Click here to view the embedded video.

After tallying the votes from an enormous number of submissions we have identified our winner. Drum roll please......

"I moved from Michigan to Florida this January for work. People said "Florida in the winter....wow, you're lucky" and "you got a job in this economy, man, you're lucky". Well let me tell you something my Michigan friends....you can take a man out of Flint, but you'll never take the Flintstone out of the Man. Give me one excuse to leave this this oceanside resort for a reunion with the best people in the world, my Michigander soul people, and I won't be taking Interstate 75 south again. This Michigan Man is ready to find a way to join all the spirited people celebrating our nations birth with some Great Times in the Great Lakes.....and I thank you absolutemichigan.com for bringing me home!!! Say Yeah to Rothbury, the best music line up of the year....Say Yes to Me in M!ch!gan!!!"

Stace S

Rothbury Snoop Dogg Crowd by Dave Vann

We are pleased to announce that just as we did last year we are having another Rothbury Ticket Giveaway thanks to the very generous festival organizers. This year we will be giving away a pair of 4 day GA Tickets camping included!

Tickets can still be purchased and just like last year's Rothbury Festival they are offering a variety of packages to suit all lifestyles. Unique to this year's festival are the 2 day Saturday & Sunday tickets.

About the Rothbury Music Festival

This year the Rothbury Music Festival takes place July 2-5, 2009 in Rothbury, Michigan (near Muskegon). Four days of music on six stages feature some of the biggest musical acts around including THE DEAD • BOB DYLAN AND HIS BAND • THE STRING CHEESE INCIDENT • WILLIE NELSON & FAMILY • THE BLACK CROWES • DAMIAN 'JR. GONG' MARLEY & NAS • STS9 • G. LOVE & SPECIAL SAUCE • GOV'T MULE • UMPHREY'S MCGEE • BROKEN SOCIAL SCENE • YONDER MOUNTAIN STRING BAND • and about a jillion others!

The festival also will be showcasing "Circus & Theater", a feature that demonstrates the festival's commitment to the performing arts and theatrical culture.

All kinds of interesting Environments & Experiences where you can wander through the Sherwood Forest and stumble upon its many mysteries. Put your hands on some great new gadgets and games at the Festival’s Epicenter or wake up and get loose in a unique yoga journey.

The Rothbury Think Tank will be focused on finding energy independence and feature the innovators, entrepreneurs, thought leaders, celebs, and rabble rousers who – in this time of economic, energy and climate crisis – are offering a green path to a brighter future.

Rothbury in Video and Pictures

Checkout more Rothbury videos on their YouTube channel!

There is also this awesome slideshow from Rothbury 2008 via Flickr...

Michigan Film Festivals

TCFF 2008 by tcfilmfest

Mitten Film Project & Festival
1st Tuesday of every month, Royal Oak

The Mitten Movie Project is committed to showcasing world class movies in Detroit, headquarters of the MiniDV Revolution.

Waterfront Film Festival
June 2009 in Saugatuck
Outstanding independent films from all over the United States are screened in casual, intimate settings every June in the resort village of Saugatuck. The Waterfront Indie Screenplay Competition is seeking screenplays that can be produced for under 5 million dollars, and that can be shot in Michigan. More about the Saugatuck Waterfront Film Festival from Absolute Michigan.

Detroit Windsor International Film Festival
June 25-28, 2009 in Detroit

The Detroit Windsor International Film Festival takes place at venues all around Detroit and Windsor and seeks to engage the community in the growth of the film culture of the region and to promote storytelling through film, video, games, the web, music and other channels through panels, workshops, special events, a job fair and (of course) screenings of all kinds of films!

Traverse City Film Festival
July 28-August 2, 2009 in Traverse City

The festival presents fulls days of the best independent, foreign, and documentary films available in several indoor movie houses and free, classic movies on a giant, inflatable outdoor screen overlooking Grand Traverse Bay. Panel discussions with directors, writers, actors, and other members of the film industry are offered daily.

Ann Arbor Film Festival
March 2010 in Ann Arbor
Established in 1963, this internationally-renowned festival showcases independent and experimental film and video and is the oldest of its kind in North America. Each year the festival attracts entries from artists worldwide and screens more than 100 films. Every year they select a four-hour program of awarded and highlighted films for the Ann Arbor Film Festival Tour that travels around the country from March through December to college classrooms and auditoriums, art theaters, and museums.

