REVUE West Michigan October 2023

WEST MICHIGAN’S ENTERTAINMENT GUIDE FOR 35 YEARS » OCTOBER 2023

FREE!

THE FUTURE of CRAFT BEER

REVUE

TASTE-OFF: PUMPKIN

BREWS and OKTOBERFEST

T H E

BEE R I S SUE

WHAT'S ON TAP: A GUIDE to WEST MICHIGAN BREWERIES

COMEDY SPOTLIGHT with JOE ELDER, RJN COMEDY and KINGPIN OF COMEDY

WHAT'S INSIDE

OCTOBER 2023 | VOLUME 35, ISSUE 10

NEWS

10 Biz Beat

12 What's Going On

CANNABIS

14 Smoking Trees: Foster Glass' Functional Art

MUSIC

16 The DAAC: Two Decades of Artistic Community at a Crossroads

18 The Starlight Room: A Moonshot Made Real

ATTRACTIONS

20 The Rise of Pickleball

DINING

22 Northern Smoke: Barbecue in West Michigan

THE BEER ISSUE

26 What's on Tap?

A Guide to West Michigan Breweries

30 The Future of Craft Beer

34 Revue Taste-Off: Pumpkin Brews & Oktoberfest

COMEDY SPOTLIGHT

37 Joe Elder: Psychedelic Farmboy

38 RJN Comedy: High-larity on the Lakeshore

40 Crowning the Best Jester in West Michigan

ARTS

42 How Environment Affects Art at Ox-Bow

44 Everything Twice: New Exhibits at the GRAM

46 Arts Calendar

I’m going to be 100% honest with you all: I’m in my IPA era.

I never thought it would happen. Over all my years of drinking beer, from Heineken for some reason to wheats to browns to Belgians to sours, and then more sours, for years. But lately, I’ve become, unwittingly, one of those guys who genuinely enjoys IPAs, and isn’t just pretending to (I promise).

Yes, how bitter they are, but also how earthy at times, how floral, how citrusy, how zesty, how juicy even. To be fair, I also crave Aperol and Campari lately. And who knows why—I don’t think of myself as a bitter person, but here we are.

Hopefully my own journey—so bravely admitted to here, in print, forever—helps illustrate the longevity of beer culture in West Michigan, not to mention the fact Revue ’s annual Beer Issue has been going strong for 13 years now.

Unsurprisingly, craft beer has seen some big changes in recent years. In our look at the Future

of Craft Beer, you’ll see local brewers commenting on how acquisitions have impacted breweries both big and small, along with a shift in focus away from distribution and toward the in-person, in-taproom experience. It’s all about the community and the ethos, maybe even more than the liquid itself.

If that interests you, check out our Brewery Guide, listing a few (not all!) of the incredible breweries in the region. And of course, we had to have a blind beer tasting. Find out whether we deem pumpkin beers or Oktoberfests the reigning fall champion.

Along with our usual look at food (barbecue), local trends (pickleball), music venues, cannabis, and the Arts, we also have a spotlight on comedy this month. Read about a competition to find the Kingpin of Comedy, along with two local groups working to bring the funniest people around together for shows (and occasionally, cannabis).

Cheers, and ’til next time,

JOSH VEAL Managing Editor josh@serendipity-media.com

PUBLISHER Serendipity Media, LLC

President, Kasie Smith www.serendipity-media.com

EDITORIAL

Managing Editor, Josh Veal josh@serendipity-media.com

LAYOUT

Art Director, Courtney Van Hagen

MARKETING

Marketing Director, Loren Eisenlohr Marketing Coordinator, Rachel Syrba

DISTRIBUTION

Kelli Belanger

CONTRIBUTING WRITERS

Zachary Avery

Allison Kay Bannister

John Kissane

Eric Mitts

ADVERTISING / (616) 458-8371

Media Sales Manager, Kelli Belanger kelli@revuewm.com

Media Sales Consultant, Maggie Mutch maggie@serendipity-media.com

FIND US ONLINE: revuewm.com

@revuewm

Revue is published monthly by: Serendipity Media LLC

535 Cascade West Parkway SE Grand Rapids, MI 49546 (616) 458-8371

@2023 Serendipity Media LLC

All rights reserved.

BIZ BEAT

OCT '23

A new bridal business joined the Westside in the form of Wed Co. Wedding Wear, at 744 Leonard NW, Grand Rapids. Wed Company was founded in 2023 by Tami Parks, owner of Great Lakes Wedding Gown Specialists and former owner of September’s Bride in Holland. The boutique focuses on curating a collection of inclusive and body-positive wedding wear options. Styles include nontraditional cuts and styles, extended sizing, vintage pieces, gender neutral styles, couture from the UK, and made in the USA gowns.

Farewell to Zoko822 and Sandy Point Beach House’s GR location, as Chicago Beef Joint has moved in at 822 Ottawa Ave. NW. Owner Krupp is bringing classic Windy City flavors to West Michigan with Italian Beef sandwiches, Chicago Dogs, Polish Sausage and more.

Caledonia welcomed a new restaurant specializing in barbecue and bourbon: Butcher Block Social . Head to 9900 Cherry Valley Ave. SE for this collaboration between Wildwood Family Farms and Saladino Smoke. It’s a communal atmosphere, where guests are free to roam about and socialize, while enjoying smoked meats and roughly 200 varieties of bourbon.

OPENED:

Right off the piazza at Studio Park (123 Ionia Ave. SW, Grand Rapids), you’ll find the new eatery Caribbean Bite . What began as a catering operation turned into this restaurant with an authentic and flavorful Caribbean menu, including delicious marinated steak and chicken served with rice and beans, stuffed plantains, tacos, burritos, fresh island green salad, and sides of mango, pineapple and chips. The restaurant also offers “hot and ready” lunch specials accompanied by natural juices.

There’s a new ballet-focused dance program in town called Verity Ballet , offering classes for both new and experienced dancers, ages 6 to adult. From ballet technique classes geared towards training at a professional level to classes that welcome complete beginners, they’re committed to developing important skills that make a lasting impression. Summer classes take place at Cascade Yoga Studio, and “Moonlit Ballroom Classes” at The Old Theater in Lowell.

Celeste Salon & Spa joined the family of businesses at Amway Grand Plaza (187 Monroe Ave. NW, Grand Rapids). From Swedish massage to hair styling, manicures, and bridal hair and makeup, their services provide lavish self-care and the active pursuit of mindfulness for a wonderfully radiant you. “Step into Celeste, where subtle meets soulful.”

Jade Tea recently opened doors in Celebration Village at 2090 Celebration Drive NE. Jade Tea specializes in boba tea drinks with freshly prepared tea, made to order with specialized toppings. The name is inspired by a nickname for matcha: liquid jade, and their boba menu has not just matcha but taro, cherry blossom, lychee and much more. They also have frozen yogurt, slushie and smoothie drinks, plus a wide variety of boba to choose from.

Serendipitously, we also gained another Chicagostyle Italian beef spot with Jack Danger’s opening at 1499 Wealthy St. SE, Grand Rapids, the former site of Eastown Café. With a varied menu of Italian beef, Italian sausage, Vienna beef hot dogs, chili, fries and old school shakes & malts, Jack Danger’s is the real deal, “with an eclectic vibe of ‘80s music videos, Chicago sports and real Chicago street food.”

Rake Beer Project opened their new location in Downtown Muskegon at 500 W. Western. This brewery focuses on “progressive farmhouse ales,” crafting unique brews like a Crawler, a black Kolsch, and Pickle Joose, a golden sour conditioned on cucumber, dill and sea salt.

The former Chinatown restaurant at 69 28th St., Grand Rapids is now RIO Peruvian & Mexican Cuisine . Owner Andy Rosario has been working on the sizable space since May 2022, and the restaurant can seat nearly 280 customers with a full bar and two dining rooms. Head here to try out a number of Ceviches, a large seafood menu, grilled entrees, burritos, tacos and much more, all drawn from Peruvian and Mexican cuisine.

Ever wish there was a place for friends and family alike to hang out and play darts, pool, foosball, cornhole, beer pong and other games— without the dive bar atmosphere? Check out The Hangout Spot , now open at 3901 Chicago Dr. SW, Grandville. It’s just $10 per hour, per person, for full access to everything in the Spot. ■

A round-up of the biggest openings, closings and other changes for local businesses.

Caribbean Bite, Celeste Salon & Spa, The Hangout Spot. COURTESY PHOTOS

WHAT’S GOING ON, OCT '23

10/13

FULTON STREET CEMETERY TOUR

801 Fulton St., Grand Rapids Oct. 13, 5:30 p.m. facebook.com/midtowngr

Get ready for some spooky fun on Friday the 13th—flashlights and ghost detectors encouraged! Fulton Street cemetery was the first official city cemetery. The stories, spooks and rich history are a large part of our Midtown history. Learn more about the cemetery and those buried within it on Friday the 13th with tour guide Caroline Cook, Chief Tour Ambassador from Grand Rapids Running Tours.

10/3

GLOW GARDEN AT THE FARM

Frederik Meijer Gardens & Sculpture Park

Oct. 3, 5:30-9 p.m.

meijergardens.org

Spend select Tuesday evenings in the Gwen Frostic Woodland Shade Garden and Michigan’s Farm Garden—back by popular demand! The Glow Garden is a magical walk through an illuminated forest, filled with hand-etched pumpkins by local artist Alynn Guerra. The adventure continues in Michigan’s Farm Garden, with pumpkin carving demos, live music, a Balk Café pop-up and adult beverages. Feast your eyes on our vibrant harvest of heirloom vegetables, herbs, gourds and larger-than-life pumpkins until 9 pm. Bring the kids and stay up late!

10/6

TULIP TIME FALL FEST

ARTISAN MARKET

Windmill Island Gardens

Oct. 6-7

tuliptime.com

Windmill Island Gardens is the place to get a taste of West Michigan’s Dutch history and culture, featuring a historic windmill that was the last allowed to leave the Netherlands, in 1964. Head to the Gardens to join the fun of Fall Fest with 85 juried vendors and food trucks, selling everything from handmade jewelry to pottery items, to handmade dips and sauces!

Hay rides will be offered at the

PULASKI DAYS

Grand Rapids

Oct. 6-8

pulaskidays.org

Pulaski Days are the distinctly West Michigan holiday celebrating all things Polish, from kielbasa to polka, beer and music. Founded in 1973 as a way to let the public connect with the otherwise exclusive Polish halls, this annual event has grown into a weeklong celebration for friends, family and strangers alike. Na zdrowie!

10/7

HARVEST FESTIVAL

Blandford Nature Center

1715 Hillburn Ave. NW, Grand Rapids

Oct. 7, 10 a.m.-2 p.m. blandfordnaturecenter.org

Enjoy the splendor of autumn at Blandford’s annual Harvest Festival! Bring the whole family out to enjoy a day of pioneer games, freshly pressed apple cider, candle dipping, rope making, face painting, wildlife presentations, and goats to pet. This fun-filled day will also include blacksmith demonstrations, log cabin interpretation, and concessions—including food for sale from El Caribe Food Truck and treats from the Blandford School students. Scarecrow making will be available for an additional cost of $5.

