South Haven, Mi "Choco-Mania "

Date: Saturday, February 12, 2011
Start Time: 9:00 am End Time: 3:00 pm

Category: South Haven Events

Here are the details:

9-3pm
1st. Congregational Church--651 Phoenix
Contact: 1-269-637-5062

This is one of the winter's most popular event--chocolate-chocolate & more chocolate! This is a fundraiser for the Al-Van Humane Society. Fill a plate with delicious chocolates.

St Joseph, Mi. "Magical Ice Carving Festival "

Date: Friday, February 11-13, 2011


Category: West Michigan Coastal Surrounding Areas

Here are the details:

Downtown St. Joseph
February 11-13, 2011

Weekend Line-Up

Friday, February 11th

12 Noon - 8pm Professional Ice Carving - Watch Professional ice sculptors turn blocks of ice into beautiful creations along State St.

7 p.m. Fire & Ice Opening Ceremony - Pleasant St and Lake Blvd. across from Schu's. Look for the Schu's & Miller Lite Hospitality tent on Pleasant st. The Fire & Ice tower will be located near the tent in the vacant WCA lot.

Saturday, February 12th


12 noon - 5p.m. Professional Team Carving Competition (Sanctioned by the National Ice Carving Association)

7:30 pm Heart-Warming Entertainment & Team Carving Awards Ceremony


6 - 10 p.m. Ice Skating - Bring your sweetie to the John and Dede Howard Ice Arena for outdoor skating and indoor amenities. Fee: $5 per person and $3 skate rental.

7:30 p.m. Cool Tunes with the Southwestern Michigan Symphony Orchestra - Visit www.smso.org for more information.

Saturday, February 12th- For Kids!
10 - 11:30 a.m. Krasl Art Center Magic Show - Magician John Dudley will begin at 10:00 a.m. sharp...make tie-dyed inspired snowflakes, cocoa and cookies available.

11:30 a.m. - 2:30 p.m. Maud Preston Palenske Library Magic & Stories - Magician John Dudley will perform at 11:30 a.m. for thirty minutes only. Spoon snowmen, crown decorating, removable winter tattoos and story times. Box lunches available for purchase.

2:30 - 4 p.m. Curious Kids' Museum & Discovery Zone Crafts & Magic - Soap carvings, snowflake crafts and Magician John Dudley at 2:30 p.m. More snowmen crafts at the new Discovery Zone at Silver Beach below the bluff.

Don't forget to take a ride on the Carousel for just $2 per ride below the bluff!!


THANK YOU TO ALL OF OUR MANY SPONSORS!!!

Fenn Valley Vineyards Presents " Girls Afternoon Out"

Date: Saturday, February 5, 2011
Start Time: 11:00 am End Time: 2:00 pm

Location: Fenn Valley Vineyards

Category: West Michigan Coastal Surrounding Areas

Here are the details:

At different dates throughout the year you can join us as a chef treats you to a fun and informative "cooking seminar".

Chef Christine Ferris will present "All About Cupcakes".

Following the demonstration, participants will enjoy a brunch complete with assorted wines.

$30/pp includes lunch, wine, tax and tip. 11-2pm. Reservations required.

Location Details

Fenn Valley Vineyards
6130 122ND AVE
FENNVILLE MI 49408

South Haven "Ice Breaker 2011"

Date: Friday, February 4, 2011 -Sunday Feb. 6, 2011.


Category: South Haven Events

Here are the details:

Downtown South Haven
Contact: 269.637.5171

Friday, Feb. 4, 2011

Learn to Curl
Presented by the South Haven Ice Rink
2:00pm Adults
3:00pm Children
Admission & skate rental are FREE!

All You Can Eat Knights of Columbus Fish Dinner
Fundraiser for Knights of Columbus
St. Basil’s Church, 513 Monroe Boulevard
Adults $8, Children 6-12 $4, 5 and under no charge
5:00pm - 7:30pm

Mardi Gras Dinner
Fundraiser for the 20th Annual Harborfest 2011
Costume Contest, Beads, Face Painting, & 50/50 Raffles
South Haven Moose Lodge Family Center, 1025 E. Wells St.
Advance ticket purchase available in South Haven at
Captain Nemo’s, the Chamber, and the Visitors Bureau
Tickets $20 or 2 for $35, includes dinner, Cajun music
& entertainment. Alcoholic beverages not included.
6:30pm Dinner served

