Photo by Nick LeTellier, courtesy of Paxahau
Feedback NEWS & VIEWS
We received comments in response to Kahn Santori Davison’s contribution to our summer concert guide cover story package, about the 40th anniversary of the former Chene Park and current Aretha Franklin Amphitheatre.
I feel like I’m gonna be like the old folks in my family, still calling it Chene Park �� Aretha said yall gon remember me! ���� —@thepolymathgent, Instagram
My favorite venue to see a show.
—MaryBeth Szeles, Facebook
I love this place for concerts in the summer. Congratulations!!!!
—Lisa Glover-Jacobs, Facebook I agree the Aretha is great for summer entertainment.
—Angela Hankins, Facebook ������
—John Brown, Facebook
One of my favorite venues in Detroit for adults over 50.
—LaDonna Vaughn, Facebook
Thank you to Detroit Metro Times for the love and for putting Detroit concerts front and center with this amazing cover feature! ��
—Aretha Franklin Amphitheatre, Facebook
Have an opinion? Sound off: letters@metrotimes.com
NEWS & VIEWS
City of Detroit honors Amp Fiddler by renaming Conant Gardens street
Amp Fiddler, the influential musician and mentor from Detroit who died in 2023 at age 65, was honored when the city renamed a street after him.
A stretch at Seven Mile Road and Revere Street was renamed “Amp Fiddler Avenue” in Conant Gardens, the Detroit neighborhood where Fiddler lived and served as a mentor for many musicians.
An unveiling ceremony for the street sign took place on Friday, which was designated as “Amp Fiddler Day” by the city of Detroit.
In addition to his work as a solo artist, Fiddler is known for playing keyboard in George Clinton’s Parliament-Funkadelic in the 1980s and ’90s.
He has also worked with other musicians the world over including Prince, Seal, Jamiroquai, and more.
Among Amp’s many mentees over the years was his former neighbor, the late hip-hop beatmaker J Dilla.
—Lee DeVito
Progressive Eli Savit launches campaign for attorney general
Washtenaw County Prosecutor Eli Savit announced last week he’s running for Michigan attorney general in 2026, casting himself as a champion for civil rights and working people in a campaign rooted in progressive legal reform.
“Our constitutional rights are under attack, and we can’t afford to back down,” Savit said in a statement. “As attorney general, my job will be to stand between Michiganders and those trying to take their rights away — whether it’s extremist politicians in Washington, corporate polluters contaminating our environment, or shady businesses ripping off workers and consumers.”
Savit, 42, was elected prosecutor in 2020 after serving as senior legal counsel to the city of Detroit. A former law clerk to U.S. Supreme Court Justices Ruth Bader Ginsburg and Sandra Day O’Connor, he helped lead Detroit’s lawsuit against opioid manufacturers and played a key role in a right-to-literacy settlement that brought nearly $100 million to the city’s public schools.
As prosecutor, Savit has drawn national attention for his reform-oriented agenda. He eliminated the use of cash bail, stopped prosecuting low-level drug offenses like simple possession of marijuana and psychedelics, and created diversion programs to reduce incarceration for nonviolent offenders. He also established Michigan’s only Economic Justice Unit to pursue wage theft and consumer fraud, and launched new units dedicated to prosecuting sexual assault and domestic violence.
Savit has been outspoken in his defense of reproductive freedom, joining coalitions to protect abortion access in state and federal courts. He also partnered with the ACLU and University of Michigan to audit his office’s decisions for racial disparities, part of an ongoing effort to increase transparency and fairness in prosecutions.
In his announcement, Savit warned that renewed efforts under President Donald Trump threaten hard-won rights and protections.
“The Trump administration is seeking to strip our communities of their fundamental freedoms, including our right to vote and to speak our minds without fear,” Savit said. “They are decimating the agencies that protect workers’ rights to organize, and protect vulnerable consumers. The Attorney General is uniquely situated to fight back, in court, against federal overreach. And I’ll do so whenever Michiganders are placed at risk.”
Savit’s campaign said he has already secured endorsements from more than 60 elected and community leaders, including 15 current state legislators, former Michigan Democratic Party Chair Lavora Barnes, Grand Rapids Mayor David LaGrand, Genesee County Prosecutor David Leyton, and state Sen. Stephanie Chang.
Savit said he’s also ready to tackle local issues.
“We also need to address harms that are closer to home – whether it’s a slumlord taking advantage of tenants, a business ripping off its workers, or a scammer taking advantage of seniors,” Savit said. “I’ve litigated for the people throughout my career, and I’ll continue to do so as Attorney General.”
Unlike many statewide offices in Michigan, the nominee for attorney general isn’t chosen by voters in a primary election. Instead, the Michigan Democratic and Republican parties select their candidate at a convention, where thousands of delegates gather to vote on endorsements for attorney general, secretary of state, and other down-ballot races.
—Steve Neavling
Tombi Stewart-Fiddler, widow of the late Amp Fiddler.
DOUG COOMBE
Detroit Thermal lacks green light for steam project in historic Lafayette Park — for now
Detroit Thermal must wait at least a little longer before moving forward with a controversial steam project through Lafayette Park’s historic residential area.
On Wednesday last week, the Detroit Historic District Commission stopped short of approving or rejecting the proposal, instead requesting more details from the company before making a decision. The delay means Detroit Thermal still lacks the permission it needs to install steam infrastructure that would run through the heart of the nationally recognized neighborhood.
The Detroit Thermal project has drawn fierce opposition from some residents who fear it will damage the landscape and endanger children who play in the area, while others, including residents of the 30-story high-rise at 1300 Lafayette, say it’s urgently needed to replace a failed boiler system.
Detroit Thermal presented an updated plan at the meeting, pledging not to place steam vents on the playground, to avoid removing trees, and to restore the neighborhood’s landscaping once the work is complete. But the revised proposal wasn’t delivered to the commission until the day before the hearing, leaving
many residents little time to review the changes.
More than 60 residents, both for and against the project, spoke during the meeting.
In a statement after the hearing, Detroit Thermal spokesman Harvey Hollins III framed the dispute as a disagreement between neighbors.
“This is a dispute between two sets of neighbors in Detroit’s historic Lafayette Park: the 600-plus residents at 1300 Lafayette East Cooperative who need a new heating system before winter, and some nearby residents who have raised concerns about the proposed solution,” Hollins said. “It’s clear from today’s hearing that the commission and community desire more details and communication. We will provide both.”
The commission asked the company to return with specifics about how landscaping would be protected, where equipment would be stored, and what impact the project might have on mature trees.
Detroit Thermal’s plan would reconnect 1300 Lafayette to the city’s underground steam system after its boilers failed, forcing the building to rely on rented heating units. But the proposed
path cuts through parkland and near a beloved playground, raising safety concerns.
As Metro Times previously reported, Detroit Thermal began excavation last summer without notifying nearby residents or getting permission from the Historic District Commission. The city later issued a stop-work order and suspended the company’s permit until the Historic District Commission could weigh in.
Residents say they were alarmed when construction equipment appeared near a playground without warning, damaging a mature magnolia tree and creating safety hazards. In response, children painted signs that read “We play here” and “Save our playground.”
In written complaints to the commission, residents raised concerns about potential burns from steam vents, the destruction of 60-year-old honey locust trees, and the introduction of infrastructure they say is out of step with the neighborhood’s historic design.
Detroit Thermal has pushed back, saying it doesn’t intend to place vents in the playground and that the updated proposal uses smaller, unobtrusive stacks. The company also said it would fully restore any disrupted landscaping and
emphasized the project has been deemed in the public interest by both state and local authorities.
Detroit Thermal says its distribution lines carry low-pressure steam -- at or below 45 pounds per square inch.
Still, the company’s approach has come under scrutiny. Residents say Detroit Thermal operated without proper permits and failed to communicate key details, while also minimizing the risks of placing high-pressure steam lines under a residential neighborhood.
Detroit Thermal says it is not pursuing legal action and is instead working to win commission approval. But during a community Zoom meeting earlier this week, Detroit City Council President Mary Sheffield and her staff said a court may ultimately have to decide the matter.
For now, the project remains in limbo, with the Historic District Commission calling for more transparency and collaboration.
“We heard an impressive amount of information and input,” the commission’s chair, Tiffany Franklin, said Wednesday, urging neighbors to work together “in the best interest of everybody in Lafayette Park.”
—Steve Neavling
Residents of the 1300 Lafayette high-rise (background) want to use steam heat that would impact the Historic Lafayette Park townhouses (right). STEVE NEAVLING
Detroit families still seeking answers in wake of police misconduct scandal
Nearly a year after a Metro Times investigation exposed the widespread misconduct of former Detroit Police Detective Barbara Simon, families of men still imprisoned because of her tainted cases are growing increasingly frustrated.
Despite public promises, protests, and mounting evidence of wrongdoing, Wayne County Prosecutor Kym Worthy has yet to meet with victims’ families or launch a transparent investigation into their loved ones’ convictions.
Simon, once known as “the closer” in the homicide division due to her ability to obtain confessions and close cases, has cost the city more than $25 million in lawsuit settlements after multiple judges found she coerced false confessions, lied under oath, and detained suspects without warrants. At least four men have already been exonerated because of her conduct, and a fifth, who falsely confessed after being unlawfully imprisoned, was freed before his murder trial because DNA evidence showed he wasn’t the killer.
But others who say they were victimized by Simon remain behind bars, waiting and wondering if they’ll ever be heard.
Now, they fear they’ll die in prison as innocent men.
“We’re just asking for people to look at the obvious,” Ochga Smith, whose uncle Damon Smith has been locked up for 25 years, tells Metro Times. “Barbara Simon cases have been proven time and time again that there has been misconduct. When you have a judge or even the state supreme court saying the way she has gone about things are wrong, somebody has to take a step back and say, ‘Let’s look at this.’”
Two protests have been held outside the Wayne County Prosecutor’s Office since last summer’s Metro Times series, which detailed how Simon used coercive and illegal tactics to close homicide cases in the 1990s and early 2000s. She routinely confined suspects and witnesses — usually young Black men — to small rooms for hours without a warrant, threatened them, made false promises, and fabricated confessions. Some of those coerced statements later became the only evidence used to convict.
One of the most damning assessments came from Wayne County Circuit Court Judge Shannon Walker, who in 2021 granted a new trial to Mark Craighead, an innocent man imprisoned for more than seven years based on a confession elicited by Simon.
“Simon has a history of falsifying con-
fessions and lying under oath,” Walker wrote. “This impeachment evidence demonstrates that Simon has repeatedly lied as part of her misconduct, which would allow a jury to evaluate whether to trust her testimony in light of information demonstrating a character of truthfulness.”
Craighead was eventually exonerated. But others, like Damon Smith and Nathan Peterson, remain behind bars despite similar allegations of misconduct by Simon in their cases.
In 1999, Simon interrogated Smith, a 24-year-old aspiring barber with no criminal record, about a shooting on Detroit’s east side. Smith says Simon grew aggressive and warned him that if he didn’t tell her who did the shooting, she’d make him the shooter. He denied any involvement but was ultimately convicted and sentenced to life without parole. A prosecution witness — Smith’s brother — later recanted, saying Smith had nothing to do with the crime and that he implicated him only after being threatened.
