Issuu

WEST MICHIGAN’S ENTERTAINMENT GUIDE FOR 38 YEARS » SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER 2026

FRE E! Burning it Down to Build Something New:

LEE EMI STEPS INTO HER OWN LIGHT

THE

THIS YEAR’S ARTIST PROFILES 10 BANDS TO WATCH IN 2026

ISSUE

SWEATER WEATHER: FALL FUN IN WEST MICHIGAN K ALAMAZOO & BATTLE CREEK TRAVEL GUIDE REVUEWM.COM

2 S E P T E M B E R / O C T O B E R | Arts & Music

REVUEWM.COM

4 S E P T E M B E R / O C T O B E R | Arts & Music

REVUEWM.COM

6 S E P T E M B E R / O C T O B E R | Arts & Music

WHAT 'S IN S I DE

SEP TEMB ER /O C TOB ER VOLUME 38, ISSUE 5 O N T H E C OV E R :

NEWS 10

What’s Going On

GET OUT 12

Pup, Pup, Hooray!

SPOTLIGHT 36

Sweater Weather: Fall Fun in West Michigan

TRAVEL 38

Kalamazoo & Battle Creek Travel Guide

FEATURE ARTIST PROFILES 14 CREA pg 14 Hailey Johnson & Hammerspace Gallery pg 15 Kailey Sullivan pg 16 Bee Vrieland & The VEIL Collective pg 18

COVER PHOTO BY LORI M GOTTSCHLING

DON’T MISS: 2026 ARTS & MUSIC PREVIEW

WEST MICHIGAN MUSIC VENUE ROUNDTABLE 24 10 Bands to Watch in 2026 pg 28 Going Big and Grateful: The Red Clay Strays Arena Tour Comes to Van Andel pg 30 Halloween Queen: Izzy Reign’s Spooky Rule Extends All Year Long pg 31 Burning It Down to Build Something New: Lee Emi Steps Into Her Own Light pg 32 Putting GR Rap on the Map: Sonny Ski Takes Pride in West Michigan Roots pg 33

ADVERTISING Media Sales Consultant | Anna Sullivan, anna@serendipity-media.com

You may not be getting the BEST eNewsletter in West Michigan! Conf irm that you have great decision-

PUBLISHED BIMONTHLY BY: Serendipity Media LLC | 519 Ada Drive, Suite 201, Ada, MI 49301 (616) 458-8371 | www.serendipity-media.com

FIND US ONLINE | revuewm.com | @revuewm

!!!

| @revue.wm

making skill s by signing up at RevueWM.com/Subscribe.

REVUEWM.COM

/// LET TE R FROM THE ED ITOR

JOSH VEAL Managing Editor josh@serendipity-media.com

uring t he 2020 pa ndemic, which some of you may remember, a r t s a nd mu sic spaces were deemed “non-essential.” A nd while it wa s absolutely necessa r y to limit contact to protect v ulnerable populations, it’s now clear in 2026 that the label couldn’t be further from the truth. Without art, without music, without togetherness, what do we have? The great news is how this has led to a renaissance of sorts, with more bands touring than ever before, more galleries and art collectives being formed across West Michigan, and more people leaving home to enjoy theatre, dance, the symphony and museums. After years of discussion revolving around the fact people are staying home and looking at screens, the tides have turned. Not to mention generative AI, which most of us are roundly rejecting when it comes to art. We crave connection and authenticity, and people ever y where are making it happen. This issue seeks to highlight those people. We only have enough room to cover a sliver of the broader community (shameless plug: feel free to buy an ad if you’d like to give us more pages and resources to work with), but we hope to give you a glimpse at the fascinating projects West Michigan artists and musicians are putting together. In my time talking to local creatives, it’s come up again and again— especially from transplants who only joined the community in recent years—that this is an exceptional place for art. We have genuinely world-class institutions like The Gilmore, the Grand Rapids Ballet, Ox-Bow School of A rt, Saugatuck Center for the Arts, etc. etc. etc., alongside small, scrappy collectives and independent venues fostering the next generation of artists and musicians. So, in the pages a head, you’ll f ind prof iles on a ll of the above, a long with our annua l A rts Season Preview (feel free to tear those pages out and just keep them on your coffee table a ll year long), and an extensive roundtable with loca l music venue managers. In that conversation, we discuss the many challenges faced by venues today—including rising costs, bots and third-part y sellers—as well as the joy these spaces bring to audiences and artists alike. As long as humanity has existed, so has art. It’s a core part of our being. A nd it’s not going any where, no matter what life throws at us. ‘Til next time,

BE A PART OF 2026! Call (616) 458-8371 or email sales@revuewm.com DO YOU HAVE THE PERFECT GIFT FOR OUR READERS? BE A PART OF THE HOLIDAY GIFT GUIDE! NOV/DEC

HOLIDAY GIFT GUIDE Spotlight On: Experience the Holidays

8 S E P T E M B E R / O C T O B E R | Arts & Music

REAL VISIBILITY and DIRECT ACCESS! Advertise for as low as $150/month!

REVUEWM.COM

/// N E WS

WHAT’S GOING ON SEPT/OCT ‘26 9/4 KALAMASHOEGAZER Bell’s Eccentric Café 355 E. Kalamazoo Ave., Kalamazoo Sep. 4-5 bellsbeer.com Kalamashoegazer is an annual independent music festival in Kalamazoo, celebrating shoegaze and dreampop. Founded in 2007, it is the longest-running DIY festival of its kind in the United States. This year’s lineup includes No Culture, Cool Heat, Sungaze, Vida Eterna, Brief Candles and more.

9/11 WHEATLAND MUSIC FESTIVAL 7251 50th Ave, Remus Sep. 11-13 wheatlandmusic.org Each year, thousands of children and adults converge on a 160-acre festival site to enjoy a wide variety of traditional arts spread across three days. Festival goers take part in workshops, demonstrations, dances, and impromptu jam sessions throughout the site as well as the stage performances, juried arts and crafts, and a wide variety of food.

9/12 THERAPY GECKO Wealthy Theatre 1130 Wealthy St. SE, Grand Rapids Sep. 12, 8 p.m. grcmc.org How to explain Therapy Gecko? Well, it’s an unlicensed lizard psychologist traveling the universe, talking to strangers, of course. He takes calls and talks to people from the crowd, offering up hilariously unqualified “therapy” on everything from relationships and existential crises to the weirdest problems you never knew people had. ALABAMA Van Andel Arena 130 W. Fulton St., Grand Rapids Sep. 12, 7 p.m. vanandelarena.com Alabama is the band that changed everything, bringing country music to the mainstream. They went from side stage to the main stage with rock style guitars, lights, pyrotechnics and sounds. Hits including “Mountain Music,” “Song of the South,” “Dixieland

Delight” and “Love in the First Degree” made Alabama one of the best-selling country groups of all time. JULIAN MCCULLOUGH The Big Room 975 Ottawa Ave NW, Grand Rapids Sep. 12 thebigroomgr.com Julian McCullough is the host of Nate Bargatze’s record breaking Big Dumb Eyes tour, has headlined nationally for years and has multiple recent appearances on the Tonight Show with Jimmy Fallon. Occasionally he has a night off from the biggest comedy tour in history to spend time with his family, but instead he’s doing his own show in Grand Rapids!

9/14 WHITNEY + EMMA OGIER The Pyramid Scheme 68 Commerce Ave. SW, Grand Rapids Sep. 14, 7 p.m. pyramidschemebar.com Chicago indie rockers Whitney have built a sound steeped in the goldenhour: warm guitars, gentle grooves, soulful arrangements and Julien Ehrlich’s unmistakable falsetto. The band broke out with 2016’s Light Upon the Lake and has continued blending folk, country, soul and soft rock into something distinctly their own.

9/17 MICHIGAN IRISH MUSIC FESTIVAL Heritage Landing 1051 7th St., Muskegon Sep. 17-20 michiganirish.org Everyone and everything is a little bit Irish here. Held annually in September, this vibrant festival boasts six dynamic stages of live music, traditional dance, and cultural entertainment. Savor authentic Irish fare at the Celtic Kitchen, raise a glass at The Pub, and browse unique Celtic wares at the bustling market.

9/18 ARTPRIZE Across Grand Rapids Sep. 18-Oct. 3 artprize.org Every fall, across Grand Rapids, art is exhibited in galleries and storefronts.

10 S E P T E M B E R / O C T O B E R | Arts & Music

Parks and museums. In breweries and public spaces and venues of all kinds. As for the prize, they award over $400,000 directly to artists through both popular and juried voting. This year, it’s been extended to encompass 22 days, and is filled with collaborations bringing ballet, opera, symphonic music, children’s programming, fashion and neighborhood-based art experiences into accessible public spaces across the city.

9/19 EASTOWN STREETFAIR Wealthy Street Sep. 19, 9 a.m.-9 p.m. eastown.org The Eastown Streetfair is a familyfriendly celebration of arts, crafts, food, drinks, music, and the Eastown neighborhood; one of Grand Rapids’ most eclectic districts! The Fun-Filled Fairgrounds features activites for kids all day, including balloon twisting, GRPL Mobile Library, the Grand Rapids Children’s Museum, crafts, and more!

9/25 ELECTRIC FEELS: INDIE ROCK + ELECTRONIC DANCE PARTY The Intersection 133 Cesar E. Chavez Ave SW, Grand Rapids Sep. 25, 9 p.m. sectionlive.com Electric Feels is an experiential dance party that plays everything from indie rock to electronic dance music, illuminated by big stage production. You can expect to hear music from artists like: Tame Impala, The Strokes, Passion Pit, Two Door Cinema Club, Daft Punk, Kid Cudi, LCD Soundsystem, Crystal Castles, and many more. OKTOBERFESTGR Riverside Park 3061 Monroe Ave. NW, Grand Rapids Sep. 25-26 oktoberfestgr.com Raise a stein to German tradition at Oktoberfest GR, a lively celebration of beer, food, music and all things Bavarian. Expect plenty of brews, hearty German fare, games, live entertainment and festive activities that bring a taste of Munich to GR. This event is free to attend, and open to all ages.

9/26 WEALTHY STREET BLOCK PARTY Corner of Eastern & Wealthy Sep. 26, 2-9 p.m. linktr.ee/wealthy_street The Wealthy Street Block Party is back and bigger than ever! Join for a day of local flavor and festive vibes, featuring live music, food trucks, craft drinks, and a street full of neighbors, makers, and music lovers. As the sun goes down, the party moves to the grass for a special after-sunset showing of Shrek on a pop-up screen.

10/2 MODEST MOUSE GLC Live at 20 Monroe 11 Ottawa Ave NW, Grand Rapids Oct. 2, 7 p.m. glcliveat20monroe.com Formed in the Pacific Northwest in the early 1990s, Modest Mouse grew from an influential indie rock cult favorite into one of the genre’s most recognizable bands. Decades into their career, Modest Mouse remains a dynamo live act, and they’re bringing both classic songs and hits from their new album An Eraser and a Maze to Grand Rapids in October.

10/4 LUCY DARLING DeVos Performance Hall 303 Monroe Ave. NW, Grand Rapids Oct. 4, 7 p.m. devosperformancehall.com Award-winning performer Carisa Hendrix stars as charming socialite and cocktail enthusiast Lucy Darling, as she continues her vivacious vagabond voyages with You’re Welcome, a touring variety show featuring her razor-sharp wit, unquestionable advice, skillful magic, and delightful friends.

10/13 THE LINDA LINDAS The Intersection - Elevation 133 Cesar E. Chavez Ave SW, Grand Rapids Oct. 13, 8 p.m. sectionlive.com Gotta Get Out, the third album from Bela Salazar, Eloise Wong, and Lucia and Mila de la Garza, is the

Find out what else is happening around West Michigan at www.RevueWM.com/calendar

sound of a band discovering itself. Their first two records took them from L.A. Chinatown all-ages scene mainstays to tours with Green Day and song placements in Inside Out 2. But for this one, they wanted something a little different. Gotta Get Out experiments with genre yet stays cohesive as a whole, delivering a new delight at every turn.

10/17 BETH STELLING: LET ME GET LOOSE The Pyramid Scheme 68 Commerce Ave. SW, Grand Rapids Oct. 17, 7 p.m. pyramidschemebar.com Beth Stelling has the rare ability to make even the most uncomfortable parts of life feel warm, conversational and very funny. The Chicago-bred, Los Angeles-based comedian has appeared on Conan and Jimmy Kimmel Live! and written for shows including Crashing, The Last O.G. and Rick and Morty. Her latest

release, The Landlord Special, turns the nightmare of a bad landlord into prime comedy material.

10/20 DAN TYMINSKI BAND St. Cecilia Music Center Oct. 20, 7:30 p.m. scmcgr.org Dan Tyminski was six years old when his parents began taking him to fiddle contests, square dances, and bluegrass festivals across New England. Throughout his 30+ year career, Tyminski has left his mark in every corner of modern music. His voice famously accompanies George Clooney’s performance of the Stanley Brothers’ classic song, “I Am A Man of Constant Sorrow,” in the film, Oh Brother, Where Art Thou? and his vocal collaboration with Swedish DJ Avicii on the song “Hey Brother” was a global smash, having been streamed more than a billion times to date.

YOUR SOLUTION FOR COMPLETE FRYER MANAGEMENT Our fryer cleaning and oil management services help you save time, money and stress.

