Monday, November 21, 2011

Million Dollar Quartet Coming to DeVos Performance Hall in January

The national tour of Million Dollar Quartet, the international smash hit musical inspired by the true story of four rock 'n' roll icons will make its Grand Rapids premiere January 17-22, 2012 at DeVos Performance Hall as part of the Fifth Third Bank Broadway Grand Rapids Series. Tickets are now on sale at ticketmaster.com

On December 4, 1956, an auspicious twist of fate brought Johnny Cash, Carl Perkins, Jerry Lee Lewis and Elvis Presley together. The place was Sun Records' storefront studio in Memphis. The man who made it happen was Sam Phillips, the man who discovered them all. The four young musicians united for the only time in their careers for an impromptu recording that has come to be known as one of the greatest rock 'n' roll jam sessions of all time.

Million Dollar Quartet brings that legendary night to life with an irresistible tale of broken promises, secrets, betrayal and celebrations featuring an eclectic score of rock, gospel, R&B and country hits.

The New York Times praises Million Dollar Quartet by saying, "A hit parade of favorites, providing the audience with blast after blast of sweet nostalgia." Echoing accolades come from the Associated Press as they describe the production as "Musical Fireworks! Million Dollar Quartet gets the cheering audience to its feet!"

It won a Tony Award for Best Performance by a Featured Actor in a Musical and received a Tony Award nomination for Best Musical and Best Book of a Musical. The show received an Outer Critics Circle Award for Outstanding Featured Actor in a Musical, a Drama Desk nomination for Outstanding Musical Revue and three Drama League nominations including Distinguished Production of a Musical and Distinguished Performance.

Million Dollar Quartet is affordably priced from $27.50 and will perform 8 shows at DeVos Performance Hall from January 17-22, 2012. The performance schedule is Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday at 7:30 PM, Friday at 8:00 PM, Saturday at 2:00 PM & 8:00 PM, and Sunday at 1:00 PM and 6:30 PM. Tickets are available at the DeVos Place and Van Andel Arena box offices, all Ticketmaster locations, ticketmaster.com or via phone at 1-800-745-3000.

Friday, November 18, 2011

Gospel Superstar Fred Hammond to Grace DeVos Performance Hall

For three amazing decades, singer/songwriter/producer/musician Fred Hammond has been a Gospel music arbiter, consistently pushing the genre into new melodic territory. The Detroit native ascended from bass-playing sideman for The Winans; to founding member of the trendsetting sextet Commissioned; to creating the further renowned ensemble Radical for Christ,l to becoming a highly influential solo artist and producer in his own right. Now, Fred Hammond will bring all his talents to DeVos Performance Hall on Friday, December 30 at 7PM.

All tickets are $47.50 in advance and $55 the day of show. Tickets go on sale Monday, November 21 at 10AM and can be purchased at the DeVos Place and Van Andel Arena box offices, ticketmaster.com, Ticketmaster outlets or charged by phone at 1-800-745-3000.

Unforgettable songs such as "Blessed"; "Now Weapon"; "King of Glory"; "Celebrate (He Lives)"; "Let the Praise Begin" and more have lifted the spirits of millions both cross-culturally and cross-generationally. His 1998 release Pages of Life: Chapters 1 & 2 is a double platinum seller and his award wins over the years have recognized his excellence in all areas upfront (Best Male Vocalist, Best Album and Best Song) as well as behind the scenes (for songwriting and producing). He is a multiple Stellar and Dove Award winner and his last CD, Love Unstoppable (2009), was a smash hit.

From traditional gospel to funk, acoustic rock and even a Capella pieces, Fred Hammond's new 15-song set pulls from a sprawling musical palette to mold his musical messages - something the Community Inclusion Group was looking forward to when collaborating with Marvin Sapp Ministries to bring Hammond over.

Convention/Arena Authority Operations Committee member and CAA Community Inclusion Group Chairperson, Darius Quinn states that the "group's number one priority this year is to increase the number of top level events and attractions for communities of color to enjoy within our facilities (Van Andel Arena, DeVos Place Convention Center and the DeVos Performance Hall). Working in conjunction with Marvin Sapp Ministries helps us to get closer to meeting this goal by bringing to Grand Rapids one of the all time greatest gospel singers in Fred Hammond."

Wednesday, November 16, 2011

Music's World Citizen Yanni Playing for West Michigan's Citizens

Yanni, music's true world citizen and most popular contemporary composer, announced today the first leg of a major tour of North America beginning in April of 2012. Coming back to West Michigan, Yanni will be playing at DeVos Performance Hall on Monday, May 7th at 8PM. Tickets are $39.50, $49.50, $59.50, $79.50, $99.50 and go on sale Friday, November 18th at 10AM. Tickets can be purchased at the DeVos Place and Van Andel Arena box offices, ticketmaster.com, Ticketmaster outlets and charged by phone at 1-800-745-3000.

