Carlson shows off his tricked-out bowling pin trophy (Courtesy, Brian B.)
Local comedian Simon Carlson was crowned the Sunday Night Funnies (SNF) 2024 Kingpin of Comedy on Sunday, Oct. 27.
“It was a tight contest with just a handful of votes separating the top four vote-getters,” said Brian Borbot (Brian B.), SNF creator and MC. “But Simon had a terrific set and deserves the crown.
“I was really happy with the turnout for the finals. We had a packed house – absolutely no seats left. The audience saw an amazing show from some talented comedians.”
Simon Carlson on winning the competition: “Thanks for giving comics a good room to get better at stand up. Also, I wish I got to keep the big check. When do I get the keys to the SNF mobile?”
The SNF mobile Carlson referenced is the SNF “Sunny” car that is wrapped in various shades of yellow and gold. “Sunny” acts as an advertisement for the weekly comedy show.
The “Sunny” car helps advertise the weekly SNF comedy show (Courtesy, Brian B.)
As the Kingpin of Comedy competition winner, Carlson receives a prize package valued at $1,000 from local businesses including Craig’s Cruisers, LaughFest, Midtown GR, and show host Spectrum Entertainment Complex. Carlson also receives $500 cash, a bowling pin trophy and a personalized Kingpin bowling shirt.
About SNF
The Sunday Night Funnies is the creation of Grand Rapids stand-up comedian Brian B. The weekly live stand-up comedy performance is free admission and features a variety of comics from around the Midwest. Each show begins at 7:30 p.m. at Spectrum Entertainment Complex in Wyoming.
“We have a good mix of comedians performing in the finals this year,” says Brian B. (Brian Borbot), creator and MC of the SNF.
“The Grand Rapids metro area is obviously represented, but we also have two comedians from Detroit, one from Lansing and one from Kalamazoo. The lineup is diverse too. Not only in terms of race, but age-range as well.”
Along with the nine comics participating in the competition, former professional football player and comedian, Peter Cender, will close the show while votes are counted.
The competition winner will receive $500 cash and prizes from Wyoming businesses: Craig’s Cruisers, Spectrum Entertainment Complex, Midtown GR and Gilda’s LaughFest. The winner also receives a Kingpin bowling pin trophy, a customized bowling shirt and the opportunity to close the Sunday Night Funnies LaughFest show in 2025.
The total prize package is worth $1,000 in value.
“Seeing that Wyoming is the 14th largest city in Michigan, I thought the eventual winner deserved a prize package worthy of the title, Most Humorous Person in Town,” said Brian B.
(Courtesy, Brian B.)
About the SNF
The Sunday Night Funnies is the creation of Grand Rapids stand-up comedian Brian B. The weekly live stand-up comedy performance is free admission and features a variety of comics from around the Midwest. Each show begins at 7:30 p.m. at Spectrum Entertainment Complex in Wyoming.
The contest began May 12 with its first of 14 qualifying rounds, followed by six quarterfinal rounds. Three semifinal rounds run Oct. 6, 13, and 20 with finals held Oct. 27.
Competition details
Kara Coraci performs during the SNF (Courtesy, SNF)
Seven comedians are given eight minutes to perform in each round. The line-up order is drawn as the show progresses, with comedians unaware of when they will be performing.
Audience members are given a ballot before the show begins. Following all performances, the audience votes for three out of the seven comedians they feel should advance to the next round. Once collected, the ballots are tabulated while a non-competing comic performs, with the three finalists announced at the closing of the show.
“We have a very diverse lineup of comedians going into the semifinal round,” says Brian B. (Brian Borbot), creator & MC of the SNF. “Of the 21 moving on, there are eight comics of color, four women and one senior citizen!”
Kingpin prize package
The competition winner will receive $500 cash and prizes from Wyoming businesses: Craig’s Cruisers, Spectrum Entertainment Complex, Midtown GR and Gilda’s LaughFest. The winner also receives a Kingpin bowling pin trophy, a customized bowling shirt and the opportunity to close the Sunday Night Funnies LaughFest show in 2025.
The total prize package is worth over $1,000 in value.
“Seeing that Wyoming is the 14th largest city in Michigan, I thought the winner deserved a prize package worthy of the title, Funniest Person in Wyoming,” said Brian B.
(Courtesy, SNF)
About the SNF
The Sunday Night Funnies is the creation of Grand Rapids stand-up comedian Brian B. The weekly live stand-up comedy performance is free admission and features a variety of comics from around the Midwest. Each show begins at 7:30 p.m. at Spectrum Entertainment Complex in Wyoming.
Ninety-eight competing comedians have been whittled down to 42 as the sixth annual Sunday Night Funnies (SNF) Kingpin of Comedy competition enters its quarterfinal rounds.
The Kingpin of Comedy competition began May 12 with the first of 14 qualifying rounds. Qualifying rounds wrapped up on Aug. 11, and six quarterfinal rounds will run Aug. 18-Sept. 29, with the exception of Sept. 8. Three semifinal rounds will be held Oct. 6, 13 and 20, with finals held Oct. 27.
“Seeing that Wyoming is the 14th largest city in Michigan, I thought it deserved its own stand-up comedy competition with the overall winner getting a prize package worthy of the title Most Humorous Human in Wyoming!” says Brian B., Founder and MC of the SNF.
Competition details
The seven quarterfinal comedians are given eight minutes to perform each week, with the line-up order drawn as the show progresses.
Audience members are given a ballot before the show begins. After the last comedian performs each night, the audience will pick three comedians they feel should advance to the next round. The ballots are counted while a non-competing comic performs. The comics moving on in the competition are announced at the end of the show.
The competition winner receives $500 cash, prizes from Spectrum Entertainment Complex and Craig’s Cruisers, gift cards from LaughFest and Midtown GR, a bowling pin trophy and a personalized “Kingpin” bowling shirt. The winner will also headline the SNF 2024 LaughFest performance.
The total prize package is worth over $1,000.
(Courtesy, Brian B.)
About the Sunday Night Funnies
The SNF is the creation of Grand Rapids stand-up comedian Brian B. (Brian Borbot). The weekly live stand-up comedy performance features a variety of comics from Michigan and around the country.
