Cover Story
After decades behind the scenes, Michele Lundgren’s art career is just getting started
For a few sweet short years in the 1960s, Detroit’s Plum Street neighborhood was the epicenter of a community of artists, rock ‘n’ rollers, anti-war activists, and other bohemian types. That’s the scene that drew Michele Lundgren, then 17, to the city from suburban Dearborn Heights, along with her future husband, Carl — whose psychedelic…
Update: M-1 Rail has a name
If you had your way, what would you call the rail system M-1 is a part of?
You can now own N.W.A.’s receipt book from the time of their Detroit “riot”
Up for auction: N.W.A.’s receipt book. “An intriguing internal record of three weeks in 1989 leading up to the famous August 6 concert in Detroit, when city police warned the band not to perform their most famous tune.”
Show preview: Codgers’ ‘Thanksgiving Eve Bash’ at Gaelic League tonight, Nov. 25
Looking for a fun night out that you can conceivably bring your grandfather to? Or looking for a super fun night out before you have to endure the old guy’s racist comments while chowing down? Either way, you’re pretty much guaranteed an excellent night out when you head over to the Gaelic League tonight for…
Chef Brennan Calnin is out at Townhouse Detroit
Was it all a little too much for Chef Brennan Calnin at Townhouse?
Show preview: Timmy’s Organism at UFO Factory tomorrow, Wed., Nov. 25
Holiday shows from “the hardest working punk in show business” are always apt to be extra-charged. After all, his shows already have the out-of control pageantry of a secret ritual, even on a random Tuesday in May.
M-1 backers back off on rail line name announcement
Already, people are trying to guess what the name that dared not be named was.
Local designer competing in Betabrand’s ‘Bright Ideas’ challenge
It isn’t couture, but it’s something even rarer in today’s fashion world: utilitarian ideas.
New video for Detroit Vegan Soul will charm your senses
Healthful food isn’t the only smile-inducing thing from Detroit Vegan Soul
Have a drink, raise money for Detroit City FC Keyworth Stadium development
DCFC is hosting a series of happy hours at Hamtramck bars to raise money for its new stadium.
Fred Thomas’ deep, astral dub mix is the perfect thing for a spacey Tuesday
This is seriously a great mix of spaced-out dub reggae.
Hamtramck’s Mayor is on CNN talking muslims. It’s, well, interesting.
CNN asks Hamtramck’s mayor what it’s like to run a majority muslim city. Then thing odd.
Update: Teenage runaways reported safe by Canton police
The girls are believed to be heading to a cabin with an older man driving a black Ford Escape.
Just announced: Rihanna at The Palace of Auburn Hills on March 24
Rihanna will bring her “Anti World Tour with Travis Scott” to The Palace of Auburn Hills on March 24, 2016. Tickets for the show by the super-superstar go on sale next Thurs., Dec. 3, at livenation.com.
Chilling murder on Detroit’s northwest side
Paul Monchnik, a 91-year old who lived in Detroit’s northwest side by himself, was found dead, apparently after being shot in the head, beaten and doused in gasoline before the house was set on fire.
Messiah’s arrival in Detroit rescheduled
No, not that messiah: We mean the performance of Handel’s enduring oratorio at Fort Street Presbyterian Church.
Vehicle crashes into Marcus Burger
A van caves in a wall at Marcus Burger. Not-so-remarkably, this kind of thing happens all the time in our car-centric region.
The Syrian refugees who’ve made Michigan home
Monday morning the New York Times posted a poignant snapshot into the life of Syrian refugees Radian Mughrbel,his wife, Sanaa Hammadeh and their two sons. The four fled their home country in 2011 after a slew of killings and kidnappings had interrupted the peaceful, sectarian life they had been leading. West Bloomfield, Michigan has been their…
Restaurant workers: find your next gig on new industry job site Hired Knives
Here’s a new site dedicated solely to connecting kitchens with staff members.
Watch: Snowfall starts power line fire in Detroit
YouTuber “Buddy List” caught the fire on video, showing a series of eerie, bright blue flashes of light before the full-on blaze.
Wolf Eyes make their own FACT mix
Quick, how many of these do you know by heart: The Original Gabber – Headbanger Frankfurt Terror Corp – The Great Freedom Bald Terror – Drummachine Euromasters – Rotterdam Ech Wel Influx – Capital Punishment Frak – Four Friends Getting Hard Boom Terrorism – Ramdiska Cellblock X – Acidophilus Bass X – Quartz Urban Primitivism…
The annual Detroit Tigers garage sale is happening this week
Want to take home a little slice of Detroit baseball history? Then head over to Comerica Park today and tomorrow to peruse the selection at the annual Detroit Tigers yard sale. From 1 p.m. to 7 p.m. today and from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. tomorrow, Detroit’s favorite baseball team will be selling a number…
The joke’s on us: An interview with Detroit’s Comedian CP and Josh Adams
These Detroit comedians are making waves, and you can catch them both in town this week.
Show preview: U.S. Girls at Marble Bar tonight, Sun. Nov. 22
Catch U.S. Girls, joined by two of Detroit’s finest, Rebel Kind, and the Moonwalks, at Detroit’s newest venue, Marble Bar — tonight, Sunday, Nov. 22.
