Metro Times 06/07/2023

Publisher - Chris Keating

Associate Publisher - Jim Cohen

EDITORIAL

Editor in Chief - Lee DeVito

Investigative Reporter - Steve Neavling

Staff Writer - Randiah Camille Green

New Voices Fellow - Eleanore Catolico

ADVERTISING

Associate Publisher - Jim Cohen

Regional Sales DirectorDanielle Smith-Elliott

Sales Administration - Kathy Johnson

Account Manager, Classifieds - Josh Cohen

BUSINESS/OPERATIONS

Business Support Specialist - Josh Cohen Controller - Kristy Dotson

CREATIVE SERVICES

Creative Director - Haimanti Germain

Art Director - Evan Sult

Graphic Designer - Aspen Smit

CIRCULATION

Circulation Manager - Annie O’Brien

Detroit Metro Times P.O. Box 20734 Ferndale, MI 48220 metrotimes.com

Got a story tip or feedback? tips@metrotimes.com or 313-202-8011

Want to advertise with us? 313-961-4060

Have questions about circulation? 586-556-2110

Get social: @metrotimes

Detroit distribution: Detroit Metro Times is available free of charge, limited to one copy per reader.

Detroit Metro Times is published every Wednesday by Euclid Media Group.

Verified Audit Member

EUCLID MEDIA GROUP

Chief Executive Officer - Andrew Zelman

Chief Operating Officers - Chris Keating, Michael Wagner VP of Digital Services - Stacy Volhein

Digital Operations Coordinator - Jaime Monzon euclidmediagroup.com

National Advertising - Voice Media Group 1-888-278-9866 vmgadvertising.com

Copyright: The entire contents of the Detroit Metro Times are copyright 2023 by Euclid Media Group LLC. Reproduction in whole or in part without written permission of the publisher is prohibited. The publisher does not assume any liability for unsolicited manuscripts, materials, or other content. Any submission must include a stamped, selfaddressed envelope. All editorial, advertising, and business correspondence should be mailed to the address listed above. Prior written permission must be granted to Metro Times for additional copies. Metro Times may be distributed only by Metro Times’ authorized distributors and independent contractors. Subscriptions are available by mail inside the U.S. for six months at $80 and a yearly subscription for $150. Include check or money order payable to: Metro Times Subscriptions, P.O. Box 20734, Ferndale, MI, 48220. (Please note: Third Class subscription

NEWS & VIEWS

We got feedback in response to last week’s Pride Guide, including our list of LGBTQ+owned businesses.

This is fine and all but I wish we had a lesbian bar and more of a queer scene in detroit. Seems like we are shoved into a corner in ferndale which is actually not even that great. —@j.samzelius, Instagram

Since when is Lansing “metro Detroit?” My Lansing rant aside, this is a solid list of good stuff. —Mary Kay Kubicek, Facebook

They all ran away from pride month. Trust me they’re hypocrites and they’re showing

you exactly what they really are. Big businesses and corporations didn’t change anything to associate themselves with pride. All they want is your money. —Nate Kalbfleisch, Facebook

Whatever happened to supporting businesses based on quality versus on a sexual, racial or religious basis? The former is anti-bigotry. The later is bigotry. —@mewantcookiesnomnomnom, Instagram

@mewantcookiesnomnomnom It’s called minorities supporting eachother in a world where - out of bigotry - the majority tends to not support us. Get it?

—@ oraleegrace Instagram

Sound off: letters@metrotimes.com

Advertorial/Sponsored Content

Big Pink’s Maher “Munch” Hachem on why Detroit deserves big love

By Metro Times Promotions

WE HOPE THIS EMAIL FINDS you … slacking off because the pressure is on. And by pressure, we mean the overwhelming urge to fill your social calendar up with people, places, things, bites, sights, sounds and sunshine because summer is for saying “yes” to friends and fun and “no” to, well, overtime, deadlines and “circling back.”

Trust us, we know not every invite is worth cashing in your PTO for. Which is why it is important to be selective when plotting your summertime shenanigans. Do you hit up the DCFC game or that hip new gallery opening? How do you choose between the hottest club or the coolest dinner spot? Leave it to Red Bull and head to RedBull. com/DetroitSummer to take the Red Bull Summer Quiz to reveal your Party Profile, which will help you take the reins on your summer! Once the tea is spilled on your party personality, enter for your chance to win a unique 21+ VIP Red Bull Experience for you and five of your closest friends where you’ll experience a

curated Detroit experience along with a can of Red Bull so you can cool off and turn on.If you’re the “Most-est Host” like Detroit’s trusted purveyor of positive vibes Maher “Munch” Hachem, when it comes to big IYKYK energy, you’re the leader of the party pack. “I go to bed when I’m tired,” Hachem says. “And then I get up and I go until I’m tired. It’s funny, all my friends make fun of me because sometimes I’ll be eating dinner at like midnight or one in the morning.” At 28-years-old, Hachem is already living his dream, which he admits leaves him speechless at times. The performer, producer, and DJ also owns a record label and clothing line, and most recently opened a music venue with his childhood friend Toby Murray aka Chester Pink. Together, the pair run Big Pink, a 7,000 square-foot venue near Belle Isle which opened late last year and has quickly amassed a local following, especially for anyone with a passion for electronic music. The goal? To create a venue that both Hachem and Murray

would want to frequent even if they didn’t own the space or run the show, while also supplying a supportive platform for local artists and a safespace for those who wish to experience the big love of Big Pink. “I’m a firm believer that the energy you put out is gonna come right back at you,” Hachem says. “So by creating a positive, safe space for everyone, that energy gets embodied in me. If I’m surrounded by loving, caring individuals, I will become loving and caring. I make that a direct choice to surround myself with people that inspire me, are loving, are happy, are there for each other, so I can embody that energy.”The two friends grew up in metro Detroit and returned to the Motor City after graduating college. A year later, in 2018, they hosted their first show in a small art gallery in the city called “The Room Is Spinning” near the Eastern Market district, which very quickly led to hosting other events around town. But Hachem says the goal was always to have their own space, it was just going to take time. “We were throwing shows in all these unique spaces, from art galleries in Eastern Market, to abandoned libraries off of Gratiot Avenue and warehouses in Corktown. Every location ended up presenting different hurdles,” he says. “Some places wouldn’t have bathrooms, some wouldn’t have electricity, some wouldn’t have roofs, some would overcharge us for a rental. So, our goal was to have our own and operate our own space and to create something that would be unique to the city and positively contribute to the nightlife ecosystem.” Fast forward to 2022, when Hachem and Murray began to transform the massive space at 644 Wight Street and former home to Detroit Urban Survival Training into a permanent multiuse party space. The two documented the overhaul heavily on TikTok and social media, which gave folks an insight into just how much work - and love - goes into creating a music venue in one of the biggest music cities in the world. Hachem says there’s room for everybody when it comes to music venues within city limits, and if we want Detroit’s nightlife to thrive, there needs to be more things for people to do and more places for people to do them.

“When I go out, I’ll go to a couple different venues and events in one night,” Hachem says. “I’ll start here and bounce around. And next thing you know, it’s five or six in the morning and we’ve been to four different parties and we’ve seen all different angles of the city. By us opening a venue, it gives people the opportunity to check out a party at Marble Bar then Spot Lite, or go downtown for a drink at Paramita, and then wrap up their night at Big Pink for some music and dancing,” he continues. “We just want to be a part of people’s experience in this city. And I’m a firm believer that the more experiences there are out here, the better our nightlife economy will be.” Hachem is keenly aware of just how much can happen in five years, as evidenced by his start in 2018 to this past Memorial Day weekend in which Big Pink served as one of the must-see spots during Detroit’s Movement Festival party circuit. “Obviously it’s amazing but knowing that I have this power in myself to really reach for my goals? I don’t even know what to say.”

When asked where he sees himself and Big Pink in the next five years, Hachem says he wants to keep building the nightlife community in Detroit and eventually will focus on taking Big Pink to an “international level” so that folks from all over the world come to Detroit to experience Big Pink and, hopefully, the rest of the city, too. While he says he is not sure if that is a five year plan or a 20 year plan, making Big Pink even bigger is in the works, as is spreading Hachem’s infectious positivity. “A lot of people ask me, ‘Why are you so happy? ‘Are you actually this happy?’ ‘And why are you so happy?’ I obviously feel a range of emotions, but I used to work jobs that I did not enjoy and I learned a lot from those jobs,” he says. “But now my life is to make music and to give artists a platform to perform their music, create space for everyone to feel included and build community. So what is there not to be happy about? Like, if I was over here sad and angry and negative and spiteful and trying to bring down other spaces then I feel like I’d be in the wrong industry,” he says. “The truth is, I’m living my dream right now.” n

Taken at Big Pink 6. | PHOTO BY @SXRREAL

NEWS & VIEWS

At the Healing Hub, Detroit youth lead the way past trauma

THE BANDAGES ON Brianna

Donald’s arm when she started high school concealed not only bullet fragments but also fear and guilt.

Donald was an innocent bystander during a shooting at a football game the summer before her ninth-grade year at Chandler Park Academy. Thankfully, she wasn’t critically injured, but her mental health suffered so much, she switched schools the following year.

“It was a really awkward year for me. I had to start school a few weeks late and by the time I got there I had missed that chance to find and make friends,” she recalls. “It put a hindrance on the outgoing person that I was and really made me retreat back into myself because I was scared to go outside or scared to go different places. And it made me feel a bit of guilt… because my mom didn’t want me to go (to the football game).”

Without time to properly process the events, Donald buried her trauma in her school work and became an “overachiever.” But when she got to Sirrita Darby’s English class at Detroit Collegiate in 2018, the floodgates to her pent-up emotions were unleashed.

Darby had begun a healing circle where students would share their personal experiences with each other and write poetry and essays about their trauma. The students published a book, Forbidden Tears, featuring writings and drawings that came out of the sessions. They then launched the nonprofit Detroit Heals Detroit, which opened a new youth-led Healing Hub on Detroit’s east side this month.

At an opening party for the Healing Hub, kids from the neighborhood came out for the bounce house, horse rides, and dancing. Smoke from the backyard grill and excited laughter filled the air, in stark contrast with the gun violence residents often face.

As a born and raised Eastsider who lives in the community in which she teaches, Darby knows these issues firsthand.

“I witnessed one student who saw her uncle get shot and came to school

the next day,” Darby tells Metro Times “All trauma is brought to school, and as teachers, we’re first responders… A lot of teachers go home to their suburban neighborhoods at the end of the day and they don’t see how trauma exists outside the classroom.”

She continues, “I approached the school and said we need more trauma counselors, like my students cannot even focus on learning every day because of these traumas, and they said they didn’t have the money. So I just started doing this in my classroom.”

Located at 19510 Alcoy Ave., the Healing Hub is meant to be a safe oasis for youth between the ages of 12 and 17. It offers tutoring services, a community fridge and pantry, weekly healing circles, book clubs, and rooms where young people can journal or even just take a nap. Darby emphasizes that she leaves it up to the youth who utilize the space to tell her what they need. The hub’s youth advisory council members and directors lead the healing circles and other activities while Darby offers support.

“It feels more like a communal family space versus an environment that’s clinical and feels like you’re trying to diagnose the kids with something,” she says. “Sometimes people just need someone to talk to who may not be in their family, so we’re here for that. They may just need something to eat or a space that’s not chaotic. So if you want to just come here and chill or sleep, we have a room full of beds for youth that just need a place to relax.”

The Healing Hub is open daily from 8 a.m. to 9 p.m. and also offers food, washer and dryer services, and temporary shelter.

Darby says she wanted the Healing Hub to be located in “the deepest, darkest, depths of the hood” so it can be accessible to the people that need it the most.

“Even at the hub the other day, there was a shootout and we all had to run inside… but we didn’t want to be in Midtown or downtown,” she says. “We wanted to be where trauma lives the

most, and that is in the zip code in which we chose. We’re very intentional about the Healing Hub being in 48205 because people say that’s the highest crime rate in the city, which turns into the highest trauma rates.”

Donald, who is now 21 years old, is the president of Detroit Heals Detroit and is one of the organization’s founding members. She wrote about her experience with gun violence in Forbidden Tears. After it was published she and her peers were invited to lead healing circles at other schools.

“The youth that founded this organization are very normal Detroit youth who you probably wouldn’t expect to lead an organization,” Darby says. “When I say ‘normal Detroit youth,’ some of them have been in jail, have been shot at — they’ve dealt with all of those challenges.”

Donald adds, “We wanted to keep doing this kind of work, helping people in our community that look like us, the younger kids that don’t really get to have a voice because they’re kids. The things that I was seeing in school are still happening and kids don’t really have an outlet to go to.”

Silyce Lee is another one of Darby’s former students from Detroit Collegiate who was published in Forbidden Tears The 21-year-old is now the director of the Healing Hub and Detroit Heals Detroit’s treasurer.

Lee laughs as he remembers how everyone was initially reluctant to being vulnerable during the first healing circle in Darby’s English class.

“[Darby] was like, ‘No one’s leaving my classroom until someone shares out at least one deep story, one trauma, or something that’s making them sad!’” he

The Healing Hub celebrates its grand opening. NERD SWAG VISUALS/COURTESY PHOTO

in a written statement. “Despite political resistance, we’ve built power to win concessions for our communities, but we need wholesale reevaluation of development priorities to build a truly just and equitable Majority Black Detroit.”

The survey found that 88.8% of Detroiters support tax incentives for youth and senior services, libraries, schools, recreation services, public transportation, affordable housing, and small businesses.

For decades, the cash-strapped city has struggled to provide basic services for residents, many of whom are living at or near poverty. Libraries and schools have closed, bus service is infrequent and unpredictable, and housing is often too expensive for the average Detroiter.

Nearly 90% of respondents said Detroiters should also have a greater say in how tax resources are invested.

Detroit is tired of billionaire developers getting tax handouts, poll shows

AN OVERWHELMING

majority of Detroiters are opposed to tax handouts for wealthy developers and believe incentives should instead benefit neighborhood services, affordable housing, libraries, and recreation centers, according to a new poll.

The survey of 430 Detroit voters, conducted by the independent pollster American Pulse Research & Polling, found that only 6.1% support prioritizing tax incentives for retail, dining, and entertainment districts. An additional 8.1% of voters support incentives for

says, mimicking his teacher. “Everyone was like, ‘I don’t want them to know what I’m going through!’ But it literally took one person for everybody to share out. As soon as that one person told their story, everybody else around the room started feeling like, ‘Okay, I can trust them, they’re going through something and it’s not just me.’ By the time class was over, everybody’s face was soaked. We was still [sic] crying and had to go to our next class.”

Lee had shared how his cousin’s death in a car accident left him feeling angry and disoriented. He says there was a lot of uncertainty surrounding the details of his cousin’s death, but he returned to school the morning after his family received the tragic news.

“She was enjoying her 30th birthday with some coworkers.. and we got the call in the middle of the night,” he says.

projects in Midtown and downtown.

Despite the findings, a vast majority of the hundreds of millions of dollars in tax incentives in the past decade went to billionaire developers working on entertainment projects in downtown and Midtown.

In March, the Detroit City Council approved more than $615 million in tax breaks for two white billionaire developers — the Ilitch family and Stephen Ross — to develop District Detroit, an entertainment district that previously received roughly $400 million a decade

“It was like, it can’t be her because my whole family knows she don’t [sic] like to drive. We just knew it was something more to it. I was dumbfounded. We still don’t have any answers as to what happened that night. The people that were in the car with her, it’s like they went ghost. We know they’re still alive but they’re literally not telling us anything, and it’s been more than five years.”

