Metro Times 11/27/24

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VOL. 45 | NO. 6 | NOVEMBER 27-DECEMBER 3, 2024

EDITORIAL

News & Views

Editor in Chief - Lee DeVito

Feedback ............................. 10 News .................................... 14 Lapointe............................... 19

Investigative Reporter - Steve Neavling

ADVERTISING Associate Publisher - Jim Cohen Regional Sales Director - Danielle Smith-Elliott Advertising Account Executive - Jeff Nutter

Cover Story

Sales Administration - Kathy Johnson

Holiday Gift Guide ............... 22

Account Manager, Classifieds - Josh Cohen

BUSINESS/OPERATIONS Business Support Specialist - Josh Cohen

What’s Going On Things to do this week ........ 32

CREATIVE SERVICES Creative Director - Haimanti Germain Graphic Designer - Aspen Smit

Food Review ................................. 37

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Culture Arts ...................................... 40

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Film ...................................... 42 The Straight Dope............... 46 Savage Love ........................ 50 Horoscopes .......................... 54

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Copyright: The entire contents of the Detroit Metro Times are copyright 2024 by Big Lou Holdings, LLC. Reproduction in whole or in part without written permission of the publisher is prohibited. The publisher does not assume any liability for unsolicited manuscripts, materials, or other content. Any submission must include a stamped, self-addressed envelope. All editorial, advertising, and business correspondence should be mailed to the address listed below. Prior written permission must be granted to Metro Times for additional copies. Metro Times may be distributed only by Metro Times’ authorized distributors and independent contractors. Subscriptions are available by mail inside the U.S. for six months at $80 and a yearly subscription for $150. Include check or money order payable to: Metro Times Subscriptions, P.O. Box 20734, Ferndale, MI, 48220. (Please note: Third Class subscription copies are usually received 3-5 days after publication date in the Detroit area.) Most back issues obtainable for $7 prepaid by mail.

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Lake St. Clair —The heart of the Great Lakes metrotimes.com | November 27-December 3, 2024 13

NEWS & VIEWS New evidence casts doubt on conviction in 2000 Detroit murder Wayne County Circuit

Court is considering a motion for a new trial filed on behalf of Dennis Littleton, who has served over two decades in prison for a 2000 murder he insists he did not commit.

The motion, filed by attorney Joseph Daly, argues that new evidence undermines the credibility of the case against Littleton, establishes credible alternate suspects, and reveals that key exculpatory evidence was withheld by prosecutors and Detroit police.

Littleton was convicted in 2001 of first-degree murder and assault with intent to do great bodily harm in the May 30, 2000 shooting of Robert Johnstone and Saul Rios on Hubbard Street in Detroit. Johnstone died in the attack.

Littleton, now 48, is serving a life sentence at Muskegon Correctional Facility.

The prosecution’s case at trial hinged on testimony from Rios, who survived the shooting, as well as Charles Butler and Jessica Rivera, who were in the car with the shooter.

However, new affidavits and evidence suggest that Butler was the likely gunman and that Rios’s identification of Littleton was unreliable, according to the motion.

An affidavit from Dr. Margaret Kovera, an expert in eyewitness identification, identifies 11 problems with Rios’s testimony, including suggestive police procedures. According to the motion, Detroit Police Officer Moises Jimenez influenced Rios to change his initial description of the shooter from white to Black and to identify Littleton.

Jiminez was also involved in at least two other wrongful convictions, including Alexandre Ansari and Kenneth Nixon.

Documents obtained under the Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) in 2020 reveal that Rios originally told police the shooter was a white man driving a black Buick. Other witnesses described seeing a similar vehicle leaving the scene and corroborated Rios’s initial statement. According to the motion, this information was not disclosed to Littleton’s defense at trial, violating the prosecutor’s obligation

to turn over exculpatory evidence.

The motion details multiple pieces of evidence pointing to Butler as the shooter. Witnesses, including Demond Troy Jones, testified that Butler was enraged after an altercation with Johnstone at the Hubbard Street house and vowed to “handle this.”

Shortly after, gunshots rang out, and Butler returned with a black automatic pistol, reportedly boasting about silencing Johnstone.

Another man, Sean “Grape” Rouqemore, allegedly confessed to the crime shortly after the murder, according to an affidavit from Nicholas Walker.

Despite this, Rouqemore was never investigated as a suspect.

Littleton’s defense also presented an alibi: A sworn affidavit from Dana Hudson states that she was with Littleton, driving to Madison, Wisconsin, at the time of the shooting.

Jimenez, who played a key role in securing Rios’s identification of Littleton, has a documented history of misconduct, including producing false testimony in another wrongful conviction case. The motion alleges that Jimenez helped steer the investigation away from Butler and other potential suspects.

The trial testimony of Butler and Rivera conflicted with physical evidence, including eight shell casings found outside the victims’ car, suggesting the shooter fired from outside the vehicle. Butler and Rivera, who both admitted to heavy drug use on the night of the crime, claimed Littleton shot from inside the car.

Key police reports and evidence supporting alternate suspects were withheld from Littleton’s defense for nearly two decades. It was not until 2020, after a third FOIA request, that 433 pages of police documents were released, many of which had never been provided to any of Littleton’s previous attorneys.

Police and prosecutors are constitutionally required to turn over exculpatory evidence, which is any information that shows that a defendant is innocent. Defendants who prove that exculpatory evidence was withheld during their trial are entitled to a new one under the U.S. Supreme Court’s

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Dennis Littleton.

Brady v. Maryland ruling. Withholding exculpatory evidence is called a “Brady violation.”

In a cover story on Oct. 2, Metro Times revealed that Detroit police routinely withheld exculpatory evidence from suspects.

Littleton is just one of many prisoners to find out that police withheld evidence that may have acquitted them. In the 1980s and 1990s, Detroit homicide detectives illegally withheld records in what they called a “miscellaneous file” that was concealed from prosecutors because it contained exculpatory evidence.

At trial, Wayne County Prosecutor Patrick Muscat, who was involved in at least three other murder cases that were later overturned, acknowledged Butler as a potential suspect but dismissed the theory, citing a lack of gunshot residue on Butler’s clothing.

However, a newly disclosed police report shows Butler wore black clothing during the crime, not the white clothing he turned over for testing.

“The jury never heard this evidence because it was deliberately withheld,” Daly wrote. “This evidence alone would have created reasonable doubt.”

Littleton’s motion argues that the combination of unreliable eyewitness testimony, withheld exculpa-

MICHIGAN DEPARTMENT OF CORRECTIONS

tory evidence, and credible alternate suspects warrants a new trial. Daly contends that the evidence withheld from Littleton’s defense deprived him of a fair trial and due process.

“All of this evidence, individually or taken together, was material exculpatory evidence as to an alternative suspect where identification testimony was the sole issue at trial,” Daly wrote.

“No doubt, the prosecution had an absolute duty to turn evidence of an alternative suspect over to the defense, because that is all the jury would have needed for reasonable doubt. And that is also what due process and a fair trial require.”

The court has not yet ruled on Littleton’s motion. If granted, it could pave the way for a retrial and a reexamination of a case marked by serious flaws in the justice system.

Dozens of Detroiters convicted of first-degree murder in the 1980s, 1990s, and 2000s have been exonerated because of police misconduct.

In July, Metro Times launched a multipart series called “The Closer” about the decades of police misconduct that led to wrongful convictions.

Many more people still in prison insist they are innocent and were victimized by police resorting to illegal tactics.

—Steve Neavling

‘Detroit Ceasefire Choir’ sues over alleged censorship Two members of an antiwar

protest group called the Detroit Ceasefire Choir have filed a federal lawsuit against the city of Detroit and the organizations managing Campus Martius Park, accusing them of violating their First Amendment rights.

The lawsuit, announced last week, alleges that security guards at the park silenced the choir’s pro-ceasefire caroling last holiday season, claiming their message was “too controversial” and falsely asserting that Campus Martius is a private park.

The choir members, represented by the Civil Rights Litigation Initiative (CRLI) at the University of Michigan Law School, argue that their peaceful protest was fully compliant with the city’s free speech ordinances, which explicitly allow small demonstrations in public spaces without requiring a permit. (The CRLI is also representing Metro Times in a lawsuit requesting data from Michigan State Police.)

“Our choir went to Campus Martius to call for a ceasefire in Gaza by singing carols,” Kim Redigan, one of the plaintiffs, said. “How can citizens advocating for peace and liberation be asked to leave a public park when they are complying with the city’s policies that protect free speech?”

The lawsuit stems from incidents on Dec. 30, 2023, and Jan. 5, 2024, when members of the Ceasefire Choir gathered near the Christmas tree at Campus Martius to sing for peace in the Middle East, a cease-

fire in Gaza, and an end to islamophobia and antisemitism. The choir carried signs reading “Peace and Joy — Ceasefire Now” and “Love Thy Neighbor.” Security guards — allegedly hired by Detroit 300, the group contracted by the city to manage the park — ordered the carolers to leave, claiming their lyrics were too controversial.

Security personnel also reportedly told the protesters that Campus Martius was private property, a claim the plaintiffs say is demonstrably false. The park is regularly celebrated by the city as a public square, most recently earning the title of “Top Public Square” in the United States by USA Today.

The Ceasefire Choir says it contacted the city of Detroit and Detroit 300 in May, requesting assurances that security guards would be trained to comply with free speech protections. According to the lawsuit, those assurances were never provided, and security personnel continue to tell visitors that protests are not permitted in the park.

This is not the first time the City of Detroit and Campus Martius park management have faced legal challenges over free speech. In 2015, the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) of Michigan sued both entities after housing activists were barred from peacefully protesting in the park.

That case resulted in a settlement requiring the city to pass ordinances protecting free speech in public spaces.

Under the current ordinance, groups of up to 25 people may assemble at Campus Martius without a permit, provided they do not use amplified sound or demonstrate within certain restricted areas such as the ice rink or outdoor dining spaces.

“It is particularly disturbing that our clients were censored when Detroit has already enacted a free speech ordinance that specifically allows protest in Campus Martius,” Jillian Snyman, a student attorney with CRLI, said in a previous statement.

The plaintiffs’ complaint asks the court to enforce the city’s free speech ordinance, require security guard training on First Amendment rights, and ensure that protesters can express their views in Campus Martius without fear of unlawful censorship.

The Detroit Ceasefire Choir describes its mission as an interfaith effort to promote peace, justice, and equality. Members say they plan to continue their advocacy, including singing protest carols at Campus Martius this holiday season.

“Our democracy depends on the ability of all people to speak freely in the public square about matters of public concern, including a ceasefire in Gaza,” said Eman Naga, another CRLI student attorney.

“Given Detroit’s free speech ordinances allowing small demonstrations in Campus Martius without a permit, it is disheartening that security guards continue to unlawfully censor protest.”

Dearborn mayor vows to arrest Netanyahu for war crimes Dearborn Mayor Abdullah H. Hammoud pledged that his city

would arrest Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu of Israel and his former defense minister, Yoav Gallant, after the International Criminal Court issued arrest warrants for both men for alleged war crimes and crimes against humanity in Gaza.

“Dearborn will arrest Netanyahu & Gallant if they step within Dearborn city limits,” Hammoud said on X. “Other cities should declare the same. Our president may not take action, but city leaders can ensure Netanyahu & other war criminals are not welcome to travel freely across these United States.”

Hammoud, a Democrat who is the city’s first Arab and Muslim mayor, previously called on a ceasefire and arms embargo on Israel. He refused to meet with Donald Trump during the election, and he also declined to endorse Vice President Kamala Harris.

Hammoud, like many residents in Dearborn, has lost members of his extended family to Israeli attacks in the Middle East.

It’s unclear, however, if the city of Dearborn has the authority to detain Netanyahu or Gallant based on the ICC’s arrest warrant.

Whatever the case, the international court’s actions are just the latest condemnation of Israel’s relentless attacks on Gaza, which have claimed the lives of approximately 44,000 people, including more than 17,000 children. An additional 104,000 people have been injured in Gaza.

