Interview by Leyland DeVito

Joe Zainea is quite literally the father figure of the Majestic Theater center, a conglomeration of two music venues, a restaurant, and a bowling alley that he runs with his two sons. A funny old raconteur, it didn’t take much to get him to sit down with contributor Leyland DeVito and tell some stories about the fall (and rise) of Detroit during the course of his time in the business.

What can you say about living and working in Detroit?

“Cool cities” is what we’ve always strived for down here. I can go back to the 1950’s, when people were abandoning the city and leaving for the suburbs, there were a small quarter of people down here that struggled to keep Detroit alive. The decline culminated in the Eighties. Everybody left town, even the affluent African-Americans… I guess the Reagan economic system “trickled down” to the African-Americans and they did the same thing as anyone else, they left for the suburbs.

So we were left from ’88 to ’94 with downright indigents. Couldn’t make any money with them. Our sons graduated from college, and David told me, “If you want me to work here…” It turned out to be the wisest thing, because he tripled the price of bowling and it offended the indigents and they left. They also hit the Mile roads, by the way. There’s nothing secret about the Mile roads. Everybody aspires to be on a higher and higher Mile road. I call it the “Mile Road Syndrome”.

If racism can kill a city, so can elitism. I live in Detroit, on the border with Grosse Point. Same neighborhood my father and mother built the house in 1919. Our roses are blooming. Our garden is beautiful. The house is built like a brick castle. And guess what? I paid for it 35 years ago. So my peers who moved to Grosse Point wonder, “How do you get to go to Europe twice a year?”

Our value system is all screwed up. I just love my street. It looks beautiful. It doesn’t make any difference how big your house is. What matters is what’s in your heart, your mind, your intellect, and your soul. They have it all backwards.

How long have you been at the helm of the Majestic Theater center?

My dad bought the bowling alley in 1946. I’m not at the helm. I have two sons. My son David is the general manager and my son Joe is the chef, neither of which you could operate this business without. Are they at the helm? I think they are. I do the bookkeeping and the buying and the selling and the hell raising. That’s my duty as a 73 year old.

What improvements have you noticed in your long time here?

It’s you people, the young crowd. They’re breaking away from their parents, their ideology, thinking, “All the things I love are back in Detroit”. The Art Institute, the clubs, the restaurants. They don’t understand, but the young kids do, and that’s who I give credit too. I’ll take the young any day of the week.

I remember when I was 18 I had to lie to my parents to come down here to see the Rock City Festival.

You loved that? We did that. We got a sponsor because we were doing pretty good from bar sales. The beer company that sponsored us is suffering a decline in their business all over, but they’re not suffering a decline in Midtown, Detroit. Business in Midtown is up! But they can’t afford to give us the money to do another show like that. That was a free concert. Pretty nice, wasn’t it? You know where I was during that? I was in Greece and Turkey. It’d be nice to have another one. We still have the name registered.

The Majestic Theater and the Magic Stick upstairs are my favorite venues in the city. You guys book so many great local, national, and international acts. When did this become a place for younger music?

That’s from our sons coming into the business. If I didn’t change, chances are I’d be out of business. I had a nice Lebanese restaurant, it was called “The Gnome Restaurant”, but it wasn’t wide enough appeal to a mass crowd. So my sons came in, they switched it to all American, with some Arabic food, some Mediterranean food. My son Joe learned new techniques of cooking international foods, and then all of a sudden all these young kids start showing up. And where are the people my age at 10 o’clock at night? They’re beddy-bye in the suburbs watching the boob tube and getting ready for bed. And where are their children? They’re not even in the house at 10, they’re going out for dinner. We had to change with the clientele, and that’s simply what made the difference.

What about the history of the Majestic Theater?

Originally it was the largest theater built in the world for the purpose of motion pictures. The architect, C. Howard Crane, went on to build the Fox Theaters around the country and maybe ten more theaters downtown. As they built movie theaters in the suburbs, this place became more of a kung-fu, open-up-all-night, twenty-five-cents-a-ticket place. Then it was closed as a theater and turned to a church. The owner was a notorious preacher, and a fraud, so he got kicked out, and then they turned the theater into a photographic studio to make commercials for the auto industry. Then that whole industry left Detroit for California. The theater was vacant for about 10 years. For a time we rented it to a manufacturer of trophies and silkscreen T-shirts.

When did it become a place for younger music?

We bought the building in 1984 and took the theater and turned it into an underground club. You had to come in through the back door, through the alley. We painted all the walls black, the floor black, and we had 1,000 kids crammed into there just shakin’. We had raves. But the house doesn’t make any money on raves. We decided to go more of a musical route. We brought in Sheryl Crow, Richard Thompson, some hot shows. Upstairs [in the Magic Stick], the White Stripes, Blanche, the Von Bondies, that’s more recently.

That was a turning point. The young people move into the city, buying the lofts, and as they do, their parents are becoming more curious. And then since the Super Bowl, there are 20 new pubs and restaurants. I’d say that that was a turning point too, and that helped.

What’s in the future for the complex?

We put a new roof on the building, so there’s no more water leaking. We just signed a contract for a new air conditioning and ventilation system that we never had before. That’s going to be a huge plus, we have thirteen concerts booked for the summertime. The theater has not had air conditioning. When it was built, the sign said it was “air cooled’. What they did was take huge blocks of ice and put them in the basement, and this great big propeller fan blew across the ice and sent the cool air up to the ceiling, and then it came down, almost like raindrops.

The Majestic Theater also promotes non-musical artists as well. There are always paintings and photographs on the walls. How else does the center promote non-musical artists?

That was my son’s plan in 1992 to change the art on the wall every three to four weeks. We never charge a fee, we just ask when they have the opening they bring responsible spenders to do some bar business. Quite a few of our staff are actors from Wayne State and University of Detroit with their own gigs. Because it’s a restaurant business we make it adjustable for them to go off a do a show and come back because there’s enough of them. Also, I think it adds a nice flair, having an actor wait on you.

For more info on the Majestic Complex located from 4120 to 4140 on Woodward Avenue in Detroit, check out their website here or call (313)833-9700
http://www.majesticdetroit.com/
4120-4140 Woodward Avenue, Detroit, MI

Leyland DeVito is studying illustration at Detroit's College for Creative Studies. He can be reached at flyingtreemonkey@aol.com.

Joe Zainea photos by Micaela Ruiz.

By Christopher Thompson

With the surge of zombie flicks pouring out of Hollywood, you might be relieved to see the Detroit Science Center’s exhibit, Our Bodies: The Universe Within, where the undead don’t try to eat human flesh. Instead, these specimens on display provide a creatively educational way to show those of us who are not scientists what it looks like underneath that skin of ours. With 135 anatomical displays of all parts of the human body, and 20 human bodies stripped of their skin and seemingly brought to life in animated poses that reveal various parts of their insides, you will see the whole inside of the human body and then some. And these aren’t fake bodies and body parts, either—they’re just as real as you or me.

Two similar traveling exhibits, “Body Worlds” and “Bodies…The Exhibition,” have stirred up some controversy over whether there was consent given to use these bodies for science. There seems to be less controversy here at the DSC as these bodies (all from China) were all donated with the consent of the individual to be used for the purposes of scientific research. And they’ve been put to good use, creating this great window into what makes us tick.

