24 Hour Ticket Giveaway: Ripe @ El Club

This Friday night, get ready to party with Ripe at El Club. This Boston based group is "ready to bring the whole world to its feet" with their own funky version of dance music. The band features seven members, and plenty of horns. You can check them out for yourself by giving their latest release Joy in the Wild Unknown a listen, you can hear the first track off the album below.

Ripe will be joined by Waker for Friday's show. Tickets to see these two perform live are $14 in advance or $16 at the door. You can purchase your tickets in advance here. You can also enter to win a pair of tickets to this show. To enter to win, send your name to hipindetroit@gmail.com with #ripe in the subject line. We will draw one lucky winner on Friday morning and they will get in the door with a friend for free that night. 

Doors will open at 7:30 p.m. on Friday and the show kicks off at 8:30. 

~C

Hit the Streets of Detroit in Your Undies

Next week, you have a chance to drop your pants and run through the streets of Detroit! Cupid's Undie Run will once again be returning to Downtown Detroit, on Saturday, February 9th. The run was started in Washington DC in 2010. The goal of this run was to raise money for Neurofibromatosis (NF), a genetic tumor disorder that affects 1 in every 3,000 births. The idea is, participants
run in their undies because the kids can't cover their tumors, so why should we be able to cover up. Plus, running in your underwear is super fun and definitely will draw more attention than a regular 5K.

Cupid's Undie Run is a short run, with the entire length only about a mile. The run kicks off at The Fillmore  at 2 p.m. and ends at 2:15 p.m., so like we said, it's super short. You don't have to train for weeks, and you don't even have to run. This isn't your typical race. You can walk, jog, trot, or run around like an idiot if you want. It's all for a good cause. Since the run is only 15 minutes long, there has to be more of a reason for you to head downtown in your skivvies. So, inside The Fillmore there is a party before and after the run. The party starts at noon and then picks back up after the race is over.

Cupid's Undie Run is still looking for participants. To sign up to run, or to donate money to the cause, click here.

~C

Win Tickets to See Zilched and Handgrenades at UFO Factory

For just over 15 months, UFO Factory in Corktown was closed. A construction crew cracked the foundation of the building and the city condemned it. But, after over $400,000 of renovations, the bar officially reopened its doors this past October. The space is better than ever before and there are a ton of reasons to make sure that you stop in to see it. You can see a full list of shows that they have planned here. 

You can also enter to win tickets to see two of Detroit's best bands in the newly re-opened, out of this world bar. Zilched and Handgrenades will co-headline a very early show at the bar the day after Valentine's Day, Friday February 15th. This early night on the town will feature Zilched hitting the stage at 7 p.m. with the HG's following up with a full set at 9 p.m. Then, the bar will host an after party that will feature DJ sets from Tropical Storm Prins and Eastside Jon. Pre-sale tickets to attend the sure to sell out show are only $10 in advance and $15 the day of the show, You can purchase your pre-sale tickets here. Even with a service fee, it is cheaper to buy your tickets in advance so there really ins't a reason not to do so. But we know that a lot of you won't listen and you'll be posting about how bummed you are when the show sells out. So we secured two guest list spots for a Hip in Detroit reader and a guest.

If you would like to be on the guest list for this one, please email your full name to hipindetroit@gmail.com with the subject line #HG. We will draw one lucky person the morning of the event and they will get to attend the show and see the re-opened space for free. You can check out some of the HG's music here and hear some Zilched here. We highly recommend catching both of these bands live, they are worth it!

~S

Watch Spike Lee's "Do The Right Thing" On the Big Screen

It may be cold as hell outside right now, but in 1989 in Brooklyn it was hot as hell outside. Well, at least on the day that the film Do The Right Thing takes place. This iconic film was created by Spike Lee, and although it wasn't his first film, it was the film that really put his name out there. The film takes place, "on the hottest day of the year on a street in the Bedford-Stuyvesant section of Brooklyn, everyone's hate and bigotry smolders and builds until it explodes into violence." It starred big names like Martin Lawrence, Rosie Perez, Danny Aiello, Ossie Davis, Ruby Dee, Samuel L. Jackson, and Spike Lee himself.

This weekend, you have a chance to see this iconic film on the big screen at The Redford Theatre. The historic theatre will be showing the film on Friday night, February 1st at 8 p.m. If you haven't seen Do The Right Thing before, it is a must seem film. If you have seen it, this is the perfect opportunity to watch it again. Tickets for Friday's showing are only $5 and can be purchased in advance here.

