Beatles tribute this Saturday

Looks like a pretty cool concert this Saturday at the Blind Pig. The show is hosted by Tree Town Sound's Matthew Altruda and featuring Match by Match and Alejandra O'Leary among others.

A mix tape for a wintry mix

Looks like we are in for a wintry mix tonight/tomorrow morning. This makes me want to create a wintry mix tape. Gentle readers, do you have any suggestions? I'll start the list with Snowstorm by Galaxy 500:

Gentle readers, what songs would you put on your wintry mix tape? Wintry mixed drink recipes are welcome too.

Previously:

Weather in Ann Arbor

Ann Arbor and Ypsi clean up in Paste Magazine's "12 Michigan Acts" list

From Chris Bathgate to Lightning Love to Frontier Ruckus and more, Ann Arbor and Ypsi made a pretty decent showing in Paste Magazine's recent run-down of Michigan bands to listen to and see:

With musical hotspots like Ann Arbor—which features Kurt Cobain’s favorite music venue, The Blind Pig— Lansing and Detroit, there’s no reason you can’t see great local every week.

Well then. If Kurt says so...

Read on.

Ann Arbor Film Festival

It's coming. This was created as part of AAFF's mobile trailer competition.

Ann Arbor Film Festival Trailer 2012 from Joi Moss on Vimeo.

Bill's Beer Garden

According to the Com, Mark's Carts is looking to add an outdoor beer garden. Pretty exciting.

Photo via Phil Dokas

Tattoos in Detroit

This past weekend, I attended the Motor City Tattoo Expo in downtown Detroit (Marriott Renaissance Center). I had been jawing with Pennsylvania tattoo artist Josh Bodwell (Facebook, Twitter) for two years or so about the possibility of getting some work done, and this weekend we were finally able to connect.

This wasn't my first tattoo rodeo, but I was nevertheless excited about getting to work with an artist of Bodwell's caliber.

After a six and a half hour sitting (and an infinite amount of patience on the part of my significant other), the following is what he came up with: his interpretation of Plato from Raphael's School of Athens encircled by "Kirby Krackle," the visual representation of cosmic energy first used by legendary comic book artist Jack Kirby).

Needless to say, Bodwell's work is amazing, but what was striking to me is that Bodwell (and every other tattoo artist working the expo) had to be approved to participate in this event. Bodwell told me that Motor City Tattoo Expo is one of the most well-renowned gatherings of tattoo artists in the country, and if you get some work done at this event, in all likelihood, it will be by a top artist.

This event was especially relevant to me because I recently attempted to get another piece done at a local tattoo establishment (which will remain nameless) and was incredibly dissatisfied with their customer service. After a very brief conversation with the person on duty at this local shop, I left and vowed never to come back.So, Damn Arborites, show us your skin! And tell us where you have had great (and not so great) tattooing experiences.

Hour School

Good morning gentle readers, do you have a special skill or know-how you would like to share with the world? Would you like to brush up on or develop your home canning, pepper growing, or some other talent? Well then you should check out Hour School, a site that lets people suggest and create classes and offer them to the community for enrollment. Classes range in price from $20 to free and range in subject from seed saving to karate to Spanish for Social Workers.

Machines of Loving Grace

Mark your calendars folks. The Charlie La Croix Brokerage is putting up their next show on March 9th at the Comerica Building. See that little Arbor Brewing Company logo at the bottom of the poster? That means free beer from ABC. I had a ton of fun at their last two gallery opening parties.

Previously:

Postcards from the Edge

Nova Atlantis at LePop

Free Show Tonight

That's right folks. Another part of 8 Ball's classic Hallway Concert Series. More details here.

Bronies

Saw this by the Chemistry Building yesterday. Are there Bronies afoot in Ann Arbor?

Remember 1992?

When the world was a simpler place and boomeranging was all the rage on the streets of Ann Arbor? Yeah, me neither. Thankfully YouTube does:

How come everything from TV in the 90s looks like the 70s now?

Place that photo: When life gives you lemons...

...put some yarn on top?

Is that even yarn? It looks like it should be yarn, but it's too perfect. Like some anal person bought a ball of yarn to make this more perfect ball of yarn. Weirdo.

