Cover Story
The fatal attraction of the Detroit River and the MacArthur Bridge
Detroit wouldn’t exist without its river. In Detroit’s earliest days, the river was the city’s gravitational center, its entry-point and highway, and the city was apportioned so that every landowner had access to it. Today, were you to take a boat out to its center, you’d find it remains a force of nature that makes…
Here’s what the Slow Roll looks like from the eyes of a drone
One guy’s “drone” is another guy’s “quadcopter” — either way, we look like ants. Ants on bicycles.
Why our Opening Day issue cover might look familiar
The image spoofs fine artist Kehinde Wiley’s iconoclastic “Officer of the Hussars.”
Enjoy this mini-playlist to Stuart Cosgrove’s ‘Detroit 67’
This last week, we ran a long interview with Glaswegian soul scholar Stuart Cosgrove on the occasion of the publication this month of his great book Detroit 67. Cosgrove was kind enough to share four classic Detroit soul YouTube links with us, as well as a line or two about each song.
An open letter to that jerk who sat behind me at the public dress rehearsal for Frida
The most unusual opera review ever to appear in Metro Times.
Google Maps lets us play Pac-Man on Detroit’s streets
Today, Google Maps is letting users transform their traditional street searches into Pac-Man mazes, meaning you can literally play the game as if you were traveling down Woodward Avenue or heading out to the river. Here’s what it’d look like if Cadillac Park were your board: And the view from Greektown: Here we are chilling…
Gilbert buys One Detroit Center; Ally Financial to consolidate regional offices into building
Quicken Loans founder Dan Gilbert has purchased One Detroit Center in downtown Detroit, the soon-to-be new headquarters for lender Ally Financial, which will consolidate its regional offices into the building by April 2016 The moves were confirmed by the Detroit Downtown Development Authority board Tuesday, which called a special meeting at 1:30 p.m. to vote…
No, Nick Cave the artist is not the same as Nick Cave the musician
A lot of people seem to get these guys named Nick Cave confused.
NVL DET, a new retail spot, plans to open in Detroit this May
Ready for some retail?
Duggan: Emergency management ‘has clearly failed’ in Detroit schools
Detroit Mayor Mike Duggan said Tuesday he supports a coalition’s recommendation to end emergency management of Detroit Public Schools, which has been under state oversight for six years. The coalition unveiled its set of recommendations on Monday, calling for the creation of a Detroit Education Commission that would handle setting quality standards for the school…
Rolling Stones to perform at Comerica Park this summer
The Stones will play Comerica Park for the first time in 10 years this summer.
Meet the soprano who played Frida Kahlo in Detroit this weekend
Colombian-born opera soprano Catalina Cuervo talks opera, Frida, and more.
Here’s why Melo Farms deserves your help
Why a Yale-based pig farm’s gofundme campaign is worthy of support.
Is Kid Rock beating the scalpers? TickPick thinks so
Currently, secondary market values for Kid Rock’s shows are $48 at the low end, with an average price of $256. But that doesn’t mean Kid Rock’s plan was a failure.
Update: Ally Financial to consolidate regional operations into downtown Detroit
(Update 6:00 p.m.): In what could be related news: A little birdie tells MT Ally Financial, the former finance arm of General Motors, is expected to announce as soon as tomorrow it will consolidate some, or all, of its operations across metro Detroit into a building in downtown Detroit. No word yet on what the details…
A story by MT’s Ryan Felton featured in ‘The Guardian’
MT’s Ryan Felton has a piece in the internationally respected newspaper ‘The Guardian.’
