Local students showcase talent A movement of local dancers, poets, singers, and musicians united at the Wealthy Theater to show off their talent. The “Just Showing Off” showcase
was benefit to aid in funding for the
Milwaukee, Wis. “So You Think You Can
Dance” auditions. Dancer and GRCC student, Yessenia
Gomez constructed and directed benefit
March 16. Besides raising money, the
display hoped to capture the audience
with a range of talent. The show had a series of flair contributed to everyone’s taste. Most of the acts contained all original art forms all created by local students. The variety show had a broad spectrum of talent ranging from gospel singing, Broadway tunes, poetry, and dancing. The dancing
ranged from hip-hop and b-boy dance
grooves to traditional belly dancing. Joe Stanitzeck wowed the crowd
with a gospel infused Hip-Hop dance,
which involved body isolations and other
intricate dance moves. Erica Faasen
and Raymond Love danced a smooth
romantic dance to singer Ciara’s song“Promise.” Yesenia Gomez has been dancing
since she was two but has only danced
professionally for close to ten of the 22
years of her dance career. Gomez said “I learned most of my
dancing skills from television, dance
workshops that were around the city,
and going out to the clubs. It was pretty
much learning by sight.” She recently started dancing at
GRCC and taking classes with Patrick
Johnson. Before then, she had not been in a formal dance setting since she 14.
When Gomez started looking into
GRCC, there were few options for
dance. Now the opportunities have
opened up, she hopes to make the showcase
annual for student talent. It would allow a showcase of talent around the city, and apply a positive aspect for the future generation. Bringing "good news" to the streets First glimpse of GRCC student Joe Stanitzek
would not fit the typical “Hip-hop”
dancer profile, but crank the tunes and watch
him in animation. Give him a clear floor, a good beat, and he
is in his zone. As the music surrounds, Stanitzec’s
stand still body comes alive. Isolation
of body movement, he is able to mimic the
eight beat counts following the
music and inter- pret his own
style. Grand Haven native, Stanitzek always had a passion for dancing, but it was not until after high school he began his study of
the art. He struggled with learning at first, but
over time he has accomplished a large amount.
He has been dancing over a year and continues
the movement. Last year he was a part of
Cornerstone University’s “Worship Hip-hop”
team and danced for Hearts n’ Step Christian
Dance Academy where he received a scholarship. He has performed at several churches,
colleges, and The Haunt this past year.
His favorite style of music is gospel, pop
n’ lock, or anything with funk. He generates
his dance moves in his form of Hip-hop which
consists of Pop n’ lock, Tick, Krump, Break
dance, Animation “Robot” and African.“Hip-hop is a lifestyle, a culture, a movement,”
Stanitzek said. His perception of Hip-Hop is a chance for
the oppressed people to take a stand to show
the world what they can do instead of focusing
on what they cannot. Hip-hop can create
judgmental perceptions, but it is really a
chance to become united. “It’s a culture, a movement, of people
who share a passion to be free, to be
themselves, to incorporate their own
styles and love to dance.” Stanitzek’s concentrated form of dance
is Hip-hop, but has practiced many styles.
His other training combines workshops in
modern, contemporary, belly dancing, and choreography. At GRCC he has taken the ballet
and jazz with Dance Instructor Patrick Johnson.
He also performs on the GRCC Dance
Team at local basketball games. Recently he performed at both of GRCC
Student Yessy Gomez’s benefit showcases, one
at Spectrum Theater and the other at Wealthy
Street Theater. Stanitzek’s second year at GRCC, he is
obtaining his associates degree. Although the
possibilities of dance or business degree are
of his interest, he is yet undecided about his
major. Besides learning techniques he enjoys teaching Hip-hop classes at the downtown YMCA. One class is through the Loop program at the YMCA, the class is designed for seven to 10 year olds. He also teaches a Hip-hop class for teens and in the past taught an adult class. Although dance consumes most of his time,
when he can be found on the streets skateboarding
or on the slopes with his snowboard. He enjoys spending time with family and
friends. He also is involved in ministry with
his church. The world sometimes captures the unconstructive
actions of sex, drugs, homicides,
and possessions with the influence of the rap
industry and the media. Through the struggles
of society, Stanitzek rebels against the
immergence and attributes an upbeat outlook
to dance. “What I like to do instead of bringing negative stereotypical views of Hip-hop, I try to bring the more positive aspect and incorporate positive music, some uplifting, some that encourages people and ultimately to spread the gospel of Jesus Christ” Stanitzek said. Film offers oppertunities GRCC is poised to stake a claim in
the film industry with the partnership
lead by producer Jeffrey Stott, who
produced the 2007 film “The Bucket
List.” In addition to teaching at GRCC’s
lakeshore campus, he will also be
joining TicTock Studios in Holland.
