revue magazine, may 2013

West Michigan’s entertainMent guide for 25 years » May 2013

alWays free!

romeo and Juliet

the Moth Mainstage

the dillinger escape Plan

TheFoodIssue

Featuring Recipes, Trends and More

Music / Movies / art / Beer / Beards

REVUEWM.COM | May 2013 | 3

4 | REVUEWM.COM | May 2013

SCENE:13 Random Notes16 Q&a with Tami VandenBerg 18 Beer20 Free Market22 all ages23 Eclectic

SOUNDS:25 Sink’s Spins 26 On Tour: The Dillinger Escape Plan28 On Tour: The People’s Temple 30 On Tour: New Found Glory

SIGHTS:33 Visual arts: Kalamazoo art Hop 34 Dance: Romeo and Juliet 36 Comedy: Erik Griffin 38 Indie Film 39 Movie Previews40 Lit Life: The Moth Mainstage 42 Style Notes

THE FOOD ISSUE:46 Gluten Free48 Food Incubators50 Q&a with Kristen Kish 52 Make This! 56 Farmers Markets58 Eat Like a Minion 59 The Next Best Thing60 Cooking Classes61 Food after Midnight

DINING:63 Restaurant Listings64 Taste This: Two Beards Deli

SCHEDULE:71 Daily Event Listings and Best Bets

64 TWO BEaRDS DELI

45THE FOOD ISSUE

56 FaRMERS MaRKETS

May 2013 | Volume 25, Issue 5WHaT’S INSIDE

EditorialPublisher Brian Edwards / [email protected] Editor Lindsay Patton-Carson / [email protected]

dEsignCreative director Kim Kibby / [email protected] Kim Kibby, Kristi Kortman, Kellie Zaplitny

Contributing WritErsKyle Austin Allison ParkerMissy Black Emma Kat RichardsonJayson Bussa Matt Simpson SiegelBen Darcie Jane SimonsSteven de Polo John SinkevicsAlexandra Fluegel Josh SpanningaAudria Larsen Anya ZentmeyerNick Manes Contributing PhotograPhErs Katy Batdorff, Joe Boomgaard, Steven de Polo, Richard Deming, Stephanie Harding

listings [email protected]

rEvuE MinionsLauren Longo Carly PlankKari Norton Audrey SochorDiana Nowak salEs / 616.608.6170 / [email protected] Rizor / [email protected]

Find us onlinE! Website: revuewm.comtwitter: twitter.com/revuewm Facebook: facebook.com/revuewm

REvuE is published monthly by Revue Holding Company.65 Monroe Center, Ste. 5, Grand Rapids, MI 49503Office: 616.608.6170 / Fax: 616.608.6182

©2013, Revue Holding Company. All rights reserved. Reproduction in whole or in part granted only by written permission of the publisher in accordance with our legal statement, fools.

W E S T M I C H I G a N ’ S E N T E RTa I N M E N T G U I D E

8th St. Grille . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 61aCLU of West Michigan . . . . . . . 31amway Hotel Corporation . . . . . 51Barfly Ventures / GRBC . . . . . . . 43Barfly Ventures / Stella’s . . . . . . 21Bell’s . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .2, 70Billy’s Lounge . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 24BOB’s Brewery . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 19Brewery Vivant . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 19Buttermilk Jamboree . . . . . . . . . 28Cascade Optical . . . . . . . . . . . . 12Celebration Cinema . . . . . . . . . . 39Circle Theatre . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 37Delta Plex . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 77Dog Story Theater . . . . . . . . . . . 23

Doorganics . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 44Dowagiac Dogwood Fine . . . . . . 78Downtown Battle Creek . . . . . . . 75Dr. Grins // Gilmore . . . . . . . . . . 36Elite Health Plc. . . . . . . . . . . . . . 30Erb Thai . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 67FedCom . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6Festival of the arts. . . . . . . . . . . 17Firekeepers Casino . . . . . . . . . . 11Founders Brewery . . . . . . . . . . . 15Fulton St. Farmers Market . . . . . 60The Gilmore Collection . . . . . . . . 62GR Ballet . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4GR Downtown alliance . . . . . . . . 31GR Public Library . . . . . . . . . . . . 32

GR Public Museum . . . . . . . . . . 17Grand Woods Lounge . . . . . . . . . 79Growco . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 78The Intersection . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7Kzoo State Theatre . . . . . . . . . . . 70Millennium Restaurant Group / Martell’s . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 59Millennium Restaurant Group / Wine Loft . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 59The Orbit Room . . . . . . . . . . . . . 27Palazzolo’s Gelato . . . . . . . . . . . 44The Pyramid Scheme . . . . . . . . . . 5Reserve . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 65REVUE Meet your Scene . . . . . . . 47River City Improv . . . . . . . . . . . . 26

Saugatuck Brewing Company . . 19Saugatuck Center for the arts . . 32Schmohz Brewery . . . . . . . . . . . . 19Schuler Books . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 41The Score . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 76Seven Steps Up . . . . . . . . . . . . . 29Sight Optical . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 60Soaring Eagle Casino & Resort . . 3Vitale’s . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 69Well House . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 26West Michigan Symphony . . . . . 31West Side Beer / Budweiser . .8, 80Wharton Center For The arts . . . 35

Advertising index

EvEry timE our Food issuE comEs around, I realize how pathetic I am when it comes to what I eat. I mean, I could eat pancakes and waffles for eternity if I didn’t have people to intervene every three weeks.

Here’s the problem, though (aside from my breakfast food addiction): I have no excuse.

It’s so easy to eat incredible, diverse food in West Michigan. And many times, dining locally fits into my budget. In fact, each year we put out our Food Issue, I always find new chefs, restaurants and dishes that make me say, ‘This is in little ol’ West Michigan?’

Plus, it’s always really cool to see passionate people on our humble side of the state whose goal is to give their customers the best. For example, just look at the people in the food service industry that are retooling their menus for gluten-free diners. Going gluten-free is now easier for those with celiac disease, gluten intolerances or people who want the health benefits. It’s also tastier too, with higher-quality products reaching the market.

Locally sourced food is another passion we have here – especially with the Downtown Market opening this month. With Monsanto all over the news, it’s nice to know we have a group of people dedicated to supporting local agriculture and downright good food.

So for this month, it’s my goal to put down the syrup and put my taste buds to work.

Eat on,

Lindsay Patton-Carson, Managing Editor / [email protected]

Letter from the Editor

Mathew Green, executive chef of Reserve, shot by Katy Batdorff.

» See The Food Issue on page 45

on thE CovEr:


LocAL Music /// Ann Arbor’s Saturday Looks Good to Me, frequent visitors to our west side of the state, releases its album One Kiss Ends it All on May 21. The album continues in the vein of glossy, undulating guitar pop the group is known for ... If you haven’t yet absorbed the soulful fusion of R&B, blues and classic rock offered by Blue Molly, take advantage of a free show 8-11 p.m. on May 18 at One Trick Pony (136 E. Fulton). Lead singer Molly Bouwsma Schultz is capable of a wide range of musical styles, showcasing power-ful and smoky vocals backed by seasoned musicians … Jack of all trades musician Brian Vander Ark, with his wife Lux Land, will be part of a special show at Wealthy Street Theatre (1130 Wealthy St. SE) on May 31 at 8 p.m. They will be accompa-nied by members of The Verve Pipe and

Nashville folk duo Channing and Quinn on an eclectic night of performances with something for everyone, children included. Tickets are $20 or $17 for CMC members … On May 31, REVUE will be down in Kalamazoo live at the Old Dog Tavern for a show dubbed “Meet Your Scene.” We’ll be featuring Flashing Blue Lights, which calls both Grand Rapids and Kalamazoo home, in addition to music producer, creator and all-around talented dude Gordon van Gent and his band. Other area acts will hit the stage in the beer garden. Show kicks off at 7:30 p.m. and $5 gets you in.

on tour ///On May 11, Michael McDermott touches down in Spring Lake at Seven Steps Up Event & Banquet Center (116 S. Jackson St.), offering an inventive blend of honest

lyrics, driving roots rock and country influ-ences in an intimate setting. Tickets start at $18 for the 8 p.m. show.

nAtionAL cd reLeAses ///Before attaining commercial success with the Dixie Chicks, Grammy winner Natalie Maines was a rocker at heart. She returns to those roots on her May 7 solo debut Mother, which also features songs written by rock virtuosos including Ben Harper, Eddie Vedder and Roger Waters ... Ashley Monroe has been busy lately. After releasing a solo al-bum in March, her country-pop band Pistol Annies, which includes Miranda Lambert and Angaleena Presley, has its sophomore album, Annie Up, due out on May 7 ... She & Him, the adorable songwriting collabora-tion between quirky girl Zooey Deschanel and M. Ward, continues with Volume 3 on

May 7 ... Unlikely rap-collaboration-turned-indie-rock success Vampire Weekend will release its third album, Modern Vampires of the City, on May 7 ... Other noteworthy releases include 30 Seconds to Mars (May 21), Daft Punk (May 21), John Fogerty (May 28) and The Stranglers (May 28).

Beer ///Grand Rapids Brewing Company nabbed four medals during the World Beer Competition hosted by tastings.com this past Feburary. The brewery’s biggest winner was the Rosalynn Bliss Blonde, which took the gold medal in the fruit beer category. Judges enjoyed the frothy mango and peach flavors with the almond biscotti, green tea and strawberry finish. Other winners include

rAndoM notes

Continued on page 14 8

She & Him’s Volume 3 debuts May 7. Gordon van Gent will be playing at REVUE’s “Meet Your Scene” event May 31 at Old Dog Tavern in Kalamazoo.


SOUNDS | SIGHTS | DINING | SCHEDULEScEnE

silver-medalists Fishladder IPA and Senator Lyon Stout, and the bronze-earning John Ball Brown … If you’re a lady craft beer lover, Saugatuck Brewing Company’s “Celebration of Women and Craft Beer” might be just the event for you. On May 5 from 2-5 p.m., professional women brewers bottle up their brews for purchase and donate all proceeds to Sylvia’s House. The free event will also have information on homebrewing and cooking with “beer-gredients,” as well as tastings … Shortly following the announcement to distribute to Texas, Founders Brewing Co. (235 Grandville Ave. SW) has announced plans to flood the Sunshine State with year-round brews and select seasonal beers, including Dirty Bastard, Centennial IPA and Breakfast Stout, both on draft and in bottles. Brown Distributing will market the label across Florida so young craft beer enthusiasts and retirees alike can be introduced to brews Michigan has been enjoying since 1997 … BarFly Ventures broke ground on its new endeavor last month, a new neighborhood hangout called HopCat - East Lansing. Don’t worry, HopCat - Grand Rapids, we’ll still love you even though your new coun-terpart has 100 craft beers on tap (the largest draft selection in the state) and an extensive food menu. The new tavern opens late this summer; try to contain your excitement until then. The unusual groundbreaking included planting Michigan-sourced hop bines in hop barrels so they grow safely throughout construction and reflect BarFly’s sustainable business philosophy.

FestivALs ///Artist applications for the 2013 Festival of the Arts are available until May 4. Artists of all ages compete for dozens of cash prizes, ranging from $100-$500. This year the fes-tival’s Regional Arts Exhibition will be held at the Urban Institute of Contemporary Arts, which marks the first time the UICA will host the event in its 44-year history. The exhibit opens May 31 and run through Aug. 18. Regional Art Awards will be presented June 8 at 7 p.m. All festival events are free to the public. The competition is open to all artists living in Ottawa, Muskegon, Kent, Ionia, Allegan, Barry, Montcalm and Newaygo counties. Artists are allowed three entries, with entry fees ranging from $25-$50. For more information or to get an application, visit festivalgr.org … On May 10 and 11, get ready to laugh at the 5th Annual Kalamazoo Improv Festival. The event takes place at Farmers Alley Theatre (221 Farmers Alley) and festivities kick off

with a Happy Hour show on Friday. The laughs continue through Saturday night and include a comedy jam where everyone is welcome to watch or participate, live music by Fishlips and improv workshops. Tickets to individual shows are $10, workshops are $15 and a festival pass is $25.

coMMunitY /// One Minute for One Million for Grand Rapids pays tribute to the million people who identify as LGBT in West Michigan by forming human art in Rosa Parks Circle. The event takes place on May 3 at noon

while the air raid siren goes off for approxi-mately one minute. Volunteers will gather hundreds of participants in red shirts into the shape of a heart and an equal sign, or the Until Love is Equal logo. Until Love is Equal was created in 2011 in response to the Holland City Council’s refusal to consider an anti-discrimination ordinance that would prevent members of the LGBT community from being fired or evicted based on their sexual orientation. Currently, this discrimi-nation is legal.

dAnce /// Trip the Light: Mythical, performed by Dance in the Annex, combines the grace and power of dance with the energy of live, local bands. The event takes place May 11 at Wealthy Theatre. The event is inspired in part by Artistic Director Amy Wilson’s fascination with mythological goddesses, and centers around six dance solos choreo-graphed by the dancers and performed to local band Paucity. Other bands include The Fauxgrass Quartet, Hugo Claudin and Friends, and Frank Booth.

Art /// After not painting for two years, Mic Carlson will host an open house show at his gallery in the Waters Building (161 Ottawa N.W., Suite 100) on May 9 from 4-7 p.m. to show-case his new reverse glass paintings. For the past several years, Carlson dedicated his life to creating bronze sculptures and memori-als for Grand Rapids and recently revealed a

seven-foot bronze statue of Madonna of the Streets as the centerpiece for the Rosary Garden (659 Bridge St.). Carlson has also been working on the Michigan Fallen Memorial, which will be four bronze sculp-tures and a wall of more than 250 names of soldiers killed in Iraq and Afghanistan since 9/11. Out of all his work, his largest project just may be the construction of Saint Francis Sculpture Garden for Prayer and Meditation at Marywood Academy (2025 E. Fulton St.). Over the past six years, he has put in three bronze sculptures of Saint Francis, 12 prayer and reflection benches, and pathways through the five acres of woods. This spring, two or three more statues will be added to the garden. n

Random Notes is compiled by Revue staff and min-ions including Jayson Bussa, Lauren Longo, Kari Norton, Lindsay Patton-Carson, Carly Plank and Audrey Sochor.

For more music, art and entertainment news, including breaking concert announcements and giveaways, “Like” us on Facebook (facebook.com/revuewm) or follow us on Twitter at twitter.com/revuewm.

iMPortant datEs Ad Reservation Deadline: May 17

Editorial Deadline: May 5Delivery: May 28

rAndoM notes

Trip the Light: Mythical, May 11 at Wealthy Theatre. PHOTO: SETH THOMPSON

One Minute for One Million for Grand Rapids will pay tribute to the million people who identify as LGBT May 3 at noon in Rosa Parks circle. PHOTO: SETH THOMPSON


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top of the Pyramid Questions for Tami VandenBerg, co-owner of The Pyramid Scheme and The Meanwhile

You recently celebrated the Pyramid scheme’s two-year anniversary with dead Prez, which performed in the past. Why did you choose this act for your anniversary? Dead Prez is one that we went out on a limb to bring in because they’re pretty

controversial. We’ve had enor-mous success with hip hop, but we had to have another conversation when we opened because a lot of insurance companies will try to jack up their rates when you do hip hop. So I just said, ‘Well, if they try to charge us more, I’ll fight it.’ It sounds like discrimina-tion to me.

You brought them in anyway. What was the response? We didn’t know how they would do. They sold 419 out of 420 tick-ets, and I couldn’t even believe it. I was hoping for 200.

You’ve put on a lot of really successful hip hop shows over the past two years. What do you think it is about hip hop that sells?I think relationships are huge. Part of it is I’m new to the hip hop world … I love the rawness and authenticity to it. It’s just a genre that lends itself to our size venue because we’re

doing a lot of underground acts that don’t necessarily fill The Intersection, but have very broad appeal. You can bring in people who love hip hop and people who love activism (to our shows).

What was the difficult part of growing the business? Our first year, we had a lot of shows that lost a lot of money.

surprising ones?We lost a lot of money on our T-Rex Fest.

do you think you’ll do another festival, but tweak it based on your learning experiences from t-rex Fest?Good question. I love festivals so much, but we are not going to do one this year. We have not completely ruled out doing a festival in the future, but we need to do some major changes.

You mentioned a lot of shows lost money within the first year. Was there a lot of dependence on bar sales during that time?Yes, and that’s why we opened the front bar. We designed the business that way because

Jeff (Tami’s brother and fellow co-owner) had done a lot of booking and I’ve done a fair amount, and it’s hard to make money on shows … so to have that cushion of the front bar — that was probably our best move.

it seems like you and Jeff knew what your venue wanted to be in the beginning.We did know what we wanted to be, but I think we’ve evolved into something a little different than what we originally thought. We said we wouldn’t do DJs, but now we have the Bottom 40 guys, and they throw the best party ever. We’ve also done a lot more different genres. We originally thought we were going to be indie, maybe a little metal, but now we’re doing folk … The same people aren’t going to come to a show multiple times a week, so we have to broaden.

now that the Pyramid scheme hit its stride, what have the past few months been like for you?Fortunately, the business has gotten to the point where I can pay people to do everything I was doing … There are certainly some things I do myself, but the vast majority of the work, we pay people to do.

What do you think the Pyramid scheme adds to the downtown grand rapids scene? I think we provide that necessary sort-of underground niche that every city should have. It’s a little bastion of creativity … it’s offering a lot of exposure to a lot of the artists in this city and I don’t think there’s a venue in this town that caters to artists of all kinds. n

Interview conducted, condensed and edited by Lindsay Patton-Carson. Photo: Joe Boomgaard.

“I think we provide that necessary sort-of underground niche that every city should have. It’s a little bastion of creativity

… I don’t think there’s a venue in this town that caters to artists of all kinds.”

/// Q&ASc

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Foun de rs’ growth an d c u rre nt s u cc e ss began in 2007 on Grand Rapids’ Monroe Avenue in Grand Rapids, nearly 10 years after Dave Engbers and Mike

Stevens opened the brewery in the Brassworks Building.

“The momentum behind the brand had already picked up,” Stevens said. “We knew we needed a facility that we could produce a lot more product out of.”

Engbers and Stevens began scouting Grand Rapids for a new location for their growing brand. After searching, they settled on an aban-doned Truck Depot on the corner of Grandville

and Cherry, a location that included surround-ing land, perfect for future expansion.

“Our number one priority in moving here was to keep that feel, that culture, that soul that we had developed in the Brassworks space,” Stevens said.

Founders claimed its new home in late 2007 with the intention to grow, but at the time, Engbers and Stevens didn’t know by how much.

“We did our soft opening, and we didn’t open to investors or to VIPs,” Engbers said. “We opened to our mug club members. We thought it was important to open our doors first to those who had been supporting us for years. It took seven minutes to fill the taproom.”

The taproom features a long wood bar and large open windows that allow light to flow into the room, while large bay windows allow you to watch the brewers at work on the old 35 bbl brewhouse or peek into the old cellar space. West Michigan is very familiar with the taproom’s standard line: pale ale, Centennial IPA, porter, and Red’s Rye, but even this lineup has changed with the company.

Red’s Rye and All Day IPA are now sea-sonal bottle releases to preserve freshness, and it was also announced that Rubeaus will return late summer for the first time since 2008. The brewery also introduced the Backstage Series, a

special bottling of rare taproom offerings to hit the distribution market.

“Part of our responsibilities as brewers is to continue to create new flavor profiles and beers, find some new and exciting flavors,” Engbers said. “When you find one that people really gravitate to, the Backstage Series allows us to take those beers to a much larger audience.”

To meet the demand for their product, Founders had to start growing a little sooner than planned.

“The original idea was that we could stay in the original footprint for five years without modifying the building,” Engbers said. “And we didn’t make it a year and a half.”

In the first year, Founders doubled its pro-duction and has continued to grow every year since. The first expansion included a new walk-in cooler, expanding cellar space and installing a brand new 85 bbl brewhouse. As of right now, Founders is in the second phase of expansion, a $26 million project that will increase production to 320,000 bbls a year, construct a two-story of-fice complex, expand the taproom (along with a second bar) and the company store, and increase cellar space in the brewery with the installation of a fleet of 600 bbl fermenters. The expansion also includes a beer garden out front and a beer school inside.

For two friends who began homebrewing together, the journey to their massive success has been a long and winding road.

“Probably the most humbling day was when we opened here,” Engbers said. “Mike and I were standing on the stage before we opened the doors, and I remember saying, ‘Will we ever fill it?’ We were both worried because it was so big, and Mike starts laughing and says, ‘We damn well better.’” n

FoundErs brEWing CoMPanY235 Grandville ave. SW, Grand Rapids(616) 776-1195, foundersbrewing.com

Oddside Ales in Grand Haven recently announced that it is entering the beer distribution market with bottles.

The World Expo of Beer, Michigan’s largest international beer sampling event, happens May 17-18 in Frankenmuth.

More than 99 of Michigan’s finest microbrews, ciders, meads and brats are featured at Michigan Beer & Brat Festival in Thompsonville on May 25.

bEEr nEWs

Brewery Spotlight:FoundErs brEWing CoMPanY

short’s anniversary ale

H ere’s a little kick to your spring: A 10% ABv blood orange wheat wine from Short’s. This beer pours hazy deep orange-red with an off-white head that is full of

orange, grapefruit and citrus hops. The flavor rides on a big, malty backbone that’s full of wheat tangibles and full of bright citrus flavors, peppercorn and coriander while remaining well-balanced. The mouth-feel is a bit thick with a very mischievously hidden alcohol presence, and finishes slightly bitter. A great ripe beer to usher in your summer.

bEEr oF thE Month

/// Beer by Ben Darcie | [email protected]

PHOTO: BEN DaRCIE


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Grand rapids Coffee roasters (1111 Godfrey Ave. SW ) is known for its Saturday

Experience. In business since 2007, the micro-roaster encourages cus-tomers to visit the fifth-floor roastery Saturdays from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. You can learn about the roasting process, try the coffee and sit and chat with fellow java-heads, while the shop custom roasts your order. Many will pre-order the coffee on Thursday or Friday and come in Saturday to pick it up and have a free cup. Roasters such as Erin Durfey take first timers through the roasting process: how a coffee bean goes from being the pit of a cherry to your kitchen; how decaf coffee becomes decaffeinated; and debunk many coffee myths such as a dark-roasted coffee actually has less caffeine than a lighter-roasted coffee. On select Saturdays, customers can sample the java brewed in a variety of ways: Bunn Brewed, Chemex Drip and French Press or a shot of espresso pulled on the Faema Espresso Machine. Saturday customers receive special discounts for two pounds of freshly roasted Select Single Origin coffees, starting at $21.50.

Across Division Avenue you will find ChasinG Vanity salon and spa (150 Wealthy St. SE), which has its grand opening this month. Owner Elisabeth Bartrom opened her upscale beauty parlor in the new Tapestry Square develop-ment that the Inner City Christian Federation built across from Mary Free Bed. Elisabeth trained under a Redken instructor in Grand Rapids then sought fame and fortune in Las Vegas.

She thrived, helping to open the Aria Salon in the Aria Casino and worked

in the exclusive Mandarin Oriental Spa. Her next step was to come back home to provide West Michigan with trend-setting styles and superior cus-tomer service. Chasing Vanity offers traditional salon and day spa services, along with specialty treatments such as eyelash enhancements and hair extensions. “We want to be that one-stop destination for all your beauty needs,” she said.

the Cheese lady hit Midtown Grand Rapids (315 Fuller NE). Heather Zinn was a customer of the original Cheese Lady in Muskegon. Now she offers 119 cheeses (at last

count) from around the world, as well as wine and crackers and other delicacies, in the River City. Heather has been busy from day one, educat-ing current and future cheese lovers.

“You can never know enough about cheese,” she said. When you walk in, you will immediately be offered a tasty morsel to sample. And then an-other and another. Our Miss Lourdie was mad for ivory cubes of Canadian Cheddar. Lovers of stinky cheese will grab a funky chunk of Epoisses Berthaut, which is so malodorous that it is banned from hotels and taxis in Paris. Other delicacies include the rich and creamy Fromager d’Affinois and the mildly ruminant Potato Chip Goat Gouda. Stop by often to try new and exciting cheeses, my pets.

sweet Kreations for you (95 West Michigan Ave.) is a new custom bakery in downtown Battle Creek, near the Kellogg Company headquarters, the Hart-Dole-Inouye Federal Center and downtown schools. “Having been born and raised in Battle Creek, we are looking forward to being on the front end of ‘our’ downtown revitalization,” said Owner Tracy Summers-Miller. She began baking for her daughter’s open house party and caught the cupcake bug. Her hobby soon became serious when demand grew beyond friends and family. She took advantage of Michigan’s “Cottage Law,” which allows bakeries to be run as home businesses. The next logical step was to open her own shop. Sweet Kreations For You’s new shop is homey with antique couches and chairs and renovated hardwood floors. Initial offerings include cupcakes, cakes, cookies and more. Tracy noted,

“If you can dream it, we’ll Kreate it.” n

Steven de polo’S

New and exciting things happening in the businesses and nonprofits in West Michigan.

