Revue Magazine, May 2018

WEST MICHIGAN’S ENTERTAINMENT GUIDE FOR 30 YEARS » MAY 2018

FREE! Brandon Voorhees and Steve Vander Pol, founders of Gray Skies Distillery

TASTE OF TIME AFTER TWO YEARS OF AGING, LOCAL STRAIGHT BOURBON HAS ARRIVED

ALSO INSIDE: Wine & Spirits, Southwest Brewery Tour, Cocktail Gardens, Black Violin, Camp Greensky

4174 AApine Ave. NW, Comstock PPrk / Hours: M-TH 11-7 F11-6 S10-3 (616) 805-4178

New Used Vinttte Geer 300+ ndustry Leedinn Brrnds

LESSONS

REPAIRS

RENTALS

3125 28th St., Grrndviiie (616) 532-3473

www.firehouseeuittrs.com

MAY 5

La Mafia & AJ Castillo

Entertainment Hall | 8PM

$30/General Admission, $50/VIP Seating

MAY 18

The Temptations & The Four Tops Entertainment Hall | 8PM Tickets start at $35 JUN 26

John Fogerty, ZZ Top & Willie Nelson Outdoor Event | 7PM Tickets start at $36 JUL 12

Disturbed & Three Days Grace Outdoor Event | 8PM Tickets start at $25

MAY 11

Clint Black, Lorrie Morgan & John Berry Entertainment Hall | 8PM Tickets start at $32 JUN 17

Chris Young & Kane Brown Outdoor Event | 8PM Tickets start at $30 JUL 7

Little Big Town & Gavin Degraw

Outdoor Event | 8PM Tickets start at $30 JUL 25

Godsmack & Shinedown Outdoor Event | 8PM Tickets start at $25

Get your tickets at Soaring Eagle Casino or Saganing Eagles Landing Casino Box Offices, ETIX.COM or call 1.800.514.ETIX. Stay Connected with Soaring Eagle: Performances held at Soaring Eagle Casino & Resort in Mt. Pleasant, Michigan.

Mt. Pleasant, MI • 1.888.7.EAGLE.7 • SoaringEagleCasino.com

Entertainment subject to cancellation. Management reserves all rights.

REVUEWM.COM | MAY 2018 |

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11TH

ANNUAL

AGES

21+

JUNE 16 • 3PM – 11PM

JOE RUSSO’S ALMOST DEAD ANTIBALAS • MONOPHONICS SAN FERMIN • FBC ALL-STARS • DESMOND JONES FEATURING A VARIETY OF LOCAL FOOD AND ART VENDORS TICKETS AVAILABLE AT FOUNDERSBREWING.COM OUTDOOR EVENT, RAIN OR SHINE FOUNDERS BREWING CO. • GRAND RAPIDS, MI REVUEWM.COM | MAY 2018 |

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REVUEWM.COM | MAY 2018 |

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breakfast

SAVING GRAND RAPIDS FROM AN ORDINARY

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DOWNTOWNGR.ORG

WA N T TO SEE THE CITY L I K E A LO C A L ?

ASK A D O W N TO W N AMBASSADOR.

VOTE TODAY

For your favorite local people, places, businesses and more

THE CATEGORIES MUSIC Cover Band DJ Music Festival

Music Venue Original Band

Radio Station Solo Musical Artist

Symphony Vinyl Record Store

Diner Farm to Table Food Truck Fried Chicken Fries Hot Dogs Ice Cream/Frozen Treats Indian Italian Lunch

Mediterranean Cuisine Mexican Middle Eastern Cuisine Most Innovative Cuisine New Restaurant

opened in past 12 months

Service Soup Steak Sushi Thai Vegan Menu Vegetarian Menu Wine List Wings

Fruit Beer German Beer Gin IPA

Craft lager Margarita Mead Sour

Stout Vodka

Karaoke Meadery Movie Theater New Brewery

Night Club Open-Mic Night Sports Bar Winery

Bicycle Shop Car Wash/Detailing Chef Dog Groomer Filmmaker Fitness Club/Gym Hair Stylist Interior Designer

Massage Nail Salon Optical Personal Trainer Photographer Piercing Artist Realtor Salon

Stand-Up Comedian Tattoo Artist Tattoo/Piercing Shop Vet/Animal Clinic Wedding Planner Yoga Studio

Comic Book Store Downtown Shopping District Farmers’ Market Florist Footwear Store

Gift Shop Grocery Store Health Food Store Hiking/Outdoor Gear Jewelry Store Men’s Clothing

Musical Instrument Store Pet Store Thrift/Consignment Shop Tobacco/Cigar Shop Vintage Clothing Store Women’s Clothing

DINING Ambience Bakery BBQ Breakfast Brunch Burgers Chili Chinese Coffee Desserts

Patio Pizzas Sandwich/Deli Seafood

DRINKS Bloody Marys Bourbon Cider Craft Cocktails

NIGHTLIFE & ACTIVITIES

THE GOOD, THE BETTER AND THE BEST! 2018 ‘Best of the West’ Kicks Off

Annual Festival Bar/Pub/Tavern Beer Bar Brewery Bowling

Casino Cidery Cocktail Lounge Distillery Happy Hour

BY REVUE STAFF

SERVICES & PEOPLE

Three years ago, Revue launched Best of the West, an annual readers’ poll asking you to vote for your favorite locally owned businesses, things and people in West Michigan.

Advocate/Activist Attorney Auto Repair Bank/Credit Union Barber Shop Barista Bartender Bed & Breakfast

Last year, our contest doubled in participation after an astounding 75,342 votes were cast — but there is always room to grow, so if your favorites didn’t win last year, this is your chance to nominate them.

Pro-tip: sharing the link to the online voting ballot via social media helps to secure more votes.

For those new to the Best of the West game, the contest allows one-and-all to vote for their favorite spots to not only eat, drink and shop, but also show love to their favorite artists, stylists and musicians.

But that’s only a small sample, as there are more than 130 subcategories this year. Sounds like a lot,

opened in past 12 months

right? Perhaps too much? Don’t worry. You’re only required to vote in 15 of them to have your ballot count.

This is your chance to make your voice heard and support locals at the same time. The best part is: no electoral college. Now get out there and vote — perhaps your favorites will ride off into the sunset holding a Best of the West winner’s certificate.

VOTING ENDS FRIDAY, JUNE 15 WINNERS ANNOUNCED WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 1 Vote at revuewm.com/bestofthewest 10 | REVUEWM.COM | MAY 2018

SHOPPING Antique Shop Athletic Goods Store Beer/Wine/Liquor Store Book Store Bridal Boutique Butcher

WHAT’S INSIDE

May 2018 | Volume 30, Issue 5

SCENE 15 18

What’s Going On Biz Beat

SOUNDS 20 22

Local Music: Camp Greensky Festival Touring: Black Violin

SIGHTS: 24 52

Comedy: Ms. Pat Style Notes: Shades of Spring

WINE & SPIRITS ISSUE

20

28 33 34 38 41 43 46 48

Hidden Gems of the Vineyard Revue Recipe: Wine Slushies Michigan Winery Directory G.Y.O.C.: Grow Your Own Cocktail Q&A: Daniel Parker / Drink of the Week Taste of Time: Straight Bourbon Has Arrived Q&A: Jason Lummen / The Peoples Cider Co. Revue’s Guide to Mead and Cider

REVUE ARTS:

1A Visual arts, classical and jazz music,

theater, arts event previews and more.

(See the center of this issue)

DINING & DRINKING: 54 58 60 62

52 29

Special Advertorial Section: Farmers Markets Beer: Southwest Michigan Beer Tour Dining: ROAM by San Chez Last Call: Green Well

REVUEWM.COM | MAY 2018 |

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LETTER FROM THE EDITOR

A

ll right, it might be a little unfair to group every drink that isn’t beer into one issue, but can you blame us? West Michigan’s appetite for craft brews is voracious, all-consuming.

Personally, I’m always shocked to realize the disparity. We have maybe 10 cideries in West Michigan, compared to more than 80 breweries. Mead is even more rare, and finding a taproom

isn’t easy — Arktos is amazing, but I still have to look up directions every time (it’s so worth it).

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

While cider is growing, I think more people need to realize we’re not dealing with Woodchuck or Strongbow here. Places like Vander Mill, Sietsema and The Peoples Cider Co. are delivering incredible, complex, unique and dry ciders made with quality ingredients. You might not know it yet, but if you like good beer, you like good cider.

Local distilleries are also on the rise, beginning to release well-aged spirits alongside their already excellent

DESIGN Kristi Kortman / kristi@revuewm.com Kaylee Van Tuinen / kaylee@revuewm.com Rachel Harper / rharper@revuewm.com

lineup of younger spirits like gin, vodka and rum. That’s not to mention the excellent cocktail programs put together by distilleries like Gray Skies, Long Road, New Holland, Bier and more.

And then there’s wineries, of which we have dozens, but they’re a pretty different experience from breweries. You go to a winery on a beautiful summer afternoon while visiting multiple tasting rooms at once, sipping various styles and gazing wistfully over the vineyards. It’s part of a day trip, not dinner plans, which means local wine isn’t as large a part of most people’s lives.

That’s why, in this issue, we have a chance to celebrate all the wonderful liquids West Michigan has to offer, from bourbon to wine slushies, cocktails, cider, underrated wines and more. We also take a trip down

CONTRIBUTING WRITERS Missy Black Eric Mitts Kelly Brown Samara Napolitan Dana Casadei Jane Simons Nick Macksood Elma Talundzic Marla R. Miller Kayla Tucker

CONTRIBUTING PHOTOGRAPHERS Katy Batdorff, Seth Thompson

south (and west) to breweries in the St. Joseph area.

The point is, whether the quantity is there or not, the quality absolutely is. If you’re limiting yourself to beer, you’re missing out on a world of potent potables.

ADVERTISING / 616.608.6170 / sales@revuewm.com Kelli Belanger / kelli@revuewm.com DIGITAL EDITOR Josh Veal

’Til next time,

MINIONS Dominique Tomlin, Jack Raymond

FIND US ONLINE! Josh Veal, Managing Editor Website: revuewm.com Twitter: twitter.com/revuewm Facebook: facebook.com/revuewm Instagram: instagram.com/revuewm

UP COMING IS SUE S JUNE: The Music Issue

JULY: Summer Fun

Our annual roundup of the best local music, from the brand new bands to West Michigan mainstays. Also: A guide to festivals in West Michigan and beyond.

Summer flies by, so it’s easy to let days the slip past all too fast. With our Summer Fun Guide, we’ll help you spend your time wisely, pointing you to the most fun beaches, festivals, patios and other outdoor activities.

TO ADVERTISE: Call (616) 608-6170 or email sales@revuewm.com. Space reservation is the 15th of the month before publication.

12 | REVUEWM.COM | MAY 2018

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 ©2018, 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: Brandon Voorhees and Steve Vander Pol, founders of Gray Skies Distillery, Photo by Seth Thompson See more on page 43.

TIME TO RAISE THE CURTAIN

CLIEN

FireK Casin

PROJ

May R JOB

DAVID SPADE THURSDAY, MAY 3

FK-31

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4/c

SIZE

9.25”

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AUSTRALIA’S THUNDER FROM DOWN UNDER

TRACE ADKINS SATURDAY, JUNE 9

DESERT DREAMS 2018 WORLD TOUR SATURDAY, MAY 19

Tickets available now at the FireKeepers Box Office, FireKeepersCasino.com or 877.FKC.8777.

Must be 21 or older. Tickets based on availability. Schedule subject to change.

FK-31188_May_RevueMag_9.25x10.indd 1

11:39 AM REVUEWM.COM | 4/12/18 MAY 2018 | 13

18+

18+

18+

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18+

may 5 CELEBRACION CINCO DE MAYO

may 4 80S PROM

ft. Sixteen Candles

may 6

Scott Bradlee's

18+

POSTMODERN JUKEBOX

may 27 LOS TRES TRISTES TIGRES

may 25 REIK

w/ Alice Merton

may 15 TODD RUNDGREN'S UTOPIA

MAY 18 RODNEY CARRINGTON

june 7 FRONT BOTTOMS

w/ Trapper Schoepp

w/ An Horse

w/ The Rails

*

JUly 13 OUR LADY PEACE

w/ Spirit Animal

*

* JUNE 8 TECH N9NE

Krizz Kaliko, Just Juice, Joey Cool, King Iso

JULY 18 BLACK LABEL SOCIETY w/ Corrosion of Conformity, Eyehategod

JUly 20 FERG

presents Mad Man Tour

JULY 1 KALEO

june 29 YES

june 16 POUYA

w/ Dan Mangan

50th Anniversary

* JULY 25 ERASURE

w/ Reed and Caroline

* SEATED SHOW

11 OTTAWA AVE NW • DOWNTOWN GRAND RAPIDS • 20MONROELIVE.COM 14 | REVUEWM.COM | MAY 2018

MAY 31 INCUBUS

may 30 21 SAVAGE

may 29 GIN BLOSSOMS

* JUly 11 PRETENDERS

may 19 ROYAL WEDDING WATCH PARTY

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* JUNE 1 BODEANS

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MAY 24 VANCE JOY

**

* august 10 JONNY LANG

WHAT’S GOING ON THIS MONTH | by Dominique Tomlin and Revue Staff

5/4

Saved By The 90s

The Intersection 133 Grandville Ave. SW, Grand Rapids May 4, 8 p.m., $10-15 sectionlive.com Said to be the longest-running live 1990s music party on earth, Saved By The 90s keeps the party going as it heads to the Intersection for a night of celebration and nostalgia. Reminisce about the good ol’ days by dancing and singing to music you haven’t heard in years. You’ll never forget the words to All Star by Smash Mouth, no matter how hard you try.

5/4 May the Short’s Be With You

HopCat 25 Ionia Ave. SW, Grand Rapids May 4, 6-11 p.m. hopcat.com/grand-rapids You don’t have to be a Star Wars fanatic to get down with this tap takeover. Well, it’s not really a takeover — HopCat has far too many taps for that. But Short’s Brewing Co. is bringing at least six beers to the Grand Rapids location, and two of them are brewed just for the occasion: The Empire Hops Back, an India Pale Lager, and My Own Best Friend, a dry-hopped Belgian golden ale. Also look for the Bourbon Woodmaster, a bourbon barrel-aged imperial brown ale with maple syrup and toasted pecans.

5/5 Free Comic Book Day

West Michigan May 5, free

Pretty much every comic shop in West Michigan is joining others worldwide in taking part in Free Comic Book Day on the first Saturday in May. Comic shops give out select comics for free throughout the day, welcoming newcomers and rewarding dedicated fans. If that’s not exciting enough, many shops host other events and contests throughout the day to celebrate the joyous occasion. Grand Rapids-based Vault of Midnight will have a cosplay contest, a virtual-reality experience with Oculus Rift, a Great Draw Wall, face painting and more.

Head to freecomicbookday.com to find more participating stores.

Derby Day on Bridge Crawl

Bridge Street NW, Grand Rapids May 5, 12-8 p.m., $15 derbydayonbridge.com We’re not really sure how the Kentucky Derby — a TWO-minute race — became so famous, but we might as well have some fun with it.

A group of bars and restaurants on Bridge Street are teaming up to offer a bar crawl with drink and food specials throughout the day, all leading up to the race at about 6:45 p.m. Your ticket includes an official derby mug and access to specials at Knickerbocker, Butcher’s Union, Sovengard, Anchor Bar, One Bourbon, O’Toole’s and Harmony Hall.

Great Lakes Kite Festival at Grand Haven State Park

5/11 GLOW 2018

Eve at The BOB 20 Monroe Ave. NW, Grand Rapids May 11, 9 p.m.-2 a.m., $10 thebob.com

5/12 Fifth Third

River Bank Run

GLOW at Eve at the BOB - Nathan Stinson Photography

Monroe Avenue, Grand Rapids May 12, 7 a.m.

53riverbankrun.com

5/17-20

West Fest

John Ball Park 1300 W. Fulton St., Grand Rapids May 17-20, $20+ westfestgr.org Celebrate all that the West Side has to offer with music, food trucks, carnival rides and more at West Fest at John Ball Park. It’s fun for children, with carnival rides galore, a fire truck and a scavenger hunt. However, an adult-only trivia night will be held on Saturday evening to ensure a wild time adults can enjoy as well.

5/19

Cider Week Festival

Gillett Bridge, Grand Rapids May 19, 1-5 p.m., $25 experiencegr.com/cider-week

Last year’s cider festival on the Blue Bridge was a rousing success, featuring cideries from all over Michigan, including The Peoples Cider Co., Vander Mill, Blake’s Hard Cider Co., Sietsema Orchards & Cider Mill, Virtue Cider and many more. All the favorites are sure to return this year, but 2018’s festival also features one new (and oh-so important) ingredient: food. Enjoy some hard cider in the sun with live music while meeting your favorite cider makers!

Barley, BBQ & Beats

Van Andel Arena 130 West Fulton, Grand Rapids May 19, 5-9 p.m., $40-45 vanandelarena.com

Barley, BBQ & Beats: the name of the event really says it all. Admission gets you a punch card valid for three servings of barbecue and three hand-crafted cocktails. The food lineup Continued on Page 16

REVUEWM.COM | MAY 2018 |

SCENE SOUNDS | SIGHTS | DINING

GLOW comes back to Eve for yet another year of festivities. For one night only, the nightclub will be turned into a black-light glow festival. Enjoy beats from DJ Kane and DJ VanHekken, drink specials from Red Bull and Belvedere, and a festival totem contest — we’re not totally sure what that is, but if you do, you might have a shot. Admission includes body painting by BL Visuals, whose mesmerizing work always stuns. Eve will also be doing some giveaways, including a chance to win a pair of Electric Forest tickets.

Every year, you can rely on the Fifth Third River Bank Run to be there for you. Per usual, the event includes a 5K walk and run, a 10K and 25K run, and 25K handcycle and wheelchair racing. It all concludes with Finish Fest on Calder Plaza, where participants and their families can celebrate the successes of the day with concessions from Buffalo Wild Wings and a selection of beverages, including Pepsi products and beer, as well as live music.

15

Continued from Page 15 includes pitmasters like Daddy Pete’s BBQ, Slows Bar BQ and Jonny B’z, while distilleries like Two James Spirits, Iron Fish Distillery and Journeyman Distillery will be serving up spirits. You’ll also find plenty of fun yard games and local music. Extra punches are available for $5 each. Proceeds from the event support Hospice of Michigan’s Open Access Fund, which provides end-of-life care to patients.

5/19-20

Great Lakes Kite Festival

Grand Haven State Park 1001 S. Harbor Dr., Grand Haven May 19-20, free mackite.com The summer season kicks off in Grand Haven with the 30th annual Great Lakes Kite Festival, where kites of all colors, shapes and sizes fill the shoreline sky. Famous stunt-kite fliers from the Midwest and beyond perform to music, while kites larger than school buses float nearby. Feel free just to watch these performances or bring your own kite and join in on the fun. Kites, spinners and wind toys will be available for purchase at the giant MACkite tent on the beach.

5/20

Steve Martin & Martin Short

DeVos Performance Hall 303 Monroe Ave. NW, Grand Rapids May 20, 7:30 p.m., $95+ devosperformancehall.com

DINING | SIGHTS | SOUNDS SCENE

Laugh along with entertainment legends and best friends of more than 30 years, Steve Martin and Martin Short, as the two tell stories of their iconic careers through a unique combination of banter, singing, conversation and banjo playing. With any luck, the show

will even exceed its name: An Evening You Will Forget for the Rest of Your Life. Along with Martin and Short, the show features musician Jeff Babko and bluegrass band Steep Canyon Rangers.

5/24

The Marcus King Band State Theater 404 S. Burdick St., Kalamazoo May 24, 7:30 p.m., $23 kazoostate.com

At just 21 years old, Marcus King already is dazzling crowds across the nation with a gorgeous, slightly rough voice beyond his years and incredible guitar-shredding Americana — or as he puts it, “soul-influenced psychedelic Southern rock.” That’s not to discount his band, who brings the groove with funky horns, organ, piano and percussion. The talented multi-instrumentalist Erin Coburn opens, singing and playing guitar and electric ukulele.

5/30 21 Savage

20 Monroe Live 11 Ottawa Ave. NW, Grand Rapids May 30, 8 p.m., $30+ 20monroelive.com

Emmet Cohen at Gilmore Keyboard Festival

EAST LANSING ART FESTIVAL

halls with the sounds of pianos, accordions, harpsichords and more.

Since 1964, the East Lansing Art Festival has taken over downtown right as the summer kicks off.

Originally started as a sidewalk art sale designed as a student project, the festival has grown exponentially over the years and often makes Sunshine Artists Magazine’s Top 200 fine art and craft shows.

Now, as it celebrates its 55th year, the juried art show continues to showcase the works from artists all over the region.

The festival serves as both an exhibition and marketplace opportunity to feature original works in mediums ranging from 2D and 3D mixed media to drawings, photography and jewelry.