BEFORE

AFTER

MAKING COMMERCIAL KITCHENS FASTER, GREENER, SAFER AND CLEANER. 616-730-3733 tony.rouch@gofilta.com gofilta.com/488

REVUEWM.COM

/// G ET O UT | Your Guide to What’s Great in the Great Outdoors

PUP, PUP, HOORAY! | by Allison Kay Bannister

ccording to the calendar, the dog days of summer are off icially over, ending a span of time marked by sweltering heat, humidity, and mild complaining. Aside from a Florence + The Machine reference, who here has really thought about what “dog days” means? I had to look it up, and it’s kind of interesting. During early July through roughly the f irst couple weeks of August, Sirius—nicknamed the “Dog Star” because of its placement in the Canis Major (or “Greater Dog”) constellation—rises and sets alongside the sun. Ancient astronomers noticed this alignment coincided with summer’s hottest, most humid days and concluded that Sirius, in collusion with the sun, must be responsible for this weather pattern. They surmised incorrectly, but the real answer is another story for another time. The important part is that many of us learned something new today! The “dog days” moniker has endured for two millennia, and just delving into its origins had me thinking about our canine friends and how they feel about their eponymous season. If you’ve ever been out on a hike, you’ve probably seen some pretty enthusiastic dogs taking their owners for walks. Some trails and some locations are better than others when it comes to this kind of frolicking, and I got the scoop from some friends on what those are. Let’s jump in!

GRAND RAVINES DOG PARK is located at Grand Ravines South off Fillmore, and widely considered to be the best of its kind in West Michigan. Human companions appreciate that they have benches, doggy drinking fountains available seasonally from spring through fall, and separate fenced-in play areas for large dogs and small dogs. There are also fenced, offleash trails, as well as paved and wooded trails when leashes are required. There are modern restrooms, too, that include a dog wash station and water bottle refill stations. WAHLFIELD DOG PARK is newly opened and in stiff competition for recognition among the top play spots. And, being on the opposite side of town, it offers a closer option for many. The fully enclosed, 10-acre park is at the north end of Wahlfield Park and has a number of appealing features. Among them are a fenced-in, one-acre area only for small dogs (under 25 pounds), a two-acre open activity field for dogs of all sizes, and a large swimming pond with a dog beach and jumping dock. In addition to crushed-stone walking trails, there are agility ramps and training obstacles throughout. The four-season family restroom with a dog wash station is also a plus. HILLCREST DOG PARK is in the northeast quadrant of GR, and while it

12 S E P T E M B E R / O C T O B E R | Arts & Music

doesn’t have as many f lashy features as other parks, it does offer the convenience of a more central location. It’s safely fenced and also has designated areas for large and small dogs. There’s plenty of shade and a wooded path, plus repurposed fallen logs that serve as agility tools. Benches, a water fountain with an accessible dog bowl, and a lively, social vibe are some of its other draws. KIRK PARK in Grand Haven has an offleash dog beach on the south end, which allows dogs to run and swim freely May 1st through September 30th, during open hours from 7 a.m. to 10 p.m. The space is not fenced and is somewhat limited, but it’s a great option for enjoying water play. There are restrictions for other parts of the park, including trails, restrooms, and buildings where dogs aren’t allowed at all, so make sure to plan accordingly! HUFF PARK, in addition to the next couple spots, does not specifically cater to canines, but it is a friendly spot on the northeast side where leashed dogs are welcome. The trail is partially paved at the entrances with an elevated boardwalk at the south end that forms a loop and cuts through the center where there’s a scenic overlook. It’s largely marshy wetlands where wildlife spotting and birdwatching are abundant. Wildf lowers start cropping up

early in spring, and there’s always something interesting off trail to sniff and explore. BLANDFORD NATURE CENTER & THE HIGHLANDS are both great for leashed dog walking for their natural setting and variety of terrain, ranging from woods to meadows to wetlands. The trails at Blandford connect to The Highlands, so it’s easy to extend to a longer hike. They’re open year round from dawn until dusk, but be aware that there are places where dogs are strictly prohibited, including the Wildlife Trail and the buildings. CRAHEN VALLEY is one of the more challenging trails, so it’s ideal for pups that need more exercise and activity. The top section is relatively f lat with a paved walkway that runs along Leonard, but there’s also a somewhat steep dirt hill that leads downward to a prairie with a pond, and a wooded area deeper in with running creeks and more bodies of water to splash in. There’s lots to smell here, too, with tons of f lora and tall trees. Be aware that it’s not well marked, so pay attention to your surrounds! As is true of any place, be a responsible pet owner and pick up waste, be conscious of others on the path, and abide by the rules where leashes are enforced. ■

Middle Photo: Grand Ravines Dog Park. COURTESY PHOTO Left & Right Photos: PHOTOS BY MARTI AYRES WHITE

Around 2016, I was growing cannabis in a barn and flowers in the fields alongside my parents in Greenville. Our farm, Jacob’s Acres, was named in honor of my brother, who died in a car accident when I was 17. In the years following his death, gardening became much more than a hobby. Tending to plants and watching things grow gave me a way to process grief, stay grounded, and keep moving forward. There was something comforting about the rhythm of planting, tending, waiting, and eventually seeing something beautiful emerge. Eventually, my two passions, cannabis and flowers, found themselves on the same path. In 2019, the City adopted an ordinance allowing for commercial marijuana licensing. We decided to bet the farm on it, and we were fortunate to be awarded a cannabis license on Wealthy Street. Pharmhouse Wellness took shape inside a commercially zoned, 1,000-square-foot home built in 1890. As part of the ordinance, the City required cannabis operators to develop a Good Neighbor Plan, a commitment to meaningful local engagement and investment in the neighborhoods where we operate. Pharmhouse is also designated as a Social Equity Operator. I qualified based on three criteria: I had marijuana-related felony convictions on my record; I lived in a community disproportionately impacted by the War on Drugs; and I had been a registered primary caregiver for more than two years. (Yes, that home grow in Greenville.) We saw the social equity program as more than a designation. It was an opportunity, and a responsibility, to reinvest in the neighborhood. We committed the annual fee savings associated with our status back into the community. With the help of friends, neighbors, and local partners, we’ve been able to take on projects that make West Wealthy a little more beautiful and a little more connected: public art, tree planting, nature boxes, transit improvements, and other small investments that add up over time. This season feels especially meaningful because I planted a patch of dahlias, one of my favorite flowers and one we used to grow extensively back in Greenville. Most of the roots came from stock we held onto over the years. They’ve now made their way from the suburbs to the city, finding a new home here on Wealthy. There’s a lot wrapped up in these flowers for me. They carry memories of my brother, my family, the farm, and the years of growing that came before Pharmhouse. But more than anything, they represent some of the best things life has to offer: nature, beauty, hope, and joy. – Casey Kornoelje

pharmhousewellness.com REVUEWM.COM

/// ARTS & MUSIC IS SUE

| by John Kissane

ARTIST PROFILES:

CREA H

olland offers such a beautiful landscape,” said Jaer Medina. “I don’t know that you could ask for a better place for an artist to grow up, outside the Swiss A lps.” An artist himself, Medina grew up in Holland before attending Grand Valley State University. W hile earning a BA in Visual and Media Arts, he worked at Target, a job which left plenty of time to think. Seven or so artists worked there, too; on break, they would talk about art. Medina later created an exhibition titled “On Pace.” It explored what it was like to work at Target—in particular, to work there during the pandemic. Afterward, as he took the work down from the walls, it occurred to him that he could do this sort of thing again. He started The Garage, an exhibition space in his literal backyard. And he invited others along. “Being an instigator is my role. My personality lends itself to organizing. There’s something cool about not just making your own work but organization the space where people’s work can be seen.” There was a practical element to the decision; no one was rushing to give young artists precious gallery space, not in Holland. And staying local was important to Medina. He was skeptical of the prevailing arts world view that West Michigan was nothing more than a point on the map between Detroit and Chicago. It had something valuable to offer. After his senior year, he received a grant and attended a conference. He walked away with a renewed sense that the Midwest was nothing like the cultural wasteland as which it had been seen, and that community spaces mattered. “But I was only doing that three months out of the year, the warm months,” he said. “Nobody wants to spend time

14 S E P T E M B E R / O C T O B E R | Arts & Music

PHOTOS PROVIDED BY JAER MEDINA

in a cold garage in Michigan.” He found space in a building on 19th and Columbia, a small industrial pocket of Holland. Elbow grease and dedication saw the transformation of that space into CR E A (Comunidad de Ref lexión Experimental y Artes) a new initiative; friends and fellow artists Madai Huerta and Ava Kathryn joined him in it. W hat is it? A community space for art, in particular local art. One representative project: a local history booklet documenting the lives of Mexican-Americans who lived in Holland in the early 20th century. “It’s a pretty underresearched topic,” he said. “Printing it there, we don’t have to wait for a publisher.” Another hyperlocal project involved food criticism. A friend who asked to remain anonymous had eaten tacos at a local Mexican restaurant. They were good, but they weren’t what they were advertised as. “If you say you’re selling al pastor, you’ve got to be accurate.” The result was both a piece of hyper-local food criticism and a personal story at once. Medina said it spread throughout a 15 to 20 block radius of the studio. CR E A hosts exhibitions and informal educational sessions. For one exhibition, “The Free Soil Potboil,” an artist who had grown up in the area used ancient Indigenous free soil made from clay, straw, and dirt, transforming them into beautiful sculptures. “Something as simple as soil can become artful material. W hat else is on our backyards, homes, garages?” CR E A has a risograph printer, a machine bridging the gap between a photocopier and a screen printer. Using it allows artists to show their art to those who can’t or don’t make it to exhibitions. “It’s something you hold in your

hand,” Medina said. “Something you give people.” A recent initiative is CR E A Conversations, which helps spread the word about others doing work in similar veins. CR E A’s website links to an essay on Grand Rapids’ Veil Collective, another organization dedicated to fostering an artistic community. Another essay presents a conversation with Hugo Claudin of Artside Gallery. Each of the three artists behind CR E A works other jobs. “We do this in the margins,” he said. They’re committed to the idea that art that matters can happen here, created by people we know. “I don’t subscribe to the idea that important cultural work starts in major cities and f lows out,” he said. “I’m interested in reversing that f low.” It may be that childhood experiences contributed to his sense that things can be different than they are today. “I grew up Latino in Holland, a place that holds onto its Dutch heritage pretty strongly. I appreciate that. And, as a person of color, it gave me a sort of inside-outside perspective. That’s really fun.” Today, the organization he instigated offers art to those who want it. “I’d be lying if I said the whole neighborhood shows up for our events, but I don’t know that I’m so worried about that. If one person really enjoys themselves and understands the show… that, for me, is a success.” Early in its life, CR E A’s already had many successes. Bringing people together: an organizational goal that seems to come naturally to the artist. “Community is just what I do.” ■

Learn more at crea-holland .cargo.site.

| by Josh Veal

ARTIST PROFILES:

& Hammerspace Gallery

HAILEY JOHNSON

ammerspace Gallery lies at the intersection of conceptual art, unconventional spaces and motherhood. Hailey Johnson founded it as a mobile pop-up gallery in Portland, OR, and has since brought the project to various spaces around Grand Rapids. It’s now home to pop-up art exhibitions, critique groups, and the distinctive Hammerspace Artist Cohort; a nine-month development and mentorship program for mother artists and artist-parents “building caregiving and the demands of contemporary life.” Across it all, the mission is to cultivate experimental art and artist development across West Michigan and beyond. We asked Johnson to tell us more. WHAT BROUGHT YOU TO WEST MICHIGAN? My husband Jordan and I had been living in Portland, OR for years. While we loved the landscape, food and culture, we also missed the Midwest—both of us are from Toledo, OH. There is an approachable, down to earth energy that exists here and I love the Midwest for that reason. NOW THAT YOU’RE HERE, WHAT DO YOU VALUE ABOUT THE ARTS COMMUNITY? The art community is honest. They are honest about what is working and what is not. There is a genuine drive to make it the best it can be for artists that live here and a desire to reach the broader community. I am grateful for the work the Arts and Culture Collective of Grand Rapids (ACCGR) is doing to create an arts infrastructure for Kent County. WHAT WAS YOUR INITIAL GOAL IN FOUNDING HAMMERSPACE, AND HOW HAS THAT EVOLVED SINCE? My initial goal was to reach broader audiences with contemporary art and create opportunities for artists like myself. Originally, Hammerspace was a mobile art gallery on a 4x8 trailer. Last year, it operated out of my renovated 2 stall garage. This year, the exhibitions were presented in a large warehouse. Next year they may all take place in nature. The definition of Hammerspace is “an extradimensional storage space that is instantly accessible by cartoon characters.” With that in mind I think it is only appropriate that Hammerspace Gallery continue to roam and evolve.

