September 2017, Revue Magazine

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FREE!

L o ca l Artists

Th e A r ts Issue

Complete 2017-18 seaso n previews • Economics of A r t • ArtPrize

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8 | REVUEWM.COM | SEPTEMBER 2017

REVUEWM.COM | SEPTEMBER 2017 |

9

18+

18+

September 1 BOY BAND REVIEW

September 8 BUDDY GUY

SEPTEMBER 22 HIGHLY SUSPECT

SepTEMBER 26 GARY CLARK JR

w/ DJ REDBEES

OCTOBER 13 THUNDERSTRUCK

w/ Jackie Venson

SEPTEMBER 14 THE DRAKE EXPERIENCE

SepTEMBER 15 APOCALYPTICA -

Feat. DJ Composition

Plays "Metallica By Four Cellos" Tour

SEPTEMBER 16 MARISELA

SEPTEMBER 27 TWO DOOR CINEMA CLUB

OCTOBER 3 GOJIRA

OCTOBER 7 PIXIES

w/ Circa Waves

w/ Torche, Code Orange

America’a AC/DC Tribute

OCTOBER 19 311

OCTOBER 21 O.A.R.

OCTOBER 22 DEMETRI MARTIN

OCTOBER 29 BEN FOLDS

NOVEMBER 1 COLIN HAY

NOVEMBER 5 THE USED

NOVEMBER 9 AARON LEWIS & BLACKBERRY SMOKE

w/ Tall Heights

w/ Brian Vander Ark

w/ Glassjaw

w/ Alex Williams

w/ Mitski

OCTOBER 24 ALT-J w/ Bishop Briggs

NOVEMBER 11 NEEDTOBREATHE

13+

NOVEMBER 13 ODESZA

NOVEMBER 15 HOLLYWOOD UNDEAD w/ Butcher Babies

NOVEMBER 18 DESCENDENTS w/ Mustard Plug, Frank Iero

DECEMBER 9 DAMIEN ESCOBAR

DECEMBER 17 DUSTIN LYNCH Ryan Hurd

11 OTTAWA AVE NW • DOWNTOWN GRAND RAPIDS • 20MONROELIVE.COM

10 | REVUEWM.COM | SEPTEMBER 2017

SEPTEMBER 21 w/ Scott Stapp, Sick Puppies TRAPT, Drowning Pool, Adelitas Way

OCTOBER 11 MASTODON w/ Eagles of Death Metal, Russian Circles

OCTOBER 27 KIP MOORE w/ Drake White + The Big Fire, Jordan Davis

NOVEMBER 12 KARI JOBE w/ Cody Carnes

WHAT’S INSIDE

September 2017 | Volume 29, Issue 9

SCENE 16

What’s Going on this Month

20

Biz Beat

SOUNDS

THE ARTS ISSUE

74

29

23

On Tour: Steve Earle

24

On Tour: Judah & the Lion

26

Audiotree Music Festival

SPECIAL SECTION: THE ARTS ISSUE 30

Local Artist Profiles

54

Art Economics

58

Creative Youth Center Travel Guide

62

Theater: Dixie’s Tupperware Party

63

ArtPrize Nine

64

Great Lakes Music Camp

REVUE ARTS: 1A

A complete preview of West Michigan’s cultural arts events for 2017–2018 (See the center of this issue)

SIGHTS: 67

Style Notes

68

Comedy: Brian Regan

70

Comedy: Funny Girls

DINING & DRINKING:

76

73

Restaurant Guide

74

Dining Review: Ando Asian Kitchen & Bar

76

New Brewery: Thornapple Brewing Co.

LETTER FROM THE EDITOR

O

ne year ago, we announced the beginning of something new: Revue Arts.

Those people have been what the Arts Issue has been about for the last nine years. In this annual

The goal was to fill a hole in local

issue, we focus on the artists themselves, but most

journalism, a hole created when various local media

especially the inspiring (and inspired) visual artists of

outlets squashed their arts beats in favor of year-

our community. We have illustrators, photographers,

round prom coverage. It was a new adventure, one

collagists, tattoo artists and more.

that would require bringing on new writers and

You’ll also definitely want to take some time

searching for all the amazing stories we knew were

to check out our collaboration with Creative Youth

there, just waiting to be told.

Center, featuring stories from Grand Rapids elemen-

A year later, we’re happy to toot our own horn

tary and middle schoolers. Their writing is a delightful

— we’ve found no shortage of stories to tell, in large

breath of fresh air, as the youngest journalists notice

part thanks to aid from the very arts organizations

details no one else would ever think to.

In the end, as important as it is to appreciate and

we wanted to support.

We work hard to get the word out about qual-

discuss art, the best way to improve the arts scene

ity, important shows, whether that be through our

in our city is through direct support. That means car-

monthly previews or our honest, critical theater and

ing about art outside of ArtPrize, getting more art in

music reviews. We’ve also done some deep dives

front of more people, and, quite frankly, putting your

into bigger issues that affect the arts community, from

money where your eyes are.

the effect of development on art to the state of music education in the region (see Samara Napolitan’s look at Grand Rapids’ art collector scene in this issue). And

’Til next time,

W E S T M I C H I G A N ’ S E N T E RTA I N M E N T G U I D E

EDITORIAL Publisher Brian Edwards Associate Publisher Rich Tupica / rich@revueholding.com Editor Joe Boomgaard / joe@revuewm.com Managing Editor Josh Veal / josh@revuewm.com Copy Editor Claire Boomgaard DESIGN Creative Director Kim Kibby / kim@revuewm.com CONTRIBUTING WRITERS Missy Black Kelly Brown Dana Casadei Mark Deming Nick Macksood Marla R. Miller

Eric Mitts Samara Napolitan Jane Simons Elma Talundzic Kayla Tucker

CONTRIBUTING PHOTOGRAPHERS Katy Batdorff ADVERTISING / 616.608.6170 / sales@revuewm.com Kelli Belanger / kelli@revuewm.com Joe Langlois / joelanglois@revuewm.com MINIONS Emily Claus, Kara Toay

finally, we look to tell the stories of the performers, artists, directors and everyone else who makes the

DIGITAL EDITORS Kim Kibby, Josh Veal

art community what it is — without them, none of this would be possible.

Josh Veal, Managing Editor

FIND US ONLINE! Website: revuewm.com Twitter: twitter.com/revuewm Facebook: facebook.com/revuewm Instagram: instagram.com/revuewm

Coming next month:

THE BEER ISSUE Revue’s annual look at local craft beer is a thorough guide to the local craft beer scene, with an extensive brewery guide, beer face-offs, trends, and more.

TO ADVERTISE: Call (616) 608-6170 or email sales@revuewm.com.

Space reservation deadline is September 13.

14 | REVUEWM.COM | SEPTEMBER 2017

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 ©2017, Revue Holding Company. All rights reserved. Reproduction in whole or in part granted only by written permission of the publisher in accordance with our legal statement, fools.

ON THE COVER: A painting by local artist Esan Sommersell.

See the Arts Issue on page 29.

Michigan

Irish Music Fe s t i v a l

SEPT. 14-17 Heritage Landing, Downtown Muskegon

OVER 20 BANDS... AND A WHISKEY SNUG

need we say more!

