Revue West Michigan - June 2025

GO WILD: OUTDOOR ADVENTURES & FUN FOR ALL AGES

SEEKING THRILLS: WEST MICHIGAN'S MOST EXCITING EXPERIENCES

HEROES FOR HIRE: D&D IN GR

Attractions + Experiences

PLUS:

TABLE TALK: A RESTAURANT ROUNDTABLE

FESTIVAL GUIDE 2025

THE FRAY: HOW TO SAVE A BAND

JUMP INTO SUMMER AT SC4A

WHAT'S INSIDE

Photo: The Lost City, by Hannah Ziegeler Photography.

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

No offense to the solstice, but summer begins on Memorial Day as far as I’m concerned. Every year, the season flies by, so I’m determined to both stretch it out and fit in as much as I can. And that’s what this issue is all about—planning ways to enjoy your summer and the months beyond.

We have our Festival Guide, which includes everything from the Grand Rapids Asian-Pacific Festival downtown to the Burning Foot Beer Festival on Lake Michigan to the National Asparagus Festival in Hart. Personally, I’m curious about the National Baby Food Festival in Fremont.

Then we have suggestions for getting outdoors and exploring, whether it’s something more chill like putt-putt (depending how good you are), or a thrilling feat of bravery like skydiving—along with suggestions for the gamers among us, including the interactive storytelling of Dungeons & Dragons, which can be a great way to make new friends in town!

Also this month, we take a look at the ways so many eateries are struggling right now in our Restaurant Roundtable. Hear from the fine folks at Amore, The Sovengard, El Granjero and Terra about the struggles they’re facing, what they’re doing to push through, and how you can help. They’re well aware everyone’s budgets are tight lately, but if we want these cornerstones of community to stick around for when things turn the corner, we need to support them right now.

You’ll also find interviews with iconic bands like The Fray and The Avett Brothers, a guide on where (and why) to pick your own produce, and a look at some summer arts seasons.

Finally, we have the second round of Best of the West running June 2-20! If you want to support your favorite local spots and be part of the 10th Annual readers survey, which already received a record amount of votes in the first round, now’s your chance. Trust us when we say it means a lot to the winners every year. Plus, there’s no electoral college—a vote is a vote. Doesn’t that feel nice?

P.S. We’re now on TikTok @revue.wm, if you’re a fan of quick, fun videos that don’t rely on ragebait.

‘Til next time,

WHO'S WHO

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

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

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WHAT’S GOING ON, APR '25

6/2

FREE OUTDOOR SUMMER FITNESS SERIES

Downtown Grand Rapids

June 2-30 bit.ly/freeGRfitness

How do you like to get moving? Yoga? Zumba? Strength training? Barre? Line dancing? Grand Rapids Parks and Rec is offering all this and more—for FREE— every weekday this summer. No registration required, just drop in and have fun with the group. Head to Facebook or the city’s website for a full schedule of classes.

6/7

SUNSET CINEMA SERIES

Celebration Cinema Studio Park 111 Ionia Ave. SW, Grand Rapids

June 7-28 studioparkgr.com

Every summer, Studio Park in the heart of downtown Grand Rapids makes use of its outdoor piazza for free movie screenings. Movies start at 8 p.m. each Saturday—all you need to do is show up early with a blanket or low-rise camping chair to secure a spot. Feel free to bring snacks, and beverages are available for purchase. June’s lineup (as voted by locals) includes The Hunger Games , Mean Girls , Shrek and La La Land

EGR AFTER DARK

2215 Wealthy St. SE, Grand Rapids

June 7, 3-9 p.m. facebook.com/lionsandrabbits

Join for an unforgettable evening of creativity, community, and celebration in the heart of East Grand Rapids, featuring a creative artisan market, with a curated selection of handmade goods from talented local artists and makers; live performance art, including live painting, interactive art displays, and spontaneous street performances; local music and entertainment; food trucks, tasty treats and adult beverages; and fun for the whole family.

6/8

VINTAGE AND HANDMADE MARKETPLACE

Kalamazoo Farmers Market

1204 Bank St., Kalamazoo

June 8, 10 a.m.-5 p.m.

facebook.com/vintageinthezoo

This FREE, monthly, single-day outdoor true vintage & handmade market offers 60+ fresh and unique small businesses & entrepreneurs an opportunity to sell their goods at the Kalamazoo Farmers Market. Shop the region’s best small vendors while enjoying vinyl sounds from DJ Dan Steely. This juried outdoor market event features vendors offering true vintage clothing, furniture, housewares, antiques/ collectibles, and more.

6/12

CHRIS STAPLETON: ALL-AMERICAN ROAD SHOW

Van Andel Arena

130 W. Fulton, Grand Rapids

June 12-13

vanandelarena.com

If you love rock or country music, Chris Stapleton is probably on your radar. Stapleton won three awards at the CMA Awards this past fall, making him a 19-time CMA Award winner. His 2023 album, Higher, landed on several “Best of” lists. GQ declared, “In an age rife with division, he’s maybe the only thing Americans all agree on… one of the most reliable hit makers in music” and NPR Music proclaimed, “Higher puts him where he always really was—in that classic kind of rock and soul, Tom Petty, Eagles, going beyond the confines of the genre.”

6/14

THE LAVENDER FAULT: A PRIDE PARTY & CABARET

The Pyramid Scheme 68 Commerce Ave. SW, Grand Rapids

June 14, 8 p.m. pyramidschemebar.com

Join Betka-Pope Productions as they unlock The Lavender Vault, a variety show of vices created for, and by, the queer community. Guests are welcome to mingle, dance, and enjoy the immersive atmosphere while pop-up cabaret performances and other surprises surround you throughout the night. Celebrate Pride Month and support local artists at this uniquely entertaining party where dressing in lavender is encouraged.

6/15

THE GASLIGHT ANTHEM

The Intersection

133 Cesar E. Chavez Ave. SW, Grand Rapids June 15, 7 p.m. sectionlive.com

Since coming together in 2007, The Gaslight Anthem has forged its own powerful, populist sound, marrying their punk roots with rich craft and raw emotional power to create a soulful, exhilarating, and utterly unique vision of rock ‘n’ roll. Today, their sixth full-length and first new album in almost a decade, History Books, once again brings their soulful breed of life-affirming punk to explore everything from mortality to mental illness. Hailed by the AP as “big-hearted freeway rock,” the title track features vocals from longtime band champion and fellow New Jerseyan Bruce Springsteen.

6/20

SAL VULCANO

DeVos Performance Hall

303 Monroe Ave. NW, Grand Rapids June 20, 7 p.m. devosperformancehall.com

Staten Island native Sal Vulcano is best known for creating and starring in truTV’s long-running hit “Impractical Jokers,” plus the “The Misery Index” on TBS. In addition to performing as part of The Tenderloins Comedy Troupe to sold-out arenas, Sal founded the No Presh Network in 2020, hosting “Hey Babe!” and “Taste Buds” podcasts. Sal’s debut solo comedy special ‘Terrified’ was released in May 2024 on YouTube.

6/21

ADULT PROM: DOWN THE RABBIT HOLE

SILVA

975 Ottawa Ave. NW, Grand Rapids June 21, 7 p.m. silvagr.com

Get ready to step through the looking glass at this year’s Alice in Wonderland-themed Adult Prom! Join for an unforgettable night of enchantment at The Big Room at SILVA. Dress to impress in your finest prom wear, whether you’re channeling your inner Queen of Hearts, Mad Hatter, or coming as your most magical self. Enjoy a live DJ spinning dance-worthy tracks all night; themed performances that will transport you straight into Wonderland; delicious bites and curated cocktails.

6/22

SUMMER KALAMAZOO BIZARRE BAZAAR

Bell’s Eccentric Café 355 E. Kalamazoo Ave., Kalamazoo June 22, 11 a.m.-5 p.m. events.bellsbeer.com

Mark your calendar for handmade local art, crafts, beer, food and fun in the sun! Join more than 20 local artists and makers at the Bell’s Brewery Garden. Vendors will include jewelry, fiber art, ceramics, pottery, clothing/ accessories, beauty/wellness, painting, illustration, and more.

6/24

CHICAGO - THE BAND

Miller Auditorium

1341 Theatre Dr., Kalamazoo June 24, 7:30 p.m.

millerauditorium.com

Hailed as one of the “most important bands in music since the dawn of the rock and roll era,” the legendary rock and roll band with horns has released nearly 30 studio albums along with multiple live albums, having never missed a year of touring since founding in 1967. Come see them in their 58th consecutive year of touring at Kalamazoo’s Miller Auditorium!

6/27

AN EVENING WITH THE AVETT BROTHERS

Wings Event Center

3600 Vanrick Dr., Kalamazoo 6/27, 7:30 p.m.

wingseventcenter.com

Hailing from North Carolina, The Avett Brothers have spent nearly two decades perfecting the art of heartfelt, genre-blending storytelling. With their signature mix of bluegrass, folk, rock, and a dash of raw Americana, they create soul-stirring anthems that range from foot-stomping barn burners to introspective ballads. Enjoy an intimate performance with the brothers at Wings Event Center.

THE FRAY IS BACK

GLC Live at 20 Monroe

11 Ottawa Ave. NW, Grand Rapids June 27, 7 p.m. glcliveat20monroe.com

In 2002, The Fray emerged from Denver with a gift for turning raw emotion into anthemic piano-driven rock. Known for their heart-rending lyrics and soaring melodies, the band captured hearts with hits like “How to Save a Life” and “Over My Head,” songs that blend vulnerability with cinematic grandeur. After a decade-long break from releasing new music, the band returned with an EP, The Fray Is Back, featuring new lead singer Joe King.

LOOKING FOR EVEN MORE EVENTS?

From Stages to Sunlit Kitchens: THE AVETT BROTHERS' JOURNEY TO REDISCOVERY

| by Michaela Stock

For Seth Avett–one half of the folk-rock duo

The Avett Brothers–there’s no such thing as an ordinary day.

“Right now, I’m sitting at the kitchen table,” said Avett as he spoke to Revue “The curtains are pulled back just a little, not all the way, but enough for the room to be completely filled with gray sunlight. It’s a little bit overcast, but it’s stunning. It’s very normal and very regular, but if I will allow myself, I can be newly inspired right now.”

Born in Charlotte, North Carolina, Seth and his sibling Scott formed The Avett Brothers 25 years ago. Since 2000, the duo has had four Grammy nominations, six top-five albums on Billboard, and amassed more than 300 million streams across their five most-played Spotify tracks.

While the numbers exemplify his achievements, Avett’s measurement for success speaks far beyond metrics.

“Is there such a thing as a typical day? Would I want one if I knew how to define it?” asked Avett. “The target’s always moving.”

Lately, his target has focused on finding a sense of balance within himself.