FREE MaRKETFreebies The west MiChiGan enVironMental aCtion CounCil wants to help make your shack less drafty. They have already helped a couple thousand homeowners save hundreds of dollars in energy costs per year. Call for a low-cost energy assessment at (616) 451-3051.

superieur Brand ClothinG is a new company hustling Michigan-themed t-shirts for your sunken hipster chests. Kendall grad Todd Truman, who spent years in the rag trade, offers vintage takes on beloved spots like Pine Knob, Thunderbird Raceway and Lee’s Chop Suey. Mostly men’s styles with women’s shirts in the near future. Look for them locally at Landsharks in Saugatuck, Book Nook in Montague and Fitzgerald’s in Grand Rapids.

The Muskegon Lakeshore Chamber of Commerce recently launched netwalKinG for busy profession-als every Monday and Wednesday at the Lakes Mall at 7:30 a.m. and at L.C. Walker Arena at noon. Ask Tru-Fit Comfort Shoe Store for a 10 percent discount for your new kicks.

Grand Rapids Coffee RoastersPHOTO: HEATHER ROWAN

Superieur Brand Clothing

Elisabeth Bartrom


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Mother’s day outdoor Adventure Ramona Park 8600 S. Sprinkle Rd., Portage May 11, noon to 4 p.m. Free! portagemi.gov, (269) 329-4522

This day for families to honor mom and celebrate Mother’s Day features fishing, kayaking and mother/daughter partner yoga. It’s the perfect way to kill two birds with one stone: get outside and enjoy the nice weather at Ramona Park and have some specialized, one-on-one time with mom. We wanted to “reach out to the female audience and engage them more in fishing and boating activities,” says Tricia Keala, recreation program manager with the city of Portage. Gifting mom is easy, as every mom brings home a gift of handcrafted earrings made from fishing lure. “Everything we’re offering that day is really going to reach out to all audiences—mothers, children, any skill level.” It’s worth noting that the outdoor activities keep coming the following Saturday with a Family Fishing Fair also at Ramona Park. Enjoy more fishing and kayaking in a festival-type setting with 100 fishing rods given out to kids.

Arts In Ada Festival Downtown Ada May 11, 9 a.m.-4 p.m.

Free! adaarts.org

Join everyone under the oaks on picturesque, tree-lined Bronson Street for art, music and dance in Ada. Around 60 to 70 visual artists partici-pate in the realm of fine art, crafts, prints and photography. Families will love to look at all the creations, as well as take in highlights from performing arts groups and musicians. “Some of the onstage acts are quite a delight to watch,” said Bob Kraai, event coordinator. “We’ve got unique vendors, food booths with some ethnic-type foods and a caricature artist, which is novel.” Kids will love the live entertainment, face painting and crafts all in the very scenic setting between Ada Drive and the historic Covered Bridge of Ada. Held in rain or shine, this festival has loads of charm (which is never lost on parents).

Fruitport old Fashioned days Pomona Park Park & Third, FruitportMay 22-27

Free! fruitportlions.com

Get outside and take part in a good, old-fashioned celebration with Fruitport Old Fashioned Days. Taking place in Pamona Park, overlook-ing Spring Lake, this annual festival hosts a carnival midway, car show, motorcycle run, community market, horseshoe tournament, fireworks, parade, 5K/10K run and the very popular Ox Roast. “We’ve got many free activities,” said Jim Kauppila, secretary of the Lion’s Club and co-chair of the Ox Roast. Look for a wild animal petting zoo and free music in the evenings. “We’re the oldest festival in West Michigan,” Kauppila said, adding that the festival is “the only non-beer-tent-related festival in Muskegon County.” Don’t forget to visit the Ox Roast for a beef or pork sandwich with a “special cabbage sauce that we get rid of by the gallons.” Time to school the youngins’ in the delicacies of fair food!

Ambrose t-Shirt printing Ambrose Corner of 9th and River, Holland May 4, noon-4 p.m.; May 8-10, noon-7 p.m.; May 11, noon-4 p.m.$20/printing experience and shirt tuliptime.com, phone, (800) 822-2770

Make your own swag by picking your favorite t-shirt from the first-ever Tulip Time t-shirt design contest and printing it yourself. Ambrose, the collaborative design and screen-printing studio, has teamed up with Tulip Time in Holland for a design contest that leads up to t-shirt making fun. Both adults and kids get a behind-the-scenes lesson on how clothing is made. Pick a color, design and then the Ambrose team shows you how to print it. “You pull the squeegee and that’s it!,” said Ambrose Director Jenna Weiler. “You have your very own Tulip Time t-shirt that you created.” The very hands-on event allows you to “two minutes later, wear the shirt” and ask questions of the process during the printmaking demonstration. Creating something useful that you can wear will be a big source of pride for small children and a cool quirk for teens. It’s a “great way for local families to get involved with Tulip Time. We want to celebrate our community by putting a modern spin on Holland’s rich traditions.” Walking away from an event with gear you made (and wear) gets high scores any day. n

Fresh Air FunNicer weather means less time indoors and as a fellow parent once told me, “It’s a good time to blow the stink off them.” Get the kids outside enjoying sunshine and fresh air and away from the couch and video games. May is the time to get moving. Ever try mother/daughter yoga? We can tell you where to go. Festivals with art, food, culture and activities are sprouting up every weekend. The dress code is grass stains, windblown hair and muddy shoes. It’ll look good on you.

by Missy black

/// ALL Ages

3Mother’s day outdoor adventure

ambrose t-shirt printing4


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Mustache MasqueradeThe Intersection, Grand RapidsMay 10, 6 p.m.$10 advance, $12 day of show21+sectionlive.com, (616) 451-8232

Riding the wave of hirsute glee, the first an-nual Mustache Masquerade is debuting at The Intersection’s recently refabbed front room, now called The Stache. More than a night to strut your facial stuff, the event features mustache-themed games and the requisite competition, all to the backdrop of a variety of local bands. The be-whiskered masquerade is presented by the local non-profit, Making Smiles For Hope. “They seem like genuinely good people and wanted to do something a little different,” said Scott Hammontree, general manager and talent buyer at The Intersection. The competition requests a $5 registration donation and all proceeds go towards cheering up children with life threatening illnesses.

Brown Bag Film: edward HopperMuskegon Museum of ArtMay 9, 12:15 p.m.

Free! muskegonartmuseum.org, (231) 720-2570

While he wasn’t the one that famously rode a chopper across the country, the artist Edward Hopper created distinctly American works of art that are just as iconic as Ben Hopper’s cinematic toking. Part of the Muskegon Museum of Arts’ Brown Bag Film series, this documentary, narrated by the inimitable Steve Martin, explores the life and mystery of Edward Hooper and his renowned paintings. Always free, attendees are encouraged to bring a lunch and enjoy complimentary cook-ies and coffee at the afternoon viewing.

Mayfaire Renaissance FestivalMarshall, MichiganMay 18-19, 25-2710 a.m- 6 p.m.$3.50-$40mayfaireren.com, (269) 382-6120

Renaissance festivals are more than a whimsical jaunt into the world of bygone days; they’re a way of life. And on festival grounds, you can immerse yourself among knaves, jesters, boister-ous broads and lithe pixies. Being cajoled into buying whole pickles by lewd men and gnawing on shanks of meat directly off the bone are par for the course. Personal role-play is part of the allure, along with live entertainment like performances

by fire dancers and feats by aerialists. Not to mention real knights, in real armor battling for glory. Other notables like Knotty Bits Sideshow, a duo based out of Grand Rapids, are certain to bring a wow factor with stunts like glass walking and snake charming. Go for a day, or enjoy the whole weekend. Camping is available and the event is family friendly.

25th Annual Great lakes Kite Festival Grand Haven State Park BeachMay 17-19, event times at 10 and 11 a.m. and 4 p.m.

Free! mackite.com, (866) 428-2335

Flying isn’t just for the birds and kites aren’t just for kids. “The reason that people want to fly a kite is because everyone wants to fly,” said Steve Negen, owner of MAC Kite and host of the annual Great Lakes Kite Festival. The festival, which is celebrating 25 years this month, began as a small competition and now features three days of colorful flight. Each day is filled with performances and demonstrations featuring cu-riosities like kite ballet, which is choreographed to music. “Visualize ice skaters in the sky,” Negen said. Participate in manufacturer test fields, giv-ing prototype kites a test fly. Shop at the world’s largest kite store (MACkite) and simply gaze in awe at the aerial beasts the size of a school bus.

“[For] the really big kites, what they do is anchor them with a stand … One year, one of the guys brought a giant spinning [kite] and we tied it to a pickup truck and it was pulling the pickup truck in the sand.” n

This month is about all about pomp, and some circumstance, with a larger than life Renaissance experience, the posturing and preening of a mustache masquerade, the distant, Voyeuristic gaze into a bygone America and the triumphant blast of color from soaring kites. by audria larsen

Great lakes Kite festival

/// ecLectic

May Eclectic Events



May boasts at least a half-dozen first-time musical events, several with an unusual twist to give spring 2013 added zip. Here’s a peek at the uncommon lineup:

West Michigan’s Music Legends at We Do Care Charity Extravaganza, noon-8:30 p.m. May 5, free, Knights of Columbus Hall in Wyoming – Starring 17 acts from Grand Rapids’ past – from The Eschelons to The Trace to Mona and Kristi Sallie – this benefit for We Do Care (aiding children with cancer) pays tribute to some of the area’s most historically important artists. Organized partly by Kim Rush of the West Michigan Music Hysterical Society website, the show reflects

“the earliest days of rock ’n’ roll,” garage-rock, jazz, soul, gospel, classic rock and blues.

Bimini Brothers 30th Anniversary Show, 8 p.m. May 11, $10 advance, $12 day of, The Intersection in Grand Rapids – Incredible as it seems, Dennie Middleton and Nick Lewis have put in three decades as the Bimini Brothers parody rock band: Middleton estimates that since 6th grade in Sparta, the duo has played their “stupid songs” 4,000 times. “Hell, we’ve been at this as long as WLAV and AC/DC,” he said. Active Commute Week Celebration, 4:30 p.m. May 17, free, Rosa Parks Circle in Grand Rapids – Organized by the Greater Grand Rapids Bicycle Coalition (and coincid-ing with National Bike to Work Day and the Grand Rapids Film Festival), this concert features singer-songwriter Ralston Bowles, rock’s The Mines and the debut of the bluesy Jim Shaneberger Band, plus screening of the film, Bicycle Dreams.

World Fiddle Day, 2 p.m. May 18, free, Riverside Park in Grand Rapids – Bows will be sawing and strings bending. Launched by musician Caoimhin Mac in Ireland last year,

Remus fiddler Bruce Bauman pulled this Grand Rapids version together with Garry Zack, Jean Neal and Bruce Ling. Musicians representing “all skill levels” can drop in and jam the afternoon away. Violins, violas, cellos, upright basses and other stringed instruments are welcome; no wind instruments or drums.

Bona-Who? Pig Roast and Music Festival, noon-midnight May 18, free, Cedar Springs – Year four of this event designed to give young musicians a platform for performing has grown to feature nine youth and adult bands and a pig roast. Just bring blankets, chairs, beverages. Consumption of alcohol by minors strictly prohibited.

Honor by August playing the Seven Steps Up Courtyard Concert, 2:30 p.m. May 19, $10-$15 ($25-$40 VIP), Seven Steps Up in downtown Spring Lake – This first-ever outdoor concert hosted by Seven Steps Up’s listening room features Washington D.C. modern rock’s Honor by August and Grand Rapids prog-bluegrass’ Fauxgrass Quartet, raising funds for The Little Red House adult care services agency. Organizer Gary Hanks says the courtyard holds 2,000 people, with local food and beer available on site.

Greg Nagy playing at Tip Top Deluxe, May 31; $5. Finish the month by whooping it up in a live recording of Michigan blues guitarist Greg Nagy and band playing two shows on May 31. Come and your cheers could forever be enshrined on CD. n

/// sink’s sPins on Music

the b-sidesFor the generation raised on early rock, the B-sides of treasured 45s by The Beatles, Kinks, Zombies and even obscure acts like The Clique were thrills unlike any others. Grand Rapids’ appropriately named band the B-Sides deftly revive that flush of excitement. Its two- and three-minute originals recall the twangy guitar pop, sweet hooks and delicious harmonies of the ’60s (“Let Her Go,” “Mary Had

a Baby,” “I’ll Be There”), while adding a smidgen of modern garage rock. The B-Sides – Tommy Schichtel, Pete Curry, Christopher Schichtel and David Stanton – have roots in (and share sonic textures with) local retro bands The Concussions and The Fuzzrites. But like the slightly edgy, psychedelic B-sides of old, it all sounds like nothing else on 2013’s musical landscape.

the Formal introduction of Flashing blue lightsFrom the opening guitar lines and rich vocals of “I Can’t Breathe,” it’s clear Grand Rapids’ Flashing Blue Lights is up to something delightfully rootsy and mighty good on this debut recorded at River City Studios. As songwriter/rhythm guitarist/bassist/co-producer Jason Roy puts it, the band inspired by Neil Young, The Beatles, Ryan Adams

and Noel Gallagher set out to make a cohesive, layered album with straightforward lyrics, not just a “willy-nilly” collection of tunes. Roy, his brother/singer Tim Roy, lead guitarist Jordan Stricklen, drummer Luke Rockhold and co-producer Austin Ruhstorfer did that and more in an album that adroitly spans American and British influences, and rock, folk and country, too.

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honor bY august: May 19 at Seven Steps Up in Spring Lake

On THE MUSIcaL RaDaR

Music critic and entertainment writer John Sinkevics comments on the local and national music scene at localspins.com (Spins on Music), spotlighting artists at 10 a.m. Wednesdays on Local Spins Live at News Talk 1340 AM.


SCENE | | SIGHTS | DINING | SCHEDULESOUnDS

/// on tour

The Dillinger Escape Plan cultivates chaos

| by Josh Spanninga

The dillinger escape plan has pretty much become synony-mous with the mathcore genre, though the members readily admit they never set out to become figureheads of the

genre. Still, it only makes sense they have a proven formula for writing songs.

“We take it from such an inception where it’s a quarter of the speed, it’s like a quarter as intense,” said Frotnman Greg Puciato. “And then we start speeding it up, and then we’re like ‘OK, let’s add this little hiccup here,’ and

“Oh, that little hiccup should happen once, and then let’s make it happen three times the next time.’ But it’s all very methodical.”

This results in a heartfelt and vicious mess of a song, with layers of screams, breakdowns and absurd time signature changes

— but somehow, it works.“When you listen to this

stuff it sounds insane, and the process of recording it is equally as insane,” Puciato said.

The se l f -proc la imed perfectionists employed such methods while recording their latest album One of Us is the Killer, and they admit it could get stressful at times.

“I think (guitarist) Ben and I both quit five times each during the making of it,” Puciato said.

Luckily, the band finished recording intact, and has already taken to the road to promote the new album, which is due out

May 17. As for the tour, fans can expect the band to translate the ferocity of its recorded songs to a live performance, sometimes to

the detriment of the members themselves.

“If you eat a lot of Ibu-profen on tour it keeps the swelling down,” Puciato said about the intense strain his vocal chords endure while performing.

Members a l so have endured bloody gashes and broken bones from relentlessly

thrashing around onstage in such close proxim-ity to each other. All this intensity, however, can be drawn back to a longstanding apprecia-tion for hardcore music.

“When I saw and heard the type of energy that came from more hardcore type stuff I was addicted,” Puciato said. “And I don’t think it’s ever really left my bloodstream since.” n

thE dillingEr EsCaPE Plan wsg royal thunder and the FacelessThe Intersection, Grand RapidsMay 5, 7 p.m.$16 advance, $18 day of showsectionlive.com, (616) 451-8232

“When you listen to this stuff it sounds insane, and the process of recording it is equally as insane … I think (guitarist) Ben and I both quit five times each during the making of [the album].”

LADIES LITERARY CLUB61 SHELDON BLVD SE

MAY 4MAY 18CALVIN’S GEZON AUDITORIUM 3201 BURTON ST SE

JUNE 22JULY 20ALL SHOWS 7:33 PMRIVERCITYIMPROV.COM


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/// on tour

In 2007, two sets of brothers out of Perry, Mich. got together and decided to make some music. But they weren’t reaching for the polished, over-processed sound that saturates the airwaves today. Instead, these four embraced the raw, unrefined style of 1960s garage rock, with some psychedelia thrown in for good measure, and formed The

People’s Temple.Given their focus, it’s no wonder they found themselves on the radar of Third Man Records,

Jack White’s independent record label out of Nashville. So in July 2012, the band — which Third Man Records calls one of “the most intriguing and rawkus bands currently blowing up the rock-n-roll underground” — traveled to Tennessee to record a live single.

“We drove all night to get down there,” said Lead Guitarist Alex Szegedy. “It was really fun, and it was actually our first live recording we’ve ever done. We got to listen to it right after recording. It was very interesting.”

That live single, which included the songs “Never More” and “Miles Away,” was released under the Third Man label on 7-inch vinyl in February. Add that to the band’s already impres-sive discography, which includes three EPs and two full-length albums, as well as a consistent touring schedule, and it’s safe to say these guys keep busy.

“Right now we’re just trying to go out and spread our name around,” Szegedy said. “We have a whole other bunch of May

dates …We’ll be sticking around the Midwest and the deep south, take a month off, then go out to the west coast in July.”

Yet even with that kind of schedule, the band is looking at more recording.“We’re going to be putting out another single in July,” Szegedy said. “I don’t know about a

third album yet. We have a lot of material, just nothing specific in the works right now. What we do have is not necessarily very good, or at least what I consider very good … We’ll see, you never know. Right now we’re just trying to keep playing shows and keep going.” n

thE PEoPlE’s tEMPlE wsg the amoebas, Kastanza, Cardboard swordsThe Pyramid Scheme, Grand RapidsMay 3, 8 p.m.$8 advance, $10 day of showpyramidschemebar.com, (616) 272-3758

The People’s Temple Gets Jack White’s attention by Doing Its Own Thing | by Dwayne Hoover


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TYLAN MAY 5 - 7:00PM

STEPHEN KELLOGG W/OPENER MILOW

JUN 1 - 8:00PM

LIZ LONGLEYMAY 24 - 8:00PM

MICHAEL MCDERMOTTMAY 11 - 8:00PM

DREW NELSONMAY 4 - 8:00PM

CD RELEASE PARTY!

116 S Jackson St.Spring Lake, MI 49456

(616) 678-3618 www.pindropconcerts.com

&

ALBUM RELEASE TOUR



/// on tour

Relive Pop-Punk’s Glory Days | by Dwayne Hoover

It’s difficult to just slap an all-encom-passing genre on a band, as many pull from a variety of influences to shape their sound. But to not acknowledge New Found Glory as a pop-punk group is to ignore their influence on the genre’s rise to mainstream popularity.

The simultaneous success of the genre and band saw two gold records for NFG at the beginning of the 21st century. So, in 2012, the guys set out on tour to celebrate the 10th anniversary of the second of those two albums, Sticks and Stones.

“That record was one of our biggest,” said Jordan Pundik, lead vocalist for NFG. “A lot of people grew up on that record, and even we grew up on that record. Heck, we were still in our early 20s.”

And it was Sticks and Stones that made an impact on the pop-punk scene and bands to come.

“[Sticks and Stones] has been cited by other bands as an influ-ence on them, and so I think that we decided to do that record

because it was like, 10 years for just one record is kind of a big deal,” Pundik said. “There are a lot of bands in our genre that come and go, but our longevity is because of successes like that.”

May actually begins the second leg of NFG’s Sticks and Stones Anniversary Tour. The first, according to Pundik, was an absolute riot.

“We did it all in small clubs,” Pundik said. “The biggest capacity was maybe 1100. A lot of the venues didn’t have any barriers, so there were a lot of kids on stage.”

Even with its current touring schedule, the band has its sights set on some more recording, including an upcoming live album.

“We’re going to [record] two shows in Anaheim, two super small venues,” Pundik said. “We’re just going to do two different sets and see how it goes. We’re trying to mix it up and put three new studio songs on the live record.”

And after that? “Our plan is to probably, hopefully, do a new record after

the New Year.”“That’s really what our focus is on,” said Pundik. “I’m super

excited, and our fans are excited about it. We always try to keep our fans involved, like they’re a part of everything.” n

nEW Found glorYwsg Cartel, living With lionsThe Intersection, Grand RapidsMay 21, 6:30 p.m.$19.99 advance, $23 day of show, all agessectionlive.com, (616) 451-8232


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TICKETS AND MORE INFORMATION 269.857.2399 OR WWW.SC4A.ORG

CALLING ALL FILMMAKERS SAUGATUCK SHORTS

FILM COMPETITION SUBMISSIONS ACCEPTED

MAY 1 - AUGUST 31

The rst annual Saugatuck Shorts event will be held on October 12 and will feature short lms ( ve minutes or less) that have a tie to Michigan. Three prizes will be awarded at the screening: $500 for the high school & under student category, $1,000 for the adult category, and $1,000 for “audience favorite”. Filmmakers of all ages are encouraged to enter; visit our website for more details: www.sc4a.org.

SCA FARMER’S MARKET

MAY 24 - OCTOBER 4 FRIDAYS 8AM-2PM

Stop by the SCA for in-season produce, owers, fresh baked goods, artisan products, and more.

Sponsored by: Hilliard Lyons of Holland, Huntington Bank, Lighthouse Title + Insurance

EXHIBITION OPENING LAND & SKY: FRANK

DUDLEY & THE PAGEANTRY OF CONSERVATION

MAY 30 6-8PM FREE ADMISSION

Featuring paintings by noted Chicago artist Frank Dudley (on loan from the Brauer Museum of Art, Valparaiso, Indiana) this exhibition reveals how art – from paintings and photographs to music and theatrical presentations – played a central role in our nation’s rst dune preservation movement in Northwest Indiana. Open through August 9.

Sponsored by: Warner Norcross & Judd, Penny & Jamie Ladd, Janice & David Varney / Century Restoration, Tracey Shafroth & Michael Elam


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Discovering an area’s artful offerings can be challenging, whether you’re a first-time visitor or a longtime resident. Questions of where to go and what to see abound, but

there’s one type of event that can easily help provide some answers: a gallery hop.

Gallery hops are community events put together through partnerships between area businesses, artists and organizations with the aim to create an evening of culture, commerce and entertainment. One of the longest-running gallery hops is Kalamazoo’s Art Hop, which is celebrating its sixteenth year. Held the first Friday of each month, Art Hop brings droves of people into the downtown area to experi-ence what it has to offer.

Four times a year, Art Hop expands to in-clude more galleries and more businesses, and the second of these expanded evenings take place this month. 53 stops are included on the May 5th event that will run from 5-9 p.m. throughout downtown Kalamazoo.

“Our May event is one of the largest,” said Beth McCann, deputy director of the Kalamazoo Area Arts Council, which coordi-nates the art hops. “We include more of the downtown community, the merchants, restau-rants, salons, all kinds of folks.”

McCann said the art hops began with only three or four stops but over the years have blossomed into one of the main draws of the downtown area.

“The idea is to come into downtown Kalamazoo, park your car, grab a brochure, and hop from place to place,” she said.

Brochures are available at any of the stops and help visitors navigate where they will go and what to expect. McCann said the hops are great

opportunities for people to try out new places and create an entire evening of activities, including dinner and live music.

Participating artists open their studios, allow-ing the community to not only see and discuss the work, but also get a sense of where they create their pieces. McCann said this month’s hop features a handful of artists that haven’t participated before, and the range of mediums will include unique offer-ings such as bonsai art and glass blowing.

“We try and have something that will appeal to everyone,” she said.

For additional fun, Art Hop hosts the free Chalk It Up, which will turn Kalamazoo Mall into a giant chalk mural. Reservations are not required, but they are encouraged for any groups that want to create their art in specific areas. Judges will select first and second place winners and will award $100 and $50 prizes. n

by alexandra Fluegel visuAL Art

Hop Into art

GRPS City Wide Art ShowUICA, Grand RapidsMay 12-19Free for exhibiting students and their familiesuica.org, (616) 454-7000

There’s nothing quite like a child’s imagination, the fruits of which can often be seen clinging to the refrigerators of proud parents. Now there’s an opportunity to check out some of what Grand Rapids’ youngest artists have been creating throughout the past year, and you can expect much more than finger paintings. The annual spring exhibition highlights the talents of students from 75 K-12 Grand Rapids Public Schools, an eclectic mix of more than 350 works ranging in medium.

Annual Student Exhibition WeekKendall College of Art and Design, Grand RapidsOpening Reception May 7, 4-7 p.m.May 8-10, 9 a.m.-9 p.m.; May 11, 9 a.m.-2 p.m. FrEE! kcad.edu, (800) 676-2787

Kendall College is home to a wellspring of talented, up-and-coming artists, and this exhibition is one of the few opportunities the community has to see the students’ cutting-edge creations. This year’s show takes place inside the Old Federal Building, giving the work one of the most beautiful and historical backdrops in Grand Rapids. undergraduate work and graduate work is on display and ranges from oil painting to fashion design, and during the opening reception, many of the artists will be on hand to discuss their work.

Live Painting: Justin KellnerLaFontsee Gallery, Grand RapidsMay 11, 12-3pm FrEE! lafontsee.us, (616) 451-9820

Award-winning artist and Kendall College alumnus Justin Kellner’s paintings will be on display through May 24, and for one afternoon he will be in the gallery creating a new piece. Kellner’s current body of work contains mixed-media acrylic painting that focuses on the negative impact humankind has on various natural ecosystems, specifically the sulfide mining in Michigan’s upper Peninsula. This exhibition is Kellner’s first solo show.

