Hip in Detroit's Picks for the Weekend: May 17-19, 2024

We already told you about the Backyard Art Fair. Here are some other fun things happening this weekend! 

Friday, May 17th & Saturday, May 18th - Detroit Women of Comedy Festival @ Planet Ant: This Friday night, women take over Planet Ant in Hamtramck for th annual Detroit Women of Comedy Festival! This event will bring together over 80 performer on two stages, plug will have workshops and more. Day passes are $35 a day or you can pick up a two day pass for $65. If there's only one or two things that you'd like to attend during the fest, individual event tickets are available for most things on the schedule, starting at just $10. For the full schedule of events and performers and to purchase your tickets, click hereclick here. 

Saturday, May 18th - Pink Spit and The Hourlies @ The Old Miami: This Saturday night, The Old Miami is the place to be if you want to hear some great music! The lineup for the night includes The Hourlies, Pink Spit, and Cherry Drop. $5 gets you in the door and 21+ are welcome. 

Friday, May 17th - Sunday, May 19th - Motor City Comic Con: Pick up some comic books and see some of your favorite celebrities this weekend at Motor City Comic Con! The event will take place at the Suburban Collection Showplace in Novi Friday through Sunday. Weekend passes for adults are $90, or you can pick up day passes at $35 for Friday, $45 for Saturday, and $40 for Sunday. Some of this year's celebrity guests include William Shatner, Helen Hunt, Dante Basco (AKA Rufio), Ernie Hudson, John Ratzenberger, and George Went. See the full list of celebrities that will be in attendance here. The convention runs from noon - 7 p.m. on Friday, 10 a.m. - 7 p.m. on Saturday, and 10 a.m. - 5 p.m. on Sunday. Check out the full schedule of events and get all of the info you need at MotorCityComicCon.com. 

~C

Discover an Intimate Coming of Age Story at Planet Ant Theatre! (Ticket Giveaway)

Are you a fan of local theater and crave a captivating performance that touches your heart? Look no further! Planet Ant Theatre proudly presents the world premiere of 'round midnight // i got it bad (and that ain't good), a spellbinding production written by and starring the talented Will Street, known for his outstanding work at Detroit Repertory Theatre. This must-see show is being directed by Planet Ant's very own executive director, Darren Shelton.

Set in the original Black Box Theater at Planet Ant, the show follows 22-year-old Elijah Eddleman as he navigates the bittersweet terrain of past romantic encounters while facing the fresh wounds of a recent breakup. This is the first show to take place in the black box theatre since before the pandemic so it is a big deal!

📅 Performance Schedule:

August 11 - 26

Friday and Saturdays at 8 p.m.

Sundays at 2 p.m.

Thursday, 8/24, at 8 p.m.

Preview performance on Thursday, 8/10, at 8 p.m.

Location: Planet Ant Black Box (2357 Caniff St., Hamtramck)

Price: $22 online | $25 at the door

Experience the raw emotions, timeless truths, and the power of love in this beautifully crafted coming-of-age tale. With outstanding performances from Will Street and the talented Logan Monson, 'round midnight // i got it bad (and that ain't good) promises an unforgettable evening that speaks to the heart of every theater enthusiast.

Do you want to go but are not able to come up with the cash to do so? Thats okay! We have three pairs of tickets to giveaway to three lucky theatre lovers.  If you win you will get a ticket code and be able to attend which performance you want to see at Planet Ant this weekend! To enter please email your full name to hipindetroit@gmail.com with the subject #theatreindetroit. We will email 3 lucky people back this upcoming Thursday and they will be able to see the show with a friend for FREE!

To learn more about Planet Ant and this show visit the website here.

~S

Detroit's Next Big Shot: Unleash Your Talent and Shine!

 

Are you an aspiring artist, performer, or entertainer looking to make your mark on the vibrant city of Detroit? Do you dream of standing in the spotlight, captivating audiences, and claiming the title of "Detroit's Big Shot"? Well, your moment has arrived! This fall, Detroit's Big Shot embarks on an exhilarating journey to discover the city's next breakthrough talent. From musicians to magicians, dancers to comics, all are welcome to showcase their skills in front of our esteemed panel of local celebrity judges. Get ready to leave a lasting impression, hosted by none other than the hilarious comedian Tam White!

Detroit's Next Big Shot is not just another talent show; it's an opportunity to make your dreams come true. With multiple rounds of competition, each step brings you closer to greatness. The event takes place at the renowned Planet Ant's Ant Hall, located at 2320 Caniff St. in Hamtramck. 

As if the chance to become Detroit's next sensation wasn't enticing enough, they have an array of fantastic prizes that will take your career to new heights.

