This is a belated post on Movement 2008 which was held Memorial Day weekend.  This was my first year attending – well last year I was on the inexpensive side of the fence – and I cannot imagine missing the festival in any years to come.  My phat pants were pulled out from my youth for the occasion.  Techno reverberating off the freighters was a novel backdrop to Hart Plaza’s delightful, but ludicrously expensive, playground.  Despite the oppressive heat of the days and the plunge into frigid nights the weekend was wonderful.  Diesel Boy was my favourite performer but watching Moby close out one night was even more awe striking.  The scandalous attire of the Paxahau girls was not even the best people watching; day glow slinkys adorning pigtails and Milla Jovovich’s outfit from the 5^th Element were but a few of the novelties sported by festival goers.  A week after the festival I was flying out of Detroit International and proudly spotted a tourist sporting a Detroit Techno Militia shirt.  I have done a modest amount of traveling around the states and the Detroit Techno Militia symbol is one that I have happily seen far and wide.  Techno, be it your thing or not, is something that puts Detroit on the map.  Thank you world for coming out and supporting our city during the Detroit Electronic Music Festival.  We look forward to hosting you in years to come.    

The internet bugs attacked me, and I haven’t been able to even sign on to Metro Blogging in, well, forever I think.

Lots has happened in the D since this world wide web failed me, but at least this weekend will give me a good opportunity to jump right back in. The Detroit International Festival is happening, on way more streets and way bigger area than I though. Just drive to Midtown and pull over when you see people milling around and white tents set up.

As usual, I’m pretty geeked for the food and drink, but there’s something that will keep everyone busy.

Even hair sculptures. Only in the D, folks…

Where should you be Thursday night? Here’s an acronym-onious answer: DIA.

Why?

Boxers and Mexican masked wrestlers fight live at an art museum.

Not convinced yet? Well, then you’re crazy. Then maybe two more words to help: The Bang.

Anyone else think they’ll be calling in “sick” on Friday morning?

I can’t believe this is actually happening.

Interested in learning how to use social media sites to draw new customers to your business? Want to know what Internet tools are out there to help you target niche groups of consumers? Scheduled for next week, the local event, “Cultivating Detroit’s Creative Culture Through Social Media”, will answer those questions and more. (more…)

Pewabic is holding their annual Spring sale this weekend, with discontinued, overrun and even broken (they’re still really cool!) pieces on sale at hugely discounted prices.

The sale, which actually began today for members, will be open to the public on Saturday from 10AM to 5PM and Sunday from 12Noon to 6PM. Pewabic is at 10125 E Jefferson, which could not be a more perfect location on our first weekend of truly gorgeous weather. Once you finish your shopping head on over to the water and start enjoying the spring!

Holy Hip-Hop and ReFusing Fashion, two excellent exhibitions at the Museum of Contemporary Arts-Detroit, will close this Sunday, so this weekend is your last chance to see them. Here’s Metroblogging’s review of the exhibition.

MOCAD is offering two final events to celebrate the exhibitions: Sarah Lewis, Art Historian at Yale, will talk about the Holy Hip-Hop paintings, and several experts will hold a discussion titled The Relevance of Fashion. In addition, the Black History 101 Mobile Museum will be parked outside (or maybe inside?) the museum on Sunday, April 20.

All this is free: the exhibitions, the discussions, the vagabonding black history museum. All free. The MOCAD is a great place for Detroit, doing great things. Feel free to donate a few dollars while you’re there and let’s keep enjoying and supporting this institution.

MOCAD Gold is a first annual fundraiser for the Museum of Contemporary Art Detroit and will feature a broad survey of Detroit bands to play “pop cover songs spanning the last 30 years in their band’s own distinctive style.”

Here’s the line-up:

9:30 - Rabid Eye (ex-Lee Marvin & Genders)
9:45 - Dark Red (ex-Paik, current Chris Turner)
10pm - Esquire
10:15 - Bad Party (ex-White Devil & Tamion 12 Inch)
10:30 - the Silent Years
10:45 - Deastro
11pm - Tyvek
11:15 - the Sisters Lucas
11:30 - the Go
11:45 - T-3 presents

all night - Dee Jay Frankie Banks

MOCAD Gold will include the current Holy Hip-Hop and Re-Fusing Fashion Exhibits. See my review of these exhibits here.

Tickets are $15 for the music part of the evening, with a ritzier early program for $75.

I have been meaning to go to the Still Point Zen Buddhist Temple on the corner of Trumbull and Canfield in Woodbridge for some time now.  This past Sunday was my inaugural day, and I do believe that I have found an activity for many of my Sundays to come.  The Sunday afternoon service (between 5 and 6) consisted of two sittings and a Dharma talk followed by tea.  Sitting on cushions, in a beautiful old Woodbridge house, watching smoke from incense curl through the sunlight streaming in behind a statue of Buddha was quite poetic.  A few words for those who are not in tune with Asiatic religions: take your shoes off before entering the service room and bow upon entering and exiting the room.  There was some dusting of cushions going on, but I didn’t have a chance to figure out the meaning of the ritual.  Sitting in silence for 20-25 minute blocks is not easy.  If you do go, take a few thoughts with you on which to meditate.  Or else all you will think of are your aching bones and muscles.  When you have something to think about you actually transcend your physical discomfort in sitting so long.  I unfortunately only had enough thoughts for the first block and nothing for the second.  The services are free and open to all; however, if you have some money to spare you will be asked to donate in the Buddha begging bowl.      

MOCAD Gold is a first annual fundraiser for the Museum of Contemporary Art Detroit and will feature a broad survey of Detroit bands to play “pop cover songs spanning the last 30 years in their band’s own distinctive style.”

Last 30 years? Does that leave out early Motown?

Bands on the bill are T3, The Go, Lee Marvin Computer Arm (really? I thought they’re breaking up?), Tyvek (heard great things about these guys), Bad Party, Dark Red, EsQuire, Deastro, The Sisters Lucas, The Silent Years, and Dee Jay Frankie Banks.

MOCAD Gold will include the current Holy Hip-Hop and Re-Fusing Fashion Exhibits. See my review of these exhibits here.

Tickets are $15 for the music part of the evening, with a ritzier early program for $75.

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Anyone who thinks a Friday night at an art museum sounds like a staid and snooty affair missed out Friday night on the kind of dynamic cultural event that Detroit can deliver. To celebrate the opening of two new exhibits, Holy Hip-Hop! New Paintings by Alex Melamid and ReFusing Fashion: Rei Kawakubo, the Museum of Contemporary Arts-Detroit (MOCAD) threw an all-night dance party featuring home-grown Hip Hop artists Mike-E Ellison and James “Suburban Knight” Pennington.
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