OMG! He said what?
"I know there are some who want to go back — who think we should return to the policies that actually led to the recession," Barack Obama said to a crowd of more than 400 guests and event volunteers in Holland. "And some of them have made the political calculation that it's better to obstruct than lend a hand. They said no to the tax cuts, to the small business loans, to the clean energy projects. It doesn't stop them from coming to ribbon-cuttings — but that's okay."
Local Music ///
Local Music ///
On Aug. 7, Al & the Black Cats are returning home to Grand Rapids for its CD release party at Billy's Lounge. This punk/rockabilly (can we call it punkabilly?) group blends two very different genres into an upbeat edgy sound ... At Founders Brewery, check out the Pistolbrides with special guests Lazy Genius, and The Juliets. This free show is on Aug. 12 ... Mystic Dub also hosts its CD release party at Bell's Brewery on Aug. 12. This Grand Rapids indie-reggae offers up feel-good vibes that make summer even better ... On Aug. 27, Papa Pete's is throwing its Welcome Week Bash. Time travel to the ‘60s with Doctor Dwyer, a Kalamazoo based psychedelic funk band. Special guests Me3Mind, a South Haven progressive psychedelic group, and Nunca Duerma, a hip-hop downtempo band will also be playing. Tickets are $5 ...
Head to Papa Pete's for Summer of Mayhem on Aug. 7. Featuring nine of Kalamazoo's best local rock, metal, punk and experimental bands, this year, there will be a raffle for a guitar, as well as swag from some of the performing bands. All proceeds from the guitar raffle will go to Wounded Warriors, supporting soldiers injured in service. Tickets are $10 in advance, $12 day of show, and free admission for prior and current military personnel with proper ID ... It's time to raise the dead. Grand Rapids horror punk band The Necrophilicons are having a reunion show Friday, Aug. 13 (and what an appropriate date it is) at The Breakroom in Grand Rapids. Member Tommy Gun says this show "is gonna be bigger and bloodier then the last" ... Brother Bill will be playing one of its famous three-hour sets at Harvey's on the Mall in Kalamazoo Aug. 28. This is a free show and is 21+ only ... After buying Skelletones, Mixtape Café and Venue has been comfortably operating on Division Avenue for the past two and a half years. Now, it's time for the venue to expand as its been booking larger touring bands. Not only is the venue moving to 1115 Taylor Ave. in Grand Rapids, but it boasts a new name: MXTP. The grand opening on Aug. 13 will feature pop/punk band New Found Glory ...
Tuesday nights just got a little wilder at the Globe Theater. Jesse Soltis, drummer of Kalamazoo punk band Randy Thunderbird is now booking Punk Rock Tuesdays at the new Kalamazoo Venue. The new weekly night will attempt to get the basement show parties a little more into the scene. For more information, or to get your band booked, call The Globe at (269)488-3330 ... Recently, Wayland's Michael Howe advanced beyond thousands of other guitarists to be named one of 25 semi-finalists in its fourth annual King of the Blues, the nationwide search for the next great undiscovered blues guitar player ... Last month, Grand Rapids band, Troll for Trout released The First Fifteen: 1995-2010 at One Trick Pony. The album has 21 tracks, including remastered tracks of fan and band favorites, plus four new Troll for Trout songs. The band booked multiple shows in Michigan and Chicago in order to promote the new album.
Touring ///
No longer the scraggle-haired girlie boys that ‘90s tweens went wild over, the guys of Hanson are now married with babies, and their music has grown up with them. Hanson, the grown up edition, is coming to the Intersection on Aug. 16. Tickets are $25 for an all ages show at 6:30 p.m... Grammy winning band Stone Temple Pilots is coming to the Deltaplex Arena. Its alternative sound is inspired by a variety of genres from grunge to glam rock. Tickets are $35 for the 6 p.m. show on Aug. 19.
