Photography

Record Store Day ~ The Rev Charles Way

Founded by Eric Levin, Michael Kurtz, Carrie Colliton, Amy Dorfman, Don Van Cleave and Brian Poehner in 2007, Record Store Day (RSD) was established as a way to honor the culture of the independently owned record store. It is now celebrated internationally on the third Saturday of April each year. In 2014, that day was April 19th, and what a day it was.

April weather in Michigan is unpredictable at best. Record Store Day 2013 brought us snow. RSD 2014, however, was a gloriously sunny 65^oF. Whatever the temperature, RSD is the first day of my favorite season, the festival season. From now through the month of October, the downtown Grand Rapids area is alive with music, art, dance and film. There is inspiration around every corner. I live for this time of year. It got kicked off in fabulous style on Saturday, thanks to my friend, Reverend Charles Preston Smith.

Charles, frontman for the popular local band, PotatoeBabies, started the tradition of live Record Store Day music at Dodds Record Shop. The first year he walked into the store unannounced and asked the owner where he could plug-in his amp. Here is a photo of the PotatoeBabies’ inaugural RSD performance at Dodds:

In 2013, Charles bought that record shop. In addition to headlining PotatoeBabies, on top of being on the forefront of the GR local music scene, and in spite of a regular day job, he welcomed a massive undertaking in restoring Dodds to its former glory. After 30 years in the same location, Dodds’ inventory had become overwhelming. It has taken months to reopen aisles and clear space for a stage. Thanks to Charles’ dedication, no longer is Dodds a cluttered collection of forgotten treasures. It is a museum of music history, all genres in all formats for all ages. In addition to the preservation of music history, Dodds will be known for parties and even weddings. One lucky couple was married there, by Charles himself, just a few weeks ago. Cool.

With him at the helm, Record Store Day 2014 was the biggest and best yet. Not only did bands perform on the street outside, but there was also a lineup of bands inside. I don’t know if you know this, but being insulated by tens of thousands of records does amazing things for a building’s acoustics. I’ve seen the band Bitters play at least a dozen times. They never sounded better than they did this past Saturday. I can’t get over how much fun my husband and I had with our son that day.

Of course, the weather was irresistible so if indoors wasn’t your thing, the music was flowing out on the sidewalk as well.

If this has got you feeling a little nostalgic and craving some vinyl, go see my friend Charles at Dodds Record Shop. Charles has invested countless hours, and his own blood, sweat, and tears into refashioning the downtown Grand Rapids icon into something special and unique. Hear the story of Dodds’ revival straight from his mouth and make an appearance on the 24/7 VinylCam while you’re at it. Learn more about his efforts here:

A new era for Dodds Records: http://www.rapidgrowthmedia.com/features/011614doddsrecords.aspx

Heartside record shop to showcase memories: http://therapidian.org/placematters-heartside-record-shop-showcase-memories

Dodds Record Shop, Record Store Day 2014 lineup:

And now I look forward to Festival of the Arts 2014, a weekend long celebration in the streets of downtown Grand Rapids where we appreciate food, friends, art, dance, music, and of course, Rev Charles Preston Smith and the PotatoeBabies. Look for an article on that event coming this June.

The Cattail

Abandoned

Parched and immobile

An eyesore

The others

Detest the irony of

Her name, The Cattail

Clouds Like Shades

He was the moon,
The nights that it shone full,
His beams of light danced upon
The dark waters of my soul.

He was the vital sun,
Evoking my heart’s fire,
Torridity of his rays
Stoking my desire.

“I’ve fallen out of love with you”
His words came with a blow.
Like a fool I stood there mute,
And silently watched him go.

My psyche lay in ruins,
Robbed its luminescence.
I wept for him hollow tears
Alone there in his absence.

He’d pulled clouds like shades
Over my window to the skies.
He ushered in eternal nightfall
And denied me my sunrise.

What If…

This poem requires explanation. It was written over two decades ago. As a teen and young adult, I struggled with depression and thoughts of suicide. In my early works, I rarely wrote about anything but suicide or death. If I had not been able to express my internal conflict through poetry, I honestly don’t know if I would be here today. Eventually I sought treatment. Unfortunately the treatment was not conducive to creativity. It was one of several reasons that I did not write for over ten years. Still, I wouldn’t change anything. I am happy and healthy now. I found my voice again too.

However, it should not have taken me as long as it did to talk to someone. There is this unspoken taboo when it comes to suicide. I wanted to be remedied, but I didn’t want to ask anyone for help. I was humiliated that I couldn’t just pull myself together and be normal. I assumed my friends and family were too busy to bother with my strife or thought I was just looking for attention. If any of this resonates with you, please pay attention to this… There are millions of people out there that have the same stuggles. Sometimes all they need or want is someone who can relate to them. If you don’t trust anyone around you, call a hotline, see a professional, or find a group. THERE ARE OTHERS LIKE YOU. You will find support in their ranks. You are not alone. You are not a freak. You’re a little off the beaten path and that’s ok. Find a guide to lead you back. They are out there. Can’t find yours? I’m right here; talk to me. Believe it or not, people do care.

I think back often and wonder “What if?”. What if any of my attempts had been successful? What if my Mom found me and this poem? What if I had never found my way? I’m thankful I only have to wonder. I’m thankful for everyday of this life. I’m thankful that you’re reading this for the right reasons and my family never read it for the wrong ones.

My time has come,
I bid you goodbye.
I’m taking this chance
To explain to you why.

I am filled with hate.
Love? I have none.
No love for life,
No love for anyone.

I had long been dead
Before my heart stopped beating.
I lack emotion.
My life has no meaning.

There’s nothing you could do
So please don’t ask why.
My time has come,
I bid you goodbye.