Cover Stories
10 acts not to miss at Detroit Jazz Festival
Every year you can count on a unique experience at the Detroit Jazz Festival, now in its 38th iteration and still the world’s largest free jazz fest. For 2017, president and artistic director Chris Collins has curated a display of talent from across the age spectrum to showcase the genre’s continuing strength — represented by…
Your guide to Detroit’s festival season
From jazz virtuosos to medieval reenactments, there’s an end-of-summer celebration for you. Detroit Jazz Festival Sept. 1-4 Backstory: In many ways, the Jazz Fest is the top dog of Labor Day festivals. It’s one of the oldest (established in 1980) and is probably the biggest of our end-of-summer shindigs. Every year it offers some big…
Timmy Vulgar walks us through the lineup of Panic in Hamtramck
As summer culminates in a burst of festivals, one grungy underdog of that explosion of fun has been the Panic in Hamtramck, which started leaving its psyched-out fuzzed-out musical skid-mark on Hamtramck in 2004. It’s more or less a one-man operation, headed by Timmy “Vulgar” Lampinen, and this would be the fest’s 14th year —…
McKinFolk preserves McKinney family’s jazz legacy
Drummer Gayelynn McKinney — who you may know from her all-women jazz group Straight Ahead, or her recent work with Aretha Franklin — grew up in a magical place for musical development to be nurtured: the home of beloved Detroit pianist, composer, educator, and Tribe member Harold McKinney. McKinney’s mother, the late Gwendolyn Shepherd McKinney,…
Idyllic garden party will raise money for Belle Isle Conservatory
The Belle Isle Aquarium and the Anna Scripps Whitcomb Conservatory are the crowned jewels of Detroit’s island park — it’s hard to argue otherwise. While the rest of the park lies all but dormant in the winter, these structures welcome visitors into their warm fold all year round. As summer is coming to a close,…
The colorful UniverSoul Circus is coming to Chene Park
A kaleidoscope of neon-colored costumes are the calling card for Cedric Walker’s UniverSoul Circus. He founded this one-ring circus in 1994 because he had a vision of creating an event that featured a large percentage of performers of color and what he brought to life is the high-octane UniverSoul Circus — a combination of dance,…
Things are going to get very Hot (in Havana) at the DIA tomorrow evening
Labor Day has passed and summer in Michigan is unofficially over, but temperatures will be rising at the Detroit Institute of Arts tomorrow evening. A must-attend end-of-summer event, Hot in Havana promises to bring the sights and sounds of Cuban culture to the DIA. The celebration of Afro-Cuban culture will include music by Sean Blackman,…
DACA deportations could cost Michigan economy more than $300 million
While President Trump may think that deporting hundreds of thousands of DACA protected immigrants is some sort of good idea, the repercussions to our economy will backfire like no other. Not only would the cost of deportation be expensive, but the lost of the DACA people with jobs would greatly damage the U.S. economy. In…
There’s another chance to see the play about alleged Manoogian Mansion stripper Tamara Greene
On April 20, 2003, exotic dancer Tamara Greene was killed in a drive-by shooting. Known by her stripper alias, Strawberry, Greene was allegedly a dancer at a now-famed, but never confirmed bachelor party at the Manoogian Mansion during Kwame Kilpatrick’s tenure as Detroit’s mayor. The mayor’s wife supposedly came home unexpectedly and attacked Greene. Investigators…
Michigan lawmakers react to Trump’s ending of DACA
President Donald Trump made another huge step in his immigration reform by ending the DACA (Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals) initiative with a six-month delay. Implemented in 2012 by President Barack Obama, DACA gives temporary legal immigration status to people who arrived in the U.S. illegally as children. About 800,000 people currently benefit from the program.…
A musical penned in 1975 will be performed for this first time ever at Meadow Brook Theatre
Billed as a new musical, Johnny Manhattan will have its worldwide debut at Meadow Brook Theatre this week. The catch? The play was actually written over 40 years ago. Penned in 1975 by Dan Goggin and Robert Lorick, the musical is set inside a New York nightclub during the late 1950s. Title character Johnny invites…
