By Hilarie Carpenter, ASM Global
Country icon Reba McEntire is coming to Grand Rapids for a performance at Van Andel Arena on Saturday, May 9, 2020, at 7pm.
Tickets go on sale to the general public beginning Friday, Nov. 22 at 12pm. Tickets will be available at the Van Andel Arena and DeVos Place box offices and online at Ticketmaster.com. See Ticketmaster.com for all current pricing and availability.
By K.D. Norris
ken@wktv.org
Bell’s Brewery’s is “Goin’ Dark” as it honored veterans, active service military members and their families with a special beer release on Veterans Day, Monday, Nov. 11, as part of its Celebration Series of special releases.
Don’t know the term? Think what happens when you know something and tell only a select few others — like military secrets or a great new beer find.
Goin’ Dark is a 6.3 percent ABV Coffee Milk Stout brewed with bourbon barrel-aged coffee beans. The beer was conceived, written, brewed and packaged by a committee of more than 20 Bell’s employees who either served in the military, are currently enlisted or are military family members.
“Celebrating diversity has always been core to our company,” Larry Bell, founder and president of Bell’s Brewery, said in supplied material. “It’s an honor to recognize the men and women in our military as well as their families and extend that celebration to those who make that sacrifice.”
Goin’ Dark is the third release in Bell’s Celebration Series that highlights different groups within the company. Earlier this year, Bell’s employees brewed Unite Hibiscus Saison as part of International Women’s Collaboration Brew Day, and then Alliance Lemon Lager to celebrate the LGBTQ+ community. And more celebration brews are being planned for 2020.
Goin’ Dark will be available on draft at the Bell’s Eccentric Café (355 E. Kalamazoo Ave. in downtown Kalamazoo), and 12-ounce bottles packaged in 6-packs are available at Bell’s General Store. (The group wanted to bottle the beer so it could be shared with family members when they return from deployment.)
As part of the event, Bell’s worked with Section Collection, a local nonprofit that provides direct support to veterans in need.
For more information, please visit bellsbeer.com.
You got to love Kent District Library’s continuing efforts to get readers out of the book shelves and into local brew pubs with their KDaLe series of programs, and in the next few weeks there will be several local pub stops.
Tops on the schedule will be events at Wyoming’s own Two Guys Brewing and Kentwood’s Broad Leaf Local Beer in early December.
On Dec. 10, from 6-7 p.m., there will be a “behind the scenes” tour at Two Guys Brewing, 2356 Porter St. SW. Then, there will be a Dec. 11 KDaLe Kick Off fundraiser, for adults 21 and older, at Broad Leaf Local Beer, 2885 Lake Eastbrook Blvd, during regular hours from 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. Broad Leaf will donate a portion of all revenues to KDL on that day.
Other local KDaLe events include: Nov. 21 (and Dec. 19), 7-8 p.m., KDaLe Book Club (combine your love of books with your love of beer) at Osgood Brewing, 4051 Chicago Drive SW, Grandville; and Dec. 9, 7-8 p.m., KDaLe Book CLub at Thornapple Brewing Company, 6262 28th St SE, Cascade Township.
To learn more about KDaLe, visit kdl.org/kdale.
New Holland Brewery’s Barrel Bash is coming back to their pubs Nov. 22 through Dec. 1. Over the course of 10 days, they will be rotating through 20-plus barrel-aged beers — “Some are ones you know and love, others are new beers that are not to be missed,” they say.
Among the planned releases are New Holland’s Cabin Fever Brown Ale (6.5 ABV), which actually came out on Nov. 1. (And none too soon given the winter weather we’ve been experiencing!) Also planned are releases of Ride Those Ponies Home pastry stout and You Serious, Clark? spiced stout.
Keep up on the releases by visiting newhollandbrew.com.
Good news: The Michigan Brewers Guild recently announced a new rsing festival to be held on Saturday, May 16, 2020, from 1-6 p.m., in Traverse City’s Pit Spitters Park (333 Stadium Drive; US-31 South). Bad news: Tickets will not go on sale to the general public until March.
“Over the past 22 years, the Michigan Brewers Guild has prided itself on hosting the best beer festivals in the state,” Scott Graham, Guild Executive Director, said in supplied information. “We started with the Summer Beer Festival in 1998 and have grown over the years in terms of the number of events as well as participating breweries and attendees. Adding a festival in northern Michigan rounds out the geographical footprint for our events.”
In addition to this new festival, the Guild has announced its complete 2020 schedule of festivals – which include changing two events back to one-day festivals, including the local Michigan Winter Beer Festival, scheduled for Saturday, Feb. 22, at Fifth Third Ballpark in Comstock Park.
For more on each festival, including ticket on-sale dates for Enthusiast Members and the general public, visit MiBeer.com/events.
By WKTV Staff
I’m not big on fuzzy or fleecy slippers. I just don’t like the texture and the heat. It just gets to be too much.
Aidy Bryant
In preparation for plummeting temperatures, Mel Trotter Ministries (MTM) is shifting into a “code blue” status to ensure men, women and children experiencing homelessness are safe. Various warming centers have been identified throughout the city, including at Mel Trotter Ministries | View complete warming center list. MTM is collecting new and like-new coats, boots and various other items for all ages and genders. Go here for the details.
After tracking nearly 105,000 Danes for an average of eight years, researchers found that those who downed more than six cups per day of the world’s most popular beverage saw their gallstone risk drop by 23%. Here’s the story.
Jazz standards, African-American spirituals and a little something new will be on the setlist as the Jazz in the Sanctuary concert series opens its sixth season Sunday, Nov. 17, in the acoustically inspiring sanctuary of Fountain Street Church in downtown Grand Rapids. Read all about it here.
A group of wild rabbits is called a ‘fluffle’. It’s also called a ‘colony’, but does that really convey the essence of ‘bunny’ very well? We think not. So, fluffle, it is.
(A kerfluffle is an entirely different matter.)
By WKTV Staff
ken@wktv.org
Jazz standards, African-American spirituals and a little something new will be on the setlist as the Jazz in the Sanctuary concert series opens its sixth season Sunday, Nov. 17, in the acoustically inspiring sanctuary of Fountain Street Church in downtown Grand Rapids.
Each concert in the series has guest performers joining Robin Connell, series host and local jazz musician, onstage for an hour or so of music and musical conversation. The Nov. 17 concert, set for 3 p.m., will feature vocalist Ashley Daneman and her husband, trumpeter Benje Daneman, Andrew Peck on bass and Connell on piano.
There is no bad seat in the house due to the venue’s famous acoustics and a large projection screen displays the performers up-close. Connell often invites audience members to ask questions.
According to supplied material, the setlist “will include standards, African-American spirituals, compositions by Benje and music from Ashley’s new album, People Are Fragile.”
Ashley Daneman, originally from Ohio, honed her singing voice in Washington, D.C., and New York City, earning her master’s degree from the prestigious Manhattan School of Music. Her original music is available on Bandcamp and other online platforms, according to supplied material, and she has drawn comparisons to Becca Stevens, Laura Nyro, and even Stephen Sondheim.
Benje Daneman started his professional career in 2007 with the Doc Severinsen Big Band and now performs and records with his band SearchParty. He has co-founded and directed multiple educational programs including the Jazz & Creative Institute (JCI), Kalamazoo Youth Jazz Orchestra, Kalamazoo Trumpet Workshop, and JazzStart Summer Jazz Workshop.
Included on a long musical resume, Connell received West Michigan Jazz Society’s 2017 “Musician of the Year” award for her widespread collaboration with area jazz artists and her work on this series. She performs regularly throughout West Michigan, often with her husband, trombonist and educator Paul Brewer.
General admission to each Jazz in the Sanctuary concert is $15 online or at the door. Students admission is $5 with a valid school ID. Please visit fountainstreet.org/jazz.
By Merritt Kramer, Holland Area Arts Council
This holiday season, the Holland Area Arts Council is reprising their partnership with Grand Rapids Ballet in two special performances for children ages 4 to 10 and their adult guests on Sunday, Nov. 17th. The gallery will be filled with the enchanting giggles of children as they experience the magic of music, dance and storytelling. Performances will be held at 12:30 and 2:30pm.
The Nutcracker Ballet Tea is a story-time brunch in a winter fairy-tale land of ballerinas, nutcrackers and toy soldiers. Members of Grand Rapids Ballet Junior Company will dance vignettes from The Nutcracker as Attila Mosolygo, Junior Company Artistic Director reads The Nutcracker story. The performance includes tea, delicious snacks and a box of treats for each child to enjoy.
Children live in a world of imagination and play. The line between reality and pretend has not yet been drawn. They involve themselves in performance physically, mentally and emotionally, and so the Arts Council is excited to expose the very young to live performance featuring other young performers.
Partnership with Grand Rapids Ballet, who provides the dancers in costume, makes this event truly special.
Tickets for the Nutcracker Ballet Tea are on sale now. Admission is $35 per ticket. Children 10 and under get in for $15 each.
Tickets to Grand Rapids Ballet’s The Nutcracker Dec. 13-15 and 20-22 performances at DeVos Performance Hall may be purchased online at grballet.com or by calling (616) 454-4771 x10.
Call the Holland Area Arts Council at (616) 396-3278, email helpdesk@hollandarts.org, visit www.hollandarts.org/nutcracker-ballet-tea.html or stop by 150 East 8th Street to learn more about this and other events and reserve your family’s spots!
Advance reservations are required.
By WKTV Staff
ken@wktv.org
World Affairs Council of Western Michigan (WACWM) invites the public to join communities across the United States in a national conversation on China as the local group hosts the 13th annual China Town Hall at the University Club in downtown Grand Rapids on Monday, Nov. 18.
The program is hosted in partnership with the National Committee on U.S. China Relations.
After refreshments and a social hour, from 5:15-6 p.m., the WACWM will broadcast a live-streamed interactive panel from New York City focusing on the current state of China-U.S. relations, moderated by George Stephanopoulos of ABC News, according to supplied material.
After the panel, at about 6:45 p.m., there will be a local conversation on the issue facilitated by Courtney Henderson from the Michigan-China Innovation Center.
“The local version of the town hall will focus on the bilateral relationship’s local impact on regional business, educational, and cultural interests,” the supplied material states.
“Our country’s relationship with China has a direct impact on the lives of nearly everyone in the U.S. — most certainly including Michigan. These national and local conversations provide an opportunity to discuss the issues that affect our community the most.”
For more information on the China Town Hall and to register, visit here.
