Update: Jury finds William ‘RoboCop’ Melendez guilty
“If Mr. Dent was a deranged crackhead he still wouldn’t have deserved what happened to him.”
This Reddit thread about a New Yorker buying houses in Detroit is basically the worst thing ever
“Profound problems that erupted over decades don’t disappear when a hipster clicks his heels three times.”
World-renowned klezmer musicians play WSU on Sat., April 25
This Saturday presents a rare chance to see world-class klezmer, here in Detroit. The Workmen’s Circle (a local Yiddish/Jewish cultural organization) and Wayne State University are sponsoring a concert on April 25 at the Community Arts Center at Wayne State University. NOTE: The above photo is a random image of olde timey klezmer dudes, and not…
Five reasons to see Portland’s Sad Horse with Feelings and the Funs at Kelly’s on April 23
Not all bands from Portland play banjos and make crappy folk-rock! This duo from there is spastic and loud and very fun. Please come to their just-announced show.
The Best of Detroit issue is here!
For your viewing pleasure, here’s a look at the full photo shoot for our Best of Detroit issue.
Catch the Jon Spencer Blues Explosion at the Blind Pig on April 22
Tomorrow night, April 22, at the Blind Pig in Ann Arbor, Jon Spencer will play some loud rock and roll music. Danny and the Darleans open up, so get there early.
Happy 68th birthday to Iguanas drummer James Osterberg!
It’s Iggy Pop’s birthday! What would you get for him?
‘Move to Detroit’ graffiti spreads to Pittsburgh
A former MT staffer sent us this photo from a recent trip to the ‘Burgh.
Detroit City Council approves rezoning for $450 million arena
Detroit City Council on Tuesday approved a proposed rezoning of 12 acers near downtown to facilitate the construction of a new $450 million Detroit Red Wings arena. There’s been no word yet from local observers who spent last week asserting the council was reverting to bad habits and delaying the vote over a vague lack…
Niki’s giving away 1,000 slices of pizza Thursday
Niki’s Pizza to give away 1,000 free slices on Thursday!
New craft beer documentary to premiere at HopCat Detroit tonight
Catch the premiere of this new documentary for free at HopCat Detroit tonight.
Werner Herzog directed a documentary about Detroit and Ponyride
Whether or not you’re tired of stories about Detroit striving to rebuild itself, this caught our attention (you’ll have to excuse the image that says “A New Detroit”): Werner Herzog, one of the greatest film directors ever, is behind a short documentary about the city and Ponyride, the business incubator in Corktown. Beyond all the…
DeJ Loaf and Lil Wayne drop ‘Me U & Hennessy’
Listen to this.
Celebrate 4-20 with 13 clips of the band Bongwater
In honor of 4-20, perhaps you might enjoy these13 clips of the heavily psychedelic art-band Bongwater.
Talking about marijuana at a family restaurant
Now it’s a topic of general discussion for general audiences.
Help one of Detroit’s richest citizens by volunteering!
Detroiters! Hurry! A multimillionaire needs your aid!
This new pizza place needs your help to raise money for Gleaners Community Food Bank
Hurry up and donate to charity!
Men’s styles we absolutely don’t want to see this summer
Please, leave afghans where they belong: In the winter trunk, not as summer trunks.
Watch Patti Smith’s emotional induction speech for Lou Reed at the Rock Hall of Fame
In case you missed it, Patti Smith returned to Cleveland on Saturday to induct Lou Reed into the the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.
