Win Tickets to Hugh Cornwell at Small's!

This is the time of year for giving so we are following suit and giving away some more free tickets! This Saturday at Small's Hugh Cornwell (The Stranglers) will be hitting the stage and we're giving you the chance to go for free. We are giving two lucky people the chance to get into this great show for free. Joining Hugh Cornwell on the lineup is Circus Boy featuring Margaret Dollrod and The Gentlemen's Guild. To enter to win, just email us at hipindetroit@gmail.com with Hugh Cornwell in the subject and your first and last name in the email. We will draw our two winners on Saturday morning.

If you don't want to wait to win, you can pick tickets up here for just $10 or pay $12 on the day of the show. Doors will open at 8 p.m. on Saturday and all ages are welcome. For further details and to get updates on this show, head over to the Facebook event page here. 

~C

It's Not Just Polka Dots and Stuffed Animals - The War Against The Heidelberg Project & The Pursuit to Protect It

Photo Borrowed from The Heidelberg Project's Facebook Page

Throughout the last several months The Heidelberg Project has fallen victim to fires that have destroyed 4 of the 8 houses that were part of the art installation. It is unclear who is responsible for the arson, but what is clear is that something needs to be done to prevent further damage.

For those of you that are unfamiliar with The Heidelberg Project, it is a slightly bizarre yet whimsical art display that is set amongst abandoned homes and vacant lots on Detroit's East Side. Created by Tyree Guyton 27 years ago, the art on the houses and throughout the area were meant to call attention to the blight that had taken over the neighborhood he grew up in, while intriguing people and brightening up the area. In turn, once the project was started, there was no reported crime in the area for 26 years and it has brought in over $3 Million to the City of Detroit. Tyree continues to update and create new art throughout the area today. On any given day you can see him outside with paintbrushes in hand.

If you have never been to Heidelberg, it's something you need to experience. From homes covered in stuffed animals to legs sticking up out of the ground there are so many amazing displays throughout the couple of blocks, featuring discarded and found items amongst an array of brightly colored polka dots. The Heidelberg Project is at the top of my list of places to take out of towners. It is unlike anything I've ever seen before. In fact, one of my friends described it best by saying, "It's so Detroit."

Only in Detroit can someone take abandoned property and goods and turn it into something interesting and amazing. Likewise, only in Detroit would people be upset about vacant homes being destroyed, but it's so much more than that. It's art. It's a statement about society. It's a statement about where Detroit has been and where it could be headed. Sadly, although The Heidelberg Project has many fans, there are also some that are not as fond of the art.

With half of the houses now burnt to the ground, the face of Heidelberg has definitely changed. However Tyree and the group involved with the project are trying to preserve what is left. They are attempting to raise $50,000 to up the security at the site. If you would like to help the cause, you can donate through their indiegogo site here. Donations can be made through December 20th.

Whether you have never been to the site before or if it's one of your favorite spots in Detroit, do yourself a favor and take a trip there soon. Next Saturday is actually the perfect chance to do it too! On December 21st they will be celebrating the Winter Solstice at The Heidelberg Project with food, drinks, bonfires, and art classes for making holiday cards and ornaments. Attendees of the event are being asked to bring coats (for adults AND children), winter hats, gloves, or socks to help those in need. The fun will happen from 11 a.m. until 5 p.m. and is family friendly. For further details and directions to The Heidelberg Project visit the Facebook event page here. 

~C

Win Tickets to See Elvis Hitler at Small's!

This Friday at Small's you have the chance to see a Detroit Legend, Elvis Hitler. Yes, it's true, Elvis Hitler is hitting the stage again. The witty rockabilly band hasn't played a show in about 10 years now, so after this show who knows when you will get the chance to see them again.

The first time Sadie and I ever heard of Elvis Hitler is when they reunited about 15 years ago and our buddy Jeff Supina filled in on drums with his dad on guitar. Coincidentally, this was the first time we ever went to Lily's 21, thanks to Pasadena. I guess you can say we attribute that night to a lot of the reason we are who we are today. So if you check them out Friday night, it will probably change your life too. Or, at least you'll have a hell of a good time!

Elvis Hitler will be hitting the stage with the amazing Nick Ciolino and The Volcanos. Tickets can be purchased for $8 in advance here or it's $10 at the door. All ages are welcome and doors open at 8 p.m. We are excited to give you the chance to get in to this show free though! Thanks to our pals at Small's, we are giving away two pairs of tickets to this show! To enter to win, just email us at hipindetroit@gmail.com with Elvis Hitler in the subject and your name in the body. We will draw our 2 lucky winners on Friday morning! Good luck!!!

