So, This is Christmas: A Benefit for Detroit Public Schools at PJ's Lager House

Did you have a place to sleep last night? Did you have food to eat before you went to bed? If you did, you should take a second to appreciate that because according to a 2018 study from U of M, around 600 Detroit City Students did not have a place to sleep last night and around 36,000 children in Michigan public schools are facing homelessness and/or housing insecurity right now. Many of these children are also going to bed hungry. The US Department of Health and Human Services reports that 1 in 6 children in the US are currently hungry and and more than 13 million US children are food insecure, meaning that their next meal is not guaranteed. Can you imagine how hard it would be to learn if you were hungry or to concentrate if you didn't know where you were going to sleep at night? Each one of these obstacles takes away a child's opportunity to get a good education. There are many factors that contribute to the success of a community, but none are greater than the way that they take care of the next generation. We have to support everyone in our community that needs support so that we can all move forward and be successful together. One of the best ways that we can do this is to use our power to gather together to make a difference.

Veronica and Sarena from PJ's Lager House have stepped up and gathered a unique group of Detroit's artistic community to use their talents to help raise money and supplies for Detroit Public Schools. This Sunday, December 16th the Lager House will host So, This is Christmas: A Benefit For Detroit Public Schools. The night will feature 15+ local vendors, a photo-booth, and live music and DJ sets from some of the most talented Detroiters around. This includes Miz Korona, Willa Rae, and Eddie Logix. There will also be food from Pietrzyk Pierogi, Funny Burger and Voodoo Cafè.

Cover is $5 and they are asking for everyone to bring one of the following supplies to donate at the door. The party starts at 11 a.m. this Sunday and goes well into the night! You can find a full list of performers and set times here.

SUGGESTED DONATION ITEMS:

Hygiene Products
Facial Tissue
Disinfectant wipes
Cough Drops
Tampons All Absorbances
Maxi Pads All Absorbencies
Condoms All Size
Dial Antibacterial Pump Hand Soap
Vitamin D Supplements

Basic Supplies
#2 Pencils
#2 Beginner
#2 Mechanical Pencils
Lined Paper
Folders
Staplers
Color Pencils
Markers
Crayons
Chalk
Rulers
Safety Scissors
Scissors
Non-Toxic Glue
Non-Toxic Paints
Paint Brushes
Paper All Sizes
Construction Paper

Books and Audio Books
Hip-Hop High School by: Alan Lawrence Sitome
T.H.U.G. L.I.F.E. AKJ BOOKS
Kendra Coe Booth AKA BOOKS
House That Crack Built AKJ BOOKS
Money Hungry AKJ BOOKS
Bitten: Dangerous Girls & The Taste of Night R. L. Stine AKJ BOOKS
Dope Sick AKJ BOOKS
Always Running AKJ BOOKS
What’s Happening To My Body Book For Girls by: Lydia Madaras/ Area Madaras/Simon Sullivan
The Hunger Games AKJ BOOKS
Changing Bodies, Changing Lives 3rd edition by: Ruth Bell
Monster: The Autobiography of an LA Gang Member AKJ BOOKS
What We Saw by: Aaron Hartzler
I am Malala by: Malala Yousafzai
Beloved by: Toni Morrison
The Bluest Eye by: Toni Morrison
New Workbooks, Coloring Books & Activity Books (all ages, non-secular)
Blank Mole Skins and Journals
Monthly Planners and Calendars for 2019

Miscellaneous
DDOT Transportation Passes
SMART bus transportation pass
Amazon Gift Cards For Teachers To Purchase Their Own Supplies

~S 

A Benefit for Casey Schell, Gone Too Soon

The Detroit music community is a very close-knit group, especially when it comes to the punk and metal scenes. If you aren't part of it, it's nearly impossible to understand. There is a bond and sense of loyalty between these people that exists solely because of music. We support each other's projects, go to each other's shows, and band together whenever one of us is in need. We might not all be close friends with one another, but we are a family.

Last week, Detroit's scene lost another part of its family. We didn't know Casey Schell nearly as well as many of you. We would exchange a smile or a quick hello when we would run into each other at a bar or a show. However, it is clear how much he meant to his friends, family, and the Detroit music scene. His band S.U.B. has become a staple and one of the most loved punk bands in Detroit. Plus, he was part of the Zeke's family, a place that so many of us made our home base over the last couple of years. This loss has truly rocked our community and it's time for us all to come together to help each other out.

