M.I.K.E. (Musically Integrated Kiosk Environment)
Do you have a song to sing, a poem to read, or family stories to tell? Record them this summer or fall in the most unique sound studio imaginable. Built in the summer of 2006 by artists Richard Saxton and Stuart Hyatt and over 30 community members, M.I.K.E. is a dynamic public sculpture, digital recording studio, and performance stage. Call the Arts Center for details about scheduling a recording session. A one-hour session costs $25 ($20 member) and includes a CD of your performance.

To schedule a session, please email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or call (920) 694-4533.

FREE M.I.K.E. HOUSE CONCERTS
M.I.K.E. likes to open up and host free house concerts, in addition to being an ingenious work of public sculpture and a recording studio. This summer, join us on the Festival Green for two special evenings of entertainment.

CEDARWELL and SEAN MICHAEL DARGAN
Thursday, June 20, 2013
6:00-9:30 p.m.
The evening starts with DJs Era and Neil spinning some of their favorite vinyls. Then, M.I.K.E. welcomes back a familiar favorite, Cedarwell, performing acoustic-pop music. Following that, the Great Lakes Storytellers share yarns about the first day of summer. Closing out the evening is Sean Michael Dargan with a rousing set of very tall rock.

BLUE GRASS and GREEN FIRE
Thursday, August 15, 2013
6:00-9:30 p.m.
Tapping into the Arts Center exhibition theme of UNCOMMON GROUND, this evening features high-energy, old-time bluegrass music performed by Horseshoes and Hand Grenades. When the sun goes down, Aldo Leopold biographer, Curt Meine will introduce the film Green Fire: Aldo Leopold and a Land Ethic for Our Time. A meet-and-greet time with Meine follows the film screening.
All M.I.K.E. House Concerts are FREE and open to the public. Bring your blankets and lawn chairs as seating is limited. Pack a picnic or purchase food at the Arts Center. No alcohol carry-ins allowed; however, beer, wine, soda, and water will be on sale. In case of rain (which will not happen), the House Concerts move inside the Arts Center.

About M.I.K.E.
Created in 2006 by artists Richard Saxton of the municipal WORKSHOP and Stuart Hyatt of TEAM Records in collaboration with over 100 community participants, M.I.K.E. (“Musically Integrated Kiosk Environment”) is a transformable architectural sculpture created from a grain bin and salvaged camper and truck parts. When in its closed position, it functions as a digital recording studio, fostering community spirit through cooperative music making. The entire sculpture opens like a clamshell to reveal a dynamic performance stage for outdoor concerts and performances. The focal point of a 2006 Connecting Communities residency, M.I.K.E. was designed for travel on one flatbed semi-truck trailer to communities throughout the country. Once onsite, this functional sculpture, akin in appearance to a “midwestern lunar module,” provides previously non existent opportunities for recording projects and outdoor performances.

Operating on a Pro-Tools LE 7 set-up, powered by a Mac Mini, M.I.K.E. has endless possibilities on what you can do in the studio. Powered monitors for playback and mixing, headphone distribution for tracking musicians, and an easy-to-use digital console control, M.I.K.E. is set up with anything you would need to do a quality recording without breaking the bank. Musicians, if you are looking for a unique sound in the studio, M.I.K.E. was built for you, with a huge dynamic range of sounds; every different style of music produces different natural acoustics while recording. This can add depth and dimension to any recording. Call the Arts Center for more information about M.I.K.E.’s capabilities.