Torch with a Twist marks 11 years with anniversary reunion
A decade ago, at Cliff Bell’s on a Sunday night, you might find Grace Detroit’s swinging burlesque revue Torch With a Twist. On a monthly basis, the swanky, old-fashioned club provided a picture-perfect setting for that sort of entertainment, with its art deco accents and then-trailblazing craft cocktails. The show was so interesting, in fact,…
Review: U2 relive epic ‘Joshua Tree’ at Ford Field
Nostalgia is an easy medicine for a nation wrought with uncertainty of the future. And what better medicine than a record that has never waned in its profundity? It’s no surprise that when U2 set out to recreate 1987 by touring The Joshua Tree (an album I wouldn’t mind being non-consensually uploaded to my iPhone) in its…
Hatch winner, East African restaurant Baobab Fare pops up next week
It didn’t take long for diners to clear the buffet at the last Baobab Fare pop up in August. Those of us who showed up early got our first tastes of its East African cuisine, but a line of diners walked out with empty stomachs. On Sept. 14, everyone has a second chance. The Hatch Detroit…
Murals in the Market will expand beyond Eastern Market
Now in its third year, Detroit’s annual Murals in the Market festival is set to expand beyond its original Eastern Market footprint. Festival organizer Jesse Cory tells Metro Times that this year, Murals in the Market — which has seen local, national, and international artists transform Detroit’s Eastern Market district with murals and other art installations…
Olympia Entertainment doubles down on Kid Rock pick to open Little Caesars Arena
Olympia Entertainment has released a statement in defense of their choice to have metro Detroit native Kid Rock be the first performer to christen the stadium. Pressure to Olympia Entertainment to say something mounted when protests were planned outside of the arena before Kid Rock’s first of six shows on Tuesday, Sept. 12. Olympia Entertainment…
Detroit orders Heidelberg Project demolitions ‘in error’
The city of Detroit says it put two Heidelberg Project-owned properties on the fast track for demolition in error today after Mayor Mike Duggan heard concerns about the properties from residents in the area at a recent community meeting. Emergency demolition notices were issued this morning for a plot of land piled with toys and…
Updated: Sign petitions to end gerrymandering at these locations over the holiday weekend
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 four each…
Man charged in murder of ‘Chef Doug’
Charges have been brought against a man charged with murdering Doug Calhoun, a west side Detroit chef who went by “Chef Doug” and was last seen alive on May 31. Via press release, Wayne County Prosecutor Kym Worthy said her office charged Travun Eugen-Jani Baskerville, 26, in connection with the homicide and human trafficking of a…
Ram’s Horn restaurants celebrate 50 years in metro Detroit
In 1967, the world’s first Ram’s Horn restaurant opened in Cadillac Square, in the heart of Detroit. Brothers Gus, Steve, and Gene Kasapis launched the restaurant, hoping to treat families to the kind of simple comfort food that’s still loved today. Their father, who immigrated to the U.S. in 1915, had run the Kasapis Family Restaurant…
This is what Hurricane Harvey would look like if it landed in Michigan
As we all know, Hurricane Harvey slammed into the coast of Texas last friday as a Category 4 hurricane and wrecked havoc across the Houston area. The aftermath has been devastating for the people of Houston and southern Texas. While we have seen many videos and photos of the horror happening in Texas, it’s also…
Protests planned for Kid Rock’s headlining shows at Little Caesars Arena
While Kid Rock has touted his love for Detroit on multiple occasions, his presence at Little Caesars Arena is not setting well with many Detroiters. Kid Rock, who has a history of using the Confederate Flag at past concerts, was tapped to be the first performer at Little Caesars Arena, where he will play six…
Yemeni/Mediterranean restaurant Remas plans a fall opening in Hamtramck
