Freshman Rikki Jarvis listens to Brian Fritz sing and play guitar during the “Noontime Concert Series” at the MSU Union. Fritz, 19, plays mostly acoustic music in open-mic nights around East Lansing. “I started realizing that the music scene around my home town was a lot of metal, so I decided to do the opposite,” Fritz said.

Brian Fritz, a freshman at Michigan State, was taught by his dad how to play guitar. Aside from playing guitar and singing he knows how to play piano, bass and drums. Fritz used to play in bands but now prefers to work by himself. “The only thing I miss from a band is the immediate feedback,” Fritz said.

Freshman Brian Fritz said that he draws inspiration from the band Bright Eyes, led by singer Conor Oberst . “Some of his ideas and songs I've thrown into my own,” Fritz said. Another major inspiration for Fritz is songwriter Elliot Smith.

Brian Fritz of Howell writes his own music and performs cover songs of popular tunes. Fritz says he writes in a poetic form then molds his words into music. “I think I am on my twelfth notebook, each just has little poetic rants going on.” Fritz said that he often draws from listening to people recite their original poetry on stage.

Brian Fritz, an undecided freshman, performs in the food court of the MSU Union for the “Noontime Concert Series.” Fritz has played guitar for 5 years. “I'd like to keep doing this forever,” Fritz said. “It's not so much a hobby it's a lifestyle.When you get that far into music you just don't stop it. I doubt I could stop writing songs if I tried.”

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Heather Talcott-Feature Story

Above: Dance instructor Theda Assiff-MacGriff prepares music for her ballet class at The Studio in East Lansing, Michigan. MacGriff has been a dance instructor for years. She states, "I had a studio for over 50 years in downtown East Lansing, Mich. and then I retired. My daughter moved back and created this studio now." MacGriff was first inspired to dance because of her dance instructor growing up. Now she is able to be an inspiration for many other dancers.

Above: While waiting for her dancers to stretch, dance instructor, Theda Assiff-MacGriff, reviews her steps off to the side. "I started dancing when I was six years old and I'm 85 now." MacGriff is retired but enjoys teaching a ballet class at her daughter's studio. While she doesn't have her own studio anymore, MacGriff states, "It was hard to make the transition but it was a decision I had to make." The change of lifestyle hasn't bothered her too much. "It's wonderful. It's not my studio. I don't have to worry about anything. I can go in and out when I want," she says.

Above: Theda Assiff-MacGriff's worn shoes touch the floor of The Studio in East Lansing, Michigan. MacGriff has taught a variety of dance types over the years. "I taught tap, ballet, jazz, and ballroom, especially junior ballroom dance. I really learned those from my dance teacher growing up. Every summer I would go to New York and take master classes. Some were instructive classes so I learned how to teach," she says.

Above: Theda Assiff-MacGriff instructs a student while at ballet practice at The Studio, a performing arts center in East Lansing, Michigan. MacGriff has been teaching dance for years. She states, "When I first began teaching, I was an assistant for my teacher. I went to New York for further study and danced professionally for a few years. I came back and went to Michigan State University (at the time Michigan State College) for grad school, and I really enjoyed it. In graduate school, a friend of mine was teaching and asked me to teach a class and go back to the professional world."

Above: After practice, Theda Assiff-MacGriff socializes with her dancers. MacGriff enjoys being around younger people. She states, "When you're around young people it keeps you young and moving." MacGriff currently teaches ballet at The Studio, off Grand River, in East Lansing, Michigan. "The girls I teach all work so hard. It's wonderful," she says.

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Nicole Wildman Feature

Sparty helped students review their resumes before Speed networking, an event hosted by the College of Communication Arts and Sciences at the Spartan Stadium tower on Friday, February 18, 2011. The event is modeled after speed dating. Karin Hanson, who organized the event, said, "Overall it was very successful. We gave students the opportunity to connect with professionals in their field of interest, and the idea was to remove the barriers of a career fair booth but retain the face to face networking."

Prior to speed networking, an event hosted by the College of Communication Arts and Sciences (CAS) at the Spartan Stadium tower on Friday, February 18, 2011 students were given the opportunity to mingle with professionals from over 80 organizations and 143 other students from the CAS. Karin Hanson, who organized the event, said, "Professionals attended from Harvest Creative in Lansing, Team Detroit, Pepsi, Donor Advertising in Chicago, Green Canyon from Chicago, Hero Interactive, a gaming company, Dow Chemical, and various other companies."

Professionals and students reviewed resumes, discussed job opportunities, and exchanged information at Speed Networking, an event hosted by the College of Communication Arts and Sciences (CAS) at the Spartan Stadium tower on Friday, February 18, 2011 students were given the opportunity to mingle with professionals from over 80 organizations and 143 other students from the CAS.

Karin Hanson organized and led Speed Networking, an event hosted by the College of Communication Arts and Sciences at the Spartan Stadium tower on Friday, February 18, 2011. Over 140 students and 80 professional organizations attended the event. Hanson said, "We gave students the opportunity to connect with professionals in their field of interest, and the idea was to remove the barriers of a career fair booth but retain the face to face networking."