COULD YOU TALK ABOUT THE WORK YOU DO ACTIVATING UNCONVENTIONAL SPACES? Activating nontraditional spaces was born out of necessity. I used the space I had access to. However, I am someone that sees potential in places others might not. As a curator I am interested in creating shows that feel experiential. I want to engage our senses so people are fully present, not just looking but seeing. Putting art in a place people might not expect helps them be more present. When we are overly familiar with a place, there is a lot we become blind to. It also allows me to think about context as part of the art. March’s “HEAVIEST, HEAVIEST, HEAVIEST.” is a great example. I would not have curated this exhibition in a traditional white box gallery because it would not have supported the work conceptually. The journey upstairs into a giant warehouse attic with dim light and exposed architecture set the stage to experience Seejon Czaplicki, Isabella Werschky & Abhishek Narula’s art in a way that felt true to them. The emotional gravity of work changes with context, I believe context has a large hand in deciding what something means. HOW IS YOUR WORK INTERTWINED WITH MOTHERHOOD? It is hard to be concise about being a mother and an artist. It is an extremely sensitive intersection. Most women leave the field after becoming mothers because many find a career in the arts incompatible with caregiving responsibilities. It seems like a real failure that we allow these voices to be so underrepresented. I believe one of the easiest ways to

PHOTOS PROVIDED BY HAILEY JOHNSON

keep mother artists in the field is to create community for them. One of our most basic human needs, and filling it is transformative. We are entering our second year of offering a 9-month artist cohort program for mothers and I am excited to support these women alongside the artists, curators and educators that offer mentorship during their time. I believe motherhood offers us an opportunity to evolve, to be in a relationship, to see care as a more intelligent system to operate within. It also offers new constraints, which, if you allow them to be, can be an incredible gift. My art making practice is intertwined with my 3-year-old son, Wally. I allow him to be my eyes. I notice what he notices and grow curious about the human impulse behind what he is drawn to. Eventually those seeds turn into performances, sculptures or installations. HOW CAN THE GENERAL PUBLIC ENGAGE WITH HAMMERSPACE? Hammerspace presents a pop-up art exhibition every couple of months. I encourage people to sign up for our newsletter to stay in the loop! Our next show is titled “Mother Tongue” and features the work of Helen Hunter and Melissa Floyd. Both are talented painters who ask what is lost when experience is exchanged too quickly for explanation. The show will be up for one afternoon on Saturday, September 19th from 3-6pm in a warehouse at 1265 Godfrey Ave SW. Our events welcome families with children of all ages! ■

Learn much more at hammerspacegallery.com.

REVUEWM.COM

/// ARTS & MUSIC IS SUE

| by Josh Veal

ARTIST PROFILES:

K AILEY SULLIVAN PHOTOS PROVIDED BY KAILEY SULLIVAN

ailey Sullivan works and lives as a “designy illustrator,” blending her artistic passions into one practice. You may have seen her work at FIK A, the vegan and gluten-free café nestled Creston. Sullivan’s unique approach to design has been baked into the business since it opened, when owners Becca and Nick Van Liere approached her with a mood board full of her own art. You’ll see it all over the walls: In the logo, the mural, the merch, the menus, the market—and carried through into FIK A’s graphics online. It’s becoming relatively rare in the age of A I for a small business to put thought, intention and resources into their branding, working hand-in-hand with an artist to create a visual voice that ref lects the values they stand for (and is also nice to look at!). We chatted with Sullivan—who goes by Kailey Bailey as a pen name—about her approach to design, her product line Rough Patch (prints, notepads, stickers, apparel, etc.) and her co-produced snail mail club, Velvet Mailbox, which includes a print, a letter, and creative exercises.

physical products. It’s a really helpful skill, because it helps me with packaging and spatial awareness. Ninety-nine percent of the time, what I have in my mind, I can make it, and it looks exactly how I thought it was going to.

WHAT DO YOU LOVE ABOUT ART BEING YOUR JOB? Art in the way that I’ve experienced it in my life is like a really familiar friend. It feels like the avenue for how I make sense of things and see things. That I get to do it and get paid is super fun. It’s my avenue for being curious, experimenting with things or trying something new.

WHAT ARE YOU EXCITED ABOUT RECENTLY? Something I did this summer that I really loved is the Art Of The Table mural. I’ve started a good relationship with Amy, and we entered it into ArtPrize, and we’re doing a reception with the store, and I’ll start selling some of my stuff in there. So, I’m excited about more community engagement and being able to do public art and work with local people. I’m also working with Cellar Door Preserves on a new packaging design. I just really loving working with local people and brands that are valuing art publicly. And I love food-based stuff the most.

HOW DOES YOUR SCULPTURE BACKGROUND COME INTO PLAY? I have a studio space at Dinderbeck, and we have a little wood shop, so I get to explore that part of art in making

16 S E P T E M B E R / O C T O B E R | Arts & Music

HOW DO YOU FEEL ABOUT AI IN THE WORLD OF ART? Well, I don’t like it. It’s removing critical thinking and experimentation, which is half of my experience being an artist—experimenting, trying things. Design is visually communicating, and a lot of A I is just taking away that process. I do feel like it emphasizes the other side. Like, it feeling very generated does put an emphasis on, “Oh, you drew that? This is a hand-done, analog thing?” And now people think that’s really cool. For me, this is just what I’ve always done, but everybody’s used to A I now. I don’t really care that much about social media, but some of the stuff I’ve had the strongest reactions to is when I’m talking through a process of how I’m drawing something, and people are like, “Oh, this is so interesting.” So I think in a way, it’s highlighting handmade art, giving life to it.

HOW DID VELVET MAILBOX CLUB COME ABOUT? Velvet Mailbox is with one of my best friends from college, a therapist and a really great writer, Bailey Sims, and we just really wanted to work together on something. W hat did we feel like we could bring to the table, give of ourselves a bit, and people would be interested in? I think the snail mail club is another emerging trend, almost in response to AI, wanting to hold something, a tactile experience. We felt like there was a unique opportunity with us both doing it and putting our voices into it, a natural mixture of writing and creativity. It’s giving people this moment of, hopefully, you can sit down for five minutes and not be on your phone, and read through it or work through it. WHAT ARE YOUR ARTISTIC INFLUENCES? For artists, there’s Saul Bass, Henri de ToulouseLautrec, Jules Cheret, Kelly Anna. And then recently I’ve been inspired by quilting, nature and the human body. I am actively trying to get more inf luence from real life, whether it’s in a coffee shop and drawing someone sitting, or instead of looking up a reference picture, can I take a picture myself, or have someone model it for me? WHAT DO YOU HAVE COMING UP? I’ll be at the Eastown Street Fair (Sept. 19), and then I have the Art of the Table mural in ArtPrize. Rough Patch is on Instagram @roughpatch.supply, or sold in the Arts Marketplace downtown! Velvet Mailbox Club is on Instagram @velvetmailbox.club. ■

You can also f ind her at kaileybailey.com and on Instagram @kailey_ bailey.

REVUEWM.COM

/// ARTS & MUSIC IS SUE

| by John Kissane

ARTIST PROFILES:

& The VEIL Collective

BEE VRIELAND

PHOTOS COURTESY OF VEIL COLLECTIVE

t least as far back as written history extends, veils have been worn. Sometimes they were used to mark status; in ancient Mesopotamia, they indicated high social class. In ancient Greece, they represented modesty and seclusion. In ancient Rome, a bride would wear a f lammeum, an orange or red veil intended to scare off jealous ghosts, who, seeing it, would think the bride was on fire and f lee. What’s remained consistent about veils over time is this: they both conceal and reveal, and they’re only placed over something valuable. Grand Rapids’ VEIL Collective was founded by Sydney Lingenfelter, Joe Velick, and Caralyn Jellison, students and alumni of Kendall College of Art and Design. The goal was to foster community and to prove spaces and opportunities for newer artists to showcase their work. During 2025 ArtPrize, VEIL Collective created a month-long program of events as well as an exhibition, allowing the west Michigan community—and many visitors from outside the region—to experience a supportive midwestern arts environment could look like. Revue recently spoke to Bee Vrieland, a young artist specializing in black-and-white film photography, about their art and about their work with VEIL Collective. The conversation has been lightly edited for clarity.

COULD YOU TALK A LITTLE BIT ABOUT YOUR WORK AS AN ARTIST? When I was 15 or 16, I felt like everybody around me had a thing: everybody had something they were just really passionate about. I loved photography, and I decided I wanted to develop those skills into a professional career. I’ve always loved seeing people bring their passion and art together. For me, it’s about capturing moments. Capturing emotions more than anything. I’m a very emotional person, and my art ref lects that. WHAT DOES FILM PHOTOGRAPHY OFFER YOU THAT DIGITAL DOESN’T? Originally, I did work in digital. But while attending KCAD I switched to medium format black-and-white. I just loved the process. There’s something about the actual chemical work. I’m very hands-on. And with film, you get your hands in there. But beyond that, there’s the surprise of not knowing exactly what you’re going to get. That brought a lot of joy, too. And I guess I don’t like it being too easy. COULD YOU TALK A BIT ABOUT HOW VEIL CAME ABOUT? It was started by KCAD alumni as a nomadic collective. They had this sense that there’s a lot of opportunity in Grand Rapids, but it’s also intimidating. They wanted

18 S E P T E M B E R / O C T O B E R | Arts & Music

to take spaces that had been underutilized, never used as art spaces, and put them to work. They curated events, including gallery events. They wanted to make spaces where everyone felt welcome. WHAT HAS THE REACTION IN THE COMMUNITY BEEN LIKE? When we did ArtPrize last year, curating a space at Hermitage and Diamond, we had lots of great feedback. People felt the space had been beautifully arranged, that it had a great f low. Lots of people were happy to come and experience these deeply rooted histories and cultures. BEYOND PREPARING FOR ARTPRIZE 2026, WHAT’S VEIL UP TO? We have a lot of free events. We’re trying to make things as accessible as possible. We do accept donations, but those are totally voluntary. We offer art exhibitions. Last month we had a block printing night, that was great. Through the One Oh Six Gallery from Avenue For the Arts, we’re offering critique nights. WHAT ARE CRITIQUE NIGHTS? This is something new. A lot of us, we’re younger artists. In school, we had opportunities for feedback. And we miss that! We all miss getting feedback. It’s important. You make art, but

sometimes you miss things, things other people would catch. So you can RSVP to be a critiqued artist. It’s first come, first served. We accept anyone, with any artwork. There is a $10 fee for that, which helps keep us up and running. But if you’re not bringing artwork to be critiqued, you can come and offer feedback, or just watch, and there’s no charge or that. Artists come in, give a little speech, and get instant feedback. We ask that everyone’s respectful—no personal attacks. This needs to be constructive. No one’s looking to bash anyone. And sometimes the artist is looking for feedback on particular aspects. WHY IS COMMUNITY IMPORTANT TO YOU? YOU COULD BE OUT THERE ON YOUR OWN, RIGHT, WORKING AS A SOLITARY ARTIST. For me, personally, I find a real joy in community. It’s intimate, personal. There’s a bond being created. I could do my art on my own, but if there wasn’t anyone to share it with…I don’t know. There’s just a lot of love in doing things together. When VEIL came up as an opportunity, I was like, oh hell yeah. It really fulfills me. I’m being social. I’m not isolated. And I’m with like-minded people. ■

Learn more at veilcollectives.com or on Instagram @veil_gr.

REVUEWM.COM

/// ARTS & M US I C I SS U E

2026 -27 WEST MICHIGAN

ARTS SEASON PREVIEW

rom symphonies and chamber music to Broadway tours, ballet, theater, opera and an impressive slate of visual art exhibitions, the season ahead offers no shortage of ways to fill your calendar. The 2026-27 season brings familiar favorites and ambitious new productions to stages and galleries across the region. There are blockbuster Broadway shows in Grand Rapids, classical masterworks and jazz legends, ambitious local theater productions, contemporary dance, major museum exhibitions and plenty of opportunities to hear, see and experience artists from West Michigan and around the world.

MUSIC FONTANA CHAMBER ARTS 359 Kalamazoo Mall Ste. 200, Kalamazoo fontanamusic.org

» Do You Feel Anger, Sept. 10-19 SYMPHONY SPECIALS:

» Itzhak Perlman: Cinema Serenade, Apr. 12

» Cody Fry, Sept. 12

» Beethoven & Dvořák, Apr. 24

» The Nightmare Before Christmas in Concert, Oct. 31

» The Music of Carmen, May 19

» Relic, Oct. 2 » Miró Quartet, Nov. 20

» Holiday Pops, Dec. 5-6

» Cuba Meets Brazil, Feb. 19

» The Muppet Christmas Carol, Dec. 16-17

» Camerata RCO, Apr. 9

THEATER & DANCE ACTORS THEATRE 160 Fountain St. NE, Grand Rapids actorstheatregrandrapids.org

» 80s & More, July 15 ST. CECILIA MUSIC CENTER 24 Ransom Ave. NE, Grand Rapids scmc-online.org

» The Singularity Play, Oct. 8-17 » A Mile in the Dark, Mar. 4-13 » Phoebe in Winter, May 6-15 AQUINAS CONTEMPORARY WRITERS SERIES 1700 E. Fulton St., Grand Rapids aquinas.edu

THE GILMORE 359 S. Kalamazoo Mall, Kalamazoo thegilmore.org

» Dvořák, Debussy, and Chaminade, Oct. 29

» Sophia Liu, Sept. 20

» Rhapsody in Blue, Feb. 4

» Ben Daniels Band, Sept. 19

» Dabin Ryu, Oct. 3

» String Radiance, Mar. 18

» Laith Al-Saadi, Nov. 14

» Aristo Sham, Oct. 18

» Three Men and a Tenor, Dec. 11

» Tom Borrow, Nov. 15

» Mozart & Brahms - The Great Clarinet Quintets, Apr. 22

BROADWAY GRAND RAPIDS 122 Lyon St. NW, Grand Rapids grandrapids.broadway.com

» John Prine Tribute, Feb. 27

» Caelan Cardello, Dec. 5

FRANKE CENTER FOR THE ARTS 214 E Mansion St., Marshall thefranke.org

» Sawyer Fredericks, Mar. 6 » The Red Sea Pedestrians, Mar. 13 FRAUENTHAL CENTER 425 W. Western Ave., Muskegon frauenthal.org

HOLLAND SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA 96 W. 15th St. Ste. 201, Holland hollandsymphony.org » Resonance and Renewal, Sept. 12 » The Forces of Fate, Nov. 21