JOHN OLIVER: LIVE IN CONCERT

DeVos Performance Hall

303 Monroe Ave. NW, Grand Rapids Oct. 13, 7:30 p.m. devosperformancehall.com

John Oliver is an Emmy and Writer’s Guild award-winning writer, comedian and host of the HBO show, Last Week Tonight with John Oliver. On his occasional breaks from television, Oliver returns to his first love of stand-up performing to soldout venues around the world. He starred in his first stand-up special John Oliver: Terrifying Times before going on to host four seasons of his own stand-up series for Comedy Central, John Oliver’s New York Stand Up Show.

10/14

OPENING DAY: BUGS!

Grand Rapids Public Museum

272 Pearl St. NW, Grand Rapids Oct. 14, 12 p.m. grpm.org

The Grand Rapids Public Museum is pleased to announce the arrival of the blockbuster traveling exhibition: Bugs. This this fully immersive exhibit gives human visitors a chance to learn from the genius of bugs. Visitors enter a colorful, magical space, marvel at large-scale bug models, and explore hands-on science. Crafted by New Zealand’s world-famous museum Te Papa, in collaboration with the five-time Academy Award-winning film studio Wētā Workshop, Bugs is a high-impact, handson experience for the whole family.

VINTAGE IN THE ZOO

Downtown Kalamazoo

Oct. 14, 12-7 p.m. vintageinthezoo.com

This free, monthly outdoor true vintage and handmade market offers 70+ fresh and unique small businesses and entrepreneurs an opportunity to sell their goods in Downtown Kalamazoo every 2nd Saturday. This juried outdoor market event will feature two market concepts: “Mallmart” with vendors offering true vintage clothing, furniture, housewares, antiques/ collectibles, and “Zoo Flea” offering innovative and independent creators,

island for just $1 each.

designers, and dreamers. Vinyl sounds will be live from WIDR FM’s DJ Dan Steely.

KALAMASHOEGAZER

Bell’s Eccentric Café

355 E. Kalamazoo Ave., Kalamazoo Oct. 14, 5 p.m. bellsbeer.com

After a 3-year hiatus due to the pandemic, Kalamazoo’s own Dreampop and Shoegaze music festival, KALAMASHOEGAZER, returns at Bell’s Backroom. This year’s line-up features 6 bands from the Midwest and beyond, including Bluhm, Cult of Lip, Tambourina, Brief Candles, Dead Leaf Echo, and Tallies.

10/17

OWL CITY - TO THE MOON TOUR

The Intersection

133 Cesar E. Chavez Ave. SW, Grand Rapids Oct. 17, 7:30 p.m. sectionlive.com

What’s better than a million fireflies? 10 million fireflies. Owl City, the musical project of Adam Young, enchants listeners with dreamy electronicapop. Known for hits like “Fireflies,” his whimsical lyrics and atmospheric soundscapes create a captivating world of imagination and nostalgia.

10/20

SPOKEN WORD: HENRY ROLLINS

Creston Brewery

1504 Plainfield Ave. NE, Grand Rapids Oct. 20, 7 p.m. saugatuckbrewing.com

In describing Henry Rollins, the tendency is to try to squeeze as

many labels as possible into a single sentence. “Rollins is many things,” says The Washington Post, “diatribist, confessor, provocateur, humorist, even motivational speaker…his is an enthusiastic and engaging chatter.” His spoken word isn’t so much beat poetry as it is a memoir given from the stage, reflecting on his wild life and the wild world we live in.

10/21

PETE DAVIDSON LIVE

Kalamazoo State Theatre

404 S. Burdick St., Kalamazoo

Oct. 21, 7 p.m. kazoostate.com

Pete Davidson, renowned for his razorsharp wit and captivating humor, is set to ignite the Kalamazoo State Theatre with a comedy show promising pure entertainment. With a onehour stand-up special for Comedy Central in 2016, he proved his ability to connect with audiences through relatable and unfiltered storytelling. His exceptional knack for humor led to a spot on Forbes’ 30 Under 30 list that same year, solidifying his status as an emerging powerhouse in the entertainment realm.

10/27

GRAND RAPIDS TATTOO FESTIVAL

DeVos Place Convention Center Oct. 27-29, 7 p.m. grandrapidstattoo.com

More than 200 tattoo artists are flocking from around the world to Grand Rapids to tattoo you, your friends, and everyone else who wants one. This festival will be full of artists taking walk-ups and prescheduled appointments, plus tattoo contests each. Don’t have tattoos?

You’ll still be at home—get your first or enjoy watching the process and shop some vendors.

10/28

GRAND RAPIDS DÍA DE LOS MUERTOS FESTIVAL

Grand Rapids Library

1368 Godfrey Ave. SW, Grand Rapids Oct. 28-29

grpl.org

Enjoy a free cultural and educational event, created in collaboration with the Grand Rapids Día de Los Muertos Festival committee. Latin American altars honoring family and friends who have passed away will be on display throughout the festival. Music, Latino food, workshops, and crafts will also be available.

EMO ORCHESTRA FEATURING

HAWTHORNE HEIGHTS

Miller Auditorium

1341 Theatre Dr., Kalamazoo Oct. 28 millerauditorium.com

For emo music lovers and orchestra aficionados alike, Emo Orchestra is a new live experience that brings some of the most beloved emo songs of your youth to the theater stage

with a full orchestra arrangement. Along with special guest Hawthorne Heights, the orchestra will elevate songs from bands such as Taking Back Sunday, My Chemical Romance, and AFI in a way never done before. Emo Orchestra is a perfectly designed tribute to the music that shaped emo fans.

CARRIE: THE MUSICAL

The Pyramid Scheme

68 Commerce Ave. SW, Grand Rapids Oct. 28-29, 8 p.m. betkapopeproductions.com

In this revamped, contemporary version of the famous (and infamous) 1988 production, Carrie: The Musical follows a young woman with telekinetic powers. An outcast at school, where she is bullied viciously for her differences, Carrie is also lost at home, with a fervently religious mother whose love traps her in its maw. When people try to help, it seems that for once, she might have a shot at being accepted. But the class’s most vicious bully has other ideas. Pushed to the brink, Carrie’s powers threaten to overwhelm her, and devour everyone around her in flame.

Glow Garden at the Farm, Tulip Time Fall Fest Artisan Market, Vintage in the Zoo, Hawthorn Heights. COURTESY PHOTOS

SMOKING TREES:

Foster Glass' Functional Art

| by Josh Veal

Cannabis naturally lends itself to a culture of art, which is why there are so many beautiful, handmade means of partaking. Following up on last month’s Arts Issue, we wanted to take a look at the unique, formerly somewhat taboo art of crafting cannabis paraphernalia. One local artist with a following is Dan Foster of Kalamazoo, who’s been glassblowing since he was 18 and has recently found success with his Birch line. We talked with Foster about how he got into the field, his current approach, and what he loves about it.

HOW DID YOU GET STARTED WORKING WITH GLASS, AND WHAT DREW YOU TO IT?

I started taking classes in furnace style glassblowing when I was 18. I knew I wanted to learn a trade rather than going to college. I had seen a PBS program about hot glass art and that was the most interesting thing I’d seen or heard of. A couple years into glass, another student at the glass school Ox Bow brought his torch and was able to try flameworking. I loved how much detail was achievable. I went straight home and spent my savings on a small torch setup.

WHAT DO YOU FIND UNIQUE ABOUT GLASS AS A MEDIUM?

I love the challenge of sculpting something without even being able to touch it. Also, the fact that what I make has the possibility of lasting for countless lifetimes.

HOW DID YOU GET STARTED WITH BOWLS/PIPES/ETC.?

I spent years trying to figure out how to make glass pipes working in my home studio at the time. There was very little info out there in the early 2000s on the subject—lots of trial and error and broken pipes! Eventually connected with some other pipe makers like Jake Shaff of Kzoo Glassworks, and was able to learn new tricks and techniques which helped me develop my skill set and style.

CAN YOU TELL US ABOUT YOUR BIRCH STYLE? IS THAT ALL GLASS?

The glass birch tree style has definitely been of my most widely and well received work. Yes, they are 100% glass. I use all solid colored glass, utilizing different techniques to achieve the desired birch tree outcome.

WHAT WOULD YOU SAY ARE YOUR ARTISTIC INFLUENCES?

I’ve tried really hard to be original in a medium where just about everything has already been done. I spent years making new designs every week so I would always have something new to offer the local shops. I grew up in the Michigan woods around birch trees, and one day I decided to make a nature scene with a tree house in birch, with a bunch of animals. Soon after, the birch line took off and I was able to focus on a consistent body of work.

YOUR PREVIOUS WORK WAS REALLY INVENTIVE AND BEAUTIFUL TOO. DO YOU STILL MESS AROUND WITH THAT?

I do still work on all fine manner of other glass items too. Marbles, pendants and drinkware to name a few. Lately, I’ve been doing a bit of scientific glassblowing, repairing and fabricating laboratory apparatus. I love the technical challenge in that side of glass.

YOU’VE RELEASED A FEW “SPLASH CYLINDERS.” CAN YOU TELL US MORE ABOUT THOSE?

The splash cylinders are a collaboration between another local artist Ryan Ferris @ ferriglass. We wanted to make something new and exciting and it turned out great, which isn’t always the way it goes with glass on a first attempt. They are a doublewalled bong, where the smoke goes between the layers and has the sculpture inside, so it doesn’t get in contact with smoke or water. It looks like a large air volume piece, but actually isn’t.

ANYTHING ELSE OUR READERS SHOULD KNOW?

You can find myself and my work in the Park Trades Center downtown Kalamazoo or @fosterglass on Instagram. ■

THE DAAC:

Two Decades of Artistic Community at a Crossroads

| by Eric Mitts

Operating as an all-ages music venue, art gallery, and DIY project incubator, the Division Avenue Arts Collective (DAAC) has had a difficult history.

And this month, as they prepare to celebrate their 20th anniversary, the Grand Rapids collective is at a new crossroads.

In an open letter to the community posted online last month, they explained that their “current operating model won’t be enough to keep going,” and that “The DAAC will stop existing if we can’t find a better way forward.”

Pushed to the brink before, The DAAC lost its now-legendary original location on Division Avenue in 2013, after nearly a decade of serving as a creative hub for the community.

Without a home for the next three years, The DAAC reemerged in 2016 when they shared a property on Rumsey Street for two summers with SiTe:LAB and Habitat for Humanity of Kent County.

Operating as a not-for-profit, The DAAC fiscally has worked with Fractured Atlas, a New Yorkbased fundraising and arts service organization, since 2014.