I hope this becomes the new wedding centerpiece trend. "I'm just so stressed out - the store ran out of lemons, and Bill is sooo bad at reballing the yarn. We're not going to finish. OMG, what will people saYayAYayaY? >sooooob<"

As usual, reading people, it's your job to figure out where this... thing... is. If you can successfully guess where this photo has been taken, place your bets below, along with your Twitter handle so we can damn you on our Twitter feed. Otherwise, we'll just damn your damn name.

The Aftermath - Messin' with the Kid

Does anybody know more about this band/recording? The video was uploaded to YouTube yesterday with the following information: "the aftermath, Messin' With The Kid, Ann Arbor, Michigan, 1967."

Call it what you want, I call it messin' with the kid. Pretty rocking eh?

UPDATE: Mystery Solved!

Just got an email from Ross Orr that shed some light on Aftermath:

Well, the newspaper clipping that flashes on the screen can be read here, http://oldnews.aadl.org/node/79947 ...and the person who would really have the answers is Rich Dishman (drummer) who is still playing music locally.

But I'm trying to remember if my older brother (Bruce Orr) was ever in one lineup of this band. In any case 'Hoppy' Colvin was a neighbor of ours, and also Bruce's classmate at Ann Arbor High (later Pioneer). Hoppy actually had his growth stunted by Polio (this was a long time ago!) and I'm not sure if there were other health issues. Sad to learn he has died, at only 63.

So there you have it folks. The old Ann Arbor News article is definitely worth a read.

Stencil Safari

Anyone notice a crop of new stencils popping up around campus? Are the stencilers trying to take this town back from the taggers?

Karate Jam

This Saturday at the Blind Pig. More details here.

A2GastroBoy on Detroit

Sometimes snarky, anonymous food blogger A2GastroBoy had an interesting post about a recent weekend in Detroit. Like so many Michiganders, GastroBoy's grandparents lived in the city, but his parents relocated to Oakland County. From the article:

"Detroit's really making a come back...There's some great spots...you should visit." Bullshit. I hated Detroit. It wasn't worth a visit. You needed a secret decoder ring to find the "great spots." I lived 30 minutes away and would sooner drive to Chicago than plan a night in Detroit. Yes, I made the occasional pilgrimage east, but it was always with a specific destination in mind and always a chore.

...

Luckily I have some pretty wonderful friends and they've been steadily feeding me insights about the modern day city of Detroit. One of these friends has even made a habit out of staying the night...in Detroit! How novel. So in what felt like an extravagant move we decided to get a room at the Book Cadillac Westin and turn our trip to Wicked into a weekend getaway.

Stunning.

That's what I have to say about our weekend in Detroit. We spent nearly two days living as god intended - fat and happy. It was not, as I'm accustomed, a one-stop park-and-leave driving trip. It was a "leave the keys in the room, hit the streets and roam" type of weekend. We encountered other people, at times crowds, and not just bums or bar folk.

Read the full article for GastroBoy's reviews hotels and eateries in Detroit.

Diag Missed Connection

From Craigslist's Missed Connections:

diag cutie - m4w - 22 (ann arbor)

Date: 2012-02-18, 11:06PM EST

i know this is a longshot but i saw you on the diag about three weeks ago, u had blonde hair and were wearing a northface jacket, black spandex pants and those uggs boots. we totally made eye contact for a few seconds and then you kept on walking. please if this is you let me know by putting "diag" in the subject, i would really like to take you out on a date.

This is a joke, right?

The Paczki Connection

The ladies dishing out paczki at Copernicus European Delicatessen

In case you missed it, today is Fat Tuesday. I wasn't sure where to procure my annual paczki so I asked the twitterverse and boy did they ever come through. Copernicus European Delicatessen in South Main Market was recommended by @ryanvis, @juliewbee, @cynicalgrrl, and @shanakimball. I ended up going there and the prune paczki were especially tasty. Here are other suggestions:

@misternorman: I recommend making the drive to Dom's in Ypsi off of Washtenaw. in A2 there's also Wise Guy’s, and theirs are quite tasty.
@moulidi: Raid every third room in the MLB teaching a French class.
@MDSmitty2488: Big City Small World Bakery has them fresh! Corner of Spring and Miller.
@ryanburns: There's a sign at a place at the corner of Packard and Granger but I haven't been in there.
@rifferaff: Plum Market
@kylelady: dB Cafe on North Campus. $1.
@vanderbrarian: also Big City Small World!
@HoneyFigStudio: Plum Market has them!

