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Adam Shirley / Still Life / Feb 4 / Re:View Contemporary

2012-01-31T11:34:00.001-05:00

Adam Shirley

Still Life

February 4 – March 3, 2012

Opening Reception:

Saturday, February 4, 2012

7 pm – 10 pm

Still Life

In his second solo exhibit at Re:View, Adam Shirley's presents his latest body of work, a series of compositions referencing the history and tradition of still life paintings. Continuing to work with steel, a material typically associated with utility and function, Shirley's investigations into the relationships between two and three-dimensional objects, material and scale, now take him into creating still life compositions using the most unlikely of materials.

These three-dimensional works arise from layering a singular material, providing multiple perspectives to experience the spatial interactions between form, color and light, as well as, figure and ground.

Once again, Shirley creates works that intend to engage the viewer into their own exploration of the potentials of each object or form, opening for infinite interpretations and experiences.

Adam Shirley received his BFA in 1993 from the College for Creative Studies (CCS), in Detroit, Michigan, and a Master of Fine Arts in the Metalsmithing Department at Cranbrook Academy of Art, in Bloomfield Hills, Michigan, in 2010. Shirley has been recently awarded the Toby Devan Lewis Fellowship.

Re:View Contemporary Gallery

444 W. Willis Street, Units 111 and 112

Detroit, MI 48201

Tel: 313.833.9000

www.reviewcontemporary.com

Gallery Hours:

Thursday, 2 p.m. - 6 p.m.

Friday, 2 p.m. - 6 p.m.

Saturday, noon - 6 p.m.

Or by appointment.

FREE TICKETS: Seven Year Itch - Fundraiser for Michigan Humane Society - Music Hall Detroit Jazz Cafe - Friday 2/3

2012-01-31T11:14:00.001-05:00

How time flies when you are having fun! Yes we are celebrating our 7th year of anti-blogging with a fundraiser party for Michigan Humane Society.

Our good friend and contributor Mikel OD is also celebrating his 7th year running hard at Most People Are DJs. One of our sponsors, Rock & Rummage is also coming up on the 7th year so its going to be a great night for all.

We have FUR, Phantom Cats, I Love Lightning Bugs and Legendary Creatures on the bill with intermission entertainment by Satori Circus and his Cirquettes. HEAR Magazine will be onsite all night covering the show and setup with a portrait studio for anyone who wants to get in front of the lens! They are also conducting interviews for the next print issue of HEARMag. Bands - Come on down and talk to these guys!
Email motorcityblog@earthlink.net for you shot at a pair of tix

There has been an avalanche of donations from our supporters that will be raffled off so please support them all for their help any chance you get. Michigan Humane Society will be at the show for anyone that would like advice or more information on some of the great programs currently in the works.

Since this is a fundraiser, if you have been a winner on this website we ask that you come to the show or if you cannot make it out please send a donation to MHS

List of Donating Supporters
(gift cards, tickets, memberships, products and swag for giveaway)

Detroit Institute of Arts
Mark Arminski
323East
Magic Stick Detroit
Majestic Cafe
Universal Music Group
Music Hall Detroit
Sound Board Motor City Casino
Bastone Royal Oak
Hard Rock Cafe
Gwen Joy's "Joy Toys"
MOTORCITYBLOG
Rock N Rummage
Callahan's Auburn Hills
Live Nation - Fillmore Detroit / St Andrews Hall
AEG / Royal Oak Music Theatre
The Crofoot Pontiac
Detroit Comics
Mark Ridley's Comedy Castle
Dirty Show 13
Buddy's Pizza
Ghetto Recorders
Michigan Movie Project
Warner Brothers Music Group
Artwork by Rebecca Mich
Detroit Photographs by Paul Hitz Photography
Detroit Photographs by LawrenceCreative

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Wild At Heart

2012-01-30T22:57:00.001-05:00

Wild Bill Ketelhut provides the "blog" to this anti-blog

Wild At Heart

One thing I really enjoy is road tripping and this past week took me to Syracuse to fulfill a lifelong ambition. I have been a huge fan of college hoops for as long as I can remember. I had seen all my favorite teams play at one point or another but rarely at their home arenas. My favorite team is Duke and I saw them years ago at the University of Michigan which was a real rush. Coming in 2nd place has been Syracuse which I have seen in multiple arenas going back to the Pearl and Seikaly years but I never had made the trip to the Carrier Dome until this year. Despite numerous division one games at neutral sites or schools like Oakland University and Bowling Green State University, I found out there is nothing like seeing a game at a big time school. When I saw Michigan play Duke, UM was in a downturn and Duke crushed them. The atmosphere was kind of lax. Syracuse, which despite losing their main man, is currently in the top 5 and the place was electric.

The above pic gives a little bit but not the whole picture as the place which had 28,000 people strong and most of them wearing the color Orange. The game itself was average as Syracuse held on to a 63-61 win over West Virginia despite 20% at the 3 pt line and an inability to get a rebound. They mainly won because they took the turnover battle which was the only times they looked good and those moments had the roof vibrating. I'm glad I finally made a game though wondering why it took me so long since I used to passed the Dome on the way to college back in the day.

I stayed for the girls game afterwards who lost a close one to Cincinnati. Both games were entertaining coming down to the last shot, but it always pisses me off to see a big drop off in fans for the women's game. About only 2,000 people stayed for the game as partially seen by the lack of crowd in this shot.

It was also cool because the Orange mascot was walking around entertaining the fans and they had a killer pep band playing.

They also have a nice restaurant/bar where I got a bowl of lobster bisque between games and they have some nice displays celebrating their football and basketball legacy including there 2003 Championship trophy.

I also enjoyed walking around the campus for a bit. They have a quality art gallery (the Shaffer) on campus and a lot of beautiful building and statues.

Around campus, they have an the Everson Museum Of Art which has one of the biggest collections of pottery in the world and the Armory Square which has a big grouping of restaurants and a great music store called the Soundgarden. If you ever get to the Syracuse area, it is a great place to get a bite to eat and take in a game and one of the best arenas in college sports.

This is a week with not a lot of music but here are a couple of shows going on in the area:

Thursday (2/02) - CJ Chenier & the Red Hot Louisiana Band @ PJ's (Ann Arbor), Frontier Ruckus @ the Ark, School Of Rock @ Emerald Theatre

Friday (2/03) - Prussia @ Pike Room

Have a good week.

Slander Cannon/Wereworm - Franks Power Plant

2012-01-30T18:54:00.003-05:00

Watching Slander Cannon and Wereworm at Franks Power Plant in Milwaukee on Saturday night, I felt like I was back at O’Cayz Corral in Madison, WI. I was re-living the good old days of indie music, seeing talented and educated bands like Slint, Volcano Suns, and Thin White Rope. Slander Cannon has been around for about 3 years and according to bassist Rob Sieracki, has played about six shows in the area. There were no signs of deterioration in their performance. After a jazzy instrumental opener, the band kicked into high sonic gear. Lead vocalist Joe Cannon is a cross between David Thomas and Tim Schwallie (Wovlerton Brothers, great Cincinnati band). His vocal style ranged from folk punk rock to pure Pere Ubu chaos during the “The Hostages are Bored”. This was inspiring jangly heartland rock and roll, melodic songs played with energy and a little angst. Wereworm is a four piece instrumental band also from Milwaukee. I hear some influences from Pylon, but the sound is heavier and deliberate. Songs build and build, taking you along for the ride while you wait for the musical explosion, which never happens, making you want more. You must check out these two promising Milwaukee bands this year. If you don’t, you will regret it.

Show review: MILLION DOLLAR QUARTET @ The Fisher Theater (currently playing)

2012-01-26T22:43:00.008-05:00

Attended by first ever show at Detroit's Fisher Theater on Wednesday night to catch the Broadway musical "MILLION DOLLAR QUARTET" which is currently on a National tour and in town till February 5.
Anyone who knows me is aware of my passion for music. And the core of great music to me is Rock and Roll. You can categorize, label, and put it in genres, but if it's good it's just plain Rock And Roll to me.

I've always been a fan of early originators of Rock and Roll whom four legendary ones are represented in "Million Dollar Quartet". "Million Dollar Quartet" is set on December 4, 1956, when an auspicious twist of fate brought Johnny Cash, Jerry Lee Lewis, Carl Perkins and Elvis Presley together. Sam Phillips, the “Father of Rock ‘n’ Roll” who was responsible for launching the careers of each icon, brought the four legendary musicians together at the Sun Records storefront studio in Memphis for the first and only time. The resulting evening became known as one of the greatest rock ‘n’ roll jam sessions in history.

The set design for the stage was very impressive. The majority of the show takes place in Sam Philips studio, control room, and just outside (for the occasional smoke, discussions, and run for drinks). It looked genuine and really transported me to a time that I love, but never got to experience.

The show starts with Sam Phillips (Christopher Ryan Grant) and Sun Records newly signed Jerry Lee Lewis (Martin Kaye). These two were my favorite of the entire show. Martin had Jerry's infamous hair and was a true character. I'm a big Jerry Lee Lewis fan and I can truthfully said he nailed it. And Christopher Ryan Grant should never be out of work for the rest of his life. The guy can act. I kept my eye on him for the entire show to see if I would see a break in character, but it never happened. So are all Broadway musical actors this good?

Slowly more of these early Rock and Roll pioneers come strolling into Sun Studios including Carl Perkins (Lee Ferris ). Johnny Cash (Derek Keeling), and Elvis Presley (Cody Slaughter). Elvis brings his girlfriend Dyanne (Kelly Lamont) (at the real session, Elvis' girlfriend was a dancer named Marilyn) along to the studio with him. Rounding out the musicians jamming are Fluke (Billy Shaffer) on drums and Jay Perkins (Chuck Zayas) on bass.
The musicians jam on their own songs, do cover tunes, and jam on each others tracks. Sam Phillips helped bring Rock and Roll to the masses. With that came money and the business aspect of the music industry which is represented in this show as well. Elvis at this point was mainstream and was a big success. He was craving the old days of being on a small label since he had left Sun for the monster label that was RCA. Johnny Cash was getting too big for Sun and was heading to Columbia Records which Sam Phillips was unaware of. Then you had Carl Perkins who was a great guitar player and writer, but mainstream success was always fleeting him. One case in point was when Elvis had a huge hit with the song "Blue Suede Shoes" which Carl wrote. And then there's Jerry Lee Lewis. A cocky newbie to Sun who could only foresee success in his future with Sun and he was right.

The legendary night is brought to life with a eclectic score of rock, gospel, R&B and country hits including "Sixteen Tons,” “Who Do You Love?,” “Great Balls of Fire,” “Matchbox,” “Folsom Prison Blues,” “Whole Lotta Shakin’ Goin’ On,” and more. Elvis' date Dyanne gets in the action as well and does a great version of Peggy Lee's “Fever”.
The sound was fantastic and the show was backed by great acting and musicians. The Sun Studios story was wrapped up with a actual picture of the four legends taken that night on December 4, 1956. I've been viewing that photo for years now and to see the cast posing below it in the exact setup surely made me feel the show was something special. It was as close I was going to be to that evening.

After that legendary tale was told, the studio set came up and a Vegas style stage show complete with a wall of lights behind the cast was revealed and each artist rocked out to some of their biggest hits after putting on their shiny sequined jackets of course.
I was mostly surrounded by people 20 to 30 years my senior who stood up from their seats during Elvis' "Hound Dog" and made it feel like a real rock show.

I can't recommend this show enough. Take your parents, or better yet take the children and school them in real music.
The Fisher Theatre is a fantastic venue with easy and free parking so what are you waiting for?
For more info on the "MILLION DOLLAR QUARTET" which is in Detroit till Feb. 5 please check out...http://www.broadwayindetroit.com

Show review (with live video) : WHO'S BAD: THE ULTIMATE MICHAEL JACKSON TRIBUTE @ The Magic Bag

2012-01-26T20:38:00.008-05:00

(photo by Rachel Lazere)

I was happily surprised at the near capacity crowd at the Magic Bag for WHO'S BAD: THE ULTIMATE MICHAEL JACKSON TRIBUTE last Friday because of the winter blast that fell upon the city that day that left the roads snow covered and treacherous. But Michael Jackson is so larger than life that people, myself included, will brave any conditions to hear the songs that made him the "King Of Pop".
The crowd was diverse as you could get. A true melting pot. From twenty something's to seniors, and even the Insane Clown Posse (sans makeup) were in attendance donning Michael Jackson apparel. The whole crowd was moving right from the start with the bands first song "Jam".
WHO'S BAD: THE ULTIMATE MICHAEL JACKSON TRIBUTE gives you the total Jackson live experience. It's a total live band. You have musicians playing the guitar, bass, drums, saxophone, and trumpet. And boy did the trumpet player ever move. I think the guy has jello in place of bones. The vocalist was fantastic. He kept the energy level high all night with fantastic dance moves to match his singing. It's not a easy task to match "the king", but he came as close as I've seen.
Songs spanned Michael's total career from the Jackson 5 to his solo material. From “I'll Be There” to “Billie Jean” to "Black or White".
The band also brought up audience members a few times during their set to dance and sing with them. The place felt bonded through the music. So much positive energy in the packed house. Michael Jackson's legacy exists with the songs that will never die. And I'm happy to see such a act bringing them on the road to perform live and giving them justice.

Words can only explain so much so please sit back and enjoy this live video I filmed of the band performing "Smooth Criminal"...

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Free Tickets: We Are The Ocean at the Pike Room

2012-01-25T22:52:00.000-05:00

We Are the Ocean

w/ The Swellers, and Twin Atlantic

Thursday, January 26th at the Pike Room in Pontiac

Doors open at 6, $10/12

Send an email to motorcityblog@earthlink.net

for you chance to win a pair of tickets

We Are the Ocean are a 5 piece post-hardcore band from Loughton, Essex, England. The band has played hundreds of shows since their formation, including several festivals during 2008 such as Slam Dunk, Offset Festival, Middlesbrough Music Live, and Taste of Chaos. They have supported bands such as You Me at Six, The Used, The Blackout, Fightstar, Funeral for a Friend, Underoath, Lostprophets and My American Heart, as well as playing alongside Kids in Glass Houses, From First to Last, The Medic Droid, Brigade, Saving Aimee, Tonight Is Goodbye and Furthest Drive Home. Their second album, Go Now And Live, will be released in the U.S. on February 28th.

REVIEW: No VI Chop House - "Around the World in 12 Days" by FIREFAR

2012-01-25T22:29:00.004-05:00

No.VI Chop House

Continuing our search for the best food and drinks in the Detroit area, MCB was invited to head over to world-renowned Matt Prentice’s No.VI Chop House for one of a series of wine pairing dinners called “Around The World in 12 Days”.

We could not have been more excited and our excitement was proven to be correct. Inside the Crowne Plaza Hotel, just a jump off I-696 at Novi Rd. is the loveliest steak house you would never expect. It is decorated beautifully and the staff is top notch, really the staff were incredibly kind, genuine and professional. Absolutely the best!

ON to the event:
Owner and remarkable winemaker Anne-Charlotte and brought her amazing wines of Chateau de la Font de Loup from Chateauneuf-du-Pape. Ann-Charlotte paired these with Executive Chef Jeremy Kalmus delectable 5 courses for an over the top taste extravaganza, to be blunt.

The first wine was a 2008 Blanc, a well balanced blend of citrus and fruit with a floral nose. A nice change from the usual chardonnay. Chef Jeremy served it with a succulent Sea Scallop atop black truffle risotto. C’est magnifique! Paired perfectly, a hit!

The second pairing featured a 2001 Chateaneuf-du-Pape , very pinot noir in flavor and color, it was warm and also a well balanced red wine. With this wine Chef Jeremy served the most popular Duck Confit Port Wine Demi and a foie gras apple sausage. This was for me the winner of the night, so tender, rich and very subtly smoky..I loved it!

After 2 more courses one of King Crab and one Smoked Short ribs (yum). Ann-Charlotte thoughtfully served 2 different years of the same wine together to point out the different flavors that result from the same vines, same location, different weather. Very interesting and it seems you can never stop learning about wine and wine making , that is the draw.

Our final course, dessert of course. This was my partner’s favorite. I complained that we should have a final course of cheese like the sophisticates in Europe do but I have to say Chef Jeremy really put a lot of effort into the salted caramels, chocolate mousse and pea nutty lacy cup things and they had good taste as well as a pretty landscape on a plate.

The dessert wine was a 2007 LePuy Roland – nice!

I am sure with the night’s success these things will be happening more frequent. What a wonderful way to escape the winter blahs than with a fantastic and interesting food event in a romantic setting.

For more info please visit http://mattprenticerg.com/

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Waiting for Godard @ Museum of New Art

2012-01-24T20:08:00.001-05:00

Waiting for Godard @ Museum of New Art
is part of the series "My Life As A Film", in which Stig Eklund has explored the themes of love, fear, death, melancholia, and anxiety. He creates, or rather regards, things in a way that is different from that of other artists. He sees only the essential, and that, naturally, is all that he represents: A look, a small gesture, a kiss gone wrong, a shrug of shoulders.

For this reason Eklund's work is as a rule 'not complete', as people are at first so frustrated to discover. But, fill a room with a dozen of these 'paintings' or so, and one finds they are surprisingly complete. His complete vision of an incomplete world.

Art is finished once the artist has said everything that was on his mind, and this is precisely the advantage Eklund has over his fellow artists, that he really knows how to show us what he has felt, and what has gripped him, and to this he subordinates everything else.

- Jessica Hopkins, chief curator at the Museum of New Art

The Little Museum That Still Can...
In a young century dogged by instability and uncertainty, faith in the power of art is rekindled by the reopening of the Museum of New Art (MONA). The need for a contemporary museum in Detroit remains especially strong in view that the entrenched artistic circles continue to oppose such a truly active partner. Moving outside these circles, a small group of collectors and businessmen have stepped forward to support and retain this contemporary in the region.

The idea was to choose a city nearby Detroit that would have a fresh atmosphere and without the old politics. A small enough community where the museum could create an art scene which would be new and innovative, and yet still encompass the entire region.

As explained by director Jef Bourgeau: "We've never thought in small terms. We don't accept this notion of small. It's a museum on the human scale. I would say that is the ideal scale."

