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Feedback NEWS & VIEWS
We received comments in response to Lee DeVito’s cover story, “A Detroit landscape designer’s view of the state’s architectural gems,” about Peter Forguson and his new book Contemporary Michigan: Iconic Houses at the Epicenter of Modernism.
Nice! I kinda miss Open House Chicago. It’s an event once a year where a bunch of places with cool architecture allow residents to visit their buildings. People participate all over the city. https://www. architecture.org/open-house-chicago —@detroit.geek, Instagram
We also received comments in response to Steve Neavling’s article, “Families of
wrongfully convicted left without hope as Duggan dodges responsibility.”
Were the critical documents duplicates, or material not relevant to case outcomes? I am not a big fan of document destruction, but I also know, from public sector experience, that if you keep everything that someone thinks is critical, you’re going to need to buy a warehouse simply for all of your materials.
—@all_star_trivia, Instagram
Is @miattygen still refusing to investigate these allegations? Perhaps @ gewhitmer needs to push for an independent inquiry given that Nessel worked for this office and Duggan during the period in question.
—@thomasav Instagram
NEWS & VIEWS
Michigan recreational cannabis market hits $3B milestone as growth slows, prices drop
Michigan’s cannabis market capped off 2024 with another record-breaking milestone, as recreational sales surpassed $3 billion for the first time.
But as the state’s market matures, its rapid growth is finally slowing.
Licensed retailers brought in $3.27 billion in recreational cannabis sales in 2024, a 9.9% increase from the $2.98 billion recorded in 2023, according to the Michigan Cannabis Regulatory Agency (CRA). The December numbers alone accounted for $264.7 million, pushing Michigan’s total recreational sales since legalization in December 2019 past $10.2 billion.
There are more than 2,255 recreational cannabis licenses in Michigan, compared to 1,189 in 2021, 1,876 in 2022, and 2,170 in 2023.
Only California, Colorado, and Washington have crossed that $10-billion mark in cumulative recreational use sales.
Still, Michigan’s growth is slowing down compared to its earlier years. After surging by 55% in 2022 and 46% in 2023, the 9.9% year-over-year increase in 2024 signals a shift in the market. The reason? Prices continue to plummet.
In December, the average price of recreational flower hit a record low of $69.20 per ounce. For the entire year, the
average was $82.50 — down 10.3% from 2023 and a staggering 35% from 2022’s $128 per ounce.
By comparison, the average price for an ounce of recreational flower reached $512 in January 2020, when legal sales began.
But falling prices haven’t dampened demand. Michigan retailers sold more than 1.1 million pounds of adult-use flower in 2024, a 17% increase over 2023 and more than double the volume sold in 2022. Flower remains the dominant product, followed by vape cartridges and edibles.
A new study by LeafLink ranks Michigan second in the nation for marijuana sales per resident, trailing only Alaska, where tourism has boosted sales.
The state’s best sales month on record came in August 2024, with $294.1 million in recreational revenue. Meanwhile, Michigan’s medical cannabis market continued to shrink, ending 2024 with just $18 million in total sales — less than 1% of the state’s cannabis market. At its peak in 2021, the medical market generated $481 million, but adult-use pricing has steadily eroded its dominance.
The success of adult-use cannabis has also been a boon for local governments, schools, and infrastructure. Unlike medical cannabis, which is tax-exempt, adult-use sales are subject to a 10% excise
Nicki Minaj dodges assault charges in Detroit — for now
The Wayne County Prosecutor’s Office announced last week that it has denied a warrant request in connection with allegations that rapper Nicki Minaj assaulted her former employee, Brandon Garrett, after a concert at Little Caesars Arena in Detroit.
The Detroit Police Department had submitted the request as part of its investigation into the alleged incident, which occurred on April 21, 2024, following Minaj’s performance on her Pink Friday 2 World Tour.
According to the WCPO, the request was denied due to “insufficient evidence to prove that a crime has been committed.”
Wayne County Prosecutor Kym Worthy’s office has requested further investigation by Detroit police.
The lawsuit accuses the artist of assault, battery, and emotional distress. Garrett alleges that Minaj struck him backstage at Little Caesars Arena after he returned from running an errand for her.
tax and a 6% sales tax. This growing revenue source continues to provide a financial windfall for municipalities that have embraced cannabis businesses.
In early 2024, the state sent more than $87 million to 269 municipalities and counties as part of their share of excise taxes in 2023. That includes 99 cities, 69 townships, and 71 counties.
The communities and counties each receive more than $59,000 annually for every licensed cannabis dispensary and microbusiness located within their jurisdictions.
For cities that have embraced the industry, the revenue turned into a windfall.
Michigan remains the nation’s secondlargest cannabis market. Its $3.29 billion in combined adult-use and medical sales in 2024 represents a 7.6% overall increase from the previous year.
Since legalization, Michigan retailers have sold more than $11.5 billion in cannabis products, a testament to the enduring demand even as competition and price drops reshape the landscape.
As more communities opt into adultuse sales and neighboring states like Ohio ramp up their cannabis programs, Michigan’s market is poised for steady — if slower — expansion in the years to come.
—Steve Neavling
Garrett claims Minaj became angry when she learned he had sent another employee to pick up her prescription, accusing him of neglecting his duties. Garrett alleges that Minaj cursed at him, made threatening statements, and slapped him across the face, causing his hat to fly off. He also claims she struck him a second time on the wrist and that members of Minaj’s team surrounded him, leaving him “incredibly scared.”
Garrett’s lawsuit, filed in Los Angeles, seeks a jury trial and claims Minaj’s actions caused him significant emotional and physical harm. Garrett, 40, of Sun Valley, Calif., has also filed a civil lawsuit against Minaj, whose legal name is Onika Maraj-Petty, in L.A.
The WCPO’s decision not to authorize charges in Detroit does not affect the ongoing civil lawsuit. Detroit police have not commented on the additional investigative steps requested by the prosecutor’s office. Minaj, 42, has not publicly addressed the incident. Her Pink Friday 2 World Tour included a series of high-profile performances, with the Detroit stop marking a highlight of the tour.
As the case develops, the focus remains on whether further investigation by Detroit police will yield new evidence and whether the civil case in Los Angeles will proceed to trial.
—Steve Neavling
Marijuana makes a lot of money. SHUTTERSTOCK
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Beloved Detroit musician Mark Paul dead at 45
Longtime Detroit musician Mark Paul, known throughout the land and over the seven seas as Captain Don River, has sailed into the mystic. The Captain set sail unexpectedly Jan. 4 from Royal Oak Beaumont Hospital as a result of complications from esophageal cancer.
He was 45.
A native of Lincoln Park, Paul made his mark on the local music scene over the last 20-plus years as a multi-instrumentalist, performing in bands such as the Salt Miners, Golden Torso, and Blue Collar Addiction. But perhaps his most memorable stage persona came inside the salty sea-shanty shenanigans of Captains of the Head.
Known for his bawdy onstage banter, Paul entertained fans in the guise of his alter ego, Captain Don River, fearless leader of “the greatest band to ever sail the ocean blue.”
In 2019, Paul formed the Red Flags to perform his most personal songs.
Paul came from a musical family with roots in the American South and picked up the guitar at an early age. Over the years, he also learned to play bass, banjo, and mandolin.
Paul was also known as a funloving baseball fan. Following the Detroit Tigers’ World Series season of 2006, he co-founded the local sandlot baseball league Grown-Ass Baseball, a ragtag cast of amateur ballplayers who adopted the slogan “Two Teams, Nine Innings, No Hard Feelings … Just Baseball.”
Metro Times was there many a Sunday. It was basically The Bad News Bears meets The Battered Bastards of Baseball . For the next several summers, Paul could be found crouched behind the plate of some local baseball diamond some sunny Sunday morning, cracking wise and cloaked in “the tools of ignorance.”
Quick-witted and hilarious, like so many of his Lincoln Park musical brethren, Paul often “worked blue” wherever he was and prided himself on getting the party started and keeping the laughter going.
“Nobody did it better than Mark,” says lifelong friend Scott Cheney. “I’ve been on many journeys with him — we did the backpacking thing in Europe, and
January 15-21, 2025 | metrotimes.com
wherever we went — it was just a different country but the same funny shit.”
After Paul discovered he had esophageal cancer in 2022, he informed his friends of his diagnosis by hiring the horror metal band Gwar to deliver the news via Cameo.
“The good news is Mark’s got fucking cancer,” the band said in its video message. “The bad news is he’s gonna be OK.”
“Only Mark would think to do that,” says longtime friend and drummer Steve Kay. “I remember I was in Massachusetts when I got that text — I watched it and it was, like, the strangest feeling … the hair stood up on the back of my neck, but I was laughing at the same time.”
Paul was also known for his creative Halloween costumes, dressing up over the years as Peter Griffin, Glenn Danzig, and Ken Bone.
“If he was around for his own funeral,” says former bandmate Matt Flaim, “he’d be making jokes at his own expense.”
After surgery to remove part of his esophagus in 2022, Paul was hospitalized for three weeks. Despite the arduous recovery process, Paul’s room in the ICU was known as the party room where all the nurses wanted to hang out.
“It’s all absurd,” Paul told the nonprofit organization Cancer Can Rock in one of his final interviews. “You don’t have control over it. Things are going to happen to you … If you can laugh through it, you’ll feel a whole lot better.”
Reflecting on hi s heartfelt swan song, “The Fortune and the Pain,” recorded with the Red Flags at Rust Belt Studios in 2023, Paul described it as a song of trial and tribulation. “The person you are isn’t made by the good things that happen in your life,” he said. “The person you are is made by how you handle the bad things.
“There are just things in life that are out of your control,” he added. “Everything is temporary. If you don’t laugh, I don’t know how you get through.”
Paul is survived by his wife, Amanda Paul, his mother, Barbara Paul, his father, Brian Paul, and his son, Mason.
—Dave Mesrey
Insane Clown Posse is playing Bonnaroo
Bonnaroo is about to get drenched in Faygo.
Detroit rap crew Insane Clown Posse has been tapped for Tennessee’s massive music festival, appearing toward the top of the bill alongside diverse acts like country singer Luke Combs, pop star Olivia Rodrigo, EDM duo Justice, and many more.
Not too bad for a scrappy group from the D whose devoted Faygoloving fans the Juggalos were classified by the FBI as a “gang” — a label the band and its supporters have vehemently denied, taking their fight all the way to Washington.
In an interview with Consequence, Brad Parker of festival booking partner C3 Presents explained why ICP belonged at the festival.
“People were really excited about the ICP booking on social media, and here’s what I’ll say: The fun thing about Bonnaroo as a brand is that we don’t fit into any box,” Parker said. “That gives us the freedom to get quirky and weird whenever we want to. Insane Clown Posse, to me, is one of those bookings we make every year that appeals to a very niche subculture. But for us, it’s also an opportunity to give our fans something that challenges them — to step out of their comfort zone in a space where they feel safe.”
