UPCOMING: Alloy Ochestra @ Detroit Institute of Arts - Sept 11th - 13th 2009

Get all the details below for

Alloy Orchestra @ Detroit Film Theatre

September 11th-13th

ALLOY ORCHESTRA: THE MAN WITH THE MOVIE CAMERA

Friday, September 11, 2009

ALLOY ORCHESTRA: NOSFERATU

Saturday, September 12, 2009

ALLOY ORCHESTRA: THE PHANTOM OF THE OPERA

Sunday, September 13, 2009

MCB Pick of the Week: The Calm Blue Sea @ Paychecks Hamtramck - Sunday September 6th

The Calm Blue Sea

www.thecalmbluesea.com

Chris, Kyle & Steve are heading to Dietroit

to play their brand of whiskey and lies

Get on out and support bands that will actually

COME AND PLAY IN DETROIT

AND LOVE OUR FAIR CITY

Paycheck's Lounge

2932 Caniff

Hamtramck, MI 48212

313-874-0909

Juliette Lewis is coming to your town and wants you to buy her new record

No Detroit date kids...get ready for an MCB roadtrip

Thurs 9/3 - Matt Jones // VANDAVEER @ PJs Lager House Detroit

PJs Lager House-Detroit
Thursday, September 3 2009

Matt Jones w/Vandaveer, Blair & the Boyfriends

10pm

You may not know this but Matt Jones rules. Jones is one of the most talented musicians in one of the biggest music hotspots in the world. He has a truly unique cadence and sound. He really is just tops, I'm not quite sure how else to explain it!

Matt Jones at the Secret Garden from hoovesontheturf on Vimeo.

Check out the "Threadlines" composition on the 2005 Ypsilanti Records compilation for direct understanding. Washington DC sibling duo Vandaveer is touring in support of their sophomore album "Divide & Conquer," out on one of the east coast's best up-and-coming labels: Supply & Demand.

Vandaveer is the alt-folk song singing/record making/globetrotting project penned and put forth by DC-by-way-of-Kentucky tunesmith Mark Charles Heidinger.

Vandaveer has also just been named Paste Magazine's "Band of the Week!" Check it out: http://www.pastemagazine.com/articles/2009/08/band-of-the-week-vandaveer.html .

Blair & the Boyfriends open the show @ PJs Lager House Detroit

UPCOMING: Revolting Cocks @ Blondies Detroit - Oct 7th 2009

After a 10 year hiatus the Revolting Cocks will be touring the states

check out the dates below

September 10 - El Paso, TX - Club 101
September 12 - Albuquerque, NM - Sunshine Theater
September 13 - Denver, CO - Gothic Theater
September 14 - Ft Collins, CO - Aggie Theater
September 15 - Salt Lake, UT - Club Vegas
September 17 - Coeur d'Alene, ID - The Grail
September 18 - Seattle, WA - Studio Seven
September 19 - Vancouver, BC - Rickshaw Theatre
September 20 - Portland, OR - Dante's
September 23 - San Francisco, CA - The Fillmore
September 24 - Orangevale, CA - The Boardwalk
September 25 - San Diego, CA - Brick By Brick
September 26 - Tempe, AZ - The Clubhouse
September 27 - Los Angeles, CA - House of Blues
October 1 - San Antonio, TX - White Rabbit
October 2 - Oklahoma City, OK - Diamond Ballroom
October 3 - Kansas City, MO - The Beaumont
October 4 - St. Louis, MO - The Firebird
October 6 - Chicago, IL - House of Blues
October 7 - Detroit, MI - Blondie's
October 8 - Cleveland, OH - Peabody's
October 9 - St. Thomas, ON - Coolz Warehouse
October 10 - Ottawa, ON - Babylon
October 11 - Montreal, QC - Foufounes Electriques
October 12 - Toronto, ON - Reverb
October 14 - Pittsburgh, PA - Rex Theater
October 15 - Allentown, PA - Croc Rock
October 16 - Worcester, MA - The Palladium
October 17 - New York, NY - Irving Plaza
October 18 - Baltimore, MD - Ram's Head Live
October 20 - Jacksonville, FL - Jackrabbits
October 21 - Orlando, FL - Firestone
October 22 - Fort Lauderdale, FL - Revolution
October 23 - St. Petersburg, FL - The State Theatre
October 24 - Charlotte, NC - Tremont Music Hall
October 25 - New Orleans, LA - House of Blues
October 27- Houston, TX – Warehouse Live
October 29 - Fort Worth, TX - Ridglea Theater
October 30 - Austin, TX - Emo's

And now, The Cocks are comin' to your town so grab some protection! RevCo is on tour throughout the US. “RevCo started with 3 core members which included myself, Luc Van Acker, and Richard 23 from Front 242. There were three of us, and now in true RevCo style the ever revolving cast of RevCo includes some fresh new young blood whom I think capture the true essence and spirit of being 'a Revolting Cock,' if you will.”

And as evidenced by SEX-O OLYMPIC-O, the three lads that Jourgensen has chosen to be part of the RevCo line up include singer Josh Bradford, guitarist Sin Quirin, and keyboardist / electronic specialist Clayton Worbeck – all of whom are certainly qualified for their newly appointed promotions. They will be joined by musicians Aaron Rossi (Ministry, Prong, John5) on drums and Murv Douglas on bass (Opus Dai Weapons X Powerman 5000). And as in tyrpical RevCo style we can expect a selection of Industrial and Punk Rock Icons to join the circus for special last-minute appearances as it travels throughout North America.

Orchestrating and instigating the madness is the legendary master of the unceremonious Jim Rose with his caravan of amazing things you can't “unsee,” and official Ringmaster of each evening’s performances. Recently fully recovered from serious injuries to both his head and neck from which he suffered during this summer’s Jim Rose Circus vs. Jake The Snake Roberts Tour, Jim had this to say: “These might very well be the most shocking and theatrical events I’ve ever been on and that’s just RevCo. I’ve also got more than old track marks up my sleeve for this sojourn and I cant wait to show the world!”

