On the catwalk
Last week, the women of Leon & Lulu, in Clawson, put on a wonderful event for an even more wonderful cause. They shared their vibrant sense of humor and attention to detail by putting on a fashion show and raffle for Career Dress, a charitable organization that receives gently worn, women’s work clothing. This clothing is then distributed to women around metro Detroit in need of professional clothes for work or an interview. It was a magical event for all, filled with laughter, a few drinks, and wonderful company. As volunteer models strutted their stuff in Leon & Lulu’s latest summer styles, friends of the store sipped on wine and snacked on a delightful cheese spread. Store owner Mary Liz Curtin emceed the event to the tune of some of the best girl-power-inspiring songs. Even Leon & Lulu’s beloved four-legged staff member, a shepherd-labrador-pointer mix named Spot, was so excited he took a little turn on the catwalk. All tip money from the bar and raffle proceeds were given in support of Career Dress, as well as 10 percent of store proceeds from the evening. A wonderful night filled with love, laughter, and fashion, all for a good cause, was the perfect way to spend a sunny summer evening.
Who gives a fuck about an Oxford comma?
DDays rolled up into Meadow Brook Music Festival Friday night for a show that packed in the buttoned-up, fedora-wearing crowds both under the pavilion and across the outdoor venue’s lawns. Ezra Koenig took the stage with hair that would make Clark Kent jealous, performing alongside his bandmates Chris Tomson, Chris Baio, and Rostam Batmanglij. The band drew mostly from their last album, Modern Vampires of the City, including crowd-pleasers like “Unbelievers” and “Step,” but it was probably “Oxford Comma” that got the biggest reaction out of the audience. While the guys sounded great, we couldn’t help but thinking there wasn’t a huge difference between listening to their record at home and hearing it performed live on stage.
Hip-hop, ya don’t stop
DDays stopped by the Magic Stick last Saturday night to check out what groups are serving up in Detroit’s hip-hop scene these days. Local rapper Hush and friends ascended to the stage proving that Detroit hip-hop is thriving with new talent. Host Dirty White from Dirty Words radio show on Raw Radio X introduced us to up-and-comers Feral Ground, out of St. Clair Shores. Providing undeniable chemistry, the seven-member group offers a full-band, a DJ, and three vocalists. Ginger Nastase’s powerfully robust voice intertwined with Michael Powers’ and Vinny Mendez’s concise rap stanzas that reminded us of the funky style of the Flobots. We spotted rapper Hatch, performing later that night, in the front row. Stray took the stage next, brewing up witty rhymes and teaching us about the perfection of booty shorts. Preaching to us about life’s raw edges and the privilege of calling Detroit home, the Prime Eights’ two vocalists, Mike King and John Stone, pulled people closer to the stage. With Faris Ansor on bass and Cody Morales on guitar, yet another band showed us that hip-hop backed by a live band is a splendid combo. Hatch kept the party going, opening up for Ro-Spit and Hush. Hush finished out the night, offering a preview of his upcoming album Danny Boy (The Life and Times of a Kid in the D).
For as long as you both shall live
DDays wishes to congratulate The Sights’ Eddie Baranek and the French Method’s Nicole Allie on their marriage this weekend.
Easy like Sunday morning
Sunday mornings can be rough for the DDays crew, but we pulled it together to head into brunch at Rock City Eatery this week, partly to enjoy an enormous breakfast burrito and a bloody mary, but mostly to congratulate owner and chef Nikita Santches and his girlfriend (who has a pretty big hand in running the show over there, from what we hear), Jessica Imbronone, on their recent engagement.
