Cover Story
How Detroit students made a federal case out of the city’s broken schools
On the afternoon of Thursday, Aug. 10, at the Theodore Levin United States Courthouse, attorneys representing Gov. Rick Snyder argued that the state of Michigan, which has been so intimately involved with Detroit Public Schools for almost 20 years, has no responsibility to ensure students in the district are taught how to read. The state’s…
Enter the Boomiverse at Big Boi’s Majestic Theatre show
Welcome to the Boomiverse! Founding Outkast member, master collaborator, solo superstar, and smooth operator Big Boi is not of this world. Armed with a sharp tongue (in cheek) and an unmatched cleverness, Big Boi released Boomiverse this summer, and it’s an exuberant and fresh follow-up to his Phantogram mashup record Big Grams. Not one to…
Seu Jorge is bringing a unique David Bowie tribute to Royal Oak
In 2004, Wes Anderson invited us to dive into his most surreal narrative to date. The Life Aquatic With Steve Zissou is filled with memorable performances and quietly heartbreaking narratives, but it’s soundtrack is perhaps its most influential character. Anderson enlisted Brazilian singer/songwriter Seu Jorge to reimagine cover versions of David Bowie classics in Portuguese.…
Electro pop duo Sylvan Esso bring crisp pop roundness to the Crofoot
You wouldn’t expect an electro-pop duo whose breakthrough single titled “Hey Mami” would have a penchant for ethereal, glittering layers of urgent catharsis, but Sylvan Esso has the paradox down to a science. Their sophomore record What Now, a cohesive and grounded collection, dropped earlier this year. It includes the upbeat and pleasantly dismal single…
Hearsefest in Hell: Annual Michigan tradition returns this Saturday
This year’s 16th annual hearse show in Hell will be full of spectral excitement. Enjoy hamburgers and hot dogs cooked on casket grills and show off your death taxi, while cavorting with other lovers of all things ghoulish. Trophies for categories including “Scariest Hearse,” “Best Casket Cart,” and the popular “How the Hell did it…
Tour de Troit will roll through the city this weekend
A leisurely 25.6-mile ride through the city of Detroit, Tour de Troit promises cyclists will experience “breathtaking sights” all over Motown. The ride will be escorted by police, meaning riders can legally bike through the streets. Throughout the ride, bikers will be able to take a break at sanctioned pit stops that will offer snacks…
Michigan Burlesque Festival gets glam this weekend
There’s a thin line between gaudy and glam, but when it comes to burlesque, it can be devilishly fun to toe. Slink on over to the sultry stage at the Hastings Street Ballroom for a dazzling night marked by the heart-thumping pace and extravagance of classic vaudeville. In the fifth annual production, patrons can expect…
Paramore and Best Coast join forces at the Fox
It’s hard to believe it has been over 10 years since emo pop priestess Hayley Williams and Co. emerged as Paramore, known best for their catchy, candy-coated angst. This year, however, they’ve flipped the script and traded in their mosh pit for a dance floor on their fifth studio record After Laughter. Channeling the likes…
’70s punk band X will perform at El Club with original lineup
Punk is not a genre as much as a way of life. This could not be truer for L.A’s X. After four decades of groundbreaking music, X probably finds it hard to believe its music has impacted generations of fellow sonic discordant outsiders long after its 1977 inception. During an interview posted to her website,…
Tim Allen performs at Royal Oak Music Theatre this weekend
Known for the repertoire of “manly” gorilla noises that made up 85 percent of his script as Tim “the Toolman” Taylor on ’90s sitcom Home Improvement, Tim Allen will appear for a one-night-only engagement in Royal Oak. Allen, also the voice of Pure Michigan, drew criticism for his support of Donald Trump during the 2016…
