Local Students Video to Premier On Comcast’s Xfinity On Demand

A group of Grand Rapids Public School students who participate in an after-school video production studio at the West Michigan Center for Arts + Technology (WMCAT) has captured the history of African American music in Grand Rapids, but also the attention of Comcast and its On Demand programming.

Comcast and WMCAT have partnered to offer a community screening of “Rhythm and Race: A History of African American Music in Grand Rapids” on May 10, 2018 at Celebration Cinema North (2121 Celebration Dr. NW) in Grand Rapids. The film will also be accessible to all Comcast subscribers in Michigan through Xfinity On Demand starting the same day. The free community screening begins at 6:30pm and will be followed by a panel discussion with WMCAT students and teaching artist, Mike Saunders.

WMCAT students and WMCAT Teaching Artist, Mike Saunders debuted the initial screening of “Rhythm and Race: A History of African American Music in Grand Rapids” last spring. Through community interest and media coverage in early 2017, Curtis Rodgers, Al Green’s former producer, saw the project and reached out to WMCAT to offer an exclusive interview about his local work and history with Al Green.

WMCAT students worked with the Grand Rapids Public Library and The Grand Rapids African American Museum and Archives (GRAAMA) to uncover the musical history within Grand Rapids.

The Teen Arts + Tech program at WMCAT is a nationally-recognized program that engages high school students from Grand Rapids Public Schools (GRPS) in creative, tuition-free after school experiences.