American Dreamz by East Lansing Film Festival

East Lansing Film Festival
March 2010 in East Lansing
The ELFF was created in 1997 in cooperation with the City of East Lansing and Michigan State University, and is the largest and most diverse film festival in Michigan to screen independent and foreign feature, documentary, short and students films from around the world. The festival also holds the Lake Michigan Film Competition that gives cash awards to the filmmakers whose film was either filmed, produced, or financed in the states that border Lake Michigan.

Find out more about the 2008 East Lansing Film Festival right here on Absolute Michigan.

inducement by powerbooktrance

Yesterday the city of Grand Rapids announced the ArtPrize, a competition open to artists of all kinds from around the world that will award nearly one-half million dollars to prize winners, including $250,000 to the artist who receives the most public votes. The display and voting will run from September 23 - October 10, 2009:

“It’s time to reboot the conversation between artists and the public. ArtPrize will be a celebration of art, design, and innovation that will bring artists and the public together like never before,” said ArtPrize creator Rick DeVos.

The city of Grand Rapids will become art gallery. ArtPrize art works and performances, professional and amateur, will be exhibited at hundreds of venues, all within a three-square mile area in Grand Rapids’ downtown riverfront district. The city has offered up parks and bridges for outdoor venue displays. Scores of businesses will convert lobbies and public space for displays.

They are holding a town hall meeting on Monday (Apr 27) to explain the ArtPrize and you can view the press conference with Rick DeVos announcing the competition from mLive.

Welcome back to the Ross Sandelius Michigan Music Show. Yesterday Ross provided a photo for our Rothbury post and this morning he tipped me off to the 240-hour "Assembly Line" concert that will take place March 20-30, 2009 at AJ's Music Cafe in Ferndale.

The Assembly Line concert will bring the two worlds together as the music marathon pays tribute to American workers, products and automobiles. The Danny Boy marathon attracted singers ranging from local business owners to the governor of Michigan. The Assembly Line will also call on musicians from all segments of society to come together in the heart of hard-hit Main Street America and help pay tribute to the down, but not out, American worker.

"We call on every manufacturing plant, every car dealership, garage mechanic to join us," O'Neil said. "We call on politicians, loan officers, credit agencies, builders to join us. We call for music to heal us in these trying times.

"We call on the corporate world to join us to help us in our Main Street solution to this American challenge."

The Assembly Line Concert will feature at least 240 acts, performing for 240 hours, nonstop, at AJ's Cafe, 240 Nine Mile Road, Ferndale, Mich.

Each of the 10 days will highlight different aspects of the American partnership between workers, employers, politicians and the media. One day, political leaders will play 24, one-hour sets; another day, auto workers; and another day, local Detroit bands. Even members of the media will have their own day to play.

Well cool. Hope you get a chance to check it out and if you get some YouTube or photos, post links in the comments!

My Detroit by Ross Sandelius

Here's a shot of Ross's 9' print on the wall at AJ's.

Jumping over the sun by Ashley Dinges

Here's a few highlights of the many events being held around Michigan for the month of January. A lot of them are out in the snow for snowmobiles, skates, skis and sled dogs, but there's also a chance to heat up with the Ann Arbor Folk Fest, Ferndale Blues and the Detroit Auto Show. The weatherman says there's a 100% chance we didn't get them all so please add links and information for those we missed along with reviews of ones we list in the comments below!

January is named for Janus (Ianuarius), the god of the doorway; the name has its beginnings in Roman mythology, coming from the Latin word for door (ianua) - January is the door to the year. - Wikipedia

"New Year ceremonies are designed to get rid of the past and to welcome the future." - New Year's Customs

"The Old Year has gone. Let the dead past bury its own dead. The New Year has taken possession of the clock of time. All hail the duties and possibilities of the coming twelve months!" - Edward Payson Powell

All Month
Ice Skate Campus Martius Park - Detroit
Skating among the skyscrapers at Campus Martius Park. At 64 feet by 120 feet, it's a bit larger than the Rink at Rockefeller Center and showcases surround-sound music and color-changing lighting. Skaters and visitors can enjoy a warming pavilion for renting and changing skates, as well as outdoor seating. The rink is open daily though March 15.

