off from his earliest venture in Jim Norton: comedy: Razzing classmates in the Mouthful of school lunch room.

Shame Tour “I grew up in central New Gilda’s LaughFest Jersey in a town called North Fountain Street Church Brunswick,” Norton recalled of 24 Fountain St NE, his formative high school years.

Grand Rapids “I was funny and had no sense of March 12 who I was. I didn’t really fit into $30-$39.50 laughfestgr.org any group. But I could hang out with the punk rockers, the black kids and the jocks. I was OK with all of them because people want to be nice to you when you’re funny. They don’t want you humiliating them in front of their friends — they didn’t want to get embarrassed.

While he wasn’t hitting the textbooks too hard, Norton was seeking out comedy legends and, perhaps unknowingly, learning the craft of making people laugh. “For me it was Richard Pryor and George Carlin,” he said. “I loved Woody Allen’s standup. I also really loved Robert Klein — he’s so underrated.

“I got to hear these albums because my mother worked at the library and would bring them home for me,” Norton added. “I would either buy them or my mother would bring them home. She’d bring the Woody Allen Nightclub Years home. But Richard Pryor was something you’d listen to with your friends. Same with Robin Williams — I think Robin was my first dirty album in 1979.”

66 | REVUEWM.COM | March 2016

Jim Norton

REVUEWM.COM | March 2016 |

67

by Eric Mitts

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

Started from the Bottom How Ron Funches Went From ‘Dead-End Jobs’ to Hollywood Stardom

MIKE ScThA3N-L5EY Mar

LAU

MarcGh H10FEST -20

DS R A H C I DEREK Rch 24-26 Schedule | Dining | Sights Sounds | Scene

Mar

SEAN PATTON

March 31- April 2

68 | REVUEWM.COM | March 2016

A

n u nabashed n erd with a love for video games, cartoons a n d e v e n cosplay, comedian Ron Funches is just a great big kid at heart.

So it’s striking to find out the reason why the LaughFest headliner first got into standup.

It wasn’t so he could avoid growing up. It was actually because he had to – and fast – when his son was diagnosed with autism.

“I was just working at dead-end jobs, but once I had my son I was like, ‘I better figure out a career,’” Funches said. “And standup was the only thing that I was willing to start at the bottom at. It was the only thing I felt I could see myself working hard at and doing for the rest of my life. So it was really because of my son being born that helped push me to get this started.”

Realizing that laughter really is the best medicine for life’s toughest challenges, he broke into the Portland comedy scene nearly a decade ago. There he developed his unique voice and contagious giggle, which he often describes as sounding “like an Asian princess.”

With that, his super-chill onstage demeanor has paid off and earned him a loyal fan base.

“I figured out a long time ago when I was having some bad sets that no matter what I need to have a good time,” Funches said. “It’s infectious when people know I’m enjoying myself and I’m inviting them to have a better time than I am. I like doing standup and there’s nothing else I really like doing more. I think that shows.”

Now a single father living in Los Angeles, Funches said he was hesitant to discuss a topic as serious as autism in his act at first, but felt he had to if he wanted to keep his comedy genuine and honest.

“At some point I was like, ‘This is a big part of my life. And that’s what I talk about in my standup: My life,’” he said. “To avoid that would be avoiding a big part of what goes on in my day to day. I didn’t want to do that.”

Now Funches is perhaps most recognizable for his regular role as Shelly on the NBC series Undateable.

“He’s just a real cool guy who gets to be weird and have fun, which is very close to me,” Funches said about his sitcom character.

“It’s not that difficult to play. I just think he’s

Ron Funches

a good character and a sweetheart and hopefully that’s part of me coming through.”

Born on the Southside of Chicago, Funches is familiar with the show’s Ferndale setting. He’s just not into Detroit sports as much as his character.

“Sometimes people assume that [I’m from Detroit], or they assume I really, really love every Michigan sports team,” he said. “I have a respect for the Lions because I’m a Bears fan and I love Barry Sanders. That’s about it.”

In addition to his work on Undateable, Funches has also regularly appeared on Comedy Central’s panel game show @ midnight, where he currently holds a tierecord for the most wins, as well episodes of Kroll Show, Portlandia, New Girl, Drunk History and Bob’s Burgers.

Last year he released his first full comedy album, The Funches of Us, and also made his major movie debut alongside Kevin Hart and Will Ferrell in the hit comedy Get Hard.

“It was fun to be a different character, especially from Shelly on Undateable and outside of my own standup, just to kind of be this tough gangsta,” Funches said. “[Some] people were like, ‘You were really scary,’ or, ‘At

first I didn’t know it was you!’ And that made me really happy because that isn’t me – that really made me feel like I could act.”

Later this year, look for him to appear alongside Bruce Willis in the upcoming action-comedy Going Under.

“I play a transvestite prostitute. Her name’s Mocha and she’s a wonderful lady,” he said.

He’ll also have his voice featured in this year’s upcoming animated Trolls movie based on the popular wild-haired dolls.

