Gonzo's Top 5
John D. Gonzalez
The Grand Rapids Press, August 5, 2004 Weekend p. 2
Who says summer almost is over?
There's still time to munch on one more elephant ear. -- Celebrating its 70th
year, the Kent County Youth Fair in Lowell begins Saturday with animal-judging.
Officially, it kicks off Monday and runs through Aug. 14. Attractions include
carnival rides, animal exhibitions and competitions, live music and other
entertainment. For details, call 897-6050 or go online, www.kcfg.org.
-- The Newaygo County Agricultural Fair celebrates youth and agriculture,
beginning with animal competitions on Sunday and continuing with grandstand
events Monday night through Aug. 14 in Fremont. Events include autocross racing,
a demolition derby and tractor pulls. For details, call (231) 924-4450 or go
online, www.newaygocountyfair.org.
-- Music fans might want to check out JazzFest in Lansing, which is celebrating
its 10th year with the Tyrone Johnson Quintet, T.S. Monk and the Lansing
Symphony Big Band. Shows will take place from 5 p.m. to midnight Friday and 11
a.m. to midnight Saturday on two stages at Turner and East Grand River. For
details, call (517) 371- 4600 or go online, www.jazzlansing.com.
Now, let's get to the Top Five.
5. Justin Guarini.
The guy with the hair, the smile and energy to burn, Justin Guarini
is performing select dates throughout the country, supporting his self-titled,
debut album. His appearance at 2 p.m. Sunday in Woodland Shopping Center is part
of "Project Makeover," in which two kids and two adults will be given
makeovers and be part of a fashion show.
Guarini --
best known as runner up to Kelly Clarkson on the first season of Fox-TV's
"American Idol" -- is expected to perform several songs from his CD.
An autograph session will follow at 3 p.m. at the customer-service desk.
Admission is free.
In a brief interview earlier in the week, Guarini
said he'll perform a couple of songs from his CD. "The most important thing
about these events is just to get out and see the people who have supported me
and gotten me to where I am right now," he said. "I could care less
about the songs, it's about getting out and saying 'hi.' "
4. Vietnam Memorial Moving Wall. This 252-foot memorial is a 50 percent replica
of the wall in Washington, D.C. , and will be on display this weekend at the
airport just north of White Cloud off M- 37 as part of Homecoming and Pow Wow
Days. Closing ceremonies for the Vietnam Memorial Moving Wall are at 6 p.m.
Sunday.
As for other events, Homecoming Days feature a variety of community festivities
Friday and Saturday, including a dance and fireworks on Friday night, a parade
at 10 a.m. Saturday and the Pow Wow at 1 and 6 p.m. Saturday and 1 p.m. Sunday.
Have fun in White Cloud.
3. "GI Jive." Do you like music from the Big Band-era? Hope Summer
Repertory at Hope College features "G.I. Jive," a musical about three
soldiers heading off to war. Some '40s standards, such as "Boogie Woogie
Bugle Boy," "Chattanooga Choo Choo," "Sentimental
Journey" and "In the Mood," are included in the show, which also
features lively choreography.
Performances, held in DeWitt Center, Columbia Avenue at 12th Street, Holland,
continue at 8 p.m. Saturday, Tuesday, Aug. 12 and 14. Tickets are $8 to $25 at
the box office; call (616) 395-7890.
2. "Beauty and the Beast." Tickets are selling so well for The Barn
Theatre's Broadway version of "Beauty and the Beast," additional shows
have been added to the run, which continues this weekend through Aug. 22 at the
Augusta playhouse. Danyelle Bossardet, who portrayed Belle on Broadway tours of
the show, reprises the role on The Barn stage.
The play also features Rockford's Guy LeMonnier, who plays Gaston and starred in
several productions at Community Circle Theatre before heading to New York.
Performances are 8:30 p.m. Tuesday through Friday, 6 and 9 p.m. Saturdays and 5
p.m. Sundays at The Barn Theatre, M-96 west of Augusta. Tickets, $25-$27.50, are
available 10 a.m.-10 p.m. at the box office; call (269) 731-4121.
1. Coast Guard Festival. The annual Coast Guard Festival wraps up with plenty of
entertainment and a big parade this weekend in Grand Haven: ship tours, an arts
and crafts fair, plus mainstage entertainment at Waterfront Stadium, including
the U.S. Coast Guard Band at 8 p.m. Friday.
The big parade is at noon Saturday; the grand fireworks display is at dusk
Saturday. For more on the Coast Guard Festival, turn to page 4. Or call (888)
207-2434, or go online, www.ghcgfest.org.
Have a great, safe weekend.
Call Press Entertainment Editor John Gonzalez at 222-5685 or e- mail him at
jgonzalez@grpress.com.