Local Music: Are you feeling lucky, ready to drink green beer? That's right it's March and St. Patrick's Day is right around the corner. Get well prepared with Pre-patty weekend March 12 and 13, hosted by Jukes Bar and Ten Second March. Shows are scheduled Friday and Saturday evening for 21+ and a special sat afternoon show for all ages from 2-6 p.m. Among the ds are Ohio's The Pinstripes, and Detroit's A-Gang ... After you get your Patty practicing done make sure you head out for the real thing. On St. Patrick's Day, Grand Rapids Celtic rockers The Waxies will kick it off at 6 p.m. at Jukes. All shows are free. For more information check out myspace.com/tensecondmarch ... Kalamazoo drum and bass duo, Terror Terror Oh My! (formerly known as Cheeky Rider) heads into the studio this month. The duo has been making the rounds as half of the band Kids With Cobras, but seeing them play separate is a necessary event. Check them out at myspace.com/cheekyriderband ... Come to Papa Pete's for pizza specials, great music, and great company. Plus, every Tuesday DJ Josh takes the sound booth over about 9:30 p.m. to play ‘80s new wave and indie college rock ... Be sure to swing by Papa Pete's on March 13 at 9 p m. for homegrown ska rockers Mustard Plug. Show is ages 18+ and admission is $8. For more information check out myspace.com/mustardplug ... If you thought mall concerts were left in the ‘80s, you thought wrong. Schuler Books and Music has been doing in-store performances for some time now, as well as Coat of Many Colors. Last month, The Fainting Generals and AB! and Coconut Brown performed at Centerpointe Mall and Frayed in Kalamazoo has recently become a venue for local music performances.

Local CD Releases

Greensky Bluegrass get ambitious with its new live album, All Access: Volume 1. The two-disc album features nearly 30 live tracks from a fall 2009 concert. The band will release All Access: Volume 1 at Wealthy Theatre on March 6. For more on the release, visit revuewm.com to read the story ... Benjamin Riley is celebrating his CD release with a bash at Founders on March 25 at 9 p.m. Also playing that night is The Wildfire, Those Eighty Acres, and Justin Vanhaven.

Touring

Ireland's own internationally renowned band Dervish visit's Fenian's Irish Pub (19683 Main St., Conklin) on

Tuesday, March 9 at 8 p.m. Tickets are $35 for the ultimate Irish traditional music experience ... Canadian alternative metal band Three Days Grace will mix it up at the DeltaPlex Arena on Mar. 26 ... Sherwood, an indie-rock band from Cali, stops at the Intersection on March 23 ... To finish out the month, Grammy award-winning adult alternative band Train will drop by The Orbit Room on March 30 with its latest hit "Hey, Soul Sister" ... Virginia's Americana/roots band The Steel Wheels is stopping by Billy's Lounge on March 17, as well as Foundry Hall on March 16. The band has been compared to the Avett Brothers, Langhorne Slime and Old Crow Medicine Show. Visit revuewm.com for more information about the show and for an interview with the band ... After a successful New Year's performance, Michigan native Uncle Kracker is coming back to his home state. He stops by The Intersection on March 12 ... G.Love is bringing his Special Sauce to The Intersection on March 11. Stop by revuewm.com for an interview with the soulful white boy.

National Releases

New, unreleased material from the Jimi Hendrix Experience is set for release on March 9. The Hendrix Estate and Sony Music Entertainment have worked together to remaster a dozen songs with longtime Hendrix engineer, Eddie Kramer. The greatest-guitarist-on-planet-earth's new album is called Valleys of Neptune ... In his last album, Chamillionaire told anyone who would listen why he's "hot." Is he still fly? We will find out when he releases Venom on March 16 ... Indie wunderkinds Zooey Deschanel and M.Ward - also known as She & Him - are releasing their sophomore album Volume Two on March 23 ... Also being released that day is Goldfrapp's latest, Head First. The electronic twosome looks like it's going back to its electro roots after the surprisingly mellow Seventh Tree.

Beer

Summer is here! Well, not officially, but in the beer world it is. Bell's Oberon is set to be released on March 29, which is just as exciting as the real first day of summer. HopCat is nixing the St. Patrick's Day tradition of green beer on March 17. Instead, the beer bar will feature Irish beer, Irish food and music all day with the Angry Piper, Rich O'Burkholder, An Dro, and The Lash ... The evening before St. Patty's, HopCat is hosting PussyCat Beer Guild, described as "A bunch of cool chicks sitting around drinking great beer talking about anything other than husbands, kids and work." The ladies-only guild starts at 6 p.m. ... If you're on the lakeshore and don't have time to get out to Arcadia Brewing Company in Battle Creek, Fennville's Salt of the Earth is bringing Arcadia to you. On March 25, the restaurant will feature an Arcadia Ales beer dinner. Cost is $55 per person and seating is limited to the first 40 people who reserve their spots.

