The Grand Rapids Public Museum (GRPM) announced that a Backyard Stargazing virtual program will be offered to the public on Thursday, July 29, at 6 p.m., focused on the upcoming Perseid Meteor Shower.
Virtual visitors will journey to the depths of the universe, alongside the GRPM’s Chaffee Planetarium experts to learn about the characteristics of meteors, how to spot the Perseid Meteor Shower and more. The Perseid Meteor Shower peaks in mid-August and is considered to be the best meteor shower of the year, frequently leaving long “wakes” of light and color behind them as they streak through Earth’s atmosphere. This year, the Perseid Meteor Shower will peak Sunday, Aug. 11, but will be visible for a few days before and after.
“We’re thrilled to continue offering virtual programming as an extension of the Museum’s Chaffee Planetarium experience,” said GRPM’s Planetarium Manager Jack Daleske. “Our team strives to create engaging science programming for all ages to enjoy, that prompts them to continue their quest for knowledge about science and space exploration.”
Backyard Stargazing Meetups are only $2 for GRPM members and $4 for the general public. One ticket link is needed per household. Capacity is limited; early registration is recommended. Tickets can be reserved or purchased at grpm.org/Calendar.
Meet-ups are in webinar style held via Zoom, so attendees will be able to see the GRPM panelists, but not each other. A brief Q & A session will follow the presentation.
This summer, both the Grand Rapids Public Museum and the Grand Rapids Art Museum explore America’s culture — from pop to folk — through different lenses.
Grand Rapids Public Museum: POPnology and Pollinators
The Grand Rapids Public Museum takes a futuristic approach to American culture with its “POPnology” summer exhibit along with giving visitors a ground view of the life of pollinators in “Amazing Pollinators.”
“This summer, you won’t want to miss these two exciting additions to the experience at the Grand Rapids Public Museum,” said Kate Kocienski, the Public Museum’s vice president of marketing and public relations. “Great for all ages, these exhibits will entertain while teaching about nature, science, technology and engineering.”
A featured item in the “POPnology” exhibit is the DeLorean time machine car from “Back to the Future.” (GRPM)
“POPnology” is three floors of exhibit space featuring the DeLorean time machine, androids, and extraterrestrials from far-away galaxies and more. Visitors will have the opportunity to explore and see how technology has been featured in movies, books, television, art, and created by futurists. Four featured areas explore science and technology in everyday lives, where we’ve been, and where we’re going: How We Play, How We Connect, How We Move, and How We Live and Work.
Among the highlights of the “POPnology exhibit are:
Local Motors showcasing the Strati, the world’s first 3D printed car
Two interactive state of the art game that allow you to explore our fascination with the red planet – the Mars Rocket Builder and Mars Lander
Virtual projection games
Futuristic musical instrument technology
Jetpack from Disney’s “The Rocketeer”
Autopia car from Disney World’s Tomorrowland
Artistic renderings from visual futurists who created the look of such movies as “Blade Runner,” “Star Wars,” “Alien”
Moving from futuristic to the real world, “Amazing Pollinators” is a bilingual and playable maze that has hundreds of interactive flowers spread across nine environments like lotus flowers in the rain forest, saguaro cactus in the desert, and moon flowers glowing in the black lit night room.
Visitors explore the “Amazing Pollinators” exhibit at the Grand Rapids Public Museum. (GRPM)
In the maze, visitors take on 48 survival missions from eight different pollinator groups including bats, bees, beetles, birds, butterflies, moths, flies, and wasps. There are six missions for each group that increase in complexity and difficulty, putting players in the shoes of different species like the hibiscus bee, soldier beetle or ruby-throated hummingbird.
Both exhibits will be available through the summer season. Tickets for “POPnology” are $5/person and $3/GRPM member and are in addition to general admission to the Museum. “Amazing Pollinators” is included in the general admission. Kent County residents receive discounted admission to the Public Museum, including free general admission every day for Kent County kids ages 17 and under.
Advance ticket purchase is required before visiting the museum. Visitors are required to wear masks properly during the duration of their visit. For social distancing guidelines and other information, visit grpm.org.
Cotton, with pencil quilt by Jessie B. Telfair (1913–1986), 1983; Jessie B. Telfair, (1913–1986); Freedom Quilt; 1983; Textile; Quilt; Cotton, with pencil; 74 x 68; American Folk Art Museum; Parrott, Georgia, United States; 2004.9.1
Grand Rapids Art Museum: American Perspectives
More than 80 American folk art objects, spanning from paintings and pottery to quilts, needlework, and sculpture, are on display at the Grand Rapids Art Museum through Aug. 28.
“‘American Perspectives’ offers our visitors a chance to look at America through the eyes and experiences of folk artists,” said GRAM Director and CEO Dana Friis-Hansen. “The diversity of experience and perspective is what strengthens our community, and we look forward to sharing a platform for stories that have often been untold throughout history.”
“American Perspectives: Stories from the American Folk Art Museum Collection” is organized into four sections: Founders, Travelers, Philosophers, and Seekers. Within each of these sections are themes of nationhood, freedom, community, imagination, opportunity, and legacy.
Many of the works in the exhibit present the perspectives of groups that are largely unseen in museums, such as enslaved people, immigrants, and people with disabilities. It reinforces how many of our society’s current issues — immigration, political turmoil, economic uncertainty, and loss of personal liberties — have been a concern in the past and remain topics of significance today.
“‘American Perspectives’ include traditional art works like portraiture and landscape paint to more unexpected pieces like carousel figures, wood carvings, and dolls,” said GRAM Assistant Curator Jennifer Wcisel. “The craftsmanship and beauty of each work is remarkable, but what truly makes them come alive are the diverse stories behind them.
“From Felipe Archuleta who was unable to find work as a carpenter and began creating life-size animal sculptures to Jessie B. Telfair, a black cook in Georgia who created her ‘Freedom Quilt’ after being fired from her job when she tired to register to vote — I hope visitors will find stories that relate to their won lives and the social and political issues of the present.”
The exhibit is included with the general admission to the Grand Rapids Art Museum. For social distancing guidelines and other information, visit artmuseumgr.org.
They have been a longtime member and this month, Wyoming’s Two Guys Brewing will be giving back to the John Ball Zoo by providing the zoo a specialty brew for its Adult Night Out event series.
“To be a part of this is just an honor,” said Two Guys Brewing owner Tom Payne.
Payne said the zoo was one of his family’s main sources of entertainment, especially during their times as a young struggling family.
“We would give the family the gift of a zoo membership,” Payne said. “We would do the Frederik Meijer Gardens, the Public Museum and the zoo. So it was three big bills at Christmas time but we would have entertainment throughout the entire year.”
Payne said they were approached by the zoo about the opportunity for the specialty brews because zoo officials had been impressed in how the brewing company handled the pandemic, working with residents by offering pack-and-go meals and other options.
The Adult Night Out series is designed to give guests age 21 and older the opportunity to experience the zoo at night without any kids. There will be select animal encounters for guests to enjoy, along with beer and wine selections.
Payne said the brewery decided to pair some of its well known beers with the themes of each program. For example, for this Thursday’s program, the John Ball Zoo will be featuring barbecue on its menu, something that Two Guys Brewing offers and that brewery’s IPA Mosaicquest pairs well with.
John Ball Zoo will be hosting six Adult Night Out evenings throughout the summer with Two Guys Brewing pairing a beer with each night’s theme. Besides this Thursday, there will be Adult Night Out events on June 24, July 15 and 29, and August 12 and 26. Each Adult Night Out is from 6 to 9 p.m. The zoo offers four times to enter, 6 p.m., 6:15 p.m., 6:30 p.m., and 6:45 p.m.
Tickets for all dates are available online for $18 for members or $20 for non-members at jbzoo.org/AdultNightOut. Limited tickets are available for each evening, and capacity is limited, so the zoo officials highly recommends reserving tickets before the event. Walk-up tickets are not guaranteed.
John Ball Zoo is located 1300 Fulton St., about a mile west of downtown Grand Rapids. For more information about John Ball Zoo or upcoming activities, visit www.jbzoo.org, call 616-336-4301 or email info@jbzoo.org.
Adults 21 and older have the opportunity to enjoy the John Ball Zoo without children present during the Adult Night Out series. (Supplied)
The new playground at Jackson Park. (WKTV/Joanne Bailey-Boorsma)
This Saturday, the City of Wyoming will be hosting a reopening event for Jackson Park, located at 1331 33rd St. SW, right next to the Wyoming Intermediate School. The event will start at 10 a.m. and include the official opening of the park’s new splash pad. The park has a new playground, shelter area, bathrooms, and parking lot. Also taking place will be a free yoga class at 11:15 a.m.
Festival Returns
Festival of the Arts will be a little different this year.
The first weekend in June has always meant Festival of the Arts, which has returned this summer albeit a little different. Because of uncertainty in social distancing guidelines, the organization is offering Plein Air and performances this weekend. Artists will be out Friday, Saturday and Sunday with musicians performing on Saturday only on Monroe Center and Ottawa Avenue. Saturday is scheduled to be a beautiful day to walk around downtown Grand Rapids on Saturday and Sunday to soak it all in. Oh, and if you are out on Saturday, we recommend Total Eclipse of the Harp featuring Emily Smith, who will perform at 10 a.m., 3 and 6 p.m.