“This is a blatant rip-off of the Funniest Person in Grand Rapids contest that Dr. Grins Comedy Club used to run,” said Brian B. (Brian Borbot), founder and MC of the SNF.
“Seeing that Wyoming is the 14th largest city in Michigan, I thought it deserved its own standup comedy competition with the overall winner getting a prize package worthy of the title the Funniest Person in Wyoming!”
The Kingpin of Comedy winner will receive $500 cash as well as prizes from Wyoming businesses Spectrum Entertainment Complex, Craig’s Cruisers, The Listening Room and Gilda’s Club LaughFest. The winner will also receive a Kingpin bowling pin trophy, a personalized Kingpin bowling shirt, and the opportunity to close at the Sunday Night Funnies LaughFest show in 2025.
The total prize package is over $1,000 in value.
Fifteen years of funny
The Sunday Night Funnies is the creation of Grand Rapids stand-up comedian Brian B. Now in its 15th year, the SNF features weekly live standup comedy performances by a variety of local and national comics.
Admission to the SNF shows at Woody’s Press Box are free. SNF shows take place on Sunday evenings at 7:30 p.m. during winter and spring, and at 8:30 p.m. during summer and early fall.
“There are more than 117 million Americans age 50 and older – 35% of the total population. I wanted to do a special show to honor and represent that age group,” says Brian B., founder and MC of the SNF. “This is the second year of special performances to recognize specific groups.
(Courtesy, Brian B.)
“In February, we did our special Black History Month show. In March, it was our Women’s History Month and Gilda’s Club of Grand Rapids LaughFest performances. The SNF is a melting pot of comedians and audience members – different ages, nationalities, so why not honor all the groups that make up the show?”
The Older Americans Month lineup consists of seven different comedians at least 50 years of age. The show will feature former local radio personality Jojo Girard closing out the show. Also featured will be Detroit area comic Kathy Ryan, comedians from Ohio, and various local talent.
“The Sunday Night Funnies has got a big 2024 going on,” said Brian B.
In addition to the the Older Americans Month show, the following Sunday (May 12) will kick off SNF’s seventh annual Kingpin of Comedy competition.
15 years of SNF
The Sunday Night Funnies is the creation of Grand Rapids stand-up comedian Brian B. Now in its 15th year, the SNF is a weekly live stand-up comedy performance featuring over 1,200 performances from comics across Michigan and around the country.
The SNF is a free admission show on Sunday nights at 7:30 p.m. during the winter/spring, and at 8:30 p.m. during summer and early fall. All performances take place at Woody’s Pressbox inside The Spectrum Entertainment Complex in Wyoming.
One of the top comedic voices in the country, Tom Papa, will perform an unforgettable night of laughter on March 14 in celebration of the Gilda’s Club Grand Rapids program.
Currently on his Tom Papa: 2023 Comedy Tour!, the highly rated comedian, author, actor, and host of Breaking Bread with Tom Papa and What a Joke with Papa and Fortune is ready to steal the show with his wit and hilarious observations on everyday life.
What to expect
Held at Frederik Meijer Gardens & Sculpture Park (FMG), the Gala doors will open at 6 p.m. with a cocktail reception. The Gilda’s Club program and dinner will be presented at 7 p.m., with comedic entertainment commencing at 8:30 p.m.
(Courtesy, Gilda’s Club)
Toast the transformative power and hope Gilda’s program creates through free emotional health support for those on a cancer or grief journey.
Prepare to be entertained!
As the Gala approaches, watch Tom Papa on his five highly-rated Netflix comedy specials or in his starring film roles. You can also read his books and listen to the monthly show, Come to Papa Live on Channel 93.
For more Red Door Gala event information, click here. Tickets can be purchased here.
To learn more about comedian Tom Papa, click here.
“The Sunday Night Funnies has always been a diverse show,” says Brian B., MC and Founder of the SNF. “I wanted to celebrate the contribution women comedians have brought to the show through the years.”
Brian B. went on to say that, locally, women performing standup comedy was rare.
“Over the course of the last few years, that number has been steadily growing,” Brian B. says. “We’re featuring seven extremely funny women comics for this show.”
The lineup
The March 3 special performance will feature Grand Rapids comedian Kim Cook, a Second City alumni and semifinalist in the 2022 Kingpin of Comedy competition; Nicole Melnyk, voted Lansing’s Best Comic three times; Lauren Corbett; Cheryl Stoner; Amanda VK; and SNF first-timers Lucky Lee and Cinda DeBolt.
Lucky Lee (Courtesy, SNF)
Kim Cook (Courtesy, SNF)
Cheryl Stoner (Courtesy, SNF)
Amanda VK (Courtesy, SNF)
Cinda DeBolt (Courtesy, SNF)
Lauren Corbett (Courtesy, SNF)
Nicole Melnyk (Courtesy, SNF)
Mark your calendars for upcoming SNF events!
The following Sunday, March 10, is SNF’s annual LaughFest show. Comics 50+ will celebrate Older American Month with a show on Sunday, May 5. Soon after will be the start of SNF’s sixth annual Kingpin of Comedy competition.
About SNF
The creation of Grand Rapids stand-up comedian Brian B. (Brian Borbot), the SNF is a weekly live stand-up comedy performance featuring a variety of comics from Michigan and around the country.
“The Sunday Night Funnies has always been a diverse show,” said MC and SNF Founder Brian B. (Brian Borbot). “When putting together the lineup each week, I try to have a good mix of comedians-be it race, gender, or age-range. I think our audience appreciates that.
“I wanted to celebrate the contribution Black comedians have brought to the show through the years.”
The special show features six comics: Brianna Blackburn, a local favorite who has been part of several LaughFest shows; Sunday Night Funnies’ Kingpin of Comedy competition finalists JT Motley, Marcus Cusic and Silas Haley; Dionte Allen from Ohio; and Michael Chandler, a relative newcomer to the local scene.
Brianna Blackburn (Courtesy, Brian B.)
Michael Chandler (Courtesy, Brian B.)
Dionte Allen (Courtesy, Brian B.)
Silas Haley (Courtesy, Brian B.)