“My voice has been silenced for 25 years,” Smith says from Chippewa Correctional Facility. “I never committed a crime in my life. ... The justice system is the only criminal in my case.”
Peterson, accused of fatally shooting a man in 2000, says Simon used a cameraman during the interrogation to threaten him with public humiliation if he didn’t confess. She promised he could go home if he signed a statement she had written for him, Peterson says. He signed. That statement became the basis of a murder charge that sent him to prison, where he has been ever since.
It took two trials to convict him after the first one ended in a hung jury in July 2001. Peterson says police and prosecutors changed the narrative of the showing during the second trial, and he was convicted.
“She gets to live her life as if she hasn’t impacted the lives of others,” Smith’s niece says. “She gets to wake up every day and have breakfast with her family, and these individuals don’t.”
Peterson’s cousin, Yolanda Garrison, has taken over advocating for his release after his mother and grandmother passed away during his incarceration. She says her cousin’s wrongful conviction has left him heartbroken and grieving.
“He is so hopeful and then we hit a roadblock and he gets heartbroken,” Garrison says. “He couldn’t even go to his mom’s funeral. He lost quite a few family members while he was in jail — where he
should not be.”
Despite the mounting public pressure, the Wayne County Prosecutor’s Office has not publicly committed to reviewing all of the convictions stemming from problematic Simon investigations. Prosecutor Worthy initially said she was willing to meet with Craighead and the families. But after months of silence, Worthy backed away.
In September 2024, Craighead emailed Worthy to request a meeting that included himself, Lamar Monson (another exoneree), and family members of the wrongfully convicted.
“This issue deserves careful and immediate attention,” Craighead wrote. “We believe that an open dialogue will help with some of the concerns we are addressing and hopefully facilitate a constructive way forward.”
Worthy responded the same day: “I am happy to meet with you. Please send all of your contact information.”
But just days before Christmas, she reversed course, saying she was willing to meet only with Craighead and not Monson because of a wrongful imprisonment lawsuit Monson had filed naming her office. She later suggested that even a meeting with Craighead was off the table due to pending litigation.
Despite the excuses, Craighead says, the families were led to believe a meeting would happen.
“They had hope in those emails,” he says. “They thought Kym Worthy was going to meet with us. It’s very frustrating for them.”
Craighead says he believes the prosecutor’s office never intended to act in good faith.
“She didn’t think it was going to go this far,” he says. “As soon as it died down, she went into the shadows and didn’t say anything after agreeing to meet with us three times.”
In response to questions from Metro Times last week, Valerie Newman, head
of Worthy’s Conviction Integrity Unit (CIU), said in a written statement that the office received a federal grant from the Bureau of Justice Assistance to help fund systemic reviews of officers who engaged in repeated misconduct. While not specific to Simon, Newman confirmed that the Detroit Police Department is “in the process of identifying the cases involving Barbara Simon and is in communication with CIU during this process.”
It’s the first official acknowledgment that Simon’s cases are under some level of review.
But for the families of those still imprisoned, that isn’t nearly enough. They want transparency. They want urgency. And they want accountability.
“We want validation that they are doing what they said they would do,” Smith says. “We want them to really take the initiative and scrutinize what has been done to individuals who have given years of their lives when they didn’t have to.”
Craighead, who filed a criminal complaint against Simon in September, is now working with Monson on a nonprofit called Freedom Ain’t Free to help connect innocent inmates with legal resources.
“We get a lot of calls about Barbara Simon,” Craighead says. “Because exactly what she did to me, she did to many, many others.”
He believes an outside agency — not the prosecutor’s office — should investigate Simon’s misconduct.
“How can the prosecutor’s office investigate itself?” Craighead asks. “Worthy doesn’t want an outside investigation because she knows what’s going to happen.”
Worthy has insisted her office is committed to justice. But for many, that claim is wearing thin.
“Let’s just say this is to pacify us and let this die down until people forget about it,” Smith says. “I will never do that. It’s like saying your loved one doesn’t exist.”
—Steve Neavling
Protesters demand investigation into cases handled by Barbara Simon. STEVE NEAVLING
HiTech
By Kahn Santori Davison
King Milo, 47Chops, and Milf Melly of the group HiTech are seated inside of Corktown’s Momento Gelato and Coffee waiting for paninis. They’re fresh out of a studio session and still riding the wave from performing at their first Coachella music festival seven days ago, where the group was joined on stage by rappers G.T. and Zelooperz, DJ and producer Fullbodydurag, and jit dancer Queen Gabby. “It was just lit ass Detroit, bro,” says King Milo. “And it was just good to showcase lit ass Detroit.”
Detroit's ghettotech defenders (from left): King Milo, 47Chops, and Milf Melly are HiTech.
KAHN SANTORI DAVISON
When asked about the group’s origin story, Milo tells his version of events. “We was all shopping at the Pornhub store and we all wanted the same size T-shirt but they only had one left,” he claims with a straight face. “So they threw it in the middle of a mosh pit at a metal show and we had to fight for it. I was pulling Melly’s hair, he punched me in my face, so I stepped on his toe, and he socked Chops in his shit. It was Ringling Brothers, bro!”
Three seconds of silence pass and then suddenly all three burst into simultaneous laughter. The moment is symbolic of a brotherhood that’s built on equal parts of music, eccentricity, and comedy. So yes, the Pornhub story was completely made up, but they swear they met at an organized sex party (another story too lewd to be believable).
HiTech’s true origin story doesn’t need any exaggerations. Growing up, King Milo moved from Detroit to Ypsilanti before graduating from Ann Arbor’s Pioneer High School, and 47Chops went to University Preparatory Academy in Detroit. Milf Melly went to Lake Shore High School in St. Clair Shores, and all three didn’t even meet until they were well into their own separate musical journeys.
“My little brother pulled me in the studio and I was like, ‘I love this shit,’” says Milo, who took a hardcore Joey Badass approach to hip-hop early on.
47Chops clung to DJing right out the gate, and Melly was the only one who took a comedic approach as he was making satirical tracks. “My first song was a parody of the ‘Thong Song,’” he says with a laugh.
The group organically formed as they all admired each other’s talents in Detroit’s crowded hip-hop scene and began recording music at Milo’s house. But after a while they felt like they were giving too much of themselves to music while not receiving enough back back in return. One day, they decided to pivot.
“After a bunch of acid trips later we were tired of just rapping, so let’s make some shit that just feels good,” Milo says. “I just wanted to make some dance shit, he wanted to make some dance shit, and we locked in and made that shit.”
The result was a hard pivot to ghettotech that was immediately embraced by listeners. “We just made some shit and people was feeling it,” Milo says with a head nod.
If you’re a Generation Xer from
Detroit, you probably associate ghettotech with sweaty nights jitting at Maxi’s in the ’90s to partying at River Rock in the mid-2000s. The genre started in the 1980s when DJ Jeff Mills (aka The Wizard) would blend hip-hop, house, and techno together, playing it at 45 RPM. As the ’90s rolled in, DJs like DJ Godfather and DJ Assault began spinning, producing, and incorporating Miami bass music within the combination. The result was a soundtrack that became a mainstay at every night club, weekend at Belle Isle, and backyard barbecue. In an era when gangster rap cleared dance floors in bars across the country, ghettotech kept Detroit dance culture alive well. The genre never sought or cared about any type of mainstream success. There was never acceptance or major label support and there are no Grammy or American Music award categories for it. Ghettotech is Detroit techno’s baby brother that never moved out the house.
HiTech has taken the baton, which has made them a representation of the past, present, and future slice of Detroit music. They are all in their 20s and admit they thought ghettotech was much more known around the world than it was. “It’s like going back in time with some shit that don’t exist back then,” says Chops.
“They’re so immersed, you can feel it,” Melly says of the audiences the group has reached. “When we’re doing shows or festivals, they’re so engaged, it’s like you’re an alien, they’re locked into you.”
HiTech released their self-titled debut project in 2021 highlighted by “Henny Runtz,” a heavy bass-driven melodic party anthem with chants like, “Back it up, back it up, back it up” and “Just like that, just like that, just like that.” Tracks “Big Prism,” “CA$$$HAPP,” and “Im Pullin Up” all use momentum and bounce to capture the quintessential ghettotech vibe.
“That first one we was just working with people that was directly with energy,” Milo says. “We was in the thick of it every day in my room, in my room making music.”
HiTech’s album worked its way through the club scene, and their performances got better and better. One night in 2021 during a festive performance at Conant Gardens, the ghettotech gods sent them the proverbial sign that they were on the right path.
“We had two big bottles of Hennessy,” says Milo. “We started pouring drinks, just pouring all of it. This shorty looked at me, opened her mouth, I lifted my arm up, and she took that shit. I was like, ‘This feels right!’ Everything just felt right!’”
Part of the adjustment was they realized they had to remove themselves from the traditional emcee approach to performing. There was no need to attack the mic like a battle rapper or drop an endless amount of monotone bars with a backpack hanging off their shoulders. Ghettotech concerts are a collaborative synergy between the music and the attendees.
“We didn’t know how to perform for that kind of rap approach, to that kind of music,” says Milo. “But now I get to enjoy the party and I don’t feel like I have to make them hear me.”
Eventually they caught the attention of Dart Parker, A&R for Loma Vista Recordings. Parker is the longtime manager of Detroit emcee Danny Brown and an overall friend of the Motor City. He added HiTech to Brown’s 2022 Bruiser Thanksgiving concert, and the group officially signed to Loma Vista Recordings in 2024.
“Danny introduced me to ghettotech when we were programming the first Bruiser Thanksgiving party in Detroit,” Parker says. “From there, I got familiar with the history, but it wasn’t until 2023 when I met HiTech that I thought they could add to the sound and make it fresh. HiTech stands out as a real group of Detroit guys who grew up with modern hiphop sensibilities but are taking ghettotech outside of the nostalgia around the globe.”
HiTech was featured on the remix of Food From Plates’ “Show Me The Body” and released sophomore album DETWAT in 2023. Since then they’ve won a Kresge Artist Fellowship in 2024, and have been on a rigorous performance schedule including a Boiler Room set in Chicago and overseas. Each show adds to their litany of unexpected danger and excitement.
“We did the ‘Defend Forest’ in Atlanta,” Melly says, referring to a music festival organized by a protest movement against a police development known as “Cop City.” “That gig was a moment in time… they burned that forest down, after the show the forest got burned down.” Some 35 people were arrested after setting fire to vehicles at the construction site.
During a show in Brussels, a young lady took Milo’s call and response
a little too seriously. “I was yelling ‘Where da freak hoes at?’” Milo says with a chuckle. “Why this girl come up and grab my nut sack and squeeze it real hard? She squeezed hard and pulled and was like, ‘Yeah, Yeah!’ I was trying not to destroy the vibe but I grabbed her hand a little bit.”
