Metro Times 09/18/2024

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NEWS & VIEWS

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NEWS & VIEWS

Tlaib slams Nessel for targeting pro-Palestinian students at U-M: ‘A dangerous precedent’

U.S. Rep. Rashida Tlaib sharply criticized Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel for filing charges against pro-Palestinian protesters at the University of Michigan on Thursday, saying her harsh actions could ruin the lives of bright, young students and set a dangerous precedent for peaceful protests.

Tlaib, who was born in Detroit to Palestinian immigrants and is the only Palestinian American member of Congress, condemned the charges as an unjust and heavy-handed response to peaceful civil disobedience.

“This is a move that’s going to set a precedent, and it’s unfortunate that a Democrat made that move,” Tlaib said in an exclusive interview with Metro Times on Friday. “You would expect that from a Republican, but not a Democrat, and it’s really unfortunate.”

A student protest encampment, which was established in April, grew to include about 60 tents and was

intended to draw attention to Israel’s ongoing slaughter of Palestinians in Gaza and the West Bank. The attacks started after Oct. 7, when Hamas in Gaza killed more than 1,000 people in Israel and took more than 250 hostages.

Israel’s U.S.-backed retaliation has killed more than 40,000 people, many of them women and children.

The students called for a ceasefire truce and also demanded the university divest from corporations linked to Israel. Despite multiple meetings between student liaisons and the university, the encampment remained in place, leading to police action on May 21.

Most of those charged are alumni and students who refused to vacate the encampment after police ordered them to leave.

Two people were charged with trespassing, a misdemeanor punishable by up to 30 days in jail, for refusing to leave the encampment after repeated orders to vacate. An additional seven were

could see his students as people that just want to save lives, no matter their faith or ethnicity.”

Tlaib also criticized Nessel, who is the first Jewish person elected Attorney General of Michigan, for what she believes is a biased approach to the protest.

“We’ve had the right to dissent, the right to protest,” Tlaib says. “We’ve done it for climate, the immigrant rights movement, for Black lives, and even around issues of injustice among water shutoffs. But it seems that the attorney general decided if the issue was Palestine, she was going to treat it differently, and that alone speaks volumes about possible biases within the agency she runs.”

In a statement announcing the charges, Nessel said the protesters should be held accountable.

“Conviction in your ideals is not an excuse for violations of the law,” Nessel said. “A campus should not be lawless; what is a crime anywhere else in the city remains a crime on university property.”

The charges are likely to have a devastating impact on the lives of the young protesters, Tlaib says.

“It’s devastating because I just hope people don’t forget these are young folks,” she says. “Many of them remind me of my own self who wanted to free our world from oppression. I just know that her action is going to ruin their lives. That’s all I can think of. They’re so young, and they have such a tremendous future.”

charged with trespassing and resisting or obstructing a police officer, a felony punishable by up to two years in prison. These charges are reserved for those who allegedly made physical contact with officers or obstructed arrests, Nessel said.

In addition, two people, including a U-M alumnus, have been charged for separate incidents during a counterprotest on April 25. One is charged with disturbing the peace and attempted ethnic intimidation, while the other faces charges of malicious destruction of personal property for allegedly breaking and discarding protestors’ flags.

Tlaib recalled her visit to the encampment and described the atmosphere as peaceful and welcoming.

“It was very inclusive. It was diverse, very loving,” Tlaib, a Detroit Democrat, says. “When I visited, I remember they were talking about the Armenian genocide, and what we learned from that — it was very powerful. I wish [University of Michigan] President [Santa] Ono

Tlaib accused Nessel of caving to demands to prosecute from university authorities, including Ono and members of the Board of Regents, pointing out that Washtenaw County prosecutors could have filed charges but didn’t. In May, Washtenaw County Prosecutor Eli Savit brought charges against four people for allegedly resisting, obstructing, and assaulting police during a protest at the U-M Ruthven Administration Building on Nov. 17. But no other charges have been filed on the county level since then.

“I think people at the University of Michigan put pressure on her to do this, and she fell for it,” Tlaib says. “I think President Ono and Board of Regent members were very much heavyhanded in this. It had to come from somewhere.”

The congresswoman lamented the long-term impact of the university’s actions.

“In 10 years, the University of Michigan itself is going to teach about this movement and say how wonderful it was, or how it moved our country toward a direction that it needed to, following international law and

“You would expect that from a Republican, but not a Democrat,” the Palestinian American congresswoman says. SHUTTERSTOCK

human rights laws and our own U.S. laws,” Tlaib says. “Yet people are going to write about how the University of Michigan decided to prosecute, criminalize, and vilify their students when they just did everything that they were taught to do.”

Tlaib’s remarks highlight the ongoing tension between university administration, law enforcement, and student activists, as well as the broader implications for free speech and the right to protest in the United States.

“Shame on President Ono and the University of Michigan leadership for enabling this,” Tlaib said. “True leadership, especially in positions of public service, is bringing communities together and having a dialogue. Instead, they’re using their political positions to divide the student population and really make everyone feel unsafe on campus and feel unseen and unheard.”

—Steve Neavling

ACLU criticizes Nessel for ‘excessive’ response to U-M protests

The American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) of Michigan denounced Attorney General Dana Nessel for filing criminal charges last week against nine people involved in peaceful, pro-Palestinian protests at the University of Michigan, saying it was an “unnecessary escalation” that risks “chilling future speech.”

“The right to protest peacefully is a cornerstone of our nation’s democracy,” the ACLU said in a lengthy statement. “Many of the charges by the MIOAG broadcast an alarming signal to students who engage in protest on campuses, as well as those who participate in acts of civil disobedience, which are not uncommon in a protest environment.”

The ACLU emphasized the im-

portance of protecting the right to peacefully protest, which it described as a “cornerstone of our nation’s democracy.” The ACLU argued that while civil disobedience may lead to legal consequences, Nessel’s actions were an “unnecessary escalation,” taking the matter beyond the university’s jurisdiction and into the state’s legal system.

Saying the charges are divisive and punitive, the ACLU underscored the broader implications of criminalizing protest activities.

“Criminal charges are not instruments of unity or learning. They are intended to punish,” the ACLU said. “They are rarely the start of a dialogue or a coming together. And they run the serious risk of chilling future speech and protest.”

The ACLU said the police response was “excessive” and “grossly disproportionate” to what had been a peaceful protest. The group urged Nessel to reconsider her approach and called on her office to serve as “an instrument of unity” rather than contributing to “further division.”

The statement stressed the need for leaders to promote civil discourse and build bridges, especially during times of heightened tension.

The ACLU’s criticism adds to the ongoing debate over the handling of protest activities on Michigan’s university campuses and the challenges of balancing public safety with the protection of free speech and civil rights.

—Steve Neavling

Nessel shuts down ‘disappointing’ MSU Larry Nassar investigation

Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel has officially closed the long-running investigation into Michigan State University’s handling of the Larry Nassar sexual abuse case, citing a lack of new information in recently released documents that the university had withheld for years, she revealed in a report released last week.

Despite MSU’s eventual decision to release the documents in December 2023, Nessel expressed frustration and disappointment that the records provided no new insights into how Nassar was able to perpetrate his abuse for so long.

“MSU has repeatedly justified withholding the documents because they contained information that was allegedly protected by the attorney-client privilege,” the report states. “Our review has revealed that this justification was not always appropriate. A significant number, if not a majority, of the documents did not appear to us to be covered by the privilege. Accordingly, there was no justifiable reason to withhold those documents for any period of time, let alone an extended period.”

The investigation, originally launched in January 2018 by former Attorney General Bill Schuette, was hindered by MSU’s refusal to release thousands of documents, claiming they were protected by attorneyclient privilege. This refusal persisted despite a judicially authorized search

warrant and numerous requests from the Attorney General’s Office. As a result, the investigation was forced to close in March 2021 due to MSU’s lack of cooperation.

However, in April 2023, with new leadership in place at MSU, Nessel renewed her request for the release of the withheld documents. Yet, the university’s leadership continued to resist, delaying any action until December 2023, when the MSU Board of Trustees finally voted to release the records. Nessel’s office received the first batch in March 2024, with the final batch arriving in April 2024.

The review of the 6,014 documents revealed that a significant portion of them were not, in fact, protected by attorney-client privilege, as MSU had claimed, Nessel said. Many documents contained irrelevant information, such as public relations matters, insurance issues, and internal communications unrelated to Nassar’s abuse. Even the documents that did contain privileged information offered no new insights into who at MSU knew about Nassar’s abuse or when they knew it, the attorney general said Nessel noted that some documents were improperly withheld, including communications between non-attorneys and instances where an attorney was merely copied on an email. Inconsistencies in the redaction of documents also raised concerns about MSU’s handling of the privilege.

Despite this, the review found no evidence of a concerted effort to cover up knowledge of Nassar’s conduct, according to Nessel.

The Attorney General’s Office expressed particularly concern over the impact of MSU’s prolonged withholding of the documents. Survivors of Nassar’s abuse had hoped that the release of these documents would provide answers and accountability. Instead, the long delay only resulted in disappointment and frustration.

“This is a disappointing close to our years-long investigation into the abuse that hundreds of young women were subjected to over the course of more than a decade,” Nessel said in a statement. “While I appreciate that MSU eventually cooperated, the withheld documents provided victims with a sense of false hope, for no justifiable reason. Simply put, there remains no fulfilling answer to the question of how this abuse was able to be perpetuated on so many, for so long, without MSU, or anyone else, putting a stop to it”.

