ROAD GUIDE TRIP
MICHIGAN ROADS WORTH THE DRIVE
2024 ROAD TRIP PLAYLIST
HITTING THE SWEET SPOT: LOCAL ICE CREAM GEMS
LIVING THE DREAM WITH MY MORNING JACKET
DISCOVERING THE ARTIST IN YOU AT OX-BOW SCHOOL OF ART
WHAT'S INSIDE
JOSH VEAL , Managing Editor | josh@serendipity-media.com
Idon’t know about you, but summer is absolutely my favorite time of the year.
With that in mind, maybe I’ve chosen the wrong state to live in, but I truly believe the four seasons are what actually make summers here so special. You can’t have a rollercoaster without highs and lows!
When summer arrives, it’s time to hit the road. Music never sounds better than when I’m on the way to the beach with windows down, pushing my car’s 20-year-old sound system to its limits, munching on some gas station snacks.
In this issue, we’re here to help you decide where you want your summer to take you. Are you looking to enjoy nature? To hit up some small-town breweries? To visit that art museum you’ve been wanting to check out? Maybe even to experience some Michigan curiosities, like Gravity Hill or the Lavender Labyrinth. We’ve got you covered.
We also have our annual Revue Road Trip Playlist, if you’d like some new tunes to enjoy, and a guide to Scenic Routes around the state, to make the drive itself an experience.
Each summer, we also guide you to cool treats around town. There are tons of excellent ice cream options with unique offerings, from barbecue to Dole Whips to frozen bananas. We also take a look at the frozen drinks of West Michigan, for you “adult slushy” lovers out there—just watch out for brainfreezes.
One more thing: We’d really love to know more about our readers so we can write the articles and provide the resources you need. Specifically, we’re curious about whether you’re a local looking for fresh, new ideas in town, or you’re an out-of-towner wanting to know about the must-see, iconic places to visit while you’re here.
If you can answer just five quick questions for us, you’ll be entered to win four Frederik Meijer Gardens & Sculpture Park general admission tickets! They can be used immediately, or hold onto them for next time you’re in town. We love any and all feedback, so we can be the best local guides possible.
'Til next time,
WHO'S WHO
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BEST OF THE WEST
Results from our ninth annual reader poll to crown the best of West Michigan – music venues, restaurants, bars, shops, people and more.
Space Deadline: 7/15/2024
Managing Editor | Josh Veal, josh@serendipity-media.com
Art Director | Courtney Van Hagen
Marketing Coordinator | Kelsey Shoemaker
Distribution | Kelli Belanger
Contributing Writers | Allison Kay Bannister, John Kissane, Eric Mitts, Michaela Stock, Zachary Avery
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WHAT’S GOING ON, JULY '24
7/6
A NIGHT OF R&B AND OLD SCHOOL HIP HOP
The Pyramid Scheme
68 Commerce Ave. SW, Grand Rapids July 6, 8:30 p.m. pyramidschemebar.com
Miss the good ol’ school days of tennis skirts, track suits and jerseys? This is the party for you, hosted by DJ Composition and Troy Caesar at The Pyramid Scheme. Put on your best vintage athletic wear and get ready to dance.
SUNSET CINEMA: TOP GUN: MAVERICK
Studio Park
123 Ionia Ave. SW, Grand Rapids July 6, 8 p.m. studioparkgr.com
Sunset Cinema is back and better than ever—in that it’s free! Head to the lovely piazza outside Studio Park and bring a lawn chair or blanket. Seating is first-come, first-serve. This month, enjoy the hit action blockbuster Top Gun: Maverick, while enjoying theater concessions/drinks and the lively ambiance of downtown.
7/11
SARAH JAROSZ: POLAROID LOVERS TOUR
Bell’s Eccentric Café
355 E. Kalamazoo Ave., Kalamazoo July 11, 8 p.m. bellsbeer.com
The seventh album, Polaroid Lovers, from Sarah Jarosz finds the highly decorated songwriter at the apex of change. A Texas native, she’s spent most of her adult life living in New York City, but shortly before writing the album Jarosz left her adopted home to join her soon-to-be husband in Nashville, TN. The geographic shake-up led to a sonic one as well for the new album. See Jarosz perform your favorite songs off the album in Bell’s Beer Garden.
7/12
THE TEMPTATIONS
Frederik Meijer Gardens & Sculpture Park
1000 E. Beltline Ave., Grand Rapids
July 12, 7 p.m. meijergardens.org
Often referred to as American music royalty, The Temptations are world-renowned superstars of entertainment, revered for their phenomenal catalog of music and prolific career. They are one of the most iconic, bestselling brands in the entertainment world today, still headlining concerts around the country that include fan favorites such as “My Girl.”
7/13
CRESTON AFTER DARK CREATIVE MARKET
Kingma’s Market
627 Marywood Dr. NE, Grand Rapids July 13, 5-11 p.m. lionsandrabbits.com
Get ready for an unforgettable evening as The Seventh & VenusFlyytrap sets the stage for Creston After Dark markets this summer, hosted by Lions & Rabbits Center for the Arts! They’re kicking off the excitement in Cheshire Village. The DJs will spin while you explore a variety of strolling performance artists. From mesmerizing magicians to awe-inspiring acrobats, there’s entertainment for everyone to enjoy. Bring your shopping bags and get ready for a world of creativity with our curated selection of vendors offering unique and innovative goods.
7/19
UPHEAVAL FESTIVAL
Belknap Park
30 Coldbrook St. NE, Grand Rapids July 19-20 upheavalfest.com
This is THE rock and metal festival of West Michigan, held in Belknap Park and featuring huge names like Godsmack, Killswitch Engage, Bad Omens, Beartooth and more, not to
mention the after shows by As I Lay Dying and P.O.D. at the Intersection. Get ready to mosh, headbang and crowd surf.
7/23
SCOTT BRADLEE’S POSTMODERN JUKEBOX
GLC Live at 20 Monroe 11 Ottawa Ave. NW, Grand Rapids July 23, 7 p.m. livenation.com
Celebrate the dual milestone of Postmodern Jukebox’s 10th anniversary of touring and their 1,000th show in 2024. As always, this show will blend modern-day earworms and iconic pop hits such as Bad Romance and Seven Nation Army with the original styles that put American popular music on the map: Ragtime, Swing, Big Band, Country / Western, Doo Wop and Soul.
7/25
ROCK, ROAR & POUR
John Ball Zoo
1300 W. Fulton St., Grand Rapids July 25, 6-9 p.m. jbzoo.org
Rock, Roar and Pour is back by popular demand! Spend your summer nights at John Ball Zoo’s 21 and up concert series, this
month featuring Cabildo. Embrace those Latin vibes with themed entertainment, food trucks, and specialty drinks; all while strolling through animal habitats with no kids!
7/26
COAST GUARD FESTIVAL
Downtown Grand Haven July 26-Aug. 4 coastguardfest.org
The Coast Guard Festival unofficially began 100 years ago, in 1924, as a personnel-only picnic when the local Coast Guard station held rowing competitions for those service members stationed in Grand Haven. Today, the festival has become a premier event with attendance of more than 350,000 people coming to enjoy the city, the cardboard boat competition, the many tribute bands, fireworks and more.
7/27
GLOBAL WATER FEST
Canal Park
941 Monroe Ave. NW, Gran Rapids July 27-28 globalwaterfestgr.com
Prepare for the ultimate two-day water adventure and celebration at the third annual Global Water Fest! This July, Canal Park will host
The Temptations. COURTESY PHOTO
the highly anticipated return of the Dragon Boat Races on the Grand River, featuring FOUR beautiful Dragon Boats racing down the river all day. Satisfy your taste buds with global cuisine, discover the works of local artisans, and enjoy live entertainment at this free, familyfriendly event presented by the Grand Rapids Asian Pacific Foundation. There will also be paddle boards and kayaks for attendees!
GRAND RAPIDS
TACO AND TEQUILA FEST
Riverside Park
2001 Monroe Ave. NE, Grand Rapids July 27, 4-8 p.m.
grtacoandtequilafest.com
This outdoor tequila festival is hosted at the northern end of Riverside Park, and features 100+ tequilas. Most of the list is tequila but there will be a few other options such as beer, sangria and margaritas. In addition to the great beverage selection, expect food trucks, live music, vendors and more!
showcases hand selected vendors, dealers, artists and small businesses with all things weird. You’ll find items such as: taxidermy, preserved specimens, original artwork, horror/ halloween inspired pieces, antiques, handcrafted oddities, quack medical devices, creepy clothing, odd jewelry, skulls/bones, funeral collectibles & much more.
8/1
BOWLING FOR SOUP
The Intersection
133 Cesar E. Chavez Ave. SW, Grand Rapids
Aug. 1, 6:30 p.m.
sectionlive.com
Bowling for Soup are ready to celebrate three decades of being a band and 20 years of their hit album A Hangover You Don’t Deserve , which features big singles like “1985.” On this throwback tour full of nostalgia, Bowling For Soup will be playing the album in full, plus a host of other hits from their 30-year career.
GRAND RAPIDS ODDITIES & CURIOSITIES EXPO
DeVos Place
303 Monroe Ave. NW, Grand Rapids July 27-28
odditiesandcuriositiesexpo.com
The Oddities & Curiosities Expo
Global Water Festival. COURTESY PHOTO
ST. SINNER ORCHESTRA: Heaven and Earth Collide
| by Eric Mitts
The creation of longtime Grand Rapids songwriter and musician Greg Scheer, the St. Sinner Orchestra merges a rock band with a classical string section, for a sound unlike anything else.
Profoundly prolific, having written over 1,000 pieces of music, from rock, pop, folk and jazz songs to classical arrangements and religious works, Scheer had most predominantly established himself in church music over the last three decades, where he has also worked as a speaker, and author of two books on worship.
“In many ways, what has defined my career, or even plagued my career, is that I am kind of a musical omnivore,” Scheer told Revue . “Which, in a sense, is what led to St. Sinner.”
The St. Sinner Orchestra features Scheer on guitar and vocals, with a percussionist, and up to a dozen string players from all walks of life. And unlike other pop acts that just add strings to conventional song structures, Scheer writes compositions that fully incorporate his players into a lush tapestry of musical styles and genres.
“One of the things that I don’t like about being in a regular rock band is you just spend time rehearsing the same thing over and over and over again,” Scheer said. “And I’m hearing things in my head that aren’t happening. So what I found with St. Sinner is that I could still have a rock band vibe – it’s still rock and pop music, but I can do anything I want to with the strings.”
The St. Sinner Orchestra started around 2017, with the group’s first album, So Far From Home , coming in 2019. A deeply personal project for Scheer, the original roster of St. Sinner Orchestra also included his two sons, Theo Scheer on cello, and Simon Scheer on bass.
“My sons were two of the first members in St. Sinner, and that was really, really fun,” Scheer said, adding that they’ve moved on to other endeavors as they’ve gone off to college. “They’ve kind of moved out of that realm. But I’m trying to get my younger son back in for the summer.”
Maintaining such a massive lineup has become something of a full-time endeavor for Scheer, from coordinating schedules, to recruiting and replenishing members as other commitments and pursuits take them away from the project. Constantly on the lookout, he said he knows just about every string player in town, including members of the Grand Rapids Symphony Orchestra, who have worked with St. Sinner over the years.