Other Art Events

KalaMazoo art hoPDowntown Kalamazoo, May 5, 5 p.m. FrEE!

kalamazooarts.org


SCENE | SOUNDS | DIING | SCHEDULE SIGHTS

dAnce

From the iconic ‘wherefore art thou’ to the dagger’s final plunge, William Shakespeare’s Romeo and Juliet delivers enthralling moments that continue to captivate audiences worldwide. This classic tale of forbidden passion returns once again with Grand Rapids Ballet’s

season finale, Romeo & Juliet. Selling out at its world premiere in 2011, the show has earned international recognition and is the company’s most requested work.

While Shakespeare’s storyline and Sergei Prokofiev’s tradi-tional score provide a familiar backdrop, Mario Radacovsky’s new choreography infuses the ballet with vibrant energy and an updated, modern feel. Dance elements are athletic and novel, blending classical and contemporary movement in stunning, imaginative ways.

For Radacovsky, it is particularity important that the chore-ography expresses authentic emotion that resonates with real-life experiences.

“With this Romeo & Juliet, I would like to tell a tale of pas-sion, love and hate — many aspects of our lives and emotions,” Radacovsky said. “I hope to convey to the audience how this classic story is relevant to all of us. We have all had our Juliets or Romeos, and struggled with barriers. I believe this ballet can be a truly unique experience for all of us — dancers, directors and

audience — as we explore with such honesty the passion, love and tragedy of Romeo & Juliet.”

Sets and costumes are smoothly incorporated into this vision, transforming the emotions of a familiar tale into urgent feelings audiences can connect with. Background projections are rich with sentimental symbolism, while shrouds of fog and splashes of light flood scenes with meaning. Outfits contribute to the immediacy of the ballet, as well as highlight dancers’ expression and provide a current edge.

“Grand Rapids Ballet’s Romeo & Juliet is a contemporary take on a classic tale,” Artistic Director Patricia Barker said. “Some details are stripped, but [Radacovsky] has also taken Shakespeare’s tragic love story and made it accessible to all ages with dramatic lighting, modern costuming and stunning dance.”

The ballet also tugs at heartstrings by relating all of the char-acters’ inner turmoil to love — a core aspect of human existence. The result is a textured, in-depth exploration of one of the most universal human experiences.

“Shakespeare took the strongest, most basic emotion of human life and created an entire play around it — love. Young love, passionate love, hate love and tragic love,” Radacovsky said.

“Love is the centerpiece for all other feelings that come into play. It is my hope, with this Romeo & Juliet, that I give you an incredible experience of the many facets of love.” n

GR Ballet Presents Passionate Romeo and Juliet UpdateLa Traviata

Opera Grand RapidsDevos Performance Hall, Grand RapidsMay 3 & 4, 7:30 p.m.$21-$98, students 50 percent offopreagr.com, (616) 451-2741

verdi’s La Traviata closes Opera Grand Rapids’ season with a spellbinding spectacle of drama, passion and grit. Introduced to many audiences in the film Pretty Woman, La Traviata is the second most performed opera in the world and features an iconic soprano role. The plot centers on the unlikely romance between high society courtesan violetta and provincial bourgeoisie Alfredo. ultimately, the course of true love does not run smoothly, as the blossoming relationship is inevitably plagued by scandal and tragedy. English subtitles and a pre-show lecture from opera experts help audiences savor the performance to the fullest.

How to Succeed in Business Without Really TryingKalamazoo Civic TheatreMay 3, 4, 9-12, 17-19; show times at 2, 7:30 and 8 p.m.$12-23, kazoocivic.com, (269) 343-1313A smirking Broadway favorite with plenty of charm and wit, How to Succeed tells the story of an or-dinary man’s rise to greatness. The story begins when window washer J. Pierrepont Finch finds an instructional guide for climbing the cooperate ladder. Excitement escalates and outrageous satire abounds as the guide leads Finch to defeat rivals, find love and gain an executive position. When Finch’s company faces disaster, however, he must suddenly rely on his own ingenuity and street-smarts to come out on top.

Anything GoesBroadway Grand RapidsDevos Performance Hall, Grand RapidsMay 14-19; show times at 1, 2, 6:30, 7:30 and 8 p.m., $32 & upbroadwaygrandrapids.com, (616) 235-6285

Featuring unforgettable numbers such as “I Get a Kick Out of You,” “You’re the Top” and “Anything Goes,” this Cole Porter classic typifies the dazzle, hilarity and heart of vintage Broadway. The cheeky storyline sets sail when a gangster, a debutante, a nightclub singer and a businessman climb aboard an American ship bound for England. Before long, romance buds and mayhem breaks loose as the passengers throw social norms overboard and fall for each other in unexpected ways.

Other Performing Arts Events

by allison Parker

Romeo & JulietGrand Rapids BalletPeter Martin Wege Theatre, Grand RapidsMay 10-12, 17-19; show times at 2 and 7:30 p.m.$30-40, grballet.com, (616) 454-4771


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Erik griffin is a first-generation American, born to a mother from Central America and a father of European descent. Because of his genes, Griffin is what he refers to as “very racially ambiguous,” a trait that has proven valuable in his comedy.

“I think it disarms people,” Griffin said. “It lets me say some really outlandish things. Then they can’t put me in a box of things I can or cannot say.”

By taking advantage of his mixed cultural background, he honed his comedy into an edgy, funny routine where nothing is off-limits, and no race or demographic is safe, as he’s an equal-opportunity wisecracker.

Due to his attention to diversity and race, he gained rec-ognition from fellow like-minded comics, most notably Ahmed Ahmed, who asked Griffin to appear in the film Just Like Us, a documentary about comedians bridging the gap between America and the Middle East.

Soon after this, Griffin au-ditioned for Comedy Central’s “Workaholics” and landed the iconic role of Montez Walker, a serious coworker with the tendency to divulge a little too much unsolicited information about his personal life. Griffin embraced the role.

“It was the perfect part for me,” he said. “I feel like there is a little bit of Montez inside of me, and he’s just blaring to come out all the time, so I love that part.”

“Workaholics” was recently renewed for two more seasons, and Griffin couldn’t be happier.

“I just like being a part of something that people legitimately love.”Griffin has also been receiving a little taste of rockstar treatment

lately – he was recently signed to SideOneDummy records and re-leased his first comedy album. The label generally releases albums

from punk and indie bands, but co-owner Joe Sib expressed an interest in signing Griffin, and once they met he knew it was a great opportunity.

“He’s trying to be a comic himself now,” Griffin said. “He understands the scene. He understands how it works.”

While recording the album, Griffin real-ized he needed to fine-tune his routine to better fit an audio-only format.

“I’m such a physical comic, so it was hard to really narrow it down to jokes that can be heard and not seen,” he said.

The result is a full 52-minute set of Griffin’s crass humor, with topics ranging from airport security to gay Santas. All of this is delivered in a manner that hardly seems rehearsed, which can be attributed to his approach to stand-up.

“I’m always adding to it and expanding on it,” Griffin said. “So a one-minute bit turns into a 10-minute bit, and that’s just how I operate.”

Right now Griffin is touring non-stop, and he looks forward to bringing his brand of comedy to Grand Rapids.

“It’s just my perception of the world around me,” he said. “You’re either going to agree or disagree, but in that process you’ll laugh.” n

coMedYby Josh Spanninga

EriK griFFinDr. Grins, Grand RapidsMay 23-25, Show times at 8,9 and 10:30 p.m.$10-$15thebob.com, (616) 356-2000

Erik Griffin’s comedy Melting Pot

“It’s just my perception of

the world around me. You’re either

going to agree or disagree, but in that process

you’ll laugh.”


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artistiC avEnuEs Local filmmakers Michael Martin and Jeremy Nickerbocker are teaming up with the Avenue for the Arts along Grand Rapids’ South Division Avenue to co-produce a series of three online promotional videos that aim to break down barriers not only stylistically, but in the local art community.

“There are a lot of people that have become active in the Grand Rapids art community but are unaware of where these things are happening and unsure of how to approach it,” Martin said. “So we want to show people this unique world of Avenue for the Arts’ thriving and tucked away community in a media format that’s simple and engaging to the average person.”

Martin and Nickerbocker wanted to make the short-film series into its own project, combining elements of stylistic experimentation, humor and darkness to tell the story “of this underground world,” Martin said, with a point to “make what is underground accessible and seen in a way that it’s approachable to an average person.”

They’ll release the videos in May, with episodes that feature interviews with local artists along the South Division strip on their own creative and general philosophies, and about the community at large – their understanding of how people func-tion together and how people see their artistic selves as part of a larger whole.

“This is definitely a project in our own passion to create something – you know, take a medium that we’re familiar with, like short-format TV, and to experiment with it in a way that helps benefit the community at large,” Martin said.

MoviE Marathons The 15th Annual Jewish Film Festival of Grand Rapids brings a whole host of cultural-growth opportunities beginning May 5-9, screening six films for West Michiganders at Celebration! Cinema North – all designed to bring community members together in thoughtful discussion.

“(The festival’s mission) is not only to show films inside the community, but to bring it to everybody,” said Sari Cohen,

programming director for the Jewish Film Festival of Grand Rapids.

The festival is part of the larger Year of Interfaith Understanding, an initiative hosted by a partnership between Grand Valley State University’s Kaufman Interfaith Institute, the Grand Rapids Press, WGVU Public Media and the Grand Rapids Mayor’s office to “cultivate community interest and engagement of all faith traditions in West Michigan.”

Case in point, the German drama Kadish for a Friend, a coming-of-age story about a Muslim teen that explores the deep ethnic and religious divisions between Jews and Arabs that will screen on May 6, wherein Cohen said “the interfaith equation” is pretty clear.

It’s Cohen’s twelfth year as the festival’s programming director – something that started as a volunteer position and blossomed into a long-term passion project.

“Getting the people there and getting the theater that we have is unbelievable, it’s really rewarding,” Cohen said. “…I have a list of people that request me to send information to them, people that we have never reached before.”

Admission is $6 per film, but Cohen said Flex Pass tickets for eight admissions are available for $36 until May 1.

nEW and iMProvEd The Grand Rapids Film Festival also returns this month – bigger and badder after its yearlong hiatus as it absorbs the

Michigan Film Festival to screen films throughout downtown Grand Rapids May 15-19.

“The (Michigan) film festival was really known for its community initiative, really involving locals,” said Jennifer Shaneberger, director of GRFF. “The Grand Rapids Film Festival’s focus has always been wonderful independent films, and that really comes to life with the university involvement.”

Kendall College of Art and Design is one of three festi-val “hubs” that also includes $5 indie film screenings at the Urban Institute for Contemporary Arts and Grand Valley State University’s Loosemore Auditorium, which plays a fitting host for the festival’s student submissions.

This year, the GRFF hosts a free educational production workshop, which gives festivalgoers the opportunity to see the production process from the ground up, at KCAD throughout the entire week.

“Basically, what we want to learn about is how to make film, how to make them better and how everyone else is doing it,” Shaneberger said. “It’s a comprehensive workshop that pulls together all different aspects of production.”

From script writing, to story-boarding, to filming and edit-ing, the workshop will produce what Shaneberger called three “tangible, three-minute shorts,” and it’s 100 percent free for the public to come and participate. n

by anya ZentmeyerFiLM

B etween the Jewish Film Festival of Grand Rapids and the return of the Grand Rapids Film Festival, West Michigan filmgoers might have

more fun watching films in Grand Rapids than they’ve had all year.

Reb Roberts, owner of Sanctuary Folk art on 140 S. Division, recounts what avenue for the arts looked like when it opened up shop 14 years ago. His interview will be part of the promotional series’ first episode, themed “Site Owners and avenue for the arts’ Past. PHOTO: MICHaEL MaRTIN


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Movie///PrevieWsby Diana nowak

The Great Gatsby

oPEning MaY 3

Iron man 3 Desperately in need of a break after teaming up with The Avengers, Tony Stark (Robert Downey Jr.) vows to spend more time at home with Pepper (Gwyneth Paltrow) and without his helmet. His plan goes awry when he is attacked by a new villain named The Mandarin (Ben Kingsley). When his life’s work is destroyed and the love of his life is threatened, Stark must piece his life back together and defeat Mandarin.

oPEning MaY 10

The Great Gatsby Director Baz Luhrmann (Romeo + Juliet) brings to life F. Scott Fitzgerald’s world of glitzy gowns and gin-soaked jazz through the eyes of Nick Carraway (Tobey Maguire), a would-be writer in New York City. After leaving the Midwest for the city, Carraway is captivated by a world unbeknownst to him, including the mysterious Jay Gatsby (Leonardo Dicaprio), Daisy Buchanan (Carey Mulligan) and many other interesting people during the city’s famous Roaring Twenties.

oPEning MaY 17

Star Trek into DarknessIn the second installation of the 2009 reboot, J.J. Abrams promises to pack in even more high-octane thrills aboard Captain James T. Kirk’s USS Enterprise. After being called home, Kirk’s vessel encounters a seemingly

invincible force that both destroyed Earth’s defenses and attacked Starfleet. With the help of his crew, Kirk must track down this evasive force and settle the score once and for all.

oPEning MaY 24

Epic From the creators of Rio and Ice Age comes the story of Mary Katherine (Amanda Seyfried), a young girl who sets out to find her father (Jason Sudekis) after he disappears in the woods. While searching through the forest, she stumbles upon a strange group of warriors called the Leafmen. Desperate to bring her family back together, she agrees to help the mythological clan fight a battle against the evil forces taking over their gardens.

Hangover 3 In the third and final film directed by Todd Phillips, the Wol fpack member s (Ed Helms, Bradley Cooper, Zach Galifianakis, Justin Bartha) are reunited in a place they never ex-pected to set foot again: Las Vegas. With new cast members (John Goodman, Melissa McCarthy) and without a bachelor party to celebrate, the boys somehow find themselves in the middle of yet another hilarious situation. n


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allow me to blow the collective mind of Generation Y with a history lesson. Shocking as it may seem, humans did in fact once communicate without the aid of digital technology and social media. Mocked for their lack of speed and efficiency, relics like the letter, the

telegram and the fax have been effectively phased out, but for acclaimed non-profit organization The Moth, there is one antiquated form of communication that deserves preservation: the ancient art of storytelling.

Founded in 1997 by poet and novelist George Dawes Green, The Moth began as a series of small gatherings in New York City where Green and others would meet up to swap true stories. The organization has grown tremendously over time, hosting main-stage events and open mic-style story slams in a number of major cities, including Ann Arbor and Detroit. A strong media pres-ence features regular podcasts, as well as The Moth Radio Hour, a Peabody-winning program that is broadcast on more than 200 radio stations nationwide.

“Our storytelling is very much the art of the raconteur,” said Maggie Cino, The Moth’s senior producer. “What we are fundamen-tally interested in is the person and the passion behind the story.”

Through a story hotline (1-877-799-6684), story slam performances and word-of-mouth recommendations, The Moth’s producers enter-tain every story pitch they receive. Chosen storytellers range from famous names in the arts, sciences and pop culture to everyday men and women. Each mainstage event revolves around a chosen theme (on May 22 it will be “Between Worlds”), and gives five storytellers

10 minutes each to captivate the audience with a true, personal and compelling tale.

“The time limit forces [the storyteller] to sit down and really think about exactly what it is they’re trying to communicate,” Cino said. “What information does the audience need to understand how

important this experience was to you?”Mainstage events allow time prior to the performance

for the audience to have a few drinks, mingle and prepare themselves for a truly immersive experience. Sold-out performances everywhere, including two in Michigan last year, are proof of the communicative power of storytelling.

“Hopefully, people will encounter the opportunity to be a part of a community, to sit back and think about what it really means to connect,” Cino said.

Spend an hour on The Moth’s website and you’ll find recordings of live stories about anything and everything, such as a wedding toast gone horribly awry, a stabbing at the hands of Latin Kings gang members or the raw experiences of an embedded wartime journalist. But it’s not the surface details that resonate with the audience most, but rather the pain, joy, regret, conflict, death, discovery and rebirth that arise when the everyday and the extraordinary collide.

“[The stories] are all fundamentally about things that have been going on since people were able to talk to each other,” Cino said. “Putting a frame around that in this chaotic and information-rich culture is something that people have really been responding to.” n

KEEPInG THE FLaME: The Moth Brings Storytelling Into the 21st Century

Lit LiFe

thE Moth MainstagEKalamazoo State TheatreMay 22, 7:30 p.m.Tickets start at $30kazoostate.com, (269) 345-6500

Grand Rapids Writer’s ExchangeBarnes and Noble – Woodland MallThursdays, 7 p.m.grwriters.org, (616) 940-0820

If you’re a budding writer who’s been slaving away at the computer in solitude, perhaps it’s time to get out of the house and into a writer’s group. The Grand Rapids Writer’s Exchange provides a community of support and self-improvement for writers of all skill levels, and new members are free to join in at any time.

until tuesday: A Wounded Warrior and the Golden Retriever Who Saved HimGrand Rapids Public LibraryMay 1, 7 p.m.grpl.org, (616) 988-5400

Hear Captain Luis Carlos Montalván, a 17-year veteran of the u.S. Army, discuss his book, Until Tuesday, at this free event. The book, which chronicles both Montalván’s service and his post-service rehabilitation, explores the trauma and experiences of veterans and people with disabilities, as well as the healing power of animal/human relationships. Montalván’s service dog, Tuesday, will be on-hand as well.

Singing Man: Seven Sacred DirectionsBlack River Books330 Kalamazoo St., South HavenMay 25, 1 p.m.blackriverbooks.net, (269) 637-7374

Singing Man, Michael Toahty, is a man of mixed Native American descent. His father was half-Pawnee and half-Kiowa, while his mother was full-blooded Southern Arapaho. Living in the 21st century with ties to ancient Native American culture has inspired Toahty to share his unique blend of Native American teachings and modern struggles through his writing. At this free event, he will share some of the spirit contained in his book, Seven Sacred Directions: A Native American Message of Transformation.

Other Literary Events

by Kyle austin


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your hot Saturday night is here thanks to runway for charity. Formerly known as the Design 1 Fashion Event, the fashion show’s new incarnation brings a.k.

rikk’s, design 1 salon spa, aura cosmetics, The Matthew agency and Visbeen associates together for a sweet show rooted in Candy Land lore and wonder. Held May 11 at the A.K. Rikk’s location and event space, this indoor/outdoor runway show is colorful, creative and out of this world according to Paige Cheever at Design 1 Salon Spa. “Anything candy you can think of will be there. There will be fun aspects of the rich, deep chocolates and the Candy Land look with the ice queen.” The entertainment factor comes in the form of detailed hair and makeup, things you wouldn’t wear every day and spring clothing fash-ions from gowns to casual wear. Sound frivolous and fun? It is and it’s not, as all proceeds from the event benefit the Helen DeVos Children’s Hospital. Looking good, doing good. You got this. Skip over to the Facebook page for specific details.

I like my fashions with a side of sweet treats and tea. If you feel the same, followers of all things vintage should hit up Grand rapids Public Museum for a Fashion & Tea program featuring vintage clothing, shoes and refreshments. Learn about Victorian and Edwardian era fashions, vintage clothing, customs and culture. Get a close-up look at all the “layers under gowns and the modesty in some of the fashion,” said Kate Moore, director of marketing and public relations. Talk to an educator, get some period clothing 101 and enjoy “the whole social aspect—shopping is a social thing, looking at the fashions, the tea, that’s very social as well.” The museum’s fantastic clothing collection can be viewed May 16 and 17 as well as June 6-8. Head to grmuseum.org for more information.

Nothing says old money like initialed jewelry. If you don’t have the money to back you up, go faux with an Art Deco piece found at spring sweet in Holland. The store is very Paris flea market meets chic boutique with clothing and a fresh flower market to top it off. Available to order in any initial, the vintage brass chain bracelet has a large initial engraving, rhinestones for a little glitz and is from the Top Shelf jewelry line. “I think it’s a fun way to personalize,” Owner Spring Sweet (who shares her name with her store) said. “There are so many variations on monograms and initials. This is made to look like an old piece.” Sweet thinks the ac-cessory should be worn with jeans, and a white button-down shirt with the sleeves rolled up or even a simple white t-shirt to let the piece get the attention it deserves. Pick one up for $45.

Fashion designer Nicole Miller has two pieces of style advice for you: Don’t leave the house without looking in the rearview mirror (that goes for cloth-ing and hair) and other than black hair, you should never wear clothes that match your hair color. More of her style solutions can be found at studio k clothing company in Holland. The store is a big fan of everything Nicole Miller and has selections from her spring season. Fashion as an art form comes alive with dresses with “stunning fabric,” according to Owner Kimberly Petroelje. Imagine garments in reverse brocade with soft colors that

are fun and flirty with an edge to them. One item in particular is a gilded brocade frock with an illusion top in silk that’s gorgeous and perfect for weddings or special occasions. Think embroidered beading, bare backs and modern florals—where the florals are cut and overlapping with black mixed in among a soft pastel. “My store is contemporary and we like some of the classic looks,” Petroelje said.

“Nicole Miller does that well.” Suiting crossover customers such as a 28 year old to a more mature age, the store also features some of the designer’s shirts in silk fabrics and florals to pair with denim or skinny jeans.

in bloom: an evening of spring Fashion with lee & birch hits Division’s Harris building on May 18 at 7 p.m. The event includes a fashion show, pop-up store and shopping soiree with a few male models thrown in for good measure. (Or a teaser for new things to come?) Models look dapper thanks to cheeky strut’s hair and makeup mojo and “ladies can shop looks right off the runway and get style inspiration for the new season,” says Communications Coordinator Blair Badge. Guests receive discount codes for the night

and a coveted swag bag with loot from Cheeky Strut. Stalk the Lee & Birch Facebook page for all the juicy details.n

MISSy BlAcK’S

It’s game on with a Candy Land runway show and a side of old-money accessories.

STYLE nOTES

Runway for Charity

Fashion & Tea

Spring Sweet


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FARM TO DOORWE DELIVER!

Local and Organic Produce,

Meat & Specialty Goods.

$10 off your rst delivery! Use coupon code "REVUE"

www.doorganicsgr.com


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We all have to eat, so we might as well enjoy what’s on our plate and all that comes along with it. In our third annual Food Issue, we take a look at the recent gluten-free rise and how restaurants accommodate it. We also check in on some local farmers market updates, talk to a “Top Chef” and take a look at the food incubators that help entrepreneurs get their ideas out of the kitchen and into the market.

As a bonus for our readers, we asked local chefs to provide some of their recipes that you can recreate at home. Dinner parties will never be the same again.

// by REvuE STaFF and MInIonS

/// SPECIaL FEaTuRE

MakE ThIS: Fried Pork Chop, prepared by

Chef Mathew Green at Reserve. Recipe on page 52!

Photo: Katy Batdorff

TheFoodIssue


“The problem with celiac disease is if you continue to ingest the wheat, you can be at an increased risk for certain kinds of cancers in the stomach lining and the G.I. tract,” said Karyn Gell, a doctor at Grand Rapids Allergy, which specializes in asthma and allergy care.

That’s not all. In addition to cancer risks, people with celiac disease suffer from some of the most unglamorous side effects possible: diarrhea, bloating, gas, constipation, depres-sion, fatigue and that dreaded hangover feeling, says one person who went gluten-free a year and a half ago. More than ever, businesses in the food industry recognize the pain and discomfort those with intolerances face and adjust menus accordingly.

“We’re very respectful of other people’s allergies,” said Ted Watson, general manager at Brick Road Pizza in Grand Rapids, which offers nearly every menu item in a gluten-free option. “They come here trusting that we’re not going to make people sick.”

Not everyone who chooses to go gluten free has celiac disease, however. Many have gluten intolerances, which are not as serious as celiac, but still result in those nasty side effects.

“If somebody has celiac disease or is really allergic, those people call days in advance,” said Josef Huber, corporate ex-ecutive chef at Amway Hotel Corporation. “They take a stand and they’re worried about it.”

Within the past two years, the diet has grown not only lo-cally, but on national levels. Just last year, the gluten-free diet came in at No. 2 on Time magazine’s top 10 list of food trends. That same year, Miley Cyrus endorsed the diet on Twitter and in 2010, after going on the diet, tennis star Novak Djokovic won five Grand Slam titles. Such celebrity endorsements lead to more interest in the diet and more tweaks to recipes and menu items. Now it’s even common to see a gluten-free aisle at grocery stores.

“It’s getting better and better,” said Christina Klunder-Meuser, co-owner of Grand Central Market in Grand Rapids. “When we were looking into gluten-free options two years ago, the products were not that awesome.”

GCM stocks its shelves with gluten-free products such as beer, pasta and snacks, and also uses gluten-free meats from Dietz & Watson and breads from Gordon Foods, a large supplier to area businesses.

“There has been incremental interest in gluten-free prod-ucts for the past six years and more so in the past two years as consumers have become more aware of gluten,” said Andy Maier, spokesperson for Gordon Food Service.

And yes, even though gluten is found in wheat, the pro-tein can sneak into a lot of meat items — mostly processed products.

“Processed meats have to be shelf-stable, so gluten is included as a stabilizing agent,” said Cheryl Powell, co-owner of GCM, who says Dietz & Watson’s meats are all natural, which make them gluten-free.

