Category: Event news
Posted by Melody Baetens (The Detroit News) on Wed, Jul 1, 2009 at 12:32 PMCityfest starts tonight in New Center Area
One of the most memorable and biggest annual events, Detroit's Comerica Cityfest begins tonight and continues through Sunday. There are four stages of live music, dozens of food vendors and hours and hours of people watching.
The schedule can be a bit daunting considering there is so much to do. Usually the national acts on the Main Stage are the big attraction, but this year the less-obvious places are where you may find the best entertainment. Here are some suggestions.
"Detroit id" inside the Fisher Building: This display of local art goes on all five days of Cityfest and features some of the area's most notable visual artists. Be sure to check out the child-like, yet bold paintings by Sean Nader or the realistic and beautiful portraits by Kristin Beaver (a recent recipient of a Kresge Foundation Fellowship). Other artists I would check out are Johnny Bee Badanjek, Matt Gordon and the photographs of Leni Sinclair. The collection is curated by artist Gwen Joy.
Main Stage or Park Stage at 9 tonight: When dangerous weather hit Cityfest in 2008, two of the biggest acts that everyone missed were De La Soul and Detroit band the Hentchmen (who ended up playing a free show in the Garden Bowl later on). Catch De La Soul's make up set on the Main Stage, or the Hentchmen's garage/punk over at the New Center Council Park Stage.
Blues and Jazz Stage at 7 p.m. Thursday: Lola Morales is one of my favorite new Detroit artists to emerge in the last year or so. Obviously, I tend to lean more toward rock and metal, but her Latin/soul/funk/world music is so catchy and well-produced, it's hard not to like. She performs with Detroit music staple, guitarist Sean Blackman.
Main Stage at 5 p.m. Saturday. Every Detroiter should see the formidable Bettye LaVette at least once. Here's your chance.
Pure Detroit Stage starting at 6 p.m. Saturday: This would be a perfect time to park yourself in front of the Pure Detroit Stage for a few hours to catch a good mix of local rock. I wouldn't miss dance rock band Millions of Brazilians, who are hilarious as they are talented. Following MoB, Girls! Girls! Girls! is a new local all-star group featuring three talented women (who are too seasoned to be called "girls"). The three ladies -- Carolyn Striho, Rachel May and Vivian George -- are all known for their guitar playing, singing and songwriting capabilities. Still in the same area, at 8:30 p.m. hear the sweet sounds of Lightning Love, a keyboard-led pop trio fronted by indie rock beauty Leah Diehl. The Pure Detroit Stage wraps things up at 9:30 p.m. with rock band Bump, who are making waves regionally with their non-stop touring schedule.
Kids Stuff Stage: Each day from 11:30 a.m.-3:30 p.m. bring the little ones over to the Kids Stuff Stage to get moving with Punk Fitness' kids edition, which alternates with Barnyard Express, a mobile petting zoo.
Category: Contest
Posted by Melody Baetens (The Detroit News) on Thu, Jun 25, 2009 at 10:58 AMWin tickets to see The Fray at DTE on Saturday
What are you doing Saturday night? I've got a four-pack of lawn seats to see The Fray this Saturday at the DTE Energy Music Theatre in Clarkston. The band is on tour in support of its latest release "The Fray," a follow up to the 2005 multi-platinum album "How to Save a Life."
To enter to win these tickets, send an e-mail with your name and phone number to contest@detnews.com. The randomly chosen winner must pick up the tickets in The Detroit News lobby in downtown Detroit before 6 p.m. Friday, so don't enter if you aren't able to come get them. The winner will be notified tomorrow before noon.
Category: Bar news
Posted by Melody Baetens (The Detroit News) on Tue, Jun 16, 2009 at 2:58 PMMagic Bag goes smoke free early
Last week the Magic Bag and bosco lounge in Ferndale announced both venues will voluntarily and permanently ban smoking starting July 4. However, the Magic Bag will test out its non-smoking policy on Monday during the Taylor Hicks concert, and on June 27 when Dr. John plays two shows.
The two clubs are located next to each other on Woodward Ave. near Nine Mile Road in Ferndale. They are owned by brothers Jeremy and Daniel Haberman. The bosco currently has an outdoor patio that allows smoking, and the Magic Bag has plans to create an outdoor smoking area as well.
Category: Event news
Posted by Melody Baetens (The Detroit News) on Mon, Jun 15, 2009 at 3:08 PMCelebrate the solstice and creativity at Cliff Bell's Sunday
Here is a cool event coming up that celebrates the summer solstice and also benefits an artistic cause. Sirens of the Solstice takes place Sunday, June 21 at Cliff Bell's, 2030 Park Ave. in Detroit.
The event features a live performance by the Fondas (a hip Detroit pop/rock band fronted by siren Julie Benjamin) and DJ Brad Hales will provide other tunes. The highlight of the soiree is a three-part vintage fashion show put on by Lost & Found Vintage and Upstares Salon.
Proceeds benefit Arts & Scraps, a program that provides art projects for city kids and more. Visit www.artsandscraps.org to learn more about them.