Lee continued going to school like nothing had happened. He would wear headphones to tune everything out until Darby’s class taught him how to acknowledge his emotions.

“I didn’t think I could ever move on from it, especially without knowing any answers,” he says. “She got ripped away from us, but I’m here looking on the other side. God does everything for a reason, so that’s what I had to keep

ago to build Little Caesars Arena and surrounding neighborhoods that never came to fruition.

“This polling shows what our communities have known for years: Detroiters want and urgently need stable and safe housing, thriving neighborhoods, and equitable development – but policymakers continue to siphon the peoples’ money towards projects that stand in the way of making this a reality,” Linda Campbell, director of Detroit People’s Platform, which commissioned the survey, said

telling myself.”

Now, Lee wants to help other young Detroiters like Darby helped him.

“She literally read through her kids’ souls and saw like, these babies is drowning,” he says. “She has gone through almost everything that we are going through. Who else is a better person to help guide us and correct our path to success? I just know I can heal someone else from my trauma, my experience, and the route I took to heal from it. I know young people might hear this all the time, but you’re definitely not alone.”

For Donald, the healing circle was the first time she felt free to express herself through writing. She wants young people to know that someone will always be at the Healing Hub to help, whether they need someone to talk to or a safe place to sleep.

The survey comes at a time when Detroit’s Black residents are moving out of the city at an alarming rate, citing a lack of jobs, inadequate city services, and crime.

Since 2000, Detroit has lost about 295,000 Black residents, or 37.4% of its African American population. No other American city has lost more Black residents.

While Detroit’s white population declined by 44,300 between 2000 and 2010, it has since grown by more than 5,100. Its Hispanic and Asian populations have also grown.

Black people now account for 77.2% of the city’s overall population, compared to 82.2% in 2010, when Detroit had the highest percentage of Black residents in the country.

—Steve Neavling

“I had to come to terms with the fact that my experience was affecting me and that it was traumatic, and being in that safe space allowed me to do that,” she says. “I’ve seen a lot of runaway kids or people who don’t have the support that other people would have, so we are here to be providers for our community. Just reach out, because we’re here.”

Donald, Lee, and the rest of the team are planning to host a community baby shower for young mothers, free Sunday dinners, summer camp, and a Black joy abolitionist picnic at the Healing Hub this summer.

Randiah Camille Green

The Healing Hub is located at 19510 Alcoy Ave. For more information, see detroithealsdetroit.org or follow detroithealsdetroit on Instagram.

COURTESY OF OLYMPIA DEVELOPMENT OF MICHIGAN/RELATED COMPANIES

Macomb County prosecutor’s top deputy accused of breaking state law over fundraising for wife, 2 judges

MACOMB COUNTY PROSECUTOR Peter Lucido’s top deputy is accused of violating state campaign finance laws and a county ethics ordinance when he helped raise money to protect his wife and two other Wayne County judges from being knocked off the ballot.

Macomb County Chief Assistant Prosecutor Donn Fresard, the secondin-command in the office, created a “Back the Bench” group to defend his wife, Judge Patricia Fresard, the chief judge of Wayne County Circuit Court, and her judicial colleagues Sheila Ann Gibson and Kelly Ramsey.

The judges were raising money for

attorneys after Highland Park activist Robert Davis tried to get them removed from the November 2022 ballot for failing to declare on campaign paperwork that they have no party affiliation, as required by law.

“They were shaking down lawyers and judges for donations through Fresard,” Davis tells Metro Times Fresard held at least one fundraiser and distributed fundraising flyers for the judges, but he failed to register the group as required by state law and also violated a county ethics ordinance by working on the campaign during work hours, according to a complaint filed by Davis.

In a March 31 letter to Fresard, the Michigan Bureau of Elections said he may have violated the Michigan Campaign Finance Act and ordered him to disclose reports on the donations. He also may be fined $1,000 or the amount that he failed to report, whichever is greater, the letter states.

“You were obligated to: form and register a committee, file pre-election and post-election reports disclosing the contributors and the dollar value of the contributions, and file additional reports or dissolution, whichever is appropriate,” the letter states. “These reports were required to be filed with the Department but have not been

Detroit ordered to pay $8.2M after runaway tire pummeled pedestrian

BRUCE WOOD DIDN’T see the careening tire until it was about a foot away from his face.

In July 2015, Wood was crossing the street at the intersection of Rosa Parks Boulevard and West Grand Boulevard in Detroit when the tire spun off a municipal van and struck him in the head.

Wood, a 59-year-old veteran, sustained catastrophic, life-altering injuries that robbed him of his memories and a third of his brain.

Following a nearly two-week trial in Wayne County Circuit Court on Thursday, a jury found Detroit negligent and ordered the city to pay Wood $8.3 million.

“My client suffered a traumatic brain injury where he lost one-third of his brain, facial fractures, a fractured clavicle, ruptured eardrums and other horrific injuries as a result of the DDOT’s carelessness,” Wood’s attorney Jon Marko, who filed a personal injury lawsuit against the city eight years ago, said. “While the jury issued a just verdict, Mr. Wood will suffer from these injuries for life.”

The tire came off the rear of a Ford E-350 Econoline van used by the Detroit Department of Transportation. During an inspection of the axle and lug nuts, it was discovered that there were no shear pins holding the tires

onto the vehicle.

“The City had not properly inspected or maintained the vehicle, which is unacceptable practice endangering people and downright alarming,” Marko said.

Wood sustained permanent mental and physical disabilities, Marko said.

During the trial, Wood testified that he has trouble recalling what made him happy.

“It’s like they put me through an eraser machine,” Wood said. “It’s like the old Bruce is gone and this is the new Bruce, and I don’t like the new Bruce.”

—Steve Neavling

filed to date.”

The Michigan Bureau of Elections declined to comment for this story, saying the potential violation is still under investigation.

In September, Court of Claims Judge Brock Swartzle ruled that Davis was correct when he alleged the judges failed to properly file their campaign paperwork. But Swartzle said the complaint was made too late.

Davis also filed a complaint last week with the Macomb County Ethics Board, alleging Fresad violated an ordinance prohibiting employees from performing personal duties on work time. In the complaint, Davis said he has “personal knowledge that Donn Fresard sent out solicitation emails on behalf of his wife, Judge Patricia Fresard, and Wayne County Circuit Judges Kelley Ann Ramsey and Sheila Ann Gibson, which they may have been sent during this working hours and while he was being paid by Macomb County.”

In December, Lucido fired an assistant Macomb County prosecutor, Joshua Van Laan, over similar allegations. Van Laan was accused of helping another Macomb County assistant prosecutor, Steve Fox, fend off a legal challenge to remove him from the ballot for circuit court judge while on work time.

Van Laan denied wrongdoing and filed a lawsuit alleging his termination was retaliatory.

Neither Fresard nor Lucido would comment for this story.

The judges whom Fresard was helping were fined by the Michigan Bureau of Elections for not filing timely campaign finance reports.

Davis also alleged that two court employees — Julie Dale, general counsel for the Wayne County Circuit Court, and Richard Lynch, associate general counsel for the court — violated state law by helping the judges with the lawsuit while they were on the clock.

In a letter to the employees on April 7, the Bureau of Elections concluded that the employees committed “a potential violation” of the Michigan Campaign Finance Act and should not have helped with the lawsuit while at work.

“A known violation is a misdemeanor offense and may merit referral to the Attorney General for enforcement action,” the letter states.

Davis said he plans to file a lawsuit against the judges, alleging they were pressuring his employer to fire him.

—Steve Neavling

STEVE NEAVLING

Detroit announces free Wi-Fi for five city parks

FREE PUBLIC WI-FI service and charging stations are coming to five Detroit parks.

The pilot program will be available in Bradby Park, Chandler Park, Clark Park, McDuffy Park, and Palmer Park.

Construction will begin immediately and continue through fall, with internet connection provided by Cronus Internet, officials announced Thursday.

“Detroit’s parks are our common grounds,” DPC executive director Sigal Hemy said in a press release. “We are thrilled that our neighborhood parks will help bridge the digital divide and elevate quality of life for all Detroiters.”

A 2017 Metro Times cover story reported that about 40% of the city had no internet connection, what critics said amounted to “digital redlining” that left Detroiters at a disadvantage.

“This is now no longer a problem of lost opportunity — this is a problem of a genuine barrier,” Bill Callahan, director of the nonprofit Connect Your Community, told Metro Times . “In many ways you could say the cost of internet is a new poll tax. ... This has now become a civil rights issue.”

The project is funded via $265,000 in grants from the Detroit Pistons, Rocket Community Fund, and Knight Foundation, in partnership with the City of Detroit, the Detroit Parks Coalition, and Connect 313.

The grants are expected to fund the project for the next five years.

The project follows an effort by the Detroit Pistons to renovate 60 basketball courts in parks across the city.

“Through the Pistons’ ‘Basketball for All’ program, the team has made a concerted effort to impact the city’s parks by renovating 60 basketball courts, including playing surfaces at Bradby and Palmer Parks,” Erika Swilley, Detroit Pistons vice president of community and social responsibility. “We view the Park Wi-Fi Pilot program as an extension of our court renovation project and an opportunity to continue to make an impact on the city’s parks.”

—Lee DeVito

Were you priced out of downtown or Midtown? FOR MANY DETROI-

TERS , the cost of living in some areas of the city has become too expensive as gentrification continues to price out renters and small businesses.

Over the past decade, rent has skyrocketed in places like downtown, Midtown, the Cass Corridor, the riverfront, and Corktown. While many young suburban professionals are moving to these areas, Detroiters are too often forced to move.

Are you one of them? Did rent become too high at your apartment or business?

TikTok-famous chef releases first cookbook

A LOCAL CHEF who has cultivated a big following on social media is getting ready to release his debut cookbook.

Jon Kung’s Kung Food: Chinese American Recipes from a Third Culture Kitchen is set to be released on Halloween.

According to a press release, “third culture” refers to Kung’s upbringing across three countries. The 39-yearold was born in Los Angeles, raised in Hong Kong and Toronto, and now lives in Detroit.

“Pulling from Jon’s Chinese background, American and Canadian upbringing, as well as the foods he cooks and enjoys working as a chef in Detroit, Kung Food features over 100 recipes that are not limited by physical borders or rules of authenticity but are resourceful, inventive and re-examine what Chinese American food is today,” the press release says.

A graduate of Eastern Michigan University and University of Detroit Mercy, Kung had experience working in Detroit restaurants like Standby and the former Gold Cash Gold. While his plans to cook Chinese American food in an Eastern Market pop-up called Kung Food Market Studio were derailed by the COVID-19 pandemic, he kept momentum going by publishing videos on his @ jonkung TikTok account, including a recipe using Faygo orange soda to make a Detroit take on orange chicken. Faygo Orange Chicken is one of

the recipes featured in the book.

An anime fan, Kung partnered with Funimation in 2021 for a ramen recipe series based on characters from the hit series Naruto

Kung has since earned more than 1.7 million followers on TikTok, and also has a strong presence on Twitter (65,400 followers), where he describes himself as a “Farmer Jack era Detroiter.” He also co-hosts a podcast with his friend, the drag queen Kim Chi, called 1 For The Table

—Lee DeVito

We’re hiring!

If so, Metro Times wants to hear from you.

If you have moved out of gentrified areas of Detroit or are considering leaving because of rising costs, please reach out to steve@ metrotimes.com.

City officials are subsidizing gentrification by handing out tax incentives to wealthy developers, making it difficult for many Detroiters to live in revived areas of the city.

Detroiters have a right to experience all of the city, but for many, the rising costs have become too much.

We’d love to hear about your experience.

—Steve Neavling

ARE YOU SOMEONE with equal love for the Motor City and the internet? Then we’ve got a job for you.

Metro Times is hiring a digital content editor to guide the publication’s online presence. That title is maybe a bit of a misnomer — you won’t be editing so much as strategizing. You’ll be figuring out what we should cover on our website and then working with our small but mighty editorial team to do some of the writing. You’ll craft slideshows aimed at helping our readers better understand Detroit. And you’ll be the captain of our social media efforts, sharing our work wherever readers may be lurking (Facebook, Reddit, Twitter, and whatever grows up to finally replace it).

Interested? We’ve got a few bullet points to help you figure out whether we’d be a good match.

Could you be the journalist we’re looking for? Email a resume, cover letter, and three samples of published work to Editor in Chief Lee DeVito at ldevito@metrotimes.com. Questions are also welcome via email.

And to answer one right off the bat: Yes, our staff works from home, and we relish the flexibility in that. But we need someone who lives in the Detroit area or is willing to move there. We’re hyperlocal; you should be too.

We look forward to hearing from you.

—Lee DeVito

COURTESY PHOTO

NEWS & VIEWS

open until 2025.

A parochial school in St. Clair Shores, St. Lucy, turned down a Hill Pointe bid, Sales said, as did Trombly school in Grosse Pointe Park and Poupard school in Harper Woods, both part of the Grosse Pointe public district.

The Trombly building is still a primary target for Hill Pointe, Sales said. He added that critics of Hill Pointe are misinformed about the Hillsdale curriculum.

“A lot of people want to make this a political issue,” Sales said. “Hillsdale can be a lightning rod.”

That is in part because Hillsdale is closely tied to the Republican Party, to the controversial Justice Clarence Thomas of the Supreme Court, and to conservative news media.

When the New York Times published its “1619 Project” that forced readers to consider American history from a Black point of view, Hillsdale president Larry Arnn fought back by leading the “1776 Commission” for then-President Donald Trump.

Lapointe

In Grosse Pointe area, a charter school still needs a home

Three times, the proposed Hill Pointe charter school has tried to rent, lease, or buy empty school buildings — two in the Grosse Pointes, one in St. Clair Shores.

Three times, Hill Pointe has been turned down, for reasons that include competition with local public and private schools for a dwindling youth population.

But the president of the school’s founding board intends to intensify the effort to establish the conservative “virtues” curriculum of “classical” education that is spreading across the United States under the direction of Michigan’s Hillsdale College.

“We are at a pivotal time relative to finding a building,” said Murray Sales. “We have finalized a strategy. We will be executing on that strategy within the next 60 to 90 days. You should pay attention. It’s going to be interesting.”

Although not threatening a lawsuit, Sales added that a change of tactics is needed.

“We’ve tried to do this with sugar and honey,” he said. “We’re still going to be diplomatic. But we’re just going to bring it more to the fore.”

Sales and other board members pre -

By Joe Lapointe

sented a brisk, upbeat, pep talk for Hill Pointe last week at the St. Clair Shores public library. He wore khaki slacks, casual shoes, and a button-down shirt of small checks, red and white.

Standing alongside him was another board member, Kelly Boll, who said she used to teach English and Latin for 14 years at University Liggett, a private school in Grosse Pointe Woods.

She wore white slacks and a blue Tshirt that displayed the words “Hillsdale College” above the American flag. In conversation with about a dozen spectators, Boll said Hill Pointe would ban use of social media in class.

“Bell-to-bell, no cell,” she said. “No tablet learning.”

As for student attire, she said, “We would wear uniforms. We all wear white and blue.”

Hill Pointe board members, Boll said, have traveled to Hillsdale for training.

Charter schools use public funds but are run like private schools. Some use teaching methods pushed by Hillsdale, a small, private, Christian school in Michigan’s Lower Peninsula near Ohio and Indiana.

Hillsdale enjoys powerful clout in

right-wing politics and in the current debates now raging over the teaching of the racial history of the United States.

Its critics consider Hillsdale a wolf in sheep’s clothing, contending it promotes Christianity and white nationalism under a “virtues” disguise of what it touts as “excellence, courage, gratitude, humility, respect, honesty, and wonder.”

