City Guide
Ancient Chinese circus traditions are the focus of Cirque du Soleil’s newest arena show, Dralion, performing Jan. 12-16 at Van Andel Arena. The international cast features 52 acrobats, gymnasts, musicians, singers and comedic characters. “People come to see people doing amazing things,” said Sean McKeown, artistic director. “And they will not be disappointed.” Expect plenty of tumbling, juggling and aerial moves that require extraordinary strength and flexibility. Some artists will balance on top of a stack of chairs. Another will juggle up to seven balls simultaneously. And in the hoop diving act, 10 male artists dive and throw themselves like arrows through small wooden hoops stacked on top of each other. Which act is McKeown’s favorite? “Not fair,” he said. “That’s like asking a parent to pick a favorite child. They’re all amazing.” See Special Events info: 245-8388 or www.clcnetwork.org. Jan 29 - GRCC GIANTS AWARDS & BANQUET: GRCC salutes 13 African-American individuals and organizations for their contributions to the community. Contributions support the Milo Brown Memorial Scholarship Fund. 6 pm. DeVos Place. Tickets TBD (234-3390 or www.grcc.edu/ giants). Jan 29-30 - GRAND HAVEN WINTERFEST: Events include a Family Dog Pull and Cardboard Sled Race at Mulligan’s Hollow. The Luau Extravaganza (ages 21 and up) includes music 8 pm-midnight Jan 29 in the Grand Haven Municipal Marina Parking Lot. Kids Day is Jan 29; see Children’s Creation Centers in Kidstuff. www. winterfestonline.org. Jan 29-30 - TULIP CITY GYMNASTICS INVITATIONAL: Fourth annual women’s gymnastics competition. West Ottawa High School, 3685 Butternut Dr, Holland. $10 adults, $7 kids and seniors, 5 and under free. www.tulipcityinvitation al.com.
Music Jan - FRIDAY NIGHTS AT GRAM: GR Art Museum hosts live music, social games, cash bar and dinner options 5-9 pm every Fri. January theme: fashion. Jan 14 Suzanne Eberle, art history professor, Kendall College of Art & Design. $5 nonmembers, members free. Jan - THE INTERSECTION: Nightclub hosts local and national music. Jan 2 High School of Rock: Battle of the Bands. Jan 8 Mega 80s. Jan 27 Dirty Rotten Imbeciles. Jan 28 Mega 80s. See website for updates. Ticket prices vary (Beat Goes On, Purple East, Vertigo Music, Intersection box office
or Ticketmaster). 133 Grandville Ave SW. www. sectionlive.com. Jan - MUSIC AT MID-DAY: Free concerts 12:1512:45 pm Tues. Jan 4 Larry Biser, organ. Jan 11 Diane Biser, soprano. Jan 18 Marilyn Ossentjuk, organ. Jan 25 Phyllis Miner, harp and piano. Park Congregational Church, 10 E Park Place NE. www. parkchurchgr.org. Jan - ONE TRICK PONY CONCERTS: Restaurant offers live music. Jan 1 Natchez Trace. Jan 13 Junior Valentine and the Aces. Jan 15 Tony Reynolds. Jan 22 Lazy Blue Tunas. 8 pm. See website for updates. One Trick Pony, 136 E Fulton St. www.onetrick.biz. Jan 4, 18 - FARM MUSEUM JAM NIGHT: Bring your guitar, fiddle or other non-electric instrument. Singers and listeners welcome. 6-9 pm, doors open 5 pm. Coopersville Farm Museum, 375 Main St, Coopersville. Free with admission ($4). www.coopersvillefarmmuseum.org. Jan 5 - TAIZE SUNG PRAYER SERVICE: Taize worship consists of repeated choruses, often accompanied by instruments, vocal solos. 7 pm. First United Methodist Church, 227 E Fulton St. www.grandrapidsfumc.org. Jan 6-8 - “SCHUBERT’S UNFINISHED”: GR Symphony’s Rising Stars presents music by Bartok, Haydn, Gabriela Frank and Schubert. 7 pm Thu, 8 pm Fri at St Cecilia’s Royce Auditorium. 8 pm Sat at DeWitt Auditorium, Zeeland East High School. $18-$28 (Symphony box office or Ticketmaster). www.grsymphony.org. Jan 14 - MAJIC CONCERT SERIES: Musical Arts for Justice in the Community hosts Ralston Bowles. 7 pm. Bethlehem Church Sanctuary, 250 Commerce Ave SW. $10 suggested donation; pro-
