JOSH VEAL , Managing Editor | josh@serendipity-media.com
Summer has arrived and Michigan is in its prime. These next few months will fly by as calendars quickly fill up with parties, festivals and trips. We’re here to help with the details, offering our guides on outdoor adventures, fun with the family, and things to do with your friends, if you’re a 30-something who loves to play games and solve puzzles like me.
This issue also features our first-ever Pride spotlight, which is long overdue but comes with the ever-growing acceptance in culture and the fact more people than ever are openly exploring and celebrating their gender and sexuality—as evidenced by the many new Pride festivals around West Michigan!
We take a look at those festivals and what to expect there, as well as the few but proud gay bars in town, and make sure to read our Q&A with local drag queen La Reine Divine, who’s been performing for nearly a decade. Here’s to a future where people feel safe and fulfilled discovering their true selves, whatever that looks like.
We’re very fortunate to have interviews with two incredible queer artists this month as well: Chappell Roan, who’s been on an absolute rocketship to success, and Orville Peck, who’s been navigating his own unique identity and image over the years.
And as we enter summer, don’t forget about the opportunities that only come around this time of year, including certain arts organizations like Barn Theatre and Circle Theatre who consistently put on top-tier productions. Check out our conversations with them to see what’s hitting the stage.
Whether you spend this sunny season relaxing and getting some rest or going out and living life to its fullest, we just hope you support local businesses and people, and do so with love and patience.
'Til next time,
You may not be getting the BEST eNewsletter in West Michigan!
Confirm that you have great decision-making skills by signing up at RevueWM.com/Subscribe.
BE A PART OF THE NEXT ISSUE!
Call (616) 458-8371 or email sales@revuewm.com
ROAD TRIP | Spotlight: Dessert & Cool Summer Treats
Guiding readers beyond their hometown to destinations all over Michigan, from bustling beach towns to hidden gems.
Space Deadline: 6/14/2024
Managing Editor | Josh Veal, josh@serendipity-media.com
Art Director | Courtney Van Hagen
Marketing Director | Loren Eisenlohr
Marketing Coordinator | Kelsey Shoemaker
Distribution | Kelli Belanger
Contributing Writers | Allison Kay Bannister, John Kissane, Eric Mitts, Michaela Stock, Zachary Avery
ADVERTISING / (616) 458-8371
Media Sales Manager | Kelli Belanger, kelli@revuewm.com
Media Sales Consultant | Susan Smalley, susan@serendipity-media.com
535 Cascade West Parkway SE Grand Rapids, MI 49546 (616) 458-6371
www.serendipity-media.com
6/2
THERAPY GECKO
The Pyramid Scheme
68 Commerce Ave. SW, Grand Rapids June 2, 7 p.m. pyramidschemebar.com
Host Lyle Drescher, adorned in a vibrant gecko costume, offers a quirky blend of humor, empathy, and insightful conversation in his role as the Therapy Gecko. The show’s distinctive format, combining realtime interaction with the host’s charismatic and offbeat persona, has garnered a dedicated fanbase. Broadcasting live on platforms like Twitch and YouTube, Drescher engages with callers from around the world, addressing their diverse array of personal issues and life questions with a mix of sincerity and playful absurdity.
6/5
NATE BARGATZE: THE BE FUNNY TOUR
Van Andel Arena
130 W. Fulton St., Grand Rapids June 5 & 14 vanandelarena.com
Hailed as “The Nicest Man in StandUp” by The Atlantic Magazine and a “Rising Star,” by CBS Morning, 2021 Grammy nominated comedian, podcaster, director and producer Nate Bargatze is selling out shows around the world. An Old Hickory, Tennessee native, Bargatze followed in the showbiz footsteps of his father, a former clown turned world class magician. He’s beloved enough that Van Andel added a second date to the tour!
RELAX AT ROSA
Rosa Parks Circle
135 Monroe Center St. NW, Grand Rapids
June 6-27, 12-1:30 p.m.
downtowngr.com
Every Thursday, all summer, Relax at Rosa offers live music, food and fun. The free lunchtime entertainment series features an incredible lineup of local musical talent—such as
Alex Teller and Jordan Hamilton—a variety of food truck offerings and oversized outdoor games for all to enjoy. Relax at Rosa gives workers the opportunity to step away from their desks, get out of the office, and enjoy the benefits of working in a vibrant downtown.
FESTIVAL OF THE ARTS
Grand Rapids
June 7-9
festivalgr.org
Grand Rapids’ biggest celebration of local art, music and food is one of the longest-running festivals in the state. Completely free to the public, it features four performance stages, plus cultural food booths, visual art exhibits and activities, artisan craftsmen, theater, poetry, dance and much more.
6/9
VINTAGE AND HANDMADE MARKETPLACE
Kalamazoo Farmers Market 1204 Bank St., Kalamazoo June 9, 10 a.m.-5 p.m.
This FREE, monthly, single-day outdoor true vintage and handmade market offers 60+ fresh and unique small businesses & entrepreneurs an opportunity to sell their goods. This juried outdoor market event will feature vendors offering true vintage clothing, furniture, housewares, antiques/collectibles, and innovative and independent creators, designers, and dreamers.
PRIDE AND PREJUDICE
Wealthy Theatre
1130 Wealthy St. SE, Grand Rapids
June 9, 2 p.m. grcmc.org
The Grand Rapids Film Society cordially invites you to a screening of Pride & Prejudice. This event is also a costume party inspired by the Regency Period. We’re talking flowy shirts, vests, fitted bodices, regency dresses, bonnets, gloves, etc. The fun starts early, as this event is in collaboration with our friends at
Grand Rapids Asian-Pacific Festival. COURTESY
Books & Mortar (Jane Austen books for sale) and Hyssop Floral (blooms to pin in your hair, plus taper candles and posy bouquets).
GRAND RAPIDS
ASIAN-PACIFIC FESTIVAL
Calder Plaza
June 14-16 grapf.org
The annual Asian-Pacific Festival celebrates as much Asian and Pacific-Islander culture as it possibly can in one weekend. You’ll find traditional attires, martial arts demonstrations, fashion shows, Luau, K-Pop dance contest, Hmong Culture Dance Competition, games, karaoke, and much more, including (of course) all kinds of Asian-Pacific food.
EMO NITE AT ELEVATION
The Intersection
133 Cesar E. Chavez Ave. SW, Grand Rapids
June 15, 9 p.m. sectionlive.com
Since they threw their first party at
an East L.A. dive bar, DJs Morgan Freed and T.J. Petracca built Emo Nite into a phenomenon. Toptier emo artists, old and new, curate playlists and perform, with guest lists boasting members of blink-182, All Time Low, Dashboard Confessional, The Maine, and Good Charlotte. Scene-friendly pop culture mavericks often participate, like past attendees Post Malone, Demi Lovato, Machine Gun Kelly, and Skrillex.
EASTOWN BIZARRE BAZAAR 420 Ethel Ave. SE, Grand Rapids June 15, 9 a.m.-5 p.m. facebook.com/eastowngr
Eastown Bizarre Bazaar features local artists, potters, sculptors, and jewelry designers in the heart of Eastown. This event is hosted by the Eastown Community Association to celebrate art, entertainment, and the unique Eastown culture with over 80 local artists and craftspeople, with bands performing throughout the day!
STEVIE NICKS
Van Andel Arena
130 W. Fulton St., Grand Rapids June 18, 7 p.m. vanandelarena.com
Musician Stevie Nicks joined Fleetwood Mac in 1975, quickly becoming a sensation. Nicks has also enjoyed a successful solo career—despite years of struggling with addiction—with the hit album Bella Donna and popular songs “Edge of Seventeen” and “Stop Dragging My Heart Around,” with Tom Petty. The rock star is the first woman twice inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame.
HOLLAND WATERFRONT CELTIC FESTIVAL & HIGHLAND GAMES Ottawa County Fairgrounds June 21-22 hollandcelticfestival.org
Despite by only being a few years old, this festival is already attracting more than 7,000 people eager to be a part of such a unique experience in West Michigan. Musically, you can expect 16 Irish and Celtic bands to play on two stages over two days, along with Scottish pipe and drum bands throughout the event, and dance demonstrations. One huge draw here are the Highland Games, featuring more than 70 men and women competing in events like caber-tossing and hammerthrowing. Plus: Food, clothing, and plenty of tasty beer, as the event is sponsored by Guinness.
SUMMER SOLSTICE CELEBRATION
Speciation Cellars
933 Sigsbee St. SE, Grand Rapids June 21, 7-10 p.m. facebook.com/speciationartisanales
Join Speciation for a Solstice weekend full of music, art, nature and beer, in partnership with Blandford Nature Center. Come enjoy two outdoor concerts, a nature artist market, and even a special beer! Friday night, welcome the amazing Earth Radio to celebrate Solstice with sounds of the human experience. Earth Radio is a Grand Rapids Future-Soul band… you’ll hear elements of funk, rock, soul, and progressive jazz. This FREE show will be outside on the patio, with smoked meats from Louise Earl and more grub from Oso Provisions.
THE FLAMING LIPS
GLC Live at 20 Monroe 11 Ottawa Ave. NW, Grand Rapids June 29, 7 p.m. livenation.com
The Flaming Lips are icons of alternative rock, celebrated for their psychedelic sound and theatrical performances. Fronted by charismatic weirdo Wayne Coyne, the band’s music blends experimental rock and neopsychedelia, showcasing lush, orchestral arrangements and introspective lyrics. Come enjoy the entirety of “Yoshimi Battles the Pink Robots” (2002) on this tour, and experience an extravagant live show featuring confetti, giant hamster balls, and immersive visuals.
Kalamazoo State Theatre
404 S. Burdick St., Kalamazoo June 29, 7 p.m. kazoostate.com
Ben Folds is widely regarded as one of the major music influencers of our generation, creating an enormous body of genre-bending music that
includes pop albums with Ben Folds Five, multiple solo albums, and numerous collaborative records. He tours as a pop artist, while also performing with some of the world’s greatest symphony orchestras. Bring your paper airplanes with song requests on them and prepare to let them fly for the first time in seven years!
Infused pre-rolls are gaining immense popularity among cannabis enthusiasts for their enhanced potency, flavor profiles, and overall experience.
Unlike standard pre-rolls, infused varieties incorporate additional cannabis extracts or concentrates to elevate the effects and sensory enjoyment. You can find them at just about any dispensary or grow operation in town, and they make for great gifts because they’re so unique!
Here’s an in-depth look at the different types of infused cannabis pre-rolls available today.
