Cover Story
Heidelberg Project firebugs can’t keep Tyree Guyton down
Tyree Guyton asks us to step into his office, and for an internationally recognized artist, his accommodations are incredibly modest. Décor is extremely minimal. We sit on plastic chairs that look like they were donated from an elementary school. A small, square-shaped table stands to our side, with nothing but an old Hewlett-Packard computer monitor…
Couple’s plans for Cooley High are getting warmer
Good news comes to us from the husband-and-wife team of Nicole Pitts and LaMar Williams, the couple whose plans for Detroit’s now-vacant Cooley High School were the subject of a report by freelancer Aaron Foley a few weeks ago.
News Hits: United Nations officials say Detroit water shut-offs affect city’s most vulnerable residents
Following a packed town hall forum on Sunday, representatives from the United Nations slammed Detroit’s water shut-off program, saying it runs “contrary to human rights.” Speaking before a packed room inside the atrium of Wayne County Community College’s downtown Detroit campus, Catarina de Albuquerque said she doesn’t carry a substantial amount of power when it…
News Hits: Deal reached to resolve Detroit incinerator’s odor
Well, this should resolve some concerns — at least, for now. A year after negotiations began to resolve the odor emanating from the Detroit incinerator at the interchange of I-75 and I-94, a deal has been reached that should make the air in Midtown smell a bit nicer. The Michigan Department of Environmental Quality (MDEQ)…
Want to work at Drag Queen Bingo?
Enjoy being heckled by Drag Queens in your spare time? Then we’ve got a job for you. Five15, a quirky and cheeky little coffee house in downtown Royal Oak is looking for supplemental workers to help run Drag Queen Bingo four days a week. The gig will require workers to help set up, run, and…
Study: Detroit doesn’t attract college grads
Young twenty-somethings fresh out of college still have an itch to move across state lines and into areas within three miles of city centers, according to a new study, but they’re avoiding Detroit. The study from a think tank plainly called City Observatory offered this a summary for Detroit. From the New York Times: About…
MT readers: Show us your Halloween costumes!
Halloween is fast approaching — and there’s been plenty of parties already, with even more on the horizon. So we have to ask, what are you being for Halloween this year? Send ’em to halloween@metrotimes.com, with your name and city of residence, for a chance to be featured on MT. (We particularly dug these “ICPizza” costumes,…
Uno Lady will perform at PJ’s Lager House tonight
You’ve probably heard of something called a “one-woman show.” But, have you heard of a one-woman choir? It kind of sounds like a oxymoron, but it is a real thing. And it’s called Uno Lady. More specifically she is called Uno Lady. Her real name is Christ Ebert and she’s pictured here. She’s from Cleveland,…
Scott Morgan’s ‘Detroit’ Re-Released
Today, Oct. 20, 2014, is the official release date for Revolutionary Action, a two-CD compilation that includes re-mastered versions of the first three solo albums by Scott Morgan, the singer, songwriter and guitarist who back in the 1960s led the Ann Arbor-based band the Rationals and then in the 1970s was a member of Sonic’s…
This coming winter in Detroit probably won’t be as bad as last year’s
The Freep reported last week that the forthcoming winter will probably be less severe than last year’s. After last year’s polar vortex and an unseasonably cool summer, this is the first burst of good weather-related news we’ve had in a while. Via the Freep: “A repeat of last winter is not particularly likely,” said Mike Halpert,…
We’re pretty geeked about this ‘Orbit’ anthology
2015 marks the 25th anniversary of the founding of Orbit magazine, the irreverent rag — created by one Jerry Vile — that poked fun at everything while at the same time featuring local talent long before the rest of the mainstream media would. Author Rob St. Mary (currently based in Aspen, Colorado but a Detroit…
UAW-Ford is sponsoring free mammograms this week
In honor of Breast Cancer Awareness month, UAW-Ford is offering free mammogram screenings for metro Detroit women. The Northland Radiology mobile mammogram unit will provide the screenings. The screenings will take place from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. from Monday, Oct. 20 through Wednesday, Oct. 22. The mobile unit will be stationed in front of…
United Nations officials to hear from Detroiters affected by water shut-offs
After calling the city’s water shut-off program an affront to human rights, officials from the United Nations will visit Detroit this evening to hear from impacted residents. A bevy of local groups have organized the meeting with the United Nations Human Rights Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights, including the Detroit People’s Water…
Red Bull asks artists to make art out of Red Bull
Well, we spoke too soon. Not long after we playfully ribbed Sierra Mist for enlisting artists to create art about Sierra Mist (and said “Red Bull is more subtle in their branding, though, and they certainly never ask its artists to make art about Red Bull”), we’re told that Red Bull is sponsoring a contest…
Detroit to celebrate Willie Horton Day today at Navin Field
Michigan celebrates the 11th annual Willie Horton Day, honoring the former Detroit Tiger for his outstanding career both on and off the playing field.