Women celebrate their first year as business owners in Corktown this Sunday
Corktown might be a historically Irish neighborhood in Detroit, but a handful of women of color are operating some of the area’s best businesses. Mama Coo’s Boutique, the Farmer’s Hand, and the Bearded Lady are all located on the same small block at the corner of Bagley and Trumbull, just off Michigan Avenue, and they’re…
Downtown Detroit’s Lululemon will open next Friday, company says
Last month we reported that upscale athletic clothier Lululemon confirmed they would open a storefront on Woodward Avenue next to Warby Parker — a location formerly inhabited by “technical cashmere” purveyor Kit & Ace. Today, the company says the store will open on Friday, Sept. 21 at 11 a.m. In a press release sent to…
Folk singer-songwriter Joe Purdy brings his ‘hillbilly’ music to the Ark
Having released over 14 studio records in as many years, Arkansas native, singer/songwriter, and self-proclaimed “hillbilly” Joe Purdy charts a different journey than most. Though planted in the tradition of folk greats such as Bob Dylan, Woody Guthrie, and Phil Ochs, Purdy is nothing if not a passionate observer with a unique perspective on his…
U-M celebrates bicentennial with free party at Grand Circus Park
In 1817, Augustus Woodward, Reverend John Monteith, and the Rev. Gabriel Richard founded the University of Michigania in the city of Detroit. But, just 20 years later, in 1837, the university moved to its current home in Ann Arbor. In August, our summer intern and current U-M student Tess Garcia asked the important question, “What if…
Inn Season is now serving beer and wine
Since opening 36 years ago, Inn Season has been a favorite plant-based, organic, farm-to-fork restaurant, and its kitchen has essentially served as a training ground for chefs who go on to run their own kitchens. But one thing has been missing from the equation: A nice glass of wine. That’s changed as Inn Season recently…
Metro Detroit shelter is taking in animals from Hurricane Harvey
While every aspect of Hurricane Harvey (and Irma) has been absolutely devastating, the videos and images of dogs and cats that were displaced during the storms has been just as brutal, especially to animal rescuers. Luckily, a lot of animals have been rescued in the areas that were ravaged by the storm and are ready…
How the Ilitches used ‘dereliction by design’ to get their new Detroit arena
Little Caesars Arena opens today, marking a new era for Detroit’s Cass Corridor. But while the late Mike Ilitch and his family get a lot of credit for reviving the south Corridor, it was only a few short years ago that their business practices helped break the area’s back. Starting in the late 1990s, Ilitch developed…
The UK’s Gathering of the Juggalos party ended up being a hot mess
While America’s version of Gathering of the Juggalos boosts hundreds of Juggalos for a weekend party solely devoted to ICP, the British version is usually equal in spirit but lacking in numbers, understandably. (They do ship in crates of Faygo for the occasion, which we totally love.) While the weekend usually gathers 100 or so…
As we uncover historic racism, this Shinola ad certainly stands out
Over the weekend, a friend sent along this image of an old ad for Shinola shoe polish — it’s the same brand that was bought and recycled into the Detroit-based brand by venture capitalist Tom Kartsotis. Kartsotis has won praise for deftly taking a historic brand, divorcing it from its former identity, grafting it onto…
Detroit Tigers’ spring training facility will house Hurricane Irma responders
While many of us in Michigan can only help the victims of Hurricane Irma through money donations or supplies, the Detroit Tigers are stepping up in a huge way to help those affected by the monster storm. Since the Tigers have their spring training in sunny Lakeland Florida, the facility is currently not being used.…
Kid Rock in Trump-like rant ahead of pizzarena shows: ‘I love black people!!’
