#GimmeShelter - my review on Expanding on the Form in #GrandRapids #GRmi Design in #GR

from Rapid Growth's G-Sync by Tommy Allen

 

Gimme Shelter -- Expanding on the Form

THURSDAY - SATURDAY, APR 7 - 9, SEE WEBSITE FOR EXACT TIMES

FOUNTAIN STREET CHURCH, 24 FOUNTAIN STREET NE

What started off as just a single book launch lecture under the guidance of Fountain Street Church has blossomed into something worth celebrating as well as making time to attend Apr. 7, at 9 p.m.

Gimme Shelter will kick off with an inspiring lecture by Sarah Susanka, a noted architect and thought leader and the author of the New York Times bestselling Not-So-Big... series of books including her latest release, The Not-So-Big Life.

 

 

This kickoff event will bring together national and local scholars, professionals and philosophers to discuss the American idea and image of shelter and to challenge assumptions that are proving increasingly unworkable in the modern world.

On Friday, the church will host a series of panel discussions focused on creating community projects that benefit the masses with Saturday's events focusing more keenly on the individual and how they can make small changes to make an impact in our world.

 

Saturday afternoon will include visits to key sites within our community where sustainable projects have been put into place including tours of the Newberry Place co-housing and Habitat for Humanity's Wealthy Heights neighborhood renovation project.

Also scheduled to appear are John Peterson, architect and founder of the One Percent Project and Jess Zimbabwe of the Urban Land Institute.

Please see Gimme Shelter's site for a complete list of speakers and all the lectures happening over the course of three days, including an appearance by Rapid Growth's Tommy Allen who will be a part of the Friday Sustainable Community panel discussion at 12:30 p.m.

This three-day empowerment symposium has been lovely designed by community members for more than just those who work in the design world. It is open to everyone from students to homeowners to backyard farmers to localvores looking to create good in their community.

 

 

 

Admission: $10 for Thursday night's lecture with Susanka, but Friday and Saturday sessions are free.

 

Search the hashtag #GR2Detroit to read about all our day long adventure by @RapidGrowth.

2Nite @whatsyourart, #ArtPeers, #Ave4theArts @KevinBuist & others take on GR Art Criticism, R U Ready?

from RapidGrowthMedia.com's G-Sync by Tommy Allen

 

 

 

Critical Reality – Is Arts Criticism Important In Grand Rapids?

 

THURSDAY, MAR 31, 5:30 - 7 PM

WEALTHY THEATRE, 1130 WEALTHY STREET SE

Last year, Rapid Growth hosted a panel discussion about the practices of the creative in our "big small town" community and for the most part, the conversation centered on the topic of creative best practices. And while all agreed we have it good here in many ways, one area that is lacking is in the arena of arts criticism.

Caroline Older of the Arts Councils of Greater Grand Rapids remembers well the discussion thread that followed at the bottom of an article by Kevin Buist of ArtPrize in The Rapidian.

So earlier this year, she and her staff set about creating a panel that would address this much discussed question both online and over table tops around the city: "Are Grand Rapids' artists, performances and arts institutions ready for a serious critique of the art created here?"

This question will be at the center of the discussion at Wealthy Theatre where artists, patrons and arts lovers are encouraged to attend this panel event.

"I would argue it is important that we have a serious critique of our arts community," says Older, "but where will this criticism come from in is still unsure since we in a time of flux from ever-changing media sources."

The panel was assembled by the Arts Council along with Erin Wilson of ArtPeers and Jenn Schaub of the Avenue for the Arts and will include GVSU's Paul Wittenbraker, Grand Rapids Press' Jeff Kaczmarczyk, UICA's Elizabeth Goddard, ArtPrize's Kevin Buist and Musician Ritsu Katsumata. Schaub will be moderating the panel.

So if you have ever poised these questions or would simply love to hear a fresh perspective on this topic, please stop by on Thursday.

Bar privileges at Wealthy Theater are available for CMC members ($12/yr).

Admission: $10; Free for Arts Council members, ArtPeers artists, Avenue for the Arts members, and college students with valid ID.

 

#RapidYes We are on the 6. Get on the bus, Gus

Amazing moment at @RapidGrowth & #YNPN Smackdown results in spontaneous giving by audience. Shower of money to causes!

So proud!

The Dude Abides - I visit #MarsHill's #RobBell release Love Wins http://www.rapidgrowthmedia.com/features/0324TheDude.aspx

Congrats #5x5Night Mar. contenders: Margarita Barry's 71 POP, Landon Bartley’s Storefront Windows to the World, David Buick’s FitCup, Nicole Infante’s GR Signature Sandwich Competition and AJ Paschka’s Weather Collage

I am excited to see your projects and to be one of your judges this round.

Good luck and just remember if you get nervous, imagine all your judges in the underwear.  A little throw up in the mouth lubricates the vocal cords.

