Cover Story
7 reasons to feel lucky about Concert of Colors
We live in a time when divisiveness and fear of the unfamiliar seem to be at an all-time high. But there are those among us who still believe in art and music as forces for good, with the potential to bridge even the greatest of cultural divides. This year, the annual Concert of Colors will…
Is President Grant’s former home heading to a local charter school?
Class can sometimes be boring. Especially when students are expected to just read a book and absorb the information with the snap of a finger. This is why field trips are so important: Giving students a chance to actually try and experience new things. Well what happens when the “field trip” comes to your school?…
John FM’s new single ‘Broken’ will fix any bad day
Recently premiered on Fader’s website, Oak Park singer and producer John FM’s new single “Broken” is a four minute techno-soul jam that you won’t want to end. After collaborating with local techno legend Omar-S, John FM is becoming a legend in his own right. The music and culture website is calling him a prodigy, but his…
New dating website matches you with Canadians in case Trump is elected President
Since Donald Trump has secured the Republican nomination for this headache election, it is now a very real possibility that this oversized Oompa Loompa could be our next President. So what do you do if this nightmare becomes a reality? Move to Canada, of course! Since 19% of Americans said they would move to Canada if Trump…
See the right singers perform the ‘wrong songs’ in Miscast
Do you remember in third grade when you really wanted to be the sprite in the play, but the drama teacher said you were a few feet too tall? Well, live it again vicariously through Barefoot Production’s Miscast. Think men singing a song a woman usually sings or a baritone singing a soprano song. At…
New music: two dope Detroit hip-hop tracks hot off the presses
Nametag Alexander and Beyond Physics debuting very fresh songs this week.
Park named for civil rights activist gets $1 million for renovations
Earlier this year, Mayor Mike Duggan announced his initiative to refurbish parks around Detroit and the first park renovation is about to begin. The Viola Liuzzo park has been granted close to $1 million for new equipment and features including fresh landscaping, a new playground, benches, picnic stations, and workout equipment. The park bears the name…
Wanna play Atari on an IMAX screen? You can at Michigan Science Center
Back by popular demand, the Michigan Science Center hosts their vintage video game night with tons of old-school games that you and your friends can play. In addition to 20-plus games, there will also be two cash bars that will only make your video game skills stronger, and some food options for late night cravings.…
Raise money for Detroit Music Hall while doing yoga on its roof tonight
Rooftops are cool. Sunsets are cool. Yoga is cool. Charity is cool. This event has all of those at the same time. With instruction from the Detroit Yoga Lab, know that you’re doing good for both your body and future Detroit Music Hall Center for the Performing Arts programming. It’s one of four rooftop…
Duggan’s legacy blighted by questionable rehab projects
A Mayor Mike Duggan history lesson.
Several hospitalized after ceiling collapse at Muldoon’s in Rochester Hills
Bar staff and patrons freed a pinned customer after the collapse.
Report: Detroit is the most stressed out city in America
Wallethub conducted a study to determine America’s most and least stressed cities, and Detroit has taken the lead ranking as the number one most stressed city in the country. This doesn’t come as a huge surprise considering the city’s history of being dangerous and rife with political and economic turmoil <cue thunder and lightning>. Wallethub…
Here’s Bloomberg’s list of essential Detroit eateries (and what we think of them)
Detroit’s food scene and accompanying renaissance/revival fanfare rhetoric is all the rage. So much so, even Bloomberg is telling New Yorkers to put down their weird, paper-thin pizza slices and take notice of the superior dishes to be found across Lake Eerie. The article by Bloomberg correspondent Peter Elliot’s seems intended to be a love letter to Motor…
Michigan LGBTQ activist Jeffrey Montgomery dies at 63
Jeffrey Montgomery — LGBTQ activist and founding executive director of the Triangle Foundation, a civil rights advocacy and anti-violence organization founded in 1991 for Michigan’s LGBT community — died Monday at 63. The Triangle Foundation was founded by Montgomery, Henry D. Messer, and John Monahan, and expanded after the closure of the Michigan Organization for Human Rights to include…
DPS racks up $285k legal bill for ‘sick-out’ lawsuits
Between January and May, Detroit Public Schools spent $285,000 on a private attorney to sue two teachers they believe had an instrumental hand in the district’s widespread sick-outs. The news, uncovered through Freedom of Information Act requests submitted by the Detroit News, comes with a hint of irony: during the months DPS was accruing hefty legal…
New Order Coffee to open near upcoming Grey Ghost restaurant in Midtown
The Midtown/Brush Park area will welcome another coffee shop this winter.