Stott plans to teach classes to develop
the industry in the West Michigan area.
He is a former executive vice-president
of Castle Rock Entertainment, an
adjunct faculty member at Southern
California School of Cinematic Arts,
and executive in charge of film
production for Embassy Pictures. With offices in both Los Angeles
and Holland, TicTock Studios totes
Michigan’s natural resources as a
superior venue for fi lm and television
production on their Web site. Starting April 7, two modules will
be offered: “Basic Film Set Training”,
Grip, and Electric 1 These will be held
at TicTock Studio, 479 Columbia Ave.
The classes will offer hands-on training
for positions in the film and television
industry. These are not traditional
classes, but two-week 40-hour courses
in practical application. The cost of
$1,500 is qualified for state aid through
No Worker Left Behind funding
provided through Michigan Works.
More information and registration for
the classes can be found at GRCClearn.
com “I’m coming to Michigan because
I believe the film industry there is
about to take off, and I want to be part
of it,” Stott said last week in a phone
interview with the Grand Rapids Press. A recent Michigan bill has
three provisions that would provide
incentives for producers to shoot in the
state. Their is a sales tax exemption
for production companies that spend
$250,000 or more, a use tax exemption
for those that bring equipment to use
in the state, and a single business tax
refund that would give 130 percent
back to companies that have a liability. Dan Clark, director for GRCC’s
Thompson M-TEC in Holland, believes
the partnership will be two-fold. First,
it offers an opportunity for those
interested in fi lm. Second, it will help
unemployed people fi nd new jobs.
The partnership has Clark fielding
calls from studios like Disney and Fox
and he is optimistic. “These studios are looking for
employees to be trained so that they
can get to work,” Clark said. TicTock studios currently have two productions scheduled for this fall. More information is available at their Web site: http://www.TicTockstudios. com Exclusive paintings and portfolios exposed The Grand Rapids Art Museum’s
“Rapid Exposure: Warhol in Series” is
an exclusive exhibition, available at
prices even struggling college students
can afford. Podcasts of the exhibits are
available to download at no cost online.
A student discount is also available if
viewing the actual exhibit in person.
iPods are also available to rent at the
museum for only $2. “It just newly rolled out for the
Warhol exhibition,” Kerri VanderHoff,
marketing and communications
manager at the Grand Rapids Art
Museum, said about podcast technology
at the GRAM. Andy Warhol, a pop icon of the
1960’s, created screen prints and
paintings revealing his views on
American society. Some of his famous
works include his altered versions of
Campbell’s Soup cans and portraits of
famous fi gures such as Marilyn Monroe
and Jacqueline Kennedy. The exhibit is
exclusive to the GRAM, and will not be
traveling to other museums. “Rapid Exposure: Warhol in Series”
features over 100 Warhol paintings and
print portfolios refl ecting America’s
pop-culture. Richard H. Axsom, senior curator,
guides a multimedia tour through“Rapid Exposure: Warhol in Series.”
Podcasts also include Lou Reed and
John Cale’s “Songs for Drella,” a series
of songs they wrote, influenced by
Andy Warhol. Warhol’s legacy is no stranger to
students at Grand Rapids Community
College. “The first thing I thought was; it’s cool to get big names in Grand Rapids. It shows we’re important enough to have Andy Warhol,” Marcaé Ross, a GRCC art student, said. “This unique and focused
exhibition includes works never
previously lent by the Warhol
Museum,” museum director Celeste
Adams said in a press release Jan, 15
that announced the Warhol exhibition. All the works are originals, and
the new museum building allows
enough space for Warhol’s work to be
presented in a series, the way it was
intended to be, VanderHoff said. The exhibit features work from
throughout his career, presented
chronologically. Many of the prints are
repeated in different color schemes
to emphasize his comments on culture
and society. “It’s great to have a cultural icon’s
work coming to our town, the more
culture the better,” GRCC student Sean
Maginity said. “Rapid Exposure: Warhol in Series” will be at the GRAM until June 15. Podcasts are available at gramonline.com. Mix it, blend it, drink it: Comedian "Smooth-e" entertains at GRCC Stand up comedian, rapper,
and actor mixed together, Eric
Schwartz a.k.a. “Smooth-E” comes
to GRCC. “Smooth-E” will perform
his comic act in Winchester Alley
April 8. Trying to create a new platform
for students at GRCC, CAB President
Delee Herminitt invited Eric
Schwartz for both entertainment
and laughter for the students.
CAB first met “Smooth-E” in
St. Charles, Illinois at their conference. He was one of the exhibitors CAB fell in love with. He has also performed in Detroit at a variety of clubs, colleges, and celebrations. His material is in tune with selective audiences, so with students he connects easily. The students“are in for a treat,” Herminitt said.“He’s a funny, very versatile, rap artist, and a stand-up comedian.” Schwartz has been on TV shows
including “The Tonight Show with
Jay Leno,” “Comics Unleashed,” “E!