Some years ago, researchers at the University of Michigan, developed a way to preserve bodies called plastination that doesn’t produce any odor or any potentially carcinogenic toxins. In plastination, water and fat is replaced with reactive, pliable plastics that allow the body to be manipulated into different positions before hardening. The process takes anywhere from 1,200 to 1,500 hours to complete, and leaves the specimens dry and odorless.

Every part on display is from a real human, with the exception of the eyes, which would be cloudy even after plastination. The musculoskeletal system and the internal organs are the major focuses of the exhibit, and it’s impressive to see all of those organs crammed in a tiny area of the human body. The exhibit also looks at the genitalia, tendons, nerves, and arteries.

In fact, the arteries are one of the neater parts of the exhibit. To make these blood vessel specimens, the plastination process must be put to quite creative use. As with the rest of the body, the blood vessels of a specimen are filled with the plastic. The difference comes after the hardening of the plastic. Acid is then dumped over the bodies, which dissolves everything except for the plastic, leaving behind a map of the arteries, later painted bright red or green or blue. The end product quite resembles a coral reef. This plastic is pliable, but brittle, and underneath the blood vessels exhibits there are plenty of broken bits of the plastic fallen to the floor.

At the end of the major part of the exhibition is the prenatal gallery, which has displays of aborted fetuses, several of them in the third trimester of life in the womb. Despite the controversial subject matter, these are impressive to look at, though, because their translucent skin allows one to look at all of their developing insides. There is also a final, small, “part two” of the exhibition that has a familiar sight for those who have seen the Jennifer Lopez movie, The Cell, and the scene with the horse thinly sliced into numerous sections. Here, it’s not a horse, but a human that’s run through a vertical mandoline. After this final display, there’s a chance to leave clever and witty comments to share with other visitors.

This exhibit is something everybody should see. And luckily the DSC has decided to extend its run of the show, due to record breaking attendance over the last month, to September 3, 2007. Tickets are $24.95 for adults, $22.95 for seniors, and $19.95 for children. There’s also an IMAX film to watch in the Dome theatre called The Human Body. In order to see that, adults must pay an additional $3.00, and seniors and children must pay an additional $2.00.

Visit www.detroitsciencecenter.org for more information.

Chris Thompson is thedetroiter.com’s tireless, intrepid intern.

As always, lots going on in the arts including “Slip, Shift, and Switch” at Detroit Industrial Projects, the Ben Franklin show at 555, and openings at Paint Creek, the GPAA, and more this weekend. Check out openings in our comprehensive and always up-to-date arts calendar here.

Planet Ant: 3 Guys Named Joe
http://planetant.com

Returning to Planet Ant for a special two weekend engagement, it's "3 Guys Named Joe" and "Bottle of Red"!

Created entirely on the spot, 3 GUYS NAMED JOE blends vocal harmonies, acoustic guitar and killer melodies to create a live performance unlike anything you've ever experienced. 3 GUYS NAMED JOE are Dustin Gardner, Topher Owen, and Pat Loos.

BOTTLE OF RED is a two woman improv troupe comprised of Second City alumni Nancy Hayden and Margaret Edwartowski. These two saucy redheads improvise based
on audience suggestions.

8:00pm Fridays & Saturdays
6/01, 6/02; 6/08, 6/09
$5.00!

MUSIC at MOCAD

Friday, June 1 at 9pm
THE RAW TRUTH ENSEMBLE w/ SPECIAL GUESTS

World-class Detroit Jazz Improvisation "Raw Truth Ensemble," headed by Michael Carey (reeds), Skeeter C.R. Shelton (multiple reeds), and Ali Allen Colding (percussion) will perform.

MUSIC at the CAID

Friday, June 1, 2007
EON (Edge Of Night)
Friday Nights at CAID now complete with addition of EON to lineup
Doors open at midnight and go til 5 am with DJ Jeff Risk
Performance at 2am by Murder Mystery
Art from Urban Alchemy show on the walls
and on the screen: "InZero"
Midnight, $5

Saturday, June 2, 2007

Daniel Wang (Balihu - Berlin)
RELAXER (Disco.Secret - Detroit)
Doors at Midnight, $10
www.thecaid.org

BOHEMIAN NATIONAL HOME

Sunday, June 3rd: Rob Brown 3tet with William Parker and Gerald Cleaver Rob Brown is one of the most sought after and respected saxophonist in the current NYC scene. This is due, in large part, to his excellent work with doublebassist William Parker. They've played together in many of Parker's groups, including In Order to Survive and Little Huey Orchestra. The list of collaborators for both men reads like a who's who of the Free Jazz scene past and present, and Parker's role as the primary force behind NYC's Vision Festival has made him indispensable to the music. These heavyweights are joined by Detroit's own Gerald Cleaver on drums, whose several years in New York have found him deep in thick of its finest players. Doors at 7 pm; sliding scale $10-20.

Bohemian National Home
3009 Tillman, Detroit 48216
313 737 6606

WSU Press: "Made in Michigan Writers series"

All Wayne State University faculty, staff, and students are invited to attend the launch of two new books in Wayne State University Press's "Made in Michigan Writers series" at the opening of the exhibit "Wayne State University Press: Our History of Publishing in Detroit" on Tuesday, June 5, from 6:30-8:30 p.m. at the Detroit Historical Museum.

Please note this is a FREE EVENT open to the public, but you must RSVP. See the invitation at http://wsupress.wayne.edu/information/mimws_invite.pdf for more details. We hope to see you there!

For more information on the Press and its publications, please visit http://wsupress.wayne.edu

Funy As Hell – Satori Circus
Coming June 7… Stay tuned.

As always lots going on in the arts including “Urban Alchemy” auction at Architectural Salvage Warehouse of Detroit and CAID Thursday, the Charles H. Wright Museum of African American History, Art Cite of Windsor and more this weekend. Check out openings in our comprehensive and always up-to-date arts calendar here.

Check out our features on last year’s Urban Alchemy Show here and here.

Detroit Electronic Music Festival

The electronic music fest is back and better than ever. Saturday, May 26 through Monday May 28. Check out schedule and information here.

And look to our photo journal section for updates from the festival from the Detroit Second Life team.

Audra Kubat, Jazz Band and Poets Mix it Up at Zeitgeist

Poetry @the Zeitgeist Fundraiser

Times Beach recording artist Audra Kubat will headline a set of musicians and poets who will be “passing the hat” for the Poetry @the Zeitgeist monthly poetry series. This free event takes place Friday, May 25 at 8:00 PM at the Zeitgeist 2661 Michigan Avenue in Detroit. Voluntary donations will be accepted during the event. Call (313) 965-9192 for more information. The fundraiser will also feature jazz from the band Big Shorty as well as poets Mariela Griffor, Marick Press Publisher, Bill Harris, poet, Broadway playwright and Wayne State University English faculty member, James E. Hart III, author of White Holes (Marick Press, 2005) and The Watchable Book (Weightless Language, 2003) and Kim Hunter author of borne on slow knives (Past Tents, 2001). Poetry @the Zeitgeist has been providing free poetry readings to the Detroit area for five years. It has included nationally recognized writers such as Melba Boyd, Carla Harryman, Ted Pearson and John Rybicki. Proceeds from this benefit will be used to improve outreach and help bring with the travel expenses of writers willing to come in from out of town.