The World Affairs Council of Western Michigan is located at 1700 Fulton Street E., Grand Rapids, For more information visit worldmichigan.org .
By WKTV Staff
ken@wktv.org
What happens at the federal, state, county and city government levels are of importance to everybody, including veterans, so the Wyoming-Kentwood Area Chamber of Commerce’s Government Matters Committee’s monthly forum will be fittingly held at Kentwood’s AMVETS Post 23.
“We thought there was no better time to take our Government Matters forum on the road than Veterans Day,” Bob O’Callaghan, president of the chamber, said to WKTV. “We wanted to honor our veterans, and the AMVETS in Kentwood stepped up.”
O’Callaghan also thanked Harold Mast, longtime local public servant and veterans advocate, for arranging the visit to the AMVETS post.
AMVETS Post 23 is located at 98 52nd St. SE. The Government Matters meeting runs from 8-9:15 a.m.
The Government Matters meeting is rebroadcast on WKTV’s channels and on-demand website (wktvlive.com).
The Government Matters meeting brings together representatives from the cities of Wyoming and Kentwood, Kent County commissioners, local Michigan state senators and representatives, as well as often representatives of Michigan’s U.S. senators and U.S. congressman who represent the Wyoming and Kentwood area.
The intergovernmental discussion hosted by the chamber focuses on issues that effect residents, businesses — and veterans and their families — in the two cities.
For more information about the chamber and Government Matters visit southkent.org.
The meetings are on the second Monday of each month, starting at 8 a.m. WKTV Journal will produce a highlight story after the meeting. But WKTV also offers replays of the latest meeting on Wednesdays at 7 p.m., as well as on select Saturdays, on Comcast Cable Government Channel 26. For a highlight schedule of WKTV cable programs visit wktvjournal.org.
WKTV Staff
ken@wktv.org
A part of her continuing Second Sunday community conversations, City of Kentwood Commissioner Emily Bridson will host a Community Conversation on Homelessness Sunday, Nov. 10, from 2-4 p.m., at Broad Leaf Local Beer.
The Keynote Speaker of the public event will be Judge William G. Kelly, the chief judge for Kentwood’s 62B District Court.
The panel will include Wende Randall, director of Kent County Essential Needs Task Force; Kent County Commissioner Stephen Wooden; James White of Cinnaire; and Cheryl Schuch, of Family Promise of Grand Rapids.
The event will be moderated by Bridson and Marshall Kilgore, Western Michigan Director for United Precinct Delegates. WKTV will record the discussion and post it on our WKTV Journal In Focus Podcast Channel.
“The more people I spoke with about housing, the more I realized we have several great community organizations working very hard in this area to make an impact,” Bridson said in her monthly community newsletter. “Homelessness doesn’t have a simple solution, but it does need a regional approach by various members of the community sitting down to compare our efforts, bring more awareness to all and work on more active solutions to keep chipping away at this issue.
“This issue is especially important to me because it disproportionately affects women, people of color and children.”
Bridson said in the community newsletter that she asked for information on homeless students in Kentwood Public Schools and found that, in 2018, Kentwood Public Schools had 283 students that were homeless, while Grand Rapids Public Schools had 671 students homeless.
She also states that Kentwood does not have a homeless shelter.
Broad Leaf Local Beer is located at 2885 Lake Eastbrook, Kentwood. For more information on the event visit here.
By Adrienne Brown-Reasner, West Michigan Tourist Association
Thanksgiving is coming up Nov. 28th, and whether you are looking for a turkey dinner, a special holiday weekend getaway, or some unique events to celebrate the day, West Michigan has you covered. You’ll find special shopping events, festivals, Thanksgiving Day races, buffets, ready-made dinner options, Small Business Saturday deals, light shows, and more throughout the month to help make your holiday one to remember.
If there’s one holiday you would associate with Crane’s Pie Pantry Restaurant and Winery in Fennville, it’s Thanksgiving. Their famous homemade fruit pies are a perfect addition to any gathering around your family table. Crane’s will take orders for baked pies for your Thanksgiving feast up until Tuesday, Nov. 26th for a Wednesday pick-up. This year, in addition to the traditional pumpkin and apple pies, they are offering an extremely limited new Pumpkin Praline Pie, featuring layers of house-made cream cheese and pumpkin filling in their famous pie crust topped with a praline crumble. If you’re thinking of adding it to your Thanksgiving order, call Crane’s at 269.561.2297 to place your order before they run out.
Let Muskegon’s SE4SONS Gastropub create your Thanksgiving dinner. Chef Jeremy and his staff will prepare a wonderful meal, complete with all the fixings, cooking and reheating instructions, and a food thermometer. Choose your menu and place your order by Nov. 22nd and pick up your Thanksgiving meal Wednesday, Nov. 27th between 2-4pm.
Let RedWater Restaurant Group handle the cooking this Thanksgiving. Enjoy salads, roasted turkey, carved ham, prime rib or sirloin, other entrees, side dishes, desserts, and more at one of six available Thanksgiving buffets throughout Grand Rapids and Holland. Reservations are limited with seating every half hour. Visit www.redwaterrestaurantgroup.com/ for more information, or call the restaurant of your choice to reserve your spot. RedWater Restaurant locations include Cork Wine & Grille in Cascade, FireRock Grille in Caledonia, Reds at Thousand Oaks in Grand Rapids, Rush Creek Bistro in Grandville, RedRock Grille in Holland, and Boatwerks Waterfront Restaurant in Holland.
The Zeeland Turkey Trot 8K will begin at 8am Thanksgiving morning. The race begins in the middle of downtown Zeeland and will take runners through the downtown streets. This year’s event will be capped at 1,500 runners, so be sure to sign up in advance.
Muskegon’s 10th Annual Thanksgiving Day Turkey Trot takes place on the Lakeshore Bike Trail and the Muskegon Community College Fitness Center beginning at 9am. This family friendly 5K is the perfect way to jump-start Thanksgiving morning. Get festive, wear a turkey hat, and earn that extra helping at Thanksgiving dinner.
Join the Grand Rapids Public Museum for the Planetarium Double Feature showing of The Queen Light Show and Dark Side: The Light Show in the Roger B. Chaffee Planetarium on Friday, Nov. 29th at 7pm. Music enthusiasts will rock out to the music of Queen and Pink Floyd paired with stunning visuals on the planetarium dome. A cash bar will be available before the first show and during a short intermission. Tickets to the Planetarium Double Features will include both light shows, and are $8 for non-members, $4 for members.
Light up the season during the official lighting of the South Haven community holiday tree at Holiday in the Park, Nov. 29th in Dyckman Park. Ice skating, karaoke, Santa Paws Pet Parade, luminaries, holiday treats, and more will jump-start the holiday spirit and make memories you can reminisce on for years to come.
This Small Business Saturday, the Downtown Holland merchants want to thank the entire community for supporting small business all year round! On Saturday, Nov. 30th, head to Downtown Holland to enjoy a day full of shopping small, fun giveaways, amazing contests, and free Small Business Saturday swag from American Express!
Shop till you drop along Grand Haven Main Street. Stay up late, shop the night away, and save big on all of your holiday gifts Friday, Nov. 8th, 7-10pm. Get your holiday shopping off to an early start and take advantage of the progressive discounts offered by participating merchants. Up to 20% off from 7-8pm, up to 25% off from 8-9pm, and up to 30% off from 9-10pm. Check with participating stores for details.
Get an early start to your holiday shopping… by staying up late. On Friday, Nov. 8th, participating Downtown Holland businesses will stay open late with amazing saving deals from 7-10pm. Make a night of it with dinner and drinks at one of Downtown Holland’s local restaurants or breweries and then get ready to shop and save big with discounts up to 30% for one night only.
Just because summer’s over doesn’t mean that you can’t fill your table with fresh, local and healthy food. The Holland Farmers Market is open every Wednesday and Saturday from 8am-3pm through Saturday, Dec. 21. Stop by to pick up everything you need to make your family’s favorite Thanksgiving dishes or to decorate your home for the holidays. You’ll find apples, squash, onions, potatoes, carrots, brussels sprouts, cheeses, meats, baked goods, and more at the Market, along with pumpkins, hay bales, corn shocks, wreaths, and greenery.
Nov. 9th at 11am is Family Day at Krasl Art Center in St. Joseph. Family Days give adults and children time to learn and create side-by-side in these mini art activities at Krasl Art Center. Practice the art of decorating sugar cookies, while also getting to enjoy your delicious and ephemeral work of art.
SE4SONS Gastropub at Muskegon Country Club will be hosting a Holiday Wine Tasting Event Nov. 15th to help you find the perfect bottle to bring to your holiday events.
The holiday season officially begins in Downtown Holland during the annual Holiday Open House on Saturday, Nov. 16 from 5-8pm. Stroll the decorated streets, enjoy the sounds of carolers singing, pose for a photograph with Santa and his favorite elf, visit the reindeer at the petting corral, and even sample a roasted chestnut. Participating businesses will have holiday merchandise on display and will be offering complimentary holiday refreshments while you shop. And don’t miss the official lighting of the Downtown Holland Christmas tree and the Christmas carol sing-along at the end of the night.
Yuletide classics trumpet the crisp air, welcoming families to holiday activities held during Dowagiac’s Christmas Open House in Southwest Michigan Saturday, Nov. 16th, from 10am to 2pm. Jolly Ole St. Nick greets children within the elegant indoor setting of Wood Fire Italian Trattoria. Enjoy the warm surroundings of the Pompeii Room, where children receive a gift from St. Nick.
Kick off the holiday season right by heading to Lansing on Friday Nov. 22 (the week before Thanksgiving) for Silver Bells in the City. The city will glow with thousands of lights, bringing together family and friends from across Michigan and beyond. The Electric Light Parade, Silver Bells Village, lighting of the State Christmas Tree, fireworks over the Capitol dome, and musical entertainment are all part of this Lansing tradition.
The Muskegon Museum of Art Festival of Trees returns Nov. 20th through Dec. 1st for its 15th year as a community holiday tradition. Professionally-designed themed trees and décor will be available for purchase through silent auction over the 11 days of the Festival. Raffles, music, holiday shopping, and special events will add to the fun. Special events include the popular Teddy Bear Breakfast, visits with Santa, Deck Your Halls decorating demo workshop, a holiday concert with Max & Ruth Bloomquist and Julia and the Greensides, Family Day, and Senior Day. Festival admission is $10 for adults, $5 for Museum members, $3 for children 3-17 years old, and free for children under 3. An All-Festival Pass is available for $15. The Muskegon Museum of Art Festival of Trees is open daily 10am-5pm, Sundays noon-5pm. MMA will be closed Thanksgiving day.