Inkster police officer charged in connection with Floyd Dent arrest
A former Inkster police officer will be charged in connection with the rough arrest of Detroit resident Floyd Dent, after patrol cam footage showed Dent was repeatedly punched in the head and Tasered three times. Wayne County Prosecutor Kym Worthy announced on Monday two charges against William Melendez, the officer known as “RoboCop.” Melendez —…
ICYMI: Protomartyr’s new track with the Breeders’ Kelley Deal singing on it
Thanks a lot to the nerds at NPR Music for sharing this new Protomartyr song which features ’90s icon Kelley Deal from the Breeders singing on it. It’s a collision of new-ish and less new-ish Midwestern royalty! Here is what they said about the song, in case you don’t want to click through: “Take it…
Here’s a peek inside Populux, the new dance club that used to be the Magic Stick
Fans of the Detroit music venue the Magic Stick will scarcely recognize its new incarnation as the dance club Populux, which opened to the public over the weekend. The venue saw a soft opening for friends and family on Friday, and a public, sold-out launch on Saturday with sets by Derrick Carter and DJ Sneak. Though the…
As Detroit water shutoffs are set to resume, nearly all on payment plans have fallen behind
With tens of thousands of Detroit residents on the cusp of losing their water service last year, Mayor Mike Duggan announced a payment plan he claimed would prevent a flood of shutoffs in the city. The plan, introduced last August, worked like this: Residents in arrears could enter into a two-year plan by paying down 10…
You can now buy ‘definitely not authentic’ shirts with that wacky Detroit Tigers logo on them
It was only a matter of time before some entrepreneurial spirit cashed in and started selling shirts.
Robert Griffin, the first politician endorsed by a punk band, dies
How Doug Brown & the Omens helped Bob Griffin win his U.S. Senate seat.
1701 Bespoke will open its second location next week
Bespoke to open second location in Birmingham
A sneak peek at Bacon Bash’s offerings
A few bite-sized previews of tonight’s bacon bash.
Two more charged in connection with Detroit drug cops case
Two more individuals have been charged in connection with an alleged conspiracy led by officers in the now-disbanded Detroit narcotics unit, who were accused last week of carrying out fake arrests and stealing money and drugs from civilians. Arthur Leavells — who was confirmed by The Detroit News as a Detroit officer in the narcotics unit — was…
Made in Detroit ‘Batman V Superman’ trailer leaks
Catch a glimpse of Michigan Central Station in the leaked ‘Batman V Superman’ trailer.
Detroit Bikes profiled in new Microsoft ad
There’s a whole lot of corporate synergy in Microsoft’s latest ad campaign, which highlights Detroit Bikes, while also namechecking Quicken Loans, Detroit Venture Partners, New Belgium Brewing, and Ford — sort of. The Ford in question is actually Detroit Bikes’ master builder, Henry Ford II, pictured above. No relation to the other Henry Ford —…
John Sobczak’s photos of the Detroit Fire Guild come to Ferndale
The portraits of the pyromaniacs — many of which whom have since retired from the fire performing scene — are printed on aluminized metal, which gives them a certain illusion of illumination.
Work continues on former Showcase Collectibles building in Detroit’s Chinatown
A major overhaul of the former Showcase Collectibles location at Cass Avenue and Peterboro Street in Detroit is expected to bring a new restaurant, bike shop, and tattoo parlor. As MT reported last year, the longtime antiques and collectibles shop closed after a near 30 year run, after it was purchased by Detroit resident Matt…
Human trafficking survivor forum to be held in Detroit on April 20
A forum for survivors of human trafficking will take place on Monday
A better ‘Big Mac’ at Gold Cash Gold
When is a Big Mac not a Big Mac?
Everything you need to know about the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame induction ceremony
The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame’s annual induction ceremony is this Saturday — and Metro Times sister paper the Cleveland Scene is on it. In this week’s issue, they dive into the Rock Hall’s super secret voting process, and go behind the scenes of the museum, a place where Eminem’s underwear are on display like…
Hamtramck eatery to give away free shawarmas to first 1,000 customers
Ali Baba Shish Kebob, a new Middle Eastern restaurant opening in Hamtramck, is giving away free schwarmas to its first 1,000 customers beginning today at noon. Owner Larry Shallah told the Freep that he and his staff will serve the free menu item exclusively between noon and 3 p.m. today, and that additional menu service…
Detroit barber shop shows world just how hard it is to draw a tiger
Detroiter and tweeter @mike_is_bored shared this horrible and hilarious Tigers’ re-creation painted on a window at a local barber shop and, naturally, had to share. According to his tweets, he believes the shop bearing this, er, thing, is located at 13 Mile and Hayes. For what it’s worth, tigers are pretty hard to draw. A friend…
Check out this new track from Jessica Hernandez & the Deltas
Have you heard this new track from Jessica Hernandez & the Deltas yet?
