Need a Father's Day Gift ?? Check out SOUND BITES: "FOR THE LOVE OF CHOCOLATE" - Velveteen Rabbit hops on into review Gayle's Chocolates in Royal Oak

Welcome to the 1st installment of "Sound Bites" - A new monthly column featuring MCB contributors interviewing Detroit Bands/Artists who are interviewing / reviewing Detroit eateries!



To "kick it off" we have the fantastic Detroit based band Velveteen Rabbit who visited Gayle's Chocolates in Royal Oak a few weeks ago for a seated sampling of the sweetest kind.  MCB peeps were onsite to document the chocolate explosion that ensued on Washington St Downtown Royal Oak.

Words - Sandy Hopkins - Lead Singer Velveteen Rabbit
Sweets - Amy Gutz - Director of Operations Gayle's Chocolates
Images - Brett Lawrence - Founder Lawrence Creative

My band and I recently had the pleasure of having a chocolate tasting at the home base of the renowned Gayle’s Chocolates in Royal Oak Michigan. When we were told about the new experiment of having area musicians review the tastes around town we dove in head first excited about the chance of highlighting our local eats to fellow Michiganians.

The day of the review we were running late, we parked quickly, and clutching my skirt in my hands I lept from the car and bolted down fourth street, the echoes of my heels followed close behind. Our drummer Todd Flogous and Bass player Nick Pirog joined in my exuberance as we stealthily made our way through the busy Royal Oak sidewalks. I am sure we were an eyeful. We were dressed to the nines and ready to devour some chocolate heaven. Hard to explain the excitement of being asked to write a chocolate review for MOTORCITYBLOG, all I can say is that my watering mouth controlled my every move and led us all the way to the legendary and forever fabulous Gayle's Chocolates.

We were warmly received by our guides Amy and Chris. Amy Gutz is Gayle’s trusty right hand in the business. She moved back to Detroit from a career in fashion to aid Gayle in expanding the business. She impressed on the fact that they pride themselves on excellent customer service with a traditional and personal touch. She believes in Gayle’s motto that “chocolate is the worlds most affordable luxury; we eat it when it is time to celebrate, as well as when our hearts are broken”. Chris, our chocolate guru, started working at Gayle’s three years ago, and now knows just about anything you could imagine about the making of chocolate. From the percentage of cocoa bean that goes into each hand crafted piece and even where those cocoa beans are grown. Their eloquence and pride added to our excitement as we stared at the beautiful treats laid out so delicately before us.

Chris and Amy had decided to show off a sampling of their lovely little truffles which were exquisitely plated for the band, photography crew, and fellow writers at MCB. The quaint diner style counter felt warm and familiar as we all settled in for our memorable chocolate journey. Presented to us were six delectable truffles with ingredients varying in taste, texture and appearance.

Chris first introduced us to the milk chocolate Champagne Truffle. It was light and lovely with a crisp outer shell and smooth creamy ganache center. Next we were introduced to a dark, semi-sweet truffle, the Dark Brandied Morello Cherry; devine in its decadence. Our third treat was the Strawberry Truffle, with a sophisticated twist of balsamic vinegar; lite with a bite, it pleasantly surprised us all. Fourth was the Cognac Truffle with 62% cocoa bean. Gayle is not one to mess around, this truffle comes with a warning that one too many might make you a bit tipsy. Similar in the “fun” factor and delicious in its own right, is the Rum Truffle. The last, which I had been eyeing in anticipation, was adapted and named from Gayle’s signature Video Mix chocolate bar. This palate pleaser contains roasted coconut, a mixture of the finest dark, white, and milk chocolates - married with caramel, cherry and almond; totally worth the 
wait.   

We were walked through each candy in order from one to the next, showcasing the uniqueness of every hand rolled piece. Nope, Gayle’s Chocolates doesn’t use machinery. It is all poured, rolled, and hand painted by the loving and dedicated hands of her chocolatiers, which includes  Lucy who has been there for over 30 years.

Beyond truffles, Gayle’s is famous for creating customized molds to form your chocolate delight into anything you can dream of. You can also choose from over 4,000 pre-existing imaginative designs. Gayle’s custom chocolates have been sought after by GM, Mercedes, Ford and The Red Wings to name a few. She also has an exclusive line of exact replica chocolate Louis Vuitton shoes that can only be purchased from Gayle’s and at Saks Fifth Avenue. This place suddenly became a “chocolate boutique” for me. It was a complete eye opener, never had I heard of or seen anything like the things that are being created here.

After the tasting, with pride in her eyes, Amy told us about Gayle and her humble beginnings. Gayle was a teacher, but found her passion for chocolate making, she got married and had children. Her marriage did not work out and she was forced to find a way to support herself and her children. She did not give up and through perseverance and a love for her craft she has become a leading chocolatier. She is constantly coming up with brilliant ideas that many try to emulate and she is one of the first in artisanal foods in our area who continues to innovate and inspire.

Today you can still find Gayle working beside her loyal staff and loving it. She employees over 40 people in the community even though she could cut corners by using modern methods of chocolate making. They even do their own packaging. It is important to Gayle to continue her long running relationships and rarely outsources. Gayle’s loyalty to the community, innovatively delicious treats, and unwavering dedication to her craft are just a few of the many reasons that Gayle’s Chocolates remains so very endearing to chocolate lovers everywhere. 

