Stirling and Charles English (Photo by Peter Schorn/RockOutShots.com)
Retro music fans will have three good reasons to get together this December! There will be a reunion of friends, fans, and family of the seminal '80s nightclubs Todd's and Liedernacht/City Club and a birthday celebration for Stirling - the creator of these two (and many other) nightclub new wave theme nights. The party is onSaturday, December 19, 9 pm at Northern Lights Lounge in Detroit's New Center.
The night will feature original Todd's DJ Charles English spinning music from the '80s for your listening and dancing pleasure. The night is also a party for a good cause, as a portion of the proceeds will benefit the release of a local documentary film.
“AMERICA YOU KILL ME” is a feature-length documentary film about the pioneering work & impact of gay rights activist Jeffrey Montgomery, and the struggle for equality in the midwest. The film is in its final production stages and is scheduled to be released in 2016, once funding is completed. Stirling specifically requested that some of the proceeds go towards this important documentary as it needs to be seen and gay rights was an integral part of the Todd's legacy. The 2014 short film is here: https://vimeo.com/92246156
The history of Todd's was an East Side gay nightclub that welcomed and transitioned into a new wave/punk dance club two nights a week by nightclub impresario Stirling in the early '80s. He then worked his magic at the old Leland House Hotel and transformed its' upstairs club into the subculture enclave Liedernacht on the weekends. This eclectic club hosted techno pioneer Derek May as a DJ followed by punk Djs on Sundays. The club still remains an underground nightspot today as the City Club and is one of the longest running clubs in the city. Stirling also helped found The Majestic Theatre, and the now defunct Sardine Bar, The Warehouse, and live music club 313.jac.
The holiday season is upon us and it is time once again for "Home for
the Holidaze 13: Songwriter Showcase & Charity Drive." Static
Network has been hosting this night of songwriters for the past decade
to benefit the community's homeless citizens and animals.
The event brings together six local singer-songwriters in one evening of acoustic music for a good cause.
Performing will be:
AUDRA KUBAT
ALISON LEWIS
EMILY ROSE
MICHELLE HELD
MIKE GALBRAITH
MARK BOLOHAN
The donations and proceeds from the event go towards purchasing food and
winter clothing items that is distributed to the homeless thru our
selected charities:
Outcry Youth & Street Ministry - Brother Joe Hicks has been helping
the homeless and youth in Detroit for over a decade. His nights are
spent on the streets of downtown helping those less fortunate with the
donations he receives. http://brotherjoesyouthandstreetministry.com
The Congregation of Every 1 - Local artist and philanthropist Jeff
Hocking started the secular community group turned charity to help the
homeless and also contribute goods to other homeless shelters for people
and also animal rescue groups. https://www.facebook.com/congregation1
Pet food donations are also collected each year and donated to a non-profit animal rescue shelter.
Hater Kitty Rescue Army (www.HaterKitty.com) is a local cat rescue group who takes care of strays, gets them health checked, and places them in forever homes. www.HaterKitty.com.
The show is on FRIDAY, DEC. 18 at 9 pm. The venue is THE CADIEUX CAFE located at 4300 Cadieux Rd. in Detroit. Please call 313-882-8560. www.cadieuxcafe.com.
21 & over are welcome. Admission is $5 with one can of people or
pet food or winter clothing item or $6 without. Boots, blankets, socks
and hats are much needed items this year.
Inner State Gallery Presents Glenn Barr’s Hidden Persuasion November 20th
Prolific Detroit Artist Returns Home For His Latest Exhibition
Join Us Tonight From 7-10pm
Inner State Gallery
1410 Gratiot Avenue, Detroit, Mi 48207 Directions / RSVP
Opening Friday November 20th, Inner State Gallery is proud to present Glenn Barr’s Hidden Persuasion. With an entirely new body of work, Detroiters are invited into the mind of a true master of the new contemporary art movement. In this collection Barr explores a vast array of characters and situations, immersing viewers into his complex visual storylines spanning decades of cinematic folklore.
“My new work in Hidden Persuasion is a tiny bit of a departure for me. In my past work, surreal manifestations inspired by the unconscious mind came to life. The source for this current body of work is inspired by subject matter taken from films and television. I transform these characters turning them into archetypes and visually complex icons,” Glenn Barr said discussing his upcoming solo exhibition.
After wildly successful shows at Los Angeles’ trendsetting Merry Karnowsky Gallery and New York City’s playful Cotton Candy Machine, Barr returns to Detroit’s Inner State Gallery with his most refined and complete body of work to date, showcasing his unparalleled painting techniques to elicit emotion and draw viewers into his vast visual dialog.