Marcus Cusic (Courtesy, Brian B.)
JT Motley (Courtesy, Brian B.)
But wait – there’s more!
“The Sunday Night Funnies has got a big 2024 planned,” said Brian B. “In addition to the Black History Month show, March 3 will feature a special all-women comedian show in honor of Women’s History Month.”
The following Sunday, March 10 is the SNF’s LaughFest show. Sunday, May 5 will be a celebration of Older American Month featuring comics ages 50 and up. Then begins the sixth annual Kingpin of Comedy competition.
About the SNF
The Sunday Night Funnies is the creation of Grand Rapids stand-up comedian Brian B.
A weekly live stand-up comedy performance featuring a variety of comics from Michigan and around the country, the SNF is a free admission show that starts at 7:30 p.m. and is performed at the Spectrum Entertainment Complex.
SNF’s Kingpin of Comedy competition enters its final round Oct. 29 with the final nine comedians (Brian B. SNF)
By WKTV Staff
deborah@wktv.org
The original lineup of 91 comedians is now down to nine as the Sunday Night Funnies Kingpin of Comedy competition enters its final round Sunday, Oct. 29.
“We have a good mix of comedians performing in the finals this year,” says Brian B., MC and founder of the Sunday Night Funnies (SNF). “The Grand Rapids metro area is obviously represented, but we also have a comic from Niles, Michigan, one from Detroit – even one from Canada!
Sunday Night Funnies presents Kingpin of Comedy competition (Courtesy, Brian B. SNF)
The lineup is diverse too. Not only in terms of race, but age-range as well with comedians in their 20s up to sixty years old.”
Along with the nine competing comics, comedian Seth Lee – the 2022 Kingpin of Comedy winner – will close the show while votes are counted.
“Seeing that Wyoming is the 14th largest city in Michigan, I thought that the eventual winner deserved a prize package worthy of the title Most Humorous Person In Town,” said Brian B. “The package includes prizes from local businesses including Craig’s Cruisers, LaughFest, Midtown GR, and from the host of the show Spectrum Entertainment Complex.
“The winner will also receive $500 cash, a tricked-out bowling pin trophy and a personalized Kingpin bowling shirt. The total prize package is valued close to $1,000.”
The SNF is the creation of Grand Rapids stand-up comedian Brian B. A weekly live stand-up comedy performance, SNF features a variety of comics from Michigan and across the country.
SNF performances are a free admission shows beginning at 7:30 p.m. and performed at the Spectrum Entertainment Complex, 5656 Clyde Park SW, in Wyoming.
The 5th annual Kingpin of Comedy competition is in full swing and is packing the house (Courtesy, Brian B. SNF)
By Deborah Reed
deborah@wktv.org
The 5th annual Kingpin of Comedy competition at Sunday Night Funnies (SNF) is delivering weekly standup comedy routines and drawing large crowds.
From here, there, and everywhere
Located at Woody’s Press Box inside the Spectrum Entertainment Complex, SNF is a free admission weekly standup comedy show that is geared toward featuring comedians from around the Midwest. However, Brian B. has had several comedians travel from out of state to participate.
Kingpin of Comedy previous winners (Courtesy, Brian B. SNF)
Brian B. remembers comedians driving up from Alabama just to do the show. “They did it for the trip experience. I picked up a woman at the airport who flew in from New Jersey to do the show,” Brian B. added.
SNF regularly draws comics from Detroit, Chicago, and Toledo, with the Kingpin of Comedy competition featuring a comedian from Canada.
Brian B. said many comics are willing to do a routine “for the stage time and to perform before a good-sized audience. It’s a very low-key, low-budget kind of thing.”
Voting system encourages audience participation
A comedian himself, Brian B. opens each show and serves as emcee.
With only three more quarterfinal rounds, the competition will soon be moving into three weeks of semifinals, with finals taking place Sunday, Oct. 29.
Sunday Night Funnies’s 2022 Kingpin of Comedy winner Seth Lee holds his winnings (Courtesy, Brian B. SNF)
The Kingpin of Comedy winner will be determined with a voting system, so the audience is encouraged to participate.
Audience members are given a ballot at the beginning of the show – the only requirement is that they vote for three comics, “no more, no less.”
This helps ensure that the comics work to win over the entire audience, not just friends they bring along, Brian B. explained.
As for comedic content, Brian B. said adult situations and swearing do occur.
“It’s not a clean comedy show, and I don’t bill it as that,” said Brian B.
“I don’t censor the comics,” Brian B. continued. “That is a slippery slope and I won’t do that. [Content] is subjective – you don’t know what offends people and what doesn’t offend people.”
Filling a comedic void
Brian B. began SNF to fill a gap for local comedians.
“At the time, the only place local comics could get face-time was Dr. Grins, and that was only on Thursday nights,” Brian B. said. “They’d get three-minutes of time and could only perform every three months. There was a void that needed to be filled for local comedians.”
That void has been filled with approximately 1,200 different SNF comics over the years.
Sunday Night Funnies presents the 5th annual Kingpin of Comedy competition, now in full swing (Courtesy, Brian B. SNF)
The SNF stage has found a home at several different locations since its inception in 2008, with the first being in Douglas, MI. Shortly after, however, Brian B. wanted to bring the show closer to home.
He approached Bob Sullivan, who was owner of the Radisson Hotel on Ann Street in Grand Rapids at the time. A partnership was born, and SNF took the stage for eight years.
When the hotel changed ownership, all entertainment was disbanded and Brian B. was once again on the hunt for a stage.
While having lunch at Spectrum Entertainment Complex, Brian B. began exploring and found Woody’s Press Box. Thinking it would be a good place for a comedy club, Brian B. approached the owner and SNF resumed in February 2018.
Audience attendance was slow-moving at first, with a recent uptick in numbers as former audience members realize the show is still in Grand Rapids, just in a different location.
Comics are also flocking to the stage, with 91 comedians participating in the opening round of Kingpin of Comedy.
“I don’t want to leave anyone out who wants to be in it, so the opening round was 14 weeks long,” said Brian B.
Brian B. works to encourage novice comedians, especially those who are unsure about participating in competitions.
