WHAT'S INSIDE
JOSH VEAL , Managing Editor | josh@serendipity-media.com
Just 10 years ago, I struggled to believe cannabis could become a thriving industry across the state, with dispensaries visible everywhere I go.
Now, it’s a simple fact of life. West Michigan is flush with the stuff, and you can get it in all forms—flower, vapes, edibles, drinks, even topical balms. While it hasn’t resulted in the major spikes of crime or slothfulness that critics worried about, it’s certainly had an impact on how we live.
Cannabis has helped ease the transition away from alcohol for many, both in terms of consumers but also employees. It’s used not just recreationally but for physical ailments and mental health issues as well.
We discuss this in our annual Cannabis Issue, taking a look at the pros and cons of alcohol vs. cannabis, and talking to those in the industry about how cannabis has changed their lives. However you choose to have fun, chances are you’re going to be experiencing some late-night hunger, so this issue also has a look at dining options open after midnight.
This month, we also take a look at another industry on the rise locally: Books. I talked to a couple indie bookstores about why reading is having a moment, and all the fantastic things local shops have to offer that Amazon does not. Then, check out our Bookstore Guide to find one near you!
As always, you’ll find interviews with touring and local bands like Marc Scibilia and Ten Peso Version, alongside a spotlight on the local arts season, talking to St. Cecilia Music Center about their stacked March lineup and to the relatively young Ghosthouse Fine Art Studio about their unique approach to education.
Finally, Best of the West launches this month on March 17, and not only that, but it's the 10th anniversary! We launched this reader poll a decade ago to celebrate all the incredible people and businesses across West Michigan, and we're so grateful we get to keep making it happen thanks to readers like you. We know it means the world to our winners and finalists as well, so please join in shining a spotlight on the Best of the West!
‘Til next time,
WHO'S WHO
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Spotlight: Golf Space Deadline: 3/14/2025
Managing Editor | Josh Veal, josh@serendipity-media.com
Art Director | Courtney Van Hagen
Marketing Specialist | Kelsey Shoemaker
Distribution | Kelli Belanger
Contributing Writers | Allison Kay Bannister, John Kissane, Eric Mitts, Michaela Stock, Zachary Avery
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3/5
LAUGHFEST
Grand Rapids March 5-9
laughfestgr.org
WHAT’S GOING ON, MAR '25
As always, LaughFest has a whole lot to enjoy this year, including national touring comedians like Adam Ray, Gabby Bryan, Dan Soder, and Corey B. (Bonalewicz). Other events include: The Clean Comedy Showcase, LaughFest: Night at the Museum, Laughter RX Symposium, Pop Scholars, River City Improv and The Dirty Show. LaughFest is more than just a seriously good time. It also raises funds and awareness for a very important cause—Gilda’s Club Grand Rapids, a vibrant, FREE emotional health support community of children, adults, families, and friends on any kind of cancer journey.
3/7
MONSTER JAM
Van Andel Arena
130 W. Fulton St., Grand Rapids March 7-9 vanandelarena.com
Monster Jam drivers are trained, world-class athletes who have mastered not only the physical strength and mental stamina needed to compete, but the vital dexterity to control 12,000-pound machines capable of doing backflips, vertical two-wheel skills and racing at speeds up to 70 milesper-hour to produce jaw-dropping, live motorsports action. Come see these mechanical beasts race, drift, flip, catch massive air and more.
3/8
60TH ANNUAL MAPLE SUGAR FESTIVAL
Kalamazoo Nature Center March 8, 9 a.m.-4 p.m. naturecenter.org
Each year, the Kalamazoo Nature Center celebrates the first signs of spring, from the festival’s humble beginnings of a kettle on a tripod to today’s full day of activities, such as maple sugaring demonstrations, games, kids activities, and wagon
rides, with the all-important pancake breakfast topped off with real Michigan maple syrup. Join generations of visitors who have walked across the iconic bridge to breathe in the fresh air and delicious smells of pancakes cooking.
LUDACRIS
FireKeepers Casino
11177 E. Michigan Ave., Battle Creek March 8, 8 p.m. firekeeperscasino.com
A trailblazer in Southern rap, Ludacris rose to prominence in the late 1990s, quickly establishing himself as one of the most influential voices in hip-hop. His debut album, Back for the First Time, introduced fans to his distinct style, humor, and lyrical prowess, setting the stage for a legendary career. He’s since become known for his role as Tej Parker in the Fast & Furious films as well, but he’s never strayed from his roots, continuing to shine on the stage as a Grammy-winning rapper.
3/13
LUCAS ZELNICK
Dr. Grin’s Comedy Club
20 Monroe Ave. NW, Grand Rapids March 13-15 thebob.com
Lucas Zelnick is a New York Citybased comedian whose stand-up and crowd-work clips have exploded online, where he has received more than 100M views and 500K+ followers across Instagram and TikTok. If you watch comedy clips online, you’ve seen Zelnick. He has appeared in “SF Sketchfest” and as a guest on Amazon Prime Video’s “Sports Talk.” See him off your screen and on the stage at Dr. Grin’s this month.
3/14
DUDE DAD
GLC Live at 20 Monroe
1 Ottawa Ave. NW, Grand Rapids March 14, 7 p.m. glcliveat20monroe.com
Dude Dad, aka Taylor Calmus, creates comedy, DIY, and vlog videos about family life and more. He also stars in Magnolia Network’s
Super Dad, in which he helps other dads make their kid’s backyard dreams a reality. Come see his hilarious, relatable, “mostly clean” stand-up comedy at GLC Live.
3/15
IRISH OFF IONIA
Calder Plaza
March 15, 11 a.m.-9 p.m. irishoffionia.com
Formerly known as Irish On Ionia, the festival is rebranding as Irish Off Ionia and moving to Calder Plaza in downtown Grand Rapids. For over a decade, the zero-waste festival has drawn thousands of guests to celebrate St. Patrick’s Day with live music, Irish dancers, festive food, and beverages. The new location at Calder Plaza “will provide more space, a better guest experience, and an opportunity to enhance the festival.”
3/16
BUCKETHEAD
The Intersection’s Elevation 133 Cesar E. Chavez Ave. SW, Grand Rapids March 16, 7 p.m. sectionlive.com
If you’re wondering why Brian Patrick Carroll’s stage persona is called Buckethead, we suggest you simply look at a picture of Buckethead— he wears a bucket on his head. But more than that, he’s considered one of the most innovative and “fastest” guitarists of all time. He’s released 31 studio albums, along with more than 650 mini albums, ensuring you’ll definitely never run out of Buckethead to enjoy. See him tear up the stage at The Intersection this month.
3/22
3RD COAST AUTHOR & BOOK FESTIVAL
Downtown Grand Haven March 22, 11 a.m.-10 p.m. visitgrandhaven.com
Welcome to the biggest author and book festival on Lake Michigan! Hosted by The Book Cellar and Grand Haven Main Street DDA, this fest offers book lovers the chance
to meet more than 100 national and local authors for a day of signings, storytelling, and literary discovery.
3/25
R.E.S.P.E.C.T. A CELEBRATION OF THE MUSIC OF ARETHA FRANKLIN Miller Auditorium 1341 Theatre Dr., Kalamazoo March 25, 7:30 p.m. millerauditorium.com
R.E.S.P.E.C.T. is an electrifying tribute celebrating the music of the legendary Queen of Soul, Aretha Franklin. This concert experience takes audiences on a journey of love, tragedy, courage, and triumph. Starring a live band and supreme vocalists, come experience a night of music by one of the greatest artists of all time, featuring all your favorite hits like Natural Woman, Think, and I Knew You Were Waiting for Me.
3/29
DEBÍ TIRAR MÁS FIESTAS - BAD BUNNY PARTY
The Pyramid Scheme 68 Commerce Ave. SW, Grand Rapids March 29, 9 p.m. pyramidschemebar.com
Come celebrate the latest Bad Bunny album, Debí Tirar Más Fotos, at The Pyramid Scheme with this DJ set by DJ Lito. They’ll be playing all the hits from the Puerto Rican rapper/singer superstar, along with other reggaeton, dembow, merengue, & latin dance hits!
STARKBIERFEST!
Cedar Springs Brewing Co. 95 N. Main St., Cedar Springs March 29, 2-9 p.m. csbrew.com
Cedar Springs Brewing Company is proud to host the sixth annual, outdoor Starkbierfest (aka Strong Beer Festival). Raise a toast to the release of their seasonal BOCK Biers in a huge, 12,000-square-foot outdoor area and Bier Tent with live music—including energetic German polka and local country-rock), limited beer release, and Sausage Party!
TEN PESO VERSION: Grand Rapids Band Pushes 'To The Horizon'
| by Eric Mitts
The story behind the name of local indie rock trio Ten Peso Version is absolutely priceless.
