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Catalyst Radio: Mighty Wurlitzer concert series welcomes home former owner of local Pizza and Pipes

This dispatch was added by one of our Nonprofit Neighbors. It does not represent the editorial voice of The Rapidian or Community Media Center.

We talk to Gina Bivins in this audio interview, and find out more about the Public Museum's series and activities that the Wurlitzer is still used for.
Paula Sullivan, one of the Museum's faithful volunteers who plays the organ for Story Time with the Mighty Wurlitzer on Mondays.

Paula Sullivan, one of the Museum's faithful volunteers who plays the organ for Story Time with the Mighty Wurlitzer on Mondays. /Courtesy of the Public Museum

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About Catalyst Radio

Catalyst Radio is the weekly public affairs radio program of Community Media Center, with producer and host Linda Gellasch, along with Denise Cheng. The program is a feature of WYCE and The Rapidian and includes interviews with organizations and people working on social change and community support, examines media and free speech issues, and takes a look at the behind-the-scenes of Rapidian reporting. You can catch it on air at noon every Friday on WYCE 88.1 FM or streaming on the Grand Rapids Community Media Center Website.

Past Catalyst Radio episodes are archived on The Rapidian.

Don't have time to listen right now? Download the episode and listen at your leisure.

INTERVIEW (12:44)

The Mighty Wurlitzer. Imagine the typical pipe organ with its four keyboards, played by both toes and fingers, plus wooden blocks, a xylophone, glockenspiel, drums, horns and flutes, a stuffed bird that tweets from a cage. The Wurlitzer Theatre Organ reached its peak in the 1920s as the accompaniment to silent films, and our Public Museum is home to one of only a few hundred remaining in public venues in the world. The Museum will be kicking off its series next weekend with Charlie Balogh, the former owner of Pizza and Pipes, the original home of The Museum's Wurlitzer.

Gina Bivins, programs coordinator for the Public Museum will detail the series and activities that the Wurlitzer is still used for. Music this week comes from Charlie Balogh's release with two songs - The Pink Panther and Star Wars medley - of the Dirty Dozen, or the most requested tunes at his pizza parlor.

 

ANALYSIS (0:00)

Chicago hyperlocals come together to solicit advertisers collectively
Independent ad networks exist in many major cities, and one has recently formed in Chicago under the moniker of the Chicago Independent Ad Network. With funding from the Chicago Community Trust and Knight Foundation's Community Information Challenge, the 15 hyperlocals have appointed a business manager and will hire an ad sales associate to bargain on behalf of the publications to do block advertising.
[More: Nieman Lab]

New trade organization formed to represent interests of independent, hyperlocal web publications
Last weekend during the annual Block by Block News Summit that gathers born-on-the web, independent and locally focused publishers, a new trade organization was formed to serve the unique needs of publishers. While still budding, the organization was formed to make it easier to represent collectively the interests of these groups in the eyes of the federal government and industry groups as well as potentially providing services for independent, local publishers.
[More: Vouchification]

Ruling comes down in favor of citizen journalists
During a case of alleged police brutality in Massachussetts, a lawyer broke out his camera phone and began to record the scene. The police filed charges against him for obstruction of justice and aiding the escape of a perpetrator, and the charges were later dropped. However, the lawyer sued for violation of first amendment rights, and the ruling came down in his favor, setting the precedent that not only professionals who draw a salary are news gatherers.
[More: Online Journalism Review]

 

CALENDAR (27:12)

October the last month for Studio 28 Flea Market
1400 28th Street
Every Saturday and Sunday through the end of October, Studio 28 opens its doors for the flea market, where shoppers will find antiques, produce, seedlings, garage sale items and much more.
[More]

Hat Trick Concert Series: Pete Case
6 p.m. on Monday, Oct. 10 at One Trick Pony
The Hat Trick Concert Series benefits area nonprofits by drawing local, regional and national bands for one-night shows at One Trick Pony. Coming up is Pete Case, a three-time Grammy nominated musician. Proceeds will benefit Living Light Dance, whose goal is to enrich the community and the lives of people with disabilities through artistic expression.
[More]

Men Against Violence hold a Take-Back-The-Night-esque vigil
6:30 p.m. on Thursday, Oct. 13 at Rosa Parks Circle
Men Against Violence have organized a "Step up, step out" event in which they will walk through town, highlighting and condeming violence against women, children and other men.
[More]

31st Colorburst Cycling Tour benefits MADD
8 a.m. on Saturday, Oct. 15 at Fallasburg County Park
Registration for the Colorburst Cycling Tour is still open for anyone interested in a Saturday ride, from beginners to advanced cyclists. In its 31st year, the Colorburst Tour began as a commemoration of a Rapid Wheelman cyclist who was killed by a drunk driver. All proceeds benefit Mothers Against Drunk Driving.
[More]

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