» Elvis Costello & The Imposters, Sept. 18

» Home for the Holidays 2026, Dec. 12

» Here Come the Mummies, Oct. 9

» A Closing Chapter, Apr. 17

» Gary Allan, Oct. 30 » A Night Out w/ Brena, Jan. 8 » Dixon’s Violin, Jan. 9 GRAND RAPIDS SYMPHONY 300 Ottawa Ave. NW Ste. 100, Grand Rapids grsymphony.org RICHARD AND HELEN DEVOS MASTERWORKS:

» Opening Weekend! Simon Trpčeski Plays Prokofiev, Sept. 25-26

» Music From the New World, Mar. 20

HOPE COLLEGE GREAT PERFORMANCE SERIES 100 E. Eighth St., Holland hope.edu » South Chicago Dance, Sept. 17 » Akropolis Reed Quintet, Oct. 22

» Brahms’ Double Concerto, Mar. 19-20 » Barber & Bernstein, Apr. 16-17 » Mahler’s “Resurrection” Symphony, May 7-8 COFFEE/CHAMBER MASTERWORKS:

» From Dvořák to Brahms, Nov. 13 » Light Beyond Shadows, Feb. 12 » Mozart & Busler, Mar. 5 FOX MOTOR POPS:

» The Music of Star Trek, Oct. 2-3 » Holiday Pops, Dec. 4-5 » Cirque de la Symphonie: Fire and Ice, Mar. 12-13 » The Music of Billy Joel -The Piano Man’s Greatest Hits, May 14-15

JAZZ SERIES

» Hell’s Kitchen, Sept. 15-20

» Kenny Barron Trio, Oct. 8

» The Notebook, Oct. 13-18

» John Scofield & Dave Holland Duo, Feb. 18

» Maybe Happy Ending, Nov. 10-15

» Cécile McLorin Salvant & Sullivan Fortner, Mar. 25

» SIX, Jan. 12-17

» Branford Marsalis & Dianne Reeves Celebrate John Coltrane, Apr. 15

» Death Becomes Her, Mar. 2-7

» Disney’s Beauty and the Beast, Feb. 9-14 » The Phantom of the Opera, Aug. 11-22

FOLK

» Dan Tyminski Band, Oct. 20 » Béla Fleck, Nov. 5 » Aoife O’Donovan & Chris Thile, Dec. 11

CENTRAL PARK PLAYERS 421 Columbus Ave., Grand Haven centralparkplayers.org

» Jason Carter & Michael Cleveland, Jan. 28

» A Midsummer Night’s Dream, Oct. 16-25

» Foy Vance, Apr. 20

» The Cemetery Club, Feb. 19-28

WEST MICHIGAN SYMPHONY 360 W. Western Ave. Ste. 200, Muskegon westmichigansymphony.org

» A Christmas Story, Dec. 11-20 » You Can’t Take It With You, Apr. 23-May 2

» Giselle, Nov. 13-15

» Tchaikovsky Violin Concerto, Nov. 13 » Beethoven & Blue Jeans, Jan. 29

» Cracked Nuts, December Dream Big: The Story of Ada Lovelace, March

KALAMAZOO SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA 359 Kalamazoo Mall Ste. 100, Kalamazoo kalamazoosymphony.com

» Wild Wild WMS, Feb. 26

» Trojan Woman, March

» Celtic Spirit, Mar. 19

» A Night at the Barre, May

» Water Reflections, Apr. 16

» Beach Balls, Summer 2027

» Mozart & Stravinsky, Sept. 26

» Rachmaninoff & Tchaikovsky, June 4

» Mendelssohn’s Italian Symphony, Oct. 17

THE BLOCK

» Midori Plays Shostakovich, Nov. 6-7

» Celebrating Beethoven, Feb. 26-27

» Luis Alberto Urrea, Mar. 18

MAIN SERIES

» Chanticleer, Apr. 21

» Capriccio espagnol, Jan. 29-30

» Joy Harjo, Nov. 12

» Endless Summer, Oct. 2

» Camerata Nordica Octet, Jan. 21

» America at 250, Oct. 9-10

» Brahms & Wagner, Jan. 8-9

» Sarah Kay, Sept. 17

DEOS CONTEMPORARY BALLET 1595 Galbraith Ave. SE, Grand Rapids deosballet.com

» Laura Anglade, Nov. 13 » Actors from the London Stage in King Lear, Apr. 8

» Messiah by Candlelight, Nov. 20-21

CHAMBER MUSIC SOCIETY OF LINCOLN CENTER

FACE OFF THEATRE 359 S. Kalamazoo Mall, Kalamazoo faceofftheatre.com

» Halloween Boos & Brews, Oct. 28

» Bobby Floyd Trio, Oct. 3

» Peter and the Wolf, Nov. 7

» Jeff Haas Quintet, Oct. 24

» Brahms & Bronfman, Nov. 14

» Westbound Situation, Nov. 6

» Organ & Brass: Deck the Halls, Nov. 21

» Vadim Gluzman & Angela Yoffe, Nov. 14

» Carols By Candlelight, Dec. 9

» Clickity Clack Ho Ho Ho, Dec. 5

» Handel’s Messiah, Dec. 19

» Bryan Eng Trio – A Jazzy Christmas, Dec. 12

» Carnival of the Animals, Jan. 20

» Trick & Alderighi, Jan. 23

» Vivaldi’s Four Seasons, Jan. 30

» Clayton Stephenson, Jan. 30

» Wu Man: Echoes of the East, Feb. 13

» Hiroya Tsukamoto, Mar. 6

» My Mother and the Michigan/ Ohio War, Sept. 17-Oct. 4

» Holst’s The Planets, Feb. 20

» Bayberry String Quartet, Mar. 26

» Come From way, Nov. 5-22

» Celtic Candlelight, Mar. 4

» Reverie Baroque Ensemble, Apr. 17

» Accomplice, Jan. 28-Feb. 7

» Bach’s St. Matthew Passion, Mar. 20

» Tumaini Sango Trio, May 15

» Lost in Yonkers, Mar. 18-28

» Star Wars: A New Hope In Concert, Apr. 2-3

» Zlata Chochieva, June 5

» Kimberly Akimbo, May 20-June 6

20 S E P T E M B E R / O C T O B E R | Arts & Music

» Harlem Duet, Sept. 11-20 » Bambiland, Nov. 14-20 FARMERS ALLEY THEATRE KALAMAZOO 221 Farmers Alley, Kalamazoo farmersalleytheatre.com

FRAUENTHAL CENTER 425 W. Western Ave., Muskegon frauenthal.org

KALAMAZOO CIVIC THEATRE 329 S. Park St., Kalamazoo kazoocivic.com

» Laughter on the Lakeshore, Sept. 25

» Anything Goes, Sept. 18-27

» World Ballet Company: Swan Lake with LIVE Orchestra, Sept. 30

» Some Enchanted Evening, Oct. 2-11

» Phantom of the Opera (1929) ft. LIVE Barton Organ, Oct. 4 » United European Ballet Company: Snow White and the Seven Dwarves, Nov. 6 » She Said What?! An Unladylike Night of Comedy, Nov. 14 » O Christmas Tea: A British Comedy, Nov. 20

» Disney’s The Little Mermaid Jr., Oct. 23-Nov. 1 » Silent Sky, Nov. 6-15 » The Wizard of Oz, Nov. 27-Dec. 20 » The Glass Menagerie, Jan. 15-24 » Honk!, Jan. 29-Feb. 7 » She Loves Me, Feb. 12-21 » August Wilson’s Fences, Mar. 5-14 » On Golden Pond, Apr. 2-11 » Robin Hood, Apr. 16-25

» Sister’s Christmas Catechism: The Mystery of the Magi’s Gold, Dec. 13

» Les Misérables, Apr. 30-May 16

VISUAL ARTS

FOREST HILLS FINE ARTS CENTER 600 Forest Hill Ave. SE, Grand Rapids fhfineartscenter.com

LOWELLARTS 223 W. Main St., Lowell lowellartsmi.org

AVENUE FOR THE ARTS/106 GALLERY 106 S. Division Ave., Grand Rapids avenueforthearts.co

KALAMAZOO INSTITUTE OF ARTS 314 South Park St., Kalamazoo kiarts.org

» Magic Dragon’s All-Star Vegas, Sept. 26

» The Complete Works of William Shakespeare (Abridged), Oct. 16-25

» First Fridays, Every First Friday

» Resilience—A Sansei Sense of Legacy, Through Nov. 1

» Frost: Cirque Holiday Extravaganza, Dec. 20

» A Bright New Boise, Apr. 9-18

» The Peking Acrobats, Feb. 21

MILLER AUDITORIUM 2200 Auditorium Dr, Kalamazoo millerauditorium.com

GILMORE THEATRE/WMU THEATRE 1903 W. Michigan Ave., Kalamazoo wmich.edu/theatre

» Connect, Sept. 4-18 FOREST HILLS FINE ARTS CENTER 600 Forest Hill Ave. SE, Grand Rapids fhfineartscenter.com » Margaret Kriegbaum, Sept. 1-Oct. 2

» Nutcracker!, Dec. 9

» Paulette Car, Oct. 7-Nov. 5

» A Beautiful Noise: Neil Diamond Musical, Jan. 26-27

» Angela Green & Jim Gabbard, Jan. 7-Feb. 5

» Kinky Boots, Oct. 30-Nov. 15

» Sonic Live in Concert, Feb. 25

» The Three Musketeers, Nov. 12-22

» Legally Blonde the Musical, Mar. 5-6

» Between Two Shores - An All Women Exhibition, Feb. 10-Mar. 19

» Next Stop, Broadway!, Dec. 3-5

» The Book of Mormon, Mar. 23-24

» Plein Air Exhibition, May 19-June 25

» 72 Miles to Go, Jan. 29-Feb. 14

» Shucked, Apr. 27-28

» Birthday Candles, Sept. 25-Oct. 11

» Ragtime, Feb. 12-14

» Hadestown, May 11

» Cabaret, Mar. 19-Apr. 4

» The Wiz, May 18-19

» Peter Pan Goes Wrong, Apr. 9-24

FREDERIK MEIJER GARDENS 1000 East Beltline Ave. NE, Grand Rapids meijergardens.org » CHIHULY at Meijer Gardens - Outdoor Experience, Through Nov. 1

» Broken Wings, Oct. 16-25

MUSKEGON CIVIC THEATRE 425 W. Western Ave., Muskegon muskegoncivictheatre.org The Spongebob Musical, Sept. 12-13 Company, Oct. 9-24

» The Nutcracker, Dec. 11-20

» It’s A Wonderful Life, Nov. 20-Dec. 6

» Alice in Wonderland, Feb. 19-21

» The Lifespan of a Fact, Jan. 15-23

» ENLIGHTEN Presented by PNC Bank, Nov. 23-Jan. 10

» Jumpstart 2027, Mar. 19-21

» The Importance of Being Earnest, Feb. 12-27

GRAND RAPIDS BALLET 341 Ellsworth Ave. SW, Grand Rapids grballet.com

» Fancy Free, Apr. 23-May 1 GRAND RAPIDS CIVIC THEATRE 30 N. Division Ave., Grand Rapids grct.org » Come From Away, Sept. 11-27 » Dragons Love tacos, Oct. 8-18 » Annie, Nov. 20-Dec. 20 » A Chorus Line, Jan. 15-24

» Matilda, Apr. 29-May 2 NEW VIC THEATRE 134 E. Vine St., Kalamazoo thenewvictheatre.org » Ghost Stories, Oct. 16-Oct. 31 » A Christmas Carol, Nov. 20-Dec. 22

» Dear Evan Hansen, Feb. 19-Mar. 7

OPERA GRAND RAPIDS 1320 E. Fulton St., Grand Rapids operagr.org

» Our Town, Apr. 23-May 2

» Three Decembers, Nov. 6-7

» Finding Nemo Jr., Mar. 25-28

» Les Miserables, June 4-20 JEWISH THEATRE GRAND RAPIDS 2727 Michigan NE, Grand Rapids jtgr.org » Parade, Dec. 3-13 » Broken Glass, Feb. 4-14 » Short Circuit, Apr. 15-May 2 » Pizza Bagels, June 10-20

» Souvenir, Mar. 12 » Carmen, Apr. 30-May 1 WELLSPRING DANCE 359 S. Kalamazoo Mall, Kalamazoo wellspringdance.org » Fall Concert of Dance, Nov. 20-22 » RADFest, Mar. 5-7 » Spring Concert of Dance, May 21-23

» CHIHULY Radiant Forms, Through Jan. 10 » Mums at Meijer Gardens and Autumn Weekends, Oct. 1-31

» University of Michigan Health-West: Christmas & Holiday Traditions, Nov. 25-Jan. 10 GRAND RAPIDS ART MUSEUM 101 Monroe Center, Grand Rapids artmuseumgr.org » Jerry’s Map by Jerry Gretzinger, Through Oct. 18 » Karel Appel: Start Again Like A Child, Through Nov. 15 » A Shared Vision, Sept. 5-Feb. 7 » ArtPrize 2026, Sept. 11-Mar. 14 » Julie Green: The Last Supper, Oct. 3-24 » Ray Materson: Metamorphosis, Oct. 3-Jan. 3

» For the People, By the People: America at 250, Through Oct. 4 » Among the Beasts: Wild, Tamed & Imagined, Oct. 28-Jan. 31 » Statement Pieces: Fashioning the Self & Society, Nov. 7-Feb. 7 LOWELLARTS 223 W. Main St., Lowell lowellartsmi.org » Against the Grain, Through Oct. 3 » Artist Market, Nov. 5-Jan. 16 MUSKEGON MUSEUM OF ART 296 W. Webster Ave., Muskegon muskegonartmuseum.org » Let’s Picnic: The Knop Collection of Herman Miller Posters, Through Sept. 13 » HerStory of Animation, Through Sept. 27 » 97th Michigan Contemporary Art Exhibition, Sept. 10-Nov. 4 » MiniARTure Golf, Oct. 29-Apr. 25 » Expressions, Mar. 18-May 9 OX-BOW SCHOOL OF ART 3435 Rupprecht Way, Saugatuck ox-bow.org » Harvest Dinner, Oct. 3 » Cavern Tavern, Oct. 31 SAUGATUCK CENTER FOR THE ARTS 400 Culver St., Saugatuck sc4a.org » At the Edge of the Market, Through Sept. 11 » Creative Fellow: Heather Winia, Through Dec. 31 » plastic plastic, Oct. 23-May 14

» Gary Tyler: Rebirth, Oct. 3-Jan. 3 » GRFS Presents: Michigan Experimental Cinema, Jan. 30-Aug. 15 » Mystical Visions in the Material World, Jan. 30-Apr. 25 » Lust, Love, and Loss in Renaissance Europe, Jan. 30-Apr. 25 » Open Fields: Transcendent Color in the Midcentury, Mar. 6-Sept. 19 » Art In Bloom 2027, Mar. 19-21 » The Future is Ours, May 15-Aug. 15

Stay in the know with what’s going on around West Michigan!