“Audra Kubat is a force of nature; a strong wind that blows past and transcends fads; a flower that's blossomed from coffeehouse gigs into larger theater and festival performances. Audra wears her influences—Joni, Miles, Billie, and Nick Drake like a coat of many colors rewoven into a “ruggedly pretty” and haunting style all her own. It's a talent that's earned her a loyal following, airtime, stellar reviews in local and national press and 10 Detroit Music Awards nominations including a win for Outstanding Folk Artist 2001. " ---D. Blair, poet, performer, National Slam Poetry Champion

WHO: Singer songwriter Audra Kubat, jazz band Big Shorty, poets Mariel Griffor, Bill Harris, James E. Hart III and Kim Hunter.
WHAT: A benefit for the Poetry @the Zeitgeist free, monthly poetry series.
WHEN: Friday, May 25 at 8:00 PM
WHERE: Zeitgeist 2661 Michigan Avenue, west of Tiger Stadium, east of I-96 Jeffries overpass
Call (313) 965-9192 for more information www.zeitgeistdetroit.org

MUSIC at MOCAD

Friday, May 25 at 9pm
FRANK PAHL'S LITTLE BANG THEORY

A "toy band" led by artist and object maker, Frank Pahl, Little Bang Theory features Pahl, alongside, former Immigrant Sun, Doug Shimmin and Only a Mother's Terri Saris, all performing modern compositions on electo-acoustic toys and Pahl's automated instruments.

Saturday and Sunday, May 26 and 27 at 9pm
DETROIT ELECTRONIC MUSIC FESTIVAL AFTERPARTY

Part of Movement: Detroit's Electronic Music Festival 2007, Paxahau presents two nights of DJ's, music, and dancing at MOCAD. Saturday, May 26 at 10 PM is Kevin Saunderson w/Kenny Larkin, D. Wynn and Patrick Russell. Sunday, May 27 at 11 PM is Minus Tour w/Richie Hawtin with live visuals, Troy Pierce, JPLS live, Magda and Ambivalent live. Admission charge TBA.

Fore! Fun - Look Out for Mini Golf at the DIA

Miniature Golf Course @ the DIA

A featured attraction of the summertime line-up is Fore! Fun, a one-of-kind, 10-hole course on the north lawn of the museum created by Detroit area artists, architects, and designers. Each hole is a work of art in itself: “Full Tilt Detroit,” by workplace design firm NBS, resembles a pinball machine; “One Pure Stroke,” by architecture firm the SmithGroup, is a floor plan of the DIA; “The Loop,” a challenging water hole designed by Cass Tech High School student Donald McKinnon; and two holes designed by Detroit artist Andy Malone titled “Laughing Trees,” featuring whimsically painted trees, and “Devil’s Night,” his commentary about Detroit’s infamous night using marionettes on a rotating stage. Mini Golf at the DIA opens on May 27 at 5 p.m. and will be available through Labor Day. Hours are Wednesday and Thursday from 11:30 a.m. to 7 p.m., and Friday, Saturday and Sunday from 11:30 a.m. to 8 p.m. Cost is $5 for adults, $4 for DIA members and $3 for kids 12 and under. More information will be available at www.dia.org in the near future.

http://www.dia.org:80/PressReleases/showpressreleases.asp?ID=371

BOHEMIAN NATIONAL HOME

Saturday, May 26th: Faruq Z Bey/Michael Carey/Joel Peterson, Major Dents A rare trio performance by leading Detroit improvisers. Saxophonist Faruq Z. Bey's work in Griot Galaxy is stuff of legend; today, his many musical projects continue getting stronger and more diverse. Michael Carey is one of his most frequent collaborators and a member of Odu Afrobeat Orchestra and The Vizitors. Also featuring the young Joel Peterson on doublebass. Opening the show is an even rarer performance by long-time experimental winds duo Major Dents. Marko Novachcoff (Odu, Only a Mother, Soul Power Experience Unlimited Band etc.) and Tim Holmes (Scavenger Quartet) grew up together, learning to play and build woodwinds. Major Dents is their crash course in unusual winds and the crazy stuff you can do with them. The first performance in 3+ years. Doors at 9 pm; sliding scale $5-10.

Bohemian National Home
3009 Tillman, Detroit 48216
313 737 6606

WSU “Made in Michigan Writers’ series.”

Wayne State University Press's "Made in Michigan Writers series" at the opening of the exhibit "Wayne State University Press: Our History of Publishing in Detroit" on Tuesday, June 5, from 6:30-8:30 p.m. at the Detroit Historical Museum.

Please note this is a FREE EVENT open to the public, but you must RSVP. See the invitation at http://wsupress.wayne.edu/information/mimws_invite.pdf for more details. We hope to see you there!

Funy As Hell – Satori Circus
Coming June 7… Stay tuned.

by Chris Thompson

Diane Wilson claims she’s an average woman. If one’s definition of “average” consists of fighting a multi-billion dollar corporation in order to make them stop polluting, and later winning that fight, then Ms. Wilson is, as she says, average. However, make no mistake – despite her modesty, Diane Wilson is a remarkable woman, or in her words, “an unreasonable woman.” Wilson adopted this phrase from purposely misquoting George Bernard Shaw: “A reasonable woman adapts to the world. And an unreasonable woman makes the world adapt to her. So, I encourage you all to be unreasonable, because the world really needs us.”

Recently, Wilson spoke at Wayne State University to share her experiences from the time of her struggle against Formosa Plastics, the company that made her small county in Texas the most polluted in the nation, up to her life today, all the topic of her successful book, An Unreasonable Woman. What she shared said a lot about courage, inspiration, the power within an individual, and a few things about politics and the media that we may be surprised we don’t know. She spoke of how sometimes you just need a little push in order to jump over the edge. For Wilson, it took one very large push.

As a fourth-generation shrimper with a high school education, Wilson just wanted to be left alone, quietly, to her shrimping. She had always been a shy girl and was reluctant to speak to anybody. Soon, though, she began to notice something strange in her bay in Seacrest, Texas. The shrimp were tough to catch, dolphins were dying, the buzzards outnumbered the seagulls, and, during so-called “brown tides,” fish were, ironically, coming up for air. What Wilson didn’t know at that point was that a plant called Formosa Plastics was dumping chemicals into the bay. Nobody in her town knew this, except, of course, the company’s managers. And the EPA. But nobody said anything to the citizens living there. When Wilson discovered this, she was so shocked she called a meeting about it with the mayor’s office. At this point, Wilson didn’t know what was going on, she really just wanted clarification. So she was confused when very powerful people, like bank owners and company executives, came up to her and intimidated her. They told her to “just be a good citizen and let it cool off.” Wilson’s response was, “Let what cool off?”

Wilson stressed to her listeners that she wasn’t anybody special in this situation; she wasn’t any great hero. She didn’t run guns-blazing into Formosa and tell them to stop polluting her harbor or else she’d arm herself with bazookas. Wilson was scared. Still, I say she’s just modest. It took a lot of guts for her to do what she did. She had five kids, her husband left her, her family turned against her, and many of her friends and the community thought she was crazy. Yet she fought on, tooth and nail. But it took her five years to win the fight. She didn’t want to make any big sacrifices to stop Formosa from dumping 148,000 pounds of chemicals into the sea. But when she worked within the box, as she put it, even when she legally blocked Formosa from discharging chemicals into the sea, they still didn’t stop. What Wilson did next proves that any person, no matter how small, no matter how shy, can flex a massive muscle.

