Old Town - Lansing, MI

Wake Up Old Town Networking Event

This article was posted on Wed, Jan 27 2010 | Permalink

Join us for Wake Up Old Town, our monthly networking event, from 9-10a.m. at Douglas Meeks Law Offices in the Young’s Landing Building, 513 E. Grand River. Learn about Old Town news and events and share your own at this free networking event.  Call the OTCA at 517-485-4283 for more information.

18th Annual Burning Desires at Stage 1210

This article was posted on Wed, Jan 27 2010 | Permalink

“What makes the engine go? Desire, desire, desire.” –Stanley Kunitz, Former
U.S. Poet Laureate

Lansing, Mich. (January 20, 2010) – Burning Desires: An Afternoon of Love
Poetry (Erotic and Otherwise) takes the stage for the 18th year on Saturday,
February 13 at Studio 1210 in Lansing’s Old Town. Doors at Studio 1210 (1210
Turner St.) open at noon; words begin at 1:00 pm.
$5 donation at the door.

The purpose: to turn up the St. Valentine’s Day heat in Lansing.
Bringing together some of the best poets and performance artists in
mid-Michigan since 1992, Burning Desires is once again gearing up to deliver
hot words, music and performance to the stage.

Performers this year include:

Ruelaine Stokes, host of the longest-running open poetry mic in the Lansing
area, currently at the Creole Gallery Joseph Harris, aka LogicthePoet, MC of
the monthly Spitfire Poetry series at East Lansing’s (SCENE)Metrospace Tiya
Kunaiyi, alumna of MSU’s Black Poets Society and long-time member of the
NuPoet Collective Robert Rentschler, East Lansing’s unacknowledged poet
laureate for the past 50 years Dixon, the renowned experimental and
improvisational electric violinist (http://www.dixonsviolin.com) Tommye Blount,
Detroit native, Cave Canem fellow and recently published in the Cave Canem
XI Anthology Zachary Jean Chartkoff, part of the “4 Against the Wall”
syndicate and huckster of sonnets A new puppet show performance written and
produced by Fred Englegau, long-time Lansing artist
Plus: surprise guests!

MC d’Amor Sal Paradise will once again kick off the afternoon’s festivities
by reading the Burning Desires Safety Guidelines and distributing Love Rags
to the audience.

Burning Desires: it’s sometimes wet, often wild, always hot. Doors at Studio
1210 open at noon; words begin at 1:00 pm. $5 donation at the door.
Refreshments provided. Sponsored by the Old Town Business and Art
Development Association (OTBADA)/Michigan Institute of Contemporary Art
(MICA). For more information, contact Sam Mills at
(517) 290-3929.

Old Town Business and Art Development Association/Michigan Institute of
Contemporary Art is a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization dedicated to quality
arts programming, the preservation of historic buildings and economic
development. See http://www.oldtownarts.org or call 517-371-4600 for more
information.

OTCA Annual Meeting

This article was posted on Fri, Jan 22 2010 | Permalink

The Old Town Commercial Association (OTCA) will be hosting a Winter Member Mixer and Annual Meeting on Thursday, February 4, 2010 at 6:30pm to 8:30pm at Perspective2 Studio at 319 East Grand River Avenue in Old Town Lansing.
The Winter Mixer is an informal event that gives the public the opportunity to learn about all the Old Town Commercial Association projects and accomplishments of 2009 as well as see future projects and goals for 2010. There will be opportunities to join one of the five committees that OTCA facilitates; Promotion, Design, Economic Restructuring, Organization and Residential Initiatives.

Membership is an important aspect of the OTCA’s programming.  Over 100 area businesses representing 300 employees in the Lansing area utilize OTCA for services like health insurance, credit card processing, cooperative marketing and the like.  In turn, membership makes up a quarter of the organization’s annual budget.

This event also gives OTCA the chance to show its appreciation to all the dedicated volunteers and partners that make each and every project in Old Town a success. Additionally, elections will take place and all Old Town members in good standing have vote on board members, changes to the bylaws or mission statement.

A variety of refreshments from Old Town businesses as well as cocktails and light hors d’oeuvres will be served at the event. This event is free and open to the public. We encourage everyone to join us for this event to learn about a variety of opportunities to get involved with your community!

Stage 1210 presents Drew Nelson

This article was posted on Wed, Jan 20 2010 | Permalink

Recently awarded New Spin of the Year by the Grand Rapids Press, Drew Nelson has taken Michigan by storm. The singer/songwriter recently released his new album “The Dusty Road to Beulah Land” with praised reviews following.

“Drew’s songs sound like the rest of us feel. His characters are anything but defeated. They are dazed, angry, amazed, and climbing.” John Gorka

“Drew is definitely among the best of the best because he has that extra special gift of connecting with the audience. His live performances bring his music to life. “ Bill Keith, Trinity House Theatre

Nelson’s songs capture the heart of our fine state acknowledging it’s overwhelming beauty and current hardships. Stage 1210 is located at 1210 Turner Street in Old Town Lansing. Surrounding you with art and music, Stage 1210 provides the ultimate, intimate acoustic experience. Tickets are $12 each ($9 students) and available at the door the day of the show or in advance at Elderly Instruments. The doors open at 7:30, the music starts at 8:00 on January 30th. Soft drinks, coffee, and snacks are available for purchase. Stage 1210 is supported by the Old Town Business & Art Development Association. Come out and support the local talent!

http://www.myspace.com/stage1210

http://tinyurl.com/stage1210facebook

Mind Your Own Business Luncheon

This article was posted on Mon, Jan 18 2010 | Permalink

The Old Town Commercial Association Design Committee announces the second Mind Your Own Business Luncheon on Tuesday January 26, 2010.  Taking place at noon at the Chrome Cat, the Mind Your Own Business seminar is a chance for local business owners to talk, share ideas, brainstorm, and hear success stories, as well as helpful tips from industry professionals who are doing it themselves.  The OTCA Design committee created the luncheon as a laid back, informal opportunity for Old Town, and other Lansing businesses to explore creative and new ideas to boost their business.  January’s luncheon will address creative ways to market your business in today’s economy and will feature special guest speakers Jerome White of Citadel Broadcasting, Rochelle Rizzi of Rizzi Design Firm, and a few surprise guests that will get your mind cranking with innovative and inventive ways for your business to stand out. 

The OTCA is continually assessing the MYOB Luncheon and Old Town businesses to ensure we are meeting your needs, and your attendance can ensure we are doing just that!  January’s topic came from comments offered by attendees of our last MYOB seminar, who reported that the volume of information they received at the MYOB Luncheon helped them to immediately start promoting their specific products and services, and enjoyed the casual lay-out of the event.  Also, networking with other business professionals at the lunch can be a major tool in helping your own business shine, as well as simply staying connected with the current pulse of our district.

Let your voice be heard, continue to add to the eclectic fabric of the Old Town community, and get new and manageable ideas on marketing your business!  The MYOB Luncheon will be held at the Chrome Cat, 226 East Grand River Avenue, at 12pm on January 26.  Cost is $5 and includes a box lunch.  For more information, call the OTCA office at 517.485.4283.