“Home life is radically different from touring life. There’s already this built in partitioning, or compartmentalizing, that happens,” Avett said. “I’m always looking to solve the same things every day, and I often feel like I’m starting from scratch trying to figure out how to solve

them, while at the same time letting things be as they are and not be too in love with the process. To just be okay with being who I am and where I am.”

Avett has sought balance in various forms over his life and career, but his findings shifted most dramatically when he became a father to his 10-year-old son, Isaac.

“In spending time with Isaac, there’s that eternal, hilarious process of rediscovery,” Avett said. “Somehow, the things that you thought you already understood are made brand new. You’re being hit in the face with the reality that you don’t know the things that you think you know.”

This constant realization has radicalized Avett’s songwriting.

“Having Isaac was this great lightning bolt. It was just like when people fertilize their fields with nitrogen and it makes the grass crazy green, it was like that across the entire field of my life experience. It has to be the most impactful influence on my art making. His birth just has to be.”

In this, Avett has also discovered that he doesn’t have to look far to find things worth writing about.

“I find myself fooling myself into thinking that I need some new external stimulus to break open some new idea, to break open a melody that I haven’t found yet, or a phrase that somehow breaks the truth open in a way that I haven’t thought of,” Avett said.

“But a lot of it just comes down to knowing yourself

and finding out what’s in those corners, what’s behind those masks, and to reveal those parts without fear.”

Luckily for Avett, he isn’t predisposed to fear.

“I don’t consider myself a very fearful person. I don’t really look for it,” he said. “Which is not to say that I don’t have leanings toward the darkness, or things that can trip me up or sabotage my own productivity, or constructiveness. It’s just that fear is not a natural place for me. I can be afraid, but I don’t lead with that.”

Fear takes on a different shape through his son’s eyes, however. As Isaac’s childhood progresses, Avett has started to re-experience life’s hardships with him–puzzling together a new reality for both of them.

“At 10 years old, it’s all flooding in. All of the dark of the world is flooding in. It’s becoming a more realistic thing that there is war. People can be inconsiderate, and selfish, and thoughtless,” said Avett.

“To have this little person, this soul that you love so much for so many reasons, not because of who they are, but because of what they’ve broken open inside of you, what they’ve born in you, and what they killed in you. There is a hard hit in the chest of like, ‘Okay, it’s not your story anymore.’”

While Avett knows that every child eventually grows up, the thought of Isaac’s independence has set grief in motion for something he

The Fray: HOW TO SAVE A BAND

| by Eric Mitts

has yet to lose.

“If you’re going by the generally American template where, at around age 18, perhaps the kid is moving out, when you’re at age 10, you’re like, ‘Oh man, there’s less to go than we’ve already done.’ You just take it for granted, to have family so close.”

Avett sometimes finds the idea of his son no longer living at home to be overwhelming. “If I had to dial in a fear, it would be what it feels like when that absence becomes a reality.”

But today, Avett’s perspective from his kitchen window in North Carolina brings him the peace and creativity he needs to carry on both his legacy of fatherhood and his half of The Avett Brothers.

“I’m looking out, and there’s a little crow out on the fence. And it’s just busying itself, hopping from one slot down to the lowest slot of this fence. A Toyota Camry is driving by. And I can see a bunch of new wildflowers.”

It’s apparent that if there is a balance to be found in this version of his life, he isn’t far from it.

“All of it is wrapped up in whatever the now is,” Avett said. “The power of now. It’s a real thing.” ■

AN EVENING WITH THE AVETT BROTHERS

Wings Event Center

3600 Vanrick Dr., Kalamazoo

June 27, 7:30 p.m. wingseventcenter.com

Nearly a decade after their last album together, multi-platinum pop-rock band The Fray weren’t dead, but it’s safe to say they were on life support.

Beloved for their 2005 debut album How To Save A Life , the Grammy-nominated Colorado band had announced that they had parted ways with lead singer Isaac Slade in 2022, after officially going on hiatus in 2019, and going into lockdown during the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020.

“We really had a couple years of soul searching and discussing and planning, on the heels of Isaac leaving the band,” The Fray drummer and principal member Ben Wysocki told Revue . “We played a couple shows here and there, like there were some private shows and this random one in Busch Gardens, and a couple of low profile shows. But last fall, we started the tour in Washington, D.C., and the first show back was really surreal. Like, none of us really knew what to expect, to be honest. We were excited to be back in front of people, and we hoped the fans were too. But that first show just really blew our minds. We felt super grateful to even just be able to be stepping back on stage again in front of fans, in front of a full room. That’s an honor anyways. Here we are 20 years into the game after some bumps in the road, and it was incredible.”

Wysocki, along with fellow principal members vocalist/guitarist Joe King and lead guitarist Dave Welsh, decided to carry on without Slade. Instead, the band opted for King to take over on lead vocals. Having worked as co-songwriter and backing vocalist since the very beginning, the band knew that King’s voice was always at the core of The Fray, but didn’t know how fans would respond to the change.

What they found was life-affirming and inspiring: full audience singalongs night after night, tears from emotional fans in the front row, and multiple generations sharing in the love of their music.

“When you start a band, and when you’re in a band, so much of it is self-promotion,” Wysocki said. “You talk about yourself all the time. There’s pictures of you, you’re on stage. But when the songs have taken on a life of their own, songs like ‘How to Save a Life’ or ‘You Found Me,’ or even ‘Look After You,’ people have a relationship with the songs that have nothing to do with us. We are just kind of the vehicle to get this song to these people. And

The Avett Brothers.

PHOTO COURTESY OF CRACKER FARM

it’s really humbling and amazing. There’s a lot to be said for that as far as art in general goes, like the separation between the creation and the creator as being completely different things. But I don’t think we had any idea what any of that meant when we were starting, because we were just teenagers in a band, right? You know, and then the music became something so much bigger.”

One of the things that exploded The Fray’s music came when the song “How To Save A Life” featured prominent placement in the perpetually popular ABC medical drama “Grey’s Anatomy.”

The song’s association with the show has served as a gateway for countless fans to find the band’s music, even though it came back at a time when that wasn’t as common of a move for bands as it is today.

“I’d like to think that we had a lot of wisdom in that, but there was no way to know what that was going to do,” Wysocki said. “I think for us it was just like, ‘Oh this show that seemingly is very popular wants to use your song.’ And we’re like, OK, that’s cool. Back then we definitely had this filter of, if something isn’t totally embarrassing, [that's fine], or the association to the story that our music’s being used with still has to be something that we felt like would represent us. But that was at a time where our music was being licensed to a lot of different things. Like, it was in a Transformers movie, and it was on all these different TV shows. And so we didn’t really know that ‘Grey’s Anatomy’ was going to become such a bigger thing for us. We had no idea. Looking back with hindsight now, there is something to be said for being open and trusting the team around you, because as artists, there’s only so much that we really know, and so you just have to stay flexible and not get in your own way.”

Following their instincts, The Fray released their first new record in a decade with the release of the EP “The Fray Is Back” last fall. Their first new music since the release of the single “Singing Low” off their 2016 greatest hits compilation Through The Years: The Best of The Fray, it was a culmination of songs left from an

unfinished album, and new creative work from the now trio.

“We’d been holding our breath for a while, and then when the three of us decided to make new music again, we exhaled all of this stuff,” Wysocki said. “There’s certain songs on that EP that feel like very much like a Fray song, very second nature, very natural to us… And then certainly some other songs that represent a whole new expression. A song like ‘Angeleno Moon, or ‘Time Well Wasted.’ Those feel different. Like a different voice, a different creative shape.”

In between shows, The Fray are in the studio hashing out more new music, exploring new sounds and new spaces, as they continue to head in a new direction.

The band will also continue to reconnect with their past when they celebrate the 20th Anniversary of How To Save A Life later this year.

“Just after we come to Grand Rapids, we’re going to officially start the anniversary tour,” Wysocki said. “And so we’ve been digging out some old songs from that first record that we haven’t played in a while. About half of the album we have been playing a lot, over the course of our career, but the other half not as much. We’ve been digging out some of those, and dusting them off, and re-familiarizing ourselves. And so there’s a kind of muscle memory when we play these songs because they’re so ingrained somewhere way back in there. But then at the same time we’re grown men now with so much life and love and loss and experience and mistakes and triumphs, and all this life that we’ve lived since the birth of these songs, that now to play them is totally different.” ■

THE FRAY – THE FRAY IS BACK 2025

GLC Live at 20 Monroe, 11 Ottawa Ave. NW, Grand Rapids

June 27, 7 p.m. doors, 8 p.m. show, $53+, All Ages thefray.com, Glcliveat20monroe.com

The Fray. COURTESY PHOTO

ETHEREAL: Existential Crisis on the Dance Floor

| by Eric Mitts

Embracing the ever-growing tension between the physical and digital worlds, Grand Rapids electro pop duo Ethereal hopes their music makes people get outside and dance.

Back in 2016, vocalist Jules Camp and producer/multi-instrumentalist Arden Toler started with just a bedroom, a computer, and a microphone.

Toler had been making beats since high school, and eventually sent over a few to Camp, who had written some intensely personal lyrics.

“We had so much music we didn’t know what to do with, and we were like, we should probably pick a name,” Camp said about officially starting as Ethereal in 2019. “So we did that, and then it just kind of spiraled into what it is today.”

Meaning “extremely delicate and light in a way that seems too perfect for this world,” Ethereal as a word sounded just like why they were making music.

“A lot of what we do is about going outside, healing, unplugging yourselves, getting off screens, all of that,” Camp said. “A little bit lighter of a world. So, that’s what we were making music for, so people can just drop all that heavy stuff.”

Influenced by the indie electronica world, Ethereal’s music engages that contrast, recognizing the limitless tools of technology, and how it can simultaneously bring people together, while tearing them apart.

“We want people to have a good time,” Toler said. “Sometimes it’s happy beat, sad lyrics, which is a fun mix. It’s like

you’re dancing, but you’re also having an existential crisis.”

“When we first started making music, every song I wrote was just depressing,” Camp added about how their music has changed. “It was just sad. And it was about a lot of past relationships I’d had. And then it took a little bit of digging deeper and seeing that there’s so much more to talk about, and there’s so much more, especially in this community, that I think needs to be touched on, like just having more time going outside, and just spending more time with the people you love.”

Like many new acts born around the time of the pandemic, Ethereal existed online initially out of necessity. But as soon as restrictions started to lift, they shifted away from SoundCloud to playing live shows.

“Our first live show, we played Skelletones with like, sludge metal bands,” Toler said. “Which was weird, but it worked out, I think, in the end.”

“When we were first booking, there were only maybe two or three other electronic acts like us,” Camp added. “Now there’s at least 10, which is amazing because the community has grown quite a lot.”

