“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.
This high school level robotics competition will showcase 18 Michigan teams battling in complex two-minute matches against highly skilled competitors in last season’s game, Crescendo.
Highlighting women in tech
GRGRC is a FIRST Robotics off-season event (Courtesy, GRGRC 2022)
The GRGRC is a FIRST Robotics off-season event. Michigan boasts the most FIRST Robotics teams in action, and the competition will be energized.
During this unique event female team members will be the primary drivers, operators and pit crew members of their team’s robot.
“I’ve really looked forward to the Girls Tournament every year since I’ve known about it,” said Emma Bustraan, #4967 That ONE Team – Our Next Engineers. “It’s kind of a neat experience, because there’s something special about being responsible for how you end up placing.
Female team members operate their team’s robots (Courtesy, GRGRC 2023)
“It’s a cool feeling to have the joystick in your hands and knowing that, if you break the robot, you have to fix it.”
The GRGRC will begin with a Ladies in Tech panel at 8 a.m. on Saturday, Oct. 12.
This panel is a great opportunity to connect and learn from female STEM leaders in our community.
The robotics competition begins with opening ceremonies at 8:45 a.m., concluding with the awards ceremony at 4:30 p.m.
Family-friendly and FREE
Mark your calendars for this family-friendly event and to learn more about STEM and FIRST Robotics. All events are FREE, open to the public and will be held at Wyoming High School, 1350 Prairie Parkway SW.
GRGRC is hosted by Demons Robotics #858 from Wyoming High School, Red Storm Robotics #3875 from East Kentwood High School, Red Storm Rookies #9566 from East Kentwood Freshman Campus, and community team That ONE Team #4967.
Stay up-to-date on competition details on the GRGRC Facebook page.
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 Michigan Small Business Development Center presents Pitch Black Grand Rapids, a pitch competition for Black business owners (Courtesy, MI-SBDC)
By Deborah Reed
deborah@wktv.org
In an effort to uplift the Black business community, the Michigan Small Business Development Center (MI-SBDC) has announced a Grand Rapids pitch competition on Thursday, Sept. 28.
The Pitch Black competition began in 2021 in response to the detrimental effects the COVID-19 pandemic had on Black-owned businesses in Muskegon County. Pitch Black is now coming to Grand Rapids and will focus on Black-owned businesses operating in Kent County.
Business owners will have a chance to present their pitch to a panel of judges for a chance at a cash prize (Courtesy, www.pxhere.com)
“It’s sort of like Shark Tank meets America’s Got Talent,” explained Ed Garner, West Michigan Regional Director for the MI-SBDC. “It will be on an auditorium stage in a game show style fashion.”
Twenty Black business owners were selected from a pool of applicants to be Pitch Black contestants. All contestants received pitch training in preparation for a preliminary round presentation to a panel of Black Judges.
Five to seven contestants will then be chosen as finalists and pitch for their share of $10,000 in front of a live studio audience.
“It’s our way of uplifting the Black business community and is part of our DEI initiative called Uplift Michigan™, a strategic movement designed to ensure equitable access for all diverse entrepreneurs across Michigan,” said Garner.
Bringing culture and personal awareness
Bertina Polk, owner of My Little Love Bugs Childcare LLC, applied for Pitch Black to bring awareness to early childhood education in the African American culture.
Polk remembers being teased because of the darkness of her skin, kinkiness of her hair, and her broad nose.
“It always made me wonder if I was good enough,” said Polk.
Seeing her own traumatic childhood memories repeated in following generations of children as young as preschool age bothered Polk.
Bertina Polk’s childcare business teaches children to have confidence in who they are (Courtesy, Bertina Polk)
“It hurts my heart that these babies are going to school not knowing who they are, the importance of their existence, their value, and being proud of their culture and the skin they are in,” said Polk. “I pride myself on the fact that my daycare has a strong emphasis and focus on making sure that our children know that their black is beautiful.”
Polk does this by building a daily childcare routine that focuses on self-awareness, self-confidence, and self-esteem.
“Childhood trauma can turn into adulthood trauma,” said Polk. “Being hurtful and mean to children can ruin self-esteem in the very early stages of life.”
Whether Polk is a winner of a cash prize or not, she considers it a blessing to bring awareness to issues that young African American children encounter. She is also thankful for the opportunity to gather information that will help her grow her business.