Splash Pads Now Open
The splash pad at Oriole Park.
Summer is here! How do we know? The splash pads in both the cities of Wyoming and Kentwood are now open. The City of Kentwood has two splash pads, one at Pinewood Park, 1999 Wolfboro Dr. SE, and Veterans Memorial Park, 355 48th St. SE. Both are open from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. The City of Wyoming has three splash pads, Lamar Park, 2561 Porter St. SW; one at Oriole Park, 1380 42nd St. SW., and the third is at Southlawn Park, 4125 Jefferson SW. Wyoming’s splash pads are open from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. A fourth splash pad at Jackson Park is set to open on Saturday during the park’s reopening ceremony.
Fun Fact: I’m Your Venus
With NASA’s recent announcement that it is planning two missions to Earth’s other neighbor, Venus, we thought it might be fun to share a few facts about the second planet closest to the sun. Besides the fact that it is named after the Roman goddess of love and beauty:
Venus is hotter than Mercury despite the fact that Mercury is closer to the sun.
A day on Venus is longer than a year on Earth.
Venus has about 90 times the atmospheric pressure of Earth, which is the same pressure at about 1 km depth in the Earth’s oceans.
It is believed that Venus had a celestial collision early in its history which caused the planet to get flipped upside down. This resulted in the planet rotating clockwise unlike the rest of the planets in our solar system which rotate anti-clockwise.
Humans have been studying Venus since the second millennium BC because it is one of the brightest objects in the sky and easy to spot with the naked eye. In the upcoming Venus explorations, which are scheduled to launch in 2028-2030, NASA aims to understand how Venus became an inferno-like world when it has so many other characteristics similar to ours – and may have been the first habitable world in the solar system, complete with an ocean and Earth-like climate.
Dust off your dancing shoes because the seasonal kick-off celebration Jump Into Summer at the Saugatuck Center for the Arts is right around the corner. Join SCA on June 4 for a free, socially-distanced event featuring live music, visual arts, community art projects, all-ages activities, local vendors and, most importantly, opportunities to connect with community members and friends.
Mike Mains and The Branches
After a cold-weather pause on live music at the SCA, the Outdoor Plaza Stage is ready to be rocked by Mike Mains & The Branches at 6 p.m.. Texas-born, Michigan-bred and Nashville-based, this electrifying indie-pop outfit has built a reputation on intricate instrumentation, aggressive vocals, and unforgettable live performances.
While dancing isn’t required, the music of Mike Mains & The Branches will have you moving and grooving, which is enthusiastically encouraged in the designated dancing areas.
“We are so excited to be bringing this festive, celebratory event back to Saugatuck,” says the Center’s Executive Director Kristin Armstrong. “This event is a step closer to what we have always known and loved about gatherings, including safe social distancing practices.”
In addition to the tunes, don’t miss the opportunity to meet esteemed Chicago muralist Sandra Antongiorgi, who will be on site for the opening of the SCA’s summer exhibition, “Elevating Humanity: Forging Healing Through Connection.” This collection of works encourages visitors to recognize what we all share and open their minds and hearts to connect with those most marginalized by systemic oppression.
Sandra Antongiorgi
Want to leave your mark on the SCA space? Visitors of all ages have the chance to be a part of a community art project inspired by Antongiorgi’s work. The SCA Education Team invites guests to join a collaborative project building a magnet mural, inspired by Sandra’s work, on the SCA’s soaring arches. Add your unique piece and see the mural grow! There will also be make-and-take activities available if families prefer to create at home.
Guests can also follow the dancing, costumed crossing guards across the street to Coughlin Park for a variety of family-friendly art activities as well as booths, manned by community volunteers, featuring fun games, engaging learning opportunities, and giveaways.
Soak up the Saugatuck sun while enjoying this event on the SCA’s newly-renovated and refreshed Outdoor Plaza Stage. Grab a drink from the bar and a delectable snack from an array of food trucks then relax with your family and friends and dance to live music – all in the fresh air.
Keeping the community’s safety in mind, safe distancing will be strictly enforced and thorough cleaning procedures implemented throughout the event. Masks are mandated for all guests over the age of 2.
For additional information about Events at the Saugatuck Center for the Arts, exhibits and resources, visit sc4a.org or contact Megan Scheerhorn by email megan@sc4a.org
Landscape photographer and nature enthusiast Thomas Hegewald, hosts a series exploring what West Michigan has to offer in form of nature parks and preserves. The new series, called “Exploring, will air on WKTV Channel 25, at 6 p.m. Tuesdays and 7:30 p.m. Fridays starting June 1.
“Exploring” features nature parks and preserves in Kent and Ottawa counties. Each exploration features simple photography tips and techniques for capturing different aspects of the locations. Hegewald’s landscape photographs have been featured in numerous regional art exhibits over the years. The series actually got its start in 2019 when Hegewald was creating pieces for “Preserved!,” a bi-annual show for the Land Conservancy of West Michigan. As one of the featured artists, Hegewald traveled around West Michigan exploring and photographing some of the nature preserves that LCWM manages.
“I was so impressed with the work that the Land Conservancy of West Michigan was doing at Wege Natural Area, in the form of forest recovery, that I wanted to share that story,” Hegewald said.
With the introduction in 2020 of lockdowns and social distancing due to Covid-19, Hegewald turned to nature parks and preserves as a way of counter-acting the stress.
“Life slows down out in nature,” he said. “By sharing my appreciation for nature and vision as a photographer, I hope viewers seek out new nature parks or preserves to explore.”
With the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS) lifting Covid-19 capacity restrictions for outdoor events beginning June 1, Downtown Holland has announced that the annual Street Performer Series will indeed return this summer. The 2021 Street Performer Series will take place Thursday evenings from 6:30 – 8:30 p.m. from June 17 through August 19 and will feature a diverse line-up of performing artists each week The Street Performer Series is supported by the Michigan Council for the Arts and Cultural Affairs (MCACA) through the Holland Area Arts Council.
“We’re very excited to be able to host the Street Performer Series again this summer after having to cancel last year’s event,” said Downtown Holland Marketing Coordinator Kara de Alvare. “We know that so many members of our community and visitors to the area look forward to the event each summer. The Street Performer Series is a great opportunity for young and old alike to experience the performing arts in a fun and accessible way while enjoying all the shopping and dining options Downtown Holland has to offer. The health and safety of our community continues to be our top priority and we’ll be taking steps to make the event a safe one, including closing 8th Street to vehicular traffic to allow for social distancing, limiting the number of performance locations and encouraging performers to mask up if they can.”
Downtown Holland is currently accepting applications from performing artists and groups who are interested in participating in the Street Performer Series this summer. Interested performers must complete the online application found at https://bit.ly/3tVW59g. A link to audition materials (such as a video or audio recording) must also be submitted as part of the application process. Applications are due by this Friday, May 28.
Performers that are accepted into the Series will be notified by email and given set performance dates and locations. Performers must be 18 years of age or older to apply and groups are currently limited to no more than four members to allow for adequate social distancing.
Performers that are accepted into the Series must obtain a Downtown Holland Street Performer Permit from the Downtown Development Authority prior to their first performance date. The permit application is available online at www.downtownholland.com. Permits are $15 for individuals and $25 for groups. Permits are valid through the end of the calendar year and also allow performers the opportunity to perform at their leisure and busk for tips outside of Thursday nights in the approved performance locations. In addition to busking for tips, performers that participate in the Street Performer Series will receive a stipend of $20 for each performance date. Payments will be made at the conclusion of the Series. Performers can contact the Downtown Holland office at downtown@cityofholland.com or 616-796-0472 with questions about the application process.
If you think you know about turtles, you’ve got plenty to learn when Lakeshore Museum Center opens Turtle Travels, a fun-filled, interactive exhibit that gives visitors a turtle’s-eye view of life in the “slow lane.”
Research shows turtles actually live in and travel through a surprising diversity of habitats. Their journeys are filled with challenges! These findings— and many other turtle studies—come from the use of radio telemetry that tracks how animals move around their habitats. You’ll have a chance to check out this science and see how it works.
You’ll start your journey at the exhibition entrance, where kids can pose as a turtle in front of a marsh habitat backdrop. There’s a child’s bench to sit on and take a photo. After all, you’ll need to rest up for your journey! Once you step onto the giant board game, follow the instructions and you’ll be detoured to interactive games. Find out what it’s like for a turtle trying to cross a road or traverse changing habitats. Be a turtle tracker and see how real field biologists track animals in the wild. The lively setting has plenty to keep children busy as they play the game. For example, an underwater video shows how a sea turtle swims. Trek along this turtle terrain and you’ll find out that slow and steady not only wins the race, but takes turtles on some amazing journeys!
You’ll also discover cool turtle and tortoise facts— how their bodies and shells have adapted to many different habitats, why they need shells, the hazards they encounter in the wild, how they are important to many different cultures, and more. Turtle Travels provides unusual perspectives on these amazing reptiles.