Hill Pointe counters that — under Hillsdale’s direction — it will provide a “classical” education based on Greek and Roman culture and the Socratic method. Students will learn critical thinking along with phonics and cursive handwriting. They might study the Iliad and the Odyssey in grade school.

Sales said public and parochial schools falsely fear charter schools as competitors for a dwindling supply of students.

“We want to be complementary,” Sales said, “not competition.”

Originally hoping to open this fall, Hill Pointe’s new start target is 2024. Organizers say they have about 200 students signed up for kindergarten through fifth grade and that they will add one grade each year. But if they don’t soon find a home, they might not

That commission’s “1776 Report” downplayed the significance of human slavery and was attacked by historians. Much of Trump’s report makes up Hillsdale’s 1776 curriculum for K-12.

Both versions of American history — 1619 and 1776 — are now taught in some schools. Certainly Hill Pointe has made its choice.

“If you really believe in all the tenants of the 1619 Project, our school is not yours,” Sales acknowledged. “This isn’t the place you want to send your children.”

He also said Hillsdale gets a bad rap on race because “they pushed back on affirmative action 30 years ago.” In addition to acknowledging the injustice of slavery and racism, he said Hill Pointe (with Hillsdale guidance) also will teach what he called “American exceptionalism.”

“I know that upsets people,” Sales said. “But, in history, we want them to understand the good and the bad.”

He said all the talk of “virtues” in the Hillsdale curriculum for “American History and Civics Lessons” is not just a clever cover for religion and jingoism.

“Virtues were around before Christ walked the Earth,” Sales said, adding that the Greeks and Romans “knew how to build a society.”

Sales offered quick, detailed answers to most questions. He’s heard them before, he said. But he expressed interest in one he said was new to him:

How would Hill Pointe teach Darwin’s theory of evolution? A century ago, that was a big issue in education, religion, and law. Might it still be?

“I don’t know,” Sales said, promising to research the question.

Virtue-signaling Hill Pointe vows to get aggressive: Grosse Pointe Park’s Trombly building is a primary target for a Hillsdale College spinoff. LEE DEVITO

Grown in Detroit

BY RANDIAH CAMILLE GREEN

I’ve been waiting six months for the box that’s sitting in my apartment’s vestibule to arrive, and I almost forgot I ordered it. No, it’s not another pair of leggings or a random Amazon purchase I probably don’t need — the box is full of vegetables from Deeply Rooted Produce, a Black womanowned farm on Detroit’s Eastside.

Back in my apartment, I peel open the cardboard flaps with wide-eyed excitement at the Swiss chard, carrots, triumphantly purple eggplants, and peppers that I probably won’t eat. Deeply Rooted Produce is one of several Detroit farms that offer Community-Supported Agriculture (CSA) subscriptions. These subscription boxes are filled with locally-grown produce and distributed weekly or bi-weekly to members who sign up for a membership.

Community-Supported Agriculture is not for people with commitment issues. Depending on the farm, signups can begin in January or February, with members getting their produce during the growing season from roughly June to November.

CSAs aren’t for picky eaters either, as you never know exactly what you’re going to get. Every week is like one of those “unboxing a $35 Amazon mystery box” videos on YouTube but with fruit and vegetables. There’s also no guarantee that the farmer will be able to actually provide the produce that they’ve promised. Farmers can’t predict the weather, or whether savage caterpillars will decimate their kale crops before they can harvest them.

The zucchini at your local Meijer store traveled thousands of miles and sometimes across international borders to get on the shelf, but the veggies from organizations like Keep Growing Detroit, City Commons, and Deeply Rooted Produce come from organic farms (mostly) within the city.

“It’s almost like a ‘set it and forget it’ because you usually sign up so early,” says Danielle Daguio, development and engagement coordinator for Keep Growing Detroit. “But it’s a beautiful sharing of risk and reward throughout the growing season between farmers and the members.”

Despite the unique challenges that come with getting a CSA subscription, their value lies in the opportunities they provide to connect with local farmers, keep money within the community, and build a deeper appreciation for food since you know exactly where it’s coming from. The produce also tastes better.

A 10-week CSA subscription at KGD costs $325, or $32.50 for each box, which supplies two weeks’ worth of food. Of course, most people will still end up buying a few other items from the grocery store to complete their weekly meals, but it often ends up being cheaper than buying produce every week.

Dazmonique Carr, CEO and farmer at Deeply Rooted Produce, runs what she calls “Detroit’s first zero waste mobile grocery store” where she delivers produce in and around the city. Though she’s been growing her own food since 2017, Carr started her CSA service in 2020 during the COVID-19 pandemic. Back then, the produce wasn’t grown on her farm, and she was sourcing the

vegetables from places like Eastern Market.

“We were doing something we’ve never done before, but we knew we could do it,” she says.

Carr still offers a grocery delivery service with outside produce, but Deeply Rooted also has a “hyperlocal” CSA with 90% of the vegetables coming from its Eastside farm.

Carr works with other majority Black-owned farms to fill the boxes when Deeply Rooted doesn’t produce enough, or when customers want additional products she doesn’t grow.

“We’ve established relationships with farmers in Arizona, farmers in Florida, Atlanta, Ohio, and places where, although it may not be local, it still has that organic quality,” she says. “We get produce from people who care … because sometimes it really doesn’t matter whether or not the food is local, it matters whether or not you know what they put in their soil or how they harvested their produce.”

When Carr first started growing her own food in her apartment while she

CSA subscriptions from local farms are like mystery boxes of fruits and veggies

SUMMER GUIDE

was attending Wayne State University, she wasn’t thinking about running a full-scale farm.

“I started just because of my own food insecurity,” she says. “And so it was about money initially. I took a $2 pack of seeds of squashes and spinach and started growing food in my apartment … I grew a big tub of potatoes and twoto three- foot-long squashes … Then I learned along the way and from other farmers and organizations like Keep Going Detroit, how to be more strategic and systematic with growing.”

Staples that typically come in Deeply Rooted Produce’s CSA include salad greens, tomatoes, squash, zucchini, and collards. This year, Carr plans to add fruit grown indoors and outdoors on the farm to the CSA, provided the mature honeycrisp apple, peach, and orange trees she planted actually produce.

Keep Growing Detroit (KGD) has been offering CSAs since around 2014 when it allowed people to come to the farm and bag their own produce. After KGD moved to its current location near Eastern Market in 2017, in 2020 they began a more formal distribution. KGD’s CSA offers a bi-weekly produce box to 40 subscribers from July to November.

The organization works with farms located in Detroit, Hamtramck, and Highland Park through their Garden Resource Program and Grown in Detroit initiative. Most people who are growing their own food in their Detroit backyards are part of KGD’s Garden Resource Program, which provides seeds, transplants, and classes throughout the growing season. Members of Grown in Detroit take it a step further to market and sell their produce.

All the farms with produce included in KGD’s CSA have to complete a soil test and agree to sustainable and organic farming practices. They can also sell their fruit and veggies at KGD’s Eastern Market stand and keep 100% of the profit.

“The point of this is to be able to provide an economic avenue for growers to sell their produce and additionally to keep dollars circulating within the city,” Daguio says. “It’s truly mutually beneficial within the community. If I live in the city and can buy produce grown by someone else in the city, my dollars are staying within city limits and are going right to the local farmer.”

Last year, KGD says it had 60 CSA members with half of the subscriptions going to Detroit families experiencing food insecurity in partnership with Black Lives Matter Detroit. Black Lives Matter Detroit pays for the families’

CSA subscriptions, and the boxes are delivered to their homes by volunteers.

Produce russian roulette

I stare inside this week’s CSA box with furrowed eyebrows, frustration and confusion glistening in the summer sweat on my forehead. It’s the third straight week the box has come with collard greens, of which I’m not a fan, and I refuse to eat anymore.

Last week’s box was supposed to include callaloo and oyster mushrooms — which excited me far more than collards — but due to an issue with the harvest, they never came. The strawberries the week before had begun to spoil by the time they reached my doorstep, and things aren’t growing quite as planned, so this week’s box is a bit light. The following week, however, will be overflowing with more squash and tomatoes than I can possibly eat.

Deeply Rooted’s neighborhood is notorious for flooding. One week the basement of one of their storage spaces flooded, affecting the refrigerators Carr uses to store produce.

“There was a lot of different ups and downs [and] fluctuating temperatures,” she says. “We may pack everything on Tuesday and then come Thursday, we have to recheck the things that need to go out on Thursday for quality control versus us going back to farmers or back to our farm and harvesting things.”

At KGD, farmers drop off their produce every Wednesday and CSA subscribers pick the boxes up on Thursday. But the farmers have to tell KGD what they will have available a week in advance based on what’s growing out in

the field, and it isn’t always exact.

“That’s always a bit of a challenge just because of the weather,” Daguio says. “Things are completely different week to week. Some storm could come in, or an intense heat wave could come in and

Detroit farms that offer CSAs

Signing up for a CSA can be tricky since subscriptions open at the beginning of the year when most people aren’t thinking about summer veggies. Registration closes once the farm reaches the amount of subscriptions they can accommodate. New this year, KGD will host a farm stand on Thursdays from July to October for people who don’t have CSA subscriptions but still want to buy produce. At the farm stand, non-CSA members can also pick up a one-off “farmers’ choice” produce box for the week instead of committing to a full season.

Beside Keep Growing Detroit, Deeply Rooted Produce, and City Commons, here are a few other places to get a CSA subscription in Detroit. (Note that some of them may already be full.)

Jim

and Peter’s Farms

Weekly vegetable and flower CSA subscriptions are available from this queer-owned Detroit farm. jimandpetersfarm.com

Beaverland Farms

This Brightmoor farm’s CSA starts in April but you can purchase its flower or produce subscription for the late summer-fall season. It also has a “chicken CSA.” beaverlandfarms.com

Fisheye Farms

Fisheye Farms’ CSA runs for 20

weeks from June to October. Located primarily in Core City, Fisheye Farms also partners with Coriander Kitchen and Farm for additional herb or flower add-ons. fisheyefarms.com

Eastern Market

Eastern Market has both a fullseason CSA subscription that starts in June and a $25 weekly box. You can preorder both online and pick them up at the Saturday or Tuesday market. eastern.market

Keep Growing Detroit requires all farms that contribute to its CSA to use organic and sustainable practices and pass a soil test. KEEP GROWING DETROIT

SUMMER GUIDE

blow out all your crops that you said you were going to be able to deliver. Those things happen all the time.”

When that does happen, Daguio says KGD supplements with produce grown on its own farm in Eastern Market, noting, “we’re never going to give someone an empty box, but when we’re in total abundance, this box is overflowing. So sometimes you’re getting above and beyond the value of what you paid for.”

At City Commons, a co-op of farms offering a CSA, subscribers get a weekly email letting them know how things are going on the farm, even if it’s not what they’d hoped for.

“Sometimes it’s like, ‘Hey the strawberries got eaten by birds, we’re really sorry, but the carrots are coming up great, so stay tuned for those,’” says Alice Bagley, one of City Commons founders. “Sometimes it’s even the week of and I’m doing my inventory and I thought I was gonna have 30 bunches of chard but a rabbit came

through and ate it. Then I have to see who else is growing chard, can I call them and have them pick some right now, because we have to pack these boxes in two hours.”

Five farms, all located in Detroit, are in the City Commons co-op and share the responsibility of growing the food, harvesting, bookkeeping, and packaging the produce boxes.

Beyond dry spells or animals eating the crops, sometimes members get vegetables in their CSA they have no idea how to cook.

After getting feedback from CSA members who didn’t know what items like tulsi basil were, Keep Growing Detroit began including a photo with descriptions of everything in the box, along with information on the farmer who grew it and recipe ideas.

The veggies may also look different than they do in the grocery store, as naturally grown produce often does.

“I think that’s also a cool part about

CSAs, though, is that you see the produce in its entire state,” Daguio says. “When we’re giving you carrots, you’re getting the whole thing out the ground — the greens and the root — so now you have to figure out how to use the greens too.”

City Commons offers members the option to customize their box, for an extra fee, in case there are certain veggies they don’t eat. Deeply Rooted Produce is also experimenting with a customizable model this year, so I’ll be spared of the dreaded collard greens.

Bagley says the quality of locally grown food is far superior to produce from the grocery store.

“Everything’s harvested within like 48 hours of when you’re eating it,” she says. “I’ve driven across the country and certainly didn’t look great at the end of that drive, so your produce isn’t going to look that great either when it’s traveled far. But also, these farmers are caring for land that would otherwise

just be overgrown grass that only gets mowed a few times a year. So you’re supporting the creative reuse of vacant lots, which we have a lot of.”

Daguio echoes those thoughts, adding that CSA members are getting their produce at the height of the growing season.

“You get the best tomatoes in August and you can taste the difference between tomatoes that are grown in the city at the time of its peak versus tomatoes that you’re eating in January,” she says. “And so it’s also a relationship to food sovereignty — being able to have access, choice, and a connection to your food.”

She continues, “It’s a necessity to be able to say, ‘I have autonomy over where I can get my produce. I have a choice to buy this produce that was grown for me and my family in sustainable practices, and I know exactly what went into that kale.’”

Farmers drop the produce they promised for the week at KGD on Wednesday for CSA members to pick up on Thursday.

KEEP GROWING DETROIT

Decked Out

New patios to try in metro Detroit this summer

BY LEE DEVITO

The arrival of nice weather in Detroit marks the start of our too-short patio season. While you probably already have your favorites, here are some new spots to try this summer for al fresco experiences. Enjoy them while you can! (Did we miss any? Hit us up: tips@metrotimes.com.)

Belle’s Lounge

161 Vester St., Ferndale; valentinedistilling.com

The former Valentine Distilling Co. Cocktail Lounge and Tasting Room has been rebranded as Belle’s Lounge, following the company moving its production facility down the street to a larger warehouse. You’ll still be able to sip Valentine’s vodka, gin, and whiskeys, just in a larger, reimagined patio setting.

Northern Lights Lounge

660 W. Baltimore St., Detroit; 313-873-1739; northernlightslounge.com

After closing three years ago during the COVID-19 pandemic, Northern Lights Lounge finally reopened to the public during Memorial Day weekend. New updates include a new shelter over its patio space. (You can still catch Motown guitarist Dennis Coffey’s resi-

dency on Tuesday evenings.)

Brine Oyster House

15033 Kercheval Ave., Grosse Pointe Park; brineoysterhouse.com

Slated to open this summer in the former Janet’s Lunch, Brine Oyster Bar’s menu will include “tide-to-table” fare and “sea-cuterie” boards. The space is being renovated with a New Orleans vibe, including two stories with patios on both levels.

BrisaBar

800 Woodward Ave., Detroit; brisabar.com

This seasonal beach-themed bar returned in May, transforming Detroit’s

Campus Martius Park into a tropical getaway (complete with sand) where guests can enjoy lunch, dinner, and island-inspired cocktails. It’ll remain open through September, weather permitting.

Summertown Fresh Bar

2015 Michigan Ave., Detroit; summertownfreshbar.com

After Ima Noodles moved into the former Gold Cash Gold, the Japaneseinspired noodle chain transformed its original Corktown spot down the street into Summertown Fresh Bar, which promises “patio vibes for people of all ages.” Its menu includes coffee,

The former Valentine Distilling Co. Cocktail Lounge and Tasting Room is now Belle’s Lounge.

JANNA COUMOUNDOUROS, LILACPOP

SUMMER GUIDE

smoothies, tea, wellness shots, wraps, salads, and frozen treats.

