Tag Archives: Music

Lamp Light Music Festival — and workshops — Nov. 4, 5 & 6

Citizen Journalism, Entertainment, Local Entertainment, Upcoming Events, ,
lamplight-festival
Artwork courtesy Lamp Light Music Festival

Where else can you get up close and personal with talented musicians but in someone’s living room or basement?

 

Such is the draw of Lamp Light Music Festival, now in its fifth year. Although the concept of house concerts is nothing new, the fact that they exist in Grand Rapids at all is cause for celebration.

 

This weekend, Nov. 4-6, four neighboring homes — all on Benjamin St. SE in Grand Rapids — will host 21 acts and seven workshops (“Experimental Film Photography,” “Floral Mandala Making,” “Intro to Natural Dyeing,” “Kombucha 2.0 Bloom Ferments” and “Sprouts and Nutrition”).

 

As its website states, “Lamp Light Music Festival is a house concert festival designed to celebrate music and community in the Eastown neighborhood of Grand Rapids. Bringing together musicians and audiences within such a setting promotes opportunities for meaningful and sustainable exchange.”

 

Here’s the artist lineup:

 

Abigail Lapell
Alexander Lynch
Allen Karpinski and Tucker Theodore (of The Six Parts Seven)
Arrow Hill
Boroscilicate Purl
Brian Mulder
Cloudlight
Cold Country
Cynga Lyra
Dear Tracks
Fauxgrass
Fiona Dickinson
Heavy Color
Joey Dosik + Theo Katzman
Jonathan Timm
The Great Ones
May Erlewine
Mega Powers
Michael Beauchamp and My Northern Voices
Michigander
MotorKam
Nathan K
Oliver Houston
Rachele Eve
Rebel Kuzco
Saltbreaker
Seth Bernard
ShamarAlef
Spissy
Steve Leaf
The Go Rounds
The Hunt Is On
The Seventh
The Soil and the Sun
The Youngest
Tom Hymn
Ty Maxon
Upstate Rubdown
Wu Zee

Tickets range from $15 for a single show to $40 for a weekend pass. Go here to get yours. Please note: If you plan on purchasing tickets at the festival they are taking cash only.

 

Here’s the schedule, courtesy of the Lamp Light Music Festival website:

lamp-light-schedule_linear_final_update-1

 

 

Don’t miss Yassou! Grand Rapids Greek Cultural Festival Aug. 26-28

Beer, Citizen Journalism, Entertainment, Food, Kids Activities, Local Entertainment, Local Food, Upcoming Events, , , , , , ,
yassou

Photo by Tim Motley

Food. Dance. Opa!

The smell of lemon, oregano and garlic fill the air as fresh meats are grilled over open flames and the sight of the pastry table proves to be more than anyone’s willpower could bear. From a great live band and dance demonstrations, to wine tastings and cooking classes, there is something for everyone at Yassou!

 

salad

The food

An assortment of freshly prepared authentic Greek food and pastries will tempt even the most stubborn palate. Great effort has been put into obtaining fresh, local ingredients wherever possible, from the eggplant in the Moussaka, to the tomatoes that go on your Gyros and in your salad.

 

Choose from appetizers, full meals, sandwiches and side items. And do not forget dessert — baklava is only the beginning. Menu items are available as complete meals or a la carte. Prices range from $5 for most a la carte items to $14 for most complete meals.

 

The dance

Besides irresistible Greek food, there will be plenty of Greek dancing, a very old tradition that has been documented by Plato, Aristotle, Plutarch and Lucian. Traditional Greek dancing has a primarily social function, bringing the community together at key points of the year, such as Easter, the grape harvest or patronal festivals; and at key points in the lives of individuals and families, like weddings.

MOTLEY CAT
Photo by Tim Motley

 

Holy Trinity’s youth dancers will don traditional Grecian dress and perform some of these spectacular dances. Then, when the time is right, join hands with members of the dancing circle and join in. Beginners are always welcome.