“We’ve really built a community,” Scheer said. “I have felt like there have been a couple shows where it’s almost like this sacred space that’s made, because the musicians, we all like each other, we were friends before we started making music together, or became friends by making music, and we have a great time.”
That unique experience for the performers translates directly to the audiences, who Scheer said have often not known exactly what they were in for at a concert by St. Sinner Orchestra, but have equally often walked away amazed.
“We’re the band that you didn’t know that you needed,” Scheer said. “We’re this little community that likes to be together, likes to make music, and then people can feel that. There have been times when the air is almost thick with this sense of liminal space. You’re just at the edge of something, and something really deep is happening, so that’s been really, really satisfying.”
The group’s name has puzzled some, with Scheer conceding that having made most of his career in church music, and having led worship, that calling his project St. Sinner could come across as a bad move, but he likes the dualism in it.
“We all live in multiple spaces,” Scheer said, adding that calling it the St. Sinner Orchestra makes the project sound like a place in and of itself.
After a successful Kickstarter campaign, the group will release its new album, Synonyms for Goodbye , during a special show at The Stray in Grand Rapids, on July 27.
Culled from a massive repertoire of more than 40 songs, the songs on the album all stem from a place of personal pain and growth, namely Scheer’s own divorce, which found him working through themes of grief, love and existential crisis in the music.
“The last song on the album I wrote specifically because I knew that I needed a song called ‘Goodbye,’ and it actually works out really well,” Scheer said.
For the album release show, the performance will include some works from Synonyms for Goodbye , as well as a good bit of even newer material.
“I’m always writing, and I always want to try out new stuff,” Scheer said. “And I think it’s pretty cool for an audience that every time they go to a show, there’s like a world premiere.” ■
ST. SINNER ORCHESTRA
Synonyms for Goodbye Album Release
The Stray, 4253 Division Ave. S Suite A, Grand Rapids
July 27, 7 p.m.
Stsinnerorchestra.com, thestraycafe.com
St. Sinner Orchestra. PHOTO BY HALEY EARLEY
CHEVELLE: Revving Up New Music
| by Eric Mitts
After nearly three decades in one of the most reliable hit-making hard rock bands in the country, Chevelle drummer Sam Loeffler has found the secret to success in the music industry—just stay together.
“And when you’re family, it’s harder to not stay together,” he added, alluding to playing with his brother vocalist/guitarist Pete Loeffler since the two started Chevelle together in Illinois in the mid-90s.
“I think the key to working with your family is treating them like a fellow employee,” he said. “You have to treat each other like if you were in an office setting. Like, would you reach out and strangle him in front of your boss? Would you call him all these terrible things and whip your guitar at the wall? No. So treat it like a professional, and that seems to be better.”
Chevelle famously parted ways with their younger brother, bassist/backing vocalist Joe Loeffler, in 2005, after the smash success of their multi-platinum-selling major label debut, 2002’s Wonder What’s Next , and the platinum-selling follow-up, 2004’s This Type of Thinking (Could Do Us In). They eventually replaced him with their brother-in-law, Dean Bernardini, who played with the band from 2005 to 2019.
“Really, Pete and I have had a great relationship,” Loeffler said. “And with Dean, we had a great relationship, but then he left a couple of years ago. And I’m grateful for all that time. It’s just, being in a band is like being in a marriage, but not with one person.”
Bernardini left Chevelle less than a year before the pandemic to spend more time with his family, and focus on his own art. He had played on six albums with the band that saw them dominate rock radio for over a decade and a half.
That dominance continued after the pause of the pandemic, with the release of their last album, NIRATIAS , in 2021, landing lead single “Self Destructor” at No. 1, marking their sixth song to do so. A song about vaccines and science deniers, written well before anyone knew about COVID-19, it was a part of the larger thematic concept of the album that Loeffler said didn’t get the attention it deserved, due to its longdelayed release, and the distractibility of a post-pandemic world.
“It’s sort of the victim of so many albums that came out during that time that people were so busy doomscrolling, and looking for the next thing, that nothing stuck around for very long,” he said. “And we put five years into that record.”
The last album completing their contract with their long-time major label home of Epic Records, Chevelle has been hard at work in their home studio since, making new
Chevelle. COURTESY PHOTO
music for what will be their first independently released album in partnership with indie label Alchemy Records.
Now tentatively slated to come out some time next year, the new album will feature new bassist Kemble Walters, frontman for the post-hardcore group ÆGES , who has previously played with The New Regime, Juliette & the Licks, Rise, and FUEL. Walters joined Chevelle on tour in support of NIRATIAS after the pandemic in 2021, and has since worked with them in the studio recording new songs.
“It’s been over two years, but we’re getting really close,” Loeffler said about the new album. “Hopefully we’ll have new music in like October, November. Maybe we might even play a song on this tour. It should be fun for us, because it’s fun for the band to do something different.”
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Producing the upcoming album themselves, Loeffler said they’re exploring both the heavier rock side of their sound that they enjoy playing live, and the more melodic side of their music as well.
“They’re still hard rock songs, but with melody, and some harmony even, which is great,” Loeffler said. “Since we’re producing, we’re really trying to create different sounds that we haven’t created before, which is what you’re always trying to do in an album. So I think two or three of the songs are very different for us, and then the other ones are kind of in our lane.”
The upcoming new album won’t be Chevelle’s first album on an indie label, as their 1999 debut, Point #1, which celebrates its 25th anniversary this year, came out on Squint Entertainment before the band signed with Epic. Their first record ever, they worked with the late, great Steve Albini (of Nirvana’s In Utero fame) on Point #1, and following the legendary producer’s passing this past May, Loeffler said he looks back on how much they learned from his help so early on in their career.
“I know he’s sort of been polarizing in the past, and he’s got some pretty strong opinions, which there’s nothing wrong with that at all, but he wasn’t really that way with us,” Loeffler said. “He was just very supportive. And he just wanted us to be happy with it.”
Helping instill a strong sense of credibility in the band, Albini’s impact on Chevelle persists to this day.
And with the uncertain impact of AI on the music industry lurking ominously over a band that has always had its eyes on what technology will bring to the future – while still sticking to their guns – Loeffler said he’s optimistic live bands, and rock music, will survive whatever changes are to come next.
“People will keep finding music and they’ll want to experience live music,” he said. “I mean, we’re seeing right now sort of a resurgence with younger people finding rock music, whether it’s Led Zeppelin, or ACDC, or Soundgarden, or Alice in Chains, or our band, it’s happening more and more, and we’re seeing that.” ■
CHEVELLE
Wsg. Tigercub, Return to Dust
GLC Live at 20 Monroe, 11 Ottawa Ave. NW, Grand Rapids, Aug. 9, 6:30 p.m. doors, 7:30 p.m. show, $59+ Getmorechevelle.com
WILDERADO: Connection Through Vulnerability
| by Michaela Stock
We got robbed this morning,” said Max Rainer, lead singer of Wilderado, the day of our interview.
“I got to the studio, and both of our trailers are gone, so I’ve been talking to the cops. They’re here right now.”
With a tour scheduled to depart later that week, Rainer and Wilderado have more than just rehearsing and packing to finish before they hit the road. They now have to rent new trailers, or find their own, in just a few days.
“That’s not going to happen,” Rainer said with a laugh.
Rainer is no stranger to setbacks, though. His band, Wilderado–an indie folk-rock group from Tulsa, Oklahoma–have been together since 2015, after forming in Rainer’s
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fifth year of college. They gained mass listenership from their first album cycle, Misty Shrub, which procured a guest appearance on major late-night talk show Jimmy Kimmel, as well as support tours with artists including Band of Horses and Rainbow Kitten Surprise.
But even with nine years of writing, recording and touring, Rainer is still learning what it means to “make it” in music.
“This is a hard road. There’s no real success, there’s no real money. It’s just loads of work,” Rainer said. “It’s almost like a burden as much as it is a joy.”
Rainer discovered music as a child, thanks to his artistic family. Uncovering his gift for songwriting, however, didn’t come until much later. As a student at Baylor University, Rainer was selected to record his original music on a campus-run record label. Feeling lost from switching majors at the last minute, this project gave Rainer the inspiration he needed to find himself, his path and his band.
“I found out that people connected to something that I didn’t know I was interested in. I also found out what a cool, wild west business the music world is. That had a huge impact on me, kind of a simultaneous impact of inspiration, discovery.”
With a love of songwriting and a knack for business, Rainer graduated college with a career–Wilderado–and an artistic point-of-view.
“Everywhere I went, when I would write songs, I just would see people connect to it,” Rainer said. “I realized my point-of-view as an artist was me, and I think I was intrigued by that. Not because I thought it was better than anything else, but because I quickly realized that that’s what everyone’s point of view as an artist is.”
In fact, Rainer’s emphasis on personally connecting with his fans has brought humility to Wilderado’s commercial success.
“Jimmy Kimmel was cool, but it wasn’t as cool as seeing some woman cry over a song she connects to,” Rainer said. “As much comparison as there is in this world, and specifically in this industry, it’s kind of nice to know that the only way to do this well was to do it truest to yourself.”
Musicians culturally take on a self-sacrificial role; they say what most people are too scared to admit. But behind the curtain, songwriters have personal relationships that can change based on what they release through their art.
Part of Rainer’s audience also includes his 10 nieces and nephews, and his position as a familial role model has been a turning point in his songwriting.
“The nieces and nephews think I’m a big deal because they can see me on their screens and hear me sing, and then also see me in person,” Rainer said. “It’s a fragile thing that I don’t hold loosely. I just take it seriously that they listen.”
Rainer has wrestled with what he feels comfortable sharing with them in his music.
“Walking it back from like, ‘Oh my god, I don’t want my nephews to know I smoke weed,’ well, who cares about that? What you want your nephews to know is that you’re real. I think it’s just striking this balance of not making fear-based decisions.”
While most songwriters fear making mistakes, part of Rainer’s artistic power is not being afraid to be wrong. In fact, Rainer believes that acknowledging his faults further invites people into his art.
“I was afraid to be wrong for so long, and it just keeps you away from everyone,” Rainer said. “I think as a songwriter, some of my biggest challenges were to stop trying to be right. Just do your best, and allow yourself to be wrong when you are, and then go back to doing your best.”
Overcoming this has given Rainer the confidence to release music that deviates from some of the hallmark sounds that first put Wilderado on the map. The band has recently teased four tracks off their upcoming record, Talker, which is set to release in the fall. Fans may be surprised to hear that it’s much more folk than rock. “I wanted to make something with more space and just kind of easier on my ears, from the drums to my presentation of my vocal.”
Talker has a lyrical undercurrent of observation. With more spacious and organic sounds than the band’s hookdriven songs of the past, Rainer had room to create tracks that verge on confessional.
“I get so upset with motivational music. I think it’s so cheap and disconnected. What I found was, I’m connecting to a hurting person. Maybe that’s just where I should be, is admit that I’m a hurting person and talk from that point of view and say things.”
From stolen trailers to uncovering truth, Rainer and his band Wilderado have spent the past nine years untangling challenges along their artistic path. With their new album–Talker–and a tour underway, Rainer is continuing to focus on the “why” behind his decision to be an artist.