Experience an authentic European open-air Christmas market filled with handcrafted holiday items, delicious food, and artisan demonstrations at Holland’s Kerstmarkt 8th Street Marketplace. Open Fridays and Saturdays Nov. 23rd-Dec. 14th.
Keyed to the music of the holiday season, Let It Snow light show at Grand Rapids Public Museum features a variety of festive classics from Frank Sinatra and Chuck Berry to Burl Ives and Brenda Lee. It includes a stunning multimedia finale by the Trans-Siberian Orchestra. The soundtrack is visually enhanced with thematic animation, laser imagery, and special effects. Great for all ages, especially families, the show runs Nov. 29th through Jan. 5th.
The Zeeland City Christmas tree and Magical Christmas Parade bring the holiday season downtown on Dec. 2nd beginning at 6:15pm.
By Hilarie Carpenter, SMG
Trevor Noah is traveling the globe and expanding his Loud & Clear Tour to 2020 due to popular demand! With over 75 sold-out North American shows this year, including his sold-out show at Madison Square Garden with an expected 14,000 in attendance, Trevor is bringing his wildly successful tour to new cities, including Grand Rapids on Friday, May 8, 2020, at 8pm at Van Andel Arena.
The 2020 shows kick off January 10th in Buffalo New York, and will now visit arenas across the U.S., Europe, Ireland, Germany, India, and many more. With already one sold out show at the iconic O2 Arena in London selling over 15,000 tickets, this announcement includes a newly added second show on April 3rd.
The Emmy-winning The Daily Show host and celebrated comedian is known around the world for his insightful and authentic take on politics and current events. Trevor has written, produced, and starred in 8 comedy specials, most recently including Son of Patricia on Netflix.
Tickets go on sale to the general public beginning Friday, Nov. 8 at 10am. Tickets will be available at the Van Andel Arena and DeVos Place box offices and online at Ticketmaster.com. A purchase limit of eight (8) tickets will apply to every order. See Ticketmaster.com for all current pricing and availability.
By Virginia Anzengruber, Fountain Street Church
The sixth season of the Jazz in the Sanctuary concert series will begin on Sunday, Nov. 17, at 3pm. The series combines contemporary jazz performance with the neo-Romanesque beauty and acoustic splendor of Fountain Street Church in downtown Grand Rapids.
For each concert in the series, guest performers join Robin Connell, series host and an accomplished jazz musician herself, onstage for more than an hour of music and light conversation. A large projection screen displays the performers in detail, and Connell often invites audience members to ask questions.
The Nov. 17 concert will feature vocalist Ashley Daneman and her husband, trumpeter Benje Daneman.
Ashley Daneman, originally from Ohio, honed her singing voice in Washington, D.C., and New York City, earning her master’s degree from the prestigious Manhattan School of Music. Her original music, which can be heard on Bandcamp and other online platforms, has drawn comparisons to Becca Stevens, Laura Nyro, and even Stephen Sondheim.
Benje Daneman got his professional start in 2007 with the Doc Severinsen Big Band and now performs and records with his band SearchParty. He has co-founded and directed multiple educational programs including the Jazz & Creative Institute (JCI), Kalamazoo Youth Jazz Orchestra, Kalamazoo Trumpet Workshop, and JazzStart Summer Jazz Workshop.
Connell received West Michigan Jazz Society’s 2017 “Musician of the Year” award for her widespread collaboration with area jazz artists and her work on this series. She performs regularly throughout West Michigan, often with her husband, trombonist and educator Paul Brewer. She is currently planning this season’s second Jazz in the Sanctuary event, which will feature pianist Lisa Sung.
General admission to each Jazz in the Sanctuary concert is $15 online or at the door. Students admission is $5 with a valid school ID. Please visit fountainstreet.org/jazz.
By K.D. Norris
ken@wktv.org
A panel of experts on the medical and legal aspects of existing medical, and pending recreational, marijuana use discussed a multitude of issues at Health Forum of West Michigan event hosted by Grand Valley State University last week.
While the event was focused on the implications of legalized marijuana for the health care industry, a wide range of information was presented and topics discussed, including how police will deal with suspected driving under the influence of marijuana, the current medical-community research on the short- and long-term effects of marijuana use, and ongoing state regulatory actions in preparation for the pending legalization of recreational marijuana.
Adult-use retail sales of marijuana is set to start by the end of the first quarter 2020, and while many local cities and townships have opted-out of having legal marijuana sales within their jurisdiction — including both Kentwood and Wyoming — the state is busy establishing rules and regulations associated with its sales and use.
At the forum, Andrew Brisbo, executive director of the new Marijuana Regulatory Agency for the State of Michigan, discussed the state’s new recreational marijuana commercial licensing and regulatory program, including that there will be a 10 percent excise tax collected on sales to fund state and local regulation and enforcement costs, that there is an initial $6,000 application fee and that the actual license fee will range from 3,000-$50,000, and that there will be specific rules for consumption at temporary events and “designated consumption establishments.”
The Nov. 1 free-to-the-pubic event was part of a planned series of health-care related forms hosted by the university’s Office of the Vice Provost for Health in the DeVos Center, on the Pew Grand Rapids Campus.
Other panelists included Dr. Mandeep Bath, addiction psychiatrist for Pine Rest; Scott Rifenberg, deputy chief, Grand Rapids Police Department; and John Titley, partner and corporate attorney for Varnum LLP.
Bath detailed known and in-study health issues involving marijuana use, and included in his details were:
Approximately 2.6 percent to 5 percent of the global population (119-221 million individuals) use cannabis, with the rate of cannabis use in high-income countries almost twice the rate in low-income countries.
A 2013 survey reported 7 percent of 8th graders, 18 percent of 10th graders, 22.7 percent of 12th graders used marijuana in past month up from 5.8 percent, 13.8 percent and 19.4 percent survey results from 2008.
Medical studies suggest 8.9 percent of cannabis users would become dependent on cannabis at some point in their lives.
While most of Dr. Bath’s discussion contained dry if sobering information, one bit of medical data drew a humorous reaction:
“During intoxication, user’s sociability and sensitivity to certain stimuli like colors is heightened, perception of time is altered, and appetite to sweet and fatty foods is stimulated,” he said, reading from a powerpoint script, before adding impromptu, “… the munchies.”
The event was moderated by Susan DeVuyst-Miller is associate professor of pharmacy practice at Ferris State University and clinical pharmacist for Cherry Health Services.
The next Health Forum of West Michigan will be “New Discoveries in Genetics” on Friday, Dec. 6, with guest Caleb Bupp, M.D., a medical geneticist with Spectrum Health.
GVSU’s DeVos Center us located at 401 Fulton St. W.. For more information on planned health forums, visit gvsu.edu/vphealth .
WKTV Staff
“All art is good, all is worth doing. Some is even worth seeing.
Norman Kentwood
Opera Grand Rapids will present Gilbert and Sullivan comedic opera “The Mikado” Nov. 1 and 2 at St. Cecilia Music Center, 24 Ranson Ave. NE. The performances are at 7:30 p.m. both days. More information here.
Elton John has announced a new concert date at the Van Andel Arena on April 23, 2020, as part of his sold-out Farewell Yellow Brick Road tour after selling out a previous show in Grand Rapids. Tickets go on sale Nov. 1. More information here.
West Michigan’s own May Erlewine’s latest full-length album release, Second Sight, hits the streets Nov. 1 at all the usual places. More information (and a little review/preview) here.
The “Friday Night Death Slot” is a perceived graveyard slot for American television as programs scheduled on Friday evenings (typically, between 8 and 11 p.m.) are likely to be canceled. Why? People go out and do things! (Wikipedia)
By St. Cecilia Music Center
The Chamber Music Society of Lincoln Center begins their eight season at St. Cecilia Music Center on Thursday, Nov. 21, in a program entitled: Great Innovators, featuring the powerful works of brilliant composers Beethoven, Stravinsky, Mendelssohn and Smetana.
Chamber Music Society of Lincoln Center artists who will perform include Anne Marie McDermott, piano; Ida Klavafian, violin; Gary Hoffman, cello; and José Franch-Ballester, clarinet.
The program features Beethoven’s innovative Trio in B-flat major for Clarinet, Cello, and Piano, Op. 11, the first of its kind to include the clarinet in a trio; Stravinsky’s L’Histoire du sold (The Soldier’s Tale), Trio Version for Violin, Clarinet, and Piano, a piece that introduced the composer’s wildly controversial music extremism to the chamber music stage in the early 1920’s; Mendelssohn’s Songs Without Words for Piano, an invention all his own; and Smetana’s Trio in G minor for Piano, Violin, and Cello, Op. 15, the first major chamber work from the Bohemian region.
“It is truly a special experience to see the Chamber Music Society of Lincoln Center perform at St. Cecilia Music Center,” said Executive Director Cathy Holbrook. “These artists are amazing to watch with incredible artistry that is flawless. To hear the works of four powerful and brilliant composers — Beethoven, Stravinsky, Mendelssohn and Smetana — with these incredible artists in our world-class hall will be a memorable experience.”
Tickets for the Nov. 21 CMS of Lincoln Center concert are $45 and $40 and can be purchased by calling St. Cecilia Music Center at 616-459-2224 or visiting the box office at 24 Ransom Ave. NE. Tickets can also be purchased online at scmc-online.org.
A pre-concert reception for $15 will take place at 6:30 p.m. with wine and dos d’oeuvres, is available by reservation in advance (by Friday, Nov.15). A post-concert reception with dessert, coffee and wine is open to all ticket-holders to meet the artists and to obtain signed CDs of their releases.
The Chamber Music Society of Lincoln Center Series will return on Jan. 23, 2020 with a program entitled French Enchantment where the audience will experience the grace, wit, and charm of French music. The program begins and ends with early works by Saint-Saëns and Fauré that recreate the elegant atmosphere of 19-century Parisian salons. In between the two works will be Ravel’s Sonata for Violin and Cello, written soon after World War I, where he used just two string instruments to produce a composition of unique, austere beauty. CMS artists performing include pianist and Co-Artistic Director Wu Han, violinist Paul Huang, violist Matthew Lipman, and cellist Clive Greensmith.
