SpRiNg

"Ides of March" Film Set Outside of Michigan League

"Ides of March" Film Set Outside of Michigan League

"Ides of March" Film Set Outside of Michigan League

HaPpY BiRtHdaY To MiStY LyN .... & Me

I went to hear Misty Lyn and the Big Beautiful play Lyn's birthday show at Woodruff's in Ypsi on Saturday, February 19th – incidentally one day after my own birthday. I did a triple take when I noticed the huge 'Happy Birthday' sign plastered to the stage backdrop. The celebration, of course, wouldn't have been complete without a piñata, candy, and other 'goodies,' right?

Misty Lyn and the Big Beautiful embodies a striking fusion of acoustic and electric guitar driven folk rock, which also features violin . Lyn's throaty, raw vocals drive her compositions' uplifting and dramatic melodies. Songs often commence with tranquil acoustic guitars and feature interludes of electric, heartfelt jams. The lineup features Misty Lyn (guitar and lead vocals,) Jim Roll (bass,) Carol Gray (fiddle, background vocals, vox, and tambourine,) Ryan Gimpert (pedal steel and electric guitar,) and Matt Jones (drums.) 

Lyn's album, For the Dead, debuted in 2009.

Black Jake and the Carnies and Danny Kline also played that night.

Below are some photographic highlights of the evening.

Ryan Gimpert, Matt Jones, Misty Lyn, Carol Gray, & Jim Roll



Matt Jones, Misty Lyn, and Jim Roll



Misty Lyn

Misty Lyn & Carol Gray

Misty Lyn & Carol Gray

Carol Gray & Jim Roll

Danny Kline & Crowd

Danny Kline

Danny Kline

Sundance the Night Away

Last Week, I attended the Sundance Film Festival screenings at the historic Michigan Theater along with Liz Parker of of Yes/ No Films. Headquartered in Park City Utah, the Sundance Institute (founded by Robert Redford) has notoriously nurtured and showcased quality independent films since 1981. Little Miss Sunshine and An Inconvenient Truth are two prominent films that premiered at past Sundance Film Festivals. Ann Arbor is one of nine US 'Sundance cities' this year to host screenings and is the only such locale to show not one, but two films. 

I viewed the presentation of Win Win on Thursday, January 27th. Producer and U of M alum Mary Jane Skalski hosted a 'Q & A' session at the work's conclusion.  Win Win chronicles a middle aged,, somewhat burnt out, lawyer who moonlights as a high school wrestling coach. The coach stumbles upon a troubled yet talented high school aged wrestler through his practice, then adds him to the team. An interesting tidbit is that all the high school actors are real life wrestlers. "We thought it would be easier to teach wrestlers to act than to teach actors to wrestle," said Skalski. While I'm not authorized to reveal a ton about the actual plot (due to the flick being officially released in March,) I'll divulge it was much more dramatic and theme-laden than I first imagined. Watching the performance of Amy Ryan, who I best know as 'Holly' on The Office, in a lead role  in Win Win undoubtedly proved to be a fun kick to my viewing experience.

Below are some of my favorite photos from the evening (some of which are not included on FORMzine.) Check out more of my photos on the Sundance FORMzine Album below Liz Parker's enticing article.

Win Win Producer Mary Jane Skalski at Press Q & A

Dub Steppin' & More

Evan Glicker a.k.a. Satta Don Dada

Ashley’s Underground (the basement of Ashley’s) radiates a dim, rugged feel.  Pipes and wires run across the ceiling behind the bar counter. An abundance of creative culture compacts into the modestly sized area. DJ’s first flip on their beats around 9:00 PM as a few patrons trickle into The Lion’s Den electronica night.  I sit on a stool bobbing my head, admiring the walls’ assortment of colorful painted images. 


Many more people quickly pack the place about an hour later. The tunes induce euphoric and rhythmic body movements by patrons and staff alike.