“I get to run around and sing. I get to sing on a soundtrack,” he said. “That’s just real weird to be on a soundtrack with Gwen Stefani. I just giggle thinking about it. I love those types of movies and I love being able to do things that my son is into. It’s just awesome.” n

LaughFest Presents: Ron Funches The Pyramid Scheme 68 Commerce Ave. SW March 11 & 12, shows at 7 p.m. & 9:30 p.m. $25, 18 and older laughfest.org, (616) 735-4242 ronfunches.com

$5 OFF VIP TICKETS USE PROMO CODE “REVUE”

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Grand Rapids/Kalamazoo 616.574.7500 Lansing 517.318.4005 nhls.com

69

indie film

by Josh Spanninga

Roll Out the

Red Carpet T WKTV Prepares for 5th Annual Eclipse Awards

Ralph Lister, winner of Best Actor

Schedule | Dining | Sights Sounds | Scene

Alice Interviews the star of BUFFALO, William C. McCallum.

Brewed for Film Series

March 2: Raiders of The Lost Ark / Azacca IPA March 9: Fargo / Porter March 16: The Big Lebowski / Centennial IPA March 23: True Grit / Curmudgeon Old Ale March 30: Fantastic Mr. Fox / Red’s Rye IPA April 6: Braveheart / Dirty Bastard April 13: Monty Python and the Holy Grail /

Mosaic Promise Celebration! Cinema 2121 Celebration Dr. NE, Grand Rapids Through April 13, 8 p.m. celebrationcinema.com/foundersfilms, (616) 530-7469

70 | REVUEWM.COM | March 2016

he 88th An n ual Academy Awards may be behi n d us now, but award season is far from over in West Michigan. Grand Rapids’ own WKTV is just getting into the thick of gearing up for their own awards ceremony, the 5th Annual Eclipse Awards.

The Eclipse Awards were started five years ago as a way for WKTV to honor the best regional works in film, television, video, sound and music production.

Angela Peavey, who helps out with PR and marketing for the awards ceremony, is one such local talent who became acquainted with the ceremony after winning her own Eclipse award back in 2012.

“My documentary Our Beautiful Secret was on PBS and HBO and it also won an Eclipse award four years ago. I got involved with the Eclipse Awards initially through that,” Peavey said.

Of course documentaries aren’t the only projects honored at the ceremony. Submissions run the gamut from full-lengths and shorts to music videos and commercials. Awards are given to the best entries in each category, as well as some technical awards.

“We also honor the crafts, such as directing, best actor, best cinematography, best lighting — all of those things,” Peavey said.

The actual awards ceremony takes place April 28 at City Flats Hotel ballroom. The event will be televised live on WKTV and is open to the general public.

“It’s a red carpet event just like you would see at the Oscars,” Peavey explained. “Everybody’s dressed to the nines in their gowns and suits. It’s just a big

party to celebrate all the best and the brightest content creators in our region.”

If you’re a filmmaker interested in being considered for an Eclipse award, you better hurry: The call for entries officially ends March 11. And competition should be fierce — last year was a recordbreaking year for submissions received — and this year is shaping up to be just as competitive.

So who is allowed to submit to the Eclipse Awards? As long as you’re a Michigan resident you’re good to go. But organizers also make exceptions for some of our state’s closest neighbors.

“We like to think of it as a region, so we do have people from Indiana and Illinois submit as well,” Peavey said.

As soon as the call for entries closes the judging process begins. Judges from Los Angeles, Toronto, New York, London and other faraway cities handle the first round of voting. On March 28, the second round of voting begins, but this year they’ve added an extra twist to the process.

“This year past Eclipse Award winners now get to be a judge in the second round and help pick the winners,” Peavey said. That final round of voting ends April 11 and totals are kept secret until the formal awards ceremony. n

5th Annual Eclipse Awards

City Flats Hotel ballroom 83 Monroe Center St. NW #200, Grand Rapids April 28, 7 p.m. theeclipseaward.com

Founders and Celebration! Cinema’s ‘Brewed for Film Series’ Rolls On

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hile it ’ s sa f e to say that soda a n d pop cor n are the most popular mainstays at the concession stand, many theatres are throwing a new welcomed item into the snack list: Beer.

Celebration! Cinema has decided to add its own twist to this trend by offering up the Brewed for Film Series. The 10-week series is co-hosted by Founders Brewing Co. and features fun, classic movies paired up with the beer that best compliments the film. While the series has only been

around since last year, it’s grown exponentially in that short time.

“The first series in Grand Rapids was so successful that we had to expand it to other markets,” explained Steve VanWagoner, Vice President of Marketing and PR for Celebration!

Cinema. “Today we run Brewed For Film in Grand Rapids, Portage, Mt Pleasant and for the first time this series will also be in Muskegon and Okemos.”

March’s roster features Raiders of the Lost Ark (paired with Azacca IPA) and The Fantastic

Mr. Fox (paired with Red’s Rye). Tickets cost $2 to get in, $25 lanyard passes cover you for the full series.

Each event features a variety of Founders beers available for purchase on tap in the theatre, as well as a special featured beer pairing for each film. While all the pairings are meticulously thought-out, VanWagoner admits there’s one particular pair he’s most looking forward to. “On April 6 we’re showing Braveheart and serving Dirty Bastard. I can’t stop smiling when I think about it,” VanWagoner said. n

The best vape shop you've never heard of, til now!

GR’s biggest selection of legendary juices

67 54th St. SW | Grand Rapids, MI | 616.202.7148 | freshwatervapor.com

SPECIALS & EVENTS MONDAyS $1 Chili Dogs and $1 Beers Free Show with Desmond Jones

TUESDAyS Comedy Tuesday No cover!

WEDNESDAyS Dennie Middleton Happy Hour,

5:30-8:30, Open Mic Night Hosted by Sam Kenny No cover!