Velveteen Rabbit gives Gayle’s Chocolates 5 stars.

Get more info on here 

Gayle's Chocolates 

417 S Washington Ave,

Royal Oak, MI 48067

(248) 398-0001

https://www.gayleschocolates.com/

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

Velveteen Rabbit is project based out of Detroit MI USA and founded in 2004 by Sandy C. Hopkins.

The eclectic group ranging in size from 2 to 7 members have steadily built a body of music and short film and video. Every member of the group is DIY artist related.  VR music is feeling, breathing. uneasy yet comfortable and in December of 2010 they were discovered on the internet by an entourage of the band  Madness and had the pleasure of being asked to play music in the UK, Exeter, and London where VR toured for 10 days. Having recorded with the legendary Detroiter Jim Diamond and Billy Kozy  they are currently working on rock opera. 

Guitar/Vox Sandy Hopkins

Drummer Robert Todd Floguas

Bass Player Nick Pirog

Catch them at a local show coming up soon as they are playing the Helicopter Conspiracy Show at the Tangent Gallery on Friday 6/20 and at the Ann Arbor Art Festival in July 2014

PHOTO CREDIT: Crystal Rae 

PHOTO CREDIT:  Jill Moninger

Get more details here on VR here

https://www.facebook.com/sandychopkins?ref=br_rs 

SOUND BITES: The ILL Itches go all in at MGM Grand Detroit's TAP

For this installment of Sound Bites we made every attempt to shake things up and see what type of trouble we could find by bringing a raucous hard rockin' band in The ILL Itches to a pub... in a casino. So flash forward to TAP at MGM Grand Detroit- Detroit's newest old sports pub.

With an impressive as well as extensive collection of sport memorabilia, I was certain that after a few flights of well crafted Michigan brews from their 36 taps, helmets would be yanked from the walls and the very special 1 of 8 footballs signed by every MVP of every Super Bowl so far would be kicked around amateurishly.

 No such luck.
MGM Grand Detroit’s Assistant Director of Food and Beverage - Tom Genevich,
 heard us coming a mile away and masterfully constructed an assortment of specialties to distract if not induce physical immobility.

 It's with professionalism like that- they're celebrating their second year at MGM Grand Detroit
and the opening of TAP at MGM Grand Las Vegas.

We were greeted to a table for 10.

A modern rustic wood table which looked to be majestically plumbed to have a tapped keg at each location. Josh, Matt and Matt of The ILL Itches sat eagerly. Missing in action was Stephen who I think may actually be an apparition- only appearing on stage. There was Elise Porier, the front woman of Bay City's rock band YUM, who is not only easy on the eyes but refreshingly pleasant in conversation. Someone must have said "food and drinks" aloud because Lee Majors, whose finger's on the pulse of all of Motor City's rock 'n' roll heartbeat, came waltzing in confidently as always.
Paul Hitz of United Photo Works took the cool pics, and the Blogfather was my designated driver while I took down as many of the CORONA LITE ON DRAFT as I could. 

The Feast

Short Rib Chili 

*which won the Plymouth Chili cook off*

ML: Yes, it's cooked with a base of "short" ribs. But in terms of how towering this chili's flavor is…think Andre the Giant. In elevator heels. On his tiptoes. (On the top rung of a fireman's ladder…fully extended.)

MM: MMMMM. THIS CHILI REMINDED ME OF THE KIND MY DEAR OLD MOTHER USED TO MAKE ME WHEN I WAS BEING RAISED DOWN ON THE FARM IN WATERFORD WISCONSIN. MY MOMMAS WAS SPICER, BUT THIS CHILI PACKS A GOOD PUNCH WITHOUT BEING TOO HARDCORE FOR ALL THOSE LAME WIMPOS OUT THERE! LOL

JW: I didn't partake in the short rib chili.  I don't think I could've face my future pet piggy in the same way if I had.  I love chili though!  Was served in awesome bowls.

Fried Mac-N-Cheese 

ML: Comfort food that’s so good, it makes your mama’s mac ‘n’ cheese uncomfortable.

MM: I LIKE MAC N CHEESE, BUT HAVING IT IN FRIED STICK FORM BROUGHT IT TO NEW HEIGHTS I HAD ONLY IMAGINED IN DREAMS OF THE BIG OLE CUNTRY BUFFET IN THE SKY!!! THE CHEESE SAUCE WAS SO GOOD, IT SHOULD HAVE CAME WITH MORE OF IT! (I USED MOST OF IT ON MY HOT WINGS)

JW: I had to check my pulse after seeing this because I thought I had died and gone to Mac N Cheese heaven.  It was absolutely awesome.  Fried mac and cheese cut into little squares.  I pride myself in being sort of a mac and cheese connoisseur, and this was some of the best I've ever had.

Pad Thai Lettuce Wraps

ML: Many of TAP’s premier confections arrive courtesy of cows – but with this option, they give you their express permission to graze like a bovine. Perfect for getting in touch with your inner vegetarian. (Or at least pretending to, as you strive to impress a vegan significant other.)