Brian B.’s response: “Just do it. It’s still stage time, so you still get to get up before an audience, and – who knows – you might hit right with the audience and advance.”
Don’t miss out – be “in the know”
SNF is located at 5656 Clyde Park SW, Wyoming (between Meijer and Craig’s Cruisers), and the show begins at 8:30 p.m. Doors open one hour before start time, and food and drinks are available for purchase.
Watch the SNF Facebook page for updates and announcements about start times, comedian participation, and competition results.
And I’m so excited for the return of Festival of the Arts in downtown Grand Rapids. It’s one of the first major events I experienced when I moved to the area more than 30 years ago, and it showed me that West Michigan cares about the arts, and its children.
Plus, the food is great!
Obviously Festival will make it into my Top 5, which you can find exclusively on WKTV Journal.
What else makes my list? Read on.
Gonzo’s Top 5
Sunday Night Funnies’ Kingpin of Comedy starts June 5. (Courtesy)
5. Sunday Night Funnies – Spectrum Entertainment Complex
The return of the “Kingpin of Comedy” stand-up comedy competition begins Sunday, June 5, at the Spectrum Entertainment Complex. It will continue all summer (and fall), with the finals on Oct. 9. The winner of the competition will win $500 in cash, a Kingpin bowling pin trophy, a customized bowling shirt, and the opportunity to close at the Sunday Night Funnies LaughFest show in 2023. A presentation is planned with the mayor of Wyoming declaring the winner as “the funniest person in town.” Additional prizes also will be awarded from the Spectrum Entertainment Complex, Craig’s Cruisers, the Listening Room and Gilda’s Club’s LaughFest. At this weekend’s show, doors open at 7:30 p.m., followed by the show at 8:30 p.m. Admission is free. The Spectrum Entertainment Complex is located at 5656 Clyde Park Ave. SW, in Wyoming. More details on the Sunday Night Funnies Facebook page.
Saladino Smise will be part at the Kentwood Food Truck. (supplied)
4. Kick-Off to Summer Food Truck Festival
It’s a beautiful weekend to experience 30 food trucks, live music, a beer tent and more at this year’s Food Truck Festival in Kentwood. Hours are 11 a.m.-8 p.m. Saturday (June 4) at Kentwood City Hall and the Kent District Library – Richard L. Root/Kentwood Branch at 4950 Breton Rd. SE.
Festival of the Arts is not the only thing going on this weekend in downtown Grand Rapids. Rock band Modest Mouse (“Float On”)performs at 7 p.m. Friday (June 3) at GLC Live at 20 Monroe. A few tickets remain starting at $50 general admission. More details at concerts.livenation.com. Also, American country a cappella group Home Free performs at8 p.m. Sunday (June 5) at DeVos Performance Hall. The group competed in and won the fourth season of “The Sing-Off” on NBC-TV in 2013. Ticket information at devosperformancehall.com.
pxhere.com
2. Camp Greensky Music Festival
It’s back! America’s favorite Bluegrass music festival led by Michigan’s own Greensky Bluegrass returns with a great lineup. Performances continue today and Saturday (June 3-4) at Shagbark Farm in Caledonia. The schedule includes:
FRIDAY
Dave Bruzza—12:30-1:30 p.m.
Luke Winslow King—2-3 p.m.
Wayword Sons—3:30-4:30 p.m. Peter Rowan—5-6:15 p.m.
It’s known as one of the largest all-volunteer festivals in the country. And it’s a huge part of West Michigan culture. If you’re new to the area, this is the place to be for local acts such as youth ballet and rock bands to local charities raising money through ethnic food booths. It takes up several stages and food booths spread out on downtown streets to make it happen. Festival of the Arts has been known to bring in as many as 300,000 people over the course of three days (June 3-5). This year should be a return to those big crowds. Enjoy. More information at https://festivalgr.org/.
That’s it for now.
As always, I welcome your input and recommendations for events to include in my Top 5 list. If you have something for me to consider, just send me an email at michigangonzo@gmail.com.
Have a great, safe weekend.
John D. Gonzalez is a digital journalist with 30-plus years of experience as a food, travel, craft beer and arts & entertainment reporter based in Grand Rapids, Michigan. He also co-hosts the radio show and Podcast “Behind the Mitten,” which airs at 6 p.m. Sundays on WOOD-AM and FM. Follow him on his journey to discover what’s next. You can find him on Twitter as @MichiganGonzo, on Instagram @MichiganGonzo and Facebook at @GRGonzo. He also relaunched his YouTube Channel. Email him story ideas and tips at michigangonzo@gmail.com.
Yes, we have a few Easter Egg Hunts in the Top 5. But it also includes comedy, baseball and more!
What are you doing? Check out my Top 5, which you can find exclusively on WKTV Journal.
Gonzo’s Top 5
Pieces at The Listening Room
5. Pieces at The Listening Room
I love it when I see local kids doing well in music. I’m excited for guitarist Olin Cark in the trio Pieces. I knew him as a student in Comstock Park, and along with his friends Adam Ray on drums and Louie Leager on bass, they are touring nationally. Playing a blend of straight-ahead jazz, rock and avant-garde, Pieces has reached over 30,000 plays on Spotify for its debut album, “1A,” and has been featured on curated playlists such as State of Jazz and Jazz Today, according to its press materials. The trio performs with local act Normal Mode at 7:30 p.m. Saturday (April 16) at The Listening Room in Grand Rapids. More info on the venue’s Facebook event page.
4. Perrin Tap Takeover at Horrocks Market & Taproom
My local brewery makes a road trip to Kentwood today (April 15) for a tap takeover at Horrocks Market and Tavern. Hours are 4-7 p.m. But as regulars know, many of the beers will remain on tap throughout the weekend. If you’re planning a trip to Horrocks to buy Easter dinner items, now you have an extra reason to make a visit. Some of the beers include: Willow Wheat, Perrin Black NITRO, Pineapple Upside Down (Fruited IPA), Slingshot Sour IPA and Fiesta Coffee Cake (Barrel Aged Stout). I just tried the fiesta coffee cake, and it’s super tasty and a little boozy. Enjoy. More info on the Horrocks event page.
