By Nicole Rupersburg

This year’s 36th Annual Noel Night was a treat: if you can teleport.

On Saturday, December 6th, thousands (tens of thousands?) of people descended onto Detroit’s Midtown area in the University Cultural Center District to celebrate all that which is Christmas in the D, and it ‘twas good. Except for the fact that those descendees had exactly 4.5 hours (really, only four, since most places ended their festivities at 9:00PM) to toggle some 30+ different institutions including retail stores, restaurants, churches, museums, galleries, and the like. Additionally, those 30+ different institutions were offering some 100+ different events, from choral and dance performances to music of all genres from all over the world to art workshops and demonstrations to pictures with Santey Clause.

Then there was the parking situation, in which precious time was sucked up by idling in traffic jams on Warren, Woodward, Cass, and John R, searching desperately for a parking space and finding none, and precious more time was wasted walking the four blocks to the nearest Noel Night destination from where you were finally able to find parking. Now granted, there is a shuttle to bus you from place to place (though with that you are at the mercy of the shuttle’s schedule and route), but that doesn’t solve the initial parking problem.

There were countless—countless—sights to see and things to do. Perusing the schedule and attempting to create a game plan or rough itinerary of some sort was nothing short of daunting, as most places had an amazing lineup of performances to see and all were happening simultaneously. Not to mention all of the participating museums had free entry, which isn’t always the case, and to simply take advantage of that to see some of the things offered at the Charles H. Wright Museum of African American History or the Detroit Historical Museum or the Detroit Science Center had an appeal all its own.

Despite the initial stress, I finally came to accept that fact that I wouldn’t be able to do and see everything I wanted, and resigned myself to enjoying everything the DIA and Scarab Club had to offer.

First, though, I did swing by the live nativity scene at the Cathedral Church of St. Paul. Every barn animal under the sun (or should I say, frigid winter moon) was there…perhaps not entirely representative of what would have likely been seen in a manger in Bethlehem some two thousand years ago, but the kids seemed to enjoy it.

The next stop was the DIA, which was likely the most bang for your non-buck. While there, I saw the Suzuki Royal Oak Camerata perform their all-string versions of Christmas carols, followed by a very odd performance by the Detroit Dance Collective (I don’t claim to “get” performance art, nor will I make an effort to try). Apparently it had something to do with raising environmental awareness through dance; I was simply curious about the anorexic-looking waif flailing about onstage.

The best part of the DIA was seeing Hot Club of Detroit. One of countless gypsy jazz quintets worldwide inspired by the Quintette du Hot Club de France (formed in 1934), Hot Club of Detroit brought that Parisian café feel to the DIA’s Kresge Court. I felt like I could just as easily be an existentialist philosopher in 1960s France as an occasional arts reviewer and full-time retail worker in 2008 Detroit. They brought a certain magic with them, a feeling of some far-off poetic place full of artists and intellectuals. It must have been the accordion.

After this, it was on to the Scarab Club to catch Grupo Escobar, an 11-piece Salsa and Timba group specializing in the music of Cuba. Energetic and feisty and fiery and frenetic, Grupo Escobar also made you feel as if you had been transported to some far-off exotic place—only this one had throngs of deeply tanned attractive people dressed in white linen and flowing skirts sipping mojitos and dancing expertly to the sexy pulsing rhythms of the music on a hot and sweaty Havana night. High-ranking members of the local drug cartel would be throwing money around like Diddy in Vegas. Everyone would look like Antonio Banderas or Eva Mendes.

And then, just like that…it was over.

In a perfect world, Noel Night would become Noel Nights, performances would be more evenly spaced out (or perhaps repeated), and the whole shebang would be more easily navigable. However, this was overall still a fantastic event, and my only regret is that I couldn’t see more of it.

Story and Photos by William E. Graham

Detroit’s Historical Museum was transformed last Saturday night into what was called “The Ultimate Black Party”. It was not an exaggeration by any means as the beautiful people of Detroit were on the scene, with the black theme dominating all forms of clothing and attire. Mayoral candidate Freman Hendrix, and pro football’s Antonio Gates were among the hundreds of people gathered at the beautiful showplace of Detroit’s history on Woodward Ave. With a live band, three DJ’s (one on each level), and numerous independent video and TV crews taping the proceedings, it was indeed the place to be.

