Join CCS students in the first Art Parade at Noon on Wednesday, April 18. Unlike other parades where all you can do is watch, if you have art that you want to display in the parade, show up with your objects d’art at Peck Park (right behind CCS across from parking structure on Brush) at 11:45. At noon the parade will wind its way around the Cultural Center area bordered by the DIA, Detroit Public Library, Detroit Science Center and Museum of African-American History. Come out to see the parade and the art!

A new style of home store opens next week in the ‘D’, called Bureau of Urban Living. Located at 460 West Canfield in Midtown, they are conveniently located for many midtowners. Owners Claire Nelson and Francis Grunow are stocking with the loft dweller in mind, whether it be modern or historic. Check the website for more info, or just stroll by next week to see when they open the doors for the general public. For more info, click here.

InZer0, a 12 episode video series created in Detroit was completed last month, with plans to begin production immediately of feature length film “InZer0: Fragile Wings” based on the series.

Thought Collide Productions, responsible for the series & feature film, is presenting episodes 9, 10 & 11 of “InZer0″ on April 3, 2007, at 7:30 p.m. during the Mitten Movie Project at the Main Art Theatre (118 N. Main Street, Royal Oak, MI 48067).  Episodes 9-11 are considered to be the best episodes of the series so this is the perfect opportunity to watch them all on the big screen.
And not to miss a party, a director’s reception precedes each showing beginning at 6:30 and an afterglow party immediately follows in Cinq (in the basement of Bastone — 419 S. Main Street, Royal Oak).

The Ann Arbor Film Festival, the oldest festival in North America that showcases independent and experimental film recently lost state funding because legislators say it violated a prohibition on the depiction of sex acts. State legislators have barred the Ann Arbor Film Festival from receiving state money for at least three years.

The drive to enforce the funding restrictions was sparked by an essay from Michael LeFaive, a policy analyst with the Mackinac Center for Public Policy, a libertarian think tank in Michigan. LeFaive claimed that taxpayer dollars could end up paying for a so-called “cesspool of silliness.” To demonstrate how silly people can be, LeFaive’s essay cited as an example Boobie Girl, a ‘G’ rated film from director Brooke Keisling. Keisling in turn says she thinks LeFaive didn’t see any of the films he objected to, since her movie is suitable for all ages.

“There’s nothing pornographic about my film,” she says. “It’s really G-rated; it’s really sweet. In fact, the woman who narrated used to be the voice of Rocky the Squirrel from Rocky and Bullwinkle.”

(more…)

At the Rattlesnake this evening I got to bump elbows with the rock stars of the GM auto design world, people like Wade Bryant, Design Manager for Concept vehicle interiors (and other cool interior work), Therese Tant, Lead Designer for the new Cadillac Escalade and interior design team member of the hottest concept car at the auto show this year, the GM Volt.
But the real headliner, the lead designer for the Volt is a soft spoken native of Nigeria and ‘94 alumni of CCS, Jelani Aliyu. Jelani was excited and tired at the same time, having just completed a 10 month marathon sprint to bring the Volt to the show floor in time for the auto show.

The marathon started with tough competition amongst 8 designers and their concepts that were developed in 2 short months, with 7 of the 8 scale model concepts reviewed and eliminated.  Jelani’s model was selected to develop for the show.  Then the real work began with less than 8 months until showtime.  His design incorporates many design elements to complement the electric technology driving the car as well as his love of nature and the ergonomics of a vehicle one can enjoy nature in.  In that short time the diverse team took the original scale model to the well detailed series of full scale concept units and frame cutaways that are in the GM area of the show now. (more…)

  

OK,.. ok,.. I know we lost in the World series,.. let’s not talk about that. Let’s be positive and remember all the great things the Tigers accomplished this year. And what better way to do that then paint a fiberglass Tiger!

Yeah that’s right,.. “The Children’s Charities Coalition is seeking approximately 100 artists, designers and craftsmen to participate in a new fundraiser that will celebrate the fantastic season of the 2006 Detroit Tigers. The event, entitled “TigerTown,” will feature 100 fiberglass tiger sculptures that will be displayed throughout Birmingham, Bloomfield and the greater metro Detroit area from April-June 2007. National City Bank is the title sponsor for TigerTown.”

“Artists will be asked to complete a proposed design diagram detailing materials to be used. Design submissions must be received by December 15. The TigerTown Review Board will jury designs and The Children’s Charities Coalition will contribute $700 to each selected artist for material fees.”

To receive an artist entry form all you have to do is swing by The Community House located at 380 South Bates Street in Birmingham. Or cruise on over to the web-site and access the form there.

The fiberglass tigers will be about 3ft long and 4 feet high. Expect to see them hit the streets in mid-April until about mid-June,.. where they will the be auctioned off.

Go Tigers! Go Artists! For more info visit > TigerTown

Via > the detroiter

Come out December 8th and Celebrate the Grand Opening of the Lofts at 55 West Canfield. One more in a long line of success stories for the city! Don’t miss your chance to bump elbows with lots of other fans of the ‘D’, including our Mayor!

LaSalle Bank and The Hubbell Group are springing for the appetizers and libations, so don’t be shy!!

Party starts at 5:30, ribbon cutting at 6:30, Valet Parking Available, DJ.

And if the beer and wine don’t cut it for you, there is a cash Martini Bar!

See you there!

Check out this event,.. should be a fun time and a great place to see some fresh kicks for all you sneaker heads out there!

4717 Woodward - October 27th 2006 @ Bob’s Classic Kicks. 9pm-2am

Visit > Abstraction Fashion

Apparently something is going on with the dress code over at the Detroit Public schools.  The students weren’t asked their opinion,.. now they’re mad,.. and they’re doing something about it. Actually Detroit Summer is doing something about it.

Detroit Summer is a multiracial, inter-generational, youth movement to rebuild, redefine and re-spirit Detroit from the ground up. Their main objective is to foster youth initiative through community beautification projects, visioning workshops, and inter-generational dialogues.

Awesome! This Thursday (tomorrow) is part of Detroit Summers’ monthly Breaking Bread community potluck series. They’re going to show students how to rock their uniforms and still keep their style with help from Detroit’s finest fashion designers. I can’t wait to see what styles these creative minds will come up with. Maybe the next big fashion trend will be walking down the halls of DPS! For more info visit Detroit Summer or check out their MySpace page.

Posters from the Detroit Graphics Expo - 2005 are still on sale. Select from 50 posters by local artists. Only 10 of each design are in existence, each one signed and numbered by the artist. Prices have been reduced to $50 for each poster with proceeds benefiting CreateDetroit’s mission of attracting retaining and engaging Detroit’s Creative Class. To download a ppt of the posters click here. To view all 50 posters online go to our photobucket site.

To purchase a poster e-mail director@createdetroit.com.