Van Andel Arena Donates Gaither Christmas Homecoming Tickets To US Veterans

On Dec. 15, 2012, Van Andel Arena played host to the Gaither Christmas Homecoming Tour, featuring the award-winning Gaither Vocal Band with special guests crooning the best Christian-themed holiday carols.

But Van Andel Arena also played host to a few more special guests that evening.
Having reached out to the Veteran Tickets Foundation, the holidays were a perfect time for the Van Andel Arena staff to donate a night of fun and relaxation to veterans in the West Michigan area. Forty free tickets were designated to the organization and veterans from the Army, Air Force and Navy were all recipients of admission to the family-friendly show.

With the slogan “Give Something To Those Who Gave,” The Veteran Tickets Foundation is a non-profit, non-governmental organization aimed at expressing gratitude to veterans by working with venues and shows across the country to provide free tickets to great events.

Per the Veteran Tickets Foundation website, “When our Military and Veterans go to an event for free, we want them to feel a collective “thank you” from all of us to all of them.”

The foundation has been able to provide free tickets to NCAA Div. I basketball games, NFL games, Disney On Ice, comedy shows and concerts among many others. To date, the foundation has given out 509,382 tickets in all 50 states and Washington DC. More information can be found at www.vettix.org.

Van Andel Arena along with the Gaither Christmas Homecoming Tour were proud to offer local veterans a joyous evening.

But this wasn't the first time our staff helped make contributions to our heroes in service. Last summer, $5 from tickets sold to the July Trace Adkins performance at DeVos Performance Hall was pledged to The Wounded Warriors Project.

The Wounded Warriors Project raises awareness and enlists the public's aid for the needs of injured service members.

In the end, these initiatives are the least we could do for their service. We hope to work with the Veteran Tickets Foundation and Wounded Warriors Project again whenever possible.

Generous Patrons Help Grant Wishes For Make-A-Wish Foundation Through “Round Up at The Rink”

Savor…Grand Rapids, Van Andel Arena’s exclusive food and beverage provider, teamed up with the Grand Rapids Griffins over the Thanksgiving weekend to raise money as part of a state-wide initiative headed by 14-year old Novi high School student, Ryan Rabinowitz. Van Andel Arena hosted the “Round Up at The Rink” event, where gracious Griffins hockey fans contributed by way of rounding up their concessions bills to the nearest dollar.

Together, West Michigan’s best hockey fans donated $624.18 to the Make-A-Wish Foundation, helping to grant wishes for children with life-threatening medical conditions.

The whole idea for Round Up at The Rink was brought to our attention by Rabinowitz, who first worked with Make-A-Wish when he was in the fourth grade.  A longtime hockey player, Rabinowitz’s plan is to contact more than 100 arenas/rinks in Michigan and ask them to host a Round Up at The Rink event to help make wishes come true for children with life threatening medical conditions. Rabinowitz’s goal is to reach $5000 and help grant an entire wish.

The Griffins beat the Chicago Wolves on Friday, September 23 to extend their then-winning streak to seven games.  The game also hosted the Griffins’ annual Teddy Bear Toss, where fans brought new store-tagged teddy bears or stuffed animals to throw on the ice when the Griffins score their first goal. All stuffed animals were to go to Hug-A-Bears of Kent County. The Griffins also matched up against the Milwaukee Admirals two days later, losing the contest on Sunday, September 25.

Van Andel Arena Participating in High Schooler’s “Round Up at The Rink” Fundraiser

Savor…Grand Rapids, Van Andel Arena’s exclusive food and beverage provider, is teaming up with the Grand Rapids Griffins and the Make-A-Wish Foundation for participation in a special “Round Up at The Rink” event. Patrons attending any of the Griffins’ games this upcoming Thanksgiving weekend can contribute by rounding up their concession bills to the nearest dollar. The excess amount will go towards the Make-A-Wish Foundation.

Patrons are encouraged to contribute during the Friday, November 23rd and Sunday, November 25th Griffins games at any of the arena’s concession stands and/or the Fifth Third Bank Vault. The holidays are known as a time for giving to those in need. What better time than Thanksgiving weekend to participate in such a great cause.