This new MONA vows to retain the museum's philosophy since its founding in 1996: that art's joy, power and creativity lie solely in the eyes, hearts, hands and minds of the generation that creates it.

The Museum of New Art (MONA) is located at 7 North Saginaw Street, Pontiac, Michigan - 2nd floor.
email: detroitmona@aol.com    telephone: 248.210.7560    website: www.detroitmona.com

THIS THURS: Detroit4Detroit Kickoff @ Green Dot Stables

2012-01-24T16:56:00.000-05:00

Detroit4Detroit

Launch at Green Dot Stables

2200 W. Lafayette Blvd.
Detroit, MI 48216

Thursday 26 January, 6pm-8.30pm

Join Detroit4Detroit on Thursday, January 26th at Green Dot Stables as we celebrate the launch of our new initiative to impact the city we love! We'll be joined by our Detroit partner organizations, local advisors and citizen leaders.

Details and tickets here!

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THIS FRI: Robert Gordon feat. Chris Spedding @ Magic Bag

2012-01-24T15:40:00.000-05:00

ROBERT GORDON featuring CHRIS SPEDDING

with The Reckless Ones

Magic Bag

22920 Woodward, Ferndale

Friday, January 27 - Doors 8pm - $20

Rockabilly legend Robert Gordon returns to the Magic Bag with guitarist Chris Spedding (of Roxy Music) in tow for an unforgettable night of music. If you like your music wild, fast and hard, then the Bag is the place to be. Slick back your hair, put on your cool cat clothes and make the scene! As a special treat, the Reckless Ones open the show. Plenty of tickets still available!

Check out this great clip of Robert performing on the Conan O'Brien show (with Detroiters Greasy Carlisi and Todd Glass in the band).

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FREE TICKETS: Dirty Show 13/ Feb 10- 18/ Bert's Warehouse

2012-01-24T11:16:00.003-05:00

It's lucky 13 for the Dirty Show this year,

as one of the largest Erotic Art exhibits of it's kind in the world,

and not to mention the BIGGEST art event in Detroit,

as it lands upon Bert's Warehouse for it's 6^th year in a row.

The Dirty show has passed from a Detroit Valentines Day tradition into a bona fide ritual.

In 13 years The Dirty Show has also become the world's largest Erotic Art and Performance event of its kind. With no less than 300 national and international artists displaying hundreds of erotic works in all mediums, priced anywhere from $10 to $10,000. Starting locally but expanding globally, some of the Artist's who have shown at Dirty over the last 12 years sounds like a who's who of both Detroit-and the world art community.

This years highlights include-

- 'The Operation' a film by Jacob Pander and Marne Lucas garnered Best Experimental Film – 1995 by NY Underground Film Festival is an erotic film shot entirely in infrared and transcends it from simply an erotic work, to a work of art via it's unique perspective.

The Operation is rarely screened, so it's not to be missed.

http://www.theoperationmovie.com/

- Best Of The Northwest- by the Seattle Erotic Art Festival- Bringing in the best erotic art from The Pacific Northwest, The Seattle Erotic Art Festival curates a select group offering of some of the best erotic art in America. www.seattleerotic.org

- S.W.E.A.T. - Society of Women in Erotic Art Today offers an all-female collective of photographers, fine artists and performance art and women's multi dimensional role in the semiotics of eroticism. http://www.sweatartists.com/

- Honey Bunny Burlesque- A ribald African American Burlesque troupe that will be making their first appearance at Dirty Show 13.

Noteworthy Artists who have exhibited at Dirty Show-

H.R. Giger (Alien), Clive Barker (Hellraiser), Eric Kroll, Colin Christian, Bunny Yeager, Jill Greenberg, Shawn Barber, and Steve Canaday are but a handful of the international names that have shown at Dirty Show. Locally the artist list is equally impressive; Mark Dancey, Camilo Pardo, Glenn Barr, Niagara, Russell Keeter, Tom Thewes, Jerome Ferretti and Pablo Davis, (who at 95 is one of the longest working artists in the world).

Culturally, It's become more than an erotic art exhibit, or innovative performance art testing ground, it has evolved into an incredible, uninhibited social experience. It's an event where the attendees become as much a work of erotic art as the images upon the walls. The sexy reconstruction of both Theatre and even Opera, prove that The Dirty Show isn't only about exhibiting "dirty pictures", it's become about the blurring of both genres and perceptions, moving the erotic arts into new and otherwise, traditional art forms.

Photos Credits:

" N. Gornik"- Marne Lucas

"Juliet" - Patricia Izzo

DETAILS-

Friday & Saturday, February 10-11 7PM to 2AM - 21 and over only

Sunday, February 12 Noon- 5PM 18 and over

Tuesday, February 14^th (Valentines Day) 7PM till 1AM

Friday & Saturday, February 17 -18 – 7PM to 2AM - 18 and over

Tickets $20 Advance $25 at the Door

Advance tickets online at http://www.dirtyshow.org/ and at local outlets

Bert's Warehouse Theatre

2739 Russell Street

Detroit, MI 48207-2614

(313) 393-3233

For more information

www.dirtyshow.org

Want to win some free tickets to Dirty Show 13? we will be raffling them off as part of our upcoming fundraiser for the Michigan Humane Society...click the link below for more details

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UPCOMING: Pretty Things Peepshow - Smalls Hamtramck - Sat Feb 4th

2012-01-24T11:05:00.000-05:00

Smalls

10339 Conant Street

Hamtramck, MI 48212-3143

(313) 873-1117

http://www.smallsbardetroit.com/

Date: Saturday February 4, 2012

Time: Doors open at 8:00pm Show starts at 9:00pm

Ticket Price: $10 advanced $12 at the door

Pretty Things Peepshow: www.prettythingspeepshow.com

Listen to Eddy Price’s music: www.thempires.bandcamp.com

The Pretty Things Peepshow is a girly road show that features a bevy of beauties who breath life into the amazing acts of yesteryear. In this show no 2 acts, or 2 ladies are the same. The talented cast includes Sexy Sideshow Siren and host of the MTV Iggy show Miss Heather Holliday, The Midget of Mischief Lil Miss Firefly, The Professional Provocateur go-go Amy, The Dapper Dan of Danger Donny Vomit and the Rockabilly Road Warrior Eddy Price performing their unique blend of sideshow, burlesque and rockabilly known as Broadville entertainment. Joining The Pretty Things Peepshow on stage will be local guest stars The Detroit Dizzy Dames.

ACTS:

Sword Swallowing

Knifes or Chainsaws Juggling

Whip Cracking

Electric Chair

Straight Jacket Escape

Glass Walking

Animal Traps

Human Blockhead

Burlesque

Live Music

Knife Throwing

Chinese Execution Blade Box

Drag

And More!

CREDITS:

350+ tour dates and counting.

OZZFEST with Motley Crue, Rob Halford and Ozzy Osborne

Harley Davidson’s Thunder in the Rockies Festival with Foreigner

The Reaperbahn Festival - Hamburg, Germany

Wintersun Festival - Australia

Heather Holliday is currently the host of the MTV Iggy show http://www.mtviggy.com/

As individual performers some of the troupe’s more notable accomplishments include:

The Coney Island Circus Sideshow -Brooklyn, NY

Ripley’s Believe It Or Not - Time Square, New York City

Vans Warped Tour

OZZFest

West Coast Riot & Metal Town Music Festivals – Sweden

Freaks Oshea’s Casino on the Vegas Strip

They have also appeared in music videos for:

The Red Hot Chili Peppers

Tommy Stinston (Guns and Roses)

50 Cent

Rick Ross

Reverend Patton and his Big Damn Band

Television appearances include:

Miami Ink

The Girls Next Door

The Colbert Report

Cake Boss

http://www.prettythingspeepshow.com/

www.twitter.com/prettythingsps

http://www.facebook.com/pages/Prettythingsproductions

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UPCOMING: Modern Skate Park Presents Bitter Cold Showdown XII

2012-01-24T10:58:00.002-05:00

Modern Skate Park Presents Bitter Cold Showdown XII

Inline Industry's Largest Competition and Trade Show

From Feb. 23-25, the Royal Oak Modern Skate Park invites rollerbladers, trade companies and professionals to one of the biggest contests in the rollerblade community, Bitter Cold Showdown XII. All ages are welcome, but competitors under 18 must fill out a Modern Skate Park waiver and competitors are required to wear a helmet.

Starting Thursday, the rollerblade session will run from 9:30 p.m. to midnight for $7. The contest will continue on Friday with an industry meeting at 6 p.m., competitor practice and warm-up from 8-9:30 p.m., Bitter Cold Showdown qualifications from 9:30-10:30 p.m. and a late night session from 10:30-1 a.m. Saturday will begin with the official industry trade show from noon-3:30 p.m. The amateur Bitter Cold Showdown contest will begin at 3:30 p.m., followed by the professional contest at 6 p.m. The night will end with a final skate session from 9 p.m.-midnight. Admission is free for spectators on Friday, and $15 on Saturday.

The Bitter Cold Showdown was organized in 2011 by a group of bladers who wanted to strengthen and expand the rollerblading community. In 2009 it became a part of the World Rolling Series, which also focuses on the growth, global recognition and promotion of rollerblading. The Bitter Cold Showdown has become one of the largest events for sponsors, companies, professionals and rollerbladers to share and celebrate the passion of rollerblading.

Modern Skate Park- http://www.modernskate.com/modernskate/default.asp
Bitter Cold Showdown XII - http://www.bittercoldshowdown.com/2012/
Bitter Cold Showdown XII Promo - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=62d0n0kd6oI
Bitter Cold Showdown & WRS TV Pilot - http://www.wrstv.com/

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Wild At Heart

2012-01-23T17:28:00.002-05:00

Wild Bill Ketelhut provides the "blog" to this anti-blog

Wild At Heart

Hope everyone had a good weekend. A lot of fun sports with NFL play-offs and college basketball and hockey. One nice thing about where I am is that there are a lot of local colleges where you can get cheap or free access to sports. I caught some RIT men’s and women’s basketball this weekend as they beat the crap out of Bard and got schooled by Vassar. I also went to a Razorshark game, which is a lower level of professional basketball, and capped it all off with 2 RIT women’s hockey games against Buffalo State hopefully allowing RIT to remain at #2 in the country. I tried to get some good pics but my camera doesn’t always allow great distance shots with a lot of movement. My clear pictures were pretty bland and my action shots were blurry though I did get this:

Hope that works for you, and yes, this is an awesome woman’s team. They hosted the tournament last year and lost in the finals. They are fast and exciting. The best play this weekend was in the second game when they were up 2-1 and Buffalo had them in a 5-4 power play. We got the puck on their side of the blue line, pulled our goalie for a 5-on-5 with an open net and scored a goal to go up 3-1. Watching these girls play proves that the girls are just as good as the guys sometimes. The main difference is fewer fights and body checks, not to say they don’t happen. In the 2 games, there was one big fight and two body checks that stopped the game for a bit.

RIT is in itself a nice campus which is fun to walk around with various art galleries, displays of famous alumni and their inventions/contributions (it is a very high technology oriented school) and they have a lot of events the public can enjoy. The school is also one of the premiere schools for the deaf having. It is not uncommon to walk around and see big groups of students using sign language and the even have one art gallery dedicated mostly to the work of hearing-impaired artists. This month the upstairs was dedicated to various hearing-impaired students while the downstairs has an exhibit dedicated to Francis Marion Tuttle. Tuttle (1839-1911) lived is the Geneva, NY area and became deaf either at birth or at a very young age. He painted mostly landscapes and portraits and commanded a good price for his work at the times, having paintings selling for up to $1,000 a piece which was very good at that time period. While mostly unknown today, RIT can permission from the Geneva historical society to display his work in the first ever exhibition of his work outside his hometown of Geneva. I am not a huge fan of portrait art but I did enjoy many of the landscapes. If you know anyone who is hearing-impaired, or if you are yourself, this is a great area that is very supportive and has a level of culture around artists with similar traits. I am always amazed by some of the work that comes out of that college. If you ever get in this area, it is something to check out.

Not much else going on. Here are a few concerts to recommend, esp the Ann Arbor Folk Festival this Friday and Saturday which I really enjoyed the last three years I was in Detroit:

Tuesday (1/24) - Carrie Rodriquez @ the Ark

Thursday (1/26) - Swellers @ Pike Room

Friday (1/27) - Ryan Adams @ Hill Auditorium (Ann Arbor Folk Festival)

Saturday (1/28) - Emmylou Harris @ Hill Auditorium (Ann Arbor Folk Festival), Joe Reilly @ Varner Recital Hall (Oakland University), Sponge @ Emerald Theatre, Morris Day & the Time @ Andiamo's Celebrity Showroom (Warren)

Monday (1/30) - Raphael Saadiq opens for Lenny Kravitz @ Fillmore Theatre, Augustana @ Blind Pig

I’ll leave you with a video by Raphael Saadiq, a lively artist that should be seen. I saw him at the theatre in Hockeytown and he blew me away with the richness of his voice and the energy he has onstage.

Nagging Reminder: Detroit Derby Girls This Saturday

2012-01-20T23:24:00.006-05:00

The Detroit Derby Girls' Fourth Bout of the Season

Saturday, January 21

Detroit Pistoffs vs. The Pistolwhippers.

Doors open at 6 p.m., bout starts at 7.

All tickets $15, up to two children under 12 admitted free with each adult admission.

Tickets will be available at the door

I had the chance to get some pre-bout analysis from the Pistoffs' Captain, Kraken Whips

Detroit Area Dork: Do you think there was a lot of expectations on your team when the season started, being the returning champs and all?
Kraken Whips: Oh yeah of course, but what people didn't realize is we lost some teammates to their real lives, and on top of that we picked up a ton of rookies. So we weren't the exact same team everyone saw at the 2011 Championships. We also had some [Travel Team] vets that took a hard loss very recently at the WFTDA regionals. The Pistoffs had a lot of "pulling ourselves up by our bootstraps" type scenarios before the bout came. We were as prepared as we could have been at that point, and I think we did great.
Detroit Area Dork: What did you take away from the last bout in light of losing by only one point?
Kraken Whips: We really had to swallow our big girl pills on that. There is something to be said about only one point in derby. If ya ask me that's pretty much a wash. It made me realize if we can go through all the changes we were going through and still make D-Funk sweat then we have a really great team!
Detroit Area Dork: What role do you think penalties played in your last bout?
Kraken Whips: Well, the officials have been going through drastic changes as well, so they've had to train new members and some of the things that came up on the track that day,... I don't know that they were ready for that. A lot of stuff wasn't called on both sides and a lot of silly stuff was called on both sides too, so again it was a wash in that respect as well. I will tell you we've been working very hard to not pull penalties. We want a clean and effective game next round.
Detroit Area Dork: What do you think The Pistolwhippers' greatest assets are?
Kraken Whips: Oh boy, they have a lot of really solid players, they have fast Jammers and hard hitting blockers, all the things that make a team great, they shall be worthy opponents.
Detroit Area Dork: When going up against a team that gets a lot of penalties like The Pistolwhippers, do you alter your strategies a bit to take advantage of that?
Kraken Whips: I don't know that they get any more penalties than we do, but I will say that we don't try to bait them into penalties. We are more concerned with not racking up our own penalties. Penalties in derby are much different than other sports, for instance when you are watching hockey you can see the intent clearly most of the time. With derby the floor could be too slippery you fall and suddenly you are going to the box for a major low block. You just never know what you'll get called for, but if you never get any calls it just means you aren't working. So a little bit is okay, it doesn't mean you play dirty it simply means you're trying something new.

Wild At Heart - Birthday trip to Royal Ontario Museum (mayan Exhibit) and TIFF (Otherworldly exhibit)

2012-01-20T15:45:00.005-05:00

Wild Bill Ketelhut provides the "blog" to this anti-blog

Wild At Heart

Just celebrated by birthday this week by going to my favorite local restaurant, Nick’s Sea Breeze Inn for their Italian buffet and then went to see the movie “Immortals” (a big disappointment) before heading home to a power outage which took out the lights. Despite such a humble day, I did enjoy the weekend.

I started out by catching Sass Jordan in concert. It was a brief show but really high powered. She had a great set of lungs and put on an awesome show. Here is a picture of her afterwards signing autographs.

After this I went to my hotel which left a bit to be desired. I went through my Entertainment book and got a really good deal on a Knights Inn. The room cost me about $24 which is a great deal for any room nowadays. While I just wanted a place to crash, I also wanted to watch the end of the Patriots/Broncos game but the TV didn’t work and the front desk clerk wouldn’t change my room. It was also the first hotel I ever stayed at that didn’t offer a wake-up call. However, it was a comfortable bed and I did some reading and luckily woke up early to take advantage of a continental breakfast. Nothing special, just juice, toast and muffins and a working TV to watch the news.

I also learned that while the Megabus offers really good rates to travel if you are looking for a one way trip or somewhere week long. Trying to use it for a stay over trip can make for a hectic trip esp trying to places not on the line. Toronto is a nice city to go to with all the mass transit nearby but Rochester isn’t. That is something to take into account when booking trips with them. I got $15 round trip by booking early enough so definitely a money saver but would have liked earlier departure and later leave times.

I started my day early at the Royal Ontario Museum for their new Mayan exhibit. I took the subway which is a great way to travel in Toronto. I especially like the way the museum stop is decorated as shown below.

If you are not familiar with the ROM, it is one of the nicest museums in this part of the country. Only the Smithsonian in DC and the Henry Ford in Detroit come close (maybe the Field in Chicago would also compare).

I got my tickets and headed for the exhibit which is in the basement level. The Mayan culture is very unique to me due to the mixture of modern culture and god worship. There is something very intriguing and mysterious about such a powerful culture that worshiped animals, had bloody sports and some strong architecture. They have one of the most interesting styles of writing in the world through their glyphs and were very advanced with mathematics and astrology among other things. Despite all there advances, they were brought down by a mix Spanish invaders, ecological disasters (including droughts) and other divergent forces. No one knows for sure what the biggest contributor was, but such a magnificent society was brought down. The culture has left a major impact on the culture of South America and Mexico while today’s Mayans struggle to find place in this world.