Take a look at what awaits the winners:

• AED Logo: Two hours of consulting with an audio engineer or two hours of studio recording time.
• Batch Brewing: A limited-edition beer from Batch Brewing Company named in your honor.
• Boswell Studios: Headshots from Boswell Studio.
• Brain Candy: A performance slot at the monthly Brain Candy showcase at Green Brain Comics in Dearborn.
• Catalyst Media Factory: Two hours of public relations consulting.
• Detroit History Club: A performance opportunity at the Detroit History Club's event, plus a Detroit History Club prize pack featuring a $150 gift certificate, a t-shirt, a hoodie, and a tote bag.
• Detroit Repertory Theatre: Gold Membership Subscription to the Detroit Repertory Theatre.
• Detroit Writing Room: 2 hours of writing consulting for bios, electronic press kits, website copy, liner notes, etc.
• One Night Stans Logo: Promotional video for the winner shown before comedy shows at One Night Stan's comedy club.
• Planet Ant: A performance opportunity on the Ant Hall stage and one free class in the Planet Ant Training Center.
• Signal Return: 100 (10 in x 12 in) two-color, text-based, letterpress printed posters from Signal Return.
• Valentine Distilling: A limited edition cocktail named in your honor at Valentine Distilling Company in Ferndale.
• Community Marketing Revolution: "How to Host Virtual Events" Masterclass from Community Marketing Revolution.

Your extraordinary talent will be judged by some of Detroit's most influential and respected figures in the arts and entertainment industry. 

Their expertise and insight will undoubtedly help shape the next big star. 

Here are the esteemed judges for 2023:

• Bill Bushart - Comedian/Promoter
• Piper Carter - Founder, We Found Hip Hop
• Ann Delisi - Host of Ann Delisi's Essential Music, 101.9 WDET
• Anne Duke - Partner, Sam Rose Entertainment
• Ederique Goudia - Founder, In The Business of Food
• Lyndsay Green - Dining and Restaurant Critic, The Detroit Free Press
• Mike Green - Co-Owner, One Night Stan's Comedy Club
• Keith Fields - Owner, The Magic Soiree
• Daniel Jackson - President, Board of Directors, Planet Ant
• Robin Kinnie - President, Audio Engineers of Detroit
• Mark Kurlyandchik - Founder, Curly Handshake Media
• Nina Payne - Founder & CEO, Foundation Management, LLC
• Brandy Joe Plambeck - Co-Founder, The Ringwald Theatre
• Sadie Quagliotto - Co-Owner, Hip in Detroit
• Mike Ransom - Owner / Operator, Ima Noodles
• Rochelle Riley - Director of Arts and Culture, City of Detroit
• Greg Russell - Celebrity Interviewer / Movie Reviewer, Movie Show Plus
• Rebecca Salminen-Witt - Chief Strategy and Marketing Officer, Detroit Historical Society
• Becky Scarcello - Cultural Curator
• Dave Serio - Curator of Education & Curator of the Arab Film Festival, The Arab American National Museum
• Satori Shakoor - Artistic Director, The Secret Society of Twisted Storytellers
• Bailey Sisoy-Moore - Executive Director / Tour Guide, Detroit History Tours
• Stephanie Steinberg - Founder and CEO, The Detroit Writing Room
• Adriel Thornton - Executive Director, MoGo
• Jaime Wilkins - Production Manager and Music Director, Arts, Beats & Eats and Winter Blast (Jon Witz & Associates)

The search for Detroit's Next Big Shot is about to kick off, and we want you to be part of it! Whether you're a seasoned performer or a rising star, this is your chance to shine and make your mark on the city's vibrant entertainment scene. With a diverse panel of celebrity judges and an impressive lineup of prizes, the opportunities are endless. So don't miss out on this incredible chance to showcase your talent, meet industry professionals, and take your career to new heights.

Click here to apply, it's FREE!

~S

Hip In Detroit's Picks for the Weekend: June 16-18

Friday, June 16th - Bill Kozy's Rising Force @ Outer Limits Lounge: There are some bands that we will tell you to go see every time that they have a show and Bill Kozy's Rising Force is one of those bands. This Friday night they will be hitting the stage at Outer Limits along with Detroit 442 and The Strains. Cover is only $5 and the fun starts at 9 p.m.

Friday, June 16th - Small's Summer BBQ w/ Elvis Hitler: Small's is getting you in the mood for summer with a BBQ and a great show this Friday night! The lineup include Elvis Hitler, The Gas Hounds, and The Slot Rockets. Renegade Kitchen will be serving up the BBQ, with ribs, wings, brisket, pork, mac & cheese, coleslaw, and cornbread all on the menu. $12 gets you in the door and make sure to bring some extra cash for food too! (If you aren't hungry when you get there, you will be once you smell all the delicious smells!) 18+ are welcome and doors open at 7 p.m.

Saturday, June 17th - The Beggars' Release Show @ The Loving Touch: The Beggars have a new album out on Jett Plastic Recordings and they're celebrating the release this Saturday night! Catch them at The Loving Touch with The Hourlies and The Bad Magnets. All ages are welcome. Tickets are $12 and can be purchased in advance here. Doors open at 7 p.m. Keep an eye on The Beggars' bandcamp for the new album Stinks Like Rock 'N' Roll  here. 