MM: I HAVE NEVER BEEN MUCH OF A HEALTHFOOD NUT, BUT IF I WAS THE TYPE TO MAINTAIN AN IOTA OF SELF-ESTEEM WHEN EATING OUT, I WOULD BE MORE THAN SATIFIED WITH THIS HEALTHY OPTION! IT HAD A VERY GOOD FLAVOR, AND WAS LIKE CHINESE FOOD FOR SKINNY PEOPLE!

JW: I didn't try these because of a coconut allergy I have, but it looked awesome and was presented very well.

Pizza- Salami, pepperoni, mozzarella

ML: The Yang to the Lettuce Wraps’ Yin. Enough meat to send aforementioned veggie-leaning significant other into a meat-inspired fit – but seeing how the taste is worth it, you be able to tune it out. (And don't forget, there’s red peppers, too.)

MM: THIS PIZZA WAS A LITTLE SPICY, A LITTLE UNREMARKABLE COMPARED TO THE OTHER FARE I CONSUMED THAT NIGHT

BBQ Chicken Pizza

ML: A gourmet masterpiece. That you can eat with your hands! Enough said.

JW: This was awesome.  Had to start out eating it with a fork because they brought it out nice and hot...if they served hot n readys like this, I'd live at a Little Caesars.

Classic Burger:

ML: “If the engine ain’t broke, it don’t need fixin’.” No place could possibly comprehend this adage better than the Motor City. And in my opinion, few places in said city have got a burger that can competes with this…well, classic.

Southwest Bacon Mushroom Burger

ML: Is it just me, or does the like/dislike of mushrooms tend to provoke a partisan divide resembling a Democrats vs. Tea Party slugfest? But regardless of where their political leanings stand, anyone in the pro-mushroom constituency should take a seat and try this burger.

MM: IN SOUTHWEST MICHIGAN I WAS BORN AND RAISED, STEALING KIDS LUNCHES IN MOST OF MY DAYS. WHEN I ATE THIS BURGER, I REALLY ENJOYED THE MUSHROOMS. I HAVE NEVER LEFT THIS PART OF THE COUNTRY, BUT MAYBE I WILL IF ALL SOUTHWESTERN FOOD IS REALLY THIS GOOD!

Downtown Burger

ML: It’s not every day you’ll find classic add-ons from both Italian subs AND barbeque sandwiches not just under the same roof…but under the same bun. Bravo.

Turkey Burger

ML: Full disclosure: I’m a burger purist. So when I say that this burger alternative didn’t make a convert out of me, take it with a grain of (non-iodized) salt. (Then again, my grandma back in North Carolina accused me of being stubborn as a mule…and seeing how she grew up surrounded by them on a tobacco farm, I’m inclined to believe her.)

MM: I ATE THIS BURGER NOT KNOWING IT WAS A TURKEY BURGER. HAD I KNOWN, I NEVER WOULD HAVE TOUCHED IT! I DID EAT THE WHOLE THING, SO I THINK THAT SAYS SOMETHING. IT GAVE ME BURPS THAT REMINDED ME OF MY AUNT LYNETTES THANKSGIVING DINNER SHE WOULD SERVE THE CLAN WHEN SHE CAME DOWN TO VISIT FROM THE GREAT NORTHERN PENINSULA OF MICHIGAN.

JW: Turkey.  On a burger.  Was awesome.  Fell apart a bit, but if you're like me, that's how I prefer it.

Michigan Beer Battered Fish-n- Chips

ML: Back in the day, I subsisted on the classic version of this dish whil(st) living abroad in England. That said, not only do I give TAP’s Fish-n-Chips the nod – this Mitten-centric take beats the (finely hemmed and tailored) pants off that of our allies across the pond.

MM: I HAD 6 BEERS, I ESTIMATE IT WAS MORE LIKE 7 AFTER FINISHING OFF THE ENTIRE PORTION I HAD STOWED AWAY ON THE RIDE HOME FROM THE CASINO. THANK GOD ITS NOT AGAINST THE LAW TO EAT AND DRIVE!

Oh, and there was dessert. Look how happy Lee is. 

This man made sure everything was delicious and presented extraordinarily. 

Be sure to make your way to TAP soon.

Great food, people and atmosphere.

Visit them online at http://mgmgranddetroit.com/tap/ or on the Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/TAPMGMGrandDetroit/timeline

You should also check out The ILL Itches at https://www.facebook.com/TheILLItches

Special thanks to Tom, Jackie and the staff at TAP for a wonderful time.

 The band had fun and us at MCB headquarters
like to get out of the office every once and a while.

Cheers!

