Kids’ Night on Broadway at Shrek the Musical

Join us for a special Kids Night with Maranda from WOOD TV 8

With the purchase of a full-priced adult ticket, a child, up to 18 years of age can see the show for free!

Kids’ Night comes to DeVos Performance Hall Wednesday, June 22 at 7:30pm for Shrek The Musical. With the purchase of a full-priced adult ticket, a child, up to 18 years of age can see the show for free! In addition to seeing a Broadway show for free, Kids’ Night guests will be treated to a host of activities with Maranda from WOOD TV 8 including story reading by one of the fairy tale creatures from the show from 6-7:30pm and many other great free activities.

Kids’ Night tickets are now on sale at Ticketmaster.com or charge by phone at 1.800.745.3000.

About Shrek The Musical — DreamWorks Theatricals and Neal Street Productions, Ltd. are pleased to announce that SHREK THE MUSICAL with book and lyrics by David Lindsay-Abaire and music by Jeanine Tesori, directed by Jason Moore and Rob Ashford, will play DeVos Performance Hall, for one week only, June 21-26, 2011.

SHREK THE MUSICAL is affordably priced from $34.50 and will perform 8 shows at DeVos Performance Hall from June 21-26, 2011. The performance schedule is Tuesday-Thursday at 7:30pm, Friday at 8:00pm, Saturday at 2:00pm & 8:00pm, and Sunday at 1:00pm & 6:30pm. Tickets are available at the DeVos Place and Van Andel Arena box offices, all Ticketmaster locations, ticketmaster.com or charge by phone at 1.800.745.3000. Groups of 10 or more save 10%! Groups of 10 or more e-mail groupsales@smggr.com or call 616.742.6185. Group offer expires June 14, 2011.

SHREK THE MUSICAL tells the story of a swamp-dwelling ogre who goes on a life-changing adventure to reclaim the deed to his land. Joined by a wise-cracking donkey, this unlikely hero fights a fearsome dragon, rescues a feisty princess and learns that real friendship and true love aren’t only found in fairy tales.

SHREK THE MUSICAL features a book and lyrics by Pulitzer Prize® winner David Lindsay-Abaire (Rabbit Hole), music by Olivier Award-winner Jeanine Tesori (Thoroughly Modern Millie, Caroline, or Change), and is directed by Tony Award® nominee Jason Moore (Avenue Q) and Tony and Emmy Award-winner Rob Ashford (Thoroughly Modern Millie, Promises Promises). SHREK THE MUSICAL has set and costume designs by Tony Award® winner Tim Hatley (Private Lives, Spamalot), lighting design by Olivier Award winner Hugh Vanstone (A Steady Rain), sound design by Peter Hylenski (Rock of Ages); choreography by Josh Prince, music supervision by Tim Weil, music direction by Andy Grobengieser, and orchestrations by Danny Troob & John Clancy.

Important Information for Kids’ Night Ticket Purchasers

KIDS’ NIGHT ON BROADWAY is The Broadway League’s program where kids ages 6 to 18 can see Broadway shows for free when accompanied by a full-paying adult. The program makes theatre accessible, encourages theatre as a form of family entertainment, and builds larger audiences for the future. Adults purchasing a full-priced “adult” ticket will receive one free ticket for a child up through age 18 to the same show. Complimentary tickets MUST be used by a child. Tickets must be purchased in multiples of two; each ticket prints at half-price. Theatre personnel may ask to see identification of child at the door. Every individual attending must have a ticket. Not valid on previously purchased tickets.

Maranda: Where You Live

Where You Live is a weekly half-hour program hosted by Maranda. Each week’s show features a combination of information, inspiration and insights for West Michigan parents. The show is taped in communities through out West Michigan and is about real family life. Where You Live looks at issues impacting families and explores local angles on a wide variety of topics ranging from potty training to puberty and fitness to family fun. Maranda is the recipient of three Gracie Allen Awards, a Lifetime Achievement Award from the American Women in Radio and Television West Michigan Chapter, an Emmy nomination and the Hope College Distinguished Alumni Award.

Grand Rapids Symphony Welcomes Jim Brickman, America’s Best-Selling Contemporary Solo Pianist, April 12

The Grand Rapids Symphony welcomes pianist Jim Brickman for a single performance on Tuesday, April 12, at 7:30 p.m. in DeVos Performance Hall.

With six Gold and Platinum albums to his credit, Brickman will perform with the Grammy®-nominated Symphony to present an evening of popular romantic piano and orchestral music. Brickman, who has collaborated with many gifted musical artists, has been said to revolutionize the sound of solo piano with his pop-style instrumentals.

The concert is part of the SymphonicBoom series, which is designed to bring world-class entertainers and outside-the-box programming to West Michigan.

