More Than Free Stuff: How the RRFM will save the world

[This is an essay from Judge, one of the people who helps with the RRFM organizing. it contains views and opinions which are not necessarily those of the RRFM or any of its corporate sponsors.]

The Really Really Free Market is a funny thing. For some folks it's just a big ole pile of free stuff and a free lunch... which is true. For some it's just part of their Spring cleaning routine, which is ehh. For others, it is a glimpse of the kind of world we're working towards.

I'm writing this because I feel like some of the deeper meaning and purpose behind the RRFM is sometimes lost, or not apparent, to the folks who participate in it. Which is understandable, we haven't really made the effort to explain what this thing is about. This is such an effort.

Black Cat Bone to play at Aug. RRFM at Cherry Park

Grand Rapids "dirty blues" band, Black Cat Bone, will be playing for us at the August Really Really Free Market at Cherry Park. You can check them out in this video:


for more info on the August RRFM event, check out the the fb event page: https://www.facebook.com/events/487849267969863/

August RRFM

WHEN: Sunday, August 4th, 2013. 2:00 PM - 5:00 PM
WHAT: Really Really Free Market!
WHERE: Cherry Park (Corner of Cherry and Eastern, in the East Hills neighborhood)

a few notes:
- we could use some extra hangers so the clothing isn't getting dirty
- if you wanna help us out, just show up and find one of the organizers.
- consider bringing a dish to share
- if you cut hair, or fix bikes or do copyright law, you are welcomed and encouraged to share you skills and talents with your community.
- we can use help cleaning up
- PROHIBITED ITEMS:
  - used medication
  - expired medication
  - soiled clothing
  - opened cosmetics (this can transmit disease)
  - stuff that's broken
  - stuff that's missing pieces

here's the facebook event if you want to help spread the word: https://www.facebook.com/events/487849267969863/

July 7th RRFM Report-Back

The July Really Really Free Market was July 7th 2013 at John Ball Park on the West side of Grand Rapids.

This was the first RRFM since we've been changing a lot of things. The folks who have been organizing the events for a while recruited some awesome new people and we've been hard at work trying to improve how these things work. This was also the first RRFM of the 2013 Summer Tour. (see our Calendar page for upcoming events)

First off, we would like to thank all the folks who came ready to help us out with organizing the stuff, and the musicians for really rocking it, we've never seen so much dancing from the crowd before! Thanks to everyone who brought food, it was tasty!

We should also thank the "park ranger" and the security officer who kicked us out of the park... apparently the RRFM is too cool for the grumps who "own" the park, even though the park was supposed to be the property of the people.

Nevertheless, it was a success. We unrolled some new changes, like the sorting table for all incoming items, which cut down significantly on the amount of trash coming in and let the organizers keep all the items more tidy. It was really inspiring to see new faces (as well as familiar ones) since there's never been one of these things in the west side of GR before.

Looking forward to the August 4th RRFM at Cherry Park.
We are looking for musicians, performers and anyone who wants to put on workshops or offer some service (like fortune-telling, dog grooming or massage, for example) so... drop us a line GR.RRFM@gmail.com or just show up in August!
See everyone soon!
facebook event for the Aug RRFM

Really Really Free Market!

Howdy! This is a reminder that the July Really Really Free Market takes place Sunday (in a few hours) at 2pm until 5pm at John Ball Park. Just a few things:

- the event goes from 2-5pm. try to bring stuff early, no drop offs after 4 pm.
- see attached photo for a more precise location within the park, enter from Park Ave. SW.

- with incoming items, bring them to the sorting table so we can keep everything organized
- performers & workshoppers: it's not too late, just show up and find the scheduling person.
- if you have a folding table, we could use one.
- the food will be largely pot-luck style, so consider bringing something to share.
- hangers needed: we'll be hanging clothes on a line for everyone to look through, it should be a lot easier this way without stuff getting trashed or buried under stuff.

- do not bring your garbage, this includes dirty undies, used cosmetics (hygiene issues), expired food, soiled "personal massagers" etc. Here's a litmus test for you: if you wouldn't gift an item to a good friend, it probably has no place at the RRFM. Bring cool stuff, like your old David Bowie vinyls, nice clothes, etc. this ain't your dump.

- tell all your friends and co-workers and family... the RRFM is like a weird sport where the more people play, the more fun everyone has and the more we all win.
https://www.facebook.com/events/139582096236371/

- If you are interested in helping out, talk to one of the organizers (look for the weird hats) and we'll point you in the right direction.



Looking forward to seeing everyone!

https://www.facebook.com/ReallyReallyFreeMarketGr
http://gr-rrfm.blogspot.com/

Love & Rage
-RRFM-

RRFM 2013 Summer Tour!

Ok ya'll we are excited to announce the summer "tour" of the Grand Rapids, Really Really Free Market!

Dates:
July 7th - John Ball Park
Aug. 4th - Cherry Park
Sept. 1st - Garfield Park
Oct. 6th - Wilcox Park

AND, we still have room for more musicians/bands and folks who want to put on workshops (or discussions, pick-up games of frisbee, etc.) so e-mail us already! GR.RRFM@gmail.com

tell all your friends!

Planning Meeting - June 2nd

On June 2nd, Monday evening at 7:30pm there will be an open planning meeting for RRFM/FNB at 8 Jefferson Ave. SE (in the Bloom Collective).

If you are interested in getting involved with the group and helping to put on events, you are invited to come as we plan for upcoming events.