Success outside of Detroit has come with its own share of challenges. The studio sessions and traveling has limited the time Chops gets to spend with his grandmother, while Milo is a father of two and says he only makes time for music and family. For Melly, the adjustment to being a full-time music artist has been surreal — something he never thought would happen. “I mean I was working at FedEx, and we were going to Paris on the weekends and I gotta get back to work to put in that 60 hours in,” he says with a shrug.
With their new album Honeypaqq Vol. 1, the group picks up right where they left off. “Take Yo Panties Off” is a club head-nodder powered by a chant “Real freak bitches know when to take their panties off!” “Spank” is a twerk-starter kicked off by guest emcee GDMRW, who raps “Beauty, she got brains, she got booty all on that thang/fooly cooly on that thang, bend it over let me spank.” On “Shadowrealm,” Zelooperz drops an energetic verse over something taken out of DJ Assault’s “Bangin’ the Beat” playbook. Overall, the album is balanced and has a fresh feel whether you’re a long-time ghettotech fan or new to the genre, and features the talents of Obie Iyoha, Rob Apollo, George Riley, Debby Friday, LOVEFOXY, Vayda, Nakel Smith, and Milfie.
“The only thing that changed for real is where we’re at,” says Chops.
“We will bring this shit out of everybody,” proclaims Milo.
For this year’s Movement Festival, HiTech’s mission is the same: Do whatever it takes to unlock the crowd. If you’re not swinging your T-shirt above your head like a helicopter, sweating from places you didn’t know you could sweat from, or chanting obscenities as a pounding 808 beat rattles your skull, then they haven’t done their jobs.
“We gotta pull it up out of people who don’t know how to let go of their inhibitions,” says Melly, “and get to it.”
HiTech performs at 5:45 p.m. on Monday, May 26 at Movement Festival; Hart Plaza, Detroit; movementfestival.com.
Father Dukes
Father Dukes is the pseudonym of Detroit’s resident party-starter Hailey Dukes. After cutting her teeth at Seraphine Collective’s beatmatch brunches, Dukes quickly made a name for herself throughout the city, and has recently been headlining bills in New York, Chicago, San Francisco, and beyond. With her second run at Movement on the horizon, we caught up with the mixmaster ahead of the festival, set to return to Detroit’s Hart Plaza Memorial Day weekend.
Metro Times: As a native Ohioan, and now a Detroiter for many years, what does the Midwest rave and electronic music scene offer that you just can’t get in bigger “club cities” like New York or Miami?
Father Dukes: I think each city offers something different to music and has some of their own proprietary and legendary sounds and history, which is what I love about music and being on lineups that include people from a bunch of different cities all at once, like Movement! As a Midwest girlie I think one thing I admire most about the music that comes out of the Midwest is that many of our
By Joe Zimmer
scenes and venues are still a lot smaller and homegrown so there is a lot of room to experiment and get freaky and weird with song production and selection, many times in unbridled settings which allows for a lot of musical growth and development as an individual.
Metro Times: How does a Father Dukes set differ between daytime or early evening at Movement vs. peak time at the club?
Father Dukes: Not sure it will differ! I think sometimes playing chill and groovy is nice during the day but sometimes you just need to send it and get things turnt –at this juncture, I am leaning toward the latter :)
Metro Times: What is your go-to food or beverage item to help get you through a full day at the festival?
Father Dukes: Water, people.... WATER! Still, coconut, sparkling, hit them UP! Foods, I really treat the whole fountain area food zone like a true millennial old-school mall style and just hit all of
the stations up throughout the day. All the food mostly slaps, but for easy crowd maneuvering and to not be super bogged down, my go-to is just a slice (or four) of pizza! Shoutout Andiamo!
Metro Times: As a selector, your taste runs deep. In a Father Dukes mix, you’re equally likely to hear deep Ron Trent bass lines, a drum and bass edit of Kelela, super underground Detroit ghettotech, vintage funky electro tracks, and… Jamiroquai. Is there a certain sound or genre that has been especially resonating with you lately?
Father Dukes: I did not grow up listening to much electronic music because in Northeast Ohio at that time there wasn’t really a scene for it, so as you pointed out, I listen to lots of other kinds of music all the time. Becoming much more wellversed in electronic music over the years, I have deeply integrated it into my palate –but I’m not a “one genre” kind of gal! I will say though, a group I’ve been listening to a lot – and just bought tickets for their Detroit show – is Thee Sacred Souls from
San Diego. They’re an amazing soul band with beautiful vocals and harmonies, just heavenly! When it comes to electronic stuff, I love listening to new releases from my local pals and playing their stuff out, especially when I travel.
Metro Times: If you could curate your dream Movement stage for a day, who are some of the acts you’d book to perform?
Father Dukes: Gyrofield, Steve Rachmad, deadmau5, Livin Joy, LSDXOXO, Lauren Flax, DVS1, Totally Enormous Extinct Dinosaurs, and Britney Spears performing only songs from the Femme Fatale album.
Metro Times: What is one of your favorite Memorial Day Weekend memories?
Father Dukes: Some of my favorite moments are when your internet friends materialize and you get to meet them in real life and be like, “ARE YOU [Instagram handle]? It’s me, [Instagram handle]!” It’s great to be able to meet people whose careers you’ve followed or that you’ve interacted with online and get to meet here in Detroit and talk. I also love the magical moments where you did not plan to see a friend from here or afar and end up hanging out all day totally unplanned because you randomly ran into each other — that’s the special magic of this festival week for me.
Metro Times: What’s the best thing to do post-Movement weekend to detox and reset?
Father Dukes: Sauna, sleep, sit in the bed and go through your phone camera roll and reminisce, call off work for days after (pro tip) and smash some barbecue OR just keep the party rockin till ya can’t no mo’.
Metro Times: Are you cooking up anything special for your festival set? Any extra pressure to show up and show out on your home turf?
Father Dukes: Last time I played I was a little more tame with my selections and just wanted a daytime two-step kind of vibe but this time I’ll be doing a lot more techno, acid, electro sounds and just show off some of my favorite examples of our foundational styles! I don’t feel pressure to show out above anyone else, I love that everyone gets to bring their own creativity and style to the festival but I’m certainly honored to play and want to do the best I can for myself and the people who support me, always!
Father Dukes performs at 2 p.m. on Saturday, May 24 at Movement Festival (Stargate Stage); Hart Plaza, Detroit; movementfestival.com.
Father Dukes.
COURTESY PHOTO
Blackmoondchild
By Joe Zimmer
Blackmoondchild is the pseudonym of DJ and producer Janisa Nelson, who will touch down at Movement festival for her first time on the lineup this year. She is a co-founder and resident of Blueprint, a party series that seeks to honor the lineage of Detroit techno by amplifying the sound of the future. We caught up with her ahead of her upcoming set at the Detroit Stage, where she’ll be part of the Underground Music Academy (UMA) showcase.
Metro Times: In your own words and experience, what is so special about Detroit techno?
Blackmoondchild: Detroit Techno is unique. Since it was created by Black artists, I find that records from here have a certain groove that only makes sense to us. I can hear a track without knowing who made it and hear that melodic influence. Growing up here has really trained my ears to recognize that sound. Once you hear it, you understand that there’s truly nothing like it.
Metro Times: I was once lucky to catch you at Temple Bar for an allnight set, where your crowd control was on full display. Over multiple hours, you had us diving deep into your techno and house roots and coming up for air with hard drum and bass flips. Your taste has layers, but have you been gravitating toward a certain sound, genre, or era of music lately?
Blackmoondchild: I remember that set! I truly am a fan of many genres and the longer the set, the more likely I am to show that range. At the moment I feel like I go back and forth between techno and footwork/jit. Those are probably my favorite genres to spin and experiment with. I’m a big fan of DJ Rashad, DJ Deeon, Jana Rush, Suzi Analog, RP Boo, all Juke Bounce Werk affiliates, and of course DJ Assault.
Blackmoondchild: It really depends.
A daytime set from me would probably be very similar to a peak time set in terms of energy to be honest. I always try to build my sets up to a peak energy wise then taper off (maybe) toward the end. Only things I might do differently during a daytime set is maybe start off with some house or garage to warm up the dancers but I’ll always try to build up the energy. I like to get the people dancing and the energy flowing immediately. I feel like if you’ve spent money to come and party I have to deliver. Especially If I only have an hour, I’m making the best of that time.
Metro Times: Are you cooking up anything special for your festival set? You’re equally talented at production as you are DJing, any new material to debut on the big stage?
Blackmoondchild: Yes! Thank you! I definitely have some tracks I’ve been working on that I plan to debut. Some techno and one drum and bass track. Also I’ll probably be mixing in tracks
Metro Times: How might an one-ish hour set during the daytime or early evening at Movement differ vs. peak time at the club? Do you pull any different levers?
I’ve made and released in the past. Metro Times: What is your go-to food or beverage item to help get you through a full day at the festival?
Blackmoondchild: I’m huge on coffee. Will definitely be caffeinated and drinking tons of water. As far as food, I’m not sure but something light so I’m not compelled to fall asleep. You’ll most likely catch me walking around, coffee in hand while snacking on fruit or something just to keep me going.
Metro Times: If you could curate your dream Movement stage line-up, who are some of the acts you’d book?
Blackmoondchild: Such a tough question! Depends on where I’m at. Main stage? Blueprint girlies plus Whodat, Ash Lauryn, DJ Cent, and DJ Minx. My dream is to play the Underground Stage one day, though. For that I specifically need AMX, AK, AKUA, Doula, Daiyah, and Erika.
Metro Times: What’s the best thing to do post-Movement weekend to detox and reset?
Blackmoondchild: Sleep! It’s mandatory that I catch up on my rest
after! I also find it helpful to take a little music break. Indulge in other passions and activities.
Metro Times: What is one (or a couple) of your favorite Memorial Day Weekend memories?
Blackmoondchild: So many! Jeff Mills is a huge inspiration to me and the first time I ever saw him play was at Movement in 2022. That same year they also had Goldie playing at the exact same time. Me and AK tried our hardest to run back and forth to hear both lol. Another is throwing our first Blueprint all-night rave in 2023. We’d done Movement parties before that but what made this one so memorable was that it felt like the culmination of everything we’d worked hard to accomplish finally coming to fruition. It took a lot of collaboration and love to make that happen. We’ve learned a lot since that first time but it’ll always be a special memory for me.
Blackmoonchild performs at 4 p.m. on Sunday, May 25 at Movement Festival (Detroit Stage); Hart Plaza, Detroit; movementfestival.com.
Blackmoonchild.
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AK
By Joe Zimmer
AK is the pseudonym of DJ and producer Alanna Greenlee, returning to the Movement festival for her second time this year. She is a co-founder and resident of Blueprint, a party series that seeks to honor the lineage of Detroit techno by amplifying the sound of the future. As a rising voice over the last couple of years, AK is always pushing her own personal sound, and we caught up with her ahead of her upcoming set at the Waterfront Stage this Memorial Day.
Metro Times: Detroit electronic music has a lot of old heads (that we love) and big names. You are relatively newer on the scene. What does the new wave of Detroit talent and parties have that differs from some of our beloved career DJs?
