The Detroit Factory

Showing in Art Birmingham

News — Sat, 26 May 2012 04:00:00 +0000

I will be in the 31st Annual Art Birmingham, presented by Birmingham Bloomfield Art Center.
Booth #097
Art Birmingham in and around the newly renovated Shain Park in downtown Birmingham, Michigan.
Saturday, May 26, 2012, 10 am – 6 pm and Sunday, May 27, 2012, 10 am – 5 pm.

Gwen Joy at Mother Fletchers and Dollar Castle 5/26

Gwen Joy — Sat, 26 May 2012 01:13:00 +0000

The Feeling Foxy Art, Music, and Fashion Event

Saturday

- 7:00pm until 10:00pm
Mother Fletchers 210 West 9 Mile Road Ferndale, MI 48220

I will have some paintings of foxy girls with a lot of moxie on display plus some fun and funky jewelry and joytoys. Monica McCabe who is a Arbonne consultant will have skincare and cosmetic items on display. She can answer any skin and cosmetic questions and foxy you up a bit too. Brandon Weiner will be playing some foxy music. Eric Fletcher will be offering a special on foxy clothing. Get those minis and hot pants! My art will be up at Mother Fletchers for one week to check out after the opening. I will display some stodgy and foxy themed paintings next door in Dollar Castle's front windows for a week. The address is 200 W Nine Mile Ferndale, Michigan. On May 26th at 8:15pm at the Dollar Castle I will be doing a Stodgy Engineer show. This is a show about logic, good values and having a proficient memory featuring my joytoys and other random props.The rest of the festivities will be taking place at Mother Fletchers.

History and Art at Belle Isle on 5/31 Presented by The Detroit Drunken Historical Society

Gwen Joy — Sat, 26 May 2012 01:05:00 +0000

"Snazzy is as Snazzy Does!"

Gwen Joy is an artist who specializes in colorful folk art paintings.

Life experience is her subject matter which is translated in a lyrical/mythical fashion.

Follow Gwen's snazzy street reviews weekly here on Motorcityblog
Reach her directly at www.GwenJoy.com

Detroit Drunken Historical Society presents

Belle Isle Sunset Picnic

Thursday, May 31, 2012

7:00 PM til dark

Jefferson Ave., Detroit, MI

https://maps.google.com/maps?q=vista+dr+and+riverbank+dr,+belle+isle,+detroit,+mi&hl=en&ll=42.341639,-82.980573&spn=0.006201,0.009645&sll=42.46298,-83.384857&sspn=0.79224,1.234589&t=h&hnear=Riverbank+Dr+%26+Vista+Dr,+Detroit,+Wayne,+Michigan+48207&z=17&layer=c&cbll=42.341815,-82.980645&panoid=ErFgafDA3lRSfekoPPpPJQ&cbp=13,61.47,,0,-3.5

The picnic pavilion at Belle Isle is first come, first served. Let's indulge in some history, mythology, art and photography of Belle Isle. Bring your own beverages and food.
For our Belle Isle meetup we will have two special guest speakers.

Detroit artist Gwen Joy. She will share her paintings of Belle Isle
http://www.gwenjoy.com/index.php?page=shop.browse&category_id=5&cid=5&vmcchk=1&option=com_virtuemart&Itemid=5

Michael Rodriguez, author of Detroit's Belle Isle: Island Park Gem, will give us a presentation about the park.
http://www.amazon.com/Detroits-Belle-Isle-Island-America/dp/0738523151/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1337949122&sr=1-1

We will also read a few early legends and myths of Belle Isle.
Join the group at http://www.meetup.com/Detroit-Drunken-Historical-Society/members/
Their next meetup is about the War of 1812.

Vinyl Giveaway: Moonface @ The Pike Room

Detroit Area Dork — Fri, 25 May 2012 06:26:00 +0000

Moonface

w/ Siinai, and La Big Vic

Friday, June 15 at the Pike Room

$12, doors at 8

For years Moonface's Spencer Krug has been challenging the indie world with his music through such vehicles as Wolf Parade, Sunset Rubdown, Swan Lake, and now Moonface. On his latest record Heartbreaking Bravery, he teams up with Finnish band Siinai. The album explores both what happens to the mind when subjected to the harsh and long winters of the great north as well as pumping out some immediately bad ass pop songs such as lead single "Teary Eyes and Bloody Lips."