“Previous exhibitions always had a few of these images, but this time I really went for it. Not to worry, you’ll still find an alluring dark undercurrent in my new work that will take you into this parallel world. Also, in following with the theme I’ve created some installations. One in particular is an interactive ‘set’ which I hope everyone will take part in,” Barr added from his studio space in Detroit’s historic Corktown neighborhood.
Mark Sengbusch, Lovers IV (detail) - 2015, Scrimshawed acrylic on panel, 45 x 31 inches
Economy of Form: Matthew Hawtin, Mary Kim, and Mark Sengbusch
November 14 - December 24, 2015
Opening Reception: Saturday, November 14 5:30-8:30pm
Economy of Form features paintings by Matthew Hawtin and Mark Sengbusch and sculpture by Mary Kim. The exhibition title refers to a description of the term Hard Edge. This termwas first applied to an exhibition titled Four Abstract Classicists, which opened at the San Francisco Museum of Art in 1959. The artists in that exhibition, John McLaughlin, Lorser Feitelson, Frederick Hammersley, and Karl Benjamin utilized crisp edges to separate color in a minimal arrangement of geometric forms. The forms were spare and refined and often featured the use of vibrant color. This description can also be applied to the work of Matthew Hawtin, Mary Kim, and Mark Sengbusch, all of whom reference the history of minimalism and hard edge painting in their work. Hawtin's large scale paintings on fiberglass shapes and torqued canvas reveal his interest in history, yet he pushes it into contemporary form. Mark Sengbusch describes his technique as scrimshaw, carving his lines into the wooden panels he paints on. The result is that the color lies next to each other on a flat surface, nothing is overlapping. Mary Kim has taken geometric shapes and edited the center, what remains are simple sculptural lines in brilliant hues. Hawtin, Kim, and Sengbusch are allied in their ongoing investigation of form, line, and color.
'Industrial Soundtrack for the Urban Decay' traces the origins of Industrial music, taking a journey through the crumbling industrial cities of Europe to America's thriving avant-garde scene. Industrial music emerged in the mid 1970s, providing a vibrant, provocative, and artistic soundtrack to the picket lines, economic decline, and cultural oppression of the era. Whether factory workers, students, or unemployed, industrial music pioneers were all educated, artistically minded and politically aware artists who started with little to no musical background and went on to change musical history. Featuring Throbbing Gristle, Cabaret Voltaire, and many other pioneers.
On Wednesday, November 18 Small's Bar in Hamtramck is hosting an exclusive screening of the documentary "I Am Thor," an
official selection of the 2015 Sundance Film Festival.
The film will be followed by a
performance by the bodybuilding champion and heavy metal singer himself- Jon Mikl
Thor and his band THOR.
FILM SYNOPSIS
Jon Mikl Thor was a bodybuilding, steel bending, brick smashing
rock star in the 70's & 80's whose theatrical band THOR hit the scene
alongside Metallica and Kiss, but never achieved the gold record status of its
contemporaries. After a brief but memorable film career saw him starring in the
cult classics Rock 'n' Roll Nightmare and Zombie Nightmare, Thor all but
disappeared from the entertainment map. But ten years into retirement, and
incapable of living like a normal mortal human being, Thor attempts a comeback
to achieve the level of success that had eluded him his entire career - a
comeback that nearly kills him. Tracing the rise, fall, and rebirth of a
determined performer over the course of a career that has seen more than its
fair share of highs and lows, I AM THOR paints a fascinating and sometimes
unbelievable portrait of this larger-than-life icon.
Show Details: Date: Wednesday, Nov. 18 Location: SMALL' S BAR located at 10339 Conant, Hamtramck 8 p.m. doors, 9 p.m. film followed by performance $12 in advance, $15 at the door
Limited seating during the film is available on a first come, first serve basis
Purchase advance tickets HERE.
Detroit is a city rich in music culture, from Blues, Jazz, Motown, Punk, Hip-Hop, Pop and, of course, Techno. Recognized as one of the greatest in the world for its musical output, it is also a city whose artists have so much love and pride for their heritage. Amidst the city’s problems over the years, the inspiration remains strong and many of the artists from Detroit are innovators of electronic music.