The weekend-long event also includes a mix of original and traditional live music highlighting local talent, food vendors and a Children’s Arts Activity Area, where kids can participate in art projects and how-to workshops.

It’s not just for classical music lovers — Gilmore features exciting big bands, jazz aces and plenty of beer. Plus, if you think you don’t like classical music, you probably just haven’t heard it live.

Find more events in Revue Arts, and at revuewm.com!

With struggles come stories in the music industry, and 21 Savage has plenty of stories to tell. He does so with next-level talent, as his songs continue to rise to the top of the charts. The Georgiabased rapper has collaborated with popular rap and hip-hop artists like Drake, Future, Meek Mill and Gucci Mane, making him a well-known name in the music industry.

Expect to hear some old favorite hits, as well as some of his newer music. n

| by Dana Casadei

East Lansing Art Festival Downtown East Lansing May 19-20, free elartfest.com

GILMORE KEYBOARD FESTIVAL This annual, internationally renowned festival began in April, but it’s not done yet! There are dozens of performances at a variety of venues, including past and present Gilmore Young Artist recipients, legendary pianists and the centennial celebration of Leonard Bernstein.

Every two years, the Gilmore Keyboard Festival takes over Kalamazoo for two and a half weeks, filling the city’s concert

Steve Martin & Martin Short at Devos Performance Hall

16 | REVUEWM.COM | MAY 2018

The festival brings in masters of their craft from around the world, from classical champions to jazz geniuses. And every four years, the Gilmore awards one promising pianist a $300,000 Artist Award. It’s a historic event watched by people around the world. You don’t want to miss out.

Head to revuewm.com for in-depth coverage including artist interviews and next-day reviews.

Gilmore Keyboard Festival West Michigan Through May 12 thegilmore.org

AT THE TABLE This month, Exit Left Theatre Company of Holland will present At The Table by Michael Perlman, a show that has been raved about for its presentation of the raw, human experience. The story is centered around a group of friends from college who go on an annual weekend getaway to one of the friend’s cottages.

Focusing on conversations between friends, the show plays on who is “invited to the table” for certain topics and how certain people come into topics they are not “invited” to. | by Kayla Tucker Exit Left Theatre Company Beer Merchant 442 Washington Ave. Holland May 31-June 10 exitlefttheatre.com

REVUEWM.COM | MAY 2018 |

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

MS P3A-T5 May

NOW OPEN: Stan Diego in Grand Rapids. COURTESY PHOTO

WEST MICHIGAN

STEVE IOTT May 1012

BIZ BEAT

A Roundup of Openings, Closings and other Local Business News

ANNOUNCED:

How many HopCats does it take to screw in a craft beer culture? At least one more, it turns out, as the Grand Rapids-based chain has proposed an 18th location in Holland. The brewpub would open by early 2019 and be part of the forthcoming downtown entertainment district and movie theater located along Eighth Street, between Pine and River Avenues.

BIG JAY OAKERSON

DINING | SIGHTS | SOUNDS SCENE

May 17-19

BRIAN ALDRIDGE May 24-26 #drgrins

18 | REVUEWM.COM | MAY 2018

OPENED: What once was Crooked Goose has become Stan Diego (355 Wilson Ave. NW, Grand Rapids), a new “Baja taco kitchen” in Standale. The a-la-carte menu offers a wide variety of tacos, along with tamales, flautas, tlayudas and much more. You’ll of course find margaritas and cocktails as well, along with a repurposed 1973 orange Volkswagen bus and a foosball table.

The owners of Zoko822 have followed up the Basqueinspired hit with another unique concept: MeXo (118 E. Fulton St., Grand Rapids), a restaurant combining modern Mexican and pre-Hispanic Mesoamerican cuisine. For the uninitiated, MeXo offers a guiding hand, including a glossary on its menu next to items like the Lomo de Jabalien Pulque, a pulque-infused wild boar tenderloin with machucadito plantain croquettes filled with goat cheese and chicharron.

Also: Tequila craft cocktails.

Fox Naturals (619 Wealthy St. SE, Grand Rapids)

has opened its physical store, selling all sorts of body care products. Options range from handmade soap to face wash, toner, lotion, shampoo, oils, foaming bath crystals and more, along with products focused on relaxation, like bath bombs, soy candles and sage.

ROAM by San Chez (250 Monroe Ave. NW, Grand Rapids) opened doors across the street from DeVos Performance Hall. ROAM offers “street food” from all over the world, including India, Mexico, Netherlands, China, Canada, New Zealand and more. The restaurant offers takeout, but also has a full-service dining room, where you’ll find craft cocktails, beer, wine and board games. See story on page 58.

OTHER CHANGES:

The Green Well’s Rockford location is dead, long live Riverside Grille (8 E. Bridge St. NE, Rockford).

After a year of operations, community feedback and just general observation led the owners, Essence Restaurant Group, to rebrand the gastropub into a more family-friendly establishment with a larger kids menu and “more American-inspired comfort dishes.”

Similarly, Mazzo Cucina D’Italia (122 Monroe Center St. NW, Grand Rapids) closed its doors and is shifting to Uccello’s first downtown location. This will make for the local Italian chain’s sixth location.

Uccello’s offers pasta and other Italian appetizers and entrees, but the new location also is installing a wood-fired oven to create pizzas inspired by the restaurant group’s fast-casual pizza concept, Herb & Fire Pizzeria.

IRON (25 Ottawa Ave. SW, Grand Rapids) closed without much explanation. The modern downtown restaurant had been open for two years and won multiple awards. Owner and chef Chris Perkey, who also owns Osteria Rossa, made a statement on Facebook: “It is with a very heavy heart that due to circumstances beyond our control IRON will serve its last meal tomorrow night. … We’ve made lots of new friends and put out a lot of great food.”

In more pleasant news: six.one.six (235 Louis St. NW, Grand Rapids) inside the JW Marriott is shifting its focus to a new French bistro concept, serving dishes like tarte flambée, onion soup gratinée, filet mignon au poivre, coq au vin and pear clafoutis. The restaurant is also expanding its wine list to include more French offerings. But if you’re craving the previous menu, don’t worry: just hit up Mixology Lounge or jdek, the bar and patio connected to six.one.six.

NEW MENU: Grilled octopus at JW Marriott’s six.one.six restaurant. COURTESY PHOTO

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

REVUEWM.COM | MAY 2018 |

19

/// LOCAL MUSIC

NOTHIN’ BUT GREEN SKIES

First-ever Camp Greensky set to kick off summer in Northern Michigan

Greensky Bluegrass Live. COURTESY PHOTO

| by Eric Mitts

DINING | SIGHTS | SOUNDS | SCENE

K

ALAMAZOO’S OWN GREENSKY BLUEGRASS HAS PLAYED JUST about every summer festival in A mer ica. From t he esteemed Telluride Bluegrass Festival to the massive Bonnaroo and West Michigan’s own Electric Forest, the band has become an absolute staple on summer stages over its nearly two-decade history.

So the idea of having its very own music festival is something of a dream come true for the wildly popular jam-grass band.

“We play a lot of festivals every summer, so getting to not only throw our own festival but curate it and create it as our own vision is super exciting,” Greensky Bluegrass dobro player Anders Beck told Revue.

The inaugural Camp Greensky will take place from May 31 to June 2 at the Hoxeyville Festival Grounds in Wellston.

The camping and music fest will host two stages with a lineup that includes: Wilco’s Jeff Tweedy, Phish’s Mike Gordon, Trampled

By Turtles, The Wood Brothers, Fruition, Rayland Baxter, Marco Benevento and Cris Jacobs Band. Several Michigan favorites are also on the bill, including: Billy Strings, The War & Treaty, Joshua Davis, May Erlewine and The Go Rounds. The stages will alter-

20 | REVUEWM.COM | MAY 2018

nate, with no overlapping sets, so fans can see all of the music.

Greensky Bluegrass will perform all three nights, kicking the weekend off on Thursday with two sets.

“We do a fair amount of two-night, threenight, occasionally four-night runs, so we’re well versed in making sure each night is incredibly unique and different,” Beck said. “I think the cool thing is that since we’re going to have so many of our good friends around, you can expect some really cool guest stuff.”

Festival organizers anticipate approximately 4,000 attendees joining in for the festival’s first year, many coming in from out of state to experience the band’s unique sound amid Michigan’s summer splendor.

For Camp Greensky, the band selected the Hoxeyville Festival Grounds — which are surrounded by the Manistee National Forest and adjacent to the Pine River — because of many memorable past experiences performing there, and an eagerness to share that immersive “Up North” experience with fans.

The only member of Greensky Bluegrass not originally from Kalamazoo, Beck remembers being wowed by his first summer in Michigan when he joined the band 10 years ago.

“Summer in Michigan is pretty spectacu-

lar,” he said. “I really had that aha moment annual Beer Garden Opening party at Bell’s Brewery in Kalamazoo this year, an where I got it that Michigan is an amazing event the band has performed at for the place to be.” past 13 years. Already something of its own The name Camp Greensky goes all the mini-festival, that event helped build the way back to the band’s beginnings, when band’s fanbase and kick off its summer tour guitarist Dave Bruzza and mandolinist schedule, but in recent years has sold out Paul Hoffman first went to the Wheatland Music Festival in Remus and dubbed their almost immediately, proving that Greensky needed to do something to expand to a new site Camp Greensky. “(It was) their little site at that festival, location where it could welcome in more of its many fans. and there’d be a sign, which I think someone Following the festival, still has,” Beck said.

Greensky Bluegrass will hit The name spread the road, including a return onto t he Inter net, CAMP GREENSKY trip to Telluride, two nights where Camp Greensky: Hoxeyville Festival Grounds at the legendary Red Rocks Friends and Family of 11130 W. 48 ½ Rd., Wellston in Colorado, and the band’s May 31–June 2, $175-$375 Greensk y Blueg ra ss campgreensky.com emerged. first-ever performance at “I think it started the Fuji Rock Festival in honestly as just friends Japan. and family for real,” Beck said. “And now “We’re just trying to focus on presenting there’s 14,000 people in that group. So the best version of ourselves that we can, that’s what Camp Greensky is now … but experience wise and music wise,” Beck said the bottom line is that the community is of the band’s many surreal new experiences. totally cool and really, really into our music, “We all sort of believe if we do that, all of and into spreading the music and sharing it these incredible opportunities and exciting and embracing the joy that we bring to a lot gigs and things like that will just keep comof people. So as the name for our festival, it ing, if we just focus on doing our part.” n was kind of a no-brainer.”

With the emergence of Camp Greensky, Greensky Bluegrass will not headline the

REVUEWM.COM | MAY 2018 |

21

/// LOCAL MUSIC

REDEFINING STEREOTYPES Hip-hop meets classical in the genre-defying music of acclaimed duo Black Violin

DINING | SIGHTS | SOUNDS | SCENE

| by Eric Mitts

22 | REVUEWM.COM | MAY 2018

Black Violin. PHOTO: COLIN BRENNAN

“We’re definitely bridging the gap between different genres of music, but we’re knows he’s not exactly what most people also bringing different cultures and people think of when they envision a classically together,” Baptiste said. “I think it’s importrained string player. tant. Not only for classical music, which He’s also all too aware that he can strike desperately needs the younger generation an imposing presence, not only because of to enjoy it, but also too, I think the younger his size, but because of his race. generation needs to understand and appreMarcus candidly discusses both on ciate this art form that’s been around for Stereotypes, the powerful opening title track, hundreds of years.” of Black Violin’s latest LP of the same name.

Now with three acclaimed LPs and perMarcus explains that the reason he smiles formances at everything from concert halls when he performs now is because he’s “crush- to NFL events and President Barack Obama’s ing people’s perceptions of not only what a 2013 inauguration, Baptiste and Marcus have violin can do, or what music can possibly made it their statement to use their success to sound like, but also of what a black man is spread the importance of the arts in educacapable of.” tion, including classical music.

As that last sentence echoes into the “Everybody loves the sound of a violin,” stirring closing refrain of the song, it shakes Baptiste said. “I’ve never heard anyone say, listeners loose from any preconceived ideas ‘I hate the way a string instrument sounds.’ they might harbor about racial boundaries People always look at that instrument as beor classical music in 21st Century America. ing incredibly difficult, so to bring that world When Marcus first discovered the violin, closer to this world, I think that gives people however, he hated it. Only in fifth grade and this idea that not everything is impossible. already in trouble, his mother intervened and Not everything is out of reach. You see us enrolled him in a string class. There he met perform, you see us onstage, and this idea of Wil Baptiste, a fellow hip-hop classical music is a lot more fan who also had reluctantly reachable. That world is a lot picked up the viola. more attainable.”

BLACK VIOLIN Both attended Dillard The group works with Miller Auditorium High School of Performing organizations across the 1341 Theatre Dr., Kalamazoo Arts in Fort Lauderdale, Fla., May 4, 8 p.m., $30-45 country to help establish and with the help of their or- millerauditorium.com, greater access to the arts, eschestra teacher, James Miles, (269) 387-2300 pecially back home in South came to love and master their Florida, where the middle instruments. school they once attended Upon graduation, Baptiste and Marcus currently does not have a string program, attended different colleges, where they both something they hope to soon rectify. earned degrees in music. But their shared love “It’s just as important for kids to be able of hip-hop never left their minds, and after to express themselves, and be comfortable earning their classical string training, the duo with expressing themselves, as math or scidecided to team up and become the next big- ence or football or basketball,” Baptiste said. name producers in the hip-hop world.

Black Violin is hard at work on its upNoticing that their virtuosic abilities on coming fourth album, which Baptiste said violin and viola dropped jaws every time they will stay true to the sound of “beautiful, lush performed live, they soon decided to com- strings on top of hard-hitting beats” and bine their string skills with their beat drops. feature even more unexpected collaborators.

“We’re not trying to do it. It’s who we are,” “It feels good to be able to do something Baptiste said of Black Violin’s unprecedented that you truly love and enjoy and inspire combination of sounds. “I was hip-hop be- people at the same time,” Baptiste said. “You fore I was classical, so it’s very natural for me can’t get any better than that. With the kids, to do what I do.” the young musicians, we tell them that the Less than a year after starting out, Black most important thing is to be yourself. Be Violin performed with the legendary Alicia who you are. Because there’s enough Black Keys in 2004 and soon after won over the Violins and Jay-Zs of the world. We need notoriously difficult crowd on Showtime at whoever you are. Just be who you are, and the Apollo, catapulting the duo onto stages I think with that, you’re more comfortable, across the country. They’ve since performed and you’re happy when you wake up in your with symphony orchestras and superstars own skin.” n like the Wu-Tang Clan and Mike Shinoda of Linkin Park.

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23

by Eric Mitts

COMEDY

Real Life Laughs Comedian Ms. Pat finds hard-earned humor from her own life experiences

DINING |SIGHTS SOUNDS | SCENE

I

F THERE WAS EVER A STAND-UP COMIC WHO TRULY LIVED UP TO the saying that comedy equals tragedy plus time, it’s Ms. Pat. Just do her a favor: Don’t cry when you hear her story. She wants you to laugh.

Born Patricia Williams in Atlanta, Ms. Pat grew up in a rough neighborhood where opportunities were scarce and trouble waited around every corner. One of five kids of an alcoholic mother, she was on her own at an early age. She quickly found herself pregnant with her first child at 14, and her second arrived just a year later.

Out of school and in need of money, she turned to selling drugs, leading to several runins with police and rival dealers.

She’s been shot twice, hit by a dump truck and, yes, she’s done some time in jail.

But a f unny t hing happened after she got out and was struggling to get by on the welfare-to-work program — after hearing her tell her experiences, her case worker suggested she try an open mic at an Atlanta comedy club.

So she did, and that night changed everything.

“I’m an eighth grade drop-out with two kids by a married man and I’m winning. A lot of people can’t say that,” Ms. Pat told Revue. “Like I tell everybody, this is the only job I’ve ever had that didn’t check my criminal background history. So, I found my calling.”

Holding nothing back, Ms. Pat built a style of comedy around telling it all. She honed her storytelling by studying hours of Richard Pryor performances, picking up on how he weaved details together to land

24 | REVUEWM.COM | MAY 2018

even bigger punchlines that hit even harder because they are true.

“A lot of times, people like to think that people like me don’t exist,” Ms. Pat said. “So when you come to my comedy show, you realize, ‘Hey, this is real.’ It’s eye-opening for both sides. People hear about people like me, but they never have somebody in their face telling them.”

She’s shared many of her stories on Comedy Central’s This Is Not Happening, NBC’s Last Comic Standing and popular syndicated radio show The Bob & Tom Show, where she’s a rare guest capable of shocking the notorious hosts.

Last year, after a decade on the standup stage, she chronicled her whole life story into a book, Rabbit: The Autobiography of Ms. Pat. Titled after the name she used as a drug dealer, and co-written with Canadian writer Jeannine Amber, the 240-page book delves even deeper into her life story than she ever has onstage, bringing out even bigger laughs and truly heartbreaking moments.

“It was a lot of crying, a lot of laughter. But we got through it,” Ms. Pat said. “I always tell people, me and the co-writer, I think we cried so much we eased our wrinkles away.”

Comparing her writing experience with Amber as akin to a Catholic confessional, she confided things she had never even told her husband, who had to wait until the book came out to find out everything she was about to share with the world.

“He read it before I did the audio … and he came back to me and was like, ‘This book is really good,’” she said of her husband’s

“I’m an eighth grade drop-out with two kids by a married man and I’m winning ... This is the only job I’ve ever had that didn’t check my criminal background history.

So, I found my calling.”

Ms. Pat. COURTESY PHOTO reaction. “Now my kids, they won’t read it.

My older kids, which I call my Medicaid kids, they say, ‘Momma, we lived most of that stuff. We don’t want to relive it.’ And my younger kids are like, ‘Aww, we don’t really care nothing about your past.’”

Her kids do enjoy her stand-up, which now includes her experiences as grandmother of three grandbabies.

“The great thing about being a grandmother is you can always give those kids back,” she said. “I don’t see them as much as I’d like to, but I do talk about them onstage. I have twin grandsons, and one of them is ugly and one of them is cute, and people can’t believe I call my own grandchild ugly. But he is. He looks like Krusty The Clown.”

Ms. Pat is currently at work on a TV project with Lee Daniels’ and Ron Howard’s production company, Imagine. The show will

focus on her current life, with some flashbacks to her past.

“TV is not easy,” Ms. Pat said. “I think I’m very unique, so it’s not easy to capture my voice.

“Did I think I’d make it to a mainstream American audience? No. But somehow I’m able to. It’s not a Rabbit story, and it’s not a Ms. Pat story — I tell everybody all the time, it’s an American story. It’s all about being poor and being rich. Money versus no money.” n

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WINE & SPIRITS

ISSUE “Beer” is the talk of the town so often — the word on (and in) everyone’s mouths. But West Michigan is spilling over with great wineries, killer spirits and amazing cider.

Our climate is kind to apples and grapes, bearing fruit to orchards and vineyards across countrysides from St. Joseph to Traverse City.

And our distillers are kind to grain, bearing fruit to whiskey, gin, vodka and more.

In our guide to local Wine & Spirits, we explore the most underrated wines around, how to grow your own cocktail garden, why bourbon is popping up everywhere, and more. Check it out.

WIne & Spirits Issue

HIDDEN GEMS OF THE VINEYARD Michigan’s underrated, overlooked wines

by Elma Talundzic

W

hen it comes time to decide on a wine to take home, it’s easy to play it safe and grab a bottle that’s never let you down. The obvious downside is that this doesn’t give much opportunity to add a little variety to your wine rack — or your palate, for that matter.

In an effort to expand your horizons beyond the usual favorites, Revue asked local winemakers for some of their favorite and most overlooked wines. It’s time to hit the wine trail and open up your taste buds to something new. Cheers!

LEFT FOOT CHARLEY

806 Red Dr., Traverse City leftfootcharley.com, (231) 995-0500

2016 DRY RIESLING

Meridith Lauzon, operations manager for Left Foot Charley, encourages you to give Rieslings a chance. Rieslings carry the reputation of being a little too sweet, often making wine drinkers give these bottles the cold-shoulder.

“So many people that come in will dismiss all Rieslings because they know of Riesling as an overly sweet white wine from their early wine drinking days,” she said. “But that’s not always the case.”

The 2016 Dry Riesling has aromas of dried apples and peach, with an intense acidity and spicy finish. This wine will be nice and refreshing in the summer and pairs best with fish and salty foods.

Left Foot Charley, 2016 Dry Riesling. COURTESY PHOTO

28 | REVUEWM.COM | MAY 2018

ST. JULIAN WINERY

716 S. Kalamazoo St., Paw Paw stjulian.com, (269) 657-5568

ST. JULIAN RIESLING

Crisp and light with intense flavors of peach, mango and lemon fruit leaves. Pairs best with Asian dishes, fresh fruit, dips and sushi. “(The taste) is absolutely pure in flavor,” said Vice President and Winemaker N a n c i e O x l e y. “ I t ’s harmonious and wellproportioned, leaving a wonderful sensation on the palate, literally like liquid fruit.”