Send an email to motorcityblog@earthlink.net for your chance to win Heartbreaking Bravery on vinyl from Moonface

Possessed by Paul James @ Woodruff’s

Detroit Area Dork — Fri, 25 May 2012 06:11:00 +0000

Possessed by Paul James

w/ Delaney Davidson, and Black Jake & the Carnies

June 26th, at Woodruff's Bar (36 East Cross Street, Ypsilanti, MI 48198)

$7, Doors at 9

The night of June 29th brings the best of two hemispheres to join forces with Ypsilanti powerhouse, Black Jake & the Carnies. From the Hill Country of Texas comes champion of the Muddy Roots circuit, Possessed by Paul James. Joining in for what is only the latest stop on his ten-year world tour is New Zealand's man of a thousand faces, Delaney Davidson.

To commemorate the event, a special limited-edition T-shirt will be available featuring unique poster art by Talenthouse award winning artist, Jenny Harley.

PPJ's visit to Ypsilanti is especially well-timed with the release of his latest music video, filmed entirely within the city by Milk Products Media, featuring members of Black Jake & the Carnies. The extremely poignant video for the song "We Welcome You Home" can be viewed here:

Say My Name, Say My Name

Panama Jackson — Fri, 25 May 2012 04:00:36 +0000

I had this whole post idea ready to go for today then I realized that I couldn’t come up with a title for it. So I scrapped it.

Yes, you read that right. I scrapped an entire post because I couldn’t come up with the proper way to present it to you, the people, the masses, the folks. Then I remembered an idea and question I had a while back. See, one thing that we love about VSB ’round here (no Memphis Bleek) is that we’ve managed to establish actual repoires with ninjas and non-ninjas who frequent these parts. We’ve done various icebreakers to find out about our community for the purposes of doing awkward demographic data mining so that one day we could sell all of that information to Hennessey or Cognac or one of the other companies hell bent on destroying what’s left of the Black community.

Like St. Ides.

Anyway, one idea that we never really tapped into was probably the most obvious and potentially the most interesting:

How’d you come up with your handle? Or hell even your Twitter handle for all of us who spend as much time on Twitter as we do with our families and pugs. While I know that some folks handles are as simple as a variant of their names, some folks have very interesting ass names. So I figured, what the hell, spill the beans.

I’ll start. In DC, when I’m out and about, I often introduce myself as Panama. For some of you that might sound ridiculous, but the truth is, PJ, is an actual living and working nickname, especially in DC. Most folks dont remember my real name for anything but Panama is a name everybody always remembers. I’ve actually had the nickname WELL before I started writing anywhere.

For starters, I was born in the country. Yep. That is from whence I came. My birth certificate is in Spanish and English. But the way that the name was truly borne was out of a trip I took to Lake Lanier north of Atlanta, for our senior week at Morehouse. Me and my boys were walking to the entrance and for some odd reason – I do a lot of “for some odd reason” things – I decided to start walking through some bushes. They looked inviting. They welcomed me like Gaia was in there massaging feet. Anyway, one of my boys look at me and is like, “who the hell are you supposed to be? Panama Jack?” I was like, “naw, homey, I’m Black. Make that Panama Jackson.” Just that simple.

Later that night when I got home I went on AOL and got me a PanamaDJackson (had to add the D, which stands for Dontavious) screenname. I added the “D” because PanamaJackson was taken. That was in like 2001. So anyway, that’s how I came up with my name for all those that didn’t know. Or couldn’t remember.

So what’s your story?

Happy Friday and Happy Memorial Day!

-VSB P aka THE ARSONIST aka MR. MY NAME IS ON FIRE aka GIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIRL HE A 3

Also, check out P’s latest post over at Guyspeak, “If You’re Faking It, Should You Ever Tell?” You know what that’s about. Check it out! And Champ’s latest post over at Ebony, “Think Like a…Fact-Checker. Did France Really Ban ‘Think Like A Man?’”

Monday we’re off. But don’t forget if you’re in DC that on Saturday, June 2, 2012, we’ve got another edition of REMINSCE at Liv Nightclub coming up! Except this time, we’re gonna be celebrating my birthday! Please come out and hang with your boy for a little while. I’d really appreciate it. Plus, it’s free before 11pm w/RSVP (reminiscedc.eventbrite.com) and $10 after. AND there’s an open bar from 930-1030 WITH NO DRESS CODE. You can come in shorts because it gets HOT in there.

Getting To Know You…Getting To Know More Aboouuuuut You…

Panama Jackson — Fri, 25 May 2012 04:00:36 +0000

I had this whole post idea ready to go for today then I realized that I couldn’t come up with a title for it. So I scrapped it.

Like St. Ides.

Anyway, one idea that we never really tapped into was probably the most obvious and potentially the most interesting:

So what’s your story?