Thanks for your help folks.

rEVOLUTION Art Show Submissions

Every year, the Sexual Assault Prevention and Awareness Center puts on an art show at U of M. It was started a s a senior project, and has lived on since through the work of the center. Having gone the past three years, I've seen some very provoking artwork and heard moving poetry. If you would like to submit anything related to gender, sexism, sexual violence, or empowerment to the show, email revolution12@umich.edu by next Tuesday, February 28th.

Seize the Break

Seize the Break is this Friday through Sunday. From the Ann Arbor Free Skool blog:

Friday, February 24

DIY Fest 2-7pm - Hotel Midwest Hosted by Ann Arbor Free Skool: We've got classes ranging from winter survival skills to mental health care to the queer history of Ann Arbor. Full schedule will be out soon! Woods Bar 8pm - ??? - Woods behind Elks Lodge: Enjoy live & improvised music, a frozen bar with warm drinks & a rustic barbarian potluck while you keep warm by the fire

Saturday, February 25

Adult Sled: Daytime, Hunt Park: Sledding, relays, maybe a guerilla ice rink? Come hang out in the snow with us & join our winter olympics Summer Show Nighttime, Location TBA: We've got some killer bands. Expect Shenanigans.

Sunday, February 26

Polar Plunge Daytime, Huron River: You know what this is, but are you up for it? (First ever?) Sauncert Daytime, Far House: Warm up from the plunge with live music in our DIY sauna. Closing Ceremonies Nighttime, Far House: Bring a winter offering to the Sneeze the Beak gods to have a great rest of the season. Will there be live music too? Duh.

I'm getting conflicting reports about Friday's Woods Bar. There are rumors afoot that it will be at 8:30 pm at Bandimere Park. Seems like it might be just a touch illegal though.

University of Michigan Hockey documentary

Truth be told, I've only watched the first 5 minutes of this. Still it looks pretty good.

FAWN signing to Quite Scientific Records

I'm not sure when, exactly, I first heard a song by Ferndale's FAWN. I think maybe it was one of those Suburban Sprawl holiday compilations a few years ago. They're joyous, and speed up and yell a little in a way that hits that joyous yelling and speeding sweet spot just right.

Needless to say, whenever I'm reminded of them I spend a few minutes listening to the two songs I have in iTunes and anxiously wondering when they're going to put out an album. Then I usually go and listen to Javelins for a while. So I was stoked to hear on Mostly Midwest that they're joining Quite Scientific Records!

No shows are listed right now, but if you "like" FAWN on Facebook I'm sure something will pop up soon. In the meantime, watch this great live video Mostly Midwest posted from Mittenfest, and then anxiously await with me:


FAWN, at Mittenfest from Mostly Midwest on Vimeo.

[Thanks, Mostly Midwest!]

A morning in Hamtramck, 2011

Ed: Erika Jost originally posted this article on 8 March, 2011.

The paczki torment us as we wait in line at the New Martha Washington Bakery. So close, yet so far. And lest we forget Michigan's abysmal unemployment rate, the bakery advertises that it accepts Bridge cards.

Paczki Day, 2011

Ed: Erika Jost originally posted this article on 8 March, 2011.

It's 5 AM on March 8, 2011. Depending on where you are in the world, it's Karneval, or Mardi Gras, or Fasching, or Fat Tuesday. And, depending on where you are in the world, you've just begun drinking, or you're still drinking, or you're sleeping it off so you can start drinking again soon.

If you are in southeast Michigan, it's Paczki Day, and you're in line at a Polish bakery in Hamtramck.

Pictures from the Dirty Wolverine

I've been somewhat curious about the recent surge in the prevalence of pop-ups. It seems like over the last few years, the number of pop-up restaurants, pop-up stores, and pop-up art galleries, has increased dramatically. I had thought the increase in pop-up popularity was because it was a relatively safe way to test the marketability of an idea for a risk averse generation. Ashlee Arder, proprietor of the Dirty Wolverine has a different idea. She believes pop-ups are popular with our generation because of the exclusivity they offer. I wasn't anticipating that response. The more I have thought about it though, the more I think Ashlee is on to something. Beyond reflecting a much lower capital investment than more traditional brick-and-mortar stores, pop-ups are exciting. Knowing a store will only be open for a few hours makes it much more intriguing to visit. There is a festive atmosphere. Pop-ups are able to capitalize on the excitement of a grand opening celebration every time they "pop up."

