UPDATE: Learn more about the heroes honored in the Detroit Portrait Series
[UPDATE Friday, 11:51 p.m.:] Learn more about the Detroiters featured in the project in our slideshow. From Rosa Parks to Chief Pontiac, and Yusef Shakur to “Mother Waddles,” paintings honoring Detroit’s heroes — many of them less-known — have been installed in windows of an abandoned warehouse this past Saturday. The project was created by Detroit artist…
UPDATE: We now know the value of Shinola’s weird ‘Dumb and Dumber To’ cameo
According to Philadelphia-based sponsorship analysis firm Front Row Analytics, the cost of Shinola’s appearance in a film like Dumb and Dumber To would be $2.1 million, says Crain’s Detroit Business. However, a Shinola spokesperson says that the brand does not pay for celebrity endorsement. The company got the cameo because the film’s directors, the Farrelly…
CANCELLED Cold Roll this morning!
Update at 1:13pm: Cold Roll is cancelled, but they still collected coats! ‘Tis the season for chilly weather, but that’s not stopping the Slow Roll folks from hitting the streets—and doing good while they’re at it! This morning’s Slow Roll is also a coat drive—bring a coat to give for those in need. Slow Roll…
Fundraising by Gov. Snyder’s NERD fund spikes in 2013; not yet officially dissolved
Remember the NERD Fund? Fundraising by the controversial nonprofit created by Republican Gov. Rick Snyder increased in 2013, and the fund spent more than it took in, according to a recently released financial filing. And although the nonprofit reported that it has yet to officially dissolve, the NERD Fund’s legal and compliance officer says that…
Detroit is a great place for men to find dates
DatingAdvice.com recently ranked Detroit as the 12th best city in American for men to date in. The findings are based on 2010 census data where researchers compared the population of single women to that of single men. Because we have an abundance of single ladies here in the Motor City, men have a better chance…
Michigan’s Most Improved Cities
Safe Choice Security recently compared property and violent crime statistics provided by the FBI from over 200 municipalities from 2007 to 2012 and came up with a list of 25 Michigan cities that have become safer over the five year period. According to Safe Choice Security, the 25 cities all have advanced police programs, services,…
Nadir Omowale to perform free concert in Troy on Friday
Two of the hottest names in modern media technology – Antelope Audio and GoPro personal video cameras – will join forces to offer a peek at the future of live music Friday night (Nov. 21) at a free concert in Troy. “Nadir’s Electric Lounge: A Multimedia Funk Experience,” a Detroit R&B extravaganza starring bass guitar…
33 things people from Michigan have to explain to folks from out of town
Movoto, the “fun” real estate blog, recently published a list called 33 Things People From Michigan Have To Explain To Out-Of-Towners. In it, they detail many of the quirky things that makes Michigan, well, Michigan. Some of them are pretty spot on: View the complete list at Movoto.com, and let us know what you’d add or…
The Metal Files: A review of Axe Ripper’s ‘Hell is Real’
Somewhere between the sounds of Metallica and Sabbath, you’ll find the guitar-shredding guttural sounds of local thrash and heavy metal band Axe Ripper. Last month, the Detroit natives released a brand new full-length album, Hell is Real.
Michigan couple files appeal to Supreme Court over same-sex marriage ban
Two Michigan nurses asked the U.S. Supreme Court on Monday to overturn the state’s constitutional ban on same-sex marriage — a move that could eventually resolve the issue of marriage equality once and for all. The 39-page filing from the couple, April DeBoer and Jayne Rowse, asks the nation’s high court to find that “prohibiting…
Flashbacks on Flashpoint
I don’t blame you for missing my appearance on Flashpoint. It airs at 10 a.m. on Sundays, and given that I’m prone to midnight toasts on Saturday night, it isn’t morning church services that usually keep me from catching the weekly debate show hosted by Devin Scillian.
City Council to discuss rezoning for new Detroit Red Wings arena on Thursday
Detroit City Council will discuss the proposed rezoning of a 12-acre parcel near downtown Detroit to facilitate the new $450 million Detroit Red Wings arena. But as Joe Guillen of the Detroit Free Press noted on Sunday, there’s much more at stake: The latest plans for the new Red Wings arena have raised concerns among…
On the Detroit bitcoin ransom: ‘Even the databases are abandoned’
Today, Mayor Mike Duggan revealed that a city-owned database was held ransom by hackers earlier this year, according to The Detroit News. The cyber-thieves reportedly demanded a ransom of 2,000 bitcoins — a digital currency worth about $400 per bitcoin, for a total ransom of about $803,500. Duggan said the city took no action since that database was not…
Where is the best place for hot chocolate in metro Detroit?