Continued on page 30

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29

WIne & Spirits Issue

Continued from page 28

chicken, pork and veal. If you’re planning on a classy wine and cheese night, pair with cheddar, fontina, gruyere, muenster or raclette.

6130 122nd Ave., Fennville fennvalley.com, (269) 561-2396

BLACK STAR FARMS

VINO BLANCO

10844 E. Revold Rd., Suttons Bay blackstarfarms.com, (231) 944-1270

2016 ARCTUROS DRY RIESLING

Another Riesling, lightly floral with subtle fruit aromas and a bright and balanced acidity.

Rieslings overall are one of the most aromatic of white wines and offer a wide versatility with food. Pair this with pork, chicken, light pastas or just about anything from the sea.

“It ages beautifully, becoming more complex with each passing year in the bottle, with a broader presentation of more complex fruit, but also leaning in to more spice and richness,” said Lee Lutes, head winemaker at Black Star Farms.

L MAWBY VINEYARDS

Cascade Winery, Traminette.

COURTESY PHOTO

CASCADE WINERY

4665 Broadmoor Ave. SE, Grand Rapids cascadecellars.com, (616) 656-4665

TRAMINETTE

Well-bodied with hints of spice and grapefruit.

As you sip this semi-dry white wine from Cascade Winery, the nose picks up floral aromas. Recommended pairings are seafood,

4519 Elm Valley Rd., Suttons Bay lmawby.com, (231) 271-3522

GREEN

Crisp, refreshing and light, Green from L Mawby Vineyards is a hit for the warm days of summer.

The Cayuga grape used in this sparkling wine offers a striking acidity and great flavor. As you sip, aromas of tropical fruits, citrus and lychee come forward without being over-the-top sugary. Pair this wine with light meats from the grill, oysters, pad thai or fish tacos.

FENN VALLEY VINEYARDS

Slightly bubbly, crisp and dry, this Portuguesestyle wine has a delicate fruit aroma and bracing acidity. Pair this refreshing, delicate wine with lighter meals and enjoy ice cold.

Just in time for summer, Fenn Valley Vineyards has launched Vino Blanco in can form, becoming the first Michigan winery to offer canned wine.

“Michigan is full of people partaking in an active lifestyle,” said Vice President Brian Lesperance. “As a winemaker and wine lover, it was always sort of frustrating that wine wasn’t packaged in a practical format for things like boating, golfing, camping, etc.”

Vision is not only Cogdal Vineyards’ idea of a Michigan dry red, but it was also created with family in mind. The label shows an image of Murdoch with his three grandsons on South Beach.

“The Vision story started with my grandfather,” Murdoch said. “We believe we have extended his vision into future family generations that will continue to be part of the South Haven community.” n

COGDAL VINEYARDS

7143 107th Ave., South Haven cogdalvineyards.com, (269) 637-2229

VISION

Pleasant blackberry jam flavors and a lingering plum finish are what to expect when enjoying this dry red blend. Pair this versatile and full-bodied wine with salmon, beef, turkey or chicken.

“Michigan dry reds can sometimes portray less body or boldness,” said owner Jack Murdoch. “Vision was developed to create a red blend to satisfy red wine drinkers.”

DINING | SIGHTS | SOUNDS SCENE

Cogdal Vineyards, Vision. COURTESY PHOTO

Black Star Farms, Arcturos Dry Riesling Display. COURTESY PHOTO

30 | REVUEWM.COM | MAY 2018

Mawby, Green. COURTESY PHOTO

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MAY 2018

ART AVALANCHE

Five new Muskegon Museum of Art exhibits are opening at once, including American Icon: The Art of the Motorcycle.

SEE PAGE 4A. STORY BY MARLA MILLER

COURTESY PHOTO

PAGE

3A

BLOWING IT Glass Art Kalamazoo’s annual competition

PAGE

10A

STORIED STRINGS Vadim Gluzman plays with history

PAGE

16A

ART PARTY UICA takes the art ‘off the wall’

2A

| REVUEWM.COM | MAY 2018

[VISUAL ARTS]

Glass Attack

A day of glass-blowing and education comes to Kalamazoo

BY JANE SIMONS

which gives the kids opportunities to talk about the beads instead of the medical procedures they undergo.

Local artisans are breathing Community outreach efforts such as this are among a number of ways that Glass Art new life into the art of Kalamazoo supports what was once conglassblowing, and their sidered a dying art. Under the guidance of professional artists, classes are taught there efforts will be on display at glass blowing, lampworking, bead makthis year’s Battle of the Glass in ing and kiln fusing, alongside special events and exhibits offered throughout the year.

Blowers.

Joshua Davids, studio and marketing Professional glass artists from Chicago, manager at Glass Art, said America has a Detroit and the Southwest Michigan area will strong history in the studio glass movement compete for cash prizes and bragging rights that got its legs in Toledo, Ohio. while showcasing their talents at Glass Art “The time we’re in now there’s a definite Kalamazoo. The event is free, but donations interest in locally sourced and handmade,” are accepted, as the event doubles as a Davids said. “Here in town and locally, glass fundraiser for the organization. art pieces are not widely available. The “Glass artists by nature are a unique difference between handmade and mangroup of people,” said Carrie Vanderbush, ufacturing is extraordinary.” executive director of Glass Art Kalamazoo.

Davids earned a graduate degree in “You may see teams dressed in a theme glass art from West Texas A&M University and there will be a lot of turning and twist- after getting an undergraduate degree foing and a little bit of showmanship. They will cused on print and graphic design. be judged on style points and what kind of a “When I saw a glass studio, I got messhow they put on.” merized and couldn’t keep away,” he said. “I The action will take place in the venue’s decided that’s what I wanted to do.”

Lampworking and Hotshop studios. About Sculptures and vessels are a focus 15 artists are participating in a lampworking for Davids and his wife, who is also a glass competition while teams of three will be artist. Color and texture are used to creworking on blown-glass pieces. ate tablescapes while higher-end works In addition to the competition, Van- tend to be more experimental and foderbush said the artists are creating cus on how the glass interacts with light, three-dimensional glass pieces based shape and form. on action f igures “ Th e re’s always drawn by child pathat conservative cont i e n t s a t B ro n s o n tingent that says, ‘How Methodist Hospital’s are you going to make Children’s Center. a living,’” Davids said.

BATTLE OF THE “The ar tist s are “It’s a definite craft GLASS BLOWERS pretty excited about and if you work hard at UICA this,” Vanderbush said. mastering it, you can Glass Art Kalamazoo “It will be fun to see kind of find your mar326 W. Kalamazoo what comes out of the ket and find your way.”

Ave. #100, Kalamazoo kids' imaginations and Vandenbush glassartkalamazoo.org how the artists turn it said she thinks the into a 3-D piece.” popularity of glass This part of the ar t has increased event is an outgrowth because peoof a partnership between Glass Art and the ple are looking for something unique hospital, which involves local glass artists to engage in. who create Journey Beads for children with “It’s very dynamic and exciting and you’re cancer. Vanderbush said each of the beads working with an artist, so you get to learn the represents a particular medical procedure, different techniques and at the end of the

PHOTOS: COURTESY OF GLASS ART KALAMAZOO

day you have made things you can use like a glass or a vase or a plate,” Vandenbush said.

“Sometimes you might paint something, but does it ever go up on a wall?”

Glass art involves working in high temperatures with varying degrees of physicality. For instance, creating a fused glass piece requires the cutting of glass that is layered one on top of the other before being fired in a kiln.

“Our artists-in-residence and studio artists say they just get used to it after awhile,” Vandenbush said. “Glass artists are constantly trying to push boundaries and trying

to figure out different ways to fuse the glass.

It’s fun to see peoples’ influences come out in glass. When you pick up a piece of handblown glass, you appreciate the process.”

Davids said glass blowers are definitely interesting people and are their own kind of community.

“We get together and share ideas and techniques. The glass community has massive resources as far as techniques,” Davids said. “The Battle is in part a way to bring artists in from different regions. It’s a friendly competition to bring artists in and make a lot of stuff for a really good cause.” ■ REVUEWM.COM | MAY 2018 |

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[VISUAL ARTS]

Art Avalanche

Five new Muskegon Museum of Art exhibits are opening at once

Art of the Motorcycle. PHOTO BY JENNIFER GREEN

Kneeling from Up Close and Personal. BY MARC SIJAN

BY MARLA R. MILLER

UP CLOSE AND PERSONAL: THE ULTRA-REALISTIC SCULPTURE OF MARC SIJAN

Ultra-realistic sculptures. Picasso prints. Vintage motorcycles. Local 1950s racing photos. And masterpieces from the Edward Curtis: The North American Indian collection.

May 17-Aug. 12 Internationally recognized for his hyper-realistic sculptures, Milwaukee-based sculptor Marc Sijan captivates viewers with intricate and imperfect details of the human figure.

Pores, veins, expressions — even freckles and wrinkles — all look stunningly real.

The exhibition features several full-size figures and head and shoulder busts. The sculptures are cast from real people and have a playful, relatable, fantastical appeal, said Art Martin, director of collections and exhibitions and senior curator.

“Largely, it’s the wonder and surprise and then the joy of discovery and contemplation of viewing them,”

Muskegon Museum of Art is opening a large group of eclectic exhibits in May, hoping to draw on the momentum from last summer’s record-setting attendance and appeal to a broad range of local patrons and regional vacationers.

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| REVUEWM.COM | MAY 2018

Martin said. “The first impression you get is, ‘Oh, that’s a real person sitting there in the corner, sitting on the pedestal.’

Once you realize they’re not real, then there’s that new level of exploration.”

Some of the figures at the MMA have been on display elsewhere, but the museum worked directly with Sijan to organize this special exhibition. He has a noted following worldwide, one MMA staff hopes will attract new visitors to the museum.

Sijan has a story in mind before he begins, then seeks out ordinary people to help convey it — an overweight swimmer in a tiny bathing suit, a bored looking security guard, a guy tumbling out of a crate, a woman meditating on a pedestal, a naked couple in an embrace.

“These are familiar narratives and so they invite a pretty immediate understanding,” Martin said. “He tends to focus on the average person, the kinds of faces and body types that you most frequently encounter.”

Sijan views his work as a record of form and spirit, giving careful attention to the face, an area the artist considers to be a visual record of a person’s life experiences. However, although he offers clues through poses, expressions and props, the ultimate interpretation of the story is left up to the viewer.

He makes a polyester resin cast from the plaster to create the final sculpture, enhanced with up to 15 layers of oil paint to simulate the translucency of skin. Hair, props, clothing and prosthetic eyes complete the final piece.

“The other fascinating part about it is all of the imperfections, the moles, the wrinkles, the freckles, the stray hairs, all of that minutiae of life that viewers immediately recognize in themselves,” Martin said.

AMERICAN ICON: THE ART OF THE MOTORCYCLE May 17-Aug. 12 Motorcycles will drive right into the museum this summer for an exhibition highlighting the artistry of the chopper and its place in modern culture. MMA organized American Icon to appeal to Muskegon’s motorcycle crowd and the thousands of bikers who visit for Rebel Road and Bike Time in July.

The exhibit offers a glimpse into the design and aesthetics of the motorcycle and how it’s changed over the years, from custom paint jobs and accessories to cultural imagery of the men and women who ride. The display includes Harley Davidson motorcycles and other rare and vintage bikes, including two early Henderson models and a 1909 Excelsior. Martin credits Clyde Whitehouse at Hot Rod Harley and other Muskegon area collectors for making the exhibition possible.

The work of Michigan photographers Bill Chardon and Jennifer Green round out the exhibit with photographs of Sturgis and Muskegon rallies, portraits and up-close details of bikes.

“It’s a way to reach a new audience and remind people that art is everywhere, and it’s a fun way to remind people that we are always doing something different,” he said.

WHISKEY RIDGE: THE SUMMER OF ’51 May 17-Aug. 12 As a transition between Sijan and American Icon, MMA’s Whiskey Ridge showcases a slice of Americana and local racing history with a wall of photos by amateur photographer Dorothy “Dot” Thompson.

The black-and-white photographs capture the thrill and nostalgia of Whiskey Ridge Raceway, also known as the Newaygo County Speedway and Maple Island Speedway. The oval dirt track in Grant hosted popular stock car races from 1946 to 1960 and 1972 to 1976.

Using a Kodak Brownie box camera, Thompson, now in her 90s, took the photos during the summer of 1951.

“She was an amateur shutterbug, and it all sort of got tucked away,” Martin said. “They were moving her, and her family found the original negatives.”

Her daughter, also a photographer, contacted Martin to take a look. The 12 photographs on display capture the sense of speed and atmosphere of the popular pastime and spectator sport.

“They’re fun, (like) people standing around looking at a wrecked car,” he said. “It brings in some local history and ties that into racing, which was central to the development of motorcycles.”

Whiskey Ridge. PHOTO BY DOT THOMPSON PICASSO IN PRINT: 20TH CENTURY EUROPEAN MASTERS May 17-Sept. 9 In the Operhall Gallery, Picasso in Print features notable prints from the museum’s permanent collection and an anonymous loan. Four large Pablo Picasso prints are the focus, rounded out by other smaller prints from the famous Spanish painter and printmaker, along with early 20th century etchings and lithographs by Toulouse-Lautrec, Francisco Goya, Tsugouharu Foujita, Georges Roualt, Paul Cezanne, Pierre Bonnard, and Françoise Gilot.

“These represent a kind of golden age in European printmaking,” Martin said. “It recognizes this really significant loan and … it lets us highlight parts of our collection that, because they are on paper, just aren’t seen that often.”

150 MASTERPIECES FROM THE NORTH AMERICAN INDIAN

Art of the Motorcycle. PHOTO BY BILL CHARDON

May 24-Sept. 9 After the success of last year’s The North American Indian exhibition, the museum decided to pull together 150 of Curtis’ most notable images in honor of the 150th an-

Brief Peek from Up Close and Personal. BY MARC SIJAN niversary of his birth. The collection offers a sampling of the portraits, landscapes and Native American life captured in the comprehensive exhibition, which included 20 volumes of ethnographic information and portfolios with 723 photogravures.

“We did another wall of portraits because that is the best illustration of the humanity of the people who Curtis photographed,” Martin said. “Seeing a wall of faces is just a really powerful experience.”

Although much smaller in scale, the encore exhibit also examines criticism of Curtis’ work and enduring falsehoods.

“For all the beauty and preservation of culture that there is in (The North American Indian), there is also the creation and perpetuation of stereotypes,” Martin said. “In doing what Curtis did, he created an image of the Native American that was not always true.” ■ REVUEWM.COM | MAY 2018 |

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[VISUAL ARTS]

PREVIEW

May has a lot of competitions to check out, with artists young and old. There’s also some very realistic sculptures, a student exhibition that will take over an entire campus, and one artist’s first solo North American museum exhibition. We know it tends to be nicer out in May but don’t forget about stopping by your local gallery. BY DANA CASADEI

LAFONTSEE GALLERIES 833 Lake Drive SE, Grand Rapids lafontsee.us, (616) 451-9820

SLIGHTLY OBSESSIVE, Through May 25 ART ON CENTER, May 5 LET’S JUMP IN!, May 26-June 2

KENDALL COLLEGE OF ART AND DESIGN 17 Fountain St. NW, Grand Rapids kcad.edu, (800) 676-2787

2018 ANNUAL STUDENT EXHIBITION, May 1-5 GRAND RAPIDS ARTSHOW MUSEUM WEST MICHIGAN AREA

Monroe May 101 26-Sept.

2 Center, Grand Rapids KALAMAZOO INSTITUTE OF ARTS 314 S. Park St., Kalamazoo kiarts.org, (269) 349-7775

MY HERO: CONTEMPORARY ART & SUPERHERO ACTION, Through May 13 PASSION ON PAPER: MASTERLY PRINTS FROM THE KIA COLLECTION,

artmuseumgr.org, (616) 831-1000

FROM WILDERNESS TO RESOURCE: A STORY IN PICTURES, Through May 6 TONY MENDOZA: CATS AND DOGS, Through June 10

Through July 15

ANILA QUAYYUM AGHA: INTERSECTIONS, May 19-Aug. 26

VIBRANT BOUNTY: CHINESE FOLK ART FROM THE SHAANXI REGION,

OSWALDO VIGAS: TRANSFORMATIONS, May 19-Sept. 2

Through Aug. 12

YOUNG ARTISTS OF KALAMAZOO COUNTY, Through May 6 HIGH SCHOOL AREA SHOW, May 18-June 10

URBAN INSTITUTE FOR CONTEMPORARY ARTS 2 W. Fulton St., Grand Rapids uica.org, (616) 454-7000

CAMPUS: 2018 ANNUAL FACULTY AND STAFF EXHIBITION, Through May 6

FRESH PICK: BOHAN LI, Through May 18 LOOK BEHIND DESIGN, Through May 13 COLOR OF THE YEAR, Through July 29 MUSKEGON MUSEUM OF ART 296 W. Webster Ave., Muskegon muskegonartmuseum.org, (231) 720-2570

This exhibition makes for the Venezuelan artist’s first solo North American museum show.

Vigas, who died in 2014, drew on a broad mixture of sources and stylistic approaches for his art, including indigenous South American traditions and Western modernism. The show takes a look at his whole career, which spanned more than 40 years, beginning with his early figurative works, then his explorations of geometric form and color, and finally his later paintings.

MIRROR VARIATIONS: THE ART OF MONIR SHAHROUDY FARMANFARMAIAN, May 19-Aug. 26 SHOW AND TELL: GRAM STAFF SELECTIONS FROM THE PERMANENT COLLECTION, May 19-Aug. 26 SAUGATUCK CENTER FOR THE ARTS 400 Culver St., Saugatuck sc4a.org, (269) 857-2399

MOVING THROUGH THE UNIMAGINABLE, Through May 26 GLASS, Through May 26 AESTHETICS OF HEALTH, Through May 26

THUNDER BOY, JR.: ILLUSTRATIONS

BY YUYI MORALES, Through May 20 THE POETRY OF METAL: DAVID BARNHILL AND DAVID HUANG,

LOWELLARTS! 223 W. Main St., Lowell lowellartsmi.org, (616) 897-8545

Through June 10

KATJA OXMAN GIFT, Through May 13

MAY 19-20, 2018 l SAT. 10-6PM & SUN. 10-5PM DOWNTOWN EAST LANSING elartfest.com l FREE

THE 150TH ANNIVERSARY OF EDWARD CURTIS: 150 MASTERPIECES FROM THE NORTH AMERICAN INDIAN, May 24-Sept. 9

UP CLOSE AND PERSONAL: THE ULTRA-REALISTIC SCULPTURE OF MARC SIJAN, May 17-Aug. 1

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| REVUEWM.COM | MAY 2018

MAYFIELD & MOSAICS, Through May 26 FREDERIK MEIJER GARDENS & SCULPTURE PARK 1000 East Beltline Ave. NE, Grand Rapids Meijergardens.org, (888) 957-1580

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WE INVITE YOU TO JOIN US JUNE 9TH

GRAND RAPIDS ASIAN-PACIFIC FESTIVAL

ASIAN-PACIFIC WEEK

PHOTO ©2018 TWO EAGLES MARCUS

BROUGHT TO YOU BY

WEST MICHIGAN ASIAN AMERICAN ASSOCIATION

JUNE 9TH, 2018

Monday, June 4 – Saturday 9, 2018 Presented by Downtown Grand Rapids Inc. and Old National Bank downtown Grand Rapids.

“Byamba” at Sumo, Sushi, Sake on June 8th

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June 7th - Thursday Relax at Rosa FREE Lunchtime entertainment. Rosa Parks Circle / Noon to 1:30pm / Free and Open to the public / With food trucks. Including Sanse Filipino Cuisine Art by Pakistani-American Anila Agha at GRAM. Grand Rapids Art Mueum, 101 Monroe Center NW Grand Rapids, MI 49503 / 5pm-9pm / Free Admission

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June 8th - Friday “Sushi, Sake and Sumo” Sumo Demstration by three elite Sumo Champions Byambajav Ulambayar, Ryuichi Yamamoto and Takeshi Amitani.

June 4th - Monday FESTIVAL WEEK KICK OFF EVENT Asian Art Exhibition Reception DeVos Place, Grand Rapids Michigan 303 Monroe Ave NW, Grand Rapids, Michigan / 5pm-7pm / Free and Open to the public June 5th - Tuesday An Evening of Bangladeshi Dance and Music UICA, 2 Fulton St W, Grand Rapids, MI / 6pm-8pm / Free Admission June 6th - Wednesday TBD

JW + Asians Night Out After Party JW Marriott Grand Rapids – A night of Sumo, Sushi, Sake 235 Louis St. NW Grand Rapids, MI 49503 / 6:30pm to 1am / Tickets: https://www.elevategr.com/sumotickets June 9th - Saturday Grand Rapids Asian-Pacific Festival Rosa Parks Circle, 135 Monroe Center St NW Grand Rapids, MI 49503 / 10:30 am to 10pm Enjoy the GR Asian-Pacific Week with an Asian Businesses and Supporters Passport: http://grasianfestival.com/ festivalweek/passport

CELEBRATING WEST MICHIGAN’S ASIAN CULTURE, PERFORMANCES, AND FOOD 8A

| REVUEWM.COM | MAY 2018

[Music]

Stulberg String Competition.