Get the Gluten Out! More local restaurants are going gluten-free / by LIndSay PaTTon-CaRSon

“Your body is a machine. If you put cheap gas in it, you might have problems with it.”

—aaron smith, ExEcutivE chEF, Epic Bistro

Little “GF” logos are showing up on local restaurant menus — and they don’t mean food for your girlfriend.

That’s because more and more local restaurants are retooling their menus to accommodate those with gluten and wheat intoler-ances, which vary. While all come with bummer side effects, celiac disease is most life-threatening of the group.

Food ISSuE


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Since gluten can hide in certain foods such as meat, soy and teriyaki sauces and hard candies, reading labels and talking to restaurants about their menus is important, Doctor Gell says.

“That’s a problem with eating out — you don’t have a label to read. And our motto here is every label must be read before that food goes in your mouth,” Gell said. “If it doesn’t have a label, then you’re taking a chance.”

Luckily for those with gluten intolerance, there are local businesses that educate their staff on customer dietary needs.

“We provide explanations and options for our service and kitchen staffs,” said Matthew Burian, president and partner at The Millennium Restaurant Group in Kalamazoo. “Another key point in our education is that ‘gluten-free’ and ‘celiac’ [are] not the same thing.”

Martell’s, one of Millennium’s 10 restaurants and catering businesses, went as far as to create separate menus for lunch, dinner and beverages.

“Rather than strictly treating an ailment, diners now seem to be selecting gluten free as a means to greater fitness and health,” Burian said.

Aaron Smith, who is executive chef at Millennium’s Epic Bistro, learned about the health benefits from his dietician sister-in-law, who is on the gluten-free diet, along with the rest of her family. He says the diet not only boosts energy, but people that go gluten-free are more aware of what they’re putting in their bodies.

“Your body is a machine. If you put cheap gas in it, you might have problems with it,” he said.

At Amway, Huber makes sure to have gluten-free options ready for diners, but says the recent rise in dietary needs has made catering for large-scale banquets a little more difficult.

“Over the last 15 or 20 years, when I did banquets, we maybe had one out of 100 requests, now we have 10-15 percent special meals.”

But that’s only until it’s time for dessert. “A lot of people out there are ‘I’m gluten-free until it comes

to dessert.’ People can eat cake all day long,” Huber said. “You know how many gluten-free cakes I make? Zero.” n

What the hell is gluten? So, you’ve heard the term. It’s on restaurant menus. It’s in grocery aisles. But what the hell does it mean? Well, first of all, wheat and gluten are not the same thing. Gluten is a protein complex found in wheat, as well as barley and rye. Basically, it’s what helps baked products rise and gives them a chewy texture. Gluten is a sneaky little bastard, though, and is not limited to just wheat-based products. It’s also an ingredient in soy sauce, processed meats, root beer (!?), salad dressings, Twizzlers and more, making reading labels especially important for those on gluten-free diets.

PHOTOS: JOE BOOMGAARD

Gluten-free selections at Martell’s include Chicken Marsala and Pan-Seared Atlantic Salmon.


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These incubators, which are typically called food and/or kitchen incubators, got their start in Michigan in 2005 when Ron Steiner, Regional Entrepreneurship Educator with Michigan State University Extension, opened the Starting Block, a kitchen incubator in Hart. Steiner, executive director of the Starting Block, said there are now five similar operations in the south-west Michigan area which have opened within the past two to three years.

“One of my initiatives for MSU Extension was to be the champion of a regional kitchen incubator,” Steiner said. “I was part of a group which felt that strategically the need for kitchen incubators was there to generate a new environment focusing on specialty food products.”

Those specialty foods Steiner refer-ences are made primarily for shelf sale or wholesale and include items such as baked goods, jellies and jams and pickled products. In addition to being licensed to produce these food products, the Starting Block also is a meat processing facility. Steiner said the meat processing is regu-lated and licensed by the United States Department of Agriculture and the specialty food production is regulated and licensed by the Michigan Department of Agriculture.

At 11,000 square feet, Steiner’s facility is among the larger food/kitchen incuba-tors. Though incubators vary in size, they operate in pretty much the same way. Clients pay an hourly rate, which may start at $27.50 and decrease from there depending on the amount of commercial

kitchen space they rent. This fee most of-ten includes kitchen utensils and pots and pans, although the selection varies from incubator to incubator.

Janet Tlapek, president and owner of Facility Kitchens in Lowell, said she doesn’t provide much in the way of cooking gear because every client is working on some-thing different.

“They tend to bring their own utensils,” Tlapek said. “I have pots and pans here, but many of them like to use their own, particularly if they’re cooking with heavy garlic.”

Unlike Steiner, who brought plenty of food experience to his facility, Tlapek is neither a cook nor a foodie. She is a profes-sional accountant who saw an opportunity to provide a service and make money.

“It appealed to me so much because you can begin a business and outsource the whole facility,” she said. “As an accountant, that made overwhelming sense.”

In 2010, one year after researching the incubator concept, Tlapek decided to renovate an existing building, which now houses her 3,000-square-foot facility. Her hourly rates start at $27.50. She said indi-viduals who want to start a food business will do much better if they don’t spend their own money to build a facility and focus instead on marketing and sales and packaging and distribution.

Kelly Lecoy, owner of Uptown Kitchen, an 800-square-foot incubator in Grand Rapids that opened in February 2012, said by providing kitchen equipment and space to work in, clients are saving anywhere between $20,000 and $100,000.

“We’re providing business and kitchen resources, marketing and social media, and helping them through licensing,” Lecoy said. “We don’t want to be a place where businesses are constantly starting and failing.”

In addition to offering kitchen space, Tlapek also accepts deliveries, as well as store equipment and ingredients. She has three people who perform work for her, but aren’t directly employed by her, which keeps costs low.

“The greatest thing that incubators do is give people time to develop a track record and a business plan so that by the time they go to a bank to get financing, they’re no longer a start-up,” Steiner said. “We want them to launch their business and make all their mistakes at an incubator.”

Since the Starting Block opened, 17 clients have graduated and gone on to own their own licensed kitchen facility or have turned production of their food products over to a co-packer so they can handle the business end of their enterprise. A co-pack-

Incubators help businesses Get into the Market / by JanE SIMonS

Chef Michael McKay at Facility Kitchen in Lowell. McKay is opening a new restau-rant and lounge, McKay’s/Prohibition, in downtown Grand Rapids. PHOTO: STEPHANIE HARDING

For local would-be food entrepreneurs, incubators offer a chance to get their ideas out of the kitchen and into the market.

“The greatest thing that incubators do is give people time to develop a track record and a business plan so that by the time they go to a bank to get financing, they’re no longer a start-up.”

—ron stEinEr, thE starting Block kitchEn incuBator

Food ISSuE


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er refers to a facility that has equipment to produce high volumes of product.

Steiner said he has established a three-year timeframe for a client to graduate, but says most of them graduate in far less time. He said his incubator can accommodate up to three or four clients at the same time if they’re doing a different product. The Starting Block is open 24/7 and has a cli-ent base of around 30, some of whom only come in once a month.

John Coram, owner of Johnny Secreto Foods, spent about one year perfecting his pasta sauces, barbeque sauces and spice mixes at Facility Kitchens before launching

the product line in May 2012. Not long after that he began using a co-packer to produce the sauces, although he still mixes his spice blends at Tlapek’s facility.

Tlapek said by the time people come to her, they are already commercializing their product.

“The people I see are work-ing on everything from catering, where they cook and take the food and immediately serve it, to barbequing or cooking inside,” Tlapek said. “They also pack-age food for wholesale and retail sales or they could be making fresh salsa, pizzas for freezing, jams and jellies and spices.

“Because we are a licensed vendor, we serve as a place where hot dog stand owners can come in and change out their old water or re-stock their cart.”

Lecoy said the local food move-ment is all about how the local food economy affects the overall economy.

“You’re voting with dollars and the choices you make every time you put something in your mouth,” Lecoy said. “Food affects our health. Through these businesses, we are working toward a healthy livelihood.” n

Art Azevedo of Art’s Hot Salsa at Uptown Kitchen. PHOTO: JONATHAN STONER

Food Incubator Success Stories/ by CaRLy PLank

These businesses took advantage of local incubators to get their prod-ucts out to the masses.

The Canning divaIncubator: facility Kitchens (Lowell)diane devereaux’s canning business has been featured on WZZM 13 and specializes in capturing the flavors and freshness of fresh seasonal produce in salsas, jams, soups and many other recipes.

CG CateringIncubator: facility Kitchens (Lowell)a professional-grade catering company owned by Chef Chris Gribble, CG Catering has served at events all over the state and is known for stylish, high quality dishes.

deliciosityIncubator: Uptown Kitchen (Grand rapids)Jeremy Kuhn started deliciosity, which specializes in raw and vegan desserts, after deciding to cut animal products out of his diet. the healthy, sweet treats can be found at Bartertown in Grand rapids.

dough ChicksIncubator: Can-do Kitchen (Kalamazoo)Mother and daughter team denise and Kara Steeley use Can-do to produce all-natural cookies, granola and truffles distributed to stores in Battle Creek, Kalamazoo and Portage.

Good Life GranolaIncubator: the Starting Block Kitchen (hart)holland’s Good Life Granola began in Starting Block’s kitchens and is now sold in Meijer and

other grocery stores along the lakeshore. In 2011, it was featured on “the today Show.”

Making Thyme kitchenIncubator: Uptown Kitchen (Grand rapids)the Grand rapids (966 Cherry St. SE) re-tailer offers fresh or frozen entrees made from scratch from local goods for a home cooked meal regardless of your time crunch. delivery is an added bonus. Pit Stop CateringIncubator: facility Kitchens (Lowell)Pit Stop specializes in foods that could be found at a summer barbeque, including salmon, salads, mac ‘n’ cheese and meat smoked over Michigan cherry pits for extra flavor.

Rita Girl’s bakeryIncubator: Kitchen Sinc (Grand rapids)taking advantage of 24-hour availability and retail space inside Modiv, rita tornga founded her bakery in 2010, selling cookies and cupcakes and filling a niche in downtown Grand rapids.

Secreto FoodsIncubator: family Kitchens (Lowell) John Coram used family Kitchens food incu-bator to create and distribute his line of pasta and barbecue sauces, which were recently picked up by Meijer.

s ecreto Foods produces and distributes a line of pasta and barbeque sauces and four different spice blends sold at grocery stores and farmers markets.

Owner John Coram’s pasta sauce was recently chosen for inclusion in Meijer su-permarkets “Made in Michigan” product lineup and got off the ground thanks to Family

Kitchens incubator in Lowell. “We introduced the product line one year ago this May. It’s been an incredible adven-

ture,” said Coram, who got his start at the Facility Kitchens food incubator in Lowell. Coram, who formerly worked in marketing and sales for Valley City Signs, said he did

not have the capital necessary to start a business when he decided in 2011 to try his hand at mass producing the sauces and spice mixes.

“A licensed kitchen is the foundation for a company like mine,” Coram said. “A lot of people want to get started, but they don’t understand the large time and money invest-ment it takes before you can get a product going.”

His wife encouraged him to think about starting his own business after watch-ing him give away the sauces and spice mixes as birthday and holiday gifts.

As the popularity of the product line increased, Coram had the happy dilemma of finding a way to mass produce the sauces. He still blends

the spice mixtures at Facility Kitchens.“It took a lot of hard work to get to this point,” he said. “I can’t say enough about the importance of

having access to Facility Kitchens.”

Secreto Foods uses Food Incubator to Launch business


kish’s kitchen“top chef seattle” winner and kentwood native kristen kish was recently promoted to chef de cuisine for menton in Boston, a five-diamond and five-star property of relais & châteaux. she chats with rEvuE about chicken tenders, olga’s kitchen, and refuses to stick it to someone in her past.

after winning “Top Chef Seattle,” do you have any advice for cooks and chefs?When it comes to cooking, I don’t follow recipes. It’s very hard for me to write them. If you mess something up, it’s just food. It’s going to taste good. If you put good ingredients together, it doesn’t really matter how you cook them if you season what it is you are making. Cooking is fun. It’s not supposed to be an intimidating thing. Ideally, it’s enjoyable. A goal as a chef is to inspire and make people do it at home in their own kitchen.

Is there a food or ingredient you can’t live without?I cannot live without chicken fingers. I eat them often. They’re kind of my guilty pleasure, even though I don’t feel guilty about eating them. I eat crappy, crappy chicken fingers. I would never serve them. It’s my personal dinner. When it comes to ingredients, I love farmers markets. When I don’t have access to one, I become a little sad, almost. I really look forward to walking through farmers markets and getting beauti-ful, fresh ingredients. And my go-to secret ingredient is sherry vinegar. It kind of goes into everything I do.

It’s well known that your favorite dessert is a macaron. What is the best filling?I don’t think there is any bad filling for them. My personal preference is for anything tart, whether it is a lemon curd or a really tart berry jam. Or, completely opposite of that is peanut butter. You can put peanut butter on anything.

Growing up in West Michigan, what were the restaurants you loved? The 44th Street Bistro. It changed a few times. I always used to get chicken tenders and broccoli cheese soup. They served warm white bread and my parents would

always pick it up for a treat as a kid, growing up when they didn’t cook. Although ... one of the things I kind of crave, at Olga’s Kitchen at the mall, is the orange cream shake drink and the chicken wraps. Amazing. (laughs) I like simple food. Now, my favorite meal when I come home is my mother’s cooking.

What wouldn’t you eat growing up?Raw tomatoes, cooked mushrooms — the smells alone would make me sick and I would hide in my room — sour cream and English muffins. As an adult, I love those things. As an adult, two things in particular are salmon or lamb.

What do you do on your days off?There’s never a day where there is nothing. There’s always a few hours of work, but I do like to run and clear my head. I also meet and catch up with my friends. We don’t really get to sit down and chat like we used to. And, going out to eat.

Is there anyone in West Michigan you’d like to stick it to?I had a teacher in high school that I told I wanted to be in finance and business, that sort of thing, and he basically told me, not in as many words, that I couldn’t do it because I wouldn’t be good at it. But now, that threw me in the direction I am in now. I can’t really be

mad. I will say thank you to him. No grudges though. (Laughs.) n

Interview conducted and condensed by Matt Simpson Siegel. Edited by Lindsay Patton-Carson. Photo: Mercure Photography

“I cannot live without chicken fingers. I eat them often. They’re kind of my guilty pleasure, even though I don’t feel guilty about eating them. I eat crappy, crappy chicken fingers.”

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Make This!LOCAL CHEFS SHARE THEIR RECIPES

deep Fried Pork Chop with Crispy Polenta, Tempura apples, Wilted young GreensBy mathEw grEEn, ExEcutivE chEF, rEsErvE

4 pork chops, one inch thick at leastSaltLard

6 ounces dry polenta24 ounces chicken stock4 ounces milk2 ounces butter2 ounces grated parmesan1 teaspoon salt

2 apples2 ounces cornstarch2 ounces soda water2 teaspoon baking powderBaby kale and baby mustard greensBalsamic vinegarExtra virgin olive oil first, take the pork chops and sprinkle generously on both sides with salt. you can do this up to a day ahead. Meanwhile, bring the chicken stock, milk, butter, and teaspoon of salt to a boil. Whisk continuously while you sprinkle in the dry polenta. Continue to stir as the polenta thickens. reduce heat and stir often. Cook for 30-45 minutes. add grated cheese and add more salt to taste. Grease up a 9x13ish baking dish and pour in the polenta. Cool completely in the refrigerator.

Get out the largest pot you own, something that the pork chops will fit into all together, fill one third of the way to the top with lard and heat to 350ºf. turn the heat up all the way and carefully put the pork chops in. fry for 8-12 minutes, but be sure to check the internal temperature with a meat thermometer. the fda recommends 145ºf.

Mix the cornstarch, soda water and baking powder. Slice the apples and coat in the tempura batter. fry until lightly browned and crispy. While still warm, toss the tempura apples in a bowl with the baby greens, oil and vinegar.

Cut the polenta cake into your favorite shape, squares, rectangles, circles, triangles. deep fry until lightly browned and crispy.

Serve the pork chops with the fried polenta and topped with the apples and wilted greens. add a little bit more vinegar and oil over the whole thing.

photo: KATY BATDORFF

EnTRéE


Fresh Rolls By lisa hEr, ownEr and hEad chEF, ErB thai

Ingredients: dried rice PaperLettuce CarrotsGreen onionsCucumbersrice NoodlesCilantro(Note: all veggies should be cut into strips.)

Fresh Roll directions1. dip the rice paper in warm water. do not submerge the rice paper in water too

long or else the paper will lose shape and strength. 2. Place the rice noodles and strips of veggies onto the wet rice paper about 1/4

from the bottom. 3. roll the bottom part of the rice paper up and over the rice noodles and veggies. 4. Gently roll the up the gathered rice noodles and veggies with the rice paper. Be

sure to pull and tuck the rice noodles and veggies back while you are rolling them up. this technique will help your fresh roll keep its log shape.

5. once your roll is half way up the rice paper, flip the right and left sides of the rice paper over the roll.

6. Continue rolling up the roll to the top of the rice paper. remember to continue pulling and tucking the veggies back while you are rolling.

7. the rice paper will self-adhere, keeping all the rice noodles and veggies inside.

need Sauce? you can buy sweet chili sauce at your local grocery store.

helpful hintstry it with broccoli, bell peppers, beansprouts or any of your favorite veggies.

beef Tips on ToastBy adam watts, ExEcutivE chEF, grand rapids BrEwing co.

Serves: four

1 lb. beef top round, tenderloin or loin, sliced into 1” cubes2 t canola oil 1 pint crimini mushrooms, stems removed and quartered1 tsp. shallot, fine chopped1 tsp. garlic, chopped 1 tsp. thyme, picked leaves 2 t brown ale [GrBC’s John Ball Brown]1/2 C beef stock1/2 C heavy cream 2 t butter4 ea whole eggstt salttt black pepper

4 ea slices of brewers grain bread or any crusty European-style loaf cut into 3/4” size slices

Season your beef with salt and pepper. Start with a large non-stick sauté pan over medium heat and add oil and tips. Sauté until color forms on all sides and remove from pan onto a side plate. Next, add mushrooms, shallot and garlic and sweat until slight color forms. deglaze with your favorite brown ale or dry red wine. reduce the liquid by half and add beef stock, heavy cream and thyme. Simmer until the sauce starts to thicken (3-5 minutes). toast bread under a broiler until golden brown. Cut bread into bite-sized pieces and start to assemble the dish. Place beef tips back into the sauce and cook to desired temperature. adjust seasoning with salt and pepper. Spoon out the sauce over the toast points. Wipe out the sauté pan and place back on the stove over medium heat. add butter and cook eggs to desired style. Serve with a serrated steak knife.

vEGETaRIan oMnIvoRE




photo: JAY BOLT, REVEL

blue Cheese Stuffed datesBy JamiE & JErEmy paquin, mia + gracE

date Filling8 oz. cream cheese1 cup Gorgonzola or other mild blue cheese, crumbled1-2 tablespoons balsamic vinegar1-2 tablespoons honey2 cloves of roasted garlic, mashed into a paste with olive oil1-2 teaspoons black pepperKosher salt (to taste)

For garnish:balsamic reduction (recipe follows)honeycandied walnuts (recipe follows)

Combine cheeses, vinegar, honey and garlic in a bowl. With a hand mixer, combine until mixture is creamy. Season the cheese mixture with black pepper, granulated garlic and kosher salt, and mix well. Store filling in an airtight container under refrigeration. Can be prepared up to one week in advance.

balsamic Reduction1 cup balsamic vinegar2 tablespoons honey

Pour balsamic vinegar into a small sauce pan. Bring vinegar to a boil over medium high heat. reduce the heat to medium low and simmer gently until reduced to ¼ cup. Stir in the honey. Cool to room temperature. Store the reduction in an airtight container under refrigeration. allow it to come to room temperature before using.

Candied Walnuts2 cups walnuts, toasted (at 325 degrees for 7-10 minutes)1 cup granulated sugar1 cup water

Place sugar and water in a sauce pan. Stir over medium high heat until boiling vigorously. Continue cooking until sugar is amber in color and thick. Working quickly, with a wooden spoon, pour melted sugar over walnuts and stir until completely coated. Stir the walnuts occasionally until completely cool to help break them apart. Store candied walnuts in an airtight container up to one week.

halve and seed medjool dates, fill the crevice with the cheese mixture. top with a candied walnut and then drizzle with balsamic reduction and honey.

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Lemon Corn Muffins with berry IcingBy matthEw russEll, BartErtown

dry ingredients:1 1/2 cups Gf flour mix (russell recommends Bob’s red Mill) 1/2 cup yellow corn meal1/2 tsp. baking powder1/2 tsp. baking soda1/2 tsp. xanthan gum1/4 tsp. salt

Wet ingredients:3/4 cup sugar2 cup soy milk2 tsp. lemon juice1 tsp. lemon extract1/4 cup canola oil1/4 cup non hydrogenated shortening (softened)1 1/2 tbsp. lemon or orange zest

Mix dry and wet separately in bowls, then combine in one bowl. Bake in lined cupcake pans for about 18-20 minutes at 350 degrees or until the tops have domed and started to brown. remove from oven and cool completely before decorating. Makes a dozen muffins.

vegetarian EtouffeBy dEnisE millEr, ExEcutivE chEF, FuEl vEgEtarian

1 cup butter1 cup white onion, finely chopped 1/2 cup celery, finely chopped 1 cup shallots finely chopped 2 teaspoons garlic, minced 2 tablespoons flour 1 cup whole tomatoes 2 cups vegetable stock2 teaspoons salt 1 teaspoon black pepper¼ teaspoon of cayenne 1 1/2 cups crumbled tofu

In a large saucepan, melt butter and sauté onion, celery and shallots until tender. add garlic and cook one minute more. Stir in flour and stir constantly until golden brown. add tomatoes and brown. Blend in stock and simmer 10 minutes. add salt, pepper, cayenne and tofu; cook slowly 15 to 20 minutes, stirring occasionally. Serve with dirty rice.

GLuTEn-FREE vEGETaRIan




although the Fulton Street Farmers Market experienced unforeseen problems during renovations, the final phase of construction will be

complete by the May 4 opening day.Contamination in the soil caused delays and

made it necessary to extend the campaign for capital before moving ahead. The entire project cost more than $3 million from start to finish.

“Thanks to many generous funders and to several new donors, we completed the campaign in November 2012 and were able to re-start construction in January,” said Christine Helms-Maletic, project development manager.

Since renovations started, the farmers market installed a new underground storm water management system and built a shed with overhead sheltering and lighting, in addition to new stalls with upgraded electrical and water access.

“We also rearranged the parking area to encourage smoother traffic flow, repaired the pavement, added new trees and landscaping, installed extra bike racks and created a new, enhanced bus stop,” Helms-Maletic said.

This year, the market added a new manag-er’s office and wheelchair-accessible restrooms. But the biggest project is a year-round building, which will house about eight vendors. The build-ing’s green roof is a work in progress.

With most of the renovations complete, Helms-Maletic said the response from both customers and venders has been hugely positive.

“Patrons appreciate the wider aisles and the ability to stay — mostly, depending on the wind — dry while they shop,” she said. “Vendors are spending less time setting up and taking down tarps each day, and many have reported

increased customer traffic, which benefits their business.”Parking has been a concern for some patrons, but urban

areas provide limited opportunities for expansion. Changes to parking have helped, but Helms-Maletic encourages the use of alternative transportation.

Or customers could use the Market’s Wednesday hours between 4-7:30 p.m.

“Many favorite vendors are still there, but the jostling crowds are not,” Helms-Maleic said. n

Fulton Street Farmers Market Renovations almost Complete/ by audREy SoChoR

Food ISSuE

Food Stamps Make Farmers Markets More

accessible

about 1.8 million people in Michigan receive benefits from the Supplemental Nutrition assistance Program (SNaP), formerly known as the food Stamp pro-gram. Since 2007, farmers markets have been collaborating with SNaP, when the Michigan food Policy Council and Michigan farmers Market association began increas-ing the number of markets capable of accepting electronic benefits like Bridge Cards. Since 2010, people with SNaP ben-efits can get twice as much local produce with the double Up food Bucks program. Customers use their bridge card at one of 40 participating markets (including the 100-Mile Market and fulton Street, holland and Muskegon farmers markets) and get an equal amount of tokens or electronic credit back to use on more Michigan-grown fruits and vegetables. over the next several years, the program will expand to include more of the nearly 80 farmers markets that accept Bridge Cards. —Lauren Longo

Fulton Street Farmers Market1147 E. Fulton St.Grand Rapids,(616) 454-4118, fultonstreetmarket.org

Open Tues., Wed., Fri., Sat., 8 a.m.–3 p.m., beginning Saturday, May 4

The market last summer

photos: RICHARD DEMING


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WEST MI FaRMERS MaRkETS

100-Mile Market507 Harrison St., KalamazooMay-Oct., Wed. 3-7 p.m. (269) 342-5686

ada village Farmers Market7239 Thornapple River Dr., AdaJune-Sept., Tues. 12-6 p.m.(616) 676-9191

battle Creek Farmers MarketFestival Market Square, Battle CreekMay-Oct., Wed. & Sat. 9 a.m.–1 p.m.(269) 968-3448

byron Farmers Market84th Street and Byron Center Avenue(616) 878-6029June-TBA, Tues. & Fri. 8 a.m.–1 p.m.