Still Standing: Stanley Hong’s Mannia Café
How the hidden history behind an unusual building encompasses ‘Googie style,’ a Chinese-American businessman, a black architect, and early hip-hop.
Show preview: Miley Cyrus and Her Dead Petz at The Fillmore, Saturday Nov. 21st
This Saturday, Miley Cyrus appears at the Fillmore with backing band the Dead Petz (aka The Flaming Lips). It will undoubtedly provide audiences with a true spectacle of sight and sound.
Event preview: Joe McPhee and John Corbett at MOCAD Sat., Nov. 21
The recently released Microgroove: Forays into Other Music continues writer John Corbett’s exploration of diverse musics, with essays, interviews, and musician profiles. Corbett advocates for the relevance of “little” music, which despite its smaller audience is of enormous cultural significance.
Listen: Mike Valenti gives Detroit Lions epic kiss-off
The Lions say their flagship radio station switch was a business move. Mike Valenti says it was personal.
Your Metro Detroit guide to Thanksgiving, if you don’t want to cook at home
Thanksgiving dinner can invoke so many emotions, not least of all, that feeling that the holiday season is supposed to be about filling the kitchen with ingredients and going to painstaking measures to create the ultimate feast for the whole extended family, no matter if you really feel like it or not. There are a number…
Tyler Farr cancels Detroit date at the Fillmore on Nov. 27 due to illness
We just received word that unfortunately Nashville singer/songwriter Tyler Farr is canceling his tour date at The Fillmore in Detroit on November 27, due to bronchitis.
Sneak peek: Spike TV’s Bar Rescue makes next stop in Ann Arbor
Tune in for Bar Rescue’s next metro Detroit bar takedown.
Enough with the commemorative designations already!
Every year it seems we have another day, week, or month commemorating something new. It’s time we gave up.
You have to watch the clever stop motion video for DJ Soko’s ‘Ambassador Bridge’
Talk about inventive videos — here s a great new stop-motion music video for DJ Soko’s song “Ambassador Bridge” ft. Stryfe.
Items from the Metro Times swag pile nobody will take
Here’s what nobody wants from our swag pile. What, nobody wanted the digital press kit for Killer Karaoke?
Check out this cool new video from Ronnie Euro
A Veteran Returns To Claim His Glory It feels like Phat Kat aka Ronnie Euro has been a mainstay on the Detroit’s hip-hop scene since the early 1990s. He was one of the first Detroit emcees to take his talents overseas and has shared a stage or studio with just about every notable emcee from…
Detroit will once again kick off Chanukah with a 26-foot tall menorah
You know, the traditional Chanukah 300 ft. Zip Line.
DPS teacher, student suspended after brawl goes viral
By now you’ve surely seen the video that’s circulating the Internet both locally and nationally of a Detroit Public School teacher and a seventh grade student getting into a physical altercation earlier this week. Now, both parties involved in the incident have been suspended, MLive reports. The fight broke out on Monday after the teacher…
Third Man Records to reissue early Tamla singles
On Wednesday, Jack White’s label announced a “dream-come-true” partnership that will reissue Motown’s early Tamla releases.
Relive the Los Angeles riots in Detroit
More than 20 years ago, we witnessed the L.A. riots. This weekend, we can learn from a play about them.
Plan on partying night before Thanksgiving? Detroit Bus Company will be your designated driver
Get your drank on, on this popular party night with the help of Detroit Bus Company.
2015 Michigan vs. Michigan State game immortalized with taxidermied chipmunks
Some of us may never, ever want to re-live Oct. 17, 2015, but Spartan sportsmen may have different feelings on the matter. If that’s you or someone you know, consider gifting them this unique, original, slightly strange re-creation made from taxidermied chipmunks. The Lansing State Journal reported last month that taxidermist/artist Nick Saade created this masterpiece…
Nolan the Ninja is lighting it up!
When it comes to Detroit’s Nolan the Ninja, you have to barrow a quote from the ’90s NBA Jams video game- “He’s on fire!!”
Show reminder: Tom Carter, 75 Dollar Bill, Andrew Barrett at Trinos tonight
This is easily one of the best bills of the year: Tom Carter, 75 Dollar Bill and Andrew Barrett at Trinosophes in Eastern Market tonight. 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…
‘Believe. Then see it.’ Detroit Nike ‘community store’ officially announced
Of course, the “community store” angle might not be enough to curb critics of downtown’s recent headfirst dive into the wonders of late capitalism as so many residents continue to struggle.