With just a day to go until he helps open the Little Caesars pizzarena to the public, Kid Rock has taken to Facebook to address the controversy swirling around the outsize role he’ll play at the site. But instead of extending an olive branch to the people he’s upset through his alleged use of “dog-whistle”…
Republican Michigan Representative Dave Trott not seeking reelection
Are Republicans worst fears coming true for this upcoming election year? With only a little over a year left before November of 2018, a handful of Republicans have announced they will not seek reelection, and now that list includes Michigan Rep. Dave Trott of Birmingham. Trott’s reelection campaign would have likely been an uphill battle…
U-M professor breaks down Detroit’s racist history in ‘New York Times’ op-ed
In recent weeks, a cast of metro Detroiters have begun to call into question offensive names of local restaurants and convention centers. Some have gone so far as to demand the city remove a bust of Christopher Columbus. But in a New York Times op-ed published today, University of Michigan professor of American culture and…
Feds investigate Nancy Whiskey, Le Petit Zinc shutters
The Office of the Inspector General is investigating the owner of the historic Nancy Whiskey bar in North Corktown over allegations of money laundering, the Freep reports. Eva Reyes, who owns the 115-year-old dive bar and also works for the federal government in the Department Of Justice, received a letter on Aug. 25 that informed her that…
Smile, Danny Brown fixed his iconic teeth
Detroit rapper Danny Brown has become famous for two things: his atypical, nasal rapping delivery and for flashing a signature gap-toothed grin. But as of last weekend, one of those things is no longer true. Apparently, Brown has fixed his teeth. On Friday, he posted a photo of his new grill on his Instagram story…
Bob Dylan headed to Fox Theatre in November
The prolific singer and songwriter Bob Dylan is gracing us with his presence at the gorgeous Fox Theatre on Wednesday, November 1 for a once in a lifetime performance. Dylan toured extensively last year but never came around with a Detroit date. Finally the “Like A Rolling Stone” singer confirmed a new tour with Detroit…
Reporter’s notebook: What literacy means
When Metro Times decided to dedicate its cover story to the “literacy lawsuit” filed on the behalf of Detroit school pupils, it was something we felt more invested in than many other topics. It’s probably because we’re in the business of writing that makes us a little bit sentimental about the two R’s. Even in…
You can sign a petition to convince Amazon to open up new headquarters in Detroit
It’s pretty safe to say that everyone lost their freckin’ minds when the news broke that Amazon was possibly eyeing Detroit as the city to house their new North American headquarters, aka HQ2. Just look at Detroit’s reddit page this afternoon and you can see just how excited people are at the idea of this…
Insane Clown Posse explain why they’re marching on Washington in new video
Back in 2011, the FBI named the Insane Clown Posse and their Juggalo followers a “hybrid gang,” ultimately causing a lot of stress and discrimination for the hardcore fans of the Detroit rap group. The Insane Clown Posse is taking matters into their own Faygo fueled hands and having a Juggalo March on Washington, where…
Detroit’s white mayor weighs in on Kid Rock, Little Caesars Arena controversy
The many-layered controversy surrounding Kid Rock’s performance at the new taxpayer-financed pizza palace just got a little thicker thanks to Detroit Mayor Mike Duggan. Duggan kicked off the week shouting proudly about the economic impact of the pizzarena during an over-the-top ribbon-cutting at the site on Tuesday. On Wednesday, after unveiling an effort to stop illegal dumping in…
Erebus offers employee bonus when customers piss their pants
Pontiac is home to the largest haunted house in the country — the sprawling four-story Erebus Haunted Attraction opened in 2000, sending thrill seekers on a journey that often involves mad scientists, dragons, and being buried alive. But, what does it take to work at a place that held the Guinness World Record for the…
Danny Brown will perform with Lil B for Bruiser Thanksgiving 4
In Detroit, it’s become an annual tradition: on the day befofre Thanksgiving, Danny Brown performs a hometown gig as part of Bruiser Thanksgiving. The rapper announced the details for the 2017 event today. Of note: Bruiser Thanksgiving No. 4 is a double-headliner with Berkely, Calif.-based rapper Lil B (aka “The BasedGod.”) The event is set…
Premiere: Motorkam’s video for ‘BlackDaddy’ is a wild ride
Metro Times first caught up with MotorKam in February off the heels of his album, BlackDaddy: Greatest Hits. In advance of his performance at this weekend’s Dally in the Alley, the emcee is premiering the visuals for his cut, “BlackDaddy.” The cut is an odyssey of ghetto tech, hip-hop, synthesized vocals, and pure Detroit funk.…
Detroit pop up chefs are cooking the ‘cuisine of Texas’ at Harvey benefit lunch