Growing up Camp studied violin, and then later picked up guitar and drums, and kept on singing while playing in punk bands all throughout high school. Ethereal was the first time she had really performed without an instrument in front of her, which felt weird at first, but has since allowed her to connect more closely with the audience.

Toler learned how to play piano at seven, and kept taking lessons throughout high school. From a musical family, he said his mom has a Master’s Degree in oboe, and his grandfather was a composer and director of the Central Michigan University orchestra and symphony. So he has been surrounded by music his entire life.

He turned to digital beat making on his computer at 15, and learned the basics from “professor YouTube” as he developed the home studio the duo still uses now.

“The times have been changing with music production,” Toler said. “There’s just so many new instruments and synthesizers that come out, and effects and plugins. It’s been a fun journey… especially for live shows. It’s always interesting to figure out how I can integrate more things into what I’m doing live, which is a challenge.”

They started to take things more

seriously after the release show for their first album, Mind Your Ceilings , at The Moon (323 Straight Ave. SW), the creative production studio in Grand Rapids, back in 2021.

“It sold out, and that was our first time where we were like, ‘OK, wow, people really do want to hear this,’” Camp said. “It’s not just us messing around anymore. So we were really excited about that, and just kept going after that.”

Earlier this year Ethereal earned even more validation, making it all the way to the final round of the annual Battle of the Bands at The Stray.

The duo said their most memorable show to date is still the first time they played The Pyramid Scheme with former electronic duo Pink Sky. Watching that group very closely, they learned a lot, and are now very excited to headline The Pyramid Scheme themselves on June 27 for the release of their second album, Yonder.

“There’s definitely some songs that we’ve been working on for almost two years now,” Toler said. “And then some really new songs that I’ve just made, like a month ago. So it’s definitely a big mix.”

The album will also feature a couple surprise guests joining them that the pair didn’t want to spoil just yet.

“We do everything ourselves, and it’s nice because it’s not a 10-piece band,” Camp said. “It’s a lot more concise, a lot less overwhelming than that. So recording is honestly like a therapeutic space.”

When comparing their new album to their first, Toler said it’s got a bouncier vibe.

“It’s a lot more in-depth,” Camp added. “The beats are a lot more complex, and they play along more with the lyrics. Some of the beats and some of the drops I’ve kind of written around them to make them more impactful, which I think has really made a difference. We’ve played two of the new songs live now, and people seem to really connect with it.” ■

ETHEREAL

Yonder Album Release

Wsg. deadbeatdad, Pesky Kid, Anthony Erlandson

The Pyramid Scheme, 68 Commerce SW, Grand Rapids June 27, 7 p.m., $10, All Ages Pyramidschemebar.com, etherealsounds.bandcamp.com

LAURIE KILMARTIN: Laughing at Death and Slaying Onstage

| by Eric Mitts

The further away comedian Laurie Kilmartin gets from writing on every season of “Conan” on TBS, the more she realizes Conan O’Brien saved her life.

“I was a single mom of a 3-year-old, and I was thinking of moving back in with my parents when I got the call,” Kilmartin said of starting on “Conan” back in 2010. “Writing on ‘Conan’ was 11 years of my life. It was huge. I learned so much about comedy, writing, how to be part of a group as opposed to a solo act. Also, I laughed a lot! If you watch Conan’s podcast, that’s exactly how he is as a boss too. Always busting balls, riffing. I laughed so much during our meetings.”

An Emmy-nominated and WGA Awardwinning writer, Kilmartin teamed up with O’Brien again when he hosted The Oscars earlier this year, and currently she is working on another late night show.

“I just started and I don’t want to jinx it, so I’m keeping mum until they renew my contract,” she said. “Late night contracts are 14 weeks at a time, so I’m on my ‘audition’ contract. This is a network show – ‘Conan’ was on TBS – so I’m marveling at the hugeness of the operation.”

She said she had the same feeling at The Oscars, where they worked with an ABC/ Disney budget, which was much more than they ever had working on TBS.

“I pitched an Oscar idea for an ad parody called, ‘Cinema Streams,’ and when I showed up to the taping, it was like a movie set,” she said. “Massive lighting gear, tons of cameras. Also, Martin Scorsese agreed to appear in it. Unreal. So, working for a network is a different scale. And it’s fun to learn a new system, and a new voice. Mostly, I love to write jokes on a deadline, it really gets my brain popping, and this show loves lots of jokes, on lots of deadlines. I’m so happy.”

Although her standup is all about her and the audience – while late night monologue jokes are typically topical – she says that writing on deadline, and editing jokes for TV, is great training, and has made her a better writer overall.

In addition to her work on TV, Kilmartin is also the New York Times Bestselling author of 2012’s “Sh*tty Mom: The Parenting Guide for the Rest of Us,” and 2018’s “Dead People Suck,” which she wrote following the death of her father to

lung cancer.

Having live Tweeted jokes from her father’s hospice room during his final days, which led to her 2017 special “45 Jokes About My Dead Dad,” Kilmartin has become known for not shying away from dark humor. And right from the opening of her latest special, “Cis Woke Grief Slut” (now available on Amazon, Apple TV, and YouTube), she goes just as dark, detailing her mother’s death from COVID-19.

“I think I’ve always had an inclination towards dark humor, but it takes a certain amount of stage experience to pull it off,” Kilmartin said. “I prefer to get laughs not ‘ooos.’ Anyone can get an ‘ooo’ on a dark joke. I really strive for a laugh, and that comes from decades of stage time. I’d say, no matter what kind of a comedian you are, your first big death will change you, forever. After a parent dies, you look at your dating material and think, who cares? That experience will pull you to a different place, for sure.”

She doesn’t lean into the darkness just for the shock of it. As someone who has experienced grief, she knows how painful the process is, and feels that humor can play a big part in making it easier.

“I think humor was created so we could deal with death,” she said. “How else are you supposed to accept the death of someone you love? If you don’t joke about it, at some point, you will lose your mind, it’s too terrible! All the comedy about other stuff is just practice, so you can laugh at death one day.”

A working single mom, Kilmartin has been in the thick of it for 18 years now, raising her son alongside her comedy and writing career, and she can’t even describe how hard it’s been.

“I see the careers of male comics and writers who have wives at home, doing all the hard work for them, and I have to turn my brain off or I’ll start screaming,” she said. “I think I’ll have a better sense of things when my son starts college next year, and I’m off the clock. I wonder what I’ll think about when my head is not filled with motherly things.”

Women’s issues and women’s rights have long been a part of Kilmartin’s comedy, and her joke on abortion when appearing on MSNBC following the overturning of Roe v. Wade in 2022 led to her “accidentally” going viral when Fox News re-aired the clip and attacked her for it.

“We’re all just data points for these media organizations, all of them,” she said. “MSNBC created that clip and fed it to Fox, they are yin and yang. MSNBC got their clicks, then Fox got its own clicks when Sean Hannity, Lara Trump and the now Attorney General Pam Bondi spent an entire segment trashing me. To paraphrase George Carlin, it’s one big club, and we ain’t in it.”

Not one to push through that partisan

divide, Kilmartin said her comedy isn’t so much about bringing differing opinions together as it is about offering a release from it all.

“I don’t know that comedy can cut through a divide,” she said. “I do know that live comedy can make you laugh for a night, forget stuff for a night, and a good belly laugh can lighten the load for a few hours. That’s my offer to you, a couple good belly laughs, and a lightened load.” ■

LAURIE KILMARTIN

Dr. Grins Comedy Club, 20 Monroe Ave. NW, Grand Rapids June 5-7, 8 p.m. Thursday, 7:15 and 9:45 Friday and Saturday, $11.95-$21.95, 18 and older (9:45 shows 21 and older) Lauriekilmartin.com, thebob.com/drgrins

Laurie Kilmartin. PHOTO BY BRUCE SMITH

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

TAKE YOUR PICK

| by Allison Kay Bannister

Summer has no shortage of things to do outside, but, arguably one of the more rewarding activities is going to u-pick farms. You get something tangible for your effort, and it typically costs a lot less than going to a store, where someone else has done the work for you. Plus, everything is hyper-fresh and local, which can’t be beat. I caught the u-pick bug as a kid and carried it through into adulthood. And now that I’m also somewhat fanatical about making homemade preserves and fermented beverages, procuring my own fruit just makes sense. I decided for this month’s Get Out to share my favorite places to go throughout the season.

Strawberries are the first to crop up, usually in early June, depending on what the spring weather brings us. Krupp Farms in Comstock Park is my usual go-to, but Ed Dunneback & Girls in Alpine Township is a runner up. Krupp is a no-nonsense experience, while Dunneback has a little more robust offering, if you want to stick around and grab some food or a treat at the farm market. kruppfarms.com | dunnebackgirls.com

Raspberry and strawberry seasons sometimes overlap in late June/early July, and that’s a rare opportunity for me to make blended jam. When the planets align like this, I will rearrange my schedule to make something happen. Krupp is once again my choice, but I also like Blok Orchard in Ada, which has summer and fall crops. And, my absolute fave, but only a late-season spot—usually about mid-August through early October—is Trapp’s Berry Farm . They not only have coveted golden raspberries, but Brian, the proprietor, is one of the nicest people to chat with. blokorchard.com | trappsberryfarm.com

July also brings sweet and tart cherries, and I often use the 4th as a holiday to my advantage. I used to pick both varieties, but there really can be too much of a good thing, so now I focus on tarts. Once picked, they require some urgency—especially if you’ve had them pitted. Which is what brings me to Rasch Cherry & Apple Market in Conklin. Because they have a turn-of-last-century pitting machine! There’s also Robinette’s , which is much closer to home for me, so I’ll hit them in a pinch. One year they had u-pick apricots and I nearly died of excitement. raschcherryapplemarket.com | robinettes.com

Blueberries—everyone’s favorite super fruit—start in about mid-July and usually run through mid-August. I like Grange Fruit Farm in Rockford for u-pick blueberries, but there’s also Bird Berry Farm in Belding. I almost always miss blueberry season, so I don’t have much else to say about it! Find them both on Facebook.