Of course, ICP has its own successful festival: the Gathering of the Juggalos, which is set to celebrate its 25th anniversary this year in Thornville, Ohio.
“My hope isn’t necessarily that we’re going to get a ton of ICP fans who wouldn’t otherwise come to Bonnaroo, but if they do show up, that’s amazing,” Parker added. “What I really hope for is that people who are already coming to the show will trust us and say, ‘Hey, if they’re booking this, it’s at least worth checking out once in my lifetime.’ Like, GWAR last year was a great example of this idea working. Every year, we’ll have something a little bit of a novelty, a booking that might not seem to fit with the rest of the lineup, but that’s completely intentional on our part. We love having stuff like that.”
Bonnaroo is June 12-15 in Manchester, Tennessee. Tickets are now available from bonnaroo.com.
—Lee DeVito
Lapointe
Goff and Lions spark a Motor City sports revival
By Joe Lapointe
At Pistons’ basketball games, even over the television, you can clearly hear the chant of “Jar-ed GOFF!” At Red Wings’ hockey games in the same Little Caesars Arena, the fans repeat the name of the Lions’ quarterback: “Jar-ed GOFF!! Jar-ed GOFF!!”
When the Tigers open baseball spring training next month — right after the Super Bowl — the fans in Florida may indeed echo the name: “Jar-ed GOFF!!! Jar-ed GOFF!!! Jar-ed GOFF!!!”
And, certainly, when the Lions host the Washington Commanders in the quarter-final of the Super Bowl tournament this weekend Saturday at 8 p.m. at Ford Field, the congregation again will intone in unison: “Jar-ed GOFF!!!! Jar-ed GOFF!!!! Jar-ed GOFF!!!! Jar-ed GOFF!!!!” like so many “Amens!” after each verse of a hymn
for Detroit sports.
At least they’re not chanting “Bobby LAYNE!” a name with the same rhythm and cadence. Layne quarterbacked the Lions in their last National Football League championship era of three crowns in the 1950s.
For the record, Layne didn’t play in the last Lions’ title game. He was out with a broken leg and Tobin Rote took his place before the Lions defeated the Cleveland Browns, 59-14, on Dec. 29, 1957, at what was then known as Briggs Stadium before 55,263 customers.
Of course, NBC’s national telecast was blacked out in the home market. That was the penny-wise business logic the NFL employed back when only 12 teams played only 12 games with only one post-season playoff game between the champions of the Western and Eastern Conferences.
The year 1957 — a decade before the Super Bowl — was slightly different. Because the Lions and San Francisco tied at 8-4 for the West title, they played an extra playoff game at Kezar Stadium and the Lions defeated the 49ers, 31-27, in the 13th game of a 14game season.
This season — should the Lions represent the National Football Conference in the Super Bowl on Sunday, Feb. 9, in New Orleans — it would be the 20th game of their 2024-25 season. Their foes from the American Football Conference may be playing their 21st.
Goff lacks the charismatic, roustabout personality of Layne, who may or may not have cursed the Lions to decades of struggle after they dared to exile him to Pittsburgh in 1958. But it is safe to say Goff’s success with the Lions has inspired a slightly giddy local renaissance in pro sports.
This is as welcome as it is unexpected after a decade of all four franchises wandering in the wilderness. He is one of those special athletes who make teammates look good and help create a whole team that is greater than the sum of its considerable parts.
For example: Give Goff enough time in the pass pocket and he might find his third or fourth receiver choice and complete a pass to him into a narrow window to spring him for a long touchdown run to put on the highlight reel.
A similar character trait is emerging in guard Cade Cunningham of the Pistons, propelling them in half a season from the worst team in the National Basketball Association to an entertaining level of competition and possible post-season action.
Following Saturday night’s 124-114 victory over Toronto at the LCA, they
Jared Goff’s success with the Lions has inspired a renaissance.
were 20-19 overall, with victories in six of their previous seven games and in nine of their previous 11.
In Cunningham’s fourth season, owner Tom Gores has finally found a front-office executive (Trajan Langdon) and head coach (J.B. Bickerstaff) who know how to mold other personnel around Cunningham’s stillripening skills. Even his turnovers are interesting, ambitious ideas usually worth a try.
They never discourage his bold shooting, passing, rebounding, and playmaking. By example, Cunningham leads a team that shares the ball and never quits. And it’s hard not to cheer for one of his teammates, Isaiah Stewart II, if only for the nickname “Beef Stew.”
At the start of the month, things seemed bleak when guard Jaden Ivey broke a bone in his left leg after the best start of his three-year career. But the Pistons won that night and have gone 5-1 since. Should their success continue — or increase — in the second half of the season, local hoops boosters could be in for a spring fling in the tournament.
The same might be said for their LCA roommates, the Red Wings, who won their seventh consecutive game Sunday by beating Seattle, 6-2, in a home matinee. Since replacing Derek Lalonde as head coach on the day after Christmas, Todd McLellan had lost only one game; overall, his team is 20-18-4.
The downside? McLellan is the third coach to work in Detroit for general manager Steve Yzerman, who has yet to build a playoff team in more than five seasons of franchise reconstruction. Another failure might make even the Ilitch ownership question the management savvy of a franchise idol. On defense, the Wings have blooming stars like Mo Seider and Simon Edvinsson. On their forward lines, home-grown talents like Lucas Raymond and Dylan Larkin blend with odds and ends from other teams. Certainly, it is a pleasure to behold the venerable Patrick Kane during the gradual and graceful decline of his exquisite skills.
But the Wings up front lack what hockey people call “sandpaper,” the quality to irritate and even intimidate opposing teams with hard hits from finished forechecks or with hostile scrums in the corners and in front of the net both before and after official whistles.
Hockey teams built like this rarely go far in the playoffs. Unless they make a trade before the deadline for one or two “sandpaper” guys, the Wings — if they make the tournament — could
get swept in the first round.
But wouldn’t it be interesting if both arena teams play deep into Tigers’ season down the street at Comerica Park, where the baseball buffs are still blinking at the 31-11 surge in the final quarter of 2024 that helped vault them into the second round of Major League Baseball’s playoffs.
The downside? Anything less than that this season will be a step backward for a team still filling key positions behind pitcher Tarik Skubal, who won the Cy Young award. Detroit’s signing of second-baseman Gleyber Torres as a free agent means a move of Colt Keith from second to first.
That makes trade bait of incumbent first baseman Spencer Torkelson, who still boasts the potential of a former No. 1 draftee. At age 25, Torkelson is still young and he hit 31 home runs as recently as 2023. He might need a change of scenery through the kind of trade that helps both teams.
And what, if anything, is left for shortstop Javier Baez, coming off a hip surgery? He’s 32 years old, he hit .184 last season and he’s owed $25 million in salary this season with two more years to go after that. Perhaps the Tigers will pay him with money from their new “Home Plate Club.”
The new construction at Comerica has stunned some season-ticket holders with big price hikes. It’s part of the gentrification trend in sports facilities that turns “premium seating” into gated communities that exclude the riff-raff while soaking the rich.
But the swells can afford it, right? Despite tough economic times for some, there’s plenty of money for sports around Detroit. Ford Field tickets will sell for thousands of dollars this week as most of the focus goes to the Lions, whose success may lead to a turnover of management personnel.
Teams in need of fixes are sniffing around Lions’ leaders like front-office advisor Chris Spielman, offensive coordinator Ben Johnson, and defensive coordinator Aaron Glenn.
One boss who won’t go is Sheila Ford Hamp, the principal owner and the fourth member of the Ford family to run the team, following her father, her brother, and her mother.
Ford Hamp is the most successful female Motor City sports team owner since Marguerite Norris of the Red Wings in the 1950s, back when football and hockey were big winners around these here parts and Sheila Ford was a little kid.
Perhaps, at their playoff opener in Ford Field, Lions’ fans can add a new name or two to their litany. How about “Shei-la HAMP!” or, better yet, “Shei-la FORD!”
Fire wAll: Part IV
Could a new analysis fInAlly prove Mario WillIs’s innocenCe
in detroit fIrefIghter’s death?
By eddie B. Allen Jr.
Part IV in our ongoing investigation into the case of Mario Willis.
Clara Mitchell was preparing for a funeral.
Mitchell, who would pastor her own congregation years later, served as executive secretary of Community Christian Fellowship Church on Detroit’s east side in 2008 when parishioner Walter Harris died.
“I lost a good friend,” she says. “He was an excellent minister. He was an excellent provider for his family.”
Along with filling key roles at church and home, Harris wore the title of hero in the community after the night he lost his life at age 38, following a blaze at a vacant house. Mitchell says she remains loyal to the firefighter’s family and loved ones. She also says it’s time to bring home from prison the man who mounting evidence appears to prove wrongfully convicted in Harris’s death. A comprehensive new analysis criticizing the Detroit Fire Department’s (DFD) investigation and court testimony concerning the tragedy will help exonerate Mario Willis, his supporters say.
“The case itself — from my view, sitting in the courtroom on behalf of both of the families — was wrong from the beginning,” adds Mitchell. Willis, 43, serving year 14 of a 12- to 30-year sentence for Harris’s murder,
expects the 36-page review by Grand Rapids fire expert Marc Fennell to correct a life-changing judicial error.
“This vindicates me,” he tells Metro Times in a phone call from Saginaw Correctional Facility.
A gradually swelling number of community voices, including Mitchell’s, are expressing hope that a judge agrees with Willis about the new evidence his legal team recently presented in a court filing. If all goes well for Willis, he could be granted a new trial or possibly even released as soon as this year.
The scientific critique, conducted by Fennell’s MDF Forensics, supports
a confession by Darian Dove, who Willis hired to maintain properties including 7418 East Kirby, where Harris responded to the fire. Dove, 56, declined to answer Metro Times’s questions about a handwritten, detailed account in 2010, confessing that he used the vacant house to entertain a woman. Later, in a sworn 2014 affidavit, Dove stated, “Mario Willis had nothing to do with the fire.”
But differing versions of the story Dove told in and out of courtrooms led to his own second-degree murder conviction — and Willis’s campaign for freedom.
A closer look
Numerous inaccurate findings about the fire, along with misrepresentations to the jury at Willis’s 2010 trial, influenced a “guilty” verdict, according to Fennell’s analysis. Findings included:
• the blaze was “purposely set”
• gasoline was poured on walls to cause damage most quickly by vertically destabilizing the house
• 7418 East Kirby was unoccupied when the fire began
Fennell, who is certified with the International Association of Arson Investigators, and who is also a licensed private investigator, cites “scientific method” according to National Fire Protection Association guidelines in disputing Rance Dixon, the DFD officer who testified at Willis’s trial.
