Tag: John Mooneyham

State of the Art — GIG Conference Celebrates Michigan Art and Music November 8-10 at Jackson’s ART 634

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The weekend-long conference spotlights Michigan visual artists who specialize in concert photography, show posters, T-shirt designs, and album artwork.

Editor’s Note: The Stratton Setlist is a sponsor of GIG – The Art of Michigan Music.

Eight years ago, Chuck Marshall attended ArtPrize in Grand Rapids, Michigan, and left with a new idea.

The Life in Michigan blogger/co-publisher and Fans With Bands podcaster wanted to curate an art exhibit called GIG – The Art of Michigan Music, which focuses on the visual aspects of music.

“I’d met some great photographers and graphic artists in the local Michigan music scene and wanted to call attention to their work,” said Marshall, who’s from Ann Arbor and is a concert photographer.

“The Ann Arbor Art Center at the time accepted applications for people to curate an exhibit. I thought, ‘Why not?’ I contacted them and they were very helpful and receptive.”

Then Marshall contacted several artists and asked them to join the inaugural GIG – The Art of Michigan Music art show. It spotlighted artists who specialize in concert photography, show posters, T-shirt designs, and album artwork.

“That first show went over really well,” he said. “Over time, folks have asked if I’d do it again, and with work and other projects, I didn’t have time. Last year, my friends at Manchester Underground Music and Art—Steve Girbach and John Mooneyham—said, ‘Hey, you should do GIG again and we will help.’ So I said, ‘OK, let’s do it!’”

The trio quickly expanded GIG – The Art of Michigan Music into more than an art show and assembled a team of local musicians and music supporters to plan the event.

What resulted is a three-day conference packed with art exhibits, educational sessions, a mixer with Jennifer Westwood, live music, and a music market with local vendors.

“It was the rebirth of GIG – The Art of Michigan Music—bigger, better, stronger!” Marshall said. “It is The Six Million Dollar Man of art and music events if you will.”

Now, Marshall will realize his vision for GIG – The Art of Michigan Music November 8-10 at ART 634 in Jackson, Michigan.

I spoke with Marshall about GIG – The Art of Michigan Music ahead of next weekend’s event.

Continue reading “State of the Art — GIG Conference Celebrates Michigan Art and Music November 8-10 at Jackson’s ART 634” →

DIY Approach – Manchester Underground Music and Art Supports Local Artists Through Monthly Live Shows

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“Pistol” Pete Midtgard performs with The Twistin’ Tarantulas in July 2023 at River Raisin Distillery for a Manchester Underground Music and Art show. Photo – Chuck Marshall of Life in Michigan

Editor’s Note: This article originally appeared on the Ann Arbor District Library’s Pulp blog.

Back in 1977, high school friends Steve Girbach and John Mooneyham bonded over listening to Rush, Judas Priest, and AC/DC albums after school.

Those listening sessions at Mooneyham’s house in Manchester, Mchigan eventually turned into serious discussions about forming a band and playing live shows.

It wasn’t until a few years after graduating from Manchester High School that Girbach and Mooneyham put their musical plan into action.

“Steve and I were talking and we said, ‘Why don’t we get some gear and we’ll put on shows and festivals?’ We had all these grand ideas people in their early 20s come up with,” said Mooneyham, who now co-runs the Manchester Underground Music and Art monthly concert series with Girbach.

“About a month later, Steve said, ‘I invited some guys over to your house to play some music and you’re gonna play bass.’”

Together, guitarist Girbach and bassist Mooneyham played in two cover bands, Allister and The DTs, and later hosted a music festival featuring 13 acts at a former amusement park in the Irish Hills.

Not long after that, The DTs called it quits and everyday life took over for Girbach and Mooneyham. What they didn’t realize at the time was that initial music festival helped lay the groundwork for what would become Manchester Underground Music and Art in 2019.

Continue reading “DIY Approach – Manchester Underground Music and Art Supports Local Artists Through Monthly Live Shows” →