“I’ve learned a lot after doing research about the African American culture and how it affects our children in the Early Childhood stages,” said Polk.
If Polk receives a cash prize, she plans to use it to move and expand her childcare facility.
Having located the building she wants for the new facility, Polk is already working with other agencies to provide funding for a playground, educational materials for children, as well as training for staff.
“This will give me the opportunity to grow from the family group daycare into a center, and I’ll be able to provide more services to our community and our African American children,” said Polk.
More than just a business
Reggie Macon, owner of martial arts school Battle Ground JKD LLC, joined the Pitch Black competition after it was suggested to him by a client.
At Battle Ground, Reggie Macon (center) is focused on helping women and children defend themselves (Courtesy, Reggie Macon)
“Of course, the [prize] money sounds good, but I was also intrigued by the information I could potentially get from [the competition],” said Macon. “If anything, I can get some great information on how I can move forward with the business.”
Macon’s primary objective, however, is to share his passion of martial arts with youth and women.
Macon founded Battle Ground out of a desire to keep his two daughters safe. Having recognized and researched the dangers of human trafficking, Macon is focused on using his 17 years of personal training experience to help others learn how to protect themselves.
“I started out training my daughters and training a couple of kids out of my garage, and it kind of went from a passion to something I can see myself doing as a living,” said Macon.
Battle Ground features classes for youth, women’s self-defense, strike classes for MMA boxers, and Sweat It Out Saturdays – a co-ed group of various ages geared toward participants attending with a friend or partner to gain accountability in their weight loss goals.
With countless self-defense and martial arts schools available to the public, Macon differentiates himself by being more hands-on than most.
All ages are welcome at Battle Ground martial arts school (Courtesy, Reggie Macon)
“It’s not just technique and that’s it,” said Macon. “I teach how to read body language, situational awareness, how to create separation to escape in certain instances, and how to build confidence in oneself to know that just because I know how to fight doesn’t mean I have to. I can walk away confidently enough to know I won’t have to cause any harm.”
During the course of the Pitch Black competition training, Macon feels the information contestants have received has been helpful in showing how and what they can apply to their businesses.
“It’s been great information throughout the competition.”
Macon hopes to purchase more safety equipment for the gym if he wins a cash prize, and also to increase marketing for Battle Ground.
“Hopefully Battle Ground will be a household name pretty soon,” Macon said.
Showcase and competition details you don’t want to miss
A business and resource showcase will be held before the competition (Courtesy, www.pxhere.com)
Prior to the Pitch Black competition there will also be a business and resource showcase featuring all 20 contestants as well as selected organizations that support Black-owned businesses.
The competition and showcase will take place Thursday, Sept. 28 in Loosemore Auditorium at Grand Valley State University’s DeVos Center, 401 W. Fulton Street in Grand Rapids. The showcase opens at 5 p.m. and the competition begins at 6:30 p.m.
Three cash prizes will be presented by the Richard M. and Helen DeVos Center for Entrepreneurship & Innovation at GVSU. The Grand Prize is $5,000, with a 2nd place prize of $3,500, and a 3rd place prize of $1,500. The prize money can be used for any legitimate business purpose.
This event is free and open to the public, but registration is encouraged due to space limitations. All audience members are asked to dress in casual black attire.
On March 28, East Kentwood’s Red Storm Robotics won Impact Award, which secures the team a spot at the state competition. (Courtesy, Red Storm Robotics)
Terence and the Red Storm Robotics Team qualified for the state tournament on Monday, March 28, at the Battle Creek Lakeview #2 tournament after winning the judge’s Impact Award.
The FIRST (For Inspiration and Recognition of Science and Technology) Impact Award is the most prestigious award in a FIRST Robotics Competition. The award recognizes a team that reflects sustained excellence and impact within the FIRST community, in its own community and beyond.
Terence and the team had another fine performance on the field as well. The team finished 12th in the qualifying rounds and was selected for the #6 Team Alliance before being knocked out in the first two rounds of the finals with their alliance partners. Winning the Impact Award sends the Red Storm Robotics team to the First in Michigan FRC State Competition at Saginaw Valley State University on April 6-8, but before they go to state Red Storm hosts its own qualifying tournament this weekend in Kentwood.
Robots from all over the state will be rolling into Kentwood’s home tournament on March 31 and April 1 to take on 37 other FIRST Teams’ robots for a chance to advance to the state tournament. In this Charged UpSM competition, the Red Storm Robotics team reimagines the future of sustainable energy and powers its ideas forward to victory.
