Dance of the dolls
The contemporary ballet Cendrillon (Cinderella), performed by France’s Lyon Opera Ballet at Ann Arbor’s Power Center, is both unsettling and wonderfully miraculous.
Here Be Monsters
We should all be grateful that people are learning how to make musical records again, grown-up, beautiful pop records, full of melody and ache, sensitivity and attention. Within the last year we’ve seen Brendan Benson, Rufus Wainwright, Departure Lounge and the Czars; releases full of sonic adventure that rely on craft and imagination instead of…
The Tao of Steve’s
Steve’s Place is an overlooked jewel in downtown Detroit. It could be the last bar on the last block on the last day at last call.
Talk Talk Talk
Talk Talk Talk Psychedelic Furs Columbia/Legacy Forever Now Psychedelic Furs Columbia/Legacy Psychedelic Furs Psychedelic Furs Columbia/Legacy It’s hard to convey the sheer alien-ness of the Psychedelic Furs when the British six-piece appeared on the scene in 1980. First, of course, there was the uncool choice of moniker, a cheeky move that got up the noses…
‘By any scam necessary’
The federal government isn’t paying reparations to black folks in the form of a special tax rebate … but there are thousands of people asking for it on their returns.
Taking a chance on love
In the countryside of England, three single women over 40 have a regular bullshit session, swapping pathetic stories to see who the "saddest fuck of the week" is. And all it takes is one hot stud to upset their mundane lives — with Andie MacDowell.
Cost conscience
Detroit auditor general Joe Harris thinks he can save Detroit millions of budget dollars. Are political leaders listening?
Pauline and Paulette
Watching the feature debut by Belgian director Lieven Debrauwer, one becomes increasingly dismayed at the gap between what the film aspires to be and what’s actually on the screen. It plods along with steady and shallow steps, alternately clichéd, cute and appallingly sentimental.
A million here, a million there
Here’s how Harris’ annual savings for Detroit breaks down: Public transportation: Detroit spends $40 million more than average among its peer cities on public transportation. Because the state pays half that cost, the city would save $20 million through such measures as changing the purchasing system and providing training in management and technology. Tax collection:…
Changing Lanes
Random chance or divine intervention puts two men on a literal crash course. But car crashes don’t drive this flick; they just start it up and shift it into high gear as it breaks open a view of an America where races, classes, and power and ethics clash. For a Hollywood movie, that’s a welcome…
Lovin’ velvet
Q: I have a strong attraction to the old cotton-smooth sensual touch of velvet. It is not a fetish, since I have never needed it as a specific necessity for lovemaking or sexual intercourse, but nonetheless it is an exciting turn-on. As such, I thought for a long time I was sick and kinky. However,…
Don’t bogart that vote
City Clerk wants medical marijuana initiative thrown out; proponents will take it to court.
Free Will Astrology
ARIES (March 21-April 19): If you’ve been to a poetry slam, you know that sensitive lyrics in praise of beauty and love are rare. Far more common are vehement diatribes cursing injustice and hypocrisy. But that’s not the kind of self-expression I encourage in you this week. Pragmatic idealism is your keynote, and so I’d…
Greening the recession
The mayor takes on the budget deficit and hopes to punish polluters while he’s at it.
Monsters’ b-ball
To celebrate the blue-collar Pistons’ division championship, we’re handing out a few belated Oscars to the team we love to love.
Gentrify this
Wayne State conference addresses gentrification issues and concerns.
The emperor is still nekkid
Let’s not forget how George Bush won the presidential election or the inanities he’s uttered before or since. Despite the war, despite everything, the man is a chucklehead.
Airing a grievance
Hamtramck, Windsor and 14 enviro-groups join forces to reduce incinerator emissions.
Helping the handicapped
There’s hope for disabled folks who want to score, although they might have to lower their standards a bit. Dan’s not afraid to give it to ’em straight (or bi, or whatever).
Ferdinand redux
When News Hits ran this photo of boarded-up homes along Ferdinand Street last month, we didn’t know what the hell was going on (which, more than a few critics have pointed out, is pretty much a constant.) However, in this case we tried — to no avail — to get some answers from the city…
New April 17-23, 2002
18 THU • DANCE: Garth Fagen — A fearless and dynamic choreographer, Detroit-born Garth Fagen came into the international spotlight with his Tony Award-winning work on The Lion King. In a homecoming performance with his own troupe, Fagen promises to blow minds and then some. At the Music Hall Thursday-Sunday, 350 Madison, Detroit. Call 313-963-7622…
Abandoned Shelter of the Week
When News Hits ran this photo of boarded-up homes along Ferdinand Street last month, we didn’t know what the hell was going on (which, more than a few critics have pointed out, is pretty much a constant.) However, in this case we tried — to no avail — to get some answers from the city…
Shaken and stirred
Eclectic techno innovator Anthony “Shake” Shakir battles MS and obscurity….
Behind the Sun
Brazilian director Walter Salles’ film is a visual step up from his last (and Oscar-nominated) feature, Central Station, while again sentimentalizing its story by having a young boy as a central character. It’s an entertaining little tale, if you like the lavishly downbeat.
Epiphany in Treetown
The third in a series of fresh looks at established art spaces … Cutator-painter Jocelyn Rainey finds heaven at the U of M Museum of Art.
The Sweetest Thing
In this romantic comedy, romance is just an excuse for a string of very funny shtick — featuring the dazzling Cameron Diaz and Christina Applegate as her best friend. It’s a lot of laughs, poking fun at both men and women, with a split-your-gut dream sequence (girls, you gotta see this one).
Comic belief
The WitchDoctor (Protector of the People) and Kenjji (his Detroit-based artist-creator) plan to erase comics’ boundaries of race, age and income.
Frailty
Directed by and starring Bill Paxton, Frailty has a weakness for perversely parodying ’60s TV shows and Christian family values. The title may be the only perfect thing in this changeling of a horror flick that ends up shifting its bad religion from the psychological to the supernatural.
State of grace
The Church comes full circle….
Psychedelic Furs
Talk Talk Talk Psychedelic Furs Columbia/Legacy Forever Now Psychedelic Furs Columbia/Legacy Psychedelic Furs Psychedelic Furs Columbia/Legacy It’s hard to convey the sheer alien-ness of the Psychedelic Furs when the British six-piece appeared on the scene in 1980. First, of course, there was the uncool choice of moniker, a cheeky move that got up the noses…
Poetry for the taxman
The brutal truth is that there has never been a more unlikely musical hero than Billy Bragg.
Forever Now
Talk Talk Talk Psychedelic Furs Columbia/Legacy Forever Now Psychedelic Furs Columbia/Legacy Psychedelic Furs Psychedelic Furs Columbia/Legacy It’s hard to convey the sheer alien-ness of the Psychedelic Furs when the British six-piece appeared on the scene in 1980. First, of course, there was the uncool choice of moniker, a cheeky move that got up the noses…
