West Michigan's Arts & Entertainment Guide
Azizi Jasper Brings Poetry To The Hip Hop Generation
Written by Nick Manes | Tuesday, 17 July 2012 09:48 |Poetry has not exactly always been at the heart of American consciousness. It’s often thought of as an art form for lonely, depressed individuals or pretentious hipsters in East Village coffee shops. However, Azizi Jasper (or simply, “Z” to most who know him), is a Grand Rapids-based poet, activist and man about town.
A music festival is always an other-worldly event. Lineups, weather, activities. All of these really do become moot points. As Jeremy Stein, Madison House Presents promoter and producer of the Electric Forest Festival said, “the experience of being there trumps any headliner.”
The late Frank Zappa has been hailed as a major influence for innumerable musicians going back decades. Not only this, but he is often referred to as the most important and influential composer of his time. And it's for this reason that the tribute act Zappa Plays Zappa was started by Frank's own son, Dweezil.
"In its simplest form, it's to be the catalyst to a new generation," Dweezil said about the band's course. "I knew it was going to be a big challenge on a number of levels going into it, but it has been rewarding that people recognize the intent."
Before there was Sleigh Bells, guitarist and producer Derek Miller spent six years in hardcore band Poison the Well. The band gained a solid fan base and signed with Atlantic Records in 2002. Two years after the big record deal, Miller quit the band.
Like, Totally Gnarly Times with Stella’s Lounge and GR Reads
Written by Meaghan Minkus | Tuesday, 26 June 2012 09:53 |If you ever listened to Duran Duran’s latest hit on your boom box, inquired about the whereabouts of “the beef” or watched anything on Betamax, chances are you’ll dig this event. Stella’s Lounge is hosting an all-day Grand Rapids bar crawl in which teams race to complete 10 challenges, record the evidence on their smartphones and compete to become Grand Mega Champions (complete with a totally tubular trophy).
Foreigner might be known for its giant pop-rock anthems from the late ‘70s and ‘80s, but don’t expect the band to slow down. After more than 35 years of releasing hits and touring, the band is still in the game.
Something Is Growing in Rothbury's (Electric) Forest
Written by Nick Manes | Tuesday, 05 June 2012 13:24 |For two years the Rothbury Festival located just north of Muskegon rode about as high as any music festival in America. Between 2008 and 2009 it attracted headliners such as The Dead, Bob Dylan and Snoop Dogg. Sadly, this was not enough.
Summer is the time of year when your listening library may become less introspective and moody, and perhaps it is the time for something better suited to a high-volume car stereo and open windows.
Midwest Skies is here to oblige. The band's previous EP, Glory Days, was the quintessential summer album — littered with power chords tucked into major key pop-punk songs.
T Rex Fest: A One-Day Street Party with National Festival Attitude
Written by Nick Manes | Tuesday, 22 May 2012 11:33 |This summer there's a newcomer to the local city festival scene. Downtown bar and venue, The Pyramid Scheme, will host T Rex Fest, a one-day festival on June 16. T Rex Fest will happen in the streets outside The Pyramid Scheme.
Eric Zane, radio personality on the Free Beer and Hot Wings Morning Show, is often referred to on the the show as "Mr. 10".
He chatted with REVUE about what it takes to stay in peak physical condition.
