Tag Archives: The Verve Pipe

Looking for something to do? Check out Gonzo’s Top 5

Citizen Journalism, Entertainment, Gonzo's Top 5, Local Entertainment, Recreation, Sports, Upcoming Events, , , , , ,
This Friday, the West Michigan Whitecaps compete as Las Calaveras. (Supplied)

By John D. Gonzalez
WKTV Contributing Writer

It’s that time of year when everything is happening.

In fact, it might be too much.

I’ll be at the West Michigan Whitecaps game on Friday as part of LMCU Night and the Whitecaps’ Copa de la Diversion series when they compete as Las Calaveras (ticket info at milb.com/west-michigan).

But on the same night I have two other events I would love to attend, and both of them are in my Top 5 list of things to do, which you can find exclusively on WKTV Journal.

Here we go!

Gonzo’s Top 5

Kaufman Golf Course will be hosting a few tournaments this summer. (Supplied)

5. Kent County Amateur Golf Championship

Who loves to golf? And to compete? The beautiful Kaufman Golf Course in Wyoming will host a few tournaments this summer, including the Kent County Amateur Golf Championships July 16-17 (a few spots may still be open) and a 3-man scramble next weekend (July 23). You can register at 616golf.com. Registration is also available for the Kent County Senior Amateur (55+) at Kaufman on July 30-31. More info on West Michigan Golf Association events at golfregistrationnetwork.com.

The Mid-Life Crisis takes their final bow this weekend. (Supplied)

4. Mid-Life Crisis Band, Brews at the Bridge

It’s hard to believe, but it seems like yesterday that this popular cover band was jamming at private parties, charity events and even headlining their own shows. They all had day jobs as professionals, but they loved to hang out and jam on the weekends. The Mid-Life Crisis band officially calls it quits after 20 years with one last show, which is at Brews at the Bridge from 6-9 p.m. Friday (July 15) at Leonard Field, 7490 Thornapple River Dr. SE, in Ada. They invite all those who have been a part of their lives to come out for one last show. I know I have enjoyed writing stories and becoming friends with them over the years.  “In the end, it’s all about the music and friendship, and it all kind of makes sense,” said Steve Bloom, who will join the group on percussion. Indeed, it is. Have a great retirement. More details on the Facebook Event Page. Leonard Field is next to the Ada Covered Bridge.

The Verve Pipe performs Friday at the Listening Lawn at Studio Park Piazza. (Supplied)

3. Music Night

It’s a big music weekend in Grand Rapids.

Local favorite Lyle Lovett and his Large Band perform on Friday (July 15) at Meijer Gardens as part of the summer concert season. Tickets are sold out, but some tickets remain for a few shows this summer such as Rick Springfield with the Grand Rapids Symphony (July 20) and Buddy Guy + John Hiatt & The Goners (July 21). More info at meijergardens.org.

And, speaking of a local favorite, The Verve Pipe returns for a show Friday (July 15) at the Listening Lawn at Studio Park Piazza in downtown Grand Rapids. More info at listeningroomgr.com.

Tim Allen is at DeVos Performance Hall Saturday, July 16. (Supplied)

2. Comedy Night

And it’s a big weekend for comedy, too!

Stand up comedian Kevin Hart is on his Reality Check Tour, which makes a stop Saturday (July 16) at Van Andel Arena. Go to vanandelarena.com for ticket availability.

And the voice of Pure Michigan, Tim Allen, performs two shows at 5 and 8 p.m. Saturday (July 16) at DeVos Performance Hall in Grand Rapids. These shows were originally scheduled for 2020. Go to devosperformancehall.com for ticket availability.

Circl Theatre presents “The Music Man” for the next three weekends. (Supplied)

1. The Music Man at Circle Theatre

The six-time, Tony Award-winning musical returns for a three-week run thanks to Circle Theatre. This family-friendly comedy is a classic! Who doesn’t love watching the drama, and comedy, unfold as fast-talking traveling salesman Harold Hill cons the folks of River City, Iowa into organizing a local band. Just as everything is going according to plan, life happens, and Hill falls for Marian, the local librarian. It’s a great show. Performances are July 14-16, 20-24 and 27-30 at the Performing Arts Center at Aquinas College. My lovely wife Pam and I hope to see the show because our nieces, Christina and Josie Gonzalez, are in this current production. Yes, we’re so proud of them! See you at the show. Ticket info at circletheatre.org/production/the-music-man/.

A couple more events taking place this weekend:

  • The Upheavel Festival, (featuring Breaking Benjamin, Disturbed and many others), is July 15-16 at Belknap Park in Grand Rapids. More info at facebook.com/UpheavalFestival.

  • And the 2022 BBQ Rib Cook-Off is July 16 in downtown Wayland. More info at downtownwayland.com.

