The days of the Flint art scene are changing. Galleries are closing or on the verge of closing, there aren't any independent shows to speak of, the music scene isn't what it used to be since the Local has been closed. So what is the role of the arts in Flint? In what direction are they heading? And how much of a role does the bad economy in Flint play?
Photos taken and submitted by Chris Ringler. Photos depict various indie art shows in the downtown area at 625 and Churchills.Photo from the last Guerilla Art Show at 625 in Downtown Flint.
Photo taken by Amanda Emery. Matt Ratza and the Strangers.
Matt Ratza has always been a staple in the Flint music scene. From the beginnings as a young man with a deep appreciation for classical music to bands such as Burnt Toast, The Middletown Project, Heartland, and now his solo projects, it is evident that music is 100% of Matt's heart. The record Stranger is the outpouring ofMatt's soul, in the lyrics and the beautiful sound of his guitar, each and every song reaches out to you, each and every song is a piece of Matt. He explains that his songs represent "Everything I have ever wanted to say, to anyone who has ever been in my life." With songs like "Sweet Voice", the song is both haunting and beautiful, with lyrics like "I want you to call but don't know what I would say, I just want to hear your sweet voice again." This is the inside view of this musicians heart.
Seeing Matt play live is always a good time show, his outpouring of emotion and conviction in his shows is the evidence of what his music means to him. Watching the people at the show singing along and feeling the music, to Matt there is nothing better. Playing shows to Matt is a way of life, music is his way of life, but yet every time he plays it is still like his first show. The feelings Matt has and knowing how the people feel that come out to his shows makes what he is doing worthwhile, he makes the music for himself, but it is an amazing feeling to know that something he has written touches people and they can relate to it.
Matt gives it his all, everything he thinks and feels comes through in his song lyrics, listening to Stranger is getting to know him in the most intimate of ways. Stranger is different than anything I have heard, it has a bluegrass feel with a touch of straight rock and roll. Matt has said that he is strongly influenced by Johnny Cash, and hauntingly you can hear that influence through Matt's words. The one thing that Matt emphasized to anyone wanting to get into music was "work at it, do it for yourself, not anyone else," coming from a man that has seen the worst of heart breaks and the best of life, he is what he does, and loves what he does.
You can check out Matt Ratza's music at www.myspace.com/mattratza or check out the record label that he strongly attributes to the future success of Matt Ratza and the Strangers, the record label that is giving him the "chance of a lifetime." Check out Hell City Records for more info and show dates.
AE- What inspired you to create Monstas'? Steph- Boredom, imagination and the right materials inspired me to create Monstas.
AE- What goes into making a Monsta? Steph- What goes into making Monstas? Um I'd have to say, bringing fantasy and or my imagination to life, and a lot of blood sweat and tears. Nah, just kiddin', but some days truer than others, some days I want so bad to create, but I just don't feel it, so I guess the right mood as well. I need to be on a sewing kick. My kind is all or nothing, either with it or not at all.
AE- How long have you been doing it? Steph- I believe it's been 6 years yet I always seem to mix up dates so I dunno, it's been sometime though.
AE- How long did it take you to learn your craft? Steph- Well I picked it up and learned right away, but as they say, "practice makes perfect." I've learned through my mistakes.
AE- What other types of things do you make? Steph- Along with the Monstas I make purses, (pouches -- where it all began) it's just a small to medium wallet like thing. I make pins, mobiles, sculptee beavers, prints of Monstas, whatever the hands create at the moment I guess, I usually stick to fiber/textile arts though.
AE- How does it feel to know that your Beaver has become a celebrity? How did it happen? Steph- Awe, I thought it was one of the cutest things ever. A few years ago I went to a Rock and Rummage down in Detroit at the Garden Bowl with a few friends. This is where I sold the Beaver that made it all happen, the Sweet Beaver was his name. He sold there and from that night on he's been getting famous. I got an email from the Beaver's owner, he just emailed to run the stats on the Sweet Beaver and let me in on his whereabouts. The Beaver gets play, the Sweet Beaver now has his own MySpace page, and sets up dates to get pictures taken.
AE- What gives you the most joy from your creations? Steph- Seeing them in my head, executing the idea, sewing them, and giving them new homes, so I guess everything, I like it all.
Flint author and arts activist Chris Ringler recently published his second book, This Beautiful Darkness. This Beautiful Darknessis a series of short stories that are dark and show the monsters hidden in our society.
This image is used with permission from the author Chris Ringler.
