Themittenblog's Blog

[Editors Note:  Insert obligatory blogger apology for lack of posts.  Lots happening on the real estate front.  While I deal with that, check out these cool things other people are doing around the Mitten]

This is not my video.  But I wish it was.  When I was living in Boston, I had several conversations with friends about starting an online late-night talk show.  I thought we could invite cool bands to perform and interview comedians in front of a small audience. Though I never got around to it (add it to the list), I’m glad to see someone in Detroit has.  His name is Steve Barman and his show is called The Steve Barman Show.  Here’s Episode 6:

(HT: Motor City Rocks)

Ice Cream Man Hits Michigan.  During my time on the rock festival circuit, I got to know Matt Allen, a guy who gives out free ice cream for a living.  For those unfamiliar with Matt (The Ice Cream Man), you really have to check out his website (featuring performances by really good bands from his ice cream truck).  He recently made a couple stops in Michigan for Rothbury and the Michigan Adventure amusement park.  Can’t  say enough about how great a guy Matt is.  

Me and Matt at the 10,000 Lakes Festival in Minnesota, 2007

826 Shootout. I don’t know how I missed this, but my new friends at 826 Michigan hosted a film festival at this year’s Ann Arbor Art Fair. But rather than simply screen movies, they shot, edited, and screened them within the duration of the fair. Check out the winning film, Spaghetti Western on a Stick, featuring 826 program director Amy Sumerton getting killed):

PS: For those of you unfamiliar with 826, they are an UNBELIEVABLE resource for kids, providing writing instruction and support for teachers and a writing center behind their Robot Store in downtown Ann Arbor. The National organization was started in San Francisco by Dave Eggers and has sprouted up in Brooklyn, Boston and a couple other cities. We’re lucky to have them in Michigan.