In defense of the DIA’s executive compensation
The Detroit Institute of Arts has found itself in hot water this week after it was revealed that its chief operating officer Annmarie Erickson and director Graham Beal quietly got raises while the museum faced tough financial times. Beal got a 13 percent raise, it was reported, while Erickson got a 36 percent raise. Though…
Don’t miss Howl ‘Ween at Canine to Five on Sunday
Hey, dogs like Halloween, too! Well, maybe they don’t so much like being dressed up like hamburgers or spiders, but they sure do love a treat. Canine to Five in Ferndale is hosting a special Halloween bash just for pups and the people who love them. It all takes place on Sunday, Oct. 19 at…
College for Creative Studies to collaborate with Shinola for a new fashion accessories design program
The College for Creative Studies (CCS) is teaming up with Shinola for a brand new Bachelors of Fine Arts program. When the Fashion Accessories Design program launches in the fall of 2015, it will be of the only programs of its kind in the country. It’s also the first and only one of its kind…
Report: Community Benefits ordinance not ‘absolute requirement’ for development to sign agreement
For weeks, reports have framed Detroit’s proposed Community Benefits Agreement (CBA) ordinance as a red-tape nightmare that would mandate major developers to sign such a deal with the community. That’s not the case, according to a report issued this week by Detroit City Council’s Legislative Policy Division (LPD). It would only pertain to large-scale developments that…
Obama, Bill Clinton will campaign for Michigan’s Democratic gubernatorial and U.S. Senate candidates
President Barack Obama and former president Bill Clinton will stump for Michigan’s Democratic gubernatorial and U.S. Senate candidates in the coming weeks, according to the Detroit News. The expected campaign appearances for Mark Schauer, who is seeking to overturn incumbent Republican Gov. Rick Snyder, and U.S. Rep. Gary Peters, who hopes to win the congressional…
MAP: Michigan is divided when it comes to rooting for college football teams
A recently published map illustrates that Michigan roots for two teams equally when it comes to college football. The two schools represented are, of course, the University of Michigan and Michigan State University, which are both known for their dedicated band of followers. The map comes to us via the New York Times and via Facebook,…
MT’s Michael Jackman will guest on NPR’s Weekend Edition Saturday
[Update 1:25 p.m. Oct. 18: Listen to the segment here.] MT managing editor Michael Jackman will join NPR Weekend Edition host Scott Simon in a discussion about the problems with lazy phrases like “putting Detroit on the map,” “a blank slate,” and colonial metaphors in regard to media coverage of Detroit. The episode will air between 8…
Joe Louis Arena to be demolished as part of Detroit bankruptcy settlement
With the help of the state of Michigan, Joe Louis Arena will be demolished after the Detroit Red Wings move to a new $450 million arena — and the vacant land will be turned over to Detroit’s last major creditor in bankruptcy court. The deal with Financial Guaranty Insurance Corp., a bond insurer that held…
Recipe Corner: Make your own sambal!
The spicy condiment known as sambal is easy to make at home.
