Cover Stories
Summer fun in the D
Close your eyes for a second. Imagine the coldest of coldest winter days — we’re talking an icebox cold day. Now imagine a friend beckoning you to come with them on an adventure. “Let’s just meander around the city,” they tell you. Would you do it? Chances are — and we’re going off our own…
Dining al fresco is the only way to go this summer
It’s officially hot AF, and the thought of spending another minute in your stuffy Hamtramck flat with A/C that’s on death row is unbearable (oops, sorry, that’s me). Regardless of where you live in metro Detroit, you’ve been dying to get out of the house and enjoy the warm summer breezes. That’s where outdoor dining…
Summer jams make us feel fine
We asked local music types for a few words about their favorite summertime songs. “Be Nice Honey,” Jimmy Ohio The title for this song was actually inspired by my own band Dear Darkness’ album Be Nice Honey. It’s from Ohio’s upcoming album, Phantom Stereo, and is like a drive down Eight Mile during late July.…
What the hell is going on with Michigan’s first glampground?
Around this time last year, Michiganders were given their first taste of the “glamping” lifestyle when Bella Solviva announced their plans to build a location near Traverse City. But alas, excited potential glampers are going to have to keep waiting because Bella Solviva shows no signs of opening in time for the end of this…
10 rules for ladies to live by, courtesy of the one-and-only Kash Doll
Alright ladies, we all know how easy it is to lose sight of what’s truly important. Luckily, Detroit’s Kash Doll has offered up a handful of rules to live by in one of her latest tracks, a remix to Yo Gotti’s “Law (feat. E-40),” — which offers its own rules to live by, BUT THIS…
An artful display of monster trucks and BBQ awaits you in Northville
This year’s festival may have a new name, but it’s back at it again with all the same fun of last year. Great Lakes Food, Art, and Music Festival, the three-day free event is a showcase of the area’s hottest food, art, and music (thus, the name) and takes place June 24-26 in the Ford…
Stroh’s heiress excited at the beer’s return to Detroit
The brew is back in town.
Supa Emcee releases hip hop anthem in support of Avalon Village
Highland Park resident and rapper Supa Emcee has released a song titled “AVALON” in support of the Avalon Village – From Blight to Beauty project. The community project nine years in the making, led by Shamayim ‘SHU’ Harris and a group of concerned citizens, is finally starting to get the traction it needs to transform…
All the outdoor yoga classes being held in Detroit this summer
Anyone who’s ever practiced yoga outside knows it’s pretty much the best. Feeling the grass under your feet, actually saluting the sun during a sun salutation (!!!), and finding your connection to the earth by, well, connecting with the earth literally. We’ve done our homework and tracked down as many outdoor yoga opportunities that we…
New Center Eatery adds soul food to its popular chicken and waffles menu
The restaurant was among the first to bring chicken and waffles to Detroit.
Hamtramck arts group offers kids’ arts classes this summer
A way for city kids to learn the basics of everything from fashion design to robotics.
Need a job? Children’s Center of Wayne County is hiring
The Children’s Center of Wayne County has more than 35 open positions that they are looking to fill as soon as possible, so they will be hosting a job fair tomorrow from 9 a.m. – 3 p.m. The Children’s Center is the place to be if you are interested in helping children in a non…
15 GIFS that are basically what summer in Detroit is
Ahh — sweet, sweet summertime. How we long for you in the bitter days of a Michigan winter! Here are some sure signs that it is officially summertime in metro Detroit. 1. When Mother Nature can’t decide if it’s still winter or not. There’s always that one last snow storm in April May to remind…
WATCH: Danny Brown’s new video ‘When It Rain’ is an instant classic
As we continue to wait for Danny Brown’s next project (hello God, are you there? It’s us…) since 2013’s Old, he’s given us a new video to tide us over. The video for ‘Make It Rain’ is exactly why we’re thankful for Danny Brown, it’s trippy, it’s gritty, it’s other things that end in ‘y’…
Ron Carter plays a rare intimate show tonight at Dirty Dog Jazz Cafe
Legendary jazz bassist Ron Carter performs an intimate show tonight at Grosse Pointe’s Dirty Dog Jazz Cafe.