From a father teaching his son the art of killing to the demons trapped inside a haunted bed. This Beautiful Darkness has 13 stories that show the darkness in humanity. These are the kinds of stories that stay with you, and haunt you. This is a must read. Ringler is a self published author, so you can purchase his book through him via his MySpace, Amazon, or https://www.createspace.com/3386414. Ringler recently made This Beautiful Darkness available for Kindle, which is a wireless reading device distributed by Amazon Digital Services.
Ringler fell in-love with writing as a teenager, thus spawning his first book Back From Nothing in 1999. He has also been published inBare Bone 6, 7, and 9 and Cthulhu Sex magazine, and has completed writing a children's series and novel. Ringler has also received honorable mention in The Year's Best Fantasy and Horror twice.
Who doesn't enjoy a good scary story now and again? But what if these stories are fact? The documentary The Haunting Truthdiscusses such stories in Oakland County and was made by Davison-based film maker Jeff Jones. Jones spent over a year compiling information on popular tales in Pontiac, Romeo and Addison Township, where he found the most paranormal activity.
On Nov. 21 I was able to see the documentary at Cranberries Cafe. I was pretty impressed that Jones was able to get multiple accounts on hauntings and paranormal happenings in these areas. Instead of regurgitating legend, like many documentaries do, he had eyewitnesses coroborate the stories.
This film has peaked my curiousity of haunted places in the area. Who knows, maybe this writer will find herself at Dunn's tomb this weekend.
Soon Detroit won’t be the only ones having ghoulish fun. Wolfman Mac’s “Chiller Drive-In” will “hopefully” be syndicated on WNEM (TV Channel 5) in Flint said Mac Kelly, who plays the host Wolfman Mac.
“I'm hoping that MyTV 5 picks us up soon.” Kelly said, “Last I heard we were just waiting for a time slot. Stay tombed!”
“Chiller Drive-In” currently is showing in the Detroit area on WMYD (TV Channel 20) on Saturday nights at midnight and is somewhat of a tribute to horror shows of the past like Elvira, the Ghoul, and Sir Graves Ghastly featuring horror and sci-fi B-movies of the past.
“We're sort of a sitcom that takes place at a drive-in in the town of Hauntington Heights,” Kelly said. “Think of a cross between Herman Munster and Tim Allen.
“My werewolf character owns a run down drive in where all they have in stock are really bad monster movies.”
Kelly started doing the show after growing up watching Elvira, the Ghoul, and Sir Graves Ghastly.
“I love those old monster flicks in a bad way.” Kelly said, “I knew when I was a kid that I had to do this.”
The show first started on cable access, then moved to the network affiliate within months of airing. The actors on “Chiller Drive-In” don’t get paid for their roles. They do it because it is something they love.
“Syndication is a blessing, really the result of a child hood dream coming true,” Kelly said. “We've yet to make any money on this show, that'll happen, but we really love what we're doing here.”
The premise of the show is that Wolfman Mac, who has been around since the 1930s, has been searching the world over to find a place where he can share his love of B-movies. One fateful night while being chased by angry villagers, Mac comes across an abandoned drive-in and his new cohort and co-host Boney Bob.
“Chiller Drive-In” is known for showing movies such as “Wasp Woman,” “The Devil’s Hand,” “Night of the Living Dead” and “Spider Baby.” During these movies there are small skits performed by Wolfman Mac and the rest of the cast.
“While those movies are playing, there's always some calamity of some sort going on that Wolfman Mac has to deal with.” Kelly said, “Boney Bob is my ever-scheming side kick, always looking for a way to make a fast buck, usually using Wolfman Mac's monster card and maxing it out.”
In October 2008, “Chiller Drive-In” was voted Best Local Television Show (other than a newscast) by the Metro Times annual Best of Detroit issue, and in May 2009, Real Detroit Weekly named the show Best “Retro” Local TV Program and “the ONLY good reason to eschew the bar scene on Saturday nights!” For more information and schedules for Wolfman Mac’s Chiller Drive-In go to www.chillerdrivein.com.
Local artist Stephen Vincent is incorporating his macabre art work into the holiday season with his zombie nutcrackers. The Nutcrackers stand at about 8in tall and sell for $30 not including shipping.
Vincent also makes such horrific delights as painted suits and zombie tote bags. When asked what his favorite medium is to work in, Vincent said "Right now I would have to say acrylic paint on whatever I can slap paint on. That includes suit coats, shoes, bags, or canvas."
And what influences Vincent's art? "Well most of my horror art is influenced by old E.C. and EERIE comics and probably all those damn zombie movies I watch." Vincent said.
For more info on Stephen Vincent you can visit his Etsy.
I am a journalist and a photographer. I am also an artist in the Flint area. I love taking pictures and writing, but also have a pretty serious cheese cake addiction.
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