Symphonies in cider

Urinal Cake Records – “UrineFested” 6/21-6/22
Profile: Urinal Cake Records (on Metro Times Music Blahg – “Urinal Cake Records’ First Year + New Gardens (Grows)”) “Urinefested” Local Label Showcase -2 day Fest in Detroit June 21-22nd at P.J.’s Lager House (1254 Michigan Ave), Friday: The Clone Defects, Terrible Twos, Moonhairy, Obnox, Ritual Howls, Mountains and Rainbows – - Saturday: Johnny Ill Band, Protomartyr, Growwing Pains, Drugs Dragons, K9 Sniffles, Feelings, Guinea Worms, and the Keep On Trash DJs. — Visual artwork displays by Jeff Arcel, Thelonious Bone, Davin Brainard, Zak Bratto, Joe Casey, Luke Chapelle, Jimbo Easter, Andy Gabrysiak, Ben Lyon, Johnny Lzr, Kara Meister, Nai Sammon, Timmy Vulgar, and Matt 7 http://urinalcakerecords.com – pjslagerhouse.com ~ There seems to be a lot of local DIY record labels, lately. But Johnny Ill nonchalantly shrugs that into perspective: “Shit, there could be no one to put out your music. I’m not dong it, so I’m glad guys like Eric are doing it…” It’s still a rarity, says Ill (a.k.a. John Garcia of The Johnny Ill Band,) for someone (like Eric Love of Urinal Cake Records) willingly financing and spending time resources for local songwriters to produce, package and distribute their works. “The worst thing that could happen [...]
City Slang: Battlecross post-Orion news
Following their triumphant appearance at OrionFest, local metal heads Battlecross has announced that drummer Kevin Talley (formerly of Six Feet Under, Chimaira and Dying Fetus) will be staying on with the band for its forthcoming tour. See Battlecross performing Slayer’s “War Ensemble” at OrionFest here. The new album, War of Will, will be released via Metal Blade on July 9, and the first single will be “Force Fed Lies”. Battlecross will be on the Mayhem Festival with Rob Zombie throughout the summer. Follow @City_Slang
DIA ‘Courts’ New Diners
Who says the Detroit Institute of Arts is only for art admirers? The addition of a Friday night music schedule has found some new converts. And now food lovers can rejoice as the museum unveils a new go-to place for visitors to eat, drink, relax and socialize. It’s the newly revamped Kresge Court. Combining an elegant atmosphere with competitive prices, visitors can enjoy an array of gourmet snacks, sandwiches, salads and desserts that use regional ingredients. Befitting a hip hangout, the dishes skew creative. If you’re stopping by for a quick lunch, you’ve got to try the fine ficelle salad. The stars of this show are prosciutto, black mission fig jam, wild arugula and European-style thin sourdough baguette. The green goddess salad features local greens, carrot ribbons, marinated summer squash, sunflower seeds and currants. Other offerings include DIA deviled eggs and wasabi tobiko caviar; artichokes, radish, black olive aioli and flatbread; toasted farro salad with shaved fennel; surryano dry-cured ham with hot pepper pickles and more. Desserts include Italian pudding with bittersweet chocolate, seasonal fruit croustade, and an alcoholic spin on a Detroit classic, a Boston rum cooler with Vernor’s ginger ale, French vanilla ice cream, Captain Morgan spiced rum, [...]
The 1943 Detroit Race Riot, 70 years later
Mention “Detroit” and “riot” to most metro Detroiters today, and most people will think of the year 1967. Some will call it a “riot” and some will call it a “rebellion,” but chances are that nobody will talk about Detroit’s forgotten riot, the 1943 Detroit race riot. Most likely, that’s because the events of 1943 don’t neatly dovetail with our conventional narratives about the Greatest Generation, and they provide ugly examples of white racism that most area residents, if they remember them, would rather forget. And that’s a shame, because the 1943 riot offers a chance to look beyond simplistic sociological assumptions about ’60s civil disorder and the ensuing urban disintegration. This is especially interesting at a time when historians such as Thomas Sugrue are re-examining Detroit and the roles played by whites and their institutions, often uncovering sweeping antecedents that transcend a passive white exodus. And for those whites who think the ramifications of institutional racism are overstated, those old photographs of white mobs rampaging up and down Woodward Avenue, beating and stabbing black Detroiters, might change a mind or two. And 1943 is also worth another look because it helps define the early civil rights movement. It saw African-Americans effectively [...]
Oh Criminals, Where Art Thou?
I would be lying if I said I wasn’t a little disappointed with my Detroit experience so far. In the past 8 months, I have no gunshot wounds, stabbing scars, or even a stolen vehicle to show for it. I don’t even have a lower credit score! When I told everyone I was moving here, I got a wave of backlash and pleas to reconsider. It reminded me of the time I traveled to the Middle East and, as I was boarding my flight, received a hundred text messages and calls saying, “If you go, you are going to DIE!” Well, my time in the Middle East was just as disappointing and uneventful as my time here in Motown. Where have all the criminals gone? With a nice bout of insomnia, I used to walk to the YMCA at 5 a.m. to work out in total darkness. My Dad freaked out when I told him. What my father can’t understand is that, unless you live right downtown, and once the sun sets, the streets of Detroit are deserted. No cars. No homeless people. Even the pimps seem to take the night off. I could streak down Woodward (my apologies for the [...]
City Slang: Weekly music review roundup
Send CDs, vinyl, cassettes, demos and 8-tracks to Brett Callwood, Metro Times, 733 St. Antoine, Detroit, MI 46226. Email MP3s and streaming links to bcallwood@metrotimes.com. We had previously received a sampler CD from Funky D Records signees The Royal Blackbirds, and the full album Shot Down landed on our laps this week. Thanks to the presence of singer Rebecca Saad, there’s a cool, kinda Amy Gore-esque feel to the bluesy garage rock, perfectly highlighted by covers like “I Can Only Give You Everything” and the title track. The originals are cool too, and Tino Gross has dragged out the dust and grit from these youngsters. Great piece of work, all told. This week’s City Slang stars the Horse Cave Trio sent in the 2010 single “I Am the Sheik” (Funky D), and it’s worth another mention because it’s so damned gnarly, nasty and heavy. These guys are known for their rockabilly swagger, but they can let out an unholy roar when they want to. Detroit Frank DuMont loves his hometown so much, he put it in his name. His band is called the Drivin’ Wheels, and the logo was designed by Gary Grimshaw. Mind you, his new Let Me Be [...]

