Cover Story
Up late with singer-songwriter Anna Burch
The group of guys next to me are trying to score coke — I think. It’s Sunday. I’m waiting for Anna Burch, and Anna Burch is awaiting the release of her first record Quit the Curse, and we are waiting to do karaoke. Burch orders a gin and tonic, and before we can get to…
The best ways to celebrate Paczki Day in metro Detroit
Before the Lenten fasting can begin, metro Detroiters celebrate the Christian-adjacent holiday of Fat Tuesday with those pillowy, deep-fried confections known as Paczki. Detroit’s Polish roots run deep and when the sacred feast day comes, our stomachs are subjected to some unholy gluttony. The Eastern European donut comes in many shapes, sizes, fillings, toppings, and…
Catch Oscar-nominated short films at the Detroit Film Theatre starting tomorrow
Whoever said size matters clearly wasn’t referring to short films. Returning as DFT’s most popular annual program, comes the 2018 Academy Award Nominated Shorts. Offering creative visions from all over the world, the screening will feature all five nominees in both the short animation and live-action film categories as one presentation in two sections. From…
Noel Gallagher brings High Flying Birds to Detroit
Few rock relationships are as contentious as the one between Oasis brothers Liam and Noel Gallagher. Well, since leaving Oasis behind in 2009, Noel is singing a different tune with a new flock. Noel Gallagher’s High Flying Birds fly high above the “Wonderwall” with 2017’s psychedelic rock record Who Built the Moon? Though released only…
The music of J Dilla will be honored at the DIA this Friday
Marking the anniversary two days after his birthday and one day before he died from a heart attack, the DIA is honoring the life and legacy of legendary Detroit hip-hop artist J Dilla. As part of their Black History Month programming, composer Miguel Atwood-Ferguson has arranged important moments from J Dilla’s catalog to be performed…
Celebrate Valentine’s Day with Patti Smith in a totally Patti Smith way
“Some things melt before they become memories,” artist, author, and poet Patti Smith says in her latest book, Devotion. Smith’s tapestry of memories is a rich one, and much of her source material is the intricacies and difficulties of feeling love. In 2010, she delivered Just Kids — the hauntingly descriptive tale of her relationship…
Michigan snubbed in Open Table roundup of romantic restaurants
Detroit’s burgeoning restaurant scene doesn’t seem to making big enough waves to get a nod from Open Table. At least, none of them are apparently charming enough to appear on the dining guide’s website in a listicle of the top 100 romantic restaurants in the country. This list, which Open Table says it creates based…
‘Dillatroit’ returns to pay tribute to local hip-hop icon J Dilla this weekend
Feb. 10 marks a sad day in hip-hop history — it’s the death anniversary of legendary producer James Dewitt Yancey (aka J Dilla). He lost his battle with a blood disease on that day in 2006. While there are several events throughout the weekend that set out to celebrate J Dilla’s influential contributions to hip-hop…
Coney paczki return to American Coney Island on Fat Tuesday
One of the more shocking creations in Detroit’s culinary history returns on Tuesday when downtown’s American Coney Island will offer coney paczki for a second year. Owner Grace Keros tells Metro Times the hybrid was such a hit when she and her team introduced it last year that they felt compelled to bring it back for…
The freaks come out at night — The Dirty Show returns for its 19th year
The Dirty Show is back. Now in its 19th iteration, Jerry Vile’s international erotic art show once again features burlesque performances (headliners include Roxi DLite, Chris Harder, and Ray Gunn), the Cinerotic Film Festival, and the return of “Daddyhole,” a pop-up leather daddy bar (see our feature in this issue). Of course, there will also…
Beacon Park announces free movie nights in February
February isn’t typically the time of year we expect to write about free outdoor movies — those announcements generally come in the warm, blissful summer months when one can spend more than 15 minutes outside without risking frostbite Well, Beacon Park has just announced a free February movie series and it is taking place outdoors…
Former Republican U.S. Representative joins Michigan anti-gerrymandering effort
Former Republican U.S. Rep. Joe Schwarz joined the board of Voters Not Politicians, a nonprofit, non-partisan group that’s working to end gerrymandering in Michigan. Schwarz represented Michigan in the U.S. House of Representatives from 2005 to 2007, and finished second in the Republican gubernatorial primary in 2002. He currently identifies as an independent. In a…
