Kinetic Affect wants Kalamazoo to “Get Affected”

By Garret Schuelke
Western Herald

For slam duo Kirk Latimer and Gabriel Giron of Kinetic Affect, 2009 was a busy year, and there is no change in sight.

In April, Kinetic Affect, a local spoken-word duo, appeared on the reality television show “America’s Got Talent.”

Then, in June, they founded Speak It Forward Inc., a nonprofit educational organization which is currently working with juveniles in Calhoun County.

In October, they were declared Best Local Performers in the Kalamazoo Gazette’s Reader’s Choice Awards.

Starting in January 2010, Kinetic Affect, along with local improv and sketch comedy group Crawlspace Eviction, and local alternative theatre group Fancy Pants Theatre, founded Studio 246.

Located on 246 N. Kalamazoo Mall, Studio 246, formerly known as the Whole Art Studio, is a performance space that will feature unique and eclectic shows of all kinds.

“Studio 246 is not only an entertainment venue,” Latimer said of the new performance space. “It is a place that will blow people’s minds and get them talking. It will be an agent for illuminating issues [within] the community and developing deep dialogue.”

“Get Affected,” a new monthly series that takes place on the first Thursday, Friday, and Saturday of the month, was also started by Latimer and Giron in January. Two low-key, prototype performances took place in January and February.

The March edition of “Get Affected” will focus themes of war, conflict, and survivors of conflict. Chicago performance poet Billy Tuggle will also make an appearance as the month’s featured poet.

“What Gabriel and I hope to do with ‘Get Affected’ is to bring a voice to the community,” Latimer said.

Latimer described the performances as raw, energetic, and “in your face fun.”
Latimer also wants Speak It Forward Inc. to get involved with Get Affected, allowing the juveniles to share their stories.

“A lot of these youths, while [they are] not in a war, grew up in conflict,” Latimer said. “We hope to engage them.”

Tickets for “Get Affected” can be purchased at the door. Thursday’s shows begin at 9 p.m., and admission is $5. Friday and Saturday shows begin at 8 p.m., and general admission is $10. Student admission is $7, and the pre-purchase discount is $2.

More information about “Get Affected” and other related Kinetic Affect activities and events can be found at the duo’s official Web site, www.kineticaffect.com.

Studio 246’s official Web site is www.studio246.com.

“I really look forward to making Studio 246 a place to bring everyone from all walks of life together,” Latimer said. “It will be the new hip place in Kalamazoo.”

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Posted by heraldstaff on Feb 25 2010. Filed under A & E, Weekend Scene. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0. You can leave a response or trackback to this entry

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