FINAL POST FOR 2009 - MCB:VIDEO - Goober and the Peas Live at St Andrews Hall Detroit December 2009

you think we are going to really end the year without something badass?

forget about it...we got that covered

we have video from Goober and the Peas being uploaded right now

will be posted here within the hour

rock out 2009 with a little detroit country in your face

Goober and the Peas Live at St Andrews Hall Detroit 12/26/2009

The long awaited return to the stage of Goober and the Peas

who packed them in at St Andrews Hall Detroit the day after Christmas

The fans picked up right where they left off with hay flying everywhich way

and the band delivering all that is good in song and sights.

check them at SXSW

and hopefully a new record and tour as well in 2010

Check previous MCB post with live photos from Paul Hitz here

PHOTOS: Never Shout Never @ St. Andrews, Detroit, MI 12/29/2009

MCB photographer Gene Schilling's last post of the year comes from St. Andrews Hall this past Monday. Christofer Drew and his latest musical venture Never Shout Never played to a whole bunch of teenage girls. Happy New Year everyone !!!

WONDERLAND kicks off tonight at Hastings Street Ballroom with follow up shows Fri/Sat Jan 1st/2nd 2010

Missed the Wonderland show last year??

(check MCB photos here)

Do not make the same mistake twice

If you didnt win tickets on MCB

then head on over to

http://whoooareyou.com/

for the
"show unlike any other"

Showing Tonight - Tomorrow - The next day

Dec 31st - Jan 1st - Jan 2nd 2010

Tickets also available at

Showtime Clothing



(313) 875-9280


5708 Woodward Ave


Detroit, MI 48202

Pontiac and Ypsilanti on NYE 2009 and beyond

If you are heading north for NYE this year the only place to consider it The Crofoot

for less than you would spend on any other party

you can check out POP Evil and 4 other bands in the main ballroom

PLUS support the locals and still get a ticket

for Detroit's ABK up in the Pike Room

Get all the details here

If you are heading west tonight you cannot miss

MITTENFEST

at The Elbow Room Ypsilanti

This 4 day explosion of local talent kicks off tonight

and will steamroll its way into 2010

everyday through Sunday January 3rd

With a diverse and powerful lineup that represents

more square miles of Michigan music than any other festival

MITTENFEST is a do not miss for anyone

looking to get a heaping helping of mitten music

Benefit for 826michigan

for more info check

DeepCutz

http://www.ypsielbow.com/

http://mittenfest.wordpress.com/

Doors at 4pm tonight

MIXO FINALS tonight @ Lager House Detroit

 

Wednesday, December 30th 2009
PJ's Lager House
1254 Michigan Ave
Corktown - Detroit
313.961.4668
www.pjslagerhouse.com
www.myspace.com/lagerhouse

 

Mixo Presents

"Beatz 2 Rhymez"

Beat Battle - 2009 Championship!
10pm

It all culminates in this -- are you ready for the 2009 championship? 

This year's winning producers and a few handpicked stars

that shined above the rest will be going head-to-head tonight for the 2009 championship. 

This could be a make-or-break night for some producers

with a special guest host and judges, plus invitations

extended to Bad Boy Records, Universal Music Group and Koch Distribution. 

Everyone will be at the top of their game! 

Live performances by:

Blue Raspberry (formerly of Wu-Tang Clan),

Stereo Boyz,

Celcius Electronics,

and much more. 

$2 and $3 drink specials run all night. 

Please email detroitmixo@yahoo.com for more information.

A few more NYE ideas from MCB - Another Fucking Bar Detroit - Paychecks w/ Hate in the Box - LUNA Royal Oak - Corktown Tavern WILL be open - The Bang Ann Arbor

So you may or may not be aware that the old 2500 Club is reopened

Its been remodeled and it is clean now

no more fucking the hookers in the bathrooms either

MCB choice of the night for simple no hassle drinking on NYE

http://www.anotherfuckingbar.com/

We heard this morning that after a few shots the decision

last night was made to open up on NYE at Corktown Tavern

once again - probably a good choice for a place to kick back

and pound some drinks without the usual hassles of NYE crowds

www.corktowntavern.com

If you want to check out some Detroit Goth in Hamtramck

head on over to Paycheck's for Hate in the Box

nothing better than drinking in a clean cool place

(we have always love Paychecks as a venue)

and checking out some sexy as ass gothic screamer

http://www.paycheckslounge.com/

Kinetic Stereokids play there in a few weeks FYI

You know our story with LUNA LOUNGE

its like 3 blocks from our place so this is a no brainer for MCB

we walk down - drink like a fish

and stumble out before it becomes so jam packed

that your eyes pop out

either way if YOU do not make it out before overcrowding sets in

you can at least close out 2009 with a killer rack in your face

www.lunaroyaloak.com

Unless you are invading a college house party and conducting a panty raid

you will more than likely be over at the Blind Pig

in Ann Arbor tomorrow night with wheeler and friends for

DISCOPOCALYPSE BANG!