The Redford Theatre is located at 17360 Lahser in Detroit. For more info on this historic theatre and to see a full list of upcoming shows, head to RedfordTheatre.com.

~C

Handmade Detroit Presents Their First VLNTNSDYMRKT at The Majestic

It's been over a decade since Handmade Detroit launched their first Detroit Urban Craft Fair inside the Garden Bowl at The Magic Stick. Since then, they have established themselves as the people to talk to if you want to create a one of a kind DIY maker-centric experience in the City of Detroit. They know every maker in town and have perfected the ability to throw together a show that is both fun and shop-able. These are just some of the reasons why we we're excited to hear that they have taken over as the new curators of the VLNTNSDYMRKT that was originally created and curated by Pot + Box's Lisa Waud. This perfect storm of talent and creativity promises to bring us the most interesting Valentine's Day market to date inside the space where it all started for Handmade Detroit.

The VLNTNSDYMRKT will take place on Sunday, February 10th and it will feature 25+ local merchants alongside a live DJ, a photo booth, and a variety of make and take stations where attendees can learn the art of creating from some of the best. Entry to the market is only a $1 a person and bracelets to walk around and participate in all the actives are only $10. Tickets will not be sold in advance for this event, they must be purchased at the door. This is the perfect way to celebrate love and have some fun with friends or someone that you love. To learn more about the market and to keep up with all of the big updates before the 10th click here.

Don't forget, the Magic Stick has a full bar and you can grab a slice from Sgt. Pepperoni's before or after you walk the show. Pro tip: Call your own pizza order in 20 minutes before you show up or before you are done and get something hot and fresh with all the topping that you want! They even have vegan options!

~S 

Win Tickets to See John Maus at El Club

This Thursday night, El Club will welcome John Maus to their stage. The Minnesota based artist is currently out on tour in support of his latest release Addendum, which was released last spring. That album is the follow up to Screen Memories that was released in 2017. The tour kicks off right here in Detroit this week. Give both of these releases a listen below to get ready for Thursday's show.

Tickets to see John Maus perform live are $20 and can be purchased in advance here. You can also enter to win a pair of tickets to this show. To enter to win, send your name to hipindetroit@gmail.com with #maus in the subject line. We will draw one lucky winner on Thursday morning and will send them details on how to claim their prize.

Doors will open 8 p.m. for this show and all ages are welcome.

~C

A Picture Recap of House of Vans Detroit

For four days, the House of Vans took over Jefferson High School in Detroit. They brought together music, skateboarders, and artists to create a once in a lifetime immersive experience that was free to all. Huge names like Danny Brown, Joyce Manor, and Thundercat performed while artists like Niagara and Ellen Rutt transformed rooms inside the school and created art work for the event. Here is an inside look at all of the fun that took place last weekend. We hope that Vans will come back again soon!

All photos taken by Laura June Kirsch (IG - @laurajunekirsch)

  

~S

Win Tickets to See Lala Lala at Deluxx Fluxx

How do you deal with trauma and sadness? Some of us talk it out with our friends and family and others bottle it up inside. Lillie West aka Lala Lala took a different approach and decided to take her pain and turn it into 12 of the best songs to come out in 2018. Her latest album The Lamb is her attempt to pour her heart and out get her ass out of her house, where she has been stuck for months after her house invasion. The music helped her get her head out of the water and get back on her feet. So much so that she is taking her tunes on tour and making a stop in Detroit to play Deluxx Fluxx this Wednesday, January 31st alongside Sen Morimoto and Soviet Girls. Tickets are $10 a piece and doors for this show are 7 p.m. on Wednesday. 

We also have one pair of tickets to give away to the show with a copy of the new album. If you would like to win tickets and some new music, please email your full name to hipindetroit@gmail.com with the subject line #lala. We will draw one lucky winner this Wednesday morning and they will get to attend the show at Deluxx Fluxx and come home with a copy of the new album.

~S 

Win Tickets to See The Soft Moon

Sunday night, The Soft Moon will perform live at El Club in Detroit. The post-punk project headed by Luis Vasquez is currently out on a North American tour with HIDE. The tour kicked off in Brooklyn a couple of weeks ago and will take the two bands throughout the east coast, into the south and midwest, and even into Canada all in a matter of a few weeks. Give The Soft Moon's latest album Criminal a listen below to get ready for Sunday's show.

Tickets for Sunday's show are $15 in advance or $17 at the door. You can purchase your tickets in advance here. You can also enter to win a pair of tickets to the show by sending your name to hipindetroit@gmail.com with #moon in the subject line. We will draw one lucky winner on Sunday morning and send them details on how to claim their prize.