Buy online EARLY and SAVE www.michiganirish.org

Get In FREE Early Friday, 5 - 6 pm only REVUEWM.COM | SEPTEMBER 2017 |

15

/// BEST BETS

WHAT’S GOING ON THIS MONTH | Compiled by Emily Claus, Kara Toay and Revue Staff

9/8

1987 Tribute Show

The Pyramid Scheme 68 Commerce Ave. SW, Grand Rapids Sept. 8, 8 p.m., $10 pyramidschemebar.com, (616) 272-3758

Sarah Chang

BOLERO

SCHEDULE | DINING | SIGHTS | SOUNDS SCENE

DeVos Performance Hall 303 Monroe Ave. NW, Grand Rapids Sept. 15, 8 p.m., $18+ grsymphony.com, (616) 454-9451 The relentlessly repetitive nature of Ravel’s Boléro has garnered both admirers and critics alike.

The French composer himself was annoyed by the popularity of the one-movement work he wrote as an orchestration exercise. However one feels about it, Boléro makes for a proper season opener. For newcomers, it’s the perfect primer to music appreciation as tones and timbres blend to shift the mood of a melody.

Another compelling feature for the concert: a special guest appearance of one of the world’s greatest violinists, Sarah Chang, when she performs Bernstein’s beloved suite from West Side Story alongside the orchestra.

Throw in some Rachmaninoff and new music composed by Jeremy Crosmer, and it appears Marcelo Lehninger’s second season as GRS Music Director is off to a fine start. —Samara Napolitan

16 | REVUEWM.COM | SEPTEMBER 2017

Enjoy an amazing collection of music, featuring albums by Michael Jackson (Bad), Guns ‘N’ Roses (Appetite for Destruction), the Pixies (Come On Pilgrim), and R.E.M. (Document), all performed by local bands.

Stop by for drinks, dancing and a great show.

Moonlight Bootlegger 5k Grand Rapids

Art Van Sports Complex 3300 10 Mile Rd. NE, Rockford Sept. 8, 8:15 p.m., $28-$42 bootlegger5k.com

It’s back for another year. Go for a run through the woods on the Merrell Trails, and moonlight and candles will illuminate the way. Music springs to your ears every mile on the run. The best part: When you’re done with the race, enjoy a moonshine cocktail for the hard work.

Sept. 8, 11 p.m., $5 celebrationcinema.com We all enjoy the terrible cult classic movies that are so terrible, they’re funny. The good news is you no longer have to enjoy these humorous horror shows on your own.

Celebration! Cinema is showing these movies in theaters, and the Funny Girls will be there with live commentary and plenty of jokes to make your movie-going experience even more entertaining.

9/10

Queens of the Stone Age (SOLD OUT)

20 Monroe Live, 11 Ottawa Ave. NW, Grand Rapids

9/15 New Holland

Knickerbocker’s Beerthday Party

The Knickerbocker

417 Bridge St. NW, Grand Rapids Sept. 15, 4 p.m.-close, free newhollandbrew.com It’s been just about one year since New Holland Brewing moved to Grand Rapids with The Knickerbocker and set the stage for the rapid development (or whatever you want to call it) of Bridge Street. The brewery is celebrating this anniversary with vintage beers, Dragon’s Milk varietals and “gin galore,” along with some local music, including Melophobix, Mama Juke and Cosmic Knot.

9/15-17

GrandCon Gaming Convention

DeVos Place 303 Monroe Ave. NW, Grand Rapids Sept. 15-17, $15-$40 devosplace.org, (616) 742-6500 Tabletop games have come a long way from Parcheesi. Walk into Vault of Midnight and you’ll find an entire wall of games you’ve

surely never heard of, many of which take hours to play. From Settlers of Catan to Dominion, Euchre and Dungeons & Dragons, the gamut runs wide. GrandCon celebrates these games, bringing designers and artists from the industry to our city, along with all kinds of prizes.

9/17

Grand Rapids Vegfest

The DeltaPlex 2500 Turner Ave. NW, Grand Rapids Sept. 17, 10:30 a.m.-5 p.m., free grvegfest.com

Love vegetables and eating healthy?

Vegfest is back with even more food vendors and cooking demonstrations, so get ready for a day full of fun and tasty food that will feed the heart and soul. Grand Rapids is one of the most vegetarian- and vegan-friendly cities in the country, with companies like Field & Fire Cafe and Love’s Ice Cream offering ethical options for everyone.

9/9 Perrin Brewing 5th

Anniversary Party

Perrin Brewing Company 5910 Comstock Park Dr. NW, Comstock Park Sept. 9, 4-11 p.m., free perrinbrewing.com, (616) 551-1957

Celebrating its fifth anniversary of brewing in West Michigan, Perrin Brewing is hosting a huge celebratory event, complete with food trucks, vendors, live entertainment and, of course, a cornhole tournament. It’s sure to be a fantastic event, so plan time to stop by, toss some beanbags around, eat great food and drink delicious beer.

Roasting Last Call Cinema: I Know What You Did Last Summer Celebration! Cinema North and IMAX 2121 Celebration Dr. NE, Grand Rapids

ArtPrize Nine: Sept. 20-Oct. 8

#wherethehellisspringlake THE INCOMPARABLE SETH GLIER AND

BIRDS OF CHICAGO WSG JESSE TERRY

WE HOST GRAMMY® WINNERS. LEGENDS. EMERGING ARTISTS. SINGER-SONGWRITERS. FULL BANDS. ROCK. ROOTSAMERICANA. FOLK. BLUEGRASS.

TICKETS $15 ONLINE AHEAD OF TIME $20 AT GATE LIMITED NUMBER OF VIP TICKETS AVAILABLE $40 Box office 616.930.4755 or visit CourtyardConcerts.org

Scan for info and while you’re at it, sign up for our email newsletter!

Box office 616.930.4755 or visit PinDropConcerts.com

Seven Steps Up www.sevenstepsup.com

SEVEN STEPS UP

Live Music & Event Venue

/// BEST BETS

Gogol Bordello at The Intersection, Sept. 27

Soul Pose Yoga at DeVos Place, Sept 23

9/19 Bob Seger & the Silver Bullet Band

Van Andel Arena

130 W. Fulton St., Grand Rapids Sept. 19, 7:30 p.m., $77.50 vanandelarena.com, (616) 742-6600 There is no time like the present to go see this legendary man in concert, especially since this tour is rumoured to be the Hall

of Famers’ final one. With five decades of music under his belt, Seger is known for a whole lot of music, including hit singles like Ramblin’ Gamblin Man, Like a Rock and We’ve Got Tonight.

9/20-10/8

ArtPrize Nine

Grand Rapids Sept. 20-Oct. 8 artprize.org

SCHEDULE | DINING | SIGHTS | SOUNDS SCENE

MICHIGAN IRISH MUSIC FESTIVAL Heritage Landing, 1050 Seventh St., Muskegon Sept. 14-17, $15-$40 michiganirish.org, (231) 683-2065 Curious to learn about your Irish heritage, Celtic canines or how to Ceili dance or play the Bodhran? The Michigan Irish Music Festival, celebrating its 18th year, is known for the Irish music, food, beer and spirited atmosphere, but its cultural programming continues to expand with more classes, lectures and demonstrations on three intimate stages.

You’ll find musicians, writers, storytellers, historians and dancers throughout the weekend on the Galway, Blarney and Sligo stages. Participate in a Hooley, explore Irish and Celtic art and symbols, listen to stories, poetry and jam sessions, or learn to speak Gaelic like a real Irishman. It’s also the site of the Parade of Dance Champions on Saturday night, along with the popular Lumbertown Beard Baron Bout. —Marla Miller

18 | REVUEWM.COM | SEPTEMBER 2017

With the temperatures dipping and the winds a-blowin’, you knew ArtPrize was coming — somewhere, deep in your bones, you knew. Approaching its 10th anniversary, the massive international art competition is taking over the entirety of Grand Rapids for nearly three weeks yet again. This year, ArtPrize is introducing even more grants, especially for largescale projects, along with “Labs,” which will offer drop-in studios for anyone who wants in. More venues are participating than last year as well, now reaching 177 places to see more than 1,300 pieces of art.