This Wednesday night Small's will be holding a benefit show to help raise funds for Casey's family. The lineup for the evening will include S.U.B, The Lowcocks, Steve Harvey Oswald and Kyle Green from Break Anchor, and Dave and Andrew from Fires In Japan. They are asking for $10 at the door, but you can of course give more if you are able to. Doors to the show are set to open at 8 p.m. If you are unable to attend Wednesday's show, but would like to help, there is talk of a Go Fund Me that is being established. Keep an eye on the Facebook event page for the benefit for details on that.

Lately we have been losing way too many of our own here in Detroit. Hug your friends a little tighter next time you see them. Let everyone around you know how much you care about them. Try to enjoy life every day. Do and say the things that you want to do. We never know how long we will be here, so let's make sure we make every minute last.

~C

Detroit Dio Tribute 2017

Every Spring Detroiters gather to pay tribute to the late great Ronnie James Dio. The Detroit Dio Tribute was created to celebrate all the great music that Ronnie created while raising money to fight cancer, the disease that ultimately took the legend's life.

This year's tribute show will feature seven different bands covering music from throughout Ronnie's career, this includes Elf, Rainbow and Black Sabbath, as well as some of his solo stuff. This tribute show was created in 2010 after the death of the legend and each year a beneficiary is picked to receive the proceeds. This year's proceeds will be given to Judi McGough, the sister of one of the musicians that is playing the show.

This year's tribute show will be held at The Loving Touch this Saturday, May 13th. Doors for the event open at 7 p.m., music starts at 8 p.m. and a $10 donation is required to get into the show.  If you are unable to attend the show, but want to help donate to this wonderful cause, you can contribute to Judi's GoFundMe campaign here. To learn more about the event and the amazing musicians that will be performing at this year's show click here.

~S

Help Make Live Ferndale Radio a Reality

Ferndale is one of our favorite suburbs of Metro Detroit. The downtown features an eclectic mix of stores including Green Daffodil, Found Sound, and Blumz by JRDesgins. You can get your vegan beauty on over at Rouge Makeup and Nail Studio and have a great meal at one of the city's amazing restaurants, like Imperial, The Emory, Zeke's Rock and Roll BBQ, Anita's Kitchen, Otus Supply and Pop's For Italian. Throughout the year some of the best festivals take place in the streets of Ferngully, this includes D.I.Y, Pig and Whiskey and Ferndale Pride. They have free movie nights on Vester Street, and lots of family events throughout the year. They also have one of the coolest libraries in the U.S.! So, it's not surprising that somebody decided that this hip little city needs its own radio station.

A small group of local residents are dedicated to launching a small community focused radio station that will broadcast out of The Rust Belt Market by August of 2017. They have already filed for their license and been approved, now they need the money to buy the tower to broadcast live on weekends from The Belt. The station will focus on local news and play music from smaller local acts that aren't featured on bigger stations (yet).  

To raise money they have put together a good old fashioned benefit show at The Loving Touch this Sunday, March 12th. The benefit show features a electic lineup, including Anthony Retka Music, Kate, Hinote & The Disasters, Dear Darkness, Bueno No Buen, Old Empire and The Bruised Reed. They are asking for a $5 donation at the door, but feel free to give more! We had a chance to ask the President of the movement a few questions about the project. Check out what she has to say and consider donating to a very good cause! 

HID- Why does Ferndale need a community radio station?
Michelle Mirowski (president)- "Ferndale is probably the most unique community in Michigan. It deserves a radio station that caters to that uniqueness and diversity. It deserves a unique voice."

HID- What kind of shows will the station feature?
MM- "Everything from college rock to local bands to hyper local news focusing on the city. We have a myriad of thoughts on possible shows (an on-air book club, old-timey radio dramas, geek culture and local comedy hours come to mind) but we won't have a definitive schedule until we launch. But the possibilities are endless!"

HID- Where will the shows be broadcast from?
MM- "We have partnered with Rust Belt Market for studio, transmitter and antenna space. Come say "Hi" once we're up and running!"

HID- When will the radio station start broadcasting?
MM- "We are required to be on the air by the end of August or else we lose our FCC license. If all goes well, we'll meet that deadline with time to spare."

HID- How did you choose the lineup for this weekend's benefit show?
Alan (benefit organizer)- "The lineup for the show was decided on the friendship of myself and the radio station staff. It was important to all of us we put together a lineup of bands that represent the station and the community where this station will be broadcast from. I couldn't be happier and more appreciative of everybody playing. I am excited to see this show! "

Doors for this show/benefit open at 2:30 p.m. this Sunday!