Ashlee Arder in front of her wares.

Faygo Pop Shop

Hey Michigoners, do you ever find yourself longing for Faygo yet unable to procure it from your local convenience store? Fret no more. Thanks to the Faygo Pop Shop you can now order your favorite flavors of Faygo from a convenient online store!

Hat tip: L^3

It only costs a cent

To love your bike.

Robot art

This wandered into the Dana Building sometime on Monday night. Perhaps it's part of that guerrilla art class I've been hearing so much about.

Thundergrads: sketch comedy from U of M

Whoa sketch comedy from U of M. Check this out:

You may recognize some faces from Bros vs Hipsters. The entire first episode of Thundergrads is available on the YouTube.

Birthday Bagels No More

I've got bad news, folks: According to ArborWiki, Zingerman's no longer offers six free bagels on one's birthday. Effective last month, the deli now offers 15 percent off for birthday folks, while the bakehouse gives you a loaf of bread, as long as you buy something, and as long as that loaf was originally priced at $6.25 or below.

I'm sure there are probably a lot of things behind the scenes that have lead the Z to this choice. However, since I don't know what those things are, I shall be the idiot that complains without knowing the whole story. Come on Zingerman's! You used to have the coolest birthday deal in town!

Photo courtesy of emma_brown.

$600 of Ramen by Planned Parenthood

Planned Parenthood had an event on the Diag today, and the noticeable feature was this stack of Ramen they used to represent the amount of money the average woman spends on birth control per year. Things like that should be changing with the Affordable Care Act, though.

Awesome WCBN documentary

This video makes me really happy.

Jose Antonio Vargas Discusses Immigration and Education

Jose Antonio Vargas, a young journalist who has won the Pulitzer Prize, wrote a devastating article last summer about working as an undocumented immigrant for many years in high profile journalism jobs. He's coming to campus on Tuesday as part of an effort to allow in-state tuition for undocumented immigrants. It promises to be a great event - I hope to see you there.

Tuesday, Feb. 21
7-8:30 PM
Rackham Auditorium

Dirty Wolverine III Today

Just a reminder, there is a pop-up vintage boutique and art exhibit this afternoon from 2-9. Check it out:

The Dirty Wolverine x Pop Up A2 | Art + Vintage Pop Up Exhibition from The Dirty Wolverine on Vimeo.

Place that photo: Where do you go, my lovely?

This is depressing. Like, ew.

In observance of the fact that I have flat-out forgotten to give you a chance to place a photo for two weeks, I figured I would come back with one of the more depressing photos I've taken lately (beeteedubs, I don't take a lot of photos, and I'm not into ruin porn, so I guess that's not really saying much). This lil storefront used to have a great setup in the front. But now, everything is dank and gray inside. Is it just me, or have there been a stupid amount of businesses in the downtown/Liberty/State Street area that have been going under within the last two months?

Anywho, if you're the first to correctly guess where this photo was located, we shall damn you on our Twitter feed, so please leave us your Twitter handle along with your guess in the comments below. Otherwise, we'll just damn your damn name.

The last PTP was indeed taken inside ABC (Arbor Brewing Company, for all you noobs).

Ideal cafe hours?

the (espresso) bar, a forthcoming pop-up coffee shop on the first floor of The Bar at 327 Braun Court, is wondering what ideal hours of operation would be. Any suggestions?

The newest lil Sunseed

Our CSA providers, Tomm and Trillby Becker of Sunseed Farm, just brought a new little dude into the world. And by just, I mean the first of February. I will admit that this whole time, I've been thinking that Trillby just had on a really, really warm and puffy coat. Woman was smugglin a child all over town. Congrats to Tomm, Trillby and Baby Silas!

I also wanted to let you all know that Sunseed is expanding from 60 shares to 100 (100!) shares this summer, I suppose to help stuff more veggies in the newest sunseed's mouth. Anywho, they're already taking applications, so if you're interested, you'd best hurry it on up.

I Love You Denard

The latest from Pat Stansik. Music video coming shortly.