“Dixon’s methodology was flawed from the start because he did not collect critical data (Darian Dove’s explanation for the initiation of the fire) to include in hypothesis development and testing,” Fennell writes. In Dove’s letter, penned months after he testified that Willis paid him $20 to burn the home, he describes taking “beer & weed” to 7418 East Kirby about 3 a.m. on Nov. 15, 2008, then pouring “a little gas” onto wood and metal to start a blaze just for warmth. His companion, identified
Mario Willis’s supporters maintain his innocence in the death of a Detroit firefighter.
KELLEY O’NEILL
only as “Felisha,” was soon in tears of horror, writes Dove, stating that he “forgot to move the plastic gas can…and we was kissing, and before I knew what was going to happen — please, please — I was not trying to put the house on fire.”
a fundamental step of the scientific method, because he did not consider the Darian Dove version(s) of how the fire started.”
Fennell continues, “Thus, the objective data collected and tested would be consistent with Dove’s ‘accidental spilling of gasoline on the floor’ story. It would be inconsistent with investigator Dixon’s trial testimony where he testified that gasoline was ‘poured along the walls,’ which suggested that ‘they wanted to do the most damage in probably the least amount of time.’”
Even without Dove’s original statements to Detroit Police, regarding the accident, Fennell adds, laboratory findings and research conflict with Dixon’s assessment. Fennell writes, “No investigator could credibly conclude this fire was arson, based on the evidence available to the State’s investigator at trial. This is as true today as it was at the time of Mr. Willis’s 2010 trial.”
Even without knowledge of the tragic mistake Dove described, “The only scientifically supportable conclusion was that the fire cause was ‘undetermined,’” Fennell states.
Unfortunately for Willis, a 2023 Wayne County Conviction Integrity Unit (CIU) probe stopped short of revisiting science associated with his case, relying primarily on an interview with Dove. Even after Willis’s appellate attorney Craig Daly presented the CIU with Dove’s written confessions about the night with Felisha, Dove told CIU Director Valerie Newman and investigator Tracy Weinert that Willis is “trying to play innocent.” In a recorded interview, Dove spoke off-topic and at length about the amount of pay he received from Willis while working as a handyman. He also made new claims, including that Willis promised him $5,000 from insurance proceeds for burning 7418 East Kirby. But Daly additionally presented CIU with a statement from the Southfield-based Korotkin Insurance Group, stating that only the mortgage company would have benefited from a fire, due to forced-placed insurance.
At Willis’s trial, arson officer Dixon testified: “I eliminated electrical, mechanical and accidental. Electrical utilities weren’t on in the house. I eliminated accidental because the house was vacant, so no one could have been there to accidentally set a fire.”
Dixon further stated that gasoline was distributed in a manner that would “weaken the structural members of the walls,” saying the flames were “purposely set.” Dixon could not be reached for comment after DFD failed to respond to a Metro Times interview request.
Fennell’s review states that, based
on investigative documents and records available through the Freedom of Information Act, Dixon misled the jury.
“There is no forensic evidence to show that the fire’s origin is correct,” Fennell writes.
Because Dixon testified that there was no utility service activated at 7418 East Kirby and no sign of “squatters,” Fennell adds that it’s “clear, then, that he did not comply with
“There were numerous references made that Mario Willis had pure financial reasons to obtain proceeds or profit from a fire at E. Kirby on Nov. 15, 2008,” reads the statement. “Mario Willis, again, would not have been entitled to any of the insurance proceeds.”
Korotkin Insurance (which was not associated with the case) stresses that Willis actually no longer owned the home after selling it to his eventual
Detroit firefighter Walter Harris was killed in a Nov. 15, 2008 blaze.
COURTESY PHOTO
wife, Megan, who “would also not have received any direct benefit.” Forcedplaced coverage solely protects “the mortgage company for the amount owed to them,” according to the statement.
In spite of Korotkin’s determination, Dove’s affidavit stating Willis’s innocence, and other documents supporting Willis, CIU declined to recommend his exoneration. Director Newman did not respond to a request to speak with Metro Times
But Willis is confident that Fennell’s new fire analysis, expertise that wasn’t made available at his original trial, won’t be ignored.
“One thing about evidence is evidence is stubborn, and evidence doesn’t change. It can’t be manipulated,” Willis says.
Part of Willis’s push for exoneration is based on the fire department’s own records and investigation, he adds.
“None of the experts that we’ve acquired had to re-work anything.”
Gainin G an ally
Since the beginning in 2022 of Metro Times’s ongoing investigation into Willis’s case, not a single City of Detroit administrator has responded to any of numerous interview requests. Multiple Freedom of Information Act inquiries concerning Detroit Police and Fire Department files went unanswered, and even a letter from Metro Times Editor-in-Chief Lee DeVito, written to Assistant Corporation Counsel Ivars Steins, received no response. Following an October 2023 article titled “City of Detroit repeatedly violates state law on public records” by MT staff investigative reporter Steve Neavling, Corporation Counsel Conrad Mallett facilitated release of Walter Harris homicide and 7418 East Kirby files, more than a year after the legal deadline.
Willis says he and his supporters are disturbed by the pattern of silence and lack of transparency from entities and individuals who show little interest in even the possibility of his innocence.
DFD Commissioner Charles “Chuck” Simms, who, like Dixon, served as arson investigator in Walter Harris’s case, has especially disappointed Willis and his family. Unbeknownst to Simms and Willis at the time, Simms was filmed in a police interrogation room, confirming that Willis had given an alibi for his whereabouts Nov. 15, 2008. In a clip posted at the website justiceformariowillis.com, Simms is identified before saying, “You remember what you told me, right? … I remember you told me y’all went out that night. Y’all went out to dinner or
something.”
Actually, Willis says he hadn’t remembered what he and wife Megan had done, since the interview with Simms took place eight months after the fire, but Simms validated what the couple had already told investigators, Willis says. Detective Scott Shea, however, would testify at trial that neither Willis, nor Megan, offered an alibi.
Judge Michael Callahan cited “perjury” in Willis’s punishment.
“The prosecution rested on that,” Willis says. “One of the last things they said was that I tried to deceive the court by telling Megan to lie on the witness stand and say we were together that night.”
He adds, “That hurt me even more than Dove.”
Simms, who was named to DFD’s top post in 2023, has not responded to multiple Metro Times requests to discuss the case, nor to direct appeals from Willis’s family, Willis says.
Shea, who was no longer with the Detroit Police Department when contacted by Metro Times in 2022,
declined to comment about his testimony. Detective Lance Sullivan, who Dove accuses of pressuring him to lie about Willis’s involvement in the fire, could not be reached for comment.
Written requests in 2022 and again in 2024, for interviews or statements about the homicide investigation, received no response from Detroit Police Media Services.
Detroit Fire Chief James Harris, in charge of public affairs, also failed to respond to inquiries regarding the Walter Harris tragedy.
Not even John Roach, media relations director for Mayor Mike Duggan, has replied to requests concerning any aspect of Metro Times’s investigation.
But District 3 Detroit Police Commissioner Cedric Banks has begun speaking on Willis’s behalf, asking outgoing Police Chief James White to revisit the Harris homicide during an Oct. 24 Board of Commissioners meeting last year. Banks was referred to Assistant Chief Charles Fitzgerald for further discussion. Banks again raised the subject of Willis’s convic-
tion Oct. 31 when Wayne County Prosecutor Kym Worthy addressed the Commission; Worthy said she is “very familiar.”
At a third Board meeting, on Nov. 14, Banks directly asked interim Police Chief Todd Bettison, “Can we possibly revisit this case, or someone reach out to the family?”
Banks said about interview footage of Shea listening to Willis’s alibi, “I saw that the detective, Shea, literally committed police misconduct; I saw that with my own eyes on the video.”
Bettison recommended the CIU.
“What got me interested in the Mario Willis case,” Banks tells Metro Times, “is when the detective was interrogating Mario Willis and his girlfriend. The detective said they didn’t give him information, the alibi — which they did tell the detective.”
Banks, who is bishop of Heart of Jesus International Deliverance Church, viewed footage of the investigation at justiceformariowillis.com.
“Now the problem I have here, because I deal with corruption and
District 3 Detroit Police Commissioner Cedric Banks has begun speaking on Willis’s behalf.
JOE MAROON
misconduct all the time, as a police commissioner, is I thought maybe the officer’s superior — a sergeant, a captain, or a lieutenant — should have gone over the interrogation, looked into it,” adds Banks.
Although the Commission lacks authority to address criminal matters, Willis is grateful Banks has taken a public stance.
“Finally, finally, somebody is saying this is wrong!” says Willis. “We always said there were still some good people in this world, but for Commissioner Banks to come forward, it makes me feel encouraged. He’s the first one to take it up a notch when he could have easily said, ‘We don’t deal with cases like that.’”
Willis says he hopes the call for justice from influential officials like Banks is “the first of many” breaking their silence.
Banks adds, “I think it’s very disrespectful, out of order, that they don’t respond. Just to totally ignore Metro Times, or any person in the media, I think it’s a very disrespectful thing, especially because we’re talking about lives at stake.”
He adds, “We’re talking about a man who did 14 years in prison already. We’re talking about his loved ones hurting, in pain.”
‘Can’t stop, won’t stop’
It was August 2022 when Clara Mitchell became pastor of True Visions Community Church on Kercheval Avenue, a few miles from where her friend Harris made his final emergency run as a firefighter. While Mitchell still interacts with Harris’s loved ones, she embodies the small degree of separation between his family and Mario Willis’s. Well before the fire, Mitchell says, the church she and Harris attended hosted alternative high school students who learned broadcast production from a local studio owner named Marvin Willis, Mario’s dad. Mitchell never imagined her mutual ties with the Harrises and Willises leading her to the Frank Murphy Hall of Justice where, one day, she heard a familiar voice.
“Is that my Clara?” called Syri Harris, Walter’s widow.
“Is that my Syri?” Mitchell answered. They hugged. The scene appeared perfectly normal to observers who knew them both — but later Mitchell detected murmurs about her warmness toward Mario’s mother Maxine Willis in the courtroom.
“It was a weird place for me to sit, because I love both families,” Mitchell recalls.
But, to the credit of all involved, in 14
years since Mario’s conviction, Mitchell has “never heard anything bad from one side spoken against the other.”
So Mitchell didn’t view it as choosing allegiance when she hosted “Can’t Stop, Won’t Stop,” a gathering in fall 2024 as part of True Visions’ “We Will Win” conference. About 100 participants attended from Michigan and from as far as North Carolina, Georgia, Alabama, and Florida.
“The truth is that he has been wrongfully convicted,” Mitchell says. “That’s truth. We just want the truth to finally come out. That’s why we did the service that day. We can’t stop and won’t stop until we bring him home.”
Even where there is legal guilt, the church’s role is not to judge, but to love, she adds.