The Kentwood Tournament is a free event for everyone starting at 10:30 a.m. Friday, March 31. The public is encouraged to attend. WKTV Community television crews will be at East Kentwood both days providing television coverage of the FIRST Robotics competition. WKTV’s coverage will be available for broadcast on WKTV and streamed via WKTV’s on demand service in the month of April.
Please come cheer our Red Storm Robotics team as they demonstrate “gracious professionalism” through their application of mechanical engineering, computer-aided design, electrical engineering, programming, systems integration, website building, animation, and fabrication/machining skills.
Red Storm Robotics’ Terence utilizes autonomous and driver-assisted modes, optical sensors to help guide it to targets, an elevator arm with a mechanical cone-grabbing claw, and gyroscope-assisted balancing to help it perform in this year’s 2022-2023 competition. The KPS FRC Team #3875 is made up of approximately 40 high school students, four coaches, and four mentors from the Kentwood Public Schools and nearby communities.
The Red Storm Robotics with Terence robot. (Courtesy, Red Storm Robotics)The Red Storm Robotics team cheers on its teammates. (Courtesy, Red Storm Robotics)
The East Kentwood team that competed in the We the People District Finals last week. (Courtesy, Kentwood Public Schools)
East Kentwood’s American Political Thought students brought home top honors from the We the People District Finals which were hosted at Kent ISD last week.
The school’s team, which includes 21 seniors, finished second overall with several groups within the team also receiving first and second place awards.
Lucy Fornetti, Mary Johnakech, and Owen Lawrence received first place for their analysis of the American version of the rule of law and international perceptions of the system.
Taking second place were Bianca Bancifra, Maggie Fisher, Keaton Nguyen, and Sarah Chapin for their explanations of the philosophical underpinnings of American constitutionalism. Also taking second place are Andrew Dame, Rebecca Moore and Mike Nguyen for their understanding of the evolution of Congress’ powers and limitations on them.
To prepare, the East Kentwood team accumulated 55 hours of practice time with coaches outside of the school day in addition to time spent preparing for those sessions on their own. Coaches volunteered their time to help prepare the team for the variety of aspects of the competition — which includes presentation and public speaking skills along with an incredible depth of knowledge in constitutional law, philosophy, politics, American history and current events.
The team is currently working on new content in preparation for Jan. 6 when they will travel to Michigan State University’s College of Law for the State Finals. The first place team at the State Finals will earn an invitation to represent the state of Michigan in the National Finals in late April. For the 2021-2022 school year, the East Kentwood team took second at the State Finals with East Grand Rapids taking the top spot.
They are eerie, they are spooky and just might keep you up at night.
It is “Playbytes by Playwrights: Things That Go Bump in the Night.” Hosted biennial by LowellArts!, the event features 10-minute plays written by playwrights. All plays that were submitted for this year’s competition follow the theme of “things that go bump in the night.” From more than 60 entries that were submitted by playwrights from across the country and internationally, ten were chosen to be performed. The program was directed by Mary Beth Quillin and Laurel Conrad.
The ten original works performed for an audience will be judged by a panel of experts, and one playwright will be given a $500 cash award. A People’s Choice Award will be voted on by attendees. Awards winners will be notified and announced the week following the final production.
Performances are 7 p.m. Thursday, Friday and Saturday and 2 p.m. Saturday and Sunday at LowellArts Gallery, 223 Main St., Lowell. Tickets are $15 in advance and $20 at the door. For more information, visit www.lowellartsmi.org.
What was once was 84 comedians is now down to 36, the Sunday Night Funnies Kingpin of Comedy competition enters its quarterfinal round.
The Kingpin of Comedy competition enters the quarterfinal rounds Aug. 28-Oct. 2. (SNF)
The contest started June 5 with its first of twelve qualifying rounds, which wrapped up last Sunday. The six quarterfinal rounds run Aug. 28- Oct. 2 with three semifinal rounds on Oct. 9, 16, and 23 with the finals being held on Oct. 30. Each week of the quarterfinals six 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. After the last comedian in the competition that night performs the audience will pick three comedians they feel should advance to the next round. The ballots are counted while a comic not in the competition performs and the comics moving on in the competition are announced at the end of the show.
