Chris Samuels and Ian Swanson are back together again, this time at Paint Creek Center for the Arts. The main gallery has quite a few quirks to its architecture, but these two artists pride themselves on being able to activate challenging spaces, and this show was no exception.  It felt like a church, where most of the light was naturally coming in from the windows, and it was complete with altars, symbolic objects, secrets and Gregorian chants.  A small lit tube filled with silver and blue metallic flecks (which were pulverized solar cells) hovered with the austerity of a cross. Two video screens faced each other from across the room, their audio producing a somber harmony. Some aspects of the presentation were boring and ritualistic, but these artists are known for utilizing negative qualities as positives.

The opportunity to flip through various mixed media vinyl covers seemed to critique the ability to make abstract paintings that one could easily and quickly rifle through.  Demystifying the process and coming off as easy to create; ultimately making each one less and less special. This follows the same logic as Swanson’s other work that filters the top 12 tracks of Billboard’s Hot 100 list of 2010 into a grey sound wash. It is evident that Swanson takes time in each piece to reflect on how we take in information, specifically how we consume products; and chops it, puts it into a blender, and ionizes the thing until all that’s left is the story of its demise. What makes this show is to read the descriptions of the works. Be certain to take some time to check out the catalog, because you can tell that Ian is having quite a good time making work, especially when he notes things like “*fun fact: a ‘remorseless tactic’ is an anagram of ‘Laser Microcassette’”. I usually default to being offended when minimalist work lacks any description, as if their work is more interesting, that it defies definition, and effaces an opening into the work; so this show feels unique just because there are more descriptions than I’ve ever encountered in an art-povera-type exhibition.

Overall the look of the entire show works on an immersive level, but I definitely gravitated to more of the subtleties in the works than the pieces that had singular formal qualities. For example in Swanson’s process there is somewhat of an aesthetic sleight of hand, as the peripheral marks hold a lot of beauty rather than the object itself. This can be seen in the way that the tops of the records in the crate fan out, similar to a fore-edge painting on a book, or the imperfect repackaging around the cassette tape that creates a nice offset appearance. Samuel’s packaged paintings, with one on the floor, didn’t hold the same weight of a critique as Swanson’s paintings which were also on the floor, but there was a nice reflection that bounced off of their surface onto the door as the sun shone in. His sculpture that looked like a disassembled target shelf felt a bit cliché for him, considering he just made the work while listening to the “music”.  It didn’t really seem to translate any kind of synesthesia or celebration of hearing the gods, at least to this viewer. It settled on having its potential, and seemed satisfied simply including failure as an option. Visually though, the distanced collaboration (long-distance for them as they have worked much closer together when running ORG, or together as the ‘debt collective’) created unexpected similarities and new compositions that neither of them probably had any foresight into, and really, that’s part of the mystery of faith.

The show will be up until Feb 19^th, and while you’re up there, go check out Cynthia Greig’s show, Subverting the (un)Conventional at Oakland University, which is up until the 20^th!

Untitled from Cedric Tai on Vimeo.

Featuring:

Weeds, Dmytro Szylak, The Hoodcat, Blake Carroll, Bangladeshi kids playing cricket, Dan Demaggio, Movement, and my neighborhood and more!

Rev. Robert Jones, Photo by James Fraher

A diverse line-up of Detroit artists including blues and gospel legend Rev. Robert B. Jones will perform a benefit concert for YMCA summer camp. The concert will take place on Friday, May 7 at 7:00 p.m. in the Marlene Boll Theatre of the Boll Family YMCA, 1401 Broadway, Detroit. A donation of $10 supports the YMCA Strong Kids Campaign supporting YMCA camp experiences.

Rev. Jones, a longtime Detroit acoustic blues and gospel musician, will be joined by the YMCA Deep River Choir. Special guests include hip hop artist Stevie Soul, performance poet Marsha Carter, and dancers and musicians from Freedom House Detroit. The concert will include traditional and contemporary American music as well as music and dance from Africa.

Recognized nationally for his work as a blues and gospel artist, Rev. Jones has also been awarded “Blues Educator of the Year” by the Blues Foundation in 2007 for his “Blues in Schools” education program. Along with YMCA Vice President of Arts and Humanities Gillian Eaton, he helped to create the YMCA Deep River Choir in 2007. The community choir is comprised of 30 singers from the metropolitan area and is directed by Bobbi Thompson, a member of the Central United Methodist music staff and former back-up singer for Motown recording artists. Known for its roots-based repertoire of gospel, blues, folk and Motown, the choir has gained a reputation for its originality and cultural diversity.