Associate Conductor John Varineau will lead the Symphony in the performance featuring Brickman, who is the best-selling contemporary solo pianist in America. The program will include many of his chart-topping hits, including “Crossroads,” “If You Believe,” “Hero’s Dream,” “Valentine” and “The Gift.”

“We are delighted to welcome Jim Brickman for his first performance with the Grand Rapids Symphony,” Varineau said. “His lush, expressive playing pairs perfectly with symphonic music. He is a tremendously engaging performer who truly connects with his audience through his music. It should be an outstanding evening.”

With the release of his debut album “No Words” in 1984, Brickman’s signature style of playing and songwriting have established him as “America’s romantic piano sensation.” In addition to his two Grammy nominations and best-selling albums, he has 28 charted radio hits, recently tying for most number one CDs on Billboard’s New Age chart.

Brickman regularly collaborates with chart-topping performers in a wide range of musical genres, from Martina McBride and Lady Antbellum to Carly Simon and Herb Alpert. His well-received 2010 album, “Home,” featured an eclectic mix of performers, including American Idol Matt Giraud, Australian pop star Delta Goodrem and award-winning country singer Ty Herndon.

Brickman tours extensively, performing more than 125 concerts each year. In addition to his touring schedule, he has taped four concert specials for PBS, written two best-selling books and supported charity organizations focused on children. He also hosts a weekly radio show, “Your Weekend.”

Tickets start at $32.Tickets are available at the DeVos Place and Van Andel Arena box offices, 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, 800/982-2787, online at www.grsymphony.org, or in person at Ticketmaster outlets: select D&W Fresh Market, Family Fare Stores and WalMart. Tickets purchased at these locations will include a Ticketmaster service fee.

Thanks, West Michigan: Grand Rapids Symphony

Shows Appreciation to Community with Performances April 15 & 16

In appreciation for the generous support it has received from West Michigan throughout its 81-year history, the Grand Rapids Symphony is dedicating two performances in April to the community.

Guest conductor Andrew Grams and the Grand Rapids Symphony will present the community appreciation concert titled “Two Dons and Dvorak.” The performances, spotlighting the talents of Symphony musicians Nancy Steltmann, principal cello, and Leslie Van Becker, principal viola, will be held at DeVos Performance Hall on April 15 and 16 at 8 p.m. The concert is part of the Richard and Helen DeVos Classical Series.

As a thank you to the community, ticket prices have been significantly reduced for these performances. Tickets for adults are $18, seniors over the age of 62 are $9 and students are $5.

On the concert’s first half, the famous stories of two historic Dons – Quixote and Giovanni – will be brought to life through the power music. The overture to Mozart’s opera “Don Giovanni,” blends comedy and drama as it tells the story of the licentious Italian nobleman.

Strauss’ musical story of “Don Quixote” showcases Steltmann on cello representing the Spanish country gentleman and Van Becker on viola representing his long-suffering sidekick, Sancho Panza. This concert continues the Symphony’s tradition of featuring its musicians as soloists, inviting the audience to experience the breadth of talent possessed by individual Symphony members.

The evening’s performance will conclude with Dvorak’s Symphony No. 8, a cheery symphony in four movements influenced by the Bohemian folk music that the composer loved.

Grams has been called one of America’s most promising talented, young conductors. He began his career in Michigan at the age of 17, when he directed the World Youth Symphony Orchestra at Interlochen Arts Camp. He has appeared with many leading symphonies, including the Detroit Symphony Orchestra, Chicago Symphony, National Symphony Orchestra of Washington, D.C. the Melbourne Symphony and others. During the 2010-11 season, Grams – who is also an accomplished violinist – debuted with the BBC Symphony in London and performed with orchestras in Germany, Canada and the Netherlands.

Steltmann has been principal cellist of the Symphony since 1990. She came to the orchestra from New York City in 1980, where she was assistant principal. She holds bachelors and masters degrees from the Julliard School, and has performed in New York and throughout the Midwest as a guest artist.

Van Becker has been principal viola of the Symphony since 1978. In addition to her work with the Symphony, she performs in musical festivals, quartets and chamber orchestras. She holds a bachelor of music degree from the San Francisco Conservatory of Music and masters in music from the Yale University School of Music.

Tickets
Tickets are available at the DeVos Place and Van Andel Arena box offices, 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.

Jerry Seinfeld Returns to the Stage Live in Concert 2011

DeVos Performance Hall
Grand Rapids, MI

Due to popular demand, America’s premier comedian is hitting the road in a return to his first love—stand-up comedy. Hailed as “the master stand-up comic of his generation” and “the best comedian of our time” in a Washington Post article by Tom Shales, Seinfeld has an uncanny ability to joke about the little things in life that relate to audiences everywhere.

