We highlight here some great
articles we’ve read this week dealing with art, creative placemaking, and
building great communities. You’re sure to find some inspiration to make your
life and our community even better!
Why Communities Matter More Than Ever: “Too much focus on individualism makes us indifferent to the suffering of others. Civic engagement is the remedy. When we get engaged, we see the struggles of others who are our neighbors. Then we can be part of the solution.”
The Citizen Cycle: “James worked with a group of 8 people who are 65+, over 12 sessions, to develop a group identity for a bike gang now called The Bee Bandits. The work developed into a cycling performance, reclaiming space for older people in the city.”
Fix Your Intersection, Fix Your City: “Our intersections can be so much more than crosswalks and traffic lights. Improved intersection design makes movement safer and more predictable for everyone. An intersection can also provide all sorts of localized benefits, from saving lives to increasing accessibility to creating public space to improving air quality.”
Is Car Culture a Toxic Masculinity Problem?: “the tone of car ads took a hard left turn away from the dependable family sedan and towards athletic performance and sleek individualism. The aspirationally gorgeous stay-at-home mom was suddenly forced out of the carpool-lane driver’s seat — and she was replaced with ….”
We’re looking forward to seeing you at the the 2020 Greater Farmington Film Festival and we have a great lineup of films that are sure to inspire good, starting with the opening film, THE PRISON WITHIN.
Katherin Hervey, director of THE PRISON WITHIN, is coming in from Seattle to join us for a Q&A following the film.
Take a look at the full schedule below. All-access wristbands and tickets for individual films are available for purchase now!
The Prison Within
Directed by Katherin Hervey
Narrated by Hill Harper
Thursday, March 19th at 7:30 pm
Smith Theatre at Oakland Community College
Katherin
Hervey, director of THE PRISON WITHIN, will join us for a Q&A following the
film.
Best Social Justice Documentary at 35th annual
Santa Barbara International Film Festival
THE PRISON WITHIN is a
relevant and timely documentary exploring the destructive impact of untreated
trauma on individuals and communities through the powerful stories of survivors
of violent crimes and prisoners incarcerated for murder in San Quentin prison.
The prisoners and survivors come together and participate in the Victim
Offender Education Group (VOEG)—an innovative restorative justice program
enabling prisoners to discover how the trauma they’ve experienced contributed
to their criminality and to understand the impact their crimes have on their
victims. Together, the prisoners and survivors confront and expose the pain and
shame caused by the extreme trauma they’ve experienced throughout their lives.
Seattle-based Director
Katherin Hervey, a former Los Angeles Public Defender and volunteer prison
college instructor, is the first filmmaker to gain access to chronicle these
intimate and revealing sessions inside San Quentin Prison. In a world where
rehabilitation is vital for us as a society to heal the wounds of trauma, this
film dives deeply into what is needed to move toward that goal.
Normie
Directed
by Kurt Neale
(Documentary
Feature, 74 Minutes)
Friday, March 20th at 7:00 pm
Farmington Civic Theater
When
Annemarie looks in the mirror, she sees Down syndrome. She hates it. To her,
the diagnosis is a giant barricade keeping her from the independence and intimacy
she desperately desires. She embarks on a journey of self-discovery as she
tries to understand what it means to be normal.
“NORMIE
is an incredibly powerful film about love and the fundamental, universal truth
that despite our differences, we all have something special and unique to
contribute to this world. Every life has value and I firmly believe that the
true beauty of this world lies in us all being exactly who we are. This film
will inspire meaningful, deeper conversations about inclusion and disrupt the
status quo as we know it.”
Anthony
K. Shriver – Founder, Chairman & CEO of Best Buddies International
Driveways
Directed
by Andrew Ahn
(Narrative
Feature, 83 Minutes)
Friday, March 20th at 9:00 pm
Farmington Civic Theater
Kathy (Golden Globe® Nominee Hong Chau), a single mother, travels
with her shy eight-year-old son Cody to Kathy’s late sister’s house which they
plan to clean and sell. As Kathy realizes how little she knew about her sister,
Cody develops an unlikely friendship with Del (Golden Globe®, Tony® winner and
acting legend Brian Dennehy), the Korean War vet and widower who lives next
door. Over the course of a summer, and with Del’s encouragement, Cody develops
the courage to come out of his shell and, along with his mother, finds a new
place to call home.
NYICFF Kid Flicks One
Catch the best short films from around the
world for ages 3-7!