Signage is up for a new Yemeni/Mediterranean restaurant planned for the former Clock restaurant in Hamtramck. Owner Fahmi Alfarei tells Metro Times its still too soon to discuss many details, but he’s finishing up a full renovation of the interior that will turn it into something more upscale than it was in past iterations. Alfarei…
Detroit racing booster: Let street racers rev it up at city airport
The Motor City Showdown, Detroit’s first-ever legal drag racing event, takes place Sept. 23 at City Airport. It’s being spearheaded by professional race car driver and native Detroiter Brian Olatunji, and has earned the cooperation of the city. It sounds like a fun event, with food, music, a car show, and a juried group of drivers…
Tax foreclosure protesters to Wayne County treasurer: You have the power to stop this
Protesters gathered in front of the Detroit home of Wayne County Treasurer Eric Sabree Thursday demanding he halt next week’s tax foreclosure auction in light of a study showing the majority of Detroiters have had their tax bills improperly assessed in recent years, heightening their chance of being foreclosed. Chanting “Sabree has the power to…
The Freep can’t say enough good things about the new arena
There’s a piece in the Detroit Free Press today about Little Caesars Arena that’s so upbeat it could have been written by Olympia Development’s public relations department. It’s all reported out, featuring interviews with everybody from a member of city council down to a social service group head down to a party store owner. Almost everybody in the…
Five reasons you should see Betty Who tonight at the Magic Stick
No, she’s not a character from a Dr. Seuss book living in the town of Whoville hanging out with Cindy Lou Who. Betty Who happens to be your next favorite pop star, and she happens to be playing here in Detroit. The first time we heard about the Australian-born pop singer was when her early…
Lyft is offering ride deals for Detroit Jazz Fest and Arts, Beats, and Eats
Labor Day weekend is upon us, which means a slew of festivals are happening. If you need help selecting which festival is the best fit for you, you can check out our Festival Guide to get a feel for each one. Anyway, at least half the point of festivals is to day drink lukewarm beer…
Snyder calls for immediate repairs to Line 5 oil pipeline
Gov. Rick Snyder called for immediate repairs to the aging, controversial oil pipeline located in the Straits of Mackinac on Wednesday, following the discovery that operator Enbridge damaged the pipes’ protective enamel coating. “Protection of Michigan’s natural resources is of utmost importance, and I am greatly concerned by the new information regarding Line 5,” Snyder said…
Updated: Detroiter stranded in Houston adds second location to local relief efforts
Predictions about the lasting impact Hurricane Harvey will have on Houston, TX are continuing to pour in, with many outlets reporting the damage will cost in excess of $40 billion dollars and many years to fix. Sherrie Handrinos is a metro Detroit native, with a second home in Houston where she is currently stranded. From…
Giordano’s Chicago-style deep dish pizzeria is planning a Detroit location
Chicago deep dish masters Giordano’s are working on opening a Detroit location. MLive first reports that a Girdano’s sign is up at 1224 Randolph St. in a space that previously housed a Bagger Dave’s, which closed in 2015. The Detroit location is Giordano’s second in Michigan and 16th across the nation. The other Michigan store is…
Talking eternity with saxophonist Wayne Shorter
Eighty-four-year-old saxophonist and composer Wayne Shorter speaks in metaphors and movie references. His voice soars up when he wishes to emphasize the point. Especially poignant comments are punctuated with “Know what I mean?” or “You dig?” And the impressions! He does a killer Miles Davis, nailing the trumpeter’s raspy voice, but he’ll surprise you with…
Review: Lil Yachty satisfied at Royal Oak Music Theatre
More than a thousand teens and young adults piled into the Royal Oak Music Theatre to see rapper and pop star Lil Yachty on the 13th stop of “The Teenage Tour.” The rapper’s youthful fans hummed with enthusiasm as their parents wore looks of irritated amusement. Texas rapper Evander Griiim (with Ben Wallace-type hair), known…