Does your child want a pet turtle? Wait! First find out what kind of care they need— and how the pet trade isn’t always the best deal for the turtle.
The exhibition has a variety of family-friendly components, including:
● A Swiss Army turtle with moveable feet illustrating how turtles’ limbs are adapted to fit their environment ● A station to build the arch of a turtle’s shell ● A restful spot to lounge on a turtle and discover the many turtles that star in children’s tales
Admission for the Turtle Travels exhibit is free for Muskegon County residents and Museum members. Non-residents ages 3 and up admission is $5.
You can visit the Turtle Travels exhibit starting May 21 through September 4 at the Lakeshore Museum Center at 430 W. Clay Ave in Muskegon.
Southwestern Michigan Tourist Council just released its Creative Connections game that will run through April 30, 2022. (Provided)
By Millicent Huminsky Southwestern Michigan Tourist Council
The arts, music and theater scene is thriving in Southwest Michigan. Now it’s more fun than ever to discover this region’s creative side by playing Southwestern Michigan Tourist Council’s new Creative Connections game between now and April 30, 2022. Laugh, be awed, meet the artists and send your spirits soaring while earning cool, artsy prizes along the way.
“Our Southwest Michigan region is very fortunate to have a vibrant and comprehensive arts scene,” said Mike Nadolski, executive director of The Mendel Center, one of the 16 game destinations. “The arts add significantly to the quality of life for all by entertaining, educating and inspiring us. Creative Connections is a fun and easy way to learn more about some of the many varied arts organizations our region has to offer.”
Here’s how the game works:
Pick up a Creative Connections brochure. You’ll be able to request one online or at any of the Creative Connections destinations.
Visit the Creative Connections destinations (listed below). Each business will have a door decal or a flag signifying their role in the game.
Show your brochure and collect a stamp at each location you visit. Each destination has a personalized stamp.
Collect stamps to earn prizes starting at just three Creative Connections stops.
Return your brochure to the Tourist Council to be validated for prizes. Your prizes and brochure will be mailed back to you so you can continue playing.
All brochures must be sent for validation by May 9, 2022. You must be 18 years or older to play.
“It’s not always the case that you can play a game, be enriched and win prizes, too,” Nadolski said. “You already win just by dabbling or fully immersing yourself in an art museum, dance studio, performance, concert or gallery. Plus, you never know — you might find a piece of art or an experience that awakens a creative impulse and sends you into a new and exciting direction. That’s the transformative power of art.”
Creative Connections destinations include: The Acorn, ARS Gallery, Arts & Culture Center, Box Factory for the Arts, Buchanan Arts Center, Citadel Dance & Music Center, Chartreuse Art Gallery, The Gallery at Harbor Shores, The GhostLight Theatre, The History Center at Courthouse Square (Berrien County Historical Association), JLN Studio, Krasl Art Center,The Mendel Center of Lake Michigan College, Silver Beach Carousel, Southwest Michigan Symphony Orchestra, Twin City Players and Water Street Glassworks.
Learn more about each destination and the prizes you can earn at https://swmichigan.org/creative. You’ll also find helpful FAQs, game instructions, the online brochure request and more.
“I would love to see arts enthusiasts flock to our area and spend a night or more in one of our local hotels so they can experience the arts scene while also touring the countryside, visiting our wineries, shops, restaurants, shorelines and golf courses,” Nadolski said. “When you package it all up, we really have a spectacular and highly accessible arts scene with the quality and diversity you might expect to find in a region much larger than ours.”
The Southwest Michigan Tourist Council connects visitors and locals alike with things to do in Berrien, Cass and Van Buren Counties. View their curated itineraries, Makers Trail destinations, blogs, trail guides, newsletters and more online. For more information, visit https://swmichigan.org or https://www.facebook.com/swmtc/, or call 269-925-6301.
After primarily operating freight trains during the COVID-19 pandemic the Coopersville & Marne Railway announces the return of its popular passenger trains. A tentative schedule has been set for reopening in June; including EnterTRAINment excursions on Saturdays June 5 and 26; as well as Wednesday June 16. These train rides, featuring local musicians, depart the Coopersville station at 1:30 p.m.
According to Operations Manager, Nick Anderson, “We look forward to again offering our popular Vintage Train rides, while also assuring the safety of our passengers and volunteers.” In resuming passenger service, the railroad will follow all current CDC, MDHHS, and Ottawa County Health Department guidelines. Train capacities will be reduced to accommodate social distancing. Train crews and passengers over 2 years of age are required to wear masks; as mandated by the Transportation Safety Administration (TSA). All ticketing will be handled electronically, and passengers will be subject to temperature checks and COVID-19 screening before boarding the train.
Additional information regarding our June train schedule can be found on our website at mitrain.net. The website also features our COVID-19 protocols and procedures.
The Coopersville & Marne Railway is an ‘all volunteer’ vintage railroad located midway between Grand Rapids and Muskegon, offering 90-minute train rides between our namesake towns. Our train includes coaches dating to the 1920’s along with 1950’s era locomotives. And the route we follow originated with an 1848 charter for the Oakland and Ottawa Railroad. The Coopersville & Marne Railway offers EnterTRAINment Excursions, specialty Theme Trains and group charters during our normal operating season.
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.
All sorts of exciting things are happening out at Cornwell’s Turkeyville USA right now. As the pandemic begins to wane, and folks start to head outdoors again, the 400-acre centennial farm offers the hottest attractions available right now: fresh air and plenty of room to spread out.
As families begin to return, Cornwell’s is re-opening their well-known dinner theatre in May with a fresh vision and a brand-new producer, Dexter Brigham. Dexter comes to Cornwell’s from Midland Center for the Arts, where he served as their Director of Theatre Programs for the past eight years.
“When Patti and I first started talking about re-opening the theatre, we considered what we might want to look and feel different. We decided to use the downtime wisely. We upgraded our lighting and sound systems, so our audiences could enjoy the best experience possible, and we’ve worked really hard to assemble a cast of talented comic actors from all across the country for our first show,” remarks Brigham.
That first show is the bedroom farce, Right Bed, Wrong Husband, by the married playwriting duo, Neil and Caroline Schaffner. In the play, Ted is a young, penniless bachelor whose uncle holds the strings to his trust fund. In order to increase his meager allowance, Ted hatches a plan to convince his uncle he has gotten married, but when his uncle drops in unexpectedly, he has to work double time to convince his uncle that his best friend’s wife is, in fact, his own. The play is filled with slamming doors, misunderstandings, mistaken identities and the nearly naughty antics that is the hallmark of great farce.
The cast of the play will feature Micah Weese from Tulsa, OK as the beleaguered Ted; Dreaa Kay Baudy from Sarasota, FL as his fiancée, Ruth; Ptah Garvin, also from Sarasota, as his drunken neighbor, Hubert; Austin James Roach, from Chicago, as his writer friend Claude; Victoria Sasso, from New York City, as Claude’s resourceful wife, Evelyn; and Hana Park, from Pittsburgh, as Ted’s sarcastic housekeeper, Myra Tackleberry.
Right Bed, Wrong Husband will run from May 13 through June 26 at Cornwell’s Dinner Theatre, with matinees every Wednesday through Saturday at 2pm, and evening shows on Saturday nights at 8pm. Seating for the meal begins two hours prior to curtain. Tickets are $50 for adults and $35 for children 12 and under, and include dinner, dessert, and the performance. For tickets, visit turkeyville.com, or call 269-781-4293.
In celebration of Michigan Wine Month, the Leelanau Peninsula Wine Trail invites you to “Rosé All May” for a month-long, trail-wide event. Rosé All May is not a large-scale gathering but rather individual experiences at the area wineries. For an advance ticket purchase price of $35, ticket holders can enjoy a 3 oz glass of rosé at each of the 21 participating wineries in an event-themed souvenir glass. The estimated ticket value is $200.
While each ticket holder can travel along the peninsula at their leisure to receive their larger pour of rosé from each winery, reservations are highly recommended. The trail’s wineries offer a wide variety of rosé wines, including dry, sweet, sparkling, and still. They will include the wineries’ latest rosé releases made with local varietals, such as Pinot Noir and Cabernet Franc.
Sleeping Bear Loop: Bel Lago Vineyards & Winery, Laurentide Winery, Chateau Fontaine, Verterra Winery, Amoritas Winery, Soul Squeeze Cellars, Good Harbor Vineyards, French Valley Vineyard, Boathouse Vineyards.
Tickets for this event are non-transferable and attendees must be prepared to show a valid, government-issued photo ID at each winery. The wineries will conduct business much in the same way that they are now with groups of no more than six people per party, socially distanced, with all precautions in place to create a safe environment for both guests and employees.
Tag us on social media @lpwines with your #RoséAllMay adventures and stay tuned for more information about our next trail-wide event, Sip and Savor, June 4th – 6th, 2021!