Detroit property values increase for the first time in 17 years
Detroit’s narrative as the “Comeback City” just got another boost. Today, officials announced that for the first time in 17 years, residential property values within city limits have increased by as much as 10 percent. According to a press release, the assessments are based on actual property sales and reflect an overall increase in the…
Yemeni-American sub shop will open in Hamtramck’s former Mocha Cafe space
A new Yemeni-American sub shop called Fantastic Subs is taking the place of Mocha Cafe, another Hamtramck sandwich maker that was also home to the wonderful cake cup. Mocha recently shut down its Hamtramck location, though it’s not clear why. We’ve reached out to the owners for comment. The Hamtramck Mocha Cafe has no relation…
Rashida Tlaib is now running for John Conyers’ seat
Former State Representative Rashida Tlaib has officially announced her campaign for the 13th Congressional District, a seat left vacant after John Conyers resigned in December amid a sexual harassment scandal. “My track record is based on a new approach to public service, one that is needed now more than ever,” Tlaib says in a press…
Michigan House candidate Michael Gilmore is suing Snyder over election
U.S. House of Representatives candidate Michael Gilmore is a candidate for the seat vacated by former U.S. Rep John Conyers, and he has filed a lawsuit against Gov. Rick Snyder demanding that the election be moved up to an earlier date. Back in December, Snyder announced Conyers’ congressional seat would remain empty until the regularly scheduled…
Detroit Lions announce new head coach — and he has the most beautiful beard
Our hometown football team has a new leader. Today, rumors were confirmed and an official announcement came down that former defensive coordinator for the New England Patriots, Matt Patricia, will be the new Detroit Lions head coach. In case you were too distracted by Patriots coach Bill Belichick’s cut-off sweater during last night’s Super Bowl, Patricia was that bearded…
Sanctuary Detroit will reopen inside former Paycheck’s Lounge
One of Detroit’s busiest venues for DIY hardcore, emo, and metal music is moving to a new home. The Sanctuary is reopening this spring at the site of the old Paycheck’s Lounge, located at 2932 Caniff St. in Hamtramck. The move was announced on Twitter as well as on Facebook by the venue’s owner, Maxxwell…
Everything you need to know about the most memorable Detroit Super Bowl ads
The Super Bowl would be nothing without pizza, chicken wings, and cameos from our favorite celebrity lawyers. This year, Alexa lost her voice, Morgan Freeman lip synced to Missy Elliot, and Budweiser and Stella Artois boasted their water-distribution efforts — but neither mentioned Flint. Statewide, we had local celebs and politicians grace our screens between…
REO Speedwagon teams up with Chicago for tour heading to DTE
We can’t fight this feeling anymore, you guys. After all these years, we keep on loving REO Speedwagon. And this time around, they’re teaming up with “If you leave me now” rockers, Chicago for a Midwestern rock extravaganza. With a combined 140 million records sold worldwide, REO Speedwagon and Chicago will kick off a co-headlining…
Detroit rapper Eastside Peezy shot over weekend
Details are still emerging about the shooting of Detroit rapper Peezy (aka Eastside Peezy), who is said to in critical condition. WDIV reported that a man had been shot in the head Sunday morning at the 3600 block of Fairview Street on Detroit’s east side. Used to stand on the corner all day for a pair of…
Protests planned after downriver church announces conversion therapy for LGBTQ teens
Protestors are planning a Thursday night demonstration at the Riverview campus of Metro City Church after the organization announced it would host an “Unashamed Identity Workshop” class for “girls only (by birth), aged 12-16” who think they may be gay, bisexual, or transgender. The six-week, $200 program sparked the ire of locals who are saying the…
Noam Chomsky will speak in Dearborn on Sunday
Noam Chomsky, now 89, is a living legend. After first making his name in the field of linguistics, he has since become a notable social critic and political philosopher — earning him a reputation as “America’s No. 1 dissident.” The thinker will be in Dearborn Sunday night at UAW Local 600 to give the keynote…
Uber driver murdered during passenger pickup in Detroit