“There are other families who don’t have the connections and the resources that we’ve been able to gather for Mario,” says Mitchell.
Support for Willis has also grown in Michigan’s social activism community throughout the past year. Led by founder and director Elisheva T. Johnson, grassroots advocacy organization Emergent Justice mobilized about 30 members and others who traveled to Lansing in June, sharing Willis’s story with state Rep. Amos O’Neal.
Tony Lampkin, a volunteer researcher for Emergent Justice, was asked by Johnson to review the background of Willis’s conviction to determine if it fit their case criteria.
“I got kind of frustrated reading it because it was obvious that a lot of it was not true,” says Lampkin.
Along with the uninsured status of 7418 East Kirby, Lampkin says he found the police interactions with Dove particularly concerning.
“Now you’ve got this gentleman who said he burned up the house for Mario,” says Lampkin. “How long have you interrogated this gentleman? What promises have you made him?”
In Dove’s handwritten letter he describes being told to make a phone call while in police custody, with the goal of coaxing Willis to incriminate himself.
But “that did not work at all,” Dove states, “so they got mad and put me back in the cell.”
Dove was ultimately “coerced” into lying on the witness stand, says Lampkin, who has been examining the commonly used Reid Technique of interrogation. Developed by John E. Reid, an ex-cop in Chicago, the Reid Technique has often been criticized for its association with false confessions like Dove initially admitted to issuing.
Lampkin, who works as a statecertified assessor, has also researched what became of the property at the
January 15-21, 2025 | metrotimes.com
center of the tragedy. Despite the fact that it would be deemed a crime scene, Willis says 7418 East Kirby was razed by the city just three weeks after the fire. Megan was never informed.
“A friend of mine called and said, ‘Hey, man, you need to turn on the news. I think they’re tearing Megan’s house down,’” Willis remembers. “I said, ‘Are you serious?’”
The City of Detroit’s permit to demolish the structure was not issued until two days after the home was already leveled, Willis adds.
So Lampkin found it curious that in February 2024, he discovered an order for demolition at 7418 East Kirby. A spokesperson for the city says the filing was for a structure that stood at the same address, not for the house that caught fire. Metro Times’s queries to the City of Detroit, concerning the 2008 demolition, were not answered.
Dion RiggenEl, a prison reform advocate, learned of Willis’s conviction at the Emergent Justice gathering in Lansing. He began communicating with Willis directly.
“After reading about that brother’s case, how the house had no insurance and all of that, I thought about how our court system says you have to be found guilty beyond a reasonable doubt, and there was a lot of doubt in his case,” says RiggenEl.
RiggenEl, along with incarcerated co-hosts Susan Brown and RiggenEl’s nephew Demel Dukes, launched the “Free people Free people” podcast in 2020. Heard Fridays at 9:30 a.m. via Facebook Live, wrongful conviction and excessive sentencing — both of which Willis’s defenders say he has endured — are among discussion topics. RiggenEl interviewed Mario and Maxine Willis for the “Free people Free people” podcast.
“This city has got a dark cloud over it from the past corruption,” adds RiggenEl. “Some people do have to be the fall guys, but Mario shouldn’t have had to be the fall guy, because he was a commendable citizen. Why would anybody who was raised the way he was raised start doing crime? That didn’t make sense to me.”
Willis attended Catholic school, played in the band, and earned a college football scholarship before ultimately becoming an entrepreneur.
Beyond misconduct RiggenEl attributes to the investigation of Harris’s death and Willis’s conviction, he says Dove’s role exemplifies a lack of loyalty that has become common in the Black community.
“I hope and pray that we can get back to how it used to be with us being more supportive of one another,” he says.
SurpriSe witneSs
During an election year and presidential campaign like none in modern memory, no single development in the final quarter of 2024 weighed in at the level of a political game-changer. Commonly referred to as the “October surprise,” the term has come to be associated with explosive, yet unforeseeable, influences that upend a likely outcome in voting. While the new fire analysis had been requested by Willis’s attorney early in 2024, and anxiously awaited until it was provided in September, Willis received his own version of an October surprise when a man he’d met in prison resurfaced after 10 years.
Shannon Thomas Porter, 51, was paroled in the spring, having been transferred from Saginaw to multiple Michigan Department of Corrections facilities. While in Adrian, he met and became friends with a fellow inmate who liked to be called “Gino,” but whose legal name is Darian Ivan Dove.
Porter’s October affidavit adds yet another layer of evidence that appears to support Willis’s innocence.
“I first met Mario Willis in approximately 2011 while housed at Saginaw Correctional Facility,” reads the sworn statement. “There I learned that he had been convicted of arson and second-degree murder…He told me that a firefighter had died, and that the police were looking for a scapegoat to blame…I later met up with Darian Dove in approximately 2016… Dove told me that he was in prison for setting a fire in Detroit in 2008 that killed a Detroit firefighter…I then recognized that he was talking about the same fire that Mario Willis had described, and for which he was serving time…
“Dove confided in me that he was fooling around with a woman at the house that night, and accidentally started a fire when he kicked over a can that was used to keep them warm. He said the police threatened him with life in prison without parole, so he had to do what he had to do, to not get a life sentence.”
Willis says he hadn’t recently communicated with Porter, who contacted Willis’s team by emailing the justiceformariowillis.com website. Porter is the third current or former inmate to report that Dove confessed a virtually identical story of Harris’s death.
The accumulation of new developments and community support has boosted Willis’s optimism as he reflects on the 7418 East Kirby tragedy and how it derailed his plans for the years that followed.
“The truth lies in the evidence,” he says, sharing eagerness for Judge Margaret M. Van Houten to receive it all.
“My prayer,” adds Willis, “is that, once this evidence is presented before her, the judge is fair and just in her ruling.”
WHAT’S GOING ON
Select events happening in metro Detroit this week. Be sure to check venue websites before all events for the latest information. Add your event to our online calendar: metrotimes.com/ AddEvent.
MUSIC
Wednesday, Jan. 15
Live/Concert
Matt Lorusso Trio & Special Guests 8-11 p.m.; Northern Lights Lounge, 660 W. Baltimore St., Detroit; no cover.
Thursday, Jan. 16
Live/Concert
Berts Music Cafe & The Preservation of Jazz Presents Jazz on Repeat 6-10 p.m.; Bert’s Music Cafe, 2458 Brush St., Detroit, MI; $15.
The Lunar Octet 8-10 p.m.; Aretha’s Jazz Cafe, 350 Madison St., Detroit; $10. Raheem DeVaughn 8 p.m.; Sound Board, 2901 Grand River Ave., Detroit; $45-$57.
Royal Oak Blues Band 7-9 p.m.; The Hawk Community Center, 29995 Twelve Mile Rd., Farmington Hills; $20 in advance $25 at the door.
Karaoke
DARE-U-OKE 9 p.m.-midnight; Northern Lights Lounge, 660 W. Baltimore St., Detroit; no cover.
Chanté Moore 8 p.m.; Sound Board, 2901 Grand River Ave., Detroit; $39-$53.
Darkness on the Edge of Corktown: Springsteen covered by 20+ local artists 8 p.m.; Lager House, 1254 Michigan Ave., Detroit; $10 or $5 with a donation.
Fool House: The Ultimate ’90s Party VMAs Tour 8 p.m.; Emerald Theatre, 31 N. Walnut St., Mount Clemens; $20-$200.
Josh Ross: The Colosseum At Caesars Windsor 8 p.m.; Caesars Palace Windsor - Augustus Ballroom, 377 E. Riverside Dr., Windsor; $28-$68.
Magic Bag Presents: The Warped Band 7 p.m.; Magic Bag, 22920 Woodward Ave., Ferndale; $17.
Saddle Up Country Dance Party!
8 p.m.; Diamondback Music Hall, 49345 S. Interstate 94 Service Dr., Belleville; $0-$15.
Sky Covington sings Billie Holiday at the Wine Gotto in St John Resort 7-10 p.m.; Aretha’s Jazz Cafe, 350 Madison St., Detroit; $25–$40.
DJ/Dance
The Hourlies, Ethan Mark Ban, DJ Sanford 9 p.m.; Bowlero Lanes & Lounge, 4209 Coolidge Hwy., Royal Oak; no cover.
Anti-Freeze Blues Festival: Bobby Murray Revue ft. The Woodward Horns, Raye Williams, Lenny Watkins, Greg Nagy, and special guests 7 p.m.; Magic Bag, 22920 Woodward Ave., Ferndale; $20.
Band Company (Bad Company tribute), TNT (Ted Nugent tribute) 7:45 p.m.; The Token Lounge, 28949 Joy Rd., Westland; $20-$120.
Ben Chapman, Meg McRee 7 p.m.; The Loving Touch, 22634 Woodward Ave., Ferndale; $20.
Death Cat, Carjack, DJ Ryan Patrick Hooper 9 p.m.; Bowlero Lanes & Lounge, 4209 Coolidge Hwy., Royal Oak; o cover.
Ryan Allen, Jamiel Dado 7-10 p.m.; Reware Vintage, 2965 12 Mile Road, Suite 200, Berkley; $5.
JUMP: America’s Van Halen Experience (Van Halen tribute), Sir Cadian 7 p.m.; District 142, 142 Maple St., Wyandotte; $20-$30.
Kill Dyll, Warlord Colossus, Pranav.Wav 7 p.m.; Sanctuary Detroit, 2932 Caniff St., Hamtramck; $20. Michigan Songwriters Night w/ Amy Petty & Bill Edwards 7:30 p.m.; MAMA’s Coffeehouse at the Birmingham Unitarian Church, 38651 Woodward Ave., Bloomfield Hills; $17 ($15 student/senior) cash or check at door only.
Plucking Performance: Ara Topouzian 1-4 p.m.; Cranbrook Art Museum, 39221 N. Woodward Ave., Bloomfield Hills; free with museum admission.
DJ/Dance
Shrek Rave (18+) 8 p.m.; Saint Andrew’s Hall, 431 E. Congress St., Detroit;
22 January 15-21, 2025 | metrotimes.com
$17-$32.
Sunday, Jan. 19
Live/Concert
Dave Bennett Winter Brunch Series: Olivia Van Goor featuring Randy Napoleon 11 a.m.-1:30 p.m.; The War Memorial, 32 Lake Shore Drive, Grosse Pointe Farms; $35-$95.
Phil Ogilvie’s Rhythm Kings 5-8 p.m.; Zal Gaz Grotto Club, 2070 W. Stadium Blvd., Ann Arbor; no cover (tipjar for the band).
97.9 WJLB presents The Big Show featuring Glorilla, Sexyy Red, BossMan Dlow, Rob 49, Tee Grizzley, Big Boogie, plus Tay B and Snap Dogg 6 p.m.; Little Caesars Arena, 2645 Woodward Ave., Detroit; $64-$394.
