Sunday, August 26, 2012

Detroit Jazz Festival



Here is a premier FREE cultural event for you.

Detroit Jazz Festival

The Detroit Jazz Festival is four days of the best jazz you will find anywhere in this country and it is free (you might get nicked for $8-10 for parking). I go every year.

This year I am going on Friday night to see Terrence Blanchard at 7 PM and the great jazz legend Sonny Rollins at 8:45. A warning though, it will be crowded because those are big names and there is only one stage performing on Friday. 

Wynton Marsalis will be there Saturday and on Sunday you can see Wayne Shorter and Joe Lovano. Plus dozens of other acts.

Schedule pdf

Sonny Rollins is 82 but he is still a master.





Here is Sonny Rollins when he was younger.

Saturday, August 25, 2012

League of Women Voters Forum


From the Press Release
The Toledo Branch of the American Association of University Women (AAUW/Toledo), along with the League of Women Voters of Toledo Lucas County (LWV-TLC) will hold a Candidates’ Forum, Tuesday, September 18, 2012, from 7-9 p.m. at the Scott Park Campus of the University of Toledo, Nebraska at Parkside, Toledo. The event is free and open to the public.
Featured legislative candidates include Marcy Kaptur, Angela Zimmann, and Barbara Sears.   The event will be moderated by Kristian Brown of WTVG.  Both AAUW and LWV are non-partisan organizations pursuing  equity –A Voice for ALL Citizens—thus many of the issues discussed will be “women’s issues.” Co- sponsors of the Candidates’ Forum  include the ACLU, YWCA, and the University of Toledo Women’s Center who will set up display tables at the event.  Light refreshments will be served.
Because  the AAUW and LWV hope to get-out-the-vote as well as to educate, they are inviting inactive as well as active women voters, members of women’s organizations, and of course the general public to the Candidates’ Forum.  Attendees can register to vote, and legislators can socialize with their constituents. Questions?  Phone Chairwoman Michelle Radtkin at 419-787-8258.

Authors! Authors!

authors! authors! Series at the Stranahan Theater.

These are often quite good.
Note that Stan Lee the creator of Spiderman is on 27 September 2012 (which is also a TECHS parent conference evening so plan accordingly when you schedule your time if you want to see him).

All talks are at 7 pm. 
$10 (discounted student tickets, not sure how much)
Tickets at all Toledo Lucas County Public Library branches
(Stan Lee may sell out, act now if you want to go)



Tuesday, August 21, 2012

International Festival, 15-16 September 2012

International Festival, 15-16 September 2012
(maybe do the stream clean-up on Saturday and this on Sunday)

This is a fun event. 

You will learn a lot and eat some
GREAT FOOD!






Clean Your Streams

Here is a great Service Opportunity!
Students and Parents Welcome.



Please Note: We will cleaning the banks of streams (in this case most likely the Ottawa River)

Where and When:
You can go to any of the sites on the flyer.
I'll be at the University of Toledo Law School parking lot. 
Check in starts at 8 AM. 
Orientation at 8:30.
Free picnic afterward



We will register the TECHS group with the organizers but you can register here so that we can tell them how many are coming.

More information.


Sunday, August 19, 2012

Sacred Steel


Sacred Steel
One of the goals of Rocket Stages is to get kids to experience new things outside of their normal day-to-day lives. 
Here is an opportunity to do just that. Two years ago I chanced upon an event that celebrated a religious musical tradition that I knew nothing about called Sacred Steel.
I saw a flyer and decided to attend an event. It turned out to be a remarkable musical experience. A handful of our students also attended and were gladly welcomed.
Please note that this event is sponsored by a religious group and is being held in a church but we are not promoting it as a religious event, but simply as a fascinating look at a subculture and to enjoy some great music.

Here is a piece of video I shot two years ago.
The Friday event is usually the younger up-and-coming bands and then the superstars play on Saturday. 


Navy Week


Navy Week
There are a number of activities related to Navy Week and the Bicentennial of the War of 1812 going on in Toledo this week, including a visit Thursday by the USS Niagara, a replica of Oliver Hazard Perry's ship in the Battle of Lake Erie. The ship is very cool and I have sailed on it.

The Blade has run a few pieces on the upcoming events.