REVUEWM.COM

22 S E P T E M B E R / O C T O B E R | Arts & Music

REVUEWM.COM

/// ARTS & M US I C I SSU E

W E S T

M I C H I G A N

VENUE ROUNDTABLE | by Josh Veal

PARTICIPANTS: Cathy Holbrook St. Cecilia Music Center

ver since 2020, live music has been on a rollercoaster. The dip during the pandemic was so bleak, it felt like concerts as a whole might just be over, forever. Six years later, it’s clear how silly that fear was. People crave the experience of live music, witnessed in person with fellow humans. Yet, it’s not exactly been an easy path. Ticket prices are up, bands and independent venues a like are ma k ing less than ever, and they’re competing for time and dollars against large venues putting on massive shows to thousands of people. Not to mention a ll the third-part y seller nonsense. So, we decided to host another Revue roundtable with the managers and talent buyers from a few local, independent venues in town. They discussed what the challenges are, what’s working, and why they still love to do this despite the grind. For the sake of space, this is a heavily reduced version of the conversion, so head to revuewm.com for a deeper dive.

WHAT ARE THE CHALLENGES YOU’RE FACING? DOROUGH: Bar rings are down, first and foremost. Even with having raised our bar prices $1 pretty much across the board, we’re down $1 per head across the board now. Probably three years running now, people have just started to drink less, and it’s something that is hard to root against. But most of the money is made on the bar. Our GM Jeremy tries as much as he can with our limited bar space to get non-alcoholic stuff in there. We’re talking about bringing in a coffee operation to do iced coffee, but a couple iced coffees is not going to fix an industry wide problem. HAMMONTREE: About two years ago, our bar rings dropped like 20 percent, out of maybe $3 million in alcohol sales. I mean, that’s a signif icant amount of money. So, we’re looking at our bar prices, but at the same time, I don’t want to become that venue where it’s $18 for a beer. I think a lot of people switched to marijuana over COV ID. You want to encourage people to be healthy, but it is a big part of a business. So, I echo that challenge. MATHEWS: I joke around a lot, I think I’m a bar manager. You could put it in the same category as a restaurant or a store post-COVID. I mean, we’re trying to sell stuff. We’re trying to figure out, is there more food we should sell? Are people hungry, and would eat not just hot dogs and stuff ? And I guess the ultimate goal is, we got them in here, what can we sell them? And that has changed over the years. It’s a new game now to figure out. DOROUGH: I think the second challenge is the algorithms, right? Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, just changing their algorithms to lift

24 S E P T E M B E R / O C T O B E R | Arts & Music

up garbage content, quite frankly, instead of legitimate local content that people have chosen to follow. They’ve followed the Intersection’s Facebook page, they followed all of our pages on Instagram and whatever, and then they get f iltered out by some just absolute clickbait trash or A I created stuff. HAMMONTREE: And, there are more large events than there ever have been with higher ticket prices, and to me, that’s what’s impacting the clubs like mine the most. MATHEWS: I totally agree. HAMMONTREE: Pollstar released their charts, and that top tier ticket price in arenas has just continued to go up while we’re now going down. But there’s more of them to pick. I mean, take Acrisure, there’s how many events? 43? We’re probably not their target clientele anyways, but it still takes money out of people’s pockets. MATHEWS: I think about this a lot, and people are up for spending money, but they want to spend a lot of money to get a huge thing. They’re like, “No, I spent $500 to go see this huge show, and it was amazing.” And it’s like, how often do you go spend $30 at concerts? “No, never.” DOROUGH: We are the place that people will go three nights a week, but even our ticket prices are creeping up too, to where it’s kind of eliminating some of that. Our sold-out show tonight is a $32 ticket, which is pretty high for the Pyramid Scheme. W hen we f irst started, it was $12, $15, and $20 was the high end. So, everything’s inf lating. But these other guys, I think, are going to get affected more by the big country show that’s going to play the amphitheater and just pull country dollars out of the market, right?

Nate Dorough The Pyramid Scheme Scott Hammontree The Intersection Quinn Mathews The Big Room

HOLBROOK: For us, the acts are not our competition. It’s the money. It’s just like, if somebody all of a sudden spent $2,000 this summer that they normally wouldn’t have spent, because that’s available now, will they spend as much here? You know, I’m also wondering if will there be a difference in ticket sales once that season is over, or is it just that now people don’t have as much money in their bank account in general? HAMMONTREE: I guess I’d add too, this proliferation of outside spaces and larger tours and arena dates, I see a lot of what used to be a maybe a three-band bill, or maybe sometimes even just a headliner and opener, it’s now like four artists. And those bottom ones, those f irst of four at Van Andel or Acrisure, they’re usually playing our plays. I saw in electronic where all these artists just care about, “Oh, my name’s on that festival lineup,” even though it’s down here. DOROUGH: Even if they’re playing in the parking lot for no one beforehand. HAMMONTREE: It’s happening in country music right now, specif ically. It’s a real issue. DOROUGH: Because they’re the acts that would otherwise headline your room. HAMMONTREE: We did Lainey Wilson six months before she broke, Ella Langley six months before she broke, Ty Myers, all these acts that normally would develop in the clubs, now they want to pair up or be f irst of four playing to 1800 people that are walking into the arena. I’ve spoken with the agents about it and right now they just don’t see the value of developing their fan base in the clubs. Take somebody like Eric Church, he is the gold standard for how an artist built and developed, and how he comes to Van Andel 20 years after he played our place,

and still sells it out and talks about The Intersection. He played there three times, low ticket price, shook every hand. Those fans remember that forever. That’s, to me, where it all lives. DOROUGH: A nd t he f lip of t hat is, at t he clubs now, I’m getting t hese tour pack a ges t hat a re t wo ba nds a nd a re done by 10:15. It’s like, well, no wonder my ba r rings suck. L a st c a ll is at 9:45 or whatever. W herea s, back in t he day, t hose ba nds wou ld play t hree hour sets ‘til 1 in t he morning. IT SOUNDS LIKE YOU’RE ALL FEELING SIMILAR PRESSURES. DOROUGH: The nice thing is, since COV ID, we talk. We didn’t know each other. And now Scott and I were the president and vice president of the MIV PA that got us through COV ID, and got us grant money, and now we’re homies, and even though we compete on a lot of shows and I see stuff pop up at his venue, where I’m like, “God damn it,” we’re rooting for each other over the other guys, right? HAMMONTREE: I think post COV ID there was a little more of that. If you really think about it, I used to get really upset about losing a show. Now, I’m just like, there’s so many shows, it’s okay. And to me, a healthy Pyramid Scheme is great for my business. DOROUGH: Yes. MATHEWS: Ultimately, anyone going out to see music is good for all of us. DOROUGH: There are enough shows to go around. I only have two off days in September. We have shows 28 out of 30 days in September, which is insane. MATHEWS: Even when I opened Big Room, the f irst three people that talked to me are in this room here. Scott came right over to look at the space to see what we could do together. Nate did the same thing. We’re already working together. We care about each other.

LET’S TALK ABOUT INFLATION. HOW HAVE COSTS GONE UP? HAMMONTREE: I mean, ticket prices skyrocketed Post COV ID. For us a $20 ticket, $25 was like, okay. I have acts now that send an offer on a $59.50 ticket, and it’s an act that’s going to do 800 people. And my staff ing costs post COV ID are through the roof. Now, I want to make it clear we needed to get in line with the market, but we did, and that seems to be stabilized a little bit. But what we hear from agents is, it’s expensive to tour, and so their guarantees need to be larger, which means we have to raise our ticket prices to meet it, or we can’t do the show. So, that’s a f ine line balance for me. I don’t want to bring somebody in here for $68, right? HOLBROOK: Because you have to be really, really sure that it’s going to do well, and you just don’t know all the time, because it depends on what else is going on that night. MATHEWS: We’re all happy with more music coming in and amphitheater and all this, like we said, anyone going out and seeing shows. But yeah, I mean, I have a comedy show coming up that’s on the same freaking night as John Mulaney, I just found out. DOROUGH: We had a rock show on the same night as Godsmack at the amphitheater, which was like the third show they did over there, that just got blown away. There was 30 people or whatever, and this would have done 150 if Godsmack wasn’t there. HOLBROOK: We have a different problem, which is that we rent the facility out for other things like weddings, and the symphony has a series here, and I start looking at dates that we have available to book stuff and all this rental activity is in the building. DOROUGH: I used to train folks out of college that were learning the industry, and I tried to explain to them how the money works, right? And it’s not just a spreadsheet. I always think of a cup. So let’s just take 100

pennies and stick it in this cup, right? 65 of those pennies go to the artist right away. 25 of those pennies cover the costs, and we get left with the 10 pennies that are in there, plus any pennies that were on the outside, which is your bar, parking, sponsorships, whatever ancillary income is in there. So, the costs go up because gas goes up, because trucking goes up, because labor goes up, because the cost of materials goes up, because aluminum cans go up. All those things happen, but we’re still taking 90% of whatever money we make and giving it to other people. And then, where the real rub comes is when the agent says, “65% is not enough, I need 70% to get this show done. And there’s another competitor that will give it to me.” Grand Rapids is in competition with Indianapolis, South Bend, Saginaw, Flint, Traverse City. There’s one show that’s going to play this region that’s not playing Detroit or Chicago, and there are 20 markets close to this size, and new ones popping up every day. HAMMONTREE: Last October, we were a little bit down and I was looking at every single piece of our business, trying to f ind any cost savings, and it was hard. I called 10 venue owners and buyers in eight different markets. I’m like, “How’s your year been?” They’re like, “Shitty. It’s not you, Scott.” HOLBROOK: For us, cost cutting is impossible. It’s like, we need to make more money. I probably need another staff person right now, so I can’t cut stuff. And the idea of cutting back on shows, it’s a very curated series. I’m not doing that. That’s totally the opposite direction of what we want to do. Plus, you don’t even save that much money. DOROUGH: We’re about to crane a new air conditioner onto our roof, and that’s going to cost what it costs. I can’t go to them and be like, “This is a really great place. Can you charge us $5,000 less?” MATHEWS: The original question, which I do appreciate, we’re independent venues. I mean, Scott just said a second ago he didn’t take a deal that was a $59 ticket because he didn’t want to do that to his customers. We just talked about how we don’t want to raise our beer prices. We are having the conversations. We’re still thinking about what we want to do for fans of music coming to us. And I don’t think any of our ticket prices are ever outrageous at any of our places. So, it is a game because expenses have increased, but we think about it and we care. We want our

businesses to succeed, so we’ve got to do what we’ve got to do. But we’re not in this game to screw people over and take their money. WHAT ABOUT THE THIRD-PARTY TICKET SELLING? HOLBROOK: W hen you go look up a show, you get f ive things that are not our site before you get to our site. DOROUGH: Because they’re lobbying for that, and they’re paying for that placement on Google and everything. HAMMONTREE: I just had a show in November that, I had 300 tickets left, and the bots hit it for 261 tickets. So I had to go through, because all they’re going to do is turn around and resell it. I had to run a scrub list, go to that agent, say, “Hey, man, I suspect 220 of these are fraudulent,” and then they decide whether we’re going to kick them out, refund their purchase, and then put them back on sale to the general public. It’s crazy. DOROUGH: And there’s speculative ticketing, which is selling a ticket that you don’t even own yet. You sell it on StubHub, then you go buy it from the venue. Then there also are bots that are selling nothing. They’re selling you air. HOLBROOK: Oh, I mean, we’ve had people show up with tickets in hand, and those are not our tickets. It’s like, we don’t have that ticket, and we’re sold out, and I’m so sorry. DOROUGH: They’re causing the venue then to make it right with a customer because the customer is pissed off. HOLBROOK: I had somebody kind of accost me at a post-concert reception, “You need to do something about the cost of what’s happening out there.” I’m like, I have no control over that. DOROUGH: These are million-dollar lobbyists that are f ighting for it. They’re legislating to be able to deceive. The other thing that happens is, because there’s so many fake tickets in the market, the bots might get bad information, and then just sit on a bunch of tickets. Which, you keep that money if you want to, right? But nobody comes. We’ve had shows that are sold out, that only 40% show up. So, there’s no one to buy alcohol, no one to buy any of merch, any of that, and the room is half full. And that’s not a good feeling either.