 

The wine (and beer)

Greece is one of the oldest wine producing regions in the world — evidence of wine production dates back more than 6,500 years. Since that time, wines have been shared and enjoyed not only in households, but in communal celebrations. And what cultural celebration would be complete without access to the local libations?

Here’s what’s happening and when

Friday, August 26, 2016: 3 -10 pm

  • Live music from open to close, The Levendes.

  • 4 pm:  Greek cooking class.

  • 5 pm: Traditional Greek dance demonstrations (12-17 y/o).

  • 6 pm:  Traditional Greek dance demonstrations (5-12 y/o).

  • 7 pm:  Traditional Greek dance demonstrations (12-17+).

  • 8:15 pm:  Traditional Greek dance demonstrations (18+).

  • 8:35 pm:  Dance lessons and open dancing for all!

  • 8:00 pm:  Children’s play area closes.

Saturday, August 27, 2016: 11 am – 10 pm

  • Live music from open to close, The Levendes.

  • 1:00 pm:  Greek cooking class.

  • 2:30 pm:  Traditional Greek dance demonstrations (12-17 y/o).

  • 4:00 pm:  Wine tasting.

  • 5:00 pm:  Traditional Greek dance demonstrations (12-17 y/o).

  • 6:00 pm:  Traditional Greek dance demonstrations (5-12 y/o).

  • 6:00 pm:  Greek cooking class.

  • 7:15 pm:  Traditional Greek dance demonstrations (12-17+).

  • 8:15 pm:  Traditional Greek dance demonstrations (18+).

  • 8:35 pm:  Dance lessons and open dancing for all!

  • 8:00 pm:  Children’s play area closes.

2016 Yassou Sponsorship - 1(1)

 

Sunday, August 28, 2016: 12-4 pm

  • No live band. DJ playing modern Greek music.

  • 2:00 Traditional Greek dance demonstrations (5-12 y/o).

  • 3:00 pm: Traditional Greek dance demonstrations (12-17 y/o).

 

OK, so you’ve been warned. The Yassou! Grand Rapids Greek Cultural Festival is always a crowd pleaser, and this year it’s happening Friday, Aug. 26 through Sunday, Aug. 28 at Holy Trinity Greek Orthodox Church, 330 Lakeside Dr. NE between Fulton and Michigan.

 

 

 

 

5th Annual GRJazzFest announces line-up April 27

3-bottom, Beer, Entertainment, Food, Kids Activities, Local Entertainment, Local Faces, Local Food, Non-Profits, Upcoming Events, , , , , , , , ,

grand-jazz-logo

By GRandJazzFest

 

Summer’s still quite a way off, but it’s never too early to get excited about good jazz!

 

GRandJazzFest presented by DTE Energy Foundation returns to Rosa Parks Circle in downtown Grand Rapids, Mich., this Aug. 20 and 21, for the fifth annual festival. The popular family-friendly festival, which attracted more than 10,000 people last year, is West Michigan’s only free, weekend-long jazz festival. The two-day festival will again be free because of Presenting Sponsor DTE Energy Foundation, the City of Grand Rapids and other sponsoring organizations and individuals.

 

Edye-Evans-Hyde
Edye Evans Hyde performed last year

“Grand Rapids and West Michigan have embraced GRandJazzFest,” founder Audrey Sundstrom said. “We’re proud to say GRandJazzFest is one of the most diverse, community-oriented festivals for people who live here, who travel here, and who want to enjoy two days of great live music in a vibrant downtown setting. THIS is what community is all about.”

 

Each year, GRandJazzFest has been held at Rosa Parks Circle in the heart of downtown Grand Rapids to enable festival-goers to take in all that downtown has to offer: restaurants, clubs, museums, microbreweries and shops. The festival typically occurs during Restaurant Week in Grand Rapids. The festival’s location provides easy access to those who ride the bus, walk or bike, and is also close to parking.