A short guide to notable apple orchards and cider mills in metro Detroit

Published: September 21, 2011

Long Family Orchard & Cider Mill 1540 East Commerce Rd., Commerce, 48382; 248-360-3774; longsorchard.com: Besides offering up fresh cider and apples, throughout October Long's has a 5 acre moonlight corn maze on weekends to explore. Also, just in time for Halloween they offer an enormous pumpkin patch for your picking. Open noon-7 p.m. Monday-Friday; 9 a.m.-6 p.m. Saturday-Sunday.

Markillie Orchard & Cider Mill 5200 N. Latson Rd., Howell 48855; 517-546-3485; markillieorchard.com: Offers 12 different varieties of apples to choose from that are already picked. They also sell fresh pressed cider, caramel apple chips, maple syrup, salsa and "Naturally Nutty" products. Open noon-6 p.m. Friday; 10 a.m.-6 p.m. Saturday-Sunday. Closes Nov. 2.

Miller's Big Apple Red Orchard 4900 32 Mile Rd., Washington Twp.; 586-752-7888; millers-bigred.com: Besides offering the usual favorites — "U-Pick" of various fruits, fresh cider, donuts, caramel apples – Miller's also has wagon rides, a petting farm and the alarmingly titled "Straw Mountain." They'll be celebrating the third installment of their Third Annual Heirloom Tomato Festival Aug. 27-28, which features various activities in honor of their fresh tomatoes. Open daily 9 a.m.-6 p.m. Closes late October.

Obstbaum Orchards 9252 Currie Rd., Salem; 734-560-2840; obstbaum.com: A short ride from Plymouth and Northville, Obstbaum (German for "fruit tree") offers the chance to watch cider being pressed while you munch on donuts and swill down cider. Owners Hans and Lynda Neuroth enjoy answering questions or accommodating special requests. Find their full range of products on their website. Open 10 a.m.-6.pm. Saturday-Sunday (They'll close an hour earlier after daylight savings time). Season ends late October.

Paint Creek Cider Mill 4480 Orion Rd., Oakland Twp.; 248-656-3400; paintcreekcidermill.org: Building upon traditional cider mill offerings, Paint Creek also delivers for those with desires for a larger, more varied menu with homemade apple bread, pistachio nut bread, an ice cream parlor and coney dogs. Enjoy a walk on the scenic Paint Creek trail or a relaxing evening on their porch. Open daily 9 a.m.-7 p.m. Closes mid-November.

