They Liiiive!! Return of the Grand Rapids Zombie Walk

tommy

tommy, photo by yodraws.

Last year, the Grand Rapids Zombie Walk set the record as the World’s largest zombie walk with 4,000 shuffling dead (details from Michigan in Pictures). Since then, Seattle yanked the record away with 4,277 – something in the coffee? Zombie Overlord Rob Bliss will not let this stand and says:

It’s time for Grand Rapids to take it back! Post this in your status update now to spread the word! Copy and paste this entire message into your status update to help take back the World Record for Grand Rapids! http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=145738132086

Event is happening in Downtown Grand Rapids, starting at Calder Plaza! (October 30th at 8PM)

You guys loved the Electronic Music Night, so this Zombie Walk will end with a huge electronic music event, free and outdoors until midnight! DJs BRANDON HILL, SONNRIZE, and STEVE SWIFT and RANDOM SAMPLE playing on a massive, massive P.A. system.

This event costs a LOT of money to pull off, 13,000+ dollars to be exact. We are asking for a suggested donation of three dollars to help keep events like this one alive! T-shirts, bottled water, and glowsticks will be sold as well.

Zombie Walk: A Massive mob of people dressed as Zombies walking together as a massive horde in downtown Grand Rapids on October 30th at 8PM starting at Calder Plaza in grand celebration of Halloween. “Zombie” Outfits are as basic as you want, white t shirts with some ketchup = perfect. Also go here if you want to do even cooler stuff – http://www.zombiemaker.com/

Make sure that you get in costume before the event and do NOT put bloody hand prints or anything on any cars/buildings/etc. at the event.

Bring canned food to this event to help feed the poor and homeless! Feeding America West Michigan Food Bank will be on hand.

Check this out bigger or in Yolanda’s Halloween set (slideshow) and also shuffle through the Grand Rapids Zombie Walk slideshow on Flickr. Don’t miss more Halloween fun on Absolute Michigan.

Braaaaaains!!!!!!

Where the Wild Things Are … in Michigan

Pinhole: Acme Creek

Pinhole: Acme Creek, photo by Matt Callow.

The night Max wore his wolf suit and made mischief of one kind and another. His mother called him “WILD THING!” and Max said “I’LL EAT YOU UP!” so he was sent to bed without eating anything.

That very night in Max’s room a forest grew and grew- and grew until his ceiling hung with vines and the walls became the world all around and an ocean tumbled by with a private boat for Max and he sailed off through night and day and in and out of weeks and almost over a year to where the wild things are.

One of my favorite stories of any kind is Maurice Sendak’s Where the Wild Things Are, and I have to say that I’m looking forward to tomorrow’s movie adaptation.

Thinking about the story and about being a kid in Michigan seeking out those places where the wild things are – and about being a person who never managed to grow all the way up who still seeks them out – made me wonder where YOU most feel the wild things are.

Post thoughts and links in the comments and let the wild rumpus start!

Be sure to check out the other photos in Matt’s Pinhole set (or the slideshow to see it bigger!) … and if you haven’t checked out Matt’s work, here’s Matt on Michigan in Pictures (our Photographer profile of Matt is a great place to start) and mattcallow.com!

Zombie Time: World Zombie Day & Michigan Haunted Attractions

Zombie Walk

Zombie Walk, photo by fotosessions

Since the Tigers seem determined not to let me post “Tigers Clinch!” I thought I’d call out a couple seasonally appropriate items.

Next Saturday (October 11) is the 2nd annual World Zombie Day. Cities all across the world are hosting Zombie Walks that help collect food for local food banks (Braaaaains??). In Michigan, Zombie Walk Detroit is ready for a walk next Saturday in Royal Oak. Click through for the details, including some cool photos & video. Michigan is of course home to the current world record zombie walk (last October in Grand Rapids).

Over on Absolute Michigan, our Fearsome Finder of Frights has once again risen from his dank tomb to post the 2009 Michigan Haunted Attractions, Corn Mazes & Halloween Guide. It’s an amazing compendium of creepy that spans the state – check it out!

Check these photos out bigger in Jesse’s Zombie Walk slideshow from last year’s zombie walk in Ferndale.

