REVUE West Michigan - May 2024

WINE & SPIRITS

A NEW AGE OF WINE NO SHORTCUTS: THE PATH TO CRAFT SPIRITS

ELEVATED TASTE: WINERIES THAT GO ABOVE & BEYOND CLASSIC & CONTEMPORARY COCKTAILS

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WHAT'S INSIDE

JOSH VEAL , Managing Editor | josh@serendipity-media.com

We’re in a season of change, in more ways than one.

The sun has made an appearance, gifting us with rising temperatures and all the opportunities that come with it—patios, festivals, road trips, hikes, beach days! Meanwhile, multiple local businesses are working to open doors in time for the summer, when we’ll all be out and about, looking for places to eat, drink and gather.

Then there’s all the fun stuff going on at Revue , starting with our brand new website! We wanted to make it sleeker, cleaner, and simpler for you to navigate—and it’s a great time to check it out, because we’re currently in Round One of voting for the 9th annual Best of the West readers poll.

This is your chance to really help determine which West Michigan businesses and people make the Top 3 of their respective categories, securing their place in the final round of voting. We’ve heard time and again how much this recognition from the community (that’s you!) means to the winners and finalists. Local arts organizations can even use the results to help apply for grants, just as one example!

One more new thing from us is the Revue Membership. If you’d like to get Revue delivered directly to your home every month, rather than having to find it somewhere out in the wild and bring it back, the membership is for you. If you’d also like an iconic Revue logo T-shirt and sticker, plus exclusive discounts from local businesses, the membership is especially for you! Check it out, and know that we really, very much, greatly appreciate the support, which helps us continue our work highlighting amazing people and places in West Michigan.

As you may have noticed, this is also our annual Wine & Spirits issue! You’ll find stories about cocktails, local spirits, wineries, wine bars and patios ahead, along with plenty of ideas for summer—everything from festivals to hiking with goats. Whether it’s the rising temps or the recent total eclipse, something’s shifted for the better, and we’re taking advantage of it. Make sure you do too, because the next few months are going to fly by!

'Til next time,

WHO'S WHO

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ATTRACTIONS & EXPERIENCES | Spotlight: Celebrating Pride

West Michigan is full of iconic attractions and novel experiences. Botanical gardens, zoos, museums, axe throwing, escape rooms—we dive into it all.

Space Deadline: 5/15/2024

Managing Editor | Josh Veal, josh@serendipity-media.com

Art Director | Courtney Van Hagen

Marketing Director | Loren Eisenlohr

Marketing Coordinator | Kelsey Shoemaker

Distribution | Kelli Belanger

Contributing Writers | Allison Kay Bannister, John Kissane, Eric Mitts, Michaela Stock, Zachary Avery

ADVERTISING / (616) 458-8371

Media Sales Manager | Kelli Belanger, kelli@revuewm.com

Media Sales Consultant | Maggie Mutch, maggie@serendipity-media.com

WHAT’S GOING ON, MAY '24

5/4

NATURE MAKERS MARKET

Blandford Nature Center

1715 Hillburn Ave. NW, Grand Rapids May 4, 9 a.m.-3 p.m. blandfordnaturecenter.org

Join Blandford Nature Center for the annual Spring Nature Makers Market!

This market features gifts and goods inspired by nature and created with natural materials. More than 25 vendors will be selling a variety of handcrafted goods including jewelry, textiles, prints and illustrations, stickers, ceramics, and more!

Admission is free and open to all ages.

95TH TULIP TIME FESTIVAL

Holland May 4-12 tuliptime.com

Come visit the longest-running tulip festival in the world to see millions of tulips bloom in Holland. Visit the Tulip Immersion Garden for stunningly colorful floral creations and memorable photos, experience historic walking tours, and hear amazing live music from top talent like Grand Ole Opry star Scott McCreery.

THE MITTEN VINTAGE MARKET

Calder Plaza

387 Ottawa Ave. NW, Grand Rapids May 4, 12-6 p.m. mittenvintage.com

The Mitten Vintage market is a collective of vintage vendors from all over the country that travel to various cities in Michigan. Head to the Calder Plaza this month to explore 70+ vendors offering vintage clothes, sneakers, accessories, and more—all in the heart of the city!

5/5

MERCHANTS AND MAKERS

SPRING FULTON MARKET

Fulton Street Farmers Market 1144 E. Fulton St., Grand Rapids May 5, 10 a.m.-3 p.m. merchantsandmakers.com

Merchants and Makers is a collective of West Michigan creatives and shops coming together to feature their products in a fun, relaxed event space. Like Etsy in person! This market will

have more than 100 makers alongside live music and food trucks. Shop for Mother’s Day, for your Gemini friend’s birthday, or for yourself!

5/10

THE PEOPLE’S JOKER

Wealthy Theatre

1130 Wealthy St. SE, Grand Rapids May 10, 8 p.m. grcmc.org

This is not your typical Batman movie. The People’s Joker is part parody, part comedy, part trans coming-ofage story, all done on a crowdsourced budget with threatened legal action limiting the film’s release. Now, you can see this indie masterpiece at Wealthy Theatre thanks to the Grand Rapids Film Society.

5/11

KATT WILLIAMS: THE DARK MATTER TOUR

Van Andel Arena

130 W. Fulton St., Grand Rapids May 11, 8 p.m. vanandelarena.com

With a career spanning over 20 years, Katt Williams has earned a worldwide reputation as one of today’s top entertainers, having developed a career seeded with thousands of sold-out arenas, an expansive list of starring roles on the small screen and memorable performances in major box office hits. Williams has a unique style with sharp dialogue rooted in conversations reflecting the American political landscape.

SPRINGTIME GIFT FAIR

Grand Rapids Downtown Market

435 Ionia Ave. SW, Grand Rapids May 11, 10 a.m.-4 p.m. downtownmarketgr.com

Spend the day with Mom (or any nurturing member of your family) finding the perfect Mother’s Day gift at the Springtime Gift Fair, held under the Market Shed and throughout the Downtown Market parking lot. Shop for unique, hand-made gifts and artisan items including jewelry, candles, decor, kitchen items, books, knick knacks, knitted textiles, and more! Don’t forget to head inside and pick up a special treat or meal from the Market Hall merchants.

5/18

2024 KITE FESTIVAL

Grand Haven State Park 1001 S. Harbor Dr., Grand Haven May 18, 10 a.m.-5 p.m. facebook.com/KiteFestatGH

Enjoy a day at the beach as the sky is filled with colorful kites of all types and sizes. World-famous stunt kite fliers perform to music on the center flying field while kites larger than a school bus hover just to the south. Bring your kite to fly on the open flying field at the north end of the event, or even test fly the year’s newest kites at this FREE festival!

BARLEY, BBQ & BEATS

DeVos Place

303 Monroe Ave. NW, Grand Rapids May 18, 5-9 p.m. devosplace.org

This unique fundraiser to benefit Hospice of Michigan and Arbor Hospice features craft cocktails from Michigan distilleries, mouthwatering barbeque, great music, fun yard games and more. Plus, a special appearance made by GRAMMY Award-nominated multiplatinum singer & songwriter Gavin DeGraw!

LOCAL SPINS FEST

Studio Park Piazza 123 Ionia Ave. SW, Grand Rapids May 18, 4 p.m. themidtowngr.com

Local Spins Fest returns for the third year to Studio Park to kick off the summer festival season—and this time, it’s all about emerging stars and youth bands. Michigan’s No. 1 music website will present headlining sets by attention-getting soulful rock band

Nathan Walton & The Remedy, multigenre all-star group the Elijah Russ Collective, plus award-winning funkrock outfit Short Panic, and more.

5/19

GRETA VAN FLEET

Van Andel Arena

130 W. Fulton St., Grand Rapids May 19, 7 p.m. vanandelarena.com

Forming in Frankenmuth in 2012, Greta Van Fleet has rapidly gained acclaim for their revival of classic rock music with a modern twist. Composed of the Kiszka brothers and drummer Danny Wagner, the band’s sound is heavily inspired by the raw, powerful rock of the 1970s, often drawing comparisons to Led Zeppelin— captivating a new generation of listeners while resonating with longtime rock enthusiasts.

ROLL’N OUT FOOD TRUCK FEST

Calder Plaza May 19, 11 a.m.-8 p.m. facebook.com/GRFoodTrucks

Brought to you by the Grand Rapids Food Truck Association, this tasty annual event showcases the some of the area’s best local food trucks (more than 30 slated to attend!), plus a local merchant village, beer tent and live music. And the proceeds all aid the association’s ongoing mission to support food trucks across the city!

5/22

X AMBASSADORS

The Intersection

133 Cesar E. Chavez Ave. SW, Grand Rapids May 22, 6:30 p.m. sectionlive.com

X Ambassadors burst onto the music scene with their rich blend of alternative and indie rock flavored with electronic elements. The band achieved mainstream success with their platinum single “Renegades” in 2015, celebrated for its empowering message and catchy melody, which propelled debut album “VHS” to critical and commercial acclaim. See them in GR supporting their brand-new album, Townie.

The People's Joker. COURTESY PHOTO

| by Josh Veal

ONE F R THE ROAD: Cannabis Travel Accessories

TOP BUFF BONG

Available at: Pharmhouse Wellness

Create a water pipe anywhere from a water bottle with the Top Puff portable bong! Any bottle can easily transform into a heavy-hitting bong with this conveniently designed tool.

THE CALI - ULTRA THIN CONES

Available at: Fluresh

Make your own pre-rolls using these cones, with a wide circumference that delivers optimal airflow, comfortable pulls, and a big-smoke experience.

WOODEN PREROLL CASE

Available at: Skymint

Need a snazzy and sophisticated, yet sturdy case for your pre-rolls? Check out this engraved wooden case from Skymint.

ROVER CASE

Available at: Ascend

This case is designed for Vessel brand vape pens, but it’ll hold other similarly sized pens just as well, not to mention pre-rolls!

BUTT BUCKET CAR ASHTRAY

Available at: House of Dank

An oldie but a goodie, this car-friendly ashtray fits in your cup holder but can easily be used for the beach or camping as well. Just remember: Don’t drive high!

Cannabis and nature go together like THC and CBD, and the great outdoors are calling.

It’s time of the year to get off our couches and out to the beach, to the woods, to the parks—wherever you like, as long as it’s not inside!

That said, we understand you might be used to your whole smoking setup at home, with the convenience of rolling trays and running water and ashtrays and all that good stuff. Taking cannabis on the go requires a little more forethought and ingenuity, but there are plenty of spots in town offering accessories that make this much easier.

