May is a magical time of year. College classes are either over or nearing completion, the flowers are blooming and we're finally far enough removed from winter to fully embrace spring, to blaze down the road, sunglasses on, windows down, blaring Hall and Oates on the radio. Or, if you'd rather, you can celebrate with some of these independent film events.
Nikki Glaser knew two things when she started performing stand up – she got a rush from being onstage, and she wanted to make people laugh. Beyond that, she didn't have many plans.
Grand Rapids-based and international-touring band La Dispute publicly announced today that founding member and guitarist Kevin Whittemore is leaving the band to pursue other interests after 10 years with this unique, post hardcore act.
American roots heavyweight Old Crow Medicine Show is slated to visit The State Theatre in Kalamazoo on Sunday, June 1, 2014. Tickets go on sale Friday, but fans can pre-order tickets beginning at 10 a.m. on Wednesday.
The series kicks off on June 1 with Grammy-award-winning/legendary guitarist Santana. Other highlights of this series include Cake (June 12), John Legend (June 18), O.A.R. and Phillip Phillips (June 23), Ray LaMontagne with Jenny Lewis (July 23), Conor Oberst with Dawes (July 31), The Beach Boys (Sept. 4), Sheryl Crow (Sept. 7) and more.
Grand Rapids-based neoclassical hard rock band (think Trans Siberian Orchestra, but with more teeth) Aria Flame will be going international with their unique brand of music this fall. The band recently confirmed their spot on the Metal Female Voices Festival that is slated for Oct. 17-19 in Belgium.
Oh, West Michigan. You’re so conservative and proper. Except the times when you’re not, which are becoming more and more frequent. West Michigan cities like Holland and Grand Haven may seem conservative on the outside, but they’ve got their vices.
In a place like Grand Rapids — a smallish-to-medium-sized city taking a real solid crack at becoming a creative hub — the plight of a creator finding the right avenue to do their thing seems to be a pretty common yarn.
I still remember when I bought my first vinyl. I was at a show at the old Strutt in Kalamazoo (RIP), and the album came with a free CD, so I figured what the hell? Little did I know that dropping the needle onto the record's grooves would prove to be my first step on the road to becoming obsessed with vinyl. Sure, I realize streaming from Spotify may be the easy route, but purchasing vinyl has far more benefits.
All across the country, millions of people are addicted, but this kind of addiction doesn’t come as a pill or a powder. It comes in the form of a controller in your hand and a huge flat screen TV in your face. I’m talking video games, those interactive pieces of entertainment that have been a haven for social outcasts, nerds, geeks and 12 year olds to all meet and insult each other online.
When it comes to vices, strips clubs might top the list with their dark atmosphere and what-happens-here-stays-here mantra. Here are places in West Michigan where you can indulge your vice.
Let’s face it, most of us just can’t help but indulge in our spoiled side. Why not spend all day at a spa or cook your skin for a few hours to get the perfect tan, because you deserve it.
Shops and lounges where you can sit down and enjoy some cigars or hookah.
Shoe hoarding is a serious condition. One that calls for more shoes.
