Dwelling Place to celebrate 30th anniversary

The Dwelling Place is celebrating its upcoming 30th anniversary with a little bit of Broadway. The non-profit organization will host a benefit show with cabaret-style performances from Music from the Heart BROADWAY! at Keystone of Ada, 655 Spaulding Ave, Ada. The show and reception will take place Monday, Aug. 30 at 7:30 p.m.

Music from the Heart BROADWAY! will take guests on a musical journey through Broadway's greatest hits, including songs from smash-hit shows like Les Miserables, Phantom of the Opera, Wicked, A Chorus Line and The King and I. This very special evening will start with a Gala Reception where hors d’oeveres and libations will be served. An Afterglow Reception with live music, desserts and libations, as well as the company of the stars of the show will conclude the evening.

Creative Edge Productions brings award-winning stars of Music from the Heart BROADWAY! to the stage. Kelly Carey, Cici Gramer, Stephen Grey and Larry Young will be accompanied by a six-piece orchestra led by Wright McCargar. Creative Edge Productions strives to provide professional opportunities for performers who have worked professionally throughout the country - if not the globe - and have chosen to make Michigan their home.

For more than 30 years, Dwelling Place has been a leader in identifying and addressing our community’s need for safe and affordable housing and the rejuvenation of neighborhoods. Currently, Dwelling Place owns and manages more than 1,000 apartments and homes for low- and moderate-income individuals and families. In addition, Dwelling Place provides essential support services to our community’s most vulnerable residents. Dwelling Place Support Services Staff provides case management services to individuals and families needing special assistance to remain in permanent housing. Dwelling Place also participates in neighborhood revitalization efforts.

Tickets for the event are $75 and will benefit Dwelling Place. To purchase tickets to Music from the Heart BROADWAY! please contact Evie Campbell by phone at 616-855-0401 or by e-mail at ecampbell@dwellingplacegr.org. The event is sponsored by Panera Bread, Spartan Graphics and the River 100.5. For more information about Music from the Heart and Dwelling Place, please visit www.dwellinglacegr.org.

Diana to reign over the GRAM this fall

Immerse yourself in the life of Princess Diana this fall at the Grand Rapids Art Museum (GRAM). The award-winning exhibition, Diana: A Celebration, will showcase the life and humanitarian work of one of the 20th century's most remarkable women, Diana, Princess of Wales. The exhibit will be on display Nov. 9, 2010 through Feb. 16, 2011.

The exhibition's nine galleries will feature more than 150 personal objects including Diana's royal wedding gown, 28 designer dress, family heirlooms, personal mementos and rare home movies. The exhibit is presented by the Daniel and Pamella DeVos Foundation.

Tickets for the exhibit will go on sale Aug. 31 at 7 a.m. and can be purchased at the GRAM information desk or online. Ticket prices range from $20 for adults to $5 for GRAM members. For a complete list of ticket prices, GRAM hours or more information, visit www.artmuseumgr.org.

South Haven sibling duo to perform in Saugatuck

There's no sibling rivalry here; in fact, Seth and Gretchen Powers, siblings from South Haven, have managed to work in harmony to create music with their band Thirty Steps to Forward. The acoustic folk duo will be performing with local band Indacoda Blue at The Red Barn Theater on Aug. 27 at 7 p.m.

With simple sounds of guitar, mandolin and harmonica, Thirty Steps to Forward uses their voices and thoughtful lyrics to sing quiet songs of a delicate heart. The duo will perform original music from their debut album The Bird and The Fool.

Complementing the sibling duo will be Saugatuck-based Indacoda Blue. The band, which has been performing along the lakeshore, combines the unique elements of rock, blues, jazz, folk, pop, reggae and country to perform both original music and classic covers. Listen for songs from their debut album, Everybody Treats You Right.

Tickets for this one night experience are currently on sale for $10 in advance and can also be purchased for $15 at the door. For more information regarding the bands or for ticket sales, visit the Thirty Steps to Forward website.

Young, Eager and Experienced

By Thomas Consiglio

Only 16 years old, Josiah Gentry already has two albums under his belt. As a humble follower of Christ, Gentry focuses all his positive energy about life into his music. His latest album features emotionally charged acoustic melodies. The profound sensibilities of these tracks define Gentry as an artist whose attitudes towards life shine clearly through his music. His album also features several electronic songs that offer a nice variety to the album as a whole. One track will be a subtle acoustic melody, followed by a harsh, in-your-face electronic track, followed by a more upbeat acoustic track. Each track is very well composed and thought out, and each supplementary instrument or sound is by the hand of Gentry himself. It’s the kind of one-man album where the essence of the artist seeps into each mesmerizing song. Josiah Gentry, the teenager, has exposed his talents at a very young age, allowing him a lifetime to produce music that, at the very least, will please the ear, mind, and soul.