Beppé

703 N. Main St., Royal Oak; 248-607-7030; eatbeppe.com

This Italian spot opened in the former Niki’s diner. It has a spacious patio with a pergola.

House of Barbecue

220 S. Main St., Clawson; 248-251-3063; facebook.com/HouseofBarbecue

The former Due Venti Italian restaurant has been reborn under new ownership as a barbecue joint, which includes a tented patio.

Eastern Palace Club

21509 John R Rd., Hazel Park; 248-850-8165; epchp.com

This former private club reopened to the public under new ownership and a Key West theme. It includes a patio space furnished with repurposed barrels and spools as tables.

Experience Zuzu

511 Woodward Ave., Detroit; experiencezuzu.com

Slated to open in July in a former downtown office building, this new venture by the Elia Group will include the Asian-inspired Experience Zuzu and a second-floor lounge called Upstairs Bar.

Alpino

1426 Bagley St., Detroit; 313-524-0888; alpinodetroit.com

This European-inspired spot recently opened in Corktown’s former Lady of the House space. It will launch a live music series on its patio space starting in June.

Basan

2703 Park Ave., Detroit; 313-481-2703; basandetroit.com

Located in the historic Eddystone building near Little Caesars Arena, Basan serves up high-end Japanese-inspired fare. It recently opened a 40-seat patio space decorated with tropical plants.

Detroit Institute of Bagels/Cafe Prince

4884 Grand River Ave., Detroit; 313-512-8292; detroitinstituteofbagels.com, thecafeprince.com

The beloved DiB bagel joint recently reopened in the space formerly occupied by Astro Coffee and Ochre Bakery, along with Cafe Prince, a health-focused coffee spot that drew attention for its “nude raw carrot” menu item. You can enjoy food and drink from both in the nearby Core City Park, a creation from eccentric developer

Philip Kafka that includes outdoor art installations and trees.

Coriander Kitchen and Farm

14601 Riverside Blvd., Detroit; 313-338-9466; corianderkitchenandfarm.com

This charming canal-side spot reopened in the Jefferson-Chalmers neighborhood with a new springtime farm-to-table menu and renovations, including a new mini-market that sells salads and sandwiches as well as a new upstairs event space that will host live music and yoga.

HopCat Royal Oak

430 S. Main St., Royal Oak; 248-744-2544; hopcat.com

This Grand Rapids-based beer bar chain recently reopened in Royal Oak following a landlord dispute at its former location. The new spot has three garage doors that can be rolled up during the warmer months, as well as a dog-friendly patio along Main Street and 5th Avenue. HopCat also participates in Royal Oak’s social district, which allows guests to order to-go drinks to take for a stroll.

HopCat Livonia

17800 Haggerty Rd., Livonia; hopcat.com

HopCat is getting ready to open another metro Detroit location in July in Livonia’s former Claddagh Irish Pub. The new space will include two outdoor patios.

Mothfire Brewing Co.

713 W. Ellsworth Rd., Detroit; mothfire.com

Slated to open later this summer, this new brewery and taproom’s patio will include fire pits, live music, and immersive rotating art installations.

Barkside

7960 Kercheval Ave., Detroit; barksidedogbar.com

Billed as Detroit’s first combination dog park and beer garden, Barkside plans to open later this summer. Aside from an outdoor play area for the pups, humans can enjoy craft beers, cocktails, and coffee.

The Nest Cocktail Bar & Kitchen

20390 M-52, Chelsea; 248-246-0532; robinhillsfarm.com

Located on Robin Hills Farm’s 129-acre property, The Nest serves up madefrom-scratch food and handcrafted cocktails with seasonal ingredients sourced from local farms. In addition to its large outdoor patio, it also features live music, comedy, trivia, and other entertainment.

Juneteenth 2023

Where to celebrate in Metro Detroit

BY RANDIAH CAMILLE GREEN

This Juneteenth, don’t ask Black folks for nothing, because we will be relaxing and celebrating with our community. Juneteenth became a federal holiday in 2021 and commemorates the end of slavery on June 19, 1865, when Union troops announced “all slaves are free” in Galveston, Texas.

If you’re looking for Juneteenth celebrations in metro Detroit, you’ve come to the right place. We’ll update this list online as more events are announced. Know any we missed? Hit us up at arts@metrotimes.com.

Beats and BBQ

Juneteenth Kickoff

Friday, June 16, 6:30-10:30 p.m.

Juneteenth Jubilee Detroit and Black Leaders Detroit’s 5th annual Freedom Weekend kicks off with live performances, barbecue, and art installations. Batch Brewing Company; 1400 Porter St., Detroit, eventbrite.com; no cover.

Freedom Day 5K

Saturday, June 17, 8 a.m.-12 p.m.

Juneteenth Jubilee’s Freedom Weekend continues with a 5K walk/run fundraiser at Marygrove Conservancy. Proceeds from the event will go toward supporting organizations that promote literacy, health, and financial literacy in Detroit. Marygrove Conservancy, 8425 W McNichols Rd., Detroit; eventbrite.com; $20 donation.

Juneteenth Jubilee

Stroll

Saturday, June 17, 12- 6 p.m.

Support Black businesses on Detroit’s historic Avenue of Fashion with a day of giveaways, promotions, entertainment, an HBCU tailgate, and more. Free parking is available until 6:30 p.m. at lots B and D at Livernois and Pembroke. Avenue of Fashion, Livernois Avenue and Seven Mile Road, Detroit; eventbrite.com; no cover.

Freedom Fest

Sunday, June 18, 12-6 p.m.

Black Leaders Detroit and Juneteenth

Jubilee Detroit present Freedom Fest in partnership with the Charles H. Wright Museum of African American History, the City of Detroit, and the Metro Detroit Black Business Alliance. The event will take over Shed 5 of the Eastern Market and includes a rib cook-off.

Eastern Market Shed 5, 2810 Russell St., Detroit; mdbba.com/juneteenth; no cover.

Southfield Juneteenth Family Reunion

Saturday, June 17, 12-9 p.m.

This family-friendly event was first started in 2018 and is the oldest and largest Juneteenth celebration in Oakland County. Expect local vendors, art, food, children’s activities, and more. Catalpa Oaks, 27705 Greenfield Rd., Southfield; eventbrite.com; no cover.

Madison Heights Juneteenth Food Truck Rally

Saturday, June 17, 12-6 p.m.

Madison Heights Civic Center Park will host Black-owned food businesses for the city’s third annual Juneteenth celebration. Expect eats from Big Bo’s Grill, Yeah It’s Vegan, Grillz on Wheelz, Eight Claws Crab Boil, Mr. Creole, Motor City Sweet Treats, So Icy Italian Ice, and more. Beyond food, organizers promise live music, local vendors, pony rides, a petting zoo, spoken word performances, and bounce houses. Attendees are encouraged to bring canned goods and non-perishable items to donate to the Madison Heights Food Pantry.

Madison Heights Civic Center Park, 360 W. 13 Mile Rd., Madison Heights; madisonheightsjuneteenth.com; no cover.

Rhythm and Soul: A Juneteenth Celebration at Willis Show Bar

Saturday, June 17, 8 p.m.

Featuring the At-Will Band and special guests.

Willis Show Bar, 4156 Third St., Detroit;

willisshowbar.com; $10 in advance, $15 at the door.

Black Bottom Live Music Series presented by D.Cipher

Monday, June 19, 2-6 p.m.

Live music, local vendors, and mindfulness practices will be featured at the Campbell Terrace on the Dequindre Cut.

Dequindre Cut Greenway, Detroit; instagram.com/wearedcipher; no cover.

Mount Clemens CommUNITY Family Reunion

Friday, June 16-Monday, June 19

Mount Clemens has four days of activities planned. On Friday, June 16, the city will host a meet-and-greet for organizations that support those struggling with homelessness, unemployment, food insecurity, financial hardship, and medical or mental health conditions. Chicken and fish dinners will be avail-

able for purchase with proceeds going to a local scholarship. Saturday, June 17 is family fun day with board games, chess, spades, cornhole, hula hooping, and more. Sunday, June 18, will be a Father’s Day celebration with free desserts until supplies run out. Finally, the official Juneteenth celebration is on Monday, June 19, with live music, food trucks, vendors, bounce houses, and family-friendly games.

Cairns Community Center, 58 Orchard St., Mount Clemens; no cover.

Juneteenth Freedom Day Event

Saturday, June 17, noon-10 p.m.

The City of Pontiac is celebrating its first-ever Juneteenth event with food, entertainment, and fireworks. Programming includes a celebration on Bagley Street from noon-4 p.m., a parade from 4-5 p.m., and downtown activities and fireworks from 5-10 p.m. Downtown Pontiac; willisshowbar.com; no cover.

A scene from the 2022 Southfield Juneteenth Family Reunion. VIOLA KLOCKO

Your summer calendar

Don't miss these hot events in metro Detroit and beyond

BY

OUTDOOR

CONCERTS

Pine Knob Music Theatre

33 Bob Seger Dr., Clarkston | 313presents.com

6/13: The Cure

6/14: Matchbox Twenty

6/16: Billy Strings

6/18: Weezer, Modest Mouse

6/23: Eric Church

6/25: 105.1 The Bounce Birthday Bash: TLC, Shaggy, En Vogue, Sean Kingston

6/27: Dave Matthews Band

6/29: Santana

7/2: Anita Baker

7/6: Noel Gallagher’s High Flying Birds, Garbage, Metric

7/11: Post Malone

7/13: Bret Michaels

7/19: Big Time Rush

7/22: Barenaked Ladies

7/23: Snoop Dogg, Wiz Khalifa

7/26: Avenged Sevenfold, Alexisonfire

7/27: Sam Hunt

7/29: Fall Out Boy

8/2: Gov’t Mule, Jason Bonham’s Led Zeppelin Evening

Boy George & Culture Club

8/23: The Offspring

8/25: The Lumineers

8/26: Lynyrd Skynyrd, ZZ Top

8/29: Arctic Monkeys 8/30: Foreigner 9/1: Disturbed, Breaking Benjamin 9/2: Beck, Phoenix, Weyes Blood, Sir Chloe

9/3: Pentatonix

9/5: Rob Zombie, Alice Cooper, Ministry, Filter

9/6: The Smashing Pumpkins, Interpol

9/8: Jason Aldean

METRO TIMES STAFF

9/12: Shinedown

9/17: 50 Cent

9/22: Outlaw Music Festival with Willie Nelson & Family, Bobby Weier & Wolf Bros., The Wolfpack, The String Cheese Incident, Particle Kid

9/23: RIFF Fest with I Prevail, Bad Omens, Badflower, Giovannie & The Hired Guns and more

Meadow Brook

234 Festival Dr, Rochester Hills 313presents.com

6/9: Dermot Kennedy

6/18: Charlie Puth

6/22: Lyle Lovett

6/24: Buddy Guy

6/28: Elvis Costello & The Imposters with Charlie Sexton

7/6: The Detroit Symphony Orchestra presents Windborne’s The Music Of Def Leppard

7/9: Tori Amos

7/14: Tedeschi Trucks Band

7/29: Jason Mraz

8/4: Nathaniel Rateliff & The Night Sweats

8/20: The Beach Boys

9/17: The Postal Service & Death Cab For Cutie

Michigan Lottery Amphitheatre

14900 Metro Pkwy., Sterling Heights | 313presents.com

6/10: Cody Jinks

6/16: Young The Giant with Milky Chance

6/17: Quinn XCII

6/21: 3 Doors Down

6/23: Don Toliver

6/24: Counting Crows

7/1: Sterling Freedom Festival with Master P, 2 Chainz, Tech N9ne, Sada Baby, and Caskey

7/7: Yungblud

7/8: Melanie Martinez

7/13: Yellowcard

7/18: Sad Summer Fest with Taking Back Sunday, Motion City Soundtrack, The Maine, Pvris, Hot Mulligan, Mom Jeans, Stand

Atlantic, and Sincere Engineer

7/21: Frankie Valli & The Four Seasons

7/28: Clutch, Dinosaur Jr., Red Fang

7/29: Sublime With Rome, Slightly Stoopid

8/5: Walker Hayes

8/6: Rick Springfield

8/10: Darius Rucker

8/11: Ted Nugent

8/17: Pat Benatar & Neil Giraldo

8/19: Goo Goo Dolls With O.A.R.

8/20: Manchester Orchestra, Jimmy Eat World

8/22: The All-American Rejects, New Found Glory, The Starting Line, and The Get Up Kids

8/25: Dominic Fike

9/12: Chevelle, Three Days Grace

9/14: Hozier

9/16: Noah Kahan

9/17: Dethklok, Babymetal

10/1: Måneskin

The Aretha Franklin Amphitheatre

2600 Atwater St., Detroit | thearetha.com

6/10: Anthony Hamilton, Marsha Ambrosius

6/14: Patrice Rushen, Lin Roundtree

6/16: Michael Franti

6/17: Rodrigo y Gabriela

6/21: Eric Roberson, Rahsaan Patterson

6/28: Spyro Gyra, Bob Baldwin

6/30: Kool & The Gang, SOS Band, Atlantic Starr

7/5: Will Downing

7/22: Lalah Hathaway, Boney James, Damien Escobar

7/28: Maxwell

8/9: Najee

8/12: Southern Soul on the River

8/16: PJ Morton

8/23: Avery*Sunshine

8/30: Kelly Price

9/6: Raheem Devaughn

The Whitney Garden Parties

4421 Woodward Ave., Detroit thewhitney.com

6/8: The Whiskey Charmers

6/15: The Firewalkers

6/22: Jennifer Westwood & The Hand-

some Devils

6/29: The Blueflowers

7/6: The Hackwells

7/13: Tosha Owens And The Stable Dudes

7/20: Strange Heart

7/27: Carolyn Striho Group

8/3: Olivia Dear

8/10: Billy Brandt And The Sugarees

8/17: Allison Laako & Sean Blackman French Jazz Quartet

8/24: One Ton Trolley

8/31: The High Strung

FESTIVALS AND MISC. EVENTS

6/8-6/11

Swiggin’ Pig BBQ Festival Downtown Wyandotte | elliottsamusements.com

6/9-6/25

Ann Arbor Summer Festival Various locations in Ann Arbor | a2sf.org

6/9

CK Diggs 25th anniversary 2010 Auburn Rd., Rochester Hills ckdiggs.com

6/10-6/11

Jazzin’ at the Vanity Jefferson-Chalmers Business District | jazzinatthevanity.com

6/10-6/11

Spark in the Park Riverside Park, Ypsilanti sparkinthepark.net

6/10

Gravity Art Fair and Skate Contest Geary Park, Ferndale | gravityferndale.com

6/20-6/25

Livonia Spree Ford Field, Livonia | livoniaspree.com

6/22-6/25

Electric Forest Double JJ Resort | electricforestfestival.com

SUMMER GUIDE

6/22

Shimmer on the River

Robert C. Valade Park, Detroit | detroitriverfront.org/shimmer

6/22-6/25

Taylor Summer Festival

Heritage Park, Taylor | cityoftaylor.com

6/23-6/25

American Polish Festival

American Polish Century Club, Sterling Heights | americanpolishfestival.com

6/23-6/25

The 21st Annual Michigan Lavender Festival

Eastern Michigan State Fairgrounds, Imlay City | themichiganlavenderfestival.com

6/23-6/25

4th Annual Canterbury Taco Fest Canterbury Village, Lake Orion canterburytacofest.com