Wilson would have to make great sacrifices of herself and her personal life, in order to stop Formosa and save her community. People would avoid her on the street, she lost her job, and her lawyer left her to work with Formosa. At one point, Wilson even tried to take her own life because it was so difficult. She went out in her shrimp boat in the middle of the night and took two boxes of sleeping pills, equal to forty pills, but she couldn’t sleep. After several hours she realized she wasn’t going to die, so she went home and slept for three days. This seemed like a sign. Wilson then fought even harder to win her battle.

She began with a hunger strike on her shrimp boat, which started the split between her and her husband. Despite the personal loss, the hunger strike began to work. Her actions received a lot of attention and the media caught wind of it. Still, it would take more work. Formosa was still dumping chemicals into the sea; they just ignored the legal documents that Wilson had helped put into motion. So Wilson made her next biggest sacrifice—that of her shrimp boat. After taking the diesel engine out (so it wouldn’t pollute the sea) she had her boat dragged out to Formosa’s discharge pipe where she intended to sink her boat. Formosa, though, had hired her cousin, who had an eighth-grade education, for $65,000 a year, to spy on her. He had the coast guard track her, and soon they dragged her back to the shore. This was enough, though, for the other fishermen, previously apathetic, to finally take action. They all went over to the discharge pipe in their boats and demonstrated, causing the frustrated and annoyed Formosa Plastics to finally emit zero discharge into the sea, just so Wilson would quit.

It took her five years to complete this goal, with lots of perseverance and personal sacrifice, but it took her only fifteen minutes to get another company to emit zero discharge. Already, Wilson had become one unreasonable, and powerful, woman.

Wilson still fights hard, staging protests against companies by protesting in private, secured yards – willing to go to jail in acts of civil disobedience. She even went to jail during one Christmas, which upset her children. Overall she’s been to jail nineteen times, and likely that won’t be all. She would make Gandhi proud. She also co-founded a group called Code Pink, which is women against the war in Iraq, or women for peace, as well as in support of the environment. She has committed several hunger strikes, including one at Washington D.C. in protest of war in Iraq before that war began. And for those who wonder about the effectiveness of hunger strikes, Wilson believes they’re quite effective. They’re scary for opponents because they utilize a different kind of energy and they’re unpredictable. Just as important, probably, is that they show that the person on the hunger strike is completely committed to the cause—so much so, that the individual is willing to sacrifice themselves for it – they’ve worked quite well for her.

Wilson reemphasized to the audience that she was just a regular woman, scraping by in her home in Texas, with five children. If she could do this, she says, anybody can. “People have lost faith,” she warns, but they shouldn’t lose faith in themselves. If Diane Wilson could stand up against a multi-billion dollar company, so can you, and you probably don’t have a problem nearly as large as a multi-billion dollar company polluting your home. Hopefully. This is one of the important messages she wants to get across in her talk and in her book. She encourages people to act, and to demand what’s right, especially zero emissions from corporations, not just ask for it. She wants someone, anyone, to believe in themselves again.

Wilson’s book is on shelves now in paperback, and it’s been hailed as a classic and a great read. She’s also working on a new book about Holy Rollers—fundamentalist Pentecostals—a memoir about her life growing up with fundamentalist Pentecostals, and her criticism that they don’t trust their own spirit, their own instinct.

A final bit of advice from Diane Wilson: “Be unreasonable.”

Chris Thompson is thedetroiter.com's tireless, intrepid intern.

As always, lots going on in the arts including openings around town at the Scarab Club, Wyandotte Galleries, Next Step Studios, and many, many more this weekend. Check out openings in our comprehensive and always up-to-date arts calendar here.

Detroit Synergy: Mystery Third Thursday Happy Hour by People Mover

Fuel your sense of adventure and use public transit to do it. Join Detroit Synergy as we ride the People Mover to a happening place in the heart of the city. Enter to win fabulous prizes and enjoy discounted drinks while you mingle in the "mystery spot".

Travel on your own from any station at any time until 8:30pm. Just look around for the electronic message boards at any People Mover station for mystery destination information.

Organized Departures at 5:30, 6:00, and 6:30pm leave from the Cadillac Center Station (located at Gratiot Ave. and Library St, attached to the Compuware parking structure).

Ride free on your return journey and on organized departures with Detroit People Mover donated tokens (for the first fifty). As an alternative for National Transportation Week, Bus, Bike, or Walk to the People Mover, or park free at the Compuware Structure with Compuware donated parking validations (for the first twenty). Additional information on the Transit Project Group page www.detroitsynergy.org/projects/transit

Community Service Component Accepting voluntary donations for new gloves and new or lightly used yard/gardening tools (rakes, brooms, shovels, etc.) for Detroit Synergy's Project Clean, that will be participating in the Motor City Makeover on May 19th (to volunteer contact Jen at clean@detroitsynergy.org). Items accepted at the organized departures at Cadillac Station at 5:30, 6:00, 6:30.
What:Third Thursday Community Happy Hour & Transit Project Event
When: 5:30 - 8:30pm, Thursday, May 17th
Where: Mystery, but check People Mover station electronic message boards that night
How: By Detroit People Mover (www.thepeoplemover.com)
Hear About It:WDET On Demand (select the show Detroit Today and date 5/14/07)
Contact: Jim at transit@detroitsynergy.org

Detroit Bikes: May 18th
Celebrate and participate in cycling as a viable means of transportation and a productive activity to promote healthy living this Friday, May 18th! Join Detroit Bikes! and Detroit Synergy as we ride to work!

Details here: http://www.detroitsynergy.org/projects/detroitbikes

BROKEN, A FEATURE FILM SHOT FOR LESS THAN $1,000 IN MICHIGAN, PREMIERES IN DETROIT

“Broken” screenplay was a finalist in the “Project Greenlight” Bravo TV series sponsored by Miramax, Matt Damon and Ben Affleck

Broken, a feature film directed by Derek Justice of Farmington Hills and David DeLeon of Sandusky, Ohio, for Top 250 Productions, premieres in Detroit on May 17 at the Emagine Theater in Novi. The team made the film for less than $1,000 and the screenplay was among the top 250 finalists in the first season of Project Greenlight, the Bravo TV series sponsored by Miramax, Matt Damon and Ben Affleck.

Broken premieres in Detroit on Thursday, May 17 at the Emagine Theater at 44425 W. Twelve Mile Rd. in Novi. Tickets are $10 at the door or $11 in advance via PayPal. Although the film is unrated, nobody under 17 will be admitted unless accompanied by an adult due to language, drug use and sexual situations. Arrive at 7 pm for Peep Show, a short collection of trailers and short films by Michigan filmmakers including AE Griffin, Michael McCallum, Frank Nemecek, Sean Snyder and Jon Worful. Broken begins at 8 pm. After the screening, join the cast and crew for the free after party at Lucky Strikes at 44325 Twelve Mile in Novi. For ticket information or to see the trailer, visit or www.broken-movie.com.

