Cover Story
How gerrymandering screwed Michigan voters out of the state they wanted
In early June, just before the U.S. Supreme Court ruled same-sex couples could marry nationwide, Michigan’s representatives were already busy crafting and passing a fresh assault on LGBT and others’ civil rights. Under the new law, Christian and Catholic adoption agencies that receive taxpayer money could now tell same-sex couples, unmarried couples, Muslims, or anyone…
This be that time: Duane the Brand New Dog drops new album, video
Duane released a new video for “This Be That Time,” whose house-inflected beat and stylish fashions could be straight outta the ’90s.
New tasting menu now available at Bistro 82
Here’s your chance to indulge at Bistro 82 at a deal.
Preservation Detroit: From saving Mackenzie House to marking 40 years strong
David Mackenzie is literally a towering figure in the history of education in Michigan. (I do mean literally — drop by the Mackenzie House for a tour sometime and see his enormous clawfoot tub.) Born in Detroit in 1860, Mackenzie left his mark all over the state — in Flint, where he was an energetic and…
Event preview: ‘Symphony in D’ world premiere this weekend
As key collaborators in the collection and creation of some 15,000 sound files, these special guests will perform original compositions, read poetry and share visions of Detroit’s past and future. The premiere will take place Friday, Nov. 20 at 10:45 a.m. and Saturday, Nov. 21 at 8 p.m.
Go ‘Out to Brunch’ in Ferndale this Saturday
This weekend, don’t miss out on four hours of high-end brunch dishes, mimosas and Bloody Marys, and holiday shopping.
Detroiters are meeting to discuss possible livestock ordinance
Eventually, Detroiters may be able to legally raise bees, goats, rabbits, and chickens in the city.
Photo of the Day: Michigan from aboard the International Space Station
Every so often, we check in with astronaut Scott Kelly who is rounding out his Year in Space (day 234, ya’ll) from aboard the International Space Station. He’s known for sending photo love almost daily down to us humans here on planet Earth, and this week he tweeted out a photo of the Michigan/Great Lakes…
Show preview: Mark Kozelek at Magic Bag this Fri., Nov. 20
This Friday at 8 p.m., Mark Kozelek plays the Magic Bag. It costs $20. Kozelek is an American singer-songwriter, musician, record producer and actor. He is best known as the vocalist and primary songwriter of both Sun Kil Moon and Red House Painters. His voice sounds like what would happen if you made velvet out…
Painting with a Twist’s Detroit location opens today
Just what Detroiters are looking for.
Show review: Dom Kennedy and Casey Veggies at St Andrews on Wed., Nov. 11
West Coast Invades St. Andrews: Dom Kennedy and Casey Veggies Hold It Down Three’s the charm proved to be valid once again, as three west coast emcees invaded St. Andrews and gave Detroiters a fantastic night of hip-hop. Detroit’s own Sam Austins opened the night with an electric 20 minute set from his Goat EP. His high energy…
Dixie Chicks to play DTE Energy Music Theatre in 2016
One of country’s biggest acts in the late ’90s and early 2000s, Dixie Chicks have just announced a return to touring with their upcoming DCX MMXVI World Tour. The group will kick off the tour on June 1, 2016 at the Riverbend Music Center in Cincinnati; the band comes to DTE Energy three days later,…
Northville restaurant owner offers up free Thanksgiving meals to anyone who ‘is home alone’
A Northville restaurant owner is making local and national headlines this month after offering to serve a free Thanksgiving meal to anyone who doesn’t have a place to go for the holiday. George Dimopoulos of George’s Senate Coney Island posted this sign on the front door of his restaurant a few weeks back: He told…
Gov. Snyder suspends initiative to relocate Syrian refugees to Michigan
On Sunday night Gov. Rick Snyder announced that Michigan would place on hold its efforts to welcome Syrian refugees looking to relocate to the United States. The news came two days after a devastating, multi-site terrorist attack in Paris, which left 120 dead and hundreds injured. The Islamic State (ISIS), who has taken over much…
Prosecuter rules Courser and Gamrat case is not extortion, Courser takes to YouTube to insist that it is
Perhaps its fitting that Courser chose to defend himself in a rambling, 10-minute YouTube video.
Check out this TED Talk about Armenian music in Detroit
This week, one of the most interesting TED Talks ever was posted to YouTube: filmmaker, kanun player and Kresge fellow and Knight Arts challenge grant winner Ara Topouzian discussing the history of Armenian music in Detroit. Check it out when you get a second — it’s succinct, intersperse regularly with lovely live music, and I guarantee…
Go Out to Brunch at the Rust Belt
Keep calm and brunch on.