One look at the five day forecast has us scurrying to find our cuddle corns (these things are awesome, btw) and pulling on a extra pair (or two, or three!) of socks before we go anywhere between now and spring. One thing that makes Detroit’s winter weather a bit more bearable, of course, is hot…
Lifetime’s Aaliyah movie gets blasted from every corner of the Internet
A forbidden love, a tragic death, and a young woman who shattered racial barriers in both pop music and the big screen should have been more than enough dramatic fodder for a movie based on the life of one of Detroit’s biggest success stories. Unfortunately, Lifetime’s Aaliyah: The Princess of R & B is anything but…
ICYMI: Alan Oldham on Detroit techno’s ‘big booties, stiletto heels, spaceships, and robots’
In case you missed it, Red Bull Music Academy has an interview with Alan Oldham, the illustrator and DJ whose comic book-influenced “big booties, stiletto heels, spaceships, and robots” defined the Afro-Futuristic look of Detroit techno. In his own words: “Detroit techno, in my view, was originally about futurism,” he says. “Futuristic black music. Look no further…
They want to help Detroit — and if you Detroiters don’t like it, you should move
Middle-aged white man loses his shit in blog post about Detroit.
Here are 3 things you need to read this Sunday
It’s Sunday, which is a fine time to make yourself a mimosa, kick back your feet, and read something long. Here are three suggestions to start: “California’s strawberry industry is hooked on dangerous pesticides” by Bernice Yeung, Kendall Taggart, and Andrew Donohu — Center for Investigative Reporting It’s hard to imagine, but the strawberry has a…
Pop or Soda? What words do Michiganders use for these common things?
Last year, Business Insider published a boatload of maps from North Carolina University’s Joshua Katz illustrating how Americans speak totally different from one another, depending on where in the U.S. we live. Some of them are pretty interesting; others are downright hilarious. We suggest browsing through the entire list at your leisure (here’s the link…
Here’s a charity to consider giving to this holiday season
Friends, the season of giving is upon us. And while we’re all scrambling to schedule our Black Friday shopping, to get our wrapping done before Dec. 1, and to make sure Susie and Tommy both have an even 24 presents each under the tree, many children around the world won’t receive a single stocking stuffer…
This weekend, kick back with some ‘Brandy & Xanax’
No, not the drink and drug concoction (although whatever you decide to put in your body is really up to you) — we’re talking about esQuire’s “Brandy & Xanax,” a veritable club banger that we still love as much today as we did 10 years ago. You know, back when white belts were in vogue among…
Today is the first day of hunting season—share your recipes!
Today brings us the first day of firearm deer hunting in Michigan! We appreciate hunters who take the time to track game, choosing an animal that will be the best to eat, and share with family and neighbors. In that Michigan spirit, we ask you to share your favorite venison, or other game, recipes. You…
Pope invites Patti Smith to perform at Vatican Christmas concert for some reason, protest obviously ensues
This December, bishops, cardinals, and even the Pope will rock the fuck out to Patti Smith, who has been invited by said Pope to play at the annual Vatican Christmas concert, Concerto di Natale, on Dec. 13. The concert will be held in Rome’s Conciliation Auditorium located just outside the Vatican and will be broadcast on…
Restaurant Hospitality magazine names Ghost Bar’s Witching Hour one of the best cocktails in the country
In an article that was posted on Nov. 3, Restaurant Hospitality named Ghost Bar’s Witching Hour cocktail to a list of the best in the country. The story appears monthly trade publication’s November edition where they sought out “perfectly made cocktails simply to celebrate the joys of life.” The categories were based on the key alcohol…
Opponents of Detroit water shut-offs to appear on ‘The Daily Show’
Members of advocacy groups opposed to Detroit’s controversial water shut-offs will appear next week on Jon Stewart’s “The Daily Show.” Members of the Detroit Water Brigade and Water Warriors will appear during a segment on Stewart’s Monday, Nov. 17 broadcast at 11 p.m., the brigade writes in a blog post. A screening will be held…
WSU Leonard Kaplan Education Collaborative for Critical Studies to host inaugural lecture Nov. 20
Wayne State University’s College of Education next week will mark the beginning of a new collaborative research initiative with an inaugural lecture featuring a bestselling author who hails from Detroit. Founded in September, the Leonard Kaplan Education Collaborative for Critical Studies intends to “honor the lifework” of Leonard Kaplan, a professor emeritus of WSU’s education…
Spotted: Dick Gregory and Paul Mooney eat lunch at the Grille Midtown
A little bird just reported to us that Dick Gregory and Paul Mooney were having lunch at the Grille Midtown on Friday, Nov. 14 at 1 p.m. The legends of comedy are scheduled to make an appearance at the Music Hall this evening for an event called “What’s Going on in America.” It’s the first…
Showtime temporarily closed, but it’s not because of M-1 (yet)
[UPDATE 2:34 p.m., Monday, Nov. 17: We spoke with Tatarian today, who assures us that he is in fact back in the shop and open for business.] Midtown clothier Showtime is closed until further notice, according to chatter on the store’s Facebook page on Friday. Earlier, we reported that owner Dan Tatarian was facing a drastic…
The 10 best restaurants in metro Detroit, according to OpenTable
OpenTable recently announced its 2014 top 10 restaurants “Fit for Foodies,” based on more than 5 million reviews from diners across the nation (if you travel frequently, definitely check this list out). Nestled among the 5 million rants and raves of America’s self-proclaimed foodies is a list of 10 metro Detroit restaurants that have received a…
MDOT’s electronic signs are a total drag. Let’s use them for art instead.