Community

Bring a seat and stay for Conklin's 23rd Annual "Wearin' of the Green" St. Patrick's Day Parade, beginning at 10:55 a.m., featuring the Grand Rapids Catholic Central HS Marching Band, and followed by a traditional Irish Hooley (dance party). Then visit Fenian's Irish Pub, Michigan's #1 Irish Pub, for the only Guinness approved Guinness around ... The lovely Stephanie Stowbridge of Moxie Salon was recently featured showing off her body art in Savage Tattoo Magazine's March issue.

Theatre

Whoever said boy bands went out with the Aughts has never seen Altar Boyz. The Boyz are a fictional Christian boy band from Ohio and the driving force behind the award-winning play of the same name. They'll be making a stop at East Grand Rapids High School on March 13 for a 7:30 p.m. show. Tickets are $10-$30 and proceeds will go to the Music and Stage Boosters and be used to provide scholarships and purchase instruments, band and orchestra uniforms, and theater improvements.

Film

On Feb. 17, filmmaker - and Michigan native - Michael Moore stopped by Muskegon to support the Harbor Theater. The theater, which shows primarily independent films, announced in January that it would not be able to schedule films unless it came up with $4,500. A fundraiser was held and Moore's appearance/event combined funds from the previous event ... The Peas are invading Celebration Cinema on March 30. Not the green ones, the Black Eyed ones. At Celebration Cinema's Grand Rapids North, Rivertown, and Muskegon locations there will be a live showing of The Black Eyed Peas: The E-N-D World Tour. The event will feature 30-minutes of backstage and behind the scenes footage and a rousing concert performance.

Sports

Arena Sports Racing continues its mid-season series of racing at the Deltaplex. Upcoming races are March 7, 20, and 27. Also, running events include the Spectrum Health Irish Jig on March 20, 7:30 a.m., and the Walker Pump and Run, which features weight lifting as well as running.

Random Notes is compiled by REVUE staff and minions including Theo Andrews, Rebecca Lee, Elena Nieman, Lindsay Patton-Carson, Kelli Ponstein and Matt Simpson Siegel.

For more breaking news about music, arts, entertainment and sports, visit the REVUE blog at revuewm.blogspot.com. Send your news to This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .

Coming in April...
It's tax season, which means it's time for our second Cheap Issue. If you had to give up your "fun" money to Uncle Sam, don't worry, we'll show you the best places to find cheap - and free! - entertainment.

Random Quotes:

"I wish I could say I did something spectacular, but I really don't. I pretty much wake up every day and it just looks like this."
-Andrea "SuperDre" Wallace on her giant hairdo

Overheard:

"What the hell is an Interweb anyway?"

"Never trust a guy who wants to buy stock in Spam."

"She went Eighth grade angry on your ass"

"You dance like a hula dancer on a dirt road."

"I wouldn't Skype you right now because I have a sweatshirt on."

"It's not butt surgery, it's colon surgery."

If You're Into It: Hip-Hop

WHERE TO SEE:

Louie's Bar and Rocket Lounge
608 Bridge St NW, Grand Rapids
myspace.com/louiesandtherocketlounge

A spot frequented by local hip-hop artists Nixon, Ed Niño, and AB! & Coconut Brown, Louie's offers more than the typical humdrum bar. This multi-level complex's electrifying ambiance will get any straight-laced somebody droppin' rhymes and workin' rhythms. Live bands and DJs hit the stage downstairs while chill, euphoric beats stream in through speakers in the upstairs lounge. Both venues promise to help guests fulfill Louie's motto-live well, drink well.

OTHER PLACES TO GO:

Billy's Lounge
1437 Wealthy SE, Grand Rapids
billyslounge.com
(616) 459-5757

The Orbit Room
2525 Lake Eastbrook S.E., Grand Rapids
orbitroom.com
(616) 942-1328

WHO TO SEE:

Nixon

Winner of five Grand Rapids Hip Hop awards in 2009, Nixon has proved himself on and off the stage as the best artist and best producer of the year. On the national level, he has been highlighted on satellite radio station Hip-Hop Nation. This self-proclaimed "white boy up in a rock shirt" will no doubt go far.