So, gather up yourselves and your tattooed crazies, circus freaks, strippers, perverts and deviant friends who are looking for a good time, with some ear lashing tunes, and rejoice! Cummin’ to your town soon are your favorite ambassadors of sleaze, and they’ve put together an entourage of sick-os and set out to take North America by storm. Launching the tour from Jourgensen’s hometown of El Paso, TX, The Revolting Cocks embark upon a full-frontal-assault of the US and Canada with a fresh crop of “cocks and pussies” as part of their ever-changing live lineup. RevCo is out to prove once more that they are the top of the heap and/or man pile when it comes to good-old-down-home-dark-side-oversexed-fun!

Appropriately enough, RevCo has invited Blownload as their Special Guest, as well as the likes of Canadian cyberpunks, Left Spine Down, to kick off the event.

And in support of the tour, and release of Sex-O Olympic-O, the RevCo family is introducing your ears to its cousin release, the appropriately titled Sex-O MiXXX-O, a 10-track remix package featuring a star studded cast of remixers on board. This dark delightful treat has been touched by the hands of Marilyn Manson’s and Tweaker talent, Chris Vrenna, Skinny Puppy’s Dave “Rave” Olgilvie, Gravity Kills’ Doug Firley, Combichrist’s Andy LaPlegua as well as Revolting Cock and 13th Planet’s very own Clayton Worbeck. This is set for release on September 29, 2009 through Al Jourgensen’s 13th Planet Records/ Megaforce.

And to get all of you psychos Revved up for this tour, REVCO are giving you a FREE mp3 download of the single, - I’m Not Gay”, “Blownload Prison” Remix.

3 de la Habana @ Vicente's Detroit - Fri/Sat Sept 4th & 5th

Cutting edge Cuban trio, 3 de la Habana

performs live at Vincentes Cuban Cuisine,

for two exclusive nights, Friday and Saturday, September 4 & 5.

Entertainment begins at 9 PM.

This exclusive performance includes a special Cuban dinner preparedespecially for the evening. 3 de la Habana emigrated recently to the United States from Cuba and has signed a recording and management agreement with RAFCA Records.

They are the most innovative vocal trio and musical group in Cuban music, already legendary worldwide for their success in reviving the great songs of Cuba that dominated Latin music a generation ago.Vincente's Cuban Cuisine is proud to host this great band, in their firstever Detroit appearances 3 de la Habana combines the sounds of a Cuban percussion drum ensemblepailas, congas and bongo) with bass and guitar, producing a counter-beatcomplemented by amazing vocals in the La Canción, El Son, and La Trova vocaltraditions of Cuba.

The group has toured frequently in Spain, Italy, Puerto Rico, Guadalupe,Colombia, England, Australia, Dominican Republic, Canada, Mexico, and theUnited States. The group's recent exploration into injecting new and modern harmonies andrhythms into their repertoire has made them the toast of club goers inMiami, and sought after by club owners and concert venues from New York toLos Angeles.

www.3delahabana.com

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=68WHfc7--zY

Tickets are $45 per person (includes dinner) or $15 for performance only,

available at Vincente's - call 313 962-8800 for reservations

Vincente's Cuban Cuisine

1250 Library Street

Detroit, MI 48226

(313) 962-8800

www.vicente.us

UPCOMING: Dial "M" for Murder - Redford Theatre - Fri/Sat Sept 11/12th

Redford Theatre

presents

Hitchcock’s

Dial M for Murder

in 3-D

The Redford Theatre screens Alfred Hitchcock’s Dial M for Murder in a 3-D presentation this Friday and Saturday. Three shows are scheduled on Friday, Sept. 11 at 8pm, Saturday, Sept. 12 at 2 and 8pm. Pre-show festivities will include lobby piano, theatre organ overture by John Lauter, and a short subject before the feature.

Tickets are all general admission, only $6

The Redford’s original Barton theatre organ, one of only 32 of it’s kind left on the planet in original condition, will be a must hear-and-see part of the show. Beginning ½ hr. before show times on Friday and Saturday evening, Detroit native John Lauter will play a mix of popular tunes in his exquisite style. Lauter is a master of the theatre organ style and a delight to hear. Lauter’s student and protégé, Emily Seward, will play the matinee overture.

This Motor City Theatre Organ Society event offers film-goers an opportunity to experience classic cinema in the authentic setting of an historic film house. The Redford Theatre has been owned and operated by MCTOS since the late 1970’s. The group originally formed in the 1960’s in an effort to preserve and maintain the theatre’s pipe organ. In recent years, the all-volunteer group has restored the atmospheric auditorium and lobby areas to their original Oriental Garden-inspired interior.

All this is brought to life by a dedicated volunteer staff. The friendly candy counter staff sells inexpensive concessions and boasts the largest movie candy selection in the Midwest.

MCB is a supporter of The Redford Theatre
please visit them online for more info
www.RedfordTheatre.com

SUNDAY WINNING RAFFLE TICKETS PAF2009

Craig Owens (CHIODOS) - 145326
Global Thursdays - 145317
DIA Passes - 145424
Alloy Orchestra @ DFT - 145323
Five Finger Death Punch - 145418

UPDATE: Thanks - we have confirmed all the winners on these prizes!!

Winning Tickets: Saturday PAF 2009 Raffle

Butthole Surfers: 145257
Skinny Puppy: 145234
OWL CITY: 1425194
APOP: 145266
MOTORHEAD: 145280

email motorcityblog@earthlink.net with a pic of your winning ticket
or show at PAF tomorrow to claim your prize

thanks
MCB

we got kicked out early but come tomorrow for another good time

UPCOMING SHOW: Owl City @ The Eagle Theatre Pontiac presented by The Crofoot - Tuesday 9/22

MCB will be raffling a pair of tickets to the upcoming Owl City show

tomorrow at Peoples Arts Festival @ RIC

Get to this show!