MDOT’s electronic signs on the freeway are already obsolete. Why not use them for art instead?
PHOTO: Producers of “Scandal” forget Michigan exists
Scandal, Michigan, TV, reddit
Electoral College vote scheme now in play for Michigan lame-duck session
A Republican state lawmaker wants Michigan to change the way it awards its electoral college votes in the presidential election. From Bridge magazine: Term-limited state Rep. Pete Lund, R-Shelby Township, has introduced bills during the last two sessions that would change the way Michigan’s electoral votes are awarded to a system that almost certainly…
Reminder: The 2015 Kresge Artist Fellowship application cycle for literary and visual arts has opened
Attention Motor City writers, poets, painters, sculptors, ceramicists, metal smiths, photographers, printmakers, zinesters, bloggers, architects, et cetera, et cetera: Next year, Kresge Arts in Detroit will give 18 artists $25,000 awards to spend however they like to realize their creative visions. 2015’s fellowships will focus on the literary and visual arts. The application process opened…
Watch this Grosse Pointe student set the Guinness Book of World Records for stone skipping
Maxwell Steiner, of Grosse Pointe Woods, obliterated the previously held world record for stone skipping: The college student earlier this year sent one bouncing across a lake in Pennsylvania 65 times. The previous record? 51. Oddly, the Guinness Book of World Records notes, the previous record-holder, Russell Byers, was on-site for Steiner’s attempt: The record…
Buzzfeed calls Michigan “Undeniably the greatest state.”
Ahmed Ali Akbar made of list of “37 facts that prove Michigan is undeniably the greatest state” in a Buzzfeed post that went live yesterday. In it he names both Paradise and Hell, MI, local beer, superman ice cream, various musical stars, Taylor Lautner, Sleeping Bear Dunes, Eastern Market, Beyonce’s being a U of M…
Despite that same-sex marriage ruling, Michigan cities are more tolerant of LGBT equality
Following the recent Sixth Circuit Court of Appeals decision to uphold Michigan’s 2004 constitutional ban on same-sex marriage, the general consensus among the LGBT community seemed to be that it was yet another strike against our state, and even more cause for the “brain drain” of young people from the region. But a new study…
Today in Detroit history: Fighting ‘runaway plants’ in the age of industrial decentralization
Sixty-three years ago, UAW workers rallied in support of a lawsuit fighting Ford’s right to move its production facilities elsewhere, where unions were scarce and labor was cheaper.
News Hits: Bankruptcy objectors vow to appeal; state gay-marriage ban upheld by appellate court
Last Friday, inside the federal courthouse on Lafayette in downtown Detroit, the mood was upbeat: U.S. Bankruptcy Judge Steven Rhodes signed off on the city’s plan to emerge from municipal bankruptcy. The plan intends to shed some $7 billion in long-term debt for the city, about 80 percent of which appears to be shouldered by…
Feedback: Reader reponses on ‘broken’ democracy, Origin Summit, and poutine
HOLD YOUR NOSE AND VOTE We received an email from Charlie Haviland of Franklin, who wrote regarding Jack Lessenberry’s Nov. 4 column, “Our broken system.” Haviland writes: Each Election Day, I am reminded that it ain’t a perfect world when Jack Lessenberry faces his deadline before the TV talking heads sort out the returns. But, thanks…
Raise the Bar: It’s all about beer at Ale Mary’s
Situated in downtown Royal Oak, attached to Tom’s Oyster Bar, sits Ale Mary’s. It’s a newish, beer-focused bar that’s attracted quite a bit of attention from both locals and those far and wide. We wrote about their food menu and commented on the environs earlier this year. We praised them quite wholly. We haven’t changed…
Jon Stewart’s directorial debut explores the saga of Newsweek reporter Maziar Bahari in “Rosewater”
Rosewater / B- Honestly, I had hoped for more. I know that comedy talk show host Jon Stewart is a first-time filmmaker. To expect him to write and direct an intellectually, politically, and thematically provocative movie right out of the box is more than unfair. But much as Stewart lobbed softball questions at Donald Rumsfeld…
Horoscopes (November 12 – 17)
ARIES (Mar. 21-Apr. 20): Facing our demons is what life in the Third Dimension is all about. If you think there’s any way around it, you haven’t been paying attention. Lately, most of the ghosts that haunt you have settled into their respective compartments and aren’t making too much noise. Those of you who have…
Five O’clock Somewhere: Across the country, voters wrestle with the alcohol question
Last week, we wrote about a proposed amendment in Arkansas that would have swept away prohibitions on the sale of alcohol in half the state’s 75 counties. That means that some Arkansans will drive as far as 60 miles to get their alcohol from special county-line liquor stores. The battle was accompanied by high drama,…
Ask a Juggalo: What is ICP’s real message?