Here are a few options for taking your smoke sesh on the go:

SMELL PROOF CROSS BODY BAG

Available at: House of Dank

If you’re worried about bothering anyone with the stench of your stash, check out this smell-proof bag that has plenty of room for snacks and other accessories as well.

RESOLUTION GLASS CLEANING WIPES

Available at: Exclusive

Don’t get caught out with no way to clean your smoking devices. These are intended to quickly wipe down a hand pipe, bubbler, bong, or rig to remove excess buildup between sessions.

COOKIES V3 ROLLING TRAY

Available at: Cookies

This tray is perfect for travel, with a lighter holder, joint holder, a detachable small side tray, and a cover for it all!

THE CONE

Available at: Ascend

This unique, lightweight, ergonomic one-hitter uses a helix design to filter and cool the dry flower before it hits your mouth. Plus, it looks super cool! ■

RODRIGO Y GABRIELA: Musically Exploring the Mind

by Eric Mitts

There’s no mistaking the near-meditative nature to the music of acclaimed Mexican guitar duo Rodrigo y Gabriela.

Transcendent and triumphant, the Grammy Awardwinning group dove even deeper into their spiritual journey via musical expression on their latest album, In Between Thoughts…A New World , released last year.

Their sixth album in a career that goes back more than two decades, In Between Thoughts…A New World finds Rodrigo y Gabriela adding some electric guitar elements to their well-established all-acoustic sound, with other influences from the worlds of jazz and classical as well.

Described by the band as a “spontaneously composed body of work primed to bring about the very expansion of consciousness that inspired its creation,” the album came out of Rodrigo Sanchez’s recovery from COVID-19 back in 2020.

During that time, he studied the philosophy of nondualism, which questions the conventional separations in existence, and imagines a singular infinite reality of pure consciousness, from which all life is merely different expressions.

“After so many years of being a spiritual seeker, this idea completely shook me – everything changed dramatically in

terms of my perception of reality,” Sanchez said in a press release.

Connecting with Revue for a short conversation last month, Gabriela Quintero echoed her bandmate’s feelings, when talking about the near universal language of instrumental music.

“Music is the language of emotions,” Quintero told Revue . “There’s so many different emotions and in our modern society we are only able to label just a bunch of those emotions. We live in a society that’s now consuming things, and it’s important to be self-aware, and (have enough) introspection to realize that there’s an ocean of different emotions. I think music is a great medium that can bring emotion to the surface of our subconscious mind. Our music tells different stories with melodies, harmonies, rhythmics, and everything and all connecting to our hearts and souls.”

Starting out busking on the streets of Dublin back in the early 2000s, Rodrigo y Gabriela have famously crossed cultures in the many years since, going on to play all over the world, from the legendary Glastonbury festival in the UK, to breakout performances on “The Tonight Show” and “Austin City Limits” here in the US, and collaborating with a 13-piece orchestra in Cuba.

Rodrigo y Gabriela. PHOTO BY EBRU YILDIZ

“It’s a blessing to be able to interact in such a loving way,” Quintero said about playing for so many different people and countries. “We really play with our hearts. We get to see other parts of nature, ecosystems and landscapes. We also get to experience on the human level other cultures, which is a great source of inspiration. It’s a beautiful network of great energy that can only be felt. It’s what makes us united. All of that filters into our house, and allows us to keep creating music, if that makes sense.”

They played for President Obama at the White House in 2010, and more recently leaned into their heavy metal roots, contributing a cover of Metallica’s “The Struggle Within” to the 2021 charity tribute album The Metallica Blacklist , as both virtuosic performers grew up on heavy metal guitar as teenagers, before exploring flamenco fusion and many other genres.

Performing such a vigorous live show for such a grueling schedule took its toll on the duo over the last two decades, so despite the danger and isolation, the COVID-19 pandemic came as a welcome break.

“For us, we were a band that was on the road all the time for 20 years until the pandemic, Quintero said. “It was the first time we stopped. For us it was not too bad. We stayed in our studio just doing music and it was the best way for us to process everything that was happening.”

The result became In Between Thoughts…A New World , which the band has taken out into the world in hopes of sharing their sense of musical, spiritual connection with others. They’ve also recognized they’re getting older, but look to the connected nature of the world for maintaining their wellness on the road.

“We are getting younger at heart, and do take care of ourselves a lot,” Quintero said. “We’ve both been vegan for the animals and planet, we eat a plant-based diet with nonprocessed foods. Really nice fruits, vegetables. We both exercise and run and do yoga, not like crazy, but every day.”

Like its title suggests, In Between Thoughts…A New World is only a beginning, as Rodrigo y Gabriela already have more material ready for their latest run of shows this spring.

“We had a lot of different ideas and some were left pending, which is nice because it’s a process” Quintero said. “On the other hand, we have written a lot of new music that’s not part of In Between Thoughts, but we will share at our gig in Grand Rapids. It will be a light for us to play the new music and the old material people like. We are very excited and love our audience there.” ■

RODRIGO Y GABRIELA

GLC Live at 20 Monroe, 11 Ottawa Ave. NW, Grand Rapids May 18, 7 p.m., $53.00 + Glcliveat20monroe.com, rodgab.com

Much like his direct influences in indefinable indie bands Ween and The Unicorns, Grand Rapids singer-songwriter Oliver Scott Draper has crafted something of a lore around his origins.

But like most things on the Internet, it turns out his true story is even harder to believe.

Telling stories of meeting a “little man that lived in the wall” of his basement who bought his first guitar, or meeting a “shadowy stranger” at a crossroads in the middle of the night when he was 13, who made a deal to inspire his earliest songwriting, Draper veils his real life work as a prolific artist with surreal fantasy.

Starting out self-recording in his teens, Draper released a slew of self-released albums online over the past eight years, where he played nearly all of the instruments himself.

Venturing into the worlds of lo-fi pop, garage rock and psychedelic music, he has prided himself on taking musical 180s, changing direction with each new offering.

“So my first album, Get Well Soon , there’s not really any digital instruments, it’s just the iPad microphone and a bunch of different things, including whatever was in my band room at my middle school,” Draper said of his early beginnings. “I genuinely just think the best thing to do is just to make something that you want to listen to.”

His upcoming album, entitled Cordelia (due out May 16), will mark his first “official” release with local Grand Rapidsbased label and management company, Midwest Gold.

The album comes after Draper overcame a bout of writer’s block that made him slow down and eventually decide to work and collaborate with other people.

Working with Ryne Clarke (co-founder of Midwest Gold and also frontman of local Lowell-based band The Ryne Experience) at his home studio, Draper said he actually lived at the house for almost a week working on the album.

“Honestly, it’s almost like a duo in a way, because he did a play on maybe two thirds, three quarters of the album, like here and there, different instruments,” Draper said. “And then my girlfriend Jordan Wigginton plays bass on all the songs, and drummer Jamie Thompson from The Unicorns actually played on the album as well, which was exciting because we’ve been friends since I randomly reached out when I was like 14.”

Telling a tale of meeting Thompson during a trip to Northeast Canada for a “winter horse ride thing they were

OLIVER SCOTT DRAPER: Stranger Than Fiction

by Eric Mitts

doing,” Draper said he braved a freezing storm, walking for miles in the woods before stumbling on the cabin door of none other than Thompson, where they recorded the drums on the spot.

Nearly a half dozen other musicians appear on the 12song album, including Conrad Schaak (of Conrad Shock and the Noise), Joe Schimmelmann, Nik Roz, and Mitchell and Charity Evink.

“It’s been awesome having their support, and having people believe in me feels good,” Draper said of working with other musicians, and Midwest Gold as a label. “I’m excited to play at the Park Theatre again. I did an open mic there once, and it’s a nice space, and I’m glad that it got revitalized, and is what it is now. And I’m excited to be going there again and playing a full show. I’ve got some things in mind for that. (Releasing) a whole single, and making a music video and planning it out and everything makes me feel more legit.”

Bringing his fantastical world into reality, Draper finally has a live band that he’ll perform with as well. He tentatively has plans to play a show in Detroit, and aims to tour around Midwest college towns soon.

He, of course, has more music coming too.

“There were a couple that I might end up doing in other aspects or outlets with other people,” he said. “Maybe adapt with other people and do as a separate project. I want to do a lot more of that, and I do have something in mind… All I can say is it’ll be different. Extremely different, and maybe a little weird, which is, I guess, sort of expected. But I’m going to take a hard left turn with that one, and then take another hard right turn... I do have some songs for a country album, so expect that at some point as well. Those are the two big ones.” ■

MIDWEST GOLD PRESENTS:

Oliver Scott Draper

Cordelia Album Release Wsg. Lefty

Park Theatre, 248 S. River Ave., Holland May 16, 7 p.m. $10

Parktheatreholland.org, oliverscottdraper.bandcamp.com

Oliver Scott Draper. PHOTO BY JORDAN WIGGINGTON

THE LUCKY WOLF: Tragedy, Triumph and Transformation at Paw Paw Café Venue

by Eric Mitts

When Jason Deibler-Love, owner of The Lucky Wolf, first moved to West Michigan a little over two and a half years ago, he knew his life would change.

He just had no idea how much.

Relocating to the village of Paw Paw – less than a half-hour southwest of Kalamazoo – Diebler-Love had left behind the high-costs of Los Angeles for the freedom of small town living. His wife, India, was pregnant with twins, and along with their young son Sebastien Wolf (who ultimately became the namesake of their new business), moved into a historic farmhouse to start fresh.

Although Deibler-Love has ties to Michigan, having grown up in Royal Oak, he had no connections to Paw Paw. He did have a long history of working in hotels and venue management, working in those industries for nearly three decades in cities like New York, New Orleans, and Austin.

“We moved to Paw Paw because we had found an old house up here that she was in love with,” Deibler-Love said. “And then we discovered Paw Paw, and discovered that Michigan has wineries… And with all the climate change (Southwest Michigan) is becoming a really hot spot for wine.”

Initially wanting to look into starting a hotel here, Deibler-Love instead found the old Paw Paw Village Playhouse. Originally built as a Baptist Church back in 1857, the building was bought by Bill Hawley of the Village Players, now a Lucky Wolf regular after selling the property to Deibler-Love.

“He (Hawley) bought it from the Baptists in 1970 and added 20 more feet onto the back of the building to create the theater,” Deibler-Love said. “Sometime in the ‘20s, they moved the stage upstairs, probably to make more Sunday school classrooms down here. So for us, it ended up being perfect because you’ve got a café lounge, wine bar down here. And then upstairs is this historic theater. And people will come in, and they’ll be like, ‘We had no idea this was here.’”