A doughnut shop in Warren serves beer now and we are shook
Just when you thought that a doughnut shop opening next door to a marijuana dispensary was God’s way of showing us that everything is going to be OK, all of a sudden we hear that a doughnut shop in Warren serves beer alongside their cinnamon roll doughnuts it’s pretty hilarious. Now there's a combination: BEER…
Michigan fall foliage may be here sooner than you think
While we hate to be the bearer of bad news here, August is ending which means summer is officially over and the regrets of never achieving your summer bod start to set in. As depressing as this seasonal change may be, it does bring autumn, which means changing leaf colors, pumpkin-flavored everything, and an abundance…
On Dan Gilbert’s ever-growing rap sheet, and corporate welfare
On Monday, Dan Gilbert announced that he shut down the Cleveland Cavaliers’ proposal to use public funds to cover around half of $282 million needed to renovate Quicken Loans Arena, which the team built 22 years ago. The decision comes as the public pushed back over Gilbert’s use of tax dollars for the project. Several…
Our chance to take government back
Shri Thanedar is a remarkable fellow who grew up in poverty in India, came to America, made a fortune, lost it, and then founded another successful business in Ann Arbor. Now, he says he wants to give back to the community and help fix the state — and thinks the best way for him to…
Why most doctors don’t know that much about marijuana
Dr. Nina Robb learned about the effects of alcohol intoxication when she was in medical school. She also learned about alcohol-induced liver disease. She learned about heroin overdose and how methamphetamine affects the human body. When it came to marijuana, she never heard one word good or bad about the plant at medical school. I’m…
Meet Amir Obè, Detroit’s Drake
Every city has its hometown hero, proving that anything is possible if you work hard enough for it. Just as Drake serves as that beacon of light for the daydreamers and hip-hop lovers of Toronto, Detroit-born and raised Amir Obè has slowly ascended the ladder of hometown hip-hop heroism and secured the crown this year,…
Temple of Void skirts doom, crushes expectations with new LP
“We want to be the best death-doom band in the world, right?” Alex Awn’s bandmates in Temple of Void snicker some at the guitarist’s ambitious rhetorical question, but it doesn’t deter him. “I don’t know why you’d set your sights on anything less: ‘We want to be the third best band in the world.’ No!…
La Pecora Nera is a slice of Italy
My former-New Yorker companion admired the authenticity of La Pecora Nera’s trappings: The subs come wrapped in real deli paper, tied in a bow with twine, even if you eat in on the cute patio. He placed a more important “yes” vote after unwrapping a rare roast beef sub with lots of spinach and some…
Geremy Jasper’s feel-good ‘Patti Cake$’ is half-baked
There are few surprises to be found in Patti Cake$, a predictable, eager-to-please movie with a soft heart wrapped in a tough veneer. It’s a familiar fairy tale, the story of a young artist struggling to outwit those who scoff at her dreams in order to rise above her humble origins. Setting such a story…
Horoscopes (Aug. 30-Sept. 5)
ARIES (March 21- April 20): Last week’s eclipse will work out well for those of you who know enough to keep your ‘know it all’ tendencies in check. It’s one of those things. You’ve got it made if your ability to adapt is willing to see that sometimes others are the ones with the right…
Alice Cooper still has nightmares to share
Alice Cooper came back to Detroit in 1970 seeking a fresh start on the heels of his band’s second unsuccessful album, Easy Action. The theatrical hard rocker, born Vincent Furnier, was a Motor City kid until age 10 when his troublesome asthma prompted the family to move to Phoenix. He returned a dozen years later…
Savage Love: Hard to do
Q: My brother just broke up with his girlfriend for the second time in eight months. They had been together for two and a half years, and she became pretty discontent when she finished college and my brother entered law school because all his time and attention weren’t revolving around her. In January, she staged…
