Tag Archives: Hairspray

Gonzo’s Top 5: Golf, Broadway, and helping each other

Entertainment, Gonzo's Top 5, Local Entertainment, Recreation, , , , , , , ,

By John D. Gonzalez
WKTV Contributing Writer

 

Welcome to the weekend, my friends.

 

I think we’re all ready for Spring Break or even Mid-Winter Break.

At least we have MLK Day (Monday, Jan. 17), which is a Federal holiday, but more than just a day off.

In honor of Martin Luther King, Jr’.s birthday, and ideals, it is meant to empower individuals, strengthen communities, bridge barriers, create solutions to social problems, and move us closer to Dr. King’s vision of a “Beloved Community.”

We all need that.

 

In the meantime, let’s look at things to do this weekend in my Gonzo’s Top 5, exclusively on WKTV Journal.

5. Pop Up Disc Golf 


It might be 40 degrees. It might be below zero. Who knows this time of year? Well, if you’re a disc golf enthusiast, you don’t care too much. You love being outdoors. That’s why you might want to know about a Pop Up Disc Golf event from 10 a.m.-3 p.m. Saturday (Jan. 29) at Covenant Park, 3724 Shaffer Ave. SE, in Kentwood. This is a fun, nine-hole disc golf course. There is no cost to participate, but you must bring your own discs. Restrooms will be available in the clubhouse. This event was supposed to be this weekend, but was changed because of the frigid temperatures. Presented by City of Kentwood Parks and Recreation Department. More info on the Facebook event page.

4. Maple Hill Golf – Huge Golf LIquidation Sale

Speaking of a different kind of golf, the one where I yell “Heads Up” all the time, golf lovers can head out this weekend to the DeltaPlex in Walker for this huge liquidation sale. Presented by Maple Hill Golf, more than $2 million worth of equipment will be for sale. This year’s event marks the 22nd year of the sale, and the first year at the DeltaPlex. Hours are 10 a.m.-7 p.m. Friday, and 9 a.m.-4 p.m. Saturday. Admission is $5. Ages 12 and younger free. More info at www.deltaplex.com.

3. Public Skate at Van Andel Arena

If you have missed free skating at Rosa Parks Circle this winter, it’s back this weekend. No, the construction project is still going on, but thanks to the city’s parks and recreation department, Downtown Grand Rapids, Inc. (DGRI) and Van Andel Arena, free skating is available on Sunday (Jan. 16) at Van Andel Arena. You must reserve a skating time, but walk ups are an option. Each session is 90 minutes and open to 150 skaters. (100 skating spots are reservable, with the remaining 50 available for walk-up skating on a first-come first-served basis.)  Go online to reserve up to six skaters at a time, HERE. Group reservations should only be made with people in the same household as the registrant. Visitors may bring their own skates. Rentals are available. Hockey equipment, such as hockey sticks and pucks, are not allowed on the ice. Hours are 2-3:30 p.m., 4-5:30 p.m., and 6-7:30 p.m.

By the way, the Grand Rapids Griffins are in town Friday and Saturday. Games are at 7 p.m. each night. More info at https://www.vanandelarena.com/events.

We are all jumping for joy that theater has returned. “Hairspray” comes to DeVos Performance Hall this week. (Photo by Jeremy Daniel)

2. “Hairspray”

Despite postponing opening night because of COVID concerns among the touring cast, the Broadway production of “Hairspray” opened Wednesday night to great reviews. Fans loved the show, as well as the return of major tours to Grand Rapids. It’s been nearly two years since Broadway Grand Rapids has been able to present a show. “Hairspray” continues through Monday, Jan. 17 at DeVos Performance Hall. (Monday’s show is the rescheduled date for the Jan. 11 postponement.) For ticket information and showtimes, go to devosperformancehall.com.