FREE TICKETS: Mitten Movie Project @ Main Art Theatre Tues 2/2

In our continued support of MMP (Mitten Movie Project) we have a few sets of tickets up for grabs for the upcoming celebration of the 48 hr short movie. Email us for your chance to win a pair of passes - motorcityblog@earthlink.net and get out to the Main Art on Tuesday February 2nd to help support independent film makers right here in MI

THE FEBRUARY 2ND MITTEN MOVIE PROJECT
CELEBRATES THE ART OF MAKING 48-HOUR SHORTS

The February 2nd Mitten Movie Project pays tribute to the art of making 48-hour shorts. Disturbingly beautiful, “The Message,” shows Detroit in all of its post-apocalyptic glory and is a shining example of what is possible in just 48 short hours. Also screening is the impressive World War II short, “The Commandant,” film festival favorite and Director Robert Joseph Butler’s personal fave, “Solitude,” and the inspiring documentary about Detroit renaissance/revival, “The Farmer and the Philosopher.” The February Mitten Movie Project takes place on Tuesday, February 2nd at 7:30 p.m. at the Main Art Theatre (118 N. Main Street, Royal Oak 48067). For presale tickets and more information, go to facebook.com/mittenmovieproject

For Mike Zawacki, the director of “The Message,” this was his second time crewing on a 48-hour short. (Zawacki crewed on Paradise Valley Media’s “A Little Knowledge” -- the short that won the Detroit chapter of the 2009 48 Hour Film Project, and which qualified them for the international shootout.) Regarding the challenges of making a 48-hour short, Zawacki explained, “It's harder to fine-tune the script, . . . harder to do pre-production, to come up with locations, costumes, set dressings, and props. It's harder to shoot, and harder to rehearse with your actors.” But as Zawacki further explained, “Where it really bites you is in post-production. Until it's edited you can't start composing and/or laying in the music and you can't start sound designing (which is possibly the most time intensive part of post production!).”

To overcome those challenges, Zawacki said that “[f]irst and foremost you should try to crew up with quality people whom you've worked with before.” Then the next step is to “frontload pre-production and cast a very broad net in terms of actors, locations, props, and so on.” Another important aspect of completing a 48-hour short is “scheduling and having a predetermined work-flow.” A production needs a “clear map of what you're going to be doing when, from the minute you get your script elements to the minute you hand in your completed film. Not just call sheets and shooting schedules, but deciding how long you'll have to write, how long you'll have to edit, at what point does your editor hand over a cut to sound and music, how long to work on sound and music, what is your editor doing while sound and music are finishing their work, and so forth.”

Normally, 48-hour competitions have four requirements that filmmakers must adhere to: a genre, character, prop, and line of dialogue (there is sometimes an additional location requirement). But the International 48 Hour Film Project Shootout had only two requirements: a theme and city identifier. The theme that 54 teams from around the world wrestled with was END OF THE WORLD – one that was very familiar to Mike Zawacki and most of the crew of “The Message,” as many spent a year and a half making a post-apocalyptic sci-fi series and feature film in Detroit.

In other news, the winner of the January 2010 Mitten Movie Project Audience Choice Award was “Avabot,” the local sci-fi short directed by Jamie Surgener. Second and third place winners were “Death in Charge” and “Retreat,” respectively. “Death in Charge,” the short from California “directrix” Devi Snively, which features Death as a babysitter, and “Retreat,” a short by local director Robert Joseph Butler, will air on the Mitten Movie Show on Comcast 18/Wow 52 from February 3rd to February 28th on Wednesdays at 11 p.m. and Saturdays at midnight in Auburn Hills, Berkley, Clawson, Ferndale, Huntington Woods, Oakland Township, Pleasant Ridge, Rochester, Rochester Hills, Royal Oak, and Troy to reach over 140,000 households.

The Mitten Movie Project would like to thank the 100 moviegoers that braved the cold and post-holiday craziness to come to the January 5th Mitten Movie Project. The MMP would also like to thank M1 Studios in Royal Oak (www.m-1studios.com ) for its DVD authoring services, and its newest sponsor, Michigan Movie Magazine, for its monthly online coverage of the Mitten Movie Project (www.michiganmoviemagazine.biz ).

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 -- within walking distance of the theatre) to end the night’s activities. To submit a film for consideration in the festival, visit www.facebook.com/mittenmovieproject for guidelines.
Submission is free. Screeners may be sent by DVD or online link.

2/2/10 MITTEN MOVIE PROJECT
INDEPENDENT SHORTS – PROGRAM NOTES

Main Art Theatre, Royal Oak, MI - 7:30 p.m.
Pre-sale tickets $8 at www.myspace.com/mittenmovieproject
Door $10

FINAL LINEUP. Total running time: 1 hour, 48 minutes. In order of screening:

OVERCOME [trailer] - Team 10 Mile / Five Clover Films (00:50) (Michigan) (2009) Directed by Mike Madigan and Chris Lepley. Starring Vincent Rasnick, Dawn Bartley, Chris Lepley and Dave Durham. A story of trust and forgiveness as one couple tries to save their marriage. Completed for Project 21. www.fivecloverfilms.com

RUNWAYS & BUNKBEDS [trailer] – AxeFin Productions (03:07) (Michigan) (2010) Written and directed by Axel Harney. International male model, Luke Sebastian (Harney), lives a charmed life. But conflict arises when he thinks he is flying to Italy for Fashion Week. When he ends up with an atypical roommate, Fronk (Luke Richmond), and falls for a beautiful model named Molly (Monica Lee Percich), Luke is forced to look within and make decisions that might bring his charmed life to a halt. www.axefinproductions.com

FRESH START [documentary] - (06:03) (California) Directed by Brad “8.bliss” Erlandson. A quick and personal look into the life of a paraplegic ex-street musician.