TC 350 at the Sleeping Bear Dunes

KAScott_20090926_5415_cb

KAScott_20090926_5415_cb, photo by Ken Scott.

Head over to 350 is something you need to know, Michigan on Absolute Michigan to see the amazing time-lapse video Ken Scott created and to learn more about the 350 movement and TC 350.

This photo is part of Ken’s movie clips from stills set (slideshow) and you can see much more of his work at kenscottphotography.com!

2009 ArtPrize Grand Rapids

ArtPrize '09 Friday

ArtPrize ’09 Friday, photo by JohnE777.

If you’re like me, you’ve probably wondered “Just how much money does it take for a city to completely go off its nut and turn into some kind of urban ninja butterfly?”

The answer, it seems, is about a million dollars. That’s how much money Rick DeVos allocated to found the Grand Rapids ArtPrize. The public will vote to determine who wins prizes including the top prize of $250,000!

Over on Absolute Michigan we’ve created the 2009 ArtPrize Grand Rapids page, an explosion of tweets, videos and (of course) photos.

Also check out the ArtPrize Map or (if you’re so inclined) fly through Grand Rapids and ArtPrize in Google Earth.

Check out this photo bigger and also see John’s massive ArtPrize ’09 set (slideshow).

PS: Tomorrow Rob Bliss & friends will launch 100,000 paper airplanes over Monroe Ave. as a flashmob of musicians play. Be there.

The Heidelberg Project Polka Dot Picnic

The Heidelberg Project

The Heidelberg Project, photo by John Baird.

The Heidelberg Project in Detroit invites you to attend their Polka Dot Picnic this Saturday (September 26) from 4-7 PM to help them celebrate community, their accomplishments & special friends leaving Detroit. They are also looking for donations/discounts on some supplies/services. Be sure to check the link above for more info about this amazing labor of love (including a new video).

Check this out bigger or in John’s So called most “Interesting” slideshow.

See more photos from the Heidelberg Project in the Absolute Michigan pool and also on Michigan in Pictures.

Head East

323 EAST Advertisement

323 EAST Advertisement , photo by Joe Gall Photography.

323 East that is … Joe took this promo photo for 323 East in downtown Royal Oak. 323 East is billed as a a mash-up of art, culture, lifestyle and fashion, and they’re certainly mashing it up in this photo!

Be sure and check it out bigger and in his Models & Promos set (slideshow).

I remember 8 years ago…

I remember 8 years ago...

I remember 8 years ago…, photo by MightyBoyBrian.

…and Brian wonders where we’ll be 8 years from now.

Check this photo from the tunnel to Holland’s Tunnel Park beach out bigger and (for the moment) in Brian’s The Top Thirty set (slideshow).

Art & Apples … and a whole bunch of Michigan events

... one a day

… one a day, photo by suesue2.

Our Absolute Michigan calendar says there’s here’s a lot of cool events happening this weekend from long-standing events like the Celebration on the Grand in Grand Rapids, Wheatland Music Festival and Posen Potato Festival to newer events like the Ann Arbor HomeGrown Festival, UP Oktoberfest, Great Lakes Cider & Perry Festival and Michigan Schooner Festival.

I decided to go with what’s ripening up (and with my stomach) and highlight the Art & Apples Festival in Rochester. This annual event takes place September 11-13 and features over 250 fine art exhibitors, a variety of food, live entertainment, and free kids art activities.

See this photo bigger in Sue’s Blake’s slideshow and also check out the apples slideshow from the Absolute Michigan pool.

52nd Annual Mackinac Bridge Walk ~ September 7, 2009

2008 Mackinac Bridge Walk

2008 Mackinac Bridge Walk, photo courtesy Michigan Department of Transportation & Mackinac Bridge Authority

The annual Mackinac Bridge Walk is a Michigan tradition that has been held every year since the Bridge opened in 1957. This year is the 52nd annual and it takes place (as always) on Labor Day  (September 7) from 7-11 AM. The walk is free and you can get all the details from the official Mackinac Bridge web site.

There’s more info available on Wikipedia and you can learn all about the Mackinac Bridge over at Absolute Michigan.

The Mackinac Bridge