BOHEMIAN NATIONAL HOME

Friday, May 18th: The Old Haunts, Bad Thoughts
The Old Haunts hail from the land of Kill Rock Stars, WA. They follow the
regional prescriptions for house-party burning lo-fi garage-rock and high
concept post-punk. They even get some comparisons to the late, great
Television- with a little more chaos than virtuosity. Detroit/Ann Arbor's
Bad Thoughts will be making one of their final appearances before drummer
Sam C. moves to NYC. Who will fill the danceable, art-punk void that they'll leave in this town? Doors at 9 pm.

Bohemian National Home
3009 Tillman, Detroit 48216
313 737 6606

Zeitgeist

Also, Friday May 25 at 8pm, Audra Kubat will headline a special fundraising event for "Poetry at the Zeitgeist", along with jazz from "Big Shorty", rock and roll from "ASS", featuring Anita Schmaltz, as well as poetry from Mariela Griffor, Bill Harris, James Hart III, and Kim Hunter. Lots more information at the aforementioned web address, though you'll need to scroll down some to get to the juicy details.

As always, check the website, www.zeitgeistdetroit.org , and of course
thank you for your kind indulgences, and we hope to see you soon.

As always, lots, and we mean lots, going on in the arts including openings around town at MOCAD, CCS - the Student Exhibition, Gallery Project, Liberal Arts Gallery, and many, many more this weekend. Check out openings in our comprehensive and always up-to-date arts calendar here.

Sweetwaters presents…
an evening of coffee, tea, and poetry - featuring thedetroiter.com's own, first and fabulous intern Heather McMacken!
On Thursday May 10, 7pm, Heather A. McMacken will read her work.
An open mic session to follow.

Sweetwaters Coffee & Tea
106 S. Main
Royal Oak, MI 48067
(248) 586-9602, www.sweetwaterscafe.com

For more information contact the event’s organizer, Karin: (248) 514-0103

Heather A. McMacken received her B.A. in English from Oakland University. She is a columnist, freelance writer, server, and an In-Home Trainer with the non-profit Training and Treatment Innovations. Her poems have appeared in Metro Times, Oakland County Beat, Advocate, and online at The Fairfield Review, thedetroiter.com, and 3rd Muse Poetry Journal. She was also awarded a LAND prize, which promotes poetry in Michigan’s colleges.

Author, Peace Activist & American Hero
DIANE WILSON, Live in Detroit THURSDAY MAY 10th

Diane Wilson, author, founder of CODE PINK, Environmental & Peace Activist will speak on Thursday May 10, at 7:00 pm in the General Lectures Building NW corner of Warren and Anthony Wayne Drive/ Third Avenue, Wayne State University Campus, in Detroit. This event is free and open to the public. Books will be available for signing at the event. Help us spread the word! This will be an exciting event and a great opportunity to see how one person can make a difference and truly change the world.

This talk and booksigning are Free & co-sponsored by the CENTER FOR PEACE AND CONFLICT STUDIES, Wayne State University and THE BOOK BEAT bookstore.

IN ADDITION A SECOND APPEARANCE:

Diane Wilson will also be speaking at an intimate breakfast sponsored by WAND on FRIDAY MORNING, May 11th, 2007 at 8 a.m., at Glen Oaks Country Club, 30500 W. 13 Mile Rd., Farmington Hills, MI.

Breakfast is $40.00, (save $5.00 by bringing a picture of your child). Students! are $20.00. Send checks payable to WAND Semich, send to: WAND SE MICHIGAN, PO BOX 2577, Southfield, MI 48037. WAND's mission is to empower women to act politically to reduce militarism and violence and redirect excessive military resources to unmet human and environmental needs.

CITY IN A STRAIT
by OyamO

MOSAIC Youth Theatre at the DFT
May 11, 12, 18, 19, 2007 at 8 p.m.
May 13 & 20, 2007 at 4 p.m. Detroit Film Theatre at the Detroit Institute of Arts

His sightings are few, but the disasters he sets in motion are legendary! This spring, Mosaic Youth Theatre will call forth Detroit’s most notorious baddie, The Red Dwarf, in their new production, CITY IN A STRAIT. Commissioned by Mosaic for its young artists, CITY IN A STRAIT, by renowned playwright OyamO, will be at the Detroit Film Theatre in the Detroit Institute of Arts May 11–20.

LAUNCH Volume 1: The Rise of the Creative Class
Red carpet lifestyle event in Detroit.

Your hosts: WOUND Menswear, The Loft Warehouse,6 Degrees Magazine and Camilo Pardo

For a more comprehensive view check http://www.TheLoftWarehouse.com/Launch for Video and Links. Tickets available online, limited VIP seating.

Where: The FD Lofts in Eastern Market. 3434 Russell Street south of Mack Avenue. Detroit, Michigan USA
When: 9pm-2am on Friday, May 11th
Why: To promote the urban living movement and to celebrate WOUND Menswear's first manufactured collection.

Story: Two female designers, Sarah Lurtz and Sarah Lapinski, in search of fame and fortune, a life lived creatively, friends and good times, traveled back and forth to LA to produce their cherished menswear line. Complications and unkept promises found the girls not with piles of clothes, but road weary and unfulfilled. In the end, they returned home to set up manufacturing, here, in Detroit. A true manifestation of their dream to have a well-made, successful clothing company. There were a handful of antecedents, Anna Sui, John Varvatos, Mark Buchanan, to name a few, that made it big, none dared to do it in their hometown.

Not only inspiring the local design community to get out in the world, but making it possible through their garment production facilities, Motor City Sewing. They have attracted companies from around the country to produce their line in Detroit.

Now they bring them to you! To celebrate, their first manufactured collection, they have conspired with local loft realtor impresario, Sabra Sanzotta of theloftwarehouse.com, to host Volume 1 of Launch. An event on par with the likes of Bravo Bravo. 6 clothing lines, 3 from Detroit (Wound Menswear, Eugenia Paul, Michel Delon), the others hailing from Toronto (Juma), Chicago (Lara Miller)and Cleveland (Wrath Arcane) stun the crowd with their good taste and style. Wall mounted LCD screens flash images of the best in loft living and street scenes. Ford's sexiest concept car ever the GT40 will be in attendance as well as samplings from 20 area restaurants and a chance to win a year lease on a Ford Escalade from Dalgleish Cadillac. To make this event a real party, DJ's Capt 20, Mike Anthony, and Scott Zacharias throw down the most hypnotic blend of beats. Say hi to the 6 Degrees crew while your at the bar!

All of this in keeping line with their commitment and support of Detroit city living. We aim to showcase the best Detroit has to offer, from living and dining, to talent and entertainment.

Check TheLoftWarehouse.com/Launch for updates including a video blog of the trio as they conceive of, plan and host this bold event in grand Detroit style and a look into the production of a clothing line behind the seams.

Detroit Bikes! supports Compuware Bike to Work Day - Monday, May 14th!

Celebrate and participate in cycling as a viable means of transportation and a productive activity to promote healthy living this Monday, May 14th! Join Compuware as Detroit Bikes! supports bike to work day on! the east side.
The Main Route: Kercheval/ Jefferson Avenue to Detroit

The Day's Itinerary:
Be on your bike, ready to depart, a few minutes ahead of schedule -- A large group of cyclists starting further east will continue biking past each meetup station, with participants joining at the posted stations.
Start: Grosse Pointe Woods - City Hall | depart at 6:40 am sharp | Parking available @ City Hall. Please Park along the perimeter of the lot.