On April 30, 2020, Chamber Music Society of Lincoln Center Co-Artistic Directors Wu Han (piano) and David Finckel (cello) will perform with violinist Arnaud Sussman and violist Paul Neubauer on a program entitled From Prague to Vienna. This concert celebrates friendship and family with three composers who mentored and inspired each other: Brahms, Dvořák and Suk. Brahms discovered Dvořák through a composition competition and helped him rise to international stardom, and became his lifelong friend and mentor. In turn, Suk was one of Dvořák’s favorite students and eventually became his son-in-law.
By City of Kentwood
The City of Kentwood and Great Lakes Disc Golf have partnered to offer the third Fall Fling event, a doubles disc golf tournament and food drive, on Saturday, Nov. 9.
Community disc golfers of all levels are invited to participate in the event at Old Farm Park, which is located at 2350 Embro Dr. SE. On-site registration begins at 9 a.m. Players will meet at 9:45 a.m. to begin the first round of the “best shot” doubles tournament.
The cost to register is $40, along with one canned food donation per team. Proceeds raised will go towards maintaining the course and food donations will go to Kentwood’s Little Free Pantry, where area residents are encouraged to take or donate food and household supplies for community members in need.
“Not only is the Fall Fling a fun event for our area disc golfers to come together to soak up the mild fall weather before winter comes, it is also for a good cause,” said Val Romeo, Kentwood Parks and Recreation director. “Each fall disc golf tournament we’ve held has been successful in bringing a great turnout and, ultimately, restocking the pantry for our community with dozens of canned goods.”
The Kentwood Little Free Pantry initiative began as a community service project in honor of Martin Luther King Jr. in 2017. The small food pantry is open year-round and designed to fill an immediate and local need. The premise is similar to that of the Little Free Library movement: Take an item (or items) when needed and leave an item when you can. No applications necessary. No questions are asked.
To register online, and for more information, visit kentwood.us/fallflingdiscgolf .
By K.D. Norris
ken@wktv.org
If you caught Jack Droppers & The Best Intentions earlier this month when they opened for Michigander at Pyramid Scheme, you know the genre-bending sounds of the local band’s Bottled Up like a Neon Light, released in April, and maybe a cut or two from their up-coming Three on Three EP.
If not, you’ll just have to wait for their CD release party Thursday, Nov. 7, at Mulligan’s Pub on Wealthy Street SE. (Of course, you could check out music from Bottled Up like a Neon Light on bandcamp.com.)
While everybody hears what they hear and calls ‘em like they hears ‘em, my first listen to their early-this-year full-length release definately “Stuck in My Head” — the title of one song ion the release — with its mix of a little alt, a little retro rock and even a little old new wave.
But Jack and the band apparently simply call themselves a “garage” band.
“With their newest set of music, the ‘Three on Three‘ EP, the band is set to take their music to a new level,” they say of themselves and the new music. “The EP showcases some of the biggest sounding songs the band has done while maintaining a consistent feel of Americana Garage Rock.”
Jack Droppers was born in Grand Rapids, but has spent almost all his life outside of the city until recently, according to the band’s own bio, “Like his new home in GR, JD’s latest musical project is a homecoming of sorts. The Americana rock & roll that Jack Droppers & the Best Intentions play reflects a blend of the Springsteen cassettes he inherited and the garage-rock scene of Central Florida where he grew up.”
Droppers is joined by Laura Hobson (of Antrim Dells), Garrett Stier (of Stationary Travelers), Devin Sullivan, Josh Holicki and James Kessel … “for an honest, rough-around-the-edges, and robust rock & roll sound.”
The party at Mulligan’s sounds like a great way to start the fall, and get to know Jack and his best intentions.
Jack Droppers & The Best Intentions will play Mulligan’s Pub, 1518 Wealthy St. SE, with Dawning opening and DJ Oracle spinning the afterparty, from 9 p.m. until they kick everybody out. For more information, visit the band’s Facebook Page or visit Mulligan’s Pub’s Facebook page.
By Stephanie Burdick, Tibbits Opera House
Named one of Yahoo Music’s “Top ten bands to watch,” The Accidentals, a Michigan-based band with a unique style of music, will play in concert on the Tibbits stage on Saturday, Nov. 30 at 7pm.
Traverse City’s female-fronted, multi-instrumentalist power trio The Accidentals (Sav Buist, Katie Larson, and Michael Dause) have been called “Defiant, young-powerful, and undaunted,” by Texas Lifestyle Magazine. Quickly growing regional attention, The Accidentals bring an eclectic blend of Indie, folk, pop, and rock that melds their orchestral roots with classical, jazz, bluegrass, country, and alt-rock influences. This genre-hopping trio puts on an interactive show that has been wowing audiences across the globe.
This regional phenomenon is rising in popularity with a just-released self-titled LIVE album and tour of the UK. They are currently scoring an indie film, teaching workshops across the country, playing with symphonies, and recording their much anticipated Vessel Album to be released in 2020.
Savannah Buist (Sav) was born in Nashville, TN and her love of music began on a tour bus with her multi-instrumentalist father and R&B vocalist mother when she was three months old. At 11, she picked up violin and dove headfirst into improvisational folk and jazz, reggae, funk, and rock. By sixteen, she’d become a versatile session player, composer, arranger, and performer. Later she followed in her father’s footsteps by becoming proficient in a wide range of instruments. Sav has been described by IPR as “one of the most compelling songwriters of our day.
Katie Larson grew up in Northern Michigan. Her musical family encouraged a range of eclectic influences, and in 2006 she started playing cello in her elementary school’s music program. Now she is a multi-instrumentalist, songwriter, and composer, who participates in film, design, art, and culinary adventures. Katie graduated from Interlochen Arts Academy in 2014, and has since been a full-time studio session player, songwriter, and touring musician. In 2017 she started cataloging her stories about the food she finds on the road in a visual food blog.
Hailing from the suburb of Northville, in Detroit, Michael Dause banged on pots and pans at the early age of one. At the age of four, Dause’s grandfather got him a full-sized drum set and at seven, he began his first lessons. In middle school, Dause taught himself how to play the guitar, and began writing his own songs. Dause joined the Accidentals in 2014 after they met at a Michigan music festival. “They’re fantastic musicians, and I love being able to lock in with them on stage,” Dause said about playing with Larson and Buist.
This one-night engagement will be at Tibbits Opera House, 14 S. Hanchett St. in Coldwater, MI. Tickets range from $15-28 including fees, with a discount for Tibbits members. There is also an “on your feet” section for those who want a livelier concert experience. Tickets are currently on sale and are available at Tibbits.org, at Tibbits administrative offices at 93 W. Chicago St. in Coldwater, or by calling 517.278.6029. This event also features a cash bar.
By K.D. Norris
ken@wktv.org
The state of State and Kent County mental health services funding, and some astounding statistics surrounding Kent County’s recycling efforts, were among the topics discussed as part of a wide-ranging inter-governmental leaders meeting Monday, Oct. 14, at the Wyoming-Kentwood Area Chamber of Commerce’s Government Matters Committee’s monthly forum at Kentwood City Hall.
State Sen. Peter MacGregor, who represents the City of Wyoming as part of his 28th Senate District and chairs the important Appropriations Subcommittee on Health and Human Services, gave the group a report from Lansing on the topic of mental health funding and the state budget battles.
Darwin Baas, the director of the Kent County Department of Public Works, also reported on the good, the bad and the ugly of recycling and trash disposal in the county — and what actions are being done to lessen the amount of trash going into limited landfill space.
The Government Matters meeting is rebroadcast on WKTV’s channels and on-demand website (wktvlive.com). This month’s meeting is available here.
The Government Matters meeting brings together representatives from the cities of Wyoming and Kentwood, Kent County commissioners, local Michigan state senators and representatives, as well as often representatives of Michigan’s U.S. senators and U.S. congressman who represent the Wyoming and Kentwood area.
The next meeting — a special on-location meeting honoring Veterans Day at the AMVETS Post 23, 98 52nd Ave. — will be Nov. 11, from 8 a.m. to 9:15 a.m.
The intergovernmental discussion hosted by the chamber focuses on issues that effect residents and businesses in the two cities.
For more information about the chamber and Government Matters visit southkent.org .
The meetings are on the second Monday of each month, starting at 8 a.m. WKTV Journal will produce a highlight story after the meeting. But WKTV also offers replays of the latest meeting on Wednesdays at 7 p.m., as well as on select Saturdays, on Comcast Cable Government Channel 26. For a highlight schedule of WKTV cable programs visit wktvjournal.org .
By K.D. Norris
ken@wktv.org
The St. Cecilia Music Center Acoustic Cafe Folk Series is usually all about the singer/songwriters, and the list of fine concerts in the series got a bit longer and better recently with the announced return of Grammy award winners Marc Cohn and Shawn Colvin, who is currently revisiting her classic 1989 album Steady On.
Cohn, who delivered a great set at St. Cecilia in 2017, will return on March, 19, 2020. Colvin, who last visited Royce Auditorium in 2016, will visit on May 19.
“Since he was last here … Marc has spent time on the road with legendary Michael McDonald, worked closely with David Crosby and other American music greats,” Cathy Holbrook, St. Cecilia executive director, said in supplied material. “His appearance will also closely follow the release of his collaborative record with gospel legends Blind Boys of Alabama. This will be one of our most exciting concerts featuring a terrifically talented artist and amazing songwriter.”
The two concerts add to an upcoming folk series schedule which includes The Infamous Stringdusters of Thursday, Feb. 6; Rosanne Cash with John Leventhal on Wednesday, Feb. 20; Chris Thile on Tuesday, Feb. 25; and Raul Midón on Thursday, Feb. 27.
While Cohn won a Grammy for his classic ballad “Walking in Memphis” in 1991, he has “solidified his place as one of this generation’s most compelling singer-songwriters, combining the precision of a brilliant tunesmith with the passion of a great soul man,” according to supplied material.
In August of this year, Cohn released a collaborative record with gospel legends Blind Boys of Alabama, Work To Do, comprised of three studio tracks by Cohn and the Blind Boys — two originals, including the title track, and a version of the gospel standard “Walk In Jerusalem” — plus seven intimate live performances recorded at the Katharine Hepburn Cultural Arts Center in Old Saybrook, Conn., during a taping of the PBS series “The Kate”.
Shawn Colvin is expected to perform her newly released album Steady On Acoustic in its entirety. Her original 1989 album Steady On was her first Grammy Award winning album. (She has three Grammy’s to her resume.)