The whole idea for Round Up at The Rink was brought to our attention by 14-year old Novi high School student, Ryan Rabinowitz, who first worked with Make-A-Wish when he was in the fourth grade. A longtime hockey player, Rabinowitz’s plan is to contact more than 100 arenas/rinks in Michigan and ask them to host a Round Up at The Rink event to help make wishes come true for children with life threatening medical conditions. Rabinowitz’s goal is to reach $5000 and help grant an entire wish.

The Griffins will take on the Chicago Wolves this Friday at 7pm. It is a $1 hot dog, $1 beer game and is also to the Griffins’ annual Teddy Bear Toss. Fans are asked to bring a new store-tagged teddy bear or stuffed animal to throw on the ice when the Griffins score their first goal. All stuffed animals collected will be donated to Hug-A-Bears of Kent County. Hug-A-Bears serves the community by donating teddy bears to children and families in crisis.

Sunday’s 4pm game will have the Griffins match up against the Milwaukee Admirals. The first 2,500 fans will receive a Griffins poster and puzzle combo as ZOOperstars return to Van Andel Arena for the third straight season. The inflatable mascots will entertain fans in the stands throughout the game and on the ice during both intermissions.

Advance tickets are $14, $16 and $18 in the arena’s upper level, and $18, $22, $26 and $32 in the lower level. (Additional $2 per ticket on day of game.) Tickets available at The Zone (inside Van Andel Arena), all Star Ticket outlets including Meijer stores, charge by phone at 800.585.3737 or at the Van Andel Arena box office 90 minutes before each game.

Journey Date at Van Andel Arena Rescheduled To February 9th

The recent Journey concerts that were previously postponed due to lead singer Arnel Pineda’s illness have now been rescheduled as follows: The November 10th 2012 concert at the Van Andel Arena in Grand Rapids, MI has been rescheduled to Saturday, February 9, 2013.

All tickets for the originally scheduled concerts will be honored for the new date. Refunds will be available at point of purchase.

Since its formation in 1973 in San Francisco, JOURNEY has earned 19 Top 40 singles and 25 gold and platinum albums. The band’s Greatest Hits album is certified 15 times platinum, bringing Journey into the elite club of Diamond-certified album holders. Journey was awarded the prestigious “Legend Of Live Award” at the 2011 Billboard Touring Awards in honor of the band’s significant and lasting contributions to live music and the touring business, and in acknowledgement of their commitment to the fans and the art of performing live. The 2011 Eclipse World Tour was one of the band’s most successful tours ever, drawing nearly a million fans and ranked in the Top 15 Tours of the year. 2011 also marked the 30th anniversary of the band’s seminal anthem, Don’t Stop Believin’, which was honored as the top-selling digital classic rock song in history by Nielsen SoundScan. The group received a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame in 2005. For more information, visit www.journeymusic.com.

With Journey Postponed, Exclusive Deals Offered To Ticketholders

Yesterday morning, we announced the postponement of the Journey concert at Van Andel Arena, originally slated for this Saturday, November 10th. Unfortunately, singer Arnel Pineda has been diagnosed with severe laryngeal and esophageal inflammation and is under doctor’s orders not to perform for the next week.

We were sorry to hear that the JOURNEY concert at Van Andel Arena for Saturday had been postponed...so, as an alternate form of entertainment, we will give a $5 off per ticket discount to any guest who shows up (w/ a concert ticket) to this year's GR Wine, Beer & Food Festival on SATURDAY between Noon and 4pm only.

 
Additionally, Journey ticketholders can also receive a discount on Bob Dylan & Mark Knopfler concert seats which, with the discount, can be as low as $37.50 for the upcoming Monday evening show. Ticketholders must only present their tickets in person at the arena box office for the offer. This offer expires on Saturday, November 10th at 8pm. Box office hours for today are 10am-6pm and Saturday from 12pm-8pm.

