The Radio City Christmas Spectacular is unapologetically exuberant, relentlessly radiant and shamelessly uplifting.

In other words, the extravaganza is precisely the type of escapist entertainment that we all could use right about now. The 90 minute spectacular, starring the world-famous Radio City Rockettes, completely envelops the audience with infectious holiday cheer. Only a bonafide Grinch would be able to resist the sparkling costumes, brilliantly choreographed dance routines and charming glamour of the Rockettes.

The dancers appeared Wednesday night for a sold-out show at Van Andel Arena. Some tickets remain for two shows Thursday. The multimillion-dollar production will hit arenas in 18 cities throughout the Midwest and South.

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Continue reading "Rockettes 'Christmas Spectacular' packed with dancing, holiday cheer, special effects" »

Another coup for the Waterfront Film Festival: Organizers got the stamp of approval from the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences to host an official Oscar-night party on Feb. 22.

The party will be one of only three in the Midwest, along with events in Detroit and Chicago. Guests will watch the Oscar ceremony on a big screen and receive official programs. A venue and ticket details have yet to be announced.

The party will provide a fundraising opportunity for WFF; the 11th festival will take place June 11-14, 2009.

More information can be found at the Waterfront Web site.

E-mail John Serba: jserba@grpress.com

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GRAND RAPIDS -- What happens when a world-famous dance troupe shrugs off its namesake venue and takes its show on the road?

The Radio City Christmas Spectacular finds the iconic Radio City Rockettes stepping out of the Big Apple and hitting arena stages across the country on a large-scale holiday tour.

This 18-city venture throughout the Midwest and South marks the first arena tour for the company, which typically performs only in theater settings.

Continue reading "Rockettes leave famed Radio City for performance in Grand Rapids as part of first arena tour" »

Continue reading "Savion Glover's style of tap dance is 'a gift to all who encounter it'" »

GRAND RAPIDS -- Halloween is a decidedly nonfreaky affair for Tantric lead singer Hugo Ferreira. Mostly, he said, it involves sitting around and hoping trick-or-treaters don't ring his doorbell.

"I do like Halloween a lot, mostly because I can buy lots of candy and my girlfriend won't yell at me because it's for the kids," he said, calling from a recent tour stop. "But I really don't pass it out -- I just eat it all myself."

OK, hoarding candy -- not freaky. Fair enough. But what about costumes?

"We've been contemplating doing something weird for Halloween," Ferreira said. "We're all into 'Star Wars,' so we might do Tantric in 'Star Wars' gear."

Continue reading "Halloween Freak Show features in-your-face bands, bizarre talent" »

GRAND RAPIDS -- In old Westerns, the good guys wore white hats, and the bad guys were dressed in black.

On the editorial pages of hundreds of newspapers that carry Pat Oliphant's syndicated cartoons, the bad guys generally are drawn big, and the good guys appear smaller.

But consider how President George W. Bush fits into Oliphant's cartoon world.

"I made him normal size for the first year or two," he said. "And then he went down to his proper size."

Continue reading "Hope College to display Oliphant's cartoons, sculptures of President Bush" »

Updated 10-23-08

Here's your guide to spooky spots, ghoulish parties and family-friendly fall activities planned in West Michigan:

• Scary spots
• Family activities
• Adult parties

SCARY SPOTS
The Haunt
Where: 2070 Waldorf Ave. NW, Walker
Spooky scoop: One of the largest and most popular haunted attractions in West Michigan has expanded its indoor and outdoor attractions. The Haunt features dozens of professionally designed sets and rooms. Outside, "The Dark Maze: Get Lost in the Fear" is even bigger this year. The Haunt also has a new attraction, "Claustrophobia." Not recommended for children younger than 10.
When: Open 6:30-9:30 p.m. Sundays, 6:30-11:30 p.m. Fridays-Saturdays, 6:30-9:30 p.m. various weekdays. Call/go online for complete schedule.
Cost: $14-$30
More info: 791-9818, the-haunt.com

Continue reading "Guide to West Michigan Halloween parties, activities" »

Members of the Japanese Taiko Group from Bowling Green State University, Ohio, play the drums during the second annual Japan Festival Sunday at the Japanese Cultural Center and Tea House.

Follow the 'continue' link below for additional photos.

Continue reading "Japan Festival continues for second year despite wet weekend weather" »