Grosse Pointe Library / Ewald Branch - Library at Jefferson | depart at 7:15 am approx | Limited Parking available. Please Park along the perimeter of the lot.
Continue down Jefferson Avenue
Finish: Downtown Detroit - Campus Martius Park | arrive at 8:00 am approx

*Bike, and bike helmet are required! bike lock suggested.
Bike to work Information:
http://www.detroitsynergy.org/projects/detroitbikes

The Ride is on, Rain or Shine.
Getting Home: Take a SMART bus up Jefferson Avenue (they can accomodate two bikes per bus)

Tuesday, May 15, 2007
DETROIT SECOND LIFE!!

LOUDBABY.COM, LLC. the Mid-West's premier virtual world marketing
and development company is pleased to announce the public launch of
"Detroit Life - The Motor City inside The Metaverse" : a city simulation
within the virtual world of Second Life.

A very special live Mixed Reality Event will be held on May 15th in celebration of the Grand Opening and will feature two Detroit music icons, Kevin Saunderson and Mike E. Clark. Both artists will perform live DJ sets which will be broadcast (audio and video) into Second Life. This global event will also include interviews and an "avatar meet and greet" session.

www.detroit-life.com

COMING SOON

Audra Kubut, Jazz Band and Poets Mix it Up at Zeitgeist
Poetry @the Zeitgeist Fundraiser

Times Beach recording artist Audra Kubat will headline a set of musicians and poets who will be “passing the hat” for the Poetry @the Zeitgeist monthly poetry series. This free event takes place Friday, May 25 at 8:00 PM at the Zeitgeist 2661 Michigan Avenue in Detroit. Voluntary donations will be accepted during the event. Call (313) 965-9192 for more information.The fundraiser will also feature jazz from the band Big Shorty as well as poets Mariela Griffor, Marick Press Publisher, Bill Harris, poet, Broadway playwright and Wayne State University English faculty member, James E. Hart III, author of White Holes (Marick Press, 2005) and The Watchable Book (Weightless Language, 2003) and Kim Hunter author of borne on slow knives (Past Tents, 2001). Poetry @the Zeitgeist has been providing free poetry readings to the Detroit area for five years. It has included nationally recognized writers such as Melba Boyd, Carla Harryman, Ted Pearson and John Rybicki. Proceeds from this benefit will be used to improve outreach and help bring with the travel expenses of writers willing to come in from out of town.

“Audra Kubat is a force of nature; a strong wind that blows past and transcends fads; a flower that's blossomed from coffeehouse gigs into larger theater and festival performances. Audra wears her influences—Joni, Miles, Billie, and Nick Drake like a coat of many colors rewoven into a “ruggedly pretty” and haunting style all her own. It's a talent that's earned her a loyal following, airtime, stellar reviews in local and national press and 10 Detroit Music Awards nominations including a win for Outstanding Folk Artist 2001. " ---D. Blair, poet, performer, National Slam Poetry Champion

WHO: Singer songwriter Audra Kubat, jazz band Big Shorty, poets Mariel Griffor, Bill Harris, James E. Hart III and Kim Hunter.

WHAT: A benefit for the Poetry @the Zeitgeist free, monthly poetry series.

WHEN: Friday, May 25 at 8:00 PM

WHERE: Zeitgeist 2661 Michigan Avenue, west of Tiger Stadium, east of I-96 Jeffries overpass
Call (313) 965-9192 for more information www.zeitgeistdetroit.org

BROKEN, A FEATURE FILM SHOT FOR LESS THAN $1,000 IN MICHIGAN, PREMIERES IN DETROIT
“Broken” screenplay was a finalist in the “Project Greenlight” Bravo TV series sponsored by Miramax, Matt Damon and Ben Affleck
Broken, a feature film directed by Derek Justice of Farmington Hills and David DeLeon of Sandusky, Ohio, for Top 250 Productions, premieres in Detroit on May 17 at the Emagine Theater in Novi. The team made the film for less than $1,000 and the screenplay was among the top 250 finalists in the first season of Project Greenlight, the Bravo TV series sponsored by Miramax, Matt Damon and Ben Affleck. Broken is the story of Christian, played by David Gries of Zeeland, whose life was shattered as an eight-year old after he watched his father brutally murder his mother. Now, twenty years later, he wrestles with his demons through art and heroin. Grand Rapids native Aziza Amy Poggi co-stars as Beth, an abused magazine editor sent to retrieve Christian’s artwork for the next issue. Steve Hopton of Mt. Clemens plays Beth’s abusive boyfriend. This is the beginning of a dark descent into hell for The Junkie, The Girl, The Boyfriend and three lives full of secrets.
LeeAlan Weddel (Novi), Chuck Diamond (Warren), Jayk Hanna (Canton Twp.), Matt Lang (Grand Rapids), Altonio Seahorn Jr. (Detroit) and Adam Hill (Garden City) complete the cast. Several bands contributed music including Dendura, Riot in Progress, Unfinished Thought and David Gries. Susan Stanek (Grand Rapids) created the art that would later become Christian’s work in the film.

Broken premieres in Detroit on Thursday, May 17 at the Emagine Theater at 44425 W. Twelve Mile Rd. in Novi. Tickets are $10 at the door or $11 in advance via PayPal. Although the film is unrated, nobody under 17 will be admitted unless accompanied by an adult due to language, drug use and sexual situations. Arrive at 7 pm for Peep Show, a short collection of trailers and short films by Michigan filmmakers including AE Griffin, Michael McCallum, Frank Nemecek, Sean Snyder and Jon Worful. Broken begins at 8 pm. After the screening, join the cast and crew for the free after party at Lucky Strikes at 44325 Twelve Mile in Novi. For ticket information or to see the trailer, visit www.myspace.com/brokenmovie or www.broken-movie.com.

Twingo’s Euro Café on Cass Ave. is an unexpected culinary gem. Eclectic understatement is the raison d’être here, and they do it well. There are great pains taken to ensure that every detail echoes the funky pulse of Detroit.

The exterior of the building is bold and bright, and the crazy logo and nonsense name (seriously? Like the French car?) would make any potential patron wonder if they’re walking into a chic hipster bar, an adventurous fusion restaurant for true foodies, or an offbeat art gallery.

Ay, there’s the rub! Twingo’s is a hodge-podge combination of all three—and, blessed be, it works. The city, and more particularly the outlying Metro area, is not without its share of fine dining establishments (Farmington Hills and West Bloomfield host two of the top-rated restaurants in the country), but Twingo’s succeeds where all others fail: this artful abstraction of “fine dining” is able to capture the spirit of the city. Detroit is a city where high art meets punk aesthetic, with it all flying under the radar—and apparently nestling in this brave hideaway.

The décor upon entering is initially unimpressive (my companion remarked that it looked like a “cafeteria”) — fixtures and floors that have clearly seen better days, even despite the recent renovation. But one sees past this immediately after noticing the extensive art collection on display throughout the restaurant—all of which an interested patron can purchase, and Twingo’s even offers a “Featured Artists” brochure for the curious. The interior is bright, full of color, and spacious—and the upper loft is an ideal spot for hosting a medium-sized gathering. The ambience is always fun and a bit eccentric; the music (in one evening) can range from reggae to funk to disco,with the night closing out with Prince’s Hits. The waitstaff, too, is always highly professional and attentive but all share that common urban hipster “look,” giving them a slightly different appeal than the unflappably formal suit-and-tie servers of other five-star establishments.

