MOTORCITYBLOG: December 2012

12/30/12

Looking for a deal? Check out this Downtown Hotel Room Super Saver for NYE!

Looking for a deal on a hotel room downtown tomorrow night?

We've got a scoop on a large block of rooms at the Ren Cen priced at $179 which is a pretty good deal since everything in the city is over $230
for the night.

You can book online at:
https://resweb.passkey.com/Resweb.do?mode=welcome_ei_new&eventID=10444223

Or they can call:
BY PHONE CALL PASSKEY:
1-800-266-9432
Mention Detroit Ren Cen / NYEdetroit for Rate

Tell em MCB sent you if you want to save fifty bucks and pass on the DD ticket

Ignore the graphic..its the RenCen yo!

Happy New Year!

MCB

12/27/12

The Ruiners wsg The Handcuffs, The Wanton Looks - Northern Lights 12/15/12

Chicago's The Wanton Looks opened the show, which recently reduced membership from a four- to a three-piece, parting ways with their rhythm guitar player. After experiencing this band, one cannot help but wonder whether she was prerequisite. This tight, Ramones-esque all-female trio with five-string fuzz bass, catchy guitar, solid punk rock drums and droning, clever vocals, completely filled the room with sound. The crowd quickly became enamored with Traci Trouble's musings, but she also packed quite a punch on the mic and the bass. Inga Olson shredded comfortably with the steady hands and feet of Meg Thomas on the throne. This band was well-worth showing up early for; watch for their return. Pick up their self-titled CD, too.

The Handcuffs, also from Chicago, brought kind of a Sex Pistols/Blondie vibe with better drumming. Brad Elvis is outstanding, and there is certainly something about singer Chloe F. Orwell (and her boots.) All around great musicians Emily Togni, Ellis Clark, and Alison Hinderliter rounded out the rest of The Handcuffs. Strong songs, great movement, superb drumming; The Handcuffs kept everybody happy.

Stylistically, these two Chicago bands really complemented one another and set the stage for a great Detroit act...

This would be the point at which the garage glam of The Ruiners stole the stage. Filled with high energy, sometimes hilarious but always entertaining, this particular show went over the top when Rick Ruiner finished the set wearing some sort of twisted Captain America/Superman getup. Nina Friday (also wearing cool boots) put on a stellar show as usual, and the backline featured drummer Rob Moon, guitarist Justin Hall, stand-in bass player Jerri Allen, theremin/keyboard player Victor Peraino, and even Tino Gross sat in on drums for a tune- all these guys really showed up to play; seemingly without dropping a note, which is hard to do when your lead singer suddenly appears wearing superhero tights with a giant- well, at least uppercase, 'S' on the front. Phallic jokes aside, The Ruiners is a very solid, pro street punk glam band with surprising depth in the art of simplicity; one that creates perfect sexual tension, mastering the temperament of male/female vocal roles in garage punk, exploiting them at every turn. This is definitive Detroit music which we should be proud to call our own.

Michael Welchans

12/26/12

Free Show! Interplanetary Holidays Thurs. Dec. 27 Pike Room

Who doesn't like free? Especially after unloading all your money on gifts the past few weeks. Well even if it wasn't free, tomorrow's Interplanetary Holidays show at the Pike Room is a show I would spend good money on to see. Hosted by Robo-Robb, this show features over 7 hip hop artists, artwork, fashion and I'm sure there's even more surprises planned.

Here's more details -

Show goes till midnight

This is a FREE show for ALL AGES

Performances by:

Drew 32
D. Allie
Gameboi
Da Boi J
Verbal Vomit (just added)
Come Out Fighting (just added)
B Smooth (just added)

Hosted by: Robo-Robb

12/25/12

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

Wild At Heart

I hope everyone is having a Merry Christmas. I got a little sidetracked and forgot to blog yesterday but here is just a small hello and wishing everyone a safe holiday season.

Caught a few very good films this weekend including Life Of Pi, The Hobbit and Frankenweenie. "Life Of Pi" is an amazingly beautiful movie about a young man's bid for survival and finding himself. "The Hobbit" looks gorgeous like the previous LOTR movies but I'm still wondering why the film will take just as much screen time as the trilogy with a third of the pages as any one previous novel. The films runs a bit slow which I know puts a lot of people off but I really enjoy the grand scope of the movies and have enough hope that Smog might finally be a dragon of note (the one from Dragonslayer is still the best movie dragon up until this point). "Frankenweenie" recently won an award for best animated film of the year and I might agree with that. With an added subplot of a science fair at the school involving other kids get on the reanimator bandwagon, this is a welcome extension to the original film.

If you are looking for something else to get you through the week, here are a few concerts of note:

Wednesday (12/26) - Javelins @ PJ's Lager House, Hard Lessons @ The Magic Bag

Thursday (12/27) - Jason Lockwood tribute featuring Amino Acids @ Small's, The Sights @ Magic Stick

Friday (12/28) - Swellers and Suicide Machines w/Mustard Plug and Koffin Kats @ Majestic Theatre, Steve Miller Band @ Ceasar's Windsor, 60 Second Crush @ Rock N Roll Billiards (Riverview)

Saturday (12/29) - Third Eye Blind @ the Fillmore, Trans-Siberian Orchestra @ Palace of Auburn Hills

Monday (12/31) - Amy Gore and Her Valentines w/Sisters of Your Sunshine Vapor and Sugercoats plus more @ Magic Stick, Kem @ Fox Theatre, Zac Brown Band @ Joe Louis Arena, Keith Sweat opens for Eddie Levert @ Masonic Temple, Frontier Ruckus opens for Greensky Bluegrass @ Majestic Theatre, Reefermen @ Callahans

12/24/12

Review with Pics! Motor City Movement Dec. 21, The Crofoot

Last week I previewed Motor City Movement's sixth showcase at the Crofoot, detailing what a spectacular event it would be. Today I am here to let you know MCM didn't disappoint with over 20 dance routines that ranged from hip hop to tap to jazz. The outfits worn by the various dance teams were glamorous, sexy and some outright dangerous with music equally in expression.
Some of the highlight's included show curator Jill Zmijewski's incredible troop dancing to some hits from the 80's, the Detroit Pride Cheerleaders, a dazzling display from the Luna Dancers and a special routine from the Detroit Pistons Dancers that caught them fresh from the Piston's game. I had a front row space at the show where I took a load of pictures that only give a glimpse of what a great night it was.