They opened The Lucky Wolf in September 2022, emphasizing entertainment, along with local coffee, wine, and vegan and gluten-free food options not readily available in the area. They offered something new, and made the renovated space

The Lucky Wolf. PHOTO BY KENNEDY LAPLACE

their own, tearing out the walls and repainting everything—partnering with fellow Paw Paw entrepreneurs Green Glass Coffee Company.

“We had our twins in November (2022), and we closed on this in December, so it was a blur,” Deibler-Love said. “For the first six months we were literally Googling if it’s legal to serve alcohol with a baby hanging on you, because you don’t know. So we did a soft opening just to continue, while we were working on it.”

They secured grants for further sound and lighting renovations to the theater upstairs, and added an outside patio and ADA wheelchair ramp.

A musician himself, Deibler-Love said they are all about the artist, even offering an artist apartment in another building they’re renovating.

“It’s not just music,” Deibler-Love said. “One of our employees has an entire pottery kiln business, and has this beautiful art that we sell here too. And another employee, we just taped his first comedy special down in our lower venue.

“We’re here because people supported and helped us, so let’s continue to do that,” he added. “The venue itself, we took pieces from all of our lives, from Europe to New York to Austin to New Orleans… There’s absolutely no reason people in Southwest Michigan can’t get that same experience without having to go to a major city.”

Their shared success became tragically bittersweet when India died unexpectedly last November.

“I had employees that worked for us for six months that had left for college in northern Arizona and the Upper Peninsula, and they all flew in within three days for the celebration of life that we held for her, because they’re like, “I’m who I am because of what India did for us, and what you guys gave us here,’” Deibler-Love said. “So it’s a tragic loss… but it’s been special seeing the reciprocation of what we’ve been trying to do for people.”

The Lucky Wolf continues to grow and honor India’s impact and legacy in everything they do, from planning a massive mural outside for the outside of the building, to creating a family-friendly setting where adults can enjoy a show and a glass of Michigan wine, or local craft cocktail, while feeling like they’re in their new home away from home.

“Now that we’ve had a big loss, much of how we feel comforted is because of what we’ve created,” Deibler-Love said. “This one lady came in, she must be 60 years old, and she’s just like, ‘Listen, I come every week now. I followed what you guys are doing, and I didn’t come in. And then India died, and it broke my heart.’ She goes, ‘I wrestled with depression, and I still do. I come here every week now, and I’m so sad that I missed it before, and I never came earlier. But I always wanted to.’ And now she’s literally here every week, and it’s just amazing.”

This month The Lucky Wolf will host the children’s musical “The Midnight Ride of Sybil Ludington” May 4-5, blues-rock artists Brother Jefferson and Dean Madonia May 10, comedian Jeff Leeson May 16, and in a partnership with Sounds of the Zoo, local musicians Jordan Hamilton, Normal Mode, and Brandon Fitzpatrick on May 18. ■

THE LUCKY WOLF

404 E. Michigan Ave., Paw Paw Theluckywolfpawpaw.com, (269) 913-4153

India Deibler Love at The Lucky Wolf. PHOTO BY KENNEDY LAPLACE

PATTON OSWALT:

Endearing, Enduring Effervescence

by Eric Mitts

Emmy and Grammy Award-winning actor and comedian Patton Oswalt has played countless unforgettable characters throughout his career. From Spence Olchin on the beloved CBS sitcom “The King of Queens,” to voicing Remy in Disney Pixar’s “Ratatouille,” he has brought his singular charm and earnest heart to everything he has done.

But despite all his success and fame onscreen, he has never forgotten about his love for standup comedy.

“It’s the one creative endeavor left where there are no network notes,” Oswalt told Revue about going back out and doing standup. “It’s good to have a venue left where I can blurt and bleat straight from my skull.”

Returning to the road for several shows this month –including a return stop at GLC Live at 20 Monroe on May 17 – Oswalt will embark on his Effervescent Tour, with all new material that draws from the unpredictably wide variety of topics he has tackled in his comedy over the years.

“I’m compelled to talk about whatever is going on with me that day, be it personal or more, well, cosmic,” Oswalt said. “You can’t help but not comment on politics — or, at least, how it’s being portrayed in the media — simply because it’s become part of our daily psychological makeup. I just keep trying to find sanity.”

He found a surprising source of sanity from one of his latest acting roles: that of Lafayette Baker in Apple TV’s acclaimed miniseries “Manhunt,” which follows the 12day search for John Wilkes Booth after the assassination of President Abraham Lincoln in 1865. The demanding dramatic role took Oswalt back to that dark time in American history, but it also gave him a new perspective.

“Well, it was weirdly reassuring to know we’ve been a lot closer to the brink of annihilation than we seem to be now,” he said. “We’ve pulled ourselves back before, hopefully we can do it again.”

When asked if he could pick a favorite character he’s played, Oswalt noted another lawman he brought his own personality to portraying.

“I mean, everything I’ve done acting-wise, whether it

be on-camera or voice over, I’ve had to bring something to,” he said. “I especially loved Constable Bob Sweeney on Justified only because he was such a surprising character, even to me. I’ll always have a little special light in my heart for that guy.”

Looking back on his now 30-year acting career – going all the way back to his first-ever TV role as “Video Store Clerk” on “Seinfeld” in 1994 – Oswalt explained how that same nervous kid looking to get his big break is still how he approaches everything now.

“I will always get nervous before acting, or doing standup, or even writing, because I care about the thing I’m doing creatively,” Oswalt said. “When I stop getting nervous is when it’s time to quit.”

Forever a fanboy himself, Oswalt has become a part of many popular franchises and extended universes, from Star Trek, to Marvel and DC, and most recently Ghostbusters, after appearing in the latest movie, “Ghostbusters: Frozen Empire” as Dr. Hubert Wartzki.

“(It’s) Surreal but also gratifying,” Oswalt said. “I have to separate myself from the 14 year-old fanboy who’s seeing his dreams come true, and the professional actor who’s there to do the best job they can.”

In addition to adapting Marvel’s “M.O.D.O.K.” into a stop-motion animated series for Hulu, with co-creator

Jordan Blum – where he also voice the titular character – Oswalt has also teamed with Blum to author their own original comic book series, “Minor Threats,” which recently released its second volume, “Minor Threats Volume 2: The Fastest Way Down” via Dark Horse Comics earlier this year.

“It’s probably the most meaningful thing I’ve done up to this point in my career,” Oswalt said about the comic. “It’s a whole world, and sometimes it’s out of my control, which means I wrote it so well it’s taking on its own life. Bliss.”

Although he’s performed in Grand Rapids several times before, Oswalt did confess he doesn’t have many memories of past times here as his insanely busy schedule keeps him from spending much time in any one place.

“Touring creates a memory smear of hotel lobby and breakfast buffets, unfortunately,” he said of life on the road. “But I love the Midwest – and the South – for the simple reason that they remind you the Internet isn’t real.” ■

PATTON OSWALT: EFFERVESCENT

GLC Live at 20 Monroe, 11 Ottawa Ave. NW, Grand Rapids May 17, 7 p.m., $59.00 + Glcliveat20monroe.com, pattonoswalt.com

Patton Oswalt. COURTESY PHOTO

YOUR MONTHLY GUIDE TO WHAT’S GREAT IN THE GREAT OUTDOORS

What’s awesome about West Michigan (and all of Michigan, for that matter) is how many fascinating things there are to do, if you pay attention. I happened to be doing just that when hiking with Dreamgoats at Idlewild Farm in Belding entered my orbit. Now, you might have heard of goat yoga—and, if you haven’t, yeah, that’s a thing—but this is not that. Which is actually great, because I may be the only person on the planet for whom yoga causes anxiety. That’s another story for another time, though, and I doubt I'll ever expound upon it here, anyway.

If you like hiking already, then hiking with goats can only add dimension to the experience. I found this out when I visited the farm for the first time at the end of December for Holiday Hugs & Hikes (and hot cocoa!). I showed up at the barn armed with carrots, and was found out almost immediately. Within moments of my arrival I was encircled by curious goats who started rooting in my pockets to see what kinds of treats I had for them. It was amusing how direct they were, and I felt glad that I don’t have any hang-ups about personal space.

HANGING WITH THE COOL KIDS

| by Allison Kay Bannister

The Dreamgoats are Nubian dairy goats, by the way, and they’re friendly, smart, and gentle, and have distinct personalities. And super-soft, floppy ears. Most were pregnant at the time of that first visit, and I made a mental note of their March due dates. More on that in a sec.

After the initial meet and greet, we set out on our hike through the pasture and orchards, and had the opportunity to ask questions and learn more about the goats and their lifestyle. It was leisurely and informative, and I’d go back to do it again in a heartbeat. These hikes are usually available June through November, with some special events in December. This includes Christmas tree recycling, because, fun fact: pine and fir trees are considered quite the delicacy for goats. Who knew?!

Now for the especially charming part. Around early spring, the goats will have had their litters, and that means it’s time for baby goat cuddles. I had a goodsized group who were all in for this activity, and we went the first week of April. When we got there, the babies were eager to get on our laps and snuggle, and some conked out for a nap, while others nibbled on

our sleeves and hair while purring contentedly. In between, they sideways hopped and wrestled with one another and chewed our shoelaces. I mean, come on. Cuteness overload.

The reviews from those who went with me included, “This adventure was one of the best,” “Definitely a good way to energize,” and “The goats were so sweet.” I agree with all of that, and will add that the whole experience was very joyful and therapeutic. We also got to see a bottle feeding, talk with a real-life milk maid (#goals), and watch how the mama goats responded to our presence. Some had protective instincts and would regularly check in to make sure all was well, while others just curled up in a pile and chilled out. We stayed a little over an hour and a few of us grabbed some swag on the way out, including goat’s milk soap made by the proprietor herself.

Baby goat cuddles will run into about mid-May, so there’s still time to catch that. Then, they take a pause and resume with goat hikes in June, which I’m told is one of the better times, as there are about 20 babies that join the hike and there’s plenty for them to forage and graze on. Also look for soap making classes at different times during the year, as well as u-pick flowers through Idlewild Farm in summer. More info at dreamgoats. com and idlewildfarm.com. ■

Around early spring, the goats will have had their litters, and that means it's time for baby goat cuddles.

/// DINING & DRINKING

PATIO PARADISE: Dining Outdoors Around West Michigan

| by Revue Staff

With the arrival of summer, many Michigan restaurants suddenly see their seating capacity double. That’s because it’s a special time of the year: Patio season. There are all kinds of outdoor eating situations, from a few tables set outside on the sidewalk to sprawling patios with picnic benches, umbrellas and yard games—each has its place. We’re here to point you to a few of our favorite spots to dine in the great outdoors.