The Browning, Dropout Kings, Filth, The Defect 6 p.m.; Sanctuary Detroit, 2932 Caniff St., Hamtramck; $20. Karaoke
Sunday Karaoke in the Lounge 5-9 p.m.; Bowlero Lanes & Lounge, 4209 Coolidge Hwy., Royal Oak; no cover.
Monday, Jan. 20
Live/Concert
A Tribute to Randy Crawford starring Dnise Jonson 7 p.m.; Aretha’s Jazz Cafe, 350 Madison St., Detroit; $25. DJ/Dance
Night 9 p.m.-midnight; The Old Miami, 3930 Cass Ave., Detroit; no cover. Karaoke/Open Mic
Open Mic : Art in a Fly Space 7-10 p.m.; Detroit Shipping Company, 474 Peterboro St., Detroit; no cover.
Tuesday Karaoke in the Lounge 8 p.m.-midnight; Bowlero Lanes & Lounge, 4209 Coolidge Hwy., Royal Oak; no cover.
CLASSICAL
Performance
Max M. Fisher Music Center
Detroit Symphony Orchestra: The Rite of Spring; $20-$110; Thursday, 7:30 p.m.; Saturday, 8 p.m.
THEATER
Performance
Fisher Theatre - Detroit Golden Girls: The Laughs Continue; Thursday, 7:30 p.m.; Friday, 7:30 p.m.; Saturday, 2 and 7:30 p.m.; Sunday, 1 p.m.
Max M. Fisher Music Center
Detroit Symphony Orchestra: The Rite of Spring; $20-$110; Thursday, 7:30 p.m.; Saturday, 8 p.m.
The Music Hall Don’t Judge Me; $40$125; Friday, 8 p.m., Saturday; 3 p.m. and 8 p.m.
Musical
Meadow Brook Theatre Footloose the Musical; $48; Wednesday, 2 p.m. and 8 p.m.; Thursday, 8 p.m.; Friday, 8 p.m.; Saturday, 2 p.m. and 8 p.m.; Sunday, 2 p.m. and 6:30 p.m.
Planet Ant Theatre NIXON/KING: A deadly serious comedy from the mind of Robert P. Young. The 1960 Presidential election was razor-thin, and some claimed Richard Nixon was cheated. One moment loomed large: Nixon’s failure to help Martin Luther King, Jr. escape a potentially fatal jailing. But what if Nixon did try to intervene? In this hilarious and poignant musical, a disguised Nixon embarks on a secret mission to a Georgia prison to save King. Can one night — and one act of courage — alter history, or are some outcomes inevitable? $30 advance, $35 day of show; Fridays, Saturdays, 8-9 p.m. and Sundays, 3-4 p.m.
COMEDY
Improv
Go Comedy! Improv Theater Go Comedy! All-Star Showdown: A highly interactive improvised game show. With suggestions from the audience, our two teams will battle for your laughs. The Showdown is like Whose Line is it Anyway, featuring a series of short improv games, challenges and more. Fridays and Saturdays, 7:30 p.m. and 9:30 p.m.; $25.
Mark Ridley’s Comedy Castle
Tim Finkel; $20; Thursday, 7:30-9 p.m. Ryan Davis; $30; Friday, 7:15 p.m. and 9:45 p.m.; Saturday, 7 p.m. and 9:30 p.m.
Saint Andrew’s Hall Bruce McCulloch: Tales of Bravery and Stupidity; $29.50-$45; Thursday, 7 p.m.
The Hawk Community Center
An Evening of Stand Up Comedy Gather your friends, grab your favorite drink, and prepare for a laughter-filled extravaganza that will leave you rolling in the aisles at the Ha-Ha-Hawk. Robyn nd Jason Gilleran will have you truly laughing out loud. $20 advance, $25 day of show; Saturday, 8-10 p.m.
Tin Cup Bar & Grill Motown Marks Comedy Night; $65; Thursday, 5:30 p.m.
Continuing This Week
Ann Arbor Marriott Ypsilanti at Eagle Crest The Dinner Detective Comedy Mystery Dinner Show; $69.95; Saturday, 6-9 p.m.
Blind Pig Blind Pig Comedy; no cover; Mondays, 8 p.m.
The Independent Comedy Club at Planet Ant The Sh*t Show Open Mic: A weekly open mic featuring both local amateurs and touring professionals. $5 suggested donation; Fridays and Saturdays, 11 p.m.-1:30 a.m.
FILM
Screening
Birmingham Unitarian Church Common Ground film on climate and agriculture, with panel discussion The award-winning film Common Ground presents an alternative to soil-depleting farm practices, and the use of extensive pesticides, herbicides, and fossilfuel based fertilizers to grow our food. Regenerative agriculture seeks to build soil health and curb greenhouse gas emissions by use of no-till methods, cover crops, crop rotation, and other approaches. A panel will answer questions and critique advocacy of animal grazing in the film after the showing. Sponsored by SE Mich Sierra Club Climate Team and BUC Environmental Action Team. No cover; Sunday, 1-3 p.m.
ART Photography
The Straits: Detroit in Motion
(A photography exhibition by Andrew Petrov) The exhibition accompanies the soft opening of Moondog Café and is on view from Jan. 17-Feb. 1, with a public reception on Saturday, Jan. 18, from 6-10 p.m. The Straits explores a city in motion, blending portraiture, photojournalism, and architectural
When Motown collaborated with MLK
In the 1960s, Motown founder Berry Gordy reached out to Martin Luther King Jr. to see if the record label could help the civil rights leader in his cause for equality. “I saw Motown much like the world he was fighting for — people of all races and religions, working together harmoniously for a common goal,” Gordy told TIME magazine. That resulted in Motown recording and releasing King’s “Walk to Freedom” speech and rally at Detroit’s then-Cobo Hall in June 1963, a precursor to the famous “I have a dream” speech King would later deliver in Washington, D.C. The effort also marked Motown’s first spoken-word recording; the label would later release a posthumous compilation of
photography to tell the story of Detroit as it enters the second quarter of the new century. Moondog Cafe, 8045 Linwood St. #2, Detroit; no cover.
Artist talk
Public Lecture: Phong Bui The first Public Lecture of 2025. Cranbrook Academy of Art’s 2024-25 Public Lecture Series is free and open to the public at Cranbrook’s deSalle Auditorium. Phong H. Bui is a multifaceted citizen of the New York art world. Bui is an artist, writer, independent curator, and former curatorial advisor at MoMA PS1 (200710). He is also the co-founder, publisher, and artistic director of the monthly journal the Brooklyn Rail and its imprint, Rail Editions. Thursday, 6-7:30 p.m.; Cranbrook Art Museum, 39221 N. Woodward Ave., Bloomfield Hills; no cover.
Art Exhibition Opening
A. Alfred Taubman Center for Design Education Seasons of Kinship: Cyrah Dardas & Mother Cyborg
King’s major speeches, Free at Last
This MLK Day, Detroit’s Motown Museum will host a special tour about the label’s role in the civil rights movement including the history of its political subsidiary the Black Forum Label, and also offer attendees the chance to listen to the “Walk to Freedom” speech in full in its Studio A. —Lee DeVito
Tours start at 10 a.m. on Monday, Jan. 20 and run every half hour with the last tour at 5 p.m.; Motown Museum; 2648 W. 2648 W. Grand Blvd., Detroit; motownmuseum. org. Tickets are $20, with free admission for children accompanied by an adult.
Using natural materials grown by each artist, this exhibition is a testament to the intertwining and understanding between humans, land, and the ecosystem. A dinner table, a symbol of reverence, honors the lost knowledge and hidden stories in plant life. The use of natural dyes and paints in the tapestries and paintings reflects the reciprocity and symbiotic practices our human and non-human kin can create in relation. No cover; Friday, 4-7 p.m.
Gallery 100 Texture and Tones: A Collaborative Fusion of Quilting and Prints. This vibrant exhibition features stunning quilts by the C.A.A.D.Y. Corner Quilters and expressive prints from an intergenerational project between Chelsea High School art students and Silver Maples seniors. Through intricate stitches and creative prints, these works celebrate collaboration, identity, and the power of artistic expression. No cover; Sunday; 2-3:30 p.m.
Playground Detroit Contours: Dustin Cook Solo Exhibition. No cover; Saturday, 6-9 p.m.
MISC.
Car culture
Huntington Place Detroit Auto Show. $10-$20; through Jan. 20.
SPORTS
Basketball
Little Caesars Arena Detroit Pistons vs. Phoenix Suns; $20-$1,659.85; Thursday, 7 p.m..; $30-$3,469.85; Saturday, 5 p.m.
Oakland University Student Recreation and Athletic Center
Oakland University Golden Grizzlies Mens Basketball vs. Indiana University, Men’s Basketball; $20-$62.50; Wednesday, 7 p.m.
Critics’ Picks
The Motown Museum will host a special tour about its role in the civil rights cause.
COURTESY PHOTO
FOOD
A pleasant surprise in Sterling Heights
By Tom Perkins
Hug Baan Thai
2751 E. 14 Mile Rd., Sterling Heights
586-939-5456
hugbaanthai.com
$3 for appetizer to $26 for an entree
Wheelchair accessible
Hot and sour tom yum soup is a Thai staple that can start off a meal at virtually any restaurant. At its best, it’s glorious: bright and intense with a complex palate, at once spicy, sour, sweet, garlicky, peppery, citrusy, and often holding a little funky punch from chili paste.
At its worst, it’s a timid mix that omits some or most of those components. In a way, it’s a barometer for what’s to come that can tell you a lot about the quality of a Thai restaurant, and the tom yum at Troy’s Hug Baan Thai hit all the right notes. The rest of the menu does the same, and that’s great news in a neck of the woods where some of the Thai options aren’t very satisfying.
Hug Baan opened in late 2023 in Sala Thai’s former home in a Sterling Heights strip mall. I don’t know much about the
new owners, but I can tell you that they seem to love Christmas — the small spot was fully decked out for the holidays with lights, trees, elves, bulbs, and tinsel. (Truly magical for a man who goes by “Christmastom” during the holiday season.)
I got the tom yum, which translates to “mixed” and “boiled,” in several forms: cups of the basic tom yum and with wonton were great, as was the kuoy tiew tom yum. The latter is a meal-sized bowl with thin rice noodles, mushrooms, lime leaf, lime juice, coconut milk, green onions, and bamboo sprouts, as well as tons of minced garlic, chicken, cilantro, chilis, and some big slabs of fried, crispy shrimp chips. Hug Baan’s tom yum just has more depth than most, and a fried rice tom yum plate was similarly balanced and awesome. The heat can be dictated but it’s meant to make you sweat a little, and it did that at medium level.