Movie: March of the Penguins
Presented by the Michigan Maritime Museum
260 Dyckman Avenue
Admission is FREE
7:00pm

Wagon Wheels a-Rollin’
Presented by Our Town Players S. H. Area Community Theater
Listiak Auditorium, 600 Elkenburg Street
Adults $12, Senior Citizens & Students $10,
Children under 12 $6
7:30pm

Sat, Feb 5, 2011

Ice Carving Competition
Presented by Downtown South Haven
8:00am Carving begins downtown
1:00pm Judging , carvings on display through Sunday

Pancake Breakfast
Senior Services of Van Buren County
Warren Center, 540 Williams Street
Adults $6, Children 6-12 $3, 5 & under no charge
8:00am - 12:00pm

Breakfast with Ronald McDonald
Presented by McDonald’s Restaurants of South Haven
1025 Lagrange Street
Time TBA

Learn to Skate
Presented by the South Haven Ice Rink
10:00am Children
11:00am Adults
Admission & skate rental are FREE!

Movie: Ice Breaker Mackinaw
Presented by the Michigan Maritime Museum
260 Dyckman Avenue
Movie Duration: 1hour; Admission is FREE
10:00am and 2:00pm

SDA Performing Company
“Tide Breakers” & “Tappin' Seniorettes”
Presented by Shoreline Dance Academy
Warren Center, 540 Williams Street at 10:30am, and
Foundry Hall, 422 Eagle Street at 1:00pm

Walrus Picnic
Presented by the South Haven Memorial Library
314 Broadway Street
Admission is FREE for kids of all ages!
10:30am - 12:00pm

Amateur Chili Cook-Off
Presented by We Care INC at Foundry Hall
422 Eagle Street
Experience the creations of amateur chili chefs
Taste samples are 25 cents each for your judging
11:00am - 1:00pm

Warm Your Toes At Stepping Stones Open House
Fundraiser for Stepping Stones Association
319 Hogan’s Alley
Admission is FREE, donations accepted
11:00am - 3:00pm

Bitter-Sweet Acres Wagon Rides
Complimentary Rides Sponsored by Chemical Bank
Rides begin at Chemical Bank’s drive- thru on Center St.
12:00pm - 4:00pm

Professional Chili Cook-off
Presented by Downtown South Haven Establishments
Stop by for free chili samples for your judging
12:00pm - 3:00pm
Professional Chili Cook-Off Participants
Café Julia Subs-N-More
Thirsty Perch
Joe’s Bar & Grill
Amicarelli Vineyard
The Depot
Captain Lou’s
S.H. Yacht Club
Clementine’s Saloon
Elks Club
Captain Nemo’s
Kilwin’s
Nature’s Country Cupboard
Phoenix Street Café

Winter Deck Party 2011
Presented by the South Haven Yacht Club
401 Williams Street
12:00pm - 4:00pm

Icicles and Snowflakes
Presented by the South Haven Center for the Arts
600 Phoenix Street
Kid’s arts and crafts; Admission is FREE
12:00pm - 2:00p

Skating Performances by the Greater Kalamazoo
Skating Association & Skaters Edge of West Michigan
Presented by the South Haven Ice Rink
1:30pm and 3:30pm

“Ice”tacular Science Adventures with Dr. Rick Olsen
Presented by the South Haven Memorial Library
314 Broadway
Admission is FREE
2:30pm - 3:30pm

Ice Breaker Champions Awards Reception
Presented by the South Haven Center for the Arts
600 Phoenix Street

Ice Carving, Professional Chili Cook-Off, and Amateur Chili
Cook-Off awards announced
5:30pm - 7:00pm

Vegas Night with Texas Hold ‘Em
Fundraiser for the 20th Annual Harborfest 2011
South Haven Moose Lodge Family Center, 1025 E. Wells St.
Advance ticket purchase available in South Haven at
Captain Nemo’s, the Chamber, and Visitors Bureau
6:00pm Doors open
7:00pm Play begins

Red Sea Pedestrians
Presented by Foundry Hall
422 Eagle Street
Cover Charge $10
7:00pm

Wagon Wheels a-Rollin’
Presented by Our Town Players S. H. Area Community Theater
Listiak Auditorium, 600 Elkenburg Street
Adults $12, Senior Citizens & Students $10,
Children under 12 $6
7:30pm

Glenn, Mi 'Winter Commmunity Market'

Date: Saturday, January 29, 2011
Start Time: 9:00 am End Time: 2:00 pm

Category: West Michigan Coastal Surrounding Areas

Here are the details:
Takes place on January 22 and 29 and February 5, 12, 19, & 26 from 9 am to 2 pm. The market will be at the Glenn Community Center 6953 114th Avenue, Glenn, MI.