KIEF-INFUSED
What is Kief? Kief consists of the resinous trichomes that fall off cannabis flowers during handling. These trichomes contain high concentrations of cannabinoids and terpenes, making kief a potent additive.
Infusion Process: The ground cannabis flower is rolled with a generous sprinkling of kief. Sometimes, the exterior of the pre-roll is also coated with kief for an extra kick.
Benefits:
» Increased Potency: Kief significantly boosts the THC content.
» Enhanced Flavor: The rich concentration of terpenes in kief intensifies the flavor and aroma.
WAX-INFUSED
What is Wax? Wax is a cannabis concentrate known for its sticky, wax-like texture and high THC levels, often ranging from 70% to 90%.
Infusion Process: Wax is either mixed with the flower inside the pre-roll or applied as a thin layer on the paper before rolling.
Benefits:
» High Potency: Wax-infused pre-rolls deliver a powerful, fast-acting high.
» Smooth Smoking Experience: The wax can create a smoother burn, reducing harshness.
What is Hash? Hash is a concentrated form of cannabis made by compressing trichomes, and it comes in various forms, such as bubble hash or dry sift hash.
Infusion Process: Hash is mixed with the ground cannabis flower before rolling. Some pre-rolls may have hash infused into the paper as well.
Benefits:
» Rich, Robust Flavor: Hash adds a deep, earthy flavor.
» Enhanced Effects: The concentrated cannabinoids provide a stronger high.
What is Live Resin? Live resin is a type of cannabis concentrate typically made from fresh, flash-frozen cannabis plants, preserving the full spectrum. This includes a variety of consistencies though, including “diamonds,” which are essentially flavorless crystals with very little terpenes but a whole lot of cannabinoids.
Infusion Process: Live resin is mixed with the flower inside the pre-roll or used to coat the exterior.
Benefits:
» Full Spectrum Experience: The preservation of terpenes and cannabinoids offers a rich, flavorful, and aromatic experience.
» Enhanced Terpene Profile: Users often experience more pronounced flavors and effects due to the high terpene content.
What is a Tarantula? Generally, a cannabis tarantula joint is defined as a mix of weed, concentrate, and bud oil, all wrapped up in a rolling paper and kief.
Infusion Process: Just throw it all in there. Why not?
Benefits:
» Balanced Effects: This powerful combination delivers both potent effects and a rich terpene profile.
» Incredible Potency: As you might expect, this is one way for people with a high tolerance to get just as high as a newbie hitting a bowl for the first time. ■
1. You’ll be making a great choice.
2. You’ll get to enjoy all the convenience of having every issue delivered to your doorstep!
» Revue Magazine shipped to your home every month.
» An exclusive gift of a Revue t-shirt created to turn heads while you turn pages.
» A Revue sticker to let everyone know you are in the know.
» A letter from our managing editor welcoming you to a great year of West Michigan content.
If you haven’t yet sat down and listened to Kayleigh Amstutz–better known as Chappell Roan–you’ve certainly seen her across social media and news outlets. From Vogue to Billboard Hot 100, the 26-year-old musician has taken over the digital landscape with her drag-inspired style and queerpop anthems.
Her latest album, The Rise and Fall of a Midwest Princess , parades themes of pride, empowerment and inclusivity that have reached corners of the gay community even Amstutz didn’t know existed. This ascent to fame has crowned Amtstutz in more than just extravagant wigs–sometimes filled with butterflies and cigarettes, as seen on her Tiny Desk Concert by NPR Music. It’s given her a political voice. Amstutz’s responsibility to represent LGTBQ+ voices has been stacked high across major news headlines since her album’s release. But when Revue caught up with her this spring, we asked Amstutz what story she wanted the media to tell about her.
“I wish reporters or journalists would ask, ‘How are you giving back to your community?’ I’m very curious to see what that looks like for artists.”
Amstutz gives revenue from her performances, including money from ticket sales, to various queer organizations such as The GLO Center, For The Gworls and The Trevor Project.
“I don’t advertise that as much anymore, but it’s still daily. It’s still part of every ticket I sell,” Amstutz said.
She also hires local drag queens to open up her shows on tour.
“That’s my whole mission statement. It’s sick to sell merch and whatever, and to sell out shows, but I really just want to hire local drag queens,” Amstutz said. “I’m not even trying to peacock right now. I genuinely just want to throw parties for gay people in small towns that don’t get it.”
Speaking of her fans, Amstutz financially supports them, too.
“I have a scholarship program where I can offer people tickets who can’t afford them,” Amstutz said. “I just really uplift the queer community.”
But in order to build a safe queer space for her fans, Amstutz first had to find one for herself, which meant looking
far beyond her Midwest upbringing in Willard, Missouri. Amstutz moved to Los Angeles in 2018, where she began to explore her sexuality and musicality.
“I was privileged enough to move to a community of gay people where they really helped raise me up,” Amstutz said. “I never was ashamed to be queer in Los Angeles. I think it just took growing up, moving out, meeting other people, and seeing different lives.”
This change of scenery also encouraged Amstutz to write the music that has come to define her career.
“I think [my song] ‘Pink Pony Club’ definitely got me there,” Amstutz said.
“To release it, and stand behind it, and vouch for it was really difficult because I was scared, and I felt like an imposter. It was only until recently I didn’t feel like an imposter.”
Though Amstutz wrote “Pink Pony Club” on Valentine’s Day six years ago, she didn’t release it until April 2020.
“It was scary because it was complete. It’s what I wanted to write, but I didn’t know what it entailed, and I guess all of right now is kind of the repercussion of the song,” said Amstutz.
“I really had to push myself out of my comfort zone.”
Now with even more success under her wing, Amstutz has proven to herself that she can trust her gut when it comes to her songs and image.
“I still feel like an imposter in a lot of ways, but not in my creative direction. I think it just took a lot of failing and feeling, ‘Oh, that doesn’t feel right, that’s right, that feels great. I don’t want to wear that, I want to wear this. I want to do my makeup like that, I don’t want to be put in this box,’ etcetera.”
However, Amstutz’s bedazzled leotards and sex-positive lyrics haven’t come without criticism–especially from those with more conservative viewpoints.
“The thing I don’t really appreciate is people being like, ‘My god she’s so inappropriate,’” Amstutz said. “I just feel like people think I’m more inappropriate than I am simply because I’m talking about girls.”
Her music reaches people who may not be familiar or comfortable with the topic of queerness, but that doesn’t bother her.
“I just don’t really think about what the people in the society I grew up with think about it. A lot of people don’t even know a gay or transgender person, so I’m just like whatever, you just don’t know what it is and you’re just freaked out by it,” Amstutz said.
“It’s pop music. It’s not that serious.”
In fact, these critiques keep Amstutz going. With fans that span both coasts and beyond, Amstutz has learned that there
are pockets of pride hidden in even the most unassuming towns across America.
“There are queer communities everywhere, like everywhere, in the smallest of towns. Touring throughout the U.S., it’s like, ‘Oh my god, there are queens in every single tiny city we go to,’” Amstutz said. “I think that was really inspiring. There are queer kids, they just may be hiding, you know?”
Amstutz’s mission is to give those kids a place where self-expression is not only allowed, but encouraged. She
even asks fans to attend her concerts in costumes that correspond to a unique, show-specific theme.
“I have people dress up because everyone else is going to dress up there, and they’re not going to get made fun of. It gives them an opportunity to do that if they want.”
As Amstutz’s career continues to gain attention from major media outlets, so does her mission to protect and uplift queer people around the world. Whether it’s donating her time and money, or hiring local drag artists to join her performances, Amstutz is giving everyone the
Ialways knew my whole life I wanted to be a performer,” said Daniel Pitout, professionally known as Orville Peck. “I don’t think anybody in my family, or my life, ever imagined me doing anything else.”
Unsurprisingly, Pitout began to pursue these artistic aspirations at a young age. When he wasn’t in ballet class or working as a voiceover artist, Pitout was teaching himself how to play the piano and guitar.
“I had a little Casio keyboard that I think I probably got for a birthday or something when I was a little, and I had my father’s acoustic guitar always around the house,” Pitout said. “I used to play on the guitar and write little songs, and play on the keyboard and write little songs.”
Now a country music phenomenon, Pitout’s “little songs” have grown into chart-topping statements. Under the anonym Orville Peck, Pitout took over the number one spot on Billboard’s Emerging Artists chart for a week straight in 2022. His EP Show Pony and record Bronco also snagged top ten remarks on Billboard’s Folk/Americana Albums charts, leaving Pitout with more than 85 million Spotify streams on his top five tracks alone.
With his recently released third record, Stampede: Vol. 1, Pitout is bringing other artists into his world. All seven tracks on the new album feature Pitout’s colleagues–from Willie Nelson and Elton John, to Noah Cyrus and Nathaniel Rateliff.
“I never thought that I would have the chance to kind of explore all these different sides of myself with these other artists,” Pitout said. “It was really an adventure for me.”
Pitout’s intention wasn’t just to trade verses with his collaborators–he wanted to properly co-write with them.
“That was really the goal that I set out with on this album. I didn’t want it to feel like just one of my regular albums that had a bunch of features on it,” Pitout said.
“I wanted it to feel like each song was a true fifty-fifty collaboration between me and whoever the other artist was, and that means their writing style, their genre, whatever it might be.”
This challenge led Pitout to write in genres he hadn’t experimented with before, such as his Spanish language collaboration with Italian-Mexican pop artist Bu Cuaron.
“I just wouldn’t have had the confidence even a few years ago to kind of step outside my comfort zone in terms of genre. It’s made me really grow as an artist,” Pitout said.
“I think I’ll probably, after this, stick to country music and do my thing, but I’m so happy I got to have this little adventure with all these different artists.”
Despite being a traditional-style country musician, Pitout’s take on the genre is anything but. His signature, queer-centered narrative is still threaded throughout Stampede: Vol. 1 –especially on his track titled “Cowboys are Secretly Fond of Each Other,” which features Willie Nelson.
In fact, Pitout’s perspective has budded into a career that challenges fans to reexamine their stereotypes around the genre as a whole.
“I know that firsthand it can be a pretty stigmatized landscape. It’s sort of interesting to see people just catching up to it now, but I’m so happy that it’s happening because we can always use more diversity in country music.”
With country releases also coming from Beyoncé, Post Malone, and even Lana Del Rey, it’s safe to say that the genre is having a mainstream moment. Pitout hopes that country music’s brightened spotlight will start to shine on more diverse perspectives that, like his, have always been there.
“It’s sort of interesting to see for those of us who have been in the genre or fans of the genre for a long time, and especially those of us who have known about the untold story of the diversity within country music that has always existed,” Pitout said.