“The Kingpin of Comedy competition is a blatant rip-off of the Funniest Person in Grand Rapids contest,” said Brian Borbot, known as Brian B., who is the creator and master of ceremonies of the Sunday Night Funnies. Brian 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 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!” he said.
The winner receives $500 cash plus prizes from Wyoming businesses Spectrum Entertainment Complex and its neighbor Craig’s Cruisers as well as gift cards from LaughFest and the Listening Room. They will also receive a bowling pin trophy and a personalized “Kingpin” bowling shirt and a presentation with Wyoming Mayor Jack Poll declaring the winner the funniest person in town. The winner will headline the Sunday Night Funnies special 2023 LaughFest performance.
The Sunday Night Funnies is the creation of Grand Rapids stand-up comedian 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.
Miss Metro Cruise 2021 Dr. Joules Kelvin was out encouraging people to participate in the 2022 Miss Metro Cruise competition during May’s Metro Cruise Dust-Off. (WKTV)
Dr. Jules Kelvin (Juliette Brown) admits when she is dressed up in her retro ’50s attire of a white dress accented with large pink flowers, attendees often are surprised to learn she is an actual doctor.
When that happens, the 2021 Miss Metro Cruise cheerfully explains how it is possible to do both — be a scientist and a pinup.
“I have always been underestimated when I look pretty but that is unfortunately something that happens,” she said. “So, the nice thing about the pharmaceutical industry is that it is less judgmental in that way. People can be a little quirky and flashy and still be taken seriously. Ultimately, as a scientist we are judged on our body of work that we accomplish and so it is a little different in pinup, because people judge you on what you look like.”
This weekend, Kelvin will be doing the judging as she helps find her replacement at the Miss Metro Cruise preliminary contest, which will be from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday at the Moose Lodge, 2630 Burlingame Ave. SW. The preliminary contest, hosted by Kentwood’s JA PR Group, will feature classic cars with the contest narrowing the contestants down to the final 10 who will compete at the Wyoming Kentwood Chamber of Commerce’s 17th Annual Metro Cruise, set for Aug. 26 and 27.
“I love to plan an outfit and go through all the effort of getting everything just right in my appearance,” Kelvin said of participating in pinup contests like Miss Metro Cruise. “What I love most is sharing the experience with other pinups that I meet.
“I think it is a really accepting and inclusive group in a way that other things based on appearance are not.”
Participating in pinup contests was not even on Kelvin’s radar until a couple of years ago. She was working on doctorate in neuroscience at Michigan State University.
“To be totally honest I was sort of a late bloomer academically,” Kelvin said. “I had tried every different major you could think of except for science. I think I let it intimidate me when I was younger. It always seems scary and overwhelming like ‘That is a lot of math.’
Dr. Joules Kelvin, from Lansing, at the 2021 Miss Metro Cruise preliminary contest. She was named 2021 Miss Metro Cruise at last year’s event. (WKTV)
“As I had my daughter, it was time to be somebody’s role model so I decided to rip the bandage off and go back to school and take a chemistry class and it turned out I was really good at it.”
She earned a bachelor’s degree in biochemistry from Saginaw Valley State University because she wanted to go into the medical field. While attending grad school at Michigan State University, she met people in the pharmacology school and found they were “my people.” She earned a doctorate in neuroscience where most of her research has focused.
She also met some other people who connected to another side of her personality.
“I tend to be the more quirky one among the scientists,” she said. “I tend to be a little bit more fashionable then a lot of my colleagues. I like being flashy on the weekends and I have always enjoyed being kind of girlie.
“I think people think you can’t be both, which is just not true.”
It all clicked and after the workshop, Kelvin began to look for photo opportunities working with photographers and attending car shows.
“I have to say the people I meet during pinup are the most diverse, motivated and powerful group of women I’ve encountered,” she said, adding that the group represents different ages, body types, sizes, and aesthetics.
“I always say that my favorite part of the pinup is the sisterhood,” she said.
But the pageants were intimidating because, as Kelvin put it, “not only do you have to put it all together but you have to get up in front of people and be clever.”
In fact, Miss Metro Cruise is the second pageant title she has won in the couple of years of participating. She admitted that the event seemed overwhelming since it was in two parts and featured several well-established pinup artists.
“When I got there everyone was so kind and it was just really welcoming and nice,” she said. “Actually, I think it was lower pressure than other pageants because they do their best to make sure that everyone feels like they are included and they encourage new people to come and do it.”
