Cover Story
The Great Foreskin Debate: Why the Midwest leads the world in infant circumcision and what the hell that says about us
On Friday, Sept. 12, NoCirc of Michigan, an anti-circumcision group, protested on the lawns of the state capitol. Eighty men and women gathered, some wearing white jumpsuits with giant red splotches painted on the crotch. They hoped to bring attention to what they feel is the needless cutting of healthy skin off infant males, attention…
A tale of two cities
The shared musical heritage between Detroit and New Orleans runs deep, and the legendary Gabriel Family is a vital living link between the two. Born in New Orleans and raised in Detroit, Preservation Hall Jazz Band clarinetist Charlie Gabriel is back in town with Ben Jaffe, Rickie Monie, Joe Lastie, and the boys for a…
A taste of New Orleans is coming to Detroit with the opening of Gabriel Hall
The shared musical heritage between Detroit and New Orleans runs deep, and the legendary Gabriel Family is a vital living link between the two. While New Orleans is home to historic Preservation Hall, Detroit will soon be home to a new restaurant and music venue called Gabriel Hall.
John Oliver revisits ‘the funkiest shakedown in human history,’ the CAID raid
Remember back on May 31, 2008, when Detroit police officers stormed into the Contemporary Art Institute of Detroit and carried out the infamous “CAID raid,” in which 130 Funk Night aficionados were smacked with loitering citations and 40 vehicles were impounded — an event our own Jack Lessenberry likened to a “fascist nightmare?” On Sunday’s Last…
Detroit named on CNN Money’s list of most innovative cities
#460500269 / gettyimages.com Detroit has earned a spot on CNN Money’s 2014 list of most innovative cities, alongside San Francisco, New York, and Chicago. Via CNN: Need is often a prime driver of innovation — and Detroit needs a lot. There’s a new land bank charged with helping get people back into the city’s thousands…
DEGC chief tells council to back down from community-benefits agreements ordinance
The new Detroit Economic Growth Corporation (DEGC) chief executive officer says an ordinance currently being prepared by Detroit City Council would “undermine [Detroit’s] economic progress well before our recovery has hit critical mass,” according to a report from Freep business columnist Tom Walsh. Over the summer, the council began preparing the ordinance, which calls for…
Dlectricity attracted 150,000 people this year
Dlectricity, Detroit’s worthy attempt at a nuit blanche, celebrated its second year a few weeks ago. It was pretty cool. We went. A lot of other people went too. In fact, it attracted double the crowd it did its first year. Which is pretty impressive. The Light Bike Ride saw 2,500 participants, which is four…
After 25 years, Scott Morgan’s music gets a re-release
On Oct. 20, 2014, an English label called Easy Action will release a two-CD compilation of Scott Morgan’s work that includes re-mastered versions of his first three solo albums.
Aretha releases Gloria Gaynor cover off new album
Last week, Aretha Franklin released the first track from her forthcoming album, a cover of Adele’s “Rolling in the Deep.” The new album, a collection of covers called Aretha Franklin Sings the Great Diva Classics, will be out October 21st and features production from Andre 3000 and Babyface. The second little offering from the album…
Scarefest Scream Park is elaborate, scary and fun
Scarefest Scream Park has been frightening visitors since first opening in 2006. The Lenox Township theme park offers thrill seekers four frightening attractions, including the Hayride of Doom, Castle of the Dead, Terror Zone Haunted Maze, and a walk through the forest in the Carnival of the Dead. In addition, there’s a heated bar tent…
On this day 117 years ago, Detroit’s opera house burned
The way Detroit’s struggling preservationists fight their annual battles with the wrecking ball, you’d think the battle to save Detroit’s architectural legacy was always between lovers of history and art and the industrial-demolition complex. But it wasn’t always so. A century ago, the main enemy of architectural continuity wasn’t progress, it was fire. A case…
Meet Danny Kroha in a new video profile
You might know Danny Kroha from his work in the Darleans, the Demolition Doll Rods, and the Readies — but he’s probably best known as one-third of the garage rock greats, the Gories. The guitar player gets profiled in an intimate new video by Zach Weedon (Mexican Knives, the Dirtbombs) and Wesley Levise, which we’re happy…
