Trans-Siberian Orchestra

By John D. Gonzalez
WKTV Contributing Writer

Welcome to the weekend, my friends.

We have so many things going on locally, as usual. But this weekend I find myself on Mackinac Island for its annual Christmas Tree Lighting ceremony. You can follow my Facebook page for updates. I might even bring back some fudge, if you’re interested.

A little closer to home….. you can check out the Christmas tree lighting party at Boston Square Community Parklet at 4:30 p.m. Saturday (Dec. 4). Eight Boston Square area organizations and businesses are hosting a free, family-friendly event featuring music, food and talent from the neighborhood. The ceremony begins at 6 p.m. at the Boston Square Community Parklet, 1505 Kalamazoo Avenue SE.

In addition, the Christmas in Caledonia Lights Parade and tree lighting ceremony is from 4-7 p.m. Saturday (Dec. 4) in Caledonia and features food, warm fires and festivities. A light parade will start at 6 p.m. with Santa ushering the parade. You can get a photo with him after the parade.

What do you have planned?

Here are a few more ideas in this weekend’s Gonzo’s Top 5, exclusively on WKTV Journal.

Gonzo’s Top 5

5. West Catholic Christmas Craft Show

I have been writing about local craft shows every week, and this weekend marks the return of the popular West Catholic Christmas Craft Show. It features 200-plus crafters and is from 9 a.m.-3 p.m. Saturday (Dec. 4) at the high school, 1801 Bristol Ave NW, Grand Rapids. Now that it’s December, you might want to get serious about your holiday shopping. (I’m telling myself.) You can find more information about the craft show on the event Facebook page. (I recently started working at West Catholic High School on the school’s communications team and I can tell you that everyone is excited to put on a great event, which helps raise funds for school programs.)

Video courtesy of Joanne Bailey-Boorsma

4. Wyoming Light Show

If you’re looking for a holiday light show a little closer to home, you can find nine houses synced to music located on Sage River Court SW and Amur Drive SW in Wyoming. Organizers of the Sage River Holiday Light Show encourage you to tune in to your radio at 94.1 FM when you arrive. Find more details on the Facebook page.

3. The Sound of Music

Over a recent family dinner I was talking to my niece, Christina Gonzalez, who said the cast is loving the return of Grand Rapids Civic Theatre’s “The Sound of Music.” She plays the role of Sister Sophia. That reminded me I better get tickets soon. Performances continue through Dec. 19. Shows are usually at 7:30 p.m. Wednesday-Saturday, and at 2 p.m. Saturday and Sunday. Get more information at grct.org/the-sound-of-music or check out GRCT’s Facebook page.

2. Visit Santa Meijer Gardens

As we have written about in prior weeks, the annual University of Michigan Health-West Christmas & Holiday Traditions exhibition at Meijer Gardens is in full swing as guests experience 46 trees and displays representing countries and cultures from across the globe, as well as 300,000 lights and Garden Railway display. But you can visit Santa, too. He makes an appearance from 5-8 p.m. Dec. 7, 14 and 21 in the Lena Meijer Tropical Conservatory (where it’s always balmy). His reindeer arrive at a different time. They are in the Michigan Farm Garden from 1-4 p.m. on Saturdays: Dec. 4, 11 and 18. Both are free with admission to the Gardens. Get all the details at meijergardens.org.

Photo of TSO is Courtesy of TSO/Van Andel Arena.

1.Trans-Siberian Orchestra

Looking for a BIG this weekend? You’ll be wowed by the spectacle of the Trans-Siberian Orchestra, which brings its “Christmas Eve and Other Stories” tour to Van Andel Arena for two shows – 3 and 7:30 p.m. Sunday (Dec. 5). The rock opera features many of TSO’s most beloved numbers, including “Ornament,” “Promises to Keep,” and, the song everyone knows, “Christmas Eve/Sarajevo 12/24.” Ticket information, a video preview of the show and more at vanandelarena.com. Trans-Siberian Orchestra video.

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’s an early adopter of Social Media and SEO expert. 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.

Mark Wood performs with the Kentwood Middle School Orchestras. (Photo from Electrify Your Strings)

An original member of the Trans-Siberian Orchestra and Emmy Award-winning composer will perform with the Kentwood Public school students this week.

Mark Wood will perform with students in the Kentwood Middle School Orchestras at 7 p.m. Friday, Dec. 1, at the East Kentwood Fine Arts Auditorium, located at the high school on 6230 Kalamazoo Ave. SE.

Wood, an international recording artist known as the creator for his revolutionary Viper electric violin, brought his groundbreaking music education program “Electrify Your Strings! (EYS)” to the district’s Crestwood, Valleywood, and Pinewood Middle Schools, turning the student musicians into a full-fledged rock orchestra.

“Mark Wood and the EYS program have taught my students the value of both playing music well and the importance of putting on a great performance,” said Kentwood Orchestra Director Ingrid Dykeman.

The EYS program – now in its 18t h year – is a music education experience. Wood and his team work directly with a school’s orchestra director to tailor-design a rock orchestra makeover complete with a public performance at the end of the experience. EYS builds on the strong foundation in traditional music provided by music teachers; creating a partnership with educators that inspires students and boosts their self-esteem and motivation on stage and off. EYS has been featured on “The Today Show,” “The CBS Evening News,” and many more.

Wood will be performing with the students on his handcrafted seven-string fretted electric Viper violin as part of the 2017-2018 Electrify Your Strings! “No Limits Tour.” The Friday performance will include some of Wood’s original material, as well as his arrangements of music by Led Zeppelin, The Beatles, and more.

Wood is the owner and operator of Wood Violins, the premier manufacturer of electric orchestra string instruments worldwide. He studied under Maestro Leonard Bernstein, is a Juilliard-trained violinist and Emmy-winning composer. In addition to his solo career and his work with the Trans-Siberian Orchestra, Wood has worked with Celine Dion, Lenny Kravitz, Billy Joel and others.

To prepare for this concert, Wood will be teaching the students improvisation, composition, and personal expression on their violins, violas, cellos and basses. Utilizing Wood’s music arrangements that were sent to the district prior to this visit, the Kentwood Middle School Orchestras will perform in a live concert alongside Wood. The concert is open to the public with all profits going to the school music programs.

Tickets are $10.