Monday, January 31, 2011

Sunshine on a Cloudy Day: West Michigan Golf Show at DeVos Place from February 11th-13th

In February 2010 there was 17.9% of the possible sunshine according to meteorologist, George Lessens. Echoing the Motown hit song, golfers will have “sunshine on a cloudy day” when the West Michigan Golf Show opens on Feb. 11-13 at the DeVos Place in downtown Grand Rapids. The 23rd edition of the Show will provide a ready antidote to sunlight deprivation, cabin fever and the winter blahs so prevalent this time of year.

Here are some of the highlights of this annual golf extravaganza:

* Widely acclaimed for its headliners, the Golf Show this year welcomes Todd Anderson, the 2010 PGA of America’s Teacher of the Year. Born in Grand Rapids, Anderson is the Director of Instruction at Sea Island GC in Georgia and has taught such Tour players as Davis Love III, Brandt Snedeker, Brett Quigley, and NBC-TV’s Today show co-anchor Matt Lauer. Also on stage will be LPGA Tour player and GR native Allison Fouch (Friday/Sat) as well as a host of PGA pros including Treetops Resort’s Kevin McKinley, Boyne Resort’s Brian O’Neill, Shanty Creek Resort’s Brian Kautz and The Otsego Club’s Jason Guss, named by Golf Digest as one of the nation’s “Best Young Teachers.”

* Ladies’ Night, sponsored by Shanty Creek Resort which is celebrating the 25th anniversary of the Arnold Palmer-designed The Legend, is on Friday and offers special events, seminars and giveaways just for women, including the 6th annual Executive Women’s Golf Association Fashion Show. Also on Friday (only) there’s half-price off admission by donating a dozen (new or used) golf balls to junior golf.

* The most popular attraction of the Show is the Treetops Par-3 Challenge where patrons will compete for prizes (Treetops golf) and a chance to win $25,000. Inspired by an actual hole at Treetops which is celebrating the 25th anniversary of Robert Trent Jones’ Masterpiece course, the Challenge will provide a gift to each participant just for teeing it up. The Par-3’s charity is RacingAwareness.com which raises funds for the Helen DeVos Children’s Hospital.

* The ‘hits keep comin’ at the demo club area, where many top club manufacturers will have the latest equipment for patrons to hit, inside the huge hitting net.

* The top golf courses and resorts in Michigan as well as destination courses in Indiana, Kentucky, the Carolinas and Florida will offer pre-season values and teetimes.

* Courtesy of AirTran Airways, Florida Golf and WZZM-TV, there will be a grand prize drawing for a 3-night getaway for four to Don Shula’s Hotel & Golf Club in Miami Lakes, FL—air, golf and rooms!

* Courtesy of the Michigan P.G.A. and Boyne Resorts, golf pros will give free lessons all weekend, providing patrons a pre-season tune-up.

* Presented by Core Golf Schueller, the $10,000 Putt & Long Drive Contests will entice deft putters and big hitters alike. The designated charity is the Positively Warren Golf Classic.

* West Michigan is known for its thrifty, savvy consumers and the Golf Show remains an ideal place to shop for golf balls, gloves, shoes, apparel and golf equipment at attractive prices.

* On a virtual golf course provided by RealGolf and benefiting the Folds of Honor charity, golfers will compete in a closest to the pin contest to win some fabulous prizes from Grand Haven Golf Club.

* Benefiting high school golf teams, there’s a Saturday morning pancake breakfast for $7 (of which $4 is earmarked for the team of your choice) starting at 9 AM in the Grand Gallery at DeVos Place.

* Sunday is “Junior Golf Day” with the first 250 kids receiving hats, and with special seminars, lessons, door prizes, and manufacturers with junior clubs.

* Sunday is also Military Appreciation Day at the Show where military personnel and/or veterans showing ID at Will Call receive FREE admission. Special clinics by Major Ed Pulido, combat veteran and amputee golfer, with Treetops’ Kevin McKinley, PGA Instructor & Chair of the Michigan PGA’s Patriot Golf Day committee, entitled: Challenge, Triumph and Change.

Produced by ShowSpan Inc., the West Michigan Golf Show’s hours are 4:00 pm-9:00 pm, Friday; 10:00 am-7:00 pm, Saturday; and 10:00 am-5:00 pm, Sunday. Tickets are $9 for adults, $4 for children ages 6-14, and children 5 and under are free. Sponsors currently include Treetops Resort, Golf Association of Michigan, Shanty Creek Resort, Srixon, Boyne Resorts and the Michigan PGA. Tickets are available at the door or at www.westmichigangolfshow.com.