“I’ve played these songs countless times, primarily as a solo acoustic artist. All in all, this is the incarnation that feels most genuine,” Colvin said in supplied material. “And so, to commemorate this milestone I decided to celebrate Steady On by recording it again, this time using only my voice and my guitar. This represents who I am as an artist and all I ever wanted to be.”
In promotional material, Colvin also talks about bringing 30-year lens to her treasured songs, casting new light on the stories she first told as a young artist.
“I was 32 years old, and the dream of my life had been fulfilled,” Colvin says, “not only because I made an album but mostly because I had written or co-written every song, an accomplishment that was hard won. I was so proud. My feeling was then — and still is— that if I never made another album, Steady On would have been enough.”
More about Marc Cohn can be found on his website marccohnmusic.com .
More about Shawn Colvin can be found at her website at shawncolvin.com .
Marc Cohn, Shawn Colvin and all folk series concert tickets can be purchased by calling St. Cecilia Music Center at 616-459-2224 or visiting the box office at 24 Ransom Ave. NE. Tickets can also be purchased online at scmc-online.org. A post-concert “Meet-the-artist” reception with a cash bar will be offered to all ticket-holders giving the audience the opportunity to possibly meet the artists obtain signed CDs of his many releases.
By K.D. Norris
ken@wktv.org
Wyoming Lee High School’s football team has had some ups and downs this season — the first season of a two-year hiatus from OK Silver conference play and into an independent schedule. But as the team prepares to end their season with a home game, the Legends have reason for optimism and accomplishment.
Lee (2-6 on the season) will host Potterville (0-7; 0-6 Central Michigan Athletic Conference) at Lee’s field Friday, Oct. 25, at 7 p.m. And WKTV will be there to record and broadcast the game.
Before the game, WKTV caught up with head coach Tom DeGennaro, who talked about what his team accomplished this season, players who have stepped up this year including a special freshman in the backfield, and how they are preparing for the season finale.
WKTV broadcasts on Wyoming and Kentwood cable channels. On Comcast cable, Channel 25 is the Community Channel, where sports events and other community events are shown; Channel 26 is the Government Channel, where local government meetings and events are shown. On AT&T cable throughout the Grand Rapids area, viewers go to Channel 99, and then are given the choice to watch Wyoming (or Kentwood) Community (Channel 25) or Government (Channel 26) channels.
For complete schedules of programs on WKTV channels, see our Weekly On-air Schedule.
All Featured Games, as well as other high school sports and community events covered by WKTV, are available on-demand within a week of play at wktvlive.com.
For a complete schedule of all local high school sports action each week, any changes to the WKTV feature sports schedule, and feature stories on local sports, visit wktvjournal.org/sports/.
By WKTV Staff
“What is the essence of life? To serve others and to do good.”*
Aristotle
*Aristotle probably would have said it this way: “Ποια είναι η ουσία της ζωής; Να υπηρετείς άλλους και να κάνεις καλό.” But in Ancient Greek and with waaaaay more accent marks.
Ask Me Anything! is Nov. 2 at Kentwood Library. Learn about your community and your neighbors in a fun, relaxed environment. Visit the branch to “check out” different members of our community for a chance to learn from them and ask them anything. More info here.
Zapatos Rojos | Red Shoes is an itinerant installation originally organized in 2009 by artist and architect Elina Chauvet in Ciudad Juárez, Mexico. Comprising 33 pairs of red shoes donated by the women of Ciudad Juárez — each pair representing a woman who had disappeared in that community — the piece is designed to draw attention to the fact that women were being killed without any consequences. Nov. 1, 2019-Feb. 28, 2020. Get the details here.
The SpartanNash Foundation invites store guests to join the fight against hunger during its companywide fundraising effort, Oct. 23 to Nov. 3. The SpartanNash Foundation’s retail scan campaign supports more than 100 local food pantries and food banks, and 100 percent of dollars raised will support food pantry partners in eight states. Learn more here.
Volunteering not only engages your mind and body, but it can actually help you age well and reduce the risk of age-related diseases such as dementia and Alzheimer’s disease.
By Mike Klompstra, SMG
Elton John, the number-one, top-performing solo male artist, has announced a new concert date at the Van Andel Arena on April 23, 2020, as part of his sold-out Farewell Yellow Brick Road tour after selling out a previous show in Grand Rapids.
The Farewell Yellow Brick Road tour kicked off to sold-out crowds in September 2018 and has received rave reviews in every market.
Transporting the audience on a magical journey through Elton’s career, the show features some of his most beloved songs from his legendary catalog including, Bennie and the Jets, Rocket Man, Tiny Dancer, and Philadelphia Freedom. Elton’s music has taken him to many places, opened many doors and inspired many passions in his life. The audience will experience a rare glimpse into Elton’s life and the deeply personal meaning behind some of his greatest hits, with mesmerizing, never-before-seen photos and videos shown throughout the show from his incredible, 50-year career.
Tickets go on sale to the general public beginning Friday, Nov. 1 at 10am local time. Tickets and VIP packages can be purchased at EltonJohn.com.
American Express® Card Members can purchase tickets before the general public beginning Thursday, Oct. 24 at 10am local time through Monday, Oct. 28 at 10pm local time.
“…The Farewell Yellow Brick Road tour is the most bombastic, elaborate, high-tech arena show he’s ever attempted.” – Rolling Stone
A limited number of exclusive VIP packages will also be available starting Thursday, Oct. 24 at 10am local time. These exclusive offers can include premium tickets, on-stage photo opportunities at Elton John’s piano, backstage tours, limited-edition lithographs, custom merchandise and much more.
Pre-sale tickets for the Farewell Yellow Brick Road tour event will be available through registration using Ticketmaster Verified Fan, a fan-first technology built to help artists combat ticket bots and get tickets into the hands of fans that intend to go to the event. Verified Fan registration is available now through Friday, Oct. 25 at 10pm local time. Verified TM fan pre-sale will begin Tuesday, Oct. 29 at 10am and run through Wednesday, Oct. 30 at 10pm local time, supplies are limited. For more information and to register in advance, visit EltonJohn.com.
By Victoria Mullen, WKTV
Grand Valley State University’s 17th annual Fall Arts Celebration features dance that combines movement and technology; art that challenges perceptions; music that captures the power and mystery of the sea; and more — this year’s events at Grand Valley State University are set to bring out ‘all the feels’.
Zapatos Rojos | Red Shoes is an itinerant installation originally organized in 2009 by artist and architect Elina Chauvet in Ciudad Juárez, Mexico. Comprising 33 pairs of red shoes donated by the women of Ciudad Juárez — each pair representing a woman who had disappeared in that community — the piece is designed to draw attention to the fact that women were being killed without any consequences.
A bit of back story on the artist’s use of red shoes as the focus of her work: Chauvet researched the disappearances extensively; in the course of her fact-finding, she discovered that many of the women who vanished had worked in shoe stores, had been buying shoes at the time they disappeared, or were looking for a job in a shoe shop.
Chauvet had also used shoes as a metaphor in the past to express her concern for the missing and dead women.
In 2017, Zulema Moret, Grand Valley professor of modern languages, arranged for Chauvet to direct an installation of Zapatos Rojos | Red Shoes in Grand Rapids. This exhibition documents many of the community groups that participated in painting the shoes, as well as the installation at the Richard M. DeVos Center courtyard on the Pew Grand Rapids Campus.
The Fall Arts Celebration shines a spotlight on some of the world’s preeminent artists, poets, musicians, dancers, and scholars. Each fall for the past 17 years, West Michigan audiences have enjoyed a series of six free events that celebrate the positive impact of the arts. For more information, visit gvsu.edu/fallarts.
Working with Chicago-based artists, gallery owners and collectors, Grand Valley has acquired a collection of contemporary art over the last 15 years.
Curated from Grand Valley’s collection and enhanced with additional loans from Chicago, Art of Today comprises more than 40 paintings, prints, drawings, photographs, sculptures and mixed media works — bold and minimalistic works exploring simplicity in design, society’s relationship to the environment, as well as the intersection of pop culture and art by artists Alex Katz, Ellsworth Kelly, David Nash and Takahashi Murakami.
The challenging imagery of other artists — such as Tony Fitzpatrick, Jane Hammond, Erika Rothenberg and Kara Walker — examines the meaning of identity, race, culture and sexuality.
What do you see when you look at 500 years instead of the last five minutes? Jill Lepore, the leading narrative historian of her generation, offers a different perspective on history. Lepore asserts that the United States is an experiment founded on three ‘truths’: political equality, natural rights, and the sovereignty of the people. Her thesis will challenge your imagination to put yourself in a place in history to help give context to the present.
Lepore is the David Woods Kemper ’41 Professor of American History at Harvard University. She is also a staff writer at The New Yorker. One of her latest books is These Truths: A History of the United States (2018), on The New York Times Best Seller list. Her most recent book, This America: The Case for the Nation, was published in May 2019.
For more information about Grand Valley State University art exhibits, call 616.331.2563 or visit gvsu.edu/artgallery.
Often referred to as the ‘dean of Michigan painters’, the German-born American artist Mathias Joseph Alten (1871-1938) worked in a traditional representational style, incorporating the aesthetics and techniques of the Impressionist Movement in his paintings. Based in Grand Rapids, Alten created more than 3,800 works over his more-than-40-year career, including landscapes, seascapes, portraits and florals, all infused with light and punctuated with deft brushwork. Grand Valley State University holds the largest public collection of Alten’s work in the world.
In 2018, a dozen GVSU students and three faculty members traveled to Haiti as part of a study-abroad program, led by Peter Wampler, associate professor of geology. Designed to provide an opportunity to experience Haitian culture and gain an understanding of daily life in rural Haiti, students from various backgrounds participated in a variety of service-learning and community-based teaching experiences, allowing them to contribute their energy toward real-world problems in Haiti.
Included in this exhibition are narratives and reflections by both faculty members and students who participated in the trip. Additionally, a number of photographs document their encounters, and a variety of original Haitian works of art attest to the vibrant and diverse artistic culture in the country.
At the turn of the century, an explosion in print media occurred in Paris, one of the most vibrant cities in the world. Now-familiar artists — Henri de Toulouse-Lautrec, Pierre Bonnard, and others — made names for themselves producing items such as posters, journal illustrations, theater programs and advertisements.
Drawn from the Robert L. Haskins and Erwin A. Raible Collection of Fin-de-Siécle Prints in the GVSU Print and Drawing Cabinet, Carnivals, Cognac and Cycling provides a view into the visual culture of late 19th-century France.