The farmers of the area are coming together to sell the best products of their harvest including eggs, honey/maple syrup, jams/jellies, frozen fruits, cider, baked goods, speciality breads, and more. Enjoy sitting by the fireplace, meeting new people, finding the produce that was grown locally here in Michigan, not to mention some great baked and handmade goods.

Contact Susan Poolman at qnetservice@live.com

Sky Hempy Keyboard Series-Deborrah Wyndham

Date: Sunday, January 30, 2011
Start Time: 2:00 pm


Location: Saugatuck Center For The Arts

Category: Saugatuck & Douglas Events

Here are the details:

Deborrah Wyndham / Jazz + Classical

$10 – / Children FREE

The Sky Hempy Keyboard Series returns with a new home – the SCA’s renovated “Bob & Bobbie Lobby”! The lobby’s outstanding acoustics and warm ambiance are the ideal compliment to this informal keyboard series featuring a range of riveting musicians, Sunday afternoons in January, February, and March.

As always, children are free of charge – this is an ideal way to introduce young pianists to engaging live music (in an “I can sit through it” format).

The Series kicks off with pianist/composer Deborrah Wyndham who has delighted listeners in over 2,700 shows during the last ten years. Described by her jazz peers as "a cross between Liberace and Bill Evans", her live performances are a fusion of contemporary classical and jazz. See why critics say she, "...radiates with the soulfulness of jazz...there is a crystalline elegance to her playing."

Series sponsored by Rex Hempy, Alan McPhail
sc4a.org

Location Details

Saugatuck Center For The Arts
400 Culver St
Saugatuck MI 49453

Location Phone: 269-857-2399

Orchid Show

Date: Saturday, January 22, 2011
Start Time: 12:00 pm End Time: 5:00 pm


Location: Meijer Gardens

Category: West Michigan Coastal Surrounding Areas

Here are the details:

Saturday, January 22 & Sunday, January 23
Free admission to show

DISPLAYS: 12–5 pm Saturday and Sunday
SALES: 9 am–5 pm Saturday, 11 am–5 pm Sunday

Special Photographers’ Hour 11 am-12 pm Sunday
Come early to photograph some of the most beautiful and unusual orchids in the show.

Escape the cold and enjoy stunning displays of orchids and incredible orchid blooms at the annual Orchid Show, a collaboration with the Grand Valley Orchid Society. Purchase orchids directly from the growers, attend a free lecture, pose for a picture in front of the orchid pyramid and enjoy displays of floral arrangements and photography. Unique to the show are tours at 2 pm both days, an orchid scavenger hunt and an art station where kids can express their creativity (1–4 pm both days).

ORCHID TALKS:
Saturday
1 pm How to Select and Care for an Orchid
2 pm Orchid Repotting Made Easy
3 pm What’s Bugging Your Orchids?

Sunday
1 pm How to Select and Care for an Orchid
2 pm Orchid Repotting Made Easy
3 pm Orchids for Beginners

Location Details

Meijer Gardens
1000 E Beltline Ave NE
Grand Rapids Mi 49525

Location Contact: 616-957-1580

13th Annual Chili Cook-off and Wine Lover’s Potluck

Date: Saturday, January 22, 2011
Start Time: 1:00 pm
(Time Zone: US/Eastern)

Location: Fenn Valley Vineyards

Category: West Michigan Coastal Surrounding Areas

Here are the details:

During the bitter cold of winter, on January 22nd, the chill is going to thaw at Fenn Valley’s 13th annual Chili Cook-off. Last year over 750 people gathered to enjoy some fine wine and taste the chilies and other great appetizers.

This year we are again challenging you to dust-off your soup pot and bring your secret recipe out to compete for the awards of Best Chili in each category. For those of you who do not wish to participate in the cook-off, we invite you to bring a pot of chili or an appetizer to be included in our “wine lover’s potluck”.