The Lion’s Den weekly alternative dance party inseminated when an Ashley’s manager asked Evan Glicker (DJ Satta Don Dada,) who had hosted at the bar and grill for a couple years, about his DJing experience. They discussed starting a weekly electronic music night to boost Thursdays’ previously slower patronage.

Musical integrity, quality, and eclecticism are important to the mission of The Lion’s Den. Glicker seeks quality Metro Detroit acts including but not limited to dub step. “I use dub step as a launch pad,” says Glicker, who also throws in reggae amongst other styles.  

Bartender Chris Zukowski

Regularly featured at The Lion’s Den, Bryan Dulaney (DJ Blkout) plays Detroit techno/ house,  dance hall reggae, and dub. His DJing days commenced during an internship at Ann Arbor born record label, Ghostly International. “Ghostly used to compensate me in records. I got a pair of turntables when I turned twenty,” he recalls. He also acquired records while working at Underground Sounds. Minimal sounding music quickly tinted his tastes.


“A lot of other places you play...It’s like the same roster of DJ’s all the time,” Dulaney explains.  This night, we try to keep it eclectic. A lot of artists play.” Anyone interested in playing may submit a mix tape to Glicker.

The Lion’s Den fuels an opportunity for connoisseurs of divergent electronica alongside newcomers to soak in a fresh musicale. “It's important to seek out new sounds and sights once in awhile to keep things fresh even if you think you might not like it,” says Glicker. “I think you'll be surprised what kind of gems you might come across with this approach.”

A wide selection of affordable drinks are featured at The Lion's Den including Founder’s Ale at $3.00 per glass.


The Lion’s Den is at Ashely’s Underground every Thursday, 21 and up, with no cover charge after 9:00 PM.

Stars and Creators of "Answer This!" Answer My Questions

Last Friday, October 8th, my colleague, Liz Parker of Yes/No Films, and I approached the Michigan Theater on the brilliant sunny afternoon. A red carpet blanketed the cement in front of and around the area. A stretched limo drove up, then the driver got out and opened its doors for glammed up VIP party guests. The Ann Arbor premiere of the film "Answer This!" already seemed to be the fanciest shindig I’ve attended at the Michigan Theater before I’d even walked through the doorway. "Answer This!" is the brainchild of Chris Farah (director & screenwriter,) and Michael Farah (producer.) Chris Farah is a University of Michigan alumnus and both brothers are Ann Arbor natives. I caught up with retired University of Michigan professor and actor in the movie, Ralph Williams, during the VIP party before the film. He agreed to play his part after Chris Farah, his former student, emailed him. “I didn’t know it was such an enormous project,” he remarked. Williams found his role in the production to be a mammoth learning experience. “Acting for the stage, you project toward the audience…in film, the camera studies you,” he observed. Williams also discovered the extensive power and significance of film editors. He explained, “There are so many takes and you never really can predict how the editor will deal with those.”  

Liz Parker & Christopher Gorham

Shortly after I talked with Williams, it was time to view the film. Ann Arbor pride radiated the filmmakers’ introduction of their work to hometown fans. Chris Farah, Michael Farah, their father, John Farah, and professor/actor Ralph Williams all psyched up local film lovers. And of course, the movie couldn’t start without a spirited organ-led chanting of “The Victors,” it being merely one day before the legendary ‘University of Michigan vs. Michigan State University’’ annual football tradition.

At the Ann Arbor inspired flick’s conclusion, I headed over to the Michigan League’s generously catered after-party. I spoke with Christopher Gorham (also in "Covert Affairs",) another leading actor. “Making a film is always a journey…the most fun is meeting new people,” he said.

Elyssa Eve & Arielle Kebbel

While it enthralled me to chat with some of the cinematic work’s main actors, I also met performers of smaller-yet-memorable characters, notably Brian Balzerini of Royal Oak. He elaborated on his experience. “When you see [the film as] words on paper, it is one thing, but when you see [the finished product] in real life, it’s incredible!”