I would say, yes, there are all the challenges, but people are coming out. PEOPLE ARE COMING TO LIVE MUSIC STILL. In fact, more. – Cathy Holbrook, St. Cecilia Music Center REVUEWM.COM

WELL, WHAT ARE YOU SEEING THAT’S WORKED? WHAT ABOUT SPECIAL EVENTS LIKE DANCE PARTIES? HAMMONTREE: For years, I was like, I’m not doing these. Now it’s probably 8% of our year, and it’s crazy to me. I never thought we would get to that point, especially because I feel like there’s more touring bands than there ever has been. But they’re low stress. The deals are fair. You don’t risk a lot of money. And some of those I’m putting in Elevation, they’re doing 500 or 600 people. DOROUGH: And the bar rings are great. The production is good. They load in an hour before the event. The costs are low. And honestly, they’re fun. They’re so much fun. We had a Stranger Things night, and it was all that music from the ‘80s that we’ve all been geeking out about since Stranger Things came out, and people just went off. It’s like, the world’s on fire, and we’re all looking for musical or comfort food, and whatever it is that we do. And I always call those shows musical comfort food. It’s just like going and getting a pizza. You know, you’re surrounding yourself with a nice warm blanket, and the songs that you grew up on. You sing at the top of your lungs. You don’t care if it’s somebody just pressing play on a Spotify playlist. HAMMONTREE: I walked in one night and I had a really great show in the back, and I had Gimme Gimme Disco in the front, which isn’t huge, but I was like, these 280 people are having the absolute time of their life. They were all dressed up and they loved it. MATHEWS: I feel the same way with the dance show or these tribute acts or whatever, where I was like, “ugh, I’ll do this.” And then I’m in there and the bar does the best, ticket price is low, it’s an easy deal, and you’re just looking around and you’re like, everyone is smiling, having a great time. W hat do I care? WHAT ELSE IS GOING WELL? HOLBROOK: I would say, yes, there are all the challenges, but people are coming out. People are coming to live music still. In fact, more. So, I am so encouraged by that. A lot of times, you do go and hear how everybody’s struggling and struggling. I’m like, man, we’re doing okay. HAMMONTREE: People are showing up. It’s great, and I cannot complain about any of it. I was looking at my 78 shows upcoming, and there’s not that many that are in trouble. DOROUGH: We’ve survived. MATHEWS: This conversation in 2021 was brutal. HOLBROOK: I mean, brutal to the point where we’re thinking, there’s not

26 S E P T E M B E R / O C T O B E R | Arts & Music

gonna be this anymore. Like, it’s just not gonna exist anymore. And then, yeah, you sit in a sold-out show every once in a while and go, wow. MATHEWS: Scott said a minute ago, when you stay some nights to go down there just to get that feeling, and we all do that. And in 2021, we all thought maybe we’d never do that again. HOLBROOK: People realized that they wanted that, and it was a valuable situation, to be in a community setting with other people listening to live music. DOROUGH: Yes, there are difficulties. Yes, sometimes checks bounce or whatever it is, but the spirit is still freaking strong. And that’s the thing that’s irreplaceable. And we tried with streaming performances during the pandemic. That shit sucked, and we were done with it. The second we could go back to people again and singing together and sharing that hug, we were all about that. HOLBROOK: I celebrated my 20th anniversary this year, and we had a little party, and I was touched. People came to support, and I said that to them, “You’re my people. You slap money down for a ticket and show up at a place at a specific time, specific day, and you all show up here as strangers sometimes, but you don’t leave strangers, because you have this communal experience around the live music, and you know that’s going to happen, and that’s why you come.” That’s my big, huge, always positive thing, that people want to come and do this, and it’s such an amazing experience. HAMMONTREE: It’s great for everybody’s mental health. I talked about that over COVID all the time. I said, I think people just need that. You need that connection. And like, I personally, when I see a show, if I’m into it, what it does to me emotionally and what it does to uplift me, people didn’t have that, and they gotta have it. I mean, it’s been proven. It’s true. HOLBROOK: I also feel very much, very strongly that part of my job and part of my core is to support musicians. It is a hard life to be a touring musician and be out there and bring it every night for people and give them this experience that we so want everybody to have. And so, I just feel like giving them the space to do that and supporting them in that way is important because it’s in their blood. MATHEWS: I love every show we put on. Just watching people, it is part of why we do this for sure. I like putting on the show and staying there. And it’s the best feeling every show. You’re just like, it’s so cool. And it started with an email a year ago, and everything you put into it, marketing, and then you have meetings, and then they’re on the freaking stage, and these people are coming in, and you’re like, “Holy shit!” I mean, every freaking time. ■

REVUEWM.COM

/// ARTS & M US I C I SSU E

10 BANDS TO E WATCH IN 2026

| by Eric Mitts

very year, Revue has the pleasure to pore through West Michigan’s overf lowing musical landscape to f ind the artists poised to take the next stage. Our 2026 Bands to Watch list shines a spotlight on 10 acts turning heads, sharpening their sound, and putting in the work from basement practice spaces to packed local venues. Across genres, cities, and generations, these are artists with something to prove – and plenty to say. Listen up and listen close so you don’t miss out on what’s to come.

THE TEMPERANCES Hometown: Grand Rapids | Genre: Indie-folk/indie-pop Recommended If You Like: The Staves, Boygenius

POTIONSELLER Hometown: Grand Rapids | Genre: Midwest Emo, pop-punk Recommended If You Like: Wednesday, Pinegrove

There’s an almost spellbinding alchemy to The Temperances, a Grand Rapids local super-group where Audrey Pearson, Marley Kaye, and Olivia Vargas blend their distinct song writing voices into something they describe as “angelic emo.” Each an established solo artist in her own right, the three f ind common ground in ethereal textures and moody melodies that feel equal parts angelic and melancholic. Like the tarot card inspiring their name, The Temperances are striking a compelling balance between darkness, beauty, and harmony.

Crafting the unlikeliest of concoctions, Grand Rapids’ Potionseller has coined the term “yeeyeemo,” to describe their rowdy blend of bluegrass roots, pop-punk hooks, Midwest emo and Michigan nostalgia. Frontman Austen Reno draws from his family’s bluegrass legacy, channeling two decades of genre study into the f ive-piece’s debut LP, BUZZ ARD, released in May. Following its July release show at The Pyramid Scheme, Potionseller is proving that banjos, big choruses and sudsy wistfulness can make surprisingly perfect bedfellows.

CALV Hometown: Grand Rapids | Genre: Bass House, Experimental Pop Recommended If You Like: AC Slater, Malaa

PAYTON & ANNABELLE Hometown: Kalamazoo | Genre: Folk-rock, singer-songwriter Recommended If You Like: Taylor Swift, Simon & Garfunkel

Grand Rapids electronic artist CA LV aka Calvin Paige has taken his highenerg y sound well to Grand Rapids Pride Festival and Foodie Fest at Calder Plaza before hitting Breakaway Festival, off icial Lollapalooza afterparties, and The Forum in Columbus, and out on the road with his Jet Set Tour. Beyond performing, his Wubz Shop organization has helped grow an inclusive electronic scene, creating opportunities, connecting artists and fans, and raising money for local LGBTQ+ organizations.

Meeting through the Kalamazoo Academy of Rock in 2021, folk duo Payton & Annabelle (Payton Carter and Annabelle Fuerst) have since logged 150plus performances, opened for Grammy winner Sarah Jarosz and sold out Bell’s Beer Garden. Their song “projection” won Michigan’s inaugural New Moon Song Competition, and they’ve also won the State Theatre Battle of the Bands. They just released their debut album, Harps and Sashes, in August, however they’ll be on a performance hiatus for nine months as Fuerst tours with the musical “Waitress.”

MAR IN COLOR Hometown: Grand Rapids | Genre: Alternative, Indie-pop Recommended If You Like: Florence + the Machine, Weyes Blood Grand Rapids singer/song writer Mar In Color (Marissa Postler) brings a kaleidoscopic pop palette to the city’s ever-growing music scene. Her debut album, Jesus Issues, paired piano-driven pop with lush choral harmonies, soaring strings, triumphant brass and unconventional percussion, creating an expansive sound that feels both intimate and grand. This fall, Mar In Color will showcase that vibrant vision with her live band at Big Fam Festival on Sept. 25, followed by the Wealthy Street Block Party on Sept. 26

Grand Rapids’ Andy Arcade (Andrew Haan) is turning deep house and minimal tech into a dance-f loor science. A West Michigan native now based in Detroit, he has already brought his melodic, immersive sets to Electric Forest and Movement-adjacent events, as well as The Intersection, where he launched his Deep In Bloom party. With recent releases “How I Like” and “Vente Pa’ Ca” he’s added producer to his résumé and is primed for an even bigger 2027.

CLAWFOOT Hometown: Grand Rapids | Genre: Goth-wave, synth-rock Recommended If You Like: Boy Harsher, Crystal Castles

SMILE, DARLING Hometown: Grand Rapids | Genre: Alt-pop, Pop-punk Recommended If You Like: Stand Atlantic, Meet Me @ The Altar

With a self-described “witchy dark wave” sound built on driving bass, hypnotic drums, eerie synths, and unexpected sound design, the trio of Angie Mattson (from In The Valley Below), Claire Golder, and Em Hogan spins tales of medieval torture, W W II fascist killers, and, occasionally, love. After debuting at T-Rex Fest 2025, Clawfoot earned a 2026 W YCE Jammie nomination for Critics Choice Artist of the Year. Their debut EP is currently in the works, with a release date TBA. The trio will open for Deerhoof at The Pyramid Scheme Oct. 11.

Heartfelt song writing with a punch, the music of Grand Rapids f ive-piece Smile, Darling starts with the honest lyrics of singer/guitarist Melissa Dylan, before amping up the energ y, mixing in musical elements that draw from all f ive members unique backgrounds. With their debut f ive-song EP in the works, the group is carving out its own genre-bending lane. Catch this fall at Murder House in Grand Rapids Nov. 14.

IZZY JOY Hometown: Mt. Pleasant/West Michigan Genre: Indie-soul, Singer/songwriter Recommended If You Like: Lizzy McAlpine, Maggie Rogers After making her debut at the Michigan State Fair, Izzy Joy was named the 2025 State Fair Superstar. She has gone on to earn a Tennessee Song writers Week showcase and performed at Nashville’s Bluebird Café and L A’s Hotel Cafe. Back home, she won last year’s Walk The Beat competition in Grand Haven, opened for Joe Hertler, Goldpine, Jaime Drake, and others, and just released her latest single, “Living For the Song,” this summer.

ANDY ARCADE Hometown: Grand Rapids/Detroit | Genre: Deep House, Tech House Recommended If You Like: Disclosure, Cloonee

SUPO Hometown: Grand Rapids | Genre: Alt-pop, new grunge Recommended If You Like: Tegan & Sara, beabadoobee Grand Rapids indie artist Supo (Supriya Gupta) released her debut album, crushed!, at the beginning of the year and it’s a dreamy cinematic listen, overf lowing with crunchy guitars and catchy choruses, drenched in shoegaze haze. Intimately personal, Gupta has expanded the sense of community around her music with live performances alongside her band at benef its supporting causes GR Rapid Response to ICE and GR Trans Foundation. Look for her new single, “R ibbons,” dropping sometime this winter. ■

REVUEWM.COM

/// ARTS & M US I C I SSU E

GOING BIG AND GRATEFUL:

The Red Clay Strays Arena Tour Comes to Van Andel | by Eric Mitts

here was a time when The Red Clay Strays measured success by much smaller milestones. A crowd packed into a hometown bar. A broken-down tour vehicle somehow making it to the next show. Five people in the audience feeling like 5,000. The kind of moments that test a band’s faith, patience and commitment before anyone outside the room knows their name. Now, the Mobile, A labama-bred roots-rock outf it is preparing to bring its biggest show yet to arenas across the country – including a stop at Van Andel Arena in Grand Rapids on Oct. 3 – but lead vocalist and guitarist Brandon Coleman said the band’s mindset has remained remarkably unchanged. “We always have been grateful,” Coleman said. “W hen we f irst got our little E450, the Breeze, we called it, that may as well have been a Prevost tour bus. And if we had 50 people show up, that may as well have been 500. Five people show up, that may as well have been 5,000.” That perspective sits at the heart of the band’s new album, Grateful, a collection of 11 songs that transforms years of struggle, growth and unexpected success into a celebration of the journey itself. The album follows the band’s meteoric rise from their 2022 debut Moment of Truth — a crowdfunded record that eventually earned R I A A Gold certif ication – through 2024’s acclaimed Made By These Moments, which introduced the group to a much wider audience thanks in large part to the breakout success of “Wondering W hy,” a song that ultimately went three-times Platinum. A long the way, The Red Clay Strays have collected major industry recognition, including the Americana Music Honors & Awards’ Emerging Artist of the Year,

the Academy of Country Music’s New Vocal Duo or Group of the Year, and the Country Music Association’s Vocal Group of the Year. Yet even with trophies and arena stages becoming part of the story, Coleman said the band remains focused on the same things that got them there. “We don’t care about awards, but at the same time, it is a huge blessing,” Coleman said. “We try to accept the blessing, but also not think about it too much or let it go to your head.” For Coleman, the real reward comes from seeing the band’s songs become part of listeners’ lives. “That right there is the award,” he said. “That’s being remembered and mainly what you’re remembered for, just putting out music that unites people or music that gives people hope or just your good old love songs. Stuff that’s going to impact people’s lives in a positive way.” Produced by Dave Cobb, who previously worked with the band on Made By These Moments, Grateful captures The Red Clay Strays settling even deeper into their identity. Recorded between Cobb’s Savannah studio and the legendary RCA Studio A in Nashville, the album finds the six-piece – Coleman, guitarist/vocalist Drew Nix, bassist Andrew Bishop, guitarist/vocalist Zach Rishel, drummer John Hall and touring keyboardist Sevans Henderson – embracing collaboration and trusting instinct. Faith has always been a major part of The Red Clay Strays’ music, and Grateful embraces that openly. But Coleman said the band’s goal is never to lecture listeners – it is to create a space where people from all backgrounds can come together. “We’re not trying to be any type of band, play to any specif ic genre,” he said. “We’re just making art.” That openness has helped the group build a remarkably diverse fanbase, bringing together listeners of all ages from country, rock, Americana and beyond. “I think also because of what we write about,” Coleman said. “We have some pretty deep, deep songs about real life issues of struggling and who can’t relate to that? There’s a lot more people who can relate to it than not.” One of the album’s standout tracks, lead single “People Hatin’,” ref lects that desire to f ind common ground. Coleman said the song was inspired by seeing division grow between people, especially after the assassination of Charlie Kirk. “Everybody in our band, we all have differing opinions,” he said. “Sometimes it’s a little different and sometimes we just completely disagree on politics and religion and just a lot of things. But we’ve been a band for 10-plus years, so these are my brothers.” The song’s message, he said, is simple. “Just stop worrying about your disagreements and love one another,” Coleman said. “We’re all human. We’re all in our own race and we’re all trying to f igure life out the same as you are.” That same sense of connection is something The Red Clay Strays hope to bring to their live shows, even as those shows continue growing from intimate clubs into massive venues. For Coleman, the size of the room matters less than the reason everyone is there. “I think entertainment should be an escape from all of that,” he said. “You should be able to go see a concert and turn off the world for a little bit.” ■ THE RED CLAY STRAYS Wsg. The Revivalists, Hayley Reinhart Van Andel Arena, 130 W. Fulton, Grand Rapids Oct. 3 , 6:30 p.m., $39.20+ Vanandelarena.com, redclaystrays.com

The Red Clay Strays. PHOTO BY ROBBY KLEIN

30 S E P T E M B E R / O C T O B E R | Arts & Music

Izzy Reign. COURTESY PHOTO

HALLOWEEN QUEEN:

Izzy Reign’s Spooky Rule Extends All Year Long | by Eric Mitts

f there’s one theme that has always surrounded Grand Rapids-based musician Izzy Reign, it’s Halloween. The project, built by singer, song writer and producer Kristin Matzkows, exists in large part because of the holiday. And her sound—a trick or treat mix of heav y guitars, industrial textures, cyber-pop production, metalcore intensity, electronic experimentation and ’90s nostalgia—shockingly works, because they’re all just different pieces of her personality. “I’m glad I f inally got to do something that I truly wanted to do,” Matzkows said. “And it wasn’t so much of doing what everybody else, or what I thought everybody else, wanted me to do.” For Matzkows, Halloween is a creative philosophy. From decorating her home year-round to working at Spirit Halloween for nearly a decade, A ll Hallow’s Eve has always been part of her artistic world. “It’s the ultimate creative brain. The sensation, the weather, the feeling, it’s just something that I try to live all year long.” That passion has also carried into her music, including her now-annual Halloween covers, which helped launch her career when a cover of “This Is Halloween” from The Nightmare Before Christmas unexpectedly exploded online. Released in October 2020, it went viral, and then mega-viral on TikTok during the pandemic, racking up millions of streams on Spotif y and YouTube. And with her recent success, it may feel to some like Izzy Reign arrived overnight, but Matzkows has actually spent most of her life preparing for this moment. “I kind of grew up in a situation where we had a drum kit in our dining room, so it was always loud and chaotic.” That chaos became part of her foundation. Her father’s love of drums and rock music f illed the house, while her own curiosity pushed her toward experimentation from an early age. Like many musicians who grow up surrounded by a certain style of music, Matzkows initially pushed back against the sounds that surrounded her. W hile rock was always present, she found herself drawn toward R&B, hip-hop and electronic music. “If you peel back the guitars and the real drums and the very real instruments and you listen to just the production, you can very much hear the inf luence of the

things that I grew up loving. I still listen to it all the time.” Artists like Missy Elliott and ’90s electronic acts remain important pieces of her creative DNA, helping shape the futuristic sound that now exists alongside her heavier inf luences. At 15, she found herself inspired by bands that made heav y music feel theatrical, emotional and larger than life. “I always tell everybody the same thing: the Enter Shikari ‘Sorry You’re Not a Winner’ music video came out, and that was the moment where it clicked in my brain,” she said. “I wanted to play those types of shows. I wanted to be in a sweaty basement with sweaty people and everybody just having this experience together.” Released in 2023, “Broken by Design” became the turning point, introducing audiences to Izzy Reign’s industrial-meets-metalcore sound. Later released through FiXT, with production contributions from Nick Matzkows and Jon Eberhard, the track changed everything. Within minutes, she watched her audience grow from a handful of listeners into thousands. “I blinked and every time I refreshed my phone there were thousands and thousands more people showing up. I was freaking out. I was like, ‘W hat is happening?’” That momentum eventually led to her 2025 self-titled album and a new chapter as a live act. Building that live show could have been overwhelming, but Matzkows found the right collaborators at the right time. She quickly assembled a lineup that included guitarist Taylor Roberts from Detroit’s R iding With Killers and drummer Matt Marquez from Norma Jean. “I expected nothing but chaos. But it came together so smooth.” That smooth transition helped Izzy Reign win the Heav y weights competition, earning a spot at Upheaval Festival. For Matzkows, the victory was emotional. “I know in my soul how hard I’ve worked for all of this,” she said. “I’ve been doing this for so long and busting my butt for a long time.” Braving the heat and wildf ire smoke at Upheaval, she won over a slew of new fans as mainstage artist Poppy did not perform, and many of her fans found their way to Izzy Reign’s set. The most remarkable part of Izzy Reign’s rise is not just the music—it’s the community that has formed around it. Through Twitch streams, Discord conversations, Kickstarter campaigns and online other interaction, Matzkows has built a space where fans feel personally connected. W hen she performed at Upheaval, fans traveled from across the country and even across the world to be there. “It was so surreal to meet all of these people and see what the community of Izzy Reign is in person,” she said. “It feels so good to know that the reason I’ve been doing what I’m doing is actually becoming reality. Music is, in my personal opinion, the number one way to connect with people. It is like the ultimate language across the board.” She hopes to release a new single and music video in October, with a potential EP planned for 2027. For more, check out izzyreign.com. ■

REVUEWM.COM

/// ARTS & M US I C I SSU E

Lee Emi. PHOTO BY LORI M GOTTSCHLING

BURNING IT DOWN TO BUILD SOMETHING NEW: Lee Emi Steps Into Her Own Light | by Eric Mitts

ith her debut solo album Destroy Everything (due out Oct. 3), singersong writer Emilee Petersmark embraces her Korean identity, confronts illness and self-doubt, and discovers that sometimes breaking everything apart is the only way to become whole. Over the last 15 years, Petersmark helped transform Grand Rapids indie-folk favorites The Crane Wives from a beloved West Michigan band into one of the country’s most successful independent acts. A longside the band, she’s played soldout theaters across North America and Europe, co-written f ive studio albums, racked up millions of streams, and helped cultivate a devoted fanbase that continues to grow. But behind those tours, rehearsals, and recording sessions, another collection of her own songs quietly waited. Some had existed for more than a decade. Others emerged during one of the most uncertain periods of Petersmark ’s life, the pandemic, when the future of music—and her place within it—felt anything but guaranteed. Together, they became Destroy Everything, the deeply personal debut album from her new solo identity, Lee Emi. Born Lee Sang-Eun in South Korea before being adopted and raised in Michigan, Petersmark spent much of her life known by the name she received after adoption. Choosing Lee Emi for her solo work—a blend of her Korean surname and the name she’s carried for decades—served as something of a symbolic step toward embracing every part of herself. “I feel like there is a lot of conversation about what adoption trauma looks like now that most adoptees are entering this adulthood stage,” Petersmark told Revue. “There were 250,000 babies adopted from Korea between the ‘50s and today. That’s like the population size of Grand Rapids. “Most of those adoptees are grown-ups, and we f inally have the language and the autonomy to start talking about our experience,” she continued. “So there has been a big reckoning within the adoptee community. And I feel like I’ve spent a lot of time since going back to Korea for the f irst time to try and like dig into what it means to be part of that diaspora, what it means to try to reclaim pieces of that as somebody who was raised in Michigan without a strong connection to a culturally Korean space.” Rather than rejecting the Americana inf luences of her success with The Crane Wives and making a full departure from everything she’s built so far, Petersmark said the solo project acted as a way to burn down what wasn’t serving her anymore, and build a better, more balanced version that welcomes the Eastern and Western sides of herself. “I think that there’s probably a lot of people who would push back on this idea that I feel like an immigrant in a lot of ways because I was raised here,” Petersmark said. “But I think that it’s hard to be separated from your culture, and it’s hard to embrace something that you feel like doesn’t belong to you. But I’m working really hard to try to make it more public that there are different ways to exist in these multiple identities, which I feel like that has not been something that’s been demonstrated to me growing up. And it’s exciting and terrifying to try to embody it now.” Written over several years, Destroy Everything is an album that explores her heritage, yet is also marked by isolation, and Petersmark ’s diagnosis of a rare kidney disease, which is thankfully now in remission. “There was a period of time in, I think 2013 to 2019, where I was really just very inspired and writing a ton of music,” Petersmark said. “And most of those songs just went into a Google Drive graveyard where they sat for years.” W hen the pandemic forced The Crane Wives off the road, those forgotten songs f inally found new life. As the band considered slowing its relentless touring

32 S E P T E M B E R / O C T O B E R | Arts & Music

schedule, Petersmark brief ly wondered whether music would remain part of her future at all. She picked up another job, contemplated life beyond performing, and quietly recorded what would become her solo debut with Crane Wives bassist Ben Zito at Centennial Sound. The album was completed, then shelved for f ive years. “I do think that sometimes when I write music, it’s for a future version of me that I haven’t connected with yet,” she said. “Sometimes I feel like I write songs that, with new context and new life experience, take on a whole new life.” That hindsight has become one of the album’s greatest strengths. Instead of preserving old emotions, Petersmark revisited them through the perspective of someone who had survived them. The result is an album that embraces darkness without surrendering to it. The album’s lead single, “Black Hole,” immediately signals that longtime Crane Wives fans shouldn’t expect a simple extension of her folk song writing. It’s a crunchier, rockier track that Petersmark feels f its its confrontational tone. “I feel like the message of ‘Black Hole’ is really what the whole record is about,” she said. “Underneath this anger and this desire for a satisfying quick change is this fear that we’re not changing because there’s something wrong with us, right? So, this is just kind of my little confessional, putting a lot of the worst fears out there out in front. If people resonate with this, I feel like they’ll resonate with the rest of the record.” A head of the album’s release, Petersmark also released a video for the song “Clean Slate.” Shot on 16mm f ilm and directed by second generation Korean immigrant f ilmmaker Hwa-Jeen Na, it incorporates traditional imagery, weaving Korean symbolism and identity into a meditation on cultural belonging. “The video was such a labor of love,” she said. “It was really exciting to get different immigrant perspectives in this video,” Petersmark said. “We really wanted this to tell a story specif ically from the Midwest Korean perspective, which seems very specif ic, but there are many of us. And it’s just this idea of chasing, or being chased by your culture, and by these ghosts of things that make up parts of who you are.” As much as the album grapples with anger, grief, and isolation, its title ultimately points toward renewal, not ruin. “The concept of Destroy Everything is not necessarily a desire to see something fall apart, but it is the desire to see something no longer exist the way that it is if it’s not serving you,” she said. “And as a messy person who makes a lot of mistakes, I think that what feels easiest, and what feels best, is something very quick and very violent and very instantaneous, like ripping down a poster, punching a hole in a wall, you know, like those sorts of things feel like instant change. “And the reality is that in order to make change happen, it’s consistent commitment to it.” ■ LEE EMI Destroy Everything Album Release Wsg. Cal In Red The Pyramid Scheme, 68 Commerce Ave. SW, Grand Rapids Oct. 3 , 7 p.m., $ 25 Advance, All Ages leeemi.com, pyramidschemebar.com

PUTTING GR RAP ON THE MAP: Sonny Ski Takes Pride in West Michigan Roots | by Eric Mitts

or years, Jameson Botwinski saw Grand Rapids the way too many young people do: as a place to leave. Growing up on the southeast side of the city, the artist now better known as Sonny Ski wasn’t always eager to wave the f lag for his hometown. Like many of his generation, he remembers looking around and feeling like there was nothing special about GR—until he left and f inally realized exactly what made it unique. Now, after years of grinding, writing, recording and representing the city from stages across Michigan and beyond, Sonny Ski has become one of Grand Rapids’ loudest musical advocates. His song “Grand Rapids, MI”—featuring Gwopped Up $peedy and Ja’Leeyna— has grown into a rallying cry for a city searching for its own anthem. “I always wanted to make a song for the city,” Botwinski said. “I just wanted to give people something to be proud of about the city.” Before he was writing hometown anthems, award-winning albums and songs about the working-class grind, Sonny Ski was just a kid experimenting with music in his dad’s basement studio. That early spark stayed with him, though becoming a rapper wasn’t always part of the plan. In high school, he was known more for the culture surrounding rap battles than for actually winning them. He would trade bars with classmates in lunchrooms, outside school and even at the nearby Burger King. “I was trash,” he said with a laugh. “I would always lose the battles. I might win a couple.” But that competitive spirit has remained one of the driving forces behind Sonny Ski’s career. Behind the conf ident performances and hometown pride is an artist who has spent much of his life proving people wrong, including himself. “I always had a chip on my shoulder,” he said. “Just as a kid, things like that. I was short, skinny, I got this disease called Ollier’s, so I had tumors and stuff. Doctors going through, they say, ‘Hey, you can’t do this, you can’t do that.’” Those experiences shaped the mindset he brings into music today. “Basically my whole life was just telling me what I couldn’t do,” he said. “I still have that chip on my shoulder where I’m never comfortable with my craft. It’s always like, ‘Nah,’ I got to prove something to myself because I know I can do better.” That mentality followed him when he brief ly attended Wayne State University in Detroit, a move that completely changed how he viewed his hometown. “Detroit people embrace their own,” he said. “There was camaraderie. There was culture there. ... It inspired me to really claim Grand Rapids.” That realization eventually became the foundation for “Grand Rapids, MI.” The idea started forming around 2017, but Botwinski knew he wasn’t ready yet. Instead, he continued sharpening his song writing, building his catalog and developing his voice until he could create the song he imagined. The track slowly built momentum before exploding after Botwinski posted a short clip of the music video online. “I had nothing to post that day, no content,” he said. “So I was like, all right, I’ll just repost a clip in the music video. It just shot up.” From there, the song spread throughout the region, eventually leading to major hometown moments, including performances at Van Andel Arena and other largescale events.