6/24-6/25

Sandbar Summer Fest

Eastern Palace Club, Hazel Park sandbarsummerfest.com

6/30-7/4

Royal Oak Taco Fest

Downtown Royal Oak | royaloaktacofest.com

7/1

Light Up Livernois

The Avenue of Fashion | lightuplivernois.com

7/6-7/9

TD Sunfest

Victoria Park, London, Ontario | sunfest.on.ca

7/7-7/9

Corktown Music Festival

Lager House, Detroit facebook.com/corktownmusicfestival

7/8

Cannabash with Ludacris, Sada Baby, and more Softball World, Muskegon Twp. cannabashfest.com

7/6-7/9

Uncle Sam Jam

Woodhaven Civic Center Park, Woodhaven unclesamjamfest.com

7/14-7/16

40th annual African World Festival Hart Plaza, Detroit thewright.org/african-world-festival

7/14-7/16

Faster Horses

12626 U.S. Highway 12, Brooklyn fasterhorsesfestival.com

7/14-7/16

Blake’s Lavender Market Blake’s Farms, Armada | blakefarms.com

7/15

The Wayne County Polo and Fashion Classic

Nankin’s Mill Park, Westland poloandprettywomen.com

7/20-7/22

Greater Farmington Founders Festival Downtown Farmington foundersfestival.com

7/21-7/22

24th Annual Michigan Summer Beer Festival Riverside Park, Ypsilanti | mibeer.com

8/11-8/13

Ribs and R&B Music Festival Hart Plaza, Detroit | ribsrnbmusicfestival.com

8/11-8/13

Milford Memories

Central Park, Milford | milfordmemories.com

8/19-8/20

Afro Nation Festival

Bedrock’s Douglass Site, Detroit detroit.afronation.com

8/19

Woodward Dream Cruise Woodward Avenue, Oakland County | woodwarddreamcruise.com

8/19-10/1

Michigan Renaissance Festival

12600 Dixie Hwy., Holly | michrenfest.com

9/1-9/4

Soaring Eagle Arts, Beats & Eats

Downtown Royal Oak | artsbeatseats.com

40 June 7-13, 2023 | metrotimes.com

9/9

Dally in the Alley

Between Forest Avenue and Hancock Street and Second Avenue and Third Avenue | dallyinthealley.com

ART

6/9-6/11

Art on the River

500 Merchant St., Port Huron artontheriverph.com

7/7-7/8

Art in the Park

Downtown Plymouth | artinthepark.com

7/12-7/15

Wyandotte Street Art Fair

Downtown Wyandotte | wyandotte.net

7/20-7/22

Ann Arbor Art Fair

Downtown Ann Arbor | theannarborartfair.com

8/26

Hazel Park Art Fair

Green Acres Park, Hazel Park hpart.org/aboutthefair

9/1-9/4

Detroit Jazz Festival

Hart Plaza, Detroit | detroitjazzfest.org

REVVING ENGINES

Milan Dragway

10860 Plank Rd., Milan | milandragway.com

6/7:

The Afro Nation festival is coming to Detroit for the first time. AFRO NATION

WHAT’S GOING ON

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

MUSIC

Wednesday Jun 7

Live/Concert

$NOT presents Get Busy Or Die North American Tour 2023 7 pm; The Fillmore, 2115 Woodward Ave., Detroit; $20-$49.50.

Antichrist Demoncore (ACxDC), No/Mas, Knoll 6 pm; Sanctuary Detroit, 2932 Caniff, Hamtramck; $18. Cardboard Tubes with Danny B. and Susan Sunshine 7-9 pm; Berkley Coffee & Oak Park Dry, 14661 West 11 Mile Rd., Oak Park; $10 Requested Donation.

Core Radio Presents The Purple Mic Spring Fling International Music Festival 12-11 pm; Worldwide Core Radio TV, 6551 Grand River, Detroit, Michigan 48208., Detroit; $25.00.

An East Room/Patio Show: Cardboard Tubes, Danny B, Susan Sunshine 7-9 pm; Berkley Coffee & Oak Park Dry, 14661 West 11 Mile Rd., Oak Park; tip jar.

Incognito 7:30 pm; The Aretha Franklin Amphitheatre, 2600 E. Atwater St., Detroit; $15-$65.

Major Dudes at Taylor Conservatory 6:30-8:30 pm; Taylor Conservatory, 22314 Northline Road, Taylor; $5.00. Paramore 7 pm; Little Caesars Arena, 2645 Woodward Ave., Detroit; $40.50$136.

SpiritWorld 6:30 pm; Pike Room, 1 S. Saginaw, Pontiac; $15.

Core Radio Presents The Purple Mic Spring Fling International Music Festival 12-11 pm; Worldwide Core Radio TV, 6551 Grand River, Detroit, Michigan 48208., Detroit; $25.00.

Core Radio Presents The Purple Mic Spring Fling International Music Festival 12-11 pm; Worldwide Core Radio TV, 6551 Grand River, Detroit, Michigan 48208., Detroit; $25.00.

Core Radio Presents The Purple Mic Spring Fling International Music Festival 12-11 pm; Worldwide Core Radio TV, 6551 Grand River, Detroit, Michigan 48208., Detroit; $25.00.

Core Radio Presents The Purple

Mic Spring Fling International Music Festival 12-11 pm; Worldwide Core Radio TV, 6551 Grand River, Detroit, Michigan 48208., Detroit; $25.00.

Core Radio Presents The Purple Mic Spring Fling International Music Festival 12-11 pm; Worldwide Core Radio TV, 6551 Grand River, Detroit, Michigan 48208., Detroit; $25.00.

Core Radio Presents The Purple Mic Spring Fling International Music Festival 12-11 pm; Worldwide Core Radio TV, 6551 Grand River, Detroit, Michigan 48208., Detroit; $25.00.

DJ/Dance

Vinyl Nite noon-midnight; Bowlero Lanes & Lounge, 4209 Coolidge Hwy., Royal Oak; FREE.

Thursday Jun 8

Live/Concert

Core Radio Presents The Purple Mic Spring Fling International Music Festival 12-11 pm; Worldwide Core Radio TV, 6551 Grand River, Detroit, Michigan 48208., Detroit; $25.00.

Blues Powerhouse Vocalist Eliza Neals on Tour 7:30 pm; The Token Lounge, 28949 Joy Rd., Westland; $15$25.

CHASE WRIGHT 8 pm; District 142, 142 Maple St., Wyandotte; $15-$25.

Core Radio Presents The Purple Mic Spring Fling International Music Festival 12-11 pm; Worldwide Core Radio TV, 6551 Grand River, Detroit, Michigan 48208., Detroit; $25.00.

Detroit Has Talent - hosted by J Cutz 9 pm-2 am; The Compound, 14595 Stansbury St., Detroit; $15.

Eliza Neals and the Narcotics 7:30 pm; The Token Lounge, 28949 Joy Rd., Westland; $15-$120.

Eric Benet 8 pm; Sound Board, 2901 Grand River Ave., Detroit; $39-$52.

Poolside Performance: Nova Zaii featuring KESSWA 7-8 pm; Cranbrook Art Museum, 39221 N. Woodward Ave., Bloomfield Hills; Free.

Rezn, Oryx 7 pm; Sanctuary Detroit, 2932 Caniff, Hamtramck; $15.

Rival Sons 6 & 7 pm; The Fillmore, 2115 Woodward Ave., Detroit; $29.50-$65.

Surprise Chef 7 pm; Magic Bag, 22920 Woodward Ave., Ferndale; $16.

Thrice 7 pm; Pike Room, 1 S. Saginaw, Pontiac;

Turner Porter, Sean Barna, Pia the Band 8 pm; PJ’s Lager House, 1254

Michigan Ave., Detroit; $13. The Whitney Garden Party: The Whiskey Charmers 5 pm; The Whitney, 4421 Woodward Ave., Detroit; $5 individual or $15 VIP reserved tables for parties of 2, 4, or 6.

Core Radio Presents The Purple Mic Spring Fling International

Music Festival 12-11 pm; Worldwide Core Radio TV, 6551 Grand River, Detroit, Michigan 48208., Detroit; $25.00.

Core Radio Presents The Purple Mic Spring Fling International

Music Festival 12-11 pm; Worldwide Core Radio TV, 6551 Grand River, Detroit, Michigan 48208., Detroit; $25.00.

Core Radio Presents The Purple Mic Spring Fling International

Music Festival 12-11 pm; Worldwide

Core Radio TV, 6551 Grand River, Detroit, Michigan 48208., Detroit; $25.00.

Core Radio Presents The Purple Mic Spring Fling International

Music Festival 12-11 pm; Worldwide Core Radio TV, 6551 Grand River, Detroit, Michigan 48208., Detroit; $25.00.

Core Radio Presents The Purple Mic Spring Fling International

Music Festival 12-11 pm; Worldwide Core Radio TV, 6551 Grand River, Detroit, Michigan 48208., Detroit; $25.00.

DJ/Dance

PRIDE PAINT & POETRY ‘23 5-9 pm; Irwin House Gallery, 2351 Grand Blvd., Detroit; $5 Donation.

Karaoke/Open Mic

Continuing This Week Karaoke/ Open Mic

Open Stage 6-10 pm; Berkley Coffee & Oak Park Dry, 14661 West 11 Mile Rd., Oak Park; 0.

Friday Jun 9

Live/Concert

Core Radio Presents The Purple Mic Spring Fling International Music Festival 12-11 pm; Worldwide Core Radio TV, 6551 Grand River, Detroit, Michigan 48208., Detroit; $25.00.

Core Radio Presents The Purple Mic Spring Fling International Music Festival 12-11 pm; Worldwide Core Radio TV, 6551 Grand River, Detroit, Michigan 48208., Detroit; $25.00.

BEACH DAY w/ TWIN DEER + DJ MARCIE BOLEN 8 pm-12:30 am; Bowlero Lanes & Lounge, 4209 Coolidge Hwy., Royal Oak; FREE.

Core Radio Presents The Purple Mic Spring Fling International

Music Festival 12-11 pm; Worldwide Core Radio TV, 6551 Grand River, Detroit, Michigan 48208., Detroit; $25.00.

Dermot Kennedy The Sonder Tour 7:30 pm; Meadow Brook Amphitheatre, 3554 Walton Blvd., Rochester Hills; $35-$59.50.

Grandson & K.Flay: I Love You, I’m Trying Tour 6 pm; Saint Andrew’s Hall, 431 E. Congress St., Detroit; $33.

Lily Bones, Cosmic Sans, Inconsistent Me , Sonic Smut 7 pm; Sanctuary Detroit, 2932 Caniff, Hamtramck; $13.

Moxie 8:30 pm; PJ’s Lager House, 1254 Michigan Ave., Detroit; $15.

Music for the Masses - a Depeche Mode tribute presents: D.M. vs NIN 8 pm; Magic Bag, 22920 Woodward Ave., Ferndale; $20.

Shop, Rock N’ Stroll Downtown Port Huron 6-10 pm; Downtown Port Huron, Huron Avenue, Port Huron; Free. Sparta 6:30 pm; Pike Room, 1 S. Saginaw, Pontiac; $23.

Taylor Swift - The Eras Tour w/ Girl In Red & Gracie Abrams (Extra Date) 6:25 pm; Ford Field, 2000 Brush St., Detroit;

Taylor Swift | The Eras Tour 6:30 pm; Ford Field, 2000 Brush St., Detroit; $446-$571.

Trace of Lime, Animal, Dogzilla 7 pm; The Loving Touch, 22634 Woodward Ave., Ferndale; $12.

Two Friends 7 pm; The Fillmore, 2115 Woodward Ave., Detroit; $29.50-$75.

Core Radio Presents The Purple Mic Spring Fling International Music Festival 12-11 pm; Worldwide Core Radio TV, 6551 Grand River, Detroit, Michigan 48208., Detroit; $25.00.

Taylor Swift | The Eras Tour 6:30 pm; Ford Field, 2000 Brush St., Detroit; $446-$571.

Core Radio Presents The Purple Mic Spring Fling International Music Festival 12-11 pm; Worldwide Core Radio TV, 6551 Grand River, Detroit, Michigan 48208., Detroit; $25.00.

Core Radio Presents The Purple Mic Spring Fling International Music Festival 12-11 pm; Worldwide Core Radio TV, 6551 Grand River, Detroit, Michigan 48208., Detroit; $25.00.

Core Radio Presents The Purple Mic Spring Fling International Music Festival 12-11 pm; Worldwide Core Radio TV, 6551 Grand River, Detroit, Michigan 48208., Detroit; $25.00.

DJ/Dance

Agents of Time with Kawsan + Marina + Esshaki June 9, 9 pm;

Magic Stick, 4120 Woodward Ave., Detroit; $20.

Saturday Jun 10

Live/Concert

Core Radio Presents The Purple Mic Spring Fling International Music Festival 12-11 pm; Worldwide

Core Radio TV, 6551 Grand River, Detroit, Michigan 48208., Detroit; $25.00.

Core Radio Presents The Purple Mic Spring Fling International Music Festival 12-11 pm; Worldwide Core Radio TV, 6551 Grand River, Detroit, Michigan 48208., Detroit; $25.00.

Core Radio Presents The Purple Mic Spring Fling International Music Festival 12-11 pm; Worldwide Core Radio TV, 6551 Grand River, Detroit, Michigan 48208., Detroit; $25.00.

Taylor Swift | The Eras Tour 6:30 pm; Ford Field, 2000 Brush St., Detroit; $446-$571.

Anthony Hamilton 8 pm; The Aretha Franklin Amphitheatre, 2600 E. Atwater St., Detroit; $44.50-$125.

Boldy James 8 pm; The Shelter, 431 E. Congress St., Detroit; $25.

CHANDLER PARK SOUNDS OF SUMMER 2-5:30 pm; Chandler Park, 12801 Chandler Park Dr., Detroit; Free!.

Cody Jinks 6:30 pm; Michigan Lottery Amphitheatre at Freedom Hill, 14900 Metropolitan Pkwy., Sterling Heights; $39.50-$250.

Come Out Fighting, No Vision, St. Thomas Boys Academy, The Black List, Feast For Crows 6:30 pm; The Loving Touch, 22634 Woodward Ave., Ferndale; $10.

Core Radio Presents The Purple Mic Spring Fling International Music Festival 12-11 pm; Worldwide Core Radio TV, 6551 Grand River, Detroit, Michigan 48208., Detroit; $25.00.

Juan Wauters, Hala 8:30 pm; PJ’s Lager House, 1254 Michigan Ave., Detroit; $15.

Natalie Siagkris, Sean Zelda 8-10 pm; Berkley Coffee & Oak Park Dry, 14661 West 11 Mile Rd., Oak Park; $10 suggested door.

Omerta 6 pm; Sanctuary Detroit, 2932 Caniff, Hamtramck; $18.

THE REEFERMEN w/ DJ TANGENT 9 pm-1 am; Bowlero Lanes & Lounge, 4209 Coolidge Hwy., Royal Oak; FREE.

SHOOT TO - The Ultimate AC/ DC Tribute, RIDE THE WIND - Poison Tribute, PSYCHOTIC PARADISE - Tribute to TELSA 7:30 pm; The Token Lounge, 28949 Joy Rd., Westland; $20.

Local buzz

By Broccoli and Joe Zimmer

Got a Detroit music tip? Send it it music@metrotimes.com.

