Category Archives: Local Entertainment

Founders Brewing Co. Expands Distribution to Dakotas, Western Minnesota

Local Business, Local Entertainment

Founders’ Beers Will Be Available in the Peace Garden State, the Mount Rushmore State and More of the North Star State in June 2015

Founders Brewing Co. has partnered with Johnson Brothers to offer their unique beers across the Dakotas and in Western Minnesota beginning in June 2015. Beer enthusiasts in these markets will now have the opportunity to enjoy Founders’ world-class products without having to leave their hometowns.

“We’re looking forward to getting our beer to all of the Midwestern states with the addition of our new partners Johnson Brothers,” said Co-Founder & CEO Mike Stevens. “As we continue the progress on our facility expansion, it’s going to allow us get our beer to even more enthusiasts this year. And we’re starting with some of our neighbors.”

Founders plans to include all of its year-round and seasonal ales in bottles, cans (as applicable) and kegs in the first shipments to these markets. There may also be some limited release available at select craft beer retailers following the launch—stay tuned to Founders website and Twitter handle (@foundersbrewing) for launch event information.

To see all of the states in which Founders is available, as well as information on their lineup and release calendar, visit foundersbrewing.com.

About Founders Brewing Co.

Established in 1997 by two craft beer enthusiasts—Dave Engbers and Mike Stevens—with day jobs and a dream, Founders Brewing Co. brews complex, in-your-face ales, with huge aromatics and tons of flavor. Founders ranks among the top 20 largest craft breweries in the U.S. and is one of the fastest growing. The brewery has received numerous awards from the World Beer Cup and the Great American Beer Festival, and Rate Beer and Beer Advocate users often rate its beers among the best in the world. Located in downtown Grand Rapids, Michigan, Founders is a proud member of the Michigan Brewers Guild. For more information, visit www.foundersbrewing.com.

 

 

Father’s Day in West Michigan

Area Education, Holidays, Local Entertainment

West Michigan – Dad may not admit to it, but he looks forward to being spoiled on Father’s Day each year! Surprise Dad with something new this year on Father’s Day, whether it’s a day out with the family, an all-day fishing trip, or a visit to his favorite West Michigan brewery.

Ideas for an Outdoorsy Dad– Leelanau Adventures

If you know a Dad who loves the great outdoors, consider booking him a trip through Leelanau Adventures this Father’s Day! They specialize in guided tours of the lesser known spots in Sleeping Bear Dunes and Manitou Island, National Lakeshore, Michigan, with intimate guided day hikes, backpacking and camping adventures. Consider booking a Father/Son backpacking trip on North Manitou island for some real bonding time and a trip Dad will never forget! Find more information on all the Leelanau Adventures on their website.

Veni Vidi Fishi, Holland

Treat Dad to a day of Salmon fishing on Lake Michigan this Father’s Day! Bring Dad aboard Veni Vidi Fishi and join in the fun and adventure of reeling in Lake Michigan’s bounty of Salmon, Lake Trout and Steelhead! Captains Jeff and Karel have more than 30 years of experience fishing on Lake Michigan. Veni Vidi Fishi is a spacious, 36-foot Tiara – impeccably maintained and fully outfitted for fishing on Lake Michigan. They have morning and evening charters available May through October, departing from Holland. Call before June 21, 2015 and mention the Father’s Day Special and receive $50 off a half-day fishing charter. Gift certificates available.

Treetops Resort, Gaylord

Treetops celebrates Father’s Day 2105 with the Father Son/Daughter Classic golf tournament June 21 – 23. There is no better gift than time well spent together and they’re thrilled to announce this is the third year of this event and any father and child may participate. Variations can be made to compete with multiple children. The cost is $559 per team includes 45 holes of tournament golf (including a Shootout on the famed Threetops course), 2 nights lodging in the Inn or Chalets, Golf Clinic & Skills Contests, 2 breakfasts for each player, 1 lunch for each player and prizes. Additional players are $159. The deadline to register is June 15th. As an additional bonus, Sunday, June 21 you can enjoy unlimited practice rounds complimentary to registered players. The Treetops Spa has created specials just for Dad starting at just $30. For more information and to sign-up, email kmckinley@treetops.com or call (844) 368-6557

Red Moose Lodge, Baldwin

If your dad loves to fish, treat him to a guided day of fishing on the Baldwin River with Red Moose Lodge! On their guided trips, you will be educated about all facets of fly-fishing, and supplied with the best opportunity at a trophy fish, all during a great and safe experience on the river. All gear, tackle and transportation will be provided. They offer fishing trips for Steelhead, Salmon, Rainbow, Brown and Brook Trout, Pike, Walleye and Bass. Get all the details on their website: http://www.redmooselodge.com/ca_guide/index.htm

Ideas for Father’s Day Family Outings

River Country Chamber, Newaygo

Looking for something fun & exciting for dad on Father’s Day?  The annual Father’s Day Fly In will be held at the White Cloud Airport and will feature a pancake breakfast from 8:00 am – 11:00 am. Bring your family for breakfast; Scrambled eggs, sausage, pancakes, potatoes, fruit, coffee & Juice. Breakfast $6.00; Dads $3.00; Kids under 3 and Pilots eat for free. Additionally the 2nd Annual Father’s Day Cruz In  Car Show  is back again this year from 9:30 am – 2:00 pm. There will be many cars and trucks on hand for you to see. For more information call 231-652-3068 or check the website www.rivercountrychamber.com

Coldwater Country, Branch County

Father’s Day is the perfect time to hop on the rails and take a ride on the Little River Railroad in Coldwater Country. Dad is certain to enjoy the hour and a half ride from Coldwater to Quincy and back, aboard the antique steam locomotive. Father’s ride free on June 21st. Coldwater Country is located 40 minutes south of Lansing at the intersection of I-69 and U.S. 12 Heritage Route. It is a great place to spend time, offering a bit of country, near the city. For additional information on these ideas and more, visit www.ColdwaterCountry.com.

Catch Air, Grand Rapids

Catch Air in Grand Rapids is the perfect place for a family outing this Father’s Day! Designed for kids ages 10 and under (along with their parents), Catch Air features areas to play, dance, bounce, climb, and more! The kids are sure to love it, and Dad’s sure to love the Father’s Day Special of 25% off walk-in admission!

GRAM, Grand Rapids

Admission is free for all dads on Father’s Day at the GRAM! Celebrate dad this Father’s Day with a trip to GRAM! Bring your dad, granddad, or kids and enjoy free admission for all fathers. Hours on Sunday, 21st are 12pm-5pm. For more information, please contact Guest Services at 616.831.1000.

White Lake Area

The 37th Annual White Lake Area Arts & Crafts Festival is expected to draw thousands of people this Father’s Day weekend, June 20 and 21, 2015. Goodrich Park in Whitehall is home of this favorite festival. More than 75 talented and creative artists will participate in this very popular juried art show. Learn More

Grand Rapids Children’s Museum, Grand Rapids

Celebrate Dad with a day of play this Father’s Day! Dads get free admission on Father’s Day, noon-5:00 Sunday, June 21st. Enjoy big city fun in a kid size way in their newest exhibit, Little GR, now open at the Grand Rapids Children’s Museum! Join them in the Lab 9:30-4:00 every Wednesday and Friday to experiment, explore, and discover with messy sensory play!  Every Lab offers something new!  Included with general museum admission.

Lakeshore Museum Center, Muskegon

Free tours of the homes of Muskegon’s most well-known lumber barons are being offered to fathers who visit the site on Father’s Day, Sunday, June 21. The restored homes of Muskegon’s most famous lumber barons, Charles H. Hackley and Thomas Hume, are two of the finest examples of Queen Anne Style Victorian homes in the country. Built in the late 1800s, they feature lavish woodcarvings, stenciling, stained glass windows, and period furnishings.

Visitors will begin their tour in the City Barn where an Introductory Video welcomes them and provides them with an overview of the Museum sites along with the history of the Hackley and Hume site, the lumber barons, and the lumbering era. The gallery also includes an exhibit about the lumbering area and a replica of the Hackley and Hume Lumber Company. The site, located at 484 W. Webster Ave., is open Thursday through Monday from 10 am to 4 pm. On Sundays, the site is open from 1 to 4 pm.  The nearby Fire Barn Museum and the Scolnik House of the Depression Era share the same hours as the Hackley & Hume Site. They are located just a block away on Clay Avenue.

Food and Drink for Dad

Founders Brewing Company, Grand Rapids

For the dad that loves beer and music, Founders Fest 2015 is on June 20th in Grand Rapids. Would make for a fun, non traditional event for a dad that loves beer and music! Featuring local music and locally-brewed beer, this is Founders Brewing Company’s biggest party of the year!

Brewery Vivant, Grand Rapids

Father’s Day kicks off Smoke Week at Brewery Vivant! Coming back for its fourth consecutive year, the greatest week of the year: It’s BV‘s Smoke Week. Their kitchen staff throws down with some delectable smokehouse specials the week of June 21-28. Bring Dad to get first bites on Sunday June 21 and come back throughout the week to try a variety of smoked meats, chicken dishes, and vegetables– this is what Summer is all about. They’re getting out theirr grill and infusing some smoked goodness into the menu. Celebrate summer & fathers with us!

Burgdorf’s Winery, Haslett

Father’s Day is the perfect time to give your Dad “A Moment in Wine” at Burgdorf’s Winery in Haslett, Michigan! Bring Dad to Burgdorf’s on Father’s Day, Sunday, June 21st and he will receive a free wine tasting! At Burgdorf’s Winery he will have the opportunity to relax and enjoy a sampling of award winning, delicious wines.Burgdorf’s Winery 12 p.m. to 5 p.m. 5635 Shoeman Rd., Haslett (517) 655-2883.

Michigan Grape and Wine Council

Michigan wineries invite you to join them for special events on Father’s Day weekend. Treat Dad to a day at the beach at the 10th Annual Lake Michigan Shore Wine Festival June 20. Enjoy award-winning, locally grown and produced wines, local cuisine and live music throughout the day. The Summer Solstice Release Party June 20-21 is a self-driving tour of the wineries of the Pioneer Wine Trail featuring a new release wine pairing with food prepared by a local chef or restaurant. Join northern Michigan wineries for the 7th annual Traverse City Wine & Art Festival at the Village at Grand Traverse Commons on June 20 to celebrate regional wine, food and culture of northern Michigan. More than 200 local wines, 8 great restaurants, 40 fine artists and 7 musical performances all in one location!

Grand Traverse Distillery, Grand Rapids and Traverse City

With Father’s Day just around the corner why not treat dad to a spirited gift from the Grand Traverse Distillery? Besides their award winning lineup of locally sourced “Grain to Bottle” vodkas, whiskies, gin and rum, they also offer a complete line of bar glasses, flasks, mixers and even mini aging barrels to create your own whiskey at home. How cool is that? So forget the tie and stop by one of Grand Traverse Distillery’s tasting rooms (Grand Rapids) (Traverse City) for a real “Pure Michigan” experience. Use code {Dad} and get 10% off all non-alcohol purchases.

Port City Princess, Muskegon

Treat Dad to a Father’s Day Brunch unlike any other afloat on Lake Michigan with the Port City Princess in Muskegon! Their Father’s Day Champagne Brunch runs from 12pm until 2pm and includes a scenic cruise on the lake. Dad gets his ticket for half price! Reservations are required and may be made at 1-800-853-6311.

Father’s Day Gift Ideas for Dad

Dennos Museum Center, Traverse City

Visit the Museum Store at Dennos Museum Center in Traverse City and check out the collection of tool-related gifts that are perfect for Father’s Day! These tool-themed gifts were stocked in conjunction with the exhibition ReTooled: Highlights from the Hechinger Collection, which ended on May 17. From now until they’re gone, all exhibition-related items are 30% off (excluding consignment pieces). The Store is open during Museum hours, or visit their website for online shopping.

Chocolates By Grimaldi, Grand Haven

Chocolates by Grimaldi in Grand Haven will be hosting a Dear ‘ol Dad Event on Saturday, June 20 from 10am-1pm in their store and chocolate factory. All ages are welcome to create a card at their card making station and sample free chocolate, all while shopping for the perfect gift to make Dad feel special! Give Dad the gift he will truly love: Locally Made Chocolate!

Gilmore Car Museum, Hickory Corners

Does the Dad on your list this year for Father’s Day already have everything he could possibly need? Then get him a gift of an experience he won’t ever forget – the chance to drive a Model T at the Gilmore Car Museum! Send him back to driver’s training “old school” style where he’ll learn how to drive Ford’s famous Model T on the Gilmore Car Museum’s beautiful 90-acre historic campus! For available class dates and more information, please visit http://www.gilmorecarmuseum.org/education/model-t-driving-school!

Grand Rapids to host National Community Theatre Festival

Local Entertainment, ,

Civic TheaterThe National Community Theatre Festival, entitled AACTFest, kicks off June 23 – 27, at the Amway Grand Plaza Hotel and Grand Rapids Civic Theatre, in Grand Rapids, Michigan. AACTFest, a program of the American Association of Community Theatre, includes twelve winning theatre productions from across the country and U.S. Armed Services, educational experiences, workshop opportunities and networking opportunities for theatre enthusiasts. Theatre productions will be presented at the Grand Rapids Civic Theatre after advancing from previous state and regional festivals across the United States.