ceeds benefit GR Coalition to End Homelessness. www.grmajic.org. Jan 14-15 - ST CECILIA CONCERTS: 7 pm Jan 14, Concert Orchestra features honors middle school student band playing traditional and original works by local musicians. 5 pm Jan 15, Sinfonia and Concert Orchestra Concert features beginning and intermediate-level string orchestras playing classical and traditional music. 8 pm Jan 15, Philharmonic Concert features piano concerto competition winner with full orchestras performing works from the classics to movie scores and Broadway. $10, kids 10 and under free (459-2224). www.scmc-online.org. Jan 14-15 - STRAVINSKY’S “THE FIREBIRD”: GR Symphony presents fiery ballet music with pianist Markus Groh and guest conductor Danail Rachev. 8 pm. DeVos Performance Hall. $28$77 (Symphony and DeVos Place box offices or Ticketmaster). www.grsymphony.org. Jan 15 - CALVIN COLLEGE ALUMNI CHOIR: Calvin alumni presents a concert. 8 pm. Covenant FAC, Calvin College. Ticket TBD (526-6282). Jan 15 - JAZZ VESPERS: Live jazz by Orange Nature. 6 pm. First United Methodist Church, 227 E Fulton St. www.grandrapidsfumc.org. Free. Jan 15, 22 - ACOUSTIC SATURDAY NIGHTS: Grand River Folk Arts Society hosts singers and songwriters Sat nights at 8 pm. Jan 15 Malinky, Wealthy St Theater, 1130 Wealthy St SE. Jan 22 ChickenFat Klezmer Orchestra, Temple Emanuel, 1712 E Fulton St. $12 adults, $10 students and seniors, $9 members, $3 children (at door). www. grfolkarts.org. Jan 17 - JAZZ GUMBO: West Michigan Jazz Society presents cabaret concerts every third Monday. 6:30-8:30 pm. Kopper Top Guest House, 639 Stocking Ave NW. $12 includes gumbo or chili; other food available. Cash bar. Jan 22 - CATHEDRAL CONCERT: GR Symphony presents music originally conceived for cathedral settings. 8 pm. Cathedral of St Andrew. $22 (Symphony and DeVos Place box offices or Ticketmaster). www.grsymphony.org. Jan 22 - NATURALLY 7: A “vocal play” concert featuring R&B music with extensive beat boxing created solely by human voices. 7:30 pm. Forest Hills FAC. $26-$40 (in person at box office or Ticketmaster). www.fhfineartscenter.com. Jan 27 - CLAREMONT TRIO: Hope College Great Performance Series presents twin sisters Emily and Julia Bruskin on violin and cello, with pianist Donna Kwong. 7:30 pm. Dimnent Memorial Chapel, Hope College, Holland. $18 adults, $13 seniors, $6 children (Hope College DeVos ticket office or 616-395-7890). www.hope.edu. Jan 27 - DAVE HOLLAND QUINTET: St Cecilia’s Jazz Series features a quintet led by bassist and composer Dave Holland. 7:30 pm. St Cecilia Music Center. $30-$35 adults, $10 students; preconcert wine and appetizer reception $15 (4592224). www.scmc-online.org. Jan 28-30 - “A SALUTE TO JOHN WILLIAMS”: GR Symphony presents music from “Star Wars,” “Indiana Jones,” “Harry Potter,” “E.T.” and more. 8 pm, 3 pm Sun. DeVos Performance Hall. $28$77 (Grand Rapids Symphony and DeVos Place box offices or Ticketmaster). www.grsymphony. org. Jan 29 - “THE MUSIC OF THE BEATLES”: Glenn Bulthuis and the Tonedeafs recreate 25 Beatles
Photography Courtesy Cirque du Soleil
Dralion — Cirque du Soleil
84 Grand Rapids January 2011
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