Seinfeld now sets his sights on performing his material across the country in 2011. His tour will visit Grand Rapids’ DeVos Performance Hall on June 9 at 7pm.

Tickets go on sale Friday, March 25 at 10am and are $47.50, $62.50, and $77.50. Tickets are available online at ticketmaster.com, all Ticketmaster outlets, DeVos Place and Van Andel Arena box offices or charge by phone 1-800-745-3000.

2011 Cottage & Lakefront Living Show - Grand Rapids FACT SHEET

Location: DeVos Place, 303 Monroe Ave NW, Grand Rapids, MI 49503; tel: 616-742-6500

Dates & Times:

Friday, March 25 - 3pm - 9pm

Saturday, March 26 - 10am - 9pm

Sunday, March 27 - 11am - 5pm

Admission:

Adults: $9.00

Children (6 – 14): $4.00

5 & Under: Free

24-Hour Info: 1-800-328-6550 or www.GRCottageShow.com.

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, charge by phone at 1.800.745.3000, or on-line at ticketmaster.com.

West Michigan’s only Show that’s completely devoted to the Cottage Lifestyle!

Hundreds of exhibitors! Architects and designers; lakefront builders; cedar and log home builders; boats, docks, and lifts; interior design and cottage-style furnishings; landscapers, home improvement and more.

Meet author Loreen Niewenhuis and hear about her 1000-Mile Walk on the Beach, a one-of-a-kind journey by foot around Lake Michigan.

Professional sand sculptor Janet Moore Schrader in the 1200 Sq. Foot “Monroe Street Beach”. Kids can “Storm the Castle” Sunday at 3:00 pm!

Shop the Lakefront Market Place with dozens of merchants selling all kinds of cool items for your cottage or home, and the Cottage Fine Art Show, featuring Michigan artists

Try out an awesome state-of-the-art Fishing Simulator all weekend long and get tips from expert anglers!

Free seminars all weekend on Cottage Succession Planning, Birding, Cottage Landscaping, Shoreline and Lake Conservation, and more.

Photographers and Graphic Designers Exhibit their Senior Theses in: Bling! Flash! Art! Part II

Wednesday April 13 to Thursday April 28, 2011

Opening Reception Thursday April 14, 2011

5 – 7 pm Skywalk Gallery DeVos Place

Refreshments will be served

All are invited to attend the second collaborative GVSU Senior Thesis Showcase, part of Grand Valley State University’s 50th Anniversary Celebration. This year’s show features 15 Photographers and 14 Graphic Designers, presenting a glimpse into their creative endeavors.

Bling! Flash! Art! opens Wednesday, April 13, and ends Thursday, April 28, 2011. Join artists on Thursday, April 14 from 5 - 7 p.m. on the Skywalk Gallery located at DeVos Place. Gallery hours are: Monday - Friday 7:30am - 5:30pm, and Saturday - Sunday 8:00am - 6:00pm. This event is FREE and open to the public.

Contributing Photographers in Bling! Flash! Art! are: Mark Andrus, Laura Carlson, Sarah DeBol, Paul Evans, Jacqueline Garner, Bri Goodyear, Kristina Jeluso, Sarah Laman, Andrew Peregoy, Alyssa Joye, Krystal Rauwerda, Alysha Rutkowski, Neal Sosnowski, Alexander Wiśniewski, and Lacey Wright.

Graphic Designers participating in Bling! Flash! Art! include: Katie Bajema, Jen Benson, Danielle Bernard, Elyse Flynn, Amanda French, Kelly Granbacka, Elise Hans, Meagan Krueger, Stephanie LeMire, Liz Marchetta, Lissa Marques, Tim Montie, Mike Schulz, and Ellen Yee.

For more information, please contact:

Victoria Veenstra: 616.331.3957

Chitra Gopalakrishnan: 616.331.8164

Performing Arts Center Gallery: 616.331.2564

West Michigan’s best fishing boat deals are at the Ultimate Sport Show—Grand Rapids, March 17 to 20

Recession’s end sparks a “whole new ball game”

Area boat dealers will be angling for buyers when they bring scores of new boats, all rigged for fishing fun, to the Ultimate Sport Show—Grand Rapids, March 17 to 20 at DeVos Place, 303 Monroe Ave. NE.

Major boat and motor manufacturers will offer incentives that include cash rebates, extended warranties, special discounts and easy dealer financing.

The recession’s end means the end of distressed boat sales, including bank repos, which flooded the market with too many boats. All models in the Ultimate Sport Show are new, and most are of 2011 vintage.

“It’s a whole new ball game,” said Jeff Helms of Camp & Cruise in Marne. “Because buyers are used to great deals, though, no one is raising prices. In fact, there’s never been a better time to buy a new boat, motor and trailer, all tricked-out for fishing or cruising.”

