Cover Story
Snap Dogg: Rap’s ‘Problem Child of Detroit’ grows up
It’s a gray day on Detroit’s Westside near Plymouth and Wyoming. Snap Dogg is outside his mother’s two-family flat dressed in black Amiri jeans and sneakers, and a perfectly fitting paisley print jacket. He’s walking, talking, posing for pictures. “I done brought everybody over here. I was really the first rapper to bring rappers from…
Chowhound: Praise for Novi’s China Café
Welcome to Chowhound, a new bi-weekly column and your prandial information portal to what’s trending in Detroit food culture. Consider this your new feed for restaurant announcements, au courant culinary conversation, and assorted tasty news nibbles from our local dining front. And, hey, if you’ve something to share on those subjects, reach out to me,…
Detroit Public Theatre’s ‘The Peculiar Patriot’ is a one-woman show that’s full of character
The Peculiar Patriot has everything that makes a good play. There’s love, loss, impassioned speeches about prison reform delivered on top of tables, slam poetry monologues — you know, the good stuff. Written and performed by Liza Jessie Peterson, The Peculiar Patriot is a one-woman show about modern-day slavery in the prison-industrial complex. It’s being…
Detroit’s Mo Pop ‘taking a break’ from summer 2023 festival
For those wondering when Detroit’s long-running Mo Pop music festival is going to release its 2023 lineup, it’s not happening. According to a social media post published Tuesday, Mo Pop is “taking a break from the annual outdoor summer festival,” although it made clear that it will continue to exist in a new form. “Although…
Ferndale’s Otus Supply calls it quits
Ferndale’s Otus Supply is no more. According to a social media post, the ornate restaurant and music venue closed Monday. “It is with great sadness and sorrow that we have very unfortunate news,” the post reads. “Effective immediately we will be closing our doors to our wonderful, beautiful establishment.” The post continued, “We thank each…
Ferndale decriminalizes magic mushrooms and other psychedelics
Welcome to the magic mushroom club, Ferndale. We’re glad to see you. On Monday evening, Ferndale City Council unanimously approved a resolution to decriminalize entheogenic plants and fungi like psilocybin mushrooms, Ayahuasca, and Dimethyltryptamine (aka DMT). This doesn’t mean these psychedelic substances are completely legal, but the “investigation and arrest of persons for planting, cultivating,…
Detroit’s Movement fest releases full lineup: Basement Jaxx, Skrillex, Cybotron, Zeds Dead, and more
Detroit’s Movement Music Festival has released its full 2023 lineup, which includes a mix of international players and homegrown talent set to perform Memorial Day weekend. At the top level, U.K. duo Basement Jaxx has been tapped for a headline DJ set, joining previously announced headliners Underworld and Charlotte de Witte. Other newly announced big-name…
$59.5M from cannabis taxes headed to Michigan municipalities
Local governments are seeing green, thanks to Michigan’s cannabis laws. At least some of them, that is. More than $59.5 million collected from taxes is heading to 224 Michigan municipalities and counties that have opted-in to the state’s licensed cannabis industry, according to a Tuesday announcement from the Michigan Department of Treasury. Recipients include 81…
Detroit sues celebrity pastor and his ‘nuisance’ mega-church over unfinished Woodward project
The city of Detroit sued a pastor and his unfinished mega-church near Woodward Avenue and 7 Mile Road, saying the stalled development is “a massive example of blight and misuse of land.” In the lawsuit filed last week in Wayne County Circuit Court, the city is asking a judge to declare the property a “nuisance”…