Just announced: Ty Segall plays the Majestic on March 5
As the California garage-pop wunderkind becomes a grown-ass man, will he still make super catchy, loud and awesome music? The answer is most likely “heck yes.”
‘Good Morning America’ to film live from Campus Martius Park next week
The hit morning news show Good Morning America is turning 40, and plans to celebrate with the Motor City. On Tuesday afternoon, ABC correspondent Nick Watt will be hosting live segments from Detroit’s Campus Martius Park, the Freep reports. “It’s all part of the morning show’s ’40 for 40′ 40th-anniversary marathon broadcast. ’40 for 40′ will…
Roseville named one of the 10 worst small towns in America
These days, nothing is more firmly enshrined in the clickbait repertoire than the article rattling off the 20 most miserable, dysfunctional, poor, crime-ridden, and awful (and you won’t believe No. 16!) things in America. To accomplish this, clickbait providers pull together some statistics, plug them into a compiling program, and have their content spit out for…
Gilda Snowden to posthumosly get signature added to Scarab Club ceiling
A year after her death, artist and mentor Gilda Snowden is getting honored at Detroit’s historic Scarab Club. The club will add Snowden’s signature to the ceiling beams of its second floor lounge — joining the names of more than 230 artists and other luminaries who have signed the beams since the clubhouse was built in…
Show preview: DJ Captn20 and Eric Dlux at V Nightclub Sat., Nov. 14
What are you doing this Sat., Nov. 14? Please consider attending this event at V Nightclub. It’s metro Detroit native turned Las Vegas marketer Jasmin Medar’s birthday celebration with Eric Dlux and V Nightclub resident DJ Captn20. Jasmin returns home for his birthday with Power 106 radio DJ and SKAM Artist DJ, Eric Dlux. In…
Two Chicago chefs relocate to Detroit, to open meaty restaurant in Midtown
Come on over guys, there’s plenty of room in the Detroit restaurant scene for more.
Fundraiser tonight for Detroit group that makes sleeping bag coats for homeless
This nonprofit manufactures a coat that can transform to a coat during the day and sleeping bag at night.
Just announced: St Germain at the Fillmore Apr. 9, 2016
Following the release of his first album in 15 years last month on Nonesuch, the slinky French house musician will do a date in Detroit next Spring.
Finally: Pure Michigan ad campaign to feature Detroit
The Detroit TV spot will be part of a roughly $12 million national ad buy.
Show preview: No Regular Play at TV Lounge Sat. Nov. 14
This Sat., Nov. 14, at TV Lounge at 9 p.m., Paxahau presents No Regular Play performing live with Kevin Reynolds and Mr. Joshooa. No Regular Play are a duo equally at home in the rehearsal rooms of Julliard as the main room of Fabric. Emotive and unapologetically organic, their fluid approach unites more than a lifetime…
SNEAK PEEK: We joined Spike TV’s Bar Rescue for the ultimate intervention at Hooch bar in Dearborn Heights
Metro Times’ dining editor Serena Maria Daniels was invited to spy on dive bar Hooch for a local taping of Spike TV’s Bar Rescue. The episode airs this Sunday.
Calling all wine lovers: Sample almost 300 wines at Sip Savor Stomp this Saturday
If you love wine, Sip Savor Stomp is the place to be.
Just announced: Justin Bieber plays the Palace on April 25, 2016
Tickets go on sale Fri., Nov. 20 for your chance to see Justin Bieber live and in person at the Palace of Auburn Hills on April 25, 2016, courtesy of AEG Live.
A local animal shelter is offering a $1,000 reward to help find a cat killer
Furthermore, what the fuck is wrong with people?
Event preview: Tonight, Wed. Nov. 11 at MOCAD, new doc film on industrial music
Tonight, Wed., Nov. 11, at 8 p.m., MOCAD is screening what looks to be a great peek into the origins of industrial music, Industrial Soundtrack for the Urban Decay.
Detroit photographer makes leap from Instagram to billboards
This local Instagram star was selected by 1800 Tequila to feature his work in a new advertising campaign, which includes 15 billboards around Detroit.