THE DECK

ARCHIVAL BREWING

6266 W River Dr. NE, Belmont

Archival has patios upon patios, with its large biergarten, as well as wraparound, covered deck. As the afternoon winds down to evening, families begin to filter in to enjoy a place where they can relax with friends around a firepit and their littles can run around. There are also yard games, including corn hole and bocce ball.

BLUE WATER

5180 Northland Dr. NE, Grand Rapids

It’s right there in the name: Blue Water sits right on the edge of Versluis Lake. The tables here at this Gilmore institution are about as close to water as you’re going to get without needing a bathing suit. The patio is also loaded with flowers and plants, including a garden that contributes to the meals you eat here.

ROSE’S

550 Lakeside Dr. SE, East Grand Rapids

Another Gilmore establishment, Rose’s is practically famous for its lakeside deck. In the summer, you can enjoy classic dishes and drinks while watching people boat, kayak, fish and more out on Reeds Lake. That’s what summer is all about!

THIRD NATURE BREWING & EASTERN KILLE DISTILLERY

7733 Childsdale Ave. NE, Rockford

7755 Childsdale Ave. NE, Rockford

Right down the street from each other are Third Nature Brewing and the newly opened Eastern Kille Distillery, both of which have a sprawling space outdoors, right off the extensive White Pine Trail. Head here with friends or family to enjoy great food, beer and cocktails, along with fire pits, yard games and play areas for the kiddos. And if you need one more reason, Rockford Brewing is just a few miles off, also sporting a pleasant patio!

CEDAR SPRINGS BREWING COMPANY

95 N Main St. NE, Cedar Springs

Worth the short drive, this Cedar Springs hotspot is known for its German-influenced fare and brews. They have a covered—and heated—patio/bier garden for cooler weather that opens up as warmer days roll in. They offer bier hallstyle counter service and put on special events, such as Jeep Nights on Thursday evenings during the summer.

1601 Beach St., Muskegon

Located in Muskegon, The Deck is really the granddaddy of patios. It’s incredibly spacious with decks that wrap around the restaurant and sprawl out toward the shores of Lake Michigan. The upper deck is full service for food and beverages, while the lower deck is self-serve. There are swings, games, and volleyball, as well as live music at select times. What’s not to love?

NEW HOLLAND BREWING –THE KNICKERBOCKER

417 Bridge St. NW, Grand Rapids

Much like everything else in New Holland’s Grand Rapids location, The Knickerbocker’s semi-enclosed patio is huge, with a large screen for watching sports and loads of seating to spread out. Plus, you’re surrounded by wood and plants, which is always nice.

THE FRIESIAN GASTRO PUB

720 Michigan St., Grand Rapids

Reach for the stars! Ever since opening, one of Friesian’s biggest strengths has been its been rooftop patio. Whether you’re there enjoying dusk on a nice weeknight evening or sweating out a hangover in the sun with Sunday brunch, Friesian’s patio is a step above.

HANCOCK

1157 Wealthy St. SE, Grand Rapids

Hancock’s turf lawn perfectly fits its retro historic vibes. Eating fried chicken and sides while sipping a slushy cocktail in the sun on perfectly green “grass”? That’s the dream. It’s big enough to fit quite a few tables without sprawling across Wealthy Street. While we’re at it, Donkey Taqueria has a sizable patio too, as does The Winchester, though it’s closed at the moment.

THE UNICORN TAVERN

415 S. Beechtree St., Grand Haven

Unicorn Tavern took an empty building that had been under construction for some time and turned it into a fun, vivid restaurant full of creativity. That includes the patio outside, which gives plenty of shade while still letting you enjoy your meal outside in the summer weather after a day at the beach.

NOTO’S AT THE BIL-MAR

1223 S. Harbor Dr., Grand Haven

With the distinct advantage of being directly—and we

mean directly—on the beach in Grand Haven, Noto’s has a gorgeous ground-floor patio that extends right out into the sand, so you can continue your beach day even while eating dinner and sipping a cocktail. Or, if you’re one of those people who hates sand, feel free to sit in the paved patio area, or even the upper deck. Either way, you’ll have a front-row seat to the sights and sounds of Lake Michigan.

COTTAGE BAR

18 La Grave Ave. SE, Grand Rapids

About as polar opposite as you can get from The Deck, the Cottage Bar patio is a small, urban space tucked away in the alley next to the restaurant itself. What it lacks in size, it makes up for in intimacy and vintage charm. Grab one of the best burgers in GR and chill out in this casual, old-school spot.

FARMHAUS CIDER CO.

5025 Stanton St., Hudsonville

This is definitely one of those hidden gems, as it is, in fact, a little hidden. But, once you get around the bend, it opens up into sizeable grounds with communal-style picnic tables and pockets of smaller seating all around. The perfect setting for sipping on craft ciders! They don’t serve food directly, but they have a rotating selection of local food truck on most days.

HAUTE BY NEW HOTEL MERTENS

35 Oakes St. SW, Grand Rapids

Haute can be hard to spot, unless you’re flying around nine stories up. This rooftop patio takes New Hotel Mertens to new heights, serving primarily as a cocktail lounge with a few gourmet snacks available. The real treat here though is the view of the city from high above. You know what they say: The higher the patio, the closer to God. ■

The Unicorn Tavern, Third Nature Brewing. COURTESY PHOTOS

Scooch over beer. It’s time to make room at the table for another favorite Michigan inebriant. Whether you like it red or white, still or fizzy, sweet or dry—or anything in between—wine has become the latest darling in local dining. Some names you’ll recognize as old standbys while others are up and coming. And, you’re about to find out there are a lot more places to have a glass than you might’ve realized. Here’s a rundown of wine bars you’ll want to check out.

GRNOIR WINE & JAZZ | 35 Division Ave

South | The first Black-owned wine and jazz bar in downtown Grand Rapids, this luxe establishment has a lot going on. In addition to a wide array of wines, including their own private label made in partnership with Traverse City’s Chateau Chantal, they offer small plates and desserts to complement your selection. They also host Brunch with a Beat every third Sunday of the month, live jazz every week, and a tasting hour Wednesdays through Saturdays from 3–6 p.m. with $5 Pours. Look for special events throughout the year, such as GRAM Goes Late, and join their Wine Club for exclusive perks. Visit: grnoir.com

HOUSE OF WINE | 53 Monroe Center St NW

| This downtown spot tucked between the wig shop and the cop shop may seem unassuming from the street, but step inside and it exudes cozy elegance. If you’re intimidated by wine, this is a great place to get your feet wet, as they have an approachable vibe and knowledgeable staff. Their menu features build-your-own and pre-set charcuterie boards, small plates, paninis, and a handful of desserts. Who could resist a cheesecake shooter?! In addition, they have free wine tasting events every Tuesday evening, as well as a Wine Club membership. Visit: houseofwinegr.com

CHATEAU GRAND RAPIDS | 955 Cherry St SE | Serving coffee by day and wine by night, Chateau in East Hills not only has an impressive offering of wines from around the world to enjoy on site by the glass or bottle, they also have a robust selection of Amaro, an Italian digestif that’s becoming increasingly popular around town. Their evening menu of wines and plates changes every week, and if you’re in the know, they have secret, off-menu items as well. Wine can also be purchased from their cellar to take home, and they have a Wine Club coming in May. Visit: chateaugrandrapids.com

APERITIVO | 435 Ionia Ave SW | Located in the Downtown Market, Aperitivo is more than a full-service cheese and charcuterie counter run by expert cheesemongers. They

of WINE A New Age

| by Allison Kay Bannister

also invite shoppers to sit at the bar or on the seasonal, outdoor patio to nibble on a cheese plate and sip a glass of wine (or a beer or cider, if that’s more to your liking). They have cheese, charcuterie, beer, and wine classes and both a Wine and Cheese Club, too. Visit: aperitivogr.com

POST

OFF

| 952

Fulton St E | Representing Midtown, this wine bar and bottle shop focuses on natural, organically grown and made wines. They have a changing menu of small-production wines in a casual yet cool atmosphere, plus light snacks and other hard beverage and spirits, from ciders to spritzes to cocktails—not to mention lots of Amaro. Told ya’ it’s having a moment! Visit: postoffgr.com

FORTY PEARL | 40 Pearl St NW #110 | If you’re a fan of Michigan wines, then this downtown establishment is a must try. They concentrate entirely on wines made in our fair state, starting out initially as a tasting room for Brengman Brothers’ fine wines. Since then, they’ve evolved to bring in a collection of wines from other estates, and they also have an expansive, locally sourced food menu with sharables, mains, desserts, and more. Visit: fortypearlgr.com

PURSUIT OF HAPPINESS CO.

| 1426

Robinson Rd SE | Love supporting womenowned businesses? POH in Eastown is right up your alley. They’re known for the own brand of bubbly, as well as other global sparkling wines, still wine, spritz cocktails (their house specialty, called Bubbles & Troubles, sold by the glass or pitcher), and, yes, Miller High Life ponies and Tiny Heines. The food menu features small bites, charcuterie, toasts, and sweets by Mokaya. Visit: pursuitofhappiness.co

Wait, what?! Did we actually leave the awardwinning Reserve out of this rundown? We did, but it wasn’t an oversight. They’re actually taking a hiatus to work on innovation and also align with construction planned on Lyon Street. Depending on when you’re reading this, you’ll either have a day or two to stop in before their last service on May 2, 2024, or you’ll have to hold on until their reopening at the end of the year. Based on their stellar reputation, it’ll surely be worth the wait.

One other thing to look forward to is the soon-to-come Good Good Good, which is in the works with a TBD open date. It will be located in the Creston neighborhood at Sweet Street and Plainfield Avenue, and is envisioned to be a natural wine bar, retail bottle shop, and flower store. ■

Aperitivo, GRNoir Wine & Jazz, Chateau Grand Rapids, Pursuit of Happiness Co. COURTESY PHOTOS House of Wine. PHOTO BY BRYAN ESLER

WINERIES That Go ABOVE & BEYOND Elevated Taste:

| by Josh Veal

There are more than 200 wineries in Michigan, and thanks to the climate provided by the eponymous great lake, nearly all of them are on the west side of the state.

Going back to the 18th Century, wine has been a part of our history and industry. With a similar latitude to France, large sloping hills and the lake effect weather, we’re in a great spot to make great vino.

Beyond the liquid itself, we’re blessed with dozens of excellent wine tasting rooms across the state that offer stunning views and unique experiences.