West Michigan Symphony opens 71st season

From Bach's Brandenburg Concerto No. 3 to Tchaikovsky's Fourth, the West Michigan Symphony's (WMS) 71st season will feature some of the greatest works every composed. The season will open Sept. 24 at 7:30 p.m. with "Romantic Road: A Passionate Journey," a program featuring three works by the Romantic period's greatest composers. The program will showcase up-and-coming young violinist, Bella Hristova (pictured).

The eight-concert series, which concludes June 4, 2011, will also include a salute to contemporary composer John Williams, a multi-media presentation in collaboration with Grand Valley State University and a return engagement by Las Vegas talent, Steve Lippia. The WMS will also debut a collaboration with Jennifer Higdon, one of America's most important living composers.

All WMS concerts take place in the historic Frauenthal Center for Performing Arts in downtown Muskegon. Season tickets are on sale now, with a variety of packages and prices to choose from. Tickets can be purchased online or in person at the WMS Ticket Office. Visit the WMS website for ticket details and other information.

Natalie Merchant - Meijer Gardens (7-26-10) Photos by Anthony Nowack

Mixtape Cafe and Venue to undergo name and location change

Change isn't always a bad thing. The Mixtape Cafe and Venue, now MXTP, may be announcing a few changes, but it will still be bringing the same great performances to downtown Grand Rapids. The venue will be hosting its final shows at 133 Division Ave before moving to its new, 500 capacity venue on Aug. 13.

The grand opening of the new MXTP location will feature a performance by New Found Glory on Friday, Aug. 13. Detroit-based pop-punk band, Fireworks, will support New Found Glory with openers Balance and Composre and Man Overboard. Tickets are available for $17.50 at the door or online. Doors will open at 6:30 p.m.

Another show announced at the new venue, MXTP, features a performance by The Bigger Lights on Thursday, Aug. 19. The band will be performing with openers The Graduate, You Me and Everyone We Know and Weatherstar. Tickets are $10.

For more information about the MXTP, visit its website.

FireKeepers Casino Kabaret heats up August

August will be sizzling at FireKeepers Casino's hot lounge, Kabaret. The Casino will be celebrating their one year anniversary by offering entertainment acts every day in Kabaret. The acts will offer something for everyone, including comedy shows, dueling pianos and funk and blues.

For a complete list of performances, tickets or more information, visit the Kabaret Calendar.

Eastern Blok brings Balkan music to Kalamazoo

Something new is about to hit Kalamazoo. On Tuesday, Aug. 17 at 9 p.m. the classical guitar band Eastern Blok will perform at The Strutt. The band, based out of Chicago, will bring the beautiful music of the Balkans to the Kalamazoo audience.

The band is fronted by Goran Ivanovic, a Serbian classical guitar virtuoso, and includes saxophonist Doug Rosenberg, bassist Matt Ulrey and percussionist Michael Caskey. The quartet combine traditional Balkan folk music with Latin, flamenco and klezmer elements in addition to European classical influences and American jazz.

Eastern Blok will be touring with ten performances throughout the first two weeks of August. For a complete list of tour dates or for more information, visit their website or MySpace page.

Griffins launch summer photo contest on Facebook

Pack your Griffins gear on your next trip and you could win big. Now through Aug. 27, Grand Rapids Griffins fans are invited to enter the team's summer photo contest by submitting photos via the Griffins' Facebook page of themselves, friends and family sporting Griffins gear in Grand Rapids and beyond.

Prizes will be awarded for the most unique photos, the most people in a photo sporting Griffins gear and the photos taken the farthest from Grand Rapids. Three winners in each category will receive autographed Griffins memorabilia, while the grand prize winner in each category will also receive the opportunity to take pictures from between the benches during one period of a Griffins 2010-11 regular season game.

To enter, simply "like" the Griffins' fan page and upload your photos to their wall. Be sure to include who is in the picture and when and where the picture was taken. Winners will be announced on Aug. 30.

Sweet J Band to auction concert at Celadon Summer Concert Series

The Celadon Summer Concert Series is not only offering another excellent performance, but a chance to win big as well. On Thursday, July 22 the Sweet J Band will auction off a house or backyard concert and guitar lessons in support of the American Diabetes Association (ADA).