January 10
Tahquamenon Country Sled Dog Race - Newberry
We are again looking forward to pristine trail conditions over beautiful terrain. Each year we seem to get just the right amount of snowfall, and each year our trail crews do a fantastic job of preparing great racing conditions for all our classes.

January 11 - January 25
The North American International Auto Show - Detroit
In terms of sheer news impact, the North American International Auto Show 2009 is poised to keep pace with NAIAS 2008, which featured a total of 58 vehicle debuts—44 worldwide and 14 North American. You can expect plenty of thought-provoking new technologies and head-turning designs as well as across-the-board participation from international and domestic manufacturers alike. NAIAS 2009 plans to welcome more than 700,000 attendees including hundreds of celebrity names from all walks of life, nearly 7,000 international media from some 60 countries, and approximately 40,000 industry insiders from over 2,000 companies. In addition, we expect to meet or exceed the $6 million we raised last year for children’s charities at the annual black-tie Charity Preview. The North American International Auto Show 2009 is truly where the automotive world comes together.

January 12
Motown 50 (Motown's 50th Anniversary Celebration) - Detroit
A year long national celebration of the start of Motown Records on Jan 12, 1959, in Detroit and the following success of its many music artists.

January 16-18
Hunter Ice Festival - Niles
As the snow starts to fly and the holidays are upon us, it’s time to think Hunter Ice Festival 2009. The fifth annual Hunter Ice Festival, January 16 through January 18, is a free family event offering fun-filled activities from morning ‘til night.

January 16-18 & 23-25
Tip Up Town USA - Houghton Lake
It's hard to put into words how Tip Up Town USA has come to be the very description of winter fun and enjoyment for the whole family at Houghton Lake. Thousands of Michigan, Ohio, Indiana, Illinois and neighboring residents return each year to see this largest Winter Festival in Michigan, held annually the last two weekends in January. Whatever the weather, TUT will be fun, fun, fun all the way. There will be all the usual popular attractions - the carnival, parade, Polar Bear Dip, Family Fun Tent, Beverage Tent, crazy games and more! Plus, the Ice Fishing contests will be bigger and better than ever and we're adding Broomball this year!

January 17-18
Winter Warm-Up Weekend - Traverse City
Cabin Fever? Cooped up with the kids! If you are looking for an excuse to take a weekend getaway, then look no further! The Wineries of Old Mission Peninsula (WOMP) has teamed up with peninsula area businesses for 2009’s WINTER WARM UP. Guests may visit any of the five Old Mission wineries between 12-5 to purchase a souvenir mug. This mug is your “ticket” into each participating winery and business on Old Mission, entitling you to mulled wine tasting, desserts, appetizers and other special promotions. On Saturday Jan 17, 2009 each of the wineries will have a special artistic/performance offering! Some peninsula area restaurants are offering special promotions when you present your mug.

January 21-25
Zehnder's Snowfest - Frankenmuth
Zehnder's Snowfest has been host to one of the top snow sculpting events in North America for the past 17 years. Visitors have enjoyed larger-than-life snow sculptures and beautifully detailed ice carvings each year. Zehnder's Snowfest 2009 will again dazzle and excite you with snow and ice sculptures created by professional ice and snow carvers from around the world. Zehnder's Snowfest is also host to the National Collegiate Ice Carving Championship and the High School Snow Sculpting Competition. In addition, Zehnder's Snowfest will have entertainment for the entire family in the warming tent, a fireworks display, petting zoo and children's activities. Plan now to attend Zehnder's Snowfest 2009!

January 23-31
Ferndale Blues Festival - Ferndale
Created to help combat "winter blues" and benefit local charities, this year marks the 8th annual festival and will be held at various venues over the span of 9 days. Each year, the Annual Ferndale Blues Festival donates 100% of proceeds to charity.