The DAAC moved into their current location, 1553 Plainfield

Ave. NE, # 4, Grand Rapids, in 2019 after DAAC Board Member Lizzie Grathwol and Gaia Café owner Andrea Bumstead purchased the property.

Guided by a core committee of volunteers, the collective said that the crux of the inflection point they face now is a lack of new volunteers.

“The core committee is a group that has a larger level of responsibility and focuses on the overall health of the DAAC,” Core Committee member Lorenzo Aguayo Jr. told REVUE. “This is a passion project and volunteers have other jobs and commitments, so it’s difficult to try to run every event with the same rotation of people. The limited number of volunteers we have are burning out, and so we’ve had to reduce the number of events we put on. We raise funds during these events to pay rent, utilities, and anything else to keep the building running. We have more funds going out than coming in and it’s not sustainable at the rate we are going.”

Serving as a finance and fundraising specialist for The DAAC since 2021, Aguayo actually came to the collective as an artist, performing in the band Casa Blue during an event held at Creston

Brewery called “Pack The Pub.” The event helped raise funds for the building’s mural, and to pay the artists. The passion of other volunteers he spoke to about supporting local art and music inspired him to join.

“The DAAC gave my band an amazing opportunity to express ourselves and show our talents,” Aguayo said. “I felt validated, I felt like I had a community, and I felt supported during that event. I wanted to help others feel like I did in the local GR music and art scene.”

Joining the core committee shortly after deciding to volunteer, Aguayo has since worked on grants, finances, and taxes, developed processes, opened music shows, helped onboard new volunteers, and assisted in other planning activities.

Currently the core committee consists of Aguayo, Bridget Brenneman, Alison Christensen, Ellen Doornbos, Yoseph El-Ali, Bek Graham, Charity Klein-Lytle, Esther Mitchell, Harmony/Huong Nguyen, Mika Reed, and Josh Rood.

“We have a passion for music and art, so that keeps us going, but there is a delicate balancing act with maintaining our personal

and professional lives along with the DAAC,” Aguayo said. “We love the DAAC with all of our hearts, and we are looking for the community to help usher in a new generation of volunteers and core committee members.”

Citing “gracious, incredible, and kind donors and partners,” Aguayo said they have been able to keep the DAAC running for now. He explained that those looking to volunteer can go to thedaac.org, or contact the collective via Facebook, Instagram, or their email info@ thedaac.org.

“The DAAC is made up and run by the people in our community who love music and art,” he said. “Nobody represents the DAAC other than the community. We don’t have investors, board members, or gain anything financially. It’s special to have something that the community can help directly shape. If we want a 100 band music festival, we can make it happen. We have the tools to make the DAAC whatever the

community wants. We have a DoIt-Yourself (DIY) approach and spaces like this are quickly fading away if we sit by idly and let them. The DAAC is here to make Grand Rapids a better place for local music and art.”

With an emphasis on creating a safe and inclusive space for all artists and forms of expression, The DAAC currently hosts everything from live concerts to art gallery openings to yoga and meditation events. The collective plans to celebrate the 20th anniversary of their first-ever show, with a music event that Aguayo said will include other artists, on Oct. 21.

“Art and music is what makes Grand Rapids so special,” he said. “The DAAC wants to break every single barrier that artists may struggle with in terms of getting their art out in the community. There are so many talented artists in our community, and we want to give them the opportunity to be seen and feel connected.” ■

THE DIVISION AVENUE ARTS COLLECTIVE (DAAC)

20TH ANNIVERSARY SHOW

1553 Plainfield Ave. NE, # 4, Grand Rapids

Oct. 21, More info TBA

Thedaac.org

The DAAC. COURTESY PHOTOS

THE STARLIGHT ROOM:

| by Eric Mitts

A Moonshot Made Real

by immediately offering top tier video capabilities in an ideal environment.

Describing their business as “creator first” and “genre inclusive,” The Starlight Room centers their focus on artists who perform their own compositions, while not strictly adhering to just singer-songwriters as they feel all styles of music deserve to be heard in an intimate venue where the audience is engaged in a meaningful way.

“Our number one customer is the artist,” Beckett said. “We have cultivated a model where they are the customer, and we facilitate an environment where they, in turn, can provide the most amazing performance to their customers: the patrons. Of course, we do everything we can to cultivate an amazing experience for patrons too, but our number one goal is to cater to and provide the most amazing hospitality we can to the artists who grace our stage.”

The Starlight Room has three predominant business models. Their concert series, where they book and promote the artist, like most conventional venues, offering compensation incentives based on a percentage of ticket sales capacity, as well as the opportunity to purchase video and audio recording packages.

They also offer a rental model, where artists can rent the space like a conventional studio, while still taking advantage of selling tickets to an audience.

In addition they offer a fundraising model, focused on schools and private music instruction, where 100 percent of the proceeds go into the music program after covering their nominal stage fee.

One of the newest venues in the West Michigan music scene, The Starlight Room, combines a listening room experience with state-of-the-art video and audio recording.

“We believe we are completely unique,” Starlight Room Owner/Operater Dan Beckett told Revue. “There is no place in Michigan, if not the entire Midwest, that provides what we provide for artists.”

Providing performers and audiences alike with the intimacy of a listening room experience, The Starlight Room—4765 Airline Rd., Muskegon—also offers multicamera video capture, and up to 32 tracks of digital audio capture, with complete turnkey post-production services, enabling artists to get a full concert recording with a live audience in the room, while also having the ability to livestream to digital platforms.

“As for patrons, our goal from the outset was to transport them to a different time and place,” Beckett said. “Working with our marketing and interior design partners, we have created an experience unlike any other in the state. You simply have to experience firsthand what it’s like to walk in from a

blazingly bright West Michigan summer day into an ‘indoor but outdoor’ experience that we’ve created. Our lobby features starfields illuminating an incredible gallery of fine art on all four walls. And entering the room is almost like attending a concert in your friends’ backyard. Starlight over the stage, and no seat more than 20 feet from the performer.”

Explaining how The Starlight Room went from “napkin to reality” in less than 11 months, Beckett said that he and co-founder Larry Decker came up with the concept of mashing up a listening room and a recording studio in July 2022. They acquired their space in January 2023, began building it out in March, and held their first public event in May 2023.

“The venue is situated in a former church, so there was virtually no ‘build-out’ required, it was essentially just a matter of decorating and moving existing recording studio capabilities into the space,” Beckett said.

They also have the ability to redefine The Starlight Room into numerous formats, from standing room only, to conventional seating for 150 patrons, to a cocktail lounge

experience with premium four-top reserved seating, to their pin-drop acoustic “in the round” configuration where seats are arranged 360 degrees around the performer, set up in the exact center of the room.

“There are lots of great, historic venues in Michigan, but nothing quite like the experience we’ve created,” Beckett said.

Staffing at The Starlight Room also works on a unique, customizable model, as they focus on facilitating entrepreneurs.

“Rather than the cumbersome process of recruiting, screening, hiring, and training employees, we sought out established and aspiring entrepreneurs with whom to partner,” Beckett said. “All of our ‘crew’ are businesspeople in their own right. We simply facilitated and enabled them to expand their existing business plans by partnering with us. Every single entrepreneur on our crew came to us by referral, and this approach has thus far been hugely successful. We’ve had zero turnover, and the team is incredibly talented, committed, and motivated.”

Partnering with Grand Rapids videography company Dogtown Studios, The Starlight Room expanded both businesses’ vision

“We partnered with MusicEveryday, a private music instruction establishment in Spring Lake, and held our first enhanced recital for them in June,” Beckett said. “We had over 200 parents and family members attend three recitals on a Saturday. It was tremendous.”

Lastly, Beckett said The Starlight Room wants to get the word out about their “Truth in Ticketing” policy.

“What we mean by this is that the price we advertise for tickets is the price paid. Period,” he said. “No fees. No surcharges. No taxes. No nonsense. Also, parking is always free. Our ticket prices are exceptionally reasonable, particularly considering the unique, intimate experience we create for artist and audience alike. We also want to encourage your readers to subscribe to our email list. It really is the best way to stay abreast of what’s coming, including opportunities for advanced ticket access, special promotions, like buy one get one discounts and more.”

In October, The Starlight Room will host Grand Haven bluegrass outfit Full Cord on Oct. 6, Kanin Wren’s Taylor Swift Experience Oct. 14, Grand Rapids blues/rock band Deerfield Run Oct. 21, and Grand Rapids funk group Melophobix Oct. 28. ■

The Starlight Room. COURTESY PHOTO

THE RISE of PICKLEBALL

| by John Kissane

The best sources we have indicate that the 1965 creation of the game pickleball preceded by some time the acquiring of their dog, Pickles, by the Pritchard family of Bainbridge Island, Wisconsin. The dog, it seems, was named after the game, and not the other way around.

There is indeed confusion on this score, much of it spread by reporters. Joan Pritchard recalled a reporter who interviewed the family in the early 1970s, and who decided to tell his readers that the game was named after the dog, because that story, however false, was cute and understandable. And it may have worked. While Pickles is no longer with us, the sport of pickleball has taken off like a rocket.

Pickleball is a game with a short net, a paddle, and a perforated, hollow plastic ball. The Pritchards originally intended it as a game for children, but, while children can certainly play, it’s become increasingly popular with adults. Google “pickleball,” and you’ll get 92,400,000 results.

Brandon Mackie became aware of the sport during the early days of the pandemic. “Gyms were closed,” he said. “My routine physical activities were off the table. Pickleball seemed like an exciting outlet. It was a great way to socialize responsibly in a physical way.”

Mackie, who later cofounded Pickleheads, a website and app allowing people to find local courts and connect with other players, attributes the rise of the sport to two factors: ease of learning and the game’s social nature.

Ease of use: you don’t need experience to pick the game up, and you don’t need to be an athlete. While athletic ability will never hurt you, Mackie sees pickleball as more of a

game of strategy. Which means a 70-year-old can triumph over an 18-year-old. It’s about the mind, mostly.

The social nature: pickleball’s large format. You typically play with either two or four players, but a large set of courts might have 30, 40, or 50 people playing, rotating courts and partners. You get to meet a lot of people, something that became more difficult to do during the pandemic.

Mackie’s theory is that the game, which had primarily been played indoors, moved to the outdoors during the pandemic. It’s gone from phys ed classes and gyms to parks and tennis courts.

“There are no typical players,” he said. “It really spans all generations. It’s this mishmash of every walk of life.”

His biggest piece of advice for anyone interested in giving the sport a shot is to find a local open play. That way, you don’t have to come out with anyone. Depending on the location, you might not even need to bring your own equipment. If you do, though, you can find a paddle cheaply online. The barrier to entry is low.

Mackie was able to see the universal nature of pickleball when his father had a bad accident. He tore ligaments in both knees, leaving him wheelchair-bound for months. An active man, he had to face the fact that his days in sports might be behind him. But pickleball changed that.