COURTESY PHOTO

At the Start of Success Win or lose, careers begin at Stulberg String Competition

BY JANE SIMONS

Had he not won a Gold Medal at the Stulberg International String Competition in 1979, Anthony Ross isn’t sure where his career would have gone.

Ross, a Kalamazoo native and principal cellist with the Minnesota Symphony Orchestra, said it was a “neat” experience to win, especially because it was in front of a hometown crowd. This year, he will return to Kalamazoo to serve as one of three judges at the 43rd annual competition.

“I see these competitions as careerstarters, not necessarily career-makers,” Ross said. “Some of the greatest cellists in history never won a lot of competitions.

The most important thing is the process of getting there and preparing well.”

43RD STULBERG INTERNATIONAL STRING COMPETITION Dalton Center Recital Hall, Western Michigan University Van De Giessen Rd. #3001, Kalamazoo May 18, 7:30 p.m., $20 stulberg.org

The competition is open to students of the violin, viola, cello or double bass, who are age 19 or younger.

Margaret Hamilton, executive director of the Stulberg, said the event is unique because it focuses on younger musicians as opposed to other competitions that are open to a broader range of ages. She said it gives younger musicians opportunities to test their competitiveness and see if this is the life they want to lead.

“We want to make it supportive and nurturing, but it is a competition,” Hamilton said. “Many of our contestants have said they figured out at the Stulberg that this is what (they) want to do. Most of these artists have been studying since they were small children and they’ve put in a lot of hard work.”

Ross, who began playing the piano at age 4, said he didn’t start playing the cello until he was 10 years old. In some ways, that worked to his advantage because he was able to play a full-size cello.

He started playing at the urging of his parents, both economists, who grew up during the Great Depression and weren’t able to learn to play an instrument. They both had a lifelong love of music and made sure that each of their four children had the opportunities they did not.

“I played the cello because I was low on the instrument food chain in my family,” Ross said.

“My older brother and younger sister played the violin, and my older sister played the viola and the piano.”

Despite having a ready-made string quartet, the siblings never performed together. Unlike his brother and sisters, Ross decided to pursue a career as a profes-

sional musician and credits his teacher, Mary Butler, with preparing him for competitions like the Stulberg and what followed. “(The Stulberg) really motivates you to be a better musician and a better cellist because of the competition,” Ross said. “There’s no point in going unless you want to win. I’ve been in numerous competitions and when I got second or third or fourth place, that helped just as much as the Stulberg. It’s a special thing for young people.”

Hamilton said 12 semi-finalists were selected from more than 200 applicants to participate in this year’s competition.

Anthony Ross. COURTESY PHOTO

“Most of them are studying here in the states,” she said. “Some are Americans and some are citizens of other countries.”

Hamilton said the contestants choose the selections they will perform from a standard repertoire of classic works composed for stringed instruments. During the competition, they are accompanied by a pianist.

“This year, we received a lot of applications from students playing Sergei Prokofiev. The last couple of years we’ve had a lot by Jean Sebelius,” Hamilton said.

“We also have works by classic composers like Brahms, so every year, we usually get a nice variety.”

Contestants arrive on May 17 and spend the day rehearsing with the competition’s pianist. May 18 is devoted to the semifinals, with the finals competition taking place that evening.

“It’s a pretty fast turnaround,” Hamilton said. “I always liken it to the Olympic time trials.”

A postscript to the competition will feature Ross and his fellow judges Aaron Dworkin, a professor of arts leadership and arts entrepreneurship at the University of Michigan, and Scott St. John, a member of the St. Lawrence String Quartet, leading Stulberg Master Classes at the Dalton Center on May 19.

Hamilton said Ross and other previous Stulberg winners are proof that “you can launch your career in Kalamazoo.”

“To be chosen means that you already have beaten the odds and you have everything it takes to make it in a very tough competition. It shows a certain level of performance, commitment and achievement,” Hamilton said. ■ REVUEWM.COM | MAY 2018 |

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[Music]

Playing with History Vadim Gluzman returns to perform with his legendary instrument

BY SAMARA NAPOLITAN

When Vadim Gluzman was a young music student, he didn’t like playing the violin.

Instead of practicing for hours on end, he wanted to play ice hockey with his friends.

But eventually, after hours of rigorous study, Gluzman fully embraced his future as a violinist.

“I just realized I couldn’t live without it,” he said.

Today, the Israeli-American virtuoso performs with renowned orchestras across the globe, receiving widespread praise for his old-world lyricism and technical brilliance.

Gluzman returns for his second performance with the West Michigan Symphony Orchestra on May 18. In this final concert of the 2017-2018 season, Gluzman performs Brahms’ iconic Violin Concerto alongside the orchestra. The Romantic-period work is featured on Gluzman’s latest CD for the BIS label.

“(This piece) is unarguably one of the greatest pieces for violin ever written,” Gluzman said. “It’s one of those Mount Everest concertos that encompasses every human emotion and everything the violin has to offer: romance, virtuosity and great passion. You live an entire lifetime while performing it.”

Scott Speck, music director of the West Michigan Symphony Orchestra, has worked with Gluzman many times and looks forward to the violinist’s return to the region.

“Musicians like Vadim inspire our members and our community with their consummate artistry,” Speck said. “All of us aspire to an unattainable ideal, and to have one of today’s great violinists in our midst gives us a vision of the greatness that is possible.”

The book Great Violinists of the Twentieth Century, Volume 2 by Jean-Michel Molkhou features Gluzman and highlights his “penchant for bringing the glorious violinist tradition of the 19th and 20th centuries back to life.” One particular tradition that often follows Gluzman’s name is the Russian school of violin playing, a pedagogy that produced many legendary “Golden Age” violinists, such as Jascha Heifetz.

However, Gluzman has made efforts to distance himself from the Russian violin

Vadim Gluzman. COURTESY PHOTO school. “I can be categorized that way only partially,” he explained.

Considering his rich educational background, one would have to agree. A graduate of the Juilliard School in New York City, Gluzman’s violin journey began in Riga, Latvia. He then studied in Russia under the tutelage of Zakhar Bron, one of the best violin teachers alive today. After his family moved to Israel in 1990, he met the famed American violinist and conductor Isaac Stern and enjoyed his encouragement and mentorship for many years. “(He taught me that) nothing is ever good enough. That was his approach and perception of the people around himself, and it was his expectation,” Gluzman said of Stern. “Perfection can never be reached — we only follow that path.”

One vital element connects Gluzman back to the Russian tradition: his extraordinary instrument. For nearly 20 years, Gluzman has been playing a Stradivarius violin that once belonged to Leopold Auer, founder of the Russian violin school.

Tchaikovsky composed many of his most beloved violin works for Auer and his violin. This includes Tchaikovsky’s sole Violin

Concerto, which Auer initially deemed unplayable (he later came around). Gluzman performed the work during his last appearance with the West Michigan Symphony Orchestra in April 2008.

Gluzman has drawn inspiration from his instrument since the Stradivari Society of Chicago selected him as steward of the fascinating musical artifact.

“All of this great music was written for this violin,” Gluzman said. “It is really moving to hold this piece of history in my hands.” ■

MASTERPIECES: MASTERWORKS 5

Frauenthal Theater 425 W. Western Ave. #200, Muskegon May 18, 7:30 p.m., $22-$54 westmichigansymphony.org, (231) 726-3231

Exceptional Creativity.

The future of art and design is closer than you think.

Discover the authentic expressions and creative innovations of KCAD’s 2018 graduating class in our annual Excellence Award and Masters Thesis exhibitions, May 1-16.

Kendall College of Art and Design of Ferris State University An Intimate Invasion, Anna Shierbeek (‘18, MFA)

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| REVUEWM.COM | MAY 2018

Celebrating 90 Years

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REVUEWM.COM | MAY 2018 |

11A

[MUSIC]

PREVIEW

When it comes to classical music, May marks the ending of multiple seasons, so get your fix before summer starts. Otherwise you’ll be waiting until the fall, and that’s just too long. The Gilmore Keyboard Festival also continues into this month. BY DANA CASADEI KALAMAZOO SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA 359 Kalamazoo Mall Ste. 100, Kalamazoo kalamazoosymphony.com, (269) 349-7759

KSO plays music from the Disney classic The Jungle Book as part of its KSO@The Movies series. The music from the iconic animated film has a score by George Bruns and was composed by one of the most famous songwriting teams in history, Richard M. Sherman and Robert B. Sherman.

GILMORE FESTIVAL: CHAMBER ORCHESTRA CONCERT, May 9, 8 p.m.

OPERA GRAND RAPIDS 1320 E. Fulton St., Grand Rapids operagr.org, (616) 451-2741

GILMORE FESTIVAL FINALE, May 12, 8 p.m.

BEETHOVEN & PROKOFIEV, May 19, 8 p.m., $12+

DISNEY IN CONCERT THE JUNGLE BOOK, May 26, 3 p.m., $10 Forget about your worries and strife as the

A NIGHT BENEATH THE STARS, May 18, 6 p.m., $250 A Night Beneath the Stars celebrates the Opera Grand Rapids 50th anniversary this month. There will be cocktails and a strolling dinner, music (obviously) and dancing.

2018

-2019 Sea Now O son Tick ets n Sale !

Pops at the Pier featuring The Moxie Strings

Rhiannon Giddens. COURTESY PHOTO Headlining the night is an opera-crossover sensation, the Forte Tenors, and proceeds will support Opera Grand Rapids’ productions and programs year-round.

ST. CECILIA MUSIC CENTER 24 Ransom Ave. NE, Grand Rapids scmc-online.org, (616) 459-2224

RHIANNON GIDDENS, May 17, 7:30 p.m.

If you’ve ever listened to Eric Church’s Kill A Word, you’ve heard Rhiannon Giddens. She has much more than that one song under her belt though, co-founding the GRAMMY award-winning string band Carolina Chocolate. After stealing the show in 2013 at Another Day, Another Time at New York City’s Town Hall, her solo career took off. Since then, she’s brought her unique sound — which blends genres like gospel, jazz and country — to two albums, and won the Steve Martin Prize for Excellence in Bluegrass and Banjo in 2016.

WEST MICHIGAN SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA 360 W. Western Ave. #200, Muskegon westmichigansymphony.org, (231) 726-3231

UNDER THE SEA, May 5, 6 p.m., $160 MASTERWORKS.5, May 18, 7:30 p.m., $22+ WMS is closing out its season this month.

The final concert features three great masterpieces: Brahms’ iconic Violin Concerto in D major (showcasing Russian-Israeli violinist Vadim Gluzman), Tchaikovsky’s Symphony no. 4 and another world premiere from composer-in-residence Austin Wintory. This will be Wintory’s fourth world premiere with the symphony.

WEST MICHIGAN JAZZ SOCIETY PO Box 150307, Grand Rapids wmichjazz.org, (616) 490-9506

Thursday, June 21 at 7:00pm Eldean’s Boat Shed, Holland for tickets: www.hollandsymphony.org or 616-796-6780 12A

| REVUEWM.COM | MAY 2018

WEST MICHIGAN JAZZ SOCIETY MUSICIAN OF THE YEAR BANQUET, May 14, 6 p.m., $50 Bob Nixon, saxophonist with the Grand Rapids Jazz Orchestra, will be honored by the society this month. Expect loads of music

with one of Michigan’s premiere jazz ensembles in the area. Guests can sit and listen, but if you’re really into it, feel free to get up and dance the night away.

THE GILMORE KEYBOARD FESTIVAL West Michigan thegilmore.org, (269) 342-1166

GILMORE KEYBOARD FESTIVAL, Through May 12 The annual, internationally renowned festival continues into May. There are dozens of performances at a variety of venues, including past and present Gilmore Young Artist recipients, legendary pianists and the centennial celebration of Leonard Bernstein. If you’re into pianos, this is a can’t-miss festival. Head to revuewm.com for in-depth coverage including artist interviews and next-day reviews.

GRAND RAPIDS SYMPHONY 300 Ottawa NW Ste. 100, Grand Rapids grsymphony.org, (616) 454-9451 ext. 4

WELL-ORCHESTRATED KITCHENS: A HEART OF THE HOME TOUR, May 5, 10 a.m

GRAND RAPIDS YOUTH CHORUS CONCERT, May 5, 2 p.m.

GRAND RAPIDS YOUTH SYMPHONY AND CLASSICAL ORCHESTRA, May 6, 3 p.m.

GILMORE FESTIVAL CONCERT, May 9, 8 p.m.

STAR WARS AND MORE: THE MUSIC OF JOHN WILLIAMS, May 11-13, $18+ BEETHOVEN'S NINTH, May 18-19, 8 p.m., $18+ GRS Music Director Marcelo Lehninger has appropriately selected Beethoven’s lastever complete symphony to close the season. Along with the German composer’s piece, the evening will include a brandnew work by GRS’s own Ale Miller, plus a set of orchestral variations honoring Beethoven, written by Brazilian composer Ronaldo Miranda.

MAY 18-19 DeVos Hall

Marcelo Lehninger Conductor

B EETHOV E N'S Richard and Helen DeVos CLASSICAL SERIES

RONALDO MIRANDA Variações Temporais – Beethoven Revistado (Temporal Variations – Beethoven Revisited)

9

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ALEXANDER L. MILLER Testament, Beethoven’s 1802 “Heiligenstadt Testament” for Bass-Baritone, Chorus and Orchestra BEETHOVEN Symphony No. 9, “Choral” Featuring the Grand Rapids Symphony Chorus Pearl Shangkuan, Director

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2/27/18 3:06 PM

[THEATER]

Dark Fantasy

Into the Woods tackles tough, real-life issues with fairy tale characters

BY KAYLA TUCKER

ticular, nowadays, we want those things at the exclusion of everybody else. We’re a little selfish.”

Director Todd Avery Music Director Brendan Hollins said the show connects all of these somewhat particularly enjoys the “dark selfish characters and their varying stories side” of Into the Woods, the together, forcing them to collaborate.

“There’s a nice theme about having to hugely successful musical come together to work on a common probpenned by James Lapine lem, which is always relevant to political situations,” Hollins said. and composed by the iconic Avery agreed, adding that it relates to Stephen Sondheim. our current political, social and cultural state.

“It’s easy when fear overtakes every“I know a lot of his shows have those darker thing to think selfishly,” Avery said. “And elements,” Avery said of Sondheim, famous I think those are the times when people for composing musicals like Sweeney Todd need to stand up and go, ‘Everybody’s and West Side Story. “He really does seem afraid, so how do we all try not to be afraid to — in my opinion — do an excellent job of anymore instead of just sticking to our own getting at the human spirit issues.’” and understanding what Avery said he is takmakes people tick, and ing more of a “modern then he kind of creates approach” and wants these stories around that.” to focus less on the INTO THE Coming this month fairy tale aspects of the WOODS to Circle Theatre, Avery’s characters.

Circle Theatre version of Into the Woods “(Cinderella) doesn’t 1703 Robinson Rd. — which includes some necessarily have to SE, Grand Rapids changes — centers on a be wearing a big ball May 3-19, $26+ baker and his wife who gown for us to be able circletheatre.org are trying to have a baby to relate to her issues but can’t because of a of indecision and concurse put on them. They fusion, in particular as a journey into the woods woman,” Avery said. to undo this curse and Technology is analong the way run into various storybook other aspect of the show Avery wants to characters like Cinderella, Rapunzel, Little highlight, as he believes it causes real disRed Riding Hood and Sleeping Beauty. tance between people nowadays.

There are two versions of these fairytale “I think of the stepsisters kind of as the stories — the kid-friendly version and the Kardashian sisters." Avery said. "It’s that idea “grim” version — and this show contains a of complete self-centeredness and techcombo of the two. Avery’s biggest goal with nology completely taking over our lives, the show is to make the characters relatable so our characters have cell phones, which to the audience.

I think isolates people more than brings “It’s not just princes and princesses and them together.” witches and things like that,” Avery said.

Prince Charming also is not so charming.

“These are real people that we see evAvery relates the princes as well as the Big ery day, whether it’s in the media or in our Bad Wolf to “male predators.” lives. Nobody is perfect, and I think that’s “Within the current script, they’re kind kind of what this show goes for. We all have of ‘womanizers,’” Avery said. “They’re wishes and we all want things. But in parmuch more into the pursuit rather than the

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| REVUEWM.COM | MAY 2018

INTO THE WOODS POSTER. COURTESY PHOTO relationship, and I’m just taking that and expanding on that to make them more predators.”

Fro m a m u s i c p e rs p e ct ive, H o llins said he wants to honor Sondheim’s “beautifully written” score as much as possible. Avery described the rhythm structure as “complicated.”

“The range is really crazy, he jumps all over the place,” he said. “It’s a real challenge for our actors as well as our musicians.”

While the show is tricky, Avery said the cast is “nailing it.”

“I was gone for a couple weeks and I just came in this week and holy cow, they’re awesome,” he said. “I’ve been really pleased … with their progress. I think we’re really ahead of the game with a really tough score.”

Avery is excited to see the energy his cast brings to the stage.

“I’m really happy with the casting,” he said. “I think it’s just going to be a very memorable event for everybody.” ■

THE LADY IN QUESTION

By Charles Busch Guest starring Sutton Lee Seymour

THE WOLVES

By Sarah DeLappe

NEXT STOP, BROADWAY! A Cabaret event starring a Broadway guest

THE MAN WHO SHOT LIBERTY VALANCE

ALMOST, MAINE

By Jethro Compton

By John Cariani

THE DANCING GRANNY

SHAKESPEARE IN LOVE

A Show for the whole family by Ashely Bryan Adapted by Jiréh Breon Holder

Based on the screenplay by Marc Norman & Tom Stoppard Adapted for the stage by Lee Hall

TONY N’ TINA’S WEDDING

WOMEN ON THE VERGE OF A NERVOUS BREAKDOWN A Musical Comedy by Jeffrey Lane Music and Lyrics by David Yazbek

By Artificial Intelligence

GUYS AND DOLLS

Music and Lyrics by Frank Loesser Book by Abe Burrows and Jo Swerling

Season passes are on sale now!

Order by May 12th and receive a bonus ticket.

GILMORE THEATRE COMPLEX 269-387-6222 www.wmutheatre.com

may 11-13

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15A

[THEATER]

No Canvas

Off The Wall brings something new to the gallery

BY KAYLA TUCKER

For one night only, the Urban Institute for Contemporary Arts is taking art “off the wall and into the space.”

This year, Off The Wall replaces Live Coverage, the annual fundraising event of the last 19 years. Artists would create art live and then the new piece would be auctioned off that night.

“While that event has been a ton of fun and very successful, we felt that it left out some artists because it didn’t allow for performances,” said Kristen Taylor, development officer for the UICA. At Off The Wall guests can enjoy a cash bar with craft beer and wine and “small bites” from San Chez Bistro and Cakabakery, all while taking in eight varied performances.

OFF THE WALL

UICA 2 W. Fulton St., Grand Rapids May 15, 6-9 p.m. $35 members, $50 non-members uica.org, (616) 454-7000

This includes an opera performance by Grace VanHoven, a 10-minute play from Actors’ Theatre Grand Rapids and performance art

by Zachary Trebellas. Brianne Ross brings her spoken-word poetry to the event, alongside improv comedy from Plant Parenthood and sketch comedy from Funny Girls.

Dance in the Annex is collaborating

with Fiona Dickinson, a British singer and multi-instrumentalist, and you’ll also hear Les Creatif, a jazz/ rock/hip-hop fusion collective led by two-time WYCE Jammie-winning saxophonist Dante Cope.

Taylor said the UICA’s first goal here is to provide “a new and exciting experience for our guests.”

“We will be presenting groups who you normally just see one of in a typical night out, and you would see them in a more traditional performance space,” she said.

As one of the performers, Zachary Trebellas will present a unique “light-hearted presentation” about “how to look at art.”

“We’ll be going around the galleries and looking at art and I’m going to talk about how you do that, because I feel like that’s not always commonly known or taught, like what are we actually doing in front of these pieces,” Trebellas said. “It’s usually a two-hour thing. For the UICA, I’m doing a 45-minute express version of that.”

Trebellas said the mission of his business, VisEd, is to “bring more understanding of how to look at art” and help people “experience” the art.

After graduating as an art history major from Columbia College in Chicago, Trebellas moved to Grand Rapids for the comparatively smalltown feel and arts community.

“I like that the art community is very collaborative,” Trebellas said.

“It’s collaborative over competitive.

People are ready to work together.”

The Off The Wall showcase will take place in all galleries and on all four floors.

