Arts

West Michigan's Arts & Entertainment Guide

Roger Burleigh working behind the scenes.

Behind the Curtain: The story of a local stage manager

Written by Jane Simons | Tuesday, 02 October 2018 14:08 |

Roger Burleigh has a leading role in every production staged at Farmer’s Alley Theatre, but audience members likely will never see him.

Yuka Oba in George Balanchine’s ©The George Balanchine Trust, Allegro Brillante

Untamed, Unbound: Grand Rapids Ballet premieres 'Wild Sweet Love' this fall

Written by Michaela Stock | Thursday, 27 September 2018 15:14 |

Theatre

Satin pointe shoes, shimmering tiaras and embroidered tutus may seem like the most fundamental elements in ballet, but to the Grand Rapids Ballet, the art is not just its stereotypical image.

Sol LeWitt and Erwin Wurm do it instruction at NuMu in Guatemala City, 2015.

Making It Happen: Kalamazoo Institute of Arts combines resources to end iconic show’s run

Written by Jane Simons | Thursday, 27 September 2018 15:09 |

Visual Arts

This October, one of the longest-running and farthest-reaching exhibitions to ever take place will end its 25-year run with a stop at the Kalamazoo Institute of Arts.

Avi Torres of Spain sets off at the start of the 200m freestyle heats, Paralympic Games, Athens, September 1, 2004.

Three’s Not A Crowd: GRAM’s fall exhibits have something for everyone

Written by Dana Casadei | Thursday, 27 September 2018 15:05 |

Visual Arts

With two exhibitions debuting, and another being showcased throughout October, the Grand Rapids Art Museum has quite a lot going on this fall.

In Pursuit of Humanity: Saugatuck exhibit reveals objects stripped from migrants searching for a better life

Written by Marla R. Miller | Thursday, 27 September 2018 15:01 |

Visual Arts

It started with cans of tuna, corn and beans. Then Tom Kiefer saw the more touching items — clothing, Bibles, rosaries and family photos — tossed out as trash, and couldn’t let them be.

Saw, Heard, Felt: Grand Rapids Symphony goes to great lengths with October show

Written by Dana Casadei | Thursday, 27 September 2018 14:54 |

Classical Music & Jazz

During the second movement of Aram Khachaturian’s Concerto for Piano, the Grand Rapids Symphony’s audience will hear a sound unfamiliar to many.

History Played Out: Ebony Road Players delivers impactful theater this month

Written by Kayla Sosa | Thursday, 27 September 2018 14:32 |

Theatre

Ebony Road Players — Grand Rapids’ self proclaimed black theater — has two important, impactful shows for the community this month, Lines: The Lived Experience of Race and The Most Spectacularly Lamentable Trial of Miz Martha Washington.

The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee.

Inner Child: Holland Civic takes its cast back to the start

Written by Marla Miller | Thursday, 27 September 2018 14:28 |

Theatre

With adult actors playing tweens, Holland Civic Theatre takes on the comedy, awkwardness and anxiety of adolescence in its delightful fall musical.

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

Written by Dana Casadei | Wednesday, 19 September 2018 17:48 |

Theatre

Be prepared for some face-melting before you go see School of Rock.

Review: Luca Buratto’s passionate interpretations enchant the season’s first Gilmore audience

Written by Erin Bensinger | Tuesday, 18 September 2018 13:45 |

Classical Music & Jazz

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.