Happy Friday and Happy Memorial Day!

-VSB P aka THE ARSONIST aka MR. MY NAME IS ON FIRE aka GIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIRL HE A 3

EOTO Interview – See Them Sunday, May 27, The Majestic

Mikel O.D. — Fri, 25 May 2012 02:33:00 +0000

With so many electronic shows going on this weekend I’m sure it’s going to be tough to narrow down that list to what you really make it to. I’ll give you a tip, I can promise you if you come out to the EOTO show on Sunday at the Majestic you will experience something truly unique. Comprised of drummers Michael Travis and Jason Hann, both musicians from the String Cheese Incident that have also played along several artists and bands. I was able to speak to Jason Hann about the band, electronic music and how EOTO make each of their shows a memorable event.

MCB: How did EOTO come to be?
JH: I use to fly out to Colorado for practice with another band Michael and I are in called the String Cheese Incident and we would practice until 7pm. After practice I would be staying at Michael’s and we would set up our gear at his place and from about 10pm till about 4 or 5am every morning we would just play. We wouldn’t put anything together, just have fun making music. It went really well, so after a while we added a lopper and electronic percussion. I suggested using Ableton live and then once we got that we would stack our parts together. From there we wanted to take what we had in front of people and start playing shows.

MCB: How did your sound evolve into the electronic experience it is today?
JH: We’re still live and completely improvised but we’ve taken to certain styles like DJ sets and the bass scene and incorporated it into our sound.
MCB: Tell me about how you incorporate vocals?
JH: Well I have a microphone set up and all these touch pads that control the mic with effects and delays and phasers. Occasionally, I use a pitchshifter to make these alien noises that don’t have meaning but they are rhythmic and they fit a certain flow of what we’re doing. I’ll also thrown in some sampled R&B or some rap thing and treat it more like an acapella on top of our music, like a producer would treat a remix.

MCB: You’re playing in Detroit during the Movement Festival are you going to check it out?
JH: Yes, we’re getting in town early. We’re coming from Los Angeles and that will be the thing to do and tell people about our late night thing that’s going on. It’s sort of a weird thing, it’s like being part of it and going up against it at the same time. But it seems like the right time to be in Detroit.
MCB: I read you have quite an elaborate light show…
JH: That’s our Lotus sculpture, which is built by this guy Blake Courtney who does all these structures at Burning Man and our projectionist who works with Sphongle and an animation team, Glassworks, that came up with 3D images that projects on our sculpture and we’re playing right in the middle of it. Colors and things fly around us and for the audience it’s a just a full visual fest. The Lotus is kind of like our shape shifting spacecraft. You have to see it to believe it.

MCB: You’ve been playing around long enough to experience the Rave scene and compare it to the Dubstep scene today, what are the differences you see?
JH: I feel it’s different, because the Rave scene wasn’t necessarily a voice to a generation. While they had their own party scene and it was underground, but it was open and everyone would show up and have a great time. Today’s dubstep and glitch hop has become more of a voice of younger group of people for the 23 year old and under, where their older brothers and sisters hate it and their parents hate it. It’s not as much as everyone coming to party but mostly the young people. The techno-rave stuff was kind of for everyone. Dubstep came from this unique bass culture that tells people to step away and be its own thing.
MCB: I would agree with except as older people we both seem to dig dubstep…
JH: Yeah, it’s become both the thing to love and to hate. If you stay close to the music you can see it is evolving.

MCB: What most surprises you playing out live these days?
JH: Probably how many DJs are out playing live and how they are doing it. Before it was just set up to play Friday or Saturday, but now you can tour all through the week. The way the electronic scene has become part of the jam scene or festival scene where every festival has an electronic late night. So it’s worked it’s way into the culture on a week night and not just part of the weekend at a posh club.
MCB: There’s like 30 things going on Sunday night, why should somebody see EOTO?
JH: Well our show is the most unique thing, both aurally and visually. If you’re up for dancing all night long it’s got that element. We hear people dance harder at our shows than any others. We feed off the crowd so much in the moment. This is our first time in Detroit so it going to be really special.

This Post by Mikel O.D. of

Daedelus and Mux Mool

WHITE SHROUD PICTURES — Fri, 25 May 2012 00:35:00 +0000

Daedelus and Mux Mool, a set on Flickr.

