Arts & Culture

Live from Ann Arbor it’s Neil Young… circa 1968

Pushing back his Archives Vol 1 (1963-1972) album, Niel Young instead opts to release his famous two-night stand at the Canterbury House in Ann Arbor, in 1968.Excerpt:"Some forty years after taking the stage at Ann Arbor, Michigan's Canterbury House for a two-night run, Neil Young will release Sugar Mountain: Live at Canterbury House 1968. The disc, which collects tunes from his November 9-10, 1968 gigs at the titular venue, is due to arrive November 25 from Reprise, according to a Billboard.com report."Read the news here, and here.

Ann Arbor area businesses get a boost from filmmakers

Six months into the existence of Michigan’s movie incentive package and the dollars are starting to trickle down to businesses in the Ann Arbor area. Excerpt: If Downtown Home & Garden and Sweetwaters Coffee & Tea are any indication, Michigan's generous new film incentive could mean substantial - albeit sporadic - boosts in business for some Ann Arbor area companies. While the movie "Youth in Revolt" was filming in downtown Ann Arbor last summer, the crew spent about $3,000 on French bistro-style furniture, a few dozen sun hats and other items from Downtown Home on South Ashley Street. Sweetwaters sold them rounds of coffee and tea drinks, in addition to pastries, muffins and other quick food items. In addition, more than 100 crew members were given $20 a day to spend on lunch in downtown Ann Arbor, pumping an estimated $8,000 into the cash registers of such places as Cafe Zola and the Fleetwood Diner, according to the Ann Arbor Area Convention & Visitors Bureau. "Those are the direct things," Downtown Home owner Mark Hodesh said about purchases the movie crew made from his store. "There were also people standing around watching, so we had lots of new people in our parking lot. ... Everyone found time to pause in their travels and watch it, marvel at it. It was good for downtown." Read the rest of the story here and how local film students are staying and cashing in on it, too, here.

Design Sense, Local Logic

Build it and they will come. Proving that the Internet makes all things global, 32-year old entrepreneur Shana Victor has turned her passion for the funky and frivolous into a million dollar local business with a decidely personal touch.

Ypsilanti could become one giant movie set

Need proof that the Michigan Film incentive package is having a positive effect? Check out the film-making opportunities that abound in Ypsilanti.Excerpt:The Tatt was able to get a bit part in the latest Ypsilanti movie, “Whip It!“. Watch for the Tatt during one of the bar scenes sitting next to the poker machine. Not enough to get a SAG card, but it will pay for coffee for the next two months.During a break in filming the Tatt asked if they had decided where they were planning to host the premiere? The producers said they hadn’t decided.So the Tatt made a pitch to do the premier at Eastern’s Pease Auditorium.Read the rest of the story here.

Architectural Resource uses sustainable practices to create jobs

Succeeding in the home architecture game is far from easy, but it's just what Architectural Resource has done since 1991.The Ann Arbor-based firm focuses solely on new home designs, additions and renovations. It handles projects both locally and in places as far away as Portland, Oregon and South Carolina. "It's the clients goals, not our goals, that are paramount," says Michael Klement, principal of Architectural Resource.This customer-is-always-right philosophy is working well for the company, even in the face of the dismal housing market. The boutique firm now employs five people and has opening for two more positions right now. Those jobs are for  an architectural designer and business manager.However, growth is the biggest goal for Architectural Resource. Klement still makes sure he is personally involved in each and every project, something that wouldn't be possible if his company grew too large."We don’t want to be too big," Klement says. "Our goal is not to be big, but to be good."Source: Michael Klement, principal of Architectural ResourceWriter: Jon Zemke

CTN: You’re What’s On

Break out the coral, it's CTN's 35th anniversary! One of the first five public cable access stations in the U.S., CTN is far more than a haven for conspiracy theorists and amateur videomakers. It is a revolutionary example of civic engagement, offering unprecedented access to local government , along with educational and community programming.

Ann Arbor’s Archiopolis Architects aims for energy efficient designs

Archiopolis Architects isn't just about creating great architecture in Ann Arbor, it's a leader in sustainable architecture.

More movies to shoot in A2 and rest of Michigan

Movie, movies, movies. It's all about Hollywood in Washtenaw County as more and more film projects stack up in the area.

MASTERMIND: Russ Collins