A group of Detroit pop up chefs are preparing a buffet based on the cuisine of Texas to help support the Hurricane Harvey relief efforts. The lunch is planned from noon to 4 p.m. on Sunday at El Club in Southwest Detroit. All proceeds from the event will be donated to the Greater Houston Community…
‘It’ remake swaps smarts for cheap scares
Director Andy Muschietti (Mama) sets the tone for his It remake in the first 10 minutes by brutally and unnecessarily depicting a child’s arm being ripped off and a sheep being shot in the head. If you enjoy that type of crap, hold onto your balloons, because It is one wild ride of silly scares.…
Sign petitions to end gerrymandering at these locations over the next week
Voters Not Politicians is working to gather 316,000 signatures needed to put a proposal on the November 2018 ballot that the group says will end gerrymandering of electoral districts, if it’s approved. The non-partisan, non-profit group is proposing amending Michigan’s state constitution to establish a 13-member citizens’ commission made up of five independent voters and…
El Club to host DACA fundraisers
Southwest Detroit’s El Club is planning a number of benefits to raise money to aid immigrants following President Donald Trump’s call to end the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals program, or DACA. Owner Graeme Flegenheimer says the music venue has partnered with One Michigan to help DACA recipients who are eligible for renewal before Oct. 5.…
Author finds lessons in Detroit’s ’50-year rebellion’
We’ve just experienced a summer filled with exhibits, panel discussions, and books marking a half-century since Detroit exploded into international headlines. For the most part, it has been a fruitful look back, as long-held misunderstandings about what happened in 1967 have been challenged by scholarship, oral history, and many-sided perspectives. Maybe even a few who…
Tunde Olaniran is back with a new powerful single
It’s crazy to believe that it’s been two years since Tunde Olaniran graced us with his debut album Transgressor and made us fall head over heels for his music. The Flint native is back with a new single that we are hoping will lead to a new music. The song is called “Symbol” and closely…
Detroit Tigers tickets are cheaper than a beer at the ballpark right now
The Detroit Tigers have had a less-than-stellar season, traded Justin Verlander (and, more importantly, Kate Upton), and now have just a few games before they throw out the last pitch of 2017. What does all this mean? Ridiculously cheap tickets. As the Detroit Free Press points out, tickets to next Thursday’s home game against the…
Civil rights group threatens boycott of Little Caesars ahead of Kid Rock arena shows
The shows are scheduled, tens of thousands of people have bought tickets, and the pizzarena P.R. team has indicated it will not change course – but a civil rights group remains hopeful that it can get Kid Rock’s upcoming shows at the new Little Caesars Arena canceled. If it doesn’t succeed, the National Action Network’s Michigan…
Dead & Company headed to Little Caesars Arena in November
We’ve got another stellar show to add to the already fantastic lineup of artists that are slated to headline the newly opened Little Caesars Arena. After a successful summer tour last year, Dead & Company are hitting the road again and will be making a stop here on Friday, November 24. For those of you…
Group petitions Detroit to remove Christoper Columbus statue
Following the movement to remove statues and monuments of racist or otherwise controversial figures from American history, a local group has collected nearly 1,500 signatures in an effort to remove the 117-year-old bust of Christopher Columbus located in downtown Detroit. The petition also comes amid discussions to change the name of Cobo Center, which was…
Study: Antidepressants found in brains of Great Lakes fish
Antidepressants were found in ten species of fish from the Niagara River analyzed by a team from the University of Buffalo, a new study from the school says. The Niagara River connects Lakes Erie and Ontario. Levels of the medications found in the fish’s brains often outpaced the levels in the water, according to the…
New Avalon Cafe and Biscuit Bar opens today in Detroit
Avalon’s newest location and concept launches today in New Center. The shop at 2990 W. Grand Blvd. will offer baked goods, Mighty Good Coffee, made-to-order sandwiches, salads, and a sweet and savory biscuit bar with seasonal toppings. The cafe also serves handcrafted ice cream made by Reilly Craft Creamery, one of the vendors inside Avalon’s…
Tee Grizzley to perform at the Fillmore Detroit
Tee Grizzley will play a hometown gig on Devil’s Night. The rapper behind the viral hit “First Day Out” is set to perform at the Fillmore Detroit on Monday, Oct. 30. Tickets go on sale Friday, Sept. 8 and are available here. Doors open at 7 p.m. and 18 and older are welcome. Watch the “First Day…
Oakland Avenue Urban Farm launches six-acre commons this weekend
An event at the Oakland Avenue Urban Farm this weekend will unveil plans for a six-acre commons, and celebrate it with music, visual art, and homegrown Detroit culture. The farm’s roots extend back to 2000, when native Detroiter Jerry Hebron and a small community centered around a local church began acquiring lots for planting around…
