Brighton Gallery 4pm & Variety Show 8pm this Sat.!

Just another reminder of what is happening this Saturday. We at Lamocu Productions are very excited and proud to present...

The Brighton Gallery "at InSights" debuts at 4pm, hosted by Tracey Vitkay.

Then at 8pm, our first ever Variety Show hosted by Mr. Toastmaster himself Tom Harris! Pass along this information, bring friends and family. We're trying to pack the place for a potential video shoot. You could be part of history on this night!

A donation jar will be at the door for the gallery lecture and exhibit. Tickets will also be available at the door for the entire evening if you plan to stay. $10 adults, $5 students.

Hope to see you there at The InSights Group this Saturday!

As for the pictures of Keith Moon and John Bonham, we just wanted you to start thinking about your "fantasy" drummers for next week. The feedback we have received for the Fantasy Band has been great. We're glad to see so many people having fun with it. Thanks for the comments on the blog and the numerous emails and yes, even phone calls we have received. Take care and stay tuned.

Premiere of Variety Show & The Brighton Gallery!

Hello my friends! Here we are heading into one of the most exciting weekends we have had here at The InSights Group. This Saturday we have a very special Open Mic Night that will feature a full blown variety show AND it is the premiere of The Brighton Gallery "at InSights"! If you are into art, in any of it's wonderful forms, this is an event/day you will not want to miss.

At 4pm The Brighton Gallery premieres hosted by Ms. Tracey Vitkay. Tracey will begin the day with an informative discussion on the world of art and will outline her program to assist aspiring young artists in the community. From there, Tracey will lead you to the gallery itself out in our main hallway. While the roadies move into the main presentation room and begin set up for the evening's show, Tracey will show her work and be available for one to one conversations in the gallery to discuss her work, answer questions on the program she is designing or to just discuss art in general.

A donation for the "art fund" will be taken upon entrance which is standard at gallery showings. For those patrons wishing to stay for the evening's concert they will be asked to purchase a ticket for that at the regular price of $10 for adults and $5 for students.

Rock & Roll Heaven - Fantasy Band con.

Hello faithful followers of this site. We have a lot to cover in the next few days, which is great, but it has put us behind in our Fantasy Band discussion. This week we had you thinking about Keyboardists. Not every band had one, not every band "needed" one. In some bands the Keyboardist did dual duty, adding it to their regular tasks in the band; such as John Paul Jones (bassist) in Led Zeppelin and Freddie Mercury (singer) in Queen. And if these two were your favorites, because they were in your favorite band, fine. The multi-talented individual has always been and still is a valuable asset to any group or any team. How many times in the world of sports have you heard that the player made the team because they were multi-faceted? Or someone got the job/contract because they brought more to the table than their competition? So neither Jones or Mercury will be dismissed from this conversation---no way.

But you probably want to know where our head is at on this subject (or you're just reading along because you're incredibly bored) and unfortunately there's no great story of meeting this individual, getting their autograph or anything like that. What was similar was that I was unexpectedly blown away. As many of you have probably guessed by now by his picture, our Keyboardist for our Fantasy Band is Keith Emerson. The Emerson of Emerson, Lake & Palmer fame.

Now by the time I saw E.L.P. I had already seen Elton John. Was a HUGE Elton fan through high school and in many ways still am. To me Elton was the pinnacle of what a Keyboardist can and should be and when you add that he is the Lead Singer of his band it took A LOT to push him to a very, very close second.

Actually I had gone to E.L.P. to see the drummer Carl Palmer. Palmer at the time was supposedly THE drummer in rock and roll. I had to see that for myself because by that time I had already seem Roger Taylor of Queen and Neil Peart of Rush and if this guy was better than them, he had to prove it to me. And not to give away our choice for fantasy drummer, Palmer WAS great but...well, you'll see.

But I stood in awe of Keith Emerson! I still had not seen Jon Lord play yet (most notably with Deep Purple but also Whitesnake) so Keith was the first person I had ever seen play "multiple" keyboards at one time. Remember the first time you saw Jimmy Page play a double neck guitar? THAT feeling came over me. And when you add the sounds he could make moving and rocking his instrument (not destroying it ala Who) it wasn't noise, it was a rock and roll symphony! I later met some Yes enthusiasts who tried to convince me of their music with Rick Wakemen, but it was never the same.

Believe me it took a lot to put Elton at second and keep Jon Lord (who I have seen multiple times since then) there as well. I read once that Keith Emerson had the vision of one day writing a modern day symphony and his respect for the classics I found refreshing. Keith has done several soundtracks for film since then, the first I believe was Nighthawks with Sylvester Stallone and Billy Dee Williams. Soundtracks are an integral part of any film and if you doubt that just look what John Williams did for Jaws, Star Wars and the Indiana Jones Trilogy, just to name a few. So there it is, our nomination for Fantasy Band Keyboardist, Keith Emerson!