Tickets for the postponed Journey concert will be honored for the rescheduled date which will be in January/February 2013. Refunds can be obtained at your point of purchase. Stay tuned for more details.

ArtPrize '12 Recap: DeVos Place and Van Andel Arena Collaborate With Community While Talented Artists' Make Top 100

With another ArtPrize competition well done and over with, we at DeVos Place and Van Andel Arena would like to take a quick look back at the amazing artist accomplishments for which the entries at DeVos Place and Van Andel Arena were able to receive along with some of the great collaborations we were able to participate in.

With over 900 applicants desiring to display their work at one of ArtPrize’s premier venues year in and year out, only 58 were chosen to exhibit at DeVos Place with another two entries down the road outside our sister venue, Van Andel Arena, which is also where we kicked off our participation in this year’s contest.

Coincidentally, Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey’s Fully Charged circus was coming into town for their annual fall run of shows at the arena while ArtPrize was also ready to kick off. Combining the two occasions, Van Andel Arena was able to host a Pachyderm Painting Palooza on September 19th with special guest, Asia the elephant. Van Andel Arena also worked with the Grand Rapids-Kent County Convention/Arena Authority’s Community Inclusion Group to bring in a dozen children from local schools to paint with Asia, herself...using their "trunks", of course.

But Van Andel Arena wasn’t the only venue having all the fun that day. Over at DeVos Place, hundreds of the public browsed through the venue at DeVos Place's ArtPrize Grand Reception, where they were able to meet and speak with many of the artists themselves. The preview event was part of the Arena District’s preview series, involving many of downtown’s bars, restaurants and venues.

During ArtPrize, local teenagers from the Grand Rapids Community Foundation’s Youth Grant Committee used the area in front of Van Andel Arena on September 29th for one of their annual volunteer projects. Using hundreds of canvas event bags that were supplied by DeVos Place, the Youth Grant Committee offered people walking downtown the opportunity to help children in need feel uplifted and inspired. By asking people downtown to simply decorate a lunch bag that was given to a child through Kids’ Food Basket’s sack supper program, all parties involved were able to utilize their resources for the benefit of the community.

As for the competition itself, DeVos Place and Van Andel Arena were happy to have 13 artists in the top 100 out of 1517 entries.

Cristina Fournier’s From Coast to Coast, Greg Rawls’ Sea Glass, Lis Bokt’s Earth, Scott William Bye’s Rush Docks, Tom Sheerin’s Bird Feeder and Kent Ambler’s Running Dogs all made the top 100. Cracking the top 50 were Peter Halasz’s rainscape from east broadway and canal, Read Lockhart’s The Allegory of the Cave, Clark Art Studio’s Verdigris, Kim Marie Rudolph’s Black Swan and Jody Williams’ Legacy.

Finally, a round of applause goes to Jessica Bohus’ Running on Air and Jack Nixon’s Studies In Light and Form—The Chicago Seven and Michigan Avenue Bridge Sculptures for making the top 25. Just the latest DeVos Place displays to make the top 25, DeVos Place has been well represented in the top 25 every year since ArtPrize started.

Congratulations to these great artists for making the top 100 and beyond. Lastly, thanks to all the artists that displayed their terrific work at DeVos Place and Van Andel Arena. Next year, we anticipate more great entries and look forward to collaborating with and for the community. See you next year!

Van Halen Announces Extended North American Tour

Van Halen has added 18 concerts to its highly successful 2012 North American tour. The newly added dates include a stop at Van Andel Arena on Thursday, July 26 at 7:30PM. Ky-mani Marley is the opening act for all added concerts.

Tickets go on sale Saturday, May 5th at 10 AM at ticketmaster.com, Van Andel Arena and DeVos Place box offices, Ticketmaster outlets or charge: 1-800-745-3000. Tickets are $29.50, $49.50, $75, $95 and $125.

Van Halen recently premiered the video for She’s The Woman, the second single from A Different Kind Of Truth, the band’s first original studio album with singer David Lee Roth since the iconic, multi-platinum 1984. Shot during its on-going live tour, the video presents a greatest
hits of the band’s concert moments.