According to the ICC, Israel used starvation as a weapon of war and “intentionally directing an attack against the civilian population.”

U.S. Rep. Rashida Tlaib, whose district includes Dearborn and Detroit, also voiced support of the ICC’s arrest warrants.

“The International Criminal Court’s long overdue decision to issue arrest warrants for Netanyahu and Gallant for war crimes and crimes against humanity signals that the days of the Israeli apartheid government operating with impunity are ending,” Tlaib said in a statement. “Since this genocide began,

the United States has provided more than $18 billion in weapons to the Israeli government. The Biden Administration can no longer deny that those same US weapons have been used in countless war crimes. Those American officials facilitating this genocide can no longer deny that their Israeli counterparts have used starvation as a weapon of war against a captive civilian population.”

She added, “Our government must urgently end our complicity in these violations of human rights and international law. We must stop arming and funding this genocide and end all weapons shipments to the Israeli apartheid regime now. Today’s historic arrest warrants cannot bring back the dead and displaced, but they are a major step towards holding war criminals accountable. Netanyahu and Gallant must be arrested and brought before the ICC.” The court’s actions places Netanhayu, leader of one of the U.S.’s strongest allies, alongside Russian President Vladimir V. Putin, who was similarly targeted by a court-issued arrest warrant last year.

—Steve Neavling

The city of Detroit declined to comment, citing ongoing litigation.

“While the suit has been filed, the city has not yet been served and cannot comment on this pending litigation,” Detroit corporation counsel Conrad Mallett Jr. said in a statement. “We will respond fully to this complaint in our response to the court.”

Metro Times couldn’t reach Detroit 300 for comment.

—Steve Neavling

David Klein Gallery is relocating to Ferndale Another new business is opening on Ferndale’s Livernois Avenue, a formerly industrial stretch that has seen a flurry of activity in recent years.

David Klein Gallery says it’s consolidating its Birmingham and Detroit exhibition spaces and relocating to 678 Livernois Ave., a space that it has been using as a warehouse. The gallery says it is renovating the 3,000-square-foot building with a target opening in 2025.

The move means the gallery will close its Detroit and Birmingham locations.

“I am thrilled to announce the relocation of the David Klein Gallery to 678 Livernois in Ferndale,” owner David Klein said. “With Ferndale’s art district emerging, we know our presence there will help elevate the area. Since we already owned the building, and we didn’t own in Birmingham and Detroit, it makes sense to consolidate in this central location.”

Klein continued, “This will be a very special space for our artists, collectors, and visitors to enjoy. And while we loved our time in Birmingham and Detroit, we are really excited about the burgeoning Ferndale area with restaurants, cafes, galleries, photography and framing studios, and other complimentary businesses. It’s a perfect fit for us in today’s art scene.”

The new gallery is located near other businesses that have opened on the stretch in recent years, including the Ferndale Project, Witch House Tattoo, Secret Bakery, the Catfé Lounge, and others. It’s also not far from the historic Baker’s Keyboard Lounge in Detroit.

The David Klein Gallery says its Detroit location, which it launched in 2015, will close on Saturday, Dec. 21, while its Birmingham space, opened in 1990, will close in Spring 2025.

More information is available at dkgallery.com.

—Lee DeVito

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WDET studios in Midtown.

STEVE NEAVLING

Stephen Henderson leaves WDET Longtime WDET host and

Pulitzer Prize-winning journalist Stephen Henderson announced last week that he’s leaving the public radio station because of what he described as “disinvestment” in his daily show on 101.9 FM. Henderson, who hosts the morning show “Created Equal,” the station’s most popular local program, will end his 10year run at WDET. During recent negotiations, Henderson said, the station proposed airing the show just once a week, without assigning any full-time staff.

“The station faces severe financial difficulties and must make difficult decisions about which programming to keep, and support,” Henderson wrote on X, formerly Twitter. “But the proposed cuts to Created Equal represent, in my judgment, an unsustainable withdrawal of commitment to the show … and its mission.”

Henderson added, “Budgets are moral documents - statements of our values and priorities, reflections of the things we hold dear and those we see as expendable. WDET has chosen not to give Created Equal what it needs to thrive.”

“Created Equal,” which aired from 9-10 a.m. Monday through Friday, examined the ideals of opportunity and the realities of inequality in Detroit and featured experts to discuss a variety of topics, from racial disparities to income gaps.

The show was insightful and often raised painful questions surrounding inequality in a city that is predominantly Black.

Prior to “Created Equal,” which launched earlier this year, Henderson hosted the daily morning show “Detroit Today,” which offered fresh perspectives on politics, community leaders, and the news and issues shaping Detroit.

“My goal on radio was always to build

a community space where critical issues could be explored, discussed and debated, in civil and constructive ways,” Henderson, a Detroit native, said. “We did that - against many odds on a media landscape that is increasingly harsh and reductionist.”

Henderson’s reputation for hosting fact-driven, fair, and engaging discussions has established him as a prominent voice in the Detroit community.

A graduate of University of Detroit High School and the University of Michigan, Henderson previously worked as managing director of opinion and commentary at the Detroit Free Press, where he earned the 2014 Pulitzer Prize for commentary for his reporting on Detroit’s financial crisis. In December 2017, he was dismissed from the Free Press following an internal investigation that revealed inappropriate conduct toward female colleagues, though Henderson downplayed the allegations.

Henderson also worked for the Chicago Tribune, the Baltimore Sun, and the Lexington Herald-Leader and covered the Supreme Court for Knight Ridder’s Washington Bureau.

Henderson said he will now concentrate on other ventures, including BridgeDetroit, the nonprofit news and engagement platform he founded, and “American Black Journal,” the weekly Detroit PBS show he hosts.

He also collaborates with Detroit News Editorial Page Editor Nolan Finley on the Great Lakes Civility Project. The pair’s coauthored book will be published by Wayne State University in spring 2025.

In January, WDET announced its plans to revamp its schedule and programming by adding locally hosted music shows.

This year marks the 75th anniversary of the station, which is located in Midtown.

—Steve Neavling

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NEWS & VIEWS

Carlos Diehz stars as Cardinal Benitez in director Edward Berger’s Conclave.

FOCUS FEATURES

Lapointe

This column will spoil the ending of Conclave

By Joe Lapointe

Now that the film Conclave has

enjoyed a month of healthy box-office and mostly positive buzz, it’s probably safe to spring the spoiler right away: The new Pope elected in the movie looks like a man, but also has a uterus and ovaries and is, therefore, also a woman.

Surprise! But you already knew that, didn’t you?

At first, such a final plot twist feels gratuitous and possibly sacrilegious in this fictional tale of Roman Catholic cardinals playing politics in the Vatican to choose the next Holy Father because the old one just died. Even some viewers who like Conclave object to this late surprise.

Although the story could have ended without it, this final flourish — an intersex pope — suits the overall spirit of the script. Its themes include ambiguity and the fallibility of dedicated, spiritual people (men) who really believe (most of them, anyway) that they speak on behalf of God. Sounds perfect for Catholic bashing; some Hollywood heathens might make such a setup into mockery. But here, director Edward Berger (All Quiet on the Western Front) and several first-rate actors avoid such temptation. They give cynicism, hypocrisy, and avarice a kind of respect bordering on reverence.

As a result, Conclave — based on a book by Robert Harris — mixes seri-

ous questions, pointed dialogue, doubts about certitude, superb acting, gorgeous visuals, lots of allegorical touches, and enough parallel plot lines and ominous silences to make the film’s two hours pass at a brisk pace.

It is rated PG, with little violence, no sex on screen, and no cursing, not even in Latin, although the epitaphs “Judas!” and “Traitor!” are shouted in anger and “simony” is merely whispered. Snappy dialogue includes one cardinal telling another they should compromise on a flawed candidate.

“And have Tremblay as Pope?” says one.

“We’ve had worse,” says the other.

Asking this question is Cardinal Thomas Lawrence (Ralph Fiennes), a British dean of cardinals and manager of the papal balloting who is burdened by his duty and feeling the pressure of sequester by day in the Sistine Chapel and by night in a borrowed convent.

Answering that question is the American Cardinal Bellini (Stanley Tucci). The man they discuss, Cardinal Tremblay (John Lithgow), turns out to be a sanctimonious, dirty dealer from Canada. His election-tampering is exposed, in part, by a nun called Sister Agnes, (Isabella Rossellini).

“Although we sisters are supposed to be invisible,” she explains, “God has nevertheless given us eyes and ears.”

As a femme fatale (of a sort), Sister Agnes also assists in the demise of the lead Black character, Cardinal Adeyemi of Africa (Lucian Msamati). He is a candidate until we learn that he fathered a child many years before. That mother arrives at the conclave as a nun.

A minor yet delightful role goes to Sergio Castellitto, who plays the Italian Cardinal Tedesco, who wants the Church to return to Italian popes and Latin Mass and then make war on Islam. The bearded Castellitto overplays his scenes with the brio of a practiced ham.

“Who fights these animals?” he asks in anger. Catholics around before Vatican II will recognize his type.

Carlos Diehz plays the unknown Cardinal Benitez — the surprise winner — who arrives unannounced and is a mystery because he was secretly named a cardinal by the previous pope who kept it quiet because Benitez worked in dangerous places like Afghanistan.

“I am as God made me,” the new Pope says, after the election, in explaining their gender to Cardinal Lawrence. “I know what it is to exist between the world’s certainties.”

Needless to say, not all reviews of Conclave have been positive. Condemnation came from the Catholic web site Angelus in a review by Stefano Rebeggiani. “AntiCatholic bias aside,” he wrote, “‘Conclave’

is just plain bad.”

He also called it a “badly-written, poorly-researched, half-baked mystery that takes itself far too seriously but turns at times into unwitting comedy.”

No review of Conclave can ignore the scene in which a terrorist explosion blows a hole in the Chapel. Lighter touches include a chessboard at the dead pope’s bedside and a bird locked in a cage and Cardinal Lawrence, in the final scene, throwing open a window to sunlight and fresh air.

Oh, and all the shots of hot, red votive candles always flickering all the time in rooms with red walls around men wearing red robes and red skull caps and all those dark interiors that nevertheless pop so vividly under the sure eye of the cinematographer Stephane Fontaine.

When they finally light up the white smoke to signal the selection of the new Pope, the viewer expects to see it. In one of many exquisite editing touches, you only hear the sound of the whooshing of the flames.

This might be a tongue-in-cheek counterpoint to scenes of clusters of nervous cardinals, standing outdoors around an interior courtyard, lighting up cigarettes and smoking furiously. Another fire moment shows a cardinal blowing out a candle to emphasize the end of a terse conversation.

Last, a final wry touch: The new name of the new pontiff. The winner reaches deep into church history to proclaim themselves Pope “Innocent.” If you look to be offended by Conclave, there’s plenty there to dislike. But if you seek insightful entertainment in a serious setting, this picture is it.

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Mia Ray launched her successful Glam-Aholic Lifestyle fashion brand in Detroit.

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HUSTLERZ AMBITION Inside the glamorous empire of Mia Ray

By Biba Adams “The world is yours and everything in it/ It’s out there, get on your grind and get it.” eezy’s raspy voice echoes through the 20,000-square-foot warehouse that is home to Detroit’s own GlamAholic Lifestyle and the headquarters of its founder and CEO, Mia Ray. As she poses for photos, her lips move imperceptibly along to the lyrics. “Is she a big Jeezy fan?” I ask one of her assistants.

“The biggest,” she replies.

And it makes sense. When it comes to hustling, who raps about it better than Jeezy? And when it comes to hustling, who does it better than a Detroit Girl?

Mia Ray is a Detroit native who started her blog, Confessions Of A Glam-Aholic, in 2009. By the next year, she designed a tote bag that she sold to her followers. “I sold the same damn bag for ten years!” she says with a laugh. That bag begat other bags which begat even more bags until Glam-Aholic grew into a lifestyle brand that Forbes has valued at over $20 million.

Not bad for a girl from the west side.

