They complain, and make no efforts to change

Tags

change, class, government, GSAC, naidra, naidra walls, wmu

* This post was started a while ago. I’m just now finishing it. Enjoy! *

I’m definitely blogging in class right now. Shake your head if you like, but if you were sitting in on this conversation, you’d take a minute to distract yourself as well.  I’m really just writing to keep from talking, because if I talk, I’ll swear, and probably make some enemies and lose a grade in this class.  Anything less than an “A” is unacceptable.

BUT we’re talking about power at Western today. Yes, students get all riled up when it’s time to talk about what our University is NOT doing. I was at GSAC last Friday, no one in this classroom was there. GSAC – the Graduate Student Advisroy Committee – is the graduate student government at WMU. So, if you think you’re getting shafted as a grad student by the university, GSAC meetings are good to attend because you’ll be able to voice your concerns and be a catalyst for change.

In class, these people are complaining about parking passes. Why aren’t there grad passes? Why should there be? Just buy a parking pass like everyone else and shut up. Haven’t you seen campus? Where is there space to add more parking? How about this: ride a bike. Take the bus. Use your Bronco Card to take FREE TRIPS on the fine Kalamazoo Metro Transit system. How about that?

I don’t mean to be so whiny, but complainers irk me. If you don’t like something – change it. Have the twisted framers of our country taught us nothing?

FINALLY something worth listening to

Tags

fire, fire historical and cultural arts collaborative, kalamazoo, music, naidra, naidra walls, r&b, radio, slip back soul, soul, widr

Before you get into this post, go to WIDR, and click “listen now.”

It seems weird, but this is my first post about the huge musical deficit Kalamazoo can have.  The main radio station that I listen to is 103.3, but they mainly play old rock, teeny-bopper tunes like Hannah Montana and Justin Beiber (or whoever), and OLD OLD R&B. For me, that’s not cutting it.

Fortunately, I was linked up with Fire Historical and Cultural Arts Collaborative through some great friends and learned the the Executive Director has this show on WIDR, Saturday mornings from 11a to 1p. For a while, I either overslept, was away from a computer or radio, or forgot…but then, I tuned in and was AMAZED! This is the music I had been looking for! Funky, soulful, Saturday sounds. Perfect for driving around with no particular place to go, washing dishes, or just lounging and looking out of the window with a hot cup of coffee and a bagel.

Slip Back Soul should be it’s own station. We could just cruise around feeling funky all day. I know I’m all for an eclectic combination of throwback (or Slip Back) soul sounds peppered with news bits of Kalamazoo happs. Are you?

Soul Rebels Brass Band, September 1st

Tags

brass, fire, fire historical arts collaborative, kalamazoo, music, naidra, naidra walls, new orleans, soul rebels brass band, street bands

Have you ever walked down the street in a city like Chicago, Washington D.C., New York, or New Orleans, and all of a sudden this fantastic burst of music erupts from a corner just out of your eyesight? Feeling your way around the city, sometimes even getting lost, you search for that sound.  You risk looking like a lost tourist just to pinpoint where that strong base line and beautiful melody is emanating.

If you were wandering the streets of New Orleans in 1991 or later, you may have been hypnotized by the Soul Rebels Brass Band.  This dynamic, 8-member band combines the traditional marching band style with jazz and traditional New Orleans musical culture.  Needless to say, they’re pretty awesome. The Soul Rebels will be in Kalamazoo, MI on September 1, 2011 at the Rose Street Market. The show starts at 7:30 p.m. with a great performance by Kalamazoo’s Linsay Kelly. Plus, tickets are $12 (ONLY $12? Hush yo’ mouth!).

The Soul Rebels are a movement of their own, but September also marks the 6 year anniversary of Fire! So, there is a ton to celebrate. Make sure to wear some dancing shoes!

There will also be a FREE pre-concert discussion on the role that art has in revitalizing community at Fire (1249 Portage Rd.) that starts at 5:30 p.m. You have to RSVP for the discussion though – email fire@thisisfire.com for your reservation asap.

More information on the event and on the band can be found here. You should also follow Fire on Twitter @thisisfire. I hope you come out, it’ll be a great time!

Soul Rebels Brass Band

Elevation Festival

Tags

annette taborn, art, dance, festival, fire, fire historical arts collaborative, green, interactive art, kalamazoo, michigan, music, naidra, naidra walls, parking structure, radisson, sustainable, youth

Elevation Festival on the Roof

Fire Historical and Cultural Arts Collaborative will host the Elevation Festival on the Roof, featuring Annette Taborn on August 13th.  This event will be held on the top floor of the Radisson Parking structure in Kalamazoo, MI. Kalamazoo hasn’t seen anything like this in a LONG TIME (if ever, the jury’s still out on that one). But still, it’s going to be a blast!

There will be interactive art pieces, dance lessons, performances, and sweet food vendors with an eclectic variety to please the tastes of the city.  The festival will feature Annette Taborn, a renowned blues singer, but the stage will be open to some youth performers too.

Here’s the info from their Facebook event page:

Live music featuring Annette Taborn (Former Kalamazoo blues vocalist and founder of the Kzoo Blues Fest, blues. soul. funk and folk singer – Linsay Kelly, Javon Vincent and other local artists.Food by fuel [unpredictably vegetarian] and other local vendors

Beverages by Arbor Brewing, Arcadia Brewing, Contessa Winery and Tiffany’s

Playshops include:
Improvisational Comedy with members of Monkapult
Hustle dance by Cecilia Gardner
Spoken Word Poetry Performances by Mariah Isaacs, Cornelius Shaw and Denise Miller
Salsa dance lessons
Krump dance lessons

Elevation offers a rooftop festival atmosphere atop the Radisson parking structure. The evening will feature a visual art installation, 6-8 emerging culinary vendors, Arcadia and Arbor Brewing, DJs, film, theater and musical performances!

Come join us and help support Kalamazoo talent! We have a bunch of playshops that everybody can participate in:

$5 before 8 pm and $8 after
food/beverage tickets available for purchase

So, you should definitely check it out. August 13th from 5p to midnight. Visit www.thisisfire.com for more information.