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.

WKTV offers marathon showing of Wyoming’s Concerts in the Park

3-bottom, Citizen Journalism, City of Wyoming, , , ,

The Verve Pipe kicks off the Wyoming Concerts in the Park Series May 31.
The Verve Pipe kicks off the Wyoming Concerts in the Park Series May 31.

Tune in to WKTV 25 on Labor Day for our All Day “Concerts In The Park” Special.  The station will air the entire Wyoming Concerts In The Park series, featuring the bands in order of their appearance. Relive all the fun and excitement of the summer series starting at 9 a.m. and rocking all day long!

  9 a.m. The Verve Pipe            

 10:35 a.m. Big Boss Blues

12:20 p.m. Delilah DeWylde

1:15 p.m. Kari Lynch

2:50 p.m. Trilogy

4 p.m. Outer Vibe

5:30 p.m. KCC Band

6:45 p.m. Legal Immigrants

8:20 p.m. Jared Knox

10:05 p.m. The Crane Wives

11:45 p.m. Grupo Viento

Where can you see The Verve Pipe for free? Wyoming’s Concerts in the Park

3-bottom, Citizen Journalism, City of Wyoming, Entertainment, , , , ,

This slideshow requires JavaScript.

When Brandon Simmons began working with the Wyoming Concerts in the Park series six years ago, he saw a lot of potential for growth.

 

“I was coming from Muskegon’s Summer Celebration and had worked on Milwaukee’s SummerFest, so I knew Wyoming had something that could really be built upon,” Simmons said.

 

This year, the Wyoming Community Enrichment Commission not only booked a record number of bands, 14, but has pulled in several that have toured regionally and nationally. Headlining it all is West Michigan’s The Verve Pipe, kicking off the series May 31.

 

“This is The Verve Pipe’s only free show all year,” Simmons said.

 

The Verve Pipe formed in 1992 and is best known for the song “The Freshman,” which peeked at No. 5 in the Billboard Top 100, along with “Photograph” and “Colorful,” the ballad from the film “Rock Star” starring Mark Walhberg.

 

In addition to their success on radio, TV and film, sold-out concert dates throughout the U.S., Canada, Europe and Australia, features in Spin and Rolling Stone and videos on MTV and VH1, the band have made numerous television appearances, including “The Tonight Show With Jay Leno” and “Late Night With David Letterman.”

 

After an eight year hiatus, The Verve Pipe were approached to submit an original song for a compilation album of children’s music. That session inspired “A Family Album,” their critically acclaimed introduction to the world of children’s music, as well as their follow up release, “Are We There Yet?.” Both albums contain music intended for the entire family, with fun and inventive lyrics set to the memorable melodies the band is known for.

 

In 2014, The Verve Pipe released their first rock album in more than 13 years with “Overboard,” a collection of ten new songs including “Crash Landing,” “Hit and Run,” and the haunting title track “Overboard.”

 

The May 31 show will be a mixture of the band’s hit tunes and family friendly music since the concert is on “Kids First Day.” The concert is set for 7 p.m. at Lamar Park, 2561 Porter St. SW.

 

The Wyoming Concerts in the Park run every Tuesday through Aug. 2 and then wraps up with the Saturday event the Music & More Fest. Running from 4 – 11 p.m., the free event will feature a kid’s Home Run Derby, local food options, and a beer/wine/cider tent. Three bands will perform, headlined by the country-rock group Gunnar & The Grizzley Boys. The Grand Rapids Film Festival will show a movie at dusk on a giant inflatable screen to close out the event.

 

Simmons said another popular concert is June 28, which will be the 4th annual “WY-FI,” the official Wyoming fireworks event. “We are expecting about 10,000 people in attendance,” Simmons said. The concert features two bands, Trilogy and Grand Rapids high-energy rock band The Outer Vibe.

 

The rest of the concert line-up includes: rock and blues group Big Boss Blues June 7; rockabilly/honky tonk Delilah DeWylde and the Lost Boys June 14; country group Kari Lynch Band June 21; Kentwood Community Church’s Gospel Band July 5; indie rock and folk show The Legal Immigrants July 12; country rock group Jared Knox July 19; folk band The Crane Wives July 26; and Grupo Viento Aug. 2 for National Night Out.

 

Simmons said the local food truck Goodwill Blue Spoon will be on hand at the concerts. “This truck is a little different in that being part of Goodwill, it provides training and jobs to those in need,” he said, adding the series is excited to have the truck at this year’s event.

 

All concerts, unless noted, start at 7 p.m. at Lamar Park. All the concerts will air on WKTV 25 Wednesdays at 5 p.m. and again Saturdays at 11 a.m. and 10 p.m. For all details and up-to-date information, visit www.wyomingcec.org or www.facebook.com/wyomingcec.