Lingua Ignota will also be joining The Soft Moon and HIDE for Sunday's show. Doors are set to open at 8 p.m. for this one and the show will kick off at 9.

~C

Win Tickets to NIGHTLIFE at Deluxx Fluxx

Feel like you're famous for the night and head to Nightlife this Sunday night at Deluxx Fluxx! Nightlife is Detroit's newest drag show and dance party, and it is a party like no other! The night will feature fashion, music, art, and of course, dancing. Your hosts for the night are Lou Ramo, Jacob Hengesbaugh, Chanel, and Christian Ryan. They will guide you through the evening, with fashion designs on display from SKNDLSS and Jacob Martinez, DJ sets by Chanel and Christian Ryan, and art and photography by Jacob Hengesbaugh and Studio 29 Photos. There will also be performance by
Lou Ramo,  Dusty Rose, Jezebel, Artamiss, Fearless, Winemom420, Saladin Spears, and Aphrodite. The evening will be packed full of fun for a night you won't forget!

Tickets for Nightlife are only $5 in advance, you can purchase yours here. You can also enter to win a pair of tickets to this amazing party. To enter to win, just send your name to hipindetroit@gmail.com with #nightlife in the subject line. We will draw one lucky winner on Sunday morning and they will get in with friend for free that night!

Doors for Nightlife open at 7 p.m. and the show will start at 9 p.m. For more info on this event, click here.

~C

The Scoop on Street Beet

The Detroit dining scene has been going through a transformation over the last five years. First, we got a few fancy restaurants, then the food trucks came, and finally the pop-ups started. Pop-ups are by far our favorite part of this new golden age of food. These flash food mobs appear and disappear faster than you can say foodie, but they are all unique in their own ways. Some well known chefs use them as a way to explore new cuisines and other up and coming cooks use them as a way to get their names onto people's lips and their food into their mouths.

One of the most talked about pop-up events of 2018 were the Street Beet Vegan Taco Hell events at PJ's Lager House. This plant based take on Taco Bell flooded our Instagram feed and made us craze a crunch wrap like nobody's business, but it took us a few attempts to get our butts into a seat at one of their events because we weren't the only ones that were intrigued by what chef Nina Paletta & Meghan Shaw were cooking up. Thankfully, last weekend we finally got in and stuffed a breakfast version of that crunch-wrap in our mouths and we are pleased to report that it is everything we hoped it would be.

Street Beet is special because they take the time to make cashew cheese that melts in your mouth just like the "real" stuff would. They go out of their way to re-create the tastes and textures that you are looking for when you splurge on some Taco Hell or Pizza Butt and they make vegan food accessible and fun for everyone. They host their pop-ups at places like PJ's and Nancy Whiskey's and they don't bullshit with selling you some corny experience. The only problem is, everyone wants in and they can only cook so much. They have added a lot more events to their roster and are helping to create a menu for a future space in Royal Oak, but access is still very limited. You can see the dates of their next Vegan Taco Hell and their first McDaddy's event here. You can follow them here to keep up with everything they are doing.

~C

Win Tickets to See The Amity Affliction and Senses Fail at The Majestic

This Saturday night, The Amity Affliction and Senses Fail will hit the stage at The Majestic Theatre. The two bands are currently on the road together for The Misery Will Find You Tour. Both bands have been playing since the early 2000s and neither seems to be stopping any time soon. The Amity Affliction just released their sixth studio album Misery last year. Senses Fail released their seventh studio album If There Is Light, It Will Find You last year as well. Give each of them a listen below.

The Amity Affliction and Senses Fail will be joined by Silent Planet and Belmont for Saturday's show. Tickets to see this show live are $25 in advance or $30 the day of the show. You can purchase your tickets in advance here. You can also enter to win a pair of tickets to the show. To enter, just send your name to hipindetroit@gmail.com with #miserywillfindyou. We will draw one lucky winner on Saturday morning and will send them details on how to claim their prize.

Doors will open at 8 p.m. on Saturday and the show will start at 9. All ages are welcome.

~C

The Local Music Scene Comes Together to Celebrate the Life of Johnathan Gogoleski

If you grew up "going to shows" and listening to local music you met a lot of new people all the time. You didn't just hang out with the kids that went to your school, you hung out with all the kids in the area that were into music. Those "kids" become your second family, the music brings you together and forms a bond that can be very hard to break. When someone from the "scene" is in trouble, we come together, we throw a show and we make sure that they get what they need. We also come together when we lose someone from the music scene. We use music to celebrate their life and we come together to honor our fallen friend.