“On one hand, I’m so happy that there is a light being shed for people, that country is this diverse genre…and then on the other hand, it’s funny to see, because I’ve always known about that side of country and always championed it and admired it.”
Finally back on the road with his own work, Pitout has a long six months of touring ahead–including a stop in Grand Rapids on June 5th at the Frederik Meijer Gardens. His current Stampede Tour is a partial reschedule of last year’s dates, which Pitout had to postpone for his mental and physical health.
Pitout hadn’t ever canceled a show before, except during
chance to become a Midwest Princess.
“That’s what it’s about for me,” Amstutz said. “To just throw kids parties who couldn’t come out in high school.” ■
CHAPPELL ROAN
Kalamazoo State Theatre
June 1, 7 p.m.
kazoostate.com
the pandemic. However, this decision proved to be the best choice for his career–both then and now.
“I started doing a lot of meditation, a lot of work journaling, lots of therapy. I got into my best physical health I’ve ever been in in my life,” Pitout said. “It was the absolute best decision I’ve ever made for myself, because I feel happier and healthier than I’ve ever felt in my life.”
From playing his father’s guitar as a child, to now co-writing an album with living legends, Pitout’s career continues to champion the diverse voices he’s seen in country music all along–including his own. With a new tour, new record deal and newly released album, his dedication to songwriting is carving an unprecedented path for queer artists in an otherwise stigmatized landscape.
“I think it’s a win for all of us country musicians who are maybe a little different than just the status quo,” Pitout said. “It’s a win for country music in general.” ■
ORVILLE PECK Frederik Meijer Gardens & Sculpture ParkJune 5
meijergardens.org
Kalamazoo cellist and vocalist Jordan Hamilton has truly come to transcend both the worlds of classical and hip-hop music.
Classically trained – with a Master’s Degree from Western Michigan University – he’s performed regularly with the Southwest Michigan Symphony Orchestra for nearly a decade.
He’s also been a member of the longtime Kalamazoo R&B/hip-hop/soul ensemble Last Gasp Collective, and an acclaimed solo artist for nearly just as long.
His 2019 EP, My Thoughts Are , won Album of the Year at the annual WYCE Jammie Awards in 2020, held less than a month before the start of the pandemic.
Both an artist and educator, Hamilton saw his livelihood severely limited during lockdown, but he took advantage of the situation as best he could.
“I was lucky enough to be able to depend on some of the unemployment stimulus, which was huge for me,” Hamilton said about how the pandemic impacted him as an artist. “It was one of the few times I got to just sit, and play, and practice, and just be outside, and have time to get all of my thoughts out.”
Going through voice memos he had for song ideas, and refining his recording process, Hamilton said he began what became a series of releases, starting with his 2022 EP Believe In , and ultimately culminating in his brand new album, Project Freedom (out May 31).
Known for his phenomenal live looping in concert, and innovative approach to playing the cello, Hamilton said he wanted to explore what he did as a
storyteller, and with his voice, working in a way similar to legendary icon Bobby McFerrin, while also not having his voice be the forefront on everything.
“I grew up on instrumental music,” said Hamilton, who started playing cello at eight years old. “In instrumental music, the intentions are never 100 percent clear. But they are still meaningful. So I find a lot of power in something having meaning, but the meaning is not a tower of truth for everyone. Everyone can inject their own meaning into it.”
Processing the different meanings of the word freedom, following the postCOVID backlash and Black Lives Matter protests, Hamilton said that as an album Project Freedom explores the very concept of freedom, from what it means in music, to what it means to have the freedom to live and love yourself.
“What is this concept of freedom that we’re fighting for,” Hamilton said. “(That’s) what I was exploring in those lyrics, and I explored the concepts of freedom of the cello, too.”
The thesis statement for his over nine years in Kalamazoo, Project Freedom will also be Hamilton’s first release with the Mello Music Group, an indie rap label out of Arizona, that Hamilton connected with via his friend and collaborator, music producer Andy Catlin, aka The Lasso.
Working with Mello Music marked a full circle moment for Hamilton too, as he has long taken inspiration from the rapper Oddisee, who has recorded with the label for years, and who Hamilton met outside of a show when he was just starting out as a songwriter.
“I’m a working class musician,” Hamilton said. “I’m not trying to be like Drake, Kendrick Lamar or these industry artists… at the end of the day, I’m filing my own taxes. There’s no illusion about it. So I was very inspired by (Oddisee’s) lyricism because it was relatable. He’s from an area in Maryland that I’m from. He produced his own music, he wrote his lyrics. He had drum rhythms and cadences that were familiar to me because they were familiar to the D.C. area.”
While also tremendously inspired by his frequent collaborator and Michigan folk legend Seth Bernard – who Hamilton has performed with as a duo, and who he credits with helping him develop as a songwriter – he said he looks at his new collaboration with Mello Music as an opportunity to broaden his musical freedom into touring well beyond Michigan.
And it seems to be working already with his song “Roses” landing on “The New York Times” “6 Songs You Should Hear Now” playlist alongside the likes of Chappell Roan and Tyla earlier this year. He performed in Asheville, North Carolina last month, and said he’d like to tour closer to his family back in Maryland, as well as overseas.
“So much of the core memories of me as a young adult, or like birthplace of me as a young adult have been in Kalamazoo,” Hamilton said. “I feel guilty about being away from my family for so long, but I have to admit that Kalamazoo has given me a lot of support and growth and experiences.”
Hamilton has given back to Kalamazoo as well, with Orchestra Jammbo’Laya, a community project centered on correcting the underrepresentation of African Americans in classical and instrumental music as composers, players, and audiences.
“I’m trying to figure out how to get the cello to be outside of just the classical repertoire,” Hamilton said. “And also there’s a big dialogue in classical music of how are we going to find our next audience?”
Engaging with young Black students who don’t listen to classical or jazz, and introducing them to works by black composers, the project addresses the paradox of symphonies playing songs by artists like The Beatles, while not looking at the work of Quincy Jones or James Brown as having the same impact.
“In our industrialization era that America had, we were just like factories,” Hamilton said about how classical music was taught in America in the 20th Century. “We need more people to be able to play exactly like this every single time. So let’s create these systems to teach all these people. They don’t need to know why they’re doing this, but they just have to do it. Industrialization, we did that with our school system. But that creates just mimics of what that person explored. It doesn’t create the new solutions for tomorrow. And I think our medium has hit a place where we need new solutions for tomorrow.”
This summer, Jordan Hamilton will perform with the Traverse City Dance Project, where he will play songs from Project Freedom as accompaniment to choreographed modern dancers performing on stages outdoors. For dates and more info, visit tcdanceproject.org. For more on Hamilton, or to hear songs off Project Freedom, check out jordanhamiltonmusic.com. ■
Right at the start of his first onehour special for Netflix, Dusty Slay admits that being a comedian is the best job he’s ever had. And he’s had many.
Titled Workin’ Man, the standup special finds Slay delivering his signature style and Southern charm, while telling stories about some of the worst jobs he’s ever had, including the better part of a decade when he used to sell pesticide.
“These were not very hard manually, but they were the worst,” Slay told REVUE recounting the absolute worst jobs he’s ever had. “I was a bellhop at a fairly nice hotel in downtown Charleston (South Carolina), and I also attempted to be a timeshare salesman. And those were the worst. I lasted longer as a bellhop, than I did at the timeshare thing, but they were both pretty awful. The timeshare one was the worst, though… I just think the turnover rate there was insane because, there’s people that I know that did it and made a lot of money, and some of them seem like very nice people, but it’s just kind of a sleazy job, and I just couldn’t do it.”
An honest, blue-collar man, Slay grew up in a trailer park in Alabama, surrounded by very poor, but very funny people. After narrowly missing out on joining the army following an arrest at 19 – a surprisingly hilarious story he’s retold onstage – Slay drank his way through most of his 20s, and is grateful to have a treasure trove of comedic gold from his childhood in the form of boxes of VHS home videos taken by his dad.
“Home videos are kind of like time travel for ruined childhood memories,” Slay said. “You know, I feel like our memories, sometimes we remember things better than they were. And then you go back and you see that memory on video, and you go, ‘Oh, this is really not that great. Was it? Like it’s Christmas, and our dad’s yelling at us.”
A father of two himself now, Slay said his parents didn’t have any strict expectations about what he would do growing up, and they are pumped about his comedy career now, adding that they’re probably happiest that he stopped drinking in 2012, something he credits as the best decision he ever made, and the most important part of his success as a comedian ever since.
“But that’s also debatable,” he said. “I was probably more fun of a person when I was drunk all the time, so it’s debatable. I think my parents sometimes think, ‘Man, lighten up, have a drink.’”
Talking with comedian friends who knew him before and after he got sober, Slay said it’s almost like he’s two different people. So when he recounts stories in his act from his binge drinking days it’s almost like he’s talking about another guy.
But that doesn’t mean he’s going to stop making jokes about that period of his life anytime soon.
“I’m just gonna milk all my alcoholic stuff and trailer park stuff for as long as I can,” Slay said when asked if parenthood and settling down during the pandemic has changed him as a comedian. “And then once I run out of material, I’ll have
to get into the kids’ stuff. I got a joke or two. But I think that even just having kids has made me do some comparisons with my childhood and remember some things.”
Not a clean comic per se, Slay prides himself on making jokes that aren’t appropriate for kids, but are still alright if they happen to overhear while listening in the car.
“I had this joke I was working on about all these stores that have these dirty names, like Dick’s Sporting Goods,” Slay said. “I’m just making a joke about these businesses. And I’m like, it actually sounds really dirty. What am I doing right now? And my whole point is how, I’m like, ‘Don’t name your store Dick’s, you know?’ Actually, I’m complaining about it, but it’s a pretty dirty bit. So I’ve stopped doing it right now, and I don’t really know what to do with it. So that’s kind of what I do. If I have a joke that’s on a subject, and the subject is a little dirtier, I just try to find the cleanest way to do it.”
After winning Best Local Comedian and winning the Charleston Standup Comedy Competition two years in a row back in South Carolina in 2012, Slay set out on making comedy his fulltime job. He said it took him another six years before he made any decent money at it, grinding away gig after gig.
“I think that just anywhere outside of New York, LA, Chicago, people act like you can’t do it if you don’t live in those places,” Slay, who now lives in Nashville, said. “I don’t know anybody that’s done it the way
that I’ve done it. I don’t know anybody that stayed in the South and ended up on ‘The Tonight Show.’ I did ‘Jimmy Kimmel’ without any representation. And while living in Nashville, I don’t know anybody that’s done that. And then I got Netflix, and I’ve never lived in New York or LA, I’ve been able to do these things, and it’s a real blessing for sure.”