:-)

Tommy Allen, Twitter: TommyGsync for RapidGrowthMedia.com

Brittany Spears on stage at @WealthyTheatre. #LaughFest #TeamAmerica

#LaughFest - Just sayin "ThisIsaNiceLimo!" u get $1 off #MichiganBeers at #TeamAmerica @WealthyTheatre Tonight. Jump for details & time

Come check out the actual marionettes, courtesy of Ypsilanti's own Dreamland Theatre, practice with the artists from Dreamland theatre, see live improv and a very naughty human/marionette film intro with @RapidGrowth G-Sync's Tommy Allen!

Along with Dreamland Theatre marionettes LIVE pre-show TONIGHT... our Team America: Wold Police / LaughFest screening will feature a DRAUGHT BEER SPECIAL DISCOUNT *CODE*!!

When you order, simply say "This is a nice limo!" and you'll get $1 off every Michigan draught beer!

This code is good for all Michigan draught beers, tonight only - doors at 7pm!

 

See the full gallery on Posterous

Put down the GreenBeer, #LaughFest scores a comic coup - American Premier of BillHicks Movie w/creators LIVE

Thursday, 8 PM - We get it before LA and New York!

 

American: Bill Hicks Movie - The Big LaughFest Coup

 

While all local eyes have been on Betty White as she takes to the stage for her very special (and rare) live appearance to celebrate Gilda's Club of Grand Rapids' 10th anniversary, a tiny little film was programmed in the LaughFest's schedule that is catching the eyes of comedians and film lovers alike..

 

American: Bill Hicks Movie will open here in Grand Rapids almost a month before it does in New York and Los Angeles, and that is more than just cool -- it is awesome.

 

Often ranked as one of the top ten comedians in history, Bill Hicks is the subject of this award-winning documentary that has dazzled the festival circuit for its honest and imaginative portrayal of an American comedian that could be called the foul-mouthed, truth-seeking love child of Lenny Bruce and George Carlin.

 

Hicks was not one to hide his opinions on stage with silly gags, but rather used his unique ability to twist language to an absurd conclusion always landing squarely on our funny bone, even though sometimes that laughter was painful in the revelation.

 

"I loved when Bush came out and said, 'We are losing the war against drugs.' You know what that implies?" asks Hicks. "There's a war being fought, and the people on drugs are winning it."

 

Hicks was always a huge hit in the UK, but in America, he was just on the verge of mass discovery when on Feb. 24, 1994, at the age of 32, he passed away from cancer.

 

On the eve of his death, he wrote a sentence that is the key to his unique brand of humor: "I left in love, in laughter, and in truth and wherever truth, love and laughter abide, I am there in spirit."

 

Wealthy Theatre and LaughFest are proud to feature a Q&A session after the movie that includes live Skype with the producers in London, England, Bill's brother Steve Hicks (in person) and Bill's longtime fellow comedian Dwight Slade, both of whom knew Bill well. There will perhaps never be a screening of "American" like this again.

 

Please check LaughFestGR.org for the complete list of films they have programmed on a variety of screens around our area.

 

 

Film : $7 Non-Members, $5 Members

Wealthy Theatre, 1130 Wealthy Street SE, Grand Rapids, MI

from RapidGrowth's Tommy Allen review in G-Sync, 3/10/2011

Reviews r coming in abt this week's @RapidGrowth #LaughFest editorial on WomenInComedy. Thkx, @MargaretCho & Betty White for being U. JUMP HERE.. http://t.co/TjQjdnW

Welcome to #GR @JohnRobertsFun. Looking forward to seeing you perform. #LaughFest

#LaughFest, It seems like only yesterday we were slinging a strawberry smelling unit @Pub43. Oh wait, it was yesterday!

Love,
Meitsee Red Bird

Q: What was your name again?
#FogOfTheNew Day

I am betting this has been the most social clip today about @LaughFest. Congrats, #FOX17 http://t.co/Kk0wDir

And thanks to @emilyrichett and @briankelly for putting up with all the comics who stormed that segment.  It was daunting how much we crammed in a few minute broadcast.

Now can we break that world record tonight for the most rubber chicken's tossed at one time?

How much does @emilyrichett love me? Enough to pose w/ me & my rubbery chicken. Sounds like a song #ColePorter forgot to record.

G-Sync Walks N2 A Bar. (OUCH!) 2day reflections on #GildaRadner, #LaughFest & the human finger puppet. http://t.co/Xb8KI0G

LaughFestGR.org

March 10 - 20, 2011

Working with @Dottier #LaughFest opening party @ #Pub43 at 8:30 3/10 & @MargaretCho 3/12

How many people are #CouchSurfing for #MargaretCho at #LaughFest?

How does a round tuit create good for others? UCOM & #LaughFest know. Do you? http://t.co/qr7vF4E #Good pls RT #GRmi

#LadyGaga stands up to bullying in our community. #GRPL #LGBT #GRmi