“Being out there with him, seeing him have fun again, that was a pretty special memory,” Mackie said. “And that’s just one story. There are hundreds of thousands of stories.”

In fact, he sees pickleball becoming the most popular sport in the country. “I really believe pickleball will have more participation than anything else. Watching? Maybe not watching. But in terms of participation? Huge. Nothing else out there can appeal to such a broad range of people.”

Find local courts at pickleheads.com. ■

| by Josh Veal

NORTHERN SMOKE: Barbecue in West Michigan

You don’t have to go down south for great barbecue—West Michigan is full of it. Yes, it’s true! Even though we may be known for olive burgers and wet burritos, there are plenty of grillmasters around who know how to treat meat right. Whether it’s brisket, pulled pork, burnt ends or sausage, your smokey cravings can be satisfied, and then some.

Unfortunately, we just recently lost one of the top picks in town: Daddy Pete’s BBQ. After 11 years in business, this beloved eatery was forced to close down “due to recent health issues.” Godspeed and thanks for all the meat.

On the bright side, we still have plenty of options in town! Next time you’re craving a hearty meal that’ll warm you from the inside out, check out one of these barbecue joints near you.

TWO SCOTTS BARBECUE

536 Leonard St. NW, Grand Rapids twoscottsbbq.com

Consistently voted best barbecue in Revue’s own Best of the West, Two Scotts’ tagline is “Regular guys. Exceptional barbecue.” They serve up the whole menu of dry, spice-rubbed meats, including pulled pork, chicken, brisket, sausage, wings, burnt ends and ribs. Get it on a sandwich—or, I prefer to order meat by the half-pound, along with a classic side like pimento mac & cheese. Then I load up to-go cups of their delicious sauces, which range from Hot BBQ to SC Mustard, Verde and Dog Sauce. It’s simple food done unforgettably well.

SLOWS BAR BQ

435 Ionia Ave. SW, Grand Rapids slowsbarbq.com

If you want a bigger menu and an alcoholic beverage, head to Slows Bar BQ, another one of Revue readers’ favorites. From brisket nachos to smoked chicken burritos and pulled pork sandwiches, everyone can find something to love here—even vegetarians have multiple options! Don’t know where to start? Go for The Big Three, featuring a quarter pound each of beef brisket, pulled pork and Apple BBQ glazed chicken. You can’t go wrong.

THE PIT STOP

6479 28th St. SE, Grand Rapids pitstopcateringgr.com

The Pit Stop is known for their award-winning event catering, but you can stop in on Thursdays and Fridays for a take-out taste of this beloved barbecue. They have Texas brisket, pulled pork, chicken parts, smoked turkey and smoked sausage, but the real star might just be the smoked corned beef, available on Thursdays only. For an extra special experience, get the Micknuggits—double-smoked corned beef burnt ends slathered in smoked drippings and Colonel Angus mustard sauce.

MAIN STREET BBQ

210 E. Main St., Lowell mainstbbq.com

Generous helpings, tasty sauce, hometown vibes—Main Street BBQ is a favorite in Lowell for many reasons. They have all the usual suspects, along with jumbo wings and fried catfish, not to mention a huge sandwich menu that includes burgers. Make sure to get some homemade sauce too, whether it’s North Carolina Vinegar, Alabama White, Kansas City Sweet or South Carolina Mustard.

DR. ROLF’S BARBEQUE

477 W. Western Ave., Muskegon

17 S. 2nd St., Grand Haven drroflsbbq.com

Only so many BBQ joints see enough success to spread their wings, but Dr. Rolf’s has pulled it off, with two locations on the lakeshore. Founded by Muskegon physician Dr. Rolf Hissom and run by his family, they use unique recipes developed and perfected over many years. Along with all your favorite smoked meats and sides, you can try out the famous Chicken Things; marinated grilled chicken thighs smothered in buffalo sauce, served with blue cheese dressing and celery.

TNT LIL BROTHERS BBQ

1622 Bloomfield Ave., Kalamazoo lilbrothers.com

Owned by high school sweethearts, Terrance & Tisha (TnT), Lil Brothers is barbecue with a touch of soul. They have pulled pork, brisket, Polish sausage, fish, burgers, “and all the fixin’s you love.” Get a Big-T with three meats and one side for just $12, or something unique like The Boony Mac, with two salmon patties and rice. But most of all, make sure you try the ribs. ■

HOG WILD BBQ

154 W. Lakewood Blvd., Holland hogwildbbq.net

For some of the best barbecue in Holland, consider Hog Wild, known for its cozy atmosphere and succulent sauces. Order by the meat with ribs, pulled pork, brisket, hot link sausage and roasted chicken, then pick from one of over a dozen sides—from sweet pea pasta to jalapeno potato salad or chicken corn chowder.

BOMBA’S

2814 Portage St., Kalamazoo bombaskzoo.square.site

What began as a food truck is now a Kalamazoo favorite. That’s because Bomba’s has a special touch, focusing on bold Mexican-influenced BBQ. Of course you can get your meat and sides, but we suggest trying out one of Bomba’s specialties like the Chopped Brisket Tacos or a Cali Steak Burrito.

Two Scotts Barbecue. PHOTO BY STACY FEYER-SALO PHOTOGRAPHY / Slows Bar BQ, The Pit Stop, Main Street BBQ, Dr. Rolf's Barbeque, Hog Wild BBQ, Bomba's, TnT Lil Brothers BBQ. COURTESY PHOTOS

What’s on Tap?

A Guide to West Michigan Breweries

| by Allison Kay Bannister

If you live in Beer City USA, you could throw a pint glass and hit a brewery (but don’t do that, please). The number of establishments has grown by the year and the reach has spread far beyond the 49503, with greater West Michigan boasting options in the upper double digits. With that many places to choose from, you might need a little help deciding where to take your next date night, friends’ meetup, or after-work drinks outing. To narrow it down, we’re highlighting just a few of GR and beyond favorites, along with what they’re best known for.

For a vintage vibe, go to Grand Rapids Brewing Company. They’re the oldest operating brewery in the city, so you know they have real cred. Today, they offer some of the same beer recipes from their 1893 founding year, so you’ll definitely be sipping a part of history. They also incorporate modern fun, of course, with a stellar Game Room and community events.

1 Ionia Ave. SW, Grand Rapids | grbrewingcompany.com

When you want a tall one that’s as familiar as an old friend, make your way to Founders Brewing Co. They’ve been brewing West Michigan favorites since 1997 and have been integral to putting Beer City on the map. The space is expansive, yet is still seems to fill up quickly—an obvious testament to their reputation.

235 Cesar E. Chavez Ave. SW, Grand Rapids | foundersbrewing.com

If you crave cuisine infused with Puerto Rican and Creole fare, head over to City Built Brewing . They have an extensive drink menu with a selection of “drinkably complex” beers from light to hoppy to fruity and more. They also have hard seltzers, ciders, and wines available.

820 Monroe Ave. NW, Grand Rapids citybuiltbrewing.com

Like your quaffs rustic and wild? Speciation Cellars not only crafts nature-inspired beers, but also ciders, seltzers, and native species wines. Their taproom is located off Wealthy Street in a 100 year old auto shop and their cozy patio space is dog friendly.

928 Wealthy St. SE, Grand Rapids speciationartisanales.com

City Built Brewing. COURTESY PHOTO

Grand Rapids Brewing Company. PHOTO BY STACY FEYER-SALO PHOTOGRAPHY / Founders Brewing Co. COURTESY PHOTO

For a taste of Saugatuck without the drive, pull up a stool at Creston Brewery. They feature Saugatuck Brewing beers and, among other tasty menu items, Nashville Hot Chicken so spicy you’ll need a pint at the ready to cool your palate. Also, check out their concerts, comedy and other events at Golden Age upstairs. We also recommend visiting Saugatuck’s hometown pub and Kalamazoo location!

1504 Plainfield Ave. NE, Grand Rapids | saugatuckbrewing.com

If you’re a gourmet pizza lover, hit up The Mitten Brewing Co. Along with classic microbrews, you can order specialty pies, including gluten free options. Try one with Everidae Sauce—it’s a favorite! They’re also heavily involved with charitable giving in the community, so you can have a little slice of feelgood, too.

527 Leonard St. NW, Grand Rapids | mittenbrewing.com

Have sustainability top of mind? Brewery Vivant is the world’s first LEED certified microbrewery and they also strive to Beer The Change® in their environmental efforts. The food menu and beers have European flair with a focus on French and Belgian tastes, and their heated patio is great for happy hour when there’s a chill in the air.

925 Cherry St. SE, Grand Rapids | breweryvivant.com

Whether you have kids in tow or just want to have some adult playtime, go to Archival Brewing . They have a large outdoor biergarten with yard games and room to run around—for you, your littles, or even your dogs. In addition to beers, they have ciders and meads on tap.

6266 W River Dr. NE, Belmont | archivalbrewing.com

For firepits and Igbrews (that’s an igloo where you can sip a brew), Third Nature Brewing has you covered—whether the weather is warm or cold. Situated between the Rogue River and the White Pine Trail, this spot welcomes bike riders, trail hikers, and river floaters to relax after a day of adventure. They’re also dog friendly!

7733 Childsdale Ave. NE, Rockford | thirdnaturebrewing.com

Archival Brewing. COURTESY PHOTO

Creston Brewing. COURTESY PHOTO

For delicious food ranging from eccentric takes on American classics to bold Asian-inspired dishes, check out Rockford Brewing Co. right down the White Pine Trail from Third Nature. The Drunk Noodles are a local favorite, and their wings have been voted some of the best in West Michigan multiple times. And the beer’s great too!

12 E. Bridge St. NE, Rockford | rockfordbrewing.com

When you just can’t decide on a libation or have non-beer drinkers in tow, head to Pike 51 Brewing Co. With roughly 14 brews on tap, you’re bound to find a style that fits your palate—but this taproom is also home to Hudsonville Winery, serving a wide selection of red, white and fruit wines, along with wine slushies.

3768 Chicago Dr., Hudsonville | hudsonvillewinery.com

Want to celebrate Oktoberfest all year round? Take a mini road trip to Cedar Springs Brewing Co., where traditional German suds, grub, and gemütlichkeit are served up. Ordering is Bier Hall counter style and there’s plenty of dining space inside and outside. Or, for a similarly excellent experience in GR, visit Küsterer Brauhaus. 95 N Main St. NE, Cedar Springs | csbrew.com

If you like your beers old-school and your music live, go to Bell’s Brewery. They’ve been making beer since 1985 and are one of region’s trailblazers in the craft beer arena. Have a seasonal, summery Oberon or a heady Two Hearted at the Eccentric Café while enjoying a concert or show and handcrafted food.

355 E. Kalamazoo Ave., Kalamazoo | bellsbeer.com

For those times when Lake Michigan calls, end your beach day with a cold brew and some Dr. Rolf’s BBQ at Grand Armory Brewing in downtown Grand Haven. This hotspot is a community gathering space with a diverse selection of beers and other imbibables on tap—and it’s steps away from the lakeshore!