“The Grand Rapids Civic Theatre is thrilled to be hosting AACTFest 2015,” says Bruce E. Tinker, Executive and Artistic Director with Grand Rapids Civic Theatre. “Inviting theatres from all over the country and our Armed Forces abroad to join us and celebrate our art form in a city that supports so many local theatre companies is a wonderful opportunity.”

During AACTFest 2015, the Grand Rapids Civic Theatre & School of Theatre Arts will be honored with the Diamond Crown Organizational Award from the American Association of Community Theatre, recognizing longevity and vitality of AACT member theatres that have expanded programming and/or facilities in the past ten years and have the administrative leadership to remain vital to their communities for the next ten years. Lou VanderHave, of Grand Rapids, will also be honored with the David C. Bryant Outstanding Service Award, honoring his significant, valuable and lasting service to the Grand Rapids Civic Theatre.

All community theatre performances are open to the public and continue throughout ACCTFest. For a full schedule of performances and to purchase tickets, visit www.AACT.org. Nationally qualifying performances include:

  • Orphans by Lyle Kessler – Spokane (WA) Civic Theatre, Spokane, Washington
  • The 39 Steps by John Buchan and Patrick Barlow – Elkhart Civic Theatre, Bristol, Indiana
  • God of Carnage by Yasmna Reza – The Lantern Theatre/CCAA, Conway, Arkansas
  • The Romancers by Edmond Rostand – Dassel-Cokato (MN) Community Theatre
  • Feeding the Moonfish by Barbara Wiechmann – Rochester’s (NY) Black Sheep Theatre
  • Freud’s Last Session by Mark St. Germain – Kokomo (IN) Civic Theatre, Kokomo, Indiana
  • The Nina Variations by Steven Dietz – Platte Valley Players Brighton, Colorado
  • Winter Flowers by Lily Rusek – Warner Theatre Torrington, Connecticut
  • Detachments by Colleen Dodson-Baker – SHAPE Performing Arts Centre Mons, Belgium
  • The Lady of Larkspur Lotion by Tennessee Williams – Theatre Albany (GA)
  • Lone Star by James McLure – Tupelo (MS) Community Theatre
  • I Am My Own Wife by Doug Wright – The New Group West Cardiff, California

WKTV will be taping the AACT awards ceremony.

Marge’s Donut Den–40 Years Strong and Celebrating on June 20th and 21st

Local Entertainment, Local Faces, Local Food, Our Cities
Recent pic of Marge's Donut Den with CJ Team
The Citizen Journalism Team of Mike DeWitt and Colleen Pierson get the opportunity to hear Marge Wilson’s stories.

colleen_piersonIt will be a huge celebration.   As well it should be.  Marge’s Donut Den in Wyoming, MI. celebrates its 40th anniversary with entertainment, low prices, food, religious services and fun for the entire family.

Donuts and coffee all day will be priced at 1975 prices at .45 cents.

When Marge opened 40 years ago she put her children to work for $1.00 an hour.

“They had to do their homework and then wash dishes and help.  I earned 00.00 from the bakery, Marge shared.  My total sales from June to the end of the year was $6,000.00.”

Marge juggled a job at Union Bank during the day and the bakery at night.

“The flour bags made a good nap place.  I loved the children who picked out donuts with sprinkles and a toy.  Watching them all grow up has made me love my job all these past 40 years.  Now I get to enjoy their children,” she exclaimed.

So the 40th anniversary will be a time to thank her customers.  It will also be the opportunity for people to see her newly remodeled expansion.  Paul Collins’ Artwork graces the wall and there’s plenty of space in the community room.

Here is the schedule for the 40th celebration:

June 20

4:00a.m. Open–Coffee and donut here or to go is 45 cents

7:00a.m.– Catholic Mass

8:30 Breakfast ( Donation only)

9:00a.m.- Freddie the clown

10:00a.m.- Silvertons

2-4:00p.m.   Grand Rapids Accordians

 June 21

6:00a.m. Open

7:00a.m.  Protestant Service

Noon–Lunch   ( Tickets Only)  $10.00 each

1-4p.m.  Hark Up Group playing Music as a Gift for our Anniversary

Coffee & Donuts are still 45 cents a day.   Dozens to go to regular price.

SPY–A True, Blue Espionage Comedy

Local Entertainment, Movie Review,

brett_wiesenaurComedy is tough to pull off, inherent subjectivity notwithstanding. Plenty find Kristen Wiig a hilarious person, I just don’t. Different strokes for different folks I guess. While I am a fan of espionage thrillers and the occasional raunchy comedy, Paul Feig’s SPY was not on my priority watch list. In recent years, comedy has been losing my interest. It is my more culturally ingrained friends that find modern comedies truly enjoyable, my inherent snobbishness preventing me from joining them a majority of the time, although there have been exceptions. I have not found Melissa McCarthy all that entertaining and I haven’t had the nerve to watch Feig’s Bridesmaids. When I won tickets to an advanced screening, I grudgingly accepted my mother’s request that I go with her.      SPY

Two hours later, I thanked her for inviting me with a huge face-breaking grin.  That movie was more like it. Too many specialized-comedies have lost track of what makes situations funny; the Spy Hard franchise was never involving because the universe was so detached and ridiculous that no one person could get invested in any of the characters. There needs to be grounding in the story in order to truly work. No comedy can be 100% goofy and work; at least unless you’re AIRPLANE! Within the film, I felt invested because I felt the comedy to be organic, not forced like too many comedies seem. Whenever Susan Cooper (McCarthy) was in a dangerous espionage situation, I felt the stakes at hand. And whenever something silly happened, it was realistically implemented.

One of the funniest scenes early on details Cooper’s training at The Farm, where she gets a little too into the more ultra-violent aspects of spy training. In context, she’s currently a relatively mild-mannered analyst, but the archive footage they pull detailing her pre-analyst days suggest anything but. Even the fight scenes are immersive and bloody as James Bond movies won’t go. Bravo, Feig.

The rest of the cast is in rare form. Of note is British comedienne Miranda Hart as Cooper’s buddy in the office who later joins her mission as a partner-in-spying. She’s sweet, off-handedly vulgar, and cheerfully incompetent at most everything except eating delicious sweets. Jason Statham is a great treat, satirizing his action hero persona by inserting an overdue bumbling riff on his well-known roles in the past, at one point bragging about the things he’s done on missions, lifted from his films Transporter 3 and Crank: High Voltage. Jude Law’s extended cameo was suitably charming in the best audition for a James Bond movie since Layer Cake. And Rose Byrne is equally menacing and seductive as the villianess. My only real complaints are 1) Allison Janney was underused and 2) Bobby Cannavale’s tan looked uber-fake. Other than that, it’s a good flick. Check it out!

The Local First Street Party returns for it’s 12th year on Saturday June 6

Local Business, Local Entertainment, Local Food
Twisted Rooster served up delicious food at the 2014 Local First Street Party. Photo courtesy of Corriveau Photography.
Twisted Rooster served up delicious food at the 2014 Local First Street Party. Photo courtesy of Corriveau Photography.

Local First will hold their 12th annual Street Party, presented by Founders Brewing Company, on Saturday, June 6 outside Bistro Bella Vita from 3pm-midnight. Over 12,000 people attended last year’s event. In addition to a long and varied music set, there will also be Founders beer, local food trucks and booths, and interactive family activities. Street Party is free and open to all ages; there will be music, food and entertainment for everyone to enjoy.

Entertainment Lineup

3:00-3:45 pm Heaters (West Coast psychedelic rock)
4:00-4:45 pm The Lippies (pop punk)
5:00-6:00 pm Molly Bouwsma-Schultz and Friends (blues and soul)
6:30-7:30 pm The Concussions (surf rock and instrumental)
8:00-9:00 pm Seth and May (acoustic folk)
9:30-10:30 pm The Accidentals (indie folk-rock)
11:00pm-12:00 am Hannah Rose Graves (blues, folk and bluegrass)

Between sets:
DJ Colin Clive
Audacious Hoops (professional interactive hula hooping)
61Syx Teknique (breakdancing group)

Food & Beverage

Love’s Ice Cream will be back again at the 2015 Local First Street Party. Photo courtesy of Corriveau Photography.
Love’s Ice Cream will be back again at the 2015 Local First Street Party. Photo courtesy of Corriveau Photography.

Local First will be serving Founders Brewing Co. Pale Ale, Red’s Rye, and All Day IPA along with St. Julian’s red wine, white wine, and Gunga Din hard cider. Faygo pop will be available for purchase and free water will be provided as well.

Family Activities

New this year: Local First will have giant Jenga and Connect 4 for families (and kids at heart) to play with. Returning for a third year, families can decorate the streets with sidewalk chalk and create recycled art with local artist Reb Roberts, hula hoop with Audacious Hoops and watch 61Syx Teknique break it down between music sets.

Sustainability

Last year, the Street Party was nearly a zero waste event with an 85.7% diversion rate (zero waste events are classified as 90% – and events the size of the Street Party are typically at 50-60%). While in 2015 Local First is striving to increase this rate, sustainability isn’t just about how much is recycled and composted, it’s about how much can be prevented from being wasted in the first place. That’s why Local First is asking that people bring empty, refillable water bottles to the event. In addition, Local First is encouraging attendees to use alternate transportation: carpool with friends and family, ride the Rapid, bike, or walk to the event.

New this Year

Local First has teamed up with Uber to provide an Uber pickup station at the event. First time Uber users will receive a free ride.

The event is free to attend. Food and beverage tickets will be on sale at the event – cash and credit will be accepted. For more information about the Local First Street Party, go to localfirst.com/events/street-party.

Mad Miller Strikes Again

Citizen Journalism, Local Entertainment, Movie Review, Reviews, , , ,

brett_wiesenauerEditor’s Note:  This begins a series of movie reviews by a film fanatic in West Michigan who is getting a degree in Communications, Broadcasting, Film and Video from Grand Valley State University.

“I am the scales of justice. Conductor of the choir of death. Sing, Brothers! Sing! SING!!” ~The Bullet Farmer

Over the last year, it’s been a slog anticipating movies. Enough movies have come and gone, here today gone tomorrow that I’ve just about given up on hoping for good, enjoyable genre films to come out and make a difference. I’ve been burned way too many times; PACIFIC RIM was amazing, but critics and audiences dismissed it as nothing special, Godzilla meandered around rather than inspiring any adoration, and anything who mentions the name Michael Bay to my face might as well slap themselves before I do it harder, with a folding chair.

But then, here comes George Miller, septuagenarian madman extraordinaire, to show off his kaleidoscopic symphony of insane imagination, George Millerrelentless adrenaline, and consummate joy: Mad Max: FURY ROAD. It’s as if he’s been sitting off to the sidelines all these years, watching director after director try to make action movies in Hollywood, finally standing up in a huff, exclaiming, “No, no, no; this is how you make an action movie, lads”. On top of all that, the critics are lauding this film, of the 249 critics who have seen the film, only 5 have given the film a negative review, awarding the film a 98% approval rating on Rotten Tomatoes. In regards to action filmmaking, this is unheard of; not since The Dark Knight has a film rode the critical whirlwind like this, and not a non-comic book actioner since the original Matrix film.

FURY ROAD follows Tom Hardy’s Max, a former motor cop broken down by the loss of his family and friends in the fall of law and order post-Apocalypse. He is captured by the War Boys of Immortan Joe, a warlord who looks like the result of The Joker designing a suit of medieval armor, holed up in the towering Citadel somewhere in deserted Australia. Shortly after Max’s capture, one of Joe’s subordinates, Imperator Furiosa, played to hardened perfection by Charlize Theron, steals Joe’s prized breeding wives, in a desperate bid for freedom across the hostile Outback. The following one-hundred odd minutes has been described as a cathartic, two-hour car chase in the desert between madness and unbridled fury. And it is astounding to behold.Charlize Theron

Charlize Theron is fantastic as the stoic Furiosa who will do anything to provide a better life for the young ladies in her care, clearly earning her sharing top billing with Tom Hardy’s Max Rockatansky. Tom Hardy takes over from Mel Gibson quite well. He moves with precision, determination; there’s a lot of animalistic behavior in his madness. And his Post Traumatic Stress Disorder is as haunting as most anything from The Babadook. Nicholas Hoult is a treat as the nutty War Boy Nux, providing moments and dialogue that is destined for a pantheon of insane bad assery. There’s also the chief villain, Immortan Joe, who is played by the same actor as the villain in the original Mad Max, the Toecutter! Then there’s the Doof Warrior, a man clad in a lava-red jumpsuit who has not a single line in the film, but steals every scene simply because the man wields an electric guitar that breathes fire! Also, Rictus Erectus is to be referred henceforth as Stone Cold Steve Australia.

