Cover Story
How to make peace with the suburbs
Detroit native and BLAC magazine editor Aaron Foley has written a new book. It’s called How to Live in Detroit Without Being a Jackass, and it’s now available from Belt Publishing (240 pages, $19.99, beltmag.com). An excerpt is reprinted here with permission. One of the first people you meet upon moving to Detroit will be…
Boy Howdy! A documentary film on ‘Creem’ magazine is in the works
UPDATE: We first broke the news about the forthcoming CREEM magazine documentary on December 8 of last year. And yesterday, Rolling Stone magazine (which used to be a little bit of a competitor to CREEM, and which never was nearly as good, but to the victors go the spoils) posted about the film with a…
Michigan case tackles unclear custody issues for same sex couples
A Michigan judge is currently hearing a child custody case that could have massive repercussions for same sex couples that were in relationships, and had children, prior to the US Supreme Courts ruling in favor of same sex marriages.
Don’t miss the most star-studded reading in Hamtramck this weekend
A bill of big, out-of-town names for this month’s Good-Tyme Writers Buffet.
Jack White’s other drummer drops hip-hop EP
The Flint-area native releases a new project.
DIA celebrates 50 years of Friends of Prints, Drawings, and Photographs
Among the items on view is photographer Robert Frank’s “Belle Isle Detroit,” a timeless snapshot of one of Detroit’s treasures.
Check out this great, brand new track from MAHD
MAHD has had a busy year and has decided to close it out by dropping the slow and smooth “Two, Too Faded.” The track features MAHD’s usually magnetic flow as he drops 16 bars about an intoxicating night with and even more intoxicating young lady. “Two, Too Faded” is also accompanied by the vocals of…
Just announced: Duran Duran at DTE on July 11; tickets on sale Dec. 12
They’re touring with the fabulous Chic, which makes sense as the group’s leader Nile Rodgers produced some of their best known tracks, including “The Reflex.”
The Detroit street grid as a mural? Somebody is doing it: Have a look!
Take a look at this person’s effort to create a Detroit street grid mural.
We’re No. 1 … in renter households threatened with eviction
This according to data from the U.S. Census Bureau.
Royal Oak manager proposes $210K package for police chief while fire department can’t get its alert system fixed
City Manager Don Johnson wants the chief to be his lieutenant as well, at a generous salary. Meanwhile, the fire department’s alert system downtown has malfunctioned for more than a year.
By the way, the Dirty Show is currently looking for submissions
As with past years, anything goes in terms of subject matter — as long as it’s erotic.
Protomartyr release worldwide tour dates, with stops in Ann Arbor and Kalamazoo
If you missed their two Marble Bar shows in October, do not despair, as the well-loved post-punkers will play both Ann Arbor and Kalamazoo next month, before heading to foreign lands.
Warm temps force ski resorts across Michigan to delay opening
Metro Detroit commuters may not be complaining about the lack of snow and frigid temperatures so far this December, but the folks who run Michigan’s various ski resorts are. The Free Press reported this morning that ski slopes across the state have had to delay opening this season as forecasts creep into the 40s and…
Have a listen to Motives of Existence, the Ferndale band who fought off attackers this weekend
“Local band brawls with gunmen in Ferndale” is the headline for Channel 4’s piece on the spot of trouble local act Motives of Existence found themselves in over the weekend.
Next City: The real threat to Detroit’s rebound
The threat isn’t one of the usual suspects: It’s a little thing known as redlining.
Photo of the Day: Downtown Detroit swathed in fog
We here at MT love a good downtown Detroit photo (just take a look at our galleries), which is why we were pleased as punch to see this fantastic photo of downtown Detroit swaddled in fog posted on reddit by user CosmicToaster (though originally taken by Lauren Podell from WDIV) this weekend. It’s really a fantastic shot,…
Brochure about Detroit’s untested rape kits wins best of show at annual ad awards
It’s easy to see why this brochure won big at the D Show.
The Arcs cancel Fillmore show tomorrow, Dec. 6
It’s been quite a week for show cancellations here in Detroit. We just got word that Dan Auerbach’s new band the Arcs have had to cancel their show at the Fillmore Detroit tomorrow, Dec. 6. We hope whoever is ill gets better soon. The entire press release for the event follows. THE ARCS POSTPONE DECEMBER…
San Diego’s Ballast Point arrives in Michigan
Michigan craft beer drinkers are extremely proud of their home-grown industry. And with a roster that includes names like Bells, Founders and New Holland, who wouldn’t be? But unbeknownst to many natives who believe Michigan to be the center of the craft beer universe, there are other galaxies of beer from California, Colorado, and other…
It turns out Detroit actually does have more than 40 square miles of ‘vacant land’
But it isn’t the kind of “vacant land” you think it is. It’s roads.