Q: This may be a vague topic, but one question I have is, “What is ICP’s real message?” With ICP becoming more mainstream in recent years, I think it would be good to explain, both for old Juggalos to refresh their memories and for the new ones to learn something. I think we take a…
Drink Up
If you love the taste of Absolut Vodka, the Andy Warhol Edition of their Swedish vodka will still be your cup of tea. This special run isn’t about the flavor — it’s the same as the original Absolut — it’s all about the bottle. In 1986, Andy Warhol was the first to create unique bottle…
In defense of brunch, the hipster’s favorite meal
The negative chatter directed toward hipsters has reached a fever pitch. Since I don’t live in Brooklyn, where most of the hipsters and their haters seem to reside, I’ve observed this dynamic from a safe distance. But some recent anti-hipster screeds that have appeared in high-profile publications like U.S. News and World Report and The…
Sip Savor Stomp is the wine-tasting event in metro Detroit
Whiskey, beer, and tequila all got their day in Royal Oak this year, now it’s wine’s turn. Sip Savor Stomp, Westborn Market and Metro Times’ semi-annual wine tasting event, is happening this Saturday night inside the Royal Oak Farmers Market. Much in the vein of its sister events, Sip Savor Stomp is a tasting event…
South Lyon’s Witch’s Hat Brewing Company expands
In an unassuming strip mall on Pontiac Trail, a small-town Oakland County brewery (and destination spot for beer geeks from afar) awaits the opening of its new location, less than a mile to the north. “We’re super excited,” says owner Ryan Cottongim. “The new bar will be twice as long, and we’re increasing from a…
Briar Rabbit take acoustic folk though a minstrel show and a breakup
Acoustic folk singer/songwriter Phillip-Michael Scales, better known as Briar Rabbit, is a thinking person’s artist. Take his stage name, for instance. When taken at face value, it’s just a cool name for a band or solo artist. Nothing out of the ordinary there, right? But once you delve deeper into it, you realize exactly what…
Detroit’s Charketa Glover talks about her stint on ‘Project Runway’
Designer Charketa “Char” Glover admits she’s obsessed with the TV show Project Runway, the reality TV show on the lookout for “the next great American designer” — so much so that she’s watched it every season, and auditioned for it for the past three years. “The first two times I hired someone to videotape me…
Louis George makes waves as A Slip of the Knife and Bright Lights and Fancy Footwork
When you consider the bumping New York club life, the glitz of Los Angeles, and the massive electro culture of Europe, Michigan, with our cars and Motown sound, might not be the first that comes to mind when it comes to electronic music. While the Motor City welcomes electronic artists from around the country and…
Rising star
Roseville native John Hawkinson talks exclusively to Metro Times about his new role on HBO’s “The Newsroom.”