Now with over half a million followers on TIkTok, and co-hosting the “Nateland” podcast with superstar Southern comedian Nate Bargatze, as well as his own podcast, “We’re Having a Good Time,” with his wife, former comedian Hannah Hogan, Slay continues to kill onstage and online.
“I’ve got a completely new hour,” he said about his act since the release of his special. “So every joke that I’m doing now is completely new. At least it’s not on the special. I’ve got a couple of jokes that are a little older that there’s a possibility I’ve done them before in Grand Rapids, but definitely not on the special. So even if you have heard it at this point, it’s going to be better. You’ve definitely not heard this version of it.” ■
DUSTY SLAY
Dr. Grins, 20 Monroe Ave. #3f, Grand Rapids June 13-15, 8 p.m. (Thursday), 7:15 p.m. and 9:45 p.m. (Friday and Saturday), $20-25 Grinstix.com, dustyslay.com
I’m going to go on a slight tangent here for a sec, because I had this huge a-ha about a week ago while watching a talk show where one of the guests was monologuing about the importance of people getting out of the house. He was referring to young people, but what he said really relates to all of us. Between the convenience of our phones and the isolation mindset we took on during the pandemic, most of us aren’t putting ourselves out there like we used to—and it’s not good for us. Socially, physically, emotionally… all of that.
That’s not really the a-ha part, though. What hit me was how getting out, forming my own recreation group, and actually doing things, I ended up making some incredible, deep friendships. And those people have developed strong relationships with others in the group as well, and it’s been life changing for a lot of us, as well as being really beneficial to our mental health. All of this relates to this month’s outing, so it’s really not much of a tangent at all.
During their opening weekend, several
group members went to TreeRunner Adventure Park . This is a challenge course that involves climbing, ziplining, crossing rope bridges, and more—all in a wooded setting. It has levels of difficulty and ranges from low to the ground to high in the trees. I had been experiencing some pain, and my physical therapist got really stern with me about not participating, so I ended up just following along as a spectator. While it wasn’t what I wanted to do, it did give me a great vantage point for photos and also a perspective that I might not have gained had I been on the course with everyone. They started out with a pretty thorough primer given by the staff, which involved securing body harnesses, learning how to use the clips that needed be connected to the cables at all times, and attaching the zipline trolley. Before they got going, they were allowed several tries on the practice structures. Then, everyone moved to the main platform and decided which course to take. My group went in a couple of different directions, but they all chose an intermediate level.
I was walking along underneath, when our first setback occurred. One of our group got stuck in the middle of a rope bridge and couldn’t get footing to take the next step. Help came quickly, while I silently panicked about what I had gotten them all into. The staff and a couple of our group members were able to get her moving again, but just then, another member realized how powerful her fear of heights was. While I shouted unhelpful platitudes, her peers in front of and behind her quickly stepped in to offer encouragement and practical suggestions, and to cheer her on. Once these obstacles were overcome, everything went really smoothly. (I’ll admit I was really relieved.) From there, they swung, trekked, ascended, and descended. And enjoyed it so much, they got some water and took a quick breather, and went back for another round on another course.
(Whew!)
It should be noted that the majority of our group is mid-forties to mid-sixties in age, so we don’t have nearly the agility (or reckless daring) of the teenagers and
children who were there that day. I think that made it way more of a big deal to not just complete it, but go back a second time. When everyone was finished, there was a tremendous sense of accomplishment in those who participated. But the vibe was also one of intense bonding and trust building. They all worked together to get through the course, and to face fears, and to realize they were stronger than they knew. Even though I didn’t do anything, I still felt so proud. And admiration, too.
A couple things to note: while we did have a few difficulties, there was a very low risk of actually falling. The harnesses and clips protect from that, as long as they’re used and used correctly. There was also plenty of staff on hand, and if things had gotten dire, there was a way to exit the course, with assistance. So, the danger was really low. The big thing is that pretty much everyone said they’d do it again. Boom! If you want to try it, head to treerunnerparks.com/grandrapids to learn more. ■
From Tulip Time to lakeshore access, the city of Holland is a West Michigan gem. Its Dutch history charms every cobblestone corner of Downtown, and it boasts some of the state’s most beautiful landscapes. Not only does Holland provide a robust community for families and tourists, but it’s also home to Hope College, a liberal arts school nationally known for its excellent academics–and unruly squirrel population. Whether you’ve never been to Holland or are a repeat visitor, there’s something here for everyone. Welkom!
HOLLAND FARMERS MARKET | Open seasonally on Wednesdays and Saturdays, the Holland Farmers Market hosts numerous vendors and food trucks at the Holland Civic Center in Downtown. Local businesses and farms sell vegetables, fruits, plants, homegoods, treats, coffee and more at the market. There are even events for kids every Wednesday morning, such as Market Story Time provided by the Herrick District Library. Lastly, the Holland Farmers Market has partnered with a variety of financial assistance programs–including Bridge Cards, Pandemic EBT Cards, Senior FRESH, and offers additional funding by Double Up Food Bucks–to keep fresh food accessible for all.
HOLLAND MUSEUM | The Holland Museum is more than just a two-story gallery on the edge of Downtown–it also maintains a variety of historic sites around the city. This includes the Cappon House, home to Holland’s first mayor, which tells a story of the Cappon family in a meticulously maintained 1900s setting. The Settlers House, located on 9th Street, is another well-preserved historic site which features a working-class home that survived the Great Holland Fire in 1871. On the other side of Downtown is Caboose No. A967, a 1940’s train car that has been transformed into a free outdoor exhibit with bilingual signage in English and Spanish. Lastly, visitors can make an appointment to stop by the Holland Armory, which contains an exhibition on Holland’s National Guard.
TULIP CITY PADDLE TOURS | The only thing better than walking around Holland is paddle boarding through it. Tulip City Paddle Tours offers beginner-friendly stand up paddle board tours from a variety of Holland waterways. Led by an experienced guide, visitors can explore Windmill Island and Pigeon Lake from the water. If paddle boarding makes you uneasy, you can request a kayak in advance instead. Tulip City Paddle Tours even offers a locals club, where folks can bring or rent a board and join other paddlers at different locations around Holland, every Tuesday evening.
SCRAPYARD CLIMBING COLLECTIVE | Scrapyard Climbing Collective is on a mission to transform the Holland community through indoor bouldering and belaying. Motivated by education and accessibility, Scrapyard provides beginner-to-advanced routes for climbers of all levels. They provide gear rentals, host events, and even have a weekly climbing club for women and non-binary people. Their walls range from 16 to 24 feet tall, and they reset a portion of the routes every Monday, giving even the most experienced climber a never-ending challenge.
THE PARK THEATRE | As a champion for Holland’s artistic expression, The Park Theatre has provided a stage for West Michiganders since the 1930s. Originally built in 1886 as a woodworking mill and feed store, The Park Theatre has spent decades transforming itself as a performance art staple in West Michigan. The nonprofit
organization hosts touring and local bands, comedians, and open mic nights every week, giving the city a platform for creatives of all kinds.
WINDMILL ISLAND GARDENS | Windmill Island Gardens is aptly home to the historic De Zwaan windmill, which was brought over from the Netherlands in the 1960s. The five-story windmill can be accessed through guided tours, and it still grinds grain into flour today. In fact, its flour is available for purchase onsite and can be used to make baked goods, beer and more. Several Dutch exhibitions and replicas also call the gardens home, so you can spend time in history and nature during your visit.
TULIP TIME | Tulip Time–the event that has put Holland on the map as a global tourist destination–is a weeklong festival centered around, well, tulips. Vibrant flowers line the streets of Downtown and fill fields at Windmill Island, providing an aweinspiring visual experience. Traditional Dutch dancing, a family-friendly race, carnival rides, walking tours, artisan markets, and more stitch together this festival as a favorite for travelers and West Michiganders alike.
HOPE COLLEGE | Hope College’s campus is not just for students. From walking through the tree-lined sidewalks to shopping at the campus’ bookstore, visitors can enjoy Hope College’s meticulously maintained quarters located right next to Downtown. Hope College also offers a variety of public events, from gallery viewings at the Kruizenga Art Museum to a film series at the Knickerbocker Theatre. Supporters of Hope can even sponsor a Pine Grove Squirrel and receive a plush squirrel in return–just be sure to watch out for the real ones while strolling through campus!
DOWNTOWN SHOPPING DISTRICT | Holland’s Downtown area is built on local businesses. From chic clothing shops like Frances Jaye and Spring Sweet, to historic storefronts like the Peanut Shop, even those who don’t care for shopping will find a store that peaks their interest. There’s also no shortage of restaurants, breweries and cafes to stop at between shops, so be sure to come hungry and stay for the good deals.
DE KLOMP WOODEN SHOE AND DELFTWARE FACTORY | What’s more Dutch than Delft glassware and wooden clogs? At the De Klomp Delft Factory, you can visit artisans as they mold, paint and glaze the only authentic blue-and-white delftware made in the U.S. You can also watch as they carve shoes from poplar wood using authentic Dutch machinery. Visitors are able to purchase these handmade items, along with other Dutch treats, at the factory as well. ■
ummer is in full swing, the kids are home from school, and there are only so many times they can bike around the neighborhood.
Luckily, West Michigan is chock full of fun, engaging, interactive, and even educational things to do with every member of the family. From go-karts to mini-golf, laser tag and climbing walls, there are the family fun centers. Then we have zoos and nature centers, perfect for a beautiful day of weather. Plus, museums with exhibits that will awe the kids and fascinate the parents alike. And, let’s be honest, you don’t have to have kids to enjoy these excellent attractions and experiences!
CRAIG’S CRUISERS
5730 Clyde Park SW, Wyoming / craigscruisers.com
West Michigan weather can switch on a dime, even in the summer, but rain or shine, there’s fun to be had at Craig’s Cruisers. Outside, the 130-foot-tall zipline rushes 650 feet across the go-kart track, bumper boats and mini golf course. Inside in the air conditioning, a spinning rollercoaster excites kids of all ages and electric go-karts zip around the track, while the most agile of your group can test their skills on the ninja warrior course.
PUTTERS CREEK
40 Whitehall Rd, North Muskegon / putterscreek.com
Mini golf, go karts, gellyball, even paddleboards on the Muskegon River—Putters Creek has it all. This is a unique fun center with a connection to nature, and special Glow Golf nights that make use of glowing accessories and LED light-up balls. Due to high demand, they’ve added even more of these nights for 2024! Plus, try out the gellyball, which is like paintball but without any of the paint, and much lower-impact (it’s more like getting hit by a rubberband). That’s our kind of family therapy.