Next week the local music scene will be coming together to celebrate the life & music of Johnathan Gogoleski. Three bands that Johnathan played with will be coming together to celebrate what would have been the musician's 30th birthday. They will also be raising money for The Suicide Loss Foundation, a local charity that supports those who lose someone to suicide. The Magical Elixirs, The Consequences, and All About The Fire will be playing live sets and all the money earned will be donated to charity. The goal of this event is to celebrate the life of someone special and to raise money to help others in the future.

The benefit show is scheduled to to take place on Friday, February 1st at The Loving Touch. Tickets to attend are $10 at the door and in advance and doors for the event are at $8 pm. If you would like to know more about The Suicide Loss Foundation click here. 

~S

Piff The Magic Dragon will Blow Your Mind at The Majestic Theatre

America's Got Talent has introduced all sorts of acts and performers to its audience, from acrobats, to dancers, to singers. Some are normal people that you might pass on the street and never even know that they posses an amazing talent. Others, are a little different, like Piff the Magic Dragon. Piff could just go by his real name, John van der Put, and perform magic that oohs and aahs his audience. But instead, he takes his act a step further and dresses as a dragon, goes by Piff the Magic Dragon, and performs magic tricks that often feature his four legged assistant, Mr. Piffles. If this all sounds just too crazy to believe, see it for yourself below.

Since appearing on America's Got Talent, Piff the Magic Dragon has performed around the world, with shows at Radio City Music Hall, Shakespeare’s Globe, the O2, London, and Sydney Opera House. Now you have a chance to see him for yourself right here in Detroit at The Majestic Theatre.

Piff the Magic Dragon will be performing live at The Majestic on Thursday, January 24th. Tickets for the show are $39.50 in advance or $45 the day of the show. You can purchase your tickets in advance here. You can also enter to win a pair of tickets to the show courtesy of AEG Presents. To enter to win, just send your name to hipindetroit@gmail.com with #piff in the subject line. We will draw one lucky winner the morning of the show and they will get in to see Piff that night with a friend for free.

Doors will open at 7 p.m. for this show and all ages are welcome.

~C

24 Hour Ticket Giveaway: The Lemon Twigs at El Club

The Lemon Twigs are currently on a North American Tour and this Wednesday night, they are making their way to Detroit. The brother fronted band will be hitting the stage at El Club along with Jackie Cohen. The tour is in support of the band's latest album, Go To School, that was released last year. Give the album a listen here and check out the music for "Never in My Arms, Always in My Heart" below.

If you would like to see The Lemon Twigs live and in person, you can purchase tickets for $18 in advance here. You can also enter to win a pair of tickets to the show. Just send your name to hipindetroit@gmail.com with #lemon in the subject line. We will draw one lucky winner on Wednesday morning and will send them details on how to claim their prize. 

~C

A Peep Inside the Willis Show Bar

The original Willis Show Bar opened its doors in 1949. The upscale bar and lounge featured live music and stiff drinks and it was the playground for many of Detroit's movers and shakers until the city abruptly closed it down in 1978. For almost 40 years, the building laid in ruins waiting for someone to restore it to its original glory, which is exactly what happened when it reopened it's doors last year.

The new Willis Show Bar also features live music and great cocktails almost every day of the week.  They have once again gathered some of Detroit's best musicians and performers and created a curated calendar of music and entertainment that you cannot find anywhere else in Detroit. They have also created a cocktail menu that features staples like The Old Fashioned alongside interesting blends like an Old English Lavender and an Espresso Martini, which makes getting a drink there a little more enticing. It's hard to explain what makes this place so special, so instead of describing it to you, we teamed up with Obscura Broadcasting Company to give you a little sneak peak inside to show you what makes this space our new favorite upscale night out.

Most Willis Show Bar performances are only $5 to attend so there is no reason to skip this experience, head over to their website and book yourself a seat ASAP!

~S

The House of Vans Comes to Detroit this Weekend

Vans Shoes originally opened its first store in California in 1966. The small shoe manufacture was co-owned by two brothers who wanted to bring manufactured shoes to the public. Their first shop featured four styles of shoes with a variety of color options. The customers would come in, place their order and then come back to pick up their shoes. Then, in the early '70s everything changed when one of the owner's sons asked them to create a pair of skate shoes that featured a V that he had drawn on his skateboard. This logo and the skate shoes that he designed became the staple item for the shoe company and launched Vans into the skate and counterculture brand that we know today.

