Tag Archives: Hilarie Szarowicz

Get your tickets now for Comedian Mike Epps at the Van Andel Arena on April 20

Citizen Journalism, Entertainment, Upcoming Events, , ,

By Hilarie Szarowicz, SMG

 

Mike Epps is generating an extraordinary amount of buzz among his peers for being not only one of the funniest comic actors in town, but also for his burgeoning dramatic talent. Now Epps will bring his talents to Grand Rapids for one show at SMG-managed Van Andel Arena on Saturday, April 20, 2019 at 8pm. The show will also feature Rickey Smiley, DC Young Fly, Earthquake, and Lavell Crawford.

 

Tickets will go on sale to the general public beginning Friday, Nov. 16 at 10am. Tickets will be available at the DeVos Place® and Van Andel Arena box offices, online at Ticketmaster.com, and charge by phone at 1-800-745-3000. See Ticketmaster for all current pricing and availability.

 

Epps steadily climbed his way up the stand-up comedy ranks when he was recognized by a national audience in 1995 for appearing on HBO’s Def Comedy Jam (which, years later, he would go on to host). During a performance at LA’s Comedy Store, Epps caught the attention of Ice Cube. This led to the first of three feature films they would do together: the cult hits “Next Friday,” “Friday after Next,” and “All About the Benjamins.”
In 2011, he was awarded an NAACP Image Award for “Best Supporting Actor” for his role in the Sony Pictures film, “Jumping the Broom.” He continued to receive critical praise for his dramatic turn in 2012 with “Sparkle,” opposite Whitney Houston and Jordan Sparks. In 2016, he further pursued his dramatic side with two important roles: starring opposite Forest Whitaker and Anthony Mackie in the Lionsgate thriller, “Repentance,” being released through Lionsgate/Codeblack Entertainment, followed by the independent Nina Simone biopic, “Nina,” starring Zoe Saldana.
 
Mike was seen in three seasons of the Starz series “Survivor’s Remorse” produced by LeBron James and Mike O’Malley, and he won a 2016 NAACP Image award for “Best Supporting Actor in a Comedy Series” for his portrayal as Uncle Julius. On TV he can be seen opposite Queen Latifah in Fox’s “Star,” and he produced the first BET Social Media Awards which aired February 11. On March 28, Harper Collins released his autobiography called Unsuccessful Thug, written by Mike about his life and childhood.

Tickets for Jeff Lynne’s ELO July 23rd concert go on sale today, Oct. 29th

Citizen Journalism, Entertainment, Upcoming Events, , , ,

By Hilarie Szarowicz, SMG

 

After returning this summer with their first extensive North American tour since 1981, Jeff Lynne’s ELO is set to bring their outstanding live show to even more audiences with a 20-date summer 2019 tour. The trek, produced by Live Nation, will travel to SMG-managed Van Andel Arena in Grand Rapids on Tuesday, July 23, 2019 at 8pm.

 

Tickets go on sale to the general public beginning Monday, Oct. 29 at 10am. Tickets will be available at the DeVos Place and Van Andel Arena box offices, online at Ticketmaster.com, and charge by phone at 1-800-745-3000. A purchase limit of six (6) tickets will apply to every order. See Ticketmaster.com for all pricing and availability.

 

Anticipation was at an all-time high surrounding their 10+ date North American tour this summer, with fan and critical acclaim pouring in:

 

“Jeff Lynne’s ELO revives ‘70s symph-pop greatness… a brilliant catalog returns to U.S. stages and gives the strings-starved people what they want. The ELO catalog speaks for itself… and it was a glorious thing to behold… in a 19-song set that reprised the closest thing to truly Beatle-level pop the 1970s had to offer.” – Variety

 

“Jeff Lynne’s ELO proves timeless & spectacular… When Lynne came out with the group, the crowd went wild. The show was loaded with virtually every top hit the band recorded. Every musician on stage was fantastic while the arrangements and sound quality almost made the audience forget they were watching a live performance and not listening to their old LP records.” – Glide Magazine