The second goal of the night is to raise “much-needed funds.” The bulk of the UICA’s funding comes through fundraising, and the gaps are filled by financial support from Kendall College of Art and Design and Ferris State University.

In 1977, the UICA was founded as a grassroots artist-driven organization, which Taylor said the community embraced right away.

What’s unique about the UICA is that it’s a “non-collecting” institution, which means it doesn’t have a permanent collection.

“We’re presenting art of today, that reflects our contemporary lives,” Taylor said.

This accounts for 10-12 exhibitions per year by local, regional, national and international artists.

In addition, the UICA hosts various performances, adult education programming and a movie theater that shows 15 screenings a week (independent movies, international films and documentaries) and a quarterly film festival.

“We show everything from local artists’ work in solo exhibitions to large themed exhibitions that are coming from another institution,” Taylor said.

In 2011, the UICA relocated to its fifth home in more than 40 years at the custom-designed and built facility at the corner of Fulton and Division. For the 40th anniversary last year, Taylor said the UICA management decided that instead of looking back, they would look to the future on what they can improve as an institution and as an art community. “(We) resolved to focus on artist equity and audience equity, particularly as it related to the black or African-American community," Taylor said. "So, last year saw a big focus on black and African-American artists and other artists of color, as well as intentional effort to involve and engage audiences of color.”

“We have resolved to focus the next two years of programming using the lens of equity in fairly broad terms, so paying attention to artist and audience equity as it relates to race and ethnicity, as well as socioeconomic status, sexuality, etc.”

In the meantime, Off The Wall will act as a jumping off point for that focus.

“We really hope to fill the building with guests and we’re excited to have a really fun and revelatory event,” Taylor said. ■

ZACHARY TREBELLAS. COURTESY PHOTO

LES CRÉATIF. COURTESY PHOTO

BRIANNE ROSS. COURTESY PHOTO

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| REVUEWM.COM | MAY 2018

FRIDAY NIGHT ART HOPS KALAMUSIC (Americana/Blues/Folk)

MAY 4 Disfigured Reasons, oil paintings by Gabriele Mckenzie

MUSIC LIGHT SHOWS IN THE PLANETARIUM

APRIL 6 - JUNE 1 | 7 PM Pink Floyd’s Dark Side of the Moon

2018 STUDENT ART SHOW

MAY 4 | CENTER FOR NEW MEDIA This juried exhibition of Kalamazoo Valley student work in a variety of traditional mediums includes painting, drawing, photography,sculpture and ceramics.

Kalamazoo Valley alumni.

ART & NEW MEDIA GRAD SHOW JUNE 1 | CENTER FOR NEW MEDIA Art & New Media graduates are highlighted in this exhibit featuring their best work in graphic design, illustration, web design, and animation.

FREE GENERAL ADMISSION Monday-Friday 9 am-5 pm Friday 9 am-9 pm (October-May) Saturday 9 am-5 pm Sunday + Holidays 1 pm-5 pm Closed: Easter, Thanksgiving, Christmas Eve, Christmas Day

The Kalamazoo Valley Museum is operated

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

269.373.7990 | 800.772.3370 kalamazoomuseum.org

ADULTING 101 Basic Home Maintenance Thursday, May 3 7:00 pm Main Library 111 Library St NE Discover ways to save energy and money on most home repairs. Weatherization, like sealing windows, doors, and foundations, will also be covered.

Green Cleaning Monday, May 7 7:00 pm Main Library 111 Library St NE Join Angela Fox from GreenMichigan.org and learn why making your own cleaning products is both good for your home and the environment. Go home with recipes to make cleaners and softscrub.

Find Work That Works Thursday, May 10 7:00 pm Main Library 111 Library St NE Join the Business Librarian to find out exactly how to think about the job search, how to present yourself in person and in writing, and most importantly, how to plan for future work that might not yet exist.

Tips to Create and Manage Your Spending Plan Thursday, May 24 7:00 pm Main Library 111 Library St NE Everybody tells you to save your money, whether it is for retirement, emergencies, or future goals. This workshop, taught by Jinnifer Ortquist of the MSU Extension, will train you to think critically about spending, save like you mean it, and show you the way a spending plan can help you make your financial future secure.

EVENTS ARE FREE AND OPEN TO THE PUBLIC 616.988.5400 WWW.GRPL.ORG Many of these programs are funded by the Grand Rapids Public Library Foundation.

REVUEWM.COM | MAY 2018 |

17A

[theater]

preview

This month, the theater scene has everything from Jane Austen and Disney classics to shows celebrating the lives of infamous pianists. There are also a handful of rather serious plays, if you’re not in the mood for singing and dancing, and lots of Tony Award winners in this bunch. BY DANA CASADEI ACTORS’ THEATRE, GRAND RAPIDS 160 Fountain St. NE, Grand Rapids actorstheatregrandrapids.org, (616) 234-3946

THE FLICK, May 17-26, $28 Set in a rundown movie palace in Worcester, Mass., this Pulitzer Prize-winning drama follows three underpaid movie ushers who keep the theater running. While the labor they do is tedious — think cleaning spilled soda from the floors — most of the action in this Annie Baker show plays out in the aisles, ranging from tiny battles to not-so-tiny heartbreaks, which become much more interesting than the movie playing on the screen.

FESTIVAL PLAYHOUSE KALAMAZOO COLLEGE 1200 Academy St., Kalamazoo reason.kzoo.edu/theatre, (269) 337-7333

the Panama Canal. They eventually meet, but of course nothing goes as planned. Fun fact: the play is based on the life of Nottage's great-grandmother.

HOLLAND CIVIC THEATER 50 W. 9th St., Holland, hollandcivictheatre.org, (616) 396-2021

CALENDAR GIRLS, May 5-19, $18 After the death of Annie’s husband, she and her best friend Chris decide to raise money for a local hospital waiting room. Naturally, the obvious solution is to pose for a calendar, nude, roping in four of their friends to participate as well. The news of their charitable adventure soon spreads with mobs of people coming to their once quiet town of Knapeley in the Yorkshire Dales. While the calendar’s success takes off, Annie and Chris’ friendship is put to the test in this play by Tim Firth, which is based a true story.

INTIMATE APPAREL, May 17-20, $15

:

Closing out the Festival Playhouse’s 54th season is Lynn Nottage’s Intimate Apparel. Set in New York City in 1905, the play focuses on Esther, a black seamstress. Esther lives in a boarding house for women and sews intimate apparel for clients ranging from wealthy white patrons to black prostitutes. As other members of the boarding house get married and move away, Esther stays, dreaming of a future husband, and begins corresponding with a lonesome Caribbean man working on

CIRCLE THEATRE 1703 Robinson Road SE, Grand Rapids circletheatre.org, (616) 456-6656

INTO THE WOODS, May 3-19, $26+ A FEW GOOD MEN, May 31-June 16, $26+

TCHAIKOVSKY & BRAHMS FRIDAY • MAY 18 • 7:30 PM Frauenthal Theater • 425 W Western Ave • Muskegon

Scott Speck conductor Vadim Gluzman violin

SCOTT SPECK | MUSIC DIRECTOR

18A

| REVUEWM.COM | MAY 2018

KALAMAZOO'S CIVIC THEATRE 329 S. Park St., Kalamazoo kazoocivic.com, (269) 343-1313

BILLY ELLIOT, May 4-20, $25 HARRIET THE SPY, May 18-26, $10 Every afternoon, 11-year-old Harriet practices her writing by taking notes along her spy route of the neighborhood, observing everything and everyone. Naturally, she loses said notebook, which is found and read by her classmates. This does not go over very well as her snooping is exposed. The heartfelt story is a family favorite with some important lessons.

FARMERS ALLEY THEATRE 221 Farmers Alley, Kalamazoo farmersalleytheatre.com, (269) 343-2727

THE BRIDGES OF MADISON COUNTY

SEASON FINALE:

west michigan symphony

MARRIAGE OF FIGARO. COURTESY OF GRAND LUBELL

Brahms Violin Concerto in D major featuring Vadim Gluzman, violin Tchaikovsky Symphony no.4 in F minor westmichigansymphony.org • 231.726.3231 $22-$54 • Student tickets $10

June 8-24, $30+ Here’s another musical that will definitely make you feel all the feels. Jason Robert Brown wrote the music and lyrics for this Tony Award-winning musical. Brown is well-known for writing rhythmically dynamic and harmonically unconventional pieces, most of which will make you cry. Based on Robert James Waller's 1992 novel, the musical takes place in Iowa, 1965, and follows a forbidden love affair between a lonely housewife and a Na-

Vadim Gluzman & Angela Yoffe classical chamber Saturday, May 19, 7:30 pm Doors open at 7pm

Following his Friday evening performance with the WMS, Gluzman is joined by his spouse, Tel Aviv-based pianist Angela Yoffe, for an intimate evening of classical chamber music.

theblockwestmichigan.org • 231.726.3231 $25-$35 • Student tickets $10

tional Geographic photographer. After you’ve seen it, be sure to watch Kelli O’Hara’s stunning a cappella version of To Build A Home.

NEW VIC THEATRE 2200 A134 E. Vine St., Kalamazoo thenewvictheatre.org, (269) 381-3328

RADIO GALS, May 4-26 In 1920s Arkansas, Hazel Hunt retires from being the town’s music teacher, and receives a gift: a Western Electric 500-watt radio transmitter, which leads to her new career in broadcasting. Hunt’s station pours out over the local airwaves, with listeners getting an earful of Hazel's “all-girl” orchestra, “the Hazelnuts” and lovesick flapper Gladys Fritts. Locals aren’t the only ones who tune in though — there’s also O. B. Abbott, the Federal Radio Inspector who tries to shut her down.

OPERA GRAND RAPIDS 1320 E. Fulton St., Grand Rapids operagr.org, (616) 451-2741

THE MARRIAGE OF FIGARO,

May 4-5, $25+ Considered the quintessential comic opera, The Marriage of Figaro features Mozart at the height of his creative genius. The romantic comedy follows Figaro and Susanna, who must overcome plotting and jealousy to make it to their wedding day.

360 W. Western Ave 2nd Floor Muskegon, MI

FRIDAY SATURDAY

ART SALES 3-8p, in Bronson Park BEER GARDEN 4-10p, at the KIA ART SALES 9-5 pm FAMILY ACTIVITIES 12-4 p

SUMMER IN THE ART SCHOOL ART CLASSES Adult classes start June 5 Youth classes start June 16

ART CAMPS

Half and full-day art camps run June 18-August 3 for ages 4-17

KALAMAZOO INSTITUTE OF ARTS 435 W. South Street 269/349-7775 kiarts.org

Th eat r e K al am azoo is a nonprofit collaboration between the live theatre organizations in Kalamazoo, Michigan. We take great pride in promoting the diversity and richness of theatre in Kalamazoo and foster a spirit of cooperation and support among this strong and talented community.

PLAY I N G TH I S M O NTH: LIBERACE!

thru May 13

BILLY ELLIOT THE MUSICAL May 4 - 20

RADIO GALS May 4 - 26

ANANSE AND HIS SPIDER TALES May 12

INTIMATE APPAREAL

HARRIET THE SPY May 18 - 26

THE EMPEROR’S NEW CLOTHES May 26

May 17 - 20

Check out what’s happening on the many stages of Kalamazoo!

w w w .t h eat r ek al am azoo.c om

REVUEWM.COM | MAY 2018 |

19A

WINNER OF 4 TONY AWARDS B E S T M U S I C A L R E V I VA L

®

INCLUDING

JUNE 5 -10

DeVos Performance Hall

BROADWAYGRAND R API D S .C O M or 1-800-745-3000 • TICKETMASTER.COM visit

Grand Rapids engagement is welcomed by Autocam Medical; Godwin Plumbing/American Standard; Mary Free Bed Rehabilitation Hospital; Paul Goebel Group; PNC Bank; and Waters Center.

Jose Llana and Laura Michelle Kelly in Rodgers & Hammerstein’s The King and I. Photo by Matthew Murphy.

WIne & Spirits Issue

REVUE RECIPE: WINE SLUSHIES The drink you never knew you needed

by Dominique Tomlin

H

udsonville Winery has been producing and perfecting its vast array of fruit wines for the past decade, but only recently discovered a new, brilliant way to stand out: wine slushies.

According to co-owner Ron Snider, the thought of making slushies was born from brainstorming for the winery’s annual anniversary party.

“We listen to our customers and are constantly searching for the next great flavor,” Snider said. “We believe (the slushies) work so well due to the balance of our easy drinking fruit wines, especially when frozen.”

And those flavors are constantly changing at Hudsonville Winery. Some slushie options include hard cider, peach, raspberry, bramble berry, citrus pineapple and watermelon.

Since there are so many to choose from, the winery can’t offer it all at once, but that just gives you the opportunity to come

back later and try some more. Even better, Hudsonville offers slushie flights, so you can try multiple flavors at a time and decide on a personal favorite.

If you’re in the mood for a wine slushie and don’t feel like leaving the house, it’s possible to make one from home without spending big bucks on a slushie machine.

Snider says to grab your favorite wine (or wines, if you feel like mixing), pour it into ice cube trays, let the cubes freeze and then blend after they’re frozen.

“We suggest using our fruit wines, but encourage everyone to be as creative as possible,” Snider said.

As the warmth of spring and the heat of summer quickly sneak up on us, it seems like the perfect time to give wine slushies a try, even though they really are delicious all year. n

We’ve got the WEST MICHIGAN arts scene COVERED.

2 for 1

You can find REVUE Arts each month in the center of REVUE magazine, but did you know it’s also distributed as a stand-alone magazine at 180 locations across West Michigan? Pick up a copy or read it online at revuewm.com

WINE TASTING MUST BE 21 YEARS OF AGE

Includes Souvenir Glass which may be returned for a complimentary wine tasting

3142 4 MILE RD NE GRAND RAPIDS, MI, 49525 robinettes.com | 616.361.7180

INCLUDES SOUVENIR GLASS

GOOD UNTIL 9/1/18

REVUEWM.COM | MAY 2018 |

SCENE SOUNDS | SIGHTS | DINING

In an era of dwindling local arts coverage, we are expanding. From hard news and inspiring feature stories, to critical online reviews and our culture calendars, REVUE Arts covers what’s going on at the region’s symphonies, theaters, ballets, museums, galleries, dance ensembles and more.

33

WIne & Spirits Issue

MICHIGAN WINERY DIRECTORY A Short List of Mitten State Wine Destinations

by Revue Staff The coastal regions of Michigan are dotted with wineries like stars in a constellation.

Whereas breweries are drawn to the gravity of cities and towns, wineries revel in isolation, the view stretching out over hills and vineyards. That being said, it can be tough to find your way to the best grapes, so we’re here to help. Here’s our guide.

Sandhill Crane. PHOTO BY MEGAN SPRAGUE

SOUTHWEST MICHIGAN 12 CORNERS VINEYARDS

1201 N. Benton Center Rd., Benton Harbor 12corners.com, (269) 927-1512 Located 4 miles from Michigan’s Gold Coast, this 115-acre estate is planted with both vinifera and hybrid grapes. 12 Corners offers Riesling, Cabernet Franc and Gewurztraminer, among plenty of other varieties. Aside from the outdoor patio overlooking the vineyard, there’s also a tasting room, gift shop, kids’ corner and meeting rooms for large groups.

The winery also has tasting rooms in South Haven and Grand Haven.

BARODA FOUNDERS WINE CELLAR

8963 Hills Rd., Baroda founderswinecellar.com, (269) 426-5222 Established in 2009 by Leonard Olson, Baroda Founders’ selection ranges from classic varietals and fruit-flavor enhanced wines to dessert offerings like ice wine and chocolate-infused reds. The winery also has a tasting room in St. Joseph.

CODY KRESTA VINEYARD & WINERY

45727 27th St., Mattawan codykrestawinery.com, (269) 668-3800 This small, 20-acre, family-run farm winery is set on an 1882

34 | REVUEWM.COM | MAY 2018

estate. Enjoy the wine from a secluded tasting room — or relax and take in scenic views from the gorgeous back patio.

COGDAL VINEYARDS

7143 107th Ave., South Haven cogdalvineyards.com, (269) 637-2229 At the family-owned Cogdal Vineyards, the philosophy is “to create outstanding, small-batch wines using Michigan-grown grapes.” That includes the Cogdal brand as well as Little Man Wines, a series of “fun and eclectic wines.”

CONTESSA WINE CELLARS

3235 Friday Rd., Coloma contessawinecellars.com, (269) 468-5534 Offering a host of reds, whites and fruit wines, as well as a blush, Contessa features a tasting room reminiscent of an old Italian villa.

Enjoy views of the vineyards and Coloma Valley from the terrace.

DOMAINE BERRIEN CELLARS

398 E. Lemon Creek Rd., Berrien Springs domaineberrien.com, (269) 473-9463 An all-estate winery, Domaine Berrien Cellars grows, ferments and bottles all of its wines onsite to maximize control and quality.

Being situated on one of the highest points in Berrien County with south-facing hillsides gives the vineyards a unique advantage in the Lake Michigan Shore region.

FENN VALLEY VINEYARDS

HICKORY CREEK WINERY

6130 122nd Ave., Fennville fennvalley.com, (800) 432-6265 Based in Fennville, Fenn Valley Vineyards offers a range of products including white and sparkling wines, red wines, specialty wines like port and ice wine and fruitbased products. The Fennville Estate is a beautiful place to enjoy a glass of wine and a small plate or a picnic.

750 Browntown Rd., Buchanan hickorycreekwinery.com, (269) 422-1100 Specializing in old world European wines from locally grown grapes, Hickory Creek pours a range of 19 styles from its “charming” tasting room inside a red barn. The company also features apple wine made from heirloom apples.

FREE RUN CELLARS

6991 Ryno Rd., Coloma karmavista.com, (269) 468-9463 Featuring a host of standbys and limited-run wines, Karma Vista focuses on providing a “great tasting experience in a beautiful setting.” You’ll notice many of the

10062 Burgoyne Rd., Berrien Springs freeruncellars.com, (269) 471-1737 For more than 25 years, Free Run Cellars has specialized in Alsacestyle white wines such as Riesling and Gewurztraminer along with dry reds such as Cabernet Franc and Syrah. The company has recently added spirits including cognac-style brandy, calvadosstyle brandy and grappa.

KARMA VISTA VINEYARDS

wine names are loosely based on musical references. The reason: “We envision the wine label as our version of album art from the glory days of vinyl.”

LAWTON RIDGE WINERY

8456 Stadium Dr., Kalamazoo lawtonridgewinery.com, (269) 372-9463 Lawton Ridge Winery started as a vineyard in 1973 and then opened its tasting room in 2008. The 4,400-square-foot space includes a production area, tasting room, lab and space for classes and private tastings. All of its wines come from grapes grown either in its vineyard or in neighboring vineyards in the Lake Michigan Shore region. Their selection ranges from elegant, dry reds to award-winning dessert wines.

ROUND BARN WINERY

10983 Hills Rd., Baroda drinkmichigan.com/round-barn, (800) 716-9463 The Round Barn (formerly known as Heart of the Vineyard) is a trifecta of spirits: A winery, distillery and brewery. Family-owned and operated, Round Barn proudly uses local produce from area orchards, vineyards and farms to produce its 50 different varietals, brandies, vodkas and beers.

ST. JULIAN WINERY

GRAVITY WINE

10220 Lauer Rd., Baroda gravitywine.com, (269) 471-9463 Gravity offers views of rolling hills, vineyards and a private lake at its 2,000-square-foot tasting room, which features a large deck and patios. Altogether, the winery can seat more than 140 guests.

The friendly staff will help you prepare a custom wine flight to fit your palate.

LEMON CREEK WINERY

533 E. Lemon Creek Rd., Berrien Springs lemoncreekwinery.com, (269) 471-1321 Lemon Creek’s historic vineyard and winery, located in the heart of Michigan’s wine country, has 160 years of history and features award-winning wines that are all estate-grown and bottled by the Lemon family. Pro tip: The winery also operates a tasting room in Grand Haven at 327 N. Beacon Blvd.

716 S. Kalamazoo St., Paw Paw stjulian.com, (800) 732-6002 With more than 95 years of experience, St. Julian Winery is a pioneer among Michigan winemakers. The company offers tasting rooms around the state, including at its home base and main winery in Paw Paw.

Continued on page 37

Contessa Wine Cellars. PHOTO BY SARA RAMAKER

REAL MICHIGAN WINE. ROCKFORD TASTING ROOM OPENING SUMMER 2018.

St. Julian is coming to the Grand Rapids area! The tasting room will feature our

18 24 , 2 0 Y A , M S DAY R U H T

full menu of wine, spirits, and cider. Since wine & pizza go together so well; a

pizzeria by Flo’s collection will adjoin the new location. Great Wine. Great Pizza.

5 – 8:30 p .m .

SEND US YOUR EVENTS Did you know?

You can get a free listing on our online event calendar.

revuewm.com/ calendar

DRINK BETTER.