While we can’t quite cover all 200 wineries here, we can point you to some of our favorites, along with a few elevated, VIP ways to enjoy your trip, going beyond the typical tasting.

BLACK STAR WINERY

10844 E. Revold Road, Suttons Bay blackstarfarms.com

Black Star are known as one of the best wineries and the Midwest, thanks to a stunning 160-acre vineyard tucked into the beautiful countryside of the Leelanau Peninsula, serving up intentional, elevated food and award-winning wines. There are a number of special experiences here, including The Inn, with its bed-and-breakfast style amenities; estate and wine tours that visit the vineyard, inn, centennial barn and wine cave; and progressive wine and food tastings that also involve a short tour and behind-the-scenes look at the VIP Barrel Room. Good luck choosing just one!

ST. JULIAN

716 S. Kalamazoo St., Paw Paw stjulian.com

With six tasting rooms around the state, you’re never far from St. Julian, which makes their wine club one of the best around. Join for complimentary tastings and limited edition wines shipped directly to you at a discount price, stay for access to events like Wine Club 101, where you’ll enjoy a free guided tasting exclusive to members that goes deeper than your typical visit.

MARI VINEYARDS

8175 Center Road, Traverse City marivineyards.com

Mari knows how to entertain. Drop-in production floor and wine cave tours? Check. Private guided tours and tastings in the cave lounge? Check. Bespoke experiences making special use of the Founders Room or wine caves? Check. Not to mention events like live music and Sunrise Yoga in the Vines.

PETOSKEY FARMS

3720 Atkins Rd., Petoskey petoskeyfarms.com

If you’re heading up to Petoskey or even across the bridge, you should make a stop at Petoskey Farms, a gorgeous 22acre property overlooking rolling hills and a lavender farm, which the winery uses to make various products including lavender oil! It’s a unique addition to the vineyard, along with seasonal wood-fired pizza served up in the summer.

TABOR HILL & ROUND BARN

185 Mt Tabor Rd, Buchanan / 10983 Hills Rd, Baroda moerschhg.com

Just a short trail away from each other are sister wineries Tabor Hill and Round Barn. You can make the trek in less than a mile, if you choose, or go on a little adventure and stroll through the 3.5 miles of trails looping through woods and vineyards—all with a drink in hand! If you’re hungry, consider the Friday Tabor For Two, a delicious deal. If you want to stick around, check out their gorgeous vacation rentals, such as the Estate House just steps away from Round Barn.

CHATEAU CHANTAL

15900 Rue de Vin, Traverse City chateauchantal.com

Chateau Chantal, beyond having a beautiful estate, is an excellent destination for foodies. events frequently, such as the Mother’s Day Bubbly Brunch on May 12, the Blazing & Glazing Wine Dinner on May 25, and even cooking classes multiple times a month. While you’re up north, consider staying at the B&B, filled with cozy rooms and spacious suites, each offering views of the vineyard and freshwater bays.

HUDSONVILLE WINERY

3768 Chicago Dr, Hudsonville hudsonvillewinery.com

Hudsonville Winery is not your typical winery experience, and we mean that in the best way possible. If you’re not into the bougie VIP stuff, you can come here for a wide variety of tasty wines in a casual setting, served right alongside Pike 51 Brewing’s beer, plus hard seltzer. This is an especially good idea in the summer, when you can beat the heat with their Polar Pouch frozen wine slushies!

ROBINETTE’S APPLE HAUS & WINERY

3142 4 Mile Rd. NE, Grand Rapids robinettes.com

Robinette’s is not your typical winery either, as it’s also, primarily, an orchard! But serving wine has been part of their business since 2006, and we here at Revue have taken part many times. The tasting room in a cozy old barn is full of interesting flavors, including quite a few fruit wines, mulled wine and even a chocolate wine. Plus, you get to keep the glass when you leave, and can bring it back next trip for half-off the tasting.

CODY KRESTA VINEYARD & WINERY

45727 27th St., Mattawan codykrestawinery.com

This small family winery specializes in hand-crafted wines produced at a vintage 1882 homestead in southern Michigan, using only grapes from the Lake Michigan Shore Appellation. Cody Kresta is beloved for its cozy vibes, natural beauty and dry wines. They also host tons of events throughout the year, plus behind-thescenes tours—get in touch to visit the underground barrel room! ■

Black Star Winery, St. Julian, Petoskey Farms, Tabor Hill & Round Barn, Chateau Chantal, Hudsonville Winery, Robinette's Apple Haus & Winery, Cody Kresta Vineyard & Winery. COURTESY PHOTOS | Mari Vineyards. PHOTO BY BERYL STRIEWSKI PHOTOGRAPHY

The PATH to CRAFT SPIRITS No Shortcuts:

| by Josh Veal

Crafting a quality spirit takes time, intentionality and creativity, with a focus on doing things right every step of the way.

When you’re a relatively small local producer like Long Road Distillers, founded on the ethos of “no shortcuts,” that means an exceptional amount of care going into every batch. The thing is, all that work is going on behind-the-scenes, and you might not understand it or even think about it.

If so, you also might not understand why, for instance, a fifth (750 ML) of Long Road’s vodka sells for around $18 at the store, which is quite affordable, but not as affordable as Crystal Palace’s $5. So let’s take a look at what makes a quality spirit, quality, and why you get what you pay for (up to a certain extent).

PATIENCE, PATIENCE

When Long Road opened doors, the biggest shortcut they wanted to avoid was sourcing neutral spirits out for their vodka, gin and botanical spirits and liqueurs. If you want your liquid to have a unique and handcrafted flavor, you have to build it from the ground up. This also meant not sourcing out whiskey (Long Road spells it Whisky, but I simply do whatever the all-knowing AP Stylebook tells me) just so they could have an aged whiskey right when they opened—which is difficult when eager customers are ready for the stuff!

The long game has paid off though. Now, they have multiple whiskeys and bourbon available, with more on the way. Co-owner Kyle Van Strien said they have roughly a half dozen unique whiskeys in barrels that are three to five years old, with a new bourbon mash bill that may become their signature bourbon going forward when it drops—a couple years from now.

The struggle is that whiskey is such a particularly challenging market, Van Strien says. More large distillers are scooping up small producers and adding them to their massive distribution networks, along with brand new

distilleries coming out of the gates with big backer funding. Now that there’s so much bourbon on the shelves marketed as craft and premium, Long Road has realized they have to rely on one thing to stand out: Excellence.

“With so many products, your story used to be enough, being local used to be enough. We never stood on that entirely, but now it has to be excellent first, and local is just bonus points in most people’s eyes.”

CRAFTING PREMIUM

That need to be exceptional is especially true as just about everyone on Earth is forced to become more price conscious. Huge production facilities are able to pump out product at an unusually affordable cost—but the tradeoff, of course, is that it’s nearly impossible to put intentional thought and care into anything on that scale.

Even more than scale, what you’re paying for with local distillers like Long Road is flavor and quality ingredients. Their vodka is made with all Michigangrown grain, which imparts a specific taste you simply won’t find elsewhere. And while some vodkas brag about being

UNIQUE LOCAL SPIRITS

LONG ROAD DISTILLERS

- Original Aquavit

This unique spirit is made in Michigan but lives up to its Northern European roots, with notable herbs and spices like caraway and dill lending a unique flavor some have compared to rye bread.

EASTERN KILLE DISTILLERY

- Barrel-Finished Gin

A unique and exciting take on gin highlighting citra hops to augment the citrus elements of gin with a subtle note of grapefruit. The barrel finish rounds this off with a surprising oak note.

WISE MEN DISTILLERY

- Hot Cherry Pie Whiskey

Reminisce in the nostalgia of Grandma’s hot cherry pie with a sip of this flavored whiskey. The sweet and slightly tart cherries are complemented by a blend of cinnamon, peppercorn, and vanilla.

NEW HOLLAND SPIRITS

- Beer Barrel Bourbon

This bourbon is aged in American oak barrels before finishing in Dragon’s Milk barrels, with a signature high-barley mash bill lending a sweet malt.

MAMMOTH DISTILLING

- Strawberry Rhubarb Vodka

Enjoy the quintessential botanical flavors of the region any time of the year. The fruity sweetness of strawberries pairs perfectly with the distinctive tang of rhubarb

GREEN DOOR

DISTILLING

- Hazelnut Coffee Liqueur

Silky and nutty, a robust 70-proof coffee forward liqueur with notes of hazelnut and cinnamon. Perfect for an espresso martini, in a cup of coffee, or over ice cream!

BIER DISTILLERY

- Absinthe Verte

Absinthe verte is an anise-flavored liquor that also includes other botanicals such as wormwood and fennel. There’s a reason it’s been the subject of a great number of works of art, music, films, video, and literature for over 200 years!

Long Road Distillers, Green Door Distilling, Eastern Kille Distillery, Mammoth Distilling, Long Road Distillers, Bier Distillery. COURTESY PHOTO

filtered 100 times, Long Road is proud to have character and a palate to work with in theirs. “We invested in equipment specifically to produce that from grain, where others took the shortcut of purchasing neutral spirit, bottling it and labeling it to get started.”

Or, for the MICHIGIN, an incredible amount of hands-on work goes into each batch, each year. The Long Road team travels way up to Beaver Island to scout for wild juniper and then spends days harvesting it, by hand, all over the island. And that’s just one ingredient, alongside Red Winter Wheat from Heffron Farms in Belding; fennel, mint and lemon verbena from Visser Farms in Zeeland; and Galena hops from the Michigan Hop Alliance in Northport.

Then you have spirits like rum, which are harder to make stand out than something like bourbon, because rum primarily comes from sugarcane, while whiskey can be made with a wide variety of grains. Long Road worked with different yeast strains, types of sugar and sugar byproducts, and fermentation temperatures to lock in their own unique palate.

This is what we’re talking about when we talk about craft spirits. It’s excellence, with a story.

THE ROAD AHEAD

As we move into warmer weather, what Van Strien is excited about at the moment is the release of Long Road’s new canned cocktails. They “finally” released the

Nitro Espresso Martini, a fantastic sipper made in partnership with Madcap Coffee. The distillery has been working on this for over a year, and even had to bring their canning line in-house to make it happen, due to necessary part changes and the addition of a nitrogen doser.

Having control of canning is also allowing them to be more nimble with season releases, like the Strawberry Cardamom Cooler, with strawberry lemonade, vanilla and cardamom, and the Lavender Lemonade Lite, which is a lower-alcohol, lower-sugar, lower-calorie version of the fan favorite cocktail! At just 5% ABV, it’s as crushable as they come. On top of all that, Van Strien says they have canned mocktails in the works.

