NOISE: Freestyle

The Lansing leg up

 
 
 We are all excited about what's coming next for Michigan. We have an almost clean slate and an enormous group of very strong dedicated workers. 

So how do we move Michigan's economy into the 21st century? The Prima Civitas Foundation (PCF). 

 

When your looking for people with pull to be looking out for you and help you get a leg up on the competition, this is the place. It's not just about helping people to create jobs in Michigan, it's about keeping them here. Helping Michigan to realize it's potential and developing new and better ideas. Encouraging everyone to achieve a higher quality of life and to utilize the educational opportunities that are available. Helping us to realize something that we know fundamentally but don't express as often: that Michigan is great and we can do anything! 
 
 

    
 
                          Prima Civatas

helps to organize and assist a countless number of events. My favorite is Boost Night the Mid-Michigan entrepreneur pitch night. It's like the TV show Shark Tank without the shark part. You have brilliant people all over Michigan standing in front of a group of like minded individuals pitching their idea of the next up and coming thing that they are promoting. In the front row you have an amazing panel of Judges that have themselves owned or headed great businesses and have a knack for seeing the future possibilities in the ideas being presented. At the end, a predetermined amount of people are selected to sit and down and further discuss the ideas that they have presented. I was involved in one of the events. I presented Enchanted Acres! Trust me its a fantastic idea but I didn't have all of the things together to make a great showing... You would think, well thats the end of that story, but it's not. I got immediate feedback on my presentation and pointers and encouragement on what to do next time. You heard right. I didn't get the Simon Cowell version of "that was terrible". I got the 'thats a great idea' and the 'next time this will help you more. How inspiring!

 

 That was just one of those countless endeavors that I mentioned earlier. For a non profit organization their wealth of knowledge and willingness to share it with others is worth a fortune. Prima Civitas Foundation is a driving force behind boosting Michigan! Always looking forward and inspiring people right here in the capitol city to remember how great Michigan is and to realize that it starts right here in each and every one of us. If you want to make a change what's stopping you? Start with you and then follow up by following Prima Civitas Foundation on Face-book, Twitter, and Youtube and www.primacivitas.org

Also, contact them:
1614 E. Kalamazoo St., Lansing, MI 48912
(517) 999 3382, info@primacivitas.org

R and R

 
  Normally, R&R would stand for rest and relaxation. I propose that today the two initials stand for renown and resolve in regards to someone who is renowned and works hard for positive resolutions. This woman is dedicated! During conversation, I have never heard her say “oh yeah I’m just chillin’, kicking back and watching the soaps”. She is constantly working, and working very hard! And yet, her family is always first on her mind. Her name is Rina Risper, she is an inspiring force in not only our Capitol City, but a beacon of light that shines bright everywhere she goes. Her religious relationships not only speak to how strongly this woman believes in God, but how strongly she believes that we as a city are family and need to make a point of connecting well on a regular... religiously. She is a redoubtable  philanthropist. We have talked in great length about what makes Lansing so great and to hear her high thoughts of whom we are and what we can be sends you soaring. At times I can hear her heart breaking when she speaks of those she is trying desperately to help and it resonates with where her soul is.

This is a woman who could have easily turned her back on the city and cared only for her self. She could have been some high paid attorney, a world famous poet or pursued a modeling carrier and said “ha! It’s about me!”. Instead, this selfless woman is resolute and unswerving about helping everyone. From getting hats to the homeless, to running a local newspaper, The New Citizens Press, which promotes great things about the town and local businesses and groups like

Mama Bear's Conscious Cafe

 and Spit Fire poetry, Rina’s influence is beyond measure.

I don’t know if you’re hearing me. This woman is amazing! I have been that guy who cares so much for people that you start to lose yourself trying to help them. It always happens that there are some who try to take advantage of that and kick you in the ribs as you’re trying to help them up. Rina has dealt with this and much more. But her unwavering regard has her picking herself up and going to battle for us time and time again! What is it that gives her that energy? The ability to keep fighting to keep moving forward and keep loving all of us like we are her close family? Her spirit! The very essence that makes up Rina Risper, her strength and character are undeniable. This woman would fight tooth and nail to guarantee that we as a people, all of us, not only survive but thrive.