 

“Jeff Lynne, ELO deliver night of magic memories… the band’s 20-song set proved to be well worth the long wait… Lynne led his band through some 90 minutes of glorious Electric Light Orchestra classics in front of a sold-out crowd. ELO’s music still sounds light years ahead of most of the bands heard on pop music radio today.” – San Jose Mercury News

 

“Jeff Lynne’s ELO prove that spacy pop rock is still a livin’ thing… one of the most flawless and visually stunning arena shows I’ve seen in a long time. Complete with monstrous lights, lasers and the mandatory ELO spaceship hovering behind the band on video screens, the show was as grand and engrossing as a blockbuster movie — a ’70s blockbuster movie, that is.” – LA Weekly

 

“Jeff Lynne and the Electric Light Orchestra put on a dazzling display chronicling a war chest of classic rock hits for a sold out crowd.” – Martinez Tribune

 

“Jeff Lynne’s ELO is practically a religious experience for rock ‘n’ roll disciples.” – Houston Press

 

“For all the gifted musicians that helped achieve Lynne’s perfectionist vision, ELO was always his creation, a neon-hued Frankenstein’s monster built from bits of early rock-and-roll, symphonic themes, Beatles harmonies, and disco beats. All of those pieces came together flawlessly… played to perfection.” – The Philadelphia Inquirer

 

Known as one of the most iconic forces in music history, Jeff Lynne’s ELO has spent the last two years with a critically acclaimed and chart-topping album, a sold out run of UK and European shows, as well as an induction into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. The band has always been known for their epic live shows and with a distinct style that seamlessly and innovatively blends rock, pop and classical, ELO has had more than 20 Top 40 Hits across the U.S. and the U.K., making Lynne’s sweeping productions some of the most recognizable music of the last forty years and helping sell over 50 million records worldwide.

 

Widely agreed upon as one of the greatest record producers in music history, Lynne was a co-founder and member of The Travelling Wilburys together with George Harrison, Bob Dylan, Roy Orbison, and Tom Petty, as well as a producer and collaborator with some of the biggest names in music including The Beatles, Paul McCartney, Ringo Starr, Joe Walsh, and most recently, Bryan Adams.

Harry Connick Jr. to play DeVos Performance Hall Nov. 26

Citizen Journalism, Entertainment, Upcoming Events, ,

By Hilarie Szarowicz

 

Join Harry and his amazing band as they celebrate New Orleans’ three hundredth birthday and the influences that shaped his career. Enjoy the evening as Harry toasts this beloved city and also performs a selection of holiday favorites, when the “A New Orleans Tricentennial Celebration… Holiday Edition” tour comes to SMG-managed DeVos Performance Hall in Grand Rapids on Monday, Nov. 26, 2018, at 7:30pm.

 

Harry Connick Jr. has exemplified excellence in every aspect of the entertainment world. He has received recognition with multiple Grammy and Emmy Awards as well as Tony nominations for his live and recorded musical performances, his achievements on screens large and small and his appearances on Broadway as both an actor and a composer. The foundation of Connick’s art is the music of his native New Orleans, where he began performing as a pianist and vocalist at the age of five.

 

Tickets are available at the DeVos Place® and Van Andel Arena® box offices, online at Ticketmaster.com, and charge by phone at 1-800-745-3000. See Ticketmaster.com for all prices and availability. A purchase limit of 8 tickets will apply to every order.

 

For more information, please visit HarryConnickJr.com.