The local blues band, which regularly backs former Idol contestant Matt Giraud, will perform from 7:30 - 9:30 p.m. at the Celadon Amphitheater behind Celebration Cinema North. In addition to the performance, the Sweet J Band will be selling their WYCE Jammie winning CD, Where My Devils Go, with all proceeds going to the ADA.

The event is free, outdoors and open to the public of all ages. Grand Rapids Pizza will be on-site selling food; however, the event is BYOB. A $5 donation is suggested to help support the ADA. This performance will be the fourth event of the Celadon Summer Concert Series.

For more information, visit the Celadon website or the concert series Facebook page.

Star Wars In Concert - Van Andel Arena (7-14-10) Photography by Anthony Nowack

World drumming and dance ensemble to perform at Howmet Playhouse

Move, stretch and express yourself through the cultural drum beats of Tree of Life. The world drumming and dance ensemble will be performing at the Howmet Playhouse in Whitehall July 15-17 at 7:30 p.m.

Come experience a way of community through drum and dance, a tradition that is practiced in many cultures. The performance will be filled with innovative styles of music and dance, including African, Middle-Eastern, Afro-modern, Hip-hop and Jazz. Learn the origins of these songs and enjoy an evening of live entertainment.

Tickets for Tree of Life are $16 and can be purchased online or by calling 231-894-4048. For more information, visit howmetplayhouse.org.

Vibe@5 kicks off fifth season with Zion Lion

Vibe@5 returns for its fifth season this Friday, July 16, from 5 - 8 p.m. at Mill Race Park in Battle Creek. The Friday night concert series kicks of with the reggae sounds of Zion Lion, a Kalamazoo-based band honored as a Reader Choice Award Best Band 2010.

Bee Movie, the first of three outdoor movies scheduled, will be shown at dusk following the three hour performance of Zion Lion. The movie is free and seating is on a first-come, first-serve basis. Be sure to bring your lawn chairs and blankets for a relaxing evening of music in the park.

Food options are plentiful. Concert-goers can buy food on-site from Barista Blues Cafe or pack their own picnic. Several other restaurants are available within walking distance of Mill Race Park for additional take-out or dine-in options.

The summer concert series, brought to you by the Battle Creek Downtown Partnership, is free and open to the public. In the event of rain or severe weather, the performance will be canceled. For more information about the series, performance schedules or cancellations, visit downtownbattlecreek.com.

Howmet Playhouse presents first theatrical production of 2010

Old Hollywood has taken on the Howmet. For three nights only, the Howmet Playhouse in Whitehall will feature the theatrical production of Moonlight & Magnolias. This will be the first theatrical production at the Howmet in 2010.

The comedic play, which was originally the working title for Gone with the Wind, is an insight into 1930s Hollywood and the making of the classic movie. The play features local and national professionals who will have you laughing the entire time.

Moonlight & Magnolias will be performed Friday, July 9 and Saturday, July 10 at 7:30 p.m. Tickets can be bought online for $16 each. For more information about the play or the Howmet Playhouse, visit their website.

Thriller! Chiller! Film Festival to screen cult classic

Hey, thriller movie fans! Here's your chance to celebrate the art of the cult classic genre. The annual film festival, Thriller! Chiller!, will screen John Carpenter's The Thing as part of it's festival on Oct. 23 at Wealthy Theatre. The festival has also unspooled other great genre classics such as Jaws, Poltergeist, and The Shining.

John Carpenter's The Thing is one of those great classic genre movies. It has so much going for it from the acting, to the story, to the visuals, to the effects," said Festival director Chris Randall. "It's a unique film that can mix all of the genres together that we represent with Thriller! Chiller! And this one has it all with the very best of sci-fi, horror, suspense and action."

Opening night special screening tickets are $8 and are on sale now at thrillerchiller.com. Individual tickets are $5 each and are available at Wealthy Theatre box office. Festival passes, which are sold separately, are $25 with a $5 discount for members of the Grand Rapids Community Media Center and are available for purchase online. For continuing coverage of Thriller! Chiller! news, follow @thrillchill on Twitter.

The ThunderChickens to play extended tour in Ludington

The ThunderChickens have returned for an extended tour at Michael's in Ludington. The band, which has recently reunited, will be appearing Friday, July 16, and Saturday, July 17. Contact Michael's at (231) 845-7411 for more specific show information.