9/23

Soul Pose Yoga

DeVos Place 303 Monroe Ave. NW, Grand Rapids Sept. 23, 8:30 a.m.-5 p.m., $19.99 devosplace.org, (616) 742-6500 Yoga lovers, this one is for you. In fact, even if you don’t have any yoga experience, come out and give this wild yoga party (from the creators of The Color Run) a try. You’ll put

on a little body paint and have a relaxing, fun time while learning some yoga moves in blacklight, with bubbles, confetti and lights all around you. This is just the place to get that post-workout glow you’re looking for.

9/27

Gogol Bordello Seekers and Finders Tour

9/29-9/30 Harry Potter and the

The Intersection 133 Grandville Ave. SW, Grand Rapids Sept. 27, 8 p.m., $29.50-$35 sectionlive.com, (616) 451-8232

Join Gogol Bordello on the Seekers and Finders Tour, supporting the “Gypsy punk” band’s latest album. Formed in 1999, the band is known for its theatrical stage shows and persistent touring all over the world, which makes sense given that the band’s members hail from Ukraine, Russia, Ethiopia, Ecuador and more.

9/29

West Michigan Hip Hop Festival 2

Van Andel Arena 130 W. Fulton St., Grand Rapids Sept. 29, 8 p.m., $47.50-$77.50 vanandelarena.com, (616) 742-6600

It’s back for round two! This year’s Hip Hop Festival lineup will feature massive hip hop stars like Fetty Wap, B.o.B, Mystikal, Juvenile, Ying Yang Twins and Jim Jones.

Fetty Wap’s self-titled album, released in 2015, made it to second place on Billboard, and B.o.B has been nominated for multiple Grammys over recent years. Meanwhile, the Ying Yang Twins got big in the early 2000s and have been riding that wave ever since.

Chamber of Secrets Film Concert

DeVos Performance Hall 303 Monroe Ave. NW, Grand Rapids Sept. 29-30, $41+ grsymphony.org, (616) 454-9451

Dress up in your house colors, snag a delicious butterbeer at the bar and interact with fellow wizards as you get ready to not only watch Harry Potter, but listen to the amazing Grand Rapids Symphony conduct the music for the movie right in front of Find more events you. It’s a can’t miss event for in the Revue Arts any Harry Potter section and at or musical arts lover, and it’s revuewm.com! so popular that the symphony had to add a third show.

DISTILLED FROM THE SHATTERED REMNANTS OF CONVENTIONAL THINKING. It’s in going out past the edge of established boundaries and into the unknown that we find new flavors, greater complexities and a completely unique experience for you.

ESTD 2005

BREAK THE RULES.

newhollandspirits.com • (616) 355-6422

REVUEWM.COM | SEPTEMBER 2017 |

19

/// NEWS

WEST MICHIGAN

BIZ BEAT

A Roundup of Openings, Closings and other Local Business News

OPENING: Kingma’s Market is opening its second location this month at the corner of Fulton Street and Ada Drive in Ada’s new village. The market’s original Plainfield location has become known for its Michigan-made products, fresh meat and craft beer selection. The new store will carry on that legacy, while also introducing a sushi bar and a new Rowster Coffee location.

Elliott’s News is opening back up in downtown Grand Rapids, this time in the lobby of McKay Tower (146 Monroe Center St. NW). The 105-year-old newsstand was the last of its kind when it closed in December 2016 due to renovations in its previous building, 50 Monroe Place.

SCHEDULE | DINING | SIGHTS | SOUNDS SCENE

Irie Kitchen (6630 Kalamazoo Ave. SE) has opened out in Kentwood, offering a straightforward menu of jerk- and

20 | REVUEWM.COM | SEPTEMBER 2017

curry-flavored chicken, pork, goat and tofu, along with classic Jamaican sides like plantains and festivals. Irie is all about serving up “healthy, organic” Jamaican food.

The Grand Rapids-based Joon + Co is launching Sept.

12. While the new “high-end, ethical,” women-owned fashion store will be online only at first, the goal is to someday open a shop in Grand Rapids.

CLOSED: As some doors open, others continue to close. Mangiamo!

(1033 Lake Dr. SE, Grand Rapids) had its last day on Aug. 20, despite last spring’s extensive remodeling and menu changes. The Gilmore Collection will maintain ownership of the historic mansion, instead converting it to a specialevent space named Paddock Place.

Irie Kitchen now open in Kentwood.

Arcadia Brewing Co. (103 W. Michigan Ave., Battle Creek) is closing its downtown Battle Creek location this month, but only to open a new downtown location early next year. Arcadia began in the space 21 years ago, but founder Tim Suprise said the move is an effort to reinvigorate the brewery. Meanwhile, the headquarters and brewing operations in Kalamazoo will remain open.

Corner Bar (31 N. Main St., Rockford) suffered a massive fire last month, wreaking havoc on the 144-year-old building and community staple. The city has rallied around the bar, known for its chili dogs and Hot Dog Wall of Fame. The bar is determined to rebuild and reopen, though the cost and timeline of that undertaking remains unknown as of yet.

COURTESY PHOTO

OTHER CHANGES: Macatawa Ale Company (102 S. River Ave., Holland) is seeking to acquire 8th Street Grille (20 W. 8th St., Holland), to move into the restaurant’s basement and open a brewpub. If successful, the brewing company will move all operations to the basement, while 8th Street Grille remains fully operational. —Compiled by Josh Veal

If you have any closings, openings or other business news for REVUE, e-mail josh@revuewm.com.

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22 | REVUEWM.COM | SEPTEMBER 2017

/// ON TOUR

AN OUTLAW COMES BACK TO COUNTRY

Steve Earle talks guitars, Nashville and his audience | by Mark Deming

N

A SH V I L L E IS A TOW N T H AT L I K E S F OL K S WHO call themselves outlaws, but it’s a different story if you’re an actual rebel.

Steve Earle knows more than a bit about this. He’s a gifted singer and songwriter who became a country hit maker in 1986 with the release of his debut album, Guitar Town. However, his insistence on doing things his own way and his habit of butting heads with record company executives made him fall out of favor in Music City, even before a devastating drug habit helped land him in jail in 1994.

Now clean and sober for 22 years, Earle has produced an eclectic body of work that jumps from folk to rock to bluegrass and blues, and three Grammy awards sit on his mantel attesting to his talent. He also has distinguished himself as an actor (a regular on The Wire and Treme), an author (he’s published a novel and a collection of short stories, and is working on a memoir) and a political activist.

But as Earle says in his soft but pronounced Texas twang, “Everything I do ends up being a little country, because I talk like this.” And Earle has dug deep into his country roots with the new album So You Wannabe An Outlaw, which boosts the fiddles and steel guitar in the mix while featuring plenty of tunes about busted hearts and bad behavior.

According to Earle, two factors prompted him to make a country album, and one of them was the TV series Nashville. “T-Bone Burnett (music director in the show’s first season) called me,” Earle said. “He wanted a song for Nashville. So I wrote If Mama Coulda Seen Me for that. He liked the song, they took it and they used it (on the show), then I kind of forgot about it. The second year, Buddy Miller became the music director, and he asked for a song. And so I wrote Lookin’ For A Woman and they didn’t use that – Buddy liked it, but his bosses didn’t.

Steve Earle PHOTO: CHAD BATKA

… When I got time to start thinking about a new record again, I realized the songs had this thread that ran through them.”