www.thebang.net

"Best of Lists Suck!" SLAW - (Something Like A War) by John Kalogerakos

Enjoy this weeks edition of SLAW with your new cartoon favorites

Evans and English

who over the next two comics
will engage in the discussion of Best of Lists

Read more about Something Like A War creator John Kalogerakos here

Upcoming Event: "MCB5" - MOTORCITYBLOG 5 Year Anniversary Concert & Detroit Music Photography Exhibition - Music Hall Detroit - Saturday January 16th 2010 7pm-2am

Here are the details!

We hope you come out

and help us celebrate MCB in style

“MCB5”
MOTORCITYBLOG celebrates 5 Years of Anti-Blogging
with diverse musical showcase and Detroit music photography exhibit
at Music Hall Jazz Café on Saturday January 16th 2010

MOTORCITYBLOG (Detroit’s Anti-Blog) was started in late 2004
as a regular everyday personal blog and has evolved into a very popular
current events website dedicated to promoting the great talent
in and around the city of Detroit.

MCB has organically grown to include over 20 contributors with talents ranging from live event photography, video capture/editing, and writing but also have helped bridge the gap within the cultural community due to the diversity of events covered by the publication.

Working with local venues and a laundry list of public relation firms they have covered events such as Red Bull Air Races to Presidential Press Conferences to DEMF to NAIAS 2009 with amazing photography, video interviews and promotional efforts that serve both the community as well as the promoters that seek out MCB as a way to reach out into the community to deliver a message.

With their finger on the pulse of this city they are dedicated to finding what makes Detroit stand out. MCB brings forth those elements of the city which might remain hidden otherwise for everyone to enjoy and embrace.

“MCB5”
Saturday January 16th 2010
Doors 7pm – 2pm
$10

Jazz Cafe at Music Hall

350 Madison Detroit, MI 28226
(313) 887-8500
www.jazzcafedetroit.com

Musical Lineup for Jazz Cafe
Ken’s Loud Band (with Ken Stanley)
Electric Fire Babies
Mick Bassett & The Marthas
Satori Circus
The Lincolns UK
Kinetic Stereokids
Blasé’ Splee

MOTORCITYBLOG Detroit Music Photography Exhibit
3rd Floor Mezzanine Level w/ Special Guest DJ

http://www.motorcityblog.net/

Quotes from supporters:

"If you want the real low down on Detroit music and happenings, MOTORCITYBLOG is where it's at. We always check MCB to find out what to do and where to go in the Motor City!"
– Dana Forrester/On the Rocks Detroit

MCB's multimedia Concert of Colors coverage ROCKS! You can count on MCB to both get the word out to Detroit's hippest and to BE THERE covering the action. MCB is Detroit's coolest cultural cheerleader! - Kim Silarski / AANM / ACCESS

"An obvious labor of love that rises above the usual mediocrity with off the wall yet relevant content, you can trust them because MCB is more like a friend than a website. A friend that not only knows what's up, but digs in and pulls out the steaming viscera from Detroit's underbelly that you might of missed. - Jerry Vile / The Dirty Show

"MCB manages to be both badass as well as one of the most professional blogs out there.
If you're in the Detroit area, it's the no-brainer place to check for something fun to do
or see what you missed in case you didn’t make the show.”
-Kabeer Malhotra – Girlie Action NYC

Kill commercialism could be another way to describe the MOTORCITY Anti BLOG, community with an edge, power to inform and entertain with no advertising, just real info for real people.
-Jesse Cory / 323East

Congratulations to our friends over at MOTORCITYBLOG on five years of reppin' Detroit's finest.
Keep up the good work! -Marah Eakin / Bloodshot Records

"If it's happening in Detroit, you'll read about it on MOTORCITYBLOG. Presenting a cherry-picked selection of the best shows and events that the Motor City has to offer, MCB is definitely your 411 one-stop..." - Dianna Frank / Live Nation Detroit