Saturday, June 17th - Pee-Wee's Big Adventure @ The Senate Theater: Whether you're an 80's kid or just like weird, fun movies, you'll want to make your way to The Senate Theater this Saturday night! They will be showing Pee-Wee's Big Adventure (1985). Tickets are only $6 and can be purchased here. Doors open at 7 p.m., the organ overture starts at 7:30 p.m., and the movie begins at 8. 

Sunday, June 18th - Dead Father's Day @ Planet Ant: This Sunday is Father's Day, so if your dad is around, give him a call, give him a hug, give him a gift, or all of the above. If he's not around, you may want to check out Planet Ant's Sketch Show "Dead Father's Day". The show will be performed live on stage one time only, this Sunday at 8 p.m. Wondering what this show is all about? "Dead Father's Day is a sketch comedy show about fathers… dead fathers. And dead-beat fathers. And undead fathers. While we can't replace your dead dad with a robot one, we can give you a funny sketch comedy show on Father's Day." Tickets are $20 and can be purchased here. Doors open at 7 p.m. 

~C

Planet Ant Theatre Stands Up for LGBT+ Rights in Hamtramck

 

Planet Ant Theatre, a beloved institution in the city of Hamtramck since 1993, has always been a welcoming home for the LGBT+ community. However, recent developments have posed a threat to the representation and rights of the LGBT+ community in Hamtramck. The passing of Hamtramck's resolution 2023-82, which prohibits the display of a Pride flag on any government-owned property in the city of Hamtramck, is a step in the wrong direction. Now, more than ever, it is crucial for the community to come together in support of our LGBT+ family and stand up for their rights.

In response to everything that happened this week, Planet Ant Theatre has launched a crowdfunding campaign through Patronicity to gather support for their ongoing efforts in expanding LGBT+ programming, providing a platform for LGBT+ voices, improving access to resources, and enhancing the safety of their facilities. As a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization, all contributions to Planet Ant Theatre are tax-deductible. By contributing to this campaign, you can play a vital role in defending LGBT+ rights and ensuring that their voices are heard.

In addition, Planet Ant Theatre encourages all Hamtramck businesses and individuals to join them in displaying a Pride flag on their private property as a sign of support for the LGBT+ community. By collectively raising the rainbow flag, we can demonstrate our unwavering commitment to inclusivity and equality.

They are also putting together a big event to help raise money and bring the community together. On July 28th, Planet Ant Theatre will host a celebration of LGBT+ pride and visibility across all three of their stages: Ant Hall, Ghost Light, and The Independent Comedy Club. This event will serve as a powerful platform to showcase the resilience and diversity of the LGBT+ community. Follow Planet Ant on Facebook or IG to stay in the loop as details come out about the event.

If you're interested in getting involved and making a difference, please reach out to pride@planetant.com. Planet Ant Theatre welcomes your support and participation in their ongoing fight for LGBT+ rights and representation in Hamtramck and beyond.

Together, we can create a more inclusive and accepting society where love and acceptance thrive. By supporting Planet Ant Theatre's crowdfunding campaign and participating in their upcoming celebration of LGBT+ pride, we can make a meaningful impact and show the world that Hamtramck stands for love, diversity, and equality.

~S

Detroit Women of Comedy Festival Showcases Local and National Talent with Diverse Perspectives

The Detroit Women of Comedy Festival is back and ready to showcase a diverse range of comedic talent! Taking place on May 19th and 20th at the Planet Ant Theatre and the Independent Comedy Club in Hamtramck, the festival promises to be a dynamic and inclusive event for all.

Since its inception in 2018, the Detroit Women of Comedy Festival has been committed to honoring and elevating marginalized voices across a spectrum of genders and identities. With over 50 acts across 2 stages, the festival features a range of comedy styles, including improv, stand-up, sketch, podcasts, alt-comedy, and workshops.

The festival's headliners include stand-up comedian Kate Willett, improv duo Bottle of Red, stand-up comedian Roni Shanell, stand-up comedian COCO, and improv troupe Improvised Jane Austen. These talented performers represent just a small fraction of the incredible talent that will be showcased at the festival, as they will be joined by more than 50 talented performers from both Detroit and across North America.

In addition to platforming marginalized voices in comedy, the Detroit Women of Comedy Festival is also dedicated to supporting the local community. Proceeds from the festival will directly support Detroit-based non-profits providing arts education and services for at-risk populations. This year's beneficiaries are the Ruth Ellis Center, Detroit Creativity Project, and Planet Ant.

The Detroit Women of Comedy Festival is a celebration of creativity and community that should not be missed. Tickets and more information are available now at detroitwomenofcomedy.com. Come out and join them for a weekend of laughter, joy, and community-building.

~S

Discover the Creative Process Behind Planet Ant Theatre and Good Ground with Director Darren Shelton on Our Latest Podcast

Our latest podcast is a must-listen for anyone interested in the Detroit theatre and arts scene! Featuring Darren Shelton, Executive Director of the beloved Planet Ant Theatre, the podcast covers everything from the history of the theater to the importance of improv and theatre in our lives.