As part of its Martin Luther King Jr. Day community service project, the city will be collecting donations for its Little Free Pantry locations. (Supplied)
  1. Unity Walk to Honor MLK

The City of Kentwood was supposed to host a unity walk in honor of Martin Luther King, Jr. at 9 a.m. Saturday (Jan. 15), but it has been changed “due to the frigid temperatures forecasted for this weekend, we’ve made the difficult decision to postpone Saturday’s Unity Walk. We will share information about the rescheduled event once details are finalized.”

Organizers had hoped to help Kentwood’s Little Free Pantry with collecting canned goods after the walk. In a Facebook post, they said: “We hope you’ll still help stock Kentwood’s Little Free Pantry, which began in 2017 as an MLK Day community service project. We’re accepting canned goods and other non-perishable items at the Kentwood Activities Center 8:30 a.m.-5:30 p.m. Monday-Thursday and 8 a.m.-4 p.m. Friday. More information, including a list of suggested donations, is available at kentwood.us/LittleFreePantry.”

That’s it for now.

As always, I welcome your input and recommendations for events to include in my Top 5 list. If you have something for me to consider, just send me an email at michigangonzo@gmail.com.

Have a great, safe weekend.

John D. Gonzalez is a digital journalist with 30-plus years of experience as a food, travel, craft beer and arts & entertainment reporter based in Grand Rapids, Michigan. He also co-hosts the radio show and Podcast “Behind the Mitten,” which airs at 6 p.m. Sundays on WOOD-AM and FM. Follow him on his journey to discover what’s next. You can find him on Twitter as @MichiganGonzo, on Instagram @MichiganGonzo and Facebook at @GRGonzo. He also relaunched his YouTube Channel. Email him story ideas and tips at michigangonzo@gmail.com.

Broadway Grand Rapids 2021/2022 season opens this week with the touring production of ‘Hairspray’

Citizen Journalism, Entertainment, Local Entertainment, Recreation, , , ,
We are all jumping for joy that theater has returned. “Hairspray” comes to DeVos Performance Hall this week. (Photo by Jeremy Daniel)

By John D. Gonzalez
WKTV Contributing Writer

UPDATE: The Tuesday show has been rescheduled for Monday, Jan. 17. Contact Broadway Grand Rapids for more information.

NOTE: We regret to report that the Tuesday, Jan. 11, performance of “Hairspray” at DeVos Performance Hall is postponed due to positive COVID cases within the company. At this time, all other performances, Wednesday — Sunday, will play as scheduled. We apologize for the disappointment and inconvenience this scheduling change has caused Tuesday night ticket holders. Please hold onto your tickets while we work to rescheduled the show. Details will be sent to affected ticket holders by email as soon as they’re available.

It will take 16-year-old Tracy Turnblad as she sets out to dance her way onto TV’s most popular show to bring Broadway theater back to Grand Rapids.

“After two long years, we are excited to finally be back in the theater and have the inspiring support of so many in the community,” said Mike Lloyd, interim executive director at Broadway Grand Rapids.

“We expect 15,000 people to attend ‘Hairspray’ this week. What a perfect show to open the season, heartwarming and fun.”

“Hairspray” opens Tuesday (Jan. 11) at DeVos Performance Hall for eight performances over six days to kick off the 2021-2022 season at Broadway Grand Rapids.

In addition, Broadway Grand Rapids has announced $30 Student/Educator Rush tickets for all performances of “Hairspray.” A valid school ID is required, and the limit is two tickets per student/educator. All tickets are subject to availability. Tickets may be purchased in-person one hour prior to the performance at the DeVos Performance Hall Box Office at 303 Monroe Ave NW.

Health and Safety protocols, including proof of vaccination or negative COVID-19 test as well as mandatory masks, will be in effect.

For more details on health and safety, visit BroadwayGrandRapids.com/health. For more information on all shows, visit BroadwayGrandRapids.com.

Set in 1960s Baltimore, “Hairspray” centers on Tracy Turnblad, a girl with big dreams – and even bigger hair – who wants to change the world.

