The Party was catered by local merchants, each adding their own 'favor' to the night. The decision for dinner Wednesday and Thursday was dictated by a good wine list, a better than average choice in vegetarian cuisine and a bartender whom balanced flavor with generocity.
Poppycocks not only proved to be convenient for many festival goers, but, was prime real estate to the street fair on Friday as jugglers and musicians stationed themselves right outside the windows.
There were the usual Front Street merchants where treats of every imaginable variety could be purchased at more than reasonable prices for most of the day.
The film festival takes place in a lovely town that enjoys a very, very low crime rate with high profile police cruisers. I imagine when a city cares for it's people with the grace and dignity Traverse City does there is no need for increasing the size of jails or prisons. I hadn't seen many meter maids handing out tickets either.
Sitting outside The City Opera House one evening enjoying the breeze off the lake before a film, the traffic on Front Street was stop and go. A young man taken by the moment looked at me, pointed to the car in front of him and stated, "Look at that license plate. Equal rights. That is a great license plate, isn't it?"
I had to agree, the words 'Equal Rights' were phonetically spelled on the car's license plate but one could not avoid the message if paying attention. That is the 'atmosphere' of Traverse City. Innocent. Enthusiastic. Homey. Welcoming. Familiar. Family. Wholesome. Unassuming. There is no culture shock when one sets down their suitcases and begins their time in that city. It's an extension of Americana so inviting one never actully wants to leave.
I did notice when walking Front Street to and from the hotel, a new Maritime College right on the lake as an extension of Northern Michigan University. The city lacks for little and now it is going to be the envy of all of northern Michigan when The State Theater conducts arts all year long beginning in November.
The Traverse City Film Festival has grown by leaps and bounds. It has an all volunteer corporate structure except for one paid employee. The donors, which include members belonging to "The Friends of the Traverse City Film Festival" (click here) are numberous and generous. They find a home for their spiritual side within the 'environment' Michael Moore has created, but, realize this environment is not maintained by him so much as appreciated by him. He is a valued member of the corporation but the TCFF has an autonomy and life all it's own aside from Michael's nurturing and mentoring. It is a wholesome and very American experience. One should join the membership and definately attend the film fest.
What started as a backyard film event has blossomed into a nationally recognized festival on it's way to be international recognition as a unique venue for the art of the independant film maker.
So that is the festival as best I care to speak to it and the remaining six films and one discussion left to be addressed.
Just one last aspect of the festival I'll address here since I did not participate in attendance as perhaps I should have; there is an aspect that is open to the public. Both the morning discussions and 'open space' movie venues are free to anyone who wants to attend. As a matter of fact no one can get tickets before hand. It's a matter of showing up at designated times and taking a free ticket to the discussion groups an hour before they start and in the case of the open space, just simply showing up and finding a place to sit. The Open Space featured some truly charming films which I was already familiar with but the kind of films people love to watch over and over again; "E.T.", "North by Northwest", "Grease" and "Raiders of the Lost Ark."
By the way, it's also my understanding that one 'canned' film of every featured film is donated to the local library by Michael Moore for the residents to enjoy whenever they care to borrow it for home viewing. Michael truly is just an all around 'nice guy' and anyone that says differently is a lair and a thief to 'the truth.'