Knight Arts Challenge Detroit 2014 winners announced
The Knight Foundation has announced the winners of the 2014 Knight Arts Challenge. In all, $2.48 million in prize money will be shared among 58 different arts ideas, proposals that answer the question asked by the Knight Foundation earlier this year: “What’s your best idea for the arts in Detroit?” The projects range from implementing an artist…
Sugar House turns 3 tomorrow
Sugar House, Detroit’s poster child for the craft cocktail movement, will celebrate three years in business tomorrow. And while you were probably expecting some stuffy, pretentious party where the men wear suspenders and the women dress only in black, the establishment will actually be throwing an ’80s-themed party where guests will get 10 percent off…
U.S. Supreme Court declines to hear same-sex marriage cases; Michigan law awaiting ruling
Same-sex marriage proponents were pleased at the U.S. Supreme Court’s decision today to not review decisions from lower courts in five states that sought to ban marriage equality. The high court’s move allows clerks in Indiana, Oklahoma, Utah, Virginia, and Wisconsin to start issuing marriage licenses to same-sex couples, again — and shows the justices’ desire…
We love this Derek Jeter flipbook
This little vid really needs no introduction, save for a quick hat tip to The Flippist who posted this gem on reddit last week. After posting the 40 second clip to the social sharing site, The Flippist put the book up for sale on ebay where it sold for a whopping $560.00. Check out some…
Governing magazine: The ‘Durhals of Detroit’ a ‘budding political dynasty’
Sure, you’ve got the Clintons, the Bushes, and the Roosevelts. But there are plenty of examples of state and local political dynasties, Governing magazine points out, in a piece that highlights Detroit’s very own Fred Durhal Jr. and his son. A presence in Detroit politics for over 30 years, state Rep. Fred Durhal Jr. most…
Ferndale Restaurant Week starts today
The fall edition of Ferndale Restaurant week starts today and over 15 of the city’s eateries are participating. Classics like Dino’s, Como’s, Howe’s Bayou, and The WAB are involved along with new establishments like Twisted Tavern, and M-Brew. Local Kitchen, The Emory, Rosie O’Grady’s, Buffalo Wild Wings, Anita’s Kitchen, Secreto, One-Eyed Betty’s, John D Bistro,…
Preservation Hall and Gabriel Hall present free workshop today at Cass Tech
Preservation Hall is an institution of New Orleans Jazz. As a touring band, a brick and mortar venue, and a non-profit arts and education organization, the group celebrates not only the music, but the culture of New Orleans Jazz. Their mission is, “to protect, preserve, and perpetuate Traditional Jazz, strengthening the sense of community, music, family…
Have a look at the 20 ArtPrize finalists
Three artists from metro Detroit are among the 20 finalists picked by the public to win $200,000 at ArtPrize, the “American Idol of art” that turns Grand Rapids into an art gallery on steroids — and no, it looks like Jerry Vile is not one of them. Frits Hoendervanger and Dominic Pangborn from Detroit compete for the Two-Dimensional…
Childhood Memories Murdered by Trip to ‘Apple Orchard’
I can still remember the crispness in the air when my family would pile into the station wagon and drive out beyond the suburbs into the country at apple-picking time. Not only did we have a fun day in the outdoors, we got a good deal on healthful food! Those sweet memories of childhood were…
Orioles win, 2-1, sweep Tigers out of the playoffs
Behind the strong pitching of Bud Norris, Andrew Miller, and Zach Britton, the Baltimore Orioles swept the Detroit Tigers out of the playoffs, with a 2-1 victory in Game 3 of the American League Division Series.
LIVE UPDATES: TIGERS-ORIOLES, GAME 3
Detroit Tigers outfielder Rajai Davis is out of the lineup today against Baltimore in Game 3 of the ALDS. Don Kelly takes his place in center field.
Thollem McDonas is back in Detroit
hard to earn his status as honorary Detroiter, having made frequent stops in our town over the last decade. It’s gotten to the point where it’s almost hard to call another visit from the avant-garde key-tinkler “news” — but every next project of his pushes the boundaries just a little further out.