Something I didn’t discover until recently is that u-pick flowers are a thing. Flowers are one of the biggest gifts from Mother Nature, in my opinion. Cut flowers start in about mid-July and most times run well into September. Bremer Produce in Hudsonville and Deep Roots Produce are tied for my top spots, and I go to each of them at least a couple times a summer because it’s a budget-friendly way to always have a fresh vaseful to brighten up the house. Both farms have huge zinnia and sunflower fields, plus a variety of other showy blooms. bremerproduce.com | deeprootsproduce.farm

Peaches are up next, and I mostly only see them in August. Crane Orchards in Fennville is a great spot for picking, plus just down the road is Crane’s Pie Pantry Restaurant & Winery so you make a whole afternoon out of it. Farmhaus Farms off Kenowa Ave SW (formerly Moelker Orchards) is another sweet spot for u-pick peaches. And, they’re in the same family as Farmhaus Cider which makes me love them just a little more. craneorchards.com | farmhausfarms.com

Just like that, summer’s almost over and apples hit the scene. The earliest varieties are ready in late August and some go all the way into October and November. There are a lot of different types of apples, so you need to pay attention to the ones you like so you go at the right time. Many of the places I’ve already mentioned have u-pick apples, including Dunneback, Blok, Rasch, Robinette’s, Farmhaus, and Crane. I’m sure I’ve missed a lot, but these are the ones I like the most, and they all have their own draws. ■

SOME THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE YOU GO: You’re going to want sunscreen, bug repellant, and a water bottle for hydration. Dress in something that will keep you cool and you don’t care if it ends up fruit stained. It happens! I always bring wipes and sanitizer to clean my hands after I’ve just coated myself in repellant and sunscreen, so I don’t transfer that to what I’ve picked. You may also need to bring your own container. Definitely, definitely check their sites or Facebook pages so you know their schedule and don’t waste a trip if they’re picked out or closed for weather or other reasons.

A R ESTAUR A N T R OUNDTA B L E A R RUATSE A N T R ATDNUO B L E TABLE TALK | by

Josh Veal

What are the biggest challenges you all are facing right now?

JENNA: The thing that used to be our issue was staffing. Now, that’s not an issue, because there’s no jobs, so we are keeping all of our staff. The problem is getting people off of their couches, off their cell phones and into the doors. It’s also hard because of the supply chain—we had to raise our prices. Plus, the new law that came into effect has made it so a lot of us need to find extra money somewhere for the PTO. If you’ve seen seven or eight restaurants close within a week, it’s because they were looking ahead and saying, “We don’t even have that in our account.” As much as they kept telling us it was going to happen, restaurants weren’t ready fiscally for an extra 40 grand.

So, what do you do? Do you add it to your menu prices? I’ve seen people put a fee on the bottom of their checks that’s 4%, and they say it’s a so-and-so fee. That pisses people off. No matter what we do, it’s going to piss people off, but they need to realize that we are purchasing food, cooking the food, prepping the food, serving the food, cleaning up. But it’s a luxury to for many people to go out, and we understand that. I made a big post a few months ago when Rockwell Republic closed and four or five other places closed, and we had a really slow night. And I said, “Hey, tonight we had 19 people in here. I employ 14. So, four more than our employees were here tonight. What’s going on?” The comments on that were super interesting. I also talked about how it affects the local economy in other ways, where our food reps aren’t making money if we’re not

Local restaurants are struggling, to say the least. If you’ve seen your grocery bills skyrocket in recent times, just imagine theirs—and then add on payroll, equipment, rent, utilities, certifications, licenses, furniture, tableware, and on and on.

Of course, these expenses have always existed for eateries, but inflation and supply chain issues paired with a population that increasingly chooses to stay in over going out means hard times. The beginning of 2025 saw a slew of beloved eateries shutter, while others, like Amore, took to social media to ask for support.

That’s why we decided to have a roundtable with just a few of the many amazing local restaurant owners in West Michigan, talking about the challenges they’re facing, what they’re doing to survive and thrive, and why it’s all worth it. Here’s just a portion of our illuminating conversation, held at Terra.

PARTICIPANTS:

Paola Mendivil, Co-Owner, El Granjero

Rick Muschiana, Co-Owner, The Sovengard

Jenna Arcidiacono, Owner, Amore Trattoria Italiana

Clark Frain, Director of Operations , Terra

buying food from them, and it’s a whole cycle. I think that opened people’s eyes, and they’re like, “Oh, we better go out.”

RICK: It’s funny, when you posted that, we had a similar, really bad night. There seems to be this ebb and flow with the way that customers are choosing to go out and when they come in, and it’s really hard to crack that code and be ready for it.

JENNA: And to staff for it. You don’t know what to do.

RICK: Yeah, you have full-timers there five days a week, and you end up with a day where you’re upside down on sales versus payroll. But you need them, because you know you’re gonna get busy on Friday and Saturday. But yeah, I definitely felt your pain.

PAOLA: It’s been hard because during the pandemic, we saw a lot of restaurants struggle as well, and so many close permanently at that point. And in the Latino community, what we saw was that families, to continue having income, started selling food from home. At the beginning, I was excited. But it’s been five years now, and they continue to do that. So now, that’s not our only competition, and they don’t have that overhead expense. It’s up to them whether or not they decide to structure and become a business, and start getting those critical steps and support from like, the Health Department.

RICK: Yeah, and all that has a cost to it. Every single thing that you have to do, to be certified by the Health Department, by the city, by the MLCC to serve alcohol,

that all has a fee stamped to it. Plus, just the equipment, processes and procedures alone to start a commercial kitchen, even a small one.

Do you find that the fees are being applied consistently?

JENNA: No, everyone’s doing it different. And we don’t want it to be confusing for our guests. We want to be honest about it, but they also have to be understanding, and that’s where the issue may be.

RICK: I think there can be a sentiment where people are kind of directing the anger and the frustration towards the restaurant. Like, “Oh, they’re already making all of this money.” But I think --

GROUP: [LAUGHTER]

RICK: Exactly. There’s no perspective on what it is really like on the other side of the fence for small, independent business owners. Nobody’s making a million bucks. If you make 5% margins as a restaurant, you’re doing pretty good.

We’ve heard quite a few people complain about rising costs.

JENNA: Well, because their salary hasn’t gone up, but prices have. They’re getting the same amount of money per week, and then when grocery prices go up every couple months, they’re realizing they can’t make ends meet. Since I have a nonprofit [Food Hugs], I am getting so many requests to help with food right now.

PAOLA: The consumer behavior right now, you just don’t know how long it’s gonna be, so you’re kind of cutting all expenses. So, we see customers like, “No, I’ll pass.” Or from the restaurants, we see “$10 dinner specials.” At the end of the day, your bill is not gonna be $10, but that’s maybe attractive just to get people in the door.

JENNA: Or they’re just going to fast food, but when I look at fast food bills, it’s not cheap anymore. And the quality of the food that we are serving is homemade, with fewer preservatives and less of fake everything. I would love to be able to express that. You can come to us, where we make everything from scratch, we peel the potatoes, we cut the onions—or you can go somewhere the onions have been sitting frozen. If you’re going to choose one or the other, local is going to be better for your body, and the dollar difference isn’t that much.

CLARK: But using local ingredients is more expensive. If you wanted to get a case of something from a big distributor, or use the local farm, in most cases, you’re going to pay more with the local farmer. For the quality.

RICK: And it’s well-documented how local money stays circulated within the economy, versus corporate. Our mutual friend, Chris Andrus, co-owner of The Mitten, had a really poignant post a couple weeks ago. He felt like this was brewing for five years or more. Part of it is COVID, part of it is social, definitely political, definitely economical. It almost feels like this perfect storm that’s all colliding right now, and that really leads to shaky consumer confidence. Even if you’re in that middle income bracket, you’re probably looking at what’s happening, and what’s the first thing to go? It’s usually the affordable luxuries of coffee, going out to eat, things like that.

JENNA: Yeah, exactly. We’ve turned into a place that is for celebrations, right? Birthday, anniversary, graduations. But can that hold?

CLARK: It’s great for the weekends, but what about Tuesday?

JENNA: Right! And we can’t dumb ourselves down either, because those deals she mentioned, that means we’re making less than we were really supposed to be making. So, we can’t do a two-for-one. As much as West Michigan loves a coupon, we don’t have the luxury of being able to be cheaper. Continued on page 20...

... continued from page 19.

CLARK: I feel like there’s an oversaturation of what we’re doing in this small town. I mean, Grand Rapids is a “big city” if you’re talking about Kentwood, Wyoming and the outside areas, but the breweries got oversaturated, then they started having a lot of problems, and with cannabis too, it’s like, holy cow, there’s one in my neighborhood now?

JENNA: But here’s the thing, when you’re smoking weed or have a gummy, don’t you get hungry?

CLARK: Well, they do DoorDash.

JENNA: Speaking of, things like thirdparty delivery aren’t worth it for us as a restaurant either. We don’t even do it.

RICK: Same here.

CLARK: We got on third-party. We had to.

JENNA: You did? It’s so expensive.

CLARK: Well, what you pay for a Margherita Pizza on third-party is not what you’re going to pay for the Margherita Pizza when you come in. We adjust our prices for the margin markup. I don’t want to. We do woodfire pizza—I mean, our pizza is great when it’s in front of you. Our pizza is not awesome 20 minutes later when you get home.

Uh, yes it is.

CLARK: [LAUGHTER] Well, I appreciate that. But how are we going to compete with what people are doing on Tuesday night, without the third-party? Whatever happened through COVID, people are like, “This is too convenient. I can sit and have it brought right to me.”

RICK: There’s definitely something that’s changed in how often people want to socialize. Social media and our phones and all that has made it very easy just to get that “fake social interaction,” I’ll call it. I’ll be so bold as to say, that’s not real. That’s something that I’m passionate about, and I think everybody else here is. There’s been a lot written by people smarter than me on what is the effect of having awesome restaurants and coffee shops, these gathering places in our neighborhoods, and what is the effect when they go away?

I think it’s a mark of an interesting society, an advanced society, that we have these places to hang out and gather and socialize, and food and drink has always been a huge part of that, for hundreds of years now.

JENNA: It’s scientifically proven that your serotonin levels will go up and you will feel better if you socialize. So, we have to

remind people, you’re gonna have fun and you’re gonna feel good, and you’re gonna have time with friends and memories.

What have you all tried that’s worked, if anything?

JENNA: Social media posts, they help a lot. Like, if I have a tiramisu and I post it, it will get people in. Even if they’re just coming in for the tiramisu, they’re coming in, and usually they have more. To have a good social media person is going to be money for you. And people are doing specials, like at Quarantino’s across the street, he does a pasta/pizza/salad feature that’s 30 bucks for three things. But it’s hard to cut pricing right now, when we’re trying to pay our staff and keep going.

RICK: I think for us, as someone who really values the creative process and bringing that to the plate—as does everybody around this table—I found it exceedingly difficult to balance the desire to have forward-thinking, fun cuisine, trying new, funky things, with the realities of everything that we’re talking about here. Our concept at Sovengard has always been something that’s a little outside of the norm. I mean, I always think of my wife’s cousin who told me one time, “Yeah, we don’t come very much because it’s kind of weird food.” And I was like, that perfectly sums up what I think 50% of people in West Michigan feel.

JENNA: West Michigan, we’re still 50% not okay with weird.

CLARK: I wish people cared more about why we change our menu so often and where we get our ingredients from, but.