THE RE-DEADENING [narrative] – Bombastic Entertainment (10:00) (Michigan) (2009) Directed by Brian Schoof. When a man finds his brother has returned from the grave to terrorize the living, he soon discovers slaying the undead isn't as easy as it seems. Starring Marc Pappas, Solid Schoof, and Brian Whisman. www.bombasticentertainment.com

TRY AGAIN [narrative] – Flim Flam Film (03:03) (Michigan) (2007) Directed by Denver Rochon. A married couple must decide whether or not to salvage their relationship after tragedy strikes their family. Starring Nick Moretti and Michelle Simasko.

DOCTOR REDDY [narrative] – Cheklich Enterprises (10:45) (Michigan) Written and directed by Diane Cheklich. Doctor Reddy is one strange dude. Witness his encounters with freaked out patients, go-go dancers, karaoke bars, and biker gangs. In other words, just another day in the life. www.cheklich.com

DANYELLE [narrative] – Five Clover Films (04:47) (Michigan) (2009) Written and directed by Mike Madigan. Starring Dawn Bartley. Danyelle’s thoughts on how to deal with a personal issue in her life evolve over the course of a day of work and personal reflection. Winner of “Best Cinematography” for MicroMinis at the 2009 Ferndale Film Festival. www.fivecloverfilms.com

PACKARD EMP [narrative] – Directed by Clark A. Eagling (11:41) (Michigan) A tiny crew of media majors attempt to capture a short film about a boy who doesn't know what freedom means and the girl that loves him.

THE GUEST ROOM [narrative] – Wolverine Films (10:05) (Michigan) (2009) Directed by Louis Kerman. May sees a mysterious little girl in the guest room of her home. Her husband, Dan, wants to move forward in their marriage. But ghosts from their past refuse to let them go -- until they’re both forced to confront their feelings over what happened.

SOLITUDE [narrative] – Nu-Wave Films (18:00) (Michigan) (2009) Directed by Robert Joseph Butler. Two abstract dramas intertwined in one short. The first involves a lonely woman, Marcia (Aphrodite Nikolovski), who is searching for a connection. Her isolation is elevated when she meets an offbeat slacker, Barry (Jacob Hodson). The second story explores the relationship between a beautiful woman, Andie (Sarah Benedict), and Barry. Both stories present a unique look at stardom, cinema, romance, broken dreams, and the film industry. www.nuwavefilms.com

THE FARMER AND THE PHILOSPHER [documentary] – DETROIT LIVES! (07:40) (Michigan) (2009) Presented by DETROIT LIVES!, this documentary takes a positive look at Detroit's forward progress told through the prism of two different figures (Toby Barlow and Mark Covington) that are changing the city for the better. Shot, edited and animated by Andrea Adelman. Produced by Philip Lauri. www.detroitlives.org

THE COMMANDANT [narrative] – Directed by Stephen Pell (12:38) (Michigan) (2009) Two Russian soldiers are trapped in Nazi occupied Poland with their wounded commanding officer during World War II.

THE MESSAGE [narrative] – Paradise Valley Media (09:40) (Michigan) (2009) A voice from the past unites a fragile trio of survivors coping with life after a catastrophic epidemic. Directed by Mike Zawacki. Written by Nancy Nall Derringer and Ron French. Starring Alora Catherine Smith, Rick Bobier, and Holly Smokovitz. www.paradisevalleymedia.com

Wild At Heart movie review - The Other Dream Team

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












Wild At Heart


When I think of the “Dream Team”, I think back to the first time American pro basketball players suited up for the Olympics and easily took home the gold. Seeing guys like Magic Johnson, Larry Bird and Michael Jordon along with the lone college player Christian Laettner was a bit of a disappointment to me from a purist stand point. I enjoyed the fact that it was college players which represented us for decades and after the Bird/Magic years, I was largely disinterested in professional basketball but was a serious fanatic of the NCAA tournament. However, it was the Russian victory over the US in 1988 the made us realize that if we wanted the Olympic gold we needed to super-size ourselves on the national stage.

That 1988 team was not purely Russian but made up of players from a number of Baltic countries including four superstar players, including Sarunas Marciulionis and Arvydas Sabonis, from the same town in Lithuania. So basically, you could put an * in front of this win and give it to Lithuania and not the USSR who only had two players on the roster. Despite that, this team was fast and tall much like American teams and put on a nice fast break tempo game. It is the accomplishments of this team that inspired the documentary “The Other Dream Team” by Marius A. Markevičius as he follows the team’s journey under the influence of Communist rule to the Summer Olympics in Barcelona.

The documentary does a good job providing a framework for what these athletes went through to play their sport interspersing achival footage going as far back as the 1930’s. I would have liked to see more of this aspect highlighted but we did get glimpses of them talking about standing in food lines for hours for a chance to get a loaf of bread despite their celebrity or having to give speeches that were written for them expressing lies that they did not believe in but had to read if they wanted to play basketball. They also told stories of being followed by the KGB (and sneaking out of hotel rooms) and buying good in other countries to bring back to sell for a profit as a way to supplement their meager earnings.

I would have liked to see more of the players families in this regard talking about the pride of their sons playing for their country despite the press focusing on Russia (and ignoring the Lithuanian ties) and the hardships the families faced to survive in this country prior to independence. That would be the real story for me but it does a decent enough job in this area.