This year saw Yanni, one of the music industry's most beloved artists, selling out major concert venues around the world including Eastern Europe, the Middle East and Asia. With his world-class orchestra, he performed music from his latest album "Truth of Touch", now platinum in the Middle East, as well as classic concert favorites.

In October, Yanni was embraced and honored by the country of China when the government invited Yanni to adopt a panda during his time in Chengdu. Traditionally such privilege is reserved for countries rather than personalities. He affectionately named her "Santorini" in honor of the word's embedded Greek meaning, "Peace", for Greece's most beautiful island and after one of Yanni's most well known compositions.

On December 16th and 17th, Yanni will perform and film two shows at Castillo San Felipe Del Morro, a recognized UNESCO Heritage Site, in Puerto Rico. The show will air exclusively in the United States on PBS and debut March 3, 2012. The CD/DVD combo will be available exclusively through PBS pledge drives and a worldwide release in the Spring of 2012. As Yanni tours across the globe, his heartfelt and compelling music continues to touch both old and new fans.

In a separate announcement, Yanni has just debuted "Yanni - All Access" on the artist's official website, www.yanni.com. It is an exclusive behind the scenes view with highlights from Yanni's concert dates, cultural attractions, and the musician's message for premium fan club members.

Tuesday, November 15, 2011

Author Jeffrey Zaslow - Selects Kohler Expos for Book Tour Appearances!

We are honored that Jeffrey Zaslow, author and Wall Street Journal columnist, has chosen Kohler Women's Expos and Bridal Shows as part of his book tour for "The Magic Room" being released January 19; featuring a Michigan bridal shop, operated by four generations of women.

His book "GABBY: A Story of Courage and Hope," the memoir of Rep. Gabrielle Giffords and astronaut Mark Kelly, will be released this Tuesday.

Jeffrey Zaslow also co-authored "The Last Lecture" with Randy Pausch and authored "The Girls from Ames, a New York Times bestseller.

Jeffrey Zaslow is one of the featured speakers, with meet and greets, at all 2012 Kohler Expos events. Stay tuned!

Kohler Expos Inc. 2012 Events:

Winter Bridal Show - January 20-21, 2012
Mid-Michigan Women's Expo - February 3-5, 2012
West Michigan Women's Expo - March 9-11, 2012
Spring Bridal Show - March 9-11, 2012

Wednesday, November 9, 2011

Kendall College of Art & Design Graduate Students Present Their Work in 2011 MFA Juried Exhibition

This exhibition, juried by Professor Margaret Vega, showcases work from current MFA candidates and recent graduates of Kendall College of Art and Design. Eighteen artists present a diverse body of work in Drawing, Painting and Printmaking.

The 2011 MFA Juried Exhibition opens November 17th and runs through January 8th. Please join the artists for an opening reception Thursday, November 17th from 5-7PM, and an artist meet-and-greet on Saturday, December 3rd from 1-3PM. Viewing hours at DeVos Place are from 9AM-6PM Monday through Friday. Admission is free and open to the public.

Participating artists include: Salvador Jimenez Flores, Miranda Graham, Lance Moon, Lydia Larson, Grace Scott, Steven Vinson, Alicia Wierschke, Megan Klco, Aneka Ingold, Linda Manguiat-Herzog, Heather Duffy, Beth Park, Sarah Knill, Hallie Dahlhofer, Nick Reszetar, Casey Snyder, Elizabeth Hubler and Dana Toader.

"I believe the diversity, intensity and commitment indicative of the graduate school experience is evident in this exhibition. It continues to be a privilege to work with these students," Vega said.

For more information please contact Margaret Vega at margaretvega@ferris.edu.

Friday, November 4, 2011

Help to End Hunger with Irving Berlin’s White Christmas

Access of West Michigan and Broadway Grand Rapids hope to encourage families in the greater Grand Rapids community to count your blessings - and share them. Throughout the eight performance run of Irving Berlin's White Christmas at DeVos Performance Hall (Nov. 15 - 20) the area wide food pantry program and Broadway Grand Rapids will partner to present theater patrons with an opportunity to help fellow West Michigan residents who are in need by donating non-perishable food items. These will be gathered in the theater lobby and distributed to those less fortunate through the various Access food pantries throughout Kent County. The title song of this musical classic is, of course, White Christmas, but another in the many memorable melodies is, in fact, Count Your Blessings. The main storyline behind the musical itself is tied to friendship and sharing, a wonderful community message as we go into the holiday season.

During all 8 performances of White Christmas, patrons are encouraged to bring and donate non-perishable food items that will be distributed to Access food pantries. Each person who donates receives a special ornament to place on our holiday tree in the DeVos Performance Hall lobby. Prior to each performance, one winner will be selected from those that have donated. Prizes include tickets to upcoming shows, overnight stays at the JW Marriot and the Amway Grand Plaza, and dinner gift certificates among others. At the conclusion of the week's performances, the fully decorated tree will then be donated to an Access food pantry site for their holiday festivities. Tickets for Irving Berlin's White Christmas are now on sale and are available at ticketmaster.com.