“I think it’s all been baby steps,” Rainer said. “There are really meaningful moments, and that’s all that life really is, right? Just collections of moments.” ■
WILDERADO
The Pyramid Scheme 68 Commerce Ave. SW, Grand Rapids July 30, 7 p.m. pyramidschemebar.com
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Wilderado. PHOTO BY CASSIDY MANDEL
LIVING THE DREAM with My Morning Jacket
| by Michaela Stock
To Patrick Hallahan, drummer of My Morning Jacket, his instrument is more than his career; it’s his calling.
“It’s not like I just decided one day I wanted to be a drummer,” Hallahan said. “It’s been something that’s spoken to me for as long as I can remember.”
Hallahan’s interest in music became tangible during his childhood while he’d watch his grandparents play music for their lounge act in their family basement.
“I would go and watch them rehearse, walk around, and listen to each instrument on its own. I remember kind of feeling the vibrations on guitar amps and stepping on pedals to change sounds, but I always gravitated towards the drums,” Hallahan said. “It was just always something that lured me in. It was beyond me.”
As a part of My Morning Jacket, Hallahan is now a threetime GRAMMY-nominated artist. He has also headlined beloved music festivals, sharing bills with the likes of Green Day, Jack White, and Sting. Because of this, Hallahan has also toured the world multiple times, which is a dream he’d intertwined with his love of drums early on.
Even after experiencing the harsh realities of living on the road–like missing numerous birthdays, graduations, and even funerals–Hallahan still wouldn’t choose any other lifestyle.
“The music’s the tip of the iceberg, obviously. The travel, and the companionship, and just the overall adventure of it all is more than I could have ever imagined. I really wish I could go back and talk to that third and fourth grade kid starting to think about this stuff and just be like, ‘Hey, stay the course, do what you’re doing. This is really special
and you’re gonna enjoy the living daylights out of it.’”
But Hallahan’s path to being a full-time, touring drummer wasn’t a straight arrow. Despite having a musical family, Hallahan’s parents warned him about how difficult it is to make a living as an artist. In fact, when Hallahan’s friends began to pursue music professionally, he split off to get an education.
“I had a double major in photography and psychology. I was somehow taking all that and was on track to law school, believe it or not,” Hallahan said. “That was following what I thought my family wanted of me, and not what I really wanted to do.”
Luckily, Hallahan decided to study recording and engineering, instead of law, at Middle Tennessee State University. This brought him to a town just outside of Nashville, Tennessee, where he reconnected with his friends who were musicians, such as Jim James, the lead singer of My Morning Jacket.
Around the time Hallahan moved to Tennessee, James asked him to join the band. Hallahan knew he had to drop out of school to say yes.
“I feel like everybody has a calling. Some people listen to it and some people don’t. And from a very early age, I knew I wanted to play and listen to music every day all the time for the rest of my life. I was just like, ‘You know what, I just have to like follow my gut on this.’”
It helped that Hallahan’s relationship with James dated back to the seventh grade, when they’d play music together after school as a way to escape the social pressures of growing up.
“Normal society, especially for grade school, high
school, middle school, it’s all based around athleticism,” Hallahan said. “So we started our first bands in like, sixth and seventh grade. We would do the athletic stuff as well, but it was always like the music was kind of our escape, our place to go to where we all made sense.”
Now sharing in the success of My Morning Jacket, Hallahan is grateful to have taken the risk on this journey with James.
“This is my 23rd year with the band. Wow. In some ways, I feel like everything from here on out is surplus, that I got further than I ever thought,” Hallahan said.
“To be in a band with someone that I shared that with from a very early age is also just a tremendous honor.”
With a legacy like My Morning Jacket, it can be difficult to imagine what’s left to achieve. But for Hallahan, this success has been anything but limiting.
“We’re having more fun playing than we’ve ever had in our career. There’s a fearlessness now, like all the rules are out the window, and the trust is immense.”
Currently, My Morning Jacket is on a headline tour that includes a stop in Grand Rapids at Frederik Meijer Gardens on July 1. Hallahan is especially excited to share some of these shows with artist Karina Rykman, a genrebending musician who specializes in playing bass.
“Karina Rykman is a friend of mine, and it was really fun to get her on these shows. She’s just this beam of light that descends upon a stage and takes the whole place over, and it’ll be a definite challenge to follow her afterwards.”
The best part? Hallahan’s story is far from finished.
“We’re just really looking forward to taking on the next quest and just super fortunate to continue carrying forward, because you never know when it’s all over, whether it be the music industry, or life in general,” Hallahan said.
“We’ve achieved so much that I am so grateful for all of it. And, honestly, the other part of it is that I feel like we’re just beginning again.” ■
MY MORNING JACKET
Frederik Meijer Gardens & Sculpture Park
1000 E. Beltline Ave., Grand Rapids
July 1, 6:15 p.m. meijergardens.org
My Morning Jacket. COURTESY PHOTOS
SHANE MAUSS: Multisensory
| by Eric Mitts
Comedian Shane Mauss doesn’t want to just make you laugh with his show “A Better Trip,” he wants to expand your mind.
Described as “an immersive psychedelic comedy experience,” Mauss has moved beyond what any other standup comic has done before, melding real-time multimedia visuals with a two-hour performance that’s part TED Talk, part trip report, and full of humor.
“It’s really kind of like a two-person performance,” Mauss said of “A Better Trip.” “And it’s something that no one else is really doing, which, I always like doing something off the beaten path.”
Mauss started developing what would become “A Better Trip” with digital visual artist/VJ Michael Strauss nearly two years ago, for a residency at the Las Vegas psychedelic entertainment complex Area 15, that involved four-wall projection mapping in their immersive performance space.
“I never had an interest in performing in Vegas because I’ve done it many times,” Mauss said. “And historically, casino audiences are the worst. But this wasn’t a casino, it was a psychedelic art space, and I was like, ‘This is perfect.’”
Together on tour, with Mauss onstage and Strauss streaming live visuals remotely, “A Better Trip” feels less like a PowerPoint presentation with jokes than a one-man show swirling with an improvisational performance.
“It’s a whole completely different thing when you’re
working with a second person,” Mauss said of how different this show is from anything he’s ever done. “And instead of a second person actually being on stage, it’s like visuals and stuff that you’re interacting with. And (the audience) they’re not just responding to you, but with various animations and stuff like that. It’s just so cool.”
An acclaimed comedian, first known for his 2013 Netflix special and comedy albums – as well as numerous appearances on “Conan” early in his comedy career –Mauss moved into the science and psychedelic spaces, with his podcast, “Here We Are,” where he talked with scientists about everything from animal mating habits, to neuroscience, to the meaning of life.
“I’ve been a comedian for 20 years, and I think that when I started the path to becoming a comedian was a little more clear,” Mauss said. “And now there’s just so many different opportunities and perhaps even pressure to do things in novel ways.”
In 2016 he partnered with the Multidisciplinary Association of Psychedelic Studies (MAPS) for “A Good Trip,” a psychedelic and science-packed comedy show about Mauss’s own mental health experiences using psychedelics. He chronicled taking that show on tour with the 2018 Amazon Prime documentary, “Psychonautics: A Comic’s Exploration of Psychedelics.”
“It’s cool how when I started comedy, the idea of going around, and say interviewing scientists for a podcast, or even doing a bunch of science jokes or psychedelic themed show, something like that was unheard of and not really even possible,” Mauss said. “And now it’s just so easy to do these indie shows.”
Admitting that the hard part remains finding an audience, Mauss said he’s grateful to have found his people, a group that consists of experienced psychedelic users eager for discussion, academics interested in the science, and complete newcomers curious to explore.
“It’s really interesting because when I did my first psychedelic shows in 2015, the people that were very enthusiastic and interested who were maybe more advanced or, say, more regular users of psychedelics were coming out to the shows,” Mauss said. “And because psychedelics have become more normalized over the last five years, suddenly there’s 10 percent of my audience that has never done a psychedelic. And I think that what the topic of psychedelics does is it brings just people that are maybe a little more open minded and creative and curious. And so those people are just going to resonate and be more receptive to concepts about our perception and consciousness and that sort of stuff generally. So, I’m able to crowbar a lot of science into a psychedelic conversation.”
“A Better Trip” has had even greater success since heading out on tour, selling out here in Grand Rapids when the show came to the Wealthy Theatre last year, with Mauss now making a return trip to the venue July 20, along with two other tour stops in Michigan just this month, and shows scheduled across the country into the fall.
“Just last night someone said that they were really blown away by the amount of information, and the number of experiences that I was able to articulate in one given show,” Mauss said. “So I think it’s a really interesting, fertile playground to talk about a lot of different concepts and journeys. And I think it really represents the psychedelic experience to cover a lot of different topics. I mean, you do psychedelics and you find yourself contemplating mortality, and the universe, and our behavioral patterns, and relationships with family and our childhood.”
Venturing further into the mood altering world, Mauss
has partnered with company co-founder Suzy Baker for My Purple Lady, a plant activated product line that he recently launched.
“Being in the psychedelic space, and being cued into like, what is the newest thing that’s the buzz, Blue Lotus, for example, is a new one that the average public doesn’t know much about yet, but is used more and more in the psychedelic space, almost like a mild MDMA experience,” Mauss said.
“Being from Wisconsin originally, where alcohol was the main thing that you’re going to, to get altered, or have fun, or celebrate, or self-medicate, or be sad or whatever,” he added. “And now that alcohol is becoming less and less popular, there’s a real demand for other less harmful ways of altering mood and states. And so that’s how (My Purple Lady) came together. And I have a hungry audience that’s interested in hearing about that. And now I might have to write a whole show about kind of starting my own drug company, essentially, because it’s been a wild, interesting experience.” ■
A BETTER TRIP WITH SHANE MAUSS
Wealthy Theatre, 1130 Wealthy St. SE, Grand Rapids July 20, 7 p.m. doors, 8 p.m. show, $28-38 Shanemauss.com, Grcmc.org
Shane Mauss. COURTESY PHOTO
Shane Mauss. PHOTO BY AARON REBARCHEK
YOUR MONTHLY GUIDE TO WHAT’S GREAT
IN THE GREAT OUTDOORS
BEAR WITH ME
| by Allison Kay Bannister
Ifeel like I’m starting to notice a pattern with these stories… like, something happens that is kind of unexpected, or possibly a little worrisome, but by the end everything works out just fine. Maybe that’s the difference between a true adventure and an ordinary day out and about.
I’ll start by stating that no humans or bears were harmed during this event, and by virtue of that, it was a good day.
Any time you get further away from the city and further up north, you’re bound to encounter something that you probably wouldn’t in your own back yard—and that’s what makes things interesting. My group happened to be checking out Wheels on Rails in Grawn, just outside of Traverse City, when we got our slice of excitement.
What this company offers is bike tours that take place on defunct rail lines that run through scenic, wooded areas. The vehicles themselves are custom-made, fourperson bike carts that have more of a recumbent style to them. They have adjustable seats, seatbelts, and a brake on each cart—which eventually would come in handy for us. There are trained guides that accompany the groups; one at the front to inspect the tracks and one in the caboose as an additional assistant.