Detroit police say an Uber driver who was picking up a passenger on the west side of the city on Sunday evening was shot and killed. The incident occurred on in the area of Greenfield Road and Fenkell Avenue, on Coyle Street. The passenger, a woman, said she’d called for a ride in order to…
Paul Simon announces farewell tour with stop in Detroit
Graceland is forever and there’s only one man suited to be its bodyguard. Paul Simon is the latest legend to bid adieu to the touring life — after giving it one last go. Simon’s Homeward Bound: The Farewell Tour will kick off in May and will travel across North America, the U.K, and Europe —…
The home of the hot dog doughnut and adorable Japanese pastries has closed
Pastry House Hippo is one of our favorite metro Detroit pastry-makers, so it’s with a heavy heart that we pass on the news that it served its final hot dog doughnut on Sunday. The small Novi Japanese/French bakery made the announcement via its Facebook page, though it appears a new Japanese bakery will take its…
Detroit DACA recipients urge Democrats to pass “clean” Dream Act
Juan Gonzalez was brought to the U.S. from his native Mexico when he was just a year old. His parents had immigrated here illegally, and it took Gonzalez until the age of 16 to discover the consequences of that choice. He’d just gotten his first job, as a dishwasher in his hometown of Detroit, when…
Rare baseball cards and memorabilia will be on display at new ‘Play Ball’ DIA exhibit
America’s favorite pastime may seem like an unlikely subject for an art museum but the DIA has bases loaded for their latest exhibition of rare baseball cards and memorabilia. “Play Ball: Baseball at the DIA” opens March 30 and will include a complete collection of more than 500 rare baseball cards. The card collection is part…
Sanders is rolling out three new cherry-flavored products and we can’t wait to try them
Sanders Fine Chocolatiers, a longtime Michigan-based chocolate company, is rolling out three new products that embrace the cherry-chocolate combination. They include the Three Piece Milk Chocolate Cherry Almond Caramels, Dark Chocolate Cherry Granola Snack Bars, and Milk Chocolate Cherry Almond Caramel Mini Bites. “The sweet-tart flavor of the cherries pairs perfectly with our chocolate to provide a…
Snyder appoints anti-gay pastor to Michigan Civil Rights Commission
This shouldn’t be that hard: You don’t need to be a firebrand to presume that an organization called the Michigan Civil Rights Commission probably needs to be staffed with people who understand and support the latest currents of thought when it comes to civil rights. Which is to say, you probably shouldn’t appoint a holy-rolling…
NY-style pizzeria and home of the ‘chocolate gyro’ now open in Greektown
We’re a little behind on this one, but it’s definitely worth mentioning that a new New York-style pizzeria held its soft opening in Greektown in late December. Eat-N-Out makes the big, thin-crust pies that are a bit of a rarity in a city where deep dish is the signature style. As at NYC pizzerias, owner…
All of Michigan is an ICE ‘border zone’ — here are the rights all immigrants should know
It’s clear by now: the Trump administration is cracking down on undocumented immigrants living in the U.S. In Michigan, several events have highlighted the extent of the efforts so far. In October 2017, Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents arrested and deported a father in Southwest Detroit who had previously been granted a special visa that would…
Michigan Congresswoman Brenda Lawrence was caught playing Candy Crush on her phone during SOTU
Honestly, we can so relate to this. What do you do when faced with listening to an insane narcissistic and self-proclaimed “very stable genius” hammer on about his so-called accomplishments for, I don’t know, at least an hour? You take out your handheld device and commence playing your favorite game, duh. For Democratic House Rep.…
Satanic Temple announces mysterious ‘ritual performance’ slated for next week
This isn’t your grandfather’s satanic sanction and this really has nothing to do with the “devil.” Considered a religious organization comprised of non-theistic Satanists, the Satanic Temple of Detroit announced their latest event — Subversive Autonomy: Ritual Performance by Satanic disciplinary activist and member of the Temple’s executive ministry, Jex Blackmore. The ritual is not…
8 Mile doughnut shop opens next to a pot dispensary on Wednesday