THURSDAyS #WhatchuSaay Thursday Hosted by DJ Dean Martian | 9pm

Happy Hour

MON-FRI 3-7PM $2 DOMESTICS, $2 WELLS, $3 CALLS, $1.50 RETROS

760 BUTTERWORTH SW GRAND RAPIDS, MI 616.272.3910

3/16 3/18 3/19 3/25

3/30 3/31

Albert Cummings Joseph Huber wsg TBA Curio wsg The Lazy Hands Selwyn Birchwood Vandaveer Root Doctor Darkly, Psychiatric Metaphors, Suzies Dave Alvin & Phil Alvin with The Guilty Ones wsg Sarah Borges Matt Woods and Big Shoals British Racing Green, Moberg and RUKUS White Rabbit wsg The Lazy Hands Jonny Carroll, Joshua Powell & The Great Train Robbery and Olivia Mainville & The Aquatic Troupe The JetBeats and Hank Mowery and The Hawktones Fred Eaglesmith Show

REVUEWM.COM | March 2016 |

Scene Sounds | Sights | Dining | Schedule

Open Hours

MON-SAT 3PM-2AM KITCHEN 3PM-11PM

3/2 3/4 3/5 3/7 3/11 3/12 3/13 3/15

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72 | REVUEWM.COM | March 2016

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.

Big O Café 80 Ottawa NW. 616-451-1887 ITALIAN. The downtown (and downstairs) restaurant has a reliable menu featuring pizza, pasta, and sandwiches that are Italian and Cuban influenced.

A great spot for lunch or a quick glass of wine and plate of pasta before a downtown event. » SERVING: Lunch Dinner OPEN ON: Open 7 days. GO THERE FOR: Dead Head Vegetarian Pizza, Cuban dinners on Friday nights.

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

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 Belgian-style

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: Lunch Dinner (Breakfast on weekends). OPEN: Open 7 days GO THERE FOR: Daily happy hour The Corner Bar 31 N. Main St., Rockford 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.

Divani 15 Ionia Ave. SW. 616-774-WINE. ECLECTIC. Divani offers a sophisticated environment, with chefs using Michigan-made ingredients in their creations, such as Dancing Goat Creamery, Otto’s Chicken, S&S Lamb, Ingraberg Farms, Mrs. Dog’s and Madcap. For the thirsty, the bar serves more than 300 types of liquor, 300 wines and 50 beers to complement each

handcrafted meal. » SERVING: Dinner after 4 p.m. OPEN ON: Everyday but Sunday. GO THERE FOR: Wine and Local Cuisine.

Erb Thai 950 Wealthy St. SE #1A. (616) 356-2573. Additional locations at 4160 Lake Michigan Dr. NW, Suite B, and 820 Michigan St. NE. 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.

Founders Brewing Company 235 Grandville SW. 616-776-1195 BREWPUB. A beer-lover’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.

Ganders 4747 28th St. SE. 616-957-0100. AMERICAN. Ganders by Hilton Doubletree presents modern American menu options dedicated to locally grown ingredients representing the best farms, markets and food artisans of West Michigan. The restaurant also features a number of local craft beers on tap and by the bottle. The restaurant works directly with local breweries to create multi-course beer tasting menus featuring beer incorporated into every course. » SERVING: Breakfast Lunch Dinner OPEN ON: 7 Days. GO THERE FOR: Fresh, locally grown ingredients and Michigan-made beer.

Garage Bar & Grill 819 Ottawa Ave. NW. 616-454-0321 SPORTS BAR. This bar and grill serves up real food with fresh ingredients. Known for its cold daily specials, and its famous Garage Burger and hand-cut fries, this casual bar’s diverse menu ranges from soups and wedge salads to brisket sandwiches and fish tacos. A long list of ice-cold bottled and craft beers top off the experience. » SERVING: Lunch Dinner OPEN ON: Open 7 days. GO THERE FOR: Burgers, Chicken Tenders, Craft Beer.

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.

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

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

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

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 offers 10” rustic wood-fired pizzas and great soups and sandwiches. Check out their new location, Harmony Hall, at 401 Stocking Ave. NW. » SERVING: Lunch Dinner OPEN ON: Open 7 days. GO THERE FOR: Pizza and brews.

The Holiday Bar 801 5th St. NW. (616) 456-9058 AMERICAN. Tucked smack dab in the “Heart of the Westside,” The Holiday Bar boasts a classic 40-foot Horseshoe bar, along with cheap eats and drinks, both served until 2 a.m., with specials happening daily. The Holiday Bar has a full menu that features pub fare like chicken strips, pierogis, battered homestyle mushrooms and more. It’s a great place to watch the game, listen to music or just hang out with

REVUEWM.COM | March 2016 |

Scene | Sounds | Sights Dining Schedule

The B.O.B. 20 Monroe Ave. NW. (616) 356-2000 ECLECTIC. If you’re not sure what kind of dining you want, you can just head into The B.O.B., where you can choose from one of its several venues. Go into Gilly’s, where you can dine on seafood or B.O.B.’s Brewery, the restaurant’s in-house brewery. You can dress down for some pizza at Bobarino’s or dress it up for a steak at Judson’s Steakhouse. For after dinner, take in a show at Dr. Grins or enjoy live music at H.O.M.E. » SERVING: Lunch Dinner OPEN ON: Open 7 days. GO THERE FOR: Beer and numerous dining options.