For more information, call 1-800-328-6550 or visit www.westmichigangolfshow.com.

Jackson Browne Set To Provide DeVos Performance Hall with More than Just Music

Singer‐songwriter Jackson Browne begins the second leg of his 2011 Solo Acoustic Tour. The tour comprises of several Midwestern dates in the U.S. including a stop in Grand Rapids, MI on Thursday, April 21st at DeVos Performance Hall.

Tickets go on sale Friday, January 28th at 10AM and are priced at $29.50, $59.50 and $79.50 (prices include a $1.00 for charity). Tickets will be available online at ticketmaster.com, Ticketmaster outlets along with DeVos Place and Van Andel Arena box offices or charged by phone at 1-800-745-3000.

Jackson Browne’s 2011 solo acoustic tour begins its first leg next month in California. Playing guitar and piano, he will perform songs from his entire body of work, with varying set lists each night. One of the many guitars Jackson will be bringing on the road this time is the just released, Gibson Acoustic Jackson Browne Signature acoustic guitar. The handmade instrument, inspired by Gibson’s legendary 1930s‐era Roy Smeck model, is the first guitar to bear Jackson Browne’s name.

The intimacy of Jackson’s solo performances has been captured on two live albums—the GRAMMY®‐nominated Jackson Browne—Solo Acoustic, Vol. 1 (2005), and Jackson Browne—Solo Acoustic, Vol. 2 (2008), both released on Inside Recordings. In Rolling Stone’s four‐star review of Vol. 2, Anthony DeCurtis wrote, “Between songs, Browne speaks about his life and music with moving candor… This is Browne at his best, engaging his audience, his own experiences and the world around him, all in songs that will not lose their resonance any time soon.”

In 2009 and 2010, Jackson’s tours served as proto types to Bandit Lites, using 100% LED rigs, which helped the development of the new GRNLite technology. Using GRNLite technology, the Bandit Lites’ rigs greatly reduce energy consumption. Since 2008, Jackson’s tours have strived to be plastic‐free both onstage and backstage.

It’s estimated that since 2008, through approximately 150 band shows and 50 solo acoustic dates, his tours have saved more than 50,738 plastic bottles from landfills and ocean gyres. In 2010, Jackson joined with Brita’s FilterForGood movement, making Brita Hydration Stations available to dispense filtered water, free‐of‐charge, to concert attendees.

Joe Bonamassa to Release "Dust Bowl" a Day After Performing at DeVos Performance Hall.

Multi-talented blues-rock guitar hero and singer-songwriter, Joe Bonamassa will release his twelfth album, Dust Bowl, on March 22, 2011. Just hours before the official release, Bonamassa will be providing Grand Rapids a live taste of the album when he rocks DeVos Performance Hall on Monday, March 21st at 8PM.

Dust Bowl was produced by Kevin "Caveman" Shirley (Black Crowes, Aerosmith, Led Zeppelin) making it their sixth collaboration in five years. Shirley most recently produced Bonamassa's 2010 release Black Rock, which debuted at #1 on Billboard's Blues Chart and #39 on the Top 200, and the 2010 debut album from Black Country Communion, Bonamassa's English-American rock band with Glenn Hughes (Deep Purple), Jason Bonham (Led Zeppelin, Foreigner) and Derek Sherinian (Dream Theater, Billy Idol).

Dust Bowl combines the gritty, blues-based tones of Bonamassa's first albums with the fluid, genre-defying sounds he's mastered in the years since and adds a dash of country from Joe's collaborations with the best of Nashville including legends Vince Gill and John Hiatt.

"This is the best album we've ever done," adds Bonamassa. "I'm finding more inspiration in storytelling in my 30s, in writing songs that are about something more profound than 'my baby left me.' I like albums that are made with the right intentions and sound organic and a little rough around the edges, like a great band playing live in the room, and that's what we accomplished with Dust Bowl."

Dust Bowl, supported by a multi-country tour taking Bonamassa and his ace touring band consisting of Carmine Rojas (bass), Rick Melick (keyboards) and Tal Bergman (drums) to the U.S., Canada, U.K., Europe, China, Japan, Singapore and Australia, is set to make a great 2011 for Bonamassa and his fans.