O’Mara’s will host a benefit for Taylor Allen today
Twenty-year-old Taylor Allen passed away three weeks ago from an unknown medical condition. She was a waitress at Berkley’s O’Mara’s, who will host a benefit today in her honor to help her parents pay for her funeral costs as well as to benefit her favorite charitable organization, the National Autism Foundation. “Taylor was a beautiful…
Do or die: Tigers face elimination today in Game 3 of the ALDS
The Detroit Tigers try to stave off elimination against the Baltimore Orioles today in Game 3 of their best-of-five American League Divisional Series at Comerica Park.
Break Out brings the first escape room attraction to Michigan
Have you ever been locked in a room with several strangers, having only teamwork and your wits to get you out? It”s very likely that no, you haven’t, because until now, no such place has existed in Michigan. Room escape games have yet to take the nation by storm. In fact, there are very few…
Orioles top Tigers, 7-6, take commanding 2-0 lead in ALDS
The Baltimore Orioles took a commanding 2-0 lead in their best-of-five American League Division Series with the floundering Detroit Tigers.
GAME 2: TIGERS-ORIOLES LIVE UPDATES
Anibal Sanchez has come on in relief of Tigers starter Justin Verlander.
New pierogi and crepe shop opens in Wyandotte
The Little Pierogi & Crepe Kitchen opened in Wyandotte on Wednesday. It is indeed little, but what it lacks in size, it makes up for in total cuteness. The small space on Elm in downtown has formerly been Maximilian’s, a Mexican restaurant, and Joe’s Hamburgers. When Joe’s made the move to a bigger space on…
BuzzFeed lists white Detroit businesses
“12 Businesses That Are Putting Detroit On The Map” The BuzzFeed listicle headline—born to the world by “brand publisher” Pure Michigan Talent Connect. (What’s a “brand publisher,” you might ask? It seems it’s the re-branding of their “featured partner.” What’s a “featured partner”? Find out here. For more on the fun new world of native advertising,…
Preservation Detroit hosting Detroit cemetery tours through October
Looking for something to do this weekend? Each week this month, Preservation Detroit will host a tour of a different Detroit cemetery. The organization says a guide will be on-hand to talk about some of the famous natives buried in one of four city cemeteries: Mt. Elliott, Woodmere, Woodlawn, and Elmwood. Tickets for $15 (members)…
The zany MEDC’s request for proposals to ‘develop’ Fort Wayne
The Michigan Economic Development Corporation, the same people who were instrumental in bringing us the deal under which Mike Ilitch will build his new hockey stadium with lots and lots of public subsidies, has another bright idea for us Detroiters. They’d like to have a hand in the development of Fort Wayne.
Looking back at Detroitblogger John’s 2009 take on Tom Boy Market
Upon hearing news that Tom Boy Market on Cass Avenue has been sold to make way for a “high-end retail shop,” Curbed Detroit highlighted a 2009 column in this newspaper on the shop from John Carlisle, who wrote under the name Detroitblogger John. Carlisle, who now slings ink for the Detroit Free Press, wrote about…
800beloved celebrate the release of their new record tonight
Tonight, Small’s Bar in Hamtramck will bare witness to Milford’s 800beloved unveiling their third full length album. Their first release in over four years. In a stroke of brilliance, the band threw a private listening party on a secret SoundCloud page. To get an invitation, you had to message the band on their Facebook page.…
Tigers take on Orioles in Game 2 of ALDS today at noon
The Detroit Tigers take on the Baltimore Orioles in Game 2 of their best-of-five American League Divisional Series.
Orioles trounce Tigers in Game 1 of ALDS, 12-3
The Baltimore Orioles trounce the Detroit Tigers in Game 1 of their best-of-five American League Division Series, 12-3.
Tigers-Orioles lineups set for tonight
The Detroit Tigers and Baltimore Orioles square off in the playoffs against each other for the first time ever. Their best-of-five series starts tonight at Camden Yards.