In 2019, 14 GVSU students conducted research for this exhibition for the course Modern Art and Modernity. Each student focused on one work of art for in-depth study, produced original research, and presented findings to classmates and now to a wider audience.
José Guadalupe Posada (1852-1913) — a printmaker and engraver who illustrated historic scenes, board games and commercial items, religious images, various books and newspapers — is most famous for his use of calaveras (depictions of skulls and skeletons) to satirize and mock the corruption of the wealthy and political elite.
He created La Calavera Catrina, his most iconic image, in 1910 at the start of the Mexican Revolution. The image shows a grinning skeleton wearing a women’s feathered hat, pointing out that death comes to everyone, even those in the upper class.
This exhibition includes 20 reproductions of his prints, from the GVSU Print and Drawing Cabinet. The works were purchased in 2002 from the family of Antonio Vanegas Arroyo, who printed them using the original plates and press.
For more information about performances from the Department of Music, Theatre and Dance, visit gvsu.edu/mtd.
Pianist Sookkyung Cho uses a thoughtful expressionist style in her performances. A founding member of the New York-based Almava Trio, Cho has appeared at venues that include Alice Tully Hall at Lincoln Center, Weill Recital Hall at Carnegie Hall, and Château de Fontainebleau in France.
The performance will include a variety of piano solo and ensemble music.
Grand Valley’s anti-violence peer theater troupe will use low-risk, interactive performance and discussion methods to help participants prepare to better engage someone on difficult dialogues about sexual assault and sexual harassment.
A 50-minute program introducing audience members to Shakespeare, Bard to Go takes the audience on a sea-faring journey with Prospero, a powerful magician, and his assistant Ariel, a magical spirit with strange powers. When Prospero and Ariel conjure a storm to shipwreck Prospero’s enemies, their magic spills over from their own play, The Tempest, and causes havoc for many of Shakespeare’s characters. This production includes scenes from The Tempest, Twelfth Night, Pericles, The Comedy of Errors and The Merchant of Venice.
The Grand Valley Writers Series brings in distinguished and emerging writers to read from their work, visit classes, and interact with students. For more information, visit here.
The first adult fiction novel by Stephen Mack Jones, August Snow, has received wide acclaim, including the 2018 Nero Award from the Nero Wolfe Society; it was also named a 2018 Michigan Notable Book by the Library of Michigan. Jones has received the Hammett Prize for literary excellence in the field of crime writing from the International Association of Crime Writers.
A poet, award-winning playwright and winner of the Kresge Arts in Detroit Literary Fellowship, Jones lives in the metro Detroit area.
By Hilarie Carpenter, SMG
Gilda’s LaughFest, the nation’s first-ever, community-wide festival of laughter, and Outback Presents announced that Jim Gaffigan will bring his The Pale Tourist tour to Van Andel Arena in Grand Rapids. Gaffigan will open the 10th year of Gilda’s LaughFest on Thursday, March 5, 2020, at 8pm.
Tickets go on sale to the general public beginning Friday, Oct. 25 at 10am. Tickets will be available at the Van Andel Arena and DeVos Place box offices and online at Ticketmaster.com. A purchase limit of eight (8) tickets will apply to every order. See Ticketmaster.com for all current pricing and availability.
Gaffigan is the first headliner to be announced for the 2020 festival. Tickets for The Pale Tourist will be included in LaughFest ticket packages, which go on sale after LaughFest releases its full lineup on Tuesday, Nov. 19.
The Pale Tourist marks the third appearance for Gaffigan at LaughFest. Both of his previous performances sold out.
One of the nation’s top touring comedians, Gaffigan has proven himself as a major talent beloved to a wide range of audiences while achieving accolades and awards for his stand-up comedy, acting, and writing. He has had an unprecedented number of appearances on late night television and has earned nominations for both a Broadband Emmy and a Webby Award for his writing and voice work on the animated series Pale Force for Conan.
In recent years, Gaffigan has also become a mainstay on the big screen with roles in Going the Distance, Away We Go, and It’s Kind of a Funny Story. He appeared alongside Jennifer Connolly, Ed Harris, Pierce Bronson and Greg Kinnear in Salvation Boulevard, which premiered at the Sundance Film Festival in 2011. Further broadening his career, Gaffigan starred in the Broadway production, That Championship Season.
More information about Gilda’s LaughFest and ticket packages is available at laughfestgr.org, or by calling 616-735-HAHA (4242).
Gilda’s Club Grand Rapids is a free emotional health support community of children, adults, families and friends on any kind of cancer journey or those grieving a death due to any cause. Its comprehensive program, delivered by professionals, includes education, structured sharing times, networking, lectures, workshops and social activities. Gilda’s Club Grand Rapids is one of the largest and busiest of the 42 affiliates in North America. The organization runs entirely on charitable donations and currently serves more than 10,000 individuals each year at its clubhouses in Grand Rapids and Lowell, Mich., in various schools and community centers. For more information, visit gildasclubgr.org.
Gilda’s LaughFest, the nation’s first-ever community-wide festival of laughter, has quickly earned a reputation for being one of the nation’s marquee events for both participants and artists. This major 10- day Midwest festival is based in Grand Rapids and includes events throughout West Michigan. Created by Gilda’s Club Grand Rapids and launched in March 2011 to celebrate laughter for the health of it, the festival features stand-up, improv, showcases, and a variety of seriously funny stuff.
By WKTV Staff
ken@wktv.org
For community members, the 4th annual South Kent Community Expo, on Saturday, Oct. 26, will be an opportunity to explore products and services from a variety of community businesses and organizations.
For local local businesses and organizations, it is an opportunity to connect with the community — and customers.
The free event, hosted by the City of Kentwood Parks and Recreation Department and Wyoming-Kentwood Area Chamber of Commerce, will be held from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the Kentwood Activities Center, located at 355 48th St. SE.
“This family-friendly event is designed to connect area community members with the broad range of businesses and organizations offered in southern Kent County,” Bob O’Callaghan, president/CEO of the Wyoming-Kentwood Area Chamber of Commerce, said in supplied material. “We like to think there’s a product or service for everyone to discover at this community expo.”
In addition to community booths, the expo will feature health screenings, flu shots and food trucks. The flu shot clinic will be provided by Walgreens from 10 a.m. to noon. The cost for a flu shot will be $35 for individuals without qualifying insurance.
According to Lorraine Beloncis, assistant director of the City of Kentwood Parks and Recreation Department, this year’s event will be football themed and vendors are encouraged to decorate their table with the football theme and wear something supporting their favorite team.
There will be a Heisman trophy award for the booth with the best use of theme,” Beloncis said in supplied material.
For more information about the community event, visit here.
Vendors interested in participating can fill out a vendor registration form online.
By Hilarie Carpenter, SMG
Following on his just-concluded, wildly successful UK arena tour, Rock ‘n’ Roll Hall of Famer Alice Cooper has just announced his Spring 2020 tour plans. He will extend the Ol’ Black Eyes Is Back show, which debuted in Summer 2019 to the delight of fans, into the new year, including a stop in Grand Rapids on Friday, April 3, 2020, at 8pm in DeVos Performance Hall. The tour will feature special guest Lita Ford.
Presale Alice Cooper tickets available online only Thursday, Oct. 17 from 10am-10pm while supplies last. Presale Password: ROCK. GO HERE TO PURCHASE.
Tickets go on sale to the general public beginning Friday, Oct. 18 at 10am, and will be available at the DeVos Place® and Van Andel Arena® box offices as well as online via Ticketmaster.com. A purchase limit of eight (8) tickets will apply to every order.
In other Alice Cooper news, the artist released his The Breadcrumbs EP, a tribute to some of the garage rock heroes from his hometown Detroit, on Sept. 13 via earMUSIC. Inspired by the city’s punk scene in the late ’60s and early ’70s, the Detroit-born icon returned to his roots and the raw garage sound his fans love. The Bob Ezrin-produced EP consists of six brand-new recordings, featuring legendary Detroit musicians, including Johnny “Bee” Badanjek from the Detroit Wheels, Grand Funk’s Mark Farner, and MC5’s Wayne Kramer. It was recorded at Rust Belt Studios in Detroit. The opener Detroit City 2020 is an updated rewrite of Detroit City from 2003’s The Eyes of Alice Cooper and it sets the tone for the EP. Along with Cooper’s own take on Detroit rock classics such as Suzi Quatro’s Your Mama Won’t Like Me, Bob Seger’s East Side Story, the MC5’s Sister Anne, and Shorty Long’s Devil With a Blue Dress On, as well as The Dirtbombs’s Chains of Love, the EP also features the brand-new Alice Cooper original Go Man Go.
Check out Detroit City 2020 here. Check out East Side Story, which premiered at Billboard with an exclusive interview, here.
By Kent County
The Kent County Department of Public Works (DPW) Monday. Oct. 14, that community members can safely dispose up to 10 passenger tires for free at either the North Kent Recycling & Waste Center in Rockford and South Kent Recycling & Waste Center in Byron Center. Kent County residents can bring their old tires to either facility during normal business hours 7:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., Oct. 15-18.
“Whole tires are notoriously difficult to get rid of because they are not accepted by trash pick-up and cannot be disposed in a landfill unless they are shredded,” said Dar Baas, director of the Kent County Department of Public Works. “We encourage Kent County residents to take advantage of this opportunity to properly dispose of old tires.”
The free tire disposal is made possible by a grant from the Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy (EGLE). Tire disposal normally costs between $4-6 per tire. All the collected tires will be sent to a facility that will process and recycle them into new products.
The free tire disposal comes at a time when the Kent County Health Department is encouraging residents to protect themselves against mosquito bites due to the recent Eastern Equine Encephali s (EEE) outbreak, a virus that can lead to seizures, coma or even death. Old tires with standing water are a potential mosquito breeding ground. As of Oct. 11, there were 10 human cases of EEE in Michigan. There have been no human cases in Kent County.
“We encourage all residents to take every precaution to protect themselves against mosquito bites,” said Adam London, Health Officer Kent County Health Department. “Removing any potential mosquito breeding ground from your property not only helps protect you and your family, but it also helps protect our community.”
For facility hours, locations and contact information, visit reimaginetrash.org.
By WKTV Staff
ken@wktv.org
“Autumn is a second spring when every leaf is a flower.”
Albert Camus
The City of Wyoming and its Parks and Recreation will offer the community a Trick or Treat Trail, a free event for kids and families, on Saturday, Oct. 12, at Lamar Park. Go here for complete information.
You want me at that craft show? You need me at that craft show? You can handle me at that craft show. We got a list. Go here for complete information.