Fans and music critics alike have praised the group’s recent shows: “Van Halen is still one of the most limber bands in hard rock, with a higher center of gravity than most.” – New York Times

Formed in Los Angeles in 1974, Van Halen changed the rock and roll landscape forever with the release of their self-titled, 1978 debut album. Displaying unparalleled stage presence, musicianship, and songwriting abilities, the band has sold more than 75 million albums sold worldwide and created a record of achievement that is hard to top. Van Halen joins an
elite short list of two-time Diamond Award (10 million sales) honorees for their albums Van Halen and 1984. The band was inducted into the Rock And Roll Hall of Fame in March of 2007.

Opening act, Ky-mani Marley, son of legendary Bob Marley, has gained world-wide recognition and praise for his musical style, which transcends cultural and creative boundaries incorporating world music, hip hop, blues, rock, and reggae into one melodic entity. Since 1999, Marley has
released four studio albums and an autobiography, a GRAMMY nomination, and in 2009 started the charitable Love Over All Foundation (LOAF), which caters to empowering and educating youth. Ky-mani Marley is currently putting the finishing touches on his new album, Evolution of a Revolution.

Van Andel Arena Updates Concessions with New, Modern Menu Boards

The Grand Rapids-Kent County Convention/Arena Authority (CAA) has approved a capital expense at Van Andel Arena for Savor…Grand Rapids, Food & Beverage provider. Installation of new digital menu boards have replaced the traditional magnetic menu boards that were installed when Van Andel Arena was erected in 1996. Ping is the company that installed the monitors and the computer systems for each location, which will control each particular menu at the click of a mouse.

Beyond modernizing the concession stands’ look, the update will help alleviate some of the costs the old menu boards incurred when prices or items needed to be changed on a yearly basis. Adding new options was also a challenge as space was limited on the magnetic boards. If necessary, prices can now be changed or items removed from the boards if supplies run out while an event is happening, helping to alleviate the patrons frustration and their options in real-time.

The digital menu boards will not only cost less over the long run, they will also help generate further revenue in a number of ways. Items and specials can now be promoted more efficiently on the digital menus along with upcoming events. They can also generate advertising sales by
being able to place pictures or videos in the middle of the boards—something that could not be done with the old static menu boards. Each menu can be more specific to the items being sold in the stands for that event.

Changes to the new menus only take a few minutes and include tickers at the bottom of the screens that will include further information on the menus and/or events. The digital boards were put in place in March 2012.

Van Andel Arena Executive Chef Wins ‘Chef of the Year’ Award

Savor…Grand Rapids/Van Andel Arena Executive Chef Chris Simpson has been awarded the ‘Chef of the Year’ award by the American Culinary Federation’s Grand Rapids Chapter.

Per the American Culinary Federation, “The Chef of the Year award recognizes an outstanding culinarian who works and cooks in a full-service dining facility. This person has demonstrated the highest standard of culinary skills, advanced the cuisine of America, and given back to the profession through the development of students and apprentices.”

In 1963, ACF created the Chef of the Year Award to acknowledge Walter Roth, AAC, for his tireless efforts to promote and elevate the profession. The award has grown in prestige, and today is the highest honor annually bestowed by ACF.

Along with Simpson, Savor…Grand Rapids Line Chef Andrew Eggert was also awarded as ‘Chef Professional of the Year’ for his work at Van Andel Arena and in the community.

With more than two decades of culinary experience behind him, Simpson, CEC, received his culinary degree from the prestigious Johnson and Wales University. Simpson came over to Savor…Grand Rapids two years ago but has served as an executive chef around the Grand Rapids area for 25 years. His culinary passion has guided him to be an active and current member of the American Culinary Federation and a 20 year member of the Kent Career Technical Center Culinary Advisory Board. Chef Simpson has guided teams at top catering venues in West Michigan as well as many fine restaurants.

Organizationally, SMG has two separate operating divisions, one for stadiums and arenas and another for convention centers, providing the same effective business principles to two distinctively different business segments. Savor…Grand Rapids is the arena’s exclusive catering, concessionaire and event services company.