House bill would ban spending $4 billion on I-94, I-75 widening projects
Just weeks after a national study called the $2.7 billion proposal to widen I-94 one lane in each direction in Detroit a “boondoggle,” a state representative has introduced a bill that would ban any spending on the massive project. State Rep. Jim Townsend, a Democrat of Royal Oak, introduced House Bill 5883, which would prohibit…
Elizabeth Streb: Born to Fly documentary featuring Jackie Carlson comes to Detroit
“Action speaks louder than words,” visionary choreographer Elizabeth Streb is known to say when asked about her work. She’d rather you witness it for yourself: BORN TO FLY: Elizabeth Streb vs. Gravity [Official Trailer] from Aubin Pictures on Vimeo. The documentary on Streb and her philosophy, Born to Fly, is playing at Cinema Detroit, Friday…
Detroit named Best City for Sports by USA Today
The readers of USA Today have deemed the Motor City the Best City for Sports in the nation, but really, is anyone surprised? As USA Today points out, The Motor City lives up to its name with its annual IndyCar race at Belle Isle: a two-day event every year, in the early summer. On…
GOP ads show how to alienate the very constituency you’re courting
If you haven’t seen it yet, the election season’s latest ad campaign courting teen voters is really something to look at.
Artist SinGh gets banned from ArtPrize, puts drawings up around metro Detroit
For last year’s ArtPrize, the Kalamazoo-based Artist SinGh proposed a 30-foot painting to be installed in Grand Rapids’ Sixth Street Bridge Park. He wound up going rogue and created a 3-mile painting instead, a stunt which earned him the the Guinness Book of World Records title of creating the longest painting (11,302 feet 2.11 inches).…
The Wurlitzer Building is still crumbling; court orders owner to make $100k in repairs so water line can be fixed
The owners of the crumbling Wurlitzer Building have to spend $100,000 to make the structure safe for workers to repair a water main break, Detroit’s top lawyer announced today in light of reports highlighting a jerry-rigged hydrant that has for weeks provided water to adjacent businesses. Detroit hasn’t repaired a broken water line that serves…
Founders Brewery offers limited edition beer to benefit ArtPrize
Last year, Founders Brewing signed a contract with ArtPrize, sealing the five year deal to make them the official brewery of the competition. Their first special brew to celebrate the event was last year’s Inspired Artist Black IPA. This year’s offering, also with an art themed name, is Mosaic Promise. Proceeds from sales of six…
Aretha Franklin covers Adele on Letterman
Aretha Franklin will release her new album on October 21st, Aretha Franklin Sings the Great Diva Classics, which will include the cover of Adele’s “Rolling in the Deep.” The studio version of the cover hit the internet the other day, with generally positive reviews. The one exception being the debate of whether or not the…
There are still four more days Plymouth Restaurant Week
Isn’t Plymouth just the cutest? Don’t you just want to pinch its wittle cheeks? Those of us who aren’t fortunate enough to call the city home are usually dreaming up reasons to visit. Thankfully, it’s not hard to come up with an excuse to hit the downtown area, which is littered with totally adorable boutiques,…
Detroit Public Schools board votes to can emergency manager for a third time
Detroit Public Schools (DPS) board voted this week to oust Emergency Manager Jack Martin for the third time, the Detroit News reports. In a resolution on Monday, the board wrote, “Be it resolved that we, the duly elected members of the Detroit Board of Education do hereby demand the immediate removal of the Emergency Manager,…
Original Hip Hop Shop Space Reopened Tomorrow
This just in: A call from a gent named Keith Hudson says that the original Hip Hop Shop will be open tomorrow, Oct. 2, for a 21-mic salute to DeShaun “Proof” Holton.
Detroit Garment Group Guild blasts Elle Magazine
The September issue of Elle magazine features a fashion spread that was shot in Detroit and the Detroit Garment Group Guild is non too happy about it. In a blog posted to their website today the group’s president notes that Elle hardly made an effort to visit any of our town’s busy and thriving neighborhoods…
Native American Heritage Celebration comes to Mexicantown Saturday
This Saturday, Oct. 4, the Ford Resource Engagement Center at the Mexicantown Mercado will host the Native American Heritage Celebration. The free concert is the last in the Celebrating Southwest Concert Series and will feature music by Spirits Rising and Swamp Singers, dancers, an Ojibwe exhibition, a pow wow, an exhibition for the Delray Mural…
Cloud Nothings and Tyvek rocked to tired crowd at the Magic Stick
The scene at the Magic Stick on Tuesday night was so dull it was almost grim. The male-dominated crowd was strewn about in clusters like they were chatting at a house party. Older concert goers waited patiently in the Garden Bowl, sipping cheap beer. When the lights dimmed, the people hardly seemed excited that the…
Bloomberg slaps Detroit in cheap headline about Comcast’s departure
It seems that our national media simply can’t stop mentioning the decline of the city’s fortunes, population, and industry, no matter what the context, hitting us again and again in a spot where we’re most sensitive.