While the eventual release of the documents was a positive step toward transparency, Nessel criticized MSU for its years of delay, which only served to exacerbate the emotional toll on survivors and hinder the investigation. The final closure of the investigation marks the end of an “epic document saga,” leaving many questions unanswered and reinforcing

the perception that MSU “circled the wagons” and “stonewalled” the investigation it had initially requested, the report states.

According to the report, the investigation’s conclusion brings to a close another chapter in the ongoing saga of the Nassar scandal, but it leaves behind a legacy of missed opportunities for justice and accountability.

In a statement to the victims, Nessel said the following:

“I commend you for your bravery in coming forward and sharing your stories, and for never giving up on the pursuit of justice and transparency.

“While the investigation is closed, this is not where this story ends. You have created a sisterhood that has worked together to create systemic changes, not just here in Michigan, but nationwide to ensure that schools are better prepared to prevent, investigate and stop abuse, to ensure that survivors are believed, and treated better in the judicial system and to change the culture in how sexual assault is seen by the public at large.

“Your advocacy, resilience and your strength have left this world a better place. And while this may not be the justice you sought; I do believe the changes in how we treat sexual abuse on campuses and in courtrooms alike is a form of justice that will impact generations to come all across the nation.”

—Steve Neavling

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The White Stripes reunite in court to sue Trump

Detroit rocker Jack White is taking his battle with Donald Trump to the courtroom, making good on his pledge to pursue legal action against the Trump campaign after it used a clip of White’s hit “Seven Nation Army” in a social media post.

White and his former White Stripes bandmate Meg White are listed as plaintiffs in the lawsuit filed in U.S. District Court.

White posted a copy of the first page of the lawsuit on Instagram and wrote, “This machine sues fascists,” a nod to Woody Guthrie’s famous slogan “This machine kills fascists.”

The Whites are seeking a jury trial in the Southern District of New York.

They are suing Trump; the campaign organization Trump for President 2024, Inc.; and the campaign’s deputy director of communications Margo Martin for the unauthorized use of the White Stripes’ iconic song “Seven Nation Army.”

The legal dispute arises from a video posted by Martin on social media last month, which featured Trump embark-

ing on trips to Michigan and Wisconsin, set to the tune of “Seven Nation Army.”

In response to the video, White took to Instagram, calling Trump a “scum” and his team “fascists.”

At the time, White pledged to sue Trump “to add to your 5 thousand others.”

“Oh….Don’t even think about using my music you fascists,” White wrote on Instagram. “Law suit coming from my lawyers about this.”

White’s criticism follows a demand from the Swedish band Abba for Trump to stop using their music, following the unauthorized use of their songs and video footage at a campaign event.

Other prominent artists who have objected to Trump or his team using their work include Céline Dion, Beyoncé, Johnny Marr of the Smiths, the family of the late soul legend Isaac Hayes, and the estate of the late Irish pop star Sinéad O’Connor.

White also blasted Trump over a recent controversy during his visit to a wreath-laying ceremony at Arlington National Cemetery. According to

an Army spokesperson, an employee attempting to enforce rules against political activities on cemetery grounds was pushed aside in an altercation reportedly involving two members of Trump’s campaign staff.

“And as long as I’m here, a double fuck you DonOLD for insulting our nation’s veterans at Arlington you scum,” White wrote. “You should lose every military family’s vote immediately from that if ANYTHING makes sense anymore.”

In November, White removed his record label, Third Man Records, from what was then called Twitter after the company’s new CEO and right-wing polemicist Elon Musk restored Trump’s account.

“So you gave trump his twitter platform back. Absolutely disgusting, Elon,” White wrote. “That is officially an asshole move.”

In October 2019, White performed to a crowd of more than 5,000 Bernie Sanders supporters at his alma mater, Cass Technical High School in Detroit. Steve Neavling

Jack and Meg White in 2007.

FABIO VENNI, WIKIMEDIA CREATIVE COMMONS

NEWS & VIEWS

Lapointe

Is it mere ‘magical thinking’ to charge parents of school shooters?

By Joe Lapointe

Shortly after rifle shots

wounded former President Donald Trump and killed one of his fans in July at a Pennsylvania rally, the Republican Party held its national convention in Milwaukee to nominate Trump again with Senator JD Vance as his running mate.

One of the creepiest moments in Vance’s awkward acceptance speech came when Vance smiled wistfully and recalled what they found in the house of his grandmother after she died. She’d raised him in Ohio. In his book Hillbilly Elegy, Vance called her “Mamaw”

“When we went through her things,” Vance said, “we found 19 loaded handguns.”

The Republicans cheered this and laughed at length.

“They were stashed all over her house,” Vance continued. “Under her bed. In her closet. In the silverware drawer.”

Vance then explained the reason for her homestead armory.

“Toward the end of her life, ‘Mamaw’ couldn’t get around so well,” Vance said. “And so this frail, old woman made sure that, no matter where she was, she was in arm’s length of whatever she needed to protect her family. That’s who we fight for. That’s American spirit.”

Well, yee-haw! But, early this month, after two students and two teachers were slaughtered in Georgia in the first back-to-school shooting of the fall semester, Vance spoke in a less glib tone about all those fully-loaded, hand-held, American-spirit, murder machines.

“I don’t like that this is a fact of life,” Vance said of school shootings. “But, if you are a psycho, and you want to make headlines, you realize that our schools are soft targets . . . That’s increasingly the reality that we live in.”

Since then, Vance has shifted his recent rhetoric to Trump’s racist lie that Haitian immigrants in Ohio are eating house pets like the cats and dogs of Buckeyes like Vance and his ilk. But

you can’t blame him for changing the subject and getting away from a gun debate.

According to a study published last week by the Johns Hopkins Center for Gun Violence Solutions, 48,830 Americans suffered gun deaths in 2021 with more than 27,000 of them suicides. There have been 389 mass shootings so far this year, according to the Gun Violence Archive, USA Today reported.

The carnage and menace continued Sunday afternoon both locally and nationally. In Detroit’s Eastern Market, after the Lions game, a fist fight led to a shooting that left one person dead, one wounded, and another under arrest. And, in Florida, Secret Service agents fired on and chased down a man who stalked Trump with a gun.

Nevertheless, a new reality is also bubbling up, from the bottom, not the top. As was the case with Michigan’s Crumbley trials in the Oxford high school shooting of 2021 in Oakland County, local Georgia authorities indicted not only this recent shooter (who also survived) as well as one of his parents.

After charging 14-year-old Colt Gray with four counts of felony murder, they also charged his father, Colin Gray, with two counts of second-degree murder, four counts of involuntary manslaughter, and eight counts of cruelty to children.

In the Crumbley case in Michigan, the student shooter and his parents (who provided the gun) are all serving time for their crimes. In the Gray

case in Georgia, the father bought the gun as a gift for his son; the mother no longer lives with them; both father and son are in jail pending trial.

In the often-futile campaign for common-sense gun-safety laws, the indictment of parents feels like at least a gesture in the right direction. Unlike automobiles, guns are designed for just one, deadly purpose. If you can convict a shooter’s parents, why not — by extension — the gun dealer and the manufacturer?

Not so fast, argues an opinion columnist for The New York Times, a media outlet not known for right-wing points of view.

“We have to be very careful when it comes to the state being able to charge people in new ways and put them into prison,” said Megan Stack, in a podcast opinion recording on the Times web site.

“These prosecutions are very convenient for a lot of politicians who actually don’t want to do anything about guns,” Stack continued. “They can say, ‘Look, it’s just these bad-apple parents, these sort of lowlife parents who aren’t doing their jobs.’”

She said that “one way or another, most parents are flawed” and that some will try to please a troubled child by giving them what “gives them pleasure.”

In hunting states like Michigan and Georgia, she said, this might mean the gift of a gun.

In both Michigan and Georgia, the young shooters were troubled teens. In particular, Stack called Georgia’s weak

laws “a free-for-all for guns” and said it is inconsistent to “then go after parents for breaking laws that actually don’t exist.”

She suggested that gun violence is a problem that will keep happening despite small steps against it — like indicting the parents of mass murderers after school shootings.

“It’s a bit of magical thinking to think that prosecuting these people is really going to make a difference,” Stack said. She might be right, but magical thinking would be better than thoughtless, rote regurgitation of platitudes like “thoughts and prayers” and “We really should do something about mental health” and “How dare you politicize this so soon after a tragedy?”

So let’s settle for magical thinking and for thanking the National Rifle Association and the Supreme Court and JD’s Mamaw and right-wing media for another successful demonstration of the Second Amendment.

And, next time Vance holds a campaign rally to boost gun sales or trash black immigrants with lies, he should avoid all those recorded songs that artists are demanding be banned from Trump events.

Instead, why not play “Happiness is a Warm Gun” by the Beatles? John Lennon sings it, including the “Bang-bang! / Shoot-shoot!” chorus.

In that Lennon was a sardonic lyricist who wrote these satirical words and later died by gunfire from a “psycho,” he’d love the irony, had he lived. Even Vance himself might get it.

Magical thinking would be better than thoughtless, rote regurgitation of platitudes like “thoughts and prayers.” SHUTTERSTOCK

Boots and hats and boots and hats

ScottColburnBootsandWesternWearinLivonia

welcomesnewgenerationofcowfolk

ByHayleyCain

There are countless items in stock at Scott Colburn’s Western Wear in Livonia, but there will only ever be one Scott Colburn. Amid racks of pearl-snap shirts and shelves lined with cowboy boots in every imaginable color and style, Sarah Colburn helms the business her father founded back in 1951.