Taken from a line in the classic 1986 comedy “Three Amigos,” starring Steve Martin, Martin Short, and Chevy Chase, it captures the sort of fun and friendship the band brings to their songs, videos, and performances, and explains why they’ve quickly risen in the West Michigan music scene.
“Out of context it just sounds like an indie band name,” vocalist/guitarist Ruben Resendiz Jr. told Revue . “Towards the beginning of the movie, these characters are trying to get a telegram sent. And so they have a guy typing out their telegram for them and he’s counting the words to tell him how much it costs. It’s going to cost 23 pesos. And they’re like, ‘Oh, well, we only have ten.’ So then he’s like, ‘OK, I’ll give you the ten peso version.’ And he starts scribbling words out. It’s a movie my mom and my uncles quoted all the time because they saw it when they were younger. And that was one of the quotes that I heard that just always stuck out to me, and makes me laugh.”
Resendiz started what has become Ten Peso Version with drummer Tom Nissen near the end of 2021. At their second show ever, playing as a duo at Tip Top in February 2022, bassist Collin Jones came up after and asked to join the band.
All three had recently moved to Grand Rapids with the goal of playing music. Resendiz grew up near Manistee, and
he and Nissen had previously played in a college band together in Mount Pleasant back around 2018. Jones, meanwhile, had spent time working on another project in Lakeview, and later commuting from Alto, before relocating to the city.
“As a kid I was always drumming on things, as most drummers do, right?” Nissen said. “And then I grew up playing the trombone, all throughout school and in the marching band, and just kind of played the drums as a hobby. I really hadn’t played in an actual band, though, until I was in college and met Reuben. That was my first experience playing in a real rock band.”
Resendiz said that was his first real band as well. He started playing guitar at around 10 years old, but didn’t get serious about it until he was 14. After teaching himself through YouTube and guitar tabs, he went to Grand Rapids Community College and started taking music theory classes and guitar lessons.
With a foundation of classic rock bands and blues-inspired riffs, Resendiz said he got more exposed to funk and jam bands while he and Nissen played in their previous band in Mount Pleasant.
“That’s kind of what I’m going for, music that’s just really fun to listen to, or to dance to, or to sing along to, just something that’s fun, something that gets you going,” Resendiz said. “So we’re open to anything really. Like, it could be Spanish, it could be rock, it could be experimental, or whatever. That’s kind of where we all meet.”
When Resendiz and Nissen met Jones in 2022, he brought experience to the band, having played bass since he was 14. His father was a musician and music teacher, and he played in garage bands all throughout high school, before helping other people during his 20s. He later moved to Grand Rapids at 30 to get a fresh start, which he did with Ten Peso Version. Jones said he brings a post-rock influence to the band that’s not obvious on the surface, but the elements are there in what the band is doing artistically.
Last year Ten Peso Version released their debut EP, Forward , as well as a music video for the lead track, “Friday Morning Afternoon.” They followed it up last summer with a live EP recorded at Dogtown Studio, and will return with their second EP, To The Horizon , set for release March 6, with a special release party at The Pyramid Scheme.
“The first three songs on the last EP are kind of like Reuben finds a band, and then we wrote our parts to his songs,” Jones said. “But on the last two songs, it’s like us writing music together as a band. And the next EP, all five of those songs we wrote fully together. So it’s us transitioning into the next stage of what the project is.”
Ten Peso Version recorded the new EP, To The Horizon , at River City Studios in Grand Rapids, with Ryan Roullard working as engineer. Resendiz wrote the first two songs, while Jones wrote the last two, and the band collaboratively jammed on the middle song.
The title comes from a lyric in the song “The River,” and thematically builds on the title of
their debut, Forward , by continuing to push ahead to what the band’s sound can become.
Ten Peso Version also just released a new video for their song “It Doesn’t Matter.” Made with their friend Kenny Acker and AVES Films over two exhausting days last August, the video showcases the band’s silly sense of humor, in addition to several Grand Rapids landmarks.
“Compared to the first music video we did for ‘Friday Morning Afternoon,’ this one was really cool because we actually got to get into character, and do some acting, rather than just playing,” Jones said. “And there’s a story that goes with the song.”
Ten Peso Version will have new merch available alongside their new EP March 6 at The Pyramid Scheme, with a raffle drawing and prizes. Both EPs will also be available as a single cassette at the show.
“I’m hoping that if we push hard enough people will start to knock at our door a little bit more,” Resendiz said. “We’re hoping to keep playing throughout the state and surrounding states, and we’re hoping to just keep it going.” ■
TEN PESO VERSION - TOWARDS THE HORIZON EP RELEASE
Wsg. Tiberius, Squatch, Joey Gaydos Jr. The Pyramid Scheme, 68 Commerce SW, Grand Rapids
March 6, 7 p.m. (doors), 8 p.m. (show), $15 advance, $18 at door, All Ages tenpesoversionband.com, pyramidschemebar.com
The sudden success of singersongwriter Marc Scibilia might seem like an overnight sensation. But the Buffalo-bred, now Nashville-based musician worked for years, toiling away in the industry, before his song “More To This” became a viral hit late last year.
With over 1.5 million followers, and over 1 billion streams across all of his social media platforms, Scibilia has mastered an approach to making music that feels distinctly modern, yet also distinctly his own. He works mostly by himself in the home studio he built following the pandemic, frequently sharing an inside look, and pulling back the curtain behind the magic of his unique style of live looping
“It just became a product of several things colliding,” Scibilia said. “COVID, and building a studio where I could kind of do everything, so I didn’t have to have people in during that period of time. And then learning, since I had all those instruments plugged in, what if you could actually live loop them so that you could make records really fast and come up with ideas really fast? And then I had one video kind of get big on the internet, and it was just me working in the studio. I wasn’t making anything. So I was like, ‘Well, what if I just showed this to people, this thing I’ve been working on? And then that exploded from there.’”
His take on The Verve’s “Bittersweet Symphony,” which trended at No. 1 on Instagram for weeks, among countless other popular covers and studio session videos have earned him new attention and new audiences, leading to his first-ever world tour this spring, following a soldout US tour last fall.
“The show we’re doing now as compared to even what we did in the fall, I was a totally one man band, kind of doing what I do on Instagram in the fall,” Scibilia said. “And now in the spring, I wanted to add one person to it. So I have this amazing
MARC SCIBILIA: From Home Studio to World Tour
| by Eric Mitts
drummer, Garrett Tyler, coming with me. And that frees me up a little bit… In the fall, it was like there were no safety nets. It was me, and like 10 instruments on stage. And I was creating all the sounds. This time around, we’re going to do that some. But there’s also going to be just some musical moments where I can just experience things like a normal musician who has people to play off of… It’s going to be a really different show.”
As a proudly independent artist Scibilia appreciates being able to work completely on his own terms now, after struggling with labels and other industry frustrations for years.
He started making music right out of high school, moving from Buffalo to Nashville in 2007, and signing a publishing deal just a few years later. Most of his early success in the 2010s came via song placements, with his song “How Bad We Need Each Other” landing on FOX’s hit show “Bones,” and his rendition of Woody Guthrie’s “This Land Is Your Land” airing as part of a JEEP commercial during the 2015 Super Bowl.
Scibilia performed on “The Today Show” in support of his 2015 debut album, Out of Style , amid tours with the likes of James Bay and Zac Brown Band, and later scored a huge hit overseas with German DJ Robin Schulz, who featured Scibilia on his international chart-topping smash “Unforgettable.”
“I think for younger artists that are trying to have a career in music, I think there’s so many ways to do it now,” Scibilia said when asked about what advice he would give to new musicians starting out.
“I think that if you can afford to float your life and also make art, in the meantime, and make your videos and post them, I think the longer you can delay having business people in your corner, to add pressure to your situation and influence your art, the better…
“So I think that if you can make a living, and make music and keep trying things until you start to click with an audience, you maintain more control and more power,” he added. “I think that’s really beneficial because artists always make the best decisions about their art.”
Working independently now, Scibilia
released his fourth album, More To This , last November. Working on the album entirely on his own, the immensely personal nature of the title track—that grapples with the death of his father, and Scibilia’s own experiences as a father himself—has resonated with listeners in a profound way, propelling him to an even deeper level success than he could have ever expected.