“A phenomenal turnout”, is how promoter D. Macon described the event, which ushered in a new sense of elegance for Detroit. New York and the Hampton’s are known for, among other things, the “White Parties” that Hip-Hop mogul Sean “Puffy” Combs throws, even branching out to Detroit’s Chene Park the last couple of years. But this was Detroit’s time to shine with a home grown production and D. Macon and crew did not disappoint. With his groundbreaking “Signature Saturdays” at downtown’s Sweet Georgia Brown’s, Macon has shown for a long time that he is indeed unparalleled when it comes to throwing what could only be described as the best parties and events that Detroit has to offer, rivaling anything that went on during the Super Bowl celebrations of a few years ago. 102.7’s “Wax’Trax-N Dre” was throwing down on the wheels of steel, WGPR’s “Ken “Blanks” Harrell of RealTalkFM fame was conducting all the interviews, and Cypher Chronicle’s Ed Miller was manning the camera, all to full effect. The ladies were beautiful and the fellas were on point. There was amazing food and plenty of champagne flowing as the museum’s classic displays set the perfect backdrop to combine entertainment and education to many of the patrons who had never been to this jewel of the city before or at least, in many years.

“I’d forgotten how great this place was,” a lovely Marsha Brooks shared with me. “When I saw the model train display, the memories came back to me of my trip here when I was in grade school.”

That was a great by-product of having an event like this at a location that normally wouldn’t be associated with a fantastic party, but leave it to D. Macon and crew to come up with something both unique and classic at the same time.

Nearly one thousand cyclists are expected to draw attention to Metropolitan Detroit’s growing network of Greenways while raising funds for the Corktown-Mexicantown Greenlink on Saturday, September 20, 2008. It is the seventh annual Tour de Troit that will also raise awareness of cycling as a mode of transportation. The tour is a leisurely, meandering forty-mile exploration of Detroit’s history and points of interest. Escorted by the Detroit Police Department Tactical Operations, cycling and city enthusiasts can enjoy many neighborhoods and sights free of cars and traffic signs.

700 cyclists muster for 2007 Tour De troit.

The Corktown-Mexicantown Greenlink, a project of the greater Corktown Development Corporation, is a series of bike lanes and pedestrian paths that connect Corktown and Mexicantown with each other and the riverfront. The “Dequindre Cut” is a soon to be completed pedestrian and bike lane that will connect the riverfront with Eastern market. Cyclists can learn about other greenway plans on the tour.

Registration and sign-in for The Tour de Troit will begin at 8:30 a.m. at Roosevelt Park in Corktown, in the shadow of Michigan Central Station. Coffee, carbohydrates and bike technicians will be available at that time, in preparation of the ride.

At 10 a.m., the ride will proceed through Downtown; Eastern Market; Brush Park; Boston Edison; University District; Palmer Park; Old Redford and Grandmont-Rosedale areas. A short rest stop is planned at the newly renovated Northwest Activities Center to allow riders to eat, drink and learn about community development and greenways planning in the city. The ride will end at Roosevelt Park where cyclists can remain from 2-6 p.m. to enjoy music, food and drinks.

The pace of the ride will be approximately 10-12 miles per hour and helmets are mandatory. In case of mechanical problems, a SAG (support and gear) van will be present, as well as a “Sweeper Squad” of experienced cyclists.

Pre-registration is available at www.tour-de-troit.org. The cost is $25 per rider ($15 for students) and includes a t-shirt if registration is confirmed prior to September 13. Roosevelt Park is located at the intersection of Michigan Avenue and 14th Street. Plenty of on-street parking is available, but riders are encouraged to take the SMART bus or cycle to the event.

Tour de Troit has garnered broad community support during its seven-year growth. It is a Detroit Metro Convention & Visitors Bureau “Visit Detroit” event and is sponsored by Miller Canfield; Team Detroit; Burst LLC; Vitamin Water; Slow’s Bar BBQ; Zachary and Associates; O’Connor Real Estate & Development; Canine to Five Detroit Dog Daycare; Bureau of Urban Living; Recy-clean; Michigan Green-Safe; Wheelhouse Detroit; The Hub of Detroit; Michigan Trails & Greenways Alliance; New Center Council; Detroit Bikes!; thedetroiter.com and Kem 3D.

