The Champions of Nothing are responsible for the resurrection of "The Shaming of the True," the brain child of the late musician Kevin Gilbert. The semi-autobiographical, one-act rock opera details the disillusionment and disgust Gilbert grew to feel toward the music industry. Having died at the age of 29 in 1996, before the rock opera came to fruition, this event will be only the second time the piece has been performed for an audience.

"Being a classical singer, I have had experience of the world of real opera which attracted me to this," said Charlie Williams, lead vocalist and guitarist.

The other members of the Champions of Nothing include Luis Nasser, Mark Pieper, Matt Pieper, Rich Poston and Dale Stubitsch.

"[They] are all veterans of the Chicago rock scene ... this is my rock and roll debut" said Williams. "We came together just to do [The Shaming of the True].

Williams described the experience as akin to a Broadway show, with an original cast. Later, it gets revived with a different cast. The story hinges on one man's experience with moving to LA to become a star and gets chewed up and spit out.

"[He] decides to sell out and it drives him crazy, he has this psychological conflict."

While the rock opera is a mix of rock and ballads, there is a four-part a cappella fugue, which Williams says is incredibly difficult to perform.

"It is a barrage of industry music psycho babble. It's a unique way of encapsulating [the record executives] trying to get him to break down and sell out in a four minute piece. [Gilbert, as the fictional character Johnny Virgil] is speaking mostly in first person throughout this piece which makes it very poignant.

"I would say that this would appeal to people who are fans of Kurt Cobain, it is basically the same story. Kurt Cobain and Kevin ended differently, but ... they were both tormented by what they had to do to become [stars]," said Williams.

With Williams' avowed passion for Kevin Gilbert's "Shaming of the True," and the working talent of the Champions of Nothing, it is likely that the world will soon know the tragic tale of one musician and the crux of his experience which surely echoes throughout the lives of any up and coming talent with stars in their eyes.

"Tommy by the Who is considered to be the first rock opera. I don't think that until Shaming of the True came along, nothing touched Tommy ... It's a shame that it is unknown to the general public."

"There is a whole application process. It's like entering Miss Teen USA," said Bradley Briegel, owner and promoter of PowerDiva Productions.

A pageant like any other, the drag kings compete in a variety of categories and are rated on their performance and appearance.

The first segment features a casual interview.

"[It's] like a job interview that determines how smart the contestant is and how they would represent the company if they win," Briegel said.

But, there is more than simply brains over brawn. The Evening Wear category allows the kings show off their best duds "and whether they can find evening wear that fits," Briegel said.

Beyond smarts and suits, the kings also strut across the stage for the Talent category performing anything from singing and dancing to lip synching and more.

"It's the really creative people that do well," said Briegel, describing a previous pageant where "one drag king did a whole boy band thing and they had all the choreography worked out."

Another pageant featured a stilt-walking knife thrower.

The Mister PowerDiva Pageant always features local performers, but drag kings have traveled from far flung places like Kentucky and even New York to get in on the nationally recognized contest.

"If it is something you want a career in, winning titles is a definite career boost," Briegel said.

The winner receives cash, a crown to wear throughout the year and becomes a representative for the organization.

"You get paid to travel and do shows," Briegel said.

Privileges include special performance bookings, along with the opportunity to regale the crowd at the annual West Michigan Gay Pride event.

Additionally, the event is an exciting break from the rotation of drag king, and drag queen, cabaret performances featured regularly at Rumors Nightclub and Diversions bar in Grand Rapids.

"Competitions are always more fun. And it's always fun to guess who [will win] based on how the evening unfolds," said Briegel, who encourages attendees to reserve a table at Rumors beforehand to ensure a seat for the night.

For a peek at previous title holders, PowerDiva Productions can be found on Facebook and MySpace. The glittering counterpart to Mister PowerDiva, the Miss PowerDiva Drag Queen Pageant, is scheduled for Sept. 12.

Other Eclectic Events

While the title of the event conjures images of a sort of highbrow Disney on Ice concept, the actual production is a far cry from performers prancing about in oversized costumes, bobbing giant heads in time to music.

This special event presents Star Wars like no one has ever seen. Taking scenes from each film, the makers of Star Wars: In Concert have created a compelling montage complete with rising and falling action that brings a new look to the classic favorites. The blend of action is a wild journey through the annals of Star Wars history complete with live orchestration.

As the montage plays out on a three story tall, high definition, LED screen, a massive orchestra and chorus provide enveloping sound, which results in an impressive show of musical prowess.

"The synchronized scenes [are arranged thematically] to go along with the impact of the music," said Lynn Ike, director of marketing at Van Andel Arena. "The live orchestra can't miss a beat. They have to be extremely talented," she said.

In addition to the sensory drama that attendees will experience during the 90 minute show, there will be original artifacts from all the movies on display.

"People can come see these items out on the concourse," said Ike, emphasizing that the Star Wars paraphernalia is such a draw that some will come out to the show primarily to get up close to "original scripts, costuming, [and] all the different things that you don't really get to see."

In fact, several items which have never been presented for public consumption before will be on display like, pages from John William's original, hand-written sheet music for Star Wars: Episode I: The Phantom Menace. Other "never-before-seen" props like "blasters" and helmets from "Coruscant" and "Tatooine" with be available for lusty fans to gaze at.

"[There] seems to be a multigenerational interest. Fathers, grandfathers and grandsons are all coming," Ike said.

Along with plenty of mother and daughter Star Wars fans, to be sure.

"I think this is something that will create memories and it is introducing people to the symphony," said Ike.

A part of the stunt motorcycle scene from the beginning, McNeil started out on the streets trying to avoid being chased by cops. From there, his stunts evolved into playing in parking lots, to finally participating in mainstream competitions.

While McNeil always loved to ride dirt bikes, prior to his career as a champion freestyle motorcycle athlete and performer, he taught Latin at a private school. He describes his transition as "one of those things where I always loved teaching and riding motorcycles and I did both for a long time. The timing was right and I moved to California and started riding bikes all the time."

His teaching shifted to motorcycle education along with his stunt and competition work. His upcoming events in Lansing and Kalamazoo, Mich. include a combination of his skills.

"BMW of Grand Rapids has invited me out for a few days," he said. "[The audience will learn] a little bit about riding, how to become a better rider and they can expect to see some gravity defying things on motorcycles, acrobatics. Whatever it is, I don't think too many people have seen what these motorcycles can do."

Emphasizing the up-close excitement, he said, "TV doesn't do it justice."

McNeil stresses the importance of safety education when it comes to riding.

"When I first started riding it was a t-shirt and helmet and I got really lucky. It comes down to when [everyday] riders see others do it, it looks really easy. But, not only do we have the right bikes and right gear but, hundreds of hours [of experience and training]."

When describing what he does McNeil said, "one of the things I have been adamant about is that I am not a stunt rider, I am a rider and a teacher ... I have always been a school teacher who has been good on a motorcycle."

But, that doesn't make McNeil any less of a badass. "I have a strong desire to come close, close, close to the limit," he said. "Last weekend I crashed hard and put myself out of the game."

Defying death aside, McNeil said, "I love what I do. I am happy to be able to make a difference and that's where I get the most drive out of riding."