Comedian Rob Little
3. Rob Little at Golden Age
It’s been several years now that I’ve been able to hang out with comedian Rob Little. We actually judged a macaroni and cheese competition in Pinconning. Since then, the Bay City native has gone on to a very successful career. In fact, “Last Comic Standing” on NBC named him “The Happiest Comic in America.” He is an awesome guy, and a great comedian. Little performs two shows each night Friday and Saturday (April 15-16) atGolden Age, located on the upper level of Creston Brewing in Grand Rapids. For ticket availability and more information on the show, check out the Golden Age Facebook event page.
Let’s play ball with the West Michigan Whitecaps. (Supplied/West Michigan Whitecaps)
2. West Michigan Whitecaps
I had so much fun Tuesday at LMCU Ballpark where the West Michigan Whitecaps opened a new season against the Lansing Lugnuts. The fun continues through Easter Sunday with games each day. Fans can purchase $1 reserved tickets today. An Easter Egg hunt is planned after the game on Saturday. And $1 lawn seats, plus Kids Eat Free and Kids Run the Bases, are available on Sunday. Also, Crash has a special Easter Brunch in the Pepsi Stadium Club on Sunday. Those tickets are $44. Game times are 6:35 p.m. Friday, and 2 p.m. Saturday and Sunday. See you there! More info at whitecapsbaseball.com.
1.Easter Egg Hunts
Many churches and organizations have Easter Egg Hunts this weekend. Find one and make memories with the kids. I recommend John Ball Park and Masonic Lodge in Grand Rapids. Both events begin at 10 a.m. Saturday. Typically there are two events, one for the little kids, and one for older kids.
That’s it for now.
As always, I welcome your input and recommendations for events to include in my Top 5 list. If you have something for me to consider, just send me an email at michigangonzo@gmail.com.
Have a great, safe Easter weekend.
John D. Gonzalez is a digital journalist with 30-plus years of experience as a food, travel, craft beer and arts & entertainment reporter based in Grand Rapids, Michigan. He also co-hosts the radio show and Podcast “Behind the Mitten,” which airs at 6 p.m. Sundays on WOOD-AM and FM. Follow him on his journey to discover what’s next. You can find him on Twitter as @MichiganGonzo, on Instagram @MichiganGonzo and Facebook at @GRGonzo. He also relaunched his YouTube Channel. Email him story ideas and tips at michigangonzo@gmail.com.
Spring is around the corner, and we’re excited for all the cool things happening now.
Whether it’s the Home & Garden Show, a new exhibit at the Public Museum or a festival devoted to Bourbon. All of this, and more, are in my Top 5, exclusively on WKTV Journal.
Here we go.
Gonzo’s Top 5
Comedian Whitney Cummings performs Saturday, March 5 at GLC Live. (Supplied)
5. Comedy Shows
The local comedy scene is really exploding with local, regional and national acts performing throughout West Michigan. That’s great news as we get closer to Laughfest GR, which is March 16-20, and a great opportunity to see a variety of acts. This weekend check out:
Whitney Cummings – comedian, actor, writer, producer, and director – performs at 7 p.m. Saturday (March 5) at GLC Live at 20 Monroe. She is on her “Touch Me Tour.” Opening is Ricky Velez. Tickets start at $35 and on sale now at livenation.com. Learn more about Whitney Cummings in this recent Fox 17 interview.
Golden Age Comedy – Located in the upper room at Creston Brewery, and presented by Full House Comedy, the venue features Maddy Smith at 7 tonight (March 4) and 7 and 9:30 p.m. Saturday (March 5), and Hal Sparks at 9 tonight (March 4). Sparks also performs at 8 p.m. Saturday at Billy’s Lounge in Grand Rapids. More details at fullhousecomedy.com/.
May the force be with the Griffins: Star Wars night is Saturday, March 5. (Supplied)
4. Grand Rapids Griffins
What? You haven’t been to a Griffins game this season? What are you waiting for? The professional hockey team is in action four times over the next week with games March 4, 5, 9 and 11 at Van Andel Arena in downtown Grand Rapids. You can get $2 beers and $2 hot dogs at select stands on Friday and March 11. And it’s Star Wars Night on Saturday (March 5). All games are at 7 p.m. Get tickets and more details at griffinshockey.com.
The 2nd Annual GR Bourbon Fest returns to D2D Event Center. (Supplied)
3. 2nd Annual GR Bourbon Fest
Where are my bourbon lovers? Good news, the second annual Grand Rapids Bourbon Fest is back Saturday (March 5) at the Studio D2D Event Center, located at 401 Hall St SW. You will discover 200-plus whiskeys, with the majority of them being bourbon. There will also be a few non-bourbon options such as beer from New Holland Brewing Co. and wine from 45 North Winery. Designated Drivers get complimentary nitro coffee, kombucha and tea from Reputation Beverage Company. In addition to the beverages, attendees can experience food trucks, live music and more. There are two sessions with Session One from 4-7 p.m. and Session Two from 8-11p.m. Proceeds will benefit Friends of The River. More details at the Facebook Event page.
The dinosaurs take flight at the Grand Rapids Public Museum. (Supplied)
2. Pterosaurs: Flight in the Age of Dinosaurs
Are there any dinosaur lovers in your life? This weekend the Grand Rapids Public Museum opens “Pterosaurs: Flight in the Age of Dinosaurs.” These flying animals ranged from the size of a sparrow to that of a two-seater plane. They are believed to be the first back-boned animals to evolve into powered flight, and the only vertebrates to develop this ability besides birds and bats. The exhibition includes life-size models, videos and interactive exhibits. The exhibit opens Saturday, March 5, with a special members only preview from 9 a.m.-noon.
A sign of spring: the West Michigan Home and Garden Show. (Supplied)
1. West Michigan Home and Garden Show
The recent warm up makes it feel like spring, and that means it’s a perfect time for the 41st annual West Michigan Home and Garden Show at DeVos Place. You can expect 13 feature gardens, five free seminar stages and more than 350 exhibitors featuring a wide variety of products and services. Let’s go! Hours are noon-9:30 p.m. today (March 4), 10 a.m.-9 p.m. Saturday and 11 a.m.-6 p.m. Sunday. Admission is $12 for adults and $4 for children ages 6-14. Check out more information on seminars and services at GRHomeShow.com.