The Lamocu Productions Fantasy Band

Bass Player - Joe Bouchard, Blue Oyster Cult

Keyboardist - Keith Emerson, Emerson, Lake & Palmer

So let us hear from you! The forum is always open. Thanks for reading along and stay tuned, we got lots happening in our next installments.

Tracey Vitkay Update!

Just sending a posting out to mention that Tracey's show at the Russell Industrial Center in Detroit is coming to a close. The final reception will be held this Saturday 3-8pm. Many have asked about it, so here is the link with the announcement for the final reception of the show.

http://www.ricdetroit.org/?id=events

1600 Clay St.
Detroit, MI 48211
(313) 872-4000

Next week on the 28th, Tracey will be kicking off the BRIGHTON GALLERY "at InSights" and final details for that will be coming in tomorrow's posting.

Next month Tracey will at the Portofino of Wyandotte for a Grand Wine Tasting Event to display her work with other local talent. She appreciates all the support and looks forward to meeting all of you. That's it for this installments, stay tuned.

2 Debuts, One Memorable Day!

February 28th is not only the day of our Variety Show...It IS the debut of THE BRIGHTON GALLERY "At InSights" hosted by resident artist Tracey Vitkay. After a brief discussion/lecture in the main room of InSights, Tracey will have her artwork on display in the main hall during the Variety Show and be present to discuss the future of The Brighton Gallery. Ms. Vitkay will explain how she will be accepting portfolios from aspiring artists in the coming weeks so that their work will be on display in The Brighton Gallery in the future. Together we plan on giving our youth, or aspiring artists of any age, the chance to succeed in the art form of their choosing. Open Mic Night and The Brighton Gallery promises to be an unbeatable combination!

The line up is pretty much set for the Variety Show. It will be hosted by Tom Harris, an award winning Toastmaster from Okemos, Michigan. Stavey will begin the show as usual, make some basic announcements then turn the show over to Mr. Harris and his troupe. If you remember Ed Sullivan or know of Garrison Keiler, you have a pretty good idea of what to expect from Mr. Harris. We are honored to have a talent of Tom's magnitude running this show and feel strongly this may become another event here in it's own right at The InSights Group.

Currently, Lamocu Productions is in negotiations with the Saline Cable System to possibly tape this show and do a pilot. Yes, a television pilot. Our dream of a "local" Praire Home Companion could be just around the corner. As details get finalized I will let you know. For now, in no particular order, is the line up of entertainers for the 28th:
stand up comedians, music, singers, dancers, dulcimer player, bagpipe player, magician, belly dancers, sketch comedy, guitar players and much much more.

Tickets will be $10 for adults, $5 for students with ID. Be early, seating is limited.

In the next day or so we will have the time of Ms. Vitkay's presentation, donations will be taken at the door for the "art fund". If you plan to stay throughout the Variety Show an admission charge will be requested. Until more information becomes available thanks for reading along and stay tuned.

Valentine's Day Recap

Here is the first official promotional picture of City Limit. Taken by Jon Curtis Photography before the went on stage Saturday night. We had an EXCELLENT night of entertainment! The warm up band Pick Your Poison started the show and though they only played for a half an hour, everyone was very impressed with these young men. The make up of Pick Your Poison is this: Brandon Lacurse on Bass, Anthony Dachaviz on Drums, Nick Mihelay on Guitar and Mike Tinsley on Vocals. Our entire staff and management was extremely impressed with not only their musical ability but also their professionalism, maturity and committment to their craft. And like City Limit, they're still in high school. A bodacious EXCELLENT to Pick Your Poison! "Party on Garth." "Party on Wayne."

But Pick Your Poison was "just" the beginning. Then came the one and only Lauren Alm. Any show is better with Lauren involved and like we've said before, what a classy move of hers to volunteer to open for City Limit. Many of you may remember City Limit opened for Lauren just a few short months ago. While Pick Your Poison jammed Lauren and City Limit met with many members of the "dream team" assembled here to discuss marketing items and opportunities. Lauren of course was great, but that goes without saying.

Next was our headliner, City Limit. And they put on a great show. Performing for almost two hours they had the crowd jumping and screaming throughout the night. With their first promo picture done, marketing their talents will begin and I guarantee you will be seeing and hearing more of them in the near future. And did I mention that all three of these guys, Garret, Joe and Zach are only sophomores in high school? Well I did now. Watch here for further developments with these guys.

Tomorrow we'll discuss upcoming events, two big ones on the 28th of this month. One being the Variety Show I have been alluding to AND the debut of THE BRIGHTON GALLERY "At InSights". Until then, stay tuned.

Rock & Roll fantasy con.