To me, their ancient civilization is second on my list only to that of mythical Atlantis. The idea of these massive palaces and temples located in a jungle setting similar to a Tarzan movie set with jaguars and other exotic animals mixed with essentially a tribal dressed population with brillant colors and designs just combines the best of all my favorite worlds. The exhibit contains a nicely laid out path through the various aspects of the Mayan culture. My favorite sections dealt with how we deciphered their ancient glyphs (each glyph represents different letters, moods and ideas and went undeciphered for 200 years), their ball courts (got to love any sporting event where the losers could be sacrificed) and the many aspects of death in Mayan society. Most of the exhibition’s objects (around 250 items) have been hand selected from numerous Mexican museums in the Yucatan Peninsula region where the Maya mainly lived, while a few are from the ROM’s own collection.

I’m sure the exhibit will get a lot of traffic this year from people who are caught up in the 2012 doom prophecy from the Mayan calendar. Of course, there are Mayan dates recorded after 2012 so I’m not sure who would be around for those events but you can learn more about it at the exhibit. They also have a lecture series you can attend and if you want more about the end of the world, check out their Monday, March 19th lecture “The End of Time: The Maya Mystery of 2012” by Colgate University professor of Astrology and Anthropology Anthony Aveni. The Tuesday lecture is sold out so hurry and sign up if this interests you. The info can be found on their webiste http://www.rom.on.ca so hurry.

Along with the Mayan exhibit, I also strolled through the museum. The museum was hosting a celebration of the Chinese New Year the day I was there so I took in some Tai Chi exhibitions, sampled teas, listened to the Toronto Chinese Orchestra and other themed events which were quite fun.

Around 2005, they added an addition which you can see on the pictures above called “Crystal” by Michael Lee-Chin. Added to the front, this allowed them to protect the historical aspect of many of the exhibits but giving them a lot more room for new exhibits and bringing some stuff out of storage. I always enjoyed their classic Roman period rooms, the native Canadian heritage area as well as numerous other permanent exhibits. However, it the new area, I really enjoyed the dinosaur exhibit. The exhibits has a bunch of actual skeletons and molds on display. The picture below shows one such denizen of the gallery with a sign that shows how much of the skeleton is real bone and how much is casts to make a complete show piece.

I like that since you really know what you are looking at. Here are a few more pictures from that area that I enjoy.

I also enjoyed the expanded African and island culture exhibits in the “Crystal” 3 floor area which are beautilly arranged. I can imagine spending a whole day in the building and probably would have if I wasn’t on a tight schedule. I did manage to spend some time for a quick bite on their 5th floor restaurant called the c5 Restaurant Lounge. I tried a stuufed pepper dish (seen below) from there themed Mayan menu. I was a bit disappointed they were not cooking traditional Mayan food but just Latin-inspired choices, like tamales and tacos, but it was still a tasty dish. The menu does change daily and you can see the menu online.

After my lunch snack, I left the ROM wishing I had more time. The Mayan exhibit was wonderful so give yourself a good hour and ½ to 2 hours to go through and enjoy it. This is the type of exhibit worth traveling for and if you have never been to the ROM, it is definitely a museum you will want to take in. I am working on an interview to be published shortly on this blog with one of the members of the ROM so keep an eye out for it.

Notice, even the bike racks outside the ROM are cool.

A couple of subway stops south is the entertainment district which house the TIFF (Toronto International Film Festival). I saw the inaugaral exhibit last year with Tim Burton and their Grace Kelly exhibit is just ending this weekend. I was here for their free exhibition on Canadian costume designers entitled “Otherworldly: The Art Of Canadian Costume Design”. The exhibit is focused on the horror and sci-fi/fantasy films and covers an interesting group of movies from the uber-cool “Orphan” and “Splice” to the not so cool “Ginger Snaps 3” and Johnny Mneumonic”.

Still, despite the merits of the movies, even films like “Repo! The Gentic Opera” have some cool costume work despite lack of appeal to mainstream audiences.

The biggest area was probably for the Terry Gilliam film “the Imaginarium of Doctor Parnassus” which is know as the last film of Heath Ledger. Upon his death, Gilliam brought in Jude Law, Colin Frith and Johnny Depp to shoot his unfinished scenes and we had numerous costumes, including Depp’s clown outfit on display.

Overall, while a small exhibit, they have some nice stuff on display. They also have costumes from “Saw VI”, “The Thing”, “Skinwalkers” and “Bulletproof Monk” (see below). If you enjoy costumes or cult sci-fi movies, this is definitely a side trip you will want to check out.

The exhibit runs thru to March and fantasy fans might want to go up on March 12th to see “Game Of Thrones” writer George R R Martin who will be given a tlk at the facility. They do tend to get a lot of celebrities to stop by. The day after I was in town, they had my babe Juliette Lewis doing a talk so make sure to check out the “In Conversation With…” section before planning your trip.

Also, special thanks to Recchia Pimentel for the press photos of this exhibit.

They are running a feast of Eastern Bloc Science Fiction films over the next few months with popular films like “Solarus” and “Stalker” to lesser known films like “In The Dust Of the Stars”, “The Silent Star” and “Ferat Vampire” that will be a treat to science fiction fans going to see this exhibit. Check out their web page for movie and exhibit hours, http://www.torontointernationalfilmfestival.ca/ when in town.

Across the street from the TIFF are some great restaurants and this time I checked out Hush for dinner. Prices average just shy of $20 here and I tried the Seafood Linguine which has lobster, shrimp and and various vegetables over, what else, linguine. I have yet to be disappointed by any of these places in this area and would so far recommend them all. You can check out the menu at http://www.hushrestaurants.ca/ and know you are getting a good meal.

To summarize the weekend in Toronto, feel free to look for good discounts in Toronto. The Detroit Entertainment books website has good discounts all over the country for hotels. For travel, you can drive or fly, but also have options for train and mega bus which could save you money, esp for a long trip. Toronto has great mass transit including subway and trolley for getting to the best attractions in the city. The Royal Ontario Museum is someplace you need at least a day to see and the Mayan Exhibit is well worth it. The TIFF is a great place for film fans and run many great movies and exhibits for the film enthusiast. They are also across the street from some excellent dining. Toronto is one of my favorite destinations and I wish I was a few hours closer because I would practically live there if I could. Hope you find this useful and enjoy you weekend.

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UPCOMING: Thomas Dolby! 4 April @ ROMT

2012-01-20T12:59:00.001-05:00

I see a lot of shows -- a lot of really good shows. But one of the highlights of the past few years was seeing Thomas Dolby at the ROMT; my first time ever. Thomas Dolby (along with Gary Numan, DEVO, and the like) were hugely influential in my formative teenage years. Who my age(ish) can ever forget "She Blinded Me With Science," which seemed to be one of the only four videos MTV had in its fledgling months? That video more than probably anything else cemented -- if not created -- my love of twitchy, nerdish, bespectacled men. These days, of course, Thomas Dolby is to be recognized for much MUCH more than a few extremely radio-friendly early new wave ditties. He's a brilliantly talented musician, inventor, and innovator, as can be seen in his latest work, A Map of the Floating City, which merges interactivity, social networking, and tech, along with his unmistakable musical style, and a voice that makes me light up every single time I hear it.

Oh, and let's not fail to mention, my beloved moppy-haired gangly Brit boy has matured into a squeaky-bald, intense-eyed, grinning technonaut, just when I thought I couldn't love him more.

It's something to say that at that show in Royal Oak, jaded lil'ol'me smashed up to the front, waiting for The Man to begin. Happy, but not carrying a huge burden of expectations, when Dolby hit the first synth notes, my knees buckled, my stomach filled with butterflies, and I bounced off my feet like a 12 year old girl. Squealing and beaming, I apologized to the woman in front of me for losing my shit, while the friend who was with me -- who had known me for a decade -- looked at me with surprised disbelief.

I wonder if lightning can strike me twice. I'd be a fool not to get out there and find out.

(Photo credit: Thomas Dolby by Arthur Mouratidis, courtesy of Wikimedia Commons)

Thomas Dolby: The Time Capsule Tour

Royal Oak Music Theatre

314 W. 4th St., Royal Oak

Wednesday, 4/4/12 7:00PM EDT

Buy Tickets

Video Games - E3 2012 - AOTS Exclusive

Find A Floating City here.

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Battle of the Dragons vs Legendary Creatures - Magic Stick Detroit - Fri 1/20

2012-01-20T10:24:00.000-05:00

Despite the frigid cold you can feel the heat tonight at the Majestic Complex....Get warmed up with The Battle of the Dragons at the Majestic Theatre and once your hot and bothered check out Legendary Creatures at the Magic Stick

Get all the details here
http://majesticdetroit.com/2011/12/16/battle-of-the-dragons/
http://majesticdetroit.com/2012/01/02/legendary-creatures/

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Opening Reception of Working Towards Invisible - Marygrove College - Sun 1/22/2012 1-4pm

2012-01-20T10:01:00.001-05:00

An Exhibition of Installation Artists Premieres on Sunday, January 22nd, 2012 and runs through March 2nd, 2012

Working Towards Invisible

Mark Rumsey Ann Chuchvara Maureen Nollette
Sunday, January 22nd 2012 to Friday, March 2nd, 2012
Opening Reception: January 22, 2012 1 to 4 P.M. The Gallery, 4th Floor

The show includes three Michigan based artists - Ann Chuchvara, Maureen Nollette, and Mark Rumsey presenting collaborative installations throughout The Gallery and The Beyond Words Gallery. Brought together by a commonality of working and conceptual processes, each artist adopts a a form of repetition and pattern to create site-specific installations. Despite varied motivations to produce; the work is concerned with the action of making as well as the temporary nature of the work itself.

Maureen Nollette
Mark Rumsey
Ann Chuchvara

Marygrove College

Division of Visual and Performing Arts
8425 West McNichols
Detroit, Mi 48221

Four at PCCA - Friday 1/20/2012

2012-01-19T20:27:00.001-05:00

Four: Evelyn Bachorski-Bowman, Lynn Galbreath,

Cristin Richard and Sioux Trujillo

January 20 February 17

Reception Friday, January 20, 7 9 pm

Paint Creek Center for the Arts presents a group show featuring works by four exceptional artists. Evelyn Bachorski-Bowman, Lynn Galbreath, Cristin Richard and Sioux Trujillo all work in different media, with distinctive, personal approaches to their respective materials.

Evelyn Bachorski-Bowman (Milford, MI) earned her Master of Fine Arts degree at Wayne State University. Over the course of her career, she has taught figurative sculpture, worked as a medical sculptor and as an automotive Chief Designer at Ford Motor Company. She now focuses full time on her studio art. Her sculpture series "Portraits of a Soul" is a group of emotive sculptures that uses raw, textured plaster and encaustic to depict the emotional state of her subject.

Lynn Galbreath (Bloomfield Hills, MI) teaches painting, drawing and design at Oakland University. She earned her Master of Fine Arts degree at Wayne State University. Lynn has been awarded a number of grants and awards, including a Creative Artist Grant from the Arts Foundation of Michigan and an Individual Artist Grant from Michigan Council for the Arts. She has exhibited her work nationally and internationally. For this show, Lynn will present drawings from two bodies of work. "Eccentric Objects" is an ongoing series of mixed media drawings on mylar, set within three dimensional constructions. "Talk" is a series that utilizes graphite, gold leaf and metallic markers on paper, with associated found objects. Both series reference humanitarian and social issues the artist is concerned with.

Cristin Richard (Detroit, MI) is a graduate of the College for Creative Studies. She recently completed a residency and solo show at La Découpe in Paris, France. She has exhibited her work extensively in solo and group shows. Cristin was nominated as a Kresge Eminent Artist in 2008. She works primarily with hog and sheep casings, creating wearable sculptures and installations that draw on her interest in fashion and the body. Her translucent dress sculptures manage a fine balance between tough and ethereal, eerie and graceful. In discussing her work, she says "the skin-like medium becomes a loaded metaphor which speaks to the human condition, while creating an underlying narrative on materialism and over indulgence."

Sioux Trujillo (Detroit, MI) earned her Bachelor of Fine Arts degree from the College for Creative Studies. She has worked in the Detroit art community for 13 years, as an artist and administrator. Sioux has received numerous awards and grants for her mixed media works, and was awarded the Joyce Fellowship for Emerging Leaders of Color. She is a 2009 Kresge Artist Fellow and the recipient of a Michigan Educational Grant. Sioux has exhibited her work nationally and internationally and is instrumental in bringing artists and communities together through her work as Assistant Director of community + public arts: Detroit. Her work for this show is a fiber based installation that incorporates multi-colored threads, felt, and fiber objects.

Please join us in celebrating these four accomplished artists at an opening reception on Friday, January 20^th, 7:00 9:00 pm.

Admission to the opening and the exhibit are free and open to the public.

www.pccart.org

This Saturday: Detroit Derby Girls at The Masonic Temple

2012-01-19T19:06:00.000-05:00

The Detroit Derby Girls' Fourth Bout of the Season

Saturday, January 21

Detroit Pistoffs vs. The Pistolwhippers.

Doors open at 6 p.m., bout starts at 7.

All tickets $15, up to two children under 12 admitted free with each adult admission.

Advance tickets can be bought at Brown Paper Tickets

NEXT MONTH: Cinematic Titanic @ ROMT

2012-01-19T16:01:00.001-05:00

I can't recommend this show enough, or enough times -- I've probably written more Cinematic Titanic posts than for any other single event, including one full-bore DC-in-Detroit column. When you go to the show, bring your favorite memorabilia -- or buy some there -- and meet the guys for autographs after the show. They love their fans and will make sure to meet every one of 'em.

Cinematic Titanic

featuring

The Original Cast of Mystery Science Theater 3000
Royal Oak Music Theater
318 West 4th Street, Royal Oak, MI

Saturday Feb 25

Two Shows, Two Movies!

Astral Factor (7pm) & Doomsday Machine (10pm)
BUY TIX HERE

CINEMATIC TITANIC is the feature-length movie riffing show from the creator and original cast of MYSTERY SCIENCE THEATER 3000. Like MST3K, the show was created by JOEL HODGSON and features the same team that first brought the Peabody award winning cult-classic series to life: TRACE BEAULIEU (Crow, Dr. Forrester), J. ELVIS WEINSTEIN (Tom Servo, Dr. Erhardt), FRANK CONNIFF (TV's Frank), and MARY JO PEHL (Pearl Forrester). Cinematic Titanic continues the tradition of riffing on 'the unfathomable', 'the horribly great', and the just plain 'cheesy' movies from the past.

Founded in late 2007, Cinematic Titanic is an artist-funded, and artist-owned and operated venture. With eleven feature-length DVDs (available in our store) and an ever-growing schedule of live shows, the CT crew is reconnecting with MSTies around the world as well as bringing new fans to the comedy art form first introduced by this group 20 years ago on television.

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THIS WKEND: Epic Confusion

2012-01-18T13:06:00.002-05:00

Epic ConFusion
January 20-22, 2012
Detroit Marriott-Troy
200 W. Big Beaver
Troy, MI 48084

ConFusion is a fan-run science fiction and fantasy convention held annually in the Detroit area.

By day we have panel discussions, presentations, concerts, and lots of really interesting people to hang out and chat with. By night we have parties, costumes, a dance, and lots of really interesting people to hang out and chat with. Sound like your cup of tea?

Registration will be available at the door!

Check the schedule of events!

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UPCOMING: Motor City Nightmares 2012; 27-29 April

2012-01-18T11:07:00.000-05:00

Motor City Nightmares
Detroit Horror Convention
April 27 - 29, 2012

Sheraton Detroit Novi
 21111 Haggerty Road
Novi, MI 48375 
CONTACT
motorcitynightmares@gmail.com

Join us April 27 - 29, 2012, at the Sheraton in Novi, Michigan for the Motor City Nightmares Weekend, brought to you by Skull House Pictures. You may not have heard of Skull House Pictures (but you know their work from past great films and events); they are the team of moviemakers from Detroit that have given you the ANNUAL Fright Night Double Features (partnered with Emagine Theaters), the films Exit 33, Born Of Earth, The Remake, The Lurking Terror, Mr. Jingles, Biker Zombies From Detroit, and Writer’s Block. Their films Little Red Devil, They Must Eat, Jingles the Clown, and The Evil Offspring are now available on Amazon.com.

Skull House Pictures is once again bringing you Detroit's ONLY horror / independent film convention.

Skull House Pictures has a passion for everything that is dark and subversive and this conference will be no different. They have tons of events, presentations and guests available to the die-hard horror fans. We look forward to seeing you at the Motor City Nightmares Weekend of Horrors in April.

For more on the producers, visit http://www.skullhousepictures.com

SCHEDULED GUESTS INCLUDE

DOUG BRADLEY
Hellraiser, Nightbreed, Book of Blood

SID HAIG
House of 1000 Corpses, Devil's Rejects, Creature, Spider Baby

JONATHAN BRECK
Jeepers Creepers, Jeepers Creepers 2

KANE HODDER
Friday the 13th Sequels, Hatchet, Hatchet 2

WILLIAM FORSYTHE
The Devil's Rejects, Rob Zombie's Halloween, The Rock

FELISSA ROSE
Sleepaway Camp

DEBBIE ROCHON
Scream Queen Royalty

TIFFANY SHEPIS
Scream Queen Royalty

KYRA SCHON
Night of the Living Dead

DEE WALLACE
The Howling, The Frighteners

TONY TODD
Candyman, Hatchet, Final Destination

JOHN RUSSO
Night of the Living Dead, Return of the Living Dead

GEORGE KOSANA
Night of the Living Dead

The Ded Dave Show

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UPCOMING: KOFFIN KATS "Our Way & The Highway" CD Release Show- Sat. Jan. 21 at Woodruff's

2012-01-18T02:18:00.003-05:00

KOFFIN KATS "Our Way & The Highway" CD Release Show hits Woodruff's in Ypsilanti on Saturday, January 21

The lineup for this show is:

KOFFIN KATS

THE GODDAMN GALLOWS

ARROGANT BASTARDS

ROCK AND RUMMAGE

Woodruff's is located at
36 East Cross Street, Ypsilanti, MI 48198

Doors at 9PM
Music starts at 10PM
This show is 18+
$10.00 at the door

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"Green Day's American Idiot" Review by Peter Schorn

2012-01-18T00:41:00.001-05:00

Any lingering doubts that bratty punky rockers Green Day had totally "sold out" were erased when word that their 2004 album American Idiot had been turned into a Broadway musical in 2010. Sure, The Clash had an album called Live on Broadway, but this was GREEN DAY having their songs performed on Broadway. Winner of two Tony Awards (for lighting and scenic design) and nominated for Best Musical, it marked the end of a long journey from Gilman Street to the Great White Way. Now it's at the Detroit Opera House (culture!) from January 17-22, 2012. Would you be an idiot to miss it or brainwashed by the new media if you see it? Read on...