In the state of Minnesota lies a small town called Owatonna with roughly
twenty-two thousand inhabitants; within that city is a quiet road with a
modest house. In that house there’s an unkempt basement with no windows.
Within those confines you’ll find Adam Young of Owl City

hard at work, creating his electronic
and melodically infectious brand of music with a simple and singular
beauty. Inside this “cave,” as Adam likes to describe it, he has begun
to quickly win over a large audience thirsty for something genuine,
something sublime.

Being an only child in a small town, and having no musicians in his
immediate family, Adam is hard pressed to say how it all started.
Explaining that he always had a “push” to be creative, Adam picked up
his first guitar in junior high school. Growing up in a “sheltered
bubble” and being one of the more shy kids around the neighborhood, Adam
seemed compelled to lend his time and creative ideas to music. “I’ve
always been the shy guy, I don’t see that changing, but I definitely
feel a lot more comfortable than I anticipated. I can hide behind the
music.”

While his music continues to win followers all over the world, Adam does
indeed hide behind his music, not going by his real name (See: Badly
Drawn Boy and Dashboard Confessional); but going by the moniker Owl
City. Adam was searching more for a mood when coming up with a title for
his sound, rather than something easily identifiable. He goes on to
explain that most of the artists that catch his eye have something
unique about their name, something that lingers.

So one has to ask: how did this Owl City phenomenon begin? How does a
young artist writing songs underneath his garage, acoustic foam and
books everywhere, reach an audience of millions? “I’m still trying to
figure it out,” Adam laughs. “Back in June of 2007 it kind of started on
a whim. My parents were away for the weekend, and wanting to be loud and
make some noise and whatever, I began writing versions of what became my
first, self released cd - Of June. I put it up on MySpace the following
month and didn’t tell anyone.” Word of mouth began to spread for Adam’s
music, with demands coming from various parts of the country for an
album. Maybe I’m Dreaming, released in March of 2008, was Owl City’s
full length debut. The album has garnered great critical praise and is a
clear representation of Owl City’s progression as an artist. Adam has
become a phenomenon on MySpace with over 6 million profile views and
over 25 million plays, which is outstanding in such a short span of
time. It’s clear that, from his basement, Owl City is making a colossal
impact on the music scene.

What might be swirling through his head after such a quick and sudden
start at stardom? “The biggest thing I was concerned-slash-worried about
was the live performance – never having played a show as ‘Owl City.’
There was a lot of apprehension.” Adam’s concern, about being a one-man
wizard on the keyboard, “hunched over a computer,” was put to the test
recently with his first gig. Most, if not all, of his fears were quickly
put to rest as Adam played to a sold out show in Minneapolis. “It was
surreal,” Adam says, “to have people buying your t-shirts, singing the
words – louder than I was; it felt so good.”

As listeners on MySpace climb into the millions, Owl City is focused on
writing more songs, getting more comfortable on stage, and satisfying a
fan base that is growing and eagerly anticipating new material. With a
new album scheduled for a fall release, Adam’s future is as exciting,
expansive and as mellifluous as his music. “I’ve loved every minute of
it so far, and I’m looking forward to what’s going to happen next.” So
are we.

Rolling Stone write up

Music on the Brain - MCB's Andrew Bender

Of some interest to MOTB, a study was published online this week in the scientific journal NeuroImage that compared the brain activities of musicians to non-musicians in musical performance and expertise. Particularly compelling from this study was their use of musical improvisation to investigate musical expertise and creativity in the brain. The authors, Drs. Berkowitz and Ansari, acknowledge early on in the paper that the current capacity to measure ‘real life’ musical improvisation is rather limited as an MRI scanner tube is a poor substitute for a concert hall or a smoky jazz bar. Their experiment was designed to investigate the decision-making that goes with deciding which keys on a 5-key piano keyboard to press with emphases on creativity in rhythm and melody. Areas of the brain that were shown to be active on the functional MRI study included areas involved in muscle or ‘motor’ movement, response inhibition and error monitoring, and frontal brain regions involved in the selection and generation of different combinations. At the same time, the study reported that some areas of the brain became deactivated which they interpret as corresponding to attention and goal-oriented processes involved in actual improvisation. This study had trained student musicians and non-musicians play established musical patterns and create their own musical patterns while they were scanned in the MRI. There is some real difficulty in setting up and conducting a study like this, and I have to give the study’s authors some real credit for their novel paradigm for studying expertise vis a vis musical improvisation. In an unexpected finding, when the participants were improvising the melody a part of the brain called the temporo-parietal junction on the right side was deactivated in the musicians, but not the non-musicians. The authors suggest that this occurs due to the musicians trained brains pointing their attentional spotlight and goal-directed behavior at the task of generating something novel. On the other hand, the non-musicians didn’t show this same pattern of brain deactivation, ostensibly because their lack of expertise doesn’t necessitate such goal-directed behaviors.

So what does this all mean? In psychology we talk about different perceptual and cognitive processes as being either ‘top-down’ or ‘bottom-up’ processes. Top-down refers to perceptions that are driven largely by what’s already in our minds, based on our experiences and expectations. For example, if I walk into my darkened house at night, I might ‘see’ the lump on the couch as my cat, even before I have enough visual information to really confirm it because my experience is guiding my perception. Conversely, when most of the information comes directly from whatever it is we’re perceiving, that’s bottom-up. When you’re reading this article, all of the letters in each word are different, and their different combinations make up the words. We perceive each letter based on the different features of each letter – combinations of lines, angles, curves, open spaces, etc. But these two processes are complimentary and sometimes competing – I sometimes have to re-read a word because I thought it was another word altogether. In that case, my top-down processes, interfered with the bottom-up processes. Or, that lump on the couch may turn out to be a balled up sweater and not my cat, even though I ‘saw’ my cat.

In the study by Berkowitz and Ansari, they posit that the musical expertise of the trained musicians yields much more top-down processing in response to the task because when they play a series of improvised notes, there’s far more planning and strategy involved. As a result, they have to ignore the information they get from hearing the tones they play – they’re not responding to what they’re playing but executing something they already have in mind. The non-musicians, however, have to rely on what they hear because they’re not so goal-oriented and lack a real strategy.