Detroit Councilwoman requests investigation into top Detroit attorney’s action in bridge land sale
By the way things shook out last week, most likely thought spirits were high in Detroit City Hall: Under a resolution approved by Detroit City Council, Emergency Manager Kevyn Orr will be removed from office once the city’s bankruptcy concludes. And, the controversy surrounding a $1.4 million land sale to facilitate a new public bridge…
Stir It Up: Building a city together
There was a clutch of bicycles gathered outside, so I knew I was in the right place. Bicycling as transportation is as much a symbol of the young urban innovators as anything else. So there were bicycles outside the Museum of Contemporary Art Detroit and the Detroit Mercantile Building in Eastern Market last week for…
H.L. Mencken and Charles Bukowski offer their own (differing) rules for drinking
You’d be challenged to find two literary figures more different than H.L. Mencken and Charles Bukowski. Mencken was a journalist, editor, author, and philologist based in Baltimore in the first part of the 20th century; Bukowski was a poet and novelist based in Los Angeles in the latter half of the 20th century. Mencken’s prose…
Drink Up
Labatt Prohibition Series A new addition to the Labatt family of beers, the Prohibition Series celebrates a time when drinking was illegal in the U. S. of A., but Labatt still kept thirty Americans satiated with cold, crisp beer. In order to honor that heritage, the company has created a series of quality sessionable beers…
Michigan Apple Committee notes a near-record harvest
Cider-lovers take heart. The Michigan Apple Committee has noted that this year’s apple crop is estimated to be more than 28 million bushels, rivaling last year’s record harvest of 30 million bushels. After the poor harvest of 2012, caused by a mild winter, soaring spring temperatures, and subsequent late frosts, this is good news for…
Five current songs that will awaken your inner ’80s nostalgist
“Walkin’ ” | Thundercat Come on, the guy’s name is Thundercat; what could be more eighties than that? If you must know, this easy listening ditty, taken from the bassist’s 2011 The Golden Age of Apocalypse album, is. Do you hear that snare?!? “Rebound” | Dornik The artwork, the synths, the velvety vocals, the skittering…
Bill Roberts’ sixth restaurant, Bill’s, is another winner
Bill Roberts has such a (deservedly) loyal northern-suburbs following that his sixth restaurant was packed on a Sunday night a week after its mid-August debut. And his staff’s long experience was such that no trace of opening-week jitters could be seen. Long before the time you’ll read this, Bill’s already felt as comfortable as an…
News on Dine Drink Detroit, the Greektown Harvest Festival, Rubbed in Detroit’s charcuterie, and more
Dive into Detroit | Ah, weeklong restaurant deals. They aren’t all created equal, you know. Most restaurant weeks are pure joys, offering a long roster of eateries that are crowded all the time. But sometimes, the list of establishments includes several places that are sleepy for good reason. Dine Drink Detroit isn’t one of those.…
Politics and Prejudices: Michigan’s child-care system is an utter disgrace — and it’s only getting worse
Half a century ago, I went to a poor, blue-collar public school system where many of the daddies worked in the plants. College degrees of any kind were a rarity. Layoffs were not. Yet so far as I can remember, virtually every time the school board asked voters for a millage, they said yes. Not…
The state’s multijurisdictional police force is driving away Belle Isle park-goers
As so many other Detroiters like to do, Michael, 32, flipped burgers and turned hot dogs on a recent Saturday evening on Belle Isle. A boom box pumped out tunes, and his three kids played nearby while his wife and sister-in-law set out food on a picnic table under a shelter. It was a perfect…
Higher Ground: Marijuana prohibition, an alchemy that turns a weed into gold
“Michigan State Police bust marijuana growing operation” reads the headline in the Freep. “Marijuana smell on Michigan kindergartener leads cops to dad’s homegrown pot” announces another. And from The Washington Post’s editorial board recently: “D.C. voters should reject the rush to legalize marijuana.” Every day stories like these bombard our nation, and we are sick of…
Stooges collaborator Mike Watt returns to Detroit
Everyone has someone they look up to, but it’s rare to be the person everyone looks up, to be respected by musicians and fans all over the world. Mike Watt approaches the bass more like a drum kit than a guitar, not in a slap bass fashion but with the style of a jazz drummer…
Ask a Juggalo: Are there child Juggalos?