But that's not all - Darren also talks about his latest venture, Good Ground, a party-throwing DJ collective in Detroit that's taking the city by storm. This is the perfect opportunity to learn more about an innovative artist and to get a behind-the-scenes look at the creative process behind Planet Ant's success.

So grab your headphones and get ready for an engaging and entertaining conversation with Darren Shelton.

Hip In Detroit · Episode 15 - Darren Shelton (Planet Ant/Good Ground)

~S

Learning is Fun, Especially When You Can Have a Pint While You Take in Some Knowledge

Over the last few weeks, the James Webb telescope has given all of us a whole new look at the universe. We have new insight into the creation of our universe,  black holes, and how galaxies merge. This has sparked a whole new interest in what or who is out there. Humans have been looking to the skies to answer some of our most pressing questions for centuries. But, to truly understand where we are today we need to understand the origins of the study of astronomy, starting with Galileo and the “The Dawn of Modern Astronomy”. 

Profs and Pints has invited speaker Prof. Eric H. Ash, a historian of science from Wayne State University, to talk about the origins of astronomy during their latest lecture at Planet Ant on September 18, 2022. Tickets are $12 in advance and $15 at the door. Student tickets are only $13 a piece. Click here to learn  more about the event and to purchase tickets. 

~S

Hamtramck Music Fest Returns this Weekend!

The Hamtramck Music Fest is one of our favorite annual events. We get to watch some bands we love, we discover a few new projects to get into, and we get to see a lot of friends. This year's triumphant return to Hamtramck promises to be one of the best years yet with great venues and a solid musical lineup. More importantly, August 10th is your last day to get a weekend wristband for $20, they will be going up to $25 on August 11th. Then, the Hamtramck Music Festival will kick off this Thursday, August 11th at Ant Hall/Ghost Light Lounge. Most people come out on Thursday to pick up their weekend passes. If you can't make it to the kick-off celebration, you can pick up your wristbands at Ant Hall's headquarters throughout the weekend. Please note that you can only buy wristbands at Planet Ant throughout the entire weekend. So, if you need to get your tickets before you come out Friday or Saturday, make time to visit The Ant first. 

To learn more about the Hamtramck Music Fest and to see the full lineup of bands and venues click here. We can't wait to see Tart, Audra Kubat, The Bruised Reed, Rough Patch, Strange Heart, The Idiot Kids, Gold Crayon, Milk Bath, Dear Darkness, Handgrenades, Citizen Smile, Amino Acids, Bend, Hell Dollars, and more!

Ant Hall is located at 2320 Caniff, Hamtramck, MI.

~S

Profs & Pints Goes Full Conspiracy this Month

Have you ever wondered how conspiracy theories start and spread? Would you like to learn how to distinguish justified suspicion from paranoid musings? The next Profs & Pints will dive into all these topics and ideas with Mark Huston, an Associate Professor of Philosophy at Schoolcraft College and Conspiracy Theory Scholar.

Professor Huston will "discuss some of the common theories about conspiracy theories and guide you through the debate between those scholars who regard conspiracy theories as fundamentally problematic and those who defend conspiracy theories as playing an important role in public life. You’ll learn about what the philosophy of science terms “the demarcation problem”—the task of distinguishing scientific theories from pseudo-scientific ones—and how drawing a line separating one from the other is more difficult than many realize."

Grab a pint from Ghost Light Bar and then sit back, relax, and learn something in the air-conditioned comfort of Ant Hall (attached). Tickets are $12 in advance, $15 at the door, and $13 with a student ID. Planet ant Theatre is located at 2320 Caniff St, Hamtramck, MI 48212.

~S

Hip in Detroit's Picks for the Weekend - May 20-22

We already told you about the Backyard Art Fair in Ferndale. Here are some other fun things happening this weekend! 

Friday, May 20th - Will Sessions @ Spot Lite: Will Sessions takes over Spot Lite Detroit this Friday night. The lineup for the night includes Ian Finkelstein, Marcus Elliot, Dez Andres, Amir Edwards, and DJ Sets by Andrés and Meftah. 21+ are welcome. The party goes from 9 p.m. - 2 a.m.

Friday, May 20th & Saturday, May 21st - Detroit Women of Comedy Festival: Laugh your way through the weekend with some funny ladies at the Detroit Women of Comedy Festival at Planet Ant & The Independent Comedy Club. Tickets can be purchased a la carte for each show or a weekend pass is $67. Check out the full lineup for the weekend and purchase your tickets here. 

Friday, May 20th & Saturday, May 21st - Detroit Weekend @ The Redford Theatre: The Redford is celebrating Detroit in cinema this weekend with two fan favorites that took place in Detroit. On Friday night, they will be showing Beverly Hills Cop and on Saturday they will show RoboCop. Both shows start at 8 p.m. and tickets are only $5 per show. 

