Feedback NEWS & VIEWS
We got comments in response to contributor Steve Neavling’s cover story feature about the cannabis industry “Dab Day.”
710!!!!!!
—@stayfarawaythx, Instagram weed crack!
—@american_ruse, Instagram
We will come up with any MF reason to ‘elevate’ ourselves, won’t we? lol �� —@mzdeeof313, Instagram
Our time to shine �� —@oozelife, Instagram
The “crack” variant of cannabis really brings out the dregs of the community.
Like, it takes an otherwise chill and mild euphoriant and turns it into chasing the next full tilt high.
Besides, opposition is always trying to taint the waters by claiming how potent “new” weed is. This helps them.
There is a place for concentrates... but celebrating dabs in particular is kinda gross in the overall scheme of things.
—@detroitgoose.com, Bluesky
Doing a dab on my toilet rn to celly —@detroitbathrooms, Instagram
Sound off: letters@metrotimes.com
NEWS & VIEWS
Duggan’s campaign draws big money from Trump supporters, wealthy GOP donors
Detroit Mayor Mike Duggan, a longtime Democrat who is running for governor as an independent, is raking in Republican cash and outside dark money in his election bid, raising questions about his political shift.
Campaign finance records show Duggan raised $3.2 million in direct campaign donations for the year through July 20, outpacing Democratic frontrunner Jocelyn Benson and Republican candidates John James and Aric Nesbitt.
A Metro Times analysis of Duggan’s fundraising shows a sizable share comes from donors of President Donald Trump, GOP party leaders, and conservative power brokers with vested interests in state policy.
Among them are a billionaire megadonor to Trump, a charter school
profiteer, former leaders of the Michigan Republican Party, and an aide to former Gov. Rick Snyder who was charged for his role in the Flint water crisis.
Many of the influential Republicans gave Duggan’s campaign the maximum donation allowed – $8,325. But some of their family members and employees also donated the maximum.
Chris Long, a grassroots vice chair of the Michigan Republican Party, warned earlier this month that Duggan’s ties to GOP powerbrokers could harm the party. He suggested conservative donors are more worried about access to Duggan.
One of Duggan’s top backers is Roger Penske, who donated $1.1 million to Make America Great Again Inc., a super PAC that supports Trump, in the past two years. He also person-
Ron Weiser, the former chair of the Michigan Republican Party and a major Trump fundraiser, also gave Duggan the maximum donation. His son Marc and daughter-in-law Mary each donated $8,325 as well. Weiser has helped bankroll Trump’s presidential campaigns and has long been a leader in GOP politics.
Duggan also received the maximum donation from Jeff Sakwa, a former state party co-chair and close ally of Ronna Romney McDaniel, who ran the Republican National Committee and was a zealous Trump supporter. Sakwa openly touted Duggan’s support among Republicans, saying recently, “There are a ton of Republicans behind him.”
Duggan also received $5,500 from Richard Baird, a top aide to former Republican Gov. Rick Snyder and a ringleader in appointing an emergency manager in Detroit. Baird was charged in 2021 with felony extortion and perjury in connection to the Flint water crisis and had faced up to 20 years in prison, but the charges were later dismissed following a Michigan Supreme Court ruling.
Snyder’s former chief of staff during the Flint water crisis, Dennis Muchmore, donated $850.
Compuware founder Peter Karmanos donated $8,300 to Duggan, as did his wife Danialle. In 2016, Peter Karmanos contributed $125,000 to Trump’s Victory Fund. He has also donated nearly $250,000 to the Michigan Republican Party and $90,000 to the Republican National Committee since 2013.
ally contributed $5,600 to Trump’s 2020 campaign. Penske donated the maximum contribution to Duggan’s campaign, and other executives from Penske Corp. gave an additional $19,825.
Duggan also received the maximum donation from J.C. Huizenga, chair of the Huizenga Group and founder of National Heritage Academies, a for-profit charter school chain that has drawn scrutiny for exploiting public education dollars. A Detroit Free Press investigation in 2014 found that Huizenga’s company owned most of the buildings its schools occupied, profiting from public funds while avoiding oversight. Over the past 30 years, Huizenga has donated nearly $4 million to Republican candidates and causes, and he stands to benefit directly from state education policies supported by the next governor.
The Nicholson family, one of the top GOP donors in Michigan that operates Detroit-based PVS Chemicals, donated a total of $41,600 to Duggan. Four family members – Timothy, James, John, and David – each contributed the maximum to Duggan, and Ann Nicholson donated $8,300.
During the 2024 election cycle, the family raised a total of $230,000 for GOP state House candidates. PVS Chemicals also donated $30,000 to Duggan’s dark money fund, Detroit Progress Fund.
Other donors include:
David Schostak, a major Republican donor and brother of former Michigan GOP chair Bobby Schostak, gave $5,000.
Ron Boji, a wealthy GOP donor whose Wayne County contracts were investigated by the FBI and who was accused of hiding $1.8 million in unpaid back taxes, gave the maximum. Boji once received a $134 million contract from the Republican-led state government, prompting calls from Democrats to ban him from future
Detroit Mayor Mike Duggan is running for governor as an independent.
CITY OF DETROIT, FLICKR CREATIVE COMMONS
state business.
Salim Sessine, a vocal Trump supporter who once claimed Hillary Clinton was secretly a lesbian, donated $5,000.
Kathleen Trott, a Trump supporter and wife of former Republican U.S. Rep. David Trott, donated the maximum.
Even Andrew Yang, the former Democratic candidate for U.S. President and founder of the Forward Party who is now aligned with billionaire Elon Musk’s proposed “America Party,” gave $2,500 to Duggan. While Yang is not a Republican, he has cozied up to Musk, who has peddled conspiracy theories, antisemitic social media posts, and misinformation. Soon after Trump took office, he appointed Musk to lead the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), which slashed more than 285,000 federal jobs, leaving many critical federal agencies without adequate staff, and eliminated lifesaving food and medical assistance to impoverished countries. Duggan has not said whether he would welcome an endorsement from Musk but tried to distance himself from the world’s wealthiest man.
Asked about the donations from influential Republicans, Duggan’s son, Ed Duggan, who serves as campaign manager for his dad’s gubernatorial bid, declined to answer directly. He said the mayor is drawing support from across the political spectrum.
“We’re proud to have the support of both Republicans and Democrats who want to fix the system and break the two-party death grip on Lansing,” Ed Duggan said in a statement. “Mike Duggan is building a coalition unlike anything Michigan has seen before: Democrats, Republicans, Independents, and everyone somewhere in between. If you’re fed up with politics as usual, there’s a place for you in our campaign.”
Duggan’s campaign is also getting outside support from a dark money nonprofit, Put Progress First, which has placed billboards across the state praising him as “America’s most effective mayor.” The group can raise unlimited amounts from anonymous donors, shielding their identities from public scrutiny.
Duggan ran a similar dark money group, Detroit Progress Fund, when he first became mayor. In the last two years, the fund has raised nearly $1 million. After Duggan was criticized for using the fund, he pledged to make the donations public, and he kept that promise.
But Put Progress First does not disclose its donors. Metro Times asked Duggan’s campaign if the donations
will eventually be disclosed, but we’re awaiting a response.
Meanwhile, Duggan has remained silent on Republican proposals to cut healthcare funding, which would strip coverage from nearly 500,000 Michiganders. He’s also drawn criticism from progressives for parroting conservative talking points, such as calling undocumented immigrants “illegal.”
In a recent tweet, Duggan suggested Democrats are driven by hate, though he added, “Republicans aren’t much better.”
According to Duggan, “The Democratic Party is united on only two points: They hate Republicans in general. And they hate Donald Trump in particular,” the tweet reads.
He added, “I’m running as an Independent because I don’t hate anybody. And I firmly believe that for Michigan to move forward, we have to leave this toxic, ‘us vs. them’ partisan politics behind.”
Duggan’s opponents have also raised a lot of money. The campaign for Benson, a Democrat and secretary of state of Michigan, received $3.5 million, but that includes more than $1 million that was transferred from her previous secretary of state campaign.
On the Republican side, James and Nesbitt each raised about $2.3 million. Polls show Duggan gaining ground in the race. A new survey found Duggan widened his lead over Benson among Detroit voters in the 2026 race for governor. The Target Insyght poll, conducted by the Lansing-based firm, found support for Duggan in Detroit rose from 41% in February to 52%. Benson dropped from 36% to 33%. Republican candidate U.S. Rep. John James polled at 5%, and 10% of respondents said they were undecided.
A survey released by the Detroit Regional Chamber in late May found that Duggan’s name identification was 86% in metro Detroit, compared to just 31% outside of the area. His favorability rating in metro Detroit was 54%, significantly higher than Democratic frontrunner Jocelyn Benson (32.6%) and Republican frontrunner John James (32.3%). Statewide, however, Duggan’s name recognition and support are lagging. Among registered voters, Benson led with 34.5%, James followed closely with 34%, and Duggan garnered 21.5%, with 9.4% undecided.
It’s too early to say whether Duggan’s support from influential Republicans will impact his campaign. And with a dark money group pushing his candidacy, voters may never know who’s truly bankrolling his campaign.
—Steve Neavling
Driver with suspended license crashes through Midtown building
A motorcycle dashcam caught a dramatic incident on Wednesday, July 23 evening when a man lost control of his car and wound up driving through a building in Midtown.