Caledonia Farmers Market9942 Cherry Valley Ave.May-Oct., Sat. 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.(269) 838-5264

Centerpointe Mall Farmers Market3665 28th St. SE, Grand RapidsMay-Oct., Fri. 12-6 p.m.(616) 949-2550

Fulton Street Farmers Market1145 E. Fulton St., Grand RapidsOpen year-round, but regular hours are May-DecemberTuesdays, Wednesdays, Fridays and Saturdays, 8 a.m.–3 pm.(616) 454-4118

Grand haven Farmer’s MarketChinook Pier, Grand HavenJune-Oct., Wed. & Sat. 8 a.m.–2 p.m.(616) 842-4910

Grandville Farmers Market4055 Maple St., GrandvilleJune-Oct., Tues. 8 a.m.–1 p.m.(616) 531-3030

GvSu Farmers MarketAllendale Campus, Parking Lot HJune 5-Sept. 25, Wed. 10 a.m.–1:30 p.m.

holland Municipal Farmers Market (Eighth Street Farmers Market)150 W 8th St., HollandMay-Nov., Wed. & Sat. 8 a.m.–4 p.m.(616) 355-1138

Lowell area Farmers Market2111 W. Main St.Mid-June to mid-Sept., Thurs. 11 a.m.–3 p.m.(616) 897-9186

Moelker orchards & Farm Market0-9265 Kenowa Ave., Grand RapidsJuly-Oct., Mon. thru Sat. 8 a.m.–6 p.m.Nov.-Feb., 8 a.m.–5:30 p.m.(616) 453-2585

Muskegon Farmers Market700 Yuba St., MuskegonMay-Nov., Tues., Thurs. & Sat. 6 a.m. –3 p.m.Dec., Sat. 7 a.m.–3 p.m.(231) 722-3251

Muskegon heights Farmers Market2724 Peck, Muskegon HeightsMemorial weekend–Aug.Fri. and Sat. 7 a.m.–7 p.m.(231) 724-3100

new horizons Farmers Market2660 Breton Road at WoodmeadowJune-Oct., Wed. 2-7 p.m.(616) 889-4922

Plainfield Township Farmers Market4411 Plainfield Ave. NEJune-Oct., Tues. and Thurs. 2-7 p.m.(616) 364-8466

Rockford Farmers MarketSouth Squire St., RockfordJune-Oct., Sat. 8 a.m.–1 p.m.

(616) 866-1537

Saugatuck Center for the arts (SCa) Farmers Market400 Culver St., SaugatuckMay-Oct., Fri. 8 a.m.–2 p.m.(269) 857-2399

South East area Farmers Market334 Burton St. SEJune-Oct., Sat. 10 a.m.–4 p.m.(616) 632-7272

yMCa Farmers Market475 Lake Michigan Dr., Grand RapidsJune-Sept., Thurs. 3-7p.m.(616) 430-0511

Typical of the artisanal businesses recruited to the market are Simpatico Coffee and Love’s Ice Cream. Simpatico has been roasting fair-trade beans from the Oaxaca region of Mexico for 18 months, which it sells to local coffee shops, restaurants and specialty stores from its Holland production facility. Owner Alex Fink is excited to offer a second retail location in downtown Grand Rapids.

“We want to make coffee a fun experience, show people where the beans come from, how coffee is roasted and just how fresh coffee can be,” Fink said.

Chris McKeller looks forward to opening Love’s Ice Cream in the market. The local entrepreneur and founder of Grand Rapids Cooking School will serve hand-crafted ice cream made from local organic grass-grazed dairy as well as gour-met non-dairy frozen desserts.

“I am a bit obsessed with ingredients and the market will allow me to share my whole food perspective around organic, local and quality with others like me,” McKeller said.

Spread over 3.4 acres, the mammoth facil-ity provides space for small, independent food businesses that focus on Michigan-grown-and-produced foods. Such vendors include Aperitivo, a wine and cheese-tasting shop, which is owned by Art of the Table’s Amy Ruis and managed by the business’ “cheesemonger,” Kate Leeder, as well as Field & Fire, an artisan bakery owned

by Shelby Kibler, formerly of Zingerman’s baking school in Ann Arbor.

There will also be fresh produce, meats, seafood, dairy, baked goods, flowers, wines and locally brewed beer sold by the two dozen indoor vendors, as well as from the covered 58-stall outdoor farmers market.

The investors envision the market to be a destination for local food innovation, education and experimentation. In addition to food sales, there will also be two restaurants, a kitchen incu-

bator/certified commercial kitchen, kids kitchen, wholesale produce distribution center and office space.

Look up and you will see a 6,000-square-foot rooftop green-house. The greenhouse is the building’s signature design ele-ment, as it supports educational programming that show school children how real food is grown and cooked. There are also work-shops and gardening classes held there. The country’s first LEED-rated public market also promotes sustainability through innovative uses of energy, lighting, water and

advanced composting and recycling programs. Planners expect the facility to lead to the

creation of 1,270 jobs, offer start-up opportuni-ties for budding entrepreneurs and potentially provide $775 million in economic impact over a 10-year period. Sounds tasty indeed. n

The Grand Rapids Downtown Market has been busy over the past several months, securing vendors and completing construction on the $30 million culinary cathedral. Set to open its outdoor seasonal market May 4 and its indoor market in July, the 138,000-square-foot, year-round market recently announced the first of 24 vendors that will occupy the indoor food hall.

So Close We Can Taste It:

downtown Market opens outdoor Market This Month/ by STEvEn dE PoLo

Downtown Market Grand Rapids435 Ionia SW(616) 805-5308, downtownmarketgr.com

Outdoor Market opening day: Saturday, May 4

Hours:Tuesday: 8 a.m.–1 p.m.Thursday: 4–7 p.m.Saturday: 8: a.m.–1 p.m.



Eat Like a MinionWe gave our current and former minions $20 to try a new restaurant and tell us about their experience. Here are the results, as told to us by the minions.

London Grillcarly plank, currEnt minion

On the creepily deserted streets of Kalamazoo on a Sunday eve-ning, a truly authentic British pub complete with Indian menu options and beverages from across the Atlantic was the most hopping place in town. While the free appetizer of papadum and sweet tomato chutney and the salty, cheesy stacked naan I ordered were filling and surprisingly flavorful, I remained stateside with a California white zinfandel.

214 E. Michigan Ave., Kalamazoo

CvLT PIZZa EliJah BrumBack, FormEr minion

Other than the killer adornments (haha, get it?), the place is pretty bare bones — clearly it’s all about the pizza. I am all about the pizza too. Let me break it down. We’re talking vegan/vegetarian mixology. For those who are of the persuasion that meat is the best and only delivery vehicle, it’s time to break those shackles and stuff your pie hole with the sweet, savory and often unexpected pleasures of CVLT’s toppings.

10 Jefferson St. SE, Grand Rapids

Crust 54kElli gilmorE, FormEr minion

Crust 54 is a tasty, local pizza joint in Holland. The environment was casual with a seat-yourself and order-at-the-counter policy. We ordered a large thin-crust Chicago style barbecue chicken pizza that was more than enough for two people. The sauce was just the right amount of spicy and sweet but more toppings would have made it even better.

54 E. 8th St., Holland; (616) 394-3002

Wally’s bar & GrillmEaghan minkus, FormEr minion

Wally’s down-to-earth, small-town atmosphere is complemented nicely by its better-than-your-grandma’s Yankee Pot Roast, served with grilled onions, Swiss cheese and a caper-mayo sauce (Capers! Fancy!) on an onion bun. With a side of onion rings and washed down with a Guinness, the whole meal comes out to $19.39 with tip and tax.

128 Hoffman St., Saugatuck

Curraghkari norton, currEnt minion

Eating at Curragh was like eating a home-cooked meal from my grandma in Ireland – if she lived in Ireland, that is. I like to celebrate my McNaughton heritage, and this pub actually made me feel like I was there. The shepherd’s pie was amazing and I would eat there every day if I could.

75 E. 8th St., Holland

new holland brewerylaurEn longo, currEnt minion

The Dixie Luau is not I-don’t-know-what-to-eat-let’s-just-get-pizza, pizza. Nor is it just Hawaiian. I usually prefer thick, chewy crust, but this thin-crusted pizza was not too crunchy and cov-ered in prosciutto, bacon, pineapple and five different cheeses (I ordered mine sans banana peppers). I demolished and loved it anyway.

66 E 8th St., Holland

bostwick Lake InnkylE austin, FormEr minion

At Bostwick, I expected the flavorful menu options and casually classy atmosphere typical of other Gilmore joints, and I was not disappointed. The portions were large, but my dish (prime rib and pasta with succulent sautéed veggies) was so delicious that I welcomed the leftovers. The cozy ambiance of the place nurtured our table’s conversation, which kept coming back to the food. Now that’s full-circle excellence.

8521 Belding Rd. NE, Rockford

old burdick’s bar and Grille audrEy sochor, currEnt minion

Walking into Burdick’s, it took me a moment to realize it’s an upscale sports bar. The first hint came from glancing around at all the photos of top athletes and TVs displaying games, minus the “in your face” feel. The food is deliciously classic Americana, including a rich and creamy mac and cheese topped with bacon-wrapped shrimp.

100 W. Michigan Ave., Kalamazoo

Food ISSuE


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RIP Mr. Fables, 1963-2000Survived by The Filling Station

West Michigan was once dotted with Mr. Fables, renowned for its onion rings and Mr. Fabulous Burger, the olive burger of olive burgers. It closed its final door in 2000. Although Yesterdog Owner Bill Lewis (and former Fables worker) owns the trademark, there are not any definite plans for the future. Former Fables competitor and Mr. Burger off-shoot The Filling Station offers up its own Mr. Fabulous and many diehards swear by it. Sit in the cafeteria-style dining room and let your taste buds take you back. The Filling Station, 4750 Alpine Ave. NW, Comstock Park; (616) 784-6706

RIP Little Mexico, 1968-2008 & 2010-2013Survived by El Granjero

Besieged by a fire in 2008 from which it never fully recovered after reopening in 2010, Little Mexico finally passed out of this world in March. Finding a west-side Mexican eatery that serves up the best American comfort food, one automatically assumes Maggie’s Kitchen, however, Maggie’s isn’t open into dining hours, of which Little Mexico was a premier destination during its heyday. Enter El Granjero Mexican Grill. Open ‘til 9 for the dining crowd, you’ll find a more casual experience with the flavors you miss in the familiar form of fajitas, tacos, burritos, tortas

and more. Be sure to check out the one and only “El Molcajete” for a massive plate of steak, chicken, grilled cactus, chorizo and cheeses. El Granjero Mexican Grill, 950 Bridge St. NW, Grand Rapids; (616) 458-5595

RIP Schnitzelbank, 1934-2006Survived by alpenRose Restaurant

A staple of German cuisine for more than 70 years, the Schnitzelbank shuttered its doors in 2006. Unfortunately, yet luckily, there is one restaurant open that captures bits of the ‘bank’s magic in Holland. Austrian Chef Helmutt Klett provides the only real German deals at AlpenRose Restaurant. Although not exclusively German, AlpenRose has the best schnitzel, sauerkraut and sauerbraten around. For some real treats, try the Tafelspitz, a thin-sliced NY strip in a horseradish cream sauce, or the Pork Provencal in its herb-roasted pork tenderloin glory. For the beer swilling, brat chomping Bavarian in all of us, the Bratwurst Plate hosts two beef and pork white brats with house-made sauerkraut and beer mustard. AlpenRose Restaurant, 4 E. 8th St., Holland; (616) 393-2111, alpenroserestaurant.com n

The next best ThingWe present three former food fixtures with cult followings whose flavors are gone, but not forgotten. We attempt the impossible with the next best thing. / by MaTT SIMPSon SIEGEL

El Granjero photo: STEVEN DE POLO



amore Trattoria Italiana5080 Alpine Ave. NW, Comstock Park

Amore hosts free Italian cooking classes the second Saturday of the month. Previous classes included soups, risotto and Italian desserts, while chefs-in-training can look forward to a pizza class in May and Respecting the Lasagna in June.

bartertown and Tree huggers947 Wealthy St. SE, Grand Rapids

Every Sunday night at 6 p.m., Bartertown’s Matthew Russel joins Tree Huggers to demonstrate vegan cooking recipes. Classes focus on spring cooking, gluten-free recipes and how to make Kombucha, a beverage made from fermented sweetened tea. Demonstrations are free and always include samples.

bekins Cooking School6275 28th St. SE, Grand Rapids and 735 Washington Ave., Grand Haven

Bekins, a home appliance and electronics company, began offering cooking classes in 2008 to encourage customers to get the most out of the store’s appliances. Now with locations in Grand Haven and Grand Rapids, Bekins Cooking School offers several classes each month taught by profes-

sional chefs for around $50 per person. Nearly 10 classes are offered this month between both locations.Topics to choose from include sushi rolls, fresh pasta and ravioli, Spanish paella and more.

San Chez38 W. Fulton, Grand Rapids

The unique thing about San Chez: the tapas bistro offers classes for adults and kids. Throughout May, there are four classes offered for adults and four offered for teenagers between the ages of 13 and 16. Adults learn how to make traditional Spanish favorites, while teens master breakfast, lunch, dinner and dessert. The classes are on Mondays and Tuesdays from 5-7 p.m. at $25 per person.

Spartan Culinary Classroom3960 44th St. SW, Grandville

The D&W Fresh Market Culinary Classroom offers multiple classes each month for $40 per person. Learn basic grilling skills or how to make that dish you love from your favorite restaurant. For those interested in food from different cul-tures, this month features a Mexican cuisine class in time for Cinco de Mayo, as well as a Lebanese class. Start Mother’s Day weekend with their Date Night Out class on May 10, which includes a wine pairing dinner. n

Cooking Classes/ by REvuE MInIonS

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Not all of us are on the same eating schedule. Here are some of the best joints in town for you night owls.

The Elbow Room This Grand Rapids joint serves bar staples like burgers, wet burritos, BLTs and more until 2 a.m. every day. Foosball and a juke-box are an added bonus. 501 Fuller Ave. NE, Grand Rapids

Gino’s PizzaThis family owned and operated pizza place has more than 40 years under its belt. Gino’s is closed Mondays, but you can get your late-night fix Tuesday and Sunday until 2 a.m., or 3 a.m. on Fridays and Saturdays. 1556 Wealthy St. SE, Grand Rapids

Georgio’s PizzaThis gourmet pizza joint takes the classic Italian dish to a whole new level. Grab the usual toppings or if you’re feeling adven-turous, try options like Mac “N” Cheese, Hamburger, Taco and many more. Open until 3 a.m. Wednesday through Saturday. 15 Ionia, Suite 140, Grand Rapids

The Grand ConeyThis diner is open 24 hours and the perfect after-bar spot. Grease your stomach with classic coneys, four-egg omelettes, burg-ers and fries, country-fried steak and more. 809 Michigan St. NE, Grand Rapids

hopCat HopCat is open until 2 a.m. every day, with a special late-night menu until close. The minions recommend combining crack fries

and all three taco varieties. 25 Ionia SW, Grand Rapids

Johnny b’z dogs and More Get your fair share of dogs, burgers and sandwiches until 3 a.m. on Fridays and Saturdays. Vegetarian and vegan options are offered as well. 638 Wealthy St. SE, Grand Rapids

Marro’s Restaurant Pizza by the slice served until 2 a.m. Friday and Saturday. Gluten-free options also available. 147 Water St., Saugatuck

Mr. kozak’s Gyros This Grand Haven restaurant brings tra-ditional Greek gyros and Chicago-style food to West Michigan and stays open until 2:30 a.m. on Friday and Saturday. 38 Washington Ave., Grand Haven

Stella’s LoungeThe vegetarian/vegan friendly lounge’s kitchen stays open until 1 a.m. every night. 53 Commerce Ave. SW, Grand Rapids

yesterdog The legendary Eastown joint stays open until 2:30 a.m. Monday through Saturday. When you just need some food for a couple bucks and don’t care about keeping it neat, then get your hands on a Yesterdog, Ultradog or Killerdog. 1505 Wealthy St. SE, Grand Rapids

Z’s bar & Restaurant Nestled in the heart of the hotel district, the kitchen stays open until 2 a.m. on week-days and Saturdays and 1 a.m. on Sundays. 168 Louis Campau, Grand Rapids n

Compiled by Revue Minions

Food aFTER MIdnIGhT



grand raPids

angel’s Thai café136 Monroe center nW. 616-454-9801 THaI. This downtown restaurant makes your order fresh, fast, and hot. you can order your entree with your choice of meat and spice level, or create your own. » SERVING: Lunch Dinner OPEN ON: Open 7 days. GO THERE FOR: Thai Steak and Yum Talay.

BarterTown Diner6 Jefferson St. SE. 616-233-3219 VEGan. This worker-owned-and-operated restaurant offers a variety of tasty healthy dishes fresh and hand-picked right from local family farms. Want a certain recipe or cooking lessons? Events and programs are BarterTown’s way of getting the community involved. So don’t be surprised if one day there’s Greek and Mediterranean cuisine and the next it’s all about pizza. » SERVING: Breakfast (Saturday & Sunday), Lunch, Dinner. OPEN ON: Open 7 days. GO THERE FOR: Locally based vegan meals.

Bentham’s Riverfront Restaurant 187 Monroe ave. nW. 616-774-2000 aMERIcan. Enjoy great breakfast, lunch, dinner and dessert options while looking out at the Grand River. Bentham’s now offers a lunch buffet with choices of salads, breads, soups and roast beef and poultry carved to order — not to mention stir-fry stations with fresh vegetables, meats or seafood and unique sauces. Casual attire. » SERVING: Breakfast Lunch OPEN ON: Open 7 days, closes at 2 p.m. GO THERE FOR: Lunch buffet.

Big Bob’s Pizza661 croswell Dr. 616-233-0123 ITaLIan. Located in Gaslight Village in East Grand Rapids (across from Jersey Junction), Big Bob’s is a cozy restaurant that serves up specialty pizzas, pastas, burritos, sandwiches and salads. Sit out on the deck and enjoy Happy Hour from 4-6 p.m. and 9p.m.-close seven days a week. » SERVING: Lunch Dinner OPEN ON: Open 7 Days. GO THERE FOR: Pizza and beer (is there a better combination?).

Big O café80 Ottawa nW. 616-451-1887 ITaLIan. The downtown (and downstairs) restaurant has a reliable menu featuring pizza, pasta, and sandwiches that are Italian and Cuban influenced. a great spot for lunch or a quick glass of wine and plate of pasta before a downtown event. » SERVING: Lunch

Dinner OPEN ON: Open 7 days. GO THERE FOR: Dead Head Vegetarian Pizza, Cuban dinners on Friday nights.

The Bistro 11 Monroe avenue nW (at Courtyard Marriott). 616-242-6000 aMERIcan. Serving american food bistro-style, whether it’s grab-and-go or guests dining in for breakfast, lunch or dinner. The Bistro offers fresh seasonal options, serves Starbucks beverages and has a full-service bar. » SERVING: Breakfast Lunch Dinner OPEN ON: Open 7 days GO THERE FOR: Sandwiches.

Bistro Bella Vita44 Grandville ave. SW. 616-222-4600 ITaLIan. One of Grand Rapids’ best dining experiences, featuring Mediterranean-inspired country cuisine, a swanky yet comfortable downtown atmopshere and personable service. BBV’s culinary team creates authentic, housemade recipes made with locally grown produce, fresh seafood and rotisserie roasted meats. Specialty gluten-free menu, and can prepare custom dishes for lactose intolerant, vegetarian, and vegan diets. » SERVING: Lunch Dinner OPEN ON: Open 7 days. GO THERE FOR: Mediterranean Country Cuisine and Martinis.

Blue Water Grill5180 northland Dr. 616-363-5900 SEaFOOD. One of Grand Rapids’ most inspired restaurants in terms of overall ambi-ance, with Frank Lloyd Wright-style architecture, a stunningly massive fireplace, and some of the best water views in West Michigan. The food is similarly inspired, drawing from Italian, Mediterranean and classic american influences. all the traditional favorites are accounted for with a wide variety of wood-fired pizzas, seafood, steaks, chops, salads, and sandwiches. » SERVING: Lunch Dinner OPEN ON: Open 7 days. GO THERE FOR: Grass Fed Beef.

Bobarino’s20 Monroe ave. nW. 616-356-2000 ITaLIan. a melting pot of food, live entertainment and fun. Live music Tuesday through Saturday, including rock, jazz, retro, country, rockabilly and more. Large game room with video games, billiards and shuffleboard. Menu includes vast array of wood-fired pizzas, plus burgers, entrées and classic appetizers. Lunch buffet with pizza, pasta, and salad for $6.45. » SERVING: Lunch Dinner OPEN ON: Open 7 days. GO THERE FOR: Wood-fired pizzas.

Bombay cuisine1420 Lake Dr. SE 616-456-7055 InDIan. Offering savory and subtly spiced dishes from northern India, Bombay

Cuisine is a hot spot for those who like to add a little flavor to their lives. With a lunch buffet served every weekday, this restaurant provides its eaters with an array of traditional Indian cuisine. » SERVING: Lunch Dinner OPEN ON: Open 7 days GO THERE FOR: Naan, Butter Chicken.

Brandywine1345 Lake Dr./2844 East Beltline nE 616-774-8641/616-363-1723 aMERIcan. Both locations do brisk business at breakfast, especially on Sundays, but also offer a solid lunch and dinner menu featuring sandwiches, pasta, Mexican favorites and the legendary beehive potatoes. » SERVING: Breakfast Lunch Dinner OPEN ON: Open 7 days. GO THERE FOR: Breakfast.

Bulls Head Tavern188 Monroe nW. 616-454-3580 aMERIcan. Downtown eatery is a great spot for business lunch or casual pre-show dinner, with a wide-ranging menu that includes salads, burgers, pasta, seafood and steaks. Specialties include the ostrich burger, sashimi tuna and smoked Gouda chicken pasta. » SERVING: Lunch Dinner OPEN ON: Closed on Sunday. GO THERE FOR: The Ostrich Burger.

charley’s crab63 Market SW. 616-459-2500 SEaFOOD. a staple on the fine-dining scene in Grand Rapids. Fresh seafood, a world-class Sunday brunch and a comfortable, upscale atmosphere for drinks and dining. » SERVING: Lunch Dinner OPEN ON: Open 7 days. GO THERE FOR: The Sunday brunch buffet.

cherie Inn969 cherry SE. 616-458-0588 BREaKFaST. The East Hills restaurant is one of the area’s most-loved breakfast and lunch spots. a neighborhood staple for more than 60 years, the eatery offers a cozy, café-style setting complete with French flags, weathered brick walls, pressed tin ceiling, and intimate tables. Breakfast is the true star, with a variety of regular dishes like eggs Florentine and blueberry pancakes, as well as specials like red-flannel hash and almond joy pancakes. » SERVING: Breakfast Lunch OPEN ON: T W Th F Sa Sn. GO THERE FOR: Eggs Florentine.

The corner Bar31 n. Main St. 616-866-9866 aMERIcan. The downtown Rockford tavern serves a solid menu of burgers, burritos, salads and sandwiches, but it is best known for hot dogs — serving almost 1,000 per day. Its hot-dog-eating challenge has been conquered by more than a few, but it raises the question: Why would you want to consume Corner Bar dogs in a hurry rather than savor each bite? » SERVING: Lunch Dinner OPEN ON: Open 7 days. GO THERE FOR: Hot dogs.

cornucopia 187 Monroe ave. nW. 616-774-2000 DELI. a refreshing option for on-the-go, or casual, lighter fare. Enjoy deli options such as homemade soups, salads, Panini sandwiches and freshly brewed gourmet coffee. » SERVING: Breakfast Lunch OPEN ON: Open 7 days. GO THERE FOR: Sandwiches.

cygnus 27 187 Monroe ave. nW. 616-776-6425 EcLEcTIc. Enjoy the skyline as you dine atop the Glass Tower. Indulge in a variety of globally infused dishes at this aaa Four-Diamond restaurant. Casual attire; no jacket required. Private dining also available. » SERVING: Lunch Dinner OPEN ON: Open 7 days. GO THERE FOR: Seasonal Sunday Brunch.

Erb Thai 950 Wealthy St. SE #1a. (616) 356-2573 THaI. Food rooted in traditional Thai cuisine, but also made to accommodate health conscious and special diets. Not too strong, not too weak, like harmony and melody. Marketing representative Molly Rizor was a Thai virgin when she went and is now glad Erb Thai was her first experience. » SERVING: Lunch Dinner OPEN ON: Closed Sundays. GO THERE FOR: Peanut Curry Noodles.

Founders Brewing company235 Grandville SW. 616-776-1195 BREWPUB. a beer-lover’s paradise with a national reputation for flavorful, award-winning beers. Likewise, the brewpub’s menu consists mainly of flavorful handcrafted deli sandwiches that can stand up and complement the beers (or vice versa). » SERVING: Lunch Dinner OPEN ON: Open 7 days. GO THERE FOR: Award-winning beer, handcrafted sandwiches.