Others to see:
Ed Niño, Rick Chyme, Suport, AB! & Coconut Brown, Poor Sports

Local Music News: A new year, a new venue or two. As veteran local music fans know it has been tough in Kalamazoo with the venue losses. Hopefully this year will change that. Old Dog Tavern (402 E. Kalamazoo Ave.) opened its doors early last month. It is located in the old Kraftbrau building and definitely has a buzz going. For booking info e-mail This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it , or call (269) 350-7693...Speaking of Kraftbrau, rumors are flying about the reopening in a different location. Renovations have begun at the former location of the Dog House/Wonderful's on Portage road. All three venues closed in 2007...West Michigan rockers Dunktank are making quite a name for themselves since they were featured on WGRD's Bootleg ‘09 album next to national acts Veer Union, Theory of a Deadman, Pop Evil and more. The CD is available at all West Michigan Meijer stores and proceeds go to Hospice of Michigan. "We've opened for Tantric, Saliva, Dope and Pop Evil and are looking forward to more opportunities in 2010," says Don Cool of Dunktank. You can catch the band at Planet Rock in Battle Creek on Feb. 11. For more information and music visit myspace.com/dunktankband.... The Coopersville Farm Museum is celebrating its sixth anniversary of Jam Night on Feb. 2. Jam Night is held inside the museum the first and third Tuesday of every month at 7 p.m., and participants are encouraged to bring an acoustic instrument to perform songs with other musicians. Admission is $4, or free to members of the Museum...Starting Feb. 1, the Mackinaw Harvest Music Group is hosting Mackinaw Harvest Recording School, a five-week intensive program designed to give students a hands-on experience of production, engineering and the recording process. The class meets every Monday in the afternoon and evening. For more information, visit mackinawharvest.com/school.php...My Dear Disco's Theo Katzman (shown above) is leaving the band to pursue his own career as an indie/soul singer/songwriter. Katzman is scheduled to play his first show at Bell's Eccentric Café on Feb. 25 at 9:30 p.m. Cover is $5 for the 21-and-up show.

Touring: Twitter addict, serial dater, and guitar-playing extraordinaire John Mayer is bringing feel-good singer Michael Franti (shown right) and his band Spearhead to Van Andel Arena (Grand Rapids) on Feb. 28. Not a Mayer fan? Head across the street to the B.O.B. to see West Michigan's successful ska band Mustard Plug play on the same night...Fifth Third Ballpark announced a singer/songwriter series for its Pepsi Stadium Club. First up is folk troubadour John Wesley Harding. On deck, Richard Shindell in March. In the hole, Cheryl Wheeler in April. For more, visit whitecapsbaseball.com...Self-described "Two Man Wrecking Crew" Cedric Burnside & Lightnin' Malcolm bring their brand of blues to Kalamazoo State Theatre Feb. 12.

Local CD Releases: Musical duo MacRaven (award-winning composer and pianist Roger MacNaughton and 30-year Grand Rapids Symphony Orchestra cellist Steve VanRavenswaay) is releasing its CD, The Heart Does Not Forget and will be performing songs from the album at One Trick Pony and the downtown Schuler Books & Music location. On Feb. 14, the duo will make a couple's romantic dinner complete when they play at One Trick Pony's Valentine's Dinner from 6-10 p.m. Autographed CDs will be available for purchase. The Schuler performance will be on Feb. 26 and start at 7 p.m.

National CD Releases: Musician, director, and all-around creepy guy, Rob Zombie has taken a break from remaking the Halloween franchise to release Hellbilly Deluxe II, his fourth solo album and a companion to his debut album, Hellbilly Deluxe. The album drops Feb. 2...New Wave icon - and former Talking Heads front man - David Byrne is teaming up with Fatboy Slim to release Here Lies Love on Feb. 23...Also being released on that day is Computers and Blues from British hip hop act Michael Geoffrey Skinner, also known by his stage name, The Streets...British electropop group Hot Chip is releasing its fourth album, One Life Stand on Feb. 9.

Community: Stop by Grand Rapids' Arena District (Ionia St.) for the Cajun Crawl all day on Feb. 16. Multiple bars, restaurants and area establishments will be celebrating Mardi Gras with special menus, events and the second annual "World's 1st Motionless Parade," where motionless floats will be lining the streets.

Beer: Bundle up because Fifth Third Ballpark (Comstock Park) is hosting the Michigan Brewers Guild Fifth Annual Winter Beer Festival on Feb. 27. Held by the Michigan Brewers Guild, tickets are on sale now at michiganbrewersguild.org for $35 in advance, which includes 15 drink tokens...Beer snobs can formulate the perfect Valentine's Day date by going to HopCat on Feb. 14. The number three beer bar in the world is hosting a reservations-only four-course beer-paired meal for $70 per couple. Menu items include fresh flower salad, oysters with vanilla stout foam, and ginger honey ice cream.