As a fan of musical improvisation, this is all very interesting to me for all sorts of reasons. First, this experiment was only dealing with a 5-key keyboard and there was no interaction with other performers. Imagine how much more complex the phenomenon becomes when the whole range of notes from an instrument is available and when the goal-directed behavior is also concerned with taking into account what’s being played by collaborative musicians. More and more, it’s clear that musical improvisation requires an amazing coordination of long term memory for a composed piece, procedural memory for how to produce those sounds, perceptual skills and social cognition for keeping track of everything else that’s going on, and so many other processes. Next time you hear a jazz or funk musician playing a cool improvised riff, remember that not only isn’t it as easy as it seems, but despite whatever cool vibe the musician gives off, inside his or her head, there’s a lot more going on.

This weekend I’ll be at the People’s Art Festival at the Russell Industrial Center in Detroit at the Motorcityblog lounge – I’ll have some of my photography work on display and for sale. Please come by and say hello (even if you have no intention of purchasing anything). The MCB Lounge will feature DJs, great Detroit bands, burlesque dancers, a beer vendor, baked goods, and more! Come party with the MCB Crew at PAF! I’m really looking forward to seeing some of the work by my fellow MCB photographers and other sponsored artists as well as the whole array of amazing work by Michigan artists.

And now for a few choice shows around town this weekend:

My picks of some choice things going on around town this weekend:

Friday - 8/28
Von Bondies, 800beloved, The Juliets - Magic Stick – possibly or ostensibly the Von Bondies last Detroit show
Echos of Pink Floyd offer great covers at the Magic Bag

Saturday - 8/29
People’s Art Festival – Russell Industrial Center
The Square Boys – The Old Miami

Sunday - 8/30
People’s Art Festival – Russell Industrial Center
Yid Vicious – The Ark in Ann Arbor

Have a great weekend y’all!!

WERD!!

-drew

Anthony Attalla releases NEW Label

For a perfect way to keep the party going after a full day at the Peoples Art Festival on Saturday over at The Russell, head on over to OSLO on Woodward for a 4 hour set from local DJ / Producer / World Traveler / Entrepreneur Anthony Attalla celebrating his new label: incorrect

Having seen his performances at such venues as Clutch Cargos (opening for Benny Benassi) and this years Movement Festival (DEMF for those who prefer, like myself) on the Beatport Stage, and for anyone else familiar with Anthony's music, this is sure to be a perfect way to either end Saturday nite, or rather, begin your Sunday morning. Either way, get on over and help support our local (global) Detroit talent.

-LAWRENCEcreative

Bar Brady's Friday Drink Recipes - DIVA Diana

DIVA Diana

Start with 1 and 1/2 oz passion fruit vodka (passion is the key)
Drizzle in 1/2 oz absolute mango
Add an oz of Malibu pineapple
DO NOT FORGET TO ADD 1/2 oz creme de banane

Finish it off with 1/4 oz lime juice
& 1 and 1/2 oz pineapple juice

At Iridescence this drink is served over a glass filled with dry ice
making for an amazing display and a taste you will not soon forget

The Diva Diana is 1 of 3 "DIVA"s on the drink menu
and we say try them all

next week - Cucumber and Ginger martini

The restaurant sports an amazing view of the City of Detroit
With a stellar array of menu items Iridescence IS a great choice
for that special moment when you want to
break from the hum drum in your dining experience

The mini sirloin burgers packed a mean punch

As we mentioned last week we ran into
The Jesus Chainsaw Massacre at the nightclub bar
and they sampled many of the drinks and appetizers as well
plus provided the ambient sounds on the piano
before closing out Amnesia in style

Check out MOTORCITY COMIC

Check out MOTORCITY from our pals Gavin and Jetilla

over @ MOTORCITY COMIC

Pick up a copy and have a read about the tough and rumble

situation that these hard core partying greasers have to deal with

in MOTOR CITY

Rev up the engines and hold on to your ladies

because its rough out there with all the zombies

and ghouls hangin around in the 133rd

We will have a few copies of MOTOR CITY on hand

for you to check out @ Peoples Arts Festival

www.MotorCityComic.com

UPCOMING SHOWS: The Jamboree in Ypsilanti

The Depot Town Community Development Corporation is proud to present The Jamboree, Washtenaw County's only outdoor, family-friendly Music Festival highlighting Bluegrass, Roots, Americana and other Regional Acts. Alongside local artists, friends and neighbors, The Jamboree is sure to be a great time for all ages.

On September 4th and 5th, a new kind of entertainment will be injected into the area. The Jamboree at Riverside Park grants you the opportunity to experience a unique blend of both vintage and contemporary family fun.

What can you expect at The Jamboree? Well...

A child friendly atmosphere, with a "kid tent" and activities

Two stages featuring regional and international talent

Local Artisans displaying their works

Great local food- with Vegetarian options

And a selection of local and nationally brewed beers

...Good music. Good food. Great fun.

The volunteers behind The Jamboree have worked hard to create an event that not only provides a fun creative atmosphere for the community, but also helps attract the fresh new faces, businesses and cultures from far and wide. Held at scenic Riverside Park in historic Depot Town, in Ypsilanti, MI, this brand–new event has been established as a non-profit organization in order to direct all proceeds back into the community for the economic development and capital improvements for our parks that will help us sustain a fun and attractive destination to work, live and play.

For more information visit http://www.the-jamboree.com/

This week in MoneyPenny - Thursday August 8/27/2009

After being stuck at the helljob all week

MONEYPENNY is heading out on vacation

so we are posting up her shiznit for her

We hope to have a Beer with her soon

As always she hopes your weekend is tits.

********************************************************************

Michigan Renaissance Festival 2009

Well, it's that time again. That glittering festival of breastisses and beer is upon us. Everyone grab yer favorite silly hat and your best pair of flash dance ass-pants and head to Holly for the Michigan Renaissance Festival.