The win encouraged her to participate in Detroit’s Autorama competition last February, where she again surprised herself by taking home the title.
Kelvin has her sights on a couple of competitions in March of 2023, but for now she is enjoying a break from competing.
There will be plenty of classic cars at the Miss Metro Cruise preliminary contest this Saturday. (WKTV/Joanne Bailey-Boorsma)
“I just like going, being positive, and supporting other people who are competing, especially people who are newer,” she said. “And it is nice going and not competing sometimes because I am dealing with a little bit less pressure.”
Along with supporting those competition, she also hopes to have the chance to break the stereotype that scientists are not that interesting by talking to children and young adults about her career path.
“I would like to tell people that they shouldn’t let science intimidate you,” she said. “Scientists are in general very excited about science. If you are curious, come chat us up because we will tell you anything you want to know and some things you don’t.
“I love talking about what I do and how I got there but also the same goes for pinup. Pinup can seem intimidating and overwhelming from a distance, but if you just go talk to a pinup they will tell you their experience of getting there and how it scared them a little bit at first and if you are curious about it you should absolutely try it. We all support each other.”
West Michigan foodies looking for an authentic taste of Mexico can enjoy the “Olé to Molé” festival on Saturday and Sunday, May 21 and 22.
A variety of local restaurants will offer their own twist on a sauce sometimes called “Mexico’s national dish.” Participants can sample each restaurant’s offering by visiting one, a few, or all of the locations between 11 a.m. and 6 p.m. each day, then vote for their favorite using a provided QR code. Pricing and availability of samples varies by location.
Molé is a sauce traditional to Mexican cuisine that typically includes a variety of chili peppers, nuts, and spices. It is often served as an accompaniment or marinade for chicken or other meats.
The nine restaurants participating in the multi-site event are all located along the South Division corridor between Hall Street and 28thStreet. They include:
Agave Sports Lounge, 2053 Division Ave South
El Globo, 2019 Division Ave South
Las Rocas, 2106 Division Ave South
La Vencedora, 1961 Division Ave South
Los Dos Amigos, 1642 Division Ave South
Mi Tierra, 2300 Division Ave South
Restaurante Cancún, 2140 Division Ave South
Tacos Yanga, 1338 Division Ave South
Tres Mangos, 2023 Division Ave South
Parking is available in the City of Grand Rapids Burton Heights lot, located just behind El Globo and Tres Mangos on the west side of Division Avenue, south of Burton. Easy transportation for the event up and down Division Avenue is available on The Rapid’s Silver Line or Route 1.
Funding for the festival comes from the Burton Heights Business Association, the Grand Rapids Office of Special Events, and the Grand Rapids Office of Equity & Inclusion.
Questions about the event may be directed to Angelica Velásquez, president of the Burton Heights Business Association, atlacasadelacobija@gmail.com or 616.617.4400. Media inquiries may be directed to Jon Shaner at The Salvation Army Kroc Center, jon.shaner@usc.salvationarmy.org or 616.401.9835.
Red Storm Robotics will hosts its first competition in two years. The delay was due to the pandemic. (Supplied)
After two years away from the battlefield, robotic teams from around the state will once again enter the East Kentwood High School gym to face off for honors and a chance to compete at the state level.
The East Kentwood FIRST (For Inspiration and Recognition of Science and Technology) Robotics Competition, hosted by East Kentwood’s Red Storm Robotics, will take place this Friday, and Saturday. There are 34 teams scheduled to compete. Among the local teams are Kentwood’s Red Storm Robotics, Wyoming High School’s Demons, and Potter’s House’s Tactical Hams. The event also will be recorded by WKTV and aired on Comcast Channel 25 along with being available on the WKTV on-demand site.
This year’s competition is called “Rapid React,” hosted by Boering. The purpose of the competition is to have teams look at today’s global challenges related to the United Nations Sustainable Development Goal #9. Teams are focused on building resilient infrastructure, promoting inclusive and sustainable industrialization, and fostering innovation.
“By encouraging FIRST participants to think about future transportation sustainability, we’re also empowering them to be the next generation of leaders and innovators, tackling the world’s toughest challenges,” according to the FIRST Robotics website.