 

The 2016 festival lineup will be announced on April 27 at the House of Entertainment and Music (H.O.M.E.) at The B.O.B. That night at H.O.M.E., the band Evidence led by saxophonist Michael Doyle takes the stage. Evidence performed at the 2014 GRandJazzFest.

 

Like last year’s reveal, festival organizers will coordinate with leaders at International Jazz Day to include GRandJazzFest’s reveal announcement as a sanctioned International Jazz Day event.

 

At the 2016 festival in August, 11 diverse jazz artists and bands will perform, including a student jazz band and two major headline acts.

Walt-Gutowski1
Walt Gutowski performed last year

 

Free face painting by Fancy Faces will be available for kids and, if lines aren’t too long, for “kids at heart.”

 

GR and Jazz (the non-profit, all-volunteer-run producer of GRandJazzFest) is pleased to announce a special collaboration with the Grand Rapids Art Museum: Under an agreement with GRAM, the festival’s VIP area will be located on the GRAM front terrace where refreshments and snacks will be provided. The VIP area is for sponsors of GRandJazzFest. Additionally, GRAM will have an outdoor bar area set up at the base of its front steps adjoining Rosa Parks Circle for attendees who would like to purchase and consume refreshments and enjoy the festival.

 

Grand Rapids city commissioners approved GRandJazzFest as one of 24 events that it will co-sponsor in 2016, a distinction only given to events that have proven to be successful and enrich the community. GRandJazzFest 2015 received distinction as a Downtown Grand Rapids Inc. Signature Event along with two other festivals, ArtPrize and LaughFest.

 

In addition to DTE Energy Foundation, the City of Grand Rapids, and GRAM, sponsors for the 2016 event to date include GR and Jazz, IntentPR, Gilmore Collection, Comcast, Hilger Hammond, Amway Hotel Corporation, Experience Grand Rapids, ICON Sign, Meijer, Moxie Men Incorporated, Hungerford Nichols, WGVU, Steelcase and Clark Hill. Sponsorship opportunities are here.

Grupo-Aye
Grupo Aye performed last year

 

“We are so grateful to all of our sponsors for their support – we could not do it without them,” Sundstrom said. “We’re seeking additional sponsors to help us bring a full weekend of FREE, family-friendly live jazz performances to West Michigan!”

 

Get a taste of past GRandJazzFests by viewing the “recap” videos here.

 

More information on the 5th annual GRandJazzFest presented by DTE Energy Foundation can be found here and at the festival’s Facebook and Twitter sites.

Finding and Sharing the Beat

3-bottom, Area Education, Education, Recreation, , , , ,

SNNDrums“Drummunity” Encourages Cooperation Through Music

By: Erin Albanese – School News Network

 

The beat of Godfrey-Lee Early Childhood Center students’ drums mixed with jangling tambourines, clanging blocks and sounds made by hitting sticks on household items recycled as instruments.

 

“Let’s all start a beat. … Here we go. … Let’s all start a beat,” said Lori Fithian, whose program Drummunity gets people pounding, tapping and grinning everywhere she goes.

 

Second-grader Jalyhia Reid bangs on the drum
Second-grader Jalyhia Reid bangs on the drum

As part of music class, students at the preschool-through-second-grade school gathered in a circle with Fithian in the middle, to use bongo and hand drums and other percussion instruments and to play simple drum-circle games.

 

Together, they made music, playing in unison. Later that evening, parents participated in a community drumming event.

 

Fithian, an Ann Arbor resident and artist who has studied different drumming traditions, said her concept is simple. “I help people make music together,” she said. “We basically just learn how to cooperate and come together. … It’s not really a musical thing. It’s more of a community-cooperation exercise, though we are using music to learn about all of that.”

 

First-grader Latrese McFerrin said she learned how to “make echoes” using instruments. “We got to switch instruments like drums and a plastic block,” she said.

 

Everyone Can Drum

 

Drummunity brings drumming to schools, libraries, community centers and other locations. Fithian’s visit was paid for through a grant from the Michigan Humanities Council.