Here’s what your life expectancy looks like if you live in Michigan
The folks at World Life Expectancy have compiled detailed stats on the life expectancy and causes of death of people in every state and country across the globe. They are pretty interesting to peruse. In Michigan, they peg our average life expectancy at 77.89 years, which is .72 years less than the national average. Broken…
Take a roadtrip to this adorable craft market this weekend
Check out this cute craft market in Toledo this weekend.
‘Gone With The Pope’ box hilariously misquotes Metro Times review
No, our film critic Jeff Meyers did not give ‘Gone with the Pope’ a glowing review, as the film’s box would have you believe.
Michigan bill would exempt some police body cam footage from FOIA
A bill pending in the Michigan Legislature would exempt some footage from police body-cams, which are currently being tested in Detroit, from public record request in the state. The bill, sponsored by state Rep. Jim Runestad (R-White Lake Township), comes as police departments across the U.S. have faced increased scrutiny in wake of the deaths…
‘Fresh Prince’ pregnancy announcement parody videos are apparently a thing
A metro Detroit couple created a ‘Fresh Prince’ pregnancy announcement parody nearly a year before the one that’s currently going viral. Which is better?
Reader responses on Elizabeth Warren, ‘Merchants of Doubt,’ John’s Carpet House
The Warren report Dear Mr. Lessenberry I often agree with your take on many subjects. Your recent article about income equality was right on. However, putting Hillary Clinton and Elizabeth Warren in the same sentence was way off base. I have never heard Warren talk about ISIS, same-sex marriage, or climate change. Her focus is…
Royal Oak’s UHF has it all
Records, more records, and Record Store DayWe’d be lying if we said we didn’t have Record Store Day in mind when we decided to feature Royal Oak’s UHF in Retail Detail this week. For the handful of years this place has been open, the guys behind the shop (Scotty Hagen, Tommy Dorr, and Jeff Bubeck,…
Why African Americans are largely absent from the medical marijuana movement
When I was at the breakfast for Tommy Chong a couple of weeks ago, I talked with another African-American at the event. Actually, he was the only brother at this gathering of activists and dispensary owners aside from me. As we spoke, I noted that brothers are few and far between when it comes to…
Horoscopes (April 15 – 21)
ARIES (March 21-April 20): You are going for it regardless of what it takes. The devil in this situation is less of an issue than the fact that your blind spots make it hard to see. There are ultimatums coming in from the outer reality and there are deadlines of a more karmic nature that…
The 20 best songs about marijuana in the history of Earth
April 20, also known as “420 woooooo hooooooo fuck yeahhh!” day, is here. It’s time for all of America to celebrate its deep and abiding love for marijuana. Marijuana has also been called herbal refreshment, clickem, nib, pot, tical, Buddha, ganja, bammer, chronic, MJ, burger, Thai stick, reefer, boo-yah, onion, pakalolo, skunk, sticky icky icky,…
Politics and Prejudices: Treating Canada like, uh, spit
Lower Americans, which is what we really are, geographically (and often otherwise) tend to disrespect Canada, our most important friend, ally, and trading partner. Not only haven’t we expressed gratitude for their picking up all Michigan’s expenses for the badly needed new bridge over the Detroit River — our government wouldn’t even pay for its…
Savage Love: Angry girls and diaper pals
Q: I consider myself a straight guy —but for the last four years, I’ve been having an affair with “Connie,” a trans girl I met online. It was just casual at first, but over time we developed a deeper personal relationship but kept it hidden. At some point, I figured out she was in love…
Drink Up
The Illusive Traveler Grapefruit Ale 4.4% ABV Spring is here, friends. Each day the weather is getting warmer and soon the days of sipping suds on the patio will arrive. As the temperatures increase, chances are you’ll be putting away those thick stouts and filling porters in lieu of something lighter, fruitier, and a little…
Keego Harbor’s Indo is an Asian surprise
If you can find Indonesia on a map, and I know you can, you’d visit Indo expecting food we associate with China and Southeast Asia: rice and noodle dishes, egg and spring rolls, soups with coconut a la Thai, Vietnamese banh mì, cousins of pho, fried rice, iced tea with condensed milk. But you might…
Operation: Restore Public Relations
Detroit police have conducted 17 high-profile raids in the past 18 months. What has Operation Restore Order actually accomplished?