Tickets to the Joe Bonamassa concert at DeVos Performance Hall can be purchased at ticketmaster.com or charged by phone, at 1-800-745-3000. Tickets can also be purchased at DeVos Place and Van Andel Arena box offices along with Ticketmaster outlets.

Last year (2010) was a stellar year for Bonamassa and his best to date. He was named Billboard's #1 Blues Artist based on the charting success of Black Rock, the #2 Billboard Blues Album of 2010, and 2009's Ballad of John Henry, which was #9. He was called "The Blues Rock Titan" by Guitar World and was honored twice in Guitar Player Magazine's 2010 Readers' Choice Awards winning "Best Overall Guitarist" for the first time and "Best Blues Guitarist" for the fourth consecutive year.

Black Country Communion's debut self-titled album, released in Sept. 2010, entered the Billboard Top 200 Chart at #53 and received rave reviews. MOJO gave the album four stars and Goldmine said it's "Possibly the best hard rock album of 2010." Black Country Communion is currently in the studio recording their second album, which is tentatively set for a summer 2011 release.

For more information and an updated tour schedule, visit www.jbonamassa.com.

Blues Rock Guitarist Joe Bonamassa Performs at Royal Albert Hall; To Air Tuesday, February 1st, on PBS at 8PM

In anticipation of his North American tour dates, PBS will be broadcasting a special performance by award-winning guitarist Joe Bonamassa at the prestigious Royal Albert Hall on Tuesday, February 1st at 8PM. The Royal Albert Hall, opened by Queen Victoria in London, England in 1871, is one of the world’s most treasured venues.

Bonamassa and his ace touring band will be performing live in concert at Grand Rapids’ DeVos Performance Hall on March 21, 2011 at 8PM. Tickets are $39, $49, $59 and $69 and can be purchased at ticketmaster.com, DeVos Place and Van Andel Arena Box Offices, ticketmaster outlets or charge by phone at 800-745-3000.

Headlining arguably the most prestigious concert venue in the world in May 2009, Bonamassa aimed to show his showmanship all the while fulfilling a dream many artists never get to—a testament to Bonamassa’s caliber as an artist. The sold-out concert came off of his No. 1 release, “The Ballad of John Henry.” During the broadcast, fans can watch as Bonamassa was joined on stage by the legendary Eric Clapton. “The sight of two of the world’s best guitarists trading solos was more than a little thrilling,” Planet Rock declared.

Just hours after walking off the stage in Grand Rapids, Bonamassa will be releasing his twelfth album, “Dust Bowl.” The album was produced by Kevin “Caveman” Shirley (Black Crowes, Aerosmith, Led Zeppelin) making it their sixth collaboration in five years. Dust Bowl combines the gritty, blues-based tones of Bonamassa's first albums with the fluid, genre-defying sounds he's mastered in the years since and adds a dash of country from Joe's collaborations with the best of Nashville including legends Vince Gill and John Hiatt.

A child prodigy, Bonamassa opened shows at age 12 for blues legend B.B. King, who said after first seeing him play, “This kid's potential is unbelievable…He's one of a kind.” Bonamassa’s recording career began in the early ’90s with Bloodline, a rock-blues group also featuring Robby debut was in 2000 with the Tom Dowd-produced A New Day Yesterday.

Friday, January 28, 2011

New Shanghai Circus & The Aluminum Show at the Devos Performance Hall

Tickets are now on sale for the Broadway Grand Rapids’ presentations New Shanghai Circus (Tuesday, February 15 at 7:30pm) & The Aluminum Show (Sunday, February 20 at 7:00pm). Both shows will perform for 1 night only at DeVos Performance Hall in downtown Grand Rapids. Tickets are available online at Ticketmaster.com or by calling 1-800-745-3000.

The New Shanghai Circus features astonishing athletes defying gravity and executing breathtaking feats as they stretch the limits of human ability in this spellbinding show. Fearless performers with boundless energy bring you more than two thousand years of Chinese circus traditions. If it's humanly possible - and even if it's not - Shanghai's acrobats, jugglers and contortionists do it with spectacular flair!


A sensational hit around the world, The Aluminum Show is a theatrical experience that is totally unique. Through the use of amazing special effects, creative mechanisms and acrobatic dance, inanimate objects come to life with energy, emotion and even personality, as silver industrial materials create a luminous and reflective world. This new performance combines movement, dance and visual theater to thrill audiences of all ages!


