Downtown Brown Celebrates the Release of "CaliFlorida" this Thanksgiving Eve

This Thanksgiving Eve, there will be a lot of fun shows and parties happening throughout Metro Detroit, but one of the best ones of all is happening at The Loving Touch. Detroit's own Downtown Brown will be celebrating the release of their seventh album, CaliFlorida. The long awaited album was officially released last month and now the band is on tour in support of the release. 

Downtown Brown will be hitting the stage at The Loving Touch this Wednesday night along with The Doozers and The Scapes. Tickets for the show are $12 and can be purchased in advance here. We had a chance to chat with front man Neil Patterson about the new album and Wednesday's show. Hit play below to give CaliFlorida a listen and read ahead to see what Neil had to say! 

HID- It has been almost 2 years since we talked to you last. Then, you were getting ready to leave Detroit and our winters. What's been going on in the world of Downtown Brown since we talked last?Neil- "It's been nuts. I moved to California in 2016 to continue the band in SoCal and make new music. A whole lotta shit got in the way... my dad died, my mom had three brain surgeries (she's ok now), I had to get hernia surgery, and I had a ton of interpersonal turmoil. It took forever, but I FINALLY finished this album and we're currently on a 2 month tour celebrating that."

HID- Tell us about your new album CaliFlorida! Where did you record it? Is there any meaning behind the title?
Neil- "The title is just an inside joke. We started touring in 2007 and always called the sunshine state 'CaliFlorida'. The album was recorded in L.A. and Detroit and features musicians from Sublime, Fishbone, Parliament Funkadelic, Lynyrd Skynyrd ...as well as members of Downtown Brown's touring lineups. It's the most fully realized, best sounding album I've ever made. I'm really proud of it."

HID- This Wednesday night you're celebrating the release here at home. Why should everyone come out to the show?Neil- "Because we're gonna put on a great show in celebration of everything we have to be grateful for; our friends, our health, our home, and the fact that we still get to do this shit after 17 years of being a band."

HID- Since it's the night before Thanksgiving, what's your favorite Thanksgiving side dish?Neil- "Yammmsss"

HID- Any tips on how your fans can get through Thanksgiving day with their families after partying too much with Downtown Brown the night before?

Neil- "Pedialyte. Gatorade. Stay hydrated, folks. Take a nap. Watch the Lions.

HID- Is there anything else that you would like our readers to know?Neil- "I'm just super excited to play music with my friends in our hometown. I didn't know if this album would ever get finished ...but it did. I have so much to be thankful for. I'm not in jail and I love my Mom. Life is pretty decent."

Doors will open at 8 p.m. on Wednesday night. For more info, click here.

~C

The Wonderfully Witchy World of The Boston Tea Room

If you're searching for the perfect gift to get all of the witches in your coven, The Boston Tea Room in Ferndale has got you covered. From sticks of Palo Alto to stones in every color shape and size they have everything you need to get rid of anything that you do not want to take into 2019.  

The unique tea room offers psychic services as well as everything you need to balance your space. This includes a wide selection of books, candles, home decor, stones, jewelry, and more. We love to walk around and browse every time we are in the area and we never know what we are going to leave with.  

Here's all of the cool things we saw during our last visit to the shop. Consider stopping in and shopping local if you know someone who might be more interested in black magic than black Friday! 

~S

Win Tickets to See Unearth at The Magic Stick

Unearth has been making music and dominating the metalcore scene for about 20 years now. In that time, they have had six studio releases and are about to release their latest full length. Extinctions is set to be released on Friday, November 23rd. You can pre-order the album online here. You can also get a sneak peak of the new release by checking out the music video for "One With The Sun".

Unearth is currently on tour in support of this new album and they will be making a stop in Detroit on Sunday, November 18th. Black Iris Booking is bringing Unearth to the stage at The Magic Stick along with Fit For An Autopsy, The Agony Scene and  Traitors. Tickets for this show are $18 in advance or $20 the day of the show. You can purchase your tickets in advance here. You can also enter to win a pair of tickets to this show. To enter to win, send your name to hipindetroit@gmail.com with #unearth in the subject line. We will draw one lucky winner on Sunday morning and will send them details on how to claim their prize.

Doors are set to open at 6 p.m. on Sunday and all ages are welcome.