Bobcat Bonnie’s Wyandotte location will shutter immediately
After a short run in downtown Wyandotte, Bobcat Bonnie’s will unfortunately shutter its doors immediately, says owner Matthew Buskard. While most would assume that a restaurant closing a location would be due to sales or something of that nature, this happens to not be the case with Bobcat Bonnie’s. The restaurant said in a statement…
Women spin for Paxahau’s 19th birthday
Girls! Girls! Girls! No, not like that. We’re talking an all-women lineup to celebrate the 19th anniversary of Paxahau, the creative masterminds behind the Movement Music Festival as well as the leading source for all things electronic music. To celebrate nearly two decades in action, they’ve enlisted a group of international all-stars, including J.Phlip, The…
Good Cakes and Bakes will be featured on the Cooking Channel tonight
The charming bakery called Good Cakes and Bakes is getting it’s turn in the spotlight tonight as they will be featured on an episode of Cheap Eats on the Cooking Channel. The show, which is hosted by food blogger Ali Khan, is featuring the Livernois Ave. bakery and it’s owner/pastry chef April Anderson. Anderson says…
Detroit double-feature in New York Times: Boyd reviewed by Sugrue
We’ve mentioned Herb Boyd many times. He’s a longtime Detroiter and veteran activist, scholar, and journalist. He was doubly notable this year, being a part of our radical’s oral history of 1967 and for his new book Black Detroit, a three-century tour of the African-Americans whose stories are interwoven with the history of Detroit. We’ve…
Immigrants rally at ‘Defend DACA’ in Southwest Detroit
Dozens of people came together in Southwest Detroit Tuesday night for a rally in response to President Donald Trump’s executive order to end the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) policy. Organized by One Michigan, the Defend DACA Rally also drew organizations like Detroit Democratic Socialists of America and Michigan People’s Defense Network. “This means we…
POP + Offworld launch a bar and arcade in downtown Detroit
For three years, nomadic arcade Offworld has packed pop-ups around downtown Detroit, while the wonderful POP space above the Checker Bar has sat slightly underutilized. That changes on Friday when Offworld lands in its new digs in the POP space, which will feature an arcade, full bar, and pizzeria. Offworld owner Don Behm tells Metro…
Martha Ford attempts to tame the Detroit Lions
People within the Detroit Lions organization know to keep the golf cart powered up and ready to drive. That’s the preferred mode of transportation of 91-year-old Lions owner Martha Firestone Ford when she visits the practice facility to check up on things, or to fire people who are not keeping up. She is a more…
Marriage-themed comedy ‘I Do … Until I Don’t’ should be annulled
Actress Lake Bell burst onto the directorial scene at the 2013 Sundance Film Festival with In a World …, a charming but overrated comedy about a father and daughter competing in the voiceover industry. But instead of building on that success, her disappointing sophomore effort, I Do … Until I Don’t, does little except prove…
Local comedians come together for more than laughs with Ray & Laura’s Comedy Showcase
Laura Witkowski and Raymond Hollifield might seem like unlikely best friends. In fact, Witkowski says some people have mistaken the pair for a lady and “a guy she hired to do work for her.” But, perhaps that’s what makes them so funny; put a petite woman with a tidy crop of short hair and a…
These Lebanese chefs might make metro Detroit’s best burger
Ask any burger aficionado who makes Dearborn’s best burger and the most common answer you’ll get is Miller’s. The Michigan Avenue dive bar is an institution and deserving of its place in local burger lore, but there’s a case to be made that a neighbor has finally dethroned it. Not just in Dearborn, but all…
Savage Love: Stranger things
Q: I’m a lady considering taking on a foot fetishist as a slave. He would do chores around my house, including cleaning and laundry, and give foot rubs and pedicures in exchange for getting to worship and jack off to my model-perfect feet when I’ve decided he’s earned it. Am I morally obligated to tell…
Stir It Up: Gone fishin’
Mulenga Harangua had dragged me down to the riverfront to go fishing. We used to fish together a lot when in our younger days, but I drifted away from it. Actually, I couldn’t catch a thing and just stopped doing it. The sun was shining, and a cool breeze blew along the river, keeping things…
Horoscopes (Sept. 6-12)
ARIES (March 21- April 20): Too much of the past has come to bear on the present, and your pride can’t take any more reminders of what didn’t go right. For the longest time you’ve felt a need to start all over again. With not enough support and too many debts, you haven’t been able…
Can Michigan’s schools be saved?
Kristi Bowman is a professor and an attorney who is vice dean for academic affairs at Michigan State University. But what she really knows best is education law. Bowman’s devoted her life to it. Before becoming a professor, she worked for a law firm and represented school districts in Chicago. Later, she became one of…