The opening of the new Von Maur at the Woodland Mall is only the biggest of the happenings at Kentwood’s shopping focal point this weekend. Go here for complete information.
Average amount of time spent at a shopping mall when people go to one. Source.
By K.D. Norris
ken@wktv.org
Anybody who has seen West Michigan’s own May Erlewine in concert, either during her in-process local and national tour or at any number local gigs in recent years, know she sings her songs with a gentle passion.
On her latest full-length studio album release, Second Sight, set to hit the streets Nov. 1, she maintains her sweet, gentle delivery but she packs a musical heavyweight’s punch with songs about an American society at risk if not in peril.
For evidence of her intent to push her music into the realm of socio-political commentary of the best — and strongest — vein, you need to listen no further than the first single released from Second Sight, and witness the power of its accompanying video, “Whole Again” — which she states was “Written as a testimony for Dr. Christine Blasey Ford. And for all of the women who have been ‘unheard’ in their truth.”
Erlewine, an American woman thorough-and-through, is making clear her concern, if not open anger, at the current state of the country. And she does so unabashedly.
“There was no reluctance to being straightforward because so much care and intention was put into our message from the beginning to the end,” Erlewine said to WKTV in an email interview. “I also feel very at home with the truth. It’s not something that we can really avoid, so it feels relieving to me to create art that feels true and relevant to the times.”
“Whole Again” is about “the pain of women’s history,” she said in supplied material. “It’s about the fact that we have continued to repair and make whole what has been broken so many times, all while continuing to suffer abuses and silencing, without truly equal rights in our own country.”
That, as they say, is a punch to the heart of the matter.
The song was first written by Erlewine as a poem while watching the widely televised testimony of Christine Blasey Ford during Supreme Court Justice Brett Kavanaugh’s confirmation hearings. Erlewine brought the poem to musical co-conspiratorTyler Duncan and together they crafted the song.
Undoubtedly, if you heard Erlewine in concert in Kalamazoo or Grand Rapids last weekend, or plan to catch her at Seven Steps Up in Spring Lake on Sunday, Oct. 13, your witness to her new songs and the stories of how they came about.
From the opening track on Second Sight, the instrumental “New Morning”, with Erlewine plays piano on what seems almost like a prelude to a larger work — a play or an opera — to the final song, “Afraid”, which feels a lot like a requiem, the collection seems thematic.
“The album is a journey through what feels like a time of great regression in our leadership,” she said. “This country was founded in pain and injustice, and a lot of that pain has been passed down through the generations. We are living in a time where we are inundated with media, consumerism and distractions from being connected to our deeper visions.
“The songs are a journey to reconnecting with our home, ourselves and each other while grieving the incredible trauma of our history.”
Another punch where it hurts.
While Second Sight, taken in its entirety, has an almost all-encompassing level of quality, in its music and its messages, to me, the heart of the recording is the trio of songs “Eyes on the Road”, “How Can I Return” and “Together in My Mind”.
Sticking in my mind’s eye after first listen, “Eyes on the Road”, for many reasons, seems to me to be saying there are good things coming down the road if you just stay true to the journey.
“This song is about holding our vision for the future and not being distracted by the insanity that is surrounding us right now,” Erlewine said. “It is when things are not right that we must hold on to our dreams. Our vision is needed when the way is unclear.”
And while “How Can I Return” … which includes the lyric “all the bridges have been burned” … seems talks about the destructive path our country is on, “Together in My Mind” … “Even when the sky is falling, there is stardust to find” … finds Erlewine remaining optimistic about the future. Maybe.
“How Can I Return” is “about colonialism and the pain of how we got to where we are as a country,” she said. “When we look at the injustice of our history and all of the people our victories have wounded, it feels very hard to connect to this country, this flag. The question is, ‘How could I return after understanding what the foundation of our country is built upon?
“… ‘Together In My Mind’ is about overcoming isolation and remembering that we are all connected to each other and all living things. This song is leading into ‘Afraid’ (the final track) which asks us to dig deep into courage and love as we move forward into uncharted territory.”
Clearly, Erlewine is not afraid to look at the American landscape, the mirror of our times, and see the good and the bad. And we, her listeners and admirers, should do so as well.
“I believe in our ability to make change happen,” she said. “I believe in the power of our hearts. I believe that we have a choice, to wake up and dig in, or remain in this nightmare. I believe in the work ahead and I am committed to it.”
For more information on May Erlewine, her music and the current tour, visit mayerlewine.com .
By K.D. Norris
ken@wktv.org
After a 17-1 regular season, and being crowned co-champions of the OK Conference Silver, the Lee High School Legends boys soccer team is preparing for another run at a District title next week at Hudsonville Unity Christian and — hopefully — another shot at a Unity Christian squad which knocked them out in the District finals last season.
But first things first. As his team practiced this week, Lee coach Jaime Ramirez talked to WKTV about his team having a week off after a great regular season, detailed his top players, and his belief that this year’s team has brought their own bit of pride to the school.
Oh, and ya. There is that thing about “the kids” wanting a rematch with Unity Christian.
“It is a fantastic season so far, the kids are playing so good,” Ramariez said. “They earned this (conference co-championship) because they are doing the job on the field. … There is a little (school) pride in this team this year.”
Ramirez gives some of the credit for the school pride to Lee Middle and High School’s new principal, Candy VanBuskirk, who in addition to her impressive educational background played and coached basketball at the collegiate level — “This year the new principal is doing good job announcing (game results) every morning when we play, how we did.”
There was a lot of good news announced, as far as the soccer team’s season was concerned.
The Legends outscored their regular season opponents 81-12, with their only loss being a 1-0 setback to conference co-champion Grandville Calvin Christian, which the Legends beat early in the season, 2-1.
While scoring has not been a problem for the Legends this season, Ramirez still thinks they can do better and he is using the team’s 10-day layoff to “adjust” some things.
The long layoff “is kind of bad because the kids don’t get to play,” he said. “But it is kind of good too because the kids get to rest and I am able to adjust some things, what we’ve been struggling on, like targeting or scoring goals. That is my main thing right now.”
The Legends are deep and talented with both offensive and defensive position players, according to their coach.
Senior co-captain and midfielder Raúl Montañez has 10 goals and six assists this season, junior co-captain and midfielder Gerardo Montañez has scored 10 goals and has eight assists, sophomore midfielder Edgar Vazquez leads the team in assists with 16 while adding five goals. But the team’s scoring leader is co-captain Michael Esqueda with 19 goals and five assists this season.
Senior forward Tristan Perez has played through injuries but still contributed nine goals and 10 assists.
On what has been a smothering defense, sophomore Alexandro Ruiz “improved so much and … (is a) very solid defender”, Ramirez said, while junior Gustavo Romero has also anchored the back line. Senior goalkeeper Jorge Montes blocked two penalty kicks, has 25 saves and six shutouts.
Two younger players who have contributed to the team’s success are junior Wili Diaz and Jacob Flores, who has played both on the field and in goal. “Definably he (Flores) will be my main goalkeeper next season, but he did an outstanding job as a defender,” Ramirez said.
Coach Ramirez said he and his team are not looking past their first game of the District 35 tournament, scheduled for Tuesday, Oct. 15, at a time to be determined, when they will play the winner of an opening round contest between Grand Rapids Catholic and Grand Rapids West Catholic. But, should they win, they know which team they’d like to see in the District finals.
“We have to beat anybody that is going to be in our way, regardless of who it is,” Ramirez said. “If we come out and play a bad game, and they beat us up, then we don’t have anything to say. But if we play good, it doesn’t matter who we play, if we play good, we beat them.”
And as far as that rematch with Unity Christian — “The kids are looking for that rematch because they think they can do better this year than we did last year.”
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By WKTV Staff
ken@wktv.org
After a series of soft openings and VIP/media tours of the Woodland Mall’s new Von Maur wing, the public will get a chance to explore, shop and enjoy a series of special events this weekend, Saturday and Sunday, Oct. 12-13.
Woodland Mall is located in Kentwood at the intersection of East Beltline and 28th Street SW.
In addition to the Von Maur department store, other new or newly relocated retail businesses in the Von Maur wing include Williams Sonoma, Urban Outfitters and Paddle North — and Black Rock Bar and Grill will officially open. (Spoiler alert: The Cheesecake Factory is opening its doors on Tuesday, Nov. 5.)
Among the highlights of a Thursday media tour was a visit to the expanded classroom and event kitchen at Williams Sonoma (events to be announced soon), a unique self-checkout option at Urban Outfitters (instruction available) and inflatable paddle boards at Paddle North (which fit into an amazingly lite bag).
Among the Saturday events are the official opening of Von Maur with a ribbon cutting at 9:45 a.m.; family entertainment in the wing from noon to 2 p.m., including a balloon artist, hula hoop performer Cosmic Candy treats and a Claire Bear character; and a create a little harvest monster craft event at the JCPenney Kids Zone.
Among the Sunday events are live music with Lana Chalfoun at 1 p.m.; a “Torrid Fashion Show” at 2 p.m.; DJ music from 3-6 p.m.
For a complete list of events visit shopwoodlandmall.com/calendar .
By WKTV Staff
ken@wktv.org
“You don’t need a silver fork to eat good food.”
Chef Paul Prudhomme
The Downtown Market will host a hands-on event to make the classic chinese food favorite xiaolongbao — traditional soup dumplings. Go here for complete information.
Metro Health-University of Michigan Health has a workshop with fall cooking written all over it — how to prepare delicious, low fuss slow cooker meals. Go here for complete information.
Vista Springs Assisted Living offers a few hand-picked, heart-healthy, antioxidant loaded recipes because perfect for autumn evenings, warm colors, and the bountiful harvest we receive every year. Go here for complete information.
About 50 million pumpkin pies are consumed each Thanksgiving. Source.
By K.D. Norris
ken@wktv.org
Pianist Fred Hersch and guitarist Julian Lage, like two good friends who occasionally share coffee and stories — which is kind-of how they met — will meet up again for some wordless musical discussion as St. Cecilia Music Center begins its jazz series this month.
The story goes that Hersch and Lage, both with impressive resumes as front men and ensemble players in a wide range of musical genres but always focused on jazz, first met at a coffee shop in Boston and stayed together long enough to produce the much admired 2013 duo release “Free Flying”.
They are back together, undoubtedly having more coffee and musical conversations, for a few gigs this month including their Thursday, Oct. 17, concert at St. Cecilia, where tickets remain available. And don’t be surprised if their short reunion is only a prelude to another recording session.