The return of Moonwalks: Although they hail from Detroit, the latest Moonwalks album might lead you to believe they originated from an abandoned ghost town out west. Western Mystery Tradition is the trio’s first new album in five years, and in that time their sound has expanded to cosmic proportions. The album, released last month via Fuzz Club records in London, mixes the psychedelia of the ’60s/’70s with propulsive garage guitar tones and a sprinkle of surf rock on top. The songs could soundtrack a cowboy’s cosmic journey around the western U.S., but also would sound right at home emitting from Detroit’s historic Grande Ballroom during its heyday. Moonwalks will hit the road this summer for an extensive European tour in support of the album, but hopefully they return home later this year to help their hometown fans enjoy the last bits of summer. Western Mystery Tradition is available

Marc Ribot’s Ceramic Dog at Marble Bar: You may not have heard of Marc Ribot before, but I’ll bet you’ve heard of some of his collaborators: Elvis Costello, Neko Case, and Elton John, to name a few. As a teen he grew up playing in garage rock bands in New Jersey while studying under Haitian classical guitarist and composer Frantz Casseus, and these varied influences and more have resulted in an artistic career that is mysterious, chaotic, and storied for those in the know. On their upcoming album Connection, coming on July 14, Marc Ribot’s Ceramic Dog have “pushed their long-brewing tension between traditional pop songcraft and avant garde improvisational music to the breaking point, bridging their customary genre-agnostic approach with elements of glam boogie, minimalist disco, psychedelic boogaloo, garage-punk-againstthe-machine agitprop, and so much more,” according to their Bandcamp page. As a part of their promo run, Marc Ribot and bandmates Shahzad Ismaily and Ches Smith are bringing their ever-evolving sound to Marble Bar on Thursday, June 8, with support form Jake Aho (who is also frontman for the excellent local Detroit band, Toeheads). —Broccoli

digitally or on ultra-clear vinyl via Moonwalks/Fuzz Club’s Bandcamp page, and also on major streaming platforms.

Duane Gholston is now DUANE: Duane Gholston has gone by many names — the Jet Black Eel, the Teenage Weirdo, and (my personal favorite) the Brand New Dog — but on his latest single, he has landed on the mononym DUANE. Using the singular name is right in line with the pop divas that DUANE takes inspiration from, and on latest single “i wanna be UR light” his DIY dance sound is on full display. It may sound simple, but DUANE songs are always characterized by one thing: fun. DUANE’s unabashed love for simple pop hooks and retro electronic production constructs the perfect candy-coated, youthful bops. “i wanna be UR light” is available for download via DUANE’s Bandcamp page, and you can also find it on major streaming platforms. To celebrate its release further, DUANE is playing live at the monthly Technically Yeah residency, Thursday, June 8 at UFO Factory. I recommend seeing him live when you have the opportunity — DUANE’s stage presence is one of a kind. Cover is $10. —Joe

It’s time for Motor City Pride: Hart Plaza has had a pretty wild run these last few weeks. First there was Movement Music Festival over Memorial Day, then the Grand Prix downtown for the first time in 32 years, and now this weekend we have the annual Motor City Pride festival on June 10 and 11. To say that the lineup is stacked would be a sorry understatement: Sienna Liggins returns to Detroit on Saturday to perform live on the Pride stage with a Robynthemed dance party to follow, and several drag performances will also be featured on that same stage both Saturday and Sunday. On the Festival stage you’ve got an excellent selection of live music both days, featuring the likes of The Idiot Kids, Synthia Looper, CHECKER, and Acts of Violets, among others. Lastly, on the Riverfront Dance stage, you can basically relive Movement all over again with some of the city’s best selectors, including Stacey “Hotwaxx” Hale, John Collins, TYLR_, Ashton Swinton b2b Garrison XR, and more. And that’s just the music part of the event! You can find more information and buy your tickets at motorcitypride.org —Broccoli

Moonwalks.

COURTESY PHOTO

PATIO BAR OPEN FRI-SUN ALL SEASON!

COME GET A SLUSHIE TO BEAT THE HEAT!

BOOK YOUR PARTIES & EVENTS AT THEOLDMIAMIBAREVENTS@GMAIL.COM

Wed 6/07 PATIO BAR OPEN @5pm

Don Julio & Long Drink PROMOS!

‘PartyUP 2’ Prince’s Birthday Dance Party

Prince Era Music All NIght

Feat. djkage & DJ Vader

$50 prize to best Prince outfit

Doors@9pm/$5cover

Fri 6/09

The Fabulous Henhouse Boys/ Billy Clay & The Coyotes

Doors@9/$5cover

Happy Birthday, Audra Kubat!

Sat 6/10 BIZZARE & FOUL MOUTH RECORD RELEASE

FEAT. LIVE: Lou Louis/Jalen

Fraser/Jon Connor/Boog

Brown/Dango Forlain/Choke & Big Tone/Coney Island/First Coalition/Bill & Isiah/Quest

Mcody

Doors@8pm/$10cover

Happy Birthday, Ashley Dresden!

Sun 6/11

BLUE LEGEND HOWARD GLAZIER & FRIENDS

Ralph Koziarski Birthday Show!

Doors@5pm/$5cover

Mango Chili Bacardi PROMO!

Happy Birthday, Alex Pogo!

Mon 6/12 FREE POOL ALL DAY

Tues 6/13 B. Y. O. R.

Bring Your Own Records (weekly) Open Decks! @9PM NO COVER IG: @byor_tuesdays_old_miami

Coming Up:

6/16 Gravy/Sunnyside Revival/Lunar

Missionaries

6/17 BANGERZ & JAMZ (monthly)

6/18 SOUND SESSIONS on the PATIO

6/23 DEATH CAT/Burn Maralago/ Blood Castle

6/24 John Bunkley w/ Leaving Lifted/ Tin Soup/Cocktail Shake

6/29 WDET “What’s So Funny About Detroit” Comedy Show

7/01 DJ SKEEZ & DJ BET

OLD MIAMI TEES & HOODIES AVAILABLE FOR PURCHASE!

DOLLAR JELLO SHOTS ALL SUMMER!

7-13, 2023 | metrotimes.com

Steak and sushi? In this economy?

I’d say go to Hanah for the small plates and entrées, and maybe for the steaks if your ship comes in, but for sushi not so much. Maybe the Han brothers, owners Peter and Chris, are trying to do too much. A friend who’s spent a lot of time in Japan said, “Interesting concept to combine sushi and steak but seems kinda impractical. Am I supposed to order a steak AND sushi?”

Well, you could, if your wallet was as big as your appetite. Steaks start at $35 for a 7 oz. Wagyu hanger and escalate to a 38 oz. 30-day dry-aged bone-in

Wagyu tomahawk at $230. Chef Tyler Halooshock recommends this be shared among three or four diners, and he or one of the owners will personally flambé it with bourbon in front of your eyes. Sushi rolls at $18-$45 are normal in size; the Emperor includes wagyu, caviar, and 24K gold flakes.

(Speaking of gold, which has neither flavor nor nutritional value, Hanah’s dress code forbids “exposed chains” as well as baseball caps, athletic apparel, tank tops, baggy clothing, and flip flops. Guessing that I wouldn’t fit the demographic that the owners seek to discourage, I tested the ban by wear-

By Jane Slaughter

ing pants that flowed and a thick gold chain, and was not admonished.)

The Han brothers own two Osaka Steakhouses featuring hibachis, in Clawson and Shelby Township, with rather lower prices than Hanah’s. Hanah’s website says, “we take aim on a culinary mastered fused menu of Western and Southeast Asian cuisine,” which is odd, since Japan is not in Southeast Asia, and most of the non-steak dishes have a Japanese feel or ingredients.

Halooshock does a great job with starters. I’m not a fan of bao buns, soft flavorless pillows whose only utility is to hold a filling, but when the filling is chicken katsu with cherry barbecue, kimchi slaw, and yuzu pickles — just sweet and sour enough — I’ll take them. Silky tuna tartare with whipped avocado comes with an outstanding ginger marinade (I even took home leftovers); it sounds like it could be too busy, but it’s not. Crisp calamari rounds, with a little heat, also come with a good lemony dipping sauce. Char siu bao buns were less successful, rather bland with a jerky consistency and little fat.

In the entrée column, I’m an enthu-

siast of the Korean chili garlic noodles with shrimp, with their deep flavors not obscured by the heat. Squid ink scallop linguine uses enoki mushrooms, roasted beets, and shishito peppers to good effect with the umami-rich seafood — again, it sounds like too much going on, but Halooshock has calibrated it all to perfection. Other non-steak entrées are Japanese chicken and waffles, salmon, sea bass, and Peking duck.

The only steak I sampled was the low-rent hanger, and it was fine but not to write a poem to. The other steaks, in ascending order from $42 to $230, are sirloin, New York strip, a Black Angus filet, ribeye, and the aforementioned tomahawk. The menu warns: “chef recommends to be cooked up to medium — above medium is non-refundable.”

You ask for it charred, no changing your mind.

The three sushi rolls my party tried were OK — just not interesting enough for an upscale joint, and in one case, a tuna roll called Crazy Crab, was not fresh enough. The Kiss of Fire, with yellowtail and serrano, was mildly hot, no complaints there.

Sides serve two or three and include

Hanah Steakhouse

607 Shelby St., Detroit

313-462-4722

hanahdetroit.com

Starters $12-$20, sushi

$18-$45, entrées $19-$90, steaks $35-$230, brunch

$13-$29

various potatoes, fried rice, blistered shishitos, and charred romanesco. We liked a big heap of smashed marble potatoes, which came in a variety of shapes, but fried rice was too soft and salty.

For dessert, my true favorite was the Jalisco-Co cocktail, which hides the taste of reposado tequila with coffee liqueur, cinnamon, white chocolate, vanilla, cayenne, and cocoa. With its foam and floating cacao nibs, it’s like Oaxacan chocolate with several kicks. The cocktail list sports lots of sweet ingredients, such as a coffee-banana old-fashioned; chocolate appears in four out of 10 choices.

We also liked a creamy matcha crème brûlée, not too sweet — tea is a good way to finish a meal — but a banana chiffon cake was dry.

Hanah started serving weekend brunch on May 20; the menu includes fried chicken with taro waffles. There’s also a late-night menu from 10:30 p.m. to midnight on Saturdays.

A 20% tip is added to your bill.

A New York strip from Hanah Steakhouse. TOM PERKINS

Chowhound

Country Fair Market rules the roost

By Robert Stempkowski

Chowhound is a bi-weekly column about what’s trending in Detroit food culture. Tips: eat@metrotimes.com.

Top of the market: Took a stroll around Northville’s farmer’s market recently. I doubt the Westminster Kennel Club sports a showier stable of breed-trendy labradoodles than the group I noticed strutting around here. Between them and their owners — an equally fashionable parade of peeps pushing designer strollers in their yoga pants and backward baseball caps — this place is American Gothic 2.0, millennial version. And many of the vendors here cater smartly to that crowd. If you’re shopping for artisan mixing spoons ($20 and up), custom-carved rocks (doorstops, paper weights?), $30 leaf lettuce in a planter, and/or custom cutting boards on which to slice local cheeses (on sale at premium import prices), shop here on Thursdays through September. Do I sound a little judgy? Go see for yourself. While you’re there, pick me up a cold-press, oat milk latte, and gluten-free Snozzberry scone. And a natural dye hemp leash for my new yorkipoo.

More market share: Offering alternative value perception nearby, Country Fair Market made a markedly better first impression after I pulled in looking for pressure-cooked fried chicken on the recommendations of several folks who’ve sung the place’s praises to me of late. Long staked near the Salem-Northville border on a two-lane stretch of Seven Mile Road (just west of Chubb), Country Fair’s unassuming liquor store front belies a big-time, blue-ribbon, bird-broasting operation.

“We sell about 1,500 pounds [of chicken] a week,” owner Larry Kassab quickly calculated for me, scratching his head over numbers he swore he’d never really figured before. That’s a 3,000-piece bucket per week, folks, more or less. Out of a little, roadside country store. That’s freakin’ fingerlickin’ amazing and, yeah, so’s the chicken. And the pizza (made fresh). Big bowl salads and deli subs, too (ditto). If you go, and you should, check out the selections of chewing tobacco, some in sacks the size of throw pillows. Perchance you imbibe, browse the booze aisles as well. Alongside labels found in the average liquor store, you’ll spy some real surprises: Don Julio 1942 tequila ($169.99), Johnny Walker Blue

($249.99), and bottles of 2013 Caymus Napa Cab priced to move at $199.99. I doubt convenience stores in heaven stock better inventories. I’m still kicking myself for not picking up some homemade walnut Baklava and white chocolate-macadamia cookies when I had the chance. Passing by them once while wandering around waiting for my order (chicken and pizza customers are encouraged to call in 30 minutes prior to pick-up), they were all gone by the time I got called to the counter to settle up. That won’t happen again.

I left Country Fair floored by what a find it truly was. Eight pieces of perfectly fried chicken: $12.99. A two-topping pizza, made fresh to order: $12.37. And a new place to pick up all the above and more (hell, I even bought an $8 Eddie Bauer shirt): priceless, period.

This salad tastes like ass: So, is there really a three-second rule in play at restaurants? Do servers actually spit in customers’ food if sufficiently provoked? I have to say no, for the most part. Having said that, let me tell you a story: A cautionary tale for those of you willing to piss off the less-than-perfect strangers who handle your food.

In my early twenties and waiting

tables at a gourmet burger chain (the name of which you’d likely recognize for having eaten there yourself), a cold prep cook with vindictive ice in his veins did something decidedly below-the-belt in vengeance toward his girlfriend’s father, who’d stopped in where we all worked to see his little girl and have some lunch.

“He hates me. I hate him,” Chef Vigilante let me know the second he saw the man walk in and sit down. “You’d better not order anything from my [cold sandwiches and salads] side [station],” he warned his nemesis under his breath. Then sure enough, it happened. It was a Cobb salad, and I can still gag over the recollection of what went down next, even all these years later.

Taking a hard-boiled egg in his hands, Chef V shot me a diabolical grin before looking both ways for any other witnesses. Coast clear, plan hatched, he reached into the back of his pants and packed the egg between his buttcheeks, where he held it for a ten-count before bringing it back up for air and a slicing. All at once repulsed and riveted, I watched him top his girl’s dad’s Cobb with something he’d just cozied up to his sphincter. She walked it out, unaware, to her father. He ate it. For the record: I never heard that he suffered any ill effects. Still.

With Chef V gloating to himself over getting even, only I noticed his girlfriend kissing her dad on the lips as they said goodbye. Talk about cross contamination. If she only knew.

“My dad loved your salad, Sweetie,” she came to the service window and let her man know two minutes later, before leaning in and laying a big, sloppy smooch on him.

“My pleasure, baby,” he smirked back, giving me some sly side-eye.

“Out of curiosity, how’d that kiss taste?” I couldn’t help but have the last laugh, telling him how he’d ultimately rubbed shit in his girlfriend’s face and then kissed the Tootsie Roll center of his own ass. Did that wipe away his shit-eatin’ grin? Neh. Only spite’s sweet savor lingered on his lips. One thing’s true enough about causing crap and kissing ass. If you make it a habit, you’ll acquire a taste for it.

Life’s a game of inches: Two halfdrunk doctors sat at a bar talking shop. One questions the other’s career choice.

“Why proctology, for God’s sake?” he scoffs toward his colleague.

“I know. Sometimes I wonder myself,” The other admits, raising a hand and looking to his friend through the short gap between his outstretched thumb and forefinger. “I was this close to being a gynecologist.” C’est la vie.

Country Fair’s unassuming liquor store front belies a big-time, blue-ribbon, bird-broasting operation.

LEE DEVITO

WEED

One Hitters

Spark in the Park hip-hop and cannabis festival set for Ypsi

A cannabis and music festival called Spark in the Park featuring hiphop acts like Method Man, Redman, BReal, Ying Yang Twins, Trick Trick, and more is headed for Ypsilanti’s Riverside Park on Saturday, June 10 and Sunday, June 11.

