I will be in Detroit and Ann Arbor, Michigan next week talking about MAKE and meeting makers. If you’re in the area, and you’d like to talk about MAKE and Maker Faire, or tell me about projects that you’re doing, come by GO Tech June 9 at 7pm or the Ann Arbor District Library June 11th at 7pm. Both of which are open to everyone.
On Tuesday, June 9, I’ll be at the June GO Tech (Ann Arbor, MI) meeting at 7 pm. The meeting will be held at A2 MechShop is at 240 Parkland Plaza, Suite B (in the back), Ann Arbor, MI 48103.
This will be an informal, interactive discussion. I hope to learn more about local makers and their interests. I will share some of the experiences from our recent Maker Faire. I expect the question to come up: how can we have a Maker Faire in the Detroit area?
GO Tech (formerly NotBAGO) is a meeting for Ann Arbor area readers of Make Magazine, Circuit Cellar, Home Shop Machinist, Kevin Kelly’s Cool Tools, Slashdot, etc. That is, people who are interested in and make things using technology, whether that’s a metal cutting lathe or a Python script. A kind of generalized mixture of CerealBar, Dorkbot, Oxford Geek night, and Portland Machinist Guild. We have machinists, electrical engineers, software folks, industrial control types, and so on. We share projects, information about tools and ideas, and connect with like-minded people.
Link to GO Tech Group.
On Thursday, June 11 at 7 pm, I’ll be giving a talk on Make’s current issue “ReMake America” and the value of DIY culture at the Ann Arbor District Library. I’ll show a video from this year’s Maker Faire. The address is 343 South Fifth Ave., Ann Arbor, MI.
In between, I’ll be going to the Henry Ford Museum. At this difficult time for the American auto industry, I expect to learn a lot by looking back at its origins. I am dismayed by the factory closings and the number of workers who no longer have jobs there.
If you have any MAKE-related recommendations for the Detroit or Ann Arbor area, please let me know.
8 thoughts on “Calling on makers in Ann Arbor and Detroit”
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Hey Make. What’s up with having both meetings during the work week? Michigan’s economy is kinda in the sh***er right now, so we’ve all got one or two day jobs to work at and not a lot of disposable income.
I’d love to come to one of your meetings if you want to hold it on the weekend… It is a five hour one-way drive for me to get to Ann Arbor, and I can’t afford to take the day (or more likely two) off work to go in the middle of the week.
I, too, cannot make it to any of the GO Tech meetings, though I do follow their mailing list. There are many of us in the backwoods and islands of northern Michigan who long to be a part of such events. It is nice to see such an active group bringing attention to Michigan.
I cannot say this loudly enough. Bring Maker Faire here!
How about Maker Faire: Gary Indiana? I’ve noticed Make likes to have their fairs close but not too close to a large metropolitan area. Austin but not SA or DFW, San Mateo not SF or LA.
Gary is a suburb of Chicago, but it also close to Detroit.
The logistics of presenting at a Faire half way across the country or further just doesn’t work out, but I’d gladly rent a booth at one held in the Midwest… something I can drive my own vehicle to in 10 hrs or less is crucial.
How about a Maker Faire in Ann Arbor? It’s close but not too close to Detroit.