It's Been A Good Year

Jeff Hill
Local Publisher

The Artists of 1111 Godfrey — I always wondered what was going on behind that red door at that place, and had no idea there was like an artist's colony there.

I also liked Parking Day.

Daniel Schoonmaker
Managing Editor

The Birth of Michigan's Best Burlesque -- because it shows a different side of West Michigan that most people wouldn't think is there 

Everyone Should Be Polish -- I'm very proud of this story. I set out to redefine one of Grand Rapids' signature events and shine light on a pretty interesting part of the city's historical neighborhoods.

RGTV: Parking Day -- This is what I think Internet video should be all about. Putting people in the scene. When I watched it I really felt like I should run on down there.

Brian Kelly
Managing Photographer

Always in Gear: The GR Fixie Scene

The Artists of 1111 Godfrey

Photo Essay: GR from the Sky

A Conversation with Kevin Murphy

From Linkoping with Love 

Deborah Johnson Wood
Development News Editor

Here are my faves, in order:

1. What’s a Bicyclist To Do – I love the politics of this piece and the way this guy writes is so refreshing.

2. The Doctor Is In – From Zimbabwe – Grand Rapids becomes more global.

3. Always in Gear: The GR Fixie Scene – this is just fun.

4. Making the Sky Shine – love those high-rise window washers — just like the big city.

5. Map to the Mac – the story of Grand Rapids mac and cheese.

Andy Dragt
RGTV Editor

I love the story and the photography on the fixie piece. It highlights a bike culture from multiple angles and levels, not just the hardcore fixie freaks ;)

If I'm supposed to pick my favorite video, I vote for Wealthy at Charles.

Tommy Allen
Lifestyle Editor

I did something a little different. Here are the top six events that came out of West Michigan this year. I wrote about a number of them, but my columns don't live on in perpetuity, so you're not going to find all of them on the site. 

6. Mates of State - The best concert that almost nobody saw. This Calvin College Fine Arts auditorium show proved that the wall of sound is still alive and has a place in modern pop music.

5. Rob Bliss Urban Experiments - Zombie Walk & Pillow Fight - Thousands of people would haunt me if I did not point out what a blast these free downtown events are for attendees.

4. Grand Raggidy Roller Girls - A city with girls that roll hard, play hard and have the battle scars to prove is a good thing for West Michigan.

3. Wealthy Theatre - This jewel of the city proves over and over again why they are the best theatre around. Their diverse programming abilities have included the Meanwhile's Repertory Film Series, Super Happy Funtime Burlesque and A Winter's Tune cast of performers including the Now & New holiday classic performed by Chance Jones.

2. Rothbury Festival - In an unpublished interview with creator Jeremy Stein of Madison House, he revealed the reason for West Michigan as his choice for the U.S.'s first green music festival was because of our national reputation as a leader in green building. (His big city friends were shocked.) If they hadn't had a body count at the end of the event, they would clearly have been number one. This was the festival to crack it wide open. Ask anyone who was there.

1. International Sculpture Conference / Activesite IV (tie) - At no time in the history of the city has a weekend packed so much art and art themed events in such a short window of time. As the record crowds show, we connected as a community that believes in the power of art. The number one comment made by attendees of this international event, "We had no idea Grand Rapids had this much going on." Take a
bow, you earned it by being a part of it.