The JDek at the JW Marriott Grand Rapids (235 Louis St. NW) is a haven from downtown's hustle and bustle. George Aquino, the hotel's general manager, dug out the rickety patio and put in the spacious new deck overlooking the Grand River. A half-dozen sky-blue cabanas ensure a fantastic time no matter the weather. You can reserve a cabana if you plan to spend at least $500. You can reach that tab by exploring the JDek's lounge menu. Get the Seared Ahi Tuna Salad and a Cone of Truffle Fries along with a Jdub Cocktail, a delicate tincture of Stoli Strasberi, Chambord, Grand Marnier and cranberry juice, and do some people watching.
The JDek offers the best vantage to enjoy ArtPrize from Sept. 21-Oct. 9. You will be able to see the artwork displayed in the Grand River and on the Blue Bridge. Go and explore the two-week art festival, which includes 1,582 "artists" who are showing their work in 164 "venues" throughout downtown. Some stand next to their artistic "excretions," begging for votes too close to your face. Make sure you vote for photographer Jon Clay's (#46911) HDR panoramic photo of Rosa Parks Circle.
Look across the river and you will see the Grand Rapids Public Museum (272 Pearl St. NW). Celebrate the Civil War's Sesquicentennial by attending THANK GOD FOR MICHIGAN! Stories from the Civil War, on display through May 2012. According to legend, President Lincoln exclaimed, "Thank God for Michigan!" when told that the First Michigan Volunteers answered his call for troops at the start of the Civil War. The exhibition tells personal stories from the home front to the battlefield and showcases the museum's vast collection of Civil War artifacts. Visitors will be able to try on uniforms and a field pack; get a whiff of the battlefield; grab drumsticks and tap along to unique marching cadences; and explore the era's sometimes-frightening facial hair.
Open Concept Gallery (50 Louis St. NW) brings SOHO downtown. Located in a former penthouse Masonic Lodge chapel, the gallery features the most influential contemporary artists from Europe and Asia. Open Concept is currently working with Swiss artist Ugo Rondinone to bring his monumental neon work Big Sky Mind to the gallery. Affixed to the side of the building, the rainbow-themed artwork will break through the cynicism of the art world to encourage people to open their minds and look at the big picture.
The new UICA (2 W. Fulton) will be the gateway to downtown. Founded in 1977, the Urban Institute of Contemporary Art continues to be Michigan's largest contemporary art center. From 8,500-square-feet of gallery spaces to the state-of-the-art film theatre to the beautiful youth and ceramic studios, the new UICA is like no other arts center in Michigan. The four-story Vertical Project Space will showcase monumental hanging sculpture and the Ramp Project Space will display large-scale murals. Current exhibitions include Cheryl Wassenaar, Untitled; Holly Greenberg's installation Lost In Translation; and the UICA's ArtPrize 2011 artwork, all concluding Nov. 27.
Explore artwork by up-and-coming artists during the Market organized by Avenue for the Arts. Held on the second Saturdays July through September, the Market lines the sidewalks of South Division between Oakes and Cherry with indie artists, musicians and local craft businesses. You will be able to find paintings, jewelry, prints, photos, t-shirts and handmade goods. The festival also includes a diverse mix of street performers and live music scattered throughout. Go and chat with the talented artists and musicians who live and work downtown.
If you think the Market's artists are over-commercialized sellouts, then you will like the DAAC (115 S. Division). Founded in 2003 and re-born in 2007, the Division Avenue Arts Collective is a volunteer-run performance and art venue that brings the hottest emerging bands to town. These nationally touring acts include Hate Your Guts and Of Fortune and Fame, as well as local heavyweights We Call This Irony and Stepdad. The shoebox space has a cramped stage full of disreputable gear in back and a merch table manned by diaphanous girlfriends by the door. Shows at the DAAC are all ages and tickets are usually $6.
Looking for a show, but it's not at the DAAC? Maybe it's at Mexicains Sans Frontieres (120 S. Division Ave. #226). The internationally irrepressible Hugo Claudin operates the music venue/apartment like the Grand Rapids version of Andy Warhol's Factory. If you like the bands you see, buy their music at Vertigo Music (129 S. Division Ave.). Owner Herm Baker and his expert staff can help you pick through the thousands of CDs, DVDs and vinyl records. You will leave with your arms full of music and a head full of knowledge.
All this art and culture will make you hungry, my peach. Louis Benton (77 Monroe Center NW) is Grand Rapids' premier steak house. You will enjoy the dry-aged Queen Filet Mignon, King Filet, Emperor Sirloin, Tomahawk Ribeye, Ninja New York Strip and the Widow Maker Porterhouse. It's like eating a Steven Seagal movie. The classy restaurant is the perfect spot to take that very skinny, very tanned yoga instructor on almost a date. You order a juicy filet with grilled shrimp and she gets lobster. It's the type of place where the chef comes out to check on your meal, starts flirting with your date, sends her glasses of wine and then sits with her as you eat. You leave, paying for both meals and go home to watch Resident Evil: Apocalypse. That Alice is a survivor.
Stella's Lounge (53 Commerce Ave. SW) is a little more laid back with the best jukebox in town. The ‘70s-style dive bar pours stiff drinks and the schwag beer you stole from your dad's garage fridge. The chill scene and vegan menu keeps the douche bag quotient low. The food is quite good. Try the Blessed Black Wings, which are zoologically impossible vegan hot wings. You can start the week right with Sh!t Show Sundays. The free "White Trash" Buffet including Sloppy Joe, Veggie Chili, Fritos and all the fixins. There's half off select whisky and free arcade games. Then sign up for Michigan's only Gong Show Karaoke. Sh!t.
For something a little more discrete, try to get into the Viceroy (53 Commerce Ave.). This private, ‘30s-style cocktail lounge is dark and elegant with an emphasis on sophisticated libations. Whet your whistle with a Classic Martini, Singapore Sling or Moscow Mule. You will need a password to get in and, the word on the street is that you can use #POPPA.
Soak up the Rolling Rock and cocktails sloshing around in your stomach with Grand Rapids Pizza Delivery (340 State St. SE). The pizza joint has dine-in hours until 11 p.m. on weekdays and 12:30 a.m. on Fridays and Saturdays. But that doesn't mean the chow fest has to stop. Late-night delivery is available until 2:30 a.m. Thursday through Saturday.
To spice things up, try Angel's Thai Cafe (136 Monroe Center NW). The Delft blue interior is simple, but relaxing with decorations bought in Thailand. Look for owner Julie Lee, who is frequently fussing over the guests. The menu boasts food that is colorful, fragrant and attractive without the greasiness of most storefront fried wing shops. Every dish can be customized by ingredient and spiciness. Poppa Steve is fond of the Vegetable Spring Rolls and Pork Preaw Warn. The suave Miss Carolita gets the Three Chocolate Mousse for dessert, even when we eat elsewhere.
With award-winning baristas and a cavernous interior, you know you are in coffee heaven at MadCap Coffee Company (98 Monroe Center NW). Let barista Josh Dunigan serve you up a Japanese-style slow drip coffee using Ethiopian Ardi Sidama Coffee. Just set aside an afternoon for the brewing and drinking process.
Think you have a secret spot or hidden gem in Grand Rapids? Don't bother sending them to me at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it . I already took your mom there.
Photos, from top: "Civil War" exhibit at GR Public Museum; Vertigo Music, shot by Jon Clay; Madcap Coffee, shot by Steven de Polo.