Cyclists embark on 2007 tour.

After six years, thedetroiter.com founders are handing the reins over to a new team. This time of transition offers a moment to reflect on where we’ve been and what we’ve seen over the years. So below we list a number of articles that stand out from the archives, with a bit of editorial introduction. (For our farewell editorial, please click here.)

Throughout it all, I’ve always been touched by the pioneering spirit of Detroiters, the idea that possibilities exist where others see only ruin. This was captured in the first arts article on transforming the landscape looking at San Francisco and detroit contemporary. Almost every interviewee answering our Four Questions demonstrated that sense of optimism and belief that they could make a difference: Mitch Cope, Phaedra Robinson, and Aaron Timlin answered it here. So did Derrick May and Kevin Saunderson.

Economist Richard Florida came to town to tell us that vitality in cities stems from arts and culture, and most of us already knew it.

We’ve reflected on Opening Day and championship seasons; the Superbowl on a few occasions, and spent a lot of time running with the downtown runners(and walkers). Quite a few.

We’ve hit all the parks (like Belle Isle). We skated downtown, and even learned what Petanque is.

We’ve looked at public art and the people behind it and hung out in the Dequindre Cut long before it was to become a sculpted bike path, and the River Front too and seen it transformed.

(Here’s a favorite essay on music and DJing.)

We found the coolest basketball court in Detroit (perhaps the coolest place in Detroit) – long before the Bohemian House became the place to go in Detroit.

The Sousanis brothers covered the Lysistrata event together here and here.

We helped wish the longest standing art critic in Detroit farewell and took a stand against the big papers lack of arts coverage on several occasions and got your input too.

Somewhere in there we won an award for what we’re up to and gave a speech of sorts.

We’ve been asking Why Art? for a while, and wondering what makes us do what we do and what’s the deal with those orange houses anyway?

We met a lot of artists and told their stories, here’s just a few:
Topher Crowder, Charles McGee, Scott Hocking, Tyree Guyton, Anne Fracassa, Versiz, Eric Mesko, MIKE-E, John Ganis, Maurice Greenia, Jr.,
And one we lost too soon, Matt Blake.

And reviews of art shows – that’s been our most consistent and biggest feature all along. And we went everywhere. Everywhere. Large. Small. Popular. Off the beaten path. We saw nearly every show and wrote about almost that many. How to pick just a few?

Here’s a list of all of them – I wrote most of them, and edited all of them, and I was still stunned. Going through them chronologically offers I think a true and comprehensive picture of the Detroit arts scene over the last six years. It’s an important archive and one that is essential to be picked up and continued. See all of them here.

In addition to the reviews, we were often the first to cover or discover many artists around town. I listed a few here: Jack Johnson, Bryant Tillman, Victor Pytko, Deborah Friedman, Leah Keller, Faina Lehrman, the Detroit Industrial Projects gallery, Miroslav Cukovic, Ann Gordon, Paul Steele, Joan Painter Jones, and a whole bunch more. (If you belong on this list let us know.) (If you don’t belong on this, you can let us know too!)

Our 2006 Year in Review alone, had an amazing amount of cool stuff in it

We checked out all the art spaces in Detroit and their origins. In a special feature by Steve Panton, we looked at what’s become of old banks and we unearthed some regions around town (before our maps).

Francis Grunow talked Preservation. A bunch of us took different looks at the state of Car Nation.

thedetroiter.com bore witness to MOCAD’s coming, its arrival, and exhibitions.

We’ve had the best arts calendar man in town, Tom Carbone, always on top of everything and we’ve caught up with others on top of everything like James Dozier.

Food writing from the original Dining Duo (congrats Stac & Vince on your recent nuptials!) to Rima Nickell and her Beyond Food column to our new regular Healthy Detroit feature of Angela Kasmala and Gregg Newsom.

And it all started with this feature by these two. (And you can hear them talk too!)

So many stories, and of course, so many things I didn’t get to. (John Strand, I owe you one.) So many things I’d like to get to. But that’s up to the next team of Detroiters.

For more, surf our archives for reviews and features in the different categories back to 2002, and there are a whole bunch of feature stories in our archived old format here.

So that’s just a few from our history. We’d like to hear from you, some of your favorite stories, reviews from over the years, and we’ll add them to the list. Let us know.