Pop music converted into musical fare is nothing new. Mamma Mia recast the songs of ABBA into a charming tale (avoid the movie at all costs, though!); Movin' Out combined the music of Billy Joel with the dance of Twyla Tharp; and the upcoming Rock of Ages (soon to be a movie with Tom Cruise) is a parade of hair metal tunes. But unlike those "jukebox musicals" which picked and chose from entire catalogs, American Idiot hews closely to its pseudeo-concept album roots and sticks to that album with a handful of additional material from the band's 2009 album, 21st Century Breakdown. While the tight focus could be viewed as a strength, it actually undercuts the overall effect.

There is very little in the way of story or characters in the show, preferring to just kick out one jam after another with interstitial bits of profane banter from main man/Billie Joe Armstrong avatar, Johnny. He and his pals, Will and Tunny, are bored of their empty life in Jingletown, USA (a fictitious suburb, I suspect) and decide to strike out into the world. When Will's girlfriend comes up pregnant, he stays with her while Johnny and Tunny leave town only to end up in their own respective worlds of hurt. Without spoiling what little "story" there is, suffice to say that having an imaginary heroin friend named St. Jimmy and joining the military during the George W. Bush years don't work out so well. (In case you miss the point, they flash lots of unflattering images of Bush, Cheney and Rumsfeld on the three dozen video screens tiling the back of the set. Thanks for clearing that up for us, guys.)

Where American Idiot as a show falls short is that it's not really a musical with a narrative to string along the songs. As a result, we don't really get to know about and thus care for the trio. Yeah, life kinda sucks, but it's all superficial. The women in Johnny and Tully's lives are such abstract shadows, they don't merit proper names - they're called Whatsername and Extraordinary Girl; the former performed by Gabrielle McClinton with fire and earthy sexiness. It also merits mention that the cast has a realistic physical look in that they're shorter and heavier than the usual genetic freaks of perfection you see in shows.

In breaking the lead vocals across multiple characters, the focus of the songs suffers as well. While Williams may have created a workable song cycle, the thin book (co-written by him and director Michael Mayer) means that American Idiot comes off more like a stage interpretation of an album than a story told in song. It's too bad that they chose to not dip into Green Day's ocean-deep back catalog of material; when Will is wasting his life at home on the couch drinking bong water, wouldn't "Longview" have been perfect accompaniment? I think so, too.

What does work - and surprisingly well - are the songs in their blown-up Broadway arrangements. Adding a genre twist can be risky - ladies and gentlemen of the jury, I give you that album Metallica did with Michael Kamen's orchestral Cheez-Whiz poured all over it - but instead of sounding goofy like an Up With People show, the harmonies build on Williams' rock-solid tunes to lend them a rich scope. The title track (see the video below), "21 Guns", and "Wake Me When September Ends" are just a few of the standouts. If you've got Spotify, definitely give the cast album a spin.

While the spirited cast performs with exuberance and the music is terrific, ultimately it's hard to recommend plunking down the $45-$75 per ticket American Idiot is charging. It's only 95 minutes long and while there are moments when it literally soars on wires into the rafters, there's just not quite enough there there to shell out that much, other than perhaps for hardcore Green Day fans.

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Show Preview - Paper Diamond Saturday, iLounge

2012-01-17T22:18:00.001-05:00

Paper Diamond is electronic musician and producer Alex B. The music he makes is a moving mix of driving beats and bass. His music is also original, not following any of the latest fads, he paves uncharted territory incorporating synths, catchy melodies and throbbing bass lines. He's currently part of the Pretty Lights Music roster and you can download his latest ep there "Leviate" for free. I downloaded it a couple days ago and it's stuck on repeat on my ipod.
Paper Diamond is currently on tour across the US and is making his way for an up close and personal show at the iLounge, located in Clutch Cargo's in Pontiac this Saturday.

This Post by Mikel O.D. of

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UPCOMING: WHO’S BAD (The Ultimate Michael Jackson Tribute) Friday,January 20 at the Magic Bag

2012-01-17T18:00:00.005-05:00

The King Of Pop lives on !

Friday,January 20

WHO’S BAD (The Ultimate Michael Jackson Tribute)
with The Infatuations

at the Magic Bag
22920 Woodward Avenue in Ferndale

Doors 8 p.m.
$15.00

http://www.whosbadmusic.com/

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TOMORROW: Around the World in 12 Days - No. VI Chophouse - Wed 1/18 6pm

2012-01-17T10:47:00.002-05:00

Looking to impress that wine lover in your life?

Check this ongoing event series from MPRG

Matt Prentice Restaurant Group Special Dinner & Wine Event

An Evening with Anne Charlotte Melia-Bachas,

Owner and Winemaker of Chateau de la Font de Loup from Chateauneuf-du-Pape

When:

Wednesday, January 18, 2012

Where:

No.VI Chophouse in Crowne Plaza Hotel 

27000 Sheraton Novi, MI 48377 

Time:

6:00PM

The Matt Prentice Restaurant Group continues its wine series "Around the World in 12 Days" with a dinner and wine event with special guest Anne Charlotte Melia-Bachas.

Owner and remarkable winemaker Anne-Charlotte will join guests for a formal dinner featuring the amazing wines of Chateau de la Font de Loup from Chateauneuf-du-Pape, whose vineyards border the famed Domaine du Vieuw Telegraphe in France. Learn about powerful yet elegant wines of Chateauneuf-du-Pape, where guests will enjoy her aromatic and austere blanc, as well as four different vintages of her powerfully refined Grenache and Syrah based reds – all lending a true perspective to the classically made wines of the region.

Executive Chef Jeremy Kalmus will prepare a delicious five-course dinner that is sure to be a perfect complement to the wines.

Reservations are recommended and can be made

by calling No.VI. Chophouse at (248) 305-5210.

Cost: $70 person, not including tax and gratuity.

* Due to the special nature of this event, we will not be able to accept groupon or other discounts and promotions.

Please visit www.mattprenticerg.com for more information.

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Forbidden Panet - The Redford Theatre - Fri/Sat Jan 20th & 21st

2012-01-17T10:18:00.001-05:00

January 20th & 21st 2012

THE REDFORD THEATRE PRESENTS

"FORBIDDEN PLANET"
+ CARTOON: "DUCK DODGERS IN THE 24 ½ CENTURY"

Live Piano and Organ

General Admission Tickets: $4.00

Show times:
January 20 at 8pm    doors open at 7pm     live organ 7:30pm
January 21at 2pm    doors open at 1pm     live organ 1:30pm
January 21 at 8pm    doors open at 7pm     live organ 7:30pm

Free Supervised Parking

Friday, January 20th, and Saturday, January 21st, The Redford Theatre
presents Forbidden Planet (35mm print, MGM 1956-Eastmancolor/Cinemascope)
starring Walter Pidgeon, Anne Francis, and Leslie Nielson. The most highly
regarded sci-fi film of the 1950's featuring Robby the Robot, Best Oscar
for Special Effects.

17360 Lahser Rd. (corner of Grand River and Lahser)
Detroit, Mi. 48219

Website: www.RedfordTheatre.com

Tomorrow: Mitten Movie Project at the Main Art Theater

2012-01-16T23:31:00.001-05:00

1/17/12 MITTEN MOVIE PROJECT – INDEPENDENT SHORTS – PROGRAM NOTES

Main Art Theatre, Royal Oak, MI - 7:30 p.m.
Pre-sale tickets $8 by e-mailing mangilc@yahoo.com, Door $10

The Mitten Movie Project is a monthly film festival dedicated to screening independent films the first Tuesday of every month at the Main Art Theatre in Royal Oak. Presale tickets are available for $8 by e-mailing mangilc@yahoo.com. Tickets at the door are $10 (cash only). A pre-screening reception starts at 6:30 p.m. in the Main Art lobby where moviegoers can mingle with the directors, industry professionals, and film enthusiasts. After the screening, a Q&A session will be conducted with the filmmakers in the theatre. An afterglow party will be held at Mr. B’s (215 S. Main Street) -- walking distance from the Main Art Theatre -- to end the night’s activities. To submit a film for consideration in the festival, visit facebook.com/mittenmovieproject for submission and technical guidelines. Submission is free. Screeners may be sent by DVD or online link. The Main Art Theatre is located at 118 N. Main Street, Royal Oak, MI.

FINAL LINEUP. Total running time: 1 hour, 24 minutes. In order of screening:

AFTER THE FACTORY [documentary trailer] – Detroit Lives! (01:36) (Michigan/Poland) (2012) “After the Factory” presents solutions for the revival of post-industrial cities told through two such landmark places: Detroit, Michigan, and Lodz, Poland. Directed by Philip Lauri. http://afterthefactoryfilm.com/

MR. HENDERSON [narrative trailer] – Uranium Films (01:37) (Michigan) (2011) A single father trapped by debt attempts a giant score to make ends meet and learns the depths to which desperation can make one sink. A new American tragedy written and directed by Joseph Johnston, produced and photographed by Peter Johnston, and starring Jason Schultz, Matt Groves and Brian Papendick. http://uraniumcityfilms.com/Films.html

ORACLE [narrative trailer] - Written and Directed by Joseph D. Johnson (02:00) (Michigan) (2011) A woman is introduced to a Ouija board at a Halloween party and becomes obsessed with it, allowing it to affect her life and her marriage. Based on actual events. Starring Kate Sharp, Sebastian Sarkissian, and Lucy Ament.

OPPRESSION [animation] - Electric Otto’s Funk Factory (00:58) (Michigan) (2011) Are you being bullied? Are you oppressed? Pump yo fist if you tired of that mess!! www.electricottosfunkfactory.com

COX BLOCKERS [narrative] – Directed by Marcus Davis (15:24) (Michigan) (2011) Holden Cox goes on a murderous rampage with the use of his trusty frying pan. Starring Jeff Priskorn.

“ALL THESE THINGS” by Hounds Below [music video] – Directed by Marc Ruiz (02:50) (Michigan) (2011) Music video for Detroit band, Hounds Below. Featuring Jason Stollsteimer. Music produced by Jason Stollsteimer and Jim Diamond. http://thehoundsbelow.bandcamp.com/, www.ghettorecorders.com

HOLIDAY SWAPPING [narrative] – 2SeeDelight Film Productions (09:38) (Michigan) (2012) Office parties can be such a drag you need something to spice it up. These ladies put a twist on Yankee Swap that is sure to get co-worker tongues wagging. It's not about the gifts under the tree, but what you find in your stockings! Starring Tam Heaton and Esther Nevarez. Written and directed by Hugh Holesome.

THE HARDWOOD DIARIES [narrative] – Directed by Greg Smith (21:49) (Michigan) (2011) Gruff, no nonsense, and self-important, Coach Craig Savage must take charge of a coed YMCA basketball team of misfits, including his athletically incapable son. A mockumentary pilot starring Luc Robert Poirier, Bradley Jones, and Jonathan Davidson. Written by Courtney Fletcher. Winner of the University of Michigan Winter 2011 Lightworks Film Festival Awards for Best TV Sitcom and Best Actor (Bradley Jones).

“SILENT NIGHT” by Zelda and the Unibrows [music video] – Directed by Jeff Jimison (Michigan) (2012) This video explores the inherent problems of the immortality of Santa Claus. Starring Rick Maynard. www.facebook.com/unibrows, www.unibrows.com

THE HAYWIRE EFFECT: STAR TREK V – THE FINAL FRONTIER [review show] – Lightcraft Entertainmet (20:45) (Michigan) (2011) Things are gonna get crazy. Finally, the long awaited--or perhaps just long overdue--review of one of science fiction's most reviled movie sequels. Watch our host subject himself to William Shatner's ego-fueled opus of pseudo-spiritual star Dreck. www.lightcraftentertainment.com

The 2011 Short of the Year Awards/art pieces will be presented to filmmakers from "The Zombie Factor" and "Amendment" at the beginning of the night. Angel Busque designed the "Amendment" Short of the Year Award. Jacx Schanes designed the "The Zombie Factor" Short of the Year Award.

Wild At Heart

2012-01-16T17:06:00.001-05:00

Wild Bill Ketelhut provides the "blog" to this anti-blog

Wild At Heart

Not much going on this week though I hope to have a few surprises coming up in the near future. I’m getting ready to go to an indoor soccer game here in Rochester (go Lancers). I got into indoor soccer watching the Detroit Ignition and covered their finals game against Philadelphia though it looks like the league is in hiatus now. Such a shame because the games were really exciting to watch and reasonably priced.

Anyway, I am going to leave you today with concert picks of the week:

Thursday 1/19 – Martin Sexton @ the Ark

Friday 1/20 – Keb Mo @ Royal Oak Music Theatre, Eric Burdon & the Animals @ Andiamo’s Celebrity Showroon (Warren), Koffin Kats @ Machine Shop

Saturday 1/21 – Verve Pipe @ the Ark

Sunday 1/22 – Foreigner (acoustic show) @ Michigan Theatre

Monday 1/23 - Juliets @ the Ark

I interviewed Martin Sextin a couple of years back when he played a great set at the Royal Oak Music Theatre and he is a wonderful talent. If you get the chance, check him out and I just don’t say that because we are both from upstate NY. Here is a cool song to help make the decision to see him a bit easier.

I’ll be in touch and have a great day. It’s also my birthday tomorrow so I thought I would play you my favorite birthday song.

Bedroxx - FIRE album release party @ Blind Pig 1/20

2012-01-16T10:14:00.001-05:00

BEDROXX

"FIRE" – ALBUM RELEASE PARTY

FRIDAY, JANUARY 20

BLIND PIG - ANN ARBOR, MI

Event Date: Friday, January 20^th, 2012

Bedroxx will be performing at the FIRE album release party on Friday, January 20th at the Blind Pig in Ann Arbor, Michigan. Joining him will be native Ann Arbor emcees Duke Newcomb (who appears on the track "Inter"), Nickie P., Kolorblind, DJ Dick Jones, and the Proving Ground Band. Doors open at 9:30pm (18+) and $8/under 21 $11 will get you in the show and a free retail copy of FIRE.

Artist/Album info:

Michigan rapper, Bedroxx, follows up his debut EP GROW, with his first full-length independent album, aptly titled, FIRE. Hailing from Kalamazoo, Michigan and currently residing in Ann Arbor, the WMU grad has shared the stage with hip-hop notables Eyedea & Abilities, One Be Lo, Binary Star, Killah Priest, Qwel and Maker, and Themselves in venues throughout the Great Lakes state. All the while he has been honing his song writing craft and developing a strong Michigan-based following.

Constructed with the utmost passion and desire to create something that will shine forever, FIRE speaks to a generation of hip hop fans working endless days and even longer nights in pursuit of illumination. FIRE harkens to the late 90's sound of lyricists sermonizing about what they knew to be true. A style identified more by heart than braggadocio, perfected by the groundbreaking emcees on Rawkus, Definitive Jux, Anitcon, and Rhymesayers Entertainment. In this mode, Bedroxx delivers penetrating lyrics over a grating soundscape, reminiscent of strident trains moving under vividly overcast skies. At once anthemic and driving, then intimate, the songs on FIRE are as diverse as the stable of producers that provide its ardent backdrop.

The aperture has never been more focused on Michigan hip-hop than it is at the present moment. Much like the state's auto industry, it is a community built on hard work and an undying appreciation for quality. Bedroxx, via his own DIY label, Tuned Mass Damper, unveils his most ambitious and powerful project yet: FIRE.

http://www.bedroxxmusic.com

Dr Sketchy MotorCity Division - Scarab Club - Thur 1/19 6-9pm

2012-01-16T10:10:00.002-05:00

Dr. Sketchy's Anti-Art School Detroit: Featuring Twinkle Toes Megee
Thursday, January 19 - 6pm - 9pm

The Scarab Club, 217 Farnsworth Street, Detroit, MI
18 and over, $5 admission plus tips for models

Dr. Sketchy is a figure sketching event held every 3rd Thursday

of the month at the Scarab Club Detroit.

This is one session you will not want to miss out on, Twinkle Toes
provides an array of costuming, expression and overall awesomeness.

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BARS OF GOLD - Magic Stick Detroit - Fri 1/19/12

2012-01-16T09:55:00.001-05:00

http://majesticdetroit.com/2011/12/16/the-anonymous/

UPCOMING: Grid List - Detroit! opening Jan. 27th 2012 - College for Creative Studies

2012-01-16T09:04:00.001-05:00

Grid List

Center Galleries

College for Creative Studies

301 Frederick Douglass

Detroit, MI 48202 USA

T: 313-664-7806

www.collegeforcreativestudies.edu/center_galleries

Jan. 27- Mar. 3, 2012

Opening reception: Fri. Jan. 27, 6-8pm

Artists included: Patrick Morrissey, Hanz Hancock, Mick Frangou,  Francis Farmer, William Hughes,  

Paul Corio,  Karen Schifano,  Mark Sengbusch,   Stacy Fisher, Jeffrey Mathews, Nate Ethier,  Allie Rex,  

David E. Peterson,  Joseph Bernard,  Linda Francis,  Tracy Thomason,  Ian Swanson.

The grid is the mother of all things terrestrial – birthed from outer space.

Gravity = Vertical. Land = Horizontal.

The two combined form a right angle. Multiply to form a grid.

This natural geometry existed billions of years before man.

Man stands upright in defiance of gravity, though is grounded by it.

He realized the equation "vertical + horizontal equals a right angle"

and applied it to everything from architecture to fashion.

Grid List presents 16 artists, 13 working in geometric abstraction, and three working quite "gridless"

(Can the grid be active behind the image?). Their conceptual fodder ranges from sports, math, science,

film, graphic design and video games.

The grid has been passed down from early man: from cave walls to stone tablets to Papyrus -

from agriculture, architecture and weaving to the roadways and computers of today. We feel it

directly as well, gravity still drops a vertical line – rain, apples and basketballs all fall to meet

the horizontal land. The right angle is alive and well today as it was at the earth's birth.

The artist draws from the imbedded and inherent grid.