Speed Networking, designed after speed dating, gave students and professionals five minutes to get to know each other before they had to switch partners. The event was hosted by the College of Communication Arts and Sciences at the Spartan Stadium tower on Friday, February 18, 2011. Over 140 students and 80 professional organizations attended the evenJustin Covington, a journalism senior, said, "There aren't many journalism people here. I'm really looking to get into television and screen writing, but its a great opportunity to meet people and get my resume out there."

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Megan Murphy Feature

20-year-old Grant Kwiecinski, known as DJ GK, got into DJing when he was 14. "I was in a band with some of my friends, and we saw this music making program on someone's computer. We started messing around, and I discovered that I could make whatever sound I wanted to, which was awesome." Grant has a musical background in alto sax, piano, guitar and music production.

Grant DJs at Mac's Bar on Neon Tuesdays three times a month. Kwiecinski said it is difficult to balance school and DJing. "Either I do this and procrastinate in school, or I study and procrastinate at this. It's tough, but I manage."

In 2009, Grant was inducted into LEAK, along with five other DJs, which is the Lansing Electronic Artist Kollective. Grant put out his first EP, "Little Learners," in October 2010. "I got my first paycheck from my first EP in the mail, and it was like wow, all this from my first time making music without playing it live, this is great."

Grant shows off an application on his iPhone 4 that allows him to mix music. He can connect the application to his Mac, and by the touch of a finger he can mix a track. "I haven't done it at a show yet, I need to work out some kinks first. But once I get the hang of it I'm going to bust it out."

Grant will be putting out his second EP, "Curious Beings," next month on a Japanese label, and it won't be available for download. "It's going to have eight tracks, including songs from October 2009 to now," said Kwiecinski. "I have such a passion for this. I'll never stop, no matter if I make it or not."

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Hallowell Feature

Mt. Pleasant based musician Joe Hertler warms up at a friends house before driving down the the The Impact radio studios Thursday night. Hertler was featured on "The Basement" a radio show hosted by Annie Scaramuzzino and Laura Wise which showcases Michigan musical talent.

The foot of bassist of Joe Hertler and the Rainbow Seekers Kevin Pritchard perches atop a guitar case as he warms up to perform on "The Basement" Thursday night. "The Basement" airs on 88.9 The Impact every Thursday night and brings in the best and brightest of the Michigan music scene to perform and talk about new projects in the works.

Joe Hertler and Kevin Pritchard tune up in the studio of 88.9 The Impact thursday night. Hertler recently expanded his solo act to include a few of his closest friends, and now performs under the name Joe Hertler and the Rainbow Seekers

Joe Hertler and the Rainbow seekers perform Thursday night on "The Basement". The show, which airs on 88.9 "The Impact", puts the spotlight on local artists to garner interest and support for the Michigan music scene.

Joe Hertler and the Rainbow seekers perform the song "Ego Loss on Grand River Avenue" Thursday night on "The Basement". Hertler and his group stopped by the Impact to discuss a variety of topics, including his writing process, "I keep a notebook full of ideas, but I can't right a song until it comes to me. I'll get in the zone for two or three hours, but if the song isn't over by the time I'm over it, I will never finish it."

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Lauren Wood- feature- Quidditch

1-A broom lies on the Quidditch pitch after the completion of the match between the Michigan State and University of Michigan Traveling Quidditch teams on Saturday at the rock on Farm Lane. The match resulted in a 2-2 tie.

2-International relations sophomore and Chaser Dan Snyder, left, knocks a Quaffle out of the hands of a University of Michigan player during Saturday's Quidditch match at the rock on Farm Lane. The Spartans and the Wolverines tied, each winning two out of four matches. After, the teams split and played a Bulgaria versus Ireland match, similar to the Quidditch World Cup found in the Harry Potter novels.

3-A member of the Michigan State Quidditch team stands with their broom between their legs as they talk to a member of the University of Michigan Quidditch team on Saturday at the rock on Farm Lane. Quidditch for muggles is played while holding a broom, passing a Quaffle back and forth, and obtaining the Golden Snitch.

4-Physics senior and Chaser Mike Moran throws a Quaffle during the Ireland and Bulgaria match with the University of Michigan Quidditch team on Saturday at the rock on Farm Lane. The game is played with 7 players from each team, including 3 Chasers, 2 Beaters, one Keeper and one Seeker.

5-Computer engineering sophomore Kyler Wilkins high-fives a University of Michigan player during the Ireland versus Bulgaria Quidditch match, played after the MSU vs. U of M match on Satuday at the rock on Farm Lane. Because the teams are smaller and they play each other a few times throughout the year, the rivalry is still present between MSU and U of M even in Quidditch, said mechanical engineering senior and Seeker Mike Parr.

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Treais_Feature

Apparel and textile design senior Olivia Grzasko prepares to fix the stitching on her post-apocalyptic, single sleeve design. As she prepares for graduation in May, Grzasko is also putting the finishing touches on her designs for this coming Saturdays ATD Fashion Show. The Department of Art and Art History is presenting the Annual Apparel and Textile Design Student Fashion Show at the Pasant Theatre in the Wharton Center at Michigan State University.