JENNA: I think that’s 5% of West Michigan. They’re into it, like, “Which farm is this from? Where did you get your --” And the rest couldn’t care less.

RICK: So, with our spring menu, we’re kind of just trying to read the room and pull it down a little bit. And that has nothing to do with sacrificing quality ingredients. But instead of maybe doing duck, we’ll do chicken instead. It’s cheaper, and maybe we don’t need to be pushing so

much on “fancy” stuff, right now. If that allows people to come in that one extra day a week because they can afford it a little bit more, then we can read the room for a bit and see where we’re at in society.

PAOLA: But now I’m wondering, what other resources, like, what can other people and groups do? What can they bring together for the restaurants?

JENNA: Yeah, it’s their turn to give back to us. We’ve been giving back to the community for many, many years. It’s their turn to see the struggle and give back to us.

PAOLA: And also, the elephant in the room, we have a lot of undocumented workforce, and that’s been the challenge for so many years. Your employees become family, but with everything that’s happening politically, families separated, deportation, that’s going to disappear our workforce, for many of the Latino restaurants.

On those hard days, which is many of

them, what keeps you going?

JENNA: For me, usually every shift there’s something amazing that happens, and sometimes it’s something not amazing that happens. Like, since we’ve been open 15 years, I’ve had regulars pass away. So I started this Memorial Bar, and I’ll make a plaque in honor of whoever passed, and then the person will come sit and have a drink with their loved ones. And that’s just become a recent thing, because I’ve had so much loss with regulars, but also I get to do cool stuff with Food Hugs every day. So, that’s kind of where I love that Amore was the baseline for it, but then I get to do good as well. So, every day, we’re giving people Food Hugs, which is what brings me joy. But I made that for myself so we could have that happiness.

CLARK: I still have the passion for the energy of what we do on our services. Like, it’s still really fun. I’m not so much the quarterback anymore. I’m more mentoring, which I’m getting a ton of fulfillment out of that. It’s like, “Hey, I got this idea, can I bounce it off to you?” Yeah, and then try it with that, and let me know what you think,

and they’re like, “Yeah!” That’s energizing, being able to continually develop people.

PAOLA: I think just being part of the community, making a place to belong. Because when I came to Grand Rapids, I was like, “What is this place? I used to have 17 million neighbors in Mexico City.” So, it had to be a way of just getting to know people. And like you said, we’ve been in business for a long time, we get to see people who were dating when we just opened, who now have their families and bring their kids, and it becomes part of your family. I get the energy from the customers, from our community, and obviously our employees. Some of them have been with us for 18 years.

RICK: I think for me, it’s two things. One, I feel like as a community, a region, a nation, I feel like we still have so much work to do with our food sourcing, the way it’s grown, how we receive it, how we treat it and respect it. And Sovengard has always been about that and continues to be about that. And I also feel like feeding people has always been sacred to me. And I think you guys all probably feel the same way, there’s just something about that. It’s essential. Eating is an essential part of the human existence. And that someone would come into your place and choose to do that with you, I think that can never get lost in the shuffle. ■

GO WILD: Outdoor Adventures & Fun for All Ages

| by Revue Staff

OUTDOOR ADVENTURES

JOHN BALL ZOO

1300 W. Fulton St., Grand Rapids / jbzoo.org Lions, tigers, and… red pandas? John Ball Zoo is a classic, but there’s always something fresh, whether it’s new lions, warthogs and lemurs joining the family, or updates to the habitats, or Twilight Tours and Behind the Scenes experiences. Make sure to look into special zoo adventures like riding camels, taking the zipline, doing the ropes course, feeding pygmy hippos and getting close with a sloth.

BOULDER RIDGE WILD ANIMAL PARK

8313 Pratt Lake Ave. SE, Alto / boulderridgewap.com Giraffes, camels, and kangaroos—the nearly 100-acre Boulder Ridge lets you get close to animals you won’t see just anywhere. Book a VIP Animal Encounter for a behindthe-scenes look at penguins, rhinos, or hippos.

MUSEUMS & DISCOVERY

GRAND RAPIDS PUBLIC MUSEUM

272 Pearl St. NW, Grand Rapids / grpm.org

More than just a museum, it’s an adventure. Take a spin on the iconic carousel, explore the new Sharks exhibit, and dive into planetarium shows that dazzle. Perfect for curious minds of all ages. If you’re just passing through town, this is a must for your itinerary—and if you’ve lived here your whole life, you’ll be amazed by every year’s new additions.

AIR ZOO AEROSPACE & SCIENCE MUSEUM

6151 Portage Road, Portage / airzoo.org

Dreaming of the skies? The Air Zoo delivers with historic aircraft, simulators, and even overnight adventures beneath an SR-71B Blackbird. It’s an adventure for aspiring pilots and space explorers alike. Voted the “Best Place to Take Out-of-Towners,” the Air Zoo has over 100 air and space artifacts, interactive exhibits, full-motion flight simulators, indoor amusement park rides, and hands-on learning.

SAUGATUCK DUNE RIDES

6495 Blue Star Hwy, Saugatuck / saugatuckduneride.com

Race through the sandy slopes of Saugatuck’s dunes in an open-top vehicle with a local guide. It’s an exhilarating blend of nature and adrenaline, perfect for anyone looking for a wild ride.

CANNONSBURG SKI AREA

6800 Cannonsburg Rd. NE, Belmont  / cannonsburg.com

Just about every skier and snowboarder in West Michigan got their start at Cannonsburg, and people still congregate there every winter for downhill fun. In the summer, everything changes: The Sweet Spot opens up, offering ice cream, Dole Whips, microbrews, and Taco Tuesdays all summer. It’s perfect for refueling after a lovely trek on Cannonsburg’s many hilly trails. Bike, walk, run—whatever you like!

BLANDFORD NATURE CENTER

2715 Leonard St NW, Grand Rapids / blandfordnaturecenter.org

Blandford (and by extension, The Highlands) is a 264acre oasis where nature and history intertwine, offering eight miles of trails through lush forests, wetlands, and meadows. You can meet rescued wildlife ambassadors like owls and turtles, explore historic buildings, and visit the working Blandford Farm with its gardens and animals. From seasonal festivals like the Sugarbush and Harvest Festivals to educational programs, Blandford is a place where learning and adventure go hand in hand.

FREDERIK MEIJER GARDENS & SCULPTURE PARK

1000 E. Beltline Ave. NE, Grand Rapids / meijergardens.org

Art and nature intertwine at Meijer Gardens, where stunning sculptures and the serene Japanese Garden offer a calming counterpoint to the fun of the Children’s Garden. This lovely 158-acre campus provides hours of nature and art to appreciate both indoors and out, including a massive tropical conservatory and dozens of sculptures outdoors. It’s one of the greatest sculpture parks in the country and there’s nothing like it anywhere nearby.

FAMILY FUN CENTERS

CRAIG’S CRUISERS

5730 Clyde Park SW, Wyoming / craigscruisers.com

Rain or shine, Craig’s Cruisers delivers. Soar across the 130-foot-tall zipline outside or conquer the ninja warrior course indoors. Ride the spinning rollercoaster, zip around the electric go-kart track, and battle it out in bumper boats. Whether you’re scaling the climbing wall or challenging the arcade, there’s no shortage of action.

PUTTERS CREEK

40 Whitehall Rd, North Muskegon / putterscreek.com

Mini golf beneath the stars? Glow Golf nights at Putters Creek make it happen, with LED-lit balls and glowing accessories. Speed through go-kart tracks, take a paddleboard ride on the Muskegon River, or opt for a gellyball showdown — a low-impact, paint-free alternative to paintball that’s fun for everyone.

GAMETIME FAMILY FUN PARK

4400 Ball Park Dr., Comstock Park / gametimefunpark.com

What was once AJ’s is now GameTime Fun Park, a beacon of excitement right off the West River offramp, offering waterfalls, mini golf, go-karts, and batting cages. The arcade offers a chance to escape the summer sun, while the bumper boats and water features keep the fun flowing.

AIRWAY FUN CENTER

5626 Portage Rd., Portage / airwayfuncenter.com

For those who like a challenge, Airway has climbing walls, a ropes course, and laser tag. Want something more relaxed? Try VR, arcade games, or the world’s first fourperson gyroscope. Or release some energy at the Balladium, where foam balls fly fast.

NELIS’ DUTCH VILLAGE

12350 James St., Holland / dutchvillage.com

Step into a world of Dutch charm, with a windmill Ferris wheel, a petting zoo, and a giant wooden shoe slide. Kids can make their own stroopwafel cookies, and everyone can shop for wooden shoes or feed farm animals. Don’t miss the classic golden angel street organ.

THE LOST CITY

12330 James St., Holland / the-lostcity.com

Laser tag lovers, rejoice. The Lost City offers a stellar, 5,000 square foot, multi-level laser tag arena, a massive arcade, duckpin bowling, and a Gobi Desert-themed indoor mini golf course. Weekends bring all-you-can-play laser tag sessions for true enthusiasts.

ALLEGAN EVENT

439 River St., Allegan / alleganevent.com

For families who love to climb, slide and play, this indoor adventure created by zipline experts has it all: a Sky Trail ropes course with zip rails, the brand new Sky Tour Zip Line, a QUICKjump free-fall simulation, a vertical drop slide, clip and climb walls, and a large arcade.

STAFF PICKS

- ERIC

MITTS -

KALAMAZOO GAME SHOW EXPERIENCE

3717 S. Westnedge Ave., Kalamazoo / kzoogameshow.com

Ever dream of winning it big on a game show? Live out the next best thing at the Kalamazoo Game Show Experience, a one-of-akind new venue that opened earlier this year. Perfect for a unique date night, team building event, or new way to compete with friends, the Kalamazoo Game Show Experience has every detail – from the flashing lights and spinning wheel, to top-tier trivia, and all the bells, whistles, and other sound effects that make game shows so fun. Don’t worry, no TV experience is required, just a sense of humor, and excitement for a little friendly competition, but don’t be surprised if you leave feeling like a celebrity.

SHIFT CLIMBING GYM

12345 James St., Holland / shiftclimbing.com

Learn the ropes of bouldering, without the actual ropes, of course, at this brand-new 12,000-plus square foot climbing gym in Holland. With over 5,000 square feet of climbing, 80 different climbs, and the first-ever tilt-able boulder, there’s endless possibilities for growth and exploration at Shift. Follow the color-coded paths for different difficulty levels from beginner to expert, for a full body work out unlike any other, and rise to the top, with a community of climbers eager to share their passion for this rising sport.

ABANDONED ACRES ESCAPE ROOMS

450 S. State St., Sparta / abandonedacresescaperooms.com

A little bit off the beaten path, but so worth the trip for those with a real sense of adventure. Abandoned Acres started out scaring visitors with its haunted attraction every Halloween, but has expanded into one of the best escape room locations in West Michigan with its fully immersive, next generation experiences. Featuring five completely different rooms to choose from—including the new Jurassic Island—don’t lose yourself too much in the movie-like excitement. The clock’s ticking, so put your puzzle-solving skills to the test now.