Eastern Market 2934 Russell Street, Detroit

Michigan wine & hard cider producers are taking over Eastern Market in Detroit! Meet the makers and sample a variety of wines and ciders from more than 40 businesses. Feel good knowing that each wine and cider at the event is a true craft product of Michigan. In addition, Detroit-based food trucks will be on hand with a selection of appetizing fare.

Tickets are $35 in advance and include ten sampling tickets and a souvenir tasting glass.

Purchase Your Tickets Today!

Michiganwines.com/festival

Please note:

Must be 21 to enter with a valid ID. Everyone will be required to show their ID at the gate.

REVUEWM.COM | MAY 2018 |

SCENE SOUNDS | SIGHTS | DINING

Just visit our calendar, click “submit event” and enter the details.

sugary cider sucks.

35

36 | REVUEWM.COM | MAY 2018

Continued from page 34 TABOR HILL WINERY

185 Mount Tabor Road, Buchanan taborhill.com, (269) 422-1161 Tu c ke d aw ay i n S o u t hwe s t Michigan, Tabor Hill offers walking tours of the vineyards and its state-of-the-art winemaking facility. The winery also pairs its beverages with locally-sourced foods at its fine-dining restaurant.

If you can’t make the trek to Buchanan, check out the tasting room in Saugatuck.

VINEYARD 2121

4110 Red Arrow Hwy., Benton Harbor vineyard2121.com, (269) 849-0109 Vineyard 2121 started with a passion for quality wine shared

by Jeffrey and Deborah Pallas, a husband and wife team. Tucked away in the hardwoods and pines lining the property’s perimeters, the charming raspberry farm boasts three duck ponds and tranquil scenery fit for an outdoor wedding or event. Choose from a list of wines and hard ciders, as well as some select food items.

WARNER VINEYARDS

706 S. Kalamazoo St., Paw Paw warnerwines.com, (800) 756-5357 F o u n d e d i n 1 9 3 8 , Wa r n e r Vineyards is an O.G. winemaker on the shore. The company features a range of whites, reds, sparkling, fruit and dessert wines — as well as the ability to personalize labels for a special gift. Warner also offers tasting rooms in South Haven, Holland, New Buffalo and Marshall.

WHITE PINE WINERY

317 State St., Saint Joseph whitepinewinery.com, (269) 281-0098 While White Pine’s tasting room is based in one of the oldest buildings in St. Joseph, all of the grapes are grown in Lawton. The winery specializes in aromatic white varietals like Pinot Grigio and Riesling.

WOLFE CREEK WINERY

118 Cleveland Rd., Galien wolfecreekwinery.com, (269) 369-3900 Wolfe Creek just recently joined the party, tucked down in Galien (nearly in Indiana). This winery has all kinds of red, white and dessert wines, from a capriccio to cranberry. The boutique, set in a historic brick building, is available for parties, meetings and any other private event.

WYNCROFT WINES

1055 64th St., Pullman wyncroftwine.com, (269) 409-1855 Wyncroft is known for its extremely high-end wines that have been aged for years. However, in recent years, the winery rolled

out a new brand: Marland, which sources its grapes from several local vineyards and are younger, more affordable and don’t require any cellar aging.

WEST MICHIGAN CASCADE WINERY

4665 Broadmoor Ave. SE, Grand Rapids cascadecellars.com, (616) 656-4665 Since 2003, Cascade Winery has been a family-owned, award-winning winery. Guests at the tasting bar can sample reds, whites, fruit wine, meads and more (including a selection of beers). The location also carries unique gift items, home-vintner supplies and customized labeling.

GLASS CREEK WINERY

450 N. Whitmore Rd., Hastings glasscreekwinery.com, (269) 948-2752 A small family-run winery operated by Eric and Donna Miller just a few miles from Hastings, Glass Creek offers a variety of wines ranging from dry, oak barrel-aged reds to sweet, fruit-based offerings. The winery also offers a hefty selection of craft beers, from oktoberfests to stouts. The tasting room is open Tuesday through Sunday.

HEAVENLY VINEYARDS

15946 Jefferson Rd., Morley heavenlyvineyards.weebly.com, (616) 710-2751 Heavenly Vineyards is a familyowned boutique winery that produces and bottles all of its wines onsite. The company offers the traditional styles, as well as off-the-wall varieties such as Jalapeno Wine and Rhubarb Wine.

HUDSONVILLE WINERY

3768 Chicago Dr., Hudsonville hudsonvillewinery.com, (616) 662-4589 Hudsonville Winery — owned

by Steve G uikema and Ron Snider, who also co-own Pike 51 Brewing Co. — carries more than 30 different wines. The list includes Pinot Grigio, Bruno and White Zinfandel. On top of that is a large selection of fruit wines, such as Peach, Acai, Raspberry, Hudsonberry, Pomegranate and Black Cherry. All the wines are made onsite.

JOMAGRHA VINEYARDS AND WINERY

7365 South Pere Marquette Hwy., Pentwater jomagrha.com, (231) 869-4236 Located just miles from Lake Michigan between Pentwater and Ludington, Jomagrha Vineyards and Winery was founded in 1999

by Harry Sanford and special-

izes in old-world French grapes, alongside new American and French hybrids. The handcrafted wines include Marechal Foch, de Chaunac and a new light port, among others.

KAYLA RAE CELLARS

31 Courtland St., Rockford kaylaraecellars.com, (616) 951-7001 Tucked away in the quaint downtown area of Rockford, Kayla Rae offers a handful of wines and ciders along with nibbles. Bonus: The cellar also offers growler fills for cider and sangria.

ROBINETTE’S APPLE HAUS & WINERY

3142 4 Mile Rd. NE, Grand Rapids robinettes.com, (616) 361-7180 Robinette’s began pumping out the wine in January of 2006.

The winer y is open Tuesday through Saturday year-round and offers tastings that come with a complimentary glass. Along with wine, the winery also offers hard cider options.

NORTHWEST MICHIGAN BLACK STAR FARMS

10844 E. Revold Rd., Suttons Bay blackstarfarms.com, (231) 944-1270 Black Star Farms has not one, but two tasting rooms: one in Suttons Bay and one on Old Mission Peninsula. The winery also offers a wine bar in Ann Arbor. Black Star also has a small distillation program, occasionally releasing extremely limited brandies.

BOATHOUSE VINEYARDS

115 St. Mary’s St., Lake Leelanau boathousevineyards.com, (231) 256-7115 Located high on the rolling hills of Leelanau County, Boathouse Vineyards offers handcrafted wines grown and hand-harvested at the family-owned vineyard.

Since Boathouse is located in a place ideal for growing grapes, it’s no wonder the wines have won numerous awards, most notably the Rieslings which have won three Best-in-Class awards, as well as three Double Golds.

BOWERS HARBOR VINEYARDS

2896 Bowers Harbor Rd., Traverse City bowersharbor.com, (231) 223-7615 A b o ut i q u e w i n e r y l o c ate d in Northern Michigan on picturesque Old Mission Peninsula, Bowers Harbor offers a range of award-winning wines — as well as unique greetings from the company’s three winer y dogs. Focused on cool-climate viticulture, Bowers Harbor pro-

duces wines like Pinot Grigio, Chardonnay and Cabernet Franc, plus a signature meritage blend known as 2896, Langley Vineyard.

CHATEAU CHANTAL

15900 Rue de Vin, Traverse City chateauchantal.com, (231) 223-4110 Chateau Chantal offers a French style three-room B&B, winery and vineyard located on a vast 65-acre estate on Old Mission Peninsula, one of the most scenic areas of the Great Lakes. Enjoy views of Grand Traverse Bay, Power Island and rolling vineyards that abound from each window.

SHADY LANE CELLARS

9580 E Shady Lane, Suttons Bay shadylanecellars.com, (231) 947-8865 Shady Lane Cellars hasn’t always had such an elegant tasting room.

In fact, before the renovation in 1999, the room — now trimmed in copper, Italian tile and granite — was a 100-year-old chicken coop.

Today, this vineyard creates an experience immersive in both wine and culture.

WILLOW VINEYARDS

10702 E. Hilltop Rd., Suttons Bay willowvineyardwine.com, (231) 271-4810 Willow Vineyards, established in 1992, is located on a striking, wind-swept hillside in Suttons Bay. Panoramic views of Grand Traverse Bay add to the majesty of the location. You can sample from award-winning vintages in the tasting room or purchase by the bottle, half-bottle or magnum.

CHATEAU GRAND TRAVERSE

12239 Center Rd., Traverse City cgtwines.com, (800) 283-0247 For more than 40 years, the family-owned Chateau Grand Traverse has focused on 12 European grape varietals, specializing in Riesling wines. The company operates 122 acres of estate-owned vineyards in Northern Michigan, plus another 80 acres contracted with area growers.

LEELANAU CELLARS

5019 N. West Bay Shore Dr., Omena lcw.wine, (231) 386-5201 After decades of producing award-winning wines in Michigan’s Wine Coast, Leelanau Cellars’ philosophy has remained the same: “Produce quality, consumer-friendly wines, affordable to everyone.” Relax during the day at the winery’s tasting room, which is open year-round.

LEFT FOOT CHARLEY WINERY

806 Red Dr., Traverse City leftfootcharley.com, (231) 995-0500 Left Foot Charley, launched in 2004 by Bryan Ulbrich, teamed up with 18 Northern Michigan growers to produce an assortment of white wine varietals, hard cider and sparkling wine. The winery says it produces “wines that display the range of aroma and flavor found among the glacially tilled hills of our appellations.”

Fenn Valley The Cellar. PHOTO BY MEGAN SPRAGUE

OCEANA WINERY & VINEYARD

4980 S. 52nd Ave., New Era oceanawinery.com, (231) 343-0038 Featuring dry and sweet wines and ever y thing in - bet ween , Oceana Winery has something for everyone’s palate. The company now offers a tasting room in downtown Muskegon.

Chateau Chantal. COURTESY PHOTO REVUEWM.COM | MAY 2018 |

37

WIne & Spirits Issue

G.Y.O.C.

(GROW YOUR OWN COCKTAIL)

Raise the bar with garden-fresh ingredients

by Kelly Brown

D

rinks made with just-picked herbs, fruit and vegetables as flavorings and garnishes are the toast of the summer party season, whether you pair them with alcohol or not. As cocktail gardeners have grown more adventurous, the happy-hour repertoire has expanded well beyond just a sprig of mint in a julep or mojito. Modern cocktails are garnished with everything from petals to marigolds and simple syrups are crafted from carrots, beets and jalapenos.

The most important aspect of a cocktail garden is that it’s in a pretty and comfortable spot. Which is to say, that garden doesn’t even need to be in the ground. Consider a planter on top of your picnic table so friends and family can mix their own drinks with whatever garnish they fancy. All you need is a sunny location and a large container to get started.

Once you’ve picked and planted your herbs, enhance your container with cocktail-themed accents like wine cork mulch and little signs to label each plant.

These are our top cocktail garden picks:

Chives:

DINING | SIGHTS | SOUNDS SCENE

We know what you’re thinking — how in the world do chives mix with a summer cocktail? Well, they pair nicely with anything savory, like a Bloody Mary. Chive foliage has a grassy texture, so the herb will look beautiful in your container garden. Pro-tip: Save the purple blooms in your freezer for soup and crockpot dishes later in the year.

Community Gardens While our ideal cocktail garden is in our own backyard or on the porch, heading to the farmers market is always an option, but a community garden isn’t too far off either. Plus, they bring neighbors together and force you to really get outdoors. Here’s a few around town:

Urban Roots. COURTESY PHOTO

38 | REVUEWM.COM | MAY 2018

Basil: Almost every cocktail menu features a drink with basil due to its lean, sweet, peppery and citrus overtones.

Like mint, basil is a great all-purpose herb that adds flavor to gin, tequila or rum drinks. Muddle, use as a garnish or create a simple syrup. Basil grows well in lots of sun with plenty of water. Harvest a few leaves from the top at a time for continued healthy growth through the summer and beyond.

Lavender: This herb is basically

the equivalent of millennial pink — it’s everywhere. From essential oils to desserts and beer, lavender is becoming as universal of an herb as its twin, rosemary.

The floral and woody undertones are wonderfully distinct and great when prepared as a simple syrup. A garnish of lavender on the cocktail glass will really up your mixologist game. The plant needs good drainage for drier soil and lots of sunlight. Harvest as the blooms begin to open.

Sage: Don’t use all your sage for cleansing the house! Save some for a savory cocktail as well. The earthy, woody and vaguely peppery flavor of sage pairs amazingly well with gin and tonics. The flavor can be overpowering for some, however, so use sparingly to start. Sage requires little care and is very tolerant of different soil types and weather conditions — great for Michigan summers.

Mint: We can’t forget the king of the cocktail. Mint’s unique flavor makes it a versatile addition to almost any liquor. And the special variants of mint (commonly found at your local farmers market) like chocolate and pineapple mint add a fresh take on this classic cocktail staple. n

Rosemary: The twin herb to lavender, rosemary features similar flavor profiles. Best when used as a simple syrup or garnish, it needs plenty of sunlight and dry soil in order to prosper.

Rosemary syrup pairs well with gin and lime juice for a simple cocktail that doesn’t require much preparation.

Blandford Nature Center

PHOTOS BY GRAYSON SMITH

Hillcrest Community Garden

1715 Hillburn Ave., Grand Rapids blandfordnaturecenter.org

1412 Lyon St. NE, Grand Rapids fultonheights.org

Purchase a share of the garden’s yield and pick it up once a month or so.

Buy a plot and plant your own herbs!

Common Ground Garden Network

1316 Madison Ave. SE, Grand Rapids urbanrootsgr.org

If you’re in Kalamazoo, visit this website to find one of many community gardens near you.

Get involved and hands-on with workshops, garden training and group gardening days, or just visit the Community Market and purchase some locally grown produce.

Urban Roots

commongroundkalamazoo.com

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39

G R AY SKI E S DI ST I LL E RY

Award Winning Craft Spirits and Cocktails

Grayskiesdistillery.com

700 Ottawa Ave NW Grand Rapids, MI

Kindred Michigan Spirits Two unique Midwest dining experiences, Two friendly bars 230 S. Kalamazoo Mall, Kalamazoo | 269.743.6563 | principlekzoo.com

40 | REVUEWM.COM | MAY 2018

114 East Main St., Fennville, MI | 269.561.7258 | saltoftheearthfennville.com

WIne & Spirits Issue

DRINK OF THE WEEK

Why Daniel Parker puts cocktails on his calendar

by Missy Black

D

aniel Parker is the agency director for model and talent company The Matthew Agency, so it’s safe to say he knows style and great taste. In fact, we’ve profiled him for that very same taste in our Style Issue before, but this time, it’s in a glass. We talked with Parker about his Wednesday Cocktails, a weekly recipe he shares online.

How did Wednesday Cocktails start?

It’s another creative avenue for me. Wednesday has always been date night for my boyfriend and I. After we moved in together, we made Wednesday night an open invitation to our friends. It’s basically just a standing cocktail party — we never know who will show up. Some weeks, it’s just the two of us, and sometimes we have 15 people over.

Millennials might be known for ruining things, but I’m bringing the cocktail party back.

Are these original recipes?

I would say they’re all original combinations. I usually stick to similar ratios and just change the flavors. Truthfully, my cocktails are usually based on whatever fruit is on sale at Meijer.

Do you have any drink preferences?

I will try absolutely anything. I’ve made a new cocktail every week for three years now. I have to get creative with the flavor combos. I’ve used

red onion, dill pickle, black pepper. I try to keep the cocktails fruit- and herb-based. That way it’s easy to swap the liquor out with the sparkling water (for a non-alcoholic version).

How much planning do you put into it?

More than I’m willing to admit. I have to sample them before, so it’s usually a two- to three-day operation. Plus, I love entertaining and I’m super competitive, so I enjoy the process.

If you could have a cocktail with a celebrity, who would it be?

I feel Rihanna would be the most fun to drink with.

Follow the moonlighting home bartender on Instagram at itsdanielparker for the next installment in his weekly drink series.

You even have some drinks inspired by social issues such as Grand Rapids Trans Week of Visibility and boycotting the NRA.

Yeah, I love a theme and I love being vocal. That’s my wheelhouse. I think it’s perfect for a cocktail party. It’s a built-in conversation starter.

Ever have any recipes that crashed and burned?

Oh yeah … only one made it to Wednesday Cocktails. It had radish in it and it was extremely polarizing. If I’m being honest, I think I was just too proud to admit it was bad.

Any cocktail tips for us?

Skip the sphere ice molds and just use a muffin tin. You get large ice, six at a time and the metal pan freezes fast. Also, always use fresh lime juice. That little plastic lime at the grocery store isn’t lime juice.

Daniel Parker. COURTESY PHOTO

WEDNESDAY COCKTAIL

1/2 oz. fresh lime juice 1 1/2 oz. grapefruit juice 2 oz. vodka 1 oz. simple syrup (I prefer 1 part sugar, 2 parts water.)

SCENE SOUNDS | SIGHTS | DINING

PARSLEY / GRAPEFRUIT 1/2 oz. parsley juice (You don’t need a juicer, just blend parsley with a little water, and strain.)

Simply shake over ice and strain.

Garnish with an edible flower.

REVUEWM.COM | MAY 2018 |

41

The Kalamazoo Humane Society will be moving to a larger temporary building in Summer 2018 while work on the Animal Care & Resource Center begins.

Our temporary location will allow us to gradually expand our services in preparation for the new building.

Dear Friends, For nearly 120 years, the Kalamazoo Humane Society has been at the forefront of animal protection and welfare efforts throughout our region and our state.

Each year we serve thousands of pet owners, many of whom are in difficult circumstances, by providing:

There is still time to take action and be a part of this exciting community project!

Visit kazoohumane.org/campaign for more information or to make a tax-deductible gift in support of the Compassion Prevention Results campaign. 



Scan QR code to visit website

• Low-cost spay/neuter services to reduce unwanted litters • A pet food bank to help people feed and keep their pets • Emergency housing of pets to assist families in crisis Our work doesn’t stop there. Working with our volunteers and supporters, we provide humane education services to promote responsible treatment of animals, and we advocate for laws that help keep animals and our community safe for generations to come.

A top priority is ensuring that the Kalamazoo Humane Society has the professional, familyfriendly space it needs to meet current and anticipated demands for its crucial services.

Throughout 2017, a dedicated group of community leaders asked for your help in raising $4.75 million to construct a new facility. When complete, our new home will allow us to expand programs that reduce the number of shelter animals through education and access to veterinary services and assistance.

Please join us in supporting the Compassion • Prevention • Results campaign as we seek to safeguard animals by serving the families that care for them.

Sincerely, Sincerely,

Our temporary location will be at 3661 Easy Street, Kalamazoo, MI 49001 Follow us on facebook, instagram or twitter to get our latest updates and moving status!

42 | REVUEWM.COM | MAY 2018

Robert Cinabro

Colleen Killen-Roberts

Campaign Co-Chair

Campaign Co-Chair

WIne & Spirits Issue

TASTE OF TIME AFTER TWO YEARS OF AGING, LOCAL STRAIGHT BOURBON HAS ARRIVED

by Josh Veal

W

hiskey may be a vice, but patience is a virtue — if you’re drinking bourbon, it all evens out.

Any bourbon worth its salt has been aging for six months minimum, and “straight bourbon” legally has to sleep in the barrel for at least two years. The longer you wait, the more complex its flavors become as the oak barrel takes over. Now, after two to three years on the scene, local distilleries are releasing their first straight bourbons.

To understand why the aging process matters, it’s helpful to know whiskey starts as a clear spirit made from grain. To be considered bourbon, that grain mixture (a.k.a. mash bill) has to be at least 51-percent corn, though you can add rye, wheat, etc. Regardless, it’s essentially moonshine at the start, tasting overwhelmingly like whatever grain went in the still, with a hell of a bite.

After that, barrels and time are absolutely crucial to a whiskey’s final flavor.

“There’s a little bit of magic and mystery as to what’s going on in there, but we know

you’re going to get oak flavor from the barrel itself,” said Steve Vander Pol, co-founder and distiller at Gray Skies Distillery.

Vander Pol explained that barrels are porous, meaning they breathe air in and out, which oxidizes fatty acids, creating esters which in turn create fruit flavors over time.

“If you ever hear bourbon described as having a deep fruit flavor, like plums or raisins or cherries, that just comes from time,” he said. “And then literally the cell walls of the wood will break down and release wood sugars into the spirit itself, which creates flavors like honey and vanilla.”

The younger a bourbon is, the more it tastes like its underlying ingredients. Older bourbons naturally taste more like the brand new, charred oak barrels they’re required to age in — we know, there are a lot of rules — meaning it’s possible to wait too long and end up over-oaked.

To get a consistent, quality product, making whiskey means blending barrels and tasting as you go, while also taking risks and experimenting.