“He was known as a gentleman who always wore his bolo tie and jacket to work, and he was always aware of specialty areas and new things other people were doing,” she says. “He kept his eyes and ears open.”

That keen eye — and a famously entrepreneurial spirit — continues to define the Colburn family name. From selling bolo ties from the trunk of his car to bringing square dancing curriculum to Detroit public schools, the late great Scott Colburn has left his brand on the Motor City. As Sarah so aptly puts it: “He wasn’t shy.”

As western clothing styles continually cycle back into the mainstream, Sarah says she finds herself reintroducing boots and hats to new generations of cowfolk. The spacious, 12,000-square-foot Livonia shop remains a true destination for touring musicians, Gen Z fashion plates, and even (at least upon my visit) a burlesque dancer fond of the Western aesthetic. Recently, country music superstar George Strait performed at Ford Field, bringing in an influx of customers.

“We do a lot of parties, weddings. Post-COVID, shows like Yellowstone really helped make western wear popular again,” Sarah says. “Sometimes it’s music that brings western wear back into fashion. Sometimes it’s a big movie, like Urban Cowboy. Then it came back again in the early ’90s with Garth Brooks and the line dancing craze.”

Through economic downturns, recessions, and a global pandemic, Sarah says Western wear rarely

wavers.

“We do well in recessions, you know. People stay close to home and go to the local joints instead. Everybody needs a pair of boots to go to the bar and line dance,” she adds.

Like her salesman father, Sarah can size up just about anyone and prescribe the proper sized cowboy hat. She explains the difference between a Kettleman crown and a pinch point with conversational ease. It makes sense; she’s been training since she was five years old.

“Dad cleaned out the coal bin in the basement of the house that we lived in Detroit. I remember people would come to the side door and go downstairs and do some shopping in our basement,” she says with a laugh.

Retracing her father’s dance steps

We turn to a wall of yellowing photographs, including a favorite of Mr. and Mrs. Colburn swept up in a fullskirted twirl. It would be easy to assume her father was a cowboy. But Sarah is quick to the draw: “He was a dancer, first and foremost.”

In fact, Colburn was hand-picked to instruct alongside Henry Ford’s dance master, teaching the Fords the elegant technique of ballroom dancing.

“But WWII stopped that,” Sarah says. “Everyone had to go fight or start working in plants to make airplanes. After World War II, people just wanted a taste of normalcy with a dash of something fun.”

Scott Colburn recognized this desire, founding the Michigan Square Dance Leaders Association in 1949. At the time, the craze was called “pioneer dancing.” A red square dancing dress emblazoned with brilliant silver rick-rack, once worn by Sarah’s late mother,

Scott Colburn.

Marjorie, remains on display.

The beauty of the dance? Folks could learn the steps as they went. And many did, thanks to Colburn, who went on to become Michigan’s first-ever full-time square dance caller.

“That’s where my dad came in,” Sarah says. “He was selling square dance records and western ties out of his trunk. Oh, how I loved watching my parents get dressed up and ready to go, then they’d float out the door to the dances.”

COURTESY PHOTO

Riding the waves of western fashion

In the ’50s, Colburn established his first retail store (outside of his own basement) on Grand River Avenue in Detroit. Supplying Western apparel alongside dance records and accessories, Scott Colburn Boots and Western Wear became the go-to stop for cowboy hats, western shirts, belts, and boots.

The store expanded into Farmington in the ’60s, adding equestrian tack to their inventory. Their promise to metro Detroit’s Westernat-heart community? “Scott Colburn Boots and Western Wear: offering everything but the horse!” That said, Sarah could tell you about the time a real life horse clip-clopped inside her father’s store.

“Every fifteen years or so, my dad would bring something else into the inventory,” she recalls. “From square dancing to western wear, then, in the ’60s, blue jeans. Me and my friends thought it was a pretty cool place to shop because you couldn’t get blue jeans everywhere back then.”

The store’s evolution continues to mirror changing trends in fashion. Today, Beyoncé’s hit album Cowboy Carter and the rise of country rappers has spawned a whole new wave of Pinterest outfit searches. Before that, bikers and underground rockers donned gleaming belt buckles and neckerchiefs.

In some ways, nothing’s changed. In 1978, when Scott built his new store at Eight Mile and Farmington Road in Livonia, urban cowboys couldn’t get enough of the fringe leather jackets and Frye boots that

had already been adopted by the hippie set a decade earlier. From the counterculture to the rodeo, most everyone has strutted through Colburn’s at one time or another.

Adds Sarah, “My dad embraced the changing styles; he started wearing puka shells at one time. Grew even his hair long.”

Shoppers are welcome to check out the array of celebrity photos and memorabilia on display at the shop — evidence of America’s never ending love affair with Western vibes. Intriguing relics can be found all around the store, including an 1800s cash register; glossy photos signed by famous wrestlers, country music stars, and bull riders; century-old cast-iron cookware; an old leather saddle; and the remnants of Colburn’s colorful collection of presidential memorabilia.

In many ways, the man has lived on through this retail space. Colburn passed away peacefully in 2003 at the age of 85, surrounded by friends and family. Marjorie joined her dance partner in January 2024, at the astounding age of 103.

Dancing through the decades

Since the turn of the 21st century, Sarah has held the reins, preserving the Colburn family legacy in Michigan. It’s a big responsibility, preserving not only a historic business, but a time capsule of Detroit’s rich country music scene. Everyone from local artists to Martha Jean “The Queen” to members of the MC5 have sauntered through.

It’s no wonder that the store has been known to host live music, or that Scott Colburn Boots and Western Wear is a proud sponsor of Howdy Fest, an summer country music festival bringing together country music lovers with alt-country crooners and the queer community.

“We sponsored the dance floor for Howdy Fest, in honor of my dad, and to preserve the history,” Sarah says. “It felt like the right thing to do.”

Sarah, whose title of “president” seems appropriate, handles it all: buying, managing, and selling, supported by a team of about eight

dedicated employees. Customer service and financial responsibility were cornerstones of her dad’s business philosophy. He also believed in healthy competition.

“When department stores first started selling cowboy boots, and we had that competition come in, my dad always says, ‘Good. That mean’s western wear is popular,’” Sarah says. That said, there is no real comparison when it comes to western wear in the Detroit area. The store continues to provide the latest cowboy and cowgirl fashions with a “howdy neighbor” attitude to match. Perhaps

this is why so many people come back to this place, generations later.

“Every day, they hear stories like, ‘I’ve been coming here since the old store,’ ‘My dad used to bring me in; now I bring my kids,’ and ‘Scott used to wait on me,’” Sarah says. “For new customers, it’s usually, ‘Wow I’ve been driving by for years. I had no idea this place was so big and had so much cool stuff.’ Customers stop in the door just to smell the leather.”

Then there’s the three generations of metro Detroiters who learned to “do si do” and “promenade” thanks to Mr. Colburn’s square dancing influence on local schools. These folks never fail to make Sarah smile. She said it all comes back around to her dad’s knack for bringing people together on the dance floor: “He would have loved to see so many new young people learning to square dance.”

A record player sits atop a glass case showcasing Mr. Colburn’s wellworn cowboy hats and a few pairs of boots, made special, on account of

his extra-wide feet.

Sarah drops the needle onto a dusty vinyl record, The Fundamentals of Square Dancing. In an instant, Scott Colburn Boots & Western Wear is filled with the plucky sounds of her childhood. “Right and a left, go around the track and swing your partner,” the enthusiastic, old-timey voice of square dance caller Bob Ruff croons.

Although it’s not her father’s voice calling out, it certainly could be. In some ways, Scott’s still calling the shots around here.

“I don’t think he knew how long the shop would continue, or how often he would still be mentioned,” Sarah says. “You know how many times a day someone says the name ‘Scott Colburn?’ Here we are, still saying his name.”

Scott Colburn Boots & Western Wear is located at 20411 Farmington Rd., Livonia; 248-476-1262; scottcolburnwestern.com.

Before becoming a retail giant, Scott Colburn began as a square dance caller. COURTESY PHOTO

WHAT’S GOING ON

Select events happening in metro Detroit this week. Be sure to check venue website before events for latest information. Add your event to our online calendar: metrotimes.com/ AddEvent.

MUSIC

Wednesday, Sept. 18

Live/Concert

Baby Bugs & Solya 7 p.m.; Pike Room, 1 S. Saginaw, Pontiac; $15-$65.

Basement, Pity Sex, Bad Beat 6:30 p.m.; Majestic Theatre, 4120 Woodward Ave., Detroit; $30-$35.

Caskets, Wind Walkers, Colorblind, Engrave 6:30 p.m.; Sanctuary Detroit, 2932 Caniff St., Hamtramck; $18.

DTE Foundation Community Concerts: Detroit Symphony Orchestra 7 p.m.; Greater Grace Temple, 23500 W. Seven Mile Rd., Detroit; no cover.

Fleshgod Apocalypse, Shadow of Intent, Ingested, The Zenith Passage, Disembodied Tyrant 5:30 p.m.; Saint Andrew’s Hall, 431 E. Congress St., Detroit; $26.50.