 

Isabel Deleon-Magana smiles as she plays
Isabel Deleon-Magana smiles as she plays

Every culture has its own drum tradition and all ages can participate, she said. Getting students to drum with her is different from teaching other instruments.

 

“Everybody knows how to play drums; even babies can play drums. It’s a really natural thing that people can do together,” she said.

 

Students learn to keep a steady beat, and a whole lot more.

 

“They get a little bit of everything,” Fithian said. “They get to pound on something, play something, just explore the different sounds or learn what a drum is and how we can make music together.”

 

With older kids, Fithian teaches the concept of improvisation, creating new beats as they play. “We are not reading any music here; we are able to make something up with our own creativity.”

 

Tami Nelson, ECC music teacher, said she planned the event for her students to have the chance to make music with other people.

 

“This is a very good way for them to interact and see what they can do,” Nelson said. “One of the things about percussion instruments is various ability levels can easily access them. … They get to freely experience their music-making.”

 

Students said it was an experience they enjoyed. “I liked playing the drum,” said first-grader Taclara O’Bryant. “I like the music.”

 

Be sure to check out School News Network for more stories about our great students, schools, and faculty in West Michigan!

What’s the Big Brew-ha-ha? Beer Week GR, Of Course!

Beer, Local Business, Local Entertainment, Local Food, Our Cities, Recreation, Upcoming Events, , , , , , , , ,

beer week

By Victoria Mullen

 

Hmmm. Sense that? There’s something in the air.

 

No, not a smell, specifically. And it isn’t something you can readily see. It’s more like a growing vibe. Or anticipation. Or something.

 

Ah, yes. There is something brewing in Grand Rapids, and it’s the 4th Annual Beer Week GR, February 17-28. Founded in 2012, the event celebrates and promotes the craft beer culture in the greater Grand Rapids area through a series of unique beer events.

 

“Beer Week GR has grown into a 12-day event that is not only a celebration for beer lovers, but also the local economy,” said Doug Small, President and CEO of Experience Grand Rapids. “The Grand Rapids area beer scene continues to be recognized on a national level. Paired with our ever-popular Cool Brews. Hot Eats. collaboration with more than 50 local restaurants, as well as the popular Winter Beer Festival, Beer Week GR offers beer and culinary fans a unique experience during a period of the year not known to draw as many leisure visitors to the area.”

 

Ohhhh, yeah. You’ll need your strength–you know, something to soak up that delicious craft beer–and Cool Brews. Hot Eats. is just the ticket. Sort of like killing two birds with one stone (so to speak): Fill the belly and celebrate perfect pairings (food and beer, of course) as local chefs and brew masters offer beer-infused dishes and meals with complementary beer pairings. We’ve listed just a sampling of participating eateries at the end.

 

But that’s not all, folks.

 

Nope.

 

The 2016 Winter Beer Festival (the 11th annual) will feature more than 100 Michigan breweries and approximately 1,000 different craft beers. Guests will enjoy fine music from local bands and other fun entertainment, and a selection of tasty food will be available for purchase. Takes place at Fifth Third Ball Park, 4500 West River Dr. NE, Comstock Park, MI 49321. $45 in advance, $50 at the gate, (if still available—tickets sell out fast). ‘Enthusiast Members’ with a valid membership ID card are invited to enter an hour early (at 2 pm on Friday / noon on Saturday) to enjoy VIP entry prior to General Admission.

 

So, devoting 12 days to celebrating beer sounds logical, right? Well, we have inquiring minds over here. What’s the real reason behind this big brew-ha-ha? Why did it start in the first place? Instead of going straight to the sources and asking the founders and powers that be–because, let’s face it, that would be too damn easy–we thought it would be fun to hazard a guess or two.

 

Maybe we hit the nail on the head. Maybe not. But here’s what we came up with:

  1. “They” started this whole thing to prevent people from going off the deep end in mid-winter. Gets mighty gray around these parts.
  2. They wanted to carve out a niche for Grand Rapids because there will never be enough lists for us to conquer.
  3. They just wanted an excuse to drink beer.