About Leelanau Peninsula Wine Trail:
The Leelanau Peninsula Wine Trail is divided into three trails for easy touring: the Sleeping Bear Loop, the Northern Loop, and the Grand Traverse Bay Loop. Each tasting room along the trail offers its own unique experience, from pure elegance with unparalleled views to cozy nooks loaded with charm. As you sip wines and chat with laid-back winemakers that produce them, you’re sure to find many reasons to love the trail!
The Grand Rapids Public Museum (GRPM) announced it is taking the popular live Curator Battle regionally, starting with a competition against the Michigan Science Center (MiSci) on Tuesday, May 4 at 4 p.m., held via Facebook Live (@grmuseum). The GRPM launched the Curator Battle series in 2020 on its Facebook page as a way to connect with the community and share the Museum virtually due to closures caused by the COVID-19 pandemic.
The GRPM/MiSci Curator Battle will have a special twist in celebration of the battle reaching Detroit — the presidents of both organizations will be competing: Dale Robertson, the President and CEO of the GRPM and Christian Greer, the President and CEO of MiSci.
Christian Greer, President and CEO of the Michigan Science Center
“We’re delighted to join the Grand Rapids Public Museum in a fun and light-hearted competition that shows off how we put you at the center of science in everything we do,” said Christian Greer. “During the competition, we’ll challenge your perception of reality with our Ames Room, take a trip on the Apollo Capsule from the Rocket Garden in our Space Gallery, visit a Wind Tunnel, learn about sustainability with something called a ‘Fatberg’ and then swing back home to Michigan to land on our version of the Mackinac Bridge. We think it will be a lot of fun for everyone watching at home.”
Due to closures across the world in the beginning of the pandemic, the Yorkshire Museum, located in England, launched a weekly #CuratorBattle competition on Twitter to challenge other museums to showcase their collections based on a particular theme. Through this inspiration, the GRPM took the idea of a curator competition to Facebook in August of 2020 to connect with its online community in a fun and unique way, while also showcasing the Museum’s artifacts, specimens, and staff expertise. Since the launch, the Museum has partnered with local West Michigan cultural organizations including Frederik Meijer Gardens & Sculpture Park, John Ball Zoo and the Grand Rapids Art Museum, and looks forward to expanding to more regional partners and beyond to continue the friendly competition to educate and entertain each organization’s online audience.
“Currently, the GRPM is the only organization hosting live conversations of this type that we know of, and it’s been exciting to see the engagement of our community learning about the Museum and our Collections, as well as to see the partnerships that have come out of this idea,” said Alee’a Cherry, Marketing Manager at the GRPM. “Although the title of the event mentions “curator,” the Museum has found creative ways to incorporate organizations that don’t have curators on staff to be more inclusive so we can partner with a wider variety of organizations.”
Michigan Science Center in Detroit
Each Curator Battle is hosted by the GRPM and features five topics that the contenders will speak on for a few minutes each. The presentation is also complemented by high quality images and/or video. Viewers are encouraged to ask the contenders questions, leave comments and share the event to show support of the program. The Curator Battle videos will live on the GRPM’s Facebook page for later viewing.
The GRPM will continue to engage local cultural organizations in the Curator Battle as it continues to expand. Viewers can tune into the next local battle against the Grand Rapids Public Library on Thursday, June 24 at 4 p.m. on the GRPM’s Facebook page (@grmuseum). The GRPM’s Collections Curator Andrea Melvin will be battling against the GRPL’s Head of Grand Rapids History and Special Collections, Julie Tabberer.
Organizations interested in participating in one of the GRPM’s Curator Battles can inquire by reaching out to info@grpm.org.
Is it true that a painting conservator is also a detective? According to acclaimed conservator and art historian Barry Bauman, every painting has its secrets. During his 46 years of experience treating and analyzing damaged paintings, he has uncovered many of them—lost signatures, hidden dates, and entire paintings hidden beneath other works. Two of his discoveries were so phenomenal they landed on the front page of The New York Times. Bauman will uncover answers to mystery surrounding two of the Muskegon Museum of Art’s treasured paintings in a free Zoom presentation, “Solving the Cranach Mystery Surrounding the Portraits of Martin Luther and Katharina von Bora,” hosted by the museum on Thursday, May 6, at 5 p.m.
Barry Bauman With Conserved Thomas Sully’s Portrait of George Washington and John Singer Sargent’s Portrait of General Lucius Fairchild
Bauman’s discoveries lectures have been his most popular, especially for a museum audience, where attendees interested in art, art history, chemistry, physics, history, and museum studies all overlap with conservation concerns. Most individuals are not aware of the conservation field and the rewards it has to offer.
At the beginning of his career, Barry Bauman worked for eleven years at the Art Institute of Chicago, departing as the Associate Conservator of Paintings. He then founded and directed the Chicago Conservation Center for 20 years, which was the largest conservation facility in the nation. In 2004, Bauman left the private sector to establish Bauman Conservation, America’s first conservation laboratory dedicated to offering complimentary services to museums and non-profit organizations. When he closed Bauman Conservation in 2018, it was estimated he had contributed more than $6,000,000 in conservation services to museums and nonprofits.
In August 2019, Barry Bauman opened Conservation Ventures (ConservationVentures.org), a company that focuses on presentations and CAP grants to assist museums with recommendations and priorities for long-range collection care. Bauman is an Elected Fellow of the American Institute for Conservation.
LowellArts invites visitors to GETAWAY, a new gallery exhibit opening May 1. The exhibit features artwork by 100 artists from Michigan that celebrates the places or moments in time that provide us a chance to retreat, relax, and recharge. Artists ages 14 and older were invited to submit artwork, in any medium, that fit this theme. Entries could be either representational or abstract depictions of locations, objects, or an atmosphere meant to inspire, uplift, and transport the viewer to a place of rest or renewal.
The artwork will be on display at the LowellArts Gallery, 223 W Main St., Lowell, from May 1 to June 12. Gallery hours are: Tues-Fri 10 a.m. – 6 p.m. and Sat noon – 5 p.m.
If you drove past Lamar Park lately, we just wanted to let you know that your eyes and ears were not deceiving you. Yes, those were the sounds and lights of a carnival you heard and saw.
The Wyoming Spring Carnival returned this year and will be operating through May 1. The carnival was cancelled in 2020 due to the COVID pandemic. This year, after reviewing safety measures, city leaders decided to host the carnival this year.
“What says family fun like a spring carnival?” said Wyoming’ Recreation Director Krashawn Martin, who added the decision was made to help with the overall mental health of the community which has had to deal with the COVID pandemic over the last year.
The carnival features various rides, games and food options. (Supplied)
The carnival will inlcude various rides, games and food options. To help keep all participants, employees, and vendors safe, TJ Schmidt & Company is operating under enhanced health and safety measures in response to the COVID pandemic.
All participants are required to wear masks while attending the carnival.
The spring carnival will run Monday – Thursday from 4 – 8 p.m.; 2 – 8:30 p.m Friday; and noon – 8:30 p.m. Saturday and Sunday.
Proceeds from the carnival support City of Wyoming Parks and Recreation services and the Greater Wyoming Community Resource Alliance or GWCRA. Funds raised support youth scholarships and youth and family programming through the Wyoming Parks and Recreation Department. The GWCRA distributes funds to the community through their annual grant awarding process.
For more information about the carnival, contact the Wyoming Parks and Recreation department at 616-530-3164.
The Grand Rapids Public Museum (GRPM) is preparing once again for Collections & Cocktails, an annual fundraiser focusing on the Museum’s Collections and the stories, preservation and education efforts of artifacts within the Collections.
This year, the GRPM is offering a virtual event on Wednesday, May 19, along with small group, socially distanced, after-hours exploration of curated displays of furniture on May 19, 20 and 21.
2021 Collections & Cocktails will focus on the Museum’s Furniture Collection, and will feature rare and innovative pieces such as a handmade chair by Grand Rapids’ first furniture maker, William Haldane, pieces by iconic designers like Frank Lloyd Wright and Charles Eames, as well as examples of new techniques and materials pioneered right here in Grand Rapids.
To participate in this year’s Collections & Cocktails, you can RSVP to the virtual event, purchase tickets to the self-guided, in-person tours, or to learn more visit grpm.org/2021Collections-Cocktails or call 616-929-1728.
The Collections and Cocktails events supports the museum’s collections. (Supplied)
“Collections & Cocktails provides the Museum an opportunity to showcase a specific category of its Collections, which helps to celebrate some of the special stories unique to our community,” said Amy Van Andel, Chair of the GRPM’s Collections & Cocktails Committee. “By supporting Collections & Cocktails, you’re contributing not only to the Museum’s efforts to enrich our local community but also to its goals of providing expanded educational opportunities and worldwide access to its Collections. As we are not able to host a dinner this year, everyone who purchases tickets to the self-guided, in-person tour will receive a gift card to support a local restaurant at their leisure. This is just another way the GRPM is giving back to our hometown.”
