Baubles, Bangles and Bublé

Michael Bublé walked to the center of the Van Andel Arena to the delight of the
nosebleed section. 

This town isn't the same Grand Rapids it once was. Gone is the sleepy town with empty downtown streets and mediocre restaurants (at least the few that were around). Grand Rapids has taken on a whole different flavor especially with all the happenings last weekend. Last Friday evening saw the tree lighting ceremony at Rosa Parks Circle, the opening night of the Grand Rapids Ballet's Nutcracker, Peter Pan at the Civic Theater and of course, Michael Bublé in
the sold out Van Andel Arena. The JW lobby filled up immediately after the Michael Bublé concert since Michael happened to mention that he was staying at the JW. Not to mention that all the hotels downtown, including the JW Marriott, were sold out. Restaurant reservations? Forget about it. The downtown restaurants were jamming too! The streets were buzzing and the valet parking to the Amway Grand was backed up one block. The sweet smell of success? Perhaps.

The Hollywood industry has also taken over downtown with daily street closures for car chases and explosions, street gun battles and the occasional foot race between cop and bad guy. Star sightings are everywhere with 50 Cent, Bruce Willis and Ryan Phillippe in town.  

This past Sunday, Gilda's Club announced another set of big time entertainers for the inaugural ten-day Laughfest in March. On Monday, Kid Rock's January concert tickets sold out in hours. And this evening, Ozzy rocked the arena. Also today, DeVos Performance Hall announced the March 8 James Taylor concert. If these were not big enough, then the March 1 concert of the biggest entertainer in the world sure is. Lady Gaga! 

As the old Virginia Slims ad states, "We've come a long way, baby!"