“When I wrote the song, it was cathartic,” Scibilia said. “It all came out at once and it was this, like a burst of creativity and sadness and beauty all at once. But between writing a song, and actually getting on stage and playing a song, there’s so many things that happened and so many setbacks you have…”
“And I remember the first night I walked on stage in Indianapolis,” he added. “It was our first show. I never played there. It was a packed full room. And I got to that song, and I started playing it, and I just looked out in the audience. And again, between writing this song, and all the logistics that got to that moment, literally the car breaking down that morning, I looked out in the audience and there were just so many people that just had like, their eyes were fully red and just tears streaming down their face. And I had this out-of-body experience where I was like, ‘Oh, you have to forget about all the logistics that brought you there.’ When you walk on stage, people don’t know how difficult it was to get to that actual show, or they don’t know what you went through to get there. It is a profoundly personal and spiritual and emotional experience when you’re on stage. And sometimes I have to remind myself of that because there’s so much that goes in between it. But I realized that night, this is real stuff for people, and I have to be totally present to it.” ■
MARC SCIBILIA – MORE TO THIS WORLD TOUR
Wsg. TBA
Elevation (Inside The Intersection), 133 Cesar E. Chavez Ave. SW, Grand Rapids April 1, 7 p.m. (doors), 8 p.m. (show), $25 advance, All Ages Marcscibilia.com, Sectionlive.com
Marc Scibilia. PHOTO COURTESY OF SHANE OBENSON
YOUR MONTHLY GUIDE TO WHAT’S GREAT IN THE GREAT OUTDOORS
TURNING INSIDE OUT
| by Allison Kay Bannister
Here’s something I keep asking myself: Can a column about outdoor recreation feature an indoor destination? I decided “Yes,” since the place in question is really more of a launchpad for all kinds of outside activities—in all seasons. I’m talking about Barothy Lodge in Walhalla, Michigan, which is kind of in-between Ludington and Baldwin off of M-10. It’s really a hidden gem, and I had to check myself on that point, too, wondering if I really wanted to reveal it to Revue readership or keep it a closely held secret out of pure selfishness.
But, I already have lodges booked this year for winter and summer, so I guess I can share the love. Here’s the scoop: It’s a massive, 320-acre wooded complex set on the Pere Marquette River with fifteen lodges in a range of sizes, from one bedroom to nine and a half. They all have a full kitchen, fireplace, deck, and outdoor grill, and most of them have a pool table, hot tub, and washer and dryer. Gray Hawk has a private pool and Whitetail has a sauna, in addition to the above. Are you starting to feel me on this?
The grounds are expansive and great for exploring, and they connect to Manistee National Forest if you want to delve deeper. There are wetland preserves and fishing ponds (and tons of waterfowl and other avian fauna roaming around, too), plus a frisbee golf course, sand volleyball courts, and tennis/pickleball courts. You can also shoot hoops on their half basketball pad, and play horseshoes or shuffleboard. And, there’s a public swimming pool that’s open Memorial Day through Labor Day.
In winter, you can hike and ski either on site or at Ludington State Park, about 20 minutes west. This year, we’re winter rafting again in Luther, which is roughly 40 minutes east-north-ish of our home base at Barothy.
When it starts to warm up, you can canoe, tube, or kayak on the river, whether you BYO equipment or rent from Baldwin Canoe Rental. Baldwin will actually pick you up at the lodge near the entrance and take you to your put-in location. At the end of your trip, you disembark back on Barothy land, and just leave your rented gear there. It’s pretty slick.
This summer will be the third year I’ve booked the Gray Hawk; the one with the
private pool. It may sound silly, but it does kind of make you feel like a celebrity when staying there. Or it makes me feel like one, anyway. When the other guests start rolling in and you greet them with a wave from your floating lounger, there’s definitely a Hollywood vibe to it. And, if you don’t get into that lodge, there’s still the public pool, which is just as inviting.
Barothy is also a hot spot for fishing on the river and, while on the water yourself, you’ll often pass folks clad in waders sending out lines for Brown and Rainbow Trout, Lake Michigan Steelhead, and Chinook Salmon, depending on the season. They also host a Casting for Recovery flyfishing retreat in August, which is specifically for women who have received a breast cancer diagnosis (no matter the stage or where they are in treatment or recovery). This offering is especially close to my heart! Check out castingforrecovery.org to learn more.
Finally, the last cool thing about Barothy is that it is set up really well to accommodate groups. That’s one of the reasons my Rec Sisters and I like it so much. They charge by the person, and it has an affordable nightly rate that you won’t come close to finding on those vacation rental sites. And, the fee is the fee; no surprises. You just have to remember to count beds, not go by how many it sleeps, or you may be shacking up in a queen with a friend. Been there!
For our winter trip, which will have occurred by the time you read this, we are going as a group of 17. I’m mildly terrified by this large number of individuals holed up in one place, but I expect we’ll break off into smaller groups to hike, hit a nearby winery, or head to Ludington, which always has plenty to do year round. Let’s hope it’ll be both a good story AND a good time! Find out everything you need to know at barothylodge.com. ■
LATE-NIGHT BITES in Grand Rapids
| by Josh Veal
You deserve to eat when you’re hungry—even if it is 2 a.m.
While Grand Rapids has lost some of its most iconic late-night eats, and we will forever mourn Jonny B’z and Bartertown, others have stepped up to the challenge. We have a decent number of spots to snag a bite past midnight, and a handful open even after the bars close.
So next time your stomach’s empty after dark and you’re wanting to keep your fourth meal local, check out these late-night bites around town.
SIDE PIECE BODEGA
1450 Wealthy St. SE, Grand Rapids Open ‘til midnight, Thu-Sat instagram.com/sidepiecegr
Next time you’re in Eastown up late, whether it’s for one of many bars on Wealthy, or just for a nice stroll, check out Side Piece Bodega, run out of a takeout window at Basalt. It’s a creative Tex-Mex spinoff catered to your late-night cravings, with everything from quesabirria and taquitos to smash burgers and mozz sticks. Plus: Candy, snacks, drinks and Tylenol, just like a real bodega!
VITO’S PIZZA
658 W. Fulton St., Grand Rapids Open ‘til 3 a.m. most days, 4 a.m. weekends vitospizza.net
Vito’s Pizza is open late—real late, every single night. Whether you’re at home on the couch watching Family Guy or at a factory working third shift, they’re happy to deliver near the downtown area deep into the night. Or, stop in for a slice! And yes, this is the spot from 30 Minutes or Less, starring Jesse Eisenberg.
TACOS
EL CUÑADO - BURTON
455 Burton St. SW, Grand Rapids Open ‘til 3 a.m. on weekends tacoselcunadoburtonsw.com
Tacos. Tortas. Burritos. What more do you need to know? Tacos El Cuñado has spread all around town for good reason, and the Burton Street location is open late on Fridays and Saturdays. You could spend an hour in the drive-thru at Taco Bell, or you could get some real Mexican food for your fourth meal.
YESTERDOG
1505 Wealthy St. SE, Grand Rapids Open ‘til midnight most days, 2 a.m. weekends yesterdoggrandrapids.com
Yesterdog is simply iconic, a local institution with a long history of famous customers like Barack Obama and Janet Jackson, not to mention just about every person who grew up in Grand Rapids. It feels like stepping into a tasty time machine, in the best way possible. They’re cash only, the menu only has six hot dogs, and most importantly, they’re open late.
NEW YORK FRIED CHICKEN
743 S. Division & 777 44th St., Grand Rapids, Open ‘til 3 a.m. most days, 4 a.m. weekends newyorkfriedchickengr.com
Inspired by the fast-paced, flavor-packed food scene of the Big Apple, New York Fried Chicken has a large, mouthwatering menu full of everything craveable—from fried chicken to burgers, Italian beef, fried fish, cheesesteaks, wings, fries, and all kinds of sides. It’s the perfect option for getting off a late-night shift, satisfying the munchies, or getting ahead of tomorrow’s hangover.
GRAND CONEY DINER
809 Michigan St. NE, Grand Rapids Open 24/7 thegrandconey.com
At what point do you cross the threshold from late-night eats to breakfast? That’s the kind of existential question one is left to ponder at Grand Coney, open 24 hours. When you’ve danced the night away but aren’t ready for it to end, and you need just a little bit more time with your friends before the wall of exhaustion hits, you head to Grand Coney for some eggs, hot dogs, fried food, and a cup of decaf.
BLUE DOG TAVERN
638 Stocking Ave. NW, Grand Rapids Open ‘til 1 a.m. on weekends bluedogtaverngr.com
For some slightly more primo dogs, all beef with lots of toppings, head to Blue Dog, one of the best bars with food in town. This casual friendly joint is known for its hot dogs, its many cute pictures of real dogs, and its loaded tots. And, for those of us who still love craft beer, they have a solid menu. Come here for one last drink and some grub to cap the night off.