Detroit filmmaker tackles child abuse in new drama
The movie held a screening Thursday at the Charles H. Wright Museum and was met with high praise and stirred emotions.
Will Wayne County’s new treasurer fix our screwed up auction practices?
Richard P. Hathaway, Wayne County’s chief assistant prosecutor, was selected Friday morning as the new Wayne County Treasurer.
Signal-Return’s annual holiday card jam is tonight
Because everything in Detroit is “handcrafted.”
Detroit Don and Superfan have perfect reaction to last night’s Lions loss against the Packers
Hat tip to @barstoolsports for capturing the moment after the Packers’ Aaron Rogers threw a 61-yard-touchdown on the final play of the game for a 27-23 win over the Lions. Live reaction of Detroit Don and Superfan. AMAZING. #lionspackers pic.twitter.com/kvDXIkT63r — Barstool Sports (@barstoolsports) December 4, 2015
Want to get paid to play with Legos? Michigan Legoland seeks master builder
That’s right. You could get paid to build things out of Legos.
How a children’s toy will help get you that badass tattoo
It’s called “Toys for Tats,” and it’s a cool way to benefit kids while getting ink.
Detroit named on Travel + Leisure’s list of top travel destinations for 2016
“In a few short years, Detroit has gone from being a cautionary tale to a success story, and now bills itself as ‘America’s Great Comeback City,'” writes Corina Quinn of Travel + Leisure, which recently named the Motor City one of 50 top travel destinations for 2016. “This is more than just clever marketing—formerly desolate stretches of…
Take a look inside McClary Bros. Drinking Vinegars’ new tasting room in Farmington
You’ve probably noticed bottles of McClary Bros. Drinking Vinegars behind the bar at your favorite watering hole. They’re most often used in craft cocktails. But owner Jess Sanchez McClary wants everyone to know that there’s so much more to her drinking vinegars than mixed drinks. That’s why she’s taking the leap and going brick and…
Illa J releases remix
This joint was clearly meant for the house heads but cool enough for the hip-hop lovers also.
Another murder conviction in French street artist killing
A third member of the teen gang that robbed Bilal Berreni and shot him in the face has been convicted of murder.
Detroiter creates lifestyle brand of encouragement
Losing his childhood friend to gun violence sparked a desire for Darius Beasley to create a company and a movement to commemorate his legacy.
What’s for lunch: Skip the sandwich shop, we know you want all the chocolates at Bon Bon Bon
The new Bon Bon Bons are even cheerier than ever.
2016 Kresge Artist Fellowships application cycle opens
The application is open for artists living and working in metro Detroit.
Here’s the new Batman vs. Superman trailer that was filmed in Michigan
Well, it’s arrived. The new Batman vs. Superman trailer that was filmed in Michigan back in 2014 was released to the public yesterday. The flick is due out on March 25, 2016. Give it a watch, and let us know how many local landmarks you can spot in the comment section below.
Another view on the demise of Michigan’s county gun boards
Gun-rights advocate on county gun boards: “Gun control is really about race control and disarming black people.”
Foodie Travel Advisory: Bigalora helping in DTW dining expansion with new location to open Dec. 11
DTW is becoming a food lover’s paradise, with additions like the new Bigalora Wood Fired Cucina.
Standby bar makes its debut tonight in the Belt downtown
Think of it as a boozy holiday gift to downtown.
Kid Cudi will not perform tomorrow, Thurs. Dec. 3 at the Fillmore, cancels rest of tour as well
Not only did the talented young rapper tweet that “things weren’t together production wise,” but he also wrote that “I got a lot im dealing with at this time in my personal life too.”
A gentle reminder to the Detroit News: Detroit is not 1/3 vacant
But the statistic is so provocative, so impressive, that it refuses to die a graceful death even though it’s been debunked.
Shinola debates the semantics of ‘Built in Detroit’ amid federal scrutiny
The FTC polices the phrase “Made in the USA” in marketing. Does Shinola’s “built in Detroit” also fall under that scrutiny?
NBC’s upbeat look at Detroit bike culture
Has Detroit turned into Cyclist Central? Not really, but NBC’s peek at the rise of the bike here is worth a look.