We have changed the categories - they are based on the type of meat, if any, used in the recipe. There are now four categories: "Four Legs" (beef & pork), "Two Legs" (fowl), "Vegetarian" (no meat), and "Exotic" (seafood and wild game, including venison). Hopefully this new system will allow for more entries as well as make the judging easier and more consistent.

Contestants must pre-register their chilies prior to the event (accepted Jan 1) and submit their chili entry between 1:00 and 2:00 pm on the day of the event. The judging will begin at 2:00 sharp and should be concluded by 3:00 pm. We are fortunate to have been able to secure the talents of some local chefs and instructors from the culinary arts school of Grand Rapids Community College to serve as our panel of judges.


For those non-contestants, the “wine lover’s potluck” will begin at 2:00 pm. During the potluck, everyone will be able to enjoy the chilies from the cook-off, the appetizers and chilies provided by the non-contestants, and a selection of new wines from the past vintage.

We are also pleased to include the musical talents of Natchez Trace for your enjoyment. They play classic popular favorites and have performed at a number of our Summer Evening Cookouts and Open House events during the past three or four years.

The cost of admission will be either a chili entry per family, or a favorite appetizer or pot of chili for the potluck. Last year we received some complaints about not enough food and chili. Remember, this is your party - we provide the venue and the entertainment, you provide the food. If you want to eat chili, then bring chili. You do not have to enter a chili in the contest to bring a chili! In addition to your food, we will be making some of our newest wines available for your enjoyment: Pinot Grigio, Riesling, Meritage 2009, and the Late Harvest Seyval 2010.


Be sure to take advantage of the big savings at our annual cellar clearance sale – 3 bottles for the price of 2. Select wines to be announced in December.

All three bottles must be the same wine, no mix’n matching, please. While supplies last, some items are in short supply – no “rain checks”. The cellar clearance sale runs from 11-5 on Saturday January 22 and 12:30-5 on Sunday January 23 only. Telephone and mail orders are accepted, provided pickup or shipment occurs by February 1, 2011.


All chilies MUST pre-register. Call (269) 561-2396

Categorization of chili is determined as follows:

If your chili contains any animal that walks on 4 legs, it will be placed in the "4 legs" category.
If your chili contains any animal with 2 legs, it will be placed in the "2 legs" category.
If your chili contains no meat or any animal with no legs, it will be placed in the "Vegetarian" category.
If your chili contains seafood or wild game (including venison),it will be placed in the "Exotic" category.
There are no cooking facilities available, so entries must be received in a ready-to-judge form. (We recommend a crock pot).

All chilies must arrive between 1-2 pm in a crock pot as warm as possible. Any chili arriving after 2 pm will not be judged and will be added to the pot luck.

One entry per person.

There are a maximum of 30 entries per category.

There will be a prep area for last minute additions to the chili if necessary. Once we check-in the chili, you will have no further contact with the bulk container of chili.

There will be 3 judges per category. Each judge will use a 14-point scale and all chilies are judged blind. Criteria that will be evaluated include: Color, Aroma, Texture, Heat/Spice, Flavor, and Overall enjoyment.

A three-member panel will evaluate each category, and the highest scoring chili from each category will be re-evaluated by all nine judges for the position of grand champion.

Any ingredient you feel will enhance the flavor of the chili is allowed. Beans, macaroni, rice and other similar ingredients are encouraged.

Please remember…this is NOT an International Chili Society sanctioned event. We are all here to have fun!!!!

Location Details

Fenn Valley Vineyards
6130 122ND AVE
FENNVILLE MI 49408

The Water Coolers

Date: Friday, January 21, 2011
Start Time: 8:00 pm


Location: Saugatuck Center For The Arts

Category: Saugatuck & Douglas Events

Here are the details:

Love the Capitol Steps and Second City? Then don’t miss the Water Coolers with their rousing, laugh-out-loud musical comedy! Called "One of the hottest tickets in town" by E! Entertainment TV, this hilarious show of original songs, sketch comedy, and pop parodies has run Off-Broadway and won the prestigious Spotlight Award for Ensemble Entertainer of the Year.

The New York Times calls the show, “… truly funny … office life’s loss is show business’s gain!” Says TheaterMania.com, “Truly golden veins of comic inspiration…combines the goofy, easy charm of a Saturday Night Live sketch with the polish and thoughtfulness of a piece that’s had a much longer evolution…made this reviewer laugh as hard as he has at any new show this year.”

