6 Days and Counting Down: Weirdsville Records

Today's Positive Eye On Small & Local: 
Weirdsville Records in Mount Clemens. 

Weirdsville Records is neatly nestled inside the Used on New Books & More shop (which, not-so-coincidentally, will be the subject of Countdown, Day 5). Since its inception, Weirdsville has grown and evolved into a fascinating blend of the cool and the odd, offering far more than just offbeat records and strange items (although those things abound there... check out the famous commercial to see what I mean: http://bit.ly/1dpvqES). 
This is not just My Opinion, either... Weirdsville was voted Best Indie Record Store of 2013 by the Metro Times and, not only that, was the subject of a segment by Under The Radar Michigan!
There's a lot of new vinyl to be had here, too (yes... vinyl records are still being produced.)! Also, there's a wide variety of local art hanging on their walls. 
As if that isn't enough, they also offer many fun and interesting after-hours events like the seasonal zombie make-up workshop, listening parties which showcase the new releases from local bands, and (of course) Weirdsville Movie Night, which starts promptly at 8:08pm most Thursday nights (and, just so ya know, the $2.00 donation goes to an animal adoption service). 
Special bulletin: tonight is no exception! Drop on by 36 New Street to see Boris Karloff and Jack Nicholson in "The Terror"...and heckling the film is encouraged! 

This Weekend: Oct. 12th & 13th!

Coming up fast this Saturday and Sunday in Mount Clemens: Two events offering a lot of really nifty stuff and fun for everyone! Whether you're Christmas shopping early or you just love creative and interesting things, this is for you! Even better... they are less than a mile from each other!

Here are links to the Facebook event pages for these fabulous happenings:

Trunk & Treasure Extravaganza
51 Belleview, Mt. Clemens, MI 48043 (October 12th, 10am - 5pm & October 13th, 10am - 3pm)

Pick a PYRO Pumpkin Patch
123 S. Main St., Mt. Clemens, MI 48043 (October 12th & 13th, 11am - 6pm)

Here's a map showing how to get from one place to the other (click on it to go to the Google map):

Max & Ollie's Vintage Boutique will have a booth at the Trunk & Treasure show... and I count myself as fortunate to be setting up my own Gothro Studios table! I will even have a little time on Sunday to skate on over to the Pyro Art Glass Studio for their glass pumpkin event!

I hope to see you!

Oh, yeah... don't forget to check out the Positive ION Facebook Page for more news and events!

What the Macomb Media Lab Launch Means to You...

I had the honor and pleasure of being there for the official festivities, just this past Tuesday! You can read all about the launch and what it means here. I believe this to be a very positive move for the Macomb Daily and for our local community. The beauty of it all is that the audience gets a chance to participate!

The ribbon-cutting ceremony which officially launched the Macomb Media Lab.

Publisher Jim O'Rourke put it very well when he said, "You know, digital has been a big disruptor for our business, and some people can run from that or some people can rally behind it and make it the best period in business... that's how I look at it and that's how the team here looks at it." He goes on to say that it gives them an opportunity to engage more with their community as they expand their digital audience.  I always appreciate a positive outlook!

 

2nd Annual New Street Urban Fair

    I love art and I love music. I also love Downtown Mount Clemens (I throw that in, in case you didn't already know that). What could be finer than all three of these elements combined?
   Well, if you missed the Made in Michigan Show, a month ago... and if you didn't make the Anton Art Fair, a week or so ago... then I have good news for you!
    Courtesy of Used-on-New Books and Weirdsville Records, in conjunction with the Mount Clemens Downtown Development Authority, the 2013 New Street Urban Fair takes place this Saturday (June 15th), from 11am - 9pm.
    I know of at least four scheduled musical guests (with times subject to slight changes, according to Davey Taylor of Weirdsville Records) : Emily Rose at 1:30pm, RattleTrap at 2:30pm, Hatchetmen at 4:00pm, and The Slot Rods at 5:00pm.
    I am not privy to the identities of all the artists that will be having booth spaces along New Street, but I know that a friend of mine and her daughter will be selling their hand-crafted works, and that my good-friend and fellow artist, Bill Bryan will be bringing his fabulous skills to the party!
    Oh, yeah... I nearly forgot! I will also have a spot of my very own at this fair where I will have my artwork and woodwork available!
    Come on down, this Saturday, and have a good time. I know I will!

Art Attack

   You might notice that I've been adding links to the websites, Facebook pages, and Twitter accounts of various local people and places to the right-hand sidebar of the blog. Among them is PYRO Art Glass, which is located just north of the Mount Clemens Post Office.
    These guys create some of the most beautiful hand-blown glass works that I've ever had a chance to personally regard... and I've seen a lot of good blown glass!
    They also do their best to get everybody into the act. For instance, this afternoon I have a 3:00pm slot to participate in a special event. They describe it this way: "Saturday, May 4th our glass artists will help you, and/or your special person, make a one of a kind glass flower. The cost is $25 per person and we can accommodate 2 people every half hour.". I couldn't pass that up!
    At last report, there only two time slots left for this pre-Mother's Day flower pull... that means 4 spots for people: 2 at 2:30, and 2 at 7:00. Call the studio to reserve your spot: 586-954-4994!
    I am so lucky that these artists are only a couple miles from me!

   I'm sure there will be some cool arts and crafts at the 2nd Annual "Made in Michigan" Show which will be going on downtown in Mount Clemens Friday, May 10th and Saturday, May 11th, 2013.

   While I am on the subject of local artists... didja know that more than a few quality artists from our general neck of the woods will be having tables set up in the Artist's Alley, May 17th through May 19th, at the Motor City Comicon in Novi?
   I knew that my longtime friend and brother artist, Bill Bryan, would be there as a guest, and I was sure a few artists that belong to the Motor City Sketch Facebook Group were going to have tables (like Jay Fosgitt)... but beyond that, I wasn't sure. So, I struck up a conversation with Kelly O'Hara, who not only draws with the MCS group, but also happens to be a manager at the Rainyday Art Supply & Framing Company (another very cool small business that is not as close as I wish it was, being in Grosse Pointe Woods, as it is... but, as an artist myself, I have patronized the shop more than a few times). She was kind enough let me in on who she knew would be there from the group off the top of her head. The list includes Bruce Gerlach, Anne Garavaglia, Bill Pulkovski, Jason Westlake, and Alex Buechel. I'm sure there is going to be more local talent at the convention than we could come up with.
   You might want to check it out!

   In addition to all this, there is currently an exhibit entitled, "The Portrait" at the Anton Art Center in Mount Clemens, which runs until June 2nd. 
  

I on Downtown Mt Clemens - Late March 2013

   It has been a very busy week for me, and I plan to have a bit of fun to unwind.
   I begin tomorrow evening. Every Thursday night is Weirdsville Movie Night at Weirdsville Records on New Street. The feature for March 28th is Plan 9 from Outer Space, which should be loads of fun because of its cult-favorite, B-movie status. If you have never experienced Weirdsville Movie Night, you should really check it out. Do not expect to see super-serious, trendy, avant-garde film fanatics soberly analyzing little-known flicks, here... it is more like being in the silhouette audience of Mystery Science Theater 3000. Don't take my word for it, just head on down there, tomorrow night... I'll keep an eye out for ya!
   While I'm on the subject of Weirdsville Records, I ought to mention that they have won the award for Best Indie Record Store in Macomb County according to the MetroTimes Best of Detroit 2013! They are celebrating this on Friday, March 29th. The store is open from 11:00am - 8:00pm, that day.
   Coincidentally, March 29th is Mom and Pop Business Owners Day. How about that?

   Friday night, I will be taking in the second-to-last performance of The Fantasticks at the Box Theater, which is at the corner of Macomb Place and Pine Street (formerly the site of the Ché Cosa coffee shop). I saw this, last Friday night and I feel compelled to see it again... and I'm bringing friends.
   Rarely have I ever had such a great time watching local theater. The cast acts like they were born performing this play together. It is an engaging story, at once charming, delightful, and funny.

   A couple of other tidbits:

   I stopped by Champagne Chocolates on Cherry Street to gather some Easter candy. If you have never partaken of their fresh and wonderful wares, you should really treat yourself and your loved ones. Just the ears off of one of their chocolate bunnies is far more satisfying than whole rabbits that have been sitting in warehouses for who-knows-how-long waiting for the drugstore Easter sale. Trust me on this... they are a worthy purchase!

   Last (but not the least bit least!), for another delightful experience, stop on by Max & Ollie's Vintage Boutique at 65 Macomb Place. Owner Diane Kubik is a most charming shopkeeper... and she is letting go a whole lot of Easter treasures at a discount. Tell her that Lee sentcha!