 

The last, seemingly simplest reason makes the most sense, so we’re going with that, but hell, any way you look at it, it’s win-win-win for craft beer aficionados because the brews will be a-flowing February 17-28.

 

Yes, the last week of February definitely will be beer-centric and if you’re feeling left out, maybe it’s time to join in the fun. Sure, you could stay inside and cuddle up to a fire with a good book. But where’s the fun in that? No, the answer to braving the elements is beer. We wouldn’t expect anything less from the ‘Best Beer Town.’

 

For a schedule of all the special events surrounding Beer Week GR, go here.

 

Cool Brews. Hot Eats. participating eateries:
Aperitivo
Bagger Dave’s- Fulton
Black Heron Kitchen & Bar
Blue Water Grill
Bobarino’s at the B.O.B.
Bostwick Lake Innbeer week graphic
Brann’s – Leonard
Brewery Vivant
CitySen Lounge at CityFlats Hotel
Cork Wine & Grille
The Cottage Bar
Divani
Donkey Taqueria
El Barrio Mexican Grill
Elk Brewing
FireRock Grille
Flat River Grill
Founders Brewing Co.
Gilly’s at the B.O.B.
Grand Rapids Brewing Company
Gravity Taphouse Grille
Green Restaurant
The Green Well
Harmony Brewing Company
Harmony Hall
The Heritage Restaurant (at GRCC)
Horseshoe Smokehouse
Judson’s at the B.O.B.
Kitchen 67, A Michigan Bistro
Luna Grand Rapids
One Trick Pony
Osteria Rossa
Pearl Street Grill
Ramona’s Table
Reds on the River
Rockford Brewing Company
Rose’s on Reeds Lake
Rush Creek Bistro
six.one.six
Terra GR
Tom + Chee
The Winchester

Check back often, more locations are being added daily. Menus for participating locations will be announced on February 1, 2016.

Interested in participating? Contact Kate Herron – KHerron@ExperienceGR.com.

Area hotels are offering complementary shuttle service to and from the festival to get you there safely. More information here. It’s the responsible thing to do.

Family of Eight Sings as One

Local Faces, , ,

 

meghan_dooleyIn America, a cohesive and strong family unit can typically mean spending one night a week playing board games or even heading to the movies. While the Pearson family spends time participating in all of the above, they also have another unique common interest.

The Pearson Family, ranging from ages 4 to 15, are all talented singers and musically inclined artists.

Husband and Pastor Scotty Pearson said it all began when he and his wife Layfoya met in choir class at Ottawa Hills High School, and from there, it blossomed as they married and started having kids. Now, they perform throughout the West Michigan community as a family. Lafoya explains they truly began to perform together as a whole around 2009 and that music has always been a niche for the children.

“[The kids] harmonize really well together,” Layfoya explained. “We never really had to teach harmony.”Pearson Family 2

Layfoya states that singing comes naturally to the kids, so naturally even, that they don’t ever have a specific practice time.

“We like to keep it fun so they don’t get burnt out,” Lafoya said. “We’re on the road a lot so we get our practice in, in the car…it really is fun for us, we’ll be hanging out and then pull together and just start singing.”

Son DeLonte Pearson agrees and said that even his interest has gone beyond just singing.

“We all love to dance with each other, we make fun of each other a lot,” DeLonte explained, “But once we finish making fun of each other we do correct each other.”

Daughter Azaria Pearson a1888628_760544573989758_239930437578806472_nnd son Scotty agree. They said they love goofing off with the family.

“I think people are amazed to see a family that can enjoy each other,” Dad Scotty said.

Overall, Lafoya and Scotty both say they feel blessed and fortunate to be able to share a passion with all of their children. As far as their goals for the approaching future, Scotty says they’re looking to record a CD.

“I really wanna do [a CD] before everyone grows into who they are so we can hold that balance of family and just branch out from there,” Scotty said.