Conceived by one of the creators of the long-running hit “Tony n' Tina's Wedding”, the Water Coolers present music and comedy about the things we share around the water coolers of America every day: life, work, kids, spouses, travel, technology – and trying to balance it all.

From pretending you understand what the IT guy is saying ("The IT Cowboy") to your second job as a gift wrap salesperson ("Who Will Buy This Crap For My Kid's School?") to trying to figure out exactly what your co-worker does all day ("The Great Pretender"), you’ll laugh along at the things we all face trying to make it through the week.

The Water Coolers: It's not just about work. It's about life!

$35

sc4a.org


Location Details

Saugatuck Center For The Arts
400 Culver St
Saugatuck MI 49453

Location Phone: 269-857-2399

January Jam Fest!-Covert Ops, Me3Mind, Indacoda Blue, Local Tourist

Date: Friday, January 21, 2011
Start Time: 7:30 pm


Location: Foundry Hall

Category: South Haven Events

Here are the details:

Rock/Jam-Band/Soul

A few of South Haven's favorite local musicians and rock bands present a perfect cure for the cold weather blues, the January JamFest with special guest headliner, Covert Ops! Formed by three brothers - Derek, Damon & Kedree Young (with Alistair Nix, Dallas Barr and Erik Bengston) - from Flint, MI, Covert Ops has become known throughout the Midwest for tight vocal harmonies, spectacular light shows, hard-driving rock & roll, and superb musicianship on a wide range of instruments.

Doors open at 7 pm. General admission. $5 advance & members, $10 door. Get tickets at Brown Paper Tickets, 800.838.3006, Foundry Hall (2-5pm, Mon-Thu), or at the door after 7 pm on Jan 21.


Location Details

Foundry Hall
422 Eagle St
South Haven Mi

Cirque du Soleil - Dralion

Date: Wednesday, January 12 thru Sunday January 16, 2011
Start Time: 7:30 pm


Category: West Michigan Coastal Surrounding Areas

Here are the details:

Performing Arts
Time: 7:30 pm

Location: DeVos Performance Hall
URL: www.devosperformancehall.com
Dralion is the fusion of ancient Chinese Circus tradition and the avant-garde approach of Cirque du Soleil. The show's name is drawn from its two main symbols: the dragon, representing the East, and the lion, representing the West. Dralion derives much of its inspiration from Eastern philosophy with its perpetual quest for harmony between humankind and nature.

Suspended in time between the past and the future, Dralion is a celebration of life and the four elements that maintain the natural order: air, water, fire and earth. Innovation soars to new heights as it defies the laws of nature. Dralion is a dynamic performance that transcends the boundaries of the imagination and leads us into a dreamscape with a new and sparkling perspective.


Tickets may be purchased at the Van Andel Arena® and DeVos Place® box offices, Ticketmaster ticket centers, including, D & W stores and select Family Fare locations, charge by phone: 1.800.745.3000 or on line @ www.ticketmaster.com

Contact Information:
Keli Bowen
E-Mail: mktgintern@smggr.com
Phone: 616-742-6366

Antiques Below The Bluff-St Joseph, Mi

Date: Sunday, January 9, 2011
Start Time: 11:00 am End Time: 5:00 pm


Category: West Michigan Coastal Surrounding Areas

Here are the details:

Three shows only...coming soon to Shadowland on Silver Beach! The summer antiques market returns for a winter version...below the bluff for a limited engagement! Food and warm beverages too...

11am - 5pm

January 9th
March 13th
April 10th


Call Kay Wichner at St. Joseph Today for more information. 269-985-1111.

Diana - A Celebration

Date: Now thru Feb 16, 2011
(All day or non-timed event)

Category: West Michigan Coastal Surrounding Areas

Here are the details:
Exhibits
Location: Grand Rapids Art Museum
URL: www.artmuseumgr.org
This award-winning exhibition showcases the life and humanitarian work of one of the 20th century's most remarkable women, Diana, Princess of Wales. The exhibition's nine galleries will feature more than 150 personal objects including her royal wedding gown, 28 designer dresses, family heirlooms, personal mementos and rare home movies.

Contact Information:
Grand Rapids Art Museum
Phone: 616-831-1000