With a week before the Annual Apparel and Textile Design Student Fashion Show, apparel and textile design senior Olivia Grzasko looks for unfinished stitching in her dress. "The line is meant to be wearable but the concept dress is more of an art form," said Grzasko.

Olivia Grzasko puts the finishing touches on her post-apocalyptic design after her apparel and textile class. The apparel and textile design senior, along with thirteen other students, reviewed concept designs in the halls of the Urban Planning and Landscape Architecture building on Michigan State's campus.

After a class critique Olivia Grzasko, apparel and textile design senior, creates pulls in different parts of her concept design. "The basis for the design revolves around blacks, neutrals and an olive palette. As you can tell thats all I wear," said Grzasko during her class critique.

While pins and threads are scattered around apparel and textile design senior Olivia Grzasko's room, she begins sewing stitches in a fabric for her "post-apocalyptic" line. Grazsko spent most of her previous night in her shower where she stained fabric with acrylics and watered down ink.

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Feature Story

Custom Printing, an Artistic Enterprise:

RetroDuck owner Adam Van Lent tests screens for a project on a blank t-shirt Tuesday afternoon. Van Lent finely tunes the designs and screens before beginning the final steps to printing an entire order. "You have to make sure that the screens aren't missing spots they aren't supposed to and that the spots that should have are not blocked," said Van Lent.

RetroDuck graphic designer Dustin Grimes works on a project Tuesday afternoon. Grimes has been working at the East Lansing based t-shirt custom printing business for only a month but his work is already being seen all over. RetroDuck creates and prints t-shirts for anything from date parties to bar crawls.

RetroDuck owner Adam Van Lent, right, and graphic designer Dustin Grimes go over a current project shortly before closing Monday evening. Van Lent and Grimes along with a print expert make up the custom print shop which was founded by Van Lent and fellow MSU alumnus Sean Maday in 2003.

A map of North America is riddled with push-pins indicating locations where RetroDuck Custom Screen Printing has done business. The East Lansing based t-shirt printing company, which was created in 2003 by two MSU students has seen business all across the globe.

RetroDuck owner Adam Van Lent looks over laminates before pressing them onto screens Tuesday afternoon in the back room of the East Lansing based t-shirt custom print shop. RetroDuck was founded by Sean Maday in 2003 while Van Lent was enrolled at Northern Arizona University. Van Lent transferred to MSU and joined Maday in co-owning the small but efficient business. Van Lent runs RetroDuck now that Maday has left the state.

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Mo Hnatiuk Feature Story

"Rocky Horror was first released in the '70s and the film was controversial --even today it's controversial. I think that’s why we are drawn to it. Each new generation likes breaking the rules a little. The thrill of getting away with something--especially something you shouldn't be doing-- is exhilarating," Michael Herman, sophomore theatre major at Eastern Michigan University, says; Herman is a member of the chorus for the production of The Rocky Horror Picture Show. "I feel it's the same way with [the show]. There are moments when you want to look away, but at the same time you can't stop watching. The culture has made it to be literally addicting. Holding newspapers and yelling "slut" that loud is truly a unique experience. We see that controversial nature breathe life again."

Rebecca Adams, Ypsilanti resident, brings her daughters,  Jessica, 14, left, and Brianna, 15, right, to see The Rocky Horror Picture Show for their first time at EMU’s  Quirk Theatre. “I remember seeing Rocky Horror when I was their age—the more things change the more they stay the same. I’m sure it’s just as jaw-dropping as it was back in my day, but the girls love the movie, so I agreed to take them as long as I got to come, too." She joked, "just in case I have to cover their eyes."

Eastern Michigan University sophomore, Leslie McKinley, gives her Rocky Horror 'do a touch-up during intermission. "We've gone through almost this entire can [of hairspray]." The sophomore, who claims to be a "Rocky Horror Slut"--someone who has attended many performances of the show-- layered on dark eye shadow, bubble gum pink lipstick, and a loud, feather boa. "Rocky Horror is like Halloween-- if you don't dress up, you're the one that looks weird."

Michael Herman, cast member of EMU's production, speaks of the cult culture around the show, "Rocky Horror is different than standard theatre; the hardcore fans--these are usually mid-twenties and are decked out in make-up, lingerie, and glow sticks. These people literally tour to see this show live, at drive-in movies, and live the Rocky Horror lifestyle. [The fans] are enjoyable to watch and dance the time-warp with."

Jonathon Flowers, Ann Arbor resident, gets playful with his "Slut Kit"-- a bag of Rocky Horror props such as rice, squirt guns, glow sticks, and newspaper that the audience uses to interact during the show. "I must look like a real slut," Flowers joked. "When I heard [EMU] was putting on the show, I had to bring my granddaughters. I always got a kick out of the shows when I'd go, I hope they can enjoy it with me. It's been a long time." The granddaughters, not pictured, are in their mid-teens.

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