AK: While I love being a part of the newer generation of talent on the rise, I feel like the parties now are a bit watered down and are missing the essence of that true Detroit feeling. Of course I wasn’t around to experience some of the most pivotal, earth-shattering club nights in Detroit history, but I long for the freedom and authenticity as well as musical inebriation that we once had in the city. But, I feel like there’s a nice handful of us trying our best to not so much recreate the past but reimagine and pay homage to it.
Metro Times: When I’m at an AK set, the beat is jacking and the blends are sexy. You tend to operate at a higher frequency (and BPM) than most other local DJ sets or club nights that I attend in the city. Is there a certain sound, genre, or era of music that has been especially resonating with you lately?
AK: Yeeees! I take pride in having range to play whatever I feel, but I love everything fast! I feel like life is kinda slow and mundane at times so it’s nothing like some 160-170 bpm, footwork, jungle, hardcore, and hardgroove to get the blood pumping. I’ve been really into late-’90s hardgroove! Sexy vocals, deep kicks, fast percussion, yet immersive all at the same time.
Metro Times: How might an AK set differ between daytime or early evening at Movement vs. peak time at the club? Do you adjust the mood?
AK: So funny story – when I was younger starting out, most promoters would put me on opening or closing slots to “turn up” or “bring the bass” or “ blow the reds” (jk) and as time went on, I kinda grew out of all the chaos and am trying to get nine hours of sleep at night. I feel like now I rarely get to play daytime sets in the city, everyone wants me out past midnight… so I honestly don’t have enough concrete data to compare the two, haha! I’d like to play more daytime events so I can pull out my house and disco and more open format crates! I find myself having to adjust quite a bit given the environment or set time. It all works out in the end though.
Metro Times: What is your go-to food or beverage item to help get you through a full day at the festival?
AK: Coconut water! I also need the Spicy Tori Ramen with ginger beef from Ima, some lemon-pepper wet wings from Gladys Nite, or Kelly’s Bar, and close it all out with a few Jägerbombs. I’m just a girl!
Metro Times: If you could curate your dream Movement stage line-up, who are some of the acts you’d book?
AK: Off the top of my head… Regal86, Max Watts, Tim Reaper, Juana, DJ Assault, Tyga Paw, AMX, Jeff Mills, Sel-6, Scan7, BAEBAE, MoMa Ready, Kilopatrah Jones, Nia Archives, Marvelito, Black Rave Culture, Stonie Blue, Devoye, Colored Craig, Bambii, MGUN, Akua, Suburban Knight…
Metro Times: What is one (or a couple) of your favorite Memorial Day Weekend memories?
AK: One would have to be when I did Underground and Black with Ash Lauryn in 2022. I was the baby on the bill, I played my first serious house music set and I felt so safe and comfortable and surrounded with love and
my amazing peers. Ate!! Another one would have to be last year’s Blueprint pre-party, where we had two rooms going and one had a light installation by our friend Nix based out of Chicago. I had never seen anything like it, and felt like we really solidified ourselves in the game off that one. The music was banging, the lineup was pristine, I closed out at 5 a.m. It was a dream.
Metro Times: Do you have any preset rituals to help center you and find your inner selector?
AK: I pray…. like a lot…. and I meditate. I spend a huge amount of time in complete silence because by the end of the weekend my ears are shot. I tend to focus on grounding my energy, because my anxiety is usually through the roof. I give myself a sound bath with singing bowls and listen to different solfeggio frequencies, tuning forks, rain sounds, etc. I like to listen
to absolutely nothing before I listen to everything… you feel me?
Metro Times: Are you cooking up anything special for your festival set? Any extra pressure to show up and show out on your home turf?
AK: It wouldn’t be fun if I told you right?? Although I’ve done the festival before already, this time is special and a wee bit more challenging because I’ll be on the Waterfront stage right before some huge names, so that kinda sends a little chill up my back! But, I think y’all are really gonna love the set I have in store this year! I’m so grateful to share my gifts once again and I can’t wait to see everyone on the other side. This is still surreal to me — I’m really taking it all in.
AK performs at 3 p.m. on Monday, May 26 at Movement Festival (Waterfront Stage presented by JARS); Hart Plaza, Detroit; movementfestival.com.
AK.
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WHAT’S GOING ON
The Novi BBQ Fest: Ribs & Whiskey
What’s Memorial Day weekend without some good barbecue? This annual event returns to the Fountain Walk Mall with award-winning bites from more than 20 pit masters, in addition to whiskey tastings, live music on two stages, vendors, yard games, a Kids Zone, cigar lounge, and more.
From 5-10 p.m. on Friday, May 23; noon-10 p.m. on Saturday, May 24 and Sunday, May 25; and noon-8 p.m. on Monday, May 26; Twelve Mile Crossing at Fountain Walk Mall, 44175 W. Twelve Mile Rd., Novi; novibbqfestival.com. Tickets are $7 advance, $10 at the door, with four-pack ticket deals available in advance for $20; no cover for children under 10.
The Paris Bar soft opening
A long-vacant building is returning to its roots. John Szymanski and Kelly Jean Caldwell, the rock ’n’ roll couple behind the Outer Limits Lounge, acquired this property and after three years of redevelopment are reopening it as a bar and music venue. (In the 1920s through the late ’60s, it was known as the Paris Beergarden, and later, it was home to Simpson’s Records.) With more space than the Outer Limits Lounge, and situated in a less-dense part of the city, we expect things could get pretty loud at this two-day soft opening concert series. Friday’s lineup features acts like Wild Shape, Womb Worm, Alluvial Fans, and Hangover, while Saturday’s includes DENO, Mirror Mask, Pretty Island, and Jeff Jablonski.
Starts at 8 p.m. on Friday, May 23 and Saturday, May 24 at Paris Bar, 2961 E. Mcnichols Rd., Detroit. Cover
The Motown Museum’s Rocket Plaza.
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SELECTIONS
Motown Museum Founder’s Day
While the city celebrates its contributions to techno and electronic music this week with the Movement festival, there’s another musical legacy to honor as well. This year marks the 40th anniversary of Detroit’s Motown Museum, whose establishment is celebrated with its annual Founder’s Day festivities. This year’s event features performances in the museum’s Rocket Plaza including the mighty Four Tops at 3 p.m. on Sunday. The event kicks off the summer performance season at Rocket Plaza and comes as the Motown
into a 50,000-square-foot tourist destination. The museum is also offering two-for-one tours available for purchase at its box office on Sunday.
From noon-5 p.m. on Sunday, May 25 at the Motown Museum’s Rocket Plaza, 2648 W. Grand Blvd., Detroit; motownmuseum.org. No cover.
Detroit Techno 5K
Attending all three days of the Movement music festival can feel like a marathon in itself — not to mention all those after-parties — but this event actually pairs techno music with a 5k race. Held
the Detroit River, participants will receive a Detroit Techno 5k shirt and a medal, and the race ends with a party featuring a set by DJ Will Clark. Spots are limited.
Registration opens at 10 a.m. with the race starting at noon on Sunday, May 25 at the Historic Fort Wayne, 6325 W. Jefferson Ave., Detroit; techno5k. com. Tickets are $64.50.
Urban Art Orchestra featuring Slum Village
The late J Dilla was a primary force behind incorporating the strong jazz influence into the music of the Detroit hip-hop group Slum Village.
household, sampled classic jazz recordings and blended them with his own signature drum machine beats, and the group would in turn inspire a generation of jazz players like Karriem Riggins and Robert Glasper. So it’s perfect that the surviving incarnation of Slum Village will perform at the old-school Detroit jazz club Cliff Bells. The duo, now Slum Village founding member T3 and long-time collaborator Young RJ, will be backed by the Urban Art Orchestra, a 20-plus-piece unit led by composer De’Sean Jones.
Doors at 9 p.m. on Sunday, May 25 at Cliff Bell’s; 2030 Park Ave., Detroit;
John Szymanski has renovated Detroit’s Paris Bar.
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WHAT’S GOING ON CONTD
Select events happening in metro Detroit this week. Be sure to check venue websites before all events for the latest information. Add your event to our online calendar: metrotimes.com/AddEvent.
MUSIC
Wednesday, May 21
Live/Concert
DD Osama & Sugarhill Ddot: The New Wave Tour 2025 7 p.m.; The Shelter, 431 E. Congress St., Detroit.
Teddy Swims 8 p.m.; Michigan Lottery Amphitheatre at Freedom Hill, 14900 Metropolitan Pkwy., Sterling Heights; $49.50-$125.
Matt Larusso Trio and guests 8-11 p.m.; Northern Lights Lounge, 660 W. Baltimore St., Detroit; no cover.
Wormrot, No/Mas, Oxygen Destroyer 6 p.m.; Sanctuary Detroit, 2932 Caniff St., Hamtramck; $20. DJ/Dance
7 Days Entertainment Label Night 10 p.m.-2 a.m.; Spkr Box, 200 Grand River, Detroit; $10.
Line Dancing Lessons at Diamondback Music Hall 6:30-10 p.m.; Diamondback Music Hall, 49345 S. Interstate 94 Service Dr., Belleville; $10-$15. Nightcap Detroit 10 p.m.-2 a.m.; Spkr Box, 200 Grand River, Detroit.
Planet Funk 7-10 p.m.; Spkr Box, 200 Grand River, Detroit.
Thursday, May 22
Live/Concert
Audra Kubat 6:30-7:30 p.m.; Alpino, 1426 Bagley St, Detroit; $8 in advance, $12 at the door.
Bartees Strange 7 p.m.; The Shelter, 431 E. Congress St., Detroit; $20.
Christopher Owens 7 p.m.; Small’s, 10339 Conant St., Hamtramck; $20.
‘Desire: The Carl Craig Story Detroit’ premiere + screening (followed by a conversation between Carl Craig And Ann Delisi of WDET) 6:30 p.m.; New Lab @ Michigan Central, 2050 15th St, Detroit; $15-$25.
Frank Bang 7:30 p.m.; The Token Lounge, 28949 Joy Rd., Westland; $15$90.
Grentperez with Rocco 6:30 p.m.; Majestic Theatre, 4140 Woodward Ave., Detroit; $34.50.
I.T. and ADULT. present BRINK OF DISASTER 8 p.m.-2 a.m.; Tangent Gallery & Hastings Street Ballroom, 715 E. Milwaukee Ave., Detroit.
Jon B. 8 p.m.; Sound Board, 2901 Grand River Ave., Detroit; $41-$53.
Shakira 7:30 p.m.; Little Caesars Arena, 2645 Woodward Ave., Detroit; $99.50$349.50.
Volume, Cleen, Solar Monolith 7 p.m.; Sanctuary Detroit, 2932 Caniff St., Hamtramck; $15.
Desire: The Carl Craig Story Detroit premiere and screening 5:30 p.m.; New Lab @ Michigan Central, 2050 15th St, Detroit; $15-$25.
DJ/Dance
Detroit Global Pizza Party 2025 6 p.m.-midnight; The Norwood, 6531 Woodward Ave., Detroit; VIP: $50.
Groove Night 10 p.m.-2 a.m.; Spkr Box, 200 Grand River, Detroit.