We chose the six-mile Hoosier Valley Hotshot trip, which was a little over an hour and a half. Once we got checked in and seated, we had help getting our seats properly positioned and were given instructions on how and when to use the brake—and how to alert other carts when we were using it. We were also primed with the knowledge that the return trip was mostly on a slight incline and to be sure reserve some leg power for that. Can confirm!
Once we got rolling, we passed over a side road with the help of an on-staff crossing guard and received lots of friendly honks from cars driving by on US-31. We stopped once when the conductor needed to examine the tracks, and then we stopped again a little later when a small, dark figure on the side of the tracks revealed itself to be a black bear cub. Maybe it was our distance from it or just the thrill of seeing something you don’t see every day, but no one seemed particularly worried.
Sure, we all thought there was probably a mama bear around and it wouldn’t be very cool if she suddenly came out of the woods, but she didn’t—and the cub ambled along the tracks for a minute, seemed curious about what we were doing, and then ran back toward the trees and disappeared. In terms of real-life bear sightings, this was about as benign as it gets from a risk perspective, yet just dramatic enough to text home about.
Onward! We pedaled a bit more before reaching our turnaround, where we stopped, disembarked, and gathered
for a history lesson from the conductor. The staff then used a rotary-type contraption on the tracks to spin the carts so we could head back. While the incline wasn’t really visible, it could be felt, and, at times it was as though someone was riding the brake—but they weren’t. When the trip was complete, many of us were equally glad we were done while also wishing it had been longer. Some of us went for ice cream across the road at Little Reds, while others chose to drag our weary bodies home. (Oh, hey, that was me.)
I will say that I would make this part of a weekend
trip rather than a day trip, as the time on the road from Grand Rapids is longer than the time on the tracks. Several people, myself included, did opt to do that, staying in Kalkaska at All Seasons Resort either overnight or for a couple days to hike and explore the area.
Beyond that, I recommend bringing water and a snack, doubling up on sunscreen and bug repellent, and carrying your phone with you, in case you happen to get a once-in-alifetime photo op! Book your trip at wheelsonrailsmi.com. ■
/// DRINKING
BEERS & BANDS with John Sinkevics
| by Zachary Avery
Grand Rapids is known for one thing: Beer. Well, now it’s known for beer. Before, it was known for furniture, then for a president, then for hockey, a brief stint for Betsy DeVos, and now, finally, we’re back to beer.
Although, one could argue that the town that made Founders famous might be better described as the birthplace of another fine tradition, one more nascent and evolving: The land of exceptional local music.
“We’re on the cusp of some really great things musically here, we’re like a small Austin ready to go,” said John Sinkevics, Local Spins publisher and host of Local Spins on WYCE. “We have really good talent here and people like being here. I think there’s great potential.”
If anyone has credibility on both the subjects of beer and live music in West Michigan, it’s John Sinkevics. After reporting with the Grand Rapids Press on local breweries and restaurant reviews through his “Dining Out With Kids” series for over 15 years, Sinkevics made the jump to Local
BOOB SWEAT
We began with a yearly offering from TwoGuys Brewing in Wyoming, MI: a pineapple orange blonde ale called Boob Sweat. Made in partnership with the Grand Rapids punk band of the same name, this drink’s low barrier of entry with regard to alcohol content (only about 5.5%) reflects Boob Sweat’s approachable, DIY sound. And if a citrus flavor can be considered “punk,” then there’s certainly a connection here. Easy on the ears without ever sacrificing energy or attitude, Sinkevics recognizes how tight the band’s sound is, as well, especially on their latest EP: Sorry! We’re Open
“There’s a mix of some other stuff in there, as well, but it’s definitely got that punk feel to it, that sort of full throttle, muscular thing,” Sinkevics said. “I love the female
Spins in 2012 to write for music full-time. Since then, the website’s earned repute for its energetic coverage of regional artists and their variety of local performances, both big and small.
“Nobody else was really covering the music scene that intensely or locally,” Sinkevics said. “It was really hard to get your music out there. So, it’s really important to have that outlet, and I’m happy with how Local Spins has been going.”
With a celebrated drinks scene and a blossoming arts community, it feels like time to take stock of what the two together have to offer, so Sinkevics and I sat down to taste it ourselves.
vocals, because I think that adds a different spin to what some punk bands are.”
Sinkevics, who admitted he doesn’t always gravitate toward sour beers or citrus, noted how his taste buds quickly got used to the flavor of Boob Sweat as he began to enjoy it more. Rather than sacrifice taste for a higher alcohol content that might muddy the flavor, Boob Sweat keeps things simple by presenting an alluring aroma and following through with a refreshing, bright aftertaste.
“I could see this being shared around a campfire or a garage rock block party,” Sinkevics said.
RIP VANRIPPER
Next up is an offering from Speciation Cellars, Will-O-The-Wisp, named for the fifth track on 2023’s Passage from GR doom
and death metal trio Rip VanRipper. The band’s partnered beverage with Speciation came out with a loud first impression; first, with its electric color and, second, with its powerful aromatic: blood orange and a jam-packed amount of clove.
“Farmhouse ales tend to have more of that sour-y feel to it, but this feels more like a cider than a beer to me,” Sinkevics said. “I don’t think I’ve ever had a beer like this. It’s incredibly unique.”
Sitting neatly at 8.0% ABV, the WillO-The-Wisp aims to shock and ground you, much like the noisy sonic layering of the best examples in metal music. What may sound like a jumbled mess of chords and notes to an unenthusiastic listener is actually a well-crafted, immaculately played tsunami of beautifully discordant melodies and improvised breaks.
“I don’t listen to a lot of heavy metal, necessarily, but I’ve been to my share of metal shows,” Sinkevics said. “What I think people overlook with metal music is the instrumental virtuosity that’s required to play some of this stuff.”
Rip VanRipper’s Passage is no exception to this, celebrating each member’s musicality with an underlayer of steady guitar that keeps the beat loud and even. While discussing heavy metal, Sinkevics recalled an experience he had watching Billy Strings, a Lansing-born guitarist, perform at The Pyramid Scheme this past March. While he’s mostly known for bluegrass, Sinkevics was impressed with the musician’s knack for hardcore when playing alongside Lansing’s Flesh and Blood Robot.
“Of course, he’s a virtuoso guitarist, but he’s playing metal in this case,” Sinkevics
John Sinkevics with Rockford Brewing's Local Spinsation Ale. COURTESY PHOTO
Speciation Cellars, Solar Reckoning. COURTESY PHOTO
TwoGuys Brewing, Boob Sweat. COURTESY PHOTO
Speciation Cellars, Will-O-The-Wisp. COURTESY PHOTO
said. “It was really interesting to see him revel in playing this stuff he grew up with. It’s louder, more in your face. But, bottom line is, there’s lots of interesting stuff going on in the background.”
Whether someone’s listened to metal or not, most people seem to have some sort of opinion regarding the genre. Communitydriven, DIY groups such as Rip VanRipper, then, continue to battle preconceptions that all metal music and metal-loving fans are harassing or violent. On the contrary, Sinkevics explained, who stated that he’s met some of the nicest, most supportive musiclovers at heavy metal and hardcore shows. Once audiences get past the volume and dive deeper into the encompassing nature of the sound, then new metal fans are born.
“Same thing with this beer, I’m liking it more now that I’ve had it a bit more,” Sinkevics said. “I still think they should do more blood orange and less clove.”
EARTH RADIO
Mitch Ermatinger, owner of Speciation Cellars, has overseen plenty of band collaborations in the past: Coffin Problem,
Zao and Battlecross to name a few. Each beverage is intended as one-off experiences, either premiering for a particular show or larger event that features the partnered band. With their latest drink, Solar Reckoning, the connection to local futuresoul and alternative rock group Earth Radio is a bit more figurative.
Solar Reckoning, a field beer blended with dandelion, lavender, bee balm, echinacea and honey, premiered as a part of a larger summer solstice celebration alongside the Blandford Nature Center, with Earth Radio headlining. Sinkevics recalled how he first met the band’s lead vocalist, Hannah Laine, who had approached him several years ago to learn more about how to break into the local scene.
She’d eventually do just that, embracing motifs from funk and rock to solidify Earth Radio as a wholly unique and impenetrable psychedelic sound that feels both old and new—timeless.
A slow jazz track played, paired with a tallboy can of lavender flavored field beer, neither of which Sinkevics was in any rush to finish. Earth Radio’s improvisation complimented the mingling flavors of
Speciation Cellars’ new solstice beer, lazily alternating between flavors one after another. Then, Laine’s voice blended in, moving graciously through its otherworldly range. Everything about it seemed to fit just right.
“There are characteristics of each one of these beers that do seem to match what the bands are trying to do,” Sinkevics said. “That’s interesting.”
The taps dried up, my playlist ended, and soon the night was over. It’s clear to us that our arts and drinking communities are in very good hands. As long as breweries keep crafting batches of unique ales and local bands keep giving it their all, traveling out to your favorite venue for a pint and some live music continues to be one of the best ways to spend a night in Grand Rapids.
“Getting to see some really talented people in a small venue, it’s great,” Sinkevics said. “There’s really nothing better than that. It’s a lot of fun, and you’re doing the right thing. You’re supporting the arts.” ■
Rockford Brewing, Local Spinsation Ale. COURTESY PHOTO
REVUE'S
ROAD TRIP GUIDE
| by Revue Staff
Grab your totes, stock your cooler and fill up your tank— it’s time for a road trip.
One of the great joys of summer in Michigan is getting out and taking advantage of the beautiful nature, lively beach towns and big patios all around us. Just think: For a few precious months, you don’t have to worry about snow or ice, and can drive for hundreds of miles with the windows down and the tunes cranked up. Let’s not take it for granted. That said, the season is already flying by and you might want some inspiration for where to take a road trip of your own, and that’s where we come in. With endless possibilities across the state during these long summer days, we’ve narrowed it down to just a few of our favorite destinations, depending on your interests.
So, take a look and see where the road might lead you.
No road is long with good company.
— Turkish Proverb
Starting south in Portage , if you’re a fan of bogs, swamps, marshes and other wetlands—and we’re assuming you are— this is the place for you. The West Lake Nature Preserve, Bishop’s Bog Preserve and Eliason Nature Reserve are all nearby, and together offer hundreds of acres of beautiful scenery to enjoy, including rare plants and protected animal species. If you’ve ever wanted to see a flying squirrel in person, this might just be your chance.
Heading up north to the coast, Silver Lake is a beach town with big personality and its own seasonal community, largely thanks to the vast dunes which offer acres of sand for off-road vehicles (aka dune buggies) and hiking trails. Racing across the dunes in your buggy is both beautiful and exhilarating, and you can also head to the nearby Otto Nature Preserve or Crystal Valley for even more of a nature fix along wooded trails. Not too far north of Silver Lake, Pentwater offers one of the best public beaches around, and tons of activities to boot. Go horseback riding at a local ranch, try charter fishing, or tube down a river. Plus, you can stop by the Lewis Adventure Farm & Zoo , with over 100 unique animals and more than 45 attractions, like a giant slide, low ropes course, apple cannon and more.