Saturday, May 21st - Zoo Brew @ The Detroit Zoo: Don't let the threat of rain scare you away! Zoo Brew is happening this Saturday evening a the Detroit Zoo! Visit the animals after hours during this 21+ only event, while you sip on some craft brews. Tickets are $50 which includes admission and 10 tasting tickets. Additional tasting tickets are available for $5/three tickets. There are also designated driver tickets available for $30. You can purchase your tickets online here. The fun starts at 6 p.m. and goes until 10. 

Friday, May 20th - Sunday, May 22nd - St. Joan of Arc Food Truck Festival: It's not very often that we share an event happening at a church, but this event involves lots of great food, so it seems appropriate. St. Joan of Arc in St. Clair Shores is hosting a Food Truck Festival all weekend, with different trucks in attendance each day. Saturday will have the most trucks on site out of the three days, but check out the full breakdown below: 

Friday, May 20 | 5-9 pm
BBQ Daddy, Estia, Raquel Cocina, Deutsch Troit, Missy Hitz Ice Cream, Aruba Freeze, Wing Snob, Detroit Black Coffee, Whoa Chinese, Phatrob

Saturday, May 21 | 12 noon-9 pm

BBQ Daddy, Estia, Grampy's Clam Shack, Raquel Cocina, Deutsch Troit, Phatrob, Detroit Mini Donut, Papelon Arepa Bar, Missy Hitz Ice Cream, Aruba Freeze, Polish Mania, All City Dogs, Wing Snob, Detroit Black Coffee, Kona Ice, Batter Up Waffle, Tim's Good Food

Sunday, May 22 | 12 noon- 6 pm

BBQ Daddy, Estia, Raquel Cocina, Deutch Troit, Phatrob, Detroit Mini Donut, Papelon Arepa Bar, Missy Hitz Ice Cream, Aruba Freeze, All City Dogs, Kona Ice, Whoa Chinese

~C 

The Detroit Women of Comedy Festival Returns to Planet Ant this Weekend!

After a three-year hiatus from the stage, Detroit Women of Comedy Festival is making a triumphant return to the stages of Planet Ant this May. This beloved event is a "celebration of underrepresented voices and diverse perspectives in comedy". This year's event will take place on May 21st and 22nd. It will feature 50+ performers including headliners Marcella Arguello, Simply Shanell, Detroit improv duo Dubalicious, Detroit comic T.Barb, and the Parent Trap: Lord of the Twins Trilogy. You can purchase tickets for specific blocks of the festival or just get a weekend pass and take the whole thing in. 

The Detroit Women of Comedy Festival will take place Friday, May 20th from 7 p.m. - 11 p.m. and Saturday, May 21st, 5 p.m. - 11 p.m. Planet Ant is located at 2320 Caniff Ave., Hamtramck, MI. You can purchase your tickets for the weekend here. Follow DWCF or visit their website to learn more.

~S

Are You Ready to Get Serious About Your Social Media? Take a Class with Sadie!

Our very own Sadie Quagliotto is teaching an in-person class at Planet Ant this April.

Getting Serious About Social Media

How to make your social media purposeful, manageable, and profitable with Social Media Strategist Sadie Quagliotto.

Sadiequagliotto.com

PRICE: $15

WHERE: Ant Hall 2320 Caniff, Hamtramck MI 48212

WHEN: April 16th, 2022  at 3 p.m.


THE CLASS: A one-hour interactive lecture that looks at what social channels you should be using for your business/music/art, how you should be using them, and how you can create and manage your content while growing your reach, following, and interaction without wasting your time + resources. Plus, a 30-minute window to answer all your pressing social media questions on the fly.


About the class and the teacher:
Some people see social media as a fun way to connect with friends and family, but for social media marketers like myself, it is an essential tool that all businesses/artists/ nonprofits/influencers need to utilize to directly reach their “people”, establish a brand identity, and of course, make sales/get people to take action.

This once optional marketing tool has become a necessary part of building a brand, finding new leads, and sustaining meaningful growth. With a clear strategy and realistic goals, you can connect with customers in a way that was previously thought to be impossible.

If you are ready to connect with your followers + potential followers in a purposeful way that offers real return on investment, this class is for you!

I specialize in storytelling which means I can help you learn how to craft your brand's story and then teach you how to share it with the virtual world.

I am currently the co-owner/director of hipindetroit.com a local lifestyle brand that has helped capture everything that makes Detroit special. Over the last 10 years, we have built up an organic base of followers and become a respected voice within the community through our blog, podcasts, videos, and interviews. I also manage social media and marketing for a variety of businesses including Planet Ant. If you need help managing your social media, purchase a ticket to chat about all things online with me!


*PROOF OF COVID- 19 VACCINATION REQUIRED FOR ALL IN-PERSON CLASSES

Sign up here

Go to PlanetAnt.com, click on the training center, click on the class and then click on add to cart to buy a ticket.

~S

Calling All Creatives!!! Let's Connect.

When was the last time you made an effort to network with other creatives? Pre-pandemic we were always looking for new ways to expand our social and professional circles, but post-pandemic it's been hard for us to get back out there. Small talk doesn't feel so small when you haven't done it in a long time. But we know that the only way to get better at being social is to get out there and socialize. So, we teamed up with a few great local organizations to sponsor this month's D Brief Networking night. 