Grid List explores the influence of the grid on artists. We trace back the source of geometric abstraction

past Albers and LeWitt to a more personal and direct place. Nature, music and sports are just a few of the

square wellsprings these artists draw their right angles from.

The Exhibition was conceived in January 2011 when Patrick Morrissey contacted me via Facebook.

We became fast friends and the Grid List grew naturally. Four artists are from London, one from Atlanta,

one from Detroit and ten from New York City. Four of the artists have shown at Minus Space Gallery

(Schifano, Francis, Ethier, Peterson) and four hold MFAs from Cranbrook's Painting Dept. (Mathews, Rex,

Thomason, Sengbusch). Peterson, Mathews, and Sengbusch met in 1997 at the College for Creative Studies

in Detroit where they studied under Joseph Bernard.

Thus the threads of the Grid List entwine. We hope to present a new take on Geometric Abstraction with

a focus on the individual artist's idiosyncratic relationship with the Grid.

In addition to the Artists in the show there will be "Non-Art" examples of the grid. (i.e. A live spider and

its web, a loom, a Nintendo (Tetris), Photos of the grid in Cave Art (Lascaux) and a stone or crystal.

There are non-circuitous correlations between the grid in Nature, pre-history, technology and the artist's mind.

Grid List will travel to New York City after Detroit. Allegra LaViola, in Manhattan's Lower East Side will host

Grid List NYC in their project space opening March 14.

About the Co-organizers:

Mark Sengbusch received his MFA in Painting from the Cranbrook Academy of Art in 2008. His work has been

equally influenced by early video games like Tetris and ancient Peruvian weavings. From 1997-2007 Sengbusch

was an active member of the Detroit Art scene and curated numerous shows. Sengbusch lives and works in New York City.

Patrick Morrissey is a reductive artist working in London as part of a two man collective with Hanz Hancock.

Together they have curated an ongoing series of Exhibitions focusing on their genre. Saturation Point forms an

International survey of contemporary Reductive art. Morrissey attended Goldsmiths College in South London where

he achieved an Honours Degree in Fine Art. He was born in South London and grew up there. Whilst at Goldsmiths,

he developed an interest in sculpture and installation work. Film also played a role in his practice at that time.

His interest in film as object originated from his childhood fascination with film and the phenomenon of projected

imagery and light.

Upcoming: Ann Arbor Folk Festival, Friday Jan 27th and Saturday, Jan 28th

2012-01-15T15:11:00.000-05:00

The 35^th Annual Ann Arbor Folk Festival arrives at Hill Auditorium in Ann Arbor on Friday and Saturday, January 27^th and 28^th (doors at 6:30pm each night). And there will definitely be pretty wide variety of folk styles on display, ranging from Mexo-Americana, to blue grass chanteuses, to alt country.

The Friday night line-up boasts headliner Ryan Adams, who is currently touring in support of his new album, Ashes & Fire. Adams returns after a 2-year break from music, where previously, he had churned out albums like an assembly line, for example, releasing 3 albums in 2005 alone (Cold Roses and Jacksonville City Nights with his previous band The Cardinals, and 29, a solo effort). He says he’s clean now, which will hopefully lend itself to a more controlled, sober performance – I saw him perform at the Opera House in 2002, and he proceeding to polish off a bottle of wine before even being halfway through the set, leading to some amusing antics and him singing Sylvia Plath twice (in his defense, when taking suggestions from the crowd for what to sing, someone shouted it out even though he had already played it). Ashes & Fire is a very mellow album in the same vein as Love is Hell, so it should pair well with an acoustic-style performance. But here’s hoping he at least pulls out some old school stuff (a little Come Pick Me Up would make a girl happy).

Also joining the Friday line-up are Denver-based, Russian gypsy -sounding, DeVotchKa (by the way, did you know that they used to be a back-up band for burlesque shows and even toured with Dita Von Teese? Learn somethin’ new every day), probably best known for their contributions to the score and soundtrack for Little Miss Sunshine. Also on the docket are, Dawes, Carbon Leaf, Elephant Revival, Sunny War, and David Wax Museum.

The Saturday night line-up is a pretty venerable who’s-who of folk rock legends, including Nanci Griffith, Glen Campbell, and headliner, Emmylou Harris (making white hair hotter than any other woman possible). Glen Campbell announced last summer that he had been diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease 6 months earlier, so the Ann Arbor stop with the folk fest is included as part of his farewell tour, essentially the last time he’ll ever perform in the Detroit area. Not a performance to be missed. Also performing Saturday line-up are Michigan local Joe Henry (did you know that he’s married to Madonna’s sister? Again, sharing all kinds of interesting tidbits today), Sarah Jarosz, Caravan of Thieves, and Grammy-nominated Seth Glier.

As a warning, tickets may be a bit hard to come by at this point. Tickets are still available for Friday night ($35 to $47.50) but it appears as though Saturday is sold out. Or else I'm really technologically impaired and can't figure out how to purchase tickets through the Michigan Union Ticket Office's website. But your best bet might be trolling the web for those looking to sell tickets. Based on the solid line-ups though, I'm going to wager a bet that it would be worth every penny.

Detroit Derby Girls: D-Funk Allstars vs. Devil's Night Dames

2012-01-14T15:02:00.002-05:00

On January 7th, in the third bout of the season, the Devil's Night Dames battled the D-Funk Allstars

This night was the Devil's Night Dames season debut, and being the only team to not play yet this season, they were the biggest x-factor coming into this bout. They had first pick in the player draft, and they used it to take Doom Shakalaka. The Dames would end up with a total of five rookies on their new roster. D-Funk won the first bout of the season by one point. A win is win, but with such a small margin, they certainly couldn't afford to rest on their laurels.

Jam one saw draft pick number one Doom Shakalaka jam against Roxanna Hardplace. Jamming for her team in her first ever bout, in her team's first bout of the season. Incredible amount of pressure for a rookie. Roxanna would take lead jammer status, score four points, and quickly use her lead jammer perogative to call off the bout before Doom had a chance to catch her. The second jam had D-Funk's Tinja outpacing Yo-yo just long enough to score another four and call the jam. Formosa Fury scored the Dame's first point of the night in the third jam, before calling it off just as opposing jammer Roxanna Hardplace was about to catch up, making the score 8-1 in favor of D-Funk.

All throughout the bout there was a lot of strategic jam ending. Both teams seemed to be very aware of that golden moment when they could end the jam just after scoring their points, and just before their opponent could score any at all. In jam four, Polly Fester would give D-Funk four unanswered points. Feta Sleaze put three unaswered points on the board for the Dames in jam five. Jam six went scoreless. D-Funk's hard defense stopped Swift Justice from scoring any, as their own jammer spent most of that jam in the penalty box. Yo-yo gave the Dames three unanswered points in jam seven. It was a series of small incremental point additions and short jams, putting the score at 12-7, D-Funk.

The eigth jam saw the first big play of the night. Tinja was jamming for D-Funk against the Dame's Muffy Mafioso. Tinja scored the first grand slam of the night while her teammates shut down Muffy, increasing the lead to 21-7. This was followed up by another big D-Funk play in jam nine. Ally Sin Shoverland gave her team eleven points as tough defense stopped Feta Sleaze from scoring. Jams eight through thirteen were consecutive shut-outs by D-Funk, as their defense dominated the game. Roxanna scored five in jam ten. Ghetto Barbie had a grand slam and scored nine in the eleventh. Ima Wrecker jammed for 4 in the twelth. D-Funk rookie Meryl Slaughterburgh made her jamming debut in the thirteenth jam, and added another two points to make the score 52-7.

The Dames just barely broke out of that shut-out slump by scoring two point in jam fourteen. They would also make their first big play of the bout in the fifteenth, as Yo-yo gave them 9 unanswered points, making it 52-18 with 5:30 left in the bout.

Ima Wrecker scored a quick four in the sixteenth, followed by a quick five from Eight Mile Rose in the seventeenth before going to the penalty box. Yo-yo would jam for the eighteenth and final jam of the first half unnopposed as Eight Mile sat in the box, and she gave the Dames 7 points to make the score 61-25 in favor of D-Funk at halftime. While D-Funk had more than twice as many points as the Dames at this point, there wasn't any sense that the bout was already decided. Teams have overcome deficits of that size in the past.

The halftime entertainment was a presentation by the Downtown Boxing Gym Youth Program, the Detroit Derby Girls' favored chairty of the season. The kids seemed nervous as they took turns discusing their accomplishments in front of the crowd, but they looked totally natural as they displayed some of the boxing drills.

I'm not even goint to try to slowly draw out the results of the second half. D-Funk's defense was on point and dominant. The Dames would only score another four points for the rest of the bout. D-Funk started the second half with another shut-out run. Eight Mile Rose scored four in the first jam. Roxanna Hardplace had a triple grandslam in the second and scored 20. The third saw no points for either team.

Muffy Mafioso put the Dames' first point of the game on the board in the fourth jam, making the score 85-26. Jams five through twelve was another series of consecutive shut-outs by D-Funk. Meryl scored five in the fifth. Tinja added 10 in the sixth. Another non-scoring jam in the seventh. Ally Sin Shoverland jammed for 4 in the eigth. Meryl would get a grandslam and fourteen points in the ninth, even handing out a nasty knockdown on her own as she punched through the pack. Scoreless in the tenth. Ally for four in the eleventh, and Tinja for another three before the shut-out came to an end.

Rookie Doom Shakalaka took lead jammer status for the Dames in the thirteenth jam and scored three, while opposing jammer Tinja added two. This would be the last time the Dames scored this bout, with the board at 127-29, and ten minutes left on the clock. As you can probably guess, the remainder of the game, jams fourteen through twenty was another D-Funk shut-out. D-Funk rookie Meryl Slaughterburgh then made a twenty point, triple grandslam. Ally scored 3 in the fifteenth, Meryl for four in the sixteenth, Ima for five in the seventeenth, eleven from Fatal Femme in eighteenth, five from Bytch Ryder in the nineteenth, and finally, ten from Cat's Meow in the twentieth, for a final score of 186-29.

Rookie sensation Meryl Slaughterburgh was named the MVP of the bout. D-Funk placed second last season, so Meryl would have been the fourth overall draft pick at the earliest. Looks to me like they had a sharp eye for talent.

Even thought the result was a blowout, watching it play out wasn't drag at all. This wasn't like the yearly Notre Dame versus Navy game. We got to see a rookie give a breakout performance, and we got to see what a stellar defense should look like.

The Dames' biggest deficiency in this bout would have to be their lack of offensive blocking. Throughout the bout D-Funk would have their blockers form a wall at the front of the pack, and their walls were rarely penetrated. D-Funk would hold down that space in the pack jam after jam, and the Dames' blockers often didn't try to challenge D-Funk's position up there.

Enough from me, here's what D-Funk Captain Fatal Femme had to say:

Detroit Area Dork: What's your inital response to the bout?
Fatal Femme: I'm really glad, number one, that one of the rookies got MVP. That's one the best experiences a captain could feel. It's never been done. I'm extremely proud that it went to a rookie instead of a vet. It shows how much she's been practicing, how much she fights.
Detroit Area Dork: What do you think put you ahead in this bout?
Fatal Femme: I think because we have such a large return of vets, and the rookies we did get are extremely talented. Coming in a with a solid team makes it easier to win.
Detroit Area Dork: With a win like this, is it hard to find errors to correct for the next bout?
Fatal Femme: You can always do better. There's not a single thing we do that doesn't need practice.
Detroit Area Dork: What do you think you're going to work on the most in the upcoming practices?
Fatal Femme: Switching to offense quicker. I think that we have really good defense, but we're slow to react to help our jammers in the back of the pack, so I think we're going to focus on that
Detroit Area Dork: We didn't see a lot of stationary blocker walls in this bout? Why didn't that happen more this time?
Fatal Femme: I didn't really think about until now. The pack just kept moving. If you stop the wall dead, you get twenty feet, and they were calling that really well this game. So I don't know if subconsciously we decided not to come to a complete stop.

There was no animosity from Devil's Night Dames Captain Yo-yo, or Co-Captain Oi! Rish:

Detroit Area Dork: What are your initial thoughts about the bout?
Oi! Rish: I'm really proud of our team
Yo-yo: We've come a long way since last year. The first half we came out really strong. We were fighting, we were only down by like 35 points. It felt like we were really motivated and determined, hitting hard and staying busy.
Oi! Rish: Everything we've been working on, we did. We played hard until the very end, so I can't be unhappy with that.
Detroit Area Dork: How do you think the other team was able to pull ahead?
Yo-yo: I'm still trying to figure that out. I might have to think about it all day. They have a really strong defense, they were recycling a lot. They may have been able to break our walls up, more than we were breaking up their walls in the second half.
Oi! Rish: They have a lot of experience.
Yo-yo: They have almost all vets on their team. I think they only have two new rookies. We have five rookies. So they're a team of veteran skaters that probably have five years of experience or more. We're more of a younger, newer team. So each team we play is going to be a learning experience, and we're going to learn and grow from there.
Detroit Area Dork: How do you think your rookies did today?
Yo-yo: Awesome.
Oi! Rish: They were unbelieveable.
Yo-yo: They were better than me when I was a rookie last year. I think they kept fighting until the very end, they played tough. I think D-Funk is going to remember getting hit by them.
Oi! Rish: They have no fear. That's the best thing. Most people are scared, but the rookies have no fear, they just went after all the girls. I'm pretty impressed.
Detroit Area Dork: What do you think your team needs to work on the most for the next bout?
Yo-yo: I think we need to continue with what we're working on. We need to get tighter together, more communication, and we need to be more aware of the opposing jammer, when the opposing jammer is coming through. I felt like we were really focused on getting our jammer out fast, that we sometimes forgot about the opposing jammer coming into the pack.
Oi! Rish: Coming off the holiday too, it's hard when there's not enough time to practice, and team time is really important. I think in the next couple of weeks we're going to spend a lot of time together.
Yo-yo: We thought of some new drills to bring into the next practice.
Oi! Rish: We're pretty much obsessed with each other, so we'll be spending hours together for days before the next bout. We're excited, we're big fans of GPM [Grand Prix Madonnas]. We're playing them on the fourth, and that's going to be a great bout. A lot of my class from last year is in that group. It'll be a lot of fun.
Detroit Area Dork: There didn't seem to be a lot of penalties this bout. Your team was very well behaved.
Oi! Rish: We are, we're one of the least penalized teams.
Yo-yo: Last year we did have the least amount of penalties as a team.
Oi! Rish: I played through-out a lot of the game, and I only went to the box once, for a combination of four minors. That's not bad for playing most of the game.
Yo-yo: I had one major. They called me on a major, but they made the wrong call, so they told me to go back out.
Oi! Rish: We pay a lot of attention to the rules, because we want to be safe. It's important to be safe for each other, and the other team.
Yo-yo: One thing I say to the team before we play is, "Play clean and play smart. Be aware of what you're doing. Try not to go for those late hits when you're making a dive or going for an elbow".
Oi! Rish: That's how you win games, by not committing penalties. And getting lead jammer, which we had a problem with today.

Get your tickets ahead of time for the next bout on January 21st, and see The Detroit Pistoffs take on The Pistolwhippers

This post by:

I'm a dork, I live in the Detroit area, and sometimes I take blurry photos on an outdated camera

Visit MHS

Origix & D.C.-Check Out "Official Video"

2012-01-14T15:00:00.002-05:00

FREEVERSE: Virgil H. Carr Center Sunday 1/15 3:30pm

2012-01-13T14:17:00.001-05:00

"You can read this.
What if you couldn't?
How would your life be different?"

These words, from the Reading Works website, are more than a rhetorical question. For the nearly 50 percent of Detroiters who are unable to read, they are questions that delve into a harsh reality. That's why on Sunday, January 15, some of metro Detroit's most prominent poets and musicians are banding together to bring awareness to raise support for literacy programming.

Developed in the spirit of social justice and community service that has come to characterize Dr. King's birthday celebration, Free Verse: Poetry + Music Celebrating Life + Legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. will be held at the Virgil H. Carr Center on Sunday, January 15, 2012 from 3:30 until 5:30 PM. It is a free event but everyone who attends is asked to bring a new/or gently used poetry book, a monetary donation or volunteer time to support the important work that Reading Works does to increase the Detroit area's literacy rate.

The amazing line-up includes: Detroit's Poet Laureate Naomi Long Madgett, Poet, Publisher and Founder of Black Women Rock jessica Care moore, Writer, Activist and Poet Khary Kimani Turner, Musician Audrey Mabins, Rapper/Poet Mahagony Jones, Slam Poet Jeff Nelson, and Singer/Songwriter Tim Clark. Hosted by Rhonda Welsh, the event will feature sounds by EchoVerse.

http://rhondawelsh.com/fr_freeverse.cfm

School of Seven Bells back with "Lafaye"

2012-01-12T20:56:00.000-05:00

For the past 5 years School of Seven Bells have succeeded at being a lovely, sublime band that packs a wallop of shoegaze in their brilliantly crafted pop songs. Their new release "Ghostory" on Vagrant/Ghostly International is set for release on February 28th. However, SoSB has been nice enough to give us a sneak peek to what is sure to be their best release yet. You can check out the latest track "Lafaye" on soundcloud which will be available as a single through all digital retailers on Tuesday, January 17 with an exclusive b-side "Love From A Stone".

School of Seven Bells - Lafaye by Vagrant Records

UPCOMING: Michigan Winter Dog Classic, 19-22 Jan

2012-01-11T10:34:00.000-05:00

The 2012 Michigan Winter Dog Classic

Michigan's Largest Dog Show!

January 19-22, 2012

The Suburban Collection
46100 Grand River Avenue
Novi, MI 48374

Join us for The Michigan Winter Dog Classic, Michigan’s largest Dog Show, at the Suburban Collection in Novi, Michigan.

Your whole family will enjoy:

educational demonstrations
obedience & conformation judging
breed seminars
access to many of the 160+ breeds recognized by the American Kennel Club, the Oakland County Kennel Club and the Livonia Kennel Club and sanctioned by the American Kennel Club.

The Michigan Winter Dog Classic will host more than 7,000 dogs, 150+ breeds of “man’s best friends”, throughout the 4-day show, including several breeds getting ready for the country’s premier Westminster Kennel Club Dog show in February, 2012. Dogs will be judged on standards set by the American Kennel Club.