MT’s Editor in Chief Valerie Vande Panne on “Detroit Wants 2 Know”
Metro Times’ Editor in Chief Valerie Vande Panne will discuss the paper’s entertainment, news, and art coverage with host Steve Hood on “Detroit Wants 2 Know” this Sunday. Hood was reportedly excited about our coverage of the de-blacking of Belle Isle as well as Vande Panne’s myriad blogs about how we aren’t as poor as…
Jamaican Queens on Entertainment Weekly website
Detroit’s weird trio of synth pop music makers Jamaican Queens are featured on Entertainment Weekly’s website today. The site features their new single “Bored+Lazy.” They call it a party banger, which makes us think of Miley Cyrus. And when we think Miley Cyrus, we don’t think of Jamaican Queens. Regardless, we like the song. Check…
Duggan administration ‘tone deaf’ on graffiti, apologizes for crackdown
On Monday, city officials went after building owners on Grand River Avenue whose buildings had artwork created by beautification project the Grand River Creative Corridor. According to the GRCC’s Derek Weaver, the city issued almost $8,000 in fines. The stunt caused a palpable uproar, and by Wednesday, Duggan personally apologized to Weaver and other business…
MT is hiring a Music Editor
Detroit Metro Times is seeking a new music editor to join our team.
Isis Coney Island in Taylor to change its name because of ISIS
In Taylor, along a stretch of Eureka Road, there is a coney island named Isis. In the Middle East, there is a group of militants that has continued to capture territory in Iraq and Syria, despite weeks of bombings by the U.S., known as the Islamic State of Iraq and Syria — or “ISIS.” This has…
WHEW: At least the New York Times hasn’t compared Detroit to Brooklyn
Good news for Detroiters who declare, “We don’t want to become another Brooklyn.”
Nas doc fills in the musician’s gaps and grudges
Twentieth anniversaries mark the point where pop culture becomes cultural history, be it a forgettable television show or a landmark hip-hop album. Nas: Time Is Illmatic feels like the re-examination of a sacred text, especially in brief testimonials from Kendrick Lamar, Erykah Badu, and others about the lasting influence of his incendiary 1994 debut. Multimedia…
KouZina Greek Street Food offers big portions with small prices
The tasty food at KouZina is, unfortunately, not the type that could be easily snuck into the Main Theatre across the street. Not that I, myself, of course, would ever try to avoid paying $5.50 for a small popcorn. Surely a fair price! But for those who would seek alternate nourishment during the flick, a…
Performance Network’s ‘Driving Miss Daisy’ and Michigan theater’s big race problem
Let us start off by explaining that this is not a review, at least not in the traditional sense, of the Performance Network’s just opened production of Driving Miss Daisy. We cannot and do not want to comment on the actors’ performances or the director’s choices or the play’s production values. We’re sure they’re fine.…
Four guides to cooking with game
Duck, Duck, Goose | By Hank Shaw This is a cookbook devoted to preparing and cooking ducks and geese, both domestic and wild, from the author of the award-winning blog Hunter Angler Gardener Cook. Gut It, Cut It, Cook It.: The Deer Hunter’s Guide to Processing & Preparing Venison | By Eric Fromm & Al Cambronne…
Raise the Bar: Thomas Magee’s might look old, but it’s new
Erik Olson is the epitome of “salt of the earth.” He’s just a guy who was raised in Detroit who always wanted to open a bar. Opening a bar, he says, is every guy’s dream. And Olson made his own dream come true. Not even a year ago, Olson opened Thomas Magee’s Sporting House Whiskey…
Exotic critters on restaurant menus are probably anything but wild
You think you got game? When the foliage turns pretty and the frost hits the pumpkins, many a diner’s thoughts turn to meats like venison, wild boar, and quail, and the rich, lusty dishes in which they appear. Perhaps it’s the smell of turning leaves, or the chill in the air, or the fact that…
‘Addiction’ is a combination of entertainment and intervention
RoseMarie Wilson is walking through the New Center Building, balancing bags of theater tickets, flyers, rehearsal schedules, and a long phone call. She’s happy, stressed, focused, concerned, and ready. The countdown has begun to the opening of her first self-written and produced play, Addiction. The comedy tackles the harsh realities of addiction to alcohol, cigarettes,…
‘The Simpsons’ founding writer Al Jean on his Detroit roots
