Thoughts and prayers are with Doug Fieger who performed at the Grande Ballroom with Sky and in the New Spirit with brother Geoffrey.
Tuesday, January 12, 2010
Saturday, January 2, 2010
7 years of www.thegrandeballroom.com
7 Years!
I hadn't an inkling of what I would be getting into when I first registered the Grande Ballroom.com in 2003.
What started as a casual interest in a family legend has grown into a substantial entity of its own, representative of the worldwide interest in this landmark.
Whereas there was very little online referencing this counter culture nexus then, Today there is more and more content being shared every day. The site now attracts thousands of visitors every year eager to read the story.
I have been fortunate to speak and correspond with folks from all eras of the Grande. I have worked with some of them at celebratory anniversary concerts, and in efforts to preserve the building and nominate it for historical posterity.
I now feel obligated in my efforts to document the phenemonen in all its phases so that future music fans can read about this special place on the corner of Grand River and Beverly.
In 2010 I plan to offer a completely revised web site co-ocurring with the completion of the new book.
"Ghosts of the Grande - A complete history of Detroit's Grande Ballroom" will be the compilation of seven years of research in the topic and will serve to document its history for future readers.
Thanks to all our site visitors who have shared the Grande with me. I have been enriched through learning of your experiences and have expanded my horizons accordingly.
Cheers,
Leo Early
Webmaster
January 2010
I hadn't an inkling of what I would be getting into when I first registered the Grande Ballroom.com in 2003.
What started as a casual interest in a family legend has grown into a substantial entity of its own, representative of the worldwide interest in this landmark.
Whereas there was very little online referencing this counter culture nexus then, Today there is more and more content being shared every day. The site now attracts thousands of visitors every year eager to read the story.
I have been fortunate to speak and correspond with folks from all eras of the Grande. I have worked with some of them at celebratory anniversary concerts, and in efforts to preserve the building and nominate it for historical posterity.
I now feel obligated in my efforts to document the phenemonen in all its phases so that future music fans can read about this special place on the corner of Grand River and Beverly.
In 2010 I plan to offer a completely revised web site co-ocurring with the completion of the new book.
"Ghosts of the Grande - A complete history of Detroit's Grande Ballroom" will be the compilation of seven years of research in the topic and will serve to document its history for future readers.
Thanks to all our site visitors who have shared the Grande with me. I have been enriched through learning of your experiences and have expanded my horizons accordingly.
Cheers,
Leo Early
Webmaster
January 2010
Tuesday, September 29, 2009
A Great Day at the Grande
Hi All,
The guest list for the Grande Class Photo is really heating up. We have folks traveling considerable distances to be in the photo. The list already includes some luminaries you may remember. Folks the photo would be entirely incomplete without. This photo was inspired by the legendary "A Great Day in Harlem" photo, check it out here: http://www.harlem.org/ This event was also re-created for Detroit Jazzfest 2008 connecting Detroit's legendary 1920' Skyscraper The Guardian Building with contemporary Jazz Greats. "A great day in Detroit". http://www.detroitjazzfest.com/greatday.html So why not document as many as possible Grande folks in one shot? We will perhaps have to entitle it"A Great Day at the Grande" !!!
See you there... Leo
Thursday, September 24, 2009
Grande Class Photo Event
For Immediate Release:
Wednesday October 7, 2009 will mark 43 years since the Grande re-opened as a Rock Venue
and 40 years since the evolution of new shows at the Eastown and Grande Riviera.
Today one venue has been razed and two of these pivotal rock palaces languish in ruins.
The Grande Ballroom edifice is especially in dire straits, its current owners electing to not pursue renovation or demolition. Having collected 100's of petitioners online, the Friends of the Grande group has had efforts at nominating the Grande for the National Historic Registry blocked. The current owners are uninterested in the Grande's history and the fiscal benefits a registration would afford the property. The building's days are now numbered.
As such, limited opportunities remain to photograph and document the Ballroom and the respect many Detroiters still have for this address.
As webmaster of www.thegrandeballroom.com I am compiling 5 years of research, photos and interviews into a comprehensive book entitled.
"Ghosts of the Grande - A Complete History of Detroit's Grande Ballroom"
I have been honored to speak and correspond with countless folks who were part of the Grande experience. I would like to invite each and every one of my Grande friends to stand in reverence and silent protest of the Grande's condition as we image a "Grande Class Photo" which will appear in the book.