The Michigan Ren Fest has been delivering the medieval experience with flair since 1979 and this year we made it to opening day. The place runs rampant with cheeky humor and everyone gladly plays into it. The effort put into costumes and the level of commitment from Royal staff, performers and other participants is highly impressive. But even though grown adults are walking around covered in feathers and full body armor and wielding everything from longswords to pan flutes, this isn't a star trek convention. The air might be thick with comedy but the craftsmanship is no joke. Some of our finest local artists have disguised themselves as goofballs and put their best pieces up for sale at reasonable prices.



My favorite example is the Royal Glass Makers. Brothers Chris and Israel Nordin are well established Detroit artists with a long history in glass. Chris is a founder of the Furnace Design Studio in Dearborn http://www.furnacedesignstudio.com / . Israel a founder of the Detroit Design Center in downtown Detroit http://detroitdesigncenter.net / . Together, they have the best art demonstration in the whole place with a wicked-hot furnace and molten glass. They make unique, vibrant wares right before your eyes and have enough shimmering pieces to last all summer. I buy something new every year and now have a marvelous collection of lasting, functional art. We always show up drunk at the end of the day and they are always kind enough to let us think we won the "barter exchange". They make the best beverage vessels I've ever been witness to.

The festival has treasures for everyone. Whatever floats your, um, pirate ship. There is art of many mediums including ceramics, glass, metals, wood, leather and plenty more. The jewelry vendors have a variety of quality silver and semi-precious pieces that are fairly priced. Oils, incense, candy and henna, you name it. Wax hand? Of course. Feathered headdress? You got it. Okay, so some of this might be sounding a little silly or girly, but there's games and beer too. There's live jousting, with real horses! If someone you're with is having like, a "coolness crisis", get them a Guinness and take them over to the archery or the knife throwing. Making a fool of one's self while mishandling an ill-crafted weapon in public under the influence of alcohol can really lighten up a party-pooper. And if someone is being a real jerk, have them arrested and thrown in jail. Point and laugh as they humiliate themselves to earn their release. Note: This plan could backfire as your imprisoned friend can just pay to have you befall the same fate. However, if YOU are the kind of person that would pay to have a buddy thrown in jail at a renaissance fair, then you probably don't mind. You know who you are.

MCB's Shane Glenn is doing a series of photos from the Michigan Renaissance Festival and already has week 1 posted. Go check it out to see everyone playing along nicely. As always, Shane's pictures capture the day. The only photos missing are of Ded Bob. The super-charming wench that governs the Ded Bob puppet show merch-area informed us that Bob doesn't like free promotion and is too important to have his picture taken. So...you don't get to see a sock full of bones. Sigh...

Ren Fest 2009 just got started and is already a smashing success. But beware! The beers go down easy at this place. It could result in singing and/or dancing at the request of strangers dressed in velvet. You might even find yourself eating one of those gnarly turkey legs by the end of the day. And if you've never been there before, DO NOT ask anyone in a costume where the bathroom is.

You've been warned...

Now go!

Summer is fleeting. http://www.michrenfest.com /

going on now till first weekend in October.

Huzzah!
Moneypenny

Opening Reception: Post Apocalyptic Motor City Friday, August 28 at 6-11 p.m., Royal Oak

Critic's Pick

A GROUP SHOW AND A COLLECTIVE J'ACCUSE

by Megan O'Neil

Omnipresent art enthusiast and writer Robert del Valle is the curator behind Post-Apocalyptic Motor City, a show that he says represents "optimistic, pessimistic, surreal, existential, nihilistic, resigned and defiant" artistic expressions of Detroit as envisioned by an eclectic array of visual work.

Some 26 visual artists, including Julie Fournier, Marianne Audrey Burrows, Chris Turner, Shades, Aran Ruth and Jeremy Hansen, have been tapped for the exhibition, which also serves as the official pre-party to the third annual People's Arts Festival.

"Detroit is no stranger to either bad times or political disasters," writes the sardonic del Valle, "but the annus horribilis we're experiencing today is unprecedented. The Big Three are the anemic triplets of a once robust industry, our elected officials have become poster children for municipal corruption and the only 'consolation' we have lies in the fact that much of this ongoing nightmare is simply a microcosm of what's happening to the rest of the country."

If there's one contingent in our community not afraid to tell us like it is, it's the fine artists; they're about seeking the truth, they scrape away the layers of bureaucracy, they leave us not only with a lasting image, but a message. Asks del Valle, do we "pack it in or pack a punch?"

The answers await at 323 East, 323 E. Fourth St., Royal Oak; 866-756-6538; 323east.com.

Something Like A War by John Kalogerakos (SLAW)

Something Like A War is a new weekly comic that will be running

on MCB thanks to our newest contributor John Kalogerakos

We will let him fill you in on the characters and everything

next week but for now enjoy the guys Evans and English

as they discuss the People's Arts Festival 2009

John is a life long Metro Detroiter, who currently lives in the Indian Village area. He has been a Hair Dresser for over ten years, which has provided him with the wonderful ability to pursue many other interests, which includes attending Wayne State University as a full time student majoring in English Literature with an Art minor.

John also has a webcomic called Pointe East which can

be read every Monday through Friday at www.Pointe-East.com.

In his free time John enjoys reading, comic books, movies, soccer and coffee and music.
Please feel free to Email John at jekalog@gmail.com if you have any questions or comments.

Go get a little SOUL - Wednesdees play Northern Lights Lounge Detroit - Sat Aug 29th 2009

The drawback to having our weekend full over at PAF2009

is missing The Wednesdees play this Saturday night

at Northern Lights Lounge Detroit

(Baltimore west of Cass south of Grand)

Also on the lineup are

The Drags & Sharky and the Habit

Get on out and support local Dietroit music

and get your fix of motorcity soul

MCB choice show of the week!