~C

Your Guide to Shopping Local this Christmas!

The holidays are upon us and we are all in a shopping frenzy trying to get the perfect gifts for the ones we love. Personally I do not do Black Friday or any of the hype shopping. Instead I usually opt for online shopping (I'm a Amazon and Etsy addict) and local retailers. I like to find gifts that are one of a kind or special in some way. The smaller stores tend to cater to this by carrying different and unique items that you're not going to find on the sale pages of Target or Walmart. We decided to put together a shopping guide of local stores and companies that our readers may be interested in checking out this holiday season.

Incognito (Royal Oak)
This is by far my favorite place to buy shoes and jewelry. They always have the newest trends and they are reasonably priced. The staff is fun to shop with and they are not afraid to help you out, let you try things on, and treat you with the one on one service that you can only dream of at most stores. They have been having crazy specials like 25% off everything, buy one get one half off, ect. “Like” them on Facebook to keep up with their daily and weekly specials.

UHF Records (Royal Oak)
This is one of the only record shops left and it has one of the best music selections that you can ask for. They carry a variety of titles new and old. This is the perfect place to pick up a rare album for a music geek or get the latest from your favorite local musicians as well as bigger name acts.

Leon & Lulu (Clawson)
This retailer features roller skating employees, funny books and gifts, and awesome jewelry and furniture. They even pass out cookies at the door for you to enjoy while you shop. This is the place to go to find a gift for that hard to shop for person. They have they most eclectic variety of items that I have ever seen. You will find something for everyone on your list and probably a few things for yourself.

Ironclad Tattoo Co. (Troy)
When I was 15 I stretched out my ears. Do I regret it? I used to, until I found out about Ironclad. They showed me a world where I can buy jewelry for my huge holes that is actually as cute and maybe even cuter than what a “normal” girl could buy at a regular store. They carry unique pieces for all your piercing needs, including some of the coolest septum rings I have ever seen. They even have real gold, diamonds, and pieces made of wood. You can also get gift cards for tattoos for someone who has been hoping to start a new piece. I highly suggest their artists, as they are the only ones I have let touch my skin. This is also one of the only places in the area that you can buy InkAddict apparel in person. They have also been running daily specials leading up to the holidays, so check the site often to get a discount.

Sparked (Clawson)
This is a new retailer that just opened up shop in Clawson. They have one of a kind glass pieces and are the only place that you can get Vile Co. merchandise in person in Michigan at this time. Owner Matt Williams is constantly expanding what they carry and is looking for input from local customers that will be frequenting the store. Stop in and check out what they have and let him know what you hope that they will carry in the future. They have also been posting daily and weekly specials on Facebook, so don't forget to “like” them.

The Detroit Mercantile Co. (Eastern Market - Detroit)
This is a Detroit themed store that doesn't make you want to puke. They actually carry some really nice stuff, including clothing, dog items, blankets, stationary, hats, socks, hoodies, ect. They also carry wares from local designers and merchants. Again, this is the place to get a one of a kind gift for someone that is hard to shop for, especially if they love Detroit!

The Rust Belt Market (Ferndale)
This market changes every day. They have new booths moving in and retailers continue to expand what they sell. I suggest buying a coffee right when you walk in and then walking around and seeing what you can find. I saw a shark tooth necklace and a few painting that I would love to own when I was there a week ago. To find hours and learn more about the current vendors, check out their website.

Scout (Royal Oak)This is another unique gift shop that carries lots of one of a kind items. They are right by UHF records in Royal Oak and they are constantly getting in new items.

Lost & Found Vintage (Royal Oak)
This is my favorite place to look for a new old fur coat, or a well broken in leather jacket. This store does upscale vintage really well. There is no junk to go through, just forgotten treasures. They carry male and female clothing and accessories and are right next door to Scout and UHF. So you can hit up all three at the same time and get a lot of shopping done in one swoop!

Those are just some of the places that we love to shop during the holidays. Happy hunting and happy holidays to you all. Don't forget to keep it local this Christmas and all year round if you can!

~S

Great Times and Great Finds at the Detroit Urban Craft Fair

The Detroit Urban Craft Fair is one of my favorite D.I.Y. events of the year. It's only a dollar to get into the show and there are rows of vendors to wander through selling everything from jewelry to soap.