That’s it for now.
As always, I welcome your input and recommendations for events to include in my Top 5 list. If you have something for me to consider, just send me an email at michigangonzo@gmail.com.
Have a great, safe weekend.
John D. Gonzalez is a digital journalist with 30-plus years of experience as a food, travel, craft beer and arts & entertainment reporter based in Grand Rapids, Michigan. He also co-hosts the radio show and Podcast “Behind the Mitten,” which airs at 6 p.m. Sundays on WOOD-AM and FM. Follow him on his journey to discover what’s next. You can find him on Twitter as @MichiganGonzo, on Instagram @MichiganGonzo and Facebook at @GRGonzo. He also relaunched his YouTube Channel. Email him story ideas and tips at michigangonzo@gmail.com.
What was once was ninety-six (96) comedians is now down to sixteen (16), the Sunday Night Funnies Kingpin of Comedy competition enters its semi- final round Sunday, Nov. 7 and 14.
“The sixteen comedians in the semi-finals are a pretty diverse group”, said Brian B. MC and founder of the Sunday Night Funnies. “It includes six African Americans and one Hispanic comic. It’s unfortunate that none of the female comedians moved on- there were three women who were in the previous round. One of three made it to the finals the last time she did the competition, but she had to drop out this time due to a schedule conflict. The age range is diverse as well- comics in their mid-twenties to over sixty-years-old (60). They come from all over the state. Besides the metro Grand Rapids area, three are from the Detroit metro area, Lansing, Flint- one is coming from Chicago too!
“Seeing that Grand Rapids is the second largest city in Michigan, I thought that the winner deserved a prize package worthy of the title most humorous person in town!,” he said. The packager includes prizes from local businesses including Craig’s Cruisers, LaughFest, Indigo Road Entertainment, Blue Dog Tavern, Listen Rooming, and Clique Lanes The winner also will receive $100 cash, a tricked-out bowling pin trophy, a personalized Kingpin bowling shirt, and a photo op with the Mayor of Grand Rapids Rosalynn Bliss declaring them the most humorous human person in town. The total prize package is valued close to $1,000.
The Sunday Night Funnies is the creation of Grand Rapids stand-up comedian Brian B. (Brian Borbot.) The SNF is a weekly live stand-up comedy performance featuring a variety of comics from Michigan and around the country. The Sunday Night Funnies is a free admission show that starts at 7:30 p.m. and is performed at The Guest House, 634 Stocking NW, Grand Rapids. It is located next to the Blue Tavern.
As a kid, it wasn’t the best day for a birthday. My brothers and sister just wanted to skip over the whole birthday cake thing and go trick or treating. As an adult, my kids were awesome, but, in reality, they just wanted to blow out the candles and meet their neighborhood friends.
A couple of years ago, John Gonzalez was able to celebrate Dia De Muertos in his father’s home state of Jalisco, Mexico. (Photo courtesy of the @Gonzo Digital Media)
I had one memorable birthday. That’s when I was in college. I’ll save that story for another day.
This Halloween? I’ll celebrate with some close friends, have my favorite Michigan craft beer and pass out candy, of course. I wouldn’t mind going to a haunted house. Maybe I’ll organize an outing like I did a few years ago at The Haunt.
What are you doing this Halloween weekend?
I know, It’s all about the big Michigan-Michigan State football game.
And high school football playoffs.
Let’s hope the weather cooperates.
Here are some events taking place this weekend if you’re looking for something to do.
As always, I welcome your input and recommendations. If you have something for me to consider, just send me an email at michigangonzo@gmail.com.
Here we go.
The “candy” offerings at Avron Brewery. (Avron Facebook)
5. Candy Harvest ‘21 at Arvon Brewing Co.
When I was at Arvon Brewing Co. last week, co-owner Brett Bristol told me about a cool event taking place today through Sunday (Oct. 31). He’s calling it “Candy Harvest.” “We like to do crazy things, so we’re actually taking over all of our taps with Halloween beers,” Bristol said on my Podcast. The beers include:
Monster Crunch (11.0%): Imperial Stout with Pretzels and Chocolate.
Mounds of Fun (11.0%): Imperial Stout conditioned on Coconut and Cocoa nibs.
Cloud Cover (7.9%): NEIPA with Citra, Vic Secret and Columbus.
Juice Cannon (8.0%): Double New England with Galaxy, Citra and Idaho 7.
Chronic Distortion (9.0%): Double NEIPA with Mosaic and Simcoe.
Ghost Knife (10.0%): Triple NEIPA with Galaxy, Bru 1, and Idaho 7.
Watermelon Slice (5.0%): Kettle Sour with Watermelon, Watermelon fruit candy and lactose.
Caramel Apple Dream (5.0%): Kettle Sour with Caramel, Green Apple Candy and Lactose.
Sour Punch (5.0%): Kettle Sour with Strawberries, Sour Patch Kids and Lactose.
Get more information online, including details on how to order and zone deliveries, at arvonbrewingco.com. Hours are 4-9 p.m. Wednesday-Friday; noon-9 p.m. Saturday; and 1-6 p.m. Sunday. Arvon is located at 1006 Division Ave. South, Grand Rapids.
Joel Murray, Jeff B. Davis, Ryan Stiles, and Greg Proops are live at DeVos Performance Hall Nov. 2.
4. “Whose Live Anyway?,” Grand Rapids East Lansing
If you’ve been missing live entertainment, and you’re ready to see some comedy in person, you can’t go wrong with improv. This show features some of the best, including Ryan Stiles, Greg Proops, Joel Murray and Jeff Davis. The shows are Nov. 2 at DeVos Performance Hall in Grand Rapids (bit.ly/3fAWo5m for more info), and Nov. 3 in the Wharton Center in East Lansing (bit.ly/38gDs7z). Check out the “Whose Live” Facebook page for more info.