FREE CD: Zoos of Berlin - "Taxis"

MCB has a copy of "Taxis" from Zoos of Berlin

ready to roll to the 5th emailer

motorcityblog@earthlink.net

ZoB has a few shows coming up in September over in NYC

after they play the DIY Festival in Ferndale in a few weeks

These guys are cool and so is their music

Read all about them on DeepCutz here

Check out a new killer video on MPAD here

Visit www.ZoosOfBerlin.com

Wild At Heart midweek special

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

Wild At Heart


Now that I have access to post whenever I want, I plan on taking full advantage today because there are a lot of things going on I didn’t mention Monday that you fans need to know about. Starting off, anyone going to see the American Idols tonight? It seems to me more like American Karaoke esp when we know we are going to mostly hear cover songs for the majority of the show by a lot of people who are going to be out of music by next season. Anyway, let’s move on.

The reason I brought up Idol is so that I could segue into a song contest put on by BET that ties into the new Tyler Perry film "I Can Do Bad All By Myself" that has appearances by Mary J Blige and Gladys Knight, both of whom we all know can sing. But can you? For the opportunity you need to do a gospel song, either solo or as a group and then upload your video and have people rate it. Winners will be chosen based on originality, talent and creativity! The best performance will be shown on BET and the winner will receive $2500 gift card. Just go to http://icandobadgospelcontest.com for official rules. The movie will be in theatres on Sept 11th but you only have until September 7th, 2009 to get you video online. Good luck!!

Another chance of fame will hit this weekend as Metromix (yes the competition) teams up with CW50 to host a Casting Call for Detroit’s Gossip Girls (it is a celebrity news and gossip website) @ V nightclub inside the MGM Grand on Friday, August 28, from 6-10PM. They are looking for 3 women over 21 years old (which is similar to my goals). Once again, good luck and to fill out an application and for official rules and information, please visit CW50detroit.com.

At the Michigan International Speedway on Friday, September 11, 2009 from 7:00AM to 6:45PM, you can register to give blood. This is an appointment only event and should appeal to race fans because not only do you get a gift bag and other surprises, but you also get a tour of the track. So if that appeals or you just want to support a worthy cause, call 1-800-YOU-GAVE ext. 317 or visit SpiritofAmericaBloodDrive.com.

This Saturday, Aug 29th movie lovers can go online to the Arab Museum national Museum website at http://www.arabamericanmuseum.org/amreekamichiganpremiere and reserve tickets for the 9:30PM showing of the movie "Amreeka". This is a second screening since the first one sold out so act fast. . Tickets are $7 while Museum Members pay $6. Writer/Director Cherien Dabis will be in attendance for both post-screening question & answer sessions and I will be interviewing her about the movie, which will air closer to the release date. The movie is centered on an immigrant single mother, Muna (Nisreen Faour) and her teenage son, Fadi (Melkar Muallem) who move to a small town in Illinois from the military occupied West Bank. Based on the preview I watched on youtube, the movie seems to take a look at the prejudices faced by foreigners in the US while looking at the importance of family and the sacrifices we make for those we love. The clips I’ve seen show a bit of heart without being too preachy. It took the FIPRESCI at Cannes this past year that is given out by film critics and journalists.

While I am thinking about it, I guess I should mention that the "DISNEY’S A CHRISTMAS CAROL" Train Tour rolls into Henry Ford Museum here in Detroit on September 4-6, offering visitors an exclusive 3D sneak peek from the movie as well as a behind-the-scenes glimpse of the making of the movie. The train will have artifacts and character designs housed in real train cars. Best of all, this family event is totally free! Make your plans now!

Don’t forget that you only have two days left to get to Ann Arbor to see the "Clues Behind Sherlock Holmes" exhibit at the University Of Michigan Special Collections Library. The exhibit features a number of old books and other items related to Sir Arthur Conan Doyle. Besides the most famous detective, they have books from other facets of his career, esp his work with the English war propaganda department and some work on spiritualism and fairies. It is a nice collection of Doyle works for the book lover.

Speaking of loving books, Fantagraphics has just put out a wonderful collection of "Sam’s Strip" which is a newspaper comic strip which ran from 1961-63 and was created by Mort Walker and Jerry Dumas (who worked together on ‘Hi And Lois’ and ‘Beetle Bailey’) and eventually morphed into the popular strip "Sam And Silo” (1977-present). While never overly popular with the general public, the strip was much appreciated by other cartoonists of the time. In “Sam’s Strip”, the title character, Sam, was aware of being the proprietor of the comic strip in which he appeared. The character routinely broke down the fourth wall talking to the readers as well as having guest appearances by other classic comic strip characters like Happy Hooligan, Popeye, Charlie Brown, Pogo and Krazy Kat. While common place today with writers like Gary Larson and Berke Breathed, this was very new to the readers of the 60’s and they weren’t ready to think so hard over their Saturday morning comics. It is an excellent collection of the strip’s 20-month run with nice commentary on some strips by Dumas. HIGHLY RECOMMENDED!!

Another nice book is “Was Superman A Spy” by Brian Cronin. Brian writes a blog called Comics Should Be Good at Comic Book Resources (www.cbr.cc) and has spent a lot of time looking into Urban Legends surrounding comic book characters. This book is the culmination of that research which has a lot of interesting facts about the industry. For example, did you know that Danish inventor Karl Kroyer was denied a patent for a device to raise sunken ships in the Netherlands because Carl banks used that method in a Donald Duck comic strip? And he did it 15 years before Kroyer. The method using ping pong balls in the strip was part of an episode of Mythbusters in 2004. BTW, the method worked! Other stories you will hear about include how the Death Of Superman series came about, why Captain America has a round shield, the original plans for Wolverine’s origin and which Marvel character got it instead, what comic book helped MIT get a $50 million dollar grant, why the Human Torch was not in the 70’s Filmation Fantastic Four TV series, etc. Upon reading the book, I knew most of these stories but for those who haven’t been exposed, this book does a nice job showing the little things that have changed the characters we have grown up to love. One last bit of trivia from the book for X-Men fans. The character of Nightcrawler was originally a rejected character from a Legion Of Superheroes spin-off entitled “The Outsiders”. DC editor Murray Boltinoff didn’t like his look so when so after Dave Cockrum moved to DC, he pitched the character for the new X-Men revamp and the rest is history. It is a nice quick read and the blog is cool too.