Earle also had a certain guitar in mind when he blocked out plans for the album. He collects guitars made in the year of his birth, 1955, and had recently purchased a vintage Fender Telecaster.

“The idea of building a country record around electric guitar rather than acoustic guitar was kind of exciting to me,” Earle said. “I’m a way better guitar player than I was (when I started), and I’ve been scared of Telecasters most of my life. They’re very unforgiving guitars. I just started playing electric guitars when I was 26 or 27, and

STEVE EARLE & THE DUKES Kalamazoo State Theater 404 S. Burdick St., Kalamazoo Sept. 22, 8 p.m. $34.50-$49.50 kazoostate.com/event/steveearle, (269) 345-6500

REVUEWM.COM | SEPTEMBER 2017 |

SCENE | SOUNDS | SIGHTS | DINING | SCHEDULE

my electric guitars were Gibsons with P-90s (pickups) that were mushy sounding and very forgiving. Telecasters aren’t like that. I just decided I was a better guitar player now and I might be able to pull it off. I gave it a shot, and we’re pretty happy with how it turned out.”

The album also features guest spots from two Texas country legends, Willie Nelson and Johnny Bush, as well as a duet with Miranda Lambert, who co-wrote This Is How It Ends.

“I had been resistant to co-writing for a long time, except for maybe as part of a production project,” Earle said. “I just decided to make some appointments, go to Nashville, and do some writing with some people I thought could write. Miranda was one of them, and we made an appointment and we wrote that song. We had to reschedule about three times, so by the time we got together to write, her record was in the can, so we knew we were writing for my record.

She came to Austin where we were recording, and we tracked it live.”

Earle’s fans that like the new album will be happy to hear that he expects the next one to be another country leaning set, though he also intends to address the current state of the nation.

“The next record is probably going to be as country as this one, but way more political,” Earle said. “I’m gonna try to speak to an audience that the Democratic Party lost, and I’ve lost over the years. I would love to think my audience is all working class people in the middle of the country, but it’s not.

My audience is an NPR audience. … The Russians didn’t elect Donald Trump. People did who were f---ing sick of being ignored.

And we have to address that, and I’m gonna try to address that on my next record.”

23

/// ON TOUR

JUDAH & THE LION GOING TO MARS TOUR

The Intersection 133 Grandville Ave. SW, Grand Rapids Oct. 1, 7 p.m., $20, all ages sectionlive.com, (616) 451-8232

Judah & the Lion

MISSION TO MARS

Rising ‘ folk-hop’ band Judah & the Lion proves anything’s possible with unique sound, stardom

SCHEDULE | DINING | SIGHTS | SOUNDS | SCENE

| by Eric Mitts

A

LOT OF BANDS LIKE TO SAY THAT THE SKY’S THE LIMIT for their music, their career, and their dreams, but for Nashvillebased alternative band Judah & the Lion, it’s especially hard not to believe.

Just look at the year the band has already had in 2017. The group rang in the New Year at the top of the Billboard Alternative Songs chart, where its hit song Take It All Back enjoyed three weeks at the No. 1 spot.

From there, Judah & the Lion joined fellow genre-defying chart-toppers Twenty One Pilots on the road for two months, later joining alternative-rock veterans Incubus and Jimmy Eat World on their joint tour this summer.

24 | REVUEWM.COM | SEPTEMBER 2017

That sort of skyrocketing success makes the band’s latest headlining tour – the Going To Mars Tour – sound less like a sci-fi spin off and more like a mission statement from a band charting a course for the biggest and brightest stars.

“It’s been a big part of my journey, just trusting that we really can do anything,” Judah & the Lion banjoist Nate Zuercher told Revue. “No matter what someone tells you, or what you believe about yourself, or any circumstance that any of us have been through, the reality is that anything is possible.”

A dreamer from a young age, Zuercher came up in a musical household. Both of his parents are members of the Colorado Springs Philharmonic, and both taught music lessons at home, where he learned to play guitar and grew up on both rock and classical music.

Ironically enough, his first concert ever, at just 12 years old, was an Incubus show.

“I was super into punk and metal in middle school in particular, and I think my parents got a little sick of the loud distorted music coming out of my bedroom all the time,” Zuercher said. “So we started looking for some musicians that played folk or bluegrass music that were shredding on guitar.”

Starting with the mind-blowing mandolin work of Chris Thile and Nickel Creek, Zuercher dove headfirst into the world of bluegrass, and went on to study music at Belmont University in Nashville where he played the banjo and met fellow music student and future Judah & the Lion mandolinist Benjamin Macdonald.

Together with lead vocalist/guitarist Judah Akers, the band started out in 2011 playing mostly Christian music with a more traditional folk/bluegrass sound. By 2013, the trio had released its first EP, Sweet Tennessee, and earned attention for its steady touring.

With the release of the follow-up EP Kids These Days, Judah & the Lion had begun changing direction the very next year, staying true to the band members’ diverse influences and boldly finding its own sound.

The band later gave that sound a name with the title of its full-length debut album, last year’s Folk Hop N’ Roll.

Hitting on a unique combination of genres and packing a direct emotional earnestness courtesy of Akers’ lyrics, Zuercher said he felt like the current digital soundscape, where so many styles of music are readily available to anyone at any time, helped his band cross over to music fans eager for something new.

It also helped Take It All Back become a hit both online and on the airwaves, which allowed the band to live out the very dreams of musical success Akers describes in the song’s verses.

“When we started playing (Take It All Back), we knew it was special,” Zuercher said. “We’ve always had goals to play certain things or do certain shows, or get on the radio, but we never knew that it would actually happen, or what would be the leadin to that.”

Written in just about a half-hour of jamming more than three years ago, the song has changed the band’s lives. The group has since expanded to include drummer Spencer Cross, rhythm guitarist Dylan Oglesby and pianist Daniel Weatherby. Most recently, the group parted ways with one of its longest members when it retired its beloved van, Cletus, after more than 200,000 miles of traveling between sweaty shows.

“We still have Cletus. He’s parked at a storage unit in Nashville, and we plan on using him at some point, (but) we just got a bus, Cletus Maximus,” Zuercher said.

Judah & the Lion also released a deluxe edition of Folk Hop N’ Roll earlier this year with four new songs, including the new hits Suit and Jacket and Going To Mars. And although the band has concerts booked through next year, Zuercher said they’ve already begun writing the next record.

“I think when we recorded these last few songs on the deluxe version of Folk Hop N’ Roll, I think that we really felt like we hit that Judah & the Lion sound, and we’re really excited about it,” Zuercher said. “So who knows if we’re going to stay there, or what? There’s so many different influences and ideas that we all have. It’s hard to say where we’ll go.”

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/// FESTIVAL

King Gizzard & The Lizard Wizard and SuperDuperKyle headline this year’s Audiotree Music Festival.

BRANCHING OUT

Audiotree Music Festival blossoms into two days of musical discovery | by Eric Mitts

SCHEDULE | DINING | SIGHTS | SOUNDS | SCENE

S

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TILL GROWING BIGGER EVERY YEAR, the Audiotree Music Festival will celebrate its fifth year in Kalamazoo by expanding to two full days of live music.

Founded in 2013 by Kalamazoo area natives Michael Johnston and Adam Thurston, the genre-defying festival has already showcased a diverse range of artists in its short history. This fall, it will return to the city’s landmark downtown location, the Arcadia Creek Festival Place, for the second year in a row, featuring headlining performances from rising California hip-hop star KYLE (aka SuperDuperKyle) and freewheeling Australian psychedelic rockers King Gizzard & the Lizard Wizard.