New boats coming to Grand Rapids include specialty bass and walleye rigs, pontoons, river steelhead packages from the West Coast, offshore trolling models and others. Dealers in the show have details about 2011 factory-rebate programs, many of which expire at the end of March, and other special buying incentives.

Fully-rigged dealer boat packages save buyers $$

The long recession prompted dealers to cut back on factory orders, which meant customers couldn’t always get what they wanted in customized, ready-to-fish packages.

That period is over.

“Today’s best value lies in fully-rigged boats,” Helms added, “because they save customers 10 to 15 percent over buying separately a trailer, trolling motor, sonar electronics and other fishing accessories.”

Many dealers customize factory-delivered packages, which typically include the boat, motor and trailer but not electronics or trolling motors. “We’re the experts,” said Jeff Uetrecht of Lake Drive Marine in Coldwater. “We know how to trick out a boat with the correct components. In that sense we’re like a housing contractor with all the options and answers. Tell us what you want on your boat, and we’ll get it.”

Kevin Matteson of Matteson Marine in Shelbyville agrees. “We know how to correctly rig fishing packages because everyone in our company is an avid angler,” Matteson said.

Randy VanDam, owner of D & R Sports in Kalamazoo, said customers can add custom features to their boat package and include the cost in their financing deal. “It makes sense, VanDam said, “to get what you want now and save the increased labor costs later.”

New lines coming to Grand Rapids

Here are the boats, along with examples of hot deals from each dealer, listed alphabetically:

Camp & Cruise
Helms is bringing mostly small, entry-level fishing rigs. Lines include Sea Arc, Roughneck welded johnboats from Lowe, Wooldridge welded river boats from the West Coast, along with several Ultracraft models and Crest fishing pontoons.

Hot Deal: A 16-foot Ultracraft Model 166 side-console, three-seater with 40 hp Mercury 4-stroke motor, trailer, spare tire, vinyl-EZ clean floor, big-screen fish finder and bow-mounted trolling motor for $13,999.

D & R Sports takes the wraps off Tracker aluminum fishing boats, Triton and Nitro bass boats and Quest pontoons. VanDam said current Tracker boat packages cost as much as $5,000 less than similar offerings last year. “With deals like this, the company is looking to blow the competition out of the water,” VanDam said.

Hot deal: Tracker Pro Guide 175 with Mercury 90 hp engine, trailer, electric trolling motor and fish finder for $14,920.

Double L Bait & Marine in Vicksburg debuts D 3 aluminum boats and pontoons that are well-made and moderately priced. With 25 new craft in inventory, owner Danielle Kinder said delivery wait time is only a week or four to six weeks for special factory orders.

Hot Deal: G3 Suncatcher 188 fishing pontoon with a Yamaha 4-stroke 75 hp engine for $15,300.

Lake Drive Marine in Coldwater unveils new Skeeter bass boats, high-end Cypress Kay pontoons and hand-crafted Phoenix bass boats. Workers at the Tennessee factory concentrate on fit, finish and detail while building only 300 Phoenix craft each year.

Hot Deal: Cypress Kay Model 220 Cozumel luxury pontoon with 150 hp Mercury Verado 4-stroke super-charged engine (top speed is 33 mph) for $30,500 (sticker prize is $35,900), including cover and mooring bumpers.

Matteson Marine is bringing Alumacraft, Lund and Ranger bass and walleye boats to Grand Rapids with Lund and Alumacraft rebates good until the end of March.

Hot Deals: Alumacraft Classic Model 165 CS with 50 hp 4-stroke Yamaha engine, 20-gallon built-in fuel tank and 34-gallon livewell. The $13,695 package includes a $500 rebate, Trailmaster custom trailer with spare tire, 55 lb. MinnKota trolling motor and Hummingbird depth finder. The Model 145 CS with 25 hp Yamaha starts at $8,095.

Sportfisherman’s Center in Muskegon presents fully-rigged boats by Lund and Alumacraft from 16 to 20 feet. Until the end of March, buyers can get up to $1,200 rebates on certain models along with extended warranties at no added cost.

Hot deals: 16-foot Alumacraft johnboat with 25 hp Mercury 4-stroke and trailer for $8,995 and a 16-ft. Lund with 50 hp Mercury 4-stroke, electric trolling motor, fishing graph and trailer for $14,985. The latter deal includes a $700 rebate, free boat cover and extra seat and pedestal.

Bottom line: You can see these special offerings, and many more, at the Ultimate Sport Show. If a new, ready-to-fish boat package is in your future, the time to pull the trigger on the deal of the decade is March 17 to 20.

Show hours at DeVos Place are Thursday, from 3:00 PM to 9:30 PM; Friday, from 11:00 AM to 9:30 PM; Saturday from 10:00 AM to 9:00 PM; and Sunday 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.