Have a good weekend everyone. The sun is now out where I am so I might head back and check out the pool. Take care!!

FREE CD: The Reverend Horton Heat - "Laughin' And Cryin' With The Reverend Horton Heat"

MCB has a copy of the latest release from our favorite physcobilly band

The Reverend Horton Heat

as you know they are playing next week w/ MOTORHEAD

check all the info here and be the 5th emailer

to win the CD - motorcityblog@earthlink.net

FREE CD: Cage The Elephant - “Ain’t No Rest For The Wicked”

We mentioned these guys a while back and

I heard them on the WRIF the other night as a featured artist

Take a scenic drive to Grand Rapids in a few weeks to check them

and hope they book a Detroit gig soon

OR

you could head on down to

check them in Toledo OH in late October

their live show is off the hook

MCB has a copy of the latest from CtE ready to roll

be the 5th emailer - motorcityblog@earthlink.net

Cage The Elephant Extend Tour With Silversun Pickups

Through End Of October & Recently Named

Breaking Artist By Rolling Stone

With the current dates going so well, Cage The Elephant are excited to announce

that they are extending their run opening for Silversun Pickups through the late October.

They have also confirmed new headlining dates.

Cage The Elephant’s hit single “Ain’t No Rest For The Wicked”

continues to thrive at radio and their new single

“Back Against The Wall” is rapidly being added.

In addition to being featured as an MTV Buzzworthy artist,

the Kentucky rockers’ video for “Ain’t No Rest” was on rotation at MTV,

MTV2 Subterranean, MTVu, and Fuse.

The band’s self-titled debut album is in stores now on Jive Records.

Cage the Elephant are Bowling Green, Kentucky natives

Matt Shultz (vocals),

his brother Brad (guitar)

and their friends Daniel Tichenor (bass),

Lincoln Parish (guitar)

and Jared Champion (drums).

* = with Silversun Pickups
08/26: Sparks, NV @ Vixens
08/27: Bakersfield, CA @ B-Riders
08/28: San Diego, CA @ Street Scene
08/29: Mountain View, CA @ Rasputin’s in-store performance, 2 pm
08/30: San Francisco, CA @ Golden Gate State Park - Outside Lands Festival
09/11: Nashville, TN @ WBUZ Radio Show @ Riverfront Park
09/12: Noblesville, IN @ WRZX Radio Show @ Verizon Wireless Music Center
09/13: Dayton, OH @ WXEG Radio Show @ Montgomery County Fairgrounds
09/14: Cincinnati, OH @ Bogart’s*
09/15: Grand Rapids, MI @ The Orbit Room*
09/16: Green Bay, WI @ The Club*
09/18: Omaha, NE @ Sokol Auditorium*
09/19: Des Moines, IA @ Hoyt Sherman Place*
09/21: Fayetteville, AR @ George’s Majestic Lounge*
09/22: Tulsa, OK @ Cain’s Ballroom*
09/23: Memphis, TN @ Minglewood Hall*
09/25: Little Rock, AR @ The Rev Room*
09/26: Huntsville, AL @ Big Spring International Park - Big Spring Jam*
09/28: Lexington, KY @ Buster’s*
09/29: Johnson City, TN @ Electric Cowboy*
09/30: Knoxville, TN @ Valarium*
10/02: Mobile, AL @ Bayfest
10/03: Ft. Myers, FL @ Ricochet*
10/04: Jacksonville, FL @ The Florida Theater*
10/05: Columbia, SC @ Headliners*
10/07: Charleston, SC @ Shoreline Ballroom*
10/09: Myrtle Beach, SC @ House of Blues*
10/10: Durham, NC @ Duke University at Joe College Day
10/11: Norfolk, VA @ The NorVa*
10/13: Montreal, QC @ Metropolis*
10/14: Ottawa, ON @ Bronson Centre*
10/15: Toronto, ON @ The Sound Academy*
10/17: Providence, RI @ Lupo’s Heartbreak Hotel*
10/18: Clifton Park, NY @ Northern Lights*
10/20: Hartford, CT @ The Webster*
10/21: Burlington, VT @ Higher Ground*
10/23: Rochester, NY @ Main Street Armory*
10/24: Pittsburgh, PA @ Ches-A-Rena*
10/26: Toledo, OH @ Headliners*

9/1/09 MITTEN MOVIE PROJECT – INDEPENDENT SHORTS – Main Art Theatre, Royal Oak, MI - 7:30 p.m

The Mitten Movie Project is a monthly film festival dedicated to screening independent films on the first Tuesday of every month at the Main Art Theater in Royal Oak. The MMP is pulling in steady crowds every month and had a 150+ attendance last month!

September's lineup looks really interesting: Featured prominently is 8 Mile Road in the documentary, “My Own Private 8 Mile”; revered Detroit bluesman, Harmonica Shah, in “The Man with the Blue Eyes”; and many local landmarks in the music video, “Michigan”. Headlining the night is “The Point”, a touching and well-made short by Chuck Grady which features a basketball player that comes to grip with losing his mother to cancer.

"Being a filmmaker, myself, I really enjoy selecting the shorts that are played at the Mitten Movie Project. I look forward to hearing audience reaction to films and hearing about what people liked and don't like at the afterparty,"explained curator Connie Mangilin on one of the many reasons she organizes the festival. "There's nothing like audience feedback to an independent filmmaker."

Tickets are available on the Mitten Movie Project's

myspace page for $8 and at the door for $10.

FREE CD: Aluminum Babe - "17"

MCB has a few copies of the upcoming release
from NYC's Aluminum Babe

1st 2nd and 3rd emailers get a copy
motorcityblog@earthlink.net

this record has grown on me like a weed over the past few weeks

check out "If u like it" on the myspace

100% Independent -- Electro-Garage Rock from New York City.