Presented in partnership with the New York
International Children’s Film Festival
Saturday, March 21st at 10:30 am
Farmington Civic Theater
Children young and old will enjoy KID
FLICKS ONE, brimming with fun and clever stories of growth and transformation.
If you’ve ever been the youngest of
the group, you’ll sympathize with the little tadpole who always falls a tad behind
in the charming KUAP. Catching up on penmanship is the name of the game if
you want to graduate from pencils in the winning doc Pen Licence.
Then little ones are in charge and grown-ups get to play when the hilarious Flipped reworks
the script. These shorts and so much more await you!
Skid Row Marathon
Directed by Mark Hayes
(Documentary Feature, 85 Minutes)
Saturday, March 21st at 7:00 pm
Farmington Civic Theater
When
a criminal court judge starts a running club on LA’s notorious skid row and
begins training a motley group of addicts and criminals to run marathons, lives
begin to change.
SKID
ROW MARATHON follows four runners as they rise from the mean streets of LA to
run marathons around the world, fighting the pull of homelessness and addiction
at every turn.
Their
story is one of hope, friendship, and dignity.
(Narrative Feature, French with English
Subtitles, 137 Minutes)
Saturday, March 21st at 9:00 pm
Farmington Civic Theater
François Ozon’s gripping drama follows three men
who band together to dismantle the code of silence that
continues to protect a priest who abused them decades ago. Based on events
from the 2019 conviction of Cardinal Philippe
Barbarin of Lyon for concealing the conduct of Father
Bernard
Preynat, BY THE GRACE OF GOD compassionately
illustrates the varying effects of trauma on survivors
and their families in this urgent portrait of resistance, the power of mobilization,
and the mysteries of faith.
The
Euphoria of Being
Directed
by Réka Szabó
(Documentary
Feature, Hungarian with English Subtitles, 83 Minutes)
Human Rights Award, Sarajevo Film Festival,
2019
Sunday, March 22nd at 2:00 pm
Holocaust Memorial Center
“Throwing all caution to the wind, I asked a 90-year-old Holocaust survivor to create a dance theatre piece with me. I wanted everyone to see Éva Fahidi and to provide a space for her traumas in a dialogue with a young dancer, Emese. Where would the boundaries of understanding, of finding common ground lie? Would they be able to slip into each other’s skin? Can we ever learn from the past? This rehearsal period was one of the most profound periods of my life. The film takes us on a journey through the history of the 20th century, through loss, the power of dance, the ageing body, love, a relationship across a 60-year age gap, and life’s hidden strengths.” — Réka Szabó, Director
We have many
talented artists and creatives living and working in our Farmington/Farmington
Hills community and our weekly
interview series, sponsored by City Life Realty,
will introduce you to some of them.
At age four the doctor
sent me to ballet school to correct my flat feet. Not only did I gain strength,
but I fell in love with the beauty of movement, which I have pursued all my
life. Now I am drawn to the landscape of emotion as expressed in Flamenco
dance.
After years of study in dance, movement and sport, the joy of movement remains my constant life-giving source. It has led me down so many paths of discovery . . . culture, literature, history, movement science, travel and friendship. I see now that dance has been my very essences, my connection to the world.
My mission is to continue to explore movement and to share it with others by performing and teaching.
I fell in love with the beauty of movement, which I have pursued all my life. Now I am drawn to the landscape of emotion as expressed in Flamenco dance.
Did you receive formal
training?
I received a B.S. Degree
in Education from the University of Michigan, and an M.F.A. in Dance from the School
of the Arts, New York University. I have attended many workshops, master
classes and seminars, notably Spanish American Dance Festival in Chicago and
Adult Theatre Camp in Stratford, Canada. I currently study Tai Chi. I enjoy
learning.
Are
you a member of any local or regional arts groups?
I organize, perform and
teach a performing group, Companeros
de Flamenco. We perform the vibrant Spanish Art, Flamenco. We are
listed in the Touring Directory of the Michigan
Arts and Humanities Council. We perform around the state. Last year
we performed at many community events, including Cromaine Library Second Sunday
Series in Hartland, International Festival of Holland, Multicultural Music
& Dance Concert in Livonia, Canton’s 2018 International Festival, Willard
Library in Battle Creek, and Huron Valley Council for the Arts in Highland.
What
do you think is missing from the arts community in Farmington/Hills?