National CD Releases ///
Known for its fusion of traditional Mexican and Spanish folk music with modern rock, Los Lobos will release its 19th album Tin Can Trust on Aug. 3. This is the first album of original music in the past four year for the band ... In 2008, Katy Perry gave us the single "I Kissed a Girl." This summer, "California Gurls" is already stuck in everyone's head. Perry's latest single is a precursor to her latest album Teenage Dream, which will be released on Aug. 24...Trace Adkins, will release his latest album, Cowboy's Back In Town, on Aug. 17. His ninth studio album shows Adkins at his best, managing to be both funny and tender on the same album ... The upcoming country star Emily West, who performed her single "Blue Sky" on "The Apprentice," will release her first self-titled studio album on Aug. 10 ... Other notable August releases include T.I.'s King Uncaged, and Goo Goo Dolls' Something For The Rest Of Us.
Wine ///
The Windquest Group has partnered with Kameel Chamelly, owner of Martha's Vineyard, to open Reserve (201 Monroe Ave NW.), an upscale wine bar in downtown Grand Rapids that seats 170. Reserve will celebrate its grand opening this fall and will offer a selection of more than 250 bottles of fine wine. It will also feature one of the largest cruvinet wine dispensing systems in the area. The temperature controlled system is designed to preserve and dispense over 100 different wines by the glass. It also allows for sparkling wine to be ordered by the glass or flight. Reserve will offer various wine flights of three, two-ounce pours from an extensive world wine list.
Beer ///
Get ready to indulge in beer and music. On Aug. 27-28, the Traverse City Summer Microbrew & Music Festival will unite fans of brews and tunes. There will be more than 45 breweries pouring more than 150 kinds of beer. Bands that are already booked to play the weekend include Brett Dennen, Lubriphonic, Down the Line, Bump, Mike Moran, Levi Britton, and Grand Traverse Pipes & Drums, with more to be announced. A two-day pass is $50 for 21 and up, with individual days priced at $30. Friday is all-ages, while Saturday is 21 and up only. For more information, visit porterhouseproductions.com.
Dining ///
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COMING IN SEPTEMBER…
School isn't the only thing starting in September. It's also time for arts organizations to start their new seasons. Fall 2010 holds big musical productions and art exhibitions for West Michigan, so don't miss our second annual arts issue.
Important Dates:
Ad Deadline: Aug. 20
Editorial Deadline: Aug. 13 Delivery: Aug. 27 |
On June 1, Millennium Restaurant Group welcomed Kirk McKinney as the new executive chef of the Epic Bistro as well as the recently opened Central City Tap House. In 2009, McKinney completed his education at the Culinary Institute of America in Hyde Park, New York. During his time at the CIA, McKinney worked with Chef Daniel Boulud at Restaurant Daniel (voted eighth best restaurant in the world) on Manhattan's Upper East Side.
Theatre ///
There's not much that's more heart-warming than the bond between a man and his dog. Well, except if it's the bond and ever-lasting friendship between frog and toad. Nominated for three Tony Awards, A Year With Frog and Toad is a musical journey through the joys of friendship. Using characters from Arnold Lobel's books, Willie Reale, along with Robert Reale, wrote and composed the play. It will show from Aug. 2-13 at the Knickerbocker Theatre in Holland and be performed by the Hope Summer Repertory Theatre.
Community ///Film ///
Recently released at Sazerac Lounge was the trailer for Clean Break, which was written by local filmmakers, Jacob de la Rosa and Ryan Lieske. Produced through Collective Studios, the film stars Joseph Scott Anthony, Ashley Marini, Rick Reed, and Sophie Ni and will be premiering at Thriller! Chiller! festival in October.
Random Quote ///
"Now I'm a professional comedian and one of them is homeless. The other is a meter maid. Had a sex change. So who won? I think I did. Yeah, I think I did."
—Comedian Doug Benson (See our interview with Benson here.)
—Comedian Doug Benson (See our interview with Benson here.)
Random Notes is compiled by Revue staff and minions including Brian Edwards, Amy Lundquist, James Nichols, Elena Nieman, Lindsay Patton-Carson, and Melinda Wilcox.
For more breaking news about music, arts, entertainment and beer, visit the REVUE blog. Oh, and
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