All the best,
Nick Sousanis
ws@thedetroiter.com

Events editor Nicole Rupersburg brings you the scoop on what to do and where to be, each and every week, in the D.

And don’t miss our comprehensive and always up-to-date arts calendar here.

Coming Up:

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Wednesday, May 21st: The Unternationale

Detroit-Berlin transplant singer-songwriter Daniel Kahn & legendary Moscow avantgarde song bard Psoy Korolenko (in his first Detroit appearance), bring their new project of post-post-dialectic klezmer cabaret to the Bohemian- in alternating English, Russian, and Yiddish. It’s Laibach meets Theodore Bikel.

Where: Bohemian National Home, Detroit
When: Doors 8:00PM
Tix: $5.00-$10.00
www.myspace.com/bohemiannationalhome

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Thursday, May 22nd: Stand-Up for StandUp

On Thursday, May 22 at 6:30PM, join StandUp for Kids - Detroit as they welcome comedienne Chrissy Burns performing stand-up to benefit StandUp!

Attendees of the “Stand-Up for StandUp” Benefit Comedy Night can expect the following:

• An evening of stand-up comedy performed by Michigan-based comedienne and motivational speaker Chrissy Burns;
• Free food and open bar; and
• A silent auction to benefit StandUp for Kids – Detroit.

Tickets are only $30.00 for general admission, and include all of the great perks listed above. A limited number of VIP tickets are also available for $75.00, which includes everything listed above as well as a pre-show that begins at 5:00PM.

StandUp for Kids is a volunteer-driven nonprofit organization founded to help homeless and at-risk youth. The organization is national, and is guided by the mandate that “volunteers shall tell kids they care about them, and then, at every turn, prove it.”

StandUp for Kids offers a wide range of resources to homeless and at-risk youth, from deterrence and resource programs in schools and via the Internet; on-the-streets outreach; providing immediate necessities such as food, clothing, and shelter; as well as assistance in finding housing, vocational development, counseling services, health services, and general life-skills training.

Fundraising events such as “Stand-Up for StandUp” help assist in the continued provision of such services, and are vitally important to the success and achievement of StandUp’s mission.

Comedienne Chrissy Burns hails from Ypsilanti, Michigan. She is a three-time cancer survivor, and is not shy to incorporate stories from her own personal struggles (which also include dating, dieting, and life on the road) into her stand-up act, which ultimately touts the healing power of laughter.

StandUp for Kids – Detroit is very excited to be working with Chrissy Burns and with Mark Ridley’s Comedy Castle for this fun evening of food, drink, and entertainment, and is looking forward to bringing laughter to everyone who likes to laugh and likes even more to support a worthy cause while doing it!

STANDUP FOR KIDS is a 501©(3) not-for-profit organization founded in 1990 to help rescue homeless and at-risk youth. With national headquarters in San Diego, California, STANDUP FOR KIDS is run almost entirely by volunteers, and has programs in a number of states.

For more information on Mark Ridley’s Comedy Castle or to purchase tickets to this event, visit www.comedycastle.com .

Where: Mark Ridley’s Comedy Castle, Royal Oak
When: 6:30PM (5:00PM for VIP)
Tix: $30.00 general, $75.00 VIP
www.comedycastle.org
www.standupforkids.org

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Thursday, May 22nd: Marble Lounge

Get to the DIA Thursday, May 22nd, for the new late-night experience—the Marble Lounge.

Boxing!

This is a first for the museum, and the night’s entertainment is in conjunction with the special exhibitions Life’s Pleasures: The Ashcan Artists’ Brush with Leisure, 1895–1925 and Give it a Rest: People at Play in American Prints and Drawings, 1890–1945 (the latter will be open for viewing), each of which features classic images of the ring.

Where: The Detroit Institute of Arts, Detroit
When: 10:00PM-2:00AM
Tix: $10.00 at the door
18 & over. Cocktails and food available.
www.dia.org

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Friday, May 23rd: Fourth Fridays with Ford

The popular summer music series starts its season again this coming Friday, this time with pub crawls and fashion shows…and not so much music. :/

Where: Campus Martius Park, Detroit
When: 11:00AM-midnight
Tix: Free admission
www.theworldiscoming.com

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Friday, May 23rd: “Do Something Nice for Once” (A Benefit for Laura Rock)

The second benefit for Laura Rock, who was in recovery for some time and bartended at Detroit music fave the Painted Lady Lounge, relapsed and went into kidney failure, and now lies in a hospital bed waiting for a transplant.