12/23/12

Restaurant Review: Midtown Grill & Bar

We don't just partake in entertainment over here at MOTORCITYBLOG, we also fill you in on the restaurants you should be checking out (or avoiding, if that's the case). That's right, restaurants don't have to buy advertising in order to get reviews.

We're all used to the phrase "bar and grill". Those words are put together in that order so often we can't imagine ourselves saying it any other way. So then why is this restaurant called Midtown Grill and Bar? "The food comes first", explains Steve Gorji, the new owner, "because our passion is food".

Midtown Grill and Bar sits right where Ann Arbor Road merges with Plymouth Road. It's also close to Hines Drive, making it hard to miss for anyone driving through Livonia. On top of that, it's two doors down from Riverside Arena, where the Detroit Derby Girls practice at least two days out of the week. You could even run into some of them on a Monday or Wednesday night.

You might have known Midtown back when it was still called Herc's Roast Beef & Spirits. Herc's was there for 40 years, and before that it was a Howard Johnson's. Steve and his wife Natalia bought the place roughly a year ago, and just recently finished a major renovation that took about 3 months. Former Herc's patrons that come to Midtown won't recognize the new decor at all; the renovation is just that extensive. While the new menus seem so differently visually, inside there's a lot of similarities. The roast beef is still the house specialty, and they still offer seafood, burgers, sandwiches, pasta, and pizza. Many items even kept their old name, like the Inferno Burger.

One thing that Herc's never had was a wine list or craft beer. They have New Belgium's Fat Tire and other microbrews on tap. Their best wine is a cabernet savignon by Cakebread. The Gorji's don't just have a passion for food, they have a passoin for competition. They priced the cabernet savignon at $130 a bottle because a competitor priced it at $250, and they sell Magic Hat at $3.65 a bottle because another competitor sells it for $5.

As a Michigan native, I never really developed a taste for seafood, so I was at a loss for words when Steve surprised us with a plate of mussels. It's one of eight seafood appetizers that Midtown offers, and it's served in a garlic and sambuco sauce (the excess was soaked up nicely with the fresh rolls that were made onsite). I can say that Midtown converted me; I'll always look at mussels differently.

That Inferno Burger on the menu was calling to me, but if I'm going to truly evaluate a restaurant, I have to sample something that's a bigger challenge for the kitchen, so I got the roast beef. It was served in a heaping portion with ample au jus (the place isn't so fancy that the food is served in effete little amounts), and a side of mashed potatoes. The potatos were redskins, with the skins left in. You can't do mashed potatos any better than that. Even with all the expensive renovations, Midtown kept the price at the old Herc's level, $12.95.

The roast beef was great, making it hard to stop myself from filling up on it. I had to leave room for dessert so that I could try their cheesecake. All of their cakes and pies are made in-house by Natalia. Another big portion, and I was fit to burst.

Midtown Grill & Bar is open 11 A.M. to midnight, Monday through Saturday, and 11 A.M. to 9 P.M. on Sunday.

View Larger Map

All photos taken by Dan Bachorik

This post written by:

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

The Sights' Christmas Waltz

Thursday, December 27, 2012 at the Magic Stick

$8, 9PM

On Thursday, December 27, legendary Detroit rockers The Sights will present The Sight’s Christmas Waltz, a concert featuring quirky creations, cool concoctions and strange combinations of dozens of Detroit’s best local musicians.

Modeled after The Band’s iconic Last Waltz concert, The Sights’ Christmas Waltz is a rocket ride concert featuring songs performed by an ever-changing lineup of musicians. The Sights are the hosts and some-time house band providing backing for musical arrangements and line-ups that have never been heard before and are likely never to be seen again.

Some of the featured artists include: Carjack, Nick Chevillet, Ben Collins, Gerald "Jeecy" Collins, Alex & Maria of Deadbeat Beat, Tony Denardo, Ryan Dillaha, Gino Fanelli, Katie Grace, Scott Harrison, Shannan Hibbard, Danny Kroha, Ben Luckett, Liz Mackinder, Danny Methric, Christina Morgan, Dan Mulholland, Passalacqua, Dave Shettler, Sisters of Your Sunshine Vapor, Buddy Smith, Adam Stenfal, Stirling, Chad Stocker, Matt Thibodeau, Kenny Tudrick and many more.

All proceeds from The Sights’ Christmas Waltz will benefit Detroit charity Ben's Encore. Ben’s Encore provides opportunities for aspiring musicians in metro Detroit by providing educational and community outreach, offering grants and sponsoring local artists events (www.bensencore.com).

This lineup is subject to – and guaranteed to – change. For up-to-date information, please visit www.sightsarmy.com or www.majesticdetroit.com.

Mittenfest VII

This holiday season, join local nonprofit 826michigan for nearly a full week of Michigan music and fun with Minifest and Mittenfest VII! Mittenfest is an annual music festival that serves as a fundraiser for 826michigan as well as a good-time holiday get-together. It was founded in 2006 by Brandon Zwagerman and Jeremy Peters and has grown to a five-day extravaganza featuring artists like Misty Lyn & The Big Beautiful, Frontier Ruckus, and Lightning Love. 2011’s Mittenfest VI raised over $20,000 for 826michigan’s free creative writing and tutoring programs for students 6-18 in Washtenaw County.