“First of all, born and raised in Detroit — I love it here,” she says. “I always say I’m never leaving. I’m like the biggest Detroit mascot … I grew up off Dexter.

Nowhere near middle class. We were very poor, but I had a very good childhood. I have nothing but warm memories. It was a lot of love in my home.”

Love and Detroit drive is what propels Mia Ray. She has two warehouses full of products and a staff of about 12 people, including her own mother. “I want to keep the staff small as long as I can so that I can keep paying people well,” she says, adding that she offers her employees a great salary, health coverage, and a 401K. When asked what Ray would tell her younger self, she says simply, “Buckle up.”

She has expanded her business to include a hair line called “Same Girl, Differ-

J

KAHN SANTORI DAVISON

ent Hair,” and a line of cannabis, the GRL Cannabis Club. She’s set to open a salon in Royal Oak. The grind just doesn’t stop.

During a business event in 2022 at her alma mater, Cass Tech, the hallways were flooded with Glam-Aholic totes, backpacks, and handbags. She and The Lip Bar founder Melissa Butler (another Detroit hustler) explained her brand’s goal to the auditorium of teen girls. “I don’t want Black women to have designer bags with nothing in them,” she said. “I want you to have a bag with credit cards in it and luxury car keys, and good credit scores.”

Ray says everything she does is done with purpose. “When I started the blog, I was just trying to make the everyday woman, like myself, work with what she had in her closet, learn how to remix it,” she says. “I was always so intentional about making women feel good about themselves.”

She adds, “But, I was also intentional about praying and also encouraging myself to get up every day and stay committed, even when it was hard, even when I didn’t have a penny. I mean, I remember being on my knees praying, ‘Lord, what am I doing wrong?’ And now, when I look back, I see that I wasn’t doing anything wrong. I was building this brand brick by brick, day by day, and encouraging myself along the way, praying through the entire journey.”

Mia notes that her customers, her “Glam-Aholics,” have been with her since the beginning. Her dedication to being intentional and connecting with them has made her relatable by being honest and focusing on what they want and then giving it to them at a high quality and at reasonable prices.

A Glam-Aholic tote bag will run you about $100. It will also last forever, look good with everything, and the nowiconic “G” logo brands you as a connois-

seur with great taste.

And as the Glam-Aholics have grown up, so has the collection. You can still get a bag emblazoned with the iconic “G” — but the new collection, The Pebble Collection, is noticeably understated and in color varieties that will blend in at a 9-5 job. “As my customers have grown with me, I wanted to give them something that demonstrates that,” Ray explains.

It’s why The Pebble Collection will be the only bags on sale at her second annual holiday pop-up shop at Twelve Oaks Mall, which opens on Black Friday.

The Glam-Aholic Lifestyle Popup Shop will launch around Thanksgiving — not long after Ray’s 40th birthday on Nov. 23.

She says she’s planning a blowout bash the likes of which the city has never seen.

And, as true to form, she used the opportunity to do something for someone else, offering 40% off on every item on the Glam-Aholic Lifestyle site, glamaholiclifestyle.com.

“It just seemed like a nice thing to do,” she says, “It’s probably going to be pretty busy around here then.”

As we wrap up our interview and tour around the warehouse, I say, “Girl. This is a huge space! I’m so proud of you.”

She says, “I have another one across the street.” We share a knowing glance that says, “Get that check, Sis,” without words.

And before I leave, she makes sure to give me the very purse that I have been dreaming of.

“You know I got you.”

That’s the magic of Mia Ray. She got you. And we got her too.

The Glam-Aholic Lifestyle Popup Shop launches at 8 a.m. on Friday, Nov. 29 and runs through Friday, Jan. 10 at Twelve Oaks Mall; 27500 Novi Rd., Novi; shoptwelveoaks.com. More information about Glam-Aholic Lifestyle is available at glamaholiclifestyle.com.

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IT’S GIVING A METRO DETROIT HOLIDAY SHOPPING GUIDE

BY KARA FRANK

D

etroit is an epicenter of holiday spirit during the winter months. The yuletide calendar is filled with excitement and anticipation; the city street lights blink a bright red and green, and downtown is decked in holiday style. Strolling down Woodward Avenue, meeting smile after smile, you can almost feel magic in the air (and it’s not just because the Lions are doing so well). If you’re looking for a fun night out and need local insight into unique gifts and experiences, our holiday shopping guide is full of gifting ideas and seasonal events that are fun for everyone.

Also: Don’t forget to follow up with your favorite neighborhood shops during the holidays; many will participate in seasonal sales and promotions for Black Friday, Small Business Saturday, and Cyber Monday. Skip the massproduced commercialized big-box circus this year, support local, and invest in your creative communities.

detroit downtown detroit markets in cadillac square Campus Martius Park draws thousands of folks to the city to bask in the merriment of small shops, local eats and drinks, and holiday entertainment. Book a spin around the ice rink or indulge in a horsedrawn carriage ride under the lights of Detroit’s dazzling skyline. You can shop local gifts from vendors in Cadillac Square at the Downtown Detroit Markets and enjoy free holiday gift wrapping courtesy of POST. Featured shops include Yarn Nerds, 27th Letter Books, Preva Body, Conscious Living Brand, Asher & Arnold, Speedcult, Detroit Streetwear, and more.

Through Jan. 5; Campus Martius Park and Cadillac Square; downtowndetroit.org. Free to the public.

holiday markets in eastern market Holiday Markets will give shoppers the opportunity to explore over 500 local vendors and businesses during the holiday season.

Eastern Market will continue to host its Saturday Markets, plus four additional Holiday Market dates in December. Find the perfect Michigan-made gifts from the market and discover other local shops

while you stroll the sheds, venture to Viva La Vida Imports on Market Street or Vintage Eastern Market and Well Done Goods on Division. Need a spruced-up tree for the holidays? Christmas tree vendors will be in the parking lot outside Sheds 5 and 6, seven days a week.

Dec. 1-22; Eastern Market; easternmarket. org. Free to the public.

noel night This Midtown festival rings in its 50th anniversary this year with sidewalks bustling with music, marching bands, caroling, and Santa sightings. Numerous neighborhood businesses and organizations partake with cheery programming and holiday incentives, and iconic institutions like the DIA, the Charles H. Wright Museum, the Detroit Historical Museum, the Michigan Science Center, and the Detroit Public Library are open free of charge. The intersection of Cass and Canfield provides a plethora of Detroit-centered shopping including Shinola, Carhartt, City Bird, Nest, Bon Bon, Bon, Third Man Records, and just down Cass is Old Soul Vintage.

Dec. 7; Midtown, Detroit; noelnight.org.

Free to the public.

detroit urban craft fair This year marks the 19th annual Detroit Urban Craft Fair. This haven of handmade

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gifts features over 100 vendors and indie artists, a kids’ “crafty corner,” and a free DUCF swag bag to the first 50 shoppers on Friday and Saturday. Kids 12 and under are free during event days after 1 p.m., so bring the whole family down for some holiday fun – Friday’s fair also falls on the same day as Noel Night.

Dec. 7-8; Masonic Temple, 500 Temple St., Detroit; detroiturbancraftfair.com.

Tickets are $5.

winter at the station: michigan central station in corktown Detroit’s newly reopened Michigan Central recently announced a lineup of seasonal programming with ticketed events. Gifts, apparel, and home goods will be available at the “Winter Bazaar,” a treasure trove of local and global brands, including Mama Coo’s, Source Booksellers, Halie & Co., and Detroit Rose candles. You can also stop into The Station retail shop for more curated gifts or Neighbor x Folk, a retail residency from Detroit’s Folk restaurant, as well as the newly opened Yellow Light Coffee & Donuts shop. If you haven’t seen Ford Motor Co.’s renovations to the former train station, this could be a good opportunity.

Through Dec. 28; Michigan Central; michigancentral.com.

ann arbor midnight madness Kick off your shopping season during the annual Midnight Madness holiday event in downtown Ann Arbor. Main Street, State Street, and Kerrytown form the foundation of a cultural and memorable holiday experience. Find one-of-a-kind gifts from small shops open late for the occasion, including Literati Bookstore, Rock Paper Scissors, The Getup, Vault of Midnight, and more. Drop off letters to the North Pole in the Santa mailbox outside Connor O’Neill’s and stick around for performances by Leim Irish Dancing. Kerrytown’s “KindleFest Market” or “Christkindlmarkt” is an outdoor market experience rooted in German heritage.

Around the pavilion, you’ll find artisans and merchants selling holiday wares, spiced mulled wine, and tasty traditional bites. Take a lap around the “Merry Market” on Maynard, where you’ll find more community-focused goods and products from local vendors. Round out your evening with a screening of Love Actually at the historic Michigan Theater and check out their lineup of classic holiday films this season.

From 5 p.m.-midnight on Friday, Dec. 6; downtown Ann Arbor; annarbor.org. Free to the public.

southfield potters market in southfield The 47th Annual Potters Market lays claims to being the “largest pottery sale of its kind in the United States.”

Holiday shoppers can peruse more than 30,000 pottery pieces available for purchase, all handcrafted by over 130 local and regional artists. Gift items include uniquely crafted vases, mugs, tiles, jewelry, sculptures, birdbaths, and more. Vendors will offer budget-friendly gifts with items ranging from $5 and up, depending on the piece. Free daily pottery demonstrations will also be featured during the event.

Dec. 5-8; 26000 Evergreen Rd., Southfield; thepottersmarket.com. Tickets for Thursday’s “Preview Night” are $10; no cover Friday-Sunday.

ypsilanti ypsi artisan holiday market

In downtown Detroit, you can shop local gifts from vendors in Cadillac Square.

farmington holly days in downtown farmington The collection of local businesses surrounding Riley Park on Grand River come together to celebrate a “holly jolly day of festivities” in downtown Farmington. The Farmington Farmers and Artisan Market will host a “Greens, Gifts, and Giving Market” during the daytime, and kids can enjoy train rides, stories and crafts with Mrs. Claus, and photos with Santa. Get toasty at the “Sparkling Syndicate” warming tent and enjoy your drinks while you shop in the social district. During the evening, attendees can gaze at the glowing displays in the “Light Up The Grand Parade” and participate in the Warner Mansion’s tree lighting.

(While in the Farmington area, be sure to stop and shop at Dearborn Music, KickstART Gallery & Artisan Shop, Plus Skateboarding, and The

Lowry Estate for eclectic gifts for everyone on your list.)

Dec. 7; downtown Farmington; downtownfarmington.org. Free to the public.

ferndale yule witches market in ferndale This magical market will host over 20 small businesses, artisans, and crafters, and Krampus will even be on site for photo ops. Tarot, Astrology, and Reiki services will also be available by advance appointment during event days. (You can also discover more funky Ferndale gifts at local hubs like Rust Belt Market, Found Sound, Brave Wimp Society, Vogue Vintage, Green Daffodil, The Plant House, and Not Sorry Goods.)

Nov. 30-Dec. 1; Boston Tea Room; 1220 Woodward Hts., Ferndale; bostontearoom.com. No cover.

DOWNTOWN DETROIT PARTNERSHIP

plymouth christmas in plymouth and mistletoe market Downtown Plymouth will host holidaythemed activities and events throughout the weekend, including musical performances, crafts and games for kids in the “Candy Cane Corner,” and free street trolly rides around downtown.

The Mistletoe Market, located under the Gathering Building, will host over 55 Midwestern artisans with plenty of locally inspired gifts to sell. Across the street at Kellogg Park, you’ll find the LED Light Tunnel, ticketed train rides, and horse-drawn carriages. Drop into the Penn Theatre for a special showing of Elf or The Muppets Christmas Carol and browse the shops downtown around for more diverse gifts from local businesses like Earth Lore, Gigi’s Mode, Bohemian Home, Three Dog Bakery, and State of Comics.

Dec. 12-14; downtown Plymouth; christmasinplymouth.com.

Shop small this season and support the Ypsi Artisan Holiday Market, with more than 40 Ypsilanti businesses and crafters featured at the event. Folks can also explore Depot Town’s numerous shops and galleries; highlights include Twisted Things Boutique; Evenstar’s Chalice; This, That & the ODDer things; World of Rocks; and a2vintage.