U-M coach Jim Harbaugh embraces his inner rapper in new music video
A few weeks ago, Drake did that SNL skit where he gave a blatant shout out the University of Michigan, and now, West Coast rapper Bailey made a music video with Jim Harbaugh. I’m kind of wondering if rappers associating with U of M (or any college for that matter) is going to become a…
New Detroit bus routes could include round trips to Eastern Market
The Detroit Department of Transportation is proposing several route changes that would go into effect this fall, including direct rides into Eastern Market. Dubbed the “Fresh Wagon,” the changes include round trips from six Detroit neighborhoods to the open-air market near downtown, according to the Detroit Free Press. Officials unveiled the proposals at a public…
Danny Brown unveils upcoming album name, tour dates
Two days ago, Twitter granted us a gift when the Detroit native, Danny Brown released the title of his new album: Three days prior to releasing the album title inspired by the Joy Division song and J.G. Ballard novel, Brown gave the world a little taste of the what the new album will entail releasing…
Siamese set to unleash new self-entitled EP, play release show at The Loving Touch
It all mixes together to make something you can dance to while you think about all the mistakes you made in life, and still have fun.
Just announced: Elvis Costello comes to town in October
This tour is being billed the “Imperial Bedroom & Other Chambers” tour, which means, yes, that the bespectacled great will revisit that 1982 release.
Speak your truth inside an inflatable speech bubble this summer
Have something to get off of your chest? Step inside the Truth Booth, a portable, inflatable, video recording studio in the shape of a speech bubble that allows entrants the opportunity to speak freely about things going on in their community. Cranbrook Art Museum will be the first stop of the local tour of the…
Detroit’s 10,000th demolition is happening today (and Duggan’s live-streaming it)
Mayor Mike Duggan is celebrating a major milestone in Detroit’s efforts to fight blight today. Early Tuesday morning, crews began tearing down an abandoned home on Marlowe street on the city’s east side. Using Facebook Live, the mayor showed his social media prowess allowed the masses to tune in a watch the “celebration” which gathered numerous…
Dog nearly blinded in Drano attack during Hamtramck home invasion
And in today’s installment of ‘WHAT THE HELL IS WRONG WITH PEOPLE?’ we have a case out of Hamtown. According to reports, resident Sarah Birkel came home at 7pm last Friday night to find evidence of a break-in and her dog doused in a strange substance. The dog, a 14-year-old pit bull named Abbey, was…
ICP talk Canada, FBI’s Gang List, and more in VICE video
Self described ‘Masters of our craft!”, Insane Clown Posse talks to VICE about their Canada tour, being classified by the FBI as a “loosely organized hybrid gang”, and “bubble-ating” in the underground music scene. The video seems to be geo-locked out of the US, but we got you, video linked below. VICE follows ICP as…
Megadeth brings Dystopia World Tour to Joe Louis
“I knew that this was going to be amazing,” Dave Mustaine says of Megadeth’s new video.
Black Lives Matter Detroit to march in memory of Aiyana Jones
The march falls on what would have been Jones’ 14th birthday.
Vertical Detroit releases summer menu
A nice chilled glass of Michigan Riesling will go nicely with this new menu.
In wake of Alan Vega’s death, let us now behold the best Suicide cover ever
The Gories bash their way through this classic off the first Suicide LP, and we fondly remember that band’s singer.
Sustainable sushi house coming soon to Corktown
It’s about time we got a new brick-and-mortar sushi shop in the city.
Two Grosse Ile teens arraigned on charges of torturing, killing guinea pig
“We must take these cases seriously,” says Wayne County Prosecutor Kym Worthy.
Study: The proliferation of charter schools in Michigan hurt traditional districts
“Overwhelmingly, the biggest financial impact on school districts was the result of declining enrollment and revenue loss, especially where school choice and charters are most prevalent.”
Stephen Colbert hijacks the GOP convention stage with a Hunger Games skit
“I know I’m not supposed to be up here, but let’s be honest, neither is Donald Trump,” he shouts as he is escorted off the stage.
Just announced: Ring in NYE with John Oliver, your favorite British guy from the TV
Nerd alert: Political genius John Oliver ushers in the New Year right here in Detroit!
Let’s start thinking about Gov. Snyder’s GOP successor
Schuette and Calley woo GOP crowds in Cleveland.
Celebrate summer with fresh booze and hot barbecue at Kelly’s Bar
Enjoy this second annual backyard affair with tons of live music, art, and fun. The list of artists performing includes Eric Allen, Jay Clark Reid, Dark Red, SLO, Primitiv Parts, Drinkard Sisters, Jenny Junior & Jackie Rainsticks, Diamond Hens, Sugarcoats, Craig Brown Band, and Kelly Jean Caldwell. These artists will perform outdoors until 10 p.m.…
Just announced: garage rockers Hinds at the Pike Room
Attention garage rock fans: you probably haven’t heard of the all-female garage pop band Hinds that hails from Madrid, Spain — but you soon will because the band is making it’s way to the Pike Room on October 25th. The band’s debut album, Leave Me Alone, came out earlier this year to critical praise. The…
Wyandotte Street Art Fair invites you to see what Downriver has to offer
The Wyandotte Street Art Fair is pretty well known around these parts. It’s one of the biggest in the area, stretching from one end of the idyllic suburb’s downtown district to the other. Fine artists, crafters, toy makers, jewelers, henna artists, ceramists, woodworkers, and a slew of other vendors set up in the city streets…
Pavel Datsyuk: He hung up his skates. Should we hang up his number?
“Remember, kid. Heroes get remembered. But legends never die.” So says an imaginary Babe Ruth to Benny “The Jet” Rodriguez in 1993’s The Sandlot. Ruth is encouraging Benny to seize his chance at greatness and make a difference, in this case, by retrieving a lost Ruth-signed baseball from a neighbor’s yard. The rest is history.…
Motown legend Martha Reeves is turning 75 and you can help her celebrate
You’ve got “nowhere to run and nowhere to hide”and there’s no excuse to not attend Martha Reeve’s 75th birthday party on July 18th. Reeve’s birthday celebration will be studded with Vandellas-esque attire, Motown soundtrack, and contests for the masses. According to the event’s press release, “A number of special invited guests will be in the…
Bob Bashara denied a new trial
Bashara is serving a sentence of life in prison without the possibility of parole for the 2012 murder of his wife, Jane.
Report suggests Pokémon Go favors white neighborhoods
Pokémon Go has taken over the country since its launch last week. However, the game’s release has not come without problems. And now, a new report suggests the app hinders play in black neighborhoods. The Bellville News-Democrat published an article entitled “There are fewer Pokémon Go locations in black neighborhoods, but why?” The article’s primary…
Video: Kalamazoo cop dances to Tupac at Black Lives Matter walk
As a WMU alumni, I’ve experienced just how fun the Kalamazoo Police Department can be. They like to pose for selfies with tipsy tailgaters and kindly give rides home to the walk of shamers — but nothing prepared me for this video of a Kalamazoo cop straight up gettin’ down to some Tupac (RIP) at…
Neighborhoods Day, August 6, celebrates a decade of community action in Detroit
Detroit may be known for high crime rates, dilapidated buildings, and illegal (yet beautiful) street art, though Detroit also has unity, maybe more than the average city. A decade ago, Neighborhoods Day, an annual event designed to attract family and children to events that make them more connected to the community both socially and…
Shipping container food hall to break ground in August
Under a new name, the planned food hall constructed out of shipping containers, is expected to break ground Aug 22, Eater Detroit reports. Originally known as Detroit ShipYard, the project on Peterboro off of Cass is now called Detroit Shipping Company. We first reported on the development – which is to include space enough for about five…
Crash Detroit brings spontaneous performances to the streets
OK guys, this is cool. Crash Detroit is an event that brings together street bands in hope of providing inspiring and off-the-cuff entertainment to locals. On the first day of Crash Detroit, bands will spontaneously perform at various locations around the city of Detroit. On the second day of the festival, a family-friendly event will…
Kristin Kontrol opens up for Garbage tomorrow night, and she is awesome
We’re all excited for Garbage to be back in Detroit Saturday, July 16 at the Fillmore. But it’s more than Garbage that has pushed us into ecstatic glee for this show, it’s also for the opener, Kristin Kontrol. You may not recognize the name Kristin Kontrol, but you may know her from her previous incarnation as Dee Dee in the irresistibly downbeat band,…
La Strada Dolci e Caffe to get liquor license any day now, debuts outdoor seating
How about a bit of vino, whilst sitting out on the patio?
Get free Boston Coolers at McDs for Detroit’s b-day
We Detroiters sure are proud of our city, for better or worse. Which is why it’s not out of the ordinary for us to take a moment and give a nod when the Motor City has a birthday. In recognition to Detroit’s turning the big 3-1-5, all 28 McDonald’s locations in the city will give…
Pay raises coming for Detroit firefighters
Raises are expected to take effect in August, after being approved by the firefighters’ union and City Council.
Detroit City Football Club’s final game of the season will be one big celebration
It’s been a standout year for Detroit City FC, not just for the team but for the city of Hamtramck as well, and as the season comes to a close, the future of the team looks brighter than ever. Soccer & America have a bit of a rough relationship. The one sport played around the…
Gov. Snyder appoints former oil exec to run the state’s Department of Environmental Quality
Environmentalists and activists in Flint, which has been struggling to recover from a now two-year water contamination crisis, slammed the appointment, saying it illustrates a revolving door between government and corporations.
La Lanterna makes a return to Capitol Park
Capitol Park is turning out to be a regular restaurant row.
Twisted Storytellers bring their ‘big sexy’ tales to the Wright Museum
The Secret Society of Twisted Storytellers is a celebration of humanity. Real people come to tell true, personal stories that all reflect a chosen topic. This time around speakers will ruminate on the “Big Sexy.” Tene Dismuke, Sabrina Nelson, Ifoma Stubbs, Dameon S. Wilburn, and Julian Witherspoon III will speak and the whole thing will…
Poor Man’s Art Collective showcases local artists
Back in 2003, the Poor Man’s Art Collective was created to help bolster support for new, emerging, and established artists whether they were visual, fine, or performing artists. The collective seeks to support all forms of art and provides a way for those artists to showcase their work. This exhibit presents a group of talented…
Rochester Hills camp counselor dies after contracting meningitis
According to Freep, Kristy Malter, a 21-year-old Life Time Fitness employee, has died after contracting bacterial meningitis. A press conference was held Wednesday night at the South Oakland Health Center in Southfield, where county officials warned that the 200+ campers and 39 staffers at the day camp where Malter worked could have been exposed to…
20 totally free things to do in Detroit this week
Here is this week’s list of fun things to do in and around one of the greatest cities for the greatest price: FREE! We’ve got things from concerts to art exhibits to dog fashion shows, so take a peek to see if any of these events can be a contender in your adventurous escapades. At…
Andrew W.K. brings Power of Partying speaking tour to Detroit
Billed as “a nationwide rally for the human spirit.”
Detroit artist Ryan Mendoza’s newest political statement
Controversial artist Ryan Mendoza is back with a new project.
Is Target coming to Midtown Detroit?
Is Target coming to Detroit-proper? If the Free Press’s “development sources” are to be believed, then yes — yes Detroit’s Midtown neighborhood will likely soon become home to a new retail-commercial-residential project that also happens to house a Target. According to Freep, a big development is planned for Woodward Avenue and Mack, where vacant American Red Cross…
John Sims’ AfroDixie Remix project is another reason to attend Concert of Colors this weekend
Native Detroiter uses Music and Spoken Word to Remix Symbolism and Song We’ve already hepped you to some of the biggest reasons to attend the Concert of Colors fest this weekend as regards mostly out-of-town performers, but one of the greatest events going down we’ve yet to mention is a special show from multi-media artist…
What’s for Lunch: GreenSpace Café now serving vegan lunching options
Health-conscious foodies who crave a little something more refreshing than typical greasy spoon fare will appreciate this. Ferndale’s GreenSpace Cafe will begin serving lunch July 19. The new offerings will be available 11 a.m.-2 p.m. Tuesday-Saturday. Says owner and plant-based cardiologist Dr. Joel Kahn: “The menu will offer the vibrant vegan fare our customers love, including…
Watch Purple Rain tonight at Riverfront Park for free
There are plenty of ways to enjoy the city of Detroit, and the Detroit RiverFront Conservancy and Park Solutions are giving you one more: a new event that will take place at West Riverfront Park on Thursday evenings in July and August. Riverfront Relaxin’ offers live music, plus the screening of a classic movie on…
Fake Populux Twitter account saying everything club should’ve said in wake of controversy
The wacky Populux tech saga continues.
Owner of bar featured on ‘Bar Rescue’ sentenced to jail and $1.5 million restitution
Brian Flore, owner of the Arena Bar in Ann Arbor, will spend about four-and-a-half years in prison and have to pay more than $1.5 million in restitution to the state after not paying sales taxes for over a decade. The Arena Bar was featured on Spike TV’s Bar Rescue in Nov. 2015 as part of…
Oh snap! Here’s the set times for Pig & Whiskey performances
Heading to Pig & Whiskey this weekend? Of course you are. Earlier this month, we announced the lineup and now we’ve got the official set times for the weekend’s event. Friday 6:15pm: Le Voyage 7:20pm: Holy White Hounds 8:20pm: Stone Clover 9:40pm: Electric Six Saturday 12:00pm: Billy Brandt 2:10pm: American Mars 3:15pm: The Blueflowers 4:20pm:…
Michigan State Police to begin roadside drug testing this year
The Michigan State Police will begin using saliva-based roadside drug testing to determine whether drivers are under the influence in five counties in Michigan later this year. The test, which is part of a pilot program, will be added to the 12-step evaluation program already in use. “The test drug recognition experts do are everything…
Interactive map shows Detroit’s gay bars since the 1930s
So this is pretty interesting. The folks over at WDET recently published a pretty cool timeline-map that allows users to see the locations of metro Detroit gay bars from 1930 until present day. We published some screenshots of their interactive map below, however, we also recommend heading over to the site where it’s hosted, as it’s…
Davontae Sanford: Cop who investigated case ‘literally ruined my life’
Despite his case being vacated in June, murder charges against Davontae Sanford have yet to be dropped.
Video: drone crashes into Hamtramck’s St. Florian church
Yeah, we get it, drones are cool. You can pretend you’re a bird and see shit for miles. But they [read: their operators] often fuck up and do things like fly into planes or crash into the sides of church steeples. One video, posted by YouTube user alexandr pugachov, shows one of the dubious aircrafts hovering…
Oakland County on alert after fatal meningitis case in Rochester Hills
The Oakland County Health Division is alerting the families of over 200 children who participated in a Lifetime Fitness day camp after one of its counselors contracted bacterial meningitis. Update: 21-year-old CMU student identified as meningitis victim A press conference was held Wednesday night at the South Oakland Health Center in Southfield, where county official…
Will Sessions launch record label Session Sounds
Will Sessions have made quite a name for themselves here in their hometown, and now they’re making an even bigger move by launching their own record label, Session Sounds. They just released a single, “Seven Mile,” with local icon Amp Fiddler, which will be released physically as the labels first 7″. This track has us…
Soup, Salad, and Belle Isle: Detroit Soup’s latest crowdfunding extravaganza
Have a fantastic idea for Belle Isle? Do you want the proper funding to carry out said idea? Are you a hungry citizen looking for a productive way to justify your soup consumption? Check out Detroit Soup’s Belle Isle event on August 31! Part of an ongoing series of crowdfunding events, Detroit Soup is holding…
Jack White posts heartwarming speech on gender equity
Detroit-turned-Nashville musician Jack White was named to be apart of a special council on Gender Equity in Nashville Wednesday. Following the announcement the Seven-Nation-Army crooner posted a message on Facebook where he detailed the news and also his speech. Since Facebook doesn’t let us embed posts, the speech gets cut off. So we have posted…
Show review: Swans at St Andrews Tues., July 12
This could have been the last Swans tour: amazing songs, protruding neck veins, so many amps on stage, and old men who might stab you!