“The Museum’s Furniture Collection is vast and diverse, showcasing the history of furniture making in the city both in the past and currently,” said Alex Forist, the GRPM’s Chief Curator. “Grand Rapids began to build a reputation as the ‘Furniture City’ in the years following the Civil War with the creation of some of the world’s largest residential furniture factories. Over the course of the 20th century, the focus has shifted to the design and manufacture of fixed seating and office furniture, but Grand Rapids remains a Furniture City to this day. Raising awareness to support this popular Collection is crucial to continue to share the story of our city and make it as accessible to the broader community through our digital Collections and fundraisers like Collections & Cocktails.”
Funds raised during Collections & Cocktails support the Museum’s Collection of over 250,000 artifacts and specimens, caring for and preserving these pieces, including their stories and use in educational programs.
Thanks to the support of local furniture companies and partners, the Museum is adding several pieces of furniture into its permanent Collections including modern examples from companies like Haworth, Herman Miller, Steelcase, Irwin Seating Company, Grand Rapids Chair Company, IDA Design, Landscape Forms, Portobello Road, and others.
On May 19, 20 and 21, ticket holders can explore the GRPM’s iconic furniture artifacts, as well as displays by local furniture companies at a special time after the Museum’s regular operating hours. Self-guided tours will be timed entry to ensure social distancing, and small groups will be determined by ticket purchasers. Masks are required during the entire visit.
Along with the GRPM Collections, curated displays from local furniture partners will offer a full experience of Grand Rapids-made furniture. Furniture display partners include: Belwith Keeler, BOLD Furniture, Custer, Inc., Grand Rapids Chair Co., Grand Rapids Public Museum, Haworth, Herman Miller, Irwin Seating, Kendall College of Art & Design, Kindel Grand Rapids, Landscape Forms and Steelcase. Select furniture displays will be available to the public for viewing when visiting the Museum starting Monday, May 3 through Friday, May 21.
On their tours, attendees will have the opportunity to visit newly renovated classrooms within the GRPM. These state-of-the-art classrooms have been upgraded with furniture and design elements with the accessibility of all learners at the forefront, thanks to a grant from Michigan Council for Arts and Cultural Affairs (MCACA) along with support from Steelcase and Custer. A gift bag featuring New Holland Brewing take-home cocktails and gift cards to local restaurants will be distributed to attendees.
Anyone interested in supporting the care of the Furniture Collections along with the thousands of other pieces in the GRPM’s Collections can do so through sponsorship of Collections & Cocktails or by purchasing tickets to the tours being offered. More information on funding opportunities can be found at grpm.org/2021Collections-Cocktails or by contacting Gina Schulz at gschulz@grpm.org or 616.929.1705. To register for the virtual program on May 19, visit grpm.org/Collections-Cocktails.
Bands, Brews and BBQ Festival will return July 10 at Big Rapids. (pxhere.com)
By Sandra Braden Mecosta County Visitors Bureau
The Bands, Brews and BBQ Festival committee are excited to announce that they will be back this summer at the Big Rapids Bandshell on July 10 from 2 p.m.- 10 p.m., for an amazing day of Bands, Brews and BBQ.
In an effort of looking for new and exciting ways to generate greater awareness of the Big Rapids Region, the Mecosta County Visitors Bureau (MCVB) partnered with the Big Rapids Lions Club in 2019 to bring back the highly anticipated Blues, Brews and BBQ Festival. “This has been a great partnership between the two organizations,” stated Connie Koepke – Executive Director of the Mecosta County Visitors Bureau. “The MCVB’s mission is to market the area’s tourism highlights in hopes of capturing overnight stays at area hotels, as well as return visits to the hotels,” which is where the Visitors Bureau receives its funding from. The Lions Club mission is to raise funds that can be used in support of a large variety of activities that improve their communities and help people in need. Dave Hamelund with the Big Rapids Lions Club states, “Some of the Lions Club projects include assisting the hearing impaired, providing diabetes awareness and education materials, working on environmental projects and developing youth programs.”
With the two organizations working together on this amazing event, they are able to not only accomplish both of the groups’ missions and goals, but also create an extraordinary event that can be enjoyed by all. “You may have noticed a change in the name of this year’s event, altering Blues to Bands.” This allows the ability to offer more variety of musical styles and bands as this annual event continues throughout the years to come,” noted Koepke.
The day of the event is set for Saturday, July 10, from 2 – 10 p.m., which is a great kickoff to fair week that begins on Monday the 12. The festival will not only include amazing music throughout the day but also local restaurants, offering at least one BBQ themed item, a beer tent as well as a vendor area for community businesses and/or crafters to sell their wares. Cost for a vendor table is just $25 for the day.
The Mecosta County Visitors Bureau, whom is once again sponsoring the event, noted that there is one other change in this year’s festival. There will not be a charge or ticket cost to attend. The festival will be FREE and open to public. “We are asking that those attending do offer a donation that will go towards the Lions Club and the organizations that they support along with a small portion going to help toward next year’s event expenses,” stated Dave Hamelund of the Big Rapids Lions Club.
Current schedule for the day includes: Kickoff with the Veterans Warrior Motorcycle Club and a Salute to our Veterans, National Anthem (performed by Alison LeVeque) and then a fun-filled day of nonstop Bands, Brews and BBQ.
This year’s musical lineup includes: Key West Permafrost Blues Band, Rochelle & the Spoilers, Brenda Loomis Band and Benzing-Graves Collective. The festival’s MC will be by local musical talent Kelly Quinn. Quinn will also performing during the bands’ transitioning between their sets/acts.
If you are interested in more details and/or to purchase a vendor table at the event, please reach out to the Mecosta County Visitors Bureau at director@bigrapids.org or by calling 231.796.7640.
Visitors have a limited time left to explore the popular Under the Arctic and Sean Kenney’s Wild Connections Made with LEGO® Bricks exhibitions at the Grand Rapids Public Museum (GRPM). Under the Arctic’s last date to visit will be Sunday, April 25 and the last date to visit Wild Connections is Sunday, May 2.
“The Museum continues to offer an unforgettable experience for the community, and currently these popular exhibitions offer two distinct experiences allowing all ages to learn about science, ecosystems and the human impact on nature, in a fun and immersive way,” said Kate Kocienski, the GRPM’s Vice President of Marketing and PR. “Museums offer a low-risk opportunity for the community to get out of the house, spark their curiosity and create family memories, while learning and having fun. We encourage visitors to plan their trip in advance to see these exhibits before they leave Grand Rapids.”
Explore larger-than-life sculptures made with more than 2 million LEGO® bricks in Sean Kenney’s Wild Connections Made with LEGO® Bricks! Kids and adults are in awe of the stunning sculptures that teach about animal endangerment, ecosystems, and mankind’s relationship with nature. Favorites include the hummingbird that defies gravity, the mountain goats whose textured fur is made from small LEGO® brick people when you look closely at the detail, and the miniature cityscape. Wild Connections must be added in addition to general admission tickets for your visit.
Included with your admission tickets, Under the Arctic addresses climate change through the lens of a thawing Arctic environment to educate visitors about permafrost’s fascinating characteristics and its greater implications. Featuring various interactive components, this exhibit includes a 30-foot-long Alaskan permafrost tunnel replica, fossil research stations and interactive games.
Visit grpm.org to purchase tickets today to see these fascinating exhibitions before they are gone. Kent County residents receive discounted admission to the GRPM, including Kent County kids aged 17 and under receiving free general admission everyday! Wild Connections tickets are only $4 for the public and $2 for GRPM members.
“Under the Arctic” is set to close on April 25. (Supplied)
Advance ticket purchase is required before you visit to ensure a seamless and contactless entry for each visitor. Visitors are required to wear masks properly during the duration of their visit. The Museum offers a low-risk environment with increased sanitization stations and cleaning protocols, hospital grade HVAC ion filters for air filtration, and limited capacity for daily entrance to ensure social distancing.
While dinning at a restaurant called The Whitney in Detroit, Beverlee Rydel took a photo that remains unexplained. The paranormal possibilities of this photo fueled a passion that lead to a 12-year crusade, often traveling tens of thousands of miles per year across Michigan to research paranormal activity. Rydel and her sister Kathleen Tedsen shared the adventure as they bravely ventured into a world of the unknown.
This paranormal pilgrimage and their tedious historical research culminated in Rydel and Tedsen becoming the award winning authors of “Haunted Travels of Michigan.” This three book series is a unique book and website interactive experience. Each story has its own “Secret Room” offering audio, video, and behind the scene colored photos online, where evidence can be reviewed. Rydel and Tedsen included several of Michigan’s top paranormal investigating teams at many of the haunted locations. Their common goal was to separate fact from fiction when it comes to ghost stories, urban legends, folklore, and myth.
Beverlee Rydel
Honorably, if the authors were investigating a location and “no ghostly activity was identified,” they made it clear, “didn’t turn up any paranormal evidence,” and were not afraid to say “no ghosts” here at this time. Hunting ghosts can be a hazardous hobby with inherent risks and real dangers and is not recommended for amateurs. The serious side of the supernatural is explored as Rydell and Tedsen detail accounts of demons and deliverance. Deliverance is needed when obsession nears possession and can be defined as an exorcism.