The reviews have been stellar. The New York Times said: “‘Hairspray’ is fresh, winning, and deliriously tuneful!”

The “Hairspray” cast is led by Andrew Levitt aka Nina West (from “RuPaul’s Drag Race”) as Edna Turnblad, Niki Metcalf as Tracy Turnblad and Toneisha Harris (from NBC’s “The Voice”) as Motormouth Maybelle and features the beloved score of hit songs including “Welcome to the 60’s,” “Good Morning Baltimore” and “You Can’t Stop the Beat.” according to the company’s website.

This all-new touring production reunites Broadway’s award-winning creative team led by director Jack O’Brien and choreographer Jerry Mitchell.

Niki Metcalf is Tracy Turnblad in “Hairspray” at DeVos Performance Hall this week. (Photo by Jeremy Daniel)

“It’s a brand-new world we find ourselves in today, and ‘Hairspray’ is meeting this challenge full-on with even more joy and purpose. Our fable of ‘The Little Dancing Engine That Could’ is even more relevant than twenty years ago when it first burst onto the scene,” said O’Brien in a release.

“With the renewed, refreshed energy of the unforgettable Nina West as Edna and a whole new generation of wildly talented kids across the board, we cannot wait to raise the various roofs once more with dance, joy, music, and that glorious, famous, energy-packed score! Come feel great and grateful once more!” he added.

Choreographer Jerry Mitchell said: “‘Hairspray’ has always been about all of us dancing together! I am thrilled to welcome this new company of amazing #FULLOUT talents to lead the way as we dance across America with a message of inclusion and hope because ‘You really Can’t Stop the Beat!’”

It’s a ‘never-ending story’ as Grand Rapids Civic Theatre presents two summer productions

Entertainment, , , , ,

The Neverending Story

Nancy Brozek

Grand Rapids Civic Theatre

 

After a summer filled with master level classes, hands-on training, and countless rehearsal hours, this season’s talented groups of 13-19 year old students are ready to shine in two Civic Theatre summer productions:  “The Neverending Story” and “Hairspray, Jr.”

 

Civic Theatre, known for delighting audiences with seemingly magical performances, has not held back this repertory season either.  Fans of “The Neverending Story,” an epic fantasy based on Michael Ende’s 1983 novel, will delight as they see how Bastian’s daily encounters morph into reality while he reads from the magical book. The technical aspects of this show suspend disbelief as the story telling is shared through exceptional costuming and characters that include shadow screens, puppets, and foam created characters.  Director, Allyson Paris notes “Growing up, this story was a favorite of mine.  I was drawn to the idea that a child could be reading a book and imagining it come to life – only to have it happening in real time somewhere in our universe.  This time, that somewhere is Civic Theatre’s stage.”

 

Hairspray, Jr.

The always ready, Tracy Turnbald and her justice seeking friends have few surprises in store for audiences too. “Hairspray, Jr.” will sing and dance its way into your heart . . . with moves directly from Broadway. Choreographer, Worth Hages, who played Amber VonTussle on the first national tour of “Hairspray,” has led the cast in bringing Jerry Mitchell’s delightful original choreography to life. Director Andrew Schneider said, “It’s extremely rewarding to see the passion for art grow for each student. The heart of this story is the message of love and acceptance of self and others, which is not only a perfect ‘lesson’ for these students but we are eager to share it with West Michigan audiences in such an uplifting and inspiring way.”

 

About Summer Repertory Theatre Intensive:   This program offers students (ages 13-19) a hands-on theatre experience under the direction of Civic Theatre, regional, and nationally trained professionals. Productions are produced by students, 30 of whom are making their Civic debut in this summer. Through this program, students learn performance skills, as well as technical aspects of theatre – including set design, costume design, backstage work, sound, and lights.  Both shows are family-friendly, affordable, and a great summer outing for kids and teens.

 

“The Neverending Story” and “Hairspray, Jr.” is July 28 – Aug. 6. Tickets are $10 – $16. Check www.grct.org for times.