AJ’S FAMILY FUN CENTER
4400 Ball Park Dr., Comstock Park / ajsfamilyfun.com
The waterfalls of AJ’s beckon cars from the West River offramp, and the fun extends far beyond the bumper boats you can see from the highway. The mini golf course crosses bridges above the water features, and a wild putt just might find its way over to the go-kart fences. Batting cages are available for the sporty, while others can find respite from the hot summer days inside the arcade.
AIRWAY FUN CENTER
5626 Portage Rd., Portage / airwayfuncenter.com
There’s so much at Airway, you might not be able to fit it all in one visit! The athletically inclined can tackle the
climbing walls, ropes course, or even the laser tag and laser maze — while those in the mood for something more relaxed can enjoy VR experiences, the extensive arcade, and mini golf. Safely release some sibling animosity with the balladium experience, where participants shoot foam balls from stationary launchers. Those taller than 54 inches can also ride the first four-person gyroscope in the world, adding some theme-park excitement.
12350 James St., Holland / dutchvillage.com
Have you ever seen a Ferris Wheel combined with a Dutch windmill? That attraction and much more can be found at Nelis’ Dutch Village. Beyond several kidfriendly rides, the whole family can feed the animals in the petting zoo, launch water balloons at a pirate ship (from the perspective of a Dutch trading ship, obviously), slide down a giant wooden shoe, or enjoy a myriad of other themed experiences, food and shopping.
4500 Stadium Dr., Kalamazoo / revelandrollwest.com
Fans of Avatar will love the multi-level laser tag arena themed after that 2009 blockbuster at Revel & Roll. Kids bowl free as a part of the nationwide Kids Bowl Free program, giving two games per day with parent registration. Beyond bowling, you can enjoy interactive virtual reality games, ping pong and axe throwing.
12330 James St., Holland / the-lostcity.com
The Lost City houses one of the best laser tag arenas in West Michigan, designed by the leading laser tag consultant in the country (bet you didn’t know that was a career choice!). On the weekends, three-hour all-youcan-play laser tag events add to the attractions, which include a full arcade and desert-themed mini golf.
439 River St., Allegan | alleganevent.com
For familes that love to climb, slide and play, this indoor adventure created by zipline experts has it all: a Sky Trail ropes course with zip rails, a QUICKjump free-fall simulation, a vertical drop slide, clip and climb walls, and even an outdoor zip line spanning the Kalamazoo River, not to mention a large arcade. Plus, check out the brand new Amaze’n Mazes! “Prove your skills by navigating your way through the many pathways of the maze in order to reach the exit. As you enter the maze, you’ll punch your card to record the time you entered, then avoid wrong turns and dead-ends to locate four hidden checkpoints within the maze before you can race to the finish.”
JOHN BALL ZOO
1300 W. Fulton St., Grand Rapids / jbzoo.org
One of Grand Rapids’ largest and oldest attractions is also a great opportunity to learn. The John Ball Zoo is up-close and personal, which is ideal for actually seeing animals. Throughout the park, you may even find some animals outside of their cages with the zookeepers, giving you an opportunity to be closer while learning a thing or two. If you haven’t been to the zoo in a while, they’ve been going through big renovations and expansions over the years and bringing in new animals like a red panda, meerkats, toucans, armadillos and more. Plus, did you know there are special experiences to join in on all season long? Check out the Twilight Tours, which let you see the zoo in a new light and occur most Fridays and Saturdays, right before sunset. Or sign up for one of the Behind the Scenes tours that lets kids see special spots close up, such as the Under the Sea tour, which gives you the chance to touch a sea star and urchin while learning about how the aquarium is kept clean and running.
BLANDFORD NATURE CENTER
1715 Hillburn Ave. NW, Grand Rapids / blandfordnaturecenter.org
Inspired by true nature—getting dirty and learning handson—the Blandford Nature Center is passionate about what they do. With a passion for building community, Blandford focuses on rescuing animals while letting them live in a truly natural setting. It may not have all the animals big zoos have, but it does have lovely “wildlife ambassadors” like owls, vultures, snakes and turtles, all of whom couldn’t survive completely on their own.
7400 Division Dr., Battle Creek / binderparkzoo.org
As one of the most interactive animal experiences around, Binder Park Zoo packs it all in. Located in Battle Creek, this zoo has plenty of activities for people of any age to get involved in. To start, you can head to the Twiga Giraffe Experience, feeding the giraffes a snack and snapping a photo — you might even get a long-necked kiss! Or, head to the Wild Africa walking path for an enriching trip through history and zoology. Binder Park has all kinds of animals you might see on a safari, like lions, gazelles, painted dogs, zebras, kangaroos and so many more.
8313 Pratt Lake Ave. SE, Alto / boulderridgewap.com
Round up family and friends and head to this private animal park for a truly unique experience. Despite having hundreds of species, Boulder Ridge is known for having exhibits you can get closer to, including flamingos, monkeys, lemurs, kangaroos and more. If you’re looking to be a bit more adventurous, hop on a safari ride for the wildebeests, water buffalos, ostriches and other favorites you might remember from the Lion King. If you’re seeking an even more personal experience with animals, you can feed some, like the dromedary camel or giraffe, or stop by the petting zoo inside to see baby goats and others.
GRAND RAPIDS PUBLIC MUSEUM
272 Pearl St. NW, Grand Rapids / grpm.org
Unmissable with its iconic carousel along the west bank of the Grand River, the Public Museum achieves the “something for everyone” ideal of any museum. In its more than 160 years as part of Grand Rapids’ cultural landscape, the museum has claimed various homes, but since 1994 has occupied its current spacious abode, loaded with exhibits exploring history, science and regional culture. Don’t forget that the museum has not just exhibits to explore, but a renovated carousel and a slate of fascinating planetarium shows that range from educational to mindbending.
GRAND RAPIDS CHILDREN’S MUSEUM
11 Sheldon Ave. NE / grcm.org
It’s hard to imagine an institution with a more agreeable mission statement than the Grand Rapids Children’s Museum, which is that play is healthy, play is transformative, play is a right and play benefits families and people of all ages. It’s emphatically pro-play, something we can all get behind. GRCM offers a dizzying variety of ways to scratch that itch and there’s no better place in West Michigan to spend a rainy afternoon with your kids.
FREDERIK MEIJER GARDENS & SCULPTURE PARK
1000 E. Beltline Ave. NE, Grand Rapids / meijergardens.org
Meijer Gardens is a perennial draw, and not just for its open air summer concert series. This is known as one of the best sculpture gardens in the country thanks to the beautiful art and architecture interwoven with nature. From the huge, beautiful marble faces adorning the walls of one room to the understated beauty of its Japanese garden, it dazzles. Kids can burn through their energy in the children’s garden before standing in awe beneath Leonardo Da Vinci’s Horse.
AIR ZOO AEROSPACE & SCIENCE MUSEUM
6151 Portage Road, Portage / airzoo.org
If it’s man-made and it flies, you’ll learn about it at the Air Zoo, which displays rides, simulators and more than 50 historic aircraft, honoring the history of aviation. This worldclass, Smithsonian-affiliated aerospace and science museum is a wonder to behold and a blast to explore, with more than 100 air and space artifacts, full-motion flight simulators, indoor amusement park rides, interactive exhibits, and hands-on classes. It’s a true gem of edutainment, perfect for people of any age who love space, flight, machinery and rides.
KALAMAZOO VALLEY MUSEUM
230 N. Rose St., Kalamazoo / kalamazoomuseum.org
This hands-on, kids-of-all-ages museum focuses heavily on science, history and technology and offers a variety of classes and workshops, a planetarium and a theater for films and live music. Visit now for special exhibits like the nature and biology focused Skin: Living Armor, Evolving Identity. ■
As adults in Beer City, it can be easy to forget that there’s so much more to do with your friends than just bars and restaurants. Especially as the sober and sober-curious seek out other ways to gather and celebrate, it’s key to know about fun options available year-round in town. Casual games, brain-teasing challenges, VIP experiences—we have a wide variety of activities and attractions for a great day with friends. From immersive escape rooms to adrenaline-pumping axe throwing, and even cooking together, here are some fantastic places where you and your friends can have fun, whether you’re drinking or not.
Escape rooms have gained immense popularity in recent years, and West Michigan has a variety of captivating options to choose from. These interactive experiences challenge your problem-solving skills and teamwork while providing an exciting adventure. With multiple themed rooms to choose from, such as solving a murder mystery or escaping a zombie apocalypse, you and your friends will be immersed in a thrilling race against the clock.
A few options: The Great Escape Room, The Ruse, Locked460
The satisfaction of hitting a target, the exhilarating experience of challenging your skills, the friendly competition between peers, and a little bit of physical activity— just a few reasons why axe throwing has exploded in popularity recently, not to mention all the other experiences local spots have begun to offer. For instance, FlannelJax has not just axe throwing, but crosscut sawing and “Thump the Stump” too. Anywhere you go to throw, experienced instructors will guide you, so you don’t need to be a lumberjack to join.
A few options: FlannelJax, WoodSplitters, BattleGR Tactical Games
For a truly unique and entertaining experience, head to the Fowling Warehouse in Grand Rapids. Fowling is a hybrid game that combines elements of—you guessed it—football and bowling. Quite simply, the objective is to knock down the opposing team’s pins by throwing a football, and it’s a whole lot of fun! Not to be confused
with bowlball, which involves running and throwing pins down a field into endzones (just kidding). The Fowling Warehouse provides the perfect setting for this truly unique activity with multiple lanes and a social atmosphere, guaranteeing an evening filled with fun and friendly competition.
And, you know what? There’s nothing wrong with the classic bowling either. Rolling that big bowl down the lane and into a pin (or 10) is a feeling we all crave—it’s simply fun to knock things over! If you disagree, you might want to try duckpin bowling, available at Woodrows in the Amway Grand Plaza, as well as the soon-to-open Crafted Copper in Kalamazoo. It’s a smaller ball that fits in the palm of your hand, with shorter and squatter pins spaced further apart.
A few options: Clique Lanes, Wengers, Northfield Lanes
For a more laid-back yet entertaining night, gather your friends and head somewhere with board games. One of the best spots around for this is House Rules Lounge, which combines craft beer, cocktails, non-alcoholic drinks and board games, creating the perfect atmosphere for a game night extravaganza. Choose from a massive extensive selection of board games or bring your own! Plus, they’re just about set to open up their brand new kitchen. If you’re in the Kalamazoo area, consider One Well Brewing for a very similar experience, plus LFG is full of arcade cabinets and old-school console games like Pokemon Stadium on the N64.