17 S. 2nd St., Grand Haven | www.grandarmorybrewing.com ■

Rockford Brewing Co. COURTESY PHOTO

Grand Armory Brewing. COURTESY PHOTO

of Craft Beer The Future

| by Josh Veal

Change is brewing in the craft beer world.

Demand for beer has slowed down, thanks to multiple shifts in the culture over the past few years. Breweries are having to think about how to evolve their models and keep up with changing times while still recovering from the devastating financial impact of the pandemic.

To get a bigger picture of what’s happened and what’s coming, we talked to a few West Michigan brewery owners for their experienced insight.

MITCH ERMATINGER, Founder SPECIATION ARTISAN ALES

WHAT ARE YOU DOING DIFFERENTLY FROM THREE YEARS AGO?

We are doing nearly everything differently from 3 years ago. Our primary format and source of revenue 3 years ago was selling 750ml and 375ml bottles of premium wood and barrel aged sour beer. Our primary format and source of revenue now is draft beer in the taproom, specifically our Pale Ale and Lager. We still have a large focus on sours and saisons in our packaged offerings, but our best sellers every day are the clean and crispy yellow beers!

WHERE DO YOU SEE CRAFT BEER HEADING IN THE NEXT TWO YEARS?

I foresee a lot of changes in the coming years, but in some ways it will be a lot of getting back to the basics of what made craft beer fun originally. Right now there’s a lot of shuffling around as bigger breweries are bought, and then flounder under their new ownership. Competition for shelf space is intense and I’ve noticed that it’s again dominated by the big breweries like it was 10 years ago. Almost all breweries are going to struggle to grow because of this. I hope that the safest kind of brewery going forward will be small taproom-based breweries who have cultivated a strong local following in their communities. Craft beer got cool initially because of the culture’s garage band ethos, and it’s safe to say that ethos is out the window for most breweries. Let’s make small breweries great again! Speciation is literally located in a garage, so we fully embrace it.

WHAT ARE YOU EXCITED ABOUT IN THE SHORT TERM?

We like to collaborate with other like-minded local organizations, and that has definitely been where I’ve found the most joy lately. For example, we are currently blending a collab with the GR Trans Foundation, and planning a release party on 11/11 with a Lipstick Jodi DJ set. Organizing events like that is insanely fun, so we have really enjoyed the shift from a production brewery to a taproom-focused brewery. Right now, I’m just stoked about growing a fun community culture and making small batches of fun and unique drinks for people to enjoy at the taproom.

BRETT VANDERKAMP, CEO NEW HOLLAND BREWING CO.

WHAT ARE YOU DOING DIFFERENTLY FROM THREE YEARS AGO AND HOW IS THAT IMPACTING YOUR FUTURE PLANS?

We are planning on slower growth and looking at new ways to compete in the broader beverage industry. This is a marked departure from 20 years of growth (2000-2020) where craft beer as a category mostly saw annual growth rates of 5% or more. Instead, we are looking to see the growth in other areas of our business.

WHERE DO YOU SEE CRAFT BEER HEADING IN THE NEXT TWO YEARS?

Michigan Beer will likely continue to decelerate and see volume losses. This will put pressure on many breweries, which could lead to more closures and significant losses in distribution at retailers. However, the Michigan craft beer has a history of innovation and entrepreneurship. It will be interesting to see what new ideas and products develop from this shift in the market.

WHAT ARE YOU EXCITED ABOUT IN THE SHORT TERM?

We are excited about the continued national distribution growth of our flagship brand, Dragon’s Milk. In addition, Tangerine Space Machine, our fan-favorite Hazy Tangerine IPA, will also start to become available in more stores around the country.

BEN TABOR, Co-Owner GRAND ARMORY BREWING CO.

WHAT ARE YOU DOING DIFFERENTLY FROM THREE YEARS AGO?

Grand Armory Brewing has continued to invest in our taproom and production facility over the last three years. In 2020, we saw a large spike in our packaged products, as keg

sales were eliminated with the closing of bars and restaurants. To meet this increased demand in package, we doubled the size of our brewhouse from a 7-barrel to a 15-barrel system. Over the following two years, we again increased production, expanding our 8,000-square-foot facility to 16,000 square feet.

WHERE DO YOU SEE CRAFT BEER HEADING IN THE NEXT TWO YEARS?

Michigan has a very strong craft beer scene with an incredible emphasis on supporting local. I see this trend continuing with breweries focusing on community engagement. Like most breweries, our sales are strongest close to home. Listening to our audience and creating a culture around our brews has be instrumental in growing our brand. Hyper local offerings like our Coastie IPA have brought Grand Haven culture into the craft beer scene and allowed our worlds to collide in the best way possible.

WHAT ARE YOU EXCITED ABOUT IN THE SHORT TERM?

Grand Armory’s newest adventure is into the world of 12 packs and variety packs. We are beyond excited to bring a larger volume package and mixed package of our products to the state of Michigan!

EDWIN COLLAZO, Founder CITY BUILT BREWING

WHAT ARE YOU DOING DIFFERENTLY FROM THREE YEARS AGO?

Minding our cash. Minding our labor. Minding our approach to beer in general. Cash flow is tough and we are doing what we can to change the flow of dollars. We went from 56 employees pre-COVID to less than 20 now. We continue to brew beers we are excited about while paying attention to trends in the industry but keeping to our approach of making progressive, clean, and fun beers. We added two 20-bbl lagering tanks in March of 2022 and have kept them full ever since. We have been focusing on our Prague Undergound Czech Pilsner for wholesale distribution throughout Michigan, while keeping our taproom stocked with a variety of other lager options as well.

WHERE DO YOU SEE CRAFT BEER HEADING IN THE NEXT TWO YEARS?

We see continued shrinkage in the industry, mergers and downsizing. Big breweries are trying to contract brew to utilize the gap between what they used to brew vs. current demand. I think savvy operators will find a way and that will open large opportunities as the industry changes and evolves. I just hope I’m on the list of savvy operators!

WHAT ARE YOU EXCITED ABOUT IN THE SHORT TERM?

The change is creating opportunities to be creative and look at options that create beer sales. We are rethinking many of the ways we approach our tap room and beer sales in general. ■

Revue Taste-Off:

Pumpkin Brews & Oktoberfests

| by Josh Veal

Fall has arrived, which means it’s time for pumpkin beer and Oktoberfests. In order to get the most of out of the season, we wanted to determine which of these autumnal brews were our favorites. Which, of course, led to a blind taste test.

First, let’s explain Oktoberfest. The term can describe a few beer styles, all getting their name from the massive German festival. Typically, your Oktoberfest is going to be a marzen, a lager with good body, malty flavor and a clean finish. It should warm you up with a pleasant, toasty taste.

Then there’s pumpkin beers, oft maligned by purists but enjoyed like clockwork by yours truly. Spices like cinnamon, allspice and nutmeg are at the forefront, occasionally with actual pumpkin as well.

Lastly, we thought it might be useful to have an idea of who’s participating in this taste test.

Josh: That’s me! Managing editor. Enjoys beer of all kinds, often.

Emily: Design. Not a beer fan—prefers light wine.

Maggie: Sales. Opts for cocktails, but likes sours.

Rachel: Marketing. Occasionally drinks a fruit beer.

Haleigh: Sales. Beer fan, prefers lagers.

Megan: Accounting. Loves, and sticks to, dark beers.

Sarah: Editorial. Likes “all booze,” but prefers sours.

The fact our team largely is partial to drinks that aren’t beer made for a genuinely interesting, fun tasting. While we don’t like to drag down specific brews here— especially considering that 13 beers in one sitting can affect your palate in a big way, even with pretzel rods to recalibrate—I do have to share some of my favorite comments:

“Tastes like tires.”

“Like freezer-burned ice.”

“Thick, gross, -10/10.”

“Stale coffee and dirt.”

Now, keep in mind, almost every one of these reviews was countered by someone else who enjoyed the beer. In fact, that -10/10 was given a full 10/10 by a different taster. Thanks to these wildly varying scores, we end up with averages that look relatively low—if you’re a regular beer drinker, you might want to add a couple points to each score in your mind.

So, bear all this in mind as we dive in now to the top Oktoberfests and pumpkin beers from our blind taste-off.

Oktoberfest

FOUNDERS OKTOBERFEST | “Bright, crisp, golden.” This is how just about everyone in our group described Founders’ Oktoberfest, our personal favorite of the category. Pouring a beautiful copper, it has a nice body to it and full flavor, yet the aftertaste doesn’t linger long at all. They’ve started selling this in 12-packs and I can see why—you’ll have no problem crushing a dozen of these by season’s end. It’s just what you want in a Marzen, especially one you can drink at home, and it even adheres to the Reinheitsgebot.

» 8.4/10

BELL’S OCTOBERFEST | Described as “PBR-ish” by a few tasters, this brew is smooth, refreshing and light. It’s a bit more “crushable” than Founders, in that there seems to be less body and a lower ABV. In my opinion, there’s a nice subtle touch of herbal hops that rounds the whole thing out—but a couple tasters didn’t love the aftertaste, which dropped the score here a bit. Try it for yourself!

» 7.1/10

PIGEON HILL OKTOBERFEST | This one drew a surprisingly divided reaction, with some tasters loving the soft pretzel smell, smooth body and light taste, while a couple felt it was too light and “woody.” Overall, I think this one is a safe bet for anyone who prefers lighter beers.

» 6.1/10

WAYPOST FESTBIER | This festbier is a strong golden lager that’s unfiltered and naturally carbonated, resulting in something a little different. It’s subtle in every way and light, which we enjoyed on its own, but didn’t quite match our expectations of the style. If you want a beer that’s simple and approachable, give it a go.

» 5.7/10

ALSO TASTED

» Archival Brewing, Therese’s Green

» Odd Side Ales, Oddtoberfest

» Blackrocks Brewery, Marzen

Pumpkin Beers

ODD SIDE ALES PUMPKIN SPICE BEAN FLICKER | While I enjoy Bean Flicker, I worried this variation might be a Starbucks style over-spiced sugar bomb, simply due to past experience with latte-inspired brews. Boy was I wrong! This was by far our favorite beer across both categories. The smell is enticing, like a cozy cafe in fall; the body is smooth; and the flavor is perfectly balanced between beer, coffee and pumpkin spice. This beer captures what the season is all about, without overdoing it.

» 8.9/10

SHORT’S BREWING PUMPKINCRUSHA | With a pleasant brown sugar and maple scent, this pumpkin beer keeps the pumpkin spice flavor subtle. It’s nice and bready, with a slight sweetness and an aftertaste that doesn’t stick around too long. If you want to dip your toes into the pumpkin beer pool, this is the brew to do it.