NATURE LOVERS
Further up the coast is one of only National Lakeshores in the entire NPS (another being the Pictured Rocks in the upper peninsula), Sleeping Bear Dunes . This stunning natural wonder is renowned for its towering sand dunes, some rising over 450 feet above the pristine waters of Lake Michigan. The park offers a diverse landscape of lush forests, clear inland lakes, and miles of sandy beaches, making it a paradise for outdoor enthusiasts.
Well worth the trip across the bridge, Tahquamenon Falls State Park spans nearly 50,000 acres and is home to one of the largest waterfalls east of the Mississippi, plunging nearly 50 feet and stretching more than 200 feet wide. The smaller, cascading Lower Falls are gorgeous as well, and both sites give you plenty of opportunities to hike along scenic trails.
BREWERIES
Grand Rapids may be known as Beer City, but the love of great breweries extends far beyond. Start in South Haven (home to 10 public beaches), where you’ll find Harbor Light Brewery, with a large list of both beer and cider; South Haven Brewpub , which also has a huge food menu; and Three Blondes Brewing , founded by three local sisters and their husbands.
Then, you can head up to Holland for a town filled with Dutch history and great beer. There’s the legendary New Holland Brewing , the lively atmosphere of Big Lake Brewing , the intimate setting of Our Brewing , the delicious experimentation of Brewery 4 Two 4 , and the vast options of Tulip City Brewstillery, not to mention Coppercraft Distillery
Further north is Grand Haven , perhaps the most popular beach town in Michigan. When you want to feel a part of a bustling summer city, this is the place to be. If you want to bring your taste buds along for an adventure, check out Odd Side Ales , producing tasty and unique beer and seltzer. Or visit Grand Armory Brewing for equally delicious brews alongside the new Gnarly Varley’s kitchen serving up burgers, nachos, apps and handhelds.
Or, step away from the coast and head up 131 from GR toward Traverse City. It doesn’t take long to reach Cedar Springs Brewing , featuring award-winning German beer and food. Head a bit further north for Newaygo Brewing , with fantastic pizza and beer, including unique options like the Crab Rangoon pizza.
ART & CULTURE
Then it’s off to TC, where you can visit the spacious North Peak Brewing Co. , located in an old candy factory. Nearby, Right Brain Brewery stands out by experimenting with real ingredients and unusual materials. Then there’s Brewery Terra Firma , serving artisan ales in a rural setting; Acoustic Tap Room , a music-themed mead and cider bar; Workshop Brewing , complete with Escape Rooms; and more.
While you’re up north, we strongly recommend extending your trip with a visit to Bellaire, home of Short’s Brewing Co., Bee Well Mead & Cider, Mammoth Distilling and plenty of water for boating.
Down in St. Joseph is the beloved Krasl Art Center, which is, quite notably (especially in 2024), FREE! While you’re welcome to make a donation, you can also enjoy this museum and it’s permanent collection of 41-plus sculptures at no cost. Not to mention the rotating exhibitions and the annual Art Fair on the Bluff , which takes place July 13 this year, hosting 172 artists alongside a variety of food trucks and family activities. If you’re ready for more free art, you can also head to Box Factory for the Arts , a former factory now used as a multi-use arts facility. Up the coast is Saugatuck Center for the Arts , a renowned art museum, market and theater bringing in innovative art year-round. Their current exhibitions feature Michigan-based artists producing fascinating work. In Holland, the whole family will love the Windmill Island Gardens , featuring a working 250-year-old windmill, towering 125 feet over acres of gardens, dikes and canals. There’s also an antique street organ, antique carousel, and a 14th-century inn replica. Away from the coast, head to Kalamazoo for world-renowned arts organizations. While in town, see if you can’t catch a piano master at The Gilmore , or head to the Kalamazoo Institute of Arts for an incredible museum with three exhibitions in July, ranging from West Michigan artists to Indigenous glass art to a diverse selection of Chinese and Japanese art. For heavier fare, you can journey up to Big Rapids for Ferris State University’s free Jim Crow Museum , which shines a spotlight on America’s intolerance to teach tolerance and understanding going forward. Or, head east to Lansing for the annual ArtPath , an incredible undertaking spanning 2.5 miles of the Lansing River Trail. ArtPath showcases public art installations along the trail every summer, from sculptures to murals to yarn bombing and more. While in town, you’ll want to visit the stunning Eli and Edythe Broad Art Museum , a champion of contemporary art.
Krasl Art Center. COURTESY PHOTO
CANNA-TOURISM
Down in New Buffalo near the border of Indiana, you’ll find not just Four Winds Casino but also Rolling Embers Lounge , one of the only consumption lounges around. Inside, you can buy cannabis, outside, you can smoke it in a comfy chair or couch by a firepit. Or, head to Muskegon for Indigrow, a special place where you can experience the whole cannabis journey with one visit. Get a tour of the facility to see where they grow and process all their plants onsite, then head back to the shop, pick up your products, and walk out to The Bowl , Indigrow’s consumption lounge! You can soak up the sun and play yard games while puffing and passing before trekking out to the beach.
Also in Muskegon is The Nest , a private home on five acres, just off a private road in Muskegon, boasting six bedrooms and three full baths, and a private pool. You can book the whole house for up to 20 guests or one of the smaller suites (with cute names like the Ganja Suite and Mary Jane Suite) for an intimate getaway. Plus, you can book special experiences like Infusion Dinners, Puff & Paints, and Paraphernalia Parties.
In Kalkaska (due east of Traverse City), you’ll find Kalkushka . This once-public lounge is now rentable (staffing and drinks included) for private events, but with space for groups from 10 to 72, it’s easy to make the booking worth it. You can actually smoke inside here, while drinking coffee and chatting or playing games with friends. It’s sleek and modern, yet welcoming and comfortable.
LIGHTHOUSES
The 1903 South Haven Lighthouse , known for its red color, stands at the end of the south pier. Easily accessible, it offers stunning sunrise and sunset views, with nearby maritime history at the Michigan Maritime Museum. Head up to Grand Haven for the incredibly iconic red South Pier Lighthouse, with plenty of space to walk to the end and experience the waves crashing up against the pier. Plus, you get to see huge ships come in and out of the Grand River.
Heading north to Mears, you’ll find the 107-foot brick Little Sable Point Lighthouse built in 1874, which means it’s celebrating 150 years on the shore. It’s within Silver Lake State Park, perfect for a day of hiking and history. Climb to the top for panoramic lake views. Up in Ludington you can visit its sister after a two-mile walk through dunes: The Big Sable Point Lighthouse from 1867, featuring distinctive black-and-white bands.
Between the two, you’ll find the North Breakwater Lighthouse , celebrating its centennial birthday this year. Its unique square, pyramidal design sits at the end of a pier popular at sunset. Head inside daily for tours—just 53 steps to the top! Finally, you’ll want to visit the Manistee North Pier Lighthouse to experience this striking white, iron-clad 1873 lighthouse at the mouth of the Manistee River.
ODDITIES
Tucked away in Muskegon State Park, the Block House is a historical wooden structure offering panoramic views of the surrounding forest and Lake Michigan. Built as a replica of a frontier fort, it’s a fascinating little spot to explore and learn about the area’s history while enjoying a scenic overlook. Not too far north in Shelby is Cherry Point Farm and Market, which boasts the stunning Lavender Labyrinth . Wander through the fragrant lavender fields arranged in a beautiful labyrinth pattern. It’s a peaceful retreat where you can also enjoy fresh produce and baked goods from the farm market, and it typically peaks in full bloom during mid to late July!
In Manistee are (at least) two oddities, including Old Facefull, a beloved artesian well that gushes out pure, cold water straight from the earth with impressive force. Then, experience the mind-bending phenomenon of Gravity Hill , where cars appear to roll uphill. This optical illusion, created by the surrounding landscape, is a fun and puzzling experience that will leave you questioning the laws of physics. Whether you’re on the way to Cedar Point or just up for an adventure, a trip all the way to Onsted is well worth it for the Prehistoric Forest Amusement Park , where life-sized dinosaur statues and a recreated prehistoric environment await. Though the park is now closed, its remnants provide a nostalgic and eerie glimpse into mid-20th-century roadside attractions.
In the Upper Peninsula, Kitch-iti-kipi , known as “The Big Spring,” is Michigan’s largest freshwater spring, located in Palms Book State Park. The crystal-clear waters allow you to see deep into the spring, and a self-operated raft lets visitors glide across the surface, offering a unique perspective on this natural wonder. ■
North Breakwater Lighthouse.
PHOTO BY TODD REED
Lavender Labyrinth. COURTESY PHOTO
STAFF PICKS
ERIC MITTS | Take a trip back in time this summer with a visit to either of the two historic drive-in movie theatres still going strong in West Michigan. Family-owned and operated, The Capri Drive-In Theater (119 W. Chicago) in Coldwater offers the full authentic experience, with a choice of double features on each of its two screens starting at dusk. The Getty Drive-In (920 E. Summit Ave.) in Muskegon, meanwhile, shows four different double-feature pairings each night. With streaming having altered the landscape of cinema, the evening-long experience of the drive-in doesn’t just feel like a fun, retro throwback, it’s a way to reconnect with what’s made movie-going such a magical slice of summertime Americana for nearly a century.
KELSEY SHOEMAKER | If you’re headed north, Lake Mitchell in Cadillac is a great peaceful getaway, with some perfect sunset-watching spots like Mitchell State Park . Be sure to grab ice cream from Thirsty’s to take with you to the park, or grab takeout from The Pines Sports Bar & Bowling Center (definitely recommend the pizza!) or Chico’s Taco House ! Or if you’re craving a beach day, you can’t go wrong with a trip to Grand Haven. (Stopping at the Pronto Pups corndog stand is a must!)
JOHN KISSANE | Not long ago, I traveled with my family to downtown Detroit. Detroit sometimes gets a bad rap, especially from people who’ve never been there (or who haven’t been there in years). But you really need to see it for yourself. One highlight: John K. King Used & Rare Books , packed tight with over a million volumes; traveling through its twists and turns, you can find more or less every book ever written--and maybe some that weren’t. Another is the Detroit Zoo, at which peacocks saunter by, royally. But the crown jewel is the Detroit Institute of Arts Museum . Whether you’re looking for modern masterpieces or treasures passed down from the ancient past, you’ll find them there. The best of it is awe-inspiring.
ZACHARY AVERY | For your next trip to Lake Michigan, how about visiting Muskegon! Enjoy lakeside views from the outdoor bar and restaurant, The Deck , which sits a conveniently short walk away from both the South Pierhead Lighthouse and the USS Silversides Submarine Museum , with a real-life submarine parked right on the water. What?!? Submarines are awesome.
ALLISON KAY BANNISTER | There’s enough to do and see in Traverse City to fill a whole issue, but if there’s one place that stands out as a must, it’s Right Brain Brewery It’s become a tradition as the first place to stop whenever we head north. Go for the 30-plus beers on tap (and more) and stay to play vintage arcade games and pinball machines—or just sit around and enjoy the atmosphere. It definitely has a locals vibe. I’ll take a pint of the Cherry Bomb, Bloodletter, or Nitro Blue Magic, while the mister will order whatever’s hoppiest. If you’re especially adventurous, try the Pig Porter, which definitely earns them the motto “Keep Beer Curious”!