Q: Are there child Juggalos? A:Oh, sure, sure. There’s lots of families that have kids and bring them to shows. We’re just like everyone else. Everyone’s got kids, I’m actually pregnant right now. We’re having our first one here in December. [laughs] There’s definitely kids that come to gatherings, there’s kids that come to shows,…
Matthew Richmond makes dresses out of old newspapers — including Metro Times
By day, Matthew Richmond does social media and promotions for L’Esprit Academy beauty salon in Royal Oak. For the past eight years, he’s made dresses out of paper on the side, and some big names have taken notice of his work. More on that later, though. Why paper? “Because if I did it out of…
Horoscopes (Oct. 1 – 7)
ARIES (Mar. 21-Apr. 20): You can keep this up as long as you continue to check in with yourself every time your reasons for being here get called into question. It all comes down to the gap between what you are capable of at the moment, and what the situation requires. With your confidence level…
BMX rider and Detroit native Tyler Fernengel heads to the Red Bull Dreamline
Detroit native Tyler Fernengel, 18, is a world-class BMX rider and one of the few rising stars in that sport from Michigan. While he recently moved on to a sunnier locale to pursue his career, he returned home to visit friends and family before heading to the Red Bull Dreamline, a competition that will be…
Buzz isn’t the only way Detroit students are viewed as profit margins
Buzzkill We received a number of responses for Curt Guyette’s Sept. 24 cover story about Buzz, the buggy education software used on Detroit students under the Educational Achievement Authority. Jen Lenardon of Redford wrote: Thank you for printing the report by Curt Guyette on the inner workings of the EAA. However, the use of the…
Burger Quest: We try a “B.F.J.” at Dino’s Lounge
This week, Burger Quest went to Dino’s Lounge in Ferndale for lunch. We’d heard the burger there was worth a try, and it has its own special name, which implies a certain formidability. It’s called the B.F.J., which our server explained was the “Big, Fat, and Juicy” burger. Sounds good to us. We tried it…
DDays checks out DDF, Dlectricity, the Black Lips, and more
Kickin’ It Off What better way to spend a Tuesday night than kicking off this year’s Detroit Design Festival? On the 11th floor of the A. Alfred Taubman Center DDays sipped on complimentary SoCo cocktails and rubbed elbows with the likes of Ebony Rutherford of Trish’s Garage, Gabriel Craig of Smith Shop, Jamin Ruarke of…
Raise the Bar: Public House has it all – good food, great drinks, and a stellar patio
Sister to Imperial, Public House stands inconspicuously on Nine Mile in Ferndale. It opened up little more one year ago and since then the staff has been serving thoughtful cocktails, tasty sliders, and a small but scrumptious selection of appetizers. It’s grown in popularity since its opening, welcoming with open arms the rebels, the rock…
Savage Love: Questions about ‘sounding’ are out of this nurse’s area of expertise
Q: A straight male friend practices sounding and has for years. I am pretty sure he does other things that he isn’t telling anyone about — not even his wife. He has some medical questions about sounding. I am a pediatric nurse, so he brought his concerns to me, but the questions are totally outside…
Fiddling lives on at Michigan State Championship Old-Time Fiddlers Contest
Long before downloadable MP3s, when music files consisted of wax-covered tubes played on a hand-cranked Victrola that only the wealthy could afford, people relied on live music exclusively for entertainment. A Saturday evening dance helped them forget all of the stress and struggles of the work week. Immigrants from Europe also relied on folk music…
Get a Grip cigar clip attaches to just about anything
Cigar aficionados and novices alike will enjoy this accessory, as it helps the cigar lover keep track of their most beloved stogie. This clip attaches to just about anything, and is convenient and versatile. On a boat? This clip works. On a golf cart? This clip works there, too. Barbequing, relaxing on the lawn, or…