We also tried the larb, a “salad” of a super flavorful dish of minced chicken or beef, and the beef is definitely superior. Each has a gritty base with plenty of umami from being cooked in fish sauce, coriander, and a brightening acidic
element from the lime. The meat is accented texturally from the crunchy shallots, and at medium spice there was a generous portion of heat-radiating chili. The salad component is made up of big folds of lettuce into which one wraps the meat. It can also be scooped with slices of crunchy and cooling cucumber.
Another highlight: the massaman curry. It’s a deep, deep, deep dish — fragrant and complex. The coconut milkbased curry is slightly sweet and savory, and somehow bold and mellow, and decidedly earthy with a silky texture. A treat. I’m guessing on its composition, but the red-orange broth can be composed of coconut milk, peanuts, palm sugar, star anise, cinnamon, and chili paste. Maybe there’s nutmeg in the mix? It arrives with crunchy peanuts, onions, potatoes, and carrots.
A close cousin is the peanut curry, which is also deep, complex, fragrant, and silky, but a bit richer, earthier, and, as the name suggests, nutty. It’s made with red curry, coconut milk, ground peanuts, brown sugar, and lime, as well as bamboo shoots, carrots, eggplant, and onions.
The fresh rolls were a bit odd. On
the first trip, they came as advertised and seemed to have a vinaigrette in them, in addition to the brown sauce. The next two visits they didn’t have the advertised mint or cilantro, which left them missing a key element, and there was no vinaigrette. But the brown sauce is excellent, so they still worked.
For the most visually interesting dish in town, check out the pink noodle, which is a mess of bright pink, thin rice noodles that reminds me of spaghetti squash. It’s topped with yellow scrambled eggs, bean sprouts, and green onions. The pink color seems to owe to the use of fermented soy bean and chili pastes. The chicken tamarind was basically fried chicken in a sweet and salty brown sauce with fried shallots and eggplant that was good, but if you need fried chicken, try the panko breaded crispy chicken variety with the drunken noodle — awesome. The potato pancakes are herby little triangles that are almost gelatinous in texture, which I didn’t love, but all my co-diners did.
The space is small, and was filled with a diverse group of diners. This was truly one of the most pleasant surprises I’ve encountered in ages.
The larb at Hug Baan Thai is a flavorful “salad” of minced meat.
TOM PERKINS
CULTURE
Film Two thought-provoking looks at legendary figures
Nosferatu
Rated: R
Run-time: 132 minutes
A Complete Unknown
Rated: R
Run-time: 141 minutes
While I knew it wouldn’t quite have the same cultural cache of “Barbenheimer,” I was still very excited for the same-day release of the Bob Dylan biopic A Complete Unknown and the Robert Eggars remake of the classic vampire film Nosferatu. In my mind, the two films wouldn’t be quite as disparate as the same-day releases of Barbie and Oppenheimer since part of me thinks Timothée Chalamet (who portrays Dylan) might be part vampire, so I went into both searching for interesting connections, both thematic and otherwise.
I watched Nosferatu first, which was definitely the right idea as the tone of the film is so brutally intense and oppressive that it was nice to have something a little lighter as a follow up. Writerdirector Eggars is such an immensely talented visual artist that within the first five minutes, Nosferatu conjures such a tangible and rich sense of time and place
By Jared Rasic, Last Word Features
that the viewer is effortlessly laid smack down into the center of 1830s Germany and Transylvania. You’re there. Eggars is also obsessed with obscure language, as he has proven with his past scripts for The Witch, The Lighthouse, and The Northman, for which he spent years researching historical documents of the time periods to create authentic dialogue. This combination makes Nosferatu a genuinely singular vision.
Nosferatu follows this same vibe, where the dialogue is opulent, almost Shakespearean, and designed not just to convey character, but tone, theme, and place. So with Eggars’s painstakingly accurate dialogue and world construction and sense of overwhelming dread, we already have a movie that transports. And with the fantastic performances of Bill Skarsgård as the ancient vampire Count Orlock, Lily Rose-Depp as his object of intense obsession, Nicholas Hoult as her hopelessly outmatched betrothed, and Willem Dafoe as the doctor of the occult who seeks to end Orlock for good, we have what appears to be a flawlessly constructed film.
In a way, the construction of the film is so flawless it reminded me of the complaint people have with the films of Wes Anderson: We’re looking inside a gorgeously designed diorama, kept at a distance by the filmmaker’s impeccable
again immediately.
A Complete Unknown has three amazing scenes in it. Luckily, one of those scenes is the film’s first, with Bob Dylan showing up to Greystone Park Hospital to sing “Song to Woody” to his hero Woody Guthrie. We’re immediately pulled into 1961, Dylan’s life — and even though the film does become a very conventional biopic, not unlike director James Mangold’s Johnny Cash biopic Walk the Line — it’s still compulsively watchable.
As one of the few people left on earth not completely blown away by Timothée Chalamet, I found his BDE (Bob Dylan Energy) to be mesmerizing. He doesn’t quite disappear into Dylan in the same way Cate Blanchett did in the superior Dylan biopic I’m Not There, but, damn, he comes close. It’s the most I’ve enjoyed watching Chalamet onscreen, and the fact that he reportedly sang and played guitar and harmonica on 40 Dylan songs is incredible.
aesthetic and artistry. I ultimately disagree, since just as Anderson before him, Eggars might design each frame within an inch of its life, but he still builds characters with such a profound sense of longing as to be relatable to each one of us.
My only real issues lie in what is ultimately the source material itself.
The 1922 German Expressionist film and Werner Herzog’s 1979 remake are really just unauthorized remixes of Bram Stoker’s Dracula, a story that’s familiar to most of us on a granular level. While the story of this modern adaptation doesn’t supply many surprises with the plot itself, Eggars brilliantly subverts those earlier incarnations of the story by placing Lily Rose-Depp’s Ellen Hutter as the central character. So we’re viewing Nosferatu not just as a spooky vampire story, but as an historical record of how men throughout history have abused and discounted women they deemed “hysterical.” Giving the story this modern context reshapes the text into something much sadder and emotionally fraught than any vampire film since at least Only Lovers Left Alive
The horror fan in me would have loved Nosferatu to be scarier, but Skarsgård’s Orlock is undoubtedly a monster for the ages and he is unrecognizable behind the makeup and booming Transylvanian voice. It’s a hell of a movie, all quibbles aside and one I look forward to watching
But still. Even though it’s right there in the title, I left the film still not knowing anything new about Dylan as a person. He comes across as just an instrument for the songs to move through. The entire film is people telling him exactly who they think he is, which he bristles against, but he also doesn’t seem to know who he is, either. All he wants is to play music, but he doesn’t really like his fans very much. He respects other musicians he can jam with, but that appears to be it. Dylan, as played by Chalamet, is kind of a jerk.
That’s totally fine, but I already knew he was mercurial, remote, enigmatic and one of the finest songwriters of all time. As entertaining as A Complete Unknown is, it just feels like an addendum to I’m Not There and Martin Scorsese’s documentaries No Direction Home and Rolling Thunder Revue. We only see Dylan in A Complete Unknown from his arrival to New York City in 1961 to the 1965 Newport Folk Festival, where he plugged in his guitar and melted some faces. Nowhere do we see the origins of Evangelical Dylan or Car Commercial Dylan, Great American Songbook Dylan or Movie Star Dylan. As someone who so fiercely defies labeling of any kind, Dylan is only an interesting subject in that the filmmaker ultimately decides which Dylan to show us and we’re left to decipher if any of those facets are real.
Nosferatu and A Complete Unknown are both wildly entertaining and watchable, flaws and all. They play together beautifully as thought provoking looks at legendary figures deeply ensnared inside the cultural zeitgeist and left to be misinterpreted and misunderstood for generations. The only difference is that one is a mysterious, ancient legend whose words have controlled thousands and the other is a vampire.
Timothée Chalamet stars as Bob Dylan in A Complete Unknown
SEARCHLIGHT PICTURES
WEED
The Straight Dope
These are a few of my favorite strains
By Steve Neavling
Welcome to The Straight Dope, our weekly series that explores the best cannabis products in Michigan.
Michigan’s cannabis industry is booming, with new cultivators, strains, and innovations cropping up every day.
But with all this growth comes a question: What separates the good weed from the truly exceptional? Last year, I embarked on a mission to find out, sampling more than 150 strains from 45 cultivators to identify the pinnacle of Michigan-grown flower. High-quality cannabis is an art form, not unlike a finely brewed beer or a top-shelf whiskey. It’s about appreciating the craftsmanship — the rich flavors, the enticing aromas, the dependable quality, and the perfectly tailored effects.
Michigan’s cannabis scene is full of innovation, but it’s also rife with mediocrity. For every gem, there are a few duds that don’t live up to their hype. After countless joints, bowls, and bongs, these are the strains that stood out as truly exceptional — each perfect for a particular occasion.
For blasting off:
Let’s face it. Sometimes we just want to escape the noise with some potent, mind-bending weed. Sometimes, getting really high is about finding a different kind of freedom — creativity, laughter, or just a total reset.
These three strains sent me to the cosmos.
One of my favorites was AK47 x Afghani from Tip Top Crop, a smallbatch cultivator in Hazel Park. Not for the faint of heart, this hybrid is a true test of tolerance. It hits hard and fast, starting with an intense cerebral rush, followed by a euphoric body buzz.
Another heady strain is Tear Gas #9, a potent hybrid from Favrd, and it reeks of gas, rubber, and skunk. A combination of Skunk Piss and Sherb Cake, this strain packs a serious punch and goes straight to the head and body. But finding this strain may be difficult because it sells out fast. The Refinery in Detroit carries a large selection of Favrd and keeps this strain in stock when it’s available.
of vanilla and sugary dough. A cross between Wedding Cake and Gelato #33, this strain is deeply relaxing and serene. It’s what I often turn to when I need to let go of the day’s stress.
Another ideal strain for relaxation is Moonbow #133 from Pro Gro. A combination of Zkittlez and Do-SiDos, this strain bursts with a fruity aroma and a sweet candy taste. The result is a euphoric, tranquil escape from the daily grind.
Bubblegum Gelato from Pro Gro is also a deeply relaxing strain, and as an added perk, it’s a tasty treat. With sweet bubblegum and creamy gelato flavors, this cross between Gelato #45 and Indiana Bubblegum provides a cheerful lift and a soothing calm.
For productivity/ creativity:
For me, cannabis is like hitting reset on my brain. It clears the clutter, brings things into focus, and turns even the most boring chores into something satisfying. It helps me find my groove.
Here are my three favorite strains that produce an energetic, focused, and clear-headed high.
When it comes to reliable, expertly grown cannabis, few in the state can rival Michigan Loud Flower, a small cultivator in Jackson that produces some of the most delightfully nasty GMO strains. My favorite is Jar Jar Stinks #21, an indica-dominant cross between GMO and Chem91/Deathstar Bx1. It starts with an uplifting euphoria that eventually settles into a deep, full-body calm. The flavor profile is loud and complex, a bold mix of gassy diesel, pungent garlic, and sweet cookies.
