The Nolan Factor
The Real Jeff Nolan
Rewind like three months:
MCB management secured a few high end tickets to attend/cover
an art / fundraiser event in detroit a few months back
I arrived to the Art Serve conference/meet and greet at the Max Fisher Music Center with an artist friend on an icy November evening.
We were majorly outclassed from the get go, and while we did look dapper, we were no match to the dense crowd of three piece suits and shimmering dresses. As we began to chat with the affluent mob around us, I bought a $9 vodka tonic to occupy my hands.
A room filled with elaborately decorated tables opened up after about an hour of confusing conversations with a handful of museum curators and theater directors to reveal a glowing pink stage and podium. The fifty or more tables were equipped with plates of fruit, truffles, coffee and softly glowing candles which made for an elegant ambiance. We strategically positioned ourselves at the corner of a table (they were round) located on the perimeter of the room to avoid drawing more attention to the fact that we were conspicuous to say the least.
The event was organized to introduce the Art Serve program to the contributing art patrons of Michigan which is scheduled to be the newest extension of the program, already active in about a half a dozen states.
Fast-forward to recently:
A room filled with elaborately decorated tables opened up after about an hour of confusing conversations with a handful of museum curators and theater directors to reveal a glowing pink stage and podium. The fifty or more tables were equipped with plates of fruit, truffles, coffee and softly glowing candles which made for an elegant ambiance. We strategically positioned ourselves at the corner of a table (they were round) located on the perimeter of the room to avoid drawing more attention to the fact that we were conspicuous to say the least.
The event was organized to introduce the Art Serve program to the contributing art patrons of Michigan which is scheduled to be the newest extension of the program, already active in about a half a dozen states.
Fast-forward to recently:
A group of artists and musicians have seized control of the former Scrummage Insurance agency, a towering relic of 20th century prosperity in Detroit. You may have seen the hulk of a building, covered last fall with a gigantic 9-story technicolor mural as part of a community arts program.
On January 30th North End Studios, dubbed Sparklewood for the evening, hosted a huge fundraiser event with dork-rockers Kirtybird & the Boogeymen and the Tour Detroit DJs. The showed seemed to be a great success for the finically strapped space as it was packed from 10 PM until 5 AM.
The interior of the main floor was covered in artwork from dozens of local graffiti artists, painters, and sculptors, as well as larger-than-life airport decor for the night. Throughout the night there were strange video projections by Anthony Cholag of everything from vintage exercise videos to wild animals copulating. The fundraiser event was the kickoff of a regular schedule of events to be held on the first and third Saturdays of each month, with special events and openings in between the regular dates. Shows to be announced include Marco Polio & the New Vaccines, Macrame Tiger, The Carridines, and the High Strung, with coordinating acts including the likes of videographers, burlesque dancers, fashion shows, and Haute 2 Death in the works for future shows.
The vibe of the new space is really great, it seems to fill a void that I hadn't realized existed.
Let me explain why no one should ever under any circumstances buy anything from the Family Dollar in Hamtramck. Monday, February 1st, 8:52 PM: I walked up to the entrance to buy some candy, I had made it just in time, as when I called I was told that their hours of operation ceased at 9 PM...
Upon entering the store I was greeted by a mean-spirited, unkempt, and seemingly intoxicated employee who claimed to be the store manager.
"Get out! We're closed!"
On January 30th North End Studios, dubbed Sparklewood for the evening, hosted a huge fundraiser event with dork-rockers Kirtybird & the Boogeymen and the Tour Detroit DJs. The showed seemed to be a great success for the finically strapped space as it was packed from 10 PM until 5 AM.
The interior of the main floor was covered in artwork from dozens of local graffiti artists, painters, and sculptors, as well as larger-than-life airport decor for the night. Throughout the night there were strange video projections by Anthony Cholag of everything from vintage exercise videos to wild animals copulating. The fundraiser event was the kickoff of a regular schedule of events to be held on the first and third Saturdays of each month, with special events and openings in between the regular dates. Shows to be announced include Marco Polio & the New Vaccines, Macrame Tiger, The Carridines, and the High Strung, with coordinating acts including the likes of videographers, burlesque dancers, fashion shows, and Haute 2 Death in the works for future shows.The vibe of the new space is really great, it seems to fill a void that I hadn't realized existed.
Let me explain why no one should ever under any circumstances buy anything from the Family Dollar in Hamtramck. Monday, February 1st, 8:52 PM: I walked up to the entrance to buy some candy, I had made it just in time, as when I called I was told that their hours of operation ceased at 9 PM...
Upon entering the store I was greeted by a mean-spirited, unkempt, and seemingly intoxicated employee who claimed to be the store manager.
"Get out! We're closed!"
She said pointing to the door behind me.
"But it is only 8:52..." I said checking the time on my cellular telephone.
"Well, I close ten minutes early, so unless its just one thing, get out!"
"Fuck you! You're not getting my money and you will never see me again."
"But it is only 8:52..." I said checking the time on my cellular telephone.
"Well, I close ten minutes early, so unless its just one thing, get out!"
"Fuck you! You're not getting my money and you will never see me again."
Was my retort. I faintly heard her profane shouts in plain earshot of offended and confused customers as the door swung behind me. For your reference, the Family Dollar to avoid is the one on Conant, just North of Caniff.