The video, posted on Facebook by Khanh Cai, shows a 2017 Ford Fusion being driven along Woodward Avenue as it begins to drift. It then rides up over the curb of a QLine stop and swerves just feet away from the motorcyclist before it hits another vehicle and smashes through the front door of 5708 Woodward Ave., coming to a stop at the other side of the building.
“Unbelievable footage from last night in Detroit!” Cai wrote in the video caption, adding, “This was terrifyingly close to being much worse, but the driver somehow walked away.”
Reached by phone, Cai says he was testing his new Insta 360 X5s camera when the accident occurred around 9:30 p.m.
“I still can’t believe it happened AND what’s crazier was I didn’t get killed and no one else was hurt, thank God,” Cai tells Metro Times
“Soon as I pulled up I couldn’t believe what just unfolded,” Cai continues. “It was hard to see clearly due to the dust, but I could see the car went thru the building and hit what looked to be structural support beams.”
Cai says he immediately called 911 and WSU Police and other first responders arrived in “seconds.”
He adds, “Kudos to them for how fast they got there!!”
According to WSU police chief Anthony Holt, the driver told authorities that he takes medication for epileptic
seizures and that he experienced one while driving, which caused him to lose control of the vehicle.
Holt says the driver did not sustain any major injuries and refused medical attention. He also cleared a blood alcohol test.
The driver was ticketed for driving with a suspended license and no auto insurance, Holt says, and his license may need to be re-evaluated if he is not able to safely drive a vehicle.
“He should not have been driving,” Holt says.
“He was fortunate that nobody was waiting at the bus stop,” Holt adds. “He was fortunate that he didn’t go 15 feet further and drive into the liquor store.”
The building the driver crashed into has been under construction for years. Currently, a sushi restaurant called SushiRitas was readying to open in the space and was hoping to open in the coming months.
“This is a small setback but if this journey has taught me nothing, it’s that our community will make sure that we move powerfully forward!” owner Jay Rayford tells Metro Times He says he remains hopeful that the project will move forward.
The building was the longtime home of Showtime Detroit clothing from 1989 to 2015, and in 2018 a Midtown business called Maya’s Indo-Pak Cuisine announced it would relocate to the space — though that project fizzled out.
Showtime Clothing reopened in Hamtramck in 2023.
Suffice it to say, this auto accident will likely delay the latest project.
—Lee DeVito
The aftermath of a car crash at 5708 Woodward Ave., Detroit. LEE DEVITO
Trump’s megabill threatens safety net for millions of struggling Michiganders
President Donald Trump’s “big, beautiful bill” is expected to cost Michigan more than $1 billion, forcing steep cuts to safety net programs like Medicaid and food assistance that support millions of lower-income residents.
The “One Big Beautiful Bill Act,” signed into law on July 4, reduces taxes to corporations and wealthy Americans and increases funding to the military and immigration enforcement. But to pay for it, the Republican-led bill slashes federal spending on Medicaid and the state’s Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), shifting those costs onto cash-strapped states.
A new analysis by the nonpartisan Citizens Research Council of Michigan warns that the megabill’s immediate impact on the state budget will be severe. Lawmakers currently working on the state’s fiscal year 2026 budget will need to trim an estimated $1.1 billion from the general fund to offset lost corporate tax revenue and higher state costs for health and food benefits.
The corporate tax reductions will lead to “immediate” revenue declines in Michigan to the tune of $677 million in the 2026 fiscal budget, the report states.
“For years since the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, Michigan experienced an unexpected state revenue high driven largely by federal stimulus initiatives,” Robert Schneider, senior research associate for state affairs and lead author of the report, said Wednesday. “Even before OBBBA [One Big Beautiful Bill Act] it was evident that those days were coming to an end and state revenue growth was returning to pre-COVID trends.”
Medicaid covers more than 2.6 million Michiganders, or about one in four residents, through a joint federal and state partnership. In 2024, the state received $17.8 billion in federal funding, covering 76% of Medicaid costs. The program includes traditional coverage for lowincome families, pregnant women, people
with disabilities, and seniors, as well as the Healthy Michigan Plan, which expanded eligibility to more adults.
Under the new law, that federal support will significantly decline. The Congressional Budget Office estimates that nearly 12 million Americans could lose Medicaid coverage nationwide.
The impact on SNAP will also be substantial. About 1.5 million Michiganders – or about 14.5% of the population – rely on the food assistance program, known locally as the Bridge Card. The new law requires states with higher payment error rates to begin covering a share of the costs beginning in 2028.
In Michigan, nearly 700,000 households depend on SNAP, and the average benefit is just $146 per month for each recipient.
The legislation also imposes strict new work requirements for certain able-bodied adults receiving SNAP, which could result in an estimated 3 million people nationwide losing benefits, according to the Congressional Budget Office.
In Detroit, where more than half of children live in poverty, the reductions in assistance could be devastating.
By 2032, the Citizens Research Council warns, the bill will consume roughly 40% of the state’s projected general fund growth, which would force future budget cuts and put essential services at risk. The cuts to SNAP and Medicaid could increase Michigan’s spending on those programs by more than $1 billion by 2032, the Citizens Research Council warns.
“With the enactment of the OBBBA, Michigan now faces an added budget challenge that will be particularly severe over the next few budget cycles,” Schneider said. “State lawmakers should get to work on developing a budget plan that considers these new realities.”
Trump’s budget is expected to increase the federal deficit by $3.4 trillion over the next decade, putting future generations at risk.
—Steve Neavling
President Trump signs the One Big Beautiful Bill Act. WHITE HOUSE, FLICKR CREATIVE COMMONS
The Summer Food & Drink Issue
By Metro Times staff
Hot stuff
30 new restaurants in metro Detroit and Ann Arbor
It’s always been tough out there for bars and restaurants, but especially so these days with an unpredictable economy and diners tightening their belts. Nevertheless, many restaurateurs are following their dreams, and the Detroit dining scene is all the better for their efforts. Here are some of the latest spots to open this year.
A.M. Buzz
600 W. Lafayette Blvd., Detroit; ambuzzdetroit.com
Named after the Cambria Hotel building’s past life as the headquarters for WWJ-AM, this coffee shop menu serves breakfast sandwiches, acai bowls, salads, and more to the downtown crowd.
Bev’s Bagels
4884 Grand River Ave., Detroit; bevsbagels.com
After launching Bev’s Bagels as an Ann Arbor pop-up, Max Sussman brought his breakfast spot to the former Detroit Institute of Bagels space in Detroit’s
Core City. The menu is made up of classic bagels with rotating seasonal flavors, creative cream cheese spreads, wild-caught fish, and more.
Big Rock Italian Chophouse
245 S. Eton St., Birmingham; bigrockitalianchophouse.com
This new restaurant and cigar club opened in Birmingham’s former Grand Trunk Western Railroad Depot, where Big Rock Chophouse served for nearly 40 years until it closed in 2021. Its Ohio-based parent company also operates Ocean Prime in Troy, among dozens of others, with a menu highlighting steaks, Italian-inspired fare, seafood, and wines.
16 August 6-19, 2025 | metrotimes.com
Cava
43450 Ford Rd., Canton; cava.com
This growing fast-casual Mediterranean restaurant chain opened its first Michigan location, with a second coming soon to downtown Detroit. The chain was launched in 2006 by first-generation Greek Americans in Maryland, and in 2018, it bought the Zoës Kitchen chain, becoming the largest Mediterranean restaurant operator in the U.S.
Chenin
1509 Broadway St., Detroit; barchenin. com
Opened in Detroit’s Siren Hotel, this small bar aims for an intimate experi-
ence reminiscent of Parisian wine caves, with a menu featuring cocktails, small plates, and ice cream.
The Chicken Coupe
700 Inselruhe Ave., Detroit; chickencoupedetroit.com
This fried chicken joint went viral on social media when people mistakenly believed it opened inside the notorious toilets on Belle Isle. (Not true! It opened in a separate building that shares an awning with the bathrooms.) It serves up juicy chicken tenders, loaded fries, chicken and waffles, and more to parkgoers.
Max Sussman brought
Bev's Bagels to Detroit.
Dakota Inn Rathskeller
17324 John R St., Detroit; dakota-inn.com
Not a new establishment by any means — it first opened in 1933! — but this year the longstanding Kurz family handed the keys of this German-style beer hall to Paddy Lynch, a developer who has also acquired The Schvitz, Convent Detroit, and Dutch Girl Donuts in recent years. You can come say “Prost!” at its 92nd birthday celebration on Wednesday, Aug. 6.
Dirty Shake
4642 2nd Ave., Detroit; dirtyshake.com
The latest project from the team behind Freya & Dragonfly, Chartreuse Kitchen & Cocktails, and The Oakland, Dirty Shake has a more relaxed concept. Its menu includes bar fare like burgers and wings, and drinks like Detroit’s famous Hummer cocktail.
Echelon Kitchen & Bar
200 S. Main St., Ann Arbor; echelonkitchenandbar.com
Formerly home to a BD’s Mongolian Grill, this 100-year-old building has
been reborn as a wood-fired, seasonal, vegetable-forward restaurant. Its menu features dishes like horseradish crème fraîche, roasted-beet flatbread with preserved lemon and pistachio gremolata, bucatini with lobster and squash, and dry-aged duck breast.
Effin Egg
4160 Cass Ave., Detroit; effineggdetroit.com
This national breakfast sandwich chain opened its first Michigan location earlier this year, a fast-casual option geared toward WSU students and Midtown workers.