"MOTORCITYBLOG has their finger on the pulse of Detroit."
-Natalie Sugarman / ROMT

MCB is a rockin' Detroit blog that provides unique entertainment news, giveaways, and more.
The MCB team is a pleasure to work with, and I congratulate them on an amazing five years!
Jim Miller – Publicity Works

“Working with MOTORCITYBLOG has been such a natural fit for the DIA, MCB readers want to know what’s going on in Detroit from someone who knows and cares about the city, and we’re one piece of the juicy art pie that is Detroit.”
Pamela Marcil – PR Director Detroit Institute of Arts

MOTORCITYBLOG is a great resource for what's going on in Detroit, especially when you just want the facts and no side banter or opinion. Any time I've worked with a staff member of MCB I've found them to be enthusiastic, professional and really passionate about art, music and nightlife in Detroit.
Melody Baetens - SMALL'S BAR and Stranglehold Booking & Promotions

MOTORCITYBLOG has been instrumental in helping us launch our company.
They’ve been at our side from the start, helping us to promote our service in inventive ways, and suggesting helpful partnerships and events. We owe a lot of our success to MCB.
Jennifer Harlan - Marketing Director of The Night Move

"Motorcityblog is, by far, the most oft-updated local blog in Detroit. The MCB crew is easy to work with, prompt and complete in their coverage of the coolest and best events. The variety of Detroit's entertainment and culture events featured on MCB is unparalleled."
Carrie Adler - PJ's Lager House

Performer bios:
Ken’s Loud Band - http://www.myspace.com/kensloudband
What would you get if you crossed Warren Zevon with Alex Chilton?
With over 500 songs recorded over the last 20 years, the former Blurbs, Dog & Pony Show & Only A Mother mainstay, Ken Stanley, records with this crack unit (The Loud Band) which includes drumming legend, Doug Gourlay, multi-instrumentalist/Producer, Glenn Calley and bassist, Sean Whitaker. Ken Stanley writes majestic and sometimes, baroque Rock music, which hearkens back to the loud, hooky and literate music of the mid 70’s. Stanley’s amazing songwriting skills will alternately remind you of Bob Dylan, The Jazz Butcher, Dramarama, The Bonzo Dog Band and Mott The Hoople. Don’t let the name fool you, KLB could quite possibly be the best kept secret in Detroit. It must run in the DNA as Stanley’s cousins are The Bluegrass legends, The Stanley Brothers.
The KLB is set to self- release their latest album, “Good For The Bones” in February.

Electric Fire Babies - www.myspace.com/electricfirebabies
Electric Fire Babies are a project from Detroit Michigan that was started & conceived in the Spring 2008 by Lo-Fi Bri (aka CARJACK - a one man electro punk band from Detroit), Justin Audio (guitar player from numerous Detroit bands and Miss N. EFB sound is a hybrid of a variety of music and genres (B-52’s meets LL Cool J meets the Channel 62’s ‘The New Dance Show) Connecting with the audiences & getting people to loosen up & get down is EFB’s primary goal.

Mick Bassett and The Marthas - http://www.myspace.com/mickbassett
"A dark, sinewy romanticism, raspy and full of character – these young spook-folk stalwarts are a force to be reckoned with in the tradition of smoky voodoo flavored minstrels and on-another-planet-auteurs of piano-led folk."

Satori Circus - http://www.myspace.com/satori_circus
In September of 1988, Russell A. Taylor began a journey some said wouldn’t have such longevity, but two decades later Taylor and SATORI CIRCUS are still here. Emerging out of the art punk band of Fugitive Poetry, which he co-founded with his dear friend Rick Maertens, Taylor set out to create something, unbeknownst to him as performance art.

The Lincolns UK - http://www.myspace.com/thelincolnsukdetroit
The Lincolns UK will release their debut album, Hot Blonde Bitches, November 14th at the Park Bar in Detroit. Hailed as “…arena rock through a pignose amp..” The Lincolns UK draw on bratty early British and US punk up through the AC/DC's and Jet's of the world and filter it through the awesome early 'Mats/Minneapolis vibe, but still manage to sound distinctly “Detroit”. The brainchild of artist/actor/power couple Marc and Jennifer Nischan, and filmmaker Mikey Brown, The Lincolns UK (TLUK) is a band that was years in the making. The three friends all met through Planet Ant Theatre, which Mikey managed, where Jennifer wrote, improvised and acted, and for which Marc did art and poster design. All three had separate projects for years however. Marc with Twistin’ Tarantulas, Jennifer with Planet Ant and Second City, and Mikey Brown with Twilight Babies, and numerous indie film projects (Ced’n’Teri, Litterbug). But they kept talking about getting a band together to play the kind of bash-it-out rock and roll they love.