Brandon Voorhees and Steve Vander Pol, Gray Skies Distillery. PHOTO: SETH THOMPSON DRINKING BUDDIES

For now though, Vander Pol is plenty happy with Gray Skies’ first Michigan Straight Bourbon, aged for more than two years and released in March. He and co-founder Brandon Voorhees enjoy the spice rye provides in whiskey, including it in the grain bill alongside malted barley and plenty of corn.

The result is a well-balanced, fairly traditional bourbon that easily stands up to anything on the shelf.

That being said, this was only the first

Continued on page 44

Long Road Distillers. COURTESY PHOTOS REVUEWM.COM | MAY 2018 |

SCENE SOUNDS | SIGHTS | DINING

batch and it was fairly small, producing 631 bottles, most of which sold immediately. If you want a taste, we suggest heading to Gray Skies as soon as you can. If they’re out, don’t worry: the next batch is twice the size and due out this fall.

“Eventually, we hope to have enough in stock that we don’t put out any whiskey under four years old. That’s kind of the gold standard for bourbon,” Vander Pol said. “I think, for a young bourbon, it’s excellent. We’re proud of it, but it is only going to get better. As we mature, the whiskey matures too.”

Meanwhile, in an act of liquid serendipity, Long Road Distillers also released its first straight bourbon mere weeks after Gray Skies. Also aged for more than two years, Long Road’s offering has a fairly different grain bill, going with a wheated bourbon.

“We used both corn and red winter wheat from Heffron Farms in Belding, and then some malted barley from Pilot Malt House down in Byron Center,” said co-founder Jon O’Connor. “We use wheat as the base for most of our clear products. It adds a nice sweetness to it. At the end of the day, having access to the high-quality wheat, it just made sense for us.”

43

Taste of Time Continued from page 43

Long Road produced quite a bit of this first batch, which is good, because O’Connor thinks it’s a real hit.

“The wheat gives it kind of some vanilla and caramel and butterscotch notes. Even though there’s no rye in it, it has a hint of spice, I think from the barrel,” he said. “It stacks up with — in my opinion — the best craft bourbons being made out there right now.”

PASSIONATE AND UNPRETENTIOUS

While all great craft beverages are made with love and enthusiasm, bourbon tends to hold a special place in the hearts of its drinkers and makers alike.

Vander Pol said the spirit is why he and Voorhees opened Gray Skies in the first place.

“Basically, if you’re creating bourbon, you only do it because it’s something you care about,” he said. “You’re not turning it around in

a week or a month or even a year, so you know if someone is making bourbon, it’s something they’re passionate about and they’re going to have a point of view.”

O’Connor agreed, calling Long Road’s first straight bourbon his “finest whiskey moment to date,” and emphasizing it will only get better as time does its work. In the years to come, both distilleries plan to experiment — whether it be with different grain bills or barrels — while sticking with their successful first recipes.

In the meantime, Vander Pol encourages everyone to grab a glass of bourbon and enjoy it however they please.

“There’s no ‘right’ way to drink bourbon,” he said. “Whether you’re mixing it in Coke or drinking it neat or having a craft cocktail, it’s versatile, and it’s delicious, and it’s interesting in a way that other spirits aren’t. It’s fun to tie into an American tradition, put our local spin on it, and then end up with a finished product that, like I said, there’s no wrong way to drink it as long as you’re enjoying what you’ve got.” n

Rye, Wheat and Barley, Oh My! As much as we love straight bourbon, there are all kinds of whiskey out there, and all of them take some amount of time. Here’s some of our other favorites: SOLE CRY RYE WHISKEY Bier Distillery , 5295 West River Dr., Comstock Park

PHOTO COURTESY OF GRAY SKIES DISTILLERY

Though Bier Distillery is working on a bourbon, owner Joel Bierling is a rye advocate, thanks to the grain’s distinctive, spicy, peppery flavor. His Sole Cry is made with 100-percent rye and aged for more than a year in new white oak barrels. The rye-volution is coming.

LAST FEATHER RYE Journeyman Distillery, 109 Generations Dr., Three Oaks

DINING | SIGHTS | SOUNDS SCENE

Speaking of great rye, this entry from Journeyman is made with a blend of rye and wheat, with just a touch of barley, then aged in new white oak barrels. It’s fruit-forward with “a gentle crescendo of spice.”

44 | REVUEWM.COM | MAY 2018

BLENDED BOURBON WHISKEY Coppercraft Distillery, 184 120th Ave., Holland Coppercraft’s bourbon is a blend of the distillery’s original 4-year bourbon with 4-year and 10-year “found” bourbons.

BOURBON WHISKEY FINISHED IN MAPLE SYRUP BARRELS Iron Fish Distillery, 14234 Dzuibanek Road, Thompsonville Let’s be honest, this one speaks for itself.

PHOTO: SETH THOMPSON

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45

WIne & Spirits Issue

PATIENT, FUNKY, DELICIOUS Peoples Cider cranks up the flavor with time, hard work and premium apples

by Jack Raymond

Jason Lummen, owner of The Peoples Cider Company. FILE PHOTO BY KATY BATDORFF

DINING | SIGHTS | SOUNDS SCENE

J

ason Lummen, owner of The Peoples Cider Co., is a man who wears many hats: proprietor, bartender, van driver and cider wizard, to name a few. He looks like a guy who’s lifted a thousand kegs, because he has. Lummen told me about a recent excursion to the junkyard where he and his son spent the morning ripping door handles off old G-Vans to replace his own. Hard-working and resourceful, his cider company reflects that.

Established in 2012, Peoples Cider has grown its reputation thanks to word of mouth, with tap handles popping up all over. At the new tasting room on Leonard, I opted for a pint of the Johnny 3 Landlords and understood the hype immediately. Like a crab apple stuffed with dynamite, the flavor was full-bodied and tannic, balanced by boozy smooth hints of honeysuckle. With every sip, it’s clear this is a product of integrity, one that steers away from trends and instead toward complexity and attention to ingredients.

Jason sat down with Revue to explain how he’s able to make magic from apples.

Over the years, cider has gained a lot of traction.

Why did you decide to enter the market?

I think you’re either one of two types: an avid homebrewer who’s really into the craft or an avid business person who’s really into rubbing nickels. I’m a blue-collar kid. This whole place is pretty DIY. Not for a lack of imagination, but when I started, all I wanted was to run a business, make cider and get out of my day job. Everything since then has been uncharted territory. Now, every bar carries multiple kinds of cider — the goal is to convince them to carry good cider. I go to spots I like and their cider selection is usually sugary

46 | REVUEWM.COM | MAY 2018

stuff pumped full of sulfites.

of where they were going. Here, we get overflow.

In a market that’s starting to see some saturation, what do you think separates your cider from the competition’s?

It’s true, you have some pretty cool neighbors (Long Road Distillers, The Mitten Brewing Company) doing interesting stuff. Have you had the chance to collaborate?

Time. Whereas a lot of people are turning over cider in a couple of weeks, the fastest we turn over a keg is around five months. We finish our product in barrels, usually for a minimum of six weeks.

We don’t use sulfites, sorbates or any additives that can cheapen cider. Another thing that makes it unique is its terroir — where it’s from. We use one farm to source our apples: Hill Brother Orchards, and it’s a magical place. Their trees are old root stock, mature trees that grow a wide variety of styles. And you can taste the difference.

You can’t make wine from shitty grapes, and you can’t make cider from shitty apples.

What kinds of apples do you use for your ciders?

Winesaps, Northern Spies, a couple we use that we can’t talk about, secret apples. Some culinary apples, some cider-specific.

All kinds.

Happy to see the bar is finally open! What can you tell me about the space here on Leonard?

Someone gave me some great advice years ago: build the biggest bar you can afford. I still get people who walk in here and say, ‘Wow, this place is tiny!’ and I say, ‘Thanks! It was a struggle to get here!’ The fact that I even have a place is amazing. After spending so much time invisible in the industrial park, it’s really cool to feel cemented in a spot. At the old location, people had to be aware

I use hops from Wob (Mitten’s head brewer) and Long Road makes their apple brandy from our cider. We share customers and as the city is becoming very competitive in the beverage scene, you come here and can drink beer, spirits and cider without leaving one side of the street. I wouldn’t be here if it weren’t for those guys. When the space next to Long Road became available, they called me up and asked if I wanted to move in. Of course I said yes!

How do you see Peoples Cider growing in the future?

I always try to be happy where I’m at and for all the support we’ve gotten. When we had the bar on Maryland, there were some nights when our regular customers were our only customers. First and foremost, I’m thankful for those people, and then coming here I’m thankful for the new support we’re getting. It’s time to hunker down and concentrate on this pub and make the company work around it. I’d like to expand my wholesale to serious culinary spots and dive bars.

Lastly, any industry pet peeves?

The term ‘hard cider.’ You don’t say, ‘Hey, want to get some alcohol wine with me later? How ‘bout some hard beer?’ Cider means alcohol. There’s apple juice and there’s cider. n

608 Bridge Street NW, GR. onebourbongr.com Featuring over 120+ Bourbons and Whiskeys!

OLD FASHIONED

3 oz Bourbon or rye 1 demerara sugar cube 2 dashes angostura bitters orange peel put your demerara sugar cube in your mixing glass. add 2 dashes of angostura bitters on top of sugar cube and muddle. Then add 3 oz of Bourbon or Rye, fill mixing glass with ice, stir until chilled. Strain into rocks Glass and finish with orange peel.

Cheers!

REVUEWM.COM | MAY 2018 |

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WIne & Spirits Issue

The booze the bees Revue’s guide to mead and cider

by Josh Veal and Revue Staff Fun fact: Cider and mead are both classified as wine, technically. On one hand, some classifications are nonsense — bell peppers are a fruit, according to “scientists,” but we all know that’s ridiculous.

On the other hand, it is true that cider, mead and wine have a lot in common. They rarely have much carbonation, if any; they don’t go through a “brewing” process like beer does; and they each have a sweet base. Wine comes from grapes, cider from apples and mead from honey.

At the most basic level, making these drinks just means adding yeast and water, then letting it ferment. But of course, it’s not that simple — it takes an expert to concoct a complex, unique, delicious alcoholic beverage. Luckily, we have plenty of experts in West Michigan.

Here’s our guide (not entirely comprehensive, we’re sure) of cideries and meaderies near us.

ACOUSTIC DRAFT MEAD

119 N. Maple St., Traverse City drinkacoustic.com, (231) 275-2041

As its name suggests, Acoustic is a little on the lighter side. Its musically themed meads come in at an average 6-percent ABV. Combine that with the light carbonation in every bottle (hence the word “Draft”), and Acoustic’s selection drinks more like a beer or cider than most meads. To live it up, try the Electric Bzzz, made with apricot and orange zest.

DINING | SIGHTS | SOUNDS SCENE

ARKTOS MEADERY

1251 Century Ave. SW, Grand Rapids arktosmeadery.com, (616) 406-4444

Arktos has made quite the splash in West Michigan with its eye-catching bottle design, tasteful nuance and bear-centric mythology. The mead itself has garnered multiple awards in just a few short years, offering an ever-expanding selection of flavors: coffee, blackberry, pumpkin, etc. All these can be found at the Grand Rapids tasting room, where goblets line the bartop and mead flows from nitro taps.

BARDIC WELLS MEADERY

Robinette’s Apple Haus & Winery.

COURTESY PHOTO

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8844 Water St., Montague bardicwells.com, (616) 837-8035

Painted Turtle Hard Cider. COURTESY PHOTO Coming from a long line of beekeepers, the owners of Bardic Wells know their honey start to finish, inside and out. A mead lover myself, I strongly recommend hunting down the Traditional Mead. It’s balanced, smooth, unpretentious and unusually affordable.

Bardic is the first ever licensed meadery in Michigan, if that tells you anything.

Painted Turtle came on the scene in 2016, and it’s clearly here to stay. The Apple Crisp, Blueberry Bliss and Java Vanilla ciders have made a splash, being packed full of flavor without going overboard. There’s no tasting room, so look for the cute little reptile on the tallboy cans at your local party store.

BEE WELL MEADERY

1051 Harding St., Conklin schaeferciders.com, (616) 899-2298

3533 S. Derenzy Rd., Bellaire Beewellmeadery.com, (734) 787-4187 Bee Well keeps growing as the four siblings work to spread their mead far and wide. The tasting room in Bellaire is coming up on another anniversary, open Thursday through Sunday. Make the trip to try out some Hopped Honey or Antrim Apple Pie, straight from the source. They have cider too!

BLACK DRAGON MEADERY

Distribution only, New Buffalo blackdragonmeadery.com

While it has yet to settle down into a tasting room (distribution only), Black Dragon is worth seeking out. Paul Peterson, aka Pete Wylde the MeadMaster, has won 18 awards for his meads since 2009. Bottles are available for purchase at facebook.com/blackdragonmeadery, and shipping is now available in Michigan.

FARMHAUS CIDER CO.

5025 Stanton St., Hudsonville farmhauscider.com, (616) 920-1867 Farmhaus blew up fast, opening in 2015 with a Cidergarten and beginning to distribute statewide in just two years. The couple-owned cidery aims for simplicity, with styles like the Halbbitter, which is described as fresh, bright and semi-sweet, and the Trocken, which is unfiltered, dry and tart. Look for the signature tallboys at your local store.

GREAT MEAD HALL

215 W. Monroe, Bangor greatmeadhall.net, (269) 427-0827 Great Mead Hall is known for locally sourcing its honey, fruit and other ingredients used in its mead and cider.

Some options include Mz. Beauregarde, a blueberry mead, and King Alcinous, a pear mead aged for nine to 12 months. With no taproom, you can find Great Mead in liquor stores near you for now.

PAINTED TURTLE HARD CIDER

paintedturtlehardcider.com, (616) 644-3047

PUX CIDER

PUX is still pretty new to the scene, yet the cidery has a wide variety of flavors, including barrel-aged tart cherry, hopped cider and a single-apple varietal.

Schaefer Ciders, who makes PUX, is still working on putting a taproom together, but for now you can find the stuff at area retailers.

RIDGE CIDER CO.

351 W. 136th St., Grant ridgecider.com, (231) 674-2040 Located off M-37 near West Michigan’s famous apple ridge, Ridge Cider Co.’s tasting room is big and full of wood. It features a range of top-quality ciders and servers that are passionate and knowledgeable about the products. We advise you to try the Porch Sittin’, a cider with prominent cinnamon and a hint of vanilla.

ROBINETTE’S APPLE HAUS & WINERY

3142 4 Mile Rd. NE, Grand Rapids robinettes.com, (616) 361-7180

Passed down through five generations, Robinette’s has been making apple cider since 1971, which means they’ve had plenty of time to get it right. In 2006, they started making it with alcohol too. Now, you can swing by at any time of the year to taste six wines or ciders for just $3.

SIETSEMA ORCHARDS & CIDER MILL

8540 2 Mile Rd. NE, Ada sietsemaorchards.com, (616) 676-5584

At Sietsema’s, the story starts with preserving heirloom apples, which give the company’s hard ciders a unique flavor profile. In the fall months, the tasting room offers draft hard ciders and bottles for purchase, along with traditional non-alcoholic cider mill fare (read: donuts). Sietsema’s hard ciders are popping up in restaurants and stores (including Meijer) across West Michigan, but we advise you to stop in and see where it all originates.

Continued on page 50

Food. Festivals. Fabulous Frames.

Don’t forget to vote!

East Beltline East Grand Rapids Walker Grandville 68th St 7 Mile Caledonia Holland Ionia Greenville

616.949.2600

seeitclear.com

Summer is better in the Beer Garden Visit Bellsbeer.com/events for a full concert lineup and to purchase your tickets.

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Cocktail Convenience

Y

ou’ve been there — you’re on the river, or at the beach, or around the bonfire, and you think, “Dang, I wish I had a cocktail all mixed up for me right now.” Well wish no more, because New Holland Artisan Spirits and Coppercraft Distillery have made your dreams come true.

Coppercraft has introduced its Gin & Tonic, a 12-ounce can clocking in at 10-percent ABV. It’s not just a malt beverage, Coppercraft’s award-winning gin is actually in there.

The same goes for New Holland’s three new “ready-to-drink” cocktails, which include: the Holland Mule, with Knickerbocker Gin, ginger beer and lime juice; Bourbon & Cola, with beerbarrel bourbon and real cane sugar; and Blueberry Gin Lemonade, which describes itself just fine. All three are at 9-percent ABV and available in 12-ounce cans year-round.

Sietsema Orchards & Cider Mill. COURTESY PHOTO Continued from page 48 ST. AMBROSE CELLARS MEADERY

841 S. Pioneer Rd., Beulah stambrose-mead-wine.com, (231) 383-4262

St. Ambrose’s affordably priced selection is out of control in the best way possible. Draft mead, still mead, honey wine, it’s all there in an outrageous variety of flavors. If you’re a big fan of sour beers, this is the meadery for you — try the Wild Ginger, a sour mead with ginger. The owners keep their own bees, so they know their stuff.

STARCUT CIDERS

121 N. Bridge St., Bellaire starcutciders.com, (231) 498-2300 Starcut Ciders, made by Short’s Brewing Company, was born in 2014 out of a desire to utilize the apple orchards of northern Michigan. Starcut features both unique and traditional ciders. Keep your eye out for Immortal Jelly, a cider inspired by Soft Parade and fermented with raspberries, blueberries, blackberries and strawberries. It’s slightly sour, slightly fruity and totally delicious.

SUNSHINE MEADERY

DINING | SIGHTS | SOUNDS SCENE

Distribution only, Lowell sunshinemead.com

Virtue Cider Co. COURTESY PHOTO

This time last year, Sunshine was just getting off the ground. Now the distribution-only meadery has at least seven meads under its belt, including Monarch, made with Macintosh apples, Monterrey cherries, star anise, nutmeg, cloves and cinnamon. The Hakuna Matata, infused with vanilla bean and tea flavors, provides an unusual twist for the beverage. For a more traditional metheglin (spiced mead), pick up the Autumn Sunset.

THE PEOPLES CIDER CO.

539 Leonard St. NW, Grand Rapids thepeoplescider.com, (616) 322-7805

fer some variety. Look for the cans in stores or make the trip to St. Johns, north of Lansing.

VANDER MILL CIDER

505 Ball Ave. NE, Grand Rapids vandermill.com, (616) 259-8828

Vander Mill is a powerhouse, likely the largest hard cider producer in the Midwest. The Grand Rapids taproom reflects that, with an indoor deck overlooking the massive new production facility that quintupled the cidery’s capacity two years ago.

CHECK OUT LAST CALL While you’ve definitely heard of ON PAGE 82. mainstays like Totally Roasted and Blue Gold, hit up the taproom (or some specialty stores) for specialty ciders like the Loving Cup, made with peppercorn and hibiscus.

Thirsty for more?

People’s Cider did just fine with its setup east of downtown Grand Rapids, but they couldn’t pass up a chance to move in next to Long Road Distillers and Mitten Brewing Co., where there are opportunities to collaborate between owners. Catch People’s on local tap lists around town or at the Fulton Street Farmers Market, as well as at this new location.

UNCLE JOHN’S CIDER MILL

8614 N. US-127, St. Johns ujcidermill.com, (929) 224-3686

One of the oldest apple farms in the country, Uncle John’s hard cider is simple but well refined. Classic flavors like Cherry, Blueberry and Apricot make the cider easily accessible, but with enough options to of-

VIRTUE CIDER CO.

2170 62nd St., Fennville virtuecider.com, (269) 722-3232 Virtue’s ciders are legit and true to the dry European style. The Gloucestershire Old Spot pigs — common to Old World cideries — add to the traditional vibe at the farm and cider mill. Stop in for a tasting or to buy a bottle or five of these Michigan-centric ciders. The Mitten, a bourbon barrel-aged cider, has remained a fan-favorite. n

VOTE TODAY!

VOTE FOR US

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revuewm.com/bestofthewest

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by Missy Black

STYLE NOTES

SHADES OF SPRING Sustainability and American-made collections give Reservoir Boutique impeccable taste.

“THE NAME RESERVOIR ITSELF MEANS ‘A COLLECTION OF.’ We’re a curated lifestyle boutique featuring things I’ve fallen in love with,” said owner and curator Erin Murphy Doan. The sustainability focus, coupled with a ton of U.S.-made products, means your purchase of home décor or apparel is environmentally friendly and brings a more stable future to our country’s economy. But dang if the stuff isn’t fresh and modern too.

Take the Grand Haven-based Tenden brand, for example. From button-down shirts to accessories including keychains, belts and hats, the canvas and leather goods shop is strong on quality craftsmanship — what Reservoir wants to be known for. Meanwhile, the Antler & Woods fern crewneck ($58) is an American-made gem that’s cozy with a “youthful print, great for spring as we’re all ready for greenery to be in our lives.” More favorites include the eye-catching woodblock print skull-and-moth tee from Fledgling Press ($25) and the limited-edition, Cotopaxi Teca Jacket that’s light, packable and sustainably made with repurposed materials ($80).