- ZACHARY AVERYWEST MICHIGAN WHITECAPS

4500 W. River Dr. NE, Comstock Park / lmcuballpark.com

Enjoy a gorgeous evening outdoors in comfy springtime weather at LMCU Ballpark to see the West Michigan Whitecaps! With a range of ticket prices and available seating, including blanket spots on the adjoining hill, the Whitecaps continue to provide some of the most approachable, entertaining, and affordable attractions in the area. The themed nights are diverse, too, celebrating events for all-ages like princess night, Star Wars night, and even a Bluey night. Pick the theme most close to your heart, and go enjoy some good ol’ fashioned baseball!

- JOSH VEALWISNER RENTS

25 E. Water St., Newaygo / wisnercanoes.com

Up in the highly scenic small town of Newaygo, you’ll find the lovely Muskegon River, which practically seems crafted by hand for humans to enjoy in the summer. Neither dangerously deep nor annoyingly shallow, not frighteningly fast or painfully slow, wide enough for big groups of tubes to float along, and with plenty of sun exposure, it’s my favorite place to go tubing with friends each year. The fine folks at Wisner make it so easy, I’d be a fool not to! And so would you. You don’t want to be a fool, do you? ■

The Lost City, Frederik Meijer Gardens & Sculpture Park, Craig's Cruisers, Abandoned Acres Escape Room, The Lost City. COURTESY PHOTOS

Want to get your adrenaline pumping or blow off a little steam? There are so many exhilarating things to do in and around West Michigan, from downright daring to straight-up fun. Here, we’ve collected a few of our favorite ideas for when you’re ready to get your adventure on.

SKYDIVE GRAND HAVEN

Here’s something for the truly intrepid bucket lister! Skydive Grand Haven offers tandem skydiving with an experienced USPA-rated tandem instructor, as well as a scenic plane ride over Lake Michigan before the dive. No experience is necessary, but you will have to sign a waiver. You’ll be briefed on instructions and then you’ll be ready for your 120mph freefall. As you descend, a parachute will be deployed and you’ll take a short canopy ride back to the ground. If this is something you’ve dreamed of, head to skydivegrandhaven.com to get all the info.

BREAK ROOM THERAPY

This local small business with a big heart (and a clever idea) is the only rage room in West Michigan. If you need a safe space to decompress by breaking glass or electronics or just want to smash something with your friends, this is your place. Co-owner, Dawn, says, “You don’t need a reason to come. Sometimes the reason gets found once you are there—and you see this is everything you needed, but didn’t know you needed.” Learn more at breakroomtherapy.com

FOWLING WAREHOUSE

That’s not a typo. Fowling is a real thing, combining football and bowling. Gather your teams and square off with one another as you try to knock down all your opponents’ pins before they knock down yours. In addition to 30 lanes, they have two bars, a $2 Mystery Beer Machine, and the Bonk Honk. If you don’t know what a “bonk” is, you’ll just have to go and find out. You can also bring your own food or have something delivered. Get the details at fowlingwarehouse.com/grandrapids

SEEKING THRILLS: West Michigan's Most Exciting Experiences

| by Allison Kay Bannister

THE GREAT ESCAPE ROOM

Located in downtown Grand Rapids, this is considered one of the favorites among the escape room options in the city. They currently have five themed escape rooms and can accommodate different sized groups, with a minimum of two. These time-based challenges are engaging and immersive, and ideal for special events, team building, and family bonding. Book your expedition at thegreatescaperoom.com/grand-rapids

TREERUNNER GRAND RAPIDS ADVENTURE PARK

Taking into account the size of this place, you’d think it would be a greater-known attraction. It’s tucked behind the Celebration Cinema North parking lot, and once you make your way beyond the wooded surroundings, it opens up into a vast complex. With numerous obstacles and ziplines to traverse, it features a variety trails, heights, and difficulty levels. There’s a brief training before you get started, and you’re harnessed the entire time, making it suitable for beginners and beyond. Go to treerunnerparks. com/grandrapids/ to get your tickets.

MUSKEGON LUGE ADVENTURE SPORTS PARK

There’s so much to do here—especially in summer. Of course, there’s a luge (it’s right in the name), but there’s also ziplining, rock climbing, archery, and Trail Quest, a treasure hunt-style game. Get a season pass so you can go back again and again, or they also have package deals and individual tickets. See everything they offer at msports.org

GRAND RAPIDS GRAND PRIX

No worries if the weather threatens to dash your plans. Whatever is happening outside, this indoor, climate controlled go-kart track is open year-round, except Mondays, holidays, and during private events. Experience the thrill of racing, whether it’s your first time or you’re a seasoned driver. Afterwards, enjoy an adult beverage and great food at their on-site Grand Prix Grill. Get a membership or buy a non-member ticket for a single race at grandrapidsgrandprix.com.

MICHIGAN’S ADVENTURE

Whether you like a scream-inducing roller coaster ride, a quiet whirl on a carousel, or a splash in a wave pool, this two-parks-in-one destination has you covered. One ticket gets you into both the amusement park and WildWater Adventure, with a total of 60 attractions, including seven roller coasters, plus food and drinks. The have season passes, day tickets, and discounted group pricing, plus add-ons like cabanas, fast lane wristbands, and more. Plan your summer excursion at miadventure.com

SAUGATUCK DUNE RIDES

Prefer to stay on the ground? Head to the Lake Michigan shoreline for an open-buggy ride on the dunes. This 40-minute tour showcases the area’s natural beauty while offering plenty of action with twists, turns, and steep drops. Along the way, your guide will provide interesting info about the history, culture, and folklore of the area. They’re open May through mid-October and they often sell out in the summer months, so getting your tickets in advance at saugatuckduneride.com is recommended. ■

2 for 1 TWOSDAYS $130 for TWO (2) Lanes That’s up to 20 people for $130! OR $15 for TWO (2) Open Players!

WEDNESDAYS & THURSDAYS $8 Open Play 4:00 - 10:00 PM | June 1-Labor Day

HEROES FOR HIRE: D&D in GR

| by Zachary Avery

Public perception toward Dungeons & Dragons (D&D) has come a long way from the satanic panic days of the 1980s.

In our post-podcast pop culture of Critical Role, Dimension 20, The Adventure Zone and more, the prototypical image of a D&D player has slowly shifted from the class loner or resident geek (an unfair stereotype) to a much more diverse array of enthusiasts. Popular, even famous, players across the Internet include voice actors, screen actors, comedians, drag queens and some professional wrestlers.

“For a longtime, Dungeons & Dragons was something you talked about in hushed tones,” said David Jezusek, owner of Cellar Of Tales. “You see that explored in the television show, Stranger Things . Of course, Stranger Things is one of those pieces of media that really started to endear people to the concept of playing D&D and wanting to try it.”

Beginning four years ago in the lower level of Arktos Meadery, the Cellar Of Tales is at both times a card game and tabletop roleplaying game (TTRPG) shop as well as a rentable, themed roleplaying space. In their newly dedicated storefront on Butterworth Street, Jezusek has been hard at work setting up the studio’s atmospheric room, complete with programmable LED lights and soundbar.

On top of this meticulously crafted fantasy space is an impressive supply of Michigan crafted tabletop gaming gear, from artisanal dice to handmade dice boxes. And, for those who are intrigued by the ever-changing market of reselling trading cards, like Pokémon or Magic The Gathering, Jezusek advertises a wholesale purchase service of your old collection, too.

“I am trying to provide a luxury gaming experience with this place,” Jezusek said. “It’s D&D at a more elevated experience than just your dinner table. For the people who want to add that extra layer of immersion and reality to

their game, that’s what I’m trying to provide a stage for.”

Cellar Of Tales is but the newest addition to Grand Rapids’ growing tabletop gaming scene. On Sundays, local board game bar House Rules Lounge offers weekly “drop-in” sessions for interested D&D players, no group necessary. At House Rules, all you need is an original character created beforehand or, at the very least, in mind already (the hour prior to the games starting is dedicated toward prep and character creation if you need assistance). As an opportunity for tabletop roleplaying, with or without a group, House Rules’ programming is an excellent example of local bars and venues beginning to see the potential in hosting D&D nights.

“That’s more valuable to me than my house,” said Heath Timmer, a local player and House Rules’ regular for the past three years. “It’s something I treasure on a weekly basis. I come here and they’re all my best friends.”

Other regularly scheduled events in town include biweekly sessions at Schuler Books through the “We Hate Bards” online group, as well as Aquinas College’s seasonal D&D camps targeted toward all-ages. At any of these events, attendees who have never played the game before are encouraged to play anyway, with more questions the better. Yet, the game can seem, quite immediately, overwhelming.

As a player, you’re responsible for facets like skill statistics, weapon damage, super-powered feats and backstory nuance, just to name a few. As a dungeon master, or DM, the barrier of entry can be even higher, requiring whole textbook-sized instruction manuals on how to actually play a full session. However, and this is true for nearly anyone who has ever played D&D, those cemented laws and rules can (and will) be thrown right out the window at a moment’s notice.

“If you don’t like the rules, then the DM should

change them on the fly,” Timmer said. “It’s all about that creativity, imagination, and being able to run wild.”

House Rules is far from the only local bar to embrace D&D. Even before Cellar Of Tales first partnered with Arktos, the westside favorite had been a welcome space for gamers interested in workshops focusing on D&D-related hobbies, such as painting miniature figurines. Brewery Vivant in Eastown has also hosted a yearly “Dungeons & Dark Arts Night,” showcasing their charmingly oldfashioned, nearly-gothic atmosphere alongside the fantasy glamour of Dungeons & Dragons. Guests arrive with groups already formed, based on reservation, for an evening of selfguided roleplaying with Brewery Vivant’s menu of rich ales and delicious in-world specials, including Goodberry Sweet Rolls and “Tasha’s Cauldron Of Everything” (rabbit, venison, boar, cabbage, corn, etc.). For each of these players, immersive roleplaying is a pinnacle of the experience that leaves every game memorable and attendees coming back for more.

“It’s truly my passion in life, storytelling in general,” Jezusek said. “A lot of people attach to characters. With D&D, you allow people a moment to grasp that with their own story.”