Kinetic Stereokids - http://www.kineticstereokids.net/
Kinetic Stereokids are every bit a product of Flint, Mich., a legendary city perhaps better known for its abandoned auto industry, endless unemployment and unflinching crime rate. What started as childhood friends seeking refuge in basement jam sessions has since developed into an inspired, intelligent and innovative brand of modern rock. With comparisons ranging from Beck to Mogwai, and the cited influence of Can, Elliott Smith and the Beastie Boys, the Kinetic Stereokids' sound is beat-heavy, sample-laden, sonic alchemy.

Blase’ Splee – http://www.blasesplee.com
This Detroit quintet brews a refreshing and varied sound, leaning toward more raucous indie-rock but through a lens that’s both new and classical and structures both traditional and avant-garde (abrupt time signatures take a steady head-bop into a freewheeling romp). Guitars jangle, declarative pianos swoon, percussion goes from strict and walking to banging every pot in the cupboard. Very promising, sort of '60s baroque-pop meets American traditional rock ... maybe some folk, too? Or just rewardingly unclassifiable.

A few more New Years Eve suggestions from MCB - Amnesia / Cletan Clawson at Toledo's Mickey Finns / The Muggs @ LAger House Detroit / DSO meets The Whitney

MotorCity Casino Hotel

New Year’s Eve 2009

Amnesia

December 31, 2009

MotorCity Casino Hotel hosts Detroit’s best New Year’s Eve event at Amnesia, Thursday, December 31. Guests will experience Detroit’s finest ultra lounge while overlooking the Detroit skyline. Entertainment will feature Miami’s DVDJ Unique. Doors open at 9:00 pm. Champagne toast at midnight, and continental breakfast starting at 1:00am are included. Fashionable nightlife attire is required. Guests must be at least 21 years of age to attend. Complimentary valet and convenient self-parking available. Tickets ($75.00) are on sale at all Ticketmaster locations and Ticketmaster.com. Tickets are also available through MotorCity Casino Hotel Box Office. For bottle service reservations call 313-309-4605. For more information visit http://www.motorcitycasino.com/  or call 1-866-STAY-MCC.

Thursday, December 31

NEW YEAR'S EVE w/The Muggs, The Beggars, The Wrong Numbers, Bixy Lutz

9pm - 4am

$8

Celebrate the dawning of a New Year in the rockingest fashion! After their stint on Fox's reality show, "The Next Great American Band" a couple years ago, local blues rock trio The Muggs gained new fans all over the nation to become one of the biggest bands in Detroit. But they are far more than just former reality TV stars-- The Muggs are truly talented musicians and some of the nicest folks in Detroit rock. They've received many accolades, including "Best Rock Band of the Year 2007" from radio station RIFF2. Featuring Danny Methric, Tony DeNardo and Matt Rost, The Muggs bring a high energy and highly talented musical lineup to the stage. This is sure to be a fun, perfect start to 2010! The Beggars are Detroit's champions of party rock n' roll! With on (and off) stage antics that will move ANY crowd, the Beggars deliver on every level! Prepare to be entertained! The band recently received 3 awards from Riff2 HD radio including Best Party Band and Best Dance Moves (for frontman Steven Davis) Their latest release 'Party to the People' was also nominated for Album of the Year at the 2007 Hamtramck Music Awards. The Wrong Numbers combine that old Detroity soul sound with slightly more modern influences. If you liked The Elevations, you'll enjoy this group. Deeply soulful singing is accompanied by a steady and evident beat. Kicking the evening off will be Bixy Lutz, a local trio with stripped down garagey blues. Complimentary champagne toast at midnight! Ring in 2010 at PJ's Lager House!

