What I love about my job is, I get to have a chance where, I can realize an idea and produce a dream. It is the best thing about MATV, as is witnessed by what happened at our MATV Week and especially during and after our incredible, “Open House Showcase” program, is the fact that anybody in this city, who either works here, goes to school or sleeps here at night, you can be rest assured that you have a voice in this city.
What I get to do is make sure I provide a facility that “facilitates” that mission: to create an environment and resource that encourages people to feel empowered, heard and given a chance to share. I love the idea that what that means could be anything, including, talent, ideas or just making a noise. We get to reflect the community and what you see is who we are. I am so grateful for this community embracing what we do.
This year, our tag line is, “MATV, giving Voice to a Community” and this past week that was proven with the series of events that we held as part of our annual celebration called, “MATV Week”. I want to thank everyone who made these past seven days so special, especially our final “live” media event on Saturday. This has turned out to be a media happening but more importantly, a true community event and I’m grateful to all the volunteers, fellow citizens and anybody who took part in making our celebration a part of their day. We have always felt our mission is to be that “conduit” that brings people together. Well, I believe, “Mission accomplished!!”
However, it didn’t start out that way. The week began with a cancelation. I, unfortunately, had to make that fateful decision on Monday, to cancel “Media Madness Day” that had been scheduled by the highly talented members of the MHS Drama Club. Now, I know firsthand, what Dana Brown goes through on “snow days”. I checked “Dopler weather” and was convinced a cell of showers was heading our way. Of course, what happened was, I canceled and no showers arrived. I’m convinced had I not canceled, a monsoon of rain would have drenched the young students who given the chance, would have brought a smile to the square and ignored the wet air and created a wonderful event.
On Tuesday, we had over a hundred people come to our MATV Gallery to join an art reception for young artists from the Malden school system. I was amazed how the kids stood before their work, proudly smiling, eagerly waiting to explain their messages shown in their glassed frames of their very own pieces of art. It was a delight to see and a thrill to be part of. Parents, teachers and friends came together to celebrate art and the idea of creativity. There was food, videos and expressions of support. What more could one want in a community event. The exhibit will be up for a few more weeks. Check it out.
On Wednesday, Dee Jay Nomadik produced a production of her new program, “Soulkore Sessions”. Ms Nomadik, is not only a volunteer producer, she is also a member of our Board of Directors. It was a chance for visitors to see a “behind the scenes look” at what goes on in a real TV production. There were several people who took advantage to seeing how the talent was taped and the interviews were set up.
What was great about Thursday was that it was our chance to feature our relationship with the Senior Community Center. We love Chistine DiPietro and thanks to her, we premiered the video of the “Switchbox Project” at this fantastic facility. It was produced by Anne D’Urso Rose and edited by volunteer member, James Mudge. The program focused on the artists who painted many of the electronic boxes around the city. It was a wonderful video that captured the vision of the artists who participated and gave the audience a chance to see what the project had accomplished. The audience got a chance to ask questions of the artists and MaldenArts got a chance to promote the fact that there are many more switchboxes that are available to paint.
And then came Saturday, our fifth annual “Open House Showcase”, a “live” 8 hour TV marathon that we started in 2007. It was an amazing event. We had hundreds of people showing up…volunteer crew members, guests, staff and people who walked in off the street wondering what was going on and what this thing called community TV was. It was everything we wanted it to be and more. There was food, music, dance and the chance to make new friends. How could this not be a great day?
It was full of diversity, talent and special moments that made everything that much more unique. We had rappers, Indian dancers, folk, jazz and Brazilian music. There were politicians, candidates and people who were part of what we call: community media. The volunteers who showed up to do camera, monitor sound or help with the food. It was truly a community effort where people donated their time and energy to make it happen. I am grateful to all of you and thank you for being part of our family because we like to think we represent this community and I believe we do.
That day proved how MATV is the place to connect. We had people showing up to do camera, there were others who set tables for food and some who showed up to perform. Some just wanted to be there to share some ideas, be interviewed and reach out to viewers. What a great idea! People coming together to communicate, celebrate and speak their mind. I love public access and community TV.
And finally, I want to thank all the restaurants and businesses that were part of our celebration. Your contributions and continued support helps make this event even more special. Your connection to us has been greatly appreciated and we are grateful. You gave us the energy to keep going. Please check out the video of the event that is now currently being shown and we encourage everyone to visit many of the supporters who joined our cause. Check out our website for the schedule and look for it on our public access channel on Fridays starting at 7pm.
Thanks again, Malden for making MATV your voice for the community.