The funniest thing is that for the last 20 years, Miller has been tempering himself by working in family films. After seemingly concluding the original Mad Max trilogy with the entertaining, yet uneven Beyond Thunderdome, Miller made the 2 Babe films as well as 2 Happy Feet flicks. With ease, Miller remembers that the trick with all filmmaking, but the action genre in particular, is to show, not tell, as film is a visual medium. None of this Nolan-esque obsession with infinite exposition so the audience won’t ever be lost. Miller drives the audience head-first into the insanity, with a short chase scene that leads into yet another chase scene building up to an even BIGGER chase scene that will end up taking more than half of the film’s runtime. It’s quite admirable as well as shockingly to the point. The movie has been streamlined to the point that anyone can enter and enjoy the film as long as they are willing to accept the outlandish craziness of the post-apocalyptic Outback, where masked warlords rule over helpless refuse, stubborn drifters grunt and snarl rather than speak in sentences, and independent women are the most bad ass thing in sight.   Mad Max Fury Road 2

On the note of the women’s role in the film. There is a small, but loud audience of deluded man-children on social media claiming that FURY ROAD contains a sickening feminist agenda, poised to forcibly insert feminist ideals into the gung-ho, he-man world of action films. Yeah, because Aliens was totally ruined by the fact that Ellen Ripley was the main character of the film. Oh, and how dare Lara Croft be born female? All action protagonists must be born with male parts and no feminine qualities whatsoever! Ugh! Just of note, this is a film where the main villain is a tyrant and known sex-slaver, yet there is not a single scene of extravagant nudity or even a rape scene, which premium television apparently relishes, cough cough!

This film is joy. A pure, off-kilter, powerhouse of joy. And I have seen this film eight times au cinéma since its release. This has NEVER happened before. Hollywood, please acknowledge my humble request: Fire Michael Bay, Can Zack Snyder, Halt production on all movies, and then give them all to George Miller.

The 4th Annual Eclipse Awards Honors West Michigan Film

Local Entertainment, WKTV Projects,

The 4th Annual Eclipse Awards were held at the Grand Rapids Art Museum on May 7, 2015 with record setting numbers. This years event marked the largest number of entries into the awards with over 70 submissions. The entries were judged by a world panel of judges from Los Angeles, New York, London, Toronto, and Grand Rapids. After a exciting night filled with laughter, a roomful of talent and some exceptional video/film work, the Eclipse Awards marked another successful year.

The Hyperion Award, given to the individual with outstanding leadership within the production community, was awarded to Deanna Morse. Deanna also took home an Eclipse Award for Best Animation.

Check out the full list of winners at TheEclipseAward.com.

Bell’s Can Options are Growing; 12-ounce Oberon Cans Coming Later this Summer

Local Entertainment,

Bell's Logo

As fans celebrate the release of Bell’s summer seasonal, Bell’s Brewery, Inc. is proud to announce that a new way to enjoy the taste of summer will be heading their way soon. Twelve-ounce cans of Oberon, packaged in 12-packs, will be released later this summer. They will feature the same look of Bell’s 16 oz. Oberon cans.

“Cans can go more places than glass and it’s a much more convenient packaging option – we believe our fans will really enjoy this new option,” said Laura Bell, Bell’s Vice President.

Bell’s Oberon Ale is currently available on draught, in bottles (6-packs and 12-packs) and in 4-packs (16 oz. cans). Mini-kegs will also return this summer and will feature a paisley design.

The new 12-ounce cans will be available across all areas Bell’s currently distributes to. Oberon is available year round in Florida, Arizona, southern California, southern Alabama and Puerto Rico.

Two Hearted Ale and the rest of Bell’s seasonal portfolio are also available in cans (according to their seasonal release). The Bell’s Beer Finder (bellsbeer.com) can be used to find Bell’s beer nearby.

ABOUT BELL’S BREWERY, INC.

Bell’s Brewery, Inc. began in 1985 with a quest for better beer and a 15 gallon soup kettle. Since then, we’ve grown into a regional craft brewery that employs more than 330 people over a 20 state area, in addition to Puerto Rico and Washington DC. The dedication to brewing flavorful, unfiltered, quality craft beers that started in 1985 is still with us today. We currently brew over 20 beers for distribution as well as many other small batch beers that are served at our pub in Kalamazoo, the Eccentric Cafe. Our ongoing goal is to brew thoughtfully, creatively and artistically. We strive to bring an authentic and pleasant experience to all of our customers through our unique ales and beers. For more information, please visit bellsbeer.com.

 

Puppets And Humans Together On The Grand Rapids Civic Theatre Stage

Local Entertainment

Avenue Q AVENUE Q

Presented By Grand Rapid Civic Theatre

May 29 – June 14 ONLY!

Original music and lyrics by Robert Lopez and Jeff Marx  Book by Jeff Whitty

Based on an original concept by Robert Lopez

Puppet Design by Rick Lyon Guest Director, Scott Mellema

Ticket Prices:  $18 – $35

Avenue Q delights in combining a cast of humans and puppets in a plot that tackles subjects such as dating, racism, internet porn, being gay and finding a purpose in life.   In short, Avenue Q is about community, and the Grand Rapids Civic Theatre and School of Theatre Arts’ is the first community theatre in Grand Rapids to produce this (2004) Tony Awarding Winning piece.

This modern day musical focuses on a group of unique 20-somethings who are making their way in the big city.   Filled with pop-culture references, adult issues, and yes, puppets; this story contains adult content and is not recommended for children.

“Everyone coming in the door should understand that this play contains four of the seven words you CAN’T say on television,” warns guest director Scott Mellema.  “It isn’t a piece for the faint of heart, but it IS entertaining, funny, touching and smart.  The show is about real life spoken through the voices of young adults.  It takes over where Sesame Street left us; instead of learning about numbers, letters, and how to use good manners, Avenue Q talks to adults about subjects like racism, being unemployed and the pitfalls of a one-night stand.”

Mellema guest directed Les Miserables at the Civic Theatre last season and is no stranger to the talent pool West Michigan has to offer.  “The cast is incredible,” beamed Mellema, “their energy and commitment to the project has been excellent.  Every performer is bringing an unbelievable passion to the work, for many of them Avenue Q was THE show that they really set their sights on this year.  Case in point, we have an actor who traveled half way around the world for a chance to audition for her role in this piece.  It is a Tony Award Winner for Best Musical, but one that isn’t performed frequently due to the technical difficulty.  Puppets do not equate to simplicity in this case”.

Avenue Q concludes the Civic Theatre’s incredible 89th Season and promises to leave audiences with a laugh!

GR Symphony Music Director to Conduct his Last Concert

Local Entertainment,

GR symphonyby Sarah Koupal

Under the leadership of Music Director David Lockington, the Grand Rapids Symphony has achieved new heights of artistic excellence and greater acclaim: four-star ratings by The Grand Rapids Press, a Grammy-nominated performance with hip-harpist Deborah Henson Conant, the orchestra’s 2005 debut at Carnegie Hall and innovative diversity, education and inclusion initiatives. Lockington will conduct his last concerts in the role on Friday, May 8 and Saturday, May 9, 8:00 p.m. at DeVos Performance Hall as a part of the Richard and Helen DeVos Classical Series. The singular work featured in “David’s Grand Finale” will be Mahler’s Symphony No. 2, “Resurrection.”

The Grand Rapids Symphony Chorus and two guest vocalists, Kelley Nassief and Susan Platts, will join the orchestra for what is sure to be a powerful and significant performance.GRS conductor

Since the beginning of David Lockington’s tenure as GRS Music Director, the orchestra has played one major work by Mahler annually. The composer’s second symphony, “Resurrection,” was the composer’s first major work that established his lifelong meditation on the universal themes of life, death and human fate. The piece is also one of Lockington’s favorite works. The Grand Rapids Symphony has completed a full cycle of Mahler’s nine symphonies over Lockington’s tenure, making Mahler’s “Resurrection” a fitting and spectacular end to his final season.

Mahler’s second symphony is an elaborate work with a gargantuan orchestra, choir, organ, church bells, an offstage brass ensemble and a massive battery of percussion. According to Mahler’s own program notes, the first movement is intended to represent the death of the hero in his first symphony: “…it is the hero of my First Symphony that I am burying here and whose life I am gathering up in a clear mirror…At the same time is the great questions: Why have you lived? Why have you suffered? Is all this merely a great, horrible jest? We must resolve these questions somehow or other, if we are to go on living.”

To answer these questions, the second movement is a gentle, old-fashioned dance of lilting grace, representing long-forgotten pleasure, followed by a grotesque waltz for the third movement shot through with earsplitting chords to astonishing effect. The fourth movement serves as an introduction to the finale with a child’s song, wistfully longing for relief from life’s burdens.

With the colossal fifth and final movement, Mahler introduced sounds and effects never before used in symphonic music to depict the last judgment and resurrection, resulting in one of the most powerful climaxes in classical music. In Mahler’s own words, “The earth quakes, the graves burst open, the dead arise and stream on in endless procession. The trumpets of the apocalypse ring out. All is quiet and blissful. There is no judgment, no sinners, no just men, no great and no small; there is no punishment and no reward. A feeling of overwhelming love fills us with blissful knowledge and illuminates our existence.”

Upbeat, a free pre-concert multi-media presentation, will be hosted in the Recital Hall before each performance at 7:00 p.m. Upbeat is sponsored by BDO USA. “David’s Grand Finale” will be rebroadcast on Sunday, June 14 at 1:00 p.m. on Blue Lake Public Radio, FM 88.9 or FM 90.3.

“David’s Grand Finale” is sponsored by Warner Norcross & Judd. The guest artists for this concert are supported by the Edith I. Blodgett Guest Artist Fund.
Tickets start at $18 and are available at the Symphony office, weekdays 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., 300 Ottawa NW, Suite 100, (located across from the Calder Plaza), or by calling 616.454.9451 x 4. (Phone orders will be charged a $2 per ticket service fee, with a $12 maximum.) Tickets are available by phone in the evening and on Saturday by calling 616.885.1241. Tickets are available at the DeVos Place Box Office, weekdays 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., or on the day of the concert beginning two hours prior to the performance. Tickets may also be purchased through Ticketmaster, 800.982.2787, online at GRSymphony.org or in person at Ticketmaster outlets: select D&W Fresh Markets, Family Fare Stores and Walmart. Tickets purchased at these locations will include a Ticketmaster service fee. Full-time students of any age are able to purchase tickets for only $5 on the night of the concert by enrolling in the Symphony’s Student Passport program. This is a MySymphony360 eligible concert.

Fifth Year of LaughFest Attracts Visitors Across the Globe

Community Health, Local Business, Local Entertainment, Our Cities, ,
LaughFest 2015 was, as always, a fun family event.
LaughFest 2015 was, as always, a fun family event.

by Tyler Lecceadone

Gilda’s LaughFest, the nation’s only 10-day community-wide festival of laughter, attracted attendees from across the United States, Canada and the United Kingdom during its fifth annual event. LaughFest officially kicked off on March 5 with an attempt to break the Guinness World Record for the most people wearing paper crowns.

Preliminary numbers indicate that more than 45,000 individuals attended LaughFest’s more than 270 ticketed and free events at 49 venues in Grand Rapids, Lowell and Holland. During the 10 Day event the festival featured over 750 artists and attracted visitors from 644 U.S. zip codes. In total, LaughFest tracked attendees from 34 states, Canada and the United Kingdom.

LaughFest 2015 didn't break the Guinness Book of World Records for wearing paper crowns but it was fun trying.
LaughFest 2015 didn’t breakany records for the number of people wearing paper crowns but it was fun trying.

“We are so grateful for the support that our community provides by coming out and enjoying the festival and learning about the important role laughter plays in emotional health,” said Wendy Wigger, president, Gilda’s Club Grand Rapids.

At Kickoff LaughFest 2015 Wendy Wigger hands out freebies to the crowd.
At Kickoff LaughFest 2015 Wendy Wigger hands out freebies to the crowd.

“Our community, our partners and our sponsors have been vital in helping us raise awareness of our mission and contribute donations necessary for continuing the work
done by Gilda’s Club Grand Rapids. This would not be possible without that type of support and I want to say thank you on behalf of the entire Gilda’s Club organization.”

While LaughFest officials are still determining the overall economic impact on the community for 2015, they have announced the funds raised through the “High Five” community match campaign. During LaughFest, and through the month of March, the campaign raised $40,610. For each five dollars donated to the campaign by individual donors, Amway Corporation matched each donation, up to $25,000. This allowed LaughFest to surpass its $50,000 “High Five” campaign goal by $15,610.

"If you ain't laughin', you ain't livin'!" - anonymous
“If you ain’t laughin’, you ain’t livin’!” – anonymous

“Amway is honored to be able to donate the full amount offered during the ‘High Five’ community match campaign,” said Todd Woodward, vice president of
communications at Amway.

“It is important that the community understand that there are resources available for individuals who are struggling with emotional health needs. We are delighted that the funds will be used for children’s programming offered through Gilda’s Club.”

Proceeds and donations from LaughFest support free emotional healthcare programs for children and adults living with cancer, grief and loss through Gilda’s Club Grand Rapids. Proceeds from the event account for 10 -15 percent of the Club’s annual operating budget.

 

Dave & Buster’s to bring the fun and 250 jobs to West Michigan

Local Entertainment, ,

Dave and BustersDave & Buster’s, the leading place for fun food, drinks, games and sports, is looking for 250 passionate employees to join its first West Michigan location, scheduled to open May 18th at 3660 28th St. SE in Kentwood. Available positions include host staff, servers, bartenders, cooks and more.

