May 11: Summary of pitches and goings-on
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TODAY
- [MEDIA] Rapid Growth's fifth birthday
6 p.m. at The Pyramid Scheme (68 Commerce SW)
Rapid Growth Media is turning five this month and inviting fans, readers, writers, people profiled by RG, staff, bloggers, sponsors, underwriters, potential future writers and bloggers for drink specials at The Pyramid Scheme.
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Potential questions- What has been some of RG's measures of growth in the last five years?
- How many stories, blog entries, profiles, business features has RG published?
Thursday, May 12
- [HEALTH + EDUCATION] Workshop on lead-safe painting and home repair
9 - 10:30 a.m. at Home Repair Services (1100 S. Division)
Free
Homes built before 1978 may contain lead-based paint. Disturbing lead-based paint without using lead safe work practices can increase health risks to residents. Healthy Homes Coalition will be hosting free, monthly workshops about how to work lead-safe while fixing older homes.
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Potential questions- Providing context: How much would it cost to completely strip a house that has lead-based paint?
- Do the work-arounds completely eliminate the risks of lead-based paint in the house or minimize its impact?
- Grand Rapids has many historical houses and districts. Approximately what proportion of GR homes is estimated to have lead-based paint in the house?
- [ARTS + CAUSES] Art sale for Japan
5-9 p.m. at San Chez Bistro (38 W. Fulton)
A fundraiser to benefit those affected by the tsunami and earthquake in Japan. Tons of local artists showcasing their talents. Artwork will be for sale and up for silent auction.
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Potential questions- There are many efforts going toward fundraising for Japan right now. Why did the organizer feel it was important to have a specific one in GR rather than encourage people to donate to already existing causes?
- Why did the organizer settle on an art auction?
- How much does she hope to raise?
- [FILM + EDUCATION] Indie film darling Reparando to be screened in GR
7 p.m. at Celebration Cinema North (2121 Celebration Drive NE)
$6 admission
Following a CIA mission to demand the resignation of Guatemala's president, a civil war erupted and lasted for 36 years. Those caught up in the strife are now helping to repair the next generation, and the filmmakers and one of the main characters of the documentary will be in GR to discuss their experiences.
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Potential questions- What brings the filmmakers to Grand Rapids?
- What was the U.S.' involvement in the war?
- Celebration Cinema appears to have a pattern of hosting socially related films. What else have they screened and where does this bent come from?
Friday, May 13
- [ARTS] Opening reception for POP! - Death Wins
5 p.m. at Richard App Gallery (910 Cherry SE)
Artists Richard App and Tommy Allen have known each other for almost 20 years. They've decided to collaborate and curate a series of exhibitions labeled "Pop!" and the first is a twist on the "Love Wins" bumper stickers. There will be several local artists displaying their work.
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Potential questions- "Love Wins" is a common bumper sticker, but is it a pop culture iconograph or is it something more local?
- What are the artists' takes on "Death Wins?" One of the artists is a former member of pop band Weezer. Does that have any effect on his art?
- How many exhibitions will be part of the Pop! series?
- [MUSIC + ENTERTAINMENT] Grand Rapids Public Museum's last of the spring Wurlitzer concerts
7 p.m. on May 13 and 2 p.m. on May 14 at GRPM (272 Pearl NW)
$10 admission
Each spring and fall, the public museum invites Wurlitzer organists, a dying breed, to perform on its 100 year-old Wurlitzer organ. The Wurlitzer encompasses the sounds of organ pipes to a glockenspiel, wooden blocks, horns to a fake bird cage. This month's concerts will be the last of the spring series.
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Potential questions- What's the history behind the museum's Wurlitzer and what condition is the musuem's in?
- How many are left in the country?
Saturday, May 14
- [MUSIC + ENTERTAINMENT] Professional handbell ensemble to play at Creston High School
4 p.m. at Creston High School (1720 Plainfield NE)
Both greater Grand Rapids' professional handbell ensemble and the youth handbell ensemble will be playing together in a concert this Saturday at Creston High School. There will be familiar and new melodies, set to the themes of dance and motion.
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Potential questions- How did Embellish and Bellistic get started?
- How common is the handbell?
- [ARTS + POLITICS] No fences, no borders photography exhibition highlights perspectives from Palestine's west bank
7 p.m. at The Division Avenue Arts Collective (115 S. Division)
Bill Cotter has ties to Grand Rapids, and No Fences, No Borders is a photography exhibition featuring work from six months spent living in the occupied West Bank of Palestine.
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Potential questions- What brought Bill to the West Bank of Palestine and how is it different than other parts of the country?
- Bill also has a three-volume set that he published as part of No Fences, No Borders. Does that contain the photos, contextualize the photos or are the photos and the publication separate?
- [SCIENCE + EDUCATION] GR Amateur Astronomical Association hosts public night to view Saturn and the crescent moon
9:30 p.m. at James C. Veen Observatory (3308 Kissing Rock Ave, Lowell)
The Observation Nights feature a closer look at the stars, our neighboring planets, the phases of the moon and many additional wonders our galaxy has to offer, provided the sky is clear.
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Potential questions- This isn't in GR, but it has a direct connection to the city. Tell us about the history of the GR Amateur Astronomical Association and what their goal is.
- How often is Saturn visible? And what exactly does a crescent moon mean?
- What are other astronomical highlights that happen on a regular or annual basis?
Monday, May 16
- [MUSIC + CAUSES] Hat Trick Concert Series featuring Zoe Lewis to benefit John Ball Zoo Society
7:30 p.m. at One Trick Pony (136 E. Fulton)
$10 suggested donation
WYCE's spring Hat Trick Concerts are a series of performances by regional and national artists to benefit local nonprofits and their programs doing worthwhile work in GR. Zoe Lewis is known for being a one-woman band, and her performance will benefit John Ball Zoo Society's JUMP program, a summer program that distributes free one-day passes for lower income families.
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Potential questions- How many years has the Hat Trick Concert Series been running?
- Do artists sign on to play benefit concerts or do they just view the series as concerts?
- How does WYCE choose the beneficiaries?
Tuesday, May 17
- [SPORTS + POLITICS] Mayor's annual bike ride and trail ribbon cutting
6 p.m. at Kent Trailhead (1700 Butterworth SW)
Bike ride with the Mayor as well as many regional bicycling groups including the Greater Grand Rapids Bicycle Coalition, Western Michigan Chapter of the Mountain Bike Assocation and West Michigan Trails and Greenways, along with the Motion Initiative and Boston Square Community Bikes.
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Potential questions- Does the trail ribbon cutting actually signify a new route, the start of a spring bicycling season or something else?
- What part do each of the organizations play in the Grand Rapids bicycling scene?
- How far is the ride? Is the mayor particularly into any type of cycling?
Thursday, May 19
- [ARTS + ECONOMY] Starting smart, an arts group discussion about smart business tactics
5:30 p.m. at Sparrows Coffee, Tea and Newsstand (1035 Wealthy SE)
The legal steps to starting a small business can seem daunting. Hear local creative professionals talk about how they made the leap from hobby to business owner and figure out how to navigate that paperwork.
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Potential questions- There is a little bit of confusion as to whether these events are free. Let us know!
- What have been some of the topics covered in this arts series and what's coming up? How are they chosen?
- [ARTS + LECTURE + EDUCATION] Design for change
6:30 p.m. at the Grand Rapids Art Museum (101 Monroe Center)
Today, it is no longer enough to create beautiful things, but a necessity to form the conditions and experiences that surround these beautiful things. Hear Tom Sieu, a leader in sustainable design and founder of R3 Lab in San Francisco, discuss the role of designers in this creative process and follow up with a hands-on workshop on Saturday.
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Potential questions- What does sustainable design mean? Does it apply to all design disciplines or mostly physical design such as the industrial and architectural arts?
- Who is Tom Sieu, what is R3 Lab known for and what does R3 stand for?
- Who actually gets to do sustainable design? Often times, designers don't have much choice in their client work, so at what point do designers have the flexibility to be part of the strategic process?
- [HISTORY + EDUCATION] Genealogical research education at GRPL
6:45 p.m. on Thursday, May 19 at Grand Rapids Public Library (111 Library NE)
The library uses a genealogical database called GEDCOM, or Genealogical Data Communication. Learn how to define, create and edit genealogical information in the GEDCOM format.
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Potential questions- Is GEDCOM a free service?
- How does GEDCOM get genealogical information? Is it the type of place to uncover genealogical histories or add genealogical histories?
Saturday, May 21
- [HISTORY + ARCHITECTURE] 42nd Annual Heritage Hill Home Tour
11 a.m. - 5 p.m. on Saturday, 12-6 p.m. on Sunday
$15 tickets
Experience one of the largest urban historic districts recognized by the National Register of Historic Places. The 1,300 homes in Heritage Hill date from 1843 and represent the best of American architecture. This is a fundraiser for the Heritage Hill Neighborhood Association.
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Potential questions- Does the tour really go through 1,300 homes?
- What are some of the other fundraisers that Heritage Hill holds? Rumor has it that a neighborhood wide yard sale is coming up.
REGULARLY
- [LITERATURE] Pre-reading classes for babies and toddlers
11-11:30 a.m. on various weekdays at Grand Rapids Public Library (111 Library NE)
Parents and caregivers are invited to introduce their babies, birth through 18 months, to music, movement, and language in 30-minute classes designed just for their specific developmental stages. Classes geared toward toddlers 18 months to 3 years of age feature hands-on, literacy-rich activities such as stories, songs with fingerplays and other action, and sign language.
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Potential questions- Is this a new program at the library?
- Did the library use any sort of recommended learning models to organize their 30-minute classes?
- Are the classes part of a series or one-time sessions?
- [MEETUP] Toastmasters roundtable
7:30 a.m. on every Thursday at the downtown GVSU campus
Toastmasters hosts weekly roundtables with the goal of bolstering members' public speaking skills.
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Potential questions- When did the local Toastmasters group first begin?
- Are there other local groups like Toastmasters?
- What are some of the basic tips they impart for pulic speaking?
- [TECHNOLOGY] Computer literacy classes at Grand Rapids Public Library
Regularly
Grand Rapids Public Library (111 Library NE)
The library offers free adult education classes that range in level from basic computing to effective use of social media. Click on one of the links above for more information about the specific class.
Potential questions- What does computer literacy encompass?
- How did the library determine what to fit into each computer literacy course?
- What are some common things that the "computer literate" take for granted?
- [ARTS + EDUCATION] Friday nights at GRAM
5 p.m. every Friday at GRAM (101 Monroe Center)
$5 admission
On Friday nights, Grand Rapids Art Museum invites the public to tour their galleries (open late), enjoy live piano music and a cash bar. alleries open late, live piano music, and a cash bar. The evening includes participation in their Friday Night Conversations series.
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Potential questions- What are the range of activities for Friday Nights?
- Why are certain exhibitions (like Princess Diana) excluded from Friday Nights access?
- What are the range of topics for Conversations?
- [MUSIC] Weekly Irish music sessions at McFadden's
7 p.m. on Sundays at McFadden's (58 Ionia SW)
Free
Whether you are a musician or an Irish music fan, this session is as close to visiting an Irish Pub Session in Ireland, as you can get without flying to the Emerald Isle! Food, beer and drink specials, and toe-tapping traditional Irish Music. Traditional Irish musicians (any instruments - including voice,) are invited to join in!
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Potential questions- How popular are the weekly Irish music sessions?
- This weekly event is is not advertised on McFadden's site, so who are the organizers and sponsors of the music sessions?
- What are some traditional Irish instruments? What are the defining characteristics of Irish music?
- [DANCE] English ritual dance group holds practice every Sunday
6:30 p.m. every Sunday at St. Mark's Episcopal Church (134 N. Division)
Bells of River City members have fun while educating the general public about the tradition of English ritual dance as performed in Grand Rapids, modeled upon but not limited to Cotswold Morris, Border Morris, Mumming, and English Sword Dance.
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Potential questions- Opportunity for a photo essay: What do the dances mentioned above look like?
- How old are these ritual dances?
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