Detroit’s Orchid Thai is closing after nearly 20 years
Time’s up for downtown Detroit’s Orchid Thai. The award-winning restaurant’s last day at 115 Monroe St. is Tuesday, Feb. 28. It will be open all day until the food runs out. Orchid Thai owner Ally Lee tells Metro Times she’s ready for some much-needed rest after 18 years in business. “We’ve had a good 18…
Reyes | Finn exhibit brings together more than 150 Detroit artists
There’s a get-together at Reyes | Finn gallery, and Detroit’s entire art community is invited. Get Together, the gallery’s latest exhibit with work from more than 150 Detroit artists, opened on Feb. 25. It spans every style and caliber of visual art you could imagine. There’s work by Detroit icons like Heidelberg Project founder Tyree…
Rock band Shadow Show kicks off tour in Detroit before heading to SXSW
Got a Detroit music tip? Send it to music@metrotimes.com. Chromeo brings the funk: Newcomer venue Big Pink (6640 Wight St., Detroit) has found the sweet spot for throwing shows with eclectic local lineups that bring a wide range of audiences together. The building is well-designed, the crowd is always ready to party, and their musical…
Cannabis-infused Fresh Water Music Festival announced in Baldwin, Michigan
Michigan has a new cannabis-and-music festival set for this June. Sponsored by Fresh Water Cannabis Co., the one-day Fresh Water Music Festival is planned for Saturday, June 3 at the company’s Baldwin property, dubbed “The Back 20.” Initial artists announced include Ann Arbor jazz-fusion band Chirp and Detroit-area country music singer-songwriter Audrey Ray, with more…
Metro Detroit restaurants are participating in a ‘Vegan Chef Challenge’
A “Vegan Chef Challenge” is coming to Detroit for the first time. The goal is to get diners to consider a vegan lifestyle by trying plant-based dishes at participating restaurants for the month of March. Ten metro Detroit restaurants and pop-ups will offer special menu items throughout the month, including Public House, Unburger Grill, Toarmina’s…
Traverse City man pleads guilty to felony for his role in Jan. 6 insurrection
A Traverse City man accused of “violently” using a police shield to push back officers during the Jan. 6, 2021, siege on the U.S. Capitol has pleaded guilty to a felony count of interfering with law enforcement officers during a civil disorder. Luke Michael Lints, 28, faces up to five years in prison. The FBI…
Weezer and Modest Mouse are heading to Pine Knob
Rock ’n’ roll fans of a certain age, rejoice: stalwarts Weezer and Modest Mouse are hitting the road for a 30-date tour this spring, with a stop at metro Detroit’s Pine Knob. The Detroit-area date is scheduled for Sunday, June 18. Tickets go on sale at 10 a.m. on Friday, March 3 at 313Presents.com, LiveNation.com…
DTE and Consumers Energy keep blaming the weather for Michigan’s power outages
For the 93,000 or so Michigan households that have reportedly been without power going on five days as of Monday morning, utility companies DTE Energy and Consumers Energy have a message: we see you, we hear you, and we will do nothing to prevent this from happening again, at least anytime soon. If that seems…
Slotkin launches campaign for U.S. Senate seat held by Stabenow
Third-term U.S. Rep. Elissa Slotkin announced Monday that she’s officially running for the U.S. Senate seat held by Debbie Stabenow, who plans to retire at the end of 2024. Slotkin, who represents Ingham County and central Michigan, is the first major Democratic candidate to enter the race. In a key battleground state, the Senate race…
Lapointe: What if Michigan enforced the gun laws already on the books?