And then there’s the food — ah, the food. In keeping with the already-established visual eclecticism of the restaurant, the menu is also a pastiche of a number of different culinary styles, influences and preparations. There is definitely a heavy French influence here, with some flairs of Spain and Italy, and some that are pure unadulterated Detroit. The menu is deceptively small and simple, but the selections are full of complex flavors and textures, pairings that seem odd or unlikely but that mesh better than good old peanut butter and jelly.

For starters, try the Belgium Ale Steamed Mussels, made with chorizo sausage, shallots, garlic, orange zest and rye croutons. The spiciness of the sausage provides a nice compliment to the natural flavor of the mussels, while the rye croutons provide a balancing crunchy texture to the tender mussels. And the mussels are clearly very fresh, or at least prepared very carefully, because there is no evidence of sand or grit in these (an accomplishment in itself). Also sample the Wild Mushroom Crepes. Again, the key here is in the compliments of flavors and textures—the wild mushrooms, very strong in flavor and with the typical soft texture of cooked mushrooms, are nicely balanced by crunchy asparagus, which also provides a nice bitter contrast in flavor to the mushrooms. Chevre cheese is yet another strong flavor present in this dish, but the three flavors don’t so much conflict or compete as compliment. This dish is artfully pulled together by the sole sweet flavor of strawberry-rhubarb vinaigrette, which balances out the strong, bitter flavors of the crepes themselves.

There is an impressive selection of salads available, and they all go far beyond your basic iceberg. For something a little adventurous (and hey, when in Rome…), try the Arugula Salad. A bed of arugula leaves is topped with sliced almonds, pears, a healthy share of manchego cheese (a sheep’s milk cheese made in the La Mancha region of Spain, that is criminally underused in American cuisine), balsamic vinaigrette, with an overlay of crisped prosciutto ham that literally breaks like the carmelized sugar crust of crème brûlée. This is, quite possibly, the best salad I have ever had in my entire life.

For your entrée, order the Grilled Flat Iron Steak au Poivre. This is pure French fare—“au Poivre” is a very common French preparation for strip steak, in which the steak is coated in cracked peppercorn and seared, and is usually served with a reduction sauce or demi-glace. At Twingo’s, there is an accompanying wine-reduction sauce and gorgonzola butter. Butter. Flavored with gorgonzola. Just when you thought butter couldn’t get any better (by the way, garlic, thanks for that), someone put gorgonzola cheese in it! The gorgonzola butter pairs so well with the peppercorn steak and sauce that I was forced to ask for an additional side of it…okay, maybe it was overkill, but this dish captures the essence of this restaurant—deceptively simple, yet full of underlying complexities and a character unique unto itself. And, much like the French would do, the steak is served with pommes frites (but, refreshingly, on the menu they are simply referred to as “French fries”). Also be sure to listen to the specials for the evening—the chicken and sun-dried tomato ravioli with spinach and pine nuts in a parmesan cream sauce was also spectacular. Clearly the masterminds behind the dishes here have a passion for cheese—and this is something I can appreciate.

But don’t forget to save some room for dessert! The offerings here are also highly impressive. Try the bittersweet chocolate panna-cotta, made with cola-soaked cherries, chantilly cream, and…pop rocks. Yes, the candy. The panna-cotta is smooth and the tart cola-cherries are a bold contrast to the chocolate and cream. The odd choice of pop rocks provides an effervescence to the smoothness of the panna-cotta, making an otherwise simple dish crackle. Also try the semifreddo—“semifreddo” is an Italian term meaning “half-cold,” and is used to refer to any partially frozen dessert. Here it is silky smooth ice cream paired with crunchy chocolate doughnuts with sugary crusts and bold, tart raspberry coulis. Again, the pairings of bold flavors and complimentary textures are remarkably well-orchestrated, and even the smallest detail is critical to the dish as a complete work of palatable art.

For those of you who care to imbibe in some wine or champagne as you enjoy your meal, the wine list offered by Twingo’s, with suggestions from Simply Wine, is just as deceptively simple as the menu, but with some truly unique offerings. It is not a large list, but the selections offer a nice range of Spanish and French producers alongside the more typical California fare. Bordeaux, South America, Italy, and the Rioja region of Spain all share space on this list, along with the cutely-named “Mawby Sex” and “Baby Pop” champagnes. The attention to detail is evident here, as there is an obvious variation in the list to have many options for food pairings, with options fr om around the world not found on a common wine list. The focus is more on quality than quantity. And the price is incredibly reasonable, with about 90% of the list priced below $30.00.

And at the end of your meal, be sure to enjoy an authentic Italian espresso (a great compliment to the dessert selection)—this isn’t your standard Starbucks doppio machiatto; this is pure Euro, and a terrific end note for this fun, off-beat, and wholly impressive Euro Café.

Twingo’s Euro Café . 4710 Cass Ave . Detroit, MI 48201 . p 313-832-2959 .
hours . restaurant . Sun-Th 11a-10p, Fri 11a-midnight, Sat 5p-midnight . bar . Sun-Th 11a-midnight, Fri 11a-2a, Sat 5p-2a
prices . apps, salads, sandwiches $4-10 . entrees $17-22 .

Nicole Rupersburg works in Sales and writes freelance to keep herself sane and make that $60,000 English degree from UDM count for something. She is a self-professed food snob and is trying to find a way to become professionally fabulous.

Cinco de Mayo Micro-Business Fair & Fiesta”, New Beginnings at the New Mexicantown International Welcome Center & Mercado

Mexicantown Community Development Corporation’s (MCDC) major development project, the Mexicantown International Welcome Center and Mercado is now a reality, a permanent venue for economic and cultural development. The $17 million Center & Mercado will greet more than 1 million tourists annually; highlighting Mexican culture, imported and handcrafted merchandise, and authentic food to regional shoppers and residents.

This year, visitors will be able to take part in the Cinco de Mayo Fiesta and Micro-Business Fair, Saturday May 5th and Sunday May 6th, where entrepreneurial minded individuals will find out what it takes to start a business, plus we will offer workshops by the Detroit Institute of Arts and shop at the three new shops in the Mexicantown Mercado. We expect to have the Mercado fully leased by the end of the year. If you are interested in retail business come visit us, we have the perfect location for you!