The Holy Moly Donut Shop is planning to host a soft opening as soon as Wednesday. While a new doughnut shop is exciting news on its own — especially with as good of a name as “Holy Moly” — this one is making a few dreams come true by opening next the the Unified Collective…
New Visit Detroit campaign video features sparkling images, positive quotes
There’s no doubt Detroit is undergoing an immense revitalization. In the past few years we’ve seen new restaurants and bars open left and right. The city is seeing new and old independent retailers thrive. The QLine is now transporting people in a three-mile loop around Midtown and Downtown. Little Caesars Arena is pretty darn nice.…
Haute to Death celebrates 10 year anniversary with retrospective art exhibition and dance party
Ash Nowak and Jon Dones were still setting up for their 10th anniversary dance party/art exhibition when we spoke by phone on Thursday afternoon. Together the pair are known as Haute to Death, the DJ duo behind a decade of art-influenced dance parties at Temple Bar. To celebrate those 10 years, they’re setting up a…
Two new women-owned shops are coming to downtown Wyandotte
Downtown Wyandotte will soon be home to two new retail establishments, both of which specialize in vintage goods. Mama Coo’s, a shop with an already-established location in Corktown, announced earlier this week that a sister location is in the works for the southern suburb. Mama Coo’s, owned and operated by Alana Rodriguez, is known for selling…
The story of how four black Detroiters became property owners after the Great Fire of 1805
For African Americans, the struggle to own property in Detroit is almost as old as the city itself — tactics like redlining, restrictive covenants, and mob violence were long used to prevent black Detroiters from purchasing homes. And while, the city enjoyed a higher-than-average black homeownership rate by 2000, the recent subprime mortgage and tax…
A new restaurant ‘celebrating Detroit’s cultural diversity’ is planned for Jefferson Chalmers
A new restaurant that highlights and borrows from cuisines from around the world is in the works in Detroit’s Jefferson Chalmers neighborhood. Alma Kitchen, which recently won a Motor City Match grant, is building out its new 85-seat space at 14300 E. Jefferson Ave., and could be open in September. Co-owners Gary Mui and Alicia…
Sick of winter in Detroit? Good thing you didn’t live here 137 years ago!
One of the great things about Michigan weather is if you think you’ve got it bad, it has always been worse. It’s not a lot of comfort, but as Groundhog Day approaches, and the likelihood of another six weeks of winter looms, any psychological shot in the arm helps. Maybe you survived that snowstorm a mere…
Elton John invites Greta Van Fleet to perform in L.A.
The good news just keeps on comin’ for Frankenmuth’s on-the-rise rockers Greta Van Fleet. First, Rolling Stone can’t stop singing their praises. And then they sold-out back-to-back shows at the Fillmore this coming May. So, they added a third date, and, yeah, that one sold-out too. Now, Sir Elton John is feeling the Fleet heat. John…
Snyder wants Great Lakes states to fight Asian carp since Trump is useless
Invasive Asian carp could be poised to take over the Great Lakes. In June 2017, a 28-inch-long silver carp was caught beyond the electric barrier system that is supposed to keep them out of the Great Lakes, following the 2010 discovery of a bighead carp beyond the barrier. Experts believe that if something is not done, the…
Study says: More Detroit residents rent than own their homes
Detroiters are still reeling from the 2008 housing market crash. Couple that with the foreclosure crisis and you’ve got enough to contextualize a recent study that found more city residents rent their homes than own them. According to the study conducted by Rent Cafe, the renters’ share of the Detroit housing market grew more than…
Beans and Cornbread will offer Jim Crow-era shoebox meals in honor of Black History Month
Patrick Coleman says his mother and grandmother told him a lot of stories growing up. They told him what is was like to travel in the South at the height of Jim Crow-era America. It wasn’t an easy, or particularly pleasant, feat for black people. Coleman says because black people were often barred from eating…
Former WDET host Craig Fahle resigns from government post, plots return to radio
Detroit Land Bank Authority public affairs director Craig Fahle is stepping down from his post in an effort to return to his roots in broadcast media. In a phone interview shortly after news broke that he’d be leaving the department, which has been plagued by a federal investigation into possible bid-rigging in its demolition program,…