Foxxy Wed Gwensday & Preservation of Jazz: Jazz Connection Meet & Greet Singles Jazz Concert 7-10 p.m.; Aretha’s Jazz Cafe, 350 Madison St., Detroit; 35.00 -25.00. Green Lung 7 p.m.; Small’s, 10339 Conant St., Hamtramck; $25. Matt Lorusso Trio & Special Guests 8-11 p.m.; Northern Lights Lounge, 660 W. Baltimore St., Detroit; no cover.

Sting 3.0 Tour 7 p.m.; The Fillmore, 2115 Woodward Ave., Detroit; $59-$249.

Summer Bike Night & BBQ 6 p.m.; Diamondback Music Hall, 49345 S. Interstate 94 Service Dr., Belleville; The Aces, crêpe girl 7 p.m.; Majestic Theatre, 4120 Woodward Ave., Detroit; $25-$49.50.

Thursday, Sept. 19

Live/Concert

Kickstand Productions Presents: Joe P, Anna Shoemaker 7 p.m.; Magic Bag, 22920 Woodward Ave., Ferndale; $23.

Know Your Rights Concert featuring Danny Brown 6-9:30 p.m.; Garden Theater, 3929 Woodward Avenue, Detroit; no cover. Manchester Orchestra, Militarie

Gun 7 p.m.; The Fillmore, 2115 Woodward Ave., Detroit; $34-$57.50.

Sigur Ros with Detroit Symphony Orchestra 7 p.m.; Cathedral Theatre at the Masonic Temple, 500 Temple St., Detroit; $120-$500.

SKULL - Detroit’s Gothfest: CRUNE, Elyvilon, Willow The Wisp, DJ Misanthropia 8 p.m.; Tangent Gallery & Hastings Street Ballroom, 715 E. Milwaukee Ave., Detroit; $15 – $80.

The Dickies, Choking Susan, The Randy Bastards, The Black List 7 p.m.; Sanctuary Detroit, 2932 Caniff St., Hamtramck; $20.

The Wldlfe, Young Culture 7 p.m.; Magic Stick, 4120 Woodward Ave., Detroit; $69.

DJ/Dance

John Summit, Matt Sassari, Silver Panda, Sillygirlcarmen 8 p.m.; Russell Industrial Center, 1600 Clay, Detroit; $156+ (resale)

Ron Zakrin, Bileebob, Charles Pearson, DJs Lowell b2b Eric Hinchman 7 p.m.; Small’s, 10339 Conant St., Hamtramck; $15. Karaoke

DARE-U-OKE 9 p.m.-midnight; Northern Lights Lounge, 660 W. Baltimore St., Detroit; no cover.

Drag Queen Karaoke 8 p.m.-2 a.m.; Woodward Avenue Brewers, 22646 Woodward Ave., Ferndale; no cover. Karaoke at Detroit Shipping with DJ MO WILL 6-9 p.m.; Detroit Shipping Company, 474 Peterboro St., Detroit; no cover.

Friday, Sept. 20

Live/Concert

SKULL - Detroit’s Gothfest: Tammy Lakkis, Mila La Machina & Psyche De Lick, Defiled, Raedy Lex, Dos Lopez, Petra Steele, Bat Noise, Moon Club, Gwendolyn Dot, Daddymother, Synthia Looper 8 p.m.; Tangent Gallery & Hastings Street Ballroom, 715 E. Milwaukee Ave., Detroit; $15 – $80.

ABBAMANIA (ABBA tribute) 8 p.m.; Emerald Theatre, 31 N. Walnut St., Mount Clemens; $22-$210.

Clutch, Rival Sons, Fu Manchu 7 p.m.; Michigan Lottery Amphitheatre at Freedom Hill, 14900 Metropolitan Pkwy., Sterling Heights; $35-$75.

The Next Best of What’s Around (Dave Matthews Band tribute) 8 p.m.; Diamondback Music Hall, 49345

28 September 18-24, 2024 | metrotimes.com

S. Interstate 94 Service Dr., Belleville; $15-$250.

The Diamond Mic Tour Presented by GrayBeat & Hookdiggy 7-11 pm; Corktown Tavern, 1716 Michigan Ave., Detroit; $10.

Hippie Death Cult, Kadabra, Electric Huldra, Crafted Conviction, Cleen 7 p.m.; Sanctuary Detroit, 2932 Caniff St., Hamtramck; $15.

Lady Folk, Boy Blue, DJ Nitroh 9 p.m.; Bowlero Lanes & Lounge, 4209 Coolidge Hwy., Royal Oak; no cover.

Magic Bag Presents: Nitzer Ebb 7 p.m.; Magic Bag, 22920 Woodward Ave., Ferndale; $35.

Michael Bush at the Winery 7:30-10:30 p.m.; Northville Winery and Brewing Company LLC, 630 Baseline Rd., Northville; no cover.

Michigan Minifest: XO Caliber, Kevin Allan, Isiah X 45, Edub. Money, Piss Poor Attitude, Yaoli, Randy Jack, MMB Binji, Fattzakk, Arizona Ct., Nijah Deziree 5:45 p.m.; The Token Lounge, 28949 Joy Rd., Westland; $20.

Remi Wolf, Lava La Rue 7 p.m.; Royal Oak Music Theatre, 318 W. Fourth St., Royal Oak; $32.50-$65.

Something Corporate, Allister 7 p.m.; The Fillmore, 2115 Woodward Ave., Detroit; $44-$98.50.

THUNDERSTRUCK (AC/DC tribute) 7 p.m.; District 142, 142 Maple St., Wyandotte; $18.

Willow Pill 7 p.m.; Majestic Theatre, 4120 Woodward Ave., Detroit; $29.50. DJ/Dance

John Summit, Max Styler, Alterboy, Andrea Ghita 8 p.m.; Russell Industrial Center, 1600 Clay, Detroit; $156+ (resale)

Gimme Gimme Disco (18+) 8 p.m.; Saint Andrew’s Hall, 431 E. Congress St., Detroit; $18-$23.

Snow Crash Nebula album release party: Augustus Williams, Lo Dazz b2b Hardin. I-R (1), Dose & Echo, Lapilli, nuntheless, Steven G, Nate, NK-Ultra, Kosmios, Pettycash Sep. 20, 9 pm-2 am; TV Lounge, 2548 Grand River Ave., Detroit; $20 presale, $25 at the door.

Saturday, Sept. 21

Live/Concert

SKULL - Detroit’s Gothfest: BMG, Xanopticon, Mila La Machina, B.P. LeGault, Mission To The

Sun, Deadlines, Textbeak, Marc Church, Justin Carver, Parallax, Decompiler, Cloister Shadows, Goldyn Gambit, Access To Concrete, Snugglebunz, Legs Of The Fly, Udenjoe 8 p.m.; Tangent Gallery & Hastings Street Ballroom, 715 E. Milwaukee Ave., Detroit; $15-$80.

Autumnal Equinox Festival: My Detroit Players, Ritual Suns, Doctor Detroit, Adolf Jyn, Paradise Beach Revelation, Marqu3tte, Liberty Union, Anthony Loduca, Sabreen Narmi and Israel Shalxm. DJ sets include: Nick Speed, DJ Los, Roger Th@t, DJ Yae and DJ Packrnr 4 p.m.-2 a.m.; Woodbridge Pub, 5169 Trumbull St., Detroit; no cover.

Chase Wright 7 p.m.; District 142, 142 Maple St., Wyandotte; $15.

Conan Gray, Maisie Peters 7:30 p.m.; Michigan Lottery Amphitheatre at Freedom Hill, 14900 Metropolitan Pkwy., Sterling Heights; $29.50-$79.50.

David Kushner, Rosie 7 p.m.; The Fillmore, 2115 Woodward Ave., Detroit; $33-$57.50.

Heather Pierson Duo live at MAMA’s Coffeehouse 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.

Lalah Hathaway, Jubu Smith 8 p.m.; Sound Board, 2901 Grand River Ave., Detroit; $45-$59.

Leonid and Friends 6:30 pm; Royal Oak Music Theatre, 318 W. Fourth St., Royal Oak; $48-$83.

Magic Bag Presents: Shovels & Rope 7 p.m.; Magic Bag, 22920 Woodward Ave., Ferndale; $30.

Mitch Ryder 7:30 p.m.; The Token Lounge, 28949 Joy Rd., Westland; $25$210.

The Reefermen, DJ Chuk Amøk 9 p.m.; Bowlero Lanes & Lounge, 4209 Coolidge Hwy., Royal Oak; no cover.

The Beat Goes On (Cher tribute with Lisa McClowry) 8 p.m.; Emerald Theatre, 31 N. Walnut St., Mount Clemens; $25-$250.

The Chisel, Home Front, No Time 7 p.m.; Small’s, 10339 Conant, Hamtramck; $20.

The Lemonheads, John David Kent 7 p.m.; Majestic Theatre, 4120 Woodward Ave., Detroit; $29.50.

The Movement, aurorawave 6 p.m.; Saint Andrew’s Hall, 431 E. Con-

gress St., Detroit; $33.

Under The Rug, Basic Printer, Social Animals 7 p.m.; Sanctuary Detroit, 2932 Caniff St., Hamtramck; $20-$70.

DJ/Dance

Nora En Pure 9 p.m.; Elektricity Nightclub, 15 S. Saginaw St., Pontiac; $20-$35.

Sunday, Sept. 22

Live/Concert

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).

Porter Robinson, ericdoa 7 p.m.; The Fillmore, 2115 Woodward Ave., Detroit; $57.50-$77.50.