Father Forgive Me
1265 Parkview St., Detroit; fatherfogiveme.com
Located in a former garage on the grounds of The Shepherd cultural arts center, this bar from the team behind downtown’s Standby and the Skip features cocktails and small plates.
Ford’s Garage
12575 Hall Rd., Utica; fordsgarageusa.com
This national chain, named after Ford Motor Co., has opened its third Michigan location in Macomb County. The menu boasts an auto theme with items like the Model “A” burger and Jumbo Piston Onion Rings, and the decor even includes a vintage car suspended above its central bar.
Franklin Oyster Bar
32760 Franklin Rd., Franklin; thefranklinmi.com
Ex-Rocket Companies CEO Jay Farner opened this new seafood restaurant in the 1848 carriage house that held the former Franklin Grill. With a kitchen led by executive chef Nick Geftos and Gerti Begaj (BESA Detroit), its menu features premium steaks, pasta, burgers, and weekend brunch.
HopCat Southgate
15231 Trenton Rd., Southgate; hopcat.com
This Michigan-based beer bar chain opened its 11th location in a former
Old Chicago Pizza + Taproom, its first Downriver location. The chain is known for having dozens of craft beers on tap and for its Cosmik Fries.
James Oliver Coffee Co.
3042 Biddle Ave., Wyandotte; jamesolivercoffee.com
Following locations in Corktown and downtown’s Guardian Building, this local cafe chain opened a third Downriver. (And it looks like a fourth is coming soon to Brush Park, too.)
Jinya Ramen Bar
129 S. Main St., Royal Oak; jinyaramenbar.com
This international high-end ramen chain moved into the space last occupied by an Andiamo Italian restaurant in 2018; its first Michigan location. Aside from ramen bowls (made with broths simmered for 20 hours), the menu includes small plates and cocktails.
The menu at Little Kim is centered around vegetarian and vegan bowls. GERARD + BELEVENDER
Just Smash It
529 E. Jefferson Ave., Detroit
Following its first location on Eight Mile Road in Warren, this local smashburger chain opened its second store in downtown Detroit. It has quickly become a hit: thanks to the connections of owner Matashia Dykes, it is popular with Detroit rappers.
La Pecora Nera
135 Pierce St., Birmingham; lapecoraneradetroit.com
Following locations in downtown Detroit in 2017 and Farmington in 2023, this local chain opened its third location in downtown Birmingham. Its menu features Italian deli-style sandwiches, salads, coffee, and gelato.
La Serre
201 Glen Ave., Ann Arbor; vanguardannarbor.com/la-serre
This French-inspired restaurant opened in Ann Arbor’s Vanguard Hotel, which offers breakfast, lunch, and dinner seven days a week.
Little Ghost
22305 Woodward Ave., Ferndale; eatlittleghost.com
A sister restaurant to Detroit’s Grey Ghost, Little Ghost is a carry-out spot with a focus on burgers, hot dogs, chicken tenders, fries, and more — a kid-friendly menu with the Grey Ghost team’s culinary touch.
Little Kim
407 N. 5th Ave., Ann Arbor; littlekimannarbor.com
Chef Ji Hye Kim earned a James Beard Award nomination for her acclaimed Korean eatery Miss Kim, and now she’s expanded across the street with a fastcasual, all-vegetarian menu centered on build-your-own bowls. The space also includes an Asian-themed mini-mart selling sauces and other grocery items.
The Lost Outpost
37550 Cherry Hill Rd., Westland; lotoutpostbar.com
This pop-up, which runs through Sept. 21., transforms the Legendary Axe into an immersive tiki bar. Tropical-themed cocktails and island-inspired fare are
location, its fifth, in the former Bobcat Bonnie’s at the Mall at Partridge Creek. It serves Mexican favorites like fajitas, tacos, burritos, chimichangas, enchiladas, and birria.
Pocket Change
1454 Gratiot Ave., Detroit
Opened in the former Collect Beer Bar in Eastern Market, this cocktail spot is helmed by Nelson Kazan (of SheWolf, Flowers of Vietnam, and the Apparatus Room). Its menu includes hand-crafted cocktails and curated wines.
The Rectory
1920 Atkinson St., Detroit; therectorydetroit.com
From the owners of the BostonEdition church-turned-coffee house the Congregation comes the Rectory (literally built in the church’s former rectory). It serves up Neapolitan-style pizzas, salads, and appetizers including lamb meatballs.
Roar Brewing Co.
666 Selden St., Detroit; roar.beer
served alongside a stunning set that includes a smoking volcano and wisecracking animatronic parrots. Guests can even solve riddles to earn prizes.
Minnie’s Detroit
5221 Trumbull, Detroit; minniesdetroit.com
Helmed by Yvonne Byrd of the former Vondie’s On The River, Minnie’s opened in Woodbridge earlier this year. Its menu includes items like Lollipop Lamb Chops, Seafood Mac-N-Cheese, Catfish Nuggets, and more bar fare.
Mockery Zero Proof
7400 W. McNichols Rd., Detroit; mockeryzeroproof.com
Billed as the first non-alcoholic bottle shop and cocktail lounge in the city, Mockery Zero Proof features dozens of meticulously crafted mocktails.
Mr. Miguel’s Kitchen & Cantina
17330 Hall Rd., Suite 195, Clinton Twp.; mrmiguels.com
This location chain opened its latest
Founded by U.S. Air Force vet Evan Fay, this is billed as Detroit’s first Black-owned brewery, opening in the former Nain Rouge Brewery space. Its menu is simple, with straightforward brews like the Honey Oat Stout, Roar Pilsner, Roar Wheat Beer, and Roar Saison.
Sidecar Slider Bar
241 W. Nine Mile Rd., Ferndale; sidecarsliderbar.com
After more than 12 years in business, Ferndale’s Public House restaurant closed earlier this year. Local chain Sidecar Slider Bar soon moved in, bringing its menu of burgers, hot dogs, tacos, and cocktails into the space.
The Spice and Tea Exchange
17037 Kercheval Ave., Grosse Pointe; spiceandtea.com
A national brand, this chain stocks its shelves with all manner of teas, herbs, spices, and handcrafted signature blends mixed in-store, with teas that can be sampled at the in-store tea bar.
A.M. Buzz recently opened inside downtown Detroit's Cambria Hotel.
KOUCAR MANAGEMENT
WHAT’S GOING ON
Roadkill Nights Powered by Dodge
We on Woodward wit it! Dodge is celebrating 10 years of taking over Woodward Avenue with its annual Roadkill Nights event, with legal street racing, burnouts, and lots of Detroit steel. Festivities also include a performance of the national anthem by blues guitarist Kenny Wayne Shepherd, celebrity guests like Dodge drag racers Matt Hagan and Leah Pruett, David Freiburger and Mike Finnegan of YouTube’s Roadkill, HGTV’s Cristy Lee, and more. Fans can also get rides in the all-new Dodge Charger.
From 10 a.m.-9 p.m. on Saturday, Aug. 9; downtown Pontiac; hotrod.com/ roadkillnights. Tickets start at $25 for general admission, or $20 for Pontiac residents at the gate with valid ID; no cover for children 12 and under and Stellantis workers with ID (plus one).
Esham
The influential horrorcore emcee from Detroit brings his “acid rap” to the ’burbs. The stacked lineup also includes the Convalescence, Mantra Of Morta, the Michigan Misfits, Ghosts In Motion, Yayo, Punch Out, Neverender, Splinters, Shadow People, and A Juggalo Named Boom.
Starts at 4:30 p.m. on Saturday, Aug. 9; Diesel Concert Lounge, 33151 23 Mile Rd., New Baltimore; dieselconcerts.com. Tickets are $29.
Detroit City Distillery Hot Honey Bourbon Release Party
Detroit City Distillery has a new hot new bourbon that sounds pretty sweet, too. The Eastern Market-based distillery has
Roadkill Nights
COURTESY PHOTO
SELECTIONS
ers Bees in the D for its limited-edition Honey Bourbon. Now, the two have collaborated for a new small-batch Hot Honey Bourbon, adding a spicy kick to the fan favorite. The Hot Honey Bourbon will be released starting at 8 a.m. on Friday, Aug. 8. The bottles will be sold for $60 online and are available for pickup at DCD’s Eastern Market tasting room, where the distillery will celebrate with a release party. Specialty cocktails featuring the Hot Honey Bourbon will be available from its bar, and the first 75 guests receive a hot honey Bee Sting Pizza from Detroit’s Mootz Pizzeria. Bees on the D will also be on hand to sample their honey made from Detroit honeybees.
Starts at 4 p.m., Detroit City Distillery tasting room at 2462 Riopelle St., Detroit; detroitcitydistillery.com
Lord Huron
Originally from Michigan (yes, frontman Ben Schneider named the project after Lake Huron), the band’s fifth album The Cosmic Selector Vol. 1 pushes its take on atmospheric Americana to new heights. It does so with some star power, too: The track “Who Laughs Last” features spoken-word narration from A-list actor Kristen Stewart. Kentucky singer-songwriter S.G. Goodman and Detroit indie rock band Jackamo round out the bill.
Starts at 7:00 p.m. on Saturday, Aug. 9; Meadow Brook Amphitheatre, 3554 Walton Blvd., Rochester Hills; 313presents.com. Tickets start at $146.
Linkin Park
Last year, chart-topping nu metal
dropping From Zero, its first new music since 2017 and the death of its co-lead vocalist Chester Bennington by suicide. That was possible with the addition of singer Emily Armstrong — who manages to channel Bennington’s signature screams while also bringing new energy to the group. The tour’s Detroit stop features support from Massachusetts pop rock act Pvris.