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

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 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

friends. » SERVING Lunch Dinner. OPEN ON: Open 7 days. GO THERE FOR: Cheap eats and drinks.

San Chez has been serving meals that people love to share since 1992, and we’re bringing back 24 of the best-of-the-best dishes to enjoy again.

Follow us on Facebook to see our two throwback features every month — for a limited time only!

Located at 38 W. Fulton St. (2 blocks East of Van Andel Arena)

sanchezbistro.com • 616.774.8272

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.

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 offers 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, Bloody Mary bar.

Schedule Dining Sights | Sounds | Scene

One Trick Pony 136 E. Fulton. 616-235-7669 AMERICAN. One Trick Pony unveiled a new menu last April with the tagline “Fresh, Local Fare with a Beat.” The restaurant is a part of FarmLink and supports local growers and remains focused on sustainability.

Connected to the Cottage Bar, the menu spans pizza, salads, homemade soups, smoked prime rib 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.

74 | REVUEWM.COM | March 2016

Pearl Street Grill 310 Pearl St NW. 616-235-1342 AMERICAN. Dine in a relaxing environment where kids eat free and the chef uses local vendors and suppliers. Conveniently located in downtown Grand Rapids, Pearl Street Grill offers nightly happy hour specials that include signature cocktails and Michigan beer, as well as a $10 burger and beer special, $5 pizzas and more. » SERVING: Breakfast Lunch Dinner. OPEN ON: Open 7 days.

GO THERE FOR: Late night specials.

The Pita House 1450 Wealthy SE, 3730 28th Street, 4533 Ivanrest SW (Grandville). 616-454-1171 MEDITERRANEAN. Gyros so big you can club someone with them, the smoothest hummus 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.

Reserve Wine & Food 201 Monroe Ave. NW (616) 855-9463 ECLECTIC. With 102 wines available by the glass and more than 300 by the bottle, paired with an ever-changing food menu influenced

by West Michigan grown foods, Reserve promises diners a unique experience. Cocktails and craft beers add depth to the primarily wine-centered menu. » SERVING: Lunch, Dinner OPEN ON: Closed on Sunday GO THERE FOR: Wine and food pairings, charcuterie, happy hour.

River City Saloon 1152 Leonard St. NW. 616-451-0044 AMERICAN. Combine your tastes of live music and filling food at River City Saloon.

The restaurant and bar has Mexican options, burgers, salads and more. On the weekends, indulge in any of these menu items or a couple drinks while listening to some local music by bands like Hey Marco, OTC, Litt Up, Drop 35 and more. » SERVING: Lunch Dinner OPEN ON: Open 7 days GO THERE FOR: Wednesday olive burger special Rockwell-Republic 45 S. Division Ave. 616-551-3563 ECLECTIC. Menu offerings range from sushi to burgers and everything in between. The craft cocktail menu runs the gamut from classics like the Manhattan to more modern concoctions and the beer and wine menus are nicely curated. » SERVING: Lunch Dinner OPEN ON: Open 7 days. GO THERE FOR: Specialty cocktails, broad menu, lively atmosphere.

San Chez Bistro 38 West Fulton St. 616-774-8272 SPANISH/ECLECTIC. San Chez is both a café and a Tapas Bistro, now both housed in the same room. This is a social setting where people can remember the one rule of kindergarten: sharing. Featuring small, delicious dishes, San Chez can satiate your desire for variety. It’s also a hidden secret for breakfast in downtown Grand Rapids, offering a great start to any day. » SERVING: Breakfast Lunch Dinner OPEN ON: Open 7 Days. GO THERE FOR: Tapas, Breakfast, Sandwiches Six.One.Six. 235 Louis St. NW. 616-242-1448 ECLECTIC. Market-inspired 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.

Stella’s Lounge 53 Commerce Ave. 616-356-2700 TAVERN. The Chicago-style whiskey bar has more than 200 varieties of distilled spirits, old-school video games, and a menu filled with vegetarian and vegan bar food — and stuffed burgers. Did we mention you can sip cans of PBR and other classic beers out of a mason jar? » SERVING: Lunch Dinner OPEN ON: Open 7 days.

GO THERE FOR: Whiskey, vegetarian and vegan bar food.

Terra GR 1429 Lake Dr. 616-301-0998 AMERICAN. Terra boasts fresh, healthy ingredients in every dish. 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.

COMING SOON! REVUEWM.COM | March 2016 |

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MONDAY

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.

fast 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.

of pub classics and new, American beer-inspired dishes. Happy hour includes half-off appetizers and $1 off drafts. » SERVING: Lunch, Dinner OPEN ON: 7 days. GO THERE FOR: 28 taps of craft beer.

Lakeshore

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

8th Street Grille 20 W. 8th St., Holland. 616-392-5888 AMERICAN. This eclectic grille offers a mix of draft and bottled craft beers and a variety

Bil-Mar Restaurant 1223 S. Harbor St., Holland. 616-842-5920 AMERICAN. A destination restaurant 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.

Live Comedy Night 1/2 off MI craft drafts 8PM - 1AM

SchulerBooks&Music

TUESDAY

33 years as your local, independent bookstore!

