Entertainment

Ghostly International leverages partnerships for growth

By Newsroom

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March 19, 2014

Ghostly International, the ambient music label, has taken advantage of its growth opportunities this year through a number of partnerships with other creative-based firms. The Ann Arbor-based firm, it calls the Tech Brewery home, has hired one full-time employee and another part-timer over the last year. It currently has a staff of 11 employees across the company’s five divisions and in other cities, such as New York City and Los Angeles. Driving the growth for the firm has been partnerships on a variety of projects. For instance, Ghostly International teamed up with Warby Parker to create a Ghostly International brand of sunglasses. You can check out a video about the partnership here. Ghostly International is also partnering with Honeyslug Games to create the soundtrack for the Hohokum video game for PlayStation. The team at Honeyslug Games approached Ghostly International with a music playlist in mind for the video game and it turned out to be all Ghostly International songs. "We will have an entire soundtrack for that surrounding the release," says Jeremy Peters, director of creative licensing & business affairs for Ghostly Songs, a division of Ghostly International. "They have been awesome to work with." Ghostly International is also still releasing electronic music. It is release the new album for Tyco, Awake, this week. You can more information on the new album here, including its first single Spectre. Source: Jeremy Peters, director of creative licensing & business affairs for Ghostly International Writer: Jon Zemke Read more about Metro Detroit's growing entrepreneurial ecosystem at SEMichiganStartup.com.

Latest in Entertainment

Painting with a Twist studio to open on Oak Valley Drive

By Natalie Burg

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Arts and Culture

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March 5, 2014

Letitia Tenner began her career with Painting with a Twist from the ground up. Originally project manager in the IT services industry, Tenner's first experience with the "paint and sip" franchise was a customer in Farmington. After falling in love with the concept, she decided to open her own Painting with a Twist in Ann Arbor. "Although there are other art entertainment business out there, I knew that I wanted to be a franchise partner with Painting with a Twist," says Tenner, who was impressed by Entrepreneur Magazine endorsing the company as the #1 Paint & Sip in the country. "Additionally, the founders are very passionate about community give-back and it's a part of the culture of this business via the Painting with a Purpose program." The 2,400 square foot studio will celebrate its grand opening the weekend of April 10 in the Village Centre on Oak Valley Dr. in Pittsfield Twp. Renovations on the space began in mid-January and included opening up the formerly segmented space into two large studios. "[I] wanted a nice large window storefront so that people visiting neighboring businesses could observe our art sessions while they're in progress," says Tenner. "I met with representatives from Pittsfield Township and they were enthusiastic about our business concept." Tenner expects to hire a staff of 10, including artists, art assistants and office staff. She is looking forward to participating in the company's Painting with a Purpose initiative, during which the studio will partner with local non-profits to host events that will benefit the organizations. Source: Letitia Tenner, Painting with a Twist Writer: Natalie Burg

Are the “Gods of Soccer” coming to Ann Arbor?

By Newsroom

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Arts and Culture

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February 26, 2014

Officials from the International Champions Cup haven't yet announced the date and location for the Real Madrid-Manchester United game this summer... but it seems to coincide with talks that U-M is having with the soccer franchise. How cool would it be to cheer "Glory Glory Man United!" or "Hala Madrid! Hala Madrid!" Excerpt: "The University of Michigan is holding talks about bringing top soccer teams Real Madrid and Manchester United to the 109,901-seat Michigan Stadium on Aug. 2 as part of the International Champions Cup." Read more here. The Michigan Daily also has a story.

Ann Arbor’s Glyph Mobile Personal Theater nears $1.5M on Kickstarter

By Newsroom

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Arts and Culture

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February 26, 2014

Apparently a lot of people want to chuck their widescreen TVs away and get a head[hones and goggle theater that provides a virtual and personal experience. Excerpt: Glyph Mobile Personal Theater plus Audio closed their crowdfunding round on Kickstarter this past week having raised $1,509,506 from 3,331 backers. The hardware from Ann Arbor, Michigan based Avegant now stands as one of the most successful rewards based crowdfunding campaigns of 2014. Glyph set a goal of raising $250,000 – an amount that was easily topped in under 48 hours. Read the rest here.