The Whitney Detroit has partnered with The Detroit Symphoney Orchestra to throw a cool NYE party

Early and Late Dinner OR after party only rates
check all the info here
http://www.thewhitney.com/calendar.htm

Heading down to Toledo for NYE this year? Well go have a killer evening of Detroit's guitar legend Cetan Clawson who just released a new record and will be blazing a trail all night at Toledo's Mickey Finns

http://www.myspace.com/thecetanclawsonrevolution

MCB-VIDEO & PHOTOS: Goober and the Peas @ St Andrews Detroit by Paul Hitz

MCB's Paul Hitz was all over the place covering every angle of the return of Goober and the Peas to the stage at St Andrews Detroit this past Sat 12/26/09

check the live show footage here

Lady Gaga update from Bryan Metro - VENUE CHANGE TO Joe Louis Arena!!

MCB is providing coverage for the upcoming Lady Gaga show

via roaming detroiter Bryan Metro

When in town he plays the the hard baller lead singer of

Jesus Chainsaw Massacre

and will be guest blogging on MCB

and reviewing/documenting the show/crowd/scene

at Joe Louis Arena

“Fame, it’s not your brain,

 it’s just the fame that burns your change to keep you insane…”

The voice of David Bowie on my cell phone wakes me up and I realize that I had been asleep for over a half hour now at my table at Fitzgerald’s Pub down the street from the Carlton Arms Hotel in New York City.

I check my messages: one from –jr (“You’re a waste!”), and one from the head honcho at MOTORCITYBLOG back in Michigan.

It turns out that the Lady Gaga/Semi Precious Weapons show that I have to cover in January has changed venues. The shows previously booked at the Fox Theater on January 12th and 13th have been moved to the Joe Louis Arena.

I swallow a Xanax and google Semi Precious Weapons even though I have heard them mentioned around Brooklyn, but live music generally stresses me out. Rolling Stone calls them “Adam Ant, Marc Bolan, and Ziggy Stardust singing lead on ‘Back in Black’,” while Spin.com offers that they “looked and sounded like the Sex Pistols emerging from Warhol’s Factory scene.” Okay, well that kind of gets my attention, and that’s a feat considering I ate two Klonopin’s while searching the internet.

I hop over to Ebay and purchase a black eye patch for the show because all I want to do is fit in. So, I guess, keep your eyes peeled for my upcoming expose on Semi Precious Weapons, Lady Gaga, and a photo essay on the crowd. Shows rarely feel like events anymore so I will bite the bullet and head over to Joe Louis Arena and see what this is all about. Rock and Roll.

From the Iceman Commeth,


Bryan Metro

check out a free mp3 from SPW here

_______________________________________
LADY GAGA’S
“THE MONSTER BALL TOUR”
PRODUCTION HAS BECOME TOO FABULOUS
TO FIT AT THE FOX!


JANUARY 12 & 13 CONCERTS
TO NOW BE HELD AT JOE LOUIS ARENA
Lady Gaga has hit the road with her new, MASSIVE live show.

The scale of the show production is now too large to be accommodated at The Fox Theatre.
Rather than scale back the show's production in Detroit,
they will now be played at Joe Louis Arena
where fans will experience the concerts staged in full.


* New venue - Joe Louis Arena, 600 Civic Center Drive, Detroit
* Concert dates/times remain January 12 & 13 at 7:30pm
* Fox Theatre tickets will NOT be valid for admission to the Joe Louis Arena shows.

All ticket holders for the Fox Theatre shows
must obtain new tickets for the Joe Louis Arena shows. .


* Fans who purchased their Fox Theatre show(s) tickets via Ticketmaster.com
or Ticketmaster's charge by phone service will be contacted by Ticketmaster
via email or phone regarding the procedure of their Fox Theatre show(s)
ticket refund and how to obtain Joe Louis Arena show(s) tickets.


* Fans who purchased their Fox Theatre show(s) tickets at a Ticketmaster outlet
or at the Fox Theatre box office must bring their tickets to the point of purchase
to obtain a refund or exchange for Joe Louis Arena show(s) tickets.


* For any Fox Theatre ticket holder questions,
please call Ticketmaster Customer Service at 1-800-653-8000
or contact them online at: www.ticketmaster.com/h/asktm.html


* A Limited number of new ticket inventory
for both January 12 & 13 Lady Gaga concerts at Joe Louis Arena
will go on sale to the general public at 5pm Tuesday December 29.