Rainbow Kitten Surprise 7 pm; Detroit Masonic Temple Library, 500 Temple St, Detroit; $35-$200.

The Exploited, Total Chaos, Tarah Who?, The Lowcocks 7 p.m.; Sanctuary Detroit, 2932 Caniff St., Hamtramck; $30.

The Hives, Bad Nerves 7 p.m.; Saint Andrew’s Hall, 431 E. Congress St., Detroit; $43.

The Record Company, Kiely Connell 6:30 p.m.; Magic Stick, 4120 Woodward Ave., Detroit; $25.

Trixter Acoustic, Enuff Z Nuff, Pretty Boy Floyd, Band Inc 5:30 p.m.; The Token Lounge, 28949 Joy Rd., Westland; $20.

Monday, Sept. 23

Live/Concert

Kickstand Productions Presents: Brutus, Daydreamer 7 p.m.; Magic Bag, 22920 Woodward Ave., Ferndale; $20.

Sinister, Tombstoner, Jesus Wept, Exploding Zombies, Mortal Disguise 6 p.m.; Sanctuary Detroit, 2932 Caniff St., Hamtramck; $20. Till Lindemann, Twin Temple, Aesthetic Perfection 6:30 p.m.; The Fillmore, 2115 Woodward Ave., Detroit; $67.50-$123.

Vampire Weekend, Cults 7 p.m.; Meadow Brook Amphitheatre, 3554 Walton Blvd., Rochester Hills; $39.50-$99.50. DJ/Dance

Adult Skate Night 8:30-11 p.m.; Lexus Velodrome, 601 Mack Ave., Detroit; $5.

Tuesday, Sept. 24

Live/Concert

Badflower, Slothrust, Missio 6 p.m.; The Fillmore, 2115 Woodward Ave., Detroit; $33-$47.50.

Cowboy Junkies 7 p.m.; Cathedral Theatre at the Masonic Temple, 500 Temple St., Detroit; $34-$90.

Gel, MSPAINT, Destiny Bond, The Mall 6:30 p.m.; Edgemen, 19757 15 Mile Rd., Clinton Twp; $24.

Global Sunsets, Blackman & Arnold Trio 7-10 p.m.; Northern Lights Lounge, 660 W. Baltimore St., Detroit; no cover.

Griff, Stephen Dawes 7 p.m.; Saint Andrew’s Hall, 431 E. Congress St., Detroit; $27.50.

Jhariah, Boy Jr. 7 p.m.; Sanctuary Detroit, 2932 Caniff St., Hamtramck; $18.

Michelle Held, Emily Rose 6:307:30 p.m.; Alpino, 1426 Bagley St, Detroit; $10.

The Warning, Holy Wars 7 p.m.; Magic Stick, 4120 Woodward Ave., Detroit; $27.50-$129.

DJ/Dance

B.Y.O.R Bring Your Own Records Night 9 pm-midnight; The Old Miami, 3930 Cass Ave., Detroit; no cover.

Open Mic

Open Mic : Art in a Fly Space 7-10 p.m.; Detroit Shipping Company, 474 Peterboro St., Detroit; no cover.

MISC.

Performance

Meadow Brook Theatre Awaken

To Spirit Live Stage Event with spiritual medium Stacey Lynn Cripps and live musical performances by Gene Hicks a.k.a. G-Da-Man, Lia Caton, and Detroit singer Tina Galley; $65; Friday, Sept. 20, 7-9 p.m.

Detroit Opera House Moulin Rouge! The Musical (Touring); Wednesday, Sept. 18, 7:30 p.m.; Thursday, Sept. 19, 7:30 p.m.; Friday, Sept. 20, 7:30 p.m.; Saturday, Sept. 21, 2 p.m. and 8 p.m.; Sunday, Sept. 22, 1 p.m. and 6:30 p.m.; and Tuesday, Sept. 24, 7:30 p.m.

Improv

Go Comedy! Improv Theater

Pandemonia The Allstar Showdown; $25; Fridays, 8 p.m. Stand-up

Detroit House of Comedy: Motor City Comedy Fest Ian Fidance, $25, Thursday, Sept. 19, 7 p.m.; Craig Conant, $25, Friday, Sept. 20, 7 p.m. and 9:30 p.m.; Liz Miele, $25, Saturday, Sept. 21, 7 p.m.; Carmen Lynch, $25, Saturday, Sept. 21, 9:30 p.m.; Mike Canon, $25, Sunday, Sept. 22; 6 p.m. and 8:30 p.m.

New DIA exhibit showcases Islamic food culture through art

A new exhibit at the Detroit Institute of Arts (DIA) will explore the connections between art and cuisine from ancient times to the present.

On Sunday, Sept. 22, the DIA will open The Art of Dining: Food Culture in the Islamic World, featuring over 200 works from the Middle East, Asia, and beyond.

The exhibit combines a multisensory experience with a range of historical objects related to food preparation, serving, and dining. The show is organized into themes such as communal dining, coffee culture, and eating for health.

As metro Detroit is home to a large concentration of Arab Americans and other communities from the Middle East and Asia, this exhibition is especially relevant in Michigan, celebrating the history of food cultures from these regions.

Originally organized by the Los Angeles County Museum of Art (LACMA), the exhibition includes works from 30 public and private collections across the U.S., Europe, and the Middle East. Sixteen of the works on view are from the DIA’s collection.

“With objects representing artistic and cultural traditions across a broad geographical expanse and more than 1,500 years of history, The Art of Dining reflects the diversity of the Islamic world,” Katherine Kasdorf, DIA Associate Curator of Arts of Asia and the Islamic World, said in a press release. “We can all relate to the practices of eating, drinking, and sharing a meal with friends and family, and this exhibition invites visitors to reflect upon the personal and cultural connections we make through food.”

Additionally, the exhibit includes tableware for eating and drinking, paintings depicting scenes of feasting and food preparation, historical cookbooks with recipes still used today, musical instruments played for entertainment during meals, garments worn for special occasions

such as banquets, and scent boxes filled with the aromas of rosewater, orange blossom, coffee, and cardamom.

A section focused on the sufra — a cloth or low table on which food is served — explores the dining experience, with an interactive sufra offering visitors a digitally presented six-course meal based on historical recipes from the Islamic world. The recipes, adapted by chef Najmieh Batmanglij, will be available via QR code.

Complementing the historical items is a contemporary multimedia installation by Iraqi-born artist Sadik Kwaish Alfraji titled A Thread of Light Between My Mother’s Fingers and Heaven Rooted in the artist’s memories of his mother, her homemade bread, and family meals in Baghdad, the work includes large-scale animation, drawings, and photographs.

“We are excited to break bread with everyone and experience the fascinating and delicious food culture of the Islamic world—an opportunity to relish the cultural wealth of our diverse communities which enrich our region every day,” DIA director Salvador Salort-Pons said. “Through this exceptional presentation, the DIA celebrates the art of dining and its power to bring people together.”

The exhibition, on view through Jan. 5, 2025, will kick off with a live conversation between Alfraji and Arab American National Museum Director Diana Abouali on Sunday, Sept. 22, at 2 p.m. The DIA is located at 5200 Woodward Ave., Detroit; 313-833-7900; dia. org.

—Layla McMurtrie

COURTESY PHOTO

FOOD

Bites

Chick-fil-A to open dozens of Michigan locations

After first arriving in Michigan in 2015, Chick-fil-A says it plans to open between 25 to 30 new restaurants in the state by the end of 2028.

The expansion includes a restaurant planned for downtown Detroit’s First National Building, though an opening date has not yet been set.

The Atlanta-based fried chicken chain says it is also aiming to open new stores in Chesterfield Township, Roseville, Taylor, and Fort Gratiot by the end of 2024, followed by additional locations in Detroit, Auburn Hills, Lincoln Park, Orion Township, Clinton Township, Canton, and Ann Arbor.

The company also plans to open restaurants in Lansing, Jackson, Saginaw, and Benton Harbor in 2025.

The new restaurants will create over 2,500 jobs across Michigan, the company says.

“With a unique blend of rural, subur-

ban and city neighborhoods, Michigan is filled with tight-knit communities and proud residents,” said Scott Mayson, Chick-fil-A’s area director for the Midwest region. “When looking to identify new opportunities to serve [guests] and support local communities and economic development, expanding our presence in Michigan was a clear next step.”

The new stores will be run by local owner-operators, who work alongside approximately 80-120 full- and part-time

workers.

Founded in 1967, the company is known for its Southern Baptist Christian values, which includes closing for business on Sundays. The company has also generated backlash and boycotts for donating to anti-LGBTQ+ causes and organizations over the years, and in 2019 it said it would stop donating to such charities and instead focus on issues like education, homelessness, and hunger.

—Lee DeVito

Brown Iron Brewhouse brings back annual Oktoberfest

Munich’s Oktoberfest, the world’s largest beer festival, has inspired celebrations globally, including right here in Michigan.

Brown Iron Brewhouse is set to host its annual Oktoberfest celebration at its Royal Oak and Washington Township locations from Sept. 20-Oct. 6. The two-week event will feature German food specials, German music, and a variety of German beers on tap.

Since 2015, the original Washington location has marked Oktoberfest by hosting the German festival, with staff dressed in traditional German lederhosen and dirndl outfits. This year marks the fourth Oktoberfest for the Royal Oak location.