The D Brief has put together a monthly virtual networking event that is 100% focused on creatives. It is the perfect opportunity to put yourself out there without going too far out of your comfort zone. In fact, you can come to this networking event from wherever you are when the video chat starts on March 22 at 6 p.m.

Hip in Detroit, Planet Ant, Arts & Scraps, Brain Candy, and 27th Letter Books are sponsoring this month's chat. Attendees are encouraged to fill out a form to tell everyone who they are, what they do, and where we can find you online. You can also submit a short video that is played at the beginning of the virtual meeting. Once all the videos are played, everyone splits off into rooms for a few minutes at a time to meet a few new creatives before moving into another room. You never know who will show up or what kind of connections you can make. They keep it fast, fun, and low-key, so it's not intimidating to put yourself out there. Join us virtually on March 22nd and let's chat about what you have been working on so we can write about it on the blog. 

Sign up for this month's event here.

Submit a video here.

Learn more about the monthly event here.

~S

Profs & Pints Has Landed in Detroit

Did you enjoy school, specifically college? I know we all hated the hours, the homework, and the general education classes that we didn't want to take, but when you had a good professor who knew their stuff and was passionate about teaching, did you find yourself interested in whatever they were sharing? Personally, I loved the lectures, especially when the professor was clearly passionate about what they were talking about. I would learn more in two hours than I could from any book and I would retain the information much longer when it was taught to me in this fashion. Throughout history, humans used storytelling to pass down knowledge and history from generation to generation. Philosophers would travel to share their knowledge and to hear other theorists share their views and findings. Learning from each other is what has kept us alive. These days, sharing knowledge usually comes with a hefty price and a lot of tests. But, thanks to a new to Detroit event called Profs & Pints, knowledge is a shared entity that anyone can afford!

Profs & Pints was created by Peter Schmidt, a Detroit area native who spent nearly 30 years as an education journalist before establishing Profs & Pints in Washington D.C. in October 2017. He says: "As a newspaper reporter and editor focused on education, I knew that tuitions are out of reach for many and that far too few people in Michigan and elsewhere have access to college. Moreover, many of those who do enroll end up neglecting academic disciplines they’re passionate about because they feel financially pressured to earn degrees in more-lucrative fields to ensure they can pay off student loans.” Schmidt added: “Profs and Pints offers people a chance to learn about a host of disciplines offering knowledge that greatly enriches life, such as history, literature, philosophy, and cultural studies. With no tuition for them to pay, no tests for them to take, and no grades on the line, it also offers a risk-free opportunity to learn about subjects that may seem intimidating, such as astronomy or nuclear physics." Detroit hosted its inaugural event last month at Planet Ant and everyone who came out loved it, so they are doing it again this month.

Profs & Pints will be returning to Planet Ant on Sunday, Novemeber 21st at 6:30 p.m. This month's topic is the Occult Origins of Science "a look at how alchemy, astrology, and magic helped shape the modern scientific method, with Eric H. Ash, professor of history at Wayne State University and scholar of the development of science and technology in the Renaissance era." Tickets are $12 per person in advance and they can be purchased here. You can grab a pint at Ghost Light bar (attached to Ant Hall) and relax and sip away while you learn. Please note, Planet Ant requires proof of vaccination and a mask to attend all their live events. You can learn more about Pints and Profs here, and you can follow them on Facebook to find out about future events.

Knowledge is power and they are sharing it!

Sneak Peek of this month's lesson:

A 1700 reproduction of a scroll named for the famous 14th-century English alchemist George Ripley depicts alchemists revealing secrets from the Biblical Book of the Seven Seals.

 

~S

Win Tickets to Watch Detroiters Take Their Big Shot

Have you ever wondered what it feels like to be part of the crowd during a talent competition? A few weeks ago, Sadie had the opportunity to judge a preliminary round of Detroit's new talent competition The Big Shot and we learned firsthand that watching a talent show in person is way more exciting than it is on TV. When someone takes the stage to share their talent with you, you can feel how nervous they are, how awkward it is when they flop and how amazing it is when they triumph. It was unlike any other event we have ever attended and we think you might like seeing what it's like for yourself. So, we reached out to The D Brief and asked them for a few pairs of tickets to giveaway for the semi-finals.

All of the preliminary winners from the first four weeks of the competition will be reconvening to battle it out to see who is going to make it to the finals on October 13th and 20th. The prizes for this competition are huge and the competition is really steep, so it promises to be two great nights of entertainment at Planet Ant. If you would like to enter to win a pair of tickets to attend the show for free, please email your full name to hipindetroit@gmail.com with the subject line #thebigshot + the date you want to attend (October 13/20). We will draw a few winners the day before each show and they will all get to attend for free with a friend.

To learn more about The D Brief click here, to learn more about The Big Shot click here, and to stay in the loop, add them on socials here. 

