Entering its 14th year, the Lansing JazzFest is a two-day FREE music festival that brings national, regional, and local acts to an audience of roughly 15,000 people from across Michigan and nearby states. JazzFest’s music truly is living music, history in the making. Each artist at the festival is asked to play an original composition, something that hasn’t been played at any other festival.This year’s festival will take place Friday, August 1, and Saturday, August 2, 2008, in the streets of Old Town, surrounded by the best of the Capital City’s art galleries as well as unique retail stores and grand architecture. Vendors line the streets offering ethnic food, beverages, art, clothing, and crafts, and nearby galleries and boutiques open their doors during festival hours.

Lansing JazzFest continues to grow thanks to the contributions of its sponsors and volunteers.

Location

The Lansing JazzFest takes place in the streets of Old Town Lansing, at the intersection of Turner St. and E. Grand River Ave.

May 22-June
Lansing Art Gallery Downtown

June 6 - June 28
1208 & 1210 Turner Street Old Town Lansing

Overview statement

Do we need art to survive? Given concerns with the bottom line and the globalization of businesses and business practices, art seems to have become trivial and insignificant. It is simply something to match our new furniture. It no longer matters if that piece over the new leather couch is an original piece of art or a print, and no one seems to be worried about the difference between Manet and Monet.

The question becomes, what would happen if all of the world’s artists, art galleries, and art museums to decided to close shop? If you had one last chance to see original art, would you want it to say something? The Lansing Art Gallery near the Capital Building, and the Banyan Gallery and Studio 1210 in Lansing’s Old Town, are providing just that opportunity. A World Without Art will offer some of Michigan’s finest artists taking on some of the most pressing and important social issues facing Michigan, the US, and the world. This show will include photography, paintings, sculpture, poetry, and essays from all around Michigan. This is a great opportunity to see how the Michigan art community sees Michigan’s past, present, and future. Do not let this be the last time you will see art in Michigan.

visit  http://www.worldwithoutart.com/

You never know what you’ll find framed in Old Town. left to right (Me, Brook, J.R., Kim, Russ)

The First Sunday Galley Walk today was so much fun. The weather was great! Sunny and 60! I arrived around 3 o’clock to find Old Town full of people. Every store including The Artisan’s Circle was filled! I was thrilled! I had friends and family stop in today to support my new endeavor which made it special. Thank you much.

Finds were had from The Walking Horse Gallery, The Artisan’s Circle and Haze Inc. including canvas paintings, ornate floral jars, jeweled pendants, handmade mugs, coffee table books and greeting cards. Kim found an elaborate ornate floral jar for her daughter’s sweet 16 along with a bag that played a ROCKIN’ Birtday tune to put it in from the Walking Horse Gallery. They also had a selection of Greeting cards by Susan Mrosek which I fell in love with. Russ was on a mission to purchase a large canvas painting by Mark Hahn we saw on our last Art Day in Old Town. We arrived to find Haze Inc. in the process of moving to their larger building next to the Creole Gallery on Turner Street. Despite the exhaustion from days of moving Hazel was more than helpful with acquiring the requested piece for Russ to purchase. Thanks Hazel.

Brook delighted us with her poems. My favorite was about the color Gray in Michigan. Kids are great. When you hear her rendition you won’t feel quite so “Gray” about our Michigan Weather. I believe you’ll feel comforted. I plan to create a painting with her poem as inspiration. I’ll share her words with the painting.

On the way back to our vehicles we snapped a picture to preserve the fun.

I am pleased to announce my partnership with THE ARTISAN’S CIRCLE in Old Town Lansing, Michigan.

I met with Deirdre Hunt and Paula Gibson this mornings at 9am. “Oh, you came early!” Deirdre said with that accent I could listen to all day long. She immediately called another owner from home for the jury process. Three owners of the co-op must approve the work of a new artist before they are allowed to join. Both Deirdre and Paula were eager to see my paintings. They’d been looking for another wall artist. I went to my Bravada, freshly polished yesterday for good luck, and grabbed my smallest bin of paintings holding many 8×10 seascapes. “Good. A variety of sizes.” She said enthusiastically as I walked in the door. “I’m off to a good start” I thought. They led me toward the back of the Gallery where I proceeded to lay out some of my paintings. Deirdre loved my wavy frame and how the fish swam right out of the picture onto it. She picked it up to take a closer look. Paula remarked on how nicely the backs were finished, “It makes a difference,” She said.

Things just kept getting better as I showed them my work. I was energized by their excitement. I took 6×6 Dreamy Window Ceramic Tile out of the bubble wrap and set it on my table top easel. “Do you have the originals for these?” Deirdre asked. I felt she was asking because she was in question if I was the creator. She was, and rightfully so. Everything in the THE ARTISAN’S CIRCLE must be a creation of the artist. When I explained the process and showed her the original she was satisfied. “It looks just like Yorkshire” she exclaimed.

Paula had a great idea to display the tiles alongside the originals. When she held them together in the air to demonstrate her vision I whole-heartedly agreed. It was perfect! Paula arranges items and displays in the Gallery daily to create energy and a continual new look and feel especially for the repeat customers. I agreed with the ideas and practices this veteran artist had to offer for my own work specifically as well as thoughts about the business end of art. She is very passionate about what happens to not only the gallery but with the artists and customers as well. I felt both ladies were genuine and knowledgeable which was an essential component for me to join their circle.

Many wonderful exchanges were made and I did decide to join. I am excited and a bit nervous with the unknown. It’s quite an investment of money, time, emotion and energy. I do love what I know of Old Town with it’s First Sunday of the Month Gallery Walks and all the festivals through the warmer months. I’m excited to be a part of such a talented group and look forward to getting to know them. Please visit . I’ll be working 24 hours a month in the Gallery. I’d love to see some familiar faces when I’m there. Our hours are:

Taste & Tour of Old Town - Sunday, April 6

Sample the food of Old Town as well as get a glimpse of some of the newly renovated lofts in the area, noon to 3 p.m. Sunday, April 6.

Formerly Old Town on Ice, the Taste & Tour of Old Town gives visitors a chance to taste specialties from Rendezvous on the Grand, Vernadine’s Soul Food, Grand Cafe Sir Pizza, Pablo’s Panaderia, Mama Bear’s Cafe, Poppa Leo’s Pizza, Golden Harvest, Olympic Broil and October Moon.

New this year are loft tours, which give Old Town residents a chance to show off their living space. Visit the Old Town Commercial Association office, 1232 Turner St., for a map of the tour the day of the event.

Tickets are $13 in advance, $15 the day of or $5 for just the tour portion.

For more info, visit www.iloveoldtown.org or call 485-4283.  - Emily Smith