Back at Cellar Of Tales’ new location, the studio is clearly still a work-in-progress, but the brick walled building with high ceilings and 110-year-old maplewood flooring has impressive bones. One part hobby storefront, one part bar and one part rentable tabletop space, the newly imagined Cellar Of Tales has been a labor of love with plenty of custom accoutrement, from carved wooden decor to period-accurate lanterns made from cedar and rawhide. When it’s ready to open up for visitors later this summer or early fall, Cellar Of Tales may just become a new onestop-shop for West Michigan tabletop gamers. ■

OTHER GAMING SPOTS

STELLA’S LOUNGE - RETRO ARCADE CABINETS | 53 Commerce Ave. SW, Grand Rapids

PINBALL LAND | 114 Courtland St., Rockford

LFG GAMING BAR | 116 Portage St., Kalamazoo

THE PYRAMID SCHEME - PINBALL | 68 Commerce Ave. SW, Grand Rapids

STOP, DROP & PLAY ARCADE | 739 S. Main St., Wayland

Cellar of Tales, House Rules. COURTESY PHOTOS

FART

Kalamazoo Institute of Arts Fair

Kalamazoo / June 6-7 / kiarts.org

This annual start to summer in Kalamazoo began more than 70 years ago and it’s back once again, featuring the work of more than 130 fine artists, music, food trucks and a beer garden filling Bronson Park.

West Michigan Chalk Art Festival

Grand Rapids / June 13-15 / grandrapids.tanger.com

Sand Sculpture Contest

Grand Haven / June 14 / visitgrandhaven.com

GR Lit Fest

Grand Rapids / June 16-22 / grlitfest.com

The 2025 Grand Rapids Literary Festival will feature Michigan-based authors, discussion panels, reader gatherings, book signings, and more, including an Adult Book Fair at Speciation on June 22.

Grand Haven Art Festival

Grand Haven / June 27-29 / grandhavenchamber.org

Japanese Animation Film & Art Expo

Grand Rapids / June 27-29 / jafax.org

Lakeshore Art Festival  Muskegon / June 28-29 / lakeshoreartfestival.org

The Lakeshore Art Festival features a unique blend of fine art, handcrafted goods, music, food, and fun in beautiful Downtown Muskegon. Experience nearly 250 juried fine art and specialty craft exhibitors, a Children’s Lane, artisan food market, street performers, interactive art stations, and so much more!

South Haven Art Fair

South Haven / July 5-6 / southhavenarts.org

FESTIVAL GUIDE 2025

estivals are back in full force in 2025, with dozens of fests appearing and returning in West Michigan. From art to food, music, beer, culture and so much more, here’s our Festival Guide for the year ahead.

West Shore Art Fair

Ludington / July 5-6 / visitludington.com

Michigan Fiber Festival  Allegan / Aug. 13-17 / michiganfiberfestival.info

Arts and Drafts Festival

Norton Shores / Aug. 16 / nortonshoresparksandrecreation.com

ArtPrize

Grand Rapids / Sept. 18-Oct. 4 / artprize.org

Grand Rapids Film Festival

Grand Rapids / Sept. TBD / grandrapidsfilmfestival.com

BEER + WINE

Suds on the Shore

Ludington / Aug. 16 / sudsontheshore.com

Burning Foot Beer Festival

Muskegon / Aug. 23 / burningfoot.beer

Burning Foot Beer Festival is a celebration of beer, beach, art, and music. The festival is held in August along Lake Michigan’s beautiful lakeshore. Beach camping and barefoot entry make it unique, the Brewers’ Ring makes it extraordinary.

Paw Paw Wine and Harvest Festival

Paw Paw / Sept. 5-7 / wineandharvestfestival.com

Oktoberfest GR

Grand Rapids / Sept. 26-27 / oktoberfestgr.com

Grand Rapids International Wine, Beer and Food Festival

Grand Rapids / Nov. 21-22 / showspan.com/grw

Now in its 18th year, this Festival has established itself as Michigan’s annual tasting event, measured by more than 1,200 wines, beers, ciders and spirits from around the world, along with creations from area restaurants.

MUSIC

Buttermilk Jamboree

Delton / June 13-15 / circlepinescenter.org

A three-day showcase of regional musicians, Buttermilk benefits the Circle Pines Center, a nonprofit working toward peace, social justice and environmental cooperation.

Electric Forest Rothbury / June 19-22 / electricforest.com

Smiling Acres Music Festival

Trufant / June 27-29 / smilingacres.org

Beaver Island Music Festival Beaver Island / July 17-19 / bimf.net

Upheaval Festival

Grand Rapids / July 18-19 / upheavalfest.com

JazzFest Michigan Lansing / July 30-Aug. 2 / micharts.com

Walk The Beat Grand Haven / Aug. 9 / walkthebeat.org

Breakaway Music Festival

Grand Rapids / Aug. 15-16 / breakawayfestival.com

Where top-tier talent collides with the hometown—Breakaway Music Festival brings globally recognized hip-hop and electronic talent to local cities, creating accessible and unforgettable live entertainment experiences. This year’s event at Belknap Park features Zedd, Gryffin, Rezz, Isoxo and many more.

Wheatland Music Festival Remus / Sept. 5-7 / wheatlandmusic.org

Michigan Bluesfest Lansing / Sept. 17-20 / micharts.com

CULTURAL

Grand Rapids Asian-Pacific Festival

Grand Rapids / June 13-15 / 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.

Black Arts Festival

Kalamazoo / July 11 / blackartskalamazoo.org

Support Black art, literature, businesses and people with this celebration full of music, dancing, food and much more.

Danish Festival Greenville / August 15-17 / danishfestival.org

Yassou! Greek Cultural Festival Grand Rapids / Aug. 15-16 / grgreekfest.com

Caribbean Festival Battle Creek / Aug. 16 / jbswhiskey.com

Michigan Irish Music Festival

Muskegon / Sept. 11-14 / michiganirish.org

Everyone and everything is a little bit Irish here. Indulge in Irish cuisine, shop Irish goods and learn about the culture, all while dancing and singing along to incredible music.

FOOD

National Asparagus Festival Hart / June 13-15 / nationalasparagusfestival.org

Taste of Muskegon

Muskegon / June 13-14 / tasteofmuskegon.org

All the best food and family fun fills Muskegon’s Hackley Park, including beer, powerboats, music, bounce houses and more.

Cereal Festival

Battle Creek / June 14 / bcfestivals.com

Taco & Tequila Fest

Grand Rapids / June 28 / grtacoandtequilafest.com

National Cherry Festival

Traverse City / June 28-July 5 / cherryfestival.org

National Baby Food Festival

Fremont / July 16-19 / fremontcommerce.com

National Blueberry Festival

South Haven / August 7-10 / blueberryfestival.com

Restaurant Week GR

Grand Rapids / Nov. TBA / experiencegr.com

ECLECTIC

Festival Fridays

Kalamazoo / 2nd Fridays / foodtruckrallykz.com

Start of Summer Celebration

Rockford / June 5-8 / rockfordmichamber.com

GRIDLIFE Music & Motorsport Festival

South Haven / June 6-8 / gridlifemidwest.com

Harborfest

South Haven / June 13-14 / southhavenharborfest.com

Rock the Block Street Festival

Grand Rapids / June 14, 11 a.m.-4 p.m. / linkup.org/rock-the-block

Solstice Festival

Grand Rapids / June 19-21 / speciationartisanales.com

Field of Flight Air Show & Balloon Festival

Battle Creek / July 2-6 / fieldofflight.com

Dozens of hot air balloons from around the world join forces with hypersonic jets, food, fair rides and other family fun.

Riverwalk Fest

Lowell / July 10-12 / riverwalkfestival.org

Grand Haven Coast Guard Festival

Grand Haven / July 25-Aug. 3 / 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.

Confluence Festival

Grand Rapids / Sept. 19-20 / confluencefest.com

PRIDE

RIVERPRIDE 2025

Grand Rapids / June 8 / generalwoodshop.com

Get ready for RIVERPRIDE 2025, a fresh, relaxed Pride celebration in the heart of the Bridge Street Entertainment District. It’s a full-day experience that brings the community together to celebrate and connect, with DJs, drag performers, go-go dancers, local vendors, interactive photo booth, face painting, and much more throughout the area.

Kalamazoo Pride

Kalamazoo / June 6-7 / outfrontkzoo.org/ pride2025

Muskegon Pride

Muskegon / June 7 / muskpride.org

Pride In The Park

Saugatuck/Douglas / June 7 / communitypridemi.org

Grand Haven Pride

Grand Haven / June 14 / ghpride.org

Greater Grand Rapids Pride Festival

Grand Rapids / June 21-22 / grpride.org

Celebrating the LGBTQ community, this year’s Pride Festival will have all the music, performers, vendors, rainbows and other fun of years prior, with Aly & AJ headlining at Calder Plaza.

Holland PRIDE

Holland / June 28 / holland.org/ pride-festival

Breakaway

LEGACY AND LAUGHTER:

Circle Theatre's 2025 Season

| by John Kissane

Lynne Brown-Tepper was 10 or 11 years old when she saw her first Circle Theatre show. It was Cabaret , the sex-drenched musical set during the rise of Nazism. “My mother was notorious for not researching shows,” she said, laughing. “My dance teacher was in it, so we went. That show made a huge impact on me.”

In college, Brown-Tepper studied English and social work, but the impact of watching theater didn’t disappear. She started to act. A natural introvert, she found singing, dancing, and acting to be more enjoyable than she ever would have thought.

“I told my mother, ‘I know what I want to do with my life.’ She said, ‘Please don’t be a stripper.’”

She threw herself into the theater. In 2000, she became Circle Theatre’s production manager. Since 2008, she’s been its executive director. She’s steered the company out of debt and through the challenges of the pandemic, always with an eye toward providing the community with meaningful and entertaining live theater, including in this, its 2025 season.

When creating the season, there were, as there always are, limitations. Not all shows are available; big shows, after leaving Broadway, tend to tour nationally before being made available to professional, regional theaters, and then community theaters.

Budget plays into choices, as do space considerations (not all shows would work on Circle’s circular stage). Diversity matters; the theater wants to provide opportunities widely, not just in terms of ethnicity and gender but age and even class background. Providing directors and actors shows that will stretch their skills is important. And it’s critical

to stage shows the community will want to see.

“My season would be all Sondheim,” she said, laughing. “But something popular in the theater community might not be as familiar to everyone.” What gets people to leave their homes and travel to the theater varies at times–when it’s stressful, people tend to want light entertainment, including farces–and that needs to be considered, too. It’s the public service model of the arts: excellence not for its own sake, but to serve the community of theater-goers, some who arrive from other cities and even other states.

The season begins with The Prom , which plays May 1531. Adapted into a 2020 film starring Meryl Streep, Nicole Kidman, and James Corden, The Prom tells the story of two Broadway performers labeled self-absorbed narcissists by the press. To clean up their image, they decide to take up a cause: that of Emma, an Indiana teen whose high school canceled its prom rather than let her bring her girlfriend as a date. Major critics have called it a hugely joyful, hilarious and moving show.