Garden court Lounge 187 Monroe ave. nW. 616-774-2000 LOUnGE. an excellent choice for a quick drink with friends or when you desire relaxing with your favorite drink. The Garden Court Lounge offers a fine array of beer, wine, cocktails and liqueurs. » SERVING: Drinks OPEN ON: Open 7 days. GO THERE FOR: Specialty cocktails.

Gilly’s20 Monroe nW. 616-356-2000 SEaFOOD. Gilly’s may not be the biggest name on the seafood block, but it takes

diningrEvuE’s dining listings are compiled by staff and minions. this is not intended to be

a comprehensive list of restaurants in the region; for our full list, visit revuewm.com/

restaurants. our magazine listings will constantly change and grow in scope based on

openings and closings, editorial space, budgets, deadlines, acts of god, congressional

hearings and, of course, visits and meals at restaurants throughout the region. the

listings are not intended to be reviews of West Michigan restaurants, although we will

inject some opinions into the listings based on experiences or the personal preferences

of staff. our intention is to expand and sharpen the content every month to make it the

region’s most user-friendly and accurate dining guide. to submit or correct information

in a dining listing, please send an e-mail to [email protected].

Restaurant listings arranged by region



Open seven days a week from 7a.m. until 10 p.m., the younger bearded brother of the Cherry Deli and cousin to the recently closed 4th Street Deli serves up several dozen of the city’s exquisitely stuffed sandwiches and

decadent salads. As for options, you can’t have too many more to choose from without causing irreparable brain damage and memory loss. The menu is split up into the sandwiches’ major stuffings, featuring turkey, ham, roast beef, corned beef and pastrami, chicken, sausage, vegetarian, vegan and salad wraps, all of which are named after bearded icons.

For poultry picks, don’t pass up The Zappa, a wheat panini packed with pulled barbecue turkey, muenster cheese, red on-ion, pickle shreds and a tangy medley of barbecue mayo and Dijon mustard. The Yosemite Sam satiates the most rootin’ and tootiniest spicy appetites with jalapenos and sriracha sour cream, watercress, jalapeno jack cheese, tomato and red onions laid out over juicy roast beef on a fresh-made jalapeno sub bun. For

vegans, Charles Darwin sits in an avocado spread black bean salsa bâtard baguette, contemplating Cajun-seasoned tofu, cucumber, red pepper, grilled squash and zucchini. I implore the eating of Ewoks as well — a hot, grilled Polish sausage, red skin potatoes, caramelized onions and horseradish. Simply put: it’s pretty damn awesome and I couldn’t receive a straight answer on the sausage’s composition.

Not to be overlooked, breakfast is served until 11a.m. and offers 12 of the best breakfast sandwiches in town. Served on English muffin bread or croissants, these will start your day or fill an early lunch perfectly. For the hungriest, Teddy Roosevelt is a fat helping of ham, turkey, sausage, chicken, kielbasa and bacon with Swiss and cheddar cheeses ... and tomatoes, onions, green peppers, and parsley because why not? n

38 Commerce Ave. SW, Grand Rapids, (616) 719-3802, twobeardsdeli.com

tAste this

cheAP eAts: The Crow’s NestIf it’s 3 a.m. and you’ve got hunger pangs and little cash, this locally owned and affordable café (nothing costs more than $9) stays open 24 hours a day on the weekends. Ever-changing daily specials (posted conveniently on their Facebook) like The Lumberjack omelet, stuffed with ba-con, pulled-pork, cheddar cheese and sautéed onions. Top it off with house barbecue sauce. For something sweeter, order the coconut French toast, a rotating special that is drizzled in chocolate syrup with raspberry coulis. It’s not just eggs and toast over here, the smoked turkey sandwich will put that store brand, pre-sliced deli meat nonsense in your lunchbox to shame. On toasted bread with red bell peppers, cucumbers, lettuce, herb aioli and smoked turkey (obviously), this is just one of many burgers and sandwiches to choose from, which run $6-$8.50. 816 S. Westnedge, Kalamazoo; (269) 978-0490

Downtown Market Outdoor Farmers Market Opening, May 4

If you haven’t heard about the $30 million project nestled in the crook of US 131 and Wealthy Street on Ionia Avenue, you can go back to your dumpster. On Saturday, May 4, the force descends upon Grand Rapids in the form of fresh fruits, vegetables and meats and more by the hands of local farms at the grand opening of Downtown Market. Grab your tote bags and head in early as the best cuts and picks will be gone before long. The proposed hours are 9 a.m. to 7 p.m., Monday through Saturday, and 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Sundays. Grand opening of the indoor market will be later this summer. Downtown Market, 435 Ionia Ave. SW, Grand Rapids; (616)805-5308, downtownmarketgr.com

second place to no one in regards to quality, freshness and inspiration. a vast array of exotic fish is line-caught, flown in and prepared fresh daily. Every facet of Gilly’s speaks to impeccable attention to detail. » SERVING: Dinner OPEN ON: Closed on Sunday. GO THERE FOR: Fresh seafood at a great price.

GP Sports 187 Monroe ave. nW. 616-776-6495 SPORTS BaR. Three large screens, more than 30 HD flat screens, pool tables, video games, outdoor patio seating, pizza, signature burgers and more. » SERVING: Lunch Dinner OPEN ON: Closed Sundays. GO THERE FOR: Score Big Burgers.

G.R.P.D. (Grand Rapids Pizza and Delivery)340 State St. SE. 616-454-9204 ITaLIan. The current GR location opened in 2004 as the first established pizzeria in the Heritage Hill district. a common meeting spot for local folks, business professionals and college students, a place where one could gather for a quick meal or a reflective lunch. It offers both hand-tossed pizza and Chicago-style stuffed pizza, as well as pasta, sandwiches, salads, and wings. Online ordering, too. » SERVING: Lunch Dinner OPEN ON: Open 7 days. GO THERE FOR: Pizza.

Grand Rapids Brewing company1 Ionia ave SW. 616-458-7000 BREWPUB. Good for the environment and your palate, GRBC is Michigan’s first certified organic brewery and features a menu stocked with locally grown ingredients. With a diverse selection of beers on tap inspired by historical Grand Rapids figures and a hearty array of burgers, melts and hand-cranked sausages, this place represents the best of the Grand Rapids Brewing Company’s 120-year legacy. » SERVING: Lunch Dinner OPEN ON: Open 7 days. GO THERE FOR: Organic beer and locally sourced food.

Grand Woods Lounge77 Grandville ave SW. 616-451-4300 aMERIcan. The restaurant’s interior exudes a warm, casual ambiance reminiscent of the great eateries of the Pacific Northwest; the outdoor porch features two outdoor bars and a fire-place. Menu stocked with affordable appetizers great for sharing, plus salads, sandwiches, and entrées. Lots of domestics and microbrews, plus an array of martinis including the “Woodstini,” a tasty mix of Stoli Orange Vodka, mandarin oranges and raspberries. » SERVING: Lunch Dinner OPEN ON: Open 7 days. GO THERE FOR: Cocktails.

Graydon’s crossing1223 Plainfield nE. 616-726-8260 TaVERn. an authentic take on the English Pub, with a huge selection of beers on tap and a menu that includes classic English dishes like Fish & Chips, Shepherd’s Pie and Irish Stew, as well as Indian specialties like Tandoori Chicken and Tikka Masala. a great casual atmosphere for drinking and dining. » SERVING: Lunch Dinner OPEN ON: Open 7 days. GO THERE FOR: Beer and authentic pub food.

The Green Well924 cherry SE. 616-808-3566 EcLEcTIc. REVUE’s “Free Market” columnist Steven de Polo writes, “Green Well is the best restaurant in GR.” The East Hills gastro-pub serves up an ever-changing menu featuring local

dining

lEFt: The Zappa. abovE: Co-owner Chris Sommerfeldt. PHOTOS: KaTy BaTDORFFRestaurant of the Month:

TWO BEaRDS DELI

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ingredients, and a wide array of local craft brews and wines. The green refers also to the LEED© certified building and management’s commitment to a small carbon footprint. » SERVING: Lunch Dinner OPEN ON: Open 7 days. GO THERE FOR: Baked local goat cheese, Michigan maple whiskey chicken over risotto.

The Holiday Bar801 5th St. nW, Grand Rapids. 616-456-9058 aMERIcan. For 107 years, The Holiday Bar has been serving its loyal customers great beer and food, with 12 specialty beers of tap and its homemade “Porter” Pulled Pork sandwiches. Fully stocked with pool tables and nine HD flat screens, this dive is the perfect spot for cheap beer and good times.. » SERVING: Lunch Dinner OPEN ON: Open 7 days. GO THERE FOR: Cheap beer.

Harmony Brewing company1551 Lake Dr. SE (616) 233-0063 BREWPUB. The newest addition to the Grand Rapids brewpub scene features five craft-brewed beers in addition to signature root beer for the kiddos. Harmony’s real specialty, however, is a take-out combo that features one of its gourmet wood-fire pizzas and a growler of beer. » SERVING: Lunch Dinner OPEN ON: Open 7 days. GO THERE FOR: Pizza and brews.

Hopcat25 Ionia SW. 616-451-4677 TaVERn. Rated the 3rd best beer bar on the planet by Beer Advcoate, HopCat’s spin on its food is thus: “It’s the food your Mom would feed you, if your Mom loved beer.” That’s specifically true for HopCat’s beerbar cheese, cheese ale soup and porter braised beef, but mom would also love the Hippie wrap (it’s vegetarian), the crack fries (not real crack), and Killer Mac and Cheese. Because what mom doesn’t like mac and cheese? » SERVING: Lunch Dinner OPEN ON: Open 7 days. GO THERE FOR: Widest variety of beers, crack fries.

J Bar20 Monroe nW. 616-356-2000 STEaKS. Grass-fed beef selections and an ample variety of seafood, chops and house specialties. Extensive wine cellar and tastefully upscale ambiance that’s comfortable rather than stuffy. » SERVING: Dinner OPEN ON: Closed on Sunday. GO THERE FOR: Choice-cut prime rib, 10-oz. Filet, 14-oz. Top Sirloin.

JD Reardon’s Bar & Grill940 Monroe ave nW. (616) 454-8590 aMERIcan. Neighborhood pub offers 15 Michigan beers on tap and more bottled, along with a full menu of handmade appetizers, pizzas, salads, sandwiches and 16 half-pound burgers. Nightly drink specials and karaoke on Tuesday night. » SERVING: Lunch Dinner OPEN ON: Open 7 days. GO THERE FOR: Burgers.

Lumber Baron Bar 187 Monroe ave. nW. (616) 774-2000 LOUnGE. Settle into the warmth and charm of this historic bar — complete with a fireplace, leather club chairs and a large selection of premium drinks and appetizers. » SERVING: Dinner OPEN ON: Closed Sundays and Mondays GO THERE FOR: Scotch or Brandy after a Symphony concert.

Maggie’s Kitchen636 Bridge St. nW. 616-458-8583 MEXIcan. The storefront restaurant on GR’s west side has quietly built a reputation as one of the best places in town for authentic Mexican food, especially its tacos and breakfast items like huevos

a la Mexicana (scrambled eggs with onions and jalapenos). » SERVING: Breakfast Lunch Dinner OPEN ON: T W Th F Sa Sn. GO THERE FOR: Tex-Mex.

Marie catrib’s1001 Lake Dr. 616-454-4020 EcLEcTIc. The East Hills eatery has one of the most hard-to-categorize menus in West Michigan, but this line from its website begins to do it justice: “a twist of Lebanese, a hint of yooper and yen for unique pastries.” Everything is made from scratch with local ingredients, and there are plenty of vegetarian and vegan options. Get there early for lunch, as there is almost always a wait. » SERVING: Breakfast Lunch Dinner OPEN ON: Open 7 days. GO THERE FOR: Salads, soups and sandwiches.

Mixology 235 Louis St. nW. 616-242-1448 LOUnGE. Casual, upscale service and atmosphere allows guests to relax and enjoy the city views. This type of service allows guests to complete business tasks while still enjoying the accessibility to great food and libations. » SERVING: Lunch Dinner OPEN ON: Open 7 days GO THERE FOR: Specialty cocktails.

O’Toole’s448 Bridge St. 616-742-6095 PUB. This West side pub is equipped with delicious and outrageously topped burgers, as well as an extensive beer selection, and arguably, the best happy hour specials in town. If food is not your passion, this is a prime place to kick off your Sunday Funday with its $3 absolut Bloody Mary bar. » SERVING: Lunch Dinner OPEN ON: Open 7 Days. GO THERE FOR: Gourmet burgers, Absolut Bloody Mary bar.

Olive’s Restaurant2162 Wealthy St. SE. 616-451-8611 EcLEcTIc. Gaslight Village mainstay for Easties looking to have a cocktail and casual dinner. The menu is surprisingly broad, with innova-tive starters (e.g., Napoli fritters, Paella cakes) and diverse entrées like Southern meatloaf, braised short ribs and mobu tofu. » SERVING: Lunch Dinner OPEN ON: Open 7 days. GO THERE FOR: A broad selection.

The Pita House1450 Wealthy SE, 3730 28th Street, 4533 Ivanrest SW (Grandville). 616-454-1171 MEDITERRanEan. Gyros so big you can club someone with them, the smoothest hummus in town and other Mediterranean fare, including kibbe, kafta and falafel. additional locations on 28th Street and Kalamazoo SE. Sandwiches are made to order with fresh vegetables and ingredients. » SERVING: Lunch Dinner OPEN ON: Open 7 days. GO THERE FOR: Fresh pita wraps.

Red Jet cafe1431 Plainfield ave. nE. 616-719-5500 EcLEcTIc. The funky restaurant in Creston’s old library is the kind of place you’d find in Chicago’s hip neighborhoods, offering non-sequitur menu items that somehow seem to work. Seriously, how many other places in town can you find that serve high-end organic coffees, crepes, wood-fired pizzas and artisan baked goods. Is it a bistro? Is it a coffeehouse? Does it matter? » SERVING: Breakfast Lunch Dinner OPEN ON: Open 7 days. GO THERE FOR: Crepes.

Reds on The River8 E. Bridge St. 616-863-8181 aMERIcan. This highly acclaimed restaurant in the Rockford area promises no processed foods. Red’s sports a cylindrical fireplace and is known for its incredible views and outdoor

dining. » SERVING: Lunch Dinner OPEN ON: Closed Sundays. GO THERE FOR: Steak and Wine.

Reserve201 Monroe ave. nW (616) 855-9463 EcLEcTIc. With 102 wines available by the glass and more than 300 by the bottle, paired with an ever-changing food menu influenced by West Michigan grown foods, Reserve promises diners a unique experience. Cocktails and craft beers add depth to the primarily wine-centered menu. » SERVING: Dinner OPEN ON: Closed on Sunday GO THERE FOR: Wine and food pairings, charcuterie.

Rinaldi Pizza and Sub Shop966 E. Fulton St. 616-458-3737 ITaLIan. The tiny pizza shop at the corner of Fulton and Diamond is publisher Brian Edwards’ favorite spot to stop for a large slice after a late night at the office. “It’s got the four C’s of pizza going for it: chewy, cheesy, crusty and cheap — with a perfect balance of sauce and cheese,” Edwards says. Fold it over, New york-style, he recommends. » SERVING: Lunch, Dinner. OPEN ON: Open 7 days. GO THERE FOR: Pizza.

Rockwell-Republic45 S. Division ave. 616-551-3563 EcLEcTIc. Menu offerings range from sushi to burgers and everything in between. The cocktail menu runs the gamut from classics like the Manhattan to more modern variations and the beer and wine menus are nothing to sneeze at either. » SERVING: Lunch Dinner OPEN ON: Open 7 days. GO THERE FOR: Specialty cocktails, broad menu, lively atmosphere.

Rose’s On Reeds Lake550 Lakeside Dr. SE. 616-458-1122 EcLEcTIc. The East Grand Rapids landmark is one of those places that has a different feel in each season. In the summertime, it’s a great spot to hang on the decks and have cocktails and light ap-petizers; when the snow is falling, it’s a warm and cozy spot for a hearty meal and big glass of wine. The menu draws from a multitude of influences including Mediterranean, Italian, and Casual american. » SERVING: Breakfast Lunch Dinner OPEN ON: Open 7 days. GO THERE FOR: Root Chips.

Ruth’s chris Steak House 187 Monroe avenue nW. 616-776-6426 STEaKHOUSE. Serving only the best steaks, Ruth’s Chris hand-selects its steaks from the top two percent of the country’s beef, which is then broiled to perfection at 1800 degrees. Enjoy the freshest seafood, classic sides and homemade desserts that satisfy any craving. » SERVING: Dinner OPEN ON: Closed Sundays. GO THERE FOR: Steak.

San chez a Tapas Bistro38 West Fulton St. 616-774-8272 EcLEcTIc.Using available local products, San Chez a Tapas Bistro is a social setting where people can remember the one rule of kindergarten: sharing. Featuring small, delicious dishes, San Chez a Tapas Bistro can satiate your desire for variety. » SERVING: Lunch Dinner OPEN ON: Open 7 Days. GO THERE FOR: Tapas.

San chez cafe38 West Fulton St. 616-774-8272 EcLEcTIc. This comfy venue allows customers to “walk on sunshine” with its windowed-out structure. a hidden secret for breakfast in downtown Grand Rapids, San Chez Cafe promises a great start to any day. » SERVING: Breakfast Lunch OPEN ON: Open 7 Days. GO THERE FOR: Sandwiches.

Six.One.Six. 235 Louis St. nW. 616-242-1448 EcLEcTIc. Market-inspired menus, sweeping views and progressive rhythms combine to create a memorable dining experience. The dishes tempt taste buds and is the perfect spot for foodies. » SERVING: Breakfast Lunch Dinner OPEN ON: Open 7 Days GO THERE FOR: Variety and being seen.

Stella’s Lounge53 commerce ave. 616-356-2700 TaVERn. The Chicago-style whiskey bar has more than 200 varieties of distilled spirits, old-school video games, a superexcellent jukebox stocked with rock and punk classics, and a menu filled with vegetarian and vegan bar food — and stuffed burgers. Did we mention you can sip cans of PBR, Blatz and other classic beers, as well as sangria, out of a mason jar? REVUE’s British ex-pat David Smith calls Stella’s his favorite bar in the world. » SERVING: Lunch Dinner OPEN ON: Open 7 days. GO THERE FOR: Vegetarian and vegan bar food.

The Score5301 northland Dr. nE. 616-301-0600 SPORTS BaR. Multi-faceted restaurant and sports bar has a lot to offer, including expansive menu with discount options, happy hour specials, countless big screen and projection TVs broadcasting big games and pay-per-view UFC matches, outdoor beach vol-leyball and live music in the summertime … the list goes on. » SERVING: Lunch Dinner OPEN ON: Open 7 days. GO THERE FOR: Sports bar atmosphere.

Tavern on the Square100 Ionia ave. SW. 616-456-7673 EcLEcTIc. The re-fash-ioned former Irish pub still has that neighborhood feel, and offers up a unique menu with salads, antipasto, appetizers, a pub burger, and an array of unique “yankee Tapas” like Fish Tacos, Loaded Carnival Fries and the ultimate West Side tapas: Pierogies. a hodgepodge to be sure, but fun. » SERVING: Lunch Dinner OPEN ON: Open 7 days. GO THERE FOR: PBJ Tuna.

Vitale’s RestaurantsVarious Grand Rapids locations. vitalespizza.com ITaLIan. The Vitale family has served West Michigan for more than 40 years. Each of the five locations in the Greater Grand Rapids area offer traditional Italian family recipes and award-winning pizza, but provide their own unique dining experience. Whether you go there to watch the big game, enjoy a brew or dine on authentic Italian dishes, these locations have something for everyone. » SERVING: Lunch Dinner OPEN ON: 7 days GO THERE FOR: Pizza and Italian dishes.

The Winchester648 Wealthy St. SE. 616-451-4969 EcLEcTIc. Upscale Wealthy Street bar and restaurant feels like it was plucked from Chicago’s Bucktown or Logan Square neighborhoods. a comfortable spot to drink or dine, with an always evolving menu featuring shared plates, salads and inventive sand-wiches. The Cuban Reuben, originally created as something of a joke, remains a (very tasty) staple item. » SERVING: Lunch Dinner OPEN ON: Open 7 days. GO THERE FOR: DIY Bloody Mary Bar Special, Yucca Fries.


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Wolfgang’s Restaurant1530 Wealthy St. SE. 616-454-5776 BREaKFaST. The bustling Eastown breakfast spot is home to some of the heartiest breakfast dishes and funniest menu descriptions. Courteous staff never fails to offer a cup of coffee to go after we’ve finished breakfast. » SERVING: Breakfast Lunch OPEN ON: Open 7 days. GO THERE FOR: Breakfast all day.

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8th Street Grille20 W. 8th St., Holland. 616-392-5888 aMERIcan. This eclectic grille located in the heart of Holland offers a mix of draft and bottled craft beers and a variety of pub classics and new, american beer-inspired dishes. Enjoy happy hour from 3-6 p.m. Monday through Friday and 9-10 p.m. on Friday and Saturday, which includes delicious half-off appetizers and $1 off drafts. » SERVING: Lunch, Dinner OPEN ON: 7 days. GO THERE FOR: 28 taps of craft beer, hometown atmosphere.

84 East 84 East 8th St., Holland. 616-396-8484 ITaLIan. While we categorize it as “Italian,” that’s a bit limiting for this downtown Holland spot, which specializes in creating inven-tive pasta dishes. Housed in an old industrial building, 84 East is a favorite splurge spot among REVUE’s Hope College minions. 84 East also serves up designer pizzas and a few non-pasta house specialties like Pork Marsala and Mahi Mahi. » SERVING: Lunch Dinner OPEN ON: Closed Sunday GO THERE FOR: Baked Spaghetti Pie, Tuxedo Chicken Pasta.

Bil-Mar Restaurant1223 S. Harbor St., Holland. 616-842-5920 aMERIcan. a destination restaurant for locals and tourists for more than 60 years. Dazzling sunsets and an all-american menu featuring fresh seafood and hand-cut steaks. » SERVING: Lunch Dinner OPEN: 7 days. GO THERE FOR: Lake perch, lobster strudel, prime rib.

Blue House Bistro220 W. 8th Street, Holland. 616-355-1994 aMERIcan. Chef-owned boutique bistro located in downtown Holland, with an extensive menu featuring small plates, sandwiches, soups, salads, pizza, desserts, dine-in, take-out, delivery catering, beer and wine to-go. » SERVING: Lunch Dinner OPEN: Tu–Sun. GO THERE FOR: Seafood gumbo, Saturday and Sunday brunch.

cityVu Bistro61 East 7th Street, Holland. 616-796-2114 aMERIcan. Located atop CityFlats Hotel in downtown Holland, CityVu Bistro offers unique breakfast creations, an array of flat-bread dinners, and small plates. Full bar with extensive wine list and great views of Holland. Hours of operation change with the seasons. » SERVING: Breakfast Lunch Dinner OPEN: Open 7 days. GO THERE FOR: Flatbreads.

Everyday People cafe11 center St., Douglas. 269-857-4240 aMERIcan. REVUE Publisher Brian Edwards calls Everyday People Café his favorite restaurant along the lakeshore. The atmosphere is casual and upbeat, the staff knows its stuff about wine and

food, and the seasonal menu is filled with meticulously pre-pared, eclectic comfort food like Butternut Squash Risotto, Braised Lamb Shank and ahi Tuna. a great wine list and tremendous desserts. » SERVING: Lunch Dinner OPEN: 7 days. GO THERE FOR: Gorgonzola Pork Chop, Greek Salad with Grandma Gigi’s Dressing (Edwards).

Fricano’s Pizza Tavern1400 Fulton ave., Grand Haven. 616-842-8640 ITaLIan. Claims to be the first pizzeria in Michigan, but customers care less about its longevity than the amazingly crispy thin crust and simple ingredients atop its much-lauded pies. Four other locations around West MI, including Comstock Park, Muskegon, Holland and Kalamazoo. » SERVING: Dinner OPEN ON: 7 days. GO THERE FOR: Pizza.

Kirby House2 Washington, Grand Haven. 616-846-3299 aMERIcan. The Grill Room doesn’t pretend to be anything other than what it is — a chop house and grill. atmosphere is warm with Tuscan tones, atmospheric lighting, classically cool music and leather booths. The menu focuses on steaks and chops and makes no apologies. The steaks are prime USDa choice, the seafood selection immaculate, and the wine and beverage list is top shelf. Relaxed and unpretentious atmosphere. » SERVING: Lunch Dinner OPEN ON: 7 days. GO THERE FOR: Nightlife.

Mia & Grace1133 3rd St., Muskegon. 231-725-9500 aMERIcan. Calls itself a bakery and bistro, but that’s too limiting to describe the creativity of Mia & Grace’s menu. The farm-to-table eatery in downtown Muskegon is casual and comfortable and serves lots of one-of-a-kind items like the Pork Belly Reuben or the Duck PB&J (duck confit, carmelized onions, cashew-peanut butter, green pepper jelly, anadama bread). » SERVING: Breakfast Lunch OPEN ON: Closed on Sunday. GO THERE FOR: Salads, Soups, Creme Brulee.

new Holland Brewing company66 E. 8th St., Holland. 616-355-6422 BREWPUB. One of West MI’s premier microbreweries serves up better than average pub grub, including the Tarheel barbecue Pulled Pork, Grilled Portobello and The Treehugger, which is billed as “a vegetar-ian sandwich utopia.” » SERVING: Lunch Dinner OPEN ON: 7 days. GO THERE FOR: Mad Hatter IPA, Dragon’s Milk.