The Most Underground Party In Detroit 10 p.m.-2 a.m.; Spkr Box, 200 Grand River, Detroit; $10. Karaoke/Open Mic
Drag Queen Karaoke 8 p.m.-2 a.m.; Woodward Avenue Brewers, 22646 Woodward Ave., Ferndale; no cover.
Elixer: DJs John Ryan and GEO 8 p.m.-midnight; Northern Lights Lounge, 660 W. Baltimore St., Detroit; no cover.
Friday, May 23
Live/Concert
Angie Hartley, Cosmic Light
Shapes, DJ Soul-Lo 9 p.m.; Bowlero Lanes & Lounge, 4209 Coolidge Hwy., Royal Oak; no cover.
As One Detroit 6-9 p.m.; Mario’s Restaurant, 4222 Second Ave., Detroit.
Ben Folds w/ Detroit Symphony Orchestra 8 p.m.; Max M. Fisher Music Center, 3711 Woodward Ave., Detroit.
Emo Nite 8 p.m.; The Loving Touch, 22634 Woodward Ave., Ferndale.
Fridays at The Station: Malik
Alston and the Linwood Ensemble, Maurissa Rose 5-10 p.m.; Michigan Central, 2198 Michigan Ave., Detroit; $15.
Guy Manoukian 8 p.m.; Fox Theatre, 2211 Woodward Ave., Detroit; $49.50$199.50.
Saddle Up Country Dance Party 8 p.m.; Diamondback Music Hall, 49345 S. Interstate 94 Service Dr., Belleville; Teddy Swims 8 p.m.; Michigan Lottery Amphitheatre at Freedom Hill,
14900 Metropolitan Pkwy., Sterling Heights.
The 3148’s, Augmented Hearts, Mass Dispute, The Blacklist 7 p.m.; Sanctuary Detroit, 2932 Caniff St., Hamtramck.
The October Nights Tour 7:30 p.m.; The Aretha Franklin Amphitheatre, 2600 E. Atwater St., Detroit; $39.50-$250.
Tony! Toni! Tonè! 8 p.m.; The Music Hall, 350 Madison Ave., Detroit; $59-$79.
DJ/Dance
I.T. presents T4T LUV NRG Tangent Gallery & Hastings Street Ballroom, 715 E. Milwaukee Ave., Detroit.
INNIT!? 10 p.m.; Spkr Box, 200 Grand River, Detroit.
The Juice is Loose Spkr Box, 200 Grand River, Detroit.
Motion Group 7 p.m.-midnight; Moondog Cafe, 8045 Linwood St., #2, Detroit; $10-$15.
Official Movement Pre-Party: Max Styler 9 p.m.; Magic Stick, 4120 Woodward Ave., Detroit; $30-$35.
Open Air Fridays 4-10 p.m.; Woodbridge Pub, 5169 Trumbull St., Detroit; no cover.
Trap Karaoke 7 p.m.; The Fillmore, 2115 Woodward Ave., Detroit.
Saturday, May 24
Live/Concert
Ben Folds w/ Detroit Symphony Orchestra 8 p.m.; Max M. Fisher Music Center, 3711 Woodward Ave., Detroit. 42 Dugg 5:30 p.m.; Detroit Masonic Temple Library, 500 Temple St, Detroit. BOOTS & BEATS! 8 p.m.; Diamondback Music Hall, 49345 S. Interstate 94 Service Dr., Belleville.
CRUNKFEST 8 p.m.; Fox Theatre, 2211 Woodward Ave., Detroit; $79-$205. Curren$y, The 747 Band 7 p.m.; Pike Room, 1 S. Saginaw, Pontiac. Defected Official Movement After Party with MK, Coco & Breezy, Dantiez and Alley Deck Takeover featuring DJ Holographic 11 p.m.; Magic Stick, 4120 Woodward Ave., Detroit.
Jerk Fest 3-11 p.m.; Caribbean Chill & Grill, 27206 Grand River Ave., Redford; no cover.
Jukebox Hereos (tribute to Foreigner), Motorcity Vampires, Boombox Detroit 7 p.m.; The Token Lounge, 28949 Joy Rd., Westland.
Magic Bag Presents: Jon Spencer 7 p.m.; Magic Bag, 22920 Woodward Ave., Ferndale; $25.
Motor City Music Fest III 7 p.m.; The Token Lounge, 28949 Joy Rd., Westland; $15.
Nuke and The Nightshift, DevilBat, DJs J. Walker and John C. Dodge 9 p.m.; Bowlero Lanes & Lounge, 4209 Coolidge Hwy., Royal Oak; no cover. Summer Sounds 3-8 p.m.; The Mall at Partridge Creek, 17420 Hall Rd., Clinton Township; no cover.
The Manns: Live Breathe Fight Tour 8 p.m.; The Aretha Franklin Amphitheatre, 2600 E. Atwater St., Detroit.
The Music Of Hans Zimmer & Others – A Celebration Of Film Music 8 p.m.; The Music Hall, 350 Madison Ave., Detroit; $34.90-$84.90.
The Weeknd: After Hours Til Dawn Tour With Playboi Carti And Mike Dean 7 p.m.; Ford Field, 2000 Brush St., Detroit; $39.50-$279.50.
DJ/Dance
Detroit’s Finest (Movement After-Party) 6 p.m. Collected Detroit Gallery, 2439 Fourth St., Detroit; $50 per day or $100 all three days.
HOTBOXED 10 p.m.; Spkr Box, 200 Grand River, Detroit.
House Coffee 8 p.m.-3 a.m.; Spkr Box, 200 Grand River, Detroit.
Movement Festival 2 p.m.-midnight, 2 pm-midnight and 2-11 pm; Hart Plaza, 1 Hart Plaza, Detroit; $169. Rocksteady Disco Presents: Viva La Resistance XI 2 p.m.-2 a.m.; Motor City Wine, 1949 Michigan Ave, Detroit; $25.
Saturday Grind 11 a.m.-3 p.m.; Spkr Box, 200 Grand River, Detroit.
Shrek Rave (Ages 18+) 9 p.m.; The Fillmore, 2115 Woodward Ave., Detroit. Straight Out The Jungle 3-8 p.m.; Spkr Box, 200 Grand River, Detroit.
Tresor 313 Tangent Gallery & Hastings Street Ballroom, 715 E. Milwaukee Ave., Detroit.
Sunday, May 25
Live/Concert
Summer Sounds 5-8 p.m.; The Mall at Partridge Creek, 17420 Hall Rd., Clinton Township; no cover.
The Weeknd: After Hours Til Dawn Tour With Playboi Carti And Mike Dean 7 p.m.; Ford Field, 2000 Brush St., Detroit; $39.50-$279.50. MIKE. 1 p.m.; El Club, 4114 W. Vernor Hwy., Detroit; $30.
N.A.T.A. 7 p.m.; Diamondback Music
Hall, 49345 S. Interstate 94 Service Dr., Belleville; $44.23.
Official Movement After Party: Odd Mob 11 p.m.; Magic Stick, 4120 Woodward Ave., Detroit.
Peach Pit & Briston Maroney:
Long Hair, Long Life Tour 7 p.m.; Michigan Lottery Amphitheatre at Freedom Hill, 14900 Metropolitan Pkwy., Sterling Heights; $39.50-$79.50.
Phil Ogilvie’s Rhythm Kings
5-8 p.m.; Zal Gaz Grotto Club, 2070 W. Stadium Blvd., Ann Arbor; No Cover (tip jar for the band).
Smoking Popes, Off With Their Heads 7 p.m.; Sanctuary Detroit, 2932 Caniff St., Hamtramck; $22.
Summer Sounds 3-6 p.m.; The Mall at Partridge Creek, 17420 Hall Rd., Clinton Township; no cover.
The Beach Boys 7:30 p.m.; Meadow Brook Amphitheatre, 3554 Walton Blvd., Rochester Hills; $29.50-$125.
The Weeknd: After Hours Til Dawn Tour With Playboi Carti And Mike Dean 7 p.m.; Ford Field, 2000 Brush St., Detroit; $39.50-$279.50.
DJ/Dance
The 5th Annual Detroit PartyPatio Party 4-2 a.m.; The Old Miami, 3930 Cass Ave., Detroit; $10. 7th Annual Detroit Diaspora Day Fest noon-midnight; The Norwood, 6531 Woodward Ave., Detroit; $20-$45.
Afrobeats/Dancehall Boat Ride
7-10 p.m.; Diamond Belle, 201 Jos Campau, Detroit; $55 and $75.
Asagohan 7 a.m.-2 p.m.; Spkr Box, 200 Grand River, Detroit;
Breakfast of Champions 7 a.m.-3 p.m.; Spkr Box, 200 Grand River, Detroit; Detroit’s Finest (Movement After-Party) 6 p.m.; Collected Detroit Gallery, 2439 Fourth St., Detroit; $50 per day or $100 all three days.
DRUNKBRUNCH 2025 10 a.m.-4 p.m.; MIX Bricktown, 641 Beaubien St, Detroit; $20.
GhettoBoody 3-6 p.m.; Spkr Box, 200 Grand River, Detroit.
Movement Festival 2 p.m.-midnight, 2 pm-midnight and 2-11 pm; Hart Plaza, 1 Hart Plaza, Detroit; $169.
No Way Back Tangent Gallery & Hastings Street Ballroom, 715 E. Milwaukee Ave., Detroit.
SPKR BRNCH 11 a.m.-3 p.m.; Spkr Box, 200 Grand River, Detroit.
SPKR BRNCH 11 a.m.-3 p.m.; Spkr Box, 200 Grand River, Detroit.
Twilight 6-9 p.m.; Spkr Box, 200 Grand River, Detroit.
UP & DOWN 9 p.m.; Spkr Box, 200 Grand River, Detroit.
Karaoke/Open Mic
Sunday Karaoke in the Lounge 5-9 p.m.; Bowlero Lanes & Lounge, 4209 Coolidge Hwy., Royal Oak; no cover.
Monday, May 26
Live/Concert
Summer Sounds 5-8 p.m.; The Mall at Partridge Creek, 17420 Hall Rd., Clinton Township; no cover.
John Summit Presents: Experts Only - 18+ 10 p.m.; org gallery, 1600 Clay, Detroit.
Repopulate Mars Official Movement After Party 10 p.m.; Magic Stick, 4120 Woodward Ave., Detroit.
Summer Sounds 3-6 p.m.; The Mall at Partridge Creek, 17420 Hall Rd., Clinton Township; no cover.
DJ/Dance
Adult Skate Night 8:30-11 p.m.; Lexus Velodrome, 601 Mack Ave., Detroit; $5.
Detroit’s Finest (Movement After-Party) 6 p.m.; Collected Detroit Gallery, 2439 Fourth St., Detroit; $50 per day or $100 all three days.
I.T. presents The Bunker Tangent Gallery & Hastings Street Ballroom, 715 E. Milwaukee Ave., Detroit.
Lot Mass 12-10 p.m.; Tangent Gallery & Hastings Street Ballroom, 715 E. Milwaukee Ave., Detroit.