This one is even bigger and better, featuring Electric 6, the Meatmen, SSM, Johnny Headband, Carjack, and Deastro. Man, when the local musicians rally up around you, they do it big…there will also be a raffle and other benefity-type things.

Where: Crofoot Ballroom, Pontiac
When: 9:00PM
Tix: $15.00

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Friday, May 23rd: Masters of House

Masters of House 2008 is a tribute to one of Detroit’s most legendary DJs, Ken Collier. Hosted by DJ Bruce Bailey and Nina Morena, Masters of House 2008 brings you 8 of Detroit’s top House DJs: Delano Smith, Charles Hicks, Pirahna, Al Ester, DJ Genesis, Norm Talley, DJ Minx, and Mike Clark.

Where: Level 10 (formerly the Warehouse), Detroit
When: 9:00PM-4:00AM
Tix: $10.00 in advance
www.mastersofhouse2008.com

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Saturday, May 24th: Fundraiser for the Family of Officer Gary Steele

There will be food, beer, a raffle, door prizes, and a cash liquor bar to benefit the four children of Officer Gary Steele, who currently awaits sentencing in jail of domestic violence charges. Whether he did it or not is not for us to decide, but his four children could use the financial help now that they are left without the support of their father.

Where: Gaelic League, Detroit
When: 7:30PM
Tix: $20.00

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Saturday, May 24th-Monday, May 26th: MOVEMENT

The official Press Release:

Detroit’s Electronic Music Festival has become one of the most highly anticipated annual events for electronic music fans in Detroit and across the globe. And Movement 08 – coming May 24-26 at Detroit’s Hart Plaza – is no exception. With an unprecedented lineup of artists and numerous new elements, Movement 08 promises to be the most exciting, entertaining and innovative festival yet.

“Our philosophy for producing Detroit’s Electronic Music Festival is grounded in our company’s mission, to accelerate and accentuate all the best of what Detroit has to offer the world, and that includes: artists, events, destinations, and all forms of cultural enrichment,” said Jason Huvaere, Paxahau Promotions Group, which has produced this festival since 2006. “That also includes making improvements to the festival year after year, to help it grow and spread the excitement of the electronic music culture to people across the area and around the world.”

Much of the anticipation surrounding Movement 08 is being generated by one of the strongest lineups the festival has had in its history. This year’s roster of performers includes Moby, Benny Benassi, Carl Craig, Richie Hawtin, Deadmau5, James Zabiela, Dubfire, and critically acclaimed artists such as Marco Carola, Peanut Butter Wolf and Cobblestone Jazz. Although Paxahau actively heralds Detroit’s heritage as the birthplace of techno, the company also experiences the talent from other cities, such as Miami and Berlin, to bring artists from every corner of the world to Movement.

“We’re attentive to the pulse of the music community, so we can present artists that expand Movement’s dream – and expose audiences to the spectrum of diverse genres within the electronic music scene,” stated Huvaere. “We’re all about showcasing renowned, established artists while also giving up-and-coming talent an opportunity to reach a broader audience.”

Join The Movement
Held over Memorial Day Weekend (May 24-26) at Downtown Detroit’s Hart Plaza, Movement 08 is expected to attract up to 20,000 attendees per day. Discounted pre-sale admission tickets to the festival are $40 for a weekend pass (available for a limited time only) or $175 for VIP tickets (with limited capacity available). The festival’s hours are Noon to Midnight.

Music fans from all over the region, the country and the world will visit Detroit to attend Detroit’s Electronic Music Festival, bringing much-needed revenue to the City of Detroit and Southeastern Michigan. Most important, however, the festival will further expand Detroit’s reputation for inspiring the electronic music scene – and the foundation for the creative renaissance being led by electronic music artists everywhere.

“As electronic music has evolved and expanded its reach, the festival has grown and improved right along with it,” said Jason Huvaere. “The best way to appreciate and understand what makes this event special is to come and experience it.”