THE FOOLERY
10 Ionia Ave. NW, Grand Rapids Open ‘til 1 a.m. on weekends thefoolerygr.com
When you’re downtown after a concert that went late and looking for a bite, head to The Foolery, known for scratch-made Detroit-style pizza. It’s luscious stuff, and available by the slice until 1 a.m. on Fridays and Saturdays, so you can hang out and wind down or just grab a bite and jet. And while you’re at it, you can grab a nightcap (alcoholic or non)! ■
OTHER LATE-NIGHT OPTIONS
STELLA’S LOUNGE
53 Commerce Ave. SW, Grand Rapids Kitchen open ‘til 12:30 a.m. on weekends
NONLA BURGER
449 Bridge St. NW, Grand Rapids Open ‘til 12 a.m. on weekends
FRATELLI’S PIZZA
435 Bridge St. NW, Grand Rapids Open ‘til midnight most days, 2 a.m. weekends
Z’S BAR & RESTAURANT
168 Louis Campau Promenade, Grand Rapids Kitchen open ‘til 1 a.m.
GINO’S PIZZA
1556 Wealthy St. SE, Grand Rapids Open ‘til 1 a.m. most days, 2 a.m. weekends
MIZIZI
1539 Plainfield Ave. NE, Grand Rapids Open ‘til midnight on weekends
MIDNIGHT EXPRESS CAFÉ
225 Hastings St. NE, Grand Rapids Kitchen open ‘til midnight every day
BIG O PIZZA & BOOZE
80 Ottawa Ave., Grand Rapids Open ‘til 2 a.m. on weekends
TURNSTILES
526 Stocking Ave. NW, Grand Rapids Kitchen open ‘til midnight on weekends
PEPPINO’S
130 Ionia Ave. & 1515 Eastport Dr., Grand Rapids Open ‘til 1 a.m. on weekends
WINE WEARY? BEER BORED?
CHEERS, CANNABIS!
After recreational cannabis was legalized in Michigan in late 2018, dispensaries slowly started cropping up. Fast forward to 2025, and there are shops eve-ry-where. A rough headcount puts the number at around 15-20 just in the immediate Grand Rapids area.
That’s a testament to just how much people like to get high. Or relax. Or sleep better. Or manage pain or anxiety. Or just lube their social interactions a little. While alcohol was once the predominant way many people loosened up, more and more are turning to cannabis for that and more.
This gravitation was already happening, with cultural (and generational) norms that emphasize drinking shifting to more people becoming sober curious or seeking buzz alternatives. But, with the recent federal report that came out about the negative health effects of even moderate alcohol use, many people found that news, well, sobering. And others didn’t. And that’s where the phrase “you do you” comes in. We’re just here to give the scoop on what’s going on out there—and some tips on what to look for if you’re interested in subbing out a bevvie for an eddie. No better person to talk to than Casey Kornoelje, owner of Pharmhouse Wellness, which was the second dispensary to open in Grand Rapids—and still a big player in the game. They’re not only one of the rare 100% locally owned shops; they’re also the only social equity program operator in the city. They do a lot in and for the community, and you should definitely check out their story on pharmhousewellness.com.
| by Allison Kay Bannister
ARE YOU SEEING A TREND OF PEOPLE DRINKING LESS THESE DAYS AND LEANING MORE ON CANNABIS, IN THE INDUSTRY AS WELL AS AT YOUR SHOP?
Yes, we are seeing a fair amount migrating toward cannabis versus alcohol, with many reporting that the side effects of alcohol outweigh its benefits. They are looking for an alternative that is less taxing on the body and mind.
WHAT ARE YOU RECOMMENDING TO YOUR CUSTOMERS WHO WANT SOMETHING AKIN TO THAT KIND OF BUZZ OR ARE JUST LOOKING TO REPLACE ALCOHOL WITH A CANNABIS PRODUCT?
Depending on an individual’s tolerance, we generally steer someone toward a ratioed cannabinoid gummy or edible. Ratioed edibles do not contain solely THC. They can be a ratio of THC to : CBD, THCA, or CBN, to name a few other cannabinoids. These types of edibles can be a nice fit for someone who doesn’t want to be zonked out or get too high, or is seeking specific effects, like sleep. Other cannabinoids often help to offset THC’s psychoactive properties. CBD, for example, is a non-psychoactive cannabinoid. Consuming it will not get you high. When combined with THC it has a tendency to counter psychoactivity and make it less intense, which is perfect for those who are sensitive to THC.
RECOGNIZING THAT EVERYONE’S BODY IS DIFFERENT, WHAT ARE SOME GENERAL GUIDELINES?
Someone looking to replace a glass of wine or 1-2 beers for relaxation may consider experimenting with a ratioed edible in the 1-5mg range. A few words of advice: Give yourself at least an hour after consuming edibles before going back in for more. That hour of time ensures your body absorbs the cannabis, and feels its effects. You can also cut edibles in half or quarters to further lower the dose. Start low and go slow!
WITH SO MANY DISPENSARIES IN THE REGION, WHAT DO YOU WANT PEOPLE TO KNOW ABOUT THE STATE OF BUSINESS?
This March, Pharmhouse celebrates our five-year anniversary, which seems like an eternity in the cannabis industry. In that time, we’ve experienced distinct phases: Growth marked by early entry to market, stability as those markets mature, and hyper-competitive, “saturated” environments where share has been divvied up. That latter stage is where I think we find most Michigan cannabis markets in 2025. We have been able to navigate these ebbs and flows with a few key ingredients:
Aspiring to slow, organic growth marked by low leverage (modest debt).
Retaining a core team that enjoys the work, and cares about the vision of the company.
Developing relationships in the community and with key vendors to support business needs.
We are grateful for the support and love we feel in Grand Rapids. It hasn’t always been easy, but it’s a journey that we take a tremendous amount of pride in. We hope you’ll check us out someday and help keep craft, independent cannabis alive. Peace out y’all! ■
Casey Kornoelje. COURTESY PHOTO
CANNABIS & CBD PROVISIONING CENTERS
AMSTERDAM
PREMIUM CANNABIS
11280 E. Michigan Ave., Battle Creek amsterdambc.com
ASCEND CANNABIS
6010 B Dr. N, Battle Creek
2741 28th St. SE, Grand Rapids
503 Century Ave. SW, Grand Rapids 1336 Scribner Ave. NW, Grand Rapids letsascend.com
CANNA 43
33760 Co Rd 653, Gobles canna43.com
CANNAMAZOO
2233 N. Burdick St., Kalamazoo
CANNAVIBES EMPORIUM
1135 W. Dickman Rd., Battle Creek mycannavibes.com
GAGE
48 Main St., Battle Creek
3075 Peregrine Dr. NE, Grand Rapids 3825 Stadium Dr., Kalamazoo 2712 Portage St., Kalamazoo gagecannabis.com
GREAT LAKES
PROVISION CENTER 811 Maple St., Big Rapids
GREEN EDEN
7215 S. Westnedge Ave. Way, Portage
GREEN KOI
435 Bluestar Highway, Douglas (269) 206-3305 greenkoi.com
HIGH PROFILE
2321 44th St. SE, Grand Rapids
1148 Leonard St. NW, Grand Rapids
823 W. Michigan Ave., Kalamazoo
4037 S. Westnedge Ave., Kalamazoo 1265 E. Laketon Ave., Muskegon highprofilecannabis.com
KAI CANNABIS
3737 Apple Ave., Muskegon getkai.com
LAKE EFFECT
5216 S. Westnedge Ave., Portage lakeeffected.com
LEVELS CANNABIS
1840 6th St., Muskegon 4500 W Kl Ave., Kalamazoo 1628 Division Ave., Grand Rapids 1021 Jackson St., Grand Haven enjoylevels.com
LIV CANNABIS
3769 28th St. SE, Grand Rapids livcannabis.com
LOVE SUPREME CRAFT CANNABIS
1925 Century Ave. SW, Grand Rapids lovesupremecultivations.com
NIRVANA CENTER
401 N. Sage St., Kalamazoo 1250 W. Main St., Lowell ccbydesign.com
NOBO
1401 E. Apple Ave., Muskegon nobogoods.com
NOXX
2440 28th St. SE, Grand Rapids 1234 Plainfield Ave. NE, Grand Rapids (COOKIES) 330 Ann St. NW, Grand Rapids noxx.com
OLSWELL CANNABIS CO. 1940 28th St. SE, Grand Rapids olswell.com
PHARMHOUSE WELLNESS
831 Wealthy St. SW, Grand Rapids pharmhousewellness.com
PINCANNA
CLOUD CANNABIS
928 28th St. SE, Grand Rapids
621 W. Fulton St., Grand Rapids 2190 Whitehall Rd., Muskegon 521 E. Mosel Ave., Kalamazoo
206 N. Main St. NE, Cedar Springs cloudcannabis.com
When Cloud cannabis says to “Live Higher,” there’s a little more to it than you might think. They’re talking about elevating your life, your health, your productivity, and your enjoyment— all the stuff you want to take your life to the next level. They’ll guide you to the product for you, however you want to live higher.