~C

The March For Black Women Takes Place in Detroit this Saturday

This Saturday November, 17th The March for Black women will host a sister March here in Detroit.  The purpose of the March for Black Women Detroit is to "educate the community on the many issues that Black women face (Trans violence, sexual assault, domestic violence, etc.) and also to celebrate them".

The march will start at the Spirit of Detroit at noon on Saturday. It will go in a circle for a square mile before returning to the spirit where a group of speakers will be sharing their thoughts and stories. This will include Fatou- Seydi Sarr (ABISA, Michigan United), Jey’nce Poindexter (Equality Michigan), Heather Bruegl (Indigenous Activist), Nicole Denson (WC Safe, Women’s March Michigan), Camille Sanks (Young activist, Poet), Nadia Lawson (Poet), Cheryl Blanton Herrmann (Activist), Shelton Martin (Performer), Yana Lynn (BYP100), and the MC Tamera Middlebrooks (Girls Making Change Alum, Detroit Area Youth Uniting Michigan).

Detroit's Food Not Bombs and Food Not Class Collective will be preparing a meal to hand out during the event. They will also be supporting the marchers by handing out hand warmers and warm weather accessories like gloves, hats, and scarves. If you are able to donate food or winter weather items for the event you an reach out to the organizers here. 

All are welcome to come out and listen and support.

~S

Cranbrook Art Museum Opens Three New Galleries This Friday

The Cranbroook Art Museum opened in 1942. The original collection was donated by Cranbrook's original creators George Gough Booth and his wife, Ellen Scripps Booth. It currently houses a permanent collection, including works by Charles and Ray Eames, Harry Bertoia, Maija Grotell and Carl Milles, as well as Robert Motherwell, Andy Warhol and Roy Lichtenstein. It is also the home to lots of really cool collections that come through Detroit for a limited time only. Over the last year this has included the works of Basquiat and Shepard Fairey. This Friday, November 16th the museum will be previewing three new collections.

The first collection is called Fired, Broken, Gathered, Heaped and it was created by Annabeth Rosen. This gallery will feature more than 100 pieces that the former Cranbrook graduate created over the last 20 years.

The Second collection is called A McArthur Binion Project and it features the work of Chicago-based painter McArthur Binion. Binion "uses documents of his life—his birth certificate, personal phone book, identification portraits—as the first layers in his paintings. He then builds the surface with hard-pressed oil stick or crayon in grid patterns, creating a visual profile that aligns his work within the traditions of postwar abstraction and Minimalism''.

The third collection is called A Portrait of True Red and it was created by Danielle Dean. This visually intriguing photo gallery questions race, gender, age, and class. It's a tale of a girl and her Nike's but it so much more.

There will be a member preview of the show from 6 to 7 p.m. on Friday before the gallery opens to the public from 7 until 9 p.m. It will be $25 to get into the show if you are not a Cranbrook member.  Each of these exhibits ends at a different time, so make sure that you visit before they close if you don't make it out to the opening this weekend. You can find out everything you end to know about The Cranbrook Art Museum here.

~S 

Detroit Lights Up for the Holidays Friday Night

The first snow of the season has fallen and the holidays are just around the corner. This Friday night, Detroit will officially get in the holiday spirit at the 15th Annual Detroit Tree Lighting. This year's event will take place on Friday, November 16th from 5 p.m. until Midnight. The festivities will take place at both Beacon Park and Campus Martius Park, and pretty much everywhere in between.

This year's event is bigger and better than ever, with several musical performances, Olympic Figure Skaters, and more. At Beacon Park, Joe Hertler & The Rainbow Seekers will be playing inside a heated tent along with Nadir Omowale. There will also be a live stream of the official tree lighting from down the street at Campus Martius. There will be awesome lighting installments, food trucks, drinks, and even Santa will be there!

Over at Campus Martius Park, Ben Sharkey will perform along with The Woodward Horns and headlining act Cece Winans. There will also be performances from ice skating groups and local choirs, plus more food trucks, treats, and carriage rides. Plus, the ice rink will officially open up to the public on Friday night, starting at 9 p.m.

While you're making your way from one park to another, make sure you also stop by the shops at Cadillac Square and Capitol Park too! This will be the official grand opening of the shops for the season. Some of the great brands that you can shop this holiday season include Dolly Rocker’s Handmade and Vintage, Rock Paper Scissors, Yellow Dog Marketplace, and Mitten Crate. The Cadillac Square Lodge will also be open for business. If you'd rather not walk from park to park, there will also be free shuttles running between Beacon Park and Campus Martius, with pick up on Michigan & Griswold and First & Plaza.