You might remember the name Al Jean from such credits as National Lampoon magazine, It’s Garry Shandling’s Show, and The Tonight Show with Johnny Carson. But what Jean’s best known for is as a writer and producer of the legendary animated television show The Simpsons. Jean might’ve spent the last 30 years in Los Angeles,…
Here’s what Detroit’s proposed ‘Urban Development Agreements’ ordinance is about
The thought process was simple: If Detroit were to sell 301 tax-reverted properties to the Michigan Land Bank to facilitate the construction of a new bridge between Windsor and Detroit, then perhaps the community situated in the U.S. project footprint should receive some direct benefits — through a legally binding agreement. Residents of Delray and…
How I learned to stop worrying and enjoy wine
I enjoy drinking. Hardly a day goes by when I don’t indulge in a cold beer, a glass of bourbon, neat, a shot of Jezynowka. It’s a social thing as much as it is about the warm mellow feeling induced by a tumbler of whiskey, the drowsiness of a daytime beer buzz, or the crazier…
Stir It Up: Detroit’s black heritage
These are historic times in Detroit. We’re in the late stages of the largest municipal bankruptcy ever. We’ve spent 18 months under a state-appointed emergency manager. The local economy is slowly diversifying from the automotive industry that has dominated the past century. That has to be historic from just about any angle you look at…
Meet illustrator Mark Moreno’s alter ego, Mark 80
Like the superheroes he grew up idolizing, illustrator Mark Moreno knows the value of a good alter ego. He works as an artist under the name Mark Sarmel. On Saturday, he’ll debut another alias at a show at the Rust Belt Market: Mark 80. Why the different alter egos? “If you searched my name, there’s…
Metal band Pallbearer isn’t all doom and gloom
There’s something mythological about doom metal. You expect the musicians who play it to be half-human and half-creature or some sort of vengeful deity. In reality, it’s usually just a group of young men who’ve grown up in a scene that encourages individuality and nurtures the darker aspects of life. When listening to Pallbearer, you…
Hot Shotz: Laura Mendoza of Secreto whips up something with Chilean flavor
Laura Mendoza has been in the business of making drinks for a while now. She’s worked at Ann Arbor’s Vinology and The Black Pearl and Detroit’s Rattlesnake Club. She also tended bar in Chile, where she lived for seven years. In fact, the leather-clad drink slinger is half-Chilean and has dual citizenship. Now settled in…
Savage Love: Polyproblema
Q: Four years ago, I met a man on a “married but looking” website. We exchanged fantasies, which included wanting to have threesomes and a D/s relationship. He was 19 years my senior. I was 42 at the time. For three years, we met twice a week for drinks or sex. The sex was amazing.…
Ask a Juggalo: Is the Gathering of the Juggalos a safe place to bring a 14-year-old and a 10-year-old?
Q: This question came to us via email: Is the Gathering of the Juggalos a safe place to bring a 14-year-old and a 10-year-old? My boys are fans and we are fans. We want to know if it’s appropriate for fans of that age. A: That’s kind of a tricky one. Honestly, I believe it’s…
Horoscopes (October 15 – 21)
ARIES (Mar. 21-Apr. 20): In and around more interference than most of us will ever have to deal with you have managed to survive. As forces that rely heavily on time and the actions of other people hold you in their grip, your only recourse is to keep yourself centered and make sure that you…
Face Time: Courtney Harris is ‘the Blonde Morticia’
Courtney Harris is a co-owner of the Bennett-Barz Funeral Home in Beulah and the Terwilliger Funeral Home in Kaleva. She graduated from Wayne State University’s Mortuary Science program in 2007 and became dually licensed as a funeral director and embalmer that year. When she’s not busy with demands of the deceased, the 29-year old runs…
DDays: News from Comet Bar’s last-ever “Terry-oke,” Vodka Rox, Hamtramck Neighborhood Arts festival, and more
Nas is Illmatic The Nas: Time Is Illmatic Tour stopped at the Fillmore Detroit. In celebration of the 20th anniversary of Nas’ classic debut album and partly to promote the release of the new documentary about the album, Time Is Illmatic. The film shows the background from which Nas came and how that influenced his debut record. Director,…
Politics and Prejudices: Pay raises for DIA’s top brass called into question