“With the success of the Detroit area locations and the growing dining scene in Grand Rapids, it made perfect sense to bring the very best in food, drink, entertainment and sports viewing to West Michigan,” said Randy Kerney, General Manager of Dave & Buster’s in Kentwood. “Dave and Buster’s is excited to offer high-energy applicants a fun and dynamic work atmosphere that’s unlike any other.”

Dave & Buster’s is proud to offer extraordinary opportunities for people who want to have fun at work, and offers the following:

● Benefits: Dave & Buster’s a very attractive benefits package for a number of positions including medical, dental, vision and 401k.

● Internal Promotions: Dave & Buster’s offers a High Potential program which enables high-performing employees to move quickly into new positions. Additionally, more than 30% of the brand’s current management was promoted from within the company.

● FUN: Dave & Buster’s employees love coming to work in the entertaining atmosphere with the biggest sporting events on huge televisions, upscale dining and over 150 of the latest arcade games.

Interested candidates should complete an online application at http://www.daveandbusters.com/careers, or stop by The Courtyard Grand Rapids Airport – Marriott (4741 28th Street SE, Grand Rapids, MI 49512) for an in person interview beginning Wednesday, April 15th.

Dave & Buster’s will offer Grand Rapids the very best in food, drink and entertainment all under one roof in a new, modern interior. The restaurant’s mouth-watering, chef-crafted gourmet menu combines fun and flavor in American fare with items that include the Mountain O’Nachos, Pretzel Dogs, Bacon-Wrapped Sirloin Medallions & Grilled Shrimp, and the Legendary Burger lineup. The menu also features innovative cocktails including the Miami Ice Snow Cone, Original CoronaRita and Strawberry Watermelon Margarita made with strawberry flavored ice cubes.

The new Dave & Buster’s will feature a dynamic 360 degree sports bar that provides “better than stadium” seating and massive high-definition televisions throughout for the ultimate sports watching experience.

Dave & Buster’s patrons can also play more than 150 of the most popular new games in the Million Dollar Midway, including Transformers Human Alliance, Mach Storm, Fruit Ninja FX2 and Kung Fu Panda Dojo Mojo. Tickets can be taken to the Winner’s Circle to be redeemed for a wide variety of prizes including Apple products, Xbox games, sports memorabilia, T-shirts, stuffed animals, electric guitars and more!

ABOUT DAVE & BUSTER’S
Dave & Buster’s, headquartered in Dallas, Texas, operates 72 large-venue, high-volume restaurant/entertainment complexes throughout North America, and will open the 73rd in the Village of Pelham Manor, New York in April. The exciting environment of Dave & Buster’s also provides the perfect setting for corporate and group events. Each Dave & Buster’s offers an impressive selection of high-quality food and beverage items, combined with the latest games and attractions. Guests can watch sporting events in D&B Sports and play state-of-the-art simulators and games of skill they can’t play anywhere else. For more information, visit www.daveandbusters.com

Big Changes for The Grand Rapids Civic Theatre’s 90th Season Celebration

Local Entertainment

Civic Theatre new season STELLAR SEASON CHANGES ANNOUNCED: CHRISTMAS STORY – THE MUSICAL AND SISTER ACT TO TAKE THE STAGE. Just when you thought the season couldn’t get any better–it did.  The Grand Rapids Civic Theatre and School of Theatre Arts is dedicated to providing audiences with the highest quality performances to create an  artistic blend of theatre classics, family favorites, and new to their stage productions. “We have a vast selection of titles we want to bring to life and we are diligent in providing West Michigan a rewarding theatre experience, notes Executive and Artistic Director, Bruce Tinker.”

Tinker explains, “Great time and consideration is taken when setting our season selection.  But all shows are announced ’as rights pending’ because these can change for Community Theatre at any time.” While the Civic works hard to minimize changes to a season, it does occasionally happen.    Also as one of the leading Community Theatres in the nation, the Theatre is called upon when shows are being released to limited markets, providing us with the honor of being one of the first to produce a piece.

For the 2015/2016 Season, both occurrences happened.  As a result, Peter Pan and My Fair Lady will be replaced with two new to our stage musicals.   In their absence the Theatre presents: A CHRISTMAS STORY, THE MUSICAL:  We are thrilled that Civic Theatre has been selected to this new musical, currently only available in select cities each season. This show features a wonderful, heartwarming score and Ralphie’s fantasies about the evil he will conquer with his trusty Red Ryder are a hoot. A CHRISTMAS STORY, THE MUSICAL is a fabulous celebration of the magic of childhood, especially when you are an adult! Tinker stated, “When we were asked to produce the show, we were told that this is likely the only opportunity we will have because Michigan was a target for the 2016 tour.

We wanted to be the first Theatre to bring this holiday experience to our West Michigan Community!” Civic was asked to be among the first community theatres to produce Sister Act as it is being released to limited theatres.  This call came on the heels of learning, MY FAIR LADY, was placed in restriction by the Authors’ agents and is not available at this time. Perhaps this was divine intervention as SISTER ACT is the feel-amazing musical comedy smash based on the hit 1992 film that has audiences jumping to their feet! Featuring original music by TONY and 8-time Oscar winner Alan Menken (NEWSIES, BEAUTY & THE BEAST, LITTLE SHOP OF HORRORS), this uplifting musical was nominated for 5 TONY Awards including Best Musical and just completed a very successful Broadway and tour run.

SISTER ACT and Christmas Carol- the Musical each bring a delightful sparkle to an outstanding 90th Season.   Also in the line-up, The Great Gatsby, Sleepy Hollow- A Musicla Tale, Neil Simon’s Barefoot in the Park, Freckle Face Strawberry, Caroline or Change and Stories from Wayside School and Into the Woods, Jr. Ticket Packages for the 2015/2016 Season are on sale now at significant Early Bird savings.   The Season begins September 2015. See events calendar for specific days and times: http://grct.org/eventschedule.html For information on the Grand Rapids Civic Theatre or to purchase tickets, call 616-222-6650 or visit www.GRCT.org.

From Rags to Riches–The Founders Brewing Co. Success Story

Local Business, Local Entertainment, Local Faces
Founders4
Dave Engbers enjoying the taste of his Founders beer.

“Dave Engbers, President and Co-Founder of Founders Beer finds the entire microbrew beer industry “quite magical.”

But the magic wasn’t always there.

Mike Stevens and Dave Engbers both had steady jobs when they decided to chase their dreams and open a brewery.  They quit their jobs, took out giant loans, wrote the business plans and started to work.

Dave takes time out of his busy schedule to talk to the Citizen Journalism Team
Dave takes time out of his busy schedule to talk to the Citizen Journalism Team

“We wanted to live life without regrets,”Engbers shared during a recent visit with the WKTV Citizen Journalism team.

In the early work days his life was ridiculously busy.

“We built the six packs, brewed the  beers, cleaned the bathrooms, swept the floors.  I would work from 7:30a.m-2:00 in the morning, he explained.”

They soon found themselves on the verge of bankruptcy.

“There was always a roadblock. We thought of giving up.  The business model didn’t work.  We were under capitalized.  There wasn’t a large craft community out there.  We went through a lot of tough times but the only option was to make it work.”

It was at this point that the team decided to brew the kind of beer that got them excited about brewing in the first place: complex, in-your-face ales, with huge aromatics, bigger body, and tons of flavor.   Founders 3

And make it work they did.  They never gave up.

” The last seven years have been tremendous,” Engbers related.

At their new location at 235 Grandville Ave SW, which they have been at since November 2007, they have gone from 16 employees to 290 employees.

“We have gone from 30 barrel tanks to 1500 barrel tanks and 7 ft. tall tanks to nearly 6 story tanks, he explained.”

Their KBS (Kentucky Breakfast Stout) is the highest rated stout in the world.

Through persistence and hard work their beers are now distributed  all over the world and the growth keeps on continuing.

“As of March 2015 we are found in 32 states and 11 countries.  We have been exploring exporting to countries overseas– England, Iceland, Finland, Denmark, Mexico, Austrailia–all over the world.”

Engbers is a Hope College Graduate with a degree in Communication/English. He lives in East Grand Rapids with a young family of four children and a very understanding wife.

The Founders Family, a group of passionate beer enthusiasts, has grown around this simple philosophy: “We don’t brew beer for the masses. Instead, our beers are crafted for a chosen few, a small cadre of renegades and rebels who enjoy a beer that pushes the limits of what is commonly accepted as taste. In short, we make beer for people like us.”

Founders Brewing Co. has been lucky to evolve into one of the highest recognized breweries in the United States.

David Engbers favorite brand is obviously Founders but he doesn’t have a favorite type.

“Our beers are like our children.  We love all our children for their uniqueness.  There are no favorites.” he laughingly concluded.

He is very proud of his staff– who is like a second family to him– for all of their accomplishments and their extreme work ethic.

“It has been great watching everyone develop as a human being.  We call it the Founders Family and we care and love one another,” he concluded.    Founders 2

Check out their website for upcoming events and information.  http://foundersbrewing.com/

 

Broadway Grand Rapids Ushers in Excitement With Its New Season

Local Entertainment, Recreation, , , , ,

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xhUekOm_YwY

mike_dewittSinging, dancing, laughing, drama, and a whole lot of theater will be making its way to Broadway Grand Rapids for the theater’s new season! Five shows are lined up to start in September and finish up in June of 2016 and the positivity and excitement has been overwhelming.

“This season we’re offering a custom ‘4-pack’ of shows for those who don’t want to purchase all five,” explained Meghan Distel, the Director of Marketing for Broadway Grand Rapids, “but we have sold very little of the 4-packs as most people are choosing all five shows. That shows the excitement for all the shows we’re bringing in!”

What’s all the excitement about? Well, Broadway Grand Rapids is bringing in a lineup of award winning shows to Grand Rapids. Broadway Grand Rapids 2015-16 Season

  • Newsies (September 22-27)
  • Pippin (November 3-8)
  • Riverdance 20th Anniversary Tour (April 12-17, 2016)
  • The Phantom of the Opera (May 18-29, 2016)
  • The Book of Mormon (June 21-26, 2016)

Getting together a lineup of shows of that caliber takes some work. Broadway Grand Rapids works on putting the shows together for around 12-18 months before dates are finalized. There is a lot of back and forth that occurs with the timing and use of the Devos Performance Hall and how they line up with the shows themselves and their tour dates.

Sometimes, there can even be structural barriers to overcome.

Broadway Grand Rapids had a massive hurdle to clear in order to bring The Phantom of the Opera to DeVos Performance Hall. Phantom uses very large set pieces that need space in the back to work during the show. The DeVos Performance Hall doesn’t have that necessary space right now, but it will be by the time Phantom rolls into town!

The backstage area will be expanded, and certain aspects of the floor and ceiling are to be reconfigured as well, in order to accommodate the show. As they say, the show must go on! It will all be worth it when show time is here. The city is already buzzing with excitement about the new lineup.

If you’re interested in purchasing tickets for the upcoming season, visit broadwaygrandrapids.com.

 

Net Neutrality for Everyday People

Local Business, Local Entertainment, WKTV Projects

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Editorial by Tom Norton

“Net Neutrality.” The words are often lost on most Americans, but rarely in modern times have two words been so critical to the US economy and the basic freedoms of the average American citizen. I’ll be frank, this article is in no way an attempt to hear both sides; primarily due to the fact that “both sides” are not equal arguments.

An open internet, that is, an internet that is fully accessible by any person, anywhere in the US with no restrictions on the capacity, (as long as they pay for it) imposed on it by outside forces is the very same internet that has become a fundamental part of the US economy.

That’s a mouthful, but then so is the Internet.

Think about it for a moment. Everything, literally everything is now on the internet; business, medicine, retail sales, education, communication, television broadcast, entertainment…nearly all commerce in the USA, in some way, hums down the wires that flow up and down our streets.

Not so, just 15 years ago. The speed with which the internet has become the foundation of nearly all commerce in the US economy is much like how around 1900, very, very few businesses in the US relied on electricity. Kerosene oil lamps and some gas were the rule, but by 1920 nearly all US businesses and homes were relying on electricity. Within that short span, a business or home functioning without electricity was unthinkable and while there were no threats of corporate control of electricity the way there are threats of corporate control of the Internet, the parallels are striking.

Like electricity, the internet revolutionized the way business and communication was done. Things became more efficient, faster, smarter and in the course, just like when the economy encountered electricity, things took a giant leap forward. And the parallels don’t stop there.

Electricity in the United States is regulated by the government and the biggest factor of that regulation is that electricity in the US is completely open to all. There is no limit to what you can use, as long as you pay for it. Our representative government insists on this. Why? Visionaries early on, realized how fundamentally important electricity and an open electrical grid would be for an economy to grow and the fact that that insistence worked so well for the economy has become the paradigm for the Internet today.

Of course what triggered all of this was the bad corporate behavior that experts warned us about more than a decade ago. The concern was that private corporations, controlling the internet, would use that control to stifle competition and innovation that may have threatened their private business model. That’s precisely what large cable providers did to Netflix; all the while insisting that they weren’t.

Netflix was suspicious that their internet connectivity to consumer’s homes was being “throttled.” Placed in a “slow lane,” if you will. Consumers, annoyed that the product they purchased from Netflix wouldn’t download were then being offered a “competing” product from cable providers, which, wouldn’t you know, moved lickity split through the internet they were controlling. A classic case.

Imagine, if you will, that Michigan’s power grid was controlled private corporations and here in Michigan, Chrysler had controlling stock. Let’s say that beginning in the late 1920’s, Chrysler, acting on that control, (and again because the electric grid was unregulated) began choking off the electricity supply to GM factories, supplying only half what was needed and demanding they pay more than others if they wanted the exact same service. Imagine how crippling it would have been to GM and how that lack of competition would have damaged our economy. We wouldn’t know what we missed, except we all would be driving Chryslers. If that sounds like extortion, in fact it is and its absolutely no way for an economy to operate if it’s going to be robust, competitive and nurture innovation.

But it is what cable providers and phone companies were ready to do and already doing with the Internet.   By attempting to control the Internet, these private corporate interests were regulating it their own way; putting a stranglehold on competitors and holding them hostage for huge sums of money, or else…your internet speeds would slow to a trickle and your company which used the Internet as a foundation, would be forced out of business.

That sounds more like Economics 101 in Putin’s Russia than in the United States.

If the US economy were not nearly 100% reliant on the Internet for survival this might not make such a big deal; just another aspect of the shark tank that business swims in. Fortunately with the recent re-classification of the internet by the FCC, the federal government recognized that the big fish eating all the little fish is no way to advance economic growth and such behavior by the giant corporations would in fact stifle growth, threatening the common good. Precisely the same way it would have done had private corporate interests been able to put a stranglehold on the electrical grid or the railroads.

Thankfully the federal government recognized the fundamental importance of electricity to economic activity. The fed ensured that electricity was completely open to anyone for as much as they wanted as long as they paid for what they used and (this is the key) the prices were not rigged to destroy competition. It’s a near precise parallel to the argument in favor of internet neutrality, or ‘net neutrality.’

In essence, the internet, like the electrical grid, must remain perfectly neutral. It’s irrelevant who is using the Internet and for what. You simply pay a fair price for what you use and no one decides to give you less and the other guy more. This way, the Internet is a tool for business to use and expand on, instead of being used as a weapon by a few goliaths to crush anyone who dared to compete with them.

The neutrality of the electrical grid heavily contributed to making the US economy the largest, wealthiest, most resilient economy in the world. I shudder to think how much smaller our economy would be without a neutral electrical grid 100 years ago and I rejoice at the prospect of economic growth based on a completely neutral and fully open Internet.   FCC Chairman Tom Wheeler and the three commissioners who voted with him did precisely the right thing when they re-classified the internet as open to all. History (and the nation’s economy) will smile on this decision.

Tom Norton is the General Manager of WKTV Community Media & Television and has been a producer and leader involved in television and communications for nearly 30 years.

Learn How to Sail on the Tallship Friends Good Will

Local Entertainment, Our Cities,

With spring approaching, it’s time to think about getting out on the water. So, how many of these questions can you say “Yes!” to?

• Do you enjoy being on the water, perhaps especially Lake Michigan?

• Do you enjoy meeting new people?

• Do you enjoy learning new things?

• Do you enjoy testing your mettle a bit?

• Have you ever felt the allure of the sails of old; the romance of the Sea?

• Would you like to crew a tallship?

How many did you say “Yes” to? Did you know you could do all of these things here in West Michigan?

The Michigan Maritime Museum is offering Basic Seamanship classes aboard their replica tallship Friends Good Will, beginning on March 28, 2015.

Basic Seamanship Sail Training Program is open to all (14 year old minimum) regardless of experience. You’ll find that Friends Good Will draws crew from all of West Michigan, Northern Indiana and Illinois, and parts of Wisconsin as well as all walks of life.

Sailing a traditionally rigged vessel is hugely rewarding. As Crew, we help to teach 4th and 5th graders history, team building and self reliance. Watching youth work, again and again to set the mainsail as a team, then seeing the smiles on their faces as they get it. How rewarding is that? We do the same for employees of businesses and corporations. As Friends Good Will takes the Museum’s visitors out on day sails, an extraordinary world is opened up for them. And, because we teach, we also learn, and grow, to our own benefit.

Each time volunteer Marcia Flynn is asked when she will buy her own boat, she responds, “Why? I can sail aboard a tallship and a champion (the Museum’s racing yacht Bernida) any time I like.” And let’s face it, you just can’t beat the beauty of a sunset when viewed from the deck of a tallship.

Basic Seamanship is taught in four parts, with Part I held on Saturday, March 28, at 1:00 pm. Part II is May 2nd, Part III May 9th, and the final session Part IV is on May 16th. Completing all four Basic Seamanship classes allows you the opportunity to become part of the Ship’s Company. You must be a Museum member to crew Friends Good Will. All courses are free to Museum members. Membership in the Michigan Maritime Museum also gives you free access to the Museum and to all kinds of events and classes, including courses on April 26th that include Sail Theory and Sailing Vintage Sailboats, and much more! Why wait?  To register, and for more information, call 1-800-747-3810, or email volunteer@michiganmaritimemuseum.org.

What’s new for ARTPRIZE

Local Entertainment, Local Faces

Art Prize

RIZE INVESTS IN CURATION, VENUES AND NIGHTLIFE IN PREPARATION FOR THE SEVENTH ANNUAL EVENT
New curatorial fellowship and venue grant programs to support exhibitions while evening programming expands the ArtPrize visitor experience beyond traditional venue hours.The Citizen Journalism team of Colleen Pierson and Janice Limbaugh attended the Art Prize news conference to find out what’s new for 2015.ArtPrize, the radically open international art competition today announced new Curatorial Fellowship and Venue Grant programming designed to support the innovators that make ArtPrize possible. Also new to the seventh annual edition will be ArtPrize Tonight, an event series that will bring vibrancy to the ArtPrize experience beyond traditional venue hours.

In addition to half a million dollars in awards, ArtPrize will also be awarding $220,000 through a host of support grants intended to encourage further possibilities for surprising, challenging and ambitious work at the 2015 event.

“As ArtPrize matures as an organization, we continue to seek out ways to broaden the support we give to venues, artists and educators,” commented Christian Gaines, ArtPrize Executive Director. “New and updated ArtPrize grant programs allow us to support as well as reward the innovators that make ArtPrize a success each year.”

Grants totaling $220,000

Artist Seed Grants, launched in 2014 with the support of the Frey Foundation, awards 25 artists a $2,000 grant. This program will continue in 2015, funding ambitious ArtPrize entries from artists that demonstrate both financial need and artistic merit. ArtPrize Pitch Night will also continue for a third year, expanding to include events in Minneapolis, Indianapolis, Durham and New York City. Each event will elicit work from five artists who will have five minutes to sell their public art concept to a panel of art experts.  The winner will be awarded a $5,000 grant, and a spot on a prominent venue in downtown Grand Rapids.

ArtPrize Education Days drew over 13,000 students from across the state of Michigan to the 2014 event, through programming supported by a series of grants. In 2015, $41,000 will be given to ArtPrize institutional partners to create innovative programming with their artists for visiting students. ArtPrize will also award $9,000 in transportation grants to help offset field trip costs and ensure that school groups are able to visit ArtPrize.

In addition to these artist and educator grants, ArtPrize will introduce this year two new grant programs for Venues, which will replace the Exhibition Center and Showcase Venue programs. There are a number of remarkable art institutions that participate as ArtPrize venues each year. In an effort to support their work and spread their exhibition design expertise both within ArtPrize and throughout the year, ArtPrize will introduce the Fellowship for Emerging Curators during the seventh annual event.

This fellowship presents a unique opportunity for emerging curators to gain valuable experience by working with a curator at an established ArtPrize institutional venue. The Fellows will work alongside each institution’s curatorial department as they create their ArtPrize exhibit, as well as curate and produce their own ArtPrize exhibition at a separate location under the mentorship of the institutional curator. The partners participating in this pilot year of the Fellowship for Emerging Curators include the Grand Rapids Art Museum, Kendall College of Art and Design, SiTE:LAB and the Urban Institute for Contemporary Arts. The application period for Curatorial Fellows opens today and will continue through April 6.

Additionally, ArtPrize will support venues through a series of Venue Grants. Similar to the Artist Seed Grant program, every venue is encouraged to apply for the opportunity to receive grants ranging from $500 to $5,000 each, for a total of $30,000. Venues can complete the simple online application form, available starting today, as they register to participate in ArtPrize 2015. The deadline for Venue Grant applications is April 6, prior to the April 9 Venue Registration deadline. Find details for both the ArtPrize Fellowship for Emerging Curators and Venue Grants at artprize.org/get-involved/venues.

“Curators play an essential role in ArtPrize, placing each artwork within a context that has the power to amplify, extend and deepen the artist’s original intent,” noted Kevin Buist, ArtPrize Exhibitions Director. “The ArtPrize Fellowship for Emerging Curators and the Venue Grants are both intended to highlight and support this essential work.”

The hallmark feature of the ArtPrize event – the prizes – will continue to feature two grand prizes of $200,000 each, one decided by public vote, the other decided by a panel of three jurors. There will also continue to be eight artist awards based on category — half decided by the public and half by expert jury. These category awards will account for a combined $100,000, or $12,500 each, with the continuation of the additional Outstanding Venue Juried Award, also worth $12,500.

ArtPrize Tonight

In addition to new and updated grant programming, ArtPrize will introduce expanded evening programming at the seventh annual event. Throughout the 19-day event, ArtPrize Tonight will showcase events in three categories — Critical Discourse, ArtPrize On Screen and ArtPrize On Stage — intended to highlight creative expression through music, performance, video and film.

“Evenings at ArtPrize have been a staple of the ArtPrize experience,” noted Todd Herring, ArtPrize Creative Director. “The city fills with parties and nightlife while art lovers enjoy outdoor art and venues open late. The ArtPrize Tonight series capitalizes on this energy, highlighting the music, performance, video and film that bring vibrancy to the ArtPrize experience.”

A 7-day series of panel discussions and art critiques which includes the televised Why These Finalists? programs, Critical Discourse features prominent voices in contemporary art and design. The events walk the line between irreverence and critical debate. Informative and challenging, Critical Discourse is charged conversation providing art world context to the ArtPrize event.

Through a collaborative partnership with the Waterfront Film Festival, ArtPrize On Screen presents a series of film, video and interactive works screenings at various venues across downtown Grand Rapids. And ArtPrize On Stage brings the energy of live performance to the ArtPrize night scene. Curated by St. Cecilia Music Center, the performances will take place at multiple venues across downtown Grand Rapids, including Rosa Parks Circle. Together, these three event series will bring comprehensive evening programming to ArtPrize, encouraging visitors to explore the event and our city after hours.

ArtPrize 2015 will take place from September 23 to October 11 in Grand Rapids, Michigan. Venue registration is currently open, and any space within the ArtPrize district can sign up to host artists’ artwork and visitors from around the world.

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GR Native Teresa Thome Brings ‘Warm Cheese’ to the Stage

Local Entertainment, Local Faces, Non-Profits, WKTV Projects, ,
Teresa Thome
Teresa Thome, former director of Grand Rapids Children’s Museum, takes the stage at LaughFest.

janice_limbaughSure LaughFest brings in the big names of comedy to perform in Grand Rapids but it also gives local performers the chance to shine.

Grand Rapids native Teresa Thome is a writer, performer, comic and television producer with strong ties to the community, LaughFest and WKTV. On Sunday, March 8 she’ll be performing her one woman show called “Warm Cheese” at Dog Story Theater at 7 p.m.

Perhaps one of the most interesting show titles, “Warm Cheese” is Thome’s inspirational work in-progress account of her grief journey for her late mother. A journey that has had its struggles and its laughs. With humor and poignancy, Thome shares her revelation of waking up one morning and deciding she no longer wanted to hate her late mother. The performance is a part of LaughFest’s LaughterRx, a series of programming that highlights the health benefits of laughter and its importance in emotional health.

“I was writing about my mom long before she died,” Thome admits. “I was going to write a book about her because she was neurotic and crazy and a fascinating control freak. I could see writing a funny book called, ‘My Crazy Mom.'”

Instead, Thome was encouraged to take her experiences on stage after sharing  her stories at the Aquinas Women’s Writers Series. “I would read these stories in class and people would laugh,” says Thome adding, “I realized I was giving people permission to not grieve.

“Sometimes other people want you to be sadder than you actually are when someone dies. This is a story for all those people experiencing that.”

Thome is no stranger to LaughFest. Her involvement began the first year of the festival when she and her business partner, Patrick Ziegler, were asked to help produce the Signature Events. It’s been a most rewarding and challenging offer ever since.

“It gave me the opportunity to work with Betty White, Martin Short and to meet Alan Zweibel who helped Gilda develop all of her characters,” Thome says.

“He is a prolific writer who has offered to mentor me through my one woman show process. I reach out to him for an assist every once in a while and he gives me these little tools of insight. How can I be so lucky? I have to do this show!”

Can you blame her?

Although this is the third time Warm Cheese has been performed in Grand Rapids, Thome says it’s the first time it’s a full-length show. She’s looking forward to getting feedback from the audience to help her craft her story more to perfection. And when the time is right, Thome says she hopes to take it on the road.

“I’m grateful for so much of what I get to do when I get to do it,” says Thome. “My challenge personally is, I always want to do more.”

Thome has dual residences in Grand Rapids and Los Angeles to accommodate her career as a producer and writer. When she is in town and working on a television project, she comes to WKTV.

“We use WKTV because the spirit of the people here is so helpful and supportive. It’s such an amazing gift to the community.”

Thome and Patrick Ziegler are partners of Fubble Entertainment. Together they produced an Emmy Award winning web series (www.backstagedrama.com) through WKTV. They also produced the television show, Holiday Special, last year at the station.

“I’m glad more people are learning about what you have to offer here,” Thome says.

“But I want to say, ‘No this is my station,” she adds laughing.

 

 

 

There’s so Much More to LaughFest than Attempting World Records

Community Health, Local Entertainment, Our Cities,

20150305_182055

20150305_181450
Me, Janice Limbaugh, Queen of Knuckleheads and Breast Cancer Survivor

by Janice Limbaugh

We came. We crowned. We danced. We cheered. LaughFest 2015 kicked off with great enthusiasm last night despite the failed attempt of breaking the Guinness World Record for the most people (1,324) wearing paper crowns. Four-hundred eighty-nine of us had a blast trying.20150305_18330720150305_184304

As the nation’s only community-wide festival of laughter, Grand Rapid’s Gilda’s LaughFest is, in and of  itself, a good reason to smile, laugh, dance and cheer. When and where else are you permitted – invited even – to be silly for the sake of it? Little kids do it so naturally and with perfection while most adults need a memo of approval to goof off. And when they do, they feel great! Having fun is necessary to good health. That’s what’s so cool about LaughFest – everyone involved – from the volunteers to the participants to the performers are out to have a good time. Laughter is contagious with lingering symptoms of 20150305_183404happiness to follow.

Everyone attending agreed that Fountain Street Church was the best alternative location to Rosa Parks Circle - It was WARM!
Everyone attending agreed that Fountain Street Church was the best alternative location to Rosa Parks Circle – It was WARM!

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So although it was unfortunate that for the first time in five years, we weren’t able to break a Guinness World Record, I bet we’re breaking records for the city with the biggest laughs on earth. Get your grin on West Michigan! It’s does a body good!

Visit www.laughfestgr.org for event information or call 616-735-HAHA (4242).20150305_183353

Escape on a Getaway to the South Pacific at Civic Theater

Local Entertainment

susanne_albaitis

Photo credit: Studio3twenty
Photo credit: Studio3twenty

South Pacific opened at the Grand Rapids Civic Theater last Friday night, complete with a standing ovation.  From the cast and their songs to the set and costumes, this production is first class.

A palm tree-framed stage lures you into the scenes where United States soldiers and nurses are stationed in the South Pacific during World War II.  Some soldiers are girl crazy and others are in love with only one girl.

Photo credit: Studio3twenty
Photo credit: Studio3twenty

The story line follows Nellie Forbush and Lieutenant Joseph Cable.  Nellie is a nurse who has fallen in love with a local, wealthy plantation owner.  Her love burns strong until she finds out that he had a previous relationship with a local woman.  Lt. Cable also finds himself falling for a local girl, but will not allow himself to marry her.  Both Nellie and Lt. Cable discuss, confront and eventually make life decisions based on the prejudices they were raised to believe.

Rodgers and Hammerstein’s play, South Pacific was based on James A. Michener’s Pulitzer Prize-winning book, Tales of the South Pacific.  They believed that their musical adaptation could be financially successful and would also send a strong, open-minded message on the prejudices that were prevalent in the 1940s.

Civic Theater has uncovered a gem in first time actor Jose Alejandro Amoros.  You will leave the theater wondering how this is his first production.  His deep, melodic rendition of “Some Enchanted Evening” captivated the audience.  Let’s hope that this is the first of many productions for Mr. Amoros.

Jessica Doyle shined as Arkansas nurse, Nellie Forbush.  Her portrayal of the sweet southern nurse showed range as Nellie wrestled with her upbringing and following her heart.  She and the nurse ensemble performed “I’m Gonna Wash That Man Right Outa My Hair” while dressed in gingham and polka-dot bathing suits from the time period.

Photo credit: Studio3twenty
Photo credit: Studio3twenty

Bloody Mary, played by Eva Switek, had the audience laughing throughout the play.  Her wild antics and sales tactics sold grass skirts and shrunken heads.  But when Bloody Mary sang “Bali Ha’i”, her real talent was revealed.  This softer side of Mary made you want to know what was so magical about Bali Ha’i.

Casey Johnson plays Lieutenant Joseph Cable who falls in love with Bloody Mary’s daughter Liat.  Like Nellie Forbush, Lt. Cable is confused by what he learned as a child and how he feels for Liat.  “You’ve Got to be Carefully Taught” perfectly sums up the reasons for his confusion.

Luther Billis, the girl-crazy Carpenter’s Mate, was played by Andrew Schneider.  Billis livens up every scene especially during the Thanksgiving Follies when he dressed up as a woman and performed “Honey Bun” with Nellie.

South Pacific shows February 27 through March 22.  An amazing cast will take you to the other side of the world and back in time to World War II.   Show times are 7:30 PM, Wednesday through Saturday with a 2 PM matinee performance on Sunday.

Get Ready to Grin – LaughFest 2015 Kicks off Thursday!

Local Entertainment, Non-Profits

by Michael Zalewski

LaughFestAs Gilda Radner would say, “It’s always something!” In this case, that “something” is the weather. As a result, the LaughFest Community Kickoff presented by Feyen Zylstra will be relocated from Rosa Parks Circle to the Fountain Street Church (24 Fountain St. NE).

Fountain Street Church is not a stranger to LaughFest, as it will also be hosting a number of events throughout the 10-day festival, including Lavell Crawford on March 11, Jim Jefferies on March 12 and Colin Mochrie and Brad Sherwood on March 15.

“We are more than happy to host the Community Kickoff event,” said Senior Minister Fred Wooden. “We have plenty of space, and hope everyone will still plan to come out and help LaughFest break a world record, despite the weather.”

The nation’s first ever community-wide festival of laughter will still carry on as planned, with intentions to set a Guinness World Record for the most people wearing paper crowns. Baudville Inc. will provide all participants with a paper crown as well as an exclusive LaughFest button to the first 1,500 people. An official, limited edition LaughFest World Record t-shirt will be available for purchase.

The world record attempt will be followed with opening night events at downtown restaurants, Clean Comedy Showcases, and a free comedy preview show, at the Pyramid Scheme (68 Commerce Ave.) at 10 p.m. This show will include a sneak peak of local, regional and national comedians who will be featured during the 10-day festival. A suggested $5 donation to Gilda’s Club will be collected at the door. Fast passes are available for these shows at LaughFest Central (located in the GRAM, 101 Monroe Center St. NW), which will guarantee the holder a seat at the show as long as they are seated 15 minutes prior to start time.

When:             March 5 – LaughFest Kickoff

· 5:30 p.m. – opening to the church, pre activities start

· 6:00 p.m. – witnesses, time keepers and presenters arrive

· 6:30 p.m. – program starts

· 6:45 p.m. – official attempt to break the existing record

Where:          Fountain Street Church, 24 Fountain St. NE, Grand Rapids, MI 49503

Gilda’s LaughFest was created by a team at Gilda’s Club Grand Rapids in 2011. Since inception, LaughFest has averaged 55,000 attendees per year. Proceeds from the festival will go to support the free cancer, grief and emotional health programs offered through Gilda’s Club Grand Rapids. Visit www.laughfestgr.org, or call 616-735-HAHA (4242) to learn more about Gilda’s LaughFest.

West Michigan Kids: The Ultimate Guide to Boredom-Busting in West Michigan

Local Entertainment, Local Food, Our Cities, Recreation, Sports, Upcoming Events,

by Courtney Sheffer

 “I’m bored” is something no parent likes to hear! Luckily,the West Michigan Tourist Association has collected a list of great kid-friendly places for you to visit, with everything from water parks to zoos, and museums to festivals. Keep this list on hand year-round for ideas to pull out when the kids start getting restless, or you’re looking to plan your next family outing!

South

A.W. Overhiser Orchards, South Haven: Hands on animal barn, hayrides, & child corn maze.

Allegan County Fair, Allegan: Live music, midway, & a historical village.

Allegan County Parks – Recreation and Tourism, Allegan County: Bike, hike, go boating, or fish outdoors.

Air Zoo, Portage: Rare & historic aircraft, amusement park-style rides, historical exhibits and educational activities.

Barn Theatre School for Advanced Theater Training, Augusta: Theatre training programs and performances.

Battle Creek Field of Flight Air Show and Balloon Festival, Battle Creek: Nation’s largest air show and balloon festival.

Berrien County Youth Fair, Berrien Springs: Exhibits from youth ages 5-10 in August.

Binder Park Zoo, Battle Creek: African Adventures, Feed the Giraffes, Kids Zoo Programs.

Cass County Fair, Cassopolis: Firefighter show, supercross, and family dollar day.

Cornwell’s Turkeyville USA, Marshall: Turkey dinner, ice cream parlor, and dinner theatre.

Crane Orchards, Fennville: U-pick fruit, pie pantry, & cow train rides.

Dutch Farm Market, South Haven: Bakery, farm market, and ice cream.

Echo Valley, Kalamazoo: Tobogganing, tubing, and ice skating.

Farmers Alley Theatre, Kalamazoo: Seasonal performances with kids shows.

Gilmore Car Museum, Hickory Corners: Visit a car of Disney movie fame, watch Model Ts drive around, and eat at the Blue Moon Diner.

Historic Charlton Park: Village, Museum & Recreation Area, Hastings: Step back in time and tour historic buildings from Barry County, & head to their beach for swimming & a picnic.

Kalamazoo County Parks, Kalamazoo: Hike, beach, picnic, or farm market.

Kalamazoo Institute of Arts, Kalamazoo: Visit the Interactive Gallery for a variety of fun games, puzzles, activities, and a reading corner to enjoy.

Liberty Hyde Bailey Museum, South Haven: Become a Bailey’s Budding Naturalist, tour one of the oldest homes in South Haven, and enjoy the gardens.

Michigan Flywheelers Museum, South Haven: Antique engine & tractor exhibit and display.

Michigan Maritime Museum, South Haven: Sail on the Friends Good Will restored tall ship and learn about Michigan’s maritime history.

Niles Haunted House, Niles: Michigan’s largest haunted theme park.

Olde World Village, Augusta: Visit for Frontier Days, Buccaneer Bash, or BlackRock Medieval Festival.

Saugatuck Dune Rides, Saugatuck: Learn of the lost town of Singapore or check out our local vegetation and wildlife on a dune tour.

The Silver Beach Carousel, St. Joseph: Ride the tigers, hippocampus, panda, and clown fish, and learn local history just steps from the beach.

Star of Saugatuck Boat Cruises, Saugatuck: Ride an authentic sternwheeler paddleboat down the Kalamazoo River and watch for wildlife.

Stokes Homestead, Grand Junction: Wagon rides, pedal karts, corn kernel crib.’

Tibbits Opera House, Coldwater: Attend “Popcorn Theatre” which includes a show, snacks, and meeting the actors. Coming up: “Peter Pan” this July!

Central

ArtPrize, Grand Rapids: Explore free art in and around downtown Grand Rapids.

Berlin Raceway, Marne: Weekly racing April-October, Special family events, discounted kids tickets.

Blandford Nature Center, Grand Rapids: Self-guided hikes, Children’s Camps, Visit Blandford’s Farm.

Boulder Ridge Wild Animal Park, Alto: Hands-on wildlife experience, Exotic animals & reptiles, Feed the animals.

Cannonsburg Ski Area, Belmont: Ski lessons, special events, and winter trails.

Christmas Lite Show, Comstock Park: Over one million Christmas light display.

Community Circle Theatre, Grand Rapids: Magic Circle shows for kids and summer concerts.

Coopersville & Marne Railway, Coopersville: Vintage Train Car Rides, Seasonal themed outings, 90 minute rides.

Country Dairy, New Era: Visit the dairy cows, Learn how Ice Cream is Made, Enjoy a bottomless glass of milk.

Critter Barn, Zeeland: Hands-on educational farm, Hold, Pet, & Feed the Animals, Free Admission.

Danish Festival, Greenville: Annual Danish breakfast & Hans Christian Andersen Park.

Deer Tracks Junction, Cedar Springs: Wildlife safari by stagecoach, Live Theatre Show, Kids Play Area.

DeGraaf Nature Center, Holland: Knee-High Naturalist classes, adopt-an-animal, & nature programs.

Double JJ Resort, Rothbury: Splash in the water park, learn to ride a horse, attend a rodeo.

Double R Ranch, Belding: Hop on a hayride, float down the Flat River, ride a horse.

Frederik Meijer Gardens & Sculpture Park, Grand Rapids: Children’s Garden, outdoor concerts, spring butterfly exhibit.

Festival of the Arts, Grand Rapids: Free outdoor arts, entertainment, & activities.

Grand Haven Coast Guard Festival, Grand Haven: Parades, fireworks, entertainment, carnival.

Grand Rapids Art Museum, Grand Rapids: Purposeful play and artful learning.

Grand Rapids Children’s Museum, Grand Rapids: Play with a giant Lite Brite, make giant bubbles, and rock the stage at the Amigo Amphitheater.

Grand Rapids Civic Theatre, Grand Rapids: School of theatre arts & performances.

Grand Rapids Public Museum, Grand Rapids: Walk under a whale skeleton, visit the streets of old Grand Rapids, & catch a planetarium show.

The Haunt, Grand Rapids: 20,000 square feet of fear to navigate your way through.

Holland Museum, Holland: Take a Family Ties or Native American tour.

Holland Princess/Holland Water Sports: Jet ski, boat rentals, and boat cruises.

Ionia Free Fair, Ionia: Free entertainment, live music, midway.

John Ball Zoological Garden, Grand Rapids: Pet stingrays & sharks at Stingray Lagoon, ride a camel, climb through the Sky Trail Ropes Course.

Klackle Orchards, Greenville: Apple orchard, school trips, Le Tour de Donut.

Lakeshore Museum Center / Hackley & Hume Historic Sites & Scolnik House, Muskegon: Visit the hands-on science center, learn about Michigan habitats, & walk through 10,000 years of natural history.

Lewis Farm Market & Petting Farm, New Era: Visit Jeffrey the camel, bounce on the giant jumping pillow, and feed animals at the petting farm.

Loutit District Library, Grand Haven: Kids programs, classes, special events.

Mac Woods Dune Rides, Mears: Climb the sand dunes in a Dune Scooter.

Michigan Historical Museum, Lansing: Explore an Upper Peninsula copper mine, stroll along a 1920s urban street & relive the 1957 Detroit Auto Show!

Muskegon Luge and Winter Sports Complex, Muskegon: Luge, snowshoe, sled, and skate.

Nelis’ Dutch Village Theme Park & Wooden Shoe Factory, Holland: Ride the arms of a windmill, watch wooden shoe carving, watch Dutch klompen dancing.

Pando Winter Sports Park, Rockford: Tubing, skiing, and snowboarding.

Parrot’s Landing, Mears: Rent a Jeep on the sand dunes, a jet ski in Lake Michigan, or take a guided dune tour.

Post Family Farm, Hudsonville: Hayrides, homemade donuts, & fall fun days.

Pumpkinfest, Zeeland: Fall activities & pumpkin contests.

Rainbow Ranch Horseback Riding, New Era: Horseback riding, riding lessons, and sleigh rides.

Ramada Plaza, Grand Rapids: Indoor pool with a three story water slide.

Robinette’s Apple Haus & Winery, Grand Rapids: Apple haus, jumping pillow, hayrides, and corn maze.

Silver Lake Buggy Rentals, Mears: Cruise the dunes, picnic on the beach or swim in Lake Michigan in your own ATV or Dune Buggy.

Teusink’s Pony Farm, Holland: Pony ring rides, hay maze, feed the sheep and goats.

Tulip Time Festival, Holland: Klompen dancing, Kinderplaats, and thousands of tulips.

Unity Christian Music Festival, Muskegon: Live music, The Hide Out youth lounge.

USS LST 393 Veteran’s Museum, Muskegon: Board a WWII Landing Ship Tank, tour the galley & crews quarters, and watch a movie at night on deck.

USS Silversides, Muskegon: Spend the night in a WWII submarine or sign up for a Submarine Technology Program.

Van Singel Fine Arts Center, Byron Center: Theatre technology school program and off-Broadway shows.

West Michigan Whitecaps, Comstock Park: Cheer on the home team, join in a wacky game between innings, and root for a home run.

Windmill Island Gardens, Holland: Dutch carousel, fudge shop, and antique street organ.

North

Avalanche Bay Indoor Waterpark, Boyne Falls: Michigan’s first SuperLOOP waterslide, Rip Zone Surf Simulator, Arcade & Snack Shack.

Dennos Museum Center, Traverse City: Hands on Discovery Gallery, Family Days, Inuit Gallery.

Econo Lodge Bayview, Mackinaw City: Pirates Adventure Indoor Waterpark, Beach access, Game room.

Fairview Beachfront Inn & Waterpark, Mackinaw City: Indoor & Outdoor water park.

Great Lakes Shipwreck Museum/Historical Society, Salt Ste. Marie: Explore the shipwrecks of the Great Lakes & visit the oldest functioning lighthouse on Lake Superior.

Historic White Pine Village, Ludington: Visit on a History in Action Day, or stop by Town Hall for some ice cream in a circa 1900 Ice Cream Parlor.

Interlochen Center for the Arts, Interlochen: Art classes, education, and performances.

Jacob’s Corn Maze, Traverse City: Corn maze, farm market, u-pick.

Mackinac Island Carriage Tours, Mackinac Island: Take a horse-drawn narrated tour of Mackinac Island with stops at Arch Rock and the Grand Hotel.

Moomers Homemade Ice Cream, Traverse City: Homemade ica cream and dairy farm tours.

Music House Museum, Acme: Listen to a player piano, tour a mini Traverse City, and marvel at the sounds of the 18 foot tall Dance Organ.

Pine River Paddlesport Center, Wellston: Kayak, canoe, raft, SUP.

Shetler Family Dairy, Kalkaska: Open barn, flavored milk, farm store.

Traverse Tall Ship Co., Traverse City: Cruise Grand Traverse Bay, drop anchor for a quick swim, and learn to help pilot the ship.

Treetops Resort, Gaylord: Snowboard, ski, and participate in family activities.

Wildwood Rush Canopy Tours, Boyne City: Adrenaline-filled zip line tours through the trees.

 

Michigan Moments Come to Life in 2015 Official Pure Michigan Travel Guide

Local Entertainment, Recreation,

Pure Mich beach

by Michelle Grinnell

While Michigan’s winter wonderland is still in full swing, Pure Michigan is encouraging travelers to start thinking ahead to summer vacation with the release of the 2015 Official Pure Michigan Travel Guide. This free guide, available in both print and digital versions, highlights activities to enjoy across the state throughout this spring and summer.Pure Mich sunset

The full color publication will also be offered in a free, universally accessible digital edition, allowing users to access the guide from their desktop and laptop computers, as well as smartphones and tablets. The digital version also offers interactive features, including videos, photographic slideshows and a real-time feed of the latest daily travel stories from the Pure Michigan blog.

Pure Mich fish“Our travel guide is a tremendous opportunity to bring to life the diversity of experiences Michigan has to offer while serving as a resource for visitors planning a trip to the state,” said David West, Vice President of Travel Michigan, part of the Michigan  Economic Development Corporation. “The information, imagery and insight in the travel guide help us to tell the dynamic stories of the people and places of Michigan.”

Individuals may request a copy of the 2015 Official Pure Michigan Travel Guide at michigan.org or by calling toll-free at (888) 784-7328. The guide will also be available at the 14 Michigan Welcome Centers across the state.

Feature stories in the 2015 Official State Travel Guide include National Treasures, featuring Michigan’s five national parks, 10 Ways to Love Lake Huron, My Kind of Beach to help visitors find their perfect Michigan beach and Golf Style, highlighting courses throughout the state. There is also a feature story on Detroit, which serves as the cover photo for this year’s guide.

Pure Mich campOther stories in the guide feature Michigan’s Upper Peninsula, paddling the Au Sable River, an introduction to sporting clays and pet friendly destinations. The guide also includes the popular Michigan Moments section, an events calendar, state park and camping information and contact information for Michigan convention & visitor bureaus and regional tourism associations.

In addition to the warm weather Official Pure Michigan Travel Guide – which will include the distribution of 650,000 copies with the March/April issue of Midwest Living – Pure Michigan will once again distribute separate fall and winter travel guides in 2015, highlighting travel opportunities in Michigan unique to each of those seasons.

The Pure Michigan Travel Guide was printed at Quad Graphics in Midland, Michigan.

Pure Michigan is a brand representing business, talent and tourism initiatives across Michigan. These efforts are driven by the Michigan Economic Development Corporation, which serves as the state’s marketing arm and lead advocate for business growth, jobs and opportunity with a focus on helping grow Michigan’s economy.

For more on the MEDC and its initiatives, visit: michiganbusiness.org. For Michigan travel news, updates and information, visit michigan.org.

10th Annual Michigan Brewers Guild Winter Beer Festival Coming Soon

Local Business, Local Entertainment, Local Food, Recreation, Senior Living, Upcoming Events

by Scott Graham and Deb Havens

Michigan winter beer festival tentA record 103 breweries and 1035 beers will be featured at the 10th Annual Michigan Brewers Guild Winter Beer Festival, coming up Friday, February 27 and Saturday, February 28 at Fifth-Third Ballpark just north of downtown Grand Rapids. Tickets for Friday’s session, which will run from 3-7pm (2pm entry for Enthusiast Members), remain available for $45 each at MiBeer.com.

Overall, 1000 fewer tickets are available for Friday meaning slightly smaller crowds and shorter lines. Friday will also feature special beer releases and tappings, a live ice carving demonstration by The Ice Guru Randy Finch, sideshow acts and street performers, musical entertainment and fireworks (weather permitting). If the Friday session does not sell out prior to the event, tickets will be available at the gate for $50 the day of. There will NOT be tickets at the gate on Saturday.

The impressive list of breweries and beers can be viewed here: http://www.michiganbrewersguild.org/2015wbf-beer-list

Michigan ranks #5 in the nation for the number of craft breweries – thus supporting its claim as “The Great Beer State”.

 

Set Sail for the South Pacific

Local Entertainment, Local Faces, Recreation, Senior Living, Upcoming Events

susanne_albaitis

South Pacific Marjorie Steele
Majorie Steele, member of the local Board of Directors for the American Red Cross, shows off vintage Red Cross uniforms and supplies used during World War II, the era in which “South Pacific” takes place.

Set sail for the South Pacific with the Grand Rapids Civic Theater from February 27 through March 22.  An amazing cast will take you to the other side of the world and back in time to World War II. This iconic Rodgers and Hammerstein musical tells two honest love stories from a different era where prejudice often complicated romance.

The first of these romances is Nellie’s, a lively nurse from Arkansas. Upon arriving in the South Pacific, she is quickly swept up in a romance with Emile who is a local plantation owner. When Nellie learns of his romantic past with another local, she refuses his proposal.

Lieutenant Joe Cable’s story is the second. His love affair with Liat, the young daughter of Bloody Mary who is a local grass skirt peddler, leaves him struggling with his prejudices and fears of social consequences.

Rodgers and Hammerstein’s play, South Pacific was based on James A. Michener’s Pulitzer Prize-winning book, Tales of the South Pacific. They believed that their musical adaptation could be financially successful and would also send a strong, open-minded message on the prejudices that were prevalent in the 1940’s.

In addition to the social message of South Pacific, there are the wonderful songs that are still sung today. “I’m Gonna Wash That Man Right Outa My Hair” and “Some Enchanted Evening” are two of the musical’s hits that have been sung for generations.

Civic Theater has partnered with the Red Cross for this production of South Pacific. The Red Cross had a strong presence in World War II when volunteers soared from 17,000 to 7.5 million. Volunteers supported service men and women by donating blood and also serving alongside the military in the South Pacific. The Red Cross has organized a letter writing campaign that will take place during the performance. Audience members can write a note of thanks to veterans who are returning home.

Come escape this Michigan winter and see South Pacific at Grand Rapids Civic Theater. Show times are 7:30 PM Wednesday through Saturday with a 2 PM matinee performance on Sunday.

Butterflies Fly Free at Meijer Gardens

Area Education, Local Entertainment, Recreation,

by Andrea Wolschleger and Deb Havens

Dreaming of a green paradise where you can shed your coat, toss off your hat and feast your eyes on exotic wildlife? Now add hundreds of colorful butterflies flitting so close some even land on your hand, your hair, your kids!

From March 1 through April 30 the dream comes true at Meijer Gardens Butterfly Exhibit.

For the past 20 years, Meijer Gardens has brought more than 7,000 tropical butterflies to West Michigan from Africa, Asia, South and Central America. It’s the largest temporary tropical butterfly exhibition in the nation.

horizontal butterfllies

Approximately 50 colorful species will fly freely in the five-story Lena Meijer Tropical Conservatory. At 85 degrees and 70 percent humidity, this balmy environment mimics tropical regions where the butterflies thrive.

Visitors can learn about the life cycle of the butterflies in the Butterfly Bungalow, where adult butterflies emerge from cocoons and spread their wings for the first time.

Included in the species arriving from this area are the Columbian and Common Morpho, two visitor favorites whose blue iridescent color seems to change in flight, in addition to many others.

The butterfly exhibit attracts more than 170,000 visitors from all over the nation each year. For more information contact awolschleger@meijergardens.org or call 616-975-3155.

 

Wyoming KDL offers Rockford Brewing Company Tour

Area Education, How-To's, Local Business, Local Entertainment, Recreation, Upcoming Events, ,

by Deb Havens

It’s no secret that West Michigan is home to Beer Mania, but if you want the secrets behind the Rockford Brewing Company’s signature beers such as Rogue River Brown, Sheehan’s Irish Stout and Paradigm MPA, you’ll save the upcoming date: The Wyoming branch of the Kent District Library has teamed up with the Rockford Brewing Company to offer a facility tour on Tuesday, February 10 from 6:30 PM to 8:30 PM. The brewery is located at 12 E. Bridge Street in Rockford.