Starts at 7:30 p.m. on Thursday, Aug. 14; Little Caesars Arena, 2645 Woodward Ave., Detroit; 313presents.com. Tickets start at $56.
Woodward Dream Cruise 30th Anniversary
For decades, this late-summer tradition of driving classic and unique
has garnered both fans and haters. If you fall into the latter camp, consider embracing the chaos this year: It’s the 30th anniversary of the Woodward Dream Cruise, which started as a fundraiser to build a soccer field in Ferndale and now lays claim to being the largest oneday automotive event in the U.S. Maybe we should just enjoy it while it lasts, because who knows — perhaps in the near future all vehicles will be electric and autonomous, and this event will seem like a strange dream. (And if it really just ain’t your thing, seek alternate routes!)
From 9 a.m.-9 p.m. on Saturday, Aug. 16; along Woodward Avenue from Ferndale to Pontiac; woodwarddreamcruise.com
A reformed Linkin Park is headed to Little Caesars Arena on Thursday, Aug. 14.
COURTESY PHOTO
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, Aug. 6
Live/Concert
Cubist Agenda 8 pm-midnight; First Place Lounge, 16921 Harper Ave, Detroit; No Cover.
Damien Escobar 7:30 pm; The Aretha Franklin Amphitheatre, 2600 E. Atwater St., Detroit; $15-$70.
Jazzy Night Series 7:30 pm; The Aretha Franklin Amphitheatre, 2600 E. Atwater St., Detroit; $15-$70.
Lake Orion Live! Concert Series 6:30-8 pm; Children’s Park, 201 S Broadway St, Lake Orion; Free.
Magic Bag Presents: Sixpence
None the Richer 7 pm; Magic Bag, 22920 Woodward Ave., Ferndale.
Matt Larusso Trio and guests 8-11 pm; Northern Lights Lounge, 660 W. Baltimore St., Detroit; no cover.
Zao, Balmora, Girl of Glass, Godseyes 6 pm; Sanctuary Detroit, 2932 Caniff St., Hamtramck.
DJ/Dance
Planet Funk 7-10 pm; Spkr Box, 200 Grand River, Detroit; Karaoke/Open Mic
Continuing This Week Karaoke/ Open Mic
Hump Day Karaoke & Music
Trivia 8 pm-1 am; Pronto! Royal Oak, 608 S. Washington, Royal Oak; No Cover.
Thursday, Aug. 7
Live/Concert
Bong Wizard, Plague of Carcosa, Bog Wizard, Solar Monolith 6 pm; Sanctuary Detroit, 2932 Caniff St., Hamtramck.
Boots on The Ground 8 pm; The Aretha Franklin Amphitheatre, 2600 E. Atwater St., Detroit.
Brea Fournier & the Dream Ballet - Manic Pixie Dream Tour 7-11 pm; Ziggy’s, 206 W. Michigan Ave., Ypsilanti; $10.
Celebrating Meat Loaf and Rocky Horror 8 p.m.; Caesars Palace Windsor - Augustus Ballroom, 377 E. Riverside Dr., Windsor.
Chris Brown: Breezy Bowl XX 7 pm; Ford Field, 2000 Brush St., Detroit; Dueling Pianos: An Interactive Entertainment Experience 8 pm-midnight; AXIS Lounge, 1777 3rd St., Detroit.
Great White & Slaughter 8 pm; Sound Board, 2901 Grand River Ave., Detroit.
Kickstand Productions Presents: The Age Of Madness w/ Special Guests TBA 7 pm; Magic Bag, 22920 Woodward Ave., Ferndale.
KILLER DILLER PRESENTS SKA
THURSDAY @ BATCH BREWING 7-10 pm; Batch Brewing Company, 1400 Porter St, Detroit, Detroit; $10.
Dueling Pianos: An Interactive Entertainment Experience 8 pm-midnight; AXIS Lounge, 1777 3rd St., Detroit.
DJ/Dance
Curated Cool 7-10 pm; Spkr Box, 200 Grand River, Detroit.
Karaoke/Open Mic
Continuing This Week Karaoke/ Open Mic
Drag Queen Karaoke 8 pm-2 am; Woodward Avenue Brewers, 22646 Woodward Ave., Ferndale; no cover.
Elixer: DJs John Ryan and GEO 8 pm-midnight; Northern Lights Lounge, 660 W. Baltimore St., Detroit; No cover.
Friday, Aug. 8
Live/Concert
Chris Brown: Breezy Bowl XX 7 pm; Ford Field, 2000 Brush St., Detroit; FREECELL (live set) / JOHN BELTRAN (DJ set) 8-11:30 pm; Moondog Cafe, 8045 Linwood St #2, Detroit; $15.
In This Moment w/ WARGASM 5 pm; Detroit Masonic Temple Library, 500 Temple St, Detroit.
Kat Von D - Bus Meet and Greet 7:15 pm; Detroit Masonic Temple Library, 500 Temple St, Detroit.
Kickstand Productions Presents: Delilah Bon w/ Special Guests
TBA 7 pm; Magic Bag, 22920 Woodward Ave., Ferndale.
Kimmie Horne Jazz Festival returns to Southfield August 8 & 9 6-9 pm; Southfield Municipal Campus, 26000 Evergreen Road., Southfield; Free.
Kimmie Horne Jazz Festival Returns to Southfield for Monumental 10th Anniversary Celebration August 8–9, 2025 6-9 pm;
Southfield Municipal Campus, 26000 Evergreen Road, Southfield; Free. Nick Galecki, Yellow House, Remnants 7 pm; The Loving Touch, 22634 Woodward Ave., Ferndale.
Sawyer Brown 8-9:30 pm; FIM Capitol Theatre, 140 E 2nd Street, Flint; $47.50 - $127.90.
Summer Sounds 5-8 pm; The Mall at Partridge Creek, 17420 Hall Rd., Clinton Township; Free.
THE FRAY - How To Save A Life: The 20th Anniversary Tour 7 pm; The Fillmore, 2115 Woodward Ave., Detroit; $35-$89.50.
UC3 Trio 5-8 pm; The Village of Rochester Hills, NE corner of Walton and Adams, Rochester Hills; FREE.
Zapp Band Special Guest Bootsy Collins 8 pm; The Music Hall, 350 Madison Ave., Detroit;
Kimmie Horne Jazz Festival Returns to Southfield for Monumental 10th Anniversary Celebration August 8–9, 2025 3-9 pm; Southfield Municipal Campus, 26000 Evergreen Road, Southfield; Free.
Summer Sounds 5-8 pm; The Mall at Partridge Creek, 17420 Hall Rd., Clinton Township; Free.
DJ/Dance
Ann Arbor Ecstatic Dance second Friday of every month, 7:30-10:30 pm; Ringstar Studio, 3907 Varsity Dr, Ann Arbor, Michigan 48108, Ann Arbor; $25-40 ($5 discount for cash).
Elevated Fridays At Cielo Rooftop Detroit 9 pm-midnight; Cielo Rooftop Bar, 600 W Lafayette Blvd, Detroit, MI 48226, Detroit.
Open Air Fridays 4-10 pm; Woodbridge Pub, 5169 Trumbull St., Detroit.
Saturday, Aug. 9
Live/Concert
Kimmie Horne Jazz Festival returns to Southfield August 8 & 9 6-9 pm; Southfield Municipal Campus, 26000 Evergreen Road., Southfield; Free.
Summer Sounds 5-8 pm; The Mall at Partridge Creek, 17420 Hall Rd., Clinton Township; Free.
CHAYCE BECKHAM 7 pm; District 142, 142 Maple St., Wyandotte; Dope Shows Presents Cash Money Millionaires 30th Anniversary 8 pm; Little Caesars Arena, 2645 Woodward Ave., Detroit; Esham 5:30 pm;
Diesel Concert Lounge, 33151 23 Mile Rd., New Baltimore.
Fitz and The Tantrums with Ax and the Hatchetmen 6:30 pm; Majestic Theatre, 4140 Woodward Ave., Detroit; 34.50.
Frail Body, Abuse Repression, Insearchofbastila, Rosacade, I Have No Mouth 6, 6:30 & 8:30 pm; Sanctuary Detroit, 2932 Caniff St., Hamtramck.
J Boog 7 pm; Saint Andrew’s Hall, 431 E. Congress St., Detroit.
Lord Huron 7 7:30 pm; Meadow Brook Amphitheatre, 3554 Walton Blvd., Rochester Hills; $39.50-$129.50.
Magic Bag Presents: MEGA 80s vs SQUARE PEGZ 6:30 pm; Magic Bag, 22920 Woodward Ave., Ferndale; Powerage -ACDC & Black Mountain Crowes Black Crowes 8 pm; Northville Marquis Theater, 135 E Main St, Northville; $20 Advance/$25 at the Door.
ROOFTOP RHYTHMS at Cielo Rooftop Detroit 8-11 pm; Cielo Rooftop Bar, 600 W Lafayette Blvd, Detroit, MI 48226, Detroit; $10.
Saints & Sinners: The Forbidden Stage 8-11:30 pm; Detroit Shipping Company, 474 Peterboro St., Detroit; Donation.
State, Wolfenstein, Eight Ball Death, Loyalist, Crow Punks, Exorcist 3:30 pm; Sanctuary Detroit, 2932 Caniff St., Hamtramck.
