The Pulice Report

University of Michigan Jazz Festival

I wrote a piece today for Examiner.com about the University of Michigan Jazz Festival, which happens tomorrow in Ann Arbor. The festival has quite a lineup, and will focus largely on the music of Charles Mingus, so please consider attending. I also had the pleasure of speaking by phone with Sue Mingus, who gave me permission to use a famous image of her late husband in my article, a gracious offer.  

Michigan Creatives - First Anniversary

One year ago today, February 4, 2009, I founded Michigan Creatives, "A place for those in Michigan's creative industry, whether as an artist, photographer, filmmaker, writer, musician, actor, designer..."

If you've already joined, thank you. If you haven't, please consider signing on today, then tell a fellow creative. It's still early in 2010, and I plan to help our social network grow significantly this year, both in terms of membership and scope. We're now on Facebook.

Look for an announcement about a group event soon. 

Classic Rock and the Millennial Generation

I've had the following experience several times over the past year. I'll be in a restaurant or coffee house, and a classic rock tune will start wafting over the sound system. As I think to myself, not many under 30, possibly 35, will like or even know this tune, I notice that some of those in the Millennial Generation around me not only do like and know the tune, they're flat-out jamming. Some of the more notable incidents have involved David Bowie, and just last week I watched and listened as two twenty-somethings blasted from their iPod "Stairway to Heaven" and other Led Zeppelin nuggets. One of these guys seemed to know every riff and lyric. 

Big surprise, big relief. My youth is not entirely gone.

   

Matt Watroba's Tribute to Martin Luther King, Jr.

As always, Michigan's own Matt Watroba offers a spirited performance. A true musical treasure.

The Beatles - "Don't Let Me Down"

Thanks to my old friend, Pete Odom, for reminding me of just how agesless this quartet remains.

Michigan Creatives Membership Drive

 

As I've been listening to public radio stations make a push for new members this week during their fundraising drives, I thought it would be a perfect time to ask those of you involved in creative endeavors throughout the Great Lake State to join Michigan Creatives. I founded this social network on the Ning platform in February, and many people that I've known for years -- and some I've met only through it -- have joined. However, I'd like to double membership by the end of 2009, and am planning to become much more active on the network. When you join (it's free), I encourage you to upload portfolio material to your page, invite others to events, blog, chat, et al. It's another way for us to showcase the deep pool of creative talent in our two peninsulas. Thanks in advance.

Arresting Site of the Month, May: Inside Detroit

Begun in 2005 as a way to educate the public about the state's largest city, an area non-profit operates with the belief that "The more people know about Detroit, the more they love it." I agree completely. Maureen Kearns and Jeanette Pierce are the co-founders of Inside Detroit, a Web site whose compelling mission has inspired me to name its online presence May's "Arresting Site of the Month."

Perhaps the best way to begin your tour of the site is at the Virtual Welcome Center, a directory of Detroit's bars and restaurants, art galleries, living options, and more. This is particularly handy if you're new to the area or have never really explored the city in depth. But it's also a guide for those who have lived here most (or all) of their lives, as there are plenty of new events and developments, and even Motor City regulars are bounds to uncover some hot/cool new destination or valuable piece of information. Once you're physically in town, visit the Downtown Welcome Center, located at 1253 Woodward Ave., open 11am-6pm Monday-Saturday.

The sharp folks at metromode have recently given space in their terrific publication to Pierce, who further details Inside Detroit's mission. Clearly, Pierce and Kearns have a deep passion for the city, as they answer the question: Why Detroit? Also check out the site's numerous and helpful links, sign up for their e-newsletter, and explore the many treasures of the Web site...and of Detroit itself.

2009 Ann Arbor Summer Festival Schedule

Once again, the Ann Arbor Summer Festival, running June 12-July 5, has assembled a stellar lineup for its newest season. In addition to all the top-flight music, the festival offers myriad other programs, including kids' activities, workshops, educational events, and more. Tickets go on sale at 9am on Monday, April 27, for such mainstage performances as Los Lobos (with special guest Pistolera), Zap Mama, and the Capitol Steps. Many of the Top of the Park performances, including those from NOMO and Hullabaloo, as well as such movies as Horton Hears a Who! and Sunset Boulevard, are free.

Plan your visit and see you there.

Q&A with Donald Harrison, Executive Director, Ann Arbor Film Festival

 

Donald Harrison, Executive Director of the Ann Arbor Film Festival, graciously took time out of his busy schedule to discuss the 47th installment of this internationally renowned gathering. I wrote about AAFF in this space a few weeks ago, and am pleased to present it here from the perspective of the visionary Harrison, who has crafted a remarkable six-day event that kicks off tomorrow (Tuesday) evening, March 24 and runs through Sunday, March 29. I should note that I was heavily involved this year as a volunteer, which included screening more than 300 of the 2,600+ submitted films, and assisting with media relations and other publicity. Flattered and thrilled to be part of the process, I strongly encourage you to attend the festival's themed competitions and special programs, and to check out its content-rich website, where you also can receive updates, rate/review films, and more. 

---

This year’s Ann Arbor Film Festival received more than 2,600 submissions from around the world, up 25% from the 2008 event. Why do you think there was such a spike?

Donald Harrison: We received a record number of submissions for several reasons: a) there are more people with stories to tell and access to the equipment to produce a film b) the international publicity the AAFF received defending artists and free speech c) as an independent filmmaker myself I know how to get the word out to that community.

Talk about the process of choosing from that large group the 125 films that made it into the competition section of the festival.

DH: We took a lot of time and care to find the best work for this year's festival. We have more than 40 screeners in our community, 2 rounds of the selection process and additional measures to give films a second chance for consideration. I personally reviewed over 400 films, as they came in, and wish I could have watched even more. It's a large-scale process, but one we take seriously and with appreciation for the massive collection of creativity we receive.

There are numerous themed competitions in this year’s AAFF, one of which is “Terra Firma,” a program spotlighting works that have feminine perspectives. During the selection process, do you actively look for themes, or do they emerge on their own?

DH: We look for the best films and let the themes emerge from there, which sometimes results in closely knitted themes or other times in loosely related ones. We value variety and surprise within our programs, and see the themes much the way you can imagine geographic lines on a map -- they're not actually real on the land, but they're useful guides.

This is the 47th annual event; is the Ann Arbor Film Festival a brand?

DH: Yes, the AAFF has an international reputation and a "brand" for showcasing cutting-edge, challenging, creatively inspired films. This become clear when we cold-called venues across the U.S. and overseas and received great responses from some of the world's leading contemporary art museums, cinematheques and new media galleries.

If someone has never been to the festival, but is planning to attend this year, what should they expect?

DH: The first time AAFF audience-goer should expect artistically-crafted films, an adventurous spirit, a welcoming atmosphere and an engaging experience. We don't expect everyone to like or understand every film, but we believe in the quality and artistic vision of the films in our programs. There's a tremendous range of the type and styles of films in our festival and I believe there is at least one program that any fan of film, story or art will love.

©Copyright 2009, Tim Pulice. All rights reserved.

Linda Yohn's Valentine's Day Special on WEMU

Linda Yohn will spin listener requests and dedications on her annual Valentine's Day special, tomorrow -- Friday the 13th, no less -- from 9am-noon on WEMU. Grab your sweetie, tune into 89.1 FM, and enjoy the sweet and jazzy sounds from Linda, one of the jewels of the dial. Eastern Michigan University's splendid public radio station also will host a special benefit called "For the Love of WEMU" from 7am-3pm on Saturday at the Northside Grill in Ann Arbor. All tips will benefit 89.1, and Linda herself will be waiting tables from 11am-1pm. Be kind, be generous.