Art: The Division Avenue Arts Collective is inviting artists, business owners, city planners, community organizers, activists, commissioners, and creative types to participate in a conversation with artist Marc Fischer on Feb. 5 from 3-5 p.m. at the DAAC. The conversation will focus on the issues addressed in the ART WORK project, a national dialogue concerning art and economies.

Theatre: Western Michigan University's Department of Theatre's original production, Good Death, which ran in October, recently competed to win a performance opportunity at the Kennedy Center's National Festival. The festival will be held in Washington D.C. in April. Official results will be announced in March...In other WMU theatre news, Shakespeare will be making a return to the theatre in the Shaw Theatre at the Gilmore Theatre Complex with As You Like It. The last time this play saw WMU was 100 years ago, as the Department of Speech's senior play in 1910. As You Like It will run Feb. 18-26.

Film: The West Michigan Film Office is hosting a monthly mixer for anyone interested in film. The first mixer was Jan. 25 and featured Michigan Film Commissioner Janet Lockwood as its guest speaker. The event is held on the last Monday of every month from 6-9 p.m. at Brann's Steakhouse (401 Leonard St. NW, Grand Rapids) with drink and appetizer specials all night. Every mixer will feature a guest speaker and topics ranging from directing, producing, acting, writing, to crewing, and with updates on West Michigan film.

Comedy: Bust a gut in Kalamazoo Valentine's eve (Feb. 13) or on in GR on VD night (Feb. 14) with the Laugh Lover's Ball: An Evening of Sophisticated Silliness. The night's lineup is well-nigh a dream team of comedy, featuring Drew Hastings, Nikki Glaser, Dwight Slade, and Tim Lee. Tickets are $29.50 or $40 ($40 tickets include pre-show hors d'ouevres). Get them through the State Theatre or ticketmaster.com...Poptart® lover Brian Regan visits the Wharton Center in East Lansing on Feb. 28…C&W comic Rodney Carrington sings his classics like “A Letter to My Penis” and “Gay Factory Worker” when he visits Soaring Eagle Casino and Resort in April...Gary Fields may have shut the doors to his comedy club, but that doesn't mean the laughs stop there. Fields is still coordinating comedy shows, with two shows at Ball Joint Sports Bar (4720 Beckley Road, Battle Creek) in February. On Feb. 5 and 6, clean comic Heywood Banks is performing an 8 p.m. ($18) and 10:30 p.m. ($15) show. On Feb. 12 and 13, Dwayne Gill and Dean Mink stop by for a clean $10 show.

Random Notes is compiled by REVUE staff and minions including Elena Nieman, Lindsay Patton-Carson, Brian Edwards, Kate Bedrick, Mitchell Terpstra, and Melinda Wilcox. For more breaking news about music, arts, entertainment and beer, visit the REVUE blog at revuewm.blogspot.com. Send your news to This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .

IF YOU'RE INTO IT: OPEN MIC

Where to go:

Billy's Lounge
1437 Wealthy St. SE, Grand Rapids
billyslounge.com, (616) 459-5757

The minds at Billy's Lounge know most open mic nights aren't very friendly to bands looking to sharpen their stage skills. That's why they created Plugged, an open mic specifically for bands. So take your band out of the garage/basement, put down the Guitar Hero and get your training in to become the next rock god. The 21-and-up, no cover evening starts at 9 p.m. every Tuesday.

For the sensitive, intellectual type, Billy's also offers a Monday night open mic. Dubbed Grand Rapids' original open mic night, this event is also 21-and-up, no cover, and starts at 9 p.m.

Other places to go:

Harvey's on the Mall
416 South Burdick St., Kalamazoo
myspace.com/harveysonthemall, (269) 492-7506
Every Monday at 10 p.m.

Rocky's Bar and Grill
633 Ottawa Ave. NW, Grand Rapids
Myspace.com/rockysbarandgrille, (616) 356-2346
Acoustic open mic every Tuesday at 9:30 p.m.

Main Street Pub & Eatery
1113 Ruddiman Dr., Muskegon
(231) 744-7139
Every Sunday at 8 p.m.

Dee Lite Restaurant
24 Washington Ave, Grand Haven
harborrestaurants.com/deelite, (616) 844-5055
Every Monday at 9 p.m. Hosted by Big Daddy Fox.

Sazerac Lounge
1418 Plainfield Ave NE, Grand Rapids
thesazeraclounge.com, (616) 451-0010
Every Thursday at 10 p.m.

Louie's Bar
608 Bridge St, Grand Rapids
myspace.com/louiesandtherocketlounge
Every Monday at 9 p.m. Hosted by Curt Hines.