We already know the Steelers and Seahawks, the Stones and Stevie are getting ready to ball over at Ford Field, where Super Bowl XL seemingly has been in the planning stages for the past 300 years or so.
But when does the real frolic start? Where can you go to dance the overhype out of your system, especially if electronic beats get your heart thumping faster than watching quarterback mooks named Big Ben and Bald Matt handle asses down some football field? There's plenty to keep you satisfied, most of it just close enough to the spectacle being beamed to the rest of the world from downtown Detroit, but not too close.
Beginning Feb. 1, there's a wide range of dance options at an unnamed new space on downtown's western edge at 1701 W. Lafayette Blvd. The first night's party, called the Grand Scheme of Things, is a tribute to longtime house producer-DJ Terrence Parker. TP, the man who made the telephone headphone famous, will spin along with MoReese and Tony Trouble. The event runs 10 p.m.-4 a.m., $10. On Feb. 2, the party in the same space is called Skin Deep and features house dames Minx and Lynxx. Doors are 11 p.m. until 4 a.m., $10. On Friday, it's Laboratory, with old acid warrior Kooky Scientist at the master controls. The event also features Skylab2000, Don Q, Adam Francesconi, Cozmic Spore, Dankshark & Nyhylist, Liza B. and more. Doors are at 10 p.m. Pre-sale tickets for Laboratory are $25 at Detroit Threads in Hamtramck and Record Time locations. All three are 18-and-over.
Also on Friday, the elusive Juan Atkins, was scheduled to play with his former Belleville neighbor, Eddie "Flashin" Fowlkes, at the Hub (1344 Broadway, Detroit). Now we hear the goddamn Godfather of Techno was "never confirmed." C'mon fellas, not again. The special Super Bowl edition of Fowlkes' weekly Deep Groove party still features residentt Norm Talley and guest Mikael Thornton.
The weirdest, most anti of any of the weekend's parties is likely to be around the corner at Oslo (1456 Woodward Ave., Detroit; 313-963-0300), where rising German underground star Matt John makes his Detroit debut. In Berlin, people talk about his "holographic picnics," freak-out digital jam sessions with other musicians that go on for days at a time. John performs with three turntables and live equipment, but it's unclear how he will set up when he takes over the Oslo booth Friday. The party is hosted by Spectral Sounds' Ryan Elliott, who will spin along with John and Shaun Reeves. Lee Cutiss, a western Michigan native who has a dance 12-inch out soon on Holland's Contexterrior label, will perform live. Doors: 10 p.m., $10.
On Saturday at Oslo, monthly resident Detroiter Stacey Pullen will pull an all-nighter (well, at least six hours). Pullen seems to get stronger as the night grows shorter, with highlights galore when few seem to be noticing. The 21-and-over party begins at 10 p.m. and ends whenever you leave. Cover is $20.
The same night, Paxahau presents the return of Vancouver's Mathew Jonson at Northern Lights Lounge (660 W. Baltimore St., Detroit). Jonson, who records for the Canadian Itiswhatitis, Wagon Repair and Minus labels (as well as others in Europe), is no ordinary four-on-the-floor techno producer. He studied classical piano and clarinet as a kid, and has converted his love of jazz into recordings and performances with the groups Modern Deep Left Quartet and Cobblestone Jazz. Paxahau residents Chuck Flask, Rich Korach, Tony Zadonia and John Johr are also on the bill. Doors 10 p.m. the party is 21 and over. Advance tickets at Neptune Records and Record Time, or at Paxahau.com.
The Subterraneans is a column dedicated to Detroit dance culture. Send comments to [email protected]