Nov. 30-Dec. 1 & Dec. 21-22; The Freighthouse; 100 Market Pl., Ypsilanti; ypsireal.com.

krampusmrkt Krampusmrkt is a two-day weekend shopping event promoting “holiday cheer with a dark twist.” Over 50 artisans and makers will be onsite, and you may even spot the mischievous spirit of the fabled Krampus. Festive meets frightening with unique handmade gifts.

Dec. 6-7; The Freighthouse; 100 Market Pl., Ypsilanti; ypsireal.com.

memento merry: a dark holiday artisan market If you’re searching for non-traditional gift items, you will find magnificent macabre-themed gifts from numerous local artisans. A sinister seasonal shopping experience for all!

Dec. 15; The Freighthouse; 100 Market Pl., Ypsilanti; ypsireal.com.

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all of the lights WHERE TO SEE DAZZLING HOLIDAY LIGHTS IN MICHIGAN

BY MT STAFF e are entering the darkest, coldest time in Michigan — which is when the lights turn out. Here are some colorful, illuminated holiday attractions in the Detroit area and beyond to enjoy this holiday season.

season. They surround Campus Martius Park, which offers an ice rink and, new this year, CHALET 313, a cozy, two-story heated lounge with 360-degree views.

Through Dec. 31 at Campus Martius Park; 800 Woodward Ave., Detroit; downtowndetroit.org. No cover.

WILD LIGHTS AT THE DETROIT ZOO

MAGIC OF LIGHTS AT PINE KNOB

A tradition for more than 10 years, this family friendly event sees the Detroit Zoo decked out in more than 5 million LED lights, including some in the shapes of larger-than-life animals. Santa will also be onsite for photos from 5-10 p.m. on Fridays and 5-9 p.m. on Saturdays.

Through Jan. 5 at the Detroit Zoo; 8450 W. 10 Mile Rd., Royal Oak; detroitzoo.org. Tickets range from $17-$25 based on time of day.

Pine Knob Music Theatre’s parking lot is transformed into a drive-through holiday display including dramatic light tunnels and different themed areas like “Prehistoric Christmas” with dinosaurs and a 32-foot-tall animated Barbie.

Through Dec. 30 at Pine Knob Music Theatre; 33 Bob Seger Dr. Clarkston; magicoflights.com. Car passes are $22.50$65 depending on day and size of vehicle.

GLENLORE TRAILS: AURORA

THE BIG, BRIGHT LIGHT SHOW

Established in 2020, this one-mile technologically enhanced nature walk claims to be Michigan’s largest, with interactive light and sound displays. New this year are “magic wands” that can unlock surprises along the trail.

Through Dec. 29 at Glenlore Trails; 3860 Newton Rd., Commerce Twp.; glenloretrails.com. Tickets are $15-$25.

Every year, downtown Rochester is decked out with colorful holiday lights, making for scenic shopping or bar hopping.

From Nov. 25-Jan. 19 in downtown Rochester; downtownrochestermi.com.

W

CAMPUS MARTIUS PARK Downtown Detroit’s annual holiday festivities include a 66-foot Michigangrown Norway spruce decked out with more than 25,000 shimmering LED multi-colored lights, which will be joined by a large-scale Kwanzaa kinara and Hanukkah menorah later in the

HOLIDAY NIGHTS AT GREENFIELD VILLAGE Now in its 20th year, the old-timey streets of Dearborn’s Greenfield Village history attraction celebrate the holiday season with carolers, roasting chestnuts, bonfires, fireworks, Model T rides, and other festive traditions.

From Dec. 5-28 at Greenfield Village; 20900 Oakwood Blvd., Dearborn; thehenryford.org. Tickets are $30.50-$42.

WAYNE COUNTY LIGHTFEST

TUNNEL OF LIGHTS

Five miles of Hines Drive is transformed into a winter wonderland with nearly 50 animated themed displays made from more than 100,000 lights.

Through Dec. 24 at Hines Park; 7651 N Merriman Rd., Westland; waynecounty. com. Tickets are $5-$50 depending on size of vehicle.

A dazzling light display in Blossom Health Park free and open to the public, no park pass necessary.

From Dec. 7-Jan. 26 at Blossom Health Park; 24800 Jefferson Ave., St. Clair Shores; scsmi.net. No cover.

WINTER WONDER LIGHTS Take a guided tour of Meadow Brook Estate, a National Historic Landmark made even more enchanting by festive holiday lights. The tour continues inside Meadow Brook Hall where you’ll find more than 50 trees and enjoy the mansion’s cozy fireplaces.

From Nov. 29-Dec. 30 at Meadow Brook; 350 Estate Dr.,Rochester; meadowbrookhall.org. No cover for Oakland University students, tickets range from $13-$23.

HOME FOR THE HOLIDAYS AT FORD HOUSE This one-mile walking tour of the historic Ford House includes complimentary hot chocolate, a photo op with Santa, and a visit to the Main Residence for a chance to see how Eleanor Ford would have decorated the home for the holidays.

From Nov. 30-Dec. 22 at Ford House; 1100 Lake Shore Rd., Grosse Pointe Shores; fordhouse.org. Tickets are $10-$28.

NITE LITE This five-mile drive-thru holiday lights event can be experienced either by car or train via the Nite Lites Express.

Through Jan. 5 at Michigan International Speedway; 12626 US-12, Brooklyn; nitelitesshow.com. Tickets are $35-$100.

MI BRIGHT LIGHTS This drive-thru light show is synchronized to music played over your car stereo. Dozens of different songs give this attraction plenty of replay value.

Through Jan. 5; 30712 Michigan Ave., Westland; mibrightlights.com. Tickets are $20.

WONDERLAND OF LIGHTS This 31st annual event decks out Potter Park Zoo with thousands of lights with holiday music and photo ops with Santa on Fridays and Saturdays.

Through Dec. 23 at Potter Park Zoo; 1301 S. Pennsylvania Ave., Lansing; potterparkzoo.org. Tickets are $5-$9.

HOLIDAY STROLL This quaint village features shopping, choreographed light shows, Christmas characters, carolers, hot drinks and sweet treats from Yates Cider Mill, and more.

From Nov. 29-Dec. 23; Canterbury Village; 2325 Joslyn Ct., Lake Orion; canterburyvillage.com. Tickets are $17.99.

TRAIL OF LIGHTS You can explore this enchanting holiday light display either by tractordrawn wagon or a pet-friendly walk — see the official schedule for wagon ride night dates.

From Dec. 7-22 at Robert Williams Nature & Historical Learning Center; 10069 E. Atherton Rd., Davison; exploreflintandgenesee.org. Tickets are $4 for residents, $6 non-residents.

HOLIDAY MAGIC AT CROSSROADS VILLAGE This historic village comes to life with holiday lights, artisans, family-friendly activities, and evening rides on the Huckleberry Railroad.

From Nov. 29-Dec. 24 at Crossroads Village; 6140 N. Bray Rd., Flint; geneseecountyparks.org/christmasholiday-magic. Tickets are $10 per car.

HOLLYDAZZLE The grounds of the long-running Michigan Renaissance Festival are transformed into an enchanted holiday village with carolers, a Polar Pub Crawl, train rides, and more.

From Nov. 29-Dec. 31; hollydazzle.com.

Tickets are $8.95-$49.90.

CHRISTMAS LITE SHOW This holiday tradition started when William Schrader returned wounded from a stint in the military and wanted to create a holiday experience for children. This holiday extravaganza can be experienced by foot, car, or a ride on the “Memory Lane Train.” See the official schedule for corresponding dates.

From Nov. 27-Jan. 4 at the LMCU Ballpark; 4500 W. River Dr. NE, Comstock Park; christmasliteshow. com. See website for tickets.

ENLIGHTEN Frederik Meijer Gardens & Sculpture Park is celebrating its 30th anniversary year with this immersive outdoor light spectacle. The one-mile illuminated pathway includes state-of-the-art light installations integrated into the park’s existing sculptures, synchronized to music with interactive elements.

From Nov. 27-Jan. 4 at Frederik Meijer Gardens & Sculpture Park; 1000 East Beltline Ave. NE, Grand Rapids; meijergardens.org/enlighten. Tickets are $10-$20 for members, $12-$24 for nonmembers.

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WHAT’S GOING ON Select events happening in metro Detroit this week. Be sure to check venue websites before all events for latest information. Add your event to our online calendar: metrotimes.com/ AddEvent.

MUSIC

Wednesday, Nov. 27 Live/Concert 3-D Invisibles, Keshtkar & Co. 8 p.m.; Bowlero Lanes & Lounge, 4209 Coolidge Hwy., Royal Oak; no cover.

Koffin Kats 7:30 p.m.; The Token Lounge, 28949 Joy Rd., Westland; $20.

Magic Bag Presents: The Smiths United - Thanksgiving Is Still Murder, Used Cars, Hynde Sight 7 p.m.; Magic Bag, 22920 Woodward Ave., Ferndale; $25.

Woodward Avenue Brewers, 22646 Woodward Ave., Ferndale; no cover.

Friday, Nov. 29 Live/Concert Magic Bag Presents: An Evening with The English Beat 7 p.m.; Magic Bag, 22920 Woodward Ave., Ferndale; $45.

Marianas Trench, LØLØ 8 p.m.; Caesars Palace Windsor - Augustus Ballroom, 377 E. Riverside Dr., Windsor; $28-$68.

METAL VS PUNKS! Day 1 (10 bands, 2 stages!) 6 p.m.; Sanctuary Detroit, 2932 Caniff St., Hamtramck; $10-$20.

George Montrelle, Caleb Sanchez, Sam Carroll, Isaac Burgess 7 p.m.; Lager House, 1254 Michigan Ave., Detroit; $10.

Matt Lorusso Trio & Special Guests 8-11 p.m.; Northern Lights Lounge, 660 W. Baltimore St., Detroit; no cover.

Peezy, Icewear Vezzo, KrispyLife Kidd, Bossman Webbie, Rmc Mike, YG Teck 7 p.m.; Saint Andrew’s Hall, 431 E. Congress St., Detroit; $30.

Peter McPoland 7 p.m.; The Loving Touch, 22634 Woodward Ave., Ferndale;

Pretty Island, Double Winter, DJ Stashu 9 p.m.; Bowlero Lanes & Lounge, 4209 Coolidge Hwy., Royal Oak; no cover.

DJ/Dance HEART BEATS: Ron Zakrin, Bileebob, Eric Hinchman, DJ Resurgence, Todd Osborn 10 p.m.-2 a.m.; Spkr Box, 200 Grand River, Detroit; $10.

Ravenscoon GLASS ORCHID PART ONE with BUKU, Canvas, Luminyst 8 p.m.; Crofoot Ballroom, 1 S. Saginaw, Pontiac; $30.

Rocksteady Disco Presents: Thanksgiving Eve 9 p.m.; Spot Lite, 2905 Beaufait St., Detroit; $10.95-$21.95.

RN ISMO, Teknono, Miss Belles 9 p.m.; Magic Stick, 4120 Woodward Ave., Detroit; $10-$12.50.

Karaoke Offbeat KARAOKE with Robby Rob 9 p.m.; Third Street Detroit, 4626 Third St., Detroit; no cover.

Thursday, Nov. 28 Live/Concert Dueling Pianos: An Interactive Entertainment Experience 8 p.m.-midnight; AXIS Lounge, 1777 3rd St, Detroit; no cover.

Karaoke DARE-U-OKE 9 p.m.-midnight; Northern Lights Lounge, 660 W. Baltimore St., Detroit; no cover.

Drag Queen Karaoke 8 p.m.-2 a.m.;

Steel Panther, Stone Horses 7 p.m.; The Fillmore, 2115 Woodward Ave., Detroit; $29.50-$59.50.

The Blues Brothers Experience, Darian Counts, Raxchel Darron 8 p.m.; The Token Lounge, 28949 Joy Rd., Westland; $15-$120.

