ON THE TOWN

The Arts and Entertainment Magazine of West Michigan

2009 Festival Literary Award Guidelines

by Joanne Bailey

Tuesday December 02, 2008, 4:59 PM

Please note: Submissions not following the guidelines may be disqualified from the competition.

All entries must be postmarked February 27, 2009 or hand delivered to the On-the-Town office, 2141 Port Sheldon Road, Jenison, by 4 p.m. February 27, 2009.

The categories are Adult Fiction, 1,500 words or less, Non-Adult Fiction, 1,500 words or less, and Poetry.

Under each category are the following divisions: Adult, 19 and over; Young Adult, ages 13 to 18, and Children, 12 and under.

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The Buzz

by Various

Tuesday December 02, 2008, 2:52 PM

Walking with Dinosaurs

Roaring and snarling are by-products of the holiday season. But there's an altogether different breed getting hostile in Grand Rapids as The Van Andel Arena plays host to fifteen life-size dinosaurs in the prehistoric panorama Walking With Dinosaurs. The spectacular theatrical production, based on the award-winning BBC television series, is "so immense it could only fit in arenas," said Carmen Pavlovic of The Creature Production Company.

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Did She Say Free?

by Joanne N. Bailey

Tuesday December 02, 2008, 2:49 PM

The economy stinks. So now that we have cleared the air, I vote we all spread a little cheer. West Shore Symphony Orchestra is certainly doing that with its offer to area students to attend any of its classical concerts for free. Kalamazoo's Whole Art Theatre has instituted a "Pay What You Can Thursdays," where for a minimum of $5, patrons can view the opening night of each of the main stage shows in the Epic Center.

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A Rose for the Holiday

by Nicole Corley

Tuesday December 02, 2008, 2:46 PM

Michigan native Rosie Thomas and crew, including her new hubby, share the season's cheer with a concert at Calvin's Ladies Literary Club.

What to give your friends for Christmas? Something thoughtful, something inexpensive.

Hmmm... Many Christmases ago, Rosie Thomas sat with a friend in her Seattle apartment asking this same question. They decided to throw together a Christmas album, which, of course, their friends loved. Years later, when Thomas's friend Sufjan Stevens put out his Christmas album, she asked him what inspired him, and he reminded her of the gift she had given him so long ago. Then she realized that nowadays, she has a lot more people to share a Christmas album with.

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Random Musical Notes

by Joanne N. Bailey

Tuesday December 02, 2008, 2:44 PM

Holiday Hoedown

Heard "Little Drummer Boy" to the point you want to smash the drum? Swap your "bah, humbugs" for "yee-haws!" with a little down-home country fun provided by Trailer Choir, which rolls into The Intersection December 18. You'll certainly be having a merry old time as Butter and Crystal belt out the tunes while Big Vinny dances to such originals as "Off the Hillbilly Hook" and "Rockin' the Beer Gut." Here's an early Christmas present to boot: advance tickets are $4.93. At the door, the price becomes $8.

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In Session

by Various

Tuesday December 02, 2008, 2:41 PM

Sacred Space
Diane Penning

Finally there is a recording that captures just how beautiful Diane Penning's voice really is. A mixture of classic sacred music and favorite songs and spirituals, you can't help but be moved by Penning from the opening "O Magnum Mysterium" to the finale, a haunting rendition of "Sweet Little Jesus Boy," that had me hitting the replay button quite a few times. Another track not to miss is composer Nicholas Palmer's arrangement of "Gloria," which features Palmer, violinist Cameron Warne, and flutist Karen Betz performing on a Griewahn flute. The light, playfulness of the flute against the piano and violin evoke delightful images of laughter and dance.

If you're looking for a little escape from all that is happening in the world right now or just want something to sooth the soul this holiday season, I think Sacred Space would certainly fit the bill. A-
Joanne N. Bailey

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Pressing Issues

by Various

Tuesday December 02, 2008, 2:36 PM

Life With My Sister Madonna
Christopher Ciccone

Uh-oh! It looks like the woman who has written children's books with themes of sharing and kindness doesn't practice what she preaches, according to her brother Christopher, who ought to know. His many roles included backup dancer, personal assistant, dresser, decorator, art director, and tour director--not to mention proverbial whipping boy. Competitive spirit and overbearing behavior aside, there are some real fascinating facts inside, such as Madonna's search for a man to father her unborn child in the "Daddy Chair" scenario and her continual estrangement from the gay community and fan base. Does he kiss and tell on Madonna's behalf? Sure. And his take on Madonna's relationship with Sean Penn? "The wedding day sets the tone for the entire marriage: Sean running around with a gun, and Madonna smiling radiantly at the cameras." Even Guy Ritchie gets his time on the chopping block when the author relates, "the advent of Guy in Madonna's life is the death knell for my relationship with her." Continue reading "Pressing Issues" »