This will be an awesome holiday night that you don't want to miss! So head down early and stay late! Keep in mind, there will be road closures due to all of the festivities, so plan accordingly. (Check out the map of closures below.) For more information on the tree lighting and the events surrounding it, click here.

~C

Win Tickets to Mark Whalen & The Buttermilk Boys' Release Show at Small's

This Friday, Mark Whalen & The Buttermilk Boys will be releasing their first full length album. You may have seen this band play over the summer at Dally in the Alley, but if you're not familiar, here's the scoop. Mark Whalen & The Buttermilk Boys is fronted by of course, Mark Whalen, with bassist Max Bourgeois, lead guitarist Colin Takata, keyboardist Malcolm Mosley, and drummer Ben Baird. Prior to joining forces with The Buttermilk Boys, Whalen released a solo EP. His single "The Things You Do (to Me)" was watched over 1 million times on YouTube. So, with a full band behind him, it's no doubt that Whalen will be even more successful. Get a sneak peak of what their new album will sound like by giving the song "All The Time" a listen here.

Mark Whalen & The Buttermilk Boys will be celebrating their release this Friday night at Small's in Hamtramck. Matching the band's classic 70's vibe, the theme for the night will be "Friday Night Fever" and attendees are encouraged to wear their best disco outfits. Also on the bill for the night are Who Boy, Kinda Cute, and Olive. Tickets to see this lineup live are $8 in advance or $10 at the door. We are also giving away a couple of pairs of tickets to this show! To enter to win, please send your name to hipindetroit@gmail.com with #mark in the subject line. We will draw two lucky winners on Friday morning and will send them details on how to claim their prize.

Doors are set to open at 8 p.m. for this one and the show will start at 9. 18+ are welcome. For more info, click here.

~C

Win Tickets to See The Menzingers at The Crofoot

The Menzingers are currently out on a Fall Tour making their way across the US. They've been packing venues and selling out shows throughout this tour and this Friday night, they will make their way to Metro Detroit. They are set to hit the stage in The Crofoot Ballroom along with Tiny Moving Parts and Daddy Issues. "Before the Party" (aka before the actual show), The Menzingers will also be playing a special acoustic set for VIP fans. To purchase a ticket to see that set, meet the band, and get a signed 7", click here.

Tickets for The Menzingers' show at The Crofoot are $20 in advance or will be $23 at the door. You can purchase your ticket online here. You can also enter to win a pair of tickets to the show by sending your name to hipindetroit@gmail.com with #menzingers in the subject line. We will draw one lucky winner on Friday morning and will send them details on how to claim their prize.

Get ready for Friday's show by turning up your speakers and giving The Menzingers' new song "The Freaks" a listen!

~C

Win Tickets to See Death from Above

Canadian rock duo Death From Above is known for making people dance. They started playing together in 2001, stopped playing together in 2005, and restarted their musical love affair again in 2011. Since then, they have released two albums and dropped the 1979 from their name. The only thing that hasn't changed is own fun they are to see live. If you haven't caught their live show before, this is your chance and you don't want to miss it!

Death From Above is currently on tour celebrating the repressing of their debut EP, Heads Up!, and they will be making a stop to perform at The Magic Stick this Saturday, November 17th. Le Butcherettes will be opening the show and tickets to attend are $25 and they can be purchased here. We also have one pair of tickets to give away to the show. If you would like to enter to win, please email your full name to hipindetroit@gmail.com with the subject line #DFA. We will draw one lucky winner the morning of the show and they will get to attend the show with a friend for free!

~S 

A Peep Inside City Bird

Photo borrowed from City Bird's Facebook Page

Over the last few weeks we have been popping into some of our favorite local shops to see what they have inside their shops for the holiday shopping season. We know how important it is to #shoplocal during the holidays, so we hope that we can encourage you to give these awesome Metro Detroit shops a shot.

This week we stopped into City Bird, a unique gift shop owned and operated by co-owners Andy and Emily Linn, that features a collection of curated items that they have gathered. The company began in 2005 and opened this flagship store in 2009 before expanding into home goods and opening another shop next store called Nest in 2011. Both locations feature works from local artists, including Rebel Nell, Make.Do.Studio, and Cellar Door. There is something for everyone n a wide variety of prices. This includes one of the largest handmade card selections that we have ever seen. Stop in to get everything from stocking suffers to main gifts this holiday season!