Phil’s Bar & Grille215 Butler St., Saugatuck. 269-857-1555 aMERIcan. This cozy (some would say “small”) bar and grille in downtown Saugatuck is one of those unassuming spots you might easily overlook, though locals in Saugatuck will tell you about their love affair with Phil’s. Eclectic menu is all over the place, but in a good way, and the staff is super-friendly. » SERVING: Lunch Dinner OPEN ON: Open 7 days. GO THERE FOR: Portabella Mushroom Fries.

Salt of the Earth114 East Main St., Fennville. 269-561-7258 aMERIcan. Salt of the Earth is a farm-to-table-inspired restaurant, bar, and bakery located in the heart of SW Michigan farm country in Fennville. Focuses on fresh, seasonal, and local ingredients whenever possible. also serves up live music on weekends. » SERVING: Lunch Dinner OPEN ON: 7 days. GO THERE FOR: House made rustic cuisine.

Saugatuck Brewing company2948 Blue Star Highway. 269-857-7222 BREWPUB. Enjoy a traditional Irish-style pub that features quality beer,

wine, food and service. Try one of 12 unique brews that are served in the pub and bottled and distributed throughout the Midwest. » SERVING: Lunch Dinner OPEN ON: 7 days. GO THERE FOR: Beer in a family friendly pub environment.

Vitale’s of Zeeland59 W. Washington St. (616) 772-5900 ITaLIan. This family owned restaurant specializes in Italian dining, but also has a full menu including Mexican and american specialties. Family friendly atmosphere with newly remodeled dining, and an expanded sports bar with big screen TVs. Happy hour specials, live music every Saturday and has been voted Best Pizza seven years in a row by the Grand Rapids Press. » SERVING: Lunch Dinner OPEN ON: 7 days. GO THERE FOR: Pizza.

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arcadia Brewing co. 103 Michigan ave., Battle creek. 269-963-9520 BREWPUB. you’ll find some of the usual suspects on the Battle Creek brewpub’s menu, including wood-fired pizzas and some of the best barbecue in the region. But you’ll also find some delightful surprises — Osso Bucco in a brewpub?! — on the menu, courtesy of award-winning Chef Sean Kelly. » SERVING: Lunch Dinner OPEN ON: 7 days. GO THERE FOR: Handcrafted ales and barbecue.

Bell’s Eccentric cafe355 E. Kalamazoo ave. 269-382-2332 BREWPUB. Eccentric Café’s regular menu of appetizers, sandwiches, sides and salads — plus the daily soups and specials — exists for a simple and important purpose: to complement the Kalamazoo microbrewery’s award-winning beers. Eat up while you drink up. » SERVING: Lunch Dinner OPEN ON: 7 days. GO THERE FOR: The Beer.

Bravo!5402 Portage Rd., Kalamazoo 269-344-7700 ITaLIan. Much-lauded restaurant has earned its stripes over past 23 years as one of the region’s best dining experiences, including a 3-star rating in the 2010 Forbes Travel Guide (formerly the Mobil Travel Guide). The Tuscan-inspired cuisine is spectacular, the atmosphere comfortable and intimate, and the service first-rate. also brews its own beer in small batches for pairings with menu offerings. » SERVING: Lunch Dinner OPEN ON: 7 days. (Closed Sat. lunch) GO THERE FOR: A great dining experience.

Fieldstone Grille3970 W. centre St., Portage. 269-321-8480 aMERIcan. Lodge-retreat atmosphere overlooking the Moors Golf Club natural wetlands. The “field-to-plate” menu features burg-ers, pizzas, steaks and some eclectic items like quail. Try the FSG chips, a combination of potato, beet and sweet potato chips. » SERVING: Lunch Dinner OPEN ON: 7 days. GO THERE FOR: Blue Burger, Almond Crusted Walleye, FSG Chips.

Food Dance401 E. Michigan ave., Kalamazoo. 269-382-1888 aMERIcan. an eclectic american menu that reflects ownership’s fixation on “finding honest-to-goodness fruits, vegetables, meat and eggs that come from the farm, not the

factory.” Lots of unique choices, for breakfast (gingerbread pancakes), lunch (crab cake sandwich) and dinner (beer roasted chicken). » SERVING: Breakfast Lunch Dinner OPEN ON: 7 days. GO THERE FOR: Fresh Local Foods.

Old Burdicks Bar & Grill100 W. Michigan ave. (269) 226-3192 aMERIcan. Old Burdick’s Bar & Grill features tasty sandwiches, burgers, salads and entrees, as well as a great selection of cock-tails, wines and beers. » SERVING: Lunch Dinner. OPEN: 7 days. GO THERE FOR: The Old Burdick Burger.

Olde Peninsula200 E. Michigan ave., Kalamazoo 269-343-2739 BREWPUB. Downtown brewpub serves up the expected (e.g., steaks, ribs), the authentic (e.g., London Broil) and some pleasant surprises (e.g., extensive vegetarian offerings, Italian food). Offers a range of beers brewed on the premises and served on tap, plus a full bar. Check out the seasonal porters on tap right now, including the Vanilla Porter (5.5% aBV) and Stout Chocula (5.25% aBV). » SERVING: Dinner OPEN ON: 7 days. GO THERE FOR: Beer-B-Que Ribs, London Broil.

Martell’s 3501 Greenleaf Blvd., Kalamazoo. 269-375-2105 aMERIcan. Tucked away in a quiet neighborhood that overlooks Willow Lake, Martell’s offers casual ambiance and an expansive menu with steaks, prime rib and other comfort food entrées like Italian style meatloaf and pork shank. » SERVING: Lunch Dinner OPEN ON: Open 7 days (Sundays-dinner only) GO THERE FOR: Quiet casual ambiance.

Union cabaret & Grille125 S. Burdick St., Kalamazoo. 269-384-6756 aMERIcan. a partnership with Western Michigan University, Union features eclectic food and cocktails, plus live jazz music performed by WMU faculty and students. » SERVING: Lunch Dinner OPEN ON: Closed Sunday. GO THERE FOR: Portabella Fries, Bloody Maries with infused vodkas. n

dining

For our full list of restaurants, visit revuewm.com/

restaurants.

To submit or correct information in a dining

listing, please send an e-mail to editor@

revuewm.com.


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5.01Gallery Uptown Northern NeighborsGrand Rapids Public Library Until Tuesday: a Wounded Warrior and the Golden Retriever Who Saved HimGrand Rapids Public Museum Titanic: The artifact Exhibition, Great Lakes Shipwrecks: Storms and StoriesThe Holiday Bar Speed DatingThe Intersection Ben Rector wsg alpha RevKalamazoo Institute of arts Sight and Feeling: Photographs by ansel adams, The artists of Japan and China: Selections from the Collection, african american Life from the Myrna Colley Lee CollectionKalamazoo nature center yoga in the Glen Vista, Birding in the Kleinstuck Preserve

Lemonjello’s coffee Open Mic NightMercuryHead Gallery Kathleen KalinowskiMiller auditorium WickedMuskegon Museum of art Hughie Lee-Smith: Meditations, Laurie Keller Story Teller: Illustrations for

Snory Fellers, Book Discussion: The Greater Journey by David McCulloughOld Dog Tavern Patricia Pettinga and Steven Lee PeschThe Pyramid Scheme Ghostface Killah: Twelve Reasons to Die Tour wsg adrian younges’ Venice Dawn, The Black OperaRosa Parks circle Swing DancingThe Union cabaret & Grille, Kalamazoo Jazz Mix NightUIca Limit(less)

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5.02art of the Table In-Store Wine TastingBarnes and noble, Woodland Mall Grand Rapids Writers’ ExchangeBell’s Eccentric cafe Fruition

crush Spotlight Singer Series: Tony Reynolds DuoThe Daac Solo Exhibition: Jenn SchaubDog Story Theater Four Wounded WomenDogwood center for the Performing arts “a Place at the Table” Documentary Film at the Dogwood CenterDr. Grins Josh SneedFounders Brewing company Scott Lucas and the Married MenFrauenthal center for the Performing arts The Music Man presented by Muskegon Civic TheatreGallery Uptown Northern NeighborsGaspard Gallery “Conditions” exhibit by Jeff KrausGrand Rapids Public Library Reading the Great LakesGrand Rapids Public Museum Titanic: The artifact Exhibition, Great Lakes Shipwrecks: Storms and StoriesKalamazoo Institute of arts Sight and Feeling: Photographs by ansel adams, african american Life from the Myrna Colley Lee Collection, The artists of Japan and China: Selections from the CollectionMercuryHead Gallery Kathleen KalinowskiMiller auditorium WickedMuskegon Museum of art Hughie Lee-Smith: Meditations, Laurie Keller Story Teller: Illustrations for Snory FellersOne Trick Pony Grill & Taproom Thursday Night acoustic Stew

Papa Pete’s Latin Salsa NightThe Pyramid Scheme Jake Miller, D-PrydeRockford Brewing co. The JetBeatsUIca Limit(less)Wealthy Theatre yoga for Mind, Body and Soul, Dancing From Within For Women

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5.03Bobarinos Sprague Brotherscovenant Fine arts center, calvin college SaO Film: Lincolnczar’s 505 Ifficial Reggae BandDeVos Performance Hall La TraviataDog Story Theater Four Wounded WomenDr. Grins Josh SneedFrauenthal center The Music Man presented by Muskegon Civic TheatreGallery Uptown Northern NeighborsGrand Rapids Public Museum Titanic: The artifact Exhibition, Great Lakes Shipwrecks: Storms and StoriesThe Holiday Bar She SaidHowmet Playhouse Dragon WagonThe Intersection Mega ‘80sJohn Ball Zoo Zoofari - Kid’s Night OutThe Kalamazoo civic Theatre Time Stands Still, How To Succeed In Business Without Really TryingKalamazoo Institute of arts Sight and Feeling: Photographs by ansel

adams, african american Life from the Myrna Colley Lee Collection, The artists of Japan and China: Selections from the CollectionLaFontsee Gallery, Douglas Reveal/ConcealThe Livery Nora Jane Struthers & the Party LineLouie’s Trophy House Grill M. Sord, Dumbelievers, The WrapMercuryHead Gallery Kathleen KalinowskiMiller auditorium WickedMuskegon Museum of art Hughie Lee-Smith: Meditations, Laurie Keller Story Teller: Illustrations for Snory FellersOld Dog Tavern Free Silver and Tilford SellersPeter Martin Wege Theatre Grand Rapids Ballet: Peter PanPlanet Rock Prospect HillThe Pyramid Scheme The People’s Temple, Kastanza, Cardboard SwordsRiver city Saloon Classic FixRosa Parks circle One Minute for One MillionTip Top Deluxe Bar & Grille Scott HoltUIca Limit(less)

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5.04all Ears Theatre Sherlock Holmes and the adventure of the Speckled BandBell’s Eccentric cafe Big Brew DayBilly’s Lounge Jimmie Stagger

the schedulegEt sChEdulEd! E-mail your info to [email protected] add your events into our calendar at revuewm.com.

Best Bet: IndieiF PsYChEdEliC roCK bEgan and EndEd with the ‘60s, don’t tell the members of MGMT. As one of America’s favorite breakout bands of the last few years, the band has been managing (get it?

Because MGMT means manage… never mind) to carry on the flag of neo-psychedelia well into the 21st century. Its success is so spectacular that even now, just reading the band’s name in print, immediately stirs the darkly toned opening chords of “Time to Pretend” in my head. It’s hard to imagine a more fitting group to inherit the crown of introspective mood rock, and indeed, MGMT wears it proudly. But while we haven’t heard much in the way of recordings

from the group recently, a new album release is tentatively planned for June; and in the meantime, there’s always the live shows to tide you over. And what a way to be sated until the summertime. Reported by Emma Kat Richardson

MgMtCalvin College, Grand RapidsMay 6, 8 p.m., $35calvin.edu/boxoffice/tickets, (616)526-6282

MGMT

ghostFaCE Killah: the Pyramid scheme,

May 1


ScHEDULESCENE | SOUNDS | SIGHTS | DINING

Bobarinos CP2calder Plaza Big Brew Daycurragh Irish Pub aidan O’TooleDeVos Performance Hall La TraviataDog Story Theater Four Wounded WomenDogwood center for the Performing arts an Evening with GrouchoDowntown Holland Tulip Time FestivalDr. Grins Josh SneedFireKeepers casino KaNSaSFounders Brewing company The Wallace Collective/Chain of Lakes Dual Record Release Show wsg Strawberry HeritageFrauenthal center for the Performing arts The Music Man presented by Muskegon Civic TheatreGallery Uptown Northern NeighborsGilly’s Kentucky Derby PartyGrand Rapids Public Museum Titanic: The artifact Exhibition, Great Lakes Shipwrecks: Storms and StoriesThe Holiday Bar DJ Dan VHowmet Playhouse 6th annual White Lake Blues FestIonia, Downtown Grand Rapids Cinco De MayoThe Intersection Wayland wsg Devin and the Dead Frets, Sargent avenue, Coldville, StickerblisterThe Kalamazoo civic Theatre Time Stands Still, How To Succeed In Business Without Really TryingKalamazoo Institute of arts Sight and Feeling: Photographs by ansel adams, african american Life from the Myrna Colley Lee Collection, The artists of Japan and China: Selections from the CollectionLaFontsee Gallery, Douglas Reveal/ConcealLittle River casino and Resort Laughcatchers Comedy Tour Louie’s Trophy House Grill Frankie Ballard, Dani Jamerson, South Country, The Real FantasticsMercuryHead Gallery Kathleen KalinowskiMiller auditorium WickedMuskegon Museum of art Hughie Lee-Smith: Meditations, Laurie Keller Story Teller: Illustrations for Snory Fellersnick Fink’s Murphy’s LawOld Dog Tavern Duffield Caron ProjectPeter Martin Wege Theatre Peter PanThe Pyramid Scheme GR8BIT LIVE! feat Bit Brigade, Super

Guitar Bros, arc Impulse, Playing with PowerRiver city Saloon Classic FixSeven Steps Up Drew Nelson Tip Top Deluxe an Evening with Tommy WomackUIca Limit(less)Water Street Gallery Who’s That?

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5.05celebration cinema! north Jewish Film Festivalcrush Fiesta de la IndustriaDeVos Performance Hall Grand Rapids youth Symphony & Classical OrchestraDog Story Theater Four Wounded WomenDowntown Holland Tulip Time FestivalFrauenthal center for the Performing arts The Music Man presented by Muskegon Civic TheatreGrand Rapids Public Library Cinco de MayoGrand Rapids Public Museum Titanic: The artifact Exhibition, Great Lakes Shipwrecks: Storms and StoriesThe Intersection The Dillinger Escape Plan wsg The Faceless and Royal ThunderThe Kalamazoo civic Theatre How To Succeed In Business Without Really TryingKalamazoo Institute of arts Sunday Funday: Duct Tape!, Sight and Feeling: Photographs by ansel adams, african american Life from the Myrna Colley Lee Collection, The artists of Japan and China: Selections from the CollectionLouie’s Trophy House Grill Malaikat Dan Singa, Forget the Times, Brown CompanyMcFadden’s Restaurant and Saloon Live Celtic MusicMercuryHead Gallery Kathleen KalinowskiMiller auditorium WickedMuskegon Museum of art Hughie Lee-Smith: Meditations, Laurie Keller Story Teller: Illustrations for Snory FellersOld Dog Tavern Seventh Son Blues JamPeter Martin Wege Theatre Peter PanThe Pyramid Scheme The Soil and the Sun, Healing PowerSeven Steps Up Tylan

UIca Limit(less)Water Street Gallery Who’s That?

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5.06celebration! cinema north Jewish Film Festivalczar’s 505 Kari Lynch BandDeVos Performance Hall Gordon Lightfoot: 50 years on the Carefree Highway TourDowntown Holland Tulip Time FestivalGallery Uptown Northern NeighborsGrand Rapids Public Museum Titanic: The artifact Exhibition, Great Lakes Shipwrecks: Storms and StoriesHowmet Playhouse, Whitehall Mindful Mondays Community Wellness SeriesLaFontsee Gallery, Douglas Reveal/ConcealLogan’s alley Black Out MondayLouie’s Trophy House Grill arson PartyMercuryHead Gallery Kathleen KalinowskiThe Pyramid Scheme Heartside’s Got TalentSpoelhof Fieldhouse, calvin college MGMT wsg KuromaStella’s Lounge The Drunken RetortTip Top Deluxe Motown Mondays

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5.07celebration! cinema north Jewish Film FestivalDowntown Holland Tulip Time FestivalGallery Uptown Northern NeighborsGerald R. Ford Presidential Library and Museum Growing Up GrandGrand Rapids Public Museum Titanic: The artifact Exhibition, Great Lakes Shipwrecks: Storms and StoriesGVSU Pew campus, Loosemore auditorium Then & NOW: Shattering the Glass RotundaHolland Museum Wichers Gallery 75th anniversary ExhibitKalamazoo Institute of arts young artists of Kalamazoo County, Sight and Feeling: Photographs by ansel

adams, african american Life from the Myrna Colley Lee Collection, The artists of Japan and China: Selections from the Collection, aRTbreak: The Fifth Chakra: art and Music by Brooke LaRucheKalamazoo nature center Birding in the Kleinstuck PreserveLaFontsee Gallery, Douglas Reveal/ConcealLoosemore auditorium, GVSU Pew campus Then and N.O.W. Fundraiser: Shattering the Glass RotundaLouie’s Trophy House Grill Comedy Open Mic NightMercuryHead Gallery Kathleen KalinowskiOld Dog Tavern Tom Duffield and Open Mic Night with Brandon MannThe Pyramid Scheme Midnight Ghost TrainRosa Parks circle Swing DancingWealthy Theater Meanwhile Movie: The Dark Crystal

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5.08celebration cinema north Jewish Film FestivalDowntown Holland Tulip Time Festival, Volksparade and StreetscrubbingGallery Uptown Northern NeighborsGerald R. Ford Presidential Library and Museum Growing Up GrandGrand Rapids Public Museum Titanic: The artifact Exhibition, Great Lakes Shipwrecks: Storms and StoriesHideout Brewery Otis Blueswell Jr.Kalamazoo Institute of arts young artists of Kalamazoo County, Sight

and Feeling: Photographs by ansel adams, african american Life from the Myrna Colley Lee Collection, The artists of Japan and China: Selections from the Collection, art League Lecture: Impressionism, Fashion and ModernityKalamazoo nature center yoga in the Glen Vista, Birding in the Kleinstuck PreserveKalamazoo State Theater Willie Nelson and FamilyLaFontsee Gallery, Douglas Reveal/ConcealLouie’s Trophy House Grill Music Open Mic NightMercuryHead Gallery Kathleen KalinowskiMuskegon Museum of art Hughie Lee-Smith: Meditations, Laurie Keller Story Teller: Illustrations for Snory FellersOld Dog Tavern alison Wonderland with David Lloyd and Steven Lee PeschThe Pyramid Scheme Har Mar SuperstarThe Union cabaret & Grille Jazz Mix Night

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5.09art of the Table In-Store Wine TastingBarnes and noble, Woodland Mall Grand Rapids Writers’ Exchangecelebration! cinema north Jewish Film Festivalcrush Spotlight Singer Series: Libby yorkDowntown Holland Tulip Time FestivalDr. Grins Rory ScovelFounders Brewing company Deadstring Brothers wsg The Wildfire

Gallery Uptown Northern NeighborsGerald R. Ford Presidential Library and Museum Growing Up GrandGrand Rapids Public Museum Titanic: The artifact Exhibition, Great Lakes Shipwrecks: Storms and StoriesThe Intersection Jamey JohnsonThe Kalamazoo civic Theatre How To Succeed In Business Without Really TryingKalamazoo Institute of arts Sight and Feeling: Photographs by ansel adams, african american Life from the Myrna Colley Lee Collection, The artists of Japan and China: Selections from the CollectionLaFontsee Galleries’ Douglas location Reveal/ConcealMercuryHead Gallery Kathleen KalinowskiMuskegon Museum of art Hughie Lee-Smith: Meditations, Laurie Keller Story Teller: Illustrations for Snory Fellers, Brown Bag Film: Edward HopperOld Dog Tavern Paul Nelson BandOne Trick Pony Grill & Taproom acoustic StewPapa Pete’s Latin Salsa NightRockford Brewing company Big Boss BluesSaugatuck center for the arts Real to Reel: DetropiaWealthy Theatre yoga for Mind, Body and Soul

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5.10Bell’s Eccentric cafe Lincoln County ProcessBilly’s Lounge StarfarmBobarinos Classic Fixcrush Glow 2DeVos Performance Hall Grand Rapids Symphony Presents Beethoven’s Solemn MassDowagiac Middle School Performing arts center award-Winning author Nicole KraussDowntown Dowagiac UpFront art WalkDowntown Holland Tulip Time FestivalDr. Grins Rory ScovelFarmers alley Theatre 5th annual Kalamazoo Improv FestivalFour Winds casino Tower of PowerFrauenthal center for the Performing arts West Michigan

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JaMEY Johnson: the intersection, May 9


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Symphony Orchestra presents The 3 Broadway DivasGallery Uptown Northern NeighborsGerald R. Ford Presidential Library and Museum Growing Up GrandGrand Rapids Public Museum Titanic: The artifact Exhibition, Great Lakes Shipwrecks: Storms and StoriesThe Holiday Bar The Legal ImmigrantsThe Kalamazoo civic Theatre How To Succeed In Business Without Really Trying, The Man Who Came to Dinner Kalamazoo Institute of arts Sight and Feeling: Photographs by ansel adams, african american Life from the Myrna Colley Lee Collection, The artists of Japan and China: Selections from the CollectionLaFontsee Gallery, Douglas Reveal/ConcealLemonjello’s Klompenfest 2013, The Fever Haze, Small Parks, Little american Champ, alex & The Brave, and CounselorThe Livery anne HillsLouie’s Trophy House Grill The Missing Generation, The Mittenauts, The ErklingsMercuryHead Gallery Kathleen KalinowskiMuskegon Museum of art Hughie Lee-Smith: Meditations, Laurie Keller Story Teller: Illustrations for Snory FellersOld Dog Tavern Scott Spears and Ben Daniels Band

Peter Martin Wege Theatre Romeo & JulietThe Pyramid Scheme Deal’s Gone Bad, Cabildo, The Sleeves

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5.11Bell’s Eccentric cafe Red Sea PedestriansBilly’s Lounge The Twin CatsBobarinos Classic FixDeVos Performance Hall Grand Rapids Symphony Presents Beethoven’s Solemn MassDowntown Holland Tulip Time Festival, Tulip Time Muziek ParadeDr. Grins Rory ScovelFarmers alley Theatre 5th annual Kalamazoo Improv FestivalFrauenthal center for the Performing arts West Michigan Symphony Orchestra presents The 3 Broadway DivasFrederik Meijer Gardens & Sculpture Park all Michigan Bonsai ShowGallery Uptown Northern NeighborsGerald R. Ford Presidential Library and Museum Growing Up GrandGrand Rapids Public Museum Titanic: The artifact Exhibition, Great Lakes Shipwrecks: Storms and StoriesThe Holiday Bar Matt BThe Intersection Bimini Brothers wsg Two Dudes in Flip Flops

The Kalamazoo civic Theatre How To Succeed In Business Without Really Trying, The Man Who Came to Dinner Kalamazoo Institute of arts Sight and Feeling: Photographs by ansel adams, african american Life from the Myrna Colley Lee Collection, The artists of Japan and China: Selections from the CollectionKalamazoo nature center Dr. Batts Hiking ChallengeKalamazoo State Theater aziz ansari: Buried aliveLaFontsee Galleries Meet the artist - Justin KellnerLaFontsee Gallery, Douglas Reveal/ConcealLouie’s Trophy House Grill Goodie Boy Flood, DC of Truth Tone Records, Fuse & Ms. Chyna D., Blainiac, Micky Tao, Semi RichMercuryHead Gallery Kathleen KalinowskiMuskegon Museum of art Hughie Lee-Smith: Meditations, Laurie Keller Story Teller: Illustrations for Snory Fellersnick Fink’s Harry Lucas and the LowdownOld Dog Tavern Duffield Caron Project and 4WDThe Orbit Room Bullet For My Valentine wsg Stars In StereoPeter Martin Wege Theatre Romeo & JulietThe Pyramid Scheme Midway to Michfest Party feat. Sarah Jean anderson, Karisa Wilson, Fiona Dickinson, Erin Lenau, Samantha Gretz

Seven Steps Up Event and Banquet center Michael McDermottThe Union cabaret & Grille Blues Night with BMF BandWater Street Gallery Who’s That?Wealthy Theatre Trip the Light

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5.12Founders Brewing company The People’s ChampsFrauenthal center for the Performing arts The Color Purple: The Musical about Love Frederik Meijer Gardens & Sculpture Park all Michigan Bonsai ShowGerald R. Ford Presidential Library and Museum Growing Up GrandGrand Rapids Public Museum Titanic: The artifact Exhibition, Great Lakes Shipwrecks: Storms and StoriesThe Intersection Cracker and Camper Van BeethovenThe Kalamazoo civic Theatre How To Succeed In Business Without Really Trying, The Man Who Came to Dinner Kalamazoo Institute of arts Sight and Feeling: Photographs by ansel adams, african american Life from the Myrna Colley Lee Collection, The artists of Japan and China: Selections from the Collection

McFadden’s Restaurant and Saloon Live Celtic MusicMercuryHead Gallery Kathleen KalinowskiMuskegon Museum of art Hughie Lee-Smith: Meditations, Laurie Keller Story Teller: Illustrations for Snory Fellers, Cinema Sunday Film: The LandOld Dog Tavern Old Time Jam and anders & KendallPeter Martin Wege Theatre Romeo & JulietUIca GRPS City Wide art ShowWater Street Gallery Who’s That?

