Family fun abounds at Ultimate Sport Show, March 17 to 20 at DeVos Place

Why is The Ultimate Sport Show one of Michigan’s favorite annual events? Answer: Because for 65 years it has proudly served many of the state’s army of outdoor enthusiasts.

Today, those outdoor lovers include 1.4 million licensed anglers, 750,000 licensed hunters, and 1.4 million wildlife watchers. For them and their families, the Ultimate Sport Show provides wall-to-wall fun, conservation education and special buying opportunities for fishing and hunting boats, fishing tackle and hunting gear.

John Loeks, Sr. launched the show in downtown Grand Rapids at the old Welch Auditorium in 1946. This year’s 66th edition, March 17 to 20 at DeVos Place, 303 Monroe NW (next door to what was Welch Auditorium), remains true to its roots.

There is a Pellet Shooting Range with certified instructors offering lessons and a Trout Pond with frisky rainbows for kids to catch. The nominal donations for those activities, as well as the popular Virtual Fishing Simulator and the Rock Climb, go to non-profit or charitable causes like Big Brothers/Big Sisters.

On the weekend, members of the Michigan B.A.S.S. Federation NATION will host a free Casting Kids Contest. The club provides all equipment and will teach boys and girls proper techniques and let them practice before competition begins.

The family-favorite “Ultimate Air Dogs” feature with Milt Wilcox is free every day as are the incredible displays of lifelike animals, birds and fish by the Michigan Taxidermists Association, which holds its annual convention and juried competition at the show.

“Big Buck Night West,” an annual family staple on Michigan Out-of-Doors TV Show, will be filmed on Thursday starting at 7:00 p.m. It, too, is free with admission.

More than 100 scheduled seminars on fishing, hunting, dog training, growing wildlife food plots and other subjects are free with admission. Other in-booth demonstrations draw crowds all day long. Patrons young and old, for example, delight in watching members of the Woodland Woodcarvers whittle away at creations both serious and whimsical.

Terry McBurney from Ada exhibits antique fishing tackle and will appraise artifacts for patrons at no charge. That old wooden fishing lure that Junior found in Grandpa’s tackle box could be priceless. And there’s more snapshots from the past: Dick VanRaalte from Grand Haven displays vintage boating products including a restored wooden boat and several collectible outboard motors.

Bill Yoder’s Live Big Game Show lets youngsters get up close and personal with white-tailed deer, a black bear, a fennec fox baby and a young bobcat.

What kid doesn’t like to nibble on elephant ears, honey-mustard pretzels, roasted almonds or beef jerky? If the youngsters are still hungry, DeVos Place food concessions sell family food and beverages.

More than four acres big, DeVos Place is crammed with hunting gear, fishing tackle and other outdoor products, including camping equipment—all at great bargains. There is bottom-line value on fishing boats, duck hunting boats, pontoons and pleasure boats, along with boat docks, lifts and other accessories

Outfitters Expo provides the public with nearly unlimited family vacation and adventure travel, including hunting and fishing destinations throughout North America and beyond. You can even book a pike fishing trip in Alaska, a family houseboat adventure in Kentucky, or a safari in Africa.

Kids are among those who enjoy collecting the commemorative Dardevle spoons that Eppinger Manufacturing Co. in Dearborn hands out each year on Thursday and Friday to the first 500 show patrons. On Saturday and Sunday, Carlisle Float Company will offer free fish scalers to the first 250 attendees.

And Cran-Hill Ranch family campground in Rodney is bringing its Family Fun Zone, a free, hands-on experience for the kids. That is, if the kids have any energy left!

Show hours are Thursday, March 17 from 3:00 PM to 9:30 PM; Friday, March 18 from 11:00 AM to 9:30 PM; Saturday, March 19 from 10:00 AM to 9:00 PM; and Sunday, March 20 from 10:00 AM to 5:00 PM. Admission is $10 for adults and $4 for children 6 to 14. Kids 5 and under get in free.

Tickets may be purchased at the DeVos Place and Van Andel Arena box offices, ticketmaster ticket centers, including D&W stores and select Family Fare locations, charged by phone at 1.800.745.3000 or on-line at ticketmaster.com.

Discount coupons are available at the Grand Rapids Press, and Wendy’s restaurants. For more information, go to www.UltimateSportShow.com or call 800-328-6550.