Teams had six weeks to build a robot that would be able to load and move basketballs to designated areas. In the final part of the competition, robots must be able to demonstrate climbing abilities by moving through a series of bars. Through the competition, the teams will demonstrate skills in mechanical engineering, computer-aid design, electrical engineering, programming, systems integration, website building, animation, and fabrication/machining.
Thursday is when the pits officially open and inspections take place. The action starts on Friday, with opening ceremonies at 9 a.m. and qualifying matches starting at 9:30 a.m. Saturday the big day with opening ceremonies again at 9 a.m. and qualifying matches starting at 9:30 a.m. Alliance selections will take place at 12:30 p.m. with playoff matches set for 2 p.m. and awards around 5 p.m.
One of the FIRST robotics teams carries its robot off to the pits. (WKTV)
Each team is required to attend two district competitions. Those teams that earn enough points or certain awards, then advance to the state competition which will be April 13-17 with the national competition set for April 20-23 in Houston.
The event is free and open to the public. Masks are required for all participants, volunteers, and spectators. Participants and those in the pits are required to wear safety glasses.
The East Kentwood High School is located at 6230 Kalamazoo Ave. SE.
Started in 1992, FIRST is an international high school robotics competition founded by inventor and entrepreneur Dean Kamen — the man behind the Segway — and MIT professor emeritus Woodie Flowers. In fact, Kamen often has stated that FIRST is the invention he feels most proud of.
It has been last minute solo decisions to all out phenomenal performances as Wyoming’s The Stray hosted its first-ever Battle of the Bands.
This Friday is the final round as the three remaining bands/performers, Whorled, Daisybox, and Epitones compete for bragging rights along with cash prizes, a free photoshoot and an opportunity to record at Dogtown Studio. First place will receive $300 while second and third will each receive a $100. The show is set to start 6:30 p.m.
“Whorled is a relatively new band, so we thought [Battle of the Bands] would be a fun way to meet other musicians and bands that we have not yet connect with,” Thom Jayne of Whorled said, adding the group heard about the competition from the staff at The Stray Café.
Epitones’ Matt DeRuiter said the group felt the Battle of the Bands would be a great way to showcase the band’s music. (Photo by Jessica Darling)
Grand Rapids-based Whorled (pronounced “world”), offers a unique twist on Celtic, gypsy, jazz, Brazilian and American folk music. The trio performs on a variety of instruments, violin, accordion, guitar, banjo, whistles, and occasionally a didgeridoo, which is a wind instrument.
“When we came across the Battle of the Bands, we knew that it would be a great networking opportunity and avenue to showcase our music,” said Matt Deruiter who is the drummer for Epitones. “We have each participated in Battle of the Bands events in the past with different groups which sparked our interest in this event.
“We’re grateful to be part of such a well organized event with so many great acts.”
Epitones is also based in Grand Rapids and is a three-piece band. The group’s music is original and unique, focusing on progressive instrumental structures and soulful vocals.
Taylor Hottenstein said it was his first time performing Daisybox material live. (Supplied)
Taylor Hottenstein, who is Daisybox, had a tough start as his backing band fell through leading up to his March 4 performance. Despite that, he went on with what has been described as a “raw and emotional” solo performance with just an acoustic guitar. Hotternstein’s music can be best described as soft rock with him focusing on originals and an occasional cover. (In his March 4 performance, he covered Mac Miller’s “Circles.”)
On Friday starting at 6:30 p.m., each of the groups will be performing for 45 minutes. Guest judge is John Sinkevics, who is a career journalist, musician and founder of Local Spins, the state’s fastest-growing music website that covers the West Michigan music scene.
“This was actually my first live performance doing the Daisybox stuff,” Hottenstein said. “I had been mulling over getting these songs out in front of people other than just through releasing singles. So when I saw this pop up, it felt like the right time. So glad I did!”
The Stray Café is located at 4253 S. Division Ave. For more information about upcoming events, visit The Stray’s website or Facebook page.
Tulip Time Festival is pleased to announce the 2022 First Bloem Festival Artwork Competition through which a work of art is selected for the official Tulip Time poster. Each year, the Festival invites a juror to select the Top 20 pieces for First Bloem. Mary Sundstrom, Visual artist and Exhibitions Director of the Holland Area Arts Council, will be the 2022 juror.