Well here we go into the home stretch for our Valentine's Day show. I have to admit I was reluctant all day to change the posting because I like looking at Joe Bouchard so much. Apologies are due to good friends Billy Paul and Sqaurehead, I was a little bummed most of the day that I had no comments from those two guys in particular on their "fantasy" input. But, low and behold I get back to the site tonight and we had two comments---from Billy Paul and Squarehead! So I apologize for anything I was thinking. LOL

We'll allow input on Bass Players until next week to give everyone else a chance to voice their views. Next week, we'll do keyboardists! Before you sign off today, or any day for that matter, check out the "comment" section of this blog and share the love of music.

Now onto the show at hand. Back in November, 2008 when City Limit made their stage debut for us, they were the warm up act for Lauren Alm. Lauren has had several postings on this blog since then and we are proud to say is making some money with her performing. Well this time Lauren saw the posters for City Limit and asked if she could "warm up" for them. How cool is that? Just goes to show you the class of performer Lauren is and of course City Limit was flattered and touched by her gesture. Of course I always thought Zach the drummer was a little "touched" anyways, but that's another posting. AND, before Lauren, kicking off the show at 8pm will be a new band making their debut on stage named Pick Your Poison.

These additions to the line up truly give City Limit "top billing", the featured performers of the evening. It works out great all around because now Lauren and City Limit can meet with the "dream team" we have put together in the Green Room during Pick Your Poison's show. Lauren, City Limit, (and their parents) can meet with our audio producer, t-shirt man, poster lady, video producer, web site advisor and photographer Jon Curtis before going on stage. It will be the first assembling of the "dream team" and doing this all at once actually works out for most of them as well since IT IS Valentine's Day and they all have "significant others" and weren't sure how they could stay to meet with the performers.

Very excited the way things are coming together and feel this is an evening that will be remembered for a long long time. Come enjoy the show and be a part of history. Stay tuned in.

Rock & Roll Heaven - Our Fantasy Band!

Ok here it is...been hearing that the best way to run a blog is to have some interaction with your audience. That would be you! We need to inspire our followers to leave comments and of course we need to leave comments on their blogs. In a moment of inspiration we thought we would capitalize on the whole Fantasy Sports phenom, but for music! So here today we begin the debate of our/your fantasy band! And of course, we get to go first, why not it's our blog!

Today we begin with Bass Players. We'll give our input and then ask for YOU the viewers to give your feelings. Give it some deep thought and explain if you can, please just don't say McCartney-Beatles. That's not to say that Paul wasn't a great bass player, but tell us "why". I mean Paul could technically play everything! There's even a story of Paul going into the studio late one night and over dubbing Ringo's drums. So tell us and the world WHY you are passionate about your Bass Player.

So for my fantasy Bass Player...Joe Bouchard, a founding member of Blue Oyster Cult. I had the opportunity to meet Joe, his brother Albert and Eric Bloom back in 1978 at Discount Records the afternoon of their show in Lansing. Joe and I immediately hit it off and had a great conversation. Now I'm not going to try and tell you that Joe and I are best buds thereby making him my favorite Bass Player, but I was impressed with the genuine warmth he shared with me in our time together. Albert and Eric seemed preoccupied with the mob of fans at the store but Joe's eyes and mine met and he greeted me with a smile and asked me how I was doing. Asked ME how I was doing! This from someone who didn't have to give me the time of day. Naturally I got his autograph but the thing that I remember most is that we had a conversation!

Now this STILL isn't the reason he is my favorite Bass Player. The reason is this...by the time I first saw B.O.C. later that evening I had already been to 30-40 rock shows and Joe was the first Bass Player I ever saw do a solo---and it blew me away! Since then, I have seen others attempt this feat, but none have succeeded to the level Joe did. Joe's bass playing was an integral part of the B.O.C. sound and something that (and please no offense to Eric, Don and Allan) was sadly missed when he left the band. His brother Albert left the band first, replaced by Rick Downey, but when Joe left the soul of the band left with it in my incredibly bias opinion. Again my apologies to the surviving members of B.O.C. and the individuals who replaced the Bouchard brothers, but if you want to get the "feel" of the B.O.C. check out albums up to, but not past "Fire of an Unknown Origin". Would I still see B.O.C. when they come to town even without the Bouchards---yes, just like I would still go to see Pete and Roger from the Who, but I think even they would agree they're not the same with out Keith and John.

To find out what Joe is doing now go to http://joebouchard.com/.

Since leaving the B.O.C. Joe has continued to thrive in the music world as a composer, author, and educator as well as still doing various music endeavors. Some of his publications are "Rock Bass For Beginners" (book & DVD), "No Reading Required - Easy Rock Bass Lines" (DVD), and "Bass For The Absolute Beginner" (book & CD) just to name a few.