New trailer for Detroit: Become Human, hype levels reaching over 9000
A new trailer for Detroit: Become Human has been released during this Sony’s E3 2016 press conference. The trailer stars Connor, an android who works with police forces to apprehend rouge androids, like some kind of robotic cop. Detroit: Become Human takes place in a near-future version of Detroit. Androids, who look exactly like human beings,…
Dreams do come true: Detroit Lions finally get their own cheerleaders
Ra! Ra! Sis! Boom! Ba!
New York Times looks at Matty Moroun’s ghost neighborhood in Windsor
See the neighborhood where the owners of the Ambassador Bridge hope to build their new span. It ain’t pretty.
Video: State reps from Detroit discuss deficiencies in DPS bill package
One of the most astounding tidbits surrounding its passage has less to do with the DPS bill’s content, but rather how it came to be.
Kanye West brings ‘Saint Pablo’ tour to Detroit… not once, but twice
This morning, news broke that Kanye West is playing the Joe Louis Arena on Sept. 28. Initially, the wrong date was supplied, so please note that the show is on Wednesday, Sept. 28. West’s playing here as part of the ‘Saint Pablo’ tour, which is the entertainer’s first nationwide trek in three years. But wait,…
Hydropark celebrate debut record release with rare Ann Arbor concert
Hydropark and Blue Jeans throw a double record release party at Ann Arbor’s Elks Lodge on Friday.
Metro Detroit native killed in Orlando nightclub massacre
Shockwaves continue to ripple in the wake of the mass shooting at a gay nightclub in Orlando early Sunday morning. According to the city of Orlando, Michigan native Christopher Andrew Leinonen, whose mother’s pleas for information regarding her son were widely circulated, has been confirmed among the dead. According to the 32-year-old’s Facebook page, he…
This one-minute video from Detroit Zoo will make you feel all the feels
The Detroit Zoo launched a new campaign this week called “A Zoo That Could” aimed at highlighting what it does beyond its 125 acres. “Most people expect they are going to visit a wonderful zoo – a beautiful, natural space that provides a great experience for people and for animals. What they ultimately discover is that…
8 reasons to get excited for Beyoncé at Ford Field
As if you even needed reasons to see her show.
Taste of Ramadan: A brief intro to the tradition of Iftar
You read Ramadan in the headline and you’re thinking, “Why is the restaurant critic talking about NOT eating?” You turn to the food writer to get the latest eating trends, to follow the newest, hip spots, and to unearth the hidden hole-in-the-wall gems, not to read about fasting! The answer, believe it or not, is…
Hate will never win: powerful social media reactions to the Orlando nightclub shooting
In the early morning hours of Sunday, June 12, the most deadly mass shooting in U.S. history took place inside gay nightclub Pulse in Orlando, Fla. The shooter — identified by law enforcement as Omar Mateen, 29 — was killed early Sunday by police after opening fire with an assault rifle and handgun, leaving 50…
Show review: Florence + the Machine remind us that love is the only option
This post was supposed to happen yesterday, the day after Florence + the Machine’s breathtaking show on Saturday night. This post was supposed to recount the joy that I felt Saturday night, along with about 15,000 other people at DTE Music Theatre. This post was supposed to be about love, about music, about life. And…
Feelies cover MC5 at 40th anniversary show
If we wrote they ‘destroyed’ the song, would that make you click here? Because they killed the song; they murdered it! It’s dead now, good bye.
Arab-American nonprofit releases statement about the Orlando shooting
“ACCESS stands with LGBT community.”
