Modern Love at MOCAD
On Wednesday, DDays checked out the Modern Love showcase at MOCAD, an electronic music show that featured UK artists Demdike Stare and Andy Stott. No surprises here, really — the artists blasted through spooky Detroit techno-inspired sets. DDays heard through the grapevine that Stott himself found an issue of MT that previewed the show in the bathroom and said he thought the article was "pretty good." We've never been more flattered.
(Pussy) Riot in Ann Arbor
On Thursday, Nadya Tolokonnikova and Masha Alekhina — better known as the public faces of the neon-masked Russian protest group Pussy Riot — made an appearance at the Michigan Theatre in Ann Arbor as part of U-Mich's Penny Stamps Distinguished Speaker Series. DDays was, of course, on it.
We knew the house would be packed, but we had no idea when we arrived, there were two lines that wrapped around the entire block. Theater staff were unimpressed when we flashed our DDays badge, yet somehow we got in.
Tolokonnikova and Alekhina spoke with the help of a translator about their current work in creating MediaZona, a news outlet that will cover the prison system. They also spoke about serving time for performing an anti-Putin "Punk Prayer" in a Moscow cathedral, the power of art and protest, feminism, creating a revolution, and much more before opening the floor for audience questions.
The best question was most likely when a student asked, in Russian, what Tolokonnikova and Alekhina's favorite fast food restaurant was. What a stumper! It was also cool to see Tolokonnikova sporting a Patti Smith T-shirt — DDays heard backstage that it was a gift given from Smith herself during last weekend's Riot Fest in Chicago. The full video of the panel is available on metrotimes.com.
Highway to Hell
On Saturday, DDays headed out to Hell, Michigan to check out the 13th annual Hearse Fest. The meetup of hearse drivers and their admirers draws a crowd from across the country, and serves as the harbinger of the Halloween season. We spotted our former production manager Robert "Nix" Nixon hawking his expertly-designed horror-themed artwork and merch (though his hearse was in unfortunately in the shop this weekend). We tried to get an interview with John F. Colone, the unofficial mayor of Hell, but he was swamped selling Hell-themed novelties in his gift shop. We'll be back, Hell.
Happy Birthday to you, Small's!
Small's Bar celebrated their 15th anniversary on Saturday with a packed house who came out to celebrate with Mike and Natalie Mouyianis and Melody and Dave Malosh and DDays was right there in the thick of it. Performances by Speedball (featuring Chuck Burns, Bill Kozy, Mike Alonso and former Small's owner Jeff King), Against The Grain, and Her Dark Host set the tone for a raucous and drink-fueled bash. Spotted sipping suds and cocktails crafted by Small's resident DJ and drink slinger Kat Paled were Rustbelt Studios' Al Sutton, Jimmy Doom, Masha Marjieh, Damian Regep, and Uncle Kracker bassist Matt Van. Mike M. is a busy guy these days - keep an eye out for his newest venture, Zeke's Rock and Roll BBQ, coming to Ferndale soon!
Happily Ever After
DDays wishes to extend our congratulations to Brian Jeffries AKA DJ Godfather and his lovely bride Harmony. The two tied the knot this weekend in Detroit.
Our Corner's Keeper
Congrats to MT's copy editor Dave Mesrey for his appearance on RollingStone.com in their article, "Keepers of the Corner: The Navin Field Grounds Crew — A group of Detroit diehards keep sacred ground alive for a new generation of baseball fans." Mesrey also appears in the Jason Roche's documentary, Stealing Home, which premiered at the Baseball Hall of Fame Film Festival last weekend. — mt