~S

Hip in Detroit's Picks for the Weekend: June 4-6

Friday, June 4th & Saturday, June 5th - Detroit Women of Comedy Festival: The Detroit Women of Comedy Festival is going virtual this year and taking over Planet Ant's streaming platforms for two nights of hilarious comedy! The shows start at 6 p.m. each night and are free to watch. There are also virtual workshops during the day Saturday. Check out the full schedule of events and performers here. 

Saturday, June 5th - Hoe Army Car Wash: Hoe Army supports a lot of important causes in the community throughout the year and they need funds in order to do that. This Saturday, they will be holding their annual car wash fundraiser at Breckenridge & Tillman Street in Detroit. Bring your car or bike by to get washed, and grab some vegan food or something from the CBD Bar. The car wash will be open from 2-6 p.m. and then there will be bands starting at 6. The lineup includes Detroit 442, Dusty Rose, Astro Band, and Unabomb. Head to the 304 Army Instagram for more details.  

Saturday, June 5th - Night Market @ Beacon Park: The first Night Market at Beacon Park of the season is this Saturday night! Shop with local makers and vendors from 6 - 11 p.m. and grab a drink or a bite from a food truck. There will also be music provided by 313 LIVE Experience and DJ iNViSiBLE. 

Saturday, June 5th & Sunday, June 6th - Palmer Park Art Fair: Spend the day in the park and support local artists at Palmer Park this weekend. Their annual art fair features booths to shop as well as family art activities, food trucks, and more. The art fair is free to attend, but you can reserve timed tickets online here. Tickets will guarantee you VIP entry if there is a line at the entrance. 

Saturday, June 5th & Sunday, June 6th - Detroit Fashion Weekend @ Marble Bar: Head to Marble Bar to check out fashion from local designers this weekend! Saturday is the pre-show mixer sponsored by La French Vodka. Drink and mingle with the designers and artists behind the show. Sunday, is the fashion show featuring After430, Intelligent Degenerate, SeamstressBee, and Keiko Koakutsu, with a live performance by Xay Astro, sound by DJ Kawsan, and runway set design by Mesh Detroit. Tickets for Saturday are $10 and Sunday are $75. You can purchase tickets for each day and get more details here. 

Hamtramck Has It's Own Near Nightly Talk Show Featuring Bahama Jon

Are you yearning to connect with a community? Do you miss live music, comedy, or knowing what local artists are up to? We've all felt a little disconnected from the world over these last few months, but we are finding new ways to form friendships and to find a way to belong. One of our favorite ways to feel part of something fun is to tune into a near-nightly talk show that is broadcasted out of Ant Hall in Hamtramck featuring a local semi-celebrity named Bahama Jon. 

When lockdown first began, Bahama started going live 7 days a week to entertain whoever was bored and wanted to watch. He created a few characters, made a few bits, and was able to get quite a few followers to tune in to his nightly shenanigans. He turned that initial buzz into a deal with Planet Ant that included a new space to broadcast and the ability to have some socially distanced guests on the show. He also moved his broadcast over to Twitch where viewers could be part of a live chat during the show. It turns out that live chatting is fun and a great way to connect with people all over the world! The other reason we love to tune into the show is that Jon has his pulse on the who's who of the local DIY music, art, and comedy communities. So, all of his guests are charming, talented, and fun to learn about, if you aren't already familiar with their work.

If you are looking for a new way to connect with the local scene and have some fun 4 nights a week, we suggest that you tune in for a show! Bahama is live at 9 p.m. on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays and 10 p.m. on Saturdays. Monday nights are our favorite because they feature Hamtramck Steve. So if you're going to tune in any night, we suggest Mondays. You can watch some of his previously recorded shows on his channel at your leisure. Make sure you create a Twitch profile when you login so that you can chat with whoever else is hanging out that day. It just might be the friendly hangout that you have been missing.

~S

Here's How You Can Help Your Favorite Venues

Since you're visiting hipindetroit.com, there's a really good chance that you're a fan of live music. There's also a good chance that you enjoy going to smaller shows at local venues, just as much (if not more) as the big arena shows. Since there haven't been any concerts for a while now, and there is no certainty when they will return, many of your favorite venues are hurting financially right now. Some of them have developed ways that you can show their business and staff your support during this tough time. Check out our list below to see what your favorite venue is doing to try to stay afloat, and if you can afford to, consider helping them out.

Small's - Visit Small's online store to pick up a sweet t-shirt to show your support and look cool at the same time. They also are hosting carryout pop-ups a couple of times a week. Keep an eye on their Facebook page for menus and details.

Party Store Productions - This one isn't a specific venue, but a booking company that brings shows to a lot of your favorite venues! You can help Party Store Productions out by ordering a bag of coffee from Populace Coffee. 50% of the proceeds will be going to PSP and you get some delicious coffee! Pick yours up here!