Wild At Heart

Wild Bill Ketelhut provides the "blog" to this anti-blog
He has a radio program on WXOU out of Oakland University

Wild At Heart


I hope everyone had a Merry Christmas. I used the time to do some cleaning around the apartment and catch up on some movies (Harry Potter and the Chamber Of Secrets) and TV shows (Smallville, Eureka). I just finished the series "Pushing Daisies" which has become a favorite of mine. It only lasted 2 seasons on ABC but it was a very unique and well written program. "Pushing Daisies" centers on the life of Ned, a socially bereft pie-maker gifted with the mysterious ability to bring dead things back to life by touching them. There are a couple of conditions to this somewhat unusual talent which Ned quickly learns. If he revives something for more than exactly one minute, something of similar "life value" in the vicinity drops dead. Additionally, if he touches the revived person or thing a second time, it falls dead again, this time permanently. The story starts when a private investigator, Emerson Cod, accidentally discovers Ned's gift and offers him a proposal: Ned will temporarily bring murder victims back to life, allowing Emerson to inquire about the circumstances of their demise, quickly solve the case and split the reward money with him. Things get complicated when the first case involves Ned's childhood crush, Chuck (played by the lovely Anna Friel) which he brings back and doesn't retouch keeping her alive. The rest of the series has the group solving murders while playing the love triangle between Ned and Chuck who love each other but can never touch and Ned's waitress Olive who pines for Ned. This is a lovely fantasy inspired show which I am glad I was able to watch on video and amazed I never saw it when it was on. If you get the opportunity to see this spectacular series, please do so.



Dinosaur fans must be excited that 'Walking With Dinosaurs' returns to Detroit. This wonderful live event is based loosely on the BBC TV series features a number of lidfe sized animatronic and costumed dinosaurs (including the huge Brachiosaurus and of course a Tyrannosaurus) set to the narration of an on set paleontologist named Huxley. If yourt kid loves dinosaurs, this is a once in a lifetime event that they will cherish forever. I saw this last year and was just amazed by the sheer production quality which balances both fun and eductional info. The event takes place down at Cobo Arena from Dec 29th thru Jan 3rd. Check out http://www.dinosaurlive.com/ for more info about the show.




The Little Caesar's Pizza Bowl put out a decent game in front of a record-low 30,311 fans as Marshall scored 21 quick points based on a Andre Booker 58 yard punt return and 2 Martin Ward TD runs. Ohio seemed to find itself after a 75 yard fumble recovery return by Shannon Ballard just when it looked like Marshall was about to score again. The half ended when Marshall didn't convert a 4th and short instead of going for a field goal. Coach Minter admitted he made a mistake in that choice but luckily for Marshall it didn't come back and bite them. Ohio did make things interesting at the start of the third with a 8 yard pass from Theo Scott to Terrence McCrae and then a field goal to make the score 21-17 which also ended up being the final score. Other points of interest include line judge Sarah Thomas becoming the first female to officiate a college football bowl game and the fact that their was no Little Caesar's pizza for lunch for the press at halftime. They had cookies and popcorn but one would think a Bowl Game named after a pizza company would have pizza!! Maybe next year!! I also got to meet Lloyd Carr who is looking pretty good these days.

The concert season is winding down and not much is on the horizon except a bunch of local bands playing at a number of venues around town. I have put together a few of the standouts for me. A few days are missing because nothing stood out.

Tuesday 12/29 - Never Shout Never @ St Andrews Hall

Thursday 12/31 - Pop Evil w/Giftus and Mansfield Park @ Crofoot, The Octopus w/Silverghost and a bunch of other local bands @ The Magic Stick, Von Bondies and Hard Lessons @ Hyatt Regency, Kevin Saunderson @ Vain Ultra Lounge, Howling Diablos and Paper Street Saints @ Magic Bag, Jeff Daniels @ Purple Rose Theatre, Polish Muslims @ Berkley Front, the Sights and Friendly Foes @ The Loving Touch (Ferndale), Chenille Sisters @ The Ark, the Muggs @ PJ's Lager House


Saturday 1/02 - Jeff Daniels @ Purple Rose Theatre, Motor City Josh @ Callahan's

Monday 1/04 - Liz Larin @ Got Rocks Ultra Lounge (Birmingham)

