The Spring Peddlers’ Market in in downtown Zeeland is an artfully curious fare filled with apparel and accessories, household gifts and goods, antiques and repurposed finds, architectural salvage, vintage furniture and décor and other curiosities.

Roberta King has always had a way with words, but after the death of her son, Noah, she found herself suddenly at a loss for them. Despite being born with cerebral palsy, Noah lived happy, healthy and surrounded by a loving family for 16 years. In 2006 – when he was 17 – a bout with pneumonia took his life.

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
• Nikki Glaser
• Dr Grins

When mama’s happy, everyone’s happy. So set the clock to mom time and cue the laughter and well-meaning lectures. Mothers and daughters can head to a spa night or get artsy and design a scarf while little boys can treat mom to magic and glow bowling. It’s all about her and besides, mother knows best…

• Kalamazoo Civic Theatre
• Holland
• BAM! Bowling
• Cedar Tree Birth and Wellness

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.

• Grand Rapids
• La Dispute
• Kevin Whittemore
• Jordan Dreyer
• Brad Vander Lugt

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.

• Kalamazoo
• Old Crow Medicine Show
• The State Theatre
• Grand Ole Opry

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
• Fifth Third Bank Summer Concerts
• Jennifer Nettles
• Tegan and Sara
• KC and the Sunshine Band
• Frederick Meijer Gardens
• Cake
• NEEDTOBREATH
• Santana
• John Legend
• OAR
• Phillip Phillips

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.

• Aria Flame
• Metal Female Voices Festival
• Neil Kernon
• My Own Little Hell
• 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.