January 24
Subaru Noquemanon Ski Marathon and mBank Half Noque - Marquette
The MGH Noquemanon Ski Marathon and mBank Half Noque, both in their eleventh year, continue to attract cross country skiers from around the nation and around the world. Thousands of skiers have taken the 51K or 25K trek from Ishpeming, the birthplace of organized skiing and home to the U.S. National Ski Hall of Fame to Marquette’s Superior Dome, the world’s largest wooden domed stadium along the shores of Lake Superior.

January 24
Heikinpäivä - Hancock
Heikinpäivä is set for January 24, 2009, with events throughout the week leading up to the primary festival day, as well as the days immediately following. Organizers keep a watchful eye on the celebration's uniquely ethnic flavor and it features Finnish crafts, music, food, films and games. Although a Hancock City event, the Heikinpaiva spirit has spilled into neighboring communities from Calumet to South Range.

January 30-31
Ann Arbor Folk Festival - Ann Arbor
The Festival returns to Hill Auditorium for two dynamic and different nights of folk and roots music on Friday, January 30, and Saturday, January 31, beginning at 6:30 p.m. each night. In keeping with the Festival's longstanding reputation, each night will feature a blend of renowned and up-and-coming performers, providing audiences with the opportunity to hear popular artists working at the top of their field while discovering terrific new talent. All funds raised through the Festival benefit The Ark, Ann Arbor's non-profit home for folk, roots, and ethnic music.

New Year’s Eve on the Grand 2009 - Grand Rapids, MI
Celebrate the greatness of Grand Rapids and welcome 2009 as Citadel Broadcasting and the City of Grand Rapids present New Year’s on the Grand. December 31st, downtown Grand Rapids will welcome 2009 along side Times Square in New York City with a ball drop at midnight to ring in the New Year.

New Year's Fest - Kalamazoo, MI
New Year's Fest provides 28 different entertainers who perform inside 9 buildings surrounding Bronson Park. Admission is through a button that allows entry to all venues including a heated tent. Activities in Bronson Park, including the fireworks, sponsored by Maple Hill Auto Group, are free.

New Years Eve - Detroit, MI
313rd.com presents New Years Eve (NYE) 2008 at the Hard Rock Cafe in downtown Detroit. Come celebrate the new year at one of Detroit's local music landmarks located right in the heart of Campus Martius right across the street from the festive Holiday Tree and Ice Skating Rink. The celebration features 4 hours of open bar from 10pm - 2am, cash bar until 4am, champagne toast and food all night. You can't miss it...

New Years Eve Detroit - Detroit, MI
We are pleased to announce our 6th annual gala event for fun singles and couples. If you are tired of or want more than the bar scene then you are in the right place! New Years Eve Detroit .net was founded on the principal that when it comes to New years Eve in the metro Detroit area, partiers should have the choice of a fun and fashionable event where everything is included and you don't have to leave right after midnight when the party is in high gear!

New Year's Eve Detroit 2009 - Detroit, MI
New Year's Eve is one of the most celebrated holidays in the world and NYEDetroit.com is here to help you learn about the best New Year's Eve parties in metro Detroit! NYEDetroit.com gives you access to Exclusive New Years Eve Events , including first-rate packages and hotel and transportation, VIP and Bottle Service options.

Looking for a hot party with an open bar or all inclusive tickets that include dinner and an off the hook New Year's Eve Party in the towns closest to you? Rochester, Pontiac, Detroit, Royal Oak, Livonia, Canton, Plymouth - NYEDetroit.com offers free listings for all New Year's Eve Parties in metro Detroit and surrounding cities.

New Year's Nation Detroit - Detroit, MI
DeNew Year’s Nation is the only event of its kind, connecting thousands of people in multiple cities on the biggest night of the year.

On New Year’s Eve 2009, more than 15,000 guests in 10 cities will join the New Year’s Nation celebration as thousands more join the party on-line with NYN-TV, New Year’s Nation’s live broadcast.troit's Largest & Most Exclusive New Year's Event-Live broadcast connecting 8 Cities. 5HR Open Bar, Food Stations, Balloon Drop & Champagne Toast:That 80s Band:DJ Urban Kris

39th Annual Belle Isle New Year's Eve Family Fun/Walk - Detroit, MI
This has become a family tradition, attracting as many as 2,000 participants. The one-mile Children's Run/Walk is one of the largest running events in Michigan, with a trophy to all finishers 12 years and younger. Entry fee includes long-sleeve shirt, awards, food and beverage. Hosted by the Belle Isle Runners and the Downtown Runners & Walkers.