For relaxation:
Sometimes, cannabis is my way of pressing pause and finding calm. The right cannabis strains have a way of slowing things down, helping you breathe a little deeper, and letting the tension melt away.
After a long day, few things are as soothing to me as Ice Cream Cake from GhostBudsters Farm, an awardwinning grower known for their exceptional lineup of premium strains. True to its namesake, Ice Cream Cake has a creamy aroma with hints
Cream Smoothie from Voyage Bloom is my reliable pick for focus and drive. A combination of Gelonade and C.R.E.A.M., this hybrid has a sweet, orange-creamsicle flavor. Unlike some energizing strains, Cream Smoothie offers a sense of peace and won’t burn you out. It’s my go-to daytime strain.
Pink Lady by Grown Rogue is a sativa-dominant hybrid that will keep you active, inspired, and focused. The high is cerebral, but it can be heavy-hitting if you smoke a lot. A cross between Apples & Bananas and Sourdough #1, these buds are full of character, with a bold pine scent and a surprisingly sweet, fruity taste.
Gelonade is one of my favorite strains because it’s mood-boosting, uplifting, and keeps me focused. My favorite Gelonade strains come from Hytek and Local Grove. A cross between Lemon Tree and Gelato #41, Gelonade is a mix of sweet and zesty citrus flavors, softened by a smooth vanilla and nut-like finish. A few hits of this, and you’ll be locked in and focused.
For flavor:
For many, cannabis is more than just a way to unwind — it’s an experience for the senses. The right strain can be like a fine wine or gourmet meal. The flavor becomes part of the ritual — a moment to pause, enjoy, and connect
Some of the best weed in Michigan comes from small batch cultivators.
STEVE NEAVLING
with something beautifully crafted.
Very few cultivators grow for flavor as meticulously as 710 Labs, a Colorado-based company known for its extracts like live rosin. But don’t miss out on their flower. My favorite of their recent flower drops is Cherry Zest #4, a crisp and effervescent hybrid, with a sweet cherry burst and a lingering ginger ale finish. It’s almost hard to believe cannabis can smell and taste this good.
Another strain packed with flavor is Z-Lato, a two-time award winner in 2023 and the signature strain from Tip Top Crop. The hybrid combines the tasty genetics of Bacio Gelato x Skittlez, providing a sugary candy sweetness on the inhale that transforms into a smooth, creamy, gassy finish on the exhale.
Slurmz, an exclusive strain by Voyage Bloom, has a bold aroma of grape and crisp apples, complemented by the tangy punch of a classic energy drink. The indica-dominant hybrid is a combination of Gastro Pop and Red Bullz #2, and the taste translates well. Not surprisingly, Slurmz cleaned up in the 2024 Zalymix competition in Michigan, winning for best overall flower, best terps, and best tasting.
For sleep or couch-lock:
When you want to drift off to sleep or sink into the couch without a care, the right strain can deliver. These strains helped me disconnect and melt into tranquility.
Donny Burger by GhostBudsters Farm is a funky, pungent strain that knocks me out. A cross between GMO and Hans Solo Burger, this indica-dominant strain lulls me into a serene, unhurried state. It’s also potent and heavy-hitting.
No strain helps me transition to sleep better than Donkey Butter by Fractal Cannabis. A fusion of Grease Monkey and Triple OG, Donkey Butter boasts a chem profile, rounded out by a smooth and creamy finish that’s pure gassy indulgence. The strain delivers an uplifting cerebral buzz that quickly gives way to a deeply relaxing, sedate high.
One of my favorite sedate strains is Los Muertos by Hytek, a Detroit cultivator known for producing pungent, well-grown cannabis. An indica-dominant hybrid that combines the genetics of Motorbreath 15 and Project 4516, the high starts with an intense wave of euphoria before settling into a deeply relaxing state. You can snag this from Hytek’s sister dispensary, the Refinery, for just $25 an eighth.
For socializing:
Cannabis isn’t just for relaxing solo — it can be the perfect catalyst for connection, laughter, and socializing. Whether you’re at a party, chilling with friends, or going to a concert, cannabis adds a playful, lighthearted energy to the moment.
These strains are my favorites for hanging out with people.
Vanilla Sunshine, a small cultivator that sells its high-quality flower at Nature’s Remedy in Ferndale, churns out an invigorating strain called Papaya Juice. The fruity, tropical buds deliver a cheerful, refreshing buzz – that kind that makes you want to venture outside.
Frieza by Michigrown is a potent, flavorful combination of Gelato #41 and Jealousy #4, two strains known for their rich terpene profiles. A few hits of these lush, resinous buds, and I’m ready to get out of my shell. The strain is uplifting and dissolves my anxiety. Michigrown has a huge collection of terpene-rich weed.
Another invigorating strain is Pink Zoap from the Hive, a woman-owned dispensary and small-craft cultivator from Hazel Park. This combination of Rainbow Sherbet and Pink Guava has a unique soap-like flavor with earthy and citrus undertones. A well-balanced hybrid, Zoap is a perfect strain to socialize and do something fun.
Cultivating an experience:
No matter what you’re looking for — whether it’s relaxation, creativity, flavor, or simply a good night’s sleep — cannabis offers something unique for every moment. My journey across Michigan’s cannabis scene over the past year has been a reminder of just how versatile and impactful this plant can be.
What stood out most to me is how cannabis cultivators, especially the small-batch growers, are pushing boundaries and redefining what high-quality flower can be. They’re creating not just products, but experiences — ones that connect us to ourselves, to others, and to the world around us.
So the next time you’re browsing for a strain, don’t settle for the ordinary. Talk to your budtender. Explore, experiment, and find the one that matches your moment. Because with cannabis, the possibilities are endless — and Michigan’s growers are proving that the best is yet to come.
If you want us to sample your cannabis products, send us an email at steve@metrotimes.com.
CULTURE
Savage Love
Fear Factors
By Dan Savage
: Q My wife and I are a lesbian married couple in Chicago. We are also proud moms to our wonderful, dynamic 17-year-old trans son. “Michael” is a great kid, and we have always enjoyed a close relationship. It has recently come to light that he is engaging in penetrative sex with men he meets on a gay hookup app. We discovered this because of bloody laundry which we thought was breakthrough bleeding, a trip to his gender doc and a subsequent chlamydia diagnosis brought this all out. Since this revelation — and after a lecture about safe-sex practices — I am now living in a state of terror. I’m terrified our son will be a victim of sexual violence. I am terrified that he will be emotionally scarred by some fetishist. I am terrified he will get a life-threatening STI. My instincts are telling me to take a leave from work, and whisk him away from the city and talk and talk until he sees the danger of this behavior. Is that an over-reaction? Are there therapists who specialize in this? Is there any way this will work out well for him? I desperately want to do right by my son, and he is acting like this is “no big deal,” but my mama instincts are screaming shut this down!
—Manic Over My Son
A: The stage of life your child is going through — the transition from childhood to adulthood autonomy (which kids do without a fully functioning pre-frontal cortex) — is filled with risk, and you can’t protect your child from all of it.
Zooming out for a second: The age of consent in Illinois is seventeen. I don’t wanna get derailed by a debate about whether that number is too low, but that’s the number. So, no laws were broken here. But polices were violated: your son is too young to be on Grindr or Scruff or Sniffies — you have to be eighteen to get on those apps, and it’s inarguably far too easy for minors to get on them. And while meeting strangers is always risky, the apps are a normal part of gay life and they’re where most queer people find their partners, life and otherwise. And most gay and bi men I know under 35, both cis and trans, got on the apps the moment they turned 18; they had good and bad experiences and sometimes their moms had to get involved, but most survived and learned from their mistakes.
Moving on…
Your instinct to “shut this down” is understandable — you love your son and you wanna protect him from the kind of shitty adult
man who gives chlamydia to teenagers — but your plan won’t work. Even if you were to whisk your son off to Peoria, he can download hookup apps just as easily downstate. And he’s seventeen, MOMS, not fourteen… which means he’s almost an adult and will soon be free to make his own choices. So, instead of locking your son in the basement for the next year (or ten), get him on PrEP, keep communicating (you can talk and talk and talk at home), and let him know his moms are ready, willing, and able to swoop in an emergency. Lecture him about regular STI testing, ask him where he’s going and who’s he’s seeing, and tell him — from me — that adult men who fuck teenagers can’t be trusted. And then go find him a therapist, if you haven’t already, who specializes in working with trans teens, and identify one or two adults in his life — people you know and trust — that your son can turn to for confidential advice.
As for being emotionally scarred by some fetishist…
Your fears are understandable. Unfortunately for you and your son, it’s hard to draw a clean line between cis men who are attracted to trans men for the right reasons and cis men who fetishize trans men. (Your son has probably encountered both types already.) But not every man who is drawn to trans men is a fetishist. So, he’s going to meet some men who are attracted to everything about him including the fact that he’s trans — and others who are only interested in him for one reason. The sooner he learns to tell these guys apart, the better. And like all gay and bi men, your son is going to walk away from some experiences feeling used in ways that leave him feeling demeaned and dehumanized and walk away from others feeling used in ways that make him feel powerful and desirable. (And if he’s on PrEP before he walks in, you don’t have to worry about him walking out with a life-threatening STI.)
In addition to getting your son on PrEP right now and off the apps until he’s 18 (he agrees to phone spot checks or he loses his phone), you should encourage your son to recognize his own sexual worth. Some trans people are convinced no one will want them, MOMS, so they jump at — or jump on — anyone who shows interest. One of the lessons your son should take from his experiences on the apps thus far is this: there are men out there who are interested in him. Which means he can hold out for guys who aren’t just interested in him as a trans man, but also as a person; he can hold out for guys who will have a conversation with him about safety, not just guys who wanna know how soon he can get to their apartments; he can hold out for guys who might be interested in dating him, not just hooking up with him. I’ve personally watched trans friends go from a scarcity mindset (“No will want me, I have to take what I can get”) to an abundance mindset (“Lots of people
want me, I can afford to be choosey”) and it transformed their lives.
It’s going to be a rocky few years, MOMS, but with you and your wife on his side, I’m confident your son will make it one piece. Good luck.
: Q My partner and I have been together for nearly twenty years. While our love for each other is as strong as ever, our sex life has hit some bumps. We’ve talked about it a lot, and while we’re both feeling the disconnect, it’s been particularly frustrating for them. One thing that has always sparked our imagination is the idea of them being with someone else. Over the years, we’ve explored this in playful ways: checking out profiles on apps, sharing photos, and even roleplaying scenarios about them having an adventure with someone else. It’s thrilling in the moment, but eventually, we fall back into old routines. Recently, though, something shifted. A colleague has caught their eye. They’ve mentioned being attracted to this person, and the interest seems mutual. This colleague, while shy, has been flirting back — buying thoughtful little gifts and inviting them out for drinks. Because of our shared fantasy and my deep desire to make them happy, I’ve been letting this play out. But here’s the thing: I’m feeling increasingly jealous and worried. What if this becomes something bigger? What if I end up pushed aside? Even though my partner reassures me that I’m the only one they want to come home to, those fears keep creeping in. How can I navigate these feelings without losing the connection we’ve worked so hard to build?