Disappointment and dismay expressed over John Engler as interim MSU president
In the wake of the major sexual abuse scandal that rocked Michigan State University, how eager are MSU officials to look deep down into their souls and find what went wrong? “Not that deep” would seem to be the response, judging from reactions to the choice of former Michigan Gov. John Engler as interim president…
The Pretenders join Journey and Def Leppard on arena tour headed to Comerica Park
Don’t stop believing, you guys. The ’80s are back. The masterminds behind that catchy tune about a mythical land called “South Detroit” — we’re talking about Journey — are teaming up with sticky, sweet hairband rockers Def Leppard for a massive arena tour headed to Comerica Park this summer. Oh yeah, and they’ve added another…
Review: Eatóri Market is in with the in-crowd
Eatóri has quickly become just what it was intended to be — a neighborhood place for downtowners. On a snowy night with a travel advisory in place, we watched the small Capitol Park place fill up with folks who could get there by walking. Lots of new downtown restaurants are aimed at the affluent, of…
Get to know the city of Detroit’s propaganda arm
Early this month, in the days after Detroit Mayor Mike Duggan said he’d be moving forward with a plan to require thousands of Detroit businesses to buy into a costly surveillance program intended to reduce crime, a sponsored post that looked favorably upon the program appeared at the top of our Facebook timeline. The linked…
Drugs are a major campaign point in Michigan this political season
This year will be the most drug-infused election season in Michigan history. Not only is the question of legalizing marijuana probably going to be on the ballot, the opioid crisis is going to be front and center as an issue. Every candidate for statewide office in Michigan is talking about the opioid crisis. Gubernatorial candidates…
A conversation with Black Rebel Motorcycle Club’s Robert Levon Been
The first time Black Rebel Motorcycle Club reared their unwashed heads was around the turn of the century. “I gave my soul to a new religion,” Peter Hayes screams against frayed and fuzzy guitars of their breakout hit, asking, “Whatever happened to our rock ‘n’ roll?” In terms of rebellion, they are not the first,…
Michael Ford’s Hip Hop Architecture Camp comes to MOCAD
Highland Park native Michael Ford has made a career out of his two seemingly unconnected passions: hip-hop and architecture. But listen to him talk and the two are obviously intertwined — it was the Swiss-French architect Le Corbusier’s invention of the idea of modern housing projects that gave rise to 1520 Sedgwick Ave. in the…
Payroll Giovanni gets serious on latest collaboration with Cardo, Big Bossin Vol. 2
Detroit rapper and Doughboyz Cashout standout member Payroll Giovanni (Dior Giovanni Petty) has teamed up with Texas-based producer, Cardo (Ronald LaTour) to release a follow-up to their 2016 cult classic mixtape, Big Bossin Vol. 1. The duo’s shared appreciation for classic West Coast artists like Tupac and Mac Dre makes for the anecdotal, sunny hip-hop…
Behind the mysterious images of Lauren Semivan
Lauren Semivan is a Detroit-based photographer whose work is more than meets the eye. The artist creates intricate, abstract tableaus made from charcoal drawings, found objects, and sometimes even her own body. Door to the Dark, a collection of more than a dozen works, will soon be on display at Detroit’s David Klein Gallery. Metro…
Is Michigan a shithole state?
As previously noted, we currently have a president of the United States who is an emotionally disturbed, possibly mentally ill man-child. This is, of course, endlessly fascinating. Think of how much more boring our lives would be if we were saddled with a sane and sober leader who was doing boring things like trying to…
Horoscopes (Jan. 31-Feb. 6)
ARIES: March 21 – April 20 When one door closes, another one opens. At times like this there’s no sense hanging on to things or feeling guilt about what appears to be passing away. With a whole new raft of changes and opportunities floating in with the tide, the only way to honor the past…
Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri is already one of the year’s best movies
In many ways Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri defies description, and that’s a good thing. Part dark comedy and part drama, it challenges expectations and convention and is richly better because of it. It’s Oscar season, and if you’re looking for a title likely to be on people’s lips over the next few months, look…