Born and raised in the Kalamazoo area, Johnston and Thurston both have deep roots here in West Michigan, and it’s their strong passion for bringing new live music to the area that first brought the Audiotree Music Festival to life.

“Growing up there, anytime there was a band we wanted to see, we were either driving to Detroit or Chicago or even Grand Rapids to go see shows,” said Audiotree co-founder Adam Thurston. “But we always

thought it would be cool to have more music here, so once we got Audiotree up and running, we wanted to get something going here in Kalamazoo.”

After leaving West Michigan for college, Thurston and Johnston started Audiotree together back in 2010 as a music production company based in Chicago that combines high-quality, in-studio audio and video production with a live streaming blog and other management, promotion and recording services. Since then, Audiotree has expanded to become a premiere music discovery platform online, pulling in millions of viewers worldwide each month.

“Audiotree was founded on essentially the discovery of new music,” Thurston said.

“For me and Mike and the rest of our team, one of the biggest things about our love for music is discovering new music and then getting the word out about that. … It’s all about finding bands that are talented that might not have 4 million likes on Facebook, but they’re just as talented as some of the biggest bands out there. So we founded the company on that principle … and we’re carrying that over into the festival.”

Packed with eight performances on Friday and 10 on Saturday, Thurston said he doesn’t expect festival-goers to know all the artists on this year’s lineup, but instead

hopes to have them leaving with an unforgettable experience from an unexpected artist.

“This year, we f igure some people might know KYLE or King Gizzard, but then they’re going to discover someone like BadBadNotGood for the first time, or someone like Noname or Smino – artists that we know are going to blow people’s minds, but maybe they hadn’t heard of them,” Thurston said.

Curating each day, festival organizers have more of a hip-hop vibe planned for Friday, with KYLE being preceded by indie rap queen Lizzo and Chance The Rapper-collaborator Noname. Saturday, on the other hand, will lean more rock-centric with buzzy Chicago garage rockers Twin Peaks and breakout New Jersey indie band Pinegrove playing before King Gizzard.

Both days will feature a wide variety of sounds, including local performances by Grand Rapids’ own hi-ker and Kalamazoo’s Less Is More.

In addition to anticipating around 2,500 festival-goers each day, Audiotree has several other late-night events planned in the area surrounding the festival that will be announced soon.

“Expanding to two days is something we’re really excited about,” Thurston said.

“We think it’s something that’s going to take this to the next level. The possibilities are endless.”

AUDIOTREE MUSIC FESTIVAL Arcadia Creek Festival Place 145 E. Water St., Kalamazoo Sept. 22-23, $32.50-$60 audiotreemusicfestival.com

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SPECIAL FEATURE

Th e A r ts Issue 29

THE ARTS ISSUE | PROFILE

HANNAH BERRY

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CULTIVATING CREATIVITY THROUGH ARTS PROGRAMMING, REGRANT PROGRAMS, EDUCATION & ADVOCACY.

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JOLEE KIRKIKIS

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HANDS

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THE ARTS ISSUE | PROFILE

KIM NGUYEN

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GARETH HAWKINS

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JEFFREY SONGCO

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WILLIAM CAMPBELL

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2017 – 2018 SEASON WAITING TO BE INVITED SEPTEMBER 22 – OCTOBER 8

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THE ARTS ISSUE | PROFILE

JOVANNAH NICHOLSON

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THE ARTS ISSUE | PROFILE

JEEN NA

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SEASON PREVIEWS

CREATE ART. DESIGN A CAREER. SPARK YOUR WORLD.

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Piano recitals are held on Sundays at 4 pm in the Wellspring Theater, Downtown Kalamazoo

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DREW PETERSEN September 17, 2017 Program includes works by Bach, Barber, Chopin, and more

“…in each piece, she seems to be telling a story…”

ZLATA CHOCHIEVA October 15, 2017 Program includes works by Chopin and Rachmaninoff

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CHRISTINA & MICHELLE NAUGHTON November 5, 2017 Program includes works by Ravel, Tchaikovsky, and more

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CHAMBER

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The Acoustic Cafe series brings outstanding folk artists to GR

LEO KOTTKE

OCTOBER 26, 2017

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FEBRUARY 1, 2018 More folk concerts to be announced soon!

museu ms & culture

GR A ND VA LLEY STATE UNIV ERSIT Y PR ESENTS THE 15 TH A NNUA L

FALL ARTS

20 17

CELEBRATION Enriching the Arts and Humanities in West Michigan

Grand Valley’s Fall Arts Celebration features distinguished artists, writers, poets, musicians, and dancers of our time.

Please join us this fall for inspiring entertainment that is the hallmark of our signature events.

MUSIC

“The Timeless Genius of Mozart: The Grand Partita, K 361” MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 11, 7:30 P.M. LOUIS ARMSTRONG THEATRE CENTER FOR PERFORMING ARTS ALLENDALE CAMPUS

ART

“Afghanistan to Morocco: Journeys of Jim and Virginia Goode” EXHIBITION RECEPTION

MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 18, 5–7 P.M. ART GALLERY CENTER FOR PERFORMING ARTS ALLENDALE CAMPUS

LECTURE

Jeffrey Chang: “We Gon’ Be Alright: Race and Resegregation in Today’s America”

DANCE!

“Celebrating Originality: Defying Gravity with Aerial Dance Chicago”

MONDAY, OCTOBER 9, 7:30 P.M.

MONDAY, NOVEMBER 6, 7:30 P.M.

L.V. EBERHARD CENTER, SECOND FLOOR ROBERT C. PEW GRAND RAPIDS CAMPUS

LOUIS ARMSTRONG THEATRE CENTER FOR PERFORMING ARTS ALLENDALE CAMPUS

POETRY!

“An Evening of Poetry and Conversation with Jane Hirshfield and Dan Gerber” THURSDAY, OCTOBER 26, 7:30 P.M. L.V. EBERHARD CENTER, SECOND FLOOR ROBERT C. PEW GRAND RAPIDS CAMPUS

HOLIDAY CELEBRATION!!

“Noël, Noël, Joyeux Noël: A Celebration of French Music for the Holiday Season” MONDAY, DECEMBER 4, 7:30 P.M. FOUNTAIN STREET CHURCH 24 FOUNTAIN STREET NE GRAND RAPIDS, MI

EXHIBITION DATES: AUGUST 25–OCTOBER 27

All events are FREE and open to the public.

Want to know more about upcoming Fall Arts Celebration events?

Please visit gvsu.edu/fallarts and provide us with your email address or call (616) 331-2185.

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Tickets: 616-234-3946 or jtgr.org

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ESAN SOMMERSELL

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KATIE MAYCROFT

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MUSIC BY JOHN WILLIAMS FILM LIVE WITH ORCHESTRA

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RYAN HAY

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SEPTEMBER 6 - DIRTY DANCING - GREEN ZEBRA SEPTEMBER 13 - CLUE - PORTER SEPTEMBER 20 - THE USUAL SUSPECTS - DIRTY BASTARD SEPTEMBER 27 - FAST TIMES AT RIDGEMONT HIGH - REDANKULOUS OCTOBER 4 - THE BREAKFAST CLUB - BREAKFAST STOUT OCTOBER 11 - THE FIFTH ELEMENT - ALL DAY IPA OCTOBER 18 - FIELD OF DREAMS - HARVEST ALE OCTOBER 25 - THE SHINING - REDâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;S RYE IPA NOVEMBER 1 - THE CABIN IN THE WOODS - BACKWOODS BASTARD NOVEMBER 8 - PITCH PERFECT - RUBAEUS

9/7 Kathy Lamar Band 9/9 Natchez Trace 9/14 Kevin Jones Band

T U E - W E D 1 1 AM - 1 0 PM T H U R - F R I 1 1 AM - 1 1 PM S A T 5 PM- 1 1 PM & S U N 1 1 AM- 4 PM

9/16 Cottage Bar Chili Cook-Off with Mid Life Crisis

SEPTEMBER 6 - NOVEMBER 8, 8PM FOR MORE INFORMATION GO TO: celebrationcinema.com/foundersfilms

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CATHERINE HOFFMAN 50 | REVUEWM.COM | SEPTEMBER 2017

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VANESSA AUTUMN

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THE ARTS ISSUE | FEATURE

First Connect, Then Collect

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DOWNTOWN GRAND RAPIDS / DOWNTOWN HOLLAND

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THE ARTS ISSUE | FEATURE

Revueâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Grand Rapids Travel Guide

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THE ARTS ISSUE | FEATURE

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It was the best three years of my life.