Through 2010, posters were commissioned work from selected artists. Beginning in 2011, the Festival Artwork Competition began. Nine local artists have been awarded this honor:
2011 Beth Charles – “Drama Queens”
2012 Brittany Strabbing – “Beautiful Dream”
2013 Maggie Schultz – “Clothed in Splendor”
2014 Karin Nelson – “Resilience”
2015 Carolyn Stich – “Joy of Spring”
2016 Alla Dickson – “Spectacle”
2017 Michele Gort – “Playful Time”
2018 Cindy Awrey – “Together”
2019 Carolyn Stich – “Enduring Delft”
2020 Aron Lowe – “Dutch Dance”
In 2020, due to the pandemic restrictions, a competition was not possible. The Festival commissioned a piece from Aron Lowe, the 2020 winning artist, and Hear Ye, Hear Ye, Spring is Here became the 2021 Festival Artwork. Now, for 2022, we are pleased to be able to reintroduce the competition to all local West Michigan artists.
Artists in Ottawa, Allegan, Kent, Muskegon and Kalamazoo counties are invited to submit artwork. Submissions for the 2022 Festival Artwork Competition will be accepted Sept. 27 – 30. The artwork theme should represent Tulip Time’s mission to celebrate Holland’s tulips, Dutch heritage and community. The winner of the 2022 competition will be announced at the First Bloem Reveal, a special unveiling reception held in February.
The 6th Annual Jeep the Mac event will return to its original weekend in late April for 2021 (April 23-25) in St. Ignace and Drummond Island. This annual event draws Jeep enthusiasts from around the Midwest to participate in Jeep activities in the Eastern Upper Peninsula including a group ride across the Mackinac Bridge, ferry passes to Drummond Island for a Saturday trail riding (including access to Turtle Ridge Off-road Park), optional street cruises with discounts at designated stops, commemorative gifts and posters, and lots of vendors and sponsors selling Jeep products. Registration for this event is now open. Register and find more details here: https://stignace.com/event/jeep-the-mac/
“2020 was a difficult year for all of us and we are excited to hit the ground running and fill up our calendars mindfully with safety-oriented events when it is safe to do so,” said St. Ignace Visitors Bureau events director Quincy Ranville, “One of the beauties of the outdoor events in St. Ignace like Jeep the Mac is that remaining socially distant and vigilant while also having fun is easily done.”
2021 will also feature the return of Murray’s Midnight Moose Run which was an unexpected activity and hugely popular hit in 2020. A sponsored award ceremony will also be new this year.
“Having worked with St. Ignace as on the St. Ignace Car Show and Jeep the Mac in past years, I’m excited to really bolster the event this year with more sponsors, vendors, and corporate representation,” says St. Ignace Visitors Bureau brand ambassador Murray Pfaff, “this is such a unique event that has the potential to be record breaking.”
Jeep the Mac 2020 was pushed back to October due to the pandemic, and was extremely popular, so stay tuned for more info regarding a second Jeep event this fall (October 1-3), with St. Ignace and Drummond Island teaming up again for another fun filled weekend.
The 35th Annual LowellArts West Michigan Art Competition highlights outstanding artwork by Lower West Michigan artists who reside in a 25-county region. Five cash awards totaling $2,500 are awarded. Artists may submit one piece for consideration by the juror.
Deadline for entries is Jan. 15.
The West Michigan Art Competition is open to all visual art media by artists 18 yrs. and older who reside in one of the eligible West Michigan counties. Eligible lower West Michigan counties include: Allegan, Barry, Berrien, Branch, Cass, Calhoun, Clare, Clinton, Eaton, Gratiot, Ionia, Isabella, Kalamazoo, Kent, Lake, Mason, Mecosta, Muskegon, Montcalm, Newaygo, Oceana, Osceola, Ottawa, Saint Joseph, and Van Buren.
ArtPrize, the independently organized art competition recognized as the world’s largest annual public art event, announced 2017 registration details for its Volunteer program, presented by Lake Michigan Credit Union. ArtPrize seeks volunteers—who through their energy and commitment provide the framework essential to the visitor experience—to join the 1,000 plus individuals who collectively work nearly 4,000 shifts and upwards of 12,000 hours of service each year, while welcoming visitors from near and far to the event this fall. The ArtPrize Volunteer season will officially commence at the annual Volunteer Kick-Off Party on August 10. ArtPrize Nine is slated to take place in Grand Rapids, Michigan from September 20–October 8, 2017.