New Opportunity Available to Enjoy Betty White’s Program in Grand Rapids

Gilda's LaughFest to offer simulcast of Betty White's sold out program

Tickets are on sale for individuals interested in viewing a simulcast of Betty White's program during Gilda's Club Grand Rapids 10th Anniversary Celebration on Tuesday, March 15. Individual tickets for the simulcast cost $12.50 and will be available at ticketmaster.com or by calling 800-745-3000; tickets are also available at the Van Andel Arena and DeVos Place box offices.

Individuals who purchase tickets to the simulcast will be entertained by on-stage guests, including Gilda's LaughFest Laughter Nanny Tim Cusack, beginning at 7:45 p.m. inside DeVos Performance Hall. White's simulcast performance will begin at approximately 8:20 p.m.

The Annual Spring Bridal Show of West Michigan March 11-13

The Annual Spring Bridal Show of West Michigan March 11-13, the ONLY three-day bridal show in West Michigan downtown at beautiful DeVos Place on Monroe Avenue in downtown Grand Rapids. All under one tent!

"This year's Spring Bridal Show will have a featured "Season's of Love" tent display," says Pam Glass of Kohler Expos. We have a few unique things at this year's spring event. Brides will have an opportunity to win a "Big Day Bag" purse at the bridal show. This is a must-have organizer for all brides-to-be. Vendors include:

· Bridal Gowns
· Tuxedos
· Tent Rentals
· Reception Halls / Facilities
· Photographers
· Bridal Registry
· Limousine & Party Buses
· Bachelorette Parties
· Decorators / Florists
· Disc Jockeys
· Photo Booth
· Cookware
· Weight Loss/ Health
· Jewelry / Beauty
· Show Discounts from Vendors
· Register to Win CASH / Prizes

"Back by popular demand is our annual "Brides on the Run" cash contest. Two brides compete each day to win $200 cash. This was a lot of fun last year. And winners are always happy to win $200 cash," says Denise Kolesar. You must be pre-registered for your chance to compete on our grbrides.com website.

The event will be held from 5-8 p.m. on Friday, March 11, 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. on Saturday, March 12 and 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Sunday, March 13. Admission is at the door or in advance on-line at ticketmaster.com. Discount coupons are available on-line by visiting our website www.kohlerexpo.com. Admission to the Bridal Show also offers a crossover admission to the Women's Expo which runs the same weekend. "Bridal vendors are also obviously available for corporate functions, anniversary celebrations and the like, so it just makes sense to offer this opportunity to all attendees that weekend," says Denise Kolesar, President of Kohler Expos, Inc.

Kohler Expos Honored as Top Women-Owned Business of the Year

Kohler Expos has been honored by The Grand Rapids Business Journal as a Top Women-Owned Business of 2011. Denise Kolesar, founder of Kohler Expos and successful promoter of West Michigan Women’s Expo, received the award for businesses up the $1.49 million from Editor Carole Valade during a special luncheon on March 2. Kolesar was recognized for the work she has done for the past 13 years promoting hundreds of women-owned and women-focused businesses through her many shows.

Kohler Expos, which produces five shows annually, was one of four businesses highlighted during the bi-annual awards presentation. Independent judges reviewed the businesses on a number of criteria, including financial health, mentoring, philanthropy and leadership skills.

“I am deeply honored to be recognized as one of the Top Women-Owned Businesses of the year,” Kolesar said. “Through my work with Kohler Expos, I have been fortunate to help women from throughout the state launch new businesses, promote new products and services and connect with other women. Our events really are great business incubators, allowing women to lunch a new business with very little capital.

“This recognition equally belongs to the entrepreneurs I have worked with over the years, as well as those women who attend Expo and are inspired to start their own businesses.”

Kolesar launched Kohler Expos in 1997, promoting her first West Michigan Women’s Expo in Grand Rapids that winter. The show, which returns to Grand Rapids March 11-13 for its 13th season, has grown tremendously and now attracts more than 17,000 attendees. During show season, Kohler Expos employs nearly 55 full- and part-time employees.

The West Michigan Women’s Expo at DeVos Place:

March 11: 10 AM- 8 PM

March 12: 10 AM- 8 PM

March 13: 11 AM- 5 PM

The Spring Bridal Show of West Michigan at DeVos Place:

March 11: 5 PM- 8 PM

March 12: 10 AM- 8 PM

March 13: 11 AM- 5 PM

The Grand Rapids Symphony Presents “Latin Fire” March 11-12

Latin-Inspired Evening Will Showcase Three Soloists, Flamenco Dancer

The Grand Rapids Symphony will present “Latin Fire,” a fast-moving collage of musical textures, dancing and other dramatic elements that reflect the Latin spirit on Friday, March 11 and Saturday, March 12 at 8 p.m. in DeVos Performance Hall.