Downtown New Year's Eve Gala & Fireworks - Mt Clemens, MI
Join us for the 15th Annual Downtown Mount Clemens New Year's Eve Gala. This is Metro Detroit's Best Family New Year's Eve Party featuring live entertainment and Midnight fireworks!

Pistons vs. Nets - Auburn Hills, MI
Watch the ball drop ... through the net!

Griffins vs. Iowa Chops - Grand Rapids, MI
The Griffins will host their 12th annual New Year’s Eve Extravaganza. Fans can stay after the game to enjoy West Michigan’s largest indoor fireworks show!

New Year's Eve at The B.O.B. - Grand Rapids, MI
Ring in the New Year in style at The B.O.B. with a bash that is highly anticipated every year. Featuring five distinct packages to choose from, including dining, entertainment, comedy, dancing and a VIP party, the choice is yours.

Craig's Cruisers New Years Eve Bash - Grand Rapids, MI
Festive food and family fun for everyone! Two different party times. Both parties include Craig's Special New Years Eve Feast! Unlimited Indoor Go-Karts, Laser Tag, Bumper Cars, High Ropes Course and Frog Hopper. Plus, unlimited play on all video games (non-redemption). Times are 4pm-8pm or 9pm-1am. All this fun for only $24.99 per person or $125 for six (each party).

New Year's Eve @ the KIA - Kalamazoo, MI
Mark your calendar to join us at the Kalamazoo Institute of Arts to celebrate New Year's Eve 2008! This celebration will be bigger and better than ever! Seating is limited to 200 tickets. The price is $79 per person.

Ring In the New Year at Boyne Highlands Harbor Springs, MI ...or at Boyne Mountain Boyne Falls, MI
Boyne Highlands & Boyne Mountain offer many New Year's Eve events for romantic, casual, single or for the entire family including Torchlight Parade, dinner, dancing and celebratory fireworks (Boyne Highlands)

Grand Traverse Resort New Year's Celebration - Traverse City, MI
Join us for a special New Year's Eve live music event on December 31, 2008. The night will feature live music from The Simone Vitale Band with plenty of vibrant vocals, big brass horns and lively sounds. The Simone Vitale Band is widely regarded as one of Michigan's premiere live bands, with 14 talented vocalists and musicians performing a variety of beautiful, soulful sounds. This is one night where you're sure to be up and dancing! Please note, the New Year's Eve "A Motown Celebration" concert is not black tie, although proper attire is requested.

New Year’s Eve Dinner Train: Murder Mystery Charlotte & Blissfield, MI
Don't wait until the last minute -- make your reservations now, and join us on the Old Road Dinner Train for our famous
Murder Mystery Train on New Year's Eve.

Untitled by jenny murray

I hope that readers of Absolute Michigan regularly tune into Model D and its other regional publications Metromode (SE Michigan), Rapid Growth (Grand Rapids), Capital Gains (Lansing) and the latest Concentrate (Ann Arbor). They're really excellent publications that are chronicling the rebirth and re-invention of Michigan in a way that few other media sources do.

The latest issue includes UFOs Land in Detroit: Art Scene May Never Be the Same. It's the story of UFO Factory, which has its HQ at the Museum of Contemporary Art Detroit (MOCAD)

A three-person outfit who's M.O. is simply, "to do cool stuff," the UFO Factory supports art for art's sake, not for profit or PR. Take their installation currently holding court over at MOCAD's "Considering Detroit" exhibition. With nothing more than cardboard walls, silver paint, and a disco ball, they've created a space where art is free to hang out—and play nice with others.

"UFO Factory is like the adult Zoot's," says Dion Fischer, one third of UFO. He's referring to the days of the old coffee house on Second where he met his other two partners in crime. "It wasn't about the moneymaking," he says. "It was more about the glory of art in the '90s."

Here's the Zoot's Coffee group on MySpace.

