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

"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

  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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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!

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

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

“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

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.

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

 

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

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

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

"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

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

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

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.