‘This could have been me’: Michigan residents hold vigil for Orlando shooting victims
A Sunday vigil in Ferndale for the victims of a massacre at a gay nightclub in Orlando reflected a somber tone and message of unity from an LGBTQ community attacked during Pride month in the worst mass shooting in the nation’s history. The shooter — identified by law enforcement as Omar Mateen, 29 — was…
Major Key Alert: buy shoes, potentially win Beyoncé tickets
In what could be considered the holy grail of marketing campaigns, DJ Khaled is teaming up with online shoe retailer Zappos.com to give away two tickets to the sold-out Beyoncé Formation Tour stop at Ford Field on Tuesday. And how is this happening? Well, Snapchat of course. Khaled — who joined the Formation Tour back in…
Michigan may soon join the 30 other states that pay exonerated prisoners
The Michigan Senate passed legislation Thursday that would require the state to pay exonerated prisoners for their time behind bars. Under the bill, which now heads to the House for a vote, exonerees would be paid $50,000 for each year they were wrongly incarcerated and then funds to cover any and all attorney fees incurred…
Punk’s Not Dead: The city sells land to Trumbullplex and not the Lorax Developer
Developer who sought Trumbullplex lots says: ‘When I’m trying to buy something from somebody, I don’t go talk to their neighbor — I just buy from the person that owns the stuff.’
The MT Guide to Motor City Pride
A schedule for one of our favorite summer weekends.
Show Preview: Florence + the Machine will enchant you at DTE tomorrow night
The UK songstress is ready to cast a spell on all of us.
Hamtramck mayor and Slow Roll organizers announce 2017 ride
Chances are good you heard about Monday night’s Slow Roll in Hamtramck. Almost as soon as the ride began, there was confusion and trouble. By the end of the evening, more than 100 parking tickets had been issued to participants in the Slow Roll, and a few cars were broken into. Slow Roll participants reacted…
The Detroit dog that gave us a reason to smile could be taken away
The dog could run afoul of Waterford’s pit bull ban.
Flowers of Vietnam partners with Zingerman’s co-founder, plans expansion
We were first to report about Flowers of Vietnam, that twice-a-week Vietnamese inspired supper club tucked away in Vernor Coney Island. We knew that chef/proprietor George Azar was onto something big when he launched, but so too did Paul Saginaw, co-founder of Zingerman’s. He’s recently signed on as a partner to help secure funding so…
Mr. Hockey’s final fight – RIP Gordie Howe, 1928-2016
Howe was the only player in the game to play professionally in five consecutive decades, a feat that will likely never be repeated.
Local brewery wins big at national beer awards
In some circles, a North American Beer Award may be just as coveted and prestigious as a Nobel Peace Prize. Rockne Van Meter, head brewer at Royal Oak’s Bastone Brewery, is no stranger to having his talents recognized. Since entering his first brewing competition in 2002, Van Meter has won more than 200 awards in his…
Calvin Johnson posts gory photo on Instagram; ruins days everywhere
Warning: do not look if you don’t like blood.
Here it is. The world’s ugliest color.
Are you searching for the perfect color to ward off future visitors, “minimize appeal,” and “maximize perceived harm?” We have the perfect color to fit your needs. Shield your eyes, brace your senses, turn your screen away from your children. You can’t un-see this color… According to HouseBeautiful, a website dedicated to interior and exterior…
Detroit legend Gordie Howe passes away
Can we please stop losing all these fantastic sports legends, please? We all gasped as we learned in the news room that Red Wings legend Gordie Howe passed away at the age of 88. Howe has had health issues in the recent years due to a stroke back in 2014. Gordie Howe was nicknamed “Mr. Hockey”…
Celebrate Shia LaBeouf’s bday in Ypsi because f*ck it, why not?
Guess what Saturday is? It’s THE Shia LaBeouf’s birthday and even though you were totally planning to celebrate it on your own anyways, Crossroads Pub in Ypsilanti is throwing a shindig to bask in the day that gave us Shia LaBeouf. LaBeouf’s b-day party was going to make it on the list we specifically made…
The bloody fun of “Evil Dead: The Musical” comes to City Theatre
To paraphrase an old saying, “anything worth doing, is worth doing as a flamboyant, gory musical.” The latest follower of this philosophy that I just made up is “The Evil Dead” series, director Sam Raimi’s cult classic trilogy of horror-comedies following the bloody misadventures of Ash Williams, a houseware salesman-turned-chainsaw-wielding demon hunter. Tickets for “Evil…
10 awesome Michigan cabins you should rent this summer
Get away for the summer.
Celebrate Vernors’ 150th anniversary at these Detroit restaurants
Vernors five ways. Can you handle it?