Summer Sounds 5-8 pm; The Mall at Partridge Creek, 17420 Hall Rd., Clinton Township; Free.
Tension Splash • The Kings of Strings • Snapcat Bandits • The Rising Fall 7:30 pm; The Token Lounge, 28949 Joy Rd., Westland.
The Messenger Birds, GloomCo., Bad Magnets 7:30 pm; The Loving Touch, 22634 Woodward Ave., Ferndale. WesGhost – CAN WE GO BACK TO SLEEP TOUR 8 pm; Magic Stick, 4120 Woodward Ave., Detroit.
Summer Sounds 3-6 pm; The Mall at Partridge Creek, 17420 Hall Rd., Clinton Township; Free.
ROOFTOP RHYTHMS at Cielo Rooftop Detroit 8-11 pm; Cielo Rooftop Bar, 600 W Lafayette Blvd, Detroit, MI 48226, Detroit; $10.
DJ/Dance
Saturday Grind 11 am-3 pm; Spkr Box, 200 Grand River, Detroit;
Sunday, Aug. 10 Live/Concert
Summer Sounds 5-8 pm; The Mall at
Partridge Creek, 17420 Hall Rd., Clinton Township; Free.
15th Annual Ton Up Ypsi Motorcycle & Music Festival @ Arbor Brewing Company 12-7 pm; 15th Annual Ton Up Ypsi Motorcycle & Music Festival @ Arbor Brewing Company, 720 Norris St, Ypsilanti; free.
Broncho - National Pleasure Tour 2025 7 pm; The Shelter, 431 E. Congress St., Detroit; $27.50.
Magic Bag Presents: Red Wanting Blue with JD Eicher 7 pm; Magic Bag, 22920 Woodward Ave., Ferndale;
Phil Ogilvie’s Rhythm Kings 5-8 pm; Zal Gaz Grotto Club, 2070 W. Stadium Blvd., Ann Arbor; No Cover (tipjar for the band).
Redhearts, Custodians, Drop Ceiling, Maternal Instinct 6 pm; Sanctuary Detroit, 2932 Caniff St., Hamtramck;
Summer Sounds 3-6 pm; The Mall at Partridge Creek, 17420 Hall Rd., Clinton Township; Free.
The Greeting Committee 7 pm; The Loving Touch, 22634 Woodward Ave., Ferndale;
Phil Ogilvie’s Rhythm Kings 5-8 pm; Zal Gaz Grotto Club, 2070 W. Stadium Blvd., Ann Arbor; No Cover (tipjar for the band).
DJ/Dance
SPKR BRNCH 11 am-3 pm; Spkr Box, 200 Grand River, Detroit.
Karaoke/Open Mic
Continuing This Week Karaoke/ Open Mic
Sunday Karaoke in the Lounge 5-9 pm; Bowlero Lanes & Lounge, 4209 Coolidge Hwy., Royal Oak.
Sunday Service Karaoke Hosted by Sister DJ Larry 8 pm-1 am; Pronto! Royal Oak, 608 S. Washington, Royal Oak; No Cover.
Monday, Aug. 11
Live/Concert
Sky Covington Satin Doll Revue
A Tribute to Dinah Washington, Billie Holiday, Etta James, Nancy Wilson & Nina Simone 7:30-10 pm; Aretha’s Jazz Cafe, 350 Madison St., Detroit; 40.00.
DJ/Dance
Adult Skate Night 8:30-11 pm; Lexus Velodrome, 601 Mack Ave., Detroit; $5.
Tuesday, Aug. 12
Live/Concert
Citizen Soldier: The HeartSupport Tour 6 pm; Saint Andrew’s Hall, 431 E. Congress St., Detroit;
Jessie Murph - Worldwide Hysteria 7 pm; The Fillmore, 2115 Woodward Ave., Detroit.
Ramirez 7 pm; The Loving Touch, 22634 Woodward Ave., Ferndale.
Sean Blackman’s In Transit 7-10
pm; Northern Lights Lounge, 660 W. Baltimore St., Detroit; no cover.
Sean Blackman’s In Transit 7-10
pm; Northern Lights Lounge, 660 W. Baltimore St., Detroit; no cover.
DJ/Dance
Soul Tone second Tuesday of every month, 9 pm-2 am; The High Dive, 11474 Joseph Campau Ave., Hamtramck; Karaoke/Open Mic
Continuing This Week Karaoke/ Open Mic
Open Mic : Art in a Fly Space 7-10 pm; Detroit Shipping Company, 474 Peterboro St., Detroit; no cover.
Tuesday Karaoke in the Lounge 8 pm-midnight; Bowlero Lanes & Lounge, 4209 Coolidge Hwy., Royal Oak.
VIP Tuesday Night Karaoke 9 pm-1 am; Pronto! Royal Oak, 608 S. Washington, Royal Oak; No Cover.
Wednesday, Aug. 13
Live/Concert
Cubist Agenda 8 pm-midnight; First Place Lounge, 16921 Harper Ave, Detroit; No Cover.
Jazzy Night Series 7:30 pm; The Aretha Franklin Amphitheatre, 2600 E. Atwater St., Detroit; $15-$70.
Lake Orion Live! Concert Series
6:30-8 pm; Children’s Park, 201 S Broadway St, Lake Orion; Free!.
Matt Larusso Trio and guests 8-11 pm; Northern Lights Lounge, 660 W. Baltimore St., Detroit; no cover.
CAKE 8 pm; Michigan Lottery Amphitheatre at Freedom Hill, 14900 Metropolitan Pkwy., Sterling Heights; $35-$99.
CLASSIC LOUNGE SOUNDS w/ KESHTKAR & CO. second Wednesday of every month, 8-11 pm; Bowlero Lanes & Lounge, 4209 Coolidge Hwy., Royal Oak.
Cubist Agenda 8 pm-midnight; First Place Lounge, 16921 Harper Ave, Detroit; No Cover.
Curse Mackey wsg Sine + Void Palace 7 pm; Small’s, 10339 Conant St., Hamtramck.
Jazzy Night Series 7:30 pm; The Aretha Franklin Amphitheatre, 2600 E. Atwater St., Detroit; $15-$70.
Lake Orion Live! Concert Series 6:30-8 pm; Children’s Park, 201 S Broadway St, Lake Orion; Free.
SummerFest Concert: Persuasion Band 6:30-9 pm; The War Memorial, 32 Lake Shore Drive, Grosse Pointe Farms; Free-$50.
The Legendary Count Basie Orchestra 7:30 pm; The Aretha Franklin Amphitheatre, 2600 E. Atwater St., Detroit; $15-$70.
Matt Larusso Trio and guests 8-11 pm; Northern Lights Lounge, 660 W. Baltimore St., Detroit; no cover.
DJ/Dance
Planet Funk 7-10 pm; Spkr Box, 200 Grand River, Detroit.
Karaoke/Open Mic
Continuing This Week Karaoke/ Open Mic
Hump Day Karaoke & Music Trivia 8 pm-1 am; Pronto! Royal Oak, 608 S. Washington, Royal Oak; No Cover.
Thursday, Aug. 14
Live/Concert
Dueling Pianos: An Interactive Entertainment Experience 8 pm-midnight; AXIS Lounge, 1777 3rd St., Detroit.
Jessie Murph - Worldwide Hysteria 7 pm; The Fillmore, 2115 Woodward Ave., Detroit;
Death Before Dishonor, Street Power, Moral Pollution , 6:30 pm; Pike Room, 1 S. Saginaw, Pontiac. King Parrot, Squid Pisser, Bonginator , 7 pm; Sanctuary Detroit, 2932 Caniff St., Hamtramck.
LINKIN PARK: From Zero World Tour - 2025 , 7:30 pm; Little Caesars Arena, 2645 Woodward Ave., Detroit; $59.50-$199.50.
MEZZANINE SWIMMERS + EMPTY STREETS + PLAY WITH FRIENDS + MARC GOVERNANTI + HORSE BOMB + DJ FUNNYPAT + DJ PRINCESS MOTH MOTHY MOTH MOTH , 6:30-11:45 pm; Spread Art, 5141 Rosa Parks Blvd., Detroit; $10. Midrift , 6 pm; Edgemen, 19757 15 Mile Rd., Clinton Twp.
Poolside Performance: Tales from Thonis-Heraclion , 6:30-8 pm; Cranbrook Art Museum, 39221 N. Woodward Ave., Bloomfield Hills; Free.
WDET Presents: Sounds Like Detroit 2025 , 7-10 pm; Batch Brewing Company, 1400 Porter St, Detroit, Detroit; $25.
Wet Denim with Dusty Rose Gang + Hondo , 8 pm; Sgt. Pepperoni’s Pizzeria & Deli, 4120 Woodward Avenue, Detroit.
Xzibit & DJ Quik , 8 pm; Sound Board, 2901 Grand River Ave., Detroit;
DJ/Dance
Curated Cool 7-10 pm; Spkr Box, 200 Grand River, Detroit. Karaoke/Open Mic
Continuing This Week Karaoke/ Open Mic
Drag Queen Karaoke 8 pm-2 am; Woodward Avenue Brewers, 22646 Woodward Ave., Ferndale; no cover.
Elixer: DJs John Ryan and GEO 8 pm-midnight; Northern Lights Lounge, 660 W. Baltimore St., Detroit; No cover.
Friday, Aug. 15
Live/Concert
Summer Sounds 5-8 pm; The Mall at Partridge Creek, 17420 Hall Rd., Clinton Township; Free.