Balzerini also reiterated the Farahs’ commitment to foster opportunities for Michigan grown talent.

Near the end of the evening, I conversed with producer Michael Farah, also the creator of popular website, Funny or Die. I asked for a word of advice to aspiring writers and creative professionals. “Make as much stuff as you can,” he proclaimed. “Take advantage of opportunities…Nobody is going to just give [success] to you.”

With those words of wisdom, I promenaded out of the League, heading back home to bed in anticipation of my 11:00 AM ‘day job’ the following morning.

 Ralph Williams

 

Chris Farah & Ralph Williams

Michigan Theater 

VIP Party 

 

Mike Farah

VIP Party

Ashley's "Answer This!" Pub Trivia

Different Strokes

“It’s a gallery of ideas,” says Gloria Pritschet, co-founder of Gallery Project. “[We are] not just looking for technique but what the artist is saying.” 

Courageous and thought provoking subject matters drive Gallery Project's creative content. It is unique in that themes rather than particular groups of artists drive displays.  

Members of the collective that runs Gallery Project seek out creations of craftspeople traditionally deemed ‘artists’ as well as creations of folks that are not. They seek artists from a variety of imaginative avenues and networks.

Walking Through Hades by Carla Butwin
Photograph by Lea Bult

Various geographical regions, professionals in specialized fields, and educational backgrounds influence  artist selection of any given exhibit. “[We’re looking for] a big, broad demographic range,” Pritschet says. Most other galleries don’t span as many different inspirational avenues.

Scientists, architects, and other professionals often partake in creative natured projects. One scientist interested in animal behavior shot magnificent videos featured in an exhibit. The gallery seeks different voices from different people with different ideas and modes of expression. Pritschet will contact an interesting person she reads about in the New York Times, for example, and inquire if that individual wishes to contribute to a display.

Gallery Project’s governing collective also announces each show in advance to the public with the intent of receiving unsolicited submissions in support of emerging artists.

A unique pattern of exhibitions presents itself at Gallery Project. “Every six weeks…is like a different world in here,” Pritschet proclaims. Exhibits traverse a wider range of subjects and schools of thought than average. Recurring visitors quickly catch on.

Most recently, The Politics of Fear exhibit resides at Gallery Project through October 17th. “The politicization of fear is a familiar historical means to power and control achieved through the threat of danger and the promise of protection,” explains the gallery’s exhibit summary. Politicians, business officials, and endless other perceived leaders frequently employ such tactics. Numerous covert agendas fuel exaggerations of certain threats. The oil painting, Walking Through Hades, by Carla Butwin, is one exhibition piece that contemplates this topic.


Donations have been the primary financial support of Gallery Project since its insemination. While a large donor fully supported its first five years of existence, the gallery’s  funding is now dependent on several individual donations.


Both artists and the gallery, itself, profit from art sales, a major source of financial support.

Several fundraising events geared around art lovers and exhibits regularly occur at the gallery. “[We] try to keep fundraising separate from [but related to] art collaborators and themes,” says Pritschet.

Gallery Project’s next exhibit, which commences October 20th and features a reception on November 22nd, poses the question, “What’s So Funny?”

Gallery Project is located at 215 S. Fourth Avenue, 

Ann Arbor, MI.

Rain Clouds Enjoy Ann Arbor Art Fair More Than Townies

The weather seemed to frequently alternate between sun and storms throughout the duration of the Ann Arbor Art Fair. One night, storm clouds passed through during a sunset, producing a brief but brilliant beautiful sky. 

Rain Puts a Damper on A2 Festival's First Day but Doesn't Completely Drench Community Spirit

While storms cut the first day of Top of the Park extremely short, many people still showed up in their Ann Arbor spirit in time to catch a few songs performed by the band, My Dear Disco.  Fortunately, Saturday brought improved meteorological tidings. I will post more on the Ann Arbor Summer Fest throughout the next month.

And Now for Some TOP Small Talk: