Tag Archives: WMCAT

5 Local Things You Need to Know: Headlines for the Week

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By WKTV Staff

joanne@wktv.org

 

Wyoming/Kentwood: Transformando West Michigan

Shawn Kohlhaas, owner of Culinary Cultivations, talks to participants in the Transformando West Michigan program.

 

The West Michigan Hispanic Chamber of Commerce launched its newest intiative Transformando West Michigan, “Feeding Minds, Mouths, and Pockets.” The goal of this program is to provide Hispanic business owners currently working or with the desire to work in the food industry with the necessary financial tools and food safety knowledge to become successful. 

 

The inaugural class kicked off at Gordon Food Service. The class is six sessions over three months with those who complete the program receiving food safety certification required by the health department of any restaurant operator.

 

For more on the story, click here. 

 

Kentwood: The Vibe gala is coming up

Garrett Bazany in Kentwood’s adapted water ski clinic.

 

Got your tickets to the Kentwood Parks and Recreation’s The Vibe yet? The event is set for Friday, May 18. The third annual fundraiser benefits the Kentwood’s Adaptive Sports programs, which provide recreation opportunities for individual with disabilities.

 

Tickets for the semi-formal event are $100 per person and can be purchased online at kentwoodvibe.com or by call 616-656-5270.

 

For more on this story, click here.

 

Wyoming: Buck Matthews makes last appearance

Buck Matthews

Once known as the voice of West Michigan, Buck Matthews is on his farewell tour offering one last piece of advice: write down and share your stories.

 

Matthews will be at First & Main of Metro Health Village, 6812 Village Dr. SW, Wednesday, May 9, to talk about his latest book, “The Book in Each of Us.” The program is at 2 p.m. In the book, Matthews discuss the experience of writing and encourages others to do the same to share their stories.

 

For on this story, click here.

 

Wyoming: Concerts in the Park schedule announced

The Wyoming Community Enrichment Commission has released its 2018 Concerts in the Park line-up. The series runs from June 5 to Aug. 7. All concert are at 7 p.m. at Lamar Park.

 

To see the schedule, click here.

 

West Michigan: Local African-American music scene

A student-produced film on the history of black musicians in Grand Rapids will be shown Thursday, May 10 at Celebration Cinema North, as well as on Xfinity On Demand cable TV beginning the same day.

 

A student-produced film,  “Rhythm and Race: A History of African American Music in Grand Rapids,” on the history of black musicians in Grand Rapids will be shown Thursday, May 10, at Celebration Cinema North, as well as on Xfinity On Demand cable TV beginning the same day. The screening is at 6:30 p.m. followed by a panel discussion.

 

For more on the story, click here.

School News Network: Students’ film traces history, influence of Grand Rapids’ African-American music scene

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A student-produced film on the history of black musicians in Grand Rapids will be shown Thursday, May 10 at Celebration Cinema North, as well as on Xfinity On Demand cable TV beginning the same day.

By Charles Honey

School News Network

 

A student-produced film on the history of black musicians in Grand Rapids will be shown Thursday, May 10 at Celebration Cinema North, as well as on Xfinity On Demand cable TV beginning the same day. “Rhythm and Race: A History of African American Music in Grand Rapids” was created by Grand Rapids Public Schools students in the after-school video production studio at the West Michigan Center for Arts + Technology (WMCAT).

 

The film examines how the local black music scene influenced social justice and helped advance equity for African Americans. Premiered last year, it has since added an interview with Curtis Rodgers, cofounder of the Grand Land Recording Company, the first record company to sign Grand Rapids-raised soul and gospel star Al Green.

 

The free 6:30 p.m. screening will be followed by a panel discussion of the WMCAT student production team and teaching artist Mike Saunders. Register to attend here.

 

Check out School News Network for more stories about students, schools, and faculty in West Michigan.

Students in the WMCAT after-school video production program created a documentary on African-American music in Grand Rapids (courtesy photo)

Grand Rapids Mini Maker Faire is back for fifth year, call for makers is now open

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By Christie Bender

Grand Rapids Public Museum

 

The Grand Rapids Public Museum just announced the 2018 Grand Rapids Mini Maker Faire dates for its fifth annual event, as well as the registration for makers is now open. This year’s Grand Rapids Maker Faire will take place August 18 and 19.

 

Maker Faire celebrates community members who are making or creating things by inviting them to share with the public what they have made. Everyone is a maker, and unfinished products are also encouraged.

 

Individuals and groups can now sign up at GrandRapids.MakerFaire.com. This year’s Maker Faire will be held at the Grand Rapids Public Museum and nearby Grand Valley State University’s Kennedy Hall of Engineering.

 

Maker Faire is looking for participants who enjoy tinkering, hacking, building and designing new technology-based inventions. Any groups or individuals interested in participating in the Maker Faire should complete the application at GrandRapids.MakerFaire.com. The Call for Makers will close on July 27.

 

Spots are first come, first serve basis with openings inside both the GRPM and GVSU as well as outside on the GRPM’s lawn. Makers participation is free for those showcasing. Makers interested in selling products at their booth require a small commercial fee.

 

Part science fair, part county fair, and part something entirely new, Maker Faire is an all-ages gathering that celebrates community members who are making things. All of these “makers” come to Maker Faire to show what they have made and to share what they have learned.

 

Featuring both established and emerging local “makers,” the Grand Rapids Maker Faire is a family-friendly celebration featuring tech enthusiasts, crafters, educators, hobbyists, engineers, artists, students and commercial exhibitors.

 

The Faire will be open 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. on August 18 and 19. Tickets will go on sale in early summer.

 

The Grand Rapids Mini Maker Faire is being organized by a collaborative committee that includes members from: DTE Energy, GR Makers, The Geek Group, Grand Rapids Community College, Grand Valley State University, Kent District Library, Kent Intermediate School District, Michigan Crossroads Council- Boy Scouts of America, WMCAT and the Grand Rapids Public Museum.

 

Follow the development of the Grand Rapids Maker Faire on Twitter @makerfaireGR, as well as on its Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/makerfairegr/ .

 

Grand Rapids Mini Maker Faire is independently organized and operated under license from Maker Media, Inc.

Only 3 days left to register for ‘Beautiful Batik’ class at WMCAT

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By C. Davis

 

Learn how to create batik designs at West Michigan Center for Arts + Technology, July 24–27, 2017, from 9:30 am-12:00 pm.

 

Batik is a traditional Indonesian fabric dyeing technique that allows artists to create beautiful patterns using a wax “resist”. You will also experiment with other dyeing techniques and design a hand-dyed pattern of your own.

 

Workshop leader John Cox specializes in color, design and textiles. He has taught fiber arts at WMCAT since 2008. John earned a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Interior Design from Kendall College of Art and Design with additional studies in textiles, industrial design and art history. He owned an arts retail business in Grand Rapids for 12 years and worked as an artist in Japan. John has displayed his work at galleries throughout West Michigan.

 

Go here to register. Fee is $125. Call 616.454.7004 for more information.

 

West Michigan Center for Arts + Technology is located at 98 E. Fulton St. Ste 202, Grand Rapids, MI 49503.