Ashwin Gane Presents: The Cruise Culture Concert Weekend 7 pm; Pike Room, 1 S. Saginaw, Pontiac.
COLORS Worldwide Presents:
R&B ONLY LIVE (18+) 8 pm; Saint Andrew’s Hall, 431 E. Congress St., Detroit.
Get the Led Out 8 pm; Sound Board, 2901 Grand River Ave., Detroit.
Jack Spivey, Nick Piunti 8 pm; The Loving Touch, 22634 Woodward Ave., Ferndale.
Magic Bag Presents: KIESZA wsg Bonnie McKee 7 pm; Magic Bag, 22920 Woodward Ave., Ferndale.
R&B ONLY LIVE - Detroit, MI (10 Year Anniversary) 7:45 pm; Saint Andrew’s Hall, 431 E. Congress St., Detroit.
R+D Band 5-8 pm; The Village of Rochester Hills, NE corner of Walton and Adams, Rochester Hills; FREE.
Sparks Fly- Taylor Swift Experience-All Ages 7 pm; Northville Marquis Theater, 135 E Main St, Northville; $20 Advance/$25 at the door.
Summer Sounds 5-8 pm; The Mall at Partridge Creek, 17420 Hall Rd., Clinton Township; Free.
The Queers, The Jasons 6 pm; Sanctuary Detroit, 2932 Caniff St., Hamtramck.
TWISTA 8 pm-midnight; Diamondback Music Hall, 49345 S. Interstate 94 Service Dr., Belleville; $35.
Wave To Earth: 0.03 Tour 7 pm; The Fillmore, 2115 Woodward Ave., Detroit.
Ashwin Gane Presents: The Cruise Culture Concert Weekend 7 pm; Pike Room, 1 S. Saginaw, Pontiac.
Summer Sounds 5-8 pm; The Mall at Partridge Creek, 17420 Hall Rd., Clinton Township; Free.
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CULTURE
Film A convincing period drama of the 2020 pandemic
By Jared Rasic, Last Word Features
Eddington
Rated: R
Runtime: 149 minutes
Ari Aster’s new film Eddington is a lot of things. It’s a period piece set in May 2020, right as the COVID lockdown and mask mandates were being implemented. It’s a neo-noir revisionist western hung across the backdrop of a dying town in New Mexico. (Noir Mexico?) It’s a doomscroll into the heart of America. It’s an unflinching look at the relentless culture war that kicked into a new gear during COVID and turned the U.S. into a country-sized Tower of Babel we’re all precariously teetering on the edge of, before eventually surrendering to the inevitable fall. It’s a gut-busting comedy and a cynical, cacophonous howl at the absurdity of all of us amplifying our voices louder than they have ever been in history, while still not understanding the words coming out of each other’s mouths.
More than anything, Eddington is a satire that is so fearlessly constructed that most people eager to be outraged won’t even realize where to place their anger until the film is almost over. Aster knew that if he stated his politics too plainly he would only be preaching to the choir. So instead he built a 155-minute masterpiece that not only
captures the solitude of living online, which was initially promised as a thing that would foster connection more than foment hatred, but also manages to capture a snapshot of America that feels immediate and momentous.
Eddington won’t make much money and most audiences and some critics will think it’s a tonally inconsistent mess that fails to state any of its ideas with subtlety. I can’t disagree with that statement, other than to say I’m not sure we live in a time where subtlety is warranted or appreciated. Satire shouldn’t be subtle anymore. It needs to be brutal. A timeless satire needs to hit people in the face so hard that when they open their front doors, the sky doesn’t look the same anymore. Stanley Kubrick wasn’t after subtlety with Dr. Strangelove and Paddy Chayefsky certainly wasn’t trying to gently communicate ideas with Network. I hold Aster to those same standards.
Joaquin Phoenix gives another densely nuanced performance here, this time playing Joe Cross, the sheriff of Eddington, New Mexico, a dilapidated small town in desperate need of some financial blood to revive its dying infrastructure. This blood is coming by way of a new massive data center, which is being spearheaded by Mayor Ted Garcia (an always welcome Pedro Pascal).
The mayor and the sheriff don’t
like each other much. Cross doesn’t like wearing a mask because he has asthma and despises Garcia for his easy-going popularity, charisma, and mask mandate. Garcia thinks Cross is a fool and doesn’t understand why he wouldn’t want a massive data center to come to town. These men speak to each other constantly throughout the film and I’m not sure they hear each other once.
I don’t want to give any more of the story away other than to say it’s a compelling and unpredictable one that takes the blackly funny violence of early Coen Bros, the western deconstructionism of Unforgiven, and the anxiety-riddled existentialism of Aster’s earlier work and congeals into something that feels like an historical record of a time most of us would rather forget.
One of the first days of lockdown, I was lying in bed in the middle of the night, scrolling through Instagram and watching in real time what felt like the world ending. My area was surrounded by wildfires, so even the air outside was unsafe to breathe and all I could do was look at all these other people across the world going through similar things (most people in much worse situations than myself). Instead of finding solidarity, I watched COVID politicize and divide my country in a way that felt, well, straight out of a bleakly
cynical satire. Instead of a pandemic reminding us that we were all humans, struggling together on a rock floating in space, we chose to hoard toilet paper and act like mid-tantrum children. Somehow, Aster captures that feeling of society in decline in a single two-and-ahalf-hour film.
Eddington is hard to watch because there was nothing remotely pleasurable about being alive in 2020. Somehow still, the film manages to be hilarious, heart-wrenching, shocking, infuriating, and genuinely exciting, while still feeling like an honest, microcosmic appraisal of America. But Aster forgoes the miserabilist themes of Beau is Afraid and Hereditary for something that, while not necessarily hopeful, feels like it sees something positive that could be on the horizon.
The irony of so much of Eddington being built around the construction of a data center in a town where the communication breakdown is total and irreversible is delicious. Aster knows exactly how to poke fun at our hypocrisies, insecurities, and obsessions, while still being playful enough not to feel like a scold. Are we still too close to 2020 for us to be comfortable looking into a funhouse mirror of those days? Probably. But I still found great catharsis in watching Eddington. The film is essential. Maybe not right now, but it will be.
Joaquin Phoenix and Pedro Pascal in Eddington
COURTESY PHOTO
MUSIC WEED
The Straight Dope
Eastside Alchemy is raising the bar for live rosin in Michigan
By Steve Neavling
At a time when cannabis concentrates are flooding Michigan’s cannabis market, few producers are delivering the kind of consistent, flavorful, and clean hash rosin that Eastside Alchemy puts out with every batch.
Founded by friends with years of experience making hash, Eastside Alchemy is a small, tight-knit operation based in Lansing. The team has built a reputation for producing some of the state’s most reliable live rosin, a solventless extract known for its purity and terpene-rich flavors.
“We’re the most anti-corporate hash brand out there,” Aaron Strachan, one of the partners behind Eastside Alchemy, tells me. “There are five of us, and it’s legitimately owner-operated. We all step up and help in different areas. We pack orders ourselves. We bust our ass.”
And it shows. Their offerings are fun and flavorful, with strains like Trix, Burnt Orange, Bloo Octane, Strawberry Pie, and Zazul #2. No matter what profile you’re looking for — fruity, funky, gassy, candy or floral — Eastside Alchemy produces it.
Their rosin comes in distinctive tin packaging with bright artwork.
Eastside Alchemy is also known for rosin collaborations with high-quality flower cultivators like Hytek, Michigrown, Peninsula Gardens, Tip Top Crop, Exotic Matter, and Kai. The collaborations show that top-tier growers know that Eastside Alchemy is a leader in producing good rosin and will bring out the best in their strains.
Eastside Alchemy also regularly releases flavorful blends like “Tri-Pie Funk,” a combination of three rosin strains, showing off the team’s creativity.
“We do some really cool blends,” John Vogl, owner of Eastside Alchemy, says. “We’ve done a lot of them, and we’re done it consistently.”
As the crew leans more into genetics, Eastside Alchemy is increasingly producing single-source, in-house rosin that is unique and dialed in.
“We wanted to be confident in our genetics and what we put out,” Vogl says. “Now a majority of what we have coming out comes from in-house.”
Statewide, more than 300 dispensaries
sell Eastside Alchemy products, which is a testament to the popularity of the rosin.
Eastside Alchemy’s rosin usually comes in one-gram jars and sleek halfgram vapes with glass tips. By focusing exclusively on those products, the crew can focus on quality and production.
“We’ve always had the mindset of quality over quantity, even if that’s perfecting just the jars and carts before expanding,” Vogl says.
Strachan adds, “We always want to produce something that we would get off the shelves for ourselves. We are pretty selective.”
The jars generally range from $45 to $55 and can be found in many dispensaries in metro Detroit. But here’s a little secret: The best prices for Eastside Alchemy is at the Refinery in Detroit, which also has one of the largest selections of the brand’s rosin.
For those who prefer the convenience of rosin vapes, Eastside Alchemy is the way to go. While most vape pens are made of plastic, Eastside Alchemy’s sleek devices have a ceramic atomizer and glass tip. There’s no power button. Just take a pull for a clean and flavorful hit.
You get the added benefit of knowing you helped a veteran-owned business in Michigan. Unlike many vapes that are made in China, these devices come from Monroe County-based O2Vape.
“We have the best disposables on the market,” Vogl says.
