Current Issue

West Michigan's Arts & Entertainment Guide

Letter from the Editor

Welcome to 2021, where there’s nowhere to go but up!

It’s a new year and a new beginning, so we’re not even going to talk about 2020. Instead, let’s look forward to the future, starting with the season ahead of us: West Michigan Winter.

We’re all accustomed to a certain amount of seasonal strife when it comes to winter, from icy roads to chilly wind, and worst of all: closed restaurant patios. Nevertheless, we persist.

Plenty of people love winter though, because it’s the only time of year we get to do certain things! Good luck snowshoeing in summer, and a hot cocoa isn’t too appetizing after a day at the beach. That’s why we’ve put together our Winter Survival Guide, to help you not just get through the season, but appreciate it thoroughly.

Stepping out into the winter wonderland may seem cold, but we all know how fast you can warm up once you get out and start having fun. We have advice on how to exercise outdoors, where to have snowy fun even if you don’t snowboard/ski, and the best ways to stay comfy at home.

That’s really the ideal winter day, isn’t it? Bundling up, heading to a hill for hours of sledding, then returning home and doing nothing all day with a barrel-aged stout in hand.

January is also when we start planning weddings, so check out our Micro-Wedding Guide for how to have a small gathering, whether you’re avoiding COVID or just want a more intimate day! And the new year is a great time to think about health and how to improve ourselves, so check out our story on Root Farmacy, a new to-go eatery in town run by doctors and dietitians.

We know that just because the Earth went around the sun, all our problems aren’t solved, but I just bought a new crystal ball and it says 2021 is going to be a great year for us all, with a return to life, community and togetherness.

'Til next time,

Josh Veal, Managing Editor

What's inside this month:

On the Cover: Winter Survival Guide

Hashing It Out: Behind the Bud

Sounds: Top 5 Bands to Watch in 2021

Revue Arts

Visual arts, classical and jazz music, theater, arts event previews and more. (See inside this issue - beginning on page 18.)

ARCHIVED ISSUES:

2020

December: Last-Minute Gift Guide
November: The Holiday Issue
October: The Beer Issue
September: The Arts Issue
August: The Best of the West Issue
July: The Dining & Drinking Issue
June: Summer to Re-Discover
May: Feel the Love Issue
April: Cannabis Issue
March: The Funny Issue
February: The Sweet Issue
January: 50 Things to Do in 2020