Tall Boy Tuesday $3.5 domestic tall boys

WEDNESDAY

Karaoke and 1/2 off bottles of wine & 5pm-close

THURSDAY

$4 mules Moscow, Mexican & Irish 8pm-1am

FRIDAY & SATURDAY

Live entertainment

MARCH 2016 EVENTS

8

9am

9

15

BIOGRAPHER WILLIAM ANDERSON PRESENTS: THE SELECTED LETTERS OF LAURA INGALLS WILDER

17

7pm

GRAND RAPIDS AMATEUR ASTRONOMICAL ASSOCIATION PRESENTS: PREDICTION OF A LUMINOUS RED SUPERNOVA

19

LOCAL CHILDREN’S AUTHOR SIGNING

7pm

Schedule Dining Sights | Sounds | Scene

10am

$4 APPETIZERS

24

801 5th St NW, Grand Rapids, MI 49504 (616) 456-9058 theholidaybargr.com

76 | REVUEWM.COM | March 2016

WEST MI PALEO/PRIMAL TRIBE

Join this natural health discussion group to focus on this month’s topic, Living Real: Using Your Authentic Ancestral Wisdom.

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

HAVING A REALLY NICE TIME SINCE 1905!

We invite you to renew your energy for your purpose-based business with a network of Unstoppable Women. meetup.com/Womennetworking

6pm

SUNDAY

Sun-Thurs, 9pm-1am

UNSTOPPABLE WOMEN NETWORKING

7pm

Available now and collected in one volume, you can now explore the letters of one of America’s most beloved authors, Laura Ingalls Wilder with Michigan historian and biographer William Anderson.

Join Dr. Larry Molnar, Professor of Astronomy at Calvin College, as he tells us how to witness the next potential supernova.

Join us for a book signing with three accomplished Michigan children’s book authors, Wendy BooydeGraaff, Dena Albergo Jayson and Jordan Scavone.

LOCAL AUTHOR NIGHT

Join us for a panel presentation featuring published authors from the Grand Rapids area, R.J. Fox, Jeremy Riden, Barbara Stark-Nemon and Andrew Targowski.

Visit www.SchulerBooks.com for a complete list of events.

All events are subject to change.

2660 28th Street SE • (616) 942-2561

EASTER BRUNCH I N T H E B A L L RO O M @ C I T Y F L AT S H OTEL

Sunday, March 27th from 11am–2pm Buffet seatings at 11am, 12pm, 1pm, and 2pm.

Adults—29.95 / Seniors (65+)—24.95 Children (5-12)—12.95 / Children (4 & under)—free Sales tax and 18% gratuity will be added

INTRODUCING AQUAVIT. A Scandinavian favorite, distilled right here in Grand Rapids, featuring caraway, dill, cinnamon, and other notable spices.

537 LEONARD ST. NW, GRAND RAPIDS, MICHIGAN 49504 WWW.LONGROADDISTILLERS.COM

77 Monroe Center St NW / Grand Rapids / cityflatshotel.com / 616.608.1727

REL E A SE PART Y

So Much Love, So Many Details

th

Wedding Receptions • Rehearsal Dinners • Bridal Showers • Room Blocks for Out-of-Town Guests

616-957-0100 | doubletreegrandrapids.com | 4747 28th St SE, Grand Rapids

GOLD MEDAL

2011 GREAT AMERICAN BEER FESTIVAL EXPERIMENTAL BEER

Live music ~ pig roast lots ~ ~ on tap & 22 oz bottles!

RIGHTBRAINBREWERY.COM ~ 225 E. 16TH STREET ~ TRAVERSE CITY ~ MICHIGAN

REVUEWM.COM | March 2016 |

Scene | Sounds | Sights Dining Schedule

Saturday ~~Aprilof16Pig Porter

LET OUR WEDDING EXPERT, ALYSSA, HELP YOU WITH:

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by Joe Boomgaard, Revue Beer Czar

Beer

All Aboard!

Railtown Brewing breaks the mold in pursuit of quality

R

Their work, it seems, has paid off as sales have steadily increased since the brewery officially opened in December 2014. After starting with a capacity for 150 barrels of beer, the company invested in equipment last year pushing capacity to the 700-barrel mark, Buiter explained.

“Things have really taken off,” he said. “It’s been a battle just to keep up. We try to take it a quarter at a time, but we’re already where we thought we’d be in year five of our plan. It’s tough to plan for the future when your goals have just been dust in the wind. … We’re going to keep growing as long as we’re having fun.”

That growth was spurred in part by keg sales at the brewery as well as getting distributed to 14 locations in West Michigan and Lansing last fall.

This year the brewery will also start releasing 22-ounce bottles of select beers for distribution, starting with the Really Good Mooed Milk Stout, an imperial version of one of the company’s oldest recipes.

Plans for 2016 include an expansion to open up more space for the taproom and the cramped brewhouse. Adding more brewing space could also make it feasible to add a barrel-aging program.

“Hopefully, the expansion will allow us to get a barrel or two,” Lee said.

Railtown also makes use of as many local ingredients as possible, especially hops from Greenville-based Hopyards of Kent and malted

Railtown Brewing Co. 3555 68th St. SE, Dutton Hours: 3–10 p.m., Mon.–Thurs.; 3 p.m.–12 a.m. Fri.-Sat. railtownbrewing.com, (616) 881-2364

Specials

n Monday: All-day happy hour ($1 off pours) n Tuesday: Cheap growler fills ($2 off) n Wednesday: Food truck day n Thursday: Mug club day n Friday: Food truck day n Saturday: Live music with no cover

grains from Pilot Malt House in nearby Byron Center. When Revue visited, the brewery had just recently tapped its Grinning Mitten double IPA as a showcase of those local ingredients.