DOJA
4203 E. Centre Ave., Portage dojanow.com
EXCLUSIVE CANNABIS
2350 29th St. SE, Grand Rapids 937 Foster Ave., Kalamazoo 4515 E. Apple Ave., Muskegon
2384 W. Main St., Lowell exclusivemi.com
HOUSE OF DANK
3150 E. Mall Dr. SE, Grand Rapids shophod.com
Dedicated to world-class cannabis products, House of Dank is committed to making a lasting impact in Michigan—featuring a wide selection of flower, vaporizers, concentrate, edibles, CBD and more. The talented in-house team has a vast knowledge of the medical and therapeutic benefits of cannabis and works to ensure every consumer is receiving the perfect product.
INDIGROW
639 W. Clay Ave., Muskegon indigrow.com
JARS GRAND RAPIDS
1815 Alpine Ave. NW, Grand Rapids
925 40th St. SE, Grand Rapids
1801 Peck St., Muskegon
6790 Just Barns Dr., Fennville
142 South Main St., Wayland jarscannabis.com
LUME
16 N. Main St. NE, Cedar Springs 4162 Eastern Ave. SE, Grand Rapids 3406 Stadium Dr., Kalamazoo 1425 W. Main St., Lowell 5324 Meredith St., Portage lume.com
MEDS CAFÉ
1965 W. Main St., Lowell medscafe.com
MINT CANNABIS
730 East Cork St., Kalamazoo mintdeals.com
NATURE’S RELEAF
666 Leonard St. NW, Grand Rapids naturesreleaf.com
NEW STANDARD
12261 Cleveland St., Nunica 6406 Blue Star Memorial Hwy, Saugatuck
29 E Lake St., Sand Lake anewstandard.com
123 E South St., Kalamazoo (855) 929-2266 pincanna.com
With a finger on the pulse of the cannabis industry, Pincanna’s vast selection of products are proudly handcrafted from award-winning, Michigan-grown cannabis, produced at their state-ofthe-art facility. “We’re based here, we’re invested here, we’re growing here.”
PREMIER BOTANICS
1450 W. Main St., Lowell prembotanics.com
PURE OPTIONS
1965 Holton Rd., Muskegon pureoptions.com
SKYMINT
2900 S. Division Ave., Grand Rapids
3630 Gull Rd., Kalamazoo
2345 E. Apple Ave., Muskegon 11999 Cleveland St., Nunica 3423 Plainfield Ave. NE, Grand Rapids skymint.com
SOZO MUSKEGON
580 W. Hackley Ave., Muskegon sozolife.com
THE GREEN DOOR CANNABIS
500 Linn St., Allegan 126 W Monroe St., Bangor thegreendoorcannabis.com
THE REEF MUSKEGON
525 W. Norton Ave., Muskegon Heights findthereef.com
THE REFINERY
3650 Alvan Rd., Kalamazoo refinemi.com
CBD/HEMP
CBD STORE OF MICHIGAN
37 E Main St, Fremont (616) 291-9558 cbdstoremi.com
MADE BY HEMP
CBD WELLNESS
904 Chicago Dr, Georgetown Twp madebyhemp.com
PREMIER HEMP CO.
500 W. Crosstown Pkwy, Kalamazoo premierhempcompany.com
SHAH SAFFRON CBD shahcbd.com
THE CBD STORE
1830 172nd Ave. Ste D2, Grand Haven
TIMBER CANNABIS
133 Marshall St., Allegan 105 Perry Ave., Big Rapids 313 W. Laketon Ave., Muskegon 19615 US 12, New Buffalo 691 S. US Hwy 131, Three Rivers timbercannabisco.com
Timber Cannabis Co. was founded in 2020 to bring quality cannabis to Michigan consumers. They cultivate what they sell, and they only offer what they love. Timber is here to make it easy for you to purchase and enjoy cannabis, eliminating the barriers that keep most people from reaching that goal.
1111 Washington Ave., Holland 280 N. River Ave., Holland thecbdstoremi.com
THE GRASSY KNOLL
2125 Lemuel St, Muskegon ohgrassyknoll.com
Stash Ventures. COURTESY PHOTO
CANNA Q&AS
We talked with people in the local cannabis industry—from budtenders to managers—about their favorite products, how they use the plant in their daily life, and some of their favorite cannabis-inspired memories.
| by Josh Veal
WHAT DO YOU THINK MAKES YOUR STORE STAND OUT?
I would say the vibe all day. I’m talking about both the shop aesthetic and the silly people you’ll meet inside. Even with all the regulations and rules, we make sure the experience is pleasant from the minute you walk in the door. Our team is so friendly, knowledgeable and genuinely happy to be there.
WHAT’S YOUR FAVORITE PRODUCT YOU CARRY RIGHT NOW?
We just harvested some of our own Strawberry Sour Haze from the garden and it smells so delicious. It’s reminding me that Michigan summers exist, and aren’t that far away. So this strain is my new go-to bud when sharing with friends. I loved watching this plant grow, and grow and grow. The buds were so heavy and sticky. My favorite edible product on the menu right now is the Kazumi’s Mushroom and THC gummy line. They have 5 flavor options, each containing 200mg of full-spectrum cannabis extract plus adaptogenic mushrooms such as Lion’s Mane, Cordyceps & Reishi.
WHAT ROLE DOES CANNABIS PLAY IN YOUR DAILY LIFE?
I’ve always consumed different forms of cannabis as a way to either connect with people, relax, or tap into my creative side. Admittedly, when I was younger it was less intentional. Nowadays, I’m really selective about how much and what products I consume. I’d rather choose a low-dose product that gives me the exact buzz I’m looking for in the moment.
DO YOU HAVE A FAVORITE CANNABIS-RELATED MEMORY?
I recently attended a women-focused cannabis event hosted the ladies of Ashe Lounge. We enjoyed cannabis mocktails, infused snacks and desserts, and a rollyour-own-joint apothecary. The venue was gorgeous, the guests were all so happy to be there, and it really made me remember why we all love this plant. It sure would be cool if we could host events like this in Grand Rapids! ;)
WHAT DO YOU THINK MAKES YOUR STORE STAND OUT?
It’s all about experience. We have amazing people that have been properly trained and have some incredible product knowledge. We ensure we will be easy to do business with, have a large selection and competitive prices. Not only will you have a good experience while shopping inside the store, you will also have a great experience with the products at home.
WHAT’S YOUR FAVORITE PRODUCT YOU CARRY RIGHT NOW?
I am a diehard flower smoker. My favorite flower to smoke is our High Minded Permanent Marker. The overall effect I receive after consuming is exactly what I enjoy. It also has an incredible smell and taste while smoking. It is my go to product in our stores.
WHAT ROLE DOES CANNABIS PLAY IN YOUR DAILY LIFE?
Cannabis has been a crucial part of my life for many years now. It allows me to relax but does not take away my ability to function. It truly helps with my pain relief and ability to focus.
DO YOU HAVE A FAVORITE CANNABIS-RELATED MEMORY?
I would say pre legal market, it would be some of my silly memories coming up with creative ways to smoke with my friends. We did many crazy things, from making bowls out of fruit to taking a massive Culligan jug and turning it into a gravity bong. Professionally would be when I came into the industry and Grand Opened our second store, Timber Allegan.
WHAT DO YOU THINK MAKES YOUR STORE STAND OUT?
What makes House of Dank stand out is the wide variety of brands and products we carry. We’ve got something in all price ranges and a wide selection of flavors always in stock.
WHAT’S YOUR FAVORITE PRODUCT YOU CARRY RIGHT NOW?
My current favorite product is the North Coast Donuts. They are a 1g top shelf flower preroll mixed with 0.5g of their North Coast Rosin.
WHAT ROLE DOES CANNABIS PLAY IN YOUR DAILY LIFE?
Cannabis is my favorite way to end the day! I love sitting down to relax after a long day and smoking some flower and having a nice dinner, typically followed by a rosin dab after.
DO YOU HAVE A FAVORITE CANNABIS-RELATED MEMORY?
Smoking for the first time with my grandma.
WHAT DO YOU THINK MAKES YOUR STORE STAND OUT?
NOXX Cannabis stands out for our dedication to top-tier customer service which includes providing customers with quality products and a memorable, educational experience.
WHAT’S YOUR FAVORITE PRODUCT YOU CARRY RIGHT NOW?
Good Tide Gummies; whether you’re looking to get better sleep, feel more positive and creative, or just looking to relax, Good Tide has a gummy for you, and they all taste delicious.
WHAT ROLE DOES CANNABIS PLAY IN YOUR DAILY LIFE?
Cannabis plays a big role in my everyday life, helping to regulate my mood and keep me focused on important tasks as well as helping me wind down at night after a busy day.