This year, the fun starts early with Minifest, a one-night-only mini-festival of local music at Ann Arbor’s Rush Street Lounge. On Wednesday, December 26, music lovers will enjoy intimate performances by local acts A Vagrant Symphony, Nick Bertsos & Little Traps, and Joshua Barton. The $10 cover charge also includes a Minifest-special drink by renowned mixologist Andy Garris.

Mittenfest VII kicks off two days later at Woodruff’s Bar in Ypsilanti’s Depot Town. Starting Friday, December 28, through Tuesday, January 1, each day will include eight full hours of Michigan music from Mittenfest favorites like Matt Jones & The Reconstruction as well as up-and-coming acts. On Monday, December 31, Mittenfest will ring in 2013 in style with a DJ’ed dance party stretching till 4am. $10 one-day wristbands are available at the door and subject to capacity. For bands, schedules, and to purchase all-access skip-the-lines VIP Passes for $82.60, please visit mittenfest.org.

For those who prefer a lower-key atmosphere (with food!), Ypsilanti’s Beezy’s Cafe is hosting a Mittenfest brunch on Sunday, December 30, from 10am-2pm. As with Mittenfest and Minifest, all proceeds benefit local nonprofit 826michigan.

“I don’t think it’s an exaggeration to say that Mittenfest has grown beyond our wildest dreams,” says Amanda Uhle, 826michigan’s Executive Director, “Because so many of the students we serve live in Ypsilanti, we’re touched and thrilled by the response Mittenfest has received from the Ypsilanti community. There’s something really special to us about knowing that the funds raised to support our programs are raised in small increments -- a $10 wristband, an $8 brunch. We could not do what we do without year-round community support, and Mittenfest is the best way we can think of to end the year with a bang.”

Mittenfest VII is presented with support from Woodruff's Bar, Jenny Harley Design, Quite Scientific Records, Yelp!, VGKids, Chelsea Milling Company, Radio OPIE, Bud Light, Gene Butman Ford, and Fingerle Lumber. Proceeds from the festival benefit 826michigan’s free creative writing and tutoring programs for students in Ypsilanti, including an after-school program at Ypsilanti Middle School and writing workshops at the Ypsilanti District Libraries. For more information about Mittenfest, including bands and schedules, and to purchase VIP passes, please visit www.mittenfest.org. For more about 826michigan’s volunteer-driven services, visit www.826michigan.org or call (734) 761-3463.

12/21/12

REVIEW: BROADWAY IN DETROIT- How the Grinch Stole Christmas - the Musical - You'll love it your kids will love it even your parents will have fun!

When I arrived at the Detroit Opera House I was a bit of a Grinch myself and was ready with a cynical grin to watch "Dr. Seuss' How the Grinch Stole Christmas! The Musical."

The show starts with a much older Max the Dog (played by Bob Lauder) who walks us through the story of the Grinch and narrates throughout the Musical. Cindy-Lou Who (played by Jenna Iacono)
wins your heart with her stellar performance and an amazing voice. I was really taken with her stage presence and the strength of her performance.

Her solo Santa for a Day was outstanding and made me want to forgive anyone I had a grudge against. The Grinch's interaction (Stefan Karl) from mocking to shouting "Who asked you" had me and my 70 year old mother caught up in the action shouting back "Merry Christmas" and singing "You're a Mean One" (the lyrics were kindly provided for us).The costumes and stage sets came right out of the book (I loved the Who's belly buttons).

The special effects, set changes and props added that Dr.Seuss dimension that has you feeling that you are actually inside the book. One of the best scenes is when the young Max (played by Seth Bazacas)
catches every gift and stocking tossed at him by the Grinch in a sack. It was unbelievable that a person, or dog, could do that. The choreography and songs really are non-stop in this Musical. I couldn't believe the show was an hour and a half with no intermission and it really isn't needed. All the little ones in my area were so entertained, so enthralled by the show they really didn't fidget or talk.

This is not the book, it's not the TV show, it's BETTER!!! My friends and I (aged 70 – 11) spent an evening smiling and laughing with a crowd full of strangers. But we didn't feel like strangers, it felt like Christmas. It was just what this bah humbugger needed to make my heart grow three sizes. In fact I am still singing "I'm one of a kind" just like this how. Oh yeah there's even snow and confetti! See it before it's gone!

http://www.broadwayindetroit.com/engine.cfm?i=124

These Curious Thoughts : What Is It, And How Did It Get There? E.P - Berkely Front - 12/22

These Curious Thoughts : What Is It, And How Did It Get There? E.P

Howdy. My name is Jim. I am from England and I write lyrics for a guy in Detroit who puts them to music.

Together   our band is called These Curious Thoughts.

We   are playing a gig at The Berkley Front on December 22nd,

You can find more info on us and a variety of our songs   here(which are downloadable)

http://www.sonicbids.com/2/EPK/?epk_id=322436#bio 

www.thesecuriousthoughts.com

Check us out on

Twitter and Facebook

See You Tomorrow Festival (Happening Today)

Friday, December 21, 2012 : 6PM–2AM : PJ's Lager House : 1254 Michigan Ave. Detroit, MI

It's 2012. A black man was elected to a second term of the United States presidency. The plant that the Declaration of Independence was printed on was made legal in 2 states, as well as in our city. The biggest football fan I know stands adamantly for his newfound conviction that professional sports are rigged and the game no more than a TV show. At thanksgiving all of the old people were talking about wifi and tablet computers, my aunt had even figured out how to video call my cousins via skype for the holiday toast. It is reported that the new Mars rover has made a discovery that will “rewrite the history books,” and these results are now being thoroughly examined and reexamined, with the news set to be released sometime between December 3rd and 7th.