SARAH SUYDAM | When I’m on the east side of the state, I love grabbing food and drinks at Octopus’ Beer Garden in Mt. Clemens. Situated on the Clinton River, it’s a great spot to catch some live music (which happens multiple times a week), enjoy the views, and soak up the “food + drink, peace + love” motto they’ve got going on. It’s a summer staple for us.
A CHANGE OF SCENERY:
Michigan Roads Worth the Drive
If you’re headed anywhere in Michigan this summer, there’s a good chance you’ll end up on one of the state’s iconic roads or byways, especially if you stay along the coastline or any of the many waterways—or go just about anywhere in the UP. The diversity of sights and stops along each route makes traveling close to home feel like a faraway destination. Of course, there are the old standbys, but there are also plenty of lesser-known drives that are worth the trip. Here are some favorites.
The thumb is finally getting some deserved attention, and M-25 , which runs from Bay City to Port Huron, is part of that draw. It’s about a 150-mile stretch, though there’s really an emphasis on the non-driving parts of this drive. Shop, stroll, and dine along the Saginaw River in Bay City, hit the Cheeseburger in Caseville festival if you happen to be in the area around mid-August, or park yourself in Port Austin for the day to take a kayak trip to Turnip Rock. Continue on to Harbor Beach for its scenic parks and trails or to take a guided boat tour and, finally, land in Port Huron where you can see freighters pass under the Blue Water River Bridge, put your toes in the sand at Lakeside Park, and enjoy culture, entertainment, and dining downtown.
If you wanted to do M-25 in reverse, instead, you’d be pointed toward US-23 on Lake Huron, aptly named the Sunrise Coast . It starts in Standish and meanders all the way to Mackinaw City. You’ll definitely want to wake up early for this expedition because daybreak over the lake can be so breathtaking you might wonder why no one has ever used the phrase “ride off into the sunrise.” On the way, there tons of small towns to visit. Look for lighthouses in Oscoda and Harrisville, shipwrecks in Alpena, Ocqueoc Falls in Rogers City, and a side trip in the middle. Which is… River Road Scenic Byway, starting in Oscoda and heading west. The Au Sable River and the Au Sable Valley are the stars of the show on this drive.
There are lots of turnoffs for panoramic views, as well as sightseeing opportunities, including Lumberman’s Monument. There are some interesting activities and exhibits centered around the timber industry there, too. Crossing the Mackinac Bridge is a scenic drive in its own right, but if you venture further into the UP you’ll reach M-123, the Tahquamenon Scenic Byway. In addition to the spectacular Upper and Lower Falls, you can drive along the Lake Superior shoreline; check out Whitefish Point, which is known for birdwatching and the Great Lakes Shipwreck Museum; take a break in the friendly villages of Newberry and Paradise; and maybe even get a chance to peep the Northern Lights.
Back down in the mitten part of the state, there’s M-119, or Tunnel of Trees . It runs from Cross Village to Harbor Springs, and though it’s only 20 miles long, it packs a lot in. Talk to anyone, and they’ll say you have to go to Legs Inn, which features rustic stone architecture and authentic Polish fare. Drop in to Good Hart General Store while on this route, as well as Pond Hill Farm in Harbor Springs— both considered to be top attractions.
If you keep going, you’ll hit Petoskey, which has an excellent historic gaslight district for dining and shopping. And, for sure, you’ll want to wade in the bay to search for the city’s eponymous stones. This is also where you can pick up Scenic Route 31 , which almost entirely hugs Lake Michigan for 65-plus miles. As you travel through Charlevoix, you’ll see Victorian homes and Mushroom houses, and as you emerge from there, it gets more rural and dotted with orchards and wineries. Eventually, you’ll hit Torch Lake, and here you could take an offshoot on M-88 to grab a tall one at Shorts Brewery in Bellaire. Stay on the route, and you’ll pass through Elk Rapids, which is surrounded by water on all sides. Stop here to get in some beach time, antique shopping, or eclectic dining.
From there, the sparkling Grand Traverse Bay comes
| by Allison Kay Bannister
into view, and you’ll probably want to slow down and take it all in. And, spend some time in the Cherry Capital of the World before embarking on the quintessential Michigan scenic drive: M-22 . The cool thing about this winding highway is it has more than one section of interest. There’s the part that travels deep into wine country on the Leelanau Peninsula, with towns like Suttons Bay, Northport, and Leland as favorites, but then it keeps going into Benzie County, which has its own appeals. This includes Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore if you take a slight detour
onto M-109 at Glen Arbor. You’re gonna want to do that! Pick M-22 back up in Empire and head to Frankfort, which has an artsy vibe, more sandy beachfront, and the popular Point Betsie Lighthouse. And, yes, it keeps going. An appropriate place to end your scenic drive, though, is in Arcadia, which lives up to its meaning as a place that offers peace and simplicity. There are a number of roadside turnouts with picturesque overlooks, and there’s even a spot called “Inspiration Point.” Need we say more? ■
Point Betsie Lighthouse. PHOTO COURTESY OF PURE MICHIGAN Blue Water River Bridge, Port Huron. PHOTO BY RYAN GAJEWSKI Ocqueoc Falls. PHOTO
Peninsula.
REVUE'S 2024
ROAD TRIP PLAYLIST
| by Eric Mitts
TFirst Aid Spray – “Blow This Town”
A pop-punk anthem that blasts right out of the gates, this blazing cut from Grand Rapids’ First Aid Spray will take your road trip from zero to 60 in under two minutes. High octane guitars and shared lead vocals scorch by fast, burning like the summer sun, and demanding you crank up the volume as you step on the gas.
Patty PerShayla & the Mayhaps – “I Want It Faster”
Although she doesn’t call West Michigan home anymore, you’ll frequently find Grand Rapids native Patty PerShayla road tripping back through Michigan herself, making something of a homecoming from her new home base in Nashville, where her star has soared. Upping the acceleration even more, this showcase of PerShayla’s vocal and bass playing abilities instantly reminds anyone why she’s a singular talent anywhere.
he right soundtrack can take even the best road trip to the next level. So venture through our handpicked playlist of some of the most exciting artists in West Michigan when you decide to head out of town for something new this summer. A mix of high energy bangers, hot new tracks, and open road grooves, these songs will take you on an auditory excursion, beyond the limits of the conventional and back to the comforts of home.
Jack Droppers & the Best Intentions – “Where You Are”
An irrepressible reminder of the journey exceeding the destination, Grand Rapids Jack Droppers & the Best Intentions accentuate living in the moment, with timeless classic rock vibes, and powerful call and response vocals, chasing dreams to the sky, while staying humbly grounded.
Hannah Rose Graves – “One for the Road”
Blurring the lines between Americana, country, rock, and blues, Hannah Rose Graves has become one of Grand Rapids’ strongest singers and storytellers over the last decade and a half. Her barroom ballads shine surprisingly well in the bright of day, with this one off her latest album, Medicine, sounding like the perfect fresh start to shake off what ails you.
Harry Dean and the Dusty Boys – “Gone By Dawn”
A merger of past, present, and future, Harry Dean and the Dusty Boys’ heart and soul is in country music. But with an alt-rock edge that’s impossible to place between their early ‘90s heroes, and the likes of Noah Kahan, they bring a distinctly Midwest bend to a sound that’s surprisingly endearing and enduring.
The Legal Immigrants – “Wheels Fall Off”
Supporting classic rock icons The Guess Who at Stix in Ludington July 11, and Warner Vineyards in Paw Paw July 14, longtime Grand Rapids band The Legal Immigrants invite you to hit the road and check out either of these unique venues for a night of truly legendary rock ‘n’ roll.
Brie Stoner – “Run”
A world traveler and wandering spirit, Brie Stoner sounds like no one else in the West Michigan music scene. Entirely on her own voyage, her music exists simultaneously as an escape from reality, and a reexamination of it, as she’s not so much running away on this beautiful song, as much as she’s running forward.
Lost
Magic – “Sideways Street”
If losing yourself is what you’re aiming for, the psychedelic meets punk rock sensibilities of Holland’s Lost Magic might be just the right trip for your road trip. Heady and head banging, the group digs into the grooves of the mind and doesn’t let go, forging new pathways all their own.
In The Valley Below
– “Brushfire”
Coming to call Grand Rapids home after breaking through in L.A., the duo of Muskegon native Angela Gail and her husband Memphis musician Jeffrey Jacob Mendel, released this new fiery new single ahead of touring the country this summer -- including a performance as part of the Friday night pre-party for this year’s all-female-led Fair Ground Festival in Hastings July 26.
Future Misters
– “Don’t Go, Don’t Stay”
Encapsulating the explosive tension of indecision, Grand Rapids indie rockers
Future Misters let loose on the propulsive chorus of this song that doesn’t stop or slow down.
Empress Eyes
– “2 Steps In”
That moment of waking up and suddenly not knowing where you are, or how you got here, is at the crux of this brand new single from ethereal Grand Rapids artist Empress Eyes. An excellent change of pace and direction, it’s the perfect midway point to pause and shift gears, before making your way back home again.
Jermiahbgv, Ten Peso Version
– “Higher Way”
Approaching the heartache of distance with two distinct voices, this duo dives into the difficulties of dreams derailing real life, with a jangly mix of guitar and hip-hop. It’s got an undeniably summer vibe made for chilling out by the beach, or wishing you were.
Lady Ace Boogie, Tyrell J.
– “Where My Happiness Resides”
In search of your happy place, longtime Grand Rapids rapper Lady Ace Boogie has got you. Emphasizing that bliss is not a state, but a state of mind, she delivers a powerful message over a bouncy beat with guest Tyrell J. joining in for an uplifting chorus and close.
The War And Treaty – “Leads Me Home”
A lament to getting lost on those old country roads, this touching song from beloved Michigan duo The War And Treaty speaks to the heart and soul, and serves as reminder that home is with the ones you love, not necessarily where you’re from. Don’t miss when they return home to headline the Fair Ground Festival in Hastings July 27.
The Bootstrap Boys – “Tire Tracks”
A classic country chronicle of camping out under the stars, The Bootstrap Boys know a thing or three about the simple pleasures in life. And this quick little number proves that summer may be fleeting here in Michigan, but the memories you make during those short months last a lifetime.
Grace Thiesen – “GHOST TOWN”
Having moved from Nashville to Kalamazoo, queer independent artist Grace Thiesen taps into the traditions of blues and Americana while finding her own path. This incredible new single released this spring speaks to anyone who feels the need to break out, and could help Thiesen do just that as she plays all across the state this summer.
Cody Robert Dewindt – “Anywhere with You”
A melancholic closer to a playlist that twists and turns, Grand Rapids singer-songwriter Cody Robert Dewindt’s rich voice and strong guitar playing bring it all home here. The blue collar beauty of his craft beckons you back, with a heart full of promise for whatever is next to come your way. ■
HITTING THE SWEET SPOT
LOCAL
| by Revue Staff
ICE CREAM GEMS
It’s a simple fact of the universe that I scream, you scream, we all scream for ice cream.
What’s not so set in stone is where you actually go for your preferred frozen treat. While at times this decision is made for us by proximity alone (especially in the case of ice cream trucks), if you have a specific craving, you might need to journey further.
So, let’s take a look at just a few of the ice cream spots in town with unique offerings well worth the trip.