The life-size portraits of twelve icons of hip-hop culture capture the larger than life personas embodied by these men, who are among the wealthiest and most influential individuals of our time. Snoop Dogg, 50 Cent, Common, Kanye West, Reverend Run, Duke, Lil Jon, Don "Magic" Juan, Whoo Kid, Marc Ecko and Russell Simmons are portrayed by Melamid as they are in life ‚ serious, ambitious, powerful and compelling. The twelve, dressed in their everyday clothes, are rendered with Old Master style and quality, providing a provocative visual context and an association with masterpieces of the past.

The opening takes place on Friday, February 8th and will feature Detroit-based emcee, spoken word poet and "Afroflow" creator Mike-E Ellison along with a live set by James Pennington a.k.a. the Suburban Knight. The exhibition runs through April 20th and there is also an exhibit by Japanese fashion designer Rei Kawakubo.

Image credit: Kanye West, 2005, oil on canvas by Alexander Melamid

Ben Folds by jaywestphotography

Tickets are already sold out for Saturday night at The Ark's Annual Ann Arbor Folk Festival at the Hill Auditorium, but there are still a few remaining for Friday night (Jan 25) featuring headliner Ben Folds, Toad The Wet Sprocket, Shemekia Copeland, Trina Hamlin, Brian Vander Ark and others.

Originally founded in 1965, The Ark has a simple mission:

The Ark is a non-profit organization dedicated to the enrichment of the human spirit through the presentation, preservation and encouragement of folk, roots and ethnic music and related arts. The Ark provides a safe and welcoming atmosphere for all people to listen to, learn about, perform and share music.

You can see more great photos of Ben Folds in this cool set and more work from Jay at jaywestphotography.com.

Thanks to Jeff for reminding me to post something on this - he says that he is EXCITED to see Ben perform!

This photo of the Noguchi Fountain by Dave Hogg is one of a set of photos from the 2006 Detroit Jazzfest (slideshow).

The Detroit International Jazz Festival is held every year on Labor Day weekend. With 6 stages, 100+ acts, it's one of the premier free jazz festivals in the nation.

They have a spectacular lineup including Herbie Hancock, Detroit-born and raised violinist Regina Carter, Dave Brubeck, Marcus Belgrave & the Detroit Experience, Larry McCray and The Miracles to name just a very few.

Tiger Stadium 1987 vs. Toronto Blue Jays by 1ManWithACamera

I have apparently been hanging with Rip van Winkle, and so missed the news that Ernie Harwell has come forward with an 11th hour plan to save Tiger Stadium from demolition. Michigan Radio's Jack Lessenberry spoke with Ernie Harwell about his plans and just hearing Ernie talk about the stadium is a treat. In his accompanying essay titled Play Ball, Lessenberry notes that all the other people talking about turning the ballpark into luxury condos or boutiques had everything they needed except financing - and that the City of Detroit acted quite expectedly by not trying to compete with Mike Ilitch when the Tigers were a terrible team. Jack notes:

Now, however, things have changed. The Tigers are American League champions, and virtually every game at Comerica is sold out.

If there is anything Detroit doesn’t need, it is another vacant lot. Baseball is about history, and the place where Ty Cobb, Babe Ruth, Lou Gehrig and Mickey Mantle once played doesn’t deserve to disappear.

After listening to Ernie and reading about his plan for reducing the size of the ballpark to 10,000 seats or so and surrounding it with lofts, offices, and Detroit sports and music museums, I have to agree that Harwell's plan is credible and do-able ... and if they're selling bricks, I'm buying one. I bet there's a lot of folks who would do the same.

There's a ton of pictures of Tiger Stadium over on Michigan in Pictures and you can get a ton more about the ballpark at Absolute Michigan keyword Tiger Stadium.

To keep you up-to-date on the latest news and developments, we are launching the official TCFF blog today, packed full of exclusive content, in-depth features and insider reports. It's your one-stop shop for all of the latest festival information. Most importantly, it's also a way for us to start a dialogue with each of you. We hope you'll utilize the "Comments" feature on these blogs to share your feedback with us on how the festival's going, along with your ideas for how we can make things even better.

So head over there and give them some comments and follow along with the excitement of the TC Film Fest with interviews with directors like John Laurence, profiles of honorees like 2007 Michigan Filmmaker Award winner Christine Lahti, photos of venues and a look at the TCFF's new digs.