~S

Celebrate 30 Years of "Daydream Nation" at MOCAD

The MOCAD has teamed up with Third Man Records to bring a one night only celebration of Sonic Youth's 1988 release Daydream Nation to the museum. The event will feature a screening of Daydream Nation that will include “Put Blood in the Music” by Charles Atlas and the premiere of highlights from Lance Bang’s new “Daydream Nation concert film plus rare and unreleased footage". There will also be a Q & A with Steve Shelley and Lance Bangs after the premiere! Thurston Moore and Kim Gordon aren't together anymore, but the music that hey created 30 years ago with Sonic Youth is as relevant today as it was 30 years ago.

Tickets to attend the screening are $12 for MOCAD members and $15 for general admission. You can purchase advance tickets here, but you cannot get your member discount online. The screening will take place from 8 p.m. until 10 p.m. this Tuesday evening. MOCAD is located at 4454 Woodward Ave. and it has convenient $5 parking right next to the building!

~S

Get into the Michigan Science Center for Free this November

Photo borrowed from the Michigan Science Center's Facebook Page

Detroit is lucky enough to have some amazing museums, and one of those museums is the Michigan Science Center. Located right in the heart of Midtown, the science enter offers great hands on exhibits teaching visitors about everything from weather to engineering. The center also houses a Planetarium, 4D Theatre, and live shows. It is truly a fun place to visit for both kids and adults.

This November, you have a couple of chances to visit the Michigan Science Center for free! General admission is usually $14 for adults or $11 for children 12 and under or senior citizen (65+). So, getting in for free is quite the savings! The first free day is this Sunday, November 11th in honor of International Science Center Day. The second date is Friday, November 23rd as the center celebrates being Thankful for STEM. Free General Admission on both of these dates includes 250+ hands-on exhibits, live stage shows, Spark!Lab from the Smithsonian, Kids Town gallery, the STEM Playground, and more. The Planetarium will also be open and tickets will be available for purchase online and on site.

The Michigan Science Center is located at 5020 John R. in Detroit. The center will be open from Noon - 5 p.m. on Sunday, November 11th and 10 a.m. - 5 p.m. on Friday, November 23rd. For regular hours of operation or to purchase tickets to visit the science center on a different day, visit Mi-Sci.org.

~C

Win Tickets to See The Get Up Kids at The Magic Stick

The Get Up Kids need no introduction. Chances are, you know who they are and you're a fan. This weekend you have a chance to see The Get Up Kids live at one of our all time favorite venues, The Magic Stick. The band is currently on tour in support of their latest release Kicker that came out over the summer. Check out the music video for "I'm Sorry" off the new record.

The Get Up Kids will hit the stage at The Magic Stick on Sunday night. Also on the bill is Remember Sports. Tickets for this show are $21 in advance or $26 the day of the show. Thanks to Black Iris Booking, we are also giving away a pair of tickets to one lucky winner. To enter to win, send your name to hipindetroit@gmail.com with #getupkids in the subject line. We will draw one lucky winner on Sunday morning and will send them details on how to claim their prize.

Doors are set to open at 7:30 p.m. on Sunday and the show will start at 8:30. All ages are welcome.

~C

Win Tickets to See Weakend Friends this Weekend

Just a few weeks ago, Weakend Friends released their debut full length, Common Blah. The trio, featuring Sonia Sturino,  Annie Hoffman and Cam Jones, just wrapped up a tour in Europe, with dates in Paris and the UK. Now they are on the road in the US and will be making their way to Detroit this Friday night. Check out the music video for their song "Blue Again" off the new album, then read ahead to get details on Friday's show.

Weakend Friends will be hitting the stage at Deluxx Fluxx this Friday, November 9th. They will be joined by Nervous Dater and Dogleg. Tickets to see these three bands live are $12 in advance or $14 the night of the show. You can purchase your tickets in advance here. You can also enter to win a pair of tickets to the show, courtesy of Party Store Productions. To enter to win, just send your name to hipindetroit@gmail.com with #friends in the subject line. We will draw one lucky winner the morning of the show and will send them details on how to claim their prize.

Doors are set to open at 7 p.m. on Friday and 18+ are welcome.

~C