El Club - There are a few ways that you can help out this venue, and get something sweet in return. First, El Club is selling some great merch in their online store. They have shirts, drink coozies, assorted posters, and more. They also have a really unique item that you have to buy at this link instead, custom Vans. The classic slip on was designed by SW Freddy (Freddy Diaz) and are limited to 500 pairs. So don't wait to buy yours! Last, but not least, every Friday and Saturday, they are offering Curbside Pizza, Beer & Wine from 5-10 PM. Call to order: (313) 375-5324

Deluxx Fluxx - Purchase a Season Pass to ALL shows, DJ sets and parties through June 2021! This special pin will get you into any night at Deluxx Fluxx without cover or ticket purchase. All sales will be donated to support their team and resident artists.

Marble Bar - Buy a sweet hoodie, crew neck, or t-shirt to show your support for Marble Bar. Pick yours up here.

UFO Factory - UFO Factory has a great selection of stylish shirts for sale in their online store, as well as some records and tapes from the classic UFO record label. Click here to shop.

The Old Miami - The Old Miami doesn't have any fancy merch, but they do have a Go Fund Me set up if you want to help out their staff. Click here for more info and to donate.

The Painted Lady Lounge - Want to help the staff at The Painted Lady? Make a donation here.

Planet Ant - The team at Planet Ant are keeping people entertained nightly with online entertainment. If you want to show your support to this multi venue non-profit, just head to their website. There you can buy merch, make a donation, or buy a gift card to use towards a future event or class.

Know of something that we missed? Let us know at hipindetroit@gmail.com.

Live Streaming Is the New Way To Connect and Beat Your Loneliness

It's only been a few weeks since COVID-19 arrived in the US, but a lot has changed very quickly. International travel has halted, borders have closed, movie theatres, bars, restaurants, and many local businesses have also been asked to shut down. We have all begun to learn about "social distancing" and "flattening the curve" but it's still hard to believe that we might be stuck inside for the foreseeable future. It's also hard to believe that all sporting events, social gatherings, and concerts have been canceled for the next few months.

Music, nightlife and social events are what we thrive on, not only as a blog, but as human beings. We are social creatures that need each other to make it through the ups and downs of our day to day lives and now some of us are literally stuck in the house alone with a serious lack of social interaction. Instead of endlessly surfing the internet, we have been looking for fun things to do and we discovered how fun watching people go live on Instagram, YouTube, and Facebook can be. We have seen a lot of local artists like The Dropout and Mic Phelps perform, and Planet Ant has already announced that they plan to have something up live on their YouTube every night this week and beyond.

Watching these live sessions, commenting, calling in, and interacting is the most normal we have felt in a long time so we want to see more of it and help spread the word whenever something cool is popping up. So, if you plan on playing music, doing stand up, streaming a DJ set, or free-flowing over some music, please email us, dm us, or tag us so that we can spread the word. We can't spend all of our time on TV and Facebook, let's learn something, share something and continue to connect even if it's from distance!

We will be compiling a list of everything we hear about below, but here is what we have to start:

On Going Live Streams:

Planet Ant Youtube- Going live every evening with content around 7 or 8 p.m.

Third Man records will be live streaming performances daily- Click here to find out more!

The Cincinnati Zoo is going live with an email every day at 3 p.m., you can watch their first video with Fiona the hippo here and keep up with each days broadcast here.

Watch the live cams at the Monterey Bay Aquarium anytime you want! They have birds, penguins, jellyfish and more!

You can replay all of the performances at the DSO anytime you want here.

The New York Metropolitan Opera is live-streaming a past performance at 7:30 p.m. nightly, you can live stream there here.

High 5 Live at 5 - Cooking with Chef Laura, daily beginning Monday, March 30th at 5 p.m.

Date Specific Live Streams:

Dropkick Murphys St. Patrick's Day concert live from Boston,  Tuesday, March 17th at 7 p.m.

Laura Mendoza and David James, Wednesday, March 18th at 5 p.m.

Live Stream the indie film Bruised Fruit here this Friday, March 20th at 8 p.m.

Ben Sharkey Band Live Stream and Q&A, Saturday, March 21st at 7:30 p.m.

Common Ground Alone Together Fest- 12 pm-7 pm March 21/22

Erica Badu is live streaming on March 21 + 22, find out more here.

Taking Back Sunday - Staying Home Together, Sunday, March 22 at 2 p.m.

Pocket Sounds - Live from Detroit Ska Set, Monday, March 23 at 7 p.m.

Drunk Drawing with Tat Franklin, Tuesday, March 24 at 5:30 p.m.

Space Skull live on Facebook, Friday, March 27 at 8 p.m.

Pete "Big Elvis" Vallee live on Facebook (our favorite Las Vegas act), Saturday, March 28 at 9 p.m.

Plan 9 from Outer Space Facebook Watch Party with Senate Theatre, Saturday, March 28 at 8 p.m.

Haute to Death Virtual Insanity, Saturday, March 28 at 10 p.m.

John Salvage live on Instagram, Sunday, March 29 at 7 p.m.

The iHeart Living Room Concert for America featuring Elton John, Billie Eilish, Billie Joe Armstrong, Mariah Carey and more, Sunday, March 29 at 9 p.m. on FOX

~S