Step into the realm of virtual reality (VR) and embark on extraordinary adventures with your friends. Virtual reality arcades
provide a wide variety of immersive gaming experiences, where you can explore virtual worlds, fight zombies, solve puzzles, or engage in multiplayer battles. Whether you just want to play some classic VR or immerse yourself in one of the newer, more unique free-roaming experiences, West Michigan has it all.
A few options: Amped VR, Nova VR, Zero Latency
Discover the art of culinary excellence at The Local Epicurean in Grand Rapids. Offering a range of engaging and handson cooking classes, this renowned establishment invites food enthusiasts of all skill levels to expand their culinary horizons. Led by expert chefs, these classes provide a unique opportunity to learn essential techniques, explore global flavors, and create delectable dishes using locally sourced ingredients. ■
Wisner Rents Canoes, Happy Mohawk. COURTESY PHOTOS
Ludington State Park. PHOTO BY RUDY
AAA CANOE
18 S. Squires St., Rockford / aaacanoerental.com
| by Revue Staffvery time the warm weather rolls around, we all remember why we decide to keep living in Michigan. The lush green summers are made all the more vibrant by the grey months before it, and it’s time to enjoy the fruits of our patience. Hiking, swimming, tubing, strolling, even just laying down in the grass and looking up at the clouds—that’s what this season is for.
So, we thought we’d help give you a head start and suggest some of our favorite spots to get out and play. Check it out!
AAA Canoe Rentals is one of the only services offering water trips via kayak, canoe and tube down the Rogue River. Since kayaking works up such an appetite, it’s a good thing that their trips end at the Rockford dam, providing access to all the local restaurants downtown Rockford has to offer. The river is mild and easy, making this a good option for groups with a variety of skill levels, or a relaxing tube float.
401 E. Fruitvale Rd., Montague / happymohawk.com
Happy Mohawk Canoe Livery operates on the White River, in Montague. Their 17-foot-long canoes encourage the inclusion of your furry friends, but if your dogs aren’t big on canoeing, they also provide kayaks, tubes and rafts so you can bring human friends instead. The White River is narrow and windy, making it an engaging and ideal kayak adventure.
211 N. Main St., Plainwell / plainwellkayakcompany.com
Offering trips on both the Kalamazoo River and the Allegan Riverfront Park, Plainwell Kayak Company rents out both single and tandem kayaks, and transports you to your preferred location. Whether you choose the smooth-flowing river or the still, relaxing lake, kayakers of all capabilities can enjoy all the water has to offer, and soak up the sun at the same time.
25 W. Water St., Newaygo / Wisnercanoes.com
Wisner Rents Canoes offers several trips, some up to 13 miles, on your choice of watercraft: canoe, kayak, rafts, motorless fishing boats, or tubes! The Muskegon River is wide, easy and mild, the perfect place to spend a few hours drifting down in tubes or rafts. For a little more excitement, check out their full moon kayak trips, which occur monthly during the summer, and include a guided nighttime paddle to an island to enjoy a bonfire, s’mores and snacks. If you want to make a weekend out of it, Wisner rents out pet-friendly lodges close to the river.
MACKAY-JAYCEES PARK
2531 Kalamazoo Ave. SE, Grand Rapids
This 54-acre spot off 28th Street features greenspaces, sports fields and trails both paved and natural circling a small wetland area. It’s a nice spot to chill and walk around a bit without getting lost!
0-1859 Lake Michigan Dr. NW, Grand Rapids
Aman is a great little system of woodland trails tucked away off Lake Michigan Drive. There isn’t much parking, which is part of its appeal, but if you show up and can’t find room for your car, don’t force it! The forest here is full of blooming flowers and dead trees, creating a unique ecosystem.
6001 Ramsdell Rd. NE, Cannonsburg
Pickerel Lake is a lovely nature preserve tucked away in the Rockford area. Because it’s a preserve, nature is pretty much left to its own devices, allowing for a ton of unique sights. Walk around the lake for a beautiful view of the trees reflecting on the water.
PROVIN TRAILS
2900 4 Mile Rd. NE, Grand Rapids
Right down the road from Robinette’s, Provin Trails can get busy, but there’s so much freedom to roam, you really don’t have to worry about being overcrowded. If you head to the center of the park, you’ll encounter a huge hill of sand in the middle of the woods, which is perfect for running down (or sledding in the winter).
HIGHLAND PARK
Grand Ave. NE and Frontage Rd. NE
You can see Highland while driving by on College, just north of the 196 ramp, but your best bet for parking is over on Grand Avenue. This wide-open park has fields for picnicking, trees for hammocking, trails for walking, and a perennial garden in the center of it all. If you’re looking to get away from it all near the Medical Mile, this is the spot.
MULICK PARK
1632 Sylvan Ave. SE, Grand Rapids
This 10-acre park on the southeast side has paved trails, tons of wide open space and one of the city’s oldest trees! It’s a great place for a picnic or a short stroll.
LUDINGTON STATE PARK
pureludington.com
Ludington is one of the most popular camping spots around for a reason. At the state park, you get a nice lot with a picnic bench, fire pit and electric outlet, perfect for tents and RVs. You also get access to miles of hiking trails through the woods, along a lake and out to the beach, plus boats and kayaks for rent on the sizable Hamlin Lake, which is also great for fishing. Not to mention the gorgeous, historic Big Sable Point Lighthouse which requires a pleasant trek. While you’re in the area, don’t miss out on other beautiful sights like the Ludington North Breakwater Light, celebrating 100 years in 2024.
NEWAYGO STATE PARK
bit.ly/newaygostatepark
Each of the 99 Newaygo campsites is large, with room for up to two cars. You get a firepit and picnic table, but no electricity, which may be why the fees are only $17 per night. If you want to rough it a little more, this is the place to be. Plus, there’s a moderately difficult disc golf course wrapping around the campsites! Both sites are near Hardy Dom Pond, which is great for fishing and boating.
CHARLES MEARS STATE PARK
michigan.gov/dnr
If you want to camp RIGHT on the beach, head to Pentwater. These sandy sites are great for tents and RVs alike, and are surrounded by lovely dunes. Come here to soak up the sun and dive into Lake Michigan, for roughly $30 per night. It’s the perfect place to squeeze in a tad more tan before winter arrives.
P.J. HOFFMASTER STATE PARK michigan.org
Hoffmaster admittedly isn’t for everyone. If you want to get lit or stay up late with friends, head somewhere else. If you want a campsite resting in the shade of hundreds of tall trees, and your family likes to go to bed and wake up early, this is your spot. There are plenty of spaces to explore, including hiking trails and three miles of lakeshore. ■
Unlimited walk-in open play or lane reservation for up to 10 people/2 hours.
What’s better than sitting at Global Infusion on a Monday morning sipping a chai? Getting to share that moment with Marcus Thomas Johns, a/k/a La Reine Divine, a local drag queen who’s been performing for nearly a decade.
With drag on the rise all over, from local brunches to festival performances to RuPaul’s Drag Race watch parties, we wanted to talk about what it’s like to be a part in it all.
Here’s a snapshot of our convo!
WHEN DID YOU REALIZE YOU WANTED TO BECOME A DRAG QUEEN?
Before I knew I was gay, I was with a friend flipping through the TV for something to watch, and we landed on RuPaul’s Drag Race. It seemed like so much fun. For the longest time I said I wanted to do it, but didn’t, until one night, about eight or nine years ago, I took part in an open drag night in Kalamazoo. I didn’t know what I was doing, but I got into it and that first show that I did, I loved. But, I set a goal for myself: If in three years of doing this I wasn’t performing at Rumors, then I’d be done. I did several shows around town, then I finally got booked at Rumors—and 30 of my friends showed up!
WHAT GOES INTO PUTTING ON A PERFORMANCE?
It’s all about you. Whatever makes you feel comfortable. For me, I’m not young and spry anymore, but I can still do flips and tricks and jump off tables and stand on bars.
WHAT ARE SOME OF YOUR FAVORITE SONGS TO PERFORM?
I’m a big Whitney Houston fan and in this town the one song that I’m known for is the Thunderpuss mix of “It’s Not Right, but it’s Okay.” I have stepped away from it a bit, though, because I don’t want to overdo it. I’m a big Beyoncé and Tina Turner fan, too.
DRAG HAS GOTTEN MORE POPULAR, BUT ALSO MORE CONTROVERSIAL.
WHAT DO YOU THINK ABOUT THAT?
Drag has always been a thing; we watched Mrs. Doubtfire, Tyler Perry, Martin Lawrence… and that’s drag. I appreciate what’s happening with drag and that it’s becoming kind of a household name. Yes it’s controversial, but it’s because people just don’t understand—especially in our political climate right now, there are a lot of ideas about drag queens that just aren’t true. It’s more of letting the world know. One, drag queens exist. Two, the LGBT community has been here a long time, but now they’re becoming more seen.
For me, initially, drag was like an escape from my anxiety and depression, which really saved me. And then I also realized in doing drag that the strongest people in my life have been the women. My family, the women I met in college, the women I have as friends… there’s no one stronger than a woman. So, yeah, I’m portraying them out of respect and admiration. I don’t think that’s why everyone goes into it, but when I do drag I think about women who have been pillars in my life. The men in my life are strong, but no one has to be stronger than a woman.
WHAT IS THE HARDEST PART OF BEING A DRAG QUEEN?
Sometimes, after a long show of entertaining people, my social battery goes pfft. But people want to talk with me afterward, so my battery could be at zero, but I’m an entertainer, and they deserve for me to talk to them. I feel like I still have to socialize and keep the character on. Even two weeks later someone might see me and want to talk about the show. My social battery may not be at zero anymore, but I’m just not in that
persona. I love it and I love that they remember me and I’ll be very welcoming, but sometimes when I’m out of that mindset, I have to find a way to put myself back in that energy. People love La Reine, but they don’t get to know Marcus. That can be draining. I’m a person, too. So, yes, I’m La Reine, but I’m also Marcus, so remember that.
WHAT IS MOST REWARDING?
For one, finding Beauty Beyond Drag, a company here in town that’s been around for five years. I worked with them for their first show, and all of their shows are for charity. Just to give back to a community that’s given so much to me—even if it’s not necessarily the gay community; just the community in general. Giving back is the most important part. And being able to make someone’s day. There’s nothing I’d rather do drag for than those two things.
WHY IS IT FUN TO ATTEND A SHOW?
As a drag queen who’s been performing for a long time, I still enjoy going to drag shows and the fun part for me is the exaggeration, the beauty, and also being interacted with. It may make you uncomfortable, but the minute you get to interact with a drag queen, you realize they’re just like you. Plus, the crazy costumes that you get to see in drag are not something you’re going to see every day on the street. You see the effort and the time they put into their craft. Going to a drag show is a whole new world. I can tell you, just go and have an open mind.