And because I love you:
Movement 08 – Detroit’s Electronic Music Festival
Artist Line-Up

AARON-CARL FEAT. VERONIQUE & DJ E. DUBB
ALEX SMOKE –LIVE
ALEX UNDER –LIVE
ALLAND BYALLO
ALTON MILLER
BENNY BENASSI
BIG JOE HIX
BRIAN KAGE & LUKE HESS “REFERENCE”
CARL CRAIG –LIVE
CASSY
COBBLESTONE JAZZ –LIVE
DARKCUBE –LIVE
DAVIDE SQUILLACE
DBX –LIVE
DEADMAU5 –LIVE
DEEPCHORD PRESENTS ECHOSPACE –LIVE
DEREK PLASLAIKO
DERRICK THOMPSON AKA DRIVETRAIN
DIESELBOY & MC MESSINIAN
DREW POMPA
DUBFIRE
EGYPTIAN LOVER –LIVE
ELECTROBOUNCE.COM PRESENTS DATABASS GHETTO TECH
ERIC JOHNSTON –LIVE
GABE REAL
GIRL TALK –LIVE
GUILLAUME & THE COUTU DUMONTS –LIVE
HALF HAWAII –LIVE
HEARTTHROB –LIVE
JAMES ZABIELA
JERRY ABSTRACT
JORIS VOORN –LIVE
JOSH DAHLBERG –LIVE
JOSH WINK
JUSTIN KRUSE AKA KRUSE KONTROL
JUSTIN LONG
KEITH WORTHY
KENNETH THOMAS
KEVIN SAUNDERSON
KONRAD BLACK
LAWNCHAIR GENERALS
LEE BURRIDGE
MAGDA
MARCO CAROLA
MARK FARINA
MATHIAS KADEN –LIVE
MATTHEW HAWTIN
MICHAEL GEIGER
MIKE GRANT
MILES MAEDA
MINX
MOBY
MR. DE’ -LIVE/DJ
NEWCLEUS –LIVE
NOSPECTACLE –LIVE
OSCAR MULERO
PAR GRINDVIK –LIVE
PAUL RITCH –LIVE
PEANUT BUTTER WOLF
PETE ROCK
PUNISHER - DJ SET
REGGIE “HOTMIX” HARRELL
REX SEPULVEDA –LIVE
RICHIE HAWTIN
RICH KORACH
SHAWN MICHAELS
SOUNDMURDERER
SPEEDY J -LIVE W/ SCOTT PAGANO VJ
STACEY PULLEN
T LINDER
TECH ITCH
TERRENCE PARKER
THE COOL KIDS –LIVE
THE NICK SPEED COLLECTION
TWONZ
TYCHO –LIVE
YOS
ZIP

Where: Hart Plaza, Detroit
When: View schedule for full details
Tix: $40.00 weekend pass, $175 VIP
http://www.myspace.com/detroitmusicfest
www.paxahau.com

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Saturday, May 24th: Music Hall’s Theatre Time for Aspiring Thespians 1K Walk

An urgent press release:

“Music Hall’s Perform! Education Department Needs Our Media Friends Help!

‘Music Hall’s youth educational program, Theater Time, was currently underway with the production of The Wiz, however, due to extreme financial hardship, we had to shut the Theater Time program down. We need to raise $10,000 in order to produce this show which the kids have worked so hard to bring to the stage.

‘The parents of the Theater Time kids got together and decided to do a 1 kilometer walk around YouthVille next Saturday, May 24th , from 1:00 to 4:00PM, to help raise funds to keep this important Detroit youth education program from closing the curtain.

‘The children will also use this time for a letter-writing campaign for funding to keep Theater Time up and running.

‘There will be a $25 registration fee for all participants. In addition to contributing to an outreach youth education program, all those who register will receive name recognition in all of Music Hall’s 2008-2009 season programs.

‘We realize that this is extremely short notice, but expected funding hasn’t materialized so we must try on our own to help keep the current production of “The Wiz” on schedule.

‘Theater Time is one of Music Hall’s charter programs. It began as a two-week summer program that evolved into a year - round initiative fully staffed with two drama instructors, a music director, a vocal instructor and a choreographer. Each session concludes with a final production on Music Hall’s main stage. This fruitful evolution that took place within the Theater Time infrastructure has lead to a 90% retention rate with the participating Detroit youth.

‘Thank you again for any help or last minute coverage you can muster for this important and enriching program.”