Terence McKenna was the new wave Timothy Leary, if you are unfamiliar, he is now YouTube famous. While taking copious amounts of psychedelic mushrooms in South America with his brother in the late 60's and writing The Invisible Landscape he decided to plot the Chinese I Ching against time. His “timewave zero” timeline ends on December 21, 2012. At the point of this discovery, Terence was unaware of the Mayan calendar system. Or the Egyptian calendar, or even ancient Indian calendars.

On December 21, 2012 we are having a festival at PJ's Lager House. Sure, we're calling it a festival. Ideally it would be summer and we would all be in Hart Plaza or the New Center area with the rest of our community celebrating music and Detroit together. I suppose these festivals will return, just as the seasons turn. For now, it is winter and we have everyone's favorite rock and roll bar. Next year, if enough of you join us, we may be able to spring for an outdoor tent and a heater for a winter solstice party or a winter blast party, or something grand and fun like that. This year we have 2 stages, 12 bands, a DJ, psychedelic light shows and lots more surprises and gimmicks that we haven't even thought of yet. If the world is going to end, we might as well do it right, huh? But I think we all know that the world is not going to end, and we seem to have all realized that the world IS going to end. Or begin, or something. It's a Christmas party, a belated Hanukah party, a Holiday party, a Kwanzaa party, an early New Year's party, a Winter Solstice party, a Festivus party and all. See you tomorrow !

Featuring:

Six and the Sevens: Blues-tipped rock 'n' roll with a pop sense. There's lots of feedback and heaps of white soul too, I mean, jangled, jaunty shake-em-ups, man, just get right up and dance on the table if you're feeling it. Yes, grab a tambourine if it's near...or just clap along, because the beat won't stall and the piano keeps rolling, guitars are gushing and bluesy vocals are bleating and blaring.

The Walking Beat: Maturing indie-sweet combo featuring Matt Van (Uncle Kracker) and Steve McCauley (Scarlet Oaks) and one Jesse Paris Smith (daughter of Fred and Patti Smith), is 55% beauty, 41% walking and 65% beat, with bits of sadness and clumps of rock and roll too.

Ungrateful Daughter: Yours and my rock and roll hero, Frank Woodman, with his actual ungrateful daughter and her boyfriend on drums, hilarious! They'll all be in full caveman apparel, the tunes will be crunchy, the ukulele will be heavenly and the mood will be, as always, a raucous festivus of never-ending good times.

Brandon Hamburger: You ever wonder what kind of songs you'd write if you were the doorman at the lager house? A lot of character walks in those doors, and a lot of character flows from these songs. See the singer-songwriter you've been waiting for with the light-up Beatles heads in the up-stairs window and that hat. You are definitely going to want to hear this before the world ends, you can count on that!

The Echoes of Revelation Full Proclaiming Demon Slayers Tabernacle: Also known, as The Botanical Fortresstra, are a mysterious group. Their name is spray painted on the ground at the front door, was that always there or did it just appear there, like a glitch from the Matrix? They'll be summoning up the Mayan gods or Zool or something, with ranting and raving and rocking and rolling and riling and god knows what other r words. Not to mention the other letters! Bass, drums, guitar, organ, a fleet of horns and LASERS. It will be an event, I've figured out that much.

The Reelers: How many times have you read in a press release that a band gives new meaning to the phrase “like a well-oiled machine”? Well, this band really does, I'm serious! Guitar, bass and drums; locked in. Solid. Grooves, jams, blues licks, runs, solos, and I mean shredding, ripping, heavy-heavy solos, brother. Hot damn! Your face won't just melt it will implode, maybe that's what the end of the world's all about? Your entire universe imploding and then exploding from outrageous loud spectacular beyond-the-twilight zone rock and roll? Probably.

Johnny Ill Band: gentbent.fm says “is largely akin to other synthy garage bands like Wet Illustrated (San Francisco). But their disregard for rhymes, their real life motifs, and their pop-mocking minimalism tie a unique stylistic bond between them and the decade in which they were probably most formatively formed: the 1990’s (particularly via Weezer). Ask All the Doctors is rife with lazy anti-anthems. Johnny Garcia’s dispassionate deadbeat attitude almost dares you to sing along with his lyrics which, in large part, are about commonplace pessimism. “Where Do You Live?” is probably my favorite track because it exploits my predilections for bitter inter-personal rhetoric, understated bass loops, and brief, hyped up synth solos. Another noteworthy strength, which applies to the album as a whole, is the percussion section’s dedication to simple beats. They’ve found the happy medium between sense and sensibility, which I think is fairly well capitulated by the aleatoric recording of a conversation between bandmates in the conclusive track, “NYE”. In talking about how ready they are to eat dinner, they laugh at someone who says he’s “famished”, as though his diction was just too much for the moment.

The Potions: Gritty, soulful, gritty, raunchy yelling with a scratchy throat with guitar licks out of a genie's bottle, swirling around the grimey thrash beat. The heaviest wah-wah solo you've ever heard in your life could break out any second, but it doesn't. And that anticipation for it gives the groove so much more. A teasing to the crowd to show some god-damned enthusiasm and boogie for once. Catch these sounds while you can.

Swimsuit: Gaze-y, wave-y, it's all gravy. Groovy lively melody with light, or higher in the atmosphere, rhythm that sweeps over your heads. Compelling you to leap into the air with the illusion that gravity no longer applies. Beach-sounding boy-girl punk twirls and twang and soul. The kind of music you'd imagine hearing if you just found out that teleportation was real. Not without a heavy grunge attitude and honesty, punchy even. Most definitely catchy. With Fred of Saturday Looks Good to Me, Shelley of those show flyers and Dina of Secret Twins. Support your Ann Arbor neighbors, Detroit!