Aluminum Babe, the band the New York Press

called "an instant classic" brings you...'"17"

Vocal driven, new rave-acid garage rock, disco beats and songs that are vicious, original and multi-dimensional.

"This is record is one of a kind"

Re-mixing their songs live into a rave like frenzy... hitting everything from Live Jungle and Drum N Bass to 70's Classic Rock to Dub to NYC Noise, Punk and Electro.

Projections fill the entire room with design by FURY.

No one can stand still! Its like the Mudd Club!

4th Friday in the Park with Lola Morales ~ THIS FRIDAY!

FREE
FREE
FREE

click on the flyer for a larger view

6th Annual Chick Ride for Breast Cancer at Oak Tree Farm Saturday September 12, 2009

6th Annual Chick Ride for Breast Cancer at Oak Tree Farm
Saturday September 12, 2009

South Rockwood MI – Soroptimist International of Trenton presents the 6th annual Chick Ride for Breast Cancer. Come help us celebrate life on September 12, 2009. Tickets for motorcycle riders are $35 per rider/$60 with passenger (one bike) before August 15, 2009. After August 15th, they are $50 per rider/$75 with passenger (one bike). Non-riders are a $20 minimum donation. Tickets are available at Par-Fection, M & M Printing, the gate of Oak Tree Farm (day of event), or by calling Carole Bell at 734-675-8065.

The 6th Annual Chick Ride for Breast Cancer will be hosted on the grounds of Oak Tree Farm. Come out for a day of bikes, food, fantastic entertainment, helicopter rides, and most importantly to celebrate life! All proceeds benefit the Soroptimist International of Trenton Area Projects and Women Celebrating Life. The name Soroptomist hails from the Latin words soror meaning sister, and optima meaning best which is interpreted as “the best for women.” “Women Celebrating Life” is a group that SI benefits that helps assist women who are already battling breast cancer and also providing the means for women with no health insurance to get cancer screenings. Over the past 5 years the Soroptimist’s have raised $124,000 by hosting this event. They hope to make this year their biggest and best yet.

Registration for the riders includes: ride pin, dinner, beverage, entertainment and bonfire. Non-riders receive all of the above with the exclusion of the ride pin. Pre-ride snacks will be available for purchase as well. Check-in for the police escorted motorcycle ride will begin at 12:00 noon – 1:30pm. The 90 minute ride will begin at 2pm sharp, don’t be late! The entertainment for the day will be a treat for the senses. 7 Million Jigawatts will be performing; their unique style is infused with rock and soul and will have you on your feet moving to the music. There will also be a silent auction, brown bag raffle, and don’t forget the helicopter rides! Food will be provided by Carrabbas Italian Grill.

Oak Tree Farm is located in South Rockwood at the following address: 6854 Ready Road, South Rockwood MI, 48179. For any questions that you may have, please contact Carole Bell at 734-675-8065 or email Carolbell@att.net

The 6th Annual Chick Ride for Breast Cancer will take place on September 12, 2009 at the Oak Tree Farm in South Rockwood. Tickets can be purchased at Par – Fection, M & M Printing, at the gate of Oak Tree Farm (day of event), or by calling Carole Bell at 734-675-8065.

MOTORHEAD and other shit we are giving away at MCB Lounge @ PAF2009

Our weekend starts with a soft caress on Thursday

at Femilia over at The Loving Touch in Ferndale

(sponsored by MOTORCITYBLOG)

Friday night is a hush hush secret but even if we don't make it back in time

The MCB Lounge @ Peoples Arts Festival will be right on time

Saturday // Sunday

August 29th & 30th 2009

We are located in the 1st space on the northeast side of the 1st corridor

There will be over nearly 30 artists displayed

in our space and I think we are the largest single

"booth" in the entire festival

Scattered amongst the staggering amount of art will be

a few of our friends from

T & A Burlesque

& Wonder Women Detroit

and of course

MCB's Good Girls Being Bad will be on hand to knock you back

There will be a number of guest DJs

DJ Alexi

DJ BlonDTroit

Auralgasms

DJ CARJACK

is going to try to make it over and a few more TBD

and a few live bands will be playing shorts sets

the house spinners for the MCB Lounge are

DJ -jr and DJ Bryan Metro

filling in the gaps on both days

There will be a shadow puppet show on Saturday night

by Mary Alice's Menagerie

as well as 2 renditions of T & A Burlesque sets once the lights go down

On Sunday more of the same but a very special Dr Sketchy Session

with the T&A girls and special additions from Noir Leather

Ticket giveaways:

Here is the list of tickets we are raffling away

Skinny Puppy - ROMT

Butthole Surfers - ROMT

Alloy Orchestra - Detroit Film Theatre

Admission Passes - Detroit Institure of Arts

OWL CITY - Crofoot Pontiac

FIVE FINGER DEATH PUNCH Crofoot Pontiac

APOPTYGMA BERZERK - Crofoot Pontiac

Craig Owens (CHIODOS) - The Factory Pontiac

MOTORHEAD - SOUND BOARD

Admission Passes - AANM

couple of shows @ Fillmore Detroit

Suicide City - HARPOS Detroit

there are a few more that we are working on that need confirmation

so check at the MCB Lounge for an update

and buy your raffle tickets

and help support MOTORCITYBLOG

There will also be an artists auction that takes place every day

please take the time to place a bid on some great artwork

PLEASE BUY THE ARTISTS WORK

THESE ARE SOME OF THE COOLEST AND MOST TALENTED

ARTISTS THAT WE KNOW IN DETROIT

then after a Monday to recharge we have confirmation
for a video interview with
MOTORHEAD

at The Sound Board Motorcity Casino
on Tuesday September 1st

fucking MOTORHEAD !

get your tickets fast
because if its not sold out now
it will in the next few days

Like the GGBB say

"you dont have to keep up - only show up"