~S 

Comedians Take the Stage at Small's to Help Bark Nation

This Friday head to Small's to laugh your butt off while helping out some pups! Your favorite corner bar in Hamtramck is hosting a Comedy Show and Bark Nation DACC Heartworm Fund Benefit that's being put on by the same people that bring you Ray & Laura's Comedy Showcase. The event will feature six comedians for the low cost of $5, which will go to Bark Nation.

Bark Nation is a 501c3 based out of Wixom, MI. The group's mission is to "bring the Canine American welfare community together to put an end to the over-populated, over-euthanizing, over-ignorant, under-educated practices of the nation that we live in". They help out shelters in the area, they advocate for victimized dogs, help with their medical and behavioral rehabilitation, help raise awareness in the community, hold free spay and neuter clinics, and even foster dogs. Their fosters, referred to as TeamZomo, include survivors of dog fighting as well as other "special souls". You can see adorable photos of their current and past rescues here. This specific benefit will help raise money to assist with the treatment and care of dogs with heartworm. Click here to learn more about the event.

The list of comedians performing on Friday night include Laura Witkowski, D'Anne Withkowski, Holly Schmolly, Ellen Stachowicz, Nicki Wright and Esther Nevarez. Doors will open at 8 p.m. and the show is set to kick off at 9 p.m. 21+ are welcome to attend.

If you would like to help out Bark Nation, but can't make it out to the show on Friday, there are some other ways you can give them a hand. They are always looking for volunteers to help with the dogs as well as people to help with fundraising events and efforts. You can also show your support by buying Bark Nation gear online here. Or, you can buy them items off their Amazon Wishlist. You can even just make a donation via PayPal or by shopping through Amazon Smile. For all of this information and more, just head over to BarkNation.org!

Small's bar is located at 10339 Conant St. in Hamtramck. For information on this event and other upcoming events at Small's, head over to SmallsBarDetroit.com.

~C

Sadie Hosts Girls Rock Detroit's Rock Roulette at Small's this Friday!

This Friday, June 17th Small's Bar in Hamtramck will host a benefit show for Girls Rock Detroit. The event features some of Detroit's best musicians coming together in the name of rock. Members of bands like My Pal Val, Betty Cooper, Eleanora, Free Bleeders, Duende, Old Empire and Warhorses have been rearranged to create new acts that will be taking the stage together for one night only to help raise money for a great cause. Hip in Detroit's Sadie Q will also be there to host the event, draw raffle winners, and make sure that everyone has a great time! 

Girls Rock Detroit is a local non profit charity that helps introduce music, musical instruments, song writing and performing into the lives of females or female identified youth between the ages of 8-15 years. The week long camps use music to help encourage creative expression and positive self esteem at an early age. The program is LBGT friendly and all the teachers are members of the Girls Rock Alliance. The camp tries to break down preconceived notions of what women can do by introducing them to a whole new world and giving them the skills they need to start creating music on their own. Many of the students need help attending the camp and the funds raised from this event will help new members learn the art of music this summer. 

The night will not only feature music, it will also feature raffles, giveaways and new merch up for sale from GDR. The are asking for a $10 donation at the door, but everyone is welcome to give what they can. Doors at Small's will open at 8 p.m. this Friday and the music starts at 9. We hope to see a lot of you there cheering for the musicians who worked hard to make the evening special!

The full list of acts includes:
Sparkle Motion: featuring Angie Kaiser (Siamese) on drums, Alexandra Lee (Bonehead) on bass, Julien Law on guitar, Laura Rock (Old Empire) on vocals, and Giovanna Posselius
http://siamesedetroit.bandcamp.com/
http://bonehead.bandcamp.com/
http://oldempire.bandcamp.com/

Toki Pona: featuring Veronica Sawyer (The Free Bleeders) on drums, Sara Grosky on bass, Ashlee Moseley (Lillian Lee) on guitar, and Allye Gaietto on vocals and the keys
http://www.thefreebleeders.com/

The Jane Lanes: featuring Tasha Peace (The Free Bleeders) on drums, Isabella Fucinari (Aster) on bass, Morgan LaLonde on guitar, and Laura Schneider on vocals and the keys
www.facebook.com/AsterDetroit