Valentine's Day treat from Alejandra O'Leary

Alejandra O"Leary from gbs detroit on Vimeo.

A special Valentine's Day music video from Alejandra O'Leary.

North Lansing Against the World: breakfast at Golden Harvest

Yesterday while visiting a friend at MSU, EJ and I stopped by Lansing's Golden Harvest restaurant for an awesome breakfast. The place is great: quirky decorations, bumping metal and puck rock, and some great breakfast food. EJ went with lemon-raspberry French toast. I had delicious blackberry custard waffles. Our friend had a hearty chorizo breakfast burrito. The portions were generous and the food was tasty.

Golden Harvest has this great punk rock/raygun gothic/roller derby aesthetic. The logo is a skull and crossbones (well, cross fork and knife) with NO LAW (NOrth Lansing Against the World) written underneath it. The restaurant is covered in various monster and band stickers, and little wind-up robots. They play loud, jarring music. If you are ever in Lansing for breakfast, make sure you check out Golden Harvest. Make sure you get there hella early if you don't want to wait. We were the first patrons when we arrived at 7:20, and the place was packed by 8:00. Keep in mind this was a Monday. As a bonus, if you are there super early you may be treated to the special employee coffee which is really, really strong.

Check out this awesome little documentary about Golden Harvest and their devoted patrons.

Love Hangover

Another awesome poster from Jeremy Wheeler. Another awesome fundraiser for 826 Michigan.

Detroit Venture Partners

Saw this little video on /. yesterday:

Remembering Edward Voss

Edward Voss, Professor Emeritus at the University of Michigan, passed away this afternoon. Voss is perhaps best known for his 3 volume work Michigan Flora. Weighing in just north of 1850 pages, Michigan Flora describes all of the plants in Michigan. This is a monumental achievement considering the genus Carex alone has more than 400 species in Michigan. To say the least, Ed Voss was a botanical badass. Thought I never got a chance to meet him, I will always remember this quote from Michigan Flora, Part III: Dicots Concluded:

Origanum vulgare Oregano; Wild-marjoram. Native principally in the Mediterranean region, occasionally escaped from herb gardens to roadside bangs, refuse piles, and waste ground. The chief habitat in Michigan is on Pizza.

DRGNSLV

EJ and I noticed this interesting license plate the other week while heading over to ABC.

Postcards from the Edge

G$ and I braved the cold on Friday night to check out Postcards from the Edge. The turnout was slightly lower than for the previous pop-up, Nova Atlantis, but we can probably blame that on the weather. It was a pretty nice evening: I liked the art a bit better than the stuff at Nova Atlantis; there was less competition for the free beer; and we ran into @DragonMgmt.
Here are some pictures of the art I liked the best:

Call me déclassé, but robot art is my favorite type of art.

Dirty Wolverine III

The Dirty Wolverine is returning for its 3rd pop-up vintage clothing boutique. They are teaming up with Pop Up A2 to put on a pop-up clothing store and art exhibit on Feb. 16th.

Midwest Migrations Infographic

Changing Gears has put together a cool infographic showing the population fluxes from Midwest states.

It's interesting they include South Dakota but not North Dakota. Any guesses as to which state is the biggest recipient of Midwest migrants?

Previously:

Midwest Migrations

Postcards from the Edge at LePop tonight

The Charlie LaCroix Art Brokerage is putting on another pop-up art gallery at LePop. The opening is tonight form 9-12. EJ and I made it to the opening party for the last LePop gallery, Nova Atlantis. There was free beer and wine. LePop is located on the first floor of the Comerica Building, 101 N Main.

Missed Connection: Hey, Ann Arbor taggers!

The great tagging crisis continues. Via Missed Connections:

Hey, Ann Arbor taggers!

Date: 2012-02-03, 5:09PM EST

There's a difference between graffiti and art - if you're going to spend the time and take the risk, how about giving us something cool to look at? I'm talking to you "Mekan Mekan Mekan" (BORING!!) and "Gexir" (YAWN). Brush up on those spray paint skillz and say something with it or make it pretty, or both. Here are some ideas and inspiration for you and your friends: unurth.com

And here are the bad examples:

Constructive criticisms? Sometimes I think it would be interesting to understand more about the tagger worldview.