So today I celebrate Rina Risper for being an inspiration in not only my life but the lives of so many! Rina you ROCK! Thank you for being you!

Music that is... Too Smooth For Notes!

 So, normally if I am looking to get info on music I would go straight to the Local Music Beat by blogger Anne Erickson. Anne is on point! I love the way she gives me everything I need to know about the music and what is going on in the Lansing area. 

But this music just kinda jumped at me out of nowhere. I was doing a photo shoot for up and coming singing sensation, Shawn Martin, when I ran across a group called Too Smooth for Notes. This group really does corner the market on smooth! I watched these guys get the crowed swaying and smiling. As I listened, I thought, I need to hear more! 

I went home with my camera full of Too Smooth images like a kid with a bag of candy. I popped through the door and verbally exploded on my fiance. Have you ever heard of these guys? They are great! She replied "Oh yeah, Phillip Denny, he's great, I have known him for years..." 

  
 I was at loss. I wanted to know more, hear more, take more pictures, so I found him on Facebook and became a fan. I got a chance to hear more of their music and love it. Then I find out that Phillip is actually playing every Wednesday evening at the Firm. I thought, how great is that? I can pick up my fiance and we can go have a drink in a great place and hear awesome music. BUT WAIT, IT GETS BETTER!!! 


 On Friday, April 23, 2010, Too Smooth for Notes is teaming up with Grammy nominated Lalah Hathaway. This incredible singer is coming to Lansing to sing for you inside The Loft at Haram Urban Lounge  414 E. Michigan Avenue. I will be there.
I cant wait to hear the guys from Too Smooth for Notes flooding the room with that wave of tones. I can hear it now, a perfect stage for Lalah to spill that sultury sound on to our hungry ears. I have really listened to a great deal of her stuff over the last few days and cant wait to see and hear her in person. And shes playing with Too Smooth for Notes... Wow this is gonna be an outstanding night! 

The Doors open at 7pm Showtime 9pm Tickets $20 advance $25 day of the show. If you need more info comment below or go to

Devastated bliss!

I was really in the mood for some amazing spoken word this week. I was geared up and excitied to go to SPITFIRE Poetry at Scene Metrospace! But when I called the master of the mic he said not this week... 

I was devastated! But before I called my support group and stomped my feet some more I said (in broken voice) but why?

What I got was almost a triumphant voice like a call to arms! He said because of RUSTBELT! If you dont know what RUSTBELT is, your still reading because you know I'm about to tell you.

RUSTBELT was started in Dayton, Ohio by Bill Abbott, who himself is a poet (and really, really good). The best of the best of the best compete and it has become one of the biggest poetry competitions around! 

RUSTBELT is celebrating it's 10th anniversary by coming to EAST LANSING for the very first time! What does this mean? It means previous competitions have discovered the best of the best from cities like Columbus, Detroit and LANSING and are sending them here! It means amazing poetry right in your back yard! It doesn't get much better!

So, now I'm amped up and looking forward to not one, not two, but three nights of OUTSTANDING POETRY! 

FRIDAY (4/16) - BOUT #1 ---7pm , 9pm - @ Scene MetroSpace (120 Charles St)

SATURDAY (4/17) - BOUT #2 --- 1pm , 3pm - @ Scene MetroSpace (120 Charles St)

SATURDAY NIGHT FINALS (4/17) --- 8pm MSU Campus, @ Chemistry Auditorium (Room 138, Shaw Lane) 


PRICES: Students $3 Prelims --$4 Finals --$5 Weekend Pass
General $5 Prelims --$8 Finals --$10 Weekend Pass

Where can you see this level of competition for  $10 a person? Scene Metrospace thats where! 

I will be there so if you have questions you can comment below and I will work my hardest to get you answers or you can go to the source: logicthepoet@gmail.com for more info.

See you there! Need Directions? Well here you go.  
 
 

 LOGIC THE POET