With all that, in addition to a revamped kitchen and another busy sunny season at Less Traveled and Long Road Grand Haven, the road ahead is looking smooth.

“Our focus continues to be on creating exceptional products, and then sharing them as personally as we possibly can,” Van Strien said. “I’m excited to get back to our roots with our service and our product values, while also continuing to push forward and innovate.” ■

Classic & CONTEMPORARY Cocktails

| by John Kissane

It may be that cocktails are older than mankind. After all, bees get buzzed after indulging in fermented nectar. Stir that into a glass with some rotting grapes and you’re in business. What’s that? Bees don’t stir, you say? Of course they do. What else would their stingers be for?

All right, maybe cocktails aren’t older than mankind. According to Google, which I’m just past sobriety enough to trust, experts tend to trace the birth of the cocktail to mid-1800s New Orleans, where the Sazerac first drew breath. A blend of whiskey, absinthe, sugars, and bitters, it remains popular to this day; indeed, Grand Rapids’ Rezervoir Lounge used to be named the Sazerac Lounge, and would still be, had New Orleans’ Sazerac Company not sent its owner a change-your-name-or-else letter. But while the name may have changed, Rezervoir still serves up cocktails alongside its New Orleans-influenced food menu. Nearly as old and just as beloved as the

Sazerac is the potent restorative known as the Manhattan . Made using rye whiskey, sweet vermouth, and bitters, it’s topped with a dashing maraschino cherry, which I believe–nutritionists, please confirm–qualifies it as a serving of fruit. Try one at Muskegon’s 18th Amendment Spirits Co. or at the Amway Grand’s stylishly appointed Lumber Baron Bar.

If you need a name for a cocktail you expect to be a classic, you’d be hardpressed to find a better one than the OldFashioned . It conjures up none of the stuff from the past we’d like to jettison and all the good stuff (old books, leather) we’d like to keep. Try one at Kalamazoo’s Dabney & Co, and (why not?) follow it up with a mint julep. While you’re in the area, visit Green Door Distilling, who have an Old Fashioned made with house cider cask bourbon—and you can get it smoked for just $2 more!

Alert readers will remember that the Sazerac was invented in New Orleans.

Also invented there was the Gin Fizz , a bright, refreshing combination of gin, lemon juice, sugar, and carbonated water. Doesn’t it sound like something you’d use to rehydrate yourself after a run? Actually, to be safe, skip the run; distracted drivers are a real menace. Instead, treat yourself to a rosemary gin fizz courtesy of Long Road Distillers in Grand Rapids.

In Kalamazoo, Principle builds on the past to craft cocktails for the present. For instance, their French Martini takes the classic to the next level with anise smoke. Or go for something even more creative like the Combat Ready, with duckfat-washed rye, monkey shoulder scotch, Benedictine, green chartreuse, bitters, absinthe mist and cherrywood smoke.

And that’s hardly the only local innovation to hit the cocktail world. Among other inventions, Grand Rapids’ Sidebar features the Franjelica Houston , created by bartender Nic Morgan when, out

of the eggs needed for a requested cocktail, he substituted chocolate soda.

In with the new! Fashion-forward folks plus anyone who likes drinking good things would do well to give Butcher’s Union’s An Expensive Blazer a shot. Consisting of gin, Aperol, ginger liqueur, lemon juice, sparkling brut, and, to top it all off, a dehydrated lemon wheel; wear it with style. And who could resist a Hot Librarian ? Drip Drop Cocktail’s creation includes rum, falernum, sherry, orgeat, cinnamon, lemon, and black walnut bitters.

Whether you’re looking for the kind of drink Don Draper would have enjoyed or the kind that, in a fit of whimsy, he might have dreamed up, West Michigan has you covered. Mixologists across the area are lighting rinds, using tiny clothes pins to attach herbs to the sides of glasses, and carefully stirring smoke into liquid. Raise your glass. ■

HOT T O GO: SUMMER FUN IN WEST MICHIGAN

| by Revue Staff

Summer is upon us, and it’s time to prepare for a season of fun in the sun.

The official first day of summer may not be until June, but it’s always a good idea to plan ahead, especially considering how fast the season flies by every year. From festivals to camping to concerts, here are Revue’s suggestions to get your summer juices flowing.

SUMMER-LONG FUN

GETTY DRIVE-IN

920 E. Summit Ave., Muskegon | celebrationcinema.com

The Getty in Muskegon is one of the few drive-in theaters still around, and it’s a special experience. Gates open at 8:00 pm and movies start at dusk; if you’re not a night owl, then plan your movie night in late spring or early fall. There’s a concession stand on site, and you can even order food online and have it brought to your car. Pre-purchasing movie tickets online, in advance, is encouraged to ensure you get to see the shows you want and also to avoid long waits in the busy season.

KENTWOOD

SUMMER CONCERT SERIES

June 6-August 15 | kentwood.us

Grab a blanket or chair for lovely free concerts on Thursday evenings on the Kentwood City Hall Lawn. Enjoy a variety of music like Roosevelt Diggs, The Bootstrap Boys and the Sarena Rae Band every week, from 7-8:30 p.m. Arrive early to explore the Kentwood Farmers Market! There’s always a variety of food trucks as well to keep you fueled, and you’re welcome to bring your own beer or wine. Plus: Check out the Kickoff to Summer celebration on June 8, with a cornhole tournament, beach volleyball, face painting and more!

TREERUNNER ADVENTURE PARK

2121 Celebration Dr. NE, Grand Rapids treerunnergrandrapids.com

Climbing, balancing, leaping and zipping from tree to tree is one of my favorite activities. Is this obstacle course among the leaves an intense workout? Yes, but it’s also incredibly fun. It’s safe, too, as you’re attached to a wire at all times. It’s also easy to social distance here. One ticket gets you a threehour experience, with seven aerial trails of various difficulty. Once you’ve completed the beginner and intermediate trails, come back another time to master the expert level!

WEST MICHIGAN ARCHERY CENTER

3500 10 Mile Rd. NE, Rockford | westmichiganarchery.com

If you have a bow and arrow, head to West Michigan Archery Center for outdoor target shooting. They have a 3D course that takes you through the woods, with a number of targets along the trail. Whether you want to become the next Robin Hood or you need hunting practice, this is the place to be.

PARKS

AMAN PARK

0-1859 Lake Michigan Dr. NW, Grand Rapids

Aman Park is a great little system of woodland trails tucked away off Lake Michigan Drive. The forest here is full of blooming flowers and dead trees, creating a unique ecosystem. There isn’t much parking, which is part of the appeal; if you show up and can’t find room for your car, don’t force it!

THE HIGHLANDS

2715 Leonard St. NW, Grand Rapids | thehighlandsgr.org

It’s rare to a highly manicured golf course transform into a lush, 121-acre nature preserve with flourishing biodiversity, but Blandford Nature Center has achieved it with The Highlands. If you want a beautiful place to stroll along nearly 3 miles of crisscrossing trails and see nature up close (including lots of great bird-watching), this is the place to be. And it’s free!

PICKEREL LAKE

6001 Ramsdell Rd. NE, Cannonsburg

Pickerel Lake is a lovely nature preserve tucked away in the Rockford area. Because it’s a preserve, nature is pretty much left to its own devices, allowing for a ton of unique sights. Walk around the lake for a beautiful view of the trees reflecting on the water.

PROVIN TRAILS

2900 4 Mile Rd. NE, Grand Rapids

Right down the road from Robinette’s, Provin Trails can get busy. But there’s so much freedom to roam, you really don’t have to worry about being overcrowded. If you head to the center of the park, you’ll encounter a huge hill of sand in the middle of the woods, which is perfect for running down — or sledding, in the winter.

CANNONSBURG

6800 Cannonsburg Rd., Belmont | cannonsburg.com

You clearly can’t snowboard at Cannonsburg right now, but what you can do is bike up to 11 miles of trails around the hill. It’s a great workout, and extremely different from a flat, paved trail, so make sure you’ve done your squats. The trails are also open for hiking or running! When you’re done, head to Cannonsburg’s Sweet Spot, which offers a huge variety of sweet treats as well as alcoholic beverages and gourmet toast. It’s perfect for fueling you beforehand or relaxing you after.

FESTIVALS

HOLLAND WATERFRONT

CELTIC FESTIVAL & HIGHLAND GAMES

June 21-22 | hollandcelticfestival.org

Despite by only being a few years old, this festival is already attracting more than 7,000 people eager to be a part of such a unique experience in West Michigan. Musically, you can expect 16 Irish and Celtic bands to play on two stages over two days, along with Scottish pipe and drum bands throughout the event, and dance demonstrations. One huge draw here are the Highland Games, featuring more than 70 men and women competing in events like caber-tossing and hammer-throwing. Plus: Food, clothing, and plenty of tasty beer, as the event is sponsored by Guinness.

FESTIVAL OF THE ARTS

June 7-9 | festivalgr.org

Grand Rapids’ biggest celebration of local art, music and food is one of the longest-running festivals in the state. Completely free to the public, it features six music stages, plus theater, poetry, dance and much more.

GRAND RAPIDS ASIAN-PACIFIC FESTIVAL

June 14-16 | grapf.org

The annual Asian-Pacific Festival celebrates as much Asian and Pacific-Islander culture as it possibly can in one weekend. You’ll find traditional attires, martial arts demonstrations, fashion shows, Luau and much more, including (of course) all kinds of Asian-Pacific food.

GREATER GRAND RAPIDS PRIDE FESTIVAL

June 22 | grpride.org

Celebrating the LGBTQ+ community, Grand Rapids Pride Festival is one of the largest single-day events in the area, now entering its 36th year. Expect all the music, performers, rainbows and other fun of years prior, with local bands performing.

GRAND HAVEN COAST GUARD FESTIVAL

July 26-August 4 | coastguardfest.org

Honoring the men and women of the United States Coast Guard, this festival celebrates with ship tours, live music, food, a carnival and street dancing throughout Grand Haven.

BURNING FOOT BEER FESTIVAL

Muskegon | Aug. 26 | burningfoot.beer

Burning Foot Beer Festival is a celebration of beer, beach, art and music, and it’s back bigger than ever before this year with more space and more vendors! The festival is held in August along Lake Michigan’s beautiful lakeshore in Muskegon, offering the perfect way to end the summer. Beach camping and barefoot entry make it unique—the Brewers’ Ring makes it extraordinary.