I
wish that Farmington Hills had an active and supportive arts community. The last time my students performed at the
Festival of the Arts at the Costick Center was April 2015. Occasionally we have
performed in other Farmington events, however, there were budget cuts and dance
was subsequently eliminated.
Why
is celebrating and promoting art healthy for a local community?
I
think the Arts brings vitality and beauty to a community. It introduces us to new visions or perspectives,
and it encourages involvement and communication.
(Are you an artist or creative living in Farmington/Hills? We’d like to feature you and your work here, too. Download our questionnaire and return it to info@kickstartfarmington.org.)
We highlight here some great
articles we’ve read this week dealing with art, creative placemaking, and
building great communities. You’re sure to find some inspiration to make your
life and our community even better!
Everything You Need to Know Before Buying an Electric Bike: “The switch to battery-powered cars may get more media attention, but in the immediate future, the real revolution in electric transportation may be taking place on two wheels.”
8 Things That Should Go Extinct in Cities: “The age of the strip mall with parking in front is waning, and for good reason: nothing kills the sidewalk experience like being sandwiched between a parking lot and a busy street. But the new replacement trend isn’t always positive.”
Using Dance to Bridge Art and Activism: “I’m trying to have a bigger conversation about social conditions, and sometimes I’m having that conversation in a really pensive, sort of introspective kind of performance,” Cullors said. “And then sometimes it’s really extroverted—like, let’s get up and dance together.”
Culture and the City: “The Urban Land Institute UK Urban Art Forum recently released a new six-step guide to including culture in developments; we look at some of the ways to ensure that culture remains a core part of city planning.”
We have many talented artists and
creatives living and working in our Farmington/Farmington Hills community and
our weekly interview series,
sponsored by City Life Realty, will introduce you to some of them.
I
studied journalism and history at The University of Michigan and have worked as
a reporter and editor the majority of my life. But as much as I enjoyed
journalism, I always had a burning desire to write a novel. After my parents
died within less than a year of each other, I realized that life is short and
that a dream deferred can die.
So,
I set aside journalism, and for ten years worked hard and struggled to find
success as a fiction writer. Grateful it came.
Who
has been a mentor to you along the way?
Northville
Poet Kathleen Ripley Leo, who has published fifteen collections of poems, and
has been nominated for a Pushcart Prize. I took a novel writing class at
Schoolcraft College from her about a decade ago, and we became fast friends. I’ve
learned so much from her.
Rejection is inevitable. Use it to get better.
Are
you a member of any local or regional arts groups?
I am
a member of Detroit Working Writers.
Can
you describe something you’ve created that is particularly meaningful to you?
My
novel Celestina’s Burnings.
The best
part of writing and getting this book published is giving an everyday baker
girl a voice. Celestina pushes against the most powerful people and ideas of
Western Civilization. I love how she adapts. And in the end, with a little help
from her friends, she just might get the better of them all.
Can
you share a favorite quote about art or life?
“If there’s a book you really want to read, but it hasn’t been written yet, then you must write it.” —Toni Morrison
What advice or suggestions do you have for younger writers?
Rejection
is inevitable. Use it to get better. Study, learn, and experiment with scene
and structure. Read books about writing and attend writer’s conferences. At the
end, with lots of work, you will become the writer you dream to be.
(Are you an artist or creative living in Farmington/Hills? We’d like to feature you and your work here, too. Download our questionnaire and return it to info@kickstartfarmington.org.)
We highlight here some great
articles we’ve read this week dealing with art, creative placemaking, and
building great communities. You’re sure to find some inspiration to make your
life and our community even better!
What Makes a City Lovable: “A great walk evokes all sorts of memories, emotions, and random associations. The sensory memory of the feel of a place under your feet, the smell of its air, the tinge of the lighting, associated with the people you’ve known and loved there. A walk through a lovable city brings out the love in us.”
Ten Trends to Impact the Arts in 2020: “Artist collectives are forming powerful political bodies, which are eliciting great work and manifesting political, organizational, and field shifts.”
Can Art Fight Fake News?: “’Is there anything stronger than fear?’ The audience responded popcorn-style, shouting out suggestions: love, grief, loss, and anger.”
Britain’s Bold Plan for High Speed Rail: “While the use of the fastest tracks all the way has not yet been fully confirmed, high-speed rail could revolutionize north-south travel in England, shaving an hour off the journey time between London and Manchester and tripling the current capacity of trains along the route.”
Legalizing Play in City Streets: “It makes absolutely no sense to have this ordinance on the books which criminalizes the behavior of children that is extremely natural.”