TOO TALL’S SWEET & SAVORY
2963 Coit Ave. NE, Grand Rapids tootalls.com
As the name suggests, Too Tall’s Sweet & Savory has no issue crossing the aisle. In addition to their menu of Hudsonville ice cream, shakes, sundaes and flurries, you’ll find excellent steakburgers, fried chicken, all-beef dogs, and savory sides here everyday. Plus, you can stop in on weekends for the “craft smokehouse” menu, offering smoked meats like brisket and pulled pork, along with all the classic BBQ sides.
FROSTY
BOY GRAND RAPIDS
1757 Plainfield Ave. NE, Grand Rapids frostyboygr.com
While the friendly workers are a big part of Frosty Boy’s charm, another main draw is the massive menu. Here you’ll find soft serve, Flavor Burst, hard serve, sundaes, banana splits, shakes, slushes, freezes, floats, flurries, popsicles and more. This all includes rotating vegan soft serve and flurry options, plus gluten-free cones. On top of all that, if you want a truly unique treat at Frosty Boy, try a chocolate-dipped frozen banana, with your choice of toppings!
THE CONE SHOPPE
1225 Michigan St. NE, Grand Rapids
The Cone Shoppe offers 24 flavors of soft serve every season, ranging from Black Cherry to Maple Nut, Pina Colada and Yellow Cake batter. But there’s also one very special treat on the menu here, perfect for Disney enthusiasts: The Dole Whip. This dairy-free, soft-serve treat is primarily made with fruit puree and coconut cream, making it a refreshing and tangy alternative to traditional ice cream. The dessert is often associated with Disney theme parks, where it gained a cult following due to its unique flavor and creamy texture. While pineapple is the flagship flavor many people know and love, Cone Shoppe rotates flavors throughout the season.
LOVE’S ICE CREAM
435 Ionia Ave. SW, Grand Rapids lovesicecream.com
Located in the Downtown Market, Love’s is serving up handcrafted ice cream from organic, grass-fed dairy year-round, which alone is quite a treat. You can even get a flight of five flavors when you stop in, which is perfect for deciding which
pints you’d like to take home for future enjoyment. But this also includes a wide selection of vegan gelato, with flavors like Lavender Blueberry, Amaretto Cherry and Dark Chocolate. Plus, if you’re looking for a sweet gift to give, check out the dark chocolate bars molded in the shape of Michigan’s peninsulas!
JERSEY JUNCTION
652 Croswell Ave. SE, Grand Rapids jerseyjunction.com
Nestled in the heart of East Grand Rapids, stepping into Jersey Junction feels like a journey back in time. Established in 1963 by Doris “Chris” VanAllsburg—the mother of Polar Express author Chris VanAllsburg— this shop exudes an old-timey charm with its vintage decor and nostalgic ambiance. Beyond ice cream, Jersey Junction offers a wide selection of other candies and treats, making it a paradise for anyone with a sweet tooth.
FURNITURE CITY CREAMERY
958 Cherry St. SE, Grand Rapids furniturecitycreamery.com
Furniture City Creamery stands out with its commitment to scratch-made ice cream, with its own mix recipe developed onsite by their in-house chemical engineer. Each scoop is crafted with care, with some mixes taking up to three days to be ready, ensuring high quality and fresh flavors. This means a frequently rotating menu, plus a wide range of vegan (coconut milkbased) offerings, including sundaes, shakes and ice cream sandwiches. vegan shakes, making it an inclusive destination for those following a vegan lifestyle.
PALAZZOLO’S ARTISAN GELATO & SORBETTO palazzolosdairy.com
For gelato and sorbet lovers, Palazzolo’s is here for you. You’re most likely to find Palazzolo’s products in a local grocery store like Bridge Street Market, but you can also order it straight to your door. Their specialty is gelato, a milk-based frozen
dessert that’s denser and richer than ice cream. Surprise your party guests with pints of all-natural artisan gelato, offering tons of flavors, from Mackinac Island Fudge to White Chocolate Raspberry.
NORM’S ICE CREAM
1453 Washington Ave., Grand Haven
Norm’s goes above and beyond the norm, with not just a huge menu of basically every kind of ice cream to choose from, but notably large portions for very reasonable prices. If you’re looking to make sure the whole family is happy and full, head here and no one will leave disappointed. Plus, each time you visit you’ll find something new, as they offer rotating, themed flights alongside specials like June’s Orange Float with sherbert ice cream and Sprite.
MERCADITO MEXICAN EATS & TREATS
1202 Fulton St., Grand Rapids
From the owners of El Granjero comes Mercadito, serving up not just savory dishes like tacos and flautas, but unique sweet treats as well. They have ice cream, of course, along with Mexican desserts like the Gansito Preparado, which starts with a gansito pastry, then is topped with ice cream, fruit and whipped cream. Or try the Mangonada—fresh mango cubes mixed with mango ice cream and chamoy. ■
Love's Ice Cream, Norm's Ice Cream. COURTESY PHOTOS
STAY COOL
| FROZEN COCKTAILS IN WEST MICHIGAN
| by Josh Veal
When the sun is shining and the air is thick, no beverage will cool you off quite like a frozen drink.
Whether you want to call it an “adult slushy,” a “blended cocktail” or something else, the concept is the same: Even in adulthood (perhaps especially in adulthood), we deserve a summer treat with a little something extra, and local restaurants and bars are delivering.
There are the frozen margaritas and other drinks you can get at just about any Mexican restaurant in town, but plenty other spots have reimagined their own cocktails as slushies as well—plus, wine and cider seem to be perfect for freezing.
So, if you’re hot and thirsty, check out one of these spots around town this summer.
HANCOCK | 1157 Wealthy St. SE, Grand Rapids
If you ask anyone in town where to find great frozen cocktails, Hancock will be the first answer to come to mind for most people. They were early adopters years ago, and it only makes sense considering their large, beautiful lawn area that thrives in summer weather. Try a nice and balanced Just Peachy, with bourbon, peach, ginger ale, lemon-lime and sugar, or go bright and bold with You’re My Boy Blue, made of just Tito’s, blue curacao and lemonade.
THE SCORE | 5301 Northland Dr. NE, Grand Rapids
With a big, sandy, lakeside outdoor patio covered in palm trees, The Score brings a tropical experience to Grand Rapids in the summer. This is complemented perfectly by a variety of frozen cocktails, from a Rum Runner to a Strawberry Daiquiri to variations on a Pina Colada. If you want to try more than one, you can get the frozen flight for four small servings, or go in the opposite direction with the new Fish Bowls, making any frozen cocktail a 46 oz. drink.
THE DECK | 1601 Beach St., Muskegon
Right on the shores of Lake Michigan, The Deck is known as an “adult playground,” which makes it the perfect place to find slushies for the grown-ups. Adding to the fun, all frozen drinks come in 17 oz. color-changing mood cups, or 32 oz. pails for you to take home! With nine different options, there’s a wide variety of frozen fun here, like the classic Whiskey Peach Lemonade, and the innovative Funky Monkey, made with silver rum, dark rum, crème de banana, coffee liqueur, irish cream and coconut.
HUDSONVILLE WINERY | 3768 Chicago Dr., Hudsonville
With a large menu of wine, cider, beer and hard seltzer, Hudsonville Winery/Pike 51 Brewing Co. is known for a lot of things. But perhaps most of all, they’ve become known for their frozen wine slushies, available to drink in the taproom or at home! Choose between rotating flavors like strawberry, raspberry, peach and bramble berry for a refreshing, unique drink—find a flavor you love and get it in a Polar Pouch to-go.
KAYLA RAE CELLARS | 31 Courtland St., Rockford
Kayla Rae Cellars in Rockford keeps a rotating stock of frozen wine and cider drinks, with one of their mainstays being a sangria slushie, providing a rich and highly fruity beverage great for any time of year. Stop by in summer on the weekends and take a cup to go around the Rockford Outdoor Refreshment Area. What’s better than sipping a Pineapple Upside Down Cake slushie while standing on the dam?
PUX CIDER | 311 Fuller Ave. NE, Grand Rapids
For the Jonny Appleseeds out there, check out Pux. Their pleasant patio on Fuller is perfect for sipping a cider slushie, with rotating flavors like blackberry basil and barrel aged blood orange + cherry. While you’re at it, stop by The Cheese Lady next door for the perfect picnic snacks!
ROUND BARN WINERY & ESTATE | 10983 Hills Road, Baroda
Round Barn gets creative with their seasonal slushies, starting with frozen cocktails and making use of wine-based toppers. Choose from a slushie like the DiVine Vodka Lemonade, then top it off with red or white sangria; plum or blueberry wine; or black currant or Mirabelle plum dessert wine. If you like what you taste, get it in the Round Barn Mega Pint, a 22 oz. reusable tumbler that helps you save on refills. ■
OTHER FROZEN BEVS
COCKTAILS
Social Misfits, Grand Rapids
Old Burdick’s Bar & Grill, Kalamazoo
Boozy milkshake
Rotating frozen cocktails
The Friesian Gastro Pub, Grand Rapids
Various adult slushie cocktails
WINE | Rotating wine slushies 707 Winery and Brewery, Caledonia: Glass Creek Winery, Hastings 12 Corners Vineyards, Benton Harbor:
Crane’s Pie Pantry Restaurant & Winery, Fennville
“Great little place! Excellent ice cream with a rotating flavor of the week soft serve. And very good smoked meats on the weekend. Would highly recommend.”
SWEET TREATS
Try our rotating soft serve flavor of the week!
Sundaes, Flurries, Slushies, Shakes, Malts & More
More Than 16 Flavors of Michigan-Made Ice Cream
SAVORY EATS
High-Quality Ingredients
Black Angus All Beef Hot Dogs & Chili Dogs
Freshly Ground Angus Steak Burgers on Toasted Michigan Bread Co. Brioche Bun
Chicken Tenders & More
CRAFT SMOKEHOUSE BBQ
Signature items available Friday-Sunday!
Beef Brisket, Pulled Chicken, Pulled Pork & Sides
Individual Servings, Group or Family-Style Portions
Use code REVUE24 when ordering online or through our app or present this coupon in store for 20% off total food purchase of $20 or more Expires 10/1/2024.
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DISCOVERING THE ARTIST IN YOU
at Ox-Bow School of Art
| by John Kissane
It starts with a tour. James Brandess, smiling under a baseball cap, serves as guide for you and the dozen or so people who’ve enrolled in his landscape class. The Oxbow Lagoon: gorgeous. It’s the old channel from Lake Michigan to the Kalamazoo River, he says, pointing to the pilings where ships used to dock. Then he tells you to find something interesting— something you’d want to paint.
Before the painting can begin, though, there’s a lesson. He shows you the work of another artist, one who, on a similar day, managed to capture subtleties of light and shadow. See how the shadows are muted, not purely black. Look at the way the light filters through the clouds, through the trees.
Next: charcoal. Charcoal isn’t like ink— it’s forgiving. You can move it around on
the canvas, the way you can with paint. You can smear it. There’s a romance to charcoal, an atmosphere, just as there is with paint. You do your best to see what’s in front of you, to freeze some of the beauty around you. James walks around, offering feedback, asking questions. You decide you’ll alter your approach when actually painting the scene. Not by a huge amount. Just a little. The charcoal helped. And now it’s time to paint. You look into the distance, trying to forget what you think you’re supposed to see, and let yourself see what’s actually there. Then, when you’re ready, you begin.