» 7.7/10

NEW HOLLAND ICHABOD | This local favorite was especially enjoyed by the beer lovers in the group, who found it to be well balanced and perfectly suited to the pumpkin ale style. Others thought it was a bit too subtle on the flavor, but we all agreed it has a nice light body and a “woodsy” aftertaste. For me, this is the annual go-to.

» 7.1/10

ALSO TASTED

» MiddleCoast Brewing, Fall Fest!

» Big Lake Brewing, Pumpkin Porter

» Founders, Headless Gourdsman ■

1st | Best Chili 2nd | Best Chef, Best Lunch, Best Wings, Best Open Mic Night

3rd | Best Burgers, Best Stout, Best New Restaurant

Honorable Mention | Best IPA 2018

2nd | Best Chef, Best Wings, Best Open Mic Night

3rd | Best Chili, Best Lunch, Most Innovative Cuisine, Best IPA

2019

2nd | Best Chili, Best Wings 3rd | Best IPA, Best Open Mic Night Honorable Mention | Best Stout

2020

1st | Best Stout, Best Bartender

2nd | Best Chef, Best Brewery, Best IPA, Best Brunch, Best Burgers, Best Fries, Best Wings

3rd place - Most Innovative Cuisine, Best Vegetarian/Vegan Menu

2021

2nd | Best IPA, Best Stout

3rd | Best Bartender, Best Wings Honorable Mention | Pandemic Standout

2022 3rd | Best Stout, Best IPA

2023

Finalist | Best Wings, Best Brewery, Best Chef, Best IPA, Best Craft Lager, Best Stout

JOE ELDER:

Psychedelic Farmboy

and it was political, but we were having fun. We did like a little back and forth and we were kind of shock jockey. And it was maintaining these conversations with three or four guys and waiting your turn and stand-up is so different because you have to hold on to the attention the entire time.”

He said it took him about three years of doing stand-up to be able to know his sets and simultaneously be present onstage and freely adlib with the audience.

“I think there’s a little bit of naiveté about things, you know, like, I am definitely a country boy in a city,” Elder said about his comedy. “I had such a different childhood growing up that I felt maybe I couldn’t relate to a crowd, but it is just the human condition. Any person in these situations knows what it’s like. So I can talk about how my cousins duped me into touching an electric fence with a car antenna, and people can understand where that comes from.”

Currently running a Thursday night open mic, and comedy showcases at Golden Age, inside Creston Brewery, Elder jumped on the opportunity after their previous comedy partner at Creston, the now defunct Full House Comedy, left the business.

| by Eric Mitts

showcase.”

Elder, who’s also a server at Creston, more or less fell into the position by writing up a proposal, and convincing the venue that they could run a great show.

“I was very confident in the quality of comics we have,” Elder said. “The comedy scene in Grand Rapids is stronger than it’s ever been now. We have more people doing more.”

In addition to his work at Golden Age, Elder also hosts his own podcast, called “Respect Joe Elder’s Podcast,” where he talks with other local comedians.

Reconnecting back on his small town roots, Elder said his biggest show actually came when he hosted an event for the Evart Promise, a college and career readiness program for Evart Public Schools. The first time he hosted the event, he helped raise $11,000. When he returned the next year, they raised $25,000.

Now a longtime veteran in the Grand Rapids comedy scene, Joe Elder plans to go back to his roots when he takes the next step in his career later this year.

Aiming to tape his first ever standup special back in his small hometown of Evart, Mich. this December, Elder hopes to rent out a barn and make it a one of a kind comedy event.

“I want to take the next step as a comedian now that I’m eight years in,” Elder told Revue . “I’m excited about recording the special and putting some of these jokes to bed. I have jokes I’ve been doing for a year now, and I think it’s time to put them into a special, make them done, move to the next one, and start the writing process again.”

Elder got his start in comedy first by coming from the world of radio. After growing up in Evart, and going to Saginaw Valley State University, he became an onair personality for a nationally syndicated show on 95.3 FM/1680 AM WPRR Public Reality Radio, and Southpaws Radio in 2012, before later co-owning and cohosting PaleoRadio in 2014.

He then got into comedy when Brian Borbot, aka Brian B., creator and host of Grand Rapids’ Sunday Night Funnies, came on the show, and convinced him to try one

of his open mics.

“In February of 2015, I started, but I didn’t start thinking of it as a career or something that I could really start branching out in until probably 2017 or so,” Elder said. “When I was a couple years in, I started seeing the avenue for what I could do, and started branching out to try to get out of state, and do shows in Indiana and Ohio and Minnesota, and try to just get a little further out.”

When he first started in comedy, Elder said that as a residual effect from doing political radio, he thought of himself as more of a George Carlin, Bill Maher type.

“You know, the ‘I’m going to be smart and funny, and I’m going to show people that I’m not just funny, but smart,’” Elder said. “And it’s (been) a huge evolution. A benefit for me was dropping the being smart part. It’s only important to be funny, and amazingly freeing, if that’s all you’re trying to do on stage.”

Now Elder said he trusts the audience’s intelligence and his comedy often goes into the realm of the surreal, filled with silly, sometimes obscure jokes.

“Radio is all about continuing a conversation and stand-up in a lot of ways is maintaining interest while you’re doing a monologue,” Elder said. “I did talk radio,

“I wanted to create a middle ground for comics that were in different positions that I was in before,” he said. “If you’re three years in, it’s hard to find paid shows, but I can get a five- or ten-minute spot for somebody who’s three years in at the showcase. If you’re featuring, it’s hard to get the headlining spot. So I can give a local Michigan comic the headlining spot at that

“(Hosting has) made me a lot better as a comic,” he said. “I kind of use the analogy of front and back of house for stand-up. Front of the house is just how good you are on stage. But back of house is organization and show running and being familiar with how the process works, and what’s kosher, what’s not; what’s the correct way to approach people. And so it’s helped me be a lot better comic, but also it’s significantly helped me in the business end of it, with what to do to be able to actually make a living doing comedy.” ■

The very first show of its kind in Michigan, the CannaComedy Bash this past summer – co-hosted by RJN Comedy and Inidigrow in Muskegon – brought together two things that have always gone well together: comedy and cannabis.

Taking place at Indigrow’s outdoor consumption space, The Bowl, 623 W. Clay Ave., Muskegon, the free event allowed adults over 21 to smoke premium flower, while laughing at a lineup of five local comedians.

“I wasn’t even aware of this going into the show, but The Bowl was actually the first public consumption place in Michigan, so that was the first show of its kind in Michigan,” Ricarlo WilliamsWinston, founder/co-owner of RJN Comedy, told REVUE. “In my nine years of doing comedy, it was probably one of the best shows that I’ve been part of.”

Hoping to make the Canna-Comedy Bash an annual event, Williams-Winston said it was exactly the sort of thing he started RJN Comedy to do, and why he’s excited for the future of his company in Muskegon.

Nearly a decade into his own comedy career, WilliamsWinston just started RJN Comedy officially six months ago with his brother. Named after the first initial of his three kids’ names, the family-run business started after he parted ways with another Lakeshore comedy production company, Fresh Ghost Comedy, and he started reaching out to businesses on his own.

“There’s three of us that run shows out of the area,” WilliamsWinston said. “Fresh Ghost Comedy, that’s Tim Locke, and then Ryan Fitzgerald, he runs shows, too. So Muskegon is starting to be a place where people want to come and do comedy and get opportunities. And I think it’s great because when I first started in comedy, everybody was like, ‘You can’t do anything from Muskegon. You’ve got to move to Detroit or Chicago.”

Starting out in Muskegon, Williams-Winston got his first shot at the Back Alley Comedy Club, located inside of Sherman

RJN COMEDY: High-larity on the Lakeshore

| by Eric Mitts

Recarlo Williams-Winston. COURTESY PHOTOS

Bowling Center, 1531 W. Sherman Blvd., where he took the stage in front of a crowd of nearly 300 people. He went on to work as manager of the club with now defunct comedy production company Full House Comedy.

“I was part of the team that brought Pauly Shore here, (and) brought TJ Miller here,” Williams-Winston said. “I’ve worked with Tom Green, Gary Owen, Tim Meadows.”

He kept his hometown roots, while using technology to make opportunities for himself on the road, playing all over the state, including an influential show with Brent Morin at Dr. Grin’s in Grand Rapids, and as far out as New Orleans.

“I love to share laughter,” Williams-Winston said of why he started RJN. “Comedy and laughter is one of the things that brings people together. It’s one of the things that bridges the gap in society. Everybody likes to laugh. You go to a comedy show, there’s people from different backgrounds, different ethnicities and socioeconomic backgrounds and sexual orientations, everything. But for that hour and a half, two hours, you’re all together laughing, and those walls kind of melt away.”

Currently working with “The Joke’s On You” Tour with fellow Michigan comedians Kevin Johnson, Cam Rowe, and Mike Geeter, all from the Detroit, and Robert Jenkins out of Lansing, Williams-Winston said they’ve performed shows together at Mark Ridley’s Comedy Castle in Royal Oak, The Listening Room (now Midtown) in Grand Rapids, and on a boat in Muskegon.

“We’re five Black male headliners, but we’re all from completely different walks of life,” he said. “So Robert Jenkins is a lawyer. Cam Rowe’s dad played for the Pistons. I was adopted by my older parents. Mike Geeter was an engineer for the Army, and Kevin Johnson works in Detroit. So it’s just this super unique group of guys, and every show has been absolutely amazing.”

Starting this fall, RJN Comedy will bring shows back to the Back Alley Comedy Club on a monthly basis, following a long hiatus at the venue, in addition to hosting shows at Muskegon locations like The Valkyrie, 1900 Ruddiman Dr., and The Dirty Dog Bar & Grille, 2411 Hall Rd. They’re also looking to partner with other businesses and dispensaries in the area.

“My goal is to just bring diverse lineups,” Williams-Winston said about RJN. “So it’ll be like a quote unquote urban comic, and I want to pair them with a mainstream comic, or pair like a LGBTQ comedian with a straight white male, just to get different styles, different backgrounds, and different experiences on the stage... Eventually I want to have a comedy festival here in Muskegon. So that’s what I’m building towards, and really just to provide as much comedy as I can to the area, and provide just something where people can just come, relax and decompress from the world.” ■

RJN Comedy Canna-Bash at The Bowl. COURTESY PHOTO

KINGPIN OF COMEDY Crowning the Best Jester in West Michigan

| by Eric Mitts

Now in its fifth year, the Kingpin of Comedy competition, hosted by longtime local comedy legend Brian Borbot, aka Brian B., will wrap up with its semifinals and finals this month.

An annual part of Borbot’s ongoing Sunday Night Funnies comedy showcase held weekly at the Spectrum Entertainment Complex, 5656 Clyde Park SW, Wyoming, this year’s Kingpin of Comedy competition began back in May, and has seen over 91 comedians vying for the title.