—Apprehensive Now Getting Super Tense
A: Just wanna make sure I’m following you: You and your long-term partner are still in love but you don’t fuck much anymore and that’s a bigger problem for your partner than it is for you. But the one thing that reliably inspires you to fuck your partner are shared fantasies about them getting with someone else. Not you getting with someone else, ANGST, just them getting with someone else. Enter someone else.
Zooming out for a second: I don’t know if you’re a cuckold (a man who gets off on being cheated on) or a cuckquean (a woman who gets off on being cheated on) or a cuck (a non-gendered term for someone who gets off on their partner cheating on them) because there’s no data in your letter about who was assigned exactly what at birth. While I respect nonbinary identities and they/them pronouns — because I’m not Mark Fucking Zuckerberg — it can be hard to craft practical sex advice when you don’t know the sexes (assigned or otherwise) of the parties involved. For instance, ANGST, male socialization might impact your reaction to your partner getting with their colleague (if you’re male); conversely, if your partner is a woman or they was (they were?) assigned female at birth and was socialized as a woman, having a sexual adventure might expose them to more risk of violence, pregnancy, sexually-transmitted infections, etc.
Anyway…
I’m going to assume you’re a cuck or cuckadjacent, ANGST, because there’s something about your partner fucking around — but not you fucking around — that turns you on. Venus, the host of the Venus Cuckoldress Podcast and perhaps the smartest person on the planet about cuckold relationships, describes cuckolding as a “one-sided open relationship,” and that’s essentially what you’re talking about here. Venus also talks a lot on her show about something she describes as “cuck angst,” ANGST, which seems to describe you perfectly.
“One of the things that attracted me to cuckolds was their ability to turn something potentially painful and uncomfortable — their partner having a sexual experience with someone else — into something pleasurable and fun,” said Venus. “And while cucks can experience intense feelings of jealousy, doubt, and anxiety, ‘cuck angst’ is a part of the thrill for the cuckold. But it can be very scary and uncomfortable, particularly before that first experience.”
How do you get over the angst and learn to enjoy your partner fucking around on you in actual-fucking-around-on-you practice and not just fantasizing-about-them-fuckingaround-on-you theory?
“The only way to get the post-cuck glow on the other side is to lean into it,” said Venus. “That’s not to say that you have to navigate these powerful emotions all on your own! Your partner has a role to play in helping you through it. They can write a little lovely reassurance letter for you to open when you absolutely need it, or make a point to set aside time each week to have a check-in conversation, and spend some extra quality time with you.”
I would also recommend your partner fuck the shit out of you immediately after they get with this colleague — setting aside whether getting with a colleague is advisable — because reclamation sex, according to cucks, is the best part.
“I’ve also found that cucks supporting other cucks during those anxious times has been really helpful,” said Venus, “so, consider reaching out to other couples with similar dynamics who may be open to friendships. Lastly, I would suggest a somatic sex coach who can give you some exercises you can do at home to help you relax your body and your mind when the angst gets difficult. Ultimately the whole dance of emotions and feelings involved with being a cuck gets easier over time and you can both enjoy the next-level love, trust, and connection that this kind of relationship is known for.”
Follow Venus on BlueSky @CuckoldressV and check out her podcast at venuscuckoldress. com.
Read the full column online at savage.love.
Got problems? Yes, you do! Email your question for the column to mailbox@savage.love! Or record your question for the Savage Lovecast at savage.love/askdan! Podcasts, columns and more at Savage.Love.
CULTURE Free Will Astrology
By Rob Brezsny
ARIES: March 21 – April 19
Abdulrazak Gurnah is a Tanzanian writer who won the Nobel Prize for Literature in 2021. He has also been shortlisted for four other prestigious awards. I find it odd that his acclaimed novels have received mediocre scores on the prominent book-rating website, Goodreads, which has 150 million members. Why is there such a marked difference between expert critics and average readers? I speculate that those in the latter category are less likely to appreciate bold, innovative work. They don’t have the breadth and depth to properly evaluate genius. All this is my way of encouraging you to be extra discerning about whose opinions you listen to in the coming weeks, Aries — especially in regard to your true value. Trust intelligent people who specialize in thoughtful integrity. You are in a phase when your ripening uniqueness needs to be nurtured and protected.
TAURUS: April 20 – May 20
“Every joke is a tiny revolution,” said author George Orwell. I agree, which is why I hope you will unleash an unruly abundance of humor and playfulness in the coming days. I hope you will also engage in benevolent mischief that jostles the status quo and gently shakes people out of their trances. Why? Because your world and everyone in it need a sweet, raucous revolution. And the best way to accomplish that with minimum chaos and maximum healing is to: 1. do so with kindness and compassion; 2. be amusing and joyful and full of joie de vivre.
GEMINI: May 21 – June 20
Research suggests that if you’re typical, you would have to howl with maximum fury for a month straight just to produce enough energy to toast a piece of bread. But you are not at all typical right now. Your wrath is high quality. It’s more likely than usual to generate constructive changes. And it’s more prone to energize you rather than deplete you. But don’t get overconfident in your ability to harness your rage for good causes. Be respectful of its holy potency, and don’t squander it on trivial matters. Use it only for crucial prods that would significantly change things for the better.
CANCER: June 21 – July 22
I invite you to write a message to the person you will be in one year. Inform this Future You that you are taking a vow to achieve three specific goals by January 15, 2026. Name these goals. Say why they are so important to you. Describe what actions you will take to fulfill them. Compose collages or draw pictures that convey your excitement about them. When you’ve done all that, write the words, “I pledge to devote all my powers to accomplish these wonderful feats.” Sign your name. Place your document in an envelope, write “MY VOWS” on the front, and tape the envelope in a prominent place in your home or workplace.
LEO: July 23 – August 22
Congratulations on all the subtle and private work you’ve been doing to make yourself a better candidate for optimal togetherness. Admitting to your need for improvement was brave! Learning more about unselfish cooperation was hard work, and so was boosting your listening skills. (I speak from personal experience, having labored diligently to enhance my own relationship skills!) Very soon now, I expect that you will begin harvesting the results of your artful efforts.
VIRGO: August 23 – Sept. 22
Construction on the Great Wall of China began in the 7th century BCE and lasted until 1878. Let’s make this monumental accomplishment your symbol of power for the next 10 months, Virgo! May it inspire you to work tirelessly to forge your own monumental accomplishment. Take pride in the gradual progress you’re making. Be ingeniously persistent in engaging the support of those who share your grand vision. Your steady determination, skill at collaborating, and ability to plan will be your superpowers as you create a labor of love that will have enduring power.
LIBRA: Sept. 23 – Oct. 22
We are all accustomed to dealing with complications and complexities — so much so that we may be tempted to imagine there’s never a simple solution to any dilemma. Copious nuance and mystifying paradox surround us on all sides, tempting us to think that every important decision must inevitably be taxing and time-consuming. As someone who specializes in trying to see all sides to every story, I am especially susceptible to these perspectives. (I have three planets in Libra.) But now here’s the unexpected news: In the coming weeks, you will enjoy the luxury of quickly settling on definitive, straightforward solutions. You will get a sweet respite from relentless fuzziness and ambiguity.
SCORPIO: Oct. 23 – Nov. 21:
When my daughter Zoe was 11 years old, she published her first collection of poems. The chapbook’s title was Secret Freedom. That’s a good theme for you to meditate on in the coming weeks. You are currently communing with a fertile mystery that could ultimately liberate you from some of your suffering and limitations. However, it’s important to be private and covert about your playful work with this fertile mystery — at least for now. Eventually, when it ripens, there will come a time to fully unleash your beautiful thing and reveal it to the world. But until then, safeguard it with silence and discretion.
SAGITTARIUS: Nov. 22 – Dec. 21
From a distance, Brazil’s Rio Negro
looks black. The water of Rio Solimões, also in Brazil, is yellowish-brown. Near the city of Manaus, these two rivers converge, flowing eastward. But they don’t blend at first. For a few miles, they move side-by-side, as if still autonomous. Eventually, they fuse into a single flow and become the mighty Amazon River. I suspect the behavior of Rio Negro and Rio Solimoes could serve as a useful metaphor for you in the coming weeks, Sagittarius. Consider the possibility of allowing, even encouraging, two separate streams to merge. Or would you prefer them to remain discrete for a while longer? Make a conscious decision about this matter.
CAPRICORN: Dec. 22 – Jan. 19
During the next three weeks, doing the same old things and thinking the same old thoughts are strongly discouraged. For the sake of your spiritual and physical health, please do not automatically rely on methods and actions that have worked before. I beg you not to imitate your past self or indulge in wornout traditions. Sorry to be so extreme, but I really must insist that being bored or boring will be forbidden. Stated more poetically: Shed all weak-heart conceptions and weak-soul intentions. Be of strong heart and robust soul.
AQUARIUS: Jan. 20 – Feb. 18
Wilderness campers have developed humorous terms to gently mock their fears and anxieties. The theory is that this alleviates some of the stress. So a “bear burrito” refers to a hammock. It addresses the worry that one might get an unwanted visit from a bear while sleeping. A “bear fortune cookie” is another name for a tent. “Danger noodle” is an apparent stick that turns out to be a snake. “Mountain money” is also known as toilet paper. I approve of this joking approach to dealing with agitation and unease. (And scientific research confirms it’s effective.) Now is an excellent time to be creative in finding ways to diminish your mostly needless angst.
PISCES: Feb.19 – March 20
If you were producing the movie of your life, what actor or actress would you want to portray you? Who would play your friends and loved ones? How about the role of God or Goddess? Who would you choose to perform the role of the Supreme Being? These will be fun meditations for you in the coming weeks. Why? Because it’s an excellent time to think big about your life story — to visualize the vast, sweeping panorama of your beautiful destiny. I would also love it if during your exploration of your history, you would arrive at interesting new interpretations of the meanings of your epic themes.
Homework: What life would you be living if you weren’t living this one?
JAMES NOELLERT
Our future fearless leader was found guilty of 34 felonies and got an ‘unconditional discharge’ No that’s not what happens when it’s been awhile and she’s super cute, leaving you in an emasculated state. It’s what very very very very rich, HUGE and powerful people get, while we’re doing time, a victim of the judicial Gulf in America, dreaming of Greener Lands.
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SERVICES
HOME IMPROVEMENT
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ADULT
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ADULT ENTERTAINMENT
RAQUEL
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