DeVos Places houses Grand Rapids International Wine & Food Festival

By: Brittney Schering

Grand Rapids’ International Wine & Food Festival is next Thursday, Nov. 18 through Saturday, Nov. 20. Michigan made beers, wines, ciders, and spirits will be available to try and to buy.

Out of more than 1200 beers, wines, ciders, and spirits will be featured at this third annual festival, around 200 are proudly crafted right here in Michigan. The event is expected to draw more than 10,000 visitors throughout the three days, making it the largest food and wine festival in the state. It is also one of the premiere events of its kind in the Midwest.

Almost three-dozen microbreweries, wineries, and distilleries will present their products in the elegant Steelcase Ballroom at DeVos Place. From the connoisseur who lives and breathes for finer things in life to the novice looking for an introduction to the world of wine, food, and culinary delights, the International Wine & Food Festival in Grand Rapids delivers a grand experience that is sure to please every palette.

All of the Michigan beer producers at this year’s Festival are located in the new Michigan Craft Beer Hall, which is sponsored by the Michigan Brewers Guild. They can be found in the south end of the Steelcase Ballroom. Really Keely will provide live music from 5:30-8:30 p.m. on Thursday, 6 to 9 p.m. on Friday, and 1 to 4 p.m., then 5 to 8 p.m. on Saturday.

For more information and a list of the Michigan beer, spirit, and wine producers who will attend, please head over to www.GRWineFestiaval.com or call (800) 328-6550.

GVSU presents Bling! Flash! Art!

By: Brittney Schering

Grand Valley Photography and Graphic Design graduates will exhibit their senior thesis work in Bling! Flash! Art! Part I at DeVos Place on Wednesday, Nov. 17. It will end with a special showing on Saturday, Dec.11.

The public is invited to attend the first collaborative GVSU Senior Thesis Showcase, part of Grand Valley State University's 50th Anniversary Celebration. This year's show features 12 photograhers and 10 graphic designers, showcasing a flash into their experiences.

Everyone is welcome to join the artists during the opening reception held on Thursday, Nov. 18 from 5-7 p.m. in the Skywalk located in the DeVos Place.

The gallery hours are Monday through Friday, 7:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m., Saturday and Sunday, 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. Admission is entirely free and open to the public.

Photographers participating in Bling! Flash! Art! include Jessie Caron, Carol Dalrymple, Brittney Dickinson, Elizabeth Klueck, Nicole Lamson, Christina Mayer, Amanda Murphy, Krystal Rauwerda, Valentina Valdes, Sarah Truckey, Jamie Yeager, and Rosamaria Zamarron.

Graphic designers participating include Alexandria Baszler, Chelsea Chandler, Patrick K. Cook, Elise Hans, Justin James, Hannah Nester, Ashley Osborn, Andrew VanderVeen, Debra Weststrate, and Alaina Woloszyn.

For more information, please head over to www.devosplace.org.

Joe Bonamassa tickets go on sale Nov. 6

By: Brittney Schering

Award-winning blues rock star, guitar hero, and singer-songwriter, Joe Bonamassa, will perform at Grand Rapids' DeVos Performance Hall on March 21, 2011. Tickets for this one-time event go on sale tomorrow, Saturday, Nov. 6 at 10 a.m.

Ticket prices range from $39 to $69. They will be available at Ticketmaster.com, DeVos Place, and Van Andel Box Offices. They can also be purchased over the phone at (800) 745-3000.

Bonamassa was honored twice in Guitar Player Magazine's June 2010 Readers' Choice Awards. He won "Best Overall Guitarist," as well as "Best Blues Guitarist" for the fourth consecutive year.

Bonamassa's last album, 2010's Black Rock, debuted at #1 on Billboard's Blues Albums Chart and #38 on Billboard's Top 200 Chart. His upcoming album will be coming out in March, which the one-night-only show is supporting.

For more information, please head over to www.jbonamassa.com.

Bryan Adams tickets go on sale next Friday

By: Brittney Schering

Bryan Adams is bringing his highly successful solo-acoustic concert tour to Grand Rapids with a special, intimate concert at DeVos Performance Hall on Dec. 6. Tickets for this must-see event go on sale next Friday, Oct. 15 at 10 a.m.

The show will provide a rare opportunity for fans to see Adams as they have not seen him before: solo-acoustic. With this special performance, you will see that Adams' status as one of the greatest songwriters of our time has been more than solidified.

Adams has sold more than 65 million records, toured six continents and achieved number-one status in more than 40 countries around the world. His well-known hits include, "Cuts Like a Knife," "Summer of '69," "Kids Wanna Rock," "Can't Stop This Thing We've Started," "(Everything I do) I do it for you," "Open Road," and the most recent, "Thought I'd Seen Everything."

Tickets for this acoustic show can be purchased at Ticketmaster.com, DeVos Place, Van Andel Arena box offices, and Ticketmaster outlets. Prices range form $37.50 to $77.50. For more information, head over to bryanadams.com.

DeVos Performance Hall is managed by SMG. Since 1977, SMG has provided management services to more than 220 public assembly facilities worldwide, including arenas, stadiums, theatres, performing arts centers, equestrian facilities, science centers, and a variety of other venues. For more information on what SMG has to offer, check out www.smgworld.com.

South Pacific to open on Sept. 7

By: Brittney Schering

Rodger and Hammerstein's musical, South Pacific is opening Tuesday, Sept. 7 at 7:30p.m. at the DeVos Place.

South Pacific is a love story that has been revived after a 60-year absence. The musical will return to Broadway as well as other many stages across the nation.

Director Bartlett Sher and the Center Theatre Company are responsible for the return of South Pacific. The play follows the lives of U.S. Navy officers and Pacific Islanders during World War II.

For a deeper look at the musical, check out Mitchell Terpstra's article on www.revuewm.com, "Vintage Broadway Storms GR." Terpstra will also be reviewing the show's opening night, so be sure to check back and read his thoughts.

Tickets for the show range from $32 to $62 from Sept. 7-12, or you can go for free! We have a pair of ticekts ready to give away. To enter, e-mail Lindsay@revuewm.com. Show times vary. More information can be found at broadwaygrandrapids.com or by calling (616) 235-6285.

DeVos Place to host ArtPrize opening reception

By: Brittney Schering

The community is encouraged to attend a free, opening reception for ArtPrize at DeVos Place on Wednesday, Sept. 22 at 6:00 p.m. Come enjoy first-hand contest entries from 53 artists, many of whom are to attend the event.

The complimentary reception will include a celebratory environment of music, light hors d'oeuvres, and a cash bar.

The Shea/Lawrence/Heredia Trio (pictured above), one of the most requested jazz bands in West Michigan, will serenade attendees with their "easy going, mellow style."

DeVos Place will also host Art Fair 2010 for the weekend of Sept. 24-26. Visitors can browse and buy artwork while viewing the 53 ArtPrize entries. Some of which include pieces from former collegiate/professional football star, actor, and artist, Bernie Casey, as well as local artist, Paul Collins.

For more information, visit www.devosplace.org.