The Falsies: featuring Claudia Leo (Avatars, Coronados) on drums, Lainie Epstein (The Free Bleeders) on bass, Leah Dunstan (Eleanora) on guitar, Melody Malosh on guitar (Betty Cooper), and Serene Arena (Missionary, Poor Bastard) on vocals and harmonicas
http://eleanora.bandcamp.com/
https://soundcloud.com/missionarydetroit
https://bettycooper.bandcamp.com/
https://soundcloud.com/poor-bastard

Shark Week: featuring Kristin Lyn (Warhorses, Unlimited Head) on drums, Kristin Von B (Betty Cooper) on bass, Elise McCoy (MPV) on guitar and vocals, Tina Louise (The Free Bleeders) lead vocals, and Michelle Kisner (The Smiths United) on the keys
www.facebook.com/warhorses
www.facebook.com/unlimitedhead
http://www.mpvdetroit.com/

Fire is Born: featuring Laura Willem (DUENDE!) on drums, Willa Adamo (Willa Rae & the Minor Arcana) on bass, Stacey MacLeod (Dear Darkness) on guitar and vocals, and Kat Steih (iO Megaji) on vocals and electronics
http://duendetroit.bandcamp.com/
http://www.willaraemusic.com/
http://deardarkness1.tumblr.com/

Simple Syrup: featuring Julia Stephenson (Eleanora) on violin, Hayley Cody (Ukulele Hayley) on vocals and the uke, Whitney (Eastern Sisters) on vox/harmonies, Brook Ratliff (Mercury Salad Sandwich) on African hand drums and vocals, and Amanda Roach on guitar and vocals
https://soundcloud.com/heiriimc
https://soundcloud.com/brooke-ratliff

~S

Lumpfest 2.5: Raising Money for Flint!

The recent tragedy in Flint, Michigan has been one of the most shocking and upsetting events to occur in recent history. My heart aches for all the people whose lives have been ruined, especially the children. The worst part is knowing that no matter what you do, it will never be enough. The injustice and pain that was caused cannot be fixed, there is not amount of water that we can send or donations that we can make to give these people back their health. But, it is important that we do not forget about these people. We have to find as many ways as possible to help out and ever little bit counts.

This weekend a bunch of local musicians have stepped up to the plate to perform together at the Trumbullplex to raise money for the The Community Foundation of Greater Flint. This organization's goal is to address the impact of the water crisis by providing health, medical and community-based services to the victims.

The fundraiser will include performances from CHARACTERISTICS, Caveman Woodman & Bam Bam Moss, Five Pound Snap vs White Bee (combined set), Market, Devinition, Earth Engine, Duck Trash (Bloomington, IN), JP From The HP, Gray/Bliss Music, River Spirit and Air is the Arche.

It's all happening this Friday, February 19th. Tickets are $5 at the door and all ages are welcome to attend. A few local vendors will also being selling their wares at the fest. Bands will start early at 6 p.m. and the Trumbullplex is located at 4210 Trumbull.  

~S 

H20 Fest! A Water Benefit for Flint Michigan

This Saturday, February 13th The Tangent Gallery is opening its doors for an all day benefit to help gather water to take to Flint. They have recruited 19 bands to play throughout the day. If you bring at least a gallon of water you can come in and hang out for free. All the water collected will be taken to people of Flint who still do not have clean drinking water. The government is not stepping up and doing what they need to do, so we need to all step up and find a way to help our brothers and sisters in Flint. If you have a few extra bucks, pick up some water, stop by the Gallery, checkk out a band or two, and help them help Flint!

Full Lineup:
Go Gang - 12:10 - 12:25
My Own Will - 12:35 - 12:50
BheadR - 1:00 - 1:15
Lake Inferior - 1:25 - 1:40
Lightside Ash - 1:50 - 2:05
Xoo - 2:15 - 2:30
YaKuZa moon - 2:40 - 2:55
AngelLanise w/Fan Smith - 3:05 - 3:25
Baybro - 3:35 - 3:55
Something 2 Hate - 4:05 - 4:25
Nique Love Rhodes- 4:35 - 4:55
GS Tha Dream - 5:05 - 5:25
Awkward Theory - 5:35 - 5:55
Overdrive - 6:05 - 6:25
Cycle of Violence - 6:35 - 6:55
Smash Your Enemies - 7:05 - 7:35
Martez, WURL SOTTO, Cass Ketchum - 7:55 - 8:15
Aztek Barfly - 8:30 - 9:00
Halo of Vultures - 9:30 - 10:15

Doors open at noon on Saturday!

~S