Sonny Ski. PHOTO BY SABY

“For people to f inally come around full circle, whether people loved it or hated it, the city knows the song,” Botwinski said. “The song is doing exactly what I thought it would do now.” The most unique part of Sonny Ski’s story, though, is that his rise has happened while maintaining a completely different career. Outside of music, Botwinski works as a CDL driver, a role he has embraced through his alter ego, CDL Sonny. “We’re doing this interview while I’m on the clock,” he said, talking with Revue over the phone while driving. “I just f ind a way to make it work for me.” Rather than hide the fact that he still works a regular job, Botwinski sees it as part of his message. “I don’t want to hide any part of this journey and make it seem like, ‘Oh yeah, I’m this big rapper,’” he said. “I’m still working a regular job. I just really want that to inspire people.” A long the way, Sonny Ski has earned recognition throughout West Michigan, including honors from the Grand Rapids Hip Hop Awards, the Jammies and ArtPrize through his involvement with The Trauma Project. Now, with new projects on the horizon— including his long-awaited album The Workin’ Man: Fruits From Labor— Sonny Ski is still chasing that same feeling that f irst pushed him to write on that bus ride home. “That’s going to be the one,” he said of the upcoming album. “That’s going to be when everybody’s like, ‘Yo, who’s Sonny Ski?’” Follow him on Instagram @sonnyski616. ■

Thank You, WEST MICHIGAN!

Comfort 11th ANNUAL

FINALI ST

‘26

Best Restaurant in Saugatuck/Fennville

269.561.7258 | 114 E Main St. Fennville |

www.saltoftheearthfennville.com

REVUEWM.COM

34 S E P T E M B E R / O C T O B E R | Arts & Music

REVUEWM.COM

/// AT TR AC TI O N S & E XPE R I E N C E S

SWEATER WEATHER: | by Revue Staff

here’s a certain point every year when West Michigan seems to collectively decide it’s time for fall. The coffee shops roll out the pumpkin spice, the leaves begin their slow transformation, and farms and orchards start filling up with hay bales, pumpkins and apple cider. Whether you’re planning a family outing, a weekend adventure or simply looking for an excuse to embrace sweater weather, here are some of the best ways to make the most of the season.

PICK YOUR OWN ADVENTURE West Michigan’s orchards are the obvious place to start—and there’s much more to them than apples. At Schwallier’s Country Basket in Sparta, 15 varieties of u-pick apples are available through mid-October, alongside a corn maze, pumpkin patch, wagon rides and cow train. There’s also a petting farm populated by the sort of fall-day celebrities everyone loves: bunnies and goats. For groups looking to make an afternoon of it, bonfires with all the fixings can be booked in advance. At Ed Dunneback and Girls Farm Market, the family farm and orchard has been a West Michigan fixture since 1925. Today, it’s as much an entertainment destination as a farm market, with outdoor live music, special events and festivals continuing through the fall. Kids can visit the play area and farm animal petting pen, while grownups can stop by Pink Barrel Cellars taproom for a drink and food. For a quieter orchard experience, Wells Orchard southwest of downtown Grand Rapids comes into its own in autumn, when its roughly 25 varieties of apples are at their peak. The market is also stocked with fresh cider, fruit pies, apple turnovers and other seasonal treats, along with gourds, mums, corn stalk bundles and painted pumpkins. And then there’s Robinette’s Apple Haus & Winery, a West Michigan fall institution for good reason. Grab a cider and doughnut, shop for Michigan-themed goods, pick your own apples or simply pick up a bag or bushel. The winery also offers wine and cider tasting, making this one particularly easy to turn into a leisurely fall afternoon. At DeKleine Orchards in Hudsonville, the October surprise is u-pick chestnuts. It’s a particularly timely harvest for anyone already thinking about holiday cooking—or who simply wants the satisfaction of roasting something over an open fire. Picking availability can vary, so check the farm’s social media before heading out. Down in Fennville, Crane Orchards offers more than 20 varieties of apples for u-picking beginning around Labor Day, along with hayrides, a corn maze, cow train and, later in the season, a pumpkin patch. The onsite Crane’s Pie Pantry Restaurant & Winery is another reason to make the drive. New this year, a holiday drive-through light show is expected to open in November. And if pumpkins are the goal, Harvest Moon Acres Corn Maze & Fun Park in Gobles is a full-on fall playground. Open only during the autumn season, the destination features a pick-your-own pumpkin patch, a five-acre corn maze, farm animals, hayrides and a Fun Zone, with the season running from late September through the end of October.

36 S E P T E M B E R / O C T O B E R | Arts & Music

MAKE IT A FAMILY DAY Fall is an especially good time to rediscover West Michigan’s family attractions. At John Ball Zoo, visitors can see more than 2,000 animals, along with more than 20 largerthan-life animatronic pollinators. Frederik Meijer Gardens & Sculpture Park offers the Children’s Garden and Farm Garden, while the Grand Rapids Public Museum is home to Tyrannosaurs: Meet the Family. For a more structured outdoor adventure, Adventure Point offers year-round programs centered on leadership, trust and teambuilding, STEM and outdoor skills. Its activities include climbing, ziplining, archery, outdoor living skills, large-group games and more.

CHASE THE COLORS You don’t need a destination packed with attractions to have a great fall day. West Michigan’s fall color season provides plenty of opportunities for self-guided scenic drives through forests and farmland. Pack a picnic and find a local park where you can enjoy the changing leaves at a leisurely pace. For a closer look at the season’s natural transformation, wander the trails at Blandford Nature Center, the Calvin College Ecosystem Preserve or the Wittenbach/Wege Agriscience & Environmental Education Center.

GET A LITTLE SPOOKED And then, naturally, there’s the other side of fall: fog machines, dark woods and jump scares. West Michigan has no shortage of haunted attractions for those who prefer their autumn adventures with a little screaming. The Haunt in Wyoming, The Haunted Forest at Cannonsburg Ski Area and New Salem Corn Maze in Dorr are among the options around the Grand Rapids area. Further afield, Abandoned Acres Farm in Sparta offers a haunted farm experience, while Nightmare Realm in Paw Paw, Haunt Park in Kalamazoo, Haunted Acres in New Era and Trail of Terror in Holton give thrillseekers plenty of reasons to venture beyond the city. ■

REVUEWM.COM

/// TR AVE L G U I D E | by Revue Staff

KALAMAZOO & BATTLE CREEK TRAVEL GUIDE

or the f inal stop in this year’s Travel Guide series, we’re heading to Kalamazoo, Battle Creek and Paw Paw. Each city offers its own distinct f lavor, from Kalamazoo’s youthful, artsy, beer-loving vibe to Battle Creek ’s distinct history and Paw Paw’s winecountry charm. Here are just a few suggestions of where to head for a day, a weekend or an impromptu afternoon road trip.

KALAMAZOO Start at the Kalamazoo Institute of A rts, where rotating exhibitions complement an impressive permanent collection. For something a little more interactive, the free Kalamazoo Valley Museum, offering science, technolog y and local-history exhibits, along with a planetarium. Don’t forget the A ir Zoo Aerospace & Science Center, full of aircraft, spacecraft, hands-on exhibits and f light simulators. From there, stroll the Kalamazoo Mall, the pedestrian-friendly heart of downtown, popping into independent shops, cafés and galleries along the way. And if you’re sticking around into the evening, check the calendar at venues including Bell’s, the Gilmore and the Kalamazoo Civic. There’s plenty to do outdoors, too. The Kalamazoo Nature Center offers miles of trails through forests, wetlands and meadows just north of the city, while Kleinstuck Preserve provides a quick dose of nature within the urban area. The Kalamazoo River Valley Trail is another great option for walking or biking, and adventurous visitors can get out on the Kalamazoo River by kayak. Of course, you’ll need fuel. Factory Coffee is a favorite for serious coffee drinkers, while Water Street Coffee Joint is a Kalamazoo institution. For a cozy stop downtown, grab a table at Caffè Casa. When it’s time for a real meal, Principle Food and Drink is a standout for creative New American cooking and cocktails in a dark, intimate setting. Rustica offers a more upscale, European-inf luenced experience. For something considerably more eccentric, head to Louie’s Trophy House Grill, an oldschool bar where the taxidermy-covered walls are almost as memorable as the food. And don’t overlook Crow’s Nest, a Kalamazoo breakfast classic. Then there’s the beer. Kalamazoo’s brewing reputation is legendary, and Bell’s Eccentric Cafe remains an essential stop. But don’t stop there. Stamped Robin is a stylish choice for cocktails and wine, while Dabney & Co. combines cocktails, food and live music. Old Dog Tavern offers a scruff ier, more casual downtown experience, and Latitude 42 Brewing is a good pick when a beer garden, f ire pit and shuff leboard sound like the right way to end the day.

38 S E P T E M B E R / O C T O B E R | Arts & Music

BATTLE CREEK Start by embracing the town’s history: The Cereal History Exhibit at the Welcome Center explores how Battle Creek became synonymous with the breakfast industry. Then, head to Fantasy Forest at Leila A rboretum, where giant whimsical wooden sculptures emerge from the landscape. The surrounding arboretum is worth exploring in its own right, with gardens, trees and walking paths. History buffs should make time for the K imball House Museum, a beautifully preserved Victorian home with connections to Battle Creek ’s history, medicine and Sojourner Truth. Meanwhile, the Linear Park Trail provides an easy way to explore the outdoors, following the river through town. For a quieter hike and wildlife-watching opportunity, try the Ott Biological Preserve. Battle Creek also has plenty of reasons to stay for a meal. Lux Cafe delivers the classic old-school diner experience, while Barista Blues Cafe offers coffee, breakfast and lunch with an Italian inf luence. Long Island Cafe is another local favorite for a casual breakfast or lunch—excellent food with large portions and fast service. For dinner, K itchen Proper is a standout, with seasonal, scratch-made food in an intimate downtown setting. Lucky Rooster K itchen & Cocktails brings Italian-inf luenced comfort food and cocktails to the table, while Clara’s on the R iver pairs its menu with a memorable setting inside a converted railroad station overlooking the river. And then there’s the bar scene. Handmap Brewing is a natural stop for local beer and pizza downtown, while New Holland Brewing’s Battle Creek Brewpub offers beer, cocktails, food and a covered beer garden. Just outside town, Territorial Brewing Company in Springf ield brings Germaninspired food and beer to the mix. For something with a little more altitude, head to 50 Beacon, a 16th-f loor cocktail lounge with skyline views that provides a surprisingly metropolitan ending to a Battle Creek evening. And if you’re looking for entertainment beyond breweries and bars, FireKeepers Casino offers gaming, restaurants and live entertainment.

PAW PAW Paw Paw is a laid-back, wine-country getaway. The village is small enough to explore without much of a plan. Wander downtown Paw Paw, where independent businesses, restaurants and historic buildings cluster around the river, then make your way to one of the area’s wineries. St. Julian Winery & Distillery is the obvious starting point. Michigan’s oldest winery has its production facility and tasting room here, offering wine, spirits and tours. For a more eclectic experience, Warner Vineyards combines wine and beer with food, live music and a riverside amphitheater. W hen hunger strikes, few places are as nostalgic as Red ’s Root Beer, an old-school drive-in eatery serving frosty mugs of root beer alongside coneys, burgers and fries. For something a little more grown-up, 120 Taphouse & Bistro offers craft beer, cocktails and elevated bar food downtown. And Brewster’s Food and Spirits, housed in the historic Dyckman House, combines a pub experience with a dose of local history. ■ Factory Coffee, Kalamazoo Nature Center, FireKeepers Casino, Handmap Brewing, Dabney & Co., Brewster’s Food and Spirits. COURTESY PHOTOS

REVUEWM.COM

40 S E P T E M B E R / O C T O B E R | Arts & Music