New Shanghai Circus is affordably priced at $17.50, $27.50, & $37.50. The New Shanghai Circus will perform 1 show at DeVos Performance Hall Tuesday, February 15, 2011 at 7:30pm. The Aluminum Show is affordably priced from $22.50-$42.50 and will perform 1 show at DeVos Performance Hall Sunday, February 20, 2011 at 7:00pm. Tickets are available at the DeVos Performance Hall box office, all Ticketmaster locations, www.Ticketmaster.com or via phone at 1-800-745-3000. Groups of 10 or more receive 10% off per ticket by calling 616-742-6185 or e-mailing groupsales@smggr.com.


For more information on the Fifth Third Bank Broadway Grand Rapids Series visit www.BroadwayGrandRapids.com.




Wednesday, January 19, 2011

Legendary Guitarist Jeff Beck Announces Tour Date In Grand Rapids

World famous guitarist, Jeff Beck will bring all his talent and experience, along with The Imelda May Band, to Grand Rapids’ DeVos Performance Hall on Tuesday, April 19, 2011 at 8PM.

Tickets go on sale this Saturday, January 22 at 10AM and will be available through ticketmaster.com, all Ticketmaster outlets, the Van Andel Arena and DeVos Place box offices, or charge by phone: 1-800-745-3000. Ticket prices are $55, $45, and $29.50.

On the heels of 2010’s, “Emotion & Commotion”, Beck has been nominated for several Grammy Awards. Beck leads the rock field with 5 nominations with material from his latest release, including Best Rock Album, Best Rock Instrumental Performance (“Hammerhead”), Best Rock Performance By A Duo Or Group With Vocals (“I Put A Spell On You” with Joss Stone), Best Pop Instrumental performance (“Nessun Dorma”), and Best pop Collaboration With Vocals (“Imagine” with Herbie Hancock, Pink, India.Arie, Seal, Konono No 1 & Oumou Sangare).

Replacing Eric Clapton in 1965 as the Yardbirds’ lead guitarist, Beck later formed The Jeff Beck Group with Rod Stewart and Ron Wood, releasing two albums—1968’s “Truth” and 1969’s “Beck-Ola”—that “became musical touchstones for hard rockers.” Over ten albums later and having worked with countless irreplaceable artists, Beck is back on the road to show his adoring fans, he’s as great as he’s ever been.

Recently, Jeff Beck paid fitting Tribute to Les Paul last summer, celebrating what would have been the pioneering guitarist’s 95th birthday. Beck played his friend and mentor’s music, along with classic tunes from the era, in the Iridium Jazz Club where Paul played every Monday for 14 years before his death in August 2009.

For more information and to purchase tickets, click here.

Thursday, January 13, 2011

Enchanting and Magical, Your Wedding Day Plans Begin at the Winter Bridal Show of West Michigan

Enchanting and Magical ... Your Wedding Day Plans Begin Here ...Nearly Wed Game Signups begin January 3...$2500 in prizes. Don't miss it!

The Annual Winter Bridal Show of West Michigan takes place on Jan. 21-22, at DeVos Place on Monroe Avenue in downtown Grand Rapids. All under one roof, a variety of exhibits will be on hand.

* Bridal Shoppes
* Tuxedo Shops
* Wedding Cakes / Cupcakes
* Reception Halls / Facilities
* Photographers
* Travel Destinations
* Florists * Caterers
* Decorators
* Disc Jockeys
* Cookware / Bridal Registry
* Photo Booth
* Party Rental
* Limousine & Party Buses
* Show Discounts From Vendors
* Register to Win CASH / Prizes

Runway fashion shows will be presented Friday evening at 7 p.m., Saturday at 12 noon and 2 p.m. by Becker's Bridal presenting "You're Beautiful at Becker's." More than 200 bridal gowns will be displayed throughout the weekend. Runway Designer Dresses may include: Aire Barcelona, Two by Rosa Clara, Allure, Maggie Sottero, Casablanca, to name a few. Becker's Bridal Shop features two exclusive, luxury brands designed and produced by Rosa Clara in Barcelona Spain; Aire Barcelona and Two by Rosa Clara. Since 1934, based in Fowler, Michigan, Becker's Bridal is managed by a Fifth generation of daughters. Serving brides and making their dreams come true with personal attention to every detail.

