He has a radio program on WXOU out of Oakland University
Wild At Heart
Calling All Bands!!!!
Hello everyone. Had a fun-filled birthday weekend which started with my radio show on Saturday morning. Approaching midday, I found myself in the Manhattan Club, which is located in Joe Louis Arena, where I interview Sameer and Pat of Flyleaf. It was fun being surrounded by picture of the legends of the Detroit Red Wings, esp some early pictures of some players on an outdoor rink which must have dated back to the 40's or 50's. Sameer and Pat were really cool and we talked about their new album "Memento Mori" which they whittled down from 30 songs to 14 of which the newest video "Missing" is coming out soon. They put on a great show that evening when they opened for Breaking Benjamin and Three Days Grace. The show was pretty lively esp Pat who seemed to be flying around the stage. Make sure to check out my interview with Sameer & Pat on my radio show this Saturday morning (on WXOU 88.3FM or online at www.wxou.org). Between the interview and the show, I wondering around a bit and got into the Dub part of the North American Auto Show where I got to meet "CHiP's" star Eric Estrada & rapper Trick Trick. Afterwards, I ended up at MCB's party at the Music Hall Jazz Cafe, taking in the art, music and just talking to some great people. I was very impressed by the performance by the Electric Fire Babies who rock and said they are looking into puting out an album later this year which I hope happens. Here is a picture from the party with some of my favorite Detroit people.
After getting to bed at 3AM, I ended up sleeping in until 2PM and got up and had my birthday meal at the Motor City Casino which is still very good. I then went home and finished season 1 of the British "Life On Mars" which is a really great TV series if you get the chance to watch it. Can life get any more exciting:)
Today, I had the pleasure of heading down to the Ringwald Theatre for their production of "Based On A Totally True Story". The play is written by Marvel Comic Book writer Roberto Aguirre-Sacasa which comes into play with his main character twenty-something New Yorker Ethan Keene who is a struggling playwright who writes for The Flash for DC Comics. Ethan's world is turned upside down when a veteran Hollywood producer decides she wants to turn one of Ethan's unproduced plays into a big-budget horror movie. As this potential success comes into his life, Ethan (Vince Kelley) finds himself struggling to be a loving, supportive partner to his boyfriend and budding novelist Michael Sullivan (Jeff Bobick) and the divorce of his parents. The play does a great job on presenting how life events can impact relationships. Ethan constantly tries to do the right things but the pressures of work and his parents dooms his relationship. Like the Character of The Flash that he writes, he wishes he could match the characters speed and be in more than one place at a time. Alas, he is unable and while the movie gets made and his comic career skyrockets, his relationship suffers. The show is both quirky and romantic and the gay characters are not your typical stereotypes that are so often found in gay themed works. This is one of the best and more accessible works the Ringwald Theatre has put on and will definately bring a smile to anyone in the audience. I give the play a A-.
Go to http://www.whowantscaketheatre.com/ for more info.
The Michigan Darfur Coalition is auctioning 2 tickets for "The Wizard of Oz" at the Fisher Theater on Tuesday, February 2nd at 7:30 PM. The tickets, valued at $65.50 each, are in Row N, in the Center Orchestra section. If you're interested in seeing a great show and helping MDC at the same time, please contact Kimber atgirlsempowered@aol.com .
Bidding starts today and will end on Friday, Jan. 22.
This Saturday, I will be having actor Stephen Simowski of "The Wizard Of Oz" on my radio show talking about the production coming to the Fisher Theatre.
Another important cause that is coming up is Haiti-Palooza, a name I'm not overly enamored with but the cause is indeed important. As you are well aware, the earthquake disaster in Haiti has killed and injured hundreds of thousands of people and displaced millions more.
This Wednesday, January 20th, OU students leaders are putting together a 12-hour concert (10AM-10PM) to benefit the victims of Haiti, coordinated by WXOU. There will be live bands such as Black Bird Smile and Noafex as well as a donation table set up for all 12 hours. The money raised will go to the American Red Cross, The Salvation Army, Doctor's without Borders, and Partners in Health. You can also drop off your monetary donations to the CSA Office, 49 Oakland Center by noon on Friday, January 22. When I talked to Erik Anderson of WXOU about how the show came about he responded that "WXOU DJ Kirby Hairston came to me with the idea to do a concert and CSA Director Jean Ann Miller was looking ways for the student orgs to get involved in raising funds for Haiti, the event seemed like a perfect fit and also offered many orgs chances to get involved with our event. So I said...let's do this!".