What’s known today in Saugatuck as the Ox-Bow School of Art & Artists’ Residency was founded by Frederick Fursman and Walter Marshall Clute, two artists from
Chicago who, battered by that city’s frantic energies, were eager to find solace. Taking advantage of the area’s natural beauty, they taught classes en plein air - outside, in other words. Over a century later, classes are still taught in the summer, and many still take place en plein air.
Ox-Bow faculty, visiting artists, residents, staff, and students live together in community on their campus, where they share meals, social time and ideation. They actively encourage participants to engage across differences in age, regional location, race, and gender identity, learning what it means to be a community by participating in one.
David Baker does not have a centuryplus worth of tenure at Ox-Bow, but he has taught there more or less every year since
2000. There are two levels of programming, and he teaches both: core classes, which are taken by college students with serious training under their belts, and Art On The Meadow, which is open to anyone: retirees, working adults, even teenagers looking to get in on the fun.
“There is absolutely no level of skill or experience required for the Art on the Meadow workshops,” he said. “We’re open to everyone. If someone hasn’t figured out which end of the paintbrush to hold, that’s OK. We can help.”
Typically, he’ll teach two workshops a year. Watercolor’s popular, but he teaches pretty much any technique: gauche, charcoal drawing, etc. When classes are focused on painting a building, as they sometimes are, he’ll spend some
time talking about the basics of linear perspective. He knows he can’t teach anything and doesn’t try; instead, he focuses on the basics.
“These are often older students who never had two years of art school,” he said. “Sometimes you want to jump right to the color and the candy.”
As he observes the students, what he’s looking for isn’t technical perfection but engagement and absorption. “Some people really bring that personal touch. There’s that lovely quote by Eric Gill, ‘The artist is not a different kind of person, but every person is a different kind of artist.’ If someone’s invested, engaged, that’s a success.
“Time and again, people will step back at the end of the session and say, ‘I can’t believe I just did this.’ They really astound themselves. They never would have envisioned that they could do that. I remember a woman who took home a painting of a banana and her husband immediately went out and bought a frame. People are touched by what they find they’re able to do.”
Also at Ox-Bow, Kim Baas is by trade a teacher; she’s taught everything from pre-K to college-level courses. “Ox-Bow is my favorite thing to do,” she said. “You’re
not in a windowless box. You’re in this beautiful nature.”
She teaches family classes, broadly defined. To Baas, “family can be anything you want. It’s people who are important to you, who you want to spend time with.”
Because she works with people of all ages, she has to incorporate different techniques. “Adults can sit still,” she said. “Boys are in trees.” She means that literally, as she recalls looking up to see young boys in the trees, sketching away.
Some people come in with years of experience, others with none. “That doesn’t matter. What matters is getting them to see. Look: Trees don’t look like lollipops! Really take a look at them.”
It’s a family affair in more ways than one. Baas’s children, now adults, sometimes help out, whether it’s unloading supplies from the Jeep or, in the case of one son, playing guitar. As her family helps out, so do the clusters of families taking the class: they provide feedback to each other, giving encouragement, teasing, expressing wonder.
“I like to really get to know the participants,” she said. “And to help. Not that there’s a right or a wrong way to do this. There isn’t.” As with Brandess and Baker, she sees her role as not about
imposing a vision but helping students achieve their own. And to do that within a quietly beautiful corner of the state.
In this age of AI, she said, we need nature. People crave it. And nature, at time, seems to crave art-making itself, whether by subtly changing the angles of papier-mâché art or dropping an unaskedfor but appreciated leaf on exactly the right spot of a canvas. Which it did, to you. And you find that you can’t even be annoyed.
Session’s over. You leave your painting to dry while sitting down for a surprisingly good lunch. You sit there with family, or friends, or people you hadn’t met until that morning. And it’s like you see them anew. Boy, was this something, you think. You’re really going to have to tell people about this place. ■
OX-BOW SCHOOL OF ART 3435 Rupprect Way, Saugatuck ox-bow.org
BEER CITY WINDS Returns Lifelong Musicians to the Stage
| by John Kissane
In the 2022 film Tár , Cate Blanchett plays a formidable and intimidating conductor. She suffers no fools. She demands of musicians that they sacrifice – even destroy – themselves. “You must service the composer,” she says. “You’ve got to sublimate yourself, your ego, and yes, your identity. You must, in fact, stand in front of the public and God and obliterate yourself.”
“I’ve never met anyone like Lydia Tár,” Shannon Shaker told Revue . Shaker earned a Doctorate of Musical Arts in Wind Conducting and has taught music in Colorado and Michigan. She founded the Woman’s Band Composition Contest to provide support and encouragement for women composers of wind band. She serves as Assistant Professor, Director of Bands at Grand Rapids Community College. She’s had plenty of opportunity to meet musicians, in other words. None of them have demanded self-obliteration.
As if she weren’t busy enough, Shaker co-founded Beer City Winds in 2022 and remains its artistic director (Rick Maycroft, administrative director, was the other founder). Rather than demand her musicians do nothing but submit, she encourages their ideas, allowing them the opportunity to shape the organization. The result is a collaborative group in which individual voices are nurtured rather than suppressed.
“You’ll hear people say, ‘I played under this person,’” Shaker said. “No one plays under me.” (You wouldn’t hear this from Lydia Tár).
Beer City Winds arose from an observation Maycroft made: West Michigan has any number of music educators who, during the school year, don’t have much opportunity to play themselves, but who do have that opportunity in the summer. By partnering, Maycroft and Shaker built an organization that leans into that fact. Rehearsals begin in late May and run through mid-July. There are two concerts annually, one in June, the other in July.
Here’s the audition process: There isn’t one. “A lot of people don’t want to audition,” she said. “They’re not comfortable with it. If I had to audition myself, I wouldn’t do it. This allows us to get past that.”
Applicants must be 18 or older, and should be active, performing musicians with six years of playing experience under their belts. They must have their own instruments, or access to instruments. Finally, it’s crucial that they can commit to the rehearsal schedule. Instrumental balance comes into play—10 tubas is probably too many. While Shaker would like to take as many musicians as possible, selections must at times be made.
Today, there are 70 musicians, which is the upper limit the stage can easily accommodate. Beer City Winds performs at St. Cecilia Music Center, the wellrespected venue for chamber music, folk music, and jazz. The organization sits under the umbrella of St. Cecilia’s music education efforts.
In determining what music to play, Shaker tries to achieve balances—between old and new music, for instance. Several members of the group are composers themselves. But she also seeks balance in terms of difficulty. One to two pieces will be difficult. But a middle school music teacher might appreciate a less difficult piece, especially if it’s one she hasn’t played before; that way, she might find something to take back to her students. Then again, she might appreciate the opportunity to stretch her wings. Ultimately, Shaker’s north star is diversity, whether it be diversity of composition dates, difficulty, or gender or ethnicity of the composer.
She most values the spirit of community and camaraderie the musicians have helped to create. The music they create is serious, and seriously good, but the rehearsals themselves are light-hearted, reflective of a desire to create great music without obliterating anyone in the process. ■
BEER CITY WINDS
St. Cecilia Music Center
July 18, 7:30 p.m.
scmcgr.org
It’s 2024 and arts organizations in West Michigan are thriving, with incredible, jampacked seasons of art, conversations, fun and community involvement. This month, you can visit the theaters for big Broadway shows and intimate plays, listen to symphonies play the classics and modern pieces, and head to local museums for a variety of stunning art. Check it out.
JULYARTSCalendar
| by Revue Staff
AVENUE FOR THE ARTS
avenueforthearts.org
3RD THURSDAYS, July 18
BARN THEATRE
13351 West M-96, Augusta barntheatreschool.org
MYSTIC PIZZA, July 9-21
BOEING BOEING, July 23-Aug. 4
BROADWAY GRAND RAPIDS
122 Lyon St. NW, Grand Rapids broadwaygrandrapids.com
MJ, July 9-14
CIRCLE THEATRE
1703 Robinson Road SE, Grand Rapids circletheatre.org
MONTY PYTHON’S SPAMALOT, July 11-27
FARMERS ALLEY
THEATRE KALAMAZOO
221 Farmers Alley, Kalamazoo farmersalleytheatre.com
SCHOOL OF ROCK, July 17-28
GRAND RAPIDS ART MUSEUM
101 Monroe Center, Grand Rapids artmuseumgr.org
MARIO MOORE: REVOLUTIONARY TIMES, Through Aug. 18
THE OUTWIN: AMERICAN PORTRAITURE TODAY, Through Sept. 8
AMERICAN GLASS NOW, Through Sept. 8
JESS T. DUGAN: LOOK AT ME LIKE YOU LOVE ME, Through Oct.
GRAND RAPIDS SYMPHONY
300 Ottawa Ave. NW, Grand Rapids grsymphony.org
HOW TO TRAIN YOUR DRAGON IN CONCERT, July 24
HOPE REPERTORY THEATRE
141 E 12th St, Holland hope.edu
DETROIT ’67, July 12-Aug. 1
DRAGON PACK SNACK ATTACK, Through July 27
BIG FISH, Through Aug. 3
KALAMAZOO SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA
359 Kalamazoo Mall Ste. 100, Kalamazoo kalamazoosymphony.com
PATRIOTIC POPS, July 3
CRAFT MUSIC: SONGS IN THE SUMMER, July 17
KALAMAZOO INSTITUTE OF ARTS
314 South Park St., Kalamazoo kiarts.org
CLEARLY INDIGENOUS: NATIVE VISIONS REIMAGINED IN GLASS, Through Aug. 25 2024 WEST MICHIGAN AREA SHOW, Through Aug. 18
THE ANNIVERSARY SHOW, T hrough Sept. 1
KENDALL COLLEGE OF ART & DESIGN
17 Fountain St. NW, Grand Rapids kcad.ferris.edu
MASTER OF ARCHITECTURE THESIS EXHIBITION, Through July 20
FORUM: RESEARCH-DRIVEN STUDENT WORK, Through July 20
PAINTINGS BY BOYD QUINN: 1990-2024, Through July 13
LOWELLARTS
223 W. Main St., Lowell lowellartsmi.org
GR FESTIVAL OF THE ARTS, REGIONAL EXHIBITION: AWARDS SHOW, July 6-Aug. 10
MASON STREET WAREHOUSE
400 Culver St., Saugatuck sc4a.org
STANDBY, ME WITH JULIE BENKO, July 20
MUSKEGON MUSEUM OF ART
296 W. Webster Ave., Muskegon muskegonartmuseum.org
QUILTS: THE ARTISTRY OF HOME, Through Sept. 29
JOHN STEUART CURRY: WEATHERING THE STORM, Through Sept. 2
ST. CECILIA MUSIC CENTER
24 Ransom Ave. NE, Grand Rapids scmc-online.org BEER CITY WINDS, July 18
WEST MICHIGAN SYMPHONY
360 W. Western Ave. Ste. 200, Muskegon westmichigansymphony.org
SUMMER JAZZ @ THE BLOCK, July 10 & 24