LANTERN FESTIVAL

John Ball Zoo | Through June 16 | jbzoo.org

This is less of a typical festival and more of a breathtaking, truly unique experience at John Ball—a one-mile light tour, featuring handcrafted Asian lantern displays that illuminate the zoo and work in conversation with the wildlife housed there. Grab a snack and soak up the magical lights and sounds for over an hour as you stroll through John Ball in the dark of night. ■

FRESH PICKS :

WEST MICHIGAN FARMERS MARKETS

| by Revue Staff

It’s that time of the year where the crops are blooming and farmers are seeing their hard work come to fruition. Which means it’s also time to get out and enjoy the results at a farmers market! Whether you’re looking for fresh produce, meat, dairy, flowers, art, jewelry, beverages, clothes or peoplewatching, you’ll find it all at a farmers market near you.

Beyond location, each farmers market offers something a little different, so check out our annual roundup here.

KENTWOOD FARMERS MARKET

Discover the charm of the Kentwood Farmers Market at 4900 Breton Rd. SE. This beloved market, now in its 10th year, is a local favorite for not just a large selection but live concerts. Every Thursday from 4:30 to 7:30 p.m., June 6 through August 29, explore a dynamic lineup of produce, breads, micro-greens, and more. Each week, the market will have a different theme with additional vendors, such as Bike Day, Watermelon Mania and more. Enjoy rotating food trucks and weekly events—not to mention a warm welcome for those using food assistance programs.

FULTON STREET MARKET

Located at 1145 E. Fulton St., Fulton Street Market is a year-round treasure with a special “second season” on Saturdays during winter. As we step into the main season, join the bustling market on Wednesdays, Fridays, and Saturdays from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m., running until October. Over 100 booths showcase rotating vendors and family farms offering everything from fruits and veggies to baked goods, jams, and handmade art. Don’t miss the food trucks and live entertainment, making Saturday mornings in downtown Grand Rapids truly special.

HOLLAND FARMERS MARKET

Journey to Eighth Street Market Place in Holland for a captivating market experience. Starting May 15 through October, visit every Wednesday and Saturday from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. This bustling market offers a feast for the senses with fresh produce, flowers, honey, baked goods, and locally sourced meats—all proudly grown or made in Michigan. Plus, remember to check out the holiday and indoor markets during the off-season.

KALAMAZOO FARMERS MARKET

Experience the abundant Kalamazoo Farmers Market at 1204 Banks Street. With over 120 local vendors, this market is a culinary paradise. Open every Saturday from 7 a.m. to 2 p.m. through November—and every Third Thursday from June to September, this market also hosts lively Night Markets (5-10 p.m.) with live music, food trucks, and artisanal goods.

ST. JOSEPH FARMERS MARKET

Immerse yourself in the sights and scents of Lake Bluff Park at the St. Joseph Farmers Market, each Friday, May 10 through October 11. From fine pastries to organic vegetables, this Saturday market offers a delightful array of local treasures and special activities for the family (music, magic, pickling, canning, cornhusk dolls) against the backdrop of Lake Michigan.

ADA FARMERS MARKET

Head to The Community Church in Ada every Tuesday from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. for a familyfriendly market experience. Running from June 7 to October 25, enjoy more than 30 vendors and engaging children’s activities through the “Kids in the Market” program. Live music adds to the vibrant atmosphere.

ROCKFORD FARMERS MARKET

Visit the new city lot behind the Rockford post office every Saturday from May 4 to October 26. This market proudly participates in the SNAP program, offering significant discounts through the “Double Up Food” program. Take advantage of this opportunity to support local businesses and enjoy fresh, affordable groceries.

GRAND HAVEN FARMERS MARKET

Managed by the Grand Haven Chamber of Commerce at Chinook Pier, this market is a hub for fresh produce and community connections. Explore Saturdays starting May 4 through October, and Wednesdays starting in June. The picturesque location at Chinook Pier invites you to savor the best of West Michigan’s bounty. ■

WEATHERING THE STORM

at Muskegon Museum of Art

Muskegon Museum of Art’s John Steuart Curry Weathering The Storm brings together the work of an important and accomplished American regional painter, one whose work was iconic enough to appear in a Hollywood film and honest enough that it led to a backlash so severe, it’s believed, as to have caused his early death.

Curry was born in Kansas on November 14, 1897, 32 years after the end of the Civil War. The country was still largely rural. His parents, both college educated, hung prints by Rubens and Doré on the walls and encouraged their son’s artistic inclinations; he painted the animals around him and began taking lessons at twelve.

Throughout his sadly abbreviated life, Curry would use painting as a way to capture the world. Paintings such as Baptism In Kansas, which depicts a crowd watching as an old preacher prepares to dunk underwater a young woman (clasped hands, virginal white dress), were clear-eyed and unsentimental. They also presented a view into Kansas life that those outside the state

embraced and those within it sometimes recoiled at: what are they going to think of us ?

If, as it seems, Curry wasn’t a firebrand, he nevertheless couldn’t help telling the truth: never a recipe for a stress-free life. In the 1930s, he made several works on the subject of lynching, the absolute zero of American life. As in all his best work, he married courage with technique, neither exaggerating nor forgiving.

Not all his subjects were so fraught; or, anyway, not all the disasters he depicted were man-made. Tornado Over Kansas presents a farmer, his wife, and their children heading toward steps leading to a cellar as a tornado approaches, carrying their animals with them (and dragging them, as the case may be). It’s a famous painting. It’s hard, seeing it, not to think of Dorothy Gale, although The Wizard of Oz film wouldn’t come out for another decade.There’s real motion and anxiety to the painting; unsurprisingly, when Steven Spielberg produced the film Twister, his representatives approached the Muskegon Museum of Art, where the piece

| by John Kissane

permanently resides, asking to borrow it (the museum declined, although a print is said to be briefly visible in the finished film).

“People know the artwork but not the artist,” said Kristina Broughton, director of marketing at the museum. “He was one of the top American regional painters of the late 1920s, up there with Grant Wood, who did American Gothic.”

“His work takes you back in time a bit. Even the way we handle natural disasters has changed. But this was the world he grew up in.”

It was sometimes a sad world, and a sad life, too. Perhaps looking for material–iit did result in some paintings—he ran off to the circus. While there, his wife died. The Tragic Prelude , a mural created for Kansas’s Capitol Building, was rejected as too dangerous in its exploration of racial animosities; the work he considered his greatest was left unfinished, and the state legislature passed a motion guaranteeing never to commission his work again. A native-born Kansan son, he ached for the approval of the rural men and woman

he shared a state with, but they rejected him. He died at 48 of a heart attack, perhaps precipitated by stress.

What remains is his work. Weathering The Storm gathers sketches, preliminary drawings, and those paintings, perhaps eight in all, that can be said to be masterpieces. Along with a large timeline charting the course of his life, they explain what isn’t yet as well-known as it should be: this man painted truth others would shut their eyes to avoid seeing. ■

MUSKEGON MUSEUM OF ART  296 W. Webster Ave., Muskegon  muskegonartmuseum.org

OLIVER JEFFERS: 15 YEARS OF PICTURING BOOKS,  Through May 26

JOHN STEUART CURRY: WEATHERING THE STORM,  Through Sept. 2

VOX GR:

The Power of a Small Ensemble

With an exceptional symphony, opera company, ballet company and touring Broadway company, Grand Rapids is no stranger to the performing arts. Whether its art-lovers prefer an outdoor concert at Frederik Meijer Gardens or yearly renditions of theatrical classics, there’s something for everyone. Now, Dr. Christopher Mason and his chamber choir troupe, Vox GR, may add choral singing to that list of springtime evening activities in West Michigan.

While looking for connection among local music practitioners following the pandemic, Mason began to find individuals who, like himself, were interested in bringing a premier, professional choral group to West Michigan. Mason had moved to the city in the fall of 2021, and, while a community of vocalists was already flourishing among the volunteer choirs in GR’s various churches and venues (including the ‘symphony chorus’ which regularly performs alongside the Grand Rapids Symphony Orchestra), there wasn’t already a dedicated group of amateur-professionals who could dedicate themselves to the careful mission of Vox GR; to enrich West Michigan through compelling performances.

“It creates a very concentrated and focused time period on the music,” Mason said. “Since the musicians are all professionals, they come with the music learned. They know the notes, they know the rhythms. They’re ready to make music together, so we get to the business of being an ensemble right from the very start.”

Graduates and voice teachers from several regional programs, including Calvin, Hope, Aquinas and Grand Valley State University, the singers of Vox GR come from all walks of life and therefore bring about an entirely unique sound from their limited group, which, when compared to teams of 50 or more (e.g. Chamber Choir of Grand Rapids), feels miraculously small.

“We focus on what’s called ‘chamber music,’ that’s music for a group about the size of ours—about 16 to 20 singers,” Mason said. “There’s repertoire specifically written for that kind of choir, which allows us to have singers at such a high skill level focused on collaborative, small-sized choral music.”

The group’s season-end performance is sure to be their most challenging yet, and Mason looks forward to showcasing an evening of intentional, thought-provoking choral music which shifts between genre, tone and time. Titled “Tongues Of Fire,” the concert is divided into five sets of multiple pieces, each leading directly into the other as Vox GR sings songs of divine love, love from afar, intimacy and friendship. The goal of the sets is to pull and contrast, creating an experience that feels varied and thematic. Mason considers this to be the hallmark of his group.

“For the audience members, I want them to hear music that’s beautiful, a little challenging to their ears and also familiar,” Mason said. “I tend to balance those things out within a larger theme.”

As for the name itself, Tongues Of Fire is in reference to one of the performance’s standout pieces: “Tongues Of Fire Mass” by Cecilia McDowall (one of Mason’s favorite living composers). In fact, many of the night’s pieces are from contemporary composers and artists, guaranteeing a novel

| by Zachary Avery

experience for those but the most music-savvy amongst us. As a point of preference, Mason made sure to state that he and his board of directors regularly seek out extraordinary auteurs in their field for the latest in chamber music and oftentimes arrive at new pieces that take them by surprise. For Mason, these are the exact pieces of music that Grand Rapidians should be experiencing for themselves.

“We want music that speaks to people in our modern audience, we want music that connects people with our community,” Mason said. “We’re currently looking at Michigan composers or issues that are focused on our particular region. There are some pieces about the Great Lakes. There’s a poet laureate in the area I’ve talked to about particular text for music. Those are long-range projects.”