Stevie Soul is a Detroit improvisational artist who mixes live percussion, scat singing, blues, and soul using voice and body. He also teaches music classes for Art in Schools, the Y-Arts school outreach program. Poet Marsha Carter is also an instructor for Art in Schools, as well as a popular performer at many of the city’s literary events. She was a member of the Detroit slam team that competed in the 2007 National Poetry Slam. Dancers and musicians from Freedom House, a Detroit residence that houses political refugees awaiting asylum status in the U.S., will perform several traditional pieces from the Congo and Rwanda.

Proceeds from the concert will support Y Media Works Summer Institute 2010, the five week-long summer camp component of a year round media production and service learning initiative from Y-Arts Detroit.

Tickets will be sold at the door. For additional information contact Y-Arts at 313-223-2751 or visit the website at www.y-artsdetroit.org.

The Luddites are an 11 piece folk orchestra that redefines the image of acoustic music. The Luddites take their name from a rabble of desperate English textile workers who, in the earliest days of the Industrial Revolution, took to smashing factory machines in an effort to preserve the ideals of humanity and craftsmanship.

Today’s Luddites are no less rebellious, shunning electronic trappings and embracing all things wood. Equipped with an arsenal of stringed, skinned, and reedy things they play original music that mix-matches folk, rock, zydeco, calypso, klezmer, ragtime, and Bourbon Street swing. They are often silly, sometimes sobering, always very entertaining.

Alvin’s
5756 Cass Ave.
just south of I-94 on W.S.U. campus Detroit.
313-638-6300.
$5 cover.

Ron English, with his Washburn guitar, 2007. Photo by Derek English.

This month “Jazz at JAPC” presents the Ron English Quartet. Jazz guitarist Ron English has enjoyed a long and varied music career, with roots wide and deep in blues, Broadway, bebop, avant-garde, funk, Motown, and gospel. Ron started out playing a sort of roadhouse jazz and blues mix in various organ trios, including his long time employer and collaborator Lyman Woodard.

In the mid-60s Ron joined the Detroit Contemporary 5 which was the house band of the Detroit Artists Workshop Society, an arts collective spearheaded by legendary poet and activist John Sinclair. In the 70s, he played with CJQ, led by Charles Moore and pianist Kenny Cox, exploring more post-bop and avant-garde paths and was featured on CJQ’s “Locations” and Lyman Woodard’s “Saturday Night Special”.

From the 70s on into the 90s, Ron toured and recorded with Michigan jazz artists Lyman Woodard, Phil Ranelin, Wendell Harrison, Kenny Cox, the Jimmy Wilkins Orchestra, the Austin-Moro Big Band, and Eddie Russ, with whom he toured Europe. He also toured backing the Four Tops, Martha Reeves & the Vandellas, and the Supremes’ Mary Wilson, and recorded with Gladys Knight and the Pips.

Ron currently teaches guitar, jazz theory and ensemble classes in the Continuing Education program at Marygrove College. He previously taught in Jazz Studies programs at Oakland University and Michigan State University.

Michael Aguilar-Christy, Deacon
Jefferson Avenue Presbyterian Church
8625 E. Jefferson Avenue at Burns
Detroit, Michigan
313-530-8245
christywalker_mc@hotmail.com

(left to right): Yana Levovna, Leah Darany, Jessalyn Brooks, Anne Marie Damman,
Jaye Stellini, Kirsten Knisel. Photo by Charles Nowak

In celebration of the 77th anniversary of the repeal of Prohibition, Magenta Giraffe Theatre Company of Detroit joins forces with Kuhnhenn Brewing Company of Warren to present a raucous Jazz Age night of food, drinks and entertainment at Cliff Bell’s on April 24, 2010, from 8:00 p.m. to 12:00 a.m. Admission is $75, or $140 per couple, and includes free-flowing Kuhnhenn brews (13 different beers to choose from!), gourmet hor d’oeuvres, live music, an energetic floorshow and improvisational bits throughout the evening. Tickets priced at only $35 are available and include entry, entertainment and two beer tokens. Patrons must dress in 1920s garb and be prepared to dance, drink and speak easy! Cliff Bell’s is located at 2080 Park Ave., Detroit, MI 48226. Tickets may be purchased by visiting www.kbrewery.com or by calling Kuhnhenn Brewing Company at 586-979-8361.

