Cover Story
Hamtramck Blowout is back
Blowout. It’s a long story, but I’ll try to be brief. The Hamtramck Blowout is a multi-day local music festival and it’s happening this weekend; as the elongated legend goes, a festival of this scale and focus has long happened around this time of year, but we’ll get to that later. The basics Over the…
Affordable RV Parks in Florida – Where to Park and Places to Avoid
Florida and RVing go together like bagels and cream cheese – simple, satisfying, and the best way to kick back and enjoy life. I spent weeks exploring Florida in an RV across multiple trips, moving from one budget-friendly park to another across the Sunshine State. There are many factors to consider: waterfront views, accessibility, or…
My Favorite Places for Snorkeling in Florida: A Deep Dive Into the Sunshine State’s Hidden Gems
Florida’s sun-soaked coastline isn’t just for surfers and rum-fueled beach parties. There’s plenty of room for snorkeling nerds like me, too! Whether you’re a beginner or a seasoned pro, you’ll find vibrant coral reefs, playful marine life, crystal-clear waters, and maybe even a manatee or two. There’s no doubt about it: The Sunshine State has…
More than 80 food trucks are coming to downtown Detroit this summer
Twisted Street BBQ and its barbecue-loaded mac and cheese will be among the more than 80 food trucks posted up in downtown Detroit this year. The Downtown Street Eats program will bring lunch options to Cadillac Square and the Woodward Esplanade 11 a.m.-3 p.m. weekdays from Monday, April 7 through Oct. 10. Managed by the…
March movies lack magic
March has been a fairly middling month for movies — at least heading into the final weekend. Don’t get me wrong, there have been a couple of solid offerings, but those have felt more like aberrations than the norm. This week I watched five new movies hoping for some magic (I found some), but mostly…
Detroit man charged in marijuana business robbery, high-speed chase
A Detroit man who led police on a high-speed chase after allegedly robbing a marijuana distribution facility in Warren has been charged with multiple felonies and may be involved in other similar thefts, police said. Dijon Tyree, 29, was arraigned Monday in 37th District Court on seven charges, including drug trafficking, breaking and entering, and…
The Heidelberg Project sells old HQ building to Detroit Food Academy
There are more changes at the Heidelberg Project, local artist Tyree Guyton’s world-famous ever-transforming outdoor arts installation. Guyton’s organization announced Wednesday that it has sold its former headquarters at 3442 McDougall St. to the Detroit Food Academy, a food entrepreneurship nonprofit led by Kiki Louya, previously of Detroit’s Folk restaurant. “I welcome Kiki and the…
Ann Arbor Film Festival includes ‘Devo’ screening
North America’s oldest experimental film festival is back. Screenings at Michigan Theater in downtown Ann Arbor run all week and weekend, with tickets available for individual movies as well as weekend and full festival pass options. We’re particularly looking forward to Saturday’s screening of Devo, a look at the rise to popularity of “a rare…
San Antonio River Walk Guide & My Experience
Since I first saw images of the iconic San Antonio Riverwalk, it’s always held a special place on my bucket list. The idea of gliding past historic buildings on a boat feels both sublime and romantic, like stepping back into the Victorian Era. So, when I decided to explore Texas this year, I made it…
DJ House Shoes to be celebrated with 50th birthday bash in Detroit
Known both for his penchant for comfy footwear as well as serving as the “Ambassador of Detroit Hip-Hop,” House Shoes (aka Michael Buchanan) is an influential DJ and producer from Detroit beloved the world over for his work with the likes of J Dilla, Proof, Elzhi, Danny Brown, and others; folks around here might even…
Wayne State stops students, faculty from holding pro-Palestinian vigil
Wayne State University prevented a group of peaceful pro-Palestinian activists, including students and professors, from gathering at a campus site, the latest example of the college cracking down on opponents of Israel’s relentless killings in the Middle East. Organizers were surprised when campus police told them on Friday they were not allowed to hold their…
Detroit fashion designer Darylynn Mumphord launches epilepsy support organization
Designer Darylynn Mumphord is hosting an event that brings together fashion, philanthropy, and advocacy. The founder of Dream Rich and Arte de la Moda, Mumphord has spent a decade promoting Detroit’s fashion scene, empowering creatives, and managing Detroit hip-hop artist Baby Money. Now she’s expanding her impact beyond music and fashion by launching “I’m Not…
New documentary, investigation revisit 1974 murder of Donald Goines in Highland Park
Fifty years after the unsolved murder of author Donald Goines and his common-law wife in their Highland Park apartment, a film production company is shooting a documentary and launching a new investigation in hopes of uncovering what happened. The film company, Detroit Son, will explore the life and legacy of Goines, a prolific writer widely…
MJR Southgate is opening a ‘gaming lounge’
MJR Theatres is trying something new at its Southgate location. The movie theater chain announced Monday that it plans to open a gaming lounge in May. “MJR Theatres is thrilled to introduce RP1: Gaming and Entertainment Lounge as a new way to bring people together,” MJR Theatres Vice President of Operations Joel Kincaid said in…
Lapointe: Such an interesting time to test a Tesla