Parmenter's Northville 714 Baseline Rd., Northville; 248-349-3181; northvillecider.com: Northville's second-oldest continuously operating business has the usual favorites — cider, donuts, caramel apples, apple butter, pumpkin butter, honey, maple syrup — you'll find cider slushes, apple chips drizzled with caramel, white cheddar cheese, cherry salsa, wines and candies ranging from lollipops to wax fangs. Open daily 10 a.m.-8 p.m. until Nov. 20 (though they tend to close a bit earlier after the switch back to daylight savings).

Plymouth Orchards and Cider Mill 10685 Warren Rd., Plymouth; 734-455-2290; plymouthorchards.com: The retail store stocks ciders, donuts, unusual jams and jellies, maple syrup and honey; a visit offers the chance for a scenic wagon ride or a stroll through the pumpkin patch, where "U-pick." The store also stocks several varieties of apples, including those now in season, such as Portland and Red Delicious. Picturesque barnyard animals include goats, sheep, chickens, bunnies, pigs, cows and llamas. Open daily from 9 a.m.-7 p.m. until Nov. 6. The mill's secondary market on Ann Arbor Road in Plymouth is open daily 10 a.m.-6 p.m. until Nov. 23.

Porter's Orchard 12060 Hegel Rd., Goodrich; 810-636-7156; portersorchard.com: A jack-of-all trades with free hayrides, "U-pick" apples, pumpkins, fresh donuts, pony rides, a corn maze, hay rides, fudge, ice-cream. Also, they handle making fresh salsa, trail-mix and jams. Check the website for special events including dates for a car show and flea markets. The kids can have their fun too with Porter's large petting zoo open. Open during September 9 a.m.-6 p.m. Monday-Saturday, 1-6 p.m. Sunday; open in October Monday-Friday 9 a.m.-6 p.m., 9 a.m.-7 p.m. Saturday, 1-7 p.m. Sunday. Closes Halloween.

Rochester Cider Mill 5125 N. Rochester Rd., Rochester; 248-651-4224; rochestercidermill.com: The Barkham family is celebrating the 30th anniversary of their cider mill which claims their cider is "never the same from week to week, except for its excellent flavor and taste." Besides its freshly produced donuts and drinks, they have an assortment of apples and a giant hay climbing pyramid for fun. Open daily 8 a.m.-6 pm daily. Closes Dec. 31.

Spicer Orchards Farm Market and Cider Mill 10411 Clyde Rd., Fenton; 810-577-5417; spicerorchards.com: The Spicer family has a history of farming in the Detroit area dating five generations back. Their market features fresh produce, cider and doughnuts along with the family's winery specialties. Open daily 9 a.m.-7 p.m. Closes Dec. 31.

Stony Creek Orchard and Cider Mill 2961 W. 32 Mile Rd., Romeo; 586-752-2453; stonycreekorchard.com: Established in 1978, Stony Creek has all the regular bases — apples to jams to donuts — covered, but on the weekends it really shines. Here you'll find ice cream, homemade apple pie, lunch items and something called the "Stony Apple" — apple slices slathered in hot caramel sauce, whipped cream, nuts and other toppings. "U-pick" is available weekends too, and their salesroom offers shipping made-to-order gift boxes. Open daily 9 a.m.-6 p.m. until Dec 31. From Jan. 6-March open 10 a.m.-5:30 p.m. Friday-Sunday.

Previous Page 1 2 3 Next Page

> Email Michael Jackman

We welcome user discussion on our site, under the following guidelines:

To comment you must first create a profile and sign-in with a verified DISQUS account or social network ID. Sign up here.

Comments in violation of the rules will be denied, and repeat violators will be banned. Please help police the community by flagging offensive comments for our moderators to review. By posting a comment, you agree to our full terms and conditions. Click here to read terms and conditions.

Calendar

Restaurants

Nightlife

A short guide to notable apple orchards and cider mills in metro Detroit

Metro Times

Contact MT | Advertise | National Advertising | Work Here

News

Blogs

Best of Detroit

Music

Arts

Culture

Watch

Sports

Events

Food

Clubs

Classified

Automotive

Real Estate

Archives

Get Our Newsletters

Metro Times Stuff

Social Media

RSS Feed