Next up is The Complete Works of Shakespeare (Abridged) , a wild, possibly manic, quite possibly insane show condensing 37 plays into a little over and hour and a half. “It’s like getting on a moving train,” Tepper-Brown said. “You have three guys doing these crazy characters, throwing off wigs, putting other wigs on…it’s hysterical. People laugh so hard they cry.” Whether you’re a huge Shakespeare admirer or not–and she admits that his stuff isn’t really her jam–you’ll be unable to resist this. The show plays June 12-28.

Next, running July 10-26, Dreamgirls dramatises the meteoric rise of The Dreamettes, a fictional black girl

group out of Chicago. Suffused with ambition, pain, and triumph, and suffused with the sound of Motown, Dreamgirls connects with audiences. In 2006, it was made into a hugely successful film starring Jennifer Hudson, Beyoncé Knowles, Jamie Foxx, and Eddie Murphy.

The title Girls' Weekend sounds like it might belong to a gently comic drama about the importance of living, laughing, loving, and drinking wine. Nope. This is a farce, with all the slammed doors, cases of mistaken identity, and general craziness that the word implies. Four women travel to a cabin for some time together, but ovulation, a secret affair, and the glittering promise of a bar intrude. Energetic and hilarious, Girls’ Weekend runs August 7-23.

The season ends with Andrew Lloyd Webber’s Jesus Christ Superstar (September 4-20). The story of the life and death of Jesus of Nazareth, the rock musical has been onstage at Civic before, in 1986, 1997, and 2014. “I was stalking to one of our patrons,” Brown-Tepper said. “She said when that concept album came out, there had been nothing like it, not even on the radio. It became an obsession. And it’s been passed from generation to generation.”

Many generations have had the opportunity to take in shows at Circle in the decades since its 1953 founding. The first season featured several shows still performed around the country today: The Philadelphia Story , The Glass Menagerie , Harvey . “I feel that legacy almost every single day,” Brown-Tepper said. “I see myself as a guardian.”

Thanks to that guardianship–and to the small staff and the army of volunteers also manning the ramparts–Circle Theatre’s legacy lives on. ■

Summer in West Michigan wouldn’t be complete without the events, exhibitions, and shows put on by Saugatuck Center for the Arts. It’s a time for celebration, for community, and for sharing experiences, all of which the center offers in spades.

Jump Into Summer 2025 kicks off the season on Friday, June 6th. The free event takes place on the last day of school and features music, food, and a bar, all on a beautiful campus. Chicago’s DJ Alexander Great will perform, followed by the headliner, indie/soul musician Rudy De Anda. Food options will be plenty, and the bar will offer cocktails, craft beer, and non-alcoholic drinks. More than a thousand people are expected to attend.

Whitney Valentine, Director of Education & Exhibitions, sees it as a backyard barbecue party. “It’s this free community gathering designed for all ages. It’s a space to connect and to celebrate the summer season. And it’s bigger and bigger every year.” It’s something to look forward to, she said, and something to take pride in. “It’s inclusive. Everybody’s welcome.”

John Caleb Pendleton’s exhibition sōw [in sorrow] runs June 2nd - September 5th. In a digital age, Pendleton works with his hands. At first, woodworking and floral arrangement were hobbies; now, they’ve

JUMP INTO SUMMER AT SC4A:

Music, Musicals and Masterful Art

| by John Kissane

become a craft, and a career. sōw [in sorrow] is to be his first solo exhibition.

It will be a mixed media exhibition, including multiple installations featuring photographs as well as floral arrangements, dried florals, sculpture work, and sitespecific installations. “The premise is investigating, and really coming to terms with, his own grief. How can we learn to thrive in the midst of sorrow?” The focus has roots in Pendleton’s own grief; his sister died when twenty-two years ago, when she was twenty-two years old. “She has been dead for the same amount of time she was alive,” Pendleton’s written.

Floral arrangements are something we tend to associate with events, whether congratulatory, romantic, or funereal. Seeing them in an exhibition space will allow viewers to consider ritual outside of their own lives, in a broader human context.

“Floral arrangements are for everyone,” Valentine said. “He’s trying to offer himself up.” John’s work is straight from his heart. It’s very emotionally driven. He’s so passionate about creating spaces and opportunities for collective conversation around grief. The beauty of his installations continue to inspire me.”

Apart from its own high merit, the exhibition represents a commitment on the center’s part to showcase artists who work in non-traditional

materials. Oil paintings are inarguably art; that’s clear. Floral arrangements are, too. By showcasing them, the center’s hoping to demystify art, and to remind the community that all of us are artists.

Two upcoming musicals will be staged at the Center. The first is Come From Away , the award-winning 2013 dramatization of a small Newfoundland town made sudden host to seven thousand stranded people in the wake of the September 11 attacks. Funny and moving, it’s a show about how difficult times can reveal the best in humanity.

“There aren’t a lot of musicals like this,” said Maribeth Van Hecke, Producing Director of Theater and Performance. “It’s an ensemble cast, and the actors are constantly changing roles.” That’s part of the joy of the show, seeing actors don an accent only to discard it in the next scene, moving from distinct character to distinct character.

Stranded somewhere none of the passengers intended to visit, they react in different ways. For some, it’s an unexpected opportunity; romance blossoms for one couple, while another realizes they can no longer be together. A Muslim passenger, subject to suspicion and fear, is strip-searched, a reminder that community isn’t always an embrace. Sometimes, it’s a stranglehold. Nevertheless, the overwhelming feeling evoked by the musical is joy. It’s a life-affirming show. And this is its first production in Michigan.

Later this summer (August 8-31), Waitress will take to the stage. Based on the 2007 film and featuring original music by Sara Bareilles, the much-loved musical is about a woman who makes her way out of an abusive relationship and into a better life.

“There’s some heaviness in terms of content,” Van Hecke said, “but what you’re left with is a warm hug of a story. There’s heartbreak and trauma, but ultimately this is a feel-good show. There’s some heartbreakingly beautiful music. Any time you dive into the sticky human life situations, just like musicals do, it pulls you right back up with an incredible soundtrack.”

The center seeks out shows that are smart. “We want shows that aren’t throwaway, that aren’t just silly or dumb. They have to say something. But at the same time, it’s the summer. We want shows that are approachable, welcoming. It’s so great to see people leave with huge smiles, holding onto each other, laughing as they go. Staying to tell the actors how much they loved it. It’s the best time.”

Whether eating, drinking, and dancing with friends and neighbors; meditating on the beauty and fragility of life through a powerful exhibition; or sitting in the cool dark with others, shivering with anticipation as the show begins, summer memories will be made at Saugatuck Center for the Arts. ■

John Caleb Pendleton, SC4A Summer Events. PHOTOS COURTESY

JUNE ARTSCalendar

Arts exhibitions and performances have returned in full swing to West Michigan. This season, there’s absolutely no shortage of concerts, symphonies, plays, musicals, ballet, visual arts and beyond. We have big Broadway shows, intimate and progressive plays, live performances with symphonies, dancers taking to the stage, and powerful art exhibitions. Here’s our guide to arts events for the month.

AVENUE FOR THE ARTS avenueforthearts.co

THIRD THURSDAYS, June 19

CIRCLE THEATRE SUMMER CONCERT SERIES 1703 Robinson Rd. SE, Grand Rapids circletheatre.org

THE COMPLETE WORKS OF WILLIAM SHAKESPEARE (ABRIDGED), June 12-28

FARMERS ALLEY THEATRE KALAMAZOO

221 Farmers Alley, Kalamazoo  farmersalleytheatre.com

RIDE THE CYCLONE: THE MUSICAL, May 29-June 15

FREDERIK MEIJER GARDENS & SCULPTURE PARK

1000 E. Beltline Ave. NE, Grand Rapids meijergardens.org

BUSTED: CONTEMPORARY SCULPTURE BUSTS: Through Sept. 21

FIFTH THIRD BANK SUMMER CONCERTS AT MEIJER GARDENS, May 30–Sept. 14

TUESDAY EVENING MUSIC CLUB: TUESDAYS, June 17–August 26, 7-9 pm

GRAND RAPIDS ART MUSEUM  101 Monroe Center, Grand Rapids artmuseumgr.org

DAVID LUBBERS: HAUNTED TERRAIN, Through Aug. 3

DAVID HOCKNEY: PERSPECTIVE SHOULD BE REVERSED, May 31-Nov. 2

GRAND RAPIDS CIVIC THEATRE

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

WAITRESS, June 6-29

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HOLLAND CHORALE

221 Columbia Ave., Holland hollandchorale.org

SUMMER SING: A VISION OF THE FUTURE, June 7-8

HOLLAND SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA

96 W. 15th St. Ste. 201, Holland  hollandsymphony.org

POPS AT THE PIER 2025: THE MUSIC OF JUDY GARLAND, June 19

JEWISH THEATRE GRAND RAPIDS

2727 Michigan NE, Grand Rapids  jtgr.org

KINDERTRANSPORT, June 5-15

KALAMAZOO INSTITUTE OF ARTS

314 South Park St., Kalamazoo kiarts.org

AN INFINITE CONSTELLATION OF LOVE, Through June 15

LEO VILLAREAL: INTERSTELLAR, June 6-Sept. 21

LOWELLARTS

223 W. Main St., Lowell lowellartsmi.org

U-CREATE: MEMBER EXHIBITION,  Through June 21

MILLER AUDITORIUM

2200 Auditorium Dr, Kalamazoo millerauditorium.com

AN EVENING WITH YO-YO MA, June 2

MUSKEGON MUSEUM OF ART

296 W. Webster Ave., Muskegon  muskegonartmuseum.org

THE BENNETT PRIZE: RISING VOICES 4, Through Aug. 24

DENG SHIQING: THE COST OF LIFE, Through Aug. 24

NEW VIC THEATRE

134 E. Vine St., Kalamazoo thenewvictheatre.org

THE LADY WITH ALL THE ANSWERS, June 6-21

POLISH PIANO LEGACY

24 Ransom Ave. NE, Grand Rapids scmcgr.org

MUSIC OF MY HOME, June 7

SAUGATUCK CENTER FOR THE ARTS

400 Culver St., Saugatuck sc4a.org

SŌW [IN SORROW], June 2-Sept. 5

JUMP INTO SUMMER, June 6

COME FROM AWAY, June 20

CREATIVE FELLOW: CAILA CONKLIN, Through Dec. 31

A CAREGIVER’S BUTTERFLY GARDEN, Through Dec. 31

THE GILMORE

359 S. Kalamazoo Mall, Kalamazoo thegilmore.org

RICHARD GOODE AND SARAH SHAFER, June 18

WEST MICHIGAN SYMPHONY

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

AQUASTAR SUNSET CRUISE, June 17

LOOKING FOR EVEN MORE EVENTS?

Head to revuewm.com/calendar to explore our new online calendar.