Música 10 p.m.-3 a.m.; Spkr Box, 200 Grand River, Detroit.
Packard Lawn Party- Kegs & Pancakes 10 a.m.-2 p.m.; Packard Automotive Plant, 6235 Concord Ave., Detroit; $10.
Tuesday, May 27
Live/Concert
Dance Gavin Dance 6 p.m.; The Fillmore, 2115 Woodward Ave., Detroit; $42.50-$52.50.
Early Moods, Baazlvaat , Winds of Neptune 7 p.m.; Sanctuary Detroit, 2932 Caniff St., Hamtramck. Livingston 7 p.m.; Magic Stick, 4120 Woodward Ave., Detroit; $100.
Magic Bag Presents: Valerie June 7 p.m.; Magic Bag, 22920 Woodward Ave., Ferndale; $45. Rivers of Nihil 6 p.m.; Pike Room, 1 S. Saginaw, Pontiac.
Sean Blackman’s In Transit 7-10 p.m.; Northern Lights Lounge, 660 W. Baltimore St., Detroit; no cover.
DJ/Dance
Last Man Dancing 7-2 a.m.; Spkr Box, 200 Grand River, Detroit.
32 May 21-27, 2025 | metrotimes.com
Karaoke/Open Mic
Open Mic : Art in a Fly Space 7-10 p.m.; Detroit Shipping Company, 474 Peterboro St., Detroit; no cover.
Tuesday Karaoke in the Lounge 8 p.m.-midnight; Bowlero Lanes & Lounge, 4209 Coolidge Hwy., Royal Oak; no cover.
THEATER
Performance
Tipping Point Theatre Lungs; $25$55; Wednesday, 2-3:30 p.m.; Thursday, 7:30-9 p.m.; Friday, 7:30-9 p.m.; Saturday, 7:30-9 p.m.; and Sunday, 2-3:30 p.m.
Musical
The Music Hall Lord of The RingsThe Hobbit: The Concert; $34.90-$84.90; Saturday, 4 p.m.
COMEDY
Improv
Go Comedy! Improv Theater Go Comedy! All-Star Showdown; $25; Fridays, Saturdays. Stand-up
Mark Ridley’s Comedy Castle
Josh Adams with Jason Gilleran and Hannah Osborne; $25; Thursday, 7:30-9 p.m.; Friday, 7:15-8:45 p.m. and 9:45-11:15 p.m.; and Saturday, 7-8:30 p.m. and 9:30-11 p.m.
Continuing This Week Stand-up
Blind Pig Blind Pig Comedy FREE Mondays, 8 p.m.
The Independent Comedy Club at Planet Ant The Sh*t Show Open Mic; $5 suggested donation; Fridays, Saturdays, 11 p.m.-1:30 a.m.
FILM
Screening
Charles H. Wright Museum of African American History African American Film Series Expands to Detroit with May 24 Screening of Butterfly in the Sky. This powerful series, now in its 10th year, continues its mission to celebrate African American culture through film, dialogue, and community connection. $5 suggestion donation; Saturday 12:30-4:30 p.m.
Emagine Canton Breakfast and a Movie: Lilo & Stitch. The breakfast and a movie screening package will include a full breakfast buffet, a 44 oz. popcorn, and a 21 oz. fountain drink as well as a ticket to the showing for $24 for children and $30 for adults. Emagine Royal Oak & Emagine Canton, check the website or the Emagine app for more information.
Sunday, 10 a.m. breakfast, 11 a.m. movie. Gerald R. Ford Presidential Library On Healing Land, Birds Perch. This short documentary tells the remarkable stories behind one of the most iconic photos in history. This is the first documentary, from a Vietnamese born filmmaker, that explores the continuing aftershocks of the Vietnam War from the perspectives of both sides of the war. The story is told through the iconic Pulitzer winning photo of General Loan shooting a Vietcong, Captain Nguyen Van Lem in the head, two days after the 1968 Tet Offensive. A discussion and audience Q&A will follow the film. No cover. Wednesday, 6:30-8 p.m.
ARTS
Artist talk
NIGHT GARDEN: A SOLO EXHIBITION BY CZR PRZ Detroit Shipping Company is proud to present Night Garden, a solo exhibition by renowned Chicago artist CZR PRZ, opening on May 22. Curated by Disco Walls, this highly anticipated exhibition invites art lovers to experience an immersive, dreamlike journey into the artist’s bold and visionary world. CZR PRZ, known for his distinctive fusion of street art, surrealism, and cultural storytelling, transforms the gallery space into a luminous, otherworldly garden. Through an intricate blend of textures, colors, and layered narratives, Night Gardenexplores themes of nature, mysticism, and the interplay between light and shadow. Thursday, 5-8 p.m.; Detroit Shipping Company, 474 Peterboro St., Detroit; no cover.
Post Disco To Pre Techno: An Artist to Artist Talk Join legendary figures Norm Talley, Delano Smith, Stacey Hotwaxx Hale as they unveil the untold stories of how high school clubs and young DJs shaped what would become a global movement. Moderated by Detroit/ ATL icon Kai Alce. BONUS: Experience SGArt (Scott Grooves’) exhibition with a special 2-hour Disco to Techno set by Insane Who Sane. Thursday, May 22; 5 p.m. DJ set 5-7 p.m. and panel 7-8 p.m. Location disclosed through RSVP.
DANCE
Dance
performance
Relish Arts Detroit Celebrate the launch of GOODLOVE, an arts and dance residency housed at Relish Arts Detroit in the old pickle factory on Kercheval and Bellevue. There will be live DJ sets by Loren, Nathan Gantz, and sillygirlcarmen, local food and drink, and an immersive dance performance by NYC based dance collective ABBONDANZA. No cover; Friday, 7-11 p.m.
Film May 2025 movie roundup
By Jared Rasic, Last Word Features
Cinema is robust enough to feel almost limitless as an art form. Although movies are nearly 130 years old, a few filmmakers continue to push the medium forward every year, finding innovative and groundbreaking new ways to tell stories. While it’s rare to come across a film that feels wholly singular, I still find joy in spending half a day at a movie theater, attempting to fit as many disparate and opposing movies into my head as possible. By running the gamut of emotions across a few hours, I find it stretches the muscles of my empathy in a way nothing else achieves.
Here are three new movies that are so completely different from each other, it reminded me how versatile film can actually be. That’s not to say that all the movies I saw were prime examples of the form or will even remotely set the world on fire, but watching them over such a short time was a comforting way to remind myself that I’ll never run out of things to write about.
First was The Friend, a heartwarming dog movie starring Naomi Watts and Bill Murray. When Murray’s character passes, he leaves his giant Great Dane, Apollo, to his best friend, played by a wonderfully warm and authentic Watts,
who most decidedly doesn’t really care for dogs, nor can she properly care for one in her rent-controlled New York City apartment.
What we have here is a bittersweet examination of the five stages of grief, embodied not just by Watts, who’s profoundly distraught by the loss of Murray, but also by Apollo. While still a very good boy, Apollo is depressed, acting out and doesn’t know why Murray isn’t coming home. Watching Watts and Apollo slowly grow to trust each other is genuinely moving, and even though the film feels a bit stiff and writerly in moments, The Friend is cozy comfort cinema, achieving nothing more or nothing less. Dog people will adore this regardless.
Next was Fight or Flight, a ridiculously and proudly stupid (yet equally entertaining) hyper-violent action movie starring Josh Hartnett, who seems to be having the time of his life during his recent career renaissance. He plays an ex-secret service agent on board a 16hour flight filled with assassins who are all trying to kill him and the mysterious hacker he has to protect. That’s it. The entire film is Hartnett murdering bad guys on a plane in increasingly bonkers ways while proving he could easily be a
massive action star if that’s the career path he wants to take.
What makes Fight or Flight infinitely better than the recent string of goofball action movies like the dire Love Hurts and the forgettable Bullet Train is that the action is genuinely well crafted and viscerally exciting to watch. Action movies don’t really need to be well written or acted as long as they’re fun and Fight or Flight knows that to its core. The violence is so gleefully over the top that the film feels like a live-action Looney Tunes, but with Josh Hartnett swinging a chainsaw around a packed airplane. In no world can I say this movie is good, but holy hell did I have a good time watching it.
I ended this homemade trilogy with the new Nic Cage freakout, The Surfer, and that was definitely a choice. He plays a yuppie snob trying to recapture his youth by buying his childhood home on the Australian coast. When he tries to take his teenage son surfing and the locals tell them to get lost, Cage, whose manhood has just been impugned in front of his boy, goes on a downward spiral that Job would think is a bit extreme. Directed with reverence for ’70s Ozploitation classics like Wake in Fright
and Picnic at Hanging Rock by Lorcan Finnegan, The Surfer excels at sunbleached paranoia vibes, but when it tries to unpack new things to say about toxic masculinity and mental illness, it gets lost in the weeds. Cage doesn’t go nearly as batshit as I expected and somehow finds subtlety in a story bereft of any, but I still wouldn’t have minded watching him channel his inner German expressionist and crank things up to eleven. There are a few moments where we get Maximum Cage, but nothing nearly as marvelous as Mandy or Face Off. As it stands, The Surfer is a mindbending trip for most of its run time, but it eventually abandons all its twitchy intensity and metaphorical metaphysical shenanigans for something far too mundane and literal.
The
Friend Grade: B
Fight or Flight Grade: B
The Surfer Grade: C+
Nicolas Cage in The Surfer. ROADSIDE ATTRACTIONS
Friends behind Terple Gang and Northern Lights bring craft and care to Michigan cannabis
By Steve Neavling
Before Terple Gang became a rising name in Michigan cannabis, it was just a group of friends chasing a shared passion for growing flower and making edibles during the early days of the caregiver era.
One of those friends, Mike Phackeray, began experimenting with edibles around 2011 in a commercial kitchen in his basement. He wanted to solve the problem of wildly unpredictable dosing.
“Everyone has a story that they ate a cookie they were given and freaked out on the couch,” says Phackeray, who is managing partner of Terple Gang and Northern Lights, which makes edibles. “I really dove into dosing edibles reliably because of that problem.”
Meanwhile, Kyle May, a sales representative and partner of Terple Gang, had been growing cannabis since 2010, shortly after being laid off. He got involved as a caregiver, but it became
personal when his father was diagnosed with cancer.
“He did pass, but he got many more months out of his life than what was projected,” May says. “That’s when I really was aware of the benefits of the plant and how it gave him comfort at the end of his life. I was very vested at that point.”
In 2018, Michigan voters approved cannabis for adult use. The crew eventually joined forces and, in 2019, repurposed an abandoned building in Lansing. Their first harvest came in September 2021, and they’ve been selling flower and pre-rolls ever since under the Terple Gang label in Michigan’s medical and recreational markets.
The business is entirely self-funded and built slowly by design — a strategy that’s helped them survive as prices crash, companies consolidate, and surplus cannabis floods the market.
“We can only hope it’ll get better,”
Phackeray says of the industry’s current struggles.
Their answer to the chaos is to grow excellent weed.