MoPop releases full set times
Are you as pumped as we are for MoPop? We doubt it. Nonetheless, the festival has released a comprehensive schedule of set times for its various artists throughout social media. Luckily for festival goers, the overlaps are limited, so you won’t have to pick between Haim and G-Eazy. The full list is below, and can…
ACLU, NAACP sue to block Wayne County tax foreclosure auction
The county’s auction of thousands of foreclosed properties each year “not only violates federal law, it destabilizes families, destroys neighborhoods, and undermines the economic recovery of the region,” says the ACLU’s legal director.
Fair Michigan Justice Project to help DPD investigate LGBTQ crimes
The Fair Michigan Justice Project, a local non-profit, announced Tuesday that it will begin working in Detroit to help Wayne County’s prosecutor Kym Worthy and the Detroit Police Department investigate crimes against the city’s lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and queer community. With initial financial support coming from Bloomfield law firm Hertz Schram, Fair Michigan will fund…
Show preview: Sidewalk Progressive Arts Jam Thurs., July 14
An old-school school bus whisks you about to a fancy organic dinner and exclusive performances and visits with vibrant young Detroit artists.
L.A. musicians move to Detroit to become crazy-cat-couple
And have their own reality TV show!
Local shoegazers 800beloved call it quits, announce final show
It’s a lot like when LCD Soundsystem said goodbye to fans, except that we believe 800beloved (and they’re playing Marble Bar, not Madison Square Garden).
Video: man pulls gun while spitting vitriol about gay people outside store
Update, 4:20pm: The account for user @Binswanson has been made private after drawing attention for the disturbing video with many Twitter users calling DPD investigation. ATTN: @detroitpolice 🚨🚔the gunman: @Binswanson ✌🏿️ pic.twitter.com/3mxjWXUbLW — FF (@fonzfranc) July 13, 2016 According to CBS Detroit, the department is investigating the video as a possible hate crime. Sgt. Michael Woody…
Study: Ann Arborites are more rude than Detroiters
Study calls Detroiters “unsociable” meaning we just don’t like you.
‘I deserve some fun’
John Carpenter has not only directed a couple dozen feature-length films that reimagined genre concepts for decades to come, but he’s done the soundtracks to 15 of them. And not only are some of those films stunning works worthy of multiple viewings — The Thing, Halloween, They Live, Dark Star, Escape From New York, Assault…
Four reasons you cannot miss the Sun Ra Arkestra
As metro Detroiters, we’re lucky to live in an area with an extensive legacy of innovative music and art in such a wide range of styles. We’re also lucky, however, to have been a stop on the journeys of those who aren’t natives of Michigan — or even of Earth. I am, of course, referring…
Nolan the Ninja’s debut album is finally here
Nolan the Ninja He(art) (Left of Center, 2016) In the second half of 2015, emcee and beat maker Nolan the Ninja went from treading water in Detroit’s underground hip-hop scene to becoming something like a one-man tidal wave. The native Detroiter was featured in The Huffington Post, WatchLoud, Pigeons and Planes, Ambrosia for Heads, 2Dopeboyz,…
Meat dreams are made of these
It’s one of those magical summer days in metro Detroit. A balmy low 80s, humidity not too high, and just enough clouds in the sky to shield you from scorching UV rays. Just the type of weather ideal for a picnic. Or better yet, a barbecue. That’s just the scenario that the folks behind Woodpile…
Horoscopes (July 12-18)
ARIES (March 21- April 20): Between different forms of self sabotage, and the sense that everything is on the line, it’s time to stop the madness and stay centered in the place that knows you’ve got what it takes to keep going. Heavy duty hits from Siva feel life threatening. This type of energy pushes…
Politics & Prejudices: Poisoning Lake Erie
I know you just can’t wait for next week, when Donald Trump, trailing clouds of glory, will descend on Cleveland to receive the Republican presidential nomination. But there are one or two slightly smaller issues you might want to think about before Dan Quayle and Sarah Palin’s intellectual heir formally receives his party’s blessing. For…
Stir it up: stop the carnage
Blair Anderson was going out late last week when his wife called him back in. “You be careful,” she told him. It was no idle caution in the aftermath of the Alton Sterling killing in Baton Rouge, La., the Philando Castile killing in Falcon Heights, Minn., and the killing of five police officers in Dallas.…