The inaugural event was originally planned to be held last year at Hazel Park’s Green Acres Park, but was canceled after Hazel Park City Council rescinded its approval, citing parking and capacity concerns.

This year, however, organizers say they’re confident the show will go on.

“We’ve been really happy with the city of Ypsi,” says Jared Jeffries, the executive producer for Spark in the Park. “They have such a forward-thinking mentality when it comes to these types of events.”

By Lee DeVito

After Michigan voters approved Proposal 1 at the ballot in 2018, Riverside Park has hosted a number of other cannabis festivals, including events like Canna Jam and Reggae on the River. Proposal 1 allows for adults age 21 and older to consume cannabis, as well as for temporary event licenses where cannabis can be purchased and consumed.

Plus, Riverside Park has more than triple the capacity of Hazel Park’s Green Acres Park.

Jeffries says the event could draw up to 5,000 people per day, while the Hazel Park event would have been capped at about 2,000 people per day.

“They’ve been incredibly easy to work with, very responsive, very helpful,” Jeffries says of Ypsilanti. “The location is excellent.”

The Spark in the Park lineup primar-

ily features hip-hop music, with other acts like rapper Willy J Peso and live band My Detroit Players on the bill. A number of DJs will also be featured on a smaller secondary stage.

“We have some DJs and EDM, some hip-hop, you know, trying to go for the multi-genre appeal,” Jeffries says. “Our goal was to throw a world-class concert event that happened to have cannabis sales instead of alcohol sales.” By law, alcohol sales and consumption are not allowed at the event, and guests are also prohibited from bringing their own cannabis to the festival.

Spark in the Park is set to feature some 20 cannabis vendors, as well as food trucks, artist booths, and more. Sponsors include dispensaries like Doja, Lake Effect, recweed.com, and

Stiiizy, among others.

Jeffries says if the event is successful, it could return and even expand within Riverside Park.

“I’d love to do it again,” he says. “In fact, this venue is fantastic, because not only is it about 12 acres on this side, but on the other side of the river and over a footbridge, there’s an additional four-acre amphitheater. So we can expand the show into that space if we do it again.”

For Jeffries, there is a certain sense of poetic justice in the event being held at Riverside Park. About a decade ago, while a student at Eastern Michigan University, Jeffries says he was once busted for cannabis possession there. “The park we’re throwing it in, I smoked a ton of weed in that park,” he says.

When applying for approval to hold the event, Jeffries says he had to return to the police station where he was booked for possession years ago.

It was a full-circle moment, “to say the least,” he says with a chuckle.

“We’re really excited to be bringing the music and culture to the community,” Jeffries says.

From 1-10 p.m. Saturday, June 10 and Sunday, June 11; Riverside Park, 2 E. Cross St., Ypsilanti; sparkinthepark.net. Tickets start at $49.50. 21+.

Method Man is one of the hip-hop acts slated to perform at Ypsilanti’s Spark in the Park.

SHUTTERSTOCK

CULTURE

sincerity he brings to the curation of his show.

“I don’t think the other shows go all the way there as what intimacy is. I think that’s what the other shows lack,” he says. “And that’s a major component to lust, love, and life … It’s more cultural, it’s more than just an art exhibition. It’s a party. You got people dancing, moving the whole night, whereas other shows you are more of a spectator. Everybody is involved in the action Mississippi Mud.”

Even though his view of Black erotica is non-judgmental and heartfelt, Jones knows there are plenty of conservative folks that would classify it as nothing but porn.

“Is love porn? Is obsession porn? Is lust porn?” he asks. “Porn is non-intimate. Are there elements of rawness in Mississippi Mud? Of course there are, but there is a lot of love that goes into it and a lot of love that’s expressed and it’s something that we need.”

Black love

Mississippi Mud, Detroit’s only Black erotic art show, is the event we didn’t know we needed

By Kahn Santori Davison

By definition Black erotica

is African American literature or art intended to arouse sexual desire and explore human sexuality as a whole. It’s often been feared and abused more than it has been accepted and celebrated. In fact, it’s rarely seen or heard in any concerted way except for a few confident spoken-word artists at any given open mic night.

“I had never seen Black love, or Black lust, or Black obsession in an event where it was in a safe space and it wasn’t fetishsized and it wasn’t exploitative,” says Ben Jones, founder and curator of the Mississippi Mud Erotic Art Show.

Jones is an event planner, promoter, poet, and overall renaissance man with a 20-plus-year career who spontaneously decided to fill that void eight years ago.

“A friend of mine was interested in seeing a similar exhibition and I said, ‘I wonder how many would want to see

something else like this from a Black perspective,’” Jones says. “I sat down, crafted the event, called my graphic designer, and said, ‘I need you to put this on a flier’ before I even contacted my venue. I put the flier into my feed and it went viral as soon as I posted it.”

Initially Jones reached out to various venues, fellow event promoters, and some of his peers in the arts community, but he says folks were hesitant to lend their support.

“I was begging people to help me out and no one wanted to touch the show because of the content,” he says. “They didn’t want to be pigeonholed into that branding style.”

With limited support he was able to grind it out and in 30 short days Jones booked 12 artists and 25 vendors. On Dec. 26, 2015 the first Mississippi Mud Black erotic performance and art show was held at Club Reign on Detroit’s east side.

“Everything was social media, from

ticket sales to promotion,” he says, adding, “800 people showed up. I was not prepared for 800 people. I was prepared for maybe 100.”

Jones held a second Mississippi Mud in 2016, but it was shut down at midnight due to violation of an ordinance prohibiting liquor sales on Christmas Eve.

“You can’t sell liquor, and I wasn’t. But apparently you can’t give it out either,” he says. “It was an amateur mistake, you live and you learn.”.

There were three more Mississippi Mud shows, but like everything else, the pandemic prevented Jones from hosting one in 2020 and 2021. Instead, Jones used the hiatus to explore ideas to make Mississippi Mud even better and risque.

This year’s show is set to feature erotic art and photographs, African dancers, nude yoga, live bands, a DJ, poetry, sex toys, cannabis, food, books, and more.

“Imagine you walk into a room and everybody is dressed in kinky wear, leather wear, latex wear, or laundry,” he says. “Everybody looking good and smelling good. It’s a peaceful energy. You might go into a room and it’s a live band playing, you might go into another space and it’s a DJ, or you might go into another room and it’s burlesque.”

Jones is aware of other erotic art shows that receive more notoriety than his, but feels his niche is the depth and

No phones are allowed to the event, and 10% of the proceeds will go towards the SASHA Center to assist victims of rape and incest. For this year’s event, Jones has added more artists and more vendors.

“I’m shooting for 50 artists this year,” he says. “I’m not talking just visual artists but moving art, exhibitions, all types of different degrees of art. This year I’m looking into tapping into the art of submission and domination and the relationship thereof. I want to cultivate a safe space for us to experience those things.”

Jones also points out that there is no judgment via body type or sexual preference in Mississippi Mud.

“We’re open to everyone no matter who you love,” he says. “Every type of body is celebrated. It’s about being free, free of everything. What I want them to experience is liberty! Detroit is a French-settled city and the French believed in liberty.”

Jones plans to start hosting multiple Mississippi Mud shows per year, and hopes to see it evolve into a weekend festival and the kind of the event he can host in other cities.

“It’s way bigger than me,” he says, adding, “I really want this to evolve into a festival — just to buy art, to appreciate art, to invest in art and artists, to make art a part of your life.”

The Mississippi Mud Erotic Art Show starts at 9 p.m. on Saturday, June 10 at Artist Village Detroit; 17336 Lahser Rd., Detroit; eventbrite.com. Tickets start at $50.

Ben Jones is the founder and curator of the Mississippi Mud Erotic Art Show.

KAHN SANTORI DAVISON

CULTURE

Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse

Rated: PG

Run-time: 140 minutes

“Anyone can wear the mask.” Such was the rallying cry of 2018’s spectacular Spider-Man: Into the SpiderVerse, which alighted in an increasingly drab and soulless subgenre like a miraculous bolt of crackling energy. Sony Animation’s Oscar-winning, multidimensional romp wasn’t just a great Spidey flick, but one of the greatest superhero films of all time and a singular, dazzling feat of animation. Or maybe not so singular: The sequel Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse aims to one-up its predecessor in almost every way imaginable, from its audacious, frenetic style to the sheer quantity and diversity of Spider-People it throws at the viewer.

Initially, we’re back to just one web-slinger: Brooklyn teenager and part-time neighborhood Spider-Man Miles Morales (Shameik Moore) has grown a little in the 18 months since the events of the last film, but he’s feeling the hole left by the departure of his multi-versal Spidey comrades, who scuttled off to their home realities. OK, he’s mostly missing charming bad girl Gwen Stacy a.k.a. Spider-Woman (Hailee Steinfeld). He’s also struggling to find some work-life balance in his harried crime-fighting routine, even as his parents (Brian Tyree Henry and Luna Lauren Velez) attempt to navigate

Flying high

By Andrew Wyatt

their son’s moody, secretive emergence into adulthood.

An unexpected crisis arises with the appearance of the Spot (Jason Schwartzman), a third-string villain who blames Spider-Man for his space-warping portal powers, which he sees as more of a curse. While the Spot initially comes off as a bumbling wannabe, his desperate shenanigans begin to make a glitchy mess of the multiverse. This draws the attention of a sprawling interdimensional super-team of Spideys, led by the terse, hard-edged Miguel O’Hara (Oscar Isaac), who hails from the distant future. It turns out that Gwen has already been recruited by this team, and she’s not only been patching up the cosmic leaks left over from the previous film, but also tracking the Spot’s increasingly perilous moves. Miles, for his part, is just a little hurt about being excluded from this secret Spider club.

Things get complicated very quickly, as they are wont to do in inter-dimensional comic-book stories. Suffice to say that Across the Spider-Verse has the courage of its convictions: It takes its predecessor’s wild sci-fi conceits to their reductio ad absurdum endpoint and turns its all-inclusive ethos inside out. Anyone could wear the mask, but there’s always just one Spidey for each version of Earth, which means that the Spider-Man super-group is both infinite and ultra-exclusive. Miles’s dizzying plunge into the multiverse’s limitless potential turns into a hardknock lesson in the allegedly ironclad constraints placed on those possibili-

ties. He has always imagined himself as a bit of a rebel, and the disillusionment sets in quickly once Miguel starts talking about all the cosmic rules that must be enforced. (Rick and Morty fans already know that nothing good happens when a few thousand versions of the same person become a self-appointed inter-dimensional authority.)

Like its predecessor, Across the Spider-Verse is jaw-droppingly dense with jokes, allusions, and assorted Spider-Man deep cuts. Yet just like Into the Spider-Verse, the new film does not require viewers to possess an encyclopedic knowledge of each character’s comic history in order to savor its more immediate pleasures. The formal radicalism of the 2018 feature is here cranked up to psychedelic levels as new co-directors Joaquim Dos Santos, Justin K. Thompson, and Kemp Powers marshal a breathtaking array of animation styles and techniques. Perhaps most impressively, Sony’s animators push the film toward a greater degree of visual abstraction in many sequences, trusting that viewers will follow along. It’s the closest that contemporary mainstream animation has come to capturing the sensibility of indie filmmaker Don Hertzfeldt’s World of Tomorrow trilogy. (Note: This is high praise.)

That Across the Spider-Verse proves to be an ecstatic experience on a purely sensory level is both thoroughly unsurprising and deeply gratifying. In an era when studio animation giants like Disney, Pixar, and Illumination have refined their house styles to the

point of ossification, the 2018 film felt like a vitalizing thunderbolt. Across was practically obliged to up the ante, creatively speaking, and it unquestionably delivers (and then some). Relatedly, the new feature also expands and complicates the thematic scope of the original, while still managing to keep the story focused primarily on Miles’s evolving understanding of himself and his superheroic identity. That said, this outing sees Gwen receive more screen time, a mentor in the form of a motorcycle-riding Spider-Woman (Issa Rae), and motivations that are unconnected to her situationship with Miles. (Bechdel Test passed, baby!)

It’s not an easy feat to keep an audience invested in relatable characters even as it pummels that same audience with mind-melting visuals and nonstop sci-fi outlandishness. This is a movie that includes such goofiness as Lego Spider-Man, Cowboy Spider-Man, and Spider-Tyrannosaurus, yet never loses the essential thematic thread of Miles’s anxieties about isolation and rejection. This is emblematic of the fundamental magic trick of the Spider-Verse films: They manage to proffer both sincerity and silliness, often in the same scene, while making the wildest, double-black-diamond stylistic feats look as easy and graceful as a web-swing around the block. For viewers who have become exhausted with the artistry- and personality-free content that often passes for superhero movies (not to mention studio animation) these days, Across the Spider-Verse arrives just in the nick of time.

Spider-Man/Miles Morales has that Spidey swing. SONY PICTURES ANIMATION. © CTMG INC.

CULTURE

Savage Love Out

With It

By Dan Savage

you wanna keep private… as private as you can keep something you’re doing in public sex environments (kink clubs)… your preferred sex partners (male) and preferred romantic partners (female) should respect your wishes and keep that shit private.

: Q

I’m a solo polyamorous heteroromantic pansexual cisgendered man. My serious romantic relationships have all been with cis women, but most of my sex partners are men. Since I bottom when I am with men, most people think I must be closeted or suffer from “internalized homophobia.” This has caused tension with the women I date, ranging anywhere from women not wanting to be with me because they think I am “living a lie” to a recent situation where I was repeatedly “outed” by a bi female poly partner who told people (friends, random gay men) that I was “into guys” and “bi.”

I asked her many times to stop, explaining that while those labels may be accurate when I’m in a kink club or my doctor’s office, it is up to me to decide when to use them and with whom. And because I am hetero-romantic, I do not identify as pan or bi outside of those specific places. I think “LGBTQ” labels identify who one loves, whereas to me it is simply a description as the types of sex I enjoy. I had to end things with this woman over this and when I explained why she never admitted to doing anything wrong. While a part of me wants to just not tell women I date about my other partners, I know I can’t since my having sex with men who also have sex with men has health implications for my female partners. How do I convince women that disclosing my sexual preferences without my consent is wrong? How can men like me maintain our sexual privacy while responsibly disclosing relevant information to sex partners?

—Pissed About Non-Necessary Erotic Disclosures

: A The first sentence of your letter is the most LGBTQ shit I’ve ever read in my life.

I mean, anyone who needs seven words with roots in Latin, Greek, and Tumblr — clocking in at 20 syllables — to describe his sexual identity and romantic orientation is a lot of things, PANNED, but straight (single syllable!) isn’t one of them.

Which is not to say the people you privately come out to as pan — the women you date — have a right to tell friends and/ or random gay men that you’re into guys (which you are) or that you’re bi (which you aren’t, although lay people often use “bi” and “pan” interchangeably). If the fact that you get fucked by men is something

Sadly, PANNED, figuring out who can be trusted with something a partner has a right to know but that we would prefer kept private isn’t easy or obvious. All too often we only learn someone can’t be trusted after they’ve violated our trust. On the flipside, demanding absolute secrecy about an important part of a relationship — telling our partners they can’t confide in friends they feel they can trust (and might later learn they can’t) — isn’t reasonable or fair. Your right to privacy isn’t absolute, PANNED; your right to privacy has to be balanced against the needs of the women you date to seek advice, perspective, and bullshit detection from their (hopefully) trustworthy friends.