Rydel and Tedsen followed their highly successful “Haunted Travels of Michigan” book series with their final book, a collaboration titled “Stepping Into Darkness.” Gone but never to be forgotten, Rydel passed away before the book was completed. Tedsen completed the project with chapter one covering Eloise Psychiatric Hospital, considered to be one of Michigan’s top ten most haunted sites. The author’s special connection introduces the reader to “Mark” a patient at the hospital. The personal insights are astonishingly detailed and descriptive.
Kathleen Tedsen
Another chapter is titled, “Lost Boy of Mackinac Island.” In this story the sisters put together clues from the previous year and are able to encourage the spirit of a young boy to cross over to the other side. Channeling peace to the living and the dead is the ultimate goal of ghost hunters. According to Rydel and Tedsen, “Something does exist out there…Something that can’t be explained…Something paranormal.”
Disclaimer: Since my last article on Mackinac Island, I interviewed Todd Clements and he no longer supports the details of “The Drowning Pool” story.
It’s a bird, it’s a plane, it’s Superhero Day at John Ball Zoo! Come dressed as your favorite superhero and meet amazing superheroes in-person on Thursday, April 8, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Zoo guests can meet the rotating group of superheroes including Black Panther, Captain America, Captain Marvel, Spider-Man, Star Lord, Thor, Black Widow and more.
Guests can also discover themed animal enrichment and signs at animal habitats showcasing animal superpowers. Plus, they can enjoy Superhero-themed concessions like Hulk Floss, Spidey Slush, and a Captain America Freezy.
Superhero Day meet-and-greet is included in regular admission. Along with meeting superheroes, guests can also see the Zoo’s BRICKLIVE Supersized! toy brick exhibition, along with the triplet red panda cubs, and the Canada lynx kitten.
John Ball Zoo notes that the superhero meet-and-greet will be different this year. Instead of individual photo opportunities with each character, guests will have the opportunity to meet and take photos with a group of superheroes on the beautiful Bissell Tree House deck. For the safety of the superheroes and guests, these magical interactions will be from a safe social distance.
There are a limited number of guest tickets available for Superhero Day. The Zoo recommends reserving timed entry tickets online prior to arrival. This will ensure a guest’s entry as the Zoo cannot guarantee tickets will be available for walk-up ticket purchases. This includes the special early entry for John Ball Zoo members who can meet the superheroes an hour before the Zoo opens to everyone.
Spring Zoo admission is $12 for adults, $10 for children (3-12) and seniors, and children 2 and under are free.
John Ball Zoo notes they are following the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services that require masks from all guests over the age of 5, both indoors and outdoors.
John Ball Zoo is located on Fulton Ave., one mile west of downtown Grand Rapids. For more information www.jbzoo.org or (616)-336-4301.
In recognition of World Autism Awareness Day, the Grand Rapids Public Museum (GRPM) and Hope Network invite visitors affected by autism and other sensory processing needs to visit for a Sensory Friendly Museum Night on Thursday, April 22, from 5:30 until 8 p.m. held at the GRPM.
The Museum will adapt sounds, lighting and activities within the current exhibits to create a low-sensory experience for the evening. Visitors can add an experience to see Sean Kenney’s Wild Connections Made with LEGO® Bricks, as well as a visit to the Chaffee Planetarium to view the GRPM created show, Subatomic: Detecting the Unseen, in which the lighting and sound will be adapted. This Planetarium show will play at 6 p.m.
One in every sixty-eight children are on the Autism spectrum, with another child being diagnosed every 20 minutes. Hope Network has been at the forefront of autism treatment since opening its first Center For Autism in Kentwood in 2011, which was Michigan’s first all-inclusive treatment center. Hope Network now has five Centers For Autism across the state, all of which use Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) therapy and comprehensive clinical services to empower those with autism to overcome challenges to achieve their highest level of independence.
“Hope Network has long been committed to positively impacting the lives of children and families affected by autism,” said Phil Weaver, Hope Network President and CEO. “We are honored to sponsor this event which allows families the opportunity to enjoy a fun night out to enjoy all that the Grand Rapids Public Museum has to offer.”
The West Michigan Habitats at the Grand Rapids Public Museum. (Supplied)
“The Museum strives to create inclusive experiences for all visitors, including being both physically and cognitively accessible,” said Dale Robertson, President & CEO of the GRPM. “We are pleased to partner with Hope Network again to allow families to explore the Museum in a low sensory environment, and to take part in our Subatomic Planetarium show which was designed for audiences with sensory processing challenges.”
The GRPM partners with KultureCity to improve the Museum’s experience for guests with a variety of sensory processing needs. A limited amount of sensory bags containing fidget tools, noise canceling headphones and other resources are available for checkout at the Museum’s front desk.
Pre-registration for the Sensory Friendly Museum Night is required; visit grpm.org to sign up. To add Wild Connections or the Subatomic Planetarium show, use the “continue shopping” feature and find Wild Connections under the Admission tab and Subatomic under the Planetarium tab. For additional information, please visit grpm.org.
Iconic glittery red shoes, Judy Garland’s famous rendition of “Somewhere Over the Rainbow,” and the classic story down the yellow brick road will fill Tibbits’ big screen on April 10 at 4 p.m. when the 1939 classic “The Wizard of Oz” is presented as part of the Community-Sponsored Programming.
Starring Judy Garland, Ray Bolger, Bert Lahr, Jack Haley and Margaret Hamilton, the film favorite is based on the 1900 American novel by L. Frank Baum. Rated PG, this movie is fun for the entire family. After a tornado rips through Kansas, Dorothy and her dog Toto are swept away to the magical and vibrant land of Oz. In order to find their way back home, they must embark on a journey to the Emerald City to see the Wizard of Oz. On their way there, they befriend a Scarecrow who longs for a brain, a Tin Man who desires a heart, and a Cowardly Lion who seeks courage. The group is hopeful that the ‘Great Oz’ will be able to fulfill their wishes. Not far behind them is the Wicked Witch of the West, who is out for revenge after Dorothy’s house fell on and killed her sister, the Wicked Witch of the East.
Sponsored by the Tibbits Opera House Endowment – Children’s Programming Fund, this screening is the fourth installment of Community-Sponsored Programming. For those who have always wanted to see a certain movie on the big screen or have their band play on the historic stage, Tibbits is still offering the opportunity for community members to plan and sponsor their own public performance at a fraction of the normal rental price.
The theatre doors, general admission seating, and concession sales for “The Wizard of Oz” begin at 3:30pm with donations at the door. Due to current restrictions, seating for all events is limited and masks are required upon entering and when moving about the theatre.
For more information or to purchase tickets for upcoming events, visit Tibbits.org, stop in at Tibbits business offices at 93 W. Chicago St., Coldwater, or call 517.278.6029. The historic Tibbits Opera House is located at 14 S. Hanchett St., Coldwater.
A year’s worth of activities, special events and activities focused on northern Michigan and one-time summer resident Ernest Hemingway is planned for the Village of Walloon Lake throughout 2021. Walloon Lake is nestled between Boyne City and Petoskey just off US-131 in Charlevoix and Emmet Counties.
The first large program is Walloon Lake Reads: The Nick Adams Stories which kicks off on Thursday, April 1 and runs through mid-May. A Hemingway Birthday Celebration is also planned for Wednesday, July 21 (Ernest was born on this date in 1899) with a handful of family-friendly events. Labor Day weekend, September 3-6, will be the primary Hemingway Homecoming featuring the unveiling of historical installations downtown focused on Hemingway as well as other aspects of the village’s development and growth at the end of the nineteenth and early twentieth century – like early rail travel, hotels and resorts, boating and more.
Various businesses in town, specifically Hotel Walloon, Walloon Lake Inn and Barrel Back Restaurant, are showcasing various foods and beverages throughout the year in honor of Hemingway’s passion for such things. Themed lodging packages will also focus on activities that the Pulitzer and Nobel Prize winning author enjoyed – like fly fishing.
Ernest Hemingway was just three months old when he made his first trip from his hometown of Oak Park, IL to Walloon Lake where his parents – Clarence and Grace (Hall) – had purchased property along the North Shore. Ernest spent time every summer until 1922 at the family’s beloved Windemere cottage there, the simple cottage still owned by descendants today. The woods and waters in and around Walloon Lake shaped Hemingway’s life in many ways and it was a place he always held dear to his heart. It was here that his 1972 posthumously published book, The Nick Adams Stories, is primarily set.
The Village of Walloon Lake has also launched a website at WalloonLakeMi.com to provide information to locals and visitors alike throughout the year and beyond. An official Village Facebook page also provides regular updates and historical tidbits at Facebook.com/WalloonLakeMi.
Part of the spring break fun at the Grand Rapids Public Museum will be the food truck ART:Caribean Fusion Cuisine.
The Grand Rapids Public Museum (GRPM) has announced its spring break plans which will include live science shows, intriguing exhibits and planetarium shows, as well as festive food experience featuring a food truck from ART: Caribbean Fusion Cuisine along with an assortment of beverages and beer from City Built Brewing Company.