Detroit’s Green Dot Stables to open second location— in Malaysia
We’re big fans of Green Dot Stables, which is why we were stoked to hear that proprietor Jacques Driscoll has plans to open up a second location. The only catch? It’s in Malaysia. Kuala Lumpur, to be specific. From the Green Dot owners themselves: (function(d, s, id) { var js, fjs = d.getElementsByTagName(s)[0]; if (d.getElementById(id)) return;…
News conference scheduled by coalition to unveil Detroit schools recommendations
As MT exhaustively reported last month, there’s a serious amount of issues with Detroit Public Schools, now under its fourth emergency manager in six years. Investigative Report Curt Guyette examined how the district’s debt has only exacerbated under state oversight. Meanwhile, a coalition of groups convened to issue a series of recommendations on how to…
A brief look at MC5 singer Rob Tyner’s graphic art
Here is a small selection of graphic works drawn by MC5 singer Rob Tyner
Watch: Please don’t throw your drinks at Danny Brown
Danny Brown cut a gig short in Glasgow, Scotland after a fan pelted him with a drink.
How Legos ruined the weekend for more than 100 children
Why entering your kindergarten-age child’s Lego “masterpiece” in a competition might be a bad idea.
Who has the best hair on Detroit television?
Hump the Grinder’s annual Hair Wars returns.
Metro Times is looking for summer photography interns
Want to shoot for Metro Times?
Look at these adorable pics of local dogs at Canine to Five
Look at these adorable local dogs.
Local dog trainers want to share some facts with you about pit bulls
A couple local dog trainers want to talk to you about pit bulls.
Brazilian great Gilberto Gil plays solo in Ann Arbor
Next Saturday, April 4, Gilberto Gil will play solo at Ann Arbor’s Hill Auditorium. I’ve never seen him perform, but I’ve been in love with his music ever since the record store Other Music launched a concerted effort in the mid 1990s to turn the world on to the music of the Brazilian Tropicália movement of…
Vote in our Best of Detroit poll today, like right now
Our annual Best of Detroit issue is slated to hit streets and the interweb in a few short weeks, but first we need you, dear reader, to cast your votes for the people, places, things, and ideas that help make Detroit. This year, there are dozens of new categories and winners to consider, which makes…
It’s the weekend — time for your favorite song by L’Trimm to kick it all off! You’re welcome.
Here’s to hoping “Cars That Go Boom!” by L’Trimm revs you up for a wonderful weekend; this song is absolute genius.
About those noises this morning
What was that noise this morning?
Report: Snyder issues rare pardon for well-connected lawyer
Republican Gov. Rick Snyder scrubbed a drunken-driving conviction for a well-connected Metro Detroit lawyer — one of only 11 pardons he has issued out of nearly 750 applications since taking office, according to a report by the Associated Press. Snyder defended the pardon of the lawyer, Alan Gocha Jr., the AP reports, saying, “I’ve met…
Detroit man from cop beating video speaks out on MSNBC
Floyd Dent appeared alongside his attorney on ‘All In with Chris Hayes’ on Thursday night.
Some Highland Park residents receiving five-figure water bills due to mishaps
Thanks to years of infrequent billing, messed up water meters, and an understaffed department, the city of Highland Park’s water department is causing major, unbelievably costly headaches for a number of residents, according to investigative reporter Curt Guyette of the American Civil Liberties Union of Michigan. Writing on the ACLU’s Democracy Watch blog, Guyette says: …
Here’s Niagara’s portrait of Kid Rock
We think it looks pretty badass, to use Rock’s preferred adjective.
ICYNHI: Flying Saucer Attack’s tribute to Jeff Mills, off a Peel session 20 years ago
Here is an unreleased song called “Jeff Mills’ Blues” by the Bristol-based ’90s hypnotic noise act Flying Saucer Attack.
Happy 150th birthday, Detroit Public Library!
Detroit Public Library turns 150 years old today.
Classic fight between the Detroit Red Wings and Colorado Avalanche happened 18 years ago today
Watching the Detroit Red Wings between 1996-1998 was a treat to behold. The back-to-back Stanley Cups are an obvious highlight, but March 26, 1997 stands as another day enshrined in hockey history for Wings fans. Eighteen years ago today, when the Avalanche and Red Wings remained fierce rivals, just about everyone from both teams fought…
Not only will Detroit’s First National Building get the world’s tallest mural, but also a new eatery
Dan Gilbert’s First National Building at 660 Woodward Avenue is getting a lot of love lately. Earlier this week, news broke that the building would be getting a new mural — the world’s tallest, at a proposed 354 feet high — courtesy of New York street artists How and Nosm. Today, additional news comes that the…
Seventh in the “Radical Sounds Detroit” series is tomorrow night at Detroit Contemporary
Seventh in series highlighting local experimental music takes place Friday night at 9 p.m. sharp!