Bob Dylan - Oslo Spektrum 2007 by Ketil Blom

The Traverse City Record-Eagle reports...

Bob Dylan is the headliner for the 2007 Interlochen Arts Festival summer concert series, while just about every decade of rock since he helped change the world of music in the 1960s is represented.

Other shows include Trace Adkins, Lyle Lovett & k.d. lang, Guster, the Black Crowes, Nickel Creek, The Moody Blues, Preservation Hall Jazz Band, the Charlie Daniels Band, John Hiatt and Shawn Colvin, Bela Fleck and the Flecktones, and several others.

You can read Dylan headlines Interlochen Arts Festival for the dates and on Friday,  April 27 at 9 AM you can get them online at Interlochen.

It's apparently time to announce summer music in the Traverse City area as the National Cherry Festival has also announced their summer lineup:

Country music band Ricochet and '80's pop-rock band The Romantics will lead the entertainment line-up at this year's National Cherry Festival. Other acts scheduled to perform at the Bayside Entertainment Area July 7-14 are the perennially popular Beatles tribute band 1964 The Tribute, Southern rock band Dicky Betts and Great Southern, roots rocker Marshall Crenshaw and The Flask with hometown rocker Kenny Olson.

Orchestra Hall, Detroit by kelliekp

The Detroit News has a cool audio slideshow featuring playwright Beatrice Buck talking about Detroit's "Paradise Valley" area that triggered about an hour of surfing from link to cool link. Since someone may audit my time, I figured it would be best to share all this stuff with you. If you have anything else to add, please do so in the comments!

According to Paradise Valley and Black Bottom from the Detroit News:

It's not clear how the area came to be known as "Paradise Valley." Some have speculated that it drew its name from the newly introduced Asian "Paradise" tree that grew very easily along fences in the area...

By 1936, the name Paradise Valley was firmly established and the neighborhood had its own informal mayor, Roy Lightfoot. The community also had its heros like Olympic star Jesse Owens, whose visit to the Valley inspired a celebration. And of course there was heavyweight boxing champion Joe Louis, the Valley's favorite son. His mother, Lily Brooks, lived on McDougall.

Most of the venues have fallen the the wrecking ball, but if you want to tour the sites (in person or virtually) check out the Paradise Valley Tour put together by (and accompanied by) Bluesharp.org. The site gave a shout out to the book Paradise Valley Days from the Detroit Black Writers Guild. It melds historical photos and poetry and looks pretty darned cool (check the excerpt link). The News also has a tour with maps that shows the area in relation to modern Detroit.

The Pod 313 blog takes a story about Beatrice Buck, who is upset that a promised memorial to Paradise Valley has yet to be delivered, and adds some photos and context. Check out Paradise lost? Paradise Valley Memorial park delayed.

Wall Columns by BuildingsofDetroit.com

In the 1800s, Lansing's theatre industry was booming, and known state-wide for its opulent Opera House and other venues that provided "big city" thrills and entertainment to Michigan's residents. This article from the Lansing City Pulse takes you from Downer's Hall in Old Town, one of Lansing's first theaters, through the boom years of Vaudeville when Al Jolson and Marilyn Miller graced the stage of the Bijou at the corner of Capitol & Michigan, all the way to the demolition of the historic Michigan Theatre in 1983.

Click to read Looking Back: Lansing once offered some of state's best theaters in the City Pulse.

The current version of Introduce Your Michigan Business or Organization is right there.

artarrow blogsize by toybreaker
more MOCAD photos and/or visit Toybreaker.

Last week I had the pleasure of attending a presentation by Model D co-publisher Paul Schutt. I think they have a great editorial philosophy and it's exciting to see them starting to produce original videos like the one above on the Museum of Contemporary Art in Detroit (MOCAD).

MOCAD's mission is to present art at the forefront of contemporary culture. They are (fittingly) housed in a 22,000 square foot former auto dealership. Their first exhibition (check the link to the right for photos) is titled Meditations in an Emergency, and it is accompanied by music, performance, dance, lectures and educational activities with schools and youth organizations.

The second exhibition is scheduled for February 2007. Titled Shrinking Cities, it will explore the relationship between cities and suburbs and will be a collaboration between MOCAD and the Cranbrook Art Museum.