“For families enjoying a staycation for Spring Break or for those visiting Grand Rapids, the Museum offers a family fun-filled experience with exciting exhibits, science shows and more to keep kids learning while having fun,” said Kate Kocienski, the GRPM’s Vice President of Marketing & PR. “Our offerings cater to visitors of all ages and we’re eager to welcome everyone to the Museum to enjoy engaging activities in a low-risk environment.”
Explore larger-than-life sculptures made with more than 2 million LEGO® bricks in Sean Kenney’s Wild Connections Made with LEGO® Bricks to learn about animal endangerment, the balance of ecosystems, and mankind’s relationship with nature. This exhibition, produced by Imagine Exhibitions, depicts important topics that artist Sean Kenney holds dear, from protecting an animals’ habitat, to planting a garden, or using a bike instead of a car. Wild Connections further shows that just as LEGO® pieces interconnect, everything in nature is interconnected in a delicate balance. The narratives, along with the intricate displays, also explore the importance of conservation, the balance of ecosystems, predator/prey relationships, as well as the relationships between humankind and the natural world. This exhibition is open for a limited time. Tickets to Wild Connections must be purchased with general admission to the Museum.
“Bee” in “Sean Kenney’s Wild Connections Made with LEGOs” at the Grand Rapids Public Museum through May 2. (Supplied)
Additionally with general admission, analyze fossils from the last Ice Age in the Under the Arctic exhibit to learn about permafrost, as well as the people and the animals that live in this area, experience historic Grand Rapids made with LEGO® bricks and journey through three floors of core exhibits, with visitors favorites, West Michigan Habitats and the Streets of Old Grand Rapids. Advance ticket purchase required; early ticket purchase is recommended, as tickets will sell out given capacity limits. Visit grpm.org to purchase tickets.
The Roger B. Chaffee Planetarium’s spring break shows will take place four times a day and include: Incoming!, Under Starlit Skies, Escher’s Universe, One World, One Sky: Big Bird’s Adventure and The Queen Light Show From Mercury to Mars. Planetarium shows are $4 with general admission to the Museum, $2 for Museum members, and $5 for planetarium only. Visit grpm.org/Planetarium for a complete list of showtimes and descriptions.
Visitors are required to reserve advance tickets at grpm.org for quick, easy access into the Museum during Spring Break. Kent County residents receive reduced admission to the GRPM, thanks to the passing of a Kent County millage in 2016, including free general admission for Kent County children 17 and under! Kent County adults and seniors receive reduced pricing as well as free parking.
The Grand Rapids Public Museum (GRPM) announced that its Camp Curious summer programs are now open for registration. The Museum will offer in-person, small group camps, as well as virtual Digital Discovery sessions for kids to explore the wonders of science, history, culture and more.
Kids pre-K through 12th grade will use the Museum as a learning lab through a variety of camp offerings, beginning June 14 and are available through mid-August, 2021.
“We’re excited to offer a mixture of in person camps as well as Digital Discovery sessions to the community this year,” said Rob Schuitema, the GRPM’s Director of Public Programs. “Both opportunities will provide students with the tools and guidance they need to have fun while learning and making genuine connections to the curriculum and the Museum. As always, our team is thrilled to share their expertise and enthusiasm for science, history and culture with the next cohort of curious minds this summer.”
Camp Curious offers single day or multiple day camps and are available by the grade level students will be entering in the fall. Popular camps include Slimy Science, Fossil Hunters, Dream it, Build it with LEGO® Bricks and Young Wizards Academy. New, in-person camps this year include River Critters, Adaptations & Pollinators, Fun Tech and River Explorers.
Digital Discovery Sessions encourage campers to explore and investigate through hands-on experiments and activities, while using common items in their homes as well as artifacts and specimens in the GRPM’s digital Collections. New this year, Stargazers gives students the opportunity to explore the wonders of the universe by learning how to navigate Stellarium, an open-source software that will bring the power of the planetarium to their home. Other virtual offerings include Slimy Science, Time Travelers, Dream it, Build it with LEGO® Bricks, Wizards Academy and the Grand Photo Project.
Digital Discovery sessions will require access to the internet and the use of a device to watch presentations and receive daily instructions. These sessions will utilize the virtual platform SeeSaw, with most activities taking place off-line. Digital Discovery sessions are designed for campers to do projects independently; the Museum recommends that parents of young children (1st – 3rd grade) be present. Digital Discovery session supplies include common items from around your home, and can be interchangeable based on what campers have access to. Recommended lists can be found at grpm.org/EduClasses.
Pricing for camps vary, starting as low as $35 for single day, in person camps and $40 for multi-day Digital Discovery sessions, with discounts available for Museum members. For more information on Camp Curious and Digital Discovery Sessions and to register today, visit grpm.org/Educlasses. Early registration is highly recommended, as camps will sell out.
The Arts Council of Greater Kalamazoo (ACGK) is excited to announce the return of in-person Art Hop in downtown Kalamazoo on Friday, April 2, from 6 to 8 p.m. This free outdoor event will feature local artists and downtown businesses showcased in booths along Bates Alley and the South Kalamazoo Mall.
After a year of virtual Art Hops, the Arts Council is looking forward to bringing the community together in a safe, socially-distanced outdoor space. Guests can grab drinks within the Downtown Social District to sip, stroll, and enjoy locally made art. DJ Todd Brown will be providing live music entertainment. The event will follow all COVID-19 guidelines in compliance with the state of Michigan.
The Arts Council’s Programs Director, Bianca Washington-Ciungan, announced, “I am so excited to safely return to an in-person Art Hop. I am grateful that we have been able to present a virtual option successfully, but there’s nothing like being able to support our artists and businesses in a face-to-face fashion.”
Participating businesses include Honor Credit Union, Fuze Kitchen and Bar, Green Top Tavern, Kalamazoo Candle Company, V & A Bootery, Cherri’s Chocol’art, Colors & Cocktails, and MRC ArtWorks. Local artists that will be showing their work in-person include Kevin Hamman, Alexa Karabin, Jonathan Wijnberg, and Amy Lou Gieschen as well as many more.
For those who are not able to attend in-person, the Arts Council’s website will have a virtual gallery featuring work by local artists, and a three-part artist spotlight interview series with Alexa Karabin, Linda Rzoska, and Pam Kirkham. Additionally, the Stulberg International String Competition will be livestreaming its virtual Bravo! concert at 7 p.m. The Arts Council is also celebrating the launch of its new Art Hop app, allowing the event to go paperless just in time for Earth Day. The app serves as a guide to all things Art Hop and can be downloaded as a shortcut icon through any smartphone web browser at www.kalamazooarthop.org. Art Hop would not be possible without the support of the ACGK’s generous program sponsors, LKF Marketing, Irving S. Gilmore Foundation, Michigan Council for Arts & Cultural Affairs, Dorothy U Dalton Foundation, Marvin and Rosalie Okun Foundation, KalBlue, Kalamazoo Valley Community College, Kalamazoo Valley Museum, D.L. Gallivan Office Solutions, and the National Endowment for the Arts.
Have you visited the Grand Rapids Public Museum or the Grand Rapids Art Museum lately? The Grand Rapids Public Museum is open from 10 a.m. – 5 p.m. Saturday and Sunday and features an array of exhibits including “Sean Kenney’s Wild Connections made with Lego Bricks.” For more information, visit www.grpm.org. The Grand Rapids Art Museum is open noon to 6 p.m. Saturday and is featuring the work of Grand Rapids native Mathias Alten along with arts and craft pieces and hero portraits created by Detroit artists. Visit www.artmuseumgr.org for more information.
Where are all the wolverines?
While Michigan is the Wolverine State there are actually no wolverines, outside of capitative that is, that live in the state. The last known Michigan wolverine is stuffed and in a private collection. It was killed in 1860. According to Michigan State University zoologist Rollin Baker, there may have been wolverines in the state as late as the 1900s, but most of what he found was hearsay. Some believe that wolverines, which most are living in the far mountains of Canada, were never populous in Michigan but rather a name given to the white settlers by Native Americans because they were gobbling up all the Michigan land. The animal was strongly disliked by the Native Americans because it often feeds on dead animals and humans.
After last year’s successful run of the “BRICKLIVE Animal Paradise” — despite a pandemic — the John Ball Zoo will have what some might consider a part two with tis “BRICKLIVE Supersized!” exhibition.
Opening this Saturday when the Zoo officials kicks off its season, “BRICKLIVE Supersized!” will feature more than 30 sculptures created with nearly two million toy bricks. The sculptures supersize some of nature’s smallest and mightiest creatures.
For example, the small and new Bornean neon blue-legged tarantula is a recently discovered species in nature that fits in the palm of a hand, but with “BRICKLIVE Supersized!,” it is magnified 84 times, standing 12 feet tall.
The brightly-colored common kingfisher, which is small and territorial in real life, is magnified more than 30 times to a towering 11 feet tall toy brick sculpture. (Supplied)
From the small and stinky honey badger to the small and highly venomous blue-ringed octopus, all creatures have been chosen for their colorful appearance in nature, unusual natural abilities, and because they can be magnified to an eye-popping size.
As guests make their way through John Ball Zoo, they will discover more about these often misunderstood creatures, including birds, reptiles, amphibians, arachnids, insects, mammals, and marine species that are truly small and mighty in nature.