This spring, Reservoir will also have Hawaiian-made men’s board shorts, along with spring plaid for both men and women, which you can mix with the season’s hottest florals.

Visit the store in-person at 1144 Wealthy St., Grand Rapids or hop online at reservoir.us. n

DINING |SIGHTS SOUNDS | SCENE

MOVING ALERT…

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A favorite for menswear, DENYM has your Freyrs sunglasses fix. This brand lets you leave with your wallet intact, as $50 to $60 “still gets you good quality, but you’re not spending the premium price. But you’re not getting cheap, $10 glasses either,” said owner Katie Harney. The shop carries classic and traditional styles with plenty of black or tortoise-shell looks. Besides sunnies, the store is getting ready for spring with a move to its new Cherry Street location.

“It’s a good mix of retail and restaurants and it’s a great walking community. You can park once and hit a bunch of stores while grabbing lunch or dinner,” Harney said.

DENYM will be sharing building space with newcomer boutique Marie La Mode.

MODEL: DAVID HUIZENGA PHOTO: CHRISTOPHER CONENS Lorem ipsum EYEWEAR: THEO JAMES 11

6740 CASCADE ROAD w ww. cas cade-optical. com

6 1 6 . 9 4 2 . 9 8 8 6

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SPECIAL ADVERTISING SECTION

WEST MICHIGAN FARMERS MARKETS

FRESH FINDS

Photos courtesy of Holland Farmers’ Market

T

2018 West Michigan Farmers’ Markets

he farmers’ market was locavore and farm-to-table before those buzz terms existed. An idea as old as civilization itself, outdoor markets full of locally harvested produce and goods have always functioned as a social glue, where families can meet the people responsible for getting food onto their tables.

As important to the sustenance of local

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culture as it is to life, the farmers’ market today functions as an appealing, no-middleman alternative to its more heavily capitalized descendent, the indoor supermarket. Considering West Michigan’s deep agricultural traditions, it should be no surprise that farmers’ markets abound. Here are some of the best choices in the area.

SPECIAL ADVERTISING SECTION

Our Pledge is Your Guarantee 100% LOCAL & ORGANIC Every Saturday Year Round 9am to 12noon

local foods market Photos courtesy of Kentwood Farmers’ Market

MICHIGAN FARMERS MARKET ASSOCIATION

Before you shop, research.

A one-stop resource for all things farmers’ market-related in Michigan, this organization works to promote and sustain the vital roles these markets play in their communities, and their historic importance in advancing the local food movement. The MIFMA’s website provides a handy tool for anyone in the state to find and contact their nearest farmers’ market.

LOCATED: 480 Wilson Rd., Room 172, East Lansing (517) 432-3381 mifma.org

HOLLAND FARMERS’ MARKET

Welcoming more than 75 vendors who offer flowers, baked goods, dairy and, of course, fresh vegetables and fruits, the Holland Farmers Market has all of your produce needs covered. And like the best farmers’ markets, there’s plenty more going on, including performances, activities for kids and demonstrations by chefs.

OPEN: 8 a.m.-3 p.m. Wednesdays

and Saturdays, May—November 150 W. 8th St., Holland (616) 355-1138 hollandfarmersmarket.com

Mercy Health Lakes Village off Harvey St 6401 Prairie St, Norton Shores MI 49444

SWEETWATER LOCAL FOODS MARKET

Open year-round and offering entirely organic products, this Muskegon market requires its vendors to sign a pledge verifying their commitment to sustainable and ethical food-production practices. This is surely one of the best spots in West Michigan to get produce that is just as good for the planet as it is for your family.

OPEN: Saturdays 9 a.m.-noon, year-round At Mercy Health Lakes Village, 6401 Prairie St., Muskegon sweetwaterlocalfoodsmarket.org

FULTON STREET FARMERS’ MARKET

H olland F a r mers Marke t Ev e ry We d n e sd a y & S a t u rd a y May 1 6 - De c e m b e r 2 2 www.h ollan d fa r m e r sm a r ke t .c o m

Grand Rapids’ oldest and largest farmers’ market got even bigger in 2012 — 90 years after it opened — with a massive new pavilion. It remains THE place to be on a Saturday morning in the summer, but keeps regular hours throughout the week, along with hosting the ARTisan market on REVUEWM.COM | MAY 2018 |

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SPECIAL ADVERTISING SECTION Sundays, where local artists and craftspeople sell their work.

OPEN: First Saturday of May through the Saturday before Christmas: Tuesdays, Wednesdays, Fridays and Saturdays from 8 a.m.-3 p.m.

January through April: Saturdays from 10 a.m.-1 p.m.

(616) 454-4118 fultonstreetmarket.org

ROCKFORD FARM MARKET

Rockford’s picturesque downtown is the perfect setting for an outdoor trip to replenish your produce supply. Located near the White Pine Trail and Rogue River, the Rockford Farm Market won the title of “America’s Favorite Farmers’ Market” from the American Farmland Trust in 2011.

OPEN: 9 a.m.-1 p.m. Saturdays, May—October 54 S. Main St., Rockford rockford.mi.us/community

TERRA SQUARE FARMERS MARKET

Hudsonville’s rich agricultural heritage is on full display at the Terra Square mixed-use space and community center, which also offers entertainment, work spaces and educational opportunities.

The market also sponsors a pantry program, where guests can pick up a premade box with food and chef-created recipes any Wednesday or Saturday.

OPEN: 8 a.m.-1 p.m. Wednesdays and Saturdays, June—September Terra Square, 3380 Chicago Dr., Hudsonville (616) 669-1184 terrasquare.com/farmers-market

SOUTHEAST AREA FARMERS’ MARKET

The farmers’ market in Grand Rapids’ Martin Luther King Jr. Park is committed to serving and empowering its surrounding community through food access.

An effort coordinated by the grassroots nonprofit Our Kitchen Table, the market’s vendors are mostly women of color, home growers and neighborhood residents.

OPEN: 11 a.m.-4 p.m. Saturdays, July—November Martin Luther King Jr. Park, 900 Fuller Ave. SE, Grand Rapids (616) 206-3641 oktjustice.org/farmers-market

KENTWOOD FARMERS’ MARKET

Celebrating over 95 years of food, farming, and community! You can shop for locally grown food and Michigan-made products year-round at the Market!

fultonstreetmarket.org Main Market Season: May 5-Dec. 22 Tue, Wed, Fri, and Sat: 8a-3p

1145 Fulton St E

Near intersection of Fulton + Fuller Grand Rapids

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A convenient suburban destination for families interested in avoiding the crowds at larger markets, the Kentwood market emphasizes local produce and welcomes all visitors to its location at the Kentwood library’s parking lot.

OPEN: 9 a.m.-1 p.m. Saturdays, June—October 4950 Breton Ave. SE, Kentwood (616) 656-5323 kentwoodfarmersmarket.com

SPECIAL ADVERTISING SECTION

U-PICK OR ALREADY PICKED

Open Mid July - August Frozen blueberries available all year long.

Delicious and unique products available in our farm store.

BLUEBERRIES 4 GENERATIONS OF GROWING & MARKETING BLUEBERRIES

COME VISIT US IN JULY • OPEN MID JULY - AUGUST FROZEN BLUEBERRIES AVAILABLE ALL YEAR LONG. DELICIOUS AND UNIQUE PRODUCTS AVAILABLE IN OUR FARM STORE. Photo courtesy of Southeast Area Farmers’ Market

GRAND HAVEN MARKET

It’s difficult to imagine a better use of a summer morning than visiting Grand Haven’s scenic riverside Chinook Pier (look for the green canopy) to browse locally grown produce as well as baked goods, flowers, jams, jellies and honeys.

OPEN: 8 a.m.-1 p.m. Saturdays, May—October (and Wednesdays starting in June) Chinook Pier, 301 N. Harbor Dr., Grand Haven (616) 842-4910 grandhavenchamber.org

SPRING LAKE FARM & GARDEN MARKET

There’s never a bad day to fill your kitchen with local produce, and if Saturday doesn’t work for you, Spring Lake hosts its farmers’ market on Thursdays to accommodate differing schedules.

OPEN: 9 a.m.-2 p.m. Thursdays, June—October Harvest Bible Chapel Parking Lot, 225 E. Exchange St., Spring Lake (616) 842-4910 springlakevillage.org

S. KAMPHUIS BLUEBERRIES, LTD.

Now a fourth- and fifthgeneration operation within Holland’s Kamphuis family, this

farm and market remains one of West Michigan’s primary suppliers of fresh, quality blueberries. It also offers one of West Michigan’s foremost you-pick experiences, with 12 acres of blueberries set aside for that purpose.

4140 148th Ave. • Holland, MI 49424 616.399.9545 Open M-F: 9am-8pm Sat 9am-5pm

skamphuisblueberries.com or facebook.com/S.KamphuisBlueberries

OPEN: 9 a.m.-8 p.m. MondaysFridays, 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Saturdays, mid-July—August (tentatively) 4140 148th Ave., Holland (616) 399-9545 skamphuisblueberries.com

KALAMAZOO FARMERS MARKETS

With a history extending to the mid-19th Century, the Kalamazoo market has always prided itself on fostering interaction between families, businesses and the farmers who fill their tables. Now operated by PFC Natural Grocery and Deli, the market features 100 vendors weekly, as well as live music and, on every third Thursday during the summer, a Night Market with food trucks.

OPEN: 8 a.m.-1 p.m. Saturdays, May—November 1204 Bank St., Kalamazoo pfcmarkets.com

2 GREAT MARKETS, 2 GREAT LOCATIONS!

Grand Haven Farmers Market Wednesdays & Saturdays, 8am - 1pm May - October (Saturdays only in May) Located under the green canopy on Harbor Drive

Spring Lake Farm & Garden Market Thursdays, 9am - 2pm June - Mid-October Located in the Harvest Bible Chapel Parking Lot

Now Accepting

Bridge Card/SNAP Double Up Food Bucks Prescription for Health Power of Produce (POP) Kids Club

Dune Dollars Project FRESH Senior Market FRESH Cash, Check & Credit Card

616.842.4910

Facebook.com/GHSL.FarmersMarkets GrandHavenChamber.org/Farmers-Markets REVUEWM.COM | MAY 2018 |

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by Joe Boomgaard, Editor

BEER

SOUTHWEST MICHIGAN CRAFT BEER SCENE BECKONS WITH CHILL VIBES

T

HE SOUTHWEST CORNER OF MICHIGAN HAS LONG BEEN the playground for Chicagoans looking to escape the concrete jungle for a slice of natural beauty.

At the same time, that region of the Mitten has developed a craft beverage scene that fights well above its weight — or what its local population might suggest. Enticed by this notion, the Revue team rallied for a road trip to Southwest Michigan — specifically, Berrien County — to sample the wares.

Here’s what we found out.

The Livery

190 5th St., Benton Harbor (269) 925-8760, liverybrew.com When you’re in the mood for a badass 17-percent ABV weizenbock aged in Four Roses bourbon barrels, The Livery has you covered. Luckily for your liver — and your ability to operate the rest of the day — they also have you covered when you’re in the mood for well-made IPAs, pale ales, sours and stouts. The inviting taproom and friendly bartenders will coax you in and convince you to pull up a stool at the bar, and maybe stay for a show at the sizeable stage. The Livery is the O.G. of breweries in this part of the state, and that shows in the diversity and quality of its offerings.

Watermark Brewing Co.

5781 St. Joseph Ave., Stevensville (269) 281-0872, watermarkbrewing.com

From top to bottom: The Livery, Watermark Brewing Co., Transient Artisan Ales - The Lions Den, Journeyman Distillery - Whiskey Flight.

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Chill vibes abound at Watermark. Maybe it’s the taproom’s dog-friendly beer garden or its spacious patio. Or it could just be a reflection of the brewery’s co-founders, who all lived together in a house next door as they got the company up and running. Whatever their secret, they have a knack for crafting delicious beers. Standouts from our visit included King Prawn, Burt’s Breakfast Stout and Chromatophore — a collaboration with Speciation Artisan Ales. If you’re just in the mood for drinkin’, order a Leisure Ale and enjoy the vibes. (Food trucks also usually are on hand to sate your sushi and taco cravings, too.)

Silver Harbor Brewing Co.

721 Pleasant St., Saint Joseph (269) 281-7100, silverharborbrewing.com The founders of Silver Harbor wanted to open a brewery that had something for everyone — including families with children — and to offer a “serious food menu,” according to brewmaster Christian Cook. “We cater to everybody.” The food and appetizers were top-notch, and the beers we tried were solid as well. Go for the Psychedelic Pils, Planks Dank Dockside IPA or the Dunkelweisser.

Silver Harbor will also “smoke” any of your beers for $2, but none of us burned one on our visit. Some people go to Silver Harbor just to get Shipfaced, but we missed the release of that big English-style barleywine by a couple of days.

Transient Artisan Ales 4229 Lake St., Bridgman transientartisanales.com

This former gypsy brewer has amassed a cult following for two very different styles of beer. While Chris Betts started out brewing sours and saisons, he eventually added juicy pale ales and IPAs to the mix, and the world is better for it. Since customers have an unending thirst for all the juice, Transient is in the process of opening a new brewhouse to increase capacity of its “clean” beers, while leaving most of the current capacity for the brewery’s sour program, Betts said. The move will also free up space in the taproom for more patrons. Just don’t expect Transient to get much bigger. “This is the end of our growth,” Betts said. “Any more investment or distribution would just take things out of our hands.”

Journeyman Distillery

109 Generation Dr., Three Oaks (269) 820-2050, journeymandistillery.com While it’s not a brewery, Journeyman Distillery does make some fine hooch in Southwest Michigan. Since the last time Revue visited in 2015, the physical space has changed dramatically, with a huge still now taking center stage in the main entrance and the dining area. Speaking of food, the Staymaker kitchen’s Detroit-style pizzas feature spent grain

from the distillery’s Last Feather Rye or Featherbone Bourbon. It paired well with a Wake ’N’ Jake cocktail, or a whiskey flight. For shareables, you can’t go wrong with the crisp pork belly. In short, Journeyman has that enviable mix of handcrafted spirits and food that make for a nice break from the well-worn pizza-and-beer combo.

Haymarket Brewery & Taproom

9301 Red Arrow Highway, Bridgman (269) 266-5050, haymarketbeer.com

Haymarket was already an established Chicago brewery when it opened a Michigan location in Bridgman in 2017. Based in a former Michigan State Police post, the brewery offers a charming environment that celebrates workers of all stripes, including its own. As such, Haymarket is a nontipping restaurant, meaning the company aims to pay all workers a living wage. Haymarket’s mission aside, the company also strikes a chord with quality Belgian and American beers and delicious ’za. We thoroughly enjoyed Hazy is Lazy, a New England IPA, as well as the Speakerswagon, a super-crushable German-style pilsner. n

OTHERS WE RECOMMEND (AND VISITED IN THE PAST): Arclight Brewing Co.

544 N. Main St., Watervliet (269) 332-0718, arclightbrewing.com

Greenbush Brewing Co.

5885 Sawyer Road, Sawyer (269) 405-1076, greenbushbrewing.com

Tapistry Brewing Co.

4236 Lake St., Bridgman (269) 266-7349, tapistrybrewing.com

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by Josh Veal

DINING

When in ROAM

San Chez’s new restaurant takes diners all around the globe

E

ARTH IS A VAST AND WILDLY VARIED PLACE, YET EVERY CULTURE

DINING SIGHTS | SOUNDS | SCENE

we’ve ever come across has something in common: delicious food.

Even Ireland has a few hits, like shepherd’s pie and Irish stew, if you can excuse the country’s many food crimes — baked beans and tomato slices for breakfast? Come on.

The point is, cuisine is central to culture.

Many restaurants transport you to another city or country through the power of food and atmosphere alone, whether it be to Mexico, Italy, India or whatever the hell Applebee’s is. But now, in the heart of Grand Rapids, ROAM by San Chez is bringing all of those cultures together in one place.

Owners Dan and Cindy Schneider — who also own San Chez — have traveled far and wide, tasting what the world has to offer.

Along the way, they noticed the prevalence of street food in major cities everywhere.

ROAM brings that concept to Monroe Avenue downtown, directly across from DeVos Performance Hall.

Rather than try to capture any one destination, ROAM gathers and celebrates every culture it can. The current menu boasts dishes and drinks from at least 20 different countries, including some lesser-seen options like Sri Lanka, New Zealand, Philippines and Morocco.

You could start with a Bone Broth from Egypt, made from veal bones, mirepoix and fresh herbs, before moving to the Gua Bao from China, a steamed bread roll filled with pork belly, cabbage, pickled red onion and sweet/spicy soy sauce. Then for dessert, you can travel to Netherland with a Schneider

Dishes of ROAM:

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family recipe: the Oliebollen, a fried dough- The paleta cocktails are especially unique, all nut with cherries and apples, tossed in sugar. with little Mexican popsicles inside the drink.

I’m a believer in the old adage that variNolyn Schneider, general manager and son of Dan and Cindy, traveled with his par- ety is the spice of life (well, that and Cholula), so I tried smaller portions of the Singapore ents and is excited to share the global flavors Curry and Fish In Chips together. with West Michigan, as are ROAM’s chefs.

That’s not a typo — it’s called the Fish In “Our chefs are extremely happy about this concept, because they get to experiment and Chips because the lake perch is encrusted and do things from all over,” Schneider said. “We deep-fried in potato chips, then served alonggot a guy back there that’s focusing mainly side fries and housemade tartar sauce. The on Middle Eastern and he did our curry for result is a tender, juicy fish fillet protected by a salty, crispy exoskeleton that elevated us. Another guy, he loves cooking European and American food. We got Latin chefs back the flavor in a way I didn’t expect. I mean, there who make our tamales fresh. They’re re- who has ever thought of potato chips as highally happy they don’t just have to do burgers.” class? And yet, it works.

The Singapore Curry is an absolute And the burgers that are on the menu aren’t your standard fare. For instance, the delight in its own right. Tender jackfruit and potatoes rest in a bowl of some of the best Nolburger (you can guess who invented this curry I’ve ever had. It’s creamy one) has pork belly, lettuce, and hearty, but not too thick, peanut butter, fried onion and somewhere between a soup Noelle cheese. and a sauce. The unexpected Schneider defined “street star of this dish, however, is food” as food that’s fun to eat the roti prata, a f latbread with friends, but you can also that’s somehow simultaneously take it on the road. ROAM fluffy as a cloud and thin as a offers convenient takeout tortilla. packaging that makes it easy Combining the two dishes to munch on the go. was a smart move (Schneider’s “A lot of these things, like idea, not mine), giving a the Chips N’ Dip, you can just variety of textures and flavors. grab and go,” he said. “And After a few bites, I was sold on this city, there’s so much to ROAM as an exciting addition see, it’s good to have that.” to Grand Rapids’ ever-growing The kitchen even has a — ROAM General Manager food scene.

Josper oven, which uses no Nolyn Schneider If at all possible, I’d recomgas or electricity, just charcoal, mend trying more than one giving it an authentic streetdish at a time, and Schneider recommends food flavor. the same.

During lunch, ROAM is already getting “With San Chez being a tapas restaurant, slammed with takeout orders from downit’s an experience,” he said. “You’re not there town employees, and Schneider expects just to eat your meat and potatoes — you’re festivals like ArtPrize to bring in even more visitors looking to walk and eat. However, there to try things. We wanted to embrace it’s also a full-service restaurant, with a wait- that here as well. People do want to share things, and that’s what we encourage here. A staff, excellent coffee (roasted locally by Swiss lot of places internationally do that, and we Mountain Coffee) and bar, offering a solid wine list, craft beer and inventive cocktails. want to maintain that mentality.” n

“Our chefs are extremely happy about this concept, because they get to experiment and do things from all over.”

(L-R): Shakshuka (Morocco), Kottu Rotti (Sri Lanka), Bahn Mi (Vietnam), Kwek Kwek (Philippines), Currywurst (Germany). COURTESY PHOTOS

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61

LAST CALL

BY NICK MACKSOOD PHOTO BY KATY BATDORFF

DEXY’S MIDNIGHT RUNNERS GREEN WELL

The Green Well’s Dexy’s Midnight Runners is a fresh take on a classic English summer cocktail. Anchored by the Pimm’s No. 1 — which, apparently, the Brits will put in anything from warm apple juice to champagne — Dexy’s tastes a little spicy in coordination with the ginger beer. But not overly so: The cucumber vodka cuts a fresh path for the essential oils and aromas of the mint to shine through, as long as you remember to slap that mint!

INGREDIENTS: 1 1/2 oz. Pimm’s No. 1 1 oz. Gypsy Vodka 1 oz. Pearl Cucumber Vodka 1/2 oz. agave nectar 1 splash of ginger beer 1 sprig of mint, for garnish Pour Pimm’s, the vodkas and agave nectar into an iced mixer. Shake thoroughly, then pour mixture into a coupe. Splash with a hit of ginger beer. Slap the mint leaf between your palms to release aromas, then garnish on top.

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