Uncle Kracker, Kendall Tucker, Audrey Ray 6 p.m.; District 142, 142 Maple St., Wyandotte; $35.

Will Clarke, Rose Ryot 9 p.m.; Magic Stick, 4120 Woodward Ave., Detroit; $15-$25.

Zeal & Ardor, Gaerea, Zetra 6 p.m.; Magic Stick, 4120 Woodward Ave., Detroit; $26.50.

DJ/Dance The Ultimate Black Friday Party!

9 p.m.; Diamondback Music Hall, 49345 S. Interstate 94 Service Dr., Belleville; $25-$1,000.

Zeds Dead, Habstrakt, EazyBaked, Eater, Seth David 8 p.m. and 8 pm; Detroit Masonic Temple Library, 500 Temple St, Detroit; $39-$87.

Deitrick Haddon 3 p.m. and 8 p.m.; The Music Hall, 350 Madison Ave., Detroit; $35-$89.

Destroy Lonely 7 p.m.; The Fillmore, 2115 Woodward Ave., Detroit; $40-$79.50.

Duende, DJ Bforeman 9 p.m.; Bowlero Lanes & Lounge, 4209 Coolidge Hwy., Royal Oak; no cover.

Esham, The Amino Acids, Wiccans, The Hatchet Man Project 6 p.m.; Harpo’s, 14238 Harper Ave., Detroit; $30.

Jackyl 7 p.m.; District 142, 142 Maple St., Wyandotte; $25-$35.

Magic Bag Presents: An Evening with The English Beat 7 p.m.; Magic Bag, 22920 Woodward Ave., Ferndale; $45.

METAL VS PUNKS! Day 2 (10 bands, 2 stages!) 6 p.m.; Sanctuary Detroit, 2932 Caniff St., Hamtramck; $10-$20.

Real Friends, Can’t Swim, Carly Cosgrove, Slow Joy 6 p.m.; Saint Andrew’s Hall, 431 E. Congress St., Detroit; $29.50.

DJ/Dance Jason Ross 9 p.m.; Elektricity Nightclub, 15 S. Saginaw St., Pontiac; $34.

Michael vs. Prince 8 p.m.; Northern Lights Lounge, 660 W. Baltimore St., Detroit; $20 cover.

RIOT AT THE DISCO: Emo and Pop-Punk 9 pm; Pike Room, 1 S. Saginaw, Pontiac; $20.

Saddle Up Country Dance Party 8 p.m.; Diamondback Music Hall, 49345 S. Interstate 94 Service Dr., Belleville; $10-$15.

Sander van Doorn, Fedo, Thay Rodrigues 9 p.m.; Magic Stick, 4120 Woodward Ave., Detroit; $20-$25.

Zeds Dead, Daily Bread, Taiki Nulight, Heyz, Hershe 8 p.m. and 8 pm; Detroit Masonic Temple Library, 500 Temple St, Detroit; $39-$87

Sunday, Dec. 1 Live/Concert Blood Incantation, Midwife 7 p.m.; Magic Stick, 4120 Woodward Ave., Detroit; $25.

In This Moment, Kim Dracula, Nathan James 7 p.m.; Caesars Palace Windsor - Augustus Ballroom, 377 E. Riverside Dr., Windsor; $33-$78.

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).

Seven Kingdoms, Striker, Lutharo, Shadow’s Reflection 6 p.m.; Sanctuary Detroit, 2932 Caniff St., Hamtramck; $20.

Monday, Dec. 2 Live/Concert A Tribute to Reggae ft. Roots Vibrations 7 p.m.; Aretha’s Jazz Cafe, 350 Madison St., Detroit; $35.

DJ/Dance Adult Skate Night 8:30-11 p.m.; Lexus Velodrome, 601 Mack Ave., Detroit; $5.

Tuesday Dec 3 Live/Concert Global Sunsets, Blackman & Arnold Trio 7-10 p.m.; Northern Lights Lounge, 660 W. Baltimore St., Detroit; no cover.

DJ/Dance B.Y.O.R Bring Your Own Records Night 9 p.m.-midnight; The Old Miami, 3930 Cass Ave., Detroit; no cover.

Open Mic Open Mic : Art in a Fly Space 7-10 p.m.; Detroit Shipping Company, 474 Peterboro St., Detroit; no cover.

THEATER Performance Fisher Theatre - Detroit Blippi The Musical; Saturday, 2 p.m.

Meadow Brook Theatre A Christmas Carol; $50; Friday, 8 p.m.; Saturday, 2 p.m. and 6:30 p.m.; Sunday, 2 p.m. and 6:30 p.m.

The Inspired Acting Company Moon Man Walk by James Ijames; $30$35; Fridays, Saturdays, 8-10 p.m. and Sundays, 2-4 p.m.

Tipping Point Theatre Little Women; $25-$55; Wednesday, 2-4 p.m.; Friday, 2-4 p.m. and 7:30-9:30 p.m.; Saturday, 2-4 p.m. and 7:30-9:30 p.m.; Sunday, 2-4 p.m.

Musical

Saturday, Nov. 30 Live/Concert

Carols & Ales: whateverandeveramen. 6:30 p.m. Batch Brewing Company, 1400 Porter St, Detroit, Detroit; $20.

Fox Theatre Dr. Seuss’ How the Grinch Stole Christmas! The Musical; $30-$80; Wednesday, 7:30 p.m.; Friday, 10:30 a.m., 3 p.m. and 7:30 p.m.; Saturday, 10:30 a.m., 3 p.m. and 7:30 p.m.; Sunday, 10:30 a.m. and 3 p.m.

Coco Montoya, Jim McCarty, Lexie Blue 8 p.m.; The Token Lounge, 28949 Joy Rd., Westland; $25-$140.

Dopethrone, Temple of the Fuzz Witch 7 p.m.; Small’s, 10339 Conant St., Hamtramck; $20.

Greater Grace Temple A Graceful Christmas; $20 in advance, $25 at the door; Sunday, 6:30-9 p.m.

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family in a developing country. This year, greater Detroit-area residents will be able to do just that. As part of the annual #LightTheWorld campaign, visitors to Campus Martius in Detroit can provide an instant act of service by donating at special vending machines called Giving Machines. With a simple card swipe, individuals can purchase items for people in need both in the Detroit area and around the world. Donations are from $5$250. Through Dec. 8, 8 a.m.-8 p.m.

COMEDY Improv Detroit Shipping Company 313 Comedy Show; no cover; Sundays, 7-8:30 p.m.

Go Comedy! Improv Theater Pandemonia The Allstar Showdown; $20; Friday, 8 p.m. and 10 p.m.

Stand-up Mark Ridley’s Comedy Castle The Night Before Thanksgiving Comedy Showcase with Jim McGowan (MC) Ali Ahmed, William Simasko, Ella Horwedel, Matt Benjamin, Demetrius Fields, and Tre’ Stewart; $15; Wednesday, 7:30-9 p.m.

ETC. Party

Mark Ridley’s Comedy Castle Bryan McCree with Tonya Murray and James Greig; $25; Friday, 7:15-8:45 p.m. and 9:45-11:15 p.m.; Saturday, 7-8:30 p.m. and 9:30-11 p.m.

Open Mic Blind Pig Blind Pig Comedy; 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.

ARTS Artist talk/Class Call For Entry Workshop Series This workshop is designed to help you to understand what galleries are looking for when they place a Call for Entry, what not to do, what jurors are looking at when selecting a piece, and how to properly prepare your work for display (if chosen).

This is a three-part series. Sunday, Dec. 1, noon-4 p.m.; Color & Ink Studio, 20919 John R Rd., Hazel Park; $100 for all three days.

SIP & SCRIPT: Calligraphy Class hosted by Signed by Suki!

Tuesday Dec. 3, 6:30-8 p.m.; Syndicate Ferndale, 140 Vester Ave., Ferndale; $65.

Art exhibition Ann Arbor Art Center Our Love Will Change The World: Photographs by Doug Coombe. Through Jan. 5.

Ideation Orange Detroit Royalty: A Collection of Paintings and Prints by Niagara and Snapshots: A Photographic Retrospective of the work of Sigrid Dobat.

Janice Charach Gallery Recollection. Through Dec. 11 Featuring: Boisali Biswas, Amy Fell, Melissa Jones, Tom Kopczynski, Camille La Montagne, Paul Lindenberg, Jessica Rohrer, Jaye Schlesinger, Chris Schneider, Clinton Snider, Krysti Spence, Slaw, Matt Thornton Featured artists: Jean Paul Aboudib,

JOSH JUSTICE

Critics’ Pick

Esham, Amino Acids, Wiccans, The Hatchet Man Project In Detroit, there would be no Eminem or Insane Clown Posse without Esham. First busting onto the scene as a teenager in 1989, Esham calls his style of rock-infused hip-hop as “acid rap.” The influential horrorcore rapper takes the stage this weekend as part of an eclectic lineup that includes the Amino Acids, Wiccans, and the Hatchet Man Project.

–Lee DeVito Starts at 6 p.m. on Saturday, Nov. 30 at Harpos; 14238 Harper Ave., Detroit; harposlive.com. Tickets are $30 advance, $35 day of show.

Sarah Blanchette, Laurel Bradshaw, Marci Bykat, Winnie Chrzanowski, Denyse Couture, Amelia Currier, Debra Dunne, Paul Erlandson, Frank James Fisher, Kathy Fish-Gilbert, Terry FordHolcomb, Emily Hamilton, Patrick Hatfield, Ilene Kahan, Peggy Kerwan, Anna Kocherovsky, Janet Kondziela, Tom Livo, Sue Majewski, Barbara Melnik Carson, Judi Mindell, Kathleen W. O’Connell, Bruce Peterson, Steven Schoeberlein, Peggy Stulberg, Steven Tapper, Sarah Tierney, Helen Vlasic, Nancy Wanchik, Barbara Wujczyk, and Larry Zdeb.

Louis Buhl & Co. Kaylie Kaitschuck: They Don’t Love You Like I Love You. Through Dec. 21.

Matéria Core City Alberte Tranberg: A third thing. Through Dec. 21.

Museum of Contemporary Art Detroit (MOCAD) Clare Gatto and

Kara Güt: Magic Circle. Through Feb. 23.

Pewabic Pottery Pewabic’s Holiday Showcase.

The Shepherd Grace Under Fire.

Through Jan. 11,.

The Baker House Gallery at VITRINE The Art of Karen Giles.

University of Michigan Museum of Art Unsettling Histories: Legacies of Slavery and Colonialism.

WELLNESS Self-care Campus Martius Park Giving Machine Detroit. Imagine going to a vending machine and being able to purchase much-needed food, clothing, baby supplies, medicine, or chickens for a

The Congregation Detroit Skip the Small Talk. Do you wish you could have more of the kinds of conversations you have late at night where for some reason, you feel safe talking about the things you actually care about? Bring your friends (or come by yourself) and spend your night at an event where you know everyone else is there for the same reason. We’ll offer “big talk” conversational prompts on them to get you started, and we’ll have lots of structure to make sure that you actually talk to people and that it’s not awkward. $18.50; Tuesday, 7-9 p.m.

Drink The Harvest Pour: A Fall Mixology Class At this in-person event, you’ll learn how to craft delicious fall cocktails, mocktail options available, that will impress your friends and family. Our expert award winning mixologist will guide you through the process, sharing tips and tricks to elevate your home bartending game. Get ready to sip on seasonal flavors and embrace the cozy vibes of fall. Don’t miss out on this opportunity to shake up some festive drinks with us! Saturday, 4:30-6:30 p.m.; The Shadow Gallery, 1533 Winder St., Detroit; $89.

Vintage Detroit Urban Artifacts Detroit Urban Artifacts Small Business Saturday Holiday Sale. Shop unique antique and vintage gifts for everyone on your list in every price range. Located inside the Russell Industrial Center; 1600 Clay St., Detroit; Friday, 10 a.m.-6 p.m.; Saturday, 10 a.m.-6 p.m.; and Sunday, noon-6 p.m.