Lots of fun with “can’t miss” exhibitions throughout the show:

Border Collie Duck Herding Demos
Canine Good Citizen Testing
Sportsmen’s Dog Training Club
Police K9 Demonstrations
Rock-n-Roll Dog Shows
Weight Pull exhibitions

Special guests at the MI Winter Dog Classic this year will be Detroit Zoo mascots, "Zooper Heroes" Junior Z, Polar Bear & Giraffe. They will be at the show Saturday & Sunday, 1 to 3 pm.

The Detroit Zoo will redeem one Michigan Winter Classic ticket stub for $1 off any one regular price Detroit Zoo admission

Jeff Caldwell at the Comedy Castle

2012-01-09T22:48:00.000-05:00

Jeff Caldwell is known to audiences nationwide as a clean, clever comedian with one of the brightest standup acts around.

Whether at a comedy club or a corporate event, Jeff delivers smart, funny jokes on topics ranging from the daily news to the daily grind, subtly tailoring his material to fit any crowd.

CBS got wise to Jeff, scooping him up to develop his own sitcom (which didn't get on the air, but that's a story for another day). He just made his third appearance on "The Late Show with David Letterman," has made three appearances on "The Late Late Show with Craig Ferguson" and made his Comedy Central debut on "Live at Gotham." Jeff has also appeared with Keith Olbermann, Dennis Miller, on SiriusXM Radio, and is a regular on the nationally syndicated "Bob and Tom" radio show.

Appearing at: Mark Ridley’s Comedy Castle

310 South Troy Street

Royal Oak , MI 48067

(248) 542-9900

www.comedycastle.com

Showtimes: Thursday January 19, 2012 8 P.M.

Friday January 20 2012 8 P.M. & 10:30 P.M.

Saturday January 21 2012 & 10:30 P.M.

Tickets: Thurs. $30.00 – Haiti Outreach Fundraiser 248-583-9788 for tickets

A fundraising evening sponsored by St. David’s in

Southfield to help resupply the St. Pierre Medical Clinic

in Mirebalais Haiti with medicine. The clinic is open to all,

children are free and adults pay $25.

Fri. $18.00

Sat. $18.00

Tickets can be purchased online at our web site where you may pick your seats or for general admission, where seating is first come, first serve you can make reservations over the phone.

Wild At Heart

2012-01-09T19:34:00.004-05:00

Wild Bill Ketelhut provides the "blog" to this anti-blog

Wild At Heart

Hello every and welcome back to the blog this week and I have a lot to cover so let me get started. Back in December I was promoting the Hometown Sound contest by maurices and I hope all the great local Detroit bands signed up to represent what I feel is the best rock N roll city in the US. I just got back by questions from last year’s winners Audri & Aaron which were answered by Aaron himself about there involvement in the contest so here we go.

1. How did you guys get together ad start making music?

We started creating music a few months in to 2010. We met in a vocal class at Lewis and Clark Community College. She came into the piano room that I was practicing in and asked if I wanted to hear a song that she wrote. I quickly realized her talent and offered my music anytime she had some spare lyrics. A few weeks later she asked if I wanted to try to add some music to a song she wrote. The rest is history.

2. Give me an idea of your musical influences and inspirations?

We have a broad line of inspiration. The reason that Audri wanted to write heroin music is because of a artist by the name of Henry Wolfe. We have since had the pleasure of sharing the stage with him. There is a mix of Norah Jones, Amos Lee, Colbi Caillat, Henry Wolfe and the Civil Wars in our music. We are both big fans of artists such as Paul Simon, Michael Buble, Marvin Gaye, Aretha Franklin and the Bangles.

3. How did you find out about the Hometown Sound contest and what inspired you to get involved?

We stumbled upon the Hometown Sound contest by luck. My fiancée is a physical therapist, and one of her patients brought in a flyer for the competition. Not knowing what it was, I waited until the last possible day to submit our music. Audri didn't even know we were in the contest until halfway through the first round. It seemed like a perfect fit for our group, but procrastination got the best of me. We were about 2 hours from missing our opportunity for this incredible competition.

4. How supportive were your fans and friends once they found out you were part of the contest?

Our family, friends and fans were more supportive than we would have ever imagined. We didn't know it was a voting contest until the first round, and our fans got us into the top 50 within about 2 days. After that, we were moving 2-3 spots daily. It was really overwhelming to see all of the support. People we didn't even realize knew we were a group were posting things about voting for us. It was pretty eye opening, and gave us the realization that without our fans we have absolutely nothing.

5. Before the contest, what were you looking to accomplish with your music and how did winning the contest change you goals?

We knew when we first started that we had something special, and we really wanted to try to make a career out of it. We knew that it'd be a long journey but were quite willing to give it a shot. Winning the contest helped 10 fold by getting our name out across the country. Our music and faces were in maurices stores and flyers across the country. This is something that could take independent groups years to do. Now, if you google our name, there are hundreds of results that come up. We've met people and made friends with people that we probably would have never met otherwise. Not to mention we got to open up for the Bangles at SXSW. That's something we could have only dreamed of before the contest.

6. You got to open for one of my favorite bands, the Bangles, at SXSW? Was that something you ever thought possible before the contest?

We would have never thought opening for the Bangles would have been something that we would get to do in our career. I've shared the stage with groups like the Gin Blossoms, One Republic and Switchfoot, but there's some about the Bangles that makes them so legendary and untouchable. They were some of the nicest people that we've played with. You'd never guess that they at the most successful female group of all time.

7. I have yet t go to a SXSW but I hear it can be intense? What was it like being part of that event?

Being part of SXSW with the maurices crew and Play Network was unreal. I've played the festival previously, but it was nothing compared to this experience. There was an entire showcase set up just for us and the competition, which is overwhelming to think about. Many artists just dream of being there, and we got to open up for the Bangles. Since we were with Play Network, who has ties to EVERYONE, we were able to get into any party that we wanted. At one point we were at the Grammy Party, on Hanson's guest list. It was pretty surreal. We ended the trip at a private rooftop party with Dennis Quaid. The experience couldn't have been more incredible.

8. You got to shoot your own professional video? How much of the creativity behind the video did you get and how proud are you of the final results?

The video shoot was probably one of the best first video experiences that we could have had. The crew was extremely open to any idea that we had for the video. They of course brought a great core of ideas, but they definitely valued our opinions as well. The whole idea of the contest was to capture that hometown vibe, and by letting us freely express who we are and what we do, it really came across in the video. We are extremely proud of the end results. They absolutely nailed everything in the video. The song is a story, and he story was perfectly displayed in the video.

9. How have you grown as a band since winning the contest? What are the biggest changes you have gone through?

We have changed quite a bit as a group. It helped us come to the realization that this can be a profession, so we are much more aware of every single decision that we make as a group. It's helped us mature, both as people and in our music. We realize how important every show is, every fan is, every twitter or facebook post is, and every other decision that we make. The biggest change has been the ease of getting shows. Our name is becoming much more recognized. As a matter of fact, I had to take a break from this interview to check an email saying we've been added to the bill of a Drake Bell show.

10. I see you have a new album, "Her Story His Music". How would describe this album to people who are not familiar with your music?

This album can best be described as an acoustic/folk/pop album. It's very vocal driven, with light and tasteful instrumentation. It's extremely easy to listen to and is pretty open to any mood that you're in. And there's not really a direct audience that it is aimed at. I think the stories that are told are relatable to a variety of ages/genders/races.

11. Would this album have been possible without winning the contest or were you working on it prior to the contest?

We were actually in the middle stages of the album when we won the contest, which is why it took almost a year to release. It got put on the back burner once things got rolling with the contest. It turned out to be a good thing though because it gave new life to some of our older songs.

12. How did the album come together? Who shares what duties in the creation of the music?

The creativity in the songs is a combined effort between the two of us. It's worked out well so far that she comes up with lyrics, and I put music to it. Once we get that we both help create melody lines and harmonies. It's a much easier process than I've experienced before. It just works for us. The artwork was created by Scott Hayes. He's a great photographer from Alton, IL, now working in LA.

13. What are your plans from here in regards to your music?

Our goal is to be traveling by early 2012. We want to get out as quickly as we can, but you also have to be intelligent about it. We're in the beginning stages of planning it out. We are currently an independent group as well, so that's always an option for our future, locking down some kind of management deal or record contract. We've already got some great connections, so we see big things for 2012.

14. Is there anything you would like to say to your fans or maurices?

We just want to tell maurices and our fans thank you so incredibly much. You have no idea the impact you've had on our lives. You all are as much a part of this journey as we are. We love you all.

Here is a video from the band to enjoy.

Switching to some upcoming concert, once again we have a week with not a lot for me to work with those some great local talent to choose from. Here are my picks this week:

Friday (1/13) - Trivium and In Flames @ Royal Oak Music Theatre, Larry Lee and the Back In The Day Band @ Chromatics Lounge (Motorcity Casino)

Saturday (1/14) - the Ruiners @ Park Bar, folk singers Yellow Room Gang @ the Ark, Mitch Ryder and the Detroit Wheels @ Callahans

I just went to see a musical called “Tom Foolery” which was based on the songs of the great satirist Tom Lehrer covering his greatest hits like “Poisoning Pigeons In The Park”, “the Element Song” and ‘The Masochism Tango”. I have been a huge fan ever since I discovered his music on Dr Demento. It would be a great show for the Ringwald or Meadowbrook Theatre (hint, hint). In a similar vein of great musicals, my favorite is coming to Detroit hosted by the Farmington Players. They are putting on a production of “Little Shop Of Horrors” and are holding auditions on January 22 at 3PM with callbacks on January 23rd at 7PM. The director is open to any type of casting so if you are interested in performing in this classic, you can ask questions and request a copy of the script by emailing: littleshop@farmingtonplayers.org. The Farmington Players Barn is located at 32332 W Twelve Mile Road in Farmington Hills. It’s the big white barn on the north side of Twelve Mile between Orchard Lake and Farmington. Get you act together and hurry.

I also had some fun at the Advanced Auto Parts Monster Trucks event here in Rochester and this show is coming to Ford Field on January 14th. Monster Trucks are always a fun and loud event. A few of the trucks that were here are going to be at the event at Ford Field including Grave Digger which is celebrating his 30th Anniversary and a fan favorite. Make sure to bring lots of money to by those $12 collectors cups. I got down in the pits early and got to see the truck close up which was cool. Here are some pictures of the truck with a few of myself.

Of the four events, Grave Digger took the racing but lost the overall competition to 9 time Monster Truck winner Maximum Destruction who will also be at Detroit this week. He took the figure 8’s and overall freestyle to clinch. Here are a few shots of him.

In that last picture is another colorful truck who will be at the show in Detroit with his flashing lights and sirens. One of the coolest trucks on the tour here is Backdraft.

One truck that is not coming to Detroit but I enjoyed was Stone Crusher who has one of the coolest paint jobs. He took the wheelie event to start off strong but had a few problems later on during freestyle.

One of the fun things is to get a pit pass befoe the show because that is what makes the sport. If you can avoid buying everything is site, it is a great opportunity to meet the drivers, get autographs and see the trucks up close. I spent a few minutes with the driver of Spiderman and we talked about a few things. Apparently he used to work at a company that made the small motorized toy trucks and got the call about 2 years ago to drive this truck, sponsored by Marvel. It was a dream come true for him as he was always fascinated by the trucks. While there were no flips at the show, I did ask him what it was like to experience that moment when you know your truck is going down. He said it really isn’t a big deal because of all the safety features and the strong roll cages. I can only imagine what it must be like to have that driving power but he wouldn’t let me take it for a test drive.

I also got to meet stunt woman Cannonlady who did some nice death defying stunt which is hard to do in a small arena. She must have been within 20 feet of the roof before hitting the net.

And they had music by local rockers Ezra and the Storm.

Overall, it was just a fun time and you can experience it too by heading down to Ford Field on the 14th. If you miss that, you can also check out the show on March 3rd which also has Grave Digger and maximum Destruction and a whole round of different trucks such as Wolverine and Superman.

I am getting ready to head out to Toronto this weekend to check out the Mayan Exhibit at the ROM and the Otherworldly exhibit at the TIFF. Look for upcoming pictures and interviews concerning this trip over the next 2 weeks. Have a good week and see you next Monday.

100th Soul Deep Sunday at Frank's Bar in Wyandotte Michigan 1-1-12

2012-01-09T17:15:00.001-05:00

New Year with some old jams. Check out the video for what goes on, on sundays at Frank's bar. You're in for a pleasant surprise.

Mike Dutkewych spinning records and being interviewed at Frank's Cafe in Wyandotte, Michigan. The 100th Soul Deep Sunday.

http://www.facebook.com/souldeepsunday

http://whiteshroud.tumblr.com

OPENING SAT: Transliteration @ 323East

2012-01-09T14:28:00.000-05:00

323East Presents: 

Transliteration 

Opening Reception: Jan. 14th, 2012: 6pm -11pm 

Showing Jan. 14th - Feb. 15th 2012

323 E. Fourth St., Royal Oak, MI

Pulling a slew of literary and cultural influences from the disparate worlds of street art, advertising, graphic design and pop art Dan Armand and Dennis Jacobs will showcase their latest works as 323East and 1xRUN are proud to unveil our first exhibition of 2012, Transliteration. The old saying goes that occasionally meanings are lost in translations, but as these two mixed-media artists draw from these many influences, that is exactly where they will pull meaning. Armand and Jacobs look to blur the lines accross dozens of emotions and mediums straddling cultural, social and economic psyches to create a new artistic alphabet of communication.

"The work in the show itself spans various mediums that we're both working in, ranging from painting, to stencil, collage, and sculpture and we thought that Transliteration worked well as a title, meaning going from one form to another, both literally and figuratively " Jacobs says.

Dan Armand was recently named one of Crain Detroit's "20 in Their 20s" as he was highlighted among the best "brainpower and entrepreneurial talent of the region's young professionals and creatives." Armand currently works in advertising in Detroit and graduated from CCS in 2005 where he was trained in illustration. Armand's work was recently shown at Lyons Wier Gallery - NYC, The Dirty Show, Dirty Show LA, and the Urban Roots Exhibition at 323East.

"My work is kind of all over the place because of the different training and backgrounds that I have. The work for this show is a blend of all these things through a variety of media, from sculptural works to prints to digital works." Armand says. "I'm also a big fan of trench art too. You know, WWI & WWII stuff where there were so many shells and bullets left over from the war, that people made all kinds of cool stuff out of them. Taking those artifacts of war and repurposing them into something new. It's that same kind of approach, but putting a bit more of a modern spin on it. It's almost like the corporatization of trench art."

Dennis Jacobs is a self taught artist living and working in Detroit. Along with his wife Christina, he runs the screen print studio & art blog Perfect Laughter. Jacobs previous works have shown throughout the Detroit area and have included spraypaint stencil and collage on wood panels.

"My work for this exhibition is spray paint stencil on found wood and collage. The collage elements that make up the backgrounds in my paintings are made up of found papers, antique book pages, letters, and vintage advertisements. Recently I've gotten really into gig posters and silkscreen artists. My favorite part about gig posters is that they almost always tell a story. I'm trying take a more literary approach to my new work."

FREE TICKETS: Show reminder - JC Brooks and the Uptown Sound - Magic Bag Ferndale - Sun 1/15

2012-01-09T11:42:00.000-05:00

We mentioned a great upcoming show a few weeks ago and here we are reminding you with a free pair of tickets to check out JC Brooks and the Uptown Sound who play The Magic Bag in Ferndale on Sunday 1/15 opening for JJ Grey & Mofro

This show is gonna be hot...

Get tickets here

The Magic Bag

22920 Woodward Avenue

Ferndale MI USA

(248) 544-3030

DAM "Cocktail" by Design + HOMESLICE Fashion Show - Friday 1/13

2012-01-09T11:20:00.002-05:00

"Cocktail" by Design this year for Detroit Artists Market's 2012 DAM Design Show January 13, 2012

4719 Woodward Ave., Detroit

The Detroit Artist Market's (DAM) legendary design show will turn Detroit's attention towards the "Cocktail" this year. From Jan. 13 to Feb. 18, the 2012 DAM Design Show will feature 13 local designers, who will share their own process of creating cocktail tables, side tables and bars, starting with sketches to the finished saleable product. Table Designers: Abir Ali and Andre Sandifer of Ali Sandifer Studio, Jen Beaudoin, Brian DuBois, John Kaloustian of Design Wise, LLC, Andy Kem of Kem3D, Andie Mellon, Tracy Metivier, Mark Pavlovski, John Rizzo, Marco Terenzi, Patrick Thompson, Olek Zemplinski of bioLINIA. Also, special this year, illustrator Sean Bieri will adorn the walls of DAM with table themed scenes.

The show will open with a ticketed event January 13, 2012 from 7pm – 10pm.

During this exclusive "swanky cocktail attire" opening event, DAM will once again host a runway show, featuring women's evening wear by Emily Thornhill of Homeslice Clothing. Tickets for current DAM members will be $45, non-members $55. Call 313.832.8540 to reserve tickets. The event will include cuisine generously provided by Angelina Italian Bistro, For Goodness Sake, Komodo Kitchen, Little Dove Bakeshop, Love's Custard Pies, Slows Bar BQ, Supino Pizzeria and Zumba Mexican Grille. This year as a special treat, Hard Luck Candy Vodka, The Sugar House and Valentine Vodka will create cocktail tastes for the event and Motor City Brewing Works will provide beer. Detroit DJ Greg Mudge will provide music entertainment. Runway jewelry designed by Jennifer Vermeersch, hair styling by Vincent Sherk of ICONIC Salon, and makeup by Erin Thomas. The 2012 DAM Design Show draws attention to Detroit's ever-expanding vision of art and design and focuses on the impact local designers have on our lives. As Metro Detroit sharpens its focus on creative businesses as an economic growth industry for the area, the 2012 DAM Design Show is perfectly poised to explore these conversations. This exhibition reminds us all that art is a vital component of our everyday lives.
The 2012 DAM Design Show is made possible with generous support from Apparatus Solutions, Inc.; Optik Birmingham; Bloomfield Hills Financial; Bettie and Richard Buss; Julie and James Hock; and Jean and Joe Hudson. Our Media Sponsor partner is Between The Lines. Additional exhibition sponsors include Linda and John Axe; Lucy Bates and Ed Fella; Darcel and James Deneau; Stephanie James; Melissa Jones and Steve Smith; Kristine and Jeff Kidorf; Linda Kolnierz and Norm Kobylarz; Dr. Myron and Joyce LaBan; Patrick Thompson Design; Sandra Plezia and Ryan Husaynu; Tracy and Richard Probst; Peter Ruffner; Danny Stella; and Lisa Wetzen and Doug McElroy. DAM's 2012 Exhibition Season is made possible with support from the Erb Family Foundation, Hudson-Webber Foundation, The Kresge Foundation, Michigan Council for Arts and Cultural Affairs, and the National Endowment for the Arts.