Review: Steely Dan, Steve Winwood bring Boomer-ific sets to Clarkston
Winwood strapped on a Fender for “Dear Mr. Fantasy,” at which point my mother began rocking to-and-fro in her seat.
24 free (and almost free) things to do in Detroit this week (6/9-6/15)
Thursday June 9: Final Frontier: House Rhythyms + Bionic Boogie: $2 before midnight The Temple Bar 2906 Cass Ave, Detroit. Movement 2016 Appreciation Party: TV Lounge, 2548 Grand River Ave, Detroit FREE Friday June 10: Motor City Pride Weekend Activities: FREE Briggs bar 519 East Jefferson Avenue, Detroit. Prince Tribute/Funk Dance Party: FREE BUT REQUIRES RESERVATIONS DIA, 5200 Woodward Ave,…
My love letter to Sam Cooke & the Soul Stirrers’ ‘Nearer to Thee’
Our music editor just wrote half a book about this one gospel song, for some reason.
The senate passed the house plan for DPS. Guess who loves it? Charter school advocates
A little over a year ago, talks about legislation to “save” Detroit Public Schools from the insane debt accrued under state control began. Late Wednesday night the conversation came to end as the Michigan senate passed the house’s package of Detroit Public Schools related bills. The legislation — which includes a $617 million loan — now…
Some cry foul on coverage of Kalamazoo cyclists’ deaths
Once again, coverage of cyclists killed by motorists involves lecturing those on two wheels, not those on four who run them down.
How Reilly Craft Creamery makes it from scratch
This craft ice cream and cheese maker is expanding his product line, and hopes to use milk from Detroit cows.
10 bars to get your game on in southeast Michigan
For many bargoers, the idea of doing anything more than relaxing in a chair and tossing back a few brews might sound like a little much. But for the action-oriented patron seeking a more engaging experience, bars abound with unique offerings that will have you up and off that stool at the counter. Behold: 10…
Behold: the entertainment lineup for Pig & Whiskey 2016
Alright everybody, hope you’re ready to start counting down the days until Pig & Whiskey. The popular celebration of all things barbecue and whiskey returns to downtown Ferndale July 15-17, and this year’s party is going to be bigger and better than ever. Co-hosted by Metro Times and Woodward Avenue Brewers, the festival will…
The Armed announce new live album and premiere music video
This video is not for the musically faint of heart.
Wayne State turns off water fountains with high lead levels
The school is offering free blood tests to those who drank water from any of the flagged fountains.
Detroit school legislation backed by charter advocates was years in the making
Curt Guyette’s 1996 cover story details how the the christian-right propped up charter schools so they could one day, down the line, get state dollars for parochial schools.
Inkster released early from state financial oversight
“This release reflects the hard work and determination of the city’s residents, elected officials, and administration to pay off the city’s debt,” says Inkster’s mayor.
Detroit Dog Rescue adoption gives people nationwide a reason to smile
Sir Wiggleton spent almost 100 days in a shelter before being adopted by his new owners and making headlines across the country.
Davontae Sanford goes home
Wrongly convicted of a quadruple homicide in 2008, Sanford faces freedom for the first time in almost nine years.