DeVos Performance Hall hosts Chinese Warriors of Peking on Oct. 30

Citizen Journalism, Entertainment, , ,
Photo supplied

By Hilarie Szarowicz

 

Columbia Artists Management and the Ministry of Culture of The People’s Republic of China continue their ongoing collaboration to present the Chinese Warriors of Peking. This new production is filled with high-intensity martial arts and breathtaking acrobatics, set during the Ming Dynasty (1368–1644), to tell the tale of two rival martial arts disciplines competing in the ancient Chinese capital of Peking. Under the direction of Qui Jian, the Chinese Warrior of Peking provides a culturally enriching experience filled with juggling, acrobatics, weapons handling, and live stage combat. The cultural show comes to Grand Rapids for a live performance on Oct. 30, 2018 at 7:30pm in DeVos Performance Hall.

 

Tickets are available at the DeVos Place® and Van Andel Arena® box offices, online at Ticketmaster.com, and charge by phone at 1-800-745-3000. See Ticketmaster for all current pricing and availability.

 

The company of the Chinese Warriors of Peking was founded in 1958 as a group of Chinese acrobats and martial artists. The Chinese Warriors of Peking have been on many tours in the past two decades. Most recently, the company performed in Denmark for six months in 2011 and in Britain for ten months in 2013. In 2016, the company’s performance of Pagoda of Bowls was selected by the American UniverSoul Circus to tour around the United States with the circus for more than ten months. The company’s Slack Wire act was picked by Cirque du Soleil and has toured with Cirque du Soleil around the world.

 

The company acts have won many awards throughout the years as well. In July 2005, its Bicycle and Slack Wire performance won first place, Ring Diving and Spinning Plates routine won 2nd place and Diabolo and Feet Juggling won 3rd place at the 3rd Shandong Provincial Acrobatics and Magic Competition. In 2010, at the 4th Shandong Provincial Acrobatics and Magic Competition, the company’s Bicycle routine won first place and the Diabolo and Swinging Poles routine won 2nd place. In 2012, at the 5th Shandong Provincial Acrobatics and Magic Competition, the troupe’s Stacking Chairs and Swinging Poles routine won first place. Most recently, the troupe’s Spinning Plates routine won 2nd place at the 6th Shandong Provincial acrobatics and Magic Competition in July 2016.

Tickets for Bob Seger’s Jan. 5th show go on sale TODAY, Oct. 5th

Citizen Journalism, Entertainment, Upcoming Events,
Bob Seger (file photo)

By Hilarie Szarowicz

 

Thanks to the tremendous response from fans, Bob Seger & The Silver Bullet Band’s show at SMG-managed Van Andel Arena on Wednesday, Nov. 21, 2018, has SOLD OUT. As a result, a second show has been added for Saturday, Jan. 5, 2019, at 8pm.

 

Tickets for the Jan. 5 date will go on sale Friday, Oct. 5 at 10am. Tickets will be available at the Van Andel Arena and DeVos Place® box offices, online at Ticketmaster.com, and charge by phone at 1-800-745-3000. A purchase limit of eight (8) tickets will apply to every order. See Ticketmaster.com for all pricing and availability.

 

Bob Seger fan club members will have special access to purchase tickets in advance of the scheduled on-sale dates. To become a Bullet Club member, visit BobSeger.com/bulletclub. For additional information on Bob Seger, please visit BobSeger.com. Stream your Bob Seger favorites, here.

 

 

‘Sean Blackman presents Fiesta Caribena’ at DeVos Peformance Hall Oct. 18

Citizen Journalism, Entertainment, Upcoming Events, , ,

By Hilarie Szarowicz

 

Sean Blackman presents Fiesta Caribeña has been announced as the third event in the Latin Entertainment Series, celebrating Latin culture in Michigan. The series is presented by SMG-managed DeVos Performance Hall and the Grand Rapids-Kent County Convention/Arena Authority’s Community Inclusion Group (CIG). “Fiesta Caribeña” will feature live music and dancers performing salsa, bachata, reggaeton and kizomba. The music comes from the Caribbean regions including sounds from Cuba, Dominican Republic, Puerto Rico and Haiti fused together with Detroit Soul. The third series event will take place at DeVos Performance Hall on Thursday, Oct. 18, 2018, at 7:30pm.