Via Flickr:
Daedelus and Mux Mool
Blind Pig
Ann Arbor, MI
May 18th 2012

An incredible night that was, with a new resident of our local record company based out of Ann Arbor, Ghostly International. Mux Mool took the stage and shared new tunes and some more familiar ones to end the set with. Both artists turned the room upside down. Keep your eyes peeled for live video of the performance for Daedelus. Don't forget to check out Daedelus' new album Bespoke. Which had great reviews and lots of good tunes to dance to. Great for any party.

Daedelus made an appearance at demf last year and all I can ever hope for is to see him back there in a few years or so. He's not an artist that you want to miss.

http://daedelusmusic.com

Video coming soon!

Renovation of The Detroit Historical Museum and a Pre-Movement Party

Gwen Joy — Thu, 24 May 2012 20:38:00 +0000

"Snazzy is as Snazzy Does!"

Gwen Joy is an artist who specializes in colorful folk art paintings.

Life experience is her subject matter which is translated in a lyrical/mythical fashion.

Follow Gwen's snazzy street reviews weekly here on Motorcityblog
Reach her directly at www.GwenJoy.com

The Detroit Historical Museum was kind enough to answer some questions about the Pre Movement party and the renovations planned for the Detroit Historical Museum. Check it out...
Having a Movement Pre Party at the museum is a very good idea. Who came up with that idea?

Since the museum was scheduled to close for renovations the week of Movement and Detroit is the birthplace of techno, the Detroit Historical Society thought a pre-Movement party would be a great way to celebrate the start of new beginning at the Detroit Historical Museum. We’ve invited several influential Detroit electronic music artists to cast their handprints in cement for Detroit Legends Plaza including: Juan Atkins, Kevin Saunderson, Eddie Fowlkes and Carl Craig. Derrick May and Jeff Mills will also have their handprints and signatures casted in cement to join Detroit Legends Plaza.

What are some upcoming exhibits after the renovations?

The museum will install three new exhibits including: · The Gallery of Innovation will highlight the entrepreneurial spirit of Detroiters through the use of interactive technology. · The Allesee Gallery of Culture will focus on 20th century music, architecture, sports, arts and entertainment. · Detroit: The Arsenal of Democracy will take visitors back to the World War II era when the people of the region created the mighty arsenal that changed the outcome of the war. · The plaza outside of the Detroit Historical Museum (at the corner of Woodward Ave. and Kirby St.) will become Detroit Legends Plaza, an outdoor destination to honor Detroit’s stars of sports, entertainment and media. Legends from Gordie Howe to Martha Reeves are among those that have cast their handprints and signatures in cement. Additionally, the following current exhibits will be revamped: · Doorway to Freedom: Detroit and the Underground Railroad exhibit will present the city’s past through the stories of those who helped and stood in the way of freedom seekers. · America’s Motor City exhibit will offer new artifacts and technology. · New techniques and enhanced storytelling features will be added to all permanent exhibit halls, including the Glancy Trains and Frontiers to Factories exhibits.

When will the museum be open again?

The museum reopens to the public Thanksgiving Weekend. Admission for the opening and beyond will be free to all. What are some of the innovative technology upgrades? The exhibits themselves will be revamped to make them more interactive and engaging. In addition to the physical improvements to the museum spaces, the Detroit Historical Society is in the process of digitizing more than 250,000 artifacts, making it accessible as an online tool for researchers and history lovers alike. Can you give me a summary of what will take place on May 24th? On the eve of the Movement: Electronic Music Festival, the Detroit Historical Society will kick off its much anticipated museum renovations with a party on the plaza. Party-goers will move to the sounds of DJ Keith Kemp as he opens for legendary Detroiter, Carl Craig. Craig will be joined by Detroit techno originators Juan Atkins, Eddie Fowlkes and Kevin Saunderson as they cast their handprints and signatures for the future Detroit Legends Plaza, set to be installed September 2012. The event offers one last chance to visit the museum before it temporarily closes for a six-month renovation made possible by the Past>Forward Campaign. Admission to the museum and party are free of charge. Garden Fresh Gourmet will provide snacks and a cash bar will be available.

What renovations took place during the 1960s? Did you do the car exhibit then? Did you do the music related exhibits then?

The museum was expanded with the addition of the Kresge Exhibit Hall dedicated on July 24, 1968. Running west from the original building along Kirby, it was designed by the architectural firm of Smith, Hinchman & Grylls. Kresge Hall was funded by a $500,000 grant from the S. S. Kresge Foundation in 1965, which was matched by the City of Detroit at the request of the Detroit Historical Commission

Will you be expanding that exhibit during this renovation? Will you be including more recent music like techno?

A portion of the new Allesee Gallery of Culture will include a section on the Movement: Electronic Music Festival.