I will leave my homage to Joe Bouchard here, but I think you get the idea. Now it's your turn, the first member of your "fantasy band" starts here with your Bass Player. Think about it, have fun with it and enjoy it, I know we will!

The Lamocu Productions Fantasy Band
Bass Player - Joe Bouchard, Blue Oyster Cult


Thanks for reading along. And remember this Saturday is our Valentine's Day show with City Limit! Hope to see you there!

Valentine's Day Concert w/ City Limit!

A very special Open Mic Night will happen on Saturday, Febuary 14th as the great high school band City Limit returns to our stage for Valentine's Day Concert. We at Lamocu Productions and The InSights Group are very excited to have these young men back. As usual we will be collecting canned good donations for the Gleaner's Food Bank and if students bring a donation they will get in free, but we will also have some door prizes and Jon Curtis Photography will be taking "couple" pictures for $10.

Admission is $10 adults, $5 students (w/o donation) & doors will open @ 7:30pm.

Come experience a great evening of rock & roll AND romance! Valentine's Day at InSights promises to be a special one that you won't soon forget. Also for those of you who follow City Limit, you'll know that they are from Pinckney High School and it just so happens that Jon Curtis Photography will be working the Pinckney Prom this year. If you happen to be a Junior at Pinckney (or any high school really) Jon is offering discounts if you sign up for Senior pictures with him---want to know more details? Come see Jon on the 14th or contact him at 810-231-4104 and tell him you heard about this from Lamocu Productions! www.JonCurtisPhotography.com

One final note before we go, the young man pictured here is Zach Reske, drummer for City Limit. Don't be turned off by his "lack" of expression, he really is quite an exceptional drummer and a pretty darned good linebacker too (I coached him in JV) LOL. Seriously Zach means a lot to me so I couldn't resist. But those of you old enough to remember, Bill Wyman and John Entwistle were pretty stoic when they jammed as well. And if you don't remember Wyman or Entwistle I guess I have given away my age. More later, stay tuned.

Well it's as official as it can be at this point, since we don't "officially" have a title yet but acclaimed artist Tracey Vitkay will be beginning her to showcase her talents at InSights on the 28th leading up to our first variety show. What the subject of her lecture will be that afternoon, exact starting times etc. have yet to be worked out but as details come we will let you know. We at Lamocu are very excited to bring Ms. Vitkay and the InSights Group together. Not only does this strengthen our goal to support local young artists(of all art forms) but it also gives this area a new cultural event to savor. In future weekends Ms. Vitkay will be accepting porfolios from aspiring young artists so that their work will eventually be shown at the...shall we say for lack of a better phrase, The InSights Gallery? Stay tuned.

Variety Show Lineup!

Hello everyone,
the lineup is almost set for the upcoming variety show on the 28th of this month.
We are going to have Karoake singing with a unit supplied by our good friend DJ Joe @ Mobile Rythm mobilerythmdjs.com, check him and his company out please. This is not "just" a commercial plug though it may sound like it...Joe has been instrumental in assisting on a number of events for us. Anytime anyone comes to us and ask "hey do you have a disco ball?" or "hey do you know where we can get a smoke machine?" I just call our friend DJ Joe and he makes it happen. What more can you say? Our slogan is "Making Your Visions A Reality" and Joe is an integral part of bringing that to life.

In addition to Karaoke singing we will have some award winning speakers from Toastmasters, belly dancing, an hispanic dance troupe, comedian Trevor Smith and some more surprises yet to be finalized. Tickets will $10 for adults, $5 students and as always you'll get a $5 discount with donation for Gleaner's Food Bank.

More later, keep the faith!

Building the excitement of a dream!

Well if you have been following along you'll know that we are planning our first variety show on the 28th of this month. You've probably been anticipating a run down on performers from me and I am still working on that. But, one item of news that just can't wait is that Ms. Tracey Vitkay, a reknowned painter will be joining forces with us very soon, maybe as soon as the 28th! Ms. Vitkay is a wonderful artist who has her own gallery in Northville (and those of you who know "art" know what that means) and is connected with the Detroit Institute of Arts (some pretty high class credentials) and she has heard what we are doing at Open Mic nights for speakers, comedians, musicians and thespians and wishes to align herself with us!

Like Wayne Campbell I said "No way." She said "Way"

The opportunities and tools that we are availing our "audio" artists are the same needs for those who work with canvas and oils! Final details are yet to be worked out but Ms. Vitkay may be instructing/lectoring on the afternoons of the Open Mics leading into the musical entertainment then the halls of Insights will become the INSIGHTS GALLERY, a working name at the present. Though in the beginning the artwork will be predominantly that of Ms. Vitkay's, she sees it as an opportunity for young aspiring artists to have a showcase for their work as well. More on this later as details are worked out later in the week. We are flattered and honored to have Ms. Vitkay see a value in what we are doing here and very excited about our partnership.