This year there were a lot of new vendors and new ideas so I literally wanted to buy everything. I did buy a new heart necklace from Glass Action!, the makers of my infamous two piece Michigan necklace that I frequently wear. There is something so Courtney Love about a red stained glass heart, I just couldn't resist. I also purchased an air plant in a really cool copper hanger. This was a new idea by a company called Spazz Happy Design that I was immediately attracted to. I gave it to a friend as a gift the next day and she fell in love with it the way I did when I walked by the table. It's great finding something original and unique for friends and family and this place was boiling over with things for that hard to buy for person on your shopping list. I love to see my mother smile when I find something that she has never seen before. Another item I really liked was the knit collars being sold by ASTA, they wrapped around the neck and were held with three buttons. It was some of the best knitting that I have ever seen and I want to buy one as soon as possible. All of the hand drawn Christmas cards were also really cool and there were a lot of different artists there selling hand painted and screen printed pieces.

This is the kind of craft fair that your male friends would actually like to attend, there is just as much there for them as there was for the ladies. I even saw belt buckles that were hand carved out of wood, they were all one of a kind and magnificently made. A lot of the vendors took credit cards and there was food available for purchase. My only complaint is that the food and drink prices were a little too high. $3.50 for a can of Coke is crazy! I took a few pictures for those of you that weren't able to make it out, but I highly suggest that you see it for yourself next year. I need to set more money aside when I go next year because I could have bought a lot more!

~S

Wild Nights and Wild Lights at The Detroit Zoo!

 

The Detroit Zoo has a unique way to celebrate the holidays with them this winter. They have constructed a holiday display called “Wild Lights” that features over two million LED lights on the trees, buildings, and animal sculptures located towards the front of the zoo. This display is so huge that it measures over a half a mile in distance. They also have live entertainment, arts and crafts, storytelling, ice carving, and a LEGO holiday train display. There will also be holiday flavored treats and pictures with Santa available for purchase. 

Wild Lights has already kicked off, but there are a lot of chances for you to still check it out. It is taking place on December 13-15, 20-23, 26-30 of 2013, and January 2-5, 2014. The gates open at 5:30 p.m. and remain open until 9 p.m. on weeknights and Sundays and 10 p.m. on Fridays and Saturdays. Cost is $8 per person in advance and $10 at the gate for ages 2 and up (under 2 are free). Remember parking is $5, so factor that in when you are planning out your costs. Member and non-members are welcome to this event. This is your chance to see some great holiday decorations and check out what your favorite animals are up to this winter!

~S

Murder City Misfits

The holidays are a great time to give thanks for all that we have and give back to those that do not have as much. You don't have to be able to make a big donation to make a difference, you can make a difference by simply cleaning out your closet and sending your old duds off to someone in need. A small local charity called Murder City Misfits is having a clothing drive to collect clothes for those in need this winter. They would like to get you involved. This is one of many ways that the Misfits are getting together to make a difference. They have a core group that is also active in women's rights, animal rights, and anything that they feel is positive for them to participate in. This is a perfect example of the punk rock community coming together to make a difference in the world around them. Take a second to read a little more about The Murder City Misfits and see how you can involved.

Hip In Detroit- What made you start this charity?
MCM- "Murder City Misfits started as a group of people who just don’t fit into society’s mold. One way or another we are looked down on, kind of like how the rest of the country looks down on cities like Detroit and Flint. We got together to prove them all wrong and pick our communities up. We have all in some way felt the sting of struggle and just want to reach out to those in need."

Hip In Detroit- What is the idea behind it?
MCM- "Murder City Misfits raises money, awareness and support for different local organizations and charities. We support things we care about like homelessness, poverty, at risk youth, women, suicide, animal welfare, chronic illness and more. We try to promote positivity and encourage everyone to be kind hearted and giving. We aren’t looking for recognition just simply trying to spread the idea of change. A ripple effect. Change your mind, change the world."

Hip In Detroit- What are you doing right now to help out your local community?
MCM- "Right now we are having a clothing drive for local homeless/women/youth shelters and centers. Baldwin Center (Pontiac), Haven (Pontiac), and Covenant House (Detroit). Details are on our Facebook page. We will being starting a dog food and toy drive for local rescues as soon as we get all the details situated as well."  
 