GRIFFINS AND RED WINGS EXTEND AFFILIATION THROUGH 2016-17

The Grand Rapids Griffins and Detroit Red Wings on Wednesday announced a five-year extension of their affiliation agreement, ensuring that the relationship between Michigan’s premier hockey teams will continue through at least the 2016-17 season.

The 10-year-old affiliation, currently in its final season of a second five-year deal, has helped produce a Stanley Cup and an AHL regular season championship, along with multiple division titles for both teams.

Geographically, with the two teams located just 160 miles apart, the affiliation is among the closest of all AHL-NHL pairings. That proximity has proved beneficial for Detroit on many occasions, as the Griffins have sent 46 players on to Hockeytown since 2002.

“The American League is critical for all NHL teams, and having a great relationship with Grand Rapids helps keep up competitive,” said Red Wings Executive Vice President and General Manager Ken Holland. “We’re all thrilled with our arrangement.“

As a former minor league player myself, it’s exciting to see 8,000 to 10,000 fans and a great atmosphere in the building each night,” Holland said. “It’s a wonderful city and there is terrific support from the community as well as the ownership. It’s a real positive environment for our young players.”

Among other benefits to the Griffins, this new agreement transfers responsibility for all players and hockey operations staff – including coaches, equipment managers and trainers – to the Red Wings. Already, Detroit’s assistant general managers, Jim Nill and Ryan Martin, have been overseeing the Griffins’ day-to-day hockey operations since the departure of longtime Grand Rapids general manager Bob McNamara last summer.

Also, the Griffins will play their first-ever outdoor game as part of the Red Wings “Hockeytown Winter Festival” at Comerica Park in December, hosting the Toronto Marlies in the lead-up to the 2013 NHL Winter Classic between the Red Wings and Toronto Maple Leafs at Michigan Stadium.

“We are proud to continue our partnership with one of the premier organizations in professional sports,” said Scott Gorsline, the Griffins’ chief operating officer. “Detroit is committed to developing its prospects in a winning environment. Given the Red Wings’ complete oversight of our hockey operations and their talented management team, we’re confident that their remarkable ability to produce a Stanley Cup contender season after season will result in similar success for us at the AHL level.

”Over the last decade, the Griffins have won a pair of division titles and have twice advanced to the conference finals, most notably in 2005-06 when they captured the AHL’s Macgregor Kilpatrick Trophy as regular season champions.

Griffins fans have welcomed the Red Wings to Van Andel Arena for several events, including four Red & White intrasquad games – most recently in 2011 – and a “Wings for Lunch” practice in 2007. In addition, they’ve had the opportunity to watch stars such as Chris Chelios, Curtis Joseph, Manny Legace, Andreas Lilja and Chris Osgood play for the Griffins during conditioning stints. Other NHL veterans have been sent to bolster Grand Rapids’ lineup over time, including Ty Conklin, who has guided the Griffins to a 5-1 record since joining the club two weeks ago.

For the Red Wings, the impact of the affiliation has been unmistakable on the ice at Joe Louis Arena. The names of nine Grand Rapids alumni were engraved on the Stanley Cup following Detroit’s 2008 title, and 15 current or former Griffins played a part in the Red Wings’ recent NHL record-breaking 23-game home winning streak. Every game during that incredible run was backstopped by one of the Griffins’ top two all-time leaders in wins (Jimmy Howard or Joey MacDonald), and in each of the last five games during the streak, the majority of Red Wings who played were Griffins alumni.

In all, 19 of the 30 players who’ve skated for the parent club this season are former or current Griffins, and 12 Detroit regulars logged at least one complete season in Grand Rapids prior to earning a full-time job with the Red Wings: Howard, MacDonald, Jonathan Ericsson, Jakub Kindl, Niklas Kronwall, Kyle Quincey, Justin Abdelkader, Cory Emmerton, Valtteri Filppula, Darren Helm, Jiri Hudler and Jan Mursak.