Culture City Calendar & Download of the Week
Your guide to all the happenings around metro Detroit. Plus, Trav’s download of the week.
Download of the Week
“Strange Days” by Boyfriends Genes
This is how you debut: The first track from Michigan-based brothers Travis and Thomas Shaver starts with glimmering synths and a basic beat before growing into a summery electro-pop gem begging for the attention of beachside boomboxes and masterful remix artists.
This Week’s Calendar
Nick Cave “Hear Here” @ Cranbrook Art Museum & Brightmoor/Old Redford | Saturday June 20th at Cranbrook Art Museum & Sunday June 21st in Brightmoor and Old Redford
Nick Cave (not to be confused with the Australian crooner) is bringing his closet of bright and bold “soundsuits” to Detroit. What could be described as equal parts African ceremonial dress, Basquiat, and “Fraggle Rock” these colorful outfits will adorn multiple performance pieces including music by hip-hop duo Passalacqua and Afro-Future R&B superstar Tunde Olaniran play.
Woodbridge Merrick’n Summer Fest @ Woodbridge | Saturday June 20th, 2015
Woodbridge is abuzz with some of the hottest acts in Detroit. You can expect a good show with names like ADULT., Javelins, Little Animal, and James Linck. In fact, WDET’s Travis Wright spoke with post-goth trio Ritual Howls about performing at this sweltering summer fest (and we mean that in the best way possible).
Moving with Detroit @ Carr Center | Saturday, June 20th
Ballet, break-dance, samba, tango, and the jit are the focus of this conference. A council discussing dancing in Detroit will tackle questions about what moves the people, besides the People Mover.
Dance Dance (R) EVOLUTION @ MOCAD | Saturday, June 20th
By the name of the event, you’d think that MOCAD’s converting into a Japanese-style arcade endlessly playing “Sandstorm” by Darude (and maybe one day it will!), but this show is so much more. The Allied Music Conference is hosting this dance party with performances from Seattle-based songstresses, THEESatisfaction, Passalacqua (those guy are busy this weekend), and other stalwarts of Detroit’s techno scene.
Chastity Belt @ UFO Factory | Sunday, June 21st
Straight outta Walla Walla, Washington (say that 10 times fast), Chasity Belt sounds like they woke up with a bad hangover after a night of listening to warped Phil Spector and Television records on repeat. Fuzzy and fun, these four post-grad, post-punk, plectrum picking performers play the UFO Factory (now, say that 10 times fast.)
Detroit Pleasure Society @ PJ’s Lager House | Saturday, June 20th
Go back to a simpler time. A time where cats wore pajamas. A time where people were more concerned with the bee’s knees rather than their disappearing populations. Oh, and prohibition. That was happening too. Anyways, it’s never too late for a good ol’ ragtime that’ll send you a hoot-n-hollerin’ all the way back to Dixieland.
Honky Tonk Night @ Tom’s Tavern | Sunday, June 21st
There’s no better way to celebrate Father’s Day than to buy your dad a beer and listening to some country music. Tom’s Tavern’s got you covered, but don’t expect them to pay your tab. It’s an all-American night that’s as American as an apple-pie flavored Hallmark card covered in freedom.
Best Coast @ Majestic Theater | Friday, June 19th
Although we’d argue that the “best” coast is around our pleasant peninsula, we’d say Best Coast is pretty close to second. The project of Bethany Cosentino and Bobb Bruno, this L.A. born and raised duo walk the line between garage-rock, drone, and jangle-pop and on this week’s Culture City, WDET’s Travis Wright got to catch up with the band and their latest album, California Nights.