Detroit parents march to Lansing in protest of Snyder’s ed reform plan
Today marks day three of a nine day march from Detroit to Lansing that parents and activists dissatisfied with the lack of accountability in the Motor City’s schools are taking part in. The 90 mile walk down Grand River is in protest specifically of Gov. Rick Snyder’s new school reform plan, which calls for the…
American Jewelry and Loan is giving back to Detroit with a reality check
The family behind truTV’s hit show Hardcore Pawn is known for being a tough bunch, but Detroiters know the Golds have been deeply rooted in the community since the 1920s. And to show they keep on caring Les and Seth Gold are opening their store for a behind-the-scenes holiday VIP shopping event, which will help…
Horoscopes (Dec. 2 – 8)
ARIES (March 21 – April 20): The reward of patience, is patience. You are so on fire about getting things to roll, it’s turning into an impediment to whatever you are trying to achieve. Between now and the end of the season you need to just shut up, show up, and be there for whatever…
Weekly reader responses
Campaigning for cannabis In a recent Higher Ground column, Larry Gabriel wrote about why people should sign MILegalize petition to end Michigan’s cannabis prohibition (“Make the right choice: Support MILegalize,” Nov. 25). Reader Stan White wrote in to offer his endorsement: As a Colorado resident and longtime cannabis (marijuana) activist, I support the Comprehensive Cannabis…
Stir it up: City for sale
I was walking along Lahser near Redford Theater when somebody grabbed my arm and said, “Would you like a T-shirt?” I turned and saw a crudely lettered T-shirt with “Detroit, comme ça” on it. The hands holding the shirt moved down and I saw Mulenga Harangua’s smiling face behind it. “Mulenga, what are you doing…
El Caribeño introduces Detroiters to Dominican cuisine
Detroit is hundreds of miles away from any sizable Dominican-American population. Here, the Latino population is mostly Mexican, with some Central Americans and Puerto Ricans thrown into the mix. That means the small number of Dominicans in the area are far less likely to encounter cuisine like mom used to make it. Step inside the…
Menjo’s isn’t JUST a gay bar anymore
Menjo’s isn’t the oldest gay bar in Detroit but it’s close. It’s been open for nearly 43 years and while it’s still beloved by the gay and gay-friendly community, but it’s not just a gay bar anymore. “We’re true to our gay roots, but we’re welcoming to everyone,” says co-owner Mike Shannon. “When everyone gets…
Politics & Prejudices: Stealing our right to vote
You’ve got to admire the Republicans in the Michigan Legislature. That is, if you are sort of a modern-day fascist who hates democracy and wants to stop people from voting, or at the very least, make it as hard as possible for them to cast a ballot. And then if all that fails, and the…
Gov. Snyder’s education district has failed its transparency test
Last December, regents for Eastern Michigan University put the Education Achievement Authority on notice, saying that a number of severe problems had to be addressed in the coming year for the controversial school district to remain in existence. Conceived by the Snyder administration as an experimental approach to educating students in the state’s lowest-performing schools,…
Erik Shaltis is Detroit’s Internet radio maverick
At the back of a tiny concrete block building, the door to the Cave Radio Broadcasting station is cracked open. Past the broadcasting table and live band setup, a small room is cordoned off by fresh drywall and insulation. Radio host Erik Shaltis, DJ Dan Mayer, and station engineer Rich Bloom are testing their mics…
Corin Tucker talks the return of Sleater-Kinney
In the ’90s, rock band Sleater-Kinney rose to prominence thanks to their proximity to the burgeoning Pacific Northwest riot grrrl and indie rock scenes. In the new millennium, the band reached an even wider audience based on the success of great Bush-era records like One Beat and The Woods, but then — seemingly at the…
Holiday music events from classic soul to Juggalos
Tickets are now on sale for these special holiday events. Dec. 5-6, Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer: The Musical at Fox Theatre; olympiaentertainment.com; Tickets at $25, $37, $45, and $60. Dec. 10, A Johnnyswim Christmas at Sound Board; motorcitycasino.com; Tickets from $10-$87 (for a meet and greet). Dec. 11, Spiritual Messiah by Community Chorus of Detroit…
Drink up
Warsteiner Winter Special Edition 5.6% ABV Germans know a thing or two about the holidays. And they sure know a lot about beer. So it’s no wonder they came up with a traditional holiday brew that’s the perfect complement to the Christmas season. Founded in 1753, the Warsteiner Brewery is still one of the largest privately…
Savage Love: My boyfriend cheated on his ex while they were together with her sister. What do I do?
Q: I’m a straight female in my mid 20s. I’ve been dating a wonderful guy for two years — but I recently found something that has put me on edge. Before we met, he was in a relationship with a terrible, alcoholic, and mentally unstable woman. They got pregnant early in the relationship and stayed…