Mainstays and frequently tapped beers include: n Bike Ride Blonde, a hopped wheat beer that stands up to the rest of the lineup (meaning, it wasn’t an afterthought like so many iterations of the style seem to be). n Shadyside IPA, an American IPA made with C-hops (Citra, Cascade, Centennial and Chinook).

n Citra Warrior, a smooth 9.6% ABV double IPA made with 36 pounds of honey. n Whirlypits, a Scotch ale that’s got a hint of smoke. n Good Mooed Milk Stout, the brewery’s lightest beer by ABV that’s full-bodied and made with lactose, giving it a creaminess and accentuating the coffee and chocolate notes.

For March, the brewery expects to release its Nitpicker ESB, Belgian Hipster Trappe (a Belgian Strong Ale), and Pow Right In The Kizberry (a fruit beer made with raspberries).

Locals also flock to Railtown for music.

The brewery offers bands a chance to play live every Saturday, with shows booked almost every weekend through May. “We love beer and music and we’ve had a fantastic turnout for bands,” Buiter said, noting the slim options for local music in the area.

While they’ve dedicated their livelihoods to brewing, it’s still difficult for Lee and Buiter to let go of their roots as I.T. professionals. They like to monitor social media sites like Facebook and Untappd to ensure customers are having positive experiences at their establishment, and if there is a problem, they want to address it quickly.

“We want everyone to have the best experience possible,” Buiter said. “We want to be the brewery where we remember your name. It’s the small things like that.” n

Schedule Dining Sights | Sounds | Scene

ailtown B rewi n g C o. founders Justin Buiter and Gim Lee like to say their year-old West Michigan craft brewery sits “in the middle of nowhere and between everything.”

Tucked away in an unassuming strip mall along 64th Street, Railtown Brewing has managed to eke out a solid reputation among the craft beer cognoscenti, all while operating on a shoestring budget.

Instead of having the flashiest taproom or branding, the brewery instead invested in the quality of its liquid, focusing on buying equipment that will ensure its beers live up to the owners’ high standards.

“We really break all the molds,” Buiter said.

Buiter and Lee first met while working in the I.T. department at Family Christian Stores and they immediately clicked over their shared passions for homebrewing and golf. They both left the Grand Rapids-based bookseller about the same time and decided to partner in a brewery.

But first, Buiter installed a pilot brewing system in his basement so they could perfect their recipes and mimic the system they would eventually be brewing on at Railtown.

The reason: They knew they couldn’t afford much room for error once the self-financed business got off the ground.

78 | REVUEWM.COM | March 2016

PHOTOS: JOE BOOMGAARD

BREAKFAST ANY TIME.

CRANKER’S RESTAURANT & BREWERY 454 68th St SW, Grand Rapids 616-827-1919

CRANKER’S BREWERY 213 S State St, Big Rapids 231-796-1919

CRANKER’S RESTAURANT & BREWERY 1207 E Pickard Rd, Mount Pleasant 989-779-1919

CRANKERSBREWERY.COM

THU. 3/17 ST. PATTY’S DAY PARTY 317 Bottles of Peanut Butter Porter Irish Food Specials • Live Music & More!

The B.O.B. / 20 Monroe Ave NW Downtown GR / 616.356.2000 thebobsbrewery.com / #BOBsBrewery REVUEWM.COM | March 2016 |

Scene | Sounds | Sights Dining Schedule

GREAT FOOD. GREAT BEER. CASUAL DINING.

BOTTLE RELEASE!

On Tap Until Mar. 19

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Taste This

Red hot Where to find good chili in West Michigan | by Troy Reimink, photos by Katy Batdorff

E

very self-respecting person has a go-to chili recipe, forged and perfected in the foul depths of innumerable Michigan winters. If not, then at the very least, everyone should have a set of finely calibrated preferences for chili that is served to them.

Like, how much kick? What kind of meat, if any? How chunky/liquidy? Sweeten or don’t? What kind of beans?

How much garlic?* In any case, chili is personal and these equations are not to be messed with.

Schedule Dining Sights | Sounds | Scene

Take the Chili Trip

80 | REVUEWM.COM | March 2016

I’m obligated here to acknowledge The Simpsons episode that most directly addresses this topic: “El Viaje Misterioso de Nuestro Jomer (The Mysterious Voyage of Homer),” in which Homer goes on a hallucinatory vision quest under the guidance of a space coyote voiced by Johnny Cash. What starts Homer on his inadvertent trip is a visit to Springfield’s annual chili cook-off, where he consumes a recipe containing the Merciless Peppers of Quetzalacatenango, “grown deep in the jungle primeval by the inmates of a Guatemalan insane asylum.”

My own vegetarian chili recipe stops just short of insanity-pepper levels of spiciness. We’re pretty attached, which makes me suspicious of — if not outright hostile toward — chili made by other people. This applies particularly to restaurants, which need to present a strong case that their chili justifies the expenditure of diningout money when chili can be made easily, inexpensively and in large quantities at one’s home.

Thus I embarked on a late winter’s journey to ascertain what kind of chili landscape exists in West Michigan. In short: Robust! And with plenty of beer!

I had no mystical guidance, only an appetite, a nose and one stubborn requirement: The chili had to be a regular menu item, not something that rotates in a “soup of the day” lineup. CHILI IS NOT

4-Alarm Chili at Cottage Bar

SOUP. It’s also not a condiment to ease the passage of a hot dog. Below are my suggestions.