“If we want to be out there trying to be the best brand out there, we have to grow the best weed,” Phackeray says. “From the beginning, we focused on quality, strain selection, and making sure our cannabis hit all the notes — taste, smell, bag appeal, and getting the high you’re looking for. We create a product that makes people want to come back.”
Their catalog includes strains like Sub Zero, Dante’s Inferno, I Scream Cake, Animal Cookies, Super Boof, and Rocket Fuel. They’re also working on bringing back Catfish — a beloved, award-winning sativa from Michigan’s caregiver era, originally bred by Midnight Roots.
“We’re excited about that one,” Phackeray says. “It’s a really interesting strain.”
The name “Terple Gang” came during a breakfast in Costa Rica in 2019, when two of the partners were kicking around ideas. They landed on combining “terpenes” and “purple” — two popular words in the cannabis industry.
Their packaging takes cues from the Prohibition era, using art deco imagery as a nod to another time when people broke laws for what they believed in.
They emphasize quality over quantity, even when it comes to prerolls. Instead of using leftover trim or shake, they rely on high-quality flower, sifting it an extra time to prevent airflow issues that cause joints to canoe.
“We want people to know that when they get Terple Gang, they’re going to have a good experience,” Phackeray says. “In the cannabis industry, you only get one shot.”
Unlike most brands, Terple Gang
The Straight Dope
With roots in the caregiver era, this team is building a brand focused on quality flower, effect-based edibles, and long-term survival in a volatile market.
STEVE NEAVLING
also lists the top three terpenes on each package — a move aimed at better informing consumers. Terpenes are aromatic compounds that contribute to the flavor, smell, and effects of cannabis. Some terpenes are associated with relaxation, like myrcene, while others, like limonene or pinene, may promote alertness or focus.
“Customers are getting more educated, and now people are going into shops saying they want certain terpenes,” Phackeray says. “They are starting to shop smarter and determine what is best for them.”
In addition to Terple Gang, Phackeray is a partner in Northern Lights, an edibles brand focused on effectbased formulations. Rather than offering generic “get high” gummies, Northern Lights’ FX line includes chocolates and gummies tailored to specific experiences, from sleep and focus to daytime energy, relaxation, and even love.
“When you’re just eating normal edibles, you’re just going to get high,” he says. “After experimenting a lot, by adding these other things, you’re getting these desired effects.”
Strain selection also plays a major role in their products. Phackeray says he spends considerable time curating genetics and working with others in the industry to find the right phenotypes.
For both brands, the approach is the same: don’t rush, don’t cut corners, and always deliver a consistent, highquality product.
I sampled three of Terple Gang’s flower strains, two pre-rolls, and a variety of the edibles. The flower strains stood out for their strong aroma, dense trichome coverage, and meticulous hand-trimming.
Dante’s Inferno by Terple Gang
A cross of Oreoz and Devil Driver, Dante’s Inferno is a sweet and creamy
indica-leaning hybrid that delivers a deeply relaxing, full-bodied experience. For me, it was ideal for getting lost in music, tapping into a creative flow, or simply unwinding at the end of a long day.
The aroma is incredible — a nutty cookie dough layered with ripe strawberries, creamy vanilla, and a subtle black pepper finish. The buds were dense and sparkling with trichomes, clearly hand-trimmed with care.
The dominant terpene is caryophyllene, which is associated with stress relief and anti-inflammatory benefits.
Sub Zero by Terple Gang
A frosty cross of Super Boof and Oreoz, Sub Zero lives up to its name with dense buds coated in icy trichomes and a terp profile that blends fruit, herbs, and dessert. The smoke reminded me of a cherry-cheese danish chased with black coffee — sweet, creamy, and smooth.
This indica-dominant hybrid crept in gently with a calming wave of relaxation, making it perfect for late nights or quiet evenings. If you’re having trouble sleeping or just need to unplug, this one’s an easy go-to.
The dominant terpene is limonene, often linked to improved mood and reduced stress.
I Scream Cake by Terple Gang
A blend of Wedding Cake and Gelato #33, I Scream Cake offers a creamy, vanilla-forward flavor with sugary dough on the back end. Like the other Terple Gang strains, the buds were dense and generously coated in trichomes.
The high leaned sedative but still left me feeling sociable — a relaxed, comfortable buzz without the couch lock. It’s a solid choice for low-key hangouts or winding down without fully zoning out.
The dominant terpene is limonene, known for its mood-boosting and soothing effects.
Pre-rolls
Terple Gang takes no shortcuts with its pre-rolls. They use flower – no trim or shake – and the joints burn smoothly, taste flavorful, and pack a punch. Jet Fuel OG x Face Off Bx1
One of my favorites was Jet Fuel, a potent combination of Jet Fuel OG and Face Off Bx1. The aroma is pungent and dominated by fuel, with notes of spice, sweet fruits, and an earthy aroma.
I sampled two infused pre-rolls, and both hit hard. Each was 1.25 grams and exceeded 40% THC. They were Cadillac Rainbows x Cadillac Jet Pack and Sub Zero x Catfish Wedding. Unless you’re smoking with a lot of friends, these are hard to finish in one sitting. Luckily, they come in glass containers to keep them fresh.
Northern Lights FX and Bites Edibles
Each bag contains a total of 200 mg THC, the legal maximum in Michigan, but the doses are easy to control. The FX chocolates, for instance, are split into 20 precise pieces.
Within about 30 minutes, each edible I tried delivered a noticeable, well-calibrated high, and none of the overwhelming, black-marketstyle wipeouts from years past. One standout was the Focus chocolate. In addition to THC, it’s infused with nootropics, compounds believed to enhance memory, motivation, and clarity. I ate one before writing this column, turned on some jazz, and the words just flowed.
Other FX varieties were just as effective. The sleep formulation, in particular, reliably put me down within the hour. Even better, about 10 minutes before falling asleep, I experienced a serene, dreamlike window that made me feel weightless.
The chocolates themselves are also genuinely good. I had to stop myself from reaching for more just for the flavor.
Northern Lights also offers a Bites line, with smaller, grab-and-go options like strawberry lemonade gummies, s’mores bites, and mint crunch chocolates. The sea salt pretzel pieces were a highlight — salty, sweet, and strong enough to leave a mark. These are ideal for travel or a low-commitment, high-reward treat. Flavor-wise alone, they’re worth picking up.
If you want us to sample your cannabis products, send us an email at steve@metrotimes.com.
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Terple Gang takes no shortcuts with its pre-rolls.
STEVE NEAVLING
CULTURE
Savage Love
Jerked Around
By Dan Savage
: Q I recently came home from a short meeting to find my husband in the bathroom with the door locked — locked to keep the kids out — meaning that he was secretly jerking off to porn while I was out. This has happened a few times before while I was home or out briefly and I’ve tried to explain how hurtful it feels to me. If he’s that interested in sex while I’m away briefly, I would rather he ask me to have sex, include me in watching porn, or even tell me his plan so it doesn’t feel like a secret. I have nothing against him watching porn and we sometimes do so together. It’s the idea of him doing it at home secretly when I’m out briefly that upsets me. It makes me feel like he is waiting for an opportunity alone and jumping on it as soon as he can, and that he prefers this to sex with me. And though he insists that watching porn doesn’t mean he isn’t also attracted to me, the secret nature of this makes me feel unattractive. He says that the secret nature is not part of the desire for him. Rather, jerking off is more akin to boredom/enjoyment, like deciding to “eat a bowl of ice cream.” He travels a good bit for work, and I’ve encouraged him to watch porn freely when he’s away. He insists that he’s satisfied with our sex life, including how frequently we have sex. He says that his interest in porn is just something fun that he — like most men — likes to do, and that it’s an entirely different category than our sex life. But there’s something about looking at women with perfect/fake bodies while I’m out briefly that feeds into my insecurities as a middleaged woman and makes me extremely angry. Am I being unfair in asking him to stop jerking off to porn secretly when I could walk in on him easily? What else could we do to solve this problem?
—Porn Over Reality Needles Offended Spouse
A: “Any time porn use is causing problems in a relationship, it is important to assess whether it’s actually the porn use that’s the problem or the masturbation,” said Dr. Sprankle, a professor of clinical psychology at Minnesota State University and the author of DIY: The Wonderfully Weird History of Science and Masturbation. “How would PORNOS feel if her husband wasn’t watching porn and was just masturbating to a fantasy while in the bathroom? Would there still be concerns that he’s dissatisfied in the relationship? Would there still be feelings of insecurity and anger over the thought of him fantasizing about other women?”
Dr. Sprankle noticed that you used
“secret/secretly” a half a dozen times in your question.
“A secret would be you suspecting him masturbating in the locked bathroom, but when confronted, he lies and just says he has IBS,” said Dr. Sprankle. “But PORNOS is aware that her husband masturbates, and he’s admitting to it, so the issue isn’t secrecy. Often for couples, the true objection is not to porn in and of itself, but the fact a partner has a solo sex life, and it doesn’t make a difference what they’re using to reach orgasm alone, whether we’re talking about porn, their own fantasies, or Chris Isaak music videos.”
Focusing on the real issue — which, again, isn’t porn but your husband having orgasms on his own once in a while — could help you work through this conflict.
“PORNOS and her husband need to figure out what role masturbation has — and should have in their marriage and ensure they’re on the same page about it,” said Dr. Sprankle. “Our solo sexuality exists whether or not we are in a relationship, and masturbation does not have to compete with partnered sex. Even though an orgasm is an orgasm, there are different motivations for masturbation compared to partnered sex, and each one can meet unique needs the other isn’t equipped to meet.”
While your husband needs to be considerate of your feelings, PORNOS, you need to accept that your husband has a solo sexuality and is entitled — as we all are — to a zone of erotic autonomy. Meaning, he’s allowed to have fantasies that don’t revolve around you, just as you’re allowed to have fantasies that don’t revolve around him. So long as his fantasies don’t consume all of his erotic energy, i.e. so long as he’s not neglecting your needs, and so long as he can indulge them without neglecting or endangering your kids, attempting to police your husband’s solo sexuality is unnecessary and unwise, as doing so creates conflict.
After answering your question, PORNOS, Dr. Sprankle wanted to put one to you.
“PORNOS said that he her husband is satisfied with their sex life,” said Dr. Sprankle, “but is she satisfied? Is he meeting her sexual needs? Is she able to masturbate as often as she would like? Is she having sex as often as she would like? Have there been instances in which you tried to initiate sex, but he turned you down because he masturbated earlier that day? That would suggest his masturbation frequency is interfering with PORNOS sexual satisfaction, and that would definitely be a problem. If she communicated this to him, along with her feelings of insecurity and anger, and he continued to lock himself in the bathroom, essentially dismissing her needs and feelings, that would be an even bigger problem.”
But if you’re generally satisfied — if you’re satisfied enough (really, the best any of us can hope for! — and your hus-
band isn’t neglecting you or the kids and he’s making a good-faith effort to masturbate when you’re less likely to “catch” him (not to keep secrets, but to be considerate) — you’re going to need to shrug it off when you realize the bathroom door is locked for that reason.