After Eastside Alchemy began using the devices from O2Vape, other rosin producers followed suit. But the market is still dominated by plastic vapes made in Asia.
The vapes range from $32 to $45.
While vapes are convenient, I prefer electronic rigs, or e-rigs. They offer precise temperature controls and deliver smoother, more flavorful hits.
If you’re new to dabbing or don’t want to spend a lot, a popular choice is the Puffco Pivot, a discreet, pen-sized dabber. For the ultimate dabbing experience, though, look no further than Dr.Dabber and Puffco Peak.
“The e-rigs are very user-friendly,” Rob Poniatowski, a partner at Eastside Alchemy says. “They work right out of
A tight-knit team is earning a reputation for top-tier solventless extracts. STEVE NEAVLING
the box. That’s been a game changer.”
Later this year, Eastside Alchemy plans to extend its lineup with hash holes, which are massive joints usually stuffed with 1.5 grams of flower and 0.5 grams of rosin.
Eastside Alchemy’s success comes at a time when more consumers are choosing concentrates such as rosin. In Michigan, concentrates are now on pace to surpass $1 billion in annual sales, grabbing a larger share of the recreational cannabis market than ever. In May 2025 alone, concentrates, including vape cartridges, generated $108.2 million, nearly matching flower sales of $117.9 million.
Concentrates now represent 39% of Michigan’s recreational cannabis sales, a significant increase from May 2022, when they accounted for 30% of the market with approximately $49 million in sales, according to cannabis analytics firm Headset.
In a market dominated by cheap, mass-produced concentrates, cultivators like Eastside Alchemy are standing out for prioritizing precision, consistency, and quality. Top-tier rosin tastes better, hits cleaner and smoother, and produces a more dynamic high.
By getting it right, Eastside Alchemy has become one of the elite rosin producers in Michigan.
“One thing I don’t ever have to worry about is getting a call from someone saying it’s a bad product,” Vogl says. “It makes my job a lot easier.”
Despite the rapid growth in concen-
trate sales, Vogl says many people still don’t fully understand what rosin is or why it matters.
“When you don’t know what you don’t know, it’s intimidating as shit,” he says. “I think we need to do a better job demonstrating that.”
For me, rosin’s appeal lies in the experience. It doesn’t hit with the harshness or crash often associated with other concentrates. The effects are smooth, uplighting, and long-lasting.
I sampled five of Eastside Alchemy’s jars and two vapes, and all were impressive. What initially struck me was how consistently smooth, creamy, and uniform they all were. It was obvious these guys know what they’re doing.
Slimez
Slimez, a cross between TMZ and Zoap, is a sweet-tasting hybrid that smells and tastes like candy, with a fruity and soapy aroma. The rosin has a smooth, creamy texture, with just the right amount of shine. The high is strong but not sedating. Great for winding down without nodding off.
Too Much Grape
Loud and unmistakable, this cross of TMZ and Grape Pie opens with a sharp, sugary grape aroma. The texture of Too Much Grape is a wet, soft, and creamy badder that’s easy to handle. The high starts behind the eyes and creeps into a relaxing buzz. Perfect for a night at home.
The Hive
A combination of Honey Banana and Papaya, The Hive oozes tropical fruit from the moment you crack the jar. This is one of the strongest flavor profiles I’ve ever dabbed. The rosin is glossy, smooth, and easy to scoop. On the inhale, the flavor is sweet, with a little funk on the exhale. A great evening strain for zoning out or getting lost on Netflix.
Strawberry Pie
Crack the jar and you get hit with a sweet, unmistakable strawberry flavor that is a little doughy. A cross between Strawguava and Grape Pie, Strawberry Pie has a rich strawberry nose with a subtle baked finish. The rosin has a smooth, creamy texture, with a nice light-yellow hue. The high is relaxing and settles into a mellow body buzz that makes this ideal for lazy afternoons.
Tri-Pie Funk
A fruity, savory strain, Tri-Pie Funk is a blend of three strains — Tricho Jordan, Strawberry Pie, and Funk Mountain. It dabs smooth and explodes with a creamy, funky, and fruity flavor. The badder is soft, creamy, and easy to handle. The high smacks quickly and settles into a relaxed, full-body calm.
Space Guava
One of my favorite rosin strains this year has been Space Guava, a collaboration between Eastside Alchemy and Tip Top Crop. The guava flavor is spot on, and the high is long-lasting, functional, and energizing. For this review, I sampled Eastside Alchemy’s Space Guava vape, and I was impressed. The taste translated well, and the hits were smooth and flavorful. It’s perfect for daytime vaping.
Fish Scale
Another collaboration between Eastside Alchemy and Tip Top Crop, Fish Scale boasts a surprisingly complex flavor that blends fruit and pepper with a dash of funk. The high is more sedate and relaxing, hitting heavy behind the eyes. Great for evening use, zoning out with music, or washing away stress.
In an industry dominated by speed and volume, Eastside Alchemy is a reminder that craft and care make a big difference. The team has earned the trust of dabbers, producing consistently clean, smooth, and flavorful rosin.
Whether you’re a rosin connoisseur or just starting to explore solventless concentrates, it’s hard to go wrong when the people behind the product treat each batch with so much detail to attention.
With so many strains and collaborations, Eastside Alchemy makes it easy finding rosin that will keep you coming back for more.
Savage Love Blood Sport
By Dan Savage CULTURE
Dear Readers: I’m away on my last reconnecting-with-family trip of the summer. This column originally appeared in 2018. Back with an all-new, action-packed Savage Love Quickies column next week.
Dan
: Q I’m a professional dominatrix, and I thought I’d seen everything in the last five years. But this situation completely baffled the entire dungeon. This middle-aged guy, seemingly in fine health, booked an appointment with me and my colleague for one hour of some very light play and a golden shower to finish off with. We did no CBT, no cock rings, no trauma to the dick area at all, no ass play, no sounding or catheters, no turbulent masturbation, nothing that could have caused this reaction. We brought him into the bathroom, and he laid down on his back, jerking off with a condom on his penis as my buddy was standing over him and peeing, and I was saying all kinds of mean/encouraging sentiments and closely observing his progress. He came and... it was entirely blood. It looked like he shat into his condom, through his penis. He did not seem alarmed or in pain. He took off his condom himself, so he was aware of the situation. He did not remark on it to either of us! He made ZERO effort to prepare either of us, either. And it was not a little blood in his ejaculate— it was entirely blood. He has never returned. Is this person a monster or a vampire? Is he dying? Seriously. —Mistress Echo
P.S. I went back to the bathroom with gloves on and removed the used condom from the trash, and took a photo. It’s the only way to communicate just how much blood there was.
A: “You can tell Mistress Echo that her client was not a monster or a vampire, and he is likely not dying anytime soon,” said Dr. Stephen H. King, a board-certified urologist. “What she observed is a person with hematospermia, meaning blood in the semen.”
While the sight is alarming — I’ll never be able to scrape that photo off the back of my eyeballs, thanks — Dr. King assures me that it’s nothing to worry about, as hematospermia is almost always benign. And even if you had done ball play or rough CBT (cock and ball torture), or if he engaged in solo CBT prior to the session, it’s unlikely that kind of play would result
in a condom full of blood.
“The vast majority of the semen actually comes from the prostate and the seminal vesicles, which are located deep in the pelvis just behind and below the bladder, respectively,” said Dr. King. “Very little of the ejaculate fluid actually originates from the testicles,” which primarily pump out hormones and sperm cells. “The prostate gland and seminal vesicles (also glands) store up the fluids and can become overdistended with long periods of abstinence, and prone toward micro tearing and bleeding in this circumstance.”
Blowing regular loads doesn’t just lower your risk for prostate cancer, as multiple studies have shown, it also lowers your risk for filling condoms with blood and alarming your friendly neighborhood pro-Dom. Two good reasons for draining those balls, guys—and other people with balls because, as the Book of Tumblr teaches us, not all guys have balls and not all balls have guys.
“Also, these glands are lined by smooth muscle that contracts to force out the fluid [during ejaculation],” Dr. King continued. “If the force of contraction is excessive—a fucking great orgasm—this may lead toward rupture of some of the surrounding blood vessels, and blood will enter the semen.”
Your client’s blasé reaction is a good indication that he’s experienced this previously, ME, because most guys who see blood in their semen — or only blood when they expected to see semen —freak the fuck out.
“In my practice, most guys who see blood in their ejaculate the first time are sufficiently freaked out to seek immediate medical attention, and their doctors usually tell them this isn’t something to worry about — unless it persists,” said Dr. King. “In cases where the hematospermia persists, gets worse, or is associated with other symptoms such as pain, difficulty urinating, or general health decline, medical attention is definitely recommended.”
Back to your client, ME: If blood loads have happened to him before (hence the blasé reaction), proper etiquette dictates that he should have said something to you about it
afterward (“I’m fine, no biggie”). If it happens to him regularly, he should have warned you in advance — at least that’s what it says in my imaginary edition of Emily Post’s BDSM Etiquette
: Q I’m an old guy, 68 years old to be exact. (Also a Scorpio, if that matters.) I’ve always been a pretty horny person, and I had a lot of fun from the 1960s through the 1980s with a number of lovers. I figured that as I got older, my horniness would lessen, and I could think about something other than pussy. Trouble is, I don’t seem to be less horny. I find myself attracted to women in their 30s or 40s, but I wonder how I appear to them. I don’t want to make an utter fool of myself by making an unwanted advance—but the truth is, I’m still pretty hot to trot. What do I do?