The Huffington Post likes Ann Arbor food and drink

By Newsroom

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Arts and Culture

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February 12, 2014

For everything from tomme dolce cheese to Belgian Elvis waffles to cosmopolitan night spots, this writer from the Huffington Post suggests staying, eating, and drinking a while in Ann Arbor. Excerpt: "The midwestern city of Ann Arbor has a lot going for it. It's now the fifth largest city in Michigan. It is home to the University of Michigan. And this vibrant town might surprise you with its dining scene. Perhaps it's all the international residents that call it home thanks to the University. Perhaps it's the fact that Michigan is one of the country's most agriculturally diverse states. Regardless, in the last five years this city has come into its own culinarily. Some even say, after Chicago, it's the dining capitol of the midwest." Get a taste here.

Ann Arbor Derby Dimes practice in Ypsilanti

Ann Arbor Roller Derby Raises its Game

By Patrick Dunn

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General

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December 11, 2013

Blockers. Jammers. Fresh meat. Roller Derby is more than just the latest hipster entertainment, it's a growing sport with calls for inclusion in the Olympics. Ann Arbor and Ypsilanti's trio of teams may indulge in hilariously cheeky names but they are packing some serious athletic mojo.

Leon Speakers hires 10 in Ann Arbor, acquires FL firm

By Newsroom

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Arts and Culture

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November 13, 2013

Leon Speakers isn't only the little company that could. This year it became the little company that could acquire. The Ann Arbor-based firm that makes custom speaker systems acquired Media Decor. The Florida-based company makes custom frames for flatscreen TVs. Leon Speakers had been working with the company for years before executing the acquisition in September. "We wanted to expand into the genre," says Noah Kaplan, president & founder of Leon Speakers. Leon Speakers got its start in 1997, building custom speakers using silk screens and exotic hardwoods. Its calling card became building beautiful speakers that could be installed into odd places. It now has a staff of 45 employees and one intern. It has hired 10 people over the last year, including professionals in marketing, engineering, manufacturing and skilled labor. It it currently looking to hire five people who work in production and sales. Propelling that growth is Leon Speakers’ gains in the commercial and international markets. Overall the company’s revenue is up nearly 30 percent over the last year. "We have really expanded globally," Kaplan says. "We're making gains in Latin America, Asia and New Zealand." While the growth is welcome, Kaplan is looking to reign it in a bit. In 2014, the company is looking to consolidate its gains and bring even more focus on product quality. "I want to focus on our internal operations," Kaplan says. "I want to turn away from constant growth mode to focus on making great products and sell them to great customers." Source: Noah Kaplan, president & founder of Leon Speakers Writer: Jon Zemke Read more about Metro Detroit's growing entrepreneurial ecosystem at SEMichiganStartup.com.

Gina Brandolino ain't afraid of no ghosts at Brandywine Cemetery

Guest Blogger: Gina Brandolino

By Gina Brandolino

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Arts and Culture

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October 30, 2013

Face it: We are bewitched by horror stories, especially around Halloween. U-M Lecturer Gina Brandolino, who teaches a course on horror and has encouraged her students to contribute to a horror-themed blog, delves into stories as a medium for looking fear in the eye, and what bees can teach us.

Birthday bash and custom-made beer for the 493 year-old Violin Monster

By Newsroom

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Arts and Culture

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October 2, 2013

Come celebrate the Violin Monster's birthday with a bash at Corner Brewing this Thursday! There's not only music but a specially made beer in his honor. Excerpt: "Corner Brewery, located at 720 Norris St. in Ypsilanti, will be hosting the Violin Monster’s 493rd Birthday Bash on Thursday from 6 p.m. to midnight. The Violin Monster, who clarified things a bit, said he’s a werewolf and was born Oct. 3, 1520 in Ireland, but now calls Ann Arbor home. “I feel like Ypsilanti and Ann Arbor are so connected, and I feel like I’ve been embraced by the community,” he said. When asked whether or not he has an alter ego, he said, “I am known simply as Violin Monster.”" Read the rest here.

Leslie Raymond at the Ann Arbor Film Festival office

New Leadership at the Ann Arbor Film Festival Eyes Next Gen of Filmgoer

By Patrick Dunn

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General

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September 18, 2013

It's not easy being on the cutting edge. For 50+ years the Ann Arbor Film Festival has been internationally respected as a venue for experimental work. Drawing new audiences to film and video that challenges the conventions of entertainment, however, can be daunting. Patrick Dunn chats with Leslie Raymond, the festival's new executive director, about her plans for AAFF's future.