REVUE West Michigan

REVUE's 2013 Holiday Gift Guide

If you’ve exhausted your holiday gift ideas, let us help. We’ve collected a slew of quirky characters that show up in everyone’s life and paired them up with local gift ideas. Read More
Oh, Mamma!: Mamma Mia! hits Miller Auditorium

Suppose your ex suddenly shows up at your door. Suppose there's a good chance this ex could be your child's father. Now suppose it's not just one possible baby daddy at your door, but three. Oh—one more minor detail here—suppose these men arrive just in time for your daughter's wedding. Read More
Foxy Shazam Comes Back Better Than Ever

If there's one band that you simply have to see live, it's Foxy Shazam. Period. The Ohio-based group has spent the last decade building a reputation for themselves, being well-known for their signature live performances that are often a somewhat delicate balance between wildly theatrical and just plain insane. And they do so while wielding a unique and infectious brand of rock in a style that's all glam. Read More
When Love Songs and Punk Rock Collide

Diego Garcia's music could be called easy listening if not for the infusion of flavors his heritage and experiences have brought to his writing. The songwriter's latest album, Paradise, encompasses themes of love, reconciliation and self-discovery to the beat of Garcia's acoustic guitar. But Garcia's influences are wide ranging, including punk pioneer Iggy Pop. Read More

The Latest

Jillian Michaels to pump up West Michigan with stop in Kalamazoo on March 27

Everyone’s heard of Jillian Michaels, right? She's pretty much the modern female version of Richard Simmons (sans the fro). But she does a lot more than workout videos and training men and women on TV's "The Biggest Loser". She’s written books, and she’s an active motivational speaker as well.

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Local artists band together for typhoon relief

It’s been more than a month since Typhoon Haiyan made landfall in the Philippines, claiming the lives of more than 5,600 people and displacing an estimated 4.4 million. Times are still incredibly tough for those on the long road to reconstruction. Two Grand Rapids artists are launching an exhibition and auction dedicated to raising money to help in those relief efforts.
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TRACK OF THE WEEK: "Hesitating Hands" by The Wallace Collective

If you're strolling through The Wallace Collective's most recent EP, be prepared to get hit with a cornucopia of sounds. The Grand Rapids-based folk rock outfit features full versatility on their latest release, put out in May of this year.
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WEEKEND WARRIOR: A rundown of the weekend for theater nerds

This week, Barbara the web minion is focusing in on all the great theater action going on around West Michigan. Whether you want to get into the Christmas spirit, or just enjoy some classical performances, she has you covered.
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December Indie Film: Screaming Eagle Charles Bradley; Medora at UICA

Well, it's officially December, which means the holidays are in full swing. Of course, after your 20th cup of eggnog and the umpteenth rendition of "Frosty the Snowman," a break from festivities may be necessary to keep from becoming a total Scrooge. Perhaps a trip to the theater would do the trick?
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Dave Landau: The King of Michigan Comedy

Comedian Dave Landau may have houses in both L.A. and Detroit, but it's clear the latter is the house that he considers to be home. Sure, L.A. can be glamorous and all, but who can resist the allure of Michigan?
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For Carielle, Change Isn't Always a Bad Thing

It can take bands years or months to write a full record, but one week is all it took for Grand Rapids-based Carielle to write all the songs on Sonder.
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LaughFest Brings in Lily Tomlin, Chris Tucker, Jim Gaffigan and Jay Leno for Fourth Installment

Gilda's LaughFest announced its 2014 headliners this morning, including its signature dinner event, which is an evening with talk show host, Jay Leno. The festival is also bringing back Jim Gaffigan and Sinbad, which both sold out shows in previous years.
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Blues Best Bet: Lil’ Ed & The Blues Imperials

Ed Heads rejoice. Chicago’s Lil' Ed & The Blues Imperials brings its gritty, house party blues sound to Grand Rapids’ west side this month. Featuring the legendary slide playing of Lil' Ed Williams, the Blues Imperials have been creating quintessential Chicago blues for nearly 30 years.
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Race Best Bet: Ugly Sweater Run

Ah, the holidays. That miraculous time of year when the alcohol flows freely, everybody poops tinsel for two weeks, and the whole magical season is all wrapped up in one big, scratchy, hideous sweater
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Hip Hop Best Bet: Matisyahu

You guys! Did you know that Matisyahu is now beardless? And no longer a practicing Chassidic? Maybe, if we're to believe his ambiguous, non-yarmulke wearing antics. But also, beardless! I mean, WTF is that even?
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R&B Best Bet: K-Ci & JoJo; Ginuwine & Johnny Gill

Sing it with me now: ALLLLLLLL MY LIFE! I'VE PRAYED FOR A REUNION LIKE THIS! OK, maybe there's a bit of hyperbolic lyricism at play here, but c'mon – when was the last time anyone truly got to belt out a little classic K-Ci & JoJo without getting pity stares from the bewildered gas station attendant?
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West & Run defines itself with latest release, New Kid

Ryley Grayson doesn’t like to get caught up in discussion about labels or musical genres. Him and his band, West & Run, just want to play the music they like and let the cards fall where they may. Alive and kicking in one form or another for the last three years, West & Run has toiled away in the West Michigan music scene, slinging a high-energy, peppy brand of rock that many might call pop rock.
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