Another way Vox GR employs community engagement is through their various forms of choral music education, including complementary voice lessons for Ottawa Hills High School students with community outreach coordinator and Vox GR member, Hannah DeBoer. The latest class of these students have even managed to receive

“Superior” rankings at their latest solo and ensemble festival and will be making plans to perform at a higher level. In addition to free tutoring, Vox GR considers their accessibility to the greater community through their ticketing, which boasts only a $15 student ticket for the upcoming GR performance and entirely free admittance in Holland. The concert will last approximately an hour and 15 minutes.

Still in their early infancy, come see the grand finale of Vox GR’s first full-season later this month—it may mark the start of another fantastic fine arts tradition for West Michigan. ■

TONGUES OF FIRE

Vox GR

227 E. Fulton St., Grand Rapids

May 18, 7:30 p.m.

voxgr.com

Vox GR. COURTESY PHOTOS

KEYS TO THE CITY: Gilmore Piano Festival Returns

| by John Kissane

The 2024 Irving S. Gilmore

International Piano Festival, as grand as its name implies, is back again with two weeks of legendary performances. It will feature more or less everyone and will take place everywhere and all of the time: 200+ musicians, 100+ events, and 26 venues.

Audiences will have the opportunity to hear music as quietly soul-stirring as Chopin’s 3rd Piano Sonata in B Minor, Op 58 (Ingrid Fliter) as fabulously caffeinated as the best classical-jazz fusion (Hiromi featuring PUBLIQuartet), and as brassy as whatever Patti Lupone wants to play. Of the festival, Pierre Van Der Westhuizen, Executive and Artistic Director of The Gilmore, says it’s the organization’s “crown jewel.”

He joined in 2018. His impression prior to joining was “of an organization whose members were deeply passionate. Every person here had a huge belief in the mission. And getting to interact with the artists and see the magnitude of this festival was thrilling and, really, surprising; to have something like this in a town the size of Kalamazoo!”

Planning the festival is a task on the order of Hercules slaying the Nemean lion; it can be done, but not easily. Given the nature of planning in the musical world, conversations with some of the artists slated to play took place five years ago.

And the work is ongoing; venues have to be staffed, artists driven, and more. Some 200 volunteers, looking to contribute to something meaningful, have given and are still giving their time to the festival.

Like the festival itself, those volunteers are spread out. While most of the events take place in Kalamazoo, the Gilmore extends its reach into ten other cities, including Grand Rapids, Battle Creek, Marshall, and more.

As vital as the broadness geographically is that of the music itself. “That’s vital,” Van Der Westhuizen said. “We want to inspire passion for piano music no matter where you’re coming from: jazz, classical, pop, indie pop…regardless, piano is there. It’s so critical to so many of these genres.”

Piano will be there on May 2nd at Bell’s Eccentric Cafe, in Kalamazoo, as the Gerald Clayton Trio takes the stage for two shows (as of this writing, the 6 PM show is sold out but tickets remain available for the 9 PM).

Clayton, a four-time Grammy nominee and son of bassist and composer John Clayton, brings a rhythmic, disciplined approach to his playing; it’s a joy to hear it.

Also on May 2nd, Loki Karuna will deliver a talk on activism in classical music at Kalamazoo’s Epic Center. A bassoonist, he found that his calling was

in using music to drive conversation and social change. He will discuss his life and history and will fling a gauntlet, or at least encourage others to imagine more than they otherwise might have.

On May 3rd, Through The Eyes of Yuja: A Road Movie will be screened at Kalamazoo Valley Museum’s Stryker Theater. The 2006 Gilmore Young Artist, Yuja Wang is on the road some 120 days a year, which is both a joy and a burden. Audience members will have the opportunity to learn her heart before they hear it (she plays Chenery Auditorium on May 8th).

The same day, Olga Kern, who directs her own piano competition (the Olga Kern International Piano Competition) plays Dalton Center Recital Hall at Western Michigan University. She’ll come bearing laurels; she was only 17 when she placed first in Rachmaninoff International Piano Competition, and, in 2001, won the gold medal at the 2001 Van Cliburn International Piano Competition, the first time a woman had done so in three decades.

On May 10th, Pink Martini, featuring vocalist China Forbes, will take to Western Michigan University’s Miller Auditorium. The band was formed years ago in Portland, Oregon, to, improbably, play political fundraisers. From such unpromising soil arose a sturdy plant with gorgeous flowers,

each petal of which is distinctly colored by jazz, classical, Latin, and more.

And there is, of course, Patti LuPone. An iconic figure on Broadway and beyond, Lupone closes the festival with A Life In Notes, an evening devoted to stories and music from her long and storied career. “What an opportunity,” Van Der Westhuizen said. “She’s performed on the world’s greatest stages. She’s an utmost professional. This will be a great experience.”

Presented here are, of course, only a fraction of the festival’s whole. No one person’s experience of the festival will be exactly the same; some might take in a show or two virtually, while others will be there in person as often as they can, eager to be in the room where the vibrations take place. What will link the experience of everyone who attends is exposure to a wealth of music, centered on a single instrument but expanding in all directions–a reminder, in the midst of a present that can sometimes seem mundane, that we, all of us, have access to glory: listen, there it is. ■

GILMORE PIANO FESTIVAL

359 S. Kalamazoo Mall, Kalamazoo April 24-May 12 thegilmore.org

(LtoR, Top to Bottom): Gabriel Kahane. PHOTO BY JASON QUIGLEY | Gabriela Montero Calidore Quartet, Delvon Lamarr, Nduduzo Makhathini, Benito Gonzalez. PHOTOS COURTESY OF GILMORE PIANO FESTIVAL

MAYARTSCalendar

It’s 2024 and arts organizations in West Michigan are thriving, with incredible, jam-packed seasons of art, conversations, fun and community involvement. This month, you can visit the theaters for big Broadway shows and intimate plays, listen to symphonies play the classics and modern pieces, and head to local museums for a variety of stunning art. Check it out. | by Revue Staff

ACTORS THEATRE

160 Fountain St. NE, Grand Rapids actorstheatregrandrapids.org

PARADISE LOST,  May 2-11

AVENUE FOR THE ARTS avenueforthearts.org

3RD THURSDAYS, May 16

BROADWAY GRAND RAPIDS

122 Lyon St. NW, Grand Rapids broadwaygrandrapids.com

WICKED, May 15-June 2

CENTRAL PARK PLAYERS

421 Columbus Ave., Grand Haven  centralparkplayers.org

SCHOOL HOUSE ROCK LIVE,  May 10-19

FARMERS ALLEY THEATRE KALAMAZOO

221 Farmers Alley, Kalamazoo farmersalleytheatre.com

SONDHEIM ON SONDHEIM, Apr. 25-May 12

FOREST HILLS FINE ARTS CENTER

600 Forest Hill Ave. SE, Grand Rapids fhfineartscenter.com

EASELS 9,  May 15-June 28

GRAND RAPIDS ART MUSEUM

101 Monroe Center, Grand Rapids artmuseumgr.org

BRICK BY BRICK: THE CREATIVE ART OF LEGO, Through May 19

WARRINGTON COLESCOTT: ATTACK ARTIST, Through June 23

MARIO MOORE: REVOLUTIONARY TIMES, Through Aug. 18

GRAND RAPIDS BALLET

341 Ellsworth Ave. SW, Grand Rapids  grballet.com

IN THE UPPER ROOM, Apr. 26-May 5

GRAND RAPIDS CIVIC THEATRE

30 N. Division Ave., Grand Rapids grct.org

AGATHA CHRISTIE’S MURDER ON THE ORIENT EXPRESS, Apr. 19-May 5

GRAND RAPIDS SYMPHONY

300 Ottawa Ave. NW Ste. 100, Grand Rapids grsymphony.org

MENDELSSOHN’S VIOLIN CONCERTO,  May 10-11

MAY THE FOURTH BE WITH YOU: STAR WARS & MORE!,  May 3-4

GILMORE THEATRE/WMU THEATRE

1903 W. Michigan Ave., Kalamazoo  wmich.edu/theatre

JULIUS CAESAR,  May 17-26

KALAMAZOO CIVIC THEATRE

329 S. Park St., Kalamazoo kazoocivic.com

CATCH ME IF YOU CAN, May 3-19

KALAMAZOO INSTITUTE OF ARTS

314 South Park St., Kalamazoo kiarts.org

KYUNGMI SHIN: A STORY TO FINDING US, Through May 12

KALAMAZOO SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA

359 Kalamazoo Mall Ste. 100, Kalamazo kalamazoosymphony.com

CRAFT MUSIC: GREAT AMERICAN SONGBOOK,  May 22

KENDALL COLLEGE OF ART & DESIGN

17 Fountain St. NW, Grand Rapids kcad.ferris.edu

MASTER OF ARCHITECTURE THESIS EXHIBITION, Through July 20

SONGS OF LOVE, WATERS OF LETHE, Through May 29

FORUM: RESEARCH-DRIVEN STUDENT WORK, Through July 20

2024 ANNUAL STUDENT EXHIBITION, Apr. 29-May 4

MILLER AUDITORIUM

2200 Auditorium Dr, Kalamazoo millerauditorium.com

ANNIE, May 6

MUSKEGON CIVIC THEATRE

425 W. Western Ave., Muskegon  muskegoncivictheatre.org

RAGTIME,  May 2-5

MUSKEGON MUSEUM OF ART

296 W. Webster Ave., Muskegon muskegonartmuseum.org

OLIVER JEFFERS: 15 YEARS OF PICTURING BOOKS, Through May 26

EXPRESSIONS, Through May 19

JOHN STEUART CURRY: WEATHERING THE STORM, Through Sept. 2

NEW VIC THEATRE

134 E. Vine St., Kalamazoo thenewvictheatre.org

JOHN & ABIGAIL, Apr. 26-May 11

SAUGATUCK CENTER FOR THE ARTS

400 Culver St., Saugatuck sc4a.org

MR. SOCIETY OF 23, Through May 17

RE-WILD, Through May 10

CORRIDOR: SHANNON MACK, Through May 10

ST. CECILIA MUSIC CENTER

24 Ransom Ave. NE, Grand Rapids  scmc-online.org

KENT PHILHARMONIC ORCHESTRA, May 3

STULBERG INTERNATIONAL STRING COMPETITION

359 S. Kalamazoo Mall, Kalamazoo stulberg.org

BACH PRIZE AWARD,  May 17

STULBERG FINALS,  May 18

THE GILMORE

359 S. Kalamazoo Mall, Kalamazoo thegilmore.org

THE GILMORE PIANO FESTIVAL 2024, April 24-May 12

WEST MICHIGAN SYMPHONY

360 W. Western Ave. Ste. 200, Muskegon  westmichigansymphony.org

RHAPSODY IN BLUE,  May 10