The Priests: dcist.com says “Bands that are excited about what they're doing are always more fun to watch. As such, when a band is so unabashedly in-your-face and energetic, its live set becomes instantly memorable. During Priests' show at the Black Cat last March, Katie Greer (also of Chain and the Gang), sneered, screamed and sang her way through a set of loud songs. Daniele Withonel pounded furiously behind her, with complex rhythms and occasional chirpy screeches of her own. Meanwhile, Gideon Jaguar seared through guitar riffs that while powerful, still sounded melodic and deliberate, as if fighting against the speed and dissonance of most hardcore. Every Priests performance since has been the sort of affair that has made us believe that D.C. hardcore is alive and kicking.”

French Method: Brand spanking new band of Eddie Baranek (The Sights) and Nicole Allie and Ben Luckett (Beehive Recording Company) are brand new. What to expect? Dunno, I guess there's only one way to find out, ain't there? Bass, organ and drums. With 2 or 3 vocals? Sounds like good ingredients. Try something new, dig it baby.

Beekeepers: It's a sort of punk-jazz quintet. Organ/sax/pink floyd-inspired chanting punk rock band. Meditate on the survival of the honeybee population through this music, or something. The egg heads say we're not quite sure why the bees are dying. It's probably because of the pesticides though, right?

More fun and rock and roll and surprises and mystery to be announced and experienced! You'll not want to miss this one. You know if you draw a line from the Giza pyramids to the White House it creates an arrow pointing directly towards PJ's Lager House? The alignment will be off only by 0.00001 degrees on December 21, 2012. DJ Richie Wohlfeil (The Potions, Lo & Behold Records) will start spinning at 6pm, the wildness starts, and the first band goes on at 8pm. Do not miss them. It is essential! Also; shot specials and christmas presents. See You There!

CARJACK - Troy Gregroy - Pupils TONIGHT

FREE FIVE DOLLAR BILLS: Recession Buster $5 NYE Party - Silver Soiree - Magic Stick / Garden Bowl

Five dollars for a New Year's Eve show may sound batty, but in these days when a night out can end up costing half a mortgage payment, the Magic Stick brings you a recession-buster NYE blast

that lets you ring in 2013 AND keep some change in your pocket!

There's a stellar lineup including Mexican Knives, Amy Gore and Her Valentines, the amazing Jeecy and the Jungle, Sisters of Your Sunshine Vapor, Twine Time, plus 15 more bands!

Holla if you want your free five dolla to get into the event

(seriously - we are going to mail a crisp $5 to a handful of winners)

Email motorcityblog@earthlink.net with your mailing address to get the free fin

Majestic Theatre Center

4120 Woodward Ave. Detroit, MI 48201

www.majesticdetroit.com

FREE TICKETS: Midge Ure - Magic Bag Ferndale - January 17th 2013

MCB has a few more holiday freebies for you including a pair of tickets to check out Midge Ure at The Magic Bag on January 17th - email motorcityblog@earthlink.net for your chance to win

Midge Ure Announces US Tour for January 2013

First US Solo Tour in Over 10 Years

Autobiography 'If I Was' out 2013

Grammy Winner Midge Ure has announced plans for a solo US tour in January 2013 which will be the first time he performs in the US in a decade. The tour kicks off in Long Island New York on the 8th of January with the only acoustic show on the trek and winds up on the west coast in LA on January 26th. The last tour Midge did across the US was all acoustic in 2001 - this will also be the first tour with a full band since 1985. Right The Stars will be opening the shows and will also provide backing for Midge Ure.

Midge Ure has an impressive back catalogue of his own fronting the groundbreaking electrorock band Ultravox as well as being a member of such noteable bands as Visage and Thin Lizzy in addition to Band Aid where he produced and co wrote the smash charity single 'Do They Know Its Christmas'. He was also one of the principle creators of Live Aid and Live 8 along with Bob Geldof. Ure has spent most of his career touring the globe most recently with Ultravox who reformed in 2009 as well as some solo shows and the notable role of MD for the Princes Trust at the Royal Albert Hall with a cast of the usual suspects including Eric Clapton, Phil Collins and Mark King.

Besides preparing for a US tour, Midge has been keeping very busy with the recent release of Ultravox's album entitled Brilliant (their first since 1986), as well as an ebook release of his highly acclaimed Autobiography If I Was due out 2013. Fans can expect Ure's solo material, perhaps a fewUltravox tunes as well as a few surprises Midhe is also working on his next solo album.

Tour Dates:

Jan 08 - Oyster Bay, Long Island - Sagamore Yacht Club (only US acoustic show)
Jan. 09 - New York, NY - Iridium
Jan. 10 - Philadelphia, PA - World Cafe
Jan. 11 - Stafford Spring, CT - Palace Theatre
Jan. 12 - Woodstock, NY - Bearsville Theatre
Jan. 13 - Rochester, NY - Water Street Club
Jan. 14 - Toronto, Ontario - Hughs Room
Jan. 15 - Toronto, Ontario - Hughs Room
Jan. 16 - Cleveland, OH - Beachland Ballroom
Jan. 17 - Detroit, MI - Magic Bag
Jan. 18 - Milwaukee, WI - Shank Hall
Jan. 19 - Chicago, IL - Mayne Stage
Jan. 20 - Minneapolis, MN - New Skyway Lounge
Jan. 23 - San Francisco, CA - Red Devil Lounge
Jan. 24 - San Juan Capistrano, CA - Coach House (Co-Headline with Bow Wow wow)
Jan. 25 - San Diego, CA - Brick By Brick
Jan. 26 - Los Angeles, CA - El Rey Theater (with Sp Guests Bow Wow Wow and Gene Loves Jezebel)

http://www.midgeure.com/

http://www.themagicbag.com/

FREE TICKETS: Third Eye Blind - Fillmore Detroit - Sat 12/29

Do you like holiday gifts? We have a couple sets of free tickets to check out Third Eye Blind at the Fillmore Detroit on Saturday 12/29 -email motorcityblog@earthlink.net for your shot to win

http://thirdeyeblind.com/

FREE SWAG PACK: Navdo 15 Year Anniversary Show - Loving Touch Ferndale - Sat 12/22

They say "tis the season of goodwill towards men" and there are many ways to promote this sentiment: To your enemy, give forgiveness. To an opponent, you can give tolerance. To a friend, give your heart and to to all, give your charity. Do not forget to give yourself the respect you deserve in this fine season of merriment.

