Behind the Mitten

On this weekend's edition of "Behind the Mitten," John Gonzalez and Amy Sherman spend some time in Grand Rapids, which is getting ready for a huge St. Patrick's Day party. (This show aired March 4-5, 2017.)

Segment 1: While in Grand Rapids, John and Amy talk to Jeff Lobdell of Restaurant Partners, which owns several concepts in Grand Rapids and Traverse City. This segment was recorded at Beltline Bar. More info at http://4gr8food.com/

Segment 2 (Listen at 10:00): The West Michigan Tourist Association is a great resources for the all the things you can do from the Indiana border of Michigan to the Upper Peninsula. John and Amy talk to Dan Sippel, the ‎CEO/ Executive Director of the WMTA. More info at http://www.wmta.org/

Segment 3 (Listen at 19:30): Recorded at LaughFest Central at the Grand Rapids Art Museum, John and Amy talk to Wendy Wiggers of Gilda's Club Grand Rapids. This year's 10-day LaughFest begins March 9 and features tons of events for a variety of audiences. More info at https://www.laughfestgr.org/

Segment 4 (Listen at 29:44): John and Amy talk to Shane Philipsen of BarFly Ventures, which is bringing back the annual Irish on Ionia party on March 18 in downtown Grand Rapids. Last year the bash brought out 20,000 people. More info at http://www.irishonionia.com/

More info on Behind the Mitten at https://www.facebook.com/behindthemitten/

Every week on the radio show "Behind the Mitten," John Gonzalez and Amy Sherman of MLive select a "Beer of the Week."

This week's pick: "Walter Gets Buzzed" from Pigeon Hill Brewing Co. The base beer is Pigeon Hill's "Walter BlondAle," which takes on a different flavor profile with locally roasted Snickerdoodle coffee, hazelnut and a hint of cinnamon on the back end. The beer is available in cans, and your local taphouse.

In addition, Pigeon Hill co-owner Michael Brower tells us more about the brewery's signature beer "Oatmeal Cream Pie" and its much-talked about "Your Mom on French Toast" (an Imperial stout with maple, vanilla and cinnamon) with its provocative label.

Walter Gets Buzzed and Your Mom on French Toast recently took home two gold medals at the international Best of Craft Beer Awards in Oregon. http://www.mlive.com/news/muskegon/index.ssf/2017/02/muskegon_brewery_surpised_to_c.html They were the only Michigan brewery to win gold.

Lastly, Pigeon Hill is getting ready to celebrate its 3rd anniversary on March 24-25, 2017, by shutting down the streets with music, food and some special beer releases. More info on the party on the Pigeon Hill Facebook Page. https://www.facebook.com/events/1884945491749724/

This segment was part of Behind the Mitten's Episode 96, recorded at Pigeon Hill in Muskegon. It aired Feb. 25-26, 2017.

Listen to the entire show here: http://www.spreaker.com/user/michigangonzo/btm-episode-96-pigeon-hill-muskegon-muse

More info on Behind the Mitten here: https://www.facebook.com/behindthemitten/

Follow all of John and Amy on the MLive Michigan's Best series: http://www.mlive.com/michigansbest/

John Gonzalez and Amy Sherman of MLive and Behind the Mitten broadcast this weekend's show from Pigeon Hill Brewing Company in Muskegon. This show aired Feb. 25-26, 2017 on multiple radio stations throughout Michigan.

Segment 1: John and Amy interview Muskegon Mayor Steve Gawron about the city's history. And they talk to Pigeon Hill co-owner Michael Brower. More on Pigeon Hill at https://www.facebook.com/PigeonHillBrew/

Segment 2 (Listen at 9:23): Mayor Steve and Michael Brower give some shout outs, followed by more insight on things to do in Muskegon.

Segment 3 (Listen at 19:15): John and Amy talk to Judy Hayner of the Muskegon Museum of Art about the current exhibition, as well as a big show coming this fall. More on the Muskegon Museum of Art at http://www.muskegonartmuseum.org/

Segment 4 (Listen at 28:44): After a shout out from Judy, Pigeon Hill's Michael Brower returns to talk about Beer of the Week (Walter Gets Buzzed), and some upcoming events.

More on Behind the Mitten at https://www.facebook.com/behindthemitten/

John Gonzalez and Amy Sherman of MLive co-host the radio show "Behind the Mitten," which is a one-hour show that airs on multiple stations throughout Michigan.

On this weekend's show, John and Amy talk GR Beer Month with Experience Grand Rapids. They get more info on Broadway GR's latest show, "The Sound of Music," and they also get the scoop on the 2017-2018 season. Lastly they go to Logan's Alley in Grand Rapids, which is preparing for the upcoming Michigan Winter Beer Festival at Fifth Third Ball Park.

