REVUE Magazine, West Michigan's Arts and Entertainment Guide

Joshua Solas: Crossing Boundaries and Influencing Minds

Originally from Bull Bay, Jamaica, Joshua Solas moved to Grand Rapids to pursue an education at Kendall College of Art and Design and stayed for the opportunities and artistic community. His work uses a variety of mediums to tell stories and talk about today’s issues. After graduating, Solas launched his own art brand, SolasInk, and continues to create logos, murals and paintings while traveling the world. Read More

Review: ‘School of Rock’ shreds hard with talent, fun and inspiration

Be prepared for some face-melting before you go see School of Rock.
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Review: Luca Buratto’s passionate interpretations enchant the season’s first Gilmore audience

The Gilmore kicked off its 2018-2019 season on Sunday evening with the first performance from its Rising Stars series. Italian concert pianist Luca Buratto impressed a near-full house at the Wellspring Theater in Kalamazoo with a century-spanning selection from his repertoire.
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Review: ‘Curious Incident’ is a unique, talented exploration of an extraordinary mind

Go inside a teenage boy’s brain with the Michigan premiere of “The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time” at Actors’ Theatre Grand Rapids. With their unique use of set pieces and props, sound and talented acting, this play is not one you want to miss this month.
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Review: ‘Steel Magnolias’ is full of laughter and immersive performances

Civic Theatre’s latest production, “Steel Magnolias,” highlights the eternal strength of women through life’s ups and downs. Set in Truvy’s Beauty Salon in late ’80s small-town Louisiana, the set, costumes and characters all reflect the time and place — from teased up hair held by hairspray, to blush pink carpets and strong southern accents.
Read more...

Review: ‘School of Rock’ shreds hard with talent, fun and inspiration

Be prepared for some face-melting before you go see School of Rock.
Read more...
Review: Luca Buratto’s passionate interpretations enchant the season’s first Gilmore audience

The Gilmore kicked off its 2018-2019 season on Sunday evening with the first performance from its Rising Stars series. Italian concert pianist Luca Buratto impressed a near-full house at the Wellspring Theater in Kalamazoo with a century-spanning selection from his repertoire.
Read more...
Review: ‘Curious Incident’ is a unique, talented exploration of an extraordinary mind

Go inside a teenage boy’s brain with the Michigan premiere of “The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time” at Actors’ Theatre Grand Rapids. With their unique use of set pieces and props, sound and talented acting, this play is not one you want to miss this month.
Read more...
Review: ‘Steel Magnolias’ is full of laughter and immersive performances

Civic Theatre’s latest production, “Steel Magnolias,” highlights the eternal strength of women through life’s ups and downs. Set in Truvy’s Beauty Salon in late ’80s small-town Louisiana, the set, costumes and characters all reflect the time and place — from teased up hair held by hairspray, to blush pink carpets and strong southern accents.
Read more...

Last Call: New Hotel Mertens

Patrons of New Hotel Mertens may notice that the French restaurant’s cocktail menu is original to the erstwhile hotel in the 1940s. It’s a classic, pre-prohibition era menu gracefully updated with both modern and internationally renowned spirits.
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Brut IPA: The real champagne of beers

With a newly created IPA variation, craft brewers are offering a novel way to showcase hops in a style that falls on the opposite end of the spectrum from the much-hyped New England IPAs.
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Suburban Satisfaction: Fantastic eateries on the outer edge

Jell-O salads, 44-oz. drinks, Wish Bone Italian dressing, John Cheever — these seemingly disparate items conjure up nothing if not our preconceived image of the suburbs, in all its milquetoast glory.
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Sip, Savor, Sample: A firsthand preview of Restaurant Week 2018

Now in its ninth year, Restaurant Week Grand Rapids has more than 60 restaurants participating in the 12-day event. Each eatery creates a menu specifically intended to branch out and create something new while staying true to its core concept. It’s a chance for newcomers to try new restaurants and regulars to try new dishes, and it’s happening at nearly every restaurant in the Greater Grand Rapids area.
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Deep Roots, New Growth: Audiotree Music Festival brings forest of fresh sounds to downtown Kalamazoo

Now in its sixth year, the Audiotree Music Festival continues to evolve, while firmly establishing itself as one of the marquee music events here in West Michigan.
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Home and Away: Local Natives breaks from work on new LP to top Audiotree lineup

When Revue got ahold of Local Natives' Taylor Rice, he was at home in Los Angeles, catching his breath after finding himself “caught in the vortex” of making the acclaimed indie band’s forthcoming new record.
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Party (Almost) Everyday: Matt and Kim return from injury with personal new LP, dance-ready tour

Matt Johnson, one half of the breakout Brooklyn duo Matt and Kim, still vividly recalls playing in West Michigan during the band’s early punk-rock days.
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Farm Fresh Music: Cowpie Music Festival brings bands to working cattle farm

Cowpie Music Festival set to bring bands and crowds to working cattle farm
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10 Local Bands to Watch in 2018

There’s no better time than the New Year to discover some great new music. West Michigan continues to overflow with an absolute wellspring of creative talent and the abundance of artists on the brink of breaking out has never been greater. So as you’re making New Year’s resolutions to broaden your horizons and welcome 2018 with fresh eyes and ears, take note of some of the names on this list — you might just end up listening all year.
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Joshua Solas: Crossing Boundaries and Influencing Minds