WXOU will be broadcasting the event live and all performances will be broadcast on 88.3 FM and WXOU.ORG. The general public is welcome to come and checkout the performances which will be listed on WXOU.ORG on Tuesday. All performances take place in The Pioneer Food Court inside The Oakland Center. I look forward to seeing a bunch of people supporting this good cause.
The final memories of the King of Pop, Michael Jackson will descend on the BLOCKBUSTER location in Royal Oak (SE corner of Woodward & Catalpa) on Monday, Jan. 25 as the store hosts a midnight DVD release party for “This is It” which contains a compilation of interviews, rehearsals and backstage footage of Michael Jackson as he prepared for his series of sold-out shows in London and it is the final performance of the iconic figure. The party will also serve as a “ Glove Drive ” for St. Vincent de Paul so get those old gloves out. Anyone who donates new or gently used gloves will receive a free movie rental while supplies last. Silver gloves are optional, a pair is mandatory! Michael Jackson impersonator Tony Davis will be on hand from 9:00 – 11:00 PM and there will be a Moonwalk contest at 9:30 PM. Also, the first 75 guests will get a free retro Michael Jackson button.
For the concert goer, it is getting a bit better
as here are my recommendations for the week.
Wednesday (1/20) - as mentions up above, Haiti-Palooza @ Oakland Community College in Oakland Center
Friday (1/22) - punk rockers the Expendables @ the Magic Stick, light alternative greats Yo La Tengo @ the Crofoot, and the Macpodz @ The Ark
Saturday (1/23) - Detroit rockers Mitch Ryder & The Detroit Wheels @ Callahan's, Paul Green's School Of Rock (Glam Rock tribute) @ the Crofoot, Emily Rose @ The Berkley Front
Sunday (1/24) - the 2nd night for Paul Green's School Of Rock (Glam Rock tribute) @ the Crofoot, rockabilly great Robert Gordon & the Gang They Couldn't Hang (featuring Chris Spedding of Roxy Music, Slim Jim Phantom of the Stray Cats & Glen Matlock of Sex Pistols) w/Twistin Tarantulas @ The Magic Bag
Monday (1/25) - sporting 18 #1 hits (the most by any artist), diva Mariah Carey @ Fox Theatre
Artist of the week: This week I decided to stay local with one of my favorite singers in Detroit, the lovely and talented Emily Rose. In 2008, she self released a full-length album called "Cocoon Stew" and opened for nationally renowned recording artists Amos Lee and Matthew Good. She toured the country out of the back of her car in a very DIY fashion and in 2009, she received the award for “Outstanding Acoustic/Folk Songwriter” in the 18th annual Detroit Music Awards. I have had the pleasure of seeing her perform many times starting with a WXOU birthday bash and have had her on the show a couple of times. The best thing about Emily is her wonderful sence of humor and the journey of constantly reinventing herself and being open to trying different things. This can extend from her homemade art she sells at her merch tables to her dabbling in magic of which she would incorporate in her show. One show during Arts Beats and Eats had her inviting musicians (including an female accordian player with cat ears) who she just met on stage to see what happens and it just makes her more interesting. If you ever get the chance to catch her live, you won't regret it. Her myspace page is www.myspace.com/rose4emily so check her out.
With the passing of Teddy last week, here are a few more of notable rock passings over the past week. Starting with American country music singer Carl Smith aka "Mister Country" who was the husband of June Carter (later June Carter Cash), the drinking companion of Johnny Cash and the father of Carlene Carter. He was one of country's most successful male artists during the 1950s with 30 Top 10 hits. Bobby Charles was an American singer and songwriter whose compositions include the hits "See You Later, Alligator" which was made big by Bill Haley & His Comets and "Walking to New Orleans" which was written for Fats Domino. The punk scene lost 2 members with Jay Reatard and Brian "Damage" Keats (played for Genocide and Verbal Abuse before Glenn Danzig invited him to join The Misfits). Mick Green was an English rock and roll guitarist who inspired Pete Townsend among others and played with early groups such as Johnny Kidd & The Pirates and Billy J Kramer and the Dakotas.
That seems to be it for this week.
Take care and hope to see you around town.