Both locations will offer a special Oktoberfest menu throughout the celebration featuring food items such as German Cheese Spread, Chicken JagerSchnitzel, Berlin Currywurst, and a German Choco-

Customers who wear a dirndl or lederhosen will get a 10% discount.

Throughout Oktoberfest, Brown Iron is also hosting a lineup of smaller events including trivia nights, a stein hoist competition, a costume contest, and a family day.

For more information, visit browniron.com.

—Layla McMurtrie

Detroit Foodie Fair teams up with Detroit Vegan

To all of the foodies in Detroit who are always looking for new eats, this is for you.

The fifth annual Detroit Foodie Fair is returning to Eastern Market this month, and for the third year in a row, a Detroit Vegan event will be held alongside the festival to offer a wider range of food options, and so people can learn more about vegan living.

The event, organized by parent com-

pany Mercantile Fairs, is happening on Sunday, Sept. 22 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., and will be located in Eastern Market’s Shed 5.

Not only will there be food to eat at the festival, but there will also be bites to take home, hand-crafted kitchen wares, and other unique food-related goods from over 50 vendors. Detroit Foodie Fair and Detroit Vegan will split up the shed between vegan and non-

Editor’s note

Last week’s review of downtown Detroit’s Nuevo Seoul by contributor Jane Slaughter noted that “a sign urged customers to win a free helping of churro chips — tortilla chips prepared churrostyle — by leaving a five-star review.” After the article was published, the restaurant’s general manager reached out to Metro Times via email to defend its online reviews, writing that “we consistently receive positive reviews on platforms like Google and Yelp from guests who genuinely enjoy our service, food, and drinks. We work hard to deliver an experience that is both enjoyable and memorable.”

The manager also disputed the review’s characterization of its dishes as “generic.” “Our proteins, such as bulgogi and kalbi, are marinated and prepared with great care, reflecting a true fusion of Korean and Mexican cuisine,” the manager says. “These are not merely ‘generic’ offerings as the review suggests.”

The manager also defended its use of plasticware and aluminum. “Additionally, the casual vibe of Nuevo Seoul is intentional,” the manager adds. “We aim to create a laid-back, fun, and approachable atmosphere for all of our guests. It’s a part of our charm, not a shortcoming.”

Executive chef Tyler Haloostozk adds, “Here at Nuevo Seoul, we do our best to bring something creative, fast, and flavorful to the downtown area — something you might not be able to get anywhere else nearby and just really just have good times with good friends and family.”

vegan local businesses.

During the family-friendly Detroit Foodie Fair, there’s also a contest where attendees can vote on Detroit’s “Best Foodie Find,” with QR codes at each vendor’s booth that customers can scan to vote for their favorite eats.

More information and a full list of vendors can be found at detroitfoodiefair.com.

—Layla McMurtrie

The article also inaccurately described the kalbi beef as marinated ribs; the restaurant says it is flank steak. The previous version of the article also erroneously described a drink as containing artichoke flavors. The restaurant’s hours of operation have also been updated. An updated version of the article is available at metrotimes.com.

—Lee DeVito

The Southern fried chicken chain is continuing its expansion. SHUTTERSTOCK

late Parfait.

CULTURE

She sees dead people

Spiritual medium Stacey Lynn Cripps’s stairway to Rock ’n’ Roll Heaven

As she tells it, Stacey Lynn Cripps was sitting at the bar of a West Bloomfield restaurant with a friend one evening. Simultaneously, she was carrying on a side conversation with Glenn Frey.

As in Detroit-born Eagles frontman Glenn Frey, who died of pneumonia eight years ago.

Suddenly, surprisingly, Bob Seger enters the restaurant to pick up a carry-out order. He takes a moment to chat with some patrons who recognize him, but then, before he leaves, Seger walks over to Cripps, gives her a warm hug, and whispers in her ear, “Thank you.”

Unaccustomed as she is to being hugged by total strangers, even Detroit celebrity ones, Cripps quickly realized what was happening: Seger was thanking her for maintaining contact with Frey. And Prince helped make it possible.

“I understand Bob was a regular there, but what brought him in that night?” she ponders. “I know he and Glenn Frey were best friends, and Glenn started connecting with me in meditation right after he passed. He calls me Kit.

“Now, I had just given a reading from Prince to his first wife that week, so Prince was like right there. I could connect with him in a second, that’s how strong he was, and he and Seger were

By Jim McFarlin

inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame the same year. When Seger walked in I began to get chills all over my body, which is kundalini, the validation of a spirit very close and strong. And after he hugged me both Prince and Glenn came through with messages. I would love to connect with Bob someday. When Prince says he’s going to connect me with someone, he means it.”

In case you haven’t received the vision yet, Detroit native Stacey Lynn Cripps sees — and hears from, and talks to — dead people. A nationally known spiritual medium and mentor, she will demonstrate her gift to believers and skeptics alike in a homecoming “Awaken to Spirit Live Stage Event” at 7 p.m. Friday at Meadow Brook Theatre. She’ll be joined by musical guests Gene Hicks (aka G-Da-Man), country-rock artist Lia Caton, and Detroit native pop-soul singer Tina Galley.

Cripps is perhaps best known for her connection to “Rock ’n’ Roll Heaven,” asserting that many deceased musicians use her as a channel to communicate with their loved ones and others. Beyond Prince and Frey, she says she’s had ongoing connections with Elvis Presley (possibly because her late father was an Elvis impersonator), Michael Jackson, Whitney Houston,

“She said, ‘Well, it’s in your refrigerator,’ and I’m like, ‘No it’s not.’ But an hour or two later, suddenly I am craving fried chicken. I open the refrigerator, and there’s a bucket of wings there! My husband got them and I knew nothing about them. They were so good.”

During another conversation, she says Franklin reminded her “You were there while filming” when the 1980 movie Blues Brothers, in which Franklin had a cameo role, was made. “I had no idea what she was talking about,” Cripps says, “but then I remembered my dad took my siblings and me to downtown Chicago while the movie was being shot because we were with an agency and they may have needed some child actors as extras. I had completely forgotten.”

However, Cripps’s true passion is helping parents survive the loss of loved ones. It was such an occurrence that prompted her to give up a lucrative career as an executive search recruiter in Chicago and develop her gift after her lifelong best friend, Heather Little, was killed in an auto accident.

Aretha Franklin (who calls Cripps “Darlin’”), David Bowie, John Lennon, and many others.

“I’m proud to be able to continually connect with musicians,” says Cripps. “These legends and greats in the music and entertainment industry are still mentoring their protégés and friends from behind the Heavenly Vail, whether they are conscious of it or not. I think what the musicians love is that it’s such a clear channel with me. I let them do what they want, I don’t change anything, I just say it as they say it. And then they blow people away when they come through.”

Her conversations with the Queen of Soul have been especially memorable. “She contacted me the day she passed,” Cripps remembers. “Since Prince in 2016, that often happens with musicians. I didn’t know she’d passed until Siri went off and said, ‘Franklin is here.’ I’m thinking, ‘Benjamin Franklin?’

“Then I heard the voice. ‘Hi, Darlin’, it’s Aretha. Whitney brought me.’ She shows up on stage with a feather boa, a fur coat, and starts talking to me nonstop.

“‘Honey, you need to eat some fried chicken.’

“‘I said, ‘Aretha, I don’t eat fried chicken.’

“I told her mother that a woman sat with Heather as she died,” Cripps says. “She said she never believed the EMTs when they told her a stranger got out of her vehicle and climbed in next to Heather. I told her Heather was with angels; she said Heather collected angels for a year before she passed. So that was the first time I gave a reading, at 26. I didn’t know what a reading was. I didn’t know what a medium was. But I didn’t think it was a gift. I just thought everyone has this. It was just normal.”

Several mentors, including Detroit’s own self-help legend Dr. Wayne Dyer, helped Cripps refine and expand her skills over the years. “I’m meant to help people heal,” she declares.

“Definitely an entertainer or two will come through during the live event for somebody in the audience, but you should expect to experience loving, healing messages from loved ones to touch the hearts of families. To let them know our loved ones are well and still helping, guiding and loving us.”

Do you ever feel like you’re never alone? “I am never alone,” Cripps muses. “ But it’s a beautiful gift, because none of us are ever alone here. All our loved ones are with us.”

The Awaken to Spirit Live Stage Event with spiritual medium and mentor Stacey Lynn Cripps, featuring special guests Gene Hicks (aka G-Da-Man), Lia Caton and Tina Galley, runs from 7-9 p.m. on Friday at Meadow Brook Theatre, 378 Meadow Brook Rd., Rochester. General admission tickets are $65. More information is available at 248-377-3300 or bit. ly/3MNfl4M.

Stacey Lynn Cripps brings her “The Awaken to Spirit Live Stage Event” to Meadow Brook Theatre. KRISTIE SCHRAM PHOTOGRAPHY

CULTURE

Film

Rebel Ridge, Jeremy Saulnier, and ‘Post-Social Next Wave’

Rebel Ridge

Rated: TV-MA

Run-time: 131 minutes

Last week I wrote about the New Hollywood movement of auteur filmmaking in the 1960s and 1970s and it got me thinking. I spent a thousand words talking about how seminal this period of cinema was and I realized I was lamenting about not living through that era when it was happening and what it would have been like to go to the theater and catch influential masterpiece after masterpiece — which, yes, would have been amazing.

But I also think I undervalued the current climate of brilliant filmmakers that are painting between the lines of the studio system while making movies that capture our current zeitgeist in the same way Scorsese, Kubrick, Altman, Spielberg, Lucas, et al. did back in the day.