Lastly I will just say that while I am not officially reviewing Avatar (I missed the press screening so I had to pay with my own money to see it - yeah I know, poor me), I chose that as my holiday movie this year and it was impressive enough to make me want to hype it a bit. The film while not overly impressive in it's overall story does manage to tell a story about human greed and environmentalism well enough not to be overly annoying. Basically, the year 2154 has the RDA corporation mining a valuable mineral called unobtanium on the planet Pandora which is a lush, Earth-like (if you live in a rain forest) environment. Parker Selfridge (Giovanni Ribisi), the administrator, employs former marines as mercenaries to provide security while Jake Sully (Sam Worthington), a paraplegic former marine, arrives on Pandora to replace his murdered twin brother as an avatar. The avatar are bodies sculpted to look like the natives so we can try to blend in a get a peaceful resolution to hostilities, like the biggest deposit of the matel is under their home city. Dr. Grace Augustine (Sigourney Weaver) is the head of the Avatar Program. On a mission, Jake is lost in the field and is saved by the female Neytiri (Zoë Saldaña) who after a sign brings Jake back to Hometreeand is forced to instruct him the Na'vi way of life which is based on the idea that all life is connected (inthis case their are real connections to both anilams and plants). Jake falls in love with the people and starts to work against the exploitation of the othe rmarines and risks his life to save this planet. While the story, which reminds me of Native American parallels, doesn't rise far, the FX left me speechless. These are the most awe-inspiring effects I have seen since the first dinosaur sequence in Jurassic Park and it never lets up. What really makes it are the details such as having little bugs and birds in the corners of every scene to give it a very realistic feel. I saw this is 3D and it was really worth it. This is what 3D should be about. If you love blockbuster movies, you cannot miss this on the big screen. A very big A+ in my book.




Well, that seems to be it for the week. I hope I'm not forgetting anything so have a wonderful New Years if I don't see you before that. Also don't forget the US Census coming up. We are still looking for a lot of people to help us work it and we are testing almost every day between now and February. I will be doing tests at 10AM and 12:30AM and the Pontiac Library tomorrow (12/29) and at 10AM at the Pontiac Michigan Works on Wednesday (12/30). Feel free to stop on by to take the test, esp if you are looking for work. Don't waste time. The test time takes about 1- 1 1/2 hours and make sure to bring ID if you stop in (either passport or drivers license/social security card). If you can't make those dates or places, call the US Census Bureau toll-free number at 1-866-861-2010 or go to www.census.gov/ detroit. The website does have practice tests for anyone interested. If you are looking for work, make sure to give the Census a try.

Happy New Year - Rock Out

UPCOMING: Pigeon Party @ Music Hall Detroit - Sunday January 10th 2010 4pm

http://www.musichall.org/events/Pigeon-Party

Music Hall is excited to present Pigeon Party!

Sunday, January 10th at 4PM in the main theatre,

which is one of the most empowering

and interactive children’s theatre events of the year!

Mo Willem's Pigeon is back and ready to party!

Squeezing all the fun of the first three Pigeon books into one raucous production, this lively show for children 3 and up is full of fun, feathers, laughter and excitement and features original music and lots of audience participation.

Can you stop Pigeon driving the bus?

Will he share the hot-dog?

And after all that it’s time for bed, the Bus Driver wants Pigeon to go to bed,

all his friends want him to go to bed, but the question is will you let him stay up late???

Based upon the successful "Pigeon" series by Mo Willems

(Don’t Let the Pigeon Drive the Bus!,

Don't Let the Pigeon Stay Up Late!

and The Pigeon Finds a Hot Dog!)

BIG WOODEN HORSE Theatre Company brings the books to life

on stage in the fun and musical, PIGEON PARTY!

Willems was a writer on Sesame Street for 10 years before leaving the seminal kids show to write children's books in 2003. He has won awards for the Pigeon series and for his Knuffle Bunny, Elephant and Piggie series.

The Pigeon stories revolve around a mischievous pigeon who's left in the care of the reader.

The show is very audience-participation based,

and kids are invited to call out and tell the pigeon

what he's not allowed to do.

Pigeon Party is a great first theatre experience for kids 3 and up.

Kids Tickets $7 Adult $17 2 Adult/2 Kids package- $35

BIG WOODEN HORSE Theatre Company

aims to present high quality theatre to younger audiences

across the United Kingdom and to represent the best

of British theatre craft abroad.

Available at Music Hall Box Office or ticketmaster.com Call 313 887-8500

http://www.musichall.org/events/Pigeon-Party

No Grave Like The Sea - NYE @ Berkley Front - Thur Dec 31st 2009

Head on over to The Berkley Front this NYE

for a cool lineup of mostly local bands

party down in The Dean Martini Lounge

No Grave Like The Sea

DUENDE!

The Hotwalls

TRANS ATLAS

Help Motor City Rocks get some new gear ...

