The best part of this time of the year is the heightened sense of mystery that is built into all our area’s events as they get closer to Halloween.
Keeping with this tradition is the "mysterious on purpose for a purpose" event, The Captain’s Affair, a debut fundraiser for the Creative Youth Center, and organization whose focus is “to prepare kids for life’s adventures by supporting their writing and amplifying their voices.”
They offer children a chance to become published authors and assert their identity while building confidence in their writing in an atmosphere that is supportive as well as fun. Plus their programs are free to any Grand Rapids Public Schools student.
Unlike other events, where you know the details of the program in advance, this one is shrouded in mystery, much like a good book that is revealed as you progress through the experience.
I can share that Lori Slager, Executive Director of The Creative Youth Center, has shared that the theme is spooky and offers a wonderful look at not only the most recent successes of their program, but will also feature a few local favorites.
The Kitchen Sage’s Tommy Fitzgerald and Fire & Knife’s Brian Gerrity will be teaming up to creating a spooktacular buffet of treats salty and sweet (and possibly more human-looking than I can stomach.) But the Candy Apple bar should be just the ticket to settle any nerves of pickled cauliflower created to look like brains.
In addition to original spooky stories read by guest performers Todd Kaneko from GVSU, comic Sarah Jean Anderson, Fable from Diatribe, and David V. Wenzel from Robinhood Ink, there will be a video and music performance art piece from Harmony Brewing Company’s The Curator - a DJ with a flair for remixing soundtracks live as silent films spin on the big screen. For this night’s creature feature, The Curator will present the 1920s silent film The Hand of Orlok about a man who, after losing his hands, is given a hand transplant from an unlikely donor. The soundtrack to this film will be created right before your eyes and ears…that is, if you live to the scary end of this film. (Seriously, Lori warns that it is a 1920s film so it is really over the top and fun with our 2013 glasses on.)
The Captain’s Affair is a truly creative first-time outing from an organization that is well versed in the art of crafting a wonderful narrative to hold our attention. Over the last year, the CYC has published three books and one magazine of student work; partnered with the MLK Junior Leadership Academy’s Afterschool Adventure program; facilitated the creation and publishing of 116 new authors; and served over 150 students in our area. This is a group truly worth celebrating in our community for unlocking the imagination and then offering up the fruits of their labor for our community’s enjoyment.
Admission: $75.
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