“They’re both still individuals in this partnership,” said Dr. Sprankle, “and individual needs require a certain amount of space and alone time. And that alone time may include occasionally locking yourself in the bathroom, and it shouldn’t matter whether the person in there is masturbating to porn videos on their phone or taking a dump.”
Follow Dr. Eric Sprankle on BlueSky and Threads and Instagram @DrSprankle. For more about his work, visit his website drsprankle.com.
: Q
I’m a cis female in my late thirties and my partner is a cis male in his forties. We have been married for ten years, together for fifteen, and have school-aged children. I actually met my husband when I started dating his then-wife. This situation was not a trio, but I was around him a lot, so we became friends, and eventually the three of us talked about all moving in together. Ultimately, I got scared and ended the relationship with his wife. It was a confusing time in my life, and I made the decision that I did not want to be with a woman long-term. Things happened, he and his wife split, and he and I fell madly in love. In the beginning of our relationship, we had a LOT of conversations about commitment, about my sexuality and about my past (I had significantly more experience), and I explained to him that I could not be happy “going without” being with a woman ever again. He knew I was bisexual and that I needed openness. For many years we were open in this way — mostly threesomes or foursomes together, but there were a couple times where I had sex with another woman without him. He also had sex with other women without me. Over time, I began wanting to explore sex with other men, but this has been a hard “no” on his end. He says that’s not what he agreed to, which is true. We have had many discussions about this over the last five years, but I eventually gave up. It’s definitely caused some resentment on my end, and because of what I perceive to be an unfair dynamic, I closed our relationship completely a few years ago. It wasn’t out of spite; I just no longer felt good seeing him enjoy a freedom born out of MY sexuality and MY needs in the beginning. Our sex life has gone downhill since. I don’t know how to move past this resentment. I feel misunderstood and I feel locked in a cage over this issue. I think we are at an impasse, and I don’t know how to get back to a happy, healthy place together. How do we fix this?
—Bi Lady And Annoyingly Het Spouse
A: You have two shit options here, BLAAHS: you can live with a deeply frustrating status quo — no fucking other people and no desire to fuck each other — or you can issue an explosive ultimatum. And while it’s tempting to say, “What do you have to lose?” (since your sex life is a wreck and resentment is a cancer), it’s
not just your marriage that’s at stake. You have kids. If your kids are still young and/ or you can’t afford to divorce, it may be in their best interest for mom and dad to suck up a few sexless-or-nearly-sexless years before mom attempts to impose terms. (You did sign up to be parents, BLAAHS, and parenting sometimes means doing what’s best for the little shits.)
Zooming out for a second… You hammered out an asymmetrical agreement at the start of your marriage: to accommodate your bisexuality, you were allowed to sleep with other women — and so was your husband. Your husband had the freedom to pursue anyone he might be interested in while you could only pursue half the people you might be interested in. Now, I think you deserve a lot of credit: I’ve gotten countless letters from married bi women over the years who felt entitled to a get-out-of-monogamy-free card that allowed them fuck other people (with vaginas) because their husbands couldn’t meet that need… but who didn’t think their husbands should be allowed to fuck other people. Sorry, but if you get to sleep with other people, your partner gets to sleep with other people. It’s only fair.
Also only fair: if your spouse can pursue 100% of the people they’re into… you should be able to pursue 100% of the people you’re into. Still, when your husband says, “This isn’t what I signed up for,” he’s not lying, BLAAHS, which, also to your credit, you’re able to acknowledge. You agreed to a “onepenis policy” back when you weren’t interested in other penises, BLAAHS, but that’s changed — you’ve changed — and that change has already changed your marriage. You went from seeing each other as the reason you could (you could have a loving commitment and crazy sexual adventures) to seeing each other as the reason you can’t (you can’t sleep with other men; he can’t sleep with other women). When he refused to grant you complete freedom you longed for, BLAAHS, you took back the complete freedom he’d always enjoyed. So, you didn’t go from an open relationship to a closed one, you went from an open relationship to a hostage situation… and hostage situations aren’t sexy.
Getting your marriage back to a happy, healthy, and horny place is gonna involve risk. (I’m supposed to pay lip service to compromise here, but there’s no compromise position between “you’re allowed to fuck other men” and “you’re not allowed to fuck other men.”) Maybe a hostage negotiator could help you hammer out a truce — sorry, maybe a couples counselor could help you navigate these issues — but a serious conflict is unavoidable. If divorce (as opposed to sexlessness) is your worst-case scenario, BLAAHS, you may have to learn to live in that cage for a while.
Got problems? Yes, you do! Email your question for the column to mailbox@ savage.love! Or record your question for the Savage Lovecast at savage.love/ askdan! Podcasts, columns, and more at Savage.Love.
CULTURE
Free Will Astrology
By Rob Brezsny
ARIES: March 21 – April 19
I think you’re ready to establish new ways of nourishing and protecting what’s valuable to you. Your natural assertiveness will be useful in setting boundaries and securing resources. Your flourishing intuition will guide you to implement adjustments that safeguard your interests while remaining flexible enough to permit legitimate access. Be extra alert, Aries, for when you need to balance security with accessibility. Your best defenses will come from clever design, not brute force. Do what you need to feel secure without feeling trapped.
TAURUS: April 20 – May 20
In July 1971, 26-year-old Taurus poet Bernadette Mayer kept a scrupulous diary. Every day, she shot a roll of 35 mm film, wrote about the day’s events, and recorded herself reading her accounts. By Aug. 1, she had accumulated 1,100 photos and six hours of readings. One of her goals in doing the project was to learn more about how her memory worked.
What was worth remembering, and what wasn’t? She also hoped to gain an objective perspective about her routine rhythm. Years later, she acknowledged that though this was a narcissistic experiment, she had no shame about it. Inspired by Mayer, and in accordance with astrological omens, you might find it worthwhile to lovingly and thoroughly study the details of your daily life for a while. It’s an excellent time to get to know yourself better.
GEMINI: May 21 – June 20
Gemini writer Raymond Carter (1938–1988) established a reputation as a master of terse minimalism. One critic noted that he practiced the “Theory of Omission” — an approach to writing fiction that mandates the elimination of superfluous narrative elements. But it turns out that Carver’s editor Gordon Lish had a major role in all this. He deleted half of Carver’s original words and changed the endings of half his stories. Years after his death, Carver’s widow, Tess Gallagher, published the original versions, with the omitted material reinstated. I believe the coming weeks will be an excellent time for you to make comparable restorations, Gemini. In every way you can imagine, tell the full story, provide the complete rendition, and offer elements that have been missing.
CANCER: June 21 – July 22
Even if you don’t regard yourself as a psychic or prophet, I suspect you now have an uncanny knack for deciphering future trends. Your intuition is operating at peak levels, especially when you focus it on the big picture of your long-term destiny. As long as you’re not overconfident about this temporary bloom of expansive vision, you can trust your ability to see the deep patterns running through your life story. To make the most of this gift, take a loving inventory of where you have been and where you are going. Then devote relaxed meditations to adjusting your master plan.
LEO: July 23 – August 22
River deltas form where rivers meet the sea, creating fertile and complex ecosystems that nourish abundant life. Some of my favorites are the Rhône River Delta in France, the Po River Delta in Italy, and the Shinano River Delta in Japan. In the coming weeks, Leo, I will visualize you as the metaphorical equivalent of a river delta. I’ll call you the Leo Delta, trusting you will be inspired to celebrate and cultivate the rich intersections that charac-
terize your life — areas where an array of ideas, paths, and relationships converge. Be open to synergizing different aspects of your world: integrating emotions and logic, connecting with diverse people, blending personal and professional goals.
VIRGO: August 23 – Sept. 22
Your natural inclination is to solve problems through detailed planning and careful analysis. On occasion, that process dead-ends in overthinking, though it often works pretty well. In accordance with current astrological omens, however, I suggest an alternative approach for you in the coming weeks. Instead of trying to figure everything out, how about if you simply create a relaxed spaciousness for new things to emerge? Experiment with the hypothesis that progress will come not from doing more, but from allowing more.
LIBRA: Sept. 23 – Oct. 22
As they climb, mountaineers carefully assess every handhold and foothold. Unfailing concentration is key. I recommend adopting their attitude in the coming weeks, Libra. You are entering a phase when ascension and expansion will be among your main assignments. The best approach to your adventures is to make steady progress with precision and thoughtfulness. Rushing rashly ahead or taking needless risks could be counterproductive, so be scrupulous about planning and preparation. Trust that the most efficient path to the summit will be via small, deliberate steps. Your winning combination will be ambition leavened with caution.
SCORPIO: Oct. 23 – Nov. 21:
At age 42, Scorpio painter Georgia O’Keeffe left her busy New York art career and traveled to New Mexico for the first time. The landscape’s beauty overwhelmed her. She wandered around the desert for three months, creating no art at all. A few critics accused her of wasting time. She rejected their ignorant misunderstanding of her process, replying, “To see takes time. I had to learn the country first before it would let me paint it.” Her most iconic paintings emerged after this phase of pure observation. I’m recommending a similar period for you, dear Scorpio. While your instincts may tempt you toward a flurry of activity, I
believe now is a time to wait and see; to pause and ponder; to muse and meditate.
SAGITTARIUS: Nov. 22 – Dec. 21
By the 20th century, the 483-milelong Seine River in France was so polluted that most of its fish were gone. But cleanup efforts have been successful. Now there are 32 fish species, including the Atlantic salmon. The Seine is also very close to being completely safe for humans to swim. I would love it if you were inspired by this success story to undertake a comparable project in your own life, Sagittarius. What would you most like to see revived and restored? Now is a good time to begin the effort.
CAPRICORN: Dec. 22 – Jan. 19
Until she reached her 70s, Capricorn visual artist Louise Bourgeois was a peripheral figure in the art world, modestly respected but not acclaimed. Then New York’s Museum of Modern Art presented her work in a major show. In response, the New York Times reviewed her work, saying it was “charged with tenderness and violence, acceptance and defiance, ambivalence and conviction.” I bring this to your attention, Capricorn, because I suspect the coming months will also bring you recognition for labors of love you’ve been devoted to for a while — maybe not in the form of fame, but through an elevated appreciation by those whose opinion matters to you.
AQUARIUS: Jan. 20 – Feb. 18
The name of the old Talking Heads album is Stop Making Sense. One of its many implications is that we periodically derive benefit and relief from being free of the pressure to sound reasonable and be consistent. According to my detailed, logical, in-depth analysis of your astrological omens, now is a perfect time to honor this counsel. I hope you will give yourself a sabbatical from being sensible, serious, and overly sane. Instead, please consider a sustained pursuit of pure pleasure, fun foolishness, and amazing amusement.
PISCES: Feb.19 – March 20
Be on high alert for fleeting intuitions that flow through your awareness. Really good ideas may rise up only briefly and only once, and you should be ready to catch them in the ripe moment before they fade away. Do you hear my urgency? Pay special attention to passing thoughts or sudden insights. They may contain more value than initially apparent. I will even speculate that seemingly ephemeral inspirations could become foundational elements in your future success. Document your hunches, even if they seem premature.
Homework: What meaningful message could you give to a person you hurt?
JAMES NOELLERT
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