MALL CITY

HARMONIZERS

“I transferred to the University of Michigan and excelled using the acting, directing, and singing skills that I learned from GRCC.” —Lorna Colon-Torres Bilingual translator/secretary, Wyoming Public Schools Class of 1998

MALE A CAPELLA CHORUS

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Keeping Fresh

D

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THE ARTS ISSUE | EVENT

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

AJ FINNeEpYt. 2

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Lasers on the Grand

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MIKE STANLEY

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Pickin’ and grinnin’

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STYLE NOTES

by Missy Black

Man, You Look Good…

I

F SLATE HAD A CELEBRITY SPOKESMAN, it would be George Clooney or Ryan Gosling — they fit the store’s whole vibe of classic and refined, with a hint of trend.

When you’re loading up on new fall styles, take some advice from Stacy Mulder, the owner of Slate, a men’s casual and contemporary clothing store in Grand Rapids: “Henleys for sure. Every guy should have them in his closet. It looks good on them and women like it. It’s nice for fall in West Michigan with all the outdoorsy stuff,” she said.

According to Mulder, you can’t go wrong with flannels, dark-washed jeans and the popular and prevalent graphic T-shirt craze, and she should know. She’s currently stocking Slate with this season’s must-have trend: the statement jacket. “You’ll be seeing tons of statement jackets like an elongated bomber jacket or something with texture to make the jacket stand out. We’re getting a denim jacket that’s lined with shearling that’ll be a huge seller.” Anything else men should know? “Guys need to add a finishing piece,” Mulder said. “Wear a cool shoe or a detail on a belt, or even a great messenger bag. We carry Brothers Leather Supply Company bags. When you do one extra thing you finish and complete the look.”

The store also carries men’s accessories such as shaving and grooming items, underwear, jewelry and a watch line, along with gift items for the gentlemen in your life who appreciate barware accessories and candles.

If you’re looking to bro out, Slate hosts occasional sip and shops for around 15 people to gather, enjoy refreshments and get in on some new threads. And hey, the store will be an ArtPrize venue too.

This leather iPad sleeve is hand-stitched in Grand Rapids by Hides and Stitches and looks pretty darn handsome under your arm from Stately & Co. in Rockford, $75.

The Duke Cannon big beer soap is a partnership with Old Milwaukee beer for bold suds and a woodsy, sandalwood scent that smells like a man should from Apothecary Off Main in Grand Rapids, $11.

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SCENE | SOUNDS | SIGHTS DINING | SCHEDULE

Simple yet effective skincare from Triumph and Disaster combines natural ingredients and science resulting in “Gameface Moisturizer” from A.K. Rikk’s in Grand Rapids, facial moisturizer $54; body wash $34; facial cleanser $26.

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by Eric Mitts

COMEDY

The ‘Not-Too-Bad’ Comedy of Brian Regan

SCHEDULE | DINING | SIGHTS SOUNDS | SCENE

O

K, LET’S GET ONE THING STRAIGHT WHEN IT COMES TO stand-up comedian Brian Regan: His birthday is actually June 2 — not Oct. 2 like the internet might lead his friends and fans to believe.

“I have a good friend who always calls me on Oct. 2 to wish me a happy birthday, because that’s my Wikipedia birthday, and I never corrected him because I always got a kick out of it,” Regan said. “It’s nice for me, because I get two birthdays out of it. I get my actual birthday on June 2 and then I get my Wikipedia birthday.”

So now that it’s out there, Regan said he eagerly anticipates turning 60 next spring, welcoming the challenge of getting older like he has every other challenge in his nearly four-decade comedy career — with a laugh and a smile.

“There’s the expression that comedy equals tragedy plus time, and that means tragedy very loosely,” Regan said. “It just means something awkward or weird or uncomfortable, and then some time passes, and you can look back on it and go, ‘Wow, that was funny.’ Now I’m trying to BRIAN REGAN get to be so mentally healthy that DeVos Performance Hall I can avoid the time part. Enjoy it 303 Monroe Ave. NW, Grand Rapids while it’s happening. I’m not quite Sept. 9, 7 p.m. $42.50there yet, but that’s my quest.” $52.50 When Regan first started out in devosperformancehall. stand-up comedy back in the early com, (616) 742-6500 1980s, he said everyone had the same quest: to get on The Tonight Show with Johnny Carson. He reached that goal in 1991, and in the many years since, the comedy world has changed again and again, with Regan doing specials for the likes of HBO, Showtime and Comedy Central. He also made a staggering 28 appearances on The Late Show with David Letterman before the legendary late night host retired in 2015.

Endlessly touring, Regan has earned the respect and admiration of fellow comedians from Jerry Seinfeld to Chris Rock, and has been frequently described as a “comedian’s comedian” while still making his comedy easily relatable to anyone.

“I want everybody to like what I do,” Regan said. “But (for other comedians) to also tip their hat in a way is very rewarding. It feels like, ‘Huh, I must be doing something right.’ That’s as far as I’ll go with my self-compliment. So that’s what I want your readers to take away from this: ‘Hey, this guy’s not bad.’ The not-too-bad comedy of Brian Regan.”

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Brian Regan PHOTO: BRIAN FRIEDMAN All modesty aside, Regan recently signed on to do two specials with Netflix earlier this year. He filmed the first this past June in Denver, and the special is tentatively slated to arrive on the streaming service sometime in October.

“Over the last 10 or 15 years with the Internet exploding, there’s so many different quests available,” Regan said. “Some people want to do podcasts; some people want to get on TV shows; some people want to be a comedic actor. There’s no one blueprint for comedy. And as far as the stand-up itself, now Netflix is a big player. Gosh, I think five years ago it was a different animal, and now they’re like the 800-pound gorilla. … Plus, they give you a lot of creative freedom. So I like being in their world.”

Regan has always performed his own brand of comedy.

Loosely observational, he tends to make the most mundane experiences hilarious, bringing a physicality and silliness to the stage that’s entirely his own.

And while he gladly performs in front of crowds of all ages and has become well-known for the lack of profanity in his material, he’s never really worn the “clean comic” tag very well.

“I like to challenge others,” he said, hinting at the pokes he’s made at the current political climate. “I don’t like to be a one-trick pony. I like to broaden my horizons and talk about different things, and my hope is always that audiences after a show will go, ‘That was surprising! I wasn’t expecting him to talk about that.’ So that includes maybe some political stuff.

But at the same time, for me, it’s not a political rally. I’m not trying to get people to take sides. I just want to point out comedic points of view about certain things that hopefully both sides can laugh at. I like those jokes that at the end of it, you can laugh and still not necessarily know what side the person telling the joke is on.”