Chili Hot Spots Cottage Bar

The (depending whom you ask) oldest bar in Grand Rapids is the Cottage Bar and each September this local landmark hosts a chili cook-off that pits teams in an outdoor battle for supremacy. Indoors, chili appears on the menu year-round and is available in three varieties: Blanco (diced chicken/pinto beans), 3-alarm (ground chuck/red beans) and 4-alarm (sirloin, no beans). ➤ 18 La Grave Ave. SE, Grand Rapids; cottagebar.biz Also try: Voodoo chili with Andouille sausage and jalapenos at Crooked Goose, 355 Wilson Ave. NW, Walker

Stella’s/Hopcat/Grand Rapids Brewing Company

Any corner of this downtown BarFlyowned restaurant trifecta would be a great place to start a chili tour of Grand Rapids.

Stella’s spicy black bean vegetarian chili, I will grudgingly admit, outshines even my own. Omnivores can add seasoned beef or walk a couple of blocks to either Grand

*For me: Lots; none; happy medium; no, thanks; one can Brooks hot chili beans, then assorted red/black/kidney; way more than seems logical.

Dirty Bastard Bratwurst Chili at Founders Brewing Co.

Rapids Brewing Company or Hopcat, which share a beef-and-pork chili (Hopcat also offers meatless) loaded with jalapeno, chipotle and bell peppers.

evokes the Lone Star state with a barbecuerich menu that takes chili to extremes unmatched anywhere in the area. Its Texas Chili Emporium offers several options: Regular, deluxe, topped with potatoes, topped with macaroni and cheese, topped with brisket or topped with sausage and brisket. I had to take an antacid just to finish typing that.

➤ Stellas: 53 Commerce Ave. SW, Grand Rapids; stellasgr.com Hopcat: 25 Ionia Ave. SW, Grand Rapids; hopcat.com GRBC: 1 Ionia Ave. SW, Grand Rapids; grbrewingcompany.com

➤ 3660 Byron Center Ave. SW; dallasdeli.net

Also try: Lemonjello’s Coffee’s spicy vegan chili, 61 E. 9th St., Holland

Also try: Beef/bacon/beer chili at Slows BBQ , 435 Ionia Ave. SW, Grand Rapids

Cherry Deli/Two Beards Deli The sibling delis known for their mind-boggling sandwich menus also produce some outstanding white chilis, both variations on Owner/Chef Scott Schulz’s hearty chicken chili concoction. Cherry Deli, on the day I visited, also offered a spicy vegan chickpea chili that nearly took my eyebrows off.

➤ 235 Grandville Ave. SW, Grand Rapids; foundersbrewing.com Also try: Spicy Poet Chili (with Poet Oatmeal Stout) at New Holland Brewing Co., 66 E. 8th St., Holland

Dallas Deli What they say about everything being bigger in Texas (trucks, belt buckles, gun collections, appetites for meat) is totally true. This Wyoming mainstay credibly

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Founders Brewing Co. Founders does chili as well as it does most things: Quite well! The brewery offers a Goldilocks-zone chili. It’s spicy, but not overly. It includes bratwurst and, logically, Dirty Bastard Scotch ale as its base. It’s available in a bread bowl, which, when you consider the ABV of many Founders beers, isn’t a bad idea.

➤ Cherry Deli: 834 Cherry St. SE Two Beards Deli: 38 Commerce Ave. SW; twobeardsgr.com Also try: — Red pork chili with chickpeas at The Winchester, 648 Wealthy St. SE — White chicken chili with Saugatuck Brewing Co. Serrano Pepper Ale, Logan’s Alley, 916 Michigan St. NE — White bean chicken chili with pico de gallo, Rockford Corner Bar, 31 N. Main St., Rockford n

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Dining Q&A

by Nick Macksood

Katy Waltz, Head Pastry Chef at Brewery Vivant So when did you start at Vivant?

I just hit my two-year anniversary.

Table Talk:

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katy waltz of brewery vivant

Too often I’m guilty of turning down dessert at the end of a meal.

That was not the case this month, because I sat down with Katy Waltz, the talented head pastry chef at Brewery Vivant.

Waltz, 31, of Grand Rapids, talked desserts and beers. Here’s what she had to say.

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times I’m having my morning coffee and I’ll see something on Pinterest. I’ll be like, “I can make that better.”

How often does beer factor into this method?

If we’re having a really cool beer coming out, I’ll think of something to accompany that beer. Recently I made 50 gallons of caramel sauce to put into a beer. It was literally a trash can full.

But there’s also more challenging [beers to complement], like Zaison, which is a grapefruity kind of beer — there’s the citrus notes in there. It’s kind of peppery. But there are so many different factors that contribute: What’s in season? It’s endless.