While attending the Bridal Show, brides and their wedding party may participate in a contest with an opportunity to win Cash Prizes ..."Brides Just Want to Have Fun" photo shoot. Your vote will be counted! Seasons of Love will also be showcased and a featured area.

On January 3, couples may sign up to participate in the Nearly Wed Game to take place Tuesday, January 18, with the winner receiving over $2500 in prizes. The winning couple will be announced during our runway fashion shows. Become a fan on our GRBrides facebook to find out more information.

Saving time and money is often a priority for the engaged couple, and the area's leading bridal businesses will be there offering day-of-show specials. Plan on placing your deposit and confirming your dream wedding as calendars fill up quickly. "We encourage engaged couples to print checklist off GRBrides.com and bring them to the show. And don't forget the Groom's List!" Says Kolesar. Both the bridal show and the website are loaded with user-friendly information. Your careful planning can make it timeless, romantic and magical, so your wedding day will be an event to remember.

The bridal show will be open to the public from 5-9 p.m. on Friday, Jan. 21, and 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Saturday, Jan. 22. Admission is $6 for adults at the door. Discount coupons are available on-line by visiting website www.kohlerexpo.com.

Convenient underground parking is available for a minimal charge at the Michigan Street or Lyon Street entrance to DeVos Place. More information is available on the website at www.kohlerexpo.com.

Tuesday, January 11, 2011

GR Symphony to Offer the Music of John Williams, Jan. 28-30

From “Star Wars” to “E.T.” and all musical galaxies in between, the heart-captivating music of legendary composer John Williams will come to life in DeVos Performance Hall when the Grand Rapids Symphony presents “A Salute to John Williams” Friday, Jan. 28, through Sunday, Jan. 30.

Guest Conductor Michael Krajewski will lead the Grand Rapids Symphony on a magical musical odyssey that will explore the melodic world of Williams. A composer of Olympic proportions, Williams has penned some of the most groundbreaking, recognizable and endearing film scores in the history of motion pictures during a career that has spanned six decades. These concerts are part of the Fox Motors Pops Series.

“Williams’ first major success – the theme to ‘Star Wars’ – transformed the landscape of the film music industry and instantly became an icon of American culture,” Krajewski said. “Now, 30 years and 38 films later, his melodies are as legendary and recognizable as the films themselves.

“The audiences will no doubt take great delight in hearing the blockbuster movie music of the Grammy Award-winning Williams performed live by the Grammy-nominated Grand Rapids Symphony.”

Program selections will include “Olympic Fanfare and Theme,” which was written specifically for the opening of the 1984 Summer Olympics in Los Angeles, as well as music from “The Cowboys,” “Jaws,” “E.T.: The Extraterrestrial,” “Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone,” “Schindler’s List,” “Superman,” “Jurassic Park,” and a 30-minute set from “Star Wars.”

Costumed Star Wars characters from the Great Lakes Garrison 501st Legion will add to the performance on stage. Darth Vader, storm troopers, Indiana Jones and characters from Williams’ films will be in attendance.

Additionally, a photo booth with a green screen depicting scenes from various movies will be in the lobby. Costumed characters will be available to take pictures with audience members.
The winner of five Academy Awards, four Golden Globe Awards and 21 Grammy Awards, Williams has also received 45 Academy Award nominations, making him – along with composer Alfred Newman – the second most-nominated person after Walt Disney.

Tickets for “A Salute to John Williams” start at $18 and are available by calling Ticketmaster at 800/982-2787, online at http://www.grsymphony.org/ or in person at Ticketmaster outlets. Tickets may also be purchased at the DeVos Place and Van Andel Arena box offices or in person at the Symphony office or two hours prior to the performance at DeVos Performance Hall.

Tuesday, January 4, 2011

Don't Miss Out! Next Week!

Don't miss the 5th Annual Camper, Travel and RV Show!

Go Affordably, Go RVing! This show is all about the best family vacation of your life. Whether just a weekend or a long getaway, RVing is the way to go. West Michigan RV dealers will pack DeVos Place with motor homes, travel trailers, fifth wheels, and folding camping trailers. RV accessories, campgrounds, vacation destinations,and fun feature displays will round out the exhibition creating the largest and most exciting RV & Travel Show in the state! To view this year's commercial, click here.


Show hours:
Friday, January 14: 12noon - 9:30pm
Saturday, January 15: 10am - 9pm
Sunday, January 16: 11am - 6pm


Pricing:
Adults $8
Children (6-14) $3
5 and Under Free