This Weekend's Best Bets: Nov. 13-15

Embrace the arts this weekend. Take advantage of the many opportunities and sample fine wine, watch bodies in motion or rock out to a variety of genres.

1. EAT, DRINK, BE MERRY: Wine and dine this week at DeVos Place for the second International Grand Rapids Wine and Food Festival. Featuring small plate samples from fine restaurants in GR, seminars and hundreds of wine, beer and spirits, the Festival opens Thursday, Nov. 12 at 5 p.m. and closes Saturday at 9 p.m.; Adults: $15; more info here

2. HIDDEN TALENT: You never know where talent is hiding. The Heartside Neighborhood Talent Show on Friday, Nov. 13 at the Wealthy Theatre might just produce the next big star as more than 25 performers from the Heartside area do their best on stage; $5; more info here

3. LA VIE BOHEME: If you still haven’t seen Rent, you are probably the only one. The amateur theatre rights were released this year, and the drama department at Grand Valley State University and the Heritage Theatre Group team up Nov. 13-15 and 19-21 to perform this musical about life in gritty New York City; students: $6, adults: $14; more info here

4. NEW ART: Two galleries in the East Hills District open new collections this weekend and are hosting an impromptu gallery hop. The Richard App Gallery on Cherry and the Byrneboehm Gallery on Lake welcome new art and guests to explore the creativity of the community on Friday, Nov. 13 from 5:30-9 p.m.; free; more info here or here

5. OVERFLOWING: Whether you enjoy post-minimalist dance or fluid abstract motion, the Wellspring Theater’s Fall Concert of Dance opening Friday, Nov. 13-15 and 19-21 at the Epic Center will capture your imagination; students: $10, general: $20; more info here

6. NO RINGLING BROS. HERE: Not to be confused with Cirque du Soleil but similar in style, Cirque de la Symphonie will performing at DeVos Place Friday, Nov. 13 through Sunday, Nov. 15. The Grand Rapids Symphony will provide the soundtrack as cirque performers from around the world dance, balance and fly through the air; $18-$90; more info here

7. ONCE, TWICE: Thrice plays the Intersection Monday, Nov. 16. American alternative rockers Thrice donates a portion of each of its album sales to a new charity organization; their hearts may be soft but their rock is hardcore; advance: $15.50, door: $18; more info here

8. BIG TIME FUNNY: Though he has a Masters in elementary education, Ted Alexandro started doing stand-up at nights and eventually made a career of his observational comedy. He was on Letterman in August and is at Dr. Grins Thursday, Nov. 12 though Saturday, Nov. 14; $5-$15; more info here

9. LAST, BUT NOT LEAST: Chicago-based Sleeping At Last is playing the Knickerbocker Theatre Friday, Nov. 13 at 8 p.m. along with Denison Witmer and Jeremy Larson. Sleeping At Last grew in local popularity before touring nationally with bands like Switchfoot and Yellowcard; students $5, general $10; more info here

Good Bets: Megadeath plays the Orbit Room Saturday, Nov. 14 which sadly conflicts with the Newsboys, who are at Sunshine Church so choose carefully; more info here or here…Sunday Night Funnies at the Grand Rapids Radisson is celebrating its 1 year anniversary; more info here …Old Crow Medicine Show brings its brand of Americana-bluegrass-country to the State Theater in Kalamazoo on Wednesday, Nov. 18; more info here

Playing for Change

Keb' Mo' will be playing at the Kalamazoo State Theatre Thursday, Nov. 12 at 8 p.m with special guest Kristina Train. Read the blurb on the left and enter to win; tickets are still available.

Party Like a Connoisseur

The International Wine and Food Festival is back. It's happening at DeVos Place on Thursday, Nov. 12 from 5 p.m. to 9 p.m., Friday, Nov. 13 from 3 p.m. to 9 p.m. and Saturday, Nov. 14 from 12 p.m. to 9 p.m.

This event showcases some of Grand Rapids' finest restaurants as they offer sample plates as well as food and beverage pairings. The Riverfront Market is new for this year and will be selling breads, cheeses and other similar products.