Thoughts on GSRA unionization

I have spent the last two and a half years as a graduate student at the School of Natural Resources and Environment at U of M; after completing my Master's degree in 2.5-ish years, I am currently a Ph.D. pre-candidate. I have worked as a Graduate Student Instructor (GSI) for 3 semesters teaching lab sections of Woody Plants and a discussion section of Global Change II. As a GSI, I was represented by GEO, the Graduate Employees Organization. Until this semester, I have not been a Graduate Student Research Assistant (GSRA). In the current discussion about GSRA unionization I feel like there has been a lack of clear information. Here I will explain what exactly GSRAs do in the broader picture of graduate studies and look at some of the arguments for and against GSRA unionization.

Serious bike lights

Someone isn't going to get hit at night.

Ozone House benefit this Friday

Ozone House is a local nonprofit that works with at risk youth and runaways. I remember way back in high school, I had some friends that really benefited from some of Ozone Houses services. Unfortunately, the nonprofit has lost a lot of the governmental support money they had come to rely on to help provide their vital services. This is where you, gentle reader, come in. This Friday, Frenchie's in Ypsilanti is hosting LOVE IS A DRAGshow. According to Jessica, Frenchie's owner and event organizer, LOVE IS A DRAGshow will feature some of the best drag queens in the business.

The deets:

What: Love Is a Drag the drag queen extravaganza benefit for Ozone House

When: Friday, February 10, 2012

Time: Doors open at 9:30 p.m.; drag show begins at 10:00 p.m.

Location: Frenchie’s - 54 E. Cross Street, Ypsilanti, MI

Suggested donation at the door: $5.00

Looks like a good time for a good cause.

Next Steps In City Walking, Biking Plan

Ann Arbor has gotten a fair bit kinder to pedestrians and bicyclists since adopting its first Non-Motorized Plan in 2007. But there's plenty of room for improvement on many of the city's byways. Wednesday, Feb. 8, the city is holding its first public meetings on a 5-year update to the plan. At City Hall, 3-4:30 and 6-7:30. There might even be some bicycle boulevards on the agenda.

Bell's Bell's Bell's

On a road trip to Chicago this weekend I made sure to stop by Bell's General Store in Kalamazoo to pick up some Hopslam as a thank-you to my hosts, who have settled in C-town by way of Battle Creek, East Lansing, Los Angeles, and most recently Ann Arbor. As long-time readers know I am more than a little obsessed with Oberon, so it was a very special pilgrimage.

Ann Arbor in 3D

I was on the top floor of the new CS Mott Children's Hospital last week, and it was fairly easy to see the landscape of Ann Arbor. I tried searching for a good topographical map of the area, and this was the most interesting.

Source.

Bros vs. Hipsters

Have you ever had a roommate you couldn't quite figure out? Pat Stansik's latest short involves two roommates who are in just such a pickle.

Maybe I'm reading too much into this, but Bros vs. Hipsters seems like a great cautionary tale about the dangers of stereotypes.

Previously:

An interview with Pat Stansik

Walk of Shame Shuttle

Entrepreneurship is on the rise at U of M. There's the Zell Lurie Institute, the Center for Entrepreneurship, MPowered, and even a Master of Entrepreneurship degree offered by the School of Engineering and the Ross School. Still, when people talk about the entrepreneurial spirit of U of M students, I don't know if Ginger Ambition's Walk of Shame Shuttle is what they have in mind. Nevertheless it has been garnering media attention:

Free bottled water and $5 off Plan B! I wonder if the city's Taxicab Board knows about this.

Founders Video

Founders Brewing: The Story from Founders Brewing Co. on Vimeo.

This video makes me love Founders even more, which I didn't even think was possible.

Hat tip: @dokas

Get Your Pounds On!

If you're trying to lose a few lbs. as a part of your New Year's resolutions and need some help from Jenny Craig, you should probably avoid the Traver Village shopping center on Plymouth Rd. and Nixon Rd.

Achatz Handmade Pie Company (Twitter: @achatzpies) is based out of Troy, MI, and their offerings look DELECTABLE! This location recently opened up on Jan. 29, so go check them out (or order online), and let us know if their pies taste as good as they look.

EatBlue.com

EatBlue.com: "Fire 45" from Filmic Productions on Vimeo.

Interesting. Has anybody tried EatBlue.com?