WHAT DO YOU WISH MORE PEOPLE KNEW ABOUT DRAG?
We’re human. We love the same. We have the same insecurities as everyone else; this is just an opportunity to get away from those. We’re not terrible people. We’re not after your kids. If people can get past the negative connotations of being a drag queen or being a person of the LGBT community, if we can sit down and have a conversation, people would get to know that we’re normal human beings. I just like to put on a wig every now and then!
WHERE CAN WE SEE LA REINE ON STAGE?
I’m usually performing pretty often. After Lowell Pride, on June 1, I’ll be at “Night of 1,000 Lady Gagas” hosted by Bettie’s Pages in Lowell. For other upcoming shows, follow me on Facebook at Marcus Thomas Johns (La Reine Divine) or on Instagram at the_la_reine_divine. ■
Pride is growing across West Michigan as more and more communities want to promote inclusivity and equality, showcase the region’s diversity, and just have a gay time!
Multiple towns in the area have started up their own festivals in just the past year or two, and we’re excited to watch them come out swinging with huge success already. If you’re wondering where to celebrate your pride this summer, here’s a handy guide for you!
Calder Plaza | June 22, 12-10 p.m. | grpride.org
Grand Rapids Pride is one of the largest and most anticipated events in West Michigan. Organized by the Grand Rapids Pride Center, this annual celebration takes over Calder Plaza with a full day of theater, drag performances, dance floors, aerial dancers, and burlesque—not to mention more than 100 vendor booths, a beer garden that includes non-alcoholic drinks, and a family-friendly area with activities for the kids and teens. It’s not only a celebration, but also a fundraiser to support the Pride Center’s year-round programs and services for the LGBTQ+ community. This year, the headliner is nationally recognized hip-hop artist, TV personality, and cultural influencer Big Freedia, featured on Beyonce’s single “Break My Soul.” Plus, you can find events surrounding the festival around the city! For instance, the Pride Bar Crawl starts at Rumors and heads to various watering holes downtown, then ending back at Rumors for a drag show, followed by an afterparty at Flanagan’s. Or, check out NSFW Fest, an official preparty for the festival, held on June 15. If you’re a bit freaky with it and would enjoy an evening of burlesque, drag, pole performers, vendors, contests and more, this is the night for you.
MUSKEGON PRIDE
360 Western Ave., Muskegon | June 1, 10:30 a.m.-7 p.m. | muskpride.org
Muskegon Pride, organized by the Muskegon LGBTQ+ Community Center, is a relatively new addition to the region’s Pride events but has quickly grown in popularity. Held in Hackley Park, Muskegon Pride features a lively parade to kick things off, followed by live entertainment and a variety of food and craft vendors. Entertainment
Organized by Holland Pride, Inc., this charming fest includes a variety of activities for all ages, including music and dancing with DJ GB, a new live stage, an inclusive D&D campaign for all ages, food trucks, a huge LGBTQ+ market full of art, yard games, AND a family area with inflatables, balloon animals, crafts, face painting, and more! Holland Pride emphasizes the importance of inclusivity and acceptance in a city known for its Dutch heritage and conservative roots.
GRAND HAVEN PRIDE
Lynne Sherwood Waterfront Stadium | June 8, 12-9 p.m. | ghpride.org
This is the second year ever for Grand Haven Pride. Last year’s inaugural event saw more than 5,000 festivalgoers come into town, with a maxed-out vendor market and incredible support from the community (despite a few vocal, bigoted naysayers). Come through for great food trucks, event-specific drinks, drag bingo, dance parties, a large vendor market and much more.
Arcadia Creek Festival Place | June 7-8 | outfrontkzoo.org/pride2024 Kalamazoo Pride, hosted by OutFront Kalamazoo, is one of the largest and most vibrant Pride events around, bringing in more than 8,000 people every year. The celebration spans two days and features an array of activities, including a parade, live entertainment, and an extensive vendor market. Come through on June 7 for the Mx/Ms/Mr Pride Pageant, ALL STARS edition! That’s right, all contestants are previous winners and standouts. The event also includes a family-friendly area with activities for children.
Beery Field | 8 Center St., Douglas | June 1, 11:30 a.m.-6 p.m. | communitypridemi.org
Saugatuck, known for its artistic community and LGBTQ+ friendly atmosphere, hosts a delightful Pride celebration that draws visitors from across the region. The day starts with a Care-A-Van parade running through downtown Saugatuck and Douglas. Then, head to Beery Field for a jam-packed day of entertainment. Experience performances from the West Michigan Gay Men’s Chorus, Random Play Band, Michigan Drag Brunch Queens, NIAH Band, and more. You’ll also find delicious food options from smokey pulled pork to charcuterie
boxes, beverages, dozens of vendors from across West Michigan, classic cars, and more. Don’t forget your lawn chairs and picnic blankets!
Brooks Park | 28 N. State Rd., Newaygo | June 29, 3-7 p.m. | newaygopride.com
This young festival packs a big punch, bringing in people from all over the nature-filled area around Newaygo. Held downtown right in Brooks Park, it’s a colorful party full of performances from local musicians, poets, and drag queens like DeeDee Chaunte, plus activities like face paint, hair glitter, tie dying, corn hole and more. You’ll also find a professional photo booth partnering with The Trevor Project to snap your fit, not to mention food and drinks.
216 E. Cesar E. Chavez Ave., Lansing | June 22, 1-10 p.m. | lansingpride.org
It’s a full day of nonstop entertainment in Lansing. Don your rainbow gear and join in for a day filled with love, laughter and celebration, with drag shows and live music throughout the day, including an electrifying performance by Loosey Laduca of RuPaul’s fame. There will also be nearly 200 vendors, food trucks, a beer tent, a children’s area and an enchanting Drag Queen Story Time. ■
When you’re looking for a safe space to hang out with likeminded people, gay bars are the place to be. While West Michigan could certainly use more dedicated LGBTQ+ spaces, the spots we do have are excellent institutions who have persisted for a reason. Also, as judgment begins to fade and previous barriers erode, gay bars have become increasingly frequented by people of all sexualities—as long, of course, as you’re respectful. As the TikTokers say, be mindful of why you were invited to the section.
That said, here’s a quick rundown of the gay bars in the region!
RUMORS NIGHTCLUB
69 S. Division Ave., Grand Rapids | rumorsnightclub.net
An absolute cornerstone of the LGBTQ+ nightlife in Grand Rapids, Rumors Nightclub has been a staple since 1988. Located on South Division, Rumors is known for an energetic atmosphere and diverse crowd, providing one of the only true club experiences in the city. There’s an event going on every night of the week (except for a well-earned day off on Mondays) at this hotspot, including themed nights, big drag shows, huge drink deals, karaoke and dance parties, making it a favorite for locals and visitors. In other words: It’s a must-visit.
33 Sheldon Ave. NE, Grand Rapids | apartmentloungegr.com
The Apartment Lounge, affectionately known as The Apartment, holds the title of the oldest gay bar in Grand Rapids—possibly in Michigan. You’ll find it on Sheldon Avenue across from the Veterans Memorial Park, marked by the fabulous rainbow road out front. This cozy bar offers a squeaky clean, yet laid-back environment perfect for conversation and relaxation. The Apartment is known
for its friendly staff, mature clientele, affordable drinks, a running stream of great music videos, and communitycentric events like trivia nights and karaoke. It’s an ideal spot for those seeking a more intimate and low-key setting to socialize and make new friends.
GENERAL WOOD SHOP
507 Bridge St., Grand Rapids | generalwoodshop.com
General Wood Shop joined the ranks of the ever-growing Bridge Street opened last year and has been lit ever since. This bar is glamorous and glitzorous, yet plenty casual and welcoming, with plenty of colorful cocktails alongside non-alcoholic “mock cocks.” But they’re not just a bar— they have a kitchen serving up tasty fusion food, including a variety of bao, a ramen burger and even sweet cheesecake wonton bites.
THE DUNES RESORT
333 Blue Star Hwy, Douglas | dunesresort.com
In Saugatuck, The Dunes Resort is known as one of the top American LGBTQ+ resorts. One of the largest LGBTQ+ resorts in the Midwest, The Dunes offers a wide variety of amenities including bars, a nightclub, a pool, and weekend events that draw crowds from all over the region. It’s a popular getaway spot that combines relaxation with vibrant nightlife, making it a beloved destination for many in the Grand Rapids area.
CLUB VORTEX
502 S. Burdick St., Kalamazoo
While Kalamazoo sadly doesn’t have a dedicated gay bar, Club Vortex is a pop-up LGBTQ+ club hosted at Blue Dolphin once a week (typically Saturdays). Come here to dance, drink, and enjoy drag queens.
Do you remember the first show you ever saw in a theatre? How old were you, what was it like? Were the actors dressed in costume, wielding props like fencing swords or brass musical instruments? When they sang, did you feel like dancing along?
Nothing is quite like live theatre. In an increasingly digital landscape for entertainment, and despite Grand Rapids’ proclivity to add new attractions and trendy new businesses all around downtown, modern audiences seem to be losing patience for locally supported arts.
“It’s not just us; everybody’s attendance has dropped, even before COVID,” said Lynne Brown Tepper, executive and artistic director of Grand Rapids’ Circle Theatre. “Once you can get people in the door, then they usually come back. It’s just getting them in the door to understand the value of live theatre.”
Community-led performing arts has entered its 72nd season with Circle, and Tepper’s team of directors, stage managers, costumer designers and tech operators are hard at work preparing for this year’s mainstage productions. With only days between closings for Tick, Tick...BOOM! and full run-throughs of their June show,
You Can’t Take It With You , the theater continues to provide a necessary summerstock feeling to Grand Rapids’ drama scene, one that yearly participants cherish deeply.
“With community theatre, it’s one of those rare things where people come together from all different walks of life, different backgrounds and people who would never meet under different circumstances,” Tepper said. “When you’re coming together for a common goal, you see each other differently. You become a family.”
And this family at Circle Theatre continues to grow. During this past March’s weekendlong auditions, Tepper estimated that nearly half of those participants were entirely new to Circle, and even more so in 2023. Considering how Tepper met and remains in touch with some of her best friends through past shows (beginning as long ago as the 1980s), it’s endearing to see so many fresh faces take the leap into what could be a new lifelong hobby.
“We get a lot of people who have always wanted to do this,” Tepper said. “They just now have the confidence to do it, or they have the time to do it. The great thing about community theatre is that we need all different ages and you don’t have to have previous experience coming in.”