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by Kayla Tucker

COMEDY

Home Is Where the Farce Is

Funny Girls debut new musical about Grand Rapids

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Funny Girls

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HIS SUMMER, GRAND RAPIDS’ ALL-FE MALE COM E DY troupe Funny Girls has debuted its first official season, with six monthly shows from July to December. This month’s show, Grand Rapids, coincides with the first day of ArtPrize, and will both celebrate and criticize the city, its wealthy families and local attractions.

“It’s going to feature sketch comedy, improv and stand-up,” said Eirann Betka, founder and president of Funny Girls. “And then we always try to add some sort of other experimental comedy to it, whether it’s music or film or audience participation.”

Some of the sketches will focus on a sitcom featuring “a well-known Grand Rapids family,” being a bartender during ArtPrize, and commuting in the city, to name a few.

working on creating some strong and hilarious All of the pieces will fit together, following characters.” a musical storyline of a grandmother visiting There are 15 Funny Girls in total, but her hometown of Grand Rapids with her not everyone can make it to a show. This granddaughter. month’s performers will include: Betka, “They talk about then and now, how Rachel Gleason, Katie Milbourne, Angelika Grand Rapids has changed in the last 50 Lee, Kristin Hirsch, Megan Elaine, Brooke years,” Betka said. “That element’s going to Heinz, Sydney Smith, and Kaira Williams, be kind of a musical, with song and dance and with technology being run by Dani Kerley. original music.”

Betka said the group also now has a Jenna Pope, vice president of Funny Girls, board: Kaira Williams, communications said she is excited for the audience to see the manager; Jenna Pope, vice president; Katie musical aspect of the show.

Milbourne, operations manager; and Kristin “We frequently put up shows that we Hirsch, business manager. wrote when we were kids, and we’ll rewrite “As we structure Funny Girls, we find out some lyrics to songs every once in awhile, but what works and what doesn’t work,” Betka we haven’t spent much time trying to create said. “Bi-yearly we (will) check a more linear musical before, in and we create our plan for the so we’re really excited to try it,” FUNNY GIRLS’ next six months. This is the first Pope said.

GRAND RAPIDS six months that we’ve been doing “I would also say I’m excited The Fuse Box it, and it’s proven to be very helpfor the audience to see the strong 120 S. Division Ave., ful for people to prepare and to characters our sketch writers and Grand Rapids have more time to get resources actors create together. We have Sept. 20, $10, 21+ wearefunnygirls.com and things together for their some fantastic people who are sketches.”

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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.

Anna’s House Multiple locations BREAKFAST/LUNCH. Anna’s House recently went through a dramatic makeover, going from an already-beloved breakfast hot spot and neighborhood staple to an ever-growing concept with five locations across West Michigan. Why all the success? The menu is unique, but accessible. The interior design is refreshing, but not overbearing. And the service is great. » SERVING: Breakfast, Lunch OPEN ON: 7 days. GO THERE FOR: Inventive breakfast specials.

Bistro Bella Vita 44 Grandville Ave. SW. 616-222-4600 ITALIAN. One of Grand Rapids’ best dining experiences, featuring Mediterranean-inspired 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.

Butcher’s Union 438 Bridge St. NW 616-551-1323 AMERICAN. Butcher’s has its fortes — meat and whiskey — but it’s not exactly niche. Expertly-crafted cocktails (made with every kind of

spirit) are here at a refreshingly affordable price, along with a high-end food menu for carnivores and vegheads alike. The historic building sets the mood, giving off an “old fancy-bar in London” vibe. » SERVING: Lunch, Dinner OPEN ON: 7 days.

GO THERE FOR: Meat, whiskey, cocktails.

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.

Brewery Vivant 925 Cherry St. SE. 616-719-1604 FRENCH/BELGIAN. Housed in a refurbished funeral chapel, this brewery won Best Ambiance in Revue’s Best of the West with its stained glass windows and European beer hall setup. Along with farmhouse style beers, the LEED-certified BV is known for its French-Belgian cuisine, from duck nachos to roasted bone marrow. » SERVING: Dinner OPEN ON: Open 7 days.

GO THERE FOR: The Burger (2nd place Best of the West).

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.

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

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.

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 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. » 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 beerlover’s paradise with a national reputation for flavorful,

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.

Lindo Mexico Restaurante Mexicano 1742 28th St. SW. 616-261-2280 MEXICAN. One of the less-discussed Mexican eateries is also one of the most popular, especially on the weekends. The atmosphere?

Very communal, occasionally with excellent live music. The food? Full of flavor on the cheap. The service? Always friendly, always helpful. » SERVING: Lunch, Dinner OPEN: 7 days. GO THERE FOR: Unique margaritas made fresh.

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.

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.

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.

The Sovengard 443 Bridge St. NW 616-214-7207 NEW NORDIC. There’s really nothing like The Sovengard. The menu changes with the seasons, but the quality doesn’t. Expect innovative, beautiful dishes in the Scandinavian tradition. It’s not cheap, but you get what you pay for. The West Side restaurant also boasts an excellent taplist, perfect for sipping in the biergarten. » SERVING: Dinner OPEN ON: 7 days. GO THERE FOR: Something special.

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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.

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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TASTE THIS

by Nick Macksood

PHOTOS: SHELBY ROBINSON

From East to Westside A visit to Ando Asian Kitchen & Bar

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OU R E M E M BE R YOU R F I R S T A SI A N R E S TAU R A N T. No, come on, now — not the one with a hundred blessed dishes to choose from, each with the gooey, gloopy consistency and a Day-Glo sauce to match. The real one.

Mine was Hot Pot. I’d gone to dinner with my roommate and his girlfriend — they’ve married since — who was born in China. That night was a lot of things. For one, I discovered that merely the sight of a deep crimson chili oil gives me a case of the Christmas Eves, so to speak, that I haven’t experienced since I was a boy.

For us, it was an invitation. My friend and I were guests on this expedition into what Asian food could be. For our company, this was a celebration of complex flavor, color and texture. All of it, right there on 28th Street!

So now here I am at Ando, the latest concept to appear on Bridge Street. Ando has arrived fashionably late to the Korean food mania that chefs like David Chang and

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Roy Choi pioneered in the mid-aughts. But better late than never, especially here, in the neo-Netherlands; the land of an overgrown people whose greatest culinary contribution amounts to dipping fries in mayonnaise.

Ando’s creed is comfort food. With mostly Korean- and Vietnamese-inspired dishes, this is not the Asian kitchen with which most of us are familiar. Like the decor, Ando’s menu is minimalist, deftly curated to lure you into ordering something from each category.

For a Korean-inspired restaurant, the kimchi seemed like the gateway test for the rest of the menu. If you don’t have your basics down, you can’t expect to take on anything else.

It was nice. A little heat, a little funk.

Like a soft Rick James number. There’s stronger kimchi out there, like sucking on chili-laced gym socks, but that’s reserved for a certain type of person, and frankly, I’m not sure I know who that looks like. This was kimchi that your mother would enjoy. You decide whether that’s a good thing or not.

The oyster shooter arrived next. A Chesapeake oyster sat tight but the taste belied the way it looked, to be sure. I’ve had cleaner looking oyster shooters that tasted far dirtier. Ando’s version was bright and crisp, like a sunny day in October. Although I’d have to toss back five or six of them in a row to tell you which characters, exactly, were singing each sweet and salty note.

Finally, the bibimbap, which is Korean for “mixed rice” — or Brooklynese for $15 fried rice. But hold on; don’t worry. Yes, this was a $15 bowl of fried rice that you technically could have made at home, but it would have cost you $100 and a field guide to track down the specialty ingredients that went into the mix; not to mention balancing the sweet, the spicy, the crunchy and the pillowy soft egg. Personally, my fried rice is always hit or miss. Besides, Ando’s thing is comfort food, and there’s not much point to that if you have to clean all the dishes.