This show originally aired Feb. 18-19, 2017.

Segment 1: Meghan Distel of Broadway Grand Rapids. More info at https://www.facebook.com/BroadwayGR/

Segment 2 (Listen at 10:02):
Kate Herron of Experience GR talks about GR Beer month, which is Feb. 15-March 15 in Grand Rapids.
https://www.facebook.com/ExperienceGR/

Segment 3 (Listen at 19:18):
John and Amy talk to Jak Mercer of Logan's Alley, which is hosting a week of events leading up to the Winter Beer Festival. One of the events includes a party on Wednesday, Feb. 22, to celebrate MLive's Top 10 New Breweries.
Events Feb. 20-26, 2017: https://www.facebook.com/events/956964617774113/

Segment 4 (Listen at 29:01):
Jak Mercer returns to talk more about upcoming events, as well as Beer of the Week (Mayan Mocha Stout from Oddside Ales).
More on Logan's at More info on Logan's at https://www.facebook.com/search/top/?q=logan%27s%20alley

More information on Behind the Mitten at https://www.facebook.com/behindthemitten/

On this special Podcast of Behind the Mitten, John Gonzalez and Amy Sherman interview Henri Boucher of ShowSpan, which is producing this weekend's boat show in Grand Rapids.

At the 72nd annual GR Boat Show you'll find everything from Motor Yachts, Cruisers, Runabouts, Fishing Boats, and Ski and Wakeboard Inboards to Pontoon Boats -- overall more than 5 acres of boats.

Displays and special events continue Feb. 16-19, 2017 at DeVos Place. For times, tickets and information on how to see Twiggy the Water Skiing Squirrel, go to www.GRBoatShow.com

The Broadway touring production of "Cabaret" is a must-see show if you love song, dance and a something with a message. See it Feb. 21-26, 2017 at the Wharton Center in East Lansing.

John Gonzalez of MLive interviews Mary Gordon Murray, who plays Fräulein Schneider on the current tour. She says this is the "definitive" version.

More info https://www.whartoncenter.com/events/detail/cabaret

John Gonzalez of MLive.com and the radio show "Behind the Mitten" interviews comedian Bill Engvall about his upcoming shows Feb. 19, 2017 at DeVos Performance Hall in Grand Rapids. His shows are at 4 and 7 p.m.

Ticket information at https://devosperformancehall.com/schedule/bill-engvall

In this interview, the Grammy award nominated entertainer talks about his love for Michigan, and wonders why he found "cherry everything" while in the Traverse City area. He also says he recorded his first two CDs in Detroit, which holds a special place in his heart.

"Behind the Mitten" airs weekend on multiple radio stations throughout the state. The show is co-hosted by John Gonzalez and Amy Sherman, who also works for MLive.

More details at http://behindthemitten.com/listen-to-behind-the-mitten-here-our-affiliates/

John Gonzalez and Amy Sherman broadcast from Timbers Restaurant in Ludington where they get to learn more about the community, plus things to do.

Segment 1: Brandy Henderson of Visit Ludington talks about about the community. More info https://www.facebook.com/PureLudington/

Segment 2 (Listen at 9:33):
Brandy and Kaley Petersen of Spectrum Health talk about this June's Love Ludington Weekend, which will attempt to break a world record for sand angels. More info: https://www.facebook.com/SHLudingtonHospital/?hc_ref=SEARCH&fref=nf

Segment 3 (Listen at 18:37):
Jen Tooman of Downtown Ludington talks about the numbers of new businesses opening in the community, as well as an upcoming St. Patrick's Day Party. More info https://www.facebook.com/downtownludington/

Segment 4 (Listen at 28:05):
Timbers owner Dad Butterfield, Chef Dan Brooks and head bartender Andrew Peterson, who brings out BEERS of the WEEK, tell us more about what they have going on. John and Amy also run down events and things to do in Michigan. Timbers has 13 beers on tap, including many from Michigan.
More info on Timbers Bar and Grill in Ludington at
https://www.facebook.com/Timbersludington/?hc_ref=SEARCH&fref=nf

More info on Behind the Mitten at https://www.facebook.com/behindthemitten/

While on the road searching for Michigan's Best Bowling Alley, John Gonzalez and Amy Sherman of MLive stopped at Luigi's in Flint, and then later at New Jack's Place in Flushing.

John and Amy also catch up with what's new at Table & Tap in Flint. Beer of the week is from Tenacity.

While on the road searching for Michigan's Best Bowling Alley, John Gonzalez and Amy Sherman stop at the Wagon Wheel in Portland.

They also tell you about American Fifth in Lansing. And they catch up with good friend Paul Starr from I'm a Beer Hound.