At MCB we try to give you the reader as much as possible whenever we can and today we have a fantastic swag pack to offer up from Navdo Presents promoting a monster of a show this saturday night over at The Loving Touch in Ferndale featuring The Hounds Below, The Jet Rodriguez, Almost Free and Electric Lion Sound Wave Experiment

Not only is this the Navdo 15 Year Anniversary Party but Almost Free will be releasing a new Mirror Stage EP plus it is also a fundraiser for Musiccares http://www.grammy.org/musicares

Email motorcityblog@earthlink.net for your shot to win a cool holiday gift set consisting of a NAVDO tshirt, an official show poster signed by the bands along with buttons and best of all a copy of Almost Free's new EP "the mirror stage"

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BROADWAY REVIEW: Jersey Boys at Fisher Theatre Detroit by Judy Renee

As a new contributor to MCB I was excited when asked to review "Jersey Boys" on media night last week. I assumed that I was tasked with this event since most of our writers couldn't tell you who Frankie Vallie was let alone The Four Seasons so I promptly dialed a dear friend who shares my interest in this music and we made a game plan for the evening.

We decided to have dinner in Royal Oak at Oak Street Grill (which was fantastic and really put us in the mood) and then drove down Woodward Ave. to the Fisher Theater. As we made our way along M-1 we chatted about the many memories of the various neighborhoods from our past when Detroit was a different city than it is today. It seemed like a long drive but we valet parked and arrived much more quickly than we thought!

Arriving early gave us some time to take in the rich details of this historic venue. I had not been to the Fisher Theater in many years. I had forgotten what a fantastic theatre it was and what really impressed me was how rather small and intimate it is. I remembered when the restoration took place and the seating footprint had been reduced from its original size but had not been back in many years. Impressive!

After checking in at the media desk we gave our tickets to the ushers and they kindly escorted us to our seats. Which were awesome! (as my granddaughter would say)

I was pleasantly surprised to be seated next to many recognizable names from the Detroit media who were there to review the show as well - who knew MCB was right in the thick of things?!

As the theatre started to fill, the chatter from the growing crowd began to swell and there was an electricity in the air just before the curtain

After a few minutes the lights quickly dimmed and I felt 16 years old again!

The music from 1962 was background to the rise of Frank Valli, Nick Massi, Bob Gaudio, and Tommy DeVito. It is a fantastic telling of the often turbulent yet prolific times of these friendships filled with betrayal, love, marriage, sex, jealousy and revenge. The stage production seemed flawless and throughout the evening we could hear the crowd singing along to every song.

This music is timeless and with the help of the vivid lightshow I could see across the rows and noticed many of the younger generation really enjoying themselves. Many seemed to know the songs and it made me smile.

We loved this musical - absolutely loved it and would love to see it again. Jersey Boys really captures the 60's era music and memories which are tied to our city in so many ways. Earlier in the month, I read in the Free Press that Michael David, the "Jersey Boys" producer actually grew up in Grosse Pointe Park.

After this wonderful evening I plan to become a Broadway in Detroit Season Ticket Holder

Visit www.BroadwayinDetroit.com for more details and Happy Holidays!

Performance times for JERSEY BOYS, appearing December 12, 2012 – January 6, 2013 at the Fisher Theatre, located at 3011 W. Grand Blvd., in Detroit, are:

- Tuesday through Saturday performances at 8:00 p.m. No performances on December 25 and January 1.

- Sunday evening performances at 7:30 p.m. No evening performance on January 6.

- Saturday and Sunday matinees at 2:00 p.m.

- Thursday matinees at 1:00 p.m. No matinee performance on December 20.

- New Years Eve performance Monday at 7:30 p.m. on December 31.

For more information on JERSEY BOYS,

go to www.JerseyBoysTour.com or www.BroadwayinDetroit.com

12/20/12

Black Christmas Show Preview

Punk rockers from all over Michigan will be swarming the whole Majestic complex. This years Black Christmas show will be featuring huge Michigan punk bands Suicide Machines and Mustard Plug. That's not the only reason to come there are going to be over 25 bands rocking the whole complex, including Koffin Kats, The Swellers, We Are The Union and many more!

If you love punk then you need to be here! So many good bands will be here. I went last year and it was one of the most memorable shows I have ever been to. I would not miss this!

And to celebrate the end of the world here is just a taste of what the show will be like

For tickets go here:http://www.majesticdetroit.com/majestic-upcoming-events/black-chirstmas-feat-suicide-machines-mustard-plug-many-more.html

Holiday show flyer dump

UPCOMING: Luis Resto Solo CD Release Featuring "The Cut" /Premiere Performance/ Jan 24/ Jazz Cafe

- LUIS RESTO'S 1^ST SOLO CD RELEASE PARTY "ONE SMALL LIGHT"

- PERFORMANCE OF "THE CUT" A MULTI-MEDIA LIVE ARTWORK

Jazz Cafe is proud to present two public premieres featuring a Detroit music icon, the composer, EMINEM collaborator and performer, Luis Resto who will release his newest CD, "One Small Light" and also perform the ongoing and evolving performance piece, "The (Dequindre) Cut", Thursday, January 24th at 9PM.