Terrence Dixon joins the Detroit techno club gold rush
You’ve heard about that German guy who wants to build a techno club in the old Fisher Body 21 Plant and about the Magic Stick’s rebranding as techno club Populux. The people behind both projects have commented that despite Detroit’s longstanding techno legacy, the city does not currently have a club solely dedicated to techno music…
Cab driver fatally shot on Detroit’s west side
A cab driver was shot dead Wednesday night on Detroit’s west side, according to Detroit police, which soon after apprehended a suspect who was seen throwing a handgun as he walked away from the scene. After securing the male suspect, officers discovered the 41-year-old Checker cab driver inside his vehicle on the 15700 block of…
“Empire” stars to appear at Oakland Mall this evening
Empire stars to appear at Oakland Mall tonight.
Curt Guyette, Stephen Henderson invited on Tavis Smiley’s PBS show
MT’s own Curt Guyette appeared on the Tavis Smiley’s PBS talk show to talk about Detroit.
Police Chief on two surviving children related to Detroit juveniles found in freezer: ‘Respect their privacy’
Detroit Police Chief James Craig said Thursday the public should respect the privacy of two surviving children related to the pair of juveniles found Wednesday morning frozen inside a plastic bag in a townhouse on the city’s eastside. The mother of the two children — which police believe are an 11-year-old boy and a 15-year-old…
Dude-band from Portland, renowned solely for their very stupid name about which they pretend to remain remarkably clueless, to play Small’s May 11
This is not even happening. These are not the fake outragers you were looking for.
Treat Dreams to open shop in Midtown
Love Treat Dreams? We do too. That’s why we we’re stoked to hear that the Ferndale operation has plans to open a shop in Detroit this spring. The Hungry Dudes reported earlier this morning that Treat Dreams owner Scott Moloney is looking to take over the former Melt space in Midtown. Here’s the news right from…
Housing activists to meet with Wayne County treasurer on tax foreclosures in Detroit
Following yesterday’s Detroit City Council meeting, where a bevy of activists urged the board to throw their support behind a moratorium on tax foreclosures in the city, a group of housing advocates say they will meet with Wayne County Treasurer Raymond Wojtowicz to deliver thousands of petitions calling for a halt to the process. “We…
Libations and lamb are good reasons to check out Cleopatra Mediterranean Grill
Not every dish at Cleopatra is as consistently excellent as you’ll find at many Dearborn restaurants. But there are three compelling reasons to go to Cleopatra for Middle Eastern food: You want wine or beer with your dinner; you’re on the east side; you seek lamb. And a fourth bonus, too: You can try out…
Higher Ground: Newcomers and profiteers
It looks like voting on recreational marijuana is nearly a done deal in Michigan for the 2016 elections, unless the state Legislature gets in on the act and passes a legalization bill even sooner. The Michigan Comprehensive Cannabis Law Reform Initiative Committee (MCCLRIC) has announced its intention to circulate petitions to put recreational legalization on…
‘Detroit 67’ is a refreshing look at the heavy forces in play in Motown that year
The subhead for Stuart Cosgrove’s 610-page tome Detroit 67 is “the year that changed soul.” But this thing contains multitudes, and digs in deep, well beyond just the city’s music industry in that fateful year. The threads that hold the Motown label together begin to unravel as the city is stretched thin by a variety…
Record Store Spotlight #3: Stormy Records
Currently on their fifth location in Dearborn, 16 year-old Stormy Records is a stalwart, a mainstay, a robust record store that serves the metropolitan area with fresh servings of experimental music, not to mention a healthy selection of other stuff. Windy Weber and Carl Hultgren, the store owners, have also made music as Windy and…
Politics and Prejudices: Michigan, sailing down the drain
There’s no doubt that a lot of people want to destroy the middle class. Ever since Ronald Reagan took office in 1981, there’s been a steady and successful push to transfer a vast amount of the nation’s wealth from the poor to the rich. This is, as has often been said, the most undercovered story…