YouthVille is located at:
Detroit Youth Foundation
7375 Woodward
Suite 2800
Detroit, MI 48202

Where: YouthVille, Detroit
When: 1:00PM-4:00PM
Tix: $25.00
www.musichall.org

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Saturday, May 24th: Hi-Tek Soul

Check out world-class DJs Derrick May and Quentin Harris on one of the biggest weekends for electronic music in the world in one of the most intimate venues you’re likely to ever see them.

Where: 1515 Broadway, Detroit
When: 10:00PM-2:00AM
Tix: $20.00
www.313rd.com

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ONGOING:

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Friday, May 16th-Friday, May 30th: CCS Student Art Exhibit

Or: good art cheap. Although to get first dibs is a little pricey–$350.00 for the collector’s preview and private reception (when much is also sold), $50.00 for general exhibit later that same day, then free beginning May 17th (probably after most is sold).

Where: Center for Creative Studies, Detroit
When: Collector’s Preview May 16 5:30PM-10:00PM; general exhibition opening and sale May 16 7:00PM-10:00PM, daily hours Sat. –Wed. 10:00AM-4:00PM, Thurs. & Fri. 10:00AM-8:00PM.
Tix: Collector’s Preview $350.00, Exhibit Opening $50.00

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Friday, May 16th-Monday, June 9th: Jeffrey

Who Wants Cake? is proud to announce their final show of the Who Wants Cake? 2007-2008 season, the gay romantic comedy classic, Jeffrey by Paul Rudnick. Opening Friday, May 16th , Jeffrey will play Friday-Mondays for a four week run at The Ringwald Theatre in Downtown Ferndale.

It’s 1993 and Jeffrey, a gay actor/waiter, has sworn off sex after too many bouts with his partners about what is ’safe’ and what is not. Suddenly, just after he’s reconciled himself to celibacy, Jeffrey’s flamboyant friends introduce him to the man of his dreams, who happens to be HIV-positive. What follows is an audacious and moving romantic comedy with a difference—one in which the quest for love and really fabulous clothes meet, and where unflagging humor prevails even when tragedy might be just around the corner.

Paul Rudnick’s plays have been produced both on and off Broadway and around the world. They include Valhalla; The Most Fabulous Story Ever Told; Mr. Charles, The Naked Eye; I Hate Hamlet and Jeffrey for which he won an Obie, an Outer Critics Circle Award and the John Gassner Playwriting Award. His screenplays include Addams Family Values, the screen adaptation of Jeffrey and In & Out.
Jeffrey features a talented cast that includes Joe Bailey, Melissa Beckwith, Tony Gross, Richard Payton, Joe Plambeck, all of Ferndale, and Dan Morrison, Gary Lehman, and John Prakapas, all of Ann Arbor. Joe Bailey will also direct.

PLEASE NOTE: Jeffrey contains adult situations.

Where: The Ringwald Theatre, Ferndale
When: Fri., Sat. & Mon. 8:00PM; Sun. 3:00PM
Tix: Fri. & Sat. $20.00, Sun. $15.00, Mon. $10.00. Sunday, May 18th will be pay what you can.
www.whowantscaketheatre.com

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Friday, May 16th-Saturday, June 7th: The Best of Me

The Abreact continues with the “desperation” theme of their stellar 07-08 season with The Best of Me, a riveting play by Michigan playwright Lance Alan, opening at The Zeitgeist in Detroit, Friday, May 16th.

In The Best of Me, enter a place where love struggles to survive its own delusion. Between stark walls and boarded windows, a devoted married couple exist in near complete isolation. For years, their only contact has been through a broker, a faceless man who sells their possessions so they may continue. With nothing left to sell, Man and Woman are left to test the limits of survival, co-dependency and good
intentions in a world where illusion and reality collide. Abreact co-founder Thomas Hoagland returns to Detroit from New York to breathe life into the perplexing oddity known as Man. Linda Rabin Hammell serves as the inspiration for Man’s hope. The Best of Me also features Sean McGettigan and Molly McMahon, and is directed by Lance Alan, assisted by Amy Arena.

Where: The Zeitgeist Theatre, Detroit
When: Fridays and Saturdays 8:00PM, Sunday June 1st 4:00PM
Tix: $10.00
www.theabreact.com