Creating landscapes through sound, music from originators Jeff Mills, Kevin Saunderson, Juan Atkins, Derrick May, Carl Craig, Moodymann, Underground Resistance, Stacey Pullen, Kenny Larkin, Robert Hood, Recloose, Octave One and many more have influenced people the world over, and without them, the music of today would not be what it is. They have also paved the way for newer artists like Seth Troxler, Kyle Hall, Lee Curtiss, Shaun Reeves, Ryan Crosson and Jay Daniel; each artist uniquely taking the melodic and unforgettable sounds of Detroit in to the future.
“Love is what I have for my city, Detroit. ‘Detroit Love’ is my way of spreading this love, a love for music from the city, my heritage and who I am as a producer and performer. My love for Detroit is my inspiration, my inspiration is ‘Detroit Love’.” – Carl Craig
‘Detroit Love’ was launched at ADE 2014, in the underground recesses of Amsterdam’s North Sea Jazz club. Carl Craig invited Detroit natives Recloose, Moodymann – who played a set encompassing disco, soul, house and hip-hop, and Mad Mike Banks to play keys over Carl Craig’s Moog infused 4-cd-deck closing set, which included live editing, sampling, scratching and looping of soundscapes ranging from ambient textures to masterful techno. A Detroit focused line-up, showcasing only a few of the sublime talent that Detroit has to offer, the launch was a special and unforgettable night for those who attended.
For ‘Detroit Love’ events, Carl Craig will perform a new technical set up with 4-cd deck mixing, looping, live editing and sampling.
Special video mapping is being designed, depicting the surreal, urban Detroit landscape.
Hatch Art Gallery is pleased to present a solo exhibition of recent works by local artist Sean Hages. Please join us on November 7th from 6-10pm for the artist's reception!
Dates to Remember: November 7th, 6-10pm, Opening Reception November 14th, 1-6pm, Gallery Hours November 21st, 1-6pm, Gallery Hours, 2pm, Art Talk November 28th, 1-6pm, Gallery Hours
There is a certain comfort in repetition. Repetition is like an addiction to the known. Repetition is a story that has no ending. Repetition contrasts itself against itself. Repetition represents an order within chaos. Repetition is a search for sublime perfection through routine. There is a certain comfort in repetition.
Hatch Art Gallery, 3456 Evaline St. Hamtramck, MI 48212
Hands On at Hatch Art: Felting Fun
Monday, November 16th from 6 - 9 pm Hatch Art Gallery, 3456 Evaline St. Hamtramck, MI 48212
Join us at Hatch Art for a workshop where we'll make felting art with Alice V. Schneider and Juana Moore. We're going to play with needle felting, putting wool fibers together on foam with needles. It's an easy and fun craft, and we will have needles, foam, wires and pipe cleaners for armatures, and lots and lots of wool. You can see and try flat techniques for making pins or small decorative items, and/or making fiber creatures. There will also be samples and books on hand for inspiration.
The workshop is open to adults, and children over the age of 10 and they must be accompanied by a supervising adult. The workshop will be easy enough for beginners, but more experienced artists will be able to make more elaborate felted art from the basic materials.
Some materials will be provided. We'll bring papers of all kinds, paint, fabric scraps, wire, some beads, our favorite adhesives, and some brushes and other materials you can use. We strongly suggest you bring some ideas and materials of your own.
$30 per adult; Adult with child $45; adult with two children $60; Please, no children unless they are accompanied by a parent and over the age of 10. Parent/adult must supervise their children.
A couple weeks ago UK-based DJ/Producer Redlight performed a DJ set warming up the crowd for Nero at The Crofoot. His set was a calmly-lit long fuse comprised of electronic dance and garage tracks that exploded into hip hop with propulsive rhythms tipping the crowd into a state of frenzy. Before his set I shared a beer with Hugh Pescod (Redlight) in his dressing room and talked about his latest album, X Colour, making videos and touring.
MCB – I was told you were going to go record shopping when you got in town – where did you go?
Redlight – Yes, I did I went to Peoples Records
MCB – What did you get?
Redlight – I got some old dance mania records and some acapellas.
MCB – Is buying records something you like to do when you tour?
Redlight – Yes, I get new records to sample. You have some many records in America that people sleep on over here but in England they are huge, like Detroit techno.
MCB – You’ve been DJing for 15 years...
Redlight – Yes, a long time.
MCB – What was the first instrument you played?
Redlight – The turntables. I mean I used to mess around with guitar and stuff, piano and saxophone. But really turntables is what I stayed with.
MCB – What first brought you to electronic music?
Redlight —I think the rave scene in England with hip hop and jungle, that’s what we were into. That was British street culture and the rest just came with it.
