#flint journal

[samowensphoto]

Black plume of smoke from a destroyed abandoned strip club, Flint, Michigan, April 22, 2015. 

[bgpj]

Prom Part 1: 

This past week felt a bit nostalgic as I shot two proms back to back. There’s nothing quite like it and It’s my hope that as I continue shooting I’ll be able capture some of the absurdity of the event paired with the parts that make it such a memorable time. 

I still have a few more to cover. The hardest part has been trying not to dance. 

[bgtvmediaonline]

Raw: Flint, Mich.'s Largest Building Imploded

Published on Dec 22, 2013         AssociatedPress

 Flint’s tallest building has been demolished. The 19-story Genesee Towers came down on Sunday. The plan, which was successful, was for the building to collapse within its own footprint. (Dec. 22)

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[flintlocal432]

If you live in Flint, Grand Blanc, Fenton, Flushing, Davison, Mt Morris or Burton (did I miss a place?) did you know there is live music just about every Friday and Saturday night right in downtown Flint? The price ranges anywhere between $6-$10 depending on the night and how far a band has traveled to perform for you. You could easily see two completely different kinds of line ups of bands in one weekend for around what you're paying at the bar for a few drinks, for cigarettes, for junk food, for a number of other things that are of no value to you in the long run. We are wasting time and money on items and habits that do not enrich our lives but in fact hinder them. I understand there are reasons why we don't go to shows very often once we enter adulthood. I actually don't go to many shows unless I'm performing. The reason for this is I'm a proud father and dedicating my time to my daughter means I don't get the opportunity to sit and socialize at bars or other concerts very often. If you have kids then I strongly suggest you divert your attention from bars and hanging out to raising your kids. However...the rest of you ought to try just a little to check out the Flint Local more often. We have a great opportunity to bring in bigger bands more often and create a built in crowd for local acts on the rise or starting out. I've heard of bands not having an interest in Flint or losing interest in performing here because of low turn outs. We're a city of people who are proud to "rep" where we're from yet put nothing forth but bragging rights of how "tough" it is. There are places that still exist that pride themselves in their local music scene. People from Flint should be proud of where they're from but lets change that pride stemming from what we can survive into what we can create.

Fernando Solis (Local Singer-Songwriter, and Vocalist of 1876).

[trytocatchupmotherfuckers]

Oh Flint...how I love thee and your irony!

[luceat-eis]

What a day. :/

So in third hour, this lady came over the PA saying: "There have been rumors that kids will bring guns to school Friday, the supposed 'end' of the Mayan calendar. These are rumors. For the rest of the week, there will be no hall or bathroom passes and an increased police presence in our school. Teachers, keep your doors locked and let nobody in. Thank you." That was scary, but I brushed it off. Code Yellows had happened before. Then in fourth hour, we went into Code Red lockdown. Nobody knew what was going on. Parents were texting their kids trying to figure it out, but we were all confused. After a few minutes, the lockdown was lifted and we figured out what happened. Here's the news article. It was COMPLETE chaos. Half the school left and the rest of the week was just canceled. I hate that I was terrified, because this wasn't NEARLY as bad as Sandy Hook. So you don't need to tell me what a baby I am, because I know. http://mobile.mlive.com/advflint/pm_29281/contentdetail.htm?contentguid=iKh98yZy

[flintlocal432]

FLINT, MI -- Ten years ago, brothers Jonathon and Nick Diener took the stage for the first time with their band The Swellers.

At 14 and 15 respectively, said they had no clue about doing anything but playing music at that gig.

They just kind of taught us everything,€ lead singer and guitarist Nick Diener said of that first show at the Local 432, an all-ages alcohol-free music venue in downtown Flint. A lot of people went to college to learn their trade and learn their skills, and we just played the Local. The Local is like our high school, and I guess like my college and probably my retirement.

Fast forward 10 years and The Swellers with two newer members on bass and guitar” have taken those homegrown skills and showcased them They've played across the U.S., Europe, Asia and Australia and are headed back to some of those areas later this year. 

But before they get back on the road they'™re celebrating their tenth anniversary, and they’re doing it at the venue where it all started for them, the Local.

"œWe remembered the exact date we started and we were like, wow, the 10-year anniversary is coming up, that'™s pretty cool," said drummer Jonathon Diener. "And we were like, is the Local even going to be open? And the second (Red Ink manager) Joel Rash confirmed it, we were like, we have to do a show there no matter what. This is number one priority. We have to play here."

The Aug. 3 anniversary show will be at the Local's newest location at 124 West First St. in downtown Flint.

Read the rest of the article here.

[flintlocal432]

FLINT, MI—When Lynsie and Andrew Sartwell had last visited the Flint Local 432, they were 16 and 14 years old, respectively. They used to frequent the all-ages, substance free concert venue while they were younger to see other bands play.

Now in their 20s, Lynsie is still a member of the audience, but Andrew is the lead singer of a band named Sadie Lee—and this is her first time seeing her brother perform live.

"It always fun and an adventure, because we used to drive out here from Linden all the time," said Lynsie, now 26. "It felt like a road trip almost."

Sadie Lee was the first act to perform at the new Local 432; it has opened, closed and moved several times over the years before recently settling in as a program under the umbrella organization Red Ink Flint. The reopening concert also included singer/songwriter Katie Stanley, local alternative pop/rock/soul group Maria Rose and the Swiss Kicks, and local band Arlow Xan.

On one end, there were a lot of differences with the new venue. Danny Moilanen, club manager for the Flint Local, said that a $200,000 grant was used to renovate the guts of the building: a brick storefront now welcomes new visitors into a venue adorned with crisp white walls, red chairs and tables, and more standing room. Beni Schlatter, producer of The Swiss Kicks, noticed that there was a different crowd than the usual audience that the Flint Local attracted.

"This was known as a younger hangout. For the longest time, this was the only place in Flint that you could go if you were under 21," says Schlatter, 28, who said he used to visit the local about once a month when he was a teenager. "There aren't as many younger kids here [tonight]."

Moilanen also admitted the audience change.

"Before, there was a really strong music community. Bands came out to support, and kids came out no matter who was playing. Now, there aren't as many bands, concertgoers, and young people," Moilanen said. "Anyone who is in high school right now hasn't even heard of the Flint Local.

"We rebuilt the building, but we're also going to have rebuild the music scene and the music community."

But as much as things change, they stay the same. Despite renovations and a new location, the room still had a cozy feel—which is how some attendees seemed to describe its previous incarnations.

"We still have a ton of people in a room to hear bands, support their friends, and support this institution," said Moilanen. "I don't think that's ever going to change."

Thanks for all the great coverage Flint Journal / MLive.com crew! Tonight's opening night was a smashing success. We hope to have many many more.

Thanks to everyone who came out, it was a great time!