The Grand Rapids Wine and Food Festival is also welcoming its five sister cities from around the world: Japan, Poland, Italy, Ghana, and Mexico. Each city will have samples of its main products.

Food, wine, beer and spirits seminars will also take place during the three day festival, led by Fred Bueltman of New Holland Brewery, for example, or Scott Lindquist, a manager for Constellation Wines.

The event is for adults 21 and over; tickets are $15 and are available here. Visit the Festival's Web site for more info.

Metallica - Van Andel Arena (11-9-09) Photos By Anthony Nowack

T. Rex Not Included

The Grand Rapids Public Museum will host its fourth Night at Your Museum Sunday, Dec. 27 from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m.

Inspired by the movies of a similar name, Night at Your Museum brings exhibits alive. Visitors receive a flashlight and security guard badge as souvenirs when they enter the darkened museum, which usually closes at 5 p.m. A family-friendly buffet starts the night off.

Tickets are $20 and go on sale to the general public Dec. 1; call (616) 456-3977 or visit the museum's Web site.

Balancing Act

Catch Cirque de la Symphonie at DeVos Place on Friday, Nov. 13 or Saturday, Nov. 14 at 8 p.m. or Sunday, Nov. 15 at 3 p.m.

The Grand Rapids Symphony and performers from cirque companies from around the world team up to present a combination of jugglers, dancers and aerialists and celebrated music from such productions as Carmen and Star Wars.

This concert performance is part of the Fox Motors Pops. Tickets range from $18 to $90; find them here or get more info on the Grand Rapids Symphony's Web site. Learn more about the Cirque de la Symphonie tour here.

Strange But True

If instructional videos, local commercials and late-night aerobics programming trip your gag reflex then crack you up, make sure you head to the Urban Institute of Contemporary Art to see the Found Footage Festival Sunday, Nov. 22 at 7 p.m.

The Festival, "a celebration of odd and hilarious found videos," is a mix of live comedy and found video. Comics Nick and Joe travel the country delivering their blend of witty observations and hilarious media that wasn't trying to be funny.

For more info, visit the Found Footage Festival's Web site or buy tickets here.

This Weekend's Best Bets: Nov. 6-10

Now that Halloween has passed, brace yourself for the barrage of holiday events. Catch a big name concert this weekend or opt for the smaller acts. Keep the kids entertained and maybe even start your Christmas shopping at the art shows.

1. OR, “OBSCURED LUCIDNESS:” The Fogged Clarity LIVE Tour comes to Grand Rapids Saturday, Nov. 7 at 7:30 p.m. Several poets from West Michigan will join the nationally recognized singer-songwriters Strand of Oaks, Samantha Farrell and White Pines as they perform at the Wealthy Theatre; students: $10 advance/$15 door, general: $15 advance/$20 door; more info here

2. ONLY 50 SHOPPING DAYS LEFT: The 25th Annual Beneath the Wreath holiday shopping benefit takes place from Friday, Nov. 6 through Sunday, Nov. 8 at the Cultural Center at St. Nicholas. The show highlights Michigan vendors and includes gourmet foods, juried works and hand-crafted pieces. Proceeds support the Junior League of Grand Rapids; adults: $5, children 15 and under: free; more info here

3. ARTS ABOUND: Visit Frederik Meijer Gardens on Saturday, Nov. 7 from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. for the Holiday Gift Show with dozens of artists from around Michigan and even a glass blower from Germany. Perennial favorite Don Irwin will provide background music to this free event, open to the public; more info here

4. TAKE A TRIP (DOWN MEMORY LANE): If folk rock from the 70s if your thing, don’t miss Firefall, Poco and Pure Prairie League performing at the Forest Hills Fine Arts Center on Friday, Nov. 6 at 7:30. Decades later, these three iconic bands are still at it; $42-$48; more info here

5. ENTER SANDMAN: Heavy-metal legend Metallica will be performing at the Van Andel Arena on Monday, Nov. 9 at 7 p.m. Inducted last spring into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, Metallica is credited as one of the most important thrash metal bands and has received almost every award possible; $52-$72; more info here