—Not
Ready For The Nursing Home
A: You could see sex workers (quickest fix), you could look for women in their 30s or 40s who are attracted to guys pushing 70 (gerontophilia is a thing), you could date women in their 50s or 60s with a youthful appearance and/or attitude (there are lots out there, NRFTNH, and they often gather in groups to complain about how men their age are only interested in much younger women), or you could do all of the above. But you shouldn’t regard moving into a nursing home as the end of your sex life, NRFTNH. I’m constantly reading news reports about sexually transmitted disease epidemics in nursing homes and retirement communities. People may not like to think about the elderly having sex, and the elderly apparently don’t think about protection (or they’re denied access to it)—but lots of old fuckers are still fucking. (And, as astrology is bullshit, NRFTNH, being a Scorpio doesn’t matter. It never has and it never will.)
: Q My partner does phone sex work. A lot of the calls are from “straight” guys who ask to be “forced” to suck cock. (We assume the forced part is because they think there’s something wrong with being gay.) We’re wondering if there is a sex-positive word we should be using to describe these guys. If not, your readers should coin one, so all of us straight dudes who love dick can take pride in our desires. Fill in the blank: “_______: a 100 percent straight guy who also loves sucking dick (and perhaps taking it in the ass).”
—Cocksuckers Need Noun
A: The kink you describe already has
a name — forced bi — and a forced bi scene usually goes something like this: A guy who would never, ever suck a cock because he’s totally straight gets down on his knees and sucks cocks on the orders of his female dominant. Since this totally straight guy sucks cock only to please a woman, there’s nothing gay and/or bi about all the cocks he puts in his mouth. It’s one very particular way in which male bisexuality is expressed — think of it as male bisexual desire after hetero fragility, gay panic, denial, religion, gender norms, and football get through kicking the shit out of it. Paradoxically, CNN, by the time a guy asks a woman to force him to suck a cock, he’s allowing himself to suck a cock and therefore no longer in denial. (And, yes, guys into forced bi are free to identify as straight — indeed, they have to keep identifying as straight, since identifying as bi would fatally undermine the transgression that makes their perfectly legitimate kink arousing.)
But what to call these guys?
Well, CNN, some people into BDSM call themselves “BDSMers.” But “forcedbi’ers” doesn’t trip quite so easily off the tongue. So, maybe we go with “cocksuckers” instead? Straight guys (and straight-identified guys) consider it an emasculating slur, which is why straight-identified men throw around to get, um, a rise out of each other. (Call an out-and-over-it gay man a cocksucker, and all you’ll get in return is a “no shit.”) But while “You’re a cocksucker” may be fighting words for a straight guy, I imagine they would be highly arousing ones for a straight-identified guy who was into forced bi.
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
The Tagalog word gigil refers to the urge to squeeze or pinch something adorable. It’s an ecstatic tension that verges on overflowing the container of decorum. In the coming weeks, you Aries could feel gigil for the whole world. Everything may seem almost too vivid, too raw, too marvelous, and altogether too much. I advise you to welcome these surges and allow them to enhance your perceptions. Laugh hard. Cry freely. Invite goosebumps. Please note: But don’t actually squeeze anyone without their permission.
TAURUS: April 20 – May 20
In Japan’s Snow Country, artisans practice yuki-sarashi. It involves laying woven cloth on snow under sunlight to bleach, brighten, purify, and soften the fibers through the effects of snow, sunlight, cold, and ozone. Because this process doesn’t require harsh chemicals, it helps maintain the fabric’s strength and prevents it from yellowing over time. I propose you make yuki-sarashi a useful
metaphor, Taurus. Something fragile and fine is ready to emerge, but it needs your gentle touch and natural methods. You are often grounded in the adept manipulation of raw material—what works, what holds, what can be relied on. But this burgeoning treasure needs maximum nuance and the blessings of sensitive care.
GEMINI: May 21 – June 20
When African American dancer Josephine Baker arrived in Paris in 1925 at age 19, she was seeking refuge from her home country’s racism. Her electrifying performances soon made her a celebrity. Author Ernest Hemingway said she was “the most sensational woman anyone ever saw.” As she grew wealthy, she donated generously to French charities, hospitals, and schools. Her compassionate works evolved further, too. During World War II, she worked as a spy for the French Resistance against the Nazi occupation. Later, she became a civil rights activist in the US. Can you guess the astrological sign of this multi-faceted star? Gemini! I hope you will be inspired by her in the coming weeks. May you, too, use your natural gifts and stylish flair to serve the greater good. Look for opportunities to mentor, encourage, and advocate for those lacking your advantages.
CANCER: June 21 – July 22
When a glacier moves, it doesn’t rush. It presses forward incrementally, reshaping mountains, carving valleys, and transporting boulders. In a metaphorical sense, Cancerian, you are now in glacier time. A slow, relentless, and ultimately magnificent process is afoot in your life. Others may not yet see the forward momentum. Even you may doubt it. But the shift is real and permanent. Trust the deep, inexorable push. Your soul is hauling whole landscapes into new configurations.
LEO: July 23 – August 22
In the Arctic, the sun shines for 24 hours a day during midsummer. There is no night, only the surreal glow of prolonged gold. The human body, confused by the unending day, may be confused about when to sleep. For some, this creates disorientation, and for others, a strange euphoria. In my astrological opinion, Leo, you have entered a metaphorical version of this solar dreamscape. Your creative powers are beaming like a relentless sun. There may be little darkness in sight. So how will you rest? How will you replenish under the glow of fervent possibility? Be wisely discerning with
your energy. Don’t mistake illumination for invincibility. Bask in the light, yes, but protect your rhythms.
VIRGO: August 23 – Sept. 22
Now is an excellent time for you to swear sacred oaths. I suggest you get less comfortable with transitory arrangements and short-term promises. The near future will also be a ripe phase to make brave commitments that require you to go farther and deeper than you’ve dared to before. I recommend you forgo the cheap thrills of skipping along from one random moment to the next. Embrace a game plan. Finally, I urge you to cast magic spells on yourself that will release your unconscious mind from old fixations that subtly drain your power to fulfill your dreams. Please please please surrender trivial obsessions that distract you from your life’s key goals.
LIBRA: Sept. 23 – Oct. 22
In West African traditions, griots are key figures in their communities. They serve as storytellers, oral historians, poets, genealogists, and advisors. Their presence is often central to events like weddings, funerals, and ceremonies. In the coming weeks, Libra, I hope that you will embrace a role that resembles the griot. Your ability to enhance and nurture your network is at a peak. You have extra power to weave together threads that have become frayed or unraveled. Given your potential potency as a social glue, I advise you to avoid gossip and instead favor wise, kind words that foster connection.
SCORPIO: Oct. 23 – Nov. 21:
The phrase “elegant sufficiency” is an old English expression meaning “just enough” or “a sufficient amount in a refined or tasteful way.” I am expanding it to also mean “the simplest solution that solves a problem completely without unnecessary complexity.” It’s your power phrase, Scorpio. What you need is not intricate perfection, but elegant sufficiency: enoughness. I suggest you welcome this gift with enthusiasm—not in a resigned way, but with a quiet triumph. Maybe your plan doesn’t need more bullet points. Maybe the relationship doesn’t require further analysis. Maybe your offering is already thorough. Allow yourself the sweet satisfaction of having just the right amount. What you have created
may be more organically whole than you realize.
SAGITTARIUS: Nov. 22 – Dec. 21
How do you become a maestro of desire? What must you do to honor your beautiful yearnings and cull your mediocre ones? What’s the magic that will help you fulfill your life’s purpose by trusting your deepest cravings? Here are some tips. First, jettison your inessential desires and cherish the precious yearnings that are crucial. Second, dispose of outmoded goals so you can make expansive space for robust goals that steer you away from the past and guide you toward the future. These are challenging tasks! The very good news is that the coming weeks can be a turning point in your quest to claim this birthright.
CAPRICORN: Dec. 22 – Jan. 19
I’m writing a fairy tale about an ancient land whose queen regards poetry as essential to the public good. She often invites poets to perform for her and her court. When they finish a stirring passage, they bow—not to the queen or other observers, but to the silence they mined to access their inspiration; to the pregnant chaos from which the poem was born. The pause is a gesture of gratitude and acknowledgment. I invite you to partake in similar acts of appreciation, Capricorn. Bow toward the mysteries from which your blessings flow. Honor the quiet sources that keep you fertile. Praise the treasures in the dark that fuel your intense activities.
AQUARIUS: Jan. 20 – Feb. 18
When I advise you to get naked, I’m not necessarily suggesting that you doff your clothes. What I primarily mean is the following: Shed the armor around your heart; strip off your defense mechanisms; discard knee pads you wear while kissing butt or paying excessive homage; recycle shoes, jackets, pants, and opinions that don’t fit you; and discard pride-spawned obstacles that impede your communions with those you love.
PISCES: Feb.19 – March 20
The Finnish word sisu describes a radical, unglamorous persistence. Those who possess sisu can summon extraordinary determination, tenacity, and resilience in the face of confusion or difficulty. It’s not about bravado or flair, but about soulful gutsiness. I suspect it’s time for you to draw on your sisu, Pisces. It will empower you to tap into reserves of strength that have previously been unavailable. You will activate potentials that have been half-dormant.
Homework: What brave breakthrough could you make simply by being your authentic self? Newsletter.FreeWillAstrology.com
JAMES NOELLERT
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