I’m sure some writer much smarter than me has coined a catchy term for the modern generation of filmmakers who are defining today’s cinema, but I think I’ll call it Post-Social Next Wave. It describes this trend where genuine auteurs make deeply personal projects in or adjacent to studios that

By Jared Rasic, Last Word Features

somehow don’t compromise vision, make lots of money, and exist in such contemporary social spaces that it’s almost impossible to tell whether they’re changing culture and predicting trends or whether they’re sneakily following them.

Contemporary filmmakers like Ari Aster, Greta Gerwig, Sean Baker, Xavier Dolan, The Daniels, Robert Eggers, Jordan Peele, The Safdies, and several others make movies that feel so immediate and instantly a part of culture that they act as spy glasses into the future of not just cinema, but the ever-shifting and mercurial cultural landscape.

Most of these filmmakers have made less than a half dozen films and that’s the point: while they aren’t (at least yet) juggernauts like the Coen Bros., Wes Anderson, David Fincher, Chris Nolan, or Quentin Tarantino, they are the next guardians of the art form and the eventual architects of the entire framework of cinema. No one knew how seminal filmmakers like Altman and Cassavetes were when they were just a few movies into their careers and we probably won’t know the importance or genius of some of today’s artists in our lifetimes.

I think it would be interesting to

of the art world. It’s a wildly entertaining debut and unlike anything he has made since.

Saulnier followed that film with 2013’s Blue Ruin, a slow-burn revenge thriller about a broken man trying to get revenge against the man that killed his parents — and failing miserably. It’s brutal and bleak, while somehow also being laugh-out-loud hilarious throughout. Saulnier shows with Blue Ruin his uncanny ability to find stillness and beauty in some of life’s darkest detours. His eye for intense action, the impenetrable vastness of nature, and the solitude of human nature is born here and is a theme he carries over to the rest of his work.

Next came 2015’s Green Room, the film that cemented Saulnier as a master of tension and suspense. It follows a young punk band that shows up to a bar in rural Oregon to play a show and ends up surrounded by a gang of bloodthirsty neo-Nazis led by Patrick Stewart. One of the high watermarks of horror in the new century, Green Room is a modern classic that takes the concept of punks vs. Nazis and makes something deeply empathetic and incredibly badass.

touch on some of these Post-Social Next Wave filmmakers over the coming months and explore how the culture of filmmaking is changing, even as studios desperately grab for power harder than ever before.

This week is a perfect time to start with the unsung genius of Jeremy Saulnier, a filmmaker that over the course of 17 years and five features has created some of the most visceral and unforgettable films of the era. Saulnier’s new film, Rebel Ridge, was released directly to Netflix this week and is simultaneously an old-school action movie along the lines of First Blood, but also dips its toes into being a legal thriller and a cultural critique of police corruption and the slow degradation of humanity through a thousand cuts.

Rebel Ridge feels much more like a Hollywood blockbuster than any of his earlier work, while still playing very much like a Saulnier picture. Let’s look at his five features.

2007’s Murder Party is a slapstick horror comedy about a lonely schlub that gets invited to a Halloween party where the guests plan on killing him brutally and using the act of his murder as the basis of an art installation. It’s funny, gross, and a scathing takedown of the sometimes facile nature

Next is 2018’s Hold the Dark. It’s probably Saulnier’s weakest film, but is still a mesmerizing modern fable about a word hunter and the emotionally bereft woman he tries to save. Jeffery Wright is so good in this that it’s impossible to look away. And even when the story veers into ridiculousness, it’s still a work of daring originality.

Now comes Rebel Ridge, featuring a star-making performance from Aaron Pierre, a great villainous performance from Don Johnson, and a simple but effective plot about a group of redneck cops that mess with the wrong former marine. This feels like an amped up action thriller like Jack Reacher, but with the intelligence of Michael Clayton. Every line of dialogue, every beat of action, and all the characters are perfectly calibrated for maximum coolness and almost effortlessly, Saulnier has made a modern action movie that feels culturally important in its exploration of civil forfeiture and backwoods police power trips. It’s also just so very badass and instantly iconic.

So, check out Jeremy Saulnier and any of his five fantastic movies for a sneak peek at the future of cinema. I hope Rebel Ridge catches on and becomes a huge streaming hit (although it would have been awesome to see it in a theater). Whatever Saulnier does next, whether it’s another dark trip down into the human soul or an Avengers movie, I’ll be there, ready to be blown away all over again.

Don Johnson as Chief Sandy Burnne and Aaron Pierre as Terry Richmond in Rebel Ridge.

ALLYSON RIGGS/NETFLIX

CULTURE

Savage Love Role Perversal

By Dan Savage

: Q After 19 years together, my husband and I have finally managed to have a really good conversation about our desires. We both struggled to nail down what it is we want — he is a long-term Catholic guilt sufferer but got to talking about what porn he likes. Turns out he’s into these coercive type scenes, things like, “I caught your shoplifting, eat me out or I’ll call the cops!” and “You can’t make rent? Let me fuck you and we will call it even!” type stuff. He says it’s less about what the action actually is (the sex acts themselves) and more about the power exchange going in either direction (sometimes he fantasizes about being coerced, sometimes he fantasizes about doing the coercing).

Now that sounds hot as hell to me

I’m more of a reader of erotica and I tend to go for free use / MFM stories but we have a few issues to deal with:

1. He doesn’t find the idea of treating me badly hot because he loves me, whereas in the fantasy situation he doesn’t care what the other party thinks. I hate the Madonna/whore thing, so that was frustrating to hear.

2. Neither of us enjoys role play. We’ve tried it but the effort of playing a character and improvising really takes us out of the moment. Obviously, it’s hard to play any of the types of scenes we’re talking about without getting into role play.

Is there anything we can do to take this dynamic and play with it as ourselves? We’ve got two young kids at home so our time for anything spontaneous is very limited.

—Recently Exploring New Things

A: “It takes a lot of guts to express a new sexual desire nineteen years in, and I want to congratulate them for putting it all out in the open,” said Claire Perelman, a licensed therapist who works with couples seeking to improve their sexual connections. “The possibility of feeling rejected by our lovers — or ourselves — can make it so challenging to be that vulnerable. RENT and her husband are a great reminder that you never know how

excited your partner might be about trying something new!”

I agree with Claire because of course I agree with Claire: It’s great that you two are finally having this conversation… but I gotta say… this was a conversation you should’ve had eighteen and half years ago, RENT, six months into your relationship. (I checked with Claire about this, and she agreed with me.) You’re not alone in putting this convo off: a lot of us avoid having honest conversations about our desires and/or kinks early on because we fear derailing a promising new relationship. But these conversations get harder the more time passes, not easier, because being rejected by someone we’ve fallen in love with is scarier than being rejected by someone we just met. Now, very few people wanna be with someone who blurts out all of their kinks on the first date/hookup (not even other kinky people), RENT, but by the sixmonth mark — ideally — those kink cards should be face-up on the table.

Okay, RENT, so you’ve finally had this conversation — you now know about your husband’s kinks (does he know about yours?) — but these aren’t fantasies you can realize together. Not just because your husband has one of those annoying Madonna/whore hangups, but because realizing his fantasies would require you to engage in role play, and that’s not something either of you enjoys. And since this is a fantasy scenario that can be ethically explored through role play, your husband — who can’t do role play — has accepted that this this fantasy of his can never be realized with anyone, ever.

So, where do you go from here?

“When engaging in kink, it’s helpful to understand what about the kink excites you,” said Claire. “RENT’s husband identified that it’s not about the sex acts, it’s about the power exchange. There’s lots of ways to play with power dynamics outside of role play, degradation, and humiliation.”

In other words, RENT, you can’t explore your husband’s very specific “but you must pay the rent!” fantasies, but you might be able to explore and enjoy other sex-under-a-mutuallyagreeable-degree-of-duress scenarios that work for both of you.

“First, RENT and her husband could try watching the porn he enjoys together,” said Claire, “playing with the fantasy before playing with each other. They could also negotiate ‘free use’ scenes that include both their

interests. If they agree on a set time frame where RENT’s husband can make sexual demands, they could incorporate the transactional nature of the sex he fantasizes about while accommodating the scheduling constraints of parenthood. For example, they could agree that after RENT’s husband helps the kids get to sleep, RENT can’t refuse her husband’s demand for a blowjob that helps him to get sleep. There are a lot of creative avenues for this couple to take that aren’t Madonna or whore, but an entirely third path that they can figure out together.”

Follow Claire Perelman on Instagram and Threads @sexclarified.

: Q

I’m a 28-year-old woman who reads your column out loud every week with my 24-year-old hottie Italian boyfriend every week. We feel like you’ve been answering a lot of grim questions lately about sad relationships! So, we’re writing in with something fun! I love to be tied (don’t use “tied up,” Dan, it’s just “tied”), and my vanilla boyfriend encourages me to get that need met in our rope community. I’m a yoga instructor and have the stamina required to endure really elaborate Shibari suspension scenes. I want my boyfriend to get suspended with me sometime! We would make a beautiful and very sexy work of bondage art! While I engage in some light sexual play with the men who tie me (“forced” orgasms mostly, sometimes oral service), bondage doesn’t have to be sexual! Which means, my boyfriend doesn’t have to pretend it’s a turn on for him or do anything sexual if he were to get tied with me — but if he was inspired to do something sexual (or allow something sexual to be done to him!), that would be great! — he just has to hold (or be held in!) the position (which he’s good at! he practices yoga too! it’s how we met!) while photos are taken. He says he’s “indifferent, not opposed,” but has refused to give me a definitive yes or no answer. But he said he would do it if you told him to! So, Dan, please tell him to!