"The Cut" is collaboration between musician Luis Resto and photographer Michelle Andonian.

This live multi-media performance is inspired by and visually explores the de-industrialized track that runs behind Eastern Market with music blending traditional instruments with electronic ones and an ever-evolving multi media presentation.

Highlighting this gig will be the release of Resto's first solo CD, "One Small Light" which is in spite of the CD's humble title, a far reaching offering of musical genres and styles all held together by Resto's multi faceted keyboard talent.

Two of the tracks on "Light" have also appeared on the vinyl only release of, "Combo de Momento" in 2010.

ADMISSION WILL ALSO INCLUDE THE NEW CD, "ONE SMALL LIGHT"

Luis Resto is a Detroit-based musician and songwriter who has collaborated with a wildly diverse collection of accomplished artists in a career that has spanned over three decades. A founding member of the highly influential Was (Not Was), Luis has additionally lent his musical talents to Patti Smith, Stevie Nicks, Mel Torme, Anita Baker, The Highway Men (Willie Nelson, Waylon Jennings, Kris Kristofferson, Johnny Cash), 50 Cent, Nicki Minaj and Lil Wayne. Yet perhaps most notable, has been his relationship with rapper, Eminem, which has earned him both a Grammy and an Oscar in 2003 as a co-writer on "Lose Yourself". He continues to work with Eminem as a songwriter and keyboardist on both recording projects and in live concert. Luis has simultaneously embarked on a solo career releasing his debut album, Combo de Momento in 2010 and the most recent, One Small Light, Spring 2012.

As Eminem's songwriting foil and live keyboard player, Resto composed music for the hit film 8 Mile and was co-writer of "Lose Yourself", the smash single which spent 12 weeks atop Billboard's Top 100 and garnered Luis both a Grammy and an Oscar. He continues to work with Eminem as a songwriter and keyboardist on both recording projects and in live concert.

The release of Eminem's chart-topping Recovery album in 2010 brought about much critical acclaim, most notably the single co-written by Luis, "Not Afraid" which shot straight to the #1 spot on Billboards Top 100 in its first week and received multiple GRAMMY nominations including Best Rap Song.

Luis' most recent recognizable work has been the musical arrangement and choir production for the use of "Lose Yourself" in the popular 2011 Chrysler 200 commercial featuring Eminem.

The evening's musicians include:

Luis Resto - keyboards, vocals

Herschel Boone - background vocals

Paul Nowinski- bass

Pepe Espinosa - percussion

Dave McMurray - saxophone

Mario Resto - drums

Also appearing will be Pathe Jesse and surprise special guests

"The Cut" is collaboration with Michelle Andonian

Tickets: $30 (Includes CD) Advance $35 Door Available at The Music Hall Box Office or Ticketmaster.

Jazz Café

350 Madison

Detroit, MI 48226

(313) 887-8501

www.musichall.org

www.jazzcafedetroit.com

12/19/12

Show Preview: Motor City Movement at the Crofoot, Friday Dec 21st

This Friday Motor City Movement is back at the Crofoot for another night of choreography and dance. MCM began back in 2010 and this year marks the six showcase where over 20 locally and nationally recognized choreographers and dance crews come together to show off the latest and greatest choreography the Detroit dance scene has to offer through a live performance open to the public.

Several different styles of dance are represented throughout the show including hip-hop, funk, jazz, tap, contemporary and more. Featured artists will include professional choreographer & MCM co-founder Jill Zmijewski, the Detroit Pistons Dancers, Detroit Pride Cheerleaders, Detroit's sexiest ladies The Motor City Kitties, the hard hitting hoofers of the Detroit Tap Repertory under direction of Denise Caston, Producer of the renowned Motor City Tap Fest, resident of Grand Rapids and director of RAW Energy Dance Competition Crystal Ahlberg, and a special guest appearance from Detroit's own, Will Thomas, currently on tour with SO YOU THINK YOU CAN DANCE, who just recently finished in the Top 8 on the hit FOX TV show! Dancers from Oakland University, Michigan State University and Davenport University will all be represented in the show.

A night at MCM includes a live dance show, a cash bar, guest DJs and one of the biggest dance parties/dance jams in Metro Detroit. The show is hosted once again by local news personality Heather Zara. DJ Dayda will be keeping the dance party moving before and after the show till 2AM. The Paul Mitchell School of Sterling Heights will be guest stylists to all performers. This will be the third time I have attended a MCM show with each show improving on the last and always providing a unique and dazzling experience.

TUNE IN: The Science Fair Rocks Mitch Albom - Tonight 5-7pm on WJR

Detroit-bred dance-rockers The Science Fair will be making a rare appearance on the Mitch Albom Show tonight from 5-7pm on the great home of the great lakes, WJR (AM 760).

The guys are preparing a new release on 1/1/13 and will announce 2013 tour dates as well.
An author, radio personality and musician himself, Mitch Albom has a passion for music and supports local artists by giving them exposure on his nationally syndicated program.

So bust out the old Am radio and tune in to AM 760 at 5pm (or stream it live right here.)

For more on The Science Fair, check out http://thesciencefairmusic.com/

STEEL PANTHER @ THE ROMT DEC 22,

Artificial Agent Steel Panther

Fire up the "Way Back Machine," it's time to party like it's the 80's again. Spandex, teezed up hair, the pretty bass player, you're not if he's a boy. If you survive the Mayan Apocalypse, let this be your celebration party. If you don't believe, spend the 21st teasing up your hair.

Steel Panther is returning from their European tour. They just released a DVD. Now, they're ready to KICKASS American style. Detroit is a hard working, blue-collar town, that knows how to party. Let's show the boyz we can handle anything they throw at us.