Valerie Allen paints her own reality
Midland-based artist Valerie Allen’s paintings may look like pure abstractions. But to her, everything she paints is representational — though she realizes others might not see it at first. “It’s always based in something that is recognizable. It’s the recognizable that inspires and I move from there,” she says. “Even my truly abstract work right…
All Dolled Up: Heather Rae Franklin is the blonde beauty behind Vagrants and Valentines
Heather Rae Franklin is the statuesque blonde beauty behind Vagrants and Valentines, a local jewelry company that specializes in bangles and baubles fashioned from bullets. You’ll often spot Franklin showcasing her wares at events like DIY Street Fair, Art in the Park, and other outdoors street festivals. Aside from jewelry, she also designs clothing, and…
Album Review: Caveman Woodman & Bam Bam Moss is another solid addition to the Bellyache roster
Many folks know Frank Woodman as the foremost gregarious showman of Detroit rock ’n’ roll. Still more know Brandon Moss as the seemingly eight-armed skinsman of luminous mainstays Wildcatting, Bars of Gold and (legendary, albeit defunct) Bear vs. Shark. As Caveman Woodman, Frank is regularly seen and heard at events around town — setting up…
Jenuwine Cigar Lounge is still one of the best places in metro Detroit to pick up a stogie
A family operation, Jenuwine Cigar Lounge harks back to the late ’40s when the shop was originally located in Center Line. Then it was called J & J Wholesale and it was run by Ed Jenuwine and his three brothers. For 42 years the brothers ran the operation that included vending wholesale candy, cigarettes, tobacco,…
Meet the couple behind Yemans Street, Hamtramck’s newest pop-up eatery
In Hamtramck, a scrappy new kind of dining scene is being born. Of course, Hamtramck always had plenty of places to dine, given the ethnic eateries that city’s immigrant communities keep alive, from Polish to Indian to Arabic. What’s new in town are places that combine upscale flavors with laid-back atmosphere, often catering to diners…
Shop Talk: Blacksmithing with CJ Forge
Chances are you crossed paths with CJ Forge without even knowing it. You might have been browsing their wares at a festival or maybe you caught them doing live demonstrations at Scrap Revolve outside of Traffic Jam a few weeks ago. This Hazel Park shop gets around. But what you probably didn’t realize is that…
David Fincher’s ‘Gone Girl’ isn’t as wicked as it should be — or thinks it is
Gone Girl | B- Though it’s smart enough to hint at the satire it could’ve been and entertaining enough to deliver the trashy goods, Gone Girl cements one unfortunate fact: Director David Fincher is becoming the go-to guy for middlebrow, beach-towel novel adaptations. Falling back on his skills as an ad-man, this taut, sleek, lurid…
Community Spotlight: The Organization for Bat Conservation has been helping our furry, flying friends for nearly 20 years
Rob Mies is batty about bats. As the founder and executive director of the Bloomfield Hills-based Organization for Bat Conservation, Mies has been researching and educating the public about what may very well be our planet’s most feared and misunderstood mammals. Need proof? In a few weeks bats will appear alongside witches, ghosts, and other…
Rick Ector of Legally Armed in Detroit talks legal gun ownership
Almost a decade ago, Rick Ector was considering buying a firearm for self-defense. And when he was robbed in the driveway of his home in Detroit’s Rosedale Park, he wound up kicking himself for not doing so. He has since armed himself and become vocal about legal gun ownership, participating in gun-control debates in “Let…
Laura Finlay teaches us how to make a Turn to Stone (yes, it’s named after an ELO song)
Two James’ Laura Finlay has been with the distillery for about 10 months now. She started last November and has seen the Corktown tasting room grow immensely. Her drink recipes are regularly featured on the bar’s menu and she’s especially proud of the Flibbertigibbet, a gin drink that’s become a staple at Two James. Word…