 

Tickets are available at the DeVos Place® and Van Andel Arena® box offices, online at Ticketmaster.com, and charge by phone at 1-800-745-3000. VIP tickets include a reserved seat in the first few rows and two (2) complimentary drinks.

 

About Sean Blackman
Sean Blackman has been honored with many Detroit Music Awards, launched and directed World Music Festivals and worked as creative director of entertainment for corporate events for Red Bull, Chrysler and the grand opening of the McNamara Terminal at the Detroit Metropolitan Airport — one of the nation’s most state-of-the-art terminals.

 

As an established world-music musician, Blackman continues to compose and produce new material that links different genres of music with dance and theatrical performance. Whether on the streets, in front of thousands at a theater concert, or inside a smoldering hidden nightclub, Blackman’s music is disciplined from a lifetime of training, yet his raw passion makes every note seemingly intimate.

 

About CIG
The Grand Rapids-Kent County Convention/Arena Authority’s Community Inclusion Group (CIG) is a task force comprised of local community leaders that strive to make DeVos Place, Van Andel Arena and DeVos Performance Hall West Michigan’s premier multicultural entertainment venues. Established in 2005, the Community Inclusion Group actively guides the venues in increasing community access and awareness, attracting top level events and talent, and fostering inclusive staff and supplier development and engagement.

 

As a result of these ongoing efforts, the West Michigan community has enjoyed visits from a number of diverse artists, including Gerardo Ortiz, Pepe Aguilar, Kevin Hart, Shen Yun, Snoop Dogg and more, and several community events such as the annual Spectrum Health Jump Jam and Grand Rapids Community College Giants Awards. The support of the Community Inclusion Group continues to ensure that DeVos Place, Van Andel Arena and DeVos Performance Hall remain “Three Premier Venues: Welcoming All.”

Tickets to Jan. 27th Harlem Globetrotters show go on sale Oct. 3rd at 10am

Entertainment, Kids Activities, Recreation, Upcoming Events, ,

By Hilarie Szarowicz

 

The world-famous Harlem Globetrotters, featuring some of the most electrifying athletes on the planet, will bring their spectacular show to Grand Rapids during their 2019 World Tour. The famed team will feature a star-studded roster that includes Big Easy Lofton, Ant Atkinson, Hi-Lite Bruton, Thunder Law, Bull Bullard and Cheese Chisholm.* The Globetrotters’ one-of-a-kind show is unrivaled in the world of family entertainment. The Globetrotters will play at Van Andel Arena on Sunday, Jan. 27, 2019 at 2pm.

 

Every game will showcase incredible ball-handling wizardry, rim-rattling dunks, trick shots, hilarious comedy and unequaled fan interaction. Prepare to be amazed as the Globetrotters showcase basketball’s first 4-point line, located 30 feet from the basket — 6 feet, 3 inches beyond the top of the NBA’s current 3-point line. You won’t want your family to miss it — buy your tickets today.

 

Tickets go on sale to the general public beginning Wednesday, Oct. 3 at 10am. Tickets will be available at the Van Andel Arena and DeVos Place box offices, online at Ticketmaster.com, and charge by phone at 1-800-745-3000. See Ticketmaster for all current pricing and availability.

 

The Harlem Globetrotters® are legendary worldwide, synonymous with one-of-a-kind family entertainment and great basketball skills for the past 92 years. Throughout their history, the Original Harlem Globetrotters have showcased their iconic talents in 123 countries and territories on six continents, often breaking down cultural and societal barriers while providing fans with their first-ever basketball experience.

 

Proud inductees of the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame, the Globetrotters have entertained hundreds of millions of fans — among them popes, kings, queens, and presidents — over nine thrilling decades. The American Red Cross is the official charity of the Harlem Globetrotters. For the latest news and information about the Harlem Globetrotters, visit the Globetrotters’ official website, and follow them on Twitter @Globies.

 

*Rosters will vary in each city and are subject to change.