Hip In Detroit- How can people get clothes to you to be dropped off at shelters?
MCM- "As of now, we have one drop off location. Tufts and Tails grooming salon 2520 Airport Rd., Waterford . You can also message us on Facebook or e-mail murdercitymisfits@gmail.com. I am willing to make arrangements to come pick stuff up. We are always looking for more help with drop of locations."

Hip In Detroit- How can we learn more about what you are doing or keep up to date on what’s next for the Murder City Misfits?
MCM- Follow us on:
Facebook- www.facebook.com/mcm.detroit
Twitter- @mcm_detroit
Instagram- murdercitymisfits

Hip In Detroit- Where would you like to see your non profit in a year?
MCM- "I’d like to see more people involved in the change. Maybe a self run DIY youth skate park in the works. Just getting more things accomplished in the community."

Hip In Detroit- Favorite bands, bars, and places to shop in Detroit?
XgutterX- "Favorite Detroit band will always be The Suicide Machines, but I've been listening to Fires In Japan a lot lately. When I do get out, I end up at Small’s often. And I love the Rust Belt. I know they aren’t technically in Detroit, but close enough."
Belladonna- "Favorite Detroit bands/performers are Buck Nell, The Suicide Machines, Break Anchor, Gutter Ghouls, Amino Acids and favorite bars New Dodge, Grand Trunk, Comet, Dragonmead (although that might be in Warren) and Atwater."

~S

Christmas Time at The Redford Theatre!

The Redford Theatre is hosting a few events to celebrate the holidays with cinema, live entertainment, and music. They are known for showing classic films on the big screen, the way movies were intended to be viewed. A lot of the time they also bring in characters from those old movies to introduce the film and talk about it, which can be quite an amazing experience for a movie dork like myself.

Coming up on December 14th they will have The Casali Dancers perform while Dave Calendine plays holidays music on their house organ. You will also be able to get a picture with Santa this night if you bring your own camera to take it with.

On December 15th they will feature The American Liberty Pop
Singers doing the “Sounds of Christmas”.







December 20th and 21st they will be playing White Christmas, a classic movie that features Bing Crosby, Danny Kaye, and Rosemary Clooney. Santa will be there one last time to get pictures with everyone.



 
To find out details about these shows or to purchase tickets to any of these events, check out the website here. They are also asking anyone that attends the White Christmas movie showing to bring a canned good to donate to a local food bank. It's always good to remember those less fortunate over the holidays and throughout the year whenever you can.

~S

FACEtoFACE Art Show Featuring Michelle Tanguay

I am not someone who knows a lot about art per say, but I know when I see something I like or find interesting. Artist Michelle Tanguay’s paintings are both beautiful, unique, colorful at times, always interesting, and worth checking out.

She is about to release a gallery of new work based on my favorite subject, the people of Detroit. She was gifted banners that were used at this year's Detroit Jazz Festival and re-used them to paint black and white works of art. She painted pictures of Detroiters across the banners that carried slogans like “imported from Detroit” previously written on them. The people in these images all have one thing in common, they are all people who live, work, play, or spend time in the city of Detroit. This gallery is all of you.

The opening for this show, FACEtoFACE, will be held on December 6th at Tanguay’s Detroit Studio located at 2948 Woodward Ave. in Detroit. The show opens at 8 pm on the 6th, but you can check out her work here to get a little taste of what's to come.

~S

A Free Night Out On The Town Courtesy of Noel Night

This Saturday night Midtown is giving you a Christmas gift. You have the chance to get into many of Detroit's great museums FREE of charge and pop into several other establishments in the area too. It is called Noel Night and this year marks the 41st year it has taken place.

Beginning at 5 pm on Saturday, December 7th, over 70 institutions in Midtown will be opening their doors to the public. This is your chance to get into the DIA, Science Museum, Historical Museum, and more for free. It's not just all about the big wigs though, some of our smaller favorites are joining in on the fun too. Avalon Breads, Back Alley Bikes, MOCAD, and more will also be opening their doors up in the evening and hosting music and interactive events. You can check out a full list of participating businesses and what they will be offering here. If there's too much you want to do on the list, don't worry, you won't have to sprint back and forth across Midtown. There will be a complimentary shuttle running between venues.

In addition to getting into various places throughout Midtown for free, the fun will also spread out into the streets! There will be horse-drawn carriage rides, shopping, crafts and performances by musicians and dance groups. There's even a sing-a-long in the streets at the end of the night!

This sounds like the perfect way to kick off the holiday season and have a free night out! For more details head over to the Noel Night Facebook page.

~C