Rubbed brings cold cuts to Corktown
Some might have thought Corktown needed another restaurant like a fish needs a bicycle, but entrepreneurs Abbey Markell and Jason Frenkel, noting that most Corktown establishments may take up to 30 minutes to serve a meal, saw a need for a place with “walk-in-walk-out service.” So they opened this charcuterie and sandwich store in September,…
Photographer Todd Weinstein finds the holy in the everyday
According to Jewish mythology, in every generation there must be a quorum of Tzaddikim, or 36 righteous individuals to bring balance to the world. These 36 can’t say who they are — according to some interpretations, they may not even know who they are — but without them, the world will descend into chaos. Oak…
Face Time: Rude Jude is polite when he talks about PCP
You might know Jude Angelini as “Rude Jude,” the mouthy co-host of Shade 45’s The All Out Show on SiriusXM. But don’t call him Rude. He’s just Jude, and he’s polite, and even though he’s living in L.A., he still comes home to metro Detroit. He was here earlier this month promoting his new book,…
Jam band Dopapod offer more lyrical tracks on fourth LP
Dopapod has figured out what works, and they aren’t backing down. The Boston-based band’s most recent album, Never Odd or Even, which dropped on Tuesday, is the perfect step forward for the quartet. Never Odd or Even is the jam band’s fourth studio release, and the experience shows. The group’s first two albums were strictly…
Hot Shotz: Danielle Mayo is transforming J’s Bar and Grill from a shot-and-a-beer bar
Like just about everybody who does anything in Detroit, Danielle Mayo doesn’t have what might be referred to as a “formal education.” She’s been working in bars for the past 10 years, learning and honing her skills in the field, rather than in a classroom. You might recognize her from the Town Pump Tavern, where…
Playlist: Not quite country
You won’t find us listening to Shania Twain or Florida Georgia Line, but that doesn’t mean we don’t like something with a little twang. These five songs toe the line between country and something else. “Pretty Girl From Michigan” — Avett Brothers A little bit rock ‘n’ roll, a little bit folk, “Pretty Girl From…
Politics and Prejudices: What the election means
“Democracy is the theory that the common people know what they want, and deserve to get it — good and hard.” —Henry Louis Mencken Well, the results are in — and we are indeed in for it. By the way, though the mainstream media has been crowing nonstop about Gov. Rick Snyder’s triumphant victory, you…
All Dolled Up: Romica Singh’s looks are clean and simple
Romica Singh is small, but mighty. The Lawrence Tech grad has a bachelor’s and a master’s degree and is an architectural designer at Detroit’s Hamilton Anderson. She’s been there just 10 months but says she loves her gig. You would too if you worked on projects like Maryland’s new MGM Casino and the Hudson site…
PCP, GHB, ketamine, slavery, and the laws that are wrong
We interviewed Jude Angelini, aka “Rude Jude,” for our Face Time column in this issue. One thing that struck us about Angelini was his honesty about drugs. People who use drugs are often not publicly honest about it. They bullshit, they make excuses, they carry shame, or they talk about being “clean” — which insinuates…
Flophouse Custom Skateboards offers custom designs, half-pipe
Ben Thompson discovered the name for his store while working as a kitchen manager in Ann Arbor. A customer comment card noted, one day, that the place was starting to look like a flophouse. Thompson was meandering toward his professional path even back then, and the custom T-shirts he was creating for the rest of…
Stir It Up: There’s reason for hope for Michigan Democrats in 2016
I’m trying not to be depressed about the results of last week’s elections. Gov. Rick Snyder didn’t even have the bankruptcy decision to wave around and say, “I wrenched power from those pathetic losers in Detroit and saved them from themselves.” He apparently didn’t need it in winning the election and helping to increase the…
This skateboard was hand-painted by Flophouse owner Ben Thompson
This board would look great even with the hardware attached, thanks to keen awareness of the contours of the medium and the placement of the trucks. Intentional lack of color lends the design an almost emblematic quality. Owner Ben Thompson painted the board by hand. Related Stories
What kind of track records do Quicken Loans and Dan Gilbert have in Detroit? Does anyone really care?
While Dan Gilbert keeps the rest of the media at arm’s length, MT’s Ryan Felton goes behind the scenes to spend a day in Gilbertville.
DDays: Kid Rock saves ‘Orbit’ anthology, Pink Pump goes out of business, and other gossip
Sound the (Chili) Alarm! Metro Detroit’s fire fighters got together for an inaugural event Saturday at the Corktown Tavern. The 10 Alarm Chili Cook Off raised money for the Detroit Firemen’s Benevolent Fund and got a slew of Detroit’s who’s who under one tent. Fox 2’s Amy Andrews, along with Detroit police chief James Craig…
7 cool things you need to know about Detroit dining this week
Sweet dreams — Over the past few months, we’ve covered some of the key players in an emerging artisan confection scene in our town. You may remember the sweet-potato-infused baked goods of Crème Détroipolis, or the fanciful, from-scratch creations of Sweet Artisan Marshmallows. They opened a shop called Sweet: A Confections Boutique, in Detroit a…
Acoustic country trio the Whiskey Charmers play by their own rules
The Whiskey Charmers just might have the most appropriate name ever. For starters, the band plays a brand of country, folk, and Americana that’s perfectly suited to dimly lit whiskey bars, where a few shots of fire will help get you in the right frame of mind. And the trio will charm the pants off…