MCB – You’re here to promote your album X Colour?
Redlight – Yes, I know Nero and my manager asked me if I wanted to come to America to promote my album and do this tour for a bit. It’s a good opportunity to hit up different places. When I play America I do the usual places, LA, New York, San Diego and that’s it. So this a chance to see different places and hit up different cities.
MCB – This is your first time playing Detroit?
Redlight – Yes and I’ve loved it. I think it’s an incredible city. I want to come to Detroit more, it’s a good city. It feels like a very creative city, there’s a nice mix of different people.
MCB – Nero has an elaborate stage set, do you feel the need to do something more?
Redlight – Well I’m just DJing. I just need to play music people don’t hear much over here. That is my main thing. I’m not getting paid enough to do a stage show. I need to come out here and let people hear my music.
MCB – For people who aren’t familiar, what type of music do you play?
Redlight – British dance music. British electronic music. It’s what I make, cross-culture dance music. There’s house, garage and Jamaican influences. There’s some grime in there, just British music really.
MCB – How many gigs do you play in a year?
Redlight – I don’t know, maybe like a hundred days a year. On average 2 or 3 shows a week.
MCB – I think what is interesting about the life of a DJ is you go out and you play and you’re social, but then when you make music, you’re alone, isolated from people.
Redlight – Yes, it is solitary. But for me DJing can be quite solitary too. Because you are just DJing, you are not mixing it up with everybody. And sometimes that’s the way I like it. I don’t actually like to talk to anyone at a club, especially when you don’t know anyone. Like tonight, I just got here so I’m just coming to play music. Sometimes I like it like that. Come in, play some music and just walk off. Otherwise, what else am I going to do? Am I going to get drunk? I mean there’s nothing wrong with having a party and getting drunk but three times a week with studio work or travelling and meetings, you’ve got to watch it, you can’t party too hard. But I am also sure there will be one night this week when the drinks will flow, you know?
MCB – I was reading that you think about music in a very visual or cinematic perspective…
Redlight – Yes, of course. I think when you spend a lot of time in the studio your mind tends to go places. I think lots of artists do this. Look at Nero, they think they are in a noir movie don’t they? I get involved in my videos. The last video I directed (“Threshold”), we could have taken things a bit too far…
MCB – It is pretty extreme. And you were filming that POV?
Redlight – Some of the time. I’m fully tattooed, so sometimes I couldn’t do all of it. We use other people. At the end when we go up the Crane you can see his arms so I had to get my friends involved. It was good though. We shot it in Dubai and did the whole thing with GoPro. He goes up the crane on his own with no safety equipment. I just met him at the airport and he climbed the up the crane.
MCB – With electronic music, you bring in vocalists to sing on the tracks, do you write the lyrics?
Redlight – Yes, most of the time. I’m a bit of a control freak when it comes to my music and I want it a certain way. When I cut my album there’s a woman on it called Andrea Martin who wrote her own lyrics. She wouldn’t even let me in the room when she wrote it. And there’s a track with ASTR that I co-wrote it with them. It depends on who you’re working with.
MCB – Seems like you sound has evolved over time with more instrumentation…
Redlight – For X Colour that’s true. But, that’s not always the case. I think it’s because I was making an album and I wanted to incorporate more instruments. I can make club music all day long, that is what I am known for. But making a piece of work for an album is definitely a different technique and something I am still learning.
I’m happy with my album and releasing it on my label, Lobster Boy Recordings. I want to build on that and put more people’s music out and not do it through the majors. Doing it on my own instead, like XL, the way they started and now they are releasing people like Adele and the XX. You make a bit of money here, you lose a bit there, but, it’s all about the creativity and creating good music instead of creating money from music. We have a long journey ahead of us.
South Philly S&M punks GASH hit Detroit for the first time on their "Liberation for the Masses" Tour this Thursday, November 5. They will be playing the Sanctuary in Detroit.
Special guests for the show include:
The Hangdowns SUB Max Ether The Randy Bastards
GASH combines on and off-stage
S&M acts that often involve the audience with hardcore punk riffs, backed by
blues-inspired melodic guitars. GASH, have toured from Florida to Canada, and at
their gigs aims to create a sexually charged atmosphere. Singer Tibbie X fronts
the band as a submissive, and often gets audience members to handcuff her to the
microphone, or publicly whipped and flogged by band Dominatrix
Stephxecutioner.
The Sanctuary is located at 1501 E Outer Drive in Detroit 8pm / $10 / All Ages