“Next to the NHL’s Stanley Cup or the Academy Awards’ Oscar, I don’t think there’s more of a coveted trophy than the trickedout bedazzled Kingpin of Comedy bowling pin that the Kingpin of Comedy winner receives,” Borbot said about the award that honors the “Funniest Person In Wyoming.”

He added that the title comes with prizes from the event’s sponsors: Spectrum Entertainment Complex, Craig’s Cruisers, Midtown GR, and LaughFest.

“Also, the $500 cash the winner

gets isn’t too shabby,” he said.

Usually drawing closer to 75 comedians into the competition, Borbot added a few weeks to this year’s competition to accommodate all the comics who wanted to participate. Entering into the quarterfinal rounds last month, he said that 26 of the 42 remaining comics had never competed in Kingpin before, or this is the first year they’ve made it further than the opening round.

“There always seems to be some dark horse or brand-new comic who comes out of nowhere to make it interesting,” he said.

Past Kingpin of Comedy winners include 2018 winner Megan Wirts, 2019 winner Mike Logan, 2021 winner Marv Barnett, and 2022 winner Seth Lee. The competition took 2020 off due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

“From the response that the Kingpin has, I think that it creates a buzz within the comedy community bringing in comedians who have never done the show before, or might never would have,” Borbot said. “Which is great for the audience

because it keeps the show fresh for them seeing new talent each week.”

Borbot readily admits he obviously took inspiration from Dr. Grin’s long-running annual “Funniest Person in Grand Rapids” competition (currently on hiatus), and even made no secret about it in his advertising for the event.

“I figure if the second largest city in Michigan Grand Rapids has (or) had their funniest person, why can’t Wyoming, the 14th largest city, have their most humorous human?” he said.

Unlike other comedy competitions, Borbot said Kingpin of Comedy does its voting the right way by not going based on the opinion of only a few judges, or applause. Instead, he turns the entire audience into the judges for the night, issuing ballots to each member before the show.

“They need to vote for three of the comics performing that night with all the votes counting the same,” he said. “So, a comic can’t just bring a lot of friends and expect to win. They will also have to win over a majority of the other audience members as well to advance to the next round.”

This October also marks the 15th anniversary of the first Sunday Night Funnies show.

“I started the Sunday Night Funnies back in the fall of 2008 because at the time Dr. Grin’s was the only place West Michigan comics could perform,” Borbot said. “With the demand on their Thursday open mic stage time comics were limited to how often they got on stage and how much time they would get. Fast forward 15 years now and there are open mics pretty much every day of the week – sometimes more. I would like to think that the Funnies has been an influence to other show runners to go out and start a mic.”

Taking satisfaction in knowing that something he created has brought comics and audiences together, Borbot said that he’s proudest of the show’s connection with Gilda’s Club of Grand Rapids and LaughFest.

“I had cancer at the same time the first LaughFest happened back in 2011, and the Sunday Night Funnies and myself, have been connected ever since,” Borbot said. “The Funnies has raised over $27,000 over the course

of those years. This past March I organized a cancer survivor show where all the comedians, including myself, are cancer survivors. They were so happy with the success we’re planning on doing it again next year. Unfortunately, through the number of comics who have performed at the SNF through the years – close to 1,200 – I’ve met enough comics who have had their own cancer journey.”

This year the Sunday Night Funnies also started hosting specialty shows in honor of Black History Month in February, Women’s History Month in March, and Older Americans Month in May. Next year Borbot plans to start the Kingpin of Comedy competition earlier to add a special show recognizing National Hispanic Heritage Month in September or October.

“Right now I plan on promoting this milestone as ‘The Sunday Night Funnies 15 Year Anniversary –halfway there,’ or ‘15 Years Down15 To Go,’ or something along those lines,” Borbot said. “I’ll be 80 years old 15 years from now in 2038, so I’ll have to reevaluate then if I want to commit to another 15.” ■

SUNDAY NIGHT FUNNIES: KINGPIN OF COMEDY | Spectrum Entertainment Complex, 5656 Clyde Park SW, Wyoming | Semifinals October 8, 15, 22, Finals Oct. 29, 8:30 p.m., Free admission

HOW ENVIRONMENT AFFECTS ART AT OX-BOW

In an area like West Michigan, where art and nature so oftentimes mingle in harmony, there is still perhaps no place quite like Ox-Bow. This school of art and artists’ residency lies on the historic, centuryold campus nestled between the Kalamazoo River and Lake Michigan in Saugatuck, offering a remarkably serene nature experience to accompany your next outdoor art excursion.

“The experience of being at Ox-Bow is so different from taking a class at a community center or institutional art center, because the environment is just spectacular,” said Shannon Stratton, the executive director of Ox-Bow. “It’s a beautiful campus that’s at the end of a peninsula. We’re on a protected dune ecosystem. It’s a beautiful place to come and be inspired and make art.”

The classes at Ox-Bow are eligible for college credit, so many students make it

a habit to participate in a workshop series every summer. These programs are incredibly prestigious, with professional artists from all over coming to campus to share their knowledge and talents. Considering OxBow’s original history of being a getaway and escape for Chicago-area artists over a century ago, it is fulfilling to see the school still serving as a haven for artists and art enthusiasts alike.

“We’re primarily an arts school, which means serving artists from different stages in their creative journey,” Stratton said. “But we do try to create points of engagement for the public to participate in and be on our campus.”

And now, with the spooky season of October comes a slew of new events through Ox-tober, Ox-Bow’s own autumnal themed arts program. Whether attending the “OxBow Family Goes to Heck” family day or

“Pop-Up on the Porches” art sale, guests will be able to explore the campus’ historic main building and surrounding hiking trails, including a stop at the crow’s nest overlook, which offers a scenic view of Lake Michigan and its neighboring dunes. The pop-up market includes a cash bar, also, so guests are encouraged to enjoy a refreshment as they explore the provided collection of original jewelry, ceramics, drawings and paintings available for purchase from regional artists.

“It’s a very diverse population of artists,” Stratton said. “All of whom are on-campus together during that time period.”

These upcoming Ox-Bow events, including their rotating workshop series which features classes on such things as woodfired ceramics and broom-making for witches, follow a long history of teaching and apprenticeship for artists in Saugatuck. Since the 1870s and 1880s, when the Ox-Bow inn

was first built, visitors have always lodged on the grounds with a desire to get away from it all, solely focusing on their creative spirit and voice. This notion continues through Ox-Bow’s seasonal summer artist staff and college student fellows, all doing part-time work with Ox-Bow and taking advantage of the facility’s expansive studio spaces and resources. Resident artists are housed for a shorter period of time (about three weeks), and they continue their work while also learning more about Ox-Bow and the greater Saugatuck community.

“Ox-Bow has been this crossroads for over a century for American art and artists,” Stratton said. “It is a really interesting story to tell—the importance that the Midwest has played in the larger story of American art and the figures that have gone through Ox-Bow.”

Part of that story is the tremendous impact women have had on Ox-Bow’s school of art,

| by Zachary Avery

PHOTOS COURTESY OF OX-BOW 2023 FELLOWSHIP STUDENTS

as well as the national stage for American art as a whole. That history is proudly shown as a part of Stratton’s latest exhibition, She Started It , located at the organization’s Douglas location only a few miles south of campus. This storefront, the Ox-Bow House, is a community-focused hub for art supplies, archived photographs and artpieces, themed attractions and, now, She Started It “There have been a lot of really significant leaders of the organization in its history that were women,” Stratton said. “Maybe they shouldn’t have been thought of ‘ahead of their time,’ but in the context they were in, they were really making incredible strides for women artists.”

In conjunction with Douglas’ Halloween parade, Ox-Bow’s “Cavern Tavern” party will also take place at Ox-Bow House on October 28, and anyone passionate about the holiday shouldn’t miss it. As this storefront continues to grow and its local programming expands, Stratton looks forward to hosting visitors and artists from all over at both their main campus and this Douglas location.

“We’re 113 years old, but we’re still the best kept secret of West Michigan,” Stratton said. “We wanted to figure out how to do something in the community and be more accessible.”

Featuring mostly Michigan artists alongside Ox-Bow alumni, a winter market will also begin Thanksgiving weekend and continue until the end of the fall student semester. So, whether you’re looking for early holiday gifts, family-friendly Halloween experiences or beginner-level artist workshops, take a look at what Ox-tober has to offer at ox-bow.org/oxtober.

“Ox-Bow is an incredible part of the American art legacy, particularly in the Midwest,” Stratton said. “Come and be a part of that magic in whatever way most interests you.” ■

SCHOOL OF ART

OX-BOW

3435 Rupprect Way, Saugatuck ox-bow.org

EVERYTHING TWICE:

New Exhibits at the GRAM

| by John Kissane

There’s never a shortage of reasons to visit the Grand Rapids Art Museum. Among those reasons currently are three exhibitions, one running now and two opening on October 7th, and ranging in content from one of our oldest methods of making art to the future of avant-garde cinema.

Revue spoke with Curator Jennifer Wcisel to learn more.

Everything Beautiful In Its Time: Six Centuries of Prints from the Jansma Collection (Aug. 31 – Dec. 3, 2023)

The Jansma Collection, established in 2005, is a collection of etchings, engravings, and woodcuts depicting Christian imagery; items from it date as far back as the 1400s; artists represented include the most prominent in the field, Albrecht Dürer among them. The collection hasn’t been shown in its entirety in ten years–in fact, as pieces have been added since that last exhibition, it’s fair to say that it’s never been shown in this entirety.

“It’s astonishing and remarkable to be in front of these artworks,” Wcisel said. “The pieces are in impeccable position, easily competing with, and better than, many prints in really big museums on either coast. And it’s part of history.”

The collection includes items made in the first few decades after the printing press was invented, and hint toward the monumental, revolutionary impact of that invention. Viewers find themselves intimately connected to the distant past.

To a degree, the exhibition explains the techniques used to create these pieces. “Printmaking has a bit of magic,” Wcisel said. Artists worked without electric light, making etchings and engravings that incorporated tiny details and text–and did so in reverse. “It’s hard to fathom,” she said.

Even those attendees most familiar with the Christian tradition will find much to surprise them. Given the centuries’ worth of work represented, viewers will see variations in how stories are depicted. “We have scenes from the Passion as made in the 1400s, 1500s, and 160s. They are all different and all beautiful.”

They will find, too, pieces that sometimes illuminate as much about the artist as they do Christianity. Tiepolo’s The Flight Into Egypt , for instance: the artist found a wealth of inspiration in a mere two sentences from the New Testament.

It’s a remarkable collection.

Underneath Everything: Humility and Grandeur in Contemporary Ceramics (Oct. 7, 2023 - Jan. 14, 2024)

A touring exhibition brought via the Des Moines Art Center, Underneath Everything highlights a material in such common use for so long that it can be easy to overlook: ceramics. A humble material–dig around enough and you’ll find some–ceramics have been part of our daily lives for longer than we can remember. Ceramics depicting humans and animals have been found that are over 24,000 years; by contrast, recorded history is only roughly a fifth that old.