Food Book Cadillac’s 100th Anniversary Dinner at Sullivan’s Steakhouse In honor of Book Cadillac’s 100th Anniversary, choose from iconic 1920’s Detroit specialties at Sullivan’s Steakhouse. Through Dec. 23, 4-10 p.m.; Sullivan’s Steakhouse, 1128 Washington Blvd, Detroit; Dinner for two: $100; sullivanssteakhouse.com/detroit.

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FOOD

Folk opens retail store inside Michigan Central

Parlay is a sports fan paradise.

BUREAU DETROIT

Bites

Former Detroit Lion Joique Bell opens upscale sports bar A new sports bar called Parlay opened in downtown Detroit — just in time for the big Jake Paul vs. Mike Tyson boxing match earlier this month.

Located in the former Detroit Beer Exchange space at 1260 Washington Blvd., Parlay is situated not far from the city’s sports stadiums and is decked out in sports tickers and large TV screens.

The new bar is co-owned by former Detroit Lions running back Joique Bell.

“Parlay Detroit will be the go-to loca-

tion for all sports fans in Detroit,” Bell said in a statement. “Our team worked really hard on every detail of Parlay to ensure a next level experience for our guests, from the energy in the room to our top-level menu and unique craft cocktails. We are excited to show our customers what we can provide them and know they will want to keep coming back.”

The 11,000-square-foot space sports an upscale vibe with a restaurant and cigar

lounge.

The menu includes elevated American bar fare and craft cocktails, overseen by Chefs Nikki Steward and Russell Oliver.

A lower-level speakeasy-themed lounge dubbed Hidden is also in the works, with an aim of opening in early 2025.

More information is available at parlaydetroit.com or on Instagram at @parlay_detroit.

—Lee DeVito

Javier’s Downtown fills former Le Culture Café space A downtown Detroit space

that has hosted a revolving door of restaurants in recent years has been reimagined again, this time as Javier’s Downtown — an upscale restaurant and bar that the owners describe as a “Latinfusion steakhouse.”

Javier’s is located at 1452 Brush St. near the city’s Harmonie Park area, in the building that held the former Le Culture Café, which closed in 2022. Before that, the 5,000-square-foot space was home to Asaysia, a New American-themed shared plates concept.

Owner Brian Hanna, who comes from experience in the bar industry, and general manager Theo Oresky, a long-term Detroit restaurant manager and operator, worked together on the menu and say they hope to eventually bring a chef on board to further develop it.

“In Detroit there’s restaurants pop-

ping up almost every other week, or every week,” Hanna says. “There’s steak houses, there’s burger spots, there’s Mexican places. So we just wanted to have the right twist and theme that basically is unique in its own way, not compared to everybody else.”

Oresky describes the vibe as if “you went to Cozumel or you went to Acapulco and you said, ‘Hey, take me to the best steakhouse in town.’”

Everything on the menu is made from scratch, and includes twists on Mexican favorites like quesadillas and burritos, as well as steakhouse fare like bone-in ribeye, lamb chops, and crab cakes.

When it comes to alcohol, Javier’s is heavy on tequila, naturally.

“You name a tequila, we got it,” Oresky says.

“We have bottles of tequila at $2,000 that are sitting on our shelf,” Hanna

adds. “So we got something from $10 to $2,000.”

The bar program also includes curated cocktails and alcohol-free mocktails.

The space’s renovated interior sports an upscale vibe with an attached lounge dubbed the Agave Room, which is lit up with color-changing LED lights. “You’ve got the marble floor, and you’ve got wonderful wood-top tables, and you’ve got such beautiful chandeliers with highlights of gold and essence of silver,” Oresky says. “It’s really quite stunning.”

The owners say they plan to bring in live music on select days.

With Javier’s located near Detroit’s sports stadiums Ford Field and Comerica Park, as well as cultural institutions like Music Hall and Opera House, the owners say they are hopeful in drawing a diverse audience.

“We are in the heart of the entertain-

Another retail tenant has opened in Detroit’s rehabbed Michigan Central.

Neighbor x Folk, a sister business of Detroit’s James Beard-nominated restaurant Folk, opened in the former train station on Friday as a retail residency dubbed “Winter at The Station.”

The store says it will feature “a curated selection of minority-owned and sustainably minded brands for the conscious consumer,” such as gifts, home décor, books, and more.

Local brands set to be featured include Sister Pie, Casamara Club, Sepia Coffee Co., Baobab Fare, Jon Kung, Dos Jefes, Halcyon Patisserie, Jaro Farm, Gus & Grey, Lebanese Redhead, Detroit Dye House, Katie Bramlage, and more.

The space also plans to hold events like hands-on workshops, book signings, and product samplings.

“We believe that at the heart of every inspired community are its people, their passions, and their stories,” Folk founder Rohani Foulkes said in a statement. “We’re honored to have such an historic platform as Michigan Central to create space for building connections, sharing knowledge, and inspiring creativity. We are thrilled to provide this platform for Detroit’s makers to share their craft, their culture, and their passions with our community.”

Michigan Central recently reopened to the public following a nearly $1 billion makeover by Ford Motor Co. to turn the grand, long-abandoned train station and its surrounding 30-acre campus into a mixed-use “innovation hub.”

Michigan Central’s first announced retail tenant was Yellow Light Coffee & Donuts.

—Lee DeVito ment district, so we also want to make it also feel that, if I’m going to the Lions game, I would feel comfortable enough to go there,” Oresky says.

“Our theme is more like, you know, hey, come have good food, have good drinks, and then maybe stay after and party with us,” Hanna says, adding, “The thing is to feel welcome here.”

More information is available at javiersdowntown.com.

—Lee DeVito

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CULTURE

Ashley Marie paints almost exclusively in hues of green.

SE7ENFIFTEEN

Arts Spotlight

Ashley Marie’s green palette creates a bridge to the spirit realm

By Randiah Camille Green

Ashley Marie was distraught

and angry at God after her sister unexpectedly died. To ease her pain, Marie asked her sister to send her a purple flower, a sign from beyond the veil to let her know she was safe.

Several weeks later she got her answer when a purple pansy sprouted from a brick on her front porch. Marie’s paintings haven’t been the same since.

Marie is a metro Detroit-based figurative oil painter whose work sits on the threshold of the spirit realm, where past, present, future, living, and dead converge. Painted mostly in shades of green, Marie’s work captures lush plants, dense forests, and transparent

specters as they materialize into physical form.

Marie has been a practicing artist for over 10 years, but her work didn’t always feature apparitions with a green palette. She started off doing abstract expressionist works with charcoal, but that changed following her sister’s death in 2015.

“That was so inexplicably powerful to me in confirming that something is out there greater than us; that there is something beyond us and what we can comprehend,” she says.

“Instead of painting abstractly and expressionistically just for aesthetic or purely just for expression, I just felt

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like I had to start painting something with meaning so that I could give that experience to the world and use my work as a vehicle.”

Marie’s studio is covered in plants.

Monstera crowd corners as pothos crawl in front of giant windows and cascade down to the floor. She’s even wearing green during our visit.

“I feel a deep connection with plants and nature because I feel like it is deeply a part of us and connects us to this world,” she says. “I like plants and flowers so much because I feel like they provide a comfortable environment and connection to God, who created all of this, or the universe, whatever you

prefer to believe. There’s just so much beauty and calmness in it.”

Marie is mostly self-taught. She dropped out after one semester at the Academy of Art University in San Francisco because she couldn’t afford it and taught herself how to paint with oils during a Red Bull House of Art residency in 2012. She further developed her technique in realism after working under Chicago-based multidisciplinary artist Carlos Rolón.

Most recently Marie’s shown work in the Atlanta Art Fair in addition to her 2024 solo show, Transcendence, at Ferndale’s M Contemporary Art. She finds inspiration in theology, quantum physics, and mysticism, which is part of the reason the people in her work are usually transparent.

They’re literally see-through. The outline of a woman’s body rests gently atop a bed of garden flowers, her figure slowly fading into the throng of leaves underneath her. Marie uses a thin glazing technique to create the translucent effect.

“I’m glazing the lights and the darks but sort of leaving a little bit of the background as my mid tone for the figures,” she explains. “I use the nature background to convey this world and paint the figures transparent to convey us as spiritual beings. This juxtaposition allows me to create this bridge between the physical and the spiritual worlds... I really wanted to sort of push that feeling of the spirituality within the work and keep it monochromatic.

I feel that green is really resonant with the heart chakra, and sort of allows room for growth and healing.”

To our surprise, the artist admits that she does sometimes grow bored of just painting in green and has recently begun adding elements like clouds and pops of color. In one of her pieces, “Three Kingdoms,” three faceless figures stand next to each other reflecting in their form the darkness of an unending void, the plant kingdom, and the realm of the sky. She’s also experimenting with sculpture, which she hopes to show publicly soon.

“I think the most important thing that I want my audience to take away from my work is to have a self-reflective moment and think about your own thoughts on spirituality,” she says.

“What is in the great beyond? Is there a great beyond? Is there something bigger than us? Do you connect with that?

How do you connect with that? How does that change the way that you see the world? How does that change the way you connect with the world?”

To keep up with Ashley Marie, you can follow her on Instagram at @ashleymarieart.

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CULTURE

Mikey Madison as Ani and Mark Eydelshteyn as Ivan in Anora.

NEON

Film

Three indie movies generating major Oscars buzz

By Jared Rasic, Last Word Features

I went into this past weekend

fully intending to see Red One, that new movie in which The Rock, Chris Evans, and a polar bear have to rescue a kidnapped (and completely jacked) Santa Claus. But then I realized that, ultimately, that movie is probably as critic-proof as it possibly gets. You don’t need me to tell you whether it’s worth your time because if you’ve seen the trailer you absolutely already know if it’s for you or not. I’m sure it’s fun and probably at least a little entertaining, but it’s doubtful there’s much to really decode from it.

So instead, I figure we’ll all gain something more from a look at three of the high-profile independent movies that are in a lot of early discussions about the upcoming Oscars.

This is the time of the year when films being released are being targeted to audiences as possible awards contenders — don’t-miss movies for people who care about those sorts of things.

The movie that seems to have the year’s most Oscar buzz so far is Anora, the new film from Sean Baker, the indie auteur behind stone classics like Tan-

gerine and The Florida Project.

Baker is a hell of a filmmaker whose output so far has almost exclusively unpacked different aspects of sex work from the viewpoint of lower and middle class societal exiles. Anora is easily Baker’s most “mainstream” film so far, which is saying a lot since it’s still a 139-minute romantic dramedy that flits between gritty drama, screwball comedy, and crime thriller with ease.

Anora won the Palme d’Or (basically Best in Show) at the 2024 Cannes Film Festival, joining the ranks of films like Parasite; Paris, Texas; Taxi Driver, Pulp Fiction, and Apocalypse Now in the prestigious club of cinematic greats.

While on the surface, Anora is basically a somewhat more realistic take on Pretty Woman, the film looks at the toll that life takes on a young woman who meets a rich young Russian that wants to pay her lots of money for her company. What seems glamorous and exciting at first begins to curdle in ways we don’t even recognize at first, and while the film is very fun and fast paced, it’s also exhausting on an almost spiritual level while still never

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succumbing to nihilistic musing on the state of the world.

Is Anora as strong as some of the other Palme d’Or winners? I have no idea until I’m able to watch it a few more times and really sit with it. But as it stands, Anora is ridiculously entertaining at its worst and deeply moving at its best, featuring an astonishing performance from Mikey Madison as Anora. It’s not my favorite film of the year so far, but it belongs in the top 10 for sure.

Another movie sitting pretty with awards buzz is We Live in Time, a romantic drama featuring two fullblown movie star performances from Florence Pugh and Andrew Garfield as a couple that we follow over the course of a decade. Pugh and Garfield have such easy-going chemistry that feels so lived in and effortless that even though the story is something we’ve seen a million times before, they’re so impossibly charming to watch that we’re swept along anyway. With these two central performances and surprisingly deft and subtle direction from John Crowley, We Live in Time feels like an old-fashioned

melodrama in both positive (stirring, moving) and negative (cheesy, manipulative) ways. Aside from the non-chronological storytelling, it’s such a conventional film that it’s hard to believe it was released by A24. Still, it feels like the kind of film we don’t get much of anymore, so it’s easy to be romanced by the whole thing.