BEST OF THE BEST - January Exhibition at the Lawrence Street Gallery

2012-01-09T10:37:00.001-05:00

Best of the Best
Show dates : January 11 - 28
Reception: Friday, January 13, 6:00-9:00 p.m. (public invited)
Gallery Hours are Wed, Thurs & Sat, noon - 5. Fri, noon - 9
Location: Lawrence Street Gallery is at 22620 Woodward, Ferndale (east side of Woodward, two blocks south of 9 mile).
telephone 248-544-0394, or at http://www.lawrencestreetgallery.com/
Come to the Lawrence Street Gallery during the month of January to experience "The Best of 2011" at the Lawrence Street Gallery. Twelve prizewinning artists from the Gallery's four annual juried shows (invitational, figurative, photography and small works) will be given space to exhibit a larger selection of their work.
Laura Host, organizer of this exhibition says, "Just as music, theater and literature look back on the best of the previous year's offerings in January, we at the Gallery have decided to give the public another chance to take a look at the new work of last year's top picks."
Participating artists are: Kathleen Boettcher from Farmington Hills, Colin Delaney from Ann Arbor, Larry Zdeb from Troy, Carolyn Mel from Royal Oak, Christine Bruxvoort from Ypsilanti, Krysti Spence from Madison Heights, Robert Bielat from Ferndale, Candace Law from Berkley, and Anthony Duce from Birmingham.
In addition to the above exhibit, Lawrence Street Gallery artists will feature new work .
Shown are images of work by Larry Zdeb ( mixed media collage, "Leave"), Carolyn Mel ( terra cotta, "Dude"), and Colin Delaney ( pen and wash on paper, "Lawn Chair"), Christine Bruxvoort (photograph) and Anthony Duce (watercolor, "Overlook").

FREE TICKETS & CD: Caveman / Hospitality - PJs Lager House Detroit - Thursday 1/12

2012-01-09T10:26:00.000-05:00

Want to check out Caveman & Hospitality for free this Thursday night at Lager House?
email motorcityblog@earthlink.net for your shot to win a pair

Have you heard of Caveman yet?

They're coming to play Detroit this Thursday night at Lager House

Proud New Yorker Matt Iwanusa is the main singer songwriter, as well as adding percussion/drums to the band on record and live on stage. Guitarist Jimmy “Cobra” Carbonetti is born and raised on New York’s Roosevelt Island, and has been designing his hand-made Cobra Guitars from scratch for a couple of years now. Together with native Manhattanite Stefan Marolachakis (drums), Jeff Berrall (bass), and Sam Hopkins (synths), they form a tight knit group of proud New Yorkers who say: “The genre of music is hang out.”

Also on the bill is Hospitality who have a new CD to offer up the ticket winner
The band’s debut full-length will be released on Merge on January 31. The angular, intricate, and intelligent compositions of Hospitality signal a sophisticated new pop voice.

Singer Amber Papini’s idiosyncratic songwriting and incisive lyrics coupled with the band’s rich arrangements on its self-titled debut explore youth, New York, and the bittersweet commingling of past and present in a way that feels just right, right now. Papini's singing has a wisp of an English accent via Kansas City (she learned to sing by imitating Richard Butler on ... [read more]The Psychedelic Furs’ Talk Talk Talk), and her lyrics create a moonstruck, even cinematic vision of New York City, where the band formed in 2007.

The production by Shane Stoneback (Vampire Weekend, Sleigh Bells) and band member Nathan Michel imbues the entire record with an intimate yet prodigious sound, layering period keyboards with horns, synthesizers, and treated guitars.

Hospitality is Brian Betancourt, Nathan Michel, and Amber Papini.
Hospitality - Betty Wang by MergeRecords

Caveman / Hospitality

01/11: Toronto, ONT @ Legendary Horseshoe Tavern
01/12: Detroit, MI @ PJ’s Lager House
01/13: Chicago, IL @ Schubas
01/14: Madison, WI @ High Noon Saloon
01/15: Cleveland, OH @ Happy Dog
01/20: New York, NY @ Bowery Ballroom

FREE TICKETS: Eric Carle's Treasured Stories - Music Hall Detroit - Sunday Jan 28th

2012-01-09T10:13:00.001-05:00

Win a family four pack of tickets to this super fun show

email motorcityblog@earthlink.net

Music Hall Center for the Performing Arts presents; Mermaid Theatre of Nova Scotia's much-anticipated new production, A Brown Bear, A Caterpillar And A Moon: Treasured Stories By Eric Carle, will bring together old favorites and new friends. Featuring evocative music, stunning visual effects and innovative puppetry, the triple-bill highlights three of Eric Carle's most beloved tales, one performance only, Sunday, January 28 at 2pm.

Get tickets here

http://www.musichall.org/

FREE TICKETS: PINA - Uptown Palladium - 1/26

2012-01-09T10:05:00.002-05:00

MCB will be checking out PINA at the special advanced screening this week but we have some free passes to giveaway for the opening night on Thursday 1/26

hit us up to enter to win - motorcityblog@earthlink.net

PINA (Exclusively at Birmingham 8): In his exhilarating new film, German master Wim Wenders (Wings of Desire, The Buena Vista Social Club) shoots in 3D to capture the brilliantly inventive dance world of legendary choreographer Pina Bausch. Wenders had conceived with Bausch a dance film like none seen before, one which would take the fullest advantage yet of new 3D technology to put the viewer deep inside Bausch's playful, thrillingly unpredictable pieces. After her untimely death in 2009, Wenders continued with the project, turning it into the most exciting tribute he could imagine. Sensual and visually stunning, PINA uses 3D to remarkable effect, taking the audience into Bausch's work in her imaginative sets (a gliding monorail, a bare stage covered with chairs, a towering man-made waterfall) and powerfully rendering the beauty and sheer physicality of the dances and dancers of her Tanztheater Wuppertal ensemble.

(IFC FILMS)

Not rated

http://www.uptownentertainment.com/

Nagging Reminder: Derby Derby Girls Tomorrow at the Masonic Temple

2012-01-06T23:36:00.001-05:00

Come see the Devil's Night Dames in their season debut against the D-Funk Allstars

All tickets $15, up to two children under 12 admitted free with each adult admission.
Tickets will be available at the door

Doors open at 6 p.m., bout starts at 7.

A few thoughts from Fatal Femme, D-Funk's Captain:

Detroit Area Dork: What has D-Funk been focusing on the most in practice since the season opener?
Fatal Femme: We have been focusing a lot on jammer skills and recycling. It really has paid off for us. I can't wait to see our new recruits using their new found skills.
Detroit Area Dork: Since we haven't seen the Dames play yet this season, are you worried they might have any big surprises up their sleeves?Fatal Femme: Dames have definitely stepped up there game. They might have a lot of new girls but they seem to be molding into a strong team. This bout will be very interesting I'm sure.

TONIGHT: The Luckouts - Lager House Detroit - Fri 1/6

2012-01-06T18:51:00.001-05:00

Get on down to the Lager House tonight for one of Detroit's best

The Luckouts!

PJs Lager House

1254 Michigan Ave

Corktown Detroit USA

UPCOMING: Renaissance Armor Demo @ DIA, 20-22 Jan

2012-01-06T17:06:00.000-05:00

Do you find people crashing around inside metal suits while throwing pointed objects about entertaining, or, dare I even say, slightly erotic? [ED: Dial it back there, girlie, this is a FAMILY EVENT.] Then go check out this live event at the DIA, in the fabled Great Hall, surrounded by the DIA's collection of historic armor.

Family Performance: Armor Demonstration

Detroit Institute of Arts
Great Hall

5200 Woodward, Detroit

Fri, Jan 20: 7:45 pm

Sat, Jan 21: 1:00 pm, 3:00 pm

Sun, Jan. 22: 11 a.m., 2 p.m., 4 p.m.

Why armor? Who wore it and why are there so many different types? Join us for a step back in time with the Michigan Entertainment Renaissance Curiosities Society (MERCS), a live-steel fight group employing period clothing and weaponry to offer a lively glimpse of arms and armor in the Renaissance.

Tonight! Otto Vector and Night Life at Luna

2012-01-06T16:24:00.001-05:00

We're in a new year of great local bands and shows to catch! Some of them approach with such a fast and furious pace they almost miss my eagle eye. Take tonight's incredible show at Luna in Royal Oak featuring local new wave mavens, Otto Vector and relatively new synth pop band Night Life. Otto Vector, which features the sweet and spicy pipes of lead singer, Renee Miller, always put on a helluva show and tonight should be no exception. The bands at Luna usually start around 10pm so there's still time to fit it into your night.

ONGOING: Go see some bats at Cranbrook!

2012-01-06T15:43:00.000-05:00

The Bat Zone at Cranbrook has been on exhibit for a number of years. But let me tell you a little secret I learned not too long ago: The Science Institute is open until 10pm on Friday nights. This is such an awesome spot for a date, it almost makes me want to rejoin match.com. (Okay, maybe nothing could actually be that great.) Make sure you visit with the Flying Fox! (And no, that's not my match.com handle.)

Dale and Straw; no telling which is which.

Bat Zone!

at the Cranbrook Institute of Science

39221 N. Woodward, Bloomfield Hills

Visit the Organization for Bat Conservation at Cranbrook Institute of Science to see award-winning LIVE bat programs that explore the fascinating world of bats, how to attract them, and much more. These programs feature vampire bats, large fruit bats (with 4 to 6 foot wingspans) and others. Programs are given at special times every weekend and on special occasions.

The Bat Zone is a separate building behind the main Cranbrook Institute of Science building. Bat Zone is home to over 150 bats from around the world. These bats include big brown bats, dog-faced fruit bats, straw-colored fruit bats, endangered golden (also known as Rodrigues) flying foxes, Malayan flying foxes (the largest bats in the world, with 6 foot wingspans), Egyptian fruit bats, short-tailed fruit bats, Jamaican fruit bats, Indian flying foxes, and vampire bats. Other nocturnal animals include a three-toed sloth, flying squirrels, sugar gliders, frogs, barred owl, great-horned owls, and screech owls.

All animals that live at the Bat Zone are either injured and can not be released, have come from rescue situations, have been donated from zoos that can not house them anymore, or were orphaned at a young age. We never take animals from the wild and hold strong to the philosophy that wild animals are not pets (something we stress in our educational programs). Our bats and all other animals that make the Bat Zone their home are treated with respect and love. They are ambassadors to the world and are trained to enjoy programs by using only positive reinforcement in these programs.

To learn more about bats or the Organization for Bat Conservation go to http://www.batconservation.org/.

UPCOMING: Hair and Fashion @ Magic Stick, 12 Feb

2012-01-06T13:59:00.000-05:00

HEAT WALK

Hair-a-Thon / Fashion Experience

at the Magic Stick

4120 Woodward, Detroit

Sunday, 12 Feb 2012, 5pm

Hosted by Hair Legendary Phylis Patillo and Nina Ross

Stylists, barbers, fashion designers, make-up artists and models will be showcased.

Stylist lineup includes:
TIFF THE BARBER-FINISHING TOUCH SALON

 JENINE-A-LIST SALON 

MAKIBLA @ COREYS ON WOODWARD 

FABULOUS @ SALON DNA 

PHYLIS PATILLO @ SALON EUPHORIA

Fashion line-up includes:

I LUV GIRLZ APPAREL 

NOVA BROWN COLLECTION 
EXOTIC BOW 

MARIEJANE

$10 Advance ticket (General Admission)
$20 Runway Seating (includes reserved seating at runway stage, express entry to event)
$25 VIP (includes reserved table, dedicated server; with complimentary buffet and express entry to event)

UPCOMING FUNDRAISER: Seven Year Itch - Fundrasier for Michigan Humane Society / 7 Year Celebration for MCB & MPAD - Jazz Cafe Music Hall Detroit - Fri Feb 3rd 2012

2012-01-06T11:31:00.000-05:00

“Seven Year Itch”

For 7 years MOTORCITYBLOG and Most People Are DJs

have been documenting Detroit events producing over 500 video interviews and podcasts with

local and national talent. In celebration of their continued efforts, please join us for the

“Seven Year Itch” featuring five of Detroit’s most talented acts in a fundraiser for the Michigan

Humane Society at The Jazz Café inside Music Hall Detroit on Friday February 3rd 2012 7:30pm

Seven Year Itch will feature FUR, Phantom Cats, I Love Lightning Bugs, and Legendary Creatures

filling the Jazz Café with an array of musical sounds ranging from electro pop to sultry swoon.

Also making a special guest showing will be performance artists Satori Circus & his Cirquettes.

“Our goal is to celebrate the longevity of MCB and MPAD with a fun event which highlights

some of the talented musicians on the rise while raising money for a great cause such as The

Michigan Humane Society.”

“Seven Year Itch”

Fundraiser for Michigan Humane Society

7 Year Celebration for MOTORCITYBLOG & Most People Are DJs

Jazz Café inside Music Hall Center for the Performing Arts

350 Madison St Detroit MI 48226

Friday February 3rd 2012 7:30pm

$10 at the door

Confirmed Lineup:

FUR

Phantom Cats

I Love Lightning Bugs

Satori Circus & his Cirquettes

Legendary Creatures

Thanks to our Sponsors:

HEARMag – Rock N Rummage – Knerd.com

SATURDAY: "Feast Your Eyes" Book Release Show at I3 Detroit in Ferndale

2012-01-05T19:43:00.002-05:00

The circus comes to a coffee table near you! On January 7th, i3 Detroit will host the release party and show for member Cheryl Willard‘s new book, "Feast Your Eyes", An Illustrated Collection of Detroit’s Circus Performers. The DIY workshop will be converted into a venue for some of those very performers, while members and guests alike enjoy refreshments and a show. Framed prints and a limited number of books will be available for sale. 6-9pm, public welcome, no cover.

About the book:
Cheryl Willard, known locally as Spilt Sugar, has been involved with Detroit’s circus community for over 3 years, as both an aerial performer and a photographer. In Feast Your Eyes‘s 100 pages, she presents striking costumes and vivid settings, paired with intimate portraits, offering a rare behind-the-scenes peek at the individuals who make up this unique and wondrous world. Cheryl first came to i3 Detroit in 2010 seeking a place to practice her aerial routines, and joined as a member in early 2011.

About The venue:
i3 Detroit is metro Detroit’s first hackerspace, a member-run collective of do-it-yourselfers. Founded in 2009, the group maintains an 8000 sq ft workshop in Ferndale, which supports a wide variety of activities and member-run classes. Frequent activities include electronics, metalworking, podcasting, and acrobatics. Past classes have included lockpicking, welding, and circuit board design. Members have 24/7 access to the facility and the tools within, and are free to work as individuals or collaborate on almost any project. “i3″ stands for “Imagine, Innovate, and Inspire”. i3 Detroit is located at 1481 Wordsworth, Ferndale, MI 48220.

UPCOMING: MythBusters LIVE @ the Fox, 16 March

2012-01-05T17:10:00.000-05:00

One of my favorite shows of all time, MythBusters has done almost as much to promote critical thinking as they have to promote the love of blowing shit up. Not to be missed!

MythBusters

Behind The Myths 

The Fox Theatre

2211 Woodward, Detroit

Friday, March 16, 2012

CLICK FOR TIX

MythBusters Takes Detroit Behind The Myths!

Don't miss MythBusters Behind The Myths, coming to the historic Fox Theatre in Detroit, MI on March 16, 2012.

The all-new, live stage show “MythBusters Behind the Myths,” starring Jamie Hyneman and Adam Savage, co-hosts of the Emmy-nominated Discovery series MythBusters,” promises to be an unexpected evening of on-stage experiments, audience participation, rocking video and behind-the-scenes stories.

For the first time ever, fans will join Jamie and Adam on stage and assist in their mind-twisting and not always orthodox approach to science.

"MythBusters Behind the Myths" brings you face to face with the curious world of Jamie and Adam as the duo matches wits on stage with each other and members of the audience.

The Adventures of Peter Rabbit - DIA Family Sunday 1/8 2pm

2012-01-05T12:45:00.001-05:00

Peter Rabbit

Sunday, January 08, 2012

2:00 PM

Wild Swan Theater Company brings to life the adventures of Peter Rabbit

as he dares to enter Farmer McGregor's garden, despite his mother's warnings.

Detroit Institute of Arts

Rivera Court

This Saturday: Detroit Derby Girls at The Masonic Temple

2012-01-05T01:30:00.000-05:00

Come see the Devil's Night Dames in their season debut against the D-Funk Allstars

All tickets $15, up to two children under 12 admitted free with each adult admission.

Get your tickets ahead of time at Brown Paper Tickets

Doors open at 6 p.m., bout starts at 7.

In anticipation of her team's season debut, Captain Yo-yo of the Devil's Night Dames shared some of her thoughts on the upcoming bout:

Detroit Area Dork: How have the Devil's Night Dames changed since the last season?
Yo-yo: The Dames have lost two players from last year, however we have gained 5 amazing rookies. We are a tough team with determination.
Detroit Area Dork: After seeing D-Funk play in the season opener, how is your team preparing for them?
Yo-yo: We are preparing for them like we would any team in the league. We are constantly working on improving our game. We do that with communication in the pack, strong defense/offense drills and implementing new strategies.
Detroit Area Dork: Any changes to the Dames' uniform?
Yo-yo: Yes, we did get new jerseys this year but they will still sport our same fresh logo that was designed by Muffy Mafioso's father last season.

UPCOMING: VODKA VODKA, 27 January

2012-01-04T17:18:00.000-05:00

In its third year, MT's Vodka Vodka is quickly becoming a winter tradition -- certainly one of MY favorites anyway. Bring on the cosmonauts, comrades!