Life takes funny bounces, and if you live long enough, you learn you can’t predict what it will throw at you. Ten years ago, for example, I would have agreed it was quite conceivable that by 2014 I might be dead, broke, or worse — working for the legislature, say. But I would’ve been confident…
Food Focus: Lady Jane Gourmet Seed Company
Up in Hadley, nestled in Lapeer county, the humble hemp seed is taking root. Not in fertile soil, but in Laura Noble’s business: Lady Jane Gourmet Seed Company. Noble discovered hemp during her battle with melanoma cancer. She was on a quest to find a hemp fabric she liked, in order to make sun protective…
All Dolled Up: The Infatuations’ Caleb Gutierrez has style in spades
Caleb Gutierrez is the well-dressed front man of Detroit-based “Nu-Motown” group, The Infatuations. The band recently released their first full-length album, Detroit Block Party and have been riding the high of such an accomplishment ever since. They recently performed at The Fillmore with Here Come the Mummies and have some out-of-state gigs coming up in…
The Soft White Sixties are hitting their stride with full-length debut
The fact that Aaron Eisenberg can take my call from the road in the band’s tour van is something he appreciates now more than ever. Eisenberg, who plays guitar and keyboards for the San Francisco rock and soul outfit the Soft White Sixties, feels lucky just to have reliable transportation. “The morning after our Fillmore…
This ‘Bitch Be Gone’ candle from Discount Candles drives away romantic adversaries
Bitch Be Gone is an important candle for any lady who’s feeling some competition from another woman. This candle drives away adversaries, keeping you cozy with your man. But don’t think of this 7-Day candle as just a means for getting him to ditch his girl on the side. It’s also great if you’re feeling…
North American Labor History Conference looks at the new working class
Life for the average working person couldn’t be much more different from when the North American Labor History Conference, convening this week at Wayne State University, began back in 1978. According to the Economic Policy Institute, the wages of the typical worker have grown by a measly 10.2 percent since then, while average CEO compensation…
Drink Up
Devil’s Cut Jim Beam For those who aren’t familiar with the whiskey making process, while the liquid ages, there’s a portion that evaporates. That’s called the angel’s share. After aging, when the bourbon is dumped out of the barrel, a certain amount of whiskey is left trapped within the wood of every barrel. That’s called…
Detroit’s Discount Candles’ 7-Day candles can help with any predicament
Discount Candles stands on the corner of Gratiot and Russell in Detroit. The exterior of the building doesn’t look like much and, to be honest, neither does the inside. It’s not hip or kitschy or trendy. In fact, it’s kind of dirty and in a bit of disrepair, but that just adds to its charm.…
Five O’clock Somewhere: Sweet potato vodka developed at Michigan State University
Lovers of vodka made from sweet potatoes, rejoice! The North Carolina sweet potato harvest is coming in, and it’s healthy and huge, compared to last year’s, which was hampered by wet weather at planting time. What’s that? You didn’t know there was such a thing as sweet potato vodka? There is indeed such a thing.…
Feedback: Reader responses on ‘incestuous’ EAA travesty and gun control
WTF, EAA? Thanks Curt for reporting on the incestuous travesty involving the EAA, Agilix and Buzz. I want to make two points: 1) Surely there is something bordering on criminal in the way Detroit children in the city’s most struggling schools have been subjected to what I can only describe as educational abuse. There is…
Lizerrd’s ‘No Matter What You Have Done’ is a heavy record
It is no coincidence that Nathaniel Shannon’s cover art for this (vinyl only) record closely resembles that of Baba Ram Dass’s great 1960s tome of spiritual and metaphysical enlightenment, Be Here Now (also the title of the first track here). Like that book, recurring themes through the record are that of transcendence, forgiveness, the ephemeral…
Higher Ground: Gary Webb was the messenger
Many years ago, I heard a story that the CIA purposefully allowed the funneling of crack cocaine into Los Angeles and other inner cities across the country in order to fund a war in Nicaragua. It was told to me on the street. I didn’t read it. As a young woman living in the Bronx,…