—Boyfriend Only Needs Dan Amazingly Gentle Encouragement

P.S. We also listen to your podcast!

A: My first impulse was to ask why your boyfriend didn’t treat your request like an invitation to play? Not “play” in the sense of sexual adult game (not role play, not kink play), but “play” in the sense of childhood games like Cops & Robbers or Cowboys & Indians. But then it occurred to me that adults your age didn’t grow up playing Cops & Robbers (with plastic handcuffs) or Cowboys &

Indians (with improvised lassos), as those aren’t games kids with helicopter parents would be allowed to play. They’re also not games kids should play (pernicious copaganda, racist tropes), and they’re not games kids who grew up with smartphones and those far less problematic first-person shooter games were even interested in playing.

Anyway, in the spirit of play — and in the spirit of indulging his girlfriend — I think your boyfriend should get suspended with you, BONDAGE, provided he doesn’t have an unstated aversion to being slowly hoisted into the air with hemp ropes by a man with tattoos and topknot who’s wearing Peruvian draw-string pants. (I follow a bunch of Shibari practitioners on Instagram, BONDAGE, I know the look.)

But you have to promise — once your boyfriend is off the ground that you won’t try to initiate anything sexual. Even if you think your boyfriend is aroused. You will also make sure the person doing the tying understands that this is a non-sexual/ non-sensual session, which means no avoidable touching in your swimsuit areas and no suggestive banter. You’re clearly hoping your boyfriend might find that he enjoys bondage in the same way you do, BONDAGE, but if you don’t want his first bondage experience to be his last, don’t try to take this from bondage + photo shoot to bondage + “forced” orgasms. If your boyfriend winds up enjoying the experience in a sexual and/or sensual way, you can explore that the next time he agrees to get tied with you. But if you initiate something sexual the first time — even if he becomes aroused he may wind up feeling manipulated and/or violated after it’s over (refractory periods can be unpredictable), BONDAGE, and there won’t be a second time.

P.S. Your boyfriend, as a regular reader alouder of my column, had to know what my answer would be. So, either your boyfriend secretly wanted to get tied (tied! not tied up!) all along or there’s something about a gay man ordering him to get tied that appeals to him. Either way, your boyfriend is getting tied!

P.P.S. Thanks for reading and listening!

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

Few of the vegetables grown in the 21st century are in their original wild form. Many are the result of crossbreeding carried out by humans. The intention is to increase the nutritional value of the food, boost its yield, improve its resistance to insect predators, and help it survive weather extremes. I invite you to apply the metaphor of crossbreeding to your life in the coming months. You will place yourself in maximum alignment with cosmic rhythms if you conjure up new blends. So be a mix master, Aries. Favor amalgamations and collaborations. Transform jumbles and hodgepodges into graceful composites. Make “alloy” and “hybrid” your words of power.

TAURUS: April 20 – May 20

“All I ask is the chance to prove that money can’t make me happy,” quipped comedian Spike Milligan. I

propose we make that your running joke for the next eight months. If there was ever a time when you could get rich more quickly, it would be between now and mid-2025. And the chances of that happening may be enhanced considerably if you optimize your relationship with work. What can you do now to help ensure you will be working at a well-paying job you like for years to come?

GEMINI: May 21 – June 20

The World Health Organization says that 3.5 billion people in the world don’t have access to safe toilets; 2.2 billion live without safe drinking water; 2 billion don’t have facilities in their homes to wash their hands with soap and water. But it’s almost certain that you don’t suffer from these basic privations. Most likely, you get all the water you require to be secure and healthy. You have what you need to cook food and make drinks. You can take baths or showers whenever you want. You wash your clothes easily. Maybe you water a garden. I bring this to your attention because now is an excellent time to celebrate the water in your life. It’s also a favorable time to be extra fluid and flowing and juicy. Here’s a fun riddle for you: What could you do to make your inner life wetter and better lubricated?

CANCER: June 21 – July 22

that the amount of your negative and repetitive thoughts could diminish in the coming weeks. You might even get those percentages down to 35% and 50%, respectively. Just imagine how refreshed you will feel. With all that rejuvenating energy coursing through your brain, you may generate positive, unique thoughts at an astounding rate. Take maximum advantage, please!

VIRGO: August 23 – Sept. 22

You have probably heard the platitude, “Be cautious about what you wish for. You might get it.” The implied warning is that if your big desires are fulfilled, your life may change in unpredictable ways that require major adjustments. That’s useful advice. However, I have often found that the “major adjustments” necessary are often interesting and healing — strenuous, perhaps, but ultimately enlivening. In my vision of your future, Virgo, the consequences of your completed goal will fit that description. You will be mostly pleased with the adaptations you must undertake in response to your success.

LIBRA: Sept. 23 – Oct. 22

prepare the scenarios to attract what you need, then patiently relax while it all comes to you. Refining the metaphor further, I will tell you that you have symbolic resemblances to the spiders known as cross orbweavers. They produce seven different kinds of silk, each useful in its own way — and in a sense, so can you. Your versatility will help you succeed in interesting ways.

CAPRICORN: Dec. 22 – Jan. 19

Capricorn basketball player JamesOn Curry had the briefest career of anyone who ever played in America’s top professional league. Around his birthday in 2010, while a member of the Los Angeles Clippers, he appeared on the court for 3.9 seconds — and never returned. Such a short-lived effort is unusual for the Capricorn tribe — and will not characterize your destiny in the coming months. I predict you will generate an intense outpouring of your sign’s more typical expressions: durability, diligence, persistence, tenacity, resilience, determination, resolve, and steadfastness. Ready to get underway in earnest?

Ok meow, Gus’ is having our first annual BYOP Barbecue! Feel free to bring your old or bothersome pet. We encourage marinating so the meat is less…ruff. There should be plenty to go around, no need to…woof down your food. Poodle soup, a tossed salad with a Balinese dressing and Clawslaw will be provided. Feel free to bring a dish to pawss.

“IT’S

Cancerian rapper and actor Jaden Smith has won a few mid-level awards and has been nominated for a Grammy. But I was surprised that he said, “I don’t think I’m as revolutionary as Galileo, but I don’t think I’m not as revolutionary as Galileo.” If I’m interpreting his sly brag correctly, Jaden is suggesting that maybe he is indeed pretty damn revolutionary. I’m thrilled he said it because I love to see you Cancerians overcome your natural inclination to be overly humble and self-effacing. It’s OK with me if you sometimes push too far. In the coming weeks, I am giving you a license to wander into the frontiers of braggadocio.

LEO: July 23 – August 22

Research by psychologists at Queen’s University in Canada concluded that the average human has about 6,200 thoughts every day. Other studies suggest that 75% of our thoughts are negative, and 95% are repetitive. But here’s the good news, Leo: My astrological analysis suggests

The bird known as the grayheaded albatross makes long, continuous flights without touching down on the ground. I propose we nominate this robust traveler to be one of your inspirational animals in the coming months. I suspect that you, too, will be capable of prolonged, vigorous quests that unleash interesting changes in your life. I don’t necessarily mean your quests will involve literal long-distance travel. They may, but they might also take the form of vast and deep explorations of your inner terrain. Or maybe you will engage in bold efforts to investigate mysteries that will dramatically open your mind and heart.

SCORPIO: Oct. 23 – Nov. 21:

You are in a good position and frame of mind to go hunting for a novel problem or two. I’m half-joking, but I’m also very serious. I believe you are primed to track down interesting dilemmas that will bring out the best in you and attract the educational experiences you need. These provocative riddles will ensure that boring old riddles and paltry hassles won’t bother you. Bonus prediction: You are also likely to dream up an original new “sin” that will stir up lucky fun.

SAGITTARIUS: Nov. 22 – Dec. 21

Your spinning and weaving abilities will be strong in the coming weeks. I predict that your knack for creating sturdy, beautiful webs will catch the resources and influences you require. Like a spider, you must simply

AQUARIUS: Jan. 20 – Feb. 18

It’s a good time for you to embrace the serpent, metaphorically speaking. You may even enjoy riding and playing with and learning from the serpent. The coming weeks will also be a favorable phase for you to kiss the wind and consult with the ancestors and wrestle with the most fascinating questions you know. So get a wild look in your eyes, dear Aquarius. Dare to shed mediocre pleasures so you can better pursue spectacular pleasures. Experiment only with smart gambles and high-integrity temptations, and flee the other kinds. P.S.: If you challenge the past to a duel (a prospect I approve of), be well-armed with the future.

PISCES: Feb.19 – March 20

Panda bears don’t seem to enjoy having sex. The typical length of their mating encounters is from 30 seconds to two minutes. There was a dramatic exception to the rule in 2015, however. Lu Lu and Zhen Zhen, pandas living at the Sichuan Giant Panda Research Center in China, snuggled and embraced for 18 minutes. It was unprecedented. I encourage you, too, to break your previous records for tender cuddling and erotic play in the coming weeks. The longer and slower you go, the more likely it is you will generate spiritual epiphanies and awakenings.

Homework: What can you do to boost your ability to have fun?

GONNA BE HUGE!”

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