Also sharing some of the buzz is the new film from English auteur Andrea Arnold, Bird, starring newly minted movie star Barry Keoghan (he left Gladiator II to make this), just as grimy here as he was in Saltburn, but with 100% less bathtubs. Bird follows 12-year-old Bailey (played by the natural and moving Nykiya Adams) who lives in a falling-to-pieces slum in Kent, surrounded by adults who are much less mature than she is. With her drugdealing father (played by the phenomenal Keoghan) bringing endless chaos to her life, Bailey exists between a state of gritty immediacy and magical realism that keeps Bird feeling like a work of pure originality.

Arnold films most of Bird handheld, so the intensity of the filmmaking is belayed by Bailey still accessing her childhood wonder, creating multiple moments that feel somehow spontaneous and perfectly, formally executed.

It’s truly bravura filmmaking from the fearless Arnold, who expands the breadth of her filmmaking language here to the point of making me wonder if there’s anything she can’t do. The film itself is so tonally all over the place that it initially felt jarring, but had completely won me over by the end. Bird is strange and singular in a way only Arnold could have achieved.

I’m not sure if any of these three movies will win top prizes at the Oscars (although Anora has the best chance).

Regardless, they are three serious works that deserve your consideration… even without the polar bears.

Anora Rated: R Run-time: 139 minutes Grade: A-

We Live in Time Rated: R Run-time: 108 minutes Grade: B

Bird Rated: R Run-time: 119 minutes Grade: B+

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WEED The Straight Dope

The Hive is a gem in Michigan’s cannabis scene Welcome to The Straight Dope, our new weekly series that explores the best cannabis products in Michigan.

The Hive in Hazel Park is a

small, woman-owned dispensary competing in a cannabis market dominated by corporate retailers and growers.

And this friendly, modern retailer is growing and selling some of the freshest, most pungent, and well-grown flower in Michigan.

Owned by Dana Elgie, The Hive is the state’s first woman-owned Class A cannabis microbusiness in the state, which allows it to grow up to 300 cannabis plants and operate a retail store in the same space.

The Hive shares its building with B.D.T. smoke shop at 21630 John R, which is owned by Elgie’s father, Curtis Goure, and has served stoners with marijuana paraphernalia like bongs, rolling papers, and tie-dye T-shirts since 1973.

The Hive is welcoming, contemporary, and easy to navigate, and its shelves are stocked with some of the best deli-style flower and live rosin in the state. Other high-quality products include infused flower, edibles, vape cartridges, concentrates, and THCinfused drinks and topicals.

When it opened in June 2023, The Hive began offering infused flower because its first harvest — grown in the same building — was not yet ready, and its license prohibits the dispensary from selling other flower unless it’s infused.

Then in May 2024, The Hive began selling its first exclusive, top-tier flower at prices that most dispensaries sell mid-level flower — $25 an eighth and $120 an ounce. The one-gram pre-rolls, which are stuffed with highquality ground flower, are only $6, and they pack a punch.

At any given time, about 10 strains are available.

“We can keep the price low because we don’t have a middleman,” Elgie tells Metro Times. “We have the best quality at the best price.”

The flower is grown in five rooms to allow for new harvests every two

The Hive in Hazel Park is a woman-owned dispensary that sells its own high-quality flower.

weeks. The grow space is 4,000 square feet and includes 18 LED lights.

As a former caregiver who grew cannabis in 2008 and 2009, Elgie knows the industry well and early on understood the difference between mediocre and exceptional weed.

As a marijuana microbusiness, Elgie knew she could not succeed without skilled, experienced growers.

“I found a team of individuals who are very capable,” Elgie says. “They know how to grow well and which strains to grow. They’ve been great. It’s been a synergistic relationship.”

The freshness and quality of the cannabis set The Hive apart from other dispensaries, where it’s not unusual to come across flower that has aged for months and is losing its flavor and potency.

“When you come in, you won’t find something older than three weeks,” Elgie says. “Flower reaches its peak about two weeks after harvest. The fresher the flower, the better the experience.”

I tried five of The Hive’s exclusive strains: Pink Zoap, Cadillac Rainbow, Permanent Marker, Sherb Cream Pie, and Trop Cherry Cookie. All the buds were dense, flavorful, pungent, coated in trichomes and potent. They check all of the boxes for top-tier flower.

And as a bonus, after the purchase, the flower is placed in colorful, eyecatching mylar bags emblazoned with

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retro-style cartoon designs.

I also got two prerolls — Fire OG and Cap Junky — and opened them up to examine the contents. While some cultivators jam joints with plant trim and other low-quality plant material, The Hive packed their 1-gram prerolls with sticky flower. For $6, the prerolls are a steal — and a great way to explore The Hive’s strains.

Let’s take a closer look at each strain:

Cadillac Rainbow

•

•

•

STEVE NEAVLING

A well-balanced hybrid, Zoap is a perfect strain to unwind, socialize, or do something creative.

At 31.9% THC, the flower is hardhitting and made me giggly and inspired. A relaxing body high followed after about an hour.

This strain’s primary terpene, caryophyllene, is well-regarded for promoting relaxation and easing stress. Other terpenes include limonene and humulene.

One of my favorites of the strains, Cadillac Rainbow is a cross between Pure Michigan and Runtz. This hybrid boasts a rich, gassy aroma with fruity, funky undertones, blending bright notes of lemon and diesel.

• The buds are frosty and vibrant.

• The high is euphoric and relaxing, but didn’t lock me to a couch. It’s a good strain for the late afternoon or evening.

• The THC content is 26.6%. While the dominant terpene of this strain has not been identified, its aroma and effects suggest it could contain myrcene or linalool.

Trop Cherry Cookies

Pink Zoap

Sherb Cream Pie

The most potent and pungent of the bunch, Pink Zoap is a combination of Rainbow Sherbet and Pink Guava.

Zoap has a unique soap-like flavor with earthy and citrus undertones. The buds are dense and covered in trichomes.

This is all about the mouth-watering flavor and soothing high. A combination of Ice Cream Cake X Sherb BX1, Sherb Cream Pie is an indica dominant hybrid with a sweet candy nose.

• The Hive’s batch is pungent, with

Easily the most visually striking of the strains, Trop Cherry Cookie combines the genetics of Tropicana Cookies and Cherry Cookies. The large buds are purple, spongy, and oozing with sticky trichomes. The bag appeal is exceptional.

• Citrus and cherries are the dominant flavors.

• The only sativa-dominant hybrid of the strains, Trop Cherry Cookie is a great daytime choice.

• The THC content is 31.5%. Caryophyllene is the dominant terpene, followed by limonene and pinene.

• •

•

a robust flavor profile of vanilla, creamy, and citrus.

Take a whiff of this and you’ll be hooked.

The body high is happy and relaxing. It’s a great way to unwind and tune out.

The THC content is 31.5%. The dominant terpene is caryophyllene, followed by linalool and limonene.

Permanent Marker Named Leafly’s strain of the year in 2023, Permanent Marker is a unique strain that crosses Biscotti x Sherb Bx and Jealousy. True to its name, the indica-dominant hybrid smells like a permanent marker. Its taste is a bold, lingering funk, with notes of candy, soap, citrus, and diesel.

• The buds are large, sticky, and in their prime.

• This strain is ideal for relaxing, hanging out with friends, or sparking creativity.

• The dominant terpene is myrcene, which is often associated with having calming effects.

Other terpenes include limonene and caryophyllene.

• The THC content is 20.5%.

The straight dope With no exceptions, The Hive’s flower is among the best in the state and sells at lower prices than premier cannabis elsewhere. And with new strains every two weeks, you’ll have no trouble finding a diverse array of high-quality flower.

As an added bonus, The Hive is independent and features a team that has been passionate about the weed industry long before it was legalized in Michigan for recreational use.

The dispensary is a thoughtfully curated space that is stylishly modern yet unpretentious, with a friendly and warm ambience. The budtenders are personable, helpful, and patient.

The Hive is a project of love and authenticity and stands out as a real gem in an industry dominated by wealthy opportunists with little passion for cannabis beyond its profit potential.

With its welcoming atmosphere, stellar products, and communityoriented roots, The Hive is proof that quality and heart can still outshine corporate giants in Michigan’s cannabis scene.

The Hive at B.D.T. is located at 21640 John R Rd., Hazel Park; thehivemichigan.com.

WE ARE OPEN FOR ALL HOLIDAYS VISIT US ON GAME DAY! DRINK SPECIALS BEFORE & AFTER HOME GAMES ONE MILE FROM STADIUMS / MINUTES FROM QLINE / FREE STREET PARKING ON SUNDAYS

Wed 11/27

THANKSGIVING EVE PARTY DJ SKEEZ & FRIENDS (HIP-HOP/SOUL/FUNK)

DOORS@7P/$5COVER Thurs 11/28

EXTENDED THANKSGIVING HOURS OPEN 8AM FOR THANKSGIVING DAY PARADE SERVING WARM DRINKS & SNACKS! BOOZY HOT CIDER SPECIAL $6

Fri 11/29

ROBBY ROB KARAOKE

DOORS@9PM/$5COVER Sat 11/30

DJ MARCIE BOLEN OF THE VON BONDIES DOORS@9P/$5COVER

HAPPY BIRTHDAY, BENJAMIN TENSER! Mon 12/02

FREE POOL ALL DAY Coming Up: 12/04 Off The Rails Trivia w/ The Pazmaster 12/04 MERRY MALORT-MESS 12/05 Crown Royal Purple Bag Project/ Lions Party 12/06 Broken Strings/DeCarlo Familt 12/07 NOEL NIGHT 12/07 VASE/Kraig Durco/Valaura 12/11 Off The Rails Trivia w/ The Pazmaster 12/14 BANGERZ & JAMZ 12/20 Ghouls/Bores 12/21 SANTARCHY 12/21 Boreouts/Bill Kozy’s Rising Force/Dark Red 12/22 ROBBY ROB KARAOKE

Book Your Parties: theoldmiamibarevents@gmail.com Old Miami T-shirts & Hoodies for Sale

If you want us to sample your cannabis products, send us an email at steve@ metrotimes.com.

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CULTURE Savage Love Turkey Run

By Dan Savage Dear Readers: I’m off for Thanksgiving. I was to tempted to re-run a column again — which has the single best Thanksgiving-related question that has ever appeared in an advice column — but I re-ran that column last year. So, instead I’m re-upping the column that appeared just before Thanksgiving in 2016. —Dan

Q: I’m a very sex-positive girl and

I finally convinced my boyfriend to open up about his fetishes. I could tell he was ashamed and torn about sharing them with me, but I’ve been with my fair share of guys and surfed the net for years, and I was convinced nothing could shock me. Well, it turns out he’s into soft vore. I’m not gonna lie, I was a bit put off at first, but of course I didn’t tell him. I started looking for information about his fetish, and it’s not as uncommon as I thought. I stumbled upon many websites for like-minded people, and my understanding of it is that vores really long for intimacy and protection. Is my interpretation correct? Also, after learning about it, I realized it’s less extreme than some of the stuff we usually engage in, like heavy BDSM, so I want him to feel fulfilled. Is there any way I can help him “act out” his fetish? He would like to be the eatee.

—Fully Understanding Lover’s Longings

A: “Vore,” for readers who aren’t

familiar with the term, refers to a range of kinks that involve the threat or reality of being eaten alive and/ or eating another creature alive. Vore comes in “soft” and “hard” varieties, like other kinks, with soft vore involving fantasies of being swallowed whole and hard vore involving fantasies about the (imaginary!) ripping of flesh and the (simulated!) crunching of bones and shedding of blood.