The evening’s entertainment will features 100% local talent. The floorshow, coordinated and choreographed by MGT Artistic Director Frannie Shepherd-Bates, includes Jessalyn Brooks, Anne Marie Damman, Leah Darany, Kirsten Knisely, Yana Levovna and Jaye Stellini. Jazz singer Bethany Caldarona will perform with musicians Dave Dionese, Michael Fiedler, John Garland, Alex Hill and David Woitulewicz. Improvisational performances directed by MGT Educational Director Lisa Melinn will feature Dyan Bailey, Dawn Bartley, Dave Davies, Alan Fox, Matt Gannaway, Lisa Melinn, Peter Werthman and Ken Wood.

For additional information on Speakeasy Night, contact Julie Kuhnhenn or visit www.kbrewery.com.

This community-wide event will be held at the Royal Oak Farmers Market on Saturday, April 17th from 5pm-12am.
Admission is $5 (children under 5 years old are free.)

Live entertainment, food, beer, wine, kid’s activities and raffles!

Scheduled to perform:
The Candy Band
http://www.candyband.com/
The Royal Oak Children’s Choir
http://www.royaloakchildrenschoir.org/
Bob Mervak
The Polish Muslims
http://www.thepolishmuslims.com/master.html
Jennifer Westwood
http://www.myspace.com/jenniferwestwood
The Satin Peaches
http://www.myspace.com/thesatinpeaches
The Wednesdees
http://www.myspace.com/thewednesdees

Food Vendors
Inn Season Cafe- Vegetarian
http://theinnseasoncafe.com/
Mezza Mediterranean Grille
http://www.mezzagrille.com/
Lazy Bones Smokehouse- BBQ
http://lazybonessmokehouse.net/
Royal Oak Women’s Club- Hot Dogs
http://royaloakwomansclub.org/
Royal Oak Elementary Schools- Popcorn, drinks, fruit, bake sale items
http://www.royaloakschools.com/portal/
Tasi Juice Bar- Power smoothies and coffee
http://tasifresh.com/
Cloverleaf Fine Wine
http://cloverleafwine.com/
Millking It Productions- Beer (Just moved from Pontiac to Royal Oak!)

We have more vendors!
Nth Degree Fitness
http://www.nthdegreefitness.com/index.php
Gilded Lotus Henna- Henna body art
http://gildedlotushenna.com/index.htm
Four Seasons Garden Center & Custom Landscape Services
http://www.fourseasonsgardencenter.com/
Two Women and a Ho
http://www.twowomenandahoe.com/
Yoga Shelter
http://www.yogashelter.com/
With My Own Two Hands- Massage Therapy- chair massages
http://www.withmyowntwohandsmt.com/

Kids Activities:
A Step Outside of the Box
http://www.outsideofthebox.biz/
Mar-E-Lynn The Clown- face painting
http://www.aclown.com/
Scavenger Hunt
Tons of crafts

Visit http://www.royaloakcommunityfarm.com for more information.

Royal Oak Farmers Market
316 East 11 Mile Road
Royal Oak, MI

First Place winner Julianne, Second Place winner Dennis G. Donoho, and Third Place winner Ralston will perform at the Trinity House Theatre. Come hear these wonderful songwriters and performers in the best small concert venue in the Detroit area. For more information and reservations, go to www.TrinityHouse.org or call the theater at (734) 474-6304.
Julianne will be accompanied by Kris Kurzawa.

Trinity House Theater
38840 W. Six Mile
Livonia, MI 48152-2605

The seminar is for all who wish to write movies and songs that complement scenes for movies. Learn what’s happening in Detroit’s world of opportunities in film, how to write movies and develop theme music. Be enlightened by Ms. Erica Hill, Film Detroit; Zelmer Bothic III, Screenwriter-worked with Spike Lee; Guitar Center Representative and Herbert Metoyer-, Musician/Poet and Author, topic Music Scoring Equipment & Software

Early Registration: $50.00
Registration at the Door: $70.00

Register on-line www.detroitwritersguild.com or Make money order payable to: DWG, 18508 Greenlawn, Detroit, MI 48221 Attn: Sharon Floyd
(313)213-7329

Wayne State University; 573 Student Center at 5221 Gullen Mall and Reuther Mall

Chris Canas just released a new cd – “She’s Breaking Me”. The Chris Canas Blues Revolution will be celebrating with a big party and performance this Saturday, April 3rd, 2010 at 9:30pm. 

Memphis Smoke, 100 S. Main, (at 11 Mile Rd, Royal Oak, MI. 
Spring has sprung and the Blues is HOT!