It is about to get spicy in Grand Haven. (Wikipedia)
3. Chili Blues, Grand Haven
One of my favorite events on the Lakeshore returns this weekend, the annual Chili Blues cook off. Local chili enthusiasts square off against each other to determine the best. Add a little blues music, drink specials and you have the makings of a great fall event. Plus, “It’s a Gas! Gas! Gas!” The event begins at 10 a.m. Saturday (Oct. 30) at Snug Harbor, 311 S Harbor Dr., Grand Haven. More details on the Facebook event page. Or call 616-846-8400.
2. Grand Rapids Dia De Los Muertos Festival
A couple years ago I traveled to my dad’s home state of Jalisco, Mexico, to visit family. We timed the trip to coincide with my birthday and Dia De Muertos, a celebration with a long history in Mexico. You might have seen the 2017 movie “Coco,” which really brought the tradition alive for many Americans. It was an inspiring trip to see how families honored and remember loved ones who have passed on to the next life. Sugar skulls, home altars, Catrinas, special bread and more make up the holiday tradition. Want to know more? This year check out Dia De Los Muertos Festival in Grand Rapids. It begins at 3 p.m. Sunday (Oct. 31) at 1225 Chicago Dr. SW in Wyoming, and it culminates with a procession in the street of native dances. This is a family friendly event with face painting, activities and more. Check out the festival’s event page on Facebook.
It will be all treats and lights at the John Ball Zoo this Sunday. (Supplied)
1.IllumiZoo Goes Boo at John Ball Zoo
For just one night, “IllumiZoo” and “Zoo Goes Boo” will unite for a nighttime trick-or-treat trail illuminated with the vibrant colors of IllumiZoo Wild Hues. Organizers promise “No tricks, just treats! Guests are encouraged to dress in costume and bring their trick-or-treat bag to experience IllumiZoo with fun Halloween decorations and music, entertainment, candy, and more.” The Zoo will have treat booths throughout the IllumiZoo trail and LED hula-hoop entertainers putting on a show. IllumiZoo Goes Boo begins at 7 p.m. on Sunday (Oct. 31) and ends at 10:30 p.m. The last entry is at 9:30 p.m. Guests are encouraged to reserve tickets in advance to guarantee their preferred entry time. IllumiZoo Goes Boo is $20 for adults, $13 for children (3-12 years old) and seniors (62 years and up). Children 2 years of age and younger are free. Tickets are at jbzoo.org/tickets. John Ball Zoo is located at 1300 Fulton St W, Grand Rapids, MI 49504.
That’s it. Have a great, safe weekend.
And Go Blue!
I mean, Go Green!
Good luck either way.
John D. Gonzalez is a digital journalist with 30-plus years of experience as a food, travel, craft beer and arts & entertainment reporter based in Grand Rapids, Michigan. He’s an early adopter of Social Media and SEO expert. Follow him on his journey to discover what’s next. You can find him on Twitter as @MichiganGonzo, on Instagram @MichiganGonzo and Facebook at @GRGonzo. He also relaunched his YouTube Channel. Email him story ideas and tips at michigangonzo@gmail.com.
On Sunday, July 11, The Sunday Night Funnies stand-up comedy show returns with the Kingpin of Comedy competition at a new location after sixteen months on hiatus because of COVID-19 restrictions.
“After I found out that the Spectrum Entertainment Complex wasn’t going to have us back after the COVID restrictions were lifted, I started to look for a venue to hold the show,” said comedian Brian Borbot, the founder and host of the Sunday Night Funnies. “I have a place interested in hosting it next year, but I didn’t want to wait until then to do the weekly show let alone two years without doing the Kingpin competition.”
The Kingpin competition is a 19-week contest where the audience members votes who’s the funniest person in town. The competition includes prizes and a kingpin trophy.
“The good news is that SNF regular Laura Szczepanek, owner of The Guest House, has stepped up and is letting us do the show at her banquet facility. It’s going to be a great place to hold the Funnies- the room seats 200 people and we’re back on the westside of Grand Rapids, which is the side of town we spent the first eight years on. It’s been one year, three months, and 26 days since we’ve done the Funnies (not that I’m keeping track.) So, I’m looking forward to seeing all the comics, all the new friends we made at Spectrum, and of course everyone who’s been with us since the Radisson & Riverfront Hotel days!”
Laura Szczepanek, owner of The Guest House added, “As a long-time fan of the Sunday Night Funnies, many of the comics, and Brian, I am beyond thrilled to open the doors and welcome the show. It’s been a long year and a half of COVID and its time we got together again and laughed in person.”
The Sunday Night Funnies are a free weekly live stand-up comedy performance featuring a variety of comics from Michigan and around the Midwest. The show is in its eleventh year. The Guest House is located at 634 Stocking NW.
It’s been a wait – a long wait, but area residents can finally attend a live theater performance starting this Thursday.
Circle Theatre will open its season with the 1978 Pulitzer Prize winning play “The Gin Game,” featuring local radio personality Shelley Irwin and Stathi Afendoulis, May 6 – 16.
“We are thrilled to finally be able to present a live production again after such a long intermission,” said Circle Theatre Executive and Artistic Director Lynn Brown Tepper. “While it may look a little different, the excitement is the same. Nothing can replace the magic that takes place between the audience and the performers in a live theatrical performance and Circle Theatre is ready to celebrate that experience once again with our amazing community.”
Local theatre has taken a deep hit this past year with multiple postponements and cancellations due to COVID-19. These intermissions have left Circle Theatre with a renewed commitment to keeping theatre alive through safe and entertaining community events.
“The Gin Game is not only a powerful and prescient story, but will also be one of the very first live play performances in West Michigan since before the pandemic,” said Director John Vesbit.
“The Gin Game” tells the story of Weller Martin (Afendoulis) and Fonsia Dorsey (Irwin). The two nursing home residents strike up a friendship while learning to play gin rummy. The pair begin sharing stories about the lives they led in the outside world until Fonsia starts to win every hand. With Weller’s frustration, the nursing home porch quickly turns into a battleground.
“Circle Theatre provided me the opportunity to grow as an actor, and inspired my decision to move to New York and become a theater professional,” Afendoulis said. “Forty-two years later, I’m back home, on the stage that launched my career.”
