Cover Stories
Nearly 70 years later and Dearborn’s Ford-Wyoming Drive-in is still the star of the show
There was once a simpler time, when folks could pile into the family car armed with pillows, blankets, snacks, and treats and take in the latest feature movies under the stars — with all the comforts of home. In metro Detroit, that time is now. For 69 years, Dearborn’s Ford-Wyoming Drive-in has had a massive…
Your guide to metro Detroit’s 2019 outdoor summer concert season
There are dozens, if not hundreds of songs about summertime. And rightfully so. Living in Michigan means accepting the dread that comes with six months of winter (there are songs about that, too) — but when summer arrives it’s a celebration. What better way to embrace the season than taking in a concert on the…
In search of metro Detroit’s best non-dairy frozen treats
When the weather gets warmer — which takes what can only be called a depressingly long time in Detroit — we can finally indulge in some cold treats. Namely, we’re talking about ice cream. But alas, there are those of us for which ice cream is not an option. We speak, of course, of lactose…
Overthrow the empire with the original ‘Star Wars’ trilogy at the Redford Theatre
In just six months, the latest trilogy in one of the most beloved space operas in the history of cinema will come to an end, and we are so not ready. But while we await the release of Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker — and pray to Obi-Wan that it’s better than The Last…
Hugh Jackman takes a stab at being ‘The Greatest Showman’ at Little Caesars Arena
Get you an X-Man who can do both. Longtime Marvel mutant and Broadway star Hugh Jackman has revived his one-man show for a massive world tour accompanied by a live orchestra, vocalists, dancers, and special guests. The Golden Globe- and Tony Award-winning slashy “Jack-man of all trades” will tap into songs from both stage and…
The National supports new soaring, female-driven record at the Hill Auditorium
“How long have we been here?/ Am I ever coming down?” laments the National’s Matt Berninger on “I Am Easy to Find,” the title track off the band’s latest record. The truth is, the National has been here a long-ass time, and it appears that the band of brothers has flipped the script on their…
Rock ‘n’ Rides will turn downtown Royal Oak into a dang carnival
More than 20 local nonprofits and community organizations will benefit from this year’s inaugural Rock ’n’ Rides Royal Oak event. Touted as a family-friendly gathering, Rock ’n’ Rides will feature both rock and rides, and will kickstart the weekend by hosting a free community day where 1,500 local kids and families will get to enjoy…
Todo Michigan es una ‘zona fronteriza’ de Inmigración y Control de Aduanas (ICE) – aquí están los derechos que todos los inmigrantes deben saber
Esta claro ahora: La administración de Trump esta tomando medidas contra los inmigrantes indocumentados que viven en los Estados Unidos. En Michigan, varios eventos han puesto de relieve el grado de los esfuerzos realizados hasta el momento. En octubre de 2017, agentes de Inmigración y Control de Aduanas arrestaron y deportaron a un padre en…
Michael McDonald, the Godfather of yacht rock, is cooler than all of us
Michael McDonald is 100 percent that dude. The 67-year-old Grammy Award-winning godfather of yacht rock either genuinely has no idea just how cool he is or he is so aware of how cool he is that he’s forced to play it down because that would be the cool thing to do. Regardless, he’s just thankful…
Gov. Whitmer declares Juneteenth Celebration Day — here’s how to commemorate it
Gov. Gretchen Whitmer issued a proclamation Tuesday, on the 154th anniversary of Juneteenth, to officially declare June 19 as Juneteenth Celebration Day. “Juneteenth is an important day throughout our nation and Michigan is proud to take part in recognizing the bravery of those who fought for their freedom,” Whitmer said in a press release. June…
Oh, the irony! Nonprofit displaces artists in Detroit to fight gentrification
A nonprofit opposed to gentrification has displaced artists to make way for a new headquarters in Detroit’s Grand River Creative Corridor. Allied Media Projects bought the Grand River Creative Corridor headquarters, forcing the eviction of artists who had rented inexpensive studio space, Bridge magazine first reported Tuesday. Ironically, the goal of the building at 4731…
Trump says he will deport ‘millions of illegal aliens’ starting next week — these are the rights all immigrants should know
President Donald Trump said on Monday night that he would start to deport millions of undocumented immigrants next week, and that his agency will deport them immediately. “Next week ICE will begin the process of removing the millions of illegal aliens who have illicitly found their way into the United States,” Trump tweeted. “They will…
Original Buddy’s Pizza Detroit building sells for $1.3M
Buddy’s Pizza has sold its original location’s building at McNichols and Conant, but the business won’t be closing or undergoing any changes. Instead, the growing pizza chain will continue to lease the building from an affiliated company, and the deal is part of an effort to raise money to open locations nationwide. The building sold…
Detroit native becomes first African-American to be awarded diver scholarship
Dorian Banks, a 27-year-old Detroit native, is the first African-American to be awarded the Future of Diving Scholarship. Dive Mentor, an international nonprofit education organization that seeks to protect marine wildlife and fragile marine habitats, selects one individual each year to attend its four-month marine conservation professional diver program at its Caribbean research site. The…
Atwater will unveil a custom beer to celebrate the DSO at Ford House
Atwater brewed something special to commemorate the 10th year of the DSO at Ford House, which is the Edsel & Eleanor Ford House’s annual summer music tradition. The custom brew, called Summer Symphony No. 10, will be available to taste at a beer-tapping event at Atwater Brewery in Grosse Pointe Park on Thursday, June 20.…
Review: In the end, Jim Jarmusch’s satiric ‘Dead Don’t Die’ is another mindless zombie film
Turning on the relatably apocalyptic notion that the Earth has tilted off its axis, reanimating our bygone foes and loved ones, The Dead Don’t Die seeks to make soft satire of our present. A zombie film alternatively too coy and too obvious for its own good, watching it feels like going on a date with…
Scientists found a 2,500-year-old Chinese marijuana bowl
Marijuana enthusiasts are fond of claiming that it’s been used for thousands of years. Now solid physical evidence of that claim has been found. A new study published in the journal Science Advances reports that wooden bowls unearthed in a 2,500-year-old cemetery have significant traces of THC on them. The report suggests that marijuana was…
Dark horse Detroit Sen. Betty Jean Alexander proposes law establishing THC intoxication level for driving
Cannabis communities across the state may want to pay more attention to State Sen. Betty Jean Alexander. Alexander is the politician who seemingly came out of nowhere to snag a seat in Lansing, representing the west side of Detroit and some surrounding suburban communities. Despite the advisory opinion that Michigan should not establish a per se…
Things are changing for marijuana in Michigan — for better or worse
The landscape of marijuana has starkly changed around here these past few years. We haven’t cleanly emerged, but a view of the landscape shows a fledgling legal marijuana industry starting to come together. Jeffrey Hank, the attorney who led the 2016 MILegalize initiative, expressed an emerging optimism at the Marijuana Regulatory Agency public meeting last…
Gov. Whitmer signs letter in support of marijuana banking regulations
Gov. Gretchen Whitmer has signed a bipartisan letter calling for the passage of the Secure and Fair Enforcement (SAFE) Banking Act, which would make it possible for state-licensed cannabis businesses to participate in the national banking system. Canna-businesses across the country are currently prohibited from using banks, even if marijuana was decriminalized in their particular state.…
Wayne State Police rescue concussed peregrine falcon chick
A peregrine falcon chick is recovering from a concussion after Wayne State University police rescued him from a grassy median at a busy intersection last week. Police were responding to a call about a big bird near the intersection of Cass and Warren in Midtown when two officers spotted the injured chick Wednesday night. “As…
Iggy Pop now has a coffee with notes of nutmeg and it’s punk AF
Lust for caffeine, anyone? The latest product to sport Iggy Pop’s name, following 2017’s surf and destroy-worthy board short collab with Billabong, is a signature brew from Stumptown Coffee. The blend, which boasts bold notes of “dates, nutmeg, and a long, chocolatey finish,” is produced by an Indonesian community located in Aceh, Sumatra, and processed…
Detroit Axe has a Corktown location in the works
Ferndale board game and axe-throwing bar Detroit Axe will open two new locations this year — one in Corktown and one in Clinton Township. The Detroit location is planned for a 7,000-square-foot-space at 1375 Michigan Ave. just east of Trumbull Avenue in Corktown, Crain’s reports. The new location won’t have a built-in restaurant like it…
Here are the winners of the 2019 ‘High Times’ Michigan Cannabis Cup
There’s a lot of winning going on with Michigan marijuana lately. First of all, there are the winners of the recent High Times Michigan Cannabis Cup, which was held June 8 and 9 at the Auto City Speedway in Clio. There were 16 categories with first, second, and third place awarded in each one; you…
Poverty still a challenge for Michigan kids
Despite progress in child outcomes since 1990, a new report reveals serious racial and ethnic disparities persist in child well-being in Michigan and other states. The Annie E. Casey Foundation’s 2019 Kids Count Data Book ranked the state 32nd overall in its measure of how kids are faring. Kids Count Project Director at the Michigan…
Proposed Michigan House budget slashes public transit
Advocates for public transit are sounding the alarm about the Michigan House budget, which had a hearing last week in the House Appropriations Committee. The budget proposal would trim $36 million from public-transit programs and related services, in order to preserve funding for road repairs and lower gas taxes. The cuts include 70 percent of…
Soul songstress Eryn Allen Kane embodies a profound wisdom on new EP, ‘a tree planted by water’
You may have heard her on Chance the Rapper’s Grammy-winning 2016 mixtape Coloring Book. Or maybe you heard her backing vocals on Prince’s groovy Freddie Gray tribute track, “Baltimore.” Or maybe you’re lucky enough to have already heard the work of Eryn Allen Kane, a 29-year-old Detroit native and soul songstress who has managed to…
Review: ‘The Souvenir’ looks at a past love with 20/20 vision
Most movies about young people make some showcase of their characters discovering their own exceptionalism, their narrative structure revolving around their being anointed as special and unique. The implication is almost religious in its suggested faith; it’s that all is within reach, that if we (for we’re typically invited to identify with these leads) all…
John James is having an identity crisis
It appears John James has been systematically trying to erase mentions of Trump in his social media posts. Though James spoke at a recent GOP Reagan Dinner in Macomb County, he apparently made sure not to post a photo that featured giant gold foil letter balloons that spelled out “Trump,” which were displayed behind James…
Customer in wheelchair fires taser at McDonald’s employee in Detroit
A woman in a wheelchair fired a taser at a McDonald’s employee in Detroit on Thursday after complaining about poor service. After ordering her food at 5 p.m., the customer pulled out a taser gun and pointed it at the cashier, saying she was rude and the order was taking too long. The taser missed…
You can now use ‘Metro Times’ to find Detroit area movie times
Here’s some great news for Metro Times readers who love movies: We’ve partnered with Fandango to bring local film times, movie trailers, and other information onto our website. You can find it all by hovering your mouse over the “Arts & Culture” tab on the navigation bar at the top of the desktop version of…
Poignant exhibit in Detroit honors ‘thousands of separated immigrant children’
A woodland of hundreds of toys, dolls, teddy bears, and other stuffed animals are spread throughout the front lawn of the First Unitarian Universalist Church in the Cass Corridor, with a large banner hanging across the background that reads, “For the thousands of separated immigrant children.” The installation, a poignant visual representation of the thousands…
Insurance exec warns new auto insurance law does not guarantee savings
Last week the Metro Times reported that there were no guaranteed savings under the GOP/Whitmer auto insurance bill, which critics said was full of “massive loopholes.” Whitmer and Republicans’ claim that their new law “guarantees rate relief for every Michigan driver” was actually untrue, state lawmakers who voted against the bill said. It seems the…
Controversial ‘Slavery at Jefferson’s Monticello’ exhibit will wrap in Detroit with lecture from historian Annette Gordon-Reed
A controversial exhibit that focuses on the lives and legacies of six enslaved Black families at Thomas Jefferson’s Virginia plantation will close on June 22, capping a three-month run at Detroit’s Charles H. Wright Museum of African American History. Slavery at Jefferson’s Monticello: Paradox of Liberty will end with a lecture and book signing by historian…
Security guards for Gilbert’s buildings launched 1-day strike in downtown Detroit
Protesters rallied Tuesday in support of a one-day strike by downtown Detroit security officers who want $15 hourly wages and the right to unionize. More than 100 people, including elected leaders, turned out, many of them chanting and clutching signs. Some wore purple shirts that read, “Stand for Security.” The guards, who are employed by…
Michigan AG office says it has to start from scratch on ‘flawed’ Flint investigation
The Attorney General’s office announced the dismissal of pending criminal charges associated with the Flint water crisis on Thursday, and said it will instead be starting from square one to conduct an expanded investigation. Michigan Solicitor General Fadwa Hammoud, who is taking the lead on the criminal cases, and Wayne County Prosecutor Kym Worthy said…
Detroit bars will celebrate Father’s Day with dad beer brand Altes
Cliff Bell’s, Queens Bar, and Park Bar will be celebrating Father’s Day with samples of and specials on Altes, the Detroit dad beer brand that several local brewers rebooted this year after it was discontinued decades ago. As MT recently reported, Altes is a Bavarian-style beer for which the Midwest was famous last century, but…
Video shows neo-Nazis push woman at Detroit Pride
Detroit’s Police Department found itself in a PR mess over the weekend after photos and video circulated on social media showing its officers appearing to escort a group of neo-Nazis at Detroit’s LGBTQ+ Pride event. The images drew swift condemnation, with people questioning why the officers would protect the hate group over the festival-goers, and…
Airline food workers at Detroit Metro Airport are taking strike vote as peak travel arrives
Sometimes Shandolyn Lewis can barely feel her fingers after a grueling, eight-hour shift inside a cooler at Detroit Metro Airport. The 35-year-old mother is among about 500 catering employees who prepare, pack, and deliver food and drinks at the airport (DTW) for travelers on American Airlines, Delta, and United. “It’s so cold in the cooler…
Detroit’s Marygrove College is closing for good
After struggling with finances and enrollment in recent years, Detroit’s 92-year-old Marygrove College is closing altogether. The college announced on Wednesday that it was ending its graduate program with the 2019 fall semester, following the closure of its undergraduate program in 2017. The school had been in dire financial straits for the past five years.…
Beyond Juice to open second Detroit location in New Center
Beyond Juice, a popular juice bar chain, will be opening up a second Detroit location in the Boulevard, located on the corner of Third Avenue and West Grand Boulevard, within the New Center neighborhood. There are currently eight Beyond Juice locations in the metro Detroit area — the first one having opened in 2005 —…
Upcoming DIA exhibition to highlight Impressionist era and beauty of everyday life
The DIA is set to feature some stunning works from the Impressionist era starting on June 26. Humble and Human: Impressionist Era Treasures From the Albright-Knox Art Gallery and the Detroit Institute of Arts, an Exhibition in Honor of Ralph C. Wilson, Jr., will feature over 40 pieces by Georges Seurat, Paul Gauguin, Vincent van Gogh, Claude Monet, Berthe…
Will Smith’s production company announces ‘murder mystery’ set against the Flint water crisis
Government corruption and the poisoning of an entire city’s water supply may seem like a tagline ripped from the latest summer blockbuster, but for the 100,000 residents of Flint it’s been their nightmare for more than five years. It was only a matter of time until Hollywood cashed in by making contaminated water sexy. Great.…