6. CABIN FEVER?: Keep the kids busy Saturday, Nov. 7 at the GRAM’s All Day With the Arts activities. Stop by from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. and learn about the Impressionist painters and how they captured light; children until 17: free, adults: $8; more info here

7. WELCOME WAGON: Whatever your opinion of the wars, don’t miss the film “The Way We Get By,” opening Friday, Nov.6 (running through Nov. 12) at 7 p.m. at the Urban Institute for Contemporary Art. Following the stories of three troop greeters who thank American soldiers returning from Iraq, this film observes how our culture treats senior citizens, soldiers, aging, war and mortality; $4-$7; more info here

8. JUST DON’T SAY “TREAT:” Over 3,900 dogs will compete in the West Michigan Harvest Cluster Dog Show from Friday, Nov. 6 to Sunday, Nov. 8. The show is in the DeltaPlex and will feature obedience trials, a police K-9 demonstration, a grooming area as well as Best in Show contests; adults: $5, children 5 and under:$3; more info here

9. HERE THEY COME AGAIN: Ok Go, that treadmill-dancing rock band from Chicago, will play the Intersection Tuesday, Nov. 10 at 7:30 p.m with special guest Princeton. Although the band hasn’t released an album since 2005, they have a new album dropping in January and put out an EP earlier this year; $12; more info here

Good bets: Head to the Cannonsburg Ski Area Friday, Saturday, or Sunday for its 39th Annual Ski and Snowboard Swap to benefit the Ski Patrol; more info here…the Red Project Benefit Concert feat. the Bangups and Spencer Mulder at Vertigo Music on Saturday helps fight HIV/AIDS; more info here…the 19-member band and choir Celtic Woman is playing Miller Auditorium on Saturday, bringing their Irish charm and “visual feast” to Kalamazoo; more info here

Ska IS NOT Dead!

Story and photo by Melinda Wilcox

The name of the tour might be confusing, but ska is not dead. Last night kicked off the fourth Ska is Dead tour. First up was Chicago’s own rock steady band Deals Gone Bad. It never disappoints with there reggae roots and old Motown feel. Definitely a must check out band. Next up was California’s Voodoo Glow Skulls with its mix of west coast hardcore punk and ska. The crowd had a huge circle pit going with Spanish song “El Cu Cuy” and a cover of “Charlie Brown." Next was the legendary East Coast band, Toasters, which has been performing for nearly 30 years, and has show no signs of slowing down. Last up was Mustard Plug, which organized the tour. Hailing from Grand Rapids, the guys of Mustard Plug are amazing , playing upbeat ska for more than 15 years. From songs about psychopathic killers like “Mr. Smiley” to forbidden love like “Lolita," this band will even teach you how to Skank in 4 easy steps in their song “Skank by numbers.” “1. get off your seat, 2. stomp your boots to the beat, 3. throw your knees in the air, 4. like you don’t care." So give it a try cause I assure you ska is not dead.

Michigan's Newest Football Team Might Actually Win

The Muskegon Thunder, a member of the Indoor Football League, announced
its plan to move to Grand Rapids and become the West Michigan ThunderHawks. The team will play its 7 home games in the DeltaPlex Arena when the season kicks off in March. Rich Baylie, the arena's executive director, says he believes "in this team and I am proud that they'll be calling the DeltaPlex their home."

The Indoor Football League currently has 19 teams ranging from Alaska to Texas to New York to Colorado. Michigan has one other team, the Saginaw Sting. Indoor football is played in a similar style to arena football, in an 8-on-8 format with 50 yard fields and walls for sidelines. The Grand Rapids Rampage was an arena football team, but the Arena Football League went bankrupt in 2008. The original IFL existed for one year, from 1999 to 2000 before going under. It was recreated in 2008 out of a merger between two smaller indoor leagues.

Season tickets can be purchased now; individual tickets will be available in December. For tickets or more info, visit the ThunderHawks' Web site.