Each sculpture will have educational signage featuring facts about where the animal lives in the world, what they eat, and their real-life size, along with how magnified the sculpture is, how many toy bricks were used, the amount of time and the number of builders it took to create.
“BRICKLIVE Supersized!” will be on display at John Ball Zoo through Sept. 26 and is included with general admission.
Admission prices for the Zoo’s spring season is $10 for seniors and children (ages 3-12) and $12 per adult. Children aged 2 and under are free. Spring hours are Monday through Friday, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., and Saturday and Sunday, 9 a.m. to 6 p.m.
To reserve timed entry tickets and for more information, visit John Ball Zoo’s website at www.jbzoo.org/visitandtickets. If you have any questions, call 616-336-4300 or email info@jbzoo.org.
The beauty of the blue-ringed octopus, which is the world’s smallest and highly venomous octopus, can be seen in the BRICKLIVE “Supersized!” exhibit at John Ball Zoo. (Supplied)
“There are thousands of butterflies from all around the world flying right here in Grand Rapids,” said Horticulturalist Laurel Gaut.
The theme of the 2021 butterfly exhibition is “Into the Glass House.” A glass container known as a Wardian case provides the viewer with a close up look at specimens. (WKTV/Joanne Bailey-Boorsma)
Visitors tour through the Lena Meijer Tropical Conservatory, a 15,000-square-foot space filled with tropical plants, vibrant foliage, and a balmy atmosphere.
More than 60 species of butterflies reside within the space. More than 1,000 pupae are shipped to the Meijer Gardens weekly from as far away as Costa Rica, Ecuador, the Philippines, and Kenya.
The theme of the 2021 butterfly exhibition is “Into the Glass House.” A glass container known as a Wardian case provides the viewer with a close up look at specimens.
The exhibit runs through April 30. Members can attend the exhibit for free, while students and children receive a discount. For more information about the butterfly exhibition, visit www.meijergardens.org
The South Haven HarborFest has made the announcement that the 2021 event has been cancelled.
According to a press release, after an enormous amount of thought, including discussions with community leaders, the decision was made to cancel this year’s event.
“While trends in terms of the COVID infection rates are encouraging and regional vaccination programs are ramping up, we feel there are still too many unknowns and uncertainties with the ever changing restrictions and guidelines to allow us to proceed forward in safety hosting our wonderful event,” according to a press release from the committee.
The South Haven HarborFest usually takes place in June. The committee said it is working on the 2022 event.
Rose, Ruby and Willow are ready to meet their adorning fans which will be soon as the John Ball Zoo prepares for its opening day, March 27.
The zoo’s season officially kicks off at 9 a.m. that day with admission tickets going on sale starting this Friday, March 12, for opening day, through April 11.
The red panda triplets, Rose, Ruby, and Willow, are three of the most anticipated animals for guests to see this season, according to zoo officials. Born June 25, 2020, the three were growing and bonding behind the scenes last season and were out of the view of guests. The three are now romping and playing outside for everyone to enjoy along with their parents, Wyatt and Wasabi.
Also making a debut is Yoshi, a Canadian lynx born last May. While Yoshi may not look like a kitten anymore, she still has the same playful and energetic spirit that makes her a guest favorite.
Guest favorite Yosi, a Canadian Lynx, will be making an appearance during opening day. (Supplied/John Ball Zoo)
Many of the John Ball Zo’s animals are active and playful in the cool spring weather, while others prefer to stay inside until warmer temperatures arrive. There are a number of viewing opportunities for guest in the Aquarium, Natural Teasures, Frog’s buildings, and the chimpanzees in their day room.
Also on opening day, John Ball Zoo will offer a sneak peek into the SUPERSIZED exhibition. This exhibition supersizes nature’s small and mighty. From sneaky predators such as the fearless honey badger to the venomous blue-ringed octopus, the more than 30 toy brick sculptures are featured because of their colorful appearance in nature, unusual natural ability, and because they can be magnified to an eye-popping size.
John Ball Zoo will be operating at a limited guest capacity. Guests should reserve an online timed-entry ticket to secure their visit time. Tickets will be available at the zoo but immediate entry is not guaranteed. Spring hours are 10 a.m. – 4 p.m. Monday through Friday and 9 a.m. – 6 p.m. Saturday and Sunday.
Following the regulations of the State of Michigan and the Centers for Disease Control, all guess ages 5 and older will be required to wear a mask at all times and everywhere in John Ball Zoo, including outdoor spaces. Guests may remove their mask temporarily to eat or drink when at a safe distance from others.
Social distancing will be encouraged and additional hand washing and sanitizing stations will be available along with cashless transactions and monitoring the number of guests inside buildings.
To reserve timed entry tickets and for more information, visit John Ball Zoo’s website at www.jbzoo.org/visitandtickets. For questions, call 616-336-4300 or email info@jbzoo.org.
Auditions. It was a word we thought we would never hear again, yet today Circle Theater announced it would hold auditions for its summer season.
“We are thrilled to be able to finally welcome back our wonderful community of actors, said Circle Theatre Executive and Artistic Director Lynne Brown-Tepper. “We are excited to hold auditions again after so many months of the Theatre being dark. We know that everyone is looking forward to doing what we all love in the place that we all love.
“After all, the Grand Rapids theater community is more that just a community — It’s a family and we have been waiting for this time, when we can all be together again.”
Through March 14, Circle Theatre will be hosting virtual auditions for three of its upcoming productions, ‘The Gin Game” and ‘Always…Patsy Cline.” These two will be Circle On the Lawn productions with the shows being performed on a stage set up on the Circle Theatre lawn.
Virtual auditions for “Cabaret”” will take place through March 28. In July, Circle Theatre will move back into its main stage with “Cabaret.”
“While we are disappointed that we will not be able to produce the first three originally planned productions, we are thrilled to be able to offer some new opportunities for performers of a variety of ages, with an emphasis on casting performers of color,” Tepper said.
“The Gin Game,” the winner of the 1978 Pulitzer Prize for Drama, brings audiences along for a game of wits, as Weller Martin and Fonsia Dorsey meet on the porch of their nursing home and strike up a friendship. Weller teaches Fonsia how to play gin rummy and they share stories of their lives. That is until Fonsia keeps winning every hand and the gin games become a battleground.
“Always…Patsy Cline” is a tribute to the legendary country singer who died at the age of 30 in a plane crash in 1963. The story is based on Cline’s real-life friendship with one of her fans, Louise Seger.
Winner of 12 Tony Awards, “Cabaret” is one of the most recognized musicals in the world. The story, set in 1931 Berlin, focuses on the nightlife at the seedy Kit Kat Klub and revolves around American writer Cliff Bradshaw and his relationship with cabaret performer Sally Bowles.
It’s been said, “No man is an island” but they probably haven’t met Mackinac Island’s haunted historian expert Todd Clements. Clements authored “Haunts of Mackinac: Ghost Stories, Legends & Tragic Tales of Mackinac Island,” and followed it with his second book where he added “The Next Chapter” to the title.
Author Todd Clements
“Haunts of Mackinac” is also the name of Clements’ nightly Haunted History Tours on the island. These 90-minute guided tours start in May and run until late October. It’s about an hour walk ending at Mission Point. It’s family and pet friendly and is filled with ghost stories and tragic tales of the islands history.
Clements” books offer pictures, descriptions, actual addresses, and maps to the islands’ haunted locations. Each ghost story location is provided with a “Haunting & Ghosts Activity Scale” to measure the level of intensity or strength of activity, the regularity or frequency of activity, and the time scale or most recent activity. Either, one, two, or three stars, with 3 stars being the most recent, most intense, and most frequent. Several locations received three stars in all three categories on the list of most haunted, including: Mission Point Resort, Rifle Range Trails, Fort Mackinac, St. Cloud Dormitory, and Pine Cottage & Chateau Lorraine.
The Grand Hotel has been rumored to be a “hot spot” for paranormal activity with an “Evil Entity,” a black mass with glowing red eyes. Other haunts have a ghost playing piano man wearing a top hat and a woman in Victorian clothing roaming the halls and getting into beds. The Drowning Pool has a tragic story of seven women/witches, who as a test to determine if they were witches, had rocks tied to their feet and were thrown into the pool to see if they would float. They sank and drowned. Visitors say they see these seven women floating and splashing in the Drowning Pool. Mission Point has its resident ghost, “Harvey” who either died of a suicide or was murdered, “Harvey” likes to pinch and poke people.
Todd Clements’ book “Haunts of Mackinac: Ghost Stories, Legends & Tragic Tales of Mackinac Island”
Mackinac Island is a perfect storm for paranormal activity. The surrounding water currents create electrical magnetic fields which ghost are able to use to help them manifest as apparitions. The huge limestone cliffs can store residual energies created during wars and play back these tragic events as ghost activity. Combine these factors with the history of some of the oldest residential and private homes in Michigan and you have the catalyst for paranormal calamity.
Clements was the guest on the eighth episode of Grand Rapids Ghost Hunters Podcast and we featured him on Cryptic Frequencies episode 12.