Creatively directed by Music Director David Lockington, “Latin Fire” will feature three soloists and a Flamenco dancer who will perform with the Grammy-nominated Symphony to create a fiery evening full of exotic Latin flair. The concert, which will showcase music of Spain, Latin America and Mexico is part of the Richard and Helen DeVos Classical Series.

“We really wanted to create textures, rhythms and passionate moods all next to each another in really short bursts, with a couple of different soloists,” Lockington explained. “The result will be a fast-paced evening that is song-filled, dance-filled and flamboyant.

“This is the Symphony’s second concert this year that underscores our commitment to diversity and inclusion. Our hope is to create a deeper level of engagement with the Latino community in West Michigan.”

The program will feature three soloists and a Flamenco dancer:

· Jason Vieaux, one of America’s leading classical guitarists. He has performed widely with symphonies across the country and credited with changing the face of guitar programming. He is the youngest first-prize winner in the history of the prestigious Guitar Foundation of American International Competition. In addition to his duties as a performer, he is the head of the Cleveland Institute of Music Guitar Department.

· Peter Soave, a bandoneon and concert accordian player who has won multiple awards for his work, including the inaugural Voce d’Oro, an international award honoring those who have given prominence to the accordion in the world of modern music. He has performed with orchestras and chamber ensembles through the world.

· Dylana Jenson, a violinist who has performed with major orchestras in the United States and traveled to Europe and Latin American for concerts, recitals and recordings. She has been described as a “mature master’ by The New York Times. In addition to her solo career, she teaches master classes and at summer music festivals. She was made an honorary citizen of Costa Rica in honor of her artistic contribution to her mother’s homeland.

· Irma Suárez Ruíz is an accomplished Flamenco dancer and the first dancer of Ensemble Espanol in Chicago. A native of Chicago, she secured an arts grant to introduce area youth to the art of Spanish dance. Performing regularly, she also serves as a special guest artist for ballet and other dance companies.

Tickets start at $18 and are available at the Symphony office, weekdays 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., 300 Ottawa NW, Suite 100, (located across from the Calder), or by calling 616.454.9451, Ext. 4. (Phone orders will be charged a $2 per ticket service fee, with a $12 maximum.) Tickets are available at the DeVos Place Box Office, weekdays 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., or on the day of the concert two hours prior to the performance. Tickets may also be purchased through ticketmaster.com , 1.800.982.2787, online at www.grsymphony.org, or in person at Ticketmaster outlets: select D&W Fresh Market, Family Fare Stores and Walmart. This is a student passport concert.

To learn more about the Grand Rapids Symphony, please visit www.grsymphony.org.

Steven Heacock, the Grand Rapids-Kent County Convention/Arena Authority (CAA) Chairman, was named the “West Michigan Business Person of the Year”

Steven Heacock, the Grand Rapids-Kent County Convention/Arena Authority (CAA) Chairman, was named the “West Michigan Business Person of the Year” by the MSU Alumni Club this past February the 24th.The announcement was made at the 16th Annual MSU Means Business Networking Event at the Secchia Center in Grand Rapids. The featured speakers were Stefanie Lenway (the Eli and Edythe L. Broad Dean of the Eli Broad College of Business and Eli Broad Graduate School of Management) and Scott Westerman (Executive Director of the MSU Alumni Association).The CAA is the seven-member board that owns Van Andel Arena and DeVos Place. For more information please visit, www.westmichspartans.org.

Jackson Browne and James Taylor To Be Presented on PBS' "Troubadours"

PBS American Masters will be presenting TROUBADOURS, a documentary featuring James Taylor, Carole King and Jackson Browne and other famed singer-songwriters from the 1970s as they look back to the stomping grounds that helped launch their careers, West Hollywood's 'Troubadour'. Rare photos and performance footage give the rock document great insight to the times and music of a generation.

The special will air Wednesday, March 2, 8pm ET/PT.

You can catch the legend, Jackson Browne, live at his solo acoustic presentation in Grand Rapids at DeVos Performance Hall on April 21st at 7:30pm. For tickets, click here: http://www.ticketmaster.com/event/08004632B17A5CB3?artistid=734654&majorcatid=10001&minorcatid=1.

For more information, go to www.devosperformancehall.com.