Make sure to get there early and check out local act, Artificial Agent. Steel Panther thinks they rock and they're right, because AA has opened for them every time they play Detroit.

STEEL PANTHER
DOORS @ 8:00PM
ROYAL OAK MUSIC THEATER

12/18/12

Parquet Courts @Jumbo's

Since Parquet Courts quietly released Light Up Gold on their own Dull Tools label in July, there's been a slow but steady build up to the recent bursting-at-the-seams enthusiasm. That well-deserved fervor has led to the band signing with What's Your Rupture?, who will be releasing the CD on January 15th (WYR? will also repress Light Up Gold on vinyl for Dull Tools). Meanwhile, Stereogum has premiered the mp3 for the titular track, "Light Up Gold II," and Pitchfork has dubbed "Borrowed Time" a Best New Track. Forget about it!

The band will be bringing their tacos to your town, with east coast and southern dates on the books, and west coast dates in the works.

PARQUET COURTS TOUR DATES:
Wed. Dec. 26 - Detroit, MI @ Jumbo's w/ Protomartyr
Thurs. Dec. 27 - Chicago, IL @ The Empty Bottle w/ The Gizmos
Fri. Dec. 28 - Omaha, NE @ The Middle House
Sat. Dec. 29 - Kansas City, MO @ Manheiman
Sun. Dec. 30 Oklahoma City, OK @ Bad Granny's
Mon. Dec. 31 - Denton, TX @ RGRS w/ Endless Thoughts, SIn Motivo
Wed. Jan. 2 - Austin, TX @ Beerland w/ Sweet Talk
Thurs. Jan. 3 - Beaumont, TX @ Victoria House w/ Native America, Hello Chief
Fri. Jan. 4 - Oxford, MS @ Lamar Lounge
Sat. Jan. 5 - Nashville, TN @ The Owl Farm w/ Dirty Dreams
Sun. Jan. 6 - Murray, KY @ Terrapin Station w/ Quailbones
Mon. Jan. 7 - Columbus, OH @ Café Bourbon St.
Tues. Jan. 8 - Pittsburgh, PA @ Kopec's w/ Psychic Boots, Crappy Funeral
Wed. Jan. 9 - Washington, DC @ The Rocketship w/ Priests, Teen Liver
Thurs. Jan. 10 - Philadelphia, PA @ Kung Fu Necktie w/ Priests, The Bike Bell Band
Fri. Jan. 11 - Brooklyn, NY @ Death By Audio w/ Priests

Lac La Belle @The Ark this Friday

Lac La Belle

opening for Black Jake & the Carnies

Friday, December 21st, at The Ark in Ann Arbor

Doors at 7:30, show stars at 8

$15

Lac La Belle began with a repertoire of old-time country and folk, but they soon added original material. The songs were honed during two sizable tours in 2009 and this creative flurry culminated in the first eponymous recording, released in November of that year. Recorded by Jim Diamond (The White Stripes, Detroit Cobras, The Dirt Bombs etc), the entire record was cut live in the studio, using only a few microphones. Its spare production captures the timeless quality of Lac La Belle’s sound.

The group has now completed six tours of the mid-west, south and east, with appearances at Hiawatha Festival, The Detroit Folk Festival, Dally in the Alley, Dune Grass and Hollerfest (MI); Whofest (Chattanooga, TN), The Chicago Calling Festival (Chicago, IL) and The Avant Fairfax Festival (Fairfax, VA), and completed their first European tour in 2012.

Their newest release, "Bring on the Light" boasts twelve original works and one traditional arrangement, performed with a variety of instruments from accordion to banjitar. Each song presents a melodic tale, be it an intimate anecdote, or stories on their hometown Detroit, "Bring on the Light" captures the drifting spirit of early America.

Jennie Knaggs mined folk music first hand, meeting and playing with musicians of Central and Southern Appalachia during her course of travel and advocacy work in the region. Her snapping rhythm guitar, mandolin and accordion playing are all in fine display with Lac La Belle. She is the 2000 Hollerin' Champion of Wise Co., Virginia and Letcher Co., Kentucky, and she gracefully applies her vocal techniques in the duo's original works with her soaring and yodeling vocals. Knaggs has studied opera and has toured Ukraine and Europe in various vocal ensembles, and performed and taught as an artist in residence in Labro, Italy in 2011. She continues to sing with the fifteen piece Odu Afrobeat Orchestra, and teaches voice privately and in workshops. Knaggs is the principal vocalist in Matthew Barney and Jonathan Bepler's upcoming film, "Ancient Evenings," to be released in theatres in 2014.

Nick Schillace is recognized as a solo instrumentalist who has contributed to the American Primitive guitar canon with his releases Box Canyon (2005) and Landscape and People (2008.) Raised by folk and blues enthusiasts, he acquired early training at Augusta Heritage in Elkins, West Virginia. Schillace draws on this background as he sings and plays banjo, mandolin and resonator guitar in Lac La Belle. Other recent work includes tenor guitar in Odu Afrobeat Orchestra, electric guitar in Indoorpark (with percussionist Jon Moshier) and the experimental/traditional group Duo un Duo with bassist Joel Peterson. Schillace has toured and performed with other fingerpicking greats, including Bert Jansch, Peter Lang, Jack Rose, Keenan Lawler, Eric Carbonara and Glenn Jones. Considered an authority on early 20th century American fingerpicking guitar styles, Nick is sought after as an instructor both privately and in workshop settings.

Tour Dates

Friday, December, 21, 2012

The Ark

With Black Jake and The Carnies

Ann Arbor, MI

Sunday, December 30, 2012

Mittenfest

Ypsilanti, MI

Sunday, January 20, 2013

Ghettoblaster Sessions