Atwater announces new Biergarten and Taphouse
Atwater Brewery is growing again. Detroit’s biggest brewery is opening a Biergarten and Taphouse in the space adjacent to their main brewery on Joseph Campau in Rivertown. The taphouse (formerly Tangerine Room) will open on Wednesday, November 25, the day before Thanksgiving and the biggest bar night of the year. Twenty beers, along with Atwater…
Getting to know Detroit’s Tart
With energetic sets of angular guitar and steamy vocal bursts, local duo Tart has been causing a stir in nearby bars and festivals in the last year. Their music and fashion recall retro ’80s excess, but the Detroit band updates the trimmings with harsh indie beats and samples. We all know that this time of…
World traveler Beirut washes up on Royal Oak Music Theatre’s shores
I had never seen Beirut before the other night, (Wednesday, Nov. 11) though I should have. My experience of the mid-to-late aughts was rife with bands with a gypsy/carnival vibe, and Zach Condon’s Beirut was the emotional center of that lot. Though I missed him the past times he’s come to Detroit, I just imagined…
The roads: Snyder’s betrayal
Late last summer, one more attempt to get a deal to fix the roads fell apart when Gov. Rick Snyder did the right thing. He stood up for sanity, and refused to go along with an insane and irresponsible demand by the Republicans who control the state House of Representatives. They were demanding that any…
Centaur offers sophistication and stiff drinks
There’s a stretch of city block just behind the Fox Theater known colloquially as Harrington Way. Neighbor businesses Town Pump Tavern, Centaur, and Hot Taco are all owned by Sean Harrington, a Detroiter who seems to have come up with a magic formula for creating a successful business in downtown Detroit. Town Pump Tavern has…
Did Michigan waste $3.5 million on charter schools with questionable futures?
Up until a month ago, if you searched for “Bertha B. Williams Academy” online, you would have been directed to an undated, three-page PDF spotlighting the vision statement for a K-2 charter school with intentions of opening on Detroit’s east side. The digital bulletin, hosted on the website of a West Virginia nonprofit, detailed plans…
Why we’re thankful for Danny Brown
When rapper Danny Brown first started making major waves in 2008, he was fresh out of an eight-month stint at the Wayne County Jail for violating probation on a distributing and manufacturing marijuana charge. But while street cred is nothing new in rap, there was something unique about Brown even then. Drummer B — a…
Weekly reader responses
Redrawing the map We received feedback for Tom Perkins’ look at how Michigan’s gerrymandered voting districts have created an out-of-touch government (“How voters were screwed out of the state they wanted,” Nov. 11). Reader “nobsartist” wrote: Using census roles and mapping, all districts should be re-created so they have no more than four boundaries. Four…
Higher Ground: Growing potential
There’s a lot of talk about high rollers trying to get in on the growing marijuana market. Here’s the tale of a couple of low rollers who’d like to get in on a market that — as Donald Trump would say — is gonna be HUGE! Andrea and Ervin Allen run a family- and home-based…
Horoscopes (November 18 – 24)
ARIES (March 21 – April 20): Between now and the next full moon a lot of things are due to change. There are so many variables impacting your situation, any thought that you are in control is an illusion. Knowing enough to remain cool when every inch of you is ready to explode is where…
Savage Love: Cold cucked
Q: I’ve always been a big believer in the common-sense obviousness that monogamy is hard. Additionally, I like the idea of my wife getting fucked. I don’t have any desire to be denigrated or emasculated; I just get off on the idea of her being satisfied and a little transgressive. Early in our relationship, we…
Mark your calendar today for these upcoming shows
Tickets are now on sale for these events. Nov. 21, Girls Rock Camp Benefit with MPV, the Gator and more at PJ’s Lager House; girlsrockdetroit.brownpapertickets.com; $10. Nov. 28, Simply Saucer at UFO Factory; brownpapertickets.com; $12. Dec. 5, Jessica Hernandez and the Deltas at Saint Andrew’s Hall, Tickets are $15 in advance, $18 day of show.…
Drink up
Skyy Vodka 40% ABV Skyy Vodka was born in 1992, a time in history when that variety of clear liquor was the most celebrated liquid intoxicant available. Born in San Francisco, the distillery’s owners got started with one goal in mind: to make a better product using a better method. What they came up with…
Batch Brewing Co. beats the bar food blues
Bar food just doesn’t have the best reputation. Even the moniker doesn’t sound great. It conjures up images of stale chips and frozen burger patties. The emphasis, after all, is on the bar part of the equation. The food is the afterthought. Sure it does the trick when you’ve been boozing and are in need…
A local company is bringing back Detroit’s hair heyday
Let’s backtrack to Detroit in the ’90s. The city was famous for throwing extravagant hair shows. Hair Wars, one the biggest annual touring hair shows in the states, started here. Heck, Detroit was even called “The Hair Capital of the World,” before Atlanta hijacked the title. But now, it’s 2015 and a local business owner…
Festivale delivers more than just beer this year, with Joshua Davis and more
When the Festivale fest, which celebrates Christmas beers and all manner of good cheer, invades downtown Ferndale this Saturday, Nov. 21, they won’t just have red and green beers or pumpkin-spiced goods to accompany those tasty brews. Along with the Michigan and European Christmas craft beers, holiday food, and other entertainment treats, there will be…
Stevie Wonder returns to Detroit with ‘Songs in the Key of Life’
Back by what I’m sure was heavy popular demand, Stevie Wonder returns home on Nov. 21 for his second Songs in the Key of Life performance in our area in about a year. After playing the Palace during the start of the same tour on Nov. 20, 2014, and proceeding to take the show all…