The face off: Stathi Afendoulis and Shelly Irwin in “The Gin Game.” (Provided)
The production will be at the Aquinas College Performing Arts Center, 1703 Robinson Road SE. Social distancing between groups and masks are required. Tickets are $20 and all proceeds go directly to supporting local theatre through Circle Theatre.
Doors open at 6 p.m. “The Gin Game” will begin at 7 p.m. Thursday – Saturday, with matinee shows taking place on Sunday, May 9 and 16, at 3 p.m.
For more information on Circle Theatre’s 2021 season, to purchase tickets, or to find more ways to support Circle Theatre, call 616-456-6656 or visit circletheatre.org.
Wit is the key, I think to anybody’s heart, because who doesn’t like to laugh?
Julia Roberts
Last Weekend for IllumiZoo
Don’t miss out on the last chance to see IllumiZoo at the John Ball Zoo! IllumiZoo is a Glenlore Tale about our connection to the earth and its wildlife around us. The the colorful trail goes dark after Sunday, Nov. 15. It is open from 6 p.m. to midnight. The final night will feature an array of symphonic music from Gershwin to Tchaikovsky, Vivaldi and Beethoven to lead you through the display of colors and lights.
The Comedy Project is located at 540 Leonard Ave. NW (The Comedy Project)
See a Comedy Show
After a long week we all just need a good laugh sometimes. The Comedy Project is hosting a reduced capacity show Friday, Nov. 13, and Saturday, Nov. 14, from 8 to 9 p.m. The show will include a mix of improv and “best of” comedy skits. The seats may be limited but the bar is not, so grab a friend and treat yourself to some well needed laughter.
Photo courtesy of the Grand Rapids Ballet
Watch a Virtual Ballet Performance
The Grand Rapids Ballet is kicking off its virtual season this weekend with it’s program Business as (un)Usual. The program includes a piece by Beyoncé choreographer Darrell Grand Moultrie as well as a selection by Grand Rapids Ballet’s Artistic Director James Sofranko with features a collaboration with violinist Gene Hahn. Also featured in the performance is company dancer Yuka Oba-Muschiana and more. “Tickets” to watch the virtual program can be purchased online for $15.
Fun fact: Getting all the marbles
You think counting absentee ballots is tough, how about marbles? Since the 1960s, the Africa country Gambia has been voting with marbles. Color-coded drums with the candidates picture affixed on them are placed at each voting place. Voters put their marble in the drum of the candidate they want. A bell rings to let the official know a ballot has been cast. If the bell rings more than once, the official knows the person has cheated. At the end of the voting period, the drum is emptied and the marbles are counted to determine who won or rather, who got all the marbles.
City of Wyoming Mayor Jack Poll with the 2018 Sunday Night Funnies Kingpin of Comedy, or the funniest person in Wyoming, Megan Writes. (Sunday Night Funnies)
What was once was 120 comedians is now down to 40, the Sunday Night Funnies Kingpin of Comedy competition enters its quarter-final round.
The contest started May 19 with its first of 12 qualifying rounds, which wrapped up last Sunday. The four quarter-final rounds run Aug. 11- Sept. 1 with two semi-final rounds on Sept. 8 and 15 with the finals being held on Sept. 22. Each week ten comedians are given eight minutes to perform. The line-up order is drawn as the show progresses, so they have no idea of when they’ll be going on stage – it could be first, it could be last. Before the show begins the audience members are given a ballot. At the night of that night’s show the audience picks three of the ten they feel should advance to the next round. The ballots are counted while a comic not in the competition performs at the end and the winners are announced afterward.
“The Kingpin of Comedy competition is a blatant rip-off of the Funniest Person in Grand Rapids contest,” said Brian B. (Brian Borbot), creator & MC of the Sunday Night Funnies. Borbot is referring to the successful annual event at Dr. Grins comedy club inside The B.O.B. downtown Grand Rapids.
“Seeing that Wyoming is the fourteenth largest city in Michigan, I thought it deserved its own stand-up comedy competition with the overall winner getting a prize package worthy of the title funniest person in Wyoming,” he said.
The prizes are from Wyoming businesses Spectrum Entertainment Complex and the neighboring Craig’s Cruisers as well as LaughFest, 20 Monroe Live, and Party in the Park (a concert at 5/3 Ballpark.), a dayglo bowling pin trophy, and a presentation from the City of Wyoming Mayor Jack Poll declaring the winner the funniest person in town.
The Sunday Night Funnies is the creation of Grand Rapids stand-up comedian Brian B. (Brian Borbot.) It’s a weekly live stand-up comedy performance featuring a variety of comics from Michigan and around the country. The Sunday Night Funnies is a free admission show that starts at 8:30 p.m. at the Spectrum Entertainment Complex, 5656 Clyde Park SW, Wyoming.
Seeking asylum from the Ethiopian civil war, Nardos Osterhart settled in the U.S. with her parents and siblings. If this child of a diplomat learned one thing, it was adaptation. That hard-earned determination got her through college, landed her a job in healthcare, and propelled her onto — of all places — a comedy stage! Stay tuned. After our conversation, Nardos shares some of her home-grown humor with Feel Like You Belong viewers.
The Saugatuck Center for the Arts opens its 15th anniversary season with the star of NPR’s Snap Judgement comedian James Judd. Judd will be at the SCA one night only: March 18.
The storyteller and comedian takes audiences on a rollercoaster joy-ride, sharing tales that pull you up and down and leave you laughing till you cry. The Toronto Star calls Judd, “off-the-wall and out-of-the ballpark entertainment,” and the San Francisco Chronicle says Judd is, “hilarious!”
A former member of the Los Angeles based improv group—and Saturday Night Live training ground—The Groundlings, Judd worked the stand-up circuit until he was 30, when he made a U-turn going back to law school to become a criminal defense attorney. Ultimately Judd returned to comedy but this time through autobiographic storytelling.
Judd is a recurring storyteller on the acclaimed radio show Snap Judgement and can be heard at festivals across the nation. “Like David Sedaris on a pot of coffee,” says the Democrat & Chronicle.
The show is at 8 p.m. at the Saugatuck Center for the Arts, 400 Culver, Saugatuck. Tickets are $29 in advance and $32 the day of the show. For more information, or to purchase tickets, visit sc4a.org or call 269-857-2399.