Detroit Metro Times presents

VODKA VODKA

Vodka Tasting Party

Friday, January 27, 2012

8pm-midnight

Royal Oak Farmer's Market
CLICK FOR TIX

Refuse, Resist, Drink! Vodka Vodka returns for its 3rd year as Detroit's premier Vodka-tasting party. The Russian cosmonaut-themed event will take place at the Royal Oak Farmer's Market on Friday, Jan. 27, 2012 from 8 p.m. to midnight. Guests will enjoy a vast assortment of vodkas and vodka-infused cuisine to sample, plus DJ entertainment. A portion of proceeds will benefit a local charity. Vodka Vodka sold out last year and it's sure to be the do-not-miss event of the winter season again!

Vodka Vodka is brought to you by the Metro Times, the fine folks who created Decadence, Pig and Whiskey, Blowout and the Best of Detroit Party! Metro Times is Michigan's largest weekly alternative newspaper for news, nightlife, arts, culture, music, film, food, fashion and more. Over 600,000 loyal readers pick up Metro Times to find out who to see, what to do and where to go.

THIS FRI: Huck Gee Book Signing  @ LIFT Royal Oak

2012-01-04T16:37:00.001-05:00

"The Art of Huck Gee" Book Signing 

Friday, January 6, 2012
LIFT
228 West 4th Street

Royal Oak MI 48067
248.545.5245

We're thrilled and honored to be on Huck Gee's signing tour for his new book, The Art of Huck Gee! Huck will be signing at LIFT on Friday from 6-8pm.

The white cover Tour Edition is limited to a run of 800 and available only at his tour stops. The standard red cover edition of the book is also available from LIFT. Book may be purchased at the event or pre-ordered online, in-store or by phone starting today. Pre-ordered books will be available for pick-up or delivery on Friday.

Huck is recognized as one of the original innovators of the custom art toy movement. His work has been shown around the world and resides in the permanent collection at the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York City. He has collaborated with a number of brands including Kidrobot, Coca-Cola and DC Shoes. This book is a retrospective of Huck's work during the past decade, from custom collections to limited series to production variants.

In the words of Kidrobot founder Paul Budnitz, "Huck Gee is the greatest custom toy artist on the planet" and it's our pleasure to host him during his tour stop in Detroit.

SATURDAY: Anti-Freeze Blues Festival in Ferndale

2012-01-04T14:53:00.005-05:00

Can you believe that it's 2012?!? Another January means a return to Ferndale and The Magic Bag for the Annual Anti-Freeze Blues Festival! This year's festival features Reverend Peyton's Big Damn Band. The show benefits the Detroit Blues Society and includes Thornetta Davis and Johnnie Bassett & the Rattlesnake Shake. He'll be playing the raw pre-war blues he has been spreading the gospel about since his teens.

Admission $20.00 - benefits the Detroit Blues Society.
Saturday, January 7th  -   Showtime 7pm
The Magic Bag 
22920 Woodward Avenue

There aren’t a lot of Warped Tour vets who can claim proficiency in the use of washboards, bottleneck slides and five-gallon buckets. Most didn’t spend their teens playing along to Charlie Patton and Bukka White albums. And just about none are fronted by a commissioned member of the Honorary Order of Kentucky Colonels. But the Reverend Peyton’s Big Damn Band are all that and more. With wild sing-a-longs and flaming washboards, their live shows have been converting skeptics left and right.
The Big Damn Band is very much a family affair, with the good Reverend on finger-style resonator guitar and lead vocals, his wife “Washboard” Breezy Peyton on washboard and vocals and distant cousin Aaron “Cuz” Persinger on drums and bucket. The band’s home base is deep in the hills of Southern Indiana’s Brown County, which boasts a population of 14,957. (Or 14,954 when the band’s out on the road playing close to 250 gigs a year, including appearances at the Austin City Limits festival, Bonnoroo and tours with Flogging Molly, Derek Trucks Band and Clutch.)

“I grew up in the country, and rural life and rural culture has shaped me and my music,” says Reverend Peyton, who really is a Kentucky Colonel, just like Elvis Presley, Roy Rogers and Tiger Woods. “I have been playing music since I was a little kid. I am pretty sure we are on to something now.”

That combination of authenticity and originality is evident throughout “The Wages,” driven by the trio’s big damn vocals and melodies, gutbucket guitar playing, and foot-stomping rhythms, all in service of songs that are honest and moving, devoid of irony or artifice. We may be few in numbers, but we sound big,” says Washboard Breezy. “And I think we stand for something big too. Even if sometimes it’s just that it is okay to be a regular person.”

Wild At Heart

2012-01-01T22:41:00.002-05:00

Wild Bill Ketelhut provides the "blog" to this anti-blog

Wild At Heart

It is now officially 2012 and I spent the first day of the new year catching up on on football (nice game for the Lions despite the loss) and various TV shows (Bones, American Horror Story, Once Upon A Time and Terra Nova). My New Years Eve was a bit more exciting.

Our Science Center just got the new exhibit courtesy of the American Museum of Natural History called "Extreme Mammals". I hadn't been to the museum is about 2 decades and enjoyed walking through their exhibits of Native American culture and dinosaurs including these Wooly Mammoths (which of course is the Michigan State Fossil with a great exhibit at Cranbrook).

I have always enjoyed watching and reading about unique animals and this exhibit gives us a look at some of the most unique animals, both living and dead. It ranges from the smallest known mammal (the shrew-like Batodonoides) to the largest, the extinct Indricotherium, shown below.

You have animals with poisonous claws, quills, unique horns and numerous other unique features. A lot of unique animals ranging from the armor plated Glyptodont, the egg laying Platypus, the large nosed Macraucheria, the horned Narwhal, the pig-like Babirusa with teeth growing through the top of it's mouth, the Giant Ground Sloth and one of the first large mammal, the marsh dwelling Coryphodon (seen below) are seen.

This is a very cool exhibit with a lot of great specimens that show the true beauty of this world. Hopefully this will make it's way to Detroit because it is a nice exhibit but if you don't want to wait (or take the chance it might not come), Rochester is a good road trip. One thing the exhibit also looks at is some newly discovered animals which is always amazing considering all the nature shows and such around the world. Here is a picture of the Striped Rabbit which was first discovered in 1999 in a food market located near the border of Laos and Vietnam.

After the museum, I went to a local Japanese restaurant, The Sakura House, and tried this interesting dish. It is sliced beef and vegetables which they bring to the table with a lava rock that is preheated to 750 degrees. You place the meat on the rock and it cooks right at your table and it was delicious. I enjoy unique dining experiences like this. They had great sushi also.

After dinner, I went to see the Capitol Steps. They started as a bunch of Senate staffers that turned to performing comedy sketches and have been going strong for 30 years as of last week. They do a wonderful job doing parody songs of current events and do a good job picking on everyone deserving despite their political affiliation. This night they took on Obama, Bush, Newt, Palin, Dole, Kim-Jong II, Perry and many more. My favorite song of the night was a pirate song based on the melody of "We Are The World" which I have included below as well as a picture of most of the cast mingling with the fans during intermission.

I highly recommend checking them out when you can. They will be playing just south of Detroit at the Croswell Opera House in Adrian on March 18th so look into this before you forget.

Lastly, I spent the night at the Bug Jar taking in my high school buddy's bands the Quitters and the Thundergods. He has been a drummer in a number of great bands in the rock and punk genres and has been a popular fixture of the Rochester music scene for a good 20 years. He had a couple of big articles in the local magazines about problems with drugs and working his way through it. With the help of his family and wife, he is making some hard choices for which I am very proud of him. It is not easy being if the music industry which might look down on drugs but also puts people like Morrison and Joplin on a pedestal despite their problems. This is also why a book like Motley Crue's "The Dirt" can be seen as a classic which some people admire and some condemn. He is looking good right now and by the picture of his smile of the picture below shows he is on the correct path and I wish him the best at fighting those demons. Enjoy the pictures.

With the New Year, I had trouble finding that many shows to recommend though those Magic Bag shows look mighty promising esp on Sunday.

Saturday (1/07) - Lath Al-Saadi w/Pazman and Jim McCarty @ Magic Bag, Jill Jack @ the Ark

Sunday (1/08) - Reverend Peyton's Big Damn Band w/Thornetta Davis and Johnnie Bassett @ Magic Bag

I hope everyone got through last year safetly and has a good New Year.

Review: Motor City Movement at Crofoot Dec. 30, 2011

2012-01-01T13:50:00.000-05:00

I'm ringing in the new year with some photos to share from Motor City Movement's Friday show at the Crofoot. It was a spectacular event with 20 choreographers, both local and nationally known, featuring dancing groups that represented hip hop, jazz, tap, and more forms of dance. The night was hosted by Heather Zara, a former WDIV broadcaster and currently part of the Detroit Piston announcer team. The entire show was pulled together flawlessly by MCM founder Jill Zmijewski and Ryan Nunley. I'd say more about the wonderful night but I think the pictures below do a far better job displaying the sights and talent of the show.

“Retox” Rock ‘N Roll New Year’s Eve Party at The Ritz - Rock Bands, Go Go Dancers, Wolfman Mac and More to Ring in 2012

2011-12-31T18:11:00.001-05:00

"Retox" Rock 'N Roll New Year's Eve Party at The Ritz
Rock Bands, Go Go Dancers, Wolfman Mac and More to Ring in 2012

Join On the Rocks Detroit with High Liquors and White Dogg Detroit for a boisterous New Year's Eve Party on Friday December 31 at The Ritz in Warren, Michigan. "Retox" Rock 'N Roll New Year's Eve features live music by some of Metro Detroit's wildest rock bands, including 60 Second Crush, Mound Road Engine, Motown Rage, Soot and A.S.S. Doors are at 8 p.m. and the party runs until 4 a.m.! Admission is just $5 for ages 21 and over, and $8 for ages 18-20.

In addition to the exhilarating live performances, "Retox" partygoers will enjoy snake-charming belly dancing by Shetan Noir, hot Go Go dancers, High Liquors drink specials and Rock 'N Rummage vendors. As Retox's master of ceremonies, Chiller Drive In TV's Wolfman Mac will ensure the entire night is a howlin' great time!

With complimentary pizza and free Jager shot New Year's Eve toast at Midnight – this party will be INTOXICATINGLY fun!

High Liquors is one bar – full brand. High Liquors is the world's first full line of ultra- premium spirits including vodka, tequila, whiskey and rum.

The Ritz is the Eastside's original rock club. The Ritz is located at 24300 Hoover Rd in Warren, Michigan and features plenty of free, secure parking.

For more information on Retox please call The Ritz at 586-756-6140.

NEW YEARS AT SOUL DEEP SUNDAY @ Frank's Cafe Wyandotte, MI

2011-12-29T16:59:00.002-05:00

Don’t know what to do for New Years day?

Go to a nice quant bar called Frank’s Cafe and dance all your troubles away for the year.

It’s going to be hosted by Mike Dutkewych who likes to get the tracks flowing with some soul and R&B 45’s. If you want to dance your ass off to the classics of R&B and you want to hear that particular single. Mike will have you in for a surprise.

Don’t forget, this will be the 100th Soul Deep Sunday. It’s been going on for 2 years and it’s gonna continue with your support.

If you want to gather a group of friends and go out, this is the place to go.

And you can’t go wrong with dancing and throwing your hands up with a little help from the song “SHOUT” in the background.

TWO-YEARS and a whole lotta shakin’ later: Thank you thank you thank you!
For our anniversary party we’ve got CONTESTS, SURPRISE GUEST DJs, and a commemorative SOUL DEEP 100 MIX guaranteed to knock-up your stereo and knock-out every record on your shelf.

Dance, drink and have a good time while Mike Dutkewych spins the most mandatory soul sides from his personal collection.

$2 PINTS from 6-10 PM!

NO COVER, 21+ w/ ID

*We’ll be recording and interviewing the crowd, so stay tuned for some videos of the nye bash.*

Located in Wyandotte, MI

Franks Cafe 3852 6th St, Wyandotte, MI 48192-6852

Something Like A War By John Kalogerakos

2011-12-29T14:22:00.000-05:00

(click image to enlarge)

Enjoy this weeks edition of SLAW with your new cartoon favorites

Evans and English

Detroit Cobras on NYE 2011

NEXT WEEK:

the boys work on their tax returns over drinks and dames at the stripclub

DJ ANYTIME - TONIGHT - LJs Lounge Detroit

2011-12-29T10:17:00.001-05:00

http://www.myspace.com/ljslounge

detroiter MOTORCITYBLOG.net motorcity motorcityblog detroit music art events

Adam Shirley / Still Life / Feb 4 / Re:View Contemporary

FREE TICKETS: Seven Year Itch - Fundraiser for Michigan Humane Society - Music Hall Detroit Jazz Cafe - Friday 2/3

Wild At Heart

Slander Cannon/Wereworm - Franks Power Plant

Show review: MILLION DOLLAR QUARTET @ The Fisher Theater (currently playing)

Show review (with live video) : WHO'S BAD: THE ULTIMATE MICHAEL JACKSON TRIBUTE @ The Magic Bag

Free Tickets: We Are The Ocean at the Pike Room

REVIEW: No VI Chop House - "Around the World in 12 Days" by FIREFAR

Waiting for Godard @ Museum of New Art

THIS THURS: Detroit4Detroit Kickoff @ Green Dot Stables

THIS FRI: Robert Gordon feat. Chris Spedding @ Magic Bag

FREE TICKETS: Dirty Show 13/ Feb 10- 18/ Bert's Warehouse

UPCOMING: Pretty Things Peepshow - Smalls Hamtramck - Sat Feb 4th

UPCOMING: Modern Skate Park Presents Bitter Cold Showdown XII

Wild At Heart

Nagging Reminder: Detroit Derby Girls This Saturday

Wild At Heart - Birthday trip to Royal Ontario Museum (mayan Exhibit) and TIFF (Otherworldly exhibit)

UPCOMING: Thomas Dolby! 4 April @ ROMT

Battle of the Dragons vs Legendary Creatures - Magic Stick Detroit - Fri 1/20

Opening Reception of Working Towards Invisible - Marygrove College - Sun 1/22/2012 1-4pm

Four at PCCA - Friday 1/20/2012

This Saturday: Detroit Derby Girls at The Masonic Temple

NEXT MONTH: Cinematic Titanic @ ROMT

THIS WKEND: Epic Confusion

UPCOMING: Motor City Nightmares 2012; 27-29 April

UPCOMING: KOFFIN KATS "Our Way & The Highway" CD Release Show- Sat. Jan. 21 at Woodruff's

"Green Day's American Idiot" Review by Peter Schorn

Show Preview - Paper Diamond Saturday, iLounge

UPCOMING: WHO’S BAD (The Ultimate Michael Jackson Tribute) Friday,January 20 at the Magic Bag

TOMORROW: Around the World in 12 Days - No. VI Chophouse - Wed 1/18 6pm

Forbidden Panet - The Redford Theatre - Fri/Sat Jan 20th & 21st

Tomorrow: Mitten Movie Project at the Main Art Theater

Wild At Heart

Bedroxx - FIRE album release party @ Blind Pig 1/20

Dr Sketchy MotorCity Division - Scarab Club - Thur 1/19 6-9pm

BARS OF GOLD - Magic Stick Detroit - Fri 1/19/12

UPCOMING: Grid List - Detroit! opening Jan. 27th 2012 - College for Creative Studies

Upcoming: Ann Arbor Folk Festival, Friday Jan 27th and Saturday, Jan 28th

Detroit Derby Girls: D-Funk Allstars vs. Devil's Night Dames

Origix & D.C.-Check Out "Official Video"

FREEVERSE: Virgil H. Carr Center Sunday 1/15 3:30pm

School of Seven Bells back with "Lafaye"

UPCOMING: Michigan Winter Dog Classic, 19-22 Jan

Jeff Caldwell at the Comedy Castle

Wild At Heart

100th Soul Deep Sunday at Frank's Bar in Wyandotte Michigan 1-1-12

OPENING SAT: Transliteration @ 323East

FREE TICKETS: Show reminder - JC Brooks and the Uptown Sound - Magic Bag Ferndale - Sun 1/15

DAM "Cocktail" by Design + HOMESLICE Fashion Show - Friday 1/13

BEST OF THE BEST - January Exhibition at the Lawrence Street Gallery

FREE TICKETS & CD: Caveman / Hospitality - PJs Lager House Detroit - Thursday 1/12

FREE TICKETS: Eric Carle's Treasured Stories - Music Hall Detroit - Sunday Jan 28th

FREE TICKETS: PINA - Uptown Palladium - 1/26

Nagging Reminder: Derby Derby Girls Tomorrow at the Masonic Temple

TONIGHT: The Luckouts - Lager House Detroit - Fri 1/6

UPCOMING: Renaissance Armor Demo @ DIA, 20-22 Jan

Tonight! Otto Vector and Night Life at Luna

ONGOING: Go see some bats at Cranbrook!

UPCOMING: Hair and Fashion @ Magic Stick, 12 Feb

UPCOMING FUNDRAISER: Seven Year Itch - Fundrasier for Michigan Humane Society / 7 Year Celebration for MCB & MPAD - Jazz Cafe Music Hall Detroit - Fri Feb 3rd 2012

SATURDAY: "Feast Your Eyes" Book Release Show at I3 Detroit in Ferndale

UPCOMING: MythBusters LIVE @ the Fox, 16 March

The Adventures of Peter Rabbit - DIA Family Sunday 1/8 2pm

This Saturday: Detroit Derby Girls at The Masonic Temple

UPCOMING: VODKA VODKA, 27 January

THIS FRI: Huck Gee Book Signing @ LIFT Royal Oak

SATURDAY: Anti-Freeze Blues Festival in Ferndale

Wild At Heart

Review: Motor City Movement at Crofoot Dec. 30, 2011

“Retox” Rock ‘N Roll New Year’s Eve Party at The Ritz - Rock Bands, Go Go Dancers, Wolfman Mac and More to Ring in 2012

NEW YEARS AT SOUL DEEP SUNDAY @ Frank's Cafe Wyandotte, MI

Something Like A War By John Kalogerakos

DJ ANYTIME - TONIGHT - LJs Lounge Detroit

THIS FRI: Huck Gee Book Signing  @ LIFT Royal Oak