After the tour, show your Kent District Library card and Wyoming KDL branch tour partners will get you a special deal on beer tasting. Plus, they’ll help you unlock the secrets of home brewing your own beer with KDL materials ready and waiting for check out.

GRandJazzFest Announces 2015 Dates for Fourth Annual Festival

Local Entertainment, Our Cities, Recreation, , ,

2015-GRandJazzFest-Logo-for-Web-HeaderGRandJazzFest presented by DTE Energy Foundation returns to Rosa Parks Circle in downtown Grand Rapids, Mich., Aug. 15 and 16, the fourth consecutive year for West Michigan’s only free, weekend-long jazz festival.

The two-day festival will again be free thanks to presenting sponsor DTE Energy Foundation, the City of Grand Rapids and other sponsoring organizations and individuals.

“GRandJazzFest is one of the most diverse and well-attended events in West Michigan. As a major event, it has established its own name on the jazz scene in Michigan and the Midwest,” DTE Energy Regional Manager Roger Royer said.

More than 10,000 people attended the 2014 festival.

“Grand Rapids loves its jazz,” GRandJazzFest Founder Audrey Sundstrom said. “People came from as nearby as local neighborhoods and as far away as other states and Canada. With the great turnout and positive feedback, we’re excited to be producing a fourth annual festival.”

Festival planning for 2015 is underway, with artist selections to be announced in the spring. Like last year, 10 diverse jazz artists and bands will perform, including a major headline act.

Sundstrom said diversity of the lineup is key: “Jazz has so many sub-genres – Latin, straight-up, contemporary, soul and big band, to name a few. If diversity has a sound, it’s the sound of jazz.”

“DTE Energy Foundation is proud to support the diversity and vibrancy that GRandJazzFest brings to downtown. We’ve been so pleased with the past three GRandJazzFests and look forward to the fourth annual event!” Royer said.

Grand Rapids city commissioners approved GRandJazzFest as one of 24 events that it will co-sponsor in 2015, a distinction only given to events that have proven to be successful and enrich the community.

In addition to DTE Energy Foundation and the City of Grand Rapids, sponsors for the 2015 event to date include Experience Grand Rapids, Amway Hotel Corporation, Ellis Parking, Swift Printing, Gilmore Collection, Moxie Men Incorporated and Intent Public Relations.

Sponsorship opportunities are available here: http://grandjazzfest.org/sponsors/

“We are so grateful to all of our sponsors for their support,” Sundstrom said. “We’re seeking additional sponsors to join our sponsors from last year in bringing a full weekend of free jazz performances to West Michigan!”

People can get a taste of what past GRandJazzFests were like by viewing the “recap” videos here: http://grandjazzfest.org/newsroom/video/

More information on GRandJazzFest can be found at www.grandjazzfest.org, and at the festival’s Facebook and Twitter sites – www.facebook.com/grandjazzfest and www.twitter.com/grandjazzfest.

Third Annual Cool Brews. Hot Eats. Expected to Draw Crowds

Local Entertainment, Local Food, Our Cities, ,

Popular winter beer and food festival makes Grand Rapids stand out!

by Sarah Cavanaugh

cool brews logo

Fresh off the heels of being named Best Beer Town by USA Today and Top 10 Vacation Spot for Beer Lovers (www.TheStreet.com), Beer City will once again host beer lovers and food enthusiasts from all over Michigan and beyond for Cool Brews. Hot Eats. in Grand Rapids, February 16-28.

The event will feature more than 50 restaurants and breweries in the Grand Rapids area and celebrates the perfect pairing of food and beer as local chefs and brew masters offer beer-infused dishes and meals with complementary beer pairings. The event returns with area hotels and restaurants expecting record numbers of attendees.

“Back for the third year, Cool Brews. Hot Eats. has grown into an event that is not only a benefit for beer lovers, but also the local economy,” said Doug Small, President and CEO of Experience Grand Rapids. “The Grand Rapids area beer scene continues to be recognized on a national level, most recently as ‘Best Beer Town’ from the readers of USA Today. Paired with our ever-popular dining scene drawing in food enthusiasts from throughout the region, these two cultures collide to give beer and culinary fans a unique and wonderful experience.”

The event coincides with other beer-related events, including Beer Week and the popular 10th Annual Winter Beer Festival at Fifth Third Ballpark, extended to two days this year, Feb. 27 and 28. The festival includes 90 Michigan breweries and more than 800 craft beers.

Visitors can also plan a self-guided craft beer tour on the Experience GR website’s “Beer Page” to experience why Grand Rapids was named one of the Top 10 Best Vacation Cities for Beer Lovers.  Sponsors for the event include Founders Brewing Company and Secchia Institute for Culinary Education at Grand Rapids Community College.

A list of participating restaurants and menus is being updated regularly and can be found at: http://www.experiencegr.com/events/brews-eats/

Started in 2013, Cool Brews. Hot Eats. is Grand Rapid’s first-ever winter food and beer event. It was designed after a series of events occurred in Grand Rapids, including recognition as “Beer City USA,” Hopcat Restaurant being named “#1 Brew Pub in the US,” Founders Brewing Company being named “Third Best Brewery in the World,” and the growing farm-to-fork culinary scene. The Michigan Society of Association Executives awarded Experience Grand Rapids a Gold Award for Innovative Collaboration for the inaugural Cool Brews. Hot Eats. Promotion.

“Mousetrap” keeps audiences guessing

Local Entertainment, Local Faces, Recreation, , ,

susanne_albaitis The world’s longest running play, Agatha Christie’s “The Mousetrap,” is now showing on Grand Rapids Civic Theater’s stage.  This same play has been running continuously in London’s West End for sixty-three years.  Christie adapted the play from a radio show called “Three Blind Mice.”

 

The curtains open to a very impressive set.  Two open arches, two arched doorways, thick wooden trim, period furniture and snow falling outside the window take the audience to an English inn so many decades ago.  All of these details bring the viewers into the scene and make the characters even more believable.

mousetrap 4
Nervous house guests try to survive a vacation that’s become murder.

A radio broadcast sets the stage with a startling bit of information that a murderer is close by.  A pledge is exacted from the audience to keep the ending a secret, then the play jumps right into the first murder scene.  The audience is left with an eerie whistling of “Three Blind Mice” and the guessing begins.

 

We are introduced to each of the inn’s guests one at a time.  Wren, an odd, child-like architect, is the first guest to arrive.  He brings comic relief to every scene, but also great suspicion because of his attachment to nursery rhymes, like “Three Blind Mice.”

 

Mrs. Boyle and Major Metcalf are next to arrive, followed by Miss Casewell and then Mr. Paravicini.  Some of the guests have reservations and a few do not.  As each guest arrives, many suspicious hints are given.  And each is dressed exactly as the murderer is described on the radio report. No one is quite who they appear to be. Everyone has secrets.

 

Like other Christie tales, everyone is trapped in the same house with no way to call for help. Yet it’s frighteningly clear the murderer is among them. And then what happens…?

 

Come enjoy the suspense that has made “The Mousetrap” London’s longest running play.  The play runs January 16 – February 1.  Show times are Wednesday through Saturday at 7:30 PM; Sundays matinee at 2 PM.

Popular New Quilt Show to Air on WKTV

Local Entertainment, WKTV Projects, ,

Anatomy of a Television Production by Thomas Hegewald

Producer Tom Hegewald directing The Quilt Show from inside the WKTV mobile studio.
Producer Thomas Hegewald directing The Quilt Show from inside the WKTV mobile studio.

 

In 2012, I was approached by the West Michigan Quilters’ Guild (WMQG) committee members for added assistance in their 2014 Quilts on the Grand Show. In addition to special exhibits, vendors and displaying over 250 quilts, this show also features demonstrations or tutorials. Part of the project posed to me was providing audience members with a better view of tabletop demonstrations. The Guild also wanted to come away with a number of actual programs that could be posted on their website. Having produced a number of documentaries at WKTV, Wyoming/Kentwood’s public-access station, I recommended approaching them for use of their equipment.

 

A year passed before we picked up our conversation regarding this project.

 

Actual planning began in the spring of 2014 with an initial visit and tour of WKTV’s facilities. This tour also included a conversation with General Manager, Tom Norton, regarding the scope of the project. With the date already set for the quilt show, we reserved use of WKTV’s 35’ mobile truck along with additional equipment for our live production.

 

During the summer and into September, I met with a group of WMQG members for monthly production meetings. We worked through items such as: coordination of demonstrators, preparing them for being on-camera, creating a schedule, equipment needs and budgeting for expenses. We even had a site visit to the DeltaPlex Arena, meeting with one of WKTV’s Production Coordinators, Gene Gregory, to review the layout and power supply. I also began editing the opening graphic sequence, closing credits and titles. We assembled a crew who all had received training on the HD cameras at WKTV, while I refreshed my skills on switching and directing a live production. As a crew, we gained hands-on experience working the Candidate Forums that WKTV produced in September for the 2014 November elections.

 

On Friday, October 3, the DeltaPlex opened its doors to the first day of the Quilts on the Grand show. I was there, recording support video called “B-roll” with one of WKTV’s Canon XF300 HD cameras for possible inclusion in the opening sequence. In the afternoon, I downloaded the footage using one of WKTV’s edit suites.

WKTV's mobile truck

 

The next day a few of us arrived shortly after 7:00 a.m. to assist with unloading the WKTV mobile truck of all the equipment required to shoot and record the show on location. The remainder of the crew showed at 8:00 a.m. to unpack and assemble the cameras, place the lights and run cables to connect audio with the cameras. We also set up 40” flat screen monitors to enhance viewing for the audience and speakers so that the demonstrators could be heard in the open hall. Once all of the equipment was in place, it was a matter of white-balancing the cameras (to make sure they record color properly), checking audio levels from the microphones and making sure communication between the truck and cameras was up and running.

The crew (from left to right) Thomas Hegewald, Gene Gregory, Gina Greenlee, Athina Morehouse, Sue Wortly, Karen Giles, Barb Bryson, Mike Bryson

 

The first demonstration was slated to begin at 10:00 with each one following on the hour (except for a lunch hour at noon). Each demonstrator was given time to prep and 30 minutes to present the project. As the demonstrators set up their table display, I briefed them on the television side of the production. Knowing that a false start or an awkward ending might rattle the demonstrators, I had decided beforehand to hold off asking them to time their presentation to the opening title sequence and end credits. We added those elements after the live shoot in post-production. Instead, we had a floor-director who would cue them to start and then give them a countdown at the end of their time to wrap up. As it turned out, a majority of the demonstrators wrapped up well before their allotted time slot. (Read Part Two on Tuesday, January 20, 2015).

“The Mousetrap” keeps Audiences asking ‘Whodunnit?’

Local Entertainment,

susanne_albaitisCivic Theater’s Inside Dish shares suspense!

The world’s longest running play, Agatha Christie’s “The Mousetrap”, captures the stage at Grand Rapids Civic Theater January 16 through February 1st. This suspense-filled murder mystery will have you guessing Whodunnit? right up to the final curtain.

The Inside Dish on "The Mousetrap" - suspense!
The Inside Dish on “The Mousetrap” – suspense!

 

Several guests arrive at an English boarding house during a snowy winter storm.  Within this cast of characters is a murderer and the audience is as swept up in the need to solve the crimes as are the guests.  Christie’s plot twists and turns keep the suspicions shifting.  The guests become ill at ease with each other knowing that one of them is responsible for the crimes.  Tensions run high among these snow-bound travelers and even the strongest bonds are tested.

 

This record-holding play had its humble origins as a radio show titled “Three Blind Mice”.  Christie changed the name to “The Mousetrap” on the insistence of Emile Littler who had produced a play by the same name prior to Christie’s.  When “The Mousetrap” began its run in the West End, there was little in the way of entertainment in people’s homes.  In its original run, the play lasted upward of four hours and was three acts long.  Modern times has forced the play to down scale a bit, now running for two acts in about half the time.

 

Come to the Civic and see for yourself why the suspenseful plot and intriguing cast of characters has kept “The Mousetrap” running continuously in London’s West End for 63 years.

 

Showtimes are Wednesday through Saturday at 7:30 PM, with a Sunday matinee performance at 2 PM.  Tickets are available by phone at (888) 695-0888 or on line at www.grct.org/purchasetickets.html.

Former Grand Rapids Press Building to be turned into MSU Biomedical Research Center

Local Entertainment, Our Cities, ,

Michigan State University had big plans when they purchased the old home of the Grand Rapids Press on 155 Michigan Street NE back in 2012, out with ink and paper and in with a new Biomedical Research Center.

The demolition project was approved December 12th by the MSU board of trustees. Tear down of the 175,384 square foot building is scheduled to begin this spring and finish at the tail-end of 2015. It will cost three million dollars for the building to be destroyed and the debris taken away.

Built back in 1966, the Grand Rapids Press building served as the headquarters until 2012 when Michigan State bough the property. The property was bought with the hopes to expand their West Michigan research presence after opening the Secchia Center in 2010. The new 50 million dollar Biomedical Research Center is expected to be 145,000 square-feet and five or six stories tall.

The scheduled finish date is the end of 2017.


It’s another exciting development for Grand Rapids and an ever-expanding initiative to bring more top-notch scientists into the area.