Zooming back in on your sexual identity and romantic orientation… maybe I’m not being fair. You didn’t claim to be straight, PANNED, you only claimed not to identify as pan or bi outside of kink clubs and doctors’ offices.

Still, denying that you’re queer because you don’t fall in love with men — you’re not like the other girls — is a weird flex for someone who identifies as pansexual, PANNED, and it’s difficult to see what besides internalized homophobia and/ or biphobia would motivate such a flexy denial. If you don’t want people who aren’t currently dicking you down and/or taking a rectal swab to think you’re queer, well, that’s your business. Just as some kinky people prefer to be perceived as vanilla, and some non-monogamous people prefer to be perceived as monogamous, some bi/pan people prefer to be perceived as straight. People are assumed to be straight, vanilla, and monogamous unless they speak up (or unless their loose-lipped girlfriends speak up), and if you’re comfortable with those assumptions — if you’re comfortable benefiting from those assumptions — no one can force you to identify as LGBTQ when you aren’t getting your ass fucked or swabbed.

But kinky people can’t claim they’re actually vanilla because they only get whipped on Mondays and people who are non-monogamous can’t claim they’re actually monogamous because they only fuck other people on MDMA — and you can’t claim to be something other than LGBTQ on a technicality like, “I only do queer shit with people I could never love.”

You can’t embrace the LGBTQ label when it’s convenient (taking loads in kink clubs) and deny being LGBTQ when it’s not (on dates with women).

Actually, you can do that — that is, in fact, exactly what you have been doing. But you shouldn’t do that, PANNED, not right now, and not anymore. These are perilous times for LGBTQ people, as anyone who’s been paying attention to the news knows. Anti-gay, anti-trans, and anti-drag laws are being passed all over the country, books are being banned, Pride events are being met with increasingly menacing protests. LGBTQ people are under siege, PANNED, and the people attacking queer people aren’t going to spare the hetero-romantic queers.

So, while I’m sure everyone loves seeing your queer ass in the kink clubs, PANNED, we’re going to need your queer ass on the barricades, too.

: Q My boyfriend and I have struggled to connecting sexually more or less since the beginning of our long-distance relationship more than a year and a half ago. First the issue seemed to be condoms, which he couldn’t stand, but now that I’ve gotten an IUD his desire for sex has completely plummeted and I spend my nights reading through r/deadbedrooms subreddit posts. He says “this usually happens” to him after about a year but he wants to stay together and work through it. But in all honesty, he seems unbothered by the lack of sex. I started snooping — I am aware that is super problematic and something I need to work on — and learned he had recently watched porn featuring exclusively Asian women and then found out he has been contacting random Chinese women via a social platform and asking to meet IRL so he could “learn more about Chinese language, culture, and food.” This just seems so off. I’m not anti-porn and I understand we all have types, but I’m weirded out by the possible fetishization and lack of transparency on his end. Big red flag?

—Perplexed And Sadly Sexless

: A That red flag is so big you can’t see the other red flags behind it. You’ve wasted a year and a half on this guy, PASS, and you shouldn’t waste another minute on him. And if it took a little snooping for you to figure that out — if it took snooping for you to see that your boyfriend has been lying to you from the start and that he was prepared to tell you (and other women) bigger and worse lies — you don’t have to waste any time feeling bad about the snooping. DTMFA.

: Q I’m a cis woman that loves to go to sex clubs to try new things. The last event I went to, someone put his penis and balls inside of my pussy, which was such a great experience. But now I am thinking this was a mistake on my end because although he wore a condom on his penis, there isn’t a “ball condom,” at least so far as I know. I want to try this again, but I also want to do it in a low-risk way to keep myself and my other partners safe. Is this considered

a risky sexual practice? I know that balls normally are uncovered, but normally there isn’t nearly so much contact as having them inside of me.

—Somewhat Apprehensive Concerning Kink’s Estimated Danger

: A A stranger’s balls slapping against your vulva (or your taint, or your asshole, or your chin) while he fucks you while wearing a condom on his dick vs. a stranger’s balls inserted into you pussy while he’s fucking you while wearing a condom on his dick… doesn’t make an enormous difference where the risks of STI transmission are concerned. Viruses such as HPV, herpes, or mpox can be transmitted via skin-to-skin contact regardless of whether his balls are inside your vagina or being pressed up against your vulva. (Your risk of contracting mpox during straight sex is very, very low — but if the men at the sex clubs you frequent also have sex with each other, they should get the two-dose mpox vaccine and so should you.)

The location of infection can make an STI harder to spot, harder to treat, and more painful to endure. If the dude shoving his dick and balls into you has a small wart or sore from syphilis, herpes, or mpox tucked away under his balls, you may not realize that it’s there. And a genital wart inside your vaginal canal may go unnoticed at first, thereby delaying treatment, SACKED, whereas you or one of your other partners are likelier to spot one on your labia right away. (And if you aren’t already vaccinated against HPV, the virus that causes genital warts, get vaccinated for that too!)

In the final accounting, SACKED, letting someone put his balls inside you elevates your risk of contracting STIs that are passed through skin-to-skin contact — but these are STIs you’re already at risk of contracting during casual sex even when using condoms and, depending on how often you frequent sex clubs, STIs you have probably been exposed to before. The added risk here, again, is the potential location of an outbreak. Ultimately, only you can decide if the reward/thrill of having someone’s balls deep inside you is worth the additional risk. If so, go for it. If not, don’t.

P.S. While none of my gentleman callers has ever shoved his balls into me, I would imagine it would be a lot easier for a condom to unintentionally slip off if someone somehow managed to get his/her/their dick and balls all the way inside — so, maybe consider using a female/insertable condom next time.

P.P.S. Recognizing that we all make mistakes, SACKED, the right time to think about the safety of our other partners is before someone shoves his balls in us, not after.

Send your burning questions to mailbox@savage.love. Podcasts, columns, merch, and more at Savage.Love!

CULTURE Free Will Astrology

ARIES: March 21 – April 19

“Everything that irritates us about others can lead us to an understanding of ourselves,” said psychologist Carl Jung. What was he implying? That we may sometimes engage in the same behavior that bothers us about others? And we should examine whether we are similarly annoying? That’s one possible explanation, and I encourage you to meditate on it. Here’s a second theory: When people irritate us, it may signify that we are at risk of being hurt or violated by them — and we should take measures to protect ourselves. Maybe there are other theories you could come up with, as well, Aries. Now here’s your assignment: Identify two people who irritate you. What lessons or blessings could you garner from your relationships with them?

TAURUS: April 20 – May 20

In 1886, a wealthy woman named Sarah Winchester moved into a two-story, eight-room farmhouse in San Jose, California. She was an amateur architect. During the next 20 years, she oversaw continuous reconstruction of her property, adding new elements and revising existing struc-

tures. At one point, the house had 500 rooms. Her workers built and then tore down a seven-story tower on 16 occasions. When she died at age 83, her beloved domicile had 2,000 doors, 10,000 windows, 47 stairways, and six kitchens. While Sarah Winchester was extreme in her devotion to endless transformation, I do recommend a more measured version of her strategy for you — especially in the coming months. Continual creative growth and rearrangement will be healthy and fun!

GEMINI: May 21 – June 20

“All the things I wanted to do and didn’t do took so long. It was years of not doing.” So writes Gemini poet Lee Upton in her book Undid in the Land of Undone. Most of us could make a similar statement. But I have good news for you, Gemini. I suspect that during the rest of 2023, you will find the willpower and the means to finally accomplish intentions that have been long postponed or unfeasible. I’m excited for you! To prepare the way, decide which two undone things you would most love to dive into and complete.

CANCER: June 21 – July 22

Cancerian author Denis Johnson had a rough life in his twenties. He was addicted to drugs and alcohol. Years later, he wrote a poem expressing gratitude to the people who didn›t abandon him. “You saw me when I was invisible,” he wrote, “you spoke to me when I was deaf, you thanked me when I was a secret.” Now would be an excellent time for you to deliver similar appreciation to those who have steadfastly beheld and supported your beauty when you were going through hard times.

LEO: July 23 – August 22

ICE COLD BEER

Don’t make a wish upon a star. Instead, make a wish upon a scar. By that I mean, visualize in vivid detail how you might summon dormant reserves of ingenuity to heal one of your wounds. Come up with a brilliant plan to at least partially heal the wound. And then use that same creative energy to launch a new dream or relaunch a stalled old dream. In other words, Leo, figure out how to turn a liability into an asset. Capitalize on a loss to engender a gain. Convert sadness into power and disappointment into joy.

JAMES NOELLERT

VIRGO: August 23 – Sept. 22

At age nine, I was distraught when my parents told me we were moving away from the small town in Michigan where I had grown up. I felt devastated to lose the wonderful friends I had made and leave the land I loved. But in retrospect, I am glad I got uprooted. It was the beginning of a new destiny that taught me how to thrive on change. It was my introduction to the pleasures of knowing a wide variety of people from many different backgrounds. I bring this to your attention, Virgo, because I think the next 12 months will be full of comparable opportunities for you. You don’t have to relocate to take advantage, of course. There are numerous ways to expand and diversify your world. Your homework right now is to identify three.

LIBRA: Sept. 23 – Oct. 22

Most of us continuously absorb information that is of little or questionable value. We are awash in an endless tsunami of trivia and babble. But in accordance with current astrological omens, I invite you to remove yourself from this blather as much as possible during the next three weeks. Focus on exposing yourself to fine thinkers, deep feelers, and exquisite art and music. Nurture yourself with the wit and wisdom of compassionate geniuses and brilliant servants of the greater good. Treat yourself to a break from the blahblah-blah and immerse yourself in the smartest joie de vivre you can find.

SCORPIO: Oct. 23 – Nov. 21: Over 25 countries have created coats of arms that feature an eagle. Why is that? Maybe it’s because the Roman Empire, the foundation of so much culture in the Western world, regarded the eagle as the ruler of the skies. It’s a symbol of courage, strength, and alertness. When associated with people, it also denotes high spirits, ingenuity, and sharp wits. In astrology, the eagle is the emblem of the ripe Scorpio: someone who bravely transmutes suffering and strives to develop a sublimely soulful perspective. With these thoughts in mind, and in accordance with current astrological omens, I invite you Scorpios to draw extra intense influence from your eagle-like aspects in the coming weeks.

By Rob Brezsny

SAGITTARIUS: Nov. 22 – Dec. 21

“When I paint, my goal is to show what I found, not what I was looking for.” So said artist Pablo Picasso. I recommend you adopt some version of that as your motto in the coming weeks. Yours could be, “When I make love, my goal is to rejoice in what I find, not what I am looking for.” Or perhaps, “When I do the work I care about, my goal is to celebrate what I find, not what I am looking for.” Or maybe, “When I decide to transform myself, my goal is to be alert for what I find, not what I am looking for.”

CAPRICORN: Dec. 22 – Jan. 19

Vincent van Gogh painted “Wheatfield with a Reaper,” showing a man harvesting lush yellow grain under a glowing sun. Van Gogh said the figure was “fighting like the devil in the midst of the heat to get to the end of his task.” And yet, this was also true: “The sun was flooding everything with a light of pure gold.” I see your life in the coming weeks as resonating with this scene, Capricorn. Though you may grapple with challenging tasks, you will be surrounded by beauty and vitality.

AQUARIUS: Jan. 20 – Feb. 18

I suspect that your homing signals will be extra strong and clear during the next 12 months. Everywhere you go, in everything you do, you will receive clues about where you truly belong and how to fully inhabit the situations where you truly belong. From all directions, life will offer you revelations about how to love yourself for who you are and be at peace with your destiny. Start tuning in immediately, dear Aquarius. The hints are already trickling in.

PISCES: Feb.19 – March 20

The renowned Mexican painter Diego Rivera (1886–1957) told this story about himself: When he was born, he was so frail and ill that the midwife gave up on him, casting him into a bucket of dung. Rivera’s grandmother would not accept the situation so easily, however. She caught and killed some pigeons and wrapped her newborn grandson in the birds’ guts. The seemingly crazy fix worked. Rivera survived and lived for many decades, creating an epic body of artistic work. I bring this wild tale to your attention, Pisces, with the hope that it will inspire you to keep going and be persistent in the face of a problematic beginning or challenging birth pang. Don’t give up!

Homework: What broken thing could you repair so it’s even better than it was before it broke?

EMPLOYMENT

MUSIC INDUSTRY

Hiring Personal Manager for Songwriter. Music Industry only. Call (406) 223-7694

SERVICES

WINDOWS BEAUTIFY YOUR HOME with energy efficient new windows! They will increase your home’s value & decrease your energy bills. Replace all or a few! Call now to get your free, no-obligation quote. 844-335-2217.

CABLE

CABLE PRICE INCREASE AGAIN?

Switch To DIRECTV & Save + get a $100 visa gift card! Get More Channels For Less Money.Restrictions apply. Call Now! 877-693-0625

MOVING

MOVING OUT OF STATE?

Licensed and insured, fullservice, nationwide movers. Call now to get a free, instant price quote on your next move. 1-866-590-6549

HOME IMPROVEMENT

BATH & SHOWER UPDATES

in as little as ONE DAY!

Affordable prices - No payments for 18 months!

Lifetime warranty & professional installs. Senior & Military Discounts available. Call 1-866-370-2939

HOME IMPROVEMENT

NEVER PAY FOR COVERED HOME REPAIR AGAIN!

Complete Care Home Warranty COVERS ALL MAJOR SYSTEMS AND APPLIANCES. 30 DAY RISK FREE. $200.00 OFF + 2 FREE

Months! 1-877-434-4845

MEDICAL

DIAGNOSED WITH LUNG CANCER?

You may qualify for a substantial cash awardeven with smoking history. NO obligation!

We’ve recovered millions.

Let us help!! Call 24/7, 1-888-376-0595

SERVICES

MASSAGE RELAXING

NURU MASSAGE

for the quarantine must not be sick. Must be clean and wear mask. Outcalls only incalls are at your cost

Hey I’m here to help. This is Candy melt in your mouth so try my massages they’re sweet as can be!!!

(734) 596-1376

SERVICES

CABLE

DISH TV $64.99

For 190 Channels + $14.95

High Speed Internet. Free Installation, Smart HD DVR

Included, Free Voice Remote. Some restrictions apply. Promo Expires 1/21/24. Call 1-866-566-1815

MEDICAL VIAGRA & CIALIS ALTERNATIVE PILLS

$99/50 Pills Promo Bundle. Bundled network of Viagra, Cialis and Levitra alternative products for a 50 pill for $99 promotion. Call 888-531-1192.

HOME IMPROVEMENT

BCI - WALK-IN TUBS ON SALE

BCI Walk In Tubs are now on SALE! Be one of the first 50 callers and save $1,500!

CALL 844-514-0123 for a free in-home consultation.

ADULT

ADULT ENTERTAINMENT HIRING SEXY WOMEN!!!

Hiring sexy women (& men). Highly Paid Magazine, Web, and Movie/TV work. no experience needed, all sizes accepted. 313-289-2008.

SERVICES

AUTOMOTIVE CASH FOR CARS

We buy all cars! Junk, high-end, totaled – it doesn’t matter! Get free towing and same day cash! NEWER MODELS too!

1-866-535-9689

WANTED

MEN’S SPORT WATCHES WANTED

Advertiser is looking to buy men’s sport watches. Rolex, Breitling, Omega, Patek Philippe, Here, Daytona, GMT, Submariner and Speedmaster. The Advertiser pays cash for qualified watches. Call 888-320-1052.

INTERNET SPECTRUM INTERNET AS LOW AS $29.99

Call to see if you qualify for ACP and free internet. No Credit Check. Call Now! 833-955-0905.