Fantasies about creatures large enough to swallow a human whole and/or devour one in chunks are important to this kink, as a quick image search for “vore fetish” on Google proves. But since most vore fantasies involve creatures that qualify as

fantastical beasts, i.e., large animals (kinkmegafauna) interested in swallowing humans whole, vore fetishists are limited to role play, although some have built their own creatures or sought employment at the Jim Henson Company and repurposed larger Muppets off the clock.

Before you can determine which way to go — assuming your boyfriend wants to “act out” his fantasies in the first place — you’ll need details, FULL. Is your boyfriend into the intimacy and protection aspects of vore?

Does he want to be gently “held” in the mouth and only threatened with being eaten or does he want to be swallowed whole and slowly dissolve in something’s guts? Does bondage, i.e., being a bound sacrifice, play a role in his fantasies? Learning more about what his fantasies look like — besides the whole being swallowed alive thing — is the first step.

Once you know exactly what turns him on, FULL, you can explore his kinks through role-play and dirty talk. Ramping things up slowly — baby steps — is always a good idea with varsity-level kinks, so try sexting each other and/or creating dirty vore stories over email or text. If your boyfriend wants to get physical, you can start with mouthy things like biting, licking, sucking, etc., combined with dirty talk about digesty things like chewing, swallowing, stomachs, etc.

If things go well, you bring his fantasies to life — or as near to life as possible —using props and costumes.

Try zipping him up in a sleeping bag to simulate being in a stomach — filling it with a gooey liquid will make it feel more like the inside of some fantastical beast’s stomach — but be careful not to smother him. (Accidentally smothering to death is bad. #TheMoreYouKnow) You could also visit a place with isolation/floatation tanks together and pretend you’re trapped in the stomach of something or someone awful.

Finally, FULL, I want to commend you for not freaking out when your boyfriend shared his kink. You listened, you did a little research, you gave it some thought, and you reached out to me. For that, I’m upgrading your GGG card to platinum.

Q: Any advice for a first-time sex-

toy buyer? I’m looking into vibrators, but I don’t want to spend a bunch of money on something that doesn’t do it for me.

—Very Into Buying Electronics

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Hitachi Magic Wand). Best of luck to you!”

Follow Moen on Instagram and Threads @FuckYeahErikaMoen.

Q: A friend and I want to go to the

“VIBE should go to a sex shop in person so she can physically pick up and turn on the models she’s considering buying,” said Erika Moen.

“If possible, go to a shop that advertises itself with any of the following words: feminist, queer, LGBTQ+, sex-positive, woman-friendly, transfriendly, or inclusive, as these places tend to be staffed by people who are passionate and genuinely invested in helping folks of all walks of life.”

Moen and her partner, Matthew Nolan, have been making the Oh Joy Sex Toy comic for three years, which combines reviews of sex toys with really awesome, hilarious, and inclusive sex ed. And Moen, who has personally tested hundreds of sex toys, wants you to rub one or two out before you go shopping.

“VIBE should pay attention to the kind of action that feels good or gets her off,” said Moen. “Does your clit like super-direct focus? The smaller the head of the vibrator, the more laser-like the precision. Do you like lots of overall, engulfing stimulation that covers a lot of ground? The larger the head, the more surface area it’ll cover, and the vibrations will be more generally distributed across the entire vulva, from outer labia to clit.”

For best results, Moen recommends buying two toys, VIBE, if you can swing the expense.

“Get a generic bullet vibe first,” said Moen. “They’re about $15 to $20 — it’s a model that has a control box you hold in one hand and a cord that connects to a simple vibrating egg shape that you hold in your masturbating hand. Try it out at home, and then based on how you did or did not enjoy it, purchase a more expensive, high-quality model ($60 to $120) based on the kind of vibrational stimulation you learned you want from that first cheaply made model. Personally, I recommend the Minna Limon and Vibratex’s Mystic Wand for smaller-sized, decently powered vibrators. And then the big guns that’ll blast you to the moon and back are the Doxy and Vibratex’s Magic Wand (formerly known as the

inauguration in January with the intention of standing with our backs to the ceremony as a peaceful protest statement. A handful of people doing this won’t say much, but if hundreds/ thousands of people did this, it could send a message to the world that the majority of us did not vote for him and are not supporting his hate. Do you feel this would be a worthwhile action to try to organize (along with giving money and time to organizations that support social justice), and if so, would you give voice to this idea to your readers/listeners?

—Peaceful Protester

A: I’m torn.

On the one hand, we need to stand against Trump. Like his campaign, his nomination, and his election, his impending inauguration is an outrage. On the other hand, flying is expensive and lodging in D.C. isn’t cheap, PP, and our money could be better spent. Going to D.C. to turn your back on Trump as he’s being sworn in doesn’t preclude making a donation to the Chosen Family Law Center (chosenfamilylawcenter.org) or the National Center for Lesbian Rights (nclrights.org) or the International Refugee Assistance Project (refugeerights.org), of course, and symbolic acts of resistance — demonstrations, zaps, protests — often inspire people to engage in additional and more practical acts of resistance (donating money, monkey-wrenching discriminatory “registries,” urging local elected officials to not cooperate with anti-immigrant campaign).

But if heading to D.C. to protest on Inauguration Day feels right and necessary, you have my full support — so long as that’s not the last thing you do or the only thing you do.

But me? I’m going to spend the day making donations, baking cakes, and sucking cocks.

Dear Readers: I hope everyone has a lovely Thanksgiving — you deserve one — and I’ll be back at you next week with a brand new column.

—Dan 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.

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CULTURE Free Will Astrology

By Rob Brezsny ARIES: March 21 – April 19 Renowned composer Mozart had a sister nicknamed Nannerl. During their childhoods, she was as much a musical prodigy as he. They toured Europe doing performances together, playing harpsichord and piano. Some critics regarded her as the superior talent. But her parents ultimately decided it was unseemly for her, as a female, to continue her development as a genius.

She was forcibly retired so she could learn housekeeping and prepare for marriage. Is there a part of your destiny, Aries, that resembles Nannerl’s? Has some of your brilliance been suppressed or denied? The coming months will be an excellent time to recover and revive it.

TAURUS: April 20 – May 20 Do you know if you have any doppelgangers, Taurus? I bet you will meet one in the coming weeks. How about soul friends, alter egos, or evil

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twins? If there’s no one like that in your life right now, they may arrive soon.

And if you already know such people, I suspect your relationships will grow richer. Mirror magic and shadow vision are in the works! I’m guessing you will experience the best, most healing kind of double trouble. Substitutes and stand-ins will have useful offers and tempting alternatives. Parallel realities may come leaking through into your reality. Opportunities for symbiosis and synergy will be at an all-time high.

Sounds like wild fun!

GEMINI: May 21 – June 20 Humans have been eating a wide range of oranges since ancient times.

Among the most popular types in modern times is the navel orange. It’s large, seedless, sweet, juicy, and easy to peel. But it didn’t exist until the 1820s, when a genetic mutation on a single tree in Brazil spawned this new variety.

Eventually, the navel became a revolutionary addition to the orange family. I foresee a metaphorically comparable development in your life during the coming months, Gemini. An odd tweak or interesting glitch could lead to a highly favorable expansion of possibilities. Be alert for it.

CANCER: June 21 – July 22 Cancerian, you are a finalist for our “Most Resourceful and Successful Survivor of the Year” trophy. And if you take a brief trip to hell in the next two weeks, you could assure your victory.

But wait! Let me be more exact: “Hell” is an incorrect terminology; I just used it for shock effect. The fact is that “hell” is a religious invention that mischaracterizes the true nature of the realm of mystery, shadows, and fertile darkness.

In reality, the nether regions can be quite entertaining and enriching if you cultivate righteous attitudes. And what are those attitudes? A frisky curiosity to learn truths you have been ignorant about; a brave resolve to unearth repressed feelings and hidden yearnings; and a drive to rouse spiritual epiphanies that aren’t available when you’re in the trance of everyday consciousness.

LEO: July 23 – August 22 In my astrological opinion, you need and deserve big doses of fun, play, pleasure, and love. Amusement and enchantment, too. As well as excitement, hilarity, and delight. I trust you will schedule a series of encounters and adventures that provide you with a surplus of these necessary resources.

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Can you afford a new toy or two? Or a romantic getaway to a sanctuary of adoration? Or a smart gamble that will attract into your vicinity a stream of rosy luck? I suggest that you be audacious in seeking the sweet, rich feelings you require.

VIRGO: August 23 – Sept. 22 December will be Home Enhancement Month for you Virgos. Get started immediately! I’ll offer tips for how to proceed and ask you to dream up your own ideas. 1. Phase out décor or accessories that no longer embody the style of who you have become. 2.

Add new décor and accessories that will inspire outbreaks of domestic bliss. 3.

Encourage everyone in your household to contribute creative ideas to generate mutual enhancement. 4. Do a blessing ritual that will raise the spiritual vibes.

5. Invite your favorite people over and ask them to shower your abode with blessings.

LIBRA: Sept. 23 – Oct. 22 Libran songwriter and producer Kevin MacLeod has composed over 2,000 pieces of music — and given all of them away for free. That’s why his work is so widespread. It has been featured in thousands of films and millions of YouTube videos. His composition “Monkeys Spinning Monkeys” has been played on TikTok over 31 billion times. (P.S.: He has plenty of money, in part because so many appreciative people give him free-will donations through his Patreon page.) I propose we make him your inspirational role model in the coming weeks and months, Libra. How could you parlay your generosity and gifts into huge benefits for yourself?

SCORPIO: Oct. 23 – Nov. 21: According to my grandmother, I have such a mellifluous voice I should have pursued a career as a newscaster or DJ on the radio. In eighth grade, my science teacher admired my work and urged me to become a professional biologist. When I attended Duke University, my religious studies professor advised me to follow his path. Over the years, many others have offered their opinions about who I should be.

As much as I appreciated their suggestions, I have always trusted one authority: my muses. In the coming weeks and months, Scorpio, you may, too, receive abundant advice about your best possible path. You may be pressured to live up to others’ expectations.

But I encourage you to do as I have done. Trust your inner advisors.

SAGITTARIUS: Nov. 22 – Dec. 21 I invite you to get a head start on formulating your New Year’s

resolutions. January 1 is a good time to instigate robust new approaches to living your life, but the coming weeks will be an even better time for you Sagittarians. To get yourself in the mood, imagine you have arrived at Day Zero, Year One. Simulate the feeling of being empty and open and fertile. Imagine that nothing binds you or inhibits you.

Assume that the whole world is eager to know what you want. Act as if you have nothing to prove to anyone and everything to gain by being audacious and adventurous.

CAPRICORN: Dec. 22 – Jan. 19 There was a long period when many popular songs didn’t come to a distinct end. Instead, they faded out.

The volume would gradually diminish as a catchy riff repeated over and over again. As you approach a natural climax to one of your cycles, Capricorn, I recommend that you borrow the fade-out as a metaphorical strategy. In my astrological opinion, it’s best not to finish abruptly. See if you can create a slow, artful ebb or a gradual, graceful dissolution.

AQUARIUS: Jan. 20 – Feb. 18 When he was young, Aquarian musician and sound engineer Norio Ohga wrote a critical letter to the electronics company now known as Sony. He complained in detail about the failings of their products. Instead of being defensive, executives at the company heeded Ohga’s suggestions for improvement. They even hired him as an employee and ultimately made him president of the company at age 40. He went on to have a stellar career as an innovator. In the spirit of the Sony executives, I recommend that you seek feedback and advice from potential helpers who are the caliber of Norio Ohga. The information you gather in the coming weeks could prove to be highly beneficial.

PISCES: Feb.19 – March 20 What would your paradise look and feel like? If you could remake the world to suit your precise needs for maximum freedom, well-being, and inspiration, what changes would you instigate? Now is an excellent time to ponder these possibilities, Pisces. You have more ability than usual to shape and influence the environments where you hang out. And a good way to rouse this power is to imagine your ideal conditions. Be bold and vivid. Amuse yourself with extravagant and ebullient fantasies as you envision your perfect world.

Homework: What do you really want but think you shouldn’t want it? Can you find a loophole?

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