Ceramics encompasses much more than the bowl your grandmother passed down. “You know, we have an understanding of ceramics,” Wcisel said. “We use it! We use it in our daily lives: bowls, decorative items, tile, bricks. What this show does is reflect on the power people have to make really beautiful things from relatively humble material. And it demonstrates how it’s been in dialogue with other forms of art.”

The exhibition demonstrates the way artists

Giovanni Domenico Tiepolo (Italian, 1727–1804). The Holy Family Crossing the Lake in the Boat, from The Flight into Egypt, 1750–1752. Etching on off-white laid paper, 7 x 9 ¼ inches. Jansma Print Collection, Grand Rapids Art Museum, 2012.36

Rembrandt van Rijn (Dutch, 1606–1669). Christ Preaching (La Petite Tombe), c. 1652. Etching, engraving and drypoint on off-white laid paper, 6 x 8 1/8 inches. Jansma Collection, Grand Rapids Art Museum, 2006.30

Simone Leigh (American, born 1967). Panoptica , 2019. Terracotta, steel, and raffia, 125 x 120 x 120 inches. Krause Art Collection, Des Moines. © Simone Leigh, Courtesy Matthew Marks Gallery. Photo Credit: Rick Lozier

play with the boundaries between ceramics and other media, including film, photograph, painting, and installation. While there will be no live performance at the exhibition, there will be video of a past performance.

Chinese artist Ai Weiwei, among the most important artists alive, will be represented by an installation. Created by his workshop in China, hand-painted replicas of sunflower seeds will be piled on the floor. “It gets to the idea of the humility of ceramics,” Wcisel

said. “Is it real? What’s it made of? Folks will want to pick them up.”

It was necessary that Ai Weiwei be included. As she pointed out, “He has been thinking about ceramics and the human history of them, especially in China, for a long time.”

While visitors are asked not to touch the sunflower seeds, there will be two works in the show they can touch and interact with, in order to connect them with the tactile nature of this ancient, important medium.

Historically, the GRAM has not devoted a great deal of space to video artists in the past. Visitors have appreciated those videos that have been on offer, however; often, they’ve provided a way to sit down, rest, and absorb a little bit longer.

Recently, the GRAM transformed one of its gallery spaces into a small theater. Thinking about what to do with it, Wealthy Theatre seemed a natural fit. The organizations had collaborated before, including through exchanges of membership discounts and discounted tickets. The relationship was in place, allowing something larger.

An exhibition was born. Wealthy Theatre Presents will be a selection of experimental films. At the end of August, they began accepting submissions. The rules were few and simple: submissions could not be longer than ten minutes and must have some tie to Michigan, whether in terms of content, shooting location, or origin of the filmmakers themselves.

“We didn’t want to put any other restrictions in place, particularly around content,” Wcisel said. “There’s a lot to be thinking about and worrying about right now. We’re open to political issues, identity,

anything. And as part of the selection process, we’re going to be picking things that resonate most strongly with us and with Grand Rapids.”

Films won’t be viewable on the GRAM’s website; you can only see them in person, allowing for an experience that is intimate, engrossing, and controlled. These won’t be things you can watch on your cell phone while eating breakfast, a fact that makes the experience more meaningful.

The exhibition allows the GRAM to bring attention to the talented filmmakers in our midst. “We have some amazing film programs

at our universities,” she said. “People making things, whether it’s with small crews, or they’re the crew. People out in nature filming things, or making animations. There’s a huge world of creativity that we haven’t highlighted or spotlighted before. There’s no better place to start than the artists we already have here in Michigan.” ■

Wealthy Theatre Presents: Experimental Film Selections from Open Projector Night

GRAND RAPIDS ART MUSEUM 101 Monroe Center St. NW, Grand Rapids artmuseumgr.org

Eliza Au (Canadian, born 1982). Sanctuary, 2021. Three lattice screens, cone 6, 10 x 10 x 10 feet. © Eliza Au. Photo Credit: John Joe

OCTOBER ARTSCalendar

In 2023, arts organizations are largely back on their feet and offering incredible seasons of art, conversations, fun and community involvement. Now that it’s fall, arts organizations are diving right back into their seasons with renewed gusto. This month, you can visit the theaters for big Broadway shows and fun summer fare alike, then head to local museums for a variety of stunning art. Check it out.

CENTRAL PARK PLAYERS

421 Columbus Ave., Grand Haven centralparkplayers.org

WAIT UNTIL DARK, Oct. 13-22

FACE OFF THEATRE

359 S. Kalamazoo Mall, Kalamazoo faceofftheatre.com

EXIT STRATEGY, Oct. 19-22

FONTANA CHAMBER ARTS

359 Kalamazoo Mall Ste. 200, Kalamazoo fontanamusic.org

FRY STREET QUARTET, Oct. 13

FARMERS ALLEY THEATRE KALAMAZOO

221 Farmers Alley, Kalamazoo farmersalleytheatre.com

WORKING THE MUSICAL, Sep. 21-Oct. 8

ADDY & UNO, Oct. 27-Nov. 5

FRAUENTHAL CENTER

425 W. Western Ave., Muskegon frauenthal.org

THE MAGIC OF MOTOWN, Oct. 6

WORLD BALLET SERIES: CINDERELLA, Oct. 8

DSB: TRIBUTE TO JOURNEY, Oct. 27

GILMORE THEATRE/ WMU THEATRE

1903 W. Michigan Ave., Kalamazoo wmich.edu/theatre

NATASHA, PIERRE & THE GREAT COMET OF 1812, Oct. 27-Nov. 5

GRAND RAPIDS ART MUSEUM

101 Monroe Center, Grand Rapids artmuseumgr.org

EVERYTHING BEAUTIFUL IN ITS TIME: SIX CENTURIES OF PRINTS, Sept. 2-Dec. 3

UNDERNEATH EVERYTHING: HUMILITY AND GRANDEUR IN CONTEMPORARY CERAMICS, Oct. 7-Jan. 14

EXPERIMENTAL FILM SELECTIONS FROM OPEN PROJECTOR NIGHT, Oct. 7-Jan. 14

GRAND RAPIDS BALLET

341 Ellsworth Ave. SW, Grand Rapids grballet.com

CONTEMPORARY VISIONS, Oct. 6-8

GRAND RAPIDS CIVIC THEATRE

30 N. Division Ave., Grand Rapids grct.org

THE SPONGEBOB MUSICAL, Sep. 15-Oct. 8

GRAND RAPIDS SYMPHONY

300 Ottawa Ave. NW Ste. 100, Grand Rapids grsymphony.org

VIOLENT FEMMES, Oct. 6-7

LEHNINGER CONDUCTS

LISZT & BARTÓK, Oct. 20-21

MOZART & GRIEG, Oct. 27

HOLLAND CHORALE hollandchorale.org

ADVENTURES IN HARMONY:

LOW VOICE EDITION, Oct. 3

HOLLAND CHORALE

W/ CHANTICLEER, Oct. 23

HOPE COLLEGE GREAT PERFORMANCE SERIES

100 E. Eighth St., Holland hope.gps

ESCHER STRING QUARTET, Oct. 26

HOLLAND SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA

96 W. 15th St. Ste. 201, Holland hollandsymphony.org

BRAHMS 3, Oct. 28

JEWISH THEATRE

GRAND RAPIDS

2727 Michigan NE, Grand Rapids jtgr.org

JUDGMENT AT NUREMBERG, Oct. 12-22

KALAMAZOO CIVIC THEATRE

329 S. Park St., Kalamazoo kazoocivic.com

ALL OF US: A CELEBRATION OF BIPOC VOICES, Oct. 6-15

WHOSE LIFE IS IT ANYWAY?, Oct. 27-Nov. 5

KALAMAZOO INSTITUTE OF ARTS

314 South Park St., Kalamazoo kiarts.org

A BRIDGE BETWEEN TWO WORLDS: WORKS BY WU JIAN’AN, Sept. 16-Dec. 31

C. C. WANG: LINES OF ABSTRACTION, Sept. 16-Dec. 31

KALAMAZOO SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA

359 Kalamazoo Mall Ste. 100, Kalamazoo kalamazoosymphony.com

CRAFT MUSIC: CLASSICS ON TAP, Oct. 4

BACHTOBERFEST, Oct. 21

EL AMOR BRUJO: LOVE BEWITCHED, Oct. 29

LAFONTSEE GALLERIES & FARMING

833 Lake Dr. SE, Grand Rapids lafontsee.us

CUT & PASTE, Oct. 21-Nov. 4

MILLER AUDITORIUM

2200 Auditorium Dr, Kalamazoo millerauditorium.com

MEAN GIRLS, Oct. 24-25

MUSKEGON CIVIC THEATRE

425 W. Western Ave., Muskegon muskegoncivictheatre.org

LITTLE SHOP OF HORRORS, Oct. 6-21

MUSKEGON MUSEUM OF ART

296 W. Webster Ave., Muskegon muskegonartmuseum.org

ODDITIES & DELIGHTS, Sept. 14-Feb. 25

TIFFANY LAMPS: THE RICHARD H. DRIEHAUS COLLECTION, Sept. 7-Jan. 14

OPERA GRAND RAPIDS

1320 E. Fulton St., Grand Rapids operagr.org

THE ABDUCTION FROM THE SERAGLIO, Oct. 13-14

SAUGATUCK CENTER FOR THE ARTS

400 Culver St., Saugatuck sc4a.org

CREATIVE FELLOW MINDY TRAFMAN, Through Dec. 31

OF PLANTS AND PLACE, ONGOING NINGAASEG, Oct. 20-Jan. 26

A BRIGHT NIGHT: FREE COMMUNITY CELEBRATION, Oct. 27

ST. CECILIA MUSIC CENTER

24 Ransom Ave. NE, Grand Rapids scmc-online.org

MADELEINE PEYROUX, Oct. 21

STULBERG INTERNATIONAL STRING COMPETITION

359 S. Kalamazoo Mall, Kalamazoo stulberg.org

ESME ARIAS KIM W/ WMU SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA, Oct. 1

THE GILMORE

359 S. Kalamazoo Mall, Kalamazoo thegilmore.org

BABY GRANDS:

ESTEBAN CASTRO, Oct. 7

RISING STAR: ESTEBAN CASTRO TRIO, Oct. 8

RISING STAR: ILLIA OVCHARENKO, Oct. 29

ANNOUNCING THE 2024 GILMORE ARTIST

One of the most prestigious awards in the music world is the Gilmore Artist, which comes with $300,000 and is only given every four years. Now, in 2024, the first artist since 2018’s Igor Levit has been announced: Alexandre Kantorow. The French pianist has won multiple historic awards and been hailed by critics as “the young tsar of Piano” and “Liszt reincarnated.” Learn more at thegilmore.org.