Stars on Ice - WKTV Journal

By John D. Gonzalez
WKTV Contributing Writer

It’s here!

The Amway River Bank Run returns to downtown Grand Rapids, and it looks like the rain will hold off just in time for everyone to stay dry.

Please check the latest weather forecast if you have something to do Saturday afternoon. We’re supposed to have some strong winds. Be careful.

What does that mean for other activities going on this weekend? Let’s get to my Top 5, which you can find exclusively on WKTV Journal.

Gonzo’s Top 5

5. Tulip Time Festival

Speaking of the weather, let’s hope things go well for the finale of Tulip Time in Holland. The big Volksparade is scheduled for 1 p.m. on Saturday (May 14) and fireworks are planned for later in the evening. Country artists Chase Bryant perform at 7 p.m. That show is indoors. Go to tuliptime.com for the latest updates.

4. Stars on Ice

Some of my favorite memories as a kid was seeing Stars on Ice and all of the Olympic stars who come out to entertain. You can experience the best of the U.S. Figure Skating team, starting with the 2022 Olympic Gold and Silver Medalist, three-time World Champion, and six-time and reigning U.S. Champion Nathan Chen. Others include 2022 Olympic Silver and Bronze Medalists, three-time World Medalists and three-time U.S. Champions Madison Hubbell & Zachary Donohue, as well as Madison Chock & Evan Bates, Karen Chen, Alexa Knierim & Brandon Frazier; Vincent Zhou and many more. The show is at 7:30 tonight (May 13) at Van Andel Arena. Details at vanandelarena.com.

3. Middleville Spring Fest

If you want something to do tonight, the Middleville DDA and community partners will feature live music, free art-based activities, a downtown scavenger hunt, the Middleville Market season kick-off, and much more. Attendees also will be able to help create murals and paint pianos. The event is from 3-7 p.m. Check out the Facebook page for more info.

Circle Theatre presents “RENT” in May. (Supplied)

2. Rent

Circle Theatre is back with “Rent,” a Pulitzer Prize-winning musical by Jonathan Larson, which follows a year in the lives of a group of friends, artists, and musicians. It is set in the East Village of New York City during the height of the HIV/AIDS epidemic and explores love, happiness, and the struggles to survive. Performances are set at the Aquinas College Performing Arts Center through May 21. More details at https://circletheatre.org/.

The Grand Rapids Symphony will be in concert at Meijer Gardens later this year. (Supplied/Grand Rapids Symphony)

1.Revolution: Music of The Beatles – A Symphonic Experience

Relive all the classic Beatles songs in this Grand Rapids Symphony performance led by conductor Bob Bernhardt. This Beatles symphonic experience is transcribed and arranged from original multi-track Abby Road masters. It includes a “magical, musical tour with singers, projected images, and surprises from The Beatles archives,” according to press material. Performances are Friday and Saturday (May 13-14) at DeVos Performance Hall in Grand Rapids. Ticket availability at https://www.grsymphony.org/revolution.

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.

Every four years, the Winter Olympics not only give us a chance to celebrate and revel in our favorite athletes, but also to discover some incredible new breakout stars. Ardent fans of figure skating have become familiar with U.S. National Champion Nathan Chen, but by the time the 2018 Winter Olympic Games are over, the world will be as well. Chen, the first skater to land five different quadruple jumps in a single competition program, will be a key member of an immensely talented U.S. Figure Skating Team looking to grab Gold at the Olympics. He will also be the centerpiece of the “2018 Stars on Ice” tour that will feature many of the skaters vying for a medal for the U.S. in the 2018 Winter Olympics. The Tour will arrive in Grand Rapids Friday, May 4, for a 7:30 p.m. performance at Van Andel Arena.

This year’s “Stars on Ice” tour will put American fans front and center to experience the best of the U.S. Figure Skating team that will compete in Pyeongchang, South Korea. Joining Chen will be Olympic medal hopefuls including; three-time National Champion and 2016 World Silver Medalist Ashley Wagner, two-time Ice Dance National Champions and three-time World medalists Maia & Alex Shibutani, 2017 U.S. Ladies Champion Karen Chen, as well as National Champion, and huge crowd favorite,Jason Brown. The Emmy Award-winning production will also feature U.S. Olympic royalty, Ice Dance Gold Medalists Meryl Davis & Charlie White.

Tickets for the “2018 Stars on Ice” tour will go on sale Friday, Dec. 8, at 10 a.m. Tickets start at $25 and are available at www.starsonice.com, Ticketmaster.com, the Van Andel Arena and DeVos Place® box offices, and by phone at 1-800-745-3000. Limited on-ice seating is available upon request. Group discounts are available for parties of 10 or more. Please visit www.starsonice.com for the most up to date information and show announcements. Ticket prices are subject to change. Additional fees will apply.