Doors open at 8 p.m. and the show starts at 9 p.m. Cover charge is $10, or $5 if you also bring a box of crayons, wine corks, old CDs or buttons to donate to Arts & Scraps.
Category: Concert news
Posted by Melody Baetens (The Detroit News) on Fri, Jun 12, 2009 at 12:12 PMThe Dead Weather to play special show Friday at Magic Stick
Tonight (Friday), Jack White's newest band the Dead Weather will perform at the Magic Stick, 4120 Woodward Ave. in Detroit. Doors open at 8 p.m. and tickets cost $20. There is no way to buy tickets in advance. It's just after noon and I bet there is already a line forming. If not, there will be one soon.
Besides White, the Dead Weather features Alison Mosshart of the kills, Dean Fertita of Queens of the Stone Age and locally-based group the Waxwings, and Jack Lawrence of the Raconteurs. The band is coming through Detroit on their way to the Horseshoe Tavern in Toronto. The Dead Weather will be back in Detroit on July 24 to play the Fillmore.
Category: Bar news
Posted by Melody Baetens (The Detroit News) on Tue, Jun 9, 2009 at 4:20 PMCorner Bar celebrates seven years
High-end Birmingham watering hole the Corner Bar will celebrate seven years this Saturday, June 13. To honor this milestone, the venue will throw a party with DJs Jenny La Femme and Whip, plus a fashion show featuring the designs of New York City's Adam Lippes.
Tickets to this party cost $15 and are available at www.Neptix.com. Ticket holders can receive a discount at the luxurious Townsend Hotel, located nearby. Party guests must be 21 or older, and cocktail-chic attire is suggested.
Category: Concert news
Posted by Melody Baetens (The Detroit News) on Mon, Jun 1, 2009 at 2:38 PMBuy lawn seats online with no service fees on Wednesday
This Wednesday, June 3, fans can buy lawn seats to any upcoming show at DTE Energy Music Theatre and Meadow Brook Music Festival without paying the online service fee.
Starting at 12:01 a.m. on Wednesday fans can visit www.Palacenet.com to take advantage of this special offer. The promotion is not valid in combination with any other special offer, of course.
Hamtramck Labor Day Festival puts out call for vendors, bands
The annual Hamtramck Labor Day Festival is set to take place this year September 4-7. Vendors looking to participate can download applications at www.downtownhamtramck.com
Bands interested in performing at this year's fest should contact Hamtramck Events Coordinator Eve Doster at eve.doster@gmail.com or call (313) 876-7700 ext. 327. In the past the festival has had live rock and pop music all four days, with Sunday offering traditional Polish and other ethnic music.
Visit www.hamtramcklaborday.com for future updates.
In Thursday's Detroit News
Check out the entertainment calendar for our recommendations of the best big shows, live music, film and more this week.
Here's a story I did about a new club in Warren called Jonnie Vegas.
Category: Concert news
Posted by Melody Baetens (The Detroit News) on Tue, May 12, 2009 at 11:53 AMComerica Cityfest 2009 announces music line up
Here are some of the highlights of this year's Cityfest musical line up. What do you think?
New Center Main Stage: Platinum Pied Pipers, De La Soul (rescheduled because of last year's weather), Handsome Furs, the Avett Brothers, Erin McCarley, Matt Kearney, Todd Rundgren, 21:03 with Chris Clark, Bettye LaVette, the Veronicas, Ray Parker Jr. (seriously?), Buddy Guy and Paul Valstein.
Pure Detroit Stage: Mean Mother, Electric Firebabies, Bear Lake, Mike Posner, Silent Years, Jason Croff Family Band, Uncle Paulie's Block Party, Will Sessions, Michna, Rouge Satellites, Childbite, Deastro, Silverghost, 1592, DJ Subtonic, Millions of Brazilians, Girls Girls Girls, Lightning Love, Bump, and For the Love of Mojo, a tribute to the Electrifying Mojo featuring Rick Whilhite, Marc Duncan, Kenny Dixon, Jr. and Carl Craig.
Grand Blvd. Jazz Stage: In the Tradition, Jazzhead, the Macpodz, Greet T, the Spangler/Tope Organ Trio with George Benson, Joey Spina Band, Lola Morales with Sean Blackman, Angelo Primo, Tricia Moore Quartet, Kimmie Horne, GEQ, Tumbao Salsa, Dennis Coffey Quartet, the Party Stompers with Gino Washington, Rumpshakers, Jesse Palter and the Alter Ego featuring Sam Barsh and Rodney Whitaker Quartet featuring Rockelle Whitaker.
New Center Park Stage (booked by Stirling): Jenny Knaggs and the Sureshots, Madison Opera, Magic Shop, Hentchmen, the Hosts, Citizen Smile, Charlie Slick, I, Crime, Lies Unknown, Bootsey X & the Lovemasters, the Ruiners, the Wrong Numbers, Ben Cyllus, Dooley Wilson, Inside Outlaws, Hayley Jane, Gretchen Wolf, Silent Violet, Blue Flowers and Electric Lions.