Behind the bar, Ando has a compelling enough draft list to keep up with the rest of the Bridge Streeters, and a wine list that

would turn Trader Joe green with envy. But I, who am deadly sick of reading too-long craft draft lists, was happy to see that PBR, Miller and — yes! — Sapporo all elbowed their way onto the tap lines next to mainstays like Two Hearted and Ando’s very own IPA (brewed at Unruly in Muskegon).

Oh, and here I almost forgot the best part: The restaurant also has an impressive Japanese whiskey collection. As a nation, we’ve spent a long time looking up to that Johnnie Walker Black as the pinnacle of whiskey drinking, but the French, who are the number-two whiskey consumers in the world (behind ours truly), overwhelmingly prefer Japanese whiskey.

My Suntory Toki whiskey was peppery on the nose, in the way that basil tastes, but spicy like ginger, cut briefly with a tart apple and finished with some deep simmering honeyed notes.

My plates long cleared, I sat there at the nearly empty bar with that heavy-bottomed whiskey glass. Now, this is dessert — opulence, in pale gold.

Ando Asian Kitchen + Bar, 415 Bridge St. NW, Grand Rapids; andoasiankitchen.com

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by Joe Boomgaard, Revue Beer Czar

BEER

DOWNTOWN GRAND RAPIDS’ ONLY SIP & SHOP! Bottle Shop & Taproom FEATURING: 800+ Beers 20 Drafts Weekly Events Happy Hour: M–Th, 12–6pm

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Artprize 2017 Venue

404 IONIA AVE. SW (616) 350.9170 grandrapids.craftbeercellar.com

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Thornapple Brewing offers something for every taste

H

E R E’S A COM MON R E FRAIN every homebrewer with decent chops has heard dozens of times: “Your beer is really good.

You should open a brewery.”

While it may often be a polite declaration from a gracious recipient of free beer, it has nonetheless empowered more than a handful of hobbyists to consider making the leap into the professional leagues.

However, making that jump is not as easy — or as inexpensive — as it may sound.

Opening a brewery takes considerable capital, whether for leasing a building, buying equipment or front-loading the first few months before breakeven.

When Eric Fouch and Jeff Coffey decided to open Thornapple Brewing Co. after first meeting at Steelcase and then joining the Prime Time Brewers, they planned for it to take twice as long and cost twice as much as they initially expected. Luckily for them, they were able to come in under that budget multiple, thanks to their dogged determination and long hours of work.

“It was constantly like being a one-bucket fireman at a four-alarm fire,” Fouch quipped.

Thornapple Brewing Co. opened on June 10 at 6262 28th St. SE in Grand Rapids, the culmination of listening to their friends ask for years about when they would open a brewery of their own.

The duo — two strong cidermakers in the homebrewers club — had both brewed as a hobby for about 20 years. According to Fouch, their different tastes in beer helped to round out the initial tap list for Thornapple Brewing.

Coffey is the IPA fan and hophead who sticks more to style in his brews. Meanwhile, Fouch likes malty styles and “loves having fruits and groceries in his beers,” according to Coffey. That said, they agreed they wanted to have something for everyone on the tap list at all times.

“We didn’t want to be the place that has five IPAs on tap all the time,” Fouch said.

“We have a good lighter beer in our 6 Foot Blonde, we have two saisons, we have a range of some things that go darker. … We want to have something on tap every week that people have not seen before — and that will knock your socks off.

“But we also want to be the place where everyone in your party can find something you like.”

To that end, the brewery also offers ciders, wine and meads, and is in the process of adding spirits and cocktails to its menu. Fouch currently is stockpiling spirits — produced in-house on Thornapple’s still — that he hopes to start selling around the time this report hits the stands, pending approval from federal regulators. He’s focusing on distilling whiskeys, apple brandies and rums, including several varieties made with cane sugar and fruits like oranges and cherries, among others.

So far, the co-owners say that demand for beers has been about what they expected, although they’ve been pleasantly surprised that all their beers seem to be selling at a similar rate as they still try to gauge the market.

For food, the brewery offers a range of pizzas and appetizers, and will work to meet special dietary requirements. (Pro tip: Try the house-made hummuses, especially the pesto version, although all are delectable.)

As Fouch and Coffey work hard behind the scenes to open the brewery and ensure the business runs as planned, they’ve found they have less time for what got them into the business in the first place: actually brewing on their own.

“I’ve still snuck in a couple of therapy batches,” Coffey said.

Thornapple Brewing Co., 6262 28th Street, Grand Rapids; thornapplebrewing.com

Trinken ein Bier

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DINING 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.

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 burgers, soups and entrees. » SERVING: Lunch Dinner OPEN ON: Open 7 days. GO THERE FOR: Diverse beverage selection.

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.

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.

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

Union Cabaret & Grille 125 S. Burdick St., Kalamazoo. 269-384-6756 AMERICAN. A partnership with WMU, 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.

LAKESHORE

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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 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.

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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.

Everyday People Cafe 11 Center St., Douglas. 269-857-4240 AMERICAN. REVUE Publisher Brian Edwards calls Everyday People Café his favorite restaurant along the lakeshore. The atmosphere is casual and upbeat, the staff knows its stuff about wine and food, and the seasonal menu is filled with meticulously prepared, eclectic comfort food like Butternut Squash Risotto, Braised Lamb Shank and Ahi Tuna. A great wine list and tremendous desserts. » SERVING: Brunch (Weekends) Lunch

Thanks West Michigan!

Appreciate you voting for us.

MATCHBOXDINER.COM | 1345 LAKE DR SE. GRAND RAPIDS, MI

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COMING NEXT MONTH: THE BEER ISSUE A thorough guide to the local craft beer scene, with an extensive brewery guide, beer face-offs, trends, and more.

TO ADVERTISE: Call (616) 608-6170 or email sales@revuewm.com.

Space reservation: Sept. 13 REVUEWM.COM | SEPTEMBER 2017 |

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CRACK OPEN COLD CRISP TASTE DOS EQUIS NOW AVAILABLE ENJOY

SINGLE SERVE

RESPONSIBLY

MULTIPACK CANS

CERVEZA

DINING Dinner OPEN: 7 days. GO THERE FOR: Gorgonzola Pork Chop, Greek Salad with Grandma Gigi’s Dressing (Edwards).

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

Kirby House 2 Washington, Grand Haven. 616-846-3299 AMERICAN. Formerly a historic hotel, The Kirby House retains its oldworld charm while providing all the pleasantries of new world fare, with a diverse but primarily American-influenced menu. Check out the new island bar with 5 HDTVs and walk to Lake Michigan right after. The Kirby House also hosts The Grill Room and a pizzeria (complete with pool tables) called K2. The lower level has also been renovated to include a wine cellar and a premier nightclub, Dark. » SERVING: Lunch Dinner OPEN ON: 7 days. GO THERE FOR: Nightlife.

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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.

(269) 492.0100 CCTAPHOUSE.COM 359 S. KALAMAZOO MALL

(269) 775.1390 5003 PARK CIR. DR KALAMAZOO

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(269) 492.3500 TAPHOUSEPORTAGE.COM 3251 W. CENTRE AVE. PORTAGE

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.

To submit or to correct information, e-mail editor@revuewm.com.

saturday DJ DANIMAL $ 5 WOODSTINIS $2 CHAMPAGNES

DJ JP KRITTER 5 CHEESEBURGER BASKET $ BOMBS 5 $ WOODY BUCKETS 15

$

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