A couple of these guys did eventually play in the NBA, esp Sabonis, that I also wish they had some more interviews with the American dream team members talking about their Lithuanian counterparts. The only member we hear from is Chris Mullen though we get a lot of good sound bites from famed center/sports commentator Bill Walton. I would love to hear Barkley give us his two cents and David Robinson would have been very appropriate because he was on the ’88 team that lost to Russia so he could have provided some nice insight, esp with his service history.

My favorite part of the documentary was when a newly free Lithuania was trying to get there team put together for the ’92 Olympics despite the country being broke. The story of basketball fans and heroes of the oppressed, The Grateful Dead, offering to help the team find its financial footing is quite fun, esp when they send the team tie-dye shirts which the team wears during press interviews and on the final medal stand for their bronze medal. What could be a ridicule inducing moment just feels right for that team at that moment of time and is one of the most memorable moments in that Olympics.

While the documentary covers a lot of ground, it doesn’t have the same gravitas that a documentary like “Hoop Dreams” brings to the table but it does a good job bringing perspective to sports that sometimes gets lost in today’s spoiled boys network where a lot of athletes feel they have a right to play instead of playing for the enjoyment of the sport that these players bring to the table. The fact that they were also playing for their country, which some of our players don’t seem to cherish as much, only makes them stand out more in my eyes.

I have full respect of these players and what they brought to the table but I wish the documentary covered more ground. Still, it can be very enjoyable at times and finds itself with a grade of B- in my eyes. Too bad it didn’t come out closer to the Olympics which might have boosted it up more.

The movie is playing at the Main Art Theatre.

CHECK IT: Mayer Hawthorne Radio

The fourth episode of Mayer Hawthorne Radio has been released via Stones Throw Records' podcast. Hear the artists that influenced his upcoming LP including Hall & Oates, Todd Rundgren, Joe Bataan, and some of the most interesting sound bites you ever heard
(Bill Cosby Coke commercial included). http://sthrow.com/mayer

we still got a (1) pair of tix up in the air for the show next week
hit us up

New Year's Eve @ Nove Lounge

Second Sun has become one of the biggest live dance acts in the world. The Montreal-born Antoine and Adam were first discovered by superstar DJ Paul Van Dyk when he was handed a copy of their first track “Empire” at legendary club Twilo in New York. Not only did the German DJ sign them to his label Vandit, but also collaborated with the duo on the single “Crush” from his “Reflections” album. The chart topping single became a trance anthem, the album earned a Grammy nomination and after more hugely popular singles with Vandit, Second Sun’s reputation as a quality dance act was already proven.

It was in 2006 that Second Sun started making waves in the house scene. After their remix of Queen’s “Another one Bites the Dust” became one of the biggest tracks of 2006’s Winter Music Conference, the remix requests came pouring in from artists like Sander Kleinenberg & The Shapeshifters and labels like Ministry of Sound, Toolroom, and Ultra Records. Another important remix was for Sharam’s massive hit “PARTY ALL THE TIME”, which also featured Antoine’s vocals. In 2008, even the rock world came in with remix requests, notably the internationnally renowned band 30 Seconds to Mars for their single «A Beautiful Lie» (Virgin/EMI).

That’s just on the production tip. Second Sun is also a live act that can destroy any club or festival stage. They do it every weekend playing shows all over North & South America and Europe. And having played festivals like Global Gathering (UK), Ultra Music Festival (US), Gatecrasher Summer Soundsystem (UK), Planet Love (Ireland), the South American Music Conference (Argentina & Ecuador), Nocturnal Wonderland (US), the Summer Dance Festival (Colombia), HMF (Brazil) and Bal en Blanc (Canada), Antoine and Adam thrive in front of giant crowds that have reached the 30 000 mark. They've also rocked the world's leading clubs in cities like New York, Berlin, London, Los Angeles, Toronto, Buenos Aires, Miami, Mexico City, Chicago, Sao Paulo and countless others. Even less obvious countries from El Salvador to Lithuania have been graced with the Second Sun sound.

“We’re trying to bring a certain element of showmanship back to dance music. We’re not Djs, we’re live musical performers. Since we come from a rock band backround, we’ve always wanted to bring a rock-show-like feel to dance music” says the classically-trained frontman Antoine.

New year - new music! The new single «Golden» just came out on Ultra Records and is sure to make waves. With it's latin guitar hook, partytime techno beat and even a rap in the radio edit, it's easy to hear how Second Sun blended all these musical influences that surround them in their home town of Miami to create this truly unique dancefloor destroyer!

Headlining the Detek Lounge, Detek Recordings' ATAXIA are set to deliver their final set of 2009! ATAXIA has played parties and club events with some of the worlds most sought after electronic music artists...MOBY, MSTRKRFT, John Acquaviva, DJ Dan, Terry Mullan, Gabe Real, Hugh C, Cedric Gervais, John Johr, Matt Herdman, Justin James...just to name a few. It's been a busy year for members Ted Joseph and Eric Hanna...this set is sure to close out their debut year with a huge bang!

ATAXIA combines elements of DJing, production, and live performance that tend to tap into the full potential of crowd interaction...and most importantly, their brand of funky tech house and minimal techno makes people DANCE...period.

