Sonic tonic

‘Um-chit ‘um-chit ‘um-chit is the digital pulse soon to be throbbing two doors down from Bittersweet Coffeehouse. It’ll be the beat of the New Med, a Mediterranean restaurant-club opening at 3933 Woodward Ave. in Detroit. And even though "soon" sounds vague (who makes weekend plans around that?), there’s a reason to monitor it closely on your social radar: Tim Price has been selected as the stylist in charge of concept and design, and the overall "vibe" of the place. If you don’t know him by name, you’ve probably seen him walking the streets of the city – cell phone at his ear and shoulder bag swung back for more streamlined movement – as he hurriedly makes plans for this and that (1515 Broadway’s Pray Harder and the like).

Although the New Med is sans kitchen and booths as of yet, Price has worked in a sneak preview of the place. As part of Metro Times' colossal "Sonic Boom" music extravaganza July 14-15, the New Med will open its doors for the electronic portion of the public event. WDET-FM 101.9’s Liz Copeland joins Price in presenting a lineup of Persona (live), Derek Plaslaiko, Year of the Robot (live), Clark Warner, Tommy Onyx, Mike Huckaby, Magda, Carlos Souffront, Rob Theakston, Scott Zacharias, double helix (live), Larry Hall, Boomer "omegaman" Reynolds, Kelvin Larkin and Derrick Ramirez. It’s sort of a small-scale Detroit Electronic Music Festival, thanks to Liz (who’ll also spin her wisdom-talent).

Back to the restaurant bit, though. The New Med certainly knows what we want: Owner Furuq Khan was a waiter in a Mediterranean restaurant and saved up enough $$$ to buy the space on Woodward, to dish out the finest in falafel, hummus, tandoori and curry. For the show, all they can promise is a stage, painted walls and lighting. But, to be sure, the music will color the room magnificently with an aura of what’s to come.

Rebecca Mazzei is Metro Times arts and culture editor. Send comments to letters@metrotimes.com