Raise the Bar: Hear the blues at Boo’s
A little less than a year ago Johnny Prepolec, better known as Chef Johnny Prep, bought the Mr. B’s complex in downtown Royal Oak. The place needed some work, including a major revamping of their kitchen and menu. Prepolec has spent the better part of his time heading the complex turning the cooking quarters into…
Five things you need to know about Detroit dining this week
Sausagefest! — To paraphrase an old adage, “Those who love sausage should never see it being made.” But what about seeing it being eaten? Now, how about seeing 20 feet of it being eaten? That’s the concept behind the “Wurst Challenge,” a fund-raising, stomach-stretching competitive eating event that was inaugurated last year. It pits a…
Talking trash with Niagara
Though her days of fronting the influential punk band Destroy All Monsters are largely behind her, Niagara just can’t seem to escape the spotlight. Despite her best efforts at reclusiveness — Niagara and her husband, a man known as the Colonel, are getting ready to move away from the city — Niagara’s had a busy…
Feedback: Hip-hopping, politics, prejudices, ‘Controversy’ is still Madonna’s middle name, and more
Hip-hopping Downriver Kahn Santori Davison wrote an overture on Downriver’s hip-hop scene in last week’s issue. Overall, the community seemed pleased with the story. Reader “Anthony Rizzo” says: Much love to Metro Times! Thank you for the chance to reach further than Downriver. I have been reading Metro Times for years and haven’t seen many…
V-Male Detroit Vintage gets better with age
Every year Vic Skelly takes a portion of his vintage lingerie stock to the Viva Las Vegas Rockabilly Weekend. Years ago, this is where he got his nickname, the ever-so-slightly creepy moniker “the Panty Man.” Each year he’s brought more and more dead stock and new old stock lingerie, garnering him quite the following. Sure,…
Horoscopes (March 25 – 31)
ARIES (March 21-April 20): Your options expand and contract with your mood. On a good day you can take the high road and be OK with pretty much anything. Your bad days tell a different tale. The idea that there is no way out is a total illusion. Your whole life is a quest, my…
Savage Love: Massive cock blocks
Q: I found this in an online sex ad: “Straight guy with an addiction to massive cocks in my ass.” This “straight guy” went on to mention his girlfriend. Can a person really identify as straight while wanting to be fucked by men? I understand that straight guys can like ass play too, but it’s…
Illustrator Carson Ellis on how not to over-think children’s books
Carson Ellis is an artist and illustrator who lives in the cutest mini-compound you ever saw (complete with apple trees, chickens, and horses), just north of Portland, Ore. You’ve seen her work on the covers for records by her husband Colin Meloy’s band the Decemberists. And in the last decade for a slew of children’s…
Detroit-made ‘It Follows’ gives the horror genre a much-needed jolt
It Follows / B+ Horror films have, for the most part, run out of original ideas. Now that J-horror has become passe and mumblegore, found-footage flicks have proved maddeningly resilient (and redundant), the genre has become little more than a proving ground for fledgling filmmakers who are looking for a B-movie calling card to prove…
Ask a Juggalo: Are there any established Juggalo wedding traditions?
Q: Are there any established Juggalo wedding traditions? A: Well, there have definitely been Juggalos that have had their weddings and said their vows at Gathering of the Juggalos. I think that’s fuckin’ awesome and just epic. I really think it’s great that they can conceive children at the Gathering of the Juggalos, or say…
Drink Up
Robert Mondavi Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon Robert Mondavi is a well-respected yet affordable brand, a combination of characteristics that have led the name to be popular among wine lovers. Their California wines are in high demand, especially considering the care winemakers put into each and every bottle. Robert Mondavi’s Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon is a…
