Here at DIT we’re all about doing it together. Nothing embodies this concept better than things that are Open-Source. The video below is a TED Talk involving Open Farm Tech, a wiki and foundation intent on providing a simple way to get open sourced hardware solutions to people, for free.

Check it out.

“I bought a tractor, then it broke. I paid to get it repaired, then it broke again. And pretty soon I was broke too. I realized that the truly appropriate low-cost tools that I needed to start a sustainable farm and settlement just didn’t exist yet. I needed tools that were robust, modular, highly efficient and optimized, low-cost, made from local and recyclable materials that would last a life time. Not designed for obsolescence.” – Marcin Jakubowski.

This afternoon, the WMU Office of Sustainability will be layin’ it down in a big way, and hosting a Really Really Free Market. What does that mean? Well, straight from the proverbial horse’s mouth:

“The Really, Really Free Market (RRFM) movement is a non-hierarchical collective of individuals who form a temporary market based on an alternative gift economy. The RRFM movement aims to counteract capitalism in a non-reactionary way. It holds as a major goal to build a community based on sharing resources, caring for one another and improving the collective lives of all. Markets often vary in character, but they generally offer both goods and services. Participants bring unneeded items, food, skills and talents such as entertainment or haircuts.”

This is the last one of the season / semester, and the Sustainability Office would like to make it as successful as humanly possible. Plus, this will help promote the opening of a permanent ‘free store’ on WMU’s campus. Free store? sounds good to me!

The event starts at 1:30 at the KIVA Room in the Faunce Building basement, near WIDR, and runs until 6pm. Come on down, show ’em what you got, and Do It Together, y’all!

On the way down to Texas recently, I was fortunate enough to be around for the filming of a documentary on DIY music culture. This was not the first time I had crossed paths with Matt Youngblood, a freelance videographer from Rockford, IL – neither was it the first time I had seen him at work with his camera. His latest project, however, seems to be his most ambitious and it happens to be on a subject near and dear to my heart. Matt put together a trailer for the upcoming film and I wanted to share it here for anyone and everyone to check out.

If this piques your interest, stay updated on the DIY or Not facebook page as more information on production develops.

We here at DIT would like to announce a very special event taking place Friday, April 1st at a venue known as… THE INTERNET. Yup, that thing that you’re staring deep and intently into as you read this. 6 p.m. on that date shall see the digital release of a regional  compilation dubbed “EVERYONE’S A CRITIC”.

Ian Howell of Kalamazoo’s Inflatable Best Friend has gathered up some of his favorite bands and given them the opportunity for wider exposure on this mighty fine and diverse release. What better way to get the music into the ears of the masses than a free release via the IntraWeb?

“I wanted to get really cool bands that I had heard involved with each other and create a stronger sense of community in the midwestern musical world,” says Howell, 17. He describes this as the genesis of a label he is looking to start, Obvious Records.

“It makes me really frustrated to see bands competing with each other,” adds Howell. “It’s really in everyone’s best interest to be as nice as possible to fellow artists. We have to help each other out and “Do it Together”.”

So that’s 6 p.m., yah’ll, Friday, April 1st, right from the comfy confines of your computer room. You can stream the album in the meantime.

Last summer, I spent almost every Wednesday in the studio, with different friends of mine, with one important goal: To write and record music in one sitting, just to see what would happen.

Turns out, a lot of that music turned out in a big way (with no help from me, I might add). There are a lot of excellent musical talents in Kalamazoo, and I’m fortunate enough to be friends with a few of them.

Courtesy Jarab Selner

I am offering up the first piece of output (currently – and unceremoniously – dubbed Album A Week, Selner, Selner, Wesley, Duke) for FREE DOWNLOAD. This collection of four tracks features Kalamazoo’s own Jarab Selner and James Duke of Son Drop on bass and drums, Detroit Native Robert Wesley on guitar, and myself on sax.

There’s a little funk and a lot of jazz on this one. I hope you guys enjoy listening to it as much as we enjoyed making it.

Photo courtesy of TOAD facebook page

Do you like bikes? Do you like working on bikes? Do you just want to know more about how to fix your own bike? The T.O.A.D. bicycle collective of Kalamazoo meets every Wednesday 4PM-8PM at 817 Hoffman Ct. to work on bikes. Bring in your own for repairs, help others with theirs, or just generally learn something new. T.O.A.D. is currently working on fixing up as many rides as possible to be distributed for Springtime riding. They are always accepting donations of complete bicycles, parts, tools, etc.

In addition, Thursday night community rides will return starting next week. If you weren’t aware or weren’t able to make it out in the Fall, Thursday night rides began last year and happened weekly until the cold began keeping riders indoors. For those willing to brave the elements, join up next week at 4PM. The rides meet at Bronson Park downtown.

Check out the T.O.A.D. facebook page for up-to-date information on coming events and activity and to find out how to get involved in various ways.