MCB ran into the new owner of Motor City Rocks this weekend

The new guys from MCR are looking to get some new video gear

and have a few more months to get the project kick started

Tis the season to help the needy if you can

watch the video above and donate if possible

and check out

www.MotorCityRocks.com

Terrible Twos NYE @ Painted Lady Hamtramck - Thur 12/31/09

Need something to do on New Years Eve that you will remember the rest of your life?

Head on over to the Painted Lady in Hamtramck

 for a reasonably priced evening of

in your face detroit punk

 that will set you right to start 2010

This isnt a headliners only bill

all the bands in the lineup can and do hold their own

on any given night

Clone Defects

Terrible Twos

Sugarcoats

The Painted Lady

2930 Jacob

Hamtramck MI

Get your ass back to work!!

So are you one of the lucky bastards with a job

and now you are back to work after using up all your vacation time earlier in the year so now you have to stick it out for 3 days this week??? Well - make the best of it and read MCB because we did the same thing and now there is nothing to do at the office since EVERYONE else is off this week....We have photos and video coming from the Goober and the Peas show on Saturday night which was jam packed and solid all night. Silverghost put on a pretty good set and if we were more into "the scene" we might know or care what happened to Ben and why he isn't drumming anymore.

Maybe because it becomes a different band with the addition of a drummer?
Who knows.

Goober and the Peas really should be applauded for rounding up a somewhat last minute show and delivering a knock out performance to a sardined filled venue. Animated as always, the band was solid and the fans showed true hard core appreciation with every song. I would imagine a new record will be announced soon to go along with the SXSW showing in Austin.

As I mentioned MCB media to follow soon but what are you going to do TONIGHT???

SPIKE and MIKE'S SICK and TWISTED ANIMATION FESTIVAL

is at The Magic Bag Ferndale

December 28 - January 2nd 2010

SPIKE & MIKE'S SICK & TWISTED ANIMATION FESTIVAL

Doors 8 p.m. - Film 9:30 p.m.

$8.00

http://www.themagicbag.com/cale.htm

MP3 Mondays on MotorCityBlog 12.28.2009

MP3 Mondays on MOTORCITYBLOG
Photo by Paul Hitz

take a look / listen

Standing Shadows

are an electro-obscura-shoegazer-rock band based out of LA who have already had their music placed on shows such as 90210, and The Shield, among others.

Check out the title track off their upcoming EP “High Rise,” set to be released January 5th:

And be sure to be on the lookout for their full-length “Five Years of Darkness,” due out in March, as well as a special edition 7”.

www.myspace.com/standingshadows

The Jesus Chainsaw Massacre

Here's the big giveaway and not too soon behold the Vampires Digital 7''

Free Download here

-jr

Get all 7'' here

The Clouds are Ghosts

Electroacoustic, Ambient, Melodramatic Pop band from Austin, Texas!

Download their full length Lp for FREE!!

www.cloudsareghosts.com

www.myspace.com/cloudsareghosts

Holiday Childrens Shows @ DIA start today!

Saturday 12/26

Holiday Performance: Bathtub Pirates

2 p.m.

Drop-in Workshop

Noon-4 p.m.

Guided Tours

1 & 3 p.m.

Sunday 12/27

Holiday Performance: Bathtub Pirates

2 p.m.

DFT: The Nutcracker

2 p.m. ($)

Drawing in the Galleries

Noon-4 p.m.

Wed/Thursday 12/30-31

Holiday Performance: Jack and the Beanstalk

2 p.m.

Detroit Institute of Arts

5200 Woodward Avenue

Detroit, Michigan 48202

www.dia.org

313.833.7900

Admission

$8 adults, $6 seniors, $4 children

The museum is free for members

Contact the Membership Helpline

313.833.7971

membership@dia.org

Black Dynamite - Burton Theatre Detroit - Sat 11/26

Black Dynamite

*DETROIT PREMIERE*

When "The Man" murders his brother, pumps heroin into local orphanages, and floods the ghetto with adulterated malt liquor, Black Dynamite is the one hero willing to fight all the way from the blood-soaked city streets to the hallowed halls of the Honky House.

Sat 12/26

2pm, 5pm, 8pm, 10pm, 11:59pm

Sun 12/27

2pm, 5pm, 8pm

Wed 12/30

9pm

Burton Theatre

3420 CASS AVENUE

(313) 473-9238

http://www.burtontheatre.com/nowplaying/