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5.13Gallery Uptown Northern NeighborsGerald R. Ford Presidential Library and Museum Growing Up GrandGrand Rapids Public Library Michigan Notable Book author Michael HodgesGrand Rapids Public Museum Titanic: The artifact Exhibition, Great Lakes Shipwrecks: Storms and StoriesLaFontsee Gallery, Douglas Reveal/ConcealLogan’s alley Black Out MondayMercuryHead Gallery Kathleen KalinowskiOld Dog Tavern Comedy Night with alec Robbins

Stella’s Lounge The Drunken RetortTip Top Deluxe Motown Mondays

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5.14DeVos Permformance Hall Broadway Grand Rapids Presents anything GoesGallery Uptown, Grand Haven Northern NeighborsGerald R. Ford Presidential Library and Museum Growing Up GrandGrand Rapids Public Museum Titanic: The artifact Exhibition, Great Lakes Shipwrecks: Storms and StoriesKalamazoo Institute of arts Sight and Feeling: Photographs by ansel adams, art League depaRTure: Hot in Cleveland - Treasures of Wade Oval, african american Life from the Myrna Colley Lee Collection, The artists of Japan and China: Selections from the Collection, Visiting artist: Sondra Freckelton Watercolor Workshop, aRTbreak: Randy Bronkema: The american LandscapeKalamazoo nature center Birding in the Kleinstuck PreserveLaFontsee Gallery, Douglas Reveal/ConcealLouie’s Trophy House Grill Comedy Open Mic NightMercuryHead Gallery Kathleen Kalinowski

aziz ansari

Best Bet: Comedy “ParKs & rECrEation” MaY bE on thE vErgE of taking its summer hiatus (though, thank the TV gods, not a permanent hiatus like its big sister, “30 Rock”), but that doesn’t mean its principle stars have withered and died like newscasters without a working teleprompter. Oh no. Instead, Aziz Ansari in particular is continuing to nurture his long-time stand-up roots tickling funny bones wherever he sees fit. Fortunately for us, one of those places that made his cut is the Kalamazoo State Theatre. Hot on the heels of his latest comedy tour, Buried Alive, America’s most famous star whose name rhymes with “sneeze” almost certainly has plans to bury audience members alive under an avalanche of laughter. (Which, if you can believe it, is even more fun than being buried alive under a real avalanche.) Reported by Emma Kat Richardson

aziz ansariKalamazoo State TheatreMay 11, 7 p.m., $35kazoostate.com, (269) 345-6500


ScHEDULESCENE | SOUNDS | SIGHTS | DINING

sChEdulEOld Dog Tavern Tom Duffield and Open Mic Night with Brandon MannPeter Wege auditorium Meanwhile Movie: Logan’s RunRosa Parks circle Swing DancingUIca GRPS City Wide art ShowVan andel arena Ted Nugent, REO Speedwagon, and Styx: Midwest Rock n’ Roll Express Tour

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5.15celebration! cinema north Grand Rapids Film FestivalDeVos Permformance Hall Broadway Grand Rapids Presents anything GoesFoundry Hall Song SwapGallery Uptown, Grand Haven Northern NeighborsGerald R. Ford Presidential Library and Museum Growing Up GrandGrand Rapids Public Museum Titanic: The artifact Exhibition, Great Lakes Shipwrecks: Storms and StoriesGreat Lakes commonwealth of Letters Book Launch for Robert

Haight’s New Collection of Poems, Feeding Wild Birds Kalamazoo Institute of arts Sight and Feeling: Photographs by ansel adams, art League depaRTure: Hot in Cleveland - Treasures of Wade Oval, Book Discussion : The Hare with amber Eyes, african american Life from the Myrna Colley Lee Collection, The artists of Japan and China: Selections from the Collection, Visiting artist: Sondra Freckelton Watercolor WorkshopKalamazoo nature center yoga in the Glen Vista, Birding in the Kleinstuck PreserveLaFontsee Gallery, Douglas Reveal/ConcealLemonjello’s coffee Haley Dreis and Caleb CaudleMercuryHead Gallery Kathleen KalinowskiMuskegon Museum of art Hughie Lee-Smith: Meditations, Laurie Keller Story Teller: Illustrations for Snory FellersOld Dog Tavern Steven Lee PeschThe Orbit Room Hollywood Undead wsg Falling In Reverse and american FangsRezervoir Lounge art BattleRiverside Park Grand Rapids Ride of Silence

Rosa Parks circle Swing Dancing at Rosa Parks CircleThe Union cabaret & Grille Jazz Mix NightTip Top Deluxe Igor and Red Elvises, The MoonraysUIca GRPS City Wide art Show

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5.16art of the Table In-Store Wine TastingBarnes and noble, Woodland Mall Grand Rapids Writers’ Exchangecelebration! cinema north Grand Rapids Film Festivalcrush Spotlight Singer Series: Kathy LamarDeVos Permformance Hall Broadway Grand Rapids Presents anything GoesDr. Grins David CroweGallery Uptown Northern NeighborsGerald R. Ford Presidential Library and Museum Growing Up GrandGrand Rapids Public Museum Titanic: The artifact Exhibition,

Great Lakes Shipwrecks: Storms and StoriesThe Kalamazoo civic Theatre How To Succeed In Business Without Really TryingKalamazoo Institute of arts Sight and Feeling: Photographs by ansel adams, art League depaRTure: Hot in Cleveland - Treasures of Wade Oval, african american Life from the Myrna Colley Lee Collection, The artists of Japan and China: Selections from the Collection, Visiting artist: Sondra Freckelton Watercolor WorkshopLaFontsee Gallery, Douglas Reveal/ConcealLouie’s Trophy House Grill andreas Kapsalis & Goran Ivanoic Guitar Duo, Kalamazoo Brass CollectiveMercuryHead Gallery Kathleen KalinowskiMuskegon Museum of art Hughie Lee-Smith: Meditations, Laurie Keller Story Teller: Illustrations for Snory FellersOne Trick Pony acoustic StewPapa Pete’s Latin Salsa NightThe Pyramid Scheme 1969 Tribute Show: a fundraiser for Well HouseRockford Brewing company Roosevelt Diggs

UIca GRPS City Wide art ShowWealthy Theatre Dancing From Within For Women, yoga for Mind, Body and Soul

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5.17Bell’s Eccentric cafe Grace adele and The Grand Band wsg Jen SygitBobarinos Litt Upcelebration! cinema north Grand Rapids Film Festivalcentral Park Players The Golden Pondcurragh Irish Pub The Moxie StringsDeVos Performance Hall Broadway Grand Rapids Presents anything GoesDr. Grins David CroweForest Hills Fine arts center Sheryl Budnik ExhibitGallery Uptown Northern NeighborsGerald R. Ford Presidential Library and Museum Growing Up GrandGrand Rapids Public Museum Titanic: The artifact Exhibition,

Great Lakes Shipwrecks: Storms and StoriesThe Holiday Bar Fled FiveHowmet Playhouse Ben Bedford in ConcertThe Intersection asking alexandria wsg. Motionless in WhiteThe Kalamazoo civic Theatre How To Succeed In Business Without Really Trying, Robin HoodKalamazoo Institute of arts Sight and Feeling: Photographs by ansel adams, african american Life from the Myrna Colley Lee Collection, The artists of Japan and China: Selections from the Collection, Visiting artist: Sondra Freckelton Watercolor WorkshopLaFontsee Gallery, Douglas Reveal/ConcealThe Livery Toxic TriviaLouie’s Trophy House Grill Double Phelix ShowcaseMercuryHead Gallery Kathleen KalinowskiMuskegon Museum of art Hughie Lee-Smith: Meditations, Laurie Keller Story Teller: Illustrations for Snory FellersOld Dog Tavern Real FantasticsThe Orbit Room Pop Evil Peter Martin Wege Theatre Romeo & JulietPlanet Rock Shallow SideRiver city Saloon TetradRiviera Theatre Super Happy Funtime Burlesque ShowRosa Parks circle active Commute Week CelebrationTip Top Deluxe Peter Karp and Sue FoleyUIca GRPS City Wide art Show

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5.18all Ears Theatre The ParadeBar Louie Otis Blueswell Jr. Bell’s Eccentric cafe Mustard PlugBobarinos Risquecelebration! cinema north Grand Rapids Film Festivalcentral Park Players The Golden PondDeVos Performance Hall Broadway Grand Rapids Presents anything GoesDowagiac Middle School Performing arts center arlo GuthrieDr. Grins David Crowe

Best Bet: AmericanaCall ME CrazY, but i’M bEginning to think that Willie Nelson is even more indestructible than Cher. He just has that freshly survived-from-the-apocalypse gleam about him, you know? Let’s look at the facts: despite being old enough to receive the early bird discount at Old Country Buffet, the Redheaded Stranger (gray-haired now, but who cares) is still rocking out with the enthusiasm and commitment of a stoner just getting started on sto-nerism. Then there’s that whole tax evasion thing. If the feds can’t even bring a man down, I doubt anything as innocuous as “aging” can. And lastly, there’s just the music. Good, old-fashioned, straight-to-the-heart classic country-rock, courtesy of the Willster. Willie wannabes like Kid Rock and Uncle Kracker should be so lucky as to sustain living-legend status. Take a note from one of the greatest unstoppable rockers of all time on how to survive the music biz, and maybe even the end of the world, if my math is correct. Reported by Emma Kat Richardson

WilliE nElsonKalamazoo State TheatreMay 8, 7:30 p.m.$65-$85kazoostate.com, (269) 345-6500

Willie Nelson


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FireKeepers casino Martina McBrideGallery Uptown Northern NeighborsGerald R. Ford Presidential Library and Museum Growing Up GrandGrand Rapids Public Museum Titanic: The artifact Exhibition, Great Lakes Shipwrecks: Storms and StoriesThe Holiday Bar armed Forces PartyThe Intersection Mega ‘80sThe Kalamazoo civic Theatre How To Succeed In Business Without Really Trying, Robin HoodKalamazoo county Fair Grounds Kalamazoo Circus Maximus Toy Show Kalamazoo Institute of arts Sight and Feeling: Photographs by ansel adams, african american Life from the Myrna Colley Lee Collection, The artists of Japan and China: Selections from the CollectionLaFontsee Gallery, Douglas Reveal/ConcealLouie’s Trophy House Grill Kaitlin Rose & Friends, Dave Johnson, The Marci Lynn Quartette, Mike Savina, Gerren youngMercuryHead Gallery Kathleen KalinowskiMexicains Sans Frontieres Jamaican QueensMuskegon Museum of art Hughie Lee-Smith: Meditations, Laurie Keller Story Teller: Illustrations for Snory Fellersnick Fink’s The Bean PolesOld Dog Tavern Duffield Caron Project, Branden Mann and the ReprimandPeter Martin Wege Theatre Romeo & JulietRiver city Saloon Tetrad

Rivertown Sports Grand Raggidy Roller Girls VS Lansing Derby Vixens Saugatuck center for the arts StargazeSigsbee Park, Grand Rapids Eastown Picnic in the ParkTip Top Deluxe Danger Damsels BurlesqueUIca GRPS City Wide art ShowWater Street Gallery Who’s That?Wealthy Theatre Pop Scholars

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5.19celebration! cinema north Grand Rapids Film Festivalcentral Park Players The Golden PondDeVos Performance Hall Broadway Grand Rapids Presents anything GoesFrauenthal center for the Performing arts alice in Wonderland with West Michigan youth BalletGerald R. Ford Presidential Library and Museum Growing Up GrandGrand Rapids Public Museum Titanic: The artifact Exhibition, Great Lakes Shipwrecks: Storms and StoriesThe Kalamazoo civic Theatre How To Succeed In Business Without Really Trying, Robin HoodKalamazoo Institute of arts Sight and Feeling: Photographs by ansel adams, african american Life from the Myrna Colley Lee Collection, The artists of Japan and China: Selections from the CollectionMcFadden’s Live Celtic Music

MercuryHead Gallery Kathleen KalinowskiMuskegon Museum of art Hughie Lee-Smith: Meditations, Laurie Keller Story Teller: Illustrations for Snory FellersOld Dog Tavern Shutdown Palisades CampaignPeter Martin Wege Theatre Romeo & JulietSeven Steps Up Courtyard Concerts: a Benefit for the Little Red House featuring Honor By august wsg Fauxgrass QuartetUIca GRPS City Wide art ShowWater Street Gallery Who’s That?

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5.20Bobarino’s West Michigan Jazz SocietyGallery Uptown Northern NeighborsGerald R. Ford Presidential Library and Museum Growing Up GrandGrand Rapids Public Museum Titanic: The artifact Exhibition, Great Lakes Shipwrecks: Storms and StoriesThe Kalamazoo civic Theatre Robin HoodLaFontsee Gallery, Douglas Reveal/ConcealLogan’s alley Black Out MondayMercuryHead Gallery Kathleen KalinowskiThe Pyramid Scheme El Ten ElevenStella’s Lounge The Drunken RetortTip Top Deluxe Motown Mondays

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5.21Gallery Uptown Northern NeighborsGerald R. Ford Presidential Library and Museum Growing Up GrandGrand Rapids Public Library - East Grand Rapids yoga + Breath + Visualization = ContentmentGrand Rapids Public Museum Titanic: The artifact Exhibition, Great Lakes Shipwrecks: Storms and StoriesGun Lake casino Hey MarcoThe Intersection New Found Glory wsg Cartel, Living with LionsThe Kalamazoo civic Theatre Robin HoodKalamazoo Institute of arts Sight and Feeling: Photographs by ansel adams, african american Life from the Myrna Colley Lee Collection, The artists of Japan and China: Selections from the Collection, aRTbreak: Joshua Haas: adding artistic Flair to Bird & Wildlife PhotographyKalamazoo nature center Birding in the Kleinstuck PreserveLaFontsee Gallery, Douglas Reveal/ConcealLouie’s Trophy House Grill Comedy Open Mic NightMercuryHead Gallery Kathleen KalinowskiOld Dog Tavern Tom Duffield and Open Mic Night with Brandon MannRosa Parks circle Swing DancingWealthy Theatre Meanwhile Movie: The Crow

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5.22Gallery Uptown Northern NeighborsGerald R. Ford Presidential Library and Museum Growing Up GrandGrand Rapids Public Museum Titanic: The artifact Exhibition, Great Lakes Shipwrecks: Storms and StoriesThe Intersection Steel PantherThe Kalamazoo civic Theatre Robin HoodKalamazoo Institute of arts Sight and Feeling: Photographs by ansel adams, african american Life from the Myrna Colley Lee Collection, The artists of Japan and China: Selections from the CollectionKalamazoo nature center yoga in the Glen Vista, Birding in the Kleinstuck PreserveKalamazoo State Theater The Moth MainstageLaFontsee Gallery, Douglas Reveal/ConcealLouie’s Trophy House Grill Mr. Clit and the Pink Cigarettes, The Evil Deuxerz, Dolly Rocker Ragdoll, The Former TenantsMercuryHead Gallery Kathleen KalinowskiMuskegon Museum of art Laurie Keller Story Teller: Illustrations for Snory FellersOld Dog Tavern alison Wonderland with David Lloyd and Steven Lee PeschSaugatuck center for the arts Edie and Thea: a Very Long EngagementThe Union cabaret & Grille Jazz Mix Night

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5.23art of the Table art of the Table In-Store Wine TastingBarnes and noble, Woodland Mall Grand Rapids Writers’ Exchangecrush Spotlight Singer Series: Diana VandewaterDr. Grins Erik GriffinGallery Uptown Northern NeighborsGerald R. Ford Presidential Library and Museum Growing Up GrandGrand Rapids Public Museum Titanic: The artifact Exhibition, Great Lakes Shipwrecks: Storms and StoriesThe Kalamazoo civic Theatre Robin HoodKalamazoo Institute of arts Sight and Feeling: Photographs by ansel adams, african american Life from the Myrna Colley Lee Collection, The artists of Japan and China: Selections from the CollectionLaFontsee Gallery, Douglas Reveal/ConcealMercuryHead Gallery Kathleen KalinowskiMuskegon Museum of art Laurie Keller Story Teller: Illustrations for Snory Fellers, Brown Bag Film: Burchfield’s Vision, 85th Regional Exhibition: all-State EditionOld Dog Tavern Steve BuschOne Trick Pony acoustic StewPapa Pete’s Latin Salsa NightSpectrum Theatre actors’ Theatre Presents Looking for NormalWealthy Theatre yoga for Mind, Body and Soul, Failure-Lab Performance


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5.24Billy’s Lounge In The RedBobarinos Electrixxcentral Park Players The Golden PondDr. Grinns Erik GriffinFour Winds casino Smash MouthFrederik Meijer Gardens & Sculpture Park Looking East, Facing West: The World of Zhang HuanGallery Uptown Northern NeighborsGerald R. Ford Presidential Library and Museum Growing Up GrandGrand Rapids Public Museum Titanic: The artifact Exhibition, Great Lakes Shipwrecks: Storms and StoriesThe Holiday Bar The Fight Scene wsg Whiskey RichardsThe Kalamazoo civic Theatre Robin Hood

Kalamazoo Institute of arts Sight and Feeling: Photographs by ansel adams, african american Life from the Myrna Colley Lee Collection, The artists of Japan and China: Selections from the Collection, art and all That JazzLaFontsee Gallery, Douglas Reveal/ConcealLemonjello’s Carielle, The Fever Haze, Filmloom, and The Koh KohsMaster arts Theatre Contents Under PressureMercuryHead Gallery Kathleen KalinowskiMuskegon Museum of art Laurie Keller Story Teller: Illustrations for Snory FellersOld Dog Tavern Hired Hands, Captain IvoryRiviera Theatre The Moxie StringsSeven Steps Up Liz LongleySpectrum Theatre actors’ Theatre Presents Looking for Normal

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5.25Bell’s Eccentric cafe The WaxiesBobarinos Sweet J Bandcentral Park Players The Golden PondDowntown Sparta Pink Dress RunDr. Grins Erik GriffinFrederik Meijer Gardens & Sculpture Park Looking East, Facing West: The World of Zhang Huan, Iris ShowGallery Uptown, Grand Haven Northern NeighborsGerald R. Ford Presidential Library and Museum Growing Up GrandGrand Rapids Public Museum Titanic: The artifact Exhibition, Great Lakes Shipwrecks: Storms and StoriesThe Holiday Bar Chris SchippersKzoo civic Theatre Robin HoodKalamazoo Institute of arts Sight and Feeling: Photographs by ansel

adams, african american Life from the Myrna Colley Lee Collection, The artists of Japan and China: Selections from the CollectionLaFontsee Gallery, Douglas Reveal/ConcealLittle River casino and Resort Gretchen WilsonLouie’s Trophy House Grill Inflatable Best Friend, Invisible Mansion, No Bails, The arbortion SurvivorsMercuryHead Gallery Kathleen KalinowskiMuskegon Museum of art Laurie Keller Story Teller: Illustrations for Snory Fellersnick Fink’s The Lazy Blue TunasOld Dog Tavern Duffield Caron Project, Real FantasticsThe Orbit Room Lookin’ Back: The Bob Seger Tribute BandThe Pyramid Scheme assorted anonymous, Mad Snipes, Punksuhate, Ed Nino, SuportRiver city Saloon HairmaniaRockford Brewing company Faux Grass Quartet

Spectrum Theatre actors’ Theatre Presents Looking for NormalWater Street Gallery Who’s That?

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5.26Frederik Meijer Gardens & Sculpture Park Looking East, Facing West: The World of Zhang Huan, Iris ShowGerald R. Ford Presidential Library Growing Up GrandGrand Rapids Public Museum Titanic: The artifact Exhibition, Great Lakes Shipwrecks: Storms and StoriesKalamazoo Institute of arts Sight and Feeling: Photographs by ansel adams, african american Life from the Myrna Colley Lee Collection, The artists of Japan and China: Selections from the CollectionLouie’s Trophy House Grill Drunkin Spelling Bee, Comedy Show McFadden’s Live Celtic Music

Round Barn Winery Jammin’ in the Vineyard Water Street Gallery Who’s That?

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5.27Frederik Meijer Gardens & Sculpture Park Looking East, Facing West: The World of Zhang HuanGallery Uptown Northern NeighborsGerald R. Ford Presidential Library and Museum Growing Up GrandGrand Rapids Public Museum Titanic: The artifact Exhibition, Great Lakes Shipwrecks: Storms and StoriesLaFontsee Gallery, Douglas Reveal/ConcealLogan’s alley Black Out MondayMercuryHead Gallery Kathleen Kalinowski

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5.28Frederik Meijer Gardens Looking East, Facing West: The World of Zhang HuanGallery Uptown Northern NeighborsGerald R. Ford Presidential Library Growing Up GrandGrand Rapids Public Museum Titanic: The artifact Exhibition, Great Lakes Shipwrecks: Storms and StoriesKalamazoo Institute of arts Sight and Feeling: Photographs by ansel adams, The artists of Japan and China: Selections from the Collection, The arts of China and Japan: Selections from the Collection, aRTbreak: The Legend of Burning ManKalamazoo nature center Green Drinks, Birding in the Kleinstuck PreserveLaFontsee Gallery, Douglas Reveal/ConcealMercuryHead Gallery Kathleen KalinowskiOld Dog Tavern Green Drinks: Sustainable Discussion, Tom Duffield and Open Mic NightRosa Parks circle Swing DancingWealthy Theatre Meanwhile Movie: Wet Hot american Summer

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5.29Frederik Meijer Gardens & Sculpture Park Looking East, Facing West: The World of Zhang HuanGerald R. Ford Presidential Library Growing Up GrandGrand Rapids Public Museum Titanic: The artifact Exhibition, Great Lakes Shipwrecks: Storms and StoriesGreat Lakes commonwealth of Letters Poetry Reading with Hedy Hebra & Glenn ShaheenKalamazoo Institute of arts Photographs by ansel adams, The artists of Japan and China: Selections from the CollectionKalamazoo nature center yoga in the Glen Vista, Birding in the Kleinstuck PreserveLaFontsee Gallery, Douglas Reveal/ConcealMercuryHead Gallery Kathleen Kalinowski

The Union cabaret & Grille Jazz Mix Night

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5.30art of the Table In-Store Wine TastingBarnes and noble, Woodland Mall Grand Rapids Writers’ ExchangeBell’s Eccentric cafe Delilah Dewylde & The Lost Boyscrush Spotlight Singer Series: Deborah KayThe Daac american Wifi, Kisses for Charity, Midwest SkiesDr. Grins Kevin BozemanFour Winds casino FuelFrederik Meijer Gardens Looking East, Facing West: The World of Zhang HuanGerald R. Ford Presidential Library Growing Up GrandGrand Rapids Public Museum Titanic: The artifact Exhibition, Great Lakes Shipwrecks: Storms and StoriesKalamazoo Institute of arts Photographs by ansel adams, The artists of Japan and China: Selections from the CollectionLaFontsee Galleries’ Douglas location Reveal/ConcealLouie’s Trophy House Grill analog ancestry Dance PartyMercuryHead Gallery Kathleen KalinowskiOne Trick Pony acoustic StewPapa Pete’s Latin Salsa NightRockford Brewing company Seth Bernard & May ErlewineSpectrum Theatre actors’ Theatre Presents Looking for NormalUIca Festival 2013 Regional arts ExhibitionWealthy Theatre Dancing From Within For Women, yoga for Mind, Body and Soul

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5.31Bobarinos RisqueDr. Grins Kevin BozemanFour Winds casino Huey Lewis & the NewsFrederik Meijer Gardens & Sculpture Park Looking East, Facing West: The World of Zhang HuanGerald R. Ford Presidential Library Growing Up GrandGrand Rapids civic Theatre Legally Blonde the Musical and Humane Society of West Michigan adoption EventGrand Rapids Public Museum Titanic: The artifact Exhibition, Great Lakes Shipwrecks: Storms and StoriesThe Holiday Bar The Electric RedKalamazoo Institute of arts Photographs by ansel adams, The artists of Japan and China: Selections from the Collection, KIa Garage SaleThe Landing Lounge, Riverfront Hotel Live MusicLaFontsee Galleries’ Douglas location Reveal/ConcealMercuryHead Gallery Kathleen KalinowskiOld Dog Tavern REVUE Magazine Music ShowcaseRiver city Saloon Litt UpSpectrum Theatre actors’ Theatre Presents Looking for NormalUIca Festival 2013 Regional arts ExhibitionWealthy Theatre Brian Vander ark n

For more events, check out our calendar at REVUEWM.cOM.

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bill MahEr: devos Performance hall, June 1


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revue magazine, may 2013

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