Here’s the trailer for ‘Danny’s House,’ a new show where Danny Brown interviews guests in his basement
Well, here’s some good news for Danny Brown fans. In addition to an upcoming album produced by Q-Tip, the Detroit rapper will soon have his very own TV show. Danny’s House will be a talk show on VICELAND that will give exactly what it promises: Brown will interview guests in his basement. The show is…
Trampled by Turtles’ slow and steady Midwestern work ethic pays off
After a nearly four-year hiatus, Trampled by Turtles is back in Michigan with a new album and a pair of tour dates. Life Is Good on the Open Road is the seminal alt-bluegrass band’s eighth studio album after the most recent Wild Animals and its breakthrough, Palomino. With a sound teetering between drunken earnest stompers,…
Violinist Maureen Choi fuses jazz and Spanish sounds
Take one part classical nuance, stir in the improvisation and freedom of exploratory jazz, sprinkle a heaping dose of Spanish musical traditions on top, and what do you get? The gorgeous, sprawling, emotive chamber jazz of the Maureen Choi Quartet, of course. Born and raised in Ann Arbor, violinist Choi began training on the violin…
Eddie Baranek has rounded up some former bandmates for the Scrappers — but don’t call ’em the Sights II
The Scrappers’ genesis story is about as perfect as it gets for a bunch of late-’60s/early-’70s loving music nerds. It almost sounds like the story of the recording of Neil Young’s 1972 landmark album Harvest. The Scrappers started in a barn. By 2014, Sights guitarist and frontman Eddie Baranek had seen his 15-year-old band run…
Review: ‘Booksmart’ is a smart start
Booksmart goes down awfully easy for a first feature. Olivia Wilde’s long-form directorial debut feels as breezily modern as it does effortlessly made. (The lack of effort is merely a vibe and not the truth — and with how bumpy most Hollywood scripts feel these days, achieving that air is getting tough to do, too.)…
Savage Love: Single mom absolutely stupid horny
I’m a straight cis woman in my early 40s and a single mother. I have not dated or hooked up with anyone in years. While I miss dating, the biggest issue right now is that my sex drive is off the charts. While watching porn and masturbating once my child goes to sleep helps, I…
Horoscopes (June 12-18)
ARIES: March 21 – April 20 You’re on the fence about what to do next. Having too many choices isn’t your thing; neither is not being sure about how things will pan out. The good news is you happen to be free, and there’s something to be said for that. Depending on your age, and…
Detroit’s Orwellian facial recognition technology is in Congress’ crosshairs
Detroit’s pervasive and controversial facial-recognition system faces an uncertain future as Congress pushes for a moratorium on a quickly growing technology that both Republicans and Democrats have blasted as inaccurate, racially biased, and an affront to privacy rights. During public hearings on May 22 and June 4, the bipartisan U.S. House Oversight and Reform Committee…
The clock is running on human civilization. It’s time to take climate change seriously.
Last week, a canvasser from a progressive advocacy group knocked on my door and asked me to fill out a survey. It was mostly basic stuff, like whether my job offers health insurance or whether I’d faced discrimination. But at the end, it presented a conundrum. I was given eight policy choices and asked to…
Review: Nosh Pit beats Hamtramck’s meat
Hamtramck is about as much of a meat town as they come — a burg full of kielbasa, polish sausage, haneeth, city chicken, chicken 65, NY-style gyros, doner kebabs, cevapi, Motor City burgers, etc., etc. But these days, there’s a counterbalance. At Nosh Pit’s small restaurant on Yemans Street across from Polish Village and Polonia,…
‘Salt City’ is an Afrofuturistic techno choreopoem about gentrification
The multi-purpose room at the Charles H. Wright Museum of African American History bustles with 100 degrees of raw energy as 11 cast members from the “choreopoem” Salt City dance, stomp, sing, and act. Directors Aku Kadogo, Marlies Yearby, and jessica Care moore sit in observance, giving suggestions and taking notes. The cast hasn’t started…