News Daily” as well as other broadcasting
performances including
radio, Internet, and live. His raps incorporate humor as well; he derives his satire from a assortment of news or Hollywood stories. On his website suburbanhomeboy.com his rap videos derange from “Crank that Kosha Boy” to “L-i-n-d-s-a-y Suicide.” Ask the Princess: Catiness really doesn't make you look prettier By Liz Moody One of my best friends, Jessica,
came home from a night out with her
other friend Lauren in tears. Apparently, Lauren
had subtly been making stabs at Jessica all
night, making comments about Jessica’s “boyfriend”
who did not exist in front of guys they
were trying to fl irt with. At one point, Lauren
patted Jessica’s knee. “It’s okay, I’m sure your
thing will clear up quickly,” she said, sweetly
giving her friend a small hug. She then
turned to the boys: “It’s kind of a big thing.
You know? She doesn’t really want to talk
about it.” There is no thing. There is no boyfriend.
Jessica has just fallen victim to a girl attack.
Boy attacks are easy to identify ñ they
usually involved two men screaming loudly
at each other, thumping their chests, occasionally
regressing to wrestling on the ground
and arguing over who killed the most woolly
mammoths. Okay, the last example was an exaggeration.
The sad part is that the rest are not.
Girl attacks are far more shrewd ñ a snake
that slithers silently up to you, opens its fangs
and bites only when you have no chance of escaping
its poison. Males attack each other in the heat of their
testosterone charged, machismo explosions,
while girls tend to attack each other only after
meticulous mental preparation during times of
temporary mental illness caused by insecurity,
self doubt, and overall negativity. I know this because I’ve been an attacker. “Does this look
good?” she’d say, presenting
her close to
perfect figure in one
designer outfi t, then
another. “Does this
one make me look fat?” Carey has no fat on her
model-proportioned body, and
she knows this; she also enjoys
hearing that other people
know this. But even someone
with a “perfect” body has
outfits that are less flattering
than others and when Carey
tried those on, I would smile
with all of my teeth. “Yes!” I’d
say, watching the unfortunate
way the fabric
would cling or the odd
cut of the pants, “You
should wear THOSE!” And because my makeup and clothes always looked good, she trusted me. And because she trusted me I could make Carey look as awful as possible (which, in truth, is not THAT awful, considering her natural blessings) whenever we went out together. It was my insurance policy this way, I would be the prettiest one. “I didn’t want to interrupt ladies,” he said,“Just wanted to comment that you guys look like
you’re having the most fun in here. And” (here,
he winked) “you’re the most attractive women,
too.” Maybe it was the result of one mojito too
many, but suddenly it clicked in my mind if
you’re having fun, you’re attractive. If you’re
hanging out with people that you like, you’re
having fun. And if you’re hanging out with
people you like, you should want them to look as
good as they possibly can, because ñ see long,
detailed chain just described even if you view
it from the most selfi sh of angles, if they look
good, you profi t too. This was the end of my girl
attack phase. And now, watching the cattiness with which
girls attack each other seems ludicrous to me.
Why are we letting something so petty as jealousy
get in the way of something so signifi cant
as fun and friendship? Why can’t we revel in
the success of our peers, instead of biting our
perfectly lacquered lips and wishing those successes
were our own? Or why, at the very least,
can’t we take a tip from the men and wrestle it
out? A little grunting is good for everyone. Ask the Princess: Are most “girls” really like this? After taking a Genders Communication class last semester it has opened my eyes to the way people treat themselves as well as others. Reading this article caught my attention because of the way the writer seems to portray herself and her friend. The both are dressing to impress to catch the eye of a stranger and they are not even considering how much their appearance controls their lives. At the same time they are allowing men to look at them like a piece of something I do not want to be viewed as…you know? Check out asktheprincess@blogspot.com more of article at or from collegiatelive.com. A&E Briefs for March 26, 2008 Actors
Theatre
Presents “Rabbit Hole” The play takes
place in New
York where
a twentieth
century family
struggles in
order to find
happiness while
they grieve the
death of a little
boy. Introduces
themes of
family roles
and ties it to
overcoming the
worst possible
tragedies. The Mine
Experience III A perfect sound for an indie rock pop sound to fall in love with. The band incorporates art and creativity within their music. They are
following the
debut release
of their CD,
Metropolis,
which came out
in June 2006. Speak Out! Have something to say? Sound off to The Collegiate at grcc_collegiate@yahoo.com for your tips or views on the current news, sports, arts & entertainment and opinion. |
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