The ThunderChickens are a fabulous, frenetic, kinetic four-piece Rock-n-Roll band from Bay City, Michigan. Their sound, show and stage presence comes from a completely different place. For more information, view photos and listen to music, visit The ThunderChickens website.

Riviera Theatre presents July schedule

The Riviera Theatre has put together another month of music and movies for West Michigan. The July schedule features eight musical performances, one opera cinema presentation and five movies for everyone to enjoy.

The month begins with Elle Driver, a 5-piece post-hardcore band from Boston. The band will perform Thursday, July 8 at 9p.m. A Breath Beyond Broken will perform the following day, July 9, at 9 p.m. Admission is $5 for both performances.

Come enjoy the live, acoustic music of Drew Behringer for free on Friday, July 16 at 9 p.m. Signal, whose music is heavy but melodic, will perform the following evening, July 17, at 9 p.m. Admission for Signal's performance is $7.

Smokestack & The Foothill Fury, a one-man band, will give another free performance at the Riviera on Friday, July 23 at 9 p.m. Saturday, July 24, will feature Electric Jug Band with Branden Mann and the Reprimand at 9 p.m. Admission for this performance is $5.

The last weekend of July will feature two musical performances. Ben Keeler and The 500 Club will perform Friday, July 30 at 9 p.m. Onset with Scarlet White, a Christian rock band, will perform Saturday, July 31at 6 p.m. Admission is $6.

A variety of films will be featured at the Riviera Theatre throughout the month of July, including: Ondine, PG-13; No One Knows about Persian Cats, Not Rated; The Secret In Their Eyes, R; Everyone Else, Not Rated; Metropolis, Not Rated. All films are $6 for adults and $5 for seniors, students and children. Check the Riviera Theatre website for film information and show times. The Abduction From The Seraglio, a Turkish opera in cinema productions, will be featured on Wednesday, July 21 at 7 p.m. and Sunday, July 25 at 3 p.m.

For more information about performances, tickets and show times visit the Riviera Theatre website.

Forest Hills Fine Arts Center brings fun line-ups to Subscription Series

The Forest Hills Fine Arts Center (FAC) has some surprises up their sleeve for the 2010-2011 Subscription Series. The season promises an abundance of energy and talent, featuring long-time crowd favorites and a few surprises. Tickets will be available for purchase beginning Monday, Aug. 2 at 9 a.m. Current subscribers can renew their seats July 6-23.

The B-52s rock into town on Friday, Sept. 24, with their multi-layered harmonies, burbling beats and “shameless dance-floor party music.” Fans have loved the band since the 1970s for wacky tunes like “Rock Lobster” and Top 10 hits like “Love Shack” and “Roam.”

The music of country great LeAnn Rimes fills the FAC theater on Friday, Oct. 1. An international star by age 13, Rimes has sold more than 40 million albums and won numerous major industry awards. This show is presented by Raymond James & Associates.

A Chorus Line, the longest running American Broadway musical, comes to the FAC on Monday, Dec. 6. The story of 17 dancers auditioning for the chance of a lifetime – to dance on Broadway – the show is the winner of nine Tony Awards, including “Best Musical,” and the Pulitzer Prize for drama.

Already major stars in Europe, Naturally 7 come to the FAC on Saturday, Jan. 22, 2011. Performing primarily R&B with extensive beat boxing, Naturally 7 floors audiences with a full-band sound, including drums, trumpets, violins and electric guitars, created entirely with their own voices.

Storming the FAC stage on Monday, Feb. 7, is the surprise hit Drumline Live! Experience the explosive choreography, music, and incredible feats of athleticism of “steppers” and dancers in a performance inspired by the hit movie, “Drumline.” A cast of 39 brings the high energy, show-style marching band tradition of America’s colleges and universities to the theatrical stage.

Multi-Grammy award winner Michael Bolton performs at the FAC on Wednesday, March 23. Since emerging in the late 1980’s, Bolton has grown a legion of fans and collaborators. His newest album, “One World One Love,” features the standout song “Murder My Heart,” co-written with Lady Gaga, who also sings backup.

Subscription Series sales will remain open until Friday, Sept. 23 at 5 p.m., and are $234, $246 or $270 for the six-show package. Tickets can be purchased at any Ticketmaster outlet, by calling (800) 745-3000, at www.ticketmaster.com, or in person at the FAC Box Office. For more information about the Subscription Series, call (616) 493-8966 or visit the FAC website.

American Idol Tour - Van Andel Arena 7-3-10 Photos by Anthony Nowack