The TV showed President Donald Trump on the White House lawn with his unelected Deputy President Elon Musk. They were showing off electric vehicles made by Tesla, a Musk car company currently under much criticism. Trump himself bought one, although he often rants against “electric vehicle mandates” and generally rides in the back of a…
‘Black Bag’ is a return to form for Soderbergh
Can we agree that Steven Soderbergh is one of America’s most exciting, influential, and innovative filmmakers currently working? Or, are his movies not “sexy” enough to elevate him to the ranks of artists like Hitchcock, Scorsese, Godard, and Truffaut? Actually, I don’t really care if we agree, I’m calling it. Since 1989’s Sex, Lies, and…
Visiting the Florida Everglades National Park – My Favorite Things to Do
We are back on the road! This time around, I’m diving into the wonders of the Florida Everglades National Park, uncovering its breathtaking landscapes and unique wildlife. For me, Everglades National Park, known to local tribes as Pahayokee (“Grassy Waters”), is one of the most unique ecosystems you could ever visit. It’s a place where…
Cannabis beverages could be the future of social drinking in Michigan
Welcome to The Straight Dope, our weekly series that explores the best cannabis products in Michigan. People are getting tired of booze – the hangovers, the regrets, the impact on their health. As the demand for alcohol alternatives grows, THC beverages are gaining popularity nationwide, popping up in restaurants, grocery stores, smoke shops, convenience stores,…
Detroit’s first Black-owned brewery readies to open
A new business that bills itself as Detroit’s first Black-owned brewery is opening in Midtown. Founded by U.S. Air Force veteran Evan Fay, Roar Brewing Co. plans to soft launch in the former Nain Rouge Brewery space at 666 Selden St. on Sunday, March 23 — ironically the day of this year’s Marche du Nain…
Detroit-area ‘Tesla Takedown’ aims to peacefully protest ‘robber baron’ Elon Musk
For the past two weeks, demonstrators have gathered outside Troy’s Somerset Collection holding handmade signs with slogans like “DETROIT VS MUSK,” “STOP FUNDING A FASCIST,” and “NO KINGS! NO NAZIS!” The demonstrations support an international “Tesla Takedown” movement against billionaire Elon Musk and his meddling in politics. They have been held starting at 1 p.m.…
Suspended Detroit cop who told protester to ‘go back to Mexico’ returns to duty
A Detroit police lieutenant who was suspended last year for making inappropriate remarks at a pro-Palestinian protest has quietly returned to duty, drawing condemnation from a police accountability coalition. Lt. Brandon Cole — who was removed from active duty in May 2024 after telling a protester to “go back to Mexico” — was reinstated in…
Ex-Eminem employee charged with selling rapper’s unreleased music
A former employee of Eminem has been charged with selling the rapper’s unreleased music, leading to a federal case involving copyright infringement and theft. Joseph Strange, 46, of Holly, Michigan, was charged Wednesday with criminal copyright infringement and interstate transportation of stolen goods, the Justice Department announced. The Federal Bureau of Investigation alleges Strange, who…
Macomb County man sentenced in animal cruelty case, faces separate felony charges
A Macomb County man accused of strangling his father’s dog to death was sentenced to 63 days in jail and ordered to undergo a mental health evaluation. William John Kucharski Jr., 48, was initially charged with killing an animal in the third degree, a four-year felony, and was classified as a habitual offender after police…
Detroit ranked No. 4 pizza city in the U.S.
Detroit has been named one of the top five “pizza cities” in the U.S. The Motor City came in fourth place in a tie with Buffalo, New York — behind Rochester (New York), Philadelphia, and Boston, but ahead of other notable pizza capitals like New Haven, Connecticut (No. 6); Chicago (No. 10); and even the…
Free Will Astrology (March 19-25)
ARIES (March 21-April 19): Cheetahs are the fastest land animals. From standing still, they can be running at 70 miles per hour three seconds later. But they can’t sustain that intensity. After a 20-second burst, they need to relax and recover. This approach serves them well, enabling them to prey on the small creatures they…
Hiking the Old Line State – Discovering My Favorite Trails in Maryland
Every hiker knows the pull of the great outdoors: the fresh air, the quiet surroundings, and the sense of accomplishment when you reach that perfect view. For me, hiking is more than just exercise – it’s a way to clear my head and feel recharged. When I first heard that Maryland is home to over…
My Next Stop: 2 Days in Big Bend National Park
If you spend a long enough time in a city — any city, even the magical ones I’m lucky enough to visit regularly — then it won’t be long until you start feeling Mother Nature calling out to your spirit. This has become an established phenomenon for me, and I’ve started planning campouts and other…
Visiting the Baltimore Harbor – My unforgettable waterfront escape
Some of my first memories are connected to beaches. As a kid, I loved running through the beautiful sandy beaches, playing with friends, and building castles, only to watch them be washed away by the water. This love for waterfronts pushed me to explore different coastal cities as an adult, so when a fellow traveler…
My Trip to New Braunfels – River Bliss, Country Hits, and a Touch of German Charm
Some of the most wonderful places on Earth have names that are as exotic and evocative as they are: Cabo. Ibiza. Rio. I’ll be the first to admit that “New Braunfels” doesn’t have the same ring to it. (And if you’re wondering, “New Braunfels” translates to “new brown rock,” so there’s a lot lacking here…