One of Detroit’s core ‘Cass Corridor’ artists returns for two homecoming shows
It’s an unseasonably warm November day, and artist Brenda Goodman is enjoying the view from her home in upstate New York. “The sun is shining. I’m looking at mountains and the blue sky,” she tells us by phone. “I’m taking it in before I head to Detroit.” It’s a world away from the other environments…
Drink up
Babich Wines Marlborough Pinot Noir 13.5% ABV The Babich family founded a little winery 99 years ago in New Zealand. In the near century that has followed, they’ve worked to become an award-winning company that produces refined and drinkable wines. Situated in the picturesque rolling country of Auckland’s Henderson Valley, the Babich Cellar Door allows guests…
La Dulce tapas bar tantalizes the senses
This past year has seen Detroit inundated with gastropubs, where the star of the show is some kind of burger paired with a craft cocktail. The region is undergoing a natural evolution and just starting to realize real change on the dining scene. But it is a process. Growth comes in baby steps. Which is…
Mexicantown features Mexico’s national dish while showcasing the neighborhood
In the seven years since the Mexicantown Community Development Corp. offices closed, some residents say the area has fallen behind other neighborhoods like Corktown and Midtown in attracting visitors from the city and suburbs. That’s about to change, according to Maria Elena Rodriguez, a local historian and former head of the group. She says the…
Politics & Prejudices: Gearing up for the last battle
For Dana Nessel, Friday morning, June 26 must have seemed surreal. Thanks in part to her work, the nation was on the verge of a major constitutional change. Four years earlier, two worried nurses had come to her law office. Though their names are famous now, they weren’t then. They lived in non-trendy Hazel Park.…
Stir It Up: Get in there and figure it out
I’m pretty excited about the Live6 Alliance initiative to help redevelop the area around Livernois and McNichols (Six Mile Road) because I used to live in the area. I took a drive around there with Lauren Hood, the Live6 director, and chatted about the neighborhood and her plans to engage with the community going forward.…
Show preview: Indigo Girls dig deep in their latest release
It’s been 30 years since the Indigo Girls independently released their first single, “Crazy Game” in 1985. Appropriately, it’s been a wild ride for Emily Saliers and Amy Ray through the decades that have followed. The pair has a friendship that goes back to elementary school. By high school, they were already working on their…
Why Maroon 5’s Adam Levine hates Mustard Plug
There are many bizarre and hilarious moments in Detroit pop culture history. Few are aware, however, of the time pop-rock giants Maroon 5 opened for a local ska band. The year was 2002, and ska music was no longer cool. Grand Rapids outfit Mustard Plug, who had enjoyed some commercial success with their cover of…
Mark your calendar today for these upcoming shows
Tickets are now on sale for these events. Nov. 6, Jon Anderson and Jean Luc Ponty at Music Hall for the Performing Arts; musichall.org; Tickets range from $42 to $79. Nov. 14, Eric DLux at V Nightclub; vnightclubtix.com; $20 general admission. Nov. 21, Girls Rock Camp Benefit with MPV, the Gator and more at PJ’s…
What was old is new again at New Way Bar
Jamie D’Angelo knew he wanted to own a bar, but the circumstances had to be just right. He wanted something small that was close to home, a bar with food service, and the ability to host live music and entertainment. So when he noticed New Way Bar, a Ferndale staple, had been on the market…
Savage Love: Broadway, babies
Q: I’m a hetero guy in need of advice. Back in college, I met this girl. Suffice it to say she was into me but I had some shit to work through. So we ended up being a missed connection, romantically. Despite that, we still became fast friends. I’m less awkward now, in large part…
Tom Carter, Peacers, Elisa Ambrogio, 75 Dollar Bill, Chris Corsano, and more
We’ve got five separate cannot-miss-them shows featuring an intermingling set of underground musical luminaries happening this week. The new Tom Carter double album on Three Lobed, Long Time Underground, was recorded two years ago. And it absolutely shreds. Layers get built up pretty quickly at points, but the jacket says it was done with no…
Royal Oak bra shop offers full support
Rebecca Aughton has been in the bra business for the better part of two decades. To say she’s an expert on sizing, support, and customer service is an understatement. The owner of Bra~vo Intimates has been outfitting ladies with perfectly fitting undergarments out of her Royal Oak boutique for the past 14 years and she…
Horoscopes (November 11 – 17)
ARIES (March 21 – April 20): When life gets like this, it’s hard to know where you’re going to pull it from. The only thing one can do is remember that whatever happens, it’s all coming from you. The idea that you have to be totally on top of things is less important than your…
Weekly reader responses
Foreclosure feedback In our Nov. 4 feature story, (“Out from under”) investigative reporter Allie Gross told the story of a Detroit family fighting to get their house back from auction after being scammed. Reader Lisa Joyal Mcghee wrote: Awful. With all of the money the mayor, Dan Gilbert, etc., are spending on blight removal, why…