For the last 50 years, Vans has been thee brand of skateboarders, BMXers, and music lovers alike.  The brand sponsored Warped Tour for over 20 years and even had an entire song written about them by the legendary Detroit Suicide Machines. When you think of Vans, you think of music and skate culture, and when you think of skate culture and music, you think of Vans. In fact, there is nothing better than throwing on a pair of Vans and heading out to see some live music, which is exactly what they are hoping all of us will do this weekend.

Vans is launching a new event in Detroit this weekend called House Of Vans. The four day party will take place January 24th-27th and it will feature live music, art, education, and retail. This four day party will take place at Jefferson High School. Vans will construct stages and ramps and a pop-up market that will showcase some of Detroit's best companies. This includes SMPLFD, Ghostly International, Third Man Records, Grey Area, Genusee, Community Push, and B_KS@.

You can RSVP to each day of the event here. There are a ton of cool classes that will also be taking place throughout the day but they are already 100% booked, so you are no longer able to sign up to attend. The open events are listed below.

Thursday:
5-11 PM open skate
5-11 PM open market
8 PM Thundercat, Protomartyr, and Amber Mark


Friday:
4-11 PM Open Skate
4-11 PM Street Market
7 PM SESSIONS
House of Vans marquee series, SESSIONS, comes to Detroit this winter featuring open skate on the venues new skate park with tricks by QUASI, Quartersnacks, and Alltimers. In the auditorium, we’ll feature emerging musicians and live art by Shaina Kasztelan, Sheefy McFly, and more.

Saturday:
12-11 PM Street Market
3-11 PM Open Skate
7 PM Danny Brown, Joyce Manor, and Kelsey Lu

Sunday:
3-5 PM Open Skate
12-7 PM Street Market
5 PM Pyramid Scheme Competition- skate competition

~S

Tommy Wiseau Comes to Town this Weekend

Tommy Wiseau's The Room has been a cult sensation for years now. Released in 2003, the movie is known as "The Best Worst Movie Ever". The hype was only strengthened in 2017 when James Franco released The Disaster Artist, a movie covering the making of The Room, in which Franco portrayed Wiseau. The Room is legendary, and so is Wiseau himself.

This weekend, you have a chance to meet Tommy for yourself. He will be at The Main Art Theatre in Royal Oak where they will be showing midnight screenings of The Room. The screenings will be held on Friday and Saturday night and tickets are $15. We highly suggest that your purchase your tickets in advance here, because we're sure these events will sell out.

The Main Art Theatre is located in Royal Oak at 118 N. Main Street. For more information on this event, click here.

~C

Win Tickets to See The End of The Ocean

It's been 7 years since The End of The Ocean called it quits, seven years since the band worked together, and seven years since they went on tour. But, this year the once broken up band is coming back together to release new music and to go on tour to bring that music to the fans who missed them during the last decade.

The End of The Ocean thought that when they parted ways that would be the end, but after a few years of living apart, they decided to come back together to make something beautiful. Their new album is called -aire and was a big part of the healing process, it can be heard for the first time today here.

You can see the band play the new music at El Club this Sunday, January 20th. They will be releasing the album tonight, stopping in Chicago, and then coming to Detroit for the third show in the tour. Tickets to attend are $13 in advance and $15 at the door. We also have one pair of tickets to give away to the show. If you would like to enter to win a pair of tickets to the show, please email your full name to hipindetroit@gmail.com with #ocean in the subject. We will draw a winner the morning of the show and they will get to see the reunited band live and in person on Sunday.

~S

Youngbloods Goes Hardcore this Saturday

In the 1950's, Johnny Cash made the pompadour popular. His slicked backed locks and rock and roll style became his signature look and inspired a whole new generation of men whose style influenced their fashion and their fashion influenced their music. Youngbloods is the perfect embodiment of that marriage of rock and roll, style, and fashion because this men's barber shop and clothing store offers up more than a cool place to get your groom on. 

 

Their stylists are well versed in the art of the groom and their retail store offers up the latest and greatest in good taste and fashion including gear from brands like Alternative Apparel, Levi's, and Straight to Hell. You can book a hair cut online here and you can stop in any day of the week to try something on for yourself.  You can also catch some live music inside the space after hours from time to time because Youngbloods understands that music, fashion, rock & roll, and fun will always go together and always be in style.

This Saturday, Youngbloods will host its first show, with High Alert, Hushed, Bitter Truth, Ghost Crown, and Vacate. Doors for the show are at 6 p.m. and cover is only $7. There are plans to have more events like this in the future if this one goes well too! For more information on the shop and the show click here.

~S