Saturday, May 5th
11:00 a.m. – 6:00 p.m. Great shopping at the Mexicantown Mercado
11:00 a.m. – 6:00 p.m. “Milagros: Made in Mexico” documentary, by Martina Guzman
11:00 a.m. – 6:00 pm. Mexican Antojitos from Mi Pueblo Restaurant
11:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m. Art and Craft Workshops with the Detroit Institute of Arts
12:00 Folkloric Ballet Raíces Mexicanas
1:00 Bringing Communities Together; Scottish Society of Windsor Pipe Band
1:30 Folkloric Ballet Ixtac Chichimeca Pan, directly from San Juan del Rio, Queretaro
2:30 Blessing/Presentation; New Mexicantown Welcome Center and Mercado
3:00 – 4:00 p.m. Mariachi “Especial Alma de Mexico”
4:00 – 6:00 p.m. Live Entertainment

Sunday May 6th
12:00 – 6:00 p.m. Great shopping at the Mexicantown Mercado
12:00 – 6:00 p.m. “Milagros: Made in Mexico” documentary, by Martina Guzman
12:00 – 6:00 p.m. Mexican Antojitos from Mi Pueblo Restaurant
12:00 – 4:00 p.m. Art and Craft Workshops with the Detroit Institute of Arts
2:00 Live Entertainment
3:00 – 4:00 p.m. Mariachi “Especial Alma de Mexico”
4:00 – 6:00 p.m. Live Entertainment

- Bally Total Fitness - City of Northville Arts Commission – Cosmopolitan Travel Service
- Detroit Institute of Arts - Detroit Metro Convention and Visitors Bureau - Detroit Muscle Cars – IKEA –
- Kumon - Liberty Tax Service - Madonna University - Matrix Theatre – Michigan Hispanic
Chamber of Commerce - National City Bank – And many more!!!

The Mexicantown International Welcome Center is located on 2835 Bagley Avenue; the Mexicantown Mercado is located on 2826 Bagley Avenue, between 20th and 21st streets, in Detroit, Michigan 48216.

A Studio 2g production

Julius X
Plowshares Theater Company @ the Boll Family YMCA

by Al Letson, Jr.
directed by Gary Anderson
April 19 through May 20, 2007
Opening Night April 21 @ 6pm
at the Boll Family YMCA Theatre, 1401 Broadway Ave

William Shakespeare’s Tragedy of Julius Caesar examined conspiracy, assassination and it aftermath. Julius X explores those same themes by viewing them through the life of civil rights activist Malcolm X. Julius X is a black nationalist who has felt detached from the Nation, a group to which he once devoted his life. Returning from a religious pilgrimage to Mecca, he has a new perspective on his work and the direction of his organization. But enemies to his ideas are everywhere, even among his friends. Brutus Mohammed and Cassius joins a group of conspirators who seek nothing less than Julius' death. Performed using hip hop music, dramatic text and performance poetry, this bold and edgy treat promises to provide audiences young and old with a new theater experience.

OUT OF THE RUNNING @ The Planet Ant Theater
by Mikey Brown
Directed by Nate DuFort
featuring Mikey Brown, Nate DuFort, Cara Trautman and Dyan Bailey
10:30pm
Thursdays, Fridays, and Saturdays May 4 - May 19

Over the River and Through the Woods
@ the Rosedale Community Players
A comedy by Joe DiPietro

Nick is a single, Italian-American man from New Jersey. His parents have retired and moved to Florida, but that doesn't mean all of his family is gone. In fact, he sees both sets of grandparents every Sunday for dinner. Then he's offered his dream job -- in Seattle -- which would take him away from his beloved, but annoying, grandparents. He tells them, and the news doesn't sit well. Nick's decision about his future sparks an eruption of unsolicited advice, matchmaking, general meddling, and unending food from his four grandparents, who provide all the guilt, love, and exasperation that comes with being a member of any family. Joe DiPierto is the author of "I Love You, You're Perfect, Now Change."

Show Dates:
April 2007: 27 & 28
May 2007: 4, 5, 6, 11 & 12

Cinco de Mayo Bike Tour 05-05-2007

Celebrate freedom from the French in Southwest Detroit with our Cinco de Mayo Ride on May 5th! Join us this Saturday, May 5th @ 10am SHARP. If you have 4 hours free on a Saturday and you like pastries, St. Anne's Church, Fort Wayne, the busy markets of Southwest side, and afternoon margaritas after cycling, then enjoy your day with us.

Beginning its third season of cycling in the City of Detroit, Detroit Bikes! will continue its much anticipated schedule of neighborhood tours by bike. Tour will start @ 10am PROMPTLY At THE INTERSECTION OF VERNOR & SCOTTEN at the northeast corner of CLARK PARK. Our tours are beginners level cycling speeds and we obide all traffic laws.

Feel free to take in the sites as we ride through Mexicantown and Southwest Detroit. Take in the fabulous views of the Ambassador Bridge, the Detroit River, Industrial Detroit, the outside of Woodmere Cemetery, and the festive atmosphere of Cinco de Mayo. The end of our tour will lead us to Clark Park, near much of the excitement and many of the wonderful gathering places to have lunch or refreshments. Hope to see you there.

Bike, bike helmet and signed liablity waiver (at event location) are required! Personal money for event activities (i.e. bakery or lunch afterward) and bike lock suggested.

Free Comic Book Day 2007

Event Description: Free Comic Book Day is May 5- a single day when participating comic book shops across North America and around the world give away comic books absolutely free to anyone who comes into their stores, with no purchase required and no strings attached.

Date of Event: Saturday, May 5, 2007 - The First Saturday in May
Time of Event: 10 a.m. to 8 p.m.
Location of Event: Green Brain Comics
13210 Michigan Ave. Dearborn MI
Event Website: www.greenbrain.biz/fcbd.htm

Contact Information: Dan Merritt
Co-owner, Green Brain Comics
313-582-9444
dan@greenbrain.biz

BOHEMIAN NATIONAL HOME

Friday, May 4th: Dave Shettler Presents
Dave Shettler (of SSM etc) returns home from tour to restart his ecclectic dance night at The Bohemian. This week's installment features none other than BNH super-friend Scott Zacharias. Between these two crate-diggers, any type of record might get played- but I think we're leaning towards electronica (the non-techno variety). 11 pm; $5.

Saturday, May 5th: Art show by Jeremy Mann
Our gallery show season begins on Saturday with a one man show by Jeremy
Mann, featuring works in oil. Opening reception 7-10 pm.

Saturday May 5th: The Willowz, Wheels of Fire, Kelly Jean Caldwell and the Kissin Cousins vs. Bad Medicine at the Campfire It's another night brought to you by Sinister/Foxy Productions (AKA Bohemian staffer Kim Paris). Willowz started in California and in a few short years
have garned "best albums of the year" kudos from Rolling Stone and OC
Weekly. Releases have come out on noted labels like Sympathy for the Record Industry and Dim Mak. They were also featured on the soundtrack of both "Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind" and "The Science of Sleep." Wheels of Fire are a garage and roots band that hails from The Little Town that Could (rock)- Athens, Ohio. Kelly Jean Caldwell played in Saturday Looks Good to Me and Showdown at The Equator...her myspace page says she's forsaken Ann Arbor's scene for Tennesee. Doors at 9:30 pm; $7.

5/8: Sightings/Demons (Nate of Wolf Eyes, Steve of People's Records)

Bohemian National Home
3009 Tillman (22nd)
Detroit 48216
313 737 6606

Detroit Life - Second Life Event

LOUDBABY.COM, LLC. the Mid-West's premier virtual world marketing
and development company is pleased to announce the public launch of
"Detroit Life - The Motor City inside The Metaverse" : a city simulation
within the virtual world of Second Life.

A very special live Mixed Reality Event will be held on May 15th in celebration of the Grand Opening and will feature two Detroit music icons, Kevin Saunderson and Mike E. Clark. Both artists will perform live DJ sets which will be broadcast (audio and video) into Second Life. This global event will also include interviews and an "avatar meet and greet" session.

ABOUT DETROIT LIFE: www.detroit-life.com