Circle Theatre volunteer-performers and eager audience members can anticipate a summer of lighthearted and classic stories that may offer as a sort of escape from what could become a turbulent year.
To begin, You Can’t Take It With You is refreshingly funny, which is surprising when you consider the age of the script (Circle Theatre last performed it in 1963).
Tepper was relieved to hear that the show’s director, Carrie McNulty, elected to keep most of the script’s stage direction and humor intact, seeing no reason to change what doesn’t appear to be broken.
“It’s just this eccentric, fun, lovely family,” Tepper said. “It’s very sweet, and it’s got a little bit of nostalgia with it.”
Next, the musical Spamalot transports us to the world of Monty Python and the Holy Grail , complete with horse-clopping sound effects and quests for lost shrubbery.
Last performed at Circle in 2014, cult-fans of the movie have a lot to look forward to from this comedy hit.
“I’m really excited to have such a goofy musical onstage with that slapstick feeling that Monty Python brings,” said Shannon Heldt, marketing and outreach coordinator at Circle. “I really hope the audiences enjoy
it, too.”
Despite popular selections such as these, attendance and its connection to ticket prices are a regular sticking point for local theatre companies in this post-COVID era. This issue, along with the desire to balance classic plays catered toward Circle’s established, older audiences with newer shows that bring in a younger crowd, has helped spark a new initiative to offer half-off “rush tickets” on the same day as all their mainstage shows.
“We want people here, so we’re constantly trying to find ways to be more accessible,” Tepper said.
That being said, Circle Theatre’s yearly concert series is more successful than ever, filling seats consistently as local and regional musicians come in to play covers of some of our favorite bands and eras in music; iconic rock duos, dance tunes and favorites by Prince. Its affordable $20 ticket is also incredibly alluring to attendees.
Remarkably, attendance for Circle’s concerts feels more reminiscent of their earlier decades, when Tepper worked as box office manager. In the early 1990s, it wasn’t uncommon for patrons to be kept on waitlists prior to performances. Soldout nights were the unilateral norm, not
the exception. Why the recent change? A series of cancellations and postponed performances from last season, either from extreme weather or COVID-related illness, seemed to aggravate some audiencegoers. That shift in attitude, along with an upward trend in last-minute ticket buying, keeps Tepper and her team on their toes.
“We have to reinvent the wheel every year, but it’s exciting to do that,” Tepper said. “I would always choose to look at that as an opportunity. Look at the possibilities, look at what we could do. I’m more willing to take a risk now than I ever was before.” ■
CIRCLE THEATRE
1703 Robinson Rd SE, Grand Rapids circletheatre.org
TICK, TICK…BOOM!, Through June 1 YOU CAN’T TAKE IT WITH YOU June 13-29 MONTY PYTHON’S SPAMALAT, July 11-27
A RAISIN IN THE SUN, Aug. 8-24 URINETOWN, THE MUSICAL!, Sept. 5-21
People trust what they know.” That’s Penelope Ragotzy, owner of Augusta’s Barn Theatre. The theater began in 1946 as The Village Players, a barn-less group of theatrical devotees; performances were staged in a Methodist church. After a few seasons, they moved into the barn they’ve called home since.
Recently, Barn announced its summer 2024 season. People trust what they know; accordingly, the season features classics and known properties. But it features newer and less well-known shows, too. “We try to find a balance in our show, Ragotzy said. “Classic musicals, newer works, and perhaps original works. But we also try to bring new works to our audience to expand their knowledge of theater.”
The season begins The Play That Goes Wrong (June 4th - June 9th). It purports to be a production of (fictional) playwright Susie H.K. Brideswell’s The Murders At Haversham Manor, an Agatha Christie-esque murder mystery. But what it really is is a glorious fiasco, in which everything that can go wrong does, to hugely comedic effect.
Following right on its heels–at Barn, shows always follow right on the heels of other shows–is The Woman In Black (June 11-16). It, too, is old-fashioned mystery/ suspense, this time told straight. Young Arthur Kipps, attending the funeral of a reclusive old widow, sees a woman in black. Assuming she’s ill, he mentions her to another man; that man, clearly
uncomfortable, leads him away and tells him that there was no woman in black. Tragedy and mystery follow.
Fiddler On The Roof plays June 1830. It’s among the most beloved of musicals, crammed with perfect songs: “Matchmaker,” “Sunrise, Sunset,” “Tradition,” “If I Were A Rich Man,” and more. By its granular focus on Jewish lives, it reaches universal heights: family, celebration, loss, and the ways in which we try to honor the past while making room for the new.
Julia Roberts will be sure to flock to Mystic Pizza (July 9-21), a musical based on the 1988 romantic comedy. The show centers on three young PortugueseAmerican waitresses. They work at the titular pizza parlor, waiting in some ways for their adult lives to begin. The musical embraces 1980s music, and includes songs like “Girls Just Want To Have Fun,” “Manic Monday,” and “Take My Breath Away.”
Boeing, Boeing (July 23-August 4): it’s a title that may sound alarming to aviation news devotees, but they can remain calm. The play, a farce by French playwright Marc Camoletti, tells the story of a bachelor whose cleverness might not suffice to the challenge at hand. That challenge: the three stewardesses he’s engaged to, none of whom know about each other, are all in town at the same time. Hijinks ensue.
August 6-18, a musical will be onstage. Which one? No one knows–or, anyway, not
many people know. But they will as of June 10th, when the announcement’s made.
August 20-September 1, Heartbreak Hotel plays. Featuring over forty songs, the show finds the king of rock and roll in crisis. He turns to his younger self, who reminds me why he’s living the life he’s chosen. It grounds the icon in the music of his time and features hit after hit, which provides it cross-generational appeal.
The season ends in fine fashion–in particular, it ends in sweet transvestite, transsexual, Transylvanian fashion. FrankN-Furter is the maestro here, a seductive and imperial queen with a delicious grin and a less-than-concealed sadistic streak. The Rocky Horror Show plays September 6-8 and 13-15, providing audience members plenty of opportunity to do the time warp again.
“I really love this season’s shows,” Ragotzy said. It isn’t easy to put on as packed a season as this. “We have just one dark day between productions. But our performers always come away with better skills all the way around as actors and singers: trusting themselves more, listening better, pacing themselves better, and with better vocal technique.”
And audience members come away with a lot, too. Barn Theatre’s upcoming season promises laughs, suspense, romance, poignancy, and great music: Entertainment, in other words. Entertainment all the way through. ■
BARN THEATRE 13351 M-96, Augusta barntheatreschool.org
THE PLAY THAT GOES WRONG, June 4 – 9
THE WOMAN IN BLACK, June 11 – 16
FIDDLER ON THE ROOF, June 18 – 30
MYSTIC PIZZA, July 9 – 21
BOEING, BOEING, July 23 – Aug. 4
TBA MUSICAL – ANNOUNCING JUNE 10!, Aug. 6 – 18
HEARTBREAK HOTEL, Aug. 20 – Sept. 1
THE ROCKY HORROR SHOW, Sept. 6 – 8, 13 – 15
It’s 2024 and arts organizations in West Michigan are thriving, with incredible, jam-packed 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. | by Revue Staff
AVENUE FOR THE ARTS avenueforthearts.org
3RD THURSDAYS, June 20
BROADWAY GRAND RAPIDS
122 Lyon St. NW, Grand Rapids broadwaygrandrapids.com
WICKED, May 15-June 2
FACE OFF THEATRE
359 S. Kalamazoo Mall, Kalamazoo faceofftheatre.com
AIN’T MISBEHAVIN’, June 14-23
FARMERS ALLEY THEATRE KALAMAZOO
221 Farmers Alley, Kalamazoo farmersalleytheatre.com
THE 25TH ANNUAL PUTNAM COUNTY SPELLING BEE, June 12-23
FOREST HILLS FINE ARTS CENTER
600 Forest Hill Ave. SE, Grand Rapids fhfineartscenter.com
EASELS 9, May 15-June 28
GRAND RAPIDS ART MUSEUM
101 Monroe Center, Grand Rapids artmuseumgr.org
WARRINGTON COLESCOTT: ATTACK ARTIST, Through June 23
MARIO MOORE: REVOLUTIONARY TIMES, Through Aug. 18
THE OUTWIN: AMERICAN PORTRAITURE TODAY, June 1-Sept. 8
JESS T. DUGAN: LOOK AT ME LIKE YOU LOVE ME, June-Oct.
GRAND RAPIDS CIVIC THEATRE
30 N. Division Ave., Grand Rapids grct.org
BEAUTIFUL: THE CAROLE KING MUSICAL, June 7-30
HOPE REPERTORY THEATRE
141 E 12th St, Holland hope.edu
THE LAST FIVE YEARS, June 13-26
DRAGON PACK SNACK ATTACK, June 21-July 27
BIG FISH, June 28-Aug. 3
JEWISH THEATRE GRAND RAPIDS
2727 Michigan NE, Grand Rapids jtgr.org
DOV AND ALI, June 8-9
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, Through Sept. 1
KALAMAZOO SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA
359 Kalamazoo Mall Ste. 100, Kalamazoo kalamazoosymphony.com
STRINGS ATTACHED, June 2
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
LOWELLARTS
223 W. Main St., Lowell lowellartsmi.org
PRINTED, WOVEN, TURNED, Through June 22
MUSKEGON CIVIC THEATRE
425 W. Western Ave., Muskegon muskegoncivictheatre.org
RAGTIME, May 2-5
MUSKEGON MUSEUM OF ART
296 W. Webster Ave., Muskegon muskegonartmuseum.org
QUILTS: THE ARTISTRY OF HOME, June 6
JOHN STEUART CURRY: WEATHERING THE STORM, Through Sept. 2
NEW VIC THEATRE
134 E. Vine St., Kalamazoo thenewvictheatre.org
THE WIT AND HUMOR OF ERMA BOMBECK, June 7-22
SAUGATUCK CENTER FOR THE ARTS
400 Culver St., Saugatuck sc4a.org
NOW-ISH, June 3-Sept. 6
JUMP INTO SUMMER 2024, June 7
BEAUTIFUL: THE CAROLE KING MUSICAL, June 22-July 14
ST. CECILIA MUSIC CENTER
24 Ransom Ave. NE, Grand Rapids scmc-online.org
BEER CITY WINDS, June 20
WEST MICHIGAN SYMPHONY
360 W. Western Ave. Ste. 200, Muskegon westmichigansymphony.org
ALEXIS LOMBRE QUINTET, June 1
SUMMER SOLSTICE SUNSET CRUISE ON AQUASTAR, June 20
SUMMER JAZZ @ THE BLOCK, June 26
