Music & Film
Motown may have migrated west in the 1970s, but the legacy and the mystique of Detroit musicianship are stronger than ever. Whether you're a rocker, a hip hop head, a club kid, or jazz aficionado, Detroit serves up the best offering for your musical palette.
On Screen
For fantastic films, the Detroit Film Theatre is chock full of selections all semester long.
Detroit Institute of Arts
5200 Woodward Ave
313.833.7900
www.dia.org/dft
The IMAX movie theater is an out of this world experience.
Detroit Science Center
John R. at Warren
313.577.8400
www.detroitsciencecenter.org
Detroit and its Neighbors on Film:
8 Mile
Out of Sight
Robocop
True Romance
The Virgin Suicides
Grosse Pointe Blank
Standing in the Shadows of Motown
Music
Motown set the tone for Detroit as a musical powerhouse. "Detroit Soul" is a popular T-shirt slogan for good reason. Soul music is alive and well with Detroit as one of the hottest spots for emerging talents, dipping and borrowing beat structures and colossal chords.
Who's Got Detroit Soul? Name check these risings acts:
Kem
Dwele
The Black Bottom Collective
Inohs Sivad
The Platinum Pied Pipers
Thanks to Eminem everyone knows the real action goes down south of 8 Mile Road. Detroit hip hop has earned national attention from Marshall Mathers, but hip hop culture runs deep in Detroit, dating back to the days of fashion mogul Maurice Malone's Hip Hop Shop. Open mics and battles are held with platinum artists D12 and Obie Trice turning up in the crowd. Slum Village, OneBeLo, the Athletic Mic League, Invincible and Finale are among the hot rising voices among Detroit emcees.
Best Places to Stop for Hip Hop:
St. Andrew's Hall
431 East Congress
313.961.6357
www.standrewshall.com
The State Theatre
2115 Woodward Avenue
313.961.5451
www.statetheatredetroit.com
Buddha Lounge
21633 West 8 Mile Road
313.535.4664
www.buddhaloungedetroit.com
Good Life Lounge
630 Woodward Avenue
313.962.4508
Detroit hip hop is grimy, but I like it. My favorite Detroit artist is BR Gunna.
I definitely enjoy Detroit; the seasons, the people, the architecture. I love to go out and see the city. It has so many mysteries about it. The city is wrapped in history and mystery. It's hard to explain; it took a lot of getting used to. Detroit has its own appeal. It has a life, this energy that's totally different than anything I've ever experienced.
--Sean Walker Senior/Illustration
Detroit spawned an entire genre of electronic dance music popularly referred to as techno. Internationally-known Detroit record labels like Planet e, Underground Resistance, Transmat, KMS, 430 West, and Ghostly International pop up at events around the city. The annual electronic music festival celebrates this legacy and keeps the spirit of the pioneers kicking through giant speakers across Hart Plaza during Memorial Day Weekend. Capacity crowds fill the outdoor venue, celebrating all dance music.
Where to Find A DJ:
Oslo
1456 Woodward Avenue
313.963.0300
Corktown Tavern
1716 Michigan Avenue
313.964.5103
www.corktowntavern.com
Bleu Room Experience
1540 Woodward Avenue
313.222.1900
www.bleudetroit.com
Envy
234 West Larned
313.962.3689
The Works
1846 Michigan Avenue
313.961.1742
I like to make music and DJ. I make electronic music. I went to the Fuse-In Festival a couple weeks ago. It's awesome to get to know these people that might be famous someday, to know their roots are right where you are; their roots are here.
If there's something you want in Detroit, it's within driving distance, if not walking distance.
--Scott Martin Industrial Design
Before Motown, Detroit was a jazz town. Jazz musicians like Teddy Harris, Norma Jean Bell, Marcus Belgrave and Geri Allen keep the spirit alive in smoky haunts around the city.
Best Places to Cool Out to Jazz:
Baker's Keyboard Lounge
20510 Livernois Avenue
313.345.6300
www.bakerskeyboardlounge.com
Bert's Jazz Marketplace
2727 Russell Street
313.567.2030
Harlequin Cafe
8047 Agnes
313.331.0922
Conductor Neemi Jarvi is at the helm of the orchestral maneuvers of Detroit's Symphony Orchestra.
Max M. Fisher Music Center
313.576.5100
www.detroitsymphony.com
The Detroit Opera House features international renowned dance troupes and a top tier opera season.
The Detroit Opera House
1526 Broadway
313.961.3500
www.motopera.org
Detroit is experiencing a rock renaissance including Grammy winning White Stripes, nationally-known acts like the Von Bondies and local favorites the Paybacks, the Henchmen, the Dirtbombs, the Electric Six, and the Sights. Detroit bands are daring, in your face and everything rock n' roll set out to be.
Best Places to See Rowdy Bands:
Magic Stick
4140 Woodward Avenue
313.833.9700
www.majesticdetroit.com
The Lager House
1254 Michigan Avenue
313.961.4668
www.lagerhousedetroit.com
Small's
3642 Caniff, Hamtramck
313.873.1117
www.smallsbardetroit.com
I like to check out bands that play at the Majestic and St. Andrew's, and see what Detroit music is all about.
I live on campus during the school year. I actually miss living in Detroit when I'm back home. There's so much around you and so much you can do.
--Vanessa Merrill Grand Rapids, MI Junior/Fine Arts