“After the (2013) record, over the years, we find ourselves together every so often,” Lage said to WKTV in a telephone interview late last month. “It is one of those things that is somewhat unschedulable — I can relate, given what we’ve been up to. But it still remains a passion of ours.
“Frankly, we’ve been toying with this idea of recording again, doing some more shows, for a while. This upcoming run we have coming up (in October) … is kind of an opportunity to initiate some more stuff together. … I think we are just kind of moving towards, God wiling, doing some more stuff.”
Hersch, additionally, sees the pair’s current and, hopefully, future work together as part of a long relationship.
“I put this in the class of on-going special projects,” Hersch said to WKTV. “Julian is really busy with his own career and other projects. So am I. So sometimes it is complicated to find, like, three three great dates in a row. … But I think this is something we plan to keep going, indefinitely. As long as both of us has our brains and our fingers.”
The pair’s musical knowledge and manual dexterity, together and in their “other projects,” have gained them praise, awards and audience applause.
Hersch has 14 Grammy nominations to his credit and, citing only some of his recent distinctions, he was named a 2016 Doris Duke Artist, and was the 2016 and 2018 Jazz Pianist of the Year from the Jazz Journalists Association. The New York Times Sunday Magazine called him “singular among the trailblazers of their art, a largely unsung innovator of individualistic jazz — a jazz for the 21st century.”
Lage, who is also Grammy nominated, has placed his own mark on music written by a wide range of artists, from Roy Orbison to Ornette Coleman, and, according to supplied information, he “builds upon a wandering sonic outlook with jazz fusion, jam band liberation, standards, and rock ‘n’ roll.”
While the pair seldom play together, let alone in the duo format, their preparation for a concert such as the one in Grand Rapids is mostly a matter of shared musical language, as jazz people like to say.
“Julian lives in Brooklyn and I live in lower Manhattan, and we did play together this past May, on an on-going series where we play at the Jazz Standard (New York City club) where I invite a different partner each night of the week to come play with me,” Hersch said. “That was sort of our preparation. … We plan to meet in Grand Rapids, have a sound check and we have a pretty good sized repertoire, for now, which we keep adding to as well can. But it’s not really a rehearsal intensive process.”
While both have ventured in others realms, musically, they consider themselves to be jazz players at heart and in their soul.
“I consider my self a bonafide jazz guitar player, you know, and I think the definition of what it means to be a jazz musician is often wider than what we think,” Lage said. “At the end of the day, I kind of play the same all the time, I don’t really change … but my allegiance is to jazz.”
“Both of us believe that whatever piece we are playing, we are not only authentic to our own voices, as musicians, but authentic to that piece of music,” Hersch added. “Each piece of music you play might bring out the different influences, but Julian has a very distinctive voice, in the music. I think I have a very distinctive voice. So we are kind of speaking with our own accents but obviously affected by the particular material we play.”
Playing in a piano-guitar duo, sans drums and bass, is also a chance for Hersch to more fully utilize his keyboard, he admits.
“In jazz, the piano is a member of the percussion family. When I’m playing, I’m playing like a big drum set with 88 notes,” Hersch said. “I can create a lot of sound and play very orchestral. I can play in different registers with the piano. Julian and I have this great radar where it seems like whenever Julian is playing, even while I’m for all intents and purposes soloing, whatever he plays is adding to what I’m doing, not getting in the way.
“In order to work in a duo, whether it is piano-guitar, piano and saxophone, piano and voice, everybody has to have a great responsibility for the rhythm. … Both people have to have good understanding of where the beat is, where the time is … and so, (if we have that) we really don’t miss the bass and drums at all. Frankly it is very liberating.”
Tickets for Fred Hersch and Julian Lage are $40 and $45 and can be purchased by calling St. Cecilia Music Center at 616-459-2224 or visiting the box office at 24 Ransom Ave. NE. Tickets can also be purchased online at www.scmc-online.org. A pre-concert reception for $15 at 6:30 p.m., with wine and hors d’oeuvres, is available by reservation in advance (by Friday, October 11). A post-concert party with dessert, coffee and wine is open to all ticket-holders to meet the artists, obtain autographs and CD purchases.
By K.D. Norris
ken@wktv.org
Wyoming resident Jon Lopez’ early day job is managing a Bagel Beanery on Clyde Park Avenue SW, where he is often present at the crack of dawn getting ready for the morning rush of caffeine seekers and bagel lovers.
But in the afternoons or early evenings, in his basement sculpture studio, he sort of transports himself to another world — a world of clay-full characters including thoughtful monkeys, mice on a mission and a green octopus that he is almost on talking terms with.
“I always have a tremendous amount of self-doubt when I’m starting a sculpture, but then suddenly the character is looking back at me and I say ‘Oh, shoot’, this is the character, its spirit,” Lopez, a 2015 graduate of Grand Rapids Community College, said to WKTV. “An animal will just set on the desk until that breath of life is put into them. … If I don’t get that feeling, it does not get put out.”
And one of the self-titled Clay Alchemist’s favorite characters-come-to-life is a green octopus called Charlie, who will be present at the current exhibition “GRCC Alumnus: Jonathan Lopez”, at GRCC’s Collins Art Gallery. The exhibition held a soft opening Sept. 30, plans a opening reception on Wednesday, Oct. 9, from 3-7 p.m., and will run through Oct. 25.
“The simplicity of Charlie is one of my favorites,” Lopez said. “And I’ve come back to him a couple times. I just like messing with octopuses. They are really fun … they have really comical faces.”
Lopez has a long history with clay sculptural work, which has undergone a environmental transformation to plasticine, and over the years developed an artistic preference for the end result being high-tech photos of his sculptures in unusual settings and then the recycling of the original works of art.
“I like the idea (of using plasticine), that I can reuse it over and over again. … I just like the concept of nothing is permanent,” he said. “There is something nice and refreshing that when something is done, it is out of my hands. I might keep it for a short time, so some people can see it in person. But when it is done — once the (photograph) illustration is done, I like to take them apart and that same clay goes into the next illustration. … In a way it is environmentally friendly.”
And as far as the choice of photographs being the final product?
“I have always been really reserved with letting people see the finished product, in person, the actual sculpture in person,” he said. “Allowing me to do the photograph, rather than you see it in person, I have more control of the lighting and where it is at. I almost feel that, as an artist, you lose a lot control and emotion when you hand it off to someone else. And the photography just enables you that control when you hand off the finished piece.”
He uses Fuji metallic paper in printing, which “brings a really dimensional esthetic to the picture,” he said. “When you have just a standard glossy, or luster, there is a lack of depth to there photograph. The metallic just picks up the highlights in a certain way where I’ve had so many people come up to a print and say ‘It looks lifelike. It looks 3-dimensional.”
While most of the sculptural and photographic work occurs in his basement studio, sometimes his creatures travel.
“My friend and I went to Colorado as well as Louisiana with some characters … There has been a few spring breaks where I have taken them along,” he said. “I took a turtle down to Louisiana and I took his photograph in New Orleans and in the swamps.”
The exhibition is really the evolution of his work, starting with his first publicly shown work, when he was just out of college, “which was an online dating parody,” then there is a series which has not been on exhibit called “Curious Cuisine, which is sort of a humorous approach to looking at the lives of food.”
Some of his work — maybe as he matures — is becoming more serious, maybe even described as “dark”. One series of works is called “No Dignity” which includes the photograph “Untermench”.
“Untermench literally means sub-human, and it’s just an analogy of the way that people treat, that people in general, demonize a group of people. The photograph is of a cat exterminating mice and cockroaches, and over the years, since Hitler, really, people have been called cockroaches or vermin, and exterminated,” Lopez said. “This is an examination of social issues, really. … It is important to have these conversations about how we treat each other.”
But, Lopez says, when he gets too dark, there is always Charlie and other fun and funny creations waiting to come to life.
“As an artist, when you have a point in life, when you’re getting a more low-key part in your life, or you are just going thorough some inner turmoil, it is nice to have an outlet,” he said. “But at the same time, when I do a couple of darker pieces, then I would have to do a curious cuisine illustration … The truth is that I cannot stay in that (serious) vein for too long.”
The GRCC Collins Art Gallery is located on the 4th Floor of Raleigh J. Finkelstein Hall, formerly Main Building, 143 Bostwick Ave NE. Grand Rapids. Gallery hour at Monday to Thursday, 10:30 a.m. to 7 p.m. For more information visit GRCC.edu/visualarts .
For more information on the artist, visit clayalchemist.com .
By WKTV Staff
ken@wktv.org
HQ and 3:11 Youth Housing, two local groups which play “distinct and invaluable roles in the process of moving youth from crisis to housed,” will be hosting a collaborative fundraising event later this month in Grandville.
“Connecting the Dots: Walking with Youth from Crisis to Housed” will take place Thursday, Oct. 10, from 6-9 p.m., at the Grandville Banquet Center.
The event is “an exclusive evening of inspiration, food, and learning as we share the innovative collaboration between HQ and 3:11 Youth Housing,” according to supplied material.
“Our organizations serve youth experiencing homelessness or unsafe housing in Kent County. Together, HQ and 3:11 are modeling the power of intentional collaboration, highlighting how organizations can create a greater impact by working together. We believe when organizations intentionally partner to provide a continuum of services, youth are able to overcome crisis sooner and our Grand Rapids community is stronger.”
The event will include the opportunity to mingle and network during a cocktail hour including appetizers, a presentation sharing about the collaborative work of HQ and 3:11 Youth Housing, a sit-down dinner with dessert, an opportunity to win prizes and, most importantly, the “opportunity to make an impact by supporting the work of HQ and 3:11 Youth Housing.”
HQ is a drop-in center serving youth ages 14 to 24, according to supplied material. It offers a “safe space that provides rest, resources, and readiness to youth experiencing unsafe or unstable housing and other forms of crisis.” Youth have access to basic needs such as hot meals, showers, and laundry. Additionally, youth are connected to community partners and resources that help provide advocacy services, education & employability skill-building, and connections to affordable housing.
Youth at HQ have the opportunity to be referred to housing with 3:11 and other partners.
3:11 Youth Housing. according to supplied material, “develops safe, affordable housing for youth ages 18 to 24 who are experiencing homelessness and partners in their transition to healthy interdependence.” Four components essential to 3:11’s model are safe and affordable housing, house mentoring, case management, and alumni support.
The Grandville Banquet Center is located at 2900 Wilson Avenue SW, Grandville. Tickets are $85, are available here.