Via Pat Stansik

Charlie Slick on a Train

Charlie Slick from 4exit4 on Vimeo.

After the Factory

After the Factory Film Trailer from DETROIT LIVES! on Vimeo.

Check out this trailer for After the Factory. Looks pretty cool.

Via: Detroit Lives

PSA: Soul Club tonight

Gentle readers, Soul Club, the sweatiest dance party in town, is tonight at the Blind Pig. 18+ cover is $5/$8 under 21. Doors are at 9:30.

What the frack?

Interesting animation of oil and gas wells in Michigan from the DEQ. The new wells from each 5 year period are colored red. The old wells are black. Looks like most of those wells in the north are natural gas wells.

Cursive/Tim Kasher taking requests for upcoming Blind Pig show

According to Twitter, that is. But you might have to follow up in a few weeks:

The show's at the Blind Pig on March 27; cover is $15. Cursive totally blows me away every time, I'm anxiously looking forward to seeing them here in SF at the end of February! The openers (Cymbals Eat Guitars, Conduit) rock pretty hard, too.

Sink to the Beat is a great choice. Someone request that one song where they talk about being stranded in Ann Arbor!

Actually, my favorite Cursive song to see live is Sierra — the quality isn't great, but I was there for this performance and it's one I've never forgotten:

Anyway, how stoked are you guys on the new Cursive album coming out?

Virtual tour of the Natural History Museum

Local tumblr, Explosive Ingredient, has been uploading pictures of a behind the scenes tour of U of M's Natural History Museum. Lots of pictures of reptiles in jars and other preserved specimens. Check it out.

Biking in a Winter Wonderland

Believe it or not, winter is my favorite season. That doesn't mean I don't think winter can be brutal, but unfortunately, our options are basically move, or toughen up. In spite of the short days, the chapped skin, the snow shoveling, the ice scraping, and the heating bills, winter can be managed with the right attitude and the right preparation. This is equally true of winter bike commuting.

Ben Connor Barrie invited me a long long time ago to blog about biking in Ann Arbor. I've had a hard time thinking of meaningful things to say, until this past Sunday, at the intersection of Liberty and South Division, when it hit me. 

The road was nice and slippery when I came down to meet it. I landed on my hip (and of course, my keys) in the Northeast corner of the intersection, where my right turn had just gone wrong. I shot up off the ground, took an awkward bow for the passing bus driver, and dragged my bike to the sidewalk to inspect the damage: luckily, only a bent crank arm. The extra layers of clothing and the slick road surface combined to make the ideal collapse; it was the nature of winter cycling that allowed me to get back up and ride away (and ride another 5 hours that day).

I wish I could tell you that you were never going to fall off of your bike. Obviously, cyclists want to avoid accidents (though we do love our scars), but falls are inevitable.  Contrary to popular belief, winter is a great season for riding.  Here are a few suggestions to help you conquer the cold and keep your tires on the ground.

An interview with Pat Stansik

You may know Pat Stansik from his video series, Pre-Gaming with Pat, in which he interviews U of M students as they pre-game. I had the chance recently to exchange some emails with Pat recently. What follows is my interview with the Ann Arbor native/recent U of M grad. We discuss the local comedy scene, his upcoming projects, the fine line between hipsters and bros, blogging and of course, Pinterest. Enjoy.

BCB: What inspired you to get into comedy?

PS: I've always loved comedy, but I didn't realize you could pursue it as a career until I watched the show Curb Your Enthusiasm during my senior year of high school. Larry David is my idol but I didn't watch Seinfeld growing up, so Curb was my first exposure to his work and that kind of humor.

Get your skill on

At the risk of sounding immodest, I know all the trees. It even says so somewhere on the internet, which means it must be true. Anyway, me and my comrade in arms, Liana, will be teaching a winter tree identification class at the winter ReSkilling Festival this Saturday from 1-2 pm. I can't promise you'll be able to draw a diagram of all the acorns of Michigan from memory after the class. That said participants in the workshop will learn how to identify trees in their winter conditions and several common Michigan tree species. Fun for the whole family.

Midwest Migrations

Hey you Michigoners who read Damn Arbor, Changing Gears' Midwest Migrations is collecting your personal stories on why you left the Midwest. You can submit your tragic tale of leaving the Mitten here. Oh and about your remittance money, we haven't seen any in a while.