After every gun massacre — following the ritualistic cant of “thoughts-and-prayers” — we hear tough talk from right-wing politicians and “conservative” media oracles. “We don’t need any new gun laws,” they always say. “Just simply enforce the laws already on the books.” So when lunatic Anthony McRae murdered three students and maimed five more at…
Taurus Burns embraces his zebra stripes in ‘Created Equal’
This feature highlights a different local artist each week. Got someone in mind you think deserves the spotlight? Hit us up at arts@metrotimes.com. Artist of the week: Taurus Burns For Taurus Burns, growing up biracial meant some things were, unfortunately, black and white. The Detroit-based painter’s mother is white and his father is Black. “Once…
Four queer, Black women explore the aftermath of heartbreak in Detroit art show
Roughly five years ago, Nkenge Browner got a divorce. The queer, Black woman kept her marriage certificate for many years after. An intriguing thought crept into Browner’s mind: The document was once a powerful memento of love. Then one day, the certificate became just a piece of scrap paper. The meaning had come undone. “These…
Beware of using Brown Paper Tickets, Detroit performer warns
Jennifer Westwood is an independent Detroit-area performer and promoter who plays roots rock music with her band Jennifer Westwood and the Handsome Devils. For years, she has used the online ticketing system Brown Paper Tickets to sell tickets for her events, which she books at a number of small, local venues. But now, she says…
Avalon’s new Canfield location is opening soon with 25¢ cookies
Avalon International Bread is finally ready to reopen in Midtown. The beloved bakery’s new spot inside Jolly Pumpkin, 441 W Canfield, is set to open on Wednesday, March 1 at 7 a.m. Avalon left us shook when it announced the closing of its flagship cafe in Midtown back in January. The bakeshop had been at 422…
Michigan man convicted of double murder was released from prison after new evidence surfaces
Jeff Titus, a 71-year-old former Marine and police office who spent more than 20 years in prison for a double murder in Kalamazoo County, was set free Friday. U.S. District Court Judge Paul D. Boman signed an order granting Titus a new trial and his release from prison. During his trial in 2002, critical evidence…
Nessel warns of scams in wake of MSU mass shooting
Following the mass shooting at Michigan State University, Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel warned about scammers selling unlicensed merchandise and falsely claiming the proceeds will benefit a fund established for those most impacted by the massacre. “As the mother of two current Spartans, I am heartened by the outpouring of support that Michiganders have shown…
Mother sues Detroit charter school after teacher struck daughter with hockey stick
Correction: This story incorrectly said the assault happened at Hope of Detroit Academy. It occurred at Hope Academy in Detroit. The mother of an 11-year-old girl is suing a Detroit charter school after the gym teacher struck her daughter in the head with a metal hockey stick and allegedly left her to bleed profusely without…
Arts, Beats & Eats gets green light for weed
Royal Oak City city commissioners have unanimously approved a proposal to allow adult-use cannabis sales at this year’s Arts, Beats & Eats. Yes, we know people have been smoking in their cars before Arts, Beats & Eats since the fest’s founding in 1997, but this means we’ll finally get the chance to smoke weed legally…
Judge orders Starbucks to stop firing union supporters after case in Ann Arbor
A federal judge issued an order banning Starbucks from firing workers who engage in union activity in a case stemming from a barista who was unlawfully terminated at an Ann Arbor store. The judge ruled last week that Starbucks illegally fired Hannah Whitbeck for union organizing and must rehire her with back pay. The coffee…
Detroit’s Motown Museum is hosting a job fair
Now that it’s reopened to the public, Detroit’s Motown Museum is hiring for a number of open positions. The museum has invited the community to apply at an upcoming job fair. Detroiters interested in applying can meet the team for interviews from 10 a.m.-5 p.m. on Tuesday, March 7 at the Motown Museum’s Hitsville NEXT…
Detroit’s Southern Smokehouse is a soul food hidden gem
This is the second straight time I’ve been assigned to review a carry-out only restaurant. One wonders why. I’ve never given my editor cause to question my table manners, nor has he ever seen me eat. But I confess: After picking up and plowing through two impressive orders from Southern Smokehouse, I’m grinning ear to…
Taste the Diaspora Detroit’s ‘Vinyl Tasting’ dinners are a vibe
The mood was right at Detroit’s Freya as diners packed the dimly lit high-end restaurant for a dinner based on J Dilla’s Donuts. Strangers became familiar as they bonded over food, wine, and hip-hop on a cool February evening. Detroit chefs Jermond Booze and Amber Beckem prepared an innovative menu with each dish named after…
Romulus Community Schools reinstates superintendent who filed racial discrimination suit against the district
The Romulus Community Schools superintendent who filed a racial discrimination and whistleblower lawsuit against the district has been reinstated. Benjamin Edmondson, who is Black and became superintendent in August 2020, filed a federal lawsuit against the district in 2021, alleging he was placed on administrative leave just days after he blew the whistle on potential…
Free Will Astrology (Feb. 22-28)
ARIES (March 21-April 19): Philosopher John O’Donohue wrote a prayer not so much to God as to Life. It’s perfect for your needs right now. He said, “May my mind come alive today to the invisible geography that invites me to new frontiers, to break the dead shell of yesterdays, to risk being disturbed and…