Have you always been around GR? No. I grew up in Indiana, born in Ohio. I went to Purdue for Tourism and Hospitality Management. I really wanted to quit there and go to culinary school, but my parents said, “No, you have to finish and get your Bachelor’s.” They kind of convinced me to stick it out. I’m glad I did because I met one of my chef instructors there. He had done an apprenticeship at a resort on Sea Island in Georgia. He said, “Don’t go to culinary school, I love the food at Brewery Vivant, but lately I’ve skipped right it’ll put you $30,000 in debt. You should do this old-school over it and gone for the dessert. Is that just me? apprenticeship and you’ll get paid for your education.” I think Dessert has been catching on here lately. Ice I was one of 15 people who applied, eight of cream has been huge. We have salted chocous got in, and I think three of us graduated. late on the menu and I have to have black It’s a really competitive program. I was the “Dessert has been cardamom on hand for the Liège waffle. I first pastry apprentice to graduate from there catching on here always have to have vanilla for the root beer in 10 years. lately. Ice cream has floats and the beer floats. I thought ice cream been huge. We have was going to be slow during the winter, but Those are some high honors. we ran a rosemary mascarpone once and it Yeah, but it could be really stressful too. It was, salted chocolate sold like crazy. and still is, a five-star restaurant. So it was defion the menu and I nitely that five-star experience. You couldn’t have to have black If you went on a dessert crawl though GR, talk during service. It was very demanding. It where else are you going? just beats you down. cardamom on hand I have a really bad ice cream tooth, so I’d say for the Liège waffle.”

Love’s Ice Cream [435 Ionia Ave. SW]. I shop I was here when you guys ran that Fried at Nourish Organic Market [634 Wealthy St. Banana Cheesecake special. Wow. SE] three times a week and I always buy the little teeny-tiny Nice. Usually I try to do a little fancier stuff, but sometimes you just have to wrap some cheesecake in a wonton and fry ones he sells there because you don’t feel so bad. But honestly, I’m nibbling on so many things here that I don’t get that dessert it, you know? craving as much as you’d think. n What’s your process of designing a dessert?

There are a couple of different factors. Sometimes I just have a craving and I make something because I want to eat it. Other

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Dining

large-screen TVs adorn the restaurant if you’re in the mood to watch the big game. » SERVING: Lunch, Dinner OPEN ON: Open 7 days GO THERE FOR: Craft beer and brick-oven pizza.

CityVu Bistro 61 E 7th Street, Holland. 616-796-2114 AMERICAN. A distinctive rooftop dining experience in downtown Holland with fresh gourmet flatbreads and an array of seasonal entrees. 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 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.

Hops at 84 East 84 East 8th St., Holland. 616-396-8484 TAVERN. A beautiful taproom sporting reclaimed wood and copper. With 60 beer taps, two English beer machines, eight wine taps and an extensive spirits menu, Hops has a special beverage for everyone.

The menu includes brick-oven pizza, burgers and sandwiches, chicken wings and a rotating special of the day. There are also gluten-free options, including their famous pizza. Several

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 savory sandwiches chock full of Michigan ingredients, plus a seasonal entree menu. Also try their artisan spirits. » SERVING: Lunch Dinner OPEN ON: 7 days. GO THERE FOR: Mad Hatter IPA, Dragon’s Milk.

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

Salt of the Earth 114 East Main St., Fennville. 269-561-7258 AMERICAN. Salt of the Earth is a farm-to-table-inspired restaurant, bar, and bakery located in the heart of SW Michigan farm country in Fennville. Focuses on fresh, seasonal, and local ingredients whenever possible. Also serves up live music on weekends.

» SERVING: Lunch Dinner OPEN ON: 7 days. GO THERE FOR: House made rustic cuisine.

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

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. The Eccentric Café features eclectic fare sourced from sustainable local ingredients, inspired by and designed to complement Bell’s award-winning beers. On tap, you’ll find 30-40 different beers, many exclusive to the Café and brewed right next door at the original brewery. » SERVING: Lunch Dinner OPEN ON: 7 days. GO THERE FOR: The Beer Bravo!

5402 Portage Rd., Kalamazoo 269-344-7700 ITALIAN. Muchlauded 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 Tuscan-inspired cuisine is spectacular, the atmosphere comfortable and intimate, and the service first-rate. Also brews its own beer in small batches for pairings with menu offerings. » SERVING: Lunch Dinner OPEN ON: 7 days. (Closed Sat. lunch) GO THERE FOR: A great dining experience.

Central City Taphouse 359 S. Kalamazoo Mall. (269) 492-0100 TAPHOUSE. If Central City doesn’t have the kind of beer you want on tap, you’ll probably find it with the 75+ bottles. OH, you say you’re not a beer drinker? Well, Central City offers 20 wine ‘taps’ and a full bar. If you’re not the drinking type, that’s cool too. There are a number of food options to pick from, including a raw menu, a pizza menu and the all-day menu, which features

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Fieldstone Grille 3970 W. Centre St., Portage. 269-321-8480 AMERICAN. Lodge-retreat atmosphere overlooking the Moors Golf Club natural wetlands. The “field-to-plate” menu features burgers, pizzas, steaks and some eclectic items like quail.

Try the FSG chips, a combination of potato, beet and sweet potato chips. » SERVING: Lunch Dinner OPEN ON: 7 days. GO THERE FOR: Blue Burger, Almond Crusted Walleye, FSG Chips.

Food Dance 401 E. Michigan Ave. 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.

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 (Sundays-dinner only) GO THERE FOR: Quiet casual ambiance.

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

Old Dog Tavern 402 East Kalamazoo Ave., Kalamazoo. 269-381-5677 AMERICAN. The food at Old Dog Tavern is just about as eclectic as the entertainment offered. The menu has so much on it that it might even bring some harmony between picky and adventurous eaters. » SERVING: Brunch Lunch Dinner. OPEN ON: Open 7 days. GO THERE FOR: The eclectic menu options.

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

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

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