I hope you all can join me one more time at the corner of Grand River and Beverly...
Where: Grand River and Beverly - Detroit, Mi.
When: Wednesday October 7, 2009 - 6:00 P.M.
What: Grande Class Photo
Cheers,
Leo
Friday, September 18, 2009
October 7 Grande Ballroom Event
Friday, May 15, 2009
This Place Matters Project
Still reviewing details about capturing a picture at the Grande for this project. Please send me your thoughts and if you are interested in participating at: webmaster@thegrandeballroom.com
http://www.preservationnation.org/take-action/this-place-matters/?gclid=CIPJ2NHhvpoCFQEeDQod-RjWrw
http://www.preservationnation.org/take-action/this-place-matters/?gclid=CIPJ2NHhvpoCFQEeDQod-RjWrw
Monday, March 9, 2009
Leni Sinclair Benefit Party
Dear Grande Friends,
I hope you can join us for this event. This is a very worthy cause for a super lady that has always been a great help to me in all of my Grande/Detroit related projects and interests.
Humble and super talented, Leni is most deserving of our assistance. I urge you to read more about Leni and the cause via the enclosed and support us in this effort.
Show Schedule
12:00 Doors
01:00 Sons of Adray
02:00 James Semark
03:00 Cat Listening
04:00 John Holdgren
05:00 Michigan Basement
06:00 Circus Boy
07:00 Open Mic
08:00 Beat Boys
09:00 Dead City Prophets
10:00 Special Surprise Guest
11:00 Gary Quackenbush
Show Schedule
12:00 Doors
01:00 Sons of Adray
02:00 James Semark
03:00 Cat Listening
04:00 John Holdgren
05:00 Michigan Basement
06:00 Circus Boy
07:00 Open Mic
08:00 Beat Boys
09:00 Dead City Prophets
10:00 Special Surprise Guest
11:00 Gary Quackenbush
Leo Early
===================================================================
Petition from coordinator Michele Lundgren:
Dear Friends,
Thanks again.
Peace.
Michele Lundgren 248-722-8880
We need to help Leni Sinclair BUY A HOUSE!
She is soon being evicted from her RENTAL home of 10 years.
She has faithfully paid the rent, but the house is being FORECLOSED on as
her landlord cannot make the mortgage payments. The house is in very
rough condition anyway, so we need to get her a NEW one! A forever house!
We have found her several wonderful properties in Detroit for under $10,000.
Leni has some money saved to pay cash, but we are short the tax escrows and the additional closing costs.
The foreclosure will take place on or about April 22nd. The house has already gone through
the Sherif'fs Sale, so this is the end.
For many years, Leni Sinclair has given selflessly of herself. From The Detroit Artists Workshop to Trans-Love Energies to The Rainbow People's party to The White Panthers, Leni shared has her art and photography, her home and her love with ALL of us. She is our friend and our mother. We embrace her as family. We help family when we can. Let's help Leni get a house.
Musicians, poets, bands, artists, vendors, whatever and whomever! We need your participation.
Please feel free to forward this to all those who can help.
For more information on how you can participate, please call or email us. Time is of the essence.
She is soon being evicted from her RENTAL home of 10 years.
She has faithfully paid the rent, but the house is being FORECLOSED on as
her landlord cannot make the mortgage payments. The house is in very
rough condition anyway, so we need to get her a NEW one! A forever house!
We have found her several wonderful properties in Detroit for under $10,000.
Leni has some money saved to pay cash, but we are short the tax escrows and the additional closing costs.
The foreclosure will take place on or about April 22nd. The house has already gone through
the Sherif'fs Sale, so this is the end.
For many years, Leni Sinclair has given selflessly of herself. From The Detroit Artists Workshop to Trans-Love Energies to The Rainbow People's party to The White Panthers, Leni shared has her art and photography, her home and her love with ALL of us. She is our friend and our mother. We embrace her as family. We help family when we can. Let's help Leni get a house.
Musicians, poets, bands, artists, vendors, whatever and whomever! We need your participation.
Please feel free to forward this to all those who can help.
For more information on how you can participate, please call or email us. Time is of the essence.
Thanks again.
Peace.
Michele Lundgren 248-722-8880
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