DO YOU HAVE A FAVORITE CANNABIS-RELATED MEMORY?
My favorite cannabis-related memory is smoking with my little sister for her first time when she turned 18; she was afraid of getting lethargic and sleepy, but we instead ended up running laps around the park and laughing for hours, changing her whole perception of cannabis altogether. ■
MATT W., District Manager - Stash Ventures
ERIN OTTEN, General Manager - Noxx Cannabis
SKYELAR HOORT, Owner - Love Supreme Cannabis
TANNER DUPONT, Store Manager - House of Dank
BThe Return of Indie Bookstores ON THE SAME PAGE:
| by Josh Veal
ookstores are back, baby!
Not that they ever vanished entirely, but Grand Rapids seems to now have more than I’ve experienced in 34 years of life here.
We’ve recently seen small indie shops like Cellar Bird Books, Pages & Grapes and Black Dog open doors, and they’re doing quite well, while longtime institutions like Schuler Books expanded their Okemos location.
Compare this to 2014, when the Alpine and downtown locations of Schuler closed doors, a few years after Borders filed for bankruptcy, and other indie shops like Books & Mortar didn’t even exist yet. It seemed to me as though Amazon may have won the book wars, with the publishing industry leaving storefronts and heading online.
While certain local heroes held strong, such as Argos in GR and The Bookman in Grand Haven, it wasn’t until the last couple years that we started to see the reading resurgence manifesting today.
Surveys show that 2022 was one of the best-selling years for books in decades, and chances are, you personally know a good number of people who’ve brought reading back into their lives recently.
Elizabeth Bosscher, marketing manager for Schuler Books, believes this can largely be attributed to the pandemic, as people were seeking hobbies they could do at home while trying to rediscover the simple joys of life. And, somewhat ironically, social media like TikTok and Instagram have played a large part, producing influencers and building huge communities around reading.
In fact, Schuler itself created a TikTok in 2023, and it already has more than 500,000 followers, by far more than any other platform they’re on. “What it has done over the last few years for books and bookstores is really undeniable. It’s really increased the discoverability of new and different books,” Bosscher said, comparing it to streaming platforms helping people go beyond Top 40 music, with legacy platforms like the New York Times Bestseller list and celebrity book clubs essentially producing the Top 40 of books.
That discoverability is part of what Schuler works to encourage as well, with employees more than happy to help
guide you to the book that’s right for you (“A mirror inro your own life, or a window into someone else’s,” Bosscher says), rather than just the most popular book around.
Cellar Bird Books on Bridge Street has a similar mission, having opened just a few months ago. Owner Lea Kocurek actually spent years living in Los Angeles and working on animated films before moving to Grand Rapids with her husband and working remotely, until she dove headfirst into her dream of owning a bookstore last November.
With a shop like Cellar Bird, it’s the perfect place to discover something new, and you have the advantage of a highly curated space, driven by Kocurek’s taste and knowledge. “I really love literary and contemporary fiction, so I definitely have packed that area pretty full. I actually started by looking at my bookshelves and thinking, ‘What would I want other people to read?’”
She’s already established relationships with regulars who come to her for more suggestions and special requests, which is why an independent bookstore is the perfect place to get back into reading if you’ve been away. “Talking to a bookseller is a wonderful place to begin. You can describe what you like to do for fun, or what movies or TV shows you like to watch. Those are great starting points for us to understand what you’ll enjoy.”
Beyond that, local bookstores offer a whole slew of things you can’t get through online shopping, including author events, of which Schuler has many.
“Across our four stores, we did 168 events last year,” Bosscher said. “They’re not intimidating or highly academic—they’re really fun. Our average attendance is 30 to 40 people, and you get to sit in a room, hear from an author, get a book signed. You don’t have to know anything about the book, or even buy one at the end, to show up, but it’s an opportunity to discover something new. Or maybe it’s a book you already know and like, and this is an opportunity to find some new community.”
Speaking of making friends, community is a massive part of reading, and a driving force behind its recent popularity as people seek in-person connection. Cellar Bird has three book clubs offered through the store (one for rotating genre books, one for poetry, and one for classics). Meanwhile,
Schuler helps by offering a special table stocked with books at 20% off for dozens of local clubs that get in touch. “And we don’t do discounts on many things.”
While this is all great for adults, Schuler is placing a big focus on keeping children reading as well, as literacy in kids is declining. Bosscher suggests parents let their kids read whatever captivates them, including graphic novels (yes, they very much count as books). “We need to let them read for fun, because if we can keep their literacy up and keep them interested in books, eventually they will use that as a tool to read for education as well.”
Of course, local bookstores have a number of other advantages over online shopping—they support local authors, they ensure actual quality (which has dropped drastically on Amazon), and perhaps most of all, they provide a wonderful space to hang out.
Many people, myself included, find it deeply soothing to spend hours in a bookstore, flipping through pages, touching covers, sitting in big comfy chairs, and just generally getting lost. Bosscher said Schuler loves it when people come in, hang out and use the store as a third space, and Cellar Bird feels the same.
“I wanted to create a cozy space for people to be able to just spend time,” Kocurek said. “It’s not only about coming in to buy something. I feel like bookstores are an experience, and you can take time to look at things, and you’ll maybe discover things you hadn’t heard of before.
“In these first three months, it’s become so apparent to me how much about community it is. I’m really excited about that, and looking forward to all the possibilities of what’s next.” ■
West Michigan Bookstore Guide LOCALLY LIT:
I| by Revue Staff
f you’re looking for an independent bookstore to peruse, West Michigan has you covered. Grand Rapids alone has more local bookstores around the city than we can even cover here, thanks to so many people searching for an in-person shopping experience—not to mention the shops in outlying towns, along the lakeshore and in Kalamazoo. Even with the rise of e-books, many readers today want to hold books in their hands, to feel the pages, see the covers and even smell the ink.
It’s about forming a connection, but it’s also about supporting local, knowing the money is going to fellow book lovers who live in your community. Plus, these independent bookstores host events, sell unique and rare used books you won’t find online, and ensure quality.
So if you’re looking to get out and get shopping, here are some favorite independent bookstores around West Michigan.
BOOKS & MORTAR
966 Cherry St. SE, Grand Rapids booksandmortar.com
In 2016, Books & Mortar opened doors, and they’ve only grown in size and scope since. Proudly identifying as a “progressive, consciously curated, and fiercely independent bookstore,” they’re all about fighting for books through community support, diverse and inclusive readings, critical thought and justice advocacy. If you love books and want to make the world a better place for everyone—while having fun along the way—these are your people.
CELLAR BIRD BOOKS
415 Bridge St. NW, Grand Rapids cellarbirdbooks.com
Cellar Bird joined the lively Bridge Street at the end of last year, bringing an independent bookstore option to the West Side. The shop is cozy as can be and carefully curated by owner Lea Kocurek, who stocks all genres but has a keen eye for literary and contemporary fiction— alongside plenty of puzzles and other gift items that pair perfect with reading, like candles and bookmarks. Plus, Cellar Bird is building a community, and invites you to join one of three monthly book clubs!
SCHULER BOOKS
2660 28th St. SE, Grand Rapids schulerbooks.com
True OGs of the independent books scene, Schuler Books was founded in 1982 and
has held strong on 28th Street for over 40 years now. You’ll find thousands of books across every genre and age range here, alongside vinyl records, puzzles, toys, book accessories, comfy home goods and more— not to mention the Chapbook Café, perfect for meeting friends or cracking open a book while enjoying a hot bev.
ARGOS BOOK SHOP
1405 Robinson Rd. SE, Grand Rapids facebook.com/@argosbookshop
If you like used books and/or comics, Argos is a little slice of heaven. It’s the perfect place to find classic books with cool vintage designs, and at a cheaper price than brand-new. In the same Eastown location since 1975, Argos is beloved locally for its huge selection of both books and comics in a relatively small space, excellent staff, and great vibes. Plus: They have Pokemon and Magic cards!
PAGES & GRAPES
1760 44th St. SW, Wyoming pagesandgrapes.com
Do you love romance? Do you love romance so much, you don’t even particularly care to read other genres? Then Pages & Grapes is the place to be, as this unique new romance-only bookstore in Wyoming is all about transporting readers to enchanting worlds of love. In addition to its literary offerings, the shop features an elegant selection of locally sourced wines, enhancing the overall experience. More than just a bookstore, Pages & Grapes
wants to be a community space that embraces romance and celebrates life’s finer pleasures.
BLACK DOG BOOKS AND RECORDS
959 E. Fulton St., Grand Rapids blackdoggr.square.site
Black Dog is a used bookstore and record shop for the modern times, unapologetically progressive and driven by owner William Moore’s taste and philosophy. They love to buy and sell books on labor, LGBTQ issues, Black studies, horror, poetry, art and current fiction. They do not buy or sell history books, romance novels, or most biographies. That said, no matter what you enjoy, with a backstock of approximately 8,000 used books, you’re sure to find something for you here.
THE BOOKMAN
715 Washington Ave., Grand Haven bookmanbookstore.indielite.org
At The Bookman, they believe bookstores play an essential role in community, offering a “third place” for people to converse, collaborate and relax. They strive to foster a warm, welcoming atmosphere not only through a diverse selection of both new and used books, magazines and a whole lot of gifts, but through experiences such as author presentations, poetry readings, art displays, bookclubs, storytimes and even live concerts. This shop has been going strong since 1974 for a reason—great vibes, great people, great books, and of course, a cute store cat.
BOOK CELLAR
8 N. 7th St., Grand Haven facebook.com/usedbooksgh
The Book Cellar is a beloved independent bookstore in Grand Haven, committed to connecting readers with amazing authors and unforgettable stories. They sell both new and consignment books of all types, as well as rare and autographed books. And on March 22, they’ll be a big part of the 3rd Coast Author & Book Festival, bringing more than 100 national and local authors to Grand Haven throughout the day—with a VIP evening event to boot!
THIS IS A BOOKSTORE & BOOKBUG
3019 Oakland Dr., Kalamazoo bookbugkalamazoo.com
If you were wondering: Yes, this is a bookstore is a bookstore. And so is Bookbug, and they’re related! This indie Kalamazoo shop spans two adjacent locations: this is a bookstore, featuring adult interest titles, with focus on literary fiction, nonfiction, contemporary politics and graphic novels, and Bookbug, focused entirely on children’s books. With over 7,000 square feet of combined space, the store also features a full service cafe/bar and hosts many events, including: adult book fairs, author readings, workshops, trivia nights, musical performances, book clubs, story times and more.
THE BOOK NOOK
242 Butler St., Saugatuck booknooksaugatuck.com
This locally owned, independent bookstore is open year-round, featuring gently used and new books, puzzles, local photography and literary gifts. Come enjoy personalized, friendly service with small town charm. ■
STRINGS, STORIES & HARMONIES:
Five Nights of Music at St. Cecilia
In a performance captured in 1966, Judy Collins stands on an unadorned stage, guitar in hand. Her hair, cut simply, is dark; her dress is white. She’s twentyseven, one year older than John Lennon, whose “In My Life” she begins to play. It’s a beautiful rendition, clear and still. Fiftynine years later, Lennon has passed, and Collins’ hair long ago turned white, but she’s still singing. She returns to St. Cecilia Music Center on March 13th, one of five concerts the venue will host that month.
Preceding that show will be the Lone Bellow, on March 8th. The band was born out of tragedy. Zach Williams, a newlywed, had been stunned by the paralysis his wife endured after suffering a horse-riding accident. To cope, he wrote in a journal; later, urged by friends, he would learn to play guitar. After his wife recovered, he moved with her to New York City and began to make his name as a musician.
The Lone Bellow is a trio, composed of Williams, Kanene Pipkin, and Brian Elmquist. Each member plays and sings, working together to create a sound drawing from country, bluegrass, folk, and even gospel. “They have such amazing harmonies,” said Cathy Holbrook, Executive & Artistic Director of St. Cecilia Music Center. And you can meet them afterward; as with all St. Cecilia’s concerts, there will be a free reception immediately following the show.
Grammy Award-winning Collins follows on March 13th. Nearly seven decades into her career, her voice has changed, but not failed. “It’s matured,” Holbrook said. “It’s still fresh and still beautiful.” And she’s a part of musical history (Rolling Stone deemed “Sweet Judy Blue Eyes,” the Crosby, Stills & Nash about her, one of the greatest songs of all time). She brings those stories to life in stories as enjoyable as the music itself.
Five-time Grammy nominee Julian Lage takes the stage on March 18th. Lage, a guitarist, was a child prodigy, learning guitar because he wanted to be like his dad. At twelve, he appeared in a Grammys telecast devoted to learning jazz. “He is music,” Holbrook said. In October 2019, he played St. Cecilia with legendary jazz pianist Fred Hersch. This time around, he’ll be part of a trio–a sort of jazz chamber music, as Holbrook described it (onstage will be a drummer, a pianist, and Lage).
Lage’s playing often has a dreamy, unhurried quality that can belie its technical rigor, as effective for the spaces it leaves between the notes as for the notes themselves. His playing has been described by reviewers as effortless, which is understandable but incorrect; only through lots of effort can you begin even to consider playing like that.
On March 20th and in partnership with the Chamber Music Society of Lincoln
Center, the venue will host an evening of classical music anchored by Schubert’s “Trout Quintet,” one of the most beloved pieces in chamber music history. Of it, musician Sophie Scholl has said that “you can positively feel and smell the breeze and hear the birds and the whole of creation shouting for joy.”
Among the musicians on-stage will be Wu Han, pianist and co-artistic director of the Chamber Music Society of Lincoln Center. She began learning music at the age of nine, and has since played all over the world. Particularly dear to her heart is St. Cecilia, which she’s called “a little Carnegie Hall”; she has played the venue many times.
The final concert of the month takes place on March 28th, when The War and Treaty take the stage. A husband-andwife duo whose energetic, positive music draws from country, folk, gospel, and more, they’ve earned multiple Grammy nominations, and are the first Black duo to be nominated for the Country Music Association’s Duo of the Year award. “Love Like Whiskey,” a driving, joyful song with a roll-down-your-windows-and-sing-along chorus, is representative.
If it seems like a particularly packed month for St. Cecilia, it is; while the venue’s known for drawing criticallyacclaimed and much-loved artists, it doesn’t typically showcase five in one month. But
it is typical that the music will be drawn from three primary genres: folk, jazz, and chamber music. Less popular these days than, say, hip-hop or pop, they nevertheless have their passionate admirers, all of whom are well-served by St. Cecilia. For the jazz shows, the devoted fans buy tickets to everything St. Cecilia stages, whereas sales of the folk shows tend to be more artistdriven. But regardless, they come.
“I tell people, there’s truly something for everyone,” Holbrook said. The March lineup more than demonstrates the truth of that statement, providing community members–and those outside the community, but within driving or even flying distance–the opportunity to sit in a gorgeous jewel box of a performance hall with perfect acoustics and let the music wash over you, one note at a time. ■
ST. CECILIA MUSIC CENTER 24 Ransom NE, Grand Rapids scmcgr.org
THE LONE BELLOW, Mar. 8
JUDY COLLINS, Mar. 13
JULIAN LAGE, Mar. 18
SCHUBERT’S TROUT QUINTET, Mar. 20
THE WAR & TREATY, Mar. 28
| by John Kissane
PAINTING A FUTURE: How Ghosthouse Makes Fine Art Accessible
| by John Kissane
In the public imagination, making good art requires two gifts: inspiration and talent.
Inspiration is unpredictable and can strike at any time, so keep a sketchbook handy. You never know when the light will fall perfectly on the face of a beautiful woman standing on a passing ferry, or when a bird, having lit on a branch, will tilt its head just so. Talent—well, you have it or you don’t. Some people are born artists.
That may or may not be true, but Alec Zemper, founder of Ghosthouse Fine Art Studio, knows one thing for sure: no one’s born knowing how to hold a paintbrush. Learning to paint—and draw, and sculpt, etc.—takes instruction, which these days can be increasingly cost-prohibitive.
Unable to afford college, Zemper moved from his hometown of Howell, MI to Long Island. He worked with his hands, maintaining and restoring traditional wooden sailboats. When time allowed, he studied the work of 19th-century painters in books, teaching himself to draw. Eventually he quit his work on sailboats and cast off into life as a painter. Convinced that untrained artists needed a more affordable option than college, he opened a studio in Oregon before moving back to Michigan; he now teaches Advanced Painting at Interlochen.
Ghosthouse Fine Art Studio, which Zemper owns and at which he, along with four other fine artists, teaches, demonstrates his ongoing commitment to affordability. Broadly, classes focus on drawing, painting, sculpture, and theory. Particular courses include Architectural Drawing & Perspective, Botanical Illustration, and Classical Figure Drawing, among others. Private and small group lessons are available by request.
As of this writing, a single session, such as an open life drawing event, costs as little as $20; an Advanced Drawing Techniques course, which runs three hours every Tuesday for eight weeks, costs $440. Given the small class sizes, the excellence of the instructors, and the opportunity for expert, personalized guidance, this represents a real bargain, especially as compared against the cost per credit hour of art colleges, which of necessity factor in significant administrative expenses. (Not incidentally, only 2% of graduates of art schools make their living as artists).
Materials are provided and no experience on the part of the student is required; classes are designated “Beginner,” “Intermediate,” and “Advanced”and “Beginner” means exactly that. “I’ve taught students as young as nine,” Zemper said. “And I was teaching them French academic method. Those kids were learning things well beyond what students in college sometimes learn. Kids can do so much more than we give them credit for.” (Classes featuring nude life models are only for students 18 years old
or older, or 16-17 with parental permission).
As an instructor, Zemper draws on traditional methods, methods that stretch back to Rembrandt and even earlier. “We use techniques the Egyptians used,” he said. Learning how to sit in your chair, how to hold your brush, how to stretch a canvas, how to select a frame: the goal of teaching the fundamentals isn’t to produce artists who produce indistinguishable art, but to teach them how to best get down on paper, or canvas, or in clay, what’s already in their heads.
It’s not a new approach. “People have had schools like this for hundreds of years,” he said. “But they started to die out in the 1920s.” The name, Ghosthouse: a joke, then, or an acknowledgment. “We’re building on the shoulders of people who are long gone.”
The results, some of which can be seen on the studio’s website, speak for themselves. Click “Student Work” and you’ll be taken to several impressive works, most of them representational. Take one: a girl in profile; she looks left against a blue background. She has long hair, neatly brushed, pulled taut behind her ear. It’s a striking painting. And not only is it the work of a student, it’s the work of a teenager. You have to scroll down further to reach the work of adult students, and you should: like the work of the teenagers, it displays imagination, atmosphere, and skill.
“Most people in our classes have never painted,” Zemper said. What they’ve since accomplished is remarkable, a world away from the fun but forgettable artwork churned out at, say, paint-andsip parties. If that’s ping pong, this is tennis.
“Everybody can paint. Everyone should deepen their understanding of what beauty is. People can actually create objects of beauty. I mean that sincerely. It isn’t easy–it’s very difficult, in fact. But anyone can do it.”
That’s what Ghosthouse does: It gives you the tools to create those objects. It isn’t in the business of dictating atmosphere, or subject, or approach; if there’s a distinction to be made between art and craft, it’s craft that Ghosthouse teaches, while the students–through their life experiences, imagination, and daring–supply the art.
In a city that has often proclaimed its love for art while not always demonstrating an understanding of what it takes to facilitate its creation, Ghosthouse is a welcome return to what matters. ■
GHOSTHOUSE
- FINE ART STUDIO + WORKSHOP
929 E. Fulton St., Grand Rapids ghosthousegr.com
MARCH ARTSCalendar
Arts exhibitions and performances have returned in full swing to West Michigan. This season, there’s absolutely no shortage of concerts, symphonies, plays, musicals, ballet, visual arts and beyond. We have big Broadway shows, intimate and progressive plays, live performances with symphonies, dancers taking to the stage, and powerful art exhibitions. Here’s our guide to arts events for the month.
ACTORS THEATRE
160 Fountain St. NE, Grand Rapids actorstheatregrandrapids.org
ALABASTER, Through Mar. 8
AVENUE FOR THE ARTS avenueforthearts.co
DIALOGUE OF SOULS, Opening Mar. 20
THIRD THURSDAYS, Mar. 20
BROADWAY GRAND RAPIDS
122 Lyon St. NW, Grand Rapids broadwaygrandrapids.com
CLUE, Mar. 4-9
FRANKE CENTER FOR THE ARTS
214 E Mansion St., Marshall thefranke.org
HOW TO PUBLISH WORKSHOP, Mar. 9
FRAUENTHAL CENTER
425 W. Western Ave., Muskegon frauenthal.org
ARTRAGEOUS, Mar. 9
GILMORE THEATRE/WMU
THEATRE
1903 W. Michigan Ave., Kalamazoo wmich.edu/theatre
THE GREAT GATSBY, Mar. 14-29
GRAND RAPIDS ART MUSEUM
101 Monroe Center, Grand Rapids artmuseumgr.org
ART IN BLOOM 2025, Mar. 28-30
BRICK BY BRICK: THE CREATIVE ART OF LEGO, Through April 27
EACH YEAR THIS BLOOD SHALL CHANGE AND BLOSSOM, Through Apr. 27
KRISTINA SHEUFELT: FALLOW SEASON, Through May 4
GRAND RAPIDS BALLET
341 Ellsworth Ave. SW, Grand Rapids grballet.com
JUMPSTART, Mar. 21-23
GRAND RAPIDS CIVIC THEATRE
30 N. Division Ave., Grand Rapids grct.org
CAMP ROCK, Through Mar. 16
GRAND RAPIDS SYMPHONY
300 Ottawa Ave. NW Ste. 100, Grand Rapids grsymphony.org
TCHAIKOVSKY’S VIOLIN
CONCERTO, Feb. 28-Mar. 1
AN EVENING WITH THE GRS CHORUS, Mar. 7
TAKE ME OUT TO THE BALL GAME, Mar. 14-15
MAHLER & EIGHT TIMPANI, Mar. 21-22
HEROES: A VIDEO GAME SYMPHONY, Mar. 27
HOLLAND CHORALE
hollandchorale.org
GREAT AMERICAN SONGBOOK, Mar. 23
KALAMAZOO CIVIC THEATRE
329 S. Park St., Kalamazoo kazoocivic.com
CALIFORNIA SUITE, Through Mar. 2
PARADE, Mar. 14-23
DANCING AT LUGHNASA, Mar. 28-Apr. 6
KALAMAZOO INSTITUTE OF ARTS
314 South Park St., Kalamazoo kiarts.org
SOURCED FROM THE ‘ZOO, Mar. 8-May 25
AN INFINITE CONSTELLATION OF LOVE, Through June 15
YOUNG ARTISTS OF KALAMAZOO COUNTY, Mar. 15-Apr. 14
KALAMAZOO SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA
359 Kalamazoo Mall Ste. 100, Kalamazoo kalamazoosymphony.com
APPALACHIAN SPRING, Mar. 1
CELTIC CANDLELIGHT, Mar. 7
PROKOFIEV’S ROMEO & JULIET, Mar. 29
KENDALL COLLEGE OF ART AND DESIGN
17 Pearl St. NW, Grand Rapids kcad.ferris.edu
CATCH & RELEASE
- SABBATICAL EXHIBITION BY PROFESSOR BOB MARSH, Through Mar. 28
LOWELLARTS
223 W. Main St., Lowell lowellartsmi.org
WEST MICHIGAN ART COMPETITION, Through Apr. 12
MILLER AUDITORIUM
2200 Auditorium Dr, Kalamazoo millerauditorium.com
LATE NITE CATECHISM, Mar. 9
THE SIMON & GARFUNKEL STORY, Mar. 19
AUGUST WILSON’S TWO TRAINS RUNNING, Mar. 21
R.E.S.P.E.C.T. A CELEBRATION OF THE MUSIC OF ARETHA FRANKLIN, Mar. 25
MUSKEGON
MUSEUM OF ART
296 W. Webster Ave., Muskegon muskegonartmuseum.org
ART TALKS BACK, Through Apr. 30
TRANSCENDING TRADITION: SELECTION OF WORKS FROM THE BENNETT COLLECTION OF WOMEN REALISTS, Through May 11 EXPRESSIONS, Mar. 27-May 4
OPERA GRAND RAPIDS
1320 E. Fulton St., Grand Rapids operagr.org
OPERA IS LIT, Mar. 13
SAUGATUCK CENTER FOR THE ARTS
400 Culver St., Saugatuck sc4a.org
HEMPY KEYBOARD SERIES, Through March 9
MOUNTAINFILM ON TOUR, Mar. 21-22
WE HOPE YOU FAIL BETTER., Through May 16
A CAREGIVER’S BUTTERFLY GARDEN, Through 2025
ST. CECILIA MUSIC CENTER
24 Ransom Ave. NE, Grand Rapids scmc-online.org
JULIAN LAGE, Mar. 18
SCHUBERT’S TROUT QUINTET, Mar. 20
THE GILMORE
359 S. Kalamazoo Mall, Kalamazoo thegilmore.org
RISING STAR: ELISABETH BRAUSS, Mar. 9
RICHARD GOODE & SARAH SHAFER, Mar. 16
VOX GR voxgr.com
SALUTATION: WELCOMING DAWN, DAY, AND DUSK, Mar. 16
WELLSPRING/ CORI TERRY & DANCERS
359 S. Kalamazoo Mall, Kalamazoo wellspringdance.org
16TH ANNUAL MIDWEST RAD FEST, Through Mar. 2
WEST MICHIGAN SYMPHONY
360 W. Western Ave. Ste. 200, Muskegon westmichigansymphony.org
TONY MONACO TRIO
- ORGAN JAZZ, Mar. 14
AMERICAN DIVAS, Mar. 28