A talk with ‘Captain Kirk’ and his award-winning medibles
Since it’s our 4-20 issue, we wanted to find a subject for Food Focus at the intersection of eating and cannabis. The unusual thing is, we didn’t have to look very far. Before long, somebody suggested we talk to Kirk “Captain Kirk” Reid, 45, an Ann Arbor resident who’s been making delightful confections for about…
The discrete charms of Something Cold’s industrial-post-minimal-synth-punk-goth-wave DJ night
Something Cold was started by longtime Detroiter Justin Carver in 2009, later to be joined by Dan in 2013, as “a roving social club and record label celebrating the underground realm of minimal-synth, post-punk, coldwave, industrial, and experimental music within the Midwest.” After having more fun than seemed possible at one of their monthly DJ…
Sub-zero: A Something Cold top 10
1. A Blaze Colour, “An Addict of Time” The B-side from the “Against the Dark Trees Beyond” 7-inch (one of their three releases), from this legendary Belgian synth act. Simple, yet stark, effective synth lines flow throughout this track, underneath Ludo Camberlin’s spoken word lyrics. Ludo is also known for producing Lords of Acid and…
Rare classic car concept art on display at Lawrence Tech
If artist and collector Robert Edwards could have his way, classic automobiles would be among the treasures on display at the Detroit Institute of Arts. Sure, the DIA has Diego Rivera’s “Detroit Industry” murals, which expertly romanticize the idea of auto manufacturing, and the Henry Ford museum has plenty of historic cars on display. But…
Raise the Bar: Santorini Estiatorio is a welcome addition to Greektown
Despite having an entire district named Greektown, Detroit’s Greek options are surprisingly limited. Yes, you can get flaming cheese just about anywhere (including plenty of Coney Islands), but finding a place that serves upscale Greek cuisine paired with traditional wines is hard. Do you also want to enjoy said food and drink in a contemporary…
As a Juggalo: Do any ICP persons or Juggs endorse punk rock?
Q: Do any ICP persons or Juggs endorse punk rock? A: Absolutely, 110 percent. Actually, the gentleman that introduced me to Alex Abbiss — you know, their original fuckin’ president and manager— and then put me onto the cats that put on the MTV Shockumentary was a huge fan of fan of Insane Clown Posse,…
Side Dish: 9 things going on in metro Detroit dining this week
In the raw — Raw milk, which became tightly regulated by the Food and Drug Administration in 1987, makes up a tiny part of the U.S. milk supply. But advocates of raw milk hope to change that. Claims that un-pasteurized, un-homogenized milk has health benefits worth the minimal risks of drinking it have driven a…
Why Curtis Lipscomb wants to build a new gayborhood in Detroit
Nationally, gay neighborhoods often serve as catalysts for urban redevelopment, leading the urbanist Richard Florida to call gays and lesbians the “canaries of the creative economy.” In 2013, Curtis Lipscomb, who heads up the nonprofit group LGBT Detroit (formerly known as Kick), spoke to Slate about his intentions to create a planned gayborhood in Detroit,…