“Volunteers play an invaluable role on the ArtPrize team—their enthusiasm and support make ArtPrize the success it is,” said Katherine Hagman, ArtPrize Volunteer Program Manager. “They are the face of the event, interacting with visitors from near and far, helping to tell the ArtPrize story, offering practical suggestions and encouraging visitors to explore, learn and vote for art that moves them throughout the 19-day event.”
Volunteers help visitors to navigate through the event with ease while experiencing everything ArtPrize has to offer. Whether it be as individuals, groups, families or friends, volunteers bring the community together with their willingness to devote and share their time with ArtPrize.
Online self-registration opens Friday, August 11, allowing volunteers to sign up and register for shifts that will suit their interests and availability. The volunteer program has added ongoing training modules for volunteers in 2017, allowing volunteer registration to stay open throughout the 19-day event. This replaces the previous system of incorporating a cut-off date for shift sign ups.
Volunteer Kick-Off Party
Volunteers and community members are invited to join the ArtPrize staff in celebrating the beginning of the ArtPrize Nine season at the Volunteer Kick-Off Party, held at 200 Monroe Avenue from 6 to 8 p.m. Friends and supporters of ArtPrize will enjoy music, food and activities throughout the night. Information about what is to come for ArtPrize Nine this season will be highlighted as well as the opportunity to learn about specific volunteer opportunities and sign up for an volunteer account.
Volunteer Training
Volunteers must take part in a training session prior to their shifts. In-person training sessions will take place the week after Labor Day, offering weekday, weekend and evening options throughout the week. In addition to in-person training, volunteers are also given the option of learning through a series of online orientation videos.
Image from Google Creative Commons
Through training, volunteers will hear from ArtPrize staff and partners on the event’s history, how it works, and specifics about shifts and what to expect during the event. This will provide new and returning volunteers with a strong foundation so they are fully equipped to provide assistance throughout the course of ArtPrize Nine.
Volunteer Opportunities
There are an array of volunteer opportunities available during ArtPrize Nine to fit everyone’s interests and schedules. Wayfinders, stationed around the ArtPrize district, serve as ArtPrize tour guides and ambassadors of downtown Grand Rapids. Equipped with guides and resources to welcome visitors, they provide directions, answer questions and promote activities and Venues in the surrounding area. Education volunteers assist with family events, activities and school programs – with positions ranging from lead docents to facilitators in our drop-in art studio spaces and STEAM Village. Some volunteer opportunities may require additional training. A full listing of volunteer opportunities can be found at artprize.org/for-volunteers.
Volunteer Artist Hosting Program
Volunteering to host an artist in your home can be an equally rewarding opportunity. With nearly 30% of artists coming to ArtPrize from locations outside of Michigan, the Artist Hosting Program has become a crucial aspect of the ArtPrize experience for artists visiting from out of state or another country. Whether it’s just for a few days or for a longer stay, by hosting an artist volunteers make it possible for artists to experience ArtPrize. Previous award winners who took advantage of the temporary housing arrangements include Stacey Kirby, Beili Liu, Mia Tavonatti, Adonna Khare, Young Kim and Anila Quayyum Agha. Interested volunteers are encouraged to email the ArtPrize team at exhibitions@artprize.org for more information.
Volunteer Rewards
Volunteers will enjoy a variety of benefits for dedicating their time to the event including: a free event guide, a Metro Pass—good for 10 free rides on The Rapid’s fixed routes and unlimited use of the Silver Line during the event—access to the Volunteer Lounge at the ArtPrize HUB/HQ, access to volunteer-only events and weekly raffle entry for prizes. Volunteers will enjoy discounted ArtPrize merchandise for every three shifts completed and a special “fifth shift” gift for completing five shifts throughout the 19 days.
Additionally, ArtPrize Nine volunteers will be offered a discount on pre-sale tickets to the Ninth Annual ArtPrize Awards—including the Ceremony, powered by the DTE Energy Foundation, and the official after party, details to be announced soon. Volunteers will also be given an exclusive ArtPrize Nine word poetry magnet set.
For more details on the ArtPrize Volunteer Program and how to register, visit artprize.org/volunteer. ArtPrize Nine is slated to take place September 20-October 8 in downtown Grand Rapids, transforming three square miles of downtown Grand Rapids into an open playing field where 1,346 entries at 175 venues will vie for a combination of public vote and juried awards totaling $500,000 in prizes.