On sale now: mark your calendar today for these upcoming shows
June 14, Beyoncé at Ford Field; livenation.com; tickets are $45-$255. June 14, Flight of the Conchords at the Fox Theatre; OlympiaEntertainment.com; tickets at $38.50 and $53.50. July 7, Dead and Co. at DTE Energy Music Theatre; ticketmaster.com; tickets $36- $145.50. July 10, Violent Femmes at the Fillmore; thefillmoredetroit.com; tickets $35. July 12, Maxwell at Soaring…
Capture the FLAG: Keith Morris on growing up in punk, and his autobiography ‘My Damage’
Historians of punk — and rock music more generally — often compartmentalize genre styles using both geography and chronology. The Los Angeles punk scene, for instance, is typically divided into Hollywood, the South Bay, East LA, Orange County, and beyond. It’s often said that the violence of hardcore music created a schism in the LA…
Starting fresh at Craft Work
The challenge for any restaurant, particularly a popular one, is to keep things fresh. If you’ve got a good thing going, it’s easy to grow stagnant, to go into autopilot, or grow bored. Who suffers? The customer who’s served the uninspired entree, the back-of-the-house crew experiencing restlessness, and ultimately the restaurateur who’s invested in the…
In a southwest Detroit alley, a friendship of circumstance
Every day I cut through the alley behind my house on the way to the store. There’s a distinct and occasionally heavy smell of methane that emanates from a sewer opening. The pavement is so contoured that, if it was made of dirt and mud, it would make for a good BMX stunt. And most…
Gifts, goods, and Glow Fish: Wyandotte spot is the perfect place to shop this summer
We know what you’re thinking: Another story about Wyandotte? Well, yes. As a matter of fact that’s exactly what you’re looking at. And hear us out. This Downriver is pretty great. (Full disclosure: This writer is a lifelong resident) It’s cute, clean, and friendly. The downtown is packed with shops that are totes adorbs and…
Savage Love: Dick Problems
Q I’m a 33-year-old straight guy with a small dick. I have a girlfriend of seven years. When we met, I was really insecure and she had to spend a lot of time reassuring me that it didn’t matter — she loved my dick, sex with me was great, it was big enough for her,…
Stockyard Handcrafted Goods is a family affair
Stockyard Handcrafted Goods quietly opened their doors for the first time Feb. 22. The family-owned restaurant had no grand opening celebration or special announcement to the public, yet the place has been packed since that winter day. The bar and restaurant is owned by 25-year-old Robby Gjokaj, a lifelong resident of Lake Orion whose family…
Why I’m thankful my parents sent me to summer camp
Being sent away to summer camp was already written in the stars for me. My grandparents sent my dad to a co-ed summer camp in Blind River, Ontario, called Camp Bil-O-Wood. A small camp tucked into the Canadian wilderness, my dad spent every summer there for two months until he was a counselor in college,…
Summer festival survival kit: everything you need, plus bubbles
Summer festivals, whether they’re music-oriented or all about art, are a huge part of our Midwestern culture. We spend six months indoors, so when the weather turns, we want to enjoy every possible moment soaking up the sun and warm temps. But spending a day (or two or three) at an outdoor festival means you’ll…
A guide to Detroit festivals to get your summer moving
June 10-11 and Aug. 26-27 Keloorah As if a weekend of NASCAR wasn’t enough, some major musical acts have been added to the Keloorah festival at Michigan International Speedway later this month, including Third Eye Blind, Fitz and the Tantrums, GROUPLOVE, Chase Rice, and many more. For two weekends, first on June 10-11 and again…
Catch the spirit of Ultimate Frisbee
You might not realize it, but one of the fastest growing sports in the country involves a Frisbee. It’s called “Ultimate Frisbee,” and it’s already popular on college campuses nationwide. The sport is breaking out nationally, with two professional leagues, and locally, with Detroit’s own pro team, Detroit Mechanix. Internationally, Ultimate Frisbee has even won…
Opa! Greektown at Sundown returns
Monroe Avenue is transforming into a pedestrian party from 6-10 p.m. every Friday, Saturday, and Sunday night for the second year in a row with the return of Greektown at Sundown. The event closes the street to vehicles and brings street performers, entertainers, live music, interactive art, window displays, and more to Greektown; it takes…
Politics & prejudices: Relentless negative action
You have to give Rick Snyder credit for something. He has suffered perhaps the most embarrassing rebuke at the hands of law enforcement authorities of any Michigan governor ever. Sometime after it became clear that his appointed emergency managers poisoned the water in Flint, and he dragged his feet about doing anything about it, the…
Horoscopes (June 8-14)
ARIES (March 21- April 20): How much further can you go? Big questions that involve calling it quits, or not, have many of you feeling indecisive. For someone who never wavers, at the last minute even you are asking yourself if it’s worth it to put your faith in what has yet to pan out.…
Higher Ground: Fighting for a vote on legalized marijuana
MILegalize is still kicking. The effort to legalize recreational marijuana in Michigan turned in more than 350,000 signatures in its attempt to put the question on the fall ballot. It was the only group out of a number of petition efforts to actually turn in their petitions with the qualifying 252,523 signatures. To the organizers,…