(MAIN ROOM)
SECOND SUN - LIVE (Ultra_)
YOS (Ultra_Nervous_)
BEN SCOTT (Livio Radio_)
SHERIF (Nove_)

(THE DETEK LOUNGE)
ATAXIA - LIVE (Detek_)
DAN BAIN (Paxahau_)
TEDDIE (Detek_)
VINNIE GRIMALDO (A.O.D._)

MIDNIGHT BUFFET BY VIA NOVE RESTAURANT
CHAMPAGNE TOAST AT MIDNIGHT
PARTY FAVORS
DOORS @ 10PM
SERVING UNTIL 4AM
21+

TICKET PRICING:
GENERAL ADMISSION - $20
VIP - $40
4 PACK - $60 ($15 PER TICKET)

ALL TICKETS AVAILABLE AT: http://www.wantickets.com/Events/91794/Nove-Lounge-New-Years-Eve.aspx

Spagteaze The Movie - Majestic Theatre Detroit - Sat 12/10

 SPAGTEASE The Movie

 

12/10/11 at the Majestic Theater

18+ $15 8:30 PM doors and the movie starts at 9:30

Following the movie we will have live performances by Best Idea Ever, The Questions, Country Bob and the Bloodfarmers and Cocktail Shake.  (Cocktail Shake and Country Bob both have broken up and they are playing reunion shows for the event).  Also we will feature some burelsque and DJ Spag.  And popcorn.  And the movies will be for sale. 

 

SPAG teaze the movie is a classic style burlesque film, featuring a variety of talents, bands and burlesque.  With 20 Acts that range from belly dancing, to fire performance, Burlesque, singing, comedy and just plan old variety.  22 songs by not only amazing Detroit bands, but we are also proud to feature The Red Elvises, KAADA, Cars can be Blue and Earline.  The sound track is good enough to stand on its own, and the movie itself is a gem.  We call it a classic burlesque with a nod to the past.  The DVD features a full color version as well as a black and white version complete with old film scratches.  The movie is appropriately 69 minutes long.

                Our audience is both men and woman alike, fans of burlesque, fans of Detroit music, variety shows and talent.

1.       The vignettes start with a compilation of 11 years of local Spag Burlesque footage, put together to "The sun will rise again" by the Questions, and it features the complete credits. 

2.       The next act features Scarlette O'Harlot, a native Detroiter turned London lady, doing a fun and classic kitty to her husband's amazing band, The Stabilisers (UK).

3.       Country Bob and the Bloodfarmers provide the music for act number three, with "I cut out her heart, and stomped on it", and features Detroit superstar, Lushes Lamoan.

4.       An amazing hula dance with one of my favorite performers, Lucy Caboose.  The song is SWiG's "Creeping Tracers", and the act is fun!  Her clothes are off, now they are on, now they are off again! 

5.       Best Idea Ever, a great Detroit band, wrote the song "Giraffe" just for long time burlesque performer, Jane Blaze, in this movie.

6.       The sixth act, a fantastic comedy routine that we featured at an Alvin's show in the past, was too good to leave out, featuring Reno the Eternal Bachelor of the Dirty show fame.

7.       The short lived, but incredibly talented Ghost City provide the song "Severed Head" and the belly dance features five members from Lunatic Vagabonds, based out of Ann Arbor.

8.       This one really captures your attention.  It has a dark undertone and quite an unexpected surprise.  Featuring KAADA from Norway and the incredible beauty of Roxy Cotton, a match made in heaven…or maybe hell.  Regardless, I love it!

9.       Cocktail Shake provides "A fool and his monkey", a wonderfully fun song, that Fire Fabulon just runs with it. 

10.   Another video montage by Kelly Joseph, to Cash O'Riley and the Down Right Daddies "Bad for you".

11.   The Red Elvises, (your favorite band!) has a great upbeat song in "the Joint was jumping", with classically trained dancers giving it a great go.  Kick up your heels, or just watch Courtney Flower do it!

12.   Another SWiG song, this time featuring the oh so sweet Sprockethole, dancing to "Get outta my way".

13.   The Detroit and now Italian sweetheart and superstar, Margaret Dollrod does it all in, "You show me yours, and I'll show you mine".

14.   Variety, Talent and a bit of hot sauce with SATORI Circus performing "Burlesque"

15.   The best surf you can get in the fine state of Michigan, The Amino Acids "Astrosquid Part XIV" and more Fire Fabulon.

16.   If you like farm animals, then this one is for you!  Tera Bites burns the barn in "Cowbell" by Earline!

17.   The classic fan dance, Sparkly Devil  style, to," White Girl, Black Bootie" by Haf/Life

18.   One last dose of Fire Fabulon  to Cruds infamous, "Meat Detonation"

19.   "Red White and Blue" The Questions really have a great sound, and this is a cute little group number by several of the Spag performers.

20.   And we leave you with a bang!  Cars Can Be Blue gives us the perfect happy ending to this fun Detroit flick.  Enjoy the "Dirty Song", with great edits by Kelly Joseph of the best wild and crazy live show bits that were caught on film.

21.   All work and no Play make Spag a dull boy: end credits to "Bootie Call" by the Demolition Dollrods.

Also featured is an original score by Dr.Blackgolds Orchestra. 

  

Directors Statement

We filmed Spag teaze with the aim of following the classic format of the old Grind House Follies and the Betty Page Teaze-O-Ramas offered by Something Weird Video.  If you've ever seen them, you will know how fun, hokey, and cheesy they are. We love those movies, and ours is definitely up that alley!  But we also were really lucky to be able to compile a great soundtrack.  This film is fun to sit and watch, or to throw on in the background for a party.  It took us 4 years to film and edit the movie, and we also incorporated old footage from our past 10 years of stage performances.

Halestorm & Redlight King ROCK The Royal Oak Music Theatre 12-5-13

It's winter in Detroit and there was a slight Halestorm in the area.  Not the kind that will break your car windows, the kind that will break your eardrums!

Lzzy Hale Fronts Halestorm

Opening the show at The Royal Oak Music Theatre was Redlight King.  Fronted by Mark "Kaz" Kasprzyk out of Ontario Canada, they feature a perfect mix of rock and a splash of hip hop.   After a very solid debut album titled, "Something for the Pain", the band has recently released it's second album, "Irons in the Fire".  Redlight King brings a real Rock show.  Guitar, Bass, and drums, nothing else is necessary.  It's a traditional rock sound which seems to get lost in the current era of rock music.

Mark "Kaz" Kasprzyk fronts Redlight King

Their set began with "Comeback", a song from the soundtrack to the movie, Marvel Avengers Assemble.  Also in the set were, "Redemption", from the Iron Man 3 soundtrack, and their current single, "Born To Rise", which is used as a theme song on Monday Night Football.  Seeing a trend here? These guys are pretty badass, they rock for super heroes and football players!  Their set ended with a crowd 100% into the song "Bullet In My Hand", their huge hit song off their first record.

Do yourself a favor and check out Redlight King.  Frontman Kaz says, “My songs are written about real issues, real experiences. I like to bring listeners in deep, and give them time to look around".  Whether you are just in it for some hard rock music, or you are into the deeper lyrical meaning of a song, you will not be disappointed with these guys.  Check out Redlight King at http://www.redlightkingmusic.com/  and on facebook at https://www.facebook.com/RedlightKing

Check out my photos of Redlight King HERE

Redlight King Setlist  12-5-13 Royal Oak Music Theatre, Royal Oak, MI.   Click the name of the song to see the video if available.

• Comeback
• Built To Last
• City Life
• Redemption
• Critical
• Caught In The Middle
• Devil's Dance
• Born To Rise
• Bullet In My Hand

The headliner of this show was Halestorm. Coming from the town of Red Lion, Pennsylvania, and fresh off a grammy win earlier this year the band does not disappoint. The brother and sister team of Lzzy & Arejay Hale, along with Josh Smith and Joe Hottinger bring a high energy, unforgettable style rock show.

 Fronted by the beautiful Lzzy Hale, who has a stage presence that could be put up against any current frontman-or woman, the band clearly loves playing live,  and it shows.  Lzzy does not just stand at the mic and look pretty, she wields a guitar patrolling the stage for most of the show.  She has a control over the audience similar to that of a conductor over an orchestra.  She can bring the crowd up with their hard rock ballads and settle them down on piano driven songs like "Break In". Her brother Arejay's drumming is a show within their show.  Tossing his sticks as high as the stage will allow, or catching them being throw from the crew on the side of the stage, he never misses a beat.  His drum solo is worth the price of admission. The solo concludes with him playing with some sticks the size of Louisville Sluggers. A must see!

Their powerful set began with their Grammy Award winning song, "Love Bites (So Do I)", and continued to rock through, "Mz. Hyde", "It's Not You", and "Freak Like Me".  A surprise in the set was "Break In" a song requested from two fans who became engaged during the preshow meet-and-greet.  The song features just Lzzy and her piano.  Her voice commands the crowd as the song continues into their other piano heavy song, "A Familiar Taste Of Poison".  After Lzzy calms the crowd it's her brother Arejay's drumo solo that rises them up.  Placed perfectly in the set it leaves most people saying just one word, wow.   The encore includes the hit from their latest release, "I Miss the Misery" and the song they close most of their shows with, "Here's To Us".

A Grammy win is just another notch in the belt for these guys.  You can tell they truly love each other and what they do.  They are about to begin work on their third album and fans cannot wait to see what comes next.   Check out Halestorm at  http://www.halestormrocks.com and on facebook at https://www.facebook.com/halestormrocks

Check out my photos of Halestorm HERE

Halestorm Setlist  12-5-13 Royal Oak Music Theatre, Royal Oak, MI.

• Love Bites (So Do I)
• Mz. Hyde
• It's Not You
• Freak Like Me
• You Call Me A Bitch Like It's A Bad Thing
• Innocence
• Don't Know How To Stop
• Daughters Of Darkness
• Rock Show
• Gold Dust Woman (Fleetwood Mac Cover)
• Break In
• Familiar Taste Of Poison
• Drum Solo